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Ben Stiller, Brett Ratner Heist Movie Ready to Shoot–Flashback Six Weeks

Roger Friedman
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Ben Stiller, Brett Ratner Heist Movie Ready to Shoot–Flashback Six Weeks

http://www.showbiz411.com/2010/07/15/ben-stiller-brett-ratner-look-ready-for-tower-heist

Oh gosh. I told you back on July 15th that Brett Ratner‘s “Tower Heist” was ready to go. Ratner was just waiting for a script polish from Noah Baumbach. Ben Stiller stars. The link above explains the whole thing.

“Tower Heist” is about getting money back to where it belongs, and a Bernie Madoff type crook under house arrest in a skyscraper where Stiller and friends all work. No word yet on the rest of the cast, but where Stiller goes, Owen Wilson follows. So who knows? Chris Rock and Chris Tucker could also show up. My nominee for anything like this is Anthony Mackie–anyone who saw him on Broadway this year in “A Behanding in Spokane” knows how hilarious he is.

All old stories are new again! Let’s see what happens next. In the meantime, rent Ratner’s “Family Man.” An overlooked gem.

Chris Noth: Plans for New Rock Club on East 32nd St.

Roger Friedman
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Chris Noth: Plans for New Rock Club on East 32nd St.

Chris Noth--Mr. Big to you, but also star of “The Good Wife”– and Steve Walter are planning to open a new Cutting Room this fall. The second edition of their famed rock club will be on East 32nd St. and Park Avenue, across the street from Artisanal Restaurant.

The old Cutting Room, on West 24th St., was one of the city’s most popular music spots. But I’m told a greedy landlord–as usual–made it impossible to stay open. At the original spot, Noth and Walter hosted lots of big name acts like Sheryl Crow and Sting, but also introduced tons of new performers. One of them was a dark haired piano player named Stephanie Germanotta. She’s now known as Lady GaGa.

The Cutting Room was also home on Wednesday nights to Joan Rivers. With any luck, she’ll be back and in rare form!

So brace yourselves: a new Cutting Room may have a late fall-early winter opening. I say, the earlier the better. New York needs it!

Dustin Hoffman Will Meet the “Little Fockers” After All

Roger Friedman
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Dustin Hoffman Will Meet the “Little Fockers” After All

Dustin Hoffman is indeed adding scenes to Paul Weitz‘s “Little Fockers” release for Christmas.

I’e confirmed it with sources from the film. But I also told you about some months ago. “Little Fockers” was designed so Hoffman could film scenes as needed. He is indeed reprising his role as Bernie Focker.

Apparently, Hoffman–who is next up in his first TV series ever, “Luck,” from HBO–didn’t think he was getting enough to do or enough money to reprise his role as Ben Stiller’s dad from “Meet the Fockers.”

So the movie was shot without him. “Little Fockers”–which picks up sort of in real time, when Ben Stiller and Teri Polo have toddlers–is the third and last “Fockers” film following “Meet the Parents” from 1999.

In the second film, Hoffman and Barbra Streisand were hilarious as Ben’s hippie parents.

To sort of make up for a lack of Hoffman, Harvey Keitel was added to the new movie as Robert DeNiro‘s friend.

Glad it worked out. Dustin Hoffman is always a must-see in every film. The “Fockers” will be much better for his addition.

Mad Men: Betty Draper Now Officially Worst Mom in TV History

Roger Friedman
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Mad Men: Betty Draper Now Officially Worst Mom in TV History

“Mad Men” Episode 5, The Chrysanthemum and the Sword: It’s official. Betty Draper, now Betty Francis, is the worst mother in TV history. Even as much as I thought Hope Steadman was a bitch on “thirtysomething,” Betty takes the cake.

Tonight she slapped Sally for cutting her hair. Then she wished her fingers would be chopped off rather than have the girl be caught masturbating. I give January Jones credit: her scene in the psychiatrist’s office was splendidly full of tics. But then, to send Sally with Carla the housekeeper rather than take her, herself…Wow. (Sally Draper is the Tabitha of “Mad Men,” no doubt about it.)

At Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce, Roger Sterling continues to show his sensitivity. Last season he performed in blackface. This week he attacked Japanese executives from Honda.Roger invoked the name “Dr. Lyle Evans,” which has sent millions of people to Google and other resources to get the reference. I don’t think he exists. But Matthew Weiner made him up to mess with all the fans who immediately trace the minutiae. Funny.

In the news: the Selma marches and riots are mentioned. Last week, Peggy asked her assistant if he’d realized Malcolm X had been killed. “You know who he is, right?” she said. So we know it’s mid April 1965. Malcolm X was killed in February.

“The Chrysanthemum” is the first episode this season not written by Matthew Weiner. It’s credited to a woman, Erin Levy. Honestly, it was the best episode since #2 this season. Last week was so out of balance that there was no room for Bert Cooper. Bobby Morse sat in the reception area and read a magazine in the background during one scene. This week, most everyone was in the game. I loved Peggy’s sort of cameo riding the Honda around and around.

