“The Master,” Paul Thomas Anderson’s epic three hour film not about Scientology, opened in five theaters last night divided among New York and Los Angeles. Not too surprisingly, all the shows were sold out. “The Master” did about $48,000 per screen. And that will be the story for the weekend. The total three day take should be around $750,000. Next Friday “The Master” slowly adds screens as it ramps up through October and November and waits for awards season. We’ll keep an eye on it. The Weinstein Company is already doing well with “Lawless,” has done very well with “The Intouchables,” and has a slew of good films coming shortly: “Silver Linings Playbook,” “Killing Them Softly,” “The Details,” “Quartet,” and “The Sapphires.” Then the biggie: Quentin Tarantino’s “Django Unchained.” They will yield an untold number of Oscar nominations, kids. The Academy could cut costs simply by having the ceremony in the Tribeca Grill! PS Home renovators: if you want to see how to get rid of an old toilet, pay special notice to Joaquin Phoenix’s method.
Broadway: “Chaplin” Needs a Chaplain
You’d think after every bad thing this country did to Charlie Chaplin we could leave him alone. Apparently not. A version of his life story, poorly and inadequately told, is now on Broadway. I suppose if you have nothing else to do, or don’t know a thing about Charlie Chaplin, then you could see this musical. It’s a like a Cliff Notes version of a complex interesting story. Someone named Christopher Curtis has simply butchered the whole thing.
On the plus side: a talented cast, featuring Robert McClure as Chaplin, do their best to overcome the inanity. If they’d been given something to work with, like original songs, that would have helped. But the music is a generic mishmash of stuff plucked from Broadway wastebins. So many melodies from other shows, including quite a bit from “A Chorus Line.”
How could you make a musical about Charlie Chaplin and omit the key scene of his life–not being allowed to re-enter the United States because you’re accused of being a Communist? And Chaplin had been a fervent fundraiser for US War bonds. He was completely patriotic but he saw himself as a citizen of the world. The musical just fails to mention this episode. It was J Edgar Hoover who engineered his ouster in 1952, seven years after the end of World War II, during the Blacklist and Sen. Joseph McCarthy’s witch-hunts.
Also, through the whole show there’s a set that reads: Chaplin Studios. That’s fine, that’s where his films were shot. (The studio eventually became A&M Records, and Henson Studios. It’s the place where “We Are the World” was shot. It’s a popular recording studio now.) But Chaplin was the original partner with Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks in United Artists. That was their film studio. This is also omitted, a huge error. They were the first indie film studio.
And then you think of the missed opportunities: how about a musical number fashioned out of “Modern Times.” The feisty McClure would have been more than up to recreating the office-desk scene. But someone would have had to write a song. And no one with this show is capable of that.
Also missing from the show: Fatty Arbuckle (he’s in the background in an early scene) and Mabel Normand. No, you can’t make “Chaplin” into a mini series, and it’s hard to do a whole life in two hours with songs, but try to get some of it right, dammit, with a dash of wit and maybe some lyrics and songs that reflect this man’s genius. I guess the producers of this mess couldn’t license “Smile,” but maybe there could have been a reference to the song that Chaplin wrote and is now among the most known in the world.
“Chaplin” won’t be around for long. See it for McClure and the rest of the cast, and the one good scene–about “The Great Dictator.” It can’t hurt you, it’s September. and “Chaplin” could get a few people interested in reading Chaplin’s 1964 memoir and David Robinson’s 1994 biography.
Fox Film Chief Out; Blamed for 2012 Series of Clunkers?
Tom Rothman has made a surprise announcement: he’s leaving his post running 20th Century Fox Filmed Entertainment with Jim Gianopolous. Was he forced out? You can read between the lines from the exit memo he sent around today, reprinted below. Fox has had a tough year with lots of clunkers including “The Watch” (aka Neighborhood Watch), “This Means War,” “We Bought a Zoo,” “Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter” and the distribution of George Lucas’s vanity film, “Red Tails.”
Their hits were “Prometheus” and “Ice Age: Continental Drift,” but they were no “Avatar.” (That seems so long ago.) Now Jim Gianopolous will be all on his own. Fox is currently ranked 6th on the studio list by boxofficemojo.com, behind Lions Gate. How did that happen?
This may not be a good sign for two big Oscar-centric movies Fox is about to release, Steven Spielberg’s “Lincoln” and Ang Lee’s “Life of Pi.” I was counting on each to be hits. Hmmm….PS how long before the talented Peter Rice is running that whole studio?
