Twice upon a time in H’wood
HOLLYWOOD’S eating its bigtime blockbusters and tent poles because it can’t afford to shove them out when only four humans are going to the movies.
However, Meryl Streep — may her tribe increase — is starting a newie: “Places, Please,” about the made-up life of a Broadway star. It films in NYC this summer. Director Michael Cristofer and Streep have worked together before. And, loving their craft, the subject is a valentine to the profession.
Meanwhile, George Clooney and Julia Roberts — previously together in the “Ocean’s Eleven” franchise — are together again in
“Ticket to Paradise.” Originally a 1936 film starring Wendy Barrie, now gone, and made by Republic Pictures, now gone, it’s got a subplot of amnesia and a main plot about a divorced couple who work to prevent their daughter from making the mistakes they did. It shoots later this year in Bali, which is where my Indonesian godchild is till COVID isn’t.
Something else we can look forward to is going backward. A fabulously exciting reheated menu is creeping our way. On TV’s griddle are adaptations of ancients “Fatal Attraction,” “Flashdance,” “The
Italian Job,” “Grease” and “The Godfather.” Great. Maybe next a replay of Truman’s acceptance speech. And, for a special bonus, a new “Beavis and Butt-Head” movie is in the works.
Eyes on 2024
TRUMPET sounds out of Mara-Lago: Dominate GOP. Do not run in 2022. Lose Rubio. Back Florida’s Gov. Ron DeSantis ina primary for Rubio’s Senate seat. Have rallies nationwide opposing enemies. Dump McConnell for Lindsey Graham. Lose House minority leader Kevin McCarthy for Ohio’s Jim Jordan. For NY gov, warriors want loyalist and a so-what congressman named Lee Zeldin. Grab control of the party, ride each hobby horse, strike up the carousel’s band and 2024 around and around we go.
Pay attention . . .
NEW docuseries coming. About Victoria’s Secret’s rise and fall — which is certainly what went on with whatever was inside its scanty panties . . . HALF this month’s best sellers are also Netflix shows — “The Queen’s Gambit,” “Bridgerton,” “Firefly Lane.” “Bridgerton” had five novels listed for four weeks. “Firefly Lane” hit No. 1 three days after its premiere. “The Queen’s Gambit,” published 38 years ago, stayed 11 weeks in the Top 10 . . . NEED something else to read? This month, Britain’s Tatler magazine is all baronesses, countesses, princesses, marchionesses, viscountesses plus a few leftover ladyships.
Check it out
COMES now a city hoo-ha. The Athena Film Festival. Athens is a long bike ride from NYC but, listen, this is all about “Women and Hollywood.” The 11-year-old all-female thing’s run by Melissa Silverstein in partnership with Barnard. It’s all this month. All female stuff. Like “Women in STEM,” “Resilience Through Uncertainty,” “Imagining a New Future,” a doc about a trans icon, a look at 24hour child care, etc. So, watch.
BASEBALL coming back reprises the immortal words of Yogi Berra, who said one season: “We can win the pennant. All we have to do is win 10 out of our last five remaining games.”
Only in New York, kids, only in New York.