HOTTER IN HOLLYWOOD

DVDelicious: Kiss the Bride Hot Flix by Hiko Mitsuzuka

Kiss the Bride is out on DVD this Tuesday (November 18), and now's your chance to own the film The Los Angeles Times called "...a poignant, ambitious romantic comedy," starring Tori Spelling, Joanna Cassidy, Tess Harper, Robert Foxworth, Philipp Karner, James O'Shea, Steve Sandvoss and HIH's very own Michael Medico. Directed by C. Jay Cox (Latter Days, Sweet Home Alabama), KTB tells the story of Matt (Karner), a magazine editor who tries to stop his best friend - and former high school bf (O'Shea) - from making the biggest mistake of his life by marrying...a woman (Spelling).

Packed with extra features (including deleted scenes, actor/director commentary, behind-the-scenes footage, music videos, and much, MUCH more), this Collector's Edition showcases a comedic gem of a film that proves the boundaries of love, sexuality and identity are never constant.

Order your copy HERE.

THE FIRST ECHO

A Heart-to-Heart with Jaime PresslyHot in Hollywood Benefit by Michael Medico

Photo by Tiffany Ragain. l-r: HIH founder Michael Medico, AHF's Eric Boyd, and Jaime Pressly

Hot in Hollywood benefit director C. Jay Cox, producer Sam Frankel and I met with Jaime Pressly yesterday for her to check up on the AHF mobile unit she has worked to hard to raise money for these past two years at HIH! She had a great heart-to-heart with Mobile Unit director Eric Boyd who filled her in on how the money HIH raised has helped them reach more people - increasing their testing by 40%!!!!

Jaime is thrilled to be honored at this year's HIH benefit on August 16 and has offered to help in whatever way she can to raise even more money this year...

To get in on the action - BUY A TICKET TODAY!!

Outfest 2008: Opening Night Hot & Out by Hiko Mitsuzuka

Outfest 2008 kicked off last night at the Orpheum in downtown Los Angeles with the premiere of Breakfast with Scot.

The Laurie Lynd-directed comedy stars Tom Cavanagh and Ben Shenkman as a power couple who temporarily inherit an 11-year-old (the quite talented Noah Bernett) with a penchant for pink poodle belts, musical cinema and lacy fringe (that's just the beginning). The adorable film brought out much-needed laughs from the audience after they sat through 30-plus minutes of introductions and speeches, the first of which came from the lookin'-good Margaret Cho. Her opening was a passionate, and of course hysterical, speech about the historic times Californians are currently experiencing. Wedding registry jokes aside, Ms. Cho was a welcome boost of energy, a great way to start the evening.

Then, it was all about the afterparty.

A rotunda of bartenders was the centerpiece of the event, keeping the Absolut flowing throughout large lot that had been taken over by dancefloors, photobooths and comfy lounge spots. Yours truly, along with HIH's Editor-in-Chief (Michael Medico) and Managing Director (Corey Moore), had the pleasure of making new friends, meeting up with old ones (Kiss the Bride director C. Jay Cox, Grey's T.R Knight) and enjoying the fab festivities under the stars.

Darryl Stephens, Marcellas Reynolds, JP Calderone

Hot Volunteers of Outfest

l-r: Managing Director Corey Moore, fashion correspondent Marcellas Reynolds, Editor-in-Chief Michael Medico

Dancing the night away

The Men of Instinct Magazine: Senior Account Exec Doug Kushla, Kevin Connell and Editor-in-Chief Mike Wood

Photobooth Fun

Blushing Bride Tori! Hot Interviews by Corey Moore

That's right! Kiss the Bride is opening in Theatres on April 18th. Michael recently talked with his co-star Tori Spelling about her experience on the film. Check out what she had to say....and don't forget to run out and see the movie!

Michael Medico: TORI!!!!  I'll be seeing you soon on the Red Carpet at the Premiere of Kiss the Bride on April 16th!  But before we get into that...  Congrats on baby # 2 on the way!  You and Dean must be so excited!  I remember you were pregnant with Liam during the filming on Kiss the Bride and were just starting to show. Did you ever have morning sickness during the filming or did it effect you performance in any way?
Tori Spelling: I didn't have morning sickness... I had morning, noon, and night sickness during filming. But I didn't want to be a bummer so I kept it to myself a lot and stuck with PB&J sandwhiches instead of the catered lunches. And, it was hard to hide the growing pregger belly. My trick? Sticking my butt out a lot in scenes.

MM: What was it that attracted you to the story of Kiss the Bride (besides ME being in it! )  or the character of Alex?
TS: I knew I had to play Alex from the moment I read the script. I saw SO much of myself in her. She was a good girl that had this fantastically funny raunchy side. That's me in a nutshell.

MM: In the film you find out your fiance had a boyfriend in High School... now, tell the truth, did you ever fall for the gay guy yourself?
TS: YES! My boyfriend in the beginning of senior year ended up being gay. I always thought it weird he never wanted to make out. He came out years later and now I'm good friends with him and his boyfriend.

