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TMZ Botches Our RNC-Journey Story

Roger Friedman
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TMZ Botches Our RNC-Journey Story

Leave it to TMZ. It’s a slow news night and they need an item. So they try to repurpose our story from last week about rock groups playijng at the political conventions. I told you that the non partisan Creative Coalition was involved in shows in both Tampa and Charlotte.In Tampa, they’re bringing in Journey, which is getting around $250,000 tops, and not half a million dollars.

In Charlotte the Creative Coalition is bringing in the B52s, who are getting $100,000 and a promise that they can get home the same night. (Just kidding, maybe.) Music acts are not so interested in either convention this year. The reason? No one wants to pay them high fees, and the groups can make more money on tour, or playing at Ron Perelman’s house in the Hamptons.

Indeed, a booker friend of mine has been bemoaning the whole convention-music thing for weeks. “The Democrats are cheap and are only paying expenses,” they say. “The Republicans are offering top dollar but no one wants to play for them.”

As I also reported exclusively James Taylor and Sheryl Crow will warm up the crowd at Bank of America Stadium on Sept 6th before President Obama makes his acceptance speech.

TMZ: Don’t stop believing, but do stop borrowing stories and then screwing them up.

 

 

“2016” Anti-Obama Movie Is Number 8, Not Number 1 for the Weekend

Roger Friedman
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0
“2016” Anti-Obama Movie Is Number 8, Not Number 1 for the Weekend

“2016: Obama’s America,” a slanted, unbelievably inaccurate account of anything in the real world, was number 8 at the box office this weekend. Deadline Hollywood got all excited on Friday that it would be number 1, which was crazy. And a lot of people may have thought it was a positive movie about President Obama going in, considering the ambiguous title. Nevertheless, “2016” has now banked $9 million. As I wrote yesterday, it’s playing heavily in red states, in swing states, and in Texas (120 theaters) and in Charlotte, North Carolina to try and cause trouble during the Democratic convention. It’s the “Reefer Madness” of 2012. Ironically, “2016” didn’t do nearly was well as another fiction film, “The Campaign,” a comedy about elections. That says something right there.

PS Two good movies to check out during Labor Day break: “The Imposter” and “Searching for Sugar Man.” Also, there’s still no box office report for “Goats.”

“The Intouchables” Crosses $10 Million Mark– Huge for a Foreign Film

Roger Friedman
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0
“The Intouchables” Crosses $10 Million Mark– Huge for a Foreign Film

“The Intouchables”–already a hit around the world–is a smash here in the US. The Weinstein Company is reporting that they crossed the $10 million mark this week, finishing today at $10,457,197. (The international gross is around $360 million.)

This is quite an accomplishment. The French film, about a wealthy man and his unlikely aide, has been playing for months now, very quietly, staying under the radar but building word of mouth. As such, it just keeps going, costing no money to keep in theaters and making money every week.

Omar Sy, who plays Driss, the aide, already won the Best Actor prize in France. Don’t be surprised to see a major push for him this season for the Oscars. And Francois Cluzet, the veteran French star, is getting equally high praise as Driss’s employer.

I don’t see any reason why “The Intouchables” will come out of theaters any time soon. I’m sure the plan is to send out the DVD in late fall, early winter when Academy screeners are mailed. And this will be one that every Academy member will  love. Omar Sy?  It’s possible to see his name on a list with Daniel Day Lewis, Joaquin Phoenix, Tommy Lee Jones, and a few others next winter.

“2016” Producer’s First Movie Was About Cocaine and Partying in the 80s–and He’s a Mormon!

Roger Friedman
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“2016” Producer’s First Movie Was About Cocaine and Partying in the 80s–and He’s a Mormon!

Well, this is weird. Gerald R. Molen, producer of the slanted anti-Obama documentary “2016,” you know, is a Mormon. Like Mitt Romney. That’s why he’s backed the movie. But what’s really strange is that the first movie Mormon Molen executive produced back in 1987 was “Bright Lights, Big City.” The Michael J. Fox film was based on the popular story by Jay McInerney about partying unapologetically with massive amounts of cocaine. It was a bad movie. But Molen must have liked the premise– he raised the money for “Bright Lights, Big City.” I can’t think of a movie that would more violate the Mormon sensibility and lifestyle.

Later, Molen–who was raised in North Hollywood, California but likes to say he’s from Montana–went to work for Steven Spielberg’s company, and has producer credits on five of his movies including “Schindler’s List.” Molen likes to promote himself as the sole producer of that film. But really all of Steven Spielberg’s movies are made by Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall. Molen simply worked for them.

With the money he made from Spielberg, Molen’s other movie credits are dreadful. They include “The Other Side of Heaven” (2001) which was sort of like the serious non musical version of “The Book of Mormon.” It’s very bad, although it does feature Anne Hathaway in her film debut. Also, the even worse “View from the Swing,” which no one has really heard of, and the Mormon fable “The Legend of Johnny Lingo,” also a failure– which brought Molen’s film career to an end in 2003.

