Movies

Kevin Hart had a visceral reaction to our photog who asked if there was any equivalency between Michael Jackson and R. Kelly.

We got Kevin Friday night in WeHo leaving The Nice Guy, and we wanted his take on whether people would react to "Leaving Neverland" the same way they did to "Surviving R. Kelly." Kevin seemed to visually show a combo of shock and disdain ... but wouldn't elaborate.

As we reported, the 2 accusers featured in the MJ documentary -- Wade Robson and James Safechuck -- were front and center for the premiere of the MJ doc Friday at the Sundance Film Festival. It was so emotional people in the audience were sobbing.

Joe Rogan rewatched an old comedy classic recently -- "Ace Ventura: Pet Detective" -- and pointed out something which seems crazy obvious now ... IT'S SUPER TRANSPHOBIC!!!

The UFC announcer was talking about all sorts of issues with New York Times reporter Bari Weiss on the "Joe Rogan Experience" podcast this week when he brought up the 1994 Jim Carrey flick.

"I didn't realize how transphobic that f*cking movie is," Rogan said ... "It's off the charts!"

Rogan says he hadn't seen the movie in years, but when he sat down to watch it with 8 and 10-year-old daughters he quickly realized, "It is so insanely transphobic."

If you remember ... the whole point of the flick is for Ace to track down the former Miami Dolphins player who kidnapped the team mascot -- and (spoiler alert) it ends up being the kicker.

But the kicker, Ray Finkle, was no longer living as a man -- he became Lois Einhorn.

When Ace and Dan Marino crack the case and realize Lois used to be Ray -- they cringe in disgust and everyone who had kissed Lois begins puking and washing out their mouths.

Rogan asks the question ... if places like iTunes should remove the movie from its library due to its offensive nature. Bari argued that it's important to NOT erase movies like "Ace" but notes how far society has come since the movie came out.

9:38 AM PT -- We just got the first pic of DMX post-prison out with his son and fiancee. We're told X and family hit up a local spot for breakfast as soon as he was released.

And, the dog is out ... DMX is a free man again after being released from federal prison!

DMX was released Friday morning from Gilmer Federal Correctional Institution in West Virginia after serving a one-year sentence for tax evasion. We're told X's family was expected to pick him up.

As we reported ... DMX is planning on dropping a new album and tackling some new movie projects, including a possible biopic!

With his prison sentence complete, X must now start forking over $2.3 million in restitution to Uncle Sam ... and he also has to start outpatient programs for substance abuse and mental health.

DMX's original release date was supposed to be on Sunday, but it's federal policy to release inmates early if their release date falls on a weekend.

Originally Published -- 7:54 AM PST

R. Kelly's relationship with Joycelyn Savage -- one of his alleged brainwashed sex slaves -- has done way more than raise eyebrows with viewers of "Surviving R. Kelly" ... we're told it's caught the attention of the feds.

Sources familiar with the situation tell TMZ ... Joycelyn's dad, Timothy, has been contacted by an FBI special agent regarding the R&B singer at least 5 TIMES in the past year and a half ... most recently weeks before Lifetime's docuseries began airing on January 3.

We're told Timothy provided the FBI with all the known whereabouts of Kelly and Joycelyn from state to state, starting with where their relationship began, along with text messages or emails.

Our sources say Timothy provided the feds with lots of the same information regarding alleged predatory behavior and physical abuse he gave Lifetime for 'Surviving."

The FBI has jurisdiction when an adult brings a minor across state lines for sexual purposes.

It's unclear if the FBI has launched an official investigation into R. Kelly ... but it's clear the controversy and accusations against him are on the agency's radar. He's already under criminal investigation in Georgia.

As we've reported ... Joycelyn's family believes Kelly is holding her against her will -- something she strongly denies. The 2 were seen shopping together in April 2018, and we caught her out "vacationing" in Beverly Hills back in May without Kelly.

Awkwafina highly recommends the ways of Marie Kondo if you want to be happier and cleaner ... especially if your place is cluttered with clothes and ... old lotions. Seriously.

We got the "Crazy Rich Asians" star at LAX Thursday ... she told us she's jumped on board the organization train, made popular by the Japanese author's new hit Netflix show, "Tidying Up."

Awkwafina's gone through the method -- even talks to all her clothes now -- and said goodbye to things that no longer bring her joy. She says it's done wonders for her place and her mental space.

Brigitte Nielsen -- the OG "Red Sonja" -- isn't calling for director Bryan Singer's head just yet, but says she absolutely will ... IF troubling new pedophilia allegations turn out to be true.

We got Brigitte -- who costarred alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger in the '85 action flick -- leaving Craig's in WeHo, and asked what she made of Singer still directing the reboot ... after The Atlantic published a bombshell report in which 4 men claimed Singer had either molested them years ago when they were minors.

The Danish-born actress wasn't fully aware of the scandal, but invoked the #MeToo movement and told us if Singer turns out to be guilty -- he's gotta get the boot.

Sonja went so far as to say she'd cut him herself, if the studio didn't do it.

Little background: the fictional Sonja character is a victim of sexual assault, a fact that helped fuel the outrage over Singer possibly directing the film.

Singer is denying all the allegations and calls the Atlantic article a "homophobic smear piece." He has not been charged with any crime. For now, Brigitte is willing to reserve judgment until Singer is proven guilty of anything.

Bryan Singer will NOT be removed from his directing role on the remake of "Red Sonja" -- despite a bombshell report that details pedophilia allegations against him.

Avi Lerner of Millennium Media -- a producer for the upcoming film -- released a statement Thursday in support of Singer in the wake of the Atlantic article, in which 4 men claimed Singer had either molested or raped them as minors.

