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Barbara Orbison, Beloved and Dynamic Widow of Roy, Dies at 60

Roger Friedman
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Barbara Orbison, Beloved and Dynamic Widow of Roy, Dies at 60

Heartbreak: Barbara Orbison passed away yesterday at age 60. I cannot tell you how awful this is. Barbara was the most dynamic, loving, insanely loyal, funny, terrific friend and mother. She was a total gem. Her friends are in shock because no one knew how ill she was. Just terrible. A press release follows below. But the Barbara I knew was so devoted to Roy, to his legacy and memory, and to their kids, Roy Jr. and Alex. It’s almost two years ago that Barbara oversaw Roy’s star on the Walk of Fame in Hollywood. Really, she deserves one, too. I will never forget her keen smile, that accent!, her determination, and wisdom. Also, she made me laugh a lot. Nine years ago, Thanksgiving 2002, Barbara, her kids, Sam Moore and his wife Joyce, my friend Irene and I, and others celebrated Thanksgiving in London with famed composer Michael Kamen and his family. Now Michael and Barbara are each gone. It’s so shocking. We had a lot of fun with the Orbisons that weekend, especially because it was “The Concert for George” celebration at Royal Albert Hall. Roy and George Harrison and their families had all become very close through The Traveling Wilburys. Now, Barbara’s death comes as so tragic. And she died on the 23rd anniversary of Roy’s death. Barbara had worked tirelessly to keep Roy’s music alive, putting out new albums, getting songs into movies, establishing a publishing company. and creating a museum in Nashville. I’m told that her endless efforts to get a U.S. postage stamp in Roy’s memory have paid off, and the stamp will be issued next year. Barbara, today, we’re crying. Over you.

Barbara Orbison, Widow of Rock Legend Roy Orbison, Dies of Pancreatic Cancer. Her Death Falls on 23rd Anniversary of Roy Orbison’s Death

Los Angeles, CA — December 6, 2011: Barbara Orbison, widow of Rock and Roll legend, Roy Orbison, passed away today after a courageous battle against pancreatic cancer. She was 60 years old. Barbara was diagnosed with the disease on April 20, 2011 at the Mayo Clinic. In May of 2011, she was admitted to USC Medical Center in Los Angeles under the supervision of Dr. Heinz-Josef Lenz, Associate Director of the USC/Norris Gastrointestinal Oncology Program. On May 13, Barbara underwent the Whipple surgical procedure, performed by Dr. Yuri Genyk. Following her surgery and chemotherapy, Barbara was optimistic about her recovery, but complications from the cancer ultimately resulted in a final re-admittance to USC Medical Center in mid-November. She died peacefully there today with her sons, Roy Kelton Orbison, Jr. (41) and Alexander Orbison (36) by her side.

Ironically, Barbara was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer just days before Roy Orbison’s landmark 75th birthday (April 23rd). Roy and Barbara Orbison had a devoted and enduring love affair, ultimately passing away on the same day, 23 years apart.

For more than two decades Barbara has managed the music empire she built as Roy Orbison’s manager, keeping his legacy alive. Most recently, Barbara was exceedingly proud of the acclaimed box set she produced with Roy Kelton Orbison, Jr, titled “Roy Orbison: The Soul of Rock and Roll” (Sony Legacy 2008). This 4-CD package marked the first all-inclusive body of Roy’s work from his earliest recordings to the Traveling Wilbury’s debut album, “Mystery Girl” (Virgin) and his last live performance. Throughout this time period, Barbara also became a respected businesswoman in her own right, developing a diverse music industry empire in Nashville, Tennessee. Barbara’s Still Working Music publishing company has consistently represented some of the industry’s most successful songwriters and was recently awarded BMI’S 2010 Song of the Year for Taylor Swift’s “You Belong to Me.”

In 2009, Barbara was able to fulfill a lifelong dream with the creation of her own fragrance, Pretty Woman Perfume. She was intimately involved with every step of the development from the blend of scents and the classic design of the bottle to the international marketing sales and promotion of the perfume.

