Star Trek Convention... Leonard Nimoy & Nichelle Nichols appear in San Francisco! March 11th-March 13th!

 



Sci Fi fans in the Bay area will be trekking out to the Airport Hyatt tonight - and over the weekend - to get-up-close (and personal) with two of their favorite Star Trek characters - namely - Dr. Spock (played expertly by Leonard Nimoy) and Lt. Uhura (Nichelle Nicols) at a convention that rolls around without fail each time this year.

Just a few weeks ago, Mr. Nimoy was forced to cancel a special "Night with Leonard Nimoy" event due to emergency surgery - which was a very disappointing unexpected turn-of-events for fans - anxious to meet-and-greet the respected actor.

Looks like Nimoy is on the mend!

In addition to the two popular leads, the organizers have promised that a few other notables such as - Rene Auberjonois (Odo), Bobby Clarke (the Gorn), and Grace Lee Whitney (Yoeman Janice Rand), for starters - will also be on-hand to chat up the throngs expected to beam themselves out to the location with little ado.

The entertaining - at times eye-popping extraterrestrial extravaganza - will also feature a bevy of vendors, informative seminars and workshops, and festive parties sure to be worth the price of admission!

See 'ya there!

LOCATION

Hyatt Regency
San Francisco International Airport
1333 Bayshore
Burlingame, CA

DATES

March 11th - March 13th

CONTACT & INFO

www.creationet.com



Collectibles excite Star Trek fans!

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Casino Jack...Kevn Spacey pays tribute at screening! Film sleazy potshot @ lobbyists!

My favorite scene in "Casino Jack" is when an FBI snitch quotes a line from the "Godfather" to Kevin Spacey's character near the end of the fast-paced political potboiler.

"I know it was you Alfredo. You broke my heart!"

The moral of the story was crystal clear at that juncture.

There is no honor among thieves.

The "Spacey" vehicle was launched last night amid a lot of frenzied fanfare at the exotic Mann's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.

Sleek limousines purred at the curb, the paparazzi jockeyed for position, and celebrities trotted down the red carpet into the theatre with high expectations.

After all, "Casino Jack" has been garnering a lot of buzz in industry circles of late.

Inside, in the packed lobby - a bevy of bodacious babes and eager male suits - hovered about the fringes like moths to flame anxious to hob-nob with the tony elite.

Meanwhile, from my own perch on the sidelines, I was able to surreptitiously catch the scuttlebutt as it swirled all around me.

A few guests quibbled about the fact the ushers failed to seat them in the prestigious reserved section where they could pass themselves off as industry VIPs for appearances sake.

Tsk!  Tsk!

In another corner of the plush environs, a couple of seasoned pro's cynically advised their friends to gobble down a bit of popcorn during the screening,  before heading over to the Roosevelt for the chi-chi after-party.

"There isn't any food this year.The PR folks cut back."

Golly, how the mighty have fallen in these tough economic times.

Imagine that!

A powerful Hollywood studio scrimping on the Tinsel at a splashy World Premiere!

In due course, the lights were dimmed, signalling that the screening was about to get underway.

At this juncture, a posse of stragglers were hustled into their seats, just as Kevin Spacey was invited up to the podium to launch the premiere of the much-anticipated feature about a posse of smarmy lobbyists plying the hill in Washington D.C.

Unfortunately, there was sad news.

Director - George Hickenlooper - would not be attending the festivities because of his untimely death a couple of weeks ago.

The actor - recently bestowed with an honorary Commander of the "Order of the British Empire" (for his role in reviving London's Old Vic Theatre - proceeded to pay tribute to his good friend and business associate who he greatly admired.

Spacey - with a wide smile on his likable face - fondly recalled that he was cast for the role of the scoundrel - Jack Abramoff - on Facebook.

"Someone mentioned that I might be good for the part. So, George was poked," he chuckled with glee, looking back.

After flying over to London to meet with Spacey on location, the respected director signed the award-winning actor on for the five-week shoot.

"Casino Jack was well-received at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF)," Spacey proudly noted to the attentive filmgoers - obviously saddened - by the loss of Hickenlooper.

"In fact, for the first time, George was starting to receive long overdue rave reviews and accolades for his work," Spacey underscored to the rapt audience now hanging on every word.

"Thank you for coming and supporting the film and his family who are in attendance tonight," he finished up, with a touch of emotion in his voice.

The applause was stupdendous!

In a nutshell, "Casino Jack" is a dark political satire that takes a pot-shot at unscrupulous snake-oil salesmen lobbying for special interests (and in search of good favor) on Capitol Hill.

Kevin Spacey turns-in a remarkable bravado performance - one of his best - to date.

