Judd’s preparation for recent films may have helped send the actress to rehab By P.J. Stratton & Jeffrey Jolson-Colburn
Paranoia strikes deep.
Judd and Shannon in ‘Bug’
What you see might really be what you get from actress Ashley Judd, whose personal life appears to be intermixing with her roles on the big screen. Now that Judd’s two new films, “Bug” and “Come Early Morning,” have premiered, it appears that the same curious mix of symptoms she said sent her in to rehab for emotional issues were entrenched in the characters she was portraying at the same time.
Judd’s case leaves audiences questioning if life imitates art – or vice versa – and to what degree portraying an intense role affects an actor’s psyche. For Judd, the intertwining may have played a part in seeing the actress institutionalized.
Judd said she prepared for the demanding role with “lovely dinners on the porch” with her sister, country singer Wynonna, who was at the rehab in question for eating disorders. Read the rest of this Hollywood Today story »
Filmmakers and distributors cement $800 million in deals By Amy Kaufman
David Lynch catching up
with old friends
It was a time for wheeling and dealing at the 2006 American Film Market where 8,400 film biz folks gathered to press the flesh. Most will meet again in Cannes next May in a biannual dance that gets the lion’s share of all films made and distributed.Held at Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel, the venue serves as the headquarters for the yearly AFM meet, which brought more than 2,000 companies and buyers from 60 countries to the southern California city. The hotel’s lobby bustles with hundreds of busy filmmakers and executives speaking a plethora of different languages stir about the grounds searching for the next big thing.
Founded in 1981, AFM is the world’s largest film market, representing international independent filmmakers and business people. More than 900 screenings of nearly 600 films are shown over eight days.
There were over 435 premieres during the week, though little time for red carpets. Those were held across town at sister event AFI Fest. At AFM, it was all about the art of commerce, with a whopping $800 million worth of deals sealed according to the organization. Read the rest of this Hollywood Today story »
Lowe’s debut is flawed yet compelling By Amy Kaufman
A spin on the traditional coming-of-age-tale, “Beautiful Ohio” is the tale of a family struggling to accept their many imperfections. Infused with director Chad Lowe’s knack for theme, the entire plot oozes a calm, even-keeled approach with understated performances and tranquil backdrops as the character’s lives head toward shattering events.
“It was a labor of love,” said Lowe before the screening of the film at the 2006 AFI Fest. The film, which took nearly five years to complete, marks longstanding actor Lowe’s debut as a serious director. Former love interest Hilary Swank produced the project.
The film is set in the serene suburbs of Ohio, with Simon (John Hurt) and Judith Messerman (Rita Wilson) as the liberal parents to two whiz-kids, Clive (David Call) and William (Brett Davern). The pair takes excessive pride in the accomplishments of son Clive, who is an abnormally gifted math wiz.
While Clive sweeps math competitions around Ohio without breaking a cranial sweat, sibling William watches from the sidelines as his parents endlessly dote upon his older brother.
The entire family struggles to comprehend hipster-genius Clive not only for his grey matter but for his alternative methods to life – the teen speaks in his own mysterious language for which no one but his closest friends know the key, constantly engages in drug use and enjoys hard-core music. Read the rest of this Hollywood Today story »
Graham says she feels the pain of an addict in her new film “Broken” By Jeffrey Jolson-Colburn
HOLLYWOOD — “I can identify with the desire to do something even though you know you’ll destroy yourself,” said actress Heather Graham after the world premiere of the film “Broken” at the 2006 AFI Fest in Los Angeles.
It is a tale of disillusionment in the big city, though it’s really about a sort of dual-diagnosis addiction – to both love and drugs. Those powerful forces intertwine to form a psychosis of mind and spirit that drive the drama.
Speaking of her relapsing junkie character in the gritty downtown L.A. drama, Graham said “I understand the feelings of addiction, not with heroin, but the feeling.”
More than seven and a half million for “Two and a Half Men.” Well, for one of them anyway as Charlie Sheen is about to become the highest-paid comedy star on TV. He will earn a reported $350,000 per episode for the next 22 shows, plus unspecified profit participation, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
However, that doesn’t top the nearly $2 million per episode earned by Ray Romano to shoot the final season of “Everybody Loves Raymond” in 2004-05. Nor does it best the highest paid performer on television, Oprah Winfrey, who earns an estimated $60 million to $80 million a year from her show and various multimedia ventures.
