Thursday, December 25, 2025
Donate
Home Blog Page 2086

Roman Polanski: After Confinement, a Movie Set in One Room

Roger Friedman
-
0
Roman Polanski: After Confinement, a Movie Set in One Room

Roman Polanski, no matter how you feel about him, is one of our great directors. From “Rosemary’s Baby” to “Chinatown” to “Tess” to “The Pianist,” he’s made a significant and lasting contribution to cinema. Now, after his famous home imprisonment, Polanski decided to film the Broadway play “God of Carnage.” He’s turned a two act play into a 79 minute film about claustrophobia. “Carnage” opened the New York Film Festival on Friday night with stars John C. Reilly and Jodie Foster present, and Christoph Waltz and Kate Winslet absent. Also absent, of course, was Polanski, who will probably never be allowed to enter the United States again as long as the farce in the Los Angeles court system continues.

I had the good fortune to sit next to Angelica Huston during the screening; she’s an old friend of Polanski although she said she hasn’t seen him in years. Otherwise, the opening of the Film Festival was not particularly star studded. Indeed, after last year’s “Social Network” premiere, this was kind of an odd choice–two stars only, and only one of them–Reilly–mixed with the after crowd at the Harvard Club. Foster remained aloof in a second floor room, and left early.

“Carnage” is a solid effort, but I wonder who will see it. If it’s Polanski’s musing on being locked up, it works. (This is a common theme in his films–think of “The Pianist” or “Rosemary’s Baby.”) The two couples in “Carnage” are trapped by their own volition in a small but extremely well decorated Brooklyn apartment. Reilly and Foster are hosting Waltz and Winslet, whose child attacked theirs with a stick. Now the two “pc” couples are trying to come to terms with a sort of surrender between the playground antagonists. Reilly, picking up the role James Gandolfini played on Broadway, steals the movie. Kate Winslet comes in second. Waltz, fresh from “Inglorious Basterds,” is still new to everyone, but boy is he good. He has the delicious part of a lawyer who is always on his cell phone, is completely self absorbed. Only Foster seems a little out of place, extremely strident and shot especially badly.

By the way, getting from Alice Tully Hall to the Harvard Club in a driving rain wasn’t so easy. There were no cabs, but plenty of well heeled, well dressed types hailing them in vain. Our friend (writer for this site sometimes) Regina Weinreich had a great idea. “Let’s take the bus,” she said. An M5 bus pulled up in front of Alice Tully. A gang of us clambered on and headed downtown from 65th and Broadway and 44th and Fifth. The bus driver looked surprised to see the formally attired, especially those of us who actually carry MetroCards!

Sting Celebrates 60 With Bruce, Gaga, Stevie, 32 Hero Bagpipers

Roger Friedman
-
1
Sting Celebrates 60 With Bruce, Gaga, Stevie, 32 Hero Bagpipers

Exclusive: Sting’s 60th birthday party at the Beacon Theater was a four hour celebration of the rock star’s career and songs with his own band and almost a dozen famous musicians performing his music. They included Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Herbie Hancock, Lady Gaga. Branford Marsalis, will.i.am, Mary J. Blige, Chris Botti, Jimmy Nail, and Met Opera star Bryn Terfel. The latter opened the second act of the show with a rendition of “Roxanne” certain to become part of pop history–it was hilarious and serious at the same time, and showed how Sting’s punkiest new wave music has resonance in many forms.

There were many extraordinary moments on stage and off, where documentary maker Joe Berlinger brought the primary member of the just released Memphis 3, Jason Baldwin. And there were also Robert Downey and his wife Susan (Downey was also in the show), Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, Tom Brokaw, Jake Gyllenhaal, directors Bennett Miller (“Moneyball”) and Darren Aronofsky (“Black Swan”), actresses Lorraine Bracco and Melanie Griffith, Fisher Stevens, and Harvey Weinstein, Donna Karan, as well as Patti Scialfa (Mrs, Springsteen), designer Kai Milla Morris (Mrs. Wonder), and Alexa Ray Joel with her dad’s new girlfriend. Michael J. Fox and wife Tracy Pollan attended the afternoon run through only.

