New movie reflects real life for producer Levinson

At age 66, veteran film producer Barry Levinson has been through the wringer, rising through the Hollywood ranks in the 1980s with classics such as "Diner," "Good Morning Vietnam" and "Rain Man."

His career path has wobbled a bit since then with less-than-classics such as "Toys," "Sphere" and, in 2006, "Man of the Year."

So it seems natural he was drawn to produce "What Just Happened," a new $20 million film starring Robert de Niro as a producer with some success but who also has a potential dog of a movie on his hands. The fictional film-within-a-film features Sean Penn as the star.

In a side plot, Bruce Willis plays a pompous version of himself threatening another film's production by refusing to shave his Grizzly Adams beard. These stories are based on a memoir by fellow producer Art Linson, known for big flicks such as "Car Wash," "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" and "Fight Club."

"I've had similar experiences," Levinson said in a recent interview.

But the film isn't satirical. "There's no reason to go down that road," he said. "Hollywood is already crazy. The point wasn't to do some send-up on Hollywood. This is the world of a man trying to navigate two weeks of his life that's rather stressful. It's an issue of survival and desperation."

Levinson said the film proves that producers have less power than you might think. "The producer is often emasculated," Levinson said. "You're having to constantly balance the creative and business sides."

The film doesn't really break any new ground in that sense. Actors are prima donnas. Studios care about the bottom line.

But Levinson said he didn't have aspirations to offer a brand new message. "It's entertainment," he said. "It is what it is."

Baldwin on 'Essentials'

Turner Classic Movies has named Emmy winning actor Alec Baldwin as its newest co-host for its "Essentials" series with Robert Osborne.

Baldwin stars in NBC's "30 Rock" and has an impressive film résumé including "The Hunt for Red October," "Glengarry Glen Ross" and "Ghosts of Mississippi." He has worked with TCM in the past, including guest programming and interviewing Gene Wilder for a special earlier this year.

He is scheduled to tape his commentary for various classic films with Osborne in December for airing next spring.

Baldwin replaces cult actress Rose McGowan. Others who have hosted "Essentials" include Rob Reiner, Carrie Fisher and Peter Bogdanovich.

Keeping Queen spirit alive

For some, Queen could never be Queen without its late, great lead singer Freddie Mercury. But the remaining members have managed to keep the Queen spirit alive by using Bad Company lead singer Paul Rodgers.

The group recently shot a concert film in the Ukraine, which will be featured at several local movie theaters at 7:30 p.m. Thursday for one night only.

Dubbed, "Let the Cosmos Rock," the film kicked off the group's current world tour Sept. 12 at historic Freedom Square in Kharkov, Ukraine, before more than 350,000 fans.

Local theaters that will be airing the concert are Discover Mills 18 in Lawrenceville, Regal Cinemas at Atlantic Station in Atlanta, Southlake Pavilion 24 in Morrow, Barrett Commons 24 in Kennessaw, Stonecrest Megastar 16 in Lithonia, Merchant's Walk Stadium Cinemas 12 in Marietta and Regal Hollywood 24 in Chamblee.