FILM: New Trailer

Smokin Aces is an ensemble cast filled with action, crime, and comedy. Not to mention, a celebrity cast ranging from TV to music to movies.

On the roster are: Jason Bateman ("Arrested Development") Common (lyrical artist), Andy Garcia (Ocean's Twelve), Ben Affleck (Daredevil), Martin Henderson (Bride & Prejudice), Alicia Keys (R&B songstress), Chris Pine (Just my Luck), Jeremy Piven ("The Entourage"), and Ryan Reynolds (Just Friends).

Plot: "A dying mob boss takes out a $1 million contract on the life of his former protégé, a Vegas magician turned gangster who has agreed to testify against the mob. The FBI attempts to protect their key witness as an array of hit men and women descend on Lake Tahoe in a race to take the magician out."

Piven's in the lead as the magician, Reynolds plays the lead FBI agent, and I'm assuming, because he's so damb good at it, Garcia is playing the Mob Boss. The actual surprise is that Keys is a hit(wo)man.

It'll be good if it has a touch of Domino with smattering of Snatch. If you liked neither of these movies, then just watch the trailer to decide for your self:
http://www.worstpreviews.com/trailer.php?id=133&item=0

MUSIC: Selling lies to Sell Albums

Beyonce and Jay-Z are supposedly getting married this November, but the rumors are most likely just being circulated to promote her badly-received new album B-Day. Meanwhile +44, 2/3 of Blink 182 is claiming their new album When your heart stops beating will tell the truth as to why the band broke up. What a convenient eye opener for your band's debut.

Other underhanded tactics involve talking smack about other artists. But it's completely unadvised if you're a brand new artist. In Rolling Stone The Pink Spiders were knocking Fall Out Boy and Panic! at the Disco. Saying their music was “pseudo intellectual, melodramatic, fake-poetic shit” with “paragraph long song titles."

"They make kids feel smart, but we make kids feel good.”

Let's see how far that gets them.

MUSIC: Christina Aguilera emulates OutKast

Turns out Christina Aguilera's "Aint no other man" video was directed by Bryan Barber who also directed OutKast's Idlewild. She saw the trailer of the film and loved the vibe so much that she had to recreate it in her music video.

If you think about it a lot of musical acts are heading back to the 40s and 50s where blues and musical-type performances were popularized. Panic! at the Disco holds up the punk rock front, Aguilera reigns in Pop, while OutKast has the Rap/R&B section down.

MUSIC: Cassie's New single

Cassie’s “You got a long way to go”
Many rappers set themselves up for failure, pulling out hot beats with ridiculously fast paced rhymes, but once they hit the award shows and live television performances, they fall short, gasping for air, putting their back–up hyper to work, failing to enunciate, and letting the crowd do half the work for them. But in Cassie’s second single, she has a smooth flow with her rhyming skills. She can’t challenge Eve or Remy Ma to a battle, but she’ll be able to handle a live performance. The beat sort of reminds me of the soft dance tunes of Ciara. It's not half bad for a second release.

http://music.aol.com/songs/newsongs

MUSIC: Paris' Album

If by some miracle chance you found “Stars are blind” overbearingly catchy and permanently programmed into your braInPod, then you will be conditioned by “Nothing in this world.” The much talked about song “Screwed” reminds me of Mandy Moore during her double entendre “Candy” days, with a boppy, happy go lucky beat. But the only other song I predict will be widely downloaded is “Turn on you,” which sounds like Paris pickpocketed Fergie's soon-to-be released solo album.

Verdict: If you actually and sincerely like Paris Hilton as a person, buy the album. But if you read gossip blogs and enjoy every blonde-bashing word, just download my recommended two and rename them in your iPod for self-respect purposes.

Teen People Choice Awards

Rihanna lipsynched and tried to pop her booty like Beyonce, Nelly Furtado screeched with a pimped out vocally-strained Timbaland, and Kevin Federline was upstaged by his mini-me's, ultimately killing the performance when he finanlly appeared on stage. Although this Choice Awards sucked performance-wise, the awards themselves were actually the gems of the night.

Orlando Bloom and Jessica Alba were chosen as Choice Hotties. I think that's like Alba's 17th award for being hot. It's going to really suck when they stop giving those to her. She gave an award out with Wilmer Valderamma, who won best TV actor, because if it isn't Kelso (Ashton Kutcher) it's most definitely Fez who made that show. No one even gave a crap about Foreman (Topher Grace).

