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James Cameron, director of "Avatar." Photos courtesy of PartrickMcmullan.com

Southampton - Ahh, Christmas! That magical season of mistletoe, carol singing, presents under the tree, frustration and sore feet for weary shoppers and for film buffs a bonanza as the major studios stack up the big gun releases like jets over JFK. All in an effort to catch that holiday dollar, as the industry skates towards one of the most important grossing periods of the year. And this year has been nothing short of a blockbuster for the suits in Hollywood with domestic box office receipts breaking the $10 billion mark for the first time in history - and there are still nine days remaining on the all important holiday schedule.

The year's most talked about movie, "Avatar," James Cameron's $400 million sci-fi epic came this close to scoring the biggest opening in cinema history. Unfortunately, a little thing called a blizzard prevented them from the scoring the numero uno spot but Hey! $73 million is nothing to sneeze at. The word is simply "awesome" from all my pals lucky enough to have seen it. This weekend - Christmas Day to be exact - will see a flurry of openings and a veritable smorgasbord of delights for everyone in the family.

Of particular interest to East Enders are a number of films by or featuring our neighbors and friends. As I have mentioned before, Bridgehampton's Rob Marshall the wonder boy of musical theatre who has already earned his stripes with the successful adaptation of the Broadway war horse "Chicago" to the big screen looks to strike gold once again with his over the top, visually stunning fantasy "Nine." Featuring a line-up of the world's most glamorous actresses, the New York premiere at the Ziegfeld Theatre this week looked more like a runway show in Paris with all the "Nine" ladies working the red carpet in floor sweeping haute couture.

Daniel Day Lewis and Kate Hudson at "Nine" premiere.

Kate Hudson who steals almost every scene she's in looked sexy as all get out in black and silver Chanel Haute Couture. The only thing absent was her regular arm candy A-Rod who was MIA. No worry, Kate came with the best date ever, her mom the irrepressible Goldie Hawn. Fergie who knocks it out of the park with her lusty interpretation of the film's hottest number "Be Italian" was all restrained Roman goddess in a flowing white gown by Georgina Chapman's Marchesa (no surprise Georgina's hubby is Harvey Weinstein the movie's executive producer). Marion Cottilard carried the banner for the French wearing a barely held up strapless gown courtesy of the famed House of Dior. Penelope Cruz always a red carpet stunner scored again with a one shoulder red satin vintage Chanel Haute Couture.

Donna Karan who really knows how to dress a mature woman without making them look like grandma did the honors for Dame Judi Dench who was regally attired in black velvet with a cut velvet floral stole worn with a casual flair.

But it wasn't only the film's stars that sparkled, scores of celebs flocked the crowded sidewalk including Madonna in - but of course - sensuous black from her pals at Dolce Gabana chatting up her pal Jessica Seinfeld also in short black cocktail gown. For once Madonna did not upstage the ladies of the moment. Her Madgesty came with daughter Lourdes Leon who seemed to be channeling early Madonna circa "Desperately Seeking Susan" - all that was missing was the bow scarf atop her head. And let us not forget the film's star the incredibly suave Daniel Day-Lewis. looking very Irish in his Donegal tweed topcoat.

The Olsen twins - Mary Kate and Ashley - looking a little less Boho than usual actually glistened despite their freakishly painted owl-eyes. Judy Nathan all in Christmas red looked luscious with hubby Rudy Giuliani on her arm. Other standouts included Naomi Watts in fuchsia satin and Kimora Lee Simmons wearing black pencil pants, black shirt and a golden sable was New York chic at its best. Besides she was sporting the best accessory, her husband the hunky Djimon Hounsou. Our fave Rachel Roy went for bold black and white.

Josh Duhamel and Fergie at "Nine" launch.

Also adding to the kilo-wattage were Tommy Tune, Bob Balaban, Pedro Almodovar, Josh Duhamel (with wife Fergie despite rumors of a rift), Tony Bennett and Tobey Maguire with his lovely missus Jennifer Mayer. After the screening the crowd headed over to M2 Ultralounge for a well deserved celebration sponsored by Martini and Chopard Jewelers.

