HOLLYWOOD

By Tony Rizzo
HOLLYWOOD — Not long ago we told you that Michael Douglas would lock lips with Matt Damon in the Liberace biopic shooting early in 2012, for release later that year. Now Leonardo DiCaprio will be locking lips with Armie Hammer of “The Social Network” in “J. Edgar.” The film is about the creator of the FBI, J. Edgar Hoover, once one of the most powerful men in America, making and breaking lives. He later was the object of scandal himself because of his close relationship with Clyde Tolson. Oscar-winning “Milk” screenwriter Dustin Lance Black fashioned the script, to be directed by two-time Oscar winner Clint Eastwood. Dame Judi Dench and Naomi Watts have key roles.

When asked if the film would show Hoover’s rumored gay past, Eastwood commented, “Some people might interpret it that way. Some people might say Hoover and Tolson were just inseparable pals. Or maybe it’s a love story without being gay, I don’t know. But it’s very interesting the way Dustin Lance Black laid out the script. It was nicely written, it didn’t go to the obvious.”

Eastwood is a man of few words — demonstrated by his 1965 breakthrough film “A Fistful of Dollars,” in which he had no dialog. Is Clint holding back the juicy details? There’s more about Hoover’s sordid past than he’s telling us.
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As predicted, “The Iron Lady” biopic starring Meryl Streep as British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher is causing a furor in England. Reports from early screenings say Brits are outraged at how the now-frail, 85-year-old former English leader is portrayed as power hungry, conflicted and confused with scenes showing Thatcher suffering nightmares over some of her major decisions. It is doubtful that Thatcher will ever see the film because of its content. We still don’t know if Queen Elizabeth ever saw “The Queen,” though Helen Mirren admits she was introduced by the Queen as, “You know, she played me in the film about me!”

Megan Fox of “Transformers” fame is having the Marilyn Monroe tattoo on her right forearm removed. Megan says, “She’s a negative character, who suffered from personality disorders and was bipolar. I don’t want to attract negative energy into my life.” Obviously, Megan missed the point. Marilyn Monroe is a great icon because she overcame adversity to become a legend. She had great comedic talent, and we celebrate her memory for that — and not negative energy. You may look like a fox, but Megan, you just don’t think like one!

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