Monday, December 22, 2025
Home Blog Page 2034

Inside Joke: Roberto Benigni Cracks “King’s Speech” Joke in Woody Allen Film

0

The Weinstein Company announced a new round of financing today–$225 million. Here’s the announcement: “A $150 million domestic-focused revolving facility was closed and agented by Union Bank’s Bryan LaCour, Tony Beaudoin and Alex Cho. Also key to a successful closing were joint lead arrangers and joint book runners from CIT, Wade Layton and Kevin Khanna, and UBS Investment Bank. Union Bank will serve as Collateral Administrator for this facility. An additional $75 million revolving new media facility was structured and agented by UBS Investment Bank. OneWest Bank will serve as Collateral Administrator for this UBS Facility, led by Joe Woolf.”

At the same time, TWC gets a little fun zetz in the new Woody Allen movie, “To Rome with Love.” Roberto Benigni, who won an Oscar for Best Actor in a Miramax (ex-TWC) classic “Life Is Beautiful,” is coming out of a Rome movie theater with friends. Whatever movie they’ve just seen is unclear, but Roberto announces, “It was better than The King’s Speech!” He then goes on to describe, vaguely, “Life is Beautiful.” Of course, Woody Allen has released a number of movies with Miramax and Weinstein including two big hits, “Bullets Over Broadway” and “Vicki Cristina Barcelona.” Very funny, “inside baseball” stuff–and nice that TWC is powered up financially for a big Oscar season. They’ve got “The Master,” “Django Unchained,” and a few others.

Justin Bieber Bombs on TV, And Isn’t Doing So Great on the Charts

7

Justin Bieber has been sold to us in forceful amounts, but maybe it’s not working after all. His TV special last night on NBC, “All Around the World,” was a bust. For an 8pm show aimed at pre-teens, it finished fourth out of five shows at that hour. Bieber got a very lackluster 0.9 rating in the 18-49 demo and scored just 3.3 million viewers– about half the number of top rated “So You Think You Can Dance” on Fox. It was also beaten by “Dogs in the City.”

On the charts, Bieber released a new album this week called “Believe.” On iTunes, it’s number 1, hands down. But on amazon.com, “Believe” is struggling both digitally and in physical sales. Amazon has it doing best at number 9 of all its different versions. But in reality “Believe” is no knock out hit. Hitsdailydouble.com is claiming that “Believe” will end up around 410,000 copies for the week. That seems high given that the impact is low and the reviews–if they mean anything–are not great.

Indeed, Justin Bieber is starting to hit the Britney Spears trend. His original deluded fans are growing out of their age range, and new fans are hard to come by. I have never understood how or why he was popular. At best, he’s a YouTube creation using a heavy dab of Michael Jackson and Justin Timberlake. He has the sex appeal of celery. He also really doesn’t have any songs anyone knows. I defy the average person on the street to name one of his hits.

This was the Jonas Brothers’ problem, too. And look what happened to them. Teen fame is fleeting.It won’t be long before Bieber is playing the Artful Dodger in “Oliver!” on Broadway.

411 Shorts: Invision Snaps Away; Haggis Casting Neeson, Wilde

0

Invision is the newest boutique celebrity photo agency, designed to take on WireImage and Getty Images. It’s also the first time the Associated Press has hunkered down to compete with all the star picture takers. Well known and respected fotog Dan Becker is running the joint operation out of Los Angeles, and he’s already got a dream team including Matt Sayles, Jordan Strauss, John Shearer, Jon Furniss, Evan Agostini, Casey Rodgers, Todd Williamson, and Chris Pizzello. The red carpet will never be the same. You can read more about Becker’s project at www.invisionagency.com and on the Associated Press website…With the AP’s reach, Invision is going to mix things up, that’s for sure…

“Crash” director Paul Haggis starts shooting his new film, “Third Person,” in Italy very shortly, with Liam Neeson heading up an all star cast for three interlocking love stories. Olivia Wilde has been cast as Neeson’s romantic interest, and there’s talk of James Franco and Ed Burns possibly being in the mix. Naomi Watts has also been mentioned…

Sending best wishes to famed agent/manager Johnnie Planco, one of our all time favorite people. A sudden bout of meningitis almost knocked him out this winter, but Johnnie and his beautiful wife Lois showed up at the Woody Allen premiere last night. Johnnie has bounced back after some serious rehab, and is in fighting form once again. He’s also sporting a rakish patch over one eye, giving Johnny Depp a run for his money. Johnnie and partner Gene Parseghian are still going strong with a formidable list of clients (Judi Dench, Daniel Day Lewis, Lauren Bacall etc). New York seems back in balance now that Johnnie Planco’s on the scene once again!

