Margot Gerber...publicist threatens press! American Cinematheque employee a mentally disturbed loser!

Many people are under the impression that in Hollywood actors are the sole individuals with inflated egos and an overblown sense of self-importance!

However, in the underbelly of Tinsel Town, there are a handful of scurrilous individuals who take the cake in that regard.

Staffers in publicity departments - and press agents who represent major stars in Hollywood - are at the top of list!

Take Margot Gerber, for instance.

Ms. Gerber is employed in the publicity department at the Hollywood Office of the American Cinematheque.

Recently, Ms. Gerber e-mailed me a press release on the upcoming Samuel L. Jackson event slated for December 1st at the Beverly Hilton - at which point - I promptly penned a beautiful post to enlighten industry folks about the upcoming event.

Post: Samuel L. Jackson

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2008/11/american-cinemathequerespected-actor.html

However, when it came to acquiring a press pass for the event, I encountered a nightmare due to Ms. Gerber's incompetence, bizarre game-playing, and general lack of professionalism.

Normally, a publicity department invites the press to submit their credentials for approval to attend a specific event.

Usually, the process is prompt and conducted with a minimum amount of fuss.

But, from the get-go, it was obvious I was dealing with a loser with no legitimate background in the industry, who was under the mistaken impression that she was some kind of High-Priestess of Hollywood entitled to doll out insults, mistreat members of the press, and so forth and so on.

My suspicions were verified when I searched "Margo Gerber" on the Internet and managed to secure a handful of the most God-awful press releases she prepared (for so-called clients) which smacked of having been crafted by a ten-year old with no experience in the biz whatsoever.

In her initial press release for the Jackson affair, snobby Gerby came across as crass, abusive, and demonstrated a lack of good manners.

Her lack of respect for others was distinctly obvious, too.

In her instructions to the media, for example, she put specific words in CAPS - as if to SHOUT at the recipients - of her e-mails.

In addition, Ms. Gerber treated industry-members like they were misbehaved children - and she the strict parent on-the-ready to spank 'em - if called for.

For example, she threatened that if the rules laid down in the release weren't strictly adhered to, no credentials would be forthcoming.

And, in another segment of her misguided missive, she snidely remarked that a press pass would not necessarily guarantee entrance to the event.

"Don't contact us," she snarled. "We won't call you back." (!)

Yeah, all the top media dogs in the local arena are supposed to twiddle their thumbs, until this nasty little Princess with the foul aura gets off her high horse?

There were other glaring irregularities, too.

Ms. Gerber requested that the media "fax" requests for press passes.

Generally, though, Film Festivals and the coordinators for special screening events, conduct their press bookings via e-mail.

Consequently, many reporters don't have their own personal fax machines.

Are media types supposed to go to Kinkos, pay for a fax, then hunker down for days until she gets off her butt and responds back?

Ms. Gerber expects that, yes.

When a number of individuals I am associated with received a notice back "denying" their request for a pass, Ms. Gerber actually had the audacity to instruct them to continue to cover American Cinematheque events in the future.

Was she daft?

I, for one, will never give her, the Aero, or American Cinematheque any press coverage in the future.

Maybe, a jab or two, for the insult!

When I advised Ms. Gerber in an e-mail that I found her notions ludicrous under the circumstances, she responded with an implied threat.

"Are you sure you want to make an enemy of me?"

At this juncture, it was obvious that Ms. Gerber was in dire need of therapy, fast!

After all, any sane person - who wasn't on a power trip - would have attempted to sort out the problem professionally.

Ms. Gerber, on the other hand, inferred by her inappropriate comments, that she was an individual I would not be wise to cross!

There's nothing worse than a lady (I use the term very loosely) who thinks she has a pair of balls, eh?

In a couple of follow-up e-mails - which were desperate and out-of-line - it became obvious to me that Ms. Gerber was suffering from a mental disorder of some kind.

Ms. Gerber, get psychiatric help.

Notwithstanding, you're also a detriment to the Aero Theatre and the formerly prestigious American Cinematheque!

When I finally noted I was going forward with my story, she sent a nasty e-mail informing me she was pulling me off her e-mail lists.

Of course, her action was an attempt to slap me in the face.

But, since she was already noticed previously there would not be any coverage in the future for Aero and American Cinematheque events, why the heck do I care if I am on their e-mail lists?

Duh!

Ms. Gerber is too stupid to figure that one out.

Bill Cosby once said:

"A word to the wise ain't necessary, it's the stupid ones who need the advice."

American Cinematheque...respected actor Samuel L. Jackson to be honored at tony Black Tie Affair!

Samuel L. Jackson will be honored on December 1st (2008) with the prestigious American Cinematheque Award at an elegant Black Tie soiree at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in tony Beverly Hills.

The coveted prize is presented annually to an extraordinary artist who has contributed significantly to the Art of Filmmaking.

Tickets for the glitzy much-anticipated festivities start at $500 a pop - a bit pricey for some - but I expect that the Hollywood elite will turn out in full force to hob-nob, sip on exotic cocktails, and pay tribute to a talented actor who has the respect of many inside-the-industry and out.

