Henson Leaves Muppet HQ
Brian Henson, son of the late Jim Henson, announced Thursday that he is stepping down from his post of chairman of Jim Henson Co., the company that brings you Kermit the Frog. Henson said he had been thinking about the move since German media giant EM.TV & Merchandising bought the company two years ago. He announced his intentions in a company-wide email, reiterating the company's values, such as "When in doubt, throw penguins." Essentially, the company should never take itself too seriously.
Kung-Fu Pandas
Dreamworks has a concept for you: MASTER P, KUNG FU PANDA. The film will be total CG. In the story, a gang of snow leopards invades a bamboo jungle and the animals must find a prophesied warrior to defend them. That warrior comes in the form of a lazy panda who must become a kung fu master.
Hee hee hee!!!
Pampering The Celebs
Whether you're negotiating a raise, a home loan, or just a great price on that garage-sale knicknack, you need to think like a pop star: Be bold, and insist on getting exactly what you want. To give you an idea of what we mean, take a look at some of the specific (and, in some cases, outrageous) demands Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez, Busta Rhymes, and seven other musical prima donnas have written into their contract riders before they'll agree to appear in concert.
MARIAH CAREY When it comes to dealmaking, Mariah is without peer (witness the $68 million she recently earned for being dropped by one record label and signed by another). On the road, though, Carey's needs are not quite so upscale. Sure, she asks for a tea service for eight, along with champagne flutes and wine glasses. But she also has the common sense to insist on bendy straws to sip from.
JENNIFER LOPEZ When J. Lo attended the recording session for the charity single ''What's Going On'' last fall, she still submitted her standard rider, demanding a trailer at least 40 feet long, furnished all in white (flowers, tablecloths, drapes, candles, and couches), a VCR and CD player, and an ''assortment of current R&B, hip-hop, and salsa'' CDs, for which she offers 43 selected titles. Love don't cost a thing, but being a diva sure can be expensive.
JANET JACKSON In her current tour rider, Jackson requests $75 worth of white flowers (tulips, roses, gardenias, and lilies) and fresh ice for drinks, specifying ''NO FISH ICE.'' She explains, ''If it had never happened, I wouldn't have to write this...'' Ewww, nasty.
BRITNEY SPEARS Spears' 2000 rider demands a private phone line in her dressing room -- but she'll fine the promoter $5,000 if the number gets published and anyone calls her. Otherwise, her tastes are simple: General Foods International Coffee, Cap'n Crunch and Froot Loops, and Pop Tarts. (You are what you eat.)
MARY J. BLIGE: When it comes to getting paid, Mary J. Blige wants no more drama. But in 1997, when she earned $100,000 per show, she required promoters to pay her in cash -- in crisp $100 bills. As that other hip-hopper sang, ''It's all about the Benjamins.''
BUSTA RHYMES Rhymes' contract shows that he knows how to unwind after a show. The rapper's rider requests a 24-piece bucket of KFC, six bottles of Moet champagne, and one full box of ribbed condoms.
CHRISTINA AGUILERA: What a girl wants, what a girl needs -- sometimes these things are contradictory. Aguilera's 2000 contract asks for both health food (organic fruits and veggies, soy milk and soy cheese, and Flintstones chewable vitamins) and sugary drinks (Nesquik, Coca-Cola -- ''NOT Pepsi, no diet'').
DESTINY'S CHILD The diva trio's demands are simple, but particular: fine china, two large strawberry candles, and black towels (an oddly common request among pop stars). Also, fresh ginger root is ''very important.''
DIXIE CHICKS Because their audience is largely female, the Chicks' 2000 contract demands that venues provide extra women's restrooms, converting some of the men's rooms if necessary. Also, the talented threesome require a 10 a.m. tee time at a local golf course in each town.
MOBY The artist behind ''Play'' and ''18'' does the work of 10 musicians by himself. Maybe that's why his 2000 contract calls for 10 pairs of white cotton crew socks and 10 cotton boxer shorts. Or maybe he's just a little obsessive.
Wow! That's A Lot Of Punctuation!
Ah yes, it's a weekend where I will be walking a walk for charity, but even though I can walk the walk, no charity will be given to the 2 new films bowing at a multiplex near you. Nope, if they deserve critical lambasting, then I shall be the lamb that bastes them!
The first lamb to the slaughter? Well, it's the latest Tom Clancy book starring Jack Ryan to make it to the big screen. The Sum Of All Fears has Ben Affleck picking up where Harrison Ford picked up for Alec Baldwin and starring as Jack Ryan.
Now before I pass judgment on this film, I think I want to see it again. Y'see, everyone in the group I was in thought it was a great, interesting film. I thought that it was simply a grown- up, less cartoonish version of Independence Day. Now that wouldn't be a bad thing if the film was clever, taut or gave us a reason to care other than the fact that we love the character of Jack Ryan.
But it doesn't,...at least it didn't the first time I saw it. I will definitely see it again soon as I love the character of Jack Ryan, but The Sum Of All Fears just didn't hook me and I have to admit that at one point during the film I was thinking that if a studio put together a box set of director Stephen Frears' films, they could call it "The Sum Of All Frears."
But then the movie hooked me again...
So a mixed review on The Sum Of All Fears after one viewing, but consider me back in line already!
After I see Undercover Brother again, that is! I don't suppose I'll laugh harder this summer, at least until I see Austin Powers in Goldmember.
Undercover Brother was hilarious! Just hilarious! It is to Blacksploitation films (a genre I love) as Austin Powers is to the James Bond franchise. The trailers, which are aimed at a least-common denominator audience, make the film seem less clever than it actually is. Undercover Brother needn't be a guilty pleasure - it's made with enough savvy to be appreciated on its own terms. There are laughs aplenty, and, as a bonus, viewers don't have to worry about being subjected to farts, urine, feces, semen, or any of the other foul substances that have overrun modern-day comedies.
As I said, and I quote: "I don't suppose I'll laugh harder this summer, at least until I see Austin Powers in Goldmember."
And that latter laughfest opens on July 26th!
In the interim, I am back in line this weekend to see if The Sum Of All Fears gets better the second time and to just laugh and enjoy myself watching the exploits of Undercover Brother. Maybe I'll see you there!
Enjoy the popcorn and I'll see you at the movies!
Street date alert
Wrapping up this week in Disc News, HBO has finally announced a street date for what they promise will be their biggest DVD set ever, the highly-acclaimed, Emmy-winning miniseries Band of Brothers. Arriving on November 19, watch for full specs soon.
...The Rolling Stones are planning a massive re-issue campaign of their first few releases.
JERRY'S RETURN?!?!
ABC is giving the greenlight to a new half-hour comedy based on the bestselling series of books, "Letters From a Nut," featuring introductions by Jerry Seinfeld.
The books feature writer Ted L. Nancy (who some, myself included, believe is actually Seinfeld) sending goofy letters to corporations and entertainment companies.
Sounds like a great idea for a show!
REHABBING
Diana Ross entering the Promises rehab center in Malibu, California, for unspecified "personal issues," according to her publicist. "Diana Ross voluntarily entered Promises to clear up some personal issues before she starts on a summer tour in both the U.S. and abroad," reads a statement. "She wants to be in great shape because she is someone who feels a sense of responsibility to her family and fans."
Not A Literal Trip! Just A Figurative One.
It's day 212 on the set of "The Matrix" sequels. Wanna take a trip to see what is going on?
This Proves The Old Addage That If You Put Out Stuff That People Want, They Will Buy It (PS To The Record Labels- Sales Are Down Because You Have Been Releasing Too Much Crap!)
The new Eminem CD shows that, contraray to what they are saying, that the music labels can prosper.
STAR WARS: EPISODE II EASTER EGGS
The Star Wars films are brimming with so much detail, that they require
multiple viewings to soak it all in. First time screenings are to watch
the main characters and the core story, but with subsequent viewings
it's hard not to let your eye wander and take in some of the extras.
Sometimes, the details are intentional elements meant to remind you how
the galaxy fits together. Other times, it's an unintentional flub that
illustrates the complexities of filmmaking (keep track of the color of
the clothes that Padmé packs on Coruscant in Episode II, for example).
And, on occasion, the filmmakers purposely put in a little visual joke
to reward sharp-eyed (or in some cases, sharp-eared) movie-goers.
Here's some of the things to watch for the next time you go to see
Attack of the Clones.
Trundling along the streets of Mos Espa as Anakin and Padmé
go to meet Watto is none other than R5-D4, the grumpy astromech
from Episode IV that blows its stack in front of Luke.
What has become a tradition of sorts is the "Wilhelm," the
affectionate moniker given to a very distinct scream sound effect
used in all of the Star Wars films (and quite a few non-Star Wars
films too). In A New Hope, it's the stormtrooper that plummets
down the Death Star chasm. In Episode II, it's a Naboo soldier
thrown in the opening explosion of the film.
The very first shot of Episode II has an homage to another
sci-fi classic as the camera tilts up to the crowded orbital
traffic of Coruscant. "That shot had been executed in 2001: A
Space Odyssey," explains John Knoll, one of Episode II's
Visual Effects Supervisors. "I put an Orion space plane
flying in there."
Star Wars continuity purists will have a hard time
explaining just how an X-wing fighter and TIE fighter got
into the speeder chase over Coruscant.
By now, many have spotted the familiar Millennium Falcon-style
Corellian freighters docked on Naboo. "It was George Lucas'
idea," says VFX Supervisor Pablo Helman. "He said something
like, 'should we dare go there?' And we did." In addition to
those saucer-shaped freighters, expanded universe fans might
be able to spot a Corellian bulk freighter, the same model as
Talon Karrde's Wild Karrde.
It appears that Fett genes and low headroom don't mix. In
an homage to the classic Star Wars misstep, wherein a
stormtrooper bangs his head on a low-hanging door, Jango
Fett also takes a wallop on the noggin -- complete with
sound effect -- as he enters the Slave I after
tangling with Obi-Wan.
"There's these big cow-like creatures called shaaks that
Anakin rides on Naboo," explains Knoll. "The shaaks got to
be a bit of a joke with the crew. I put one in the asteroid
sequence, in a reference to Ken Ralston [visual effects artist
in the classic trilogy] having put potatoes and tennis shoes
in space battle scenes previously. So there's a shaak there,
but it's got the asteroid shader on it with craters. You really
can't see it unless you start to look at it and see the
legs and snout."
"There may be a shaak on fire during the Clone War," hints
Ben Snow, another of Episode II's Visual Effects Supervisors.
"It was almost a competition. Can anyone get a shaak in
their scene?"
Of course, for every confirmed Easter Egg, there are dozens of imagined
ones (Luke's landspeeder? Sebulba? Darth Maul? Joey Fatone?). Keep a
close eye on the screen during your next viewing, but remember: your
eyes can deceive you; don't trust them.
Tiny Web Site
If you haven't seen it yet, here's your chance to view the world's smallest Web site.
The Fact The Someone Knows This Is A Bit Unnerving
Well before rapper Eminem's new record hit store shelves Sunday, it had already become the second-most-played CD in computer drives around the world, according to one closely watched measure. Want to know how?
The Fourth INDIANA JONES Movie Has A Release Date!
Coming Attractions is reporting that the OFFICIAL release date for the next INDIANA JONES movie will be July 5th, 2005. Apparently this is a very reliable source for them, and they say they "do not have any doubts" as to it's validity.
Director/writer Frank Darabont has officially signed to pen the script for the next Indy movie.
Here's to hoping the other three movies are out on DVD by then.
Theron Ready to Pull THE ITALIAN JOB
Charilize Theron is in negotiations to join Mark Wahlberg for THE ITALIAN JOB, a remake of the 1969 movie of the same name that starred Michael Caine and Benny Hill.
In the new version, which takes place in L.A. and Italy, Charlie's (Wahlberg) robber gang stages a traffic jam so that they can steal back a safe of gold that was stolen from them by a double-crossing associate. Theron would play Stella, a safecracker and driver. Stella's also Charlie's love interest and the daughter of his mentor.
Bowie Dusts Off 'Ziggy Stardust' Movie
Ziggy will soon play guitar again when Cowboy Pictures begins a national reissue of the David Bowie concert film "Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars."
The film will open July 10 at New York's Film Forum, followed by a national rollout this summer and fall.
D.A. Pennebaker ("Don't Look Back") captured Bowie's final live performance as Ziggy Stardust at the Hammersmith Odeon in London in 1973, filming Bowie both on stage and backstage.
Bowie's album "The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars" celebrates its 30th anniversary June 6. To mark the occasion, EMI will release an enhanced version of the album containing an additional CD with outtakes and demos.
Bowie will release a new album, "Heathen," on June 11, the first release under a new distribution deal with Columbia Records. Additionally, the Museum of Television and Radio in both New York and Los Angeles will next month begin a three-month Bowie retrospective.
"X-Men 2" Lures Cumming to Role of Nightcrawler
While Marvel's wall crawler "Spider-Man" continues to rack up summer grosses for Sony, Fox has added a Nightcrawler to its Marvel franchise "X-Men."
Alan Cumming has signed to join the X-Men mutant superhero roster, playing a shadowy blue-tinted superhero with a tail whose great gift is the ability to teleport from one location to another. At the same time, "Tadpole" star Aaron Stanford has been set to play Pyro, a mutant who becomes part of the junior X-Men team. He has the ability to manipulate fire.
Once again directed by Bryan Singer, "X-Men 2" will begin production in Vancouver on June 17. Returning is the original good guy cast of Patrick Stewart, Halle Berry, James Marsden, Hugh Jackman, Anna Paquin and Famke Janssen. Also back is Ian McKellen as the villainous Magneto.
This Will Make Bruce Very, Very Happy!
An unreleased song is the highlight of a new Beach Boys collection.
Stay calm Bruce! Stay calm!
Patrick Stewart Talks STAR TREK X And X-MEN 2
He dismisses talk that Star Trek: Nemesis will mark his farewell to the 24th Century. "There's been a lot of gossip about this being the last Next Generation film. Those conversations are only happening in the fan community. As far as the studio is concerned, and our executive producer is concerned, and indeed as far as all of us are concerned, though we all have our own opinions and feelings, there is nothing official at all about it being the last."
"Although," Stewart concedes, smiling, "this would be a very appropriate way to take our leave of Star Trek. Everything about the ending of this movie has a sense of closure about it, but there is also a huge opportunity for a sequel to this movie just sitting there, should it be taken up. And my feeling is that with Paramount it will totally be a matter of profits. If this film does really well, there will be another one. And that will continue, so long as they do well. The first time one does badly then, `Clang!' We shall be put out to graze."
Not that the passing of Jean-Luc Picard weighs too heavily on Stewart. With X-Men 2 looming, he's in the enviable position of juggling two blockbusting fantasy franchises. "The script for X-Men 2 is very different in tone from the first one, which in any case I always felt was just an extended trailer. It was sort of `This is who the X-Men are, this is the kind of thing that they do, and that's all we can tell you for now.' It was an establishing movie."
No More After GOLDMEMBER
Mindy Sterling, who plays Frau Farbissina, says in a sad tone, "I'm told this is the last Austin film, but I certainly hope there's a four, five, six and seven. These movies are so much fun and I think we need to laugh these days."
Sterling divulges, MINOR SPOILER ALERT, "The most hilarious new character is Goldmember who is one of Dr. Evil's entourage. He's a big bad guy."
Contrary to rumors, he isn't gold-plated. "It was definitely a huge makeup job for Mike Myers to play him. Let me just say that he dresses in gold and he's really tan." Many of her scenes are with Caine, who plays Austin's swinging pop. "He gets kidnapped by Dr. Evil. It's about Austin getting him back," she says, adding that the babes are in for double the trouble. "Austin's dad is also a babe magnet. Frau is actually turned on by him. I cannot say how far she goes or if it becomes a love triangle with Dr. Evil."
Our bet is on Dr. Evil. "I love that bald, sexy look," she says. Sterling admits that her toughest scenes were making love to Evil. "Mike Myers just looks at me in his evil, sexy way and I want to laugh until I cry, but I can't cry or my makeup will run. It's a horrible dilemma."
Another UNDERCOVER BROTHER
The movie doesn't hit theaters until Friday, but according to columnists Marilyn Beck and Stacy Jenel Smith plans are already in the works at Universal for a sequel to Eddie Griffin's "Undercover Brother".
Usually, says Griffin, "a studio will say, 'If the picture does such and such, and performs in such and such a way, we'll make a follow-up.' But producer Brian Grazer has already talked to me about a sequel, and I've said, 'Hell, yes!' " He says his role, spun off from the satirical series about a top operative working at a secret organization, "is one of the funniest characters I've ever played."
Griffin expects to make the sequel next year and adds that he would want John Ridley back to write the script. "His sensibility is a monster on the first 'Undercover' movie."
MOURNED
Mildred Wirt Benson, journalist and original author of Nancy Drew, the popular children's mystery series about a young sleuth which captivated a generation of young girls, died Tuesday in Toledo, Ohio. She was 96.
AMERICA'S MAYOR
Oscar-nominated actor James Woods has signed on to play former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani in "Rudy!", a two-hour cable movie to air later this year on USA Network about his tenure in office, climaxing with the September 11 terrorist attacks.
Eminem's New CD Debuts Atop Charts
Eminem's new album made its debut at No. 1 on the album charts, according to figures released Wednesday.
"The Eminem Show," featuring the song "Without Me," sold about 285,000 copies for the sales week ending Sunday — the day it was officially made available for sale.
The album was originally set for release June 4, but it was bootlegged so heavily that his label, Interscope Records, moved the sale date up to Tuesday. Late last week, they took the unusual step of making the record available to retailers two days earlier, and the album reportedly was made available as early as Friday at some stores.
The disc is Eminem's follow-up to his Grammy-winning disc, "The Marshall Mathers LP," which sold a then unprecedented 1.7 million copies in its first week of release in 2000.
E! Busts Out with Anna Nicole Smith Bio Series
From aging rocker to embattled Playmate: The first new cable bio series to follow MTV's hit "The Osbournes" will center on Anna Nicole Smith.
E! Networks has greenlit a weekly half-hour reality-based series revolving around the busty model-widow for a late July or early August debut. "The Anna Nicole Smith Show" likely will air in a 10 p.m. slot on a to-be-determined night.
An E! executive said the network got the idea before "The Osbournes" became a cultural phenomenon.
After an edition of "True Hollywood Story" featuring Smith continued to generate ratings success after several repeats, E! initially considered a "THS" spinoff before opting for a project based purely on Smith's life. "The Osbournes"' success gave the network more confidence in that direction.
"No one will ever believe it, but we started thinking about this project before 'The Osbournes' hit. Obviously when that show came in, ours became a much better idea to us," said Mark Sonnenberg, E! executive VP of entertainment.
The series will follow Smith, her teenage son, her attorney and her assistant in their not-so-everyday Los Angeles-based life.
"Five minutes of life through the eyes of Anna Nicole is more fascinating than an entire lifetime for some people," Sonnenberg added. "She packs a lot in."
Borland rebuffs Durst's invite to rejoin Bizkit
Despite Fred Durst's bizarre online appeals for ex-bandmate Wes Borland to return to the fold, the guitarist is in no hurry to rejoin Limp Bizkit.
Durst recently posted Borland's personal e-mail address and told fans to drop him a line, asking him to rejoin the group, which has been holding open auditions for a replacement.
Borland was not amused, appearantly he didn't appreciate his personal e-mail being posted.
And anyway, most of the fans who sent him mail encouraged him NOT to reunite with Durst and company.
"Although I did not read the hundreds of e-mails themselves, I took time to browse over the subject titles," Borland wrote. "75% or more of all the e-mails pleaded for me not to return. I was amazed. Thank you all for the support. You again have let me know that you agree with my decision".
More Murray On DVD
A catalog title that I have been waiting for has just been announced from Columbia TriStar! Bill Murray's first foray into dramatic acting, "The Razor's Edge," will arrive on August 20th! Presented in 2.40:1 anamorphic widescreen and Dolby Digital 4.0 surround, extras are minimal, including filmographies, production notes and a trailer, plus the usual bad new Columbia box art.