Lots of comedy: Mrs. Blankenship, the ruse of making the commercial, etc. We have to be careful here. We inch ever so close to “Bewitched.” Mrs. Blankenship is on my nerves.

One more reference to last week, when Ken told a joke and used the word “retarded.” Funny since Jennifer Aniston got in trouble for using the word recently. Times have indeed changed.

One last thing: Vincent Cartheiser is really just great this season as Pete, better than ever before. Pete is still full of mystery and questions. Cartheiser will get himself an Emmy nomination for next season. For this one, let’s hope Jon Hamm, John Slattery, and Christina Hendricks get their statues.

Bill Clinton 64th Bday Bash Tonight in Hamptons

Roger Friedman
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Bill Clinton 64th Bday Bash Tonight in Hamptons

Bill Clinton‘s having a big birthday party tonight in the Hamptons.

Did you know this? I didn’t. The Clintons have been renting a house in the Sag Harbor area for most of this summer. The party, in Water Mill, is being hosted by Doug and Lily Band.

Of course, they already had one big party –Chelsea’s wedding–just weeks ago. It seems like such a long time has passed!

Just two weeks ago, former president Bill was seen at the 7-11 in Sag Harbor buying razor blades. The Clintons were attending a local wedding of the daughter of big time supporters Richard and Lisa Perry.

A British paper reported that Paul McCartney serenaded Clinton over the phone on August 19th–his actual birthday–with “When I’m 64.”

McCartney, who has a house in nearby Amagansett, could very well be a guest on tonight’s list. Other names I’ve heard bandied about include Billy Joel, his ex Christie Brinkley, Martha Stewart, Vera Wang, the Steven Spielbergs, and Alan and Susan Patricof.

Meantime, hundreds of other guests are expected at Peggy Siegal’s screening of Oliver Stone’s “Wall Street 2.” Neither Stone nor star Michael Douglas can be there, but expect the very rich to attend. It’s mostly Republicans, so it shouldn’t overlap with the Clinton party.

Hamptons: Bebe Buell Rocks the Polo Crowd; Alec Baldwin: “The Movie Business is in the Potato Chip Business”

Roger Friedman
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Hamptons: Bebe Buell Rocks the Polo Crowd; Alec Baldwin: “The Movie Business is in the Potato Chip Business”

The Hamptons were overwhelmed by charity events and kiss-kiss who cares benefits this weekend. All day Saturday I kept hearing about this or that insufferable event. In the humidity, there is little irony.

But then Bebe Buell and her band came to Stephen Talkhouse in Amagansett and rocked the place with original songs from her album “Sugar” (www.bebebuell.org) and covers like Leon Russell’s “Superstar,” and “Baby Baby”–the latter set the place on its collective ear. Even the Lilly Pulitzer girls and the boys in Polo shirts and shirts danced up a frenzy. It was like the club scene in “Animal House.”

First, in the afternoon, Bebe and company (including husband Jim Wallerstein) made an appearance at the polo matches in Bridgehampton. That’s Mercedes Benz Polo at Blue Star Jets field, in case you didn’t know.

Dressed in leopard silk print, Bebe was not the usual Lilly Pulitzer type who replaces divots. Flashbulbs popped, and people in the know asked for actress daughter Liv Tyler. Bebe and band were a welcome relief.

Over at Stephen Talkhouse, no less than rock impresario Ron Delsener showed up for the surprise set following the subdued Subdudes, as well as Liz Derringer, and a host of Buell’s fans from her shows in New York at the Hiro Ballroom. The show was a hit, and the BB band may return to the Hamptons during the film festival in October…

And speaking of the Hamptons International Film Festival: on Saturday morning at the Maidstone Hotel, the ubiquitous Alec Baldwin participated in a Q&A about the current state of indie films, sponsored by Mont Blanc— the watches and the pens. (The watches are stunning.)

During a lovely breakfast, Alec was interviewed by the WSJ’s Christopher Farley and joined by HIFF’s Karen Arikian.

Alec said: “There are almost no great films made today.” I think we can all agree with that. He also said: “The movie business is in the potato chip business.” He praised former female studio execs like Sherry Lansing, Amy Pascal, and the late Dawn Steel. He got a nice watch from Mont Blanc as a parting gift. We got very crisp bacon, a Mont Blanc catalog, and a non Mont Blanc pen with the WSJ logo. The HIFF runs October 7th to the 11th…

Gywneth Paltrow, Chris Martin Support Blythe Danner’s Big Theater Night

Roger Friedman
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Gywneth Paltrow, Chris Martin Support Blythe Danner’s Big Theater Night

Blythe Danner was a famous, respected actress long before daughter Gwyneth turned into a movie sensation in the later 1990s.

On Friday night at Guild Hall in East Hampton, Gwyneth and husband Chris Martin (of the group Coldplay) showed up, along with director/screenwriter Jake Paltrow and his girlfriend photographer Taryn Simon, for Danner’s sold play reading. Danner also attracted the likes of the magnificent Dina Merrill with husband Ted Hartley, friends Bob Balaban and Lynn Grossman, and a full house of Hamptons notables.