Born Barbara Anne Marie Wellhöner Jakobs in Bielefeld, Germany, Barbara was just 17 when she met Roy Orbison (32) at a nightclub in Leeds, England in 1968. Despite the “British Invasion,” American rocker, Orbison, was topping the charts in the UK as well as the U.S. with such smash hits as “Pretty Woman,” “Running Scared,” and “Crying.” Roy and Barbara married a year later in Henderson, Tennessee. They raised their three sons in Nashville and Malibu, California.

Barbara Orbison will be buried next to her husband at Westwood Village Memorial Park in Los Angeles. Following a private graveside service, the family will announce plans for a Celebration of Life reception at the BMI offices in Nashville, Tennessee. Donations in Barbara Orbison’s memory can be made to the Roy Orbison Foundation, c/o Leeann Hard, Forté Management, 725 Arizona Ave., Ste 206, Los Angeles, CA 90401, 310-394-5020, x102, leeann@forte.com).

The family requests that messages be sent to: barbara.orbison@orbison.com

Rock Hall Chooses the Remaining Big Names: Peppers, Guns N Roses, Rod Stewart Group

Roger Friedman
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Rock Hall Chooses the Remaining Big Names: Peppers, Guns N Roses, Rod Stewart Group

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has chosen its five inductees, and they’re the last big names left: Red Hot Chili Peppers, Guns n Roses, Rod Stewart and Small Faces, Donovan and the late Laura Nyro. The last three have been on and off the ballot for the last several years. They’re finally in because almost no one is left who Jann Wenner will let in, barring Chicago, Hall & Oates, Linda Ronstadt and dozens of other acts who’ve been passed over. The Peppers and GnR are pretty much the last big names left to induct except for Bon Jovi. (I’m told Jon Bon Jovi is pretty furious at this point, and he’s right.) Left off the ballot completely this year, also, was Sting, whose 25 years as a solo act and output, as well as hits, certainly eclipses both GnR and the Peppers.

And so the drama begins: will Slash and Axl Rose make up and appear together? (This is such a pressing matter.) Will Anthony Kiedis of the Peppers wear a shirt? Will Rod Stewart remember the Faces a group he left in 1971? Will Ronnie Wood remember them either? Will Donovan allow his adult children, Donovan Leitch and Ione Skye, to attend despite ignoring them most of their lives? And who will sing for Laura Nyro since her biggest hits were performed by groups the Rock Hall shuns, the Fifth Dimension, Blood Sweat & Tears, and Three Dog Night?

And then what for the Rock Hall? Aside from Sting and Bon Jovi, and maybe Cyndi Lauper, their other choices narrow now. Without going back and correcting their mistakes, there is little to look forward to. The new group eligible in 2012 includes Milli Vanilli, MCHammer, and Sinead O’Connor. Yikes.

Meanwhile, the actual museum in Cleveland continues to do great work quite separate and apart from the New York foundation. They recently honored Aretha Franklin with a big gala that included lots of soul legends including Dennis Edwards of the Temptations and Cissy Houston. You’ll note that no black artists are being inducted in New York this year, however. Shameful.

UPDATE: Don Kirshner is getting a special award. He waited 25 years to be recognized by the RRHOF. The Songwriters Hall of Fame inducted him a couple of years ago. And he died last year. I guess better late than never. Also, producer Tom Dowd, famous for all those recordings on Atlantic. He could have been honored when he was alive. Same deal. Maybe the RRHOF could try and catch some of the people they’ve missed while they’re alive. But I’ll be positive: it’s nice to see some producers getting attention finally.

Samuel L. Jackson, Angela Bassett Get Some “Respect” on “The Mountaintop”

Roger Friedman
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Samuel L. Jackson, Angela Bassett Get Some “Respect” on “The Mountaintop”

Last night, Samuel L. Jackson and Angela Bassett got a nice surprise after their Broadway performance of “The Mountaintop.” The Queen of Soul, Miss Aretha Franklin, brought six friends, paid for the tickets, and then visited them backstage. Franklin — [resplendent in a fake fur trimmed cape– was blown away by the play, which runs until January 22nd. And Aretha should know. She marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, sang to raise money for him, and has a pretty good handle on the man and his ideas. She told me later she thought Jackson did an excellent job. But Angela Bassett, playing a motel maid who has an interesting other life (I don’t want to give it away), steals the show, Aretha said.

