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Cannes Awards: Sofia Coppola Scores a First, Joaquin Phoenix Wins, Nicole Kidman Celebrated

Roger Friedman
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Cannes Awards: Sofia Coppola Scores a First, Joaquin Phoenix Wins, Nicole Kidman Celebrated

The 70th annual Cannes Film Festival is over. The winner of the Palme D’or is The Square by Ruben Ostlund. Sofia Coppola is the first American woman ever and the second woman in the world to win Best Director “The Beguiled.” Joaquin Phoenix and Diane Kruger won Best Actor and Actress, respectively. Nicole Kidman was given an award just for being fabulous. D’accord!

Overall, though, it was a dull festival. The movies did not seem exciting, and the overall mood was pensive. No one made any wild statements at press conferences. There were no surprise appearances. The nicest party seems like it was for the festival’s 70th anniversary. The amFAR shindig was reduced to models and reality stars, well below amFAR from the early days. Even Elton John didn’t show up, and he lives in town.

FEATURE FILMS

PALME D’OR
THE SQUARE by Ruben ÖSTLUND

70th Anniversary Award
Nicole KIDMAN

GRAND PRIX
120 BATTEMENTS PAR MINUTE (BPM – Beats Per Minute)
by Robin CAMPILLO

BEST DIRECTOR
Sofia COPPOLA for THE BEGUILED

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR
Joaquin PHOENIX in YOU WERE NEVER REALLY HERE by Lynne RAMSAY

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS
Diane KRUGER in AUS DEM NICHTS (In The Fade) by Fatih AKIN

JURY PRIZE
NELYUBOV (Loveless) by Andrey ZVYAGINTSEV

BEST SCREENPLAY EX-ÆQUO
Yorgos LANTHIMOS and Efthimis FILIPPOU
for THE KILLING OF A SACRED DEER
Lynne RAMSAY
for YOU WERE NEVER REALLY HERE

SHORT FILMS

PALME D’OR
XIAO CHENG ER YUE (A Gentle Night) by QIU Yang

MENTION DISTINCTION BY THE JURY
KATTO (The Ceiling) by Teppo AIRAKSINEN

CAMÉRA D’OR

JEUNE FEMME (Montparnasse Bienvenüe) by Léonor SERRAILLE
presented at UN CERTAIN REGARD

The CST Jury decided to award the VULCAIN PRIZE FOR ARTIST-TECHNICIAN to: Josefin ASBERG for her remarkable artistic contribution to match the inventiveness of the film THE SQUARE.

Movies: A Memorial Day Box Office In Memoriam as “Baywatch,” “Pirates” Flop

Roger Friedman
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Movies: A Memorial Day Box Office In Memoriam as “Baywatch,” “Pirates” Flop

The good news for Disney is that “Pirates of the Caribbean” has made $270 worldwide. The bad news is that in this country, very few people cared. The domestic total for three (really four) days is $62 million. The opening weekend take in 2011 for the last “Pirates” movie was $90 million. You do the math.

In 2011, “Pirates 4” was in its second week on Memorial Day weekend. The number 1 movie for the holiday was “The Hangover 2.” It made $85 million. You do the math.

Franchise movies– endless sequels no one cares about, made for the money only — are coming to an end. This is their “Twilight,” so to speak. A whole generation of moviegoers is wiped out on the cynicism of it all. In the case of “Pirates,” the enervating feel of more of the same swashbuckling is combined with knowing you gave Johnny Depp all that money so he could squander it on crap and a bad short marriage.

Meanwhile, Paramount has to deal with “Baywatch” the way Warners lived with “CHiPS.” Why are we making movies out of terrible TV? There must be a few good ideas out there. “Baywatch” brought home $18 million this weekend. It cost, they say, $69 million. We’ll say $80 million. Still water, not waves, killed it. I’m not sure I’ll ever watch it on an airplane.

The next month brings “Wonder Woman,” “The Mummy,” another “Transformers” movie, and another “Spider Man” Movie. It all seems underwhelming…

One Night Gregg Allman Came into Elaine’s And I Finally Got to Meet Him

Roger Friedman
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One Night Gregg Allman Came into Elaine’s And I Finally Got to Meet Him

One night Gregg Allman came into Elaine’s. It was late, and the restaurant was pretty empty. He came in with a lady friend, said hello to Gianni, the head waiter, and walked to the back. Gianna put them at a table sort of nowhere, kind of hidden. I watched this from where I was having dinner with Elaine Kaufman, the famous owner and raconteur and hostess, as if it were happening in slow motion. Hundreds of celebrities had come to Elaine’s. But this seemed like an apparition.

