Robert De Niro
Morning Memo: Nude Carla Bruni Rakes in $91K; 'Jack Mack' Attack!
Carla Bruni's nude photo taken by Michel Comte sold for $91,000 at Christie's yesterday. [NY Daily News]
The ex-wives of Jason Kidd, Patrick Ewing, and Eddie Murphy were overheard discussing a "First Wives Club" type reality show over drinks at the Gansevoort Hotel. [P6] read more »
Hotel Reviewer Barred Entry To Robert De Niro's Greenwich Hotel
It seems the control freaks running Robert De Niro's new Greenwich Hotel aren't only cracking down on camera-equipped spectators.
On opening day, management also kicked out a reviewer for the hospitality industry site Hotel Chatter, abruptly canceling her reservation.
And she wasn't even requesting a cheap press rate! To wit:
we had a room booked at the Greenwich Hotel tonight. Juliana was going to stay there. In fact, she was excited to stay there.
However, our credit card was flagged by the hotel, Focker style, and we were informed this weekend that we needed to agree not to publish any images that resulted from our hotel stay. Long story short, the hotel has an embargo on photos with some international publication with a long lead time, how archaic is that?
You Takin' A Picture of Me? Shutterbugs Snubbed At Robert De Niro's New Hotel
Celebrity hotelier Robert De Niro's hugely anticipated and high-priced lodge, the 88-room Greenwich Hotel, officially opens for business today in Tribeca.
And talk about excellence in hospitality!
A Curbed tipster reports from the scene:
there are three staffers outside the hotel, guarding against photographs. OF THE EXTERIOR. I managed to get a few shots, and one through the glass of the lobby, before a nice Asian lady nearly popped a blood vessel and grabbed at my camera. Bobby D, you've done it again, sir. read more »
Tina Fey's Baby Mama to Open Tribeca Film Fest
It'll be a family affair at the Tribeca Film Festival's opening night. Tina Fey and Amy Poehler's comedy Baby Mama will open Tribeca with its world premiere on April 23. "As a film festival with a true commitment to New York City and its film community, what better way to open this year's festival than with a New York production that brings together some of the city's most beloved and creative talent," said festival co-founder Jane Rosenthal, according to the Associated Press. Awww. Ms. Fey, is of course, a former SNL head writer and performer, and Ms. Poehler is a current cast member. SNL creator Lorne Michaels produced the film and it was written and directed by former sketch writer Michael McCullers. After the SNL -tastic opening night, the seventh annual festival will run through May 4.
De Niro, Rosenthal to Chair Beefed Up Tribeca Film Institute
Robert De Niro and Jane Rosenthal will co-chair a bigger and stronger version of the Tribeca Film Institute. TFI is merging with the Rockefeller Foundation's Renew Media to deliver more than $1 million film, media and arts grants annually. The two not-for-profit groups are expected to complete their union by April, setting a goal to create a permanent exhibition space, screening venue and artist workspace in downtown Manhattan, according to the Hollywood Reporter. read more »
Robert De Niro on Obama's 'Inexperience'
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J.—Robert De Niro has shown up to pitch for Barack Obama, just as the rumor had it, here at the Izod Center at the Meadowlands. He's looking sporty in a blue blazer. "Barack Obama does not have the experience to be president of the United States" is his opening line. For one thing: "He wasn't experienced enough to authorize the invasion of Iraq."
"And that's not all,” he went on. “It's clear Barack Obama does not have the experience to let the special interests run the government." read more »
Boutique Hotel Godfather Ian Schrager On His Celebrity Competition
"We didn't make the product -- the product made us," Ian Schrager told The Observer about becoming a famous hotelier.
What does the godfather of boutique hotels think of the latest wave of aspiring celebrity hoteliers, Robert De Niro, Giorgio Armani and Jay-Z?
"I think when people hear Jay-Z's name, they have a certain level of expectation of the kind of music they're going to hear. I don't think they have a lot of expectation about what kind of hotel they're going to get," he said. read more »
Travis Bickle Suite
Balazs, Giorgio Armani and Robert De Niro.
Actor Robert De Niro used to be just another famous guest in the world of swanky hotels.
Now, he’s opening his own posh lodge in downtown Manhattan. read more »
Al Gore Receives Honor at International Emmy Awards
Former Vice President Al Gore called on television executives, producers and performers to help warn viewers about global warming as he accepted a special honor last night at the 35th International Emmy Awards at the Hilton New York. Robert De Niro introduced Gore as this year's recipient of the International Emmy Founders Award for his efforts to promote "our common humanity." read more »
At Atlantic Party, Haves and Have-Nots
Last night at a party for The Atlantic Monthly's 150th anniversary, held on the stage of the NYU student center auditorium, the aging cable-access porn star Robin Byrd was looking around the room. She saw Robert DeNiro, and locked in.
