DVD: Rebel Wilson & Olivia Newton-John - A FEW BEST MEN

Thrilled to see A FEW BEST MEN finally get a DVD and On-Demand release here in the USA.

I got to attend the world premiere a couple of years ago in Australia and thoroughly enjoyed it. Olivia Newton-John breaks out of "good girl" mode and gives her funniest performance to date.

And, of course, PITCH PERFECT star Rebel Wilson never disappoints. Plus, side men Xavier Samuel and Kevin Bishop are hysterical at those "best men."

Rebel Wilson (Pitch Perfect) and Olivia Newton-John (Grease) deliver massive laughs in this wickedly funny comedy about supporting your best friends "for better or for worse."

When David unexpectedly gets engaged during a whirlwind vacation, his best friends are determined to send him off into married life in signature style.

But when they arrive in Australia for the ceremony, the nuptial plans go from bad to worse as the guys discover that unpredictable relatives, a cross-dressing sheep and a deranged drug dealer don't necessarily add up to a match made in heaven.

It's going to be a day no one will forget in this hilarious film also starring Laura Brent (The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader), Xavier Samuel (The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2), Kris Marshall (Love Actually) and Kevin Bishop (Muppet Treasure Island).

Available May 5th.

Soundtrack: "A Few Best Men" to be released digitally in US

So I just heard that the soundtrack for "A Few Best Men" starring Olivia Newton-John will finally be released in the USA digitally on April 24th. 

I know a lot of fans have been looking forward to the release as an indicator of when the movie may make it's debut here. No word on that yet from my sources, but I'll post as soon as I hear.

Monday dance tune: "Sugar Sugar" by Olivia

From the soundtrack of Olivia's new movie "A Few Best Men"

The Candi & Randy Show: Welcome Back

Sunday night on The Candi & Randy Show we talked about my recent adventure 'down-under' to Australia for the premiere of Olivia Newton-John's new movie "A Few Best Men" - which opened this weekend to the best box office numbers for an Australian comedy in 12 years!

Click here to listen to the show.

We also talk about the men of Australia, my stay at Olivia's fantastic award-winning Gaia Resort and Spa, go on a walking tour of Melbourne with Olivia and a few other adventures along the way.

Plus we play a few tracks from the soundtrack of "A Few Best Men" featuring Olivia.

So hit play and find out what a movie red carpet is like, plus what it's like to almost miss your international plane ride home.

If you'd rather download from iTunes for free and listen at your leisure - here's the link.

(There's a mandatory ad at the beginning that the player doesn't play, just give it about 15 seconds...)

Good review for Olivia Newton-John in "A Few Best Men"

From ABC Radio National: An English lad marrying an Australian girl from a well heeled family invites his English flatmates to support him and be best men at his wedding.

The latest film from Stephan Elliott gives us very broad, sometimes crass comedy, and many jokes about drugs and a kidnapped sheep.

Xavier Samuel plays David, who meets Australian Mia on a Pacific Island. Jonathan Biggins plays her pompous father, a senator devoted equally to his prize ram Ramsy and the idea of founding a political dynasty.

The standout moments are all with Olivia Newton-John, who steals the show as the mother of the bride, and the resentful wife of a politico husband. When she’s onscreen the whole thing lifts.  She still has an extraordinary magic.

There are some nicely wrought bit performances, but I guess I just didn’t take to The Lads. The screenplay is by Dean Craig, who also wrote the wonderful comedy Death at a Funeral.

If you compare the two, what made Death at a Funeral funny was the restraint of director Frank Oz, who let people get into their characters and then let the absurd situations speak for themselves.

The direction here is encouraging everyone to go way, way over the top: I’m afraid I have to agree with an English critic who wrote: this is the Stephan Elliot of Welcome to Woop Woop, rather than the Stephan Elliot of Priscilla Queen of the Desert.

But hey... if your taste runs to lots of crass: it may give you a good night out. At least to see Olivia Newton-John swing from a chandelier. It’s rated MA.

