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 leav