‘[He] delighted in scaring the kids on the block — and they loved him for it,” Hanks says of author in a statement to MTV News. By Fallon Prinzivalli Tom Hanks and Maurice Sendak Photo: Getty Images With the announcement that “Where the Wild Things Are” author and illustrator Maurice Sendak died Tuesday (May 8) at the age of 83, filmmakers and authors have been mourning the passing of a brilliant mind. From Elijah Wood to “Looking for Alaska” author John Green, the influence Sendak leaves behind in the hearts of many is indisputable. In a statement to MTV News, actor Tom Hanks — who co-produced the film adaptation of Sendak’s popular children’s book — said, “Maurice Sendak was the fabulously cranky old man, the maker of the Wild Rumpus, who delighted in scaring the kids on the block — and they loved him for it. I think a late supper is awaiting him and it is still hot.” Sendak revolutionized the children’s book genre by allowing his works to remain a dark fantasy instead of a bright, depthless story. In “Wild Things,” after being sent to his room without dinner, Max — an unruly boy constantly wearing a wolf suit — sails away from home to a land of wild beasts for an adventure. Sendak’s influence spread from the literary world to the film world as Spike Jonze set out to adapt the widely popular book into a motion picture. Critics were skeptical as the tome was labeled “unfilmable,” but the author remained involved in the project as Jonze incorporated his own interpretation of the book into the film. “[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 the film’s featurette . Sendak also created “Seven Little Monsters,” a children’s television series that showed the not-so-little monsters learning about life, and had a hand in creating and writing the Nick Jr. show, “Little Bear.” All the while children read his other picture books such as “In the Night Kitchen” and “Outside Over There.” But it was his classic story of Max and those monsters who “roared their terrible roars and gnashed their terrible teeth” that continues to span time and influence generation after generation. Share your memories of Maurice Sendak in the comments.
Reigning Dancing With the Stars champion J.R. Martinez and his longtime girlfriend, Diana Gonzalez-Jones, have welcomed a baby daughter. Her named is Lauryn Annabelle. Lauryn Anabelle Martinez arrived Wednesday evening, May 2 in Los Angeles. “She’s already got a nickname – Belle,” J.R. told People of his newborn baby girl , who weighed in at 7 lbs., 13 oz. and is 21 inches long. “She has a couple of cute little freckles on her cheeks, a full head of hair and the cutest little lips,” he says. “It’s just amazing to see her. She’s beautiful.” The Iraq war veteran and Gonzalez-Jones met when he landed a role on All My Children in 2008, and announced in December that they were expecting. “God has a tremendous sense of humor and wants to continue to surround me with women,” J.R. joked in revealing that a baby girl was on the way. Congratulations to the new parents!
The auction-happy crew at Profiles in History, which has previously unloaded Hollywood treasures ranging from Dorothy’s ruby slippers to the Dude’s sweater from The Big Lebowski , has got the 10-year-old in you right where they want it: Prepare yourself for the most comprehensive auction of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory memorabilia to date, featuring costumes, props and one of only two known Everlasting Gobstoppers in existence. Also: They will cost you. Via a press release just in from PiH : First up and most significantly is the Gene Wilder “Willy Wonka” signature costume. The costume consists of flamboyant purple velvet frock coat, wool & camelhair slacks, off-white shirt, distinctive purple & violet lamé vest with floral design and satin bow tie. Originally obtained from Michael D. Beinner, Director of Field Advertising and Publicity for Paramount Pictures who was gifted the costume following its promotional tour of several key cities around the U.S. Without doubt, one of the most iconic and instantly recognizable costumes in the history of film. It is estimated to fetch $80,000 – $120,000. Also up for auction are three iconic items from the collection of Julie Dawn Cole, who played “Veruca Salt.” First is an original screen-used Everlasting Gobstopper, one of only two known to exist. It comes with a notarized