The Pitts

Well, this is kinda sad news...

One of Hollywood's highest profile marriages is over. Angelina Jolie has filed for divorce from husband Brad Pitt, citing irreconcilable differences. 

According to the court documents, the pair separated on September 15, two years and one month after they married in August 2014.

While Pitt and Jolie married in 2014 their relationship became the subject of speculation in 2004, when they co-starred in "Mr. & Mrs. Smith." At the time, Pitt was married to actress Jennifer Aniston. In January 2005, Pitt and Aniston announced they were splitting and Aniston filed for divorce a few months later.

I thought they usually seemed happy and certainly did a lot of good, not only with their family, but with the various causes they both supported over the years.

However, there are reports that Brad has had an ongoing weed and alcohol issue, so apparently Angelina had become concerned for her kids (she's seeking full custody and wanting him to just be granted visitation rights...so that does say something).

I know there are two sides to every story, so we'll probably never really know what happened between Brad-Jennifer-Angelina.

But, I'm betting that when Jennifer Aniston heard the news, she was all...

The Pitts

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt managed to get secretly married this past weekend….

After nine years together, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have finally gotten married. While their union was one of the most-anticipated in Hollywood history, the A-list couple managed to get hitched secretly in the France hamlet of Correns on Saturday.

They tied the knot at Chateau Miraval in a private nondenominational civil ceremony at a small chapel attended by family and friends, the rep told the AP. Ahead of their nuptials Pitt and Jolie, 39, obtained a marriage license from a local California judge, who also officiated their ceremony in France. 

The couple's six children also chipped in at the nuptials. The "Maleficent" star was walked down the aisle by eldest sons Maddox, 13, and Pax, 10. Daughters Zahara, 9, and Vivienne, 6, threw petals while Shiloh, 8, and Knox, 6, served as ring bearers, the spokesman said.

It's always nice when unattractive people find each other, fall in love, and eventually get married.

There is still hope for the rest of us.

They're gonna need a sitter

The Academy Awards nominations were announced today and Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie each got one (he for "Curious Case of Benjamin Button" and she for "The Changeling"). I really liked both of their films and performaces, so that should be an exciting and hectic night at the Pitt-Jolie household (I need the mascara now....NO, I need the mascara now").



I had only one "she better get nominated" person who I was hoping didn't get overlooked...Taraji P. Henson (she played Brad Pitt's mother in "Benjamin Button"). Thankfully, she wasn't dissed...so I am very excited about her nomination!

Every once in a while, the academy gets it right.



It's also nice that Meryl Streep got nominated for "Doubt" (I have to see that soon!). This is her 15th nomination, which is a record for any performer. She's always so good in any role...it's almost wrong when she doesn't get nominated.

I'm glad that the academy got "Milk" (4 nominations). You just never know how the kids are going to swing for voting with gay-themed films.

Other nominations that are well-deserved are comeback kings Mickey Rourke and Robert Downey Jr., everything for "Benjamin Button" (13 Nominations) and "Slumdog Millionaire" (10 Nominations), Sean Penn, Josh Brolin, Amy Adams, Phillip Seymore Hoffman, and Viola Davis (all three nominated for "Doubt"), Heath Ledger, Marisa Tomei (who was really good and quite naked in "The Wrestler), and Anne Hathaway.

Let the gown shopping begin!

Fern Gully

If you've never seen Zach Galifianakis' web-series, Between Two Ferns…you should. It's one of the most awkwardly hilarious interview shows you'll ever watch.

The latest episode focuses on his interview with Brad Pitt.

I don't know how the guests can keep a straight face during these interviews.

Entertaining.

James Gandolfini and Slim Whitman

Some very surprising and sad news yesterday...

James Gandolfini, best known for his role as an anxiety-ridden mob boss on HBO's "The Sopranos," died Wednesday while on vacation in Italy. He was 51.

Gandolfini's acting credits included roles in "The Last Castle" with Robert Redford, "The Mexican" with Brad Pitt and Julia Roberts, and "Surviving Christmas" with Ben Affleck. In recent years, he had starred in several movies, including the Oscar-nominated "Zero Dark Thirty," "The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3" and "Killing Them Softly."

He will certainly be remembered for his iconic role on The Sopranos. You definitely did not want to mess with that character.

Also, another passing yesterday...



Slim Whitman, the high-pitched yodeling county music singer whose productive career spanned decades, died Wednesday, his son-in-law told CNN. He was 90. 