Listen to the review here.

Olivia Newton-John on 'The Project'

Olivia Newton-John visits The Project to talk about her new movie "A Few Best Men"

If the video doesn't work, try this link.

From the premiere of "A Few Best Men"

With Stephan Elliott (director) and Olivia and Michael right before they hit the White Carpet
for the premiere of "A Few Best Men"

Olivia Newton-John, Xavier Samuel (also from the Twilight movies),
Michael and I at the post-premiere party for "A Few Best Men"

The cast faces the photographers before the screening
at the premiere

Quick video of the upstairs section of the party right before the cast 

got there.  I ran there when we arrived because the downstairs was packed

already as you'll see on the video.  I'm a bit claustrophobic, so I went 

upstairs to get a breath of air.  Within minutes the upstairs was packed as well.

Great party for the cast after the movie was so well received by the audience.

Olivia Newton-John enjoying her latest movie roles

Click pic for larger view

Olivia Newton-John has truly said goodbye to Sandra Dee with her latest film role.

She plays the cocaine-snorting mother of the bride, Barbara, in the Australian comedy A Few Best Men.

"When I read the script I thought it was hysterical," Newton-John said.

"She was a character, and I didn't know quite how I was going to do that, go there (with drugs), but I thought it would be really a blast.

"Really the reason for me to do anything now is fun. Glee was fun, I did a movie in Canada that was a musical a year ago and that was fun, and this was hilarious. It's a blast, I never thought I'd still be doing it."

In the film, Xavier Samuel plays the English groom who flies in to marry his Blue Mountains bride. But his three best mates - and one celebrity sheep named Ramsy - are in the way with drunken shenanigans.

Newton-John will be hoping life doesn't imitate art when her daughter Chloe Lattanzi gets married.

While a date is yet to be set for the nuptials, mum has already checked out her soon to be son-in-law's options for best man.

"I've met his friends, they're all nice blokes and they're not coming from another country," she said.
(source)

Olivia Newton-John on The Kyle & Jackie O Show

Promoting her new movie "A Few Best Men," Olivia Newton-John visited The Kyle & Jackie O Show. The video clip above is the second half of her interview.

You can hear the entire interview here.

To explain a bit: on arrival, Olivia was told that Jackie always wanted to sing "Summer Nights" from GREASE with Olivia. So Olivia was asked - on the spot - if she would play along, dress up in GREASE costume pieces and sing along with Kyle and Jackie. Thus, the 'Pink Lady' outfits for Olivia and Jackie. Ah, the fun of morning radio.

Olivia played along with the fun.

Olivia enters the White Carpet - premiere of "A Few Best Men"

I just wanted to give a sense of what it was like as Olivia and her director Stephan Elliott arrived on the White Carpet for the premiere of "A Few Best Men" in Sydney, Australia.

Just as Olivia arrived to face the first throng of photographers, a fan in a wheel chair asked Oivia for an autograph and a photo which Olivia didn't hesitate to do. Then she and Stephan step in front of the first set of photographers. After lots of flashes, Stephan pulls Olivia over to the first of many interviews on the White Carpet. I panned down the carpet so you could get a sense of how packed and wild the scene was.

Olivia Newton-john interview for MIX 106.5 Sydney

I got to sit in on a few of Olivia Newton-John's interviews for her new movie "A Few Best Men" which had it's premiere here in Sydney, Australia, last night. Thought I'd share this with the fans.

Olivia gets pretty funny at the end of the interview when the radio show host admits/apologizes for an idea he gave Kathy Griffin for when Olivia appeared on her show "My Life on the D-List."

I've been to a lovely party...

Yesterday afternoon, Michael and I went to a lovely party thrown for the cast of "A Few Best Men."

I thought I'd post a couple of pics:

Xavier Samuel, Kevin Bishop, Kris Marshall and Olivia from
"A Few Best Men"

Olivia, Michael, Louise from the Olivia Newton-John
Cancer and Wellness Centre and Kevin Bishop

Madonna, Gregg, Olivia (center)
with Kevin Bishop from AFBM, Michael and I

Big group shot

Breakfast with Olivia in Sydney

Click pic for larger view

How cool is that?  Breakfast in Australia with Olivia Newton-John.

