Leonardo DiCaprio...remake of "The Great Gatsby" stalled! Lack of chemistry between stars???

If these outfits are indicative of the Gatsby Style in the remake

producers and stars are in trouble

The much-anticipated release date for the remake of “The Great Gatsby” (adapted from the original novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald) has been pushed back.

Originally, the splashy big screen romance (a Warner Bros. project) was slated to light up wide-screens around the country in December (2012).

Word from the “suits” in the executive suite is that the Gatsby has been penciled in for the summer of 2013 now.

Leonardo DiCaprio die-hard fans must be totally besides themselves (in a tizzy, Lizzy!) over the hiccup.

Meanwhile, industry-insiders are whispering behind closed doors about the potential fate of the flick, and the nervous titters aren't pretty.

While heartthrob DiCaprio is a shoe-in for the dashing lead role (Leo’s expected to suitably flesh-out the character of  ever-elusive Gatsby) some worry that the chemistry between Leo and Carrie (Mulligan) may fizzle before their very eyes come opening night.

In a prior incarnation, Mia Farrow botched the role of “Daisy” terribly, in my estimation.

Mia’s spoiled “rich bitch” fell flat in a role that obviously challenged her acting muscles.

Daisy, after all, was supposed-to-be such a fascinating beauty that Gatsby is passionately inclined to take daring risks - at his own peril - to win her heart!

The “Daisy” Mia fathomed up wouldn’t attract a serial killer on a day hungry for a kill.

Redford, on the other hand, physically – and stylishly – filled Gatsby’s shoes.

But, when it came to nailing down the role, Redford also failed.

In fact, Sam Waterston stole the movie right out from under the two superstars!

Toss on your seat belt – Leo – it may be a bumpy ride on the way to the opening night premiere.

Especially when you consider that Baz Luhrmann is at the helm.

Popcorn, anyone?

 

Julian Ayrs...guitar adventures (#2)! Precious moments entertaining commuters!

Some days life – and its unexpected spontaneous surprises – are so precious!

Like yesterday, for instance.

As I hopped on board a Metro Line bus with guitar in hand – the driver gave me the once-over – then piped up.

“You’re Julian, aren’t you?”

I was a little taken aback for a moment, but fessed up once I gathered my senses.

“I am.”

“You’re our entertainment,” he chuckled, as he gave a cursory glance at my guitar case dangling at my side.

I paused a second, then - turned on my heel - and headed down the aisle of the bus as I bellowed out loudly for all the passengers to hear:

“Yes I am the entertainment. I am going to play a song for all of you!”

A few passengers laughed in a light-hearted manner in response.

You had to be there, if ‘ya get my drift.

For one second, I felt like I was in sync with the Universe as I floated down the aisle to a seat at the rear of the carrier.

The last time I actually recall singing on a bus was in the dreamy-eyed days of my youth.

Every summer I would be chauffeured downtown where I'd hop on board a big yellow school bus alongside a posse of rambunctious kids – at which point – we'd be whisked out of the gritty city streets to the enchanting wilds of Honey Harbour in Northern Ontario to attend camp (Wabanki).

To wile away the hours, we’d engage in a raucous round-or-two of a popular tune of-the-day with widespread appeal for kids in our age range.

99 bottles of beer in the wall
99 bottles of beer
If one of those bottles of beer should happen to fall
We’d have 98 bottles of beer in the wall

98 bottles of beer in the wall
98 bottles of beer
If one of those bottles of beer should happen to fall
We’d have 97 bottles of beer in the wall.

And-so-forth-and-so.

Until all of the bottles of beer were gone, of course!

By that time, the bus would be safely turning into a docking area where we'd catch a high-speed motorboat to shuttle across the small bay to Beausoliel Island where we would proceed to camp out, canoe, learn how to swim, and play capture the flag over a scant two weeks.

Ah, the sweet bird of youth!

Those were some of the most memorable days of my life.

Julian Ayrs...the magical allure of a guitar! Though Gods they were!

