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Elton John Keeps It Real and Controversial

Roger Friedman
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Elton John Keeps It Real and Controversial

ejohn Elton John Keeps It Real and ControversialElton John: In yesterday’s Parade magazine, he says Jesus was gay. That got the world’s attention, didn’t it?

His Parade interview is incredibly candid.

The actual quote is “I think Jesus was a compassionate, super-intelligent gay man who understood human problems. On the cross, he forgave the people who crucified him. Jesus wanted us to be loving and forgiving. I don’t know what makes people so cruel. Try being a gay woman in the Middle East — you’re as good as dead.”

Many times it’s hard for celebrities who we’ve grown up with to match reality. They usually come up short. Not so for Elton John. His run of hit albums from 1970 to 1978 ran parallel to my teen years. From “Your Song” to “Little Jeannie” Elton John was always part of my musical soundtrack. I loved “Levon” and his work with the Spinners on “Mama Can’t Buy You Love” and all of “Tumbleweed Connection,” “Madman Across the Water,” “Honky Chateau,” “Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only the Piano Player” and “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.”

So what a wonderful surprise that Elton John in this part of my life has exceeded expectations. He was cheated out of a Tony Award for “Billy Elliott” on Broadway last year, but he’s never lost his enthusiasm. With partner David Furnish, as I told you recently, he’s producing a non-musical play now. And still they keep doing good works.

Elton is a rarity in show business. He speaks his mind and puts his money where his mouth is. He and Furnish are relentless in their fundraising for AIDS research. The Elton John AIDS Foundation has raised over $175 million. They also throw a terrific Academy Awards gala that generates more funds and interest in the cause. Elton almost always performs at the event, set up in the Pacific Design Center. There are always special guests, too. And plenty of musicians on the party list. I can’t wait to see who they’ve lined up for this year.

Polanski vs. Gibson: How Scandal Can Help or Hurt

Roger Friedman
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Polanski vs. Gibson: How Scandal Can Help or Hurt

polanski gibson Polanski vs. Gibson: How Scandal Can Help or HurtRoman Polanski’s “The Ghost Writer” opened in four theaters this past weekend, sold them all out, and is headed for 10 more this Friday.

Mel Gibson’s “Edge of Darkness” is entering its twilight phase in theaters after making just $40 million domestically. It cost $80 mil (production budget) plus another $20 mil (promotion, etc). “Edge” hasn’t been a huge hit overseas, either, with just $5 million from the U.K., where it started as a miniseries.

Each of these principal figures is embroiled in scandal. Polanski, actually, has had a cloud over him for 30 years. Gibson’s been in hot water for four or five years.

But it does look like the public will be more forgiving to Polanski and separate his three-decade-old legal problem from the director’s exceptional work. And they should: “The Ghost Writer” is a terrific movie that deserves to have a good run. In its opening weekend it did better even than “Crazy Heart” did in December during its four-theater first weekend. And “Crazy Heart” had Jeff Bridges and lots of award publicity.

“Edge,” however, is a loser despite Gibson getting a few decent reviews for his acting. But Gibson proved to be his and Warner Bros.’ own worst enemy. First he took on L.A. entertainment reporter Sam Rubin on the air. Then a video of Gibson calling a Chicago reporter an “asshole” after their interview became a viral hit on YouTube. The latter seemed to cement the idea that Gibson had no remorse for his DUI arrest or anti-Semitic, racist rants in 2006. Instead of acts of contrition, he just came across like an unapologetic boor.

What’s interesting is what happens next for Gibson. He’s made a movie with Jodie Foster that’s unfortunately titled, “The Beaver.” (It has nothing to with the famous TV series of the early ’60s. “June, can you ask the Beaver to come down here?”)

He’s caused a lot of trouble in Mexico, apparently, by asking to relocate hundreds of inmates from a prison so he can film another movie. There’s talk that Leonardo DiCaprio is supposed to make a film with him in a dead language. But when I asked Leo about it at the “Shutter Island” premiere, he drew a blank. “Do you know what language it is?” I asked him, semi-seriously. “I have no idea,” DiCaprio replied in English.

DiCaprio should think twice maybe about getting involved with that project. After “Shutter Island” has been such a hit –’ it’s made in one weekend what “Edge” has delivered totally — he doesn’t need a controversy connected to someone else to taint his resume.