"Hello!" she said, touching his right arm.
"Hi" he replied.
"Hi," she said, curling a smile.
"Hi, hi," he replied, holding his look for an extra second and turned away.
"I guess he recognized me and doesn't wanna talk," Ms. Byrd concluded. "Look at him! He's got a clavicle problem, you know. A clavicle problem."
Mr. DeNiro's left arm and shoulder were in a sling.
"Because his arm is not in a cast, just a sling! He has a clavicle problem, poor guy."
"I don't really know what The Atlantic is," she continued. "Is it something political?" read more »
Mann Replaces Scorsese for Frankie Machine
Four months ago, it looked as though Don Winslow's aging hitman saga, The Winter of Frankie Machine, was going to be the (potentially) perfect coda to the Martin Scorsese/Robert De Niro mobster trio of Mean Streets, Goodfellas and Casino. Alas, it didn't work out.
But, in a semi-inversion of what went down with The Aviator, Michael Mann has now stepped in to replace Martin Scorsese (who was actually never signed in the first place). This is, I think, a more-than-acceptable trade-off.
Before you get too excited, I should note that Mann has only signed to develop Frankie Machine (as it's now being called). And while Brian Kopperman and David Levien seemed an ideal duo to adapt Winslow's tome, their draft is now getting what Variety's Michael Fleming terms a "major overhaul" by Alex Tse (who re-tooled David Hayter's script for Watchmen before getting re-re-tooled himself by Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman).
Cineaste City
245 films; 12 days. Geez. In its sixth year Tribeca is transitioning from downtown booster event, groaning and growing to industry position. read more »
Go, Shorty! It's Your Earth Day
You know the drill: The Prospect Park Audubon Center offers the kids some “interactive exhibits” (let’s hope that doesn’t include that baboon family) with music, crafts and general whoop-de-do. read more »
Sunday, April 22nd
GO, SHORTY, IT'S YOUR EARTH DAY: You know the drill: The Prospect Park Audubon Center offers the kids some “interactive exhibits” (let’s hope that doesn’t include that baboon family) with music, crafts and general read more »
In This Week's Observer...
Martin Scorsese Asking $6.7 M.
Scorsese at home.
Also, Robert De Niro--who's starred in plenty of Mr. Scorsese's films--might still be looking for an uptown place, too. His wife, Grace Hightower, was reportedly checking out the $49 million triplex apartment at 823 Park Ave. read more »
And Philip Seymour Hoffman was seen cruising down Gay Street--checking out a townhouse.
- Michael CalderoneWeinstein Co. Buys Old Miramax Office
When the Weinstein brothers broke ties with Disney last April, there were a few matters that needed to be addressed, including real estate. As part of their settlement agreement, The Weinstein Company recently purchased a 3rd floor office at 375 Greenwich Street for $2.2 million, according to public records.
Conveniently, the 6,930-square-foot office had been home to Miramax for several years. While Harvey and Bob might have to toss out the Mickey Mouse stationary, they can keep their hip, Tribeca digs. The Tribeca Film Center offices and Robert De Niro’s Tribeca Grill are located in the same building.
Now that they’ve avoided being tossed on the street with a cardboard box full of Oscars, the Weinstein brothers can continue gathering billionaire and celebrity investors for their post-Miramax filmmaking venture. read more »
A Weinstein Company spokesperson declined to comment about the purchase.
-Michael CalderoneMike on the Mic
"This has been an exciting twenty-four hours for me. Last night I was introduced by Elizabeth Hurley," said the mayor, who looked tan—either because of the theater lights or all that time spent playing golf in the Caribbean—in a pink shirt and light purple tie. "Today, it's Robert De Niro." He then added with a mischievous grin, that he has to be nice to Mr. De Niro to get "a last-minute reservation at Nobu," which De Niro, in part, owns. read more »
He also quipped that film commissioner Katherine Oliver had "worked [Kofi Annan] over" to let Sydney Pollack shoot The Interpreter at the U.N. "Nobody stands in Katherine Oliver's way," he said. When a reporter asked why it had taken so long to create a festival of TFF's stature, Mike responded, "Well, I wasn't mayor before then. I'm not taking credit. I'm just stating a fact." Bobby D stood there and laughed.
