The MTV Best Female Performance nominee shot "Dear John" in the coastal city in 2008 and claims she'd love to live there someday.
She's not alone. Last year, Travel + Leisure Magazine readers voted Charleston the 4th best city in America.
Amanda Seyfried plays the title role in "Chloe." Photo by Rafy, courtesy Sony Pictures Classics.
April 23, 2010
"Furry Vengeance" opens April 30, starring Brendan Fraser and Brooke Shields, and while it's set in the Pacific Northwest, the family comedy has Southern connections in its two co-stars, Ken Jeong and Angela Kinsey.
Ken Jeong, a North Carolina native, went to Duke as an undergrad, then went down the road to Chapel Hill for med school. Yes, it's true - the guy who's been making a big name for himself in comedy since his emergence from the trunk in "The Hangover" is an M.D., and one of the places he honed his skills was Charlie Goodnight's in Raleigh.
Angela Kinsey, who's become known for her role in "The Office," plays the "yes girl" to Ken Jeong's counter-eco villain. I interviewed her last weekend, and she says she was born in Louisiana, but her parents now live in Texas, which is where she returns for summer and for Christmas.
Brendan Fraser, Angela Kinsey, and Ken Jeong face off in "Furry Vengance." Photo by Alan Markfield, courtesy Summit Entertainment.
Ken Jeong plays ruthless developer Neal Lyman in "Furry Vengeance." Photo by Alan Markfield, courtesy Summit Entertainment.
Angela Kinsey co-stars as Felder in "Furry Vengeance."
April 16, 2010
I don't know where I was when I first heard Mary Gauthier, but I can tell you that her song "Mercy Now" would, if it were in vinyl, be well worn in my house.
By the way, it's go-shay, but you may know that already. Her first year was spent in an orphanage in New Orleans, and ultimately she made her way to Boston where she opened a Cajun restaurant called Dixie Kitchen. A DUI on opening night led her to quit drinking, which, as she describes in an interview for Pure Music, led to her finally being able to write music.
Her latest album, "The Foundling," drops May 18 and is available digitally now. You can go to her website and get a free mp3 of one of the songs, "Sideshow."
And if you live in L.A. or are going to be near there on July 10, you can hear her in person at McCabe's. I caught her there a couple of years ago and she does a fine, earnest, and moving show, start to finish. If this is at all your cup of Earl Grey, don't miss it.
Singer-songwriter Mary Gauthier's newest album can be downloaded on her site.
Tina Fey and Steve Carell play Claire and Phil in "Date Night." Photo by Myles Aronowitz, courtesy Twentieth Century Fox.
April 13, 2010
All they wanted was a little night out. A little peace and quiet without the kids, a nice dinner. Maybe, with luck, a little romance. What they got was a whole lot more. "Date Night," in the tradition of "After Hours" and "The Out-of-Towners" with a liberal sprinkling of romantic comedy, stars Tina Fey and Steve Carell as the couple just trying to have a little grown-up time. The movie's opening weekend, it ran a close second to "Clash of the Titans" in terms of box office receipts.
And though it's set in New York, and though Tina Fey is probably well associated with both New York and Chicago, thanks to "30 Rock" as well as her Second City background, the Emmy-winning writer & actress was a drama major at the University of Virginia.
March 2, 2010
Sitting at the top of the box office for the second week in a row is "Shutter Island," directed by Martin Scorsese.
The movie stars Leonardo DiCaprio with Virginia-raised Mark Ruffalo, and it was adapted from Dennis Lehane's novel by Laeta Kalogridis, who's a Davidson College alum.
Thanks to Lawrence Toppman at the Charlotte Observer for bringing Laeta Kalogridis' Davidson College connection to our attention. You can read his interview with her here.
Oh, yes - the multi-talented Kalogridis is riding high on another count. In addition to having written the #1 movie of the past two weeks, she exec produced "Avatar," which in January became the highest grossing movie of all time and still ranks at #4 in this weekend's box office.
Leonardo DiCaprio (L) and Mark Ruffalo (R) co-star in the intrigue "Shutter Island." Photo by Andrew Cooper, courtesy Paramount Pictures.
Laeta Kalogridis wrote the screenplay of "Shutter Island" and executive produced "Avatar." Photo by Charley Gallay/Wire Image.
Sam Worthington (L) and Zoe Saldana (R) share the screen in "Avatar." Photo by WETA, courtesy Twentieth Century Fox.
Feb. 18, 2010
In case you hadn't noticed, the star-packed "Valentine's Day" opened last weekend to a solid seat at the top of the box office charts. In fact, the romantic comedy, featuring Ashton Kutcher, Jennifer Garner, Jessica Alba, Jessica Biel, Julia Roberts, Emma Roberts, Patrick Dempsey, and a host of others, took in $63.1 million over the four-day holiday weekend. The movie was directed by Garry Marshall, a five-time Emmy nominee ("Mork and MIndy" and "The Odd Couple"), and written by Katherine Fugate.
Katherine also created the TV show "Army Wives" and has a home in New Orleans, in the French Quarter, as well as one in L.A.. And yes, she's a Saints fan.
What's especially gratifying is Katherine's comment after hearing the box office results for the weekend.
"I'm still in shock!" she wrote on her Facebook page. "To think, i sold this as an original idea and wrote it when i was broke, wondering about my future as a writer - and i asked myself, what means the most to you in this life? Love. It's always about Love. and here we are now, smashing records all over town - don't just believe in your dreams -- DREAM BIGGER!"
Jennifer Garner and Ashton Kutcher co-star in the romantic comedy "Valentine's Day." Photo by Ron Batzdorff, courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures.
Katherine Fugate, writer of "Valentine's Day," lives part-time in New Orleans.
Jeff Bridges sings and plays guitar in his Golden Globe-winning role in "Crazy Heart." Photo courtesy Fox Searchlight.
Jan. 21, 2010
Big kudos to all the Golden Globe winners, and especially to those with Southern connections!
Virginia-born Sandra Bullock took home the award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama for her role in "The Blind Side."
Jeff Bridges starred as Bad Blake, Texan singer in a bad way, in "Crazy Heart," and earned a Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama.
From the same movie, Missouri native T Bone Burnett garnered a Best Original Song - Motion Picture for "The Weary Kind," the movie's theme.
Raleighite Michael C. Hall won the Best Actor in a Television Series - Drama - for his dark turn in Showtime's "Dexter."
And "The Hangover" was lauded as Best Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical. The comedy stars Bradley Cooper, who went to Georgetown; North Carolinian Zach Galifianakis; and Atlanta native Ed Helms... proving that Southern boys do, indeed, have more fun.
Michael C. Hall is Dexter in the show of the same name. Photo courtesy Showtime Networks.
Sandra Bullock stars as Leigh Anne Tuohy in "The Blind Side." Photo courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures.
Longtime musician, composer, and music producer T Bone Burnett, with co-writer Ryan Bingham, wrote "The Weary Kind" for "Crazy Heart."
D.C.-born Jake Broder won "Lead Actor in a Musical," portraying the indefatigable band leader and performer Louis Prima, who hailed from New Orleans. And Vanessa Claire Smith, who's a New Orleans native herself, walked off with "Lead Actress in a Musical," for her role as silky-voiced chanteuse Keely Smith.
The play itself, in its incarnation at Westwood's Geffen Playhouse, received an Ovation Award for Best Musical in a Large Theater.
Those who've been following the show have seen it grow from its beginnings at the Sacred Fools Theatre and the Matrix Theater, then moving - with Oscar-nominated director Taylor Hackford as producer/director - to the Geffen. (Taylor Hackford also directed 1988's "Everybody's All-American," starring Dennis Quaid and Jessica Lange, and wrote and directed 2004's "Ray"... both of them shot in Louisiana. )
Jake, Vanessa, and the band did an abbreviated, holiday-themed version of some of the songs at North Hollywood's El Portal Theatre in December, and word has it that they will be taking their show on the road. Look for it.
