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Christie Brinkley’s Porn-Loving Ex Is King of Da-Nile

Roger Friedman
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Nothing Christie Brinkley can do will rid her of Peter Cook.

Months ago, I was told by insiders about Cook’s latest attack on Brinkley in what should have been a closed divorce case.

You remember Cook, and so, too, does the judge in their case. Cook is the guy who had an underage girlfriend while he was married to Brinkley. He also liked porn, and used to watch it on his stepson’s computer, naked, while pleasuring himself. We know this because he admitted it in court two years ago.

Last year, the same stepson was supposed to go on a school trip to Egypt. (Yes, I know: only kids in the Hamptons take these sort of trips. We thought going to the Peabody Museum in New Haven was a big deal.) Cook is dragging Brinkley into court, claiming that she purposely made the kid miss the trip by failing to provide his passport.

For months, I’ve heard, this is one of Cook’s many efforts to embarrass Brinkley. Would she actually make her son miss a big trip like that? Cook is the King of Da-Nile if he really believes that, friends say.

Indeed, if Cook presses this case, there’s a chance the judge will bring in a significant witness: 13 year old Jack, the boy in question. Apparently he knows what happened. In one of those suburban car chases that involve exes delivering things to mailboxes, etc, the son is well aware that Brinkley left his passport, as ordered by Cook, in his mailbox. Where it went after that, only Cook ‘ or his mailman ‘ knows.

Why this case is set to proceed next week is anyone’s guess. Brinkley’s side says it’s “frivolous.” That’s an understatement.’ Brinkley, meantime, remains Sphinx-like until she testifies. Cook, however, has his porn to help him walk like an Egyptian. He should see that the writing is on the wall.

Michael Jackson Movie May Not Have Advance Screenings

Roger Friedman
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The film about Michael Jackson’s tour rehearsals, “This Is It,” is being kept fairly secret right up until its opening.

“This Is It” is set to open on Wednesday, October 28th, released into theaters for two weeks by Sony. But so far no advance screenings have been scheduled other than one for the cast and crew, in Los Angeles, on Monday the 26th. The location is being kept hush-hush, too.

One screening for the Jackson family was cancelled, I am told, when Michael’s brother Randy insisted on bringing a guest. Sony said no, and the screening proceeded without any family members.

Many showings of “This Is It” have already sold out in advance. Sony is readying a CD soundtrack which will be released the same week, to capitalize on the film’s popularity.

A source who’s been working on “This Is It” told me yesterday: “The tragedy is, the film is great. The public is finally going to appreciate Michael Jackson, and it’s too late.”

Meantime, the book of Michael Jackson taped interviews, by Shmuley Boteach, has not been much of a hit. It’s listed around number 332 on amazon.com. The average customer review is 2 out of 5 stars.

Hugh Jackman, Kate Winslet: Secret Project; Jude Law Rules Broadway

Roger Friedman
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The biggest news on Broadway last night, besides Jude Law’s stunning debut in “Hamlet,” is that Kate Winslet and Hugh Jackman have been making short film together. Shhhh. It’s a secret. No one knows what it is or why they’re doing it. Maybe it will become clearer now. Just a weird note, because Winslet would be perfect in the film version of “A Steady Rain,” the play in which Jackman is now appearing with Daniel Craig on Broadway. I’m just sayin’…

Even Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes, Kate’s husband, didn’t seem to know much about it as he arrived for “Hamlet.” The opening was a little celeb-starved, surprisingly. Janet McTeer, Natalie Portman, hit songwriter Desmond Child, Victor Garber, and Barbara Walters were pretty much the extent of it.

A lot of A listers will be kicking themselves, too, when they see the reviews for Jude as the haunted Danish Prince. He’s terrific, and holds his own carrying this three-hour Donmar Warehouse production directed by Michael Grandage and written by, you know, William Shakespeare.

While this “Hamlet” comes with a strong British cast ‘ I particularly liked Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Ophelia and Kevin R. McNally as Claudius. But it’s Jude who has the most to prove after appearing in countless mostly middling movies, trying hard to be a movie star and at the same time finding himself in constant tabloid hell. (If you don’t know it, a past, short-term lover just gave birth to his fourth child.)

Most tabloid celebs don’t have the goods, and when it comes down to it, are famous for being famous. Not Jude Law. He first came to prominence on Broadway in “Indiscretions” (1995) last on a bill featuring Kathleen Turner, Roger Rees and Cynthia Nixon. Fourteen years later, he returns to New York theater and makes a splash. This is no simple or easy project. This is a whole “Hamlet,” with very little trimmed. The second act is longer than the first, and Law seems to grow even livelier as the play continues. He has the goods. This “Hamlet” will do a lot to advance his career as a serious actor.