“It’s very deep stuff,” she told the pair. Franklin is in New York for her annual Christmas shopping trip, taking her big tour bus in from Detroit. On Friday she appears on “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon,” where she’ll sing two songs and do a skit with him, too. She’s an avid viewer. “I love Jimmy Fallon,” she said. Tomorrow she hits another Broadway show, “Follies,” to see Bernadette Peters. And sometime over the week she’ll be making her Aretha’s Famous Chili in the kitchen of her five star hotel suite! But Franklin, who’s lost about 80 lbs this year, started the evening with Dover sole and pea soup at La Grenouille, and a bite or two of their famous chocolate-and-orange cake. Long live the Queen of Soul!

PS Don’t miss “The Mountaintop.” It’s extraordinary. And the big show will be on January 15th, when the duo perform on MLK’s birthday. It will an emotional event.

Review: Indie Film “Once” Returns as Off Broadway Gem

Roger Friedman
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Review: Indie Film “Once” Returns as Off Broadway Gem

“Once”–do you remember this fine indie film from 2006? It went on to win the Academy Award for Best Song (“Falling Slowly”). The movie won the Indie Spirit Award for Best Foreign Film. (You know it was good because the Golden Globes ignored it.) Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova, wrote the songs and starred in the film as an aspiring Dublin songwriter and a young Czech mother who meet, collaborate and fall in love. Now “Once” debuts on Tuesday night at New York Theater Workshop, the same place that once launched “Rent.” Watch on Wednesday morning, I am not kidding: the show’s stars, Steve Kazee and Cristin Milioti, are about to become overnight sensations. The musical, directed by John Tiffany, is a gem. Every part of it–from the actors and musicians to the tremendous set by Bob Crowley to the lighting, staging — all of it is simply sensation. In particular, Steve Kazee, who’s been in a few Broadway musicals, is on his way to big things.

Now the plan is to move “Once” to Broadway next spring in time for the Tony Awards. There are few new musicals coming, and “Once” will be the odds on Tony favorite. The question facing its creators is how to retain the intimacy of the New York Theater Workshop. Right now, they have a magical piece of theater with one set. So the goal will be to enlarge it but not too much. This is tricky.

Of course, “Once” really relies on the performances of its leads. Milioti is so appealing and cute, spunky even, as Girl. (The leads are just Guy and Girl.) She couldn’t be more winning. But Kazee is a standout. The show really makes him into a rock star. And what’s so overwhelming is that the actor, who comes from Kentucky in real life, has perfect his Irish accent. He reminded me of the great Irish singer songwriter Luka Bloom and was extremely authentic.

“Once” is also aided by its supporting cast of 10, all of whom are required to play instruments and to dance, to some degree. This is quite extraordinary, a la John Doyle‘s stagings of “Sweeney Todd” and “Company.” Bravo to all of them. While Tiffany’s direction is unique and elegant, some kudos must go to Steven Hoggett, who gets a credit for “Movement.” I guess that’s just a shade shy of choreography. But this ensemble does “move” almost like a ballet company. They are just terrific.

Hansard and Irglova’s characters and music from the movie remain intact, and beautifully reproduced. “Falling Slowly” is still the centerpiece number, but several of the other songs emerge here on their own including “When Your Mind’s Made Up” and “Say It to Me Now.”

When you think of all the bloated, overly expensive shows that have forced their way onto Broadway recently (hello “Bonnie and Clyde”), “Once”–like its movie– remains a refreshing, simple, elegant breath of fresh air.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8mtXwtapX4&ob=av3n

Angelina Jolie Accuser Made Previous Claims Against Another Filmmaker

Roger Friedman
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Angelina Jolie Accuser Made Previous Claims Against Another Filmmaker

If Angelina Jolie had a press person or cared about the press she might not be in so much trouble today. She’s being sued by a Croatian named Josip J. Knezevic who claims Jolie made his book into her directing debut, “In the Land of Blood and Honey.” The complaint, filed by a Chicago law firm, claims that Jolie’s Bosnian producer, Edin Sarkic, had meetings and exchanged text messages with Knezevic establishing a chain that led to the alleged plagiarism.

