Cityfeeds.com - Los Angeles

Tokio Lounge to be Transformed into Ecco, 'Hollywood's First Eco-Friendly Lounge'

Fri, 16 May 2008 03:00:08 GMT

The night spot formerly known as Tokio Lounge is undergoing a complete rennovation and being transformed into Ecco. Using natural and environmentally friendly materials and products, Ecco is calling itself "Hollywood's first eco-friendly lounge."

Expected to open in July, the new lounge will feature an organic menu, eco-friendly cement (waste materials added to pack cement), an LED lighting system, waterless urinals and air pressure toilets. Power for the club will be supplied by the LA DWP's Green Power resources.

"Entourage" star Adrian Grenier and crew will be there to document the whole reconstruction. Ecco will be featured on Grenier's new show, Alter-Eco which will air on Discovery Channel's new network, Planet Green.

Owned by longtime promoter Danny B, Ecco will also offer free valet to those of you hitting the town in your hybrids.

Other eco-friendly nightclubs across the country include San Francisco's Temple SF and New York's Greenhouse.

Eating L.A.: Best Fish Taco in Ensenada comes to Hillhurst

Fri, 16 May 2008 02:47:22 GMT

Downtown Los Angeles Business Improvement District

Fri, 16 May 2008 02:15:14 GMT

El Caserio: a trip to Ecuador via Italy

Fri, 16 May 2008 02:01:28 GMT

Silver Lake seems to specialize in restaurants with no signage, like Pho Cafe and Cliff's Edge, or restaurants that can be challenging to find the first time. The new upscale version of longtime Ecuadorian/Italian restaurant El Caserio is also tricky to find, even if you know that it's located in the former insurance company office next to the Hollywood freeway's Silver Lake Blvd. on-ramp. Just

Extra Extra: Get Your Wedding On!

Fri, 16 May 2008 02:00:24 GMT

Photo by Lord Jim via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr

Mayor Villaraigosa is totes down with the gays: the mayor praises today's court ruling and says "he would officiate over as many same-sex weddings as possible." Props to him!!!
The Guvnuh has a blog? Um, sort of... "Zis is not the Austria I remember! I remember a beautiful Austria where tall, tanned, buxom, lederhosen-clad Amazonian maidens would frolick about the countryside, yodeling, clogging, pumping iron and having consensual sexual relations vis blond, muscular men of no relation to zem."
Gordon Ramsey does NOT FUCKING LIKE CUPCAKES. Do you hear him, Los Angeles? "Fuck L.A. and fuck their cupcakes. And while we're at it, fuck New York's cupcakes too."
Why does Google have a problem with Anonymous? "Google has killed the AdSense account of Enturbulation, a site ran by Anonymous, the group that’s got their panties twisted in a knot over Scientology."
Why was a Marine found shot to death today in San Clemente? Officials have not released the identity of the active-duty soldier stationed at Camp Pendleton.
A very light brush fire today up at Griffith Park...oh, and the LAFD has a Twitter account! Brian Humphrey, you so cool!
Finally, closure on the Anthony Pellicano case: homeboy's been found guilty of racketeering and conspiracy: "The jury also delivered guilty verdicts against all four of Pellicano's co-defendants who played various roles in the private eye's sophisticated and illegal schemes to gather personal information on people."

LA's Quintessential Dining Experiences | Serious Eats : Eating Out

Fri, 16 May 2008 01:43:34 GMT

Euro-Trash/Carrion Feeder Hybrids Created Using The DNA of Short Sighted Americans

Fri, 16 May 2008 01:30:11 GMT

The ongoing economic meltdown (caused by the uniquely American combination of self absorbed consumption and delusional self destruction, otherwise known as the "housing boom") has become so convoluted and terrifying that it's starting to feel like science fiction. However, as the LA Times' indispensible LA Land blog makes clear, to make the most sense out of things, we should be boning up on Jonathan Swift, not Heinlein.

That's because even as California's housing economy sinks deeper into the sinkhole, unlikely saviors are stepping in to ~~exploit the hell out of~~ salvage what can be salvaged from the wreck. Ladies and Gentlemen, I bring you the Orwellianly monikered California Distressed Land Fund Ltd.:

The California Distressed Land Fund Ltd., a closed-end fund planned to buy California land... said it will raise $150 million from European investors.
The Jersey, Channel Islands-based fund plans to buy land sold by home developers and banks in California, said founder and manager David Michelson. He expects to eventually buy from an updated version of the Resolution Trust Corp., the Federal agency set up in 1989 to clean up after the U.S.'s savings and loan crisis.

Damn it, aren't there any actual jobs left in America? First manufacturing jobs went to China, then customer service jobs went to southeast Asia. Now even our heartless, greedy speculating jobs are going to the Europeans? Horrors!

U.S. foreclosure filings climbed 65 percent and bank seizures more than doubled in April from a year earlier as rates on adjustable mortgages increased and vacated homes added to a glut of unsold houses, RealtyTrac Inc. said.
More than 243,300 properties, or one in every 519 households, were in some stage of foreclosure, the highest monthly total since RealtyTrac, a seller of default data, began statistics in January 2005. California, Nevada and Florida had the highest rates.

I know, I know - just as those of us who suggested that it might be a bad thing to let the unregulated actions of a very tiny number of people to create the demonstrably false appearance of demand (thus driving up real estate prices to levels so high it required new kinds of math) were told to eat a bowl of dicks*, I'm sure we'll now be told that all the (once obscenely expensive) land being bought at cut rate prices by extranational speculators is just fine and dandy, and won't have any kind of bad effect on the economy. And that a spoonful of suck-on-this-one-commie goes down great with a bowlful of dicks.

Then again, perhaps I'm being bitter. It's not like it's the end of the world, right?

"We're buying at Armageddon prices," Michelson, 57, said in an interview in London Wednesday. "Right now sellers are in panic mode and we're going to buy. We know there will be a time when they want to buy again and that's when we'll sell."

Michelson went on to add that "Lo! An Angel blew the first trumpet and I saw real estate prices the world over collapse, as the moon turned red as blood, and the sky turned black as sackcloth!"

But I digress.

Well, more power to them, I suppose. Still, as Atrios pointed out, the appeal of buying real estate in horrible places like the Inland Empire wasn't based on how wonderful and awesome it is to live there**. Sorry, but it's true. It was based largely on the (let's face it) mythical belief that the real estate speculator craze was never going to end, and property values were just going to keep going up and up and up. In that scenario, the issue isn't whether or not people truly want to live in a particular place (or if living there even makes sense, economically,) it's whether or not people want to own property there just long enough to turn a profit.

