Dr. Maya Angelou has reportedly died at age 86. The poet laureate, philosopher, educator, author of the seminal text “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” was an international influence.
News of Dr. Angelou’s death comes from TV stations in Winston Salem, NC.
Listen to yourself and in that quietude you might hear the voice of God.
— Maya Angelou (@DrMayaAngelou) May 23, 2014
Watch her read “On the Pulse of the Morning” at the 1993 Clinton inauguration. We have lost an irreplaceable hero.
Just about the best movie in Cannes this year was Damien Chazelle’s “Whiplash.” First seen in Sundance, “Whiplash” was snapped up by Sony Pictures Classics. It will hit theaters this fall with hot as a pistol Miles Teller and veteran actor J.K. Simmons in what it literally the role of his very successful life time.
Exclusive: I can tell you that 28 year old Harvard grad Chazelle is so hot himself now that LionsGate has signed up his next film, a musical called “La La Land.” Joked “Whiplash” producer Michel Litvak of BOLD Films to me at the movie’s Director’s Fortnight screening: “He’s a star now! I couldn’t afford it!” (It’s a joke because I think Litvak can afford most anything.)
Teller, who first appeared in “Rabbit Hole” with Nicole Kidman, next shoots “Bleed For This” directed by Ben Younger in November, with Aaron Eckhart. He goes from being a college drummer in “Whiplash” to a young boxer in “Bleed.” He’s poised to be the new Leo, on a very fast track with substantial movies. We will try and forget the movie he had out this past winter with Michael B. Jordan and Zac Efron, the latter naked on a toilet.
“Bleed” is produced by Martin Scorsese’s Emma Koskoff and Oscar winner Bruce Cohen. The budget is also $5 million now. But wait til Scorsese adds his name as Executive Producer.
Indeed, when “Whiplash” hits, Koskoff and Cohen are going to look brilliant. The reception at the Director’s Fortnight was a smash– and Teller wasn’t even there.
But Simmons was, and he couldn’t have been more overwhelmed. Starting with Sundance, he knows they have a it. Simmons has been a dramatic (“Oz”) and comedic (“Spider Man” movies with Tobey Maguire) all-star. He was Ellen Page’s understanding dad in “Juno.” And he’s been featured in dozens of different “Law & Order” episodes over the last decade. All of this prepares him for the role of Terence Fletcher, the zealous demanding leader of a New York college jazz ensemble. Teller is the star drummer whom Simmons is trying to mold. The pair are incendiary together.
It’s a little like “Master Class” with percussion. Both actors are going to be up for a lot of awards. Chazelle is the Ryan Coogler of 2014.
Michael Jackson’s “Xscape” album dropped 58% in its second week of sales. After moving 161,000 copies in its debut, “Xscape” moved only 68,000 copies in its second week. The new number 1 is “Ghost Stories” by Coldplay with 385,978 copies sold– more than twice what Jackson sold in his first week. Number 2 is country star Brantley Gilbert with 215, 087– again considerably more than Jackson. “Xscape” fell to number 3 on hitsdailydouble, but it’s already plummeted to number 20 on iTunes.
More competition comes next week with Mariah Carey’s well-reviewed “Me. I am Mariah. The Elusive Chanteuse.” Already number 2 on iTunes, “Me. I am Mariah” is a hit out the box with three or four possible singles starting with “You Don’t Know What to Do” featuring Wale.
The album has several more possibilities, and a long life ahead of if played right. After being a year overdue, Carey really pulled it out, as they say, and came home a winner. Even I’m surprised that “Me I am Mariah” is so good. There isn’t a weak track on it. I’ve already raved about her re-working of George Michael’s “One More Try.” But you’ve also got “Thirsty,” “Make it Look Good,” and the opening track, “Cry.” A lot of thought was put into this record. It will be interesting to see how it hits. I think: big time.
At last, Melanie Griffith is getting back into the feature world. She’s joining famed doc director Joe Berlinger’s first feature, “Facing the Wind.”
The true crime drama stars Alessandro Nivola as Bob Rowe, subject of the 2001 book by Julie Salamon. Rowe was acquitted of killing his entire family in 1978, using the insanity defense. It was one of the first successful uses of that defense.
Co-stars include Vera Farmiga, Evan Rachel Wood, Rita Wilson, and Jennifer Beals.
Berlinger is the director of many well known and award docs including the “Paradise Lost” series about the West Memphis Three.
Read the New York Times review of “Facing the Wind.” This could be a great movie. Nivola is up to the challenge. http://www.nytimes.com/books/01/04/01/reviews/010401.01stewart.html
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Here comes Micky Dolenz, actor, singer, and most importantly, star of The Monkees, our favorite group from the mid 60s. Micky has signed to star in a new play by four time Emmy winner Mike Reiss, one half of the famous duo (with Al Jean) who has been writing and producing “The Simpsons” since George Bush was president. The first George Bush.
