December | 2008 |

NY MOVIE PREMIERE: TOM CRUISE AND BRYAN SINGER DELIVER “VALKYRIE”

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Posted on December 24, 2008 by theravireport

A myriad of TV crews and reporters waited anxiously for Tom Cruise and Bryan Singer to enter the premiere

It was indeed one of the most glamorous and star studded movie premieres I have covered and attended in NY this movie season. Iconic Hollywood movie star Tom Cruise and acclaimed award winning director Bryan Singer along with celebrities and special guests made their way down the red carpet on Dec. 15 at the movie premiere of their much talked about and anticipated film”Valkyrie”.

Accomplished & talented actor Tom Cruise at the red carpet premiere of his movie “Valkyrie”

The biggest movie premiere ever to happen so far this year and The Ravi Report was front and center with details, exclusive interviews and photos that will only be seen on this entertainment news & exclusive event coverage blog. The premiere took place at the prestigious Ross Hall at the famous Time Warner Center amidst a media frenzy that I had never seen before. NY press, foreign press and almost every major magazine & newspaper outlet were on the red carpet vying for interviews with Singer and Cruise and other celebrities.

Director Bryan Singer is my childhood friend so this was indeed a special night for me as well. It is always nice seeing him at his movie premieres and he was gracious as ever with the media and still is the same smart, talented and personable person I met over 25 years ago. He has never forgotten his friends and his roots in Princeton, NJ.

Tom Cruise and Ravi Yande at the “Valkyrie” NY red carpet premiere. Photo courtesy Tom Cruise.

The film already has generated a great deal of press for both director Singer and Cruise, who portrays the real life role of German officer Claus Von Stauffenberg who in 1943 hatched a plan to assassinate Adolf Hitler.

“I am really thrilled to be here and hoping that it all goes well. My whole family is here tonight” said Singer.

“My mom has seen it already but my dad will see it tonight and alot of my friends from Jersey that still live in Jersey are here as well tonight and for me personally that is a big and very exciting thing to have my family and friends here” the director exclusively told The Ravi Report.

Ravi Yande and good friend Bryan Singer

Bryan also told me his movies are usually premiered in LA and that very rarely do his films have a NY premiere. so “Valkyrie”had an extra special meaning to him.The award winning director also said that it was especially heartwarming to see that the press and the critics are saying positive things about the film so early in without a nationwide release yet. The film opens Christmas day and both Singer and Cruise are proud of all their hard work and dedication the film and it’s release.

Acclaimed director Bryan Singer enters the red carpet premiere in style!

“Tom and I are most proud of that fact that as much as it’s an assassination thriller, it’s all true. It happened. It’s a real story, true story. The characters are true and what happened to them is real and that is just the added bonus” said the “Usual Suspects” & “Superman” director.

Mass hysteria took place when the “Rainman” & “Jerry Mcguire”superstar took to the carpet. When Cruise entered the room, everything pretty much turned into mayhem with cameras flashing second and second, reporters screaming the actor’s name and security trying to push back the overzealous reporters hoping for a quick sound bite from the star. It was great to see that after 25 years of being a top movie star, Cruise commands the kind of adoration and respectablility that Hollywood legends work a lifetime to achieve. Tom was gracious, unassuming and excited that his movie was being so welcomed by the NY press.

Tom Cruise answering questions from the press.

Tom answered the basic red carpet questions about his family and life in NY with a pool of reports.

“My kids have the life that I always wanted. They travel the world, envelope different cultures and people, learn about their history..that’s how I raise my kids so they have full exposure to the world and ideas and philosophies and make choices by themselves” said the award winning superstar.

The devoted father has made NY his permanent home lately due to wife Katie’s broadway debut and is often seen and photographed around town having fun and being a nuturing parent to his kids.

Tom Cruise speaking to the jam packed press line at the premiere.

“Whatever they want to be, I tell them to just do it. But I have a thing that if you really want to do it, just do it. Don’t be causual about it” he tells The Ravi Report.

Tom revealed that he has had a place for 25 years in Manhattan and says he loves the theater, going to live performances and the people.

I asked him if he finds it challenging to be such a high profiled family man.

“I am trying man. I am going for it…that is what you got to do!” said the star as he flashed his trademark million dollar movie star smile.

Tom is also spontanous I found out. After my interview, he politely asked if he could see my camera. I obliged and the superstar then turns towards me and graciously proceeds to take a picture of the both of us on my camera. I thanked him for taking the photo and we shook hands before he was lead off the red carpet by his professional team of publicists and taken into the screening room with Singer and the other celebrities.

