Who saw what movie(s) this weekend? Who knew Rise of the Planet of the Apes would again triumph at the box office? We saw that one coming. What we didn’t see is just how popular The Help would be, bringing in $25 million bucks. That’s a ton of cash for for a little movie that was not expected to triumph and frankly, that’s been kind of poorly marketed. Maybe poorly‘s a strong word – they basically tried to lure everyone in who liked the book with a simple, almost hokey chick-flick-y poster. Which is shrewd to a degree (because you always play to your strongest audience), but perhaps they should have had more confidence. The movie is a LOT bigger than the poster, and this weekend many pals saw The Help and are offering up all manner of reviews – which range, by and large, from “good” to “amazing” – which is, in my opinion, right on the money. Nor, by the way, am I getting any sort of cut for my emphatic recommendation. In Los Angeles when I’m at a party and I meet someone who’s all over this TV show or that film I say to myself hmmm – what’s at stake here …what’s their connection? It’s a natural instinct because we live in an era where everyone’s tied to something. Only in this case, I have no agenda or connection other than the fact that it’s a great film. I’m really impressed with what I saw, doubly so because seeing the trailer I thought gee, that looks boring. Boy was I wrong. So that’s my genuine opinion. I’m not on anyone’s payroll. Which might not be something you’d say about the following news headline:
Kate Middleton Wears J Brand Jeans Three Days in a Row
The truth of the matter is this: the great fashion irony among the very fabulous is that the more famous you are (and frequently richer so you could conceivably afford whatever) the more stuff is given to you. Just like that. Totally free. Because designers know that despite spending thousands on advertising, there is nothing so valuable as a famous person snapped by paparazzi strolling into Starbucks in your togs. That’s gold, and that’s just how it works. If you make evening gowns? Forget it. One red carpet appearance can change your business forever.
When you’re at that level of the celebrity spectrum (is it even a level? Is it even a spectrum? Isn’t she at the top of the heap?) you’re beyond aware of the impression you make every time you walk out the front door of your apartment /palace/castle/fortress/island retreat. And if you’re a fashionista – which she is – you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that what and how many times you wear something is the stuff of media content. I’m not saying that she broke the J Brand CEO’s garage window playing ball as a child, or that they have naughty photos of her in some vault, but wearing that pair of trou three days in a row? Not an accident at all. Let’s just hope they send her a giant fruit basket or something.
Today’s poll:
Voice your choice in today’s featured poll and tell us which of these summer reality shows is your favorite:
1) Bachelor Pad 2
2) Big Brother
3) Hell’s Kitchen
4) Project Runway
Even though summer isn’t necessarily filled with TV’s proudest moments (unless you’re managing Gene Simmons’ career), if you look hard enough there is some quality TV. Nor is the quality necessarily connected to TNT’s decision to purchase even more episodes of Franklin & Bash – which is vaguely ludicrous. But there’s quality TV that’s endured cancellations and then mysterious rebirths on strange (albeit cool) stations. I’m talking of course about Damages, which is indeed back and quite spectacularly so on DirecTV. It’s one of my all time favorite shows ever and in the same way that there are those who cannot get enough of Breaking Bad or The Good Wife or House, I’m an unrepentant Damages fan. For those of you unfamiliar with the show, it stars Glenn Close as an uber-ruthless lawyer and Rose Byrne (the ice queen from Bridesmaids) as Close’s one-time protégé and sometime rival. Each season they take a real story from the headlines and explore it from a legal angle – like the Bernie Madoff scandal. Currently we have John Goodman (at his very, very best – no question about a guest-star Emmy nod next year) playing a maybe corrupt former Marine-type who now runs a “private security” firm in Afghanistan (think Blackwater). If ever there was first-rate drama, this is it. Close (who’s won an Emmy for the role) is beyond miraculous and Rose Byrne nips gamely and deliciously at her heels. This latest season – while more violent than I’d like — is nevertheless a real blockbuster. If you get a chance, try out Damages or watch one of the first three seasons on DVD. It’s what keenly intelligent thrillers are all about, and you may find yourself hooked – it’s that good. That smart and that well-acted.
