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Lady Gaga’s “Perfect Illusion” Comes Tomorrow, But “Star Is Born” May Be in Trouble

Roger Friedman
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Lady Gaga’s “Perfect Illusion” Comes Tomorrow, But “Star Is Born” May Be in Trouble

EXCLUSIVE Lady Gaga delivers her single “Perfect Illusion” Thursday at 8pm, and everyone’s excited.

But I’m told her movie “A Star is Born” may be in trouble. The remake, co-starring and directed by Bradley Cooper, was recently announced by Warner Bros. But the word today is that something’s wrong– not between Cooper and Gaga but probably in the other details. Cooper is said to be interested in another film that might be shooting next winter.

Gaga already has an Emmy Award for “American Horror Story” so we know she can act. We also know she can sing like crazy. If “Star” doesn’t work out, something else will come along movie wise.

Let’s hope whatever is wrong can be fixed. I think everyone was genuinely excited about “A Star is Born.” And “Perfect Illusion”? They must have decided to debut it on the spur of the moment. Just yesterday Gaga’s peeps were swearing to me off the record that “nothing is happening” this week.

 

Surprise! Clint Eastwood’s Taut “Sully” is A Gem, with Tom Hanks’s Oscar Worthy Turn as the Hero Pilot

Roger Friedman
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Surprise! Clint Eastwood’s Taut “Sully” is A Gem, with Tom Hanks’s Oscar Worthy Turn as the Hero Pilot

I don’t know why, but I thought a movie about Captain Sullenberger landing his plane on the Hudson would be boring. I mean, we all know the story right? And it was over fast.

Or so we thought. On every level.

Clint Eastwood’s taut 90 minute thriller, “Sully,” is a gem, as turns out. The 86 year old Hollywood icon has gone from a big opera with “American Sniper” to a tone poem with Tom Hanks in the lead. Co-star Aaron Eckhart (as Sullenberger’s copilot) is no slouch, either, and Laura Linney is a stand out as Sullenberger’s wife.

We did not know much about the Sullenberger story. We didn’t know that as the New York press and cabbies, etc considered him a hero for landing a jetliner on the Hudson River– and saving all his passengers and crew– the NTSB was going after him. So Eastwood cuts back and forth between the two pilots doing their jobs and then being questioned about it with skill and ease. Eastwood sees they are American heroes, and that it takes time for us to appreciate that. With a clean script by Todd Komarnicki, Eastwood delivers an American hymn.

What adds to the drama is that Eastwood makes you feel as if you’re inside the US Airways plane, whether it’s the crew or the passengers. Kudos to Blu Murray, his editor, and cinematographer, Tom Stern. Also, the special effects department is unparalleled here. One of the producers told me at last night premiere at Alice Tully Hall and Tavern on the Green that they only finished the film six weeks ago– there was that much detail work. It shows.

Hanks gives such a restrained performance, so elegant and courtly, it’s hard to think he started with “Bosom Buddies.” Each time out, he’s astonishing. But when you think of his characters from movies like “Catch Me If You Can” or “Bridge of Spies” or “Captain Phillips”– he has a trademark of the Good Man, the honest guy who’s going to unabashedly get the job done and not ask for glory or fame. Sullenberger is perfect for Hanks. He’s landed a plane on the Hudson, and he’s surprised to find he’ll be on David Letterman.

So kids, you have something nice to look forward to this Friday. “Sully” makes film great again. It’s a gift. And really, I saw Eastwood last night. He looks great and is already planning another film. He’s on a roll, once again. “Sully” is like the work of a man of 40. Goddam it.

Read Statements: FoxNews Settles with Gretchen Carlson for $20Mil, Offers Unprecedented Apology

Roger Friedman
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Read Statements: FoxNews Settles with Gretchen Carlson for $20Mil, Offers Unprecedented Apology

Roger Ailes has cost Fox News/News Corp $20 million and so much more. Reports right now that Fox has settled with Gretchen Carlson for $20 million. They’ve also had to cough up an unprecedented apology.

The apology: “We sincerely regret and apologize for the fact that Gretchen was not treated with the respect that she & all our colleagues deserve.”

Gabriel Sherman, New York Magazine’s intrepid reporter, has Tweeted that his sources say Ailes will have to pay part of the settlement himself.

He’s also reporting that Greta van Susteren is leaving Fox News, to be replaced by Britt Hume. van Susteren came to Fox from CNN, and famously had a full facelift during the transition. She’s a Scientologist, and so is her attorney husband.

from Carlson’s website:

From Gretchen Carlson: I am gratified that 21st Century Fox
took decisive action after I filed my Complaint. I’m ready to
move on to the next chapter of my life in which I will redouble
my efforts to empower women in the workplace. I want to thank
all the brave women who came forward to tell their own stories
and the many people across the country who embraced and
supported me in their #StandWithGretchen. All women
deserve a dignified and respectful workplace.

