Thursday, April 30, 2009

Holy Ponzi, Batman!

Seems that even TV's Batman, Adam West, isn't immune to the effects of our current economic times...



That sandwich looks really good...

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

I boldly went...



The new "Star Trek" movie was even better than I had hoped.

Whew!

My friend Andrew took me to a special screening of the movie last night on the Paramount lot. As much as I've tried to talk myself into having low expectations (so I wouldn't be disappointed if it was bad), my hopes were pretty high as I sat down in my comfy seat.

Don't worry...I'm going to keep this review very general so that it doesn't spoil any of the many surprises and twists in the film.



That being said....here are some of my general thoughts.

Overall, it is certainly the best produced "Star Trek" film ever. The effects were top-notch, the sets were great, the action was pretty much non-stop, the soundtrack was epic and each of the actors did a great job playing well-known characters without doing hokey caricatures of the original actors who played the roles.

Even if you've never been a "Star Trek" fan, but like a good action/sci-fi movie, I think you'll really enjoy the film.



Chris Pine, Zarchary Quinto and Karl Urban really do a nice job with their characters Kirk, Spock and McCoy. Seeing them all meet for the first time and, over the course of the movie, begin to get to know each other and build the strong bond that we all remember and love was a lot of fun.



It was also refreshing to see the supporting characters get much more screentime than they've ever received in past movies or the original TV show. Uhura, with her ear-piece in place, gets far more to do than just toss out a "Hailing frenquencies open" now and then.



Even watching a very young (he's 17 in the film) Checkov wrestling with his English dialect and actually looking Russian (unlike the original with his Monkees haircut) was enjoyable.



And, as the villan Nero, Eric Bana is unrecognizeable and quite effective as a sullen skull-tattoo'd Romulan seeking vengence against the Federation and, specifically, Spock. He's not as theatrical as Ricardo Montalban's "Kahn", but he's definitely got his moments.

Plus, the inclusion of Leonard Nimoy's Spock into the story really ties the original series and the new movie reality together nicely. Does it feel a bit convenient? A little, but you can forgive it because of the greater storyline possibilities for future Star Trek movies that it creates.



The most difficult part of the movie, for me, was...when it was over.

Other than my friend Andrew (who is not a Star Trek fan at all, but really enjoyed the movie...a good sign for all of you non-Trekkies out there), I had no one to discuss it with. My excitement and enthusiasm was bursting and it took all of my strength and restraint to not just call a friend and spoil the whole movie for them by spewing every miniscule detail, surprise and plotpoint that I had just experienced.

But, I didn't.



Bottom line...

If you've always been a fan (die-hard or casual) of the original series or any of the series that followed....you should really enjoy it.

If you've never really watched "Star Trek", but usually love a good action/adventure/sci-fi blockbuster....then you should also enjoy it.

If you hate "Star Trek" and/or anything Science Fiction related, then, although I think you could still enjoy it, you probably weren't planning to see it anyway.

If that's you, then I'm sure Matthew McConaughey will be thankful that you and four other people opted to see his film "The Ghosts of Girlfriends Past" instead.

Being a new Dad...he definitely needs money for diapers and tanning lotion.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Making an exit


I haven't watched "The Apprentice" since the second season, mainly because it quickly became a show where the most dramatic people were kept for ratings and the boring people were fired.

"Shocking" since so many reality shows these days are so....real.

As a result, although I've always enjoyed Joan Rivers, I haven't watched "Celebrity Apprentice" at all. It just looked like a train-wreck waiting to happen and, from what I've read and the clips I've seen...it was.

So, when Melissa Rivers was "Fired" this week, you might be surprised to find out that there was just a wee bit of drama that occured as she was packing up her toothbrush...



Those are two gals who don't do anything quietly.

As Joan Rivers used to say..."Oh, Grow up!"

Monday, April 27, 2009

God'll get you for that, Arthur



I was sorry to hear that Bea Arthur passed away over the weekend. She was one of the funniest women on TV and always brought class and sass to every role she played. Although she had been doing theater for years, she didn't really achieve her celebrity status until she guest-starred in one episode of "All in the Family". The network created the show "Maude" for her immediately after that appearance.



On Maude, she co-starred with future "Golden Girls" actress, Rue McClanahan playing her friend Vivienne, as well as future "Good Times" (a spin-off of "Maude") actress Ester Rolle as her maid, Florida.



But, she will likely be remembered most, worldwide, as the dry-witted Dorothy Zbornak on "The Golden Girls".



