Jordan Strauss/AP Content Services for King Richard Productions
‘Rush’ to star-packed film
October’s Mental Health Awareness Month. The idea should’ve begun in DC.
“Beyond the Rush,” tackling mental health and addiction, stars Oscar noms Eric Roberts and Cathy Moriarty plus John Savage, Mena Suvari, Frankie Faison and Bob Fosse’s grandson Sean Fosse.
First-time director Robert Sayegh put his own $1.7 million into the drug abuse story based on his life — girlfriend murdered by an addict plus his brother who choked to death.
Roberts, nominated for 1985’s “Runaway Train,” had his own baggage. He plays a predator judge who abuses kids. The real events Roberts reported in his recent memoir “Runaway Train: Or, The Story of My Life So Far.”
Did sister Julia Roberts object to his tell-all? “If she did, we’d certainly hear about it. She’d let us know she’s upset.”
Savage, one of the stars of multiple Oscar-winner “The Deer Hunter,” said this examines “the human condition and how far you’ll go to preserve your family.”
Working to end apartheid, he’s grandpa to a White House correspondent, and was a consultant for Spike Lee’s 1992 film “Malcolm X,” starring Denzel Washington and Angela Bassett.
“Beyond the Rush” debuts ahead of Veterans Day, Nov. 9.
Weir true fans
Johnny Weir, national champion figure skater, went from Amish country’s one traffic light in Coatesville, Pa.’s Chester County to the Olympics. How?
“Watching TV, the Olympics, I fell for skating. With roller skates in our basement I began on frozen cornfields behind our house. To find my way the hell out I fell constantly. Falling is trying out then clawing your way back in. My parents bought me recycled ice skates from a secondhand place. I joined a group class which teaches how to fall properly so nobody skates by and cuts your fingers off. I taught myself. I could jump on my first group class. The instructor then told my mother I needed to be a professional figure skater.
“Everyone watches the Olympics, like Christina Aguilera, Gaga. Elton John nicknamed me ‘Glamour Puss’ because I occasionally overdress. Listen, I’ve even fallen in front of famous people.”
So, now, he’s into “Roller Jam,” a competitive show which streams on Max and celebrates roller skating. It’s 10 teens from across the country. The champs win money plus a $10,000 donation to their local rink.
Would he ever put his own child into skating?
“I don’t really want children, but don’t think I’d want him or her to skate. I’d prefer tennis, maybe football. Figure skating’s hard. Older you get the harder it is. Now 40, I just made my final tour. Olympic shape is hard to keep. Diet. Training. Choreography. My body wasn’t holding up anymore. I cried, but I went out on a high note.
“I now teach Olympics outside Philly.”
For senior citizens moving to Florida: It’s a nap before going to bed which is now a spectator sport and takes longer than it used to. For your golden anniversary it’s canapes, prune juice on the rocks — and an oxygen mask. A romantic evening is hoping the stars come out and your teeth don’t.
Definitely not only in New York, kids, not only in New York.