She just arrived this morning for the premiere of her new movie "A Few Best Men."  Fun couple of days ahead :)

A FEW BEST MEN - The Soundtrack - Music Inspired By The Film

Via Press Release: Universal Music Australia will be releasing "A Few Best Men THE SOUNDTRACK - Music Inspired By The Film" this January 20th 2012 just prior to the film’s opening.

Music featured in the film has been recorded by Olivia Newton-John and remixed by International and local DJs and producers such as Chew FU (official remixes for pop artists including Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Timbaland, Mariah Carey, Roulette (who has support from some of the worlds Djing elite, such as Armand Van Helden & Kissy Sellout) and Archie who has supported Black Eyed Peas, Moby and Tiesto to name a few.

"When Stephan Elliott and Warren Fahey approached me with the idea of re-recording all of the songs featured in the film, I thought it would be fun as I was familiar with the songs from the 70s and 80s. Stephan and I had great fun recording in Los Angeles. Not only is he a great film director but a very talented music producer - full of fun, energy and musical vision. Having never done a dance and club album before, I was excited to hear what the remixers have done with these songs to make them so clever and different from the originals," said Olivia Newton-John.

'Mickey' is the first single off the album and Olivia says: "For 'Mickey', my sister Rona and I sang the chorus together and, I never realized how cheeky the words were until I read them! My vocal coach, Steve Real, kept my voice alive that day and also added his beautiful voice to the background vocals. The genius remixers worked magic!"

The soundtrack was devised and produced by music industry veteran, Warren Fahey, and film director, Stephan Elliott. Warren says: “We were lucky to find some extremely eager and talented Australian remixers and also score the extraordinary talents of Chew Fu, probably the hottest remixer on the planet.” The resulting songs are a massive musical leap for Olivia and bring her world famous voice together with sharp edged 21st century music style. It's a winning mix.

Tracks include classics such as DAYDREAM BELIEVER, AFTERNOON DELIGHT, I THINK I LOVE YOU, LOVE BOAT, LIVE IT UP, SUGAR SUGAR, DEVIL GATE DRIVE, LIVING IN THE 70s, TWO OUT OF THREE AIN’T BAD, GEORGY GIRL, MICKEY all remixed and produced with a fusion of electro house and dance making it a fantastic summer party album, and a brand new album by an iconic International Superstar!

First track ‘Weightless’ returns Olivia to her award-winning partnership with songwriter and producer John Farrar. Together they claim some of the world's biggest hits including 'You're The One I Want', 'Physical' 'Hopelessly Devoted to You', 'Have You Never Been Mellow', 'Magic' and 'If Not For You', among others.

'Weightless' was written by Farrar and his son Max Farrar and produced by the multi-award winning producer Marius de Vries (David Gray, Rufus Wainwright, Madonna, Delta Goodrem etc), Andy Bradfield (Pet Shop Boys, P.J. Harvey, Ronan Keating, Spice Girls, Kylie Minogue etc) and film director, Stephan Elliott.

Australia’s sweetheart Olivia Newton-John has more than 100 million album sales, her successes include four Grammys, numerous Country Music, American Music and Peoples Choice Awards, Ten #1 hits including “Physical,” which topped the charts for ten consecutive weeks, and over 15 top 10 singles. In 2002, Olivia was inducted into the prestigious Australian Music Hall Of Fame at the 16th Annual ARIA Awards.

A FEW BEST MEN is directed by Stephan Elliott (PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT) and Dean Craig (the Writer and Producer of DEATH AT A FUNERAL), and produced by Share Stallings, Laurence Malkin, Gary Hamilton and Antonia Barnard. The film stars Xavier Samuel (Twilight), Kris Marshall (Love Actually), Rebel Wilson (Bridesmaids) and Australia’s own Olivia Newton-John, opening in cinemas nationally January 26th – Australia Day.