But a Google search of Knezevic turns up an interesting exchange on You Tune from about four years ago. Knezevic got into a pissing match on the YouTube message board with another filmmaker, Robbie Wright. He claimed that Wright had stolen his work for a video about the Bosnian conflict set to Seal’s record, “Crazy.” But people on the board came to Wright’s defense, and Wright sent Knezevic copies of all his press passes from the Bosnian-Serbian war. He and his followers say all the footage from the video was shot by him.

Here’s the link to that page: http://www.youtube.com/all_comments?v=mUVJU3uWOuo&page=2

Knezevic has his own YouTube videos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDSi-sNLvKM

Knezevic’s lawyer tells me he knows about this exchange. “It isn’t material to our case.”

Knezevic has filed his suit under an Americanized name, Joseph J. Braddock, against Jolie, Sarkic, and Graham King’s FilmDistrict.

The lawsuit attempts to establish that contact was made between Braddock and Sarkic, as well as between Sarkic and Brad Pitt’s Make it Right Foundation. Emails and texts could be evidence that Jolie could have been made aware of Braddock’s novel. The suit goes on:

“The similarities between the Subject Work and the Motion Picture are obvious: the Motion Picture copies key plot elements, themes, characters, events, sequences and settings of the Subject Work, including without limitation, the following:
a. The Subject Work illustrates a love story that takes place in war-torn Bosnia and Herzegovina in the early 1990’s. The Motion Picture also depicts a love story that takes place in war-torn Bosnia and Herzegovina in the early 1990’s.
b. The Subject Work’s main female character is a Croatian (her mother is a Muslim), living near Sarajevo, who is captured and imprisoned in a Serbian-held concentration camp that was located in a village, which was highly unusual since most camps were located in abandoned industrial or agricultural complexes. The Motion Picture’s main female character is also a Muslim who is captured and imprisoned in a Serbian-held camp that was located in a village, not an abandoned complex.
c. The Subject Work’s main female character is subject to continuous abuse and rape by soldiers and officers in the camp. In addition to being raped continuously by soldiers and officers, she is forced to become a servant at the camp headquarters, a duty assumed by very few of the captives. The Motion Picture’s main female character is also subject to continuous rape by soldiers and officers Case: 1:11-cv-08597 Document #: 1 Filed: 12/02/11 Page 6 of 11 PageID #:6
in the camp and subsequently becomes a servant at camp headquarters.
d. The Subject Work’s main male character is the deputy camp commander. His father is a high-ranking “Greater Serbian” nationalist and important officer of the Yugoslav Peoples Army. The Motion Picture’s main male character is also a camp commander whose father is a high-ranking “Greater Serbian” nationalist and important officer of the Yugoslav Peoples Army.
e. In the Subject Work, the main male character struggles with the polarity of his emotions and his military duty; he loves the main female character but is expected to fulfill his duties as a high-ranking member in the army force. Amidst his struggle, he helps her escape from camp. In the Motion Picture, the main male character also struggles with his love for the main female character and his duties as a high-ranking member of the army force. Like in the Subject Work, the main male character in the Motion Picture helps the main female character escape from the camp.”

What’s interesting about this case: usually people who sue over plagiarism wait until a movie or book has made some money, then swoop in. In this case, the complainant isn’t waiting at all.

Meantime, Jolie’s movie has been mostly ignored in this awards season. Jolie hasn’t helped herself so much by banning press from tonight’s premiere and party–much the same way she had photographers tossed from Namibia years ago, and insisted on reporters signing agreements not to ask her certain questions during the release of “A Mighty Heart.” Oh, Angelina. For a woman who claims to be a diplomat, you’re not very diplomatic.

