Four For Friday

#1 This divorced A list rock star God and father, takes his invincibility to a whole other level when he is self medicating. When he does, his guns come out and his clothes come off. Recently he and his "doctor" were naked except for machine guns and night vision glasses when the police found them. Neighbors in his LA community had called police to report machine gun fire and loud screaming and yelling. When the cops showed up they found our rock star and his "doctor" in the above stated positions. Sure they had been firing away, and should have gone to jail. Instead the police asked about the guns and asked for autographs.

#2 This lead singer from one of the greatest bands of all time has always been known as a ladies man. He was, but no longer. Now he much prefers the company of men. As in, never goes out with women anymore despite what he publicly professes.

#3 B list film actor in top 15 film each of the past two years is starting to get a little crazy. Seems his drug habit is getting out of hand. Not in the amount of money he spends, but what happens when he gets wasted. After three hellacious nights of partying, a friend of our actor came over to the actor's house and saw that the actor had taken $20 bills and made wallpaper out of them. There were over $25,000 in $20 bills glued to the wall of one of the bedrooms. Glued as in never usable.

#4 This Idol star is in negotiations with an adult magazine to shed her good girl image and to reveal all in an upcoming pictorial. Right now there is a $2M offer sitting on the table.

Random Photos Part One -- Ryan Reynolds Edition

As I see Ellen Page here and JUNO, I think I should take a minute to thank DNfromMN for all of his reviews. I know many of you read them and enjoy them, and he works really hard on putting them together while juggling a million other activities. Thanks for doing it. Now, with all that being said, I don't see Ellen Page as a stripper. Not saying I wouldn't enjoy seeing her strip, but I just don't see it in her. Maybe if she wore something different to the after party.
Hmmm. Maybe. I think I would have to see her hanging from a stripper pole first though to really get a clear picture of her in my mind.
Adrian Grenier and his mom Karesse passing out meals to the homeless and hungry in Brooklyn. Again with the damn Netflix. I get it. You are kind and considerate which is why you are taunting all the homeless people by saying, "if you ever get a job, a house, and a tv with dvd player, make sure you rent from Netflix. Oh, and you need to cough up the dough for internet also.
Venus Williams at her graduation party. At my college graduation party, it wasn't sponsored by anyone. There was plenty of booze, but definitely not gin. Lone Star yes. Gin, no.

A letter from Princess Diana to her father-in-law Prince Philip.
Notice that Nicolas Cage has conveniently forgotten to wear his wedding ring as he cuddles up to Diane Kruger. Diane should know for next time that tails usually go in the back.
Lynda Carter can tie me up with her invisible rope anytime.
It had been a very long time since Santa got a blow job.
Ryan Reynolds does thoughtful.

More thoughts.

And yet more thoughts. Thoughtful guy huh?
I guess he formulated all those thoughts into one big joke for Hayden Panettiere.
Now he tells her that Quentin Tarantino was trying to look down her dress.
See.

Schooled

I don't really plug movies, and certainly could not do as well reviewing them as DNfromMN does, but this is one of those times where you need to see a film. For those of you in LA, you can actually attend a screening of this film, and for the rest of the country you can see the DVD when it is released next week.

The premise of this film is what would happen if our schools were run by the students? Yes, similar to Kid Nation, but inspired by real schools who do allow students to take a huge part in the management of their schools, the film Schooled is a fictionalized account of just such a school.

Schooled is a compelling character study of a teacher on the brink of burnout forced to take time off. He ultimately reconnects with kids --as people-- when he discovers a school where students have an equal vote in making rules, liberating them from tests and homework to focus on their true passions, and even giving them the power to fire their teachers!

A nominee for Best Ensemble Performance at The Method Fest in Los Angeles, Schooled stars Alysia Reiner of the Oscar-winning film Sideways. The film's co-editor, Frederick Marx, directed the Oscar-nominated film Hoop Dreams.

Schooled, will be screened in Los Angeles on December 15 and 17 following its sold out screenings in New York last week.

Tickets to the screenings are $12 each ($15 at the door) and may be purchased online at www.brownpapertickets.com/events/24416 or by calling 1-800-838-3006.

