Jack Nicholson’s Joker Costume Is Up For Auction

Earlier today I mentioned that I had the great fortune of seeing the Stanley Kubrick film The Shining on the big screen last night and, as you should be well aware, Jack Nicholson stars in the film as the crazed madman Jack Torrence . Right now we learn that Nicholson ‘s famed purple Joker costume, as featured in the 1989 film Batman , is going to be auctioned off to the highest bidder next month . If you’re a big Batman or Jack Nicholson fan, you might want to save your pennies so that you can try and become the owner of this amazing piece of movie memorabilia: The outfit Jack Nicholson wore to play the villainous Joker in “Batman” is to go under the hammer in a film memorabilia auction. The three-piece suit, created by Saville Row tailor Tommy Nutter for the 1989 comic book movie, is expected to sell as much as $15,000 when it is sold next month. A spokesperson for auction house Bonhams says, “It might be Batman enthusiasts who want the suit, or collectors of Tommy Nutter. There is a crossover of interest.” Nutter became famous for his classic suits, which were also worn by The Beatles on the cover of their “Abbey Road” album. Dude, if I had $15k lying around, I might be interested in buying this suit. Batman was such a huge film when it was released, it really was. I vividly remember going to the just-opened Star Theater in Lincoln Park, MI for a midnight showing of the film on the day it was first released … and I was just blown away. Tim Burton ‘s vision of Batman was so dark, so real … it was truly a phenomenon. These days we take blockbuster movies for granted because they seem to come out almost every other weekend … but in 1989, there was only one major movie … and it was Batman . To be honest, I initially felt that Nicholson was too old to play The Joker in the film but he really won me over with his portrayal. I think it would be cool as hell to own the Joker suit he wore in the film. I know my birthday already passed but … if any of y’all were thinkin’ about gettin’ me a belated gift, I think this would make a good one [ Source ]

Prince Begins Work On His Next Album

Prince may have just released his most recent album 20TEN for free in Europe this month but the purple one is already hard at work on his next batch of songs for release. Prince , a huge fan of Minnesota Public Radio station 89.3 The Current , invited a reporter from the station to his home at Paisley Park to preview not only his latest album 20TEN but a few new songs being worked on for his next album . Prince may have some funny ideas about the Internet but the man has not slowed in his prolificness for releasing new music: “Isn’t the sky beautiful tonight?” asked Prince as he welcomed me warmly into his Paisley Park studio complex in Chanhassen on a warm May evening. Entering the famous sanctuary, I literally had no idea what was in store for me that night … I found myself being shown around by Prince himself, resplendent in white shoes, white pants, white shirt and looking in person 20 years younger than his age of 52. After checking my computer and cell phone at the door, Prince took me into Studio A and sat me in front of the big console and a ton of recording gear. “I’ve finished my next album, but first I want to play you some songs from the next record that I’ve been working on,” he said, as he cued up a gorgeous track with an epic chorus a la “Hey Jude” with Prince working the multi-track mix on the fly. Then he played me “Hot Summer,” the second song that The Current world debuted in June 2010. “I think this one has a B-52′s feel to it,” said Prince, as his ode to our precious short MN summers played loudly on the huge studio monitors. Just like any excited and nervous musician sharing his new music, he bounced around the studio, adjusting the mix and yelling ideas in my ear. The article continues after the jump … Then he switched over to the album he’d been working on the past few months that he said was finished. These are the tracks that have now been released in Europe as 20Ten, a CD that was included with July editions of the UK’s Daily Mirror, Germany’s edition of Rolling Stone, and other papers. While there’s still no US release information available as of today, we expect that it will be in shops later this summer – although don’t look for an iTunes type digital release, in his interviews before the UK Newspaper release, Prince told the world that to him “the internet is completely over.” I can say that when I was listening to the record at Paisley Park and the topic of unconventional release strategies came up and I suggested the Radiohead pay-what-you-want model, Prince shugged it off, saying “Radiohead is the best at that. I want to do something different – something that can get my music in the hands of a million people at once,” – and he wants to get paid, which he accomplished with his Euro newspaper deals on 20Ten … As to questions about spending an evening at Paisley Park with Prince… No – I wasn’t forbidden from looking him in the eye; Yes – the walls are covered with memorabilia and he did quiz me on who was portrayed in a mural of his influences on the wall outside the studio (I failed to recognize Grand Funk Railroad, who knew that would be on his wall along with Sly Stone, Miles, and Jimi?); Yes – Chappelle fans, I did see the basketball hoop, although pancakes were not served; No – we didn’t jam, though I saw his classic ‘symbol’ guitar in the studio; Yes – he is energized and glad to be back making music in Minnesota; No – he didn’t try to convert me to become a Jehovah’s Witness; Yes – he is still burning with passion for music and thinks his best is still to come. He was a gracious and friendly host, and seemed to have fun talking and listening to music. At the Current we’re proud that Prince is a member and supporter, and proud that he listens and we’re helping turn him on to new music. Until 20Ten finds a home in the US, we’re one of the few places you can hear new music from Prince, and we’re excited to hear whatever comes next from our Purple Yoda. Click HERE to read the full interview/article … it contains a song-by-song review of 20TEN that is deff worth reading if you’re a fan of His Purple Majesty. There are so many things that I find infuriating about the way Prince operates but, at the end of the day, the music he puts always tends to overshadow everything else. 20TEN is, IMHO, the best collection of songs that he has put out in years. There are so many great tracks on the disc, I find myself listening to the whole thing at one sitting over and over and over again. There are so many shades on this album of songs that he recorded back in the 80′s … I’m just amazed it’s an album he thought he needed to give away rather than sell. To be honest, whether he charges for it or not, I will always be interested in hearing the music he puts out. I’m glad to hear that Prince is already hard at work on his next collection of songs. I just love his music so much … no matter what dumb stuff comes out of his mouth, it will always be about the music for me. [ Source ]