Now if I could only recieve release announcements for "Strange Brew" and "Quick Change" everything would be all right!
There Are Some Fun Goodies On The "Vanilla Sky" DVD
Paramount Home Entertainment has hidden some additional footage on their release of the Tom Cruise flick 'Vanilla Sky.'
From the disc’s Main Menu, go to the 'Special Features.' There, select the 'Photo Galleries' and once you get to that menu, highlight the 'Special Features' menu entry. Press the 'Right' arrow key now on your remote control to highlight David’s mask. If you press 'Enter' now you will be treated to about six minutes of outtakes and additional footage.
HARRY SITUATION
Director Chris Columbus, who helmed the first two Harry Potter films, reportedly not returning for the third installment because he wants to move his family back to America from England, according to London's Times. Warner Bros. executives are now talking with director Alfonso Cuaron (Y Tu Mama Tambien, A Little Princess) about taking over the job.
Ozzy's Daughter Covers Madonna
The daughter of stadium-packing rock star Ozzy Osbourne may have a hit of her own soon, covering an artist quite unlike her dad.
Kelly Osbourne has released a remake of Madonna's "Papa Don't Preach" as part of the soundtrack album from the family's hit MTV reality series. "The Osbournes," the highest-rated series in MTV history, follows the daily life of dad Ozzy, mom Sharon, 17-year-old Kelly and 16-year-old Jack.
Kelly Osbourne has never had a singing lesson and did not plan on a recording career, but the Madonna fan said she's pleased with the results.
"I was really surprised at how well it turned out," Osbourne told reporters. "When I hear it on the radio, I'm like I still can't believe that I have a song on the radio."
It wasn't supposed to be Kelly's song, though. Her 18-year-old sister Aimee, known as the mysterious Osbourne because of her refusal to take part in the MTV series, picked the song.
"She was originally supposed to sing it, but didn't want to. And it was her idea for me to do it," Osbourne said.
And what does Madonna think of Osbourne's version of her 1986 hit?
"I heard she liked the song but I don't really believe it until, like, you hear it firsthand," Osbourne said.
As for her family's hit TV show, Osbourne said copycat shows are a "stupid" idea.
"People like it so much. It's because it was like a first-time thing. And it was just us being us," she said. "Any other family who would ever do it, they would try and compare it to us, and it might not live up to the expectations that people have."
Carolina (Hartford) Advances To Their First Stanley Cup Final
I am saddened!
I am devastated!
Not only did my beloved Leafs get eliminated from The Stanley Cup Playoffs last night, but within 10 seconds of Carolina scoring the power went off in my apartment!
The lights went out on the Leafs season, and then the lights went out in my apartment.
In my moment of sadness I was alone in the dark with just that.
Alone, alone, alone...
I remain devastated even as I write this, almost an hour after the 45 minute power outage.
Sniff, sniff!
I guess we'll get 'em next year!
Dan Reynish
Eminem- "The Eminem Show" (Aftermath/Interscope)
Will the real Slim Shady please stand up?
On "The Eminem Show" - the follow-up to the 8-million-selling "The Marshall Mathers LP" - he's by turns a bad-boy rapper, a sensitive father, a neglected son and a disaffected American.
At its best - which is most of the time - the 20-track disc spotlights Eminem in peak form with clever lines and fierce delivery.
At its worse, it's predictable posturing with swaggering talk of self-importance, guns and the usual potty-mouth rants.
The Detroit rapper is angrier than ever, but he swings wildly from mood to mood on this more personal disc.
Album opener "White America" echoes "The Real Slim Shady," stressing at once his popularity and his persecution.
In "Without Me," Eminem rightly points out the hip-hop world "feels so empty without me."
We see Eminem at his corniest in "Hailie's Song," a doting number he wrote for his daughter. But the venom flows again when he lashes out at the government, his ex-wife Kim and - most chillingly - his mom.
"Remember when Ronnie died and you said you wished it were me? Well, guess what, I am dead. Dead to you as I can be," he spits in "Cleaning Out My Closet."
The posing and misogynism are tiresome, but "The Eminem Show," while flawed, proves that Eminem deserves to be master of ceremonies.
Tucker Sees Pink
Chris Tucker is the latest actor to read for the part of Inspector Closeau in the remake of THE PINK PANTHER, which Peter Sellers made famous. Tucker read for the part on Thursday with director Ivan Reitman and other MGM execs. If Tucker wins the role, he would be the first African American actor to take on the role, following Sellers, Roger Moore, and Alan Arkin.
So Why, Exactly, Do C3P0 and R2-D2 Not Remember Obi-Wan Et Al In STAR WARS EPISODE IV: A NEW HOPE?
E! Daily News interviewed Star Wars creator George Lucas and finally got an answer on the mystery surrounding what R2-D2 and C-3PO should and shouldn't remember of their adventures in the prequels.
A slight SPOILER warning is given for what Lucas had to say...
"Well, one, his brains have, his memory system has been erased and so has R2's. So, they don't remember anything from the first trilogy. I'm telling you something from Episode III, but I shouldn't be telling you that, but I think most of the fans already know that."
Two More Actors Join X-MEN 2
As Bryan Singer gears up to begin work on X
An acrobatic little sprite, Nightcrawler sports a prehensile tail and uses inhuman agility and acrobatic skills to flummox his foes. Add the fact that he can teleport in a puff of smoke and you've got one slippery customer.
Joining Nightcrawler in the sequel's superhuman line-up is Pyro, a mutant with the ability to control fire - observant souls may remember a brief cameo in one of X-Men's classroom scenes. Played by relative newcomer Aaron Stanford, Pyro is best known as a villainous mutant rather than a super hero but, for the film's purposes, he'll be getting caught up with the good guy this time around.
A New WW Candidate?
"Enough" star Jennifer Lopez told MTV recently that if she could be any superhero she would like to be Wonder Woman. "I kind of look like Wonder Woman right now," added the singer/actress.
In The Old Days, One Of These CD's May Have Sold A Million!
Prior to the sharing of music files, one of this week's new CD's would have come close to the all- time sales record for the first week of a new release. Nowadays, the latest release from Eminem, will likely only do around 600,000 units.
If it does less than that, expect to hear several record company insiders, the ones who keep leaking the music in the first place, sprout off at the mouth about how internet users keep stealing music.
Oh well, hopefuly the Eminem disc will sell over 600,000 units and keep everybody happy...
Including the Eminem disc, here are the new CD releases for Tuesday, May 28th, 2002:
* BAD COMPANY OST Bad Company (Hollywood)
* DEADSY Commencement (DreamWorks)
* EMINEM The Eminem Show (Interscope)
* FREESTYLERS Pressure Point (Hollywood)
* GREENWHEEL Soma Holiday (Island)
* JEFFREY LEWIS The Last Time I Did Acid I Went Insane And Other Favorites (Sanctuary Records)
* JOHNNY CASH Kindred Spirits
* KILLSWITCH ENGAGE Alive or Just Breathing? (Roadrunner)
* MARC JORDAN Living In Marina Del Rey & Other Stories (EMI)
* QUARASHI Jinx (Columbia)
* SEVEN WITCHES Xiled To Infinity and One (Sanctuary Records)
* SOMETHING CORPORATE Leaving Through The Window (MCA)
* THE SOMATICS The Somatics (Beggars Group)
* TOMMY LEE Never A Dull Moment (MCA)
* TRICKY A Ruff Guide To Tricky
* UNDERCOVER BROTHER OST Undercover Brother (MCA)
* VIRGIN STEELE The Book Of Burning (Sanctuary Records)
* VIRGIN STEELE Hymns To Victory (Sanctuary Records)
Today Will Be A Record Breaking Day
No matter how you slice it, the biggest selling DVD in the history of the format goes on sale today. Even before it even hits the shelves, I can tell you that it will usurp Shrek as the Number One All- Time DVD.
And that makes me sad. But short of buying 3 to 4 million Shrek DVD's, what can I do?
I can buy the much delayed Memento: Special Edition DVD, thats what I can do. Unless it gets delayed again...
Let's get to today's new releases before I get mad!
Here are the new DVD and Video releases for Tuesday, May 28th, 2002:
FIRST UP, THE BIGGIES
Memento: Special Edition- If you don't know what it's about, then just go and pick it up! Do it now!!!
Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone- A young child joins school that trains witches and wizards. (Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson)
Slackers- Geek blackmails cheaters to woo heart of girl. (Devon Sawa, Jason Schwartzman, Laura Prepon)
Firestarter 2: Rekindled- A sequel to Stephen King's Firestarter. (Malcolm McDowell, Marguerite Moreau, Danny Nucci)
Rare Birds- Two man fake rare bird sightings to help their restaurant. (William Hurt, Andy Jones, Molly Parker)
AND ALL THE REST
The 10th Kingdom (2 Disc Collector's Set)
Aladdin And The Adventure Of All Time
Alice In Wonderland
Alone
Animal Alphabet
Animal Numbers
Arabian Nights
Dark Blue World (Widescreen)
Dunston Checks In
The Eccentricities Of A Nightingale
An Enemy Of The People
An Erotic Vampire In Paris
Fighting Ace
First Blood (Special Edition)
The Game Of Death
The Gift Of Love
Hammerlock
Hollow Man (Superbit)
Home Team
Jason And The Argonauts
Kiss Of The Tarantula
Kung Fu For Sale
Lightning Kung Fu
Macho Man
The Man From Snowy River
The Master Of The Rings
Merlin
MLB: Rising Stars
Mountain Bike: Third Down
The Odyssey
The Pagemaster
Passion
The Patriot (Superbit)
Pressure Point
Redemption
Resfest: Best Of Shorts Vol. 1
Roughnecks: The Homefront Campaign
Roughnecks: The Klendathu Campaign
Run The Wild Fields
Silver Lode
Starship Troopers (Special Edition)
State Property
Sting Of The Dragon Master
Storm In Summer
Swordsman With An Umbrella
Termination Man
Thousand Mile Escort
Traffic (Criterion Collection)
Who Wants To Be An Erotic Billionaire
Wishing Tree
WWF: NWO - Back In Black
My Mother Still Watches The Show Every Night
Fred Durst Makes Plea To Get Borland Back In Bizkit
Limp Bizkit frontman Fred Durst has made a plea to Wes Borland, the band's former guitarist, to return to the band. "We are hoping Wes will come back and surprise us one day soon...We miss him, but he's doing his thing and he's supposedly really happy," wrote the Bizkit frontman on the band's website.
"Email Wes and tell him to come back to his family."
Gimme Some Money
With "Star Wars: Episode II- Attack Of The Clones" in the driver's seat Hollywood has enjoyed it's biggest weekend ever.
Trekkies Bid on the Holy Grail
One rich Trekkie this summer will be able to say with confidence, "I have the conn."
Captain Kirk's command chair -- from which he maintained "conn" (control of the bridge) -- was created at Desilu Culver Studios 38 years ago. It will be sold at auction in mid-June by Beverly Hills, California, dealer Profiles In History.
Lend an ear: Reservoir Dogs is coming to DVD (again), more brutal than ever.
Featured on the 10th anniversary special edition, due Aug. 27, are two never-seen camera angles of the infamous ear-cutting scene. Director/writer/star Quentin Tarantino had shot the scene from three angles and opted for the least gruesome of the bunch.
"You don't actually see any carnage, you just hear it, which is why I've always wondered why that scene has become so memorable," says Michael Madsen, who wields the knife on a captive cop. "It's become the focal point of any conversation about Reservoir Dogs. I've made 65 films, but nobody wants to talk about anything other than that scene. They'll probably write that on my tombstone."
The ear scenes (one a close-up) are just the most sensational "extras" about the film. Other extras include scenes of typical Tarantino banter; new interviews with all the principals, including one with real-life ex-con Eddie Bunker; and rare footage of key scenes rehearsed at a Sundance Directors' Lab workshop in 1991.
And, for major fans, there will be a rainbow of DVD covers representing main characters' nicknames for the heist: Mr. Brown (Tarantino), Mr. Blonde (Madsen), Mr. Blue (Bunker), Mr. Orange (Tim Roth), Mr. White (Harvey Keitel) and Mr. Pink (Steve Buscemi).
It's A Long Weekend In America
If you are wondering who did what at the box office this weekend, there won't be any numbers released by the studios until later today as it is the Memorial Day Long Weekend in The U.S.
But although I don't have any official numbers yet, I can tell you that "Star Wars: Episode II- Attack of the Clones" is on its on its way to beating the $200 million mark by the end of the holiday weekend.
The latest in the "Star Wars" franchise pulled $18.1 million Saturday, which combined with Friday's $12.8 million, adds up to more than $172 million in box office receipts since it opened Thursday, May 16.
Meanwhile, "Spider-Man" crossed the $300 million mark in total box office Friday, as expected. The film drew $7.3 million Friday and $11.4 million Saturday.
"Insomnia" opened Friday, beating out fellow new films "Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron" and "Enough" for third place. "Insomnia" pulled $7.9 million Saturday, and $6 million Friday, while "Spirit" grossed $7.0 and $4.5 million, respectively. Jennifer Lopez's "Enough" landed in fifth place, drawing $5 million Saturday and $4.5 million Friday.
Universal's "About a Boy" held in the top 10, placing sixth Saturday with $2.8 million, followed by "Unfaithful's" $2.3 million and "The New Guy's" $1.6 million. "Changing Lanes" and"My Big Fat Greek Wedding" placed eight and ninth, respectively.
Tomorrow's Best Bets
After setting box office records last year and setting DVD sales records in England already, Harry Potter comes home tomorrow. But he isn't the only reason to buy some new discs this week!
Released in America 2 weeks ago, the MEMENTO: SPECIAL EDITION DVD that I have been waiting for will finally see the light of day in Canada tomorrow.
Or will it? IT BETTER!!! I have cleared my whole day for it.
Either way, whether I am happy or not, here are the new DVD's scheduled for release on Tuesday, May 28th, 2002.
Memento: Limited Edition- I highly frown on movies coming out with deluxe DVD editions so soon after the original release. (They really should put everything out at the same time whenever possible, so fans can choose which one they want.) Having said that, this beautifully packaged set gets top marks for clever extras and a menu that makes you answer clues just to access all the special features. Needless to say, I support this release, even if it does come so close after the release of the original one.
Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone- This DVD finally arrives to placate those who've already read the first four books, the jokey paperbacks about Quidditch and ferocious creatures, the unauthorized bios of J.K. Rowling, and simply can't wait until Harry Potter 2 opens November 15. Marvelous casting - from the children to the all-star British supporting roles - saves this rather stiff rendition. It's so faithful to the text, you'd think you were watching one of those tiresome Biblical epics instead of a quick-witted fantasy film. For me, Alan Rickman (currently triumphing on Broadway in "Private Lives") steals every scene as Professor Snape. (And don't even ask about Book Five - that's been pushed back till next year.) Stop complaining and leave the poor woman alone. Maybe if she takes her time, she'll actually let someone edit her text this go-round and we won't suffer the niggling mistakes and overlong ramblings of Book Four.
Traffic- I was rooting for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon's Ang Lee over this movie and Gladiator, but I can't help being happy for Steven Soderbergh's win as Best Director. Visually, this is exciting, in-your-face moviemaking and well worth the imprimatur of a Criterion special edition. Warren Beatty in the Michael Douglas role? That's one of the many possibilities covered in the extras from one of the best directors working today.
Rambo Trilogy Special Edition- With a new wave of post 9/11 patriotism, perhaps now is a fortuitous time for a reissue of Rambo's oeuvre. Demoralized and betrayed in First Blood, vengeful in Rambo II, and cartoonish action hero in Rambo III, Sylvester Stallone's second most memorable creation gives vent to every level of righteous indignation you could ask for. But what tone will he strike for the recently revived sequel Rambo IV?
EMINEM SHOW STOPPER
Nearly 30 people were injured during a mosh pit stampede as Eminem performed Saturday at a Washington, D.C., concert. Most of the injuries were minor. One man suffered a heart attack but was reportedly stabilized at a local hospital. The concert resumed after a 10-minute delay.
Meanwhile, the rapper's long-awaited, much-bootlegged new album, The Eminem Show, went on sale Sunday. The album had originally been scheduled to be released June 4.
Dixie Chicks Release Sony Single
It looks like the Dixie Chicks may be closer to settling their differences with Sony Music than many had originally thought. According to Billboard, Sony digitally delivered the Chicks' new single, "Long Time Gone," to country radio just prior to the trio's performance of the song on VH1 Divas Live on May 23.
The single is the first from the Chicks' upcoming album Home, tentatively set for release August 27 on Sony's Monument label.
In Case You Haven't Noticed
The Summer Movie Season is in full swing.
Myers Borrows Themes for 'Powers'
Mike Myers says he likes the style of 1970s blaxploitation films, and he's borrowing from the genre for the third "Austin Powers" movie.
"It's such a yummy flavor — the language, the music, the cinematography — and the clothes are so cool," Myers said.
Beyonce Knowles of Destiny's Child co-stars as Foxxy Cleopatra with Myers in "Austin Powers in Goldmember," which opens July 26.
Myers isn't the only one looking back at blaxploitation films.
Opening Friday is "Undercover Brother," an action-comedy that spoofs the genre. The era produced such films as "Shaft," "Foxy Brown," and "Super Fly."
THE EARLY, EARLY SHOW
Eminem, having already bumped up his album release to combat Internet pirates, once again moving up the release date of The Eminem Show to Sunday, this Sunday, May 26.
Coming Soon To A Music Store Near You
It's Summer time! That means the livin' is easy and the new music releases are plentiful.
To help you keep track of all the new CD's on the horizon, here's a weekly chart starting from Tuesday through to the end of August. These are highlights only and both release dates and album titles are not carved in stone.
MAY 28 RELEASES
* Eminem, The Eminem Show
* Bryan Ferry, Frantic
* Tricky, A Ruff Guide To Tricky
* Something Corporate, Leaving Through The Window
* Killswitch Engage, Alive Or Just Breathing?
* The Freestylers, Pressure Point
JUNE 4 RELEASES
* Brian Wilson and guests, Pet Sounds Live
* Tift Merritt, Bramble Rose
* MC Mario, Sun Factory 3
* Los Lobos, Good Morning Aztlan
* Avril Lavigne, Let Go
* Doves, The Last Broadcast
* Meshell Ndegeocello, Cookie: The Anthropological Mix Tape
* P18, Electropica
* Donell Jones, Life Goes On
* DJ Shadow, Private Press
* David Sylvian, Camphor
* INXS, The Best Of INXS
* Jesus & Mary Chain, 21 Singles
* Various Artists, The Sum Of All Fears soundtrack
* Various Artists, Music From And Inspired By Scooby-Doo
* Nashville Pussy, Say Something Nasty
* Dirty Vegas, Dirty Vegas
JUNE 11 RELEASES
* Korn, Untouchables
* The Tragically Hip, In Violet Light
* David Bowie, Heathen
* They Might Be Giants, No!