Ever since I began to trot around town with guitar in hand, I have been astounded by the magical allure of the acoustic instrument!

For starters, the instrument is a great conversation piece.

Wherever I turn, folks tend to be fascinated with me and my travelling companion.

"Heh, guitarman," one dude called after me, as I strode down the strip one night this past week.

"You play guitar, man? You're an artist," a tall sexy gal uttered up, as I strode by on a bustling City street downtown last night.

Although the curious haven't heard me belt out a tune - or even play one scintillating note - I'm already being quizzed about my next "gig".

"Are you playing somewhere right now," an obvious music-lover with-the-hots for me pestered, as I dashed off to nab a cab on the Boulevard.

"Well, I'm writing songs and arranging material," I replied politely.

One day when I stepped onto the Metro Line in Beverly Hills, a music enthusiast starting to chat me up about the intricacies of guitar-playing.

"What kind of guitar do you have in that case," he wondered aloud, just before offering up a guess.

Turns out the dude collects guitars - and, if you can believe it - allegedly owns 17 of 'em!

The conversation was intriguing, too.

When he asked what kind of material I played, I piped up right away.

"Folk, Pop, Classical."

And, my own songs, I humbly responded without an ounce of ego in my musical bones.

"I can't read music," the young chap fessed up sheepishly.

"Heh, just jam - if you can - dude," I urged.

"One of the wisest pieces of advice I was ever given by a music teacher turned out to be right on-the-money," I added quick-as-a-wink.

"If it (the music) sounds good, it is good."

At this juncture, I noted that the "tunes" are inside my head.

When I pick up the guitar, the music just flows out.

"The more you play," I winked, "The better you get!"

That's sure true.

And, after I've been inspired - and written a few pieces of music - I feel totally uplifted.

Music has healing power, after all.

Gosh, I can hardly wait to get back to the guitar, I'm that captivated by the creative end of it all.

When I'm ready (I have a set just-about-ready to perform on stage) I expect I'll sell a few concert tickets.

If I'm gauging the response from all the enthused people I've met accurately that is.

The idea of launching a spanking-new career at my age is tantalizing, thrilling, and a God send.

Stay posted for updates.

The Monkees...pop band to tour in the fall! Greek Theatre November 10th!

Monkees fans were probably ecstatic when they heard that the band is slated to tour for the first time since 1997.

Sadly, due to the untimely demise of Davey Jones, the musicians will have to give it the old college try since the "DayDream Believer" won't be on-hand to shake his - um - tambourine during the duration of the much-anticipated tour.

I expect that without the charismatic English Pop Star up-front, that there will be a big gaping hole smack dab in the middle of the stage at each venue, eh?

A favorite song of mine that Mr. Jones once crooned?

I want to be Free!

Of course, I was a boy coming-of-age when the Monkees first popped up on the old boob tube cleverly packaged in a hilarious TV sitcom rife with odd-the-wall jokes, looney-tune sight gags, you name it.

I used to dash home from school every precious day to catch each-and-every episode.

You betcha!

There was a definite rivalry between Monkees fans and the Beatles "die-hards" during that musical era known as the British invasion, I recall.

Some kids felt that the young upstarts out of Hollywood were just a manufactured band.

Well, sort-a, kind-a!

Micky Dolenz, one of the band members, described the creation of the "Monkees" this way.

"The Monkees was a TV show about an imaginary band that wanted to be The Beatles that was never supposed to be successful," he noted earnestly, one day for the record.

"For the Monkees to become an actual band - shortly after it went into production - was the equivalent of Leonard Nimoy becoming a Vulcan," he mused later in so many words in an afterthought at a press junket.

It was because a lot of butting of heads with studio execs (and taking an artistic stand) that the likeable actor-musicians - Mickey Dolenz, Mike Nesmith, Peter Tork, and Davey Jones - were able to eventually transform their tight-knit group - as if by magic - into a real band.

