It’s Friday, and we start our blog today with an obituary. Sad news for fans of TV’s “Growing Pains”. One of its stars, Andrew Koenig, the 41-year-old son of actor Walter Koenig (the original Chekov on “Star Trek”) apparently took his own life in Vancouver this week. Koenig played Kirk Cameron’s best friend Richard Stabone, and was suffering from depression prior to his death; our condolences go out to Andrew’s family at this time. Now, moving on to cheerier (or at least absurd-er) fare: here’s some Hollywood casting news that apparently has lots of people in a tizzy. If you’re familiar with Patricia Cornwell’s bestselling Kay Scarpetta crime thrillers, you may also know that the extremely lucrative franchise is headed for the big screen. The only problem among Scarpetta fans now is the movie’s casting choice. Angelina Jolie has been tapped to play the middle-aged Medical Examiner. The problem? The lovely actress is apparently too that, and Cornwell fans are crying foul. They say she’s too young (Jolie’s 34), and way too exotically stunning. They’re also saying AJ’s too thin. Filmmakers say she’s the perfect choice, especially since Jodie Foster passed on the role. This outcry, while diverting, will likely blow over for several reasons. A) Does anyone remember how all the insane Twi-Hards took to the streets complaining bitterly at the initial casting of “ugly” Robert Pattinson — saying the movie would bomb and no one would see it? Exactly. And B) fans of a book, even a huge book, tend not to dictate casting where A-list megastars are concerned. So we’ll check back and see who pickets the film’s opening. Speaking of openings, your new weekend movie options are as follows. In wide release you have two choices: first, The Crazies. This, a remake of the George Romero horror movie about a sheriff dealing with something toxic in the water stars “Deadwood”’s Timothy Olyphant and looks scary as hell. It will probably also make tons of money. The other big opening this weekend? Cop Out, the buddy comedy with Bruce Willis, Tracy Morgan & Seann William Scott (and some really foulmouthed children). Also looks to be popular. While we’re at it, let’s talk about Bruce Willis. He brings a certain charm to an awful lot of roles he plays. With this in mind voice your choice in today’s featured poll and let us know which of Bruce’s films is your favorite?
1) Die Hard
2) Pulp Fiction
3) The Sixth Sense
4) The Whole Nine Yards
10:31 am on February 26, 2010
It’s Thursday, at last. Remember last week when we told you that Sade’s album “Soldier of Love” had triumphed on the Billboard charts even though nobody buys records anymore and everyone who actually purchased her first record when it came out is now concerned with fine lines, wrinkles, and IRA’s (myself included)? Well color us tickled pink because it turns out the Lady SaSa has secured herself Billboard’s #1 spot again, for the second week. Bravo. (She beat out the rising-fast Lady Antebellum). With Oscars approaching March 7th, many, many eyes are on the megahit Avatar and apparently its star – Sam Worthington – already has his eyes on another potential blockbuster. Nor is this one blue, it’s got fangs. So move over RPattz, there may just be a new vamp in town. Apparently Aussie Worthington has agreed to play the latest incarnation of the very bloodsuckers audiences can’t seem to get enough of, in Dracula Year Zero. According to reports, the movie will mix legend with the real story of a guy called Vlad The Impaler. In TV news, they’re planning to announce the contestants for the new – 10th! – season of “Dancing With The Stars” next week during “The Bachelor”, but even before we get to that dramarama there’s another DWTS showdown going on – for hosts. As in, who’s going to replace Samantha Harris (who has opted to head elsewhere to pursue something, er, unclear). BUT: word is there’s more than one lovely lady in the mix prepared to do battle on behalf of that top job. With this in mind, voice your choice in today’s featured poll and tell us which of these gals you’d be most excited to see take over as co-host on “Dancing With The Stars”:
1) Brooke Burke
2) Paula Abdul
3) Melissa Rycroft
4) Vanessa Minnillo
10:16 am on February 25, 2010
Wednesday’s here. Wow, you guys really DO care about Jay Leno’s first guests. Or, I should say, you really, really don’t like some of them, do you? Had no idea you felt so strongly – as ever, thanks for commenting. Since Jay is back next week, I’m thinking beforehand we might toss out some of the other guests — possibly less objectionable – just to gauge your tune-in meter. Because apparently Simon, Sarah and those Jersey Boys (and Girls) aren’t gonna do it for you. In general news, we have a baby announcement from someone who’s had a few (babies, that is) – actor Gary Busey – age 65. Gary and girlfriend Steffanie Sampson ( 40) are thrilled to have brought Luke Samson Busey (tipping the scales at six pounds, seven ounces) into the world. Gary’s also the father of Jake, who arrived in 1971. Congratulations. In daytime news, it seems Snoop Dogg is appearing on “One Life To Live” – for the second time as a guest star. He’s going to act and sing a new song today. The mega-successful rapper explains he was always a big fan of OLTL growing up, and he’s long had an affinity for the popular drama, set in the picturesque town of Llanview. In TV News with a Medical Bent: we have reports that Charlie Sheen will be taking a leave of absence from his hit show “Two And A Half Men” – in order to go into drug & alcohol rehab as a “preventive measure”. In other TV News with a Medical Bent: it seems Kiefer Sutherland’s on his way out of a medical facility and back to his hit show. The actor was given a clean bill of health after kidney surgery which halted production on “24”. He and the show have been given the A-OK to start shooting again, so get ready for more of Jack Bauer taking on terrorists, counterterrorists, counter-counterterrorists and any other baddies who pose a threat to the US of A. Speaking of baddies, I’ve been participating in lots of discussions lately about movie bad guys. As in, what makes a great villain, who plays a great villain, can an actor who plays a great villain ever play anything else, etc. Nor do I mean the characters – this is all about the guys who play them (and you’ll note these fellas play lots of them because they’re pretty awesome). So now voice your choice in today’s featured poll and tell us which of these actors is your favorite bad guy?
