Dwayne Johnson...fans in cold @ FASTER premiere! Seats over-booked by Power 106.1 & CBS Films!

Up front, everything looked pretty kosher at the sneak preview of FASTER last night at the Mann's Chinese Theatre.

A stream of limos pulled up to the curb, lookie-loo's gawked at the celebs who alighted from their plush environs, and a posse of frenized paparazzi snapped away fevisherly at the stars who ran the gaunlet under the glare of the dazzling kleig lights.

Oh, there's nothing like a splashy Hollywood premiere, alright!

For the celebrated elite, that is.

In contrast, the highly-publicized event - which touted an appearance by star Dwayne Johnson - was a lesson in humility for the die-hard fans who turned out in full force to take part in the glitzy festivities.

Although the cast and studio suits made their entrances into the Theatre in grand style - the fans were left to huddle outside on a windy corner (a stone's throw away) in a long queue that snaked all the way down one dark lonley side-street - and then on - behind a run-down old building across from the football field at Hollywood High!

Many of the filmgoers - who initially turned up all gaga and excited about the screening - ended up standing in line for over two hours before they were turned away with crumpled invites in their numb little hands totally pi**ed.

Uh-huh!

Once again, sponsors - this time it was Power 106.1 and CBS Films - overbooked the seats to ensure there would be a noticeably large turn-out on the "WALK OF FAME" - for appearances sake.

How many folks are anxious to catch Johnson's new flick?

In the past, it was evident that Johnson once had a following.

For example - I witnessed excited crowds turned out at a CineVegas Film Festival screening of "Get Smart" - to catch his comic performance in droves.

Post:  06/16/2008

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2008/06/get-smartfans-screen-out-for-rock-at.html

In this tough competitive market?

Don't think so, dudes!

However, there was upside to the fiasco that unfolded last night in the mean streets of Hollywood.

Folks waiting in line behind the El Capitain Theatre were treated to segments of the Jimmy Kimmel Show (which was being taped in the same block on a sound stage which opened at the rear of the building into a spacious parking lot) every time the security guards opened-and-closed the gate.

Curiously, Billy Bov Thornton (a star of FASTER screening across the street) was a guest on the popular talk show last night.

In the final analysis, fans got their monies worth, but in an odd round-about-way!

That's show biz for 'ya!

http://www.thetattler.biz




 

Halle Berry & Mark Wahlberg....stars nearly collide on starry night! Hollywood dazzle!

 

In downtown Hollywood last night the streets were awash - not only with excited fans dress-to-the-nines swarming Mann's movie theatres for coveted seats at a couple of hot-ticket film premieres (at the tail end of a sold-out film festival) - but graced with the dazzling presence of two popular stars pushing their careers and new flicks on the infamous strip.

Pretty Halle Berry was the epitome of style and good taste - when she flirted with the paparazzi in the main foyer of the Roosevelt Hotel - after holding court (where she offered up career tid-bits) in Mann's Chinese Theatre earlier in the evening to a packed house.

"I can't believe I just met Halle Berry," one fan gushed, as she strode past me, and disappeared into the ecstatic crowd of well-wishers who turned out - Hollywood-style - in full force.

Ms. Berry was invited to appear last evening at the historic Hollywood landmark to chat up an insightful host about her outstanding career accomplishments before (and behind) the camera here and abroad.

Berry will soon burst onto the silver screen in her next project - Frankie & Alice - which is a rivetting feature based on the true story of a woman suffering from mulitple personality disorders.

The gifted actress (who produced Frankie & Alice) won the Academy Award for Monster's Ball in 2001.

Meanwhile, rumors were spreading around the "Walk of Fame" that Mark Whalberg would be trotting down the red carpet to attend a "secret" screening of his new flick "The Fighter".

A couple of the local entertainment papers were issuing freebies to catch the drama, with strict orders from the producers not to discuss the details, however.

The theatre staff were forebidden to reveal the name of the project (or who was starring in it) until the guests were firmly ensconced inside the main theatre where security was tight.

Insiders tipped me off earlier in the evening - so I was able to enlighten a couple of folks about the hush-hush preview - so they could get into the rush line with the ultimate aim of catching the screen offering last-minute.

Is the studio a bit jittery about Wahlberg's latest vehicle for some reason?