Earlier this year, Molen was dis-invited from giving a commencement speech in Montana because of his nutty politics.

As for “Bright Lights, Big City”–lines of cocaine are snorted right up the middle of the street in that one. Mr. Molen must have thought all that white stuff was the salt in the Salt Lake!

“2016” finished in fourth place on Friday night.

Anti-Obama Movie Playing Big to Red States–120 Theaters in Texas!

Roger Friedman
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Anti-Obama Movie Playing Big to Red States–120 Theaters in Texas!

The anti-Obama documentary “2016: Obama’s America” is playing big big big in “red” states–isn’t it funny that conservative, right wing states are described the same way as “red” Communists? Anyway, “2016” may have finished at number 3 last night.

The distributor is following the pattern of Christian releases like “The Passion of the Christ” with heavy concentration in the Bible belt, the South, and swing states. They’ve put it in 120 theaters in Texas, and dozens and dozens in places like North and South Carolina. They’ve made a point of saturating Charlotte, North Carolina, to embarrass President Obama during the convention.

Maybe all the people who see it don’t realize that Dinesh D’Souza, the guy who made it, went to Africa and paid Obama’s half brother a presidential sum to be used as a pawn in the election. Oh well. “2016” is playing only in two Manhattan theatres, one in Los Angeles, and just a couple each in places where no one will be influenced by its slanted, and underhanded, editorializing.

PS Deadline.com, using much too early numbers and no facts, headlined “2016” yesterday afternoon as the number 1 movie of the night. Later, they reported it at number 3 without every correcting themselves. Every weekend their numbers are wrong compared to the final numbers. It’s like air pollution on the internet.

Goats: The Sad Story of David Duchovny Film DOA in Two Weeks

Roger Friedman
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Goats: The Sad Story of David Duchovny Film DOA in Two Weeks

“Goats” opened on August 10th. If you didn’t see it, it’s too late. Starting with a zero on Rottentomatoes,com, and working itself up to a 20, “Goats”–which starred David Duchovny and Vera Farmiga–is gone. It’s playing in two theaters, each out in the desert. There are 25 producer credits on “Goats,” released by ImageEntertainment (not Brian Grazer’s Imagine.) The movie had a $3 million budget. So far, there’s not been one box report on it. It’s as if the August 10th dates just didn’t happen. Even the suckiest films eventually report in some numbers. None for “Goats,” however. A mystery. Image is a video company, so I imagine we’ll be seeing “Goats” on DVD shortly. Duchovny, meamtime, really needs an ” X Files” movie. And he always has “Californication” on Showtime.

Apple Wins Samsung Lawsuit, But in 2006, Apple LOST Similar Lawsuit Over iPods

Roger Friedman
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Apple Wins Samsung Lawsuit, But in 2006, Apple LOST Similar Lawsuit Over iPods

Big news tonight. Apple won a $1 billion judgment against Samsung over infringement of its patents and design for the iPhone and tablet. But it’s not like Apple hasn’t been in the exact same position. In May 2006 they were sued by Singapore based Creative Labs, the company that actually invented the MP3 player and user interface. Creative applied for the patent in 2001 and won it in 2005, then turned around and sued Apple for stealing their ideas. Apple had to pay Creative $100 million in a settlement. Of course, Creative–which still makes MP3 players with far better sound than Apple–drifted away after that. A company with huge potential, especially when it came to putting superior sound in small devices, they never regained their footing. Nevertheless, it shouldn’t be forgotten as the i-Fans pop Champagne corks that while Samsung may have copied their designs, Apple copied Creative’s schematics that make an iPod work in the first place.

Creative.com, by the way, still sells the company’s MP3 players, which used to be excellent. But after lawsuit and settlement, Creative went into the licensing business, and licensed Apple their patent. They were never the same again.

http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Creative-wins-patent-for-song-navigation-system-2644056.php

http://www.macnews.com/content/apple-pays-creative-100-million-ipod-related-lawsuit

 

Remembering Frank DiLeo, “Uncle Tookie,” A Great Friend and Music Biz Genius

Roger Friedman
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Remembering Frank DiLeo, “Uncle Tookie,” A Great Friend and Music Biz Genius

Frank DiLeo died a year ago today, August 24th. But really, he died on March 21st, after open heart surgery at Cedars Sinai Hospital left him in a permanent coma. He never woke up. What should have been relatively common surgery turned into a nightmare. Some time during the night after the surgery, Frank had another attack or a stroke. He lost too much oxygen, unattended, and had no way of fighting back.

Frank was a famously colorful figure in the record business. His success with Michael Jackson on “Thriller” and then “Bad” probably inflated him beyond anything normal. I didn’t know him then, I met him later. Nevertheless, he was the architect of those triumphs, and Michael knew it. Over the years as a long line of swindlers and con men worked their way through Neverland, it was always Frank to whom Michael turned. In the winter of 2008, Michael was already calling Frank after many debacles. By the spring, when the London concerts were announced, it was Frank who Michael wanted by his side. If they’d gone to England, Frank was going to be right there.

