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Michael Moore In Surprise “Movie” Called “Trumpland”: Hate Hillary? Vote for Her Anyway

Roger Friedman
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Michael Moore In Surprise “Movie” Called “Trumpland”: Hate Hillary? Vote for Her Anyway

“Michael Moore In Trumpland” is not a screed against Donald Trump. It turns out to be a passionate and very humorous reasoned appeal for Hillary Clinton. Moore says he made the movie in 11 days with everything donated by Technicolor and other companies. He finished it today and screened it tonight at the IFC Center in  New York. It’s basically a 90 minute stand up routine shot at a theater in southern Ohio.

Moore touches on all of the anti Hillary arguments including the suicide of Vince Foster. “I hope she did kill Vince Foster,” he jokes. “That’s badass.” Maybe Moore will change some minds. But he’ll definitely mobilize her base.  Trumpland is partisan but highly entertaining. PS he even expresses hope that Hillary will turn out to be like Pope Francis…

There is much to like about “Trumpland,” which is named for the number of Trump voters in the Ohio primary in what is really called Clinton County. Moore knows he’s not going to win over hardcore Trump voters. But in composing the audience at the theater, he asked that 50% be either Trump voters, Bernie voters, undecideds, etc. And he plays to them, conceding that Clinton is human and asking that 50% to put aside whatever preconceived notions they have and think about what’s best for the country.

The mission here: that Moore feels deeply that Trump is more ensconced than we think, that the polls could be very wrong and that Clinton could lose the election. Living in Michigan, he sees it: no signs for Clinton, but plenty for Trump. And lots of misinformation that’s gone from being gossip to some kind of weird “truth” about Clinton. He’s afraid we’re going to wake up on November 9th with a President Trump and a Brexit-sized headache full of buyers’ remorse. That scenario is frightening.

I told Michael at the end of the screening that I had thought this film would just be a list of Trump’s shortcomings, new revelations about his failures. “But why do that?” he said. “That’s been done. We know all of it.” His idea is to motivate an apathetic constituency. It’s a smart idea.

I asked him if the Clinton campaign knows he’s made this very effective movie on their behalf. “They don’t know anything,” he said. “You’re the first people to see it.”

“Trumpland” starts today (Wednesday) at the IFC Center, then expands this weekend to Los Angeles. The movie is being made available to MoveOn.org for events, and I have an inkling that Moore is just going to make it free somehow on a television platform very shortly. It’s worth watching no matter who you’re voting for…

 

Writers of Mel Gibson’s Violent “Hacksaw Ridge” Met for the First Time Last Night at SAG Screening

Roger Friedman
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Writers of Mel Gibson’s Violent “Hacksaw Ridge” Met for the First Time Last Night at SAG Screening

Mel Gibson’s Hacksaw Ridge screened last night on both coasts for SAG and guild members. And two people met for the first time– the screenwriters. Robert Schenkkan and Andrew Knight wrote the screenplay but from different continents. You could say for the first time they were incontinent.

Knight, who’s Australian, recently said in an earlier interview, regarding Gibson: “there’s a brain going there. It’s a tortured brain but a really interesting brain.” He added: “He was perfectly pleasant to me, but I was irrelevant.”

Schenkkan, the American writer who penned the award winning Broadway play and HBO movie “All the Way,” apparently did the first draft.  “Schenkkan’s a great writer,” Knight said. “I just didn’t think it was intense enough.”

Reports from the screening– the first since the Venice Film Festival– were a little different than the first glowing reports. I heard the word “hokey” several times. Also, the movie is quite violent– along the lines of Gibson’s “Passion of the Christ.”

On top of that there were numerous tech issues at the SAG screening last– the sound went out a couple of times, the movie had to be stopped, and so on. It’s not the best way to see a film but it gave the audience time to Tweet and other communicate dissatisfaction.

Some Gibson supporters really want a comeback for him. Some (like me) don’t want to hear his name again. In the end all that will matter is if the Academy voters can stomach the violence.

By the way, “Hacksaw Ridge” also apparently — at least at the SAG screening– appeared to have been filmed in a way that’s also “realistic” or video-tape like. Hmmmm….

Watch Lady Gaga Perform “A YO” Live in Nashville– Third Single from New “Joanne” Album– Is this the Hit???

Roger Friedman
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Watch Lady Gaga Perform “A YO” Live in Nashville– Third Single from New “Joanne” Album– Is this the Hit???