January 11, 2010
Susan Sarandon, currently co-starring as Grandma Lynn in "The Lovely Bones," from the best-selling novel by Alice Sebold, has Southern roots that go back to college, when she went to Catholic University in Washington, D.C. She's also played a Southerner in some of her best-known roles: Louise in "Thelma and Louise," Reggie Love in "The Client" (shot in Mississippi, Louisiana, and Tennessee), and Annie Savoy in "Bull Durham" (shot in North Carolina and Texas).
Susan Sarandon comes to take over as Grandma Lynn in "The Lovely Bones." Photo courtesy of DreamWorks SKG.
January 8, 2010
"Isn't she Southern?"
I've heard that over and over about Amy Adams, currently starring in the romantic comedy "Leap Year," released in the U.S. today. And it's completely understandable. Her childhood may not have been spent in the South, but Amy Adams earned her first Oscar nomination - and first big chunk of fame - playing a Southerner in "Junebug," shot in North Carolina.
See Frosty's "Enchanted" interview with her in Collider.
Amy Adams and Matthew Goode co-star in Universal Pictures' "Leap Year."
January 7, 2010
Awards season is here again, and this year it's filled with people and projects with Southern roots.
The People's Choice Awards started the ball rolling last night at L.A.'s Nokia Theatre, with Favorite Movie Actor and Favorite Movie Actress going to two Southerners: the former to Kentucky-born Johnny Depp, and the latter to East Carolina-educated Sandra Bullock.
Atlanta's Alyson Hannigan won Favorite TV Comedy Actress, Tennessean Miley Cyrus was named Favorite Breakout Movie Actress, and from the same town in Tennessee comes Paramore, cited by the fans as Favorite Rock Band.
Oklahoman Carrie Underwood took home the trophy for Favorite Country Artist, and the Favorite Talk Show was snagged by Ellen DeGeneres, who originally hails from Metairie, Louisiana.
Favorite TV Obsession went to HBO's "True Blood," which was created by Atlanta native Alan Ball, based on a series of books by Mississippi-reared Charlaine Harris.
Johnny Depp plays the Mad Hatter in Disney's 3D "Alice in Wonderland," opening March 5.
Sandra Bullock stars as Leigh Anne Tuohy opposite Quinton Aaron's Michael Oher in "The Blind Side." Photo by Ralph Nelson, courtesy Warner Bros.
October 16, 2009
Let the wild rumpus begin!
Opening today is Warner Brothers' big-screen adaptation of Maurice Sendak's well-loved and Caldecott Award-winning picture book, "Where the Wild Things Are."
Max Records stars as the fictional Max, James Gandolfini ("The Sopranos," of course) co-stars as the voice of Carol, Spike Jonze ("Being John Malkovich") directs and co-wrote the adaptation, and Dave Eggers ("A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius") co-wrote the script with Spike.
The Southern connection, beyond the numbers of people who've read the book to children of their own or had the book read to them as youngsters? Tom Hanks ("Forrest Gump") produces, and the mom is played by Catherine Keener ("Capote," "Lovely and Amazing"), who grew up in Florida.
Catherine Keener and Max Records co-star in "Where the Wild Things Are." Photo courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures.
July 28, 2009
From the Ava Gardner Museum in Smithfield, NC, comes word of their Ava Gardner Festival October 9-10.
The original Barefoot Contessa (I think it's fair to say she was the Angelina Jolie - minus the children - of her time) was born in Johnston County, near Smithfield, and every year the museum plans a gala in her honor. This year they're offering a special Ava Gardner Festival package (entry to the museum exhibits, now including a pocket watch the screen star gave to Ernest Hemingway; heritage tour; and film passes) for $99.
Read Barbara Dolny-Bombar's piece on the museum here.
On exhibit at the Ava Gardner Museum, a watch the legendary beauty gave to Frank Sinatra, her third husband. The inscription on the back says "To Frank and desert nights - Ava."
Ava Gardner as Kitty Collins in "The Killers" (1946).
July 23, 2009
Henry Winkler was the guest speaker last night at the annual UNC-Hollywood reception at the Motion Picture Academy in Beverly Hills.
Winkler, a governor of The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, spoke to a crowd that included the 22 University of North Carolina students just finishing up their summer internships with L.A. companies. In his talk, he encouraged students - fledgling writers, actors, producers, and more - to be tenacious. His dad, he said, wanted him to go into the family lumber business. Winkler wanted to be an actor instead. Turns out the former Fonz is writing a book on that very subject.
Meanwhile, hats off to the companies who hosted the UNC students this summer -- Lionsgate, Reveille Productions ("Ugly Betty"), Universal Cable Productions ("Royal Pains"), and more.
Dennis Mumby, chair of the UNC Communication Studies Dept., gives a Carolina t-shirt to Henry Winkler. Photo by Russell Corey.
July 21, 2009
Often people e-mail or call me, asking what's coming up that they might like. Usually they're asking about movies that involve people rather than exploding cars.
If you're one of those people, here's one just for you: "The Answer Man," from writer/director John HIndman.
The movie stars Jeff Daniels as Arlen Faber, author of "Me and God," and Lauren Graham as Elizabeth, who's brand newly opening the Staighten-Up Healing Center. Yes, it's a romantic comedy. No, it's not quite what you think.
Here's Marshall Fine's excellent review of it. The movie opens in NY, L.A., and Philadelphia July 24 but is available on pay-per-view through July 23.
Oh, yeah. Jeff Daniels, whom I normally think of as a Michigander, because he's founder and exec director of the Purple Rose Theatre Company there, was born in Athens, Georgia.
And Lauren Graham, whom many know from her days on "Gilmore Girls," grew up in Northern Virginia and got her masters at SMU.
Opening dates:
7/24/2009
Encino, CA: Town Center 5
Santa Ana, CA: South Coast Village 3
Santa Monica, CA: Monica 4 Plex
West Hollywood, CA: Sunset 5
New York, NY: Sunshine Cinema
Philadelphia, PA: Ritz 5 Movies
7/31/2009
La Jolla, CA: La Jolla Village Cinemas
Pasadena, CA: Playhouse 7 Cinemas
San Francisco, CA: Embarcadero Center Cinema 5
Washington, DC: E Street Cinema
Chicago, IL: Landmark's Century Centre Cinema
Highland Park, IL: Renaissance Place
Cambridge, MA: Kendall Square Cinema
8/7/2009
Palm Desert, CA: Cinemas Palme D'Or
Santa Cruz, CA: Nickelodeon Theatres
New Haven, CT: Criterion Cinemas 7
Edina, MN: Edina 4
Seattle, WA: Varsity Theatre
8/28/2009
Grand Rapids, MI: Urban Institute of Contemporary Arts
If your favorite theatre's not on here, go to them and ask them to get this movie.
Lauren Graham and Jeff Daniels co-star in "The Answer Man," opening July 24 in theatres and available till July 23 on pay-per-view. Photo courtesy Magnolia Pictures.
Jeff Daniels plays author Arlen Faber in "The Answer Man."
June 16, 2009
Yes! I knew I could find a Southern connection to the movie that just broke box-office records for midnight showings, even though the cast is British, as is the director, David Yates. Of course I'm talking about "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince," still starring Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint as the wizards in training.
It was written by Texan-born Steve Kloves, who also wrote "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire," "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban," "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets," and "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone," as well as "Wonder Boys," Flesh and Bone," "The Fabulous Baker Boys," and "Racing with the Moon."
Click here for an L.A. Times interview with Steve Kloves, but be aware that it contains spoilers.
Danielle Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint together again for the New York premiere of "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince." Photo by Marion Curtis/Startraksphoto.com.
Harry Potter learns more about Voldemort in "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince." Photo courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures.
