Paul McCartney hit Madison Square Garden last night and the place went wild. His special guests were Bruce Springsteen and Little Steven van Zandt. They played “I Saw Her Standing There”– twice. You can see it all here. So who will be Paul’s guest on Sunday night? Rihanna? Paul does play the song he wrote for her, “Four Five Seconds,” on this tour. If it weren’t for those danged Emmy Awards, I’d go over to MSG and see what’s happening.
PS Maureen van Zandt wrote on Twitter: “3 hours sleep , but what a night ! There is nothing like a Paul McCartney show. Fab band, great songs, the loveliest group of people. Magic.”
Paul McCartney at MSG Last Night in a Springsteen Sandwich with Bruce and Steve van Zandt
Box Office: “Mother!” “American Assassin” Latest Bombs in Record Low Year
The box office continued its downhill roll yesterday. Darren Aronofsky’s “Mother!” starring Jennifer Lawrence proved to be a dud. “American Assassin” directed by Michael Cuesta and starring Michael Keaton is also a bust, although its minimal budget of $33 million may mitigate huge losses.
“Mother!” took in just $3 million last night, “American Assassin” came in at $5.8 million.
Meanwhile power horror film “It” scared up another $19 million on Friday night. The two week total through last night is $178 million.
Harry Dean Stanton, Guilty Pleasure of Great Films, Dies at 91 with Two More in the Can
By now you may know that Harry Dean Stanton has died at the age of 91. He was an enigmatic character actor who was Jack Nicholson’s best friend, a hero of Sean Penn and David Lynch, and a guilty pleasure kind of character actor you always looked forward to seeing in a movie.
He made a lot of movies, too. Harry Dean started in the classic TV era in the late 50s, and appeared in show after show. He had a kind of dry humor and wan look that made him an easy casting as a fallen soldier, an alcoholic, a grifter. He always looked worn out and later that gave him a kind of wisdom that stretched across his angular face. As recently as this summer he was in several episodes of David Lynch’s “Twin Peaks” reboot (for no apparent purpose except to be himself). At his death he still had two movies in the can including “Lucky,” which co-stars Lynch.
Harry was a cult figure in Hollywood until the early 80s when he finally hit it big in Alex Cox’s clever indie film, “Repo Man.” He followed that with Wim Wenders’ “Paris, Texas,” and “Stars and Bars” (with Daniel Day Lewis), John Hughes’s “Pretty in Pink,” and so on. Suddenly he was one of those guys we were looking for in hip films. Those would come to include David Lynch’s “Wild at Heart,” and “Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me” (in which he originated Carl Rodd). He had an outlaw quality that appealed to Hollywood bad boys like Penn and even Charlie Sheen.
Movies won’t be the same without Harry Dean Stanton. But even as a character actor he’d be worth a tribute festival. His arc in film history represents some of the best work ever. He will be sorely missed.
Sunday: 50th Anniversary of The Doors Defying Ed Sullivan And Singing Their Lyrics to “Light My Fire”
This Sunday is the 50th anniversary of The Doors’ one and only appearance on CBS’s “Ed Sullivan Show.”
They defied Ed and CBS by singing the actual lyrics to “Light My Fire,” their number 1 hit. Instead of singing ‘Girl we couldn’t get much higher’ they were told to replace it with, ’Girl, there’s nothing I require.’
Jim Morrison refused, and sang the song properly. Sullivan was furious, and the Doors never returned.
Sullivan probably thought he could get away with it. Both Elvis Presley and the Rolling Stones had previously been censored. Aretha Franklin never made it onto the show because of a dress Sullivan disliked.
Here Ray Manzarek of The Doors recalls what happened to his group.
PS The other guests that night included Rodney Dangerfield, and Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme.
Sharon Stone Snubbed by amFAR, AIDS Group to Honor Julia Roberts
Sharon Stone, who gave so much to amFAR, is snubbed again by the AIDS organization. Instead they’ll throw a bash in Los Angeles next month to honor Julia Roberts.
There’s nothing wrong with Julia Roberts, but as far as I can tell she’s been to exactly one amFAR event ever– two years ago in Los Angeles. She’s never really had anything to do with them otherwise. At one time, Julia’s charity work was very focused on Paul Newman’s Hole in the Wall Gang. She’s also been a backer of Bono’s (RED) Campaign. In a press release she’s cited as participating “in the kick-off of the World AIDS Day holiday shopping extravaganza. In 2014, Roberts received the Humanitarian Award from GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network, at its annual GLSEN Respect Awards gala. In addition, Roberts is also a passionate fighter for many causes, including healthcare, education, international development, disaster relief, family support, and more.”