News at 11!

http://www.thetattler.biz/

Adrien Brody...sues Hannibal Pictures over contract dispute! Giallo DVD sales!

 

Academy Award-winning actor - Adrien Brody - has sued filmmakers in a federal court in Los Angeles on the grounds that a  film is being released into the foreign market without his permission.

In addition, Brody - who sky-rocketted to fame after a starring role in the Piano - has alleged that the producers have not fully paid for his acting services for the project simply titled "Giallo".

The handsome leading man  sought emergency relief from the court based on a contractual agreement that stipulated that the filmmakers were barred from distributing the feature until his renumeration was paid in full.

However, a request to block the release of a  DVD  was denied by the Judge presiding over the legal proceedings.

It appears that Mr. Brody may not have crossed all his "t's" or dotted all his "i's" because the Judge refused to take action until all the parties have been served with legal notice.

A party in a court proceeding has a right to be notified of any adverse action being taken so that they have the opportunity to appear and offer up a defense.

Brody claims he is still owed $640,000 for starring in the film.

In his briefs filed at the courthouse, Brody argued that the alleged breach of agreement may cause him to suffer damages in the sum of $2 million.

In a sworn declaration, the actor accused the film's producers of not disclosing the truth about financing and and may have  vastly overstated how much the film's Italian distribution rights were going for.

"We respectfully dispute his allegations," a lawyer -  A. Raymond Hamrick III - argued on behalf of the defendants (Hannibal Pictures & Giallo Productions Ltd.).

Hamrick has  sworn up-and-down that the filmmakers tried to work out a deal with the actor.

Contrary to Brody's claims, an insider has asserted that the popular star has actually been paid the princely sum of $1 million to date.

I met Mr. Brody on the red carpet at a screening in Dallas (Texas) last year and found the actor to be straightforward, honest, and affable.

Post:  04/10/09

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2009/04/afi-dallasadrien-brody-lou-gossett-jr.html

News at 11!

http://www.thetattler.biz/

The Envelope...screening series! James Franco, Winona Ryder & Natalie Portman to appear!

Once again, the much-anticipated film screening series - The Envelope - is slated to kick-off at the Landmark Theatre in West Los Angeles (CA).

The high-profile red-carpet-style event - sponsored by the Los Angeles Times - is scheduled to run November thru December.

At press time it was announced that - James Franco (127 Hours), Winona Ryder (Black Swan) & Natalie Portman (Black Swan) - have committed to appear at the popular Q & A sessions to follow the screenings (which I expect will play to packed houses).

Director Darren Aronofsky (Black Swan) and screenwriter Simon Beaufoy are expected to put in appearances as well much to the delight of theatre-going fans.

Last year, I attended the thought-provoking film presentation, and was fortunate to sneak peak a handful of top-notch flicks (Fantastic Mr. Fox, Hurt Locker, Crazy Heart, District 9, and Young Victoria)  before their wide release later in the year.

Entertaining interviews with Jeff Bridges, T-Bone Burnett, Kathryn Bigelowr, and Jeremy Renner were thoroughly enriching moments which I captured in posts in the days that followed.

Post: 12/04/09  (Young Victoria)

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2009/12/young-victoria-duchess-of-york-julian.html

Post:  12/02/09 (Crazy Heart)

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2009/12/jeff-bridgesrobert-duvall-maggie.html

Post:  11/19/09 (Hurt Locker)

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2009/11/hurt-lockerintense-flawed-film-director.html

Post:  11/09/09 (District 9)

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2009/11/hurt-lockerintense-flawed-film-director.html

The feature film line-up this year is just as dynamic and exciting as last year's phenomenal success.

The Envelope
Feature Film Screenings
Q & A

Toy Story  3 (Pixar)
November 3
7:30 pm
Q & A
Director Lee Unkrich
Producer Darla K. Anderson
Writer Michael Arndt
Actor Jeff Garlin

Moderator John Horn
Los Angeles Times
127 Hours (Fox Searchlight)
November 4
7:30pm
Q & A
Actor James Franco
Screenwriter Simon Beaufoy.