* Molly Johnson, Another Day
* Holly McNarland, Home Is Where My Feet Are
* Orbital, Work
* Ralph Stanley, Ralph Stanley
* Stompin' Tom Connors, Ode For The Road
* New Found Glory, Sticks And Stones
* Boyz II Men, Full Circle
* Duke Ellington, Duke Ellington: Live And Rare (three-CD set)
* Lil Romeo, Game Time
* Raphael Saadiq, Instant Vintage
* The Proclaimers, The Best Of (Three New Songs)
* Marco Beltrami, The Dangerous Lives Of Altar Boys soundtrack
JUNE 18 RELEASES
* Our Lady Peace, Gravity
* Wyclef Jean, Masquerade
* Jerry Cantrell, Degradation Trip
* Papa Roach, Lovehatetragedy
* Judy Garland, The Best Of (Two-CD Anniversary Package)
* Belly, Sweet Ride: The Best Of
* Anastacia, Freak Of Nature
* Master T, Reggae Vibes Session 1
* David Charvet (of Baywatch fame), Leap Of Faith
* Various Artists, Minority Report soundtrack
* Various Artists, Lilo & Stitch soundtrack
JUNE 25 RELEASES
* Will Smith, Born To Reign
* Various artists, The Osbourne Family Album
* Red Hot Chili Peppers, By The Way
* Sonic Youth, Murray Street
* Nelly, Nellyville
* Ozzy Osbourne, Live At The Budokhan
* Fatboy Slim, Live On Brighton Beach
* Dream Warriors, The Legacy Continues
* Roland Gift, Roland Gift
* Slayer, Undisputed Attitude
* Aerosmith, The Ultimate hits
* Orbital, Back To Mine
* Juliana Hatfield, Gold Stars 92-02
* Eliades Ochoa, Estoy Como Nunca
* Chumbawamba, Readymades
* Reel Big Fish, Cheer Up
* Michelle Wright, Shut Up And Kiss Me
* SheDaisy, Knock On The Sky
* Scorpions, A Savage Crazy World
JULY 2 RELEASES
* Oasis, Heathen Chemistry
* Silverchair, Diorama
* Jarvis Church, Shake It Off
* Green Day, Shenanigans
* Morcheeba, Charango
* Grand Funk Railroad, Live: The 1971 Tour
* Aaron Tippin, I Believed
* The Roots, TBA
* Various Artists, Men In Black II soundtrack
JULY 9 RELEASES
* Counting Crows, Hard Candy
* Junior Kimbrough, You Better Run: The Essential Junior Kimbrough
* Adam Gregory, Workin' On It
* Bowling For Soup, Drunk Enough To Dance
* Mobb Deep, Songs From Murda Muzik
* Luis Fonsi, Fight The Feeling
JULY 16 RELEASES
* Robert Plant, Dream Land
* The Vines, Highly Evolved
* Beth Orton, Daybreaker
* Dave Matthews Band, Busted Stuff
* David Bowie, The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spider From Mars
* Linda Thompson, Fashionably Late
* Lovher, To Know Her Is To Loveher
* The Flaming Lips, Yoshimi Vs. The Pink Robots
* Various Artists, Stuart Little 2 soundtrack
* Various Artists, Austin Powers 3 soundtrack
JULY 23 RELEASES
* Danko Jones, Born A Lion
* Solomon Burke, Don't Give Up On Me
* O-Town, O2
* Alexandra Slate, Edge Of The Girl
* Diamond Rio, Completely
* Abra Moore, No Fear
* The Holmes Brothers, Righteous! The Essential Collection
* Brett James, TBA
* Tortoise, TBA
JULY 30 RELEASES
* Linkin Park, Reanimation
* Uncle Kracker, No Stranger To Shame
* Filter, The Amalgamut
* Fear Factory, Concrete
* 30 Seconds To Mars, 30 Seconds To Mars
* Rage Against The Machine, TBA
* Darius Rucker, Back To Then
AUGUST 6 RELEASES
* Solange Knowles, Solo Star
* Whitney Houston, TBA
* Rascalz, TBA
* Vertical Horizon, TBA
* Alabama, TBA
* Heather Headly, TBA
AUGUST 13 RELEASES
* Sparta, The Wiretap Scars
* Beatsteaks, Living Targets
* Splender, To Whom It May Concern
* Jade Anderson, Dive Deeper
* Loudermilk, The Red Record
AUGUST 20 RELEASES
* Queens Of The Stone Age, Songs For The Deaf
* Flipmode Squad, The Rulership Movement
* Andy Slochansky, Five Star Hotel
* Various Artists, Scrubs soundtrack
* The Wilkinsons, TBA
* Monica, TBA
AUGUST 27 RELEASES
* Division Of Laura Lee, Black City
* Jeffrey Steele, Somethin' In The Water
* Dropkick Murphys, TBA (live album)
* Lyric, TBA
* More August Releases
* Third Eye Blind, Crystal Ballet
SUMMER RELEASES TBA
* Coldplay, A Rush Of Blood To The Head
* Anne Murray, Country Croonin'
* Dayna Manning TBA
* Blondie, TBA
* The Fixx, TBA
* Anthrax, TBA
* Aaron Neville, TBA
Lucas Reissues Theme for EPISODE III
This Will Make It Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice
In an interview with Fox News, Michael Keaton said that he's spoken to Tim Burton, and if greenlit, both are ready to do a sequel to 1988's BEETLEJUICE. No other names were mentioned as being involved. Between this and a possible cameo as Batman in the CATWOMAN movie, this is good news to Keaton fans.
Hole is Officially Dead
While many Hole fans have assumed that the band has been disbanded since 1999, lead singer Courtney Love and musician Eric Erlandson announced yesterday that they are officially done. Said Love, "I will always treasure the time we played together. Eric has been an important part of my family for over 10 years and he'll continue to be a part of my life." Erlandson added, "We're incredibly proud of the music we've made together, but it seems like time for both of us to move on."
This Is The Best New Movie You Will See This Weekend
If you are looking for an entertaining film to watch this weekend but don't feel like leaving the house, then I have your answer. Click on and enjoy Lego's "The Han Solo Affair."
You won't have a bad feeling about it!
Britney Spears may be joining the cast of BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER next season.
Britney Spears is rerportedly set to spook fellow blonde babe Sarah Michelle Gellar in hit TV show Buffy The Vampire Slayer.
The singer is reported to be appearing in six episodes of the teen series' next season as a nightmarish demon pitted against Gellar's do-gooding, undead- battling Buffy. An insider is quoted in British newspaper the Daily Star as saying, "This will be an amazing sight. Britney and Sarah Michelle Gellar are two of the world's most gorgeous girls. Millions will tune in to see the two of them fighting in their trademark figure- hugging outfits." Britney is hoping to consolidate her acting career following her debut feature Crossroads earlier this year.
Jennifer Love Hewitt vocalizes all men's thoughts and makes feminists scream.
The curvacious Jennifer Love Hewitt thinks more sexy stars should strip down on screen - because it makes movies more interesting. The tempting Hollywood beauty, who shot to fame in the teen horror flick I Know What You Did Last Summer, admits she jumps at every chance to squeeze her curvaceous physique into skimpy outfits, because she's confident her audience will enjoy it. She says, "It comes with the territory. Who wants to go to a movie and see a girl running around in sweats three sizes too big? Nobody. I get it. I put on small tops everyday knowing that as I'm crawling around with the camera down my chest, it was all in good fun. It's eye candy."
Yummy!
Enjoy The Popcorn And I'll See You At The Movies!
PS- Our regular weekend preview returns next week!
This Movie Is One I Want To See
Fox has moved "Daredevil" to February.
Aerosmith Finalizes Best-Of Tracklist
Aerosmith hasn't yet named its new greatest hits collection, due June 25 from Columbia, but the tracklist for the double-disc set has been finalized. The 30-song set spans the Boston-based rock outfit's legendary career, beginning with "Mama Kin" and "Dream On" from its 1973 self-titled debut album. Two new songs, "Girls of Summer" and "Lay It Down," round out the collection.
Throughout, the band sprinkles 18 top-40 Billboard Hot 100 hits, from "comeback" era favorites such as "Janie's Got a Gun" and "Dude (Looks Like a Lady)" to more recent fare such as "I Don't Want To Miss a Thing" and "Jaded." Remixed versions of "Draw the Line," "Pink," and "Just Push Play" are also included.
The album achieves bassist Tom Hamilton's goal of covering "the whole gamut" of Aerosmith's career. "People love compilations," he told Billboard.com last month. "It's usually delineated by what record company we were with. You have the Geffen era, then the Columbia era. I was thinking of the term pre-Columbian. Isn't that an archeological term [laughs]? So we've got early Columbian, Geffen, then we've got neo-Columbian."
As previously reported, Aerosmith is planning to return to the road this summer. The group has also confirmed a June 27 concert in Tokyo as part of the festivities surrounding this year's World Cup soccer tournament.
Here is the tracklist for the album:
Disc one:
"Mama Kin"
"Dream On"
"Same Old Song and Dance"
"Seasons of Wither"
"Walk This Way"
"Big Ten Inch Record"
"Sweet Emotion"
"Last Child"
"Back in the Saddle"
"Draw the Line" (remix)
"Dude (Looks Like a Lady)"
"Angel"
"Rag Doll"
"Janie's Got a Gun"
"Love in an Elevator"
"What It Takes"
Disc two:
"The Other Side"
"Livin' on the Edge"
"Cryin'"
"Amazing"
"Deuces Are Wild"
"Crazy"
"Falling in Love (Is Hard on the Knees)"
"Pink" (South Beach remix)
"I Don't Want To Miss a Thing"
"Jaded"
"Just Push Play" (radio remix)
"Walk This Way"
"Girls of Summer"
"Lay It Down"
The Star Wars Films You Remember May Never Appear On DVD
Cinescape has posted a note about a recent interview with George Lucas in Star Wars Insider magazine, in which he seems to indicate that the original theatrical versions of the Star Wars Trilogy will not be released on DVD, basically because he doesn't feel that they exist anymore.
In other words, his revised special editions, however they ultimately turn out, will be the final versions of these films. Strangely, we've heard many reports of comments to the contrary by producer Rick McCallum from his presentation at the recent Star Wars Celebration convention in Indianapolis.
Thankfully I recently bought them on video!
Aww, Da Howwa, Da Hawwa
The good folks at MGM continue to put most of the other studios to shame when it comes to serving up their horror, sci-fi and cult titles with new widescreen transfers and plenty of extras all at a reasonable price (take note, Columbia and Paramount), they've got another batch of great stuff coming on August 27.
Leading the pack is a fave of horror buffs everywhere, one of the few horror-comedies of the 80's that actually worked, Return of the Living Dead. Featuring a new 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer, extras include an audio commentary with director Dan O'Bannion and production designer William Stout, the "Designing The Dead" featurette, a still gallery and the trailer. Also debuting on 8/27 is the nasty cult classic Last House on the Left, presented in its uncut version and in 1.85;1 anamorphic widescreen, with a new audio commentary by Wes Craven and the trailer. Last but not least we have Vampire's Kiss, also in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen, English 2.0 stereo, and featuring a first-ever audio commentary by Nicolas Cage. Retail is a low $14.95 each.
Other goodies coming on August 27 include Needful Things, Anthony Perkins in Edge of Sanity, and the cult horror of The Believers. Each is presented in anamorphic widescreen with English 2.0 surround tracks plus English, French and Spanish subtitles, plus trailers. Retail is $14.95 a pop.
MGM will also unleash a big wave of horror double features, amazingly also priced at $14.95 and according to the specs, all in anamorphic widescreen: The Oblong Box and Scream and Scream Again, Teen Wolf and Teen Wolf Too, Masque of the Red Death and The Premature Burial, Motel Hell and Deranged, and proving someone at MGM has a sense of humor, The Attic and The Crawlspace.
Yeah, Teen Wolf! Well done, MGM!
Seriously! Who wants to go with me?!?
Music legend Neil Diamond is going out on a mini- Canadian tour.
I mean it! Who will go with me?
FORCED OUT
Electronic Media is reporting that CNN was uninvited to a press junket for "Star Wars: Episode II--Attack of the Clones" at George Lucas' Skywalker Ranch, after Connie Chung did a taped segment that described The Phantom Menace as "a disappointment."
DIDDY DO IT
Sean "P. Diddy" Combs scoring a number-one debut with his new disc We Invented the Remix, selling 256,000 copies in its first week. Cam'ron, Weezer, Moby and Rush also scored top 10 debuts this week.
TOUR TRAGEDY
Britain's New Musical Express Website reporting that Southern California rock band Alien Ant Farm was involved in a bus crash in Spain early Wednesday morning while en route to Lisbon, Portugal, for a show. The bus driver was said to have died in the crash, while frontman Dryden Mitchell and bassist Tye Zamora were taken to the hospital. Those injuries were reportedly not life-threatening.
The Only 24 You'll See This Summer Is Beer
If you were planning to watch the Keifer Sutherland show "24" in reruns, you, like me, are S.O.L. Fox will not show "24" again anytime soon.
One word: Booooo!!!
It was 10 years ago today that Johnny Carson walked away.
Even in retirement, Johnny still casts a long shadow.
Good Luck!
Island Records is giving away a trip for two to see Elvis Costello in Europe this summer. Fans can enter the contest via Doll Revolution, a site named after the song "Tear Off Your Own Head (It's a Doll Revolution)," the first single from Costello's latest album, "When I Was Cruel."
The grand prize winner and a guest will be flown to Europe and will enjoy deluxe accommodations and tickets to see Costello perform on a yet-to-be-determined date. A quintet of second prize winners will each win an electric guitar signed by the artist. Deadline for entry via the site is June 30.
Costello is in the midst of a North American tour, which tonight (May 21) touches down at the Historic Mountain Winery in Saratoga, Calif. He'll be on the road stateside through a June 24 show in Atlanta, which will be followed by a six-date Japanese tour, and a quick visit to Australia.
So far, a July 22 gig in Liverpool, England, is Costello's only confirmed European date. He's expected back in the U.S. on Aug. 30 to perform a free concert as part of NBC's "Today" concert series in New York's Rockefeller Center.
Ferrell Gets Some 'Action'
This just in: Will Ferrell, in his first deal since announcing his departure from "Saturday Night Live," will star in the romantic comedy "Action Newsman."
He will portray Ron Burgundy, a 1970s anchorman with raging hormones, perfect hair and inflated ego in the vein of Austin Powers. He's the most beloved teleprompter reader in Portland until he's threatened by the arrival of an ambitious female newscaster who, unlike Burgundy, has mastered journalism.
Ferrell co-wrote "Action Newsman" with "SNL" writer Adam McKay, who will direct the project for Fox-based Regency.
Are They Still Relevant?
R.E.M. has posted a free remix CD online.
Does ALIENS VS. PREDATOR have a director?
Who knows whether or not we'll ever see it, but a scooper over at Aint it Cool News reports that the long-talked about Aliens vs. Predator production is close to signing Paul Anderson as it's director. Anderson is also attached to direct the sequel to "Resident Evil"
JERSEY BOUND
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez, who star in director Martin Brest's upcoming "Gigli," are reteaming for filmmaker Kevin Smith's "Jersey Girl," about a man named Ollie and the effects a new wife and daughter have on his seemingly full life.
This Story Will Make You Think A Bit. Are You ready?
So far this year we have been enjoying films that aren't grounded in reality. Call it a "comic book Summer," if you will.
But all that will change in a few weeks when "The Sum Of All Fears" hits theatres.
With new warnings rekindling public jitters, moviegoers may not be up to watching a disturbingly realistic portrayal of a terrorist attack on U.S. soil. Is it too soon?
Cool!
Blink-182 will be the guest stars on the 300th episode of "The Simpsons."
The Ratings Are In! The Ratings Are In!
NBC has won the 2001- 2002 televison season crown.
Good Riddance
Rosie O'Donnell says goodbye to the world of daytime TV today.
Today's Hits in Theatres Will Become The Fourth Quarter's Biggest DVD's
File this information in the category of VERY tentative, but there have been several reports from reliable retail sources on upcoming street date information for some of the Summer's Biggest Flicks which will come home in late 2002.
Here's what I've tracked down so far...
October
The Scorpion King (10/2), Scooby Doo (10/15), E.T. the Extra- Terrestrial: The 20th Anniversary Edition and Mr. Deeds (10/22)
November
Spider-Man (11/5), Ice Age (11/12), Men in Black II (11/19), Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones and Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron (11/26)
December
Stuart Little 2 (12/3), Lilo & Stitch (12/20), Back to the Future Trilogy and Spy Kids 2 (12/17)
I'd better start saving my pennies now!
Today's New Music Releases
Wow, I just took a look at the list of today's new CD releases. Man, there isn't one thing that I would buy. Heck, or even download for that matter.
But that's me. Perhaps you will want to pick up all of them. Whatever you choose to do, enjoy! And Go Leafs, Go!
Here are the new CD releases for Tuesday, May 21, 2002:
* 3RD STRIKE Lost Angel (Hollywood)
* BREEDERS Title TK (Beggars Group)
* BUFFALO TOM Besides (Beggars Group)
* CHARLATANS UK Songs From The Other Side (Beggars Group)
* DOT ALLISON We Are Science (Mantra)
* DREAM WARRIORS The Legacy Continues (ISBA)
* JIMI HENDRIX Jimi Hendrix: The Dick Cavett Show (Experience Hendrix/MCA)
* MARC ANTHONY Mended (Columbia)
* PHIL LESH & FRIENDS There And Back Again (Lapis Music/Columbia)
* RAPHAEL SAADIQ Instant Vintage (Universal)
* SHEILA NICHOLLS Wake (Hollywood)
* SOUL HOOLIGAN TBA (Soul Hooligan) (Warner)
* ULTIMATE X OST Ultimate X (Hollywood)
* VAN MORRISON Down The Road (Polydor)
It's A Big Day For New Releases
Oh yeah! It is a great day for DVD and video releases! Enjoy them! Here are the new releases for Tuesday, May 21, 2002:
Memento: Special Edition- If you don't know what it's about, then just go and pick it up! Do it now!!!
Vanilla Sky- A womanizer becomes disfigured and rebuilds his life. (Tom Cruise, Penélope Cruz, Cameron Diaz)
How High- Two stoners ace college with supernatural pot. (Method Man, Redman, Lark Voorhies)
Out Cold- A group of snowboarders party all the time. (Jason London, Lee Majors, Victoria Silvstedt)
Sidewalks Of New York- A look at dating and marriage with 3 men and 3 women. (Edward Burns, Heather Graham, Stanley Tucci)
Good Advice- A failed stockbroker writes a female advice column. (Charlie Sheen, Denise Richards, Angie Harmon)
L.I.E.- A troubled teen is taken in by a ex-Marine with a secret. (Brian Cox, Paul Franklin Dano, Billy Kay)
Nora- The life romance between James Joyce and Nora. (Ewan McGregor, Susan Lynch, Peter McDonald)
Sex And The City-Season 3- The complete third season of Sex And The City. (Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon, Kim Cattrall).
BELIEVE IT OR NOT...
Disney planning a big-screen adaptation of the 1980s regular-guy superhero series The Greatest American Hero, Variety reports. The studio and producer Stephen J. Cannell have signed on Paul Hernandez to write the script.
Answer- Joey Scarbury
Look at what's happened to me,
I can't believe it myself.
Suddenly I'm up on top of the world,
It should've been somebody else.
Believe it or not,
I'm walking on air.
I never thought I could feel so free-.
Flying away on a wing and a prayer.
Who could it be?
Believe it or not it's just me.
It's like a light of a new day-,
It came from out of the blue.
Breaking me out of the spell I was in,
Making all of my wishes come true-.
Believe it or not,
I'm walking on air.
I never thought I could feel so free-.
Flying away on a wing and a prayer.
Who could it be?
Believe it or not it's just me.
Who could it be?
Believe it or not it's just me.
Hopefully It's Shorter Than His Other Efforts
The next person to take a crack at an "Indiana Jones" script has been named.
I wonder if they will ever actually MAKE the movie?
I Watched "The X- Files" (Beware December 22- 2012! Beware!)
An estimated 25.6 million people watched the fixed "Survivor: Marqueses" on Sunday night.
Wendy's Ads to Tribute Dave Thomas
Wendy's will honor its late founder, Dave Thomas, by adding a reference to him in commercials next month and putting posters of him in restaurants.
Wendy's International Inc. will describe food as being "prepared Dave's way" in the commercials touting the slogan "It's better here," which promote the low-priced "Super Value Menu," company spokesman Bob Bertini said Monday.
Thomas, who died of liver cancer in January, was the company's premier pitchman in a 12-year advertising campaign that featured his folksy, sometimes self-effacing humor.
The advertising campaign is a way to acknowledge customers' connection to Thomas, Bertini said. He said Wendy's has no plans to use Thomas' image or voice in the new commercials.
Roger Blackwell, a marketing professor at Ohio State University and a retailing consultant, said the new ads will be effective.
"This is an example of customers wanting to see Dave because of the great respect he had among consumers," he said.
The new commercials will build on current ones portraying Dublin — the upscale Columbus suburb of 30,000 people that is headquarters to Wendy's — as a friendly, multiracial community.
The new commercials will air mid-June, Bertini said.
Jack Russo, an analyst with A.G. Edwards & Sons Inc. in St. Louis, said it's to early to tell how the new commercials will affect the company.
