TODAY FEELS LIKE A SPECIAL EDITION KIND OF DAY
Ah yes, the DVD Special Edition. More times than not a studio takes the time to put an awesome version of a movie out on disc THAT THEY HAD ALREADY RELEASED. Said new disc has goodies, extra features and other items to coerce people like you and I to buy them again.
In many cases, The Exorcist/Pretty Woman, there is no need to pick up the film again. In some cases, The Princess Bride, there is.
Today sees the release of the Jerry Maguire: Special Edition DVD. Is this one worthy of picking up?
I'd say no, but I already bought mine.
Here's a list of the other new DVD's hitting shelves, and players, Tuesday, April 30th, 2002:
Ali
Big Bad Mama
Big Bad Mama II
Biker Zombies From Detroit
Blind Heat
Brigham City
The Brooklyn Boys
Cruel And Unusual
Dillinger And Capone
Enter The Dragon
Escape From Alaska
The Exorcist (Version You've Never Seen)
Fist Of Fury (Special Edition)
Friends: The Complete First Season
The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy
The Innocents
Jerry Maguire (Special Edition)
The Lady In Red
Life Beyond Earth
Mischief
Not Another Teen Movie (Special Edition)
Race The Sun
Re-Animator (Millennium Edition)
Spider Man: Ultimate Villain Showdown
Stage Ghost
IF YOU'RE BORED
If you have nothing at all to do today and are looking for something totally morbid, then there is always Find- A- Death.
This site is not for the faint of heart.
NEW ELVIS COSTELLO CD LEADS THE PACK
Not much of a selection, but there is a lot of variety with the list of new CD's coming out today. But once again there's the incredible Elvis Costello leading the way.
So with further adieu, here are the new CD releases for Tuesday, April 30th, 2002.
* DOGTOWN & ZBOY OST Dogtown & Zboy (Universal)
* ELVIS COSTELLO When I was Cruel (Island)
* KEPLER Missionless Days
* KEVIN DENNEY Kevin Denney (Lyric Street)
* STEVE AZAR Waitin' On Joe (Mercury Nashville)
* STEVENS SISTERS Little By Little (Rounder)
* THE MARTINETS Your Avid Output
* THE REGISTRATORS Rare Tracks
* VARIOUS ARTISTS Think of the Good Times
* VELVET EMPIRE Velvet Empire (Universal)
KILBY IS STAYING AT CBS
Craig Kilborn will continue to work late. Kilborn, host of "The Late, Late Show" on CBS, has signed a contract extension that will keep him on the air for at least two more years, the network said Monday.
He has been host since March 1999, and the network is up 25 percent in viewers at his 12:35 a.m. time slot since then.
The former ESPN sports anchor is best known for his "5 Questions" feature, posing quiz questions to his celebrity guests.
"Craig has done everything we expected since taking over `The Late Late Show,'" said CBS President Leslie Moonves. "He has attracted more young viewers to the time period and his show has proved to be a terrific companion to David Letterman's `Late Show.'"
FAMOUS PLAYERS LEAVING REGINA
Famous Players will walk away from their 21-year-old home in the Cornwall shopping centre -- and from the Regina market -- at the end of August.
"Our lease expires at the end of the summer. We are not renewing it," vice-president of corporate affairs Joanne Fraser told the Regina Leader-Post on Monday. "It's a business decision. We've been closing more traditional theatres on a national basis."
It's the Cornwall cinema's age, rather than its downtown location, that has led to the decision, Fraser said. When the silver screen turns gray, audiences stay away.
"People have shown a marked preference for the newer multiplexes."
Audiences like the leg room, the sound system and the food choices found in the newer cinemas, she said.
"I don't think any (cinema) company in North America anticipated the impact the new theatres would have on the old theatres," Fraser said. "With our older buildings, as the licences come up, we let them expire."
"They've come to the conclusion the can't be competitive, given how the theatre looks and feels and where it is," Cornwall Centre general manager Josh Lommer said. "The two years I've been here, the theatre has been subpar compared to how some of the theatres in our (Cadillac-Fairview's) other malls in Western Canada have done."
The decision means Famous Players will no longer have a presence in Regina. The national chain has leased 20,000 square feet and operated four screens inside Regina's downtown mall since 1981.
In 2000, Famous Players explored the possibility of building a $20-million multiplex outside city limits to get around the zoning bylaw that confined new theatre development to the downtown. Last week, city council amended the bylaw to remove that condition.
However, Fraser is not aware of any current plans to build a newer, suburban theatre here to replace the Cornwall operation.
"The reality is we've been through an expansion plan, but that's ended. We built 44 new theatres from 1995 to 2001."
Cadillac-Fairview is searching for a new tenant. Lommer did not believe the loss of the shrinking theatre crowd will affect spin-off traffic for the mall's other retailers.
However, the city councillor for the ward that includes the downtown said the departure hampers efforts to turn the area into an entertainment hub.
Coun. Fred Clipsham said the industry standard is one screen per 10,000 people, but the pending construction of two new multiplexes in northwest Regina would have brought the total number of local screens to nearly 40. "I kind of expected that something was going to give."
One of the two new multiplexes is part of the Galaxy chain, which Famous Players owned five per cent of until the federal competition bureau recently directed them to divest. Fraser did not know Famous Players' long-term plans for Saskatoon, where it currently operates one older theatre.
There is a new trailer available online for the upcoming Summer blockbuster Men In Black II.
Enjoy!
D, out.
The incomparable Kirsten Dunst divulges some "Spider- Man 2" details.
LOSING ITS FUEL
Because he wasn't getting the kind of money he wanted, actor Vin Diesel has opted out of Universal's sequel to the street-racing hit "The Fast and the Furious." The film will now revolve around actor Paul Walker's cop character. Because Diesel's out, original director Rob Cohen is also leaving the project.
10 years after retiring Johnny Carson is planning to stay out of the spotlight.
Noooo!!!! Come back, Johnny! Come back!
After years of delays "Spider- Man" is set to make his big screen debut on Friday.
HBO has renewed its latest "it" Sunday series, "Six Feet Under," for a third season.
Anna Kournikova is suing over some topless pictures of her appearing in next month's Penthouse magazine.
For the record, she is not suing me.
Woody Allen says he can't explain his fans.
Do we need him to?
I JUST COULDN'T WAIT FOR THE MOVIE!
I couldn't wait for "Star Wars: Episode II- Attack Of The Clones" so I decided to read the book.
Based on the story by George Lucas and the screenplay by George Lucas and Jonathan Hales, this intense and revealing novel was written by bestselling author R. A. Salvatore.
And guess what? It is great! The story is great! I can't wait for the movie!
NO SPOILERS CONTAINED
"Attack Of The Clones," as written in this book, has more action than "The Phantom Menace" and better developed characters.
Credit is specifically due to how Salvatore did an excellent job of bringing a 2-D movie into the 3-D mental images/thoughts/emotions projected into the brain by a book. It's kind of like translating a picture into a sculpture - movies and books are just two different mediums, and don't usually make a good translation from one to the other.
The film doesn't come out until May 16th, 2002, and I will be first in line. This book rules! I hope the movie is just as good.
Ten years on Robert James Waller returns to Madison County.
VIDEO OF CHOICE
Fatboy Slim's "Weapon of Choice," the one that has Christopher Walken dancing, has been voted the best video of all time in an industry poll conducted by VH1.
CATTRALL SET TO SWEAR OFF ‘SEX'
The sexiest cat on "Sex and the City" is reportedly calling it quits. Kim Cattrall, who plays the sex-addicted Samantha on the show, told a British TV station that she's ready to move on.
"Six years for me is enough," said Cattrall in a prerecorded interview with Britain's Living TV. "There are other things I'd like to do."
The 46-year-old actress has shocked audiences with her portrayal of a single publicist in New York - posing nude, engaging in sexual intercourse from a ceiling swing and having a lesbian affair with an artist.
Filming of the show, which pulls in around four million viewers per episode, was recently halted when Cattrall co-star Sarah Jessica Parker announced she was pregnant.
Cattrall, who starred in "Porky's," "Police Academy" and "Mannequin" in the '80s, will most likely focus on feature films.
It has been reported that Cattrall, who is married to millionaire businessman Mark Levinson, might play Mae West in a big-budget biopic about the legendary screen siren.
Fox will be airing a M*A*S*H reunion special!
Her fans remember TLC member Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes.
Once again "The Scorpion King" tops the weekend box office charts.
Michael Greene resigns as Grammy President.
He uses webs and so does his movie studio. Want to find out all about "Spider- Man" on the internet?
Oh, go ahead!
Madonna is suing Boy George.
I certainly hope there isn't a riff between The Icicle Works and China Crisis as well!
Is it that time again already? Time to take a look at the new films that are invading our cinemas and multiplexes?
Well I think it is!
I also think that anyone who reads a review of Jason X to see if it is "any good" before they go and see it should be really worried. Really, really worried!
Jason X is the tenth installment in the 'always good for a laugh' "Friday The 13th" horror series, and if you have seen all nine, I think I missed 6 and 8, then you will see Jason X. Period, end of comments.
No comments I can say will deter critics from praising The Salton Sea. Once or twice a year a movie comes along that really isn't worth your time, but film critics rave about it. "Brilliant", "incredible", "superlative" are some of the words they use in their reviews.
Luckily I am not a critic. I am just a guy who writes and talks about movies. So beleive me when I say that The Salton Sea, even with it's impressive cast that includes Val Kilmer, Vincent D'Onofrio and the incomparable Chandra West, isn't worthy of your time. If anyone ever asks if "You've ever been to The Salton Sea, Billy?", just say no!
Also say no to Life Or Something Like It, unless you love Angelina Jolie or Ed Burns.
Regarding this movie, let's play the opposite game! Everything in the next paragraph is the exact opposite of how I feel about Life Or Something Like It:
"The director did a good job with the film because almost every aspect is entertaining. The cinematography looks extremely professional and not thrown together like most films in this genre look, and the script is good for the most part If you are having a bad week and need a break for 90 minutes,or if you are looking for a romantic comedy, this film is highly recommended. If you are looking for a good movie, Life Or Something Like It is a must! I give it 3 1/2 out of 4 stars!"
Remember, we were playing the opposite game!
And there you go! Three new releases this week, three films not worth of your time. Three films that make you wish that there was actually something great to go and see. Luckily the horizon has Spider-Man, Hollywood Ending, Star Wars: Episode II- Attack of the Clones, About a Boy, Insomnia and Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron.
So sit patiently waiting for some other movies to open and enjoy the popcorn! I'll see you at the movies!
Wow, this is a shocker!
Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, the effervescent, sometimes volatile rapping member of the Grammy-winning trio TLC, was killed in a car crash in Honduras, her record company said early Friday.
Spider- Man
Director: Sam Raimi
Screenwriter: David Koepp; Based on the Marvel Comic Book by: Stan Lee, Steve Ditko
Peter Parker/Spider-Man: Tobey Maguire
Norman Osborn/Green Goblin: Willem Dafoe
Mary Jane Watson: Kirsten Dunst
Running time 120 minutes
After years of false starts and legal problems the first big screen version of the classic comic book hero “Spider- Man” is set to spin into theatres on May 3, 2002.
Director Sam Raimi (Darkman, A Simple Plan, The Evil Dead films) was eventually chosen to give Spidey his cinematic bow over Chris Columbus, who went on to do great things with “Harry Potter.” That choice plays wise in a film that is rooted in the two worlds that best suit this superhero - a comic- book geography, in which the character can climb and spin through the urban jungle just as non-Ritalin induced kids scamper about a jungle gym, and old B-movies, where things happen with a rush and no one is afraid to be a little corny.
But I like corn. Especially Popcorn.
Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) may be close with his beloved Aunt May (Rosemary Harris) and idealistic Uncle Ben (Cliff Robertson), but in a change to the comic books, his academic life isn't quite so rosy. For one thing, he repeatedly gets picked on by his fellow high school students, but more importantly, the love of his life, red-headed beauty Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst), hardly knows he exists.
At a science-class outing to a research lab, Peter is bitten by a genetically altered spider. The next morning, he discovers that a) he doesn't need his glasses, b ) his body is buffed out and c) he has spiderlike powers including the ability to cling to any surface, spin tough-as-rope webs and make tremendous leaps. The movie takes some time to delve into and have a lot of fun with the latter as the young man explores the range of his new abilities.
But not soon after initially reveling in his newfound web-spinning powers, he learns the hard way that with great power comes great responsibility.
Spider-Man's main opponent this outing is the Green Goblin (Willem Dafoe), industrialist Norman Osborn in “real life” and father to his best buddy Harry (James Franco). The Green Goblin is a conflicted villain. He holds schizophrenic conversations with himself -- staring into a mirror or at his evil mask --as he struggles against the villainy that has invaded his body. It is once that villainy is set free that “Spider- Man” really gets into gear.
With a lesser cast the script could have come off as weak and contrived, but in the hands of the exceptionally talented Maguire, Dafoe and Dunst it plays just right. Said script also does a decent job of combining the origins of Spidey as we know it in the comics and creating a new world for him here.
Unfortunately some of the action sequences and computer graphics take away from the movie. It’s almost as if this $100 million+ film was made on a cheap shoestring budget. Maybe if the lighting approach wasn't so bright, this is not a dark film, it could have covered up the apparent mistakes. I enjoyed the film more than “Superman” but it fails in many areas compared to the first “Batman.”
But I do have to admit that I liked it. I liked it a lot! I thought it was really great! Not awesome, but great!
Ultimately this release does what the doctor ordered: It sets up “Spider-Man” for a tent pole series that will continue for a long while, or at least until Maguire tires of the role, provides a satisfying first episode and compelling Jekyll-and-Hyde villain, establishes the hero's love interest in Kirsten Dunst's Mary Jane Watson and leaves enough threads dangling so you're eager for the next episode.