Including his points, Sheen is in league with the late night hosts, as David Letterman reportedly earns about $8 million to $10 million a year. Read the rest of this Hollywood Today story »
One of the world’s most admired actors takes a personal moment to reflect By Gayl Murphy
When son Kiefer won this year’s Emmy for Best Outstanding Drama on “24,” Sutherland said he was overwhelmed with joy for his offspring.
“Shoot, man,” Sutherland gushed, “He came running up the aisle, grabbed me and said, ‘I love you and this Emmy is yours.’ That was something.”
Being a encouraging family figure is nothing new for Sutherland, who in his latest film, “Aurora Borealis,” plays the role of Ronald, a supportive grandfather to the troubled Joshua Jackson dealing with the death of his father.
Soon, Sutherland is slated to star in “Rain Over Me” alongside Adam Sandler as well as Nicholas Roeg’s “Puffball.”
Sutherland sat down with Hollywood Today for an intimate discussion about his film career, depression, and what he knows best – family. Read the rest of this Hollywood Today story »
Superstars Down Under, the rock band is again nibbling at U.S. By Amy Kaufman
DALLAS, Texas — Aussie rockers JET have a lot on their plate.
“There was a burger on the menu that was apparently bigger than the size of your face,” Mark Wilson, the bassist for the band laughs. Wilson is seated at a picnic table in Dallas, slurping down some pasta on the night after the band’s first show of their small U.S. tour. Super-sized Texas is one of the first stops on the group’s promotional tour for the release of their new record, “The Shine,” the highly anticipated follow-up to 2003’s “Get Born” and its multimedia hit “Are You Gonna Be My Girl.”
In their quest to “win America over town by town,” Wilson said the band is ready to take on the challenge of the U.S. fanbase – a group which offers a stark contrast to the band’s popularity in their native Australia.
“We have to let people know that we’re still around,” Wilson says while chewing, “I think you’ve got to prove yourself everywhere. You can’t rest on your laurels. You can’t just expect things to go right because that’s not a good mentality to have.” Read the rest of this Hollywood Today story »
HOLLYWOOD — You wouldn’t think Edward Norton, star of nearly 20 feature films, was shy.
But as a teenager, Norton, who has since been nominated for two Oscars for “American History X” and “Primal Fear,” was initially self-conscious about acting.
“I didn’t want girls to see me in a play,” he said.
Things changed when a class field trip took the 16-year-old Norton to Washington D.C. to view Ian McKellen’s one-man’s show.
“It had a huge impact on me,” Norton told Hollywood Today. “Right at that moment in my life, it struck me for the first time that there was something really deep about acting.
Growing up in an urban environment, Norton also found himself moved by works such as Spike Lee’s “Do The Right Thing.”
“I’ve always been interested in telling stories that are about the dysfunctions or the challenges of what your generation is experiencing,” the actor said. Read the rest of this Hollywood Today story »
Oscar Winner Billy Bob Thornton is fed up with playing jerks with quirks By Gayl Murphy
By his own admission, Billy Bob Thornton is the reigning King of Jerks, Prince of Nasty Guys and Sultan of Assholes. Just consider his flawless alcoholic performance as “Bad Santa,” the curmudgeonly coach in “Bad News Bears” and the creep in an Armani in “School for Scoundrels.”
Does one actually make a career choice to be the poster child for bad manners? It may seem like there are a lot of jerks in life — but it’s rare to see the pure thing, a complete asshole.
Q: “What’s with this on-screen image of yours? Lately, we’re seeing you as all these out of control, wormy guys? I mean, you do a kick-ass Nasty Man, but it’s an interesting turn for you.”
A: Ever since ‘Bad Santa,’ they call me up when they need an asshole. It’s nice to be able to boss people around and scream and do stuff that you can’t do in real life. I don’t know if the “School for Scoundrels” role was specifically written for me. But if “Bad Santa” hadn’t been successful, I probably wouldn’t have gotten the part.” Read the rest of this Hollywood Today story »
Secrets to the minute film pitch that can change your life By Amy Kaufman
You step into the elevator heading to the 8th floor, and there he is, standing right next to you in all his directorial glory. Steven Spielberg. You have one minute to say something that could change your entire life. Sixty seconds to sell that movie you’ve been dreaming of making.
Thanks to insider tips gathered at the recent film pitch seminar held at this year’s American Film Market, Hollywood Today can help make you an expert pitchman.
