entertainment

Academy Awards-Inspired Cocktails from Grey Goose

Grey Goose, the super-premium vodka blended and bottled in the celebrated Cognac region of Western France, has come up with some entertaining cocktails inspired by this year's Best Picture nominees at the Academy Awards (aka the Oscars). The drinks have been cleverly concocted to reflect the films for which they're named and the stars themselves – don't orchids remind you of Natalie Portman? Bottoms up and may the best man win....:

Tags: Academy Awards, Academy Awards 2011, Black Swan, cocktails, entertainment, Grey Goose, movies, Natalie Portman, Oscars, Oscars 2011, Social Network, The Kings Speech, vodka

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Jason Statham Arrives at 'Mechanic' Premiere in Iconic Jaguar E-type

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Events

Jason Stratham Arrives at 'Mechanic' Premiere in Iconic Jaguar E-type

British action star Jason Statham, leading man of new thriller The Mechanic, arrived at the movie's Las Vegas premiere (above) the other night in an iconic Jaguar E-Type. One of the world's sexiest sports cars, the E-Type just celebrated its 50th anniversary (see Autoblog's coverage here). Stratham, who's dating the delectable Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, plays an elite assassin in the film. For the premiere at the Las Vegas Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino, Stratham took a spin down the Strip before pulling up under the marquee. The Series II E-Type Coupe he borrowed for the event, owned by Jaguar Clubs of North America member Bill Streitenberger, was there to represent the Series I E-Type that appears in the movie – which meets with a rather unfortunate end on the big screen.

Tags: casino, celebrity, classic cars, entertainment, Jaguar, Jaguar E-Type, Jason Stratham, Las Vegas, movie star, movies, Planet Hollywood, premiere, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, The Mechanic

Steve McQueen's 'Le Mans' Racing Suit for Sale

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Men's Style, The Classicist

Steve McQueen's 'Le Mans' Racing Suit for Sale

The racing suit worn by the great Steve McQueen in his epic 1971 motorsports film Le Mans is being offered for sale by Toronto's Collector's Studio. The iconic two-piece flame resistant Nomex cream uniform made by Hinchman of Indianapolis bears the name of McQueen's character in the movie, Michael Delaney. It also features the insignia of Gulf, Heuer, Firestone, and the American flag. While the company has not put a firm price on the suit, there have been several serious offers so far, the highest of which is $140,000. The suit shows good signs of use and is fully documented, having been donated by Solar Productions / MGM to a British newspaper for a Le Mans themed contest in 1971. It was presented to the winner by British racing legend Richard Attwood, who won Le Mans in 1970 driving the famous Porsche 917K with Gulf livery made famous by McQueen. McQueen memorabilia is of course a proven earner; Antiquorum sold the actor's Rolex Submariner at auction last year for $234,000.

[via JamesList]

Tags: celebrity, Collectors Studio, entertainment, Heuer, Le Mans, memorabilia, motor racing, movies, Porsche, race car, racing, racing+suit, racingsuit, Steve McQueen

James Bond's Gun Sells for $437,000

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Auctions, Men's Style

Back in November we broke the news that a Walther pistol wielded by Sean Connery as James Bond in the photo shoot used for the main image in the poster and advertising campaign for 1963's From Russia With Love (above) was being auctioned off at Christie's' Popular Culture: Film and Entertainment sale in London. Now the results of Nov. 25 sale are in, and the weapon – in actual fact an air gun – has sold for an astonishing $437,000, almost 14 times it's high pre-sale estimate of $32,000. The iconic image of Connery holding the gun was later used in advertising and promotional material for every Bond film up until 1967's You Only Live Twice and remains a major pop culture paragon.

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Tags: auction, Christies, entertainment, gun, James Bond, London, memorabilia, movies, pop culture, Sean Connery, Walther PPK

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IPic Bring Mogul Movie-Watching to Scottsdale

by Jonathon Ramsey (RSS feed) —

Harry Cohn, Samuel Goldwn and Darryl Zanuck didn't trek to the multiplex to enjoy a film. For them, the phrase "big screen" was associated with words like "personal" and "velvet" and "captain's chair" and "service," not "hot dog combo" and "sticky floors." That mogul way of moviegoing is about to be introduced to Scottsdale, Arizona by iPic Entertainment, which is opening up a luxury theater in Scottsdale Quarter next month.

