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Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn Star in “One Battle After Another,” The Front Runner for Best Picture Nominee for This Year, But Shhhh

Roger Friedman
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Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn Star in “One Battle After Another,” The Front Runner for Best Picture Nominee for This Year, But Shhhh

LOL.

The likely Best Picture for next March’s Oscars has likely been found.

“One Battle After Another,” directed by “Boogie Nights” helmer Paul Thomas Anderson, opens September 26th.

Last night, the Warner Brothers release had a premiere in Los Angeles. They filled up the gigantic Chinese theater on Sunset Boulevard. No less than Steven Spielberg interviewed PTA on stage and raved about the film.

Reviews are improbably embargoed until September 17th. Social media posts were allowed to start posting last night. Film Twitter, as we call it, exploded.

I was lucky to see “One Battle” — which stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Sean Penn — on Friday morning last week.

Last night, I posted to Twitter: “Warner Bros caps off an incredible year with a sensational adaptation of a gonzo Thomas Pynchon novel by Paul Thomas Anderson. One Battle After Another is thrilling funny, and insightful. DiCaprio and Penn are sublime. So is Jonny Greenwood score. This is big, kids, no kidding”

I wasn’t alone. Every post is glowing. PTA adapted the legendary novelist Thomas Pynchon’s novel, “Vineland” for “One Battle.” But instead of a direct transfer, Anderson really took its essence and some of the basic plot and reworked it even changing all the characters’ names. He also gave the screenplay structure that the book didn’t have, unlike his last Pynchon adaptation, “Inherent Vice” (which I like to call “Incoherent Vice”).

So we can post a formal review until the 17th. It’s going be a stealth whisper campaign until then to pique the interest of movie goers. I saw “One Battle” on IMAX, which is recommended. In a few places you can see it was it meant be, on 70MM. PTA shot in VistaVision, a wide screen format rarely seen anymore.

Besides DiCaprio and Sean Penn, the cast includes a sensational newcomer Chase Infiniti, plus a supporting cast that includes Teyana Taylor, Benicio del Toro, and Regina Hall. The soundtrack is from Jonny Greenwood, as I said in the Twitter post, and it’s a knockout.

All of these people are headed to awards podiums this winter. And unlike with some previous Best Picture winners with hot dog fingers, this one will be celebrated by everyone.

“One Battle” is a drama with a lot of comedy. But while you’re waiting, you can rent/stream Sidney Lumet’s wonderful “Running on Empty” from a long time ago to get the flavor of it in advance. You can also listen to Gil Scot-Heron’s “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised” on Spotify, or watch “Green Acres” for fun on MeTV.

Trump on the Run: Appeals Court Reaffirms $83 Mil Judgment for E. Jean Carroll, Epstein Estate Sends Congress Slimy Birthday Card

Roger Friedman
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Trump on the Run: Appeals Court Reaffirms $83 Mil Judgment for E. Jean Carroll, Epstein Estate Sends Congress Slimy Birthday Card

Two encouraging pieces of news today.

Just now, the Wall Street Journal reports that Jeffrey Epstein’s estate lawyers have turned Trump’s slimy birthday greeting to their dead client over to Congress.

The letter, typed out over the drawn outline of a naked woman, confirms the two predators’ friendship. See below. Also link to story (register for free).

At the same time, a final ruling has come from the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reaffirming E. Jean Carroll’s $83 million judgement in her sexual harassment case.

“[W]e conclude that Trump has failed to identify any grounds that would warrant reconsidering our prior holding on presidential immunity. We also conclude that the district court did not err in any of the challenged rulings and that the jury’s damages awards are fair and reasonable,” the ruling said.

“The record in this case supports the district court’s determination that the ‘the degree of reprehensibility’ of Mr. Trump’s conduct was remarkably high, perhaps unprecedented,” the three-judge panel found, referring to the punitive damages award against the president.

MAGA your president sent this to Jeffrey Epstein. Trump denied it existed. But here it ’tis:

 

 

Trump Attacks Tom Hanks, Huge Supporter of Veterans, Insults NBC’s Highly Regarded Journalist Yamiche Alcindor

Roger Friedman
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Trump Attacks Tom Hanks, Huge Supporter of Veterans, Insults NBC’s Highly Regarded Journalist Yamiche Alcindor

Donald Trump is such a little man, he has no respect for anyone.