I said to Elaine, “Oh my god, is that really Gregg Allman?” She nodded. “Whaddaya think? Of course it is. He’s been here before. No big deal.”

Really? Gregg Allman is a rock god. I have listened to “Jessica” and “Whipping Post” and “Live at Fillmore East” my whole life. He is an icon, with pink skin and white hair and a pony tail. He was in town for one of those annual 10 day gigs at the Beacon Theater.

“Go say hello to him,” Elaine said, because she always said that. I met a lot of people with the words, “Elaine says hi. She sent me over.” I’m already sitting down now, staring at Gregg Allman. What do I remember now? I thanked him for “Melissa” and “Blue Sky” and “Midnight Rider.” I did not tell him how many speeding tickets I’ve almost gotten listening to “Jessica.” I was cool, don’t worry. He was very nice. We talked about the tour. I didn’t ask about Cher or his late brother Duane or anything else.

I knew a few weeks ago when Cher said she had a family problem and couldn’t go shoot a movie, it was Gregg–father of her son Elijah Blue– who was ill. Everyone else said it was the mother. But Allman had cancelled all his 2017 shows. It was known that he was pretty sick. The end was near.

The Allman Brothers Band is far more important in rock history than given credit for. The music, the songwriting, the structure of it. The Allman Brothers surprise you still when you listen to them. It’s part big band, part swing, jug band, Texas blues. So original and so American. It’s the creme de la creme of what is called Southern Rock, and so much more. What a legacy. If I met Gregg Allman again, I couldn’t say thank you enough times.

 

Sinks like a Rock: “Baywatch” Movie Drowns with $5.7 Mil Friday Box, Johnny Depp “Pirates” Off to Series Low

Roger Friedman
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Sinks like a Rock: “Baywatch” Movie Drowns with $5.7 Mil Friday Box, Johnny Depp “Pirates” Off to Series Low

The early returns are in. “Baywatch: The Movie” has sunk with the Rock, like a rock. The ill conceived TV adaptation has drowned with just $5.7 million on Friday night, and a total from Wednesday previews and Thursday of just over $10 million. All the abs in China won’t save this thing.

Meanwhile “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales” made $19 million Friday night, plus $5 mil from Thursday previews. Lowest numbers since the original movie back in 1931 when Depp was just coming off “21 Jump Street,” the TV series, and didn’t own an island.

Keep refreshing…

The Beatles $117 Sgt. Pepper Box Set is Number 1 on Amazon, Number 6 Download on iTunes

Roger Friedman
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The Beatles $117 Sgt. Pepper Box Set is Number 1 on Amazon, Number 6 Download on iTunes

Fifty years later, “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” is marching to the top again.

The 50th anniversary box set is number 1 on amazon.com. The lavish package with 4 CDs and 2 DVDs retails for $117.99. It’s been at the top with pre-orders for a month. But now it’s here, and it’s outselling all regularly priced albums.

The downloadable version (which is great but as extensive as the offerings in the box set) is number 6 on iTunes. That version includes the remixed original album plus a sequence of outtakes that form a ‘reimagined’ version of the album. “Strawberry Fields” and “Penny Lane” are included in new stereo mixes.

But you have to get the box set to get the Mono version (with those extra songs– including the famous piccolo ending on “Penny Lane”) plus two CDs of outtakes and two DVDs (one is a Blu Ray).

The limited version can be streamed, too, on Spotify.

The 50th anniversary box is really an occasion. Hats off to Jeff Jones and Jonathan Clyde and the Apple Records staff. They’ve really done the Beatles justice. There so many spectacular small things about the box set. For one thing, all the songs are great. There isn’t a dud. The more you listen, thanks to Giles Martin’s remix, the more you hear. I’ve been listening to this album for five decades and find surprise after surprise. The outtakes, instrumentals, and “work drafts” so to speak reveal layer after layer. “Sgt. Pepper” is an astonishing achievement. “Revolver” prefaced it, and the three subsequent albums– the White Album, Abbey Road, Let it Be– plus “Hey Jude”– fulfilled its promise.