He isn’t as haunted as some other Hamlets I’ve seen in recent years, like Kevin Kline or Liev Schreiber. Law’s Hamlet is less overwhelmed by his father’s ghost than angry about his mother’s affair with his uncle two months after the father’s death. But “Hamlet” is a play of depths, with a lot of issues to explore. It’s all going to end the same way anyway. And you can’t help but feel for him at the play’s conclusion.

FYI the last time “Hamlet’ was on Broadway, he was played by Ralph Fiennes. It seems like yesterday, but it was the spring of 1995 ‘ the same time Jude Law was making his debut down the street.

Streisand Beats Mariah, By A Nose

Roger Friedman
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streisand barbra 250x300 Streisand Beats Mariah, By A NoseThe CD sales for last week are in, and the winner is: Barbra Streisand.

Streisand sold 176,000 CDs compared to Mariah Carey’s 172,000. It’s just four thousand copies. You could say Streisand beat Carey by a nose!

The two divas are surrounded, however, by contemporary rock groups. Paramore came in at No. 1, Breaking Benjamin at No. 4, and Alice in Chains at No. 5.

Still, for Streisand especially it’s a nice win. Her “Love is the Answer” album, produced by Tommy LiPuma and Diana Krall, was marketed brilliantly with her Village Vanguard show in New York. The CD will likely not sustain a high level in coming weeks, but for a debut, it’s excellent.

Carey, of course, will have a long run on the charts with “Memoirs of An Imperfect Angel.” Her Foreigner cover single is a hit, and Carey has many more to come. Plus she’ll have a lot of extra publicity from her movie, “Precious,” next month.

Elsewhere on the top 50, the Beatles are still selling! Their four biggest albums–remastered versions of Sgt.Pepper, Abbey Road, the White Album, and Revolver — are all on the charts. But buyer beware: get the Beatles stereo box set. It has everything, and is totally worth it. I’ve just spent a few days listening to the “Past Masters” CD in the box, with the singles versions of “Let it Be,” “Across the Universe,” and “Love Me Do.” Nothing better!

One More Best Actress Possibility: Abbie Cornish

Roger Friedman
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cornish abbie 250x300 One More Best Actress Possibility: Abbie CornishI’m getting flack for not including Abbie Cornish, star of Jane Campion’s “Bright Star,” in the Oscar mix!

Sure, toss her name into the game. We’ve already got “Precious” star Gabby Sidibe, Meryl Streep, Carey Mulligan, Hilary Swank, Penelope Cruz, and a few others. To think that a couple of months ago this category looked slight. No more!

Cornish was very good in the second “Elizabeth” movie with Cate Blanchett. Somehow that film wound up getting trashed — it was wrong, I think — and Cornish had to start over. She was also unfortunately part of a Hollywood soap opera in the divorce of Ryan Phillippe from Reese Witherspoon. Well, Hollywood is baptism by fire!

Cornish is currently shooting “Sucker Punch,” the Zack Snyder film with a big cast including Oscar Isaac, Jon Hamm, Carla Gugino and Vanessa Hudgens. But I do think “Bright Star” will make a comeback in awards season, and look our for Miss Cornish. She may just surprise us all.

Sharon Stone Bringing Star Parade to the Hamptons

Roger Friedman
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For once, the Hamptons International Film Festival looks good. It starts Thursday and runs through the weekend, with Sharon Stone leading a parade of celebs to the beach.

One exciting thing: “Solitary Man,” the Brian Koppleman–David Levien movie featuring Michael Douglas in a standout performance, is the festival’s centerpiece. I loved this film in Toronto, and can’t wait for it to get a distributor. Is there no Pauline Kael out there to champion this tough little movie? If this were 1977, “Solitary Man” would be a must see. Owen Gleiberman, where are you?

A few months ago I had a quick bite with the new Hamptons director Karen Arikian. She promised there would be an overhaul of the HIFF, with fewer films from other festivals and more stars. After all, the Hamptons are always written about as if they’re Hollywood East. (They’re not, but hey.) Arikian has come through on her promise.

They’re going to have parties, seminars, and screenings with stars galore. Susan Sarandon and Pierce Brosnan in “The Greatest,” another terrific film featuring hot newcomer Carey Mulligan. And the closing film is Terry Gilliam’s superb “Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus” with Heath Ledger in his final performance helped out by Jude Law, Johnny Depp, and Colin Farrell.