“Comedy Is Hard” will premiere at the Ivorytown Playhouse in Centerbrook, Connecticut on September 24th. The Playhouse is one of the main local theaters that feeds Broadway, so watch out that we don’t see “Comedy Is Hard” in New York some time next year.
Reiss’s play is set in a home for retired actors and the play takes an affectionate look at the relationship and rivalry between a retired stand-up comedian and a classical actress.
Micky has a lot of theater experience, you know. A child star before the Monkees, his credits include Elton John/Tim Rice production of “Aida”; “Grease”; “Pippin”; “A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum.” Most recently he starred in “Hairspray” in the West End playing Wilbur Turnblad.
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Multiple Oscar winner Clint Eastwood is about to ‘make our day’ with his first ever appearance on the Tony Awards. That’s right, Dirty Harry himself will be a presenter on the Tonys June 8th on CBS. He’ll be there to promote his movie of “Jersey Boys” which opens two weeks later and is said to be terrific.
Clint’s just one of dozens of stars who will appear on the show including Bradley Cooper, Kevin Bacon, Carole King, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Will Ferrell, Liev Schreiber, Emmy Rossum, Kate Mara, Zachary Quinto, Zachary Levi, Lucy Liu, Patricia Clarkson, Leighton Meester, Ethan Hawke, Zach Braff, Matt Bomer, Anna Gunn, Gloria Estefan, Tony nominee Audra McDonald, Fran Drescher, Wayne Brady, Emilio Estefan, Kenneth Branagh, Tony Goldwyn, Vera Farmiga and Alessandro Nivola.
The Tonys will feature musical numbers from all the current shows nominated plus “Bullets Over Broadway” (which has several noms just not Best Musical) and some other surprises. Sting is performing songs from his upcoming musical “The Last Ship” which begins previews in Chicago on June 10th and opens in New York on October 26th. “The Last Ship” will be the first hit of the fall season!
Meantime, on Friday the Outer Critics Circle gave out its prizes at its annual dinner at Sardi’s. “Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” won Best Musical, “All the Way” won Best New Play, Best Revival of a Play went to “The Glass Menagerie” and “Hedwig” won Best Revival, Musical. Tony winners Billy Porter, Andrea Martin, plus Terrence Mann, Victoria Clark and Shuler Hensley presented the major awards. My own mom, Rosalind Friedman, presented the John Gassner Playwriting Award.
2014 OUTER CRITICS AWARDS
Outstanding Solo Performance – John Douglas Thompson
Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical – Nick Cordero (Bullets)
Outstanding New Score – Jason Robert Brown (Bridges)
Outstanding Book of a Musical – Robert L. Freedman (Gentleman’s)
Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical – Marin Mazzie (Bullets)
Outstanding Actor in a Play – Bryan Cranston (All The Way
Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play – Brian J. Smith (Menagerie)
Outstanding Actress in a Musical – Audra McDonald (Lady Day)
Outstanding Actor in a Musical – Jefferson Mays (Gentleman;s
Outstanding Actress in a Play – Cherry Jones (Menagerie)
Outstanding Lighting Design – Kevin Adams (Hedwig)
Outstanding Costume Design – William Ivey Long (Bullets)
Outstanding Set Design – Christopher Barreca (Rocky)
Outstanding Choreographer – Warren Carlyle (After Midnight)
Outstanding Director of a Musical -Darko Tresnjak (Gentleman’s)
Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play – Andrea Martin (Act One)
Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play – Mare Winningham (Casa)
Outstanding Director of a Play- Tim Carroll (Twelfth Night)
Outstanding Revival of a Musical – Hedwig
Outstanding Revival of a Play – The Glass Menagerie
Outstanding New Off Broadway Musical – Fun Home
Outstanding New Off Broadway Play – The Explorer’s Club
Outstanding New Broadway Musical – A Gentleman’s Guide…
Outstanding New Broadway Play – All The Way
It’s not a happy Memorial Day weekend for Adam Sandler. The former “Saturday Night Live” star and purveyor of low brow humor had his second worst opening in the last seven years with “Blended.”
Actually. I’m amazed that $14 million worth of human beings went to see this thing. The movie had a 15% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and almost no press. But people are slow to give up even when the ship left the dock some time ago.
It was only two years ago that another piece of Sandler junk, “That’s My Boy,” had a $13 mil weekend. That wreck died at $36 million total. Prior to that, “Reign Over Me,” did $7 mil in 2007.
“Blended,” with Drew Barrymore along for whatever, also saw Sandler move to from Sony to Warner Bros. I’m sure the latter is thrilled.
Sandler has had his moments. There’s a great affection for “Happy Gilmore,” “The Wedding Singer,” and his Chanukah song. Other than that, these crap comedies have got to stop. They are unwatchable. “Blended” will be gone by next week. But Sandler no doubt has more of these mindless things in the pipeline.
