Paris Jackson, Michael’s daughter, has an acting turn in Ozzy Osbourne’s new single.
The video is called “Crack Cocaine,” and Paris stars in it. Ozzy made with with Billy Morrison, and it’s not about crack cocaine exactly, just that loving the girl in the song drives him “insane” like, you know — it rhymes.
Very catchy song, could get going on radio. Paris is gorgeous, and it’s a witty turn for her. I’ll bet Sharon Osbourne thought of this.
Good news for Larry David and HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm.”
Sunday’s episode jumped 133% in the key demo and 66% in total viewers. The 427K total was the highest of the 7 episodes of this final, 12th season.
What happened? A huge comeback from the previous Sunday when the show was sacrificed to the Oscars. That episode, with guests Sienna Miller and Lori Loughlin, obviously picked up speed once the word got out how good it was.
This past Sunday’s episode was not quite at that level, and it was even more vulgar than the one I liked so much. Still, with fewer options of new shows, and the Oscars in the distance, the episode pulled in numbers.
There are only 3 new episodes left of “Curb.” Richard Lewis is in the next one this Sunday. And then we’ll have to wrap it up. So far this season, Larry has been the butt of jokes for writing the lousy finale of “Seinfeld.” Obviously, this is all pointing to the “Curb” finale, which will somehow be tied to the other. That should be a good punch line.
M. Emmett Walsh didn’t walk red carpets or win awards. He had no Oscar campaigns, although he did one Indie Spirit Award back when it mattered the Coen brothers’ “Blood Simple.”
He was so good in that movie, from 1984, that his career was settled. He never stopped working.
Walsh was from New York apparently, although he almost always played rednecks, often frightening or scheming ones. He was a journeyman actor who was never the lead, just the linchpin villain usually, or the plot signal, the one you would always remember. Even though he worked a lot in TV from the late 60s, Walsh didn’t catch on right away. It wasn’t until a good run in “The Jerk,” “Brubaker,” and “Ordinary People” that it was clear he wasn’t going anywhere. Then came “Blade Runner,” and “Blood Simple.”
The Coens used him one more time, in “Raising Arizona,” but by then there was no stopping him. It seems like M. Emmett Walsh worked right up the day he died.
RIP. He will be sorely missed.
It’s a good thing Madonna’s back on the road and making money again.
The pop star is one of the wealthiest entertainers in history. She’s certainly made millions this past year with her Celebration tour. Like over $100 million.
But in 2022, according to tax filings, Madonna cut her charitable donations to shreds. The total was just $328,713. The number is the lowest by far since I started reporting on her Ray of Light Foundation.
Most of the 2022 giving went to the Kabbalah Center in Los Angeles, a cult organization that she’s supported for decades. In 2022 Kabbalah received Madonna’s highest donation, $100,000.
By contrast, Madonna gave only $5,000 to her good pal Rosie O’Donnell’s tremendous Rosie’s Broadway Kids school. That’s kind of astounding. Those Broadway kids are the real deal. Kabbalah is literally hocus pocus.
Madonna really cut her spending in 2022. In 2021, she gave over half a million dollars to various organizations. In 2020, the number was over $2 million. Half of the 2021 amount went to Bill Gates’s foundation, which was helping create the COVID vaccinations.
But times are tough when you’ve got several homes, stables, six kids, a lot of staff. Record sales are not what they used to be. And Madonna hadn’t toured since “Madame X.”
Especially hurt over the last couple of years: local Detroit community groups which I’m sure appreciated the hometown girl’s help. My guess is her 2024 report will show a dramatic increase in donations.
Now everyone will feel better about buying tickets to the “Celebration” tour this year.
Let’s hope this isn’t true.
Kanye West has posted to Instagram that he’ll perform at the foot of an Egyptian pyramid next month.
It seems unwise of Egypt, in the middle of turmoil over Israel-Hamas-Gaza, would allow such a thing. Kanye is an avowed antisemite and self proclaimed admirer of Hitler. Why would Egypt want this?
Unfortunately, the Egyptian consulates in the US are closed for the day. But we’ll ask them tomorrow. But can you imagine the idiotic “Vultures 1” album — with four letter words and its antisemitic lyrics — broadcast from this historic spot? And Egypt approving it?
