Back in the 1980s through the 90s Amnesty International hosted amazing concerts with lots of rock stars including Sting, Bruce Springsteen, Bono and Peter Gabriel. Organizer and producer Martin Lewis is screening them Tuesday night at the Museum of Modern Art– even if there’s a blizzard! The show starts at 7pm. Read more about it here: http://www.moma.org/visit/calendar/films/1442
AFI Names Top Ten Movies, TV Shows: “12 Years a Slave,” “Fruitvale,” “Mad Men,” “House of Cards” Among Winners
The American Film Institute has come up with their list of the top 10 movies and TV shows for 2013. It’s a pretty good list, not necessarily an Oscar predictor, but close enough. The TV list has only two network TV shows, “The Good Wife” and “Scandal.” That says a lot about the state of television. Missing from the movie list are “Blue Jasmine,” “The Butler,” “Lone Survivor,” “August Osage County,” “Dallas Buyers Club,” “All is Lost,” and “Enough Said.” (“Philomena” is a British movie and disqualified.)
AFI MOVIES OF THE YEAR
12 YEARS A SLAVE
AMERICAN HUSTLE
CAPTAIN PHILLIPS
FRUITVALE STATION
GRAVITY
HER
INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS
NEBRASKA
SAVING MR. BANKS
THE WOLF OF WALL STREET
Â
AFI TV PROGRAMS OF THE YEAR
THE AMERICANS
        BREAKING BAD
        GAME OF THRONES
        THE GOOD WIFE
        HOUSE OF CARDS
        MAD MEN
        MASTERS OF SEX
        ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK
        SCANDAL
        VEEP
Good News! New Bieber Album No One Wants Will Be Available Only Briefly and Digitally
This is a relief. Justin Bieber is releasing his Manic Mondays singles as a digital-only album on iTunes. And it will only be available for a short time. Bieber’s released six or seven singles on consecutive Mondays, all incredibly rushed and terrible sounding. None of them took off on radio, as I reported, or charted beyond their first couple of days of release.
To celebrate this, Bieber will release the singles with five other songs and some other detritus as an “album” on iTunes beginning December 16th until January 2nd. After that all of it will still be on iTunes as singles but not in its marketed package titled– ahem– “Journals Vol. 1.” I know, yikes already.
The other good news is that Bieber says he’s planning on taking an actual vacation soon. And no new album until next fall 2014. The bad news is that he has another insipid promotional film coming out shortly called “Believe.”
Christian Bale Gained 50 Pounds, Went on Lipitor for Amazing “American Hustle”
To make his amazing performance in “American Hustle” extra real Christian Bale gained 50 pounds. As the fictitious Irving Rosenfeld he sports not only a crazy toupee but a huge fat pink stomach that he shows off several times. It’s so hideous I thought it was a prosthetic. (At last night’s premiere screening there was a gasp when Bale exposed it.)
“He got so sick he had to go on Lipitor,” a “Hustle” insider told me last night. “He really got sick.”
Bale looked pretty healthy on Friday at the Monkey Bar, where “American Hustle” had a private celebration with director-writer David O. Russell, cast members Bale, Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper, Alessandro Nivola, Paulie Herman as well as Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick and a ton of other A-listers.
Most of them were back last night for the premiere at the Ziegfeld except for Bale–who returned to shooting a film– and Jennifer Lawrence, who’s gone back to the “Hunger Games Mockingjay” set.
Famed director James Toback announced: “This is the greatest movie ever.” Oscar winners Barry Levinson and Paul Haggis concurred.
Here’s the deal: “American Hustle” is now the front runner for the Academy Award. Russell will be up for Best Director and Screenplay. Bale and Adams are good for Best Actor and Actress. Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence are cinches for Best Supporting Actor and Actress noms. Last February they were up for Best Actor and Actress in “Silver Linings Playbook,” also from Russell. She won.
“I think she’ll be nominated this time,” Brad told me at dinner at Cipriani 42nd St last night– a swanky, swellegant party following the Ziegfeld. “She’s really got it.” He does too.
I did meet Cooper’s 21 British girlfriend last night, Alice “Suki” Waterhouse. He calls her Alice. So does her father, a famed British plastic surgeon, whom I met on Friday night. They are lovely people. Alice is a gem. She also a good sense of humor. She told me: “If we get married”–and no, it’s not happening, calm down– “I’d be Alice Cooper!”