I guess you could say that "Spider-Man" is a flawed masterpiece. A masterpiece that you’ll likely see more than a few times.
So enjoy the popcorn, and I’ll see you at the movies!
By Dan Reynish, April 10, 2002.
'Shrek 2' Set To Move Forward
The sequel to Shrek is starting to take shape. Jeffrey Katzenberg, the 'K' in DreamWorks SKG, chimed in on the subject this week to reassure fans that the movie's three main stars, Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz and Eddie Murphy, have all agreed to appear in Shrek 2.
He also shed some light on the plot. Apparently, Shrek and Fiona return from their honeymoon to find that Fiona's parents have gotten word of their nuptials and have invited the newlyweds to come visit their kingdom (aptly called, Far Far Away). Unfortunately, they don't know about Fiona's curse and are surprised to learn that their new son-in-law is a 700 pound ogre.
A frenzy of TV nostalgia dominates May television Sweeps.
Disney reports a $259 million profit in the second quarter.
What's the greatest television show of all time? To the editors of TV Guide, it's "Seinfeld."
Henry Winkler gives his thumb up to "Hollywood Squares."
IF YOU'VE BEEN WAITING FOR SEASON TWO, WELL THEN...
The 3 discs contained in the M*A*S*H: Season Two Collector's Edition box set will include all 24 second season episodes of the series (SRP $39.98), including favorites The Incubator, Five O'Clock Charlie, and Carry On Hawkeye. As with Season One, each episode on the DVD is presented in English, French and Spanish, and with the option of turning off the laugh track in English.
FOX GIVES IT'S FIVE STAR FILM THE FIVE STAR TREATMENT
The nineties produced more action movies than anyone could ever remember. One of the few that still brings a smile to faces is the Keanu Reeves high-speed flick Speed. Although the current DVD release is adequate, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment is prepping a Five Star Special Edition DVD for release in July.
Keanu Reeves stars as Jack Traven, an L.A.P.D. SWAT team specialist who is sent to diffuse a bomb that a revenge-driven extortionist (Dennis Hopper) has planted on a bus. But until he does, Jack and passenger Sandra Bullock must keep the bus speeding through the streets of Los Angeles at more than 50 miles per hour - or the bomb will explode.
Going well beyond the original DVD release, the new two-disc set will feature an anamorphic widescreen transfer and audio in Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS 5.1, the numerous extras include an audio commentary by director Jan De Bont and a second audio commentary featuring Graham Yost and Mark Gordon, 5 extended scenes including Jack shoots Payne in the neck, Payne lives/cops party, Annie's job, After Helen's death and Ray's Crime), four multi-angle stunt comparisons, five featurettes titled On Location, Stunts, Visual Effects, Bus Jump and Metro Rail Crash, storyboard to film comparisons, interviews with Keanu Reeves, Sandra Bullock, Dennis Hopper, Jeff Daniels and Jan De Bont, the HBO First Look special, the original theatrical trailer, TV spots, a music video, production notes, the original screenplay and an image gallery.
Whew. Fox certainly doesn't mess around when it comes to their five star editions. The new disc will street on July 30th. The disc will be available for $26.98 by itself, and will also be available boxed with a newly restored version of the dreadful Speed 2 in a box set priced at $39.98.
The "Star Wars: Episode II- Attack Of The Clones" music video for John Williams' "Across the Stars" is now online!
Across the Stars is an original composition by John Williams, crafted specifically for the music video. It takes a number of major themes and melodies from throughout the Episode II score and combines it into a single piece. The music video includes documentary footage of the scoring session with Williams and the London Symphony Orchestra as well as scenes from Attack of the Clones.
The Episode II soundtrack is available now from Sony Classical.
Across the Stars has a running time of 4 minutes and 32 seconds.
Santana Decides on "Shaman"
Carlos Santana has decided on a name for his next album, due to be released in late 2002- "Shaman."
The album will be Santana's first since the 14-times platinum SUPERNATURAL. Santana has been trying out new material at his concerts this season, including "Aye Aye Aye," "Love to the People," and a cover of Angelique Kidjo's "Adouma."
HOW ABOUT STALLONE AS A VILLAIN?
Fancy Sylvester Stallone as a villain? It might just work. StalloneZone is reporting that the former box office champ might be joining Tom Cruise for the final (that's what they say) instalment in the Mission: Impossible series.
And to add to this, Stallone is linked to two other Tom Cruise/Paramount Picture movies..."Deathrace 3000" and "Dolan's Cadillac" which Tom would produce.
Next up though Stallone will do the film version of "The Green." Stallone would play Eddie Caminetti, a golf hustler who reluctantly gets dragged into the upper-crust world of playing for the American team in the Ryder Cup matches - golf's most prestigious event. Stallone is committed and Samuel L. Jackson has expressed interest in playing the team's coach. The project will be produced jointly with Crusader Entertainment (which owns the rights to the 100 million dollar action/adventure "Sahara" that! Sly is also lobbying to star in) and Paramount Pictures.
THE INCREDIBLE HULK SWINGS WITH SPIDER- MAN
Next month Universal Pictures will include a teaser trailer for Hulk with every print of Spider-Man. Audience members will get a chance to have their first impression of Eric Bana's tortured scientist as the actor narrates the trailer.
And thanks to a friend who works with gamma radiation, we've got a description of what you'll see in the approximately one-minute long trailer!
The trailer begins outside a typical residential house. The camera moves inside and we see Bruce Banner (Eric Bana), viewed from behind, looking into a bathroom sink mirror. Bana's voice narrates the scene saying he's frightened, not of what he's becoming, but that he's begining to enjoy it. At that point the camera dives in to a close-up of his eyes, which are changing to green. Suddenly we see his home explode from the inside.
The trailer will ship with all prints of Spider-Man but it will be up to the discretion of the theater managers as to whether or not to attach the Hulk teaser trailer with Spider-Man or another movie. However, our source expects most multiplexes to attach at least one copy to a print of Spider-Man.
There's a "new" TV show in the works: "Law & Order: Dragnet."
HE'S BAAACK
Rapper Eminem is playing Osama bin Laden in the video for "Without Me," the first single from his new album, 'The Eminem Show.' The video features Eminem portraying Bin Laden as a guest on The Sally Jesse Raphael Show.
HIT AND RUN
Zoo Productions is pitching a new 13-episode cable reality series titled "Ultimate Dodgeball," based on the kiddie game, Daily Variety reports.
C'MON, C'MON
R&B superstar Ashanti edged out Sheryl Crow to remain atop the album charts this week. Her self-titled disc sold 190,000 copies, while Crow's C'Mon, C'Mon sold 185,000.
CANNES DO
The 55th Annual Cannes Film Festival announced its lineup for competition Wednesday. Among the American entries: Paul Thomas Anderson's "Punch-Drunk Love" starring Adam Sandler, "About Schmidt" starring Jack Nicholson and "Bowling for Columbine" directed by Michael Moore.
The festival kicks off May 15.
Jay Leno continues to whine about stuff as he looks back at 10 Years as host of "The Tonight Show."
Boo hoo, Jay! Boo hoo!
Some former major music label refugees are eyeing Independant homes.
The nominees have been announced for the annual MTV Movie Awards.
And look, there's not a Halle Berry in teh bunch!
...Sony Pictures has the strongest Summer Movie slate.
Television's May Sweeps begins tonight.
What is Sweeps, you ask? Well, it's certainly not something the Leafs will be doing to the Islanders.
Auction Features 'Seinfeld' Items
For a price, you can bring some of your "Seinfeld" memories home — like Kramer's crazy shirts. A couple of them, and lots of other "Seinfeld" memorabilia, are up for auction online at Sotheby's through May 7, 2002.
The site features a softball uniform Bette Midler wore when she made a guest appearance in an episode that featured George sliding into her at home plate.
Also up for sale is artwork from Jerry's and Elaine's apartments and George's office when he worked for the New York Yankees. There are also plenty of scripts and props, including the triangle sculpture from "The Junior Mint" episode.
Lee Dunbar, vice president of Sothebys, is the auction house's specialist for the sale.
"I have the greatest job in the world," she said. "When your whole work is to bone up on the 'Seinfeld' episodes that you haven't seen over the past couple years and match the props to the episode, life is pretty good."
Proceeds go to Hollywood CPR, a charity that trains disadvantaged kids in specialized trade skills for the entertainment industry. This includes instruction in prop-making, model-making, set design and construction, sculpting, robotics and special effects.
"It's the ultimate recycling," Dunbar said. "We take the profit from the props and we give them back so we can train more people to make props."
AOL Time Warner reports a $54 BILLION loss.
Maybe they should hire me, or buy this website!
Pop Singer Jewel Thrown From Horse
Pop singer Jewel was injured when she was thrown from a horse at the Texas ranch of her boyfriend, rodeo star Ty Murray, the co-president of her record label said Wednesday.
Jewel, 27, broke her collarbone, her first rib and suffered bumps and bruises, Ron Shapiro, co-president at Atlantic Records, told The Associated Press.
Shapiro said the platinum-selling singer was vacationing at her boyfriend's ranch, about 90 miles southwest of Dallas, when she was thrown from the colt Wednesday.
"They've confirmed to me that nothing was life-threatening," Shapiro said. "But she is badly hurt."
An ambulance was not called, he said. Murray drove the star to his orthopedic surgeon for treatment. She will not be hospitalized, but will need to wear a collar and a sling for at least four weeks, said Shapiro.
Because of the accident, Jewel will have to cancel her promotional tour for her latest disc, "This Way." A European tour that was to have started May 10 in Italy is in doubt, but she should be able to go on with her U.S. tour, which is due to begin June 14 in Tampa, Fla.
Shapiro said he wasn't sure what caused the accident, but said the singer, whose full name is Jewel Kilcher, was an experienced horse rider.
"I think it was a freak accident. She does ride horses very frequently," he said.
Only last month, singer Lyle Lovett was seriously hurt when he was trampled by a bull at his uncle's farm in Texas. He will require months of rehabilitation to repair his broken right leg.
"This Way" is Jewel's third disc. The singer has also written two books, including 1998's "A Night Without Armor: Poems." She made her acting debut in Ang Lee's "Ride With the Devil" in 1999.
Murray is seven-time winner of rodeo's all-around world title.
Wow! What to watch? What to watch?!? Tonight's "The Bachelor" finale will take on "Friends" and "Survivor: Marqueses."
And then there is the NHL playoffs...
Spider- Man
Director: Sam Raimi
Screenwriter: David Koepp; Based on the Marvel Comic Book by: Stan Lee, Steve Ditko
Peter Parker/Spider-Man: Tobey Maguire
Norman Osborn/Green Goblin: Willem Dafoe
Mary Jane Watson: Kirsten Dunst
Running time 120 minutes
After years of false starts and legal problems the first big screen version of the classic comic book hero “Spider- Man” is set to spin into theatres on May 3, 2002.
Director Sam Raimi (Darkman, A Simple Plan, The Evil Dead films) was eventually chosen to give Spidey his cinematic bow over Chris Columbus, who went on to do great things with “Harry Potter.” That choice plays wise in a film that is rooted in the two worlds that best suit this superhero - a comic- book geography, in which the character can climb and spin through the urban jungle just as non-Ritalin induced kids scamper about a jungle gym, and old B-movies, where things happen with a rush and no one is afraid to be a little corny.
But I like corn. Especially Popcorn.
Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) may be close with his beloved Aunt May (Rosemary Harris) and idealistic Uncle Ben (Cliff Robertson), but in a change to the comic books, his academic life isn't quite so rosy. For one thing, he repeatedly gets picked on by his fellow high school students, but more importantly, the love of his life, red-headed beauty Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst), hardly knows he exists.
At a science-class outing to a research lab, Peter is bitten by a genetically altered spider. The next morning, he discovers that a) he doesn't need his glasses, b ) his body is buffed out and c) he has spiderlike powers including the ability to cling to any surface, spin tough-as-rope webs and make tremendous leaps. The movie takes some time to explore and have a lot of fun of the latter as the young man explores the range of his new abilities.
But not soon after initially reveling in his newfound web-spinning powers, he learns the hard way that with great power comes great responsibility.
Spider-Man's main opponent this outing is the Green Goblin (Willem Dafoe), industrialist Norman Osborn in “real life” and father to his best buddy Harry (James Franco). The Green Goblin is a conflicted villain. He holds schizophrenic conversations with himself -- staring into a mirror or at his evil mask --as he struggles against the villainy that has invaded his body. It is once that villainy is set free that “Spider- Man” really gets into gear.
With a lesser cast the script could have come off as weak and contrived, but in the hands of the exceptionally talented Maguire, Dafoe and Dunst it plays just right. Said script also does a decent job of combining the origins of Spidey as we know it in the comics and creating a new world for him here.
Unfortunately some of the action sequences and computer graphics take away from the movie. It’s almost as if this $100 million+ film was made on a cheap shoestring budget. Maybe if the lighting approach wasn't so bright, this is not a dark film, it could have covered up the apparent mistakes. I enjoyed the film more than “Superman” but it fails in many areas compared to the first “Batman.”
But I do have to admit that I liked it. I liked it a lot! I thought it was really great! Not awesome, but great!
Ultimately this release does what the doctor ordered: It sets up “Spider-Man” for a tent pole series that will continue for a long while, or at least until Maguire tires of the role, provides a satisfying first episode and compelling Jekyll-and-Hyde villain, establishes the hero's love interest in Kirsten Dunst's Mary Jane Watson and leaves enough threads dangling so you're eager for the next episode.
I guess you could say that "Spider-Man" is a flawed masterpiece. A masterpiece that you’ll likely see more than a few times.
So enjoy the popcorn, and I’ll see you at the movies!
By Dan Reynish, April 10, 2002.
The Cannes Film Festival has announced it's 2002 selections.
