Engelbert Humperdinck...star on Vegas strip! In Concert @ Paris Hotel!

In-between rehearsing for his upcoming gig at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas, Engelbert Humperdinck trotted over to the strip to be inducted into the "Walk of Stars".

The aging Lothario is the 55th recipient of the prestigious honor.

The popular crooner has racked up a number of enviable accomplishments in the industry over the years - such as four Grammy nominations, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and a 1988 Golden Globe for Entertainer of the year (1988) - to name a few.

Humperdinck boasts 24 platinum albums to his credit, too.

Fans are no doubt aware that Engelbert Humperdinck is not the headliner's birth name.

Why change your stage name to one that is - well - too long for a marquee and so difficult to for the common Joe to pronounce?

The recording star's handlers urged him to make the unusual move because they conjectured - that with a name like Englebert Humperdinck - no one would ever forget him.

Over the years, the theory appears to have rung true.

By the way, I have finished up with my own rehearsals, and intend to warble a few tunes up on the Vegas strip in the next week-or-so.

If 'ya spy me, stop by and say hi, eh?

I am tinkering with the idea of donating proceeds from a portion of my "singing" earnings to start a foundation to help fund books, lunches, and shoes for needy kids in schools around the country.

If you recall, Danny Thomas walked into a Church years ago and promised the Lord that if he helped the struggling performer succeed in show business, that he would build a hospital in return in his honor (and to help the children).

Well, Mr. Thomas ended up a major star, and I believe the hospital he built was St. Jude's!

To make a dint in the costs involved, I expect I'll have to make some big bucks, though.

One hit might do it, eh?

News at 11!

http://www.thetattler.biz

68th Annual Golden Globe Awards...Host Ricky Gervais insults top brass! Angelina Jolie shimmered!

High-end designer gowns shimmered in the exotic environs of the Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel below the setting sun, the heads of ecstatic fans turned this way 'n that as a bevy of bodacious babes sashayed down the red carpet with handsome escorts on their arms in the rarefied air just beyond reach, and a posse of media types hovered nearby begging for a photo opportunity like moths to flame.

Uh-huh.

The 68th Annual Hollywood Foreign Press Association Awards were underway.

"The Press Awards are like a cool party in an upscale steak house, " cooed popular late-night talk show host Jimmy Fallon as he alighted on the red carpet for the dazzling festivities.

Indeed!

"It's all about the par-tay," another hip guest astutely quipped to camera on the frenzied sidelines.

Needless to say, once the show under the big top was in full swing, there were a number of awkward - some say disturbing - displays of bad behaviour.

I am reminded of an old Chinese Proverb.

"Never insult a host in his own home."

For some inexplicable reason, quirky Ricky Gervais threw caution to the wind, in that regard.

Witin minutes of strolling onto the stage to launch the much-anticipated ritzy event - the stand-up comic got caught up into a nasty undertow - that threatened to derail the otherwise fun and festive footloose soiree that beckoned ahead.

"There's alot of partying & drinking going on. Or, as Charlie Sheen would say, breakfast," Gervais chortled as the momentum started to build early on.

To quote a line from the musical "Chicago":

"He (Charlie) had it coming!"

You betcha!

The suits were not off-limits to his potshots, either.

One unkind remark - that focused on a head honcho at the Hollywood Foreign Press Association caused an uproar to erupt in the otherwise well-mannered audience below the footlights - for instance.

"I just lifted his head out of the toilet. And, helped pop his bridge back in his mouth," naughty Gervais guffawed with glee in reference to the top dog at the HFPA.

The power-player was inclined to  respond-in-kind when it was his turn at the mic.

"Ricky, next time you want a project okayed for the Foreign Press, go elsewhere," he snarled.

A loud moan circulated the room.

Talk about instant karma, eh?

In fact - some of the barbs were so vicious (mean-spirited was the way one actor characterized the in-your-face insults)  - that some speculated Ricky's sorry a** had been fired off the show when he disappeared for an hour-or-so during the course of the evening.

Did the slimeball funnyman get called up on the carpet by the top brass?

Gervais didn't get off the hook for his unkind remarks, that's for sure, judging by his red-faced appearance later on stage.

Boy, would I like to have been a fly on-the-wall during that bull session!

Needless to say, a couple of fellow performers were inclined to jump into the fray, and toss a couple of barbs the upstart's way.

"We knew Ricky when he was chubby and funny. Now he isn't," barked Tim Allen to all within earshot.

There was a lot of Monday morning quarter-backing around water-coolers the following day, I expect.