More on “American Hustle” imminently. Let me tell you: you can’t see enough of this movie. For one thing, the soundtrack is a gas– all Seventies hits, perfectly woven into the script. Music supervisor Susan Jacobs did an incredible job.
And there are a ton of memorable appearances including a cameos from legendary singer Jack Jones (blink and you’ll miss him, but he’s there). Great supporting appearances from Jack Huston, Colleen Camp, Elisabeth Rohm, Shea Wigham, Anthony Zerbe, et al. There’s an Easter egg too– Russell included Dicky Ecklund, subject of his great movie “The Fighter,” with his son, Sean.
Greenwich Village Celebrities In Star Studded Auction to Stop NYU Expansion
Dozens of celebrities are signed up for a great online auction beginning today. It’s all designed to raise money to stop New York University from further expansion. This month marks my 35th year in Greenwich Village. I came here as an NYU student, and graduated. Since that time NYU has deplorably wrecked the historic fabric of the village, demolishing landmark buildings for their huge dormitories. It’s rather disgusting and unnecessary. Every time I pass by where the great music club The Bottom Line used to stand, I want to weep. It’s been erased by yet another bland NYU edifice. So many nooks and crannies of the Village have been devoured by NYU’s insane expansion. It’s got to stop. Here’s the press release today. Lots of great stuff, too!
The Stars Come Out for Online Holiday Auction Today to Stop NYU’s Expansion Plan!Â
Mark Ruffalo, Susan Sarandon, Matthew Modine, Edward Norton, Cynthia Nixon, John Leguizamo, Padma Lakshmi, Bianca Jagger, Philip Glass, Bill Moyers, Fran Lebowitz, Art Spiegelman, Joel Grey, Kathleen Chalfant and Many Others Now Join Forces to Help Save the Village from NYU’s Expansion Plan, with Gala Holiday Online Auction; Actor Modine Blasts NYU as “Bullying, Land-Grabbing Scrooge”
NEW YORK, Dec. 9, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — This holiday season, how would you like to have dessert and drinks with Cynthia Nixon and her wife Christine Marinoni? Have lunch with Bill Moyers, Fran Lebowitz or Lewis Lapham? “Hulk Out” with a signed mask and set of figurines from Mark Ruffalo? Go on a two-hour shopping expedition, to curate your pantry and spice collection, with Top Chef’s Padma Lakshmi? Play basketball with John Leguizamo? Get a signed copy of Bianca Jagger‘s ‘Arts for Human Rights’ event catalogue? Get a book signed by E.L. Doctorow, a manuscript page from Philip Glass, an uncorrected galley of Art Spiegelman’s Maus, Vol.1, an Alex Katz print, a photograph of William S. Burroughs by Gary Indiana, a painting by actor Joel Grey, signed copies of all Eric Bogosian‘s published works, or a signed personal photo by Matthew Modine from the set of Full Metal Jacket? Become the owner of the rare Omas fountain pen that former US Poet Laureate and Pulitzer Prize winner Philip Levine used to write The Mercy? Snap up a poster signed by Ed Norton?
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131209/DC29911)
Hang a gorgeous Carol Friedman photograph of Iggy Pop on your living room wall, tour the best hamburger restaurants in the East Village, or have a private makeup application lesson with Hollywood makeup artist Nicki Ledermann (Boardwalk Empire, Side Effects)?
Starting today, all those boldface names—and others—will take part in an online auction to help fund the struggle that NYU Faculty Against the Sexton Plan (NYUFASP) and Village residents and supporters are waging against NYU’s ruinous 2031 expansion plan—a project that will crush the Village. The auction lasts until December 18th.
“I can think of no worthier cause than saving the Village from overdevelopment. This neighborhood is one of the most iconic parts of the City and precisely what makes New York so special,” said Padma Lakshmi.
Actor Matthew Modine, 30 years a Villager, said, “NYU has moved from being a friendly neighbor to a power hungry, land grabbing, politician buying, bullying Scrooge. I encourage everyone that loves the Village to lend their support and voice to protecting this beloved oasis of Manhattan.”
Nearly 170 individuals and businesses have donated items to the auction, which range in value from $25. to $8,000. The silent online auction starts today, December 9 and ends December 18.
Bidders will base their choices on a range of pictures and descriptions of each item, and will be notified by email when they are outbid.