I'm fully aware that such places had a small number of true locals who liked living there***, but these days the locals are more than outnumbered by a combination of speculators, just slightly too late to ruin their own city's economy, forced to look elsewhere, and middle-to-working class people forced by said speculators to rent or buy in further and further out in the sticks. As we know, even the worst crack house in LA now requires a yearly income of at least 15 million dollars. And that's just to get a call back.

In either case, there just aren't hundreds of thousands of people who, for the most part, would choose, all things being equal, to live in a hot, economically poor backwater, so far away as to dictate a daily commute several hours long. Nobody starts their decision making process with "I want my monthly gasoline expenses outstrip my insurance bill." It seems to me that as energy prices continue to rise, and the economy continues lock itself in its bedroom, sobbing quietly and listening to way too much Elliott Smith, the benefits of living in such places dwindle to the point that even these vulture-esque speculators are going to find it difficult to turn a profit.

And this doesn't begin to deal with the non speculators turned out of their houses as the economy tanks. So it has that in common with LA's city government****.

Of course, there is a solution - maybe these far flung bed room communities could be redesigned so that they're not just cheap, they're also livable. Perhaps these investors might consider more walk-friendly environs, developed so that one isn't enslaved to the cars that increasingly feel more like albatross necklaces than modern conveniences. Perhaps investment in the American economy beyond sending every job possible overseas, so that people could work near where they live and have a reasonable expectation of supporting themselves, might help.

Given our behavior over the last decade, that's not bloody likely. I expect the IE to start the process of reverse gentrification in 5... 4... 3... 2... 1.

I could be wrong however. Thoughts?

* This expression is due to replace "douchebag" as the most overused (but incredibly useful) put-down, sometime in late 2008.

** No, not horrible because of the people. Some of my favorite people reside in the IE. It's just that it's hot, really hot, incredibly hot, impossible to go anywhere without taking a car, even if you're talking across the street, and did I mention hot enough to give skin cancer to a frying egg, chock full of depressingly wasted land, seemingly designed to speed up the wasting of the world's remaining gasoline, and in case I wasn't clear, really, unbearably hot, even in december.

*** Why? I don't know, because like I said, the IE is unbearably hot. Maybe they like heatstroke

**** Zing!

Our evolving newspapers

Fri, 16 May 2008 01:15:59 GMT

Tidbits from the print world... The Daily News continues to lose journalists to other pursuits. But Councilman Jose Huizar gains a press deputy. Today's newsroom...

Workshop Looks to Sell L.A. on Streetcar

Fri, 16 May 2008 01:09:11 GMT

A modern streetcar in Portland, traveling through the campus of Portland State University. Photo by Eric Richardson.

The concept of a Downtown streetcar isn't new, but the current push is picking up steam in a way past efforts never did. Political will, redevelopment and transportation necessity seem to all be coming together to make the project suddenly seem quite feasible.

Next Thursday, May 22nd, Reconnecting America and the Seaside Institute will be hosting the Los Angeles Streetcar Workshop at the Orpheum Theatre, and we've got a special offer for those looking to attend. The day is designed to help Downtown stakeholders understand what streetcar systems have done for other cities around the country, and what a new system might do for Downtown.

Recently, a delegation from Downtown visited Portland and Seattle to ride their streetcars and get a feel for how those two systems really work. While nothing can replace getting on and off of the streetcar, the Streetcar Workshop will be bringing important figures from both systems development to Downtown so that they can share their experiences.

The day will be broken into five panels, focusing on different issues and stakeholder concerns. The panels are made up of a mix of streetcar experts, city staff and Downtown leaders.

The day is a great chance for those who live Downtown or who are just fans of alternative transportation to come out and show the rest of the city that this project has some real support. The event will be broadcast later on LA36.

If you'd like to attend, but aren't quite sure about showing up, maybe this will sway you... In order to make sure that the Downtown community is able to made it out, the Historic Downtown Community Benefits District has offered blogdowntown readers a number of free admissions to next Thursday's workshop.

To take advantage, send your name and address to streetcar_workshop@blogdowntown.com.

You can be sure you'll be hearing more about the workshop in the days leading up to the event, and plenty more afterward.

Descriptions of the five workshops:

Streetcars 101

"A 2-hour discussion about how streetcar systems shape development, stimulate economic development, increase transit ridership and connectivity, and leverage private investment in high-quality public space. Stories and lessons learned from Seattle & Portland about the affect of streetcar systems on urban development and sustainable living. Overview of political and funding strategies and the outlook for federal funding for streetcars through the FTA’s Small Starts program."

From the Red Car Trolley of Yesteryear to the Modern Streetcar of Tomorrow

"The City of Los Angeles is about to embark on the second phase of a feasibility study for a downtown L.A. streetcar, which has the support of downtown’s major public and private stakeholders. L.A. once had the largest electric trolley system in the U.S., with 6,000 trains running on 144 routes in four counties. A new streetcar system would be modern, efficient, and environmentally friendly – a departure from the tourist trolley, or vintage streetcar of decades past. Hear about the genesis of the current interest in a modern streetcar transportation system for downtown, what’s been done thus far, what the next steps will be and how you can be involved."

“OK, BUT WHAT ABOUT…?” Questions of the morning panelists posed by city & downtown leaders

"City and downtown leaders ask the advice of the national experts about issues relevant to Los Angeles: Topics may include: How will a streetcar system link to other transit options downtown? Why a modern streetcar, instead of a vintage trolley? Why rails, not rubber wheels? Who will ride a streetcar? How would a downtown L.A. streetcar system really get funded? What does that mean for property owners? How can we leverage private investment in affordable housing and high-quality parks and public space? What options exist for federal funding? And more!"

Streetcars 202: Design, Funding & Implementation

"How are streetcars different from light rail? What does a starter system look like and how much does it cost? Choosing the right system, boundaries and alignment. Storage & maintenance requirements. Limiting costs and designing to budget and addressing other infrastructure needs."

Local Case Studies

"Brief case studies will be presented on projects in Pasadena, Santa Ana, San Pedro and Irvine, with a discussion about some outstanding issues with each project."

Meathead's Gay Marriage Statement [Gays]

Fri, 16 May 2008 01:05:38 GMT

This just in—an official statement from Rob Reiner on today's history-making California Supreme Court ruling legalizing gay marriage:

ROB REINER SAME SEX MARRIAGE STATEMENT
"Our nation was founded on the principle that all people are created equal. Today's decision is a huge step toward fulfilling that promise.

"Celebration is certainly called for, but the fight for equality is far from over.
"Court decisions may guarantee equality under the law, but the real struggle is for the tolerance of our fellow Americans.

"This decision by a majority-Republican court signals that it's time to put this kind of discrimination and bigotry behind us.