At a screening of "Head" - a Monkees movie that sought to squelch their squeaky-clean plastic image in the music industry (Jack Nicolson was a power-player in their corner who helped orchestrate the sly effort) Dolenz spilled his guts about the reality of the Hollywood studio "dream factory" behind-the-scenes as it directly related to the Monkees (and their fake TV band).

In fact, articulate Dolenz spat up his guts - and gave the rapt audience an insider-peek - about the whole Monkees phenomenon.

Post: 12/15/2007

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2007/12/edgar-wrightgives-us-head-at-screening.html

Obviously, the alleged rivalry with the Beatles was a clever publicity stunt designed to catapult the Monkees further into the stratosphere once they were in the glare of the public eye and racking up frenzied fans around the face of the Globe.

In the final analysis?

The Monkees weren't as talented - or as uniquely charismatic - as the Fab Four!

But, if Dolenz has his way, the band will never slip into oblivion (or become a footnote in music history) in spite of the odds.

Uh-huh!

A case in point?

In the fall, the Monkees are slated to kick off a 12-city tour which launches in Escondido (November 8th) with gigs to follow in Santa Barbara (November 9th) and at the legendary Greek Theatre (November 10th).

For many, it will be like an acid flashback, just betcha!

See 'ya there.

Bad Jokes...by Julian Ayrs!

What is green and has wheels?

Grass!

I lied about the wheels.

Julian Ayrs

PU

A Collection of bad jokes!

Liza Minnelli...Confessions! One night gig at Hollywood Bowl!

Liza Minnelli’s upcoming gig in town this weekend is being billed as:

“Confessions”

What’s Liza got to fess up about at the Hollywood Bowl on Saturday August 11th?

Fans and music-lovers will be flocking to the charming venue right under-the-stars to find out!

Liza (with a Z) is a dazzler - a trooper? - onstage after all!

Whether she’s belting out a hit like -  “New York New York” or “Cabaret” - ecstatic fans and high-profile celebrity types are sure to be on the edge-of-their-seats below the floodlights basking in her perennial glow.

One request, Liza.

How ‘bout touching us all with "the” medley of songs that “Mama” sang at Carnegie Hall before the curtain went down after how many joyous standing ovations?

By the way, I used to dance around the living-room – with an imaginary mic in hand – pretending to be performing a duet with “Judy” when I was about twelve years old.

I was so naive!

Who knew, then, what a hankering for “Show Tunes” meant?

Talk about “confessions”!

Break a leg, Liza.

Venue

Hollywood Bowl
2301 North Highland
Hollywood, CA

Info

http://www.hollywoodbowl.com

 

Motel 6...tourists outraged by fraudulent misrepresentation at LAX!

Wide-angle lens misrepresents size of pool to tourists!

Motel 6 has engaged in dishonest misrepresentations in respect to one of their properties at LAX which has tourists seeing red!

For example, when consumers cruise over to Booking.com (a popular travel site) to conduct a search for lodgings with reasonable rates in the Los Angeles area, they are directed to a Motel 6 which has fraudulently misrepresented the property and amenities.

A case in point?

The owners have posted a publicity still on the web site, for instance, which gives the impression that the pool is large and set amidst a picturesque setting in the Los Angeles area

The truth of the matter?

When the traveller trots onto the premises, they are shocked to discover that the pool is - in fact - a dinky little "hole-in-the-ground"!

Uh-huh!

If a guest was planning on swimming a few laps, they were SOL, you betcha!

Unless their exercise regimen consists of two-strokes from one end of the pool to the other.

Notwithstanding, it should also be noted - that because the Motel 6 at this location boasts nine floors of suites - it would not be humanly possible to accommodate about one-tenth of the guests poolside if they scurried down there seeking relief from the sweltering California heat at any given time throughout the course of the day.

At night time, guests are "restricted", too.

If out-of-towners are inclined to take a stroll in the evening, they'd be shaken by the spontaneous leisure activity, no doubt.

After all, Motel 6 is situated on the "bad" end of Century Boulevard in a nasty neighborhood rife with crime, drugs, and hookers. The promotional photo doesn't reflect that. Gee, I wonder why?

