New Star Wars to Donate Some Proceeds
"Star Wars: Episode II — The Attack of the Clones" will premiere May 12th in 11 cities to raise money for children's programs. At each premiere, some theater seats will be reserved for disadvantaged children.
"Throughout the years, `Star Wars' films have entertained generations of children," George Lucas, creator of the films, said in a statement on the movies' Web site. "I'm delighted that these premieres will provide an opportunity to benefit the children who need it the most."
Cities where charity premieres will be held are Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle, Toronto and Washington.
The movie, introducing Hayden Christensen as the young adult Skywalker, opens commercially May 16.
Director Lee Tamahori has announced that he is waiting for the fans' title for the "Bond 20" feature. So, Suggest a title for James Bond 20.
Here's my idea: "Please Don't Suck"
After hurting his knee while filming, and taking some time off, Pierce Brosnan will return to the James Bond set on March 4th, 2002.
And Mr. White has been cast in the movie too!!!!
I don't know what any of them look like. I don't know who will win. But I can tell you before I have seen a second of footage that the majority of the 16 "castaways" are idiots. Call it a hunch, but I just have a feeling! "Survivor: Marquesas" debuts tonight.
Hey, can I ask a question...Had anyone heard of Marquesas before it was announced that they were making a Survivor there?!??! I know I hadn't, and I'm a world traveller.
Oh well, the show debuts tonight at 8 pm Eastern Time. And feel free to call me when it's on!
Okay, so I found some good news regarding the awful Grammy Awards show, the lovely Nelly Furtado won her first ever Grammy Award.
Congratulations Nelly! You are "Furtadolicious"!!!
If you need to know, or are just a might curious, here's the full list of the 2002 Grammy Award winners.
At the 44th Annual Grammy Awards the Academy President urged fans to stop downloading music off of the internet.
Admitedly, I was downloading the new Lisa Loeb CD at the time. Oops!
The 44th Annual Grammy Awards, celebrating the best in all fields of music, were handed out on Wednesday night.
I wish I had something nice to say about the show and the winners but I don't. The entire 3 1/2 hour program was boring, slow, uninteresting and uninspired. There was no emotion and no great moments. There wasn't even a tribute to the legendary Waylon Jennings, who died last week, and if it wasn't for singer Kid Rock Jennings' death would have gone unmentioned.
The Grammy Ceremony hit an all time low last night. Lower than even last year when Steely Dan's unnoticed "Two Against Nature" won album of the year. Lower then when Jethro Tull won for "Best Metal Album." Lower then when DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince won "Best Rap Performance"...
But, I guess I should digress. The show sucked, but there were winners. If you care, Alicia Keys won 5 Grammys, U2 4 and the "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" soundtrack was named Album Of The Year.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go and shower again. I need thsi stench off of me. Man was that a horrible show!
Bring on The Oscars! And pray that they are better than The Grammy Show. Then again, how could they not be!
The upcoming World Trade Centre special will air commercial free.
MAILED OUT
The Motion Picture Academy mailed out the final ballots on Wednesday to voting members. The ballots, which include nominees for 19 categories, are due by March 19, 2002.
The Oscars will be handed out on Sunday, March24, 2002.
THERE SHE'LL BE
Faith Hill has been announced as a performer at the March 24 Oscars. Hill will sing the nominated Diane Warren song "There You'll Be" from the Pearl Harbour soundtrack.
BALDWINIZED
TV Guide Online is reporting that Alec Baldwin will be guest-starring on the March 28, 2002, episode of Friends, in which he'll play a love interest for Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow).
SPOILER ALERT!
The New York Post is reporting that writers for "ER" are exploring the possibility of having Anthony Edwards' character, Dr. Mark Greene, die of his brain tumor at the end of the season.
Edwards has already announced that he is leaving the show.
HARDLY SEINFELD CURSED
NBC's new Julia Louis-Dreyfus comedy "Watching Ellie" won its time period Tuesday with a 12.4 household rating and 18 share, according to preliminary Nielsen numbers.
In ex- Seinfeld terms, Ellie fared better than the previous premieres of The Michael Richards Show and Jason Alexander's Bob Patterson.
Want to own a piece of Sunday's Gold Medal victory? All proceeds go to charity...
HE IS DEFINATELY MOURNED
Actor/comedian Spike Milligan, a British performer best known as one of the founding members of The Goons, has died at his home in Sussex at age 83.
Russell Crowe angered by speech cut
Actor Russell Crowe lost his temper with a television executive after his acceptance speech at the British Academy Film Awards was edited out of a delayed transmission, officials said Tuesday.
Crowe, 37, won best actor award for his role as a schizophrenic scientist in "A Beautiful Mind," and during his speech read a poem called "Sanctity," by the late Irish poet Patrick Kavanagh.
Crowe was unavailable for comment about reports of his outburst. When television company Initial Productions edited out the poem for the British Broadcasting Corp.'s one-hour delayed telecast of the Baftas, Crowe was abusive to the show's director Malcolm Gerrie, the company said.
An Initial Productions spokesman, speaking on condition of anonymity, said people were told three times that they must keep their speeches to a minimum because of time constraints. The spokesman said Crowe was not the only winner who was edited because his speech went long, and he noted that Crowe's speech is uncut in the international versions.
The decision to edit Crowe's speech was made in collaboration with the BBC, the spokesman said.
The Sun newspaper reported Tuesday that Crowe swore at Gerrie, 51, at the postawards dinner and pushed him against a wall.
Asked about the reports, a London-based spokeswoman for DreamWorks, one of the studios behind "A Beautiful Mind" had no comment.
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts is Britain's leading organization for film, television, and interactive entertainment.
Alicia Keys deserved all of her nominations. India Arie did not. But last year Steely Dan did not deserve their nominations and they won "Album Of The Year", the biggest prize of the night.
Bottom line is that probably won't happen this year, and not just because Steely Dan isn't nominated. This will likley be the night of U2 as the past year saw them return to prominance. Here's what else to expect from tonight's Grammy Awards telecast.
And by the way, good luck to the luscious Nelly Furtado!
It's a great new contract...FOR ME TO POOP ON!!! Conan O'Brien has inked a new 4- year deal with NBC.
Is there a new Springsteen album coming in October?
After releasing a double live album and DVD last year, it appears that Bruce Springsteen is readying a brand new studio album for this fall.
According to some report from the most authoritative of sources Sony Music Austria is promoting an October 14, 2002 date for the new release, Springsteen's first studio album since his solo acoustic-driven "The Ghost of Tom Joad" in 1995.
No title or catalog number has been announced. Erin Smyth, manager of national media relations at Sony Music Canada, said she had no information regarding the release.
Springsteen reunited with the E Street Band for a European and North American tour in 1999 and 2000 as a "rededication" to the group and possible future recordings.
Previously we reported that Springsteen was recording at Atlanta's Southern Tracks Studios with horrible producer Brendan O'Brien (Pearl Jam, Rage Against The Machine, Stone Temple Pilots, Train) at the controls. Various members of the E Street Band have also attended the sessions, which took place in late January.
Although no tracklisting has been mentioned, Springsteen has performed and/or released five new tracks between albums. They include "American Skin (41 Shots)", "Another Thin Line", "Land Of Hopes And Dreams", "Code Of Silence", and "My City of Ruins", the latter of which appeared last fall on the "America: A Tribute To Heroes" benefit album.
