I Only Watch Them For The Music
Don't be scared by "Porn Music Radio." It's really just a superb collection of soul-soothing funk tunes.
SHREK 2 Release Date
Dreamworks has announced that SHREK 2 will be released on June 18, 2004.
For Your Oscar Consideration ... Already
Think it's too early to start talking about Oscar? Evidently, you're new in town.
Award consultants have been hired and studio executives are mulling campaigns as they size up the competition. Since the year hits the halfway point June 30, and because recent Academy Award races have seen a lot of heavyweights from the first six months, it's not too early to evaluate 2002 so far.
The January-June period has offered some serious contenders -- particularly in the cartoon and foreign-language races. It's possible we've already seen all three feature-animation nominees: 20th Century Fox's "Ice Age," Disney's "Lilo & Stitch" and DreamWorks' "Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron."
And while IFC's "Y Tu Mama Tambien" and USA Films' "Monsoon Wedding" are not eligible in the foreign-language category, both have potential in other races, particularly writing and direction.
Beyond that, it's hard to say. Every year, two or three films drive the Oscar race. Though the eligibility period is now half over, there are no films that are ready to assume that mantle.
Some of the following films seem to be good possibilities for Oscar consideration; others seem less likely. But it's worth remembering that a lot of people were skeptical of the chances of "Gladiator," "Erin Brockovich" and "Moulin Rouge" -- all of which were early-year bows -- until the year-end crop fizzled.
This year, possible contenders include Universal's "About a Boy," Warner Bros.' "Insomnia" and Fox's "Minority Report." And the acting so far is strong: Diane Lane in Fox's "Unfaithful"; Hugh Grant and Toni Collette, "About a Boy"; Al Pacino, "Insomnia"; Dennis Quaid, Disney's "The Rookie"; and Ellen Burstyn in WB's "Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood."
Among arthouse-niche entries, the work from writer-director Todd Solondz on Fine Line's "Storytelling" was notable, and IFC's "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" has a lot of fans.
However, many believe the race for the 75th Academy Awards won't get into high gear until July 12, when DreamWorks' "Road to Perdition" bows. The Tom Hanks vehicle is earning Oscar buzz in a number of races, and past summers certainly have offered some Oscar biggies, including DreamWorks' own "Saving Private Ryan" and Disney's "The Sixth Sense."
Last month, the Cannes Film Festival helped start buzz for pictures that will open later in the year: New Line's "About Schmidt," Revolution's Paul Thomas Anderson picture "Punch-Drunk Love" (distribbed by Sony), Universal Focus' Roman Polanski film "The Pianist," UA's Mike Leigh "All or Nothing" and foreign-language offerings from Sony Pictures Classics: Russia's "Cuckoo," Italy's "Respiro" and Finland's "The Man Without a Past."
Cannes further whetted people's appetites for Martin Scorsese's long-in-the-works "Gangs of New York" from Miramax.
Of course, this season always brings titles that have strong potential in the tech categories: Sony's "Spider-Man," Fox's "Star Wars: Episode II -- Attack of the Clones" and "Minority Report," MGM's "Windtalkers" and Universal's "The Scorpion King."
As usual, the fourth quarter will see the launch of a lot of kudos hopefuls. In addition to those mentioned, they include Disney's "Moonlight Mile," "Veronica Guerin" and Spike Lee's "25th Hour"; DreamWorks' "Catch Me If You Can" ( Steven Spielberg); Fox's Steven Soderbergh-helmed "Solaris"; Fox Searchlight's Denzel Washington-directed "Antwone Fisher" and untitled Jim Sheridan project; Lions Gate's "Confidence"; Miramax's "Chicago" and "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind"; "The Hours," from Paramount and Miramax; MGM's "A Few Good Years" (starring the Kirk Douglas clan); Sony's "Adaptation" ( Meryl Streep, Spike Jonze) and Sony Classics' Almodovar pic "Talk to Her"; Universal's "Red Dragon," "Emperor's Club" and Curtis Hanson-helmed "8 Mile"; UA's "Nicholas Nickleby"; and Warner Bros.' "White Oleander" and "Harry Potter & the Chamber of Secrets."
And can "Two Towers," the second installment of New Line's "The Lord of the Rings," duplicate the ring-a-ding-ding Oscar attention of the first?
