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Is the Old Johnny Depp Back? In the 90s He Was Famous for Trashing Hotel Rooms, Getting Arrested

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Johnny Depp– TMZ found his first wife, from the 80s, who says he never hurt a flea. She was only married to him for two years, though, and didn’t get to have the real fun of movie star Depp.

In 1994, Depp was arrested for trashing his hotel room at New York’s The Mark. This is when Kate Moss was in the picture, post-Winona Ryder. Depp already had at least three arrests on his record by then, for speeding, and for bar fights in New York and London that also involved his bodyguards. People magazine noted that he was a cutter, with self inflicted scars.

In the hotel story, Depp blamed his antics on an armadillo that he said got loose in the room. The culprit, however, was never found.

All of this was the year after River Phoenix died outside the Viper Room, a wild Sunset Strip nightclub that Depp owned in the early 90s.

After years of carousing, he calmed down once the first “Pirates of the Caribbean” took off in 2003. The series made him a superstar, and very very rich.

But aside from “Finding Neverland,” Depp has never really had critical acclaim or box office success other than with Tim Burton. Their long collaboration includes “Sweeney Todd,” “Edward Scissorhands,” “Ed Wood,” “Alice in Wonderland,” “Willy Wonka,” and “Dark Shadows.”

Depp has had a lot of big financial failures in recent years, however, including “The Lone Ranger” and “Mortdecai.” Plus, the “Pirates” franchise is starting to show big signs of age. “Alice Through the Looking Glass,” done without Burton, is failing this weekend. The combination of that and this mess with Amber Heard is not good. Depp has got to pull it together.

But if you’re new to the Depp saga, or 1994 is before you were interested in such things, just a reminder: Johnny Depp was never a wallflower. He has the police record to prove it.

 

Box Office Bust: “X Men” May Finish Holiday Weekend $30 Mil Off Last Installment

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Comic weariness may be setting in.

“X Men: Apocalypse” may finish the four day Memorial Day Weekend some $30 million off the last installment, 2014’s “Days of Future Past.”

“Apocalypse” took in $26.4 million last night. Contrast that with $35.5 million for “Days” two years ago, same day.

“Days” did $110.5 million for the four day weekend in 2014. “Apocalypse” is now hoping for $80 million.

The big difference? No Hugh Jackman and Wolverine. Plus reviews for this one are mixed, about 50-50, with Rotten Tomatoes at 48. “Days” was in the 90s.

And Johnny Depp? His numbers for “Alice Through the Looking Glass” may give him a $40 million four day weekend, but that seems high. And according to wife Amber Heard, he was high for most of their marriage. (Rim shot!) The “Mortdecai” sequel will not be happening.

Scientology Goes Hollywood: Ex Celeb Wrangler, Tom Cruise BFF, Now Right Hand for Major Film Financier

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This is weird and scary. On the morning that Scientology is unveiling a huge new Hollywood facility with a big unveiling, there’s news that one of their main disciples has infiltrated mainstream movie making.

Tommy Davis is actress Anne Archer’s son was Tom Cruise’s best pal, and the celebrity wrangler for Scientology. He was thick as thieves with Scientology cult leader David Miscavige, and spoke for the group everywhere. Davis was glued to Cruise’s side. He’s featured in the award winning documentary “Going Clear.” His long history with Cruise and Miscavige is detailed in Leah Remini’s recent book. He was chief PR, spin doctor, and devoted to both men. (Davis was a big part of Cruise’s fake girlfriend relationship with actress Nazanin Boniadi.)

The news now is shocking: that Davis is working for Hollywood movie financier James Packer, whose company Rat-Pac (with director Brett Ratner) underwrites rafts of films for studios like Warner Bros. Packer, an Australian billionaire, is “engaged” to singer Mariah Carey, whom he met through Ratner. The report first surfaced thanks to the intrepid Tony Ortega’s website.

