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FBI Releases 300 Pages on Michael Jackson

Roger Friedman
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michael jackson 234x300 FBI Releases 300 Pages on Michael JacksonThe FBI released today some 300 pages on Michael Jackson.

Much of it is a 200-page report from 1992 detailing a crazed stalker who threatened to kill President George H.W. Bush and commit mass murder. The stalker was obsessed with Jackson as well as John Gotti. He was eventually arrested.

The rest of it has to do with the attempt in 2003-06 by Santa Barbara District Attorney Tom Sneddon to try Jackson on child molestation and conspiracy. As everyone knows, Jackson was acquitted in June 2005 after 20 months of hell.

Interestingly, in this FBI file, the notes written indicate that nothing of note was found on Jackson’s computers to convict him.

There are also files from the 1993-94 investigation into child molestation. One interesting note from an FBI officer concerns a Toronto woman who worked in children’s services. She purported to have traveled on the same train as Jackson and his entourage to the Grand Canyon from Chicago. Jackson and his staff got in California and took four compartments. Accompanying Jackson was then-12-year-old Jordan Chandler. The witness said the two seemed extremely close, and that she was concerned about noises coming out of their compartment.

The report says that Jackson had with him a minor boy of 12 or 13 who was identified as Michael’s “cousin.” “Jackson was very possessive of boy at night,” wrote the officer. “(The witness) heard questionable noises through wall.”

But much of the FBI reports released today are adminstrative. Much of the material has been redacted so no names appear. Many of the pages are just copies of newspaper and British tabloid stories about Jackson, most of which weren’t true in the first place.

Insiders Claim ‘Precious’ Star Was Cheated Out of Award

Roger Friedman
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Was Gabourey Sidibe, the star of “Precious,” cheated out of a movie award?

That’s what insiders from the African-American Film Critics Association are telling me. They say Sidibe was intentionally cheated out of a Best Actress citation at the AAFCA’s annual event Dec. 14, the same night “Precious” took home a raft of other honors including Best Picture, Best Director, Supporting Actress and Screenplay.

Sidibe lost in the Best Actress category to Nicole Beharie, star of the little known and mostly unseen Samuel Goldwyn Company release,’ “American Violet.”

According to the final ballot, which I’ve seen, Sidibe received eight first-place votes from the 16 critics who participated. Beharie got four first-place finishes, and the rest went to Anika Noni Rose (two votes) and one each for Helen Mirren and Zooey Deschanel. Among second-place finishers, Sidibe got five votes; Beharie got one.

Critics of the AAFCA co-founder Gil Robertson IV claim that he manipulated the final tally to please the producers of “American Violet.” Since then, the awards group has succumbed to massive infighting.

Reached by phone Tuesday morning for comment, Robertson claimed that I was in possession of an incomplete ballot. ‘”There are 22 members of the AAFCA,” he said. “You obviously have an incomplete ballot.”

But internal AAFCA emails, which I’ve seen, allude to payments from studios and outside influence affecting the choices of winners. There’s a movement afoot to oust Robertson as well.’ AAFCA president’Wilson Morales wrote to him in an email obtained by this column:

“As you know your recent actions have been called into question because of a series of choices you made without the approval of the founding members of the group, including myself…Our collective view is that an organization that gives out awards should be ethical and not subjected to bias based on donations from outside sources, and if that at some point comes into conflict with some of our additional goals to curry favor with the studios and get major press coverage or a broadcast deal.”

Robertson also says he never received a letter from Morales, even though I read him the reply he sent. Says Robertson, “Wilson and I are having personal issues.”

The AAFCA’s other awards went to Morgan Freeman (”Invictus“), Anthony Mackie (”The Hurt Locker“) and, of course, Mo’Nique (”Precious”). Michael Jackson was given an honorary citation. The group also listed as its best movies “Up in the Air,” “Up,” “Good Hair,” “The Hurt Locker,” “American Violet,” and two indie films that are worth checking out: “Goodbye Solo,” and “Medicine for Melancholy.”

