Celebrity Buzz by Joe Alexander | With Photographs by Patrick McMullan.
@ Batman vs. Superman
Ilayda Akdogùan, and Dogùa Zeynep @ Mustang premiere
New Movies For You
These are the movies you want to see this month. If you like action I recommend Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice staring Ben Affleck and Henry Cavill. This movie is all Pow and Bang . Co-star Jesse Eisenberg said, “ The take away is how interesting the movie looks and how wonderful it is.” Agreed. Want more action; try London Has Fallen, which is ripped from future headlines. It stars Aaron Eckhart and Gerard Butler who said “ There is nothing better than sitting in a cinema being excited, being scared, with your adrenaline going. This movie is a fantastic roller coaster ride that has you on the edge of your seat.” I’ll second that. 10 Cloverfield Lane is a sci-fi thriller with a surprise ending I don’t want to spoil. John Goodman, Mary Elizabeth Winstead and John Gallagher, Jr. create palatable tension from the beginning to the end. If you like the super natural check out the The Witch which is based on American folk tales. The film features Anya Taylor-Joy as the Devil’s convert who opined “The witch is a plastic Halloween decoration now, but actually the witch was a very frightening thing that had huge repercussions on our history. We should remember that there was that fear.” After all this you’ll need a good laugh and If you’re a fashionista you’ll get all the inside jokes in Zoolander2 with Ben Stiller, Will Ferrell, Owen Wilson and a hilarious Penelope Cruz. There are also campy cameos by Ariana Grande, Karl Lagerfeld, Anna Wintour, Marc Jacobs , and Valentino. Owen nailed it when he said “ Zoolander didn’t do that well but over the years it’s developed a cult following.” This is the new Rocky Horror Picture Show for millennials; theaters will be screening it at midnight with fans dressing up as Derek , Hansel and Valentina and repeating the dialogue for decades. The 15th New York Turkish Film Festival featured eight films including Limonata, Sivas and the Oscar nominated Mustang by director Deniz Gamze Erguven. The provocative series was presented by the American Turkish Society. Americanturkishsociety.org
She Loves Me
The Roundabout Theatre celebrated its 50th season at the opening of She Loves Me. This classic musical, starring a glorious Laura Benanti, Jane Krakowski, Zachary Levi and a remarkable Gavin Creel will be in the running for Best Revival at this year’s Tony Awards. Neal Patrick Harris, Nathan Lane and Tina Fey lead the applause. David Rockwell, who designed the show’s clever and sumptuous sets attended the pre- show party that was catered by the Sweet Hospitality Group (SHG). roundabouttheatre.org.
Rocío Molina stared in the Flamenco Festival at City Center. Mikhail Baryshnikov, once came to her dressing room and fell to his knees in tribute to her. Molina said, “It should have been me kneeling to him.” The Festival was an interactive experience with Flamenco classes and Spanish cuisine provided by SHG owner Julie Rose.
A Perfect World
Animal activist and actress Leesa Rowland, filmed the first episode of her show, A Perfect World, based on her efforts to rescue homeless pets and animals on death row at NYC animal shelters. Rowland was actively involved in helping save the cow that made headlines after it escaped onto the streets from a slaughter house in Queens. The show kicked off with an event for Rowland’s non-profit Animal Ashram at Serafina. Among the TV characters are former Miss USA Julie Hayek, architect Steven Sepaugh and Patrick McMullan. Others in the scene were event planner Sofia Crokos, longevity doctor Christopher Calapai and poker queen Beth Shak.
Short Subjects
Jill Zarin hosted a Vegas weekend to celebrate her husband Bobby’s birthday. Jill arranged an outing at The Gun Store where the guys shot machine guns at Osama Bin Laden, the girls used pink and purple pistols. The gift bags included a hangover kit and a candle from Zarin Fabrics warehouse. Zarinfabrics.com. Artists Suzanne LaFleur and Frances Middendorf helped open the 117th Artist Members Exhibition at the National Arts Club. In the mix were celebrity caterer Andrea Correale, real estate investor Steven Vornea, Margaret Butler, Sheila Rosenblum and Xiomi Frans-Cuber. nationalartsclub.org.
Jean Shafiroff launched her book, “Successful Philanthropy: How to Make a Life By What You Give.” With a party at Carrie-Me Couture in Palm Beach.
jeanshafiroff.com
Robert Iger, CEO of The Walt Disney Co. was inducted into the Toy Industry Hall of Fame at the Museum of Natural History while being flanked by Star Wars storm troopers. The Chosen Few photographer Frank Ammaccapane captured the action. Real Housewife of Beverly Hills, Erika Jayne sang her song “One Hot Pleasure” at the NYC Gay Men’s Chorus’ benefit. Anthony Taccetta Event Design sponsored the entertainment.