In the event the guest passes on picking up snacks at a local liquor store (or 711 down the street) they are forced to cough up big bucks for over-priced treats from a vending machine.

Personally, I would not shell out two bucks for a chocolate bar I could purchase at a grocery store for seventy-five cents.

Talk about a rip-off!

Tourists are also annoyed about other niggling issues, too.

If they want to check their e-mail on the Internet Service in the lobby, they'll have to shell out a whopping thirty cents a minute ($3.00 minimum) for the privilege. Gosh, you'd think the service was being run by the greedy folks at FedEx.

But, it is also the occasional "house policy" that angers them, too.

For instance, if a tourist books for a couple of days in advance, they may be denied access to their rooms without notice.

Uh-huh!

When a tourist goes out bright-and-early at the crack of dawn, they may return later in the afternoon to find themselves locked out of their suites.

Hotel management automatically "deactivates" room keys every day at check-out at noon (even if the guest has paid for another day or two in advance).

At this juncture, the tourist has to trot downstairs, stand in line at the front desk, and get their room key reactivated.

Hotel staff don't even apologize to the patron for the inconvenience (or for locking them out of their paid-up room!).

Personally?

I'd read 'em the riot act.

At this location they are really cheap, too, when it comes to providing the little extras that are such a joy to world-weary travellers.

By the sink, guests are usually shocked when they spy one lone bar of soap (about two inches by two inches in size) alongside the worn low-quality towels.

No little "shampoo" bottle in sight either!

By the way, I was not surprised to hear that guests have awakened in the middle of the night to also find ants crawling over their naked bodies in the dark.

Eugh!

This Motel 6 is the worst in Los Angeles (if not Southern California) folks.

I rate this "joint" a 1/2 star!

Booking.com should be ashamed of itself for promoting this El Cheapo Motel.

Sneakers (Male Fashion Trends)...peacock colors all the rage! A nod to Justin Bieber!

I’m sporting my spanking new fashion footwear.

Bright aqua sneakers, of course!

If you watched the Olympics this past week, you probably caught sight of Michael Phelps trotting around poolside in a nifty eye-catching pair in lime green!

Peacock-colored sneakers are all the rage right now for the fashion-conscious male animal.

Just betcha mine were a lot less pricier than those sported by the high-profile Olympic Gold Medalist, though.

After all, I snapped up mine (last pair on the rack, sorry dudes!) at Ross (for less).

Recently, Justin Bieber jumped on the trendy bandwagon recently, too.

When he popped up on the red carpet in red runners it caused quite a stir among fans, the media, and the fashionistas (of course!).

To round out the “look” the confident male may be inclined to slip into white jeans (until September rolls around, at least) and team 'em with a ubiquitous neon-colored “t” (or one etched a myriad of fanciful eye-catching motifs) and – just maybe – “top” off the ultra-hip ensemble with a slouchy hat (or a rakish one that singles out a dude’s personality, folks).

By the way, it’s okay to shop for cast-offs (tee shirts, shorts, jeans) in thrift shops at an  "Out-of-the-Closet" outlet near you.

In tough economic times, it’s a surefire way to save money, and be in style at the same time.

Second-time around shops are also a happy-hunting ground for cool one-of-a-kind wardrobe pieces that make you stand-out in the crowd.

Happy Summer, and wear them in good health, eh?).


     

The Voice...last call for "open auditions" in Los Angeles!

My contacts at NBC have notified me that the last call for "open auditions" for "The Voice" is slated for this weekend at the Los Angeles Convention Centre (August 11th and 12th).

According to the effervescent producers, "The Voice" is the number one new series of the season (hipper in appeal than "American Idol" say the polls) featuring the country's best unknown artists and four of the biggest names in music such as celebrated coaches Adam Levine, Blake Shelton, Cee Lo Green and Christina Aguilera.

The search for stand-out artists is still underway across the Nation.

In fact, talented hopefuls have a shot at the brass ring on the West Coast if they're inclined to register for the dates aforementioned.