But the Sidibe issue is just the latest in a long line of strange things that have gone on with “Precious” since it advanced into awards season. First of all, ‘Mo’Nique caused a stir by demanding money for appearances. She did little publicity despite universal acclaim for her performance. The National Board of Review all but ignored the film. Oscar voters are just getting to see “Precious” now over the holidays. Luckily most of them will not have heard of these various contretemps.

As for Sidibe,’she’s guaranteed an Oscar nomination for Best Actress. That should take the sting out of all this pettiness.

Top Ten Movies Etc. of 2009

Roger Friedman
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1. “Up in the Air,” directed by Jason Reitman

2. “Inglourious Basterds,” directed by Quentin Tarantino

3. “Precious,” directed by Lee Daniels

4. “The Hurt Locker,” directed by Kathryn Bigelow

5. “Nine,” directed by Rob Marshall

6. “The Messenger,” directed by Oren Moverman

7. “Fantastic Mr. Fox,” directed by Wes Anderson

8. “A Serious Man,” directed by Joel and Ethan Coen

9. “An Education,” directed by Lone Scherfig

10. “In the Loop,” directed by Antonio Iannucci

Honorable Mentions: “A Single Man,” directed by Tom Ford; “District 9,” directed by Neill Blomkamp; “Capitalism, A Love Story,” directed by Michael Moore;”Sugar,” directed by Ryan Fleck and Anna Boden; “Moon” directed by Duncan Jones; “The Road,” directed by John Hillcoat; “Crazy Heart,” directed by Scott Cooper, and “Crude,” directed by Joe Berlinger

Mo’Nique Speaks: What Does The Oscar Mean Financially?

Roger Friedman
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She’s been nominated for several best supporting actress awards, but talk show host and comedian Mo’Nique doesn’t care or doesn’t get it.

According to reports and sources, she’s decided to skip the New York Film Critics Awards next month. The group was going to give her an award for her excellent work in “Precious.” Now director Lee Daniels will accept on her behalf.

In the past, a few actors have missed awards shows. But they were all well established or lived outside the U.S.

Mo’Nique lives in Atlanta and has few serious acting credits. She does have a TV show on BET, and that’s where the following clip comes from. In it, she asks former Oscar nominees Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson the most pressing question about Oscar campaigning: “What does it mean financially?”

Months ago I told you that Mo’Nique wouldn’t do publicity for the movie unless she was paid. According to sources she demanded cash in envelopes, not just for her makeup artists and stylists, but for herself. For some reason, she thought these were paid appearances. Everyone from Oprah Winfrey to Lee Daniels tried to set her straight. But she missed the Cannes, Toronto and New York Film Festivals because of it. She’s also gone through several publicists.

Nothing seems to get through, which is odd because Mo’Nique seems like a bright person. But snubbing the NYFCC is a plan she should reconsider. She makes a point in that clip: she made the movie, you see her performance, what else can she do? This is a bit naive, but true fundamentally. But maybe she doesn’t understand that she’s already won this award. This isn’t the same as doing publicity.

What’s next? The Golden Globes? The Oscars? If these things don’t mean anything to her, there are plenty of actresses who will appreciate the honors, from Julianne Moore to Anna Kendrick to Vera Farmiga. Mo’Nique: fame is fleeting. Enjoy all this while you can! And keep in mind: “Precious” is a team consisting of many people, from Daniels and screenwriter Geoffrey Fletcher to Gabby Sidibe, Paula Patton, Mariah Carey, etc. as well as the crew and the investors.

Brittany Murphy’s Tragic Death Foretold

Roger Friedman
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It was only twelve days ago, December 8th, that actress Brittany Murphy’s husband had an incident on a flight that landed in Los Angeles from San Juan. Here’s TMZ’s record of the 911 call.

Now Murphy, 32, a bright young girl with a big future, a decent past and a terrible present is dead. She reportedly died of cardiac arrest this morning in husband Simon Monjack’s home.

More awards coverage

Murphy had been hired for a movie shooting in Puerto Rico called “The Caller.” But she was fired from the film before she even started it, and replaced quickly. There are stories all over the Internet about the couple’s drug taking, and their bad behavior in Puerto Rico.