Bill Hader can currently be heard as the voice of "Gazelle" in "Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs." In this photo, he was Brian Bretter in "Forgetting Sarah Marshall." Photo courtesy Universal Pictures.
July 13, 2009
If it seems like you're seeing (or hearing) Oklahoma-born Bill Hader all over the place lately, it could be because you are.
Of course, he's been a regular on "Saturday Night Live" since 2005, but he's also been showing up in big-screen comedies, as well. Last year alone he was in "Pineapple Express," "Forgetting Sarah Marshall," and "Tropic Thunder." This year he's been in "Adventureland," "Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian," "Year One," and "Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs."
Out on DVD this week: "Two Lovers," starring Joaquin Phoenix, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Vinessa Shaw.
One of Gwyneth Paltrow's first movies was "Flesh and Bone," with Dennis Quaid, Meg Ryan, and James Caan -- shot in Texas.
She also starred with Jack Black in "Shallow Hal," shot in North Carolina.
Gwyneth has her own website with weekly newsletter, "Goop."
Gwyneth Paltrow (right) co-stars with Joaquin Phoenix in "Two Lovers," from Magnolia Pictures.
Robin Williams resumes his one-man show in September. Photo courtesy Dave Benett.
July 8, 2009
Robin Williams is climbing back in the saddle... and back on stage. After a brief break for heart surgery, the Oscar-winning actor is picking up where he left off and will be at Washington, D.C.'s DAR Constitution Hall in November to tape his solo show, "Weapons of Self-Destruction."
It will air on HBO in December -- the first solo special he's done for HBO in 7 years.
Those who want to get an early peek, though, can see him on the pre-D.C. stops of his tour:
Tour Dates
09/30/09 Bloomington IN I.U. Auditorium
10/01/09 South bend IN Morris Performing Arts Center
10/02/09 Chicago IL Rosemont Theatre
10/06/09 Louisville KY Palace Theater
10/08/09 Oklahoma City OK Ford Centre
10/09/09 Little Rock AR Alltel Arena
10/10/09 Birmingham AL BJCC Concert Hall
10/14/09 Durham NC Performing Arts Center
10/15/09 Knoxville TN Knoxville Civic Auditorium/Coliseum
10/16/09 Atlanta GA Fox Theater
10/17/09 Jacksonville FL Moran Theatre
10/20/09 Tampa FL Sundome
10/21/09 Hollywood FL Seminole Casino
10/22/09 Hollywood FL Seminole Casino
10/23/09 Orlando FL UCF Arena
10/26/09 Norfolk VA Old Dominion
10/29/09 East Lansing MI Performing Arts Center
10/30/09 Ann arbor MI Hill Auditorium
10/31/09 Detroit MI Motorcity Casino
11/01/09 Saint Louis MO Fox Theatre
I remember well a neighborhood Fourth of July we had long years ago in Alexandria, Virginia. We were living in a neighborhood called Warwick Village, a neighborhood of 600 townhomes. My son had yet to turn two, and I wanted him to have an old-fashioned Fourth of July like the ones I'd grown up with.
So I called about a dozen neighbors and shared with them what I had in mind, and about 6 months later, we had a gala extravaganza that started off with a bike and wagon parade. That led to the playing field, where a Big Bounce was set up, along with three-legged races, potato-on-a-spoon races, snow cone machine, hot dog vendor, cutest baby contest, and much more. There was also a huge flag cake, made up of sheet cakes people had brought in and decorated on the spot to be a part of the mondo flag.
The whole thing was just glorious and a great example of neighbors working together to create something with so many good memories. If you're reading this and were a part of that Warwick Village Fourth of July over 30 years ago, I'd love to hear from you.
And if you celebrated the Fourth this past weekend in the South, we'd love to hear about yours, too. So please send us a note telling us about it.
Blazing onto the big screen today is "Public Enemies," with the starring role - Depression-era gangster John Dillinger - played by Kentucky native Johnny Depp. "Few contemporary actors can wear a fedora as persuasively," notes Manohla Dargis in this morning's New York Times review.
Joining him on the opposite side of the law is Christian Bale, as Special Agent Melvin Purvis. Bale was John Rolfe in "The New World," shot in Virginia.
Tony Award winner Billy Crudup takes on the role of FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover. He's a University of North Carolina grad.
And director Michael Mann has his own Southern connections, as well. His TV series "Miami Vice" and the subsequent 2006 movie by the same name were shot primarily in Florida.
Johnny Depp stars as John Dillinger in "Public Enemies." Photo by Steve Schapiro, courtesy Universall Studios.
Christian Bale (left) and Billy Crudup co-star as Melvin Purvis and J. Edgar Hoover. Photo by Peter Mountain, courtesy Universal Studios.
Humanitas winner Michael Mann directs. Photo by Peter Mountain, courtesy Universal Studios.
June 30, 2009
Currently playing in N.Y. and L.A. is "The Hurt Locker," a little movie with big impact. A fictional story about the real-life bomb squads operating in Iraq,the flick was written by Mark Boal, who was a journalist embedded in an EOD team in 2004, and directed by Kathryn Bigelow, who brought us "Blue Steel" and "Point Break."
The more well-known names in the cast include Ralph Fiennes, Guy Pearce, and David Morse, but the actual stars of the film are Jeremy Renner and Anthony Mackie, who fill the screen for most of the time along with Brian Geraghty, who plays their teammate on the bomb squad.
Jeremy Renner, a Californian by background, was in "The Heart Is Deceitful above All Things," which was shot in Tennessee, and Anthony Mackie, a Julliard grad, is a native of New Orleans.
Anthony Mackie and Brian Geraghty worked together before, in "We Are Marshall," which was shot primarily in West Virginia.
"The Hurt Locker" opens in Atlanta, Austin, Dallas, Washington, D.C., and some other North American cities July 10.
Jeremy Renner (left) and Anthony Mackie co-star in "The Hurt Locker." Photo courtesy Summit Entertainment.
Brian Geraghty is Specialist Owen Eldridge in "The Hurt Locker." Photo courtesy Summit Entertainment.
Cameron Diaz is Sara Fitzgerald in "My Sister's Keeper." Photo by Sidney Baldwin, courtesy New Line Cinema.
June 29, 2009
"My Sister's Keeper," based on the novel by Jodi Picoult, opened this past weekend and had people reaching for their Kleenex. It's the story of a family with three children, one of them very sick. Cameron Diaz plays the mom, Jason Patric the dad, and Abigail Breslin,Evan Ellingson, and Sofia Vassilieva the kids. Alec Baldwin and Joan Cusack co-star as the lawyer and judge involved in the case.
So here's the Southern connection: When you watch the movie, you can't help but be caught up in the love of this family. The screen is suffused with it. It's beautifully shot by Caleb Deschanel, whom many will recognize as the cinematographer of "The Natural," "The Black Stallion," and "The Patriot," among a host of others. "The Patriot" was shot in South Carolina, and Caleb has family in North Carolina.
Also, Cameron Diaz co-starred with Toni Collette in "In Her Shoes," shot in Florida, and Alec Baldwin portrayed Bobby DeLaughter in "Ghosts of Mississippi," shot in, yes, Mississippi.
For another side of Cameron Diaz, check out Leona June Christensen's profile of her in Long Beach Magazine.
Alec Baldwin plays lawyer Campbell Alexander in "My Sister's Keeper." Photo by Ron Batzdorff, courtesy New Line Cinema.
June 25, 2009
R.I.P. Farrah Fawcett, former Texas beauty queen and lustrous-haired Charlie's Angel, whose swimsuit-clad image graced the walls of millions of teenaged and college-aged boys and set the style for a decade of women's hair.
She passed away this morning in a Santa Monica hospital.
June 24, 2009
This just in from Jerry Penacoli, of "Extra":
"more sad news... friends and family of Farrah Fawcett are gathering at her bedside in ICU at an LA area hospital, apparently to say their final goodbyes... and a priest has been summoned to administer last rites..."