You'll be able to reserve your seats online in one of two levels: Premium and Gold Class. Premium ticket holders can order fresh American and Mediterranean fare from Tanzy and carry it into the theater, along with beverages of the fermented variety, to their 30-inch-wide leather chairs. Punch the Gold Class ticket, however, and you'll get full-service inside the theater: custom recliners with foot rests, food and bevvies throughout film, complimentary popcorn and free valet parking

Each of the eight theaters holds but two rows in stadium configuration, with four-and-a-half feet between each so you won't need to worry about the bouquet from your neighbor's Pinot mingling with that of your Shiraz. True, Goldwyn and co. didn't need to leave their own homes to indulge in the screen trade, but they didn't have the after-hours lounge Salt to enjoy post movie, either. Or the Apple Store. iPic Theaters opens December 17.

Gallery: IPic Theaters, Scottsdale AZ

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Tags: arizona, entertainment, ipic, ipic theaters, movies, scottsdale

New York City Opera to Offer Music and Drinks After Select Shows

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

The New York City Opera is starting a new initiative to help rejuvenate the opera-going experience. After select performances throughout the 2010-2011 season the fourth ring of the David H. Koch Theater will be turned into a lounge with drinks and live music inspired by the performances. "We wanted to re-energize the experience of going to the opera," said the company's general manager and artistic director, George Steel. And it is truly considered part of the experience as the after-show gatherings will be offered free to all ticket holders.

The program is called ACT 4 and the first installment will take place on November 4th following Leonard Berstein's "A Quiet Place." The acapella group Blue Ribbon Glee Club will perform and the featured cocktail will be named "Garden Party" after an extended garden scene in the show.

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Tags: david h koch theater, entertainment, new york city opera, opera

Vegas Deal Will Make Madonna a Billionaire

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wealth

Madonna is poised to become a billionaire thanks to an offer of a five-year performing residency in Las Vegas. The deal, valued at $1 billion, is being brokered by Las Vegas officials looking to give the beleaguered town a boost and restore its tourist traffic, the London Sun reports, and would likely involve appearances at more than one glitzy casino. The arrangement is similar to ones that Celine Dion, Elton John and Cher have had in the past though much more lucrative. Madonna, who is already the fourth highest earning female entertainer in the world, would join Oprah on the very short list of celebrity female billionaires if she decides to sign on the dotted line. The megabucks payment would totally eclipse her previous earnings; in 2007, she signed a ten-year contract worth a measly $125 million with promoter Live Nation.

Tags: billionaire, casino, celebrity, Celine Dion, entertainment, Las Vegas, Madonna, music, Oprah

Madonna Borrows Abramovich's New Yacht to Film Duke of Windsor Flick

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Yachts & Sailing, Wealth

Aging pop chameleon Madonna has borrowed Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich's brand new superyacht while filming W.E., the new Duke of WIndsor movie she's directing in the South of France. No, not the gargantuan Eclipse – we're talking about the 377-ft. Luna (above), the world's largest expedition yacht which Abramovich just took delivery of in April. The luxurious yacht provides convenient accommodation for Madonna as she films the movie's beach scenes, London's Daily Mail reports. Each day she returns via tender to the luxe yacht which features two helipads, a swimming pool, games room and sunbathing areas, along with a beach club leading down to a swim platform. Abramovich, who generously lent Madonna the ship, apparently bought the yacht to tide him over while the Eclipse is being completed; afterward it will act as a support vessel for the megayacht.

Tags: celebrity, Duke of WIndsor, Eclipse, entertainment, expedition yacht, France, Luna, Madonna, movies, Roman Abramovich, superyacht, yacht

The Most Dangerous Fireworks Aren't Always the Biggest

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

The 4th of July is here and that means fun and fireworks. Fireworks shows are notoriously expensive to put on so hosting one in your backyard can be a real treat and a great way to entertain family and guests over the holiday weekend. Unfortunately fireworks can also be quite dangerous, with the potential for accidents and injuries ranging from minor cuts and scrapes to life threatening burns or worse. According to the CDC 7,000 people went to the ER for fireworks related injuries in 2008 over the 4th of July, and 7 people were killed.