After "Golden Girls" ended, she continued to work in theater and TV...even playing Carrie Bradshaw in a "Sex and the City" parody for the TV Land awards a few years ago. As always, she was hilarious.



She will be missed.

Friday, April 24, 2009

Facebook Manners

Keep these helpful tips in mind....



As funny as this is, I actually have a friend who had a boyfriend breakup with her that way on Facebook.

However, unlike Alice, she would have been just fine if he had been taken to jail.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Fascinating feedback



Now that "Star Trek" has had premieres all over the world, reviews have started appearing. Overall, the response seems to be very good (without giving away many plotpoints, thankfully).

Blasting onto the screen at warp speed and remaining there for two hours, the new and improved “Star Trek” will transport fans to sci-fi nirvana. Faithful enough to the spirit and key particulars of Gene Roddenberry’s original conception to keep its torchbearers happy but, more crucially, exciting on its own terms in a way that makes familiarity with the franchise irrelevant, J.J. Abrams’ smart and breathless space adventure feels like a summer blockbuster that just couldn’t stay in the box another month. Paramount won’t need any economic stimulus package with all the money it’ll rake in with this one globally, and a follow-up won’t arrive soon enough.

I'm not going to read any others until I see the movie, but if you'd like to see a couple of them for yourself....click on the links below to read what they had to say:

Variety
Hollywood Reporter
TrekMovie.com
RottenTomatoes.com

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Happy Earth Day

Do something nice for the planet today.

Because it's only a matter of time before it realizes that it was doing just fine before we all got here.

If that day comes...no amount of jazz hands will keep Earth distracted enough to extend our stay.











Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Summer Lovin'



Usually there are only one or two movies I look forward to in any given year. However, this year...there are several at the top of my list and almost all of them open in the next few months. "Wolverine" opens in a week, "Star Trek" opens in two weeks, the new "Harry Potter" movie opens in July and the "Transformers" sequel opens a few weeks after that.

I'm gonna be shoving a lot of popcorn in my pie-hole very soon!

Here is the new trailer for "Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince". Lots of magic, action and impending doom seem to be on the way...



Bring it!

Monday, April 20, 2009

NOMinate Colbert

Stephen Colbert always finds a way to discuss the hot topics of the day, cut through all the political crap, and then offer an entertaining and pointed resolve to many of the issues. His discussion of NOM's creepy "There's a Storm Coming" video is no exception....


The Colbert ReportMon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
The Colbert Coalition's Anti-Gay Marriage Ad
colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full EpisodesPolitical HumorNASA Name Contest


I wish he'd run for office....

Friday, April 17, 2009

The Beckhamnator



David Beckham has just finished shooting a print ad for the new Motorola Aura phone and I'm sure their marketing department is thrilled with the result. Because nothing conveys the message "good quality electronics" like a photo of a shirtless celebrity cyborg soccer player.

Beckham says he loves classic watches, "so a phone that exposes its mechanics while also being so stylish is really unique. Motorola always seem to come up with something different, a concept that no one else has, and they've certainly done that again with AURA."

I'm sure that Beckham's "exposed mechanics" will end up boosting Motorola's sales through the roof.

Here is the behind-the-scenes promo about the photo shoot...

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Scaling Mount Everett



Surgery or Photoshop?

Star Magazine printed an article discussing Rupert Everett's new "look":

"According to Dr. Brian S. Glatt, founder of the Premier Plastic Surgery Center of New Jersey, Rupert, 49, has had a comprehensive series of facial procedures. 'I think Rupert had a face-lift,' Dr. Glatt tells Star. 'His cheeks are fuller and lifted, and his jawline and neck are pulled back and smoother.' As for his forehead, Dr. Glatt says it’s simply Botox. 'I think he’s definitely using it. He is very animated, and there are no lines visible on his forehead.' The last element in Rupert’s new look, says Dr. Glatt, is a chin implant! 'The shape and projection of the chin is drastically different. It’s much more pointed,' he says."

If he really does look like this now, it's quite a difference.

Of course, it could just be a new diet, lots of photoshop and a smile on his normally cranky face. So, I'm sure we're bound to hear more about it soon if any of it's true.

Until then, he could always stand in for Kyle McLaughlin on "Desperate Housewives" if he ever calls in sick or just needs a day off.

Then, he and Marcia Cross can sit down and compare notes on how to express emotion without having to actually move your forehead.

via Towleroad.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Happy-Cry



A book and its cover...