1) Sir Anthony Hopkins
2) Alan Rickman
3) Jack Nicholson
4) Jason Isaacs
9:43 am on February 24, 2010
It’s Tuesday. Love your comments on our if-the-Oscars-were-tomorrow poll. You sure do like your movies – and you sure do like The Blind Side. Is there anyone on this continent right now who’s not crazy about Sandra Bullock & the awesome year she’s having? They say everyone loves a comeback – but I say, not necessarily true. Why do we love a comeback with some stars, and yet we can’t wait to see other actors or actresses fade into oblivion? Which brings me to TV news. Here’s the what. Let’s say you really, really love a TV show. You love the characters, the plot, you’re up to date on every episode. Maybe you even watch it repeatedly on DVR. You know all the behind-the-scenes stuff, and you can’t wait for the new season. So what happens when you invite the cast of your beloved TV show to a little shindig you’re having – and they show up at your house? Cool! Sounds like fun, right? Like a dream come true. Right? Unfortunately, if you’re me or pretty much anybody I have ever met – it’s also pretty unlikely. Make that impossible. Not gonna happen. Unless of course you happen to be the First Lady of the United States. And you absolutely love the show “Glee” (and let’s face it, like Sandra Bullock – who doesn’t?) And maybe even your husband – the President – thinks “Glee’s” kinda cool too. Turns out? It can happen. So now the cast of “Glee” will be showing up for a very special command performance at the White House’s Easter Egg Roll on April 5th. (That’s a week before the show returns to our non-famous, celebrity-free living rooms). So yes, sometimes if you really love a show and you happen to be in the right place at the right time with the nation’s top job, you get to have any old cast you want at your little party. Speaking of someone’s little party, let’s talk about Jay Leno. After all that nasty drama with Conan, we know Jay’s returning to late night TV. And when it comes to guests invited for his first week back, let’s just say they’ve got some real doozies scheduled. As in, let’s make them today’s featured poll. So voice your choice and let us know which of Jay Leno’s first guests you’re most excited about?
1) Simon Cowell
2) Sarah Palin
3) The Cast of Jersey Shore
9:35 am on February 23, 2010
Hope you enjoyed the weekend. Did you catch any of the Olympics? Did you have an unnatural desire to a) dust off those skis b) convince a teenager to teach you to snowboard c) rent the DVD of The Cutting Edge or d) visit Canada soon/never? And how about Tiger – will the press leave him alone now that he has a) apologized and more importantly b) finally been spotted with a golf club in his hand? (If a smile and a 9-iron don’t say business-as-usual, we’re not sure what does). Here’s movie news. As predicted, Shutter Island shut out everybody else at the box office. The Martin Scorsese/Leonardo DiCaprio insane asylum thriller pulled in nearly $41 million dollars for the weekend win. That’s a super-welcome victory for the folks behind the film since it was supposed to come out in theaters months ago. And we know that typically when they futz around with a movie’s release date, that’s usually a bad sign. Previous box-office champ Valentine’s Day made about half that much. In celeb nuptials Hilary Duff has gotten engaged to hockey player Mike Comrie, and if you want to see her engagement ring up close, you have only to sift thru about 3000 pictures of it currently floating around the internet. Happy Birthday to actors Drew Barrymore and Thomas Jane. Now, continuing on with our Awards’ season push, this weekend was the BAFTA Awards – that’s the British Oscars, where a great many actors and actresses we’ve been buzzing about for the last few months showed up to collect trophies across the pond. Did certain UK films/stars enjoy a home-court advantage? Yes and no. For example, the plot is getting very thick in the Best Picture category. That’s because The Hurt Locker – a seemingly unstoppable war movie about a team of guys who have to dismantle bombs – took the Best Picture Trophy. Plus, the BAFTA Best Director Award went to The Hurt Locker’s Kathryn Bigelow – the former Mrs. James Cameron. Another American, Kristen Stewart, beat out several Brits for the Rising Star Award. This means that Oscar Day — March 7th — may deliver quite a showdown (if only they left the voting up to The People like some other Awards Shows we know). With this in mind, let’s wade thru all the clutter and take a look at Oscar with YOU as voter in mind. Voice your choice in today’s featured poll and tell us this: if the Oscars were tomorrow and YOU had to select the Best Picture winner from these movies which one would you choose?
