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Oscar Party Nights: Vanity Fair Beats The Wrap With Most Celebs

Roger Friedman
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Oscar party night: and the winner is Vanity Fair over The Wrap.com. By a mile. The popular glossy bible of pop culture had not one but two events last night, and brought in the A list crowd by miles. Most of the Les Miserables cast– director Tom Hooper, Anne Hathaway, Eddie Redmayne, and Amanda Seyfried included– were celebrated at Eveleigh Restaurant to support The Los Angeles Fund for Public Education. Chrysler sponsored the night, and VF publisher Ed Menischechi hosted the cool party.

And it was jammed. We had a long talk with Hathaway and her nw husband Adam Shulman– more on that tonight…Eddie Redmayne had us laughing about his unfortunate attack of food poisoning at the recent BAFTA Awards in London. Just as he was about to go on stage with Sally Field to present an award, Eddie became violently ill. “I thought no one would know, but of course Sally announced it from the stage. I had three hundred text messages the next morning.”

Over at the Chateau Marmont, VF hosted a dinner for “Silver Linings Playbook” director David O. Russell and the cast. I ran into producer Jon Gordon and Oscar nominee Jacki Weaver later in the evening, still hanging at the Chateau’s heated tented outdoor garden. Jacki’s actor husband is stuck in Australia performing Shakespeare and is missing the Oscars this year.

Also hanging at the Chateau: our favorite neighbor from New York, Patty Clarkson, who’s in town for meetings and production details on a new movie. She’s going to the big Vanity Fair dinner and party on Sunday. Now we know everything will be all right if Patty’s in town. The Chateau is hopping of course. It’s the number 1 hangout other than Soho House. Wild!

And The Wrap? They put on a big party at the Four Seasons, and yielded exactly one acting nominee: Jessica Chastain. David O. Russell and Kathryn Bigelow stopped by. But really. Ir was a pedestrian event at best.

Martin Scorsese Will Honor First Time Filmmakers

Roger Friedman
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Oscar winning director, legend, and great guy Martin Scorsese is coming to the First Time Festival in New York next month. Scorsese will present the first ever John Huston Award to “Black Swan” director Darren Aronofsky at the Players Club on March 4th. The First Time Fest honors new filmmakers. This year’s impressive jury includes Barbara Kopple, Christine Vachon, Melvin van Peebles, Sofia Coppola, Todd Solondz, and the B52s’s Fred Schneider. Details for tickets– the festival runs from March 1st-4th in NYC– at www.firstimefest.com

COMPETITION FILMS – (please visit web site for film descriptions)

 

BLUMENTHAL – New York Premiere. USA, 86 minutes. Written and directed by Seth Fisher. With Fisher, Brian Cox, Mark Blum, Laila Robins, Mei Melançon.

 

HEADFIRST (LA TETE LA PREMIERE) – U.S. Premiere.  Belgium/France, 89 minutes. Written and directed by Amélie van Elmbt. With Alice de Lencquesaing, David Murgia, Jacques Doillon.

 

HORIZON SKY – World Premiere. Belarus, 133 mins. Written and directed by Dmitry Marinin, Andrey Kureychik. With Leonid Pashkovsky, Tatyana Bovkalova, Viktor Rybchinsky, Anna Sirotina.

I LOVE YOU ALL (LOS QUIERO A TODOS) – U.S. Premiere.  Argentina, 75 mins. Written, directed, and produced by Luciano Quillici. With Ramiro Aguero, Santiago Gobemori, Diego Jalfen, Valeria Louis, Leticia Mazur, Margarita Molfino, Alan Sabbagh.

JUNCTION – USA, 90 mins.  Written and directed by Tony Glazer. With Tom Pelphrey, Neal Bledsoe, Harris Doran, Summer Crockett Moore, Anthony Rapp, David Zayas, Michael O’Keefe

 

MONGOLIAN BLING – U.S. Premiere. Australia/Mongolia, 90 mins. Documentary, directed by Benj Binks.

 

SAL – New York Premiere.  Chile/Argentina, 112 mins. Written and directed by Diego Rougier. With Fele Martínez, Patricio Contreras, Sergio Hernández, Javiera Contador.

