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Early Look: Joseph Gordon Levitt Addicted to Porn in “Don Jon”

Roger Friedman
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Early Look: Joseph Gordon Levitt Addicted to Porn in “Don Jon”

There are only a handful of reviews for “Don Jon” on Rottentomatoes.com, all from festivals. I was a little suspicious of Joseph Gordon-Levitt writing and directing himself in a first feature about a musclebound nitwit from New Jersey who’s addicted to porn. Right away you think, I’m not sure if I want to see that. Right?

So guess what? “Don Jon” — which has quite a cast including a knockout performance from Julianne Moore and lots of fine turns from star names like Scarlett Johansson, Tony Danza, and Glenne Headley — is quite the success. You wouldn’t think a movie about masturbation, complete with crumpled tissues, would be much good. Or that you might describe it as “sweet.” But JGL has done exactly the right things– he’s made a bunch of eccentrics incredibly likable.

JGL plays Jon, who is basically into cars, women, working out and porn. (He also loves cleaning his own apartment.) He cannot stop watching porn. He says real sex doesn’t measure up, and he has plenty of real sex with babes he picks up at clubs. His parents– Danza and Headley–worry about his lack of a relationship. Then he meets Barbara (Scarlett Johansson, hilarious) for whom he falls head over heels. But she is out to change him, slowly but surely taking everything that makes Jon unique in a non-Jersey Shore way.

Into the mix comes Julianne Moore as Esther. She and Jon meet in night school, where Barbara has sent Jon to improve himself. Moore was cited from Sundance as giving the memorable performance in the film. She’s spectacular in everything she does, so no one is surprised. But there’s a beautiful nuance to her work here. I doubt “Don Jon” will get to the Oscar level. But Moore deserves the Indie Spirit Award without a doubt. She is just lovely.

And that leaves JGL, maybe the future Batman, a star of “Inception.”  He could have played Jon as a dimwit or The Situation, or any number of cliches. He doesn’t. Jon is extremely accessible, learning just enough about himself as the movie proceeds. Plus, JGL’s directing is fluid, and he gives many scenes to the other actors — in particular Danza and Headley. It was great to see them back on the screen.

So keep an eye out for “Don Jon.” It’s coming in early fall from Relativity. And it’s going to be a big hit on the indie circuit.

Debbie Rowe “Getting Ready for Court” in Michael Jackson Trial

Roger Friedman
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Debbie Rowe “Getting Ready for Court” in Michael Jackson Trial

For the second time in a decade, Debbie Rowe is taking the stand for Michael Jackson. She’ll testify in the Jackson wrongful death trial, as a witness for defendant AEG Live. But as she did in 2005, Rowe will come as a hostile witness, and likely make statements that are damaging to the side that’s called her. She Tweeted yesterday:

AEG’s lawyers may ask her a wider range of questions than in 2005, however, perhaps even trying to ascertain the true biological nature of her children with Jackson. She will also be asked about Jackson’s drug abuse, especially during the time she worked for his Demerol injecting dermatologist, Arnold Klein.

The AEG lawyers may also ask about Rowe’s financial arrangements with Jackson over the years.

Stay tuned…

Angelina Jolie Casts Finn Wittrock in “Unbroken,” Her Second Directing Job

Roger Friedman
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Angelina Jolie Casts Finn Wittrock in “Unbroken,” Her Second Directing Job

EXCLUSIVE Angelina Jolie is starting to cast the players in “Unbroken,” her second directing effort. The film was written by Joel and Ethan Coen, with a polish by William Nicholson (“The Departed”). Jolie, I’m told, has cast Finn Wittrock to join Jack O’Connell in the World War II thriller. O’Connell plays Louis Zamperini, an Olympic runner who was taken prisoner by the Japanese forces during the war. Wittrock will play one of the soldiers in Zamperini’s outfit. Wittrock is currently filming “The Normal Heart” for HBO. Two seasons ago on Broadway he played Happy in Mike Nichols’ “Death of A Salesman” with Philip Seymour Hoffman and Andrew Garfield. “Unbroken” starts filming in early 2014.

Comedy Legend Carl Reiner Books “Two and a Half Men,” Tweets Love for “The Butler”

Roger Friedman
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Comedy Legend Carl Reiner Books “Two and a Half Men,” Tweets Love for “The Butler”

Keeping up with Carl Reiner isn’t easy– at 90, he’s a busy guy on Twitter. The creator of “The Dick van Dyke Show” (which launched a generation of pop culture on TV thanks to “Mary Tyler Moore” and its offspring) has some announcements and pronouncements. He’s just booked an episode of “Two and a Half Men,” which means we’ll see this comedy genius on the same screen as Ashton Kutcher. (Oh, how I wish Morey Amsterdam could be there with Reiner!)