AN OFFER HE COULDN'T REFUSE
Sopranos star Robert Iler pleading guilty Tuesday to petty larceny for mugging two youths and stealing $40. In exchange for the plea, the 17-year-old actor was granted youthful-offender status and will receive three years' probation.
The "Star Wars: Episode II- Attack Of The Clones" toys have hit stores.
In case you need to know, "Star Trek: Nemesis'" cast members reveal plot points.
Playwright working on 'Indy 4' script
Although there have been countless false-starts to the fourth Indiana Jones film, Variety reports that the project is getting back on track with an unlikely new screenwriter: Tom Stoppard.
Stoppard earned his reputation as a playwright ("Rosencrantz And Guildenstern Are Dead," "The Real Thing") before shifting into screenwriting with credits such as Terry Gilliam's "Brazil," the Oscar-winning "Shakespeare In Love", and the forthcoming Mick Jagger-produced spy film "Enigma."
So what's the connection between high-brow Stoppard and the Indiana Jones franchise's kings of popcorn movies, Steven Spielberg and George Lucas? Answer: the man who plays Indiana Jones himself.
Variety says Stoppard did some rewrite work on star Harrison Ford's forthcoming submarine thriller "K-19: The Widowmaker." And Stoppard reportedly did some uncredited script-doctoring to 1989's "Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade." He also has a history with Spielberg, writing the screenplay for the director's adaptation of J.G. Ballard's "Empire Of The Sun."
While Stoppard will be responsible for writing the screenplay, Variety said Lucas is the one who came up with a story idea that energized both Spielberg and Ford, although no details have been released as to the plot.
Over the years, there have been dozens of rumoured scenarios for "Indian Jones 4." Jeffrey Boam ("Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade, "Lethal Weapon 3") was said to be working on a treatment back in 1999. M. Night Shyamalan ("The Sixth Sense") was also rumoured to be cooking up his own sequel script, while "Traffic" screenwriter Stephen Gaghan was also said to be in talks with Lucas and Spielberg.
Meanwhile, impatient fans have taken matters into their own hands, circulating unofficial sequel scripts with titles such as "Indiana Jones And The Sword Of Arthur" and "Indiana Jones And The Saucermen From Mars."
Variety said Stoppard's screenplay is to be in place so "Indiana Jones 4" can go into production in 2004. In January, Spielberg told Fox News that "Indy 4" would be his priority once he completes "Catch Me If You Can" with Leonardo DiCaprio.
Kirsten Dunst: On kissing older guys.
Call me, sweetie!
For the record, the song by The Police is not in the new Sandra Bullock film "Murder By Numbers."
And it could have used it!
WORST NAME EVER!
In the May 2002 issue of WIZARD, "The Simpsons" creator, and uber- god, Matt Groening says;
"We never officially gave hime a name, but in the back of my mind the name that I have for Comic Book Guy is Louis Lane."
Well, at least it's better than Kosmo Kramer.
Personally, for reasons I won't bore you with, I am not "allowed" to buy any new DVD's until "Jerry Maguire" comes out next Tuesday.
Luckily, even though the list is long, it is a slow week for new DVD's. But take a look at that list, huh?!?
Here are the new DVD releases for Tuesday, April 23, 2002.
The 400 Blows
Adam Sandler Nice & Naughty
The Allnighter
Along For The Ride
Angels In The Outfield
Antoine & Coll/Les Mistons
Asoka
Back To The Secret Garden
Bare Witness
Batman
Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero
Batman & Robin
The Batman & Superman Movie
Batman Beyond: Return Of The Joker
Batman Beyond: Return Of The Joker (Special Edition)
Batman Beyond: The Movie
Batman Forever
Batman: Mask Of The Phantasm
Batman: The Legend Begins
Bed And Board
Behind Enemy Lines
The Big Sleep
The Blank Generation
Blue Collar
The Boys From Brazil
Brotherhood Of Murder
Buena Vista Social Club
Butterflies Are Free
Cactus Flower
The Cassandra Crossing
Confidentially Yours
Courage Under Fire
Darkness Falls
Dracula: The Dark Prince
FM
Ghost Goes Gear
Happenstance
Hard Lessons
Hitched
Homeward Bound II: Lost In San Francisco
Hostage High
Inspectors 2
Iron Will
The Item
Jay Jay The Jet Plane - Learning Life's
Jay Jay The Jet Plane - Supersonic Pals
The Jean Claude Van Damme Collection Vol (Set)
Jules And Jim
Justice League
L.A. Story
The Learning Curve
Looking For An Echo
Love On The Run
Made
Men Of Honor
Metropolis
Mountains Of The Moon
My First Mister (Widescreen)
Nikki, Wild Dog Of The North
Novocaine
The Passion Of Ayn Rand
Rambling Rose
Ran
Random Acts Of Violence
Rated X
Repo Man
Robin Cook's Acceptable Risk
Second To Die
Shoot The Piano Player
The Soft Skin
Spriggan (Widescreen)
Stolen Kisses
Straight To Hell
Superman (Special Edition)
Superman Gift Set (Boxed Set)
Superman II
Superman III
Superman IV: The Quest For Peace
The Survivors
Tapeheads
Tart
That'll Be The Day
Ticker
Times Square
Torso
The Transformers: Volume 1 (Collector's Edition)
The Transformers: Volume 2 (Collector's Edition)
The Transformers: Volume 3 (Collector's Edition)
Two English Girls
U.S. SEALS 2
White Fang
White Fang 2: Myth Of The White Wolf
The Wishmaster Set
Well, there's nothing here that I would buy, download or request, but that is me. Love of music, and artists, is subjective.
So hopefully there is something you will buy, love and enjoy in the new CD releases for Tuesday, April 23, 2002.
* ATB Dedicated (Popular)
* DAVID BOWIE The BBC Sessions 1969-72 (EMI)
* DISHWALLA Opaline
* JEFFERY LEWIS The Last Time I Did Acid (Sanctuary Records)
* LUPINE HOWL Vaporizer (Beggars Group)
* MARILLION Anorak in the UK: Live (EMI)
* MICHELLE SHOCKED Deep Natural
* MIDTOWN Living Well is the Best Revenge (MCA)
* MIKE OLDFIELD Collection (Virgin)
* PAUL WESTERBERG Stereo (TVT)
* ROBERT MICHAELS Allegro (Domestic)
* SEVEN WITCHES Xiled To Infinity and One (Sanctuary Records)
* SHONEN KNIFE Millennium Edition (Universal)
* TUULI Here We Go (Linus Entertainment/Warner)
* VIRGIN STEELE The Book Of Burning (Sanctuary Records)
* VIRGIN STEELE Hymns To Victory (Sanctuary Records)
* WATERBOYS The Waterboys (reissue) (EMI)
* WATERBOYS A Pagan Place (reissue) (EMI)
* WILCO Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (Nonesuch/Warner/Warner)
Even though there is a new "Star Wars" film due in less than a month, "Spider- Man" tops many Spring Movie Previews.
But not mine, I'm excited about "Star Wars!"
...Eminem is dressing up like Osama Bin Laden for his next video.
McLachlan, Bryan Adams record duet
A recently recorded duet between Bryan Adams and Sarah McLachlan will likely have the unique distinction of being the latter's last recorded work before becoming a mom.
Adams and McLachlan recorded the ballad "Don't Let Go" three weeks ago for Adams' soundtrack to the upcoming DreamWorks animated film "Spirit: Stallion Of The Cimarron." The actual sessions for the song were conducted a mere two days before McLachlan became a mom, Adams' spokeswoman, Kim Blake, said.
"It was very close," Blake told Canoe on Monday. "(Adams) wanted to get it done, in case anything happened (with the pregnancy)."
McLachlan and husband Ashwin Sood announced earlier this month that their first child, a girl named India, was born on April 6.
McLachlan recently took a six-month break from work on the follow-up to her 1997 studio album "Surfacing". She had completed nine songs for the project before going on hiatus.
"Spirit: Stallion Of The Cimarron" is due in theatres May 24, and the soundtrack is expected in stores May 14.
While most animated films are created after the music has been composed, Blake said Adams was approached to write music for "Spirit" once the movie had been completed.
"Don't Let Go," the duet with McLachlan, was composed specifically for the film. While the song will appear on the soundtrack, it is one of three tracks on the album that will not appear in the finished movie, Blake said.
Universal will replace Spy Game
One of the inevitabilities of a complicated format like DVD is the occasional poorly transferred disc making it to stores. Such is the case with the Universal Studios Home Entertainment and the recent release of the wanna be thriller Spy Game.
Many viewers were disappointed to learn that the subtitles were acting very strange on their players, particularly Sony and Toshiba models.
Universal has admitted their error and has agreed to replace any defective discs with a new fixed version. If you need to replace your disc, send the disc without the case to:
Spy Game DVD Return
PO Box 224468
Dallas, TX 75260
Spider-Man: The Ultimate Villain Showdown is arriving on DVD
To tie in with the theatrical release of Sam Raimi’s live action version of Stan Lee’s Spider-Man, Buena Vista Home Entertainment is releasing the animated version of the movie on DVD.
Spider-Man: The Ultimate Villain Showdown pits Spider-Man against his greatest foes. It is head-to-head action against such super-villains as the Green Goblin, the sinister doctor Octopus, the monstrous criminal The Kingpin and more, and the film also reveals the origins of Spider-Man’s arch-enemy, the Green Goblin himself.
Scheduled for release on April 30, “Spider-Man: The Ultimate Villain Showdown” will also include Interviews with legendary comics creator Stan Lee, as well as the classic 1967 Animated Episode The Origins of Spider-Man. A Villains Gallery and cool menus round out the release.
Was Shakespeare gay? (Not that there's anything wrong with that!)
Get out your lei's! Dreamworks has booked a "Hawaii Five- O" feature film.
Linda Lovelace has died at the age of 53.
Doesn't that make you feel old...
Former actor Robert Blake's murder case reads like a movie script.
Fast Fact- Did you know he began his career on "The Little Rascals" TV show?
Rosie O'Donnell will be the host of the "Survivor: Marquesas" reunion special the night a winner is revealed in the CBS game, taking over a role held by Bryant Gumbel.
What, was NO ONE else available!??!
WILL FERRELL IS AN ELF AND HAS A SWINGER DIRECTOR
Jon Favreau has signed on to direct Will Ferrell's ELF. Ferrell plays a man raised by elves at the North Pole after he falls into Santa's sack as a kid. Full grown, Ferrell is too tall to play any elf games and so the elves try to take him back to his family.
THERE ARE ONLY 4 EPISODES LEFT
Gillian Anderson told SCI FI Wire that she and David Duchovny started their journey together on The X-Files nine years ago, so she's pleased that he will return for "The Truth," the two-hour series finale that's now before the cameras. "I would have thought, 'Well, wait a minute, this isn't right. This isn't right,'" Anderson said in an interview, explaining how she might have reacted had Duchovny not agreed to play Fox Mulder to her Dana Scully one last time on the series.
Anderson, who is contracted to appear in a second feature film based on The X-Files, added, "I'm very glad that the show is completely ending now, because I have a feeling that even though I would have mourned to a certain degree in saying goodbye, there would have been something left undone. It wouldn't have been as clean, and I feel like we have an opportunity now to really tie it up in a whole, constructive and completing way."
Fox will air "The Truth" on May 19.
PHANTOM MENACE
Lucasfilm acknowledging in a marketing pitch to Hasbro toy dealers that Star Wars: Episode I--The Phantom Menace "did not live up to expectations," and that the upcoming Attack of the Clones will have "a darker feel, closer to the original saga," with "no silly characters or kids," Newsweek reports.
Hey, did you know that it's TV Turn Off Week, from April 22-28, an international week of electronic abstinence.
Hee hee hee...
Summer is no vacation for the major television networks.
But it is for us!!!! Who wants to play some golf?
"Spider-Man" spins a towering tribute to New York.
The Academy Awards are kicking off their 75th Anniversary next month.
Good luck to Jodie Foster for "Panic Room."
Sylvester Stallone has been named "The Action Star Of The Millennium."
Yo, Adrian, indeed!
SPIDER- MAN REVIEW
Okay, so I saw the upcoming summer uber- blockbuster "Spider- Man" a few weeks ago and I haven't been able to tell you what I thought.
And I still can't. Not until Wednesday.
So come back here, to anythingbut.com, on Wednesday, April 24th, 2002, for my review of "Spider- Man."
"Seven", "Fight Club" and "Panic Room" director David Fincher takes over the "MIssion: Impossible" reins.
Sweeeeet!
IF AT FIRST YOU AREN'T HAPPY, TINKER AND RETOOL AGAIN
News that George Lucas was shooting additional footage for the original Star Wars trilogy while bashing out Attack of The Clones caused more than a few fans to quiver with excitement. The new extended editions have yet to get any kind of release date but you can bet your last Boba Fett action figurine that hordes of us will be making room for them next to our original, widescreeen, digitally re-mastered, THX optimized and Special Edition copies.
While George has successfully kept all details of the extras beneath his beard, Star Wars maestro John Williams has been scoring the extra scenes and shared a few thought with Dutch music magazine, Score.
"I am thrilled to have the chance to go back to something I composed in 1977 and be able to make the entire saga continuous theme-wise," said Williams. "Notably absent in the first movie is the Imperial March. Being able to insert that theme in the first movie will create a much stronger emotional flow throughout the Saga."
"After the release of Episode III George will enhance the original trilogy with additional scenes and special effects, adding my adjustments to the score this will seamlessly branch the entire Star Wars Saga into one massive romantic space opera. I think something of this magnitude has never been done before."
THE MUMMY MAN AS SUPERMAN?
If you've ever dreamed of seeing Brendan Fraser, in tights you'll be ecstatic to learn that the Mummy actor looks set to play Superman in the next movie about the superhero.