"They clearly had success with him before," Russo said. "He was a good spokesman for the firm. You just can't forget that overnight."
Wendy's, the nation's third-biggest hamburger chain, has nearly 6,100 restaurants in the United States, Canada and other countries and more than 2,000 Tim Hortons, a Canadian-based chain acquired in 1996.
Share of Wendy's stock closed Monday at $37.49, down 25 cents, on the New York Stock Exchange.
Guess where I'm going for lunch today!
ONLY $110 Million
I've seen it 4 times already! And I can't wait to see it again!
Too Many Too Resist
Tomorrow is a big day for DVD's! Don't beleive me, well then take a look for yourself!
Here are the new DVD's being released on Tuesday, May 21st, 2002.
Memento: Limited Edition- I highly frown on movies coming out with deluxe DVD editions so soon after the original release. (They really should put everything out at the same time whenever possible, so fans can choose which one they want.) Having said that, this beautifully packaged set gets top marks for clever extras and a menu that makes you answer clues just to access all the special features. Needless to say, I support this release, even if it does come so close after the release of the original one.
Sex and the City: The Complete Third Season- Mmmmmmm!...Kristin Davis!!!! Ooops, sorry! Let me focus on what I am writing. At first, "Sex and the City" was as limited as its name implied: Women avidly discussing sex was all the show had to offer and if that didn't shock and/or amuse you, you were out of luck. But Darren Star's best work had more than designer clothes and naughty words on its mind. The characters actually began to matter and their romantic travails sometimes contained sadness and pain. Pregnancy? Marriage? All of that seemed highly unlikely for these gals (unless the pregnancy ended in abortion and the marriage was one their boyfriend was in). It was the third season when all that changed - and one of the most popular shows also became one of the best.
Legend: Collector's Edition- This was a silly 1986 Tom Cruise fantasy about a devil (a delicious Tim Curry) killing the last unicorn and bringing darkness to the world. But what made this Ridley Scott debacle so puzzling was how cheesy it looked. He'd already made Alien and Blade Runner, two landmark sci-fi films - they were both astonishingly real. Legend was made after them, but looks about as cheap and unconvincing as a Saturday-morning cartoon. After 16 years, we finally get to see the longer, European cut, which is better, but that's not saying much. You can compare both on this exemplary collector's edition.
Vanilla Sky- Another Tom Cruise misfire. What's admirable about Vanilla Sky, just like Legend, is that Cruise may involve himself with the occasional bomb, but it almost always comes about out of a desire to try something bold and different. He certainly wasn't slumming by teaming with Cameron Crowe to film this dreary remake of the Spanish film Open Your Eyes. Now Cocktail, that's another story.
The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad 2 1/2, 33 1/3- Diminishing returns for these three movies from the Zucker brothers. Leslie Nielsen does his bit and O.J. Simpson provides comic relief. All three are out, with the first being quite funny. But none of them can approach the deadpan brilliance of the TV series "Police Squad" they sprang from. It's even funnier than Airplane and certainly more sophisticated. (If that's the right word.) Why doesn't someone release that on DVD?!?!?!
LucasFilm has already given out a few hidden things in "STAR WARS" EPISODE II" for you to be on the lookout for.
Han Solo doesn't have a cameo in Star Wars, Episode II: Attack of the Clones, but look closely and you'll find a few Millennium Falcons. They're among the many hidden gems to look for in George Lucas' latest saga, which opened Thursday. "I like putting a lot on the screen for fans to notice, or imagine, or interpret," Lucas says. "I think it's what a good movie does."
For those of you who don't want to fork over the money to sit through the repeated viewings, however, here are a few things to look for when the lights go down:
* When Anakin and Padmé arrive on Naboo, you'll spot three Millennium Falcons in the background and at the docking station.
* When Yoda is meditating and Anakin is killing the Tusken Raiders, listen for the voice of Qui-Gon Jinn, Anakin's old master.
* When the clones attack and the evil Count Dooku is fleeing Geonosis, keep an eye out for a cameo of the Death Star.
* Remember the royal guards from Return of the Jedi? The red-cloaked personal protectors of the emperor make a background appearance in Clones, but keep an eye out. They're there for only a second.
* During the chase scene in Coruscant, Anakin and Obi-Wan zip by different billboards with strange writing. The writing is in a style called Aurabesh and corresponds with our own alphabet. Fans with much time on their hands have already begun trying to translate them.
* While the end credits scroll along, look for the name "Michael Smith." Mr. Smith is credited as "Javva the Hutt." He's not a character in the film; he's the guy who got coffee for the cast and crew.
* The ceiling of the dining room at the Lars homestead — which will become Luke Skywalker's future residence — on Tatooine has a pattern similar to the tattoo on the mug of Darth Maul, the bad guy from Phantom Menace.
* The shaaks — the cow-like creatures that are roaming Naboo — became the butt of jokes among Lucasfilm special-effects wizards. You can find one floating in an asteroid belt, and another is on fire in the final, climactic battle scene.
THERE'S A NEW FRIEND
Rachel giving birth to a baby girl with the assistance of Ross on the season finale of Friends Thursday. Then, in an unexpected twist, Rachel accepted Joey's inadvertent marriage offer. The show drew an estimated 34 million viewers to easily win the Nielsen battle.
SHOW OPENING EARLY
Interscope Records announced late on Friday that Eminem's new album, "The Eminem Show," will be in stores May 28--a week earlier than expected. Label reps say the move was made after the album was leaked on the Internet.
FIVE ALIVE: PIERCE WANTS NEW 007 BID
Actor Pierce Brosnan, who flew to the Cannes Film Festival yesterday to celebrate the 40th anniversary of James Bond's first appearance on the silver screen, is gunning for a fifth shot at playing the sexy spy.
"Number 5 still appeals," the dimpled star said.
Describing Bond's allure, Brosnan - who's currently filming his fourth Bond film, "Die Another Day," with Halle Berry - remarked, "It's the women, the gadgets, the sex, the romance, the fantasy world, the ultimate hero."
Sean Connery first filled the polished shoes of Ian Fleming's fictional creation in 1962 when he battled Dr. No and won the heart of Ursula Andress' Honey Ryder.
Also yesterday, DreamWorks' latest animated flick, "Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron," premiered at the famous French Riviera film festival.
Sharon Stone, a member of the Cannes jury, attended last night's opening wearing a fetching 1920s-style outfit.
This Show Is So Rigged It Isn't Funny! I Can't Explain Why Without Sounding Racist, But Wow! Rigged, Rigged, Rigged! It Is Rigged!
Vecepia `Vee' Towery Wins 'Survivor: Marquesas.'
Not Quite Record Breaking, But I Think It's A Better Movie Than The One Ahead Of It
"Star Wars: Episode II- Attack Of The Clones" does $116 million in four days.
As Long As "The Simpsons" Is Still On...What Do I Care
With their new TV schedules the networks are seeking stability and familiarity.
Scully, It's Me
X-Files Set for Greener Galaxies with Series Finale.
This Weekend's New Films
Even if you have been under a rock, you likely know that Star Wars: Episode II- Attack Of The Clones is now in theatres. Seriously! You must know! You must also know what I wrote about it:
The 5th chapter in the "Star Wars" saga opens today and it has been much maligned in all facets of the press. And on one hand, I can see why. Parts of it are derivative of other films, and some of it could be construed as a bit slow. Meandering even.
But I didn't see it that way.
Instead, in my afterthoughts of "Episode II" I keep coming back to something I wrote after I saw "Star Wars: Episode I- The Phantom Menace":
"All that I want when I sit in a theatre to watch a 'Star Wars' film these days is to be magically transported back to a time when I was a young goofy kid and the films were unlike anything I had seen before. No matter the plot, effects or characters, as long as it delivers me to a place a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, and make me feel 9 years old again, then the film has done it's job."
And "Episode II" has done it's job. And done it quite admirably! For some reason, I will cut this film, and however many "Star Wars" films George Lucas wants to make, some slack. I don't and I won't hold it up to the same criticisms that I would other films because it made me feel like a kid again.
I thoroughly enjoyed "Star Wars: Episode II- Attack Of The Clones" and I hope you do too! I'm not here to review it, I'm simply here to endorse it!
BUT THERE IS ALSO ANOTHER FILM THAT IS NEW THIS WEEKEND
Now, with all of the hype that has surrounded Star Wars: Episode II- Attack Of The Clones, it's understandable that you might not know that there is another film opening in your local multiplex.
But there is! It is called About A Boy and it too is incredible!
The film's pedigree is impressive. The producers (Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner) are the men who sat in a similar chair for "Bridget Jones's Diary." The writer of the novel upon which "About a Boy" is based (Nick Hornby) is responsible for the source material for "High Fidelity." And the directors came into prominence by doing unspeakable things to desserts in "American Pie." Add to that the always-appealing Hugh Grant and the gorgeous Rachel Weisz, and is it possible to go wrong? If About A Boy is anything to go by, the answer is no.
About A Boy is not a daring film, but it is immensely likable. Every once in a while, a movie comes along that, despite traversing familiar terrain, is made with enough all-around skill that it overcomes its clichéd origins. About a Boy is such a movie. In a summer when pyrotechnics, superheroes, sequels, and mindless action are sure to rule, this film gives us a feel-good human story to savor between bursts of testosterone and adrenaline.
Sniff, sniff...I think I need a tissue!
Hee hee hee! I love it when I make fun of myself!
Anyway, may the force be with you, enjoy the popcorn and I'll see you at the movies!
Here's The Almost Official Word on the Star Wars On DVD Rumours
Given that this weekend marks the debut of the all-digital "Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones" in theaters, it's only appropriate to give you all a rundown of the Star Wars DVD situation. There are many "new" reports appearing in the press about this (stirred up for obvious reasons), but there's no real news to be found. At least nothing those of you who have been following the subject forever don'talready know.
But for the rest of you, the basic story is this. Elements of the Episode II DVD have already been in production for many months. The DVD will be a 2-disc release, patterned very closely after the recent Episode I DVD. That means you can expect the film in anamorphic widescreen video on Disc One, along with Dolby Digital 5.1 EX surround sound and THX-certification. Word is Lucas and company are also planning another trip to the audio commentary booth for the DVD. Disc Two is likely to feature another "behind-the-scenes" documentary, along with a number of deleted scenes completed for the release, trailers and TV spots, the Episode II web documentaries and more.
The title IS expected to be released later this year, probably in October or November (latest word is you'll have it before American Thanksgiving).
Lucasfilm has also basically suggested that it's likely Episode III will be released on DVD without delay after that film appears in theaters in 2005.
NOW HERE'S THE BAD NEWS
As for the original Star Wars films, Lucas has himself confirmed that he's filmed additional scenes (during the production of these prequels) that he intends to add into Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi to "complete the Saga the way he always envisioned it". He's also expected to enhance and/or replace more special effects sequences with CGI and make other refinements to the original films. These "ultimate" versions are what will eventually find their way to DVD (there's no word as to whether or not he'll also include the unaltered theatrical versions - those of us who grew up with them certainly hope so). Lucas has also stated recently that he and his crew didn't create as much "making of" material during the production of the original trilogy, so it will take time to compile new material for the eventual DVD release. And while he's working on the prequels, time is something he doesn't have a lot of. What that means, is that you shouldn't expect the original films to appear on DVD until sometime after the release of Episode III in 2005.
And that is, more or less, the best and most up-to-date information available on the subject of the Star Wars films on DVD. We'll be sure to keep you appraised as the production of the Episode II disc continues. You can reasonably expect official details to begin appearing from Lucasfilm later this summer.
Austin Powers and Britney Hook Up for Video
Austin Powers will appear in Britney Spear's next video and single, "Boys." Spears and Mike Myers, the man behind Powers, began filming the video on Tuesday at a mantion in Hollywood. The two will also appear in a Pepsi commercial together. Both spots tie into the third Powers film AUSTIN POWERS IN GOLDMEMBER, where Spears makes a cameo appearance.
Peter Mayhew, who played Chewbacca in the original STAR WARS trilogy, has said that he will appear in Episode III.
Filmink magazine caught up with Peter 'Chewbacca' Mayhew when he was recently in Australia; and found out that he Chewie might be one of the closely kept secrets of Episode III.
Mayhew admits that his schedule is full, but mention the upcoming prequels and you sense the quiet desperation he feels towards his alter ego's big screen future.
"I wasn't involved in either "The Phantom Menace" or "Attack of the Clones," but there is also Episode Three to come, and that has got to join up with Episode four. So Chewy Has got to be there. It's a guaranteed job, maybe this year, maybe next year. I don't know. But I've always been there if needed", he says.
THAT'S A NASTY CURVE
Tawny Kitaen launching the latest salvo in her ongoing and increasingly catty divorce/custody battle with pro baseball pitcher Chuck Finley. She says Finley drives drunk, smokes pot and uses steroids. Finley had earlier blamed Kitaen's drug problems for the fight that led to her arrest last month.
FAMILY ALBUM
Kelly Osbourne, the 17-year-old daughter in the Osbourne clan, recording Madonna's 1986 hit "Papa Don't Preach" for an album collection of the family's favorite tunes to be released June 11 by Epic Records. The album will also include former Osbourne neighbor Pat Boone's version of Ozzy's "Crazy Train."
The Fox network does a complete overhaul, adding 10 news shows.
To compare, the other networks averaged 4 to 5 new shows.
The 'M*A*S*H' 4077th Gang Reunites on Fox.
Springsteen Says No To Candidacy
Bruce Springsteen decided he wasn't born to run for political office after all.
Doug Friedline, a consultant who helped professional wrestler Jesse Ventura win the Minnesota governor's race in 1998, had hoped to recruit Springsteen to run as an independent in November's U.S. Senate race. The Boss would have faced off against incumbent Sen. Robert Torricelli, a Democrat, and whichever Republican emerges from the June 4 primary.
However, a spokeswoman for the 52-year-old singer told the Asbury Park Press of Neptune on Wednesday that he had no desire to seek office. In a statement sent to the newspaper, Springsteen paraphrased a rebuff by Civil War Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman to the GOP convention of 1884: "If nominated, I will not run. If elected, I will not serve."
Friedline, who also served as campaign manager for the unsuccessful New Jersey gubernatorial bid last year of then-state Sen. Bill Schluter, said volunteers from Schluter's campaign thought of drafting Springsteen because they think the current contest is boring.
The coalition calling itself "The Independence for New Jersey" had launched a petition drive to get the 800 signatures of registered voters required by June 4 to place Springsteen on the ballot.
The 'Friends' Have Baby Daughter
As expected, Rachel gave birth to a baby girl Thursday night. Little Emma's father, Ross, assisted with the delivery.
Then, in an unexpected twist, the new mom accepted Joey's inadvertent marriage offer.
The season finale of "Friends," TV's top-rated series, focused on the maternity ward for the much-anticipated delivery.
"She looks so real!" exclaimed none-too-bright friend Joey (Matt LeBlanc) on first glimpsing the infant.
"I'm so glad you guys got drunk and had sex," said Monica (Courteney Cox Arquette) to unwed parents Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) and Ross (David Schwimmer).
Then, inspired by the blessed event, Monica and hubby Chandler (Matthew Perry) retreated to a janitor's closet to try to make their own baby. Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow) flirted with an attractive bedridden patient.
At the fadeout of the hour-long episode, Joey, whose affection for Rachel was rebuffed earlier in the season, picked a ring off the floor dropped by Ross. Rachel tearfully accepted what she took to be his wedding proposal.
The Ross-and-Rachel storyline occupied much of the NBC sitcom's eighth and most successful season. Next year is expected to be the series' last.
Have You Seen It Yet?
The fans are going ape for Yoda's scenes in "Star Wars: Episode II- Attack Of The Clones."
"Star Wars: Episode II- Attack Of The Clones" Has Finally Arrived!
The 5th chapter in the "Star Wars" saga opens today and it has been much maligned in all facets of the press. And on one hand, I can see why. Parts of it are derivative of other films, and some of it could be construed as a bit slow. Meandering even.
But I didn't see it that way.
Instead, in my afterthoughts of "Episode II" I keep coming back to something I wrote after I saw "Star Wars: Episode I- The Phantom Menace":
"All that I want when I sit in a theatre to watch a 'Star Wars' film these days is to be magically transported back to a time when I was a young goofy kid and the films were unlike anything I had seen before. No matter the plot, effects or characters, as long as it delivers me to a place a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, and make me feel 9 years old again, then the film has done it's job."
And "Episode II" has done it's job. And done it quite admirably! For some reason, I will cut this film, and however many "Star Wars" films George Lucas wants to make, some slack. I don't and I won't hold it up to the same criticisms that I would other films because it made me feel like a kid again.
I thoroughly enjoyed "Star Wars: Episode II- Attack Of The Clones" and I hope you do too! I'm not here to review it, I'm simply here to endorse it!
Enjoy the experience and the popcorn and I'll see you at the movies!
Can I Get A Confirmation For July 16th?
A new reports says that Bruce Springsteen has previewed his new CD.
Please email me any copies you have!
Yummy!
There is now a teaser trailer online for the new Bond film, DIE ANOTHER DAY.
May A Successful Weekend Be With You
Box-office analysts are predicting "Star Wars: Episode II- Attack of the Clones" will gross between $90 million and $100 million in its first four days of release.
Meanwhile, it's also predicted U.S. businesses will lose $319 million in productivity due to employees calling in sick to see the movie.
As for me, I can't wait to see it again!
It's Going To Be A Girl
Tonight's one hour season finale of "Friends" has some people guessing.
Group Wants Springsteen for Senate
Sure, Bruce Springsteen was born to run. But was he born to run for office?
Political consultant Doug Friedline thinks so. He's leading a campaign to get the Boss elected as New Jersey's next U.S. senator.
A coalition calling itself "The Independence for New Jersey" launched a petition drive Tuesday to get the 800 signatures of registered voters required by June 4 to place Springsteen on the ballot.
It's not that simple though, officials said. Springsteen would have to sign on to consent to becoming a candidate. His publicist did not return a call seeking comment.
Friedline, of Brooklyn Park, Minn., managed Jesse Ventura's successful Minnesota gubernatorial campaign in 1998.
Not having talked with Springsteen, Friedline is uncertain of the 52-year-old singer's ideology, but knows this: "His record shows that if he believes in a cause, he'll get involved."
Volunteers hope Springsteen would run as an independent this fall against incumbent U.S. Sen. Robert Torricelli, a Democrat, and whichever Republican emerges from the June 4 primary. The Republican candidates are state Sen. Diane Allen, state Sen. John Matheussen and businessman Doug Forrester.
Go! Watch! Enjoy!
The long wait is finally over for us "Star Wars" fans.
'Clones' DVD May Hit Stores Quickly
The new "Star Wars" movie is hitting DVD at light speed compared with "The Phantom Menace."
"Star Wars: Episode II — Attack of the Clones" will be available on DVD this fall, the franchise's creator, George Lucas, said last week in an interview at his film headquarters, Skywalker Ranch.
"Episode I — The Phantom Menace" came out on videotape early in 2000, about 10 months after the film's theatrical debut, but the DVD version was not released until a year and a half later. The delay resulted because Lucas was particular about refining deleted material and other DVD bonuses and was busy working on "Episode II."
Lucas said he'd rather hold off on the "Attack of the Clones" DVD, as well, so he could spend more time tweaking the bonus material.
"But everybody says, `Oh, it's so much more powerful if you bring it out in the same year as the movie,'" Lucas said. "So we're doing our best to do that."
Unfortunately for "Star Wars" fans, the original trilogy will not land on DVD until after Lucas finishes "Episode III," due out in 2005, he said.
THE REVOLUTION'S HERE
Directors Larry and Andy Wachowski posting a teaser trailer to the third Matrix installment, The Matrix Revolutions, on the film's Website, www.thematrix.com.
The film isn't due in theaters until late 2003.
LETS MAKE THIS "WEEZER WEDNESDAY!!!"
After a dispute with Geffen/Interscope over the release of its next album, Weezer has returned with its awesome fourth studio set, "Maladroit." Earlier this year, the group enraged the label when it made a number of the "Maladroit" songs available online and personally sent radio stations and publications an eight-track "preview" disc. Several tracks garnered immediate airplay, particularly "Dope Nose," which is No. 9 on Billboard's Modern Rock Tracks chart.