 

Sundance 2012: From Bruce Willis to Chis Rock, Sarandon, Gere, Spike Lee, Paul Simon

Roger Friedman
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Sundance 2012: From Bruce Willis to Chis Rock, Sarandon, Gere, Spike Lee, Paul Simon

The Sundance Film Festival has announced 13 premieres for this year’s festival, which begins January 19, 2012. Big stars like Bruce Willis, Susan Sarandon, Richard Gere. Chris Rock, and Spike Lee all figure prominently. Sundance regular Parker Posey, one of our favorite people is starring in a new film. A couple of films I knew were going–and had to sit on the news. “Arbitrage” is high on the must see list, especially because of director Nick Jarecki. And in documentaries, everyone’s excited to see Joe Berlinger‘s “Graceland” anniversary film with Paul Simon. Berlinger, however, is probably not thrilled to see Amy Berg’s Peter Jackson-funded West Memphis 3 film–and I’m surprised Sundance took it, given that Berlinger has already made three excellent films on the subject. But he’s already moved on to new things. Also Rory Kennedy has made a film about her mother, Ethel Kennedy. I’m sure this will be the topic of discussion at tonight’s Robert F. Kennedy Foundation dinner.

PREMIERES

2 Days in New York (France) – Directed by Julie Delpy, written by Delpy and Alexia Landeau. A Gotham-set sequel of sorts to “2 Days in Paris,” starring Delpy, Chris Rock, Albert Delpy, Alexia Landeau and Alex Nahon.

Arbitrage – Directed, written by Nicholas Jarecki. A hedge-fund magnate, desperately trying to unload his financial empire before his fraud is revealed, makes a fatal mistake. With Richard Gere, Susan Sarandon, Tim Roth, Brit Marling and Laetitia Casta.

Bachelorette – Directed, written by Leslye Headland. A woman becomes engaged to one of New York’s most eligible bachelors and asks three high-school friends to be her bridesmaids, bringing their issues to the surface. Features Kirsten Dunst, Isla Fisher, Lizzy Caplan, James Marsden, Adam Scott, Kyle Bornheimer.

California Solo – Directed by Marshall Lewy. A Britpop ex-rocker now living on a farm outside Los Angeles must deal with personal demons. Stars Robert Carlyle, Alexia Rasmussen, Kathleen Wilhoite, A Martinez and Danny Masterson.

Celeste and Jesse Forever – Directed by Lee Toland Krieger, written by Rashida Jones and Will McCormack. In which the titular high-school sweethearts decide to get divorced at 30 but remain best friends. Stars Jones, Andy Samberg, Ari Graynor, Chris Messina, Elijah Wood and Emma Roberts.

For a Good Time, Call … – Directed by Jamie Travis, written by Katie Anne Naylon and Lauren Anne Miller. Two new roommates embark on a highly unconventional business venture. With Ari Graynor, Lauren Anne Miller, Justin Long, Mark Webber and James Wolk.

Goats – Directed by Christopher Neil, written by Mark Jude Poirier. In which Ellis leaves his unconventional desert home to attend the rigorous Gates Academy, where he reconnects with his estranged father. Stars David Duchovny, Vera Farmiga, Graham Phillips, Justin Kirk and Ty Burrell.

Lay the Favorite – Directed by Stephen Frears, written by D.V. DeVincentis. A young woman gets involved with a group of geeky older men who have figured out how to get rich in Vegas. With Bruce Willis, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Rebecca Hall.

Liberal Arts – Directed by Josh Radnor. A thirtysomething guy falls for a 19-year-old student at his old alma mater. Stars Radnor, Elizabeth Olsen, Richard Jenkins, Allison Janney, John Magaro and Elizabeth Reaser.

Price Check – Directed, written by Michael Walker. A happy family man copes with rising debt and a job he hates. Features Parker Posey, Eric Mabius, Annie Parisse, Josh Pais and Cheyenne Jackson.

Red Hook Summer – Directed by Spike Lee, written by James McBride and Lee. A young Atlanta boy spends a summer in Brooklyn with the grandfather he’s never seen before. With Clarke Peters, Jules Brown, Toni Lysaith, James Ransone, Thomas Jefferson Byrd.

Red Lights – Directed by Rodrigo Cortes. A psychologist and her assistant with an interest in paranormal activity find themselves investigating a world-renowned psychic. With Cillian Murphy, Sigourney Weaver, Robert De Niro, Elizabeth Olsen and Toby Jones.

