::: George Christy ::: From the Beverly Hills Courier

A tsunami of a launch it was in Westwood, with 1,300 fans (!), when Overture Films CEO Chris McGurk premiered Mad Money, starring Queen Latifah, Diane Keaton and Katie Holmes. A wingnut threesome of cleaning ladies at the Federal Reserve Bank in Kansas City, pulling off a heist that showers them with more cash than they know what to do with. The premise of Mad Money is true: old money is shredded by the government, and cunning Diane Keaton devises a plot to steal, rather than dump. The trio succeeds. ÒI hate cleaning toilets,Ó says Diane in the movie, Òbut the moneyÕs so good.Ó ÒAudiences are connecting with it,Ó noted Chris McGurk during the party at UCLAÕs Royce Hall after the Village Theatre screening. ÒDoesnÕt everyone wish for more money?Ó He and wife Jamie, the handsomest executive couple in our entertainment community, were swamped by admirers. As was director Callie Khouri, who first told Chris about the film, financed by MilleniumÕs Avi Lerner, with Chris picking it up for $6 million for OvertureÕs 2008 slate. ÒThis is a fun movie,Ó says Callie. ÒPure entertainment. Consciously or unconsciously, we think about money, and the movie taps right into that.Ó She praises Glenn GersÕ screenplay, with Glenn reflecting about Callie, who wrote Thelma & Louise: ÒSheÕs one of the worldÕs best screenwriters and suddenly is the greatest mentor I could have. We have a crime movie without any violence, and nobodyÕs hurt.Ó Mad Money opens this weekend in more than 2,000 theaters. The ladies have fine support from Ted Danson, as DianeÕs bewildered spouse; Adam Rothenberg as KatieÕs mate; Roger Cross, who has a yen for Queen Latifah; and Stephen Root as the blowhard head of security. OvertureÕs Danny Rosset and Peter Adee were congratulated at the premiere, with Tom Cruise arriving early with Katie, who worked the red carpet, while Tom shook hands with hundreds of thrilled fans. Hats off to Wendy Creed Productions, OvertureÕs Tonya Toone, Adam Keen and his associate Joe Kern, who organized the premiere, where Adam brought aboard chefs Suzanne Tracht of JAR, Carolynn Spence of Chateau Marmont, and Nancy Silverton of Osteria Mozza. Best dish was SuzanneÕs lemongrass chicken with kaffir lime leaf. Two nights later, we dined with Chris and Jamie, savoring sips of Riserva Ducale Chianti at that hot spot in town, Dan TanaÕs, now in its 40th year. A perennial and reliable, red-checkered-tablecloth restaurant in that yellow clapboard cottage on Santa Monica Boulevard, where Mike Gotovac has been tending bar forever, and Craig Susser kindly looks after the loyals, who love DanÕs steaks and those hearty, red-sauce dishes. We learned that Overture has a whole lot of action going on, with the company investing in lower-budget films. Starz, the parent of Overture, is providing $325 million in long-term financing for a dozen or so films annually. At the Sundance Film Festival, Chris is premiering Sleepwalking starring Charlize Theron, and Tom McCarthyÕs awaited The Visitor with Richard Jenkins (Tom gave us the acclaimed Station Agent with Peter Dinklage), both scheduled for spring release. Later on, Righteous Kill, directed by Jon Avnet with Al Pacino and Robert DeNiro costarring as two detectives. Next will be the spy thriller Traitor with Don Cheadle and Guy Pearce, and Last Chance Harvey, a romantic comedy with Dustin Hoffman as a schlub, whose life is turned around after a fleeting meeting with statistical analyst Emma Thompson. These last two films may premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. Toward yearÕs end, John Leguizamo stars in Humboldt Park, a feel-good comedy about a Puerto Rican family from the producers of Barbershop. Amazing star power for a new company. As we were departing Dan TanaÕs after ten oÕclock, the bar was a hi-five fannybumper, and we ran into filmmakers and agents, all anxious for the Writers Guild strike to be resolved so that the Oscarcast will go on, and for William Morris AgencyÕs Ed Limato to host his legendary, pre-Oscar Friday night party for Tinsel TownÕs 400. In truth, there was a consensus about their appreciation and love for the Golden Globes, and believe the critics should quit their attacks, which they find Òhaughty.