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Madonna, Helmer and Star of Flops, Will Direct Her Life Story If Someone Will Agree to Play Her

Roger Friedman
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Madonna, Helmer and Star of Flops, Will Direct Her Life Story If Someone Will Agree to Play Her

How many bad movies has Madonna, the performer, directed? Two: the dreadful “W.E.” and the forgettable “Filth and Wisdom.” (Domestic gross for the former $582,075, for the latter $22,406)

How many more will sihe destroy? At least one: her life story.

According to Jeff Sneider writing in Ankler, Madonna is going to direct the movie of her life co-written with Diablo Cody. It’s a recipe for disaster. Madonna, who has been proven not to be much of an actor or a director, is determined to make another stinker.

Actresses who’ve been approached to play Madonna to play her are obviously not impressed. Sneider says Emmy winner Julia Garner, of “Ozark,” and “Inventing Anna,” was approached but seems to have passed. So has Florence Pugh, a past Oscar nominee. That leaves two low level actresses from “Euphoria,” who are at best supporting players.

It’s hard to believe anyone will finance Madonna directing a movie about herself which she’s written. It’s like when they say ‘only a fool has himself for a lawyer.’ The Madonna movie will undoubtedly be a big, bloated vanity project with no objectivity whatsoever in which the singer portrays herself as a martyr, a saint, and an angel. God bless. It’s unclear why Universal Pictures is letting her do this: she’s not big enough anymore to bow to her wishes.

As for actresses, it might help if the woman they chose could sing or dance– not that Madonna is Whitney Houston. But she sings for a living, and has made a pretty good one at that.

Sunday Night Ratings: If “American Idol” Had Queen Latifah Sing on the Show, Everyone Would Win!

Roger Friedman
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Sunday Night Ratings: If “American Idol” Had Queen Latifah Sing on the Show, Everyone Would Win!

Sunday night on broadcast TV:

If ABC’s “American Idol” got Queen Latifah to come sing on their show, they’d each have hits.

As it is, QL’s “The Equalizer” on CBS beat the “Idol” return last night at 8pm by a million viewers–6.95 mil vs. 6.01 mil.

At 9pm, “Idol” pulled ahead of CBS’s “NCIS Los Angeles” by just a nose.

All in all, CBS won the night, but ABC narrowly beat them in the age demo. Younger people watched “Idol.” But more people watched the CBS line up.

Where was everyone else? On cable, watching the SAG Awards, “Euphoria,” and “Billions.” We’ll know more about that tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Zendaya has released a single with a UK singer named Labrinth, it’s a song that was on “Euphoria.” She has a lovely voice. He has issues. As in “Dune,” Zendaya only appears at the end of the song.

 

Review: “The Batman” Brings David Fincher-Like Darkness to a Young, Goth Bruce Wayne and a Woke Catwoman

Roger Friedman
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Review: “The Batman” Brings David Fincher-Like Darkness to a Young, Goth Bruce Wayne and a Woke Catwoman

Stately Wayne Manor is no more. Neither is stately Bruce Wayne.

In the latest iteration of the saga of the orphaned zillionaire turned caped crusader, Bruce Wayne, director Matt Reeves imagines a world in which David Fincher has taken over Gotham City.

“The Batman” is a darker knight than ever before. Reeves’ movie, wholly entertaining and full of surprises, features “Twilight” star Robert Pattinson as the youngest Bruce Wayne ever. He’s not that many years past his parents being killed, but the echoes of Thomas and Martha Wayne are everywhere. Wayne Manor looks more like The Limelight nightclub. All Bruce has left is loyal butler Alfred (Andy Serkis) who busier fixing complex electronics than dusting the china.

All of Batman’s enemies are introduced in this chapter: Catwoman (Zoe Kravitz), The Penguin (a totally unrecognizable Colin Farrell), the Riddler (Paul Dano) and yet a new Joker (Barry Keoghan). Of this quad, Catwoman and Penguin are given the most screen time. Riddler is depicted as unseen serial killer, very Hannibal Lecter, who doesn’t emerge until the last 45 minutes (of three hours). The whole Joker plot is more obtuse. There’s one more villain, too: John Turturro’s mobster, Carmine Falcone, for who the Jake Mottola-like Penguin — known here as Oswald Cobblepot — works.

Suffice to say, it’s Kravitz’s Catwoman who gets the most interaction with Batman as they flirt and even kiss as she tries to persuade him they are alike. But Batman has bigger issues. The Batman comics we all knew in the old days were billed not under his name but as “Detective Comics.” So here, based on recent comic books. Batman takes the lead as a detective and vigilante, someone who the public thinks of as a masked freak. (He is not yet Gotham’s beloved hero.) His Robin, so to speak, is police captain James Gordon (Jeffrey Wright) who not only believes in him but is an able assistant when necessary.