June 24, 2009
From director Stephen Frears ("The Queen," "Dirty Pretty Things," "High Fidelity") and writer Christopher Hampton ("Atonement," "Dangerous Liaisons") comes "Cheri," opening Friday, June 26. The movie, set in in 1920s Paris, features Rupert Friend as Cheri, Michelle Pfeiffer as Lea de Lonval, and Tennessean Kathy Bates as Madame Peloux.
If it seems like Kathy Bates is showing up everywhere you turn, you might be right. She was in three movies this past year ("Revolutionary Road," "The Day the Earth Stood Still," and "The Family That Preys") and in five more in 2007 ("P.S. I Love You," "The Golden Compass," "Fred Claus," "Bee Movie," and "Christmas Is Here Again"). She won a Best Actress Oscar for playing disgruntled-to-the-point-of-sadistic fan Annie Wilkes in 1990's "Misery."
Michelle Pfeiffer (left) as Lea de Lonval and Kathy Bates as Charlotte Peloux face off in "Cheri." Photo by Bruno Calvo, courtesy Miramax.
Evan Rachel Wood plays Melodie St. Ann Celestine in Woody Allen's "Whatever Works," in theatres now. Photo courtesy Sony Pictures Classics.
June 22, 2009
It's true Woody Allen is probably - in the film world, anyway - considered the iconic New Yorker.
A Virginia native, she went to East Carolina, made a name for herself in Hollywood, then found her way back South again, buying a place in Austin with her husband, Jesse James. Last night she set Craig Ferguson straight, though, about James' own background. Not a Texan, she said. He's from Long Beach. But it was clear she has a big fondness for her newly adopted home state.
Co-starring in the pic is Ryan Reynolds. He's Canadian by birth, but shot 2005's "Waiting" in Louisiana. Mary Steenburgen plays his mom. As most everyone knows by now, the Oscar-winning actress is from Arkansas.
Sandra Bullock headlines the new comedy "The Proposal." Photo by Kerry Hayes, courtesy Touchstone Pictures.
Betty White, Mary Steenburgen, Ryan Reynolds, and Craig T. Nelson line up in "The Proposal." Photo by Kerry Hayes, courtesy Touchstone Pictures.
Here he is talking with Jeffrey Lyons about what he found on his ranch and why he wore his gun backward in his Emmy-winning role in "Broken Trail."
Up next for Church? "All About Steve," with Sandra Bullock and Bradley Cooper, due out in September.
Thomas Haden Church (right) co-stars with Eddie Murphy in "Imagine That." Photo courtesy Paramount Pictures.
Best-selling country music artist Garth Brooks will be a presenter at the Hollywood Bowl Friday night, June 19.
June 16, 2009
This is one of the best times of year for Southern Californians -- it's Hollywood Bowl time! Friday night is their opening night gala, with Josh Groban and Dame Kiri Te Kanawa inducted into the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame.
Guest performers include a star-studded line-up of Roger Daltrey, Angelique Kidjo, Frederica von Stade, and Georgia-born Trisha Yearwood.
The presenters will be John Williams and Oklahoma native Garth Brooks.
June 15, 2009
Okay, I knew I could find a Southern connection in here somewhere, and I just did:
If you're a fan of "Up" (and millions of us are -- I know plenty of adults who've gone to see it more than once, and without children in tow), check out Elvis Mitchell's interview with Pete Docter, the movie's director and co-writer, on Elvis' radio show "The Treatment."
Pete explains a number of fascinating decisions behind the movie, including inspirations, size and shape considerations, and the pact we make when we go to Disneyland... or buy a ticket for a Pixar movie.
You can hear it online at the KCRW site or download a podcast of it there or from iTunes.
Oh, yeah. Elvis used to be film critic at the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram.
Walt Disney Pictures' "Up" was directed by Pete Docter.
June 12, 2009
Coursing into theatres today is "The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3." Now, understand that I never saw the original, so I didn't go in with preconceptions. I did go in knowing the pedigree of this summertime actioner. Tony Scott directed, Brian Helgeland ("L.A. Confidential," "Mystic River," "Man on Fire") wrote it, and the movie pits John Travolta against Denzel Washington, with a touch of James Gandolfini thrown in for good measure.
And I'll tell you, Tony Scott's fast-moving opening montage grabbed me at the outset, and I found it a good ride.
Meanwhile, the movie's filled with Southern connections, even if they may not seem obvious at first glance.
John Travolta starred in "A Love Song for Bobby Long," shot in New Orleans.
Denzel shot 2007's "The Great Debaters" in Louisiana and Texas, "Remember the Titans" in Georgia, and "Mississippi Masala" in -- yep -- Mississippi.
And Tony Scott (who also directed "Top Gun," "Crimson Tide," "Enemy of the State," and "Man on Fire") directed "Days of Thunder" at racetracks throughout Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida. He also has a North Carolina connection via marriage, which he told me when I interviewed him for "Man on Fire."
John Travolta's "Ryder" holds a subway car hostage in "The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3." Photo courtesy Sony Pictures Entertainment.
Tony Scott directed "The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3." Photo courtesy Sony Pictures Entertainment.
Denzel Washington shares top billing as "Walter Garber," MTA worker, in "The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3." Photo courtesy Sony Pictures Entertainment.
June 11, 2009
If it's Thursday, it must be time for the CMA Fest taking over Nashville for the next four days.
Gretchen Wilson starts the music rolling, and other performers just today include the Bellamy Brothers, Diamond Rio, Neal McCoy, Heidi Newfield, James Otto, Randy Rogers Band, Ashton Shepherd, Phil Vassar, Chuck Wicks, Dierks Bentley, Brooks & Dunn, Julianne Hough, Reba McEntire, Brad Paisley, Darius Rucker, and Rascal Flatts.
Gretchen Wilson opens the CMA Fest in Nashville. Photo courtesy Sony Music Nashville.
So for those who can't wait to get their next fix of one of Atlanta's most prolific filmmakers (one of his own movies, "I Can Do Bad All By Myself," hits the big screen Sept. 11), catch him as Admiral Richard Barnett in the J.J. Abrams-directed "Star Trek" in theatres now.
James Kirk (Chris Pine) contemplates Starfleet Academy in "Star Trek." Photo: Industrial Light & Magic. Courtesy Paramount Pictures.
June 9, 2009
You don't have to have been at Woodstock in '69 to appreciate "Woodstock: 40th Anniversary Ultimate Collector's Edition," out on Blu-ray and DVD today. Warner Bros.' boxed set includes the four-hour director's cut, plus over three hours of bonus footage recently edited from footage not seen in the original.
Included are interviews with Martin Scorsese, who admits to wearing cufflinks to the three-day music festival, and Hugh Hefner, along with extensive performance footage of the Who, Jefferson Airplane, Jimi Hendrix, Santana, Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Joan Baez, Canned Heat, Sha-Na-Na, Joe Cocker, Country Joe McDonald and the Fish, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Crosby Stills & Nash, Johnny Winter, and more. It's a reminder of a time when concerts were about passion and music, rather than choreography and costume changes.
And the incredibly talented Johnny Winter is mesmerizing. He's also a Southerner, having grown up in both Mississippi and Texas. If you're hankering for more, look for his double CD, "Johnny Winter:The Woodstock Experience," available June 30.
"Woodstock: 40th Anniversary Ultimate Collector's Edition" out today from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment.
"Johnny Winter: The Woodstock Experience" (CD) drops June 30.
June 8, 2009
"Away We Go," Focus Features' road movie about a pregnant couple looking to put down roots, opened Friday in limited release. The film stars Maya Rudolph, from "Saturday Night Live," and John Krasinski, from "The Office."