Scorsese, DiCaprio to Score Biggest Opening Ever: $37.3 Mil ‘Shutter’ Weekend

Roger Friedman
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Scorsese, DiCaprio to Score Biggest Opening Ever: $37.3 Mil ‘Shutter’ Weekend

125043 shutter island leo ruffalo 341 Scorsese, DiCaprio to Score Biggest Opening Ever: $37.3 Mil Shutter WeekendIt looks like famed director Martin Scorsese and actor Leonardo DiCaprio are having their biggest weekend opening ever.

“Shutter Island,” with the star power of Leonardo DiCaprio, Ben Kingsley, and Mark Ruffalo, is set for a $37.3 million weekend.

That would make it Scorsese’s biggest ever, beating “The Departed” ($26.8 mil in 2006) by a wide margin. It will also quickly surpass the final totals for many of his other films — the total takes — including “Casino,” “Bringing Out the Dead,” “Kundun,” “Mean Streets,” “Taxi Driver,” “Goodfellas,” “Raging Bull” –pretty much all of them.

Ironically, though Scorsese is a critics’ darling, he really didn’t start having big box office until he went into business with Harvey Weinstein on “Gangs of New York.” That film brought in $77 million. “The Aviator” did $102 million. Of all the ones that preceded, only “Cape Fear” scored with $79 million.

Of course we can’t discount the Leo factor. “Shutter” is the fourth movie Scorsese has made with Leonardo DiCaprio after “Departed,” “Gangs” and “Aviator.”

Believe it or not, this is Leo’s biggest opening, too. His second best would now be “Catch Me if You Can,” with $30 million. Yes, “Shutter Island” is a bigger opening weekend than even “Titanic” ($28 million.) How weird is that? “Titanic” is Leo’s biggest movie ever, at $600 million domestic. “Catch Me” is second with $164 mil. The two Scorsese movies are next.

And everyone was worried when Paramount decided to postpone the “Shutter” release from October until now. Even Scorsese told me last week, “Waiting the four months — I didn’t know what will happen.” He was very nervous on Thursday night at the premiere. But for once, quality conquers all. It’s a happy ending, and one with maybe a surprise twist of its own!

Spider-Man on Broadway: Edge Says It’s a Go

Roger Friedman
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Spider-Man on Broadway: Edge Says It’s a Go

edge Spider Man on Broadway: Edge Says Its a GoJust in case you were wondering: U2’s The Edge (aka Dave Evans) says the Broadway musical’ “Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark” is on.

The $45 million musical has been in limbo for a while as new financing was found to replace old.

But Edge says a meeting took place yesterday with all the principals, including director Julie Taymor. New producer Michael Cohl is getting everything in place. The wheels are turning.

Says Edge: “It will open before the end of the year.”

Unlike many naysayers, we want to see Spider-Man spin his web on Broadway. We also want to hear that U2 score. “The music is just about finished, too,” Edge says.

We’re ready!

...Julian Schnabel is trimmed down, but still sporting PJs. He brought Rula Jabreal, author of the book “Miral,” and her daughter with him, both visiting from Jerusalem. Schnabel’s just now finishing his film of “Miral,” starring “Slumdog Millionaire’s” Freida Pinto as the title character. You think Freida Pinto is a beauty? Wait until everyone meets Rula Jabreal! Whichever film company releases “Miral” will have publicity opportunities galore. P.S. Schnabel says it’s his best movie yet. After “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly” and “Before Night Falls,” that’s saying a lot…

…People to look for on the grounds of the insane asylum in “Shutter Island”: the great actress Jill Larson, a longtime player on “All My Children,” raises her finger to her lips in the opening scene and creates an indelible image. She’s so good she’s featured in the commercial. She is also completely altered from the glamorous soap character she plays…Also look for “All My Children” alum Matthew Cowles as the Ferry Boat Captain. Famously known as Billy Clyde Tuggle on”AMC,” Cowles is the real life husband of Christine Baranski…And Craig “Radio Man” Schwartz, a long time fixture in NY and LA and a favorite of Whoopi Goldberg, George Clooney and Robin Williams–he’s clean shaven and starkly memorable as a mental patient. This is not typecasting…

Roman Polanski: Life Imitates Art in New Film

Roger Friedman
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Roman Polanski: Life Imitates Art in New Film

125316 Ghost Writer 341 Roman Polanski: Life Imitates Art in New FilmRoman Polanski’s “The Ghost Writer” opens today in New York and Los Angeles, a little suddenly, it feels, after its debut at the Berlin Film Festival.

Like Martin Scorsese’s “Shutter Island,” which also opens today, Polanski’s film is very much in the style of Alfred Hitchcock. It’s a highly stylized thriller with some great performances and riveting business even when the plot feels a tad predictable.