The film, which is as yet untitled, will feature the death of superman, who will then come back to life to defeat his arch-rival Lex Luthor. Several famous Hollywood actresses, including Catherine Zeta Jones, Jennifer Lopez and Cameron Diaz, have expressed interest in playing the journalist/love interest part of Lois Lane.
Christopher Reeve played the Man of Steel in the three Superman films made in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Universal may want you to forget that there was a "Jurassic Park III."
Lisa Bonet won't be part of the upcoming 'Cosby Show Reunion' next month.
Even though it, and he, ruled the Weekend Box Office "The Mummy 3" won't include The Scorpion King or The Rock.
SHAGADELIC, BABY!
New Line launched an all-new Austin Powers Website on Friday that includes behind-the-scenes footage of the upcoming sequel, Austin Powers in Goldmember, and a "virtual Austin" tour.
Enjoy it, baby!
The Disney and Pixar Venture unveils 3 New Movies.
The surviving members of Nirvana want Courtney Love to see a psychiatrist.
Tonya Harding has been cited for drunk driving.
"The Scorpion King" sets a new record as it tops the Box Office in North American theatres.
It's official!!!! Sammy Hagar and David Lee Roth, both former singers of Van Halen, are going on tour together!!
Yes, I'd like a ticket please! TO EVERY SHOW!!
Tying "The X- Files" TV show and the upcoming film in one nice set.
Some good stuff is coming out today on DVD and video, and then there is that Martin Lawrence movie.
So choose what you will as we proudly present the new DVD and video releases for Tuesday, April 16, 2002.
Domestic Disturbance (PG-13)- Natural father protects son from abusive stepfather. (John Travolta, Vince Vaughn, Teri Polo)
Black Knight (PG-13)- A hustler from the present is transported to Middle Ages. (Martin Lawrence, Tom Wilkinson, Marsha Thomason)
The Deep End (R)- A mother covers up for her son's involvement in a murder. (Tilda Swinton, Goran Visnjic, Jonathan Tucker)
The Man Who Wasn't There (R)- A 1940s barber blackmails his wife's lover. (Billy Bob Thornton, Frances McDormand, James Gandolfini)
Texas Rangers (PG-13)- A band of young cowboys clean up the West after Civil War. (Dylan McDermott, James Van Der Beek, Usher Raymond)
Kids In The Hall: Same Guys, New Dresses (Not Rated)- Catch the insanity on and off the stage with The Kids in the Hall as they barnstorm across North America on their historic 2000 reunion tour. This hysterical documentary, directed by Dave Foley, goes almost too far behind the scenes as Canada's funny fab five get their act together and take it on the road.
Paragraph 175 (Not Rated)- The untold chapter of the Nazi persecution of homosexuals. (Rupert Everett)
Perfume (R)- Two women struggle in New York City's fashion industry. (Carmen Electra, Omar Epps, Peter Gallagher)
Rough Air (Not Rated)- An airplane becomes a thrill ride when crago door is lost. (Eric Roberts, Alexandra Paul)
Tape (R)- Three high school friends reunite to finish their past. (Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman, Robert Sean Leonard)
Wrong Number (Not Rated)- An Internet millionaire is murdered. (Eric Roberts, Brigitte Bako)
With a new CD due there's little rest for Nelly Furtado.
Canadian uber- band Rush has announced their 2002 summer tour, and they plan on resurrecting older songs as well.
Awesome, baby! Awesome!
As we head slowly into the delicious summer the Music companies are slowly starting to release music that is more worthy of out time.
And today is no exception. We get a very worthy release this day courtesy of the luscious Sheryl Crow!
Here's a look at the rest of the new CD releases for Tuesday, April 16, 2002.
* A GLOBAL THREAT Here We Are
* ANDY WILLIAMS 25 All-Time Greatest Hits: 1956-1961 The Cadence Years (Varese Sarabande)
* ASHANTI Foolish (Def Jam)
* BAABA MAAL Missing You (Palm)
* BILL CHARLAP Stardust (Blue Note)
* BILL LASWELL & JAH WOBBLE Radio Axiom (Palm)
* BILLY VAUGHN The Billy Vaughn Collection (Varese Sarabande)
* CASKET LOTTERY Survival is For Cowards
* CINEMATIC ORCHESTRA All that You Give (Ninja Tune)
* CRAIG ARMSTRONG As If To Nothing (Virgin)
* DENALI Denali (Jade Tree)
* DIANE CRAIG Fortunes Told (Other People's Music)
* DJ ALIGATOR Payback Time (Popular)
* FATS DOMINO Fats Domino Jukebox (Capitol)
* FLAW Through the Eyes (Universal)
* FRICTION Hours of Operation: Discography 1991-1994 (Polyvinyl)
* GIGI Gigi (Palm)
* GOGI GRANT Her Very Best (Varese Sarabande)
* JANE SIBERRY Love Is Everything: The Jane Siberry Anthology (Rhino)
* JELLO BIAFRA Big Ka-Boom, Part One (Alternative Tentacles)
* KAIA Oregon (Mr. Lady)
* LA MOSCA TSE TSE Visperas de Carnaval (EMI Latin)
* LENNY SOLOMON After You've Gone (Virgin)
* MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER Yellow Stone - The Music of Nature (American Gramaphone)
* MU330 Ultra Panic (Asian Man Records)
* MUKEKA DI RATO Acabar Com Voce
* NORTEC COLLECTION Tijuana Sessions (Palm)
* OASIS The Hindu Times (single) (Sony)
* PAUL ANKA Live in Las Vegas (Varese Sarabande)
* PEDRO THE LION Control (Jade Tree)
* PORTABLE Only If You Look Up (TVT)
* RACHELLE FERREL Live At Montreux (Blue Note)
* ROKY ERICKSON & THE ALIENS The Evil One (Sympathy For The Record Industry)
* RUSTED ROOT Welcome to My Party (Island)
* SHERYL CROW C'mon, C'mon (A&M)
* SKINDIVE Skindive (Palm)
* SLY & ROBBIE Strip To The Bone (Palm)
* TEYE El Gitano Punky (Other People's Music)
* THE BALDWIN BROTHERS Cooking With Lasers (TVT)
* THE BEARDS Funtown (Sympathy For The Record Industry)
* THE CONSTANTINES The Modern Sinner Nervous Man
* THE FULL NINE The Full Nine (Hollywood)
* THE KENT 3 Spells
* THE TOASTERS Enemy of the System (Asian Man Records)
* TRISTEZA Tristeza (Gravity)
* VARIOUS ARTISTS Finger Poppin' And Stompin' Feet (Capitol)
* VARIOUS ARTISTS Sunday Morning Coffee (American Gramaphone)
* VARIOUS ARTISTS Progressive Development 1 (Nettwerk)
* VARIOUS ARTISTS Bluegrass Mountain Style (Rounder)
* VARIOUS ARTISTS True Bluegrass (Rounder)
* VARIOUS ARTISTS Ska Almighty (Rounder)
* VARIOUS ARTISTS A-F Records Sampler
* VARIOUS ARTISTS Apocalypse Always (Alternative Tentacles)
* VARIOUS ARTISTS Jade Tree Sampler (Jade Tree)
Dude, Where's the Sequel?
Twentieth Century Fox is developing a sequel to its low-budget hit comedy "Dude, Where's My Car?"
Entitled "Seriously Dude, Where's My Car?," the new picture would follow the adventures of two sophomoric underachievers, played by Ashton Kutcher and Seann William Scott, who -- thanks to some particularly potent marijuana -- are once more comedically denied the whereabouts of their ride.
The decision seems obvious, at least on a financial level: the $14 million picture "Dude, Where's My Car?" grossed $73 million worldwide since its 2000 release.
The studio is in final negotiations to sign producers Gil Netter and Wayne Rice and screenwriter Philip Stark for the sequel. It plans to shoot the film next year during Kutcher's summer hiatus from hit sitcom "That '70s Show," where Stark formerly served as a story editor.
Miramax Buys 'Seinfeld' Documentary
Miramax Films has inked for worldwide rights to "Comedian," a documentary about Jerry Seinfeld's year on the road doing standup gigs after "Seinfeld" ended its hugely successful NBC run. No release date is set.
The documentary, which had been offered to other distributors, went to Miramax following protracted negotiations. Seinfeld financed the picture himself.
Directed by Christian Charles and produced by Gary Streiner, the Ogilvy and Mather creatives who made Seinfeld's American Express commercials, "Comedian" takes audiences behind the scenes as Seinfeld travels from venue to venue for his standup gigs. It also includes appearances by Seinfeld pals Colin Quinn, Chris Rock and Garry Shandling.
The 100-minute picture, shot on mini DV, offers up Seinfeld post-bachelorhood -- a less private comic able to mock singleness and marriage at the same time.
NO LONGER SPONGE-WORTHY?
SpongeBob Squarepants creator Steve Hillenburg telling the Los Angeles Times that, after 60 episodes, he is taking an indefinite break from the hit Nickelodeon 'toon. The cable net has the option of continuing without him.
PHONING HOME
Steven Spielberg's rerelease of E.T. earned $1.5 million over the weekend to surpass Star Wars: Episode I--The Phantom Menace for third place on the all-time domestic box office list. Its 20-year total now stands at $433 million, behind the original Star Wars and Titanic.
MOURNED
Robert Urich, the Emmy-winning actor who became a fixture on American television with starring roles on Vega$ and Spenser: For Hire, died early Tuesday after a long battle with cancer. Urich was 55.
"ROCKY IV" STAR DOLPH LUNDGREN ANNOUNCES HIS RETIREMENT
B-movie star Dolph Lundgren has announced his retirement from movie making. "I'd like to spend the next 20 years with my family and kids, taking life easy," said Lundgren to a Swedish tabloid. However, Lundgren does have one last movie on the way: STRAIGHT BLAST. In BLAST, Lundgren plays "a cold-blooded assassin."
NEW STAR WARS CEREAL ON THE WAY
Even though Episode II is technically new to every generation, General Mills has decided to "bring the fun and excitement of Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones to a new generation of kids" through sugary goodness such as cereal, yogurt, and fruit snacks. Their headlining product will be Episode II cereal that has sweetened corn puffs with seven different marshmallow shapes: a Clone Trooper, red and blue lightsabers, Yoda, R2-D2 the starship Slave I and the Jedi Starfighter. The cereal will be available in two different limited holographic boxes.
Russell Crowe wants to donate his brain to science. Eventually, that is.
5TH HARRY POTTER BOOK DELAYED
J.K. Rowling's HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX was slated to be published in May, but it has now been postponed indefinitely. ''She's still writing it. Until she delivers the manuscript, we won't announce a publication date,'' said a spokesperson for the American publisher.
Jet Li explains his decision to not enter "The Matrix."
MAN DID I HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!
Normally I wouldn't bore you with the details of what I did during the weekend. But what I was able to do this weeknd was far from normal.
I got to see Paul McCartney this weekend.
Now I'm not one to fawn all over musicians as I've been fortunate enought to see and meet a lot of them. But during Sir Paul's show at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto (Home of the Maple Leafs!) on Saturday- his only Canadian date on his "Driving Rain" tour- I had tears in my eyes.
It was so overwhelming I actually cried!
McCartney's 36-song set list was brimming with love songs to both his future and late wife and tributes to deceased bandmates George Harrison and John Lennon. Not to mention his own dearly departed mother and Lennon's son Julian. Still, McCartney was able to emphasize Beatles material over everything else in his two-and-a-half-hour show much to my delight and the 16,000 fans who sang along with me.
Yes, he kept the new stuff to a minimum and played song after Beatles song along with some choice cuts from his days with Wings and as a solo artist.
We in the Toronto audience also got the special added treat of "Mull Of Kintyre" during the second encore complete with a Pipe Band. The song wasn't a hit in America so he doesn't play the song there. Only in Canada, eh? Pity, indeed!
His stage was stripped down, with the exception of an abundance of video screens, which worked extremely well during the Beatles songs, All My Loving and Can't Buy Me Love, as black and white archival footage of The Fab Four was played in the background.
Paul McCartney sang old songs, he did recent ones and even some new tunes. He moved me.
Yet at the end of the show he thanks me, and the entire audience, for coming.
No Paul! Thank you!
SET LIST
* Hello Goodbye
* Jet
* All My Loving
* Getting Better
* Coming Up
* Let Me Roll It
* Lonely Road
* Driving Rain
* Your Loving Flame
* Blackbird
* Every Night
* We Can Work It Out
* Mother Nature's Son
* Vanilla Sky
* You Never Give Me Your Money/CarryThat Weight
* Fool On The Hill
* Here Today
* Something
* Eleanor Rigby
* Here There And Everywhere
* Band On The Run
* Back In The USSR
* Maybe I'm Amazed
* C Moon
* My Love
* Can't Buy Me Love
* Freedom
* Live And Let Die
* Let It Be
* Hey Jude
FIRST ENCORE
* The Long And Winding Road
* Lady Madonna
* I Saw Her Standing There
SECOND ENCORE
* Yesterday
* Mull Of Kintyre
* Sgt. Pepper's Reprise
* The End
After an sneak peak screening "Spider-Man" wins early raves from fans.
Man, do I have a secret I would love to share!
Watch it while you can! In a little over a month "The X- Files" will be gone. Done. Finished!
Diana Krall and Nickelback were the big winners at the 31st Annual Juno Awards.
FYI- It is expected that this was the last year the Awards will be called "The Junos." Next year rumour has it that they will be called "The Canadian Music Awards."
The "Spider- Man" soundtrack will feature Sum 41, Areosmith and others. Yup! It rocks!
Nicole Kidman says that her marriage break- up was "surreal."
Oasis is back with a new single.
Surprisingly it's not called "Wonderhall."
