I should be packing right now, but I'm absolutely flabbergasted at the news of the unbelievable demise of both Picturehouse and Warner Independent. I suppose the march of media consolidation moves on, but it's unbelievable to me that such a terrific force in independent cinema is gone. Three cheers to Bob Berney and his team for bringing "La Vie en Rose" to the U.S. and for the Oscar win for Marion Cotillard. Who will be bringing the "Pan's Labyrinth"s and the "Last Days"s or even the damn "March of the Penguins" for that matter? Whatever, I guess I'm just shocked. I should just be a dutiful card carrying member of society and go buy my damn ticket to "Iron Man" or "Made of Honor" on Fandango. Thanks Time Warner, you're the best! Viva Homogeneity!!

Anyway, my hats off to the whole Picturehouse team (and WIP too, but I didn't have as much interaction with them). They were always a very class act and they'll be missed. They always had great parties too... I'm sure we'll be seeing more of Berney and crowd soon!

R to L: After the announcement in Cannes 2005 of the formation of Picturehouse, New Line's Michael Lynne, Bob Berney, Colin Callendar and Chris Albrecht.

They may have delayed the line up announcement by one week, but the Festival de Cannes unveiled this year's poster promptly. Is it a "Scarlett Johansson" channeling Marilyn Monroe? Or is it just the real thing with a bit of Photoshop magic? Whoever it is, Marilyn has been getting a lot of news lately with the sale of a certain 'video.' She was so ahead of her time.

Before Ryan Gosling stole my lady away, there was me and my real girl... This was us trying to run away from the paparazzi following the world premiere of her movie "Doll Parts." But alas, the bright lights, fame and money (not to mention all the free love) were just too much for her, and Ryan offered her a more simple existence. So that bastard stole her away from the glare of public love, made her dye her hair and take bowling lessons so she could fit in with his simple kind of life with his family in the Mickey Mouse Club in beautiful Celebration, Florida...

She even gave up yoga, her strict vegetarianism and alcohol so she could blend in at Ryan's church, but I think Ryan's anal relatives still looked down on her because she was not a virgin and already had donated eggs to other real girls so they too could bask in the glory of living a plastic life.

Fortunately for me, since I made it big producing "Doll Parts" I was able to swoon another real girl in the form of Amanda Lepore to rescue me emotionally. We're even collaborating on a new film called "Fuck the Y Chromosome" (though the U.S. title is going to have to be "Screw the Y Chromosome") which is represented by Cinetic (though I already know that IFC Films is going to win it in a bidding war with THINKFilm, Fox Searchlight, Paramount Vantage, Samuel Goldwyn and The Weinstein Company). But no worries... We won't let anyone know that until after its gala screening at next year's Sundance Film Festival followed by the European debut at Cannes (they made an exception for us naturally -- plus Amanda loves rose wine because it sort of matches her lipstick).

I just hope that Ryan -- seen here telepathically telling my friend and his manager Cheryl Barner that he secretly loves me -- will resist taking anyone else's real girl (or at least until after I can get Amanda's secret recipe for luscious lips and alternative forms of titty play).

Time Warner knows how to end a party.... New Line used to have these awesome dinners at Nick and Toni's during the Hamptons Film Festival, but I guess no more... Boo!

Robert Altman (with his wife Kathryn, far right) and New Line co-chairman and co-CEO Michael Lynne with his wife Nina.

Sunday night BAM screened Christophe Honore's (he's the one on the right) "Love Songs" as part of a tribute to IFC... The film is great, at least I think so, but there was a bit of dissent. But whatever, it's all about Louis Garrel who stars in the film. He's so absolutely H-O-T!! I might even say hotter then Jake Gyllenhaal if that's possible (is it?)

There was one scene where I had to adjust myself in my chair because it was so hot.

Anyway, I'm totally shooting myself that I didn't tape the Q&A after the packed screening last night. Louis spoke English, French, hummed, sang. It was too much. Afterward, IFC hosted a bash at Union Hall in Brooklyn where they had a bocce court (sort of like lawn bowling, but you don't have to wear white). Louis was there too sitting around hanging out. I saw him head to the loo and I was tempted, but I resisted.

OK, here's the trailer... What do you think?

And the soundtrack is so damn good! I really really really need it. Just ask pud, and he'll get you one!

Right pud?

And just as a quick reference...

OK, he's damn hot too, but this isn't fair b/c I didn't have the good camera with me last night for Louis' photo...

This pic of Jake was following the North American premiere of Brokeback Mountain at the Toronto International Film Festival in '05. Heath Ledger was nearby too, and I damn wish I had gotten his photo there, but all these people were smothering them getting personal photos and no publicist was there to help wrangle the situation, so I think Jake just thought I was some crazy fan taking his photo (which I was, but still...)

Here are a couple of other cool things that happened that year:

(THINKFilm party.... There needs to be more of this party throwers!!)

Also the THINKFilm party... I love naked hot people running around. There should be more of this for peace on earth, right?

Bring it on people, let's make the '70s look like the '50s!!

And....

Justin Fucking Timberlake!!!! My dear friend Mickey got me in to meet him. I was professional though, then when I left the room, I totally screamed!