"Unfortunately, not everyone will hear the court's message. Already, here is a campaign being organized to overturn this decision at the ballot box. Californians must put an end to this sort of cynical and divisive politics once and for all.

"California has led our nation so many times before. I hope that once again we set an example that the nation will follow."

This concludes Meathead's statement on the California gay marriage ruling. Defamer Fun Fact: Rob Reiner is the spitting image of our Uncle Harvey, a dentist from Toronto. We're not even kidding! It's like they were separated at birth!

Previously: We Do! [Defamer]

fighting for what you love, Tooth and Nail

Fri, 16 May 2008 01:03:05 GMT

It’s no secret that things have been a bit quiet around here lately, with my recent retirement from the theatre and the quest for a healthier me I’ve had little inspiration for actually sitting down and typing. I’ve toyed with...

Drink & Surf: Roundup of Bars With Free WiFi

Fri, 16 May 2008 01:00:00 GMT

It's 6:30pm and you wanna hit the last bit of happy hour before it's over, but you still have a ton of emails you need to send out. What's a drink-happy working stiff to do? Or what if you wanted to use your iPhone to look up the next bar on your barhopping itinerary? Or liveblog while tying one on?

Fortunately, we've got plenty of bars in Los Angeles that offer free wireless Internet to their patrons.

So you can break out that laptop and iPhone, check your email and surf the Interweb til you're cross-eyed, all while you enjoy that much deserved apres-work martini.

Word to the not-so wise, though: Cocktails and technology don't really mix. So maybe put away your MacBook as soon as things start getting blurry.

Some bars with WiFi after the jump:

Barney's Beanery
1351 3rd Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 656-5777
NOTE: The Pasadena and West Hollywood locations also have WiFi.

Big Wang's
1562 N Cahuenga Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 469-2449

Bodega Wine Bar
260 E Colorado Boulevard
Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 793-4300

Busby's Restaurant and Bar
3110 Santa Monica Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA 90025
(310) 828-4567

Cabo Cantina
11829 Wilshire Boulevard
Brentwood, CA 90025
(310) 312-5840

Library Bar
630 W 6th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90017
(213) 488-1931
NOTE: LB is working on getting its own connection but currently the free WiFi comes from next door's Wolfgang Puck restaurant. The signal is still strong, though.

Medusa Lounge
3211 Beverly Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90057
(213) 382-5723
NOTE: They say they have WiFi but it's not very strong.

Melrose Bar & Grill
8826 Melrose Avenue
West Hollywood, CA 90069
(310) 278-3684

Mr. T's Bowl
5621 1/2 Figueroa Street
Highland Park, CA 90042
(323) 256-7561

The Pig N Whistle
6714 Hollywood Boulevard
Hollywood, CA 90028
(323) 463-0000

Prince O' Whales
335 Culver Boulevard
Playa del Rey, CA 90293
(310) 823-9826

Q's Billiard Club
11835 Wilshire Boulevard
West Los Angeles, CA 90025
(310) 477-7550

Renee's Courtyard Cafe
522 Wilshire Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 451-9341

Republic Restaurant + Lounge
650 N La Cienega Boulevard
West Hollywood, CA 90069
(310) 360-7070

South
3001 Wilshire Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA 90403
(310) 428-4667

Photo by 2 dogs via Flickr

There’s no shortage of sleazy surprises ... [Buy My Baby]

Fri, 16 May 2008 00:50:00 GMT

There’s no shortage of sleazy surprises in the world of baby picture pimping. Today, TMZ reports that soon-to-be-dad Matthew McConaughey and his model girlfriend Camila Alves have hired an actual agent to auction off photos of their upcoming newborn’s visage to the major glossies. And the “brand agent” in question, Todd Shemarya, has quite a record — he’s the man behind Brangelina’s record-setting deal with People, and Christina Aguilera’s far less pricey cover with the same weekly. As disturbed as we are that such a man exists, we’re more saddened to learn that former nude bongo player and hairy beach hippie McConaughey would cash in on his first kid. We're actually starting to miss the hobo doing push-ups outside a trailer we'd grown accustomed to. Then again, the $1MM that he's reportedly been offered by three separate spawn-obsessed mags can buy a lot of t-shirts. [a href="http://www.tmz.com/2008/05/15/mcconna-spawn-to-bring-in-big-bucks/">TMZ

Dodgers have a good day, but...

Fri, 16 May 2008 00:42:49 GMT

The Dodgers won today in Milwaukee, 7-2, and got home runs from Andruw Jones, Jeff Kent and Gary Bennett (with minor league veteran Luis Maza...

Lori Drew Indicted in Myspace Suicide Hoax

Fri, 16 May 2008 00:40:00 GMT

According to AP, as reported on CNN, Lori Drew was indicted today in the case of the MySpace hoax. Lori Drew and cohorts allegedly set up a fake MySpace profile that romanced and then dumped 13-year old Meghan Meier. These actions are believed to have led to her suicide on October 16, 2006.

Drew was charged with one count of conspiracy and three counts of fraudulently gaining access to someone else's computer. Each count carries a penalty of four to five years in prison, meaning Drew could face up to twenty years. Drew will be arraigned in St. Louis and tried in Los Angeles.

The charge of fraudulently gaining access to someone else's computer has previously been used in cases of computer hacking. This is the first time it has been used in the context of cyber-bullying.

Previously Missouri officials were unable to prosecute because they had been unable to find any statutes that pertained to the case.

Drew's attorney, Jim Briscoe, has not issued a public statement. Drew has repeatedly denied any involvement. A person answering the Drew's door today had no comment.

Tine Meier, Meghan's mother, expressed relief,

"I'm thrilled that this woman is going to face charges that she has needed to face since the day we found out what was going on, and since the day she decided to be a part of this entire ridiculous stunt," she said.
Megan's father, Ron Meier, 38, said he began to cry "tears of joy" when he heard of the indictment. The parents are now separated, which Tina Meier has said stemmed from the circumstances of their daughter's death.

In 2006, Lori Drew of Dardenne, Missouri, allegedly set up a fake profile on MySpace in conjunction with her daughter and family friend Ashley Grills. The profile contained a photograph of a young boy named "Josh" who feigned interest in Meghan Meir. The reported purpose of the profile was to keep tabs on Meier, who Drew believed was harassing her daughter via MySpace. On October 16, 2006, after "Josh" dumped her, Megan's parents found her hanged with a belt in her bedroom closet. Megan, who suffered from depression, died the next morning in the hospital. She had commited suicide.

The case came to the attention of local authorities after Lori Drew filed charges agains the Meiers for destruction of property ( a foosball table) she had stored in the Meier's garage. The Meiers were advised to not speak publicly about the situation until the case had been investigated. A year later, when no charges were filed, the Meiers granted interviews to the press. The tragedy known as the "MySpace Suicide" became national headlines in November 2007.