 

SUBMERGE – World Premiere.  Australia, 90 mins. Directed by Sophie O’Connor. With Lily Hall, Christina Hallett, Kevin Dee, Georgia Bolton.

SUMMERTIME – New York Premiere.USA, 90 mins. Written and directed by Max Weissberg. With Lethia Nall, Eric Garcia, Rob Hollander, H.R. Britton, James Eason, Jenny Grace, Olivia Horton, Michele Cesari.

 

UPRISING – USA/Egypt, 85 mins. Documentary directed by Fredrik Stanton.

 

URBAN TALE – U.S. Premiere. Israel, 90 mins. Written and directed by Eliav Lilti. With Barak Friedman, Noa Friedman, Esti Yerushalmi, Zohar Shtrauss, Ohad Knoller, Michal Shtamler.

 

ZIPPER – USA, 77 mins. Documentary directed by Amy Nicholson.

 

 

FIRST EXPOSURE FILMS – (please visit web site for film descriptions)

 

BOTTLE ROCKET – USA, 1996, 91 mins. Speaker TBA. Directed by Wes Anderson. Written by Wes Anderson and Owen Wilson. Cast: Owen Wilson, Luke Wilson, Robert Musgrave, Andrew Wilson, Lumi Cavazos, James Caan.

 

HARLAN COUNTY, U.S.A. – USA, 1976, 103 mins. Barbara Kopple in person. Documentary directed by Barbara Kopple.

 

JACK GOES BOATING – USA, 2010, 91 mins. Philip Seymour Hoffman and Amy Ryan in person. Directed by Philip Seymour Hoffman. Written by Robert Glaudini. Cast: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Ryan, John Ortiz, Daphne Rubin-Vega.

 

THE MALTESE FALCON – USA, 1941, 101 mins. Speaker TBA. Written and directed by John Huston. Cast: Humphrey Bogart, Mary Astor, Sidney Greenstreet, Peter Lorre, Elisha Cook, Jr.

 

PI – USA, 1998, 83 mins. Speaker TBA. Written and directed by Darren Aronofsky. Cast: Sean Gullette, Mark Margolis, Ben Shenkman, Pamela Hart, Stephen Pearlman.

 

POISON  – USA, 1991, 85 mins. Producer Christine Vachon in person. Written and directed by Todd Haynes. Cast: Edith Meeks, Millie White, Buck Smith, Anne Giotta, Lydia Lafleur, Ian Nemser

 

THE STORY OF A THREE-DAY PASS – USA, 1968, 87 mins. Melvin van Peebles in person. Written and directed by Melvin Van Peebles. Cast: Harry Baird, Pierre Doris, Christian Marin, Nicole Berger

 

TRUE LOVE – USA, 1989, 84 mins. Nancy Savoca in person. Directed by Nancy Savoca. Written by Nancy Savoca and Richard Guay. Cast: Annabella Sciorra, Ron Eldard, Aida Turturro, Roger Rignack

 

THE UNBELIEVABLE TRUTH – USA, 1989, 90 mins. Hal Hartley in person. Written and directed by Hal Hartley. Cast: Adrienne Shelley, Robert John Burke, Edie Falco, Gary Sauer.

 

THE VIRGIN SUICIDES – USA, 1999, 97 mins. Sofia Coppola and cinematographer Ed Lachman in person. Written and directed by Sofia Coppola. Cast: Kirsten Dunst, James Woods, Kathleen Turner, Josh Hartnett, Michael Paré, Danny DeVito

 

WELCOME TO THE DOLLHOUSE – USA, 1996, 88 mins. Todd Solondz in person. Written and directed by Todd Solondz. Cast: Heather Matarazzo, Brendan Sexton III, Matthew Faber, Daria Kalinina, Eric Mabius

 

“American Idol” Hits A Wednesday Ratings Low, Down 5% from Last Week

Roger Friedman
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“American Idol” Hits A Wednesday Ratings Low, Down 5% from Last Week

This pains me because I really enjoy Randy, Mariah and Keith (and to some extent Nicki Minaj) but “American Idol” is really showing signs of age. Last night’s ratings were 5 % lower than last Wednesday’s, making it the lowest rated Wednesday show since 2002.

