Archive for January, 2008

Try To Make Me Go? I Say Yes, Yes, Yes

Friday, January 25th, 2008

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Fred Duval / FilmMagic/Getty Images

It’s been rumored for quite a while that Amy Winehouse was considering a trip to rehab - picking up the humor value implicit in this suggestion doesn’t take a rocket scientist - but now it’s official. A rep for the troubled soul singer confirmed yesterday that Winehouse has already taken up residence in a rehabilitation center at an undisclosed location. This decision was reached with consultation from Winehouse’s family and reps at Universal Music Group, the latter being known for its endearing compassion, particularly when the artist in question has one of the hottest albums of the decade.

In all seriousness though, we wish Winehouse the best. She’s a talented young woman, and we hope she avoids the Billie Holiday route, or in other words the sine qua non of R&B.

Quantum Leap

Friday, January 25th, 2008

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Eamonn McCormack / WireImage/Getty Images

Sony held a sleek press conference at Great Britain’s Pinewood Studios to formally announce the title and cast of the 22nd James Bond film, which is scheduled for a near-worldwide release on November 7, 2008. After all the waiting for Bond fans, after all the fabulously over-the-top Bond titles that have come before it, the film’s creative team has come up with…Quantum of Solace.

This sounds more like a Tarkovsky film, or perhaps an episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000 penned while the writing staff embarked on an arduous journey to the planet Mushroom. Whatever happened to titles like You Only Live Twice, From Russia With Love, The Living Daylights, or my personal favorite - Octopussy? Bond is getting a little big for his well-tailored britches with this one. It might have something to do with the writer/director of Crash taking over the franchise, which explains Casino Royale’s complete and utter lack of anything resembling humor.

However - Mathieu Amalric in the cast? We’re so there, nevermind.

The Fifth Spice Girl

Thursday, January 24th, 2008

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MJ Kim/Spice Girls LLP via Getty Images

New BFF’s Victoria Beckham and Eva Longoria had some girl talk backstage during The Return of Spice Girls World Tour at the MEN Arena in Manchester, England. But the question remains…where was former BFF Katie Holmes? Discuss…

Everything Nice

Thursday, January 24th, 2008

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Karl Prouse/Catwalking/Getty Images - Thomas D. McAvoy/Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images

Valentino’s last collection closed Paris Fashion Week with a sea of models dressed in his signature red gowns. A lovely end-cap on a career that spanned 45 years and spawned the “Jackie O’ Look” amongst other opulent aesthetics.

While the Spring/Summer 2008 Haute Couture collection was the epitome of femininity within a truly modern frame, one piece stands out as a whimsical turn on mens military wear. Valentino inflated the safari Pith -Helmet, transforming it into gossamer elegance, contrary to it’s original function. The sashed champagne silk suit refers to it’s masculine cousin, Khaki but Valentino transforms a uniform, fine for hacking a path through jungle or observing the finer points of an elephant herd, into a sinuous construction fit for lunching with the Queen.

Mad Money

Thursday, January 24th, 2008

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Jeff Vespa / WireImage/Getty Images

Though they are not typically in the mix as major festival buyers - preferring instead to produce their own films - James Schamus and fellow Focus Features executives paid major cash for a raucous Steve Coogan comedy at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival. “Hamlet 2,” about a high school drama teacher’s face-saving production of ‘Hamlet 2′ - a musical sequel - received a fabulous audience reaction that started an intense bidding war. Schamus & co. won in the end, paying $10 million for the $9 million movie. “Hamlet 2″ stars Coogan (of “A Cock and Bull Story” fame), Elisabeth Shue, Catherine Keener, Amy Poehler, and David Arquette.

This has been by far the biggest sale of the festival, which has so far been somewhat anemic with distribution activity. The 2007 festival didn’t produce a “Little Miss Sunshine”-style hit despite several large purchases (including the curiously large amount the Weinsteins paid for the drippy “Grace Is Gone”), which has perhaps led to this year’s cautionary atmosphere.

News Alert

Thursday, January 24th, 2008

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Gary Gershoff / WireImage/Getty Images

It almost slipped by me. Rambo comes out this weekend. Don’t miss it. It has CROSSBOWS.

No 60ish action stars were harmed during the making of this film. Penguins and small children did not fare as well.

Are those skinny jeans he’s wearing? Adorable! What youthful fervor.

Possibly, More Blood

Thursday, January 24th, 2008

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Barry King / WireImage/Getty Images

In the case the faithful haven’t noticed, the Getty Images Entertainment Blog (maybe just me) is a bit obsessed with Paul Thomas Anderson, him being adorable, freakishly talented, and writer of the greatest movie line of 2007, “I…drink…your…MILKSHAKE! I DRINK IT UP!”

Bloody Disgusting - that reliably enthusiastic horror/sci-fi nut blog - is reporting through a ‘trusted source’ (PTA’s man-servant?) that Anderson’s next movie will be a horror film. We’re really hoping it’s a There Will Be Blood spin-off in which Daniel Plainview takes a note from Sweeney Todd and starts making ‘the best milkshakes in oil country’ out of the bodies of hapless revivalist churchgoers.

Ladies In Waiting

Wednesday, January 23rd, 2008

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Eric Ryan/Getty Images

Has there ever been a more glamorous crew assembled? Dita von Teese, Claudia Schiffer and Victoria Beckham (L to R) were the picture of paparazzi perfection at Roland Mouret’s haute couture spring/ summer 2008 presentation in Paris. Sunglasses indoors: Chic or shady? Discuss.

Sundance Summit

Wednesday, January 23rd, 2008

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Mat Szwajkos/Getty Images

Charlize Theron (2nd from L) got chatty with her Sleepwalking co-stars AnnaSophia Robb (Top Right) and Nick Stahl (R) as they were interviewed by Access Hollywood reporter Tony Potts (L) at the MySpace Cafe in Park City, Utah. What do you think the coffee talk was? Discuss.

Deep Thoughts

Wednesday, January 23rd, 2008

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Miguel Garcia/Wireimage/ Getty Images

Jude Law reflected and relaxed on an Islamorada, Florida beach; what do you think he was pontificating about? Discuss.