Roberts is a big Name, though, and she’ll bring big table sales to the evening. Tom Hanks and James Corden will participate, CAA has thrown its full weight behind the event.
Meanwhile, no mention of Stone, who ran around the world tirelessly raising money for amFAR for years until they didn’t want her anymore. It’s kind of shocking.
And amFAR continues to have sketchy finances as it chases celebrity around the world.
PS The far more grounded Elton John AIDS Foundation holds it annual New York event in November, with Aretha Franklin leading the list of entertainers.
Angelina Jolie- Jon Voight Reunion A Byproduct of Family Loss and Redemption in Her Excellent New Film
Jon Voight is certainly back in daughter Angelina Jolie’s inner circle. He came with her and the kids to the NY premiere last night of her extraordinary new film, “First They Killed My Father.” (And second, they made up with him. Par umpum!)
Hard to imagine how this whole rapprochement works since Jolie and Voight are further apart on the political scale than Patti Davis was from her parents, Ronald and Nancy Reagan. But maybe it’s a lesson to a lot of families split by the current political climate. Blood is thicker than water. The lesson of family is the underscore for “First They Killed My Father.”
Certainly we learn that from Jolie’s film, which would be hailed as a “masterpiece” if it had been made by Spielberg or Eastwood. “First They Killed My Father” should put Angelina right in the ranks of the top directors– it’s an astounding achievement on a grand level and really deserves a Best Picture nomination.
It’s on the level of one of Eastwood’s best films, “Letters from Iwo Jima.” There is no English spoken. Much of the movie is Cambodian or Vietnamese. A good deal of it is without dialogue as child star Sareum Srey Moch navigates holy hell as the Khmer Rouge threaten to obliterate her country. All the children are exceptional, and you can tell that they really responded to Jolie. The really extraordinary move Jolie makes as a director here is that she has no adults, and no “Stars”– there is no ‘draw’ of a name. You don’t suddenly see a Movie Star show up as guide through the film. That’s how confident she is.
The film is based on a book Jolie bought for $2 the first time she went to Cambodia 17 years ago. “First They Killed My Father” is written by Loung Ung (played by young Moch). Loung came to the Toronto Film Festival and to last night’s NY premiere with one of her brothers, also portrayed in the film. They are a shining example of why immigration is so important. After the harrowing true events of the movie they came to the US and grew up in Cleveland. They are all incredibly accomplished, great successes. More importantly, they are alive and well. Meeting them takes your breath away.
The reunion with Jon Voight certainly comes from the lessons of the film. The whole point of the film– far more than the political– is the fabric of Loung’s family knitting back together. It’s a metaphor for Jolie’s life.
See this movie. And let’s hope it does well enough that brings awards and recognition for Jolie as a filmmaker at last. She deserves it.
Tom Cruise’s “American Made” Continues to Waffle in International Market Before US Release
Things are not getting better for Tom Cruise’s international release of “American Made.”
The worldwide total is now at $34.4 million for the Doug Liman-directed thriller. It’s played in most countries except China, Russia, and South Korea– Cruise’s go to countries. “The Mummy,” for example, inexplicably made $91 million in China early this summer.
But so far “American Made” has done less well in every country than “The Mummy.” It could be a case of over-saturation– they did just see him in another film that didn’t make much sense. Some people say the title is a turn off, especially with America declaring Trump trade wars abroad.
“American Made” has two more weeks to fill its coffers before its US release. Meantime, Cruise– recovering from injuries that have halted production of “Mission Impossible 6”– has not been seen or heard from all summer. The old smilin’ Tom would have shown up in London for a premiere on crutches. So who knows what’s going on?
Review: Jennifer Lawrence in “Mother!” a Modern “Rosemary’s Baby” as a Contemplation on Fame
All the people involved in the new horror film “Mother!” — opening Friday–are heavy hitters. Jennifer Lawrence and Javier Bardem have Oscars. Darren Aronofsky has indie cred after directing the beloved “Black Swan” and “Requiem for a Dream.”
So Paramount gave them a huge all-star premiere last night at Radio City Music Hall followed by a no-media after party some warehouse disco downtown. The VIP line to get into Radio City was something unprecedented, too– it snaked down Sixth Avenue and up West 50th St. where it was possible to see any number of famous faces. Said one big name Broadway producer, “You have to have a sense of humor.”
Inside Radio City we ran into lots of well known people from Emma Stone and Greta Gerwig to Edward Norton and Jake Paltrow.
And what is “Mother!” all about? It feels like an update of “Rosemary’s Baby,” with of course lots of cutting edge special effects. JLaw and Bardem are a happy couple living in a beautifully restored farmhouse. He’s a famous writer, she’s in charge of decorating. Then Ed Harris knocks on the door. He says he’s a professor. He also has a bad cough and may be dying.