Cruise over to the NBC site for a run-down on audition locations and dates:

http://www.nbcthevoice.com/

In a nutshell, NBC Judges are looking for solo artists and duos that perform all types of music such as: pop, rock, R&B, hip-hop, alternative, Latin, country, blues, and indie.

Be prepared to tell "your story" because the producers will be all ears!

And, what you have to reveal about your hopes and hearfelt dreams, just may influence 'em to vote your way!

To audition you must be a legal resident of the United States,15 years of age or older, and meet all other eligibility requirements.

And, of course, you must register for an audition time at the NBC site.

Break a leg, eh?

Anderson Cooper...offered $1 million to masturbate in solo video!

One of the gay gossip rags is reporting that Anderson Cooper (the sly silver fox who just came “out” of his once-obvious closet) has been offered a staggering whopper of-a-deal (wrong choice of words?).

According to my ear-to-the-wall, Treasure Island Media (out to strike gold?) is trying to sweet-talk the CNN host into masturbating on-camera for a cool million smackeroos with the ultimate aim of teasing and entertaining for their mostly “gay” male audience.

In the “porn” biz a project such as this is usually referred to as a “solo” video!

And, Paul Morris – the top suit at the production company – is so serious about the potential of the deal that he’s actually labeling the mind-boggling Cooper venture as a  “career-defining opportunity.

Granted, since Anderson came “out” publicly about his sexuality, there has been a lot of interest in the pint-sized man-about-town.

Is he a top or a bottom?

Inquiring minds pine to know!

I dare say that a graphic video clip of the probing roving reporter jerking off on-camera up-close-and-personal won’t determine that with any certainty.

Personally?

I doubt that Anderson would consider such a deal from a financial standpoint (for starters).
After all, folks in-the-know are keenly aware that the studly reporter’s mother was heiress "mega-bucks" Gloria Vanderbilt.

Coop was born on June 3rd (1967) to Wyatt Emory Cooper and designer Gloria Vanderbilt and his maternal grandparents were Reginald Claypoole Vanderbilt and society dame Gloria Morgan Vanderbilt (heirs to a shipping and railroad fortune).

Early in his career pursuits (in 1995 to be exact) Cooper became a correspondent for ABC News and later a co-anchor on "World News Now" in September of 1999.

The ambitious newsie then jumped ship to host a reality show titled “The Mole”.

After two years, Cooper returned to broadcast news where he took on a post at CNN, and now still thrives relatively well as a high-profile broadcast journalist, except for one or two blunders in recent months that may have cost him some credibility as a serious journalist.

For example, the boyish-looking newsie took a hit recently when he broadcast a commentary on Kim Kardashian's ass.

Signing on for a daily mid-afternoon gab fest (ho-hum) didn't boost his status in the industry, either, for obvious reasons.

If he’s looking to switch careers again, well, the porn offer is on the table, eh?

Bottom line?

The scintillating project just may rustle up a bevy of hot 'n heavy dates (provided Cooper has the meat and potatoes, of course).

Stay posted for updates.

Speedos...Olympics trigger sheer sexy suits poolside for confident macho men!

For a posse of courageous gung-ho dudes with a sexy sense of fashion savvy (and hunky muscular bods to boot) the Olympics have triggered a ballsy approach to swimwear poolside (and on the beach) at the tail-end of summer!

Uh-huh!

The skimpy sheer speedo has made a daring entrance on the beach scene once again.

Yes, the racy suits are ultra slim, boldly colored (no-holds barred!), patterned – bulging at the seams – even.

Not for the shrinking – um - violet (I dare say)!

Whatever floats your boat, guys!

The ladies – not to be left out (or held hostage by the fashion police) – are getting into the hot ‘n heavy paddling, too, by simply tossing their tops!

The eye-candy they’re donning runs the gamut.

Florals, Animal prints. Gauzy see-thru numbers (say it all).

Hot to trot?

You betcha.

Check out this babe below!

Bottoms up, gals!

