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Kevin Spacey Film Sure to Anger Everyone

Roger Friedman
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Kevin Spacey Film Sure to Anger Everyone

Former ” ‘and disgraced ‘ Congressman Tom DeLay thinks the unemployed should just buck up and take it.

“You know,” Delay said on CNN recently, “there is an argument to be made that these extensions, the unemployment benefits keeps people from going and finding jobs. In fact there are some studies that have been done that show people stay on unemployment compensation and they don’t look for a job until two or three weeks before they know the benefits are going to run out.”

Ok, so no one likes him. Now George Hickenlooper’s new film, “Casino Jack,” won’t do much to improve this idiot’s status. DeLay, you see, enabled former Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff to loot and pillage Washington while George Bush was president. Abramoff is now in jail.

58993841Kevin Spacey seems like he was born to play Abramoff, a so-called devout Jew with a non-Jewish wife and very blonde little girls. “Casino Jack” isn’t necessarily good for the Jews but it’s not good for anyone else either, like the Christian right.

That Spacey plays disingenuous’and creepy well is no surprise, but the film does have its surprises nonetheless. Barry’Pepper is a revelation as Abramoff’s main associate. Jon Lovitz is pond scum personified as a mattress’dealer-slash-thug’and con man who allowed himself to be a front for Abramoff’s’stealing.

I saw “Casino Jack” last week in Hollywood. It reminded me of “GoodFellas.” Not so good people discover evil, sell out, and lose everything.’It’s quite a story. And the really funny part is that Abramoff is only serving six years. When he gets out, he’ll be rich. And he plans to move to Hollywood and become a film’producer. Why the hell not?

Now Hickenlooper will take’his film to festivals and find a distributor to’release “Casino Jack” in the fall. There will be Oscar nominations for Spacey and Pepper, certainly. And a lot of screaming from Oliver Stone, as “Casino Jack” is really a contemporary version of “Wall Street.”

As for Tom DeLay: this is a contestant from a dance show on TV. Let’s just ignore him.

‘Precious’ Wins Should Shame National Board

Roger Friedman
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‘Precious’ Wins Should Shame National Board

All the awards and nominations bestowed on Lee Daniels‘ movie, “Precious,” should shame the already shameful National Board of Review.

The NBR, a fan-based, fee-paying group, snubbed “Precious” this year. It was not named as the one of the group’s Best Films of the year. The only citation it received was a throwaway nod to Gabby Sidibe as Breakthrough Performer. The NBR was pretty much the only group in the world that didn’t give its Best Supporting Actress award to Mo’Nique.

The real and utter embarrassment for the NBR though comes with the Oscar awarded to Geoffrey Fletcher, who adapted Sapphire’s novel “Push.” Fletcher won the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay. He was ignored by the NBR after resigning from the group last year. His reasoning? He thought it would be a conflict of interest if he stayed. Of course, Fletcher was a fee paying member. Maybe the NBR didn’t like losing his $600 a year.

The National Board of Review has devolved over the years into a travesty. In the past, its only significance was that it announced its winners first, early in December. This gave the studios an early way to advertise their Oscar movies. The public assumed the National Board of Review was a) national and b) made up of reviewers.

But in fact the NBR is neither. It’s a group of well-to-do New Yorkers who pay $600 to belong and see screenings, and $600 more to attend a gala in January and have their pictures taken with the stars. It’s run by a kabal headed by Annie Schulhof, a society matron who once had aspirations to produce movies. The group’s only real critic, Annette Insdorf, a respected writer and teacher at Columbia University, was ousted a couple of years ago.

The “Precious” scandal echoed another from a couple of years ago. The NBR also passed on “Dreamgirls.” They gave Jennifer Hudson, who wound up winning the Oscar, that same Breakhrough Performer award they tagged on Sidibe. Why the studios take this group seriously any more is a mystery. But after this episode, they’d be right to insist on changes or simply let the NBR drift into deserved obscurity.