The case received additional attention last December, after blog was posted by someone purporting to be Lori Drew, called Meghan Had it Coming.

In January, a federal grand jury issued subpoenas in the case.

Last April, Ashley Grills publicly admitted to her part in the MySpace hoax. In her confession, she implicated Lori Drew.

This case has been a wake-up call for parents, encouraging dialogue about the dangers of cyberbullying. Sources cited by WBKO, report up to 40-percent of students have been bullied online.

Salvador Hernandez, assistant agent in charge of the Los Angeles FBI office, called the case heart-rending.
"The Internet is a world unto itself. People must know how far they can go before they must stop. They exploited a young girl's weaknesses," Hernandez said. "Whether the defendant could have foreseen the results, she's responsible for her actions."

The indictment

Will the case hold up?

Some sources cite 5 year penalties

This Day In Hollywood Catfight History Presents: When Bette Bludgeoned Joan [Defamer Golden Era]

Fri, 16 May 2008 00:35:00 GMT

We take a moment now to honor the memory of the two biggest bitches in Hollywood history—that would be Bette Davis and Joan Crawford—whose man-swiping, lesbian-overture-rebuffing, Oscar-campaign-sabotaging exploits provided the behavioral template for generations of shock starlets to come. Today's Daily Mail provides a highly engrossing and detailed account of their lifelong rivalry, its poisonous roots stemming of course over ownership of a man—in this case, actor Franchot Tone. (He might not look like much, but trust us—this guy was totally the Joel Madden of his day.) It all came to a head on the set of the 1962 sleeper thriller that would offer both women not only an unlikely comeback, but all the near-fatal accident-rigging they could handle:

"Davis, the attacker in the movie, was supposed only to simulate violence.But as she raised and swung her right foot, encased in a black anklestrapped shoe, she made contact with Crawford's head, gashing her scalp, which needed three stitches, and causing a lump the size of an egg."

Both women survived the shoot, and Davis would even earn an Oscar nomination—which she'd lose to Anne Bancroft. Crawford would of course go on to live in infamy as the subject of Faye Dunaway's kabuki-inspired turn as the dry-cleaning-averse actress in Mommie Dearest. Davis, meanwhile, would too wind up the subject of an unflattering memoir by one of her children, but eventually be better remembered for her timeless advice on the best way an aspiring starlet could get into Hollywood.

The bitter sexual jealousy that made Bette Davis wage war on Joan Crawford [Daily Mail]

Photo Essay: Family Affair V

Fri, 16 May 2008 00:20:49 GMT

Family Affair celebrated it's one year anniversary on May 3-4 at the rooftop of the Standard Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles. The two day event featured music, art, and fashion, as it raised money for Ocean Revolution and the Green World Campaign. DJ sets by Marquess Wyatt, King Britt, PEX (Lee Mahjahs and Justin Paul), Braden Anderson, Chris Caparro, Rafael De La Cruz, and Pod, made sure that everyone was dancing inside and outside the pool.

There is an image gallery to this entry which you can view at LAist

Remembering Anthony Pellicano: The End is as Good as it Gets [Pellicano Notebook]

Fri, 16 May 2008 00:15:00 GMT

And so it ends: The long local nightmare that was the Anthony Pellicano trial has ended with essentially the same whimpering inertia that marked its duration. Those early reports of Pellicano's convictions have fleshed out in the hours since: guilty as charged on 76 of 77 counts of racketeering, conspiracy, wiretapping, wire fraud and identity theft, yet acquitted of "a single count of unauthorized computer access," according to The New York Times. (His four co-defendants were convicted of racketeering and racketeering conspiracy.) Pellicano will be sentenced Sept. 24.

The LA Times's Carla Hall, meanwhile, has courtroom sketches:

Before the verdicts were read, Pellicano seemed at ease, grinning and scanning the room. But when he realized the jury had found him guilty, he crossed his arms, took his glasses off and looked around with a blank expression. A woman on the jury dabbed her eyes with a tissue.

We cried a little, too, for all the potential laid waste in this clusterfuck of justice: The potential for Anita Busch's comeback after Pellicano's dead-fish threat and wiretaps ended her career. The potential for Busch-destroyer Michael Ovitz to get a shovel in the back of the neck after slithering off the witness stand. The potential for the bottomless filth of Scary Hollywood Lawyer Bert Fields' testimony, which never came. The potential for "Mr. Pellicano," as he was forced to refer to himself as his own counsel, to just say, "Yeah, fuck it. Put me away; let's all go home." Or the potential for us to give half a shit this was even happening, day after drawn-out day, even under the threat of mistrial.

Pellicano is indeed going home — like "federal prison" home, up to 10 years' worth, we hear. He'd be 74 when he got out, with a few years left to enjoy the fruits of keeping his mouth shut: A couple well-scrubbed dollars trickling in now and then from grateful clients to whom he's anything but the footnote the rest of us will know. At the end of the day — especially today — we struggle to care but somehow wish there was more, as if it was all just about to get good.

Alas, the end is as good as it gets, when we can at last peel away the "alleged" and say yeah, the fucker did it. Finally. And good riddance.

[Photo Credit: LAT]

Irksome and Insufferable 2: The Ten Most Annoying Actors

Fri, 16 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Less is more, Shia! Less is more! | Photo courtesy of Paramount

A few weeks ago we ran a story called "Irksome and Insufferable: The Ten Most Annoying Singers". Given that actors are just as capable of being annoying as musicians, I thought it would be worthwhile to throw out 10 names for public review. I avoided the easy ones (Jessica Simpson, Lindsay Lohan, etc.) and tried to cobble together a list of actors who--for whatever reason--are actually considered to be pretty good by the masses. But not by me! In their own ways, each one of these actors makes me anxious whenever I watch them.

Shia LaBeouf - Here's the deal with Shia--he's a decent actor but he just lacks the natural charisma to be the star that he's continually being positioned to be. Because of that--when he gets in a role like he had in Transformers--he goes way over the top to play the hero. He virtually made Transformers unwatchable (well, he and Jon Turturro). Let's hope the same thing doesn't happen in the new Indiana Jones flick.

Angelina Jolie - Again, an actor with talent who chooses terrible roles. Have you seen the trailer for Wanted? Beyond awful. I get that Angelina has an exotic personal life and some exotic ideas about life, but must it all be on constant display when she does a movie? Is she incapable of disappearing into a role? She played the wife of the founder of the C.I.A. in the ficitonalized The Good Shepherd and it was like I was watching fucking Gia.