The Jodie Foster/David Fincher flick "Panic Room" fell from 1 to 2 and the Samuel L. Jackson/Ben Affleck flick "Changing Lanes" was the leader at the North American Weekend Box Office.
THIS TIME YOU GET ALL THE FACTS
Normally when I post something here I take the information and edit it down for you to read. With the announcement of the upcoming "Memento" Special Edition DVD I thought you should know everything I know so you can get as excited as I am.
So here is the official press release:
For Immediate Release
fo DVD noitidE-detimiL detiawA-gnoL
OTNEMEM
12 yaM desaeleR eb ot
Unexpected Mysteries and Surprises Fill
a Groundbreaking Two-Disc Set of MEMENTO
That Promises Puzzles and Enigmas Extending Beyond
Christopher Nolan’s Revolutionary Film
CULVER CITY, Calif. (April 12, 2002) -- MEMENTO, the intricately designed, double-Oscar-nominated cinematic mystery, will be released May 21 by Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment in a highly anticipated, two-disc limited-edition DVD designed by writer-director Christopher Nolan.
For viewers, the surprises and mysteries only begin with the critically lauded box-office hit, which was also nominated for a Golden Globe Award and was the winner of four Independent Spirit Awards, including Best Picture. In fact, the limited-edition DVD offers a series of mindbenders and challenges designed by Nolan that begin the moment one of the set’s two discs is inserted into the player. At its core, the DVD is constructed as an elaborate mental puzzle that the viewer must solve in order to watch the film and the added-value elements.
"I've enjoyed flexing my creative muscles to come up with something completely new and unique to the DVD format," said writer/director Christopher Nolan. "I hope fans of MEMENTO will enjoy not only the film, but also the extra features and challenges that the DVD offers."
The MEMENTO limited-edition DVD features the most extensive, full-length director’s commentary since the film’s theatrical release. One disc is devoted to the film itself, which has been digitally remastered and promises the best-ever viewing experience of MEMENTO. It also includes a surprise-filled commentary by Christopher Nolan.
The second disc offers a wealth of special features that includes the 23-minute documentary "Anatomy of a Scene." Originally shown on The Sundance Channel, it breaks down a single scene from script to design to photography to its final screen version. Also included on the limited-edition DVD is the original short story by Jonathan Nolan, as well as a a "director’s script" that allows viewers to dissect the film’s unique structure by switching between a scene and Nolan’s annotated film script by using a DVD player’s angle-change feature.
The newly designed limited edition of MEMENTO will be housed in some of the most unique and creative packaging ever produced, and within it viewers will find hidden assistance to solving the puzzles of the DVD.
In MEMENTO, Guy Pearce (L.A. Confidential) plays Leonard Shelby, a man who finds himself without any recollection of recent events - except the knowledge that his wife has been murdered. Using instant photos and a body filled with tattooed reminders, he pursues the man he believes responsible for his wife’s death. Or does he?
MEMENTO: Also starring Carrie-Anne Moss, Joe Pantoliano. Executive Producers Aaron Ryder, William Tyrer, Chris J. Ball. Produced by Suzanne Todd and Jennifer Todd. Screenplay by Christopher Nolan, based on a story by Jonathan Nolan. Directed by
Christopher Nolan.
ADDED-VALUE ELEMENTS
* Limited-Edition, Two-Disc Set
* Remastered in High Definition
* Widescreen Presentation
* Director’s Commentary
* Director’s Script
* "Anatomy of a Scene" Sundance Channel Documentary
* Production Stills and Sketches
* Theatrical Trailer, International Trailer and TV Advertising
* Audio: DTS English 5.1 (Dolby Digital) and 2-Channel (Dolby Surround)
* Subtitles: English, Spanish
* Scene Selections
MPAA Rating: R / Original Release: 2001
Price: $27.95
Color / Closed Captioned / 113 minutes
DVD #07646 / UPC Code: 0-43396-07646-4
Order Date: April 23, 2002
Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment is a Sony Pictures Entertainment company. Sony Pictures' global operations encompass motion picture production and distribution, television programming and syndication, home video acquisition and distribution, operation of studio facilities, development of new entertainment technologies and distribution of filmed entertainment in 67 countries worldwide. Sony Pictures Entertainment can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.spe.sony.com
End Of Release
GET READY TO LAUGH IN JULY
It's going to be an comedy bonanza from Paramount on July 16, with a big wave of fan favorites all hitting DVD for the first time. They all feature new anamorphic widescreen transfers plus English Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 surround tracks, except where noted.
And the titles are: Top Secret!, Kids in the Hall: Brain Candy, The Big Bus (mono only), Gung Ho, Better Off Dead (2.0 stereo only), Black Sheep, It Came From Hollywood (mono only), and the recent theatrical release Mean Machine.
Extras are minimal with only trailers, except for Top Secret, which includes an audio commentary by directors Jim Abrahams, David Zucker and Jerry Zucker, four alternate scenes with commentary, storyboards, and the trailer.
I'm giggling already!
"Actress" Pamela Anderson is engaged to marry "singer" Kid Rock.
Oh boy, I can't wait to see what their kids look like!
STAN LEE AND KEVIN SMITH TO RELEASE AN AWESOME DVD
Comic legend Stan Lee and "Dogma" director Kevin Smith have collaborated on a new documentary that tells all about the creation of Marvel Comics' characters -- including "Spider-Man."
The Hollywood Reporter said Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment has purchased distribution rights for the DVD and VHS release of "Stan Lee's Mutants, Monsters & Marvels."
Smith ("Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back," "Chasing Amy"), a devoted comic fan, conducted a two-hour interview with Lee and questioned him about the history of Marvel Comics and the creation of "Spider-Man," "The Incredible Hulk," "The X-Men," "The Silver Surfer," "Daredevil" and other Marvel heroes.
"This project is primarily about Spider-Man and Marvel Comics, which presents natural promotional opportunities with our 'Spider-Man' movie, especially since Stan and Kevin are excited to do press and publicity for this," Columbia's Michael Stratford told The Hollywood Reporter.
The project is due for release May 14, a mere 11 days after director Sam Raimi's "Spider-Man" movie opens in theatres, the report said.
"We also feel that this is a good opportunity to try something different -- it is a very different kind of program than anything we have released before. There is a lot of content there not just for die-hard fans but even for people who may be more interested in the movie than the comics," Stratford told The Hollywood Reporter.
It's no coincidence that the video comes at a time when Hollywood and movie audiences are displaying a healthy appetite for comic-book heroes. Aside from "Spider-Man" and an upcoming "X-Men" sequel, director Ang Lee is working on an "Incredible Hulk" movie, while "Daredevil," "Dr. Strange," "Ghost Rider" "Iron Fist" are among a host of properties from Marvel and other comic companies being adapted for the big screen.
"Comics are definitely getting more respect now, and that is mostly because of the movies," Lee told The Hollywood Reporter.
"Hollywood has started to realize that what you have to do is make all of the characters relevant and believable. The characters in these superhero movies, when you strip away the superpowers, they have to be characters you feel could really exist. I think people have started to realize that they may be comic characters, but you can't treat them in a silly way."
Captain Picard spills beans about new 'Trek' film
We can expect to see a whole new planet full of bad guys in the forthcoming "Star Trek: Nemesis" movie.
Patrick Stewart, who once again portrays Captain Picard, told TV Guide that the new film will show that Romulus has a sister planet called Remus.
"So you're going to meet the inhabitants of that planet, the Remans, who are quite unlike anything you've seen before," he told TV Guide.
"I think they might be the most successful aliens (makeup designer) Michael Westmore has ever produced -- I even include the Borg in saying this. He's brought an alien race to life in an entirely convincing way. There's something very novel and unique in their design. They're imposing and sinister in a very different way from the Borg," Stewart said.
The report said Stewart is also set to star in "King Of Texas," a TNT movie debuting June 2. He co-stars with Marcia Gay Harden and Lauren Holly in a re-telling of Shakespeare's "King Lear," transposed to the old West.
"Survivor 5" will take place in Thailand.
The Eagles Plan Summer Tour
Rock legends The Eagles are planning to hit the road again.
Billboard reports that the final dates of the tour are still being worked out, but the band will hit mostly secondary markets.
The Eagles will likely start off in Reno, Nev., and play about 30 dates. They are still working on a studio album, their first since "The Long Run" in 1979. Don Henley says he expects it to come out early next year.
A chilling tribute to John Lennon will be available for auction next week.
NEW BLADE RUNNER DVDelayed
Video Premieres Magazine (a trade-only publication from Variety) is reporting in their latest issue that the upcoming anniversary edition of Blade Runner has been delayed until at least 2003 due to "pesky legal clearances." There's been no official word yet from Warner Home Video.
This is funny! Who will be your final four? Take some time and make your picks and then dream away! Then get the gang together and announce your final four and winner over a few beers!
And good luck with some of those first round picks!
Now I know that you are curious as to the weekend's new films, don't you know curiosity killed the cat?!?!
Fortunately there are no cats at theatres this weekend!
But there is Red Green! The Possum Lodge funnyman stars with all of his cronies in the big screen version of the Red Green Show, which is aptly named Duct Tape Forever. Sure it's funny enough and I got a kick out of it, but I offer you 4 words in review: Wait For The Video.
You might hope you waited for the video of Frailty but then you might be glad you saw it. Frailty, which stars Matthew McConaughey and Bill Paxton (who also directed), is a thriller that finds the FBI searching for a serial killer who calls himself 'God's Hands.' You will either think it is a great thrill ride or dislike it immensely. There is no middle ground with this one.
There is no middle, or moral, ground to rely on in Changing Lanes, but that is what was good about it. Changing Lanes is a thought-provoking, sophisticated drama that explores the motivations behind our split second decision-making and the consequences that result.
Ben Affleck is a young Wall Street attorney on the fast track. Samuel L. Jackson, an insurance agent and recovering alcoholic engaged who is trying to get back on his feet again. The worlds of these two men suddenly collide during the morning rush hour traffic in New York.
Changing Lanes then focuses on the ethical decisions these characters make and the consequences their actions have on those around them. The 2 men get nasty, and luckily it is just a movie. But it's a good movie!
The Sweetest Thing, however, is not a good movie. But it has Cameron Diaz and Christina Applegate so I am happy to cut it some slack. If only they had some of the fun I hear they had while making the film IN THE FILM, then this would have been great. As it is, it is a mildly entertaining chick flick with really hot chicks.
And the hot chicks- if you will pardon my sexism and sexist comments and grant me poetic license to continue in this vein- the hot chicks are the only reason I even bothered to see this weekend's last new film, New Best Friend. I didn't know anything about it and had no interest in seeing until I clicked on the title and saw that it starred the most incredible of lovely Canadian women Mia Kirshner! She's hot, she's cute, she's exceptionally talented! I will see anything with her in it!
Then I noticed that the film also starred Dominique Swain and Meredith Monroe and I realized I had to sit through it.
Please don't make the same mistake I did! If you are attracted to the above trio of ladies talent or looks, then enjoy! Otherwise, find another new best friend!
But wow! Does Mia look great!
So enjoy your Mia, I mean popcorn! Enjoy your popcorn and I'll see you at the movies!
Ellen DeGeneres may host a daily TV talk show next season.
MARIAH CAREY IS WEIGHING HER OPTIONS
Mariah Carey is playing hard to get and who can blame the pop diva who got nearly $30 million just to walk away from her last gig?
"There are three or four big labels aggressively pursuing her. Mariah's a smart business woman and is taking her time before she makes any decisions," said Carey's spokeswoman on Thursday.
Carey, who got $28 million to part ways with EMI Group's Virgin Records in January, is now talking with Vivendi Universal's Island Def Jam, run by Lyor Cohen, AOL Time Warner Inc's Elektra Entertainment Group, run by Sylvia Rhone and J Records, run by music legend Clive Davis.
Music industry sources said Carey has also talked with Warner Brothers Records, another label under the AOL Time Warner umbrella.
Carey, who has had more number one songs than anybody except for Elvis Presley and the Beatles, had a falling out with EMI after her album and movie, both titled "Glitter", fared poorly.
The artist, who is set to star in an upcoming film with Mira Sorvino, also suffered a breakdown from nervous exhaustion in the past year.
Warner and J Records declined comment.
But in an interview with Reuters on Thursday, Universal Music chairman and chief executive officer Doug Morris acknowledged the company was in talks to sign Carey.
"We are trying to sign her," he said, adding that he was aware that he was competing against Davis at J Records and Rhone at Elektra. "I'm not sure who'll get it, but we have a very good chance," he said.
He declined to comment on possible contract terms, but its a foregone conclusion, according to industry sources, that Carey's next deal will be valued far below the estimated $80 million to $100 million EMI originally agreed to pay.
Under the buyout pact, Carey got $28 million to walk away and retained another $21 million previously paid to her when the EMI contract was first signed in April 2001.
Carey's fallout with EMI reflected some of the difficulties facing the music industry as labels have paid huge sums of money for certain artists who have not panned out during a turbulent year when sales are hit hard by free online music swapping.
The recording companies are also dealing with a coalition of pop stars who have raised concerns about industry accounting practices.
But despite the industry's woes and Carey's rollercoaster year, the labels are anxious to get Carey, who has become one of the biggest selling pop artists of all time since her former husband Sony Music Entertainment chief Tommy Mottola discovered her as an 18-year-old waitress.
CAMERON DIAZ IS GOOFY
Actress Cameron Diaz said she isn't goofy just when the cameras are on — she's goofy in real life, too.
"I have pretty much behaved this way my entire life, which was probably more adoring when I was a a child than as an adult, when I'm sure it's less attractive," Diaz said, laughing.
Her new movie, "The Sweetest Thing," co-stars Selma Blair and Christina Applegate and is a "raunchy, fun, screwball comedy," Diaz said.