It was family night for Sting, too, with his brother and both of his sisters, plus, of course, the magnificent Trudie Styler (Mrs. Sting) radiant in a slinky Pucci gown, and all six of their kids including Sting’s eldest Joe Sumner, who sang with his father on the poignant “Why Do I Cry for You?” dedicated to Sting’s late father. Also present were about a dozen or so of Sting’s pals from his early days in Newcastle, England including the musicians who played with him in jazz groups like the Phoenix Jazzman and Last Exit.

Some highlights: Springsteen gave extraordinary reinterpretations of  “Fields of Gold” and “I Hung My Head”– so good that he brought out new meanings in both. He should consider recording them. Stevie Wonder, looking slimmer, played harmonica on “Brand New Day” and then sang a gorgeous version of “Fragile.” Lady Gaga wore one complete concept costume at afternoon rehearsals, then came in a completely different one to the real show. She and Sting finally perfected their duet on “King of Pain.” Gaga continues to impress by showing substance–her voice is terrific–over style. “If You Love Somebody Set them Free” was resurrected as a jazz jam, and Sting rendered an acoustic “Message in a Bottle” as a poignant finale.  Robert Downey, Jr, of all things, sang a credible rendition of “Driven to Tears.”

The evening was capped with a surprise for Sting–Styler flew in the 32 member Royal Scots Dragoon Guards–they’re soldiers who’ve completed missions in Afghanistan. She and Sting had seen them this summer in Edinburgh. “They’re incredible heroes,” Styler said, and she’s right. “We’re very proud of them.” The Dragooners’ appearance added a moving finale to an already stunning evening.

Still in all, the evening raised $3.7 million for the Robin Hood Foundation, which disburses funds to impoverished New Yorkers. I’m told that the show was filmed to be part of a free app launching in November.

photo c2011 showbiz411-ann lawlor

Motown’s Secret Weapon, Marv Tarplin, 70, Wrote Hits with Smokey Robinson

Roger Friedman
-
1

Marv Tarplin is a name you do not know. He co-wrote at least a dozen hits for Motown with Smokey Robinson, was an official member of the Miracles, and the guitar sound on many more hits. He died on Friday at age 70. Tarplin often toured with Smokey’s solo act; he was featured when Smokey played Carnegie Hall in June 2006. Among the hits he co-authored: “Tracks of My Tears,” “Going to a Go Go,” “The Love I Saw in You Was Just a Mirage,” and “My Girl Has Gone,” as well as “Cruisin’.” He also co-wrote early Marvin Gaye hits with Smokey like “I’ll Be Doggone” and “Ain’t That Peculiar.” He was considered Motown and Smokey’s “secret weapon,” not only for composing hits but for making others’ hits memorable with his guitar. It was his riffs that made Smokey’s hits so sensational, although Marv was never part of Motown’s Funk Brothers. He was Smokey’s guy, on “My Girl” and “You Really Got a Hold On Me” among others. RIP Marv Tarplin, another one of Motown’s lost legends.

Conrad Murray’s Bad Doctoring: Like Father, Like Son

Roger Friedman
-
0
Conrad Murray’s Bad Doctoring: Like Father, Like Son

I wrote this on July 23, 2009 in this column. But it seemed appropriate to recall in light of the current trial.

Michael Jackson’s Dr. Conrad Murray, now under investigation by the LAPD for possible manslaughter in Michael’s death: medical malfeasance may be in his genes.

Dr. Murray’s biological father, whom he met at age 25, was the late Dr. Rawle Andrews of Houston, Tex. Dr. Andrews died in 2001, but was a respected Houston physician. Both Dr. Andrews and his son, Dr. Murray, are graduates of Nashville’s Meharry Medical College.

However: Dr. Rawle Andrews medical license came under review and was ‘severely limited’ according to the Texas Medical Board, from 1994 to 1999.

Dr. Andrews was found to have prescribed “controlled substances and substances with addictive potential to [two patients, names reduced to initials] for extended periods of time without adequate indication.”

The board particularly cited four “dangerous” drugs in their order:

Stadol — a powerful pain reliever used for migraines after surgery” connected to Demerol

Nubain–another powerful pain reliever, delivered through IV, equivalent to morphine and used as a supplement to anesthesia;”

Talwin –yet another monster pain reliever/narcotic used before surgery and anesthesia

Phenergan — a more moderate pain killer but also an antihistamine used for itching and swelling.

