jessica kramer

It's been five years since openly gay filmmaker Robert Cary's Anything But Love was in theatres. For his follow up project, the filmmaker teamed up with actress/writer Jennifer Westfeldt (Kissing Jessica Stein) for the amusing romantic comedy Ira and Abby.

The film opens with Ira (Chris Messina), a neurotic Jewish New Yorker, meeting and impulsively marrying Abby (Westfeldt), a sales representative at a health club. In-laws, cheating, trust issues and ex-husbands all interfere with the couple's relationship as they determine if they made the right decision to get married. Ira and Abby showcases the talents of both writer and director as it features plenty of fast-talking classic and screwball comedy, hallmarks of their previous work.

"I just organically responded to the writing," Cary said over the phone from his home in Los Angeles about the story's appeal. "Indie films are very writer-driven, unlike studio projects. Jen's dialogue is fast and full of rhythm. I try to capture what's on the page."

Part of Cary's success with the film was hiring actors such as Robert Klein, Frances Conroy, Judith Light, Fred Willard and scene-stealer Maddie Corman for supporting roles. These performers, the filmmaker indicates, had strong theatre backgrounds and know how to act out pages of fast-talking dialogue in the short shooting period.

"The actors got to cook," Cary recalls, insisting that there were no outtakes. "The pace was critical because there was a level of carbonation - an ebullient unreality [audiences] want to partake of."

The film, which deals with the issue of marriage, and making relationships last, is one that is important to Cary, who lives with the playwright Jonathan Tolins and their 3-year old adopted daughter. For Cary, marriage is a "big deal" in that he would love to get married - but legally can't.

"There is nothing to compare with the feeling of a society recognizing and endorsing and condoning and supporting a relationship. It's only when you've had that for a few thousand years that you can question it. If you haven't had it, it's worth trying to get a piece of it," he said.

As such, the filmmaker uses the romantic comedy format to talk about as he describes, "uncomfortable stuff in a comfortable format," citing that there is something "challenging but reassuring" in watching two lovers meet cute, marry, and work out the problems in their relationships.

One way Ira and Abby work on keeping their relationship fresh is by promising to have sex everyday. Cary jokes about having sex with his partner three times a day to keep their relationship vibrant before disclosing that it is, in fact, communication that cements the bond between him to Tolins.
"It is honestly knowing that you are willing to say what you want to say - and will be heard - and that you are willing to hear what the other person says. It's choosing someone you can communicate with," he explains about the secret to a successful relationship, adding, "but you don't fall in love thinking about that. It's not until six months, six years, or 60 years later that you [realize] that."

As for Ira and Abby, when the characters meet, they express themselves freely and are open to love. However, as their lives together get more complicated, their anxieties take over, and they tend to drift apart. If - and how - they stay together as marriages and relationships around them crumble form the dramatic tension in the film.

Asked if Ira and Abby would be as effective with a gay couple as the leads - say, Ira and Abe, Cary laughs. "Maybe in 10 or 20 years - fingers crossed," he says. "But we don't have this luxury of debating this institution [of marriage] that we don't have access to. Fidelity and monogamy are difficult in any relationship - and gay relationships are absolutely no exception."

And although his films Anything But Love and Ira and Abby are heterosexual romantic comedies, Cary has completed work on a gay film, Save Me, which will be released theatrically in early 2008. The story of an ex-gay ministry, the film co-stars Judith Light, who showed Cary the script after working with him on Ira and Abby. Cary pauses to admit that he is not like Ira or Abby, but closer in spirit to Light's character Arlene, Ira's mother. Save Me proved an interesting topic for Cary to explore, and it will mark his first film to tackle a gay subject. Thankfully, audiences will not have to wait another five years for it.
MOVIE MINUTE: FEAST OF LOVE
Feast of Love is the new film starring Morgan Freeman and Greg Kinnear. It revolves around "Harry," a professor played by Freeman, who witnesses different levels of love and attraction whipping up mischief in a small town coffee shop. Freeman told us that small films like this serve a great purpose. "Films like this, the point of it is to say, 'Go ahead, live, laugh, love, be happy, don't worry, it's all going to be okay.'"Greg Kinnear said that he was thrilled to work with Morgan Freeman on the film. "Morgan's the quintessential great American actor and he brings this incredible presence without it being affected and he's very kind and brings a real warmth to 'Harry' that is desperately needed." Feast of Love was directed byRobert Benton, who won the Academy Award for his 1979 drama Kramer Vs. Kramer. It also stars Selma Blair and it hits theaters on Friday.

