This Just In.
December 2nd, 08'

 The nominations for the 2009 Spirit Awards (the Oscars of the Indie Movie world) have been announced..

The Wrestler was nominated in these categories:

Best Feature: Producers - Darren Aronofsky & Scott Franklin

Best Male Lead  -  hmm, who could that be? :)

Best Cinematography - Maryse Alberti

 Congrats Mickey !!! You deserve it!! Especially after the beating you have taken at the hands of certain media outlets recently. Your talent transcends any negative bullshit they write about you. In my humble opinion, they can fuck off!!!

 The awards will be held live & uncut on  February 21^st , 2009 at 5pm EST/ 2pm PST. You can watch the it all go down on the Independent Film Channel. Have a look see at all the nominations: IFC 

 See youse later

 Ciao,
Steph

Let The Awards Season Begin...
December 3rd, 08'

  Mickey doing his thang at the 18^th Annual Gotham Independent Film Awards Gala which was held December 2^nd  in New York City at Cipriani Wall Street. Ooh la la - looks like Mickey’s got it going on!! Woohoo!!

Photos courtesy of gettyimages

More to come.......
Steph

 What’s New With Sin City 2
December 5th, 08'

  Mickey told MTV’s Kurt Loder (wow-he’s still around) at Fox Searchlights holiday party in New York Wednesday night, that both he and Frank Miller are ready to begin filming Sin City 2. However, it remains to be seen - when exactly the sequel to the successful 2005 Sin City will see the light of day, due to the fact that Robert Rodriguez needs to iron out some differences with The Directors Guild of America. If you don’t recall what went down in 2005 between the DAG & Rodriguez let me refresh your memory. It all began when Rodriguez quit the DAG over their refusal to grant Rodriguez the right to allow Sin City creator, Frank Miller, the title of co-director of the film. Hello! Not many directors of Rodriguez status have quit the DAG. Mickey further elaborated by saying “Once that kerfuffle’s cleared up, though, the sequel could get underway pretty quickly. Frank’s ready. And I’m ready too.”
Source: MTV

 Wrestler Confusion???

It’s been brought to my attention that there are other Rourke sites (you know who you are) out there in cyberspace promoting The Wrestler as having a full blown nationwide release on December 17^th here in the states..Pfft!!! Hells Bells, what a bunch of dinks.

Here’s the deal: Several weeks ago, The Wrestler was confirmed for a limited release date of December 17^th - I gave site visitors the heads up on what was going down. I explained what the term limited release date meant (only select cities here in the US)  and why (because the movie needed to be in theaters before the Oscar deadline at the end of the year) the studio, Fox Searchlight, set it up in this fashion.

To prove that I’m kinda on target with what I’ve been telling ya’ll - I surfed on over to the official website of ‘The Wrestler’ prior to my writing this up - to make sure the studio was still touting the limited release date of Wednesday December 17^th, in select cities. And guess what?? Nothing’s changed. You can see for your self HERE

Keep this lil’ diddy in mind - all this shit is subject to change. 

 I’m off to catch some shut eye.....

 Steph

 Ummm...
December 8th, 08'

   What can I say? Mickey has changed his mind about resurrecting Marv. That’s right. Only a few days ago he told MTV’s Kurt Loder, at a Fox Searchlight party, that he was ready for Sin City 2. With that being said, ComingSoon.net/Superhero Hype, is now reporting that after speaking to Mickey at a recent press junket for The Wrestler, his point of view has changed on this subject. Here’s what he had to say:

 "No, I'm not interested in that right now. That's not a reality right now. It's pissing in the wind," Rourke admitted. "There's different factions going different directions there. I don't know. That's three hours of make up and I'm claustrophobic, so I'm going to have to work something out."

On a positive note, Mickey is grooving on his recent role in the movie 13, which he is currently filming.

 For those of you who have been waiting patiently for Sin City 2 - I know this might be a BIG disappointment. However, I never clung on to the hope that this movie would go down. Look at the facts, how many times has the production of this film been pushed back? I don’t know about you, but I’ve lost count. Here’s the deal, When it’s all said and done, Mickey has the right to change his mind.

Read the complete lowdown here.

