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‘The Hangover Part III’ Review: Thank God for Peculiar, Perverse – and Outrageously Funny – Galifianakis

 

Years from now, doctoral candidates are likely to write entire extended theses on Alan Garner, the character so memorably and brilliantly played by Zach Galifianakis in the "Hangover" series.

This bearded baby-man -- he's a walking Chia Pet -- is pure id, one of the most transgressive characters to ever pop up in a mainstream movie. He's annoying, peculiar, perverse, prideful, cuddly and outrageously funny, all rolled into a single squat, hirsute package.

Fortunately for "The Hangover Part III," much of it is all about Alan. Returning fans will enjoy this raucous outing, though the fun peters out noticeably in the second half as the movie's overly complicated plot drags on.

This latest chapter --supposedly the final one -- in the blockbuster comedy series reunites the Wolf Pack. For those new to the series, that would be the quartet of mismatched male friends who find themselves, movie after movie, involved in wild and crazy adventures that often border on the illegal.

These BFFs are Phil (Bradley Cooper), the coolest and best-looking of the bunch; Stu (Ed Helms), a buttoned-down dentist who always has his worst fears realized in "Hangover" movies; Doug (Justin Bartha), a generic nice guy who has no discernable personality and is usually jettisoned early on in the proceedings; and Alan. 

This third "Hangover," set four years after the first 2009 film and two years after its 2011 sequel, begins with the 42-year-old Alan off his meds and still living at home, where he is the bane of his wealthy parents' existence.  When his father (Jeffrey Tambor) kicks the bucket after a heart attack precipitated by yet another squabble with a recalcitrant Alan, it's clear that the misbehaving non-prodigal son must change.

Doug, who is married to Alan's sister, gathers the Wolf Pack and other family members to stage an intervention with Alan. This results in a road trip, with Phil, Stu and Doug escorting Alan to a medical facility, though their trip is interrupted when men in pig masks force their car off the road and take them prisoner.

This sets the movie's plot in motion in a big way. Their capture was engineered by Marshall (John Goodman), a criminal big wig on the hunt for Leslie Chow (Ken Jeong, again one of the movie's highlights), the crazed, drug-taking, gun-wielding gangster the Wolf Pack first encountered in the original "Hangover."

Chow and Alan have remained friendly and, now that Chow has escaped from a Bangkok prison, Marshall wants to recover a $40-million plus fortune in gold ingots that Chow stole from him earlier. Marshall takes Doug hostage, telling the other Wolf Pack members that he will free their pal once they capture Chow and the gold for him.

The rest of the movie tells the convoluted tale of how the men track down Chow and the gold, a journey that takes them to Mexico and, eventually, neon-bright Las Vegas, the site of all their woes back in the original 2009 film. A lot of this, as capably directed by "Hangover" auteur Todd Phillips, is entertaining, especially when Alan is at the center of the shenanigans, but one's interest in the overly busy plot wears thin by the end.

The movie's single best scene involves Alan and a surly Las Vegas pawnshop clerk played by Melissa McCarthy. It's instant attraction between these two social malefactors and their soulful locked gazes, as well as suggestive sharing of a lollipop, are a wonder to behold.

Despite McCarthy's cameo, this "Hangover" continues the series' pattern as being mostly an all-male affair. Wives pop up very briefly early on and Jade (Heather Graham), the hooker with a baby from the first film, returns for a couple scenes, but estrogen is in short supply here. (Note to self: Pitch script in which the women of  "Bridesmaids" pair off with the guys from "Hangover.")

In their third outing, not surprisingly, the regulars mesh comfortably. It's not as if Cooper, Helms or Bartha are particularly stretching or challenging themselves with their "Hangover" turns. Mostly, they simply set up the jokes, play along and then stand back to admire the ever-inventive Galifianakis at work.

Audience members are well served doing the same.

 

Seth MacFarlane Won’t Host Oscars, Recommends Joaquin Phoenix for 2014

Seth MacFarlane will not return to host the 2014 Oscars, the filmmaker and hit TV writer/producer announced on Monday. MacFarlane said that his schedule did not permit him to return.

"Traumatized critics exhale: I'm unable to do the Oscars again. Tried to make it work schedule-wise, but I need sleep," MacFarlane tweeted.

MacFarlane's turn as emcee of the 2013 Oscars divided the community. Some found him funny and eager to experiment while many found him crass and unoriginal, citing a long gag about breasts.

MacFarlane, one of the most successful writers and showrunners in television, finds his schedule even busier because of his now-bustling film career. He is writing, directing and starring in "A Million Ways to Die in the West" and, eventually, should make a sequel to "Ted."