We've spent $400 billion on a war that's a lie, 45 million Americans don't have health insurance and poverty is rising in the U.S. But, who am I? Some kind of bore? What about Star Jones being fired from "The View?" Well, I don't plead to be 100% political... Since being in Los Angeles covering the LA Film Festival and having access to free wireless Internet in my hotel room at the new Angeleno, I've indulged in some great morning television while working. Bring on the fluff and the cultural diversions!!!

First there's "Live with Regis and Kelly" followed by "The View." I was completely shocked, like many adherers to the sassy morning talk show, when Star Jones made her -- apparently -- unscripted announcement that she was leaving the show, which caught even Barbara off guard. The surprise -- for those of you who have missed all the gossip columns/shows -- apparently did not sit well with ABC execs or Ms. Walters, who announced the following day that Star would not return.

I couldn't help but think back to about two years ago when a very different looking Star showed up at the NYC premiere for "The Woodsman." The party was quite an a-hem, Glittering affair, with Mariah Carey in attendance (no photos of Miss Carey!) and producer/hip hop mogul Damon Dash working the mic onstage and even giving out free pairs of shoes from his clothing line (I grabbed some too, thanks for the swag!) Exiting out as I was entering in though, was Star Jones looking rather sparkly herself, and she gave me a pose. I seriously doubt she knows indieWIRE, so I couldn't pull the usual, "May I have a picture for indieWIRE?" routine that seems to work most of the time I do iPOPs at parties. But, she did it just the same... And she asked if I'd take her pic with her then new husband Al Reynolds, which I of course totally obliged since their wedding was famous for all its sponsorships -- reportedly made available due to her casual brand name references made on "The View."

Well, she's gone, and I'll miss seeing her on those occasions I can actually watch. Aside from the folks at ABC and ardent "View" onlookers, her dismissal may just seem a bleep in the realm of Pop Culture, but what the hell -- sure beats the hell out of Congress' latest gay marriage and flag burning antics. What a way to run a superpower...

I really liked the movie "Metallica: Some Kind of Monster," which had its NYC premiere Wednesday night. At the party afterward, I told an IFC exec (IFC Films is distributing the film) that the doc was great. But then I added, 'I'm a pretty big fan of Metallica, so I can't be the perfect gauge.' At that point, he gave me a bit of an askance look. I wanted to just say, 'yeah, I know it's not the typical gay thing to listen to.' That would've really mixed things up a bit, but instead I woosed out and just said, 'yeah, I know it's a bit surprising.' But, I've always liked hard rock beginning from the days when I'd blare Bauhaus on my tape recorder as a kid while going to bed.

But I digress... I knew the party would be a good one when I entered the party at the Gramercy Park Hotel, High Bar and the DJ was playing Hole's "Doll Parts." Our friend (Eugene was with me) Diana Holtzberg from Film Transit International (they're selling the film abroad) snuck us out to the VIP section. Unfortunately, the guard told me in the strictest terms I could not take any pictures from there, so scenes of Sean Penn partying down with Metallica could not make it into iPOP. Anyway, she introduced us to the band's newest member, bassist Robert Trujillo who was quite chatty. He said that film parties were very different because people would ask him "specific questions" about the movie and made inquiries that were more "about him" and his opinions. Apparently, much different from the chats he encounters elsewhere. Once, while working at Elektra, I had the pleasure of attending a post-Grammys party for Warner Music Group (Elektra was a part of that at the time). Metallica was there along with a ton of other artists on the varios Warner labels. I had the distinct honor of "escorting" one particular pop superstar (not Metallica) up the red carpet, because to put it nicely, Girlfriend Was Beyond Baked! Anyway, it might be comparing apples and oranges, but the music parties were overall, not surprisingly, on the more wild side. The "Y Tu Mama Tambien" party two years ago, however, definitely ranked up there though. Plenty o' top drawer tequila for shots is the big key always!! (at least if you're looking to f*** some real sh** up).

In one room of High Bar, photographers were allowed to stand around while the film's directors Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky as well as members of Metallica came for photo calls and for an on camera interview with local entertainment broadcast journalist George Whipple. Anyway, I was shooting a picture of the band's Trujillo and Kirk Hammett, when suddenly the cameras turned around and I felt a push from behind. I almost fell down, but caught myself, then turned around and it was Sean Penn trying to make his way through the room (which lead to the VIP area). His face was like 1 foot away from mine. Yesterday, as I was telling my friend this story, he said, "did you hit him?" I replied, "No I kissed him." (laughs) Of course, I did neither. Penn's reputation for hating photos and not posing for them (which is true so far in my experience in doing this gig) really causes a frenzy when a slight opportunity arises, which it did Wednesday. I almost joined the spilled cocktails on the floor because they just pounded him with flashes, and the fact I was already standing there made no difference, even at a "genteel" cocktail party. One photog yelled, "I got it, I got it!" not but two seconds after he passed through. To hell with decorum when you can pawn a photo of Sean off for top dollar and not get smacked doing it, right? As for what Sean must've been thinking at that moment, well, it can be a bit rough being so rich and famous. At least I think so...