Playing a character wholly different from those she's created on "Saturday Night Live," Maya Rudolph is remarkable. And she's Southern -- from Florida. And the daughter of singer Minnie Riperton.
Directed by Sam Mendes, who brought us "American Beauty" and "Revolutionary Road," the movie was written by Dave Eggers (who wrote the books "A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius" and "What Is the What," among others) and Vendela Vida. Dave Eggers also founded McSweeneys and co-founded 826, the network of writing labs for schoolkids around the country.
"Away We Go" was shot partly in Miami and Leesburg, Florida.
John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph as Burt and Verona in "Away We Go." Photo courtesy Focus Features.
June 4, 2009
"The Hangover" opens tomorrow, and the what-happens-in-Vegas comedy is overflowing with Southerners.
Bradley Cooper, who plays Phil, went to school at Georgetown.
Zach Galifianakis, Bradley Cooper, and Ed Helm headline "The Hangover," opening June 5. Photo courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures.
Lance Reddick was Lt. Cedric Daniels in "The Wire." Photo courtesy Home Box Office.
June 3, 2009
Lee Daniels is the producer behind "Monster's Ball" and "The Woodsman" and director of "Precious: Based On The Novel 'Push' By Sapphire." The last ended up being one of the most-talked-about films at Sundance this year (it won both the Audience Award and the Grand Jury Prize), so when I heard he had a new one on tap, I wanted to find out more.
"Tennessee," produced by Lee Daniels and directed by Aaron Woodley, opens this Friday, June 5. It tells the story of two brothers who journey back to their childhood home in search of their estranged father. Adam Rothenberg (from "The Ex List") plays Carter, and Ethan Peck, soon to be seen in TV's "10 Things I Hate about You," is Ellis. Mariah Carey co-stars as Krystal, whom they meet along the way, and Lance Reddick (from "Fringe" and "The Wire") plays her husband, Frank.
The movie was shot partly in Tennessee, writer Russell Schaumburg is from Knoxville, and Lance Reddick is from Baltimore.
"The Right to Dream," Mariah Carey's song which she wrote for the film, is available on iTunes.
Ethan Peck, Mariah Carey, and Adam Rothenberg join up as a trio of travelers in "Tennessee." Photo courtesy Vivendi Entertainment.
The show also features Virginia native Hunter Parrish as Silas Botwin. Parrish grew up in Plano, Texas.
Season 5 starts Monday, June 8.
Hunter Parrish co-stars as Nancy's son, Silas. Photo: Sonja Flemming/Showtime.
Mary-Louise Parker stars as Nancy Botwin in "Weeds." Photo: Sonja Flemming/Showtime.
Dave Matthews Band's "Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King" drops June 2.
June 1, 2009
Good news today for Dave Matthews fans: the former Charlottesville resident has a new album out tomorrow. Called "Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King," it's in part a tribute to the band's saxophonist LeRoi Moore, who passed away last year from injuries sustained in an ATV accident. Music critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine says it's a tribute to the spirit of the band, as well. Read his excellent review here.
The band's also doing a concert tonight that you can watch online at Hulu and on TV at Fuse. 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT, and they'll be performing Friday on the Today Show.
The Dave Matthews Band performs at the Beacon Theatre tonight. They started out in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 1991.
May 29, 2009
Opening in the U.S. today is "Departures," the Japanese film that won this year's Best Foreign Language Film Oscar.
Directed by Yôjirô Takita, the poignant drama stars Masahiro Motoki as a cellist who loses his job, then returns to his hometown and finds a new line of work. There are no obvious Southern connections -- his hometown is even in northern Japan -- but if you're looking for a movie that tells a touching story, this one's for you.
Masahiro Motoki stars in "Departures," winner of this year's Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film. Photo courtesy Regent Releasing.
Ron Howard directed "Angels & Demons," currently playing in theatres worldwide. Photo courtesy Columbia Pictures.
May 29, 2009
Still holding in the top 3 at the box office, "Angels & Demons" was directed by Oklahoma-born Ron Howard. (For those who wonder if Oklahoma qualifies as Southern, I offer just these three words: Mary Kay Place.)
It also stars Tom Hanks, who reminded us that life is like a box of chocolates in "Forrest Gump," shot throughout North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. (The bench Forrest sat on to tell his story is now in the Savannah History Museum.)
Tom Hanks stars in the thriller, based on Dan Brown's bestselling novel. Photo courtesy Columbia Pictures.
May 28, 2009
Sam Raimi's "Drag Me to Hell" opens tomorrow, marking a return to horror for the prolific writer/director in his post-"Spider-Man" days. It's already generating a lot of good buzz, thanks to fans who saw early screenings at Cannes and SXSW.
Alison Lohman stars as loan officer Christine Brown, and, while she's a California native, she was in "Big Fish," shot in Alabama.
Alison Lohman (left) with Justin Long, who co-stars as Clay Dalton, in "Drag Me to Hell," opening in the U.S. May 28. Photo by Melissa Moseley, courtesy Universal Studios.
The Southern connection? It's the work of co-creators and exec producers Mike Judge (who lives in Austin, Texas) and his partners, John Altschuler and Dave Krinsky. Both John and Dave are UNC alums. They also co-wrote "Blades of Glory," and Mike Judge, as a lot of TV fans well know, created "Beavis and Butt-head" and "King of the Hill."
May 26, 2009
The Space Shuttle Atlantis, launched from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida May 11, landed yesterday at Edwards Air Force Base in California. On board were IMAX 3D cameras, set to record astronauts working on the Hubble Space Telescope. The footage is slated to be part of the film "Hubble 3D," a project from IMAX/Warner Bros. Pictures, due out next year.
May 22, 2009
Lots of Southern connections in movies opening this weekend.
First, "Terminator Salvation," starring Christian Bale, who played John Rolfe in "The New World" (shot in Virginia). Directed by McG, who directed "We Are Marshall" (about the Marshall University football team in Huntington, W.V.), "Terminator Salvation" also features Bryce Dallas Howard, who has Southern roots from both her mom and her dad (see above).
Then "Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian." Shot partly in Washington, D.C., the movie stars Ben Stiller, along with Texas native Owen Wilson and Amy Adams, who was in "Junebug" (filmed in Winston-Salem, NC) and "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby" (shot at racetracks all over North Carolina and Alabama).
Ben Stiller and Amy Adams in "Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian." (Photo courtesy Twentieth Century Fox.)
May 20, 2009
Just back from a trip to N.C. to see my daughter graduate, visit with friends, and spend time with family in S.C.
This qualifies more as recent history than breaking news, but wanted to mention Evan Rachel Wood's turn as Juliet in "Romeo and Juliet" for a sold-out house at Raleigh's Theatre in the Park. Her brother, Ira David Wood IV, directed, and her dad, Ira David Wood III, played Capulet.
An amazing career she has had since I last saw her as a tot held in her dad's arms at a curtain call of his annual "A Christmas Carol."
According to the website for the Blue Plum Festival:
An often overlooked, but arguably the coolest event of the Blue Plum Festival is the animation festival hosted by the department of Geomatics & Technology at ETSU. Submissions of animation shorts (under 10 minutes) come from around the world.
The 3rd Annual Blue Plum Animation Festival will be held at 124 Spring Street and the Hands-On! Museum during the Blue Plum Festival (June 1 and 2) in downtown Johnson City.
Entries must be received by May 1, 2008.
April 4, 2008
What's a transplanted Southerner to do in L.A. in between premieres, interviews, and other deadlines? One possibility is walking the loop up behind the Will Rogers house and then taking a tour of the newly restored house.
This is what I did Wednesday. The home where Will Rogers and his family lived is now a state park, and recently underwent a two-year restoration. I've walked the loop many times - it takes about 45 minutes plus whatever time you spend up top - but I hadn't yet been there at a time the tour was starting.