We reported last month that Madonna was rumored to be seeking a concert in New York's Central Park next August to celebrate her 50th birthday, and that the gig would be part of a world tour. At the time, it was U-K paper The Sun publishing the rumor, but now, both NME and Rolling Stone are picking up at least one part of the story. NME.com claims Madge would title the trek Madonna at 50, but Rolling Stone says the singer has not contacted Live Nation about putting on the series of gigs. No confirmation either on the birthday show. We'll keep you posted.

We previously reported that Justin Timberlake canceled two California gigs earlier this month because his doctor wanted him to rest his vocal chords. That story had his performance at the MTV Video Music Awards hurting his voice. Well, now JT has come clean about the true reason he axed the shows. According to the World Entertainment News Network, Timberlake addressed the topic at his rescheduled show in San Jose on Sunday. He said, "Certain bloggers said I canceled because I was hungover and they were right... I was." Justin was just nominated for four MTV Europe Music Awards.

What will the next Gnarls Barkley album sound like? MTV News spoke to singer Cee-Lo Green, who says, "It sounds otherworldly. ... It sounds like an original, if I do say so myself. The theme is progression and how there's a first time for everything. You just have to go for it."So what else did Mr. Green divulge? Not much, so fans will just have to wait till the album comes out.

Carrie Underwood will try to snag a second Female Vocalist of the Year trophy at this year's CMA Awards. Aside from being up for the same award she won last year, her "Before He Cheats" single earned her two additional nods, for Music Video of the Year and Single of the Year. She'll also be performing at the show, as will Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney and others.

MTV News reports that Britney Spears' new lawyer, Sorrell Trope, and her ex-husband Kevin Federline's lawyer, Mark Vincent Kaplan, met privately with Los Angeles Superior Court Commissioner Scott Gordon in the judge's chambers on Monday. They discussed how to "refine" the court order issued last week that imposed random drug testing, counseling and parenting classes on Spears, who has until November to sort out some of her child-custody-dispute issues. According to a source close to the situation, Spears' misdemeanor charges of hit and run, causing property damage and driving without a valid license have no bearing on the custody discussion, though there's no word yet if any new decision or arrangements have been made. Spears is due in court October 10th for her arraignment on the criminal charges.

Jessica Simpson's father, Joe, told Fox News that his daughter is going to be a country star. Apparently, her next album will be country and she'll record it in Nashville. "Willie Nelson really likes her," he said, "We're going to go down there and really get into it." Before making the album, Jessica is scheduled to make a movie where she plays a biker chick with tattoos.

Chalk up another first for Beyoncé: She has joined the ranks of Shaun White and Larry David with her own American Express "Are You a Cardmember?" commercial, which debuted on the airwaves on Monday night. According to MTV News, the singer is the first recording artist to be featured in a 60-second spot for the company. In Beyoncé's clip, directed by music-video veteran Paul Hunter, she's seen traveling on tour and going from a photo shoot to a dance rehearsal to a press conference - all in one day. Her parents pop up for quick cameos as well. The singer will also be featured in AmEx print ads.

Sure, Kanye West may have won the "CD sales war" in the U-S with his album Graduation taking the number one spot over 50 Cent's Curtis, but the tides have turned. Across the pond, 50's album went straight to number one on the European charts. And to add insult to injury, according to NME, 'Ye only made it to number three behind European artist Manu Chao.

Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony held a press conference at an elementary school auditorium in the Bronx yesterday to talk about their upcoming tour, which kicks off on Saturday at Atlantic City's Taj Mahal casino and hotel. The pair was welcomed by a choir of children from Public School 36 Union Port and by the school's principal, Nilda Rivera, who was actually one of Marc's former teachers in his neighborhood of East Harlem in Manhattan. The warm welcome brought Jennifer to tears as she remembered her childhood just a few blocks away in the Castle Hill Avenue in the Bronx. A percentage of proceeds from the tour, titled Juntos en Concierto (Together in Concert) will benefit the campaign ING Running for a Cause, which funds school programs that fight child obesity. Guadalupe, Jennifer's mom, was in the audience, and although J.Lo was wearing a loose, gray dress, the pair kept mum about the pregnancy rumors. The Juntos en Conciertos tour will visit 19 cities nationwide until November.

Kelly Clarkson's new album My December is in stores now. For this album, Kelly ventured into uncharted waters and actually wrote or co-wrote all of the tracks on the new disc. "I actually ended up writing all of it. So, I wrote with some people on the whole record but I didn't plan that, it just kind of happened." Clarkson will kick off her upcoming tour on October 10th in Verona, New York.

Now that the album sales numbers have been and Kanye West of course is the winner after selling almost one million units. Country singer Kenny Chesney, who stepped up to challenge West and 50 Cent, came in third behind the two rappers. But Chesney said he's is still in the game. He's looking at how many albums he will sell in the long run and said he initially jumped into the CD sales debate because people like 50 Cent were discounting country music fans. "They weren't looking at me and my record as if I was irrelevant, but looking at the people that buy our music and the people that represent our music. More importantly, who we're singing to and for and they act as if those people don't even exist. Ya know, and I've got about ten football stadiums full of people this year that prove that they exist."We'll see what happens when the new chart comes out.

Jamie Foxx is a guest vocalist on Rascal Flatts' upcoming album, Still Feels Good. Jamie sings on the song "She Goes All the Way" and bassist Jay DeMarcus couldn't say enough about working with the Oscar-winning actor/musician. "It was a real treat. I mean, he's one of the sweetest salt-of-the-earth people you'd ever want to meet. And Gary's known him for a lot longer than I've known him, but every time I've been around him, he's really non-assuming, real humble and really, really funny, too. Boy, he's one of the most quick-witted people I've ever been around."Still Feels Good was released yesterday.
Jay-Z has a hand in everything from music to clothing to owning a club, and now he's trying to buy an arena. Contact Music reports the rapper is in talks with the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority (NJSEA) over naming rights to the arena in Meadowlands, New Jersey, which is currently held by Continental Airlines. Jay, who owns a stake in local basketball team, the New Jersey Nets, is facing tough competition to bring his Rocawear clothing brand name to the arena from rival fashion brands. The winner could be announced as early as next week. And whoever it may be, they can expect to pay more than 600-thousand dollars a year for naming rights.

As The Stuff previously reported Diddy is featured alongside 50 Cent and Jay-Z on the remix to 50's hit single "I Get Money." For those who heard Diddy's verse on the remix, it sounds as if the mogul is tellin' it how it is in his lyrics. The bad boy chopped it up with MTV News last week about his verse saying, "The song ain't really taking shots at anybody to be honest. It's really just putting down your status in the game. Everything I said on there I did." Combs went on to say, "I wasn't just in the Forbes,' you know, on top of the Forbes list. I was on the cover of Forbes. You know 10 years ago, I was on the cover of Forbes, 10 years ago. Before cats even knew what the magazine was."

Last week, Diddy issued a challenge to the likes of Mariah Carey and Gwen Stefani as part of the promotional campaign for his new fragrance, saying that his was better than theirs because he is a man and he knows how women should smell. Well, Carey got wind of it and responded by saying she wished "Puff all the best with his new fragrance," but she thinks they are"actually appealing to different types of women." Because her "fragrance is unforgettable, not unforgivable. It's not about a ménage à trois or a one night stand, it's for the woman who wants the man to fall in love with her immediately, stay in love, and treat her like royalty."

Fans of the hugely popular Guitar Hero game will be happy to know that they won't be lonely wailing out solos for much longer. A new interactive video game called Rock Band comes out this fall. In it,users, and their friends, can get in on the act playing drums, bass and more. So, whose music can you rock out to? So far, 45 licensed tunes are part of the game, including tracks by Flyleaf, Smashing Pumpkins, Metallica, The Strokes, Weezer and more. Rock Band comes out on November 30th.

Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, Pete Seeger and Bonnie Raitt are just a few of the musicians who provide exclusive new songs for a benefit CD. The album is made up of established artists, socially active actors and current or previously homeless singers who all put forth a powerful set list of recordings that address homelessness in America. Proceeds from the record, which is titled Give Us Your Poor, go towards fighting homelessness. It's on shelves now.

Melissa Etheridge's new album The Awakening is out now, but you won't be hearing her perform it for a while. According to Billboard.com, the singer will wait until her kids are on summer vacation before touring the record. She says, "Believe me, I want to be out there (on tour)... but when you've got kids, you just don't want to run off, and I don't want to run off. So I tour in the summer."

When it comes to making consistent hip-hop music Mobb Deep definitely is at the top of the list. After releasing seven albums alongside his partner Prodigy, Havoc finally decided to go the solo route and released The Kush. Hav stopped by yesterday to let us know how he kept that Queensbridge sound in the new album. "The process wasn't even that much different. When I make albums with Mobb Deep and I do a Havoc effort it's the same. It's the same beats, everything. I didn't really steer away from what we do."Hav's solo debut features twelve tracks including the lead single "I'm The Boss," which he is currently planning to remix with Q-Tip and "Be There," which samples the Jackson 5's hit "Got To Be There." The Kush is in stores now.

As we previously reported last week Entourage star/rapper Saigon was in attendance at Mobb Deep member Havoc's solo album release party which took place at SOB's in New York City. Two videos surfaced on the net of Saigon getting into a fight with the other Mobb Deep member Prodigy, at the event. Prodigy filled MTV Radio in on exactly what took place that night. "They did all that, they chased him. That's our crew, that's what we do. We did seven songs after that and then we left. Everybody running around saying Saigon did this, that and the third. Saigon didn't do nothing but get lumped up and chased out the spot. He caught a little lucky punch. And the dude hit like a girl, I don't even have no marks on my face or nothing." Although videos are floating around of the incident, Hav and P plan to keep their differences with Saigon strictly on wax.

Most people probably think that rappers spend their money on cars or jewelry. According to Contact Music, Swizz Beatz is an exception to that train of thought. The hip-hop star likes to collect fine art, saying "I love the art world. I think it's the next biggest thing as far as investing. My collection goes from Peter Max to Salvador Dali to Basquiat to Andy Warhol to Keith Haring."

Over the years, Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds' original songs have helped him make a mark in music history. And they've also helped him sell quite a lot of albums along the way. For his latest project, Babyface has decided to pay tribute to the likes of James Taylor, Jim Croce, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton and more by covering their hits. He explained where the inspiration came from. "Those were the songs that I grew up listening to that inspired me. There were some random songs like 'Please Come to Boston' with Dave Loggins. Not a lot of people know that song. But that was a song that I use to listen to on the radio that inspired me. So I really went with."In addition to the classic tracks, Playlist also includes two new songs as well.

Entrepreneur. Innovator. Businessman. Hip Hop Royalty. But first, Jay-Z was a hustler from the streets of New York City, with hard learned life lessons that he wanted the world to hear. And the world will get an earful from the likes of Mary J. Blige, Kanye West, Irv Gotti and Foxy Brown on the upcoming Classic Albums: Reasonable Doubt which takes an in-depth look at the making of Jigga's first album back in 1996. Classic Albums: Reasonable Doubt will be released on DVD October 30th.

T-Pain performed this weekend at Street Scene '07 in San Diego. And according to The Daily Aztec, his show was filled with energy. The paper reports T-Pain jumped on stage and yelled, "This ain't a show. This ain't a concert. This is a mother-(expletive) party!" In addition to his regular set, the entire audience somehow became a part of an a cappella rendition of Beyonce's "Irreplaceable."

