Tao of Pauly

I spent another sleepless night and I got sucked into two films on cable: Celebrity by Woody Allen and Bully by Lenny Clark.

Celebrity (1998) starred Kenneth Branagh in an American accent, a studdering Woody Allen-esque accent to be specific. This is one of the few films that Woody did not cast himslef in, rather electing to go with Branagh, who did a nice job. He plays Lee Simon, unsuccessful journalist and wanna-be novelist, tries to get a foot into the door with celebrities. After divorcing his wife Robin (Judy Davis), Lee gets to meet the rich and/or beautiful partly because he has a script to offer. He is caught in the middle of his relationships between his girlfriend (Famke Janssen) and his friend's girlfriend, an actress (Winona Ryder) whom he develops a crush on. Meanwhile Robin meets a very desirable TV-producer (Joe Mantegna) and takes the first steps in the world of celebrities herself. Woody Allen did a good job about poking fun of the celebrity lifestyle and those trying to break in, or escape.

Celebrity was shot in black and white and also starred: Hank Azaria, Leonardo DiCaprio, Melanie Griffith, Bebe Neuwirth, Charlize Theron and cameos from: Donald Trump and Mary Jo Buttafuoco.


Bully (2001) is a film from Lenny Clark, the director of Kids. This dark film was based on a true story in Florida. After finding himself at the constant abuse of his best friend Bobby (Nick Stahl), Marty (Brad Renfro) has become fed up with his friend's twisted ways. His girlfriend (Rachel Minor), a victim of Bobby's often cruel ways, couldn't agree more and they strategize murdering Bobby, with a group of willing and unwilling participants in a small Florida town. In the midst of their plotting, they find themselves contemplating with the possible aftermath of what could happen. Bijoux Philips is also in this flick.

I'd recommend both these films. Check them out.