Woody Allen, Penelope Cruz — Wisely– Skip “Rome” Premiere Party

0

Woody Allen and his wife, Soon Yi took one look at the premiere party laid out for them by the Hollywood Reporter at Casa Lever House last night, and split. I mean, a party that was meant to be held out doors in 100 degree heat? They were gone. Penelope Cruz skipped the party for “To Rome with Love” altogether. All three had already done their time at the screening at the Paris Theater, taking pictures and greeting guests. But sweltering heat and then inside Casa Lever House, the noise level was just beyond human.

Nevertheless, Alec Baldwin did make a go of it at the screening and at the party. Some other celebs: Debra Winger, Julianna Margulies, director Paul Haggis, Jon Hamm and Jennifer Westfeldt. Greta Gerwig, who’s in “Rome,” came with Noah Baumbach. Chris Rock was there, so were Regis and Joy Philbin. But no one could blame Woody: the party was the absolute expression of his Groucho Marx line about not wanting to be a member of any club that would have him.

So what’s the story with “To Rome with Love”? It is first of all, very funny. Second, more than Allen’s movie “Celebrity” from several years ago, “Rome” addresses the obsession with fame, making good, and being accepted. It was kind of strange that the Reporter was sponsoring the party since their reviewer, Todd McCarthy, panned the film. (Maybe that’s why Woody left.) McCarthy, with whom I often agree, is wrong about “Rome.” There are plenty of strong performances–especially from Roberto Benigni, Alec Baldwin, Ellen Page, and Penelope Cruz.

The Benigni part of the film is my favorite. “Rome” is full of different stories. Benigni’s is about a simple Italian man who awakens to find himself a celebrity. He’s famous for no reason. Essentially, he’s the Kardashians. It’s a fable, exceptionally well told, about celebrity. But everyone in “Rome” is aspiring to something they consider better– social acceptance, career advancement, etc. And yes, it’s very funny. Woody plays a retired opera director who stages a hilarious idea of opera while vacationing in Rome. Judy Davis is his droll and supportive wife.

I do think after the massive success of “Midnight in Paris,” Woody is going to find it hard going with “Rome.” It was that way after “Annie Hall.” But “To Rome with Love” is a big meal of ideas and laughs. It’s the perfect antidote to the stifling heat. And Penelope Cruz has never been sexier or smarter.

Barbra Streisand to Direct First Film In 16 Years with Colin Firth and Cate Blanchett

3

Exclusive: Although it’s been alluded to, here’s the real story about Barbra Streisand’s return to directing. She’s agreed to direct “Skinny and Cat,” an epic love story about writer Erskine Caldwell and photojournalist Margaret Bourke White. Colin Firth and Cate Blanchett are officially attached, and Linda Yellen is producing from a script she wrote. Streisand is said to be very excited. Lynn Kressell is casting. The film will be independently financed, with CAA putting together the package.

The film has a go date for January 2013. Streisand last directed “The Mirror Has Two Faces” in 1996. It’s high time she was back behind the camera. There’s a reason Streisand was chosen to give Kathryn Bigelow her directing Oscar for “The Hurt Locker” a couple of years ago. That’s because Barbra early bucked a system that resisted female directors. But once she caused a stir with “Yentl,” in 1983, the doors opened for Penny Marshall, Amy Heckerling, Nora Ephron, Betty Thomas, Susan Seidelman and all the ladies who followed them. Producer Yellen is a good partner for Streisand: she has a long string of quality credits including the landmark television movie, “Playing for Time.”

Streisand has a full plate this fall. While preparing for “Skinny and Cat” she has those dates at Brooklyn’s new Barclay Center, already sold out. And she stars with Seth Rogen in “The Guilt Trip” coming out for Christmas. There’s also talk of recording a duets album. And she still has “Gypsy” on her docket. Nothing like staying busy!