Monjack will now have to face a barrage of tabloid questioning and maybe even the police. He describes himself as a “screenwriter” but his only real credit that anyone ascribes to him is some kind of involvement with “Factory Girl” — a movie about real-life hard-partying, chipper blonde Edie Sedgwick who eventually succumbed to her demons. It looks like Brittany has, too. It’s a terrible shame.

Murphy, it should be noted, was no slouch. She worked all the time, even if her 14-year career had devolved into a kind of B-movie marathon. She also did voiceovers and was part of the “King of the Hill” animated series.

More to come…

FLASHBACK: Brittany Murphy’s Husband Is Trouble, Producer Says, Came on Movie Set “Inebriated”

Roger Friedman
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FLASHBACK: Brittany Murphy’s Husband Is Trouble, Producer Says, Came on Movie Set “Inebriated”

Director Michael Z. Gordon was planning to go ahead with Brittany Murphy (whose real name was Brittany Anne Bertolotti) in a movie called “Shrinking Charlotte” that was set to shoot in January. Gordon told me he was nervous about working with Murphy because his staff had been in touch with the Puerto Rico production office of “The Caller.” That was the movie from which Murphy was fired two weeks ago.

But what he heard about her husband, Simon Monjack, was what gave him pause.

“Monjack came on the set inebriated,” Gordon said he’d been told. “The producers wanted to keep him away. Brittany of course defended him. And so she was let go.”

Nevertheless, Gordon liked her. He had planned, ironically, to put her in film called “Heart Stopper,” which wasn’t made. But if “Charlotte” had gone well, he had another dark comedy for her.

Monjack is not beloved in Hollywood.’I spoke to two others movie producers today who came in contact with him on’a project in the last couple of years. They described him as a “con man.” Neither had anything nice to say, but one of them warned: “He’s a dangerous guy.” According to this producer, Monjack presented himself as someone with a lot of money and had none at all. A lawsuit was settled after the film in question was made.

Monjack had other problems besides drinking and interfering with Murphy’s career. He is a walking legal time bomb. For one thing, the British citizen was arrested a month prior to his marriage to Murphy in May 2007 because his visa expired. The tabloids speculated that he married Murphy to avoid deportation.

Then there’s the money: According to public records, Monjack has been the defendant in several lawsuits. In 2006, Coutts and Company, a British bank, received a court judgment against him of $470,132. In 2005, right before he met Murphy, Monjack and his girlfriend were evicted from their New York apartment for $7,025 in back rent. There was a similar incident in 1997 in Los Angeles.

More interestingly: in November 2007, six months after marrying Brittany, Monjack was chased into Los Angeles Superior Court by his ex-wife. British writer and TV personality Simone Bienne claimed that Monjack had never paid her the $50,000 she’d been due in their 2006 British divorce. The court awarded her the money in U.S. dollars plus fees and interest.

More to come…

A Tiger Woods Movie? It’s ‘Nine’

Roger Friedman
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Want to see a movie about the Tiger Woods scandal? You can, right now. It’s Rob Marshall’s “Nine.”

If you haven’t figured this out yet, then dig it: Guido, the film director in “Nine” played by Daniel Day-Lewis, is Tiger. His wife, Louisa, played by Marion Cotillard, is Elin.

And then it gets interesting.

Guido’s main mistress, Carla, is played by Penelope Cruz. She’s the Rachel Uchitel, let’s say, of Guido’s story.

And then as the women in Guido’s life pile up around him – Kate Hudson’s Stephanie, Nicole Kidman’s Lilli, etc. — you see the parallels. Want to know how Tiger juggled all those gals? Just watch Guido.

Of course, Tiger isn’t a good actor, which is how he’s found out. Even when Guido’s backed into a corner, he manages to lie his way out of it. And Guido even has a prostitute in his background — Saraghina, played by Fergie. The similarities are endless. Unfortunately, “Nine” takes place in 1965, before text messaging and cell phones. If Guido were faced with so much media technology, he would have been caught long before.