What’s most interesting, though, is the main setup of “The Ghost Writer.” Polanski made it a year before his arrest and incarceration in Switzerland, followed by his house arrest. It’s worth pointing out, because for the first hour of “The Ghost Writer,” the characters are essentially trapped in a beautiful home on Martha’s Vineyard.

The main characters are a Tony Blair-like former British Prime Minister, played by Pierce Brosnan; his long suffering wife, played by Olivia Williams; and his staff, including Kim Cattrall as his devoted assistant and possible lover. Then there’s Ewan McGregor, who’s come to the island house — one of those ultra modern billionaire’s estates that looks more like an office or a bunker — to ghost write the PM’s memoirs.

Thanks to a fast-breaking scandal, no one can really leave the house. They are under a kind of house arrest. It’s almost as if Polanski anticipated his own situation. You might say the only difference is that Brosnan’s character gets to chopper out to Washington to meet and greet politicians. But it looks like Polanski did the same thing. Even though he was restricted to his countries of citizenship — France and Poland — he still managed to shoot a movie in Berlin.

His legal situation aside, Polanski is still a superior director and gifted artist. For someone who hasn’t been to the U.S. since 1978, and certainly not Martha’s Vineyard, he’s created a decidedly accurate picture of a politician taking refuge in a wealthy beach community. Someone, if not Polanski, did their homework. Besides that, “The Ghost Writer”– as it becomes a thriller — picks up elements of Tony Blair, the CIA and Halliburton. The sense of paranoia runs high, just as it did in “Chinatown”and “Rosemary’s Baby.” And the casting is impeccable, from MacGregor and Brosnan to a sizzling cameo from the always excellent Tom Wilkinson.

And lo and behold, there’s an appearance by legendary actor Eli Wallach, who turned 94 in December. He’s wonderful.

Last night’s screening wasn’t so much a premiere as it was a mini something or other. Among the bold faced names who took up seats in the orange chairs at the Crosby Street Hotel theater were U2’s The Edge, director Julian Schnabel, models turned entrepreneurs Carol Alt and Irina Pantaeva, and of course, Ewan McGregor and Pierce Brosnan (with wife Keely Shaye Smith). It was nice,too, to see CNN’s Alina Chow, Fox5 stalwart Rosanna Scotto, as well as producer Linda Yellen who came with Denis Ferrara of the Liz Smith column (www.wowowow.com) and Scott Gorenstein, who reps Liza Minnelli. That was an eclectic frowd!

If only there had been dinner after the two hours-plus movie! The hungry–Edge and wife Morleigh, as well as Alt and Pantaeva–were all spotted having late night snacks across the street at Balthazar later on.

Songwriters Awards: Leonard Cohen, Jackie DeShannon, E W and F

Roger Friedman
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Songwriters Awards: Leonard Cohen, Jackie DeShannon, E W and F

lcohen Songwriters Awards: Leonard Cohen, Jackie DeShannon, E W and FI’m happy to announce that the Songwriters Hall of’ Fame has announced its honorees for this June. (Full disclosure: I’m on the nominating committee.)

This year’s group includes Jackie DeShannon, Leonard Cohen, all the guys from Earth Wind and Fire, plus Johnny Mandel and David Foster. All the choices are good, although yes ‘ several of us ‘ are campaigning every year for Elvis Costello, Ray Davies of the Kinks and a few others. Everyone on the committee has favorites, but it doesn’t matter. Names are put to a group vote. And thus, we have the 2010 crop.

Still to come from the SHOF ‘ run now so well by Linda Moran and Hal David ‘ it’s a shame it’s not on TV somewhere ‘ are announcements for honorary awards like the Towering Song. That’s a song so good it’s transcended time and the culture. Past choices included “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” and “Day-O.”

The SHOF is such a hot night that literally everyone comes to it, and even the most hardened music execs are startled by the good vibe. This year the show is on June 17th at the Marriott Marquis.

…In other music news, contemporary Soul Man Ryan Shaw will open for Legendary Soul Man Sam Moore this Sunday at the Highline Ballroom. You can get tickets at www.highlineballroom.com. Sam Moore also gets the Lifetime Achievement Award from AFTRA on Monday, along with CBS’s Charles Osgood…

…You’ve got to give credit to Sade. She puts out an album every 10 years. Her new one comes in at number 1 with half a million copies sold…

Tarantino’s ‘Basterds’: An Oscar Surprise Thanks to SAG Award?