While all of those sound like shoo-ins, every studio knows a film can look great on paper but not so good on the bigscreen. And Oscar forecasts are always thrown off by last-minute scheduling shifts ("Gangs," "Perdition," "The Hours" and "Adaptation" all were tentatively scheduled for December 2001, while "Black Hawk Down" was a late addition).
Of course, there's always a downside to all this speculation. Many studio reps were horrified at the thought of next year's awards season ("Didn't we just have the Oscars?," moaned one). And a studio marketing rep complained that advance Oscar buzz puts unfair expectations on a picture: "People should see a film and enjoy it without thinking of awards."
They're right. But in Hollywood, thinking of a film without thinking of awards is like ignoring the question of box office. It's not likely to happen.
WOULDN'T IT BE NICE?
Screenwriter Bryan Goluboff (THE BASKETBALL DIARIES) has been hired by Castle Rock Entertainment to script their upcoming film about the life of troubled but brilliant Beach Boys founder and songwriter Brian Wilson.
"We hope to capture Brian's life struggle and the underpinnings of his genius, as well as celebrate the extraordinary musical contribution this Mozart from Hawthorne, California, has given to the world," said Castle Rock co-founder Rob Reiner.
You Can Dance If You Want To
Men Without Hats is currently looking for 2 new members to do some live shows starting probably not before next year (2003). Male or female. Age is not a factor. You must not be a slob and have a good appearance.
Weezer Collaborate With Kermit The Frog, Miss Piggy
Weezer have teamed up with Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Gonzo the Great, Pepe the King Prawn and the rest of the Muppets in their video for "Keep Fishin'," the band's second single from Maladroit.
In the clip, Weezer are guests on "The Muppet Show," and, Muppets being Muppets, hilarity ensues. The "Keep Fishin' " video features a Muppet chorus singing backup, running commentary from Statler and Waldorf, a trip to Beaker and Bunsen's lab, and some "quality time" spent backstage with Miss Piggy, according to a spokesperson for the Jim Henson Company.
"Keep Fishin' " was directed by veteran Weezer auteur Marcos Siega, the man behind the "Dope Nose," "Hash Pipe" and "Island in the Sun (Version 1)" videos. Weezer, Siega and the Henson Company staff shot the clip June 18-19 at a Manhattan Beach, California, soundstage.
For Weezer, working with Henson Studios was a chance to live out a childhood fantasy. "Being a guest on 'The Muppet Show' was a childhood dream we all shared, so we were ecstatic when the Muppets agreed to be in our video for 'Keep Fishin',' " Weezer said in an official statement. "The Muppets can really rock!"
The Muppets themselves praised the band. "Weezer fit right in," Kermit the Frog said in a statement. "They're rock stars, they're used to being around animals, bears and egotistical pigs." Weezer now join the ranks of such musicians as Elton John, Alice Cooper, Debbie Harry and John Denver, who've all been guests on "The Muppet Show."
What Is The Worst Movie Ever Made?
Maxim has compiled a list of The 50 Worst Movies of All Time for its July issue.
Who's No. 1?
No One Can Hear Jacko in MIB II
Barry Sonnenfeld says that few people can actually hear what Michael Jackson is saying when he appears on screen in MEN IN BLACK II, because people are laughing so hard at his appearance in preview screenings. In the film, Jacko plays an MIB wannabe. Sonnenfeld says that had he anticipated the reaction, he would have re-edited the scene to allow more time to pass so you can hear Jacko talk.
Liam Neeson talks about hearing himself in EPISODE II.
Liam Neeson told SCI FI Wire that he wasn't surprised to hear that the voice of Qui-Gon Jinn, his slain Star Wars: Episode I character, factors into the action in Star Wars: Episode II—Attack of the Clones. And he remained mum on his reported appearance in the upcoming Episode III. "I haven't seen [Episode II]," Neeson said in an interview. "My sons told me about it, but I knew it was going to happen."
In a spoiler for the latest prequel, Qui-Gon's cry of "No, Ani!" can be heard as Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) massacres the Tusken raiders that murdered his mother, Shmi (Pernilla August). "I don't know how they did that," Neeson said. "We tried to record something here [in New York City, where Neeson lives]. But then they digitalized something and put it together and sent it to me, the way they can these days, to hear [and for his approval]. I thought, 'That's good.'"
As for whether Neeson will return in either corporeal or ghostly form for Episode III, Neeson said, "I can't answer that. The Jedi code of ethics."