‘Blind Side’ Turns Blind Eye to Key Actor

Roger Friedman
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‘Blind Side’ Turns Blind Eye to Key Actor

QAaron Blind Side Turns Blind Eye to Key ActorEvery Academy Award success story carries with it a tale of someone who’s been forgotten.

So let’s say I was a little astonished to find actor Quinton Aaron waiting for a car outside the Kodak Theatre after the Oscar show was over.

Who is Quinton Aaron? Well, while Sandra Bullock was accepting kudos for her Oscar for “The Blind Side,” someone obviously forgot that Quinton played real-life football player Michael Oher. Which is a little shocking: There would have been no “Blind Side” without him.

Aaron told me he received only one ticket to the Oscars — no date, no escort — and no ticket to the Governors Ball.

“I did get two tickets to the Vanity Fair party,” he said, “so I’m waiting for my date to come pick me up.”

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Aaron is 26 years old and was born in the Bronx. He is an actor, not a football player. He is not his character. It’s funny: The first thing Gabby Sidibe said to me after the first screening of “Precious” was: Please tell everyone I am not this character. Oprah embraced her. Gabby was treated like a queen at the Oscars. But Quinton Aaron was the forgotten man.

Later, I did run into Quinton at the Vanity Fair party at Sunset Towers. He was smiling and taking pictures with fans. He was far apart from Sandy Bullock, who was in the middle of a crush of people. She waved to Quinton. But somewhow, I suspect, the Bronx actor who’s mostly played bodyguards on shows like “Law & Order” has wound up on Hollywood’s own blind side.

Mo’Nique Brings a Bodyguard to the Oscars

Roger Friedman
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Mo’Nique Brings a Bodyguard to the Oscars

monique1 MoNique Brings a Bodyguard to the OscarsMo’Nique may have been the first Oscar nominee to bring a bodyguard to the Oscars. He walked her and husband Sidney Hicks up the red carpet. What, exactly, was she afraid of?

“It’s the safest place in the world,” joked an Academy publicist, who shook his head in disbelief.

Yes, Mo’Nique is in a world of her own. She wasn’t seen at the Elton John party or at Vanity Fair.

When someone asked who designed her royal blue dress, the question was referred to the bodyguard. He didn’t know, which was not a surprise. A conference occurred on the red carpet. No definitive answer returned.

But it was good to know the actress and her husband felt safe amidst all those loaned diamonds and rubies!

… Meanwhile, at the Vanity Fair party, Jeremy Renner’s mom and his publicist, Sue Patricola, showed me their loaned diamond watches from Piaget. The stunning sparklers were worth $150,000 apiece. Their only bodyguard was Jeremy…

Back on the red carpet, Pedro Almodovar was excited, and came over to say hello. He was wearing cool sunglasses. “Hello. It’s me, Pedro,” he said.

“Yes, I know,” I replied.

He said, “Penelope is here with Javier! It’s the first time they’re coming out together.”

It was almost like he was a proud papa. So Almodovar is writing his next film. Alas, so far, there is no role for Penelope Cruz. Dios mio!

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…Penelope appeared next on the red carpet, with just her publicist. She was her usual sensational self in a Donna Karan gown. “Where is your boyfriend?” I asked, referring to Javier Bardem. Penelope never before has answered one question about her personal life. But now she and Javier hold hands, go to events together. It’s lovely. And she said, “He’s already inside.”

…Let’s talk about the Lobby Bar, the most popular and populous place during every Academy Award show in years past. There’s an additional, smaller side bar that has an entrance to the stage. Nominated actors and presenters use it for respites and bathroom breaks. The side bar fills up quickly. In the past there’s always been a flat-screen TV in there with poor sound. But people watch the show, and cheer, and mingle.

Not so this year. The TV was removed. A second TV, placed in the lobby for the seat fillers to watch the show, was also removed this year halfway through the show. This meant the only way to monitor the show was on two small screens with no sound, attached to the ceiling on either end of the main bar, high up and not very helpful.