Cedars Sinai...worst hospital in California? Incompetent unqualified Doctors, Nurses & Staff!

If you reside in the Los Angeles area, chances are you have been a patient at Cedars Sinai Hospital in West Hollywood.

For years, the medical facility was considered to be one of the best hospitals in the country – but unfortunately – the quality of health care and community services has dropped to a new low in recent days.

Some are now saying that Cedars Sinai is the worst hospital in Southern California!

No wonder.

Patients have complained that when they were rushed to emergency, they were forced to languish in the waiting room for hours on end without any personnel tending their medical needs.

In the “old days”, however, that was simply not the case.

Volunteers usually strolled about the waiting room and kept tabs on the patients to ensure they were not overlooked.  But, that professional touch went out the window long ago.

Once inside, patients are often left on a gurney for hours on end in curtained area – unable to go to the bathroom (or even request a juice or glass water) until a staffer happens by – so incompetent are the nurses and doctors at this facility.

Patients have also complained that when they were assigned a room (it was cleaned and ready to “go” within a couple of hours of their arrival) they were forced to wait hours on end in a cold makeshift curtained-off area because the Nurse on duty neglected to file out a report that was necessary to send them on to the comfort of their room upstairs.

Once upstairs, the incompetence and negligence usually continues.

Though Cedars-Sinai used to be an ultra-clean hospital, today it is quite different story.

Patients have stepped on used needles dropped carelessly on the floor by thoughtless nurses for instance.

Even though medical reports may have determined that a patient is low on white cells – and susceptible to infection – beds are often left unchanged for a couple of days and trash is left to build up in the restroom.

Worse than that, patients are often forced to stretch out next to trays laden with half-eaten food and stale drinks next to their beds because housekeeping neglected to do their rounds and a thorough clean-up.

A video of one example is posted below.

Patients have noted that many of the nursing staff – and housekeepers – do not speak English very well, either; consequently, there are a number of communication problems.

It appears that in order to save money, Cedars-Sinai has hired unskilled non-union workers, to the detriment of the overall health and well-being of the patients.

In spite of the fact monitors are meant to inform the nursing staff about any potential dangers in the room (a patient may have stopped breathing, or may be experiencing a heart attack, etc.) Nurses often ignore their signals!

What’s the point of having them if staff are not going to respond with due diligence?

If a patient calls for a “charge nurse” to complain, they usually get the run-around.

On occasion the "superior" acknowledges that the nurse was remiss in their duty (and promises to take disciplinary action) but - sure enough - they turn around and commit the same unprofessional conduct themselves down-the-bumpy road.

And then, there is the issue of medical care.

Parents have been admitted and charged thousands of dollars in medical fees - only to find themselves discharged without any resolution to their ailments.

A trek to another hospital usually establishes that Cedars-Sinai nurses and doctors are guilty of Medical Malpractice.

Bottom line?

Cedars-Sinai is an inferior medical facility run by incompetent unprofessionals who don’t know the first thing about medical care.

Who the Hospital hires says it all in a nutshell, if you ask me.

Tattler readers may recall that I recently posted a report on one doctor at the hospital – Mario Rosenberg (with a dubious reputation) – was brought up on charges of insurance fraud in the past.

‘Nuff said!

Avoid this hospital like the plague.

Pet Peeves...Mexicans who cry foul about benefits they do not receive at home without legal papers!

On a recent news report an anchorman pointed out a dilemma that many Mexicans are facing today when they return home to Mexico to relocate in their home country.

If their children were born in the United States, they are not entitled to receive benefits from the Government in Mexico.

And, apparently, Officials are quite strict when it comes to enforcing the laws of the land.

How ironic!

On this side of the border immigrants (and their advocates) cry foul if they are denied benefits such as welfare, food stamps, and health care in the United States.

But, in their own country they know full well that if they do not have legal papers, they will be denied benefits.

Why can’t the U.S. Government – with all its sophistication and technology – enforce the laws here?

Seems like there is a double-standard to me!

Uh-huh!

One of my pet peeves!