copy of a letter from Ms. Cole stating (in part), “The Everlasting Gobstopper was used in the Inventing Room Scene. Mr. Wonka gives each of the children one Everlasting Gobstopper each. Typically Veruca tries to wangle another one, if only she had succeeded! But at least I was allowed to keep this one.” It is expected to fetch $20,000 – $30,000. You can also own the Golden Egg, screen used by Julie Dawn Cole during the “I Want it Now,” musical number. The egg comes with a notarized copy of a letter from Ms. Cole stating (in part), “The Filming of this [Golden Egg] scene and Veruca’s demise was actually filmed on my 13th birthday. The egg was presented to me at the end of the day’s shoot as a birthday present.” The egg is fashioned from polystyrene foam painted gold and is expected to fetch $20,000 – $30,000. And there’s more , all going on the block in July . Sadly, no Oompa Loompas are to be found on the list (though one of those costumes is up for sale as well, a representative notes), and the beheaded chicken from the psychedelic-tunnel-trip montage doesn’t come with a Certificate of Authenticity, so caveat emptor, etc. [ Profiles in History ]
The Los Angeles Film Festival unveiled its lineup of nearly 200 features, shorts and more today. This year’s event, which comprises work from 30 countries, will open with the North American premiere of Woody Allen’s To Rome With Love ( as previously announced ), while the world premiere of Warner Bros.’ Magic Mike by Steven Soderbergh will close out the festival, which runs June 14 – 24 at LA Live in downtown Los Angeles. Other gala events include Lorene Scafaria’s Seeking a Friend for the End of the World , Ava DuVernay’s Middle of Nowhere and Benh Zeitlin’s Beasts of the Southern Wild. And Dreamworks Pictures’ People Like Us will have its World Premiere in LAFF’s Summer Showcase screenings. Directed by Alex Kurtzman and written by Kurtzman, Roberto Orci and Jody Lambert, and the film stars Chris Pine, Elizabeth Banks, Olivia Wilde, Michael Hall D’Addario, Philip Baker Hall, Mark Duplass, Michelle Pfeiffer, and centers on a 20-something fast talker who is tasked to fulfill his estranged father’s last wishes. LAFF’s lineup below include 30 World, North American and U.S. premieres, 19 of which are in competition. The festival’s International Showcase spotlight narrative and documentary selections from outside the U.S., while Summer Showcase are advance screenings set for release this summer. Narrative Competition (10) (with LAFF descriptions): All Is Well – Portugal (Director Pocas Pascoal, Producer Luis Correia, Cast Cheila Lima, Ciomara Morais) – Strangers in a strange land, two beautiful Angolan sisters fleeing a civil war in their homeland struggle to survive in Lisbon. Pocas Pascoal’s deeply personal saga shows us the face of exile with quietly stunning power. North American Premiere Breakfast with Curtis – (Director/Writer/Producer Laura Colella, Cast Theo Green, Jonah Parker, David Parker, Virginia Laffey, Aaron Jungels, Yvonne Parker, Adele Parker, Laura Colella, Gideon Parker) – A balmy eastern summer and a lush, rambling backyard are the perfect settings for this mirthful tale of unlikely friendships and rekindled neighborliness amongst a quirky and charming cast of bohemians. World Premiere The Compass is Carried by the Dead Man – Mexico (Director/Writer Arturo Pons , Producer Ozcar Ramírez González, Cast Gael Sanchez Valle, Pedro Gamez, Ana Ofelia Murguía, Eligio Melendez, Luis Bayardo, Marco Perez) – A young man and a dead man journey north through a subtly surreal desert landscape, picking up a wagonful of odd characters as they go in this darkly humorous satire of contemporary Mexico. North American Premiere Crazy and Thief – (Director/Writer Cory McAbee, Producers Cory McAbee, Scott Miller, Cast Willa McAbee, John McAbee, Gregory Cook, Graham Stanford) – With only a homemade “Star Map” and their own imagination to guide them, a brother and sister take a fantastical journey through the real world in this ode to being a little kid from cult director Cory McAbee. North American Premiere Dead Man’s Burden – (Director/Writer Jared Moshé, Producer Veronica Nickel, Cast Barlow Jacobs, Clare Bowen, David Call, Joseph Lyle Taylor, Richard Riehle) – This tense, classically crafted indie Western, set in the aftermath of the Civil War, starts with a startling act of