Saturday, December 15, 4:30pm & Monday, December 17, 7:30pm
The Silent Movie Theatre
611 N. Fairfax (south of Melrose)
Los Angeles, CA 90036

DVD Release Party
Monday, December 17 (immediately following the screening)
Red Pearl Kitchen
6703 Melrose
Los Angeles, CA 90038

To see the trailer and for more information about the film, go to http://www.schooledthefilm.com/

Hugh Grant In Public Threesome

I think everyone knows by now that Hugh Grant is not above getting his drink on in public and that he has a bit of a kink in his sex life. For the first time I can remember though he explored both of those in public. Take a look at the grainy picture above and I will let you in on what Mr. Grant was doing.

Hugh went into the bar of the Japanese restaurant accompanied by the woman and man above. They arrived around 1130pm and almost immediately, Hugh and the woman started making out on the sofa. Hugh was groping her breasts while the man on the opposite side began caressing her thigh. and running his hands up beneath her dress. The woman then put her arms around the men and started stroking their heads. Hugh put his fingers in her mouth, and then the woman began sucking on them as if she were simulating oral sex.

After about 20 minutes of this, a representative of the management came by and asked them to stop, or to leave because other customers were departing in droves. The trio stopped, and then actually stayed in the bar for another hour or so.

I wonder how much she charges, and if Hugh picked up the tab for his friend.

Arrests Made In Malibu Fire

You might be saying to yourself, "that's nice, but what does all of this have to do with gossip?" Be patient, and you will be rewarded.

Authorities arrested five men Thursday on allegations they caused a fire that destroyed more than 50 homes and caused over $100 million in losses in Malibu. Investigators used surveillance video, receipts and food wrappers to track down the men who were believed to have been at the cave where the fire started, Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca said.

Baca said the men, all from the Los Angeles area, were suspected of recklessly causing a fire with bodily injury, causing fire to an inhabited structure and arson during an emergency.
Each charge carries two to four years of prison time upon conviction.

Investigators found several pieces of evidence that indicated revelers had triggered the blaze by setting a campfire at a popular party spot by a cave. County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky said campfires in the area were prohibited.

Arson detective Irma Gonzales said 12 people had been partying at the cave. She did not comment on how the blaze spread from the campfire, but said the group did not try to fight it, nor did they try to warn residents as they fled from the flames.

"They just drove off," Gonzales said.

A review of security tape from a nearby store's camera and other detective work that took investigators as far away as Shasta County, on the Oregon line, led to the arrest warrants, Whitmore said.

The wildfire destroyed 53 homes, 33 outbuildings, one mobile home and 37 vehicles. Another 34 homes and 11 outbuildings were damaged. No one was seriously injured. The fire broke out Nov. 24 and took several days to contain.

Now how does any of this affect you? Well as general gossip readers it probably doesn't, but as readers of this blog, you all have a personal connection to this fire. I really haven't said anything prior to this because, honestly there wasn't any point. One of the homes that was destroyed in the fires was Dominique Swain's childhood home. It is the home that her father still lived in, and when the fire came rushing at him, the only things he had time to save were the animals and one photo album. Nothing else. No clothes, no nothing. The only thing a family has to show for 30 years in a house is one photo album and their own personal memories. The laughter, the tears, the fights. Everything gone.

You might be saying to yourself that the federal government will take care of everything because the area was declared a disaster area. Not true. This week I got a call from the family to try and help because they were getting the runaround from FEMA and some other government agencies. They are doing everything possible to try and make everything as difficult as possible.

Throughout it all, DS's dad is just a stoic figure who says that things will work out in the end. They may, but it won't be because of anything the government is doing. His attitude stems from the fact that he thought the fires were caused by a natural act. The fact that people were partying in a cave, caused the fire and then did absolutely nothing but drive away when it started is beyond me. They didn't try and put out the fire, but worst of all is they didn't even call anyone for help or advise police or fire departments that a fire was out of control.

Instead they just drove away and completely destroyed the lives of 53 families and millions of memories.

Maybe Jessica Simpson Could Do Porn

A few months ago I did a post which said that Blonde Ambition was so awful that it was going straight to DVD. At the time I posted that, Jessica Simpson's people were saying that the film was definitely going to be a theatrical release. That of course was complete crap, and the official straight to DVD release will take place on January 22 of next year. The good news for Jessica is that because it is not being released in theatres, she won't be eligible for a Razzie. There had been talk that they would make a special exception for her film, but with the release being pushed into next year, that dubious honor seems to have escaped her.