Bryan Singer listening to questions from the press

NASCAR iconic driver Jeff Gordon who came with his stunning wife Ingrid Vandebousch told The Ravi Report that he was too busy driving race cars to keep up with all the business of Hollywood movies these days but did appreciate Tom’s and Bryan’s work. The famous race car driver attends movie premieres with Ingrid but due to his hectic and world travels, he finds it hard to see all of the latest blockbusters. But he was he said he was very excited to see Tom’s film.

NASCAR icon Jeff Gordon and his stunning wife Ingrid at the movie premiere.

“We had a conversation with Tom and Katie not to long ago and he is amazing and I am really looking forward to see his new film” states the first ever NASCAR driver to host Saturday Night Live in 2003.

Since this was a very special premiere and The Ravi Report had exclusive access to interviews with the cast members, there will be follow up in another blog shortly with additional interviews, exclusive photos and a review of “Valkyrie”.

Ravi

NY PRIVATE SPECIAL EVENT: CHEVY CHASE & “THE GODFATHERS”

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Posted on December 13, 2008 by admin

Flashes of scenes from the box office hit of the 80’s “National Lampoon Vacations”kept coming to mind as I entered the lavish and swanky Audi showroom on Park Avenue on Tuesday night and saw the very tall actor Chevy Chase mingling with the upscale & beautiful NY crowd. It was a private & special book release party for “The Godfather Family Album”a incredible pictorial book compiled by famed photographer Steve Schapiro and his years of photographing the fictionalized characters. Schapiro’s friends, associates and well wishers came to the very classy party produced by publisher Taschen Books and Men’s Vogue magazine. I have been to a ton of book launch parties before but never to one at a fancy car showroom so it was indeed the kind of party that you talk about days after it’s over.

Actor Chevy Chase in discussion with world famous photographer Steve Schapiro at book party

But first about the book. I was impressed. The Godfather Family Album based on Francis Ford Coppola’s legendary film ‘The Godfathers” is simply more then just a collectors item. It’s a piece of treasure (with a $700 price tag) that anyone who ever loved the epic film and their characters must have. Black and white classic images of iconic actors such as Marlon Brando, James Caan, Robert De Niro and Al Picino are all part of Schapiro’s collection. I mean please, who can forget the famous image of actor Marlon Brando holding that cat with that mysterious and captivating grin. Oye!

The book includes over 400 never before images from the films. It is available through www.taschen.com with only a limited edition of 1000.

Ok, back to the party. The last time I saw Chevy Chase, he was at a red carpet movie premiere in LA just being himself and having fun and that’s pretty much what he was doing at the party. Dressed in a blazer with jeans and loafers, Chase was chatting up a storm with old friends and devoted fans. Chase and Schapiro mingled with the beautiful folks of NYC to speak about the book and the collection of photos.

Chase and Schapiro admire the latest Audi cars at the Park Avenue NY showroom.

NY businessmen who dressed as Vogue representatives, chatted up beautiful models who lingered around the posh Audi cars as they glimpsed at Chase and tried to get a picture with him. People were friendly, courteous and very much impressed by the talent of Schapiro’s work.

“Seeing Chase brings back memories of high school” commented a guest gorgeous enough to be on the cover of the next Vogue.

Memories indeed. Chase’s character Clark Griswold from the four “National Lampoon Vacation ” films did indeed put him on the map as a star and really have been a strong reminder of his claim to fame in addtion to being the first cast member of “Saturday Night Live”.

Despite being an outspoken liberal, Chase’s popularity hasn’t been effected as you could tell from the 200 plus people that came to the event. It was indeed good to see Chase doing what he does best- being funny.

Ravi

Mumbai Attacks: Way To Close To Home

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Posted on December 5, 2008 by admin

The world has now become very familiar with Mumbai. Not because of some blockbuster Bollywood extravaganza or some technological discovery but for the worst terrorist attack ever that killed more than 170 innocent people sending shock waves through the city of 19 million people.

It was way to close to home.

For me, Mumbai is my second home. For almost two decades, as an journalist & producer, I have travelled to the exotic city for stories, personal visits, Bollywood interviews, weddings, film premieres, you name it..I have gone to Mumbai for it! I have seen the city transform over the years into a modern, energetic and incredible place for the world to visit.

Picture of the majestic Taj Hotel taken on my last trip to India in 2006.

Special memories of dining at the Taj Hotel attending social gatherings and Bollywood parties at the historical venue or just hanging out with friends while enjoying a strong cup of chai at the Leopold Cafe, were all flashing before my eyes as I saw the attacks on television. Could this be really happening? I had to ask that question to myself over and over again in disbelief.