Not say that Adam Sandler can’t act: I’m a “Spanglish” fan. He was interesting in “Punch Drunk Love.” Now that’s he made zillions and probably has 12 homes, Sandler should try and focus on something with substance. I’m just worried he’s plotting “Grown Ups 3.”
“Mad Men” episode 7, season 7, mid-season finale: Robert Morse exited the show as Bert Cooper in such a classy way. Matt Weiner finally figured out how to showcase the Broadway legend’s real talents by letting him do a number as a farewell– “The Best Things in Life are Free.” West coasters, don’t miss this episode– you will have a tear in your eye. Just lovely.
The whole episode sings, actually. There are other exits, too. Say good bye to Megan as Jessica Pare phones in her goodbye. It’s July 20, 1969 and everyone is watching the landing on the moon. But Don’s deal at the company is in peril. Cutler wants him out. Don suggests to Megan that he might move to L.A. and that forces the question. Their marriage is over. Megan will not get a chance to become Sharon Tate.
At Betty and Henry’s there’s some domestic stuff. Sally is turning into a Betty Junior, sneaking cigarettes and smooching with a boy out back. Weiner gave a nice nod to the Francis household since we won’t be seeing the last 7 episodes until next year.
The heart of the episode is Peggy’s pitch to Burger Chef, her great moment to shine. She pitches the account and wins it with the best speech ever. I liked the fact that the moon landing was taken so reverently as a spiritual moment. It wasn’t just another headline. The whole word stopped to watch it, and worry about it.
So now Sterling Cooper, without Bert, becomes part of McCann Erickson. Everyone is set financially. Harry Hamlin may now be gone as Cutler (we’ll miss him). But Weiner has to start wrapping up characters’ story lines. My guess is Henry Francis is next.
But a beautiful, elegant ending for Bert, and a nice note to end on until next spring.
Sad news, but little info: Actor Matthew Cowles passed away on May 22nd. His manager Tweeted the information. Cowles was a cult fan favorite from the soap “All My Children” where he played sleazy bad guy Billy Clyde Tuggle starting in 1977, took a break, then returned when the soap was online last year.
He was also the husband of actress Christine Baranski since 1983. They have two grown daughters and a new grandchild. Cowles was also heir to the Cowles Publishing fortune, which produced LOOK magazine a long time ago. (It was a beloved competitor to LIFE.)
Cowles was a breakout young star in key movies like “Slapshot” and “The Friends of Eddie Coyle.” He starred on Broadway in Edward Albee’s “Malcolm” in 1966, and also appeared in Israel Horovitz’s break through one act play “The Indian Wants the Bronx” in 1968 with Al Pacino and the late John Cazale.
On a personal note: Christine Baranski, just about the nicest and most popular actress in New York, is often at movie and theater premieres. Her husband, she often said, was happy to stay at home in Connecticut. I often asked after him, remembering him fondly from “AMC” as a riveting presence. As Billy Clyde, he was scary and funny. Christine always glows when she talks about him. They have such a nice family. Condolences…
The Cannes Jury has voted.
Winter Sleep, a three hour Turkish film, won the Palme D’or. Julianne Moore was Best actress for Maps to the Stars. Timothy Spall is best actor for Mr. Turner. Bennett Miller is Best Director for Foxcatcher.
Very interesting choices. First of all, “Foxcatcher” is now the “12 Years a Slave” of 2014. Miller will win or be nominated for a lot of awards this winter. The actors– Steve Carell, Channing Tatum and Mark Ruffalo– will be too.
Timothy Spall will be a Best Actor nominee for “Mr. Turner” this winter. Watch what happens. Sony Pictures Classics has both of these movies, as well as “Whiplash,” which I predict will be a big deal also this fall.
Julianne Moore– “Maps to the Stars” directed by David Cronenberg suddenly gets a huge boost. E One will release it; hopefully they will put some real money into a campaign for Moore, who is just tremendous. She should know that people were cheering for her in the Lumiere Theater tonight. Bravo!
COMPLETE LIST OF WINNERS
Palme d’Or
Winter Sleep, dir: Nuri Bilge Ceylan
Grand Prize
Le Meraviglie (The Wonders), dir: Alice Rohrwacher
Best Director
Bennett Miller, Foxcatcher
Jury Prize – Tie
Mommy, dir: Xavier Dolan
Goodbye To Language, dir: Jean-Luc Godard
Best Screenplay
Andrey Zvyagintsev, Oleg Negin, Leviathan
Best Actress
Julianne Moore, Maps To The Stars
Best Actor
Timothy Spall, Mr Turner
Camera d’Or
Party Girl, dirs: Marie Amachoukeli, Claire Burger, Samuel Theis
Short Film
Leidi, dir: Simón Mesa Soto
Special Mention: Aïssa, dir: Clément Trehin-Lalanne
Ja Vi Elsker, dir: Hallvar Witzo