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Officially, “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” has been slimed by critics this morning.
On Rotten Tomatoes, 47 reviews have resulted in a 45% splat. Previews begin tonight.
I’m not surprised. Instead of making a great follow up to “Afterlife,” producers reverted to churning out a new version of the old movies from the 80s.
The trades were so-so in their reviews, but The Guardian wrote: “The time has come for Hollywood to allow the spurious Ghostbusters franchise to join Jurassic World and Aquaman in the bin and think of something new.”
The Daily Beast reviewer Nick Schrager: “It all resembles a lot of cosplaying, although its central failing is foregrounding cacophonous mayhem and middling melodrama over the drollness that defined the first two Ghostbusters movies.”
It sounds like a bust, but the first weekend will be big enough with fans of the original queuing up for some nostalgia. Me? I’ll wait for it to turn up on American Airlines.
There was a nice touch last night when Amazon/MGM premiered the 2024 version of “Road House” at Jazz at Lincoln Center: an opening card dedicating the movie to the memory of Patrick Swayze, star of the 1989 original movie.
Another nice moment: the presence of director Doug Liman, who has been upset with Amazon for not putting what was originally an MGM movie in to theaters. Liman even stayed for the after party, although he didn’t go on stage with star Jake Gyllenhaal to introduce the film.
Gyllenhaal gives a muscular performance in “Road House” as Dalton, who is now a former MMA fighter moved to the Florida Keys after accidentally killing a friend. In the old movie, the Road House was a dusty shack in the mid west. Now it’s a bar and restaurant on the water. It should be called “Boat House.” Also, Swayze never looked like he worked out. He was a dancer, who maybe practiced Tai Chi. Gyllenhaal is sculpted like he’s been working with a trainer 24/7.
Gyllenhaal and Liman approach the whole thing from kind of a Marvel perspective. Dalton is like a super hero who warns the villains up front that he’s going to make mincemeat of them, then does so like Iron Man meets the Hulk. (He likes to ask before pulverizations, “Do you have insurance?”) He’s very witty, handsome, and his hair is never mussed. At times, Dalton almost breaks the fourth wall with meta revelations. He also has an eye opening collection of lovely silk shirts that never quite button.
Well, Dalton has an enemy in Cheshire grinning Billy Magnussen, a rich kid whose criminal father is in jail for bad things. Billy wants to buy the Road House and all its adjacent property and turn it into a resort. So he hires real life wild eyed crazy wrestler Conor MacGregor to come kill Dalton and beat up anyone else in the way. MacGregor’s character is called Knox, but he’s really Thanos with full body tattoos.
There are other actors to mention, including a beautiful girlfriend (Daniela Melchior) and the spunky owner of the bar (Jessica Andrews). There are a lot of well groomed thugs and bikers, too. But the two people who stood out for me were Arturo Castro as the very funny Moe, who can’t stop snarking; and young Hannah Lanier, making her film debut as the smart girl who befriends Dalton.
It’s a formula movie, but in the best way. Mostly it’s about beautifully choreographed and staged fights, amazing underwater cinematography, and action action action. Liman made this for the big screen and it’s a shame others won’t get to see it that way. If you watch it on Amazon Prime — and I suspect many will — a really big TV will add to the excitement.
“Road House” would have been a box office hit. That’s all you need to know.
One of the great and memorable scenes from “This is Spinal Tap” is the one where Harry Shearer as bass player Derek Smalls greets a miniature Stonehedge that drops down on stage. To this day it may be the cornerstone of Rob Reiner’s hilarious, classic comedy.
Now I’m told that in the last week or so, a new version of the song, “Stonehedge,” has been filmed for “This is Spinal Tap 2.” This time there will be a guest vocalist: Sir Elton John. Elton has just filmed his sequences for the much awaited sequel, in which he is somehow roped into singing lead on the song.
What will be the punchline image this time? How can Reiner top the original? We’ll have to wait and see.
More star cameos are being filmed now, including Paul McCartney, Questlove, Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood. It might seem from those names that Spinal Tap — comprising Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer — will be doing a Beatles or McCartney song (Helter Skelter?), something hip hop, and country. Should be a hoot!