From 21st Century Fox: 21st Century Fox is pleased to announce
that we have settled Gretchen Carlson’s lawsuit. During her tenure at
Fox News, Gretchen exhibited the highest standards of journalism and
professionalism. She developed a loyal audience and was a daily source
of information for many Americans. We are proud that she was part of
the Fox News team. We sincerely regret and apologize for the fact that
Gretchen was not treated with the respect and dignity that she and all
of our colleagues deserve.  We know Gretchen will be successful
in whatever endeavors she chooses in the future.

 

Bruce Springsteen Has a Solo Album of New Songs Ready to Go Since Last Year

Roger Friedman
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Bruce Springsteen Has a Solo Album of New Songs Ready to Go Since Last Year

bruce-springsteen-october-2016-coverBruce Springsteen is on the cover of Vanity Fair! Graydon Carter has out-Wennered Rolling Stone. How completely lovely.

Great pictures, of course. The whole thing promotes Springsteen’s memoir, called “Born to Run,” coming September 27th. Bruce says in the piece he has an album of new songs ready for release in 2017. It’s been done since last year.

The record is a solo album, not with the E Street Band. “It’s a solo record, more of a singer-songwriter kind of record,” he says. It’s in the vein of Glen Campbell and Jimmy Webb. Sounds cool, but we’ll miss the band.

That’s not the biggest revelation in the piece.Springsteen and wife Patti also talk about his clinical depression. He really suffers from it, and is medicated for it.

“If I’m being honest, I’m not completely comfortable with that part of the book, but that’s O.K.,” Scialfa says. “That’s Bruce. He approached the book the way he would approach writing a song, and a lot of times, you solve something that you’re trying to figure out through the process of writing—you bring something home to yourself. So in that regard, I think it’s great for him to write about depression. A lot of his work comes from him trying to overcome that part of himself.”

Wow– this book is going to be very introspective, a little dark, and very Springsteen. Nothing held back.

But it’s interesting that Springsteen bypassed the moribund Rolling Stone for Vanity Fair. Good work!

 

Michael Moore and the Vanishing Film Company– What Happened to the People Behind “Where to Invade Next”?

Roger Friedman
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Michael Moore and the Vanishing Film Company– What Happened to the People Behind “Where to Invade Next”?

The Toronto Film Festival opens this week. Last year, one of the two opening night films was Michael Moore’s “Where to Invade Next.”

You may recall that “Where to Invade Next” was bought with a lot of hoopla by Tom Quinn and Jason Janego, formerly of Weinstein’s Radius division. In August 2015, Janego and Quinn exited The Weinstein Company after producing two back to back Oscar winners in the documentary category, “20 Feet from Stardom” and “Citizenfour.” TWC declared that Radius would continue, and wished the pair of former Magnolia execs the best.

No one explained what happened. But sources said Janego and Quinn wanted more than TWC had to offer. Then they bought the Moore film.

A year later, Janego and Quinn are MIA. They never named their company. The Moore film went out under Moore’s company name. It made just $3.8 million despite great reviews. Also, despite its world view and global themes, “Where to Invade Next” never had a foreign release. It just came and went, even though Moore did everything he could to promote it.

A source tells me of Janego and Quinn, “there never was a company.” That’s all I know. The pair has vanished. At the time of the release, they were working out a deal with Alamo Drafthouse. In fact, “Where to Invade Next” is listed under that indie’s aegis.

When “Where to Invade Next” played the New York Film Festival last fall, the talk at dinner was that William Morris Endeavor had financed the film through its new purchase of IMG. The Moore film might have been the beginning of IMG Films. That was certainly the understanding I got from everyone involved. WME, Moore’s talent rep, has always been loyal to him. But it does seem like everything fizzled.

A head scratcher for sure. Any ideas? Email me at showbiz411@gmail.com. PS I wish Michael Moore had a surprise Trump movie coming. Meantime, “Where to Invade Next” is on DVD from Anchor Bay.

Mel Gibson’s Anti-War Movie: Venice Press Doesn’t Ask About Famous Quote Blaming Jews “for all the Wars in the World”

Roger Friedman
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Mel Gibson’s Anti-War Movie: Venice Press Doesn’t Ask About Famous Quote Blaming Jews “for all the Wars in the World”

Mel Gibson’s “Hacksaw Ridge” has opened to solid and very good reviews at the Venice Film Festival.