Me, I’m going to the Sunday “Conversation with Steve Buscemi” at Guild Hall. He’s one of the smartest actors-directors-producers around, and his wife Jo is really nice, too.

Oliver Stone Gets An Education from Carey Mulligan

Roger Friedman
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Oliver Stone has started shooting “Wall Street 2″ with Carey Mulligan. Sort of. There are rumors that the film hasn’t had a smooth take off, but that it’s finally in the air, so to speak.

Stone turned up last night for the first of three premiere screenings this week of “An Education,” the film that should earn newcomer Carey Mulligan a Best Actress nomination. Mulligan is also starring against Shia LaBeouf in “Wall Street 2.” Accompanying the director was his famous French mother, Jacqueline, who couldn’t praise Mulligan more. She loved “An Education.”

Stone held forth after the film ended at Brasserie 8 1/2 with several members of the press as well as Maggie Gyllenhaal and Peter Sarsgaard. The latter is mesmerizing and charming as Mulligan’s con man suitor in “An Education.” He’s also primed for some award action in the film, which opens Friday. Lone Scherfig’s movie is one of the best of the year, Like “Precious,” it made its debut last January at Sundance and has been waiting for a chance to entice audiences.

Along with Stone and Mulligan came LaBeouf, who’s been rumored to be in a real life romance with Mulligan while they’re making “Wall Street 2.” You know how these things go. And in predictable old-school fashion, the young actors seemed not be getting along, which got everyone talking. Who knows what’s going on?

Stone is excited about “Wall Street 2.” He says Charlie Sheen may indeed make a cameo. I got the sense that the decision comes down to his fee. (Charlie ‘ do it!) Michael Douglas is making his return as Gordon Gekko, but Stone is also excited about La Beouf. “Wait til you see him in this film,” he crowed. No word on whether Sylvia Miles will return as a high powered realtor, but it would be hilarious if she did ‘ and a nice touch. Twenty years ago she was sort of playing Linda Stein, realtor to the stars. Stein was murdered last year in real life. It could be a cool tribute.

And Carey Mulligan? She’s 24, poised to be the new Audrey Hepburn. If “An Education” is marketed right, she’ll be in awards contention with another newcomer, Gabby Sidibe, from “Precious.” as well as heavy hitters like Meryl Streep, Helen Mirren, and Hilary Swank. How’s she holding up? “I’m just not thinking about it,” Mulligan said sweetly.

‘Spider-Man’ on Broadway May Have Found Its Angels

Roger Friedman
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The much anticipated, magnificently expensive Julie Taymor-directed musical of “Spider-Man,” with music by U2, may have its financial backers.

Sources say that Jim Stern, of Endgame Productions, may fill in the $10 million gap left behind when another Chicago investor, David Garfinkle, had financial trouble a few weeks ago. “Spider-Man: Turn off the Dark” may cost as much as $45 million in the end.

evan rachel wood 196x300 Spider Man on Broadway May Have Found Its AngelsAt the same time, another name in the mix, with Stern, is Norton Herrick, the New Jersey real estate mogul who recently made and distributed the Renee Zellweger film. “My One and Only.”

Herrick has acknowledged that he may be involved. Stern declines to comment.

Stern, who I think is 52 but looks 16, has had a short brilliant run as a Broadway investor after making millions on Wall Street investing in hedge funds. He’s been behind both “The Producers” and “Hairspray,” to name a few. He’s also releasing a great movie this Friday through Sony Pictures Classics. “An Education.” starring Carey Mulligan and Peter Sarsgaard, is a cinch for many Oscar nominations including acting, directing, script, and Best Picture.

Herrick has also been a recent Broadway angel. In the last year, he’s had positions in “Hair,” “Desire Under the Elms,” “9 to 5,” and “Exit the King.”

Stern is an unusual guy. He co-directed the documentary about “A Chorus Line,” called “Every Little Step,” which could also be up for an Oscar this season. In the business, Stern is still an enigma. But expect all that to change soon.

“Spider-Man: Turn off the Dark” stars Evan Rachel Wood (pictured) and Alan Cumming. Sources also tell that Peter Parker has been cast, but not announced. In the musical, only Peter will sing. Spider Man himself will be represented by five different blue and red wall crawlers and flyers. And he will not carry a tune, just a web, and maybe Mary Jane (Wood).

It’s Time for Disney to Give Back the Miramax Name

Roger Friedman
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There was sad news last Friday for the indie film world. Disney is downsizing the new, or faux, Miramax. This is the post-Weinstein Miramax run by the very popular and talented Daniel Battsek since the Weinsteins left to start their own company four years ago.