Also read: Seth MacFarlane Reunites With Universal, 'Ted' Studio to Make His Upcoming Western

Oscar producers Craig Zadan and Neil Maron first brought on MacFarlane because he would appeal to a younger audience and because he loves musical theater. The producers will return in 2014 and had hoped MacFarlane would join them.

While the "Family Guy" and "American Dad!" creator will not be able to host, he has an idea of who should.

"I highly recommend the job, as Zadan and Meron are two of the most talented producers in the business," he tweeted. "My suggestion for host is Joaquin Phoenix."

Seth MacFarlane Won’t Host Oscars, Recommends Joaquin Phoenix for 2014

Seth MacFarlane will not return to host the 2014 Oscars, the filmmaker and hit TV writer/producer announced on Monday. MacFarlane said that his schedule did not permit him to return.

"Traumatized critics exhale: I'm unable to do the Oscars again. Tried to make it work schedule-wise, but I need sleep," MacFarlane tweeted.

MacFarlane's turn as emcee of the 2013 Oscars divided the community. Some found him funny and eager to experiment while many found him crass and unoriginal, citing a long gag about breasts.

MacFarlane, one of the most successful writers and showrunners in television, finds his schedule even busier because of his now-bustling film career. He is writing, directing and starring in "A Million Ways to Die in the West" and, eventually, should make a sequel to "Ted."

Also read: Seth MacFarlane Reunites With Universal, 'Ted' Studio to Make His Upcoming Western

Oscar producers Craig Zadan and Neil Maron first brought on MacFarlane because he would appeal to a younger audience and because he loves musical theater. The producers will return in 2014 and had hoped MacFarlane would join them.

While the "Family Guy" and "American Dad!" creator will not be able to host, he has an idea of who should.

"I highly recommend the job, as Zadan and Meron are two of the most talented producers in the business," he tweeted. "My suggestion for host is Joaquin Phoenix."

Sleepless in Cannes: Moguls Haunt the Majestic Hotel Bar

Nobody sleeps in Cannes. At 1 a.m. in the bar at the Majestic Hotel, just across from the Palais de Festival, it's not that hard to distinguish the Russian teenaged models from the actresses and toned wives of producers by the height of their heels. Where are the film financing billionaires? Out on their yachts across from the hotel.

Here at the bar there's a disproportionately large number of Hollywood power players, temporarily taking the place of the Russian oligarchs. This year has a relatively low ratio of movie stars – although Zoe Saldana has just gone swanning through the space on the arm of a long-haired, open-shirted escort.

CBS Films chief Terry Press has taken over one corner of the bar, holding court with a half-dozen members of her team. They will be distributing "Inside Llewyn Davis," the Coen brothers movie that is all the buzz on the Croisette and a clear contender for the Palme d'Or, and seem in a good mood.

Also read: Good Morning, Cannes: The Coen Brothers Make People Forget About Their Wet Socks

Harvey Weinstein took offices at the Majestic this year and is a constant presence. At this hour he is passing through holding a small cup of salted nuts, stopped every few steps by someone eager to meet him, make an introduction and otherwise pay homage to the indie king.

Millennium's Mark Gill has escaped his own overcrowded party next door after the premiere of "As I Lay Dying," his feature film directed by James Franco (left with Beth Grant), based on the novel by William Faulkner. The movie is an unstintingly grim and some said "haunting" telling of a grieving Southern family wound up in its own insularity, suffering from ignorance and poverty.

At an earlier cocktail party to celebrate the movie on Sunday, Franco grinned behind mirrored glasses and said he was excited about this directing assignment and his next one, also for Millennium, which was described as a multi-character story on the order of "Babel." It shoots in July.

Also read: The Scene at Cannes: 'Hunger Games: Catching Fire,' 'Jimmy P' (Updated Photos)

In truth, Franco continues to intrigue as a man of many talents including, it seems, film financing. A Millennium executive said that Franco put up half of the $3 million budget of "As I Lay Dying" – Franco's own money. Needless to say, no one in Hollywood does that.

Among other movie insiders at the bar was Marianne Slot, Lars von Trier's producer who is one of the few to have seen the controversial director's upcoming work, "Nymphomania." That movie, which does not yet have distribution and is rated X-plus in Europe, stars Charlotte Gainsbourg, Stellan Skarsgard and Shia LaBeouf in apparently outrageous sex scenes.

That should be interesting, but it's unlikely to make it to Cannes. Von Trier was declared "persona non grata" here after claiming to understand Adolph Hitler and joking about being a Nazi at the official press conference in 2011 for his competition film, "Melancholia."

Asked about this, Slot smiled meekly and responded: "He's an artist."