Whitman gained fame in Europe as well as the United States. "Love Song of the Waterfall," which a Country Music Television biography calls his "breakthrough" hit, was released in the early '50s. His next single "Indian Love Call" brought him stardom, according to the bio. 

His music was featured in the 1996 film "Mars Attacks!" In the film, the sound of Whitman's "Indian Love Call" made the heads of invading Martians explode.

I will always remember his song "Una Paloma Blanca" because it was featured prominently on his endlessly running late-night commercial for one of his albums in the 80's. You know the ones...they seem to run every commercial break after midnight.

Una Paloma blanca...ahh...Ahhhhhhhh!

That yodel is always in my mind somewhere...and always makes me laugh.

They will both be missed.

8

There was a benefit reading of the play 8 in Los Angeles this weekend and it was streamed live on YouTube. I watched it and it was really good!

The reading—whose all-star cast included George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Martin Sheen, Christine Lahti and Jamie Lee Curtis and was directed by Rob Reiner—raised more than $2 million to further the cause of securing full marriage equality at the federal level, more than double what it raised at its Sept. 19 New York premier.



Black’s play, which might more accurately be described as a docu-drama, is based on the actual transcripts of the closing arguments in the federal lawsuit, which ultimately overturned Proposition 8, the California initiative that stripped gays and lesbians of their state constitutional right to marry.

The performances were really good (especially George Clooney, Christine Lahti, Martin Sheen, and John C. Reilly) and it definitely keeps your attention throughout.

If you'd like to see it, clear a couple hours out one afternoon/evening, get a tasty beverage, and enlarge the video screen and enjoy (some of you kids can probably figure out how to get it to play on your TV from YouTube). The "Prop 8" commercials you'll see are part of the show...



It really makes for a nice free night at the Theater!

Ladies in waiting

The first cast photo for Ocean's 8 was released today....

“In Summer 2018, the tide will turn as (left to right) Debbie Ocean (Sandra Bullock) attempts to pull off the heist of the century at New York City’s star-studded annual Met Gala. Her first stop is to assemble the perfect crew: Lou (Cate Blanchett); Nine Ball (Rihanna); Amita (Mindy Kaling); Constance (Awkwafina); Rose (Helena Bonham Carter); Daphne Kluger (Anne Hathaway); and Tammy (Sarah Paulson).” 

I enjoyed the previous Ocean movies (with George Clooney, Matt Damon, and Brad Pitt) and really like all of the actresses in this new version.

Exciting!

Ocean’s 8 will be released on June 8, 2018.

J&J

Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux got engaged over the weekend...

Justin Theroux popped the question Friday and the actress, 43, happily accepted. Fans of the duo shouldn't be surprised – it's been a fabulous 15 months for Aniston and Theroux, 41, who first met while filming Wanderlust in May 2011. 

It was rumored that Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie were going to get married over the weekend as well (but they didn't).

I wonder if Justin was hoping to steal a little of their thunder if they had.

One never knows...does one?

Academy Awards

I actually have early commerical photos that look frighteningly similar to this image...

We had our usual Academy Awards gathering last night and there were several nice moments, like Sean Penn winning Best Actor, along the way (like these hilarious framed images that my friends Joel and Sheldon suprised a few of us with during the red carpet pre-show).

I thought Hugh Jackman did a suprisingly good job hosting the show and really enjoyed his opening number.

Who knew Wolverine could sing that well?



As you can see, Oscar was very suprised that Meryl Streep didn't win for Best Actress. However, she was her usual gracious self and really looked beautiful in her elegant gown.

She's a classy lady, that one.



Joel enjoyed Ben Stiller's Joaquin Phonenix impression at the podium. We're all hoping that Joaquin is just being a lunatic these days as a publicity stunt for his upcoming mockumentary.

If not...I hope he enjoys doing regional theater.



My friend John was disappointed that Jennifer Aniston didn't suddenly leap off the stage and start bitch-slapping Angelina Jolie, who sat there (looking stunning as always) smiling up at her while clinging to Jenn's ex-husband, Brad Pitt.

Angelina would have easily won, so Jenn made the right decision.



Sheldon cheered for all of the "Slumdog Millionaire" awards, mainly because it meant that we'd likely be seeing a lot more Bollywood dancing in the near future.

Sheldon always enjoys a good dance number with colorful costumes and lots of jazz hands.



It was also my friend Andrew's 40th birthday yesterday, so we celebrated that as well. Just like Benjamin Button, Andrew appears to be aging in reverse.

And we all continue to hate him for that daily...