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Someone’s Got It In For L.A. Reid with Epic Attack

Roger Friedman
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Someone’s Got It In For L.A. Reid with Epic Attack

Someone’s sure got it in for L.A. Reid as he arrives at Epic Records. This is worse than when he took over Arista Records a decade ago. Reid has just arrived at Epic under Doug Morris’s new regime at Sony Music. He had a hugely successful run at Island DefJam before that. Today’s Page Six–totally manipulated and without one fact or named source–paints Reid as “Mr. Nasty” who only wants “beautiful people” in the office. There’s also an insistence that he’s already at war with Sylvia Rhone, who’s come with him from Universal Music Group to run Portrait Records at Sony/Epic. It’s all hilarious and quite untrue.

When I read Page Six I flashed back to the numerous times I was brought up to Island DefJam to meet staff members and listen to new music from NeYo, Mariah Carey, Duffy, or Lionel Richie. The staff loved Reid and was very devoted to them. Also, and I mean this nicely, they were not exactly a Vogue photo shoot cast. They were nice looking — no one had a horn or a huge hairy mole–but they were normal people. (I know that p.r. director Laura Swanson is doing a spit take right now reading this!) As for the whole L.A. Reid vs. Sylvia Rhone invented feud, I think it smacks of implicit racism that the two best known black record executives in the business have now been pitted against each other before they even start working. It’s just wrong.

Reid, meantime, does arrive at a good time. Epic has just released Incubus’s really wonderful album “If Not Now, When?” This album is just a delight to listen to, a refreshing rock pop CD that everyone in my ancient age group would love if they got to hear it. Reid’s first task will be to make Incubus into a breakthrough act. In time he’ll bring back big stars like Mariah Carey and Jennifer Lopez. But he also has a great eye for new talent (for better or worse, he gave us Justin Bieber). And he’d do well to look around for some legacy artists who don’t have major label recording contracts like Motown legend Gladys Knight and Alison Moyet (the original, ahem, Adele).

Disney Is Going to Look Pretty Smart with “The Help”

Roger Friedman
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Disney Is Going to Look Pretty Smart with “The Help”

You may have wondered, if you are in the film business, why did Disney want Dreamworks? The answer is “The Help,” which opens August 10th and is astonishingly good. I mean, it’s so good that Disney will be going to awards shows this winter with actual people instead of just animated characters. “The Help,” of course, comes from tbe best seller, and that doesn’t always guarantee a good outcome. In this case, boy oh boy, everyone got what they paid for and then some.

Right off the bat: Bryce Dallas Howard, the actress/producer and Ron Howard‘s talented daughter, finally breaks through with this film. She is just mesmerizing as the nastiest piece of work you could hope to find a film. Her Hilly hasn’t got one redeeming feature. She is a racist and truly awful. But despite being a villainess extraordinaire, Bryce is never once campy or stereotypical.

Then there are the heroes: Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer as the maids, and Emma Stone–this is really her summer. I am so proud of Viola Davis, a Tony winner and Oscar nominee who is a powerhouse in any setting. She went toe to toe with Meryl Streep in “Doubt.” Her Aibileen is the heart and soul of this movie. And Octavia Spencer is going to be an overnight sensation a la Mo’Nique, only extremely endearing and likeable. Add in stand out work from Alison Janney, Sissy Spacek, Brian Kerwin, Cicely Tyson. And then there’s yet another potential Oscar nominee in Jessica Chastain–unrecognizable–as the lively bad blonde in town.

Get ready for “The Help” to hit the box office like a tornado. And it’s not just a “chick flick.” This movie is too interesting, and its issues are too complex, to be pigeonholed that way. But if you need to hang a hook on it, “The Help” takes the best of “Fried Green Tomatoes,” “Steel Magnolias,” and a little seen gem called “The Long Walk Home,” and makes a new, entertaining concoction.

Daniel Craig, Rachel Weisz “Dream House” May Be Nightmare

Roger Friedman
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A few days ago I was told that there had been a lot of trouble with Jim Sheridan‘s “Dream House,” a psychological thriller set for September with Daniel Craig and his new wife, Rachel Weisz, with Naomi Watts. The word was that director Sheridan, one of the greats, was significantly at odds with Morgan Creek’s Jim Robinson. Univeral is releasing the movie, and would have high hopes considering the stars’ high profiles. My source said, emphatically, “The movie is unrelease-able.” Now the trailer is out, and you can see it in our video player below. It’s a weird one in that it seems to give away the entire movie, and is at the same time utterly confusing. Sheridan is a four star director, so I’m sure he’s done everything he can to make the film work. The release date is still two months away, and a lot can happen between now and then. Let’s cross our fingers. But there must be a better way to make a trailer for this film, at least one in which we don’t get all the plot points. It looks a lot like “Shutter Island,” which I’m still trying to figure out. Meantime, Indie Wire’s The Playlist recently noted that “Dream House” has gotten an R rating after a lost appeal, and that the poster is terrible. PS the poster does look like what happened to Joan Chen in “Twin Peaks.”