Also read: Weinstein Unveils Slate in Cannes: 'Osage' Shouts Oscars, 'Salinger' Intrigues

Outside the hotel lobby, a gaggle of paparazzi stand permanently, it seems, behind a red cordon, waiting for a glimpse of a movie star. Instead they have a view of a huge insignia for "Hunger Games."

Meanwhile on the other side of Cannes, the founder of IMDb Col Needham held court at his annual dinner for film lovers and influencers. The guests included Adrien Brody and Danish director Nicolas Winding-Refn ("Drive"), whose film, "Only God Forgives," will debut in competition this week. (Needham, above left, with Sharon Waxman and Winding-Refn.)

Brody was excited to talk about his upcoming film with director Paul Haggis, "Third Person," partly underwritten by the Saudis. And Winding-Refn, with Danish understatement, talked about how the producers of his violent "Drive" didn't believe in it, or him, and wanted to walk away from their commitment to the film.

His new work seems equally disturbing, starring his go-to actor Ryan Gosling as drug-smuggler thriving in Bangkok's criminal underworld, compelled by his mother to find and kill whoever is responsible for his brother's recent death.

But that, dear Cannes lovers, is not until Wednesday. And until then: Champagne.

 

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MavenSay Enjoying Sudden Popularity In Social Media-Hungry Indonesia

MavenSay, a social recommendation app, just got a surge of unplanned downloads coming from Indonesia, and its founders are moving quickly to include Southeast Asia in its expansion plans, as a result. The company’s Toronto-based co-founder, Jesse Dallal, said the two-month old app got 100,000 downloads over the past fortnight. It has a total of 130,000 downloads so far, and the sudden surge was tracked back to a power user based in Indonesia. They’re not sure which one it is, but the source of traffic points to the country, he said. The way the app works is similar to Pinterest, in that users follow other users’ recommendations. These could cover places they’ve eaten at or music they’re listening to, for example. For its launch, MavenSay roped in what it called “influencers”—featured brands to follow such as Momofuku and Refinery29. The Indonesian user that triggered the downloads isn’t a celebrity that MavenSay had canvassed, but was clearly influential enough over his or her social network to move the downloads, said Dallal. “It’s been an unanticipated consequence of our [social] strategy,” he said, referring to the way things get viral on these recommendation platforms where people reblog items from influencers. “We’ve reached out to influencers in North America, but we’re also going to reach out to influencers in Asia now. We’re thinking of coming out there and talking to users to understand what the differences in culture and usage might be,” he said. MavenSay has seven people, including its three co-founders Dallal, Mike Wagman and Bryan Friedman. The small company can’t be expected to have concrete plans for Asia yet, but seeding interest in one of the world’s fastest-growing, mobile-hungry countries may pay off eventually. According to mobiThinking, Indonesia has 260 million mobile subscribers, although those with data connections make up just 47.6 million, or 18 percent of that. And Indonesians have been quick to embrace social networking sites, with fierce loyalties once something sticks. Aged social network, Friendster started to pivot towards Asia around 2008, when it realised that 90 percent of its user base was coming from the region. While it was, by that time, lagging behind Facebook globally, some markets like Indonesia stayed loyal to Friendster. MavenSay has raised funding of $890,000 so far.

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Hollywood’s Disabled Actors Protest NBC’s ‘Ironside’ Casting – When Is It Their Turn?

When the '60s procedural "Ironside" is revived on NBC this fall, the setting will move from San Francisco to New York and the lead character will be African-American. But one thing hasn't changed: The actor playing Ironside can still walk from his wheelchair when the director yells cut.

The colorblind casting is ironic to some disabled actors -- who say having a walking actor play a paraplegic is as offensive as blackface.

"This would be like being in the '50s and having a white guy do blackface, at this point," said "Sons of Anarchy" star Kurt Yaeger (left), an actor and pro BMX rider who lost his left leg after a motorcycle accident. "You need to start having disabled people playing disabled characters. Period."

Also Read: Kurt Yaeger's Guest Blog - 'It Took a 'Blind' Director to Look Past Casting Me ... an Amputee

NBC declined to comment to TheWrap on the "Ironside" casting, and on whether any disabled actors auditioned for the role, which went to Blair Underwood. But five disabled actors who spoke to TheWrap said film and television should at least give them a chance to play characters whose struggles they truly understand.

See photos: 20 Physically Disabled Characters Played by Able-Bodied Actors

Their point comes ahead of a 2013-14 television season in which NBC is putting three disabled characters front and center. "The Family Guide" features sighted actor J.K. Simmons as a blind lawyer, and "The Michael J. Fox Show" addresses the actor's real battle with Parkinson's, a disease of the nervous system that causes tremors and limits motor control.