Later ,
Steph

 HELLO FROM FOX SEARCHLIGHT
December 9th, 08'

  Yeah, you heard me right. We just received an email with updates from a representative from the above mentioned studio. You should know this by now, but let me refresh your memory. Fox Searchlight is the distributor of the movie we are ALL anxiously awaiting: The Wrestler. The updates included another movie poster, which is of much better quality, trailers and a notice stating the
official site for The Wrestler has been re-launched. Check it out, there are all kinds of goodies that will keep you busy. 

::: Click the thumbnail to see The Wrestler movie poster in high quality :::

Click HERE to view clip #2

  Once more thing...The representative from Fox Searchlight also provided us with a brief official synopsis of the film. I know ya’ll have read a lot of other stuff on the net about “The Wrestler", however, this does come from the studio and it contains no fluff. It’s the real deal.

Directed by: Darren Aronofsky
Written by: Robert Siegel
Produced by: Scott Franklin, Darren Aronofsky
Executive produced by: Vincent Maraval, Agnes Mentre, Jennifer Roth
Cast: Mickey Rourke, Marisa Tomei and Evan Rachel Wood

   Back in the late ‘80s, Randy “The Ram” Robinson (Mickey Rourke) was a headlining professional wrestler. Now, twenty years later, he ekes out a living performing for handfuls of diehard wrestling fans in high school gyms and community centers around New Jersey. Estranged from his daughter (Evan Rachel Wood) and unable to sustain any real relationships, Randy lives for the thrill of the show and the adoration of his fans. However, a heart attack forces him into retirement. As his sense of identity starts to slip away, he begins to evaluate the state of his life -- trying to reconnect with his daughter, and striking up a blossoming romance with an exotic dancer (Marisa Tomei) who is ready to start a new life. Yet all this cannot compare to the allure of the ring and passion for his art, which threatens to pull Randy “The Ram” back into his world of wrestling. Director Darren Aronofsky presents a powerful portrait of a battered dreamer, who despite himself and the odds stacked against him, lives to be a hero once again in the only place he considers home – inside the ring. THE WRESTLER had its North American premiere at the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival and won the Golden Lion at the 2008 Venice Film Festival.

 Mickey Wins....

The Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association honored Mickey with Best Actor for his role in The Wrestler. HELLO!!! Ya gotta know, more great stuff is heading Mickey’s way...

 Just in...
The LA Film Critics Award winners were announced and Mickey was runner-up for Best Actor. Do I really need to tell ya’ll for what movie he was mentioned?? :)
 

Ciao,
Steph

 This Time I’m On Top.....
December 10th, 08'
 

 Oscar Roundtable

  I wanted to get this article posted before I went to bed. The Hollywood Report sat down with six actors to discuss the business of acting: Mickey Rourke, Ed Harris, Josh Brolin, Hugh Jackman, Richard Jenkins and Benicio Del Toro. It’s a really good read. Mickey ends the article with a very interesting statement. Something we have known for a long time. I’m glad he said it.

 Wrestling Fever

  If you haven’t read yesterday’s Skinny check it out ... ... Also make a note that the Official website for The Wrestler has a list of opening dates - Please note they are subject to change. They are calling this list a draft. 

 December 17^th - LA & New York

 December 26^th - (my birthday) Boston, Chicago, San Francisco and Washington DC

January 9^th - Austin, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Denver, Detroit, Hartford/New Haven, Minneapolis. Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Diego and Seattle

 January 16^th - Albany, Albuquerque, Atlanta, Baltimore, Boca Raton/West Palm Beach, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Honolulu, Houston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Madison, Miami/Ft. Lauderdale, Milwaukee, North Hampton/Springfield, Orlando, Portland, Rochester, Sacramento, Salt Lake City/Boise, St. Louis