When 47 year old Mrs. Doubtfire-esque Susan Boyle went out on stage to audition for "Britain's Got Talent", you could almost hear the collective eyes rolling in the audience. I got that awful feeling in my stomach that perhaps they were going to feature her as comic relief like they do all of those humiliating initial auditions they show for weeks on "American Idol".

It's one of the reasons I don't watch that series...

However, EVERYONE in that audience (including the judges) was in for a bit of a surprise from this frumpy cat-lady from a small village in Scotland "who has never been kissed"...



There are moments in life where ordinary people do extraordinary things and it just brings tears of joy to your eyes and you find yourself sitting there grinning from ear to ear.

This was one of those moments for me.

Most of the embedding links have been disabled online, so if the player above stops working...you can view her performace by clicking here.

Also, Susan has only ever recorded one song. It was for a 1999 charity CD, where she sang "Cry Me A River". Not surprisingly, it sounds beautiful. If you'd like to hear that, you can listen to it here.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Freak Out!

You'll need to make sure you have fresh Depends on for this newscaster's encounter with nature. Keep an eye on the lizard in the lower left side of the screen...



Can't...stop...replaying...his...reaction....

Oh...I'm gettin' the vapors!

Monday, April 13, 2009

I'ma Cut You



It's that time of the year again....

Kathy Griffin has a new comedy special airing on BRAVO Wednesday night and, like all of her other ones...the show has a memorable title:

Kathy Griffin: She'll Cut A Bitch

Hilarious.



She's also hosting the BRAVO "A-List Awards" the same night...so it's double the Kathy fun. Then, next week, BRAVO will be airing a new D-list special called " Kathy Griffin: The Footage You Weren't Meant To See" (and yet...we'll see it). And, if that wasn't enough....her new season of "My Life on the D-List" starts airing on June 8th.

It's a Kath-a-copia of comedy comin' our way!

Here is a funny clip about her mom in the new special...

Friday, April 10, 2009

Trek Clips


There have been a few nice Star Trek movie clips released this week that give us a peek into how some of the actors are playing the infamous Star Trek characters.

This is where Spock meets Scotty.



Zarchary Quinto seems to be Spockish enough and Scotty has an accent...so pretty good start.

Here is where Kirk meets Uhura.

Chris Pine seems to have the Kirk-flirt and swagger going on and Zoe Saldana's Uhura has a nice confidence and sass and, from what I've read so far, will have much more screen time than her character has ever had in past Star Trek films.

Here is where Kirk meets McCoy.



I think I'm most impressed by Karl Urban's McCoy. He's really got the voice and cranky old doctor thing down that DeForest Kelley had in the original series.

And finally, here is where Harry meets Sally.



I couldn't resist...I love that movie too.

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Niecy 911

My friend Maggie sent me this clip from the TV show "Reno 911". She knows how much I enjoy me some Niecy Nash, so it's a good reminder for me to start taping this show.

RENO 911!Wednesdays 10:30pm / 9:30c
Terry the Informant
comedycentral.com
Joe Lo TruglioFunny Cop Videos

The sad part is that, as silly as this show can be, I'm sure that real cops encounter these kinds of "informants" all the time.

Might explain their attitude when they saunter up to our car windows...

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Whoa, Nelly!



I wonder if she also got some Lee Press On Hooves?

Towleroad posted this creative series of images from photographer Julian Wolkenstein...

"The idea for these images came from a discussion with a friend who said, 'Hey wouldn't it be fun to shoot horses with big hair?...Each horse took around four hours to groom, with hair extensions being added by Acacio, and then when they were presented in front of the camera's and lights they would shake their heads, give a neigh and then ruffle up their hair...But the horses loved the grooming. The lights and camera, well, they were less taken with that...Apart from casting horses and preparation work which took a few months, each horse took a full day to shoot."





I can't wait to see if he does a "Weave" series.

If he does, they better be bullet-proof.

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Star Trek World Premiere



The world premiere screening of the new Star Trek movie was "officially" last night in Sydney, Australia at the famous Opera House.

However, there was a surprise in Austin, Texas yesterday at the Fantastic Fest Star Trek convention going on there. Fans were told that there would be a special 10 minute screening of footage from the new Star Trek movie after their showing of the original "Star Trek: Wrath of Kahn" viewing. However, that all changed....



