This looks like it will be the scariest of all the movies yet. There's nothing more terrifying than a demonic child...except maybe one that grows up to be Lord Voldemort, so feared and hated that they refer to him as He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. Even the graphics look better. Can't wait.
Release Date: November 21st
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
VIDEO: Comic Con Interviews
If you want to see EW interviews of:
+ "Dexter": Michael C. Hall talks about working with Jimmy Smits ("Cane"), his Emmy nomination, and his geek status.
+ "Fringe": Joshua Jackson, John Noble, and Anna Torv talk about their new series how it compares to "X-Files," and their characters' relationships.
+ Pineapple Express: Seth Rogen, James Franco, and Danny McBride talk up their upcoming flick and Franco's interest in Captain America.
+ "Spaced": Simon Pegg, Edgar Wright, and Jessica Hynes talk about their British series being released on DVD and the grade it got on EW, Wright does an American impression and describes a superheroine she's cooked up, and Pegg does an Obi-Wan impression.
+ "Dollhouse": Eliza Dushku, Joss Whedon, and Tahmoh Penikett ("Battlestar Galactica") talk about the new series, "Doctor Horrible's Sing Along Blog," and Dushku's singing ability.
+ "Bones": David Boreanaz talks about character relationships, Comic Con hype, the difference between a "Buffy" fan and a "Bones" fan, what he geeks-out on, and the possibility of writing a blog for EW.
+ Watchmen: Malin Akerman, Billy Crudup, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Carla Gugino, Matthew Goode, Jackie Earle Haley, Patrick Wilson, creator Dave Gibbons, and director Zack Snyder; Crudup brings the funny.
+ Red Sonja: Robert Rodriguez and Rose McGowan talk about the project that hasn't started yet and McGowan's leading lady career decisions.
+ Wolverine: Hugh Jackman talks specifics about the film, his experience coming to Comic Con for the first time (despite the fact that he's done three X-Men movies), and what he geeks-out about.
+ "Dexter": Michael C. Hall talks about working with Jimmy Smits ("Cane"), his Emmy nomination, and his geek status.
+ "Fringe": Joshua Jackson, John Noble, and Anna Torv talk about their new series how it compares to "X-Files," and their characters' relationships.
+ Pineapple Express: Seth Rogen, James Franco, and Danny McBride talk up their upcoming flick and Franco's interest in Captain America.
+ "Spaced": Simon Pegg, Edgar Wright, and Jessica Hynes talk about their British series being released on DVD and the grade it got on EW, Wright does an American impression and describes a superheroine she's cooked up, and Pegg does an Obi-Wan impression.
+ "Dollhouse": Eliza Dushku, Joss Whedon, and Tahmoh Penikett ("Battlestar Galactica") talk about the new series, "Doctor Horrible's Sing Along Blog," and Dushku's singing ability.
+ "Bones": David Boreanaz talks about character relationships, Comic Con hype, the difference between a "Buffy" fan and a "Bones" fan, what he geeks-out on, and the possibility of writing a blog for EW.
+ Watchmen: Malin Akerman, Billy Crudup, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Carla Gugino, Matthew Goode, Jackie Earle Haley, Patrick Wilson, creator Dave Gibbons, and director Zack Snyder; Crudup brings the funny.
+ Red Sonja: Robert Rodriguez and Rose McGowan talk about the project that hasn't started yet and McGowan's leading lady career decisions.
+ Wolverine: Hugh Jackman talks specifics about the film, his experience coming to Comic Con for the first time (despite the fact that he's done three X-Men movies), and what he geeks-out about.
FILM: Another Cinderella Story..The Musical
Selena Gomez ("Wizards of Waverly Place"), a Disney by-product, will star in her first film. Although the title is Another Cinderella Story, it isn't exactly the sequel to Hilary Duff's A Cinderella Story.
Since there are so many films that are based on the pauper-to-princess formula, one must question what sets this film apart from the others. Gomez's tale has actually been infected with the new teen movie trend of being part musical. It is, in fact, Cinderella meets Step Up. Yes, she's playing the overworked chore-slave of her step mom and sisters, but she finds sanctuary in a dance studio. One night she meets a fellow dancer (Andrew Seeley from High School Musical Concert Tour) at a masked ball and when the clock strikes midnight, she drops her iPod instead of her glass slipper (or her cell phone like Duff did). It turns out that this dancer is actually a professional singer, and in order to find her, he holds a dance competition with the chance to appear in his music video as the prize. Watch the trailer:
The film will be released on video September 4th.
Monday, July 28, 2008
EVENT: More Comic Con 2008 News
RACE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN (Stars Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson)
+ There are "car chases (one involving a train), UFOs, an alien warrior in a Syphon suit, and stern Government enforcers chasing after our heroes."
+ The original child actors of the film, Kim Richards and Ike Eisenmann, will play supporting roles.
THE WATCHMEN
+ There will be "opening credits showing the passage of time between the Minutemen (50's, 60's) through to the present day action (1985)."
+ A scene of "the second Silk Spectre and Nite Owl kissing whilst a giant nuclear explosion in the background expands outwards towards them."
+ "...Aside from the Mars scenes, they didn't shoot much green screen at all..."
+ "Jeffrey Dean Morgan ("Grey's Anatomy") admitted that the rape scene with Sally Jupiter ended up being one of the more memorable and difficult scenes to film."
+ "Matthew Goode talked about his character background and revealed that while the public persona of Ozymandias speaks with a straight American accent, in the private scenes he talks with a slight German tinge."
THE WOLFMAN
+ Footage of "some quite grisly and bloody scenes such as one man being pulled into an empty grave and torn apart."
+ "We see Anthony Hopkins as his father who obviously knows what's going on, a bearded Hugo Weaving (Lord of the Rings) obviously on the hunt for the creature, and Emily Blunt as his love interest who in one scene is hiding against a tree as the creature runs past in the background."
THE SPIRIT
+ They used a new type of super-speed camera that simulates swimming under water for some of Eva Mendes' scenes.
+ "Samuel L. Jackson revealed that the size of the guns of his villainous Octopus character grows larger each time he shows up, meaning that by the end they were so ridiculously huge they had to be custom built by hand."
+ "Louis Lombardi (Edgar from "24") plays the Octopus' henchmen who all come from clones. Thus they have limited intelligence and, like South Park's Kenny, are killed in various elaborate ways throughout the film."
+ "The film's time is not distinct - the 40's style outfits are mixed with cell phones."
ZACK AND MIRI MAKE A PORNO
+ Kevin Smith "confirms that he's pretty much done with the Askew-universe films and his characters Jay & Silent Bob for now."
+ "He ducked a question about his horror flick Red State but dropped the fact that he may do a 'space movie' shortly."
+ A scene was showed of "the titular couple at a high school reunion where Miri (Elizabeth Banks) is hitting quite obscenely on an old flame of hers Bobby Long (Brandon Routh) while Zack (Seth Rogen) is talking to a young guy (Justin Long) whom we find out to be not only a gay porn star (he stars in "Shut Your Mouth Before I F**k It") but the lover of Bobby and the pair graphically make out."
TERMINATOR: SALVATION
+ In a scene, Christian "Bale threatens 'If I let you down, you’ll kill everyone in this room' at a chained up version of [Sam] Worthington's character. He responds 'Not everyone... just you' in a toned down Aussie accent that's been slightly altered to sound robotic."
+ "The money shot had Connor lying on a metallic floor, steam issuing all around, shouting you 'son of a bitch' to what looks like a metal T-800 arm which starts digging into his face. Earlier in the clip Bale yells 'You tried to kill my mother, you killed my father, you will not kill me.'"
+ Bryce Dallas Howard (Spider-Man 3) plays "John's wife (a 'Bonnie to his Clyde' says [director] McG), and gets to do the single-handed pump action shotgun trick of Linda Hamilton from the previous films."
+ "...This is a reboot ala Batman Begins rather than a direct sequel and thus the mythology's continuity may change a little. This is evoked in a line from the footage where Bale says 'This is not the future my mother told me about… something has changed' to which Kate responds 'If you saved us once in another future you can save us in this one.'"
+ The film will end with a cliff hanger.
+ "The Dark Knight co-writer Jonah Nolan has come onboard and done some major rewrites on the script, so much so that he may get sole WGA credit at the end."
+ The next trailer will be attached to Quantum of Solace on November 7th.
"LOST"
+ "A Rousseau-themed story will happen next year and Mira Furlan is set to reprise her role despite her apparent death last year, and it will NOT be a flashback episode."
+ "We'll get more of the history of Richard Alpert (Nestor Carbonell) next season, including an estimate of his age."
+ "Daniel Faraday (Jeremy Davies), last seen on a boat off of the island just before it moved, will be back but his fellow boat riders have less rosy fates. His notebook will also play a key part."
+ "Sawyer and Kate will 'see each other again' but they seem bent on Kate and Jack ultimately ending up together."
Also...
On the heels of the news that the crowds of Comic Con booed at the thought of Ben Affleck playing Captain America, there's buzz about John Barrowman ("Torchwood") being in talks to star in The First Avenger: Captain America.
VIDEOS Coming Soon...
Sunday, July 27, 2008
FILM: Box Office Results - 7/25/08
It's no surprise that Dark Knight took the #1 spot, grossing $314 mil after its second week and shattering records left and right. The real suprise was actually that Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly's Step Brothers ($30 mil) beat X-Files: I Want to Believe ($10 mil) for the #2 spot, shoving those alien-lovers behind Mamma Mia! ($62 mil) at #4. It even scored hirer on the Rotten-tomatometer with critics. Rounding out the top 5 is Journey to the Center of the Earth with a respectable--considering its competition--$60 mil in its third week.
Hancock gives way to the new entries, sliding down from #3 to #6 with $206 mil. Wall-E begins his graceful exit at #7 with $195 mil. Hellboy II: The Golden Army disappoints a bit--already exiting after three weeks--at #8 with $66 mil. Guillermo! Say it aint so. Space Chimps floats its way towards the edge at #9 with $16 mil. And after five weeks, Wanted teeters at #10 with $129 mil. The films that exited the top 10 this week were Get Smart with $180 mil worldwide after 6 weeks and Kung Fu Panda with $363 mil worldwide after 8 weeks.
Next weekend, The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor will try to go toe-to-toe with The Dark Knight, Kevin Kostner's Swing Vote will remind everyone we're in an election year (and superheroes are not nominated), and The Midnight Meat Train will provide horror fans with a little entertainment.
UPDATE: Brideshead Revisited opened in 33 theaters with $339,616.
EVENT: Comic Con 2008 - San Diego - Wrap-up
Here's a summary of what was revealed about featured films and TV shows at Comic Con in San Diego:
PINEAPPLE EXPRESS
+ The weed on set was fake--it was called "wizard smoke."
+ Side note: Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg's "The Simpsons" episode will be about comics.
Release Date: August 6th
ZACK AND MIRI MAKE A PORNO
+ Justin Long will appear as a gay porn actor who has a closeted boyfriend played by Brandon Routh (Superman Returns).