Pattinson is 36 and trying to get away from his hit vampire movies of a decade ago. He actually makes for a lively, engaged Batman who seems, when he puts on the cape and cowl, more sophisticated than young Bruce, who looks like a deer in headlights a lot of the time. Putting on that Batman suit, in this movie, does more for Bruce than it has in the past. And he needs it: Reeves imagines Bruce as a disaffected Kurt Cobain with dark circles under his eyes and nary a comb in sight.

Reeves plays part of the film like it’s “Seven” and some of it like “Silence of the Lambs.” Peter Craig’s screenplay advances the idea that the Waynes’ murder was not a random robbery but a planned hit based on Thomas’s run for mayor on the platform of Renewal. That at least gives the story a new direction and something more for Bruce to chew on as he avenges their memory. Reeves also brings out the best in the villains: Kravitz, tiny in real life, slinks around and seems a lot taller as a modern vixen. (She also has a woke moment, describing Gotham society as “rich, privileged white people.” ) Dano absolutely glows as the completely insane, murderous Riddler.

The three hour run time is no problem, the movie zips by without a moment of lag. It could have stopped at two hours-fifteen — there’s a beat where you see it. But that last 45 minutes is worth the wait even if there’s a bit of a watery shark jump. Still, I’d be up for parts 2 and 3 of this trilogy, and I think audiences will go back and see this one at least one more time.

PS Kudos to the Michael Giacchino score. It’s melodic, very Beethoven-esque and runs counter to the somber mood of impending doom. Keep it in mind next awards season.

 

 

 

Neil Diamond Says “I’m a Believer” and Sells Song Rights to Universal Music for Undisclosed Amount

Roger Friedman
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Neil Diamond Says “I’m a Believer” and Sells Song Rights to Universal Music for Undisclosed Amount

Now it’s Neil Diamond’s turn.

The famed Brill Building songwriter turned unlikely rock star in the 70s and 80s has sold his music publishing catalog and recordings to Universal Music Group for an undisclosed amount of money.

Diamond’s catalog would be a pretty sought after one considering all the hits he had and the ones he wrote for other people.

The former group includes “Song Sung Blue,” “Sweet Caroline,” “Cracklin’ Rosie,” “I Am..I Said,” “Play Me.” “America,” “Hot August Night,” “Holly Holy,” and “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers.”

The latter group includes “I’m a Believer,” “A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You,” “Solitary Man,” “Red Red Wine,” and more.

The deal builds on Universal Music’s existing relationship with Diamond, as the company has served as his publishing administrator since 2014.  But also, Diamond has been in that company’s family since the 1970s when his first hits were on Uni Records and then MCA Records. Diamond was already such a force in the 1960s that he was tapped to introduce Elton John a new Uni artist.  in 1970 at the Troubadour.

Universal can do a lot with Neil Diamond’s songs. There’s already a musical about his life opening in Boston in June. And a tribute album would make sense (they better include Micky Dolenz).

 

Apple (TV Plus, Studios) Wins Four Big Awards at SAG, May Beat Netflix, Amazon to Oscar

Roger Friedman
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Apple (TV Plus, Studios) Wins Four Big Awards at SAG, May Beat Netflix, Amazon to Oscar

Apple — what do I call it? TV Plus? Studios? — whatever it is, Apple won four huge SAG Awards tonight and may beat Netflix and Amazon to the Oscars Best Picture.

“CODA” won Best Ensemble and Troy Kotsur won Best Supporting Actor tonight. It’s major. “CODA” snatched Ensemble from “Power of the Dog,” “Belfast,” and all the others. It’s now got the inside track for Best Picture.

Apple TV also picked up awards for best TV comedy, “Ted Lasso,” and its star, Jason Sudeikis.

At Sundance in January 2021, Apple paid a record $25 million for “CODA.” I don’t think it’s actually played in a movie theater yet but it will this weekend, for free, first come, first served. Check your theaters.

“CODA” has just been on Apple TV since last fall. There are huge numbers of people yet to see it and fall in love with it.

But what a crazy upset. Netflix has put everything into the campaign for “The Power of the Dog.” “Belfast” has been a front runner. I thought “West Side Story” would be this year’s blockbuster.

“CODA” is the movie with the Big Idea, as it turns out. It’s also beloved by anyone who sees it.

And now the race is on.