 January 23^rd - Anchorage, Asheville, Baton Rouge, Birmingham, Buffalo, Champaign/Decatur/Springfield, Charlotte, Charlottesville, Colorado Springs, Corpus Christi, Dayton, Des Moines, Ft. Meyers, Gainesville, Grand Rapids, Harrisburg PA, Ithaca, Jacksonville, Knoxville, Lansing, Lexington, Louisville, Memphis, Nashville, New Orleans, Norfolk/Newport News, Oklahoma City, Omaha, Pittsburgh, Portland ME, Providence, Raleigh/Durham, Reno, Richmond, San Antonio, Santa Fe, Sarasota, Spokane, Syracuse, Tallahassee, Tampa/St. Petersburg, Tucson, Tulsa

  I wanna give a shout-off to my good friend Camden. For some ungodly reason he has decided to tie the knot. Better you than me – Baby!!! (lol) (Heather here...Stephy, does that mean we get to do the bachelor party for him? muwahahaha!!)

 Okay I’m going to bed... I’m expecting an important phone call in the morning and I need to be rested and alert ; )

Night,
 Steph

 It’s All Good......
December 12th, 08'

 Mickey was nominated by the Hollywood Foreign Press for a Golden Globe,  in the Best Actor category early this morning. Heather and I are SORRY that we didn’t post the news sooner, but we have been on a mission for the last 24 hours.  I’ll tell you more in a bit.

 Anywho, I heard the news between 8am & 830am this morning while watching MSNBC.’s Morning Joe. Columnist Courtney Hazlett & Morning Joe co-host Willie Geist - announced the nominations as they were coming across the wire. When Mickey’s name was mentioned for Best Actor by Geist- who’s voice took on the tone of someone who couldn’t believe what he was reading -his response  and I’m paraphrasing - “Mickey Rourke”. Hazlett praised Mickey performance and said not to count him out. The film has a had a huge buzz . { The Golden Globes will be airing on NBC January 11^th , at the Beverly Hilton -  Beverly Hills, Calif. }

In the end,  The Wrestler nabbed 3 Golden Globe nods .

Best Actor

Best Supporting Actress -  Marisa Tomei

Best Original Song - Bruce Springsteen ( Give the song a listen. The lyrics say it all. ) 

 The 411
There is a good  reason for the tardiness of the Skinny . Aaah,  Heather and I, were up to 3am ironing out some details for a VERY important trip she is taking this weekend.. Shit, I didn’t know the final plans until I woke up this morning and read an email she sent me.

 Here’s the deal: Heather is flying out to LA today -  to attend the screening of The Wrestler, on Sunday, December 14^th . Oops, I forgot to mention that there will be a Q & A involving Mickey & director Darren Aronofsky.

 
Take Note....

 There will be no news at  uniquelyrourke - until Heather gets back from LA. HELLO!!! She is the head bitch in charge - when it comes to the technical aspect of running uniquelyrourke.
 If you need a Rourke fix - while uniquelyrourke is on a self-imposed hiatus - head on over to our friend LaShane’s web site - Mickey Rourke Walls. She has been kind enough to help us out - until Heather returns LaShane runs an honest & cool web site. She is definitely not  into blowing smoking up your ass . Oh yeah, don’t be surprised if ya - see a contribution from the chicks of uniquelyrourke.

 Until next week.......

Ciao,
Steph

“Even if I get an Oscar, I won't watch it. I can't stand the sight of myself on screen."

 Mickey Rourke

 The Wrestler Opened In LA & NY
December 17th, 08'

 Tonight is gonna be a short one. Heather is still suffering from jet lag after a very long flight home from Los Angeles. Here is the first photo of Mickey’s character in the film 13. (btw) Mickey says he has completed filming the movie and at this time he doesn’t mention any further movie projects...

This Cracked Me Up!!!!
“I have no idea about that. You’ll have to talk to those confused people” Mickey’s response to a question he was asked, by a journalist, Christina Radish. (MediaBlvd). More here.

 Shout-Out
Heather and I want to THANK LaShane for the use of Mickey Rourke Walls.  If you haven’t read about the Q&A Heather attended Sunday, December 14^th then head on over to her site and read all about it.

 I’ll be back tomorrow to with a new Skinny. Heather should be caught up on all her beauty sleep by tomorrow. She had a lil’ too much FUN with Melissa Prophet. Those naughty girls were stirring up some trouble in a one of those high fahluting Beverly Hill Hotels. How do I know?? HELLO!!! They keep me in the loop. If you only knew who they were hanging with, you’d shit your pants!!!