+ Kevin Smith is appealing the MPAA’s decision to brand the film NC-17 rated to get it down to a hard-R. He’s already had to cut "a lot of thrusting" and "something unspeakable."
+ Elizabeth Banks (Meet Dave and "Scrubs") said that the film was a "sweet, adorable love story." Of course, Smith objected, saying "No one's gonna go see it now!" So she followed it with: "There’s a lot of f---ing and s--- in it, too." "Thank you," said Smith. "I got a rep to protect."
Release Date: Oct. 3, 2008
ROCKnROLLA
+ "[I] was trying to reflect the changing cultural environment in the U.K. It's a look into the underbelly of a subculture," said director Guy Ritchie (Snatch).
+ A fan asked him, "The critics didn't seem too kind to the past couple of films, I was just curious if there was pressure to go back to films that were as successful as your first two?" With a sense of humor, Ritchie interrupted the first half of the question with, "Hey, that's not true, they liked them," and the second half with, "Yup." [EW]
Released Date: October 31, 2008
THE SPIRIT
+ It resembles Sin City.
+ There's a muddy battle between Octopus (Samuel L. Jackson) and the Spirit (Gabriel Macht from Because I Said So).
Release Date: December 25, 2008
WATCHMEN
+ "With Batman's Gotham City, you are transported to another world where that superhero makes sense; Watchmen comes at it in a different way, it almost superimposes its heroes on your world, which then changes how you view your world through its prism. That's the genius of this book...The movie is a challenge — sort of like the book is a challenge — to your icons, your morality, how you perceive pop culture, how you perceive mythology, and for that matter, how you perceive God," said the director Zack Snyder.
+ There's a scene where Dr. Manhattan (Billy Crudup from Almost Famous) incinerates a bad guy and there's a bloody mess. Snyder's response to that is: "That's Superman gone bad. If Superman grabbed your arm and pulled really hard, he'd pull your arm out of your socket. That's the thing you don't see in a Superman movie. But in Watchmen, what you get is, like, ''I'm a Superman, and I really want to help mankind — but I just tore this guy in half by accident. People call me a 'superhero,' but I don't even know what that means. I just blew this guy to bits! That's heroic?''"
Release Date: March 6, 2009
THE WOLF MAN
+ It will be more of a period piece that goes back to the 1800s.
Release Date: April 3, 2009
X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE
They showed footage of:
+ Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) and Sabertooth (Liev Schreiber) being lined up to be executed, but not dying.
+ A young William Stryker (Danny Huston from "John Adams") reveals he's putting together a special team that includes Gambit (Taylor Kitsch from "Friday Night Lights") and Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds).
+ The experiment that made Wolverine.
+ A young Wolverine fighting a young Sabertooth.
Release Date: May 1, 2009
TERMINATOR: SALVATION
+ A scene where Anton Yelchin (Kyle Reese) says "Come with me if you want to live" to Christian Bale (John Connor).
+ There were shots of Soviet-style Terminator tanks.
+ "Skynet is still rising in power, the T-800 has yet to exist, and the clunky T-600 models are fallible — and therefore fun to fight."
+ They invented new evil machines with names like Harvesters and Hydrobots.
+ Bryce Dallas Howard (Spider-Man 3) will play John's wife.
+ Rapper Common (Wanted) is John's right-hand man.
Release Date: May 22, 2009
GOOD FILM BUZZ
+ When the possibility of Ben Affleck being cast as Captain America was announced, the crowd booed. But when Matt Damon's name was linked to Thor, they cheered.
+ If the first X-Men Origins spinoff, Wolverine, does well, Marvel is planning on greenlighting the Silver Surfer script they're sitting on.
+ Zak Penn's Avengers news: "Right now, we're [he and Marvel Entertainment] planning a bigger Avengers movie that will tie all of the movies together, and it's going to bring in a lot of the comic book authors. I am writing, but also, I think you guys [looking at Mark Fergus (Iron Man and Children of Men)] are going to be writing with us too, right? [Fergus looks back blankly.] Maybe you don't know that yet, but you are."
+ Oz is being added to the "Buffy" comic and Joss Whedon admitted that he only made Willow gay because Oz left.
BAD FILM BUZZ FOR:
+ Punisher: War Zone
"KNIGHT RIDER"
For those who found the 2-hr pilot to be a bit daunting, you might be happy to learn that they've made some changes. "The biggest change is clearly a visual one...one that's more cleaned up compared to the pilot." The creators also said that he has a team now, so that it isn't just a show about a guy and his car.
"LOST"
+ They never plan on talking about things like the origin of the black smoke, because it would kill the mystery.
"BONES"
+ Even though they'll be a slew of new interns that are vying for Zack's spot on the team, he will return for a few episodes. But, of course, it'll be slightly awkward, since he used to be a serial killer.
+ Cam and Sweets will get love interests--maybe each other.
+ One of Angela's exes comes a knockin' and we finally meet her M.I.A. husband.
+ Booth and Brennan will end up naked in bed together.
"ROBOT CHICKEN"
+ Sketches mocking Batman and The Shawshank Redemption, Indiana Jones, Tron, and "Living Lohan" (voiced entirely by Breckin Meyer from Garfield).
+ There'll be another Star Wars special--this time focusing on the bounty hunters. Also, they promised to explain the relationship between Boba Fett and the Sarlacc Pit.
"TERMINATOR: SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES"
+ Garbage lead singer Shirley Manson is in control of the evil machine known as Turk.
+ John Connor has apparently toughened up, cut off his bangs, and is moving away from the mama's boy behavior. (Thank youuuu!!)
+ One of these actors will die on the show: Shirley Manson, Richard T. Jones (Detective Ellison), Garrett Dillahunt (Cromartie), Brian Austin Green (Derek), Thomas Dekker (John), Summer Glau (Cameron), and Lena Headey (Sarah).
"HEROES" (SPOILERS)
+ Peter came back to modern day to shoot Nathan before he exposes their abilities to the press. + Matt finds out future-Peter's identity and gets transported to the middle of nowhere so that he can't reveal it.
+ Mohinder figures out a way to isolate Maya's (Dania Ramirez) powers in chemical form, but injects himself instead of her, which means he'll finally get to do some fighting.
+ Sylar traps Claire in her house, rips open her head, and tries to steal her thoughts and powers.
+ Hiro opens up his father's office safe to remove a formula that could destroy the world if completed, then a speedy blonde steals it away.
+ Niki is now professional-looking and dating/married to an older man.
+ Noah (Claire's dad) is locked in a prison.
+ There'll be a new painting that looks like the Earth is cracking in half.
GOOD TV BUZZ
+ Carlton Cuse joked about continuing "Lost" on the Internet once it wrapped up its final season. "Maybe we can do the zombie season of Lost," said Cuse.
BAD TV BUZZ
+ "Fringe" didn't haul a lot of people into the auditorium, even though J.J. Abrams is the show's creator.
MORE COMING SOON...
PINEAPPLE EXPRESS
+ The weed on set was fake--it was called "wizard smoke."
+ Side note: Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg's "The Simpsons" episode will be about comics.
Release Date: August 6th
ZACK AND MIRI MAKE A PORNO
+ Justin Long will appear as a gay porn actor who has a closeted boyfriend played by Brandon Routh (Superman Returns).
+ Kevin Smith is appealing the MPAA’s decision to brand the film NC-17 rated to get it down to a hard-R. He’s already had to cut "a lot of thrusting" and "something unspeakable."
+ Elizabeth Banks (Meet Dave and "Scrubs") said that the film was a "sweet, adorable love story." Of course, Smith objected, saying "No one's gonna go see it now!" So she followed it with: "There’s a lot of f---ing and s--- in it, too." "Thank you," said Smith. "I got a rep to protect."
Release Date: Oct. 3, 2008
ROCKnROLLA
+ "[I] was trying to reflect the changing cultural environment in the U.K. It's a look into the underbelly of a subculture," said director Guy Ritchie (Snatch).
+ A fan asked him, "The critics didn't seem too kind to the past couple of films, I was just curious if there was pressure to go back to films that were as successful as your first two?" With a sense of humor, Ritchie interrupted the first half of the question with, "Hey, that's not true, they liked them," and the second half with, "Yup." [EW]
Released Date: October 31, 2008
THE SPIRIT
+ It resembles Sin City.
+ There's a muddy battle between Octopus (Samuel L. Jackson) and the Spirit (Gabriel Macht from Because I Said So).
Release Date: December 25, 2008
WATCHMEN
+ "With Batman's Gotham City, you are transported to another world where that superhero makes sense; Watchmen comes at it in a different way, it almost superimposes its heroes on your world, which then changes how you view your world through its prism. That's the genius of this book...The movie is a challenge — sort of like the book is a challenge — to your icons, your morality, how you perceive pop culture, how you perceive mythology, and for that matter, how you perceive God," said the director Zack Snyder.
+ There's a scene where Dr. Manhattan (Billy Crudup from Almost Famous) incinerates a bad guy and there's a bloody mess. Snyder's response to that is: "That's Superman gone bad. If Superman grabbed your arm and pulled really hard, he'd pull your arm out of your socket. That's the thing you don't see in a Superman movie. But in Watchmen, what you get is, like, ''I'm a Superman, and I really want to help mankind — but I just tore this guy in half by accident. People call me a 'superhero,' but I don't even know what that means. I just blew this guy to bits! That's heroic?''"
Release Date: March 6, 2009
THE WOLF MAN
+ It will be more of a period piece that goes back to the 1800s.
Release Date: April 3, 2009
X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE
They showed footage of:
+ Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) and Sabertooth (Liev Schreiber) being lined up to be executed, but not dying.
+ A young William Stryker (Danny Huston from "John Adams") reveals he's putting together a special team that includes Gambit (Taylor Kitsch from "Friday Night Lights") and Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds).
+ The experiment that made Wolverine.
+ A young Wolverine fighting a young Sabertooth.
Release Date: May 1, 2009
TERMINATOR: SALVATION
+ A scene where Anton Yelchin (Kyle Reese) says "Come with me if you want to live" to Christian Bale (John Connor).
+ There were shots of Soviet-style Terminator tanks.
+ "Skynet is still rising in power, the T-800 has yet to exist, and the clunky T-600 models are fallible — and therefore fun to fight."
+ They invented new evil machines with names like Harvesters and Hydrobots.
+ Bryce Dallas Howard (Spider-Man 3) will play John's wife.
+ Rapper Common (Wanted) is John's right-hand man.
Release Date: May 22, 2009
GOOD FILM BUZZ
+ When the possibility of Ben Affleck being cast as Captain America was announced, the crowd booed. But when Matt Damon's name was linked to Thor, they cheered.
+ If the first X-Men Origins spinoff, Wolverine, does well, Marvel is planning on greenlighting the Silver Surfer script they're sitting on.
+ Zak Penn's Avengers news: "Right now, we're [he and Marvel Entertainment] planning a bigger Avengers movie that will tie all of the movies together, and it's going to bring in a lot of the comic book authors. I am writing, but also, I think you guys [looking at Mark Fergus (Iron Man and Children of Men)] are going to be writing with us too, right? [Fergus looks back blankly.] Maybe you don't know that yet, but you are."