With a 4.1 in the key demo, Idol is losing its viewers week by week. Last week, the Thursday show was a 3.7, which means that tonight could be dismal. Something has to be done fast. I do think “Idol” needs performances by current or legacy stars, and some mentors to boost the show.

UPDATE: http://www.showbiz411.com/2013/02/22/american-idol-walloped-again-by-cbs-comedies-big-bang-and-men

Granted, “Idol” still won the night and has a huge following. But “Modern Family” was close behind with a 3.9. I hope tonight Mariah just stands up, belts out a song, and tosses Nicki Minaj over her shoulder. Action!

Jane Fonda Joining Sunday’s Oscar Show

Roger Friedman
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Jane Fonda Joining Sunday’s Oscar Show

Two time Oscar winner and multiple nominee Jane Fonda is joining Sunday’s Oscar show. I am told that Jane will present a big award with her “China Syndrome” co-star Michael Douglas, who was announced a few days ago. More presenters will be announced shortly. The show should be great at this point considering the star power and musical numbers. Keep refreshing…

Also added: Jennifer Garner (who’s also Mrs. Ben Affleck), the great Kerry Washington, and, hmmmm, Kristen Stewart (that’s a nod to young viewers, I guess)…

add this group to the all aforementioned previously announced names…

Clint Eastwood: “A Star is Born” Is Happening, Without Beyonce

Roger Friedman
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Clint Eastwood: “A Star is Born” Is Happening, Without Beyonce

Superstar direct0r (and actor/musician) Clint Eastwood tells me his next project will indeed be the remake of “A Star is Born”–without Beyonce as the female lead. Beyonce dropped out of the project last October, citing her tour schedule among other things. Whatever the reason, “Star” is going on, and very shortly.

Clint dined last night in West Hollywood with his veteran Warner Bros. marketing man, legendary Joe Hyams and his beautiful wife. (Hyams, if you don’t know, guided all the great Warners hits and was Clint’s most trusted associate through four decades of filmmaking–at least.)

The setting was out of the way insider movieland hot spot Il Piccolino, one of the few places where big stars can still go without being trailed by paparazzi. It was a great pleasure to run into Clint, who is one of Hollywood’s last giants. He’s also one of the greatest filmmakers. Oscar winning “Unforgiven” is a timeless classic. “Gran Torino” is a masterpiece. And let’s not forget “Million Dollar Baby” or “Mystic River.”

Eastwood, in a great mood, told me a couple of things. First: where is he watching the Oscars this Sunday? “At home, like a sensible person,” he said.

Second, followers of his famous Obama “chair speech” might be surprised that the diners on the other side of Eastwood’s table were former California governor GRay Davis and his wife. The Democrat–who was ousted in a recall vote and replace by Arnold Schwarzenegger–had a long and very friendly chat with Clint when his meal was over, for about ten minutes. The lesson–which I learned more than a dozen years ago– is never try to put Clint Eastwood in one political corner. He’s a man for all seasons.

As for “Star,” Eastwood says he’s ready and “has a few ideas” of who his leads are going to be. Of course everyone has ideas about who should play the parts of an over the hill alcoholic rock star and his rising pop star wife. But I think Russell Crowe and Katy Perry would be ideal. Send me your ideas at roger@showbiz411.com

PS That reality show featuring some of the female members of Eastwood’s family is over. He told me he let it happen because his daughters “really wanted to do it” and he agreed as long as they left him out of it. But it’s history now, which is a relief, I think, to this classy, private star.

Oscars Power Punch: Jennifer Hudson, Zeta-Jones Will Perform Movie Musicals Tribute with “Les Miz” Cast

Roger Friedman
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Oscars Power Punch: Jennifer Hudson, Zeta-Jones Will Perform Movie Musicals Tribute with “Les Miz” Cast

