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Lawrence Blume brings his mom’s ‘Tiger Eyes’ to Martha’s Vineyard

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 23:06:31 GMT

Living-legend Judy Blume is big. Huge. She’s sold more than 80 million books, including classics such as “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret,” “Blubber,” and “Tiger Eyes.” But the film version of “Tiger Eyes” — which was officially released earlier this month — is a tiny project. It was made by Blume’s son, Lawrence Blume, who’s still trying to get it to its core audience — presumably, fans of Judy’s — through video on demand and on iTunes, even if it’s not playing at theaters in their towns. Slowly but surely, theaters are asking for the film. “We’re starting to get bookings pretty much every day,” Lawrence told us.

Sandra Bullock and Paul Feig take Boston’s ‘The Heat’ to Berlin

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 22:53:55 GMT

It seems unfair for anyone to see the local movie “The Heat” before it screens in Boston, where it was filmed last year. Alas, director Paul Feig and one of the stars of the comedy, Sandra Bullock, brought the movie to Berlin on Tuesday. In Germany, the movie is called “Taffe Madels,” which we believe translates to “Tough Girls.” Perhaps that’s a more fitting title for the buddy cop comedy which costars a brash, trash-talking Melissa McCarthy. It opens here on June 28.

Cherie Blair to visit Wheelock College; Keith Foulke visits Dana Farber

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 22:52:20 GMT

Cherie Blair, wife of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, will be among 500 “global thought leaders” at Wheelock College’s first International Conference Thursday. Blair was in the news last week when a spokesperson for her husband denied rumors that the former head of state is romantically involved with Rupert Murdoch’s wife, Wendi Deng. (Murdoch and Deng are getting divorced.) . . . In celebration of Pride Month, Omar Sharif Jr., grandson of actor Omar Sharif, is speaking at Thursday’s gathering of Colette Phillips’s networking group, Get Konnected! The grandson of the actor famous for his roles in “Lawrence of Arabia” and “Doctor Zhivago” is himself an actor and a national spokesperson for GLAAD. . .

NESN’s Jerry Remy is out indefinitely

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 22:50:11 GMT

It’s anybody’s guess when Jerry Remy might resume his duties on NESN. The Red Sox analyst has been on the DL for nearly three weeks, and NESN confirmed Tuesday it will be a while longer before the Remdawg returns to the broadcast booth. Initially, the word was Remy, who has battled a host of health issues in recent years, was suffering from allergies and would miss only a few games. “Have no fear — that’s all it is,’’ tweeted Remy. That was last month. But on June 7, Remy said it was, in fact, more serious than sniffles. “I’ve caught a little pneumonia and it has to run its course,” he tweeted. “It’s not due to anything else, hope to be back soon.”

Pats owner Robert Kraft parties with Jay-Z

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 22:44:09 GMT

Why was Robert Kraft hanging out with Jay-Z in New York the other night? Turns out the Patriots owner was in town to give the keynote address at an Ernst & Young event, and afterward he and galpal Ricki Lander dropped by the 10th anniversary party for the rapper’s 40/40 Club. Also celebrating were Jay-Z’s wife, Beyonce, Geno Smith, T.I., Robinson Cano, Amare Stoudemire, Memphis Bleek, Meek Mill, Fabolous, Trae Tha Truth, Busta Rhymes, and Victor Cruz. With Jay-Z getting into the agent business — his company is called Roc Nation Sports — there’s a strong chance he and Kraft will be haggling over player contracts in the coming years.

Russian media compares Robert Kraft to Goldfinger

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 00:56:15 GMT

The kerfuffle continues over Robert Kraft’s claim that Russian President Vladimir Putin pocketed his Super Bowl ring during the Patriots owner’s visit to St. Petersburg in 2005. It’s a story Kraft has been repeating for years, but this time it prompted a response from Putin. Calling the comment “weird,” the president’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Putin would be happy to buy Kraft a replacement ring. ‘‘Back in 2005 I stood behind the president’s back and I saw how that ring was presented to him. . . . At the same time, I am aware that this gentleman [Kraft] is feeling such a horrible pain about the 2005 loss,’’ Peskov said. ‘‘The president will be ready to send him another ring as a gift, which [Putin] can buy with his own money.’’

A few boldfacers at the Bruins game

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 00:43:22 GMT

The last time the Bruins played a Stanley Cup Finals game at TD Garden, there were a couple of guys in lime-green unitards in the crowd. No Green Men this time. Just a few brave souls in red Blackhawks jerseys sitting in a sea of black and gold. As you might expect, there were also a few familiar faces among the rank-and-file rowdies at Game 3...

Toad in Porter Square celebrates 20 years

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 22:32:26 GMT

It was a big birthday week for Toad, the tiny club in Porter Square where Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder once jammed with former Red Sox GM Theo Epstein and Bill Janovitz, just for kicks. For its 20th anniversary, the intimate venue featured performances by the White Owls, Jesse Dee, Dana Colley from Morphine, the other Dee band (Jenny Dee and the Deelinquents), Session Americana, and Fandango, featuring Fred Bajie Griffeth, who, like many artists who play Toad, wound up working his way into the audience. Anniversary events wrapped up on Sunday.