In fact, the celebrated thespian not only gets beneath the skin of the slime-ball character he is portraying, but breathes like into an unforgettable role that won't be soon forgotten.

For Spacey, the remarkable performance is a defining moment in both his personal life and professional career.

In reflecting on the film after the screening, I was inclined to recall a piece of advice my Art Professor once offered up on the subject of critiques.

"When viewing a work of art - whether it be a painting, a movie, or dance performance - the viewer must first stand back and fathom what just washed over them."

In the instant case of Casino Jack, the fast-paced dark farce about dirty politics, is so slick (well-written, acted to perfection, lushly produced) that it capably seduces filmgoers right out of the starter's gate before they are aware of what hit 'em.

Unfortunately, once the credits crawl to a close, there is a rude awakening.

I'll wager that once the initial potent power of the story-telling wears off, that - ten to one - a gaggle of filmgoers will ultimately feel like the innocents depicted in the film - that they have been taken.

But, if they're keen on a couple of hours of delicious raucous fun, all will be forgiven!

http://www.thetattler.biz

John Lovitz & Kevin Spacey turn in brilliant performances!

San Francisco...film noir festival a hit! Psycho ticket-holder scarey...

Today, I sauntered into the Castro Theatre to catch a double-bill at the 8th Annual Film Noir fest.

Festival Dates

January 22nd - January 31st

In a press release, the creator of the scintillating festival (which has gained in enormous popularity over the past couple of years) underscored the uniqueness of the annual event.

"It is the only festival of classic cinema in the world in which all the proceeds go towards the preservation of film."

"Our goal," stressed Eddie Muller, "is to not only save films but to maintain, for as long as we can, the communal experience of going to the movies as it was when these films were first screened."

By the way, Muller is known to the locals as the "Czar of Noir".

Also, the Noir offers up a double-bill, for an economical ten bucks.

"Fly-by-night" was a fun off-beat feature (Paramount) directed by legendary Robert Siodmark.

Essentially, it is a romantic comedy, with suspenseful undertones.

Not on DVD yet, folks!

Deported (also directed by Siodmark) is a slightly-disguised film bio of gangster Lucky Luciano.

A drama that entertains and captivates the audience.

Not on DVD yet, folks!

For the most part, the afternoon was a relaxing respite from it all, until some psycho slipped into the empty seat next to me.

On a couple of occasions when filmgoers seated in the chairs nearby laughed out loud at the sparkling witty dialogue - and sight gags - she'd turn and scold the captivated film buffs.

"That's not funny," she'd bark out in a nasty tone of voice.

At this juncture, I felt sorry for the poor thing; after all,she was  obviously not a very intelligent individual.

It was crystal clear to moi, as well, that all the high brow art whizzed right over her head.

She must be brain dead, eh?

Frankly, I thought she would have been better off taking a hike down to the hospital, to have a chat with a psychiatrist.

Indeed!

I half-expected her to snatch out a hatchet from her purse and start carving up the lot of us in her midst.

No kidding!

4 stars to the Castro Theatre, though!

It is not always possible to keep every wacko out, after all.

http://www.julianayrs.com

Adam Lambert & Pam Anderson New Year Celebration! Paramount studios bash...

The top-heavy lusty lovely - with the wide sexy smile - is expected to take on the task of  MC (Mistress of Ceremonies), Adam Lambert will gyrate onto the stage and offer up a live! concert with a come-hither look that is sure to captivate his die-hard fans, and a posse of revellers will ring in the New Year at the stroke of midnight.

And, Paramount Studios will play host to the blow-out bash expected to be a big ticket-seller!

Although  bad- boy Lambert may be banned from prime-time TV temporarily - until he's paid his penace, at least - the thronging masses will be inclined to seek him out nonetheless (on air or not).

Notwithstanding, isn't it time Dick Clark was put out to pasture, and some young stud installed in his place to do the honors henceforth?

Ryan Seacrest appears to be a likely candidate, but how about someone with a bit of pizazz and sex appeal?

I'll put on my thinking cap on that one and get back to 'ya!

Happy New Year!

http://www.julianayrs.com

Curious Case of Benjamin Button...oops! Blooper, did you catch it?

On the eve of the glittering premiere of the feature film release for - " The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" - the producers trotted out Brad Pitt on the red carpet to promote the intriguing F. Scott Fitzgerald story adapted for the screen, newspapers around the country were blitzed with eye-catching ads heralding a Benjamin Button "industry buzz" touting potential Oscar nods, and so forth and so on.

Pity they spent so much money on promotion and patting themselves on the back!

After all, into the first few minutes of the film, an obvious "blooper" indicated to me that some very sloppy filmmaking threatened to keep the Oscar at least an arm's length away.

Insiders - who have taken in the big-budget feature from Paramount & Warner Brothers - undoubtedly spotted the glaring gaff onscreen right away.

