Monday, October 7, 2024
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Box Office: “Kung Fu Panda 4” Chops Up Friday with $20 Mil Opening, Giving Universal Quite A Weekend

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Universal Pictures is sitting pretty these days.

“Oppenheimer” is about to sweep the Oscars tomorrow. Focus Features’ “The Holdovers” is also looking good for a couple of big awards.

Now this weekend, “Kung Fu Panda 4,” is on top after a $20 million Thursday-Friday opening. Who even knew there was a “Kung Fu Panda 4”? The answer is; mothers and children.

The fourth iteration of this animated series will come close to $40 million for the weekend. Years ago, Universal sent out a Kung Fu Panda Halloween costume that I filed away somewhere. Time to see if it’s worth anything on ebay!

Focus has a bit of a flop on its hands with “Drive Away Dolls,” Ethan Coen’s lesbian road trip film, which has made around $5 million and is almost out of theaters after two weeks. But it’s early in the year, and they likely knew this one was not going to tear it up.

Meantime, A24 held an actual party for “The Zone of Interest” the other night, which is kind of macabre. This is another A24 project with lots of word of mouth but not much box office. Maybe if it wins something on Sunday that will help.

Remember Sizzling 1981 Noir Film, “Body Heat”? A Remake May Be in the Offing (Exclusive)

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“Body Heat” was the Lawrence Kasdan classic that preceded his next classic, “The Big Chill,” back in 1981.

William Hurt, Kathleen Turner, Richard Crenna, and Ted Danson — in his first big movie role — stole the show in this modern film noir based loosely on another classic, “Double Indemnity.”

Well, I’m hearing rumors that “Body Heat” is ready for an update 40 years after its sultry humid Florida sweat made audiences crazy.

The director and co-writer is said to be “Boys Don’t Cry” skillful creator, Kimberly Peirce. The same director also has on her resume the excellent, “Stop/Loss,” and a remake of Brian dePalma’s “Carrie.”

This is what happens when you hang around in Hollywood for a few days. People talk, We listen.

Kathleen Turner played a conniving sexy younger wife of an older wealthy man (Crenna). She starts an affair with a local lawyer (Hurt) and eventually convinces him to help her kill the hubby and run away with the money. Danson also became famous for a little dancin’ (yes, similar to his name) he did throughout the film.

if it’s done right, a new “Body Heat” would be a blockbuster. Who should play these roles now? Matthew McConaughey comes to mind as Ned (Hurt). Turner’s character, Matty, sounds like Florence Pugh to me. But this is all above my pay grade. I can’t wait to see who the finalists are.

Vanity Fair Faces Oscar Night Competition For Its Last Successful Offering: The Party

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The tents are up on Santa Monica Boulevard in Beverly Hills. The Vanity Fair Oscar party is back this Sunday.

But a lot has changed in recent years. The party that Graydon Carter created so successfully has a lot of competition now. It’s not what it was under the current regime. The magazine — with dwindling circulation and less internet traffic than ever — is not a must read. Often the covers have nothing to do with Hollywood at all.

And then there’s the magazine’s Hollywood issue, on sale now. Aside from Bradley Cooper, there are few other Oscar nominees and a lot of television people. The magazine could not get anyone from “Oppenheimer,” the expected Best Picture winner. Back in the day, Carter and his people would feature the heavy hitting stars of the day. Now the VF cover seems like it’s more about who would show up.

The party itself will get more attention than the magazine, that’s for sure. There will be plenty of red carpet photos of the stars. But many of these will be photo ops, stop-by’s on the way to other activities that didn’t exist in the old days.

For one thing, Universal Pictures is throwing a gala competing event for “Oppenheimer” and “The Holdovers” following the Oscar show. The studio is not fooling around. Apple is having a party for “Killers of the Flower Moon,” with Lily Gladstone — who’s expected to win Best Actress.

There’s also the Elton John party, which grabs a lot of attention from Vanity Fair, and raises money for the singer’s important AIDS Foundation. They will have Sir Elton, David Furnish, and plenty of stars including co-hosts Tiffany Haddish and Neil Patrick Harris.

And then there are overlapping after-after parties. Madonna and manager Guy Oseary pull a lot of the Vanity Fair crowd from the magazine’s red carpet right up into the Hollywood Hills. (No press allowed.) Jay Z and Beyonce welcome Black Hollywood to the Chateau Marmont, also by invite only and with a lot of security. There are major Black actors nominated for awards this year, none of whom have been on the cover of Vanity Fair. Where do you think they will go?

Vanity Fair is owned by Conde Nast, which has laid off hundreds of employees over the last couple of years. The magazine publisher is much diminished from its halcyon days. It won’t be lost on those who’ve been laid off that this annual event costs a lot of money and in the end, winds up being a meeting — according to my sources — now stuffed to the gills with ad reps.

Ariana Grande Drops a Soulful Max Martin Produced and Co-Written Album, Goes to Number 1

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Ariana Grande understood the assignment, that’s for sure.

She put herself in the hands of Swedish powerhouse producer and songwriter Max Martin. (I told you about this last fall.)