+ Oz is being added to the "Buffy" comic and Joss Whedon admitted that he only made Willow gay because Oz left.
BAD FILM BUZZ FOR:
+ Punisher: War Zone
"KNIGHT RIDER"
For those who found the 2-hr pilot to be a bit daunting, you might be happy to learn that they've made some changes. "The biggest change is clearly a visual one...one that's more cleaned up compared to the pilot." The creators also said that he has a team now, so that it isn't just a show about a guy and his car.
"LOST"
+ They never plan on talking about things like the origin of the black smoke, because it would kill the mystery.
"BONES"
+ Even though they'll be a slew of new interns that are vying for Zack's spot on the team, he will return for a few episodes. But, of course, it'll be slightly awkward, since he used to be a serial killer.
+ Cam and Sweets will get love interests--maybe each other.
+ One of Angela's exes comes a knockin' and we finally meet her M.I.A. husband.
+ Booth and Brennan will end up naked in bed together.
"ROBOT CHICKEN"
+ Sketches mocking Batman and The Shawshank Redemption, Indiana Jones, Tron, and "Living Lohan" (voiced entirely by Breckin Meyer from Garfield).
+ There'll be another Star Wars special--this time focusing on the bounty hunters. Also, they promised to explain the relationship between Boba Fett and the Sarlacc Pit.
"TERMINATOR: SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES"
+ Garbage lead singer Shirley Manson is in control of the evil machine known as Turk.
+ John Connor has apparently toughened up, cut off his bangs, and is moving away from the mama's boy behavior. (Thank youuuu!!)
+ One of these actors will die on the show: Shirley Manson, Richard T. Jones (Detective Ellison), Garrett Dillahunt (Cromartie), Brian Austin Green (Derek), Thomas Dekker (John), Summer Glau (Cameron), and Lena Headey (Sarah).
"HEROES" (SPOILERS)
+ Peter came back to modern day to shoot Nathan before he exposes their abilities to the press. + Matt finds out future-Peter's identity and gets transported to the middle of nowhere so that he can't reveal it.
+ Mohinder figures out a way to isolate Maya's (Dania Ramirez) powers in chemical form, but injects himself instead of her, which means he'll finally get to do some fighting.
+ Sylar traps Claire in her house, rips open her head, and tries to steal her thoughts and powers.
+ Hiro opens up his father's office safe to remove a formula that could destroy the world if completed, then a speedy blonde steals it away.
+ Niki is now professional-looking and dating/married to an older man.
+ Noah (Claire's dad) is locked in a prison.
+ There'll be a new painting that looks like the Earth is cracking in half.
GOOD TV BUZZ
+ Carlton Cuse joked about continuing "Lost" on the Internet once it wrapped up its final season. "Maybe we can do the zombie season of Lost," said Cuse.
BAD TV BUZZ
+ "Fringe" didn't haul a lot of people into the auditorium, even though J.J. Abrams is the show's creator.
MORE COMING SOON...
Friday, July 25, 2008
TV: Jon Heder "Woke Up Dead" online
Jon Heder is starring in the zombie comedy "Woke Up Dead," where a college student wakes up underwater in his bathtub and assumes that he's...well, dead. The catch is that the TV series will be online in 50 3-minute episodes.
Stan Rogow, Brent Friedman and Jeff Sagansky's Electric Farm production company are the masterminds behind this venture. Their first online drama was an animated series called "Afterworld." It was about a technological apocalypse, where nearly 99% of the world's population is vaporized and all of technology has malfunctioned.
They also have an NBC Internet sci-fi series lined up called "Gemini Division," starring Rosario Dawson. It's about a detective who stumbles upon a conspiracy when she investigates the murder of the mysterious man (Justin Hartley from "Smallville") she fell in love with while undercover.
While Heder's project sounds pretty funny and Dawson's sounds fairly interesting, I can't help but wonder if studios plan on using the web as a viable platform for scripted entertainment--not recycled material handed from friend to friend, but scripted shows. I think after the writer's strike, at least comedians have realized that there's another medium to disseminate their jokes, i.e. Romany Malco.
Stan Rogow, Brent Friedman and Jeff Sagansky's Electric Farm production company are the masterminds behind this venture. Their first online drama was an animated series called "Afterworld." It was about a technological apocalypse, where nearly 99% of the world's population is vaporized and all of technology has malfunctioned.
They also have an NBC Internet sci-fi series lined up called "Gemini Division," starring Rosario Dawson. It's about a detective who stumbles upon a conspiracy when she investigates the murder of the mysterious man (Justin Hartley from "Smallville") she fell in love with while undercover.
While Heder's project sounds pretty funny and Dawson's sounds fairly interesting, I can't help but wonder if studios plan on using the web as a viable platform for scripted entertainment--not recycled material handed from friend to friend, but scripted shows. I think after the writer's strike, at least comedians have realized that there's another medium to disseminate their jokes, i.e. Romany Malco.
FILM: "Pretty, Baby, Machine" Adapted
Clark Westerman's graphic novel Pretty, Baby, Machine, a mystery thriller about three gangsters who dethrone Al Capone during Prohibition in 1933, is being adapted into a film.
With Johnny Depp and Christian Bale's Public Enemies erupting from the same era next summer, I sincerley hope the 20s-40s gangster genre returns with a bang.
VIDEO: Danity Kane's "Bad Girl" feat. Missy Elliott
I really liked this track off of Danity Kane's Welcome to the Dollhouse album and had high hopes for the video. While I was initially impressed that they thought to mimick the superhero/graphic novel trend, that feeling didn't last for long.
Fake-looking wigs + Bad choreography + Horrible editing = shitty video. Not even Missy Elliott could save it.
Fake-looking wigs + Bad choreography + Horrible editing = shitty video. Not even Missy Elliott could save it.
TV: Gossip Girl Season 2 Clips
Forget OMFG! You will get addicted to saying new catchy terms this season, like "Chuck Basstard" and "Mother Chucker," courtesy of a vengeful Queen B.
TUNE IN SEPTEMBER 1ST!!
TUNE IN SEPTEMBER 1ST!!
TRAILER: The Spirit [full]
The first trailer of The Spirit introduced you to the hero, played by Gabriel Macht (Because I Said So). This one introduces all of the beautiful ladies in his life: Scarlett Johansson, Eva Mendes, Jaime King, Sarah Paulson ("Studio 60"), and Paz Vega (Spanglish). Feel free to prematurely choose your favorite. I, personally, enjoyed Mendes' "Shut up and bleed!" Oh yeah and Samuel L. Jackson is in it. Check it out:
Thursday, July 24, 2008
FILM: Superhero Movies Changing the Formula
I went to see Hancock a few weeks ago and was pleasantly surprised by how non-formulaic its superhero backstory turned out to be. I was also supposed to see Hellboy 2: The Golden Army with my dad, but he bailed on me (so sad). Then recently, I was blown away by the graphics in the upcoming comic adaptation of Watchmen. A few days later I read about Rob Liefeld's upcoming comic Capeshooters and I have an epiphany. Something is happening in Hollywood that I don't think people are noticing very much.
Many critics are applauding The Dark Knight for bringing superhero films into the next level, making them respectable and award-worthy. My suspicions of this "happening" were solidified when I read TDK's EW review. The critic said something to the effect of Batman being difficult to differentiate between the good guy and the bad guy--that he sort of smudged the line between the two.
It's true. The age of the honest, noble, self-righteous superhero (i.e. Superman) is slipping away. Yes, Batman had to get dirty and question his morals in this sequel--as did Spiderman in the third film and Iron Man in the beginning--but Hancock was about a guy who didn't want to be a hero. He just wanted to know who he was, where he came from, and if he was the only one of his kind. He was unapologetically a pathetic alcoholic. Similarly, Hellboy is a cigar-smoking, tough guy, who kicks ass and then takes names. And Watchmen is about an alternate universe where being a superhero is against the law and those who secretly wear the masks are just as flawed and mortal as humans.
So it's no surprise that on the heels of those pioneering flicks, a film like Capeshooters should be greenlit. Hollywood is trying to approach the superhero genre from a different angle to keep restless, formula-hating moviegoers interested. Its story follows two slackers who become paparazzi to superheroes, stealthily filming them in action. One day they stumble upon a well-kept secret. It turns out one of the most respected superheroes in the world is actually a villain.
I think that superhero movies have taken a lot of heat this summer (no pun intended) and deserve a bit of an overhaul. Bring on the unexpected twists and creative backstories. Don't get me wrong. I love Batman, Iron Man, Spiderman, and Superman (in that order), but I wouldn't mind something out of the...extraordinary.
Many critics are applauding The Dark Knight for bringing superhero films into the next level, making them respectable and award-worthy. My suspicions of this "happening" were solidified when I read TDK's EW review. The critic said something to the effect of Batman being difficult to differentiate between the good guy and the bad guy--that he sort of smudged the line between the two.
It's true. The age of the honest, noble, self-righteous superhero (i.e. Superman) is slipping away. Yes, Batman had to get dirty and question his morals in this sequel--as did Spiderman in the third film and Iron Man in the beginning--but Hancock was about a guy who didn't want to be a hero. He just wanted to know who he was, where he came from, and if he was the only one of his kind. He was unapologetically a pathetic alcoholic. Similarly, Hellboy is a cigar-smoking, tough guy, who kicks ass and then takes names. And Watchmen is about an alternate universe where being a superhero is against the law and those who secretly wear the masks are just as flawed and mortal as humans.
So it's no surprise that on the heels of those pioneering flicks, a film like Capeshooters should be greenlit. Hollywood is trying to approach the superhero genre from a different angle to keep restless, formula-hating moviegoers interested. Its story follows two slackers who become paparazzi to superheroes, stealthily filming them in action. One day they stumble upon a well-kept secret. It turns out one of the most respected superheroes in the world is actually a villain.
I think that superhero movies have taken a lot of heat this summer (no pun intended) and deserve a bit of an overhaul. Bring on the unexpected twists and creative backstories. Don't get me wrong. I love Batman, Iron Man, Spiderman, and Superman (in that order), but I wouldn't mind something out of the...extraordinary.
FILM: "Y: The Last Man" = Shia's next Trilogy?
Just as Brian K. Vaughan and Pia Guerra's Y: The Last Man comic comes to an end, fans of the series get the good news that it'll be adapted into a film.
In the comic, every living thing on Earth that possesses a Y-chromosome dies simultaneously from a mysterious epidemic--even sperm--except for two: a man named Yorrick and his monkey Ampersand. Trudging through this dystopia, he searches for his girlfriend Beth who he was proposing to on the phone when the plague hit. Meanwhile, the women of the world attempt to create order out of this newfound chaos and restructure their society. Several perspectives of how they are coping with the loss of their men are showcased, from a heightened feminism that celebrates the purging of those poisonous seeds to an eruption of male impersonators that fulfill their desires. Ultimately, they do discover that Yorrick exists and what they intend on doing with him is what's most interesting.
D.J. Caruso plans on making it a trilogy. While some fans might be disappointed to learn that he'll be downplaying the Beth character, they'll probably be happy to know that he's working hard to translate the relationship between Yorrick and his president-appointed bodyguard, Agent 355.
