edited by Jonathan Doyle

Mafioso (The Criterion Collection, 3.18.2008) Nino Badalamenti is a supervisor in a car manufacturing plant who hasn't taken a vacation in over two years. On his way out the door to visit his beloved childhood hometown of Sicily -- with his blonde wife and daughters -- Nino is handed a package by his boss and asked to deliver it to a powerful and influential Sicilian gangster named Don Vincenzo. Once in Sicily, Nino has a hoot seeing friends and family, but his wife has trouble fitting in and is unfairly dismissed as a snob by Nino's family. Even more worrisome, Nino finds himself entangled in an intricate web of secret mafioso dealings and is eventually sent on an unexpectedly... elaborate errand. (continued)

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Steve Coogan = drug jackal?

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To hear it from a just-out Us magazine story, the jackal in the recent-druggy-downfall-of-Owen Wilson saga is none other than British attitude-humorist Steve Coogan, the 24 Hour Party People and Around the World in Eighty Daysstar and costar of Night at the Museum. The story says that Wilson's troubles are due in part to "Owen hanging out [with] the wrong people again," and that "at least two sources blame Coogan," who's described as "the party boy rehab veteran."

"I went through it with Steve," Courtney Love has told Us about her relationship with Coogan, which ended in 2006. "I was just out of rehab, and he was right there with the drugs. I tried to warn Owen. I tried to warn his friends. I hope from the bottom of my heart that Owen stays the hell away from that guy." Us quotes "another source" as saying that Owen's ex Kate Hudson "forbid [Wilson] from letting Coogan into his house. She knew he was bad."

Death to "Balls"<< previous | next >>Answering Horowitz about Wilson

Posted by Jeffrey Wells on August 29, 2007 at 11:22 AM

comment #1

Mike Schaefer says ...

Wow, when Courtney Love calls you a lowlife druggie...

Posted by Mike Schaefer at August 29, 2007 12:45 PM

comment #2

Mark says ...

Damn those irresistable Brits, with their slick charm, dry wit, and fantastic coke connections.

Posted by Mark at August 29, 2007 12:47 PM

comment #3

jeffmcm says ...

I guess Andy Dick was busy.

Posted by jeffmcm at August 29, 2007 12:49 PM

comment #4

lesterg says ...

There's almost a certain badge of honor at being so evil that Courtney Love calls you a bad seed.

Posted by lesterg at August 29, 2007 01:03 PM

comment #5

D.Z. says ...

Mike: At least Owen didn't murder his spouse, though.

Posted by D.Z. at August 29, 2007 01:05 PM

comment #6

jeffmcm says ...

Neither did Courtney (actively, anyway).

Posted by jeffmcm at August 29, 2007 01:15 PM

comment #7

foxnewsisfake says ...

Alan Fuckin' Partridge. I'll be damned...

Posted by foxnewsisfake at August 29, 2007 01:27 PM

comment #8

nemo says ...

Harry Nilsson used to laugh about how John Lennon's fans were always blaming Nilsson for dragging Lennon down into a life of drink and drugs. Nilsson claimed it was really Lennon, that sly Brit, who was dragging Nilsson down into the drink and drugs.

Posted by nemo at August 29, 2007 01:49 PM

comment #9

Edward Havens says ...

If my choices are believing Courtney Love and believing Steve Coogan, I'll go with the one who isn't a crazy, lying, drug and booze and plastic surgery addicted, self-destructive succubus.

Posted by Edward Havens at August 29, 2007 01:49 PM

comment #10

Joe Leydon says ...

Well, then I'm glad Dr. Octopus got the better of him in the movie that photo is from.

Posted by Joe Leydon at August 29, 2007 01:51 PM

comment #11

Michael says ...

Well of course this guy is into drugs...his head is even shaped like a coke straw.

Posted by Michael at August 29, 2007 02:09 PM

comment #12

bmcintire says ...

I'm guessing Coogan would have had similiar advice for Kurt Cobain, had he met him in time. Alas.

Posted by bmcintire at August 29, 2007 02:48 PM

comment #13

MilkMan says ...

Owen: I think I'm starting to prune. Maybe I should go cool off.
Steve: That's a horrible idea. Here, have some heroin.
Owen: Wow. Is that China White?
Steve: This is what they call Milk of Katmandu. Don't be shy.
Owen: Wow. That's really nice of you, Steve Coogan. But I forgot to bring a needle.
Steve: Here, take mine. I only used it once, I think. I don't know. I forget sometimes, seeing as how I'm lost in twilight sleep.
Owen: Wow. You're really organized.
Steve: Please, take of your towel. Make yourself at home.
Owen: This is a really great sauna. What kind of wood is this? Cedar?
Steve: I have no idea.
Owen: It smells like Cedar.
Steve: One piece of advice before you tie one off.
Owen: Yes.
Steve: You must do some lines.
Owen: Wow. You keep your blow in your shower shoes?
Steve: Gucci shower shoes.
Owen: I have to get a pair of Gucci shower shoes.

Posted by MilkMan at August 29, 2007 03:05 PM

comment #14

EDouglas says ...

I think this is reason enough to squelch Night at the Museum 2... I mean, there are plenty of other reasons, but this one can be used to make sure it never happens.

Posted by EDouglas at August 29, 2007 03:28 PM

comment #15

Aunt Sassy says ...

MilkMan, you are a stitch!! Absolutely brilliant.

In other news, Jeff is using US magazine as a source. Better start selling off that tangible media to free up some shelf space. I smell Bloggie!!

Posted by Aunt Sassy at August 29, 2007 03:47 PM

comment #16

Geoff says ...

So AGAIN this brings to mind The Royal Tenenbaums. We all immediately thought of the "Needle in the Hay" scene, but now it's his Eli Cash character who casually takes mescaline.

Posted by Geoff at August 29, 2007 04:02 PM

comment #17

Dave Polands Gut says ...

Rehab advice from Courtney Love?

Maybe taking advice and actually knowing Love was the problem here.

Posted by Dave Polands Gut at August 30, 2007 07:10 AM

comment #18

Walter Sobchak says ...

The first 13 or so posts on this thread are one of the reasons I love this damn site so much... "his head is even shaped like a coke straw"..... fucking hilarious

Posted by Walter Sobchak at August 30, 2007 11:55 AM

comment #19