Lady Gaga performed “A YO” from her new “Joanne” album in Nashville two nights ago. The single will be released today at noon EST. I really like this one, but I also liked “Million Reasons” and sort of liked “Perfect Illusion.” Will the third shot be the charm? I hope so. She’s definitely rocking more on this album. And that may be a problem for radio, which wants shmaltzy anthems and pseudo R&B.

and here’s Million Reasons–

Rock Hall Expands to 19 Nominees Including Pearl Jam, Tupac But the Rest is Lip Service

Roger Friedman
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Rock Hall Expands to 19 Nominees Including Pearl Jam, Tupac But the Rest is Lip Service

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame named 19 nominees today for induction for 2017.

But only five of those will actually be inducted, starting with Pearl Jam and the late Tupac Shakur. So this was just lip service, as they say.

The great Maureen van Zandt, wife of E Street Band’s Steven van Zandt, wrote this morning on Twitter: “I’m starting my own Rock Hall of Fame & this year will be inducting Free, Bad Company, Harry Nilsson, The Raspberries & Link Wray.”

If only. What a great selection. But it’s not going to happen. There’s no intention of the RRHOF doing anything differently. I love that they nominated a punk band 8 people care about called Bad Brains. That characterizes the whole situation.

Of the remaining 17 nominees, the most likely inductee is Jeff Lynne and his Electric Light Orchestra. Lynne is a long time friend of Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, as well of Bob Dylan and many other stars whose name Jann Wenner needs. It’s not that ELO doesn’t deserve it, they are beloved. But still, this is the way it will happen.

Tupac will cover the black thing for Wenner. He doesn’t like real R&B acts, even Janet Jackson. But a dead rapper– that’s a PR hook.

J Geils Band made the list– listen, if they don’t get in this time, Peter Wolf should just take their name out of the running and send Wenner a horse’s head in his bed. Wolf has done everything but carry Wenner’s luggage to the ceremonies over the years. Wenner has treated him like dirt. Enough already.

Joan Baez made the list! Amazing. Again, the Dylan connection and the possibility that he might come and induct her makes Joan a very hot prospect. Wenner could also have Robbie Robertson and a “Band”-like group perform “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down,” which was their song but Baez popularized. Dylan might play! Wenner is tearing up now at this thought.

The rest of the nominees include Depeche Mode, Jane’s Addiction, Janet Jackson, Journey, the Cars, the Zombies, Yes, Chaka Khan, Chic, Joe Tex, Kraftwerk, MC5 and Steppenwolf.

Hillary Broadway Fundraiser: Barbra Streisand, Bill Clinton Make Surprise Appearances

Roger Friedman
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Hillary Broadway Fundraiser: Barbra Streisand, Bill Clinton Make Surprise Appearances

UPDATE 9;54pm– Bill Clinton just made a surprise appearance and gave a great speech. The good betting now is that Hillary will appear, either in person or via live video. But she’s coming one way or another.

EARLIER: Barbra Streisand is in Los Angeles, but she’s co-hosting an all star Broadway fundraiser for Hillary Clinton right now live from the St. James Theater– Babs in on audio only. Lots of stars are participating. You can watch here:

Hollywood: “Raymond” Cast Will Reunite for Peter Boyle, Plus Eddie Redmayne Previews “Fantastic Beasts”

Roger Friedman
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Hollywood: “Raymond” Cast Will Reunite for Peter Boyle, Plus Eddie Redmayne Previews “Fantastic Beasts”

You may not know this, but the late Peter Boyle was very lucky to have a wonderful wife who–prior to marrying him– had a big career as a famous and gifted rock journalist. That’s my old friend Loraine Alterman Boyle. Since Peter’s passing, Loraine has dabbled in producing Broadway shows. But she’s also been very involved with the International Myeloma Foundation.

So guess what? On November 5th Loraine is being honored by the IMF in Hollywood at the Wilshire Ebell Theater for their 10th Annual Comedy Celebration. Ray Romano is hosting the night, and all of his and Peter’s “Everyone Loves Raymond” gang will be there including Patricia Heaton.

Other performers include a pretty cool, eclectic mix of people: Mark Hamill (Star Wars), Lily Rabe (American Horror Story), Bill Burr (Bill’s Monday Morning Podcast), Jeff Garlin (The Goldbergs), Dom Irrera (The Bronx Bull), Larry Miller (Rock Steady Row), Kevin Nealon (Dumb Prince), JB Smoove (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), and the amazing Fred Willard (Mascots), plus special musical guests Michael McKean (Better Call Saul) and Annette O’Toole (Women Who Kill).