The Oscar cast on Sunday night is turning into a blockbuster. For the movie musicals tribute, Neil Meron and Craig Zadan have added Jennifer Hudson, Catherine Zeta Jones, plus the Les Miz cast: Anne Hathaway, Hugh Jackman. Eddie Redmayne, Samantha Barks, Aaron Tveit and Russell Crowe. That’s in addition to musical numbers from Barbra Streisand, Adele, and Shirley Bassey. And there will be more–someone has to sing the three other Best Song nominees besides “Skyfall” (Adele) and “Suddenly” (Jackman). Of course when Hathaway sings “I Dreamed a Dream,” Bassey sings “Goldfinger,” Streisang sings “The Way We Were”– the show is going to be full of standing ovations. What about the awards? What awards? More to come…

Hedge Fund Billionaire’s Son Directing Film Produced by Spike Lee

Roger Friedman
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0

A new casting call went out today for “Mania Days,” which starts shooting April 1st. Paul Dalio, son of Hedge fund billionaire Ray Dalio, directs. Spike Lee is producing. Financing is likely in place.

From March 21, 2012: Remember Ray Dalio? The man who runs the $80 billion Bridgewater Hedge Fund was recently profiled in Forbes. And I told you that Dalio is also a fan of Jennifer Lopez–he funds her charity–and a heavy contributor to director David Lynch’s Transcendental Meditation charity. (And you thought his mantra was just ‘money, money money’.)

Now Dalio’s son, Paul, a TV producer at the David Lynch Foundation, is now getting ready to make his debut as a  feature director with a film called “Mania Days.” And the producer of the film is, of all people, Spike Lee. ‘Producer’ is not executive producer–Spike isn’t coming up with the money. But according to a production sheet that went out on Friday, Spike is going to be overseeing Dalio’s film on a hands-on basis, which he rarely does for films other than his own. Dalio, like Lee, is a graduate of the NYU Film School.

Dalio wrote and will direct the film about a manic depressive rapper who gets involved with a manic depressive poet in a passionate affair that results in a pregnancy. There’s no word on who’s financing “Mania Days,” but all things considered, it shouldn’t be hard to find the money. His mom is loaded, too–she’s a direct descendant of the Vanderbilt-Whitney families, making Paul a cousin, by the way, of Anderson Cooper, son of Gloria Vanderbilt.

Paul Dalio’s previous credits include  a short film called “The Order” about  “Sam, a major driver behind economic policy, devises a plan to get the country out of a depression by harnessing the power behind people’s desires for conflict.” He also co-wrote a feature called “Faith, Love and Whiskey,” that was shot in Bulgaria and shown in January at the alternative Slamdance Film Festival. In February, Dalio married the director-star of the film, Kristina Nikolova.

Exclusive: Robert DeNiro Will Direct Broadway Musical “A Bronx Tale”

Roger Friedman
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Exclusive: Robert DeNiro Will Direct Broadway Musical “A Bronx Tale”

Oscar voting has closed, so I can say this: Robert DeNiro can do anything. And so now, the nominee for “Silver Linings Playbook” is taking on his bravest project yet. He’s going to direct the Broadway musical of “A Bronx Tale,” the movie he directed in 1993. Chazz Palminteri, who wrote the original movie and acted in and the Broadway play (which he also wrote), is writing the book for the musical now. David Bryan of Bon Jovi, who won the Tony for “Memphis,” is writing the songs. (Expect a lot of doo wop– they should call Richard Perry.) Sergio Trujillo — of Jersey Boys and Addams Family fame– is working on the choreography.

I know all this because the one and only Tommy Mottola is producing the musical, and he told me all about it yesterday. (Mottola is in partnership with Broadway’s The Dodgers.) Tommy and I were talking about his own musical memoir, the autobiography called “Hitmaker” in book stores now. Mottola called me from Miami where he’s working on two more books–including one about the Latin culture and “the whole demographic.” Mottola is also working on a musical version of Curtis Mayfield’s “Superfly,” directed by Bill T. Jones– aimed for Broadway next winter. Curtis Mayfield is hot hot hot–first “Sparkle,” now “Superfly.”

Well, Tommy is a man for all seasons. And he’s reinventing himself as a Broadway tycoon, a new David Merrick. And let me tell you, he’s going to do it, too!