CAN'T TAKE THAT AWAY FROM HIM
The House of Representatives unanimously passing a bill Thursday that will rename the main post office in Hoboken, New Jersey, after favorite son Frank Sinatra. The Senate passed the measure in March, and now it only requires President Bush's signature before taking effect.
I Remember Watching The Night He Made His Fateful Comments
"Politically Incorrect" was politically annihilated.
The Who Bassist John Entwistle Has Died
John Entwistle, the quiet, efficient bass player who co-founded The Who and helped it become one of the most dynamic and successful rock bands in history, was found dead of an apparent heart attack Thursday in his Las Vegas hotel room. He was 57.
Entwistle was on medication for a heart condition, according to band member Steve Luongo.
An autopsy was scheduled for Friday, but Clark County officials said there was nothing suspicious about the death, which comes nearly a quarter-century after the band's original drummer, Keith Moon, died of an overdose at age 31.
The Who was to play at the Hard Rock Hotel-Casino on Friday, the first date of a three-month, nationwide tour. That show and another scheduled for July 1 in Los Angeles were canceled. The rest of the tour was undecided, said Beckye Levin of promoter Clear Channel Entertainment.
The group, founded in London in the early 1960s, was part of the British rock invasion along with the Rolling Stones, the Beatles and others. They were the voice of a new breed, with a parade of guitar-driven hits that included "My Generation," "I Can See For Miles," "I Can't Explain," "Substitute," "Pinball Wizard," "Won't Get Fooled Again" and "Who Are You."
Their concerts were literally explosive — a fusion of audacious acrobatics, martial precision and high octane rock 'n' roll that blew away audiences and left the stage and their instruments a smoldering wreck. The group was one of the premier rock bands in the world throughout the 1970s and sold millions of albums.
"A lot of our fans liked us because we made mistakes. It made us look more human. And then the fact that we could actually sort of burst out laughing on stage when we made a real bad blunder," Entwistle told The Associated Press in a 1995 radio interview.
Entwistle allowed his fingers to literally race over his instrument, but he stood silently on stage — a stark contrast to the antics of guitarist Pete Townshend and lead singer Roger Daltrey.
Ray Manzarek, keyboardist for the Doors, called Entwistle "one of the great, great rock 'n' roll bassists of all time. A real genius."
"He just was the most humble rock star I have ever met, besides having the best hands of any bass player in the history of rock and roll," added rocker Sammy Hagar.
Entwistle's song writing contributions to the band were minimal compared with the prolific Townshend. The bass player penned "Boris the Spider" and "My Wife," among others — none of them big hits. Yet he was the only member of the band with formal musical training.
He was among the first in rock to experiment with the six- and eight-string bass and he also played the French horn.
"As a musician, he did for the bass guitar what Jimi Hendrix did for the guitar," said Luongo, 49, who played drums in The John Entwistle Band for the last 15 years.
Entwistle was born Oct. 9, 1944, in London, and played piano and trumpet in his early years. He met Townshend and Daltrey in his high school years and by 1964 the band was born.
The Who played at the first Woodstock, opening with Entwistle's "Heaven and Hell," and churned out a succession of albums, including "My Generation," "Happy Jack," "The Who Sell Out," "Who's Next," "Quadrophenia," "Who Are You" and "The Kids Are Alright."
They also made 1969's groundbreaking rock opera, "Tommy," about a deaf, dumb and blind messiah. The album was turned into a film starring Ann-Margret, in 1975 and later into a Broadway show.
Entwistle in many instances improvised as much as guitarist Townshend, who once said the bass player provided more lead material than he did.
"A lot of my playing is improvising," Entwistle explained to Bass Frontiers magazine in 1996. "I will just discover different little patterns or riffs in any key at anytime. Somewhere in my brain I have a list of things I can play. It's a matter of putting them in the right order."
He released the first of his nine solo albums in 1971, and later formed his own ensemble, Ox, while continuing to play with The Who.
The band retired in 1982 but reunited and toured frequently. They gave a rousing performance at last year's "Concert for New York," which raised funds for the victims of the Sept. 11 attacks, and their latest album, "Ultimate Collection," entered the Billboard charts two weeks ago at No. 31.
They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.
Entwistle was also an artist and was in Las Vegas to open a show at Grammy's Art of Music Gallery at the Aladdin Hotel-Casino. His work included cartoon-type portraits of himself and his fellow band members.
The image of a quiet artist seemed to fit Entwistle, who often said he didn't worry about the wallflower label some applied to him.
"John always said that all the other personas in The Who were taken so he took that one," Luongo said.