You might recall that Caruso is the guy who cast Shia LaBeouf in the suspense thriller Disturbia last year, introducing him to Steven Spielberg and launching his career. You might also remember that the two joined up once again for yet another thriller called Eagle Eye that hits theaters in September. Now, they say that if an event happens twice, it's a coincidence. But if it happens three times, it's a trend. I was willing to bet that LaBeouf was becoming to Caruso what DiCaprio has become to Scorsese, and if I had made that bet, I would've won. Caruso is already telling the press that LaBeouf "really wants to do" Y: The Last Man. Lucky for Caruso, the kid never commits to too many projects in advance and only has the Transformers sequel on his plate, which he is shooting right now. The film is set for a 2010 release and shooting begins next January.
Does LaBeouf's name attached make you want to see it more?
Who would you cast as the last man on Earth?
FILM: Hercules: The Thracian Wars
After the success of 300, studios have been greenlighting epic battle films more and more...especially if there's a loin cloth involved.
Peter Berg, who's just had recent success with Hancock, will soon direct Hercules: The Thracian Wars. The story, adapted from Steve Moore's comic series, will follow a post-twelve-tasks Hercules as he guides his legion of mercenaries to train the King of Thrace's army at his request.
Who should they cast? Clearly, someone big and brawny.
TRAILER: Jim Carrey's "Yes Man"
I haven't laughed that hard at a Jim Carrey movie since...Me, Myself, & Irene. That was 8 years ago. Damn! Yes Man is about a guy who challenges himself to say "Yes" to everything for an entire year since he's spent his life refusing and rejecting things left and right. It reminds me of when he did Liar, Liar and he could only tell the truth. He's funny when it comes to being inhibited. See for yourself:
FILM: New in Theaters - 7/25/08
While moviegoers are still flooding theaters to see The Dark Knight, a few other contenders will hit theaters this weekend.
The X-Files: I Want to Believe is the most talked about of the new releases. Fans are eager to hear the iconic, whistle-like theme song erupt from the big screen promptly followed by Agents Scully and Mulder and a few choice aliens. Joining the sci-fi duo this time around are Billy Connolly (Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties), Amanda Peet, and rapper Xzibit.
Bringing the funny are John C. Reilly and Will Ferrell in Step Brothers. Those two are at their funniest when they're at odds (Talladega Nights). But this film really reaches its peak when they become the best of friends and indulge in childish shenanigans.
For those of you interested in watching passion unfold, I'd suggest the indie Brideshead Revisited. Jeremy Brock (The Last King of Scotland and Driving Lessons) and Andrew Davies ("Bleak House" and "Sense and Sensibility") adapted Evelyn Waugh's scandalous novel that chronicles the life of Captain Charles Ryder (Matthew Goode from The Lookout) who is stationed at Brideshead Castle during WWII, where he enters in an affair with both a brother and a sister (Ben Whishaw and Hayley Atwell) who reside on the estate. It also stars Emma Thompson as their overprotective watcher.
The X-Files: I Want to Believe is the most talked about of the new releases. Fans are eager to hear the iconic, whistle-like theme song erupt from the big screen promptly followed by Agents Scully and Mulder and a few choice aliens. Joining the sci-fi duo this time around are Billy Connolly (Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties), Amanda Peet, and rapper Xzibit.
Bringing the funny are John C. Reilly and Will Ferrell in Step Brothers. Those two are at their funniest when they're at odds (Talladega Nights). But this film really reaches its peak when they become the best of friends and indulge in childish shenanigans.
For those of you interested in watching passion unfold, I'd suggest the indie Brideshead Revisited. Jeremy Brock (The Last King of Scotland and Driving Lessons) and Andrew Davies ("Bleak House" and "Sense and Sensibility") adapted Evelyn Waugh's scandalous novel that chronicles the life of Captain Charles Ryder (Matthew Goode from The Lookout) who is stationed at Brideshead Castle during WWII, where he enters in an affair with both a brother and a sister (Ben Whishaw and Hayley Atwell) who reside on the estate. It also stars Emma Thompson as their overprotective watcher.
FILM: 10,000 B.C.'s Steven Strait does comedy in "City Island"
Earlier this year, the epic action film 10,000 B.C. attempted to recreate the fan craze of 2006's 300. While it managed to rake in twice it's budget--close to $200 mil worldwide--it mainly succeeded in finally putting Steven Strait's name on the tip of everyone's tongue.
If you're still unfamiliar with the 21-year-old New York native, you might be surprised to know that you've probably already seen him--sans dreadlocks and loin cloth. (No, not naked.) He first broke out onto the scene in 2005's kiddie superhero flick Sky High, and then proceeded to star in one dud (Undiscovered) after another (The Covenant). Even though the critics butchered 10,000 B.C., he did get people to notice him.
His next project is a comedy--his first--with Julianna Margulies ("Canterbury's Law"), Emily Mortimer (Lars and the Real Girl), Alan Arkin, and Andy Garcia. He plays the secret love child of a prison guard. The catch is that he's one of the inmates. Of course, trying to bond with your kid through bars will become comical quickly.
Do you think he can pull it off?
FILM: Jenna Dewan = Mary Magdalene's descendant
Jenna Dewan, the second half of the Step Up duo, has been MIA from major flicks since the 2006 dance movie surprised everyone and made six figures worldwide.
The 27-year-old professional dancer finally has four films lined up, including Magdalena. It's a comic adaptation where she plays a "woman who discovers that she's a part of the lineage of female warriors descended from Mary Magdalene who fight supernatural evil." Luke Goss (Hellboy II: The Golden Army) will play "Kristof, an agent sent by the secret organization that has been the guardian of the lineage."
FILM: "The Leaves" comic adaptation
Kevin J. Walsh will adapt his graphic novel, The Leaves, for the big screen.
The story is about a New York doctor who visits Bombay for a funeral and learns of a prophecy that he will bring about the apocalypse. Naturally, he goes into hiding.
Maybe it's the prophecy part or the mention of apocalypse, but this sort of reminds me of "Heroes."
Interested?
TV: TNT's 3 new pilots
TNT has been doing so well with its current scripted shows, "Saving Grace" and "The Closer" that it's greenlit three new pilots:
+ "Night and Day": a fast-paced, gritty drama about the life of an agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. It's written by Joel Surnow and Todd Robinson, the men who won Emmy's for creating "24."
+ "Men of a Certain Age": it follows three best friends who realize as their approaching their mid-40s that they haven't exactly accomplished everything they set out to do in college. Ray Romano ("Everybody loves Raymond"), who's also the co-creator, will play a party-store-owning aspiring golfer; Andre Braugher ("The Andromeda Strain") will play a car salesman who works for his dad; and Scott Bakula ("Quantum Leap") will play a struggling actor.
+ "Truth in Advertising": Two best friends go head-to-head when one of them is promoted to creative director of their firm. It stars Eric McCormack ("Will & Grace") and Tom Cavanagh ("Ed") as the leads. Monica Potter ("Boston Legal" and Head over Heels) and Sarah Clarke ("24") are also in the cast.
+ "Night and Day": a fast-paced, gritty drama about the life of an agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. It's written by Joel Surnow and Todd Robinson, the men who won Emmy's for creating "24."
+ "Men of a Certain Age": it follows three best friends who realize as their approaching their mid-40s that they haven't exactly accomplished everything they set out to do in college. Ray Romano ("Everybody loves Raymond"), who's also the co-creator, will play a party-store-owning aspiring golfer; Andre Braugher ("The Andromeda Strain") will play a car salesman who works for his dad; and Scott Bakula ("Quantum Leap") will play a struggling actor.
+ "Truth in Advertising": Two best friends go head-to-head when one of them is promoted to creative director of their firm. It stars Eric McCormack ("Will & Grace") and Tom Cavanagh ("Ed") as the leads. Monica Potter ("Boston Legal" and Head over Heels) and Sarah Clarke ("24") are also in the cast.
TV: Jimmy Fallon's online "Late Night" series, innovative?
There's been a lot of buzz about late night hosts inheriting time-slots next Spring, but the news has mainly covered Conan O'Brien getting ready to plant his pasty behind in Jay Leno's cushy chair.
It wasn't until it was announced that Jimmy Fallon (Fever Pitch and "SNL") would debut online that people remembered who would be replacing Conan.
Producer Lorne Michaels defends his choice, saying that it's a great way for him to work out the show's kinks before he goes live on the network. After seeing Wendy Williams' rocky FOX debut last week, I can attest to that not being a bad idea.
While it is true that previewing a scripted series, like Myspace's "Quarterlife," online before it hits television doesn't usually pan out, in all fairness that show didn't continue on the network but was instead re-aired. Most teenagers and young adults, who will be Fallon's main audience, tend to watch late night through Youtube or network website clips anyway. So perhaps this marketing strategy isn't a demotion or a lack of confidence on Michaels' part, but a clever test-drive that other networks might attempt in the future.
Will you watch Fallon online?
Would you watch any series online first before it continued on television?
It wasn't until it was announced that Jimmy Fallon (Fever Pitch and "SNL") would debut online that people remembered who would be replacing Conan.
Producer Lorne Michaels defends his choice, saying that it's a great way for him to work out the show's kinks before he goes live on the network. After seeing Wendy Williams' rocky FOX debut last week, I can attest to that not being a bad idea.
While it is true that previewing a scripted series, like Myspace's "Quarterlife," online before it hits television doesn't usually pan out, in all fairness that show didn't continue on the network but was instead re-aired. Most teenagers and young adults, who will be Fallon's main audience, tend to watch late night through Youtube or network website clips anyway. So perhaps this marketing strategy isn't a demotion or a lack of confidence on Michaels' part, but a clever test-drive that other networks might attempt in the future.
Will you watch Fallon online?
Would you watch any series online first before it continued on television?
TV: Rome's James Purefoy is NBC's "Philanthropist"
The man you may know best as Mark Antony in HBO's "Rome" series might be helming his own NBC show soon.
"Philanthropist" has been going through a few changes since it was last in the press...and surreptitiously butchered. It's still about a rebellious billionaire who helps those in need--no, not Batman--but with new writers, the network is hoping it'll do better.
Will you watch?
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
TV: USA network's 3 new pilots & series renewals
Here's a list and brief summary of three new shows on the USA network:
+ "Covert Affairs": a CIA linguist is partnered with her engaged ex-boyfriend, who dumped her back when he was secretly joining the agency--sparks fly.
+ "Operating Instructions": an inner-city female surgeon home from Iraq must now battle the bureaucratic bullshit of present day health care systems, while saving lives.
+ "Stiffs": a fast-talking salesman is forced to give up his profession when he becomes a single dad. In order to maintain a healthy relationship with his daughter, his genius brother gets him a job transporting bodies to the morgue on the night shift. But because of his brother's suspicions that some of the "accidental deaths" are actually murders, they begin to investigate the cases themselves. It's written by the same guys who are doing "Burn Notice" (Craig O'Neill and Jason Tracey). They probably noticed how much fans enjoyed Michael's interactions with his brother Nate when they worked on cases together.