The result is a winning, tuneful R&B album called “Eternal Sunshine.” Ariana wrote all the lyrics. Martin — who’s written dozens of great hits for everyone — did the music.

There’s only one “interpolation” — a semi cover of Brandy’s “The Boy is Mine.” Otherwise, the songs are fresh and melodic and catchy. Ariana sings, she doesn’t put her voice through any tricks. There’s no yodeling. Her gorgeous tones are heard clearly and straight on, with strings and real instruments playing behind her. There’s a trombone!

Like the movie “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,” the album is about forgetting if not forgiving. In the movie, minds can be wiped clean of memories. It seems like Ariana would like to do that concerning her recently ended marriage. She’s moving on with her boyfriend, Ethan Slater, whom she met while making the “Wicked” movies.

The album has a lot of potential singles and very playable tracks that should give it a long life. We haven’t had one of those in a while. Nicely done.

Hollywood: Oscar Nominee Jeffrey Wright, plus Melanie Griffith, Sacha Baron Cohen, Chris Rock , Guy Oseary Turn Out for Basquiat Opening

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Back in 1996, current Oscar nominee Jeffrey Wright played cutting edge artist Jean Michel Basquiat in Julian Schnabel’s movie, “Basquiat.”

So Wright — so praised for his work 28 years later in “American Fiction” — wasn’t going to miss the opening of an important new Basquiat exhibition called “Made on Market Street” at the Gagosian Beverly Hills gallery.

He wasn’t alone among the stars who turned up to see the sensational collection of paintings at the gallery.

Sacha Baron Cohen turned up with Guy Oseary on their way to Madonna’s big show downtown. For a while, Chris Rock joined them. They got an earful from East Hampton artist Bill Quigley, who was Basquiat’s pal and competitor in the 1980s.

The Gagosian Gallery filled up pretty fast even though it’s a huge space on North Camden Drive. Several hundred people queued up for entry and were still waiting until we left at 8pm.

In the meantime, familiar faces like Jane Fonda, Melanie Griffith, jewelry designer Loree Rodkin, Wendi Deng Murdoch, director Bennett Miller, artist Andy Moses, “Rustin” movie producer David Permut, entrepreneur Nikki Haskell, and lots of beautiful art world types were among those who gazed at Basquiat’s sometimes violent, always witty, takes on his tough world. (I could go back 5 times, they were so magnificent!)

The whole gang moved on to dinner next door at Mr. Chow’s, hosted by Michael Chow himself in paint splattered pants.

Others — like yours truly — headed off to dinner at the very hot spot, sleekly modern and cozy Steak 48 on Wilshire Boulevard, where carnivores are now waiting patiently for reservations to dine on steak that’s like buttah. Recently spotted there in the main table having a power dinner: former CBS chief Les Moonves hosting legendary sportscaster Al Michaels, another former CBS chief Jeff Sagansky, and one time MGM CEO Harry Sloan.

Paul Simon Will Receive Prestigious Literary Award from PEN America for His Iconic Songs

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Bob Dylan has a Nobel Prize, Aretha Franklin got a Pulitzer. So it’s only right that Paul Simon is feted by a literary organization.

Simon will receive a special award on May 16th from PEN America– and rightly so. He’s getting the the PEN/Audible Literary Service Award in the annual gala at the blue whale room at the Museum of Natural History.

Simon will join an illustrious group of past literary honorees including President Barack Obama and Ava DuVernay and PEN/Barbey Literary Service Award recipients Margaret Atwood, Bob Woodward, Stephen King, Patti Smith, the late Toni Morrison and Stephen Sondheim, Prof. Henry Louis Gates, Jr., Zadie Smith and last year, Saturday Night Live (SNL) creator, writer and executive producer Lorne Michaels.

Simon’s music for the last 60 years remains popular and legendary. But his writing– the lyrics — are, I think, masterpieces that are the equivalent of great poetry and novels. It’s very cool that PEN feels that way, too. If he just got it for “The Sound of Silence” and “Bridge Over Troubled Water” that would be sufficient. But the whole catalog deserves it.

PEN America CEO Suzanne Nossel said: “Paul Simon has inspired fans worldwide with lyrics and songs that entire generations know by heart and can recognize from the very first notes. His fascination with different cultures, traditions and rhythms have helped open our ears and minds to essential musical traditions. We are elated to pay tribute to this unparalleled creative artist whose music, along with his commitment to humane values and humanitarian causes, has made him a cultural icon.”

Ben Affleck Post Batman and “Air” will Produce and Star in “The Accountant 2” for His Own Company and MGM

Ben Affleck has made a big deal for Artists Equity, the company he runs with Matt Damon.

They’ve acquired the rights from Warner Bros.to Ben’s previous hit, “The Accountant,” for a sequel. “The Accountant 2” will come from Amazon MGM, the same studio that gave us “Air,” Ben’s hit from this past year.

Gavin O’Connor will direct Ben, JK Simmons, Jon Bernthal, and Cynthia Addai-Robinson in a new tale described below:

“When her former boss is killed by unknown assassins, Treasury Agent Marybeth Medina (Cynthia Addai-Robinson) is forced to contact Christian Wolff (Ben Affleck) to solve the murder. With the help of his estranged but highly lethal brother Brax (Jon Bernthal), Chris applies his brilliant mind and less-than-legal methods to piece together the unsolved puzzle. As they get closer to the truth, the trio draw the attention of some of the most ruthless killers alive—all intent on putting a stop to their search.”