Mastodon man Brent Hinds has recovered from his recent head injuries enough to book an upcoming gig. MTV News reports that the band will open for Queens of the Stone Age in L-A on October 29th. But before that, Hinds and Mastodon will return to the scene of the crime and play a gig in Las Vegas on October 27th. Police claim that Hinds was attacked after the MTV Video Music Awards outside the Mandalay Bay Resort by musician William Hudson and that System of a Down bassist Shavo Odadjian witnessed the incident.

Puddle of Mudd have been making music since 1993 and are going to release their third studio album next month. How do they guys retain who they are and manage to remain relevant? Singer Wes Scantlin tries to explain. (Actuality #1) "We always say if there's an outside writer or we going to co-write or something. We have to make it clear that we have to keep it very Puddle of Mudd. So we're always going to keep that in there. And then maybe that's possibly the way we keep it seamless." Famous, the new album from Puddle of Mudd, is expected to be out on October 9th.



As we previously reported, the Sex Pistols will reunite for one show to mark the 30th anniversary of their Never Mind the Bollocks album. And since that show sold out in ten minutes, the group has added two more shows. They'll now play in London on November 8th, 9th and 10th. To promote the gigs, NME.com is campaigning to get the 1977 hit "God Save the Queen" on the top of the U-K charts when it is re-issued on seven-inch vinyl in October. The song was initially banned by radio stations when it first was released since it risked offending the monarchy. Meanwhile, singer Johnny Rotten has been in the press lately for referring to the Police as a bunch of "soggy old dead carcasses." The frontman called Sting "Stink" when he spoke to Virgin Radio, saying, "You know listening to Stink try to squeak through 'Roxanne' one more time, that's not fun." Meanwhile, the group also re-recorded "Anarchy in the U-K" for Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock. On that, Rotten said, "A bit of anarchy in a video game is alright by me." Guitar Hero III is due out on October 28th.

Jimi Hendrix is going to get illustrated next month. That's because a new book called Jimi Hendrix: An Illustrated Experience is going to tell the life story of the music icon with a unique portfolio. Included in the book are original Hendrix drawings, diary entries, rare handwritten song lyrics and never before seen photos. The book is filled with interactive features and comes with a 70-minute CD filled with interviews and unreleased live recordings. Jimi Hendrix: An Illustrated Experience hits shelves on October 9th.


As Led Zeppelin has come back in the spotlight with their upcoming reunion concert, more and more people are remembering late drummer John Bonham by visiting his grave. Bonham, who died 27 years ago yesterday, had his ashes scattered at a tiny churchyard in a small English town. Now, his grave is covered with flowers and drum sticks and even coins, CD cases, cigarette lighters and small bottles of vodka. These days, Bonham's legacy is carried on by his son, Jason, who will be behind the kit when Zeppelin reunites for the Ahmet Tribute concert at London's O2 arena on November 26th.

The show must go on! And it did. George Clooney was at the premiere of Michael Clayton with his girlfriend Sarah Larson, just four days after his motorcycle accident. George walked while Sarah held on to crutches and hopped on one foot after she broke two toes when her man was cut off by a car and crashed his motorcycle last week in New Jersey. Clooney suffered a broken rib and scrapes. MTV Radio spoke with the 46-year-old actor and asked if he will continue to ride after such a frightening event. "Oh I'm fine, I got a gauze all the way up my arm, Sarah broke her foot, but you know it's all bad luck... you know, I've been riding for 30 years, just gotta get back, you know, gotta get another bike... can't ride that one any more." Police are still investigating the accident to see who was at fault. The movie Michael Clayton will be in theatres next Friday.

Dane Cook and Jessica Alba teamed up for the new movie Good Luck Chuck. In the film, Jessica plays Dane's love interest. Her character is also a klutz, which meant Dane had to get a little hurt during the filming. But what about off-camera? "(Dane) Jessica is annoying. She likes to beat me up. I don't think there was a take that I didn't know I was going to get slapped, punched, prodded, licked... (Jessica) Licked?!?! (Dane) Yeah, wet willies, in my ear, hello? (Jessica) Yes, you did. You did get wet willies. Many of them. (Dane) Yeah. She's a lot of fun though."Check out the playful violence by seeing Good Luck Chuck. It's in theaters now.