Sony is about to release the 25th anniversary edition of “Bad,” complete with a Spike Lee documentary. Frank was working on that project when he got sick in February 2011. He knew more about “Bad” then almost anyone except for Bruce Swedien. He used to talk about the outtakes from “Bad” all the time. One song you’ll hear in the boxed set, “Don’t Be Messin’ Around,” was his favorite. I’m just sorry he doesn’t get to see all the hoopla and receive the accolades. And I’m told there are still unresolved issues between him and Sony regarding money. (Isn’t that always the case in the record business?) As much as Michael was a genius, Frank was the one who knew how to execute the singer-performer’s dreams.

It’s a terrible thing to lose a friend; I’ve thought about Frank every day since he left us last year. He had already lost his own friend, Michael. He was with him in the hospital room when Michael was pronounced dead. It broke his heart. Even through their times apart, Michael was the highlight of Frank’s professional life. Once Michael died, Frank was a little lost, I think. Like Michael, he always expected to reclaim their glory days. I know they’re together right now in heaven–Frank chomping on a cigar and getting ready to celebrate Michael’s birthday on the 29th. And they’re free of the burden of re-creating the most successful star-manager combo since Colonel Parker and Elvis.

Rest easy, Frank.

 

Madonna “Forgives” Elton John at Concert in France

Roger Friedman
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Madonna “Forgives” Elton John at Concert in France

Madonna has held out an olive branch to Elton John. She dedicated her song “Masterpiece” to him in Nice, France. She said, “I’m a big fan of his, he’s a fan of mine. I forgive him. You know what? You gotta start somewhere.”

Ok, Madonna, it’s a classy moment. Here’s the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EE3EcFDCEek Madonna tried to give it a little zetz by singing “Masterpiece,” the song that she won the Golden Globe with over Elton’s “Gnomeo and Juliet.” But I think she meant it.

Earlier: Madonna is getting ready to hit America with her Girls Gone Wild tour. She’s raised a ruckus in every city so far throughout Europe to the point where there were warnings in St. Petersburg about the audience’s safety. Toward the end of the first leg, Madonna finally stopped showing a Nazi swastika on her forehead during a video. There’s no definitive word, but it’s unlikely she’ll be showing the swastika at Yankee Stadium on September 6th and 8th. Even for Madonna, that would beyond permissible.

Meantime, there are seats galore on Stubhub.com for Madonna’s US shows. There are over 9,000 seats at the two Yankee Stadium nights, currently being touted. But every American show is the subject of massive re-selling. There are 1,700 seats for sale both nights at the Staples Center, and the sole night at Madison Square garden has a big chunk in flux.Live Nation doesn’t care. Even if scalpers bought big numbers of seats, they bought ’em. Live Nation has made its money. It does mean you can buy a seat to see Madonna anywhere in the US for about $55 day of show. Bring your spyglass!

Still, the European tour was a big success saleswise. Live Nation says Girls Gone Wild could be its biggest tour of 2012.

“Chicago” Producers Neil Meron and Craig Zadan will Produce the Oscars

Roger Friedman
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0
“Chicago” Producers Neil Meron and Craig Zadan will Produce the Oscars

Good news, kids. Two of the best producers around, Neil Meron and Craig Zadan, are going to produce the Oscars this winter. I’m telling you, these days, every announcement I get from the Academy is better than the last one.

Here’s the release:

Beverly Hills, CA – Acclaimed motion picture, television and theater producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron will produce the 85th Academy Awards, Academy President Hawk Koch announced today. This will be the duo’s first involvement with the Oscars. The 85th Academy Awards will air live on Oscar® Sunday, February 24, 2013.

“Craig and Neil are forward thinkers who bring a unique perspective to the Oscar show,” Koch said. “Their enormous collective talent, coupled with their love of film, serves our show perfectly.”

“We are very excited to collaborate with Hawk and everyone at the Academy to produce this year’s Oscars,” said Zadan and Meron. “We hope to utilize our experience in producing features, TV and theater to bring something fresh and special to this incredible awards show. When we filmed ‘The Bucket List,’ we made our own personal bucket list, and producing the Oscars was #1. It’s truly a great honor.”

“Craig and Neil have great talent relationships and bring an infectious energy to the production,” said Academy CEO Dawn Hudson.” They are creative producers in the best sense of the word.”

Zadan and Meron served as executive producers on the 2002 Best Picture winner “Chicago,” which won Oscars® in 6 of the 13 categories in which it was nominated. Their credits also include the features “Footloose” (2011), “Hairspray” and “The Bucket List.”  Zadan also produced the original “Footloose” (1984).

Zadan and Meron’s work in television includes the series “SMASH” and such movies as “A Raisin in the Sun” and the upcoming “Steel Magnolias.”

For Broadway, they recently produced the Tony Award® winning revivals of “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” and “Promises, Promises.”

Their work has amassed 73 Emmy® nominations; 12 Tony nominations; and seven Grammy® nominations.

The 85th Academy Awards will be held at the Dolby Theatre™ at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood, and will be televised live by the ABC Television Network. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.

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