Trailblazing hair and fashion icon Vidal Sassoon has died at the age of 84, according to the L.A. Times , following reports in recent years that he’d been battling leukemia. The hair styling legend had built an empire after making a name for himself with game-changing designs for women in the 1960s, including bold coifs for the likes of movie stars Nancy Kwan and Mia Farrow. Actress Nancy Kwan shot to fame with 1960s’s The World of Suzie Wong , which is often incorrectly credited as the film for which Vidal Sassoon gave her this iconic slanted bob. Rather, the Sassoon cut was done for Kwan’s 1963 comedy The Wild Affair . (Kwan’s famous photo, below, was shot for Vogue.) Years later, he remembered the design in a chat with NPR : “I looked at her bone structure, and I thought we could do almost anything with Nancy. And I started to cut at the very back of her head and I said, ‘Great neckline; I’ll go shorter.’ And I went short in the back and graduated into more length at the sides, and I suddenly realized we had a bob that could be international.” In 1967, Sassoon and his scissors were tapped to transform another ingenue for the screen with Roman Polanski’s Rosemary’s Baby , for which he gave Mia Farrow the close-cropped pixie cut that would become her trademark. Sassoon, a London native who was a member of the anti-fascist 43 Group following World War II, was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2009. His life and legacy was the subject of the documentary Vidal Sassoon: The Movie , which debuted at the Tribeca Film Festival and opened in limited release in 2011. [via LA Times ]
Cher has never been one to mince words. Still, it was a little surprising to see just her pummel presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney out of the blue via Twitter Tuesday, only to delete a couple of the more inflammatory Tweets hours later. What did the iconic pop star and Oscar winner say? “If ROMNEY gets elected I don’t know if I can breathe same air as Him & his Right Wing Racist Homophobic Women Hating Tea Bagger Masters,” she Tweeted. That remark by the 65-year-old attracted a variety of responses , many shocked, and some more profane and negative than others. Cher replied to one hater: “Nice Mouth ! U learn that at Church, Gun Show,or how to press your Klan costume Klass?” (That, and the nasty tweet directed at her, are still up.) To another user who called her an “atten.whore,” Cher fired back, “Actually I’m Not & if u Dislike Me SO.. Get Off My Site it Cant B Fun 4 U !” Another Cher tweet that disappeared, however, was this: “TOO HARSH? That’s me Holding BACK! They care nothing about the POOR The OLD The SICK The HUNGRY CHILDREN & People striving 4 a Better LIFE!” A number of fans chimed in to support the Oscar winner, as well, some apologizing for those who were giving her such a hard time and some inquiring why she was re-tweeting some of the nastiest messages sent to her. Her message later in the day: “Hi Lovelies!hope U R having GREAT Day or Nite! Sorry I Let The Dogs Out, But I Should Have Remembered 1 must watch what They Say These Days!” When asked if she was saddened by people’s crass comments about her political views, she replied, “No Sweetheart Just ‘STRONG ENOUGH’!!” After a tough primary fight, Romney is expected to clinch the GOP nomination for president and face off with Barack Obama in the 2012 election. Somehow we’re fairly convinced which way Cher is voting.