Ó They add: ÒWho wouldnÕt like watching Johnny Depp accept the first award of his life for his performance in Sweeney Todd É and seeing Daniel Day-Lewis, who we donÕt know much about, receive his award? Audiences then wonÕt want to miss these winning films and those performances.Ó TheyÕre concerned about the loss of writersÕ jobs, hope the strike isnÕt hurting the actorsÕ careers, and wonder why some folks get waivers, while the Golden Globes and others donÕt. ArenÕt the writers worried, they ask, that the reality shows replacing scripted shows are doing so well in the ratings. They were shocked to read that the cancellation of Golden Globes created a loss between $80 million to $100 million in related city businesses, and that writers have lost more than $200 million in income. The other day, my bank officer decided, ÒHollywood is cuckoo, especially now with talk of a recession.Ó This weekend, the New York TimesÕ David Carr (The Carpetbagger) weighed in that the election news will flatten more shows. ÒElection 2008 is a breakaway hit.Ó While we havenÕt attended the Golden Globe Awards for the past several years, whenever we were there, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association hosted a helluva party that filmmakers were gung-ho about, a night electric with glamour. Moet & Chandon champagne flows, excellent food is served, with folks like Jack Nicholson tablehopping, and other actors and moguls schmoozing and networking. At one event, we sat with Sigourney Weaver and Hillary Swank, who had never met, and they took off like rockets and became friends. Barbara Boyle, whoÕs UCLAÕs head of film, theatre and television, tells us that the HFPA contributes major monies, thousands upon thousands, for fellowships, film festivals, etc. ÒTheyÕve helped us immeasurably year after year É very important sums for our public school. We love the HFPA.Ó WeÕve known Edoardo Baldi, now in his early 30s, since his youth, having cooked alongside his dad at Ristorante de Giorgio Baldi on West Channel Road in Santa Monica. HeÕs also spent months in Italy with leading chefs who taught him their recipes, and a year-and-a-half ago he opened his eponymous E. Baldi at 375 North Canon Drive in Beverly Hills to an overnight success (telephone: 310-248-2633). A restaurant thatÕs a pleasure to know, the dining room seats 60, with blondwood, Eames-like chairs, a small bar, and gentle lighting enhancing the ambiance. My friend Louise Danelian likes E. Baldi so much that she plans to take over the restaurant for a private party. An accomplished chef from his youth, EdoardoÕs delightful and soft-spoken, beloved by his customers, who return again and again. From the beginning, his rabid following became Hollywood Central. Regulars include Leo DiCaprio, Cameron Diaz, Mark Wahlberg, Al Gore, Warren Beatty and Annette Bening, John Malkovich, Sasha Baron Cohen, Magic Johnson, Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones, Anne and Kirk Douglas, Brian Grazer, Reese Witherspoon, Pauletta and Denzel Washington, Katie Holmes, and many more. They return for the polenta; lobster ravioli; sweet corn agnolotti; the always-popular, grilled Mediterranean langoustines; spigola al cartoccio with tomatoes, potatoes, olives and thyme; branzino; Dover sole (Lindsay LohanÕs selection); risotto with white truffles (Ridley ScottÕs choice); New York steak with peppercorns (a Keanu Reeves favorite). Along with the daily specials, the menu features antipasti, pizzas, bruschettas and crostinis, salads, soups, pastas, veal cutlets and lamb chops. A dessert preference is the chocolate soufflŽ with the creamy chocolate center, Chantilly cream and chocolate ice cream, and thereÕs panna cotta, tiramisu, gelatos and sorbets, and a chocolate mousse that Edoardo personally finds irresistible. His wine list features excellent Italian and California choices that are not overpriced, and reasonably-priced carafes of white and red wines are available. WasnÕt it Jonathan Rhys-Meyers who wishes he had an E. Baldi to dine at nightly back home in England? Online at www.bhcourier.com.