What exactly is a blooper?

Many familiar with the process of shooting a movie are undoubtedly aware that scenes are put together "piecemeal".

Generally, a director from the old school sets up the camera for an establishing shot, which is also known as the "master".

For example, if a scene takes place in a trendy cafe, the audience is first treated to a bit of footage that establishes the location of the characters in the storyline.

Then, the camera may zoom in for a close-up of the lead actors.

Usually, a two-shot is filmed showing the characters engaging in conversation - at which point - the director sets up the camera to capture each actor individually.

Later, in the production studio, an editor will "seamlessly" piece the clips together to give the appearance of an on-going chat between the characters.

As the scenes are being put in the can - a script supervisor and a staffer in the "continuity" department - take note of the clips that have been shot, what footage needs to be filmed to ensure the segment makes logical sense when edits are conducted later in the production studio, and so forth and so on.

On occasion, there are slip-ups.

For instance, when one segment is shot for a bar scene, there may have been a beer bottle on the counter.

During the course of the "set-ups" (when cameras are placed in position, lighting is established for the shot, etc.) the lowly bottle of ale may have been innocently moved by a crew member.

The end result?

As a filmgoer is watching the film, a beer bottle vividly appears on screen one moment, then vanishes the next.

This is a called a "blooper".

The one in "Benjamin Button" was quite glaring to me!

Anyone who took in a screening this past week may recall - that in the opening scenes of "Button" - a baby is left on the doorstep of an institution.

When a resident of the facility spies the child, she swoops it up into her arms, and sneaks it into her private quarters.

As she is coddling the child, there is a knock at the door.

Without much thought, she opens the top drawer of a dresser nearby - tucks the child lovingly inside - then slides it closed.

"Queenie" proceeds to open the door a crack and chat with an elderly woman.

At this juncture, she is inclined to get back to her duties tending the residents.

Now, Queenie half-turns toward camera at the door - glances at the child in the open drawer for a second - then exits.

Now wait a minute.

Did you catch that?

Before Queenie answered the door, she closed the drawer with the baby hidden inside the cozy little space.

But, when she turned back to gaze toward the dresser, the drawer was open revealing the child contentedly laying inside.

Did the drawer magically open by itself?

Obviously, someone on the set made a big boo-boo!

Or, there was a problem with footage back at the studio, so producers opted to edit the two scenes together in spite of the fact they did not "match".

I expect the filmmakers thought no one would notice?

Now that the Oscar ballots have been mailed out, and nominations are being considered by the Academy, I have to seriously wonder about one thing.

Can the powers-that-be give an Oscar nod to "Benjamin Button" in spite of the fact the director, the film editors, and producers screwed up so miserably in respect to a basic fundamental aspect of filmmaking?

Only Oscar knows for sure.

The envelope, please!

*A review of Benjamin Button will follow
http://www.julianayrs.com

Steven Spielberg...Paramount part ways! Dream is over...

Watch out for Foreign Distribution...

Steven Spielberg and his illustrious business mate - David Geffen - have parted ways with Paramount Studios.

Not content to sit idle though, the duo sprang into action and formed a new filmmaking alliance with financial partners overseas in India (Reliance ADA Group).

Allegedly, Reliance will invest a staggering $550 million smackeroos in equity in exchange for a half-stake in DREAMWORKS (Independent).

To buttress the bold new enterprise, the two golden boys intend to borrow an additional $70 million, from Chase & Co.

Ah, chased, but not chaste!

The whole lofty whirlwind gives me cause to ponder, though.

Do these mavericks ever put any of their own moolah into the kitty?

Well, you know the "old boys" way of thinking in such heady matters.

When it comes to financing, always get your hands on some other dude's money!

Dirty, old, new - whatever!

But, there is a call out for a distributor for the new film entity.

Any takers?

Let's take a meeting, shall we gents?

Nah, too rich for me!

After all, I bet pennies on the slots in Vegas.

When I lose a sawbuck, I cut my losses and head for the jacuzzi!

Cause for celebration at Dreamworks...

Rosemary's Baby...Nuart Midnight Screening. July 25th!

Rosemary's Baby will be screening tonight at the Nuart Theatre in West Los Angeles (July 25th) at midnight.

I recall when the intense thriller first graced the screen.

The intense horror flick - starring Mia Farrow - caused quite a sensation.

Although the special effects no doubt pale to the offerings today - what with all the advances in technology over the years - Rosemary's Baby still ranks high as one of the top scariest films of all time.

The sensational feature was adapted from a novel by known Satanist Ira Levin.


The movie version produced at Paramount was directed by the celebrated (now somewhat infamous) Roman Polanski.

Levin was hired as a consultant on the high profile project.