I'm sure Luke Wilson is kicking himself. The bright spot for him is the only people who rent or buy the film will be die-hard fans of either Jessica or Luke and so will probably love the film no matter how awful it is. The film's main problem lies in the fact that Jessica is in it. From what I understand, the script was actually pretty good which is why Luke signed on in the first place. Even though Jessica is the film's star, editors tried to cut as much of her out as they could in order to get it some type of theatrical release. No dice.

Do you know how bad a film has to be that it goes straight to DVD with the kind of budget it had? I can't even imagine how much money everyone is losing on this. The good news for the rest of the world is that unless Jessica decides to strip off all her clothes, she is unlikely to be offered a lead ever again.

With the bomb of her latest album, the disaster of this film, and her declining endorsements, Jessica better be really nice to the Pro-Activ people. Oh, and I forgot to mention that the DVD is not even being sold at retail when it comes out. In order to try and get some sales, the DVD is being reduced from its list price of $24.99 to as low as $9.99.

David Hans Schmidt From Beyond The Grave

One of the last projects David Hans Schmidt was working on prior to his death was the brokering of some nude photos of Marcia Cross.

The background is that a firm was hired by Cross and her husband to remove trash from Cross' home in L.A. According to Schmidt, one of the firm's employees discovered the photos when he got to the dump. [...]

The photos consist of over 200 photos of Marcia taken by her husband. Many of the photos are of Marcia showering at an outside shower fully nude. I guess that would make sense because most of us don't shower with clothes on. I have in the past, but the shower was generally just a bucket of cold water thrown on me by unsympathetic bar owners.

Anyway, Marcia tried to stop the sale of the photos by arguing she had a copyright to them. The problem is that the US Supreme Court has said that anything in trash is fair game. You lose almost all your rights to anything once you throw it in the trash which is why it is not a bad idea to invest about $20 in a paper shredder. An even better idea would be to just stare at your wife's naked body everyday and not need 200 photos of her showering. And better yet, once you take them, try to remember where you put them.

If you want to see the definitely NSFW photos, click here.

She seems so much smarter than this. Never take naked photos of yourselves. EVER. She doesn't look thrilled in the photos, but she didn't try and stop him either.

The Battle Of Mr. And Mrs. No Money

Charisma Carpenter's attorney is making Charisma look like a very cold-hearted woman. The former Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel star claims that the ongoing Writers Guild of America walkout has left her unemployed, and therefore without the means to afford the attorneys' fees pertaining to her current divorce proceedings, according to court documents filed Dec. 4.

What this means is that Charisma wants her husband of less than seven years, and who makes barely $2,000 a month in salary to pay all of her legal bills as well as his own. Charisma is claiming that she hasn't worked in almost three weeks, while her husband has a steady income and full-time job.

I kind of liked Charisma until all of this. Look, I am all for playing hardball in a divorce, BUT, to ask for attorney fees when you know it is a bullshit request just is vindictive and mean spirited. No judge is ever going to order Charisma's soon to be ex, Damian Hardy to pay Charisma's legal fees. It just isn't going to happen. What her attorney is trying to set up is an argument why Charisma shouldn't have to pay Damian's attorney fees, which he will probably get.

In 2004, Charisma made about $500,000 and Hardy made $0.00. First of all, Charisma needs to get a better agent because if she only made $500,000, then her agent is not trying very hard. Why did Damian make $0.00 in 2004? He was a stay at home dad to their four year old son.

I hate thinking of marriage as a business, but Charisma apparently does. There was a clause in her pre-marital agreement which said that both sides would waive spousal support if the marriage failed to last seven years. The couple got married in 2002.

Hardy, maintains that he wasn't fully aware of what he was getting into before he agreed to the premarital arrangement.

"I do not recall any discussion regarding the waiver of spousal support, and no one explained to me what rights I was giving up regarding spousal support by signing the premarital agreement," Hardy stated.

