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.

Follow Mark Joseph on Twitter: www.twitter.com/markmjm

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.