In other news, Springsteen has contributed a version of "Give My Love To Rose" to "Kindred Spirits: A Tribute To The Songs Of Johnny Cash". The album, set for release May 28, also features Sheryl Crow, Little Richard, Emmylou Harris, Steve Earle, and Dwight Yoakam.
Meanwhile, it appears that Springsteen is returning to the silver screen. Variety reports that the singer will have a "small role" as a "radio DJ" opposite Julia Stiles ("Save The Last Dance", "10 Things I Hate About You"). Filming of the untitled romantic drama is set to begin this summer in New Jersey. Springsteen previously made a cameo appearance as himself in "High Fidelity".
Finally, "Drive All Night", a rock opera based around Springsteen's songs, is set for its world premiere in New York in March.
IS HE A TOUGH CRITIC, OR JUST PROMOTING HIS SHOW
"The West Wing" creator Aaron Sorkin is blasting the media for going easy on President Bush during the war in Afghanistan. In an interview with the New Yorker, Sorkin says the entire country, including his own network, is "pretending" that Bush is competent and brave when the reality is far different.
NO APOLOGIES
Riverhead, a division of Penguin Putnam, is buying the rights to publish the notebooks of late Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain for close to $4 million. The diaries contain black-and-white drawings as well as lyrics and lists of musicians who influenced him over the years.
Kurt Cobain's notebooks will be published in November. They should provide an insight into the mind of one of the most fascinating icons ever.
And hopefully, we'll hear those un-released Nirvana songs by then as well!
Big day for DVD's! Big day indeed! I may have to go back to work if this many great discs come out every week!
Here are your new DVD and video releases for Tuesday, February 26th, 2002.
JAY AND SILENT BOB STRIKE BACK (VHS & DVD)- This Kevin Smith disc would be worth picking up even if it didn't offer any extras, but luckily you won't have to wait like with the DOGMA Special Edition for goodies like director & cast commentary, 100+ minutes of deleted scenes, an alternate ending, gag reel, trailers, TV spots, and more. Plus, if you are a fan of Clerks, Chasing Amy, Dogma and Mallrats, then this is a must have!
THE LARRY SANDERS SHOW: THE ENTIRE FIRST SEASON (DVD)- Hummina, hummina, hummina! MAn, is I, be, umm, excited regarding this one! Finally, Larry comes home! Can you guess what I will be watching all day?!??!
TWIN PEAKS: FIRE WALK WITH ME (DVD)- The release of the TWIN PEAKS prequel movie features the new documentary REFLECTIONS ON THE PHENOMENOM OF TWIN PEAKS, featuring new on-camera interviews with the cast and crew.
ALSO OUT TODAY,
SOUL SURVIVORS (VHSr & DVD)
BONES (VHSr & DVD)
DRAWING FLIES (VHS & DVD)
PENDULUM (VHSr & DVD)
CINDERELLA II: DREAMS COME TRUE (VHS & DVD)
SESSION 9 (VHS & DVD)
A GLIMPSE OF HELL (VHSr & DVD)
2000 YEAR OLD MAN (DVD)
VA SAVOIR (VHS & DVD)
HAIKU TUNNEL (VHS & DVD)
SHERLOCK HOUND - CASE FILE 1 (DVD)
SOULTAKER: THE MONSTER WITHIN (DVD)
CHEAP TRICK: MUSIC FOR HANGOVERS (VHS & DVD)
SPACE 1999, Set 5 & 6 (DVD)
FUTURAMA Future Uncertain
The creators behind FOX's FUTURAMA have reportedly been let go from their jobs, and its unknown if there will be any future episodes ordered beyond those already in the can.
There are, however, over 20 episodes of the show which have yet to be aired, so the Matt Groening series will likely be around for at least one more season.
I say, "Do a backflip!"
QUANTUM LEAP Stars Reunite on ENTERPRISE
SCI FI WIRE reports Dean Stockwell will guest star as a Tandaran colonel who encounters Captain Archer (Scott Bakula) and Mayweather (Anthony Montgomery) on an April episode of UPN's ENTERPRISE.
A Former SEINFELD Star Launches Decent Sitcom
Julia Louis-Dreyfus plays an L.A. club singer in the "real-time" NBC dramedy WATCHING ELLIE, premiering this evening at 8:30 pm Eastern.
Steve Carell (The Daily Show) and Peter Stormare (Fargo) also star.
SURVIVOR: MARQUESAS Premiere Thursday
A fourth season of SURVIVOR premieres on CBS this Thursday night at 8 pm Eastern.
This time around, the 16 castaways on the remote island will be given no food or fire at all to aid them in their attempts to win $1 million.
As I sit here writing this the car commercial that features the Led Leppelin song "Rock And Roll" is on and I am wondering if any of today's new music releases feature any songs that will last 20 years from now.
Probably not.
Oh, now a commercial for the new Survivor series is on. I won't tell you what that has me contemplating.
So as I digress, here are the new CD releases for Tuesday, February 26th, 2002
LISA LOEB Cake and Pie (A&M)- Lisa Loeb, who I call Loeby, is back with another poppy, fun CD that features guitar work from her boyfriend Dweezil Zappa.
ALANIS MORISSETE under rug swept (Maverick)- After hearing this CD for the first time a friend asked me how it was. I responded, "She's mad again." Yup, she's mad again, and singing about men she broke up with. A better CD than "Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie" but it loses something with each repeated listen. But she's mad again!!! Oh, and look, Alanis is being interviewed on TV right now! Wow, she loks great! I hope she writes a song about me someday!
KYLIE MINOGUE Fever (Capitol)- Out in Canada since last year this CD finally gets released in America. Kylie has gotten off of the Loco- Motion train and is now on the disco express. Sadly, you, and I, won't be able to get some of these songs out of your head.
ALSO OUT TODAY...PHANTOM PLANET The Guest (Epic), AUDIO LEARNING CENTER Friendships Often Fade Away (Vagrant), NEIL FINN: 7 World Collide (Nettwerk) Plus... 1208, AND YOU WILL KNOW US BY THE TRAIL OF DEAD, ANYONE, PATTI AUSTIN, BABY S, BLACK 47, CANNIBAL CORPSE, CLUB 8, COARSE OF NATURE, CRANES, THE CZARS, THE DELPHINES, BELA FLECK AND THE FLECKTONES, INJECTED, MONTELL JORDAN, TONIO K., RAMSEY LEWIS & NANCY WILSON, ERIC LICHTER, MIKE PHILLIPS, REV. HORTON HEAT, SHARISSA, RICKY SKAGGS & FRIENDS, TOMASZ, SWITCHED, VIOLET INDIANA, X-ECUTIONERS, and the soundtracks to ROSWELL and MOULIN ROUGE (Vol. 2).
CBC draws 8.7 million viewers for the Men's Olympic Ice Hockey Gold Medal game.
Were you one of them? I WAS!!!!
CANADA ROCKS!!!! EVEN TWO DAYS LATER!!!!!
After scanning the internet, here are some of the latest releases coming soon on DVD.
FIRST UP- STILL NO "STRANGE BREW" BUT WE HAVE "UHF"?!?!??!
