Damme Words: The Filthy Truth

After Dice ended it's 6 episode run on Showtime, I was still hankering for the Andrew Dice Clay fix so I picked up his recent autobiography The Filthy Truth and polished it off in just a few weeks. Co-written by David Ritz, it's not overly long and generally pretty entertaining. Dice came to prominence in the late 80's and early 90's with his vulgar, angry and sex filled opinions on life. The book dives into his childhood and family growing up in New York, being a natural drummer, getting into trouble and honing a showbiz persona that at first was an act where he'd go from goofy Jerry Lewis to slicked back cool guy John Travolta in Grease. Ending up in Los Angeles and crafting his Dice Man character for over 10 years, Clay's comedy would be branded the kind of thing you think but never say. But putting it out there worked wonders for Clay as his albums went Platinum, he was the first comic to sell out Madison Square Garden two nights in a row and was signed to a three picture deal with Fox studios among other achievements.

Along the way, Dice discusses his professional ups and downs, trying to stick to his guns, how his manager father might not have had his son's best interests in mind after the money started coming in, brushes with the mafia and oh so many sex stories, most of them about blowjobs or pleasuring women. Dice mentions the likes of Mickey Rourke and Sylvester Stallone as two 80's allies, even working out with Stallone's long time trainer for years. There's a funny yet ridiculous story about super producer Joel Silver calling Dice in for an emergency meeting in regards to The Adventures of Ford Fairlane and berating the comic for not taking the movie seriously as he was caught eating pizza. Silver would not make a film with a fat star so Dice went on some Hollywood cleanse before filming started.

Of course what goes up, must come down and Dice's career hit the skids after being labeled a misogynist and homophobic while his personal life crumbled with failed marriages and a near death experience. But always the fighter, and what's old is new again, Dice managed to parlay a guest stint on Entourage into a new comedy special, the book, a Woody Allen movie appearance, the Showtime series and working for Martin Scorsese. Keep it coming, Dice Man. Oh!

New Tube: Dice

Remember Andrew Dice Clay? I honestly don't remember him during his rise in the 90's but was a fan of action-comedy starring vehicle The Adventures of Ford Fairlane. The outrageous and inappropriate comic was banned by MTV (wussies) for reciting X-rated nursery rhymes before being branded a homophobic misogynist by middle America yet performed for 100,000 people a week at his height. After a few quieter years, Dice has experienced a steady resurgence after appearances on Celebrity Apprentice, Entourage, Woody Allen's Blue Jasmine, stand up special Indestructible, autobiography The Filthy Truth, Martin Scorsese's Vinyl and his own current Showtime series Dice. All six episodes were released simultaneously on Sho's on-demand platform but thanks to a free year long subscription, I'm watching the show every Sunday night. And you know what? It's pretty funny.

Created by Old School co-writer Scot Armstrong, Dice sees the Diceman living a quiet life in Las Vegas with live in ladyfriend Carmen (Natasha Leggero) as he tries to keep his career going and stave off bankruptcy. He takes long lines of credit from the local casino, in the hole for $100,000 then going on a hot streak and winning $200,000 when he's supposed to be at his lady's brother's homosexual marriage. Character ace Kevin Corrigan plays buddy/assistant/confidant Milkshake and we meet him drinking a cup of gravy. The second episode finds Oscar winner Adrien Brody hilariously shadowing Dice to build his character for an off Broadway show and it's simply fantastic. Brody is a talented actor and pokes fun at the Method Actor dynamic, soaking up all he can from Dice, eating Combo's, interacting with people, trying on fingerless gloves and even wants to watch Dice "do the f*cking". The Vegas setting sets up some fun cameos and scenarios like Chriss Angel mind freaking Dice and a bachelor party on a bus gone wrong. Dice's fading celebrity and past are used for the show, creating an amusing self deprecating humor that at once gives you a glimpse at the human side of the comedian while reminding you why he was famous with bursts of angry, profanity laced observations on modern life. All in an enjoyable 30 minutes that I wish extended beyond six parts.