The children’s book creator inspired filmmakers and actors through his honesty and imagination. By Fallon Prinzivalli, with reporting by Ryan J. Downey Maurice Sendak and Spike Jonze Photo: Theo Wargo/ Getty Images Children’s book author and illustrator Maurice Sendak died Tuesday (May 8) as a result of complications from a stroke. He’s best-known for revolutionizing the children’s book genre with the surprising success of “Where the Wild Things Are.” Far from popular children’s fare like “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” or “Green Eggs and Ham,” the dark fantasy focused on Max, a rowdy boy in a wolf suit, and his adventures with the hairy beasts of his imagination. Sendak spread his influence from children’s books to the big screen when filmmaker Spike Jonze took on the ambitious project of turning “Wild Things” into a motion picture. Previously described as “unfilmable,” Jonze was sure to stay true to Sendak’s vision and yet bring his own ideas into the story and reflect how the book affected him. The author had much involvement in the project, acting as a producer and helping to steer Jonze in the right direction. “[Sendak] said from the beginning that you have to make it dangerous — make something that respects kids and doesn’t talk down to them, or if not, it wasn’t worth doing,” Jonze said in a featurette for the film. In an industry where beloved children’s films are routinely turned into money-making machines, Sendak focused on the children. His other credits include creating “Seven Little Monsters,” the children’s television series that followed monsters as they learned about life. He also acted as a co-creator and writer on the Nick Jr. hit show “Little Bear,” which follows a young bear and his adventures with his animal friends. But his classic story of Max and those monsters who “roared their terrible roars and gnashed their terrible teeth” spans its influence across generations, even inspiring the stars of “Where the Wild Things Are.” Lauren Ambrose, who voiced KW in the film, told MTV News, “I read the book as a kid; it was read to me. I read it to my kid now. One of my best friends from childhood has a giant tattoo of Max with a fork in his hand down her back. It was like a big, big deal, deeply embedded in our collective psyche. And also, on her back.” Forest Whitaker, who voices Ira in the film, echoed this sentiment, saying that he first read it as a kid and began to really appreciate the story as he got older, finally reading it to his own kids. He didn’t realize when he was younger that the popular book was made up of only nine sentences. “It’s weird, because I didn’t really count,” Whitaker laughed. “But I think, as a kid, I knew that the story was more in the pictures.” Following his adaptation of “Where the Wild Things Are,” Jonze co-directed the documentary “Tell Them Anything You Want: A Portrait of Maurice Sendak.” In a chat about that film — which includes intimate conversations with the author about his life — the director called Sendak an inspiration. “I find his imagination is certainly inspiring. I think that’s what really drew me to him,” Jonze explained. “But what I find deeply inspiring is his ferocious honesty and his fearlessness to be honest both as a person, as a friend and as a mentor in helping us make this movie. And the thing about him is, he has no ability of small talk or chitchat. He wants to engage in something real. He is who he is and he doesn’t have the energy to pretend to be someone else.”
Fans of Benedict Cumberbatch , Jonny Lee Miller and director Danny Boyle who weren’t lucky enough to cross the pond to catch the trio’s intriguing Royal National Theatre production of Frankenstein , you’re in luck! A filmed recording of the play, in which Cumberbatch and Miller took turns playing the dual roles of Frankenstein and his monster (a tag-team performance that won them the 2012 UK Olivier Award for Best Actor) is heading to theaters stateside this June. Details after the jump! Fathom Events will screen the recording of the Boyle-directed Frankenstein in select theaters this June 6 and 7 (get the full list of participating theaters here ). Miller, meanwhile, can also be seen in this week’s Dark Shadows ; Cumberbatch will next appear in 2013 blockbusters The Hobbit and Star Trek 2 . More on Frankenstein : Childlike in his innocence but grotesque in form, Frankenstein’s bewildered creature is cast out into a hostile universe by his horror-struck maker. Meeting with cruelty wherever he goes, the friendless Creature, increasingly desperate and vengeful, determines to track down his creator and strike a terrifying deal. Urgent concerns of scientific responsibility, parental neglect, cognitive development and the nature of good and evil are embedded within this thrilling and disturbing classic gothic tale. This visionary production, directed by Oscar-winner Danny Boyle, will shock audiences into the mysterious world of Frankenstein. Do not miss the thrilling twist of a classic tale as Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller (who share the 2012 UK Olivier Award for Best Actor) reverse roles each night from the creator to the created. Suitable for audiences 15 years old and up. [ THR ]