MGM has heeded the of the Weird Al brigade, and on June 4, will release a special edition of Al's cult fave "UHF." Featuring new anamorphic widescreen and full screen transfers, the disc also sports plenty of great extras, including a new audio commentary by Al and Jay Levey plus surprise special guests, a new making-of documentary, deleted scenes hosted by Al, a still gallery with over 200 images, the "UHF" music video, production notes, and the original theatrical teaser and trailer.
THE SIMPSONS SEASON TWO, COMING IN JUNE FOR ME AND YOU
"The Simpsons: The Complete Second Season" will arriving on June 4 from Fox Home Entertainment, the set features all season two episodes in full frame and 2.0 stereo, along with plenty of extras including audio commentary for each episode, an interview with Matt Groening, an all-new featurette on the creation of an episode, an Emmy Awards Report, two still galleries, promos, and more hidden features.
STILL NO "BRAIN CANDY", BUT YOU HAVE TO START SOMEWHERE
The first ever Kids In The Hall DVD will be released on March 16, but it is probably not the one you were expecting. "Catch the insanity" with The Kids In The Hall: The 2000 Reunion Tour from Music Video Distributors, Dave Foley's documentary on the backstage life of those zany kids. Presented in full frame and 2.0 stereo, extras include an audio commentary featuring all five Kids plus special guest stars Andy Richter, Mike Myers, Jason Priestly, Matt Stone and Trey Parker.
FINALLY, AND PERHAPS YOU SHOULD WRITE THIS DOWN
The new "Memento" special edition is scheduled for May 21st and it is now a 2 disc set!!!!
And you are now completely up-to-DVD-Date!
Oscar Race Narrows to 'Rings,' 'Mind'
After months of wide-open competition, the Oscar derby appears to be focusing on two main foes: New Line, with "Lord of the Rings," and Universal/DreamWorks, with "A Beautiful Mind."
Other studios whose pictures piled up a lot of nominations, among them Miramax, USA Films and Fox, are not matching their campaign spending. The shift heralds a changing of the guard: for the first time in four years, the main combatants are not Miramax and DreamWorks.
Films like Miramax's "In the Bedroom," USA's "Gosford Park" and Fox's "Moulin Rouge" are considered dark horses in some categories, which has prompted budgetary re-evaluation.
"If your goal was just to get nominated, then you don't just keep spending up to the level you have reached," observed one veteran studio strategist.
"For a lot of companies, a fatigue factor is setting in," another grizzled consultant added. "They've been at this for months. The campaign season gets longer every year."
Campaigns entail TV ads (the single biggest target for spending), newspaper ads and flying talent all over for talk shows and hand-shaking.
On Wednesday, when ballots are mailed to Academy voters, things may heat up a bit. After all, campaigners note, it isn't just how much money you spend. It's also how effectively you proselytize about your candidates.
"They're not going to just give up," one rival publicist said about Miramax in particular. "They never give up."
Paul McCartney goes back to Liverpool for a tribute to George Harrison.
Leif Garrett on Comeback Trail
Former teen heartthrob Leif Garrett is on the comeback trail - Former teen heartthrob Leif Garrett is on the comeback trail — slowly and gratefully.
Garrett, 40, has begun singing and touring with F8, a hard rock quartet that also features Chuck Billings, Joe Gaines and Darrel D'Arnold. A debut CD is in the works.
A pinup in the '70s, Garrett is starting small with his newest career after his drug addiction troubles, and that suits him fine.
"I've toured arenas first and now I'm doing clubs. I've always done things backward in my life," he told The Star-Ledger of Newark in Friday's editions.
"I feel like I've got all this knowledge and experience under my belt from the past but at the same time, it's like starting up and I'm brand new to it," Garrett said. "I'm really digging it."
Billings, who had his own brief taste of fame in the '70s, also can appreciate getting a second chance at a music career.
"Today, Leif and I look at the past and we don't like what we went through, but we're thankful for it because it helps for what we're doing now."
In case you slept all day Sunday... Canada's men have ended a 50 year drought and won Gold in the Olympic Ice Hockey Tournament.
Man, that was a nervous 3 hours! I haven't been that on edge since the time I was waiting for some pregnancy test results! And I was on the winning side that day too!
CANADA ROCKS!!!!
The 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics are oficially over.
And luckily all of the scandals that were going to occur happened BEFORE the games!
Julia Louis- Dreyfus comes back to prime time tomorrow (Tuesday) night. We wish her well!
Roger Ebert Recovering After Surgery
Film critic Roger Ebert was in good condition after undergoing surgery to remove a cancerous growth in his thyroid gland, doctors said.
"He is expected to make a complete recovery," said Dr. Harold Pelzer, who performed the surgery Friday at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
Doctors removed Ebert's entire thyroid gland and selected lymph nodes in his neck, Pelzer said, adding that Ebert's vocal cord function appears normal.
The 59-year-old Chicago Sun-Times movie reviewer is expected to be discharged from the hospital within the next few days, Pelzer said.
Ebert was diagnosed with papillary cancer, one of the most common and curable types of thyroid cancer. He bounced back quickly from a similar procedure in 1987.
Before the surgery, Ebert said programs for his nationally broadcast "Ebert & Roeper and the Movies" television program had been taped in advance, and he hoped to return to work without missing a show.
A bevy of movie goers, eager to see if the movie was as bad as everyone was saying it was (trust me, it is!), helped the late Aaliyah become the "Queen" of the weekend box office.
"The Lord Of The Rings" won 5 British Film Awads on Sunday and topped the awards ceremony. See you again March 24th, LOTR!
THAT'S ALL, FOLKS
Animation god Chuck Jones, one of the masterminds behind Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Road Runner and the other Looney Tunes characters, died Friday of heart failure at the age of 89.
A three-time Oscar winner, Jones also directed the cartoon version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas and Rikki-Tikki-Tavi.
He is already missed!
His has always been one of the most entertaining and fun sites on the internet and ChuckJones.com holds special meaning this weekend.
Enjoy!
From Bugs Bunny through the classic television version of "How The Grinch Stole Christmas" here's a look at Chuck Jones' body of work.
And yes, "Much Ado About Mousing" is in there!
He was one of the greats! Cartoon legend and Bugs Bunny animator Chuck Jones has passed away.
Rest In Peace, Sir, and thank you so much for everything!
Cartoon legend and Bugs Bunny animator Chuck Jones has died.
He was one of the greats! Rest in peace, sir, and thank you so much!
MON DIEU!!
Braveheart babe Sophie Marceau was reportedly robbed by thieves who made off with her car on Friday. The French actress is four months pregnant.
BACK ON THE BIG SCREEN
In his first film in eight years, Macaulay Culkin will star in "Party Monster", a dark comedy following the true story of a 1990's party promoter convicted of murder. The indie project, which also stars Seth Green, starts shooting in April.
...director Peter Jackson vows a fesh take on his "Lord Of The Rings" sequels.
Tom Cruise has been fitted for braces.
What?!?!?
Coens, Bill Murray team on twisted 'Santa'
An off-beat comic dream team -- The Coen Brothers, Bill Murray, and "Ghost World" director Tery Zwigoff -- is joining forces for the seasonal comedy "Bad Santa," according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The Coens will produce the project, with Zwigoff directing and Murray starring as a con man who poses as Santa to rob shopping malls over Christmas, complete with an elf sidekick.
Their grifting ways are challenged, though, when they meet an eight-year-old who reminds them what Christmas is all about, The Hollywood Reporter said.