The Taj? No way. I thought places like the Taj were not targets of terror but luxurious places of safety & pleasure. But like many of us, I was boldly incorrect and a bit naive I might add as well.

The first thing I did was text all my friends/relatives/contacts to make sure they were ok. Thank God they were. Then I continued to get updated text messages from my journalist friends staying in Mumbai telling me what was happening. They were scared and filled with uncertainty- I can sense it in their texts. Many had rushed to shelter in strangers apts for the moment while others made quick new friends trying to get out of the city back to NY. A few were concerned about the safety of the other historical buildings like the famed Gate of India or the famous temples. At that particular moment, nothing seemed safe said one contact.

The Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus that was attacked really hit close to home. I have been to and travelled to that station dozens of times over the years. Even in the worst monsoon season with torrential downpours, that station never closes. But all I could see on TV were empty halls & blood stained floors.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Mumbai, India. A lifeline for millions of daily commuters.

The last time I was in India, a bomb went off near another hotel I was staying at in Mumbai and immediately the staff advised all of us foreigners to stay in our rooms and not to open the door until told to do so. Flashbacks were coming back indeed.

The attacks maybe over, but the residue and images of terror will be lingering on for time to come. “The city is slowly getting back to normal” said my friend Rahul, an producer in Mumbai. “But there is a still a bit of a fear factor in the eyes of people walking the streets” he cautiously commented.

I am planning on going to Mumbai soon with my best friends. The trip was planned way before the attacks. “Are you still going to go?” asks my friend Rachel who like many who are concerned about people going to India now. “Of course without a doubt “. I replied.

Without a doubt.

Ravi

NY GALA ALERT: DEC. 15: CHARITY:WATER GALA: GIVE THE DRINK OF LIFE

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Posted on December 4, 2008 by admin

The next time you pick up a fancy bottle of crystal clear water and are about to quench your thirst, take a second if you will to just imagine that bottle of water being filthy, muddy and filled with bacteria and other elements dangerous to your health. Not very appealing, huh? Well, thanks to Scott Harrison Founder and President of Charity:Water organization, www.charitywater.org, thousands of people around the world now have safe and clean drinking water. Through his dedication and endless efforts Scott & his team have been providing clean and healthy drinking water to thousands in underdeveloped countries that are subjected to dirty and unhealthy drinking water.

In two years Charity:Water has developed 1, 030 water projects in 13 countries allowing 500K people to have clean and safe drinking clean water. Now that’s incredible!

His annual Charity:Water Gala Benefit scheduled on December 15, 2008 at The Metropolitan Pavillion located at 125 West 18th Street brings out the best of New Yorkers and is a way for people to help donate and help numerous countries including Africa, India and Guyana to have clean drinking water. Tickets for the gala can be purchased online at www.charitywater.org.

Talented Actor and long time supporter Adrian Grenier will co-host Charity:Water Benefit on Dec. 15.

I attended and covered the event last year and let me say one thing. It was simply incredible. 1500 of the most beautiful, elegantly dressed and generous people you will ever meet. Large poster size images of children from around the world are displayed through the venue attached with stories about how their lives have been changed through Charity:Water. A list celebrities, supermodels, socialites & famous New Yorkers mingled with the guests during the night learning more about the organization and how they can help. Glamorous red carpet arrivals laced with celebrities and national press all came out to support Scott and his wonderful organization. Honestly, it’s an event that you don’t want to miss!

The most rewarding part of the evening is you get to see how your donations are being utilized around the world and how many people are benefiting from the generosity of others. All for the sake of clean drinking water. It’s a great feeling.

For all those “Entourage” fans, the gala this year will be hosted by superstar Adrian Grenier who is as humble as any star can be along side the stunning supermodel and very gracious Jessica Stam. I met and interviewed both of them last year and the passion and concern for people is visibly seen in their eyes.

Co-hosts supermodel Jessica Stam and actor Adrien Grenier are long time supporters of Charity:Water

A $20 dollar bottle of water can give so many people the drink for life. That’s a price of a movie these days with oily popcorn. Just think, after you watch the movie and eat the popcorn, what do you have? Nothing. A $20 dollar donation goes 100 percent towards building water wells and providing clean water for the people of Africa and other nations. I spoke to a few patrons last year at the gala who had travelled to the countries where Scott has done work and were so pleased with the progress Charity:Water is doing they continue to support his work.So the next time you pick up that clean, sparkling bottle of water, you may want to think of Charity:Water and how you can help in spreading the wealth of clean and safe drinking water. The event sells out fast so for tickets go online at www.charitywater.org.Hope to see you at the event!Ravi