This is actually crucial in California. I have mentioned it here before, but it bears repeating. Thanks to Barry Bonds screwing over a wife, California now requires that anyone signing a pre-marital agreement be given the opportunity to see an attorney before signing, and then if they choose not to see one, they have to sign a separate document saying they don't want to consult an attorney. There is also a waiting period after the agreement is presented and before it is allowed to be signed. A good example of that was the delay in the Britney Spears Kevin Federline wedding because the waiting period for him to sign had not elapsed.

A hearing on custody and financial issues is scheduled for Jan. 9.

DNfromMN -- Movie Review -- JUNO

JUNO

Release Date December 14, 2007 (already open NY/LA).

Pretty much everyone has seen the previews for this, so here’s the quick summary:
Midwestern teenage girl gets pregnant by dorky high schooler, decides to give baby to a happily married couple, hijinks ensue.

This movie is almost too clever for its own good. The screening I went to, I ran into a few people I knew, and two of them didn’t like it because it almost seemed to be trying too hard. I got into the rhythm of it, and could understand the dislike, but if you catch the beat (so to speak), you’ll ride it. And that’s the hook of this movie, and why it caught on so quickly – there are so many coined terms, and hipness to the dialogue that you’ll laugh (most of the time, I really hope “honest to blog” doesn’t catch on). There’s plenty written about Diablo Cody (the now Golden Globe nominated screenwriter), that I won’t go into, but I will direct you to her interview with David Letterman promoting her book about being a Midwestern stripper where she cracked him up.




But that’s just the surface. What’s underneath all that glossy language stuff, is a really sweet story about a sorta real family. I’m probably going to catch some grief for this, but I think Allison Janney’s stepmother is one of the most perfectly realized characterizations of a stepmom – she loves this kid, but there’s this disconnect that it’s not her genes and she isn’t responsible for everything that happens to Juno. Dad’s an HVAC repair guy, and it’s this great middle to low-middle class dynamic that you don’t see used well or appropriately (meaning, it’s normally a punchline for white trash jokes). Darling boyfriend considered Ellen Page (as Juno) to be a young Janeane Garafolo, and I agree. When trying to place how Michael Cera and Juno’s interactions, I was reminded of a very young Bill Murray – low key, smart alecky, but with a good heart, but not as sure of himself.

That said, it does feel more like a mid-summer comedy like Wedding Crashers or Knocked Up than an Oscar-season movie. I think the fact that it does have that beating pulsing dynamics and great acting that it’s getting/will get awards. I saw this about 3 weeks ago, but there haven’t been a lot of promo screenings for anything else lately (I missed out on I am Legend, sorry!), and I need to ration these out.

It’s a memorable movie, and I enjoyed it a lot, and I think that almost everyone who sees it will enjoy it, but the only reason to see it on the big screen is to get in on all the jokes that people will be chuckling about for the next few months. That’s the only reason why I would urge someone to see it now rather than wait for video. I think it might actually play better on DVD, so you can rewind it and catch the jokes you missed while laughing.

What it’s worth: on the scale of $0 (I’d rather watch bowling on a rainy Saturday afternoon) to $18 (theater + popcorn + soda), I give it an $8.50. You won’t feel you wasted your money seeing it in the theater, but you can wait for DVD and blow a bag of microwave popcorn on it.

Ted C Blind Item

Celebs talkin’ trash on each other is nothing new in Tinseltown (just ask Paris and Lindsay), but when a big ol’ movie star disses his costar on set (behind her back, natch), that’s something else. But let’s back up. Seymour Slim-Bum first worked with Darlene Deviant a few years ago on a dramatic thriller. Both babes had somethin' goin' on and got props for their badass acting chops. The flick did very well at the box office and received accolades from critics and fans alike. So, it only made sense that, years later, these two good-looking honeys were both tapped to play in a flick again.

Now, this particular project was a little more romantic and a little less randy than their last turn together, but it smelled of box-office gold. It’s an adaptation of a rather popular property, and with Seymour and Dar attached, studio types figured they couldn’t go wrong. But then, some equally bright-minded execs also greenlighted the densely literary Love in the Time of Cholera, so what the ef do these suits know?

