Robert Davi & Chris Willman

Two of my Hollywood pals had important things happen this past week that are worth noting and I hope you'll indulge me. First, A friend of almost 20 years, Chris Willman of Entertainment Weekly lost his job due to cutbacks at Time Inc. I can't emphasize enough what a great writer Chris is. I first noticed his writing in the L.A. Times in the late 1980's. At a time when it seemed like every entertainment writer in the nation was slavishly fawning over Madonna, Willman's somewhat snarky reviews were a breath of fresh air. I also loved the way he championed amazing but neglected artists like Sam Phillips. Willman is a one of a kind writer and I know he'll find a great home soon, but EW's decision to part with a writer of his caliber makes me think this economy is in very serious trouble. Godspeed Chris.

Another friend, Robert Davi a veteran actor who starred in films like Die Hard & The Goonies among many others, has made a nice little film called The Dukes and it releases in select theaters this week. The Times had a nice piece on him today which you can read here. I've seen it twice and think that Davi has done a nice job directing, writing and starring in the film. It's his directorial debut by the way and all of this couldn't be happening to a nicer guy. Hollywood may be full of bad people, but Davi isn't one of them. The story centers around a doo-wop group that can't sell records anymore and decides to steal gold that is used to make fillings, from a dentist's office, not realizing that it's fool's gold. He gathered together friends like Chazz Palminteri and Peter Bogdanovich and made a film that he should be proud of. Hats off to Robert and I'm sure that this will be the first of many more films to come.

Comments

[Michale32086]

I thought Mr Davi was excellent in his Stargate Atlantis role... He was perfect..

Michale.....

[KevinKSF]

Poor Rovert Davi, he has sealed his fate by marching with other Hollywood losers in the pro-war, Bush kissing Rethuglicans parade. Did you see him An American Carol? PU. He"s only fit for Chuck Norris fans now.

[Patriot68]

I agree with this.