Variety On the Town

Dunne's "Fierce" Film

At the "Fierce People" preem Wednesday night at the Pacific Design Center, Lionsgate topper, Michael Burns, described pic's director Griffin Dunne as a "true hyphen" for his role as a producer-helmer. He also spoke about Dunne's past acting work saying, "Griffin has been in about 50 films and television shows and he's done some great performances. Who can ever forget Paul Hackett from "After Hours" ... the performance was so great it actually made you forget that Madonna movie." Others at the screening included pic's Diane Lane, Donald Sutherland, Elizabeth Perkins and Dunne's famous father, writer Dominick Dunne. (B. Perry)

Helmers Debut Their 'Reel Talent'

Helmers Jon Turteltaub and James Foley were back where it all began for the unspooling of their first student films at USC's Eileen Norris Theater last week. Turteltaub and Foley along with USC alumns George Lucas and Robert Zemeckis have allowed their first short films to be compiled into a DVD, “Reel Talent: First Films By Legendary Directors,” released by Fox Home Entertainment, as a fundraising project for USC’s film school. “When you’re in school you're always worried your film is going to suck,” recalled Turteltaub. “But stop worrying: It is going to suck. It’s a learning experience,” he said before adding, “But now they’ve put it out on DVD those f—s!” Foley displayed the same humility during the Q&A. “I never understood when I was sitting in this room and listening to directors on stage and people would ask directors ‘so what did you think of your movie?’ and they would say, 'I never watch my films.' Well, now I do: It’s painful!” (E. Bertet)

Cirque Du Soleil Swings Into L.A.

From bratpacker Judd Nelson to TV’s Florence Henderson, it was the stars of yore that outnumbered the usual throng of teenaged red-carpet walkers at Thursday’s preem of Cirque du Soleil’s “Corteo.”  Perhaps the most welcome relief after being held-up for a $22 parking fee — no, that wasn’t for valet — was not being searched and wanded upon entry into the blue-and-yellow striped big top next to the L.A. Forum.

Inside, guests, including thesps Bill Fichtner, Radha Mitchell and Ray Liotta, were treated to a Fellini-esque parade of acrobats swinging from giant chandeliers and walking sky-high tightropes. Right before intermission, one Cirque’s tiniest performers, Valentyna, was bounced around the audience while suspended by six white balloons.

For those sitting close to the stage, it was a vigorous experience. Fichtner and his wife Kym, joked after the show that they needed a chiropractor but added that the performance was, “mesmerizing and heart-pounding.”     (S. Swart)

Surf's Up for Efron and Hudgens

While hip celebs like Fergie and “Superbad” trio Michael Cera, Jonah Hill and Christopher Mintz-Plasse turned up at the Gibson Amphitheater for the Teen Choice Awards on Sunday, the cast of “High School Musical 2” were the evening’s most lauded click, winning best TV movie, choice hottie for Zac Efron and breakout music artist for Vanessa Hudgens. Even best comedian winner Dane Cook sarcastically thanked them for his award during his acceptance speech. “I’m going to melt this down and make costume jewelry out of it to sell on QVC,” quipped Cook about his Teen Choice surf board trophy. (A. D'Alessandro)

Trekkers and Tekei Talk 'Time'

"We've lived longer than we ever expected and prospered in many unexpected ways," enthused George Takei at the Thursday's preem of "World Enough and Time," the latest episode in the fan-produced "Star Trek: New Voyages" skein. The all-volunteer production unspooled for a packed house at the Fine Arts in BevHills as cast, crew, well-wishers and Trekkers rubbed elbows with Trek legends Takei, Walter "Chekov" Koenig and writers David Gerrold, D.C. Fontana and George Clayton Johnson.

"World Enough and Time", shot in high-def in upstate New York, combined the talents of fans and neophytes with vets writer-director Marc Zicree and Takei, whose "Mr. Sulu" character gets the spotlight in the show. Zicree, who visited the set of the original "Star Trek" as a boy, adapted a story originally conceived for Takei in the 1970s, when there were plans to revive "Trek" for TV.  "I'd wanted to to work with George for many years," said Zicree.