Wednesday I lucked out. Got to go inside, where I was shown the part of the living room where the Oklahama roping champ raised the roof so he could practice his lasso'ing skills inside, got to see the family's daily dinnerware and the collection of OZ books in Will, Jr.'s room (L. Frank Baum was a family friend)... got to see all the Native American artifacts on the wall and Charles Russell bronzes on the mantelpiece and to hear some good stories from the docent.
Highly recommended for a good walk and then a walk back in time.
The Santa Monica Mountains from the trail up behind the Will Rogers house
The Will Rogers House in Pacific Palisades, CA
Renee Zellweger at the "Leatherheads" premiere
April 1, 2008
Last night I covered the L.A. premiere of "Leatherheads" aat Grauman's Chinese Theatre. Kentuckians know, however, that the world premiere of the movie was held March 24 in Maysville, Kentucky, George Clooney's home turf.
George directed and stars in the romantic comedy set in the world of 1920's football, and co-starring with him are John Krasinski and Renee Zellweger.
I talked with all three of them last night, plus John's "Office" mates Rainn Wilson and Jenna Fischer, who turned out to support him. And Texan Renee Zellweger said, about shooting in North and South Carolina, "Loved it. Loved it!"
George was the last one to arrive, so it was a bit hurried, but he talked about how he got roughed up a bit, though not injured, during the shoot. I could have sworn he said something about how he's "getting old." "Old"?? George?? Say it isn't so!
George Clooney outside Grauman's Chinese Theatre for the premiere of "Leatherheads"
In a wholly different vein, when asked about the race for the Democratic nomination, the politically active actor said he thought it was "getting interesting."
Also stopping by my spot on the carpet were cast members Christian Scott (from New Orleans), Robert Baker (from Tennessee), and Wayne Duvall (Robert Duvall's cousin).
Dora Morrow (center) and Stan Goldman (right), of the Young@Heart Chorus
March 31, 2008
How long do you expect to keep on singing?
And do you really think that about the time you start needing bifocals you're all of a sudden gonna burst into a refrain of "Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer, do"? Or do you have a sneaking suspicion that you're gonna go to the end pounding out the songs that made you feel alive at 17... and 27... and 37?
I was fortunate enough to see a screening of "Young@Heart," the new documentary about the Young@Heart chorus, the musical group that started out in Massachusetts and now travels around the world, singing songs by Coldplay, Sonic Youth, Prince, James Brown, and more... and, oh, yeah, they're a group of 70-, 80-, and 90-year-olds.
Think about it. "I Feel Good" outa the musical mouths of folks who know what it means to feel the whole gamut of things, from great to not-so.
I also interviewed three members of the chorus - Dora Morrow, Stan Goldman, and Steve Martin (the singer, not the actor) - along with Bob Cilman, who's directed the chorus since 1982, and Stephen Walker, who directed the film.
What does any of this have to do with the South? Well, Dora's a native Tennessean, but I didn't find that out till much later. In truth, it has to do with everyone who has ever gone to a concert, spun a record, popped a CD in the boombox, sung in the shower, or watched the candles on the birthday cake grow from 3 to 4 to more. For as surely as I write this, all of us, if we are lucky, get to answer the question I posed at the top. What're the songs you still have left to sing?
Btw, for those who can get to L.A. on April 17th, the Young@Heart Chorus is performing live in concert at the Wilshire Theatre. For tickets, go to www.wtbh.org.
I interviewed him for "Written By" just before the release of "The English Patient," and that interview became a chapter in "Conversations with Screenwriters." At that time, Minghella talked about being a teenager selling ice cream cones at the Isle of Wight Music Festival and going down to the dock at 4 a.m. to wait for the arrival of Bob Dylan by Hovercraft. Minghella later taught theatre history and dramatic literature and wrote and directed plays in London, where he became friends and colleagues with Jim Henson and subsequently a part of the filmmakers and writers working in London's Henson Building.
Something he told me in that interview has resonated for years. "I think," he said, "that the responsibility of fiction... the only reason why we want to sit down in the dark and look at other people's lives is because we need some enlargement of our own -- we need to expand the frame of reference by which we can look at our own lives. And if the place we go to for that expansion is not telling the truth, is not being evenhanded in the way that it tells its stories, then we are getting false currency."
And yes, fellow Southerners, I was irked with him for eons for shooting "Cold Mountain," a North Carolina story, in eastern Europe. I only wish I'd asked him about it first-hand, because today, writing an obit of him for CNN, I discovered that he had had his own concerns about that, as well. Minghella's latest project, a BBC adaptation of Alexander McCall Smith's novel, "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency," was shot in Botswana. According to the Associated Press obituary, Jeff Ramsay, the press secretary for Botswanan President Festus Mogae, "said Minghella had told him how he had been forced to shoot 'Cold Mountain' in Romania and that it had 'seemed wrong.' He said this made the director 'more sure that the film ['The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency'] could only be shot in Botswana.'"
For those who wonder what is happening with Hollywood and note the dearth of movies that have much in the way of substance to them, and I am one of you, the loss of Anthony Minghella will be especially felt.
Anthony Minghella, RIP.
December 9, 2007
I covered the premiere of "P.S. I Love You" at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. A great line-up of celebs showed up, including Hilary Swank, who stars as Holly, the young widow, and Gerard Butler, who co-stars as her husband, Gerry.
Of course there were Southern connections. New Orleans native Harry Connick, Jr., plays Daniel, and Mary-Louise Parker, from South Carolina and graduate of the North Carolina School of the Arts, walked the carpet as guest of Jeffrey Dean Morgan.
Hilary Swank at premiere of "P.S. I Love You"
Harry Connick, Jr., in a rare solemn moment, but just minutes later was goofing around with Jeffrey Dean Morgan
Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Mary-Louise Parker were hand-in-hand
Sean Astin and Rachael Leigh Cook in "The Final Season"
October 11, 2007
Opening tomorrow, "The Final Season,” the true-life story about the importance of family, baseball, and community. Starring Sean Astin, Rachael Leigh Cook, Powers Boothe, Michael Angarano, and Tom Arnold, the movie is set in Norway, Iowa, which boasted 19 state high school championships in a row… and then was threatened with losing their illustrious high school to a merger.
Powers Boothe (R) in "The Final Season"
I interviewed Powers Boothe, who plays Norway’s longtime coach, and Tom Arnold, who’s been a coach in real life in addition to making movies. Powers Boothe is a Texan and talked about the similarities between values in the movie and those he grew up with, and Tom Arnold mentioned that he just spent some fine time in Alabama.
October 9, 2007
Just heard that Johnny Rebs' down in Long Beach had a fire in August that's put them out of commission for a bit.
For transplanted Southerners and others with good taste, Johnny Rebs' is one of the great places to go in Southern California for authentic North Carolina BBQ, slaw, and darn good tea. (I will even go out on a hickory limb and say they are the place to go, but, admittedly, I have not done an exhaustive search, precisely because Johnny Rebs' is so spot on. If you have another favorite that gets Southern BBQ right, please chime in.) They even have fried okra and hush puppies, and the University of North Carolina L.A. alumni group and others have called on them to cater get-togethers. It's always a treat to go down there, and there's always an interesting mix of people stopping in at this former biker bar.
Never fear, says their website. You can still go to their locations in Bellflower, Orange, and Victorville, and they plan to re-open the Long Beach restaurant ASAP.
Last Wednesday night I covered the L.A. premiere of "Good Luck Chuck" in Westwood, where Jessica Alba and Dane Cook told me they'd just been in Knoxville the night before.
Turns out they were being modest. According to AP reports, the duo was in Tennessee for a benefit screening of the movie, which raised $260,000 for Variety of Eastern Tennessee, a charity for children with disabilities.
Moreover, Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam declared Tuesday, Sept. 18, as "Jessica Alba and Dane Cook Day," with tiles placed at the Walk of Fame at Regal's Pinnacle 18 at Turkey Creek.