We’re crossing our fingers Fran Drescher is back as PR maven Bobbi Flekman. The band will need a new manager since Ian Faith aka Tony Hendra, is gone. So are Bruno Kirby — so good –as limo driver Tommy Pischedda, and Patrick McNee as Sir Denis Eton-Hogg, the insufferable owner of Spinal Tap’s record company.
The Oscars are over, but here’s where some of the celebs spent their time over the big weekend.
The 17th Annual Women in Film event took place at L.A.’s Catch Steak. WIF CEO Kirsten Schaffer hosted many of the nominees, including songwriter Diane Warren, composer Laura Karpman, “Past Lives” writer/director Celine Song, actress Danielle Brooks, amongst many of the nominees. So many that they all had to cram together at the stage which looked like it was about to crumble!
All was well though and it was a celebratory night for the VIP’s including director Kimberly Peirce, Producer Cassian Elwes and Artist Susan Carter Hall, Keegan Michael Key and his producer wife Elise, Producer Christine Vachon, “Flamin Hot’ director Eva Longoria and many more.
Then it was off to the swag suites. Viola Davis and Neil Patrick Harris and others flocked to GBK who had their 15th annual Luxury Lounge at the Beverly Wilshire. Care A2+, Mend skincare, GE Cync Dynamic Effects Lights, Glow Pups, jane foodie, fresh from scratch foods, luxury swim and active wear and towels from Cabo Couture, California Caviar, Ike’s Love & Sandwiches, Beconta slope and skiwear, Power XL Light Fryer and more. Dr. Christina Rahm and Clayton Thomas’s Root Brands products designed to support the body’s natural detoxification process and promote overall well-being, along with Rahm Roast coffee and Mindful Wellness’ specialized to support weight loss, menopause, and children’s weight management were both popular stops.
Travel Getaways included African Safari, Turks & Caicos, Greece and others. GBK Brand Bar CEO Gavin Keilly always makes sure he gives back, five different charities benefitted from the lounge. Closer to the beach at the Ambrose Hotel in Santa Monica, The Merritt +Marianna Group presented their suite called IGNITE, A Fire Luxury Gifting lounge. Jen Sugermeyer’s ATA Cosmetics, her Jade Applicator is widely popular. Hidden Hills Coffee Company, Libra Lash & Lip Co. FARAH’s meet the shimmers; L.A.A.L.I powder blush collection and more was a highlight there. FARAH is also cruelty-free and vegan! The Quantum Energy Wellness Bed, and Marissa’s brow and beauty bar were also popular.
Whew! Trekking around town in LA traffic is tough, but for VIP events and swag, people make the trip!
The big guns are out in Hollywood.
George Lucas has endorsed Bob Iger and the Disney board in a proxy fight led by troublemaker Nelson Peltz.
Barbra Streisand has denounced the folks who chose the winners of the Ruth Bader Ginsburg Awards or RBG Awards, given in memory of the late, liberal Supreme Court Justice. The awards have since been cancelled. The winners included — believe it or not — avowed conservatives Rupert Murdoch and Elon Musk, and insider trading philanthropist Michael Milken, plus former felon Martha Stewart, and, for good measure, Sylvester Stallone.
The RBG Awards are presented by something called the Opperman Foundation. They didn’t consult the Ginsburg family, which immediately objected to everyone in the group.
“The last thing we intended was to offend the family and friends of RBG,” said Julie Opperman, chair of the Opperman Foundation, before she was carted off to a sanitarium (just kidding on the last part).
Meanwhile, Lucas — who sold LucasFilm for $4 billion to Disney and Iger a few years ago — is supporting his deal. He wrote: “Creating magic is not for amateurs. When I sold Lucasfilm just over a decade ago, I was delighted to become a Disney shareholder because of my long-time admiration for its iconic brand and Bob Iger’s leadership. When Bob recently returned to the company during a difficult time, I was relieved. No one knows Disney better. I remain a significant shareholder because I have full faith and confidence in the power of Disney and Bob’s track record of driving long-term value. I have voted all of my shares for Disney’s 12 directors and urge other shareholders to do the same.”
Streisand wrote that she was joining “the Ginsburg family in condemning the choice of honorees this year. I had the privilege of meeting Justice Ginsburg on several occasions, and I strongly doubt she would approve of these awardees.”