New CD Releases, January 29: Willie Nelson, Hannah Montana, Andrea Bocelli
Willie Nelson "Moment of Forever"
The country music legend returns with a follow-up to 2007's "It's Magic," a collection that featured "What a Wonderful World" and 11 other classic compositions.
Produced by--and this is not a typo--country superstar Kenny Chesney, "Moment of Forever" features a few Nelson originals, along with covers of songs by Kris Kristofferson, Bob Dylan, Randy Newman and others, as well as a pair of Chesney-penned tracks, "I'm Alive" and "Worry B Gone." The first single from the album is a rendition of Dave Matthews' "Gravedigger."
This tireless road warrior is, of course, supporting "Moment of Forever" on tour. His itinerary currently includes dates through the end of June.
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Hannah Montana "Hannah Montana 2: Non-Stop Dance Party"
The kiddie-pop juggernaut keeps right on charging along. Having conquered the album charts, the TV ratings and the concert stage, the girl with the double life and dual career--she's also made a mark under her real name, Miley Cyrus--now returns with "Hannah Montana 2: Non-Stop Dance Party."
The disc includes newly remixed versions of 10 fan favorites (including "Nobody's Perfect," "Rock Star" and "We Got the Party") that are strung together in a continuous party mix. It's a tween's dream--or a parent's nightmare--as the listener gets non-stop Hannah. The set also includes a slide show, music video and printable party invitations.
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Andrea Bocelli "Vivere: Live in Tuscany"
Having recently put out a greatest-hits package, "The Best of Andrea Bocelli: Vivere," the multi-platinum pop-opera star is ready to tempt fans with a concert disc.
The 2-disc "Vivere: Live in Tuscany" features all of the crooner's best-known tunes, including "Time to Say Goodbye," as well as guest appearances by the likes of Kenny G, Chris Botti and Sarah Brightman. It's being offered both on CD and on DVD.
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The Mars Volta "The Bedlam in Goliath"
The psychedelic prog-rockers return with their fourth studio album. "The Bedlam in Goliath" is a concept record that tells the tale of a Ouija board nicknamed "Soothsayer" owned by band member Cedric Bixler-Zavala, "and its mutation from a source of amusement during the tour supporting the band's 'Amputechture' album into a malevolent psycho-spiritual force that nearly tore the group apart, collectively and individually," according to a press release.
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Sarah Brightman "Symphony"
The Broadway/pop diva--a woman still best known for originating the role of Christine Daaé in "The Phantom of the Opera" as well as for her marriage to the show's author, Andrew Lloyd Webber--continues to tinker with her musical image. Her new release, "Symphony," reportedly has a "goth metal" edge to it. We wonder what the Phantom would think about that.
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More new releases:
Ayreon, "01011001" (Inside Out)
Bullet for My Valentine, "Scream Aim Fire" (Jive)
Dispatch, "Zimbabwe: Live at Madison Square Garden" (Republic)
Linda Eder, "Greatest Hits" (Rhino)
The Five Blind Boys of Alabama, "Down in New Orleans" (Time Life)
Joe Jackson, "Rain" (Rykodisc)
Al Jarreau, "Love Songs" (Rhino)
Shelby Lynne, "Just a Little Lovin'" (Lost Highway)
Idina Menzel, "I Stand" (Warner Bros.)
Pat Metheny Trio, "Day Trip" (Nonesuch)
Van Morrison, "It's Too Late To Stop Now" (Polydor)
Van Morrison, "Tupelo Honey" (Polydor)
Vampire Weekend, "Vampire Weekend" (Beggars XL)
Various Artists, "2008 Grammy Nominees" (Hip-O)
Grammy organizers reach deal with striking writers
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Hollywood's striking writers said on Monday they will grant an "interim agreement" to organizers of the Grammy awards allowing the ceremony honoring musicians to be written by union members.
Last week, the Writers Guild of America, which represents some 10,500 striking film and television writers, said it would not picket the music event, so Monday's announcement further ensures the show will continue in its traditional format of presenters giving awards and musicians performing hit songs.
