Time to give Tyler Perry his due: After continually stealing number one at the box office, nudging his show "House of Payne" into syndication and continuing to adapt his original plays into movie gold, Perry put the cash together to open up his very own movie studio.
Friends like Oprah and Sidney Poitier celebrated the opening of Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta, Georgia (in a former airline reservations center, no less!) at a Saturday party. Will Smith brought his smiling face and Perry ensemble player Cicely Tyson brought a date to hear Patti LaBelle perform.
Of course, as with any huge party, there were crashers: Writers Guild representatives claim Perry fired four writers from "House of Payne" for participating in WGA activities. Perry's studio may be bright and shiny, but his show is one of the only scripted productions without a union presence.
When comedian Sacha Baron Cohen's "Borat" exposed the foibles of Americans everywhere, a few people weren't laughing, triggering a wave of lawsuits from people who participated in the film and didn't know they were being mocked. Well, guess what, suckers! You signed the release!
New York judge Loretta Preska, Jaunted hero, threw out lawsuits from the film's eternally patient driving instructor (above) and unnaturally sweet etiquette coaches, citing the agreements they signed to appear in the film.
It's perfect timing for Baron Cohen as he completes shooting on his next "character" film, next year's "Bruno" in which he plays a gay Austrian fashionista. Humor teacher, drunk frat boys and Pam Anderson beware!
Hey, did you see the videoHotelChatter posted from the reopening of the Atlanta Marriott Marquis? We're definitely checking it out the next time we're in town!
Check in first if you need someone to party with--it worked for R. Kelly!--and then hit the town to find your hotel-bar partner in crime:
Bulldog Bar :: It proclaims itself Atlanta's #1 Gay Bar, serving up guest-DJ stands and shy guys. 893 Peachtree St., NE
Two Urban Licks :: This spicy Southern joint may not have takeout men, but if you can take the heat, request seats near the rotisserie! 820 Ralph McGill Blvd., NE
The Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta declares itself the biggest in the world, but its newest attraction is actually quite small: A rare and threatened sea dragon is pregnant and scheduled to give birth in mid-July.
Marine maniacs know it's the male sea dragons and sea horses that carry the young (take that, Pregnant Man!) and in the case of the weedy sea dragon, the aquarium had trouble getting their seven specimens to mate at all.
Now that one is confirmed pregnant, it shouldn't be too long before baby dragons populate the aquarium's tanks--a triumph for an institution still getting over the loss of a beloved beluga whale earlier this year.
Delta's marketing sensation, flight attendant Katherine Lee, made a huge splash when she appeared in the airline's new safety video. And now she's back, prettying up the carrier's newish Flickr page. (That's "American Idol" singer Josh Gracin at right.)
You can also get more of Katherine on Delta's YouTube channel, where she hosts a new video guide to Atlanta. Something tells us it might rack up more views than this marginally useful guide to Paris. Check it out post-click.
Ballet=boring, right? What if the dances were set to Big Boi tracks instead of snoozy classical music? You'll find it at the Atlanta Ballet, starting tonight.
The show's called "Big," and it's a seriously limited engagement. The dancing is all professional ballet, but Big Boi, the hip hop group Konkrete and others will provide the tunes live.
It's a little cheeky, sure, but there's nothing wrong with appealing to a younger audience. As choreographer Lauri Stallings says:
"Meet the Browns" is a city-country story of Brenda, a single mom living in inner-city Chicago, who discovers her father--a man she's never met--has passed away. She travels with her kids to his hometown, Atlanta, where she "Meets the Browns": The fun-loving, cozy Southern fam she never knew she had.
Angela Bassett plays Brenda and the film was written, directed and stars Tyler Perry. (Translation: If you're not a Perry fan, skip this one). We hear it's full of crazy characters and pranks.
One of the brightest spots in this film? Atlanta. Check out what to do on your next visit:
Where To Stay:Ellis Hotel Check into one of the city's hippest spots at The Ellis. This renovated boutique hotel is in a restored 1913 historic landmark. The mood's fun and lively and they've got tons of extras like neckties for forgetful male guests and a female-only floor with a secure entry for women traveling alone. Eat before you head home from the bars though, as they only offer room service breakfast.
Where To Hang Out:The Earl An Atlanta institution, The Earl is a great first stop on a night out. The bar's fun and there's guaranteed live music every night of the week. Bring your appetite and dig into specialties like jerk tuna or PBR battered gator fingers.
Where To Spend the Day:The Georgia Aquarium Splurge on the $23 admission and visit the world's largest aquarium, featuring 8 million gallons of water filled with everything from whale sharks to belugas. Known for its innovation, the aquarium's even growing its own massive coral reef.
This week's pick, One Missed Call, will have you leaving your cell ringing on end. A remake of a Japanese film, Chakushin ari, the plot revolves around a cast of terrified characters who, whenever they answer their ringing phone, pick up to hear themselves calling from the future reciting their death in detail. Yikes.
The biggest name in this one is probably Ed Burns, who many claim saves the movie. Shannyn Sossamon also makes her starring role debut, but the reviews are saying it's unlikely you'll remember it.
One Missed Call was shot in and around Atlanta, one of our faves. Below check out some fun stuff to do in town:
Where To Stay:Glenn Hotel Step into this sleek spot, one of the first boutique hotels in the city and reminiscent of a New York hotel with stark rooms featuring plasma screens and showers with glass partitions. It's NYC size too, meaning accommodations are a tight fit, but they do still have some Southern charm to them.
Where To Eat:Watershed Restaurant A fan of the Indigo Girls? Then head to band member Emily Saliers restaurant in nearby Decatur. It's not just a front either: Watershed was named a Top Ten in Atlanta by the local newspaper and nominated for a James Beard prize in '06. Try the classic Pimento cheese sandwich or butternut squash pancakes. They rock all the originals too, including collard greens, mac 'n' cheese and gingered beets.
What to Do:Center for Puppetry Arts This is the largest puppetry organization in the world, housing more than 350 beloved puppets, including Jim Henson's crowd. You can catch a live show or take part in a puppet making workshop to find your inner Kermit.
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by egw