Here’s Rothman’s memo:
“I have been at Fox for over 18 years, the bulk of my adult working life,” Rothman said. “In that time we have accomplished more than I ever imagined, from the founding and nurturing of Fox Searchlight, to overseeing the two biggest films in box office history, to keeping us consistently at the highest levels of industry profits, including this most recent strong fiscal year, and, most of all, making dozens of films that I believe will stand the test of time. I’m deeply proud of that run. But even more, I am eternally grateful to have had the honor and opportunity to work with the marvelous people here at Fox. I will miss them hugely. Still, I have done the same job, at the same place, for a very long time, and it is time for me to write a new chapter. I love 20th Century Fox and take great comfort knowing that we have an amazing slate of pictures in place for the next several years. I know that Jim and all my terrific colleagues at Fox, will continue our long tradition of winning ways, and I will help in the transition in any ways I can.”
Mitt Romney, 65, Wants 84 Year Old Retired Gene Hackman to Play Him in the Movies
Mitt Romney maybe should get a clue. He tells Kelly Ripa and Michael Strahan next week on his taped segment with them who sees playing him in the movies: though Romney is 65, he imagines Gene Hackman, 84 and a half, retired, curmudgeonly, half Jewish, voice of hardware store ads, to play him on film. Okay? And Ann Romney? Mitt sees Michelle Pfeiffer. I see dead people. The Romneys taped their interview today for a show called “Live!” and it airs on Tuesday. There’s nothing worse on “Live!” than a canned interview, except for a canned ham. It’s interesting who people see themselves as on film and in fiction. I always thought my late friend Ron Silver was playing me, and he was several years older–but not 20.
L.A. County Coroner: Director Tony Scott Did NOT Have Brain Cancer
Whatever happened to the hoopla surrounding director Tony Scott’s suicide? ABC News reported that Scott had brain cancer, then sort of it took it back but never retracted story. This afternoon I spoke with L.A. County Coronor Ed Winter who told me: “Tony Scott did not have brain cancer.” Like a lot of suicides, Scott may have just snapped. and there’s no accounting for why he jumped off the San Pedro Bridge. His death is simply a tragedy. Winter says they’re still waiting for the toxicology report, which may explain something if there was a bad mix of prescription drugs, etc. Anyway, it’s unclear why ABC has never conceded they were wrong by following blog posts and innuendo. They haven’t written a word more about it since August 27th. Scott, meanwhile, is much missed.
Help Rosie O’Donnell Raise Money For Desmoid Tumor Foundation
Rosie O’Donnell is auctioning off one of her paintings to raise money for the Desmoid Tumor Foundation. As we know, last spring Rosie and her then fiancee Michelle Rounds got the scare of their lives when Michelle was diagnosed with this disease. Since then Rosie has been on a rampage to raise money for research. This painting is on auction on ebay, and you can read more at www.rosie.com. Also, Rosie’s got her annual gala for her Broadway kids and the Maravel Center here in New York on October 15th. No one is more charitable than Rosie, and that Maravel center is a marvel! http://www.ebay.com/itm/261098284324
American Idol: Nicki Minaj and Keith Urban Would Miss Important Shows
The speculation now is that Randy Jackson–who seems to have survived a brutal internal tug of war — and Mariah Carey–whom Jackson manages–will be joined at the “American Idol” judges’s desk by country star Keith Urban and hip hop R&B creation Nicki Minaj. (I’m actually enjoying her music, especially “Starships.”) But there are issues: Minaj has a tour set for the entire fall outside the US. She’s gone from October 21 to December 8. Gone, as in Australia, New Zealand, the UK. If she’s a judge she’ll miss the audition shows, but be ready for the new season when it starts in January.
On the other hand, Urban has gigs in Australia from January 25th to February 3rd. That may not seem like much, but “Idol” will be live with February sweeps that week. Everyone has to be at the desk. Urban would have to cancel those shows. It could be done, but he’s Australian, after all, and he’s married Aussie Nicole Kidman. That’s his main audience. They love him. From the looks of the Australian ticket site, the shows look sold out and in hot demand. That’s a problem.
In the end, though, Keith will be a great judge. And he’s just resigned from judging on Australia’s “The Voice,” presumably to join “American Idol.”
As for Mariah, I have no doubt her judging time will be memorable. She’ll be the Judge Judy of “Idol.”
And then there’s Randy. I said months ago he was the heart and soul of “Idol.” I’m sure that Simon Fuller and Nigel Lythgoe see that now that the “X Factor” ratings are a disaster. Getting rid of Paula Abdul, replacing her with Twinkie Demi Lovato and basket case Britney Spears may not have been the solution after all. “Idol” should see this as a lesson: Randy is a stabilizing force.
And Nicki Minaj: I am really enjoying her music. She’s the X rated Lene Lovich,
“The Master” Opens to Rave Reviews And a Lot of Curiosity
Paul Thomas Anderson’s “The Master” opens today in five theaters, and expands next week and the week after. It’s gotten rave reviews just about everywhere and rates an 86% on rottentomatoes.com. Here’s my review from August 30th: http://www.showbiz411.com/2012/08/30/review-the-master-is-a-masterpiece-of-filmmaking. I’ve seen “The Master” twice; that’s like having a major gut busting Thanksgiving dinner twice, with relatives who are alternately brilliant and crazy, in a spectacular dining room.