That aside, "Maladroit" injects a bit more variety into the irresistibly catchy, pop/punk style of last year's self-titled "Green" album, which has sold more than 1.3 million copies in the U.S., according to SoundScan. Cuomo says he's fallen deep into the songwriting zone, doubting himself less and trusting the muse more often. As a result, he's no longer afraid to wear his love for '80s metal (heard on tracks such as "Fall Together") on his sleeve. Guitarist Brian Bell says, "Rivers has just unleashed the shredding beast in himself."
"It's been there all along, and I've had to consciously repress it on our first three records," Cuomo says with a laugh. "I had to force myself not to bust out with Scorpions riffs. And, at this point in my life, I really don't want to force anything anymore. I just wanna let it all hang out. So, on ["Maladroit"], it all just came pouring out." The band is on tour in Japan through late May but is expected to hit North America this summer.
I Need A Job
Napster is eyeing bankruptcy as it's CEO resigns.
Umm, if you don't mind, I'd like to see exhibit's "A" and "B."
A Classless Move By ABC! But Cool For Kimmel!
Bill Maher is out and Jimmy Kimmel in after "Nightline" on ABC.
One Word: Weezer!
Below is a list of the 13 new CD's that are hitting stores today. And even though there is a new CD from RUSH on the list, the latest from 80's stalwarts A- HA, and a soundtrack CD to the awesome TV show "Scrubs," they are all made irrelevant by the last one.
So look at the whole list if you will, but take the time to pick up the one that rounds it all out. It is an incredible 35 minute collection of music.
The new CD releases for Tuesday May 14, 2002, are
* 98 DEGREES The Collection (Universal)
* A HA Lifelines (Warner International)
* BLINK-182 The Urethra Chronicles 2 (MCA)
* BROTHERS CREEGGAN Sleepyhead (Page)
* COAL CHAMBER Dark Days (Roadrunner)
* DOVES The Last Broadcast (Astralwerks/Virgin)
* EMERSON DRIVE Emerson Drive (Dreamworks Nashville)
* JOEE Joee (UMC)
* MOBY 18 (V2)
* P. DIDDY P. Diddy And Bad Boy Presents ... Hot Shit, Vol. 1 (Arista)
* RUSH Vapor Trails (Anthem)
* SCRUBS OST Scrubs (Hollywood)
* WEEZER Maladroit (Geffen)
Ahhh...
Look at me! I'm in line already! Even though "Star Wars- Episode II: Attack Of The Clones" is getting mixed reviews.
It's another big day for DVD and video releases. That said, some of the worst films ever made (Corky Romano) are also available today (Corky Romano), but I don't want to say which ones (Corky Romano) as film enjoyment is subjective. Of course, if you like the bad films that are released today (Corky Romano) then there may be no hope for you.
Either way, there is Nicole Kidman, Marilyn Monroe and Kevin Smith with Stan Lee so it's a good day for DVD!
Here are the new releases for Tuesday, May 14th, 2002:
The Others- An English family resides in an eerie mansion with servants. (Nicole Kidman, Fionnula Flanagan, Alakina Mann)
Snow Dogs- A Miami dentist inherits a team of sled dogs. (Cuba Gooding Jr., James Coburn, Randy Birch)
From Hell- A new take on the events surrounding Jack The Ripper. (Johnny Depp, Heather Graham, Ian Holm)
Corky Romano- The blacksheep of a Mafia family is called upon to save dad. (Chris Kattan, Peter Falk, Fred Ward)
Stan Lee's Mutants, Monsters And Marvels- Stan Lee talks with Kevin Smith about his comic book legacy. (Stan Lee, Kevin Smith)
And The Marilyn Monroe Collection Wave II (Boxed Set)- This set of the lovely one's films includes: Bus Stop, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, How To Marry A Millionaire, The Seven Year Itch and There's No Business Like Show Business. The films are also available individually.
AND ALSO COMING OUT...
Atlantic City (Widescreen)
David Blaine: Fearless
The Haunted World Of Edward D. Wood Jr.
Hip Hop Honeys
Jude
Keep Your Right Up
Little Red
Naked Gun Collection (Set)
Oliver & Company
Outta Time
Santee
A Soldier's Daughter Never Cries
South Shaolin Master II
Star Warp'd
Stephen King's Rose Red
Super Chick
Tell Me Something
The X Files: The Complete Fifth Season (Collector's Edition)
September begins Universal's international rollout of “Back to the Future” on DVD and the official boxed-set specifications have been announced.
By the way, the initials stand for "Back To The Future Is Finally Coming Out On DVD."
Paramount unleashes their Special Edition of "Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan"
One of the most lauded and celebrated releases from Paramount Home Entertainment has been the fully restored and retooled Star Trek: The Motion Picture - The Director's Edition. Now the film's first sequel, and arguably the best installment in the franchise is preparing to follow suit with the extensive new DVD release of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan – The Director's Edition.
Although not as precedent setting as the "Motion Picture" set, the new two-disc set for "Wrath of Khan" has just about everything a fan of the film could hope for, except for the original version of the movie.
Disc one contains the New version of the film with an anamorphic widescreen transfer and audio tracks in Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Surround 2.0 and French Dolby Stereo. The film will be accompanied by a new audio commentary from the film's director Nicholas Meyer and a text commentary by Trek tech guru Michael Okuda.
The most important piece of information is that the film will in fact contain the expanded 116 minute version of the film as overseen by Meyer incorporating footage previously only seen on the original television broadcast of the film. This new footage will be reintegrated into the film allowing viewers to see this footage for the first time in widescreen. Completists should consider hanging onto the original bare-bones DVD however, as the new release will unfortunately not incorporate branching to give the option of the original theatrical version of the film.
Disc two carries all the extras. A theatrical trailer and storyboard archives will be supplemented by over four hours of documentaries. The Captain's Log features new interviews with Nick Meyer, William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Ricardo Montalban and producer Harve Bennett. Designing Khan explores the overhaul of Trek's visual style between the first two films including interviews with Meyer, Bennett, graphic designer Lee Cole, costume designer Robert Fletcher and production designer Joe Jennings. The Visual Effects of "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan" goes in depth with the designers at the then young ILM on the creation of the film's effects. Original interviews from the film feature promotional clips from Shatner, Nimoy, Montalban and DeForest Kelley add some taste of the film's original promotions. Finally, The Star Trek Universe – A Novel Approach by Authors Julia Exklarand Greg Cox discusses the expansion of Trek into novels with emphasis on the books stemming from "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan".
Whew.
If Paramount has this kind of commitment ready to put towards all of the Star Trek films, Trek fans will have a lot to be happy about in the coming years, unless you already bought the discs that Paramount already released.
"Wrath of Khan" will come much sooner than expected on August 6th with a suggested retail price of $24.99.
Hey Look At This!
6 Degrees Of Kevin Bacon has hit the internet!
But it isn't always right. I put in Alanis Morissette and it replied:
The Oracle says: alanis morissette has a Bacon number of 2.
Alanis Morissette was in Coyote Ugly (2000) with Frank Medrano
Frank Medrano was in Sleepers (1996) with Kevin Bacon
FYI- Alanis Morissette wasn't in Coyote Ugly!
But she was in "Jay And Silent Bob Strike Back" with Matt Damon, who was in "Good Will Hunting" with Minnie Driver, who was in "Sleepers" with Kevin Bacon. So technically she has a Bacon number of 3.
But hey, have your own fun!
At ABC It's No Longer As Easy As 123
The struggling Alphabet network, whose fall schedule will be unveiled Tuesday, is expected to drop Spin City, Dharma & Greg, The Job, Philly and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire from its prime-time roster. (Millionaire will likely be back in special limited runs.)
In "Star Wars- Episode II: Attack Of The Clones" Samuel L. Jackson got his own distinct Light Sabre.
Some surprises and some expected cancellations as NBC announces its new fall schedule.
'X-Men' Special Edition DVD Gets 'X'-tra Special Treatment
With Spider-Man building upon the comic book phenomenon that X-Men first enjoyed in 2000, it's no surprise that Fox is planning a Special Edition X-Men DVD. What is surprising is the rumored contents of said DVD.
Not only will there be more "making of" features and an audio commentary from director Bryan Singer, but the Special Edition DVD will also have new footage.
And we're not talking deleted footage here.
Apparently, Fox approved additional funds in the budget of the sequel (X2) for Singer and cast to shoot additional footage for X-Men with the sole purpose of inclusion on this new DVD. While no details have been released on the content of this new footage, it is rumored to be origin footage of some of the other mutants, namely Storm and Cyclops.
This would be the first time in history in which new footage would be shot specifically for the DVD release of a completed (and released) movie.
Original-trilogy DVDs delayed
Star Wars fans will have to wait at least three years for the release of the original trilogy on DVD, according to the only source that counts: George Lucas.
"Probably, when I finish this (trilogy)," Lucas said when asked to expect the DVD debuts of Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back and Return Of The Jedi.
Lucas says he has been too busy preparing Thursday's release of Episode II -- Attack Of The Clones and will be too busy making Episode III, slated for theatrical release in 2005.
"We don't have time to do it, to be honest with you," Lucas said. "And the other ones don't have any of the materials (such as the high-tech extras he gave fans on The Phantom Menace DVD)."
Because background materials were not archived as much in the 1970s and '80s, Lucas says it will be a challenge to dress up the original Star Wars trilogy.
"So it's going to be harder to put together a worthwhile DVD."
Episode I -- The Phantom Menace was released on DVD last October.
I Always Thought "8 Is Enough"
George Lucas answers why 6 is enough.
It's A Big New DVD Day In The Neighbourhood
Here's a preview of the major new DVD releases for tomorrow, Tuesday, May 12, 2002:
The X-Files: The Complete Fifth Season- This beautifully packaged fifth season of "The X-Files" is where fans that don't want their hearts broken should stop. The show, starring David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson, would decline soon afterwards, with even creator Chris Carter unable to find any convincing new wrinkles in the wildly paranoid, wildly complicated conspiracy at the heart of the series. The truth may be out there, but I can't be bothered.
The Others- A horror story about a mother and her two children that's rather tame for anyone who's ever watched "The Twilight Zone." But it's a beautifully made film on every level, with Nicole Kidman delivering a terrifically focused performance and looking every inch the proper heir to Grace Kelly.
The Original Transformers- Out of nowhere, "Transformers" has become the hot revival of the year. The '80s series about a battle for universal domination has spawned a new comic book series that sold out immediately all over the country. (In the old days, that would mean the publishers would print a bunch more. Today it means frustrated fans, with greedy collectors who sit on their mint copies and dream of more money via E-Bay in a few years.) Adding to the nostalgia is this terrific compilation from the first season. Rhino gives this once dorky show its typical tender loving care via lots of extras.
Marilyn Monroe: The Diamond Collection II- Yep, Marilyn Monroe could act. She appeared in more decent films than you remember, though ironically it's the awful Seven Year Itch (featured in Diamond Collection I) that produced her most iconic moment. Here you have mostly smaller roles, but you can't go wrong with Joseph Cotton (in Niagara) or the Marx Brothers (indulging in a little Monkey Business). Nothing revelatory, but fans will appreciate the velvet glove treatment: Monroe always needed it.
Old Yeller- Like the best Disney movies, this is tougher than you remember. Our young hero has quite a little temper on him (and it isn't noticeably tamed by the end) while life on the frontier is appropriately brutal. It's still shocking to see Old Yeller turn vicious after getting rabies and still sad to hear that final gun blast. The film's given deluxe treatment (complete with a second DVD loaded with extras), and there are similar sets for the silly fun of Swiss Family Robinson (featuring many of the same actors).
From Hell- This retelling of the Jack the Ripper crime spree never comes to life and certainly never captures the quirky grandeur of the groundbreaking graphic novel its based on. But Johnny Depp gives his usual, eccentric and exciting performance and he's matched scene for scene by Robbie Coltrane. Since the directors (the Brothers Hughes) practically went to film school by listening to commentary tracks on laser disc, you can depend on them for good insight.
IT'S THE GLADI-EATER
A British paper reports "Gladiator" heartthrob Russell Crowe is now fighting flab in preparation for his next big warrior movie role.
Britain's Sun newspaper says Crowe has packed on more than 20 pounds since his flex-flaunting role as general Maximus - and needs to tone up for a new role as a seafaring war hero.
The paper says Crowe hired a former star of the television show "Gladiators" to whip him into shape.
Lourene Bevaart, a martial-arts expert known as Glacier on the Australian version of the show, has signed on to be his personal trainer.
The new film, "The Far Side of the World," stars Crowe as navy Capt. Jack Aubrey, a hero of the Napoleonic wars.
But "Captain Jack" needed to cut down on the booze and fatty foods, and has embarked on a rigorous training regimen to get himself shipshape, the paper says.
Shooting is set to begin next month in Mexico. The epic will be directed by Peter Weir.
Crowe is coming off rave reviews - and lingering controversy - over his portrayal of a schizophrenic math genius in "A Beautiful Mind."
Some panned the movie for omitting mathematician John Nash's supposedly close relationships with men and his divorce and remarriage. The film's supporters countered that the criticism was part of a sleazy campaign to help the film's competition on Oscar night.
His work on the other side of the camera may be a warm-up for his directorial debut later this year.
The film, titled "The Long Green Shore," is set in the South Pacific just after World War II.
WEEZER- "Maladroit"
Most bands toil and sweat to come up with an album's worth of songs. Weezer sounds as if it has the opposite problem--stopping the flood. "Maladroit" (in stores Tuesday) comes just a year after the L.A. band's last album, and its tuneful music flows out with uniform force. When it stops after 35 minutes, it's as if the band simply decided it was time to twist the shut-off valve.
There's none of the rise-and-fall complexity so many musicians use to make their records seem as important as novels, none of the clean, regimented sound that prevails in punk-derived pop. Leader Rivers Cuomo and company wallow in a pure sonic pleasure, slopping through their musical mud with an infectious exuberance.
"Maladroit" is packed with clarion chording, clouds of aural sparks, background-filling vocal refrains, spoken asides, and call-and-response exchanges. The band's production fills the space to near-capacity--it all seems about to explode into feedback, and even a thump on a certain drum pulls a squeal out of the air.
Trembling at the breaking point is where Cuomo loves to be. Weezer's central persona, he remains the iconic outsider, and the music serves that character well. But the emphasis in "Maladroit" (which is enhanced with live videos of seven songs) is the sound itself. At a time when even rock's alternative and underground heroes often record like fastidious fussbudgets, Weezer reminds us that it's OK to make a mess.
Pearl Jam Finished Recording 'Binaural' Follow-up
Pearl Jam has finished recording the follow-up to Binaural and it will be mixed after a short break. The forthcoming album is still untitled, and it’s being produced by the band and Adam Kasper, who is also in the middle of working with Dave Grohl on his heavy metal project, Probot. Kasper also produced the Foo Fighters’ There Is Nothing Left To Lose.
The new Pearl Jam studio effort won’t be in stores until early next year, but the band is working on a rarities album that is expected to hit stores in time for the Christmas shopping season.
Harry Potter Becomes Fastest Selling British Video
Boy wizard Harry Potter may have weaved a little magic over the weekend to ensure the video and DVD release of "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" broke British industry sales records.
Warner Home Video said on Sunday over 1.25 million copies of the big screen hit, known as "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" in the United States, sold on Friday, May 10th, 2002, its first day of release, breaking the previous record set by "Titanic" of 1.1 million copies.
The British record is for the number of units sold in a 24-hour period.
And hey, how 'bout that nutty Star Wars bar...
So it's true. You can't buy him love. Paul McCartney says that his kids are unhappy about his upcoming nuptuals.
"Star Wars: Episode II- Attack Of The Clones" will be Number One at this time next week but, for now, "Spider- Man" stays in the Number One position at the Weekend Box Office.
Will "Spider- Man" have legs this weekend? Enough legs to avoid a big drop in ticket sales?
Stiller, Black in Green with 'Envy'
Barry Levinson will direct Ben Stiller and Jack Black in "Envy," a DreamWorks comedy that will start shooting in July.
Stiller and Black will play lifelong best friends and neighbors whose relationship takes a nasty turn when one of them (Black) becomes filthy rich by selling an invention. It drives his pal (Stiller) crazy with jealousy.
The project had been developed by producer Castle Rock Entertainment at Warner Bros. for several years, after "Seinfeld" co-creator Larry David set it there as a pitch he hatched with screenwriter Steve Adams.
WB blanched at its $40 million budget and let it go. The price tag includes a salary for Stiller said to be in the range of $10 million, supplemented by a healthy gross profit participation.
DreamWorks stepped up with the money, which was more than a mild surprise given the highly publicized acrimony Levinson had directed at the studio over its handling of "An Everlasting Piece," the Irish comedy about hairpiece salesman. The film barely registered a blip in the marketplace, and Levinson blamed the studio's poor marketing. One of the producers, Jerome O'Conner, even sued DreamWorks; the lawsuit was dismissed in court earlier this month.
DreamWorks is apparently looking beyond the dispute and concentrating on the commercial appeal of the dark comedy and its stars. Stiller just completed the Danny DeVito-directed "Duplex" for Miramax opposite Drew Barrymore. He is developing "Starsky and Hutch" at Warner Bros. and is also expected to reprise his "Meet the Parents" role in "Meet the Fockers." Black was last seen in "Orange County" and "Shallow Hal."
Can you believe it? "Law & Order: Dragnet" has found a home!
Tom Cruise Develops 'War of the Worlds'
Tom Cruise is developing and will possibly star in a new feature version of H.G. Wells' classic Martian invasion tale "The War of the Worlds."
The film is scheduled for production in 2003 via the actor's Cruise/Wagner Prods. and its Paramount home.
"'The War of the Worlds' is a timeless literary treasure and one of our most exciting properties," said Sherry Lansing, chair of Paramount Pictures Motion Picture Group. "Since Paramount has enjoyed such tremendous success partnering with Cruise/Wagner, there is clearly no better team to entrust this to."
Cruise/Wagner worked with Paramount on such high-profile projects as the billion-dollar "Mission: Impossible" franchise and the recent thriller "Vanilla Sky."
Wells' sci-fi novel was first published in 1898. Depicting a global, seemingly unstoppable Martian attack on Earth, the book was adapted and performed to sound like a live news broadcast by Orson Welles, whose Mercury Theater aired the now-legendary radio play the day before Halloween in 1938.Broadcast to millions of Americans, the show was so convincing, it caused a nationwide panic, quelled only after the news media reported the truth.
DreamWorks recently released a feature version of Wells' "The Time Machine" to mixed results.
Copies of 'Star Wars' Sequel Online
A week before its scheduled release, illegal copies of "Star Wars: Episode II — Attack of the Clones" are already appearing on the Internet.
One copy of the movie making the rounds online appears to have been recorded at a private showing, using a tripod-mounted digital camcorder pointed at the screen, the Los Angeles Times reported Friday. Another copy apparently used a more sophisticated version of the same technique.
Both were distributed via Internet Relay Chat, a computer protocol that allows users to copy files at high speed from other computers on different networks.
The highly anticipated film is due in theaters May 16. Neither Lucasfilm Ltd., which produced the movie, nor 20th Century Fox Film Corp., its distributor, could immediately be reached for comment early Friday.
Industry observers said movie piracy probably will not affect box office revenues for the "Star Wars" sequel, but may hurt its videotape and DVD revenues.
"It's an extremely serious threat," said Jean Murrell Adams, head of the litigation department at DreamWorks SKG. "I'm not surprised that it's on the Internet. I talk to pirates because I want to find out why they're doing this. And what I've been told is that they were eagerly anticipating who would be first to do this. It's a challenge for them."
The previous "Star Wars" installment, "Episode I — The Phantom Menace," also was available online before its official release in May 1999. The current blockbuster "Spider-Man" appeared on the Internet a day before its official premiere.
Clinton: Hosting TV Show Unlikely
Former U.S. President Clinton said it's unlikely he'll start a new career as a television talk show host but admitted the idea had some appeal.