The project was written by John Requa and Glenn Ficarra ("Cats & Dogs"). When Working Title films put the film into turnaround, Dimension Pictures snatched it up, got the Coens to do a rewrite, and signed on Zwigoff, the report said.
'SNL' compiling Belushi anniversary special
The 20th anniversary of the passing of comedian John Belushi won't pass unnoticed by his fellow comedians.
Fox News reports the anniversary, which is on March 5, will be noted with a "Saturday Night Live" special, pulling together memorable bits from throughout Belushi's career, plus tributes from friends and castmates.
The special will be hosted by current "Weekend Update" anchors Jimmy Fallon and Tina Fey. Fox News said the special probably would not air until March 16.
Belushi died of a heroin/cocaine overdose in 1982 at Hollywood's Chateau Marmont.
Rare XTC tracks surface on box set
The up-and-down career of Britain's XTC will be celebrated with a four-disc box set due for release in March.
The set, dubbed "A Coat Of Many Cupboards," was compiled with the participation of XTC's Andy Partridge and Colin Moulding and features 60 tracks spanning the group's time with Virgin (the group has since left the label), EMI/Virgin announced.
The set will include a booklet with Partridge and Moulding commenting on each track, plus an essay by XTC expert Harrison Sherwood. Key for longstanding XTC fans is a handful of demos and rare recordings.
Disc one, which covers the years 1977 to 1979, includes a demo of "Science Fiction",recorded for CBS records, before the group had signed to Virgin; a live version of "Spinning Top"; a Mutt Lange produced version of "This Is Pop"; a discarded recording of "Life Begins At The Hop"; a demo of "Making Plans For Nigel"; and the outtake "Sleepyheads."
Disc two covers 1979 through 1981 and includes a live version of "Meccanik Dancing"; an alternate take of "Reel By Real"; a rehearsal of "Generals And Majors"; a recording of Partridge as he writes "Senses Working Overtime"; and a version of "Ball And Chain" produced by Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley.
Disc three covers the period from 1981 to 1986 and includes a Langer/Winstanley production of "Punch And Judy"; the song "Fly On The Wall"; an Old Grey Whistle Test performance of "Yacht Dance"; the demo for "Grass"; and Dave Gregory's home demo for "Dear God."
Disc four runs from 1987 to 1992 and includes the B-side "Terrorism"; a writing-session tape for "Mayor Of Simpleton"; the demo for "The Ballad Of Peter Pumpkin Head"; and a BBC recording of "Books Are Burning."
Well, I say that any experience in a movie theatre is always great, even if the movie is a bad as the two films opening this weekend.
So go for the experience, and the popcorn, and who knows, if you go in with very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very low expectations, you may actually enjoy this weekend's offerings.
Well, okay I'm lying. You won't enjoy them, not at all, but popcorn! Who doesn't love popcorn!
Opening this weekend are two real stiffs of a film, and I don't mean that as an insensitive reference or a bad pun. They are truly stiffs!
In Dragonfly Kevin Costner stars as a...well, Kevin Costner stars in it, so do I really need to say anything else? Man is this film horrible!
But bad doesn't begin to describe the mess that is The Queen Of The Damned. This movie is so bad that it wasn't ever going to see the light of day. Then, one of it's stars, the lovely and talented Aaliyah, passed away, and the studio "surprisingly" decided that it was going to release the movie.
If you see it, you'll wish they had stuck with their original decision. This movie sucks, and I don't mean that just because it is about vampires!
Aaliyah must be spinning in her grave!
Good news though! The January and February stinkers will soon be over as March will be soon upon us!!!!
Coming out in the next few weeks are the films: 40 Days and 40 Nights (Well this one will stink, but then there's), We Were Soldiers (Mel Gibson stars in this movie from the writer of "Braveheart"), The Time Machine (Starring Guy Pierce), Ice Age, Resident Evil, Showtime and Blade 2.
Canada. Belarus. Today!
It all starts at 2 pm Eastern Time. Canada takes on Belarus in the Olympic Men's Hockey Tournament with the winner going to the Gold Medal Game and the loser playing for Bronze on Sunday.
I hate to sound like an over- played and stupid soft drink commercial, but if we all cheer for our guys, they will hear us in Salt Lake!
Go Canada, go!!!!!
And I will be home watching the game if you want to give me a call!
I've been telling you for weeks that the new Alanis Morissette CD "Under Rug Swept," due out Tuesday, February 26th, 2002, was great! Now, here's another review. (By the way, that reviewer says it's great too!)
HBO Says Britney Spears Won't Be On "Sex In The City"
HBO is denying a New York Post report that said Spears will guest on the show.
The Post had reported Monday that she'd play Samantha's niece who seduces her boyfriend. Samantha is played by Kim Cattrall, who play's Spears' mom in the movie "Crossroads."
"Crossroads" debuted at No. 2 with $17 million in the box office. "John Q." took first place with $23.6 million.
Sir Elton John has denounced pop music.
What a hypocrite! His latest album flops, so now he hates music!
ONE DOWN! ONE TO GO! Canadian Women win gold in Olympic hockey!!!!
Whooo hooo!!!!
Did you know that the American team had a Canadian Flag on the floor of their dressing room? On the floor!!!!! I couldn't be happier they lost! No one puts my country's flag on the floor! ROT IN HELL YANKEE SCUM!!!!
Oh yeah, and enjoy the silver medal for second best!!!
Newbie Actress Lands Key 'Terminator' Role
Newcomer Kristanna Loken will be the terminatrix who goes up against Arnold Schwarzenegger in "Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines."
Loken, a 22-year-old actress who starred in such TV series as "D.C." and "Philly" and the film "Panic," has landed the much coveted role of the TX, a cyborg even more sophisticated than Robert Patrick's liquid-metal T-1000 in 1991's "Terminator 2: Judgement Day." She is pitted against Schwarzenegger's T-800 cyborg character in the big-budget film to be directed by Jonathan Mostow this spring in Los Angeles.
"T3" picks up the story a decade after the sequel, when a twentysomething John Connor reteams with his cyborg protector to battle the TX. Edward Furlong, who played John Connor in "Judgement Day," will not reprise his role.
Warner Bros. will distribute the film domestically in summer 2003, with Sony picking up most foreign territories. The film is reportedly budgeted at between $165 million and $180 million, with Schwarzenegger's fee accounting for $30 million.
New Line Sweeps 'Shag' Title Rumor Under Rug
The rumor that New Line Cinema had chosen "Licensed to Shag" as the new title for its third Austin Powers film whipped through movie fan Internet sites Wednesday like an Aston Martin on ice.
There was only problem: "It's completely erroneous," a studio spokeswoman said. "We don't even like the title."
New Line is still shopping for a new name for the summer release, she said. The Motion Picture Assn. of America hit the company with up to $15 million in penalties when James Bond franchise owner MGM protested New Line's failure to register the previous "Austin Powers in Goldmember" title properly.
Rod Stewart Tuning to J Records
After being released from Atlantic Records three months ago, rock veteran Rod Stewart has found a new home with Clive Davis' J Records. The terms of the multi-album pact weren't disclosed, but Stewart has already begun recording a new set for the label, with a planned October release date.
"The soundtrack to our lives would be totally incomplete without Rod Stewart," Davis said in a statement. "I am thrilled to welcome him to J Records and to begin working with him on an album that will show his one-of-a kind vocal talent like no one has heard him heard before."
