Actor John Malkovich is Malkovich Malkovich MALKOVICH over his investment with Ponzi king Bernard Madoff. His lawyers are trying to get his entire $2.2 million investment back—because the trustee dissolving Madoff's assets will only give him $670,000—and filed a petition in federal bankruptcy court. more ›

As media outlets continue to sift through the list of Bernard Madoff's victims, additional names emerge, like that of actor John Malkovich alongside regular folks. One, 82-year-old widow Bianca Murray, received call from someone who saw her name on the now-public list—the stranger suggested she get a lawyer. The Post called another victim, who said, "I thought it was confidential. I had no idea my name would be out there." But some victims' names aren't on the list—because their bank invested their money in Madoff's funds without their knowledge. According to the NY Times, since the Westport National Bank's Madoff account was in the bank's name, its customers whose money was sunk into the Ponzi scheme "may not qualify for the federal securities insurance program that is expected to cushion investors’ losses." more ›

Filmmaker Ethan Coen has left his big brother behind and written three short plays all by himself. Called Almost an Evening, the triptych will be produced by the Atlantic Theater Company with a terrific cast that includes Elizabeth Marvel, who was riveting in Ivo van Hove’s unforgettable revival of Hedda Gabler, and Academy Award winner F. Murray Abraham. The plays “unsuccessfully tackle important questions. In Waiting, someone waits somewhere for quite some time. In Four... more ›

THEATER: Continuing through the 29th, the East to Edinburgh Festival is showcasing some of the most adventurous American theater productions before they blast off for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Tonight’s your chance to witness one of the more colorful and timely selections: LA FEMME EST MORTE or Why I Should Not F%!# My Son. It’s a contemporary Phaedra adaptation that satirizes America’s celebrity obsession in the midst of war, featuring live music, “frenetic dance, fierce boxing, raw meat. Flash photography is encouraged. Be careful of blood splatter.” - John Del Signore more ›

Join in the Italian tradition of the Feast of the Seven Fishes -- a seafood meal in observance of the La Viglia Di Natale, or the wait for the birth of Christ. more ›

Unleashed last week and ready to captivate your attention, Rosemary Mayer’s Beowulf drawings vanquish the Art Wall of the Bowery Poetry Club (BPC). The venue is a perfect fit for the epic-poem-inspired drawings since mead-halls—not unlike the BPC, where drinks like “The Pukowski” and “The Allen ‘Gin’-sberg” spur readings along—are a central motif to Beowulf. more ›

New York mid-December always smells vaguely of pine and peppermint, despite our recent springtime temperatures. Bring that cozy holiday feeling with you into the cineplex for a couple of new feel-good holiday movies. more ›

Perhaps you've heard that this little summer movie starring a seldom written about actor is out this weekend: ie. with the utterly crazoid, yet infinitely fascinating Tom Cruise. He flies in helicopters! Rides fire engines! Attends screenings of his movie in Harlem! And, he wants your $10.75. Will you be powerless to resist? Here's a few other movie going options this weekend, if you've decided to boycott the work of Suri's papa. more ›

The holiday movie season is officially upon us. In fact, it started yesterday. We already spent more than enough time mentioning some little musical that will likely see its box office hopes dashed by the continuing dominance of screenwriter Stephen Gaghan. We caught it Monday and were incredibly disappointed (not to mention bored and annoyed) mostly due to the constant proselytizing and exposition which lacks any nuance. A phenomenal cast performs more than admirably even if few of them are given much in the way of actual definitive character in order to fulfill their small role in this overly-complex story. more ›

After years of teasing, the film adaptation of Where the Wild Things Are is finally moving forward. The NYTimes reports that Being John Malkovich's Spike Jonze (called “the strangest little bird” by author Maurice Sendak), is set to direct the “odd” screenplay he wrote with Dave Eggers for Tom Hanks’ production company. So far, the film will extend beyond the children’s classic simple plot to delve into Max’s journey home (semi-minor change: Max escapes with the "wild things" in hot pursuit instead of the island king's beastly subjects begging him to stay). While Gothamist usually cringes about childhood-favorites desecrated on the big screen, we remain quite hopeful with this film -- especially considering Sendak’s tight grip on the script/production, his love for Jonze, and his loathing of movies based on children's books as well as most children's books, which he describes as “all vulgar. It's all Madonna." Asked about the film versions of Cat in the Hat or How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Sendak replied: "What is the purpose of this debauchery? Money! Only a seriously sick or brainless person could like them." Indeed. more ›

After seeing Being John Malkovich, who didn’t consider what it might be like to be Malkovich. Okay, maybe not. But you probably never thought about this either, John Malkovich – clothing designer. That’s right John has fallen in line with J-Lo, Sean Coombs and a host of others who believe they can cross-over from entertainer to fashion design diva. more ›

For ticket information, here's what the MTR says. Here's the BBC's The Office site. You can buy the Christmas Special on DVD. Also, Gervais on a Golden Globe earlier this year for Best Actor in a Comedy Series for his work in The Office. Plus, Ask Gothamist on being a temp and dating coworkers. more ›

So far, the work of Charlie Kaufman has only been adapted by two directors: Spike Jonze, with Being John Malkovich and Adaptation, and Michel Gondry, whose Human Nature was tepidly received but has directed the eagerly awaited 2004 release, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Eternal Sunshine stars Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet, Tom Wilkinson, Kirsten Dunst, Elijah Wood, and Mark Ruffalo, with Carrey as a man trying to erase memories of ex-girlfriend Winslet from his mind. And by the looks of the trailer, it looks like vintage Kaufman AND Gondry, with tiny human bodies in normal size enviroments.
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- John Malkovich on who he'd like to wear pieces from his new clothing line, in an interview with Lynn Hirschberg for the New York Times Magazine. Javier Bardem, Caetano Veloso, Johnny Depp and Bernardo Bertolucci have opted to wear Malkovich's clothing line, Mrs. Mudd. Gothamist giggles when we think about Malkovish referring to Dr. Dre as "the doctor."
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