(image via dga.org)
In: Nicole Holofcener. Writer/Director Nicole Holofcener has been around awhile, directing such intelligent films as the emotionally complicated "Lovely and Amazing," and the break out hit "Walking and Talking." Holofcener has a strong reputation among indiephiles for never fleshing out her themes in simplistic Studio black and white, but now, it appears, she is on the verge of some well-deserved mainstream success. And without compromising her vision. According to Indiewire:
"It appears that spring has sprung in the art/specialty film business. After several sluggish weeks, there are now two films heading for quick wide release and possible mainstream appeal - Sony Classics' 'Friends With Money' and Fox Searchlight's 'Thank You For Smoking.' Nicole Holofcener's 'Friends With Money' debuted in first place on this week's indieWIRE Box Office Tracking Report (iWBOT) with a strong $21,048 average at 28 screens in six cities.
"... To Michael Barker, co-president of Sony Classics, 'Friends' represents what the discerning public wants most from independent/alternative American cinema. While it features name actresses Jennifer Aniston, Joan Cusack, Catherine Keener and Frances McDormand, it is primarily a character study rather than a star-driven vehicle. It's about the acting rather than the actor's charisma.
"'There's something refreshing about movie stars being in an ensemble film - people want to see actors stretch themselves in their role,' Barker said. 'These are not movie-star roles where the whole film rests on one person's shoulders. Plus, it has a very fine script.'
"Barker said word-of-mouth was so strong in advance - the film opened this year's Sundance Film Festival - that he decided to open it on 28 screens in six cities rather than just New York and L.A. (It also opened in San Francisco, Chicago, Boston and San Diego.) It will be on approximately 45 screens in 11 markets this coming weekend and then leap to 800 screens on April 21."
More here.
Out: Steve O's Fetid BodyJuices. Is the semisavage Steve O even goddamned human? He is bipedal and in possession of upright posture, but the similarities with the human race stop there. (Averted Gaze) Sometimes Steve O appears to be a member of our species, and then he'll go and do something like ... whip out his "junk," draw everyone's attention to his shortcomings, then urinate freely all over the red carpet. (Exaggerated cough suggesting feigned detachment) He is ... an enigma. From those intrepid Page Sixxies:
"Earlier that night at Key Club, 'Jackass' jerk Steve-O jumped onstage and shattered a light bulb on his shaved head, opening a nasty gash that gushed blood all over him. 'He just laughed and rubbed it all over his face,' said our spy. 'The scary part is it didn't stop a bunch of hot chicks from grabbing him and hitting on him when he got off the stage.'"
(A considerable pause) Charmed, I'm sure.
(image via nysocialdiary)
In: DPC Does MSNBC. We have always been fascinated by the whole "talking head process." The bookers. The prep. The whole sitting-in-a-room-with-a-camera thingie. All that. Michael Musto writes about it often and candidly, as did Page Six's Paula Froelich in her book "It!". We have been contacted by the excellent people at VH1 News, but frankly we are in equal parts terrified and attracted by the prospect of going teevee. Our pal David Patrick Columbia hips us to the protocol of the tube. Says our favorite social chronicler in NYSocialDiary:
"I left the Waldorf at 8:30 to head down to the Media 3 Broadcast Facility and Studios to go live on MSNBC and the Rita Cosby Show. The segment I was in there for was a discussion of the Page Six/Jared Stern/Ron Burkle alleged extortion imbroglio, along with Robin Leach (telecasting from Las Vegas) and Jeanne Wolf in Los Angeles.
"I arrived at quarter to nine � scheduled to go on at 9:30. Michael Musto of the Village Voice was in one of the green rooms waiting to go on Keith Olbermann to discuss the why�s and why-not�s of Brangelina et al.
"A young make up woman named Patricia Longo sat me down and brushed my cheeks and forehead with some powder because I had 'too much red' in my face already. Ms. Longo and I chatted for a few minutes and learned that we are neighbors, living only three blocks from each other.
"Then I was told to go into the room where the discussion would take place by remote with Ms. Cosby. I�ve done this before but I�m always cowed by the process because it feels like you�re going into a room to talk to yourself. Which, in a way, you are."
Well, it is MSNBC David's talking about. I'm just saying. The full story here.
(image via boston)
Out: Charlie Gibson's Limbo. Where's the love, David Westin? Where's. The. Love.
Nobody couldn't love the loyal, grand-unclish Charlie Gibson. Gibson's like a tepid cup of Chamomile tea right after a night of hard partying. Born to be Mild, that Uncle Charlie. That has to count for something, though, don't you think.
Even Mrs. "Poised, creamy insincerity" is lobbying fast and furious. Welcome to Charlie Gibson's Limbo. According to the salmon-colored weekly:
"Almost exactly one month ago, ABC News president David Westin took Charlie Gibson to lunch to discuss the Good Morning America anchor�s much-anticipated move to World News Tonight.
"At the meal, according to three sources close to Mr. Gibson, Mr. Westin explained his unenviable position: He was committed to the newly unveiled and presently unsustainable two-anchor format, he said, because he believed it would work. Because he believed that she is talented (and because it�s in her contract), he wanted Elizabeth Vargas to continue as one of those two anchors. And that�s where good ol� Charlie came in. Mr. Gibson, if he could find it in his heart to take half the desk he once came so close to having all to himself, would be the other�that is, until Bob Woodruff, the chair�s rightful occupant, had recovered enough from his Iraq wounds to return.
"It wasn�t exactly $50 million and a place in history, but Mr. Gibson expressed interest. In a follow-up conversation that week, according to the sources, Mr. Westin implied that a draft of a new contract would land on Mr. Gibson�s desk any minute. Executives had discussions about how to break the news. Gossip columns held forth on the 63-year-old company man�s impending and well-earned ascent. NYTV reported that Diane Sawyer was lobbying for Mr. Gibson.
"And then, once the buzz had reached a fever pitch ... nothing."
Aint that a bitch. Much, much more with the talented Rebecca Dana here.
(image via zachklein)
In: Sophia Coppola. It's amazing what incentive fucking up one of the greatest film franchises in American history will have on one's career. (The Corsair pours himself a glass of Daniel Bouju cognac) Sophia Coppola, who -- popular wisdom holds -- ruined the Godfather 3, is now one of America's finest young directors. Sometimes a robust ass-kicking lights a fire under one's ass, right Soph? And now, according to Fashionweekdaily, she may be a guest editor for Vogue to coincide with the release of her new film, Marie Antoinette:
"According to sources at several rival magazines that have been lobbying to photograph Kirsten Dunst for their fall issues�ideally September and October to coincide with the Oct. 13 release of Marie Antoinette�publicists for the actress have been holding out for Vogue. What�s more interesting is that sources are saying (Anna) Wintour is said to be asking director Sofia Coppola to guest edit the issue. Sound familiar? That�s because Coppola edited the December/January issue of French Vogue in 2004. A Vogue spokesman said he could not comment, and a representative for Dunst did not return calls."
(image via deadspin)
Out: Senator Chris Matthews? If this were April 1st, we would take this as an April Fool. It isn't. HuffPo writes, cryptically, in an unsigned post, "We're Hearing...
That 'Hardball' Host Chris Matthews Is Considering A US Senate Run In Pennsylvania..."
Huh?
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