The 28th ANNUAL SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS® RECIPIENTS

The Motion Picture Winners are:
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role
WILL SMITH / Richard Williams – “KING RICHARD”

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role
JESSICA CHASTAIN / Tammy Faye Bakker – “THE EYES OF TAMMY FAYE”

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role
TROY KOTSUR / Frank Rossi – “CODA”

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role
ARIANA DeBOSE / Anita – “WEST SIDE STORY”

Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
CODA
EUGENIO DERBEZ / Bernardo Villalobos
DANIEL DURANT / Leo Rossi
EMILIA JONES / Ruby Rossi
TROY KOTSUR / Frank Rossi
MARLEE MATLIN / Jackie Rossi
FERDIA WALSH-PEELO / Miles

The Television Program Winners are:
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series
MICHAEL KEATON / Dr. Samuel Finnix – “DOPESICK”

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series
KATE WINSLET / Mare Sheehan – “MARE OF EASTTOWN”

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series
LEE JUNG-JAE / Seong Gi-hun – “SQUID GAME”

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series
JUNG HO-YEON / Kang Sae-byeok – “SQUID GAME”

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series
JASON SUDEIKIS / Ted Lasso – “TED LASSO”

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series
JEAN SMART / Deborah Vance – “HACKS”

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
SUCCESSION
HIAM ABBASS / Marcia Roy
NICHOLAS BRAUN / Greg Hirsch
JULIANA CANFIELD / Jess Jordan
BRIAN COX / Logan Roy
KIERAN CULKIN / Roman Roy
DAGMARA DOMINCZYK / Karolina Novotney
PETER FRIEDMAN / Frank Vernon
JIHAE / Berry Schneider
JUSTINE LUPE / Willa
MATTHEW MACFADYEN / Tom Wambsgans
DASHA NEKRASOVA / Comfrey Pellits
SCOTT NICHOLSON / Colin
DAVID RASCHE / Karl Muller
ALAN RUCK / Connor Roy
J. SMITH-CAMERON / Gerri Kellman
SARAH SNOOK / Shiv Roy
FISHER STEVENS / Hugo Baker
JEREMY STRONG / Kendall Roy
ZOË WINTERS / Kerry Castellabate

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
TED LASSO
ANNETTE BADLAND / Mae
KOLA BOKINNI / Isaac McAdoo
PHIL DUNSTER / Jamie Tartt
CRISTO FERNÁNDEZ / Dani Rojas
BRETT GOLDSTEIN / Roy Kent
BRENDAN HUNT / Coach Beard
TOHEEB JIMOH / Sam Obisanya
NICK MOHAMMED / Nathan Shelley
SARAH NILES / Dr. Sharon Fieldstone
JASON SUDEIKIS / Ted Lasso
JEREMY SWIFT / Leslie Higgins
JUNO TEMPLE / Keeley Jones
HANNAH WADDINGHAM / Rebecca Welton

The Stunt Ensemble Winners are:

Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture
“NO TIME TO DIE”

Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Comedy or Drama Series
“SQUID GAME”

The 57th Annual SAG Life Achievement Award
Helen Mirren

“Euphoria” Season 2 Ends on Hopeful Note, But Also with a Violent Shoot out and Arrest

Roger Friedman
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“Euphoria” Season 2 Ends on Hopeful Note, But Also with a Violent Shoot out and Arrest

“Euphoria’ Season came to an end tonight– and it’s good news, bad news.

Rue lived. She’s clean. But someone died.

SPOILER ALERT

 

 

 

 

 

 

In a terrible violent shootout, Ashtray was killed in a shootout with the police after brutally murdering the drug dealer.  The police arrive, kill him and wound Fezco, possibly fatally. (We don’t know what happens for certain.)

All the other main characters survived, although Nate watched his father get arrested after turning him in.

Sam Levinson wrote a hopeful end for Rue so the series could come back for Season 3 if possible. But if not, the good guys won. The bad guys and iffy guys got punished. And Lexi finally saw the curtain come down on her play.

Lots of drama. Ratings come in tomorrow night.

 

UPDATING SAG Awards: “CODA,” Will Smith, Jessica Chastain, “Succession,” “Squid Game” Actors, Jean Smart, Ariana DeBose, Troy Kotsur, Jason Sudeikis, “Ted Lasso”

Roger Friedman
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UPDATING SAG Awards: “CODA,” Will Smith, Jessica Chastain, “Succession,” “Squid Game” Actors, Jean Smart, Ariana DeBose, Troy Kotsur, Jason Sudeikis, “Ted Lasso”

Biggest surprise so far at the SAG Awards: The Korean stars of Netflix’s “Squid Game” won Best Actor and Actress in a Drama. Respectively Lee Jung-Jae and Ho Yeon Jung.  Gobsmacked? That’s the power of the Netflix PR department.

HBO’s “Succession”won Best Drama Ensemble, TV.

In movies, Ariana DeBose from “West Side Story” is Best Supporting Actress. Troy Kotsur, from “CODA,” is the first deaf person to win a SAG for Best Supporting Actor.

