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Thursday, October 15, 2009

Rydal-raised Jillian Apfelbaum is among producers of "Black Dynamite," a laugh- and action-packed parody/homage of 1970s blaxploitation films in which a pimp named Black Dynamite must scour the underworld to avenge the death of his brother, who was killed by none other than The Man. The film opens tomorrow. Apfelbaum says that an animated series based on the film is in the works and that there could even be a sequel if the film, which stars Michael Jai White ("Spawn") in the title role, is a success. Comedians Tommy Davidson and Arsenio Hall also appear. Apfelbaum, an Abington Friends High and Barnard College graduate, has her fingers crossed for the film, which was a big hit at Sundance.  Speaking of "Black Dynamite," the film's director, Scott Sanders, is a big fan of Philly DJs Diplo and Sega. Sega attended a preview screening of the film last week at the United Artists Riverview, and Sanders and film star Michael Jai White later hung out with Sega and Diplo at an after-party at P.Y.T at the Piazza at Schmidts.

In other movie news, Northeast native Brooke Lewis is a producer and star of "iMurders," which is just out on DVD through Anchor Bay. The George Washington High and Temple graduate left the area for New York, where she worked for a few years in "Tony and Tina's Wedding," then took off for Los Angeles eight years ago, where she has been working ever since. Lewis says she's back in the city "at least three times a year just for cousins' weddings." Lewis' Philly Chick Pictures produced "iMurders," written and directed by Robbie Bryan, in which she plays a detective. Billy Dee Williams, Charles Durning, William Forsythe and Gabrielle Anwar co-star in the thriller about a social-networking site whose members keep getting killed.

Posted by Dan Gross @ 8:16 AM  Permalink | 6 comments
Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Singer Al Martino, known for hits such as "Here in My Heart," and "Spanish Eyes," and for playing singer Johnny Fontane in "The Godfather," died today at his home in Springfield, Delaware County, his family confirmed tonight.

Martino, who turned 82 on Oct. 7, was born in South Philadelphia as Alfred Cini and enlisted as a teenager in the military to serve in World War II. He had his first blockbuster hit in 1952 with "Here in My Heart," and has worked steadily ever since, continuing to record and perform around the world.

"I have so many wonderful memories of my father I don't even know where to start," said his son Al Cini this evening. He also praised his father's "warmth and great sense of humor," adding that the family was just beginning to talk about arrangements. Martino has two other children, daughters Alison Martino and Alana Cini. He is also survived by his wife Judi and several grandchildren.

"He was the last of the show business legends. There's nobody else. The last of the performers. A magnificent voice," said Jerry Blavat who was shocked when we called him with the news. He dined Monday night with Martino and Judi at Le Virtu (1927 E. Passyunk). "He looked good, I can't believe it,"  said Blavat, who has played Martino's songs for years, including his newest single "Trying to Find My Way Back to You."

Here's a full obituary by Jack Morrison in Wednesday's Daily News.



 

Posted by Dan Gross @ 9:01 PM  Permalink |
Tuesday, October 13, 2009

"I'm 40 now, but my plastic surgeon tells me I look like I'm 30," jokes Jack Mackenroth, a former "Project Runway" contestant who will be in town Sunday taking part in the AIDS Walk. "I've been positive longer than I've been negative," says Mackenroth, who was diagnosed HIV-positive 20 years ago. His appearance is on behalf of Merck's Living Positive by Design HIV-education campaign. "We're trying to fight the stigma of HIV through visibility," he says.

As for "Project Runway," which airs on Lifetime, Mackenroth says he doesn't feel there's a standout this season, unlike Christian Siriano, who won in 2008, the year Mackenroth was on the show. "I think they weeded out most of the clutter. Everyone who's left is fairly talented," says the fashion designer. Mackenroth will speak before, and then walk in, the event. Proceeds will go toward the AIDS Fund, which supports 30 HIV organizations in the Delaware Valley.


Posted by Dan Gross @ 7:57 AM  Permalink | 12 comments
Monday, October 12, 2009

 

Center City raised Kevin Bacon and brother Michael, who perform together as the Bacon Brothers, signed about 200 of their “New Year’s Day” benefit CD/DVDs for fans Saturday at Main Street Music (4444 Main) during the Homegrown Manayunk Fall Festival. The pair raised nearly $4,000 for the Save the Mummers Fund and enjoyed tomato pie from Marchiano’s (4653 Umbria), which donated $200 worth to keep the Bacon fans full and satisfied...Flyers Jeff Carter, Ray Emery, Scott Hartnell, Danny Briere, Riley Cote, Mike Richards, Chris Pronger and James van Riemsdyk sat together in Section 236 of Lincoln Financial Field for the Eagles/Buccaneers game. Carter and Emery bought a round of beers from a vendor and tipped him nearly $50. The Flyers were also happy to sign autographs for kids during the game...Samantha Ronson, DJ and on-again, off-again girlfriend of Lindsay Lohan, and some friends stopped by Zee Bar (100 Spring Garden) late Friday night after spinning at Tavern on Broad (Broad & Walnut)...Bucs linebacker Matt McCoy dined twice Saturday. First he went with teammates Quincy Black and Niko Koutouvides for fried oysters, shrimp cocktail and filet at DelFrisco’s (15th & Chestnut) and later turned up at Davio’s (111 S. 17th) with Eagles lineman Todd Herremans and a few ladies. Both guys were celebrating birthdays and went for steaks. McCoy paid and tipped very generously...Jocks Andre Iguodala, Brent Celek and Stewart Bradley and Fox 29’s John Bolaris were at G Lounge (111 S. 17th) Friday night partying with Wired 96.5’s G-N Kang, and her teammates on the Philadelphia Passion, the Lingerie Football League team...Darren Daulton caught comedian Billy Gardell at Helium (2031 Sansom) Saturday night along with Comcast SportsNet’s Michael Barkann and wife Ellen, who is doing some marketing work with the former Phillies catcher who got a lot of attention from the ladies at the club.