Packer is said to have dropped out of Scientology years ago, much to the dismay of Miscavige. Packer’s deep pockets were what Miscavige needed. And Packer certainly knows Davis’s history and ties to Miscavige and Cruise. There are photos on the web of Packer, Cruise and Holmes sailing around together on Packer’s boat in Australia.

But now there’s a fear that Davis has inveigled himself into Packer’s good graces to lure him back into Scientology. Davis otherwise has no experience making films or developing them, and has no higher education. His employment background is working for Scientology, briefly working in real estate.

Davis, sources say, has told people that he’s “renounced” Scientology. Yet he remains close friends with Michael Doven, another close Cruise crony at the cult, who was outed for having spied on Cruise for Miscavige. Doven now calls himself a movie producer, and is indeed credited with a bunch of new B films on the Internet Movie Database. Prior to getting movie producer credits on Cruise films, Doven was a photographer.

Davis was rumored to be on the outs with Miscavige after the group’s leader (whose own father just published a book about him) reportedly held him responsible provoking Lawrence Wright to turn “Going Clear” from a magazine article to bestselling book to award winning documentary. Davis married Jessica Feshbach, whose family has donated millions to the cult. (Feshbach was Katie Holmes’s minder when she was first sucked into the cult by Tom Cruise.) They had a brief exile in Texas, but now they’re back in Hollywood.

Davis’s renunciation has been met with much incredulity, by the way. Both Davis’s and his wife’s families are very entrenched in Scientology. They are in the Hollywood vanguard. It’s nearly impossible to leave Scientology– as we’ve heard in countless accounts- and remain in contact with friends or family who stay behind. Davis was Velcro’d to Cruise for years, by the way. I still can’t forget their appearance in 2004 at the “Collateral” premiere in Harlem. They were like doppelgangers.

All of this is made a little more curious because RatPac last year merged with Dune Entertainment. Dune is owned by Seth Mnuchin, recently appointed by Donald Trump as his finance director for his presidential campaign. Trump and Scientology now are separated by one degree.

Justin Bieber Given Up by Producer Diplo, Who Also Rats Out Beyonce on Sampling

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Well, this party was over fast.

TMZ, always waiting at some airport, got producer Diplo to give up Justin Bieber, his management, fellow producer Skrillex and Beyonce. I don’t even think the TMZ people understand what Diplo did exactly. He admits in this interview that the conflict between Bieber et al and Casey Dienel (who performs under the odd name of White Hinterland) has been going on for a while. Diplo says, “I thought they [Bieber, Skrillex] sampled it, but I thought they cleared it” meaning Casey’s riffs for Bieber’s song “Sorry.” Her riffs are what make the song. Oy vey.

It’s worse. Diplo admits this goes on all the time, and tells a story about when they made a Beyonce record they had to give 25% of the publishing to Outkast because the horns were taken from the group’s record.

Diplo also says he blames Bieber’s team for the screw up with the White Hinterland song. Scooter Braun, Bieber’s manager, must be drinking Mylanta straight from the bottle after he watched Diplo’s interview.

Diplo also says he’s a fan of the original record.

This is the whole story of how music is made now. It’s frightening and depressing that no one in hip hop or pop is originally, every album and song are stuffed with samples, some of which are not licensed but just stolen. This is why there are few new song catalogs in music publishing. Diplo says there were “10 or more people” working on Bieber’s song! Can you imagine? Pathetic. Sickening. And Stupid. This is absolutely the worst generation ever of commercial music makers.

Tip of the hat to the TMZ guy who got Diplo on the record.

Justin Bieber: Singer Says “Sorry” Rings a Bell- It’s Her Song and She’s Suing Him

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Are we shocked?

Here’s White Hinterland’s song “Ring the Bell.”

Sound familiar? Yes, it’s a lot like Justin Bieber’s “Sorry.” Casey Dienel, who performs as White Hinterland, is Suing Bieber and producer Skrillex.

Dienel says she tried to contact Bieber and his people, but they ignored her. So now it goes to court. Bieber’s song is at the bottom of this post.