So which fireworks are the most dangerous? It's not always the biggest, baddest, and most expensive ones that pose a serious health risk. Here are the top three most dangerous types of fireworks.

#1 Firecrackers (900 injuries in 2008) Potential for them to explode at close range and injure eyes, face, or hands.

#2 Sparklers (800 injuries in 2008) High risk for burning skin or igniting clothing because they're hand held and burn at over 1,000ºF.

#3 Rockets (300 injuries in 2008) Can fly into the eyes and face with great force.

Statistics show that setting up and using fireworks is much more dangerous than being a bystander, and young males under the age of 20 are most likely to get hurt. But there are exceptions to every rule and in reality anyone near the fireworks is at risk. Being careful, cautious, and responsible with fireworks can go a long way towards keeping everybody safe, but according to the CDC the only way to really prevent accidents is to hire trained professionals. And why not? You'll get a bigger, better show with less hassle and no worries about setup, take-down, and what's legal or illegal. Have a safe and happy holiday.

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Tags: 4th of July, entertainment, fireworks, main-pedia, outdoor entertainment, outdoor-entertainment-pedia, pedia-main

James Bond's 1964 Aston Martin DB5 at Auction for First Time Ever

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions, Men's Style

One of the coolest and most significant cultural icons of the 20th century, the 1964 Aston Martin DB5 driven by Sean Connery as James Bond in Goldfinger and Thunderball, will be put up for sale for the first time in history at RM Auctions' Automobiles of London event on October 27 where it is expected to fetch over $5 million. Offered by in association with Sotheby's, the famous Aston Martin is one of only two, and the sole remaining, of the original '007' DB5s. With its "rather interesting modifications" as originally conceived by Oscar-award-winning special effects expert John Stears, the car is factory-fitted with the full complement of operational 'Q-Branch' gadgets.

These include machine guns, bullet-proof shield, revolving number plates, tracking device, removable roof panel, oil slick sprayer, nail spreader and smoke screen, all controlled from factory installed toggles and switches hidden in the center arm-rest. Since 1969 the car has been in the collection of Jerry Lee, a radio broadcaster and philanthropist based in Philadelphia. The car is set to make its first 21st century public appearance at the Bond-themed Midsummer Classic / Thunderball concours and black-tie reception scheduled for June 26 at the Stoke Park Club located outside of London, familiar to Bond fans as the site of the first confrontation between 007 and Goldfinger.

Gallery: 1964 Aston Martin DB5 James Bond

Tags: 007, Aston Martin, entertainment, James Bond, London, memorabilia, movie car, movies, Philadelphia, RM Auctions, Sean Connery, Sothebys

Aston Martins Used in Bond Films at Auction

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions

A one-owner 1962 'barn find' Aston Martin DB4 used as a 'test mule' by James Bond special effects designers is going up for auction at Bonhams' Aston Martin car sale at the Aston Martin Works Service in Newport Pagnell, UK on May 22. The DB4 was built for press tycoon Max Aitken (1st Baron Beaverbrook) and was later purchased a special effects designer at Pinewood Studios where many Bond films were made. During filming on Goldfinger, the test car was fitted for the various gadgets – ejector seat, machine guns, etc – that would feature on the silver DB5 driven by Sean Connery as Bond in the film. In 1974 the car was consigned to a garage where it has remained ever since; It's estimated to fetch £40,000–£50,000. Also on offer is a 1976 Aston Martin V8 Coupé used during the filming of the 007 epic The Living Daylights and driven by Timothy Dalton, estimated at £40,000–£60,000.

Tags: 007, Aston Martin, Bonhams, car auction, entertainment, James Bond, memorabilia, movies, Sean Connery, Timothy Dalton, UK

Review: McIntosh Laboratory MXA60

by Dan Roth (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Gadgets

Back when shirts were velour and popular music's dominant beat was four-on-the-floor, just like your Super Beetle, high-end stereo systems were both the size and price of that beloved Volkswagen. If you wanted the highest quality sound, you went for a McIntosh Laboratory system, which would likely still be functioning flawlessly. For sixty years, McIntosh has been breaking new ground and serving up fine fidelity. The brand's name and iconic style is recognizable even by non-audiophlies.

