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Trump Unites All the Celebs In the World Against Him After None Showed Up for His Inauguration

Roger Friedman
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Trump Unites All the Celebs In the World Against Him After None Showed Up for His Inauguration

Who Trump had at the Inauguration: Jon Voight, Dog the Bounty Hunter, Stephen Baldwin.

Who came to Washington the next day to protest him: his son-in-law’s brother, Josh Kushner. Josh’s brother is Jared, new White House adviser.

So many celebrities at all the rallies in all the cities. Probably a lot of people who don’t usually talk to each other. Trump has united all the famous people in the world against him. That’s quite a feat.

In Washington: Cher, Madonna, Michael Moore, Marisa Tomei, Patricia Arquette, Katy Perry, Amy Schumer, Jessica Chastain, America Ferrara, Scarlett Johansson, Ashley Judd, Alicia Keys, Janelle Monae, Jake and Maggie Gyllenhaal. among others.

In Los Angeles: Jane Fonda, Barbra Streisand, Jackson Browne, Frances Fisher, Miley Cyrus, Jamie Lee Curtis, Rosanna Arquette.

At Sundance: Charlize Theron, John Legend, Maria Bello, Laura Dern, Jennifer Beals, et al.

In New York: Helen Mirren, Rosie Perez, Whoopi Goldberg, Cynthia Nixon. And that’s not counting Robert DeNiro and Alec Baldwin, who appeared the night before.

Is Trump getting the message? At this rate, he will have an empty room at the end of April for the White House Correspondents Dinner. (Doubtful they will have it, or invite him, or ask him to speak.)

Maybe “the red states” hate celebrities, hate smart people, resent everyone. But this is no way to start your presidency.

March: Millions Turns Out, Madonna Gets Attention, Sean Spicer Lies Like a Rug, Trump Insults the CIA

Roger Friedman
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March: Millions Turns Out, Madonna Gets Attention, Sean Spicer Lies Like a Rug, Trump Insults the CIA

Oh Madonna. Keeping it classy at the Women’s March. She said she thought about bombing the White House. She dropped her own bombs– the F kind. All those reasonable speakers, and then the inarticulate Madonna.

Madonna says she’s angry. We are all angry. The new Press Secretary, Sean Spicer, has chosen lying for a living. On the first day! Then Trump went to the CIA and insulted them. (I think this is probably a mistake. What do you think?)

Trump and Spicer are now focused on how small or large the Inauguration was– it was dwarfed by Obama 2009 and by Saturday’s March. Plus the TV ratings– except on Fox News– were bad bad bad.

Box Office: Inauguration Sent People from Real Life Horror to Movie Horror Hit “Split”

Roger Friedman
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Box Office: Inauguration Sent People from Real Life Horror to Movie Horror Hit “Split”

The horror of what we saw last night drove people to the movies– to a horror film. M. Night Shyamalan’s “Split” took in over $14 million on Friday. Those people could have stayed home and watched the end of the world for free. But they went out and spent $10 a pop to get away from it.

Second was “XXX: Return of Xander Cage,” which made $7.1 million. Again, escapism ruled.

Oscar favorites “La La Land” and “Hidden Figures” continue to do well. “Lion” hit $15 million. (Go, “Lion”!)

But Martin Scorsese’s “Silence” expanded to 1,580 theaters and tanked. The average per screen was $201. The total through today is $4.3 million. This is a tragedy. One day this movie will be ranked as a classic. Its release, however, has been a disaster. Try and see “Silence” before it’s out of theaters. A gorgeous, important film.

Watch 81 Year Old Legend Sam Moore Save the Embarrassing Inaugural Performances

Roger Friedman
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Watch 81 Year Old Legend Sam Moore Save the Embarrassing Inaugural Performances

The Inaugural concert is a disaster, filled with D listers and a wedding band singing bad Sinatra. The whole thing is a Reagan esque white fantasy. We’ve gone back in time to a bad bad place that I thought was over. Trump welcomes the Branson era of corny Caucasian crap. “Hee Haw” is next.