Meanwhile, Rachel Bilson wooped Mischa Barton's ass by taking home Best Drama TV actress, even though Barton took home Best TV Actress (which I'm sure was out of pity for her getting the wackest death on television).

Johnny Depp got Best Actor in a Drama/Action Adventure for Pirates of the Caribbean and Best Comedic Actor for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Ashley Olsen practically lunged to "congratulate" him.

As usual, Adam Sandler picked up his Best Comedian award.

Brooke Hogan, singer and daughter of Hulk Hogan, won Choice Grill. Most certainly the only time she'll ever get to grace the stage for an "honor."

The kids from High School Musical won best TV Comedy/Musical and Zac Efron won Breakout TV Star, while he and his co-star Vannessa Anne Hudgens won Best TV chemistry, which I'm sure was steamier than Vince Vaughn and Jennifer Anniston's Best Film Chemistry in The Breakup.

It really must've been a slow year, since Jessica Simpson won Breakout Actress for Dukes of Hazzard. Barely anyone saw that. Must've been the perverted male teen votes.

Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock, the oldest couple in the cast of Best Liplock, actually won. Then he comicly attempted to score another liplock in front of a room full of minors.

Fall Out Boy won for Best Single, Best Rock Track, and Best Rock Group and I guess I have to admit I still listen to "Dance, Dance."

Rihanna's Best R&B Artist and Female Breakout Artist awards should've been revoked after she lipsynched on stage, just as Nelly Furtado's Best R&B/Hip Hop Track and Song of the Summer awards should've been snatched by her poor performance.

Somehow Nich Lachey went home with Best Male Red Carpet Fashion Icon and Best Love Song for "What's Left of me." That's more of an insanely depressing song than a romantic ballad and as for his style, wearing a t-shirt and jeans doesn't make you Marc Jacobs. I don't even think he can point Marc Jacobs out on the red carpet.

Although it must've been an honor to get the award for Best TV Personality, the coolest thing that Ashton Kutcher did was present the Courage Award to an autistic basketball player Jason McElwain. The world told him he'd have to be below average for the rest of his life, watching basketball instead of playing it. So he settled for writing plays for the team. Championship game night, four mintues on the score board, coach decides to let "the disabled" kid have some fun. McElwain scored 6 three-pointers IN A ROW, pretty much telling the world to kiss his "below average" ass. Recorded for McElwain was Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James (2 of the youngest and most accomplished players of the NBA) attempting his achievement and they failed. That, by far, was the best moment of the night...then Kevin Federline had to ruin it with his over-exploited presence.

FILM STRIP: Newest trailers

The newest and most interesting trailer to hit moviefone this week is The Covenant. That's not saying much because it's like one of two new trailers. But here's what I think about it anyway...

The story: The Covenant is about five families that bonded their blood together centuries ago making them more powerful than they were. One blood line vanished. In present day, four teenage boys run amok using their powers to impress the chicks and fend off bullies/cops until the fifth power reemerges seeking to wipe them out, in order to have all the power. Or as imdb.com described it: "Four young men who belong to a supernatural legacy are charged with stopping the evil force they released into the world years earlier. Another great force they must contend with is the jealousy and suspicion that threatens to tear them apart."

The graphics are worse than Wes Craven's Cursed (which I liked), but the tricks they attempt to perform with the graphics merit some interest. The lead Steven Strait was in Sky High and Undiscovered. Once again, he’s low-balled into crap, but hopefully showing his dramatic sci-fi side will get him something...anything else. Besides Strait, the only other noticeables are Taylor Kitsch, who will be starring in NBC's "Friday Night Lights" and Laura Rampsey (She's the Man).

Watch if you’re bored with the money in your pocket or if its on TV.

For trailer, check out: www.moviefone.com

MUSIC minute: New Singles

Check out all these songs at music.aol.com or on perezhilton.com

Jessica Simpson’s newest release “I Belong to Me” has a nice soft spoken tune, with very little heart-wrenching vocals for a dramatic declaration of female independence song. By the lyrics one would assume that Nick Lachey thought he owned Jessica and she’s responding by stating her disinterest in being controlled. Guess that’s why her father Joe Simpson is suddenly getting the cold shoulder. Insiders say she's looking to distance herself from his embarrassing behavior.

