Sean Penn was almost 20 minutes late for the Beverly Hills screening of his new movie, Milk. Living up to his reputation for not being a huge fan of the press, the Hollywood star arrived at the screening at the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences at the last possible minute, ignoring TV crews. Sean’s young co-star Emile Hirsch seemed to be following in his footsteps – the Speed Racer star spoke to just a handful of reporters before disappearing inside. However, their co-stars Josh Brolin and James Franco were more willing to chat about the movie, which is based on the true life story of Harvey Milk (played by Sean), San Francisco’s first openly gay leader, who was slain 30 years ago. James said making the film had been a thrill. “It was incredible to be able to shoot in the exact places where this history was taking place, it was inspiring just as an actor and a special thing, a unique experience,” he said. The film is generating plenty of Oscar buzz, but director Gus Van Sant was reluctant to talk of possible Academy Award nominations. “I hope there’s such a thing,” was all he’d say. Stars who attended the LA premiere included Winona Ryder, Vanessa Redgrave and Elizabeth Banks. Relatives of Harvey Milk were also at the screening and Sean’s wife Robin Wright Penn was there to support her Oscar-winning hubby.

I’m very bummed at the timing of last night’s premiere. I was invited to attend but was unable to make it because of my flight home to Detroit. In any event, I deffo plan to see this film as soon as I can. Harvey Milk was a pioneer who paved the way for gays and lesbians to be represented in political office. To think that all these years after his death we are still fighting for equal rights for the GLBT community isn’t surprising, it’s just a shame that he can’t be here to join the struggle.

While reminds me, DON’T FORGET that tomorrow is the National Day of Protest Against Marriage Discrimination in all 50 States:

Head over to Join the Impact and find out where YOUR protest rally is being held in your State and find out what YOU can do to Stand Up for Marriage Equality.

[Photo credit: Wireimage; Source]

She may be the most photographed woman in the world. But even Angelina Jolie can fly under the radar. The actress – who recently returned from a humanitarian mission in Afghanistan – made a surprise appearance at Monday night’s Hollywood Film Festival Awards Gala, where she payed tribute to director Clint Eastwood. In fact, Jolie’s appearance was so unexpected, the A-list crowd gasped audibly when she was introduced. The mother-of-six took time out of her busy schedule to present Eastwood – who helmed her most recent move, The Changeling – with the director of the year award. “There are some people in this business that are icons, and we often wonder if, when we meet them, they’ll live up to what we imagine them to be,” she told the audience. “And Clint Eastwood in person is even better. Clint is what every great director should be,” she continued. “He is a great leader. And I certainly would follow him anywhere.” … As he accepted the honor, Eastwood noted, “Working with someone like Angelina Jolie is a great privilege, because you get to look on that gorgeous beauty every day. And she’s a great talent.” The two walked arm-in-arm from the stage. Then Jolie, wearing a floor-sweeping black gown and minimal makeup, slipped out of the event as stealthily as she’d arrived.

It’s unclear if Angelina flew to the States unaccompanied by any of her family members (who were last seen in Germany where daddy Brad Pitt is bizzy working on a new Tarantino film) but my guess is that she’s prolly already back with her family by now. Clint Eastwood wasn’t the only actor who was honored at last night’s gala event … Dustin Hoffman was presented with the Hollywood Career Achievement Award, Josh Brolin was presented with the Hollywood Actor of the Year Award and Kristin Scott Thomas took home the Hollywood Actress of the Year Award. I believe that Ryan Gosling was on hand to present Hoffman with his trophy but I, personally, would be much more excited about having Mr. Gosling doing the presenting rather than the award itself. Christian Bale, Robert Pattinson … the Hollywood Film Festival Gala brought out all the hotties. Sounds like it was a fun event.

[Photo credit: Wireimage, Bauer-Griffin; Source]

Try as he might, I don’t think that Oliver Stone is going to be able to explain away the fact that his portrayal of GWB isn’t tinged with just a touch of his political bias. That being said, I know that there are quite a few skeletons in GWB’s closet that are ripe for the exploiting. GWB has gone on the record about his past substance abuse and I understand that that part of his life features heavily in this new film. I think it’s safe to say that fans of GWB, the man and his administration, might want to take a pass on this film as I don’t really believe it is geared for their entertainment. When it comes to Oliver Stone films, it’s kind of hit or miss for me. Some of his films are amazing, others I didn’t really care for. But I am very intrigued by this one. I know I’ll be making my way out to the theater to see this movie once it opens on Friday. Josh Brolin was superb in the Academy Award winning No Country For Old Men so I’m confident he will deliver another amazing performance. Ellen Burstyn is, IMHO, one of those unsung actresses who deserves more credit than she receives (her performance in Requiem for a Dream is stunning). I’m not sure how many of y’all are looking forward to the release of this film but I deffo am. I’m curious to see what Stone will do with the story of GWB. The tagline for the film is “based on a true story”. I can’t wait to see this truth that Oliver Stone speaks of.

[Photo credit: Splash News]

Actors Josh Brolin and Jeffrey Wright and five others involved in filming the Oliver Stone movie “W” were arrested during a bar fight Saturday morning, police said. Shreveport police Sgt. Willie Lewis said the seven were arrested just after 2 a.m. at the Stray Cat bar. The Times of Shreveport reported that Brolin was booked and posted $334 cash bond to be released. Police did not say Saturday night whether he or the others had been released. The paper said they are part of the crew filming “W,” about President George W. Bush. A call to Brolin’s publicist was not immediately returned Saturday night. “W” began filming in May in Shreveport. Brolin plays President Bush and Wright plays former Secretary of State Colin Powell. The cast also includes Elizabeth Banks as first lady Laura Bush, Ellen Burstyn and James Cromwell as the elder Bushes and Thandie Newton as Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

LOL! I bet it all went down just like it does on TV and in movies … my guess is that a drunken punch was thrown and then a friend of the person assaulted got involved and the next thing you know chairs are being broken over people’s backs and folks are getting slammed onto tables, crashing them to bits. Maybe even a bottle or two got broken over someone’s head. I’m not sure if I’m allowed to disclose this but … a couple of my good friends were planning on joining me for my Chick-Fil-A/Rock Band birthday soiree yesterday and they had to miss it because they had to deal with fallout from Josh Brolin’s arrest (they work for his movie studio). So BOO! to Brolin for keeping a few of my friends away from my fun party :P

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