Ethics of Reciprocity In Hollywood?

Call it what you will: karma, the Golden Rule or simply what comes around goes around. Whatever you call it, it is nice to see some of Hollywood's finest realize that it is there but for the grace of God and to take a moment to do unto Matilda.

Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell and Jude Law have reportedly donated salaries received for completing The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus to Heath Ledger's daughter, Matilda. Ledger was in the middle of filming Dr. Parnassus when he died of an accidental overdose in January 2008. Following his death, the three actors stepped into Ledger's role so that the film could be completed.

Kudos for a classy move, guys!

A Lethal Cocktail

Chief Medical Examiner's Report: Heath Ledger, Cause of Death

Now we know. May he rest in peace. And may his family, Michelle Williams and his daughter, Matilda, one day find it.

Rising Above It All

A tribute to Heath Ledger on a viral site for The Dark Knight speaks volumes

We often feel personally connected to actors and musicians that contribute, through their art, to events that shape our own lives. Sometimes, sad as it is, we feel that connection gives us the right to speculate and pass judgement. Even sadder, the media makes it virtually impossible to escape that proclivity.

I've seen it happening, on a very grand scale, with the madness surrounding the death of Heath Ledger. And on a smaller scale with Johnny Gallagher's departure from Spring Awakening and Old Springs Pike.

Every one of us, at one time or another, battles demons. And not a one of us is immune to tragedy. We make choices, or have them made for us, and those choices pave the road for our journey ahead. And when it comes to people we don't know personally, none of us is really qualified to decide if those choices are right or wrong.

Wouldn't it be great if we were all classy enough to quietly acknowledge life's tragedies with a simply placed black ribbon?

A Recipe for Good Times

In times when the television is plagued with coverage of tragic breaking news, political hijinx and a troubled economy, I am so very thankful for diversions that bring you to a happier place. The question, then, is which of these diversions provides the greater promise of Nirvana?

1

The new Xanadu commercial (click image below to view)

2

The Old Springs Pike/Elizabeth & The Catapult concert in Boston

3
Joe Iconis announcing a new ROCK N ROLL JAMBOREE gig at Joe's Pub
(click image for details and to order tickets)

My recommendation? Combine all three, shake vigorously and serve straight-up! And we'll call it a Nirvana Cocktail!

Gone Too Soon

On the day the nominees for the 80th Academy Awards were announced, actor Heath Ledger was found dead in his Manhattan apartment. The apparent cause of death was a sleeping pill overdose. Ledger, who was nominated for an Oscar for his riveting portrayal of the tortured Ennis del Mar in Academy-award winning film Brokeback Mountain, is reported to have been sick with pneumonia.

Ledger recently wrapped the latest Batman installment, The Dark Knight, where he recreated the character of The Joker opposite Christian Bale. Ledger was filming Terry Gilliam's The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus with Christopher Plummer when he passed away. He was the father of a 2-year old girl, Matilda, for whom he shared parenting responsibilities with actress Michelle Williams. The couple recently were recently separated following an engagement to be married.

As with the death of River Phoenix , James Dean and others who leave us too soon, I am profoundly saddened and shocked by this sudden and terrible loss to the entertainment community.