If you’re in LA November 5th, don’t miss this event. And tell Loraine I said hi. You can ask her about the rock world from a time when it mattered!

Meantime, I am sorry I’ll miss Entertainment Weekly’s “PopFest,” taking place on October 29th-30th, billed as ‘the ultimate pop culture event.”

The program kicks off with a coveted preview screening of Marvel’s “Doctor Strange” followed by a Q & A with director Scott Derricks. But the big news is Eddie Redmayne is previewing his new film, “Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them,” J.K. Rowling’s prequel to the Harry Potter series. 

Other PopFest film previews are Sony’s “Dark Tower,” and an outdoor 20th anniversary screening of the film “Scream.”  A discussion with Jodie Foster and many more panels with Hollywood’s elite. Authors such as Anne Rice, Chris Colfer, Terry McMillan, Sophia Amoruso, and Victoria Aveyard talking about their latest books. This festival has set the standard and the bar way high for all things and Showbiz. No one should miss this memorable happening. “PopFest,” takes place at The Reef in downtown LA.  For tickets, please visit:  http://ewpopfest.com/

 

with Leah Sydney

Tomorrow’s Rock Hall Announcement: Pearl Jam, Tupac and Another Round of Disasters

Roger Friedman
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Tomorrow’s Rock Hall Announcement: Pearl Jam, Tupac and Another Round of Disasters

click here for the update– who was nominated?

Something wicked this way comes: the annual announcement of nominees for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Yes, it’s a sad joke at this point, the whole thing. There are dozens of great names from every part of popular music who are not in the Rock Hall– and will never be. Some of it is because Jann Wenner has blocked them. Some of it is because the nominating committee was cleaned out last year to encourage younger voters with no memory or allegiance to people who’ve been bypassed.

So tomorrow we will get Pearl Jam and Tupac Shakur, eligible for the first time. They will likely be voted in.

But then? Bon Jovi, long eligible, apparently Wenner doesn’t want them. Sting as a solo artist– Wenner wants to tickets to Sting shows but is no help otherwise. Sting’s 28 year solo career now actually eclipses his Police run.

Then there’s a raft of R&B acts and influencers who will never make it — Billy Preston, Mary Wells, Chubby Checker and so on. War, whose music has been sampled by everyone, is still not in. Rufus and Carla Thomas, the King and Queen of Stax, have been overlooked. So has the great singer Jerry Butler.

There are plenty of groups from Tommy James and the Shondells to the Moody Blues, Doobie Brothers, and so on. J Geils Band is still out despite Peter Wolf doing everything but carrying Wenner on a sedan chair to the annual dinner. Todd Rundgren, who had solo hits and is/was a major producer, is also absent. And producers– Richard Perry. Phil Ramone.

Plenty of influential singer songwriters are also missing like Carly Simon, and Carole King, who’s only in as a songwriter with Gerry Goffin but not for Tapestry. The Hall is not good with women. Joan Baez and Judy Collins are also MIA.

So tomorrow will be the annual shitstorm, with lots of complaints and head scratching. And yes, they still pay Joel Peresman over $400,000 a year to guide this ship into darkness.

 

One Direction’s Liam Payne Goes in Another Direction, Leaves Sony Music for Universal

Roger Friedman
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One Direction’s Liam Payne Goes in Another Direction, Leaves Sony Music for Universal

Here’s another clue that One Direction may never ever be getting back together again. Liam Payne has signed with Republic Records at Universal Music Group to begin his solo career.

That makes Liam the second member of the group to leave Sony for Universal. Niall Horan’s new single is licensed to Capitol Records, also at Universal.

Zayn Malik is signed to RCA, which is part of Sony. Harry Styles recently signed with Columbia Records at Sony. That makes Louis Tomlinson the sole holdout for a solo career.

One Direction, of course, is contracted to Sony, which one day will want a reunion album if all these solo plans go awry.

So far, Zayn– who ditched the group first– has had the most success with a hit single “PillowTalk” and a so so hit with his first album. Niall has a single out now called “This Town” that’s struggling on radio. Styles has postponed his music debut to make a movie first. He’s got a part in Christopher Nolan’s “Dunkirk.”

Famed Writer Tom Wolfe Surprised to Learn “Bonfire of the Vanities” Is Coming Back as a MiniSeries

Roger Friedman
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Famed Writer Tom Wolfe Surprised to Learn “Bonfire of the Vanities” Is Coming Back as a MiniSeries

The great Tom Wolfe is now 85 years old, very much alive and kicking on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. The highly influential writer and author of bestsellers like “The Right Stuff,” “The Electric Kool Aid Acid Test,” “Radical Chic,” and “The Kandy-Kolored Tangerine-Flake Streamline Baby” is considered the inventor of New Journalism. Anyone writing today has been influenced by him.