Casey writes on Facebook:
As many of you that follow my career and work have already recognized, Justin Bieber’s song “Sorry” copies the vocal riff prominently featured in my song “Ring the Bell.” The writers, producers, and performers of “Sorry” did not obtain a license for this exploitation of my work, nor did they obtain or seek my permission. Yesterday afternoon, I filed a lawsuit for copyright infringement against Justin Bieber and the other responsible parties.

After this post, I intend to leave the subject matter of the lawsuit in the hands of my lawyers and the legal system. However, because I do not take the act of suing lightly, I want to take this opportunity to briefly explain my decision to those of you who are connected to me through family, friendship, and music.

Creating original and unique music is my life’s passion, but it is challenging and time consuming. I poured my blood, sweat, and tears into writing and producing “Ring the Bell,” and I am proud of the finished product, which Rolling Stone listed as one of its “favorite songs, albums, and videos.” Throughout my career, I have worked very hard to preserve my independence and creative control, thus it came as a shock to hear my work used and exploited without permission.

Like most artists that sample music, Bieber could have licensed my song for use in “Sorry.” But he chose not to contact me. After the release of “Sorry,” my lawyers sent Bieber a letter regarding the infringement, but Bieber’s team again chose to ignore me. I offered Bieber’s team an opportunity to have a private dialogue about the infringement, but they refused to even acknowledge my claim, despite the obviousness of the sample. Justin Bieber is the world’s biggest artist, and I’m sure that he and his team will launch a full attack against me. But, in the end, I was left with no other option. I believe I have an obligation to stand up for my music and art.

Thank you in advance for your support.

Tom Hiddleston as James Bond? First He May Play Richard II for Famed Director of “Howard’s End”

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EXCLUSIVE Lots of talk suddenly that Tom Hiddleston, so great in “The Night Manager” and famed as Loki from “Thor” and “The Avengers,” may play James Bond.

Of course, Daniel Craig still has the job, crabs a lot, gives nutty interviews as part of his negotiations, and usually comes back. So who knows?

My guess in Craig will return.

But Hiddleston is top of everyone’s list. In Cannes a couple of weeks ago I had a chat with the legendary and famed James Ivory of Merchant Ivory fame. Ivory has directed such great films as “Howard’s End,” “Remains of the Day,” and “Surviving Picasso.”

Now a vibrant 88 years old, Ivory told me he’s talked to Hiddleston about playing Shakespeare’s Richard II in a new film. Ivory would direct. He hasn’t made a movie since 2009, although he’s producing a couple of new ones.

Hiddleston has the potential to be the reincarnation of Sir Laurence Olivier. Working with Ivory on Shakespeare sounds ideal. Will it happen? And will this Richard II drink his martinis shaken or stirred? We’ll have to wait and see…

Meantime “Howard’s End” will get a big 25th anniversary tribute in August with a remastered new disc and a theatrical run. Don’t we miss Merchant Ivory films? I know I do. They hold up beautifully, too.

Johnny Depp’s Really Bad Weekend: Another Movie Bomb, Plus Wife Accuses Him of Abuse

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Johnny Depp’s having a very bad weekend. Really, really bad. His wife of 15 months, Amber Heard, went into a Los Angeles court this morning and accused him of abuse. She’s filed for divorce. And she asked for a restraining order.

Meantime, Depp faces another huge bomb at the box office this weekend. His “Alice Through the Looking Glass” has a 28 on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics hate it. “X Men Apocalypse” is going to roll over “Alice” this weekend.

This is Depp’s umpteenth non “Pirates of the Caribbean” movie disaster. Lions Gate suffered through “Mortdecai,” a huge failure. Disney still can’t get over “The Lone Ranger.” Hi ho! Warner Bros. has had the brunt of Depp related failures with “Black Mass” and “Transcendence.”

Depp’s real only non “Pirates” hits in recent years were “Dark Shadows” (2012–kind of a bust here, but huge in foreign territories) and “Public Enemies” (2009– $200 mi worldwide).