Aron Ralston, Hiker Who Cut off Arm in “127 Hours,” Arrested in Denver
Aron Ralston, the hiker whose story was told in the Danny Boyle movie “127 Hours,” was arrested in Denver last night. So was the woman whose house he was in, a Vita Shannon. They were each arrested on one count of domestic disturbance and “wrongs to minors.” Shannon is not Ralston’s wife, Jessica Trusty, whom he married in 2007. They have a four year old son.
Ralston became famous after being trapped in the Utah canyons and cutting off his arm to save his life. James Franco played him in the movie. There’s an arraignment today at 1pm in Denver. What a nasty update on one of the “real life” people who become Hollywood sensations for a few minutes, get a lot of crazy attention from the media, and then have trouble returning to regular life.
Cate Blanchett in “Blue Jasmine” Only Thing Film Critics Groups Agree On This Year
The film critics groups are all over the place this year. The only thing they can agree on is Cate Blanchett for Best Actress in Woody Allen’s “Blue Jasmine.” Otherwise it’s a free for all.
New York chose “American Hustle” as Best Picture. Boston went for “12 Years a Slave.” Los Angeles couldn’t decide and went for a tie between “Her” and “Gravity.” The New York Online Film Critics chose “12 Years a Slave.” The National Board of Review, who are fans and not critics, took “Her.” This week we’ll hear from the Golden Globes, who are indescribable.
All of the films mentioned should make the top 10 of the Oscars. Add to that list of five, another five. What would they be? “Nebraska,” “The Butler,” and “Philomena” look good. The jury is out on “August: Osage County,” “Wolf of Wall Street,” “Inside Llewyn Davis,” and “Saving Mr. Banks.”
Two films that I thought were just great, “Captain Phillips” and “Rush,” seem to be gone from competition. “Dallas Buyers Club” looks like it will be represented by Jared Leto. “All is Lost” will similarly be championed by Robert Redford.
But we’re not seeing a consensus of any kind. In past years, critics groups went crazy for “The Social Network,” for example. They all went for “Brokeback Mountain.” Neither of those won the Oscar.
PS Clever Boston put James Gandolfini in supporting so he could win for “Enough Said.” My hat is off to them. He’s really the lead, but who cares? It’s a beautiful, final performance.
“12 Years A Slave” Chosen Best Picture by Boston Film Critics
The Boston Film Critics are the first to choose Steve McQueen’s “12 Years a Slave” as Best Picture. They also awarded McQueen Best Director and the star of that film, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Best Actor. It’s about freakin’ time. I’m not sure if they took a big lunch break, too, like the LA Film Critics. (They’ve gone for an avocado salad after a tiring morning.) But the Boston critics rock. They also named Cate Blanchett Best Actress, James Gandolfini Best Supporting Actor, and June Squibb Best Supporting Actress.
Here’s the full list:
Best Picture – 12 Years a Slave
Best Actor – Â Chiwetel Ejiofor for 12Â Years a Slave
Best Actress- Cate Blanchett for Blue Jasmine


Best Supporting Actor- Â James Gandolfini for Enough Said
Best Supporting Actress –  June Squibb for Nebraska


Best Director- Steve McQueen for 12 Years a Slave


Best Screenplay-  Nicole Holofcener for Enough Said


Best Cinematography-Â Emmanuel Lubezki for Gravity
Best Documentary – The Act of Killing


Best Foreign-Language Film – Wadjida
Best Animated Film – Â The Wind Rises
Best Film Editing (awarded in memory of Karen Schmeer) –Â Daniel P. Hanley and Mike Hill for Rush
Best New Filmmaker (awarded in memory of David Brudnoy)- Â Ryan Coogler for Fruitvale Station
Best Ensemble Cast –  Nebraska


Best Use of Music in a Film – Inside Llewyn Davis
L.A. Film Critics Tie “Gravity” and “Her” for Best Picture, plus Dern, Blanchett, Exarchopolous, Cuaron
The LA Film Critics couldn’t make up their minds about much today. Or they wanted lots of winners to come to their dreary awards dinner. They had a tie for Best Picture, Actress, and Supporting Actor. Best Picture went to “Gravity” and “Her.” Each is a Warner Bros. release. So I do give a special LAFCA award to Warner Bros. and Sue Kroll. Mazel tov!