If any of these turn up in Michael Jackson’s toxicology report, the parallels may be more than just a coincidence. What probably killed Jackson was an overdose or misuse of anesthesia-based drug Diprivan. Certainly, Dr. Murray knew that his father had had disciplinary action taken against him for prescribing and administering similar drugs.

The citation reads: “Agreed Order entered restricting license for 5 years for prescribing or administering a drug or treatment that is non therapeutic in nature or non therapeutic in the manner the drug or treatment is administered or prescribed.”

 

 

Flashback: When “Moneyball” was Put on Ice, Now it’s a Hit

Roger Friedman
-
0
Flashback: When “Moneyball” was Put on Ice, Now it’s a Hit

I wrote this on June 21, 2009. Time and patience have paid off for “Moneyball,” one of the best movies of 2011. Sony’s Amy Pascal gets the kudos for figuring this all out. And Soderbergh, replaced by Bennett Miller, went on to his own hit with “Contagion.”

Flashback:

Brad Pitt was supposed to start shooting a baseball movie tomorrow for Sony/Columbia called “Moneyball.” The director is Steven Soderbergh. The screenplay is from Steve Zaillian. The co-star is newly hot Demetri Martin.

For the moment, though “Moneyball” has been halted. The sets are built, everyone’s in place, but Sony chief Amy Pascal got cold feet at the last minute on Friday night. That’s her prerogative, of course. Sources tell me she was worried that the film’s script — as she read it — didn’t have enough emotional pull.

But insiders from “Moneyball” are hopeful Pascal will change her mind. They think she’s worried that Soderbergh is about to give her one of his minor films, like “The Girlfriend Experience” or “Full Frontal.”

“Not so,” says an insider. “It’s going to have the feel of ‘Erin Brockovich’ or ‘Out of Sight’ ” — Soderbergh’s two biggest commercial hits. “It’s got a major movie star who’s passionate about it. And it’s a come-from-behind, win-win movie.”

Indeed, “Moneyball” sounds intriguing. Soderbergh has already filmed interviews with real baseball players from the 2002 season who watched the Oakland Athletics start at zero and wind up winning their division with an astounding’103-59 record.

The story hinges on owner Billy Beane, whom Pitt is set to play when the filming begins. Beane began the season with no star players, just rookies and leftovers from other teams. As told in the book of the same name by Michael Lewis, Beane used something called sabremetrics to calculate his way to a division championship.
Pascal may have bridled at the fact that Soderbergh plans to use real team players from 2003 mixed in with actors to retell their own story. He’s also using those interviews as documentary interstitials to advance the story. Producers say this is like what Warren Beatty did in “Reds,” but not really. It’s very much in keeping with the way documentary filmmaking has been threaded into feature films in recent years.

“The vision Steven has is great,” says a source, “but it’s not all on the page. He was writing so fast, he didn’t have time to catch up to the production schedule. Amy didn’t see the vision. She may not know that the interviews are only 10% of the film. So much of it will be the magic of just filming the story.”

Baseball movies that work are usually about that magic — especially since you’re filming things that can’t be scripted. “Bull Durham,” “Field of Dreams,” “The Natural” all sort of depend on what happens on the field in order to make the film feel honest.

The “Moneyball” gang now has four options: make’a deal with a currently interested studio, make one with someone else, replace Soderbergh, or have Sony give them the go-ahead to steal home. They do say that former Athletic Scott Hatteberg, 39, who is set to play himself in the movie, will be the hot story when “Moneyball” is finished. Hatteberg is an unsigned free agent this year, and is ready for his close-up.

Don’t believe everything you read about the “Moneyball” budget, either. The total — $50 million — includes about $15 million to Pitt, and a chunk to Soderbergh. I’m told otherwise this a relatively inexpensive film to make. And what a coup for Columbia if they wind up with the “Rocky” of baseball movies starring Brad Pitt.

(Here’s an idea, PS: Why not put this under the Sony Pictures Classics rubric? It could be “Bend It Like Beckham” all over again?)