Koenig said that after the sixth "Trek" movie, he and Takei were disappointed because the fates of his character and others were unaddressed. He did an earlier "New Voyages" episode and called it "a very satisfying experience." After 40 years of obsessive fans, conventions, movies, novels, personal appearances and vidgames, is there anything left that could surprise him? "Star Trek" The Wagnerian Opera" he said. (D. Cohen)

Dinosaurs Take Manhattan

"Walking with the Dinosaurs:The Live Experience" stomped into the Philadelphia Wachovia Complex last week, kicking off its two-year North American arena tour. Show, which follows dinosaurs over 160 million years of evolution featured 15 dinosaur lifelike puppets that shocked and awed the crowd full of young children and their parents. In just under two months the show comes to the tri-state area where the crowds can be picky. "Yes New Yorkers may be more critical (than other audiences)," admitted show's creator and president of Immersion Edutainment Bruce Mactaggart."They are used to things that are big and grand but this (production) is pretty big so I'm not anxious about it." (A.Morfoot)

Uwe Boll Goes 'Postal'

On the Town spent a surreal evening with infamous German director Uwe Boll on Wednesday following a UCLA screening of his latest pic, the 9/11 satire "Postal." Based on the popular violent vidgame of the same name, "Postal" has generated plenty of controversy for being unabashedly politically incorrect. It's opening scene features a pair of 9/11 hijackers arguing about the number of virgins they'll receive in the afterlife as they fly a plane into the World Trade Center.

Variety's Peter Debruge hosted the post-screening Q+A featuring Boll and several cast members including Zack Ward, Chris Coppola, Jackie Tohn, Chris Spencer and Larry Thomas, who plays a Bush-loving Osama Bin Laden.

"Even if I offend everybody, I think it's necessary to do this now. 'Postal' reflects what is really going on. The world is going down the drain. It's time to wake up," said Boll. "With 'Postal,' I was lucky with the actors. They really went for it and all of them agreed it was time to make a movie like this," explained Boll, whose first film was the comedy "German Fried Movie."

Thomas, himself no stranger to comedy having played The Soup Nazi in a memorable episode of "Seinfeld," also weighed in on the controversy. "I read the script on a plane and after the first few pages, I stopped and just sat there. Another passenger asked if I was alright and I said, 'I'm not sure.' But The Three Stooges were making fun of Hitler in 1938. If you can't make fun of things then they get the better of you. The things that terrorize us, if we can laugh at them, we're much better off."

Boll went on to address what some critics have perceived as anti-American sentiments in the film. "The film isn't anti-American. What the government used 9/11 for, to start the Iraq War, was anti-American. I hope people see 'Postal' and discuss it," said Boll, who made international headlines last year when he challenged four of his harshest critics, including yours truly, to a boxing match during a break in the filming of "Postal." Clips from the fights were supposedly going to be edited into the film but the footage didn't make the final cut. After deflecting blame to his publicist, Bill Wanstrom, Boll admitted the publicity stunt "was a mistake." It's unclear whether Boll's attitude towards his critics will affect "Postal's" reviews, but so far reception has been more positive than negative, including from Variety's own Dennis Harvey. (J. Sneider)

Gere Ready for 'Party'

Helmer Richard Shepard set the mood for his new film, "The Hunting Party" by clowning around with Harvey Weinstein at the pic's Gotham preem on Wednesday. “I got final cut,” he announced to the audience. “Wait, what, Harvey? I didn’t? It’s in English now?” Weinstein nodded. “What about all that Serbian I made Richard (Gere) learn?”

Rest assured, the film is in English and Richard Gere only speaks a few words of Serbian. Stars Gere, Terrence Howard and Jesse Eisenberg came out to support the film along with James Brolin, Donna Karan, and anchors Chuck Scarborough and Sue Simmons. Weinstein pointed out the poster’s slogan – “Liars, cheats, playboys, thieves, journalists” – and noted that he sympanthised with it. But added that the movie was intended to toast two of the journalists at the premiere – war correspondents John Falk and Sebastian Junger – and their achievements in Bosnia. The after-party was held at midtown spot Azza, where champagne and canapés were served and copies of the evening’s sponsor, The New York Observer, were laid out on every table. The convenient cover story on Serbian tennis stars was prominently displayed. (S. Thielman)

'Champ' Rings True

Before the screening of “Resurrecting the Champ” at the Academy in Beverly Hills on Wednesday, director Rod Lurie made a few honest remarks. “So I look out here and should see a thousand people who are showing their love and loyalty,” he said. “But what I really see is 1000 people who are now not gonna pay to see this movie.”