BEST ACTRESS is a tie between Cate Blanchett and Adele Exarchopolous from “Blue is the Warmest Color.” Their second tie today. People don’t even wear ties in Los Angeles. Come on.
BEST ACTOR: LA homeboy Bruce Dern wins Best Actor for “Nebraska.” Chiwetel is runner up. Screenplay award goes to “After Midnight” by Richard Linklater and Julie Delpy. How nice. Ridiculous but nice. “Her” is runner up. Sorry, Spike. So well written.
UPDATE:”Gravity” director Alfonso Cuaron gets Best Director. Why not? Spike Jonze is runner up. Steve McQueen was ineligible because they think he’s dead.
They give Best Doc to “Stories We Tell” and runner up to “The Act of Killing.” Latter will win Oscar. Now they’ve gone to lunch because that was exhausting!
The L.A. Film Critics, irrelevant to the last drop, are voting now. So far they’ve picked Lupita Nyong’o for Best Supporting Actress, and a tie for Best Supporting Actor– Jared Leto from “Dallas Buyers Club” and James Franco for “Springbreakers.” All that and $2.50 will get you on the subway.
Keep updating for more of their choices. Film editing went to “Gravity.” Production design went to “Her.” They love Alexander Payne so maybe “Nebraska” will be their choice. (They’ve given him a lot of awards.) That’s my prediction at 12 noon Pacific time.
They gave best score to “Inside Llewyn Davis,” which is mostly old songs covered by new people. Their runner is Arcade Fire’s “Her.” which is all new. Brilliant.
Last year the LA Film Critics (there are really maybe three who matter) chose “Amour” for Best Picture, Paul Thomas Anderson for Best Director “The Master,” they had a tie (they like ties) for Best Actress- Jennifer Lawrence for “Silver Linings Playbook” and Emmanuelle Riva for “Amour.”
Has anyone in their right mind ever watched “Amour” again since last year’s Oscar race? I hope not.
Best Supporting Actor went to non actor Dwight Henry for “Beasts of the Southern Wild.” Amy Adams got Best Supporting Actress for “The Master.”
Their other most recent Best Picture winners were “The Descendants” and “The Social Network.” So, good for them.
The annual ceremony is conducted at the Intercontinental Hotel in Century City with no press or much of a reception. There’s usually something more interesting go on in town while that’s happening.
Paul Walker “Unofficial” Memorial: L.A. Sheriff’s Dept Brace Themselves for Crowds
The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Dept. is bracing itself for a big crowd today in Santa Clarita, California. According to an LASD press release, they’ve been monitoring social networks. And a lot of people are coming to Santa Clarita for an unofficial memorial for Paul Walker and Roger Rodas. It’s sort of fun to imagine Lee Baca working Facebook and Twitter for inside dope on his community.
Heading out to the Paul Walker / Roger Rodas memorial in Santa Clarita, where thousands of fans are expected this afternoon.
— Sam Schaefer (@Sam_Schaefer) December 8, 2013
Original Press Release
Attn. News Media Only: Media Staging Area Sunday at Unofficial Paul Walker Memorial in Santa Clarita
A large number of people have stated their intentions via social media to memorialize the deaths of actor Paul Walker and Roger Rodas on Sunday, December 8, 2013 in unofficial/unsanctioned caravans and gatherings. The area where the crash occurred is not compatible with the large number of cars or people expected Sunday. Traffic mitigation efforts to avoid gridlock are planned as indicated in the news releases below.
On 12/07/13 this was posted by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department on known event Facebook pages that have shared openly on social media that they intend to caravan to and/or be at the site on Sunday, December 8, 2013.
(News Release) AVOID AREA: Parking Restrictions & Heavy One Way TRAFFIC Sunday: Rye Canyon Loop, SCV. Unofficial Paul Walker Memorial
We know that many considerate people plan to go to pay their respects at the site of this tragedy. Yet, given how many people are sharing on many social media sites that they plan to go on Sunday, we are concerned that the streets can’t handle the number of cars entering the area without gridlock. Also, there is very limited public parking which will fill quickly. There are no public restrooms, and it was 30-48° F at the site today. So, if you do decide to go, please be patient and plan accordingly. Obey all traffic and parking laws so it is a safe day and there are no other tragedies. We really do not want to cite or tow any cars, but have to be ready to do so to maximize the safety of everyone. Our plan to address the traffic is in the news release below, as are social media links for updates about traffic at the sit. Please have a safe Sunday