Invisible L.A.

Walt Disney Pictures announced that the movie production of “Hannah Montana: The Movie” is underway. The movie — set to be released in spring of 2009 and filming that is now underway in Los Angeles and Nashville — stars actress-singer Miley Cyrus in her first full-length feature film.

The movie is based on the Disney Channel’s “Hannah Montana,” in which Miley Cyrus stars as a teenager who lives a secret life as a pop star. In the movie, Miley heads back to her old hometown of Crowley Corners to find out what is really important in her life.

The film also features “Hannah Montana” series regulars Emily Osment as Hannah’s best friend Lilly Truscott (”Spy Kids2: Island of Lost Dreams”), Jason Earles as Jackson Stewart (”National Treasure”), Mitchel Musso as Hannah’s friend Oliver Oken (”Secondhand Lions”), Moises Arias as Rico (”Nacho Libre”) and Billy Ray Cyrus as Robby Stewart (”Doc”).

Also starring are Melora Hardin (”The Office,” “Seventeen Again”), Margo Martindale (”The Riches,” “Million Dollar Baby,”), Barry Bostwick (”Spin City”), Peter Gunn (”Ever After”) and Lucas Till (”Walk the Line”) and Vanessa Williams (”Ugly Betty”).

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures/Burbank Jasmine Madatian, Senior Vice President, Publicity 818-560-5610 or Jean Marie Murphy, Unit Publicist, 615-778-0167 ext. 223 murphy_jeanmarie@yahoo.com

Keifer Sutherland Divorce Decree

Kiefer Sutherland is officially divorced. A divorce decree was entered May 16th by a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge. The “24″ actor filed for divorce from his wife Elizabeth Kelly Winn in 2004, citing irreconcilable differences. The couple had been separated and have no children together. Last January, Kiefer had another legal entanglement. Sutherland served 48 days in the Glendale jail for his second DUI conviction and violating probation.

Jack Bauer will be back this Novemeber. Fox announced a two-hour “24″ prequel to the upcoming seventh season will air Nov. 23. The two-hour episode, shot in South Africa, will open the new season of “24″ that starts in January.

LOS ANGELES - Charles Heston movie star and political activist died at Beverly Hills home at the age of 84 Saturday. Charlton Heston won the 1959 best actor Oscar as the chariot-racing “Ben-Hur” and portrayed Moses, Michelangelo, El Cid and other heroic figures in film epics.

Charlton Heston was president of the National Rifle Association from 1998 to 2003. He delivered an historic address concerning 2nd Amendment Rights to Keep and Bear Arms saying “I have only five words for you: From my cold, dead hands.” Heston added: “You are of the same lineage as the farmers who stood at Concord Bridge” at the start of the American Revolution.

Heston starred in classic science fiction films and disaster films between 1968 and 1975 including Planet of the Apes (1968), Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970), Soylent Green (1971), The Omega Man (1973), Earthquake (1974), and Airport (1975).

Charles Heston starred in sucessful western, action and historical films in the 1950s and 1960s.

Heston made a cameo appearance in the 2001 remake of Planet of the Apes. In the film, he plays a chimp who introduces arms to his species by giving a pistol to his son, General Thade.

His last film role was an uncredited appearance as the voice of nobleman in Shrek 2 (2004) .

In 1944, enlisted in the United States Army Air Forces. He served for two years as a B-25 radio operator/gunner stationed in the Alaskan Aleutian Islands with the Eleventh Air Force as a Staff Sergeant.

Dominicana Cigars has officially launched Cigars to the Stars(TM) and their newest addition to their Cigar Catering(R) service featuring on-site Cigar Rollers and Cigar Servers for special events. Cigars to the Stars(TM) events are similar to consumer promotions however, they are catered to the luxury of red carpet celebrity events.

An event for Fox 24 including the producers and the show’s cast enjoyed a Red Carpet event at trendy Les Deux in Hollywood. Cigars were hand rolled for everyone. Another cigars event was rolled out at the Playboy Mansion in last August.

The company prefers to work with high end event planners and is selective in what events they will cater to. CF Dominicana Cigars is introduced to new cigar lovers at every party, wedding, anniversary, red carpet event and celebrity function.

CF Dominicana Cigars
Phone: 888.467.8400
Fax: 917.386.2686
Available Mon - Fri from 10am to 9pm ET, 9 to 6pm PT. Sat/Sun from 10 to 4pm ET, 9 to 2 PT

Ok so the 80th Oscars are to be aired on Sunday, February 24, 2008 from the Kodak Theater in Hollywood, California. Jon Stewart, Comedian and Political Satirist from Comedy Central will be hosting the Oscars this year. Here are my picks of some of the major awards. See if I am right on Sunday Night. I am guessing that I will get at least 3 out of 8 right.

