To the already overcrowded list of year-end disappointments bringing 2009 to a sorry close, you can add Nine. With a legendary Broadway score, director Rob Marshall hoping to repeat his musical Midas touch with Chicago, and an all-star cast that re-defines that overused word fabulous, a lot of Christmas bon-bons were expected from the anticipated movie version of the 1982 Broadway classic. Alas, the movie delivers thistles instead. More >

LUCKY GIRL: Gorgeous Rachel Weisz, the girl who drove The Mummy crazy, admits that there is someone who gets her motor all revved up. Weisz is about to begin work with co-stars Robert Pattinson and Hugh Jackman on Unbound Captives and she has let it slip that she could very easily get ‘into’ the Twilight star. She gushes, “He’s got the whole rebel vibe – he’s not star struck. Meeting him was vampirific. He sucked my blood!”

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As the year 2009 winds down, I look back on my 61 years covering Hollywood and reminisce about some of my favorite performers and my most memorable experiences.
I guess my favorite actors were Cary Grant and “Duke” Wayne, Cary for his charm and “Duke” for rugged individualism. More >

Brittany Murphy’s Death Avoidable

Brittany Murphy’s autopsy indicates that her death was “preventable,” TMZ is reporting. Anonymous sources say that her death was caused by pneumonia and severe anemia, and both were treatable.

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Hal Holbrook

At age 84, Hal Holbrook is experiencing an exciting redirection of his illustrious career. Beginning with 2007’s Into the Wild, for which he was nominated for a Screen Actors Guild award and an Academy Award, Mr. Holbrook is now getting roles that Hollywood never thought to offer him before.


Perhaps best known for his one-man show Mark Twain Tonight (for which he won a Tony), Mr. Holbrook has appeared in over 50 films. He recently spoke to Beverly Hills [213] about his latest project, the very personal and riveting drama, That Evening Sun.

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The Crescent Beverly Hills

Located in the midst of Beverly Hill’s famed Golden Triangle, The Crescent Beverly Hills is a portrait of understated elegance, its service philosophy modeled on the concept of a boutique hotel. Bordering Wilshire Boulevard, Santa Monica Boulevard and Rexford Drive, these luxurious apartment homes are a short walk from Rodeo Drive and world-class boutiques and restaurants. Residents can call Spago, Cut, Bond Street and Mastro’s their neighborhood eateries. Living at the Crescent Beverly Hills is being in the epicenter of international fashion and fine cuisine. More >

Spa Montage: Rejuvenation & Renewal in Beverly Hills

Spa Montage is a modern-day oasis in the busy golden triangle of Beverly Hills, created to nurture and enhance your personal well-being. A lavish two-story, 20,000 square-foot oasis, Spa Montage is designed to encourage guests to discover personal solutions for optimal health, well-being and strength that they can continue at home with recommended treatments, products and lifestyle changes. The spa designs calming, results-oriented body and facial treatments featuring a wide-ranging menu of signature therapies, and offers comprehensive programs and a la carte services with an emphasis on hydrotherapy, holistic wellness, and anti-aging treatments as well as complete fitness facilities, yoga and Pilates studio, and a full-service Kim Vo salon.

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Chanel Premiere

Sony Pictures Classics and Chanel recently presented the Los Angeles premiere of “Coco Before Chanel” at the Pacific Design Center. The film stars Audrey Tautou as Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel and the story of her rise from obscure beginnings to the heights of the fashion world. Afterward, guests enjoyed cocktails and hors d’ouvres at Chanel. Photography by Maxine Picard More >

Tori Spelling Appearance

Recently, Tori Spelling made a special appearance at Bloomingdale’s Century City to present her fall collection of her new children’s clothing line – Little Maven. Tori greeted customers and signed copies of her New York Times bestseller, Mommywood.

Photography by Maxine Picard More >

The 16th Annual Race to Erase MS

Recently, supporters from around the world gathered at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza to help raise money for treatment and, ultimately, a cure for Multiple Sclerosis. All funds raised at the event went to The Nancy Davis Center Without Walls program, a selected network of the nation’s top seven MS research facilities. Attendees enjoyed a performance by legendary recording artists The Eagles and Michelle Branch.

Photographs by Maxine Picard More >

Society of Singers Present

18th ELLA Award

Recently, the Society of Singers held their annual Gala to honor the 2009 recipients of the 18th ELLA Award. The honorees were music icon, legendary trumpet player and bandleader Herb Alpert and his wife, internationally renowned singer Lani Hall. The Society Of Singers (S.O.S.) was founded to help singers in need, as there is no union nor guild that exclusively represents the rights and welfare of singers. Attendees of the event were entertained by many performances, including Alan Bergman, Renne Olstead, and Steve Tyrell.

Photographs by Maxine Picard More >

The Heart Foundation

Recently, guests gathered to honor Wolfgang Puck during the annual Heart Foundation event from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. "A Spectacular Culinary Experience", as it was called, featured appearances by special guest chefs, cocktails and hors d'oevres, and a delicious dinner.

-Photographs by Maxine Picard More >