Britney Spears Zeroes Out Her Charitable Foundation: It’s Over

Roger Friedman
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Britney Spears Zeroes Out Her Charitable Foundation: It’s Over

Britney Spears is an almost 30 year old mother of two who is still living under a conservatorship. She used to have a charity called the Britney Spears Foundation. Not so much anymore. According to he most recent  federal tax filings, Spears’ parents and a guy with the perfect name of Andrew Wallet, have pretty much zeroed out the effort.

The Britney Spears Foundation as of this spring now claims $17 in total assets. In December, the Spearses and Wallet send $50,000 to Mercy Ministries of Nashville and $42,000 to Cri Help in California. The former helps young women with pregnancy issues, drugs, etc get back on their feet. Cri-Help is a rehab facility. And that leaves in the till a mere $17, which Britney can use for chewing gum or comic books.

It’s kind of a sad end to the Britney Spears Foundation, which was once run by a woman in Massachusetts and was supposed to fund a summer camp for underprivileged kids who wanted to be performers. The last time Spears sent the camp money was in 2008–$21,000. Spears is currently on world tour, with dates in Florida this week.

Woody Allen’s “Midnight in Paris” Hits $75 Mil Worldwide

Roger Friedman
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Just a short story: Woody Allen‘s “Midnight in Paris” has now crossed the $75 million mark worldwide. In a word, it’s amazing. The film has made $42 million in the US alone. It’s the biggest financial success of Woody’s long career. People love this movie. It’s definitely going to be a Best Picture nominee, with Woody picking up director and screenwriting nominations. I do see potential for Owen Wilson, Marion Cotillard and definitely Corey Stoll for acting nominations. What a lovely summer surprise for us and for Woody. It’s also nice for Michael Barker and Tom Bernard at Sony Pictures Classics. Woody’s next film, “Bop Decameron,” is shooting in Rome now with an allstar cast including an appearance by the Wood Man himself. Woody also gets a two part PBS documentary special this fall.

 

Warner Music Heads Edgar Bronfman Jr, Lyor Cohen Cash Out For Millions

Roger Friedman
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The sale of Warner Music Group to Len Blavatnik‘s Access Industries has been for at least two people: Edgar Bronfman, Jr. and Lyor Cohen. The deal was only approved by WMG stock holders on July 6th. But through the months of May and June, after the deal was announced, Bronfman and Cohen made millions from stock sales. Warner Music may not have had made any big hits for their artists, but at least the executives have gotten something out of it.

According to Yahoo! Finance, Cohen sold 871,102  shares of WMG stock on June 15th at $8.19 per share.  The total value of the sale is listed at  $7,134,325. Not bad for days’ work. Bronfman has been even busier. He made eight stock transactions from the end of May through the middle of June. All were indirect stock sales. The total value comes to just over $17,000,000.

Cohen and Bronfman’s run at WMG has been underwhelming, as everyone knows. At one point Bronfman lost $30 million on luxury concerts in the Hamptons that nothing to do with anything. WMG has done almost nothing to break new acts and has had few hits during the pair’s rein. Their highlights were Cee Lo Green/Gnarls Barkley and Bruno Mars. This week WMG has its usual minor stake in the pop charts, with just four albums in the top 50–three from their country division and one from Atlantic Records. They also jettisoned both Madonna and Nickelback, two name recording artists. Madonna’s Maverick Records, which had its success with Alanis Morissette, is long gone. Paul Simon took his catalog and split.

Albums from groups like REM, Josh Groban and others were released this year and then fell into the abyss. REM spent three weeks on the charts this spring with a new album that got great reviews and then vanished. Groban did slightly better, but was a disappointment considering his previous Christmas album literally paid Bronfman’s bills in the prior season.

The Bronfman-Cohen WMG legacy does, however, include the fine music renderings of Paris Hilton. They were also going to start a label with gossipeuse Perez Hilton. Neither venture amounted to much.

I’m told that Blavatnik — who has never wanted to merge with EMI or to buy that label– will eventually take the company private, which means all actual information will disappear. WMG now lives on its catalog, mostly Atlantic Records’ history, through their Rhino Records division. In the end this really comes to very little money for the artists. But Bronfman is a billionaire thanks to his family and the sale of Seagram’s. Cohen is reportedly selling one mansion on the upper east side for over $20 million, and is building an estate in the Hamptons. The money from that stock sale will come in handy.

“Law & Order SVU” Will Do DSK-Hotel Maid French Rape Story

Roger Friedman
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“Law & Order: SVU” is taking on all the headlines this season. I can tell you exclusively that the show already has a script ready to shoot about the saga of former IMF leader Dominique Strauss-Kahn and his alleged rape of a New York hotel maid. The names will be changed but the details will be pretty easy to follow, according to sources. This news comes on the heels of a prior announcement that “SVU” will also do a show based on Maria Shriver and Arnold Schwarzenegger. According to my “Law & Order” sources, the show will be doing a lot of these this season since “we’re the only Law & Order left on the air.” The show is also soldiering on without Chris Meloni, who couldn’t make a deal with Dick Wolf for another season. We’ll see how that works out. Mariska Hargitay made a last minute deal, B.D. Wong has left, and former DA’s played by Stephanie March and Diane Neal are returning. There are also new cast members. “It will be a different show,” says a source. Meloni, meantime, goes on to the new “Superman” movie. The good betting is he’ll be heading up his own TV series by fall 2012 or spring 2013.

