While fantasy epic The Golden Compass did hit the number one spot at the box office this weekend with $26.1 million, it failed to impress hopeful studio execs who were expecting something much higher. In second place, Enchanted brought in $10.7 million followed by This Christmas with $5 million and Fred Claus at fourth place with $4.7 million.
Next up, Amy Winehouse is drowning in her tears as she battles her troubles alone. Ever since her husband went to the big house, Winehouse has been photographed looking down in the dumps. And the most current photo is of her walking the streets in jeans and a red bra, crying with a look of anguish on her face. In response to the pictures, Winehouse's mom, Janis, wrote a public letter to her daughter, which was published in the British tab, News of the World.
"We were terrified after we saw those pictures of you earlier this week, wandering the freezing streets of London at dawn in your underwear," wrote Mama Winehouse. "All I wanted to do was rush into those pictures and wrap you up in a big, warm blanket."
Addressing her daughter's recent celebrity status, mom writes, "Early fame has overwhelmed you. It’s dizzied you and muddled your mind. For a moment, forget you’re a superstar. You’re also young and vulnerable. Remember you’re just an ordinary human being, no stronger than any of the rest of us. You think you’re strong enough to get through this on your own, darling, but you’re not."
Regarding Amy Winehouse's husband, Blake, her mom writes, "When I was quoted recently as saying, 'thank God Blake’s inside,' what I meant was that putting him in jail might help him to clean up HIS act and change HIS life.
"It wasn’t said out of viciousness or to upset you. If your relationship is meant to be, it will survive.
"I’m a great believer that everything in life happens for a reason, a purpose. And if you two are destined to be together forever, then so be it."
Winehouse's mom continues to plead for her daughter to come home and seek help when she is ready. My heart goes out to Winehouse and the millions of others who are suffering just like her this holiday season.
Finally, the writers (Writers Guild) dare still on strike and there is no ending in sight. Although Variety and other Hollywood publications were printing pieces claiming that reaching a resolution between the two sides looked "optimistic," my inside sources told me that wasn't the case. Thus, I'm not shocked to hear that the private meeting between producers and writers ended with finger pointing and bitter feelings.
While studios claim that they can "last months," come springtime, the Screen Actor's Guild and Director's Guild contracts are up and if those two unions join the writer's team, we'll see how much longer the big money-makers will last minus their artists who are ultimately responsible for bringing in those big bucks. As I've mentioned, it is highly important that all artists take a stand and get what they rightfully deserve. It is equally important that unions defend their positions because without them, we would lose our middle class. I'm a big supporter of the little guys and am confident that if they stand strong together, victory will prevail.