Best Actress — Jessica Chastain, “The Eyes of Tammy Faye”

Best Actor- Will Smith, “King Richard”

Best Ensemble: “CODA” — Puts Apple TV Plus release in front runner position for the Oscar.

In comedy TV, Jean Smart won Best Actress for “Hacks,” Jason Sudeikis Best Actor for “Ted Lasso.” “Ted Lasso” also is Best Comedy Ensemble.

The spectacular Helen Mirren received the Lifetime Achievement Award.

keep refreshing..

Box Office: $28 Mil More for Tom Holland Movies, “Cyrano” Gets Smaller, “Dog” Has A Pedigree

Roger Friedman
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Box Office: $28 Mil More for Tom Holland Movies, “Cyrano” Gets Smaller, “Dog” Has A Pedigree

Box office:

Tom Holland racked up almost $29 million more in sales this weekend between “Uncharted” ($23.25 mil) and “Spider Man” ($5.75 million). Wherever he is, he must be happy, eating bon bons and racing Bugatti’s around his driveway.

“Cyrano,” as predicted, died a million deaths with just $1.4 million for three days– and I’ll bet that gets revised lower on Monday.

Channing Tatum was the other big winner of the weekend. Low budget, family friendly “Dog” has barked up all the right trees. Taking in $30 Million in two weeks, costing little, “Dog” is a nice set up for Tatum’s coming Sandra Bullock romantic adventure “The Lost City.” Should be a hit if handled correctly. Paramount needs it.

Jennifer Lopez’s “Marry Me” finally crossed the $20 million mark after three weeks. I hope no one bought a wedding gift.

And “Big Gold Brick’? No one knows what’s happened to this one. I also didn’t realize that on top of being a dud, it’s 132 minutes! Oy vey! We’ll see it on a plane.

 

John Mulaney Turns a Year of Lemons into Lemonade with “SNL” Triumph, Sold Out Tour

Roger Friedman
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John Mulaney Turns a Year of Lemons into Lemonade with “SNL” Triumph, Sold Out Tour

Last night John Mulaney returned to “Saturday Night Live” clear and sober. He had a triumph hosting for his fifth time. A year ago, Mulaney was getting ready to perform in clubs after two stints in rehab, the collapse of his marriage, and the revelation of his relationship with Olivia Munn.

But now he has turned lemons into lemonade. The man who hosted “SNL” last night is a 180 degree turn from the guy I saw on stage last year at City Winery in New York who brought his interventionist to the show, dressed like he was in junior high school, and told a basically very sad story to the audience hoping for laughs.

Mulaney’s hosting last night was so good it brought the whole show back to life. And it didn’t hurt Mulaney’s ticket sales for his coming tour which begins next week. Most of his shows are sold out or close to it. He has three nights scheduled for Madison Square Garden — kind of a leap from small clubs and theaters. The first two are sold, and the third should move pretty fast now that the TV audience has seen him in action.

Highlights from last night include Mulaney’s trademark Broadway musical parody, the five-timer meeting with Steve Martin, Candice Bergen, Paul Rudd, Conan O’Brien, and Tina Fey, and the final sketch of the night, a dance number with his Black girlfriend’s family. All of them were pure genius. It’s such a relief to write that John Mulaney is back.

Shout outs to the “SNL” writers who made the night sing, especially Colin Jost, Dan Bulla and Bryan Tucker.

 

 

Jennifer Hudson Wins Best Actress, Entertainer of the Year at NAACP Image Awards, “Harder They Fall” Best Picture

Roger Friedman
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Jennifer Hudson Wins Best Actress, Entertainer of the Year at NAACP Image Awards, “Harder They Fall” Best Picture

The NAACP Image Awards just ended and the big winner was Jennifer Hudson. It’s the best news of a bleak week!

JHud won Best Actress for playing Aretha Franklin in “Respect.” She also won Entertainer of the Year. And she deserved each of those awards. No one worked more tirelessly during the last year. Bravo!

Netflix’s “The Harder They Fall” scored an upset win for Best Motion Picture over “King Richard.” But Will Smith won Best Actor playing Richard Williams, father of Serena and Venus Williams.

Anthony Anderson won Best Actor in a TV Comedy for “Blackish.” Issa Rae won Best Actress for “Insecure.”

Paula Patton presented an award. Why isn’t she a huge star?

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made an appearance to get some honorarium. They donated a bunch of money from their Archewell Foundation and now they’ll give a joint award every year.

The NAACP Image Awards had a glaring omission in their In Memoriam section. I don’t know if it was on purpose, but they left out the great Sidney Miller, king of Black radio, who died recently at age 89. Here’s the link to the New York Times obit, which ran A MONTH late. Disgraceful. But more disgraceful that the NAACP forgot him.

PS Mary J Blige performed on the show, and she was sensational.

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