"Professional musicians face many of the same issues that we do concerning fair compensation for the use of their work in new media," the Writers Guild said in a statement, adding that it made the decision "in the interest of advancing our goal of achieving a fair contract."
The Recording Academy, which puts on the Grammy Awards, responded by saying it was "gratified" to reach the deal.
"Having our talented writers on the team further ensures the highest level of creativity and innovation," said Neil Portnow, Recording Academy president and chief executive.
Writers launched their strike against major film and TV studios in November, and informal talks between the parties restarted only last week. The key dispute centers on pay for writers' work when it appears on the Internet.
The strike has caused several Hollywood awards shows, including the Golden Globes, to be canceled or changed because stars have refused to cross picket lines or work on shows that do not have an "interim agreement."
The Grammys, which are the top U.S. honors in the music industry, are scheduled to take place on February 10, in a program to be televised by CBS.
Cronenberg thriller, Dallaire drama vie for Genie Awards
Mafia thriller Eastern Promises and Shake Hands With the Devil, a dramatic adaptation of retired Canadian general Roméo Dallaire's experiences in Rwanda, lead a strong group of nominees for Canada's top film honour.
Organizers announced Monday the contenders for the 28th annual Genie Awards, organized each year by the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television.
David Cronenberg's Eastern Promises and Shake Hands With the Devil, directed by Roger Spottiswoode, tied with 12 Genie nods each, including for the coveted best motion picture trophy.
Also nominated for that top honour are L'Âge des ténèbres (Days of Darkness), Away From Her and Continental, un film sans fusil.
Cronenberg and Spottiswoode will also face off for the achievement in direction Genie against Quebec superstar Denys Arcand (L'Âge des ténèbres), Sarah Polley (Away From Her) and Bruce McDonald (The Tracey Fragments).
British acting icon Julie Christie, who on Sunday night won best lead actress at the Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles for her turn in Away From Her, is up for the same honour at the Genies.
Ellen Page is also a nominee for her starring role in The Tracey Fragments. Rounding out the category are Molly Parker (Who Loves the Sun), Anne-Marie Cadieux (Toi) and Béatrice Picard (Ma tante Aline).
Vying for the best lead actor Genie are Roy Dupuis (Shake Hands With the Devil), Marc LaBrèche, (L'Âge des ténèbres), Claude Legault (Les 3 P'tits Cochons), Viggo Mortensen (Eastern Promises) and Gordon Pinsent (Away From Her).
The Genie Awards will be presented March 3 and here are all the nominees for the 2008 Genie Awards honouring the best in Canadian film:
BEST MOTION PICTURE
"L'Age des tenebres" ("Days of Darkness") - Denise Robert, Daniel Louis
"Away From Her" - Daniel Iron, Simone Urdl, Jennifer Weiss
"Continental, un film sans fusil" ("Continental, a Film Without Guns")-Luc Dery, Kim McCraw
"Eastern Promises" - Robert Lantos, Paul Webster
"Shake Hands With The Devil" - Laszlo Barna, Michael Donovan
ACHIEVEMENT IN ART DIRECTION/PRODUCTION DESIGN
Andre Line Beauparlant, "Continental, un film sans fusil" ("Continental, a Film Without Guns")
Lindsey Hermer-Bell, Justin S.B. Craig, "Shake Hands With The Devil"
Rob Gray, James Willcock, "Fido"
Francois Seguin, "Silk"
Carol Spier, "Eastern Promises"
ACHIEVEMENT IN COSTUME DESIGN
Dolly Ahluwallia, "Partition"
Denise Cronenberg, "Eastern Promises"
Carlo Poggioli, Kazuko Kurosawa, "Silk"
Mary E. McLeod, "Fido"
Joyce Schure, "Shake Hands With The Devil"
ACHIEVEMENT IN CINEMATOGRAPHY
Miroslaw Baszak, "Shake Hands With the Devil"
