Dwayne Johnson...fans in cold @ FASTER premiere! Seats over-booked by Power 106.1 & CBS Films!

Up front, everything looked pretty kosher at the sneak preview of FASTER last night at the Mann's Chinese Theatre.

A stream of limos pulled up to the curb, lookie-loo's gawked at the celebs who alighted from their plush environs, and a posse of frenized paparazzi snapped away fevisherly at the stars who ran the gaunlet under the glare of the dazzling kleig lights.

Oh, there's nothing like a splashy Hollywood premiere, alright!

For the celebrated elite, that is.

In contrast, the highly-publicized event - which touted an appearance by star Dwayne Johnson - was a lesson in humility for the die-hard fans who turned out in full force to take part in the glitzy festivities.

Although the cast and studio suits made their entrances into the Theatre in grand style - the fans were left to huddle outside on a windy corner (a stone's throw away) in a long queue that snaked all the way down one dark lonley side-street - and then on - behind a run-down old building across from the football field at Hollywood High!

Many of the filmgoers - who initially turned up all gaga and excited about the screening - ended up standing in line for over two hours before they were turned away with crumpled invites in their numb little hands totally pi**ed.

Uh-huh!

Once again, sponsors - this time it was Power 106.1 and CBS Films - overbooked the seats to ensure there would be a noticeably large turn-out on the "WALK OF FAME" - for appearances sake.

How many folks are anxious to catch Johnson's new flick?

In the past, it was evident that Johnson once had a following.

For example - I witnessed excited crowds turned out at a CineVegas Film Festival screening of "Get Smart" - to catch his comic performance in droves.

Post:  06/16/2008

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2008/06/get-smartfans-screen-out-for-rock-at.html

In this tough competitive market?

Don't think so, dudes!

However, there was upside to the fiasco that unfolded last night in the mean streets of Hollywood.

Folks waiting in line behind the El Capitain Theatre were treated to segments of the Jimmy Kimmel Show (which was being taped in the same block on a sound stage which opened at the rear of the building into a spacious parking lot) every time the security guards opened-and-closed the gate.

Curiously, Billy Bov Thornton (a star of FASTER screening across the street) was a guest on the popular talk show last night.

In the final analysis, fans got their monies worth, but in an odd round-about-way!

That's show biz for 'ya!

http://www.thetattler.biz




 

Halle Berry & Mark Wahlberg....stars nearly collide on starry night! Hollywood dazzle!

 

In downtown Hollywood last night the streets were awash - not only with excited fans dress-to-the-nines swarming Mann's movie theatres for coveted seats at a couple of hot-ticket film premieres (at the tail end of a sold-out film festival) - but graced with the dazzling presence of two popular stars pushing their careers and new flicks on the infamous strip.

Pretty Halle Berry was the epitome of style and good taste - when she flirted with the paparazzi in the main foyer of the Roosevelt Hotel - after holding court (where she offered up career tid-bits) in Mann's Chinese Theatre earlier in the evening to a packed house.

"I can't believe I just met Halle Berry," one fan gushed, as she strode past me, and disappeared into the ecstatic crowd of well-wishers who turned out - Hollywood-style - in full force.

Ms. Berry was invited to appear last evening at the historic Hollywood landmark to chat up an insightful host about her outstanding career accomplishments before (and behind) the camera here and abroad.

Berry will soon burst onto the silver screen in her next project - Frankie & Alice - which is a rivetting feature based on the true story of a woman suffering from mulitple personality disorders.

The gifted actress (who produced Frankie & Alice) won the Academy Award for Monster's Ball in 2001.

Meanwhile, rumors were spreading around the "Walk of Fame" that Mark Whalberg would be trotting down the red carpet to attend a "secret" screening of his new flick "The Fighter".

A couple of the local entertainment papers were issuing freebies to catch the drama, with strict orders from the producers not to discuss the details, however.

The theatre staff were forebidden to reveal the name of the project (or who was starring in it) until the guests were firmly ensconced inside the main theatre where security was tight.

Insiders tipped me off earlier in the evening - so I was able to enlighten a couple of folks about the hush-hush preview - so they could get into the rush line with the ultimate aim of catching the screen offering last-minute.

Is the studio a bit jittery about Wahlberg's latest vehicle for some reason?

News at 11!

http://www.thetattler.biz/