Headlines around the country screamed out a thought on the minds of the bemused teaming masses everywhere.

Will Gervais be invited back next year to host the popular awards show?

But the whole night wasn't a downer in spite of Gervais.

For example, Michael Douglas managed to rustle up a hearty welcome by virtue of his mere presence.

After he trotted up to the stage, the audience jumped to their feet, and applauded the seasoned pro - in part - because he just licked the big "C".

"I wish there was an easier way to get a standing ovation," he joked.

The night was not totally devoid of class or style, though.

Angelina Jolie wowed fans in an emerald green gown which flattered her luscious bod, Justin Bieber sported a chic tuxedo that sparked up his image a tad, and Natalie Portman strutted down the fashion gauntlet with a carefree style (which underscored the Black Swan's star is definitely on the rise).

And, beneath the tinsel?

A heckuva lot more tinsel!

'Til next year!

http://www.thetattler.biz

Golden Globe Awards...LA TIMES critics take swipe at nominations!

 

Tilda Swinton snubbed!

The morning daily was awash today with stinging criticisms in the wake of yesterday's stunning reveal of the nominations for the Golden Globe 2010 calendar year!

Personally, I was surprised by a couple of the nods - and downright baffled over one or two of the obvious stinkers - as well.

A nomination for the just-released "Tourist" - in the hilarious category of  the "Best Musical or Comedy" - caused a bevy of critics to shake their heads in total disbelief.

The misstep appeared to hint that no one at the Foreign Press screened the flick before voting!

Or, just maybe, this was the organization's way of taking a sly poke at the so-called suspense thriller, which failed to meet the criteria of the genre by a whole nine yards?

One reviewer joked that nominations for a handful of unworthy star performers - magnetic Angelina Jolie and ever-popular Johnny Depp, for instance - was a deceitful efffort to ensure that the red-carpet ceremony was packed to the rafters with mega-stars in a bid for a ratings boost on January 16th when the much-anticipated event is broadcast.

A popularity contest?

You betcha!

What?

No nods for - Tilton Swinton (I am Love), Robert Duvall (Get Low), Barbara Hershey (Black Swan), or Mark Ruffalo (The Kids are Alright) - eh?

A "True Grit" shut-out (Coen Brothers) caused a storm of controversy to swirl in show-biz circles throughout the day yesterday in Hollywood (and elsewhere).

Is their taste up their wazoo, or what?

Normally, the Golden Globes are a percursor to Oscar wins, but armchair nay-sayers are predicting that this year there will be a big departure in that regard.

Fans of Clint Eastwood (Hereafter) were taken aback at his snub; after all, over the years the HFPA has always warmed up to his skills at the helm (he has been nominated on five occasions in past competitions).

When the subject turned to comedies, per se, the Foreign Press was accused of being - well - foreign!

Reviewers at the LA Times concluded that the panel of voters at HFPA didn't understand particular brands of comedy.

"They don't get American humor."

The big winners?

The Fighter (a well-received Mark Wahlberg project) and The Social Network (Facebook tell-all) each racked up 6 nominations head-in-head.

Even so, it's hard to disagree with an assessment by Time's writer Betsy Sharkey.

"Serious crimes were commmitted!"

You bet your sweet bippy, Betsy!

"Off with their heads!"

http://www.thetattler.biz

68th Annual Golden Globe Awards...nominees announced! King's Speech leads pack!

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association announced the 68th Annual Golden Globe Awards nominees, bright and early at the crack of dawn this morning, with Josh Duhamel, Katie Holmes and Blair Underwood on hand to do the honors.

The coveted prize honors choice stand-out work in the medium-rich arenas of both film & television.

Nominees in the Best Motion Picture-Drama category were noteworthy and included:

"The Fighter", "Black Swan," "Inception," "The King's Speech" and "The Social Network"

Nods also went to "Red", "Alice in Wonderland," "Burlesque," "The Kids Are All Right," and "The Tourist" in the ever-popular category of  Best Motion Picture-Comedy or Musical.

"The King's Speech" - starring Colin Firth - earned a staggering seven nominations (beating out all the competition this year).

Highly-rated "Glee" also faired well with a bevy of noms, too (five in total).

Best nods for Television Series-Drama went to "Boardwalk Empire," "Dexter," "The Good Wife," "Mad Men" and "The Walking Dead".

In the highly-competitive realm of  - Best Television Series-Comedy or Musical -"30 Rock," "The Big Bang Theory," "The Big C," "Glee," "Modern Family" and "Nurse Jackie" won out.

