Headlines (Scroll down for complete stories):
1. Sean Penn to Star in Valerie Plame Story
2. Note to Sheryl Crow: Return Bailout Money
3. DiCaprio to Convert to Judaism for Marriage?
4. ‘Kings’ Retells Saga of Biblical David
5. Hollywood Teaches Iran the ‘Art’ of Propaganda.
1. Sean Penn to Star in Valerie Plame Story
After ruining the Academy Awards with his Prop. 8 politicking, what will Sean Penn do for an encore?
Well, the Best Actor award winner is out lining up his next Oscar seeking movie role — another likely box-office bomb.
Penn is in talks to play Joe Wilson in a film based on the autobiography of Valerie Plame, Wilson's wife and supposed outed CIA agent.
The flick’s title is “Fair Game” and Naomi Watts, who resembles Plame, has agreed to play Wilson’s wife.
By the time the thing comes out in a year or so, no one’s likely to care about what the Bush administration did or didn’t do in relation to Plame.
It will be after the Obama administration gives us an $800 billion ream-ulus plan, a $400 billion budget, over 8,500 non-earmark earmarks, and throws $900 million Hamas’ way.
Scooter who?
2. Note to Sheryl Crow: Return Bailout Money
After 87 years, Hollywood is shutting down the Motion Picture Fund hospital and long-term living facilities for aging actors, a place that has cared for some of the most famous legends in film.
Sheryl Crow, Sean Penn, Michael Moore, Susan Sarandon, Tim Robbins, and lots of other Hollywood stars whine about the U.S. healthcare system, the best in the world, while they push the Cuban-style socialized kind. Now it appears as though there’s a failure to help those in their own industry.
The phoniness is almost as staggering as the political correctness.
Speaking of phonies, Sheryl Crow gets this week’s trophy.
Do you remember how the bank, Northern Trust, got $1.5 billion in bailout money, laid off 450 workers, flew clients and employees to L.A. for days of posh hotel room stays, gourmet dinners, and concerts?
Well, one of the extravagant concerts was a House of Blues event in which money was doled out for Crow to croon.
In fact, she now wants even more cash. She’s lobbying Congress to pass a law that would force radio station owners to pay musicians like her for every song the stations broadcast.
We should keep crowing about this till Crow gives back the bailout blood money.
3. Leo DiCaprio to Convert to Judaism for Marriage?
Leo DiCaprio is getting a rude awakening.
The actor wants to marry Israeli supermodel and Sports Illustrated cover girl Bar Refaeli.
Refaeli has also been named the new spokesmodel for Garnier.
It seems, though, that Refaeli’s father has demanded that, before he can have his daughter’s hand, DiCaprio has to convert to Judaism.
Based on reports by Al Arabiya that DiCaprio may consider converting, some Arab blogs are spewing venom toward the actor.
Remember Al Arabiya? That’s the media outlet Obama gave his first official interview to.
An Arab admirer of DiCaprio who was upset at the thought that his idol may be converting to Judaism and marrying a Jewish girl posted the following: “But isn't he the DiCaprio who voted for Barack Hussein Obama?”
4. ‘Kings’ Retells Saga of Biblical David
A bold new concept is coming to a plasma screen near you.
NBC is premiering a TV series that places the Old Testament story of King David in a 21st century setting.
Viewers will be drawn into the timeless story while experiencing cineplex quality entertainment.
Michael Green, who also created the hit program “Heroes” for NBC, has written engaging scripts for the series.
Chris Egan, who starred in “Eragon,” plays David Shepherd. Ian McShane of “Deadwood” fame struts Al Pacino-like through his role as King Silas.
David is a soldier serving the nation of Gilboa in a protracted war with a neighboring nation. He saves the king’s son and becomes a celebrity icon who inspires his country.
The plot follows the scriptural account, altering it for the culture and technology of modern times.
NBC’s target market is a very large group. The biblical account of David’s story is cherished by Christians, Jewish people, and Muslims alike.
For Christians, David was the patriarch whose line led directly to Jesus Christ.
To Jewish people, he was the greatest monarch in their history.
And for Muslims, he was a prophet of Islam whose writings were revealed by Allah.
More on “Kings” to come before its premiere.
5. Hollywood Teaches Iran the ‘Art’ of Propaganda
Some Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences folks recently went over to Iran to lend their expertise in filmmaking.
“I can confirm that a group of Academy members . . . are currently in Iran” on a “completely private initiative for educational and creative exchange and with no political agenda,” Academy communications director Leslie Unger told the AFP.
According to Unger, the Tinseltown travelers include actresses Annette Bening and Alfre Woodard, screenwriter and film director Frank Pierson (writer of “Dog Day Afternoon,” producer William Horberg (“Cold Mountain”) and former Universal Pictures chairman Tom Pollock.
The team supposedly went to the rogue state to teach the Iranians about screenwriting, directing, acting, documentary filmmaking and production.
In the instructional process, the Iranians may be learning how to better propagandize.
Ironically, though, an adviser to Iran's president had a unique take, seeing the visit as an opportunity to demand an apology from Hollywood for films that were “insulting” to Iranians.
Specifically mentioned by the spokesperson were the movies “300” and “The Wrestler.”
Javad Shamaqdari, art and cinema adviser to President Ahmadinejad, told The Associated Press, “In my viewpoint, it is a failure to have an official meeting with one who is insulting.”
Iranians were peeved with the depiction of Persians in “300,” and they weren’t tickled about the opponent of Mickey Rourke’s character in “The Wrestler,” a villain named “The Ayatollah.”
But a serial human rights violator asking for an apology over movies never released in the Middle East country is like Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid asking for a dozen red roses and a box of chocolates from the U.S. taxpayers.
At a minimum Hollywood is acting irresponsibly in sending a delegation to teach the ruthless regime cinematic techniques. Iran’s citizens endure unspeakable ill treatment under the current regime. And Hollywood’s hypocrisy is showing in its heralding of “Milk” and its silence at the treatment of homosexuals in Iran.
Conservative stalwart Gary Bauer recently pointed out that Hollywood has been “missing in action when it comes to speaking out against some Muslims’ unacceptable views on gays.” He also noted, “In many Islamic countries, homosexuality is considered an executable offense. In Iran, homosexuals are sometimes crucified.”
The Hollywood visiting team met with an Iranian delegation in Tehran where the managing director of the Iranian House of Cinema, Mohammad-Mehdi Asgarpur, explained to the Left Coasters that the Islamic Revolution was a turning point in the history of Iranian cinema.
Leave it to Hollywood to never let a little bit of totalitarianism get in the way of a power lunch.
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