Renewed: "In Plain Sight" and Debra Messing's "Starter Wife" (returns Oct. 10th).
+ "Covert Affairs": a CIA linguist is partnered with her engaged ex-boyfriend, who dumped her back when he was secretly joining the agency--sparks fly.
+ "Operating Instructions": an inner-city female surgeon home from Iraq must now battle the bureaucratic bullshit of present day health care systems, while saving lives.
+ "Stiffs": a fast-talking salesman is forced to give up his profession when he becomes a single dad. In order to maintain a healthy relationship with his daughter, his genius brother gets him a job transporting bodies to the morgue on the night shift. But because of his brother's suspicions that some of the "accidental deaths" are actually murders, they begin to investigate the cases themselves. It's written by the same guys who are doing "Burn Notice" (Craig O'Neill and Jason Tracey). They probably noticed how much fans enjoyed Michael's interactions with his brother Nate when they worked on cases together.
Renewed: "In Plain Sight" and Debra Messing's "Starter Wife" (returns Oct. 10th).
FILM: Alias' Vartan vs. Arrested Development's Cross
I'm sure when Michael Vartan ("Alias") and David Cross ("Arrested Development") were on their respective networks and series they never thought that their careers would collide. Vartan is usually cast as charming and debonaire, while Cross is pegged for quirky and awkwardly funny. So what project could the man who once bagged Sydney Bristow be in with the man who once eagerly auditioned for the Blue Man Group?
Why, of course, one where they're sworn enemies.
In Demoted, Vartan will play a cocky sales associate who tortures his pathetic co-worker (Cross). When their boss dies, Cross gets promoted. His position gives him power for payback, so he demotes Vartan to a secretarial position, where he'll learn his lesson.
The film sort of reminds me of other workplace comedies, like Employee of the Month, where Dane Cook and Dax Shepard, duke it out for Jessica Simpson's affections, the indie The Promotion, where John C. Reilly makes Sean William Scott feel underappreciated, and The Ex, where Zach Braff beats a crippled Jason Bateman for the spotlight. Let's hope newcomer Dan Callahan's (College, in theaters August 29th) script puts a fresh spin on things.
Why, of course, one where they're sworn enemies.
In Demoted, Vartan will play a cocky sales associate who tortures his pathetic co-worker (Cross). When their boss dies, Cross gets promoted. His position gives him power for payback, so he demotes Vartan to a secretarial position, where he'll learn his lesson.
The film sort of reminds me of other workplace comedies, like Employee of the Month, where Dane Cook and Dax Shepard, duke it out for Jessica Simpson's affections, the indie The Promotion, where John C. Reilly makes Sean William Scott feel underappreciated, and The Ex, where Zach Braff beats a crippled Jason Bateman for the spotlight. Let's hope newcomer Dan Callahan's (College, in theaters August 29th) script puts a fresh spin on things.
FILM: Zombies of Mass Destruction = Resident Evil Clone?
Kevin Grevioux, the writer and producer of Underworld, is adapting another one of his comics, called ZMDs: Zombies of Mass Destruction.
The clever title plays on the political claim that there are weapons of mass destruction (WMD) hidden somewhere in Iraq, which was never fully corroborated. But in the comic, the weapons are genetically altered zombies designed in a budding government project--photosensitive and set on a self-destruct timer. Dropped into war zones, their mission is to eliminate enemy forces.
The twist is where it veers off into major Resident Evil territory. One of the ZMDs manages to avoid dissolving and must be put down by a team of elite soldiers...smack dab in the center of the Middle East. If they don't succeed, a zombie army will form and become unstoppable.
Will you watch?
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Monday, July 21, 2008
TV: "Heroes" Season 3 Sneak Peak
Nicky is alive...Nathan is alive...Claire is trying to kill her uncle Peter...
FILM: Tom Cruise's "Top Gun" Sequel
Apparently Tom Cruise really needs a comeback quick. His war film, Valkyrie, has been pushed back too many times for it to be taken seriously and if his cameo in the upcoming Tropic Thunder is as hilarious as people are saying, maybe his buddy flick with Ben Stiller, Hardy Men, won't bomb. Just in case, though, he's already lined up a sequel to Top Gun.
In the original, fighter pilots compete to be the best in their class, and Cruise falls for his teacher. Twenty two years later, he'll play the teacher romancing one of his students. I guess that relationship didn't work out and now he's a cradle robber, because I can't imagine that his student is in her 40s. The only thing that could make this filmworsebetter is if Katie Holmes was the girl he was trying to seduce. I'd watch that just like I watched Gigli--just to see his career burn to the ground.
In the original, fighter pilots compete to be the best in their class, and Cruise falls for his teacher. Twenty two years later, he'll play the teacher romancing one of his students. I guess that relationship didn't work out and now he's a cradle robber, because I can't imagine that his student is in her 40s. The only thing that could make this film
But on a serious note, wouldn't it be great if a woman who at least appeared mature enough to date him were cast? Like instead of Megan Fox (Transformers) or Olivia Wilde ("House"), how about, say, Lauren Graham ("Gilmore Girls"), Rose Byrne ("Damages") or...ooohhhhh Evangeline Lily!!!! She is totally badass and pulls off that girly tomboy bit effortlessly. But if you have to cast a young girl, please--I beg of you--please don't cast Jessica Simpson--no matter how good she looks rocking all-American gear!
Are you excited about the sequel?
Update: Tom won't be in the lead and he'll probably be demoted to a cameo.
FILM: "Dragon Ball Z" Poster
Honestly, a white Goku and...? Okay, it's just the fact that Goku is white that makes me think this movie might be at the Speed Racer-level of crap. Maybe even at Meet Dave-level.
FILM: "Savvy" Adapted
Ingrid Law's adventure novel Savvy is being adapted by Karen Janszen (A Walk to Remember).
The story is about a Midwestern girl who will get superpowers when she turns thirteen years old. One of her brothers can create hurricanes and the other controls electricity. Two days before her birthday, she sneaks onto a bus to visit her grandfather in the hospital. Unfortunately, it's heading in the opposite direction, sending her on an unforgettable journey.
Who should they cast? I say, Abigail Breslin.
The story is about a Midwestern girl who will get superpowers when she turns thirteen years old. One of her brothers can create hurricanes and the other controls electricity. Two days before her birthday, she sneaks onto a bus to visit her grandfather in the hospital. Unfortunately, it's heading in the opposite direction, sending her on an unforgettable journey.
Who should they cast? I say, Abigail Breslin.
MUSIC: Ciara's "High Price" featuring Ludacris
Yes, her high pitched voice is initially annoying, but you have to admit the beat is pretty hot. This single is off her upcoming November album Fantasy Ride. Listen:
FILM REVIEW: The Dark Knight (spoiler-heavy)
THE JOKERYou've heard it a million times before. I'll repeat it again--for good measure. Heath Ledger did an amazing job. But I think an enormous amount of credit must also go to the production team for his old school (three-piece suit) wardrobe, the make-up artist for his consistently runny mask, and the writers (Christopher and Joseph Nolan and David S. Goyer) for creating such a complex and mysterious character with a lot more verbal substance than most one-liner-spouting villains. Everything that he did and said made me want to learn more about him. The fact that he lied about how he got the scars around his lips twice was a perfect way to keep viewers intrigued, constantly wondering about his real identity and background. I think once it is revealed, he'll be less terrifying, so I hope they keep his anonymity intact--at least until the end of the next film. The Joker's ultimate logic for what he was doing--while seemingly insane--was actually kind of...human. Honestly, some people just do things because they can, whether it's stealing someone's boyfriend or firing a good employee. Of course, The Joker had a deeper meaning behind all of his chaotic plans as well. He ultimately wanted to prove that even someone as good and pious as Harvey Dent could fall from his pedestal, and that humanity is just a farce. It was like he was conducting a social experiment on a grand and destructive scale.
THE JOKER vs. BATMAN
There were times when they bested each other, but there was no actual danger of either killing the other. It's like The Joker said in the end, "You and I are destined to do this forever." What I found most interesting about their relationship is how, even though The Joker thought they had so much in common (i.e. masks, etc.), they were actually polar opposites. The most obvious difference between them--besides their morals--was how old school The Joker was compared to Batman's modern methods. It's like he said, "I’m a guy of simple taste. I enjoy dynamite, gun powder, and gasoline." While The Joker wore what they described in the film as war paint, and loaded up on bazookas, grenades, knives and bombs, Batman sported a meticulously designed hi-tech suit, and used sonar cell phones and a motorcycle that pulled a Transformers move mid-motion. It was as if The Joker's beliefs were as archaic as his weapons.
TWO-FACE/HARVEY DENT
I think viewers were programmed not to like Harvey Dent. But after seeing him punch a guy out in court and watching Bruce act like a douche bag to impress Rachel, we embraced him a bit more--enough to mourn the demise of his soul. Like in Superman Returns, the heroine had two heroes to choose from. Harvey fearlessly put most of the mob in jail and Batman scared the drug/gun customers away, freezing out their business. The only problem I have with Dent's storyline is the idea that he threw what was left of his life away because of [MEGA SPOILER] Rachel dying. I realize that he was in love with her and he wanted to marry her, but I don't see a man--a politician no less--throwing his morals away because of a girl. I mean if Michelle Obama died--God forbid--I don't think Barack would kill every person involved in her death. The safety of the nation is resting in his hands and politicians are built to understand the weight of their decisions. That said, what the hell was Batman's problem? Why did he save Dent instead of Rachel? It wasn't because he was eager to hand over the responsibilities of guarding Gotham to Dent so he can be with Rachel, because he knew there was a huge possibility that the Commissioner wouldn't make it to her in time. So what gives? Batman's subsequent dialogue suggested that he believed Dent was meant to change the face of Gotham. The word "face" was used a lot in the film, hinting towards the damage that would be done to his in the future. There are even lines of Bruce praising it, saying, “Look at this face. This is the face of Gotham’s future,” and knocking himself by saying, “Gotham needs a hero with a face.” They even liken it to an all-American face. If you think about it, it technically is: a nation that's always at odds.
HARVEY DENT/TWO-FACE vs. THE JOKER
What I liked most about Dent's storyline was his association with The Joker. He had a childish philosophy that involved a two-headed coin that he used to playfully determine most of his decisions. That was the main difference between him and Batman; he was indecisive. The Joker manipulated his weakness so well by giving him and Rachel a 50/50 chance of living, sort of taunting his philosophy, resulting in it being emblazoned on his face. In the end, he became obsessed with justice and fairness and how everyone should get what they deserve. But since he refused to take responsibility, he left it up to chance. The scorched side of the two-headed coin was a nice touch. Not only did it remind him of Rachel, but it easily signified life or death. The way they burnt half of his face reminded me of The Terminator, but I liked that they updated it from the make-up used in Batman Forever.