A slew of new projects for various directors and stars were unveiled today, including new work for Nicolas Cage, Juno Temple and Nick Cassavetes. Meanwhile, Brad Pitt is apparently signing on to push a high-end women’s perfume. Read on for more in Tuesday afternoon’s Biz Break. Focus Features Accepting Entries for 5th Africa First Program The initiative, with funds earmarked exclusively for emerging filmmakers of African nationality and residence, is for the fifth consecutive year offering eligible and participating filmmakers the chance to be awarded $10,000 in financing for pre-production, production, and/or post-production on their narrative short film made in continental Africa and tapping into the resources of the film industry there. Entries accepted May 14 – August 20. Around the ‘net… Brad Pitt is the New Face of Chanel No. 5 Go figure, but Brad Pitt is now hawking women’s perfume. But as E! Online points out , “If ever there was a man pretty enough to render that particular point moot, it’s Brad Pitt.” A source tells the site he will be shooting his ads for the perfume soon in London. Nicolas Cage, Juno Temple & Johnny Knoxville Walk to Wild Side The road trip drama will be directed by Jesse Baget from a script he co-wrote with Stefania Moscato, Deadline reports . Avengers Breathes Life into John Carter John Carter zoomed up the domestic box office office chart from No. 38 the week before to No. 12 – thanks to being paired with The Avengers at more than 150 drive-ins across the country, THR reports . Career Watch: Scarlett Johansson, Beyond the Black Bodysuit Thanks to The Avengers , attention is back on Johansson the kick-ass action babe rather than Johansson the nude-photo-hacking-scandal babe . But is Black Widow the best Johansson can do? Thompson on Hollywood looks at the star’s trajectory. Nick Cassavetes to Direct Kristen Stewart’s Cali Voltage Prods. and New School Media are producing the gritty action pic from a script by Michael Diliberti. The story revolves around a San Fernando Valley couple who sell a “fake snuff film and ride off with a bundle of cash.” Years later, the girl (Stewart) must “return from the dead” to save the younger sister she left behind, Variety reports . Richard Regen to Adapt A Matter of Honor for Kennedy/Marshall Richard Regen has been set by Kennedy/Marshall and New Franchise Media to adapt A Matter Of Honor , the bestselling novel by Jeffrey Archer. The story revolves around a disgraced army colonel who gives a mysterious letter to his only son. After the envelope is opened, a deadly chain of events unfold that have global implications. Deadline reports .
In this morning’s Biz Break: Indian ire rises over The Avengers , a Chinese company eyes AMC theaters, vet actors join the musical comedy How Sweet It Is , the Chinese blockbuster Flying Swords of Dragon Gate is headed to IMAX, and more. Vet Actors Join Cast in Musical Comedy How Sweet It Is Burt Reynolds ( The Dukes of Hazzard ), Joe Piscopo ( Saturday Night Live ), Paul Sorvino ( Law & Order ) and Erika Christensen ( Parenthood ) have signed on to star in the musical comedy How Sweet It Is . Written and directed by Brian Hertzlinger (with co-writer Jay Black), the film is produced by Suzanne DeLaurentiis, Steven Chase, Rick Finkelstein, Ivan Kavalsky, Keith Weiner and Matthew L. Weiner and slated for a fall release. Ben Means Joins Phase 4 Films as SVP, Global Business Development Means will be charged with expanding Phase 4’s North American business. Prior to joining Phase 4 Films, Means was General Manager of Aggregation Services at Sony DADC; Executive Vice President of Worldwide Operations at Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment; and Vice President of North American Operations at Buena Vista Home Entertainment, a division of the Walt Disney Company. Around the ‘net… Avengers Slum Scenes Ignite Indian Anger The movie’s healthy opening in India has been marred by high-profile complaints over its portrayal of urban living conditions in the city of Kolkata, The Guardian reports . AMC In Talks with China’s Wanda to Sell North America’s second largest theater chain has resumed talks with China’s Wanda over selling a “significant stake” in the company, the NY Times reports . If completed, the deal will begin a new phase in China’s push into the global film industry by sharply increasing its leverage with Hollywood. The Flying Swords of Dragon Gate Sets September IMAX Release Acquired for North American release by Indomina, The Flying Swords of Dragon Gate is the first Chinese-language film to be released in the IMAX 3D format and the fourth-highest grossing Chinese-language film of all time. Since its December release in China, the feature has earned approximately $86.5 million at the box office, of which approximately $10.6 million was generated in 61 digital IMAX theaters, Movieweb reports . Killer Joe Heads for Release with NC-17 Black comedy Killer Joe will open July 27 via LD Entertainment with an NC-17. Directed by William Friedkin the film received the NC-17 in late February despite an appeal by the filmmaker and distributor, Deadline reports .