 

Also, Reiner recently reported a short hospital stay: “No tweets for 1 wk due to food poison .Threw up 20 times- spent 5 days in hospital, Home now. Suggest U turn down tainted food if offered.” And he loved “The Butler”:

 

The Original Story: Ben Affleck Met with Lindsay Lohan In Rehab

Roger Friedman
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The Original Story: Ben Affleck Met with Lindsay Lohan In Rehab

This is funny. TMZ, Access Hollywood, and Yahoo! are all running this story about Lindsay Lohan getting a visit in rehab from Ben Affleck. None of them credit the source, which was this column. So here’s a flashback from August 6th:

Exclusive: I told you last week that Lindsay Lohan was “circling” a role in Ben Affleck’s next directing project, called “Live By Night.” Affleck’s publicist emailed me to say that I was lying and everything I wrote was untrue.

Now I can tell you that Affleck actually visited Lindsay in rehab on one of her Sunday visiting days. They did talk about “Live by Night” and the part of Emma. This is from a different source than the first one, and it was just a coincidence that they each spoke to me. Affleck’s publicist now adds: “It’s still not true. She hasn’t been considered for any role and won’t be in the movie.”

Oh well. I disagree. I don’t know why there’s such reluctance to confirm this. Ben put Blake Lively on the map with “The Town.” Offbeat casting often works out. And no one says Lindsay Lohan can’t act. If she’s clean and sober, she’ll be great. And Affleck, who’s one of the nice guys, knows that rehab can work. He did it in 2001 for alcohol and came out a winner.

http://www.showbiz411.com/2013/08/06/exclusive-ben-affleck-visited-lindsay-lohan-in-rehab-to-talk-about-movie-role

Lady Gaga and Cher Together: More “Leaked” But this One’s a Hit

Roger Friedman
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Lady Gaga and Cher Together: More “Leaked” But this One’s a Hit

Great pop dance record. Lady Gaga’s daily unreleased track! The song is written by Lady Gaga with producer RedOne and was intended for Cher’s upcoming album. But someone leaked the proper version today with both ladies warbling their brains out. Someone had better put this out and fast. It’s a hit, you can really dance to it. It’s so amped I’m having sugar shock. The song is called “The Greatest Thing” and that pretty much describes it. If you like a song with an old fashioned hook, this is it.
PS The finished track will only appear on Cher’s new album, not on Gaga’s ARTPop. And it only has Cher’s vocals. Gaga isn’t on it.

Sony Takes Another Hit: “Elysium” Falls to Number 2 on Monday Behind So-So Comedy

Roger Friedman
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Sony Takes Another Hit: “Elysium” Falls to Number 2 on Monday Behind So-So Comedy

Sony took another hit or two today with some bad news about “Elysium”: on Monday night the Matt Damon sci fi flick finished second to Warner Bros.’ much disliked comedy “We’re the Millers.” And that’s not all: after the weekend’s numbers were counted, it turned out “Elysium” did less well than originally thought.

“Elysium” didn’t quite crack the $30 million mark as thought, coming in around $200K short. Neill Blomkamp’s $150 million feature  is shaping up as a box office failure despite excellent marketing and good reviews. That makes it Strike 3 for Sony’s summer of discontent along with “White House Down” and “After Earth.”

Monday is a cruel day because it’s adult night at the movie after a weekend in which kids rule the roost. On Mondays you can tell how movies for adults will do–and in this case, “Elysium” is suffering. On Monday, adults took a chance on a sitcomish comedy with Jennifer Aniston over people in the future living on a floating steering wheel.

Can Larry David Make Rock Group Chicago Hip Enough for Rock Hall?

Roger Friedman
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Can Larry David Make Rock Group Chicago Hip Enough for Rock Hall?

For years fans of Chicago, the horn based ensemble rock group, have struggled with one question: how to get the group into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Every year the group is omitted from the induction list despite a raft of massively popular hits that are played over and over on classic oldies radio.

Now Larry David, the epitome of hip, has based a whole subplot of his HBO film “Clear History” around Chicago. The result is a soundtrack issued today on Relativity Records which includes “Saturday in the Park,” “25 or 6 to 4,” “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?,” “If You Leave Me Now,” and “Colour My World.” That doesn’t even include “Beginnings,” “Feeling Stronger Every Day,” “Just You and Me,” “Wishing You Were Here,” “Make Me Smile,” or all the later, poppier hits with Peter Cetera at the center.

Cetera may be the problem. Chicago’s history sort of runs from 1969 to 1975 as the original group, and then post-that with Cetera’s syrupy sound replacing the blue eyed soul and strong brassy horns. But really, Chicago deserves induction just for its first three or four albums. Maybe the Larry David connection will help. It can’t hurt.

Oprah Charges Up “The Butler” Premiere in Hollywood, Without Stedman or Gayle

Leah Sydney
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Oprah Charges Up “The Butler” Premiere in Hollywood, Without Stedman or Gayle

Lee Daniels, ‘The Butler’ had its star studded premiere last night at the Regal Cinemas at L.A. Live in downtown Los Angeles. Power couples shmoozed around the lobby. The hardest job of the night had to be the security guards who were trying to get the chatty guests to go inside the theater, to no avail.  Forest Whitaker, with his lovely wife Keisha by his side, told friends, “I think you’ll like it, I hope you do.”