Over the weekend he belittled the very fine and respected journalist Yamiche Alcindor when she asked him a question in front of the White House. Trump, in the video below, calls her “darling” and tells her to be quiet. I give her credit for not popping him in the nose.

Also in the last few days, West Point — surely at his direction — rescinded an honor for two time Oscar winner Tom Hanks. Hanks has done more to support veterans and promote their legacy than 99% of all Americans, most especially Trump.

This morning, Trump called Hanks “woke.”

PS Yesterday, Trump was booed and fell asleep with a pill in his mouth at the US Open. He left 90 minutes into the match.

And on we go…

Shocker: “Girls” Star Zosia Mamet Says She Quit “Mad Men” at 19 After Abuse from the Unnamed Showrunner (Matthew Weiner)

Roger Friedman
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Shocker: “Girls” Star Zosia Mamet Says She Quit “Mad Men” at 19 After Abuse from the Unnamed Showrunner (Matthew Weiner)

Wow.

Zosia Mamet, the actress who starred in “Girls,” has written a memoir of her still short career in Hollywood called “Does This Make Me Funny?”

An excerpt in the Hollywood Reporter doesn’t name names. But Mamet says she quit a hot TV show when she as 19 after on set abuse from the showrunner.

The show is obviously “Mad Men,” and the show runner Matthew Weiner, who had a terrible reputation with actresses.

Mamet — daughter of Lindsay Crouse and David Mamet — lays it out. “The show’s creator and showrunner was an intense human. He directed some episodes every season but not all of them. This one was being directed by someone else. The showrunner wasn’t always around, but when he was, the entire vibe of the set would change, as if a cold front had swept the soundstage. I never entirely understood why. He was definitely spirited and opinionated, but there’s way worse than that in Hollywood. I had always thought there was maybe something I was missing.”

It gets worse. The show runner berates her for something minor while shooting to the point where Mamet called her agent and refused to return.

She recalls: “I ran into that showrunner at the Emmys a few years later. Both of our shows were nominated. He pretended not to know who I was. They swept the awards that night and part of me resented him for that. But you know, he hasn’t really made anything since. And sometimes I think about him sitting in his office alone feeling sad and angry and anxious and wondering if everyone’s forgotten him, and for a moment it makes me feel sorry for him, feel compassion for him, hope that his life isn’t too bad…”

Just Revealed: John Lennon-Yoko Ono Letter to Paul & Linda McCartney Offered Olive Branch After Beatles Breakup

Roger Friedman
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Just Revealed: John Lennon-Yoko Ono Letter to Paul & Linda McCartney Offered Olive Branch After Beatles Breakup

Just revealed: In 1972 John Lennon & Yoko Ono wrote to Paul and Linda McCartney (using the pseudonyms Sonny and Cher O’Lennon) asking them to join the Plastic Ono Band and The Rolling Stones for a charity concert at Madison Square Garden to support Ireland.

John and Yoko were prompted by the McCartneys single with Wings called “Give Ireland Back to the Irish.” He also asked them then later to play at the One To One concert in support of the children at the scandalous Willowbrook State School on Staten Island.

Lennon may have also have gotten the idea from George Harrison’s Concert for Bangla Desh a year earlier, in which one of the artists participated.

The letter is included in the book from the “Power to the People” Box set Sean Lennon is releasing shortly that includes remastered audio and video from the “One to One” shows.

“Let’s forget our past and save some people!” John wrote in the letter. He also says he’s spoken to Mick Jagger. He adds, “Good luds, anyway, we’re proud of you!”

That last line will come as a shock to Beatles historians who are convinced Lennon and McCartney were still at war in 1972 after the band’s acrimonious break up.

Alas, Wings and the Stones did not join the Lennons. We’ll have to ask them if they responded to the letter.

There’s a nice little dig at the bottom, by the way: “No A.K. at MSG if it’s uncool” — means no Allen Klein, the lawyer who Lennon used to break up the Beatles (and McCartney hated) and who also held onto the Stones’ catalog, forcing them to leave it behind and sign with Atlantic Records a year earlier (Jagger hated him, too).

But even that was no inducement!