The seat fillers weren’t pleased. They’re volunteers, after all. In the side bar, I ran into former Academy president Frank Pierson, the elegant, white-haired Oscar and Emmy winning writer and director (”Dog Day Afternoon,” “A Star Is Born,” “Mad Men”). He stood where the old screen used to be. We lamented its absence. He said his favorite speech of the night was Mo’Nique’s. “A good speech,” said the Academy veteran, “is when they tell you the obstacles they overcame to get to this point. I don’t need to hear a long list of thank yous.” Frank and his wife Elaine loved “Precious.” Take note Oscar prognosticators: These people are the Academy. Cool, huh? …

[CORRECTION: Javier Bardem won an Oscar in 2008, not 2009]

George Clooney’s Flask Task; Styrons’ Choice: ‘Crazy Heart’

Roger Friedman
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George Clooney’s Flask Task; Styrons’ Choice: ‘Crazy Heart’

gclooney George Clooneys Flask Task; Styrons Choice: Crazy HeartGeorge Clooney brought his girlfriend and his best friend to the Academy Awards. The best friend was silver and monogrammed. It was a flask.

“Hey, pay attention,” he said as he flashed me the flask.

“You can’t drink during the Oscars!” I said, naively horrified.

“Oh yeah?”

George is the one person who doesn’t take any of this too seriously. When he debuted in “Up in the Air” at the Toronto Film Festival last fall, the actor and the movie seemed destined for greatness. Clooney, we thought, would be the frontrunner for the Oscar.

At the same festival, Clooney was in “The Men Who Stare at Goats.” Jeff Bridges had a small part in that movie. At that moment, in early September, there was no sign that “Crazy Heart” was being released.

A couple of weeks later, everything changed. Bridges, a five-time past nominee and Hollywood legacy (his dad was Lloyd Bridges) was suddenly the favored Oscar winner. Clooney, who is smart and politic, saw the writing on the wall and backed off.

Clooney, by the way, not only skipped the Governors Ball and Vanity Fair, he didn’t even give his usual private affair for pals. Where did he go? “For a burger somewhere,” surmised a friend.

…Scott Cooper did such a great job adapting and directing “Crazy Heart,” that he’s been approached by a famous literary family.

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Cooper tells me that the widow and children of no less than William Styron have asked him to direct “Lie Down in Darkness,” Styron’s first novel. Styron, of course, wrote “Sophie’s Choice” and “The Confessions of Nat Turner.” He was one of our literary lions.

Cooper’s already written the script. Styron’s daughter, Susannah, will be the producer. Now the search is on for the three actors to play the major roles.’ The Styrons, by the way, loved “Crazy Heart” and came to Cooper because, like William Styron, he’s from Virginia. “Lie Down in Darkness” is the harrowing saga of a Southern family’s dissolution.

…Despite efforts to close the lobby bar, it was packed and busy all night. Woody Harrelson and John Singleton held court in there for some time. Julianne Moore breezed through with husband Bart Freundlich. Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick spent a few minutes there before heading out early. They have three kids. “We’re going home!” SJP announced. Quincy Jones hung out there for a bit, too. Harvey Weinstein had a deep and meaningful conversation with Rupert and Wendi Murdoch. Miley Cyrus grabbed a soda after her presentation. Melanie Griffith and Antonio Banderas also wandered through.

Meryl Streep Takes Loss in Stride — Sorta

Roger Friedman
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Meryl Streep Takes Loss in Stride — Sorta

mstreep Meryl Streep Takes Loss in Stride Sorta Meryl Streep came out of the Kodak Theatre and whispered two words in my ear.

“That bitch!” she said with a laugh, then added: “I love her!”

OK, this was Meryl’s umpteenth loss in a row. She hasn’t won an Oscar since “Sophie’s Choice.” You do realize she was just here last year for “Doubt.” Her most recent run of performances has been staggering, from “The Manchurian Candidate” remake to “The Devil Wears Prada,” “Adaptation,” even the little seen “Rendition.”