Beyonce’s newest single release “Ring the Alarm” sounds like she’s trying to rap and be more ghetto than you can actually believe she can be, perhaps from a little nudge by her beloved Jay-Z. It would be enjoyable if not for the constant repetition.

I fell in love with Pink's newest single "U + Ur hand" when I first heard it. It's a perfect combination of feminism and goofing off. But when I saw the futuristic video that had nothing to do with the story-line of the lyrics, I thought it ruined the song.

Evanescence’s new single “Call me when you’re sober” doesn't follow the their usual vein of somber ballads or emotional rock songs. It has more of a popish vocal-driven hate to it that can be compared to Alanis Morisette ("Ironic"). I think I prefer my Evanescence filled with hate and screaming death vibes.

Papa Roach’s “...To be Loved” is a dance single in the Fall Out boy “Dance, Dance” kind of way. Couldn’t exactly call it a punk track, since he’s talking about love and it has a catchy (some may say poppy) phrase constantly repeated: “woa oh oh oh.” But the level of anger and determination that compares to Trapt’s “Headstrong” and Limp Bizkit’s “Rollin” brings it back down to their level.

Mya’s new “Ayo” is a new sound for her. Once again, a more poppy and some what classy R&B artist goes for the more ghetto route than what she’s used to. If you can get passed that, there’s this annoying sound that recurs throughout the song that you'll have to get used to. I guess it’s supposed to be a part of her dialogue in some way that I don’t understand. It’s just not doing it for me. The beat doesn’t suck, but the lyrics and her voice inflections are just annoying.

Last, but not least, Jet’s “Put your money where your mouth is” isn’t quite “Are you going to be my girl?”, but it has that same energy. The some-what soft spoken lyrics are interrupted by an abrupt chorus that jumps out at you with screaming vocals and a booming tambourine and drums. That and the electric guitar solo make it a formidable late hot summer single.

FILM STRIP: Some Irish Loving

Colin Farrell's Miami Vice may not have done well, but he has some interesting prospects lined up...including an untitled Woody Allen drama with Ewan McGregor, where they play criminals.

But the best news of all is his 2008 dramatic film Tree of Life with fellow boozer Mel Gibson. I wonder if the boys will bond in their sobriety.

BUZZ: Comic Book Craze

First Rosario Dawson broke out her own female detective sci-fi comic book and now there's news that at Comic-con "The O.C." star Adam showed off his comic book art skills after creating a new cartoon strip with his potential father-in-law. They created the new comic series Red Menace, but it's not your simple fictional far-fetched tale. It's loosely based on US Senator Joe McCarthy's communist witch hunt, which had a stranglehold on Hollywood in the 1950s. Who knew comics would make a comeback in such a big way?!!

FILM STRIP: Fanning her fame

Dakota Fanning's putting away the barbies and fumbling for her Oscar: In the drama Houndog, Fanning is required “to confront tougher challenges than Brooke Shields and Jodie Foster did when, at Fanning’s age, they played child prostitutes. 'It’s not just the rape scene - the whole story is challenging Dakota as an actress,' Fanning’s longtime agent, Osbrink, told me." But before she takes teenage-dom into full swing, she'll star in kid-friendly Charlotte's Web and the animation Coraline.

TV Buzz: Movies translating to the Tube

The Devil Wears Prada was a surprise hit at the box office for many industry insiders (but of course not to the ladies), making the debut of America Ferrara's comedy show "Ugly Betty" a shoe in for success. It pretty much has the same concept, an ugly (more like hideous) duckling roles into a successful fashion company and tries to impress all the obnoxious fashionistas. Should make for great TV. Let's just hope that they don't give her the make over too early on.

FILM STRIP: Batman Begins sequel news

We already know that sexy and versatile Heath Ledger will be donning the Joker mask, and now Philip Seymour Hoffman has announced that he'll be playing the Penguin.

The producers of the sequel are clearly holding no punches, busting out an Oscar-studded cast to guarantee better success than other Batman sequels.

BUZZ: Today's Gossip

+The British are bashing Fergie of the Black Eyed Peas for mistaking the tower bridge for the London bridge in her music video. I’ve been to London and trust me the Tower Bridge looks TEN times more appealing than the London dingy-ass crackhead bridge. So she used the pretty scenery and the easier-to-rhyme/sing name (London). What’s the harm in that? If your kids are learning history from a music video with a title that’s a euphemism for having sex, maybe that’s your fault and not Fergies.