Roger Friedman
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Tarantino’s ‘Basterds’: An Oscar Surprise Thanks to SAG Award?

102958 inglourious basterds 341 Tarantinos Basterds: An Oscar Surprise Thanks to SAG Award? Could Quentin Tarantino’s self described “masterpiece” be the upset winner at the Academy Awards?

Suddenly, the “Inglourious Basterds” are surfing a tidal wave to the March 7 ceremonies at the Kodak Theater.

“Basterds” won the SAG Award for best ensemble cast. Screen Actors Guild voters make up the majority of the Academy. “Slumdog Millionaire,” “Crash,” “Lord of the Rings: Return of the King,” Chicago” and “No Country for Old Men” all went from the SAG Award to the Oscar for best picture. Think back to when “Crash” beat “Brokeback Mountain.” SAG has proven to be a an accurate weather vane.

I told you this might happen. Voters tire of front runners. “Avatar” ‘ despite its technological advances ‘ is not warmly received by Academy members. “The Hurt Locker” has been out there a long time and has many admirers (myself included).

More awards coverage

But “Basterds” seems to be a guilty pleasure, especially among Academy voters. It has two things pulling it forward, also: Tarantino, who has rabid fans. And Christoph Waltz, who’s a cinch to win best supporting actor for his portrayal of Nazi Colonel Hans Landa. Waltz is Austrian, but what makes his whole Cinderella story so amazing is that his children are Jewish thanks to his first marriage. His son is studying to be a rabbi. Talk about poetic justice!

There seems to be no question that Kathryn Bigelow and “The Hurt Locker” are on a roll. But there’s also an issue that few people have seen the Iraq war movie. Whereas “Basterds” took in over $120 million at the boxoffice. It’s also a war fable, with inspired madness from a terrific cast including Brad Pitt, Eli Roth, Diane Kruger and Michael Fassbender.

One sign of things to come: that lunch last week in Hollywood. Warren Beatty, Ron Howard, and other big names turned out to support Tarantino.There were a lot of places those people might have broken bread that day, but they’re voters, and they wanted to be seen there. I’m just sayin’…

[CORRECTED: Tarantino won an Oscar for co-writing “Pulp Fiction.”]

Leonardo DiCaprio Set for Sinatra, But He Won’t Sing

Roger Friedman
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Leonardo DiCaprio Set for Sinatra, But He Won’t Sing

ldicaprio Leonardo DiCaprio Set for Sinatra, But He Wont SingLeonardo DiCaprio is still to set to play Frank Sinatra for Martin Scorsese. But he’s probably not going to sing.

“With those records?” Scorsese asked me, his voice rising, at the premiere last night for his new DiCaprio collaboration, “Shutter Island.” “Frank will do the singing. But we’re waiting for a finished script.”

So while he’s waiting, Scorsese’s next film will likely take a break from DiCaprio. “The Invention of Huge Cabret” is lighter fare for Scorsese, about a 12-year-old boy who lives in Paris and meets famous French silent film director and magician George M’li’s.

“Hugo Cabret” is a family movie, unlike “Shutter Island,” which opens Friday and is a complex, disturbing thriller. Based on a novel by Dennis Lehane (”Mystic River”), “Shutter Island” was set for release last fall but pulled back at the last minute. That turns out to be a good thing, because although DiCaprio could have earned an Oscar nomination “Shutter Island” is a perfect winter film. “Silence of the Lambs” and “Fargo” were each winter movies that went on to big things at the end of the year.

“Shutter Island,” if you don’t know the book, is certainly a shocker. Beautifully shot and edited (of course by Thelma Schoonmaker) it also has a bunch of perfect “cameo” performances by Michelle Williams, Patricia Clarkson, Emily Mortimer, and Jackie Earle Haley. It’s partially an homage to Alfred Hitchcock, too, with a pulse-heightening score created by The Band’s Robbie Robertson from pieces of modern classical music.

Last night Mick Jagger was one of the many A list guests at the premiere at the Ziegfeld ‘ but he’d apparently seen the movie a couple of times already. I won’t give away the plot twists, but Mark Ruffalo ‘ who plays DiCaprio’s buddy as a U.S. Marshall ‘ turns out to be the clue maker. At least, that’s what Oscar winner Schoonmaker tells me. She cut the film down from its original unwieldy length to its new streamlined form. She told me, “The next time you see it, watch Mark. See what he’s doing.”