Andruzzi and friends hit the links

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 22:27:38 GMT

Former Pats lineman Joe Andruzzi held his annual golf tournament benefiting the Joe Andruzzi Foundation, and a slew of Pats players past and present hit the links. (The foundation helps cancer patients and their families.) The do-good duffers at Pinehills Golf Club in Plymouth included current Patriots players Zoltan Mesko, Rob Ninkovich, Dan Connolly, Julian Edelman, Nate Solder, Ryan Wendell, and Vince Wilfork, alums Pete Brock, Tedy Bruschi, Vernon Crawford, Ronnie Lippett, and Andre Tippett, longtime CBS sportscaster Lesley Visser, comedian Lenny Clarke and Dropkick Murphy Ken Casey.

‘Superman’ author mixed on Superman movie

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 22:20:59 GMT

Despite decidedly mixed reviews, the new Superman flick “Man of Steel” shot to the top of the box office faster than a speeding bullet, earning $196.7 million in its opening weekend. One of those paying customers was Lexington writer Larry Tye, author of the superhero’s exhaustively researched and entertainingly told bio “Superman: The High-Flying History of America’s Most Enduring Hero.” (It’s just out in paperback.) So what did he think of director Zack Snyder’s take on the man from Krypton? “I agree with all the critiques that there is too much slam-bang, too much origin [story], and too much unabashed setup for the sequel,” said Tye. “But fans don’t care.” No, they don’t....

Heritage on the Garden is 25

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 22:19:20 GMT

Developer Ron Druker; Liz Vizza, executive director of the Friends of the Public Garden; Via Matta general manager Nick Mackenzie; finance guy Tyler Hardy, and Boston Common publisher Glen Kelley mingled at the recent 25th anniversary party for The Heritage on the Garden, those shops and restaurants that we can’t quite afford at the Four Seasons (St. John, Escada, Anne Fontaine, etc.) The night benefited Vizza’s organization, which keeps Boston Common, the Public Garden, and Commonwealth Avenue Mall looking good.

Denzel Washington in Haverhill; A pass on local pilot ‘Hatfields & McCoys’?

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 22:02:18 GMT

Denzel Washington’s film “The Equalizer” has taken over the empty Lowe’s building in Haverhill. It’s a good thing we have so many movies in Boston this summer — it makes up for the fact that ABC Family’s Boston-based drama “Chasing Life” will be filmed in California and that, according to TheWrap.com, NBC has passed on the Charlize Theron-produced “Hatfields & McCoy’s” pilot, which filmed in Boston a few months ago. The show updated the family rivalry and starred Sophia Bush and Virginia Madsen.

Chefs in Shorts take over the Seaport Hotel & World Trade Center

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 22:15:36 GMT

The Seaport Hotel & World Trade Center hosted its annual “Chefs in Shorts” benefit on Friday night. The annual party raises money for “Future Chefs,” an organization that helps Boston young people qualify for good work in the culinary field. Local chefs who participated in the event — which drew almost 1,000 foodies — included Jeff Stevens , of Flour, who wasn’t shy about showing off his legs during the party. He was joined by his co-workers Corey Johnson and John Hendron, as well as Sara Ross of Kickass Cupcakes, Paul Wahlberg of Alma Nove, Brian Poe of Poe’s Kitchen, and Jason Santos of Abby Lane and Blue Inc.

Tess Gerritsen, writer of Boston detective novels, raises money for Alzheimer’s research

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 21:56:54 GMT

Fans of writer Tess Gerritsen’s “Rizzoli & Isles” books have a chance to get their name in one of her Boston-based crime novels. Gerritsen, whose popular series has become a television show on TNT, is asking fans to donate $5 to the Scripps Research Institute to help fight Alzheimer’s. For every $5 donation you make, you’ll get one entry in a raffle that will award two grand prize winners a character named after them in Gerritsen’s next “Rizzoli” book, which is due out next year. For the record, Gerritsen lives in Maine — but Boston makes a better setting for her fictional cases. You can donate and enter at GoFundMe.com. The raffle ends July 24 at midnight.

Bob Kraft retells story about Putin and Super Bowl ring

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 21:48:05 GMT

Vladimir Putin is denying Robert Kraft’s oft-told claim that the Russian president pocketed a prized Super Bowl ring during the Patriots owner’s visit to St. Petersburg, Russia, in 2005. Kraft has long alleged that Putin kept the diamond-studded Super Bowl ring but didn’t make a fuss at the request of then-President George W. Bush who wanted to avoid trouble with Russia. Kraft repeated the story at an awards event in New York the other night. “I took out the ring and showed it to (Putin). And he put it on and he goes, ‘I can kill someone with this ring,’” Kraft told the crowd at the Waldorf Astoria. “I put my hand out and he put it in his pocket, and three KGB guys got around him and walked out.” Sunday, a Putin spokesman disputed that account. “What Mr. Kraft is saying now is weird,” said Dmitry Peskov.