"We're not being serious here. You're meant to come in and have a good time," Diaz said. "You're meant to sort of leave everything else behind, all judgment, and just come in and have a good time, have a laugh."
In the movie, Diaz said she had a great film filming the montage of scenes where she did impressions of Madonna in "Desperately Seeking Susan," Olivia Newton-John in "Grease" and other actresses.
She also does a lot of physical humor.
Diaz said as long as she puts on plenty of padding and knows how to throw her weight and exaggerate her movements, she doesn't get hurt when she falls.
Even though it would have meant $1 billion, an Abba reunion was not worth the pressure or the disappointed fans, according to former member Bjorn Ulvaeus.
So I guess the question as to whether or not they need the money has been answered.
Olivia Newton- John will have a new CD released next month.
I wonder. Has she ever been mellow?
DON'T BLAME IT ON RIO, BLAME IT ON HOMER
The Simpsons executive producer James L. Brooks issuing an apology (sort of) to the city of Rio de Janeiro after its tourist board threatened to sue Fox over a recent episode. "We apologize to the lovely city and people of Rio," Brooks says, "and if that doesn't settle the issue, Homer Simpson offers to take on the president of Brazil on Celebrity Boxing."
SWEEPSTAKES
NBC is slating their two-hour reunion special "The Cosby Show: A Look Back" for May 19. The show will go up against the two-hour series finale of Fox's "The X-Files," the two-hour season finale of ABC's "The Practice" and the three-hour wrap-up of CBS' "Survivor: Marquesas."
Austin Powers 3 is once again (legally) called "Austin Powers In Goldmember."
I did like "You Only Shag Thrice" as an alternative, though!
The 2002 Juno Awards are getting ready to take over St. John's, bye!
And there is no truth to the rumour that Shaggy is staying with my Mom!
Marvin Gaye's daughter will fill Aaliyah's role in "The Matrix Reloaded."
Neil Young is surprised at the lack of September 11th Tribute songs.
At the age of almost- 60 and with nothing left to prove, he is back on tour. Why you ask, because Paul McCartney says: "I can still do it."
See you Saturday, Paul!
Trailers that give away plot sell tickets: Studios.
"Vapor Trails," the new CD from Rush has surfaced online.
NBC has confirmed its two-hour reunion special "The Cosby Show: A Look Back" will air from 9 to 11 p.m. on May 19.
I'm still waiting to hear about the "Gimme A Break- Giving The Former Sitcom Stars Money To Eat" reunion special!
Halle Berry has an eye mishap on the set of the James Bond film "Die Another Day."
"Die Another Day" is scheduled for release on November 22.
This year's TV Midseason is clogged with failures.
Rivers Cuomo talks!
I know I'm listening, or reading, as it were.
Would you like a sneak preview of "Star Wars: Episode II- Attack Of The Clones."
CROWE UPDATE #1
Russell Crowe is in talks to reteam with director Ridley Scott for "Tripoli," Variety reports. The historical epic focuses on an American who helps lead an overthrow of a corrupt ruler in Tripoli in the early 1800s. Cameras roll in the fall.
CROWE NEWS #2
The trial of three Australian men accused of trying to extort money from Crowe was postponed on Monday because of extensive media coverage of the case.
YEAH, BABY!
MGM is now closer to the verge of signing a deal to allow New Line Cinema the right to use the title "Austin Powers in Goldmember" for the third installment of its shagadelic spy franchise.
The Broccoli family, who own the James Bond title rights, have to sign off on it first.
The Pet Shop Boys think that Eminem is gay.
Cameron Diaz perfects the clumsy leading lady role in "The Sweetest Thing."
"Austin Powers 3" may end up being called "Goldmember" after all.
BMG to Test Protected CDs on Industry Insiders
A new batch of compact discs designed to defeat Napster- style piracy is coming soon to record-industry insiders.
BMG, one of the world's five major labels, said on Monday it would start issuing promotional CDs -- the free discs distributed to critics, retailers and other insiders weeks before the official release -- with technological countermeasures to prevent copying.
The major labels, which include Vivendi Universal, Sony Music, EMI Group, AOL Time Warner's Warner Music and Bertelsmann AG's BMG, hope that copy protection measures will prevent users from "ripping," or copying the music into the easily traded MP3 format.
"The first benefit of doing promos and advances is to get feedback on the technology," said Kevin Clement, BMG's senior director of new media. "And we would hope this technology will stop the records from leaking early to the public."
Popular records like Outkast's "Stankonia" and D'Angelo's "Voodoo" were freely available to the public weeks before their release dates via Napster, the currently shuttered music-trading service that spawned a online music swapping revolution and is now partially owned by Bertelsmann.
The label said most of its protected discs would contain two versions of the album, one for use in consumer CD players and another encoded in Microsoft Corp's encrypted WMA format, for playback on PCs and compatible portable music players.
None of the major labels have committed to a full-scale roll-out of protected CDs, in part because of backlash in Europe after altered discs did not play on some CD players.
BMG's release of Natalie Imbruglia's "White Lilies" in the United Kingdom last year, for example, prompted numerous returns of the disc to retailers. And Sony's Celene Dion CD released in Europe last month, "A New Day Has Come," reportedly caused some computers to crash.
BMG said in a statement it eventually hopes "to arrive at a copy management solution that offers consumers the experience the artists create and deserve reward for."
The company declined to say which companies it was working with to provide the promotional CDs' technological countermeasures, but Clement said the label hoped the promotional discs would work with virtually all compact disc players when they launch later this month.
"One hundred percent, that's our goal and that's what we've charged the technology companies to hit," he said.
Asked if that goal was reachable, given the current state of the technology, he said, "We'll soon find out."
ABC and Ted Koppel reach a deal on the future of "Nightline."
UPCOMING FILM RELEASES
If you are like me you plan your life based on what new films are coming out. And if you really think I am like that you should plan an intervention!
Either way, here's a loooong look at the films that are coming out soon!
Enjoy the list, and the popcorn, and I'll see you at the movies!
- April 12th (This Friday) -
CHANGING LANES [Paramount]
THE SWEETEST THING [Sony]
FRAILITY [Lions Gate]
HUMAN NATURE [Fine Line]
THE CAT'S MEOW [Lions Gate - NY, LA]
THE LAST WALTZ [UA - NY, LA]
- April 19th -
MUTANT ALIENS [Apollo - NY]
- April 26th -
VULGAR [Lions Gate - NY, LA, SF]
- May 3rd -
SPIDER-MAN [Sony]
- May 16th -
STAR WARS II: ATTACK OF THE CLONES [Fox]
- June 14th -
WINDTALKERS [MGM]
THE BOURNE IDENTITY [Universal]
SCOOBY-DOO [WB]
- June 21st -
Mr. DEEDS [Sony]
MINORITY REPORT [Fox]
- June 27th -
CHARLIE'S ANGELS 2: HALO [Sony]
- July 3rd -
MEN IN BLACK 2 [Sony]
- July 12th -
JACKASS: THE MOVIE [Paramount]
8-MILE [Universal]
REIGN OF FIRE [Buena Vista]
THE ROAD TO PERDITION [DreamWorks]
GANGS OF NEW YORK [Miramax]
- July 19th -
STUART LITTLE 2 [Sony]
K-19: THE WIDOWMAKER [Paramount]
- July 26th -
AUSTIN POWERS 3 [New Line]
POSSESSION [USA]
- August 2nd -
SIGNS [Buena Vista]
FULL FRONTAL [Miramax - Limited]
XXX [Sony]
- August 7th -
SPY KIDS 2 [Miramax]
Oh baby, have I been scrimping and saving for this day! Yes, the new DVD and video releases for today, Tuesday April 9th, 2002 include some stuff I can't afford, but will buy anyway (Gumby), a movie I love and wish the girl in it was in love with me (Serendipity) and an Oscar winner I have been waiting to see (No Man's Land) plus the latest from David Lynch (Mulholland Drive).
So let's get watching! Here's the list. Like Christina Ricci it's short and sweet:
MULHOLLAND DRIVE
MASSIVE ATTACK: 11 PROMOS
NO MAN'S LAND
SERENDIPITY
HIGH HEELS AND LOW LIFES
SPY GAME (DVD)
But the day's biggest release is by far:
THE GUMBY BOXED SET (DVD)- The 7-disc (yes 7- disc!) GUMBY box set features a ton of GUMBY shorts made from 1956 to 1967, as well as bonus episodes, behind-the-scenes footage, and early art films from creator Art Clokey.
Yeah! Oh yeah! Oh, yeah!
CSI Spin-off Introduced This May
The CSI: MIAMI spin-off will premiere on May 9th as a special episode of CSI.
The CBS drama is set to star David Caruso (NYPD Blue), Emily Procter (WEST WING's Ainsley Hayes), Rory Cochrane (DAZED & CONFUSED's Slater), Adam Rodriguez (Roswell) and Khandi Alexander (NewsRadio, ER).
Sofer on FRIENDS This May
Rena Sofer (Ed, The Chronicle) will appear as a potential new love interest for Ross on a May episode of NBC's FRIENDS. She'll play a baby supply store salesgirl in the episode "The One with the Cooking Class."
Paul Schaffer to Guest on ED
LATE SHOW bandleader Paul Shaffer will make an appearance on the May 1st episode of NBC's ED, playing a high school basketball referee asked to return to "re-do" a controversial game.
Oh yeah! It's Tuesday! And that means new CD's!! Oh yeah, baby! Oh yeah!
So, if you want a list, here you go! These are the new CD releases for Tuesday, April 9th, 2002.
GOO GOO DOLLS Gutterflower (WB)
BONNIE RAITT Silver Lining (Capitol)
NEIL YOUNG Are You Passionate? (Reprise)
JON SPENCER BLUES EXPLOSION Plastic Fang (Matador)
MEDESKI MARTIN & WOOD Uninvisible (Blue Note)
PETER MURPHY Dust (Metropolis)
IMPERIAL TEEN On (Merge)
JELLO BIAFRA Big Ka-Book, Pt. One (Alternative Tentacles)
MOTORHEAD Hammered (Sanctuary)
RUSTED ROOT Welcome to My Party (Island)
GRAVEDIGGAZ Nightmare in A Minor (Empire/BMG)
Plus...AZURE RAY, HEATHER B., BALDWIN BROTHERS, BRAXTON BROTHERS, LANE BRODY, BRUTE., SCOTT COLLEY, CONSONANT, DOKKEN, STEVE EARLE, FACE TO FACE, FULL NINE, MATT HARRIS, CHRIS LeDOUX, MASTERS AT WORK, MEAT PUPPETS, MELLOW MAN ACE, NINA NASTASIA, NIGHTHAWKS, O-TYPE, PORTABLE, PRETTY GIRLS MAKE GRAVES, THE QUEERS, LEON RUSSELL, LUKE SLATER, SLICK SHOES, SODASTREAM, SUPERCHUNK, TY TABOR, JUNIOR VASQUEZ, DAVID WILCOX, and the soundtracks to 1 GIANT LEAP and THE CAT'S MEOW.
So, now that you know what is coming out today, I bet you are wondering what is coming out next week? Okay, here's a sneak peak at the new CD releases for Tuesday April 16th, 2002.
SHERYL CROW C'mon C'mon (A&M)
MICHELLE WILLIAMS From My Heart to Yours (Columbia)
KMFDM Attak (Metropolis)
SUPERSUCKERS/ELECTRIC FRANKENSTEIN Splitsville (Music Cartel)
Plus... ACID HOUSE KINGS, STEVE AZAR, THE BEARDS, DENALI, FLYING TIGERS, GRAND MAGUS, FAITH KLEPPINGER, MAKTUB, MELVINS, MODEL ROCKETS, TOOG, and the scores to ENIGMA and THE PANIC ROOM.
Hey, and as a special treat, let me tell you about the new discs due on April 23rd, 2002.
Q-TIP Kamaal/The Abstract (Arista)
PULP We Love Life (Sanctuary/Rough Trade)
PET SHOP BOYS Release (Sanctuary)
GAY DAD Transmission (Thirsty Ear)
SNEAKER PIMPS Bloodsport (Tommy Boy)
CORNERSHOP Handcream for a Generation (Wiija/Beggars Banquet)
ELVIS COSTELLO When I Was Cruel (Island)
PAUL WESTERBERG Stereo/Mono (Vagrant)
DAN CASTELLANETA I Am Not Homer (Oglio)
WILCO Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (Nonesuch/Atlantic)
JETHRO TULL Living with the Past (Fuel 2000)
GOMEZ In Our Gun (Hut/Virgin)
DISHWALLA Opaline (Immergent)
Plus... 12 STONES, ALFIE, AMBER, AUDRA, AUTOPILOT, SUSANA BACA, BIG MOE, CEE-LO, DAMON & NAOMI, DIRTY DOZEN BRASS BAND, DJ SHADOW, MARK EITZEL, LUNA, TINA NOVAK, R.L., TOSHI REAGON, CHARLIE SIZEMORE, SLOAN, STEVENS SISTERS, CURTIS STIGERS, TALL PAUL, and the soundtracks to ANSEL ADAMS, CHELSEA WALLS, DARK ANGEL, THE NEW GUY, SPIDERMAN, and STAR WARS II: ATTACK OF THE CLONES.
A new series will feature forgotten Canadian classics.
Let's see, there's 8 Seconds, Gary O, One 2 One, The Jitters, The Drivers, Toronto, Chilliwack...
Rio Irked by Simpsons Portrayal, Seeks Legal Action
Rio de Janeiro's tourist board on Monday said it was mulling legal action against the producers of "The Simpsons" show for undermining a multimillion-dollar campaign to attract visitors.
In the episode "Blame it on Lisa," Homer is robbed by street kids and kidnapped by an unlicensed taxi as the world-famous U.S. cartoon family goes to Rio to find a missing orphan Lisa has been sponsoring.