Rodney ‘Darkchild’ Jerkins Talks New Michael Jackson Music

Music producer Rodney Darkchild Jerkins and musician Ray-J sat down with VLADTV.com to talk about new music that they have been working on together when the conversation moved into Michael Jackson territory. Darkchild opens up about the relationship he shared with MJ and confirms that he is working on releasing an album of unreleased Michael Jackson music: Despite the fact that Darkchild gives NO specifics on when the new music might be released, I wouldn’t be surprised if something came out later this year in time for the Xmas season. After the jump, watch the entire video interview with Jerkins to hear the latest on when we might be hearing new music from the late King of Pop … I know that Sony Music wants to capitalize as best they can with the treasure trove of unreleased MJ music they control … so it will take time for new stuff to come out … but rest assured, it’s coming. Just how soon remains the question. I know that Darkchild has also said he’s been working on new music for Britney Spears (who is rumored to be releasing a new album of her own this year) so the man is bizzy. But MJ music is coming … it’s coming. [ Source ]

Lance Bass Coupling Up With Lorenzo Martone?

On Sunday we got the final official confirmation that the on-again-off-again relationship between fashion designer Marc Jacobs and boyfriend/fiancee/husband/whatever Lorenzo Martone was totally and completely dunzo … and had been for the past 2 months. Today we learn that while Lorenzo is no longer with Marc , that doesn’t mean that he is single … cuz rumor has it that he’s already hooked-up with former * NSync er Lance Bass ! As Lorenzo Martone confirmed on his Twitter account last week, his breakup with fashion magnate Marc Jacobs is so two months ago. What he didn’t tweet is that he’s on the rebound with ’N Sync singer Lance Bass. A source close to the couple tells us Martone and Bass met shortly after Lorenzo started seeing Jacobs in 2008, but the two men’s relationship has only heated up in the weeks since Jacobs and Martone said “Bye Bye Bye.” Based on Martone’s tweet, he and – Jacobs had already called it quits when they attended a June 3 AmFAR benefit together and held hands while watching Cyndi Lauper perform. The two men then headed to the AmFAR afterparty at The Park restaurant in Chelsea, where, interestingly, they hung out for a while with Bass and pop star Ricky Martin. Although it’s unclear whether that night’s encounter between Bass and Martone produced any sparks, the latter’s libido would get him in trouble just a few hours later at a party at Wilhelmina President Sean Patterson’s home. There, Martone became the catalyst for a cringe­worthy scene when a woman at the – gathering caught the brazen Brazilian making out with her boyfriend. Just a few days later, on June 6, our source spotted Martone poolside with Bass at Soho House in NYC. The two men seemed very “flirty.” Since then, another insider says Bass and Martone have rendezvous-ed at Paris Commune in the West Village on “more than one occasion,” where “it’s obvious they’re dating.” Last week, both the singer and Lorenzo also attended Mercedes-Benz Swim Week in Miami. They hung out together at the Quiksilver party at The Standard Hotel, but were careful not to draw attention as a couple. A friend of Bass confirms that the boy-band star and Martone are indeed seeing each other, but says the odds of the relationship lasting are about as long as those for an ’N Sync reunion. “Lorenzo is trying to make it more than it is,” says the friend, who adds that Lance is just “not that interested.” The pal also points out that Bass, 31, prefers to date guys who are “younger and prettier” than the 31-year-old Martone. Ouch. Well, well now … isn’t this interesting. To be honest, I’m neither surprised in the least that Lance and Lorenzo might be doing the nasty together … nor am I surprised that any “relationship” between the two will likely be short-lived. These guys are party boys and do not strike me as the kind of guys who want to settle down with any one person. To be honest, this rumor might actually turn out to be just that … a rumor. But my gut tells me that Lance and Lorenzo are deffo friends with benefits, at least. Might they actually give a lasting romance a chance? I wouldn’t bet on it … but stranger things have happened. [ Source ]

