Hollywood… Here is what we know on the film front. John Stamos is set to star in “Killing Mr. Kiesel,” about two multi-millionaire brothers who marry the women of their dreams and end up dead. This said to be based on a true story.
Here’s a switch: Samuel L. Jackson is leaving the big screen to create and produce shows for TV. His contract also states he can act in any one of his creations… And a few facts about Samuel you may not know. He was Bill Cosby’s stand-in on “The Cosby Show,” and he had a drug and alcohol problem for a while, but kicked that. His first job was as a security guard. He married LaTanya Richardson in 1980.
Ben Stiller decided to be a producer. His company, Red Hour Films, is set to bring out a film titled “Raindrops All Around Me,” about a socially inept high-school teacher who learns to “dumb it down” in order to fit in with the people around him. At this writing, the decision is not made as to whether Stiller will play that teacher. Betcha he does.
With long black hair and a rather matronly look, Brooke Shields told a group of reporters, “This is a business that doesn’t want young actresses to improve their craft, but remain pretty and dumb.” A bit of bitterness there, wouldn’t you say?
BITS ‘N’ PIECES: All quiet in the Britney, Lindsay and Paris camps at this writing. … Susan Saint-James is the latest thespian to get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. … Liv Tyler at a preem screening in one of the ugliest green get-ups I have ever seen. … And did you know that Debra Winger turned down the role in “Fatal Attraction” that made Glenn Close such a big star?
Many of you remember Omar Sharif. “Doctor Zhivago,” “Funny Girl,” “Lawrence of Arabia” and on and on. Curly black hair, a sexy smile, and a very fine actor. He also is known in the bridge-playing world as one of the best. Out of action for a while, he is now coming back to the big screen. Older, with graying hair, graying mustache and a graying beard, he will star as Libyan resistance leader Omar Mukhtar, “The Lion of the Desert.” A direct quote from Sharif: “I’m an old man now, and I’m trying to make films that mean something.” And just in case you didn’t know, he was born Michael Shalhoub in Alexandria, Egypt. AND from the pictures I have seen of him in recent years, he is still sexy!
HOLLYWOOD… It was a very different Paris Hilton who appeared a few weeks back on “The Late Show.” Not at all like the flighty blonde who flitted up and down Sunset Boulevard and drank it up in nightclubs. Smartly coiffed and beautifully dressed, she was very businesslike, talking about her upcoming movie and her businesses. And David Letterman fawned apologetically all over her for pressing her about prison in a previous interview. And no, I haven’t yet found out what’s in that black cup that sits on his desk. He takes an occasional sip, and so do his guests. Some viewers say it’s water, but others say coffee. I “ain’t” saying till I’m sure, but may have a bit of bourbon or vodka? However, or whatever, let’s hope Paris continues to behave (although there is much more to write about when she doesn’t).
Disney’s “The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian” is pulling in kids of all ages, plus their mamas and papas. If you didn’t see this saga, do it now! And, of course, if you’re coming out this way for a visit, be sure and take your kids to Disneyland. It’s always a wonderment!
Steven Spielberg loves billboards. After he makes a movie, he personally sees that humongous billboards advertising that movie are all over everywhere. And regarding Mr. S., quite a few years back I was president of the Hollywood Woman’s Press Club, and this young man named Steven Spielberg just made a picture called “Jaws.” He was invited to be our luncheon speaker to plug his picture. He came and sat next to me on the dais. You never saw a more nervous person in your entire life. Before we got to dessert, he bit every fingernail down to the quick, and he was shaking like a leaf. Just a short speech in front of about 60 people, but he was a wreck. I finally calmed him down. He plugged his picture in a few short sentences and sat down shaking. It’s a whole different story today. He attends many luncheons, makes many speeches, and is cool, calm and collected.