 

Posted by Dan Gross @ 6:56 PM  Permalink | 4 comments
Saturday, October 10, 2009

Berks County baby daddy Jon Gosselin stopped for drinks tonight at Village Whiskey (114 S. 20th) accompanied by a man and a woman and among a few stops showed up later at Parc on Rittenhouse Square where they stayed a while.

Posted by Dan Gross @ 1:33 AM  Permalink | 15 comments
Friday, October 9, 2009

Last night, millions tuned in to see Pam (Jenna Fischer) and Jim (John Krasinski) get married on NBC's "The Office."  The episode, one of the funniest in recent memory, featured a few dresses by Conshohocken based David's Bridal including Pam's gown from the Galina Collection ($399) and her bridesmaids' silver dresses ($145). On a side note, whoever at the show decided that Jim should no longer stare at the camera with that stupid look 12 times per episode, good work.

Posted by Dan Gross @ 5:09 PM  Permalink | 3 comments
Thursday, October 8, 2009

Philly rap legend Schoolly D says he'll contribute original music to director Abel Ferrara's action film "Game of Death," starring Wesley Snipes. Schoolly has worked with Ferrara on a dozen films including "Bad Lieutenant" starring Harvey Keitel. Schoolly performs Monday night at National Mechanics (22 S. 3rd), where he'll play a few old tunes and some tracks from his next album, "International Super Sport Part 1." The free show starts at 9, and DJ's Tat Money and Natev will spin. Schoolly, aka Jesse Weaver, says a few labels are interested in the record, which he recorded in the Glad-wyne home he shares with his wife, fashion stylist Jennifer Ramsay, and their daughter. "I've developed a whole new sound for myself," Schoolly says of the record, which incorporates " '60s horns, tight drums, funk and rock," on top of hip-hop. He also sings on two tracks. In recent years Schoolly has provided a lot of music for shows on the Cartoon Network and Adult Swim.

Posted by Dan Gross @ 8:54 AM  Permalink | Post a comment
Wednesday, October 7, 2009

U.S. Rep. Bob Brady was just honored by the U.S. Capitol Police, for his push to resurface areas near the Capitol entrance in order to keep the paws of police dogs from burning. We told you in June that Brady had volunteered to cover the costs to paint the blacktop white, to reduce the temperature of the ground for them. Last week, Brady got a plaque from the human officers, and as you can see here, a big kiss from one of the canine cops.

Posted by Dan Gross @ 7:06 PM  Permalink | 4 comments
Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Whoopi Goldberg will be at the National Constitution Center tomorrow night to speak about filmmaker Steven Spielberg, who directed her in "A Color Purple." President Clinton, who is also president of the NCC board, will present the 2009 Liberty Medal to Spielberg, a South Jersey native. Musician Richie Havens will close the ceremony by performing his song "Freedom", while Curtis Institute of Music violinist Nikki Chooi will perform the "Schindler's List" theme during the event which honors Spielberg for his humanitarian efforts.

Posted by Dan Gross @ 12:31 PM  Permalink | 4 comments
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
West peering into Big Penny's limousine.

Marlins reliever Sean West had a wild Saturday night, being involved in one fight, nearly provoking another, then getting lucky with a groupie at his hotel. West was leaving G Lounge (111 S. 17th) close to 2 a.m. Sunday morning when he was involved in a bit of pushing and shoving with a few other men. The 6-foot-8 rookie then climbed into a limousine with five women, cleat chasers, who had traveled in from Florida to hang out with the Marlins.

Limo driver Big Penny, says that while driving on Locust Street near 13th, West, 23, heckled a group of men, who then surrounded the car and threatened him, while Big Penny pleaded with the angry crowd not to harm his car, a Cadillac DTS sedan. Penny says one of West’s harem then vomited in the car, traveling up 13th Street, then again on Market Street, causing him to pull over at the Robert N.C. Nix, Sr. Federal Building where Penny says the pitcher nearly passed out.

“This motherf----- was laying on the ledge with his flip-flops on,” Penny says as the girls tried to make their friend feel better.

Penny says West told him that he would pay for any cleaning, since he has a lot of money. When the limo arrived at the Hyatt Regency Penn’s Landing, where the team stayed, West got out of the car with one of the women, and said they were heading to get a towel, but also annoucnced his intent to have sex with his companion, and never returned.

Penny says he called West Sunday morning demanding payment for the clean-up, and West claimed he didn’t know the women. When Penny told him “You told me you were banging the one girl,” West said that he knew her.

A Marlins spokeswoman did not return our detailed request for comment today.

Posted by Dan Gross @ 8:14 PM  Permalink | 22 comments
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