violence: a daughter shoots down her father on the open range. Then her long lost brother returns. This is not going to be just any old family reunion. World Premiere Four – (Director/Writer Joshua Sanchez, Producer Christine Giorgio CAST Wendell Pierce, Emory Cohen, Aja Naomi King, EJ Bonilla) – Over the course of a steamy 4th of July night, a father and daughter, each trapped in loneliness, reach out for sexual connection — he with a self-hating teenage boy, she with a smooth-talking wannabe homeboy — in this psychologically complex, beautifully acted drama. World Premiere A Night Too Young – Czech Republic (Director Olmo Omerzu, Writers Bruno Hájek, Jakub Felcman, Olmo Omerzu, Producer Jiří Konečný CAST Martin Pechlát, Jirí Cerny, Natálie Rehorová, Vojtech Machuta, Jan Vasi) – On New Years Day, two innocent 12-year-old boys score vodka for three strangers and get invited to an adult party they’ll never forget. This darkly comic tale by gifted 26-year-old Czech director Olmo Omerzu upends the conventions of the coming of age movie. North American Premiere Pincus – (Director/Writer/Producer David Fenster, Cast David Nordstrom, Paul Fenster, Christi Idavoy, Dietmar Franosch) – An anchorless carpenter returns to his Miami home to help his ailing father. To escape the burden of his responsibilities, he seeks comfort in women, weed and his otherworldly German friend Dietmar. World Premiere Red Flag – (Director/Writer/Producer Alex Karpovsky, Cast Alex Karpovsky, Onur Tukel, Jennifer Prediger, Caroline White, Keith Poulson, Dustin Guy Defa) – Writer/director/star Alex Karpovksy reveals his sterling comic chops playing an indie filmmaker named Alex Karpovsky who, unexpectedly dumped by his girlfriend, takes to the road for a misbegotten mini-tour of film screenings and overly ardent groupies. World Premiere Thursday till Sunday – Chile (Director/Writer Dominga Sotomayor, Producers Gregorio González, Benjamin Domenech, Cast Santi Ahumada, Emiliano Freifeld, Francisco Pérez-Bannen, Paola Giannini) – With uncommon beauty and style, this Chilean road movie finds a family at a crossroads, as the daughter slowly realizes the divide between the adults in the front seat and the kids in back. North American Premiere Documentary Competition (with LAFF descriptions): 25 to Life – (Director Mike Brown, Producers Mike Brown, Yvonne Shirley) – William Brawner contracted the HIV virus through a blood transfusion as a toddler and kept it a secret as an adult while living a promiscuous, womanizing life. 25 years later, he comes clean, and this unflinching, sure-to-be-controversial documentary records his struggle for redemption. World Premiere A Band Called Death – (Directors Jeff Howlett, Mark Covino, Producers Matthew Perniciaro, Scott Mosier, Kevin Mann, Jerry Ferrara FEATURING David Hackney, Bobby Hackney, Sr., Dannis Hackney) – Equal parts electrifying rockumentary and inspiring family chronicle, this is the captivating and little known story of the Hackney brothers and their band Death, the best punk band the world almost never heard. World Premiere Birth Story: Ina May Gaskin and The Farm Midwives – (Directors Sara Lamm, Mary Wigmore, Producers Kate Roughan, Zachary Mortensen, Sara Lamm, Mary Wigmore FEATURING Ina May Gaskin, Stephen Gaskin, Pamela Hunt, Farm Midwives past and present, Kristina Kennedy Davis) – Ina May Gaskin and the courageous midwives of the Farm commune inspired the modern midwifery movement. This beguiling documentary tells their empowering story with depth, intelligence and wit. World Premiere Call Me Kuchu – (Directors Katherine Fairfax Wright, Malika Zouhali-Worrall, Producer Malika Zouhali-Worrall) – To be openly gay in Uganda is to risk imprisonment and death, yet brave men like David Katos, the country’s first openly gay activist, have fought back. This heartbreaking and stirring documentary takes us inside this life and death struggle for human rights. US Premiere Drought – Mexico (Director Everado González, Producer Martha Orozco) – Contrasting the lives of a cattle-ranching community with the arid northeastern Mexican landscape that surrounds them, this cinema vertité documentary paints a poetic portrait of a community on the verge of extinction. US Premiere The Iran Job – USA/Germany/Iran (Directors Till Schauder, Producers Sara Nodjoumi, Till Schauder FEATURING Kevin Sheppard, Leah