"I See the Light," a tune from the animated film "Tangled", was one of a handful of tunes selected for Best Original Song-Motion Picture score (Alan Menken & Glenn Slater musical artists).

Other catchy tunes were also nominated - such as - "Bound to You" ("Burlesque"), "Coming Home" ("Country Song"), "There's a Place for Us" ("Chronicles of Narnia") and "You Haven't Seen the Last of Me" ("Burlesque").

Ricky Gervais will host the 68th Annual Golden Globe Awards at a splashy red-carpet affair on January 16th at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

http://www.thetattler.biz
 

Ronni Chasen...murder stuns Hollywood power-players!

Shortly before she was murdered the other evening in Beverly Hills - gangland-style - Ronni Chasen posted a "to do" list of chores to carry out the next day at her upscale PR office just a heartbeat away from the site of the ghastly slaying.

And, earlier that evening - the charismatic publicist mingled with the power elite (at a chi-chi after-party for the feature film "Burlesque" starring Cher) - seemingly without a care in the world.

According to industry-insiders, the sixty-four-year-old blond - familiar and well-known in show-biz circles - was well-liked, too.

But, for some inexplicable reason, an assassin plugged her body with half-a-dozen-or-so bullets at approximately 12:28 a.m. on Whittier Drive on a quiet tree-lined drive the other evening.

A neighbour who heard the shots - and glanced out the window a few seconds later - reported that the victim was alone in the car and that no one was spied fleeing from the scene.

Which begs the question.

Was it a spontaneous killing triggered by road rage, perhaps?

Or, was it a planned attack, carried out with expert precision by an unknown assailant?

Ms. Chasen started her professional career as an actress on a soap opera, and over the years, ended up landing a post as a top publicist at MGM Studios.

A seasoned pro in the publicity end of the business, Chasen was considered a top dog, when it came to garnering attention (and much-needed publicity) for a film project.

In recent years, the once-married high-profile Hollywood publicist, worked on successful campaigns for celebrated flicks such as the Oscar-winner "Hurt Locker".

Randall Wallace, the director of "Secretariat" (a current box-office hit), confided to a reporter that he was slated to meet with Ms. Chasen yesterday afternoon to launch an Oscar campaign for that sure-fire contender.

For the most part - friends and business associates recalled that Chasen was a likable individual - and a real down-to-earth charmer.

Meanwhile, one producer - Irwin Winkler - fessed up in an interview with a daily just yesterday, that Chasen tended to be fiercely protective and overly-devoted to her clients.

Apparently, Chasen screamed at the Foreign Press Association (Golden Globe Awards), when they passed over his project "De-Lovely".

Maybe there was an enemy or two lurking in the shadows?

News at 11!

http://www.thetattler.biz

Golden Globe Awards...Winner's circle! Avatar, Meryl Streep, Up in the Air...

Dexter actor scoops up gold!

The Hollywood Foreign Press gave the nod to the almighty buck, an usher stepped on the beautiful train of a young starlett's evening gown, and a couple of presenters raised an eyebrow or two with odd-ball behaviour that didn't sit well with the audience.

There weren't too many surprises when the gold trinkets were hauled out, either, at the 6th Annual Golden Globe Awards televised last night on NBC.

For me, there was much to crow about, though.

A number of the nominees I was pulling for - and raved about in movie reviews over the past few months - landed on top of the Hollywood Tinsel (and won out despite fierce competition).

For example, on the heels of the release of Julie & Julia, I raved about Meryl Streep's performance early last year.

Post: 08/12/09

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2009/08/julie-juliasidesplitting-comedy-signed.html

After all, her portrayal of legendary chef - Julia Child - was a stand-out entertaining performance.

"I just want to say that in my long career, I've played so many extraordinary woman that I'm getting mistaken for one," Streep laughed on stage after scrambled up to accept the coveted honor.

"It's clear that I'm the vessel for other people's stories and other people's lives."


Jeff Bridges also got the nod for best actor (Crazy Heart) for one of the most remarkable acting stints of his entire career.

The crowd gave a standing ovation to Bridges, a veteran actor much-loved by fans and insiders-alike.

Post: 12.02/09

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

Of course, the big splashy moment of the star-studded night, belonged to James Cameron.

With AVATAR, Cameron firmed up the notion that the Foreign Press is not only impressed by big bucks box office receipts - but inclined to single-out studio-backed blockbuster films - as well.

I was rooting for AVATAR (the remarkable imagery, imaginative technology, and execution completely wowed me) in spite of the fact the Sci-Fi action-thriller was flawed along crucial plot-lines.