1) Avatar
2) The Blind Side
3) The Hurt Locker
4) Up In The Air
10:00 am on February 22, 2010
Ah, Friday! (Today, if you happen to run into actor Benicio Del Toro, be sure to congratulate him on The Wolfman and wish him Happy Birthday. Similarly, should you encounter Jeff Daniels or Justine Bateman, tell them the same thing – but you can leave out the Wolfman stuff and just go with ‘Happy Birthday’). Will you tune in and watch the US go for more Olympic gold? Or will you venture out and catch a movie, since the coast is clear and we’re finally past the behemoth that is Valentine’s Day (both the actual “holiday” and the blockbuster film. Although despite conflicting opinions on the movie itself, the one thing everyone agrees on is the fact that Taylor Swift does a very nice job acting. She’s funny & totally adorable in what amounts to a self-parody – a role frequently screwed up by folks with twice her age and movie experience). In TV news, because it’s never too early to start talking about “Dancing With The Stars” hoofer Brooke Burke is reportedly up for the co-host spot that Samantha Harris vacated. Burke revealed this, tweeting to fans about her upcoming screen test. Now, if you do decide to venture out and catch a movie, you have a couple of options. At your local cineplex you might see the Roman Polanski-directed thriller The Ghost Writer starring Ewan MacGregor and Pierce Brosnan. Or, you might catch the latest film to star “Gilmore Girls”‘ Alexis Bledel called The Good Guy. But the movie that’s going to bring home all the bacon this weekend — maybe even unseating Valentine’s Day & Dear John & Avatar for 1st place? Shutter Island, the super-creepy film starring Leonardo DiCaprio as a US Marshall investigating a series of disturbing events at a “home for the criminally insane”. (When’s the last time you heard people refer to “the criminally insane” describing a movie and really, really bad things didn’t start happening?) Will you see Shutter Island? In fact, this is the 4th time DiCaprio has worked with director Martin Scorcese. So voice your choice in today’s featured poll and tell us which one of these other DiCaprio/Scorcese movies you liked best?
1) The Aviator
2) The Departed
3) Gangs of New York
10:08 am on February 19, 2010
It’s Thursday, so why not talk about “comeback” news. First, Tiger Woods is having a press conference tomorrow. Apparently the golf champ is planning to come clean about – or at least apologize for – some of the less-than-smart decisions he may have made recently to do with various ladies who aren’t his wife or the mother of his children. Stay tuned for that one. The location? A golf club. Guess they wanted to make sure he was on friendly turf. And now here’s another comeback story (this one’s a lot less thorny than Tiger’s). Last week the original sultry, smokey-voiced, queen of cool Sade came out with a record, “Soldier of Love”. Her first since 2000. And even though popular wisdom says nobody buys records anymore, apparently somebody did. Like about half a million people because the lady’s come roaring back in a big way. She sold 502,000 copies – that’s just shy of Susan Boyle. So doubters beware, Sade’s en fuego. Of course with Idol now getting to the good part, how does everyone think Ellen’s doing? Could you see her knocking heads with Howard Stern? Idol champ Kris Allen is going to appear on the results show next week to help raise money for Haiti. And another former Idol alum – Danny Gokey – reportedly has a pretty catchy song on his hands, “My Best Days Are Ahead of Me” – you might want to check it out and let us know what you think. Bad news for Oscar-nominated singers however – evidently they’re canceling those live Best Song performances in this year’s Oscars broadcast (maybe to save time because how else can they announce the 28 Best Picture nominees?) Now even though Hollywood is distracted by the upcoming March awards, there are still movies coming out weekly and recently we’ve seen a spate of movie “couples” who seem awfully cute together but who also – um – happen to have movies to promote. Is it a coincidence that they have a “fling” right around the release date? Or is that just the way love works? Some seem like publicity stunts, while others might just be the real deal. So here now are 4 rumored “couplings” featuring attractive people who all happen to be in movies together. Voice your choice in today’s featured poll and let us know which one of these “couples” is your favorite.
1) Jennifer Aniston & Gerard Butler
2) Robert Pattinson & Kristen Stewart
3) Taylor Lautner & Taylor Swift
4) Zac Efron & Vanessa Hudgens
9:58 am on February 18, 2010