Robot and Frank – Directed by Jake Schreier, written by Christopher Ford. An old curmudgeon gets a robot for a caretaker. Stars Frank Langella, Susan Sarandon, James Marsden, Liv Tyler. Salt Lake City gala.

Shadow Dancer (U.K.) – Directed by James Marsh, written by Tom Bradby. Arrested in an aborted bomb plot, a widow must make hard choices to protect her son. With Andrea Riseborough, Aidan Gillen, Domhnall Gleeson, Gillian Anderson and Clive Owen.

The Words – Directed and written by Brian Klugman and Lee Sternthal. An aspiring writer claims another man’s literary achievements as his own. Features Bradley Cooper, Jeremy Irons, Dennis Quaid, Olivia Wilde and Zoe Saldana. Closing-night film.

DOCUMENTARY PREMIERES

The eight world premieres in this section are from the U.S. unless otherwise noted.

About Face – Directed by Timothy Greenfield-Sanders. Explores issues of beauty and aging through supermodels’ stories.

Bones Brigade: An Autobiography – Directed by Stacy Peralta. Examines the lives off six teenage boys who formed a skateboarding team in the 1980s.

The D Word: Understanding Dyslexia – Directed by James Redford. Follows a dyslexic high school senior struggling to get into a competitive college.

Ethel – Directed by Rory Kennedy. An intimate portrait of Ethel Kennedy, specifically her years with and later without her husband, Robert F. Kennedy.

A Fierce Green Fire – Directed by Mark Kitchell. Etches a history of the environmental movement from the 1960s to the present.

Something From Nothing: The Art of Rap (U.K.) – Directed by Ice-T, co-directed by Andy Baybutt. Traces the roots and history of rap through interviews with some of its most influential practitioners.

Untitled Paul Simon Project – Directed by Joe Berlinger. Follows Simon back to South Africa to explore the musical and political legacy of his “Graceland” album.

West of Memphis – Directed by Amy Berg. Examines judicial, prosecutorial and jury misconduct in the widely publicized West Memphis Three trials.

Exclusive: Jane Fonda Comedy “Peace Love” Going to IFC Films

Roger Friedman
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Exclusive: Jane Fonda Comedy “Peace Love” Going to IFC Films

Good news. Bruce Beresford‘s “Peace, Love and Misunderstanding,” which premiered at the Toronto Film Festival, has been picked up by IFC Films. The charming comedy about a hippie grandma in Woodstock, New York who takes in her divorcing straight laced daughter (Catherine Keener) and kids got terrific reviews when it played in September. I’m told IFC is releasing it in late April 2012 and may even try a Mother’s Day tie in. Adding to the movie’s value is that Keener’s daughter in the film is played by Elizabeth Olsen, so hot right now with “Martha Marcy May Marlene.”The film also stars Chace Crawford from “Gossip Girl” and Jeffrey Dean Morgan.

The word is that IFC — hot right now with Werner Herzog’s “Cave of Forgotten Dreams” and the documentary “Buck”– may also be circling a French film starring Fonda, called “And If We All Lived Together?” Fonda, who turns 74 this month, is hot as a pistol right now with a bestselling book about aging–“Prime Time”–and new workout DVDs for those of us who might otherwise collapse doing younger routines. Last week, she hosted a panel discussion at the TED conference with Gloria Steinem and Dr. Mehmet Oz, and also presented CBS’s Lara Logan with an award at the Women’s Media Center awards. Fonda and boyfriend Richard Perry–famed record producer of Rod Stewart, Carly Simon, etc–just blew through New York with dinner at Elio’s and Crown restaurants, and took in Hugh Jackman’s show on Broadway, and the play “Other Desert Cities.”

PS Here’s an idea for HBO: Why not make “Peace Love” into a series? It’s rife with possibilities for opening up.

