In times of trouble, you can always count on generous local A-lister Leonardo DiCaprio, who always seems to be at the ready with an open mind and an open wallet. Kind-hearted Leo, who has helped raise millions for animal and environmental conservation, adds another gold star to his charity report card.
Most recently, he dished out $1 million for hurricane relief efforts. It was the initial donation to the United Way recovery fund.
Earlier this year, the box office champ hosted a titanic night with his fourth annual charity auction. The extravaganza took place in St. Tropez and was first class all the way. The one and only Madonna delighted guests with hits like “Open Your Heart.”
Of course, a charity auction was on tap with both Leo and Titanic co-star Kate Winslet putting themselves under the hammer.
To mark the 20th—yup, 20th—anniversary of their breakout blockbuster, the pair offered to host a private dinner and helped raise $30 million in the process.
REEL TO REAL
Fall movie season is here and there are a whole lotta locals coming to a big screen (or soon-to-be-released DVD) near you.
Malibu beauty Halle Berry kicks things off with “Kingsman: The Golden Circle.” But will the sequel be as thrilling as the 2014 hit? Can’t complain about the cast. The flick also stars Colin Firth, Julianne Moore and Jeff Bridges.
Next, he’s the man who recorded life’s soundtracks for generations. Later this month, check out a documentary on legendary music producer Clive Davis. As the head of Arista Records, he was known for his keen eye for talent. A music buff’s dream, it features everyone from Aretha Franklin and Whitney Houston to Janis Joplin and Bruce Springsteen.
If it’s not just music that floats your boat, you’ll be zipping off the wet suit and heading for the movies. Our own surfing legend Laird Hamilton now has his own documentary; it’s called “Take Every Wave” and is bound to hang 10 in Malibu.
If you are a “Blade Runner” fan, you won’t want to miss “2049,” and who knows what the future holds. Ryan Gosling takes the spotlight (or maybe searchlight) in this one. He plays an officer searching for Harrison Ford’s Deckard, 30 years after the events of the classic first.
For legal eagles there’s “Marshall.” Chadwick Boseman dons the robes of future Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall. He teams up with Kate Hudson, Josh Gad and James Cromwell. The film profiles his rise as a young NAACP attorney working his way up on a high-profile case.
In October, get ready for a few knee slappers because “The Meyerowitz Stories” are coming to town. I must admit, I would be a tad disappointed if this crew didn’t deliver. The movie revolves around the story of three adult siblings who are wrestling with the force of their domineering father. With locals Dustin Hoffman and Adam Sandler in the cast, it certainly has a good start. The film also features funnyman Ben Stiller and the lovely Emma Thompson.
You’ll also wonder what kind of aftertaste “Wasted” will leave in your mouth, but if you are a fan of food guru Anthony Bourdain, you wouldn’t pass on this entrée. Pass the popcorn first.
VOCALESE
And a big high-five to Malibu’s mega producer Mark Burnett and his blockbuster show “The Voice.” The long-running hit show has picked up Emmy gold for best reality competition series. Long-timer “Saturday Night Live” snagged the outstanding variety sketch series prize while orange-haired Alec Baldwin got top prize as President Trump on the NBC comedy standby.