Lady Gaga, Ozzy Osbourne Get Immediate Chart Push from VMAs, But No Love for Ariana Grande (Who Won Best Video) or Mariah

Roger Friedman
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Lady Gaga, Ozzy Osbourne Get Immediate Chart Push from VMAs, But No Love for Ariana Grande (Who Won Best Video) or Mariah

The MTV Video Music Awards were like a sewer fest at best. It was like watching cars pile up in a highway disaster.

The show helped a couple of the performers sell records over night, but not many.

The VMAs named an Ariana Grande song Best Video of the Year. However, no one knows the song — called “Brighter Days Ahead.” It was never a chart hit, and still isn’t. There’s no sign of it on the iTunes Top 100 today.

Also, the “Brighter Days” video is not just a three minute deal. It’s over 20 minutes, a long form video, so you’d think that would be another category.

Mariah Carey also didn’t get any bounce. She performed an underwhelming medley of some hits and moved like she’d just been awakened from a coma. The result is none of those songs appearing on the Top 100 this morning. If she’d just sung her one big number, “Vision of Love,” something might have happened.

On the other hand, the VMAs were very kind to Lady Gaga. Watching her amazing live performance from Madison Square Garden, viewers have put five of her songs onto the top 100 including the two she performed, “Abracadabra” and “The Dead Dance.” It also helped “Die with a Smile,” her duet with Bruno Mars that continues its chart stay after months and months.

Ozzy Osbourne made out okay. The tribute to him has sent his songs back onto the chart, especially “Mama I’m Coming Home.” Steven Tyler and Joe Perry were so terrific performing it, it sent fans right to their phones.

Ratings? We’ll see…

Howard Stern Possible Exit Was All A PR Stunt, Pulled Prank Today with Andy Cohen, Says: “I’m very happy at Sirius” (Watch)

Roger Friedman
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Howard Stern Possible Exit Was All A PR Stunt, Pulled Prank Today with Andy Cohen, Says: “I’m very happy at Sirius” (Watch)

Whoever first reported that Howard Stern might leave Sirius XM was either duped or in on a PR stunt.

Howard is staying at the satellite radio company. After four weeks of mishegos, Howard said this morning: “I’m very happy with Sirius.”

At the same time he started today’s show with Andy Cohen opening the show, claiming he’d taken over for Howard.

But it was a prank.

Was it just to drive up listeners for Howard’s return? It seems so. Maybe it worked. It Certainly got the press attention, with lots of “ink” spilled on a subject that was as valid as the Liam Neeson-Pamela Anderson dating story. I warned you about each of these rumors. But people like to be duped (look at the White House).

Anyway, Howard’s back, he wasn’t going anywhere, he and Sirius need each other.

What a relief!

CBS Foreshadows Its Own Fall from Grace By Putting on the Grotesque MTV Video Music Awards, Saved Only By Lady Gaga

Roger Friedman
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CBS Foreshadows Its Own Fall from Grace By Putting on the Grotesque MTV Video Music Awards, Saved Only By Lady Gaga

The MTV Video Music Awards were the usual crap fest tonight, a Halloween gone amuck.

When it’s only shown on MTV, that’s ok. The cheap looks, soft porn, white trash performances and costumes, as well as the scripted awards and lip synching are at home there.

But this year Paramount put them on CBS, where on a Sunday night the audience is looking for “Tracker” or “The Equalizer.” This must have been a rude awakening for their core viewers who weren’t expecting strip dancing to generic disco.

The whole thing was ridiculous. Mariah Carey performed looking like she’d been embalmed when receiving the Video Vanguard Award. Her body does not move as she sails from mark to mark on stage. She looked as though she suffered from some kind of paralysis. Some of it she sang live, some I don’t think so. It was all to plug her upcoming album. Let’s hope it helps.

Jessica Simpson looked great. I don’t think she sang, but she’s had a complete body overhaul: New face, new eyes. She was never an actual music star. Simpson is now 45 years old. What can she do? Maybe try country music, although I think that was attempted years ago and didn’t work.

For me there were two highlights. One was Lady Gaga who, usual showed creativity and thought in her presentation. She sang “Abracadabra” and “The Dead Dance.” It may have been taped earlier to accommodate her MSG show. But her voice was clear and mellifluous and she executed an actual idea. What a relief.