End of an Era: RIP Great Pop Singer Steve Lawrence, Famed with Wife Eydie as Pop Sensations of the 60s

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If you were a young couple just starting out in the early 60s –like my parents, or the fictional Maisels — Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme were your rock stars. They represented the thrill of the Kennedys in the White House and everything fresh and optimistic in the post-war boom.

Now Steve Lawrence has passed away at age 88. His wife, Eydie, died several years ago. But with Steve gone, it’s the end of an era. And they would know what that was like. Back when Frank Sinatra was failing, he depended on doing shows with the married duo, and they kept him going.

Steve and Eydie started on Broadway in1 1957 — he got a Tony nomination for “What Makes Sammy Run?” They were catapulted onto TV with Steve Allen on the Tonight show at a time when there were three channels and one show after the news. Imagine the intense spotlight of that moment.

In years to come, the couple starred in Las Vegas and on tour. They were loosely connected to Sinatra’s Rat Pack. They appeared on prime time TV constantly, particularly Ed Sullivan. They became so ubiquitous as a singing couple that a decade later fans snarked that Paul and Linda McCartney were the Steve and Eydie of their day. A lot of the couple’s appeal had to do with being G rated and comforting as Elvis and rock and roll was taking over. They extended that theme through the 60s, with Steve especially appearing on dozens of family fare shows like Here’s Lucy, The Carol Burnett Show, and The Nanny.

Steve had hits, too, like “Go Away Little Girl,” which was as big in its day as a Justin Bieber song. (Eydie had hers, too like “Blame it on the Bossa Nova.”)

Condolences to their family, friends, and fans.

Will CBS’s “The Talk” Get the Axe to Make Way for a Black-Themed Daytime Soap: Something on the Schedule Will Have to Go

People involved in CBS’s daytime schedule got a shock yesterday.

The network announced that through its alliance with the NAACP and with Procter & Gamble — which itself is really weird — they are working on a Black-theme afternoon soap.

They did not say whether it was for CBS or Paramount Plus exactly, but CBS was the network mentioned.

“The Gates” will be executive produced and written by veteran Michele Val Jean, who just quit her job at CBS’s “The Bold and the Beautiful.”

That soap, on the air since the 1980s, was recently given a one year renewal, which surprised fans and people with the show. Sister show “The Young and the Restless” was rewarded with a four year renewal.

So is “Bold” in danger of being replaced by “The Gates”? That’s one assumption since the 30 min “Bold” would be the likely spot for the new show — if it gets through development.

But “Bold” still has decent ratings and a strong following, particularly in international territories. Pulling the plug would cause a lot of unhappiness among soap fans and not be a good way to introduce a new show.

CBS, however, only has a couple of hours to choose from in the afternoon. Now my sources — who know a lot about the network — say “The View” could easily be cancelled. The talk show has foundered with low ratings for a long time. No one talks about it really, as opposed to ABC’s “The View.” I’m told “The Talk” could end without much protest, and “The Gates” could easily fill that hour.

As for the P&G part of this story: so weird they’re involved. They once ruled the afternoon airwaves with a dozen popular soaps including “As the World Turns,” “Guiding Light,” and “Another World.” But P&G hated the shows, and conspired to push away viewers and kill those shows. They are all gone now. Why would they want to be part of this scenario? To pitch products to a Black audience? After flushing away all that opportunity? Really weird!

PS Val Jean worked on a Black soap called “Generations” on NBC that ran from 1989 to 1991 and failed to attract an audience. Maybe it was before its time. We’ll see.

Exclusive: Zendaya Lights Up the Green Carpet Fashion Awards with Annie Lennox, Trudie Styler, John Legend, More

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We hit the ground running last night, arriving in Hollywood to more torrential rains. The great song, “It Never Rains in California,” has been totally debunked at this point!

 

So off we went to the annual Green Carpet Fashion Awards, devised by Livia Firth to bring together fashion and climate change. Among the guests at the snazzy 1 Hotel on Sunset: Zendaya, Annie Lennox, Trudie Styler, John Legend and Chrissie Teigen, Amber Valetta, Helen Hunt, Bethann Hardison, serious folks from the UN (I had no idea they were so strong out here), and many international climate change activists.

It wasn’t all serious stuff, either. All the awards shows could take lessons from the stylists who dressed the many women who rolled down their sleeves from their hard work in countries like India and Uganda. I’ve rarely been so impressed.

The woman pictured with Livia and Zendaya is Vanessa Nakate, a 27 year climate activist from Uganda who’s changing the world. Google her and see how she and dozens of other young people– were given awards last night– are actual global citizens, not just people who talk about it and have concerts.

By the way, I had a long, in depth conversation with Annie Lennox, whom I’ve always admired. It was off the record until she’s ready to go public, but our discussion of her political speeches of late was fascinating and quite literate. Her thoughts on many subjects are very textured. Nothing is black and white right now.