But at today’s packed press conference, not a single person asked Gibson about his ten years of scandals. “Hacksaw Ridge” is set in World War II, and has a pacifist for a hero. Andrew Garfield, who is Jewish, is the star of the movie and gets Oscar like plaudits. But no one in the press conference asked Mel or Garfield about Gibson’s famous 2006 statements when he was pulled for drunk driving in Malibu. Gibson told Jewish police officer Jame Mee: “F— the Jews. The Jews are responsible for starting all the wars in the world.”

This came on top of the news that Gibson had built and operates Holy Family Catholic church in Agoura Hills, California— now with a tax free foundation worth $70 million–that disavows Catholic church policy, is not part of any dioceses, and blames Jews for the death of Jesus Christ. Also, Gibson’s father, Hutton Gibson, is an avowed Holocaust denier.

The Holocaust occurred, of course, during the World War II that Gibson is now sentimentalizing in “Hacksaw Ridge.” Gibson has never apologized for his statements, or disavowed his father. And just to be clear, he underwrites a church whose parishioners support the same views. I doubt that Garfield, whose family changed their name from Garfinkel, would be welcome there.

The Gibson-“Hacksaw Ridge” debate parallels that of Nate Parker, the director of “Birth of a Nation.” Parker was acquitted in 1991 of rape, yet the story of that case has now been raised as the well reviewed movie is getting ready for release. The big Oscar debate of 2016 will be how to weigh the actions of these directors vs. their movies. Are we supposed to separate the man from his art? And how does the director’s personal actions color the way we look at the movies?

In the case of Gibson, that’s a tough one to call. But the real tests will come when American press come face to face with Gibson? Will be there a complete amnesia about what has gone on for the last decade? Will junket press act as if none of this has happened, based on access given to them by publicists? This will be a curious moment for the vast numbers from places like “ET,” “Access Hollywood,” and “Extra,” among others. We’re no longer talking about ‘what are you wearing?’ And that may cause a scuffle or two.

One last thing: please disregard any mumbo jumbo from navel gazing movie reviewers who suggest that Gibson is somehow commenting on his personal situation in “Hacksaw.” The only statement from Gibson that can be accepted are blatant and specific– that he apologizes to Mee and to everyone, all Jews, and that he disavows the church he built and supports. I don’t want to hear that people are “reading into” the movie.

Box Office UPDATE: No Light Between Oceans, Obama Love Story Over, ‘War’ is Hell, “Hell” Hits High Water Mark

Roger Friedman
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Box Office UPDATE: No Light Between Oceans, Obama Love Story Over, ‘War’ is Hell, “Hell” Hits High Water Mark

The weekend box office is a tragedy, not a comedy. Not even a dramedy.

The number 1 film is “Don’t Breathe,” a horror film that’s scrounged up some needed dough for Sony via ScreenGems. That’s the good news. The only other bright spot is that “Hell or High Water” is doing very well, and people actually seem to like it.

There was no “Light Between Oceans,” just darkness. Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander took hom $4,894,000 million. Maybe if the movie had been The Light Between Frank Oceans, there could have been a soundtrack with no melodies, just whales and babies crying.

You might ask, What ever happened to War Dogs? Miles Teller and Jonah Hill’s gun running movie has made $35 million. It made $4.7 million this weekend. so it could get to $50 million maybe, if Warner Bros. leaves it in theaters a long time. But that’s doubtful.

Completely over: “Southside with You” is dead. The first weekend was good, but that was it. Peculiar release, anyway. Should have been a Lifetime movie. “Hands of Stone” has turned to lead. “Morgan” at Fox was largely unseen.

Everyone’s watching “Stranger Things” and “The Night Of.” That’s all I know. They’re on TV, or the computer.

MDA Post- Jerry Lewis Losing Money Every Year, But CEO Gets $550,000

Roger Friedman
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MDA Post- Jerry Lewis Losing Money Every Year, But CEO Gets $550,000

There’s no Jerry Lewis telethon today. There hasn’t been one since 2011. And every year since then, MDA– the Muscular Dystrophy Association– has lost money. In 2010, total contributions were $171 million. In 2014, the last year MDA has filed a Form 990 tax return, total contributions were $135 million.

Nevertheless, the new CEO, Steven Derks, who moved MDA from its home in Arizona to Chicago, made just over $550,000 in 2014.

Total salaries came to $60 million, but none of that went to the local firefighters I saw in my town on Saturday stopping cars to ask for bucket donations to MDA. I felt bad for them. I asked one, “Is this a personal thing? Does someone you know have MDA?” He answered no, they had just been doing to for years. They have no idea that the real MDA– Jerry Lewis, the telethon, the inflated salaries of the executives– have made the organization something far different than it was in its halcyon years.