But just think: In the movie, Carla would do well to sell her story to the tabloids. And Stephanie already writes for Vogue. But back in 1965, sex was less venal. Those girls in the movie actually love Guido. Tiger’s posse was out for blood before they even met him.

Still, if I were Tiger, sitting in my Florida media room, wondering what to do next, I’d ask for a “Nine” DVD to get some instructions. Fast.

Robert Downey Jr.: ‘Iron Man’ Sequel in ‘Tweaking Stage’

Roger Friedman
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59168465Robert Downey Jr. celebrated his second chance at a career last night with “Sherlock Holmes.” He was a happy man, who also toasted his Dad ‘ director Robert Downey Sr. ‘ who’s back after an illness.

Junior was aglow not only about his recent success in “Iron Man” and the premiere of “Sherlock,” but also about his father. “We don’t burn out, us Downeys, we just take breaks,” said Robert.

Robert Senior is the famed director of “Putney Swope” and and several other early indie films. He told me he’s got a new script that he’s just finished and almost has the financing in place. He’s also got Alan Arkin and a couple more actors ready for filming it. Mostly, though, at 73 he looks like he’s in good shape and grateful to be back on track.

As for Robert Junior, he told me that “Iron Man 2″ is shot and wrapped, but the work has just begun to polish the Jon Favreau-directed sequel that also features Scarlett Johansson, Don Cheadle, Mickey Rourke, and Sam Rockwell. “The last one was so good, this one has to better,” Downey told me. “Everyone will be gunning for us this time.” Downey also told me that he’s proudest of the work he did on “Due Date,” a Todd Phillips road comedy he just finished with Zack Galfianakis and Michelle Monaghan.

About Town gallery

Meanwhile, the “Sherlock” premiere buzzed with Bruce Willis showing off wife Emma, Eva Mendes quietly sitting in the audience with a female friend; plus Matthew Modine, Matthew Settle, and “Soprano” Vincent Pastore hidden in the crowd. Director Guy Ritchie brought along son Rocco, who’s his spitting image. Co-star Jude Law made a quick swing through the Metropolitan Club, then dashed out, begging off early because he was appearing on “Good Morning America” the next day.

The gala was also notable for being the last of the season and boasting at least ten of New York’s most famous party crashers. No one knows the names of these people, we just call them by their physical description. At one point, the older lady with the short gray hair and patchwork jacket got a big plate from the buffet and plopped down at the main table with co-star Eddie Marsan. She ate in peace, unfettered, while various stars and execs flowed around her. Soon she was joined by the young version of Professor Irwin Corey, a guy who told me he “wrote about the theater.” There were plenty more. Someone should make a movie about them!

Kobe Bryant’s Favorite Actors and Actresses Are…

Roger Friedman
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It’s Oscar season, and everyone has an opinion!

But lo and behold, who was at the premiere of Guy Ritchie’s “Sherlock Holmes” last night? Why, Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant! He came as the guest of producer Joel Silver, and hobnobbed a bit first at Alice Tully Hall and then at the Metropolitan Club on Fifth Avenue. The club made an exception for Kobe on the dress code, too. They usually don’t allow sneakers, and sort of insist on a jacket if not a tie. (Tip of the hat to Paula Schwartz of the Carpetbagger for picking up’ on this.)

Kobe was truly nice, accessible and ready to talk. At the party, we chatted for a bit about basketball, and he promised to be nice to the Knicks the next time he played them. (The Lakers play the Nets on Saturday, and no Knicks until January 22.)

Anyway, Kobe suddenly said to me, “I’ll tell you who my favorite actresses are!” Okay. It’s so great when stars do the interview for him. He said, “First, Hillary Swank. Her focus is amazing. I’ve never seen anything like it. She’s my favorite.” And he’s met her too. Second: “Kate Winslet,” Kobe declared. I asked him if he’d seen “The Reader,” in which Winslet is very naked. “Yup! Hannah Schmidt!” he said enthusiastically, referring to Winslet’s character.