And then add not-necessarily translatable dynamics with a lotta nervous Nellie neurosis. See, recently when the flick was under way, Darlene-love started being very peculiar. She’d disappear into her trailer for hours at a time, with no explanation. No one was exactly sure what D2 was up to. Arguing with her hot-tempered partner, perhaps? D.D. and her man have had quite the tempestuous relationship, to say the least. Regardless of the reason, it was only a matter of time before SSB got fed up with his costar’s very regular disappearing act.

“That woman has problems,” he was overheard saying (many times) on set. And perhaps SSB’s newfound dislike for Darlene came across in the dailies or something, because now sources close to the hugely hyped project are saying it’s been shelved indefinitely. As for how this will affect both stars’ paychecks and reputations, guess we’ll have to wait and see.

Today's Blind Items

#1 This recently engaged funnyman isn't taking so well to the whole commitment thing. Our funnyman is a former television star and now a struggling film actor. Going from the top to the bottom kind of sucked. His affianced is in the business and loves him because she doesn't know that she he is going to see his agent or manager or to a meeting, he is really heading off for some adult fun with playthings he meets when he is out and about. It is amazing how one man with hardly any career left can meet with his people so many times in one week.

#2 This actress is so new on the scene that it is scary that she is already the subject of a blind item. Television actress and young on a new (this season) network show. A modest hit if you will. Maybe better than modest. At a recent party, she saw some people who had brought some coke. Being the idiot our young actress is, she said something along the lines of that now she is on a hit show, she wanted to see what all the fuss was about, and wanted to try coke. So try it and try it she did for most of the night. Enough so that the two guys providing it had to get some more. When informed how much they had spent and she had snorted, she offered to help pay, but they wanted more. So our actress who had the big break has now snorted coke at a party and been banged by two guys for the privilege. Can't wait to see what the other cast members are doing.

Random Photos Part One

I really need to look more carefully before I upload because there is no way in hell Mischa Barton should be on the top. She is Maxim's cover girl for January. I want you to remember how she looks here, and then compare it to the Maxim cover. Is she actually wearing gift wrap with a bow?
Naomi Watts looks great but Liev Schreiber still hasn't lost his baby weight.
Last Katherine Heigl post for awhile. The usual exceptions do apply. Sex tape, arrest, nude photos or death. She and Hugh Laurie are saying they won't cross the picket lines at the Golden Globes. I like the idea, but since writers are nominated, I'm guessing that actors will be allowed to go. I would also think that a WGA writer might be allowed to be hired to write the program. Dispensation has been given to SAG for their awards, but not yet the Globes or Academy Awards.
I hate when motorcycles slide up in between cars like this. First of all, I'm jealous because they whiz right through all the traffic. Second, I know I am going to have to watch one get hit one day, especially when they do it on the highway. Oh, this is Brad Pitt by the way. I am the guy about to open my door right into his shoulder.
I'm not even taking a dig at Teri Hatcher here. She is doing some good work stuffing bags for kids who don't have enough to eat. My beef is with Netflix. Can't you just donate bags to kids who don't have enough to eat, and thus are unlikely to rent movies from you now without posting an ad all over the bag? Does corporate generosity only come with a price? The food people can keep their labels on because it would be cost prohibitive to remove them, but Netflix should be doing it out of the kindness of their hearts and not to have their name plastered everywhere.
Two for sure will join the Mile High Club. Mel C will just watch.
Yeah Yeah. Keira Knightley and Rupert Friend. The fake couple that it is like the Energizer Bunny. Anyway, I like Rupert's jacket. It looks like a WWII jacket. I was wondering what the rules are from PETA about jackets that were made in the past. They surely don't want you to throw them away, so what is their opinion on wearing vintage leather and fur?
Prince William. I have nothing to say. I just like to class the place up a bit every now and then by throwing in some royalty.
Then in the very next frame I bring it right back down again don't I? Nicollette Sheridan is under the clown hat. Michael Bolton and Nicky there are in Poland. Michael was asked to play at the 15th anniversary of a Polish television station. Wouldn't the Surreal Life be better? I love Poland by the way.

The Real Story Of Eva & Tony

Do I believe the story of Alexandra Paressant? Parts of it. I think Tony Parker definitely slept with her. I also believe that Eva Longoria knew, and not just as a guilt thing from Tony. Look, the part of the story that makes no sense is this quote from Alexandra. "She does not want to make love in front of a mirror, does not like [a] certain position and thinks that sperm gives acne."

