A Few Good Partygoers at Castle Rock Premiere

The scene: Los Angeles premiere of Castle Rock Entertainment’s and Columbia Pictures’ Christmas biggie, “A Few Good Men” Wednesday night at Mann’s Village Theater, followed by supper at the Century Plaza Hotel. In lieu of draggy speeches, the film’s director, Rob Reiner, and his wife, Michele Singer, had directed a star-studded short feature on the Natural Resources Defense Council, an environmental advocacy group, which raised more than $150,000 from the benefit evening.

Annoying: The environmentally aware should know that the ozone would fare better if each actor and executive didn’t arrive in a separate stretch limousine that is kept idling for hours waiting for them.

Who was there: “Men’s” multi-star lineup including Jack Nicholson, Tom Cruise, Demi Moore, Kiefer Sutherland, Kevin Pollak, James Marshall, Wolfgang Bodison, and J. T. Walsh; director Rob Reiner, screenwriter Aaron Sorkin, co-producer David Brown, Columbia’s Mark Canton, Sid Ganis and Michael Nathanson, Castle Rock partners Alan Horn, Glenn Padnick, Andrew Scheinman and Martin Shafer; plus Carl Reiner, Nicole Kidman, Larry Gordon, John Singleton, Ivan Reitman, Michael Ovitz, Ernest Fleischmann, Arnold Rifkin, Neil Simon, Chevy Chase, Norman Lear, James Woods, Billy Crystal and dinner chair Susan Strauss and her husband Peter.

The buzz: With their end-of-the-year escapes to the ski slopes looking closer every minute, the Hollywood contingent was in a euphoric party mood and generous with praise for Castle Rock--considered one of the best of Hollywood’s endangered independents--as well as for the film. “Solid script. Solid direction. Solid acting,” said director John Singleton. Oscar speculation was also high. One wag thought the movie would garner seven nominations including Best Picture.

Sound bite: Castle Rock’s Alan Horn referred to the film as “our ’92 Cadillac.”

Quoted: “I wish my company had made it. I’m jealous,” said producer Larry Gordon, head of Largo Entertainment.

Out of touch: Bruce Willis wore jeans and a pullover sweater although the invitation spelled out “cocktail attire,” which, in any language, means suit and tie for men.

Gift bag: Shampoo, movie sound track and a Recy-Clip to hold bags for sorting that “converts a trash container to a recycling center.”