Summer Cinema: Entourage

Knocked off season 8 of Entourage last week to prep for the big screen adaptation. I didn't realize there were only 8 episodes so it was a quick couple of binge watches. We leave Vince (Adrian Grenier) about to get married in Paris, E (Kevin Connolly) flying off with pregnant on again, off again lover Sloan (Emmanuelle chriqui), Turtle (Jerry Ferrara) becoming a millionaire due to his tequila company, Johnny Drama (Kevin Dillon) about to experience a career resurgence and Ari (Jeremy Piven) giving up his talent agency to save his marriage. Entourage the movie negates all of that. But I wasn't upset about it as the flick is fun, consistently funny and filled with cameos from the likes of actors, athletes and business types.

Directed by Doug Ellin and co-written by Rob Weiss, the film picks up 9 days after the show's finale. We find Vince surrounded by women on a yacht as his marriage to Sophia (an unseen Alice Eve) has come undone and their union will be annulled. E and Sloane couldn't work out their shit, Turtle is just chilling being a millionaire and courting MMA champ Ronda Rousey, Drama's show with Andrew Dice Clay has been canceled and Ari taking control of a studio. His first project? Vincent's directorial debut, Hyde, a big budget, futuristic thriller about a DJ who has Jekyll and Hyde disorder and some supernatural powers. Going over budget and needing more money, Ari deals with Texas magnate Blah (Billy Bob Thornton) and his shithead kid Blah (a bearded Haley Joel Osmont looking a lot like Richard Karn from Home Improvement). Parties, women problems, pregnancy classes, pregnancy and STD scares, buff Ronda Rousey, photo punching, homosexual wedding planning, life on a Hollywood lot and cameos galore ensues.

Like the show, the crew is shown having a good time, possibly facing a career ending catastrophe and ultimately coming out on top. The routine formula somehow doesn't wear out it's welcome in the film as the heightened reality version of Hollywood and taking your big shot still provides laughs, gasps and celebration. Cameos by the likes of Liam Neeson, various models and athletes, Warren Buffett, Jessica Alba and David Spade come fast and furious with most of them playing asshole versions of themselves. Producer and partial inspiration for the series Mark Wahlberg shows up in a funny scene doing his funny gangsta impression while also hocking his nutrition line, upcoming sequel to Ted, water company and A&E television show effortlessly.

The flick moves pretty fast and provides a satisfying end that I'm sure could be destroyed by a sequel. Like all HBO shows, early seasons were known for their sex and nudity but tapered off as the final stretch had nary an exposed breast or buttock. The film makes up for it in spades though with lots of sex and nudity, surprisingly so. After salary negotiations slowed down development, it's said that Piven received $5 million to return (wow he must have a good agent!) while the guys each got around $2 million. Supposedly budgeted at a modest $30 million, Entourage has grossed $18 million since it's release last Wednesday. Looks like audiences weren't clamoring for an extended episode as much as they were for Sex In the City. But if Doug Ellin and crew get the greenlight for another go round, I'll be there to check it out.

Ask Me a Question: The Adventures of Ford Fairlane w/ Andrew Dice Clay

Renny Harlin December keeps on trucking as Thursday night in Los Angeles saw not one but two of his films being screened.  The Arclight in Sherman Oaks had a 35mm print of The Long Kiss Goodnight while The Egyptian in Hollywood had a fantastic looking archival print of The Adventures of Ford Fairlane complete with actor/comedian Andrew Dice Clay, screenwriter Daniel Waters and Fairlane creator Rex Weiner in attendance.  While walking up to The Egyptian, The Dice Man and his crew were outside the side door where his bodyguard stepped into my path, what, do I look like a groupie?  Get outta here!  Actually, I've met Mr. Clay before, a snafu with security at my old job had him waiting in the lobby and not very happy.  I'm sure he remembers it...A solid turnout was inside the theater as I chatted with a new friend, screenwriter and Variety contributor Matthew Chernov.  Know how we met?  Through the power of Jean-Claude Van Damme!  A few trailers played trumpeting upcoming events like the tribute to character actor Dick Miller ("You know your weapons, buddy...") and a restored copy of Monty Python and The Holy Grail.  Programmer and moderator extraordinaire Grant took the stage to introduce one Andrew Dice Clay who nearly went into a bit in his faux tough/funny guy New Jersey persona.

