The Couch Potato Report - August 31st, 2004
This week in The Couch Potato Report, I finally have nothing to say about a movie.
In the twelve years since I've been doing The Couch Potato Report there has never been an incidence where I've had nothing to say about a film that's come out.
Through video, laserdisc and DVD releases - with both good and bad movies on them - I've always had something to say.
That all changes this week as I have absolutely nothing to say about Mel Gibson's controversial, but oh so successful THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST.
I want to make sure that you know that it is now available on video and DVD, but I have nothing to say about it.
Well, other that the fact that it stars Jim Caviezel and Monica Bellucci and it is the story of the last 12 hours of Jesus Christ's life.
Other than that, sorry, but you are on your own.
You're not on your own when it comes to Ashley Judd's new film TWISTED as I do have some things to say about it.
They're just not very nice.
And I hate not being nice toward Ashley Judd because I thoroughly and completely like and respect her.
She is talented and beautiful beyond words, but in TWISTED she plays another one of her patented tough-but-misunderstood-women-who-get-into-trouble-and-have-to-fight-back roles.
Just like she did in DOUBLE JEOPARDY, HIGH CRIMES and KISS THE GIRLS.
In TWISTED Judd is a San Francisco homicide detective who is her own prime suspect in an ongoing serial murder case.
All of the victims are men she recently had recently spent time with.
Andy Garcia is Judd's partner and Samuel L. Jackson is the police commissioner and Judd's mentor.
Its a good cast, but there are way too many holes and implausibilities to make TWISTED any good.
It even seems as if the cast knows that too as they act with no apparent interest in the proceedings.
TWISTED has nothing to offer except Ashley Judd, and if she doesn't start challenging herself as an actress, and taking fewer tough-but-misunderstood-women-who-get-into-trouble-and-have-to-fight-back roles, I, for one, might have to stop paying attention to the movies she does.
I, for one, will never stop paying attention to STAR TREK.
Should you be like me, well this is a time to rejoice!
STAR TREK: THE ORIGINAL SERIES - THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON is now available on an 8-disc DVD set!
If you don't know, STAR TREK features the adventures of the U.S.S. Enterprise under the command of Capt. James Kirk and his first officer, Lt. Cmdr Spock during the 23rd century. They are on a mission in outer space to explore new worlds, where the Enterprise encounters Klingons, Romulans, time paradoxes, tribbles and genetic supermen.
In addition to all 29 first-run episodes - including The Naked Time, The Enemy Within, The Menagerie, Balance of Terror, Space Seed, Arena and The City on the Edge of Forever - this set also features many behind the scenes and retrospective extras.
Oh yes!! I actually think I'm drooling!
THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST, TWISTED and STAR TREK: THE ORIGINAL SERIES - THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON are all available now at your favourite local video store.
COMING UP IN THE NEXT COUCH POTATO REPORT
THE LADYKILLERS is the Coen Brothers' remake of the classic 1955 Alec Guinness movie. Tom Hanks stars in this version as a professor who attempts a casino heist with help from a "gang of experts."
A few weeks ago I added HELLBOY To the list of good films made from comic books. Next week we'll add THE PUNISHER to the list of bad ones.
JERSEY GIRL is the latest release from filmmaker Kevin Smith. It didn't do well at the box office as it stars Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez, but it is a surprisingly touching film.
And finally next week, even though the mystery and excitement started to wane last year, the exploits of Special Agent Sydney Bristow are always worth watching because of the talents of Jennifer Garner. Thus, ALIAS - THE COMPLETE THIRD SEASON is a title I'm sure I'll recommend.
I'll have more on those, and some other releases, in seven days.
For now, that's this week's COUCH POTATO REPORT.
Enjoy the movies and I'll see you back here next week on The Couch!
Today's New Releases
Here is a look at the best new CD being released today:
Ray Charles Genius Loves Company (Concord Jazz) - Like Johnny Cash, Ray Charles was a tough old man who kept making music right up to the end, probably because everybody was too scared to tell him to knock it off. When he died in June, he was readying Genius Loves Company, his version of Frank Sinatra's Duets, featuring pop stars such as James Taylor, Bonnie Raitt, Elton John and Norah Jones. The tone is reverential and warm, as the Genius sings "It Was a Very Good Year" with Willie Nelson, "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" with Johnny Mathis and "Fever" with Natalie Cole. B.B. King, the one guest who can approach Charles as a peer, pushes him to play a little blues piano. But the best moment is the live "Crazy Love": Van Morrison and Charles sing together in real time, two grizzled cats trying to top each other, competitive yet completely in tune.