Sheppard, Hilda, Laleh, Elaheh, Abdullah, Zoran “Z” Milicic, Kami Jamshidvand, Ali Doraghi, Mehdi Shirjang, Gholamreza Khajeh, Asadollah Kabir, Fereidoon Reisi, Mohammad Ahmadi, Ehsan) – An American pro basketball player signs up for a season with upstart Iranian Super League team A.S. Shiraz. This sports documentary takes a surprising turn when this gregarious charmer meets three strong Iranian women fighting the repressive regime. World Premiere Sun Kissed – (Directors Maya Stark, Adi Lavy, Porducers Jocelyn Glatzer, Maya Stark, Adi Lavy) – With remarkable strength of spirit, a husband and wife examine their lives and why their children and others have been struck with a rare genetic disorder in this powerful portrait of a small Navajo community. World Premiere Vampira and Me – Director/Producer R. H. Greene) – Before Elvira there was Vampira, the playfully ghoulish host of a local L.A. late night horror movie show who became a national celebrity, then disappeared. This loving, personal portrait reveals the remarkable woman behind the chalk-white mask. World Premiere Words of Witness – Egypt/USA (Director/Producer Mai Iskander, Featuring Heba Afify) – Updating your Facebook status is a political act in this street-level documentary depicting the recent Egyptian revolution as seen through the eyes and social network accounts of a young female journalist working for an English language newspaper. US Premiere International Showcase (15): Bestiaire , Denis Côté – Canada Bunohan: Return to Murder , Dain Said – Malaysia (Oscilloscope Pictures) Canícula , José Álvarez – Mexico The First Man , Gianni Amelio – France – US Premiere The Last Elvis , Armando Bo – Argentina Neighboring Sounds , Kleber Mendonça Filho – Brazil (The Cinema Guild) On the Edge , Leila Kilani – France/Morocco/Germany P-047 , Kongdej Jaturanrasamee – Thailand Return to Burma , Midi Z. – Taiwan/Myanmar Sister , Ursula Meier – Switzerland (Adopt Films) – North American Premiere The Strawberry Tree , Simone Rapisarda Casanova – Canada/Cuba/Italy Summer Games , Rolando Colla – Switzerland Teddy Bear , Mads Matthiesen – Denmark (Film Movement) Unforgivable , André Téchiné – France (Strand Releasing) Without Gorky , Cosima Spender – UK Summer Showcase (16) : About Face , Timothy Greenfield-Sanders (HBO Films) Beauty Is Embarrassing , Neil Berkeley Big Easy Express , Emmett Malloy Celeste and Jesse Forever , Lee Toland Krieger (Sony Pictures Classics) Gayby , Jonathan Lisecki (Wolfe Releasing) Gimme the Loot , Adam Leon (IFC Films) The House I Live In , Eugene Jarecki It’s a Disaster , Todd Berger – World Premiere La Camioneta : The Journey of One American School Bus, Mark Kendall – USA/Guatemala Neil Young Journeys , Jonathan Demme (Sony Pictures Classics) An Oversimplification of Her Beauty , Terence Nance – USA/France People Like Us, Alex Kurtzman (Dreamworks Pictures) – World Premiere The Queen of Versailles , Lauren Greenfield (Magnolia Pictures) Reportero, Bernardo Ruiz Robot and Frank , Jake Schreier (Samuel Goldwyn Films) Searching for Sugar Man , Malik Bendjelloul (Sony Pictures Classics)
This is very sad but true: Kris Jenner had a better year than Lamar Odom. The matriarch of the richest family on reality TV just negotiated a new $40 million deal for her children… while a listless Odom averaged a career low in points and rebounds and was cut by the Mavs . So we suppose it’s not too shocking that Jenner thinks she can offer her son-in-law professional advice which, according to a Hollywood Life insider, goes like this: forget the NBA. Focus on E!. “Kris is eager for Khloe and Lamar to do another season of their reality show,” this Kardashian source claims, but: “[Khloe] doesn’t want to push Lamar into doing anything he doesn’t want to do because she knows it will only backfire. Kris thinks doing another season will help their relationship, but the real reason she wants them to do another season of Khloe & Lamar is because she thinks the show keeps them relevant.” However, someone close to the NBA thinks Lamar needs to make a choice – and that choice is clear if he wants to ball professionally again. “Teams have to deal with enough, and these outside distractions will not be welcomed,” this insider says. “Teams are now worrying about younger and cheaper players that are not headcases who do reality shows – they are against it.” What do YOU think Lamar do with his career?