Clinton met with NBC executives last week in Los Angeles to discuss the possibility of a show, an unconventional move for an ex-president and one that generated a flurry of attention.
"I don't think this is going to happen," Clinton said during a National Public Radio interview scheduled to air Friday. "I'd be surprised if it did."
Clinton, a guest on NPR's "The Tavis Smiley Show," said a TV forum would allow him to address "things I care about in an environment where people would be free to listen to larger numbers of people than I can speak to."
Clinton added that neither he nor the network were the impetus for the meeting. He was approached by a group of people, whom he didn't identify, and asked for help in financing a show, he said.
Asked if he would accept a position in which he provided analysis or commentary, Clinton said he didn't know.
NBC has declined to talk about the meeting, and a spokeswoman for Clinton downplayed its significance last week, calling it one of many discussions he's had about potential projects since leaving office.
Sorry, but there isn't!
Ha ha ha, just kidding! Of course! Not even a new design, concept and look to this website would keep me from letting you know about the 2 new films invading the North American multiplexes.
I just wish they were better films!
Up first is The New Guy. This movie, for lack of a better phrase, just stinks out loud. Only a few of the jokes are funny and the humor is just bad.
BUT! BUTT!
There are 2 people in The New Guy. that might make it worth your time. Especially if you have a lot of free time.
Eliza Dushku, from TV's "Buffy The Vampire Slayer" and "BRING IT ON" plays the popular girl with the killer body who falls for said new individual and the always fun Lyle Lovett plays his Dad.
But if you don't have any free time, stay away from The New Guy.
Even if you don't have any extra time, or any time to spare, if you are a fan of either Diane Lane or Richard Gere then you will probably find yourself in the dark somewhere watching Unfaithful over the next couple of days.
From the director of "Fatal Attraction," 9 1/2 Weeks," and "Foxes" this erotic, sexually charged revenge thriller has some of the things that this kind of film needs to have. More specifically, it has Diane Lane! Lane gives one hell of a performance by showing us a range of emotions that clearly states that she is one of the finest actresses on the screen today. Not to mention the sexiest. Yummy baby! Yummy!
So if you like stupid movies that stink out loud, or wanna see Diane Lane look absolutely delicious, then this is your weekend at the movies!
Otherwise, you can just go and see Spider- Man again.
Or you can just wait until Thursday when Star Wars: Episode II- Attack Of The Clones opens!
Oh yeah, baby! Oh yeah!
Enjoy the popcorn, may the force be with you, and I'll see you at the movies!
Angelina talks about her hopes for TOMB RAIDER 2.
It seems that after initial reports saying that she wouldn't appear in a second film, Angelina Jolie has appearantly signed up for a sequel to Tomb Raider because she'll be able to try out the latest underwater technology and train with circus troupe Cirque Du Soleil.
The actress played Lara Croft in the 2001 action adventure and had reservations about enhancements that made her seem more curvy, so she's stipulating that the sequel will be an underwater adventure that will see her character looking more athletic. She says, "I want to be much, much stronger. I would love to train with Cirque Du Soleil. Lara Croft should be more athletic and cut. "In the beginning of the first movie, we added padding to make me one cup size bigger. Also, I put on about 20 pounds for the role. And then, there were days when I was on my period that I was that much bigger. "I'd also like to go underwater in the next movie. I'm just curious about what gadgets can be used underwater - it's like James Bond.
So I guess we'll see.
Was There A "Seinfeld" Reunion In The Works?
According to a top-level source at NBC they tried to launch a Seinfeld reunion special.
Unfortunately, the Peacock network had just one feather lined up for the fanciful event. "Julia Louis-Dreyfus was the only one who said yes," clucked a high-flying NBC heavy. "So, it's probably not going to happen."
Officially, it never did.
"There's no truth to it," said an NBC spokesperson. "There were no plans for a reunion."
Not so (or yada, yada, yada...take your pick), say other well-connected NBC suits. "They really tried for this."
But to no avail, or so it appears. Players inside Camp Seinfeld say Chief Jerry would "never go back" to the TV arena. "He could hardly top himself, could he?" asked one close chum rhetorically.
Maybe, maybe not. But I'd watch it.
Cashing In?
Marvel sues Disney over "Spider- Man" artwork.
Critics: Force Returns in 'Attack of the Clones'
Only 6 Days Until "Episode II"!
Online buzz has changed moviegoing forever.
Roberts Pleads for Research Funds
Actress Julia Roberts, choking back tears as she described the death of a 10-year-old girl with Rett syndrome, appealed Thursday for more money to research the neurological disorder that mainly afflicts young girls.
"This is very impressive and nerve-racking," Roberts said as she took her seat in a crowded room for a hearing of the House Appropriations subcommittee responsible for public health spending.
"I usually ramble, but this is important, so I'll read," she said.
The disease, which affects about 200,000 girls and women worldwide, leaves them unable to communicate and control body movements and functions. Most develop severe disabilities by age 3.
"These are the voices that we hear today in the halls of Congress," Roberts said over enthusiastic outbursts from children sitting behind her. "They listen but cannot speak. They struggle to do the many things we take for granted everyday."
Roberts told lawmakers she decided to help raise public awareness for the condition after meeting Abigail Brodsky of Brooklyn, N.Y. Abigail, who filmed a one-hour documentary with the actress for the Discovery Health Channel, died in June at age 10.
"Abigail was my pal," Roberts said, choking back tears. "We spent time together without words. We connected with our eyes."
Roberts asked for the subcommittee to set aside $15.5 million in its 2003 budget, which starts Oct. 1. This year, research on Rett syndrome got $3.5 million in federal funds.
The West Wing Finally Gives Face
It's Martin Sheen versus James Brolin!
Does the winner get Barbra Streisand? Does the winner want Barbra Streisand?
COUCH POTATOES THINK ‘FRIENDS' REALLY ARE
Repeat after us, TV fans: Tony Soprano, Frasier and Seinfeld are not really your pals, even though you may think they are.
A new study found people watching TV believe they have an improved social life and wider circle of "Friends" - but in reality, it's only in their imagination.
That's the word from sociologist Satoshi Kanazawa of Indiana University in Pennsylvania, who looked at the TV-viewing habits of 600 Americans.
"My basic contention is that in evolution, our entire body has difficulty comprehending stimulus that didn't exist 200,000 years ago," Kanazawa told The Post.
"Therefore, our brain doesn't know that we don't have more friends when we watch TV, that they are just actors.
"We found that people who watch TV think they have these friends - even if they don't have any real friends, they think they have them."
Sitcoms and prime-time dramas were the most rewarding shows for women. Men responded best to news programs.
Kanazawa said the brain's mechanisms for recognizing friends evolved long before TV came along.
That means the subconscious counts any face it sees regularly as a real-life friend, even it's just on TV.
The E.R. Has One Less Doctor
After eight seasons on "ER," Anthony Edwards checks out.
Rush's New CD Hits Stores on Tuesday
The new tour by Rush will be "...very, very visual."
They Could Go....All...The...Way!
Sega is building ESPN features directly into it's sports games from now on.
No word on Sonic's feelings.
Hey, Remember The 80's?
There is a "Miami Vice" movie in the works!
I knew if I kept all of those clothes and shoes they would come back in style!
Good Luck To "Undeclared"
With only 2 weeks left in this television season, the fate of many of our favourite TV shows coming back next year is still up in the air!
Osbournes Get $3 Million Book Deal
Dyslexic rocker Ozzy Osbourne and his colorful clan, the stars of MTV's hit reality series "The Osbournes," are now making waves in the publishing world.
In a deal worth more than $3 million, the ratings-smashing first family of metal has sold world rights to two books to Pocket Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster.
The deal, signed on the floor of last weekend's publishing trade convention, Book Expo America, is for a trade paperback tie-in to their MTV show and a hardcover family memoir. The tie-in will be published in November, and the memoir, to be narrated by each member of the Osbourne family, including the heretofore-unseen fifth Osbourne, Aimee, will appear the following spring.
The book deal comes on the heels of the Osbournes' reported $20 million deal with MTV for two more seasons of their show.
"The Osbournes are a popular phenomenon of the first magnitude" said Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing Group president Carolyn Reidy, who negotiated the deal with Trident Media Group and Endeavor. "Their appeal is multi-generational and covers the entire political and cultural spectrum. We're bleeping delighted to publish them at Simon & Schuster."
Simon & Schuster and MTV are both units of Viacom Inc.
Portman: 'Phantom' Shoot Was Misery
Look closely at Natalie Portman's face in "Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace" and you'll see her eyes are often red.
Portman told Premiere magazine that's because she cried so much during filming. At 16, she said she was overwhelmed working 15-hour days for the "Star Wars" prequel, whose second installment will be released next week.
During the "Phantom" shoot, Portman said there was no one her age on the set and she needed a friend. She said she was miserable and thinks her performance as Queen Amidala suffered as a result.
The shoot for "Episode II — Attack of the Clones" was a different story.
"It was one of the most fun movie experiences" of her life, Portman said.
Co-star Hayden Christensen, who plays Anakin Skywalker, is just two months older than 20-year-old Portman. And just in case, she brought some friends with her to the set.
"Star Wars: Episode II — Attack of the Clones" has charity premieres on Sunday. It opens just after midnight Wednesday, early Thursday morning.
'The Osbournes' shoot scene for 'Austin Powers in Goldmember'
Forget about Dr. Evil, Fat Bastard and Mini-Me, Austin Powers may have finally met his match in ... Ozzy Osbourne?
Variety reports that some last-minute scenes were shot this month for "Austin Powers In Goldmember," the third instalment in Mike Myers spy-spoof series.
The 11th-hour scenes will capitalize on the left-field popularity of MTV's reality series "The Osbournes," Variety reports. Myers himself will not appear in the scenes, but he told Variety the scene qualifies as "an extravaganza," and was filmed at the now-famous Osbourne Los Angeles home.
The movie is scheduled for a July 26 opening. Myers told Variety the Ozzy cameo is just one of "many surprises" in the film.
Scotty Is Recovering
We reported yesterday that James Doohan, who played Scotty on STAR TREK, had slipped into a coma. Now comes word from Doohan's agent, "James has been a client of mine for almost 30 years. For an 82-year-old man who spent 13 weeks in bed recuperating from pneumonia, he's doing damn well."
In other words, there was no coma. His agent added, "He's not ready to do any personal appearances yet, but he is home, and he is doing rehabilitation. ... A lot of the stuff he's going through now are a result of his injuries from World War II." Doohan also suffers from Parkinson's disease and diabetes.
A Gay Anakin?
Star Wars actor Hayden Christensen has lost himself a potentially devoted fanbase by laughing off suggestions that he's gay.
A leading American gay magazine declared Christensen to be "definitely gay", and Hayden's more amused than annoyed at the speculation.
He says, "It's hilarious. I'm not gay. It's amazing how much people will speculate if they haven't actual information to draw from, they just make up whatever they feel is appropriate. "That's cool. As long as the people I know and care about know the truth then everyone else's opinion doesn't really matter."
Cast and crew on the set of the upcoming Attack Of The Clones film know where the 20-year-old's tastes lie - he often forced extra takes of his kissing scenes with stunning co-star Natalie Portman by turning to the camera grinning and flashing a thumbs-up. He laughs, "They would be like, 'You have to stop doing that Hayden! Now we have to do the whole scene again.' I'd be like, 'Fine'."
COOL!
Producer Dean Devlin told SCI FI Wire that he and partner Roland Emmerich are gearing up to make a sequel to their blockbuster 1996 hit film Independence Day. "Roland and I, we're back to work on doing a sequel to Independence Day," Devlin said in an interview. "I think we finally found a story that we wanted to tell." Devlin and Emmerich wrote and produced the original film, which Emmerich directed. ID4 is the 11th highest-grossing domestic release of all time, with more than $300 million at the North American box office.
Devlin added that he hopes to assemble as many of the original cast members as possible. "I like to think that hit movies are like a cocktail, you know?" he said. "You want to try to get all the ingredients back together again and try to get the same mix. But we'll see. We'll see what we can get back. We'll try to get everyone. We'll just have to see how it plays out." The original film's cast included Will Smith, Bill Pullman, Jeff Goldblum, Judd Hirsch and Margaret Colin. As for the sequel's story? "I can't tell you that," Devlin said with a laugh.
"Then there's another science fiction film that Roland and I are working on, called The Hunt," Devlin added. "So hopefully both of those will get started within the next year."
Layne Staley Cause of Death Determined
The Seattle coroner's office has determined that Alice in Chains lead singer Layne Staley died of an overdose caused by a speedball - a fatal mixture of heroin and cocaine. The drugs were self administered. Staley officially died on April 5, coincidentally the anniversary of Nirvana lead singer Kurt Cobain's suicide. Staley's body decomposed for two weeks before anyone found him.
IT SAYS "WIRED", NOT "WIERD"
Blade Runner topping Wired magazine's list of the top 20 sci-fi films ever made
HOORAY FOR HOLLY GOODHEAD
"Breakfast at Tiffany's" was voted the Best New York Film in an online poll sponsored by the Tribeca Film Fest. The Audrey Hepburn classic, which beat out runners-up Taxi Driver and Annie Hall, will be screened on the final day of the festival, May 12 at 8 p.m.
Rolling Stones To Release 'Best Of' To Coincide With Tour
The Rolling Stones' World Tour will support a forthcoming two-CD "best-of" collection, Stones frontman Mick Jagger revealed on Tuesday (May 7th).
"We just last night finished the negotiations with all the different parties to put out a best-of Rolling Stones CD, which is two CDs going from 1963 to the present day," he said. "And there will be all the sort of hits and all the well-known songs, and there will also be some new songs on that. So that will be coming out."
Jagger added that the new songs have been written, but the band has yet to enter into a studio to record them. The unnamed songs will be tracked later this month, and should be ready for release in the early fall. The band hopes the new set will be released as close to the September 5 tour opener as possible.
...Will Smith Prepares To Release New Single And Album
Multiplatinum recording artist and actor Will Smith is preparing to release "Black Suits Comin'" as the first single from his new album "Born To Reign," which is scheduled to be released on June 25.
On July 3, a week following the album's release, Columbia Pictures will debut Men In Black 2, Smith and Tommy Lee Jones's sequel to their 1997 film Men In Black. Barry Sonnenfeld directed both films.
Smith's 1997 song "Men In Black" reached Number One on Billboard's Hot 100 Airplay chart, and was featured on the Men In Black soundtrack, as well as Smith's album Big Willie Style.
'Bohemian Rhapsody' is UK's Favorite
"Bohemian Rhapsody," the record-breaking hit by rock band Queen, is Britain's favorite single of all time, according to a poll published Wednesday.
The song beat John Lennon's ballad "Imagine" to claim the top slot in a poll by "British Hit Singles," published by Guinness World Records.
Accepting the award with Queen drummer Roger Taylor at London's Dominion Theater, guitarist Brian May said the hit song "has become a classic phenomenon and one which no one will ever allow us to forget.
"Thank you, people, for the memory."
David Taylor, editor of "British Hit Singles," said Queen "is a band whose achievements are legendary. No band, apart from 'The Beatles,' has had more top 10 hit singles."
"Bohemian Rhapsody," a six-minute epic that first topped the music charts in 1975, made it to No. 1 again in 1991 when it was rereleased to raise funds for charity following the death of the band's lead singer, Freddie Mercury — the first single to top the charts twice in the same version.
It is also the only song to have hit the No. 1 spot twice at Christmas.
In all, the song has spent a total of 14 weeks at the top of the charts. Because of its complex harmonies it was difficult to reproduce and the band were unable to perform it live.
Half the top 10 songs listed in the poll are by Lennon and The Beatles: "Hey Jude" (No. 3); "Penny Lane/Strawberry Fields Forever" (No. 7); "Yesterday" (No. 9) and "Let It Be" (No. 10) all made it.
The most recent single in the top 10 is Robbie Williams' "Angels" at No. 6. Abba is at No. 4 with "Dancing Queen," followed by Madonna's "Like a Prayer" at No. 5. "Wannabe" by the Spice Girls is at No. 8.
Guinness questioned more than 31,000 people for the poll.
MTV Plans Spider-Man Cartoon
Singer-songwriter Lisa Loeb will be the voice of Spider Man's girlfriend, Mary Jane Watson, in a new cartoon series about the superhero on MTV.
Loeb came into the limelight in 1994 with her hit song "Stay (I Missed You)" off the "Reality Bites" soundtrack. Her latest album "Cake and Pie" came out this year.
Former "Doogie Howser" star Neil Patrick Harris will be the voice of Peter Parker, also known as Spider-Man.
The series will premiere next winter.
Spider-Man made a record $114 million during its first weekend in the box office. The movie stars Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst.
'Star Wars' Is King of Film Franchises
Its last installment proved a critical disappointment. Once the trendsetter on visual effects, it lost out in that category to an edgy upstart at the Academy Awards the last time around. Surrounded by fresh-faced film serials, it no longer holds clear claim as the year's most anticipated movie.
"Star Wars" may have rusted a bit in the 25 years since Luke, Han, Leia and Obi-Wan blasted into theaters. Yet as "Star Wars: Episode II — Attack of the Clones" arrives next week, George Lucas' creation remains the Cadillac of film franchises, the surest sure thing that a blockbuster-minded movie industry can deliver.
Its previous chapters account for four of the top 13 grossing movies of all-time domestically. Fans camp out at theaters a month or more before a "Star Wars" film opens to be first in line to see it.
And consider "Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace." After waiting 16 years for the first prequel to the original trilogy, audiences almost universally found something to deride in "Phantom Menace," a critical dud that sacrificed story to special effects and introduced the loathed buffoon Jar Jar Binks.
What other film franchise could produce a mediocre movie that disappoints the most loyal fans yet still rakes in more than $900 million worldwide and $431 million in the United States and Canada alone?
"Sure, the last movie was not what people hoped it would be," said Barrie Osborne, a producer on "The Lord of the Rings" franchise and executive producer on "The Matrix," which beat "Phantom Menace" on visual effects and two other categories at the Oscars for 1999.
"But I think everyone will want to see the new `Star Wars.' It's something we all grew up with, and the whole body of work is more powerful than any one of the films. This powerful, mythic story George originated way back still captures the imagination, and people want to see what happens next."
In the past, "Star Wars" sequels or prequels clearly were the film events of the year. Given the record opening of "Spider-Man" and anticipation for this fall's "Harry Potter" and "Lord of the Rings" sequels, "Star Wars" now has heavy competition for the title of most hotly awaited movie.
Unlike the 3,000-theater-plus launches of today's Hollywood, with its fixation on huge opening weekends, the original "Star Wars" premiered on just 32 screens on Wednesday, May 25, 1977. The procedure then often was to start slowly, letting positive buzz on a film spread as the release widened to more theaters.
It worked perfectly on "Star Wars," which distributor 20th Century Fox expanded to 43 screens by that Friday, with the film grossing $1.55 million over the four-day Memorial Day weekend, according to box-office tracker Exhibitor Relations Co. Inc.
As it expanded, its total take during that initial run hit $221.3 million, the equivalent of about $560 million when the 1977 average ticket price of $2.23 is adjusted for inflation. "Star Wars" was such a phenomenon that it took in $101 million more in four reissues within just five years after its debut.
With the 1997 special-edition releases of the original trilogy, the first film — officially called "Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope" — has totaled $461 million domestically, second to "Titanic" at $601 million.
Including all reissues, "Episode V — The Empire Strikes Back" is No. 13 at $290 million, and "Episode VI — Return of the Jedi" is No. 9 with $309 million.
With the hype on "Phantom Menace" as the first "Star Wars" chapter since 1983, some Hollywood analysts had thought it would do better than its $431 million haul. Many found the story weak and the characters and dialogue flat compared with the first three films.
"The other movies were about defeating the empire and overcoming evil and living for the greater good," said Tariq Jalil, writer-director of "A Galaxy Far Far Away," a documentary examining "Star Wars" fandom that hits video stores two days before "Attack of the Clones" opens on May 16.
"As far as I can tell, `Phantom Menace' was about taxes, which doesn't lend itself to great emotional attachment," said Jalil, referring to that installment's trade-war conflict.