All that said, you’d think someone from Warner Bros. or Amazon would have told Wolfe that his most famous book, “The Bonfire of the Vanities,” was being made into a mini series for Jeff Bezos’s company. Last week there was an announcement in one of the Hollywood trades that “Bonfire” was going to be produced by TV maven Chuck Lorre, whose hits include “Three and a Half Men” and “The Big Bang Theory.”

But when I called Wolfe last week, his wife Sheila said she hadn’t heard a word about and neither had Tom. “It must have been optioned,” Mrs. Wolfe told me. “But no one’s said a word.”

The famed tale of socialite bond trader Sherman McCoy and his adventures in the Bronx was a massive bestseller when it was published in 1988. Two years later it was made into a very bad movie by Brian DePalma starring Tom Hanks, Melanie Griffith and Bruce Willis. Michael Cristofer wrote the screenplay. The “Bonfire” movie — a Guber-Peters productions– was universally panned and it bombed at the box office. Julie Salaman of the Wall Street Journal even wrote a book about the whole fiasco.

Over the years there had been talk of trying to remake the movie properly, but nothing ever materialized. Now Lorre has hired TV writer Margaret Nagle to turn the story into an 8 part mini series. But really, maybe someone should have asked Wolfe how he felt considering he created the story, wrote the novel invented the whole thing. It’s not based on a real incident. “Bonfire” came from his head. The book satirized New York in the late 80s as money overcame everything, Wall Street roared and people were snorting the white lines on Fifth Avenue until, POW!, the stock market crash of 1987 was a shot heard round the world.

Do TV people seem like the right ones to re-adapt this story? I don’t know. Lorre’s strong suit is sitcoms. As for Wolfe, I guess he’s calling his agents on Monday.

By the way, what was the problem with the movie? Instead of being a drama on the level of “The Night Of” or “The People vs. OJ Simpson,” the filmmakers chose to make a buffoonish comedy. Tom Hanks’ McCoy was secondary to Bruce Willis’s portrayal of an idiotic tabloid journalist based wrongly on the New York Post’s Steve Dunleavy. It was, in a word, a mess.

RIP Jeffrey Slonim, 56, Reporter, Friend, Father, Husband, Brother, Gentleman

Roger Friedman
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RIP Jeffrey Slonim, 56, Reporter, Friend, Father, Husband, Brother, Gentleman

(4)_Jeffrey_Slonim_III_-_2016-10-16_20.24.27It’s my heartbreaking duty to report an untimely and tragic death. One of our own, Jeffrey Slonim, one of the sweetest guys and hardest working entertainment reporters, died after an accident on Friday. He was 56 years old, a devoted husband, father and brother. (His brother is the artist Hunt Slonem.)

Jeffrey’s entire bio is here. You can read all about his exploits as a ‘war’ correspondent on red carpets for People, Allure, Page Six, Cindy Adams and many other outlets. He was indefatigable in his quest to elicit smart quotes from celebrities and return to the office with great stories, thousands of which then skittered across the wires to newspapers, TV shows, and all the outlets that claim “exclusives.” They more often than not came from Jeff.

I think of Jeff as very preppy, as his Maine background dictated, and very polite. He wore a lot of seersucker, especially in very hot weather, a lot of red and plaid. He was like a walking Ralph Lauren ad. He loved Cole Porter. Jeff was kind of a throwback to a gentler time.

And he never gave up, usually having to deal with publicists whose manners were in direct odds with Jeff’s very good ones. Sometimes he would be hurt personally by poor treatment, and I would tell him, please don’t be, these aren’t real people.  But he wanted to see the good in everyone.

And what a life: Jeff went to high school with Julianne Moore, attended Yale, worked for Andy Warhol, was on the front lines with Sean Combs/P Diddy when the rapper ran the NYC Marathon.

A website called KDHamptons ran a great Q&A with Jeff– I’m not sure when– but you can read it here. And see the pictures of this beautiful family, of whom he was so proud. Something went wrong with Jeff on Friday. I’m told it may have come from a bad drug interaction. His friends are in shock, and we send condolences and love to his family. Jeff Slonim will be sorely missed.

PS I just saw this wonderful piece in Town and Country by Jeff, from September 30th.

 

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