Is God Dead On Broadway? All Three Religious Themed Musicals Closing

0

God is not having a good run on Broadway. It’s just been announced that within weeks of each of other, the three Broadway musicals with religious themes are shutting down for lack of business. “Jesus Christ Superstar,” “Godspell,” and “Sister Act,” will be gone by the end of the summer. “Jesus Christ Superstar”–which is really a terrific production–will be gone by July 1st if business doesn’t pick up. “Godspell” has to close. Not a great production in the first place, it’s barely staying alive with very low ticket sales. It will close on Sunday after hanging on–shall I say it?– day by day by day. “Sister Act,” based on the Whoopi Goldberg movie, says it’s closing on August 26th when its current star Raven-Symone, is scheduled to leave. It’s a weird coincidence, to say the least. Meanwhile, the most god-less musical of all time, “The Book of Mormon,” is packing them in like never before. On a personal note, I loved this production of “Jesus Christ Superstar.” If they really do have to close, then try and get over there and see it. Josh Young is outstanding as Judas and the whole cast is terrific.

Box Office: Tom Cruise “Rock” Falling Apart Faster than Adam Sandler’s “Boy”

0

Wow. Even though, really, “Rock of Ages” is a better movie in about 30 ways than “That’s My Boy,” bad things are happening at the box office. On Monday and Tuesday, “Rock of Ages”– with Tom Cruise as the nominal lead–has started to fall apart at the box office while Adam Sandler’s “Boy” has held on. Indeed, if the trend continues today and tomorrow, “That’s My Boy” will pull ahead of “Rock” even though it’s playing at fewer theaters. As of right now, they’re almost tied at $17 million plus change. When the weekend finished, “Rock” was ahead of “Boy” by about a million dollars. But on Monday “Rock of Ages” started to drop, and on Tuesday it fell further below. Adam Sandler obviously has a few dedicated fans left.

I didn’t intend for this piece to be a review also of Andy Samberg’s “Celeste and Jesse Forever,” which I saw last night. Samberg co-stars with Sandler in the hideous boy, although he keeps his head low and stays out of sight. “Celeste and Jesse,” which opens in August, is going to erase this whole episode. It’s a fine romantic comedy, a little bittersweet and totally adult in its outlook. It’s a slam dunk date movie for people in their 30s, sort of like “(500) Days of Summer.” Rashida Jones, daughter of Quincy Jones and Peggy Lipton, who’s been doing great on TV (“The Office,” “Parks and Recreation”) and in small movie roles, hits a home run as the star of this film. It’s like Melanie Griffith in “Working Girl.” And Samberg os just great.

But “Rock of Ages” looks like it’s going to be a total wash at this point. Something really went wrong. At least it vindicates my feelings about groups like Journey, Kansas, and Poison. Ugh.

John Edwards: People Mag Pic Proves My 2008 Story About His Clandestine Meeting

0

In August 2008, I reported an interesting tidbit in the then unfolding John Edwards scandal. A former campaign worker of Edwards ran into him at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on June 18th. Edwards was sneaking in from the basement elevator. Using this elevator means you can bypass the lobby and shoot straight upstairs.

Edwards, I reported, was having a clandestine meeting with Rielle Hunter and their then three month old daughter, Quinn. It was a few days before Father’s Day, and Edwards’ other children and his wife Elizabeth were home in North Carolina. Edwards had already denied that Quinn was his child and was still fudging the truth of the affair.

But now People magazine has a picture in their new issue of Edwards with Quinn dated June 20, 2008. It’s taken at the Beverly Hilton. Edwards looks like he’s just come from the gym. So we can conclude he was there for a few days visiting with his lover and secret child. In the end, it’s nice to learn the end, or the other side of a story that I reported.

A month later, The National Enquirer– tipped off by someone–found Edwards in the hotel and trapped him in a public bathroom.They didn’t know  then that he’d already been with Hunter and the baby a month earlier.

Here’s my original story: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,409964,00.html

Rielle Hunter: “24” And There’s So Much More — Will She Spill On Her Hollywood Days?