So thank God then for Sam Moore, one of the music biz’s legends, who Bruce Springsteen calls “The greatest soul singer on the planet.” With Dave Prater (died in 1988) Sam had dozens of hits and earned a Grammy Award. On his own he’s sung for all the living presidents. He was the star of a PBS special on Memphis music recorded live at the White House. Michelle Obama loves him.

Sam has two solo albums. “Pretty Good Lovin'” was recorded in 1972 with Aretha Franklin on keyboards, produced by King Floyd. You can find it online. In 2006 he recorded “Overnight Sensational” produced by Randy Jackson with special guests Springsteen, Sting, Bon Jovi and Wynonna Judd.

In September 2015, Sam fit into his schedule a special honor on the Memphis Music Walk of Fame. Justin Timberlake joined him live on stage to sing the Otis Redding hit “Dock of the Bay.”

Moore was pressed into action when Jennifer Holliday dropped out of the Inaugural welcome concert. He performed a magnificent “America the Beautiful.” Then tonight on national TV he sang his greatest hit, “Soul Man.” (Waiting for the clip.) At 81, his voice is extraordinary. He was a diamond in the rough the last two days. What a treat. Something good came out of all this.

What Sam needs now: a Kennedy Center honor and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

rehearsal

live show

Adele, On Her Way to Album of the Year, Will Sing at the Grammy Awards

Roger Friedman
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Adele, On Her Way to Album of the Year, Will Sing at the Grammy Awards

As I predicted, Adele is now signed to sing at the Grammy Awards. Her “25” album is on its way to Album of the Year. This is why Adele didn’t appear on the American Music Awards– she was saving herself for the Grammys.

Since November 2015, Adele has been the Queen of Pop. Beyonce has her fans, but Adele is in a category unto herself. Her run with “25” is historic, and the payoff will be on Grammy night, February 12 th, when she scoops up Album of the Year, Song (“Hello”) and whatever else she wants.

Beyonce’s “Lemonade” will clean up in the R&B categories. I’ve no doubt that Miss Knowles will also sing on Music’s Biggest Night.

John Legend is also performing. And I’d be shocked if there weren’t some nod to “La La Land” on the Grammys. Just sayin… And Drake: you know he’ll be on the show. Keith Urban has also said yes.

Who won’t be on the show? Justin Timberlake, who was snubbed. And Justin Bieber? Not liked by the Grammys per se, and he did perform on the AMAs. Maybe they’ll find something for him to do.

The 59th Annual GRAMMY Awards are produced by AEG Ehrlich Ventures for The Recording Academy. Ken Ehrlich is executive producer, Louis J. Horvitz is director, Ben Winston is a producer, and David Wild and Ehrlich are the writers.

Movies: Universal Cancels Premiere and Junket Screening for “A Dog’s Purpose” as PETA Bares Claws

Roger Friedman
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Movies: Universal Cancels Premiere and Junket Screening for “A Dog’s Purpose” as PETA Bares Claws

Universal Pictures has just canceled its press junket for “A Dog’s Purpose” following the growing scandal around a German Shepherd which may have been terrorized on set by its trainer.

PETA has jumped way into the melee, asking Universal to pull the Lasse Hallstrom directed film. Hallstrom and voice over actor (in this case, he’s usually in person) Josh Gad have each expressed concern over the video that’s circulating of the dog and his trainer.

Hallstrom, whose many great movies include “My Life as A Dog,” is just about the nicest and most conscientious director in the world. He’s worked a lot of with kids and pets, and is known for being exceedingly good to them. I doubt this video is indicative of anything that happened on the film.

Universal says:

Because Amblin’s review into the edited video released yesterday is still ongoing, distributor Universal Pictures has decided it is in the best interest of A DOG’S PURPOSE to cancel this weekend’s premiere and press junket. Amblin and Universal do not want anything to overshadow this film that celebrates the relationship between animals and humans. 