For all the criticism, "Phantom Menace" obviously offered something that audiences wanted, said Rick McCallum, producer of the current "Star Wars" trilogy.
"When you look at the difference between films that gross $100 million and $200 million, once you're over that $175-$200 million mark, people have to love your film. That is the only thing that drives it," McCallum said. "I couldn't be happier with our $431 million gross. It's a major achievement."
"`Star Wars' is one of the surest bets there is," said Bill Warren, a science-fiction expert whose books include "Keep Watching the Skies!: American Science Fiction Movies of the '50s." "Why do people go see John Wayne movies? They've got John Wayne in them. People see `Star Wars' movies because they're full of `Star Wars' stuff. There's a familiarity and affection for the material.
"All the new movie has to be is a little better than `Phantom Menace' and people will go bananas."
Mariah Carey Gets Own Label in Deal
Mariah Carey, who received a $28 million buyout after delivering one flop album for Virgin Records, has signed a new deal with Island/Def Jam that includes her own label, it was announced Wednesday.
The multi-platinum star has been without a label since January, when EMI, Virgin's parent company, dropped her contract after her only disc for the label, "Glitter," was a poor seller.
Since the split, several companies were reportedly bidding to sign the Grammy-winning singer, one of the most successful artists of all time, with hits such as "Vision of Love," "Hero," "Fantasy" and "Emotions."
"Despite offers from many of our competitors, we are delighted that Mariah has chosen Island as the place to begin the next phase of her unprecedented career," said Lyor Cohen, president and CEO of Island/Def Jam.
The company is home to stars such as Jay-Z, Willie Nelson, Ryan Adams, Ja Rule and Ashanti. It is part of Universal Music Group, which is owned by the conglomerate Vivendi Universal.
Carey has already begun recording her new disc, said Jerry Blair, a former executive at Columbia Records who has worked with Carey since the inception of her career.
"The record she's working on is going to be a real wide-appeal record," Blair told The Associated Press. "There's no artist who is as successful a global artist. There is no artist that has as wide range of commercial appeal."
Blair declined to put a financial figure on the new deal. Carey's spokeswoman said the singer would not be available to comment.
Carey, 32, was an immediate commercial success when she made her self-titled debut for Columbia Records in 1990. The album went multi-platinum, as did all her other albums on the label, a division of Sony.
However, Carey became disenchanted with Sony after her divorce from Sony Music President Tommy Mottola, who had guided her career as president of Columbia.
She left Columbia last year and signed with Virgin in a much-hyped multi-album deal reported to be worth as much as $100 million. Her first disc, "Glitter," was to be the soundtrack of her film project of the same name, her first starring role.
However, her career took a disastrous turn: After displaying erratic behavior in public, Carey was hospitalized for an emotional breakdown in August. She dropped out of the public eye, and both her disc and the movie were commercial failures.
In January, EMI, Virgin's parent company, paid $28 million to void her contract. Since she had received $21 million when she was signed, Carey got $49 million for delivering one album.
Blair said Carey was in good spirits and "doing just incredibly well."
He said she was not concerned that her recent troubles would hurt her career. She has a new film with Oscar-winner Mira Sorvino, titled "Wise Girls." The film debuted at the Sundance film festival, and will be shown in the fall on HBO, Blair said.
He said Carey's new label, as yet unnamed, would focus on her, but would eventually include other artists. Carey has also created a media company to handle publishing, film production and other projects.
"Setting up this company for her is really guaranteeing her legacy," Blair said.
Is Van Halen, The Band, Still Alive?
Even though they have no recording contract it looks as if we haven't heard the last from Van Halen. Eddie sent me a message in an email this morning:
Message From Eddie
I know I promised I'd get back to you and I'm sorry for the delay but I wanted to let you all know that I've just gotten a 100% clean bill of health - from head to toe. I wanted to share the good news with you immediately. And of course, I thank you all for all your good wishes and prayers along the way. Now it's time to really get back to the music and fun.....so party on and you'll be hearing from us very soon.
All my love,
Eddie
Of course, he also posted the same message on his website, so perhaps it wasn't intended specifically for me. But I'm saving it anyway!
Either way, I wait with baited breath for the return of Van Halen. Join me, won't you?
Harry Potter 5 Delayed
Author J.K. Rowling was supposed to deliver HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX soon so that it could be published in July. Now, however, POTTER publisher Scholastic has announced that it will publish the book sometime "before June 2003."
Star Trek's Scotty Falls Into Coma
The Sy Fy Portal Web site posted a report that James Doohan has slipped into a coma after suffering a recurrence of pneumonia and is not expected to recover. The site based the report on a source close to Doohan's family, who told the site that Doohan has been in a comatose state in an intensive care unit for the past two weeks.
"He never recovered from the bout with pneumonia and had even been re-hospitalized and released again without anybody finding out," the source told the site. "It seems just a matter of his system shutting down at this point and how long it will take. Just meeting him the [past] few times has been pretty hard, as you could easily see how much he had slowed down mentally. The only reason he was attending those [conventions] was to raise money for his daughter. I guess we're lucky we've had him as long as this."
The 82-year-old actor was first hospitalized with pneumonia in February, but apparently had recovered. News of his being re-hospitalized recently came from fellow actor Walter Koenig (Trek's Chekov). The latest news has not yet been confirmed through Doohan's family.
Robin Williams Solo Set for HBO
Robin Williams will return to HBO this summer for a live comedy event, marking his first solo TV special in more than 15 years.
His last one, "Robin Williams: An Evening at the Met," premiered on HBO in 1986.
"Robin Williams: Live on Broadway" will be presented at 9 p.m. July 14 from the Broadway Theater in Gotham, one of the stops on his national comedy tour.
Williams appeared on HBO during the pay cable network's 1977 "Young Comedians" special and went on to star in three solo specials for the network, in 1978, 1983 and 1986.
In addition to performing on a variety of other HBO comedy specs, he also was one of the hosts of all eight "Comic Relief" benefits.
NOTICE ANYTHING DIFFERENT?!?
So here we stand, almost a year since the "official" launch of anythingbut.com, and it's time for some changes!
And those changes are going to take a few days, but don't miss out on each and every step of our new evolution.
CH- CH- CH- CHANGES! TURN AND FACE THE PAGE!
I'd tell you some of the changes that are coming, but I am finding out about many of them as I go along as well.
SO PLEASE BEAR WITH US
Once we have completed everything, we will have a new service where we can email you everytime the site is updated!
The future is upon us! Welcome to it and enjoy the ride!
Dan and Dave
GETTING BULLISH
Cathy Moriarty-Gentile is reteaming with her "Raging Bull" costar Robert De Niro in "Analyze That." It's director Harold Ramis' sequel to the hit Warner Bros. movie "Analyze This." Moriarty-Gentile will play a Mob widow.
'Spider-Man' Heads Toward Error Record
Comic book hero "Spider-Man," the Columbia Pictures film which is breaking box office records in the United States, seems heading toward a new record -- but this one is for mistakes.
Fans have so far spotted 77 continuity errors, the most flaws identified in an opening weekend, according to Web site www.movie-mistakes.com.
The mistakes, cataloged in full on the Internet site, include disappearing rucksacks, clothes that are dirty one minute and clean the next and smashed windows that self-repair.
Jon Sandys, who runs the Web site, said the number of mistakes could be a symptom of the movie's popularity.
"It's obviously possible that it's got a higher than average number of errors, but huge numbers of people are going to see it and that makes for lots of pairs of eyes checking every inch of the screen," he told the Independent newspaper on Wednesday.
The current number of errors puts "Spider-Man," which took $114 million in its opening weekend, at number nine in www.movie-mistake.com's top 10 of error-ridden films.
"The Matrix" is the current record holder with 146 errors, followed by "Titanic" with 135 and "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" with 113.
NBC Dominates Ratings Week
NBC celebrated its 75th anniversary with a dominating week in the Nielsen Media Research ratings, taking the lead during the important May "sweeps" period.
The network's three-hour anniversary gala Sunday night from Rockefeller Center was watched by 20.4 million people, the fourth most-watched program for the week.
Bob Hope also proved his enduring appeal on television, drawing 13.1 million people for an outtakes special Monday. Hope's show outdrew Jay Leno's prime-time "Tonight" special, which had just under 12 million viewers.
For all the nostalgia, NBC's most popular shows were regular airings of "ER" and "Friends" as they neared big events: Anthony Edwards' exit from "ER" and the birth of Rachel's baby on "Friends."
CBS came in second for the week, as "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" narrowly edged "ER" as the most-watched show of the week. The "ER" ratings were slightly higher, an indication more people were watching the show while alone.
ABC's movie on a late "Saturday Night Live" star, "Gilda Radner: It's Always Something," drew just over 9 million viewers — more than a million less than a one-hour special of highlights from the real Radner's work.
Struggling ABC finished fourth, behind NBC, CBS and Fox, among the 18-to-49-year-old demographic craved by advertisers.
For the week, NBC averaged 15 million viewers (9.7 rating, 16 share), CBS had 12.1 million viewers (8.0, 13), ABC had 8.3 million (5.6, 9), Fox had 7.5 million (4.7, 8), the WB had 4.2 million (2.8, 5), UPN 3.7 million (2.4, 4) and Pax TV 1.1 million (0.8, 1).
ABC's "World News Tonight" narrowly beat NBC's "Nightly News," 9.49 million viewers to 9.41 million (both 6.7 ratings, 14 shares). The "CBS Evening News" had 7.9 million viewers (5.6, 12).
A ratings point represents 1,055,000 households, or 1 percent of the nation's estimated 105.5 million TV homes. The share is the percentage of in-use televisions tuned to a given show.
For the week of April 29-May 5, the top 10 shows, their networks and ratings were "ER," NBC, 16.6; "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," CBS, 15.9; "Friends," NBC, 15.4; "Friends" special, NBC, 13.1; "NBC 75th Anniversary," NBC, 12.7; "Law and Order," NBC, 12.5; "The West Wing," NBC, 11.4; "Survivor: Marquesas," CBS, 11.3; "Everybody Loves Raymond," CBS, 11.2; "Law and Order: SVU," NBC, 11.2; "Will & Grace," NBC, 11.2.
'Spider' Sequel Set for May 2004
A "Spider-Man" sequel is already in the works, after the film broke box office records in its $114 million opening weekend.
"Spider-Man 2" will hit theaters in exactly two years: May 7, 2004. Stars Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst will reprise their roles as Spider-Man and girlfriend Mary Jane in the sequel, and filming is scheduled to begin early next year.
"Spider-Man," based on the popular comic book series created by Stan Lee, has broken several box office records since its release Friday.
On Saturday, "Spider-Man" posted the best single day gross in history, with more than $43.5 million. The film took only three days to hit the magic $100 million mark, also a record. And with a take of more than $31,500 dollars per screen, it boasts the biggest per-screen average in history for a movie in wide release.
Willis Buys Cookies For Troops
Nine-year-old Girl Scout Tallulah Belle Willis, daughter of Bruce Willis and Demi Moore, and cousins Katie and Hayley Rogers wanted to bring a taste of home to Operation Enduring Freedom troops overseas and Girl Scout cookies seemed to be the best way.
Willis bought 12,000 boxes of the cookies and Girl Scout Troop 231's mission was accomplished.
"The story is absolutely true. His daughter came up with the idea, along with her two cousins, and the cookies were sent," Willis publicist Paul Bloch said Tuesday.
The Sun Valley, Idaho, troop's gift is on the way, troop leader Sue Dumke said, adding Willis and Moore have always been enthusiastic supporters of the Girl Scouts.
The troop's share of the cookie-sale proceeds will be donated to Animal Shelter and Canine Companions, Dumke said.
Rolling Stones Announce World Tour
The Rolling Stones announced yet another world tour in grandiose fashion Tuesday, circling New York's sprawling Van Cortlandt Park in a yellow blimp emblazoned with their red tongue trademark.
"Either we stay at home and become pillars of the community, or we go out and tour. We couldn't really find any communities that still needed pillars," joked Mick Jagger after he emerged from the blimp.
The Stones intend to celebrate their 40th anniversary with not only the tour but also a greatest hits disc that will feature new songs. The tour will kick off Sept. 5 in Boston. It will be the band's first since 1999, which was that year's top-grossing tour.
This time around, the band will play clubs as well as stadiums and arenas.
Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts and Ron Wood looked as if they were having plenty of fun even before the news conference began. The foursome boarded the blimp at the park and circled the area for about 15 minutes before landing.
They had even more fun at the news conference, cracking jokes as reporters asked questions.
When one asked if they would do any songs from the past, Richards said: "The set list is a bit down the road. It just depends if we can remember them."
About 300 fans turned out for a chance to see the legendary band, which formed in 1962.
"I wanted to be able to say that I saw their blimp come down," said Kathleen Wieblack, who came from suburban Long Island to the Bronx.
"I've seen the last three tours," said Richard Bell, who traveled from upstate New York. "Hopefully I will get tickets to see them."
Tour promoter Michael Cohl said tickets for the first few dates will go on sale this week.
Among the opening acts: Sheryl Crow, No Doubt, Buddy Guy and Jonny Lang.
The group has not released an album since 1998's "No Security." Jagger put out his own solo disc last year, "Goddess in the Doorway," which was a commercial flop.
Jagger said they're just beginning to work on the new material for the upcoming disc.
"It's a minor problem," joked Richards.
Thoughts From Someone I Trust
Even though I have yet to see "Star Wars- Episode II: Attack Of The Clones" I have read the book. A friend of mine has actually seen the movie and this is what he had to say:
"I hated it.
Bored the living fuck right out of me.
The romance was shit. Lucas stole from The Fifth Element, The Matrix,
Gladiator and even the fucking Sound of Music.
It had one - count them, ONE! - good scene.
Damnit, I watched 10 minutes of the original Star Wars on tv last night and,
while I know nostalgia is a big part of it, that 10 minutes was more
enjoyable than this new piece of shit.
Crapola my friend, crapola."
Wow, that's harsh! But I still can't wait to see it
Sorry for the technical hickup folks. The next couple of days will be a bit wierd (new server and backend), but hopefull by the end of it everyting will be even better than before. If your wondering where the past articles went, they will be reappearing over the next couple of days. More to come....
Dreamworks Has Aquireed SPACE MONKEY
Dreamworks has picked up SPACE MONKEY from Ash Brannon (TOY STORY 2). MONKEY will be a fully CG picture about test monkeys involved in the NASA space program in the 1950s.
When "Harry Potter" debuts on DVD you can '...pick your own wand.'
(Insert your own joke here)
The incredible Will Ferrell is leaving "Saturday Night Live."
We'll miss ya Will, you always had grace. (Sorry, but I just couldn't resist that one!)
POP POLL A SOUR NOTE FOR MARIAH
Mariah Carey has been voted the pop act people would most like to kick off the planet.
The music Web site, Popdirt, asked, "If you could remove one pop act's music from the face of the earth, who would it be?"
More than 8,000 music fans from around the world replied, and Mariah secured 31 percent of the votes.
In second place was Jennifer Lopez, with 24 percent, followed by *NSYNC with 12 percent.
Other contenders included Britney Spears, with 8 percent; Mandy Moore, with 7.5 percent; and the Backstreet Boys, with 3.5 percent.
Rounding out the Top 10 were Jessica Simpson, Enrique Iglesias, Madonna and Ricky Martin.
World Wrestling Federation Body-Slams Its Own Name.
Now "Laverne & Shirley" have reunited.
Michael Jackson is offering fans a chance to "collaborate" with him.
Star Wars Episode II: Yes; Indiana Jones: No
Lucasfilm's Jim Ward and Rick McCallum confirmed this weekend at the Star Wars Celebration convention in Indianapolis that the "Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones" DVD is definitely coming by the end of the year. Lucasfilm has reportedly already been working on the disc for over a year. The latest word is that disc should street in October or early November.
Also on the subject of popular Lucasfilm trilogies, Paramount has officially confirmed that the Indiana Jones films WILL NOT be released on DVD this year.
It's about time!
Buena Vista has just announced full specs and street date info for three most highly-anticipated titles.
First up are the full details for one of my favorite movies from last year, Wes Anderson's latest The Royal Tenenbaums. Unlike past Buena Vista and Criterion Collection team-ups, there will only be one version released on July 9, a two-disc Criterion Collection edition distributed by Buena Vista. Presented in 2.40:1 anamorphic widescreen with both Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1 surround tracks, extras include an audio commentary by Wes Anderson, a making-of featurette, "The Art of the Movie" art direction and production design featurette, cast interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, deleted scenes and outtakes, "The Peter Bradley Show" excerpt with cast interviews, portraits by Albert Maysles, trailers, collectible multi-panel booklets with set design drawings, a director introspective and a DVD guide. Sounds terrific, and retail is $29.95.
Also just announced by Buena Vista are street dates for two Quentin Tarantino postmodern classics, a new two-disc special edition of the Academy Award-winning Pulp Fiction, and making its first appearance on DVD, a two-disc Jackie Brown. Street date is August 20 and retail $29.95 each.
SHOPPED AROUND
Filmmaker Anand Tucker (Hilary and Jackie) has signed on to direct Steve Martin in the big-screen version of his best-selling novella "Shopgirl," about an aspiring artist who works at Neiman Marcus and must choose between two men.
Claire Danes steps into "Terminator 3."
Ecstatic Exhibitors Ready to Send in 'Clones'
Even before "Spider-Man" demolished box office records over the weekend, movie theater owners were already pumped up after catching advance screenings of "Star Wars: Episode II -- Attack of the Clones."
"You cannot have wanted any better reaction from exhibitors," said Rick Myerson, executive VP of distribution at 20th Century Fox. "There's something for everyone in this movie."
After Thursday night's screening in Westwood, exhibitors rated "Clones" as significantly improved over 1999's "Phantom Menace" and were most impressed by the special effects generally and Yoda's fight scenes specifically.
The question of whether the fifth installment of George Lucas' "Star Wars" saga can match initial grosses from "Spider-Man" will undoubtedly be mulled over at length for the next two weeks. "Clones" opens May 16, a Thursday, at about 3,300 locations -- 300 fewer than "Spider-Man" -- and will play on about 5,000 screens.
"We're not looking to break any records in terms of how wide it goes out," Myerson added.
If you are curious as to the new films coming out this summer, here's the complete list of movies that are Coming Soon.
Enjoy the popcorn and I'll see you at the movies!
"The Man Show's" Jimmy Kimmel is in talks to replace "Politically Incorrect."
Kurosawa's "The Seventh Samurai" is going to be re- released!
Domo arrigato!
Dave Matthews, Bowie, U2 & Others Set For 'Deeds'
A mix of rock classics by David Bowie, Yes, and Pete Townshend, a new Dave Matthews Band track, and songs by modern hit-makers U2, Weezer, Trik Turner, and Natalie Imbruglia are featured on the "Mr. Deeds" soundtrack, due June 11 on RCA Records.
DMB's "Where Are You Going," from band's forthcoming new album, Busted Stuff, is the first single from Mr. Deeds. The track will impact at alternative, modern AC, top 40, and triple-A radio stations on May 15. A video for the track was recently shot in New York City by director Chuck McBride.
The 12-track album also features "Go To Town," a new track from Counting Crows, Bowie's "Space Oddity" with a vocal introduction by the film's star Adam Sandler, Trik Turner's recent hit "Friends & Family," and Weezer's "Island In The Sun."
The producers of the soundtrack felt that it would be best to include classic rock originals, such as Townshend's "Let My Love Open The Door" and Yes's "I've Seen All Good People," with the new music, rather than commission remakes. "We felt that very few soundtracks had been able to combine new music and classic rock successfully. We aimed for an album that would appeal to both young and old," RCA Records Senior VP of A&R and Artist Development Bruce Flohr said in a statement." This soundtrack has a very wide demographic because a lot of kids today are just discovering classic rock, and this may be the first time they've heard a Yes song, a Pete Townshend song, or U2's 'Sweetest Thing' for that matter."