HARVEY DENT/TWO-FACE vs. BATMAN
I mentioned before how well the writers developed the characters and symbolism within the film. The best metaphor was in the title. Obviously, we all know that the dark knight is Batman, but it isn't until it's said in the film that we realize Dent is his counterpart, the White Knight. They were meant to rule over Gotham together, Dent covering the day and Batman the night. But it's when Batman decided in the end that it was best that he take the fall for all of Dent's crimes so that the city could retain the memory of their White Knight that he really emerges as the Dark Knight. The Commissioner breaks the Bat Signal and extinguishes the light, representing how the real light that was extinguished was that of the White Knight. Ultimately, the real Two-Face of the film is Batman, because although he was as much of a freak and hunted figure as The Joker, he was also a fearless leader like Dent--stuck between both worlds.
PLOT
Overall, I think for a two and a half hour movie, the writers did a great job of not losing focus on the moral of the story or the evolution of the characters. I think the climax of the film's message happened when the ferry full of prisoners and the ferry full of innocent civilians had to decide each other's fate. Some of my friends thought it was too mushy and moralistic, but I think it was necessary in order to finally dot the "i" or place the cherry on top of The Joker's psyche sundae. Maybe his theories about humanity weren't quite accurate, but it was presenting the question of who deserves to live, the criminals or the civilians, that was really important--for the viewer's self-evaluation. I don't know about you, but I wouldn't have been able to press that detonator.
FAVORITE PARTS (...besides everything)
+ After Batman gets attacked by dogs, he asks Lucius (Morgan Freeman) if his new suit is dog-resistant. Lucius tells him that it'll withstand cats. Hmm, was that an allusion to Catwoman? Could she be in the next film? (Side note: Wouldn't it be cool if she turns out to be The Joker's prison psychiatrist and he's the reason she goes nuts?)
+ The Joker always functioned with time constraints. Almost everything was timed. We may not know his real name, but that's an interesting personality trait.
+ Their depiction of chaos, like the fire truck on fire, was terrifying as well as laughable.
+ Of all of the technology, my favorites were the bike and the sonar cell phone that maps out a room's blueprint. It was especially cool, because even Bruce was impressed.
+ An accountant who was commissioned to go over the books approaches Lucius with a blackmail threat after discovering that certain funds were being used to build machines and weapons, like the Batmobile. He threatened to go to the press with the identity of Batman, and Lucius barely broke a sweat in shutting him down. He simply asked him if he really dared to threaten a billionaire who chooses to dress up in a costume to beat the crap out of men in the middle of the night. Well, when you describe him like that Lucius, yes, he does sound pretty insane.
+ Most of the time Batman has one enemy, but in this film he's even fighting off the cops. The last few scenes where he basically ropes up a bunch of SWAT members and makes a fool out of them were pretty entertaining.
+ I liked how they paid homage to the original Batman series with the opening scene when he bends a gun and ties up the vigilantes.
+ Lastly, I really liked the twists. I realize I've spoiled a lot about the film, but there's one in particular twist that I won't reveal. I'll just say that it was ingenious and very well executed.
DISLIKED
+ Scarecrow (Cillian Murphy) appeared in the beginning for about two minutes as a member of a group of vigilantes who dressed up as Batman in order to help him fight crime. Not only was the Scarecrow still wearing his own mask, but he seemed reformed with no explanation or reasoning for it. Really bizarre.
+ Maggie Gyllenhaal tried to play cute and young, and it just didn’t fit her image. She’s much better at playing rebellious (Stranger than Fiction) or a manipulative bitch (Happy Endings). I don't dislike her, I just don't think she’s a damsel in distress.
+ Lastly, Anthony Michael Hall ("Dead Zone") playing an opportunistic reporter was just weird to watch. A bit part for someone who has had his own series for five years, really?
FAVORITE QUOTES
+ “Whatever doesn’t kill you will make you stranger.”—The Joker
+ “I’m going to make this pencil disappear.”—The Joker says as he stabs a pencil into a table before killing a thug by slamming his head into it.
+ “If you’re good at something, never do it for free.”—The Joker
+ “Will the real Batman please stand up?”—written on a Joker card that was attached to a hung vigilante dressed in Batman garb. Eminem must be so honored. lol
+ “Some men just want to watch the world burn.”—Alfred says in regards to The Joker
+ “Depending on the time, he may be in one spot...or several.”—The Joker says, explaining to the Commissioner why he needs to know what time it is when he asks him where Dent is being held
+ “You complete me.”—Joker says to Batman after he gets captured. Will that quote every die?
+ “This town deserves a better class of criminal...and I’m going to give it to ‘em.”--The Joker
+ “Do I really look like a man with a plan?” --The Joker
What was your favorite part/line?
Sunday, July 20, 2008
TV: "Friday Night Lights" Fall 2008 Season Spoilers
Brace yourself "FNL" fans. As is the common trend these days, the series will jump ahead 8 months for the new school year and Dillon, Texas will appear topsy turvy.
+ Let's start off with the fact that Tami will become the school's new principal. If being a counselor caused tension between her and the coach, this will surely give one of them a heart attack.
+ Tim and Lyla are now in a serious relationship. "It's one thing to have this passionate, secret relationship, but once they're in a real relationship, they see how different they are. They're completely an odd couple." Apparently, Lyla wants him to become a better version of himself and maybe go to college and get a job. Is it just me or is she asking for a bit too much? I think asking him to drink maybe only two beers a day--as opposed 12--is the best she can hope for.
+ Tyra has an epiphany and realizes that Landry isn't really her Prince Charming. I guess that whole knight-in-shining-armor bit wore thin after she realized he was still a dork--a cute and funny dork, but a dork nonetheless. Naturally, Landry isn't too pleased about this, and he won't be anymore excited when he meets her new guy, a rodeo star who's friends with Tim's brother. Now, HE sounds like Prince Charming--the Texan version anyway.
+ Matt and Julie will try to be friends. Why? Who likes that girl anyway? I think the best thing that could've happened to her was if the tornado had picked her up and taken her away. Thankfully though, he'll also revive his friendship with Landry. Now that they're both girlfriendless, they can be dorks full-time. Poor Matty's going to need all the support he can get since a freshman quarterback has just joined the school and he might become first string, which would suck since it's Matt's senior year. Honestly, sweetie just apply to an art school and coast through your last year. Take a chill pill. You've been living a hard life.
+ Last, but not least...while Smash and Jason get heart-felt farewells, Santiago (the Hispanic thug Buddy "adopted") and Chris (Lyla's Christian boyfriend) won't return at all. I hope they at least say that Santiago graduated or moved to Mexico to be with his family or something. I hate it when characters randomly disappear.
+ Tyra has an epiphany and realizes that Landry isn't really her Prince Charming. I guess that whole knight-in-shining-armor bit wore thin after she realized he was still a dork--a cute and funny dork, but a dork nonetheless. Naturally, Landry isn't too pleased about this, and he won't be anymore excited when he meets her new guy, a rodeo star who's friends with Tim's brother. Now, HE sounds like Prince Charming--the Texan version anyway.
+ Matt and Julie will try to be friends. Why? Who likes that girl anyway? I think the best thing that could've happened to her was if the tornado had picked her up and taken her away. Thankfully though, he'll also revive his friendship with Landry. Now that they're both girlfriendless, they can be dorks full-time. Poor Matty's going to need all the support he can get since a freshman quarterback has just joined the school and he might become first string, which would suck since it's Matt's senior year. Honestly, sweetie just apply to an art school and coast through your last year. Take a chill pill. You've been living a hard life.
+ Last, but not least...while Smash and Jason get heart-felt farewells, Santiago (the Hispanic thug Buddy "adopted") and Chris (Lyla's Christian boyfriend) won't return at all. I hope they at least say that Santiago graduated or moved to Mexico to be with his family or something. I hate it when characters randomly disappear.
FILM: Box Office Results - 7/18/08
The Dark Knight swooped into the #1 spot with $155 mil. It just blew me away. Yes, Heath Ledger was amazing as the Joker and this generation of teenagers won't even entertain the idea that Jack Nicholson's performance can compete, but the action, the technology, and the twists were what really made it incredible. I feel bad for whoever they get to replace Ledger. The dude is screwed. Meanwhile, Mamma Mia took the 2nd spot with $28 mil, which is impressive considering what it was competing with and its mixed reviews. Space Chimps, unsurprisingly, came in at #7 with $7 mil. Andy Samberg just can't catch a break.
Hellboy II: The Golden Army took a free-fall from #1 to #5, reaching $56 mil in its 2nd week. Poor Guillermo del Toro got screwed with that release date. Hancock, however, is still holding strong at #3 with $192 mil. Journey to the Center of the Earth has managed to stick around at #4 with $43 mil. Wall-E is at #6 with $182 mil, still entertaining children and adults after a month. Wanted slipped down to #8 with $123 mil. Get Smart is on its way out at #9 with $175.5 mil worldwide and Kung Fu Panda is at #10 with $361 mil worldwide. Meet Dave became the official bomb of the summer, retiring with an embarrassing $9 mil. Even Kitt Kittredge managed to make more money, exiting with $14 mil. The Incredible Hulk, the underdog of the summer, took home $227 mil.
Next week, Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly will bring the funny with Step Brothers, aliens will return to earth in The X-Files: I Want to Believe, the indie Brideshead Revisited will get scandalous, and the documentary American Teen will terrify parents everywhere. But will either of these have the power to topple The Dark (and White) Knight from its throne?
Friday, July 18, 2008
FILM: New in Theaters - 7/18/08
Duh! Dark Knight is in theaters and I'm only hours away from being amazed. The suspense is nearly killing me. lol Alright, for those of you who have been under a rock as of late, the sequel to Batman Begins will be about Batman (Christian Bale) teaming up with his Lieutenant buddy (Gary Oldman) from the first film and the District Attorney (Aaron Eckhart)--who will soon become Two-Face--to bring down a deranged bank-robbing killer known as The Joker (Heath Ledger). The cinematography alone is incredible, not to mention the performances. Maggie Gyllenhaal replaces Katie Holmes as Batman's love interest, and makes him jealous by dating the DA. Cillian Murphy reprises his role as Scarecrow, and several other actors will be appearing as well, including Anthony Michael Hall ("Dead Zone"), Nestor Carbonell ("Lost"), Eric Roberts, and William Fichtner ("Prison Break"). Enjoy.
This is sort of insulting, but...for you ladies (and musical lovers), there's the romantic comedy Mamma Mia! Amanda Seyfried ("Big Love" and Mean Girls) plays a young girl who wants her dad to walk her down the aisle when she marries the guy of her dreams (History Boys' Dominic Cooper), but first she has to figure out who her dad is. Unfortunately, her mom (Meryl Streep) never told her. So instead of just prying the name out of her, she invites all three viable candidates (Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, and Stellan Skarsgard) to her wedding to figure it out, throwing her mom into a hormonal tale spin encouraged by her two best friends (Cybill's Christine Baranski and Harry Potter's Julie Walters). While it's fun to try to figure out who her dad is, the ABBA soundtrack is what will really make it memorable.