Ruffalo ‘ who was the King of Sundance last month ‘ and Sir Ben Kingsley steer DiCaprio through a mental maze that’s layered and harrowing. Scorsese fans won’t be disappointed. This is a horror/thriller of such grace and intelligence that it’s going to take several viewings just to get it right. But that’s all the more fun.

Among the other celebs at last night’s showing: Regis and Joy Philbin, thrilled with the news that their CD, “Just You, Just Me,” hit number 1 yesterday on amazon’s Easy Listening chart. (More impressively it’s number 104 overall). This is thanks to an appearance with David Letterman. Who says late night doesn’t sell music anymore?

Plus: co-star Michelle Williams, who’s going to have a big year (she’s also in “Blue Valentine,” now set for the fall from the Weinstein Co.). Williams did not follow the pack of Paramount peeps and the movie crew downtown to an afterparty at a new hot new eatery on Stanton Street called The Meatball Shop. “I’ve had two glasses of Champagne,” Michelle said, soberly, “and I have to get up early in the morning.”

P.S. The great character actress Celia Weston brought her buddy, actor Ron Raines, who’s licking his wounds from the cancellation of CBS’s “Guiding Light” by touring in “A Little Night Music.” Two time Oscar nominee Sylvia Miles made the scene. And no less than the magnificent Oscar winner Celeste Holm, who turns 93 on April 29th, put her stamp of approval on “Shutter Island.”

Ben Stiller-Brett Ratner Heist Gets Noah Baumbach Script

Roger Friedman
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Ben Stiller-Brett Ratner Heist Gets Noah Baumbach Script

stillerratner Ben Stiller Brett Ratner Heist Gets Noah Baumbach Script“Tower Heist,” Brett Ratner’s next film, is going full speed ahead at Universal. I’m told that Noah Baumbach has just been signed to polish up the screenplay originally written by Ted Griffin.

I wrote about this film when it first got off the ground a couple of years ago. Back then it was envisioned as a black “Ocean’s Eleven,” with Eddie Murphy and Chris Rock being talked about as the leads. (Indeed, Griffin wrote “Oceans.”)

But time does a funny thing to movie projects. “Tower Heist” now looks like it will star Ben Stiller overseeing a cast of guys that could be all colors — maybe even blue, considering recent events in film land.

The story has also changed somewhat, from being a pure heist movie to the story of a bunch of blue collar guys on a mercy mission. It turns out the main tenant of this Trump Tower-like building has bilked the employees’ pension fund in a huge Ponzi scheme. More details I don’t want to give away, but word is that Ratner, of course, would probably like James Caan to play that character. Caan recently starred in Ratner’s excellent segment of “New York, I Love You.” But all the casting, save for Stiller, is still up in the air as Baumbach toils away.

So stay tuned for more info on “Tower Heist.” It will be Ratner’s first film since “Rush Hour 3.” My personal favorite Ratner film is a well kept secret: Nicolas Cage in “Family Man.” I still get misty eyed when Tea Leoni buys Nic Cage a knock-off Zegna suit as an anniversary gift.

Baumbach, meanwhile, is just introducing his “Greenberg” film, also with Ben Stiller. If you’re looking for one of his early efforts, try “Mr. Jealousy,” a little gem. And of course, Baumbach wrote the now classic “Fantastic Mr. Fox.”

Gladys Knight Is Still a Pip

Roger Friedman
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Gladys Knight Is Still a Pip

59474668Most 65-year-olds are not working full-time.

But Gladys Knight, who’s been working since 1952, has not lost a step after almost six decades in show business.

Two weeks ago I ran into her at Quincy Jones’ “We Are the World” taping in Los Angeles. Gladys is front-and-center with Jennifer Hudson, Mya, Usher, Lil Wayne, and dozens of other younger stars. Will their careers last as long? For most, it’s unlikely.

On Friday night, by coincidence, I caught Gladys’ act at the Naples Philharmonic Hall in Florida. She came by bus from Atlanta with her band and her brother Bubba, the last remaining “Pip” and her best friend. She’s in the middle of doing six dates down South. As usual, the venue was sold out.

Backstage, Gladys exhibited not a sign of Diva-ness. She greets fans in jeans, without makeup. On stage it’s a different story. She looks about 50 tops, and wears a silver lame pants suit that shines through the huge auditorium.

The act runs just a little less than 90 minutes and covers most of the hits from her long career. At Motown, Gladys was the one who discoverd the Jackson 5 — a fact she should mention but doesn’t. She also had a hit with “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” before Marvin Gaye. Maybe she’s tired of explaining it all.

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