Post:  01/03/10

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2010/01/avatarstale-plot-but-stunning-images.html

At the podium, the "King of the World" excitedly gushed:

"'Avatar' asks us to see that everything is connected, all human beings to each other, and us to the Earth. And if you have to go four and a half light years to another, made-up planet to appreciate this miracle of the world that we have right here, well, you know what, that's the wonder of cinema right there, that's the magic," Cameron said.

Although I felt Colin Firth deserved a Golden Globe for his insightful nuanced performance in Ford's - "The Single Man" - I was also pulled in the other direction by the competition.

Next year, Colin!

I was thrilled that screenwriter - Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner - won for the their offering "Up in the Air".

The George Clooney film was timely and well-written, after all.

Post: 01/03/10

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2010/01/up-in-airgeorge-clooney-shines-in.html

Chrisoph Waltz was hilarious in Inglourious Basterds & the Foreign Press recognized that.

Post: 08/22/09

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2009/08/inglourious-basterdsalmost-genius.html

Regular readers of the Tattler are keenly aware that I am always plugging "Dexter".

Michael C. Hall is the only actor who looks fabulous! darling with splatters of blood on his delicious person from head to toe!

I raved about Robert Downey Jr. in "Sherlock Holmes", too, so that bow was anticipated also (to say the least).

Post:  12/25/09

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2009/12/sherlock-holmesrobust-turkey-with-lots.html

"The Hangover" took the prize for best comedy, a surprise to some.

Sandra Bullock, as expected, was honored for her well-acted role in "The Blind Side."

"The White Ribbon" which sold out early yesterday afternoon at the theatre at the Embarcadero mall nabbed Foreign Language Film kudos.

Mo'Nique accepted her Golden Globe for a performance (Precious) that many found heartbreaking.

"Up" received a statuette for Animated film & for Michael Giacchino's score.

"The Weary Kind" ("Crazy Heart) - a haunting beautiful ballad - won for best song (written by Ryan Bingham & T Bone Burnett).

Wnnner's Circle

Television

Series Drama:
 "Mad Men" (AMC)

Drama Actress:
Julianna Margulies
"The Good Wife"

Series Musical or Comedy:
 "Glee" (Fox)

Actor Musical or Comedy:
Alec Baldwin
 "30 Rock"

Actress Musical or Comedy:
Toni Collette
"United States of Tara."

Miniseries or Movie:
 "Grey Gardens" (HBO)

Actor Series Miniseries or Movie:
 Kevin Bacon
"Taking Chance"

Actress Series Miniseries or Movie:
Drew Barrymore
"Grey Gardens"

Supporting Actor Series Miniseries or Movie:
 John Lithgow
"Dexter"

Supporting Actress Series Miniseries or Movie:
Chloe Sevigny
 "Big Love"

http://www.julianayrs.com

Golden Globe Awards...no surpises! Favorites sure-fire winners...

These past few days, I was so caught up in reporting on the CityCenter grand opening in Vegas, that a couple of assignments remained on the back burner stewing.

In the showbiz arena, the big event that all eyes were focused on this week, was the Foreign Press Association's announcement about  the nominees for the upcoming Golden Globe Awards celebration.

The 67th annual Globes will be handed out on January 17th in the shadow of the Oscar nominations to be revealed a few days later on February 2 (2010).

In some instances, there weren't any Golden Globe surprises.

"Up in the Air", "Nine, and "Avatar" all scooped up a  bevy of nominations as expected.

The Cecil B.DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award will also honor long-time veteran filmmaker Martin Scorsese this year.

The Association - comprised of 83 foreign journalists - wass right on track this year in my estimation.

The directing category looks like a tough one to crack for any of the nominees:  Kathryn Bigelow (Hurt Locker), James Cameron (Avatar), Clint Eastwood (Invictus), Jason Reitman (Up in the Air), Quentin Tarantino (Inglourious Basterds).

The acting category for men (drama) puts the spotlight on a performer out of the limelight in recent days.

Tobey Maguire was nominated for "Brothers" alongside George Clooney (Up in the Air), Jeff Bridges (Crazy Heart), Colin Firth (a Single Man), Morgan Freeman (Invictus).

There's a lot of tough competition in the best actress category (drama), too.

Emily Blunt is my own personal favorite (Young Victoria), though I won't be disappointed if any of the other contenders - Sandra Bullock (The Blind Side), Helen Mirren (The Last Station), Carrey Mulligan (An Education), Gabourey Sidibe (Precious) - dash up to the podium to pluck up a Gold Statue.

