I don't know what kind of "stuck in the 80's porn scene" freak created this mannequin, but having the San Andreas Fault run down the middle of your cleavage is not okay. This is, after all, what made Tori Spelling's bad boob job so infamous.
The brilliant but ill-fated show Arrested Development helped shed some light on the world of magicians. Back in Houdini's day they may have been shrouded in mystery, but these days, it's pure cheese. Tuxedos and bunnies? Seriously?
One of my goals upon moving to Hollywood was getting into the Magic Castle, only because I couldn't. It was invitation-only. Their marketing scheme was very clever - make it seem exclusive, with invitation-only guests, mandatory black tie dress code, and touting a "secret society." It also helps to have an old mansion perched on a grassy knoll in the Hollywood Hills.
I'm not saying it wasn't a good time because it was. But with all the history surrounding the place, (Copperfield and others got their big start there), I would expect it to have an air of spookiness or intrigue. And even though the place was awash with red velvet curtains and stone walls, it had the generic magic kitsch that you'd find at a Chuck-E-Cheese show.
The front entrance is actually a gift shop, selling branded mugs and plastic magic wands for kids.
The magic word to get the secret library wall to spin open and grant you entry? "Open Sesame." Creative.
Instead of having photos on the walls of magicians past, they framed toy-like silver holograms. If changing your angle, smiling faces would turn to skulls and eyes would follow you. When I was kid collecting Lazer Blazer stickers, they did he same thing too.
Amateur magicians in jeans making mistakes and dripping sweat all over their deck of cards
Tuxedos, top hats, white gloves, bunnies, and girls getting sawed in half galore.
In a recent and desperate effort to make money in this economy, the Magic Castle has resorted to refusing entry for anyone who has not made reservations at their overpriced, in-house restaurant. It doesn't matter if you drop hundreds on cocktails at their various bars; eat you must. And if you don't get a ticket from the restaurant proving that you plopped down on a meal, the all-new "ticket checkers" will not allow you to take in the main magic show.
But just as I was about to write the place off as classless, a lady approached my friend Gina, who had broken the heel of her shoe. "Please come this way, Miss," she says. Filled with trepidation, we followed her, wondering if we were about to be cited for "drunk in public," as no doubt cash-strapped California would provide a kick-back to the Magic Castle for a scheme like that. Instead, she says to my friend, "What size shoe do you wear Ma'am?" Gina replied "Nine," and out of a shoebox the lady pulled out a brand new pair of designer shoes in just her size.
"Oh my gosh, do you guys have these in every size, just in case?"
"But of course."
"That's amazing."
"This is an exclusive club, Ma'am."
My friend promised to return the shoes and we headed back to join our party. Just as I was about to tell my friends that the place wasn't so bad after all, the lady stopped us and said, "Ma'am, please give us your credit card for collateral, in case you leave with our shoes."
Woody Allen gave us the taste for cerebral movies shot in the Big Apple. But these days, satisfaction comes sporadically. Most New York comedies since the late nineties feature a gorgeous leading lady with an unrealistically glamorous job and more issues than Bangladesh. Think Katherine Heigl in...anything. Woody Allen made us yearn for something more textured and familiar.
Producer John Will
Enter East Fifth Bliss, which kicked off the 2011 Newport Beach Film Festival. Starring Peter Fonda, Michael C. Hall, Lucy Liu and Chris Messina, the well-written film was warmly received by the sold-out crowd. Michael C. Hall stars as Morris Bliss, an unemployed 30-something living at home with his widowed "Daddy." He plays a lost soul, and is a good listener as the neurotic characters whirl around him. Chris Messina plays a cash-strapped dreamer, but his fast wit and pleading eyes break your heart. Peter Fonda gives a nuanced performance as Morris' father, with a breakthrough scene that showcases a flash of that raw sensitivity he's known for.
Largest screen west of the Mississippi
But the scene stealer in this film was no doubt Morris' girlfriend Stephanie, played by Brie Larson. Capricious and unpredictable, I found myself holding my breath when she walked on screen. She was always on the verge of smashing the delicate house of cards that was Morris' life. Delicate as in land mine, not china doll.
I was thrilled at the opportunity to see this film before the general public did, but it won't be long until it gets picked up, premiered and blown out internationally. Let it be known that I sang its praises first!
Griffith Observatory is famous for being the backdrop of intense scenes in Rebel Without a Cause, starring James Dean and Natalie Wood. In fact, there's a memorial bust of Dean on the grounds. I've been inside to look through one of the great telescopes, but between the light pollution and the marine layer, the heavens resembled a dirty chalkboard. I love Griffith Park for the breathtaking hiking trails, the spooky secret garden of Dante's View and the resident coyote who always scans the view from the summit at sundown, searching for its dinner and oblivious to daily hikers.
stars above, stars belo
It had been a while since I'd been to the observatory. It underwent a renovation and has recently unveiled its new face. The changes can be seen from the flatlands of Los Angeles. The steeper barrier walls and spotlights make it loom larger on the horizon. We checked out the new displays and architecture. Aside from annoying zombie hipsters desperate for attention with their Halloween make-up and bumping into walls (no one cares), it was pretty cool. Enjoy the photos!
I blame Woody Allen. I blame Candace Bushnell. Both have given me grandiose expectations for book parties. Woody Allen features cerebral neurotics in gorgeous library-type rooms; fireplaces, oak, leather ottomans and the standard European. Intellectual conversations abound over Beluga and scotch. Carrie Bradshaw's book party on Sex and the City was modern; everything crisp and white. Dance music, servers with canapes, splashy cocktails and the standard homosexual. Both depictions were enviable. Both were quite different than my first book party.
There were hush puppies. There were hot wings. They call him The Imbiber. He officially drinks for Playboy magazine. This dream job for every male is occupied by Dan Dunn, who can now call himself an author because he just released his book Living Loaded. The party wasn't what I had expected. The Playboy angle ensured there would be no Woody Allen-esque oak library, but surprisingly, there wasn't much plastic either. Where were the Ompa Loompa-skinned blondes with the big boobies?
It was mostly dudes and biker types; an older crowd in general. As mentioned, there were hot wings and hush puppies. There were also meatballs and hot sauces galore. Dan Dunn is co-owner of Baby Blues Barbecue in West Hollywood, which explains the venue and menu. Hey that rhymed. And I'm not complaining - hot wings are heaven. The free drinks also did not disappoint - nor could they afford to; him being "The Imbiber" and all. And I am talking top shelf liquor; Grey Goose, Maker's Mark, etc.
I was hoping some of the literary success would rub off on me by simply my being there, but the only after-effects appeared to be a hangover. Sigh.
I cannot even begin to describe the ways in which this photo is inappropriate. And I'm pretty sure he's breaking the law in a few states. He may be a sloppy burger-eating, baywatching Angeleno now, but please remember he's from Germany people. GERMANY!!!
Hollywood & Highland
as no doubt cash-strapped California would provide a kick-back to the Magic Castle for a scheme like that. Instead, she says to my friend, "What size shoe do you wear Ma'am?" Gina replied "Nine," and out of a shoebox the lady pulled out a brand new pair of designer shoes in just her size.
I cannot even begin to describe the ways in which this photo is inappropriate. And I'm pretty sure he's breaking the law in a few states. He may be a sloppy burger-eating, baywatching Angeleno now, but please remember he's from Germany people. GERMANY!!!