Ariana Grande Says She’ll Return to Manchester for a Memorial Concert

Roger Friedman
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Ariana Grande Says She’ll Return to Manchester for a Memorial Concert

Ariana Grande says she’ll return to Manchester for a memorial concert. “We will not quit or operate in fear,” the singer said on Twitter.

This Preview of Sam Moore Singing on the Warrior Games Commercial Will Blow Your Mind

Roger Friedman
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This Preview of Sam Moore Singing on the Warrior Games Commercial Will Blow Your Mind

This preview of famed singer and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer singing on the Warrior Games commercial will blow your mind. The Games are in Chicago June 30-July 8th. I sure hope there’s a full version coming of this song, called “Show for You.” Holy moley! Sam Moore, by the way, is 81. His voice just gets better and better.

Box Office: “Baywatch” is a Wipe Out, “Pirates” May Still Have Some Swashbuckle

Roger Friedman
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Box Office: “Baywatch” is a Wipe Out, “Pirates” May Still Have Some Swashbuckle

The Weds-Thursday box office is in. “Baywatch” is a wipe out. Paramount’s taken in $4.5 million over the two nights. The future is dim, to say the least. Projections are for more maybe $20 million over the four day holiday weekend. After Warner’s mess with “CHiPS,” maybe it’s time not to make keep remaking these TV shows. They weren’t good in the first place, they aren’t good now.

“Pirates of the Caribbean” is panned everywhere. But the box office may not be a total disaster, just a “disappointment.” Starting with $5.5 million Thursday night, and $34 million international, there’s some hope for the moment. The film is literally coasting on brand name recognition and “nothing else out there.” If your choice is between nitwit lifeguards, and some good sword play, what’s the answer? Plus you’re looking for Paul McCartney.

Yes, that’s right. 50 years after the release of the greatest rock album ever made, you’re looking for its creator in a Pirates movie. Of course, 240 years after the United States declared independence, a crazy person is president. So all bets are off!

Some good news: the word on “Wonder Woman” is very good. What a relief. More on that later…

Media: Lawrence O’Donnell Off MSNBC “Last Word” Second Night in a Row

Roger Friedman
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Media: Lawrence O’Donnell Off MSNBC “Last Word” Second Night in a Row

It doesn’t look good for Lawrence O’Donnell at MSNBC. There was some hope last week that the talk show network would negotiate a new contract for the popular host. But he’s off the air tonight, and was off the air last night. All signs point to O’Donnell not returning to say goodbye. His contract ends June 4th.

O’Donnell is the second highest rated show on MSNBC, which is having a boom time. O’Donnell and Rachel Maddow are beating Fox News and CNN in the key demos and have built a big following. But O’Donnell has been particularly harsh on Donald Trump. NBC is thought to be leaning toward moving their viewpoint to the center-right. NBC News chief Andy Lack is said to lack interest in O’Donnell.

I think this is such a mistake. O’Donnell is one of the most erudite clear thinkers on TV. He’s really NBC’s Charlie Rose, and they should be appreciating that. But of course, NBC didn’t appreciate Harry Smith, either. And Megyn Kelly is coming…

Bette Midler Accepts Outer Critics Award for “Hello Dolly”: “This is the hardest job I’ve ever had in my whole life”

Roger Friedman
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0
Bette Midler Accepts Outer Critics Award for “Hello Dolly”: “This is the hardest job I’ve ever had in my whole life”

Most of the stars who won awards from the Outer Critics Circle Awards showed up on Thursday afternoon for the annual pre-theater dinner at Sardi’s. Bette Midler came, and accepted her award for Best Actress in a Musical– “Hello, Dolly!”– with class and aplomb. She said: “This is the hardest job I’ve ever had in my whole life. You people on Broadway are nuts. I’ve never encountered people who worked so hard and still are kind of cheerful about it.” She joked: “I mean, I’m riding all the way to the bank…[but] I’ve never had to work this hard.”

Laura Linney and Cynthia Nixon, each of whom won for “The Little Foxes,” came on time and stayed through the whole two hour event. Andy Karl, star of “Groundhog Day,” picked up his award, and joked about his notoriously torn ACL. Ruben Santiago Hudson was there for Best Revival of a Play, which he directed– August Wilson’s “Jitney.” Designers, directors, creative people galore all managed to get themselves to Sardi’s. “Come From Away” picked up Best New Musical and “Oslo” was Best Play.