Best Picture
Michael Clayton

Best Director
Joel Coen and Ethan Coen - No Country for Old Men

Best Actor
Johnny Depp - Sweeney Todd

Best Actress
Cate Blanchett - Elizabeth: The Golden Age

Best Supporting Actor
Philip Seymour Hoffman - Charlie Wilson’s War

Best Supporting Actress
Ruby Dee - American Gangster

Best Original Screenplay
Diablo Cody - Juno

Best Adapted Screenplay
Joel Coen and Ethan Coen - No Country for Old Men

So I am off to see the real “Queen of Soul”, Aretha Franklin in concert tonight at the newly built Nokia Center. Which is located across the street from the Staples center where the LA Lakers, Sparks and Kings play their home games at. The Nokia Center now sits on the lot where the Summer X-Games use to be played at.

I am so psyched and ready for this concert. Especially to hear from Aretha and her thoughts on the faux pa that Beyonce did at the Grammys. Beyonce and Tina Turner did a duet and Beyonce referred to Tina Turner as “The Queen”. Tsk, Tsk, Tsk. It now has sounds of some kittens hissing and lionesses roaring in this little tit for tat.

Can I say wow and wow again. OK, ok. So there are many diva’s that are in their own right. But there are only a handfull that actually hold such honorable titles and never to be passed off to other divas. Can I say that Aretha is truely the “Queen of Soul”.

Now if you are wondering if I am dissing Tina. I am soooooooo not. Her sounds are original, classy, soothing and classic. But would see Tina’s music more on the lines of classic rock than soul. So two seperate music genre’s and two different diva’s that hold their own. And never ever can be compared. EVER. Tina the “Diva”(BTW - your still hot looking in your 60’s) and Aretha the true “Queen”.

But the only reason I can go is that I found a place where I am pretty much paying for 2 tickets for 1. The tickets are going for $55 - $85. I was able to get the 2 tickets for about $65 through a program that I am with called Gold Star Events. Which provides discounted tickets to local concerts, plays, events, operas, ballets, comedy shows, sporting events. Even Vegas shows. You can find tix for such events in major cities such as Seattle, New York City, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Fransico, Boston, D.C and Las Vegas. I have used them for a few things already and love it. Many of the tickets I get are anywhere between 10% to 50% off regular ticketed price.

So off I go to get ready. Cause I soooo R - E - S - P - E - C - T ‘ya Aretha. All praises to thee

Today, Tuesday, February 12, 2008, California Govenor, Arnold Schwarzenegger visited the Los Angeles City College Campus located at Vermont and Melrose. Govenor Schwarzeneggar unvieled the grant proposal “Veteransworks” which is under the statewide program Hollywood Work Source and the California Employment Development Department(EDD) The “Veternsworks” program will assist more than 300 veterans in job training activities.

Govenor Schwarsneggar unvieled the program at 9:45 AM. Where only a select few attendees(less than 30 people) met with the California Govenor. And at 12:00 PM there was a News Conference held to discuss and introduce more of the program to the public.

It is being said in the media that the writer’s strike maybe soon over. So that many of the more popular shows may actually end on their regular timeline, which is in May, 2008. So if you are a fan of Grey’s Anatomy, CSI, Lost as well others, may see the finale’s in the annual Television May Sweeps. You know, gotta get them ratings in to bring in more money/revenue from advertising from commercials. Gotta spread, the buck as well as the wealth. Ok so maybe some love.

The Writers Guild of America (WGA) has been on strike since, November 5, 2007. The current strike of the 2007 -2008 season has been going on for 13 weeks and 4 days as of February 8, 2008. And it is estimated that the strike has cost the economy in the ball park figure of $1 Billion dollars to date. There are over 12,000 writers who have joined the strike. And as side note the WGA has contract negotiations every 3 years.

The last writers strike was in 1988. Lasting 21 weeks and 6 days. And costing the economy about $500 million dollars(about $870 million in 2007 money).

Once the strike has been settled, only a few shows will remain. Many of them either cancelled permanently or to be picked up next season. So many disappointments to many of the viewers of many television shows. A handful will be picked up for next season while others have either been axed or doom is looming over. Many of the shows have aired their remaining written shows that were written and filmed prior to the November 5, strike. Here is a list of shows that have a few remaining weeks to be seen before the end of the season.