There is an image gallery to this entry which you can view at LAist

Ben Stiller - There was a time when a new Ben Stiller movie was an event for me. No longer. He's turned into the Jay Leno of feature comedies--a formerly sharp mind who plays to the cheap seats (you'll have to trust me that Leno was once really funny). His Night at the Museum franchise is a disaster of mediocrity. Let's hope Tropic Thunder resurrects some of the edge that Stiller once had.

Drew Barrymore - Probably my least favorite actress. I just can't understand how people think she is a competent actor. I mean, Jennifer Lopez can act rings around Drew and Jennifer Lopez can no longer act! By all accounts, Drew is a very nice person and I think that accounts for a lot of the good will towards her. But she's awful in everything. Just terribly cloying. And isn't being able to speak clearly a critical part of being an actor?

Jack Black - Talk about overplaying a strong hand. Jack was great as a supporting actor (Anchorman) and can be good in narrowly-tailored material (School of Rock). But seeing him in dreck like The Holiday and King Kong proved to me that Jack is no lead. I mean, there was serious unintentional laughter going on in The Holiday. Like Shia, he's not a natural leading man and constantly overcompensates.

Jennifer Aniston - Jennifer Aniston is a subtle, gifted comedian who refuses to play parts that require a subtle comedic touch. It's almost as if she insists on being taken seriously. I don't know about you, but when I saw The Break-Up I was rooting for her character to die. I was rooting for her to die, folks. To be killed by Vince Vaughn's douche of a character. Which I don't think was the intent of the film.

Jessica Alba - Here's a question: how does Jessica Alba get starring, highly-paid roles in feature films? Movies that she top-lines are virtually guaranteed to not only bomb, but be critical disasters. Sure, she's pretty but is that a quality that is in such short supply? In plainest terms, she just...can't...act. Drew Barrymore can act rings around her and Drew Barrymore...well, you know.

Julia Roberts - For me, Julia Roberts is the Holy Grail of Unwatchable Actors. I don't think I've believed a performance of hers since, honestly, Mystic Pizza. It's a shame really, because she's been in movies that would have been very good in her absence. When people joke about Marisa Tomei winning an Oscar, I always chime in that Julia won one, too, for a much worse performance.

Sean Penn - This is a tough one. I think Penn is a very, very good director. As an actor, though, I don't think he even cares anymore. He reminds me of Pacino in the sense that he equates emotion with loud energy. Mystic River was ruined by his false, over-the-rooftop performance. And have any of you seen All the King's Men?. Turn down the volume and sit far from the television.

Will Smith - Question: do pictures exist of Will Smith when he's not laughing loudly? I mean seriously--does he not come across as a complete phony to everyone on the planet? Other than Ali, I haven't seen him in a movie where I wasn't always 100% aware that, "Hey, there's Will Smith up there pretending. Sure, his movies are broad, summer tentpoles but so are Matt Damon's and Damon is a great actor.

Photo Credits:: Julia Roberts - Universal; Will Smith - Warners Brothers; Jennifer Aniston - Universal; Angelina Jolie - Twentieth Century Fox; Ben Stiller - Twentieth Century Fox; Drew Barrymore - Twentieth Century Fox; Jessica Alba - Lionsgate; Sean Penn - Sony; Jack Black - Sony

Majored In Balance, Minored In Agility [To Do]

Thu, 15 May 2008 23:55:00 GMT

While most of you would probably get fired if you were caught drinking on the job, over here at Defamer HQ, it's virtually a pre-requisite! In order to set the right mood for you to watch the Molly McAleer hosted Defamer To Do's for Thursday, May 15th, we need you to follow these four steps:
1) Quickly scope the area around your cube to make sure your boss isn't around — we wouldn't want you to get fired!
2) Pop open that bottle of Two Buck Chuck that we know you've been hiding in the bottom drawer of your desk
3) Pour yourself a tall, refreshing glass of Cab Sav
4) Click play and enjoy!

· The Little Ones and Army Navy are at the Troubador.
· The Little Ones Afterparty at Beauty Bar.
· Mario Lopez Fitness Workout at Barnes and Noble at the Grove.
· The Birthday Boys at UCB.

Harris, Do Whatever You Want. I'm Kind Of On Autopilot These Days. [A Call To The Bullpen]

Thu, 15 May 2008 23:40:00 GMT

boomp3.com

American auteur Woody Allen avoided a lengthy on-set discussion with his D.P. Harris Savides on Tuesday afternoon. Allen just explained to Savides that he could do with whatever he wants with the lighting and framing because, as Allen bluntly put it, he's been on autopilot ever since Deconstructing Harry. According to sources on the scene, Allen said, "It's pretty much the same movie. Well, the same two movies. It's either Crimes & Misdemeanors or young girl/old guy relationship picture. I think this one is an old guy/young woman one, but at this point, I'm not even sure anymore. So, you know, go nuts with the cool lenses and film stock stuff." Then Allen added that he has no confidence in the Knicks' recent hiring of Mike D'Antoni as head coach.

[Photo Credit: Splash Pics]

Echo Park Historical Society

Thu, 15 May 2008 23:37:49 GMT

Soundcheck: The Movies @ Spaceland, 5/9/08

Thu, 15 May 2008 23:30:00 GMT

Part of an ongoing series.

Last Friday, local band The Movies (MySpace) at Spaceland (MySpace) in Silver Lake as part of The Parson Redheads' (MySpace) Owl & Timber EP release show.

It was just last month that The Movies celebrated the release of their LP, Based on a True Story, with a show at Bordello alongside The Happy Hollows (MySpace) and The Savages (MySpace).

As for The Parson Redheads, their next shows are on May 17th at Buffalo Records (MySpace) in Ventura and locally on May 22nd at The Knitting Factory (MySpace) in Hollywood with Radar Bros. (MySpace).

There is an image gallery to this entry which you can view at LAist

Special thanks to The Movies and Spaceland.

Who Will Play Role Of Jessica Simpson's Boyfriend In Papa Joe's Sequel To 'Pimp My Daughter'? [Win A Date With My Daughter]

Thu, 15 May 2008 23:20:00 GMT

At this point in Jessica Simpson’s sad, sad career, it’s become clear that her only chance of making headlines is by sleeping with a new guy, getting dumped by that new guy, or whining over one of the many guys who’ve dumped and/or slept with her. As we learned this week, her most recent conquest — QB Tony Romo, who Jessica called “her future husband” in Glamour’s March issue before admitting that “this article could come out and Tony and I could be broken up” — rid himself of the Game Day Curse just as her ex-fling John Mayer was popping up all over the weeklies swapping spit with Jennifer Aniston and her fembot nips. Naturally, Jessica reacted by drinking herself silly and, we presume, making several late-night calls to her Dadager, Papa Joe, requesting her next romantic PR stunt stat. So the question is: which lucky bachelors will Joe ~~pay off~~ set her up with this time to guarantee continuous coverage of his darling daughter? Our suggestions, after the jump.