Up in Canada, documentary festival Hot Docs gave out its prizes over the weekend, while Stateside, the Tribeca Film Festival unveiled plans for a new event in Italy. Madonna remembers Beasties’ Adam Yauch and Morgan Spurlock launches a new production company. Check out more in Monday’s Biz Break. Bloody Disgusting & The Collective Launch Finishing Fund Horror website BloodyDisgusting.com and production outfit The Collective have joined on a new finishing fund initiative. Selected movies will receive up to $100,000 in funds and filmmakers will also be provided the opportunity for distribution through the Bloody Disgusting Selects brand of horror films, which includes cult favorites Rammbock: Berlin Undead , The Woman and Yellowbrickroad . The World Before Her Wins Top Doc North America’s biggest documentary festival Hot Docs handed out its awards over the weekend with Nisha Pahuja’s The World Before Her winning Best Canadian Feature while Malika Zouhali-Worrall and Katherine Fairfax Wright’s Call Me Kuchu took Best International Feature. Go to Hot Docs’ site for more prizes. A Second Round of Aim High Online series Aim High received the green light for a second season. Warner Premiere, Warner Bros. Digital Distribution, Dolphin Digital Studios, Inc., and Wonderland Sound and Vision are producing. Jackson Rathbone, best known for his role as “Jasper Hale” from the Twilight film series will return as government operative “Nick Green.” Check Out Rooftop If you’re in NYC, this is a summer rite of passage. Rooftop Films has been around for more than a decade and a half, screening films on a roof (or not) near you. This year’s lineup includes 23 features and 183 shorts with New York, U.S. and world premieres. Kicking it off are a group of short films that are “a rebellion against stale cinematic forms and status quo stories.” For the full schedule of Rooftop’s lineup through August, go here . Around the ‘net… Tribeca Heads to Florence Dubbed Tribeca Firenze, Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal and Craig Hatkoff will head to Florence, Italy with their Tribeca brand June 11 – 18. The European premiere of Tony Bennett doc The Zen of Bennett joins the lineup. Deadline reports . His Turn: Actor Liam Hemsworth Talks Gary Ross’ Exit Liam Hemsworth is opening up about Francis Lawrence replacing Gary Ross as director of The Hunger Games followup, Catching Fire : “I’m really sad to see that Gary’s not going to be part of the second one,” he said. “He did such an amazing job on the first.” E Online reports . Local Biz Mulls French Election Despite the difference in political philosophy, the change in leadership is not likely to severely impact the film and TV biz, one of the country’s most economically vibrant sectors, Variety reports . Actor George ‘Goober Pyle’ Lindsey Dies Lindsey also appeared in several movies, including Cannonball Run II . And he lent his voice to animation films such as Robin Hood , The Rescuers and The Aristocats , BBC reports . Madonna: Adam Yauch Was “One of a Kind” The singer says the seminal hip-hop group was “integral to the musical revolution that was happening at the time.” The Beastie Boys member and founder of NYC-based film distributor Oscilloscope Laboratories died Friday . AP reports . Morgan Spurlock and Keith Calder Launch Warplant Morgan Spurlock’s New York based production company Warrior Poets has teamed with Keith Calder’s Los Angeles based Snoot Entertainment and 16 year commercial production veteran Shannon Lords to create Warpaint, a commercial production company that “will serve as a home for innovative directors who are looking to expand their craft into more diverse and lucrative opportunities.” More at Deadline.
