Hollywood should sit up and take a cue from CineVegas - when it comes to premieres - at least!
Last night's red carpet event for Fox's - "The Rocker" - was a splashy high-energy bash - the likes of which - I have not seen in recent days in Tinsel town.
Without doubt, there were two stand-outs on the catwalk.
Top Dog honor goes to Rainn Wilson (The Office) who alighted amid a lot of frenzied fanfare from what was being billed as the most ubiquitous limo on the planet with motley crew in tow.
Runner up for the grand entrance hands-down went to local Vegas celebrity - Johnny Brenden - with clear title to the Brenden Theatre at the Palms Casino Resort where the hilarious new Fox comedy was being unveiled.
"Mr. Muscles," one of the paparazzi quipped.
Rainn strutted down the red carpet in character attired head-to-toe in rock-inspired garb.
Was I having a sixties-style LSD flashback?
"Axel Rose inspired the bandanna," he noted dead-pan.
When I spied a promo for the rock music band - "Steel Panther" - in the morning Review-Journal (Page 26 of Neon) it all amounted to synchronicity for me.
From the publicity still in the daily, it was quite evident that Rainn got it right.
When I asked Rainn where he wanted to be in two years, he was quick on the uptake.
Bigger than Bono!
The talented actor was in top form, capable of spitting out rapid-fire repartee at whim, much to the delight of the fans outside the theatre in Sin City.
The shutterbugs were in a feeding frenzy - truly in their element - as they snapped away non-stop without skipping a beat.
Wilson was flanked by a skanky bunch of hangers-on which included scintillating showgirls, a card-playing magician, tuxedoed midget, and a Centurion (Hail Caesar!)."I picked 'em up at a local bar," Rainn joked amid hoots from the press who ate it all up!
For the press it was finally show time.
For about two hours they chomped at the bit.
In spite of the fact they were wilting somewhat under the intense mid-day sun, they were inclined to camp out patiently on the edges of the roped-off runway where the celebrities were destined to touch down.
I spied a handful of 'em surreptitiously checking out the rank and status of their rivals in the line-up, taking note of the pecking order, that sort of thing.
On occasion, a photog would kindly oblige the competition by standing in on the carpet for a test shot to establish framing, intensity of light, and potential glitches.
At times, they shared the fruits of their labor.
"Not a bad shot, eh?" one asked a fellow photog as he displayed the screen for all to take a gander at.
"I cut him off at the knees though. I guess I should have included the feet."
A Celebrity Vibe rep was pretty low-key and stayed out of the fray for the most part.
For him, the industry was mostly a positive experience.
Who was a toughie to deal with?
"Jennifer Anniston. She gets naked and stands out in front of her house. Then, she has someone tip off a photographer . When he shows up and takes pictures, she sues them."
Why, I asked incredulously.
"'Cause she's crazy," he stated matter-of-fact.
You heard it here first, folks.
How did Brad make do for all those years? Must have the patience of Job, I expect.
Johnny Brenden was quite the poser himself. In fact, his appearance was literally dazzling.
A stud in his ear sparkled when it caught the sunlight and showered little rainbows all about.
And then, there was that ten-thousand-watt smile.
"The teeth were always his," one woman assured me.
Another speculated about where his money came from.
"He's related to the owners of the Mann's Chinese," another chimed in.
Mr. Brenden was the film buff nostalgic who pushed for a Hollywood-style walk of fame with stars imbedded underfoot in Las Vegas terra firma.
When I asked if he had help with his fashion choices for the evening, he was quite emphatic, "No".
"Versace", he announced, as he did a little bow in his black designer suit that fit just so.
How can you go wrong when you start with the perfect male silhouette?
At one point, when the flash bulbs popped and the golden sunlight streamed across his distinctive features, the effect was awesome, surreal, and downright freakish in nature.
It was sort-of a Marilyn Monroe moment with a male twist.
The phrase - "famous for being famous" - popped into my mind.
One of the lead actresses - Jane Lynch - was cool as a cucumber, though.
She handled herself with ease despite the frenzied pace of the event.
When I asked if tall thin actress could offer up any advice for actors struggling and pining to succeed in the business, she was quick to offer up suggestions.
"Do Do Do. Get into a play or a showcase. Get out there and make it happen."
Dennis Hopper was the epitome of style and class, too.
He sauntered down the carpet in an understated tasteful suit, with a starched pristine-white dress shirt, open at the collar.
In spite of the carnival-like-aura of the event, the legendary actor managed to remain centered, measured in his responses, and definitely in control.
The sign of a true pro.
What was the man - who has been crowned the Ambassador of good will for CineVegas - thinking behind those ultra-cool designer shades?
When I asked the celebrated Hopper if he had any reflections about his remarkable fortune to work with legendary actors - Elizabeth Taylor, James Dean, and Rock Hudson (Giant) - he was inclined to note that he just came off a project with a fine actor, Ben Kingsley.
It was evident to me at that juncture that Mr. Hopper is not caught up in the trappings of Hollywood, influenced by fluctuating personas, or the superficiality of the industry. Indeed, his response indicated - quite frankly - that it was all about the quality of the work and the players.
When the producer - Tom McNulty - stopped by for a chat impeccably dressed in a handsome suit - my initial reaction was to joke,
"Oh, you're one of the suits we hear so much about in the industry."
He was taken aback a little.
Yeah, my humor can be a little offbeat on occasion, if not downright cynical at times.
Mr. McNultry is a sort-of boy wonder, with pretty luminous eyes, who came up through the ranks.
True to form, the affable exec started at the bottom, then navigated his way to the top, "by being focused, clean, willing to pitch in, and doing the grunt work".
He noted that the "Rocker" property had been stewing for a couple of years before it got the green light. At one point he and Rainn became fast friends, so it was logical that he would be offered the role.
After director Peter Cattaneo (Full Monty) agreed to come on board, within six weeks, the award-winning auteur was jetting off to Toronto (my home town) to start shooting with little more fuss or ado.
In view of the mood of the business in recent days, the comedy appeared to be a good bet for the marketplace, noted McNultry.
In respect to upcoming projects, he noted that he worried a little about a potential strike, but expressed a sincere hope that the actors get their due and proper pay.
Gosh, twist the arms of those other suits, please!
When I corralled Trevor Groth - Artistic Director for CineVegas - it was evident he was on a bit of a high.The Festival was kicking off to a great start, after all.
What is the highlight of the Festival, I asked.
"Tonight."
Ah, quite the diplomat, what with the "Rocker" people gazing on from the sidelines.
But, he urged filmgoers and festival enthusiasts to get out for the big Charity Event coinciding with "Get Smart" on Sunday June 15th at the Planet Hollywood Casino Resort.
Proceeds will go to help Project Knapsack which was founded by GET SMART star, Dwayne Johnson.
Also, the Murakami Red Carpet event (Monday June 16th) may prove to be a historic artistic happening in Las Vegas.
Congratulations Rocker!
Looks like 'ya got a hit on your hands.