Stewart, known for such pop standards as "Maggie May," "Tonight's the Night" and "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy," has been recording for four decades, rising to prominence with seminal '60s rock acts the Faces and the Jeff Beck Group.
The 57-year-old singer became a free agent after 26 years when he parted ways with Atlantic last December. The Warner Music imprint dropped several well-known acts late last year -- including Collective Soul, Tori Amos and Sinead O'Connor -- in a bid to pare down its roster of expensive contracts with stars perceived to be on the wane.
Stewart's last album of original songs, 2001's "Human," sold poorly in the U.S., but fared better in Europe, where the London-born singer enjoys a devoted following. A subsequent greatest-hits package "The Story So Far," released earlier this year, has moved 2.5 million copies worldwide.
In less than a week the 2002 Grammy Awards will be handed out. Who will win? Why wait to find out? Here's some predictions for the 2002 Grammys.
OOPS, WE FIX THE SHOW SO WE KNOW WHO WINS!
CBS has confirmed that it goofed in the judging of the second-to-last immunity challenge of Survivor: Africa. As a result, the network paid three contestants $100,000 each as second-place winners.
THE TRUTH IS OUT THERE
Fox announced on Wednesday that David Duchovny will be reprising his role as Agent Fox Mulder in the two-hour series finale of the The X-Files airing on May 19, 2002.
Duchovny will also direct the April 28 episode, which he also cowrote.
'N SPACE!
'N Sync band member Lance Bass in talks with MirCorp to fly on a Soyuz taxi mission to the International Space Station in November 2002, his publicist confirms to E! Online. The trip, along with five to six months of pre-flight training, would be documented for a TV special. It would make Bass the youngest person and first entertainer to ever head into space.
If You've Got A Heart, Then Gumby's A Part Of You
On April 13, 2002, the great green one finally arrives on DVD.
Rhino will release the seven-disc "The Gumby Collection!" It features collected shorts ranging from The Gumby Show in 1956 to syndicated episodes in 1967. Presented in full frame and mono, extras include a miniature Gumby figure, an interview with the creator of Gumby, the original pilot episode, storyboards, promo bumpers, behind-the-scenes footage of the animation process, and more.
Also available is a single-disc DVD with collected highlights and promos only. Retail is $19.95 for the single disc, and $99.95 for the box set.
Oh, baby!
Float Like A Butterfly, Sting Me On DVD
Here's a bit of a surprise. Perhaps due to its mediocre box office and lack of Oscar nominations, Columbia has announced the pithy specs for Michael Mann's Ali, hitting DVD on April 30, 2002. The disc boasts no extras aside from the theatrical trailer, and is presented in 2.35;1 anamorphic widescreen with English and French Dolby 5.1 tracks and English, French and Spanish subtitles. Retail is $27.95
Britney beats Denzel
"Crossroads," the feature film debut of the chart-topping teen pop music princess, opened at No. 1 with just over $1 million, beating out the new Denzel Washinton medical hostage drama "John Q" which cracked the chart at second place with $987,241.
The week's two other new movies did not fare as well: "Return To Never Land," the sequel to Disney's 1953 Peter Pan, debuted at No. 5 and the Bruce Willis WW II drama "Hart's War" came in at No. 8 with $595,346. Last week's champ "Collateral Damage" dived to the fourth spot in its second week with $839,089, while the Oscar nominated heavyweight "A Beautiful Mind" continued its strong run by remaining at No. 3.
While shooting his latest movie Jackie Chan suffers a minor injury.
Kevin Smith's latest film to debut only on The Tonight Show.
Man, now I'll have to watch that horrible show. I hate Leno! DAVE RULES!!!
"Harry Potter" edges out "Star Wars" at the worldwide box office.
RUDY, RUDY, RUDY
The USA Network is planning a two-hour movie about former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, based on the book by Village Voice writer Wayne Barrett called "Rudy!"
An Investigative Biography of Rudolph Giuliani. Producers hope to debut the movie late this year or early 2003.
Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue Brimming with Ads
Sports Illustrated's swimsuit issue will be bursting in more ways than one when it hits newsstands this week, with the eye-catching guide to the latest in swimwear boasting a near- record number of ad pages.
"The ad pages are way up from last year," said magazine spokesman Rick McCabe. "We're in a near-record year in one of the worst ad climates certainly in the last few years."
This year's 232-page swimsuit issue, featuring Victoria's Secret model Yamila Diaz-Rahi on the cover, has 110 ad pages, just shy of the record-setting total from the 25th anniversary issue in 1989.
Do you remember who was on the cover that year?
That's right, it was Kathy Ireland. Well done!
Two of my favourite theatres in the whole world are closing! Keep The Uptown and The Eglington open!
We're here! They're here! Let them stay open!
We're here! They're here! Let them stay open!
Spears To Appear in 'Sex and the City'
For being such a good girl, Britney Spears is really sexing it up in the roles she picks.
Spears loses her virginity in her movie, "Crossroads." Now she's set to play Samantha's sex-crazed niece on "Sex and the City." The New York Post reports Spears will come off as virginal, but she'll seduce Samantha's lover. Spears is not expected to appear nude.
Kim Cattrall, who plays Samantha, also plays Spears' mom in "Crossroads."
Man Makes Oscar Speech Suggestions
A public relations exec has written an open letter in the Los Angeles times asking celebrities to keep their Oscar speeches short.
Howard Bragman tells nominees that it's OK to "thank the one or two people who really made a difference in your life and this project." He doesn't think mentioning a long list of boring names is needed.
He suggests thanking agents, managers and publicists in person or with a nice gift. Bragman says the best thing all Oscar nominees can do is write a little speech ahead of time — no matter what their chances of winning. He says even if all they do is wind up giving the speech to the dog, they should be prepared.
He's responsible for some of the greatest movies ever made. "Fast Times At Ridgemont High", "Say Anything", "Singles", "Jerry Maguire" and "Almost Famous." They are all his! Well, okay, I guess he's responsible for "Vanilla Sky" as well. Now, find out everything there is to know about Cameron Crowe.
And get ready for the DVD debut of "Say Anything" on March 5th, 2002!
Oasis releasing new single in April
Oasis will be releasing its first single in nearly two years in April, the British pop band announced Tuesday. The group first performed the track, titled "The Hindu Times," at a series of gigs late last year celebrating its 10th anniversary. It's the first song from the band's as yet untitled fifth studio album, scheduled for release in July.
Oasis has released no new singles since "Sunday Morning Call" in July 2000.
The group is finalizing plans for a world tour and is to headline the Coachella Festival in Palm Springs, Calif., in April. "The Hindu Times," with its Eastern-influenced guitar riff, will be released on April 15, the band said in a statement posted on its Web site.
Oasis, led by the brash, outspoken brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher, was wildly popular in the mid-1990s. Their 1995 album "(What's the Story) Morning Glory?" debuted at No. 1 in the U.K. and became the second-best selling album in British history.
I'LL BE BACK...IN L.A
Producers of Arnold Schwarzenegger's "T3: Rise of the Machines" have announced that the film will shoot entirely in Los Angeles, after director Jonathan Mostow complained about having to split time in Vancouver.
Who does he think he is, David Duchovny?!?