Two minutes in to the showing of TWOK, the film appeared to have ‘melted’ and the guys came back out on the stage and appeared to be stalling for time while the film was fixed…and then, wearing a ball cap, Leonard Nimoy came out in front of the audience holding a film can.

Nimoy noted to the crowd that it just didn’t seem fair that people in Australia were the first to see the film and asked them "wouldn’t you rather see the new movie?" And apparently the crowd went wild. After that they showed the entire new Star Trek movie.


So, it looks like fans in Austin got to see the world premiere a little earlier and with the original Mr. Spock.

Lucky bastards!



Meanwhile, back in Sydney, the premiere event seemed to go off without a hitch. JJ Abrams (director), Zarchary Qunto (Spock), Chris Pine (Kirk), Eric Bana (Nero), John Cho (Sulu), and Karl Urban (McCoy) were all in attendance.









From what I've read so far (and I'm trying to avoid reading any spoilers), the feedback has been very positive, which is nice to hear.

I'm sure, like all blockbusters, there will be reviewers out there who already hate the movie before even seeing it. It's par for the course in the entertainment world. The hardest part for me will be to avoid reading the reviews (good or bad) as they start hitting the internet today.

I want to be able to go into the film and be surprised.



So, I'm still going to be there opening night and no ass-hat with a Debby-Downer review is gonna stop me!

Monday, April 6, 2009

Do Re Mi

This was a promotional stunt in a Belgium train station for the show "How Do You Solve a Problem like Maria?" where they are trying to find the new lead for the musical "The Sound of Music".

What I like about it is that almost everyone who happens upon the scene ends up singing and dancing along.

I mean, how could you not to that song!?



In these sad economic times, maybe one way to solve some of these problems...

Is with Maria.

Friday, April 3, 2009

And in the end....



So long, ER...

The series finale of "ER" aired last night and, I have to say, I think they did a great job wrapping it all up. After 15 years, it ended pretty much as it began...a quality show about life and the people who work in the emergency room.



It was fun to see so many of the original cast members return too. Dr. Corday (Alex Kingston) was always one of my favorites on the show, as well as Kerry Weaver, Susan Lewis and even cranky Dr. Benton.



For a person who has a hard time even staying conscious at the doctor's office, I'm surprised that this show was able to keep me watching throughout its run. As the series progressed, it seemed that the blood and gore factor inched a bit higher each season (look out for that helicopter blade!) and last night's birthing scenes were no exception....

But, I contorted and groaned my way through like I always did.



All gore aside (not Al Gore), what kept me watching was the cast and all the great guest-stars. Ernest Borgnine's storyline was very touching as well as the one about the guy who had AIDS/cancer.

ER always seemed to do a great job dealing realistically with patients (take a lesson "Grey's Anatomy"!) and the emotional aftermath experienced by the various people and doctors who passed across the screen each week.

It's probably the only hospital that I wouldn't mind paying a visit too again sometime in the future.



Until then...congrats to a very successful 15 year run!

If you missed the show last night, they are showing it again tomorrow night at 8:00.

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Frau Ruffage



She's gonna need to keep that dress out of the sun...

I've loved Cloris Leachman from way back in her Mel Brooks and "Phyllis" days. She's always been one of the funniest women around...still is. And, as wacky as she was on "Dancing with the Stars", I still couldn't believe that at her age, she was able to keep up with the rigorous pace of the show.

How does she do it? PETA now has the answer....

At 82 years of age, you trip the light fantastic on the wildly popular Dancing With the Stars, where competitors half your age fall by the wayside. How does she do it? Easy: She chooses to eat vegetarian. Now Cloris is sharing the secret behind her vitality with her fans by posing in a dress made of cabbage for PETA's newest "Let Vegetarianism Grow on You" ad.



If the secret to living a long life with that much energy and looking that good comes down to keeping your sense of humor and eating your veggies...

I may need to spend a little more time in the produce department.

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Slings and Arrows



I do enjoy me some Bobby Cannavale.

I watched his new TV show, Cupid, last night and it's, well...did I mention how much I like Bobby Cannavale?

He's very charming (as he was playing Will's boyfriend on "Will and Grace") and the show has some nice romantic moments. However, it doesn't seem to have that special "magic" to hook a lovelorn audience for very long. His character is supposed to match 100 couples on Earth before he can return to his home on Mount Olympus.

If he connected one couple a week, that means the series would last, in theory, about four to five years.

Unfortunately, with the so-so writing and bland supporting characters, plus being up against that little "American Idol" show...



I have a feeling that Cupid may not be so lucky in love.