Bruce Chun, "Nitro"
Alain Dostie, "Silk"
Vic Sarin, "Partition"
Peter Suschitzky, "Eastern Promises"
ACHIEVEMENT IN DIRECTION
Denys Arcand, "Days of Darkness"
Sarah Polley, "Away From Her"
David Cronenberg, "Eastern Promises"
Roger Spottiswoode, "Shake Hands With the Devil"
Bruce McDonald, "The Tracey Fragments"
ACHIEVEMENT IN EDITING
Jean-Francois Bergeron, "Les 3 P'tits Cochons" ("The 3 Little Pigs")
Susan Maggi, "Poor Boy's Game"
Jeremiah Munce, Gareth C. Scales, "The Tracey Fragments"
Ronald Sanders, "Eastern Promises"
David Wharnsby, "Away From Her"
ACHIEVEMENT IN MUSIC - ORIGINAL SCORE
David Hirschfelder, "Shake Hands With the Devil"
Steve London, "That Beautiful Somewhere"
Don MacDonald, "Fido"
Ryuichi Sakamoto, "Silk"
Howard Shore, "Eastern Promises"
ACHIEVEMENT IN MUSIC - ORIGINAL SONG
Alan Doyle, "Young Triffie's Been Made Away With" - "Young Triffie's Been Made Away With"
Valanga Khoza, David Hirschfelder - "Shake Hands With the Devil" - "Kaya"
Byron Wong, Luke Nicholson - "Poor Boy's Game" - "Breathe"
PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Roy Dupuis, "Shake Hands With The Devil"
Marc LaBreche, "L'Age des tenebres" ("Days of Darkness") - Denise Robert, Daniel Louis
Claude Legault, "Les 3 P'tits Cochons" ("The 3 Little Pigs")
Viggo Mortensen, "Eastern Promises"
Gordon Pinsent, "Away From Her"
PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Danny Glover, "Poor Boy's Game"
Guillaume Lemay-Thivierge, "Les 3 P'tits Cochons" ("The 3 Little Pigs")
Armin Mueller-Stahl, "Eastern Promises"
Michel Ange Nzojibwami, "Shake Hands With the Devil"
Gilbert Sicotte, "Continental, un film sans fusil" ("Continental, a Film Without Guns")
PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
Anne-Marie Cadieux, "Toi," ("You")
Julie Christie, "Away From Her"
Ellen Page, "The Tracey Fragments"
Molly Parker, "Who Loves the Sun"
Beatrice Picard, "Ma tante Aline" ("My Aunt Aline")
PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Marie-Ginette Guay, "Continental, un film sans fusil" ("Continental, a Film Without Guns")
Veronique Le Flaguais, "Comment survivre a sa mere" ("Surviving My Mother")
Laurence LeBoeuf, "Ma fille mon ange"
Fanny Mallette, "Continental, un film sans fusil" ("Continental, a Film Without Guns")
Kristen Thompson, "Away From Her"
ACHIEVEMENT IN OVERALL SOUND
Claude La Haye, Olivier Calvert, Hans Peter Strobl, Bernard Gariepy Strob - "Silk"
Eric Fitz, Jo Caron, Gavin Fernandes, Benoit Leduc - "Shake Hands With the Devil"
John J. Thomson, Stephan Carrier, Martin Lee - "Citizen Duane"
John Hazen, Matt Chan, Brad Dawe - "The Tracey Fragments"
Stuart Wilson, Christian Cooke, Orest Sushko, Mark Zsifkovits - "Eastern Promises"
ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND EDITING
Martin Pinsonnault, Pierre-Jules Audet, Michelle Cloutier, Simon Meilleur, Louis Molinas - "Nitro"
Wayne Griffin, Robert Bertola, Tony Currie, Andy Malcolm, Michael O'Farrell - "Eastern Promises"
Marie-Claude Gagne, Diane Boucher, Guy Francoeur, Claire Pochon, Jean-Philippe Savard - "Romeo et Juliette"
Marcel Pothier, Guy Francoeur, Antoine Morin, Guy Pelletier, Francois Senneville - "Shake Hands With the Devil"
Steven Munro, John Sievert, David Drainie Taylor, "The Tracey Fragments"
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Pierre Lamothe, Claude Lalonde, "Les 3 P'tits Cochons" ("The 3 Little Pigs")
Denys Arcand, "L'Age des tenebres" ("Days of Darkness")
Marc-Andre Lavoie, Simon Olivier Fecteau, David Gauthier, "Bluff"
Steve Knight, "Eastern Promises"
Douglas Coupland, "Everything's Gone Green"
ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
Sarah Polley, "Away From Her"
Michael Donovan, "Shake Hands With the Devil"
Maureen Medved, "The Tracey Fragments"
BEST DOCUMENTARY
Panache/Antlers - Andre-Line Beauparlant, Danielle Leblanc