Jane Fonda and Richard Perry walked in, followed by her son Troy Garrity and his wife Simone. They chatted with Cuba Gooding Jr and his wife Sara.  Cuba planted an impromptu kiss on a happily surprised Gladys Knight who was with her husband William McDowell.  The R&B legend sings the Lenny Kravitz-penned title song in the movie. Netflix’s Ted Sarandos and wife Nicole Avant were talking with Russell Simmons.

Oprah Winfrey walked in sans Bf Stedman Graham or best friend Gayle King, and was quickly besieged by friends. She greeted them all, despite her itchy security wanting her to go inside. Oprah is seriously on track now for Best Supporting Actress, even with Meryl Streep, Octavia Spencer, Sally Hawkins and a few others vying for the top spot.

Harvey Weinstein started the night by addressing the VIP crowd.  “It’s been a long road, I thank Warner Brothers and the MPAA for giving us the best fight since Ali/Frazier.”  Harvey then thanked the late producer Laura Ziskin, who got the biggest applause of the night.  “There is no one I admire more than Laura, this was a project dear to her heart, she was truly in love with this.”  Harvey then went on to pay tribute to Lee Daniels: “None of this happened without Lee Daniels, our fearless General.”

Daniels said, “Harvey asked me not to get nervous but that’s not so easy.” Lee first thanked the talented screenwriter Danny Strong, “It all starts with the word.” Lee continued, ” I understand now why my Dad beat me.  He tried to express it, but he couldn’t.  His father beat him, and his father beat him, and his father was a slave. I love you Dad and I understand it all now. This movie explains it all to me.”

After the film ended, Daniels spoke after a long standing ovation.  Lee pointed out “the biggest star in the house, who taught us everything about non-violence, Civil Rights Activist, James Lawson.”  Lee then introduced the cast, which included Jane Fonda, Clarence Williams III, David Oyelowo,  Cuba Gooding Jr, James Marsden, Minka Kelly, Alex Pettyfer, Elijah Kelley. And Oprah. As Daniels noted of Whitaker: “Someone who has taught all of us about humility.”

At the crowded after party across the street, Harvey was holding court, Oprah was thrilled to take a pic with three generations of her close friends, Hollywood legendary manager Dolores Robinson, her daughter actress Holly Robinson Peete, and Holly’s daughter, children’s author Ryan Peete.   Danny Strong was chatting with Laura Ziskin’s  husband, famed screenwriter Alvin Sargent and her daughter Julia.  The crowd was buzzing already that “The Butler,” is the film to beat come Oscar season.

Jennifer Hudson Triumphs in Long-Held “Winnie Mandela” Movie

Roger Friedman
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Jennifer Hudson Triumphs in Long-Held “Winnie Mandela” Movie

I finally got a chance to see Darrell Roodt’s long wondered about film, “Winnie Mandela.” Rarely has a film been so mishandled in its execution, marketing and release. Filmed in South Africa in the summer of 2010, “Winnie” was shown in a rough state at the end of the 2011 Toronto Film Festival.

It was screened once, mysteriously, unfinished, and then vanished. A year later, in October 2012, it was released in some form, briefly, in Canada because it had financing from that country. Somewhere along the way popular American evangelist T.D. Jakes got involved. Now Image Entertainment is releasing “Winnie Mandela” on Sept 6th.

Image probably thought these elements would help them: Terrence Howard, who plays their Nelson Mandela, is in “The Butler.” Jennifer Hudson has “Black Nativity” releasing in November. And The Weinstein Company has the official “Mandela” movie in the Oscar race. So why not go for it now?

I agree. Why not? For one thing, Jennifer Hudson gives a tremendous performance working with very slight material. The screenplay is not deep. Roodt and his screenwriter choose to present a mostly surface chronological recollection of Winnie and Nelson’s lives. It’s to the credit of the actors that they supply what the movie doesn’t in texture and feeling.

Make no mistake. Even though Howard is very good as Mandela, this is a film about Winnie. Early reviews suggested that this wasn’t really a movie about Winnie Mandela. Maybe something has been changed. But this is Hudson’s movie. It’s all about Winnie, good times and bad. Hudson worked hard on her Winnie, because this isn’t an easy character. Winnie Mandela remains very much an enigma.

But as the story progresses, Hudson “finds” her. The lasting impression of Winnie was that she was crazy and dangerous as she got older. But a young Winnie, newly married to imprisoned Nelson Mandela, was herself jailed for 500 days. Most of it was spent in solitary confinement. Then she and her children spent years in exile, in a so-called Free State, unable to leave or travel. You can’t blame her for losing her marbles a bit.

I don’t know what kind of release “Winnie” will get. Let’s hope Imagine and TD Jakes put some muscle and money into it. Both Hudson and Howard are terrific. They deserve more than to have the film brushed aside. When you see Hudson, as Winnie, during her imprisonment she is at the top of her game. Those scenes alone are worthy of praise and maybe even an Indie Spirit nomination or a Gotham Award nomination. The work is as good as that. I’m not saying Oscar or Golden Globe because Hudson will go for them with “Black Nativity.”

PS Hudson, one of our great singers, does have a Diane Warren ballad she performs over the closing credits. I hope it’s on her next album. It could be a hit single.

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