She’ll be back, maybe not next year, but in 2012. She makes the entire Oscar process worth it for the rest of us…

…The Basterds gather: After Christoph Waltz won his Oscar for “Inglourious Basterds,” and Quentin Tarantino lost his, they met in the — where else? — lobby bar. Quentin was accompanied by producer Lawrence Bender; Waltz was with his wife. The four huddled and examined Waltz’s gold statue. Quentin kissed the Austrian actor on each cheek, and a tear ran down his own. It was one of those lovely moments. And Waltz’s acceptance speech was one of the highlights of the night…

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Waltz’s wins everywhere prior to the Oscars meant that the other nominees were there in good faith but with few expectations. One of these was Hollywood legend and famed theater actor Christopher Plummer. The once and always Captain Von Trapp from “The Sound of Music” works consistently, and his work is consistent. He was amazing in Michael Mann’s “The Insider,” playing Mike Wallace. His next stop: He’s going to play Prospero in Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” up at Stratford in’Canada. He has two more movies on the way. Isn’t it time for a Lifetime Achievement Award? Hello, Oscars…

Farrah Fawcett Wasn’t the Only One Forgotten

Roger Friedman
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Farrah Fawcett Wasn’t the Only One Forgotten

oscarsmemoriam Farrah Fawcett Wasnt the Only One ForgottenThe omission of Farrah Fawcett from the In Memoriam segment of last night’s Oscars was terrible.

But Farrah was in good company.

They forgot three-time Oscar winning composer Maurice Jarre. Among his Oscar nominated scores: “Ghost.” Guess who starred in “Ghost”? Demi Moore, who introduced the In Memoriam segment. And Patrick Swayze, the first face in the segment. Hello! Come on: This isn’t exactly rocket science.

The people in charge of that segment — the only one not credited in the official program — forgot a lot of people. Among them: Bea Arthur, Gene Barry, Henry Gibson, Harve Presnell, Pat Hingle and Phil Carey.

Henry Gibson starred in many films, including Robert Altman’s “Nashville.”

The Academy also forgot Mickey Carroll, who was the last surviving Munchkin from “The Wizard of Oz.”

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And although I was pleased to see the great Variety columnist Army Archerd, there was no mention, shockingly, of Dominick Dunne. That’s just criminal. Nick Dunne chronicled Hollywood and kept it alive in his books and Vanity Fair. He also produced several films, including “Play It as It Lays,” “The Boys in the Band,” and “The Panic in Needle Park.” He was also part of’a Hollywood legacy: His son is Griffin Dunne, the writer and director. His late brother John Gregory Dunne, was a fine novelist and screenwriter.

If there was room for irrelevant dance numbers, and for the totally irrelevant Miley Cyrus, there was room for these important and beloved Hollywood legends. Tsk, tsk.

Vanity Fair Oscar Dinner, by Table

Roger Friedman
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Vanity Fair Oscar Dinner, by Table

While we’re at the Oscars, Vanity Fair throws one of the three swanky private dinners in town. (The other two are Elton John’s, and Dani Janssen’s). Here’s the Vanity Fair list, by table:

Table One
Elizabeth Wiatt
Allen Grubman
Paula Wagner
Irwin Winkler
Julie Chen
Jim Wiatt
Deborah Grubman
Rick Nicita
Margo Winkler
Les Moonves

Continue

Jane Fonda Wants Kate Bosworth for ‘Barbarella’ Sequel

Roger Friedman
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Jane Fonda Wants Kate Bosworth for ‘Barbarella’ Sequel

barbarellabosworth Jane Fonda Wants Kate Bosworth for Barbarella SequelTwo-time Oscar winner Jane Fonda finally met Kate Bosworth last night. And she proclaimed, “I want her to do the ‘Barbarella’ sequel!”

And that’s what Vanity Fair’s big Oscar party is always like: It’s like the whole industry is stuffed into one place. People meet and make deals or have romances.

Jane’s beau, famed record producer Richard Perry, fell into conversation with Jennifer Lopez.’ Her whole recording career could be changed if Perry produces some tracks for her.

perryfonda Jane Fonda Wants Kate Bosworth for Barbarella SequelThat’s how it goes. Folks dine on delicious In ‘N’ Out burgers and sliders and pigs in the blanket. Nearly every nominee was in the house, from Gabby Sidibe to winning director Kathryn Bigelow. The latter was in a daze, sitting on a couch with her gold statue while “Hurt Locker” actors Jeremy Renner, Anthony Mackie, and Brian Geraghty fell in for pictures. There were lots of flashbulbs popping. Someone must have’gotten a very cool picture of Carey Mulligan kneeling before Bigelow, with Renner sort of bent over, listening to them.