Then there's the kiddie movie Space Chimps that you can drop your kids off in while you go watch Dark Knight (lol). It's about a trio of chimps that are sent into space for a NASA experiment initiated by an opportunistic senator. Two of the monkeys are capable of handling the pressure and one of them is extremely resistant. The fun officially starts when they encounter a planet that they must save from a malevolent dictator. The voices are of Andy Samberg ("SNL"), Cheryl Hines ("Curb Your Enthusiasm"), Patrick Warburton ("Rules of Engagement"), Jeff Daniels (Dumb and Dumber), Kristen Chenoweth ("Pushing Daisies"), Kenan Thompson ("SNL"), and Stanley Tucci (Devil Wears Prada). It's dorky enough to make your kids laugh for days.
This is sort of insulting, but...for you ladies (and musical lovers), there's the romantic comedy Mamma Mia! Amanda Seyfried ("Big Love" and Mean Girls) plays a young girl who wants her dad to walk her down the aisle when she marries the guy of her dreams (History Boys' Dominic Cooper), but first she has to figure out who her dad is. Unfortunately, her mom (Meryl Streep) never told her. So instead of just prying the name out of her, she invites all three viable candidates (Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, and Stellan Skarsgard) to her wedding to figure it out, throwing her mom into a hormonal tale spin encouraged by her two best friends (Cybill's Christine Baranski and Harry Potter's Julie Walters). While it's fun to try to figure out who her dad is, the ABBA soundtrack is what will really make it memorable.
Then there's the kiddie movie Space Chimps that you can drop your kids off in while you go watch Dark Knight (lol). It's about a trio of chimps that are sent into space for a NASA experiment initiated by an opportunistic senator. Two of the monkeys are capable of handling the pressure and one of them is extremely resistant. The fun officially starts when they encounter a planet that they must save from a malevolent dictator. The voices are of Andy Samberg ("SNL"), Cheryl Hines ("Curb Your Enthusiasm"), Patrick Warburton ("Rules of Engagement"), Jeff Daniels (Dumb and Dumber), Kristen Chenoweth ("Pushing Daisies"), Kenan Thompson ("SNL"), and Stanley Tucci (Devil Wears Prada). It's dorky enough to make your kids laugh for days.
TV: Edie Falco's Showtime Series
On the heels of Edie Falco's Outstanding Guest Star nomination for "30 Rock" is the news that she just might be getting a series of her own on Showtime called "Nurse Jackie."
Falco would be playing a "strong-willed, iconoclastic New York nurse juggling the frenzied grind of an urban hospital and an equally challenging personal life."
Also starring are Peter Facinelli ("Damages" and "Fastlane"), Paul Schulze (Rambo and "The Sopranos"), Merritt Wever ("Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip"), Haaz Sleiman (from the critically acclaimed indie The Visitor), and Anna Deavere Smith ("The West Wing").
Will you watch?
Thursday, July 17, 2008
TV: "The Secret Life of the American Teenager" Review
I wasn't expecting much from ABC Family's new series "The Secret Life of the American Teenager," since it felt like the network was trying to capitalize off of the recent popular trend of pregnancy-related plots (Knocked Up, Juno, Baby Mama, etc.). I'm 22 and I don't really need a weekly PSA on why I should have safe sex. But the blogs were buzzing with the official return of Molly Ringwald playing the mother of a pregnant teen, so I thought I'd give it a shot.
While Ringwald is still the seasoned actor we all know and love from Pretty in Pink, The Breakfast Club, and Sixteen Candles, she has barely been in more than ten minutes of each of the season's first three episodes. The story mainly focuses on her daughter, Amy, played by Shailene Woodley (above), who made her debut as the first incarnation of Marissa's little sister on "The O.C."
The news of Amy's pregnancy is thrust upon us as it was upon her. She is, naturally, dumbfounded by her discovery and...slightly traumatized. Most of the time, pregnant teenagers are mournful of the life that they won't get to have, and while Amy is, she's also petrified of being judged. Not only by her peers, but her own parents.
The preview of the upcoming fourth episode--when she finally informs her parents that she's sexually active--shows scenes of Amy trying her best to convince them that it's true. She lives in a world where everyone thinks she's the most innocent geek on the planet. It's the reason that Ricky (newcomer Daren Kagasoff, above), the school Casanova, chose to devirginate her at band camp. It's the reason Ben (Kenny Baumann) fell instantly in love with her--enough to join the band. And it's the reason that her parents would rather believe that her provocative, gothic, younger sister Ashley (India Eisley) is the more likely choice for being sexually active. She is your average American teen, completely blindsighted by her impending future and surrounded by people who are totally unprepared.
This constant barrage of panic-mode dramatics initiated by the devastating sign that popped up on her pregnancy stick is peppered with other perspectives of teen life. Ricky, the father of her unborn child, is actually a foster kid who was the victim of sexual abuse. He frequently ditches his therapy sessions, where he's supposed to work out how he feels about being raped by his father when he was younger. Instead, he tries to erase the memory or push it out of his mind by engaging in random hook ups with women. His main source of pleasure comes from a seductive Latina, Adrian (Francia Raisa from The Cutting Edge 3: Chasing the Dream), who chooses to downplay her intelligence and amp up her sexuality to keep him hooked because she's lonely since her parents are never home. She's so lonely, in fact, that she would sleep with the dumb jock boyfriend (newcomer Greg Finley) of one of Ricky's latest interests, Grace (Megan Park from Charlie Bartlett), who happens to be a promise-ring wearing devout Christian, just to make him jealous. But the girl he seems to be interested in the most, Amy, refuses to give him the time of day. It's too early to determine whether or not his aggressive persuasion tactics in the middle of a crowded hallway were the pleas of a horny and emotionally disturbed deviant or a cry for help. He did say he just wanted to talk. But knowing Ricky, no words would be escaping their moving lips.
Unfortunately for him, she and her friends (Renee Olstead from "Still Standing" and Camille Winbush from "The Bernie Mac Show") have decided that it's best he not know of the child. In fact, for a split second they even plotted to try to pass it off as Ben's kid. Thankfully, Amy chose not to insensitively destroy someone else's life--even if it seems like he wouldn't mind. Ben is a peculiar character. He seems to embody the rare male persona of a puppy-love-having, overly smitten, hopeless romantic, who could've actually fallen in love with anyone because of his eagerness to feel the emotion. Honestly, his best friend Henry's (Allen Evangelista from "Zoey 101") girlfriend Alice (Amy Rider from "24") literally pointed out a random person in the hallway that would be relatively in his league to ask out on a date, and that lucky girl was Amy. You can't blame him though. His mother died five years ago, and he and his dad (Steve Schirripa from "The Sopranos") are still recovering, making him quite eager to waste no time finding his soulmate.
That's right, not even the parents have it all figured out. Like "The O.C.," the main two parental pairs have a weird and scandalous relationship. Amy's mom Anne (Ringwald) is married to George (Mark Derwin from "Life with Bonnie"), who used to be married to Grace's mom Kathleen (Josie Bissett from "Melrose Place"), who is now married to Marshall (John Schneider from "Smallville"). Why does that matter? Well, Anne is jealous of Kathleen and tries to avoid her. She's probably jealous of the fact that Kathleen has the more reliable husband, since Marshall seems like a total flake, coming home at late hours without any explanation.
Besides the gratuitous adult drama, there are two other interesting supporting characters that are apart of the cast. The first is Grace's mentally disabled brother, who refreshingly behaves the same way any over-protective little brother would, and the second is the school counselor Mr. Molina (Jorge Pallo), who spends most of his time reluctantly helping Ben with his love life. My favorite, however, is Ricky. I just feel like they can do so much with his character. He may be slimey like Chuck on "Gossip Girl," but at least there's a legitimate reasoning behind it--there's a possibility of evolution, if only he can find the right girl to lead him down that path. It could be Grace, who he's recently convinced to pretend to date him so her parents won't know that she's secretly meeting up with her cheating ex-boyfriend, or it could be Amy, who seems too busy worrying about hiding her pregnancy to even acknowledge that this situation will soon affect him too.
The ratings are pretty high (up to 1.2 million) for a summer series and viewers have put it at #1 on iTunes every day after an episode airs. As long as they curb the blatant after school special messages--like when Amy awkwardly declared to her friends that the sex wasn't good and Ricky even more awkwardly apologized for the sex not being good--then the ratings should stay up all summer. Originally there were only supposed to be 10 episodes this season, but the network has ordered 13 more, which should keep it running till winter unless they return in spring.
Are you watching?
TV: Denny Returns to "Grey's Anatomy"
Obviously, since he died in the prom episode, Jeffrey Dean Morgan won't be returning to "Grey's Anatomy" fully. But he will have a guest spot, I'm assuming, as a ghost or in a dream or maybe even a flashback.
Izzie has a lot to work out in her life now that she has to take care of Alex and run the clinic, which she built with Denny's money. Can't wait to find out what lesson she learns from him this time.
TRAILER: "Watchmen" teaser
This trailer is visually astounding:
Update: Alan Moore, the creator, is not pleased with Zac Snyder's incarnation.
FILM: Will Ferrell in "Two-Face"
When I first read about it, of course I mistook the title to be about one of Batman's many enemies, but it's actually a comedy about a racist jerk who develops a split personality after a prank gone-wrong. Apparently, his other persona is a "bleeding heart liberal." That should make for pretty funny physical humor.
Will Ferrell will star in Two-Face and Vince Gilligan (Hancock and "Breaking Bad") is writing.
Will Ferrell will star in Two-Face and Vince Gilligan (Hancock and "Breaking Bad") is writing.
TV: My 2008 Emmy Award Picks
I'm a TV fanatic, who watches almost 50 shows religiously, so the Primetime Emmy's should be a big deal for me. It usually isn't, because the categories are so distinct that they tend to make it hard for other shows to be nominated. There should be an action series category ("Burn Notice") and a teen drama/comedy ("Gossip Girl") category, and even a Breakout Star category. But, I'm going to make an effort to see if my favorite actors, series, and characters get what they deserve this year. Here's my winners wish list:
Outstanding Drama Series
+ Boston Legal
+ Damages
+ Dexter
+ House
+ Lost
+ Mad Men
"Mad Men" is probably going to win since it's the most talked about new series, and I love "Dexter," but the twist that "Lost" introduced this season--jumping into the future--was just jaw-droppingly awesome.
Which Shows are Missing?: "Friday Night Lights" has a tough break with the ratings, but the story lines are genuinely heartbreaking and very well delivered even by the young cast. "The Closer" managed to make an entire series around the most interesting part of an investigation: getting a confession.
Outstanding Comedy Series
+ 30 Rock
+ Curb Your Enthusiasm
+ Entourage
+ The Office
+ Two and a Half Men
Two months ago I would've said "30 Rock," but I wouldn't rewatch every single episode of that series like I would "The Office."
Which Shows are Missing?: "New Adventures of Old Christine" and "Samantha Who?" both female-driven shows that reinvent the feminine persona.
Outstanding Children's Program
+ Classical Baby (I'm Grown Up Now): The Poetry Show (HBO)
+ Hannah Montana (Disney)
+ High School Musical 2 (Disney)
+ Nick News with Linda Ellerbee: The Untouchable Kids of India (Nick)
+ The Suite Life of Zack and Cody (Disney)
Wow! Nickelodeon is really falling short in this category. Hmm, I think it would be pretty interesting if HSM2 beat out "Hannah Montana." But since I preferred the first HSM and was surprised to discover how funny "Hannah Montana" actually is, I'll vote for Miley.