Since the emergence of the footage, Amblin has engaged with many associated with the production of the film, including safety personnel, trainers and stunt coordinators as part of their in-depth review.  While we are all disheartened by the appearance of an animal in distress, everyone has assured us that Hercules the German Shepherd was not harmed throughout the filmmaking.

We continue to support this film, are incredibly proud of it and will release it for audiences nationwide next Friday.

 

Review: M. Night Shayamalan Causes a “Split” When it Comes to Plot Satisfaction

Leah Sydney
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Review: M. Night Shayamalan Causes a “Split” When it Comes to Plot Satisfaction

M. Night Shyamalan’s new film “Split,” which releases wide today is a psychological thriller that hit the jackpot by casting the tremendously talented James McAvoy, grandstanding in an acting grandiose way, playing a psychotic teen abductor.

The film opens with his obviously troubled self (two dozen personalities give or take) kidnapping three teenage girls in a parking lot. The following saga has audiences, depending on their age — ok I have to say it — split. At the screening I saw in Hollywood older members of the audience tended not to like it as much as the younger ones I spoke with. They thought the film was ‘really cool.’

Frustrations abound. From “The Sixth Sense” on, Shyamlan has been living on borrowed time. Granted, he’s had higher moments with O “Signs” “The Village,” “Unbreakable.”  But the misfires are legendary at this point. We keep waiting for a return to the magic of “The Sixth Sense.” And it doesn’t seem to be coming.

“Split” is basically a one man show piece for McAvoy. Not to say that the actresses don’t hold their own, especially Anya Taylor of “The Witch.”  The always glorious Betty Buckley plays McAvoy’s long-suffering therapist with genuine compassion. The film does have some of Shyamalan’s signature moves (and he himself has a cameo) terrific flashbacks, unexpected twists etc. There are moments of true artistry in “Split.” But it’s uncomfortable to watch because  then it falls apart and makes no sense. You are left wondering, What exactly is going on here? The ending is, yes kind of ‘cool’ indeed, but again we who knew Shyamalan’s work way back then still yearn for more. So sparing the obvious pun, I’m on both sides of the fence on this one.

 

 

RIP: Actor Miguel Ferrer of “NCIS: Los Angeles,” “Twin Peaks,” And Son of Hollywood Royalty

Roger Friedman
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RIP: Actor Miguel Ferrer of “NCIS: Los Angeles,” “Twin Peaks,” And Son of Hollywood Royalty

George Clooney writes of the passing of his first cousin Miguel Ferrer: “Today history will mark giant changes in our world, and lost to most will be that on the same day Miguel Ferrer lost his battle to throat cancer.  But not lost to his family. Miguel made the world brighter and funnier and his passing is felt so deeply in our family that events of the day, (monumental  events), pale in comparison.
We love you Miguel.
We always will. “

Miguel Ferrer, well liked actor from “NCIS: Los Angeles” and “Twin Peaks,” has died at the age of 61 from cancer. He was part of Hollywood royalty, the son of the late Oscar winner Jose Ferrer and the amazing singer Rosemary Clooney. George Clooney was first cousin and singer Debby Boone (Daughter of Pat Boone) was his sister-in-law.

I think I met Miguel Ferrer a couple of times and he was always very gracious. He really first came to prominence in the original “Twin Peaks” series in 1990 as Agent Albert Rosenfield. Droll is the best way to describe Miguel Ferrer, and he played off David Duchovny, Kyle MacLachlan and David Lynch on screen beautifully. After that he just worked and worked and worked on tons of TV shows, and it was always great to see him. Ferrer Tweeted last summer about the new episodes: “Happy they released the large and impressive Twin Peaks cast list. So honored and proud to be a part of it.”

Lately Ferrer had been on “NCIS: Los Angeles.” But fans had noticed he was slurring his words in recent episodes. There was talk that he’d had a stroke as well. On last week’s show, he was killed off. I guess the producers knew how had his illness. But Ferrer’s illness must have progressed quickly. Back in July he Tweeted about “NCIS”: “Middle of shooting 802. Starting off as the best season yet by far. Stories and action second to none. Some damn good acting too.”