Hilary Swank came by, just looking’swell in a gown, and made a comic face for me–puffed up cheeks, eyes popping. It’s our secret handshake.

Starz Channel’s Chris Albrecht kibbitzed on the’patio stairs with Ben Silverman, who wore’what looked like a possibly’flammable, very shiny silver jacket. Michael Barker from Sony Pictures Classics kvelled over Mulligan and his usual win for best foreign-language picture — Argentina’s’”The Secret in Their Eyes.” Christoph Waltz was beaming over his win, and showed off his Oscar. So did Mark Boal, who wrote “The Hurt Locker.” Anthony Mackie shlepped it around for a bit.

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Near the party’s entrance — it was hard to move! — Sandy Bullock and husband Jesse James met Jane Fonda. Fonda introduced everyone to Tyler Perry, whom she knows from Atlanta. And someone in the crowd realized that Jane would be perfect for the film version of “August Osage County.”

“You’d better tell Harvey Weinstein,” Jane said. Luckily, he was just a few feet away.

The VF shindig also had Olympic medalists like Apolo Ohno, and Serena Williams, Shaun White, and Ryan Lysacek. But VF gets the gold medal in parties!

Leo, Jamie Foxx, Cameron Diaz Hit the Big Pre-Oscar Bash

Roger Friedman
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Leo, Jamie Foxx, Cameron Diaz Hit the Big Pre-Oscar Bash

It’s Oscar eve which means parties all night in Hollywood.

While some stars hit The Night Before with $25,000 tickets underwritten by the studios or their talent agencies, most everyone rode the elevators to the Penthouse floor of Luckman Plaza for The Weinstein Company gala at Soho House. The party was underwritten by Mont Blanc and raised money for UNICEF, so there was even a good cause.

But there was also a mile long list of celebs from Leonardo DiCaprio in his trademark baseball cap to Cameron Diaz–one of the actors I really look forward to seeing. She is a doll.

They weren’t alone in the packed rooftop aerie. Ryan Gosling, Jake Gyllenhaal, Jamie Foxx, Jacqueline Bisset and Seymour Cassell–the mix at this party of parties was amazing. Quentin Tarantino spent a long time chatting with comic Chris Tucker, and also with “Precious” star Gabourey Sidibe. It was nice to see Woody Harrelson just taking in the festivities with his wife, while Eli Roth and BJ Novak kept the “Inglourious Basterds” crew laughing.

In fact, Christoph Waltz–who’s won every conceivable award so far for his role in “Basterds”–told me: “If they open the envelope and announce another name, you will hear one person laughing very loudly. That will be me. It will be the perfect ending to everything that’s happened.” That’s what they call European ironic’humor.

Then there was nominee Carey Mulligan from “An Education,” not to mention Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale, Adrien Brody, Gina Gershon, Mira Sorvino, Marisa Tomei and Logan Marshall Green, nominee Colin Firth from “A Single Man” and his director, Tom Ford, as well as “Nine” composer Maury Yeston, Arianna Huffington, “Factory Girl” director George Hickenlooper, famed director Wes Craven, Kate Bosworth, Gerard Butler, Rhona Mitra, Emmy Rossum, Kate Mara, Russell Simmons, Brett Ratner, Diane Kruger and Joshua Jackson, Brian Geraghty from “The Hurt Locker.”

Wait! More! Ben McKenzie, of “Southland” and “The O.C.” Kate Walsh. Matthew Rhys and Dave Annable from “Brothers & Sisters.” Kristin Davis. Topher Grace. Zachary Quinto.

Tonight’s Oscar parties are going to have to go a long way to top this group. Harvey Weinstein still has ‘it’ some 14 years after “The English Patient” won Best Picture. Not bad.

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