It’s REALLY hard to watch and listen to the reactions of those that loved Junior Seau. The 911 Call From Junior Seau’s Girlfriend Has Been Released According to TMZ reports : TMZ has obtained the horrific 911 call placed by Junior Seau’s girlfriend moments after the NFL legend shot himself in the chest Wednesday morning at his Oceanside, CA home. Junior’s GF Megan Noderer (below) is so hysterical during the call she can hardly speak — claiming she had just returned from the gym (around 10AM) when she discovered Junior’s bloody body. Megan tells the dispatcher, Junior wasn’t breathing when she arrived and had appeared to have shot himself “in the heart.” Authorities responded and attempted to revive Seau, but life-saving efforts were unsuccessful. Seau was pronounced dead on the scene soon after. He was 43. R.I.P. Junior, you will be greatly missed. Click HERE to listen to the disturbing audio.
Guess they didn’t respond well to “Here, Kitty Kitty” . According to RadarOnline.com : British woman was savagely attacked by two cheetahs recently while enjoy “a trip of a lifetime” to a South African wildlife park. But what was probably more painful was the fact that her husband took pictures of the whole ordeal rather than rushing to her aid! Violet D’Mello, 60, went to pet the purportedly tame animals as permitted. But she was left traumatized when she was mauled by the cheetahs, suffering injuries to her head, stomach and legs and nearly losing an eye. One of the guides at the Kragga Kamma game reserve immediately intervened and managed to get one of the felines off of Violet. But then the other one joined in the frightening melee and pinned the Aberdeen woman to the ground. Several of the guests apparently tried to pull the animals off as the quick-thinking woman tried to play dead. While the whole three-minute ordeal was going on, Violet’s 64-year-old husband Archie took photos of the entire attack – rather than run to help his wife. The startling images, which you can see here on RadarOnline.com, show blood pouring from the woman’s head, arms and legs. The cheetahs are also seen staring at the woman like she was a piece of meat that they were going to devour until there was just a carcass left. In a creepy foreshadowing of what is about to occur, Violet is seen petting one of the cheetahs who is laying down licking his lips. Park manager Mike Cantor, who raised the four-year-old cheetah brothers Mark and Monty, said that “everyone has been traumatized by it all.” Eight-year-old Camryn Malan was also caught up in the attack and needed stitches in her leg from the cheetah bites. Astonishingly, Cantor maintains that the cheetahs just wanted to “play.” “I have grown up with these cheetahs and they are not aggressive animals,” Cantor said. “It is almost like they wanted to play with the woman. What happened was that a young girl got a bit uptight and then ran away and the cheetah grabbed her by the leg.” Not surprisingly, Violet told South Africa’s Herald newspaper that the incident was a “nightmare.” “It really came from nowhere and I was totally helpless. The doctor at the hospital said cheetahs usually aim for the stomach area and disembowel their victims, so I was lucky to be alive,” she said. The petting part of the park has been shut down pending an investigation. This gives the term “gut full of human” a whole new meaning. And we can only make that joke because she’s ok! Ladies, would you dump your hubby if he grabbed the camera instead of the cape if you were under attack? We think that’s a pretty good grounds for divorce. CatersNews
When you get a chance, go read Dennis Hensley’s interviews with Elizabeth Berkley and Paul Verhoeven from the days before Showgirls was a cult cause célèbre. It’s worth every minute: “Oh my God, I just saw it like a week ago. You have to understand, I’ve been working at this since I was like 5 years old so it was pretty overwhelming. I sat in the screening room by myself. The lights went down and I started to cry because it was just overwhelming at first. I’m such a perfectionist, but a certain point, was able to get lost in the story, which was a good sign to me. I really thought that I was watching another girl.” Oh, you wish , honey. [ Dennis Hensley via The Hairpin ]