All are part of a trend toward greater visibility for characters with disabilities. They include the paraplegic chorus geek played by Kevin McHale on Fox's "Glee"; Terry O'Quinn's John Locke on ABC's "Lost," and a man with paralyzing muscular dystrophy played by D.J. Qualls on FX's "Legit." All the actors are able bodied.

See videos: NBC Previews of 'Ironside,' 'Dracula,' 'Michael J. Fox Show'

They follow the path of Daniel Day-Lewis, who won his first Oscar for playing a quadriplegic man with cerebral palsy in 1990's "My Left Foot," and Raymond Burr, who played the original "Ironside."

Besides Michael J. Fox, some of the only people detailing their own physical struggles onscreen are the women in Sundance's docuseries "Push Girls," which returns for its second season June 2.

Auti Angel (right), a paralyzed actress and muscian on the show, wonders why shows don't want the perspective of an actor who is disabled -- or as she prefers, "differently abled."

"What are they afraid of?" she asked. "There are so many extremely talented individuals who are performing artists with a different ability."

Angel's fellow "Push Girls" star, Angela Rockwood (below, left), says she doesn't object to "Ironside" because the drama, like her show, challenges perceptions of how those in wheelchairs should look and act. All of the "Push Girls" are young, glammed-up, and athletic.

The five actors who spoke with TheWrap said they all believe the best actor should win a role -- as long as disabled actors are given an opportunity to compete. And they said there are circumstances in which it makes sense to use an actor who can walk.

Larry Sapp, a paralyzed independent filmmaker who is campaigning against the "Ironside" reboot with the Facebook page "Don't Shoot Ironside," said he believes O'Quinn's casting on "Lost" was a case where it was reasonable to use an actor who can walk.

"That is legitimate," he said. "You had to get an able-bodied actor to play that role because 90 percent of his role was walking around on that island."

But Robert Romani, an actor born with spina bifida who has appeared as a featured background player in shows including "Castle," "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" and NBC's "Law & Order: SVU," said almost no role needs to be off-limits.

"Any director worth his salt can use a stand in," Romani (right) said.

Networks often say they need to cast big names. But there lies a Catch-22: There won't be any disabled stars until disabled actors are given prominent roles.

Sapp cited a report that claimed NBC's pickup of "Ironside" was contigent on Underwood playing the lead. While members of Hollywood's tight-knit disabled community interviewed by TheWrap could rattle off names of disabled ctors they felt were capable of taking on the role, none could say if any -- like Mitch Longley ("Las Vegas"), Robert David Hall ("CSI") and Daryl 'Chill' Mitchell ("Brothers") -- had been asked to audition.

Tobias Forrest, an actor and rock singer who became a paraplegic after a diving accident at the Grand Canyon 15 years ago, commends "Glee" for giving him a shot at McHale's role. He was called back several times to read for it.

"Ultimately, my gripe is I need to be able to get into the room, at least," Forrest (left) said. "And if it's something that close to my life, then the opportunity to go into the room to win them over is really what we're looking for."

Yaeger said disabled characters should get to play disabled characters -- and not just disabled characters.

"I want disabled characters being played by disabled people, but i also want characters that were written as able-body to be played by disabled actors," Yaeger added.

Also read: It Took a 'Blind' Director to Look Past Casting Me ... an Amputee

Ray Bradford, SAG-AFTRA's former national director for policy and diversity advocacy, and independent feature film casting director Pam Dixon agreed it's much more difficult for disabled performers to find success in Hollywood, but wouldn't blame it on discrimination. Instead, they both emphasized the word "exclusion."

Also Read: NBC Fall Lineup: James Spader Drama to Follow 'Voice,' Michael J. Fox and Sean Hayes to Anchor Thursdays

"Every group over the decades has come from a place of exclusion to, little by little, inclusion," Bradford said. "When it comes to performers with disabilities, there has been progress, but there's still a long way to go."

Dixon, who was once the senior vice president of casting at ABC, says part of the problem is that there aren't many places where casting directors and producers can find disabled talent. The Los Angeles' Media Access Office -- a once-rich resource for talent -- has closed and many disabled actors aren't represented by agents or managers. 

See photos: The New Shows of 2013-2014 TV Season

Dixon hopes to launch a possible solution this summer in the form of ActorsAccess.com -- a database of all disabled actors, which will work in conjunction with industry-leading casting tool Breakdown Services. And it's "inclusive," meaning able-bodied actors can register for the service, too.

"You have to win on your talent, but if you don't have the opportunity, you can't do it," Dixon told TheWrap.

Hollywood's disabled actors also realize that a good portion of their opportunities depend on writers. And since writers write what they know, the first step is helping them get to know more about people with disabilities.