Radiant City - Gary Burns, Jim Brown, Bonnie Thompson, Shirley Vercruysse
Sharkwater - Robert Stewart
BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT DRAMA
"Apres Tout," Alexis Fortier Gauthier, Elaine Hebert
"Faire Chaluim Mhic Leid" ("The Wake Of Calum Macleod") - Marc Almon, Nona MacDermid
"Regarding Sarah," Michelle Porter, Amy Belling
"Screening," Anthony Green, Philip Svoboda
"The Tragic Story Of Nling," Jeffrey St. Jules, Larissa Giroux
BEST ANIMATED SHORT
"Here And There," Diane Obomsawin, Marc Bertrand
"Jeu," Georges Schwizgebel, Michele Belanger, Marcel Jean
"Madame Tutli-Putli," Maciek Szczerbowski, Chris Lavis, Marcy Page
Van Halen keeps rolling with 2008 tour
After logging one of last year's most successful tours, classic rockers Van Halen are back on the road to tackle a new leg of shows.
The group, which returned to the tour trail with a Monday (1/22) concert in Oklahoma City, has dates lined up through early April. Since first unveiling the 2008 itinerary late last year, the band has tucked into its schedule stops in three additional cities: Des Moines, IA; Duluth, GA; and Dallas, TX. Details are shown below, and tickets for all shows are on sale now.
Last fall, Van Halen hit the road with original frontman David Lee Roth at the helm for the first time in 22 years. Despite Roth's return, the band's current roster falls short of being a full-fledged reunion of the original lineup; prior to the tour, co-founding Van Halen brothers Alex and Eddie sacked original bassist Michael Anthony and replaced him with Eddie's 16-year-old son, Wolfgang Van Halen. The father-and-son duo will appear on the cover of the April 2008 issue of Guitar World magazine.
Van Halen's 2007 tour comprised 39 shows, during which the band raked in $56.7 million. That number earned the group the No. 5 slot on concert-industry trade-magazine Pollstar's 2007 year-end list of top-grossing tours.
The tour's first leg was characterized by a number of sold-out shows and rave reviews from both fans and critics alike, who gave the group high marks for its delivery of a set list comprised entirely of songs that appeared on the band's 1978-1984 Roth-era catalog.
January 2008
22 - Oklahoma City, OK - Ford Center
24 - San Antonio, TX - AT&T Center
26 - Dallas, TX - American Airlines Center
28 - Houston, TX - Toyota Center
30 - Little Rock, AR - Alltel Arena (on sale to be announced)
February 2008
1 - Denver, CO - Pepsi Center
4 - Omaha, NE - Qwest Center
6 - Des Moines, IA - Wells Fargo Arena
8 - New Orleans, LA - New Orleans Arena
10 - Atlanta, GA - Philips Arena
12 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL - BankAtlantic Center
14 - Orlando, FL - Amway Arena
16 - Jacksonville, FL - Veterans Memorial Arena
18 - Tampa, FL - St. Pete Times Forum
20 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL - Bank Atlantic Center
22 - Charlottesville, VA - John Paul Jones Arena
25 - Duluth, GA - Gwinnett Arena
March 2008
3 - Dallas, TX - American Airlines Center
5 - Cincinnati, OH - US Bank Arena
7 - Raleigh, NC - RBC Center
9 - Baltimore, MD - 1st Mariner Arena
11 - Manchester, NH - Verizon Wireless Arena
13 - East Rutherford, NJ - Izod Arena
17 - New York, NY - Madison Square Garden
19 - Hershey, PA - Giant Center
21 - Pittsburgh, PA - Mellon Arena
24 - Providence, RI - Dunkin Donuts Center
26 - Uncasville, CT - Mohegan Sun Arena
28 - Atlantic City, NJ - Boardwalk Hall
30 - St. Louis, MO - Scottrade Center
April 2008
1 - Columbus, OH - Value City Arena
3 - Rosemont, IL - Allstate Arena
5 - Grand Rapids, MI - Van Andel Arena
7 - Milwaukee, WI - Bradley Center
'Toy Story' Films Going 3-D
The first two films will be rereleased in 2009 and 2010 before 'Toy Story 3'
In anticipation of the release of "Toy Story 3" in 2010, Pixar has announced plans to rerelease the franchise's first two films back into theaters.