Chase Crawford: Very worthy choice. Couple those gay rumors with his preference for blonde beards from the South, and it's a magic match in PR heaven.
Owen Wilson: Also a wise decision, though Joe would break the bank nabbing the Stallion. Also a blonde fan, Wilson is currently on the lookout for a Kate Hudson replacement and, if Jess is lucky, Wilson will relapse weeks into their depressing union, ensuring her distressed mug appears in the press for weeks.

Pete Wentz: Easy access, for sure. Both incestuous and sensational, Joe could always find a baby from whichever celebrity adoption agency delivered Suri Cruise to TomKat, and claim Pete is the father to not one, but both of his toothy princesses.
Sam Ronson: Sam is always available for the part of wingwoman, and the fits Lindsay would cause in the press would go on for months.

[Photo credits: Getty, Wireimage]

JESSICA SIMPSON AND TONY ROMO THROW IN THE TOWEL [NYDN]

TV Junkie: Thursday - Season Finale Night

Thu, 15 May 2008 23:00:55 GMT

We've got (at least) 6 season finales tonight. Speaking of finales of sorts, CNET was bought by CBS for $1.8 billion. In a day where the old school dinosaurs have been shedding their digital assets, it's pretty remarkable that CNET's management pulled off a sale, especially for that amount, for a property that has regressed to not much more than a newsfeed, and product review site. Also, if you remember, CNET actually had original TV programming with "CNET Central" and "The Web" on the Sci Fi Channel and the USA Network. Unfortunately, CNET also gave us "The New Edge" with Ryan Seacrest as host in one of his first ever TV gigs, and for that they should never be forgiven.

8:00pm My Name Is Earl NBC - Season Finale.. 1 Hour Long! Also, Nadine Velasquez aka "Catalina" will be live-blogging at 6:00pm

8:00pm Smallville CW - Season Finale.

9:00pm Grey's Anatomy ABC - Season Finale.

9:00pm The Office NBC - Season Finale. 1 Hour Long!

9:00pm Supernatural CW - Season Finale. Hey, Paul Lieberstein aka "Toby" will be live-blogging tonight starting at 7:00pm, you can go there early and post questions to him. TV Junkie 9:00pm Pick

9:00pm Don't Forget the Lyrics! FOX - An entrepreneur from Los Angeles, of all places, competes.

10:00pm Lost ABC - This is the real deal tonight, I mean, "ER"? No way. Part 1 of a 3 part finale. TV Junkie Pick O' The Night.

10:00pm ER NBC - Season Finale.

12:05am Jimmy Kimmel LIVE ABC - Josh Holloway(dude - Sawyer), Brad Williams, Dierks Bentley performs

12:35am Late Night With Conan O'Brien NBC - MGMT performs!!

Werner Herzog, David Lynch's 'Random Dealmaking' Quotas Filled For '08 [Strictly Business]

Thu, 15 May 2008 23:00:00 GMT

It was cute way back yesterday when we heard that Werner Herzog and Nicolas Cage are remaking Bad Lieutenant for a new generation of prurient cinephile wonks, but the novelty of Herzog's random-ass pairings requires a certain period of recharging to retain maximum effect. Which is perhaps why the potency of his other forthcoming, newly announced collaboration with David Lynch (!) on "a horror-tinged murder drama" doesn't have us positively reeling with anticipation.

But the Lynch/Alejandro Jodorowsky film? With Asia Argento, Marilyn Manson and reportedly "enough sex and violence to guarantee an NC-17 rating"? Fine, Hollywood Reporter, we're listening:

Herzog and his longtime assistant director Herbert Golder co-wrote [My Son, My Son], loosely based on the true story of a San Diego man who acts out a Sophocles play in his mind and kills his mother with a sword. The low-budget feature will flash back and forth from the murder scene to the disturbed man's story. A guerrilla-style digital video shoot on Coronado Island is tentatively set for March. ...

In a separate development, Lynch's Absurda production company has attached Asia Argento and Udo Kier to star with Nick Nolte in Alejandro Jodorowsky's metaphysical gangster movie King Shot. Marilyn Manson is touted to appear as a prophet in the Sin City-style film.

Having essentially gone DIY since his own unwatchable digital epic Inland Empire, Lynch will executive produce both films and handle their sales at Cannes, hitting the Croisette with his cow and selling Herzog impersonations to foreign buyers for $100 apiece. We hear Herzog, meanwhile, had to be forcibly removed from the Kung Fu Panda press conference after pitching a Grizzly Man remake to Jack Black.

Directors team for 'My Son' [THR]

New J.J. Abrams Series 'Fringe' Billed By Fox As 'Felicity With Smoke-People' [Trade Roundup]

Thu, 15 May 2008 22:35:00 GMT

· Fox's fall schedule announcement introduces only two new shows: a comedy called Do Not Disturb (formerly The Inn), and J.J. Abrams's new series Fringe, which will air Tuesdays at 9 after House. Details on Fringe are being kept under close wraps, but based upon a slew of promotional images over at TV Week, we think it revolves around a conspiracy discovered by a quality control technician at a menthol cigarette factory, played by Joshua Jackson. Joss Whedon's Dollhouse, meanwhile, and new animated shows Sit Down, Shut Up and The Cleveland Show won't air until mid-season. Executed: Back to You, Canterbury's Law, K-Ville, Nashville, New Amsterdam, The Next Great American Band, The Return of Jezebel James and Unhitched. [Variety]
· Daniel Day-Lewis may be taking over the role vacated by Javier Bardem in Rob Marshall's movie on the musical Nine. Bla bla milkshake jazz-hands bla bla. [Variety]

· Jason Reitman's next movie will be an adaptation of Walter Kirn's Up in the Air, about a frequent-flyer-mile-accrual-addicted HR worker. [Variety]
· Michael Fassbender, whom you might recall as the guy with a bunch of arrows sticking out of his kickin' abs in 300, will play the role of Heathcliff in John Maybury's Wuthering Heights adaptation. Bet you're sorry for dropping out of the project now, Natalie Portman! What's that? You're perfectly happy with your penis-nosed musician boyfriend? OK, never mind. [THR]
· In an attempt at beefing up their interactive arm, CBS paid $1.8 billion in cash for CNET Networks. Explained Les Moonves, "As we've made the case so many times before, there's no profit to be made online, so we thought we'd dump two billion cash into this doomed, money-losing venture just for shits and giggles." [Variety]

CityBeat Hits New Low with 'Hitler' Reference

Thu, 15 May 2008 22:31:20 GMT

The tag is so offensive that LA CityBeat readers are gasping for breath today, wondering how it even made it past the publisher to the printer, much less the streets. In this week's "Travel Issue"-- in a piece titled, "Oh, the Places You'll Go!" the subhead reads:

"Did you know that Hitler managed to give every German man, woman and child a yearly vacation at either the mountains or the sea?"