 Later...
Steph

 I Can Not Tell A Lie!!!
December 19th, 08'

 After coming home from a long day of Christmas Shopping - I had a lil’ dinner and said to myself. “I’m going to chill for a few minutes before I type up a new Skinny". HELLO!! Fast forward 5 hours, (12:38 AM), I hear Pink Floyd’s - Wish you were here - blaring in the background. At first I thought I was at a damn concert, but once I came outta my Christmas shopping coma and realized there was no concert.... I was bummed out!! The tell tale factors were all there

1- I didn’t smell any weed

2 - Duh!! No stage, hence, no Pink Floyd.

3- My dog Jack was licking my face.

So, where the hell was the music coming from? Grrrr, it was my fuckin’ cell phone. (Hmm, maybe I should change my ringtone to some mello Celine Dion song. Aaah, Barf!!! I can’t do that!!!)(Steph if you did that I couldn’t call you anymore..eech!) After taking all of a few seconds to get my shit together - I answer the phone and it’s Heather. And let me tell you straight up - she is the only friend I have ever had that doesn’t say Hello, Hi, What are you doing, Kiss my ass - when I answer the phone. She’s a total pervy bitch. The first words outta her mouth were “What are you doing - you bad girl? Are you playing with yourself?" I’m like - Fuck No!!! I wish!!! I crashed out. (buhaha) Anywho, I talked to Heather for a bit then said I gotta bolt. It’s 1:20 am - and I gotta write something. Shit, Mickey got nominated for a SAG Award today. WTF!! We’re his Official site. How the hell does that look!!! Well, I’ll tell you how it looks.. Not good at all, considering we got such a nice comment from Mickey’s manger JP who said: “We appreciate everything you do for us. We love the website. Keep doing what you’re doing and we’re going straight to the Oscars with this one.” 
 

 ** FYI** ~ Jan 2^nd 2009 SAG members will vote to go on strike. What does this mean for those of who like to watch awards shows? Well, it means you won’t be able to catch a glimpse of our favorite actors nor will you be able to rag on what people are wearing. Ya know what I’m talking. You see some actress/actor walking the red carpet and the first thing you notice - is the 20,000 dollar Valentino gown and you think to yourself. HELLO!! I’m a big nobody and you wouldn’t catch me wearing that damn dress, or the actor sporting a hiatus looking Armani tux. And the first thing that pops into your head is - No fuckin’ way that’s Armani, cuz you know Armani s rock! ( ya’ll think this kinda stuff right or am I the only freak that does?) 
Where was I?? Oh yeah, the strike. If the SAG members who support the strike win the vote that means NO ...Oscars.. Golden Globe Awards..etc.

 More On 13
The Hollywood Insider had the chance to have sit-down with Mickey to discuss a couple of movies. Duh! The Wrestler & 13. Click it again. I dare you!! (lol)

 Okay.. I’ve done my best. If I got a bit too wordy ..Well,  Fuck it!! What can I say?  Except I’ll do better on the next Skinny...

 Word On The Street
December 23rd, 08'

  Hola!! Things have quieted down a bit in the world of “The Wrestler.” Although, there is NO doubt in my mind things will pick up again after the holidays. When Mickey was in LA a couple of weeks ago, the press junkets were so intense, Mickey didn’t know if he was coming or going. He was a very busy man. The guy hardly had time to himself.  Mickey was FOCUSED on what he had to do in LA. He was a man driven to do it the right way. Hell, Heather was in LA at the same time and she can attest to that fact.

 
The Winners Are
The Detroit Film Critics Society

 Fox Searchlight
The Wrestler may have only opened in a total of 4 theaters in LA & NY, however, it made a huge impact in the moolah department. The box office receipts totaled $ 209,474 which is equal to $52,368 per screen. Not baaaad! Not baaaad at all!
Source: Variety

 Miscellaneous Nibs  
The Wrestler will open Dec. 26 in Boston, Chicago, San Francisco & Washington D.C.  If you are interested in finding which theaters in your area are screening the movie go to
 The Wrestler’s Official website. Fucking A!! Fox Searchlight even has a link to Fandango - so you can buy your tickets in advance. That rocks.. One stop shopping. Ya gotta love it!!