Coincidentally, I recently saw Laura Dern on “The Late Show,” which reminded me she starred for Steven in “Jurassic Park.” Laura is the daughter of an old friend, Diane Ladd, and therein another “look back” story. Diane is from New Orleans. Her real name was Diane Ladner. Years ago, when I first came to Hollywood, so did she. Wanting, of course, to be an actress. Diane would come over to my apartment and pace up and down the living-room floor ranting, “I want to be an actress!” She did become an actress, married Bruce Dern, had Laura, divorced Bruce, later remarried and is living happily out here. To get back to Laura, she has always had her own look when not acting. Jeans, a T-shirt and short blond hair. Not so on that recent “Late Show.” There she was, just like all the rest. The little black dress exposing legs and lots of top, and long blond hair, which she kept tossing like all the others. Which makes me wonder that maybe the ladies are told to wear those “nothing dresses and long blond hair.”
BITS ‘N’ PIECES: Sean “Diddy Combs” still in “hog heaven” after getting his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. … Score a good point for Lindsay. America Ferrara told Letterman that Lindsay was on her show, and she could not have been nicer or better behaved, and is also a good actress. … AND Barbra Streisand is the only artist who has an Oscar, an Emmy, a Tony, a Grammy, a Golden Globe, a Cable Ace, a Peabody and an American Film Institute Life Achievement Award.
HOLLYWOOD… “The DaVinci Code” was a long time best-seller. Then the book was made into a movie starring Tom Hanks as Professor Robert Langdon, the man who seeks to break the code. Unfortunately the film didn’t do as well as the book. However, a prequel titled “Angels and Demons” with Tom as Professor Langdon is getting ready to film. Ewan McGregor has signed on to co-star with Tom as Camero Carlo Ventresca. The plot of this one has Langdon trying to solve a murder and unravel a plot by an ancient group to blow up the Vatican during a Papal Conclave. Vantresca is the Pope’s closest aide and helps Langdon in his pursuit. McGregor was born in Crieff, Scotland in 1971. He started his career at age 16, working backstage at the Perth Theatre.
This struck me as kind of funny. Stephen King wrote a short story titled “Dolan’s Cadillac.” Starring in the motion-picture adaptation is an actor named Wes Bentley. The story is a thriller about a man who plots to avenge the murder of his wife by a Las Vegas mob member.
That adorable little America Ferrera is going to make a film titled “An Impossible Sign of My Own” and is based on the book by Aimee Bender. And will America be busy! The film will shoot between takes of her TV series “Ugly Betty.” AND she said she’ll “be loving every minute of it.”
Gwyneth Paltrow always has a look of her own. Not so when she appeared on “The Late Show.” There she was, same little nothing black dress, just like other actresses who wore the same “little nothing.” Long, straight blond hair falling all over her face. Just like those umpteen others. AND what did they talk about? Their kids, Dave’s 4-year-old Harry and Gwyneth’s Moses and Apple. They did manage to mention “Iron Man,” Gwyneth’s latest picture, with Robert Downey Jr.
My neighbor Lake Bell is fast becoming a MOVIE star after a long time on the tube. Her latest film, “What Happens In Vegas,” premiered, strangely, in Britain. Incidentally, if you’re in the vicinity of West Hollywood and Lake is not working, you might see her walking her dog Maggie, pooper scooper in hand. There’s a $50 fine in our little town for failing to scoop.
Barbara Walters has been called “The First Lady of Television.” There are some who would dispute THAT, but there’s no disputing the fact she was one of the first and is one of the best. If only she would lower that high screeching voice. Now she has her memoirs published by Knopf. Titled “Barbara Walters Audition,” it offers great insight into her private and public lives, and it’s a VERY GOOD READ!
A BIT AND A PIECE: At this writing all is quiet on the Paris, Lindsay and Britney fronts. Let’s hope it stays that way. … And Madonna hasn’t changed her hair color in at least two weeks.
Hollywood… Here is what we know on the film front. John Stamos is set to star in “Killing Mr. Kiesel,” about two multi-millionaire brothers who marry the women of their dreams and end up dead. This said to be based on a true story.
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