Anton La Vey - founder of the Satanist Church - appeared briefly as the devil.

La Vey touted the film as,

"The best paid commercial for Satanism since the Inquisition."

When Ms. Farrow was asked to play the role, she was married to Frank Sinatra at the time.

During the course of the film - Mia's normally luscious locks of hair - were cropped quite short (a la "twiggy-style") to accommodate a storyline which caused one former flame to quip to the press,

"I always knew Frank would end up with a boy."



Concerned that Mia would be on location a lot, and out of romantic reach, Frank issued an ultimatum: pick me or the movie.

Ms. Farrow chose to continue filming; consequently, shortly thereafter she was served with divorce papers on the set one day just as she was about to shoot a dramatic scene.

Curiously, events surrounding the film, caused many to consider the real possibility that dark forces were at work behind-the-scenes.

On June 5 (1968) - ten days before Rosemary's Baby was released - Polanski and his wife Sharon Tate dined with Robert Kennedy in Malibu. Shortly thereafter, Mr. Kennedy was assassinated at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles.

A year later - on August 7th (1969) - Charles Manson disciples brutally murdered Sharon Tate and her unborn baby - along with four other people at the Director's in the Hollywood Hills in California.

Rosemary's Baby was shot at the legendary Dakota Apartment complex in Manhattan.

Elizabeth Taylor..."Love Letters", Dec. 1st.

Elizabeth Taylor has been on the move...

This past week, the magnetic superstar - dripping in clusters of exquisite diamonds - appeared at Geary's in Beverly Hills to promote her new line of jewellery.

The celebrated megastar wowed 'em!

Next week, she'll cause quite a stir when the creme de la creme of Hollywood's power-elite, elbow their way to the best seats in the house at a special one night stage performance of "Love Letters".

The event takes place on World AIDS Day, December 1st, and is expected to raise funds in excess of one million dollars for AIDS Research.

Hard-boiled WGA strikers picketing Paramount in recent days over contract issues, have agreed to graciously bow to the star turn, allowing LA LIZ, co-star James Earl Jones, and guests to attend the evening's celebration without any pesky picket lines to cross.

Elizabeth last appeared on stage in "Private Lives" with Richard Burton amid sold-out houses and a lot of frenzied fanfare.

In a prior stage production, Little Foxes, Ms. Taylor was nominated for a Tony.

I have a fond memory (and souvenir) from those heady days.

The year she was nominated for a Tony Award, she appeared at the celebrations in New York City, only to lose to another nominee.

Shortly after missing out on the treasured Golden Statuette, Taylor appeared on stage to make a presentation. In a jittery moment, her nerves got the best of her, and she flubbed a line. Non-plussed - but quite flustered, none-the-less - she giggled nervously, then carried on.

Ah, it was one of those precious show-biz moments that touches you.

Later, she tossed a tongue-in-cheek party for the losers at Sardi's.

On a whim, I decided to drop Ms. Taylor a line to relay how much I enjoyed her appearance on the Tony Award Broadcast. In a quick note sprinkled with glowing praises, I underscored that she was the "winner", in my estimation.

Because her mailing address was unknown to me, I was left to zip it off to Washington, D.C, in care of her politician husband at the time, John Warner. Then, forgot about it.

A few weeks later, I spied a letter in my mailbox, franked in Manhattan.

Imagine my surprise when I opened up the envelope and found myself reading a note from Ms. Taylor on her personal stationary, thanking me for my card!

I trust you'll agree that anyone who takes a break from their busy schedule and high-profile personal life to post a note of thanks to a stranger, is a very special, thoughtful person, indeed.

Curiously, I vividly recall the first time I ever laid eyes on Elizabeth.

When I was a mere lad, my grandmother grabbed my hand one day, and spirited me off to the movie house to take in a screening of the romantic drama, the VIP's.

The tawdry tale was about a glamorous socialite about to leave her businessman husband (Richard Burton) for a gigolo (Louis Jourdan). Unfortunately, as she plans her exit from the marriage at a rendezvous point at the Airport, a fog drifts in and grounds her get-away plane - at which point - her husband gallantly tries to win back her affections.

On the heels of the credits, Elizabeth suddenly appeared on screen - a stunning beauty nestled in the back of an elegant Rolls Royce - wrapped in a luxurious designer topcoat.

And, her exquisite porcelain face was framed in a chic, black fur hat.

When she alighted from the chauffeured vehicle, she floated along in a swirl of magic stardust, I swear!

Through the mystical power of celluloid, and by virtue of Ms. Taylor's flawless, remarkable beauty, the images have been indelibly etched on my mind ever since.

Needless to say, I'm still spellbound...and, Ms. Taylor's Numero Uno fan, to this day.