The plan, according to reports in THR and elsewhere, is for Miramax to be stripped down to nothing but three releases a year. Battsek, who brought plenty of good films into the tent, is staying with the company. But most everyone else is leaving. It’s truly a shame, but it’s also probably a function of Dreamworks coming to Disney. If the Spielberg studio had wound up at Universal, Focus might be the mini that was folded.

So what to do now? It seems like a good time for Disney to give the Miramax name back to the Weinsteins. Either use it or lose it, you know. Miramax is named for the Weinstein parents Miriam and Max. It has nothing to do with Disney. Even now, the Miramax website features the ton of videos left behind by the Weinsteins including two Best Picture winners (”Chicago,” “The English Patient”) and a raft of Oscar nominees (from “Good Will Hunting” to “The Cider House Rules,” “Pulp Fiction,” “In the Bedroom,” “Cinema Paradiso,” etc).

Of course there was a lot of enmity between the Weinsteins and Disney during their divorce. But that was in the day of Michael Eisner. Disney’s Bob Iger is a different person, and the incoming new chief Rich Ross has no history with them. Keeping Miramax would be similar to Disney losing their Buena Vista label. They’d be fighting for it forever.

The Weinsteins haven’t said anything (at least not to me) but if Disney is really whittling the name down to nothing, this would seem like a good time to return it. Disney still keeps all the movies made by Harvey and Bob, and by Daniel. But a legacy is returned in the process. For a company based on old fashioned values, this would be Disney’s ultimate act of family friendliness.

Carrie Fisher: Princess Leia Is Broadway’s Overnight Smash with Hilarious “Wishful Drinking”

Roger Friedman
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Carrie Fisher: Princess Leia Is Broadway’s Overnight Smash with Hilarious “Wishful Drinking”

 

 

Carrie Fisher — a five-foot tall ball of fire  —  may be Broadway’s hottest ticket this morning, more so than even Daniel Craig and Hugh Jackman.

Her side-splittingly funny, knowing and incredibly witty “Wishful Drinking” opened last night to rave reviews and a sold-out celebrity-filled premiere.

In the crowd were Jane Fonda and her beau, famed record producer Richard Perry, plus Jane’s actor son Troy Garity and his wife Simone; Mario Cantone, Patti Lupone, Salman Rushdie (a fan and friend ‘ who knew?), the singer from the Scissor Sisters, plus Tovah Felshuh, Harvey Keitel, Martha Plimpton, Gay and Nan Talese, writer Bruce Wagner, many producers, and media types, plus Pat Mitchell, head of the Paley Center. Carrie’s got a lot of friends in show business, and believe me, they are all going to to want to see her one woman show.

There are many highlights to “Wishful Drinking,” although certainly the biggest production number, as it were, is Carrie’s blackboard filled with pictures of all the adults who comprised her parents’ major soap opera of the early 1960s. She calls it Hollywood Inbreeding 101, and with a pointer Fisher recalls the saga of her parents ‘ Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher, along with Elizabeth Taylor and Mike Todd, extending to Connie Stevens, and various hilarious minor players. She stays just this side of slander as she retells the story that made tabloid headlines more than 40 years ago.

“Think of Eddie as Brad Pitt, Debbie as Jennifer Aniston, and Elizabeth as Angelina Jolie,” Fisher advises the audience. The whole thing is an absolute hoot. (”We’re related by scandal,” she tells her 17 year-old daughter who wonders about Mike Todd’s grandson.)

Of course, there is plenty more: Fisher’s life as Princess Leia of “Star Wars,” her failed marriage to Paul Simon, her failed marriage to talent agent Bryan Lourd, and the real story of how a gay Republican operative died in her Hollywood bed two years ago. Yes, there’s also the many rehab stays and a visit to a mental hospital. You’re kind of surprised there aren’t more of those episodes, all things considered.

There are no villains in Fisher’s monologues. It’s just a look back, with a glib touch, to what happened to her and her family in their pursuit of Hollywood fame and power from meager beginnings in Texas (Reynolds) and South Philly (Fisher). In order to make it fit into something workable, Fisher skips a few chapters: her work on Hollywood films, her roles in “Shampoo,” “When Harry Met Sally,” “Hannah and Her Sisters,” and “SoapDish,” some good tales about other Hollywood friends. There’s plenty for a sequel. But what’s she put on stage is magic. Fisher ‘ though she may not realize it yet ‘ has exceeded her famous parents, shed her Princess Leia hairdo, and solidified her place in showbiz.

P.S. No one has the film rights to “Wishful Drinking.” How is this possible? HBO, Showtime, what’s taking so long?

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