The Adventures of Ford Fairlane, what a crazy fucking movie.  The 20th Century Fox/Joel Silver production plays like a cartoon/comic book 50's detective movie.  After Black Plague singer Bobby Black (Motley Crue-ner Vince Neil) dies on stage, it's up to "Rock and Roll Detective" Ford Fairlane (Dice) to find out what happened.  With a pompadour of hair, leather jacket, a cherry 1957 Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner and an "Elvis meets New Jersey" attitude women love and men admire; Fairlane navigates the glamorous yet seedy world of artists, wannabes, floozies and producers from Malibu to Hollywood.  Old friends get electrocuted, a rich chick hires Fairlane to find a young woman connected to the murder, a crazy hitman/enforcer keeps trying to kill him and his dependable assistant has just about had enough of his shenanigans.  Oh yeah, there's a little kid sidekick and random ass koala bear thrown in as well.  The film breaks the 4th wall in the opening minutes and there's references to real life goings on making it meta before meta.  The script, credited to Daniel Waters, James Cappe and David Arnott makes room for impromptu music performances, exploding houses and cars, bar fights, sorority house fantasies and a car VS hearse chase through a cemetery while Renny Harlin's frenetic directing keeps things moving and Clay's brand of inappropriate, over the top machismo humor still holds up.  It's a very 90's movie, in the best way possible, with the cast, bad haircuts, fashion and freewheeling sensibility.  Lauren Holly, as the attractive yet demure and business minded assistant Jazz is a gem here, her angular haircut and curves made me wonder if Jim Lee had her in mind when he was creating Gen 13.  Tone Loc, Wayne Newton, Priscilla Pressley, Robert Englund, Morris Day, Ed O'Neil and David Patrick Kelly all show in memorable supporting roles.

After the film, our trio of guests took to the front for Q&A to reflect on the film and to hype Clay's book, The Filthy Truth:

- The film's premiere was pulled 2 weeks before it's release amidst death threats and protests to Fox and it's executives.  Dice had never seen it with a crowd before so tonight was like a premiere.
- Daniel Waters is an interesting guy, the writer of Heathers, Fairlane, Hudson Hawk and Demolition Man seems genuinely embarrassed to be discussing the film.  Made me wonder why he showed up if he was just going to be a fun sponge...
- Originally slated for a May 18th release opposite Bird On a Wire and Cadillac Man but pushed to July by Joe Roth.  Waters thinks if they would have come out in May, they would have had a bigger hit instead of "crawling to the 25th anniversary".  His words, not mine.  Luckily, Dice wouldn't let the negativity percolate.
- In the early 90's, Dice was huge, selling out 20,000 seat venues, making $500,000 to a million bucks a show 4 nights a week.  Was vilified as being misogynistic, homophobic, etc.  Says he became friends with Eminem because the rapper was subjected to the exact same attacks.
- Wanted to come off the road 6 months before movie opened but his family and their middle class upbringing just wanted to keep wringing out the cash.
- Eminem did a smart thing by staying off the road and out of headlines before 8 Mile was released, it made its money then he went back out on tour.
- Fox wanted to dump the movie and get past the bad press, Dice alludes to being paid out for an additional 2 films that as history has shown, were never made.
- Waters says his brother dropped out of medical school to become a director in a bid to save the world from Renny Harlin's directing.  Again, I don't know what his fucking problem is.  But I'll give a slight edge to Die Hard 2, Fairlane, Deep Blue Sea and Cliffhanger on Head Over Heels, Freaky Friday, Mean Girls and Ghosts of Girlfriends Past which are fun movies but come on...
- Fairlane's Malibu movie home cost $400,000 to build then was blown up.
- Harlin understood Dice's character so director could direct and actor could act.
- Fairlane dailies got Harlin job of directing Die Hard 2, when Fairlane got pushed back and DH2 moved up, the two opened within one week of each other.
- Joel Silver hates precursor "Rock n' Roll fable" and his own movie Streets of Fire, was supposed to be Bruce Springsteen and Madonna and then bombed.
- Movie is huge in Australia, Hungary and England where everyone asks where the sequel is.
- Dice moved out to Los Angeles to become an actor, instead of taking classes, worked as a stand up comedian every night to learn new things and create his persona.
- Loving the comeback between Entourage, new Showtime special, Woody Allen movie, a new HBO show with Martin Scorsese and book.
- Bonded with Scorsese after telling the director, on stage he "didn't give a fuck" what people thought to which the legendary filmmaker responded, he felt the same way when making a movie.
- Dice wrote his book in all caps with a Sharpie back in the 2000's, original stories were all 30 pages long.
- No negativity in the book, performers have to get used to rejection.