When will the drama end? We earlier reported on Pilar catching fade with Deion in front of their children. But it looks like “Psycho P” has been freed but could be without a home to return to. Via TMZ reports : Deion Sanders’ estranged wife has just been released from jail after her domestic violence arrest yesterday — and she’s forbidden from returning home … for the next 60 days. A judge issued an emergency protective order against Pilar Sanders today before releasing her from custody, banning her from entering the ex-couple’s Texas mansion for the next two months. She’s also prohibited from threatening or harassing any member of the family. But on her way out of jail, Pilar told reporters, “I am innocent. I understand that I have a very little chance at beating a Hall of Fame, two-sport man that everyone seems to love and adore. I am a full-time mom 100 percent for my children and I have just not gotten a fair shake.” As we previously reported … Pilar was arrested after allegedly jumping Deion in his bedroom — “kicking, biting, and scratching” him in front of his sons. This is just sad! Deion went from a Hall Of Fame athlete to a battered housewife from a Lifetime movie. Our childhoods wept. More On Bossip! Coupled Up In NYC: Kim Kardashian And Kanye West Spotted Cheesin’ & Swirlin’ In The Big Apple [Photos] Celebrity Cribs: Which Legendary Actor is Selling This La Quinta Cali Mansion For $4.5M?? [Photos] Some Instagram Preciousness Courtesy Of C-Milli, Swizzy And Slim Thug For The Ladies: 10 Men That Have Admitted To Enjoying Taking Their Oral Talents Down South
*Cough, cough* Say what now? Citizens Against Legalization Of Marijuana, CALM, Declare April 19th “National No Pot Day” PARENTS, PASTORS, COMMUNITY LEADERS PROCLAIM “APRIL 19, NATIONAL NO POT DAY”; PLEDGE FIGHT TO KEEP KIDS SAFE, HEALTHY, DRUG-FREE Contact: Carla Lowe – 916-965-4825, Citizens Against the Legalization of Marijuana (CALM) Bishop Ron Allen – 916-807-1210, International Faith Based Coalition (IFBC) WHAT: Press conference/rally and distribution of Parents’ Pledge WHEN: Thursday, April 19, 2012, 10:00 AM WHERE: North Steps of the California State Capitol Building WHY: Parents see “420″(April 20) as deadly serious silliness as pot heads and drug pushers publicly flaunt their disregard of state and federal law by smoke-ins across the country. Young people see this as fun and acceptable. Parents are pledging to be responsible for the whereabouts of their children, and educating them about the debilitating effects of marijuana on young bodies and developing brains. Parents and our community see children as the future of families and our country; drug pushers see them only as the source of their enormous income. (See Pledge at www.CALMca.org.) WHO: Invited to participate: Bishop Dr. Ron Allen (Pres/CEO International Faith Based Coalition), Carla Lowe (CALM), Roger Morgan (CEO Take Back America & Board Member of Coalition for a Drug Free California California), U.S. Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner, Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson, Don Nottoli (Ch.Sacramento County Board of Supervisors), Sgt. Mark Scott (Sacramento Sheriff Department) William Ruzzamenti (HIDTA), Bishop Sherrod Cotton (Kingdom of our Lord Ministry), Harry Henry (Community Activist), Bishop John Blouin (Spiritual Temple Baptist Church), John Fish (President, Interfaith Council Greater Sacramento), Bishop Larry Jones (Crossover Ministry, Steppers of God Youth Group), Linda Smith (Church of Scientology), Bishop BJ Forte’ (Busy Street Ministry), Elder Jesse Williams (VP IFBC), Pastor Nathanel Eddins (Calvary Christian Center), Joseph Jordon (Sounds of Heaven Ministries), Greg Andrew (Community Activist), Al Wilson (Our Kids Program), Marvel Wilson (Bridge Drug Prevention Coalition and Family Affair Band), Rev. Charles Gwyn (Christ Temple Baptist Church), Lady Gail Allen (IFBC), Eric Eisenhammer (Community Activist), James Allen (IFBC), Mike Klagenbreg (Pres/Church of Scientology), Rev. Kay Daley (Church of Scientology), Pastor Tim Molane (Community Activist), Pastor Frank Bennett (Greater Solomon Temple Com- munity Church), Evangelist Quinton Kelley (In His Presence Ministries), Minister Michael Harris (Black Agriculture Inc.), Pastor Scott Flanagan (Harvest Community Church), Minister Cloris Hurst (Blessed Faith Ministries), Minister Leslie Smith (Men of Change Prison Ministry), and Pastor Steve Linder (Bayside West Church). If you feel your right to get lifted is being threatened by this group feel free to contact the folks at the phone numbers listed above to voice your opinion. Source More On Bossip! They Ruined It: Famous Attractive Men That Most Normal Women Still Wouldn’t Want To Chop Down Making It Rain On Them Hoes: Forbes Magazine Announces The Top 5 Wealthiest Artists In Hip-Hop Baby Mama Drama: Is Royce’s Ballin’ Boo Thang Creepin’ With His Baby Mama??? A Lil Tuesday Sultriness: Rihanna Puts Her Bikini Bawddyyy On Full Blast [Photos]
Strap yourselves in, folks: In the wake of its billion-dollar amusement park-inspired Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, Disney is bringing another classic attraction to the big screen — Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride . The Disneyland staple (a ride itself based on a film based on the children’s book The Wind in the Willows ) is heading to theaters under the direction of filmmaker Pete Candeland, who will helm the as-yet unscripted CG/live-action adventure. I don’t know about you, but I take one look at this Mr. Toad ‘s ride poster and just one spot on the release calendar jumps out. How’s about April 20 2013/14, if you get my drift? [ Deadline ]
Ann Romney, the wife of likely Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney and mother of five sons, is fighting a criticism that she “never worked a day in her life.” “I made a choice to stay home and raise five boys,” she wrote on Twitter, prompted by a Democratic strategist’s challenge of her knowledge about the economy. “Believe me,” Ann Romney wrote. “It was hard work.” Ann Romney Interview Hillary Rosen, a Democratic strategist, started the exchange during an interview on CNN yesterday in which she said of GOP front-running candidate Romney: “Guess what, his wife has actually never worked a day in her life. She’s never dealt with the economic issues that a majority of women in U.S. are facing.” President Barack Obama’s re-election campaign swiftly distanced itself from Rosen, but the incident underscores issues critical to both sides in the campaign. Polls show Obama favored over Romney by about a 20-percent margin among women, a gap posing a major electoral hurdle to Romney’s hopes of victory. Ann Romney also told Fox News, “My career choice was to be a mother. Other women make other choices. We have to respect women in all their choices.” She also disputed the notion that she doesn’t understand the economy. “Guess what women are taking about these days,” she said. “I don’t care if they’re stay-at-home mothers, working mothers or grandmothers. They are talking about jobs and a legacy of debt that we are leaving our children.” Mitt Romney, seen above with Ann and supporter Donald Trump, all but wrapped up the Republican race with Rick Santorum dropping out this week. If they election were held today, for whom would you vote?
The Dumbest Celebrity Lies Of All Time “Two things I hate, liars and thieves they make my blood boil” – Andre 3000 Liars are all over the place. And we can’t even hate on them too much. But when you make a horrible lie that nobody believes and try to stick to it? No country for that. Ever. Let’s look at some dummies and the dumb lies they try to hold on to.