With Disney-Pixar's "Toy Story 3" being produced in 3-D under the direction of studio vet Lee Unkrich, "Toy Story" and "Toy Story 2" will be converted into 3-D as well.
"We are committed to bringing moviegoers the best and most exciting 3-D movie experience, and we think they're going to love seeing Buzz Lightyear, Woody, and all the wonderful 'Toy Story' cast of characters in an eye popping and dazzling way," says Dick Cook, chairman of The Walt Disney Studios. "John Lasseter and the animation team are putting all their passion and hard work into making this the greatest 3-D experience yet, and we're excited to share their efforts with audiences everywhere."
The plan is to bring "Toy Story" out in Disney Digital 3-D on Oct. 2, 2009, followed by the Feb. 12, 2010 release of "Toy Story 3." The long-anticipated "Toy Story 3" will open on June 18, 2010.
"The 'Toy Story' films and characters will always hold a very special place in our hearts and we're so excited to be bringing this landmark film back for audiences to enjoy in a whole new way thanks to the latest in 3-D technology," says John Lasseter, director on the first two "Toy Story" films and chief creative officer for Disney and Pixar Animation Studios. "I am sure that this is going to be nothing short of fantastic and people are going to be blown away by the experience.
With 'Toy Story 3' shaping up to be another great adventure for Buzz, Woody and the gang from Andy's room, we thought it would be great to let audiences experience the first two films all over again and in a brand new way. 3-D offers lots of great new possibilities for the art of animation and we will continue to use this new technology to tell our stories in the best possible way."
In order to release "Toy Story" and "Toy Story 2" in 3-D, the original technical elements on both films will be essentially rebuilt.
First released in 1995, "Toy Story" made more than $360 million worldwide (per BoxOfficeMojo). The 1999 sequel made more than $485 million worldwide.
Del Toro doubles up to direct big-screen "Hobbit"
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Guillermo del Toro is in talks to direct back-to-back installments of J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Hobbit," which is being co-financed by New Line and MGM.
Del Toro's name was on a short list of directors who could tackle the project, one of the most anticipated literary adaptations of the past decade. An ill-chosen director for "Hobbit" could put billions of dollars at stake for New Line and MGM and could turn off an audience that encompasses millions of passionate readers, Tolkien fans and obsessive geeks.
Few filmmakers have the cachet that del Toro has, as well as a deep love for the source material, an assured grasp of fantasy filmmaking and an understanding and command of geek culture as well as its respect. Del Toro has built that goodwill through such films as the Oscar-nominated "Pan's Labyrinth," "Hellboy," "Blade 2" (which was made by New Line) and "The Devil's Backbone."
For New Line, making "Hobbit" had become a priority in the wake of its billion-dollar success with the Oscar-winning "Lord of the Rings" movies, which were co-written and directed by Peter Jackson. Jackson wanted to adapt "Hobbit," but when he got into a dispute with the studio over profit participation, the project went into limbo; neither New Line nor MGM, both rights-holders to the film, wanted to risk alienating fans of the trilogy by making an adaptation that didn't have Jackson's involvement.
The December resolution of the Jackson suit, facilitated by MGM CEO Harry Sloan, paved the way for "Hobbit" to get back on the road to the screen. However, because of other commitments that included "The Lovely Bones" and "Tintin," Jackson could not take on writing and directing roles, opting instead to become an executive producer with approval over creative elements of the pair of films.