Philipp Karner and Tori

MM: Dean is in the movie too as a Law-School-student-by-day/stripper-by-night and in one scene the character of Matt (played by Philipp Karner) has an intimate kiss with you and then falls on top of you with his hands on your bare boobs- was there any weirdness having Dean on set when you were doing that scene?
TS: Dean wasn't actually on set when I filmed that scene so that made it easier. It was probably more uncomfortable for Philip to film than me. Poor guy had to grab a pregnant ladies boobs. That's a big feat...the key word being BIG! Pregger boobs... Can't beat em!

MM: You're an ordained Minister and have performed gay weddings- did your experience doing that effect your take on your big wedding scene in Kiss the Bride?
TS: Becoming an ordained minister was an amazing experience especially because my first marriage was a same sex marriage. I'm a huge supporter of the gay community so the experience really meant a lot to me. It showed me how truly blessed we are in life to find our soulmate. My KTB wedding scene exemplified that and taught be that true love is about a commitment in your heart not in the eyes of the legal system.

Garrett Brown and Tori

MM: So the Gays LOVE their Tori!  You're a gay icon!  What're the perks?
TS: I LOVE being a gay icon! I love my boys! Perks are that I get to have loving amazing gay men around me supporting me and showering me with unconditional love at all times. What could be better than that?

MM: Why do you think this movie is also good for your female fans?
TS: It's a great romance from many angles. Girls love a little romance plus all the guys are HOT!

MM: Ok, what gives?  how do you do it all???  Film and TV actress, Author of sTORItelling, reality show goddess, Wife, mother... A) when do you sleep? and B) anything else on the horizon (besides the obvious bun in the oven  ;-)  ?
TS: ha ha! I barely sleep! And when I do I dream of what creative business venture I'll go into next! I also have my jewelry line The Tori Spelling Collection that I design exclusively for HSN and can be bought on HSN.com My next airdate is May 22nd (shameless plug!). And, Tori&Dean the 3rd season premieres in June on Oxygen. Also, premiering in June my baby girl! We can't wait.

MM: Who or what do you think is Hot in Hollywood?
TS: I'm pregnant so CARNEYS! The best chili dogs.

MM: And the most important question: m&m's: Plain or Peanut?
TS: Peanut only!

MM: And a bonus... ONLY if you really wanna... what are your thoughts on the 90210 remake?
TS: I'm excited for the 90210 remake because I know it'll please our fans so much. I think its a great idea and I can't wait to see it.

Kiss the Bride coming to a Theatre Near YOU! Hot Flix by Corey Moore

Our very own C. Jay Cox and Michael Medico have a movie coming out! No doubt you're heard of Kiss the Bride starring Tori Spelling. Well this film directed by C. Jay and featuring Michael comes out in many cities over the next month. Check out Shadow Factory's website for special events in these cities below. To ensure this film comes to a theatre near you- it has to do well this first weekend, SO... go see it!
(Michael and C. Jay will be doing a Q & A after the 7:30 show at the Regent Theater on LaBrea (in LA) on April 18th and then will be flying up to San Fran for events on the 19th!)

Medico toasts the Bride

Opening Markets (4/18):
Los Angeles – Regent Showcase Theater
San Francisco/Berkeley – Lumiere and Shattuck Cinema
St. Louis – Landmark Tivoli
Denver -Starz Film Center

Second Phase Markets (4/25):
· Palm Springs – Camelot Theater

Third Phase Markets (5/2)
· San Diego – Hillcrest Theater
· Portland – Living Room Cinema
· Miami – Gateway Theater
· Dallas – Regent Highland Park Village

Fourth Phase Markets (5/30)
· New York – Quad Cinema
· here! Networks Premiere on 6/6

Kiss the Bride in the MIX Hot Flix by Corey Moore

You can win 4 tix to the premiere of Kiss the Bride at Hot Mix!! Buy $5 Chance Drawling tix at Hot Mix and (if you win!) in the gift basket there will be a voucher for 4 passes to the premiere of Kiss the Bride starring Tori Spelling and our very own Michael Medico at the Egyptian Theatre on Monday April 14. This voucher will also include passes to the after party at Boulevard 3!!!

Directors Dialogue Hot Interviews by C. Jay Cox

Bonneville director Christopher N. Rowley

A few weeks ago, directors C. Jay Cox and Chris Rowley sat down to discuss the release of Chris' film Bonneville (in theatres now)...

C. Jay Cox: Your Movie Bonneville features Jessica Lange, Kathy Bates and Joan Allen on a road trip through the West. Was the movie titled for the classic Pontiac Bonneville they drive or for the Bonneville Salt Flats where they make one of their first detours?
Christopher N. Rowley: The car . . . the vessel for their journey.

CJC: That’s a pretty high octane cast. How did you get them?
CNR: The story . . . and synchronicity. All were drawn to the story AND the notion of working together. Kathy and Jessica had not been in a film together since 1990 and Joan had never worked with either. They were a perfect mix on and off screen—a tremendous balance.

CJC: Any Diva stories?
CNR: With the exception of a few cups of coffee that cooled down a tad fast [disregarding the fact that steam was still rising!], nothing to speak of . . .