All Work And No Play . . .

Last night Tracey and I made our way to the ArcLight Theater in Hollywood to see a screening of the 1980 Stanley Kubrick film The Shining . Hands down, The Shining is one of my all-time fave films … and is deffo in my Top 5 horror films list. I’ve seen the film many times but never on the big screen … when I found out that a big screen showing was happening last night, I jumped at the chance to get tickets: I was completely blown away … a film with such size and scope as The Shining MUST be seen on the big screen. You really haven’t experienced the film properly if you’ve only seen it on TV. I was shocked how much the booming music and sound changed my perspective of the film in the theater … to say that the effective use of sound adds to the overall effect would be an understatement. The sound and music almost make the film. Despite the fact that I had seen the film many times before, watching it on the big screen last night felt like I was watching it for the first time. I am so glad I got to see it as Kubrick intended the film to be seen. Watching the film with new eyes, I’m convinced that Jack Nicholson ‘s first scene with the phantom bartender Lloyd was used as inspiration for his entire role as The Joker in the 1989 film Batman . The Shining is truly a cinematic masterpiece, I am just so glad I got to see it FINALLY on the big screen. After the jump, check out some fun photos I took last night and meet the Pink reader that I got to meet at the theater last night … We had a really fun night together … Tracey was scared to death, it was win/win all around. After the movie, we ran into Pink reader Pinky who was gracious enough to take a pic with me: It was my great pleasure meeting her … getting to chat with her for a bit was a nice way to end the night. This afternoon, I think we’re headed for the beach. It’s gloomy, cloudy and cool today … perfect beach weather

Les News, 072710

Oksana Grigorieva shows off a bruise she claims she got from Mel Gibson . A chip off the old Brangelina block . Sylvester Stallone says he’s tired of violence in movies . IT BOYS! Party Like It’s the End of the World … with a few famous friends. Tim Tebow will be the new bulge of Jockey Underwear . Ryan Berry looks great in white . Another oil spill ? Wyclef Jean running for president of Haiti ? Batman goes cowboy . Gwyneth Paltrow tries her hand at Country music . Rocket Scientist Elisabeth Hasselbeck thinks that lesbians are lesbians because older women can’t find available men . She & Him do Craig Furguson . Jane Austen ‘s Fight Club Rihanna to make her acting debut … in Battleship : The Movie. J. Lo is a big fan of her booty . Madonna planning a concert in Malawi ? Jonathan Rhys Meyers is 33, Pete Yorn is 36, Maya Rudolph is 38, Julian McMahon ( Charmed , Nip/Tuck ) is 42, Juliana Hatfield is 43, Jerry Van Dyke is 79 and Norman Lear is 88 years old today. Click HERE to see who else is celebrating a birthday today. Eva Longoria to join the cast of The Avengers ? Angelina Jolie joins Twitter . Sci-Fi sand sculptures .