Jessica Alba at the "Good Luck Chuck" premiere
Dane Cook at the L.A. premiere of "Good Luck Chuck"
Jamie Foxx at "The Kingdom" premiere
September 19, 2007
I covered the L.A. premiere of "The Kingdom" Monday night in Westwood. A whole bevy of stars from the cast were there, including Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Garner, Jason Bateman, Frances Fisher, and Jeremy Piven (fresh from picking up his "Outstanding Supporting Actor" Emmy for "Entourage" the night before).
Texan Jamie Foxx, when I asked him how shooting in Saudi Arabia had changed him, urged people to travel -- to travel beyond their already-known neighborhoods and see more of the world.
Jennifer Garner, Texas-born and West Virginia-raised, glowed in red Valentino and said husband Ben was doing "Daddy duty" with their daughter that night.
Also in the cast is Kyle Chandler, from Georgia, and joining them all on the red carpet was Baltimore native Jada Pinkett-Smith, there with her husband, Will, who's shooting the movie "Hancock" with "The Kingdom"'s director Peter Berg and producer Michael Mann.
Peter Berg, as many know, also directed the movie "Friday Night Lights," all about high school football in Texas.
Jennifer Garner at the premiere of "The Kingdom"
Sept. 6, 2007
Happy 70th birthday, "Lost Colony"!
The much-loved outdoor drama in Manteo, North Carolina, written by UNC grad Paul Green, was first produced in 1937. Telling the story of the English settlers who arrived on Roanoke Island in 1587, it's America's longest-running outdoor symphonic drama. The play has provided a theatrical home for such luminaries as Andy Griffith, who played Sir Walter Raleigh in the '40s, and Terry Mann, who was Old Tom in the '70s and later returned to direct the show. Former Raleighite Talmadge Ragan, now an actress in L.A., was a member of the cast, too, and filled us in on the birthday goings-on. Find out more about "The Lost Colony" here.
Andy Griffith as Sir Walter Raleigh in "The Lost Colony"
The Waterside Theatre, home of the outdoor drama "The Lost Colony"
Terry Mann as "Old Tom" in "The Lost Colony"
September 6, 2007
The Museum of TV & Radio in Beverly Hills has changed its name to the Paley Center for Media... and last night they joined with TV Land to host a 35th anniversary celebration for "The Bob Newhart Show."
This show was a staple in my household for the six years it was on the air in first run, and I can vouch for having seen many of the episodes in rerun, as well. Bet a lot of you would say the same. So you can imagine what a treat it was to talk with Marcia Wallace ("Carol"), Bill Daily ("Howard"), Jack Riley ("Mr. Carlin"), and Bob himself. Suzanne Pleshette ("Emily") was there, too, for the panel.
Also on hand for the celebration (it was Bob's 78th birthday, as well) were Dick Martin, Tim Conway, and Don Rickles. When I asked Tim Conway what makes him laugh these days, he said, "Barney Fife on the Andy Griffith Show!" Meanwhile he and Don Rickles were making everyone within earshot laugh.
Bob Newhart and Suzanne Pleshette at the 35th anniversary celebration of the Bob Newhart Show
Tim Conway celebrating the 35th anniversary of the Bob Newhart Show
Elizabeth Perkins, who plays Pilar Langley in "Fierce People"
August 30, 2007
Great fun yesterday, talking with
Elizabeth Perkins and Diane Lane about their new movie "Fierce People,"
directed by Griffin Dunne.
Elizabeth Perkins is currently up
for an Emmy for her work on Showtime's "Weeds," but the actress who
made her name in "Big" and "About Last Night" has been in a number of
movies shot in the South, including "From the Hip" (North Carolina),
"Crazy in Alabama" (Louisiana), and "28 Days" (North Carolina).
Diane
Lane played Ellen Morris in "My Dog Skip," based on a story from Willie
Morris' childhood and shot in Mississippi. Her next picture? Another one with Richard Gere, "Nights in
Rodanthe," shot on the Outer Banks.
Diane Lane, who stars as Liz Earl in "Fierce People"
August 15, 2007
Hot on the heels of the huge success of
"High School Musical," Disney's "High School Musical 2" premiered last
night in Downtown Disney. Almost all the cast (except Corbin Bleu, who
I heard was doing a concert out of town) were on hand, plus
director/choreographer Kenny Ortega.
Before they walked the
(blue) carpet, they held a press conference in Disney's Grand
Californian Hotel, where Olesya Rulin talked about filming "Major
Movie Star" with Jessica Simpson in Louisiana. I asked her more about
it on the premiere line, and she said they were having a great time shooting in Shreveport -- swamps, chiggers, and all!
Olesya Rulin at the premiere of "High School Musical 2"
Monique Coleman from "High School Musical 2"
Monique Coleman, who plays Taylor, is from Orangeburg, South Carolina.
She mentioned how surprised and thrilled she was that the original TV
movie did so well and that here they were, back with the second. Word
on the carpet yesterday was that "High School Musical 3" is in the
works, likely for the big screen.
I also talked with Miley
Cyrus, whom everybody under the age of dottering probably knows by now
plays "Hannah Montana" on the wildly successful TV show of the same
name. She's Nashville-born, of course, and her dad, Billy Ray Cyrus of
the "Achy Breaky Heart," was with her. He let the word slip that Miley
makes a surprise appearance in I'll let you guess what movie, but it
rhymes with "Fly Spool Movie Boo"!
Speaking of "Hannah Montana,"
Cody Linley, who plays Jake Ryan on the show, was there, also, and told
me he's headed back to Dallas shortly to start his senior year of high
school.
Billy Ray Cyrus and Miley Cyrus at the premiere of "High School Musical 2"
"Hannah Montana"'s Cody Linley at the "High School Musical 2" premiere
The cast of "High School Musical 2"
Leonardo DiCaprio, narrator and producer of "The 11th Hour"
August 10, 2007
Wednesday night I covered the premiere of
"The 11th Hour," Leonardo DiCaprio's documentary about the environment.
DiCaprio narrates it, and more than 50 environmental experts talk about
the concerns in their various areas of expertise, as well as what can
be done.
Of course, Leonardo DiCaprio shot "What's Eating
Gilbert Grape" in Texas. And two of "The 11th Hour" experts with
Southern connections were on hand for the premiere: Ray Anderson,
founder of Interface, Inc., whose environmentally aware company
provided the green carpet for the event, and Dr. Stuart Pimm, professor
of conservation ecology at Duke University.
August 3, 2007
Turning out to support "Hot Rod" at its premiere last week was singer/composer Randy Newman. No, he didn't do the music for it, but he did live in New Orleans as a young boy and later wrote "Louisiana 1927," which became something of a theme in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. He's also composing the score for "Leathernecks," shot throughout North and South Carolina and due in theatres in December.
Randy Newman at "Hot Rod" premiere
Leon Rippy and Holly Hunter in TNT's "Saving Grace"
August 1, 2007
It's a good time for Southerners on TV. TNT's new "Saving Grace" stars Georgian Holly Hunter as Oklahoma City policewoman Grace, who's been living a life that's kind of a mess. Enter tobacco-chewing Earl, played by North Carolinian Leon Rippy, who poses some tough questions and sprouts... wings. Is he gonna make her life more complicated or give it some purpose or a little of each? Hunter said she couldn't resist this character, and it's easy to see why.
July 30, 2007
I covered the Quincy Jones tribute at the Grammy Foundation's annual Starry Night Saturday, July 28, at UCLA's Straus Stadium. And what a night - so many musical greats all in one place. I talked with James Ingram, BeBe Winans, Nancy Wilson, Herbie Hancock, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Ray Chew (bandleader from "Singing Bee" and "Showtime at the Apollo"), Kevin Eubanks, Gary Hines (from Sounds of Blackness), Alice Smith, and the man himself, Quincy Jones.