Pierce Brosnan sustains a knee injury on the set of the latest Bond film.
Here are the new CD releases for Tuesday, February 19, 2002.
GREAT BIG SEA Sea Of No Cares (WEA)- The band everyone knows from Newfoundland releases their latest collection of songs today. Unfortunately SEA OF NO CARES has more in common with bad commercial pop music than it does with Great Big Sea's past releases. Sorry guys!
BREEDERS Safari (Reissue) (4AD/Beggars Banquet)
CARS Complete Greatest Hits (Rhino)
DAKOTA MOON A Place To Land (Elektra)
DAVIE STEWART Go On, Sing Another Song (Rounder)
DOOBIE BROTHERS Doobies Choice (Rhino)
ELVIS COSTELLO This Year's Model (Rhino)
ELVIS COSTELLO Blood & Chocolate (Rhino)
ELVIS COSTELLO Brutal Youth (Rhino)
LOUISE GOFFIN Sometimes A Circle (DreamWorks)
MARY J. BLIGE No More Drama (expanded re-release) (MCA)
MIDNIGHT OIL Capricornia (Liquid 8/BMG)
RICK NELSON Greatest Hits (EMI)
ROBIN BLACK AND THE INTERGALACTIC ROCK STARS Planet: Fame (Sextant Records)
SNEAKER PIMPS Bloodsport (Tommy Boy)
TANYA DONELLY Beauty Sleep (4AD/Beggars Banquet)
THE ASSOCIATION Anthology (Rhino)
TURTLES Anthology (Rhino)
If you are looking for some fun this spring, The Kids are back In The Hall!
Personally, I thought that Denzel Washington's performance in, and the movie "Training Day" as a whole, wasn't anything special. But Julia Roberts is backing Denzel for The Oscar, so what do I know.
Wait! Hold on! I know what I know! And that is alot !
Sorry Julia, you are wrong! He is a great actor, but "Training Day" sucks! It is a bad film! So ha!
Oh, oh, I hope Julia doesn't get mad at me! Where is that delete button...
He was one of the good guys! Former CTV news anchor Harvey Kirck has died at the age of 73.
Many in the media over- hyped this weekend's episode of "The Simpsons" where the family visits Canada, and those same over- hypers are now calling it a "letdown." Well I thought it was funny and I especially loved the use of the Bob & Doug McKenzie, with Geddy Lee from Rush, song "Take Off"!! I guess I'm what you'd call an under- hyper.
So in honour of our favourite TV family's visit to our home and native land Here's the 10 best Canadian Simpsons references!
So, like, Take Off to the Great White North! Take off, it's a beauty way to go! Take off! You hosers!
On her new album "Under Rug Swept", due out next Tuesday- February 26, 2002- Alanis gets personal.
But she still hasn't mentioned me!
RAPPERS UNITE
During the second Hip-Hop Summit in Los Angeles over the weekend, Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan joining rap mogul Russell Simmons and other hip-hop artists to call on the music community to move away from explicitly violent lyrics and help out the poor and minority communities that spawned their music.
REST IN PEACE
Country music great Waylon Jennings was laid to rest Friday at a "very private" and "beautiful" service near his home in Arizona, according to his wife, singer Jessi Colter. No other details were disclosed.
Jennings died Wednesday from complications of diabetes. Colter says she hopes to announce details of a public memorial in Nashville next week.
Actor Kevin Smith has died.
And to clarify, its Kevin Smith, the actor who played Xena's love interest on "Xena- The Warrior Princess", not Kevin Smith the director of "Clerks," Mallrats" and "Chasing Amy."
Ozzy Osbourne has launched a reality show.
Diane Sawyer has won the rights to "The Rosie O'Donnell Comes Out" interview sweepstakes.
Denzel Washington's film "John Q" leads the weekend box office parade.
Here are some interesting facts about the World Trade Center.
They haven't cancelled it, but Fox isn't ordering any new episodes of the underrated "Futurama."
The Muppets are heading back to TV.
The Hollywood Reporter says NBC Studios and Muppet masters The Jim Henson Company have signed a deal to produce "It's A Wonderful Muppet Christmas Movie." The special, which will air during the holiday season, will feature cameos from NBC stars, the report said.
"It's perfect for the new approach that we're taking with our movies in looking for things with pre-sold, pop-culture appeal," NBC's Jeff Gaspin told The Hollywood Reporter.
"What's always great about the Muppets is that there's enough sophisticated humour to appeal to adults, while the puppets appeal to children."
Although the Muppets have been featured in a variety series and specials, this is the first time the characters will be included in a made-for-TV movie, the report said.
And the special will have an added attraction: the first romantic clinch between Kermit The Frog and Miss Piggy.
"Their kisses have always been instigated by Piggy before, but this time Kermit comes to his senses, and it will be a very romantic kiss," Henson president Juliet Blake told The Hollywood Reporter.
Sniff, sniff!... I am so happy! Baseball's pitchers and catchers have opened Spring Training.
Take me out to the ballgame, take me out with the crowd...
Last week's episode of "The Simpsons" was one of the best ever and now this week's looks just as good! The Simpsons come to Canada.
Well, some say Canada. Others, Toronto.
Alanis comes clean on her new song and her teen affair.
Well first off, GO CANADA, GO!
Secondly, you are in luck! There are 5 new films opening this weekend. Unfortunately your luck is not very good as neither are these new films.
But let me start out on a positive note. Last week I was whining that the Oscar bait films Monster's Ball and In The Bedroom weren't playing at a theatre near me. Well now that they have gone from Oscar bait, to Oscar nominated that is changing! I get to see In The Bedroom later today and Monster's Ball will finally open in my region next week. Woo hoo!
But I digress. As I mentioned there are five new films opening this weekend, so let me get to those:
Bruce Willis and Colin Farrell have both made great films, and will make great films again some day. That some day is not today! Hart's War could have been the great war film that "Behind Enemy Lines" and "Black Hawk Down" weren't, but instead of being unique, it gets bogged down by trying to be all things to all people. At it's conclusion, it ends up being nothing for nobody. (Is that proper English?)
Crossroads doesn't star a nobody. It stars pop princess Britney Spears as a young lady who is not a girl, not yet a woman. The movie is not great and it is CERTAINLY not for Britney's young female fans, but she is surprisingly not bad! She's no Mandy Moore, but Britney is okay in the movie.
Hey, do you remember another movie with that title? Well, hot off of "The Karate Kid" Ralph Macchio starred in a movie called Crossroads back in 1986. I wonder where he is now. I wonder where Britney Spears will be 16 years after her roads cross...
And it's a cross Dad who's mad at the state of the medical system in America that's at the center of John Q. Denzel Washington was great as "Malcolm X", but this movie is more than just 8 spots behind that landmark last letter in the alphabet. With a cast that also includes Robert Duvall, James Woods, Ray Liotta and a pre- crazy Anne Heche this movie could have been great! But it is surprisingly ineffective. I wanted to care, I really did, but in the end all I could think about was that Duvall's character's name was FRANK GRIMES. How can you take a serious drama serious when one of the lead's names is Frank Grimes!
You can't!
And you won't take anything serious away from Super Troopers. It's fun, frilly, frothy, stupid vaccuous entertainment with many laughs. Now if I can just stop singing that Abba song of the same name!