Vincent D’Onofrio joins Robert Downey Jr. in Shelburne Falls for ‘The Judge’

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 21:33:41 GMT

Robert Downey Jr. and director David Dobkin should be finished filming “The Judge” in Shelburne Falls. On Friday, the cast and crew were downtown getting footage of local scenery that will stand in for Indiana in the film. Downey Jr. was quite visible on set, as was his co-star, Vincent D’Onofrio, best known for “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” (and for our favorite, “Mystic Pizza”). “The Judge” is expected to head to Boston for more filming this week. Other stars involved in the project include Leighton Meester and Vera Farmiga.

A (rose) garden party

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 23:12:25 GMT

Mayor Tom Menino’s daughter Susan - that’s her on the right - was among the boldfacers wearing their best bonnets to the Rose Garden Party, an annual benefit for ParkARTS, the mayor’s arts and culture program. (With Susan is Carolyn Kain of Dorchester.) Over 175 people gathered in the Kelleher Rose Garden in the Back Bay Fens, where some 3,000 rose bushes are at peak bloom. Get down there, people!

Marc Maron at the Brattle Theatre

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 23:06:32 GMT

Marc Maron has done a little of everything since graduating from BU in 1986. He did voice work on “Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist,” had a cameo in the film “Almost Famous,” hosted a radio show on Air America and a short-lived TV show on Comedy Central, and now does a popular podcast, “WTF with Marc Maron.”

Goodwill Industries hits the beach

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 22:58:48 GMT

Despite the rain – or maybe because of it - Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries had a beach theme at its annual fund-raiser this week. Held under an enormous tent set up in the Goodwill parking lot in Roxbury, the party co-chaired and hosted by developer Paul Bernon and wife Ashley drew a few familiar faces, including Linda Pizzuti Henry, wife of Red Sox owner John Henry, Krista Ference, who’s husband is Bruins defenseman Andrew Ference, author Ben Mezrich and wife, Tonya, and Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries CEO Joanne Hilferty.

Kim Deal to leave the Pixies

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 22:44:47 GMT

The Pixies have announced that bassist Kim Deal is done with the band. In a statement signed by remaining members Black Francis, Joey Santiago, and David Lovering, the band said Deal has “decided to leave,” but her “place will always be here for her.” Deal could not be reached for comment. Though conceived in the wilds of western Massachusetts while Santiago and Francis were students at UMass, the Pixies didn’t become a functioning band until a few years later in Boston. Their first record was the EP “Come On Pilgrim,” followed in 1986 by the influential album “Surfer Rosa.”

Robert Kraft receives Carnegie Hall award

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 22:35:02 GMT

Patriots owner Robert Kraft this week received the Medal of Excellence from Carnegie Hall at a benefit at New York’s Waldorf Astoria. The award, presented to the Pats poobah by former Citigroup CEO (and Carnegie Hall trustee) Sanford Weill, is in recognition of Kraft’s “leadership in business and philanthropy.” Pats QB Tom Brady and linebacker Jerod Mayo were at the event, as was Kraft’s companion, Ricki Lander.

Western Mass. kid cries because Robert Downey Jr. not really Iron Man

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 23:10:17 GMT

Sunderland resident Heather Denno thinks actor Robert Downey Jr. is good-looking – “gorgeous,” if you want to know the truth – but she wouldn’t have walked down the street to see him film a scene this week if her husband didn’t make her.

BSO has big plans for Tanglewood

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 23:03:55 GMT

The Boston Symphony Orchestra plans plans to invest $30 million in building and grounds upgrades at its summer home at Tanglewood, according to managing director Mark Volpe. He told the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce this week that the improvements, to be made over the next eight years, will ‘‘enhance the experience of patrons.’’

Karmin hypes new single; Castillo takes it off

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 23:02:30 GMT

The Berklee-bred duo Karmin - Amy Heidemann and Nick Noonan - stopped by 103.3 AMP Radio’s studio Thursday, chatting up morning hosts TJ Taormina and Loren Raye. Karmin’s new single, “Acapella,” drop in a few weeks.

‘Bling Ring’ star Katie Chang rooting for the Blackhawks

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 22:48:05 GMT

We were big fans of actress Katie Chang, one of the stars in Sofia Coppola’s new film, “The Bling Ring,” right up until she started talking to us about hockey. “I grew up in a hockey family and my dad is from Minnesota and my brothers play hockey,” said Chang during a stop in Boston Thursday to promote the movie. “We’re diehard hockey fans and I’m definitely rooting for the Blackhawks. I stayed up way too late last night watching it.” We did, too, and maybe that’s why her support for the Bruins’s opponent in the Stanley Cup Finals annoyed us. (The Bruins lost Game 1 in three overtimes.)...