Which Shows are Missing?: "iCarly" should be commended for how topical and funny it is and "Wizards of Waverly Place" managed to find a new take on what is essentially the "Sabrina, the Teenage Witch" model.
Outstanding Animated Program (less than an hour)
+ Creature Comforts America
+ King of the Hill
+ Robot Chicken
+ SpongeBob Square Pants
+ The Simpsons
I choose Seth Green's stop motion animation because...well, I never realized how annoying Jar Jar Binks could be until I watched this.
Which Series is Missing?: After going to NYC's Comic Con this year, I can assure you, "Avatar" deserves a nomination. These fans are...dedicated...design-costume-to-pay-homage-to-animated-characters dedicated.
Outstanding Animated Program (more than an hour)
+ Family Guy's "Blue Harvest"
+ South Park's "Imagination Land"
+ Justice League: The New Frontier
There seems to be a Star Wars trend here, but Family Guy's spoof was just too hilarious--Stewie as Darth Vader, come on?--to not award, even though the Justice League looks pretty damn good too.
Outstanding Variety, Music, or Comedy Series
+ Late Show with David Letterman
+ Real Time With Bill Maher
+ Saturday Night Live
+ The Colbert Report
+ The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
I live for the Saturday night Weekend Update with Amy Poehler and Seth Myers...
Who's Missing?: but Jimmy Kimmel's "I F*cked Ben Affleck" antics and "The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson" are pretty funny too.
Outstanding Reality-Competition Series
+ American Idol
+ Dancing with the Stars
+ Project Runway
+ The Amazing Race
+ Top Chef
People have really gotten into "Project Runway" this year and it's winner has added a word to the pop culture vernacular, "Fierce," but "DWTS" is just too damn addictive.
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
+ Alec Baldwin "30 Rock"
+ Tony Shalhoub "Monk"
+ Lee Pace "Pushing Daisies"
+ Steve Carell "The Office"
+ Charlie Sheen "Two and a Half Men"
This was a tough choice. I just started to love "The Office," but I have to say that Michael annoys me more than he amuses me. Jack, on the other hand, is a laugh riot every time.
Who's Missing?: John Krasinski ("The Office"), whose facial expressions are hilarious, Dule Hill ("Psych"), whose the smoothest pansy on TV, and Ray Wise ("Reaper"), who pulls off being a funny, yet creepy incarnation of the Devil.
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
+ Tina Fey "30 Rock"
+ Christina Applegate "Samantha Who?"
+ Julia Louis-Dreyfus "The New Adventures of Old Christine"
+ America Ferrara "Ugly Betty"
+ Mary-Louise Parker "Weeds"
I would say any actress that can make you laugh--and not just because the content is funny--should get this award. While Fey and Dreyfus are quite amusing, they work best in an ensemble cast. Applegate alone can have me laughing for days.
Who's Missing?: Eva Longoria ("Desperate Housewives"), who deserves some credit for managing to make her husband's blindness amusing.
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
+ James Spader "Boston Legal"
+ Bryan Cranston "Breaking Bad"
+ Michael C. Hall "Dexter"
+ Hugh Laurie "House"
+ Gabriel Byrne "In Treatment"
+ Jon Hamm "Mad Men"
People are shooting for Hamm, because he's a breakout star this season, but I just finished watching the entire first season of "Dexter" and the man can project so much without even speaking. However, I think Laurie is pretty good too. I don't watch his show, but he amuses me in the commercials enough for me to know he's got some talent.
Who's Missing?: Zach Gilford ("Friday Night Lights"), who delivered a heartbreaking performance of a kid who's been abandoned one too many times by one too many people, and Ed Westwick ("Gossip Girl"), who redefined the term "bad boy."
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
+ Sally Field "Brothers & Sisters"
+ Glenn Close "Damages"
+ Mariska Hargitay "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit"
+ Holly Hunter "Saving Grace"
+ Kyra Sedgwick "The Closer"
Although I'm sure most people will vote for Close's outrageously devious performance and although Field had a lot of drama to work with this season, I just love how ingenious Sedgwick's character is--ruthless interrogation with a side of Southern charm.
Who's Missing?: There aren't really that many lead actresses to choose from--how sad.
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
+ Jeremy Piven "Entourage"
+ Kevin Dillon "Entourage"
+ Neil Patrick Harris "How I Met Your Mother"
+ Rainn Wilson "The Office"
+ Jon Cryer "Two and a Half Men"
It's a tough choice. Wilson and Harris have really funny roles, but I have to say that Piven is the most quotable and you just can't take your eyes off of his insanity.
Who's Missing?: Jack McBrayer ("30 Rock") is consistently hilarious amidst a bevy of fools. His innocence sticks out like a sore thumb in such a backstabbing industry. Sam Huntington's ("Cavemen") series may have been canceled, but his performance shouldn't go unnoticed. He reminded me of a cute, psychotic puppy--erratic, yet lovable.
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
+ Kristin Chenoweth "Pushing Daisies"
+ Jean Smart "Samantha Who?"
+ Amy Poehler "SNL"
+ Holland Taylor "Two and a Half Men"
+ Vanessa Williams "Ugly Betty"
While Williams, Taylor, and Poehler are fed some juicy lines, I'd have to say Smart is the only one who can make you believe that she means every hilariously un-PC thing she says. However, I do love Chenoweth's ability to steal a scene with just one wily facial expression.
Who's Missing?: I find Becki Newton ("Ugly Betty") to be highly underrated. Her over-the-top campy performances are a nice pairing to Betty's docile persona. Rachael Harris ("Notes from the Underbelly") may be out of a job, but her deadpan humor is nearly as nomination-worthy as Jennifer Esposito's ("Samantha Who?") self-centered vixen.
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
+ William Shatner "Boston Legal"
+ Ted Danson "Damages"
+ Zeljko Ivanek "Damages"
+ Michael Emerson "Lost"
+ John Slattery "Mad Men"
Emerson is met with the difficult task of having to be the villain and yet still have redeemable qualities, and he pulls it off very well.
Who's Missing?: Not many viewers enjoyed Jesse Plemons' ("Friday Night Lights") storyline this season, because of the unlikelihood of a teenager covering up a murder that was self-defense. But when faced with dramatic material, the effortless comedic actor brought tears to many eyes. Justin Chambers ("Grey's Anatomy") may spend most of his time portraying a heartless Casanova, but when his character broke down at the end of the season, we had an exclusive, front-row seat to the beginnings of his evolution.
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
+ Candice Bergen "Boston Legal"
+ Rachel Griffiths "Brothers & Sisters"
+ Chandra Wilson "Grey's Anatomy"
+ Sandra Oh "Grey's Anatomy"
+ Dianne Wiest "In Treatment"
It's a tie. Their story lines this season burrowed through their hardened facades to show us the vulnerable women that lie beneath. Although I despised Christina's hateful behavior, I admired how she refused to become like Erica Hahn--hateful and obnoxious.
Who's Missing?: Felicity Huffman ("Desperate Housewives") managed to survive cancer, a tornado, and a vindictive step daughter, while still sustaining her sanity with a little humor now and then. Julie Benz ("Dexter") has really transformed into an impressive dramatic actress after her days vamping it up on "Angel" and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." Ana Ortiz's ("Ugly Betty") character went from a Hispanic stereotype to a three dimensional mother, wife, daughter, and sister in the series, and it all started when her fiance/baby's daddy died in that heartbreaking dream episode.
Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series
+ Stanley Tucci "ER"
+ Glynn Turman "In Treatment"
+ Robin Williams "Law & Order"
+ Robert Morse "Mad Men"
+ Oliver Platt "Nip/Tuck"
+ Charles Durning "Rescue Me"
He brought crazy to a whole new level.
Who's Missing?: Theo Rossi ("Grey's Anatomy"), who played a paramedic who had to watch his best friend die in a two-parter, outshining even the main characters with his performance.
Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series
+ Carrie Fisher "30 Rock"
+ Edie Falco "30 Rock"
+ Elaine Stritch "30 Rock" (Jack's mom)
+ Polly Bergen "Desperate Housewives" (Lynette's mom)
+ Kathryn Joosten "Desperate Housewives" (the neighbor)
+ Sarah Silverman "Monk"
I never knew she could be that funny. She went toe-to-toe with Jack without missing a beat. It was like they were made for each other.
Who's Missing?: Judy Greer ("Two and a Half Men") played a female Charlie and that alone is impressive, and Laurie Metcalf ("The Big Bang Theory") was a pretty entertaining depiction of a small town smothering mom.
Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series
+ Ellen Burstyn "Big Love"
+ Diahann Carroll "Grey's Anatomy"
+ Cynthia Nixon "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit"
+ Anjelica Huston "Medium"
+ Sharon Gless "Nip/Tuck"
Carroll wasn't that impressive and I didn't get to see the other performances.
Who's Missing?: Michelle Tratchenberg ("Gossip Girl") practically blew up the blogosphere when she out-bitched Blair in the last few episodes of the season.
Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series
+ 30 Rock "Rosemary's Baby"
+ 30 Rock "Cooter"
+ Flight of the Conchords "Yoko"
+ Pushing Daisies "Pie-Lette"
+ The Office "Dinner Party"
That party was hilarious--so f*ing awkward.
Which Episode is Missing?: I also loved Chuck’s “Chuck Versus The Nemesis,” with the evacuation scene, Samantha, who?'s “The Break Up,” when she over-enjoyed her first sexual experience since her accident, Cavemen's "Nick Get Job," when Andy practically kidnaps a human to get her to like him, and 30 Rock's "Cougars," when the term "Gay for Jamie" is coined.
Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series
+ Battlestar Galactica "Six of One"
+ Damages "Pilot"
+ Mad Men "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes"
+ Mad Men "The Wheel"
+ The Wire "30"
I've never seen any of these episodes, but I'm willing to bet "The Wire"--a cult favorite--is a shoe-in.
Which Episode is Missing?: K-Ville’s “Melissa,” when a little girl mistakes the tears from her dad's eyes to be water caused by Katrina, and Grey's Anatomy’s “Crash into me,” when two paramedics are on the verge of death.
Outstanding Commercial
+ Brother of the Bride - Hallmark
+ Carrier Pigeons - FedEx
+ Delivery - Travelers
+ It's Mine - Coca Cola
+ Swear Jar - Bud Light
The Hallmark commercial was pretty sweet, but I thought the Travelers was more creative, using the logo to create a metaphor.
Outstanding Art Direction for a Single-camera Series
+ Dexter
+ Heroes
+ Mad Men (Two espidoes nominated)
+ Pushing Daisies
+ Ugly Betty
Even though "Mad Men" has the best odds and "Dexter" has a killer--pardon the pun--opening credits montage, I'd have to say that no one can deny that the art direction on the vibrantly designed "Pushing Daisies" is phenomenal.
Outstanding Choreography
+ Dancing with the Stars (Mambo/"Para los Rumberos")
+ High School Musical 2 (all)
+ So You Think You Can Dance (Hummingbird and Flower/"The Chairman's