"The second step is to allow us to come in," Rockwood said. "And if we're not good enough, then by all means, go out and hire an able-bodied actor to play the role."

Brad Pitt Is So Much Happier Now Than He Was Ten Years Ago (Hint, Hint)

Earlier, Lainey posted the cover of Esquire with Brad Pitt on it and now here's some pictures from the inside including my favorite one of him serving up some skinnier, dirtier Kid Rock in a turtleneck madness. A MESS! Since Brad Pitt likes to take pictures, photographer Max Vadukul took pictures of him taking pictures and wearing a turtleneck, because all serious photographers wear turtlenecks.... while taking pictures.

Esquire talked with Brad Pitt after St. Angie Jolie had a double mastectomy and he doesn't really talk about that (since it was still a secret then), but he talks about how he's so happy and so happy and so happy and so happy (translation: he was stoned the entire time).

On how he meets so many people that he can never remember faces (translation: his brain's memory chip is usually fogged up with weed smoke): "So many people hate me because they think I'm disrespecting them. So I swear to God, I took one year where I just said, This year, I'm just going to cop to it and say to people, 'Okay, where did we meet?' But it just got worse. People were more offended. Every now and then, someone will give me context, and I'll say, 'Thank you for helping me.' But I piss more people off. You get this thing, like, 'You're being egotistical. You're being conceited.' But it's a mystery to me, man. I can't grasp a face and yet I come from such a design/aesthetic point of view. I am going to get it tested."

On how he barely has any friends and likes making things: “I have very few friends. I have a handful of close friends and I have my family and I haven’t known life to be any happier. I’m making things. I just haven’t known life to be any happier.”

On how he's happiest when the screeches of his child army are filling his ear holes: “I always thought that if I wanted to do a family, I wanted to do it big. I wanted there to be chaos in the house… there’s constant chatter in our house, whether it’s giggling or screaming or crying or banging. I love it. I love it. I love it. I hate it when they’re gone. I hate it. Maybe it’s nice to be in a hotel room for a day – ‘Oh, nice, I can finally read a paper.’ But then, by the next day, I miss that cacophony, all that life.”

On how he decided ten years ago to put down the bong and do something: “I’d get so far and then want to do something else. I mean, I’m two credits short of graduating college. Two credits. All I had to do was write a paper. What kind of guy is that? That guy scares me – the guy who always leaves a little on his plate. For a long time I thought I did too much damage – drug damage. I was a bit of a drifter. A guy who felt he grew up in something of a vacuum and wanted to see things, wanted to be inspired. I followed that other thing. I spent years fucking off. But then I got burnt out and felt that I was wasting my opportunity. It was a conscious change. This was about a decade ago. It was an epiphany – a decision not to squander my opportunities. It was a feeling of get up. Because otherwise, what’s the point?”

Around ten years ago, Brad Pitt was doing that Troy movie, he was still married to Jennifer Aniston, he didn't have a Maddox in his life and he was suffering while hanging his head over a bong. Brad sort of said the same thing to Parade Magazine a couple of years ago. We get it, Brad. St. Angie's wonderland of a vagine is a bottomless pit of happiness and when he dipped in there, it was like he was skipping on sunshine while hugging a bunch of kittens. Angie's coochie is like Ecstasy, basically. We get it!

And here's more pictures of Brad giving me Willie Nelson meets Kid Rock meets Fabio vibes in Esquire.

Consumers Warm Slightly To Cable But Still Prefer Satellite And Telco Video: Study

Despite the growing talk about pay TV cord cutting, providers can feel OK — not great — about consumer attitudes toward them, according to the latest annual measure from the American Customer Satisfaction Index. Subscribers gave cable, satellite, and telco video providers the highest overall satisfaction score ACSI has seen in the 13 years it has measured the public’s feelings about subscription TV. The score of 68 is up 3% vs last year, which ACSI calls “a glimmer of good news.” Even so, researchers say that pay TV remains “among the lowest-scoring industries” they study. Annual price hikes of 6% or so and “sporadic reliability” keep the group just slightly ahead of airlines (67) and Internet service providers (65) but well behind TV and video players/recorders (86), soft drinks (84) and autos and light vehicles (83). (Internet news and information services also come out ahead at 73.) Consumer attitudes vary widely by provider. Time Warner Cable took it on the chin with an industry-low score of 60, down 5% from 2012. Moving up we see Comcast (63, +3%), Charter (64, +8%) and Cox (65, +3%). Satellite and telco video providers scored highest with Verizon FiOS leading (73, -1%) followed by DirecTV (72, +6%), AT&T U-verse (71, +4%) and Dish Network (70, +1%).Companies can’t take comfort from the scores for their ... Read More »

Real-Time Parking Startup ParkMe Launches An Android App

Real-time parking startup ParkMe wants to help find you parking -- in real-time. The company, which originally started out on the Web, has been making a big push behind mobile apps, which is really smart, because most times when you're looking for parking, you're not on a PC, but you have a smartphone nearby. And it just launched on Android.