Moderator John Horn
Los Angeles Times

Another Year (Sony Pictures Classic)
November 15
7:30 pm
Q & A
Actors Lesley Manville & Jim Broadbent

Moderator Mark Olsen
Los Angeles Times

Black Swan (Fox Searchlight)
November 16
 7:30 pm
Q & A
Director Darren Aronofsky
Producer Scott Franklin
Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Vincent Cassel, Barbara Hershey &  Winona Ryder.

Moderated by Steve Zeitchik
Los Angeles Times

Ticket Info:

http://www.latimes.com/extras/events/envelopescreeningseries/

http://www.thetattler.biz

The Expendables...Sylvester Stallone @ Premiere! Latham, Lundgren, et al @ Planet Hollywood!

Hunks from the past return en masse!

The big summer block-buster which the studio is pushing gang-busters is "The Expendables".

The other night, Mickey Rourke was a guest on Jay Leno, which piqued a lot of fan interest in the project.

Is the much-tattooed underdog going to turn in another stellar performance and knock our jockeys off in the interim?

Sylvester Stallone has been making the rounds joking about the over-the-hill gang he rustled up for the much-anticipated wild ride and smash-'em-up!

"The Expendables"  harkens from a by-gone era of Hollywood  - when pecs and brawn ruled the day - and features the likes of  Stallone, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Randy Couture, Steve Austin, Mickey Rourke, and Jason Statham.

 Arnold Schwarzegger pulls out all-the-stops in a cameo, too.

'Ya get the picture?

"The Expendables" is slated for wide release on the weekend.

However, there will be a splashy Hollywood-style premiere in Vegas at the Hollywood Planet tonight to  rev up some buzz for the Sylvester Stallone vehicle.

Uh-huh!

Only A-list actors and VIPs will be able to access the screening, but adventurous fans will be permitted to get up-close-and-personal near the red carpet for photo opportunities.

If the sun doesn't burn down in an unbearable sizzle - as it has been of late - I expect I will trot up the Vegas strip to check out the glitzy celebrated goings-on for posterity's sake.

Location:

Strip House and Koi
(Planet Hollywood)

Screening:

5 pm to 7 pm

Later, you old alligator!

http://www.julianayrs.com/

Paparazzi...Style salon stormed in WeHo! Brittany & Oscar beauties...

As I strolled up Santa Monica Boulevard last evening, I spied a posse of frenzied paparazzi swarming around the front door and picture window at Style nail salon.

With the Oscars coming up, a bevy of bodacious babes are about to get all gussied up for the star-studded red carpet event on Sunday (March 7th) at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood.



Since the full press corps will be out capturing the well-heeled arrivals on camera - head to toe - guests of the 82nd Annual event are dashing into stylist's local showrooms for their final fittings, plucking up last-minute accessories to spark up their outfits - and yes - popping into salons for manicures.

In fact, pedicures are not out of the question either, when you consider that the glare of the spotlight will also be keenly focused on high-end "sensual" heels, open-toed designer boots of all persuasion, even sandals.

Style nails, in West Hollywood, was working at peak capacity yesterday as photo journalists and gossip tipsters strained at all available window space to snap scintillating shots of a few female celebs inside being pampered and gussied up for the big day.

 

"Who's inside?" passers-by were inclined to query each other with a good deal of curiosity when they caught the wild circus-like atmosphere outside the trendy little salon.

Pssst!

Her first name was Brittany!

Me?

I'm out rustling up snacks for Oscar's much-touted celebrity-filled extravaganza which I intend to take in from my upscale comfy digs at a popular Hotel  in Las Vegas.

Keep 'ya posted!

Sensusal underthings key!

http://www.thetattler.biz

Lindsay Lohan...PETA douses surprised starlet with flour at Red Carpet event!

Tsk! Tsk!

Just when you thought it was safe to skin a wild animal - and toss the luxurious pelts over your luscious bod in honor of a Red Carpet Event - WHAM!

Mother Nature's high-profile protectors (on-the-prowl everywhere) deliver up a lethal does of humble pie!

The target this week was wide-eyed beauty Lindsay Lohan.

When Ms. Lohan and a female confident glided up to the VIP Room in Paris this weekend, an anti-fur activist doused the startled starlet in flour, head-to-glamorous-toe!

I guess, Lindsay's won what you call a "Pasty Award" for supporting cruelty to animals.

Golly, Lindsay!

How do you expect to land a spot on my 10 Best-Dressed list with a misguided fashion flourish like that?