The writers strike is against, Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), which represents 397 American film and television producers. Some of the most influential companies out of the AMPTP are: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer(MGM), NBC Universal, News Corp/Fox, Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures Entertainment, the Walt Disney Company, and Warner Brothers.

Of course one of the many reasons to the writers strike is the residuals due them from DVD sales. Some of the other reasons due to the strike is union jurisdiction over animation and reality tv show writers. And of course last, but not least compensation from usage of the writers work being used via the internet. Such as through Youtube or other such internet outlets.

The major part of the strike maybe resolved, but with a few strings still needing to be tied up on the smaller issues between the AMPTP and the WGA. So keep your fingers crossed that the WGA can get the 12,000+ writers back to work. And for all of America’s favorite shows to get back on the tube/tv.

As of January 22, 2008 the nominations for the Oscars were annouced. The Oscars have been home to the Kodak Theater which is located at Highland and Vine in Hollywood. Not only are the Oscars broadcasted there, so is the Ameican Idol finals.

The Kodak is a 3,600 seat theater. The Kodak also is centrally located within a shopping mall and movie thearter. It also sits comfortably on top of L.A’s mass transit, the red line subway. One of the subways major stops is the Highland/Vine - Kodak Theater Stop. Prepping the theater is done about a week ahead of the broadcast. So many fans and tourists can watch as the set up begins. Including seeing the full size statueets of Oscars lined along the red carpet walkway of the theater. Yes viewing this Hollywood history is free prior to the broadcast. Or you can attempt to be a spectator on the night of the Oscars in hopes to catch a glimpse of your favorite actor and or actress via the street in front of the theater.

The Oscars have been broadcasted from the theater since 2002. Previously they were broadcasted from the Shrine Auditorium located across from the USC campus on Jefferson and Hoover in Los Angeles. The Oscars were originally at the Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood on May 1, 1929. The Roosevelt Hotel is one block west of the Kodak.

Here are some of the following nominations for certain catergories

Best Picture

Atonement
Juno
Michael Clayton
No Country for Old Men
There Will Be Blood

Best Director

Paul Thomas Anderson - There Will Be Blood
Joel Coen and Ethan Coen - No Country for Old Men
Tony Gilroy - Michael Clayton
Jason Reitman - Juno
Julian Schnabel - The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

Best Actor

George Clooney - Michael Clayton
Daniel Day-Lewis - There Will Be Blood
Johnny Depp - Sweeney Todd
Tommy Lee Jones - In the Valley of Elah
Viggo Mortensen - Eastern Promises

Best Actress

Cate Blanchett - Elizabeth: The Golden Age
Julie Christie - Away from Her
Marion Cotillard - La Vie en Rose (La môme)
Laura Linney - The Savages
Ellen Page - Juno

Best Supporting Actor

Casey Affleck - The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
Javier Bardem - No Country for Old Men
Philip Seymour Hoffman - Charlie Wilson’s War
Hal Holbrook - Into the Wild
Tom Wilkinson - Michael Clayton

Best Supporting Actress

Cate Blanchett - I’m Not There
Ruby Dee - American Gangster
Saoirse Ronan - Atonement
Amy Ryan - Gone Baby Gone
Tilda Swinton - Michael Clayton

Best Original Screenplay

Diablo Cody - Juno
Nancy Oliver - Lars and the Real Girl
Tony Gilroy - Michael Clayton
Brad Bird - Ratatouille
Tamara Jenkins - The Savages

Best Adapted Screenplay

Christopher Hampton - Atonement
Sarah Polley - Away from Her
Ronald Harwood - The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Joel Coen and Ethan Coen - No Country for Old Men
Paul Thomas Anderson - There Will Be Blood

On January 22, 2008(same day the 2008 Oscars were annoucned) the 2005 Oscar nominated Best Actor, Heath Ledger died in his SoHo, New York apartment. Results of his death are unknown pending an autopsy. May are hearts go out to Heath Ledgers family.

Salma Hayek and Vanessa Williams joined the opening celebration of the Sergio Rossi boutique on Melrose Place. The Italian luxury shoes and accessories brand, Sergio Rossi opened its 1,500 sq. ft. store with a dinner at Bastide co-hosted by Sergio Rossi Creative Director Edmundo Castillo and Salma Hayek on January 16, 2008.

Other guests included Mia Maestro, Ana Ortiz, Giannina Facio, Eva Chow, celebrity florist Eric Buterbaugh, and celebrity stylists Elizabeth Stewart and Rachel Zoe. Teri Weinberg of NBC and writer Marc Abrams were also in attendance.

Sergio Rossi at 8424 Melrose Place, West Hollywood. (323) 944-0864. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.