Mr. Deeds, which stars Sandler and Winona Ryder, opens in theaters nationwide on June 28. The complete tracklisting of the soundtrack is: "Where Are You Going," Dave Matthews Band; "Sing," Travis; "Let My Love Open The Door," Pete Townshend; "Sweetest Thing," U2; "Wrong Impression," Natalie Imbruglia; "Happy In The Meantime," Lit; "Island In The Sun," Weezer; "Friends & Family," Trik Turner; "Space Oddity," David Bowie (vocal introduction by Adam Sandler); "Falling," Ben Kweller; "Go To Town," Counting Crows; and "I've Seen All Good People," Yes.
NBC summoned it's stars for a 75th Anniversary Special.
'Spider-Man' Makes $114M in Debut
"Spider-Man" has leaped from comic book to record book, becoming the first movie to hit $100 million in its first weekend.
The live-action adaptation starring Tobey Maguire as the Marvel Comics web-slinger shattered box-office records with a $114 million debut, surpassing the previous best of $90.3 million taken in by "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" during its first three days last fall.
With $39.3 million on Friday and $43.7 million on Saturday, director Sam Raimi's "Spider-Man" also beat the single-day record of $33.5 million set by "Harry Potter" in its second day, according to studio figures Sunday.
"Not in our wildest expectations or dreams" did the filmmakers anticipate such demand for "Spider-Man," said Amy Pascal, head of Sony's Columbia Pictures, which released the film. The studio would have been thrilled with a debut in the $70 million to $80 million range, she said.
Playing in 3,615 theaters, "Spider-Man" averaged $31,535 per location, a new high for films opening in 3,000 or more cinemas, running about $7,000 ahead of the old record held by "Harry Potter." "Spider-Man" also was the fastest movie to reach $100 million, passing "Harry Potter" and "Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace," which both took five days to climb to $105 million.
"I don't think there's a distribution record in history that hasn't been shattered," said Jeff Blake, Sony president of worldwide marketing and distribution. "That $100 million opening weekend has always been sort of a great white whale of the movie business. To have `Spider-Man' capture it is just thrilling."
With few big films opening this past weekend or next, "Spider-Man" has a fairly wide-open field until the new "Star Wars" film opens May 16.
This past weekend brought two other modest debuts. "Deuces Wild," a street-gang drama starring Matt Dillon, opened at No. 7 with $2.7 million, averaging a weak $1,824 in 1,480 theaters.
Woody Allen's comedy "Hollywood Ending" tied for 10th place, grossing $2.2 million in 765 theaters for a $2,876 average.
Overall, the top 12 movies grossed $153.3 million, up 54 percent from the same weekend last year, when "The Mummy Returns" debuted. "Spider-Man" accounted for nearly three-fourths of revenues among the top 12 films.
Ubiquitous marketing, an audience built up through 40 years of comic readership, solid action and visual effects and a tale of an ordinary, misfit youth helped draw an across-the-board audience to "Spider-Man." The crowds were split about 50-50 between men and women and viewers older and younger than 25, Blake said.
"It is a very universal story everybody can relate to," Pascal said. "He's a completely misunderstood guy that nobody recognizes and who just wants to do good. He's not a hero from planet Krypton. He's all of us."
The success of "Spider-Man" bodes well for Hollywood's overall summer, which is crowded with marquee titles including new "Star Wars," "Men in Black," "Austin Powers," "Stuart Little" and "Spy Kids" movies.
"Spider-Man" also sets a benchmark few films will be able to rival.
"This sets a new gold standard by which the rest of the summer blockbusters are going to be judged," said Paul Dergarabedian, president of box-office tracker Exhibitor Relations. "Everybody's going to have to try and live up to `Spider-Man.'"
Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at North American theaters, according to Exhibitor Relations Co. Inc. Final figures will be released Monday.
1. "Spider-Man," $114 million.
2. "The Scorpion King," $9.6 million.
3. "Changing Lanes," $5.6 million.
4. "Murder by Numbers," $3.8 million.
5. "The Rookie," $3.3 million.
6. "Life or Something Like It," $3.28 million.
7. "Deuces Wild," $2.7 million.
8. "Ice Age," $2.5 million.
9. "Jason X," $2.4 million.
10 (tie). "Hollywood Ending," $2.2 million.
10 (tie). "Panic Room," $2.2 million.
'Star Trek's' Scotty hospitalized
Canadian James Doohan, beloved to generations of "Star Trek" fans as Capt. Montgomery "Scotty" Scott, has been hospitalized with a second bout of pneumonia.
Doohan, 82, and a father of a two-year-old daughter named Sarah, is currently recovering from his illness, and is expected home soon, the report said.
Doohan had previously announced that he intended to retire from appearing at the worldwide network of "Star Trek" conventions.
Tarantino to Executive Produce New Marvel Film
As "Spider-Man" swings into movie theaters this weekend, filmmaker Quentin Tarantino plans to bring another comic book adaptation to the silver screen.
Tarantino will serve as executive producer of a film based on the Marvel comic series, "Mort: the Dead Teenager," Tarantino's publicist Bumble Ward said on Friday. Madonna's Maverick Films will co-produce the movie.
In a departure from other Marvel comics, the movie's main character, Mort, is not a superhero, but a teenager who is beheaded in a train accident at the start of the film.
Mort descends in the Netherworld and meets Teen Death, the son of the Grim Reaper, and "the two of them get into all sorts of trouble," said Zachary Feurer, a producer at Maverick Films. "Mort convinces Teen Death to return to high school with him so he can win back the girl of his dreams, even though he'sdead."
"The film is a completely unique look at adolescence as seen through the eyes of a fantasy. It speaks to teen-agers everywhere," Feurer said. "It's a teen comedy with a 'Beetlejuice' sensibility."
Actress Dominique Swain, who starred in "Lolita," and Elijah Wood, who recently appeared as the young hobbit Frodo in "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring," are being considered for the lead roles, Feurer said.
Director Ang Lee is currently working on "The Hulk" a film based on the Marvel comic, starring Academy Award-winning actress Jennifer Connelly and Eric Bana from "Black Hawk Down." "The Hulk" started filming near San Francisco in April and is expected to be released in June 2003.
Eminem Plays Bin Laden in Video
Eminem's latest video includes a scene in which the rapper dresses up as Osama bin Laden.
In the video for his new single "Without Me," Eminem — whose real name is Marshall Mathers III — also appears dressed as techno artist Moby, and as a fat Elvis Presley sitting on a toilet.
The video depicts suspected terrorist bin Laden as an old-school hip-hopper who busts into MC Hammer-like dance moves.
It premiered Wednesday on MTV's "Making the Video" show, and aired again Thursday on "Total Request Live."
Eminem's video also parodies several TV programs, including "Survivor" and "The Sally Jessy Raphael Show."
Why yes there is!
Although there has been no hype whatsoever, he says mockingly, there is an actual Summer blockbuster being released this weekend.
It is called Spider- Man and it is based on the awesome comic book. Is it worth seeing? Is it good? Is it Web-tastic? Well, even though that final one is not a real word, yes it is! It is all three of those things.
And you can read my full review below (should you choose to).
Now, even though you might think that Spider- Man is the only film opening this weekend, it isn't.
Some parts of North America will also have the opportunity to see the latest Woody Allen film. Called Hollywood Ending it is an incredible comedic romp (if you like Woody Allen), a great comedy (if you like Woody Allen), and a film that is well worth your time and money (if you like Woody Allen).
So (if you like Woody Allen)... and live in one of the few cities showing Hollywood Ending, have a good time!
There is no good time to be had at this weekend's other new film. Deuces Wild is a mess.
Completed over a year ago and sitting on the shelf it is finally seeing the light of day this weekend. And while every generation needs their own version of The Outsiders, Deuces Wild is not it.
What it is, is a preposterously melodramatic paean to gang-member teens in Brooklyn circa 1958. Tuff-tawkin' brothers spend their days battling dose doity guys ''da Vipers,'' a rival gang out to peddle heroin to the Flatbush Avenue set. Why do drugs bug Leon so much? Because his other brother OD'd, and Leon is haunted by flashback visions of the kid's demise -- discovered, naturally, at the height of a raging thunderstorm.
Blah, blah, blah, blah frickin' blah! I thought it was a waste of time, but one young guy who saw it when I did said:
"I loved this movie! It's way better than The Godfather, Goodfellas and Donnie Brasco. It is truly a wonderful piece of film and is sure to become a genre classic."
I have no conclusion to offer other than he is an idiot, and Dueces Wild is idiotic.
See Spider- Man instead.
Hmmm... Kirsten Dunst... yummy!
So enjoy Kirsten...I mean, enjoy the popcorn and I'll see you at the movies!
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.
Will Your Favourite Shows Be Back?
Here's the supposed fate of most tv shows for next season.
These shows have already been cleared for at least one more season:
Scrubs, Drew Carey, NYPD Blue, The Practice, Alias, Everybody Loves Raymond, Becker, Judging Amy, The King of Queens, Yes, Dear, The Guardian, C.S.I., Survivor, The District, Futurama, King of the Hill, The Simpsons, That '70s Show, Mad TV, The Bernie Mac Show, Boston Public, Friends, ER, Frasier, Just Shoot Me, Law & Order, Will & Grace, Crossing Jordan, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Charmed, Dawson's Creek, 7th Heaven, Sabrina, the Teenage Witch, Gilmore Girls, Smallville, Reba, Sex and the City and Six Feet Under.
No decision yet, but expect these to return:
24, Angel, The West Wing, Girlfriends, The Parkers, Enterprise, Baby Bob, The George Lopez Show, Grounded for Life, Providence, Fear Factor, JKX: The Jamie Kennedy Experiment, Ed and Malcolm in the Middle.
Expect these to be axed:
Dharma & Greg, Spin City, The Job, The Agency, That's Life, Pasadena, Dark Angel, Family Law, Raising Dad, Maybe It's Me, Off Centre, First Monday, That '80s Show and (a moment of silence, please ) Family Guy and Undeclared.
Too close to call:
Leap of Faith, Andy Richter Controls the Universe, Greg the Bunny, Titus, Law & Order: SVU and Third Watch.
They May Not Be Dead Just Yet
The Lone Gunmen--the three geeks who helped FBI Agent Mulder over the last nine years--apparently died in a recent episode of The X-Files, but they are slated to appear again in the series' upcoming two-hour finale, the Vancouver Sun reported. It's unclear whether the Gunmen--played by Tom Braidwood, Dean Haglund and Bruce Harwood--will appear in flashbacks or otherwise, the newspaper reported.
"Anything's possible on The X-Files," Braidwood told the newspaper. He added that it's "pretty clear" the Gunmen died. "I shouted, 'Dead man walking!' as each of us walked on set that last day," Braidwood said with a laugh.
As for the Gunmen's demise, Braidwood said, "From the character's point of view and as an actor playing a character, I personally didn't see the justification in [the Gunmen's being killed off], so I was a little disheartened. Largely because of the nature of the characters that we played in the show, the kind of things we represented, the humor we brought to it, the sense of morality we brought to it. But I didn't disagree with it, in the sense that all the writers have been terrifically supportive of the Lone Gunmen and very fond of them. They didn't make the decision lightly."
Oz Talks Yoda
Frank Oz spoke with Sci Fi Wire about not being the puppet master of Yoda in STAR WARS EPISODE II: ATTACK OF THE CLONES.
He said that he's relieved he did not have to operate a puppet for Yoda in the upcoming Star Wars: Episode II--Attack of the Clones. This time, Yoda's completely computer-animated, and Oz simply provides the character's voice.
"It was wonderful," Oz told the site. "I didn't have to work hard. Everybody else worked hard. [Director] George [Lucas] had told me a lot about it beforehand, so I wasn't completely surprised. Again, they did all the work, and I'm just taking the credit here. Because they're the ones who really worked their asses off."
But Oz declined to reveal details about Yoda's appearance in the prequel, including a rumored lightsaber fight. "I don't know what I'm supposed to tell you," he said. "I guess you have to ask George. No one has ever told me not to say anything--not once--but I always feel beholden to George and like to keep the surprises." Episode II opens May 16.
TENACIOUS COUPLE
Jack Black and Sarah Michelle Gellar have been named hosts of the 2002 MTV Movie Awards, to be taped June 1 in Los Angeles and airing June 6 at 9 p.m.
Yawn, yawn, yawn! The Rolling Stones are going to announce a new tour on Tuesday.
Anderson: I'm Not Dying of Hepatitis C
Pamela Anderson wants the world to know that she's not dying of hepatitis C.
The former "Baywatch" star admitted in March that she's lived with the potentially fatal disease for years.
"Now I have people coming out of the deli hugging me because they think I'm dying," Anderson told Jane magazine in a first-person story for its June/July issue. "I tell them, 'I'm not dying. I'm fine. But if you wanna give me a free sandwich, go ahead!'"
The 34-year-old actress said she's dealing with the liver disease with what she calls her "twisted sense of humor."
"Like, when I found out I had hepatitis, I wanted to make bikinis with pictures of livers on them and give the money to the Liver Foundation," she said.
Anderson, who's engaged to rap-rocker Kid Rock, said she contracted hepatitis C by sharing a tattoo needle with her ex-husband, Tommy Lee. The former Motley Crue drummer insists he's never had the disease.
There's a shocking photo Britney Spears doesn't want her millions of teenybopper fans to see.
Thanks to the studio's publicity department, we all know that it is being released this weekend, but exactly how much money will "Spider- Man" make?
I'll take "A whole heck of a lot" for $100, Alex.
Bill Clinton is discussing the possibility of having a talk show.
She might not have won the Oscar but Nicole Kidman is one of the world's 50 most beautiful human beings.
CD REVIEW- ELVIS COSTELLO- WHEN I WAS CRUEL
After a series of eclectic releases and discs that only a die hard fan would love, a category I don't belong in, Elvis Costello has gone back to what he does best. Making loud, sometimes angry, but always brilliant, music. In fact, "When I Was Cruel" is Elvis' first loud CD since 1994!
After the first listen I thought "hmm...some good songs and some okay songs." Then the second listen..."WOW!". Elvis still has it!
There is a super-cool slow song (not sure if it qualifies as a ballad) called "Tart" that is both sweet and "tart" at the same time. "Tear Your Head Off" is the best rock song I've heard in awhile. Perhaps even since 1994.
The best thing about the disc is that there is so much diversity. Every song on "When I Was Cruel" is different and interesting in it's own right.
My favourite track is "45" but once you get this disc, you'll have a few new favourites of your own.
New Release Follows 'John & Yoko's Year of Peace'
Image Entertainment will on Sept. 17 release "John & Yoko's Year of Peace," a documentary chronicling the couple's anti-war campaign that began with Lennon and Ono's honeymoon "Bed-In-for Peace" in March 1969. Compiled from footage recently found in the basement of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, the DVD/VHS begins with scenes from the Montreal bed-in, and follows Lennon and Ono throughout the year, the period in which "Give Peace a Chance" was recorded.
Directed by journalist Paul McGrath and produced by Alan Lysaght, the film captures many of the candid talks from the Montreal bed-in, including Lennon's interaction with such politically-oriented figures as comedian Tommy Smothers, LSD-booster Timothy Leary, civil rights activist Dick Gregory, and right-wing cartoonist Al Capp.
The DVD will also feature a commentary track from Ono. "As an interview she was insightful and inspirational," says Lysaght in a release. "She was also valuable in terms of helping to secure the necessary music rights, and even donated some personal photographs and film footage to the project."
"John & Yoko's Year of Peace" includes new interviews with those who were at the bed-ins and has recently been touring the film festival circuit.
...Cher has announced her farewell tour.
Hey, remember the 80's?!
Well then you must remember Laura Branigan!
Gillian Anderson says goodbye to "The X- Files."
We all have to wait until May 19th.
EM vs. THEM
Rapper Eminem is again dissing his MTV contemporaries.
Eminem, who has previously slagged Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera, has turned his ire against *NSYNC, Limp Bizkit and Moby in his new single "Without Me."
Eminem raps about kicking *NSYNC's Chris Kirkpatrick and Limp Bizkit "where the sun don't shine" and says Moby, 36, is too old and that "nobody listens to techno." Moby responded by branding Em's music "misogynistic and homophobic," and cracked, "I am honored to have received my first celebrity diss."
Spider-Man still fascinates creator Stan Lee.
Only one more day until the movie opens!
The Rolling Stones are set to announce yet another tour next week.
**yawn!**
Universal is mulling over putting copy protection on the New Eminem CD.
Good luck!
Oscar "winner" Halle Berry wants to be Foxy Brown.
And that ain't no lie, sugar!
Singing sensation Charlotte Church has won Britain's Rear of the Year award.
Conratulations...?
Is Angelina Jolie Done Raiding Tombs?
In surprising news on Tuesday, rumours are circulating that Angelina Jolie has decided to give up the Lara Croft character and not appear in Tomb Raider 2, the sequel to the videogame turned movie Tomb Raider. Speculation on the abrupt decision ranges from a distaste of the character despite reports to the contrary to her and husband Billy Bob Thornton's upcoming second adoption of a Cambodian child.
In a related rumor, word has it that if Jolie does decide to give up the Lara Croft character, Paramunt has chosen relative newcomer Kelly Brook to take over the reins. Brook, a native Brit, has gotten US recognition of late from her role as Victoria Hardwick on the TV show "Smallville."
PLEA
Former Whitesnake video vixen Tawny Kitaen is pleading innocent to charges of domestic violence against her husband, Cleveland Indians pitcher Chuck Finley. Kitaen voluntarily checked into rehab for drugs and depression earlier this month, and Finley has filed for divorce.
BYE AND CELL
HBO announcing that the sixth season of the prison drama Oz will be its last. The final season is slated to debut in early 2003.
Paul McCartney Filming Tour For DVD Release
Paul McCartney's Driving USA tour is being filmed for a forthcoming DVD/home video release, he says.
"We're just starting to think of what we might do, but a few people have requested that we kind of get it down, the show, and the tour is going so well that we're starting to think that it's nice to capture it," he says.
McCartney played two sold-out shows at New York City's Madison Square Garden on Friday (April 26) and Saturday (April 27) as part of his Driving USA tour. Before the start of Friday's show, McCartney spoke to reporters backstage. The press conference at the Garden was filmed for possible inclusion in a documentary of the tour. McCartney didn't give any indication on when he thought the Driving USA project would be released.
McCartney's next tour date is Wednesday (May 1) at the Palace at Auburn Hills just outside Detroit. The tour closes May 18 with the second of two dates in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
McCartney is scheduled to appear on the Tonight Show With Jay Leno on Friday (May 3). He'll perform and also have a sit-down with the host.
Doh! Simpsons Creator Says Series End Is Nigh
Cowabunga, dude! Could the end be near for cult television cartoon family "The Simpsons ."
"I think we are closer to winding it up," the television show's creator, Matt Groening, told the Financial Times in an interview published Tuesday.
"Although what happens generally if we win the Emmy for best animation show is that that gives us another couple of years to run it into the ground," he said.
Groening has earned millions for media baron Rupert Murdoch's Fox channel since the series featuring Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and baby Maggie first entered the lives of television viewers in 1989.
Its appeal has spread far beyond its American setting and its dysfunctional characters have become globally recognized symbols of mid-life crisis and childhood rebellion.
TV Guide recently placed the animated show eighth on its list of the 50 greatest television shows of all time.
Its power to attract audiences is such that in February Britain's Channel 4 was said to have paid up to $1 million an episode to show the series, outbidding the BBC, which had been broadcasting it for the past six years.
And it retains its ability to cause upset. When a recent episode depicted Rio de Janeiro as teeming with rats, monkeys and street crime, Brazilian tourist officials were outraged and the show's executive producer was forced to apologize.
But Groening admitted to weariness with the formula of the show, now in its 13th series.
"It becomes increasingly difficult as the years go by to keep on not only surprising the audience, but surprising ourselves," he said.
However, he said he doubted his creative angst would overly concern the television accountants.
"I think Fox will wring every last penny out of the show before they call it a day."
If you care, CBS is going tropical again for the latest installment of its hit "reality" franchise, "Survivor."
One television network is planning an all- day September 11th Tribute.
The Leafs have defeated the Islanders!
Up next: Ottawa!
Go Leafs, go!!!