In 2014, MDA reported that its total revenue was down by $10 million– from $150 million to $140 million. Of course, expenses– not including salaries– are down, because so much of the old network is shut down, and there’s no spending on the television show.

Nevertheless, just like the salaries, professional fundraising fees have remained constant, too– at $540,000 a year. Eight independent contractors split another $8 million, including $2 million paid to ABC to carry a two hour pre-taped special no one watched. A total of over $13 million was spent — not earned– on expenses for various MDA fundraisers.

Today, Lewis, 90, appeared on CBS Sunday Morning to promote his new movie, “Max Rose.” There was no mention of his controversial ouster from MDA.  Earlier this year, it looked like there was some rapprochement between Lewis and MDA. But on the group’s website, his 50 year contribution to the organization is relegated to a footnote on their history page.

Jerry’s 2010 finale:

Box Office: Johnny Depp Film Makes $1,000,DeNiro KO’ed, Ben Hur RIP, Oceans Dim

Roger Friedman
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Box Office: Johnny Depp Film Makes $1,000,DeNiro KO’ed, Ben Hur RIP, Oceans Dim

The movie box office is not a happy place this weekend.

For one thing, it turns out that Johnny Depp’s “Alice Through the Looking Glass” is still playing somewhere. Actually, nine screens. It made a total of $1,000 last night. Does Disney know it’s still in distribution? “Alice” has earned $77 million domestically in 99 days of release. It would be a total write off with a $200 million budget except that overseas it made $218 million. It’s mostly a disaster.

Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander are fine actors. She even has an Oscar now. But they can’t find “The Light Between Oceans.” It’s a dark dark place when your movie is ridiculous. They made $1,357,000 last night. That won’t pay the electric bill at the lighthouse. This real life couple isn’t generating heat at the box office. (I wonder how often that sentence has been written over the years.)

Robert DeNiro and Edgar Ramirez are just great in “Hands of Stone,” so is Usher. But audiences aren’t buying it. “Hands of Stone” is suffering a second round knockout this week. Last night it made just $350,000. Adding a million bucks to the total by Sunday isn’t going to help anyone. Plus, TWO more boxing movies are coming! The audience is already on the ropes!

Also, remember “Ben Hur.” Oy vey. Dead everywhere. Only $21 million overseas. Just $22 mil in the US. No one wants to see it. But again, hoping for that new “Earth” just discovered. Those people will be fascinated, trust me. (Unless they’ve been illegally downloading for years.)

All Hail Barbra: Streisand’s “Encore” Debuts at Number 1, Trounces Hot “Contemporary” Acts like Britney Spears By 60,000 Copies

Roger Friedman
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All Hail Barbra: Streisand’s “Encore” Debuts at Number 1, Trounces Hot “Contemporary” Acts like Britney Spears By 60,000 Copies

Surprise! Barbra Streisand has pulled it off again. Her odd “Encore: Movie Partners Sing Broadway” album debuts at number 1 this week, beating Britney Spears, Florida Georgia Line, and Frank Ocean by a mile or two.

Streisand’s real triumph here is that her numbers were entirely from sales, not streaming. She sold 150,000 CDs and digital downloads. Her streaming numbers were minimal.

In real sales, Florida Georgia Line sold 129,000, Britney came in around 91,000, and Ocean dropped 81% from last week with just 44,000 in digital sales (he has no CD).

More music: Sting releases new single “I Can’t Stop Thinking About You”

But even when you add in streaming, Streisand is number 1. Streaming for the three other acts didn’t surpass her. And that’s quite an achievement.

Streisand was hovering around number 3 by last Saturday night. But her appearance on CBS Sunday Morning probably put her over the top. And her Tonight Show bit with Jimmy Fallon was a huge boost.

As I wrote the other day, Ocean totally screwed himself up by not having a CD, and by limiting himself to AppleMusic and iTunes. Plus he has no single, which is the key for a contemporary act. We don’t expect to hear Streisand on Z100, but Ocean has to splash in that group.

As for Barbra, she had only track available on Spotify, featuring Hugh Jackman. If you try to find the whole album on Spotify there’s a re-direct to buy the CD elsewhere. I don’t know that I’ve ever seen that before. Good move on the part of Sony.

And yes, it is an odd album. There’s a lot of patter, and some of the participants can’t sing. But the main commercial is very strong– it’s Barbra singing Marvin Hamlisch’s “At the Ballet” with Daisy Ridley (from “Star Wars”) doing harmony. Ridley amplifies Streisand, they’re a good match, and those 10 seconds make you want the album. Bravo Marty Erlichman.

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