The family runs across rats and monkeys looking for the orphan. When they find him, he has grown rich working on a television show and pays for Homer's release in gratitude for shoes Lisa had bought him to escape monkeys at the orphanage.
Riotur president Jose Eduardo Guinle requested a copy of the episode, which he had yet to see, and asked the board's legal team to look into what action could be taken.
"He understands it is a satire," Riotur spokesman Sergio Cavalcanti said. "What really hurt was the idea of the monkeys, the image that Rio de Janeiro was a jungle. ... It's a completely unreal image of the city."
Rio, a city as well-known for sky high crime levels as it is for natural beauty, is set in a series of bays backed by jungle-covered mountains, but monkeys do not inhabit the area.
Makers of the award-winning satirical U.S. cartoon that appears on 20th Century Fox Television were not immediately available to comment on the Riotur statement.
Riotur said if the producers were concerned about Rio's orphans, they should donate the revenue from the episode to help them.
Cavalcanti said the board invested $18 million in the last three years promoting the city, whose tourist industry has this year suffered from an outbreak of dengue, an affliction carried by mosquitoes. More than 220,000 U.S. citizens visited Rio in 2001, he said.
Aerosmith and Sum 41 are showing their Spider- Sense.
AND SHE SINGS TOO!
"The Practice's" Marla Sokoloff is Smitten on top of the world.
Ted Koppel and David LEtterman to appear on each other's shows.
Director Sam Raimi has signed on for a "Spider- Man" sequel.
MOURNED
Roy Huggins, the writer-producer behind such TV hits as Maverick and The Fugitive, died last Wednesday in Santa Monica. He was 87.
JEDI OPTIMISM
Star Wars star Ewan McGregor has admitted that he thought "Star Wars: Episode I- The Phantom Menace" was "kind of flat." He says "...'Episode II- Attack of the Clones' has "much more humor and there is much more colour."
OH MY GOD!
South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone have acknowledged that they have killed off Kenny for good. Kenny has not been seen in the latest installments and has been replaced in the group by Butters.
FINALLY SET
Miramax is setting (again) a Christmas week release date for Martin Scorsese's Gangs of New York. The film's release has been pushed back several times, while Scorsese and Miramax co-chairman Harvey Weinstein have reportedly battled over the film's running time.
Jay Leno talks (whines) about his battle with David Letterman.
Some celebrities have named their favourite books.
The Jodie Foster/David Fincher project "Panic Room" is still North America's number one film.
HEY LOOK! IT'S BACK!
Yup, after a week away, the world's number one reference guide to what's new in theatres this weekend is back!
Well, maybe not the world's Number One, but I know we are right up there...
Either way, four flicks to get to, so let's get to the flicks!
First up is the story of a slacker who has an extended 7 year stay in University. His motto?: Don't graduate. Celebrate. In the end National Lampoon's Van Wilder is exactly what you think it is going to be. The plot is merely an excuse for a series of stupid physical gags of the scatological variety, numerous shots of naked coeds and plenty of scenes in which Van flaunts his devil-may-care attitude in the face of various authority figures. Some work, some don't. It's not great, but it has a few laughs.
Not as many as Sorority Boys which came out a few weeks ago, but it has a few laughs!
Unfortunately Big Trouble doesn't have as many laughs as either of those films, which is a shame because the cast includes Tim Allen, Rene Russo, Stanley Tucci, Omar Epps, Dennis Farina, Ben Foster, Janeane Garofalo, Jason Lee, Tom Sizemore, Zooey Deschanel, Johnny Knoxville, Heavy D, Sofía Vergara and Patrick Warburton.
Delayed in the wake of September 11th due to a "bomb on an airplane" plot device, Big Trouble proves that when director Barry Sonnenfeld flopped with "Wild Wild West" it wasn't a once in a lifetime blunder.
In the end Big Trouble is a mess. It's not fun, frantic or off-the-wall. It tries to be an amalgamation of "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels," "Two Days in the Valley," and "Dumb and Dumber" but it comes up short, real short. With that cast and a director who's made "Get Shorty" and "Men In Black" I expected more. I wanted to laugh, but I didn't. Is that my fault, or the fault of the film?
You'll have to make the decision to decide for yourself on this one.
Whereas with High Crimes you'll go, and you'll like it, if you are a fan of Ashley Judd or Morgan Freeman. With these star's films, it always seems to be that plain and simple.
If you aren't a specific fan of the lucious Ms. Judd or the reliable Mr. Freeman, but like crime thrillers, let me just say this about High Crimes: Unfortunately its a cinematic misdemeanor. A routine crime thriller remarkable only for its lack of logic and misuse of two fine actors, although Ashley Judd, as always, looks great! Coming from Carl Franklin, a usually meticulous and smart director, the movie is strangely sloppy, with bad editing and generic characters. Sorry!
But, did I mention, that Ashley Judd looks splendiferous? Well she does!
And so do both of the leads in the marvelous Kissing Jessica Stein.
Jennifer Westfeldt (Yeah, I never heard of her either) is the titular Jessica who, after a series of terrible blind dates with lousy men, decides to answer a "Women Seeking Women" personal ad.
Helen (Heather Juergensen- Nope, not heard of her either), on the other hand, is bisexual. Her primary partners are men, but there are times when she feels in the mood for female companionship.
And in true cinematic fashion, our heroines get together, but all is not smooth sailing, and thus you have a 96 minute movie.
In this day and age the smart romantic comedy occurs so infrequently that it has obtained an almost mythical status, sort of like Santa Claus or the Tooth Fairy. Kissing Jessica Stein is one of those uncommon movies.
The movie is not perfect, but neither is love (That's deep Dan), so just let it unfold and enjoy!
Enjoy the popcorn too and I'll see you at the movies!
BIG BUSTED
Actress/model/Former Whitesnake Video Vixen Tawny Kitaen was charged with domestic violence Wednesday after she allegedly kicked her husband, Cleveland Indians pitcher Chuck Finley, with her high heels while he was driving. She's due back in court April 29.
THE PRODUCERS
Sarah Jessica Parker and hubby Matthew Broderick are expecting their first child, columnist Liz Smith reports in Friday's New York Post. Broderick just wrapped up his Broadway run starring in The Producers, and the twosome will celebrate their five-year wedding anniversary in May.
Malkovich, Imbruglia to Co-Star in Spy Spoof
John Malkovich and Australian pop thrush Natalie Imbruglia will co-star in "Johnny English," the latest Rowan Atkinson comedy vehicle, for Universal Pictures.
The film is a spy caper spoof, with Atkinson of the 1997 comedy smash "Bean" starring as an incompetent British secret agent and Malkovich playing the villain, a scheming French business magnate.
Imbruglia, who acted in the Australian soap "Neighbors" before embarking on her pop singing career, will make her feature debut as a female agent lusted after by the title character.
Ben Miller ("The Parole Officer") will play Atkinson's sidekick.
The film, which starts shooting April 15, is directed by Peter Howitt from an original screenplay by Neal Purvis and Robert Wade (who wrote the last two Bond movies) and William Davies.
"Johnny English," produced by Working Title Films, will be financed and distributed by Universal.
'Star Wars' Faithful Camp Out for 'Clones'
The waiting officially began Thursday with "Star Wars" devotees launching their line for the May 16 opening of "Episiode II -- Attack of the Clones" outside the Chinese Theater in Hollywood.
By late afternoon, half a dozen fans had joined the line at the corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Orange Street. The group plans to pass the next six weeks by talking about "Star Wars" with passers-by, taking calls from the news media on a nearby pay phone and raising funds for the Starlight Children's Foundation.
"We never run out of things to do," said a cheerful Rik Carter, who also stood in the same line for six weeks prior to the opening of "Star Wars: Episode I -- The Phantom Menace" in 1999. "The phone never stops ringing."
And how are those nerds already in line for months in Seattle doing?...
The cast of "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" have reunited!
Celine Dion CD Causing Computer Woes
Celine Dion's new album is causing some computer problems.
In America and much of Europe the case and the disc of "A New Day Has Come" carries warnings not to play it on a PC or a MAC because it is embedded with copy protection technology. This is to stop people from uploading sings onto the internet.
In Canada the CD is not so encoded.
If you play, the computer will likely crash, but some fans say that they've had other problems. The Hollywood Reporter reports that fans in Germany are complaining that their computers won't eject the disc using normal methods. Others also complain that the CD may be affecting their hardware.
A Sony spokeswoman denies the CD will corrupt computers, although it will cause it to crash. She says it won't eject properly as a result of the crash.
Elizabeth Hurley Has Baby Boy
Model and actress Elizabeth Hurley gave birth to a baby boy on Thursday, her spokeswoman said.
"Elizabeth Hurley is delighted to announce the birth of her son, Damian Charles," the model's spokeswoman said in a statement.
"Both mother and baby are happy and healthy. Damian was born at 12:22 p.m. (1122 GMT) on 4 April," she said.
Hurley has said the child's father was her former boyfriend, American film producer Stephen Bing.
The actress, who has appeared in movies including "Bedazzled" and "Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery," ended her 13-year relationship with actor Hugh Grant more than a year ago.
For several years she was the international face of Estee Lauder cosmetics.
Two men in Australia claim that they have footage of Russell Crowe in a street brawl.
Woody Allen's "Hollywood Ending" will open the Cannes Film Festival.
Megadeth is no more.
The band still sells...but who's buying?
..."The Late Show with David Letterman" is looking for a rerun home.
"A Beautiful DVD"
With its multiple Oscar wins including Best Picture, Universal has just announced a new June 25 release date for Ron Howard's A Beautiful Mind, which took home 4 statuettes.
The full specs include a 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer, an English 5.1 Dolby Digital surround track, an audio commentary by director Ron Howard and screenwriter Akiva Goldsman; the featurettes "A Beautiful Partnership," "Meeting John Nash," a third featurette on the film's makeup and production design, deleted scenes (also accessible via a "follow the white John Nash" function), film-to-storyboard comparisons, and trailers.
Plus, the film co- stars Jennifer Connelly. Isn't that enough?!?!
MOPPING UP
A Chicago janitor is suing Eddie Murphy and the producers of the now-defunct animated series The PJs, claiming they stole a character from his own amateur documentary. He's seeking more than $10 million in damages.
HE'S BACK
Talk-show veteran Phil Donahue has signed on with MSNBC for his own prime-time show. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. His show is expected to debut sometime this summer and challenge Fox News' O'Reilly Factor and CNN's forthcoming Connie Chung show.
Welcome back, Phil!
BABY ON BOARD
Brooke Burke, host of "Wild On", and her husband, Garth Fisher, welcomed their second daughter Tuesday in Los Angeles. Sierra Sky Fisher weighed in at 5 pounds, 15 ounces and measured 19 1/2 inches.
So next time you are watching "Wild On" try not to think of Brooke as a mom! Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!
MICHAEL J. FOX TELLS HIS STORY IN A NEW BOOK
Canadian star Michael J. Fox shocked the world a few years ago when he announced that he had Parkinson’s disease. His stories from before that announcement, after it and much more are included in "Lucky Man: A Memoir."
This is a funny, highly personal, gorgeously written account of what it’s like to be a 30-year-old man who is told he has an 80-year-old’s disease.
"Life is great. Sometimes, though, you just have to put up with a little more crap." --Michael J. Fox
In September 1998, Michael J. Fox stunned the world by announcing he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease -- a degenerative neurological condition. In fact, he had been secretly fighting it for seven years. The worldwide response was staggering. Fortunately, he had accepted the diagnosis and by the time the public started grieving for him, he had stopped grieving for himself. Now, with the same passion, humor, and energy that Fox has invested in his dozens of performances over the last 18 years, he tells the story of his life, his career, and his campaign to find a cure for Parkinson’s.
Combining his trademark ironic sensibility and keen sense of the absurd, he recounts his life -- from his childhood in a small town in western Canada to his meteoric rise in film and television which made him a worldwide celebrity. Most importantly however, he writes of the last 10 years, during which -- with the unswerving support of his wife, family, and friends -- he has dealt with his illness. He talks about what Parkinson’s has given him: the chance to appreciate a wonderful life and career, and the opportunity to help search for a cure and spread public awareness of the disease. He is a very lucky man, indeed.
Michael J. Fox is donating the profits from his book to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, which is dedicated to fast-forwarding the cure for Parkinson’s disease. The Foundation will move aggressively to identify the most promising research and raise the funds to assure that a cure is found for the millions of people living with this disorder. The Foundation’s web site, MichaelJFox.org, carries the latest pertinent information about Parkinson’s disease, including:
--A detailed description of Parkinson’s disease
--How you can help find the cure
--Public Services Announcements that are aired on network and cable television stations across the country to increase awareness
--Upcoming related Parkinson’s disease events and meetings
--Updates on recent research and developments
Enjoy the book!
NYC fire chaplain focus of biography
The Rev. Mychal Judge, the New York City Fire Department chaplain killed in the Sept. 11 attacks, will be the subject of a biography coming out next fall from the Paulist Press, a nonprofit religious publisher.
"Father Mychal Judge: An Authentic American Hero" is being written by BBC religion reporter Michael Ford, whose work the 68-year-old chaplain admired.
"I believe this priest's remarkable story will bring hope to many, inspiring them to care compassionately for others, especially those on the margins," Ford said in a statement Tuesday. He is the author of "Wounded Prophet," a biography of the spiritual writer Henri Nouwen that Judge reportedly read and to which he related deeply.
'Starship Troopers' DVD loaded with extras
The "gung-ho bugs vs. us" sci-fi epic "Starship Troopers" will be marching to DVD for a loaded special edition.
Columbia Tristar announced that the 1997 film, which was directed by Paul Verhoeven ("Robocop," "Basic Instinct") and starred Denise Richards and Casper Van Dien, will arrived on a double-disc DVD set on May 28.