Kiefer Sutherland has been busted for driving drunk. According to the Associated Press, the 24 star was arrested early yesterday morning after failing a field sobriety test. Los Angeles police pulled Sutherland over after they spotted his car making an illegal U-turn. The 40-year-old actor's blood alcohol limit tested over the .08 legal limit. Sutherland was released after posting 25-thousand dollars bail and is scheduled to appear in court October 16th. And to make matters worse, CelebTV is reporting that Kiefer was nabbed for drunk driving four times, most recently back in 2004. He was placed on probation for five years stemming from that offense. So, this latest DUI would be a violation of his probation, and he could face jail time. Coincidently enough, the judge in Sutherland's 2004 case was, Michael Sauer, the same judge who sentenced Paris Hilton to 45 days in jail for violating her probation.

According to the Associated Press, a crew member on the film The Dark Knight was killed in a car crash during production. The man was in a vehicle that collided with a tree while following a stunt car. The accident took place during a test run at a racetrack near London. Filming of the Batman Begins sequel was not taking place and no actors were present. Warner Bros.,the studio behind the flick, said those involved in the production "are deeply saddened by this tragedy and their hearts and prayers go out to the family and loved ones of the deceased." Christian Bale reprises his role as "Batman" and Heath Ledger will play "The Joker," when The Dark Knight hits theaters next year.

An extra working on the upcoming Indiana Jones flick will probably never work in Hollywood again. According to the New York Post's Page Six, Steven Spielberg and George Lucas had the entire cast and crew sign a nondisclosure agreement, but Tyler Nelson, who was playing "Dancing Russian Soldier," revealed some info about the movie to his hometown paper, the Edmond Sun in Oklahoma. Spielberg has reportedly cut his scene and the director's spokesman, who would not confirm if the spoilers were accurate, said, "Who knows whether that particular person will ever work in this town again?" Nelson's rep even said, "He's in trouble." Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is set for release next May.

As the jurors in the Phil Spector trial enter their third week of deliberations, they still are having trouble reaching a verdict. This week, the judge tried to give the jurors more instructions to help them break their deadlock. The Associated Press reports that the jurors also asked for a VCR. There is no word on what they would watch, but the only video evidence is a tape of Spector's chauffer claiming the producer left his house carrying a gun and saying, "I think I killed somebody."Spector is accused of murdering Lana Clarkson at his home in 2003.

According to BBC News, Die Hard director John McTiernan is facing up to four months in prison after a judge refused to withdraw a guilty plea the director previously made. Last year, McTiernan pleaded guilty to making false statements to the FBI during their investigation of celebrity detective Anthony Pellicano. He recently tried to withdraw his plea, but his motion was overturned and he is now facing the jail time. Anthony's lawyer has said they will appeal the ruling.

Dita Von Teese is all about animal birth control. So much so, that she is featured in a new PETA ad that is intended to encourage people to spay and neuter their pets. Dita appears in a 1950's school setting, wearing a pink corset and thigh high tights, "teaching" an older gentleman his "ABCs," or animal birth control methods.

Gene Simmons appears on CNBC's Conversations with Michael Eisner tonight, and on the show, he'll discuss his own reality TV program, Gene Simmons Family Jewels, as well as what he plans to do with all the money he's made over the years. The Kiss bassist tells Eisner that he wants his kids to earn their own money. Said Simmons, "In terms of an inheritance and stuff, they're gonna be taken care of, but they will never be rich off my money. Because every year they should be forced to get up out of bed and go out and work and make their own way."

The nominees for the MTV Europe Music Awards have been announced. Justin Timberlake leads the pack with four nods for the Ultimate Urban Award, Headliner Award, Video Star Award and Solo Artist of 2007 Award.Right on his heals, with three nominations each after an online poll, are Amy Winehouse, Avril Lavigne, Beyonce, Fall Out Boy, Linkin Park, My Chemical Romance, Nelly Furtado and Rihanna. Lavigne, My Chemical Romance, Mika and the Foo Fighters are expected to perform at the show, which is scheduled to take place November 1st in Munich, Germany with Snoop Dogg playing host. Below is a complete list of nominees. Head over to EMA.MTV.TV to vote for your favorites now.