Aiming To Dominate Mobile Ad Attribution, HasOffers Raises $9.4M Round Led By Accel

HasOffers, a startup that helps mobile app developers see which ad efforts are actually paying off, is announcing that it has raised a $9.4 million round of funding led by Accel Partners. The company was founded in 2009 — the product that it initially built, and the one that's still highlighted on the HasOffers website, is a system that helps ad networks and agencies manage their performance-based programs. (Those agencies and ad networks include Bucksense, Tapjoy, and Sponsorpay.)

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My SyFy Experience with Director Jim Wynorski

If you haven't seen a SyFy Original Film, you aren't living. They're some of the best/worst pieces of entertainment you will ever see, having become infamous thanks to loyal fans.

These films exploit every cliché, trip over hundreds of illogical outcomes, fall into every possible ridiculous scenario, yet somehow they are just so damn fun to watch. Apparently, according to many fan sites, the only real way to get the full effect of these films is to watch them in a large group where audience participation is mandatory.

Also read: Hollywood's Disabled React to NBC's 'Ironside' Casting: Give Us a Chance, Too

I've been lucky enough to work on two Syfy films so far: "Camel Spiders" and "Piranhaconda" -- both of which have made many "worst/best" SyFy titles ever and both directed by the great man himself, Jim Wynorski.

Jim is a 25-year veteran in the Hollywood exploitation field, has over 150 film credits and is the subject of one of the best documentary films ever: "Popatopolis." To understand Jim you just need one quote: "I love big tits, who doesn't. If you don't, who wants to know ya." 

Jim is frank, upfront, blunt, honest, what some might consider crude, and most of all he is blind. At least, he is blind to those categorizations we as a society see far too often.

He doesn't care if you are old or young, what "race" you are, a man or a woman, disabled or not. He didn't care at all that I am an amputee. He didn't think, "Ah, Kurt can't play a hero type because he's disabled" or, "He's missing a limb so let's stick him in a hospital as a military veteran" or, "His disability might be a liability on set so let's not hire him."

He didn't bother with that line of thought. He saw me as an actor, read me for a role, saw me as that role and cast me.

See photos: 20 Physically Disabled Characters Played by Able-Bodied Actors

He didn't consult with the writers to add in a part for my leg to be exploited or change the character to being "disabled." He didn't worry about me when I slid down two flights of stairs in "Piranhaconda" or ran across a 150-foot-tall gangplank in "Camel Spiders." He didn't see anything except the man I am.

Yes, Jim is "blind." He casts actors with disabilities into roles that don't call for the character to have a disability. He auditions actors with disabilities for non-disabled roles.

He is unable to see those perceived limitations, and he's blazing a trail so that others might see.

He is a good man, with flaws like the rest of us, but he doesn't see my disability, why should you?

My SyFy Experience with Director Jim Wynorski

If you haven't seen a SyFy Original Film, you aren't living. They're some of the best/worst pieces of entertainment you will ever see, having become infamous thanks to loyal fans.

These films exploit every cliché, trip over hundreds of illogical outcomes, fall into every possible ridiculous scenario, yet somehow they are just so damn fun to watch. Apparently, according to many fan sites, the only real way to get the full effect of these films is to watch them in a large group where audience participation is mandatory.

Also read: Hollywood's Disabled React to NBC's 'Ironside' Casting: Give Us a Chance, Too

I've been lucky enough to work on two Syfy films so far: "Camel Spiders" and "Piranhaconda" -- both of which have made many "worst/best" SyFy titles ever and both directed by the great man himself, Jim Wynorski.

Jim is a 25-year veteran in the Hollywood exploitation field, has over 150 film credits and is the subject of one of the best documentary films ever: "Popatopolis." To understand Jim you just need one quote: "I love big tits, who doesn't. If you don't, who wants to know ya." 

Jim is frank, upfront, blunt, honest, what some might consider crude, and most of all he is blind. At least, he is blind to those categorizations we as a society see far too often.

He doesn't care if you are old or young, what "race" you are, a man or a woman, disabled or not. He didn't care at all that I am an amputee. He didn't think, "Ah, Kurt can't play a hero type because he's disabled" or, "He's missing a limb so let's stick him in a hospital as a military veteran" or, "His disability might be a liability on set so let's not hire him."

He didn't bother with that line of thought. He saw me as an actor, read me for a role, saw me as that role and cast me.