Laurence says: "We're thrilled with the release of this outstanding soundtrack. It takes so many elements from the movie and turns them on their head. Just like her performance on screen, this is Olivia like you've never seen or heard her before.”

TRACK LISTING:
Weightless – Olivia Newton-John
The Rain, The Park and Other Things – Olivia Newton-John (Lo Five Remix)
The Nips Are Getting Bigger – The Wedding Band
Day Dream Believer – Olivia Newton-John (Chew Fu Fix)
The Pushbike Song - Olivia Newton John (Pablo Calamari Remix)
Wankered – The Wedding Band
Afternoon Delight – The Wedding Band
A Beautiful Morning – The Wedding Band
Brand New Key – Olivia Newtown-John (Archie Remix)
The Love Boat – Olivia Newton-John (Roulette Remix)
Live It Up - The Wedding Band
Sugar Sugar – Olivia Newton-John (Chew Fu Fix)
Living in the 70s – The Wedding Band
Devil Gate Drive – Olivia Newton-John (Chew Fu & PVH Night Fever Remix)
Georgy Girl – Olivia Newton-John (Roulette Remix)
I Think I Love You – Olivia Newton-John (Chew Fu & PVH Love Hurts Remix)
Two Out Of Three Ain’t Bad – Olivia Newton-John (Lo Five remix)
Mickey – Olivia Newton-John (Chew FU Fix)
Weightless – Olivia Newton-John (Punk Ninja Remix)

You can currently pre-order at CDWow.us. Please know the CD is most probably going to be released in the US near the release date of the movie, but for those who can't wait, try CDWow.us. I know it's a bit pricey there, but if you don't want to download on January 20th and you can't wait for a release date in the US, try that.

"A FEW BEST MEN - THE SOUNDTRACK - Music Inspired By The Film" - out January 20, 2012

First single – MICKEY – at radio January 9, 2012

A Few Best Men - Australian movie release: January 26, 2012

More about the film visit the global website for the movie here.

A Few Best Men - banned movie trailer

Starring Olivia Newton-John.

2012.

Interview and review: Olivia Newton-John in "A Few Best Men"

Olivia Newton-John, now 63, has served up a new surprise at the Rome film festival. It’s a stand-out performance as a cocaine-snorting, champagne-swigging mother of the bride in the funniest comedy film in years, A Few Best Men.

“These are my best times,” she says, as we talk at the hotel where she’s staying with husband John Easter- ling, 62, with whom she always travels these days.

“I am enjoying a wonderful freedom. I never thought I would be saying this at my age but I do feel happier and sexier than ever. A lot of good things and bad things have happened during my life, which has been a roller coaster. But there is no better time than now. I live for the day, never think of the future and the past is gone. So I am always loving and living as if it is my last day.”

She and her husband, John Easterling, slipped away like teenagers to marry at an Incan spiritual ceremony in Cuzco, followed nine days later by a legal ceremony on Jupiter Island, Florida.

There were no guests at either service. The only person she told in advance was 25-year-old Chloe, her singer daughter by first husband, dancer and actor Matt Lattanzi.

“We wanted it to be about us rather than everyone else,” she explains.

“The last person you think about is yourself. We just wanted it to be about us and our union and commitment to each other. My life has been lived in the public eye and I wanted this one to be private.”

It seems to have inspired her to greater efforts. “I used to be so nervous before performances,” she says.

“But I no longer worry about every little thing and have changed my attitude completely. It has taken my whole life but I have finally worked out what it’s all about.”

Career highlights include working with Sir Cliff Richard on British television, moving to Los Angeles and starring in the film Grease as well as worldwide record sales which have topped 100 million.

But there have been setbacks, none more dramatic than her breast cancer in 1992. “I was forced to talk about it, really,” she recalls.

“I was in Los Angeles and someone found out and told the press. One newspaper, The Enquirer, was going to write that I was dying of cancer. I had not even told my family or friends at that stage. So I had to make a statement.