0

Rielle Hunter’s book is being excerpted in Radar Online, the AP, and ABC News has an exclusive on it. Hunter is quick to say John Edwards had other mistresses. Or he lied to her about other mistresses. But what about her other boyfriends? At the television show “24” in Hollywood, one man was very concerned when he heard Hunter was pregnant. He thought he was the father. He’d put Hunter up in an apartment, according to my sources. He was married. Ironically, his marriage had to withstand other tests once Edwards was named as the dad.

Is that in Hunter’s book, coming out next week?

Hunter clearly came to Hollywood with dollar signs in her eyes when she divorced husband Kip Hunter in 2000. and moved to Hollywood. “It was clear,” says Emmy-nominated cinematographer George Mooradian, “that she wanted to be in the movie business.”

As I wrote in 2008:

Rielle Hunter was first known as Lisa Druck. But some time in the late ’80s, after moving to Los Angeles from New York, the Florida native met and married Alexander “Kip” Munro Hunter III. During her decade-long marriage, her father-in-law was the prosecutor in the celebrated Ramsey case in Boulder, Colo.

Kip’s father, Alexander Munro Hunter, was the famous Boulder district attorney who, beginning in 1996, tried but failed to find and prosecute 6-year-old JonBenet Ramsey’s killer. The crime — still unsolved — remains an international sensation.

It seems Rielle — known then as Lisa — hooked up with Kip in Los Angeles after her run as a Manhattan party girl and inspiration for a 1987 Jay McInerney novel. The author recently recalled that the book “was narrated in the first person from the point of view of an ostensibly jaded, cocaine-addled, sexually voracious 20-year-old who was, shall we say, inspired by Lisa.”

According to his own bio, Kip Hunter lived in New York from around 1990 to about 2005, and he had his own law firm, Hunter & Associates, where he “specialized in general corporate representation.”

In 2000, Lisa Druck re-emerged in Los Angeles as newly single Rielle Hunter, writer and producer of a 20-minute-long comedy called “Billy Bob and Them,” which she also acted in and self-distributed.

Mooradian worked on “Billy Bob and Them.” When he met Rielle, he said, she was just getting or had gotten a divorce.He conceded he was paid about $50, if that, to shoot the low-budget film in Hunter’s “very nice” Los Angeles-area home that he supposed she’d gotten in the divorce.

The film, he said, didn’t have much of a plot. “It was very New Age-y. It had something to do with altars and temples and crystals.” The shoot lasted two days.

Mooradian told me: “She definitely had some connection to the Dalai Lama and Richard Gere, and there was an offer to meet the Dalai Lama.”

Things have definitely changed. Hunter’s name sends a cold chill up the spines of the ‘24′ gang– and their show is about terrorism!

And there is still a much disputed story about Hunter’s friendship with actor Jeff Goldblum before he got added to “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” and moved to New York. Hunter denies it, but the LA peeps can’t stop talking about it.

Alec Baldwin in Greatest Story New York Post Won’t Tell

0

Alec Baldwin is now in the middle of a good one. Tonight is the movie premiere of Woody Allen’s “To Rome with Love.” Will Baldwin show up at the Paris Theater, walk the red carpet, do the whole song and dance? Security is going to be tight as Baldwin got himself into a physical  altercation yesterday morning with photographers for the Daily News. There are pictures, and everyone is at fault. But the News is touting the story and it’s been picked up by everyone except…The New York Post.

That’s right. The hottest celebrity story in town, and the Post can’t touch it. Otherwise they’d be promoting the enemy. And they’d have to pay for use of the pics, even if the News would sell them a set. So in the Post, Baldwin’s story never happened. Which is funny, since he hates the Post. But now they’re his only safe haven. Meantime, Baldwin baits the News by sending nasty Tweets to editor Colin Myler referring to the News editor’s problems in the UK with phone hacking and News of the World.

You cannot make this up. And meanwhile, Woody and Sony Pictures Classics needs him for publicity today for “To Rome with Love.” And Alec is walking around the Upper West Side like Casper the Ghost, with a white sheet over his head, so he can’t be photographed. All this, and the temperature is supposed to hit 95 degrees today. Oh, baby.