But those following the CityBeat drama note that, while this inflammatory anti-Semitic pro-Hitler subhead indicates the publication turned yet another ugly corner, this is another gaffe (albeit the worst) in a steady succession of the bizarre, crude, and tasteless that has become a CityBeat signature, ever since the firing of longtime editor Steve Appleford in March. (To date, CityBeat Publisher Charles Gerenscer and consultant Michael Sigman have not stated their reasons for Appleford’s removal.)

First they brought on former OC Weekly Executive Editor Steve Lowery. He quit in a week, staying only long enough to leave behind his short snappy legacy -- a sophomoric but otherwise unintelligible editorial titled: “Abortion. Yeah.”

Enter Rebecca Schoenkopf, a.k.a. Commie Girl, ex-OC Weekly columnist who quit that publication shortly after it was acquired by New Times Media (amid rumors she was about to be fired) It quickly became apparent that Schoenkopf’s obsession with gratuitous content and sticking her finger in a wall socket equals -- if not exceeds -- Lowery's.

So far Commie Girl has tackled subjects ranging from her vagina, her vagina, her vagina, (“…that’s the kind of feminine, ladylike, womanly, nurturing, vagina-bearing American I am. I can cater the bacon, put it up on a tray. Also, I can menstruate – a little something I’d like to see Russ Stanton try,” wrote Schoenkopf in her first editorial.) Then there was the editorial featuring Schoenkopf peeing in a cup. To go with that, she strung together a series of meaningless sentences for a cover piece that actually sounded like it would work till you read it called, "My Mama The Communist." (On her blog, Commie Girl posts stuff like how she had a dream in which "Hillary Clinton fingerfucked me.”)

Four-year-olds playing with matches? Well, judging from the Letters to the Editor, there is such a thing as too much controversy. Reactions by CityBeat readers have been overwhelmingly negative, outraged, or just dismissive. "If you just read it, it’s really bad, but if you drop a tab of acid and read it ...it’s brilliant,” wrote reader Daniel McVey.

"It's obvious she thinks it's cool, but I think she sounds like a frustrated middle-aged suburban housewife on crack," observed one CityBeat writer. "Gonzo's out, but when it was good, she wasn't it. And now she’s crossed the line to antisemitism, which is beyond the pale and requires an immediate public apology.

“It’s gone from bad to worse over there in such a short time. But even before Commie Girl crossed over into what I feel is blatant racism, my thinking was, okay start giving this paper away with a Woodstock T-shirt and free a bag of weed."

Photo by Aidan McMichael via flickr.

This Weekend: Steady as She Goes

Thu, 15 May 2008 22:27:38 GMT

This weekend there’s plenty going on: Venice Art Walk, Cuban Music Festival and that Cupcake Challenge that I’m doing. In case you still have lots of empty slots on your social calendar, here are the following. Friday, May 16 Planet Funk’s “Additional 50% Off Already Marked Down Items” Sale How does Planet Funk make a sale price [...]

Bill Murray's 'Stupid Country Bumpkin' Look Doesn't Impress Greta Scacchi [Nice Guys Finish First]

Thu, 15 May 2008 22:10:00 GMT

We’ve had a thing for Bill Murray since the first time we saw clips of his pity-me-but-look-at-me skits on SNL right up until his sad lonely guy role in Lost In Translation, when his gray hair and inability to smile deflated our crush ever so slightly. But unlike actress Greta Scacchi, who blabbed to a London paper about the night he innocently asked for her number and was harshly rejected by her and the too-cool group of Eurotrashy friends she rolls with, we’d never resort to the level of cattiness the Italian quasi-star did today:

”He was wearing his stupid farmer's boots, a lumberjack shirt and looking like the country bumpkin from the Midwest that he really always was. And he left, shaking his head, and I never had to see him again.”

How the two came together in the first place, and what might have scared the poor guy away, after the jump:

According to Scacchi, who you may remember only for her many nude roles in The Red Violin and Heat And Dust (and, obvs, her role as the Ice Queen that tantalized Griffin Mill in The Player), she met Murray at a casting meeting for an undisclosed film in which the two are apparently slated to play each other's love interest. And Scacchi claims Murray openly requested her phone number to prove to the rest of the crew that their on-screen heat would be realistic should they play it out off-screen as well. See Hollywood Ethics 101 for why this is perfectly reasonable. In any case, Murray agreed to meet Greta at her apartment where Greta had invited "an eclectic collection of friends...cooking, playing music, dancing, all completely stoned. He just sat on a sofa, out of his depth." Frankly, we don't care how sexy Scacchi used to look, but we're on Team Murray: that scene is far too 70s for our taste, and we'd leave those faux bohos in the pot-scented dust just like he did.

[Photo Credits: Getty Images]

BILL MURRAY IN TOO DEEP AT GRETA SCACCHI'S [London Telegraph]

Art Openings: News, Witkin, East L.A. Punk

Thu, 15 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Thursday

Look at the news in a different light tonight in North Hollywood, as NoHo Gallery presents Art of News II. Photographs, paintings, and sculpture make up this exhibit of works by various broadcasting professionals. - thru June 1st

Opening reception – 6:30-10:30pm
5108 Lankershim Blvd. NoHo
818.761.7784
www.nohogalleryla.com

Saturday

There is so much cool stuff opening this Saturday!

The remarkable artist, Jerome Witkin will be in attendance for the opening of his new exhibit, Revelations in Drawing at Jack Rutberg.

Witkins masterful paintings have been hailed by critics and artists alike. His technical skills compared to the likes of Goya and Lucien Freud. The Smithsonian & the MET both have works of his!

This latest feast of drawings including the 6-foot Vincent and Death depicting Van Gogh meeting his end will most definitely be a very popular show. – thru July 31st

Opening reception – 6-9pm
Jack Rutberg Fine Arts
357 N. LaBrea Ave.
323.938.5222
www.jackrutbergfinearts.com

A few blocks away from the Witkin exhibit, Subliminal Projects is opening New Works by Deedee Cheriel and Louise Bonnet. Incorporating both of their influences of pop culture imagery, graphic design, and punk rock, the artists complement each other well in this group showing. - thru June 13th

Opening reception - 8-11pm
Subliminal Projects
1311 Sunset Blvd.
213.213.0078
www.subliminalprojects.com

Speaking of punk rock, you can work up your anger as you trek out to the 909 for the opening of Vexing: Female Voices From East L.A. Punk at the Claremont Museum of Art.