Sylvia Robinson Cooed “Pillow Talk” and Godmothered Rap

Roger Friedman
-
0
Sylvia Robinson Cooed “Pillow Talk” and Godmothered Rap

Sylvia Robinson died today at age 75. She’d been sick for some time. Sylvia had two hits of her own–“Pillow Talk” and her big original hit as Mickey and Sylvia with “Love is Strange” in 1957. The former was scandalous in 1973 because it simulated an orgasm. Donna Summer picked it up a couple of years later for “Love to Love You Baby.” The latter track has been covered over and over, but Mickey Baker’s plaintive blues guitar resonates through the ages. But that wasn’t all for Sylvia. She married Joe Robinson in 1964 and started producing records. Some of their hits included the Moments’ “Love on a Two Way Street”–which Alicia Keys sampled so well for “Empire State of Mind”– and the great disco 45 “Shame Shame Shame” by Shirley Goodman (Shirley of “Let the Good Times Roll” fame) and Donnie Elbert. And that wasn’t all–the Robinsons started Sugar Hill Records, and gave birth to hip hop and rap with Grandmaster Flash and “The Message.” Sugar Hill Studios became famous. Of course the Robinsons went in to business with Morris Levy, the most notorious crook in the history of the record business. There are tons of colorful stories about them, but that doesn’t diminish their contributions to pop music and R&B. As someone once said, you have to break a lot of legs–er, eggs–to make an omelette. And PS, the records were great. Thanks, Sylvia.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpEA5QGYJFQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlhCYC_TEFw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6J9iSpA9QTs

Daniel Craig “Dream House” Gets No Premiere, No Previews

Roger Friedman
-
0
Daniel Craig “Dream House” Gets No Premiere, No Previews

Do you know much about “Dream House”? It’s opening on Friday, sort of slid in among a selection of oddities from the very good “Take Shelter” to a bunch of weird releases like the long, long shelved Kenneth Lonergan movie,  “Margaret.” (Can’t wait to see that, actually.) “Dream House” stars international sex symbol and James Bond actor Daniel Craig, his Oscar nominated wife Rachel Weisz, and the equally talented Naomi Watts. Yet, there has been no premiere anywhere for “Dream House.” There have been few if any screenings. Rotten Tomatoes still hasn’t posted any reviews and the movie opens tomorrow. Several movie blogs, notably Cinema Blend, have chronicled the film’s disastrous life. It’s a shame because Jim Sheridan, one of the greats, directed it. But Sheridan, it’s said, fell out with Morgan Creek’s Jim Robinson, and I’m he walked away–or was pushed away–from the final cut. But no premiere, not even a Cinema Society screening in the basement of a trendy hotel? “Dream House” must be very bad for everyone to have abandoned it. That may be $70 mil out of the window of that house. The only good thing to come of it, for Craig and Weisz but neither of their romantic partners, is that the actors reconnected and wound up getting married.

NYC Wrap Up: Jane Fonda’s Boswell, French Cinema Pix

Roger Friedman
-
0
NYC Wrap Up: Jane Fonda’s Boswell, French Cinema Pix

Jane Fonda‘s biographer, Patricia Bosworth, was saluted last night by Broadway producer Judy Gordon on the Upper East Side. Patti’s book, “Jane Fonda: The Public Life of a Private Woman,” is a New York Times bestseller, the latest of Bosworth’s many terrific tomes (do read her much acclaimed bios of Montgomery Clift, Diane Arbus, and of her own father, the lawyer for the Hollywood Ten). Gordon’s A list guests included famed actor Michael Murphy, Kathryn Altman (widow of famed director Robert Altman), author Stephen Schlesinger and his legendary mom Alexandra, former French Vogue editor Joan Juliet Buck, Olympic champ and sports analyst Dick Button, writer David Black, famed director (and yes, the father) Robert Downey Sr., legendary Broadway and “Saturday Night Live” choreographer Pat Birch, producer Dennis Grimaldi, and writer-producer Maria Cooper Janis (who also happens to be the lovely daughter of Gary Cooper). After the party, a few of the guests repaired to Elio’s on the Upper East Side where we reminisced about the much missed Elaine Kaufman. Elio, owner of the restaurant, once worked for Elaine. His restaurant, long established down the street, is one of its successors…(Note to Elaine, who considered Elio a traitor: we have to eat somewhere!)…