Eva Longoria has never met a mirror she didn't love at anytime anyplace during any situation. I also know there aren't many things sexually you can do that will shock Eva. I also think that Eva is the one who probably has to get Tony to try new things and new ways, and not the other way around. I'm not saying that Tony and Eva have the greatest relationship, because they don't. All I am saying is that Tony having sex with another woman or four and Eva having sex with another guy or two is not going to be the cause of the breakup of this marriage. When Eva can't find the guys to keep her happy, but Tony is still finding women, that will be the end. Oh, that and when Tony wakes up and realizes that Eva is the devil in disguise. Tick tock. Tick tock.

The World Of WD

Can't get that damn song out of my head.

Ok. So last Thursday and Friday I stunt coordinated on the newest music video of a pop star. Since I know how much you guys love your sleuthing I won't tell you who. But I've already given you a HUGE clue and the more I tell you about the day, the less I'll be able to keep from you.

The first day was out in the desert. Soledad Canyon. It was 5:30 AM and the sun wasn't anywhere near up. Below is the first picture of the day when the sun was starting to rise. You can see the grip truck also in the picture. A couple of hours pass...nothing happens. I know she's here with her mother but they aren't filming. I walk over to set and see they are trying to filming everything they can without her in it. Since she is the star of the video and in practically every frame, there's not a lot that can be shot without her.

One of the things I'm there for is a fight scene between her and 3 stunt people. To keep things moving I offer to teach her Stand In the fight so we could shoot that without her. The director was excited about the option and had me do so. Her stand in was wonderful. Really sweet and grounded and a musician herself. She picked the fight right up, but as it turns out Pop Star (PS for short) was on her way to set. 3.5 hours after arriving.

Now set is a little like high school. So many rumors. The first one I heard was that PS refused to come out of her trailer for 3.5 hours. The second one I heard was the trailers weren't ready when PS and her team got there so that's why they were so late. The 3rd I heard was that the trailers were ready. Who knows. The only sure fact was that the day had just started and we were already 3.5 hours behind schedule. Because it was such an ambitious shooting schedule, that 3.5 hours is going to be tough to get back.

The producer and director are both very good at what they do, and have worked on a number of other huge videos. PS walks over the rock terrain with the help of her hair stylist on one arm and her mother on the other. At first I inwardly roll my eyes because she had someone on either arm helping her. Then I see the shoes she's wearing and I understand. They are really cool, bright orange docks but with heels, and not at all practical for this terrain.

Once on set she's really sweet. Open and friendly. And when I am showing her how to trip and fall she's all ears and excited to learn. She is not a diva. She is not a bitch. She's just never had to struggle for what she wanted like we have. Hell, I don't know if this is even what she wants. It might just be what her parents want.

The day continues. Banging out shots. I overhear her mother say to her "Are you sure you like how that jacket fits you?" Within 30 minutes of that comment, PS decides she hates her outfit and can't shoot anymore. Again not out of diva, but out of anxiety. Production is on hold for 2.5 more hours while they find a better outfit. It's cold out. There is a perpetual dust storm and she's the only one with a trailer. We were not happy. PS finally comes back to set in an AWESOME outfit, black and white dress with red tights. Looking great. Gets into place, starts to sing to the playback, and a gust of wind knocks over the sets. We have to wrap for the night.

The next morning we were at a sound stage. So much more comfortable. This was my big day. For stunts we have wire work with PS flying around a padded cell; the fight of her vs. 3 stunt people and 2 eight foot falls for 2 stunt people. I have John Dixon as my rigger. He's amazing. He just got off set with Indiana Jones VI (gave me a hat) and is Steve Martin's stunt double in Pink Panther 2.

I take the harness PS is going to wear to her dressing room and ask her to try it on. We put it on her. I leave to go check on the rigging and I hear them shouting my name. I go running back. PS is freaking out because it's too tight. She is having a panic attack and everyone is feeding into it.

I just walk up and say "What's wrong?" She's freaking out and says "I can't breathe". I say "Oh, did you want to be conscious for this next scene?" She just look