The reading was a one woman show of a play called “My Brilliant Divorce” by Geraldine Aron. The idea of a reading is tantalizing because scripts are out, and the audience feels like part of the process On the other hand, in this case, Danner was so polished and fun, full of her usual wit and vigor, that the characters in what could have been a mundane story of middle age breakup came alive. The play is set in Britain, and Danner plays a woman whose long marriage has suddenly because her husband has up and left for a young woman named Rosa. Instead of fighting for him she’s kind of relieved. And she sets out on a path to “find herself.” (She does not eat or pray but does look for love.)

It’s great material for Danner, who once starred in a remarkable TV film called “Too Far to Go” with Michael Moriarty based on John Updike stories on a similar subject. At one point, she does a little dance of freedom on stage, and Danner reminded me of a Jules Feiffer drawing full of joy and trepidation. As with “Romance” over at the Bay Street Theater, “My Brilliant Divorce” should be off Broadway, and certainly filmed for Oprah OWN network or Lifetime.

And yes, you want to know the gossip: Gwyneth is still happily married to Chris Martin, just to spite the tabloids. She had a great suntan. He looked relaxed and happy. They came backstage to congratulate mom, then headed home to little Apple and Moses. Danner caught some dinner later with Jake and Taryn at the very good new Exile on Main Street in Amagansett.

Michael Jackson’s Long Time Manager Triumphs in Court Case

Roger Friedman
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Michael Jackson’s Long Time Manager Triumphs in Court Case

Flash: I just heard from Los Angeles that Michael Jackson’s long time manager, Frank Di Leo, has triumphed in court against a crazy claim from a concert promoter.

The word is that AllGood Entertainment’s assertion that DiLeo had agreed to let Michael Jackson tour for them, and for Patrick Alloco and Leonard Rowe to be involved in Michael’s London concerts, was found without basis by a judge. AllGood’s claims, I’m told, were thrown out. We’ll get more details in a little while.

Alloco, Leonard Rowe, Joseph Jackson were among those who banded together to try and derail Michael’s deal with AEG Live and get “control” of the concerts.

Confirmed: Michael Jackson’s Parents Getting a Divorce

Roger Friedman
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Confirmed: Michael Jackson’s Parents Getting a Divorce

Exclusive

There is trouble in the world of Michael Jackson’s family.

Rumors are swirling that Katherine Jackson and Joseph Jackson are getting a divorce. A friend close to Mrs. Jackson insists this is true.

Confirmed. The friend says a couple of things have contributed to this decision. One is Joe Jackson’s comment last spring that Katherine caused Michael’s death. “She’s never gotten over it,” says the friend.

Then there’s Joe Jackson’s penchant for getting into financial trouble resulting in possible litigation. The word is that Katherine has been advised that she could be vulnerable if Joe is successfully sued.

Katherine Jackson has filed for divorce twice during her long marriage. Both times she decided it wasn’t worth it.

Joseph Jackson lives apart from his wife, mostly in Las Vegas. It’s been fairly well chronicled that he has at least one child from outside the marriage, a daughter by another woman.

Nothing is simple in the Jacksons’ marriage. Money is always at the root of every story. Katherine Jackson is one of Michael’s heirs. Joseph is not. It was Katherine who made the deal with Canadian online gaming whiz Howard Mann to market items from the Jackson warehouse he bought. Joseph was not in the deal.

If the Jacksons are getting a divorce, it makes total sense. If they’re not, it’s just a typical Jacksonian rumor leading up to Michael’s birthday on August 29th. He would have been 52.

Why Wait? Give Clint Eastwood the National Board of Review Award Now

Roger Friedman
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Why Wait? Give Clint Eastwood the National Board of Review Award Now

Let’s get it over with now. Clint Eastwood, you’ve won the 2011 National Board of Review for your new movie, “Herafter.” It’s already been chosen to close the New York Film Festival.

I mean, why wait til January or even early December for the NBR nominations? Eastwood–whom I like a lot, don’t get me wrong–has never failed to win an award from the NBR for the last decade or more. Every year. And in a year when he didn’t have film, they gave him a Lifetime Achievement Award.

This past season, the NBR–which is a group  fee paying fans, and not reviewers–skipped over “Precious” except for handing Gabby Sidibe a breakthrough performance award. “Precious” went on to get six Oscar nominations.

However: the NBR nearly tripped over itself to give Clint’s movie, “Invictus,” whatever it could including Best Actor for Morgan Freeman who tied with George Clooney).

Jeanine Basinger, who teaches at Wesleyan and brought Eastwood’s archives there, is of course a leading member of the NBR.

The NBR also loves, besides Eastwood, his studio, Warner Bros., George Clooney and one other studio, Paramount. You can expect something to acknowledge Clooney’s “The American,” which gets released on September 1st.  only Alexander Payne could get his “Descendants” out this year, Clooney would win the NBR’s Best Actor Award again.

As it is — and I tell you this on August 19th–my money is on the NBR to go big time for “Inception” (a Warners movie) as well as “Hereafter,” with Leonardo DiCaprio picking up Best Actor (for “Shutter Island” as well–a Paramount film) and Clint getting Best Picture and Best Director.

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