It was all in good fun though, as pic's stars Samuel L. Jackson, Kathryn Morris and Teri Hatcher laughed along with the crowd. “I’ve wanted to make this movie since I read the story in the Los Angeles Times ten years ago,” producer Mike Medavoy told On the Town. As for star Josh Hartnett, he couldn’t attend the premiere because he was filming a movie in China, but Lurie had another take, “I just think he ran out of girls in the United States.” (B. Perry)

'Grease' Slides into Gotham

The Roseland Ballroom was packed with Broadway, film, and television personalities who turned out to see the TV audience-selected leads Max Crumm and Laura Osnes at the opening night  of “Grease” on Sunday in Gotham.  Some, like Stephen Colbert, even brought along their kids. Carole Demas (the original Sandy) said she was pleased that the music still holds up so well. “I love ‘We Go Together.’ It’s just joyous, gibberish fun.” (S. Thielman)

Moore's 'Dedication'

Mandy Moore made a quick cameo at the "Dedication," preem after-party in Gotham on Tuesday night. After chatting with her co-star Billy Crudup and pic's helmer Justin Theroux in the VIP section of Pink Elephant, the thesp had to call it a night. "I am starting my (music) tour tomorrow," she explained. Moore, who plays a no-frills young adult in the new film, said the role came at just the right time. "I had just finished "Because I Said So" and then I did this film and then I went right into doing the whole Robin Williams comedy thing ("License to Wed"). So it was really a fitting time in my life to come to New York for six weeks in the middle of winter and just really challenge myself in a way I haven't before." (A. Morfoot)

Shatner and Zeus' Similarities

Arianna Huffington moderated a spirited discussion with the cast and creators of “Boston Legal” Tuesday night at the Writers Guild Theater. Her purpose was to investigate the Emmy-nominated show’s relationship with contemporary politics, but the conversation gravitated toward celebrating the dramedy’s accomplishments. “It’s the most relevant show on TV,” William Shatner said. “We, the actors, learn from what the writers have written.”

Huffington, a self-described addict of the show, praised its ability to thrive as both a gripping drama and a droll comedy. The program’s dual-nature was a frequent topic. "Life is dramatic and has a sense of humor, so why not put all that into an episode?” said creator David E. Kelley (pictured with Huffington and 20th Century Fox Television topper Dana Walden). At one point, Huffington said that Shatner’s character resembled the Greek god, Zeus. As Shatner lit up with pride, co-star James Spader quipped, “He’s Zeus? You have no idea what you’ve just done!” (J. Young)

Tough Talking Thesp Joins "Superbad"

During the “Superbad” after-party at the Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood on Monday, On the Town caught up with newcomer Christopher Mintz-Plasse, who won the highly coveted role as Fogell after impressing pic's star Seth Rogen and producer Judd Apatow at an open audition.

“I was scared out of my mind, man. I loved Seth Rogen from 'The 40 Year Old Virgin' and I had to go in there and improv with him. It was the scariest thing ever,” said Mintz-Plasse.

So how does a scrawny rookie make his way onto the genre’s current varsity squad? “They said that when I went in there, I just put a whole different take on the character. Everyone else who auditioned for the part was kind of wimpy and they didn’t talk back to Jonah [Hill] and I was like the only person who would say ‘screw you’ and talk back to him.”

“I just saw the tape and said that’s the guy,” said Apatow. “Jonah didn’t like him because he really went hard at Jonah in the audition and Jonah’s like, ‘He’s stepping on all my lines. I don’t like this kid.’ And I said to the guys, ‘well then we have to hire him.’ He just seemed like the right guy.”

And since the Mayor of Comedy likes to work with the same troupe of actors, does that mean we could see Mintz-Plasse pop up in one of the eleven movies currently in development at Apatow’s shingle? “Who knows? I love him. I think he’s a very talented guy. I don’t think this is some fluke where he’s just funny in this. Like Sean Penn did 'Falcon and the Snowman' after 'Fast Times,' we will see our Carlito’s Way’ with Christopher Mintz-Plasse.”