Exclusive: Mariah Carey and Justin Bieber Set “X Factor” Date

Roger Friedman
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Exclusive: Mariah Carey and Justin Bieber Set “X Factor” Date

Exclusive: Mariah Carey and little Justin Bieber are set to perform on “X Factor.” Their December 15th performance will be of their new duet on Mariah’s classic hit, “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” Carey wrote the song and released it 17 years ago, in November 1994. (Wait! November 1994 was seventeen years ago? OMG.) Since then, “All I Want” has become a Christmas perennial. This year she re-recorded it with Justin Bieber, who sings back up in his new low register. He isn’t Perry Como or even Steven Tyler, but the keeps up with Miss 8 Octaves and doesn’t do too badly. Carey has said she will make a number of appearances on “X Factor” this season, largely because it’s controlled by her record company, Universal Music. Also, her former and future label chief, L.A. Reid, a is a judge. This is complicated because her unofficial manager and music director Randy Jackson is a judge and mainstay of “American Idol.” At any rate, set your DVRs to see the newly slimmed down Mariah sex up Justin on live TV. Let’s hope there’s no wardrobe malfunction…

…I told you a while ago –exclusively– that “Lord of the Rings” director Peter Jackson was funding a documentary on the West Memphis 3. This was despite the fact that Joe Berlinger, Bruce Sinofsky and their team have made three docs on the subject over the course of 15 years. Their latest, “Paradise Lost 3,” is on the short list for the Oscars. It should win, really. HBO will air it in January. But Jackson put up money for the WM3’s defense, so he figured he’d better get something out of it. He sent filmmaker Amy Berg to Arkansas, where she spread his money around to relatives of the WM3 and bought up their rights.

Now Jackson has announced that Damien Echols and his girlfriend, Lorrie Davis, are co-producers on the Berg film, and that it’s ready. They were hoping to get it into Sundance. But I think the Sundance people are too smart for that.  The Berlinger films are plenty, and tell the story sufficiently. It’s a shame that Jackson et al and Berg felt they had to barge in on a filmmaker’s long investment of energy, money and heart. I don’t understand why Jackson couldn’t have just supported Berlinger and co.

Note to Jackson and Echols: this column has not spoken to Berlinger or Sinofsky. But when the Jackson doc press release came out tonight, I had to say something. Real documentary filmmakers don’t purposely upset another’s work. And they certainly don’t go around a small town handing out cash so they can derail that other doc maker’s work. That’s a FAIL. Deliver us from greed and hubris.

Exclusive: Daldry Says “Extremely Loud” Is Finished and Screened for First Time

Roger Friedman
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Exclusive: Daldry Says “Extremely Loud” Is Finished and Screened for First Time

Stephen Daldry has not only finished “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close”–he’s screened it on Sunday evening for the Hollywood Foreign Press in New York. He finished the movie on Saturday night, he told me exclusively Sunday night at the swanky all out premiere for Steven Spielberg‘s “War Horse” at Avery Fisher Hall in Lincoln Center. “I’m done!” he cried as Daldry zoomed up to me at the after party. That’s where the likes of Tony Danza, Celeste Holm, Billy Connolly, Brian Cox, Eriq LaSalle and Michael Michele,  and dozens of A-listers swarmed around stars Emily Watson, Jeremy Irvine, and the terrific young actors who comprise Spielberg’s stunning, sentimental, and sensational film.

“I just finished last night,” said Daldry when I asked him what the heck was going on. “Extremely Loud” is late late late. “Everyone else just finished early,” Daldry said with his typical chuckle. He’s missed deadlines for many award presentations, and is just making it for the Academy Awards, Critics Choice and Golden Globe awards. The movie stars Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock.

“We’re not going to win anyway,” he joked, which is a joke since the director of “The Reader,” “Billy Elliott,” and “The Hours” could well pull off a last minute ambush and find himself with lots of nominations. Daldry turned up at the “War Horse” party to support young David Kross, who appeared so vividly in Daldry’s “The Reader” with Kate Winslet. Kross has a key role in “War Horse” as a German soldier.

Meanwhile, Spielberg had to leave “War Horse” early and get back to Richmond, Virginia, where he’s shooting “Lincoln” with Daniel Day Lewis and Sally Field.