Kobe’s favorite actors? “Robert De Niro, for all his characters,” he said. “And Johnny Depp.” He told Paula while I was listening that his Oscar pick this year was “Invictus” ‘ Clint Eastwood and Morgan Freeman.

He also told me that he thought Tiger Woods would survive his scandal. We didn’t get into Bryant’s past scandal, but he survived and surpassed it. So maybe he knows what he’s talking about.

The basketball superstar also took lots of pictures with fans, especially Giacomo Sumner, the 14-year-old son of Sting and Trudie Styler. The latter was sort of the instigator for “Sherlock Holmes,” hooking director Ritchie up with star Robert’ Downey, Jr. Bryant also got a kick out of meeting the movie’s female star, Rachel McAdams.

Serious Men Like ‘Sherlock’; Sam Moore’s Award; ‘Nine’ Reasons; Barbara Beats Oprah

Roger Friedman
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> Yesterday there was a lovely lunch for the Coen Brothers‘ “A Serious Man” at the Monkey Bar. Philip Seymour Hoffman and Billy Crudup co-hosted it. Lots of nice people showed up, like James Schamus. The food and talk were great. Only: no Coens. Where were they? Many reasons were muttered, something about working somewhere on something. Flash forward to the “Sherlock Holmes” premiere: there’s Joel Coen with his 12-year-old son, Pedro. Did he know there had been a lunch for the film? Joel shrugged. Well, Pedro loved “Sherlock.” And “A Serious Man,” if you read the screenplay (published by Faber) is really terrific. Joel and Ethan will be in the heavy running for Original Screenplay. Let’s just hope they show up …

> Sam “Soul Man” Moore and newsman Charles Osgood are each getting honored in February by AFTRA with lifetime achievement awards. Also getting awards are Robin Roberts of “Good Morning America,” the cast of “Sesame Street,” and Spanish-language artist Juanes. Maybe Osgood can convince his producers to do a piece for “CBS Sunday Morning” on Moore, the last of the great soul men who’s still working, touring and recording. Moore just wowed Madison Square Garden with Bruce Springsteen at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame anniversary show. You can see it on HBO…

> Barbara Walters‘ “10 Most Fascinating People” show actually beat Oprah’s “Christmas at the White House” special last week in the 18-49 demographic. Go figure. Here are the stats:

Most Fascinating People 09:’ 3.1 (12/9)
Oprah Special:’ 2.9 (12/13)
Matt Lauer Special:’ 1.4 (11/26)

How did Barbara win? Well, she named Michelle Obama “Most Fascinating Person” and interviewed her. But instead of sticking around the White House, Barbara threw in a bunch of freaks: Jon & Kate, Glenn Beck, Lady GaGa, Adam Lambert, and Sarah Palin. Freak Show won over Earnest Holiday Special. All Barbara was missing were the OctoMom and Tiger Woods’ harem! As “Send in the Clowns” goes: “Maybe next year…”

> Nine reasons to see “Nine”: 1. Penelope Cruz is very hot. I’m sorry, she is. And very funny. … 2. Marion Cotillard is now a major movie star. If she chooses to, she can be Natalie Wood or Audrey Hepburn, a total crossover from France. … 2a. her song, “My Husband Makes Movies.” … 3. Daniel Day-Lewis is not a great singer, but he is mesmerizing as Guido. He’s the most seductive since 1988’s “Unbearable Lightness of Being.” … 4. Judi Dench is a hoot. She humanizes the whole film. … 5. Kate Hudson is channeling her mom, Goldie Hawn. Dressed in ’60s garb, Kate looks like she’s in “Laugh In.” Wonderful. … 6. Rob Marshall’s long shots of DDL as he tries to escape from Guido’s producers. … 7. Ricky Tognazzi is so good as Guido’s producer that you think he’s real. He’s just a famous Italian actor, son of the late star Ugo Tognazzi. …’ 8. Nicole Kidman looks and sounds like Dusty Springfield, and her song is a hit. … 9. Fergie. You will not get “Be Italian” out of your head for days. And you’ll have an unconcious desire to go to the beach.

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