See photos: 20 Physically Disabled Characters Played by Able-Bodied Actors

He didn't consult with the writers to add in a part for my leg to be exploited or change the character to being "disabled." He didn't worry about me when I slid down two flights of stairs in "Piranhaconda" or ran across a 150-foot-tall gangplank in "Camel Spiders." He didn't see anything except the man I am.

Yes, Jim is "blind." He casts actors with disabilities into roles that don't call for the character to have a disability. He auditions actors with disabilities for non-disabled roles.

He is unable to see those perceived limitations, and he's blazing a trail so that others might see.

He is a good man, with flaws like the rest of us, but he doesn't see my disability, why should you?

NBC To Air Live Special On Tornado In Tuesday’s ‘Voice’ Recap Slot

The network and its sister outlets MSNBC and the Weather Channel will focus Tuesday on coverage of today’s massive twister that cut a huge swath of destruction near Oklahoma City. Along with live coverage from devastated Moore, Okla., on NBC’s Today and MSNBC’s morning programs, the broadcast network will air a one-hour special hosted by Brian Williams live from the scene at 8 PM ET (delayed in other time zones). That will pre-empt a recap show of The Voice featuring the top 10 performances; a new live episode of the singing competition will air as scheduled in the 9 PM hour. Meanwhile, the Williams-anchored NBC Nightly News is slated to run in its regular half-hour starting at 6:30 PM and is not expected to be expanded. Today’s Matt Lauer, Savannah Guthrie, Al Roker, Natalie Morales and Willie Geist also will report from Moore, as will Lester Holt, Ann Curry, Kate Snow and others. MSNBC anchors reporting live from suburban OKC will include Joe Scarborough, Mika Brzezinski, Chris Jansing and Thomas Roberts. Related: CBS Pulls Season Finale Of ‘Mike & Molly’ Over Tornado Storyline Related: Obama Scandals Bring MSNBC 7-Year Low While Fox News Rises

Hey, Academy, I Was Hiding Under The Rug

An insider tells me that, at the most recent and always secret Academy Of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences‘ Board Of Governors meeting, president Hawk Koch ”went around the room asking if ‘anybody is friends with Nikki Finke?’ before beginning”. Gotta say, Hawk made my day.

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The Real Housewives of Orange County Recap: Hot In Here

Tonight on The Real Housewives of Orange County, the gang travels to L.A. to watch Heather's taping of Hot In Cleveland. 

Are Vicki and Tamra close to a truce? What does Gretchen think?

Find out all of that and more as we break down tonight's episode with our THG +/- review!

At Casa Dubrow, Heather's heading to work on the set of Hot In Cleveland. Terry's stepping it up to help her out. Way to go, Terry! Plus 10.

Tamra stops in at a jewelry store to look for wedding bands for Eddie. Her plan is to get the ball rolling so he'll follow suit. Her friend Lauri stops in to help her shop. The jeweler pours a glass of champagne to "loosen her up." Pretty sure it didn't take champagne. 

Lauri tells Tamra that her goal after marrying her husband George was to blend their family. Then she invokes She Who Will Not Be Named (Vicki) and Tamra tells Lauri all about how she was the only one who stood by Vicki and all the drama with Brooks.

Apparently Vicki breached confidences between Tamra and Simon and broke girl code. Minus 5. 

 

At Chez McLaughlin, Lydia's mom walks across the street to visit. They look at photos from Lydia's childhood and Lydia's mom says she's had some "human lapses." Glittermama's still smoking up. 

Lydia feels like her mom is choosing pot over her but mom just likes to get baked and run with the bunnies.

On the set of Hot In Cleveland, Heather has a table read with Betty White, Valerie Bertinelli, and Wendi Malick. The table read goes well and Heather gets the laughs. Plus 5.

While Heather was at her table read, Alexis visited an acting school. After playing a news anchor on General Hospital, she's convinced she knows everything about being an actor. She's so uncomfortable when she's nervous. And she was incredibly nervous.

Terry's home with the kids and calls himself "very permissive." But he's handling it. Plus 8

The following morning, Terry makes coffee and gets the kids out the door for Heather. Plus 10.

Slade and Gretchen are checking out of a hotel in San Diego aftet taking a little trip for Gretchen's birthday. Instead of just whisking her away for a weekend, he also surprises her with a Rolls Royce. Except she sort of bought the car for herself with the help of their financial advisor.  So, happy birthday? 

In the limo on the way to Heather's taping, Lydia and Tamra talk about Lydia's mom. Tamra doesn't crack any inappropriate jokes or tell Lydia to lighten up. Plus 2. 

While everyone else heads to Heather's taping, Alexis heads to her first acting class. In her one-on-one she says she's excited. But her excitement looks a lot like nerves. 