The other CD's being released Tuesday, August 31st are:
BJORK Medulla (Elektra)
BRAD MEHLDAU Brad Mehldau Live in Tokyo (Nonesuch/Warner)
BRAD MEHLDAU Live In Tokyo (Nonesuch/Warner)
DOWN TO EARTH APPROACH Another Intervention (TVT)
HOT ROD CIRCUIT Reality's Coming Through (TVT)
JACKI-O Poor Little Rich Girl (TVT)
JEDD HUGHES Transcontinental (MCA Nashville)
JILL SCOTT Beautifully Human (Sony)
JOHN ADAMS On The Transmigration of Souls (Nonesuch/Warner)
JUDY COLLINS Sings Leonard Cohen: Democracy (Rhino)
KATAKLYSM Victims Of This Fallen World (Linus Entertainment)
KATAKLYSM Northern Hyper Blast Live (Linus Entertainment)
LIMBLIFTER I/O (Maple Nationwide)
LL COOL J The DEFinition (Def Jam)
LUCINDA WILLIAMS Live (Lost Highway/Universal)
MEMPHIS I Dreamed We Fell Apart (Paper Bag Records)
MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATRE 3000 Mystery Science Theater 3000: Essentials (Rhino)
PAPA ROACH Getting Away with Murder (Geffen)
PAUL WESTERBERG Folker (TVT)
PITBULL M.I.A.M.I (TVT)
RAZOR Decibels (Linus Entertainment)
ROKIA TRAORE Bowmboi (Nonesuch/Warner)
VARIOUS ARTISTS Platinum Dance Hits 2 (Warner Strategic Marketing)
VARIOUS ARTISTS Songs Inspired by The Passion (Sony)
VOIVOD Phobos (Linus Entertainment)
VOIVOD Kronik (Linus Entertainment)
Scrub In For Season Four
The new season of SCRUBS premieres tonight (Tuesday, August 31) at 9:25 PM ET and will be re-broadcast on September 4 at 8:30 PM ET.
The premiere episode is described as follows:
"My Old Friend's New Friend"
Elliot feels left out of the group after her break-up with J.D. It's J.D.'s (Zach Braff) last week as a resident as he tries to smooth over his relationship with Elliot (Sarah Chalke) after their break-up. The former couple squabble over having to share time with newlyweds Turk (Donald Faison) and Carla (Judy Reyes), who have their own issues when Carla starts to change everything about her new hubby.
Professional yet quirky new psychiatrist Dr. Molly Clock (guest star Heather Graham) starts her first day at Sacred Heart turning heads and forging new relationships with the staff. She befriends a lonely Elliot and tries her best to help J.D. and Dr. Cox (John C. McGinley) with a patient offering profound and helpful insight.
Meanwhile, when Turk's car blows up, Carla lets him pick out the new ride only to find that instead of a car, he buys a Vespa scooter further proving Carla's point that she needs to always be in control.
NBC has also released details about the second episode of the season, which is set to air September 7.
"My Office"
J.D. and Elliot compete for the chief resident position which lends to more tension in their relationship.
Just when J.D. (Zach Braff) thinks he's landed the chief resident position, Dr. Molly Clock (guest star Heather Graham) convinces Elliot (Sarah Chalke) that she should apply as well. Carla (Judy Reeves) becomes green with envy as everyone starts listening to Dr. Clock's advice, leaving Carla feeling like she's losing control. Meanwhile, Dr. Cox (John C. McGinley) and Turk (Donald Faison), find great difficulty in the removal of a light bulb from a patient's posterior.
Alan Jackson, Terri Clark among Country Music Award nominees
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Alan Jackson pulled in seven nominations, the most of the year, from the Country Music Association on Monday, including entertainer of the year and male vocalist, while Canadian Terri Clark is up for female vocalist of the year.
Jackson's nominations also include single of the year and song of the year for Remember When, video of the year for Remember When and for his duet with Jimmy Buffett, It's Five O'clock Somewhere, and musical event of the year for collaborating on a remake of the Hank Williams' tune Hey, Good Lookin.'
Toby Keith has six nominations including album of the year for Shock'N Y'all, single and video of the year for I Love This Bar, musical event for Hey, Good Lookin,' male vocalist of the year and entertainer of the year.