When sonics are all that matter, it's hard to fault a rack filled with amplification, line stages, and sources. Most people, however, choose to sacrifice that last little sonic nudge in exchange for fewer obstacles to vacuum around. Small systems, even from audiophile brands, are fraught with compromise. They tend to sound as small as they are, but the tradeoff is that the unit comfortably fits on a shelf and can do everything the pile of iron in the big cabinet does, often with better ergonomics and a single remote control.

As it celebrates its 60th anniversary, McIntosh continues challenging itself, this time turning its attention to a shelf-sized audio system worthy of the classic glass front panel. When the press release about the MXA60 landed in our inbox, we were both intrigued and skeptical. Confident of its efforts, McIntosh arranged for us to go visit the MXA60 at the Natural Sound showroom in Framingham, Massachusetts. Natural Sound's Ken Zelin let us tie him up for a good portion of his day at the well-respected establishment, and gamely indulged our geeking-out.

Gallery: McIntosh MXA60

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Tags: audio, entertainment, hi fi, high fidelity, home stereo, home theather, mcintosh, mcintosh amplifier, mcintosh laboratory, mcintosh mxa60, music

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10 Tips for Successful Backyard Entertaining

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining, Events

Few things are better than enjoying good food, good friends, and good weather, and entertaining outdoors is a wonderful way to enjoy all three at once. Here are some tips to make sure your backyard get-together goes off without a hitch.

Skip tablecloths, or if you must have them invest in enough tablecloth weights to keep the wind from carrying everything away.
Set out at least one more cart or table than you think you'll need, because there's never too many places for guests to mingle, for drinks and glasses to accumulate, or for whatever else.
Control bugs and define a perimeter with incense or citronella tiki lamps.

Tags: backyard, entertaining, entertainment, luxist-awards, main-pedia, outdoor entertainment, outdoor-entertainment-pedia, OutdoorEntertainment, party

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How to Be the Best Guest at the Party from Candice Bergen, Liz Smith and More Grande Socialites

by Randi Bernfeld (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wine, Celebrity Shopping

The well known women at wowOwow.com are stopping by Luxist on a frequent basis to answer your savvy shopping and spending questions. This week we asked them: What's your favorite hostess gift to give? And to receive?

Candice Bergen: I was very proud of myself when a dear friend whose ranch we get to go to every year loved the hand-tooled leather songbooks I had made for future sing-alongs for his guests. It's lovely when people bring little things but our own Mary Wells is the MOST extravagant gift giver ever, so it's really fun to have her over. But I do have a drawer of gloves, scarves and bracelets that are up for grabs if anyone's interested? Oh, and I like giving hand-painted mugs I make at Color Me Mine because it's fun and personal.

Tags: candice bergen, CandiceBergen, entertainment, gifts, hostess gifts, HostessGifts, joan ganz cooney, JoanGanzCooney, liz smith, LizSmith, mary wells, MaryWells, wowowow.com

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Kate Moss to Sign $80 Million Deal with Simon Cowell

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wealth, Celebrity Design

Kate Moss is set to become the world's richest model thanks to a lucrative new deal she's about to ink with British mogul Sir Philip Green, shown with Kate above, and TV producer extraordinaire Simon Cowell. The 35-year-old supermodel is joining forces with the two men on a new $1.6 billion global multi-faceted entertainment company. Green owns the Topshop brand which Moss recently collaborated with for a new collection. Moss will direct the style and image of the as-yet-unnamed empire, as well as give fashion-related branding advice, under the terms of the deal which could net her up to $80 million based on profit-sharing arrangements, the London Daily Mail reports. The sum would double Moss' fortune giving her a net worth of about $160 million, the paper notes. In essence the plan is to merchandise the hell out of Cowell's hit TV shows both here and abroad. The prospect of Moss getting involved in the music side of the business has also been floated.

Gallery: Kate Moss for Longchamp