She says acting comes naturally for her. She would be wrong. Minus 12.

Tamra finds out the taping might last from 5:00 p.m. until midnight and suddenly regrets her decision to tag along. She especially regrets it when she finds she's seated one seat away from Vicki. 

Gretchen and Slade aren't there yet and Heather knows it. Minus 15.

Lydia's very complimentary of Heather's acting, as is Vicki. Heather's rocking it! Plus 7.

Finally, Gretchen and Slade show up, but as soon as they're seated, they leave again to look at something on Slade's phone. They sneak back in just in time for Heather's awesome line "I'll cut you like bad bangs, bitch!"

After acting again, Heather feels like the pieces of her puzzle are in place. Plus 12. 

Tamra's not impressed with the fact that Slade bought Gretchen a Rolls Royce. Vicki can't say anything in the one-on-one except that she thinks Gretchen's stupid. 

Lydia instigates a conversation between Tamra and Vicki about the way they parted at the winery. They agree to sweep it all under the rug. Gretchen's a little miffed. Minus 8.

Terry makes a toast to Heather. He's inspired and amazed by her. Plus 12. 

EPISODE TOTAL:  +26 SEASON TOTAL: -12

Ric Robertson Taking Paid Summer Hiatus From Movie Academy In Financial Crunch

EXCLUSIVE: Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences COO Ric Robertson is  taking what’s being internally called a “sabbatical” from June through August. I have learned this is an unusual paid leave even though the Academy is complaining about a financial crunch. Normally, its staff are restricted to 30 days of unpaid leave (and then only with approval). “He has worked here for 31 years. Doesn’t he deserve it?” an insider told me. “He didn’t tell us what he’ll do. Maybe work on his golf game.” Robertson’s upcoming sabbatical has prompted AMPAS staff to wonder whether he will be pushed out and/or look for another job. In April 2011, he was passed over for Bruce Davis’ executive directorship and now reports to AMPAS CEO Dawn Hudson, who was brought in over him. Insiders tell me that Robertson was primarily responsible for this year’s online voting debacle, which Hudson dumped in his lap when the Academy finally decided to implement Oscar balloting electronically — something Robertson and Davis resisted for prior years. (Grumbles one insider: “Dawn gives him anything messy that she doesn’t want to deal with or anything that means a lot of real work or anything that has a potential for failure, like the electronic voting.”)In November, the Academy had to extend its registration period after member complaints. Then AMPAS had to back down and send an old-fashioned paper ballot ... Read More »

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Oklahoma Tornado Kills 51, Death Toll Likely to Rise

At least 51 people, including seven children at an elementary school, were killed Monday by a massive tornado in an area just outside Oklahoma City.

The tornado was estimated to be at least two miles wide at one point as it moved through Moore, in the southern part of the Oklahoma City metro area.

Videos showed a huge funnel cloud stretching from the sky to the ground, kicking up dangerous debris. Officials say the death toll is likely to rise.

Emergency personnel were scouring the school's rubble Monday evening, reports indicate. Footage also showed a number of other leveled buildings.

The casualties may be even worse than are being confirmed at this time:

1. Twelve adults and eight children are being treated at the Oklahoma University Medical Center and The Children's Hospital in Oklahoma City.
2. The Norman Regional Hospital and the Healthplex in Norman, Ok., are treating an unspecified number of people for "trauma, lacerations and broken bones."
3. Thirteen patients have been moved from Moore Hospital to other hospitals, Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management officials said.

Keli Pirtle, a spokeswoman for the National Weather Service in Norman, Okla., said the tornado touched down at 2:56 p.m. and traveled for 20 miles.

It was on the ground for 40 minutes, she said, striking the town of Newcastle and traveling 10 miles to Moore, a populous suburb of Oklahoma City.

Pirtle said preliminary data suggested that it was a Category 4 tornado on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado strength on a scale of 0-5.

Television on Monday showed destruction spread over a vast area of the region, with blocks upon blocks of homes and businesses destroyed.

Residents, some partly clothed and apparently caught by surprise, were shown picking through rubble, while several large structures were on fire.

Cars were upended, flipped and stacked on top of each other.

The deadly storm system continued to churn through the region on Monday afternoon, and forecasters warned that new tornadoes could still form.

An earlier storm system also spawned several strong tornadoes across Oklahoma on Sunday. Several deaths were reported then as well.

Russell Schneider, director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Storm Prediction Center, said the area's tornado risk is still high.

Our thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones.

Google Checkout Nixed In Favor of Google Wallet

Google Checkout is being sunsetted as the company focuses on shaping Google Wallet into a viable PayPal rival. Google Commerce announced today that Google Checkouts will be retired on November 20.