But the “War Horse” cast was overwhelmed and thrilled to stick around, and meet lots of New York actors like the amazing Lois Smith, who played doctor who explained what a ‘minority report’ was in the movie of the same name. Also meeting and greeting: Robert Wuhl, Anika Noni Rose, Mariska Hargitay, Vondie Curtis Hall and his teen age son (mom is Kasey Lemmons) and Kathie Lee Gifford who brought 18 year old daughter Cassidy. Guess what? Cassidy is a knockout, and has already been on the TV series “Blue Bloods” and an indie film. I’m afraid to tell you that she’s got “it’–it’s quite clear–that Cassidy Gifford is on the launch pad. I just wish she’d go to college first. What can I say about Kathie Lee? I’ve always liked her a lot. I can’t help it.

Anyway. “War Horse” has potential for well over a dozen Oscar nominations. Jeremy Irvine and Emily Watson will go into Supporting. Joey the horse should be in lead. He’s that good. Director, adapted screenplay, cinematography, editing, music, costumes, sets, etc. “War Horse” is a magnificent accomplishment. Is it schmaltzy? Sometimes it gets very drippy. John Williams’ memorable score is superb. Maybe it’s a little too much. But get out the hankies. Spielberg,  overall, has made a modern masterpiece. The war scenes alone are going to be talked about by film buffs forever. Spielberg stages a war without any blood or gore, and yet it’s searing. The sequence in which Joey makes his run through “no man’s land” and winds up entangled in  barbed wire is going to go into every time capsule for classic filmmaking.

One more thing about “War Horse” for now: why isn’t Tom Hiddleston a big star already? In “War Horse” he plays a young David Niven. Hollywood, let’s go.

Charlize Theron in “Young Adult” No Holiday Gift

Roger Friedman
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Charlize Theron in “Young Adult” No Holiday Gift

Director Jason Reitman‘s reunion with “Juno” screenwriter Diablo Cody, “Young Adult,” is a mixed bag–good acting, nicely made, but nothing that anyone will be racing to see. “Young Adult” is no “Juno.” These films are very far apart in their structure, tone, and texture. “Young Adult” is a tough film that offers its viewers no olive branches, while “Juno” was all about achieving peace. Indeed, I’m surprised that Paramount didn’t take “Young Adult” to Sundance first–it’s a Sundance film if ever there was one. It’s supremely edgy, kind of a downer, and struggling for hipness.

Charlize Theron, in an acting tour de force, is vincitive, selfish, manipulative, horrifying Mavis. Mavis is a lot like Mary Richards on steroids–single and attractive, successful career woman living in Minneapolis. She returns to her pokey hometown in suburban Minnesota–where they call their big city the “Mini-Apple”–with a plan. She wants to win back her high school sweetheart (Patrick Wilson), even though he’s married (Elizabeth Reaser) and has just had a baby. She picks up a buddy along the way, the loser gimp from their old school (Patton Oswalt), whom she still treats like dirt–and he still takes it.

Fun scenario, huh? The main character, Mavis, is incredibly unsympathetic and unlikable. She’s more Phyllis than Mary from “The Mary Tyler Moore Show”–Phyllis with no redeeming features, no husband, and no sweet best friend. Remember, “Phyllis” did not work as a sitcom because the character was so awful on her own. Mavis is like that. It takes a leap of faith to make a movie with that in mind, so Reitman and Cody deserve credit. They’ve tried something difficult here. Did I mention that Mavis is a hard, unrepentant drinker as well? That she’s cruel to her parents and condescending to everyone around her?

Theron, like I said, is exceptional. And Patton Oswalt, though he plays it a lot like he did in “Big Fan,” is very good. Wilson and Reaser are just fine, too. It was really nice to see Jill Eikenberry as Mavis’s mom, too. But “Young Adult” is a bitter pill to swallow at the end of the year, and in competition with “War Horse” or “Hugo.” Mavis is a loser who remains a loser; there’s no third act and no absolution. There’s not a ray of hope as the movie ends that she’s received a glimmer of insight into what’s gone wrong. Cody will hate comparisons to “Juno,” but it does seem odd that in that earlier film, the main character could be so wide, winning and sensible–and that in this film it’s like the inverse.

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