“On reflection I am happy it happened that way because talking about it was so important. It is much better to talk than keep it inside. That process is part of dealing with the illness.”

There have been many films since but Newton-John produces the performance of a lifetime in A Few Best Men.

She transforms herself from a rich and dutiful wife into a sexually charged mother of the bride.

With a mostly British cast which includes Kris Marshall and Kevin Bishop as two of three best men at an Australian society wedding, the film is being rated as the funniest since A Fish Called Wanda.

“The director Stephan Elliott told me, ‘This will kill Sandy’s image off for ever,’” she says, “but I said, ‘The world does not want Sandy to ever die. I will still be her when I’m old with no teeth!”
(vía express.co.uk - click the link to read more of the interview)

Group shot: "A Few Best Men" screening

Click pic to view larger

Last week Michael and I attended a screening of Olivia Newton-John's new movie "A Few Best Men" in Los Angeles. We had a great time enjoying the movie, the party and catching up with friends.

The above pic has a ton of "Team ONJ" folks - including Olivia, sister Rona, husband John Easterling, John and Pat Farrar and their son Max (John and Max wrote the new Olivia song for the end credits of the movie), Steve and Martha Real, manager Mark Hartley, and more.  And then there's Michael and I.

And I love the "teaser poster" of Olivia's character - mother of the bride - from the movie.

Look for the movie to open next year.  A lot of fun and Olivia in a role like we've never seen.  Very fun.

Olivia on the red carpet - International Rome Film Fest

Olivia Newton-John, with husband John Easterling and director Stephan Elliott, on the red carpet of the Rome International Film Festival for the European premiere of her new movie "A Few Best Men."

Click here for video of Olivia on the red carpet with director Stephan Elliott.

Click here to see Italian news coverage of Olivia at the Film Festival.

Looks like she's having a lot of fun. AND I love the leather dress! Go Livvy!

Click on pics to view larger version

Olivia at International Rome Film Festival for "A Few Best Men"

Olivia Newton-John, with co-star Kris Marshall and director Stephan Elliott, for the premiere of "A Few Best Men" at the International Rome Film Festival.

Translated from the press conference, Olivia said: "Roles like the ones I starred in Grease, or Xanadu, inevitably belong to my younger years. Now I prefer performances like this. Where, finally, I can let go and do crazy things. At first I was a little scared: then did not know how to stop. When I decide whether to participate in a film I'm most certainly not thinking about Grease: I choose the things I enjoy most."

Click on a photo to see larger version

Screening of "A Few Best Men" with Olivia Newton-John

Last night I attended the AusFilm/Australians In Film screening of Olivia Newton-John's new movie "A Few Best Men." Also in attendance were co-stars Kris Marshall and Rebel Wilson as well as director Stephan Elliott.

There's been a lot of buzz about the film and I can see why. The audience was packed, and I can honestly say the reaction was terrific. The audience was laughing the entire movie. I had read some "reviews" of the film based on it's recent screening at the Mill Valley Film Festival and while I see how a critic may have their say comparing this to a "serious" film, this movie is pure fun. As I watched the film, I felt it was like a snowball rolling down the mountain getting bigger and funnier and faster with each minute.

The movie, to use an analogy, is like "The Hangover" meets "Bridesmaids" in Australia.

Olivia has a hysterical journey as the wife of an Australian senator, who through a series of events turns from proper to party girl over the course of the movie. Kris Marshall is also a standout as the groom's best friend who watches the chaos unfold with a mix of indifference and concern.

The audience was laughing throughout and I'm not talking a few chuckles.  It was a fun ride of a movie and it was clear the crowd had a great time.  Is it "The King's Speech"?  No.  It's a LOT more fun.

Click on the pics below to see larger versions.

Producer Lawrence Malkin, director Stephan Elliott, Rebel Wilson<
Olivia Newton-John, Kris Marshall and producer Share Stallings

Olivia with producers Lawrence Malkin and Share Stallings