Ah yes, Abba, a band from my youth! A time when I was just a young boy who didn't have to grow up. But now that I am almost 34, it might be time I lose my so- called "Peter Pan Complex" and act a bit more mature...
NO WAY MAN!!!! Especially when Peter Pan is back in theatres in Return To Never Land. And yes, this is a Disney movie with Peter Pan and not some documentary on victims returning to Michael Jackson's house for vengeance. Although that might make a good movie too!
No, in Return To Never Land Wendy's daughter Jane is kidnapped by Captain Hook and Peter must come to the rescue.
Ah, to be young again! I won't grow up! I'll never go to work! In fact, I think I'll go to the movies!
Go Canada, go, and I'll see you at the movies!
Peter Gabriel's long awaited new album is in "final stages"
For music fans who've been wondering -- is Peter Gabriel down with O.P.P. -- we'll soon get an answer.
Gabriel, whose long-delayed new album "Up" is in the final mixing stage, appears as a guest on Naughty By Nature's forthcoming album "iicons."
Gabriel's official website says producer Tchad Blake (Ron Sexsmith, Crowded House) is giving "Up" a final mix, while Gabriel gives the album's lyrics a one last reworking.
Among the guest musicians appearing on the five-years-in-the-making "Up" are Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, the Blind Boys Of Alabama, former Fleetwood Mac guitarist Peter Green, and Nick Drake bassist Danny Thompson.
The site says, once and for all, that "Up" will be released in 2002. His last studio album was 1992's "Us." The site also said that Gabriel has remixed his catalogue of albums for a reissue campaign to be launched by Virgin's U.K. division this spring.
Meanwhile, Billboard reports Gabriel managed to find time to contribute to Naughty By Nature's cut "Fight Back." The album also contains contributions from Queen Latifah, Method Man and Redman, Pink, and a host of other guests. "iicons" is due in record tores April 23.
Hopefully that is April 23, 2002!
THREE PRODUCERS TO RULE THEM ALL
Because only three producers can be eligible to win the Best Picture Oscar, the Producers Guild of America ruled on Wednesday that Tim Sanders is the odd man out for The Lord of the Rings, which had four producers listed in the credits. Should LOTR win the Oscar, Peter Jackson, Frances Walsh and Barrie M. Osborne will take home the prize.
CALL IT "CAREER SURVIVAL 101"
Meg Ryan is in talks to star in an erotic thriller titled "In The Cut." The film is slated to be directed by Jane Campion, who made "The Piano." According to Variety, the film is about a New York writing teacher who becomes sexually involved with a detective tracking a murder.
TRIBUTE TO HEROES
Robert De Niro will host "9/11", a two-hour CBS documentary that will include never-before-seen footage from inside the Twin Towers during the September 11 evacuation. The special will air March 10 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.
MAN OF STEEL?
Charlie's Angels director McG has signed on to shoot the next installment of Warner Bros.' Superman franchise. Felicity and Alias creator J.J. Abrams is writing the script.
Fingers crossed, fingers crossed!
SHE SHOULD HAVE SEEN IT COMING
The Federal Trade Commission announced on Thursday that it has filed a lawsuit charging Miss Cleo and the operators of her psychic hotline with fraud. The FTC has received more than 2,000 complaints over the past 18 months.
Hopefully now we won't have to see those commercials ever again!
Cujo gets the call in goal for Game One versus Sweden!
Go Canada, go!!!!!
...here are some Romantic Movies even guys will like!
...here are some Anti- Valentine's Day movies.
I WANT TO WRITE "SHOW ME THE DVD", BUT I WON'T
Finally announced are the full specs for that long-in-development special edition of Cameron Crowe's Jerry Maguire, due out from Columbia TriStar on 4/30. This two disc set looks pretty dang impressive, featuring a new 1.85;1 anamorphic widescreen transfer, English 5.1 and English, French, Spanish and Portuguese 2.0 surround and subtitle tracks, and plenty of additional extras.
Disc one also features an audio commentary with director Cameron Crowe, and actors Renee Zellweger, Cuba Gooding, Jr., and making his first audio commentary appearance ever, Tom Cruise.
Disc two features a separate transfer of the film featuring a new video commentary, also with Crowe, Cruise, Zellweger and Gooding, deleted scenes and rehearsal footage with optional commentary (and including Courtney Love's screen test with Cruise!), the original making-of featurette as well as the "My First Commercial" and "Drew Rosenhaus: Sports Agent" clips, the Bruce Springsteen "Secret Garden" music video, trailers, and text supplements including the original Jerry Maguire "Mission Statement," filmographies and production notes.
Two new Tragically Hip songs will appear on the soundtrack to the film "Men With Brooms."
Sweeeeeep!!!! Sweeeeep!
'Friends' Star Perry Seals 'McBeal' Deal
Matthew Perry has a new lawyer in his life: "Ally McBeal."
The "Friends" star, who just signed for a ninth and final season of the hit sitcom, is closing in on a deal to guest star in two upcoming episodes of David E. Kelley's Fox comedy-drama. It marks one of the few times that Perry has appeared in a television series other than his own show, where he plays newlywed Chandler Bing.
He will play a "cocky, successful and opinionated attorney who wreaks havoc on Ally's personal and professional lives," a spokesman for the show said. His two episodes will be combined into a special two-hour "Ally" event set to air in April.
As always, the Kelley camp is keeping mum on specifics of the Perry episodes. However, Perry's appearance is set to coincide with that of another previously announced guest thesp, Christina Ricci.
"Matthew Perry displays a strong presence and natural comedic ability on his other TV project, which makes him a natural choice for 'Ally McBeal'," said "Ally" co-executive producer Alice West.
Perry is the latest in a long line of guest stars to do turns on "Ally" this season, the show's fifth. Others who've made appearances include Jon Bon Jovi, Jami Gertz, Tom Berenger, French Stewart, Elton John and Mariah Carey.
Perry's recent feature credits includes "The Whole Nine Yards" and "Fools Rush In."
Mariah Carey and Tom Green are the early contenders for the 2001 Razzie Awards.
My vote is split two ways: Pearl Harbour and A.I..
The top 10 movies at the North American box office
The following are the top 10 movies at the North American box office for the February 1-3, 2002, weekend, according to studio estimates collected Sunday by Reuters. Final data will be issued Monday.
1 (1) Black Hawk Down ........... $11.5 million
2 (2) Snow Dogs .................. $ 9.9 million
3 (5) The Count of Monte Cristo .. $ 9.0 million
4 (3) A Walk To Remember ......... $ 8.8 million
5 (4) A Beautiful Mind ........... $ 8.5 million
6 (6) The Mothman Prophecies ..... $ 7.5 million
7 (8) The Lord of the Rings ...... $ 6.6 million
8 (7) I Am Sam ................... $ 6.5 million
9 (9) Kung Pow! Enter the Fist ... $ 3.8 million
10 (+) Slackers ................... $ 3.0 million
10(10) Orange County .............. $ 3.0 million
NOTE: Last weekend's ranking in parenthesis. ``+'' - new release. ``Birthday Girl'' opened at No. 12 with $2.5 million.
Yes, this is a true story! Apple Computer is getting a Grammy!
Or as it will soon be known, the iGrammy!
After getting more publicity than many stars who weren't "retired" Celine Dion says she's ready for a comeback forcing many to ask, "Was she away?"
Here's hoping it's a St. Louis Rams sort of comeback!