The other best album nominees are Brad Paisley for Mud on the Tires, Brooks & Dunn for Red Dirt Road, Kenny Chesney for When the Sun Goes Down and newcomer Gretchen Wilson for Here for the Party.
Others up for female vocalist of the year are Sara Evans, Alison Krauss, Martina McBride and Reba McEntire.
Clark, who was born in Montreal and grew up in Medicine Hat, Alta., has had a busy year. She was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry and released a greatest hits record. She's also up for four awards at the Canadian Country Music Association awards, to be held Sept. 13 in Edmonton.
Wilson's first single, the No. 1 hit Redneck Woman, was nominated Monday for three awards, single, song and music video of the year. She also was nominated for the Horizon award, which honours the top new act.
"I think it's incredible considering no one knew who I was last year at this time," Wilson said. "This has been my dream since I was a little girl."
Other artists with five nominations included Chesney and Krauss.
"Country music is making waves in 2004 and this list of outstanding nominees is one of the reasons why," CMA executive director Ed Benson said in a statement. "These talented performers, musicians, songwriters and producers demonstrate the artistic depth and creativity driving the burgeoning growth of our format in the past year. It is an exciting time for country music and the 2004 CMA awards will definitely reflect that in November."
CBS will broadcast the 38th annual CMA awards show, hosted by Brooks & Dunn, live from Nashville's Grand Ole Opry House on Nov. 9.
Singer-songwriter Kris Kristofferson, who helped announce some of the nominations on CBS's The Early Show, was selected for induction into the Country Hall of Fame.
"What a dirty trick," he said, obviously surprised to hear his name read.
"I guess it means I'm old," he said of the nomination that will put his name in the hall with Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings. Kristofferson has written hits such as Help Me Make it Through the Night, Me and Bobby McGee and Sunday Morning Coming Down, and his work has been recorded by more than 450 artists.
Former industry executive Jim Foglesong, who was president of the Nashville divisions of MCA and Capitol Records, also will be inducted into the Country Hall of Fame. Foglesong, 82, teaches music business at Vanderbilt University.
The rest of the nominations were announced on the CMT cable network.
Here is the list of nominees for the 2004 CMA Awards:
-Entertainer of the Year: Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson, Toby Keith, Tim McGraw.
-Female Vocalist: Terri Clark, Sara Evans, Alison Krauss, Martina McBride, Reba McEntire.
-Male Vocalist: Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson, Toby Keith, George Strait, Keith Urban.
-Horizon Award: Dierks Bentley, Big & Rich, Julie Roberts, Josh Turner, Gretchen Wilson.
-Vocal Group: Alabama, Diamond Rio, Lonestar, Rascal Flatts, Trick Pony.
-Vocal Duo: Big & Rich, Blue County, Brooks & Dunn, Montgomery Gentry, The Warren Brothers.
-Single of the Year (awarded to artist and producer): I Love This Bar, Toby Keith, produced by Toby Keith/James Stroud; Live Like You Were Dying, Tim McGraw, produced by Byron Gallimore/Tim McGraw/Darran Smith; Redneck Woman, Gretchen Wilson, produced by Mark Wright/Joe Scaife; Remember When, Alan Jackson, produced by Keith Stegall; Whiskey Lullaby, Brad Paisley featuring Alison Krauss, produced by Frank Rogers.
-Musician of the Year: Matt Chamberlain, drums; Kenny Greenberg, electric guitar; Dann Huff, guitar; Larry Paxton, bass guitar; Brent Rowan, guitar.
-Album of the Year (awarded to artist and producer): Here for the Party, Gretchen Wilson, produced by Mark Wright/Joe Scaife; Mud on the Tires, Brad Paisley, produced by Frank Rogers; Red Dirt Road, Brooks & Dunn, produced by Kix Brooks/Ronnie Dunn/Mark Wright; Shock'N Y'All, Toby Keith, produced by Toby Keith/James Stroud; When the Sun Goes Down, Kenny Chesney, produced by Buddy Cannon/Kenny Chesney.
-Music Video of the Year (awarded to artist and director): I Love This Bar, Toby Keith, directed by Michael Salomon; It's Five O'Clock Somewhere, Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffett, directed by Trey Fanjoy; Redneck Woman, Gretchen Wilson, directed by David Hogan; Remember When, Alan Jackson, directed by Trey Fanjoy; Whiskey Lullaby, Brad Paisley and Alison Krauss, directed by Rick Schroder.