And if musical theatre with a Fellini-esque touch is not your cup of Joe, there's the absolutely, gut busting comedy pairing of our own hometown boy Alec Baldwin with truly the greatest leading lady of our time the amazing Meryl Streep. Just as no one could believe that Kate Hudson could be so razzzle-dazzle in "Nine" few think of Meryl as a comedic actress but hey, all those years at Yale Drama School taught her more than a few things about how to put all to capital use in "It's Complicated" which pours into your local movieplex this week. You have to admit that this is Alec's year - second Emmy for "30 Rock" and co-hosting the Oscars with old pal Steve Martin (who coincidentally plays the other man in Meryl's life in the new comedy). And what an ensemble cast for this little bit of hilarious escapism - Lake Bell, John Krasinki, Mary Kay Place, Rita Wilson, Alexandra Wentworth, Nora Dunn, Caitlin Fitzgerald and Zoe Kazan. That's a lot of laugh makers!

Designer Dennis Basso who by the way did all the fab furs for the dolls in "Nine" made a little visit to the Martha Stewart studios to show the Domestic Goddess how to whip up his family's traditional Christmas Dinner - Shrimp Scampi. Dennis didn't stop there. Later in the day, he hosted a luncheon for some 50 friends at the popular society watering hole Doubles where he had the kitchen re-created his once secret family recipe. "Yummy" swore his East End ladies Pamela Fiori, Nina Griscom, Gigi Mortimer, Marjorie Gubelman and Jamee Gregory. Dennis enthralled the ladies with behind the scenes dish on the filming of "Nine" - bottom line was there was no animosity but rather a real love fest among the divas.

The East Side Social Club recently opened by Billy Gilroy of Employees Only and Macao Trading has photographer Patrick McMullan as an investor. So it was no surprise that Patrick's first event was an intimate dinner for his good pals Anne Hearst and Jay McInerney.

Designer Dennis Basso.

Of course with the Holiday season in full swing the parties are endless - recession or not. Bonnie Comley and husband and producing partner Stewart Lane moved their annual Holiday do to the prestigious Harmonie Club as the guest list - some 300 - was a little much for their New York apartment. Beside the terrific crowd of show folks, Comley-Lane had the most wonderful Santa we have ever seen at a party and the amazing Wendy Baner, "The Pipe Cleaner Lady" who with a flick of the wrist and an assortment of tinsel covered pipe cleaners created faux jewels, Peace signs, musical notes and even dreidels for the gang who acted like little kids each time she wove her magic! You can catch Wendy and her pipe cleaners on Martha Stewart this week for a crash course in creating your own tinsel treasures.
As always, the couple's parties are truly ecumenical affairs and this was no exception as Christmas, Chanukah and Kwanzaa were all part of the celebration. Enjoying the lavish buffet, we spotted a host of Hamptons' friends including producers Margo McNabb and Jimmy Nederlander, Friar's Club impresario Randi Levine Miller, actress/writer/director Kate Mueth, publicists Liz Derringer and Robert Zimmerman, society photographer Ann Watt Dylan Page, Mary Ellen Winston, Tony Vargas, Emanuel Sylvano, singer Julie Budd, Steiner Studios' David andSylvia Steiner, Roger Webster, author Ward Morehouse III, Jason Grant, Caroline Winston and Sherry Eaker. As always celeb photo man Rob Rich chronicled - for better or worse - the partiers!

Proving that a good party will pull in the folks blizzard or not, some 400 guests made it through the snowdrifts and slick ice to the magnificent DeLamarr Mansion in Murray Hill home to the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland for a multi-tiered celebration hosted by the soon to be leaving Krzysztof W. Kasprzyk, Consul General of Poland.

It was a testament to the respect, admiration and love the Polish and Polish American community has for Kasprzyk, a marvelous host, that so many would not miss the opportunity to toast this singular man who has done much to foster relations not only with the American community but the Jewish community worldwide.

Alec Baldwin and Nicole Seidel at movie premiere.

The traditional Polish holiday event celebrated not only the 90th anniversary of the Polish Consulate in New York but the 20th anniversary of the independence of Poland; the 10th anniversary of free voting in the country and the completion of restoration on the Consulate's home - the historic landmark mansion one of the finest examples of Beaux-Arts architecture in the country. Under Kasprzyk's watchful eye the stately manse has been returned to it early 1900s glory.

Following cocktails in the main salon, guests were treated to a lovely song fest of traditional Polish, English and Latin Christmas carols in the splendor of the music room. Top stars from the world's greatest opera stages including the Metropolitan Opera and New York City Operas stepped up to the grand piano to sing accompanied by the brilliant pianist Roman Markowicz. The petite blond Polish opera star soprano Malgorzata Kellis performed a beautiful '"Gesu Bambino" and two Polish hymns. American singer mezzo soprano Judith Kellock sang the hauntingly beautiful "What Child Is This" and in Latin "Ave Maria;" Barbara Rev contributed another Polish carol followed by Met Opera baritone the truly magnificent singer Mariusz Kwiecien.