Many of you probably know Quincy Jones has roots in Kentucky (his grandmother was from Louisville). It was a huge kick to me to meet him, since, of course, I have grown up with his music. And while his generosity is widely known, I had not appreciated until Saturday night just how many people he had offered a hand to along the way. So many of the people who came down the line told me stories of how he was responsible for their getting their start.
Quincy Jones receiving the Grammy Foundation's Leadership Award July 28.
James Ingram, for instance, told how he had been primarily a musician
at first, but then Quincy Jones heard him and called him and asked him
to sing "Just Once" on an album he was putting together. And yes, when
his wife told him Quincy Jones was on the phone, he thought she was
kidding.
Kevin Eubanks said he'd never met "Q" till Saturday
night, and he was clearly and enthusiastically still wowed - which is
saying a lot, considering just how many folks Kevin meets in his daily
work as bandleader on "The Tonight Show."
Nancy Wilson, the
legendary jazz singer, talked about touring through Louisiana with "Q"
years ago. She just celebrated her 70th birthday last month with musical friends
at Carnegie Hall.
Speaking of Carnegie Hall, Brian
Stokes Mitchell was on hand, as well. In addition to celebrating Quincy
Jones Saturday night, he's going to be reprising his concert version of
"South Pacific" with Reba McEntire at the Hollywood Bowl next weekend
(Aug. 3-5). Brian says that with a three-year-old son, he prefers doing
concerts rather than the 8-performance-a-week schedule that Broadway
musicals entailed.
James Ingram, for instance, told how he had been primarily a musician
at first, but then Quincy Jones heard him and called him and asked him
to sing "Just Once" on an album he was putting together. And yes, when
his wife told him Quincy Jones was on the phone, he thought she was
kidding.
Kevin Eubanks said he'd never met "Q" till Saturday
night, and he was clearly and enthusiastically still wowed - which is
saying a lot, considering just how many folks Kevin meets in his daily
work as bandleader on "The Tonight Show."
Nancy Wilson, the
legendary jazz singer, talked about touring through Louisiana with "Q"
years ago. She just celebrated her 70th birthday last month with musical friends
at Carnegie Hall.
Speaking of Carnegie Hall, Brian
Stokes Mitchell was on hand, as well. In addition to celebrating Quincy
Jones Saturday night, he's going to be reprising his concert version of
"South Pacific" with Reba McEntire at the Hollywood Bowl next weekend
(Aug. 3-5). Brian says that with a three-year-old son, he prefers doing
concerts rather than the 8-performance-a-week schedule that Broadway
musicals entailed.
Alice Smith at the Grammy Foundation's Starry Night July 28
One of the big surprises of the night to me
was relative newcomer Alice Smith. I'd been hearing some buzz about her
but hadn't yet heard her. She told me she grew up in Washington, DC,
and a bit in Augusta, Georgia. Her voice on the red carpet was quiet
and unassuming, so you can imagine my surprise when she went up on
stage a while later and burst into a rendition of "Stormy Weather" that
made my jaw drop. If you haven't heard her already, listen out for her.
Joining them all on the carpet were the up-and-comers of the
Grammy Camp Band. Ages 16-19, they've been making music and learning
from established greats in the music business this summer and lent
their talents to the evening as the opening act. They were great fun to
talk to -- full of enthusiasm, focus, and talent.
The Grammy
Foundation made over $1 million for the evening, with proceeds going to
their programs, including support of music in the schools and helping
young musicians.
Matt Damon and Julia Stiles in "The Bourne Ultimatum"
July 26, 2007
Talked with Julia Stiles last night at the premiere of "The Bourne Ultimatum," held at the Arclight in Hollywood. In this third movie of the Bourne series, she reprises her role as Nicky Parsons, providing an emotional sounding board for the troubled hero-in-search-of-his-identity.
She mentioned that she's just finished shooting "Gospel Hill," with co-stars Angela Bassett, Danny Glover, and Adam Baldwin, in South Carolina.
July 19, 2007
More soccer in Tinseltown this week! I covered the (blue) carpet for the Chelsea Football Club Meets Hollywood party, way up in the hills above the Sunset Strip, and among the guests was South Carolinian Kristin Davis. Would have loved to talk to her about the new "Sex and the City" movie, which had just been announced, but she breezed through far too quickly with just a smile. We'll have to catch up with her another time.
Kristin Davis at Chelsea Football Club party
Florent Malouda, Chelsea's newest player, shows off his team shirt in Beverly Hills July 12.
July 14, 2007
It wasn't movies this week I was covering in the City of Angels, but soccer. And I know it's not exactly Southern, but I do remember very well going to soccer games at Chapel Hill when there were no more than two dozen of us - three dozen, max - in the stands, since it was then the brand new sport, at least in those parts.
Then my old writing friend, Kip Ward, started Rainbow Soccer, figuring that parents driving their kids to soccer games might want to stay and play. Those living in Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill know Rainbow Soccer well, which is apparently still thriving.
So this week I got a call from Associated Press Sports, asking if I could go over to the UCLA soccer field and cover the practice session Chelsea Club was having over there, and then a press conference at the Beverly Hills Hotel, where coach Jose Mourinho was going to be introducing their newest player, Florent Malouda, from Lyon, France.
In the late afternoon and evening, I was down by Tom Bradley International Terminal at LAX, covering that other soccer event... the arrival of David Beckham and his wife, Victoria, to their new city. It was mobbed, yes, with both fans and press. If this is any indication, maybe Beckham's joining the Galaxy will indeed bring some new attention to soccer in Southern California.
Victoria and David Beckham greet fans and press as they arrive at LAX Thursday night, July 12.
June 29, 2007
"Talk to Me," the biopic of iconoclastic DJ Petey Greene, opened the L.A. Film Festival Thursday night, June 21, in Westwood.
I was on hand to interview Dawn Hudson, longtime exec director of Film Independent, along with cast members Don Cheadle (who plays Petey Greene), Chiwetel Ejiofor, Taraji P. Henson, Martin Sheen, the real Dewey Hughes (played by Chiwetel Ejiofor in the movie), and director Kasi Lemmons. More later, because the movie's set in Washington, D.C.
(L-R):Don Cheadle, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Martin Sheen in "Talk to Me" (Focus Features)
Michelle Phillips after setting her handprints in cement
June 20, 2007
Can it really be 40 years since Monterey Pop? Well, that's what the calendar says, and to celebrate that event, last month the Rockwalk in Hollywood inducted three legendary musicmakers: The Mamas & the Papas, Al Kooper, and Otis Redding.
I covered this event and interviewed them all, as well as the festival's co-producer, Lou Adler, and Cass Elliot's daughter, Owen Elliot-Kugell.
Hard to imagine Michelle's the last remaining Mama or Papa. She talked about how Denny almost didn't make it to the festival all those many years ago and how she still sings along to their "Best of" while driving in the car.
Al Kooper mentioned that he's not used to being the one honored; he's usually the one in the background. But what a background! You know you know him. He's the songwriter/musician/producer - the guy behind Blood, Sweat & Tears and, for you Southerners, the one who discovered Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Zelma Redding and her daughter, Karla, talked about a weekful of events coming up in Macon, Georgia, in September to honor Otis. His 66th birthday would have been Sept. 9.
Al Kooper makes his prints permanent at the Rockwalk
Karla Redding-Andrews and Zelma Redding accept tribute to Otis Redding at the Rockwalk
Congrats to Southerners who made a big splash at the 2007 Tonys June 10. For more info and who was who, click on the Tony (above).
." At that time, Minghella talked about being a teenager selling ice cream cones at the Isle of Wight Music Festival and going down to the dock at 4 a.m. to wait for the arrival of Bob Dylan by Hovercraft. Minghella later taught theatre history and dramatic literature and wrote and directed plays in London, where he became friends and colleagues with Jim Henson and subsequently a part of the filmmakers and writers working in London's Henson Building.