-Musical Event of the Year: Norah Jones with Dolly Parton, Creepin' In; Jimmy Buffett with Clint Black, Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson, Toby Keith & George Strait, Hey Good Lookin'; James Taylor and Alison Krauss, How's the World Treating You; Kenny Chesney (duet with Uncle Kracker), When the Sun Goes Down; Brad Paisley featuring Alison Krauss, Whiskey Lullaby.
-Song of the Year: Live Like You Were Dying, Tim Nichols/Craig Wiseman; Long Black Train, Josh Turner; Redneck Woman, Gretchen Wilson/John Rich; Remember When, Alan Jackson; Whiskey Lullaby, Bill Anderson/Jon Randall.
Michael Moore Draws Boos at Convention
NEW YORK - Already a box office sensation, filmmaker Michael Moore got another loud reception Monday at the Republican convention. This time, it was boos.
When Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., told the delegates about "a disingenuous film maker who would have us believe that Saddam's Iraq was an oasis of peace," they knew he was referring to the maker of "Fahrenheit 9-11." The film, which savages Bush's Iraq policy, has set a box office record for documentaries, grossing $115 million so far.
McCain's comments prompted prolonged booing and chants of "Four more years." Many of the delegates faced Moore, who was seated in the press seats at Madison Square Garden because he is writing a column this week for USA Today.
Moore seemed to relish the attention, thrusting his arms over his head, laughing and saying, "Two more months."
Asked about McCain's remarks, Moore said, "I can't believe they're dumb enough to bring up the film and help its box office."
Eminem Sets Nov. 16 Release for New Album
NEW YORK (Billboard) - Oscar-winning rapper Eminem will release his fourth album, to be called "Encore," on Nov. 16, his Interscope Records label said Monday.
The set will be the follow-up to 2002's "The Eminem Show," which debuted at No. 1 on The Billboard 200 and has sold 9.2 million copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Interscope said its global sales stand at more than 19 million copies.
Because of Internet piracy, that album officially went on sale in the United States on a Sunday, nine days ahead of its originally scheduled street date.
The 2002 soundtrack to his hit film "8 Mile" also reached No. 1 on The Billboard 200. It spawned the hit "Lose Yourself," which spent 12 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and yielded an Oscar for Eminem and his two co-writers. Interscope said its global sales stand at almost nine million copies.
Although he released a new album with his group D-12 this spring, Eminem has kept a low profile over the past year. He recently announced plans to launch a hip-hop music channel with Sirius Satellite Radio, on which he will host shows with acts from his Shady Records imprint. The channel is expected to go live in the fall.
NBC's 'Pride' at Stake with New Animated Series
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Eager for new comedies to replace "Friends" and "Frasier," NBC takes a big gamble with this week's debut of a costly, computer-animated series about a sexually frisky family of talking lions in Siegfried & Roy's famed Las Vegas act.
"Father of the Pride," which premieres on Tuesday, has drawn mixed early reviews and raised advertiser eyebrows for a ribald sensibility that NBC and producers at DreamWorks describe as "edgy" but some critics see as being at odds with the show's family-friendly look.
The launch of "Pride" also comes less than a year after animal trainer Roy Horn -- depicted in cartoonish style with partner Siegfried Fischbacher -- was severely mauled by one of his tigers during a live stage performance last Oct. 3.
NBC executives acknowledge that "Pride" is a risky undertaking for the network, whose last animated show, "God, the Devil and Bob," survived less than a month in 2000.
The General Electric Co.-owned broadcaster is spending, according to the Los Angeles Times, $1.6 million per half-hour episode on the series, making it the costliest entry on its slate of new prime-time offerings.
The stakes also are high for DreamWorks, which plans to spin off its animation studio in an initial public stock offering expected this fall.
Computer-generated imagery, or CGI, has become a darling of movie audiences with box office blockbusters like DreamWorks' fairy tale satires "Shrek" and "Shrek 2." But few animated series have achieved hit status on U.S. television outside Fox, where "The Simpsons" and "King of the Hill" are staples.
With NBC's two marquee sitcoms -- "Friends" and "Frasier" -- having left the air in May, NBC Universal Television Group President Jeff Zucker told the Times his network is willing to take chances to score a new hit.
FRISKY FELINES
Still, the show's sometimes bawdy brand of humor has critics and Madison Avenue executives wondering whether "Pride" is tame enough for kids to watch with their parents or sophisticated enough for adults to enjoy on their own.