Lots and lots more was talked about but I'm only one man.  Have a happy Friday!

(Pre) Ask Me a Question: Die Hard 2 w/ Steven E. de Souza

What's your favorite Holiday movie?  A Christmas Story? It's a Wonderful Life?  Scrooged?  Nah, I'm talking about action movies set at Christmas time!  Die Hard, Die Hard 2: Die Harder, Lethal Weapon, The Long Kiss Goodnight, I Come In Peace, The Last Boy Scout and Kiss Kiss Bang Bang come to mind; i.e. Joel Silver, Shane Black, Renny Harlin and Richard Donner created their own wonderful sub-genre to celebrate peace on earth, goodwill towards men as well as extreme violence, machine guns, one-liners and explosion filled mayhem.

This December, The Arclight Cinemas is hosting multiple screenings of Holiday set classics dramatic, funny and action packed.  I'll be hosting Die Hard 2: Die Harder with special guest screenwriter Steven E de Souza on hand for Q&A.  Unlike The Van Damme Double Dip, Dolph Night or The Carl Weathers Tribute, The Arclight Presents Die Hard 2 was not curated by Dammaged Goods.  While I did secure the guest, I won't be doing my usual trivia, prizes and custom tee shirt giveaway as the event is only a couple weeks away.  In a strange bit of repertory screening coincidence, DH2 helmer Renny Harlin has 3 films showing in Los Angeles this month.  This Thursday is The Adventures of Ford Fairlane at The Egyptian in Hollywood complete with Andrew Dice Clay and screenwriter Daniel Waters in attendance for a night I wish I had programmed.  The same evening in Sherman Oaks, Harlin's "amnesiac assassin" tale  The Long Kiss Goodnight starring Gena Davis and Samuel L. Jackson is also playing.  Mr. Harlin was cool enough to respond to my invitation to speak at DH2 but awesome/sadly he's shooting a film overseas.  Super buff and intense villain William Sadler lives in New York full time while I'm still working on lining up some additional guests.

Screenwriter Steven E de Souza is a billion dollar man, as in, his films have grossed that much around the globe in a star studded career dating back to the early 80's when he moved to Los Angeles from Philadelphia.  He quickly landed on a game show where he won a car then was able to talk some producers into reading his writing samples which led to a job at Universal.  There he worked on KNIGHT RIDER, writing and producing 20 episodes in the first season.  From there features came a calling and he became a go to guy for scripts combining action, humor and character.  His scripts were picked up by mega stars of the eras: Commando and The Running Man for Arnold Schwarzenegger, Die Hard, it's sequel and Hudson Hawk starring Bruce Willis, Beverly Hills Cop III with Eddie Murphy, Judge Dredd for Sylvester Stallone then two with our guy Jean-Claude Van Damme; Street Fighter, where he also directed, and the crazy nano-bombs and counterfeiters in Hong Kong tale, Knock Off.   de Souza jumped back to television periodically, developing animated sci-fi-action mash up, Cadillacs and Dinosaurs as well as globe trotting action explorer series Adventure, Inc. starring Dammaged Goods Hall of Fame'r Michael Biehn.

The Arclight and Cinerama Dome in Hollywood is a Los Angeles landmark.  The Dome opened in 1963 when back then, it was radical concept that would cost less to construct with a shorter completion timeline than typical theaters.  The large, curved screen was meant to to utilize 3 projectors as well as 70mm print along with it's geodesic design to give films an epic, event quality experience in terms of picture and sound.  By the late 90's, stadium seat multi-plexes were all the rage and The Dome was in danger of being demolished.  It was deemed a historical landmark in 1998 then in 2002 after a 2 year renovation, reopened as part of The Arclight Cinemas Complex under Pacific Theatres.  Since then the Arclight has hosted movie premieres and special events while drawing out actors and filmmakers just wanting to catch a movie.  Every seat is assigned and an employee welcomes you at every screening.  I believe there's a 3 trailer maximum before the film with no other advertisements.  Talking and texting are grounds to be removed and guests are usually not allowed in 5 minutes after start time.  There's a full service cafe, bar, gift shop and coffee bar in the lobby as well as an upstairs bar for 21 and Over screenings where you can imbibe alcohol during the flick.  Die Hard 2 will be one of those 21+ events...