Broadway stars Danny Burstein, Christopher Fitzgerald, and Katie Finneran presented the awards. They proved to be entertaining and glib hosts.

Two award winners, however, skipped the proceedings. Danny DeVito didn’t show, claiming a scheduling problem. But the most egregious absentee was Kevin Kline, who won Best Actor for “Present Laughter.” After calling several times to say when he was coming, he didn’t come at all. You may recall that Kline snubbed his opening night party several weeks ago. All night there was a sigh that said “Kline” at an empty table.

DeVito, making his Broadway debut, didn’t make many friends by his absence. “Hollywood stars don’t take Broadway seriously,” sniffed one OCC nominator.

Despite the “Hello, Dolly!” $40 million box office and the officiousness of producer Scott Rudin, the show did well with the OCC. Gavin Creel won Best Featured Actor and the show picked up some creative awards. Midler got high marks for coming in quietly, hanging out at the back wearing a brightly flowered scarf on her head, for having clearly worked on her speech.

She joked about working “nearly every night– let’s not go there.” She also said: “It hurts. I have acid reflux! Oh my god. The clothes are so tight! …The truth is I’m having a ball. I’m enjoying myself. I’m working with people who are so so skilled and talented…It’s been a really steep learning curve for me. I guess I don’t mind standing up in front of you because you’ve already reviwed the show and I don’t give a shit! But I must say it was time for me come and do this.”

Outer Critics Circle

2016-2017 Awards

OUTSTANDING NEW BROADWAY PLAY
*Oslo

OUTSTANDING NEW BROADWAY MUSICAL
*Come From Away

OUTSTANDING NEW OFF-BROADWAY PLAY
*If I Forget

OUTSTANDING NEW OFF-BROADWAY MUSICAL
*The Band’s Visit

OUTSTANDING BOOK OF A MUSICAL
(Broadway or Off-Broadway)

*Irene Sankoff & David Hein Come From Away

OUTSTANDING NEW SCORE
(Broadway or Off-Broadway)

*David Yazbek The Band’s Visit

OUTSTANDING REVIVAL OF A PLAY
(Broadway or Off-Broadway)

*Jitney

OUTSTANDING REVIVAL OF A MUSICAL
(Broadway or Off-Broadway)

*Hello, Dolly!

OUTSTANDING DIRECTOR OF A PLAY

*Rebecca Taichman Indecent

OUTSTANDING DIRECTOR OF A MUSICAL
*Christopher Ashley Come From Away

OUTSTANDING CHOREOGRAPHER

*Warren Carlyle Hello, Dolly!

OUTSTANDING SET DESIGN
(Play or Musical)

*Mimi Lien Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812

OUTSTANDING COSTUME DESIGN
(Play or Musical)

*Catherine Zuber War Paint

OUTSTANDING LIGHTING DESIGN
(Play or Musical)

*Bradley King Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812

OUTSTANDING PROJECTION DESIGN
(Play or Musical)

*Aaron Rhyne Anastasia

OUTSTANDING SOUND DESIGN
(Play or Musical)

*Gareth Owen Come From Away

OUTSTANDING ORCHESTRATIONS

*Larry Hochman Hello, Dolly!

OUTSTANDING ACTOR IN A PLAY

*Kevin Kline Present Laughter

OUTSTANDING ACTRESS IN A PLAY

*Laura Linney The Little Foxes

OUTSTANDING ACTOR IN A MUSICAL

*Andy Karl Groundhog Day

OUTSTANDING ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL

*Bette Midler Hello, Dolly!

OUTSTANDING FEATURED ACTOR IN A PLAY

*Danny DeVito The Price

OUTSTANDING FEATURED ACTRESS IN A PLAY

*Cynthia Nixon The Little Foxes

OUTSTANDING FEATURED ACTOR IN A MUSICAL

*Gavin Creel Hello, Dolly!

OUTSTANDING FEATURED ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL

*Jenn Colella Come From Away

OUTSTANDING SOLO PERFORMANCE

*Simon McBurney The Encounter

JOHN GASSNER AWARD
(Presented for an American play, preferably by a new playwright)

*Bess Wohl Small Mouth Sounds

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