Because of the Writers Guild of America strike, no writer has been hired to adapt Tolkien's children's classic, though that process will be fast-tracked once the strike is resolved. Del Toro and Jackson will oversee "Hobbit's" writing.
Principal photography for the films, which will be shot simultaneously, is tentatively set for 2009. The production budget is estimated at $150 million per film. The release of the first film is slated for 2010 and the second for 2011.
"Hobbit," which Tolkien initially wrote for his children, was published in the U.K. in 1937 to wide acclaim. It centered on Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit who joins a group of dwarves and the wizard Gandalf on a quest to find the treasure of a dragon named Smaug. Tolkien went on to write "The Lord of the Rings" 17 years later.
Del Toro is putting the finishing touches on Universal's summer release "Hellboy 2: The Golden Army" and recently produced the critically acclaimed ghost story "The Orphanage."
New Kids: Back on the Block?
Los Angeles (E! Online) - They may no longer be new. They may no longer be kids. But NKOTB are out to prove they still have the right stuff.
The New Kids on the Block, the prototypical boy band of the 1980s and early '90s that preceded the Backstreet Boys and 'N Sync on the pop charts and in the pages of Tiger Beat, are reportedly on track to reunite.
The band's official Website, www.nkotb.com, is, after a long period of dormancy, once again up and running and imploring fans to keep hanging tough for a forthcoming announcement. That announcement, per People, is that Jordan Knight, Joey McIntire, Donnie Wahlberg, Jonathan Knight and Danny Wood will be making like the Spice Girls and relaunching their once chart-dominating act.
There's no word yet, however, on whether the group's resurrection will include a tour, a greatest hits album or the release of any new material.
Their site simply teases that an undoubtedly earth-shattering development is in the works, with a fuzzy television set flickering on and off on different photos of the group in their heyday.
"They rose from the streets of Boston," the site touts. "To become the biggest band in the world. They influenced a generation. They sold over 70 million albums and grossed more than one billion dollars. Five multiplatinum albums, 10 Top 10 singles, five number one singles. Then they walked away from it all. Millions of fans around the world await their return. Are you ready?"
The group eventually called it quits in 1994, after logging megasuccess with hits like "Hangin' Tough," "Step by Step," "I'll Be Loving You (Forever)" and the ever-lampooned "You Got It (The Right Stuff)."
Despite attempts by MTV to reunite the group in the past decade, the move has consistently been vetoed by one or more members of the quintet.
As it is, the "boy band" has almost certainly aged out of the High School Musical demographic t and will likely rely on the support of their former, now grown, fanbase (and their kids) to power the second coming of NKOTB.
Since splitting more than a decade ago, each member of the fivesome has achieved some degree of solo success, both inside and outside the world of entertainment.
The youngest and possibly most recognizable member of NKOTB, the perpetually fresh-faced Joey McIntyre, is now 35 years old and is best known these days for appearing on Dancing with the Stars as well as a brief stint in 2003 on Boston Public.
Donnie "brother of Mark" Wahlberg is 38 and has arguably been the most successful in Hollywood since the split, starring in HBO's Emmy-winning Band of Brothers and NBC's now defunct Boomtown and appearing in films such as The Sixth Sense and Saws II and IV.
Onetime frontman Jordan Knight, 37, continues to record solo, most notably the minor 1999 hit, "Give It To You," which was, briefly, a staple in the MTV rotation. His brother Jonathan, the oldest New Kid at nearly 40, is a real estate developer, while Donny Wood, 38, has bided his time as a music producer.
New season of `Lost' is found Thursday
NEW YORK - Are the island castaways of "Lost" mere hours from rescue? Or will their latest chance at freedom turn to dust, like all the others?
That's a no-brainer. The title of the ABC series isn't "Found." And as the long-awaited new season of "Lost" begins Thursday (9 p.m. EST), the first episode strongly suggests the castaways are about to lose again.
They're awaiting help from a rescue party from a freighter anchored offshore. But as they wait, the chilling likelihood takes hold that their potential saviors could instead spell their doom.
There are no shockers in the episode, the first of eight in the series' truncated fourth season. But this is a gripping hour involving all the principal characters that sets the stage for the season ahead. And after eight long months' absence, it's a welcome sight. (Relax: No spoilers ahead.)