Early on in his opening remarks, Kasprzyk promised a few surprises and did he deliver when one of the world's greatest living pianists Byron Janis was introduced and took his seat at the piano to rhapsodize the audience with his Chopin stylings. Hamptons' music lovers have been familiar with Janis for years. He and his wife painter Maria Cooper Janis longtime Hamptons residents were among the guiding forces behind the founding of the Music Festival of the Hamptons.

The big treat of the evening was Polish soprano Malgorzata Kellis performing Janis' original composition "The Warmth of Christmas" with the Maestro himself accompanying her! Thunderous applause followed the very last note of the Christmas classic.

Madonna and daughter Lourdes Leon.

Still more surprises came when the Consul General presented Maria Cooper Janis with a poster featuring her late father the legendary actor Gary Cooper (now interred in Sacred Hearts Cemetery in Southampton) in his famous scene from "High Noon." Only instead of a gun in his hand he held a ballot and the poster encouraged all Poles to vote. The Consul General gave the Janis' the original 1999 election poster and they in return gave him the First Day Edition of the U.S. Postal stamp bearing Gary Cooper's portrait which was just issued by the Post Office last month. A lovely and meaningful exchange on both sides!

There were many quiet tears that evening. It was very apparent that Krzysztof Kasprzyk will be much missed by the New York cultural community as he takes off for another diplomatic posting. 'Til we meet again Krzys, Adieu!

More good people doing good things !
 • Charlize Theron is teaming up with my favorite shoe guy TOMS to give back to charities in her homeland. The Oscar-winning actress, a native of South Africa, recently debuted a pair of slip on sneakers that will benefit her African Outreach Project, an organization committed to creating a safer and healthier life for impoverished and under-resourced children. In addition to selling the eco-friendly footwear on TOMS website, the shoes will be distributed to 10,000 needy children in South Africa Way to go Charlize!

 • Hipsters, artists, and photographers joined actress and filmmaker Isabella Rossellini in the middle of Times Square for the presentation of the first Babelgum Metropolis Art Prize. The event was one of Times Square Alliance's innovative efforts to bring cutting-edge art to New York. Chris Coleman's animation "The Magnitude of the Continental Divide" took home the $20,000 prize, to which Rossellini added, "Artists need money." Yeah, Isabella! Coleman's animation was chosen out of 500 submissions worldwide. After Coleman, other runner-ups spoke about their projects, looking all around enthusiastic to even be mentioned as one of the nine finalists. Later in the evening, the drinks flowed and a live interactive DJ Sweat Shoppe, captured the crowd's attention with a 3D techno show. Through good old-fashioned 3D glasses, attendees were treated to a 3D video that could best be summed up as psychedelic 1980s pop, with a touch of surrealism. Tripping in Times Square, Whoa !

Architect Frank Gehry.

 • Speaking about Times Square, the Signature Theatre Company received an early Christmas present with the announcement that they would have a spectacular new home in the Theatre District. Originally, the independent theatre company had planned to move to Ground Zero but the arts center's plans were scrapped. Now the company which devotes each season to only one playwright a year will get a new home designed by famed star-chitect Frank Gehry in New York City's theater district. Mayor Michael Bloomberg said that the city would contribute $25 million toward the $60 million Signature Theatre. The theater will be housed in an apartment and hotel complex on West 42nd Street. The complex will include three theaters, rehearsal studios, a cafe and a bookstore. The theater is slated to open in 2012. Gehry 's body of work includes the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, and the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. For the past 18 years, Signature has devoted an entire season to the work of a single playwright and has presented the work of such Hamptons writers as Edward Albee, Arthur Miller and Lanford Wilson as well as playwrights Lee Blessing, Horton Foote, Maria Irene Fornes, John Guare, Bill Irwin, Romulus Linney, Sam Shepard, Paula Vogel, and August Wilson.

Recognizing that the next generation of red carpet walkers may be right in our own backyard, I would like to give a shout out to a Dylan Blue an eighth grader at Southampton Intermediate who can be seen in the holiday film "Deck the Halls" which is on FX and the DVD is out. Dylan plays the son ofMatthew Broderick and Kristen Davis. Dylan is represented by Innovative Artists and is sure to have a promising career as he moves into the "teen" roles.

A special thank-you to all of those who shared their stories, sent me tips (anonymous or otherwise) and followed the column this year. To all a blessed New Year and a wish for health, wealth and prosperity for all - Oh and Jimmy Choos for everyone! Happy New Year!