Clive Davis Responds to Kelly Clarkson: “An Accurate Depiction of Our Time Together”

Roger Friedman
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Clive Davis Responds to Kelly Clarkson: “An Accurate Depiction of Our Time Together”

I don’t know why he bothered because he didn’t have to, but Clive Davis has responded to Kelly Clarkson’s nutty appraisal of her time as a recording artist under his administration. I think Davis should have just left this alone. After all, Clarkson did this once before and got nowhere. She owes her career to Clive, Pete Ganbarg, and everyone at RCA, Arista and what used to be BMG. Davis’s book, “The Soundtrack of My Life,” has shot up to number 45 on amazon.com and is a bona fide bestseller after less than a day. Not bad.

Clive takes the high road. He says:
“As anyone who has read “The Soundtrack of My Life” knows, I think Kelly Clarkson is a tremendous vocal talent and performer. In the book, I provide an in-depth look at our years together during which we shared major multi-platinum success, as well as a few creative differences. I am truly very sorry that she has decided to take issue with what I know to be an accurate depiction of our time together.

“Before the book was published, I had every fact checked with five independent individuals who were present on a daily basis throughout it all. The chapter as it is written was thoroughly verified by each and every one of them. I stand by the chapter as written in my book. At the same time I wish, and will always wish, Kelly’s talent and her career to soar to ever new heights.”

 

 http://www.showbiz411.com/2013/02/19/clive-davis-the-rock-acts-that-got-away-included-jackson-browne-john-mellencamp

http://www.showbiz411.com/2013/02/19/clive-davis-confirms-michael-jackson-plotted-to-end-brother-jermaines-career

http://www.showbiz411.com/2013/02/19/clive-davis-on-whitney-houston-she-was-in-complete-denial-about-her-drug-problems

Kelly Clarkson Still Doesn’t Get It, and Attacks Clive Davis’s Memory

Roger Friedman
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Kelly Clarkson Still Doesn’t Get It, and Attacks Clive Davis’s Memory

I thought Kelly Clarkson had matured and grown up. Obviously, I am wrong. The “American Idol” star nearly tanked her career over a hideous album called “My December” a few years ago. She fought with Clive about putting it out. He did, and it was a dud. Her career could have been stopped cold. But Clarkson was talked down off her ledge and made to come to her senses. Davis and his team–notably Pete Ganbarg, who’s a genius A&R guy– got her a new single, “My Life Would Suck Without You.” It put Kelly back on top. This year, going with the Davis-Ganbarg formula at RCA, Clarkson had “Stronger” and “Mister Know it All.” And a hit greatest hits album. “My December” was her Waterloo.

Clive recalls some of this in “The Soundtrack of My Life.” He also remembers–has told me several times over the years–that Clarkson didn’t want to record what would become her biggest hit, “Since U Been Gone.” Artists are like that. Having a great voice doesn’t make you a genius.

Now Kelly has piped up on her website, going after Clive. Tsk, tsk. She still doesn’t get it. This is what she says:

“So I just heard Clive Davis is releasing a memoir and spreading false information about me and my music. I refuse to be bullied and I just have to clear up his memory lapses and misinformation for myself and for my fans. It feels like a violation. Growing up is awesome because you learn you don’t have to cower to anyone – even Clive Davis.”

She adds: “I cried after I played him a song I had written about my life called “Because Of You.” I cried because he hated it and told me verbatim that I was a “sh*tty writer who should be grateful for the gifts that he bestows upon me.” He continued on about how the song didn’t rhyme and how I should just shut up and sing. This was devastating coming from a man who I, as a young girl, considered a musical hero and was so honored to work with.
But I continued to fight for the song and the label relented. And it became a worldwide hit. He didn’t include that in the book.”

Kelly, I rather doubt it. In 25 years of writing about Clive Davis and his artists, there have been disagreements and certainly disappointments. But no one–and I could tell you stories– has ever accused Davis of acting in such an unprofessional way.

As for “My December” going platinum–these platinum and gold distinctions are based on albums shipped based on previous sales. “My December” shipped platinum based on the huge success that preceded it. I don’t know what the returns were, but I’d wager that they were big. No one even remembers that album except for Clarkson, her family, RCA, Jeff Kwatinetz, and me.

PS “Stronger” has sold 1,023,000 copies since its release last year according to Soundscan. “My December” has sold 836,000 since its release in 2007.

 

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