“Entourage” Returns: ‘Turtle’ Drops 55 Lbs., ‘Vince’ Will Produce

Roger Friedman
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The big event in  New York last night was HBO’s premiere of the eighth and last season of “Entourage.” The cabler spared no expense, with the red carpet screening at the Beacon Theatre followed by a lavish dinner at the American Museum of Natural History — in the whale room. So many revelations from the season, starting with Jerry Ferrara‘s–that’s Turtle–his 55 pound weight loss. He looks like a different guy. No mention is made of the difference in the first episode of the new season however. He just looks great.

Everyone else is back, including some guest stars like Rob Morrow, and exec producer Mark Wahlberg, as well as Lance Bass and a solo Zoe Kravitz, and mens clothing designer Domenico Vacca (fictional Ari Gold wears his gorgeous clothes). We did learn that Emmanuelle Chriqui, who plays Sloane, is in the final two episodes, suggesting a big wedding for the series finale with “E,” played by Kevin Connolly.

Lots of interesting A listers at the party including Sir Ben Kingsley, who said he’s never seen the show, and spent a lot of time chatting up gorgeous “As the World Turns” actress Ewa de Cruz. Also spotted: Oscar winning “Crash” director Paul Haggis who’s prepping a new movie called “Three Stories.” It’s, uh, three stories interlocking, a little like “Crash” only different. Matthew Modine also stopped in, just back from “Batman” filming in Europe before he heads to the “Dark Knight Rises” next location.

And what of Adrian Grenier, who plays Vince? Adrian says he’s getting to produce his first feature. “It’s a dark comedy, with the emphasis on dark,” he told me. “Family Slaycation” is co-written and will be directed by a long time pal, Damien Paris. Grenier will have a small part in the film, which is finishing up financing and should be a ‘go’ soon.

Tony Bennett and Aretha Franklin Record First (and Historic) Duet

Roger Friedman
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Tony Bennett and Aretha Franklin Record First (and Historic) Duet

You’d think this would have happened already. But on Tuesday night, Aretha Franklin and Tony Bennett recorded together for the first time in their (respective) heralded careers. Their duet of Michel LeGrand/Alan and Marilyn Bergman‘s  “How Do You Keep The Music Playing?” was produced by the legendary Phil Ramone. It’s going to be part of Bennett’s  duets album, which will be released in September to coincide with his 85th birthday gala at the Metropolitan Opera.

The recording took place at Avatar Studios on West 53rd St. I’m told that the Queen of Soul asked for the air conditioning to be extinguished so her magnificent throat would stay open. Bennett’s side agreed even though the famed crooner wore a suit and tie for the occasion. He didn’t take them off, says a source. Franklin was said to observe at the end of the session: “Tony Bennett left the studio and burst into flames!”

Some other artists rumored for Bennett’s upcoming CD are Lady Gaga, Michael Buble, and Amy Winehouse. Franklin, meantime, is getting ready for a big show at Jones Beach on July 27th.Next week Aretha performs on both the 10am segment of “Today” and on “Live with Regis and Kelly.”

The newly svelte Ms. Franklin has also been sampling New York’s fine cuisine on this trip, with stops at the very best top dining establishments including Le Cirque and La Grenouille.

Showbiz411 Faves: Anthony Mackie, Julia Fordham, Garland Jeffreys News

Roger Friedman
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So here’s a picture that Sam Rockwell will probably sue someone over. But he and Samuel L. Jackson were among the nightcrawlers who headed out to Brooklyn last night for Anthony Mackie‘s bar opening. NoBar is at the corner of Atlantic Avenue and Nostrand Avenue. Mackie, one of the hottest young actors out there right now, has put blood, sweat and tears into Nobar. He built it all himself! Mackie’s even living in the neighborhood. Brooklyners will have no trouble getting there. For Manhattanites afraid to cross the East River, just get in a cab and give the address. You’ll be there in 15 minutes…

…Julia Fordham is the unofficial favorite singer of Showbiz411. If you don’t know her work, Julia’s many albums are on her website, on amazon and of course ITunes. She has legions of famous fans including India Arie and David Lynch. She has an album out with one of her fans, actor Paul Reiser. They’re coming to the Highline Ballroom on July 26th. Don’t miss them! http://www.highlineballroom.com/bio.php?id=1992

…My favorite album of the summer is Garland Jeffreys‘ “The King of In Between.” This is hard edged New York R&B, classic soul with a Puerto Rican twist. The melodies and hooks are infectious, the lyrics are pungent. Garland is a great story teller and songwriter. He knows how to fashion a song so that you don’t forget it. He has one song, “All Around the World,” that is lodged in my brain  and won’t leave. “The King of In Between” is on ITunes, etc and also on www.garlandjeffreys.com. He plays the Highline in October. Don’t wait: buy the record now and memorize it. Someone please submit this for Grammy consideration. It’s too good to be ignored.

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