Before you launch into your pitch, introduce yourself with a credit or two if you have them. Mention film festivals if applicable and casting if the names are big enough. This should be a one-sentence resume, or you lose them at hello.
Otherwise, “it sounds like you’re trying too hard to establish credentials,” said Peggy Rajski, producer of “Home for the Holidays” and “Little Man Tate” as well as a director of the television series “E.R.” Read the rest of this Hollywood Today story »
Katie Holmes-Cruise Makes Surprise Appearance for Mirren By P.J. Stratton
Actress Helen Mirren is in for a long award season.
The seasoned veteran is already getting double-barreled accolades for portraying both Queen Elizabeth I and Elizabeth II in separate movies even before the onslaught of the Oscars and Golden Globes.
The unprecedented situation became apparent at the recent WIN Awards, where Mirren won Outstanding Actress in both the Film and TV Movie/Miniseries categories – a feat which may be repeated at the Globes, which also have film and TV categories. In addition, she is a front-runner in the Academy Award best actress race for her performance in “The Queen.”
One half of TomKat made a surprise appearance, as the trim and fit Katie Holmes-Cruise accepted an award on behalf of Mirren, who has been filming in London, at the Women’s Image Network Awards. The appearance served as a brief time-out for the former “Dawson’s Creek”-er just before she left for Italy for her palatial wedding to Cruise and reported honeymoon in the Maldives. Read the rest of this Hollywood Today story »
Ludacris, 50 Cent and Ice Cube say Oprah’s still a hater By Gayl Murphy
HOLLYWOOD — Is it true Oprah still doesn’t like rappers? “Absolutely,” says easy going rapper-turned-actor Ludacris, who says nothing has changed since he got a bad rap for taking this stand last year.
And, it’s not just Chris “Ludacris” Bridges that seems to have a beef with Ms. Winfrey. Rap superstars 50 Cent and Ice Cube officially joined the chorus and confirmed what he’s been saying; “Oprah doesn’t like rappers and doesn’t want them on her show.” Ludacris further claims he knows what she’s thinking, “’We are the scum of the earth, the worst possible people,’ because I haven’t had proof (from her) otherwise.”
He added that he welcomed the corroboration of other rappers in what has become double-edged sword of an issue for him. “With 50 coming out and Ice Cube saying something, it really validated what I originally said. (Although) if there’s anything that I want to get across it’s that I do think the thing with myself and Oprah has kind of blown out of proportion.” Read the rest of this Hollywood Today story »
A spin on the traditional coming-of-age-tale, “Beautiful Ohio” is the tale of a family struggling to accept their many imperfections. Infused with director Chad Lowe’s knack for theme, the entire plot oozes a calm, even-keeled approach with understated performances and tranquil backdrops as the character’s lives head toward shattering events.
HOLLYWOOD — “I can identify with the desire to do something even though you know you’ll destroy yourself,” said actress Heather Graham after the world premiere of the film “Broken” at the 2006 AFI Fest in Los Angeles.
More than seven and a half million for “Two and a Half Men.” Well, for one of them anyway as Charlie Sheen is about to become the highest-paid comedy star on TV. He will earn a reported $350,000 per episode for the next 22 shows, plus unspecified profit participation, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
When son Kiefer won this year’s Emmy for Best Outstanding Drama on “24,” Sutherland said he was overwhelmed with joy for his offspring.
DALLAS, Texas — Aussie rockers JET have a lot on their plate.
HOLLYWOOD — You wouldn’t think Edward Norton, star of nearly 20 feature films, was shy.
By his own admission, Billy Bob Thornton is the reigning King of Jerks, Prince of Nasty Guys and Sultan of Assholes. Just consider his flawless alcoholic performance as “Bad Santa,” the curmudgeonly coach in “Bad News Bears” and the creep in an Armani in “School for Scoundrels.”
You step into the elevator heading to the 8th floor, and there he is, standing right next to you in all his directorial glory. Steven Spielberg. You have one minute to say something that could change your entire life. Sixty seconds to sell that movie you’ve been dreaming of making.
Actress Helen Mirren is in for a long award season.
HOLLYWOOD — Is it true Oprah still doesn’t like rappers? “Absolutely,” says easy going rapper-turned-actor Ludacris, who says nothing has changed since he got a bad rap for taking this stand last year.