Lerner says, "I continue to be in development for Red Sonja and Bryan Singer continues to be attached." He adds, "The over $800 million Bohemian Rhapsody has grossed, making it the highest grossing drama in film history, is testament to his remarkable vision and acumen. I know the difference between agenda driven fake news and reality, and I am very comfortable with this decision. In America people are innocent until proven otherwise."

Singer denied the allegations and called the article a "homophobic smear piece" which rehashed "claims from bogus lawsuits filed by a disreputable cast of individuals willing to lie for money or attention." He hasn't been charged with a crime related to the allegations.

Lots of folks were outraged that Singer was set to direct a movie about a fictionalized victim of sexual assault. Among the upset groups is GLAAD, which reacted to the Atlantic article by removing "Bohemian Rhapsody" from contention for its Media Awards this year.

Wade Robson, the man featured in the upcoming Michael Jackson documentary, "Leaving Neverland," says his endgame is not necessarily to mute MJ.

We got Robson at LAX Thursday AM and asked him about the film that will make its debut Friday at the Sundance Film Festival. He says the reason he got involved goes beyond his allegations against the singer ... he says the point is to raise awareness.

Robson along with James Safechuck are the centerpieces of the doc. Both men say MJ befriended them as children and molested them.

The MJ Estate has gone on the attack, calling both men liars, but Robson says he doesn't care.

Damon Dash is duping the general public about an upcoming movie he claims to have ties to when he really had nothing to do with it at all ... according to a new lawsuit.

The legendary hip-hop mogul is being sued by director Josh Webber and Muddy Water Pictures for allegedly trying to advertise and shop a movie he was once a part of -- but later dropped from -- and pushing it as his own flick ... causing confusion in the marketplace.

In the doc, obtained by TMZ, Josh and MWP say Dame has been sending promotional material to outlets like BET for a movie he's been calling "The List" ... which Josh and MWP say has actually been renamed "Dear Frank" since Dame's departure.

Here's the deal ... Josh and MWP claim Dame was tied to the project back in 2016 and was supposed to direct. Unfortunately, they say Dame proved to not be up to the task ... as they allege he was often high on set while they shot at his Sherman Oaks property.

Josh and MWP say they officially dropped Dame in 2018, since no official contract was ever signed between the parties ... and they went on to make the film, which is due out in February and stars Claudia Jordan. But now, Josh and MWP say Dame has been trying to push himself as part of the project ... even though he isn't.

They're suing Dame for defamation and copyright infringement -- and are asking a judge to declare once and for all that they, in fact, own the rights to "Dear Frank." Josh and MWP also want damages.

Ansel Elgort and his high school sweetheart escaped the bad L.A. weather over the weekend with a trip south of the border ... where they both gave off muy caliente vibes.

The "Baby Driver" star -- who'll soon be the new "West Side Story" star -- was spotted hitting a beach in Mexico Sunday with his longtime girlfriend, Violetta Komyshan ... and they both looked incredible in their swimwear as they packed on the PDA.

Ansel was also sporting a new 'do -- bleaching his normally brown hair blond, and definitely pulling it off too. Violetta, of course, looked hot as hell too au naturel.

The couple has been dating since their high school days at Fiorello H. LaGuardia School in NYC -- and they've been going strong for seven years ever since.

DJ Paul says African-Americans have a lot to be happy about as the nation celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. Day ... because being black is in right now.

We asked the Three 6 Mafia rapper how he felt about the state of race relations heading into the holiday -- and he was totally optimistic ... probably more so than most people would be.

DJP, who's from Memphis -- the city where Dr. King was assassinated -- called 2018 a great year for black people, and he named some milestones to back up his claim.

Bottom line for Paul, this year's a big W for Dr. King.

Tom Sizemore could be taking a long trip, and not to a sunny tropical island, either -- he's staring down the possibility of a year in jail after his recent drug bust ... TMZ has learned.

The Burbank City Attorney has charged Sizemore with 2 counts of possession of heroin, and 2 counts of possession of medication without a prescription. We broke the story -- the actor was pulled over in Burbank a couple weeks ago for expired tags and a missing front license plate, but he got arrested after cops say they found meth and heroin in the car.

Now, luckily for Sizemore all 4 charges are misdemeanors ... so he won't go to prison if convicted. In addition to the year in jail, he could also get hit with a $1,000 fine.

Bam Margera's friends are seriously worried about his ongoing battle with alcoholism, even though he's clearing the legal hurdles stemming from his DUI case.

On the same day fellow 'Jackass' star Brandon Novak told us he's concerned over his buddy's drinking habits, Bam's lawyer was busy submitting legal docs informing the court that Bam was ahead of schedule with the terms of his DUI sentence.

According to the docs, obtained by TMZ, Bam completed a 3-month online alcohol program and attended 10 AA meetings. He's still on probation.

Brandon told us he was super sketched out when Bam checked himself out of a Bay Area rehab facility earlier this month, because he believes Bam could end up killing himself if he doesn't clean up his act.

Joey King isn't only thinking about movie critics reviewing her role as convicted murderer Gypsy Rose Blanchard -- she's worried about the way Gypsy will perceive it when she gets outta prison.

We got Joey at LAX where she told us all about her upcoming Hulu series, "The Act," which tells the story of Gypsy's highly disturbing upbringing ... and eventual murder of her mother, Dee Dee Blanchard in 2015.

She fully committed to the complicated role ... even opting to shave her head instead of using makeup and a bald cap.

Gypsy and her mother's tragic story was already the subject of the popular HBO documentary, "Mommy Dead and Dearest."

If you missed it, Dee Dee suffered from Munchausen by Proxy -- a mental disorder where a parent fabricates illnesses in their child for sympathy or attention.

Gypsy pled guilty to murdering her mother and is currently serving 10-years in Missouri.