There was a crazy tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, mostly by this shirtless guy called Yungblud who was overselling mall popularity. He was underwhelming. But when the glorious Steven Tyler and Joe Perry played “Mama, I’m Coming Home,” the showed the power of being a well worn rock star. Perry jammed away and Tyler sang his head off. He’s had all kinds of vocal and health problems, but he shined tonight.

Again, on MTV, who cares? No clothes, no problem. Provocative dancing, semi-porn, go for it. Ads from Doritos and Dunkin. Sure. But on CBS, formerly the Tiffany Network, this was really embarrassing. No high end ads tonight. And the awards — lol. If you were there, you got one. Just like the American Music Awards. All brokered. Ariana Grande had her whole family and pages of acceptance speeches ready. What a shock!

Is this the future of CBS? No more Grammys after January. Tony Awards? Who knows? Kennedy Center Honors? Trump is hosting, which will be like an event with the Insane Clown Posse. Nothing lasts forever, I guess.

Can’t wait to see the ratings and how they’re spun!

Global Citizen Concert Reduced to The Weeknd, Shakira Headliners, Charging At Least $2,500 for “Ultimate VIP Experience”

Roger Friedman
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Global Citizen Concert Reduced to The Weeknd, Shakira Headliners, Charging At Least $2,500 for “Ultimate VIP Experience”

Little by little, shady Global Citizen has seen its big Central Park concert whittled down.

On Sunday September 27, Global Citizen has been reduced to featuring The Weeknd, Shakira, and Tyla. The superstars are gone, the rock bands like Coldplay, and so on. It’s a sad story since last year’s line up was Post Malone, Doja Cat, Jelly Roll, Rauw Alejandro, LISA, Benson Boone, and RAYE.

Still set to show up is Hugh Jackman, who doesn’t seem to get it.

Global Citizen — which boasts salaries in the millions now including upwards of $520,000 for CEO Hugh Evans — is about nothing but pretends to be saving the world. In the three years of the Ukraine war, they’ve said nothing. Ditto two years of the Israel-Hamas-Gaza conflict.

The concert will be shown streaming live on YouTube and Amazon and a few other platforms. But the broadcast TV component looks like it’s gone for good as no one ever watched it.

Charity Navigator has finally caught up with Global Citizen and lowered its rating to 85% or three stars. I think that’s being very kind.

On its Form 990 for 2023, Global Citizen listed 10 employees with salaries over $200,000. Two more were were just under that number. Evans is the highest paid, but runner up is Elizabeth Henshaw, for $419,000. Total salary or compensation for the top execs came to $2.4 million. All salaries ran up to over $13 million.

If you’re going to put on massive rock shows, you have to pay someone to do it. In 2023, Global Citizen paid Live Nation Paris almost $4.7 million stage a concert. They also paid producers Done & Dusted almost $6 million.

Meantime, grants paid out to the poor, starving, etc were reduced by over $1 million to just $3.6 million. In other words, the money they sent to the people they were allegedly helping was less than what they paid to put on their shows. Got that?

And who will show up in Central Park to stand for hours and pay $89? The line up this year is decidedly urban and Latino. But how much of that community will take a chance that ICE isn’t laying in wait for them?

So here we go again, although it seems like people are finally wising up.

Watch Trump Get Booed at US Open While Bruce Springsteen, Sting, Ben Stiller, Courteney Cox Steal the Show

Roger Friedman
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Watch Trump Get Booed at US Open While Bruce Springsteen, Sting, Ben Stiller, Courteney Cox Steal the Show

What a humiliating afternoon for Donald Trump.

He caused the US Open to start 45 minutes late. Half the crowd with tickets couldn’t get in because of extra security.

When Trump appeared in the arena, he was loudly booed. Seated fans posted all over social media.

On ABC, the announcers never said his name. If the cameras cut to him, they just said, First sitting president at the US Open. He came with staff, not a single family member. No wife, no son, nada.

Meanwhile, Arthur Ashe Stadium was filled with celebrities who the fans wanted to see. A superstar combo was Bruce Springsteen — with daughter Jennifer — and Sting, with his good friend Shaggy. (They put on uite a show yesterday in Philadelphia.)

Other stars at the US Open: Ben Stiller and wife Christine Taylor, Courtney Cox, and so on.

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