The selections for best picture (drama) are far-reaching and include: Avatar, Hurt Locker, Inglourious Basterds, Precious, Push, and Up in the Air.

Musical and Comedy offerings have boosted the morale of Hollywood (and the box office a tad) and represent the best of the genre: Nine, Julie & Julia, The Hangover, It's complicated, and (500) Days of Summer.

Best Foreign Film

Broken Embraces, A Prophet (Un Prophete), The Maid, Baaria, The White Ribbon.

Best Actor (Musical or Comedy)

Matt Damon (The Informant), Daniel-Day Lewis (Nine), Robert Downey Jr. (Sherlock Holmes), Joseph Gordon-Levitt (500) Days of Summmer, Michael Stuhlbarg (A serious Man).

Best Actress (Musical or Comedy)

Sandra Bullock (the Proposall), Marion Cotillard (Nine), Julia Roberts (Duplicity), Meryl Streep (It's Complicated), Meryl Streep (Julie & Julia).

Supporting Actor

Matt Damon (Invictus), Woody Harrelson (The Messenger), Christopher Plummer (the Last Station), Stanley Tucci (The Lovely Bones), Christoph Waltz (Inglourius Basterds).

Supporting Actress

Penelope Cruz (Nine), Vera Farmiga (Up in the Air), Anna Kendrick (Up in the Air), MO'Nigue (Precious), Julianne Moore (A single Man).

Best Animated Film

Cloudy with a chance of Meatballs, Coraline, Fantastic Mr. Fox,The Princess and the Frog, Up.

Best Screenplay

Mark Boal (The Hurt Locker), Neill Blomkamp & Terri Tatchell (District Nine), Nancy Meyers (It's complicated), Jason Reitman & Sheldon Turner (Up in the Air), Quentin Tarantino (Inglourious Basterds).

Original Score

Michael Giacchino (Up), Marvin Hamlisch (The Informant), James Horner (Avatar), Abel Korseniowski  (A single Man), Karen O & Carter Burwell (Where the wild things are).

Best Song

Cinema Italiano (Nine),  I See you (Avatar), I want to come Home (Everybody's Fine), The Weary Kind (Crazy Heart), Winter (Brothers).

TV Series Drama

Big Love, Dexter, House, Mad Men, True Blood

Actor (series Drama)

Simon Baker (The Mentalist), Michael C. Hall (Dexter), John Hamm (Mad Men), Hugh Laurie (House), Bill Paxton (Big Love).

Actress (Series Drama)

Glenn close (Damages), January Jones (Mad Men), Julianna Margulies (The Good Wife), Anna Paqin  (True Blood), Kyra Sedgwick (The Closer).

Series (Comedy or Musical)

30 Rock, Entourage, Glee, Modern Family, the Office.

Actor (Comedy or Musical)

Alec Baldwin (30 Rock), Steve Carell (the Office), David Duchovny (Californication), Thomas Jane (Hung), Matthew Morrison (Glee).

Actress (Comedy or Musical)

Toni Collette (United States of Tara), Courtney Cox (Cougar Town), Edie Falco (Nurse Jackie), Tina Fey (30 Rock), Lea Michele (Glee).

Best Miniseries or Motion Picture (made of Television)

Grey Gardens, Georgia O'Keeffe, Into the Storm, Little Dorrit, Taking Chance.

Actress in Miniseries or Motion Picture (Made for Television)

Joan Allen (Georgia O'Keeffe), Drew Barrymore (Grey Gardens), Jessica Lange (Grey Gardens), Anna Paquin (The courageous Heart of Irene Sendler), Sigourney Weaver (Prayers for Bobby).

Actor in Miniseries or Motion Picture (Made for Television)

Kevin Bacon (Taking Chance), Kenneth Branagh (Wallander: One Step Behind), Chiwetel Ejofor (Endgame), Brendan Gleeson (Into the Storm), Jeremy Irons (Georgia O'Keeffe).

Supporting Actor

Michael Emerson (Lost), Neil Patrick Harris (How I met your Mother), William Hurt (Damages), John Lithgow (Dexter), Jeremy Piven (Entourage).

Supporting Actress

Jane Adams (Hung), Rose Byrne (Damages), Jane Lynch (Glee), Janet McTeer (Into the Storm), Cloe Sevigny (Big Love).

Good luck to one and all on the red carpet night!

Meryl Streep portrays celebrated Chef Julia Child

http://www.julianayrs.com