 ABC News Now’s “Popcorn”- will have an interview with Mickey later today. As soon as it makes it’s debut on the internet - I’ll make Heather get her sick lazy ass outta bed to post it. Until then - here’s a lil’ preview ABC News

 Mickey will be appearing on the David Letterman Show  tonight - December 23^rd . Check your local listing for times. 

 Heather, when in the hell are you going to get up off your sick lazy ass and put up the latest Guest Book comments? (Heather here…very funny Stephy…soon is all I’m sayin’. Bronchitis is hell and it aint gettin’ any better. Ugh)
We posted this review a couple of months ago. If you missed it - give it the hairy eyeball. It’s good stuff! ZOOM

 Good Night & Hang Tight!!

 ***Leatha’ I can’t wait til we head to LA & New York!!! I sooo need the time off!!! Melissa get the BOTTLES ready****

 Mickey On David Letterman
December 24th, 08'

   DAMN!!! CBS wasted NO time posting a portion of Mickey’s segment on ‘The Late Show.’ I’m sorry it’s not the whole interview, which is not really that long. Hopefully, the folks in charge at CBS will pop up the complete interview, which isn’t very long..Ooops, didn’t I just say that! (lol)

A  Twist
Danny Boyle, the director of Slumdog Millionaire, has a sit down with director Darren Aronofsky to discuss ‘The Wrestler’. Kudo’s to the folks at  Fox Searchlight!!!  Great Idea!!
Click HERE to watch!!

 Peace ~
Steph

 Never Take Life Seriously. Nobody Gets Out Alive Anyway.
December 30th, 08'

 Words to live by, especially when feel like nothing is going your way. ...

  I want to thank my friends for the birthday shout-outs - LaShane, Raymond Stolp (my Dutch Bitch), Heather (I know more than one ), Camden, Rocco, Chuck, Dave, Christina, Matthew and Big M and all the rest.

 Site Updates

 She Gave Away The Ending
 Give Heather’s new blog on The Wrestler a read. As many of ya know - Heather was out in LA a few weeks ago hangin’ with the powers that BE. Besides burning the candle at both ends - Heather was able to tear herself away from her hectic social schedule to catch a screening of The Wrestler, which was followed by a Q & A with Mickey & Darren Aronofsky. Oh yeah, don’t let the title of this tidbit scare ya - she didn’t give away any spoilers in her blog. She saved all those goodies for me! For example, Thanks to Ms. Leatha’ - I now know how the movie ends. What the fuck!!! The story of my life, I hear all about the grand finale of The Wrestler and she ends up with a jaunt to LA that was a gift - compliments of a very special someone. (*cough*cough*) Poor Poor Me!! Whateva. (Buhahaha) (aww Stephy, next time you HAVE to come! I had so much fun, prolly too much..heehee)

 New Banners
Can be found on our links page. Give em’ the ole once over, Heather worked her fingers to the bone to create the masterpieces that are displayed on this page ; ) Sorry Heather. I don’t mean to give ya the business. HaHA!! I lied !!

 Aaaaah...
Heather, have you put up the Guest book entries? (HAHA Stephy…they’ll be up real soon. I go away for a little bit and come back to an assload of work to do)

It’s Rourke Time

 Backstage Pass
While surfing Cinemax’s On Demand  movie menu - I stumbled up a 7 minute Max exclusive on The Wrestler.  It featured Mickey & Darren Aronofsky rapping off the cuff about the film and a clip of the movie - that I hadn’t seen before.  For more details just click

It’s About Time
The Informers will be making its debut at the Sundance Film Festival 2009 in January. Here is the schedule:

Thu. Jan 22 9:30 p.m. - INFOR22CN Eccles Theatre, Park City Fri. Jan 23 8:30 a.m. - INFOR23LM Library Center Theatre, Park City Sat. Jan 24 11:59 p.m. - INFOR24WL Tower Theatre, SLC

Source: Sundance

 I’m going to bolt now.  Tomorrow is another day.  Until then....

 Ciao,
Steph