Depp left his wife, Vanessa Paradis, and kids (including budding 17 year old actress Lily Rose) for his marriage to Heard, who is 22 years his junior. Depp has based his career, seemingly, on two odd choices for role models: Hunter S. Thompson, the late gonzo journalist, and Marlon Brando. They may not have been the most propitious choices.

Spy Watch: Pamela Anderson Tweets Support for Chelsea Manning’s Appeal

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Pamela Anderson is a hottie, a vegetarian, a “Baywatch” alumnus and a fan of Chelsea (formerly Bradley) Manning.

Manning is currently serving 35 years in prison for espionage and computer fraud. Her offense was leaking over 750,000 classified and unclassified government documents to WikiLeaks before Edward Snowden– now on the run in Russia– did the same.

On her linked page from Anderson’s Tweet, it’s notable that Manning has posted a photo of herself as a young man. I don’t want to get in trouble here but I thought she was now a woman.

Either way, she’s starting an appeal to overturn her convictions. And Pam Anderson is supporting her. Isn’t that all we need to know?

Hear (Here) Tracks from Paul Simon’s Extraordinary New Album “Stranger to Stranger”

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Paul Simon’s “Stranger to Stranger” is just a handful of songs and an instrumental called “The Clock.” The album is a tableau of percussion juxtaposed with Simon’s storytelling lyrics– short stories indeed. “Stranger to Stranger” is a clever and remarkable short work. It’s so interesting that Simon, David Bowie, Graham Nash, and a few other legacy artists had great records this year since a) no one wants to release them and b) they don’t sell. But ok. These guys are well beyond anything being released by today’s poppers.

Here are some tracks.

Steve Martin Gets $1000 Broadway Theater Prize, Complains He Still Has No Caricature at Sardi’s

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Steve Martin has been connected to Broadway for 40 years. But, he jested at Thursday’s Outer Critics Circle Awards, he still has no caricature on the wall at famed Sardi’s restaurant. The OCC pre-theater dinner was given at Sardi’s, which made Martin’s observation all the more trenchant.

Still, he and Edie Brickell won $1000 from the OCC for Best New Musical for their show, “Bright Star.” When the $1000 award was announced the star-studded audience laughed. After all, Martin — a movie star, novelist, and playwright– has one of the best art collections on the West Coast, maybe in the whole USA. Edie Brickell, a pop and Americana star, is also Mrs. Paul Simon.

What will they do with it, I asked Steve? “We’ll donate the money to charity,” he said.

As for the caricature, when the pair returned to pick up another award later on, Martin quipped: “It’s been 45 minutes and I don’t see any changes.”

The caricature issue was timely as famed “Fiddler on the Roof” lyricist, Sheldon Harnick, who’s 92 and hilariously sharp, sat under his own drawing from about 40 years ago.

Marlo Thomas and Victoria Clark were among the presenters of the OCC Awards, and the winners included Danny Burstein, Jessica Lange, Michael Shannon, Judith Light, Frank Langella, Cynthia Erivo, Jane Krakowski, Christopher Fitzgerald, and Pascale Armand. “The Humans” was Best Play, “Bright Star” was Best Musical, “Long Day’s Journey into Night” was winner of Best Play Revival, “She Loves Me” was Best Musical Revival.

“Hamilton” was excluded from the OCC because it swept last year during its Off Broadway run.

Fans of FX’s “The Americans” will be happy to know that Langella is in negotiations for the fifth season.

David Rockwell, who’s like a rock star in the design world, said his win for Best Set Design for “She Loves Me” is his first ever Broadway prize. (Amazing since he’s been a Tony nominee many times in the past but never a winner.)

Harnick accepted kudos for Lifetime Achievement (he has two shows on the boards right now– “She Loves Me” and “Fiddler on the Roof”). He got a standing ovation and said, “If I didn’t deserve it would be embarrassing.” He added that all this attention would help him get his next show financed.