…Meanwhile: until October 4th, you can see the startlingly wonderful photographs taken by France’s most treasured film export (and expert) Catherine Verret at the Furman Gallery in Lincoln Center’s Walter Reade Theater. Catherine is well known to the New York film crowd as the doyenne of French cinema in this city. Her photography turns out to have been a hidden second career. The exhibit, “New York Mon Amour: A View of French Cinema,” includes Jeanne Moreau. Charlotte Gainsbourg. Isabelle Huppert, Catherine Deneuve, Gerard Depardieu, Jean Reno and many others. It’s very interesting since Catherine has been responsible for almost 40 years for exposing America to French film through UniFrance and the French Film Office. She was celebrated last week with a magnificent reception at the French embassy on Fifth Avenue in the landmark former Payne Whitney mansion designed by Stanford White. (Yes, those Whitneys.)  PS In real life, so to speak, Catherine is long married to Pierre Vimont, the former French ambassador to the United States…

Erin Burnett Gets the CNN Top Brass Out for Her Debut

Roger Friedman
-
0
Erin Burnett Gets the CNN Top Brass Out for Her Debut

Erin Burnett is about to take over CNN’s 7pm spot, and everyone is happy about it. On Tuesday night, the top brass from CNN tossed Erin quite a lovely pre-debut gala at Robert restaurant on Columbus Circle that was so packed with important peeps that it was almost frightening. My favorite moment: talking to Daily News publisher Mort Zuckerman and journalist Judith Miller, when all of a sudden a man arrived bringing Zuckerman a glass of liquid refreshment from the bar. It was none other than JP Morgan chief Jamie Dimon, who’d volunteered to snake through the packed room and return with beverages. How incredibly helpful!

And then Time Magazine’s John Huey and CNN’s Greg D’Alba were chatting, while Anderson Cooper, Erin Moriarty, ABC News’s Bill Blakemore, and Dan Abrams were all milling about. CNN was represented by chiefs Ken Jautz and Mark Whitaker, who greeted veteran White House reporter Bob Jamiesen, Connie Chung and Maury Povich, Gerry Byrne, Jill Brooke, Jami Floyd, Bonnie Fuller, CNN.com’s Susan Grant, Joy Behar and Piers Morgan. There was much talk about how well CNN is doing, beating MSNBC and finally gathering a head of steam under its new regime– a relief after a couple of years of reorganization.

Erin Burnett, by the way, is smart — and fun. Her show may indeed by the lynchpin CNN needed now that their other shows–Cooper’s 360, Piers Morgan etc–have all fallen into place.

PS Network news correspondents don’t always get a lot of attention. But I really loved meeting Bill Blakemore, who’s been at ABC a long, long time doing great features. It turns out he’s a big of Stanley Kubrick and is something of a Shakespeare fan. Who knew?

Exclusive: Sly Stone is NOT Homeless (Update)

Roger Friedman
-
2
Exclusive: Sly Stone is NOT Homeless (Update)

Rock icon Sly Stone is NOT homeless even though he’s living in a van. The New York Post story that’s caused such a sensation was paid for by the writer of the piece. I can tell you both of these truths are according to a source close to Stone. This isn’t to say that Sly–real name Sylvester Stewart–isn’t in perilous financial shape. It’s also not to say that his $50 million lawsuit against former manager Jerry Goldstein isn’t valid. I’ve been writing about Goldstein’s abuse of Stone for years–I wrote about it in the New York Post at least 15 years ago.

And Goldstein is famous for his financial problems with former clients–the group War is primary among them. But just to clarify–Sly is living in that van by his own choice. My source says that Sly’s attorney, Robert Alan, rented him a very nice home in Woodland Hills, California with four bedrooms, a pool, etc. (Alan declined to comment.) Sly just refuses to go there. Another friend tells me, “Sly always liked living in Winnebagos. He never liked being in a house.”

Indeed, Stone is going to look at a couple of new vans this week, I’m told. And it’s not like he’s living in a beat up panel van. His accommodations are fine for what they are. “He’s too paranoid to come inside,” says a friend. This is the result of 40 years of drug abuse.

But this is the way Stone has operated for more than 25 years–sell anything for quick cash.

There’s so much more about his lawsuit against Goldstein that will come to light soon. Once depositions are completed, and a trial date is set, things will get very interesting.

 

1...2,0852,0862,087...2,326Page 2,086 of 2,326

Hollywood to the Hudson

Company

Trending

Categories

© Showbiz411.com