Chris Christie update: A new, mansion-size scandal?
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Friday, Feb 21, 2014 2:05 PM UTC A new report questions whether a fund for the governor’s mansion is being used for political favors
Elias Isquith
Topics: Chris Christie, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, Bruce Springsteen, New Jersey Gov Christie, Gov. Chris Christie, Gov Christie, Bridgegate, Superstorm Sandy, The Huffington Post, Drumthwacket Foundation, Barack Obama, News, Politics News
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie held his first post-Bridgegate town hall meeting on Thursday, and while the event went off without any embarrassing moments for the governor, complaints from attendees about the still-ongoing nature of the state’s recovery from Superstorm Sandy made clear that, aside from the scandals swirling around him, Christie still has a lot of work to do at what used to be his full-time job: governing his home state. Meanwhile, a new report about a possible system of quid pro quo over the governor’s mansion being run by the Christie team highlights yet another potential scandal for the embattled Republican.
Here’s the latest from the world of Chris Christie:
- A new report from the Huffington Post highlights the Drumthwacket Foundation (a nonprofit devoted to maintaining and preserving New Jersey’s Drumthwacket Mansion, aka the governor’s mansion, in Princeton) and how it may be receiving donations from private interests in a not-so-subtle attempt to curry Christie’s favor and secure tax breaks and other government favors.
- During his town hall on Thursday, Christie fielded many questions about the ways the state’s recovery efforts from Superstorm Sandy have been less than ideal. As he’s fond of telling people, however, Christie is a leader, so he did what leaders do: blamed the federal government.
- Also during the town hall meeting, one older gentleman, a supporter of the governor, told Christie to give up his well-known affection for Bruce Springsteen. The constituent reminded Christie of Springsteen’s performance with Jimmy Fallon, mocking the governor’s Bridgegate troubles, and urged the governor to get rid of all of the Boss’ music. Christie told the man he was probably right, but that he still hopes one day he and Bruce can be buddies.
- For his next stop, Christie’s heading to the nation’s capital to meet with governors from throughout the country. He’s been invited to dine with the president and first lady at the White House, but Christie’s learned his lesson when it comes to getting too cozy with Obama, so he declined.
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“The Monuments Men” (2014)
This George Clooney-directed film reportedly wasn’t completed in time to be released into the competitive fourth quarter of 2013 — had it been, the thought was, it’d be competing for Oscars alongside “Gravity” and “12 Years a Slave.” But by all accounts, this film is… not nearly that good, the latest iteration of Clooney’s historical fetishism with not too much to say besides “art is important.” We know, George! But though it wouldn’t have been good enough for December, it’s all right for February.
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“The Haunting in Connecticut 2: Ghosts of Georgia” (2013)
One thing you can generally count on early in the year: shlocky horror, which blooms when there are few bigger tentpoles to steal moviegoers’ dollars. The action here took a commuter flight from the Hartford, Conn., airport down to Atlanta — the only thing in common with the original is the fact that there is a haunting in an eastern seaboard state, and there’s a vaguely recognizable title to cash in on.
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“Journey 2: The Mysterious Island” (2012)
Another instance of playing out the string of a sort-of-familiar franchise in the safest possible month for release, this Dwayne Johnson/Michael Caine vehicle (sure!) made money, playing as it did to an underserved family audience with a story very, very loosely based on the works of Jules Verne.
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“Drive Angry 3D” (2011)
Both of Nicolas Cage’s “Ghost Rider” superhero flicks were released in February, but this movie, also about a dead person who knows how to drive, was less successful, because or in spite of the fact it was even more preposterous — it’s all about a dead man who drives out of hell and helps to save a beautiful waitress. Somehow, it wasn’t a hit.
The biggest February movie dumps ever
“The Wolfman” (2010)
Now this was a classic February dump; the film went through a challenging production and its release date was postponed several times, with the final product looking like the result of years of studio meddling. Back when this had pioneering music-video director Mark Romanek attached, before he left due to creative differences and the whole thing went awry, this film had been scheduled for an autumn 2008 release. Now that would have been a movie worth seeking out even in a crowded autumn!
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“Confessions of a Shopaholic” (2009)
The winter after the 2008 stock-market crash was probably the least opportune time to release this broad comedy about a lady who just loves spending money — but either way, this was never going to connect in the way the best romantic comedies do. From the cast to the premise, the whole thing seemed like the perfect February movie: just good enough.
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“Over Her Dead Body” (2008)
Back before Paul Rudd was precisely as well-regarded as he is today, and at the peak of Eva Longoria’s “Desperate Housewives” fame, the pair teamed up for a romantic comedy about a ghost who tries to sabotage the love life of the man she dated when she was alive in order to pass the time while in Purgatory. Weird this didn’t connect with a wider audience!
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“Norbit” (2007)
Had this movie been released any other year, history might have been different: The ad campaign, featuring Eddie Murphy in drag as an obese woman, is widely credited with tanking his perceived front-runner status in that year’s best supporting actor race and putting an Oscar in Alan Arkin’s hands. But when else, precisely, would a movie featuring a fading box-office draw doing the same drag he’s done many times before get released?
The biggest February movie dumps ever
“Date Movie” (2006)
Just gross: This movie features Alyson Hannigan in a fat suit and broad ethnic stereotypes of just about every race under the sun, as well as toothless satire of the likes of “My Big Fat Greek Wedding.” When you’re ripping off the “Scary Movie” franchise — itself a series of rip-offs from popular culture — nothing good will come of it.
The biggest February movie dumps ever
“Son of the Mask” (2005)
Once again, a familiar brand got dredged up in the year’s earliest months, in a gambit that could only work in a season when no one’s really paying attention to quality. Still, this Jamie Kennedy/Alan Cumming vehicle didn’t capture that Jim Carrey magic from the 11-year-old precursor.
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