Jill Hennessy, who starred with him in “Crossing Jordan,” just Tweeted: “Can’t believe this gut-punch…just heard @Miguel_J_Ferrer passed..loved that hilarious, brilliant dude. So much luv 2 his family. Unreal.”

There will be lots of Tweets and toasts from his friends and co-stars.  Condolences to his family.

 

Beatles: What the McCartney Lawsuit Includes and Excludes in 21 Pages of Songs

Roger Friedman
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Beatles: What the McCartney Lawsuit Includes and Excludes in 21 Pages of Songs

Paul McCartney’s lawsuit filed today in New York against Sony Music is pretty interesting for what songs it includes and excludes.

In all, there are 21 pages of songs. Some titles are different from what we knew them as, and a couple are downright missing.

For example, “Yesterday” is alternatively listed as “Scrambled Eggs.” That’s how it was originally registered.

But two songs aren’t there, unless they’re hiding under other names– “Give Peace a Chance” and “The Ballad of John and Yoko.”

Long considered “Lennon” songs, they may have been horse-traded with Yoko Ono for McCartney songs like “Maybe I’m Amazed” and the instrumental “Junk.”

Plus, McCartney is including the two hits he wrote for Peter and Gordon, “World Without Love” and “Woman.”

Thriller: Paul McCartney Sues to Get Back His Valuable Beatles Catalog from Sony Music After Michael Jackson Estate Sale

Roger Friedman
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Thriller: Paul McCartney Sues to Get Back His Valuable Beatles Catalog from Sony Music After Michael Jackson Estate Sale

Paul McCartney is suing Sony Music Publishing to get back the 251 songs he wrote with John Lennon. This is just a short time after Sony bought up Michael Jackson’s share of their company. Jackson bought the Beatles catalog in 1987 and used it as his personal bank until the day he died. In 1995, he merged his own company with Sony’s then very small music publisher in exchange for desperately needed cash. Jackson was then settling personal lawsuits.

McCartney never forgave Jackson for buying the Beatles catalog behind his back. No matter what he says now, it was always a sticking point. At one point, McCartney, frustrated, wanted to reverse the songwriting credit so it read McCartney-Lennon on songs he wrote alone like “Yesterday.” For the last 30 years, the ownership of his own music has dogged McCartney.

According to copyright law, McCartney would be able to start getting back some of the songs as their status terminated, by filing notices. He was so keen on this that he started filing in 2008 for songs that would become available in 2018. But a similar case involving Duran Duran in the British courts was botched, and apparently McCartney and his lawyers– brother in law, John Eastman, and nephew Lee Eastman– didn’t want the same thing to happen to them. So they’ve made a pre-emptive strike against Sony by filing suit.

“For years following service of the first Termination Notices, Defendants gave no indication to Paul McCartney that they contested the efficacy of Paul McCartney’s Termination Notices,” reads the complaint. “Defendants’ affiliates did, however, oppose at least one other artist’s terminations of transfers under the terms of the 1976 Copyright Act.” That would be Duran Duran.

In heaven, Michael Jackson must be having a fit. The whole snatching of the Beatles catalog allowed him to carry on with abandon, spending money he didn’t have, borrowing millions, and living as if the future didn’t matter. The sale to Sony last year (the deal was only finalized this past September) was something he would have abhorred. But once again, Michael’s lawyer, John Branca, must have seen this train coming down the tracks. Branca cut a great for Michael’s kids, selling for a reported $750 million.

If Sony loses the Beatles catalog in 2018, the next question will be: who will administer it?  McCartney could administer his side of it through his MPL  company. (Lennon’s reps already made a deal for his side to stay with Sony.) Or another hungry publisher, like Universal, which sells McCartney, Lennon, and Beatles albums via its record company, could come calling.

It’s a long and winding road.

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