Proceeds from this annual tribute fund the year-round community film programs at the American Cinematheque, the non-profit viewer supported arts organization, that preserves the historic 1922 Egyptian Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard and the 1940 Aero Theatre on Montana Avenue in Santa Monica.

The American Cinematheque's public programming celebrates the art of moving pictures and all of its forms - from the classics - to the American Independents, the latest International Productions, Documentaries, Shorts, Animation, and Experimental projects.

Series are highlighted by screenings of rare works, special prints, and audience discussions with filmmakers.

In the final analysis, Cinematheque is dedicated to preserving the movie-going experience - including, but not limited to - ensuring films are screened on the silver screen as they were originally meant to be seen and heard by movie buffs.

Resurrecting the Champ...Hollywood-style red carpet premiere!

Limos crept up the street, the paparazzi jockeyed for position, and the red carpet was thrown down on the sidewalk.

Ah, a big splashy premier Hollywood-style!

With flashbulbs popping, I strode into the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences building in downtown Beverly Hills to take in "Resurrecting the Champ."

The sharp-suits at Yari & Phoenix know how to throw a bash!

The liquor flowed generously throughout the night courtesy of the house!

And, a swirl of the jaded Hollywood elite swarmed around the banquet tables to snap up the succulent chicken, a wide array of designer cheeses, tasty imported crackers, mouth-watering fruit, and the most fabulous! desserts sure to satisfy any discerning sweet tooth.

But as I slipped through the throngs of excited moviegoers, from the conversations I surreptitiously listened in on, there did not appear to be much talk about the "Champ".

The film - starring Samuel L. Jackson, Josh Hartnett, and Terri Hatcher - is apparently based on a true story which caused an initial buzz for the picture.

Why?

Hollywood is keen on down-and-out tales about underdogs who are resurrected, of course!

"Resurrecting The Champ" survived the fight, but there were a few bruises inflicted along the way.

When the tale first flickers up on the silver screen - the audience is introduced to a young journalist (Josh Hartnett) who is under a lot of pressure from his boss (Alan Alda) to deliver up quality news stories for the daily morning paper.

To add insult to injury his boss laments at one point,

"There's a lot of typing going on, but little writing."

Ouch!

Subsequently, Hartnett's character is anxious to get his hands on the "big ticket" - as he puts it - a dynamite story capable of lifting him up out of his professional slump.

Gee, do people still talk like that?

He stumbles on an idea for a feature story and slaves over the material until it is crafted to perfection and ready for publication.

But, shortly after the feature is published and acclaim comes his way, petty annoyances like facts and accuracy of reporting rear their ugly head.

At this juncture, it appears that "The Champ" is supposed to be a hard-hitting film about ethics in journalism and "doing the right thing".

But, the script is flawed and there are serious credibility problems to overcome, if that is the case.

One has to wonder, for instance, how did the naive young writer land the post at the Denver daily in the first place?

In spite of his obvious lack of ability, Hartnett's character manages to turn out a stellar piece of Pulitzer-Prize winning caliber.

But, we can't help but wonder how he to pulled it off given the facts.

To make matters worse, a sub-plot focusing on a failed marriage is introduced.

On screen, the audience doesn't get much of a peak into the relationship - not enough anyway - to determine what caused the coupling to go awry in the first place.

In fact, Hartnett's character makes so many mistakes (with his son and his boss) we seriously have to wonder, what makes him tick?

There's no clue emanating from the big budget screen endeavour overhead.

Hartnett delivers his lines well - and is a handsome appealing man - but at times I wanted to yell at the screen.

"Hello, is anyone home?"

At one point, the film - which takes a small foray into the mystery of the ironies of life - actually manifested one of its very own in the theater packed with enthusiastic film goers.

For example, about a quarter of the way into the movie, Hartnett's character suddenly appeared on screen with a big bruise on the side of his face.

What?

Everyone in the audience turned this way and that, whispering among themselves, trying to figure the phenomenon out.

The film ground to a halt. The lights went up.

After a few awkward moments, the Chump - um - Champ flickered on the screen again without explanation.

About a half-an-hour later - after a physical fight breaks out between Hartnett and another character onscreen - the clip with the bruised face popped up again on screen.

Ah, it all made sense now.

The reels were out of sequence!

And, there's the irony.

Just like the projectionist who needed to restart to set things right - Hartnett's character was now forced to retool to make good - as well.

Samuel L. Jackson's portrayal of a homeless man is a stand-out in a long distinguished career.

But, Peter Coyote and Terri Hatcher nearly steal the show out from under him in precious cameo roles.

In fact, Terri Hatcher shows such great potential in this cougar-style role, there may not be any looking back.

She masterfully handled dialog quite well; but, similar material was better articulated in powerful films like Network, for instance.

One guest noted that there weren't enough fight scenes.

Yeah, in my estimation, "Resurrecting the Champ" lacked a lot of punch.

Essentially, it wrestled on the ropes.

No knockout, though.