Rudy Giuliani to Say Thanks in Ad
There's never been much loved lost between New York City and the rest of the country, but ex-mayor Rudolph Giuliani said Sept. 11 changed all that.
Guiliani, who offered a nationally televised thank you for its post-Sept. 11 help in a Super Bowl ad on Sunday, said the attacks brought the city and country together.
``There was a feeling of unity that emerged: We all became Americans, and we all became New Yorkers,'' Giuliani said Saturday. ``And whatever barriers there had been became very, very insignificant.''
Giuliani's 30-second TV spot was paid for by Monster.com, which will also donate $350,000 to the Twin Towers Fund to benefit the families of uniformed personnel killed in the attack.
The former mayor, who wrote his own script and did not receive a fee, delivers the message from atop a Rockefeller Center skyscraper, with lower Manhattan and the missing twin towers as a backdrop.
Even though it wasn't shot in Spain or financed with Spanish money "The Others" takes the top prize at The Spanish Film Awards.
The Coroner is citing cocaine as a factor in the death of director Ted Demme.
In what many will eventually consider a game for the ages The New England Patriots upset the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI.
DAN'S COMMENTARY- After all that has happened in America in the last few months, should anyone be surprised to see a team named PATRIOTS be that nation's champs?
OSCAR DEADLINE
Polls closed at 5 p.m. PT on Friday for the 2002 Oscar nominations. After the initial votes are tallied, final nominees will be annouced February 12. The Academy Award ceremony is March 24.
GIRL INTERRUPTED
Prosecutors are charging "actress" Winona Ryder with felony counts of grand theft, burglary, vandalism and drug possession stemming from her recent arrest on suspicion of shoplifting. The charges carry a maximum penalty of three years and eight months in prison. She's due in court February 8 for arraignment.
Not surprsingly, her reps say she's innocent.
BACKSTREET BOY BUST UPDATE
Backstreet Boy Nick Carter is copping a deal with prosecutors to avoid jail time stemming from his January arrest in a barroom altercation. The St. Petersburg Times says Carter, 22, will be placed on probation, perform community service and pay a fine.
Charges will be dropped if he behaves himself.
Starting on Monday, Sesame Street will be getting a makeover.
Can you tell me how to get, how to get to Sesame Street?
Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen are recording songs for a tribute to Johnny Cash.
Winona Ryder has been officially charged with shoplifting.
A VIEW TO A KILL
On Thursday the Motion Picture Association of America rejected New Line Cinema's appeal of an earlier decision blocking the use of the title "Austin Powers in Goldmember" for the third installment of the studio's successful Austin Powers franchise.
Making a rare television apperance Michael Keaton will guest star on Frasier. And you'll never guess who his character is!
Linda Hamilton Says "No" To Terminator 3
"I retired as a champ. I read the script and it didn't take my character in any new direction. It was like a no-win situation for me."
So says Linda Hamilton as to why the machine-like Arnie won't have her to kick around anymore when Terminator 3 is released. Hamilton was also inspired to say no thank you over the absence of filmmaker and former husband James Cameron in the mix.
My Sweet Lord- The Video
Tonight, Friday, at 9 pm EST MuchMoreMusic has the exclusive video debut of George Harrison's re-released classic My Sweet Lord.
The video shows a bearded Harrison circa 1971 at the Concert for Bangladesh. That will be followed by an hour-long doc on the late, great ex-Beatle, Here Comes The Sun: Remembering George Harrison.
IT'S THAT TIME AGAIN
The February sweeps ratings period means more stunt casting and special events, although the Olympics on NBC has most of the networks holding their big guns until May.
Among the highlights: CBS has the Grammy Awards (Feb. 27), the fourth Survivor series (starting Feb. 28), a new Diagnosis Murder movie set for next Wednesday and a miniseries, Guilty Hearts, starring Treat Williams and Marcia Gay Harden, airing Feb. 10 and Feb. 13.
Look for Ted Danson's old Cheers buddy George Wendt to drop by Becker this Monday, with Beau Bridges joining The Agency Thursday.
In case you wanted to write it in your day timer or datebook, the nominations for the 74th Annual Academy Awards will be announced on Tuesday, February 12, 2002.
There's also a new moon that day!
If you are so inclined, don't forget that some Playboy Playmates are on Fear Factor Sunday night during the Super Bowl. And then they are on after the game too!
Intimate Alanis heads west
Alanis Morissette will be the very first guest to take part in a MuchMusic Intimate & Interactive program held in Vancouver.
Morissette, whose new album, Under Rug Swept, is due Feb. 26, will perform new songs during a live I&I broadcast from the West Coast city's Roundhouse on March 1 beginning at 9 p.m.
During the 90-minute program, hosted by VJ Namugenyi Kiwanuka, Morissette will also answer questions from fans inside the facility, and via phone, fax, e-mail and Speakers Corner.
Well, it's Super Bowl weekend, traditionally a very slow time for new releases. But there are some new films for you to see if you don't like football.
First up, is Slackers. This film about cheating college kids and the guy who wants to stop them sat in the can for 2 years before this weekend. That does not bode well! And I know from experience that things can get pretty ripe after sitting in the can for 2 years.
The weekend's other new film might not be much fresher- is that a word? Fresher? It might not be more fresh? I don't know! Either way Birthday Girl has Nicole Kidman starring as a Russian mail order bride who might not be all that she seems.
Of course she might not be all that she seems! How can she be a Russian mail order bride when she's from Australia!
Oh well, I guess we'll see! And I'll see you at the movies!
And regarding that football game, GO PATRIOTS!!
ALL THE WAY HOME
One of the new TV ads for Amazon.com features the first song that fictional band Spinal Tap ever wrote, "All The Way Home." When the song was originally featured in the film "This Is Spinal Tap" it was improvised on set. Now, it is coming from your TV set, on behalf of Amazon.com.
Ironic? Iconic? Idiotic?
Personally, I'm not sure! But I'm gonna cry, cry, cry all the way home!
...released on DVD it will be a half- hour longer.
If you are too busy to do the math, that's 208 minutes.
MGM, Best Buy/Future Shop will Bond over DVD campaign
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer is partnering with one of the nation's biggest sellers of DVDs -- Best Buy -- to reintroduce the entire James Bond film series later this year.
The campaign comes on the 40th anniversary of the release of ``Dr. No,'' the first film in the series, and is timed to precede the theatrical release of the 20th official Bond in November. Best Buy will sponsor trailers for the unnamed Bond film, said Jeff Maynard, Best Buy VP of marketing services.
The retailer will create a sort of 007 store within its more than 1,800 Best Buy, Sam Goody, Suncoast, Media Play, On-Cue and Future Shop outlets. The James Bond sections, which will vary among chains, will include the three DVD box sets of the 007 movies that have been on moratorium for almost two years. They will also include soundtracks, electronics products and merchandise from other, yet unnamed, promotional partners.
The promotion will launch this summer, with momentum building up to the theatrical release in November and continuing through to the film's DVD release in the spring of 2003.
It's a big night this evening on CBS! David Letterman will celebrate his 20th Anniversary in late night television.
I hate to date myself, but I remember his first show with Bill Murray. I was dating myself then too!
Elle Macpherson is getting married again.
And not to me. AGAIN!
Pamela Anderson may swap her TV role for a Stripper pole.