CJC: Accompanying the ladies on their trip are the ashes of Jessica Lange’s character’s dead husband. Here’s a random question that hit me: What did you use for movie ashes?
CNR: Nice question. Cocoa Powder was used to give Joe a sweet “blowing in the wind” quality—the rest of him was a mix of burnt wood and cardboard ash, grey fullers earth and crushed oyster shell for the chunky bits.

While the crew was, more often than not, respectful of Joe, they could not rein in the occasional “That Joe. He was always so sweet” or “Anyone care for a cup of Joe?”

CJC: Joan Allen’s character is a Mormon housewife from Pocatello, Idaho. Funny coincidence, I did a movie that featured a Mormon housewife from Pocatello. Was there a personal Mormon/Pocatello connection for you or screenwriter Daniel Davis?
CNR: You created a very special movie with a Mormon housewife . . . kudos Mr. Cox for making a film with such heart . . . and YES, there was a personal connection in Bonneville for Dan. He was raised Mormon in Pocatello, Idaho. Arvilla [ Jessica ] was based on his grandmother; Carol, his aunt Carol and Margene, a cousin and dear family friend. Aunt Carol is actually in the film, as were many of his family and friends during the final funeral scene.

CJC: You had some great locations, which was your favorite?
CNR: Bryce Canyon. We were well into the shoot and a great deal of bonding had taken place. Bryce is a very spiritual place and one of my favorite memories is that of the crew approaching the canyon edge for the first time . . . a most extraordinary silence came about—a small sacred moment in the midst of our bustling schedule. It will always be a most reverent and beautiful memory.

Unfortunately the remarkable cabin interior that our most gifted Chris DeMuri created was on a stage and must only survive in our memories.

CJC: What was you trickiest scene during the shoot?
CNR: Geographically . . . the Salt Flats. We scouted them on several occasions . . . but on the final technical scout, they were flooded. I was somewhat at a loss as to how we would handle the challenge when our cinematographer exclaimed: “Looks like an opportunity to me. They’ve sure never been shot like this”. That said, a subtle shift in the wind that night drove the water away and made for a stunning day. We were blessed with an astonishing abundance of “luck” on this shoot.

CJC: Tell me something about the movie we might not pick up on the first viewing.
CNR: How hard everyone worked to get the story on the screen. AND the weather. . . ACTUALLY almost never warm and fuzzy—we were constantly only just a skip ahead of the rain and/or snow.

Joan Allen, Kathy Bates and Jessica Lange

CJC: Bonneville is beautifully shot. Any tips or secrets for making women of a certain age (or any of the rest of us for that matter) look good?
CNR: Hire an amazing cinematographer who understands and respects them. Thank you Mr. Kimball [who, as an aside, makes the best chicken dumplings this side of wherever dumplings come from]. Tibetan spinning doesn’t hurt either.

CJC: What/Who do you think is Hot in Hollywood?
CNR: Backbone [and, as always, chocolate brown].

CJC: And the most important question... m&ms plain or peanut?
CNR: Plain / Chocolate Brown . . . ONLY Chocolate Brown Coated

2007 HIH Highlights Demo! Hot in Hollywood Benefit by Simon Veredon

It's here... The 2007 Hot in Hollywood Highlights Demo (Produced, shot and edited by Simon Veredon and Insidefilms)!!!!!!

"Blog Party!" Hot & Personal by Corey Moore

Micah McCain, (Fay Wolf), Michael Medico and Abigail Carpenter

Last night we had our first "Blog Party". It was a great chance for all our writers to meet each other (a lot of them for the fist time). It was a great turnout...the drinks were flowing as usual.

Mona Holmes, Craig Nisker and Fran Nichols

"Hot Pop" Hiko played IJay. While Former Big Brother star Marcellas Reynolds chatted up Current Big Borther writer Chris Lisotta.

Julia Lee (with baby daddy, Spencer Stander) C. Jay Cox, Christina Huntington (with boyfriend Leigh Walker from the band KisTone)

Tiffany Ragain brought friend Brandon Martinez from Bravo's Blow Out who exchanged hair tips for Beauty secrets with Holly Doss.

John Barrnetine, Tiffany Ragain, Fay Wolf and Jonathan Tavss

All in all, everyone left asking about the next get together...

Me, Wonder Bright, Christine Tarallo

Golden Globes Cancelled Hot Topics by C. Jay Cox

Okay normally I'm going on about Gay Gate, but since they have the same initials I thought I'd blog about the Golden Globes, as in stop the presses -- they've just been cancelled. According to reputable websites such as Huff-Po, People.com, DeadlineHollywood (and a few less-than-reputable ones) The telecast of the Golden Globes Awards, scheduled for this Sunday has been cancelled. In its stead, the winners will be announced via NBC news. (and isn't that also a Dick Clark production?) Rumor is, this will still allow the Globe recipients to make statements to the press about their statuettes, but avoid the publicity nightmare of the appearance of crossing the WGA picket line. Speaking of Rumors, the only bigger loser than the Producer's Alliance for whom the cancelation is seen as a major victory for the stricking writers, is poor Rumer Willis who, tragically, won't get to appear as Miss Golden Globes 2008.