Unreleased Photos Of Michael Jackson For Sale

With the anniversary of Michael Jackson ‘s death quickly approaching (just 2 days away) there is a lot of MJ talk going around … including news of an upcoming auction scheduled for later this year where unreleased photos of MJ shot by French photographer Arno Bani will go on the auction block . The photos were originally snapped to promote MJ ‘s album Invincible but were apparently never released … and now they are up for sale: Early December 2010, Pierre Bergé & Associés will organize an exceptional auction of Michael Jackson’s unpublished portraits. These photographs of the pop king are the result of an extraordinary adventure lived by a young French photographer, Arno Bani, to whom the star exceptionally entrusted his image. Arno Bani, entirely free in the production of this session, created 4 different artistic scénarii and chose the greatest fashion professionals to work with him: Yves Saint Laurent, François Lesage, Topolino, Seb Bascle, Frédérique Lorca and Maïda, etc. During this sale, 12 unique and never disclosed portraits, numbered 1 of 1, as well as the contact boards of this photography session, among which those selected by Michael Jackson himself, will be presented for auction. This auction, organized by Pierre Bergé & Associés, will undoubtedly give rise to considerable interest among the collectors but also the fans of the pop star. The catalog of this sale will be available from October in co-edition with Editions du Chêne – Hachette Group, and distributed internationally. Furthermore, a luxury box including a photograph from this session will be proposed in limited edition. I mean … this photo, which is among the photos up for sale, is kinda cool but not really all that inventive. It is kinda neat to see MJ in a bit of a different light but I can’t say that I see the appeal of spending gads of money to own these original photographs. That being said, I’ve been known to spend far too much money on collectibles that I adore and others might have no interest in … so far be it for me to besmirch someone else’s desire to own exclusive one-of-a-kind collectibles. I doubt any of y’all will be participating in the auction to own these photos but what is your opinion of this photo over all? [ Source ]

Sarah Michelle Gellar Steps Out With Charlotte Grace

It’s been a few months since we’ve seen new mom Sarah Michelle Gellar out and about with her baby girl Charlotte Grace but today we get to see a couple of absolutely adorable photos of mother and daughter out for lunch here in SoCal this week . When last we saw Charlotte Grace , she was still a wee little thing getting pushed around in her stroller … but in these new photos, we see that she has grown into such a big girl already: Sarah Michelle Gellar took her beautiful baby, Charlotte Prinze, out for lunch in Los Angeles yesterday. The Buffy star, who was dressed casually in black leggings, a cardigan and sneakers was joined by her mother. Looking slim and fit it’s hard to believe Gellar gave birth just nine months ago. Charlotte is the first child for the 33-year-old actress and her husband Freddie Prinze Jr. Earlier this year Prinze told U.S. talk show host George Lopez that the couple are still adjusting to parenthood. ‘I just tried to work the car seat,’ he said. ‘You gotta, like, adjust the seatbelts. Adjusting the seatbelt is so much more complicated than my brain can handle.’ Prinze and Gellar met during the filming of the 1997 teen horror film, I Know What You Did Last Summer, but did not actually begin dating until 2000. Wow … has it been 9 months already since Charlotte Grace was born? WTF?! It’s just … insane. But OY! has she grown into such a cute little girl. She looks so precious … I absolutely love that Buffy SMG is a mom. These pics are to die … LOVE them. [ Source ]

Michael Jackson’s Tacky Furniture Goes On The Auction Block

Have you ever wished that you could own a piece of furniture that once touched the butt of the late Michael Jackson ? Well … here’s your chance. A collection of Michael Jackson ’s furniture is about to go for sale at auction … here are but a few pieces that could be YOURS if the price is right: he 22 pieces of custom-made furniture Michael Jackson commissioned for his London home are going on the auction block. Darren Julien of Julien’s Auctions says a gilded red velvet sofa that seats nine, a leopard-print chair trimmed with ostrich feathers and a pair of velvet armchairs embroidered with gold eagles are among the offerings. Jackson intended to use the furnishings during his “This Is It” comeback concert run in London. Fans can visit a re-creation of the home at Las Vegas’ Planet Hollywood casino from June 14 to June 25 before the items are sold at auction. A portion of the proceeds will benefit two charities: MusiCares, which provides health care and other services for struggling musicians, and Joshua’s Heart, which aims to end world hunger. Ugh, this crap looks like a Bobby Trendy fire sale. Look, even the staunchest fans of Michael Jackson have to realize that his taste in furniture and home decorating was dubious at best (and downright tacky at worst). But … I can understand how someone might want to own a piece of MJ ’s world. So … if you are interested in owning one of these furniture pieces, I’d save your pennies … I’m guessing that Christian Audigier is gonna make a play for as much of this stuff as possible. Good luck! [Photo credit: Splash News ; Source ]

Joe Jonas & Some Friends Go Shopping

Joe Jonas , the middle and most stylish of the Jonas Brothers , ventured out to The Grove here in LA yesterday to do a bit of shopping with some fabulous friends … behold: Homeboys have got it going ON ! While each of these young men is dressed to perfection I have to say that the prize goes to Joe for being the fiercest of the bunch. The glasses, the jacket, the white watch … you betta work it, beyotch! No word on what the boys bought on this shopping excursion but you know it had to be something fab-u-lous. [Photo credit: Splash News ]

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