There’s no question that “The Master” will be a Best Picture nominee, with nominations for Director, Actor, Supporting Actor and Actress, Score and technical awards including cinematography. But we’re a little early for all that. Right now, it’s time just to enjoy this film. Anderson probably has a lot of influences, but the one that always stands out is Robert Altman. “The Master” is rooted in a film like “Three Women,” just “Magnolia” echoed “Short Cuts,” “Nashville,” and “Brewster McCloud.” That’s okay, it’s just fine. Anderson is channeling a lot of great stuff to make his movies. Altman should ben smiling in heaven.
Back in 1977, I used to take people to see “Three Women” and it left them confounded but moved. That’s “The Master.” You almost have to see it twice to get everything that’s going on. Joaquin Phoenix pulverizes a toilet in jail cell. If you could rewind in the theater you’d watch the whole jail cell scene again. It’s quite amazing. No one knew he was going to do that. Or that it was possible. Phoenix’s Freddie Quell cannot be “quelled.” That’s the whole point of his name.
Philip Seymour Hoffman already has an Oscar, and should have received a Tony this year for “Death of a Salesman.” Watch him in anything–try “The Savages.” He is the Jason Robards of this generation. He never hits the wrong note. PSH could have made Lancaster Dodd a cliche, a megalomaniac twirling a mustache.
Instead, Dodd is far less sinister and more likeable than L. Ron Hubbard ever was. He’s almost dashing. He’s a hedonist who’s “making up” his religion while he embraces life. Watch his scene toward the end with Laura Dern when she questions changes in The Cause. At first I thought he was angry because he was defensive. But no, I think he’s pissed that Dern’s benefactress doesn’t get it–it doesn’t matter that Dodd is contradicting himself. Go back and enjoy the party, he’s saying when he snaps at her.
Go, enjoy this party. It’s completely wild.
Larry David Update: HBO Film Has No Script, Just Outline, and No Kristen Wiig
A couple of hours ago came more news about the Larry David film I announced here exclusively a while ago. The film, originally set up at Fox Searchlight, still co-stars Jon Hamm. Now a few more names have been added including Eva Mendes, Bill Hader, and Kate Hudson. But here are a couple of things not said: first of all Kristen Wiig was supposed to join the cast. I’m told negotiations fell apart. Wiig has gotten big, so it was probably a matter of money. Too bad–she and Hamm have great chemistry from “Bridesmaids.” I’m assuming that was the role Kate Hudson got.
Second, even though a synopsis of the plot of “Clear History” (a reference to an internet browser–can that really be the name?) was released, there is no script. Says one insider: “It’s just an outline.” The movie is mostly improvisational. It’s interesting that they added J.B. Smoove from “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” I think HBO wants this to seem as much like “Curb” as possible without being the actual thing. Also, I’m told at least part of the film will be shot on the north shore of Boston near Danvers, Massachusetts in September and October. A casting call went out up there for kids of different ages. The film will also shoot at least for one day on Martha’s Vineyard, where David lives in the summer.
PS Can you still vote for best written comedy episode for the Emmys? Hands down it was “Palestinian Chicken” from “Curb” last season. Maybe one of the best single shows in comedy TV history, right up there with “Chuckles is Dead,” “The Anti-Dentite,” and a Murphy Brown with Wallace Shawn announcing his political platform.
Confirmed: Adele All Set for James Bond “Skyfall” Song
Exclusive: I think I can confirm for you what I said some months ago–Adele is performing the theme song for “Skyfall,” the 23rd James Bond movie. As far as I know the song is called “Skyfall.” I think if anyone else had sung the theme song this year it wouldn’t have made sense. Adele’s sound is the quintessential James Bond sound. She joins Shirley Bassey, Paul McCartney, Carly Simon, Rita Coolidge, John Barry, Duran Duran and others on the long list of pop stars who’ve immortalized James Bond in song.
“Skyfall” will be Adele’s first new single since her album “21” sold 7 billion copies in 13 different galaxies. The movie opens in London the last week of October, right when Adele will give birth to a baby, as well. The good news is, this should be an actual song with a melody and a hook, unlike recent tortures. More to come on this breaking news…
(PS I broke this news originally around May 21st on Forbes.com. The story has since been purged because Forbes only paid for one time use. And they still owe me money! But you can find the original reference just by Googling around.) Here’s one link that credited my Forbes story: http://www.entertainmentwise.com/news/76363/Adele-Working-On-James-Bond-Skyfall-Theme-Tune-