The debut episode features a scene in which father lion Larry, voiced by "Roseanne" star John Goodman, enthuses about getting the chance to make love to his mate, Kate (Cheryl Hines of HBO's "Curb Your Enthusiasm") when their cubs are away.
"It may be 9 o'clock in New York, but right here it's mountin' time," he proclaims, shaking his haunches.
Larry and Kate also take it upon themselves to assist in the courtship of a pair of giant pandas (the female panda is voiced by Lisa Kudrow of "Friends").
Seeking to avoid potential complaints from parents uneasy about explaining the intricacies of animal husbandry, NBC began in mid-July advertising the show as an "adult comedy."
But Carl Reiner, the veteran writer-producer who played Alan Brady on "The Dick Van Dyke Show" and co-stars on "Pride" as Larry's curmudgeonly father-in-law, dismissed suggestions that the show is too risque for family viewing.
"If children do watch it, the things that they discuss as a family of lions can easily be discussed as a family of humans," he said in a recent conference call with reporters.
Daily Variety TV critic Brian Lowry said the sexual innuendoes that fly between Larry and Kate are "not really adding much to a very old sitcom staple."
The attack on Horn forced the real-life Siegfried & Roy to close their act, but both insisted NBC go ahead with the TV show. The two are co-executive producers.
Actress Rosario Dawson Arrested at Anti-Bush March
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Actress Rosario Dawson, arrested at an anti-Bush march has been charged with two counts of disorderly conduct and the obstruction of governmental administration, officials said on Monday.
Dawson, 25, and Vija Grosgalves, 28, were filming a scene for the independent film "Medium Cool" in Manhattan on Sunday, using protests by thousands of protesters marching past Madison Square Garden as a backdrop.
Police nabbed the pair, alleging that they were "both masked" and used handkerchiefs "with only the area around their eyes showing," according to a criminal complaint filed in Manhattan Criminal Court.
City laws bar protesters from hiding their identity with masks.
When their director, Stephen Marshall, 36, showed officers that they had a legitimate film permit issued by the city, police handcuffed him, too, and hauled the three away to be processed. Police said Marshall did not have a valid permit.
The three were released early Monday after they were arraigned. They are due back in court in November. If convicted, they each face up to a year in jail at Rikers Island.
Dawson, a New York-born actress, appears alongside Colin Farrell and Angelina Jolie in Oliver Stone's upcoming costume epic film "Alexander." Her other credits include "Shattered Glass," "Men in Black II" and "The Adventures of Pluto Nash."
Thumper Returns
Buena Vista Home Entertainment has announced two big new releases today, each a classic of a different kind: a most-beloved animated perennial, and a much-maligned reimagining of a historical legend.
First up is director Antoine Fuqua's King Arthur, which will be released on December 21st in two different versions: the original PG-13 theatrical cut and a never-before-seen "hard" version that Fuqua prefers. Each will get 2.40 anamorphic widescreen transfers (the PG-13 cut will also be released in a separate full frame version with identical extras) and Dolby Digital 5.1 surround tracks. Extras will include commentary by Fuqua, a roundtable video commentary with the cast and filmmakers, a "Knight Vision" subtitle fact track, deleted scenes, alternate ending, the "Blood on the Land: Forging King Arthur" documentary, producer Jerry Bruckheimer's photo gallery and theatrical trailers.
Buena Vista has also just announced the beloved favorite Bambi, which will hit DVD on March 1st next year. Painstakingly restored and presented in its original 1.33:1 full screen, extras include the “Walt’s Annotated Bambi" documentary, the "Disneypedia" and "Disney Time Capsule" featurettes, never-before-seen deleted scenes, the all-new "Thumper’s Storytime" short based on the Golden Book classic, a Bambi Legacy promotional gallery with stills, rare music cues, a new music video and trailers, and a Bambi II sneak peek.
Hot Shots
Rounding out today's news, Paramount Home Entertainment has just announced the full specs for the November 16th re-issue of the mega-hit Top Gun. This two-disc set will get the remastered anamorphic widescreen and Dolby Digital Surround EX and DTS 6.1 surround treatment, plus plenty of extras: audio commentary with director Tony Scott, producer Jerry Bruckheimer and screenwriter Jack Epps, six new making-of featurettes, an additional two featurettes on real pilot survival training and the original EPK, vintage Tom Cruise interviews, four music videos, a multi-angle storyboard comparison, and theatrical trailers.