It’s a lot to live up to, but is there anything the young thesp won’t do for a laugh? “Get completely naked. I’m not down for that. Everything else is fair game.”  (J. Sneider)

Donkey Kong Swings Into Gotham

The Astoria premiere of the new doc about championship Donkey Kong players “The King of Kong” included a new triumph for the film’s protag Steve Wiebe. During the Q&A following the screening on Saturday, helmer Seth Gordon produced a copy of the newly-published 2008 Guinness Book of World Records and asked Wiebe to read aloud the entry containing his name. “I didn’t know what I was getting involved with, for sure,” said Wiebe of his quest to break the world record score for Donkey Kong.

At the after-party, audience members went up to the second level of the Museum of the Moving Image to eat canapés, drink beer and play the two vintage Donkey Kong machines provided by the museum. Few players got past the game’s first board, but Wiebe, at the behest of friends and fans, demonstrated his skills for enthralled onlookers. Gordon said of the film’s showdown at legendary arcade Fun Spot in Hollywood, Florida, “When I saw that this film could take us to Fun Spot for work at age thirty, I thought, “This is too good to be true.’” (S. Thielman)

HFPA's Lucrative Lunch

Charlize Theron, Marc Anthony, Jennifer Lopez, Hilary Swank and Jamie Foxx had a fruitful lunch at the BevHills Hotel on Thursday during the annual Hollywood Foreign Press Installation luncheon where a record $1.2 million was handed out to more than two dozen film-related charities. Below are some highlights said on stage.

“Never trust a woman with a check!” said Theron upon receiving the grant for the Film Foundation.  “And stop looking at my dress. It’s all wrinkled.”

“You’re looking great… with all due respect.  And that dress, come on man. I don’t even know how you let her come out with it,”  Foxx told Lopez and Anthony while on stage.

Marc Anthony: “It’s a great way to make friends in Hollywood: ‘Hey, how you doing, here is a $100,000 check,’ said Anthony when announcing a grant.

Lopez to Anthony after her speech:  “How did I do?”
Anthony: “We’ll talk about it on the way home. I’m so proud of you.”

(E. Bertet)

'Rocket Science' has liftoff

No limos were need at Tuesday’s “Rocket Science” preem after-party in Gotham as guests and stars arrived at the Meatpacking district’s hot spot, Fig and Olive, in good old fashion school buses.

The yellow clunkers were often featured in the film, a semi-autobiography by “Spellbound” writer-helmer Jeffrey Blitz. During the soiree, pic’s star Reece Thompson noted that it was a bit odd shooting scenes that Blitz had actually lived. And although the film is filled with relative unknowns, many of the young thesps are kicking their career into high gear. Co-star Anna Kendrick has two films in post-production (“The Marc Pease Experience” with Ben Stiller and Jason Schwartzman and indie film “Elsewhere”), while Thompson could only stay in Gotham for one night due to the fact that he’s currently juggling two other projects including “Afterwards” with John Malkovich. (S. Thielman)

An American in 'Paris'

Adam Goldberg survived "2 Days in Paris" but barely. The thesp, who plays a neurotic New Yorker experiencing a culture clash, told On The Town at the film's Hollywood preem on Monday that relating to his character wasn't difficult. "It's basically me with a different name and a different profession, a little more jealous and slightly more germaphobic." And like his character, Goldberg is not exactly the Indiana Jones-type of guy. "I have a really difficult time being in a place where I don't understand a word so I never left my hotel room unless I had to." Helmer and co-star Julie Delpy said she penned the part with Goldberg in mind. "Whenever I go back to Paris I'm horrified with people screaming at me and pushing me in the metro: It's truly a jungle. I really got a kick out of imagining what it would be like if I didn't speak the language. It would feel like hell!" (E.Bertet)

Staying Cool in the Hamptons

The Hamptons lived up to its reputation as the place to be and be seen this past weekend as Gothamites flocked to the beach-side town to escape the city heat. Brooke Shields had a ball at the Mercedes-Benz Polo Challenge on Saturday, while later that night Kelly Ripa and husband Mark Consuelos took in a Billy Joel concert during the Social @ Ross concert series. The next day, Christie Brinkley saddled up for a Hampton hoedown benefiting Einstein College of Medicine at Diamond Ranch. For more on the Hamptons high life click here.