A celebration of the punk scene precedent in East L.A in the late 70’s, Vexing is a tribute to the “O.G” ladies of the movement. Encompassing years of photos, video, painting, performance and more. Saturday night festivities include performances by Teresa Covarrubias, Angela Vogel, Lysa Flores, and Alice Bag.

Accompanying the Vexing exhibit is artist Zoe Crosher’s presentation of The Reconsidered Archive of Michelle du Bois, documenting a woman before her time and decades before MySpace.

Dubois traveled all over the Pacific Rim in the swingin’ AIDS free 70’s and early 80’s & took picture of herself everywhere. Cataloging a jet-setting lifestyle at the height of the sexual liberation movement. - thru August 31st

Opening reception – 7pm
Claremont Museum of Art
In the Packing House
536 West First St.
Claremont
909.621.3200
www.claremontmuseum.org

Sunday

The Department of Cutural Affairs is proud to present the works of 15 artists who were awarded City of L.A. (C.O.L.A.) Individual Artist Fellowships. Barnsdall Parks Municipal Art Gallery will host the exhibit, and offer a dialogue series, along with scheduled performance art pieces.

Opening reception – 2-5pm
Municipal Art Gallery
4804 Hollywood Blvd.
323.644.6269
www.barnsdallartpark.com

Also beginning Sunday is the awe-inspiring exhibit of Terra Cotta Warriors, coming to the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana. Stay tuned to LAist tomorrow for a more in depth article on this wondrous army!

Photos
Art of News postcard courtesy NoHo Gallery
Vincent and Death by Jerome Witkin courtesy of Jack Rutberg
Vexing Banner & Micelle Dubois photo courtesy of Claremont Museum of Art

Looking for Hawaiian Plate Lunch in L.A. - Los Angeles Area - Chowhound

Thu, 15 May 2008 21:58:31 GMT

Pilates Plus Opens its doors in the Eastern Columbia

Thu, 15 May 2008 21:44:55 GMT

Pilates Plus Downtown L.A. is located in the retail space on the Eastern Columbia garage. Photo by Eric Richardson.

Downtown's first pilates studio featuring machines quietly opened last week in the Eastern Columbia building. The studio space is sleek and modern, with a bit of an industrial edge. The combination makes it the perfect place for Pilates Plus Downtown L.A.'s bootcamp style program.

The Pilates Plus chain has locations throughout L.A., with affiliates in Palm Springs, Dublin and London.

All ten machines at the new Downtown location face an enormous floor to ceiling mirror. It reflects the Orpheum theatre and Broadway Bar across the street, giving the space a distinct urban vibe like no other LA studio.

Pilates Plus is not only catering to loft dwellers. Its schedule is also packed with 30 minute "lunchtime classes" for Downtown workers who want to fit an intense workout in during the day. For those looking to sweat it out a little more, 55 minute classes are available in the mornings and evenings. Co-Owner Judy Hong says their classes will appeal to the person who really wants instant gratification and to feel the burn.

Hong and her friend, Joy Plas, say when they went into business together they looked all over Downtown but fell in love with the Eastern Columbia’s history and the beautiful architecture along Broadway. Hong is happy with the results, “I love this area. Its energy, the diversity... It’s a nice mix of what LA really is.”

Pilates Plus offers several different packages, but if you want to try out the program, a single group class is $39. They are running specials for members until June 1st. More details are available online at .

Pilates Plus Downtown Los Angeles / Eastern Columbia Building / 845 South Broadway / 213-863-4834

A Return To Grazerheads [Homecomings]

Thu, 15 May 2008 21:40:00 GMT

According to a press release in the Defamer inbox, Hollywood superproducing entity and non-recovering idea-addict Brian Grazer will be the recipient of the Mary Pickford Foundation Award at the USC School of Cinematic Arts 2008 graduation tomorrow—an honorarium presented by Disney head Bob Iger, and awarded to "men and women of USC who have made an indelible impact on the entertainment industry." This is obviously exciting news indeed, and we encourage any proud parents in attendance to send along video of the mogul-rich milestone. But were that all, for what lifted this publicist-penned correspondence beyond the realm of the commencement-speech-announcement mundane was a file attachment, accompanied by eight little words that shot a volt of pure ecstasy through our spine: "Have also attached a photo for your use." Oh. My. God. Are they kidding us? Just this once: Grazerhead has come home.

The entire press release is after the jump.

OSCAR WINNING PRODUCER BRIAN GRAZER TO RECEIVE USC PICKFORD AWARD
Disney CEO Robert A. Iger Co-Speaker at May 16 Ceremony

MAY 12, 2008, LOS ANGELES - Brian Grazer, Oscar-, Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning film and television producer and co-founder of Imagine Entertainment, will receive the Mary Pickford Foundation Award at the USC School of Cinematic Arts 2008 commencement ceremony, at which Robert A. Iger, president and CEO of the Walt Disney Company, will serve as co-speaker, Dean Elizabeth M. Daley announced today.

Iger, who will earlier in the day receive an honorary doctorate and appear as the featured speaker at USC's commencement ceremony, will share industry observations with the cinema class. Additionally Iger will present Grazer with the School of Cinematic Arts's Pickford Award, presented to men and women of USC who have made an indelible impact on the entertainment industry. Grazer, a 1974 USC alumnus, will provide his own unique insights gained while producing projects for the big and small screens for nearly 30 years.

States Daley: "Brian has been an indisputable leader in the entertainment community, and a staunch supporter of the School of Cinematic Arts for many years. We are thrilled to honor him with the Pickford Award and to send our latest class off with the wisdom that both he and Bob will impart."

Among the notable films Grazer has produced are Splash, Apollo 13, Backdraft, 8 Mile, Parenthood, The Da Vinci Code, Liar Liar and Cinderella Man. In 2002, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences awarded him and long-time producing partner, Ron Howard, the Best Picture Oscar for A Beautiful Mind. Grazer's television credits include 24, Arrested Development, SportsNight, Felicity and the Emmy-award winning mini-series From the Earth to the Moon.

Iger and Grazer will address the May 16 commencement ceremony, which takes place at the Shrine Auditorium. Grazer is the 14th recipient of the Pickford Award, which is conferred in association with the Mary Pickford Foundation. Past recipients include: Ray Harryhausen, William Fraker, Conrad L. Hall, Alan Ladd, Jr., Michelle Manning, Walter Murch, Jay Roach, Gary Rydstrom, Stacey Sher, John Singleton, David L. Wolper, Laura Ziskin and Robert Zemeckis.