Shortly after, his wife–Michelle Pfeiffer– shows up looking for him. Then their two sons (actor Domhnall Gleeson and his real life brother Brian), warring over Dad’s will. Bardem lets them all in and encourages their sociopathic behavior while Lawrence suffers and sees things in the walls. (Is it asbestos? Ghostbusters goop? Hard to say.)
“Mother!” is a little episodic, so all of these people eventually vanish when their work is done. That launches the second act, so to speak, which is very “Rosemary’s Baby” although there is no cute Ruth Gordon to befriend JLaw. Jen (the characters don’t have names) is pregnant. Javier is writing the Greatest Poem Ever. But their happiness is short-lived: act three is a gory fever dream in which the couple’s baby is tossed around like a football.
Lawrence and Bardem, of course, are eminently watchable. Aronofsky is almost too clever for his own good but he is never boring. “Mother!” is rich with imagery and subtext and references to literally everything. One bit of casting — a surprise appearance by Kristen Wiig– is disruptive in this meditation. But Aronofsky scores many points, especially about what people sacrifice for fame and adulation.
Nicole Kidman Will Receive Actress Tribute from IFP Gotham Awards for “Unforgettable Iconic Performances”
Great news: The IFP Gotham Awards will honor Nicole Kidman will a lifetime achievement award on November 27th. They say it’s for her “unforgettable iconic performances.” No kidding. No movie star of her generation has been so innovative, daring and courageous– her resume is full of independent and experimental movies. She’s never afraid to try something new. Bravo!
The IFP will also honor Ed Lachman, the great cinematographer and one of my own faves for his work in films like “Carol,” “Far from Heaven,” and work with directors Todd Haynes, Sofia Coppola, Werner Herzog, Jean-Luc Godard, Wim Wenders, Volker Schlondorff, Ulrich Seidl, Paul Schrader, Steven Soderbergh, Robert Altman, and Todd Solondz.
The Gothams ceremony cannot be missed this year! Awards nominees to follow shortly…
Sting Donates “First Stratocaster I Could Ever Afford” to the Smithsonian In Honor of Dreamers: “those who feel excluded from society need to feel that we are with them”
Friday night saw a remarkable honor bestowed on rock star activist compoer Sting. The Smithsonian in Washington honored him for his contributions to both music and philanthropy– specifically his nearly four decades as a musician who has used his success as a platform for social and political activism.
As part of the proceedings Sting donated one of his favorite and most iconic guitars to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. Also being saluted for his own body of work and philanthropy was composer J. Ralph – who collaborated with Sting on the Academy Award-nominated song “The Empty Chair” from the documentary “Jim: The James Foley Story.”
There were two events held at the Washington museum as part of the dedication. An early-evening soiree held for a small group of major Smithsonian donors and close friends of the two honorees – and a sit-down panel discussion about music and philanthropy. Sting was accompanied by his wife Trudie Styler wearing a stunning multi-hued Gucci dress with the word “loved” embroidered on the back.
Sting’s acceptance speech referenced the current prominence in the national conversation about the “dreamers” in the cross-hairs of the DACA debate. “I feel art is about dreaming. We are all dreamers and I know that’s very pertinent at the moment. All of us here are dreamers. And those who call themselves dreamers this week and who are in some danger of being excluded from society – they need to feel that we are with them.”
The speech was followed by a Q&A and then a performance by Sting of “The Empty Chair.” Sting explained that he selected his 1978 Fender Stratocaster guitar to donate to the Smithsonian for several reasons including that he had played it at the first solo performances he ever gave – a precursor to his solo career – at a benefit show for Amnesty International titled “The Secret Policeman’s Other Ball” which was also the start of his decades long support for the human rights organization.
He said: “That concert really started a relationship with Amnesty that has carried on to this day. I’ve described Amnesty as being the most civilized organization in the world. They get people released from jail who shouldn’t be there in the first place. I’ve done many many tours with Amnesty to promote their work and to try and promote membership. That performance also gave me an idea that perhaps I could set out on my own and not be in a band anymore. So I thank Amnesty for that feeling of independence that I have now.”
As the event ended there was a flurry of goodbyes. Sting was flying out to Europe for the next leg of his successful “57th and 9th” tour with his son Joe Sumner. Trudie Styler back to her intensive film producing duties with an upcoming premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival of the film “Novitiate” starring Melissa Leo – which she co-produced.
Summarizing the occasion Sting pronounced that “this dreamer is very happy to be here at the Smithsonian.” And then referring to the Institution having being inspired and funded by the 18th century British scientist James Smithson, added “I’m happy to know that an Englishman started the whole thing!”