+Chris Brown has been officially crowned the new prince of R&B after a crowd of girls at his concert ripped off his clothes mid-performance. Honestly, they were just trying to help him with his royal robe.

+Dina Lohan, Lindsay's mama, just announced that she plans on having her own talk show. It seems like they're handing them out these days. First Megan Mullally from "Will & Grace" got a show. Then they gave one to Rachel Ray, the famous female chef. Now they've handed one to Dina Lohan. So basically, getting a talk show is the new getting a reality show with your new husband/wife.

FILM STRIP: Superhero storyline evolution

The wave of superhero flicks has inspired a slew of sci-fi films that'll be hitting theaters in 07 and 08. One of which is from an actor who represented the coolest villain in sci-fi history as Darth Vader. In his new film, Hayden Christensen will be playing "A teenager from an abusive household [who] discovers he can teleport from one place to another. He uses this ability to search for the man he believes is responsible for the death of his mother, drawing the attention of the NSA, and another kid with the same power." Despite the fact that he's still playing teenagers at the age of 25, he does have a hefty load of films that he'll be dispersing within the next year.

There's the romantic adventure period piece Guilty Pleasures with Mischa Barton...
the romantic/dramatic thriller Awake with Jessica Alba...
the biopic Factory Girl with Sienna Miller...
and although one of his prospects for next year, a crime drama called Poker Nights, has been canceled, he will be starring in the action/adventure Crash Bandits with Amber Valleta (Hitch). The story: "A treasure hunter specializing in downed aircrafts finds himself chasing his arch nemesis, who is holding his fiesty ex-wife hostage, towards a critically missing treasure clue aboard a downed plane deep in the jungle." Sounds like Christensen gearing up to be the next Harrison Ford.

MUSIC minute: P. Diddy on the rise

P. Diddy's new single featuring Nicole from The Pussycat Dolls has been on aol.music.com for a week or so and I have to say the veteran's comeback isn't half bad. It's way better than "Show Stopper" from his Making the Band group Danity Kane. I can't stand that song. I love the girls and their voices and a couple of singles they've recorded on the MTV reality show, but this single doesn't reflect how talented they are. It's like a dumbed down version of them.

Diddy's new track "Come to Me" is a great mix of Rap and R&B, with a groove designed for girls to want to club to. This is the first sample of the new album he's working on "Press Play" that is sure to be a better comeback than Janet Jackson's.

Still waiting on J. Lo to make a full-effort return. And with rumors that Whitney Houston has ditched Bobby Brown for clean living, maybe even the 80s queen of R&B, Pop and strong vocals will make a return to the stage.



Speaking of strong vocals, another single that's hidden on AOL is "Too little, too late" from JoJo. The youngin is still blaring those angry, hurt, depressed vocals. She can take as many breaks as she likes, JoJo will always have a place in my iPod.

MUSIC minute: Justin's new single

Justin Timberlake's new single "My Love" [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtuZOV7r97A] is a very a smooth sensual love song with a hot beat infused with drums and cymbals. The only nuisance is the constant repetition of "my love." I suppose after a few listens you'll barely notice, but at first the only thing you can remember from the song are those words. What you should remember is that if you listen closely you can hear him proposing to Cameron Diaz. "Well baby I've been around the world/But I aint seen myself in other girls/like you/This ring here represents my heart/but there's just one thing i need from you/say i do."

FILM STRIP: Superhero casting

While Terrence Howard (Hustle & Flow) is up for the part of Iron Man with no actual certainty, it's been confirmed that Heath Ledger (Brokeback Mountain) will play the worst villain to hit Gotham City, Joker. Many have speculated that the Oscar nominated actor will fall short of beating Jack Nicholson's portrayal. However, his bone structure and wily demeanor (displayed in 10 things I hate about you and Knight's Tale) vouch for his uncanny resemblance to the maniacal badass. The question is whether he'll play it cooky and deranged like Nicholson did or keep it on the menacing and cryptic side.



It would seem even more unlikely for Howard to be appearing as the Iron Man since he's slated to appear in the comic movie Luke Cage as DiamondBack opposite the star Tyrese Gibson. For those unfamiliar with the tale of Luke Cage, it's a story "about a former gang member who is framed for a crime he didn't commit. In prison, he volunteers for a medical experiment that goes awry, giving him superstrength and bulletproof skin. Using his newfound powers, Luke Cage escapes and becomes a hero for hire."