The first disc will contain the original film with commentary by Verhoeven, screenwriter Ed Neumeier, and cast members, plus an isolated, optional soundtrack mix.
The second disc includes "Death From Above," an in-depth documentary on the making of the film, seven featurettes explaining the film's special effects, scene deconstructions with commentary by Verhoeven, seven minutes' worth of deleted scenes, and screen tests.
"Andy Richter now has a Canadian Top Ten show.
Sum 41 covers Helix on soundtrack
The soundtrack to the Canadian indie film "FUBAR" will feature Sum 41 and a host of Canadian acts covering early Canadian gold.
Organizers of the "FUBAR" album told JAM! Music that Sum 41 will cover Helix's "Rock You" on the soundtrack, which is due during the third week of May.
Treble Charger is expected to contribute a rendition of April Wine's "Roller," while Vancouver's New Pornographers offer up their take on "Your Daddy Don't Know" by the band Toronto.
Chixdiggit will have a go at Loverboy's "The Kid Is Hot Tonight," No Means No takes on Neil Young's "Hey Hey, My My," Gob has a kick at Kick Axe's "Heavy Metal Shuffle," Grimskunk remakes Trooper's party anthem "Raise A Little Hell", and English Teeth gas up Bachman Turner Overdrive's "Four Wheel Drive."
"FUBAR" was shot in Calgary and has been described as a largely improvised 78-minute tribute to metal music and its devotees. Writer-producers Paul Spence and Dave Lawrence and director Michael Dowse showed the film at the Sundance Film Festival in January.
The film is scheduled for full theatrical release this spring.
"Survivor" producer Mark Burnett is eyeing a Kung Fu reality show.
Paging Mr. Miyagi...
The Grammys are returning to New York!
Yeah, I've got your Grammy right here!
Celine debuts at No. 1
A five-year absence from making albums, a diversion into motherhood, and even scandalous accusations against her husband and manager couldn't keep Celine Dion from her date with the top of the charts.
Dion's return, "A New Day Has Come," powered to the top of SoundScan Canada's retail album chart, selling 151,600 copies in this country -- more than 10 times her nearest competition, Shakira's "Laundry Service" (12,200).
Dion's return to the recording business has been heralded by a round of high-profile interviews, a hyped TV special, and an unexpected diversion into controversy, with husband/manager Rene Angelil accused in a Las Vegas civil court of sexually assaulting a California woman. (He has denied the charge and is fighting the suit).
To give an indication of how big a change Dion's sales represent from recent months, last week "Laundry Service" landed at No. 1 on sales of just over 10,000 copies. The biggest chart entry in recent weeks, prior to Dion, was Alanis Morissette's "Under Rug Swept," which debuted at No. 1 on sales of 35,000. In its first five weeks of release, Morissette's album has managed to sell about half of what Dion moved in a single week. Morissette finished this week at No. 12.
Dion's chart triumph was repeated in the U.S., where "A New Day Has Come" sold 527,000 copies during its debut week. Proportionately, that means U.S. sales were well behind Canada's. Sales are normally measured using a one-tenth comparison between the smaller Canadian market and record sales south of the border. So comparably, the U.S. would have had to sell over 1.5 million albums to keep pace with Dion's popularity in Canada.
Having said that, the opening sales for "A New Day Has Come" represents a watershed for Dion in the U.S. Last week, the U.S. publication Hits reported that Dion's 1997 album "Let's Talk About Love" debuted on sales of 334,000, while the compilation "All The Way: A Decade Of Song" moved 302,000 copies during its first week.
Dion's high-water mark for Canadian sales remains "Let's Talk About Love's" opening week sales of 230,000.
Elsewhere in the Canadian top 10, the wrestling themed collection "WWF Forceable Entry" debuted in third place on sales of 10,800, followed by "YTV Big Fun Party Mix 3" (10,700), Diana Krall's "The Look Of Love" (9,000) and Remy Shand's "The Way I Feel (8,950).
Nickelback's "Silver Side Up" (8,900) fell from third to seventh, the "O Brother, Where Art Thou" soundtrack (8,300) slid from fourth to eighth. Enrique Iglesias's "Escape" (7,800) moved down one place to ninth, while the "Girls Night Out" collection (7,600) moved up one place to 10th.
Aside from Dion and the WWF collection, the only other new entry in the top 20 was "Best Of Both Worlds," the collaboration between Jay-Z and R. Kelly, which entered at No. 19.
JAM! readers correctly called the winner of this week's Chart Battle. A full 91% correctly predicted that Dion's "A New Day Has Come" would chart higher than the Jay-Z/R. Kelly collaboration.
1. CELINE DION -- "A NEW DAY HAS COME" (151,600)
2. SHAKIRA -- "LAUNDRY SERVICE" (12,200)
3. VARIOUS ARTISTS -- "W.W.F. FORCEABLE ENTRY" (10,800)
4. VARIOUS ARTISTS -- "YTV BIG FUN PARTY MIX 3" (10,700)
5. DIANA KRALL -- "THE LOOK OF LOVE" (9,000)
6. REMY SHAND -- "THE WAY I FEEL" (8,950)
7. NICKELBACK -- "SILVER SIDE UP" (8,900)
8. "O BROTHER WHERE ART THOU?" SOUNDTRACK (8,300)
9. ENRIQUE IGLESIAS -- "ESCAPE" (7,800)
10. VARIOUS ARTISTS -- "GIRLS NIGHT OUT" (7,600)
Canadian curling flick breaks records
In just 24 days, his curling comedy Men With Brooms has become the top-grossing English-Canadian film in more than two decades.
With a $3.5-million gross in its first 24 days of release, Men With Brooms has already surpassed the total gross for such recent Canadian success stories as The Red Violin ($3.3 million), Johnny Mnemonic ($2.8 million) and Black Robe ($2.5 million).
"It's thrilling and humbling for the film to be so warmly embraced," says Gross, adding "it is a movie made by us and for us and its acceptance is a testament to the collaborative spirit in which it was made."
The theatrical success of Men With Brooms bodes well for its chances on video, DVD and TV.
SONY'S SECRET
The Hollywood Reporter is reporting that Sony's new animated Adam Sandler comedy "8 Crazy Nights" will break new ground in product placement. The film is set primarily in a shopping mall, and the studio is offering retailers verbal mentions in the movie in exchange for promotion of the film.
I MISS HIS "ARTHUR" LAUGH ALREADY
Dudley Moore was buried Tuesday in a small, private ceremony in Scotch Plains, New Jersey. The comic-actor-musician died last week at the age of 66.
UNCOVERED
Former NYPD Blue star David Caruso is being tapped to star in C.S.I.: Miami, a spinoff of CBS' hit crime drama set in Florida. Caruso's character will be introduced later this season.
YES EVERYTHING HERE IS NEW!
I was away for a few days, as I am contractually allowed to do, enjoying Easter with my Sister and her kids.
But I am back! And everything below is new news. New news that's new! New news thats new, and news.
Newsworthy news!
Welcome back!
E!- Entertainment Television is looking for someone to get wild!
Seriously, if you are, call me!
You won't see it in theatres. It is only available on the internet. It's the new "Spider- Man" trailer.
Well, there are a slew of new films that will bow on Friday, April 5th. I'll offer my full and patented thoughts on Friday, but for now, here's a preview!
NATIONAL LAMPOON'S VAN WILDER [Artisan - R]
Starring Ryan Reynolds, Tara Reid, Tim Matheson, Tom Everett Scott, Daniel Cosgrove, Emily Rutherfurd, Aaron Paul.
Directed by Walt Becker.
WHAT: A campus legend must find a way to get by after his father refuses to pay any more of his tuition bills.
BIG TROUBLE [Disney - PG-13]
Starring Tim Allen, Rene Russo, Stanley Tucci, Janeane Garofalo, Dennis Farina, Johnny Knoxville, Omar Epps, Patrick Warburton, Tom Sizemore, Zooey Deschanel, Ben Foster, Heavy D, Jason Lee, Andy Richter, D J Qualls.
Directed by Barry Sonnenfeld.
WHAT: An adaptation of humorist Dave Barry's novel about a mysterious suitcase which brings together an eclectic group of characters.
HIGH CRIMES [Fox - PG-13]
Starring Ashley Judd, Morgan Freeman, Jim Caviezel, Amanda Peet.
Directed by Carl Franklin.
WHAT: A successful lawyer is shocked to discover her husband has a hidden past as a classified military operative, and is accused of committing a heinous war crime.
TEDDY BEARS' PICNIC [Magnolia - LA]
Starring Morgan Fairchild, Henry Gibson, Howard
Hesseman, John Michael Higgins, Michael McKean.
Directed by Harry Shearer.
WHAT: The most powerful white men in America fear their secret summer retreats will be exposed by the media.
CRUSH [Sony Classics - R - NY, LA]
Starring Andie MacDowell, Kenny Doughty, Imelda Staunton, Anne Chancellor.
Directed by John McKay.
WHAT: A forty-year-old headmistress is reluctant to tell her friends that she has fallen in love with a 25-year-old.
LUCKY BREAK [Paramount - PG-13 - NY, LA]
Starring Tom Wilkinson, Mark Addy, Robert Carlyle.
Directed by Peter Cattaneo.
WHAT: A prison inmate stages a musical play as a cover for his escape.
AMADEUS [WB - Limited]
Starring Tom Hulce, F. Murray Abraham, Elizabeth Berridge, Jeffrey Jones, Karl-Heinz Teuber.
Directed by Milos Forman.
WHAT: A re-release of Forman's biopic on the famed composer.
Woo hoo!
There are some goodies coming out today on video and DVD! Take a look for yourself at the new releases for Tuesday, April 2nd, 2002
THE USUAL SUSPECTS: SPECIAL EDITION (DVD)- Brian Singer's is the latest recent classic to get the Special Edition DVD treatment. This release,offers over an hour of brand new interviews with the talent that worked on the film, as well as a new gag reel, a featurette that finally answers the question "Who is Keyser Soze," two new audio commentary tracks, and a home video shot by Kevin Pollak's wife which showcases the film's debut at the CANNES Film Festival.
BANDITS (VHS & DVD)- Barry Levinson's fun, failed and flawed heist film is released with an alternate ending, other deleted scenes, and a few special featurettes.
BULL DURHAM: SPECIAL EDITION (DVD)
DRUNKEN MASTER (VHS & DVD)
SHE CREATURE (VHS & DVD)
THIRTEEN GHOSTS (VHS & DVD)
PLAYBOY: AMERICA'S HOTTEST STRIP CLUBS (VHS & DVD)
PLAYBOY: FLORIDA FLASH 'N SPLASH (VHS & DVD)
PLAYBOY: ROOMMATES (VHS & DVD)
YUMMY!
A 2-disc MEMENTO Special Edition will be released on May 21st.
THE LORD OF TEH RINGS- THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING 2-Disc DVD bows in August, 4-Disc one debuts in November
NEW LINE Home Entertainment will release a two-disc LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING on August 6th, followed by a 4-disc extended version on November 12th.
While the initial 2-disc release offers 3 documentaries, 15 featurettes from the website, a 10-minute preview of LOTR: THE TWO TOWERS, trailers, TV spots, and more, you'll have to hold out until November for the extended version which integrates 30 minutes of additional footage into the film.
A premium version of the Extended edition featuring packaging designed by illustrator Alan Lee, collectible bookends, and more, will also be offered in limited quantities.
LOTR: THE TWO TOWERS opens in theaters on December 18th.
Peter Berg Spices up Syd's Love Life on ALIAS
Actor/director/writer Peter Berg (Chicago Hope, Very Bad Things) begins a multi-episode appearance as the ex-lover of Sydney who vanished five years ago on a new episode of ALIAS, this Sunday night at 9, on ABC.
The episode also finds Will & Francie getting one step closer to uncovering Syd's secret when they find one of her airline ticket stubs, leading up to a confrontation on the April 14th episode.
CBS Orders More SURVIVOR
CBS has ordered a fifth season of SURVIVOR, and has revealed the location will likely be in South America or Asia.
SURVIVOR V will premiere this fall.
**Yawn!**
There is nothing here that I find interesting, but who knows! You might! So, with no further delay, here's the new music releases for Tuesday, April 2nd, 2002.
CRAIG ARMSTRONG As If to Notihing (Source/Astralwerks)
Various RAREWERKS, Vol. 2 (Astralwerks)
APEX THEORY Topsy-Turvy (DreamWorks)
Plus... 36 CRAZYFISTS, ASHANTI, CAPITOL CITY DUSTERS, JOHN COWAN, CYCLEFLY, DIRTY BOYZ, DUKES OF HAMBURG, THE FANTOMAS, GORE, TAMI HART, PAT KILBRIDE, KYLESA, DON LENNON, LIL' J, MEDICATION, SHANA MORRISON, JUICE NEWTON, THE REPUTATION, ROY ROGERS, STEW, SUCKA MC'S and the score to WE WERE SOLDIERS.
There is a new U2 CD slated for release in October, but...
TEACH YOUR CHILDREN
Music legend, and real- life survivor David Crosby has been voicing disappointment with the state of pop music today, saying, "There's some good people out there, but there's a lot of fluff...Things like 'N Sync and Britney [Spears]. These people are about as deep as a birdbath."
Is he wrong?!?
WOOING
Variety is reporting that director John Woo is in talks to have Nicolas Cage costar with Chow Yun-Fat in "Men of Destiny", an epic about the construction of America's railroads in the 1800s.
The last days of JFK Jr. are being recalled in a new book.
Is Phil Donahue coming back to Television?
Tony Jr. will have his date in court on April 22nd.
Uncle Miltie, the late, great Milton Berle is remembered in Los Angeles.
It's more of a Love- In than anything else and on Monday night in Oakland Paul McCartney opened his 2002 North American Tour.
Oh man, I can't wait to see him!