From last season's finale, we already know that rock star Charlie (played by Dominic Monaghan) made a perilous quest to disable a jamming device that had prevented the group from summoning help from a just-acquired satellite telephone. He died carrying out his mission, but not before relaying a warning to his comrades to beware of the so-called freighter people.
The next step in the rescue plan was for the group to make a trek to the radio tower and shut off a tape-loop rescue plea that also was interfering with any other transmissions.
There Ben (Michael Emerson), the less-than-trustworthy overlord of the Others, implored Jack (Matthew Fox), the survivors' reluctant leader, not to place the call to the freighter people.
Jack sneered at Ben's words. The call was made, and the new episode begins, much as last season's finale did, with Jack somewhere in the future — drinking. With this recently added flash-forward storytelling feature, Jack is seen in his Los Angeles kitchen mixing a morning cocktail when his eye falls on TV coverage of police in hot pursuit of a speeding motorist.
The car crashes and the driver is arrested. Jack realizes it's one of his fellow former castaways, who is haunted by the past and sees visions of the dead. Jack, who himself is plagued by substance abuse,unrequited love for Kate (Evangeline Lily), and other demons, pays this person a visit. There is mention of a dreaded secret they share.
In a scene back on the island (and back in time), the portly Hurley (Jorge Garcia) runs into Locke (Terry O'Quinn), who long ago had "gone native" and has no desire to ever leave the island.
"It's gonna be hard to talk (Jack) into thinking they're not coming here to rescue us," says Hurley, who, with Locke, shares Ben's alarm for what the freighter people might do.
"We're just gonna have to try our best," says Locke, "because if we can't talk him out of it, then Charlie died for nothing."
By the end of the hour, the castaways are split into two factions — those aligned with Ben and Locke who believe the freighter people represent a mortal threat and Jack's group, still holding out hope for rescue, even as they start to fear the worst.
Thursday's new episode will be preceded by "`Lost': Past, Present & Future," a recap hour of the saga of the Oceanic flight 815 crash (8 p.m. EST). And Wednesday, last season's splendid two-hour finale will be repeated (9 p.m. EST) in "enhanced" form, with on-screen text containing commentary and clues.
In short, "Lost" fans should be rejoicing. And even with just eight episodes currently on tap thanks to the writers strike, ABC has promised another 40 will eventually follow, leading up to the series' finale in 2010.
Led Zeppelin guitarist wants world tour
TOKYO - Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page said Monday he was ready to take the iconic band on a world tour after burning up the stage at last month's reunion concert in London. But it probably won't be before September.
"The amount of work we put into O2 was what you would normally put into a world tour anyway," Page, 64, said of the intense rehearsing the band did for the Dec. 10 concert at London's O2 Arena.
The band's three surviving members — Page, singer Robert Plant and bassist-keyboardist John Paul Jones — were joined at the sold-out benefit show by the late John Bonham's son Jason on drums.
Page, who was in Japan to promote the new Zeppelin release, "Mothership," said the two-hour-plus concert was proof that Led Zeppelin can still perform at its best.
He said the band, which formed in 1968, was ready musically to get back together and take it out on a wider run, but it was not clear when it would go on tour as the singer had other plans.
"Robert Plant has a parallel project and he is busy with that until September," Page said.
Plant and bluegrass star Alison Krauss will begin their world tour with a run of shows in the southern U.S. this spring. The two released an album in October called "Raising Sand" that debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard chart in the U.S. The duo will tour Europe in May before returning for North American shows still to be announced for June and July.
Page said the band set their standards very high before agreeing to do the reunion, their first in 20 years. Led Zeppelin broke up in 1980 after the elder Bonham's death.
Page said they rehearsed for weeks, apprehensive that the cohesion they had in the 1970s when they were at their peak might be hard to rediscover.
"We wanted people who might not have even been alive in 1980 when we finished to understand what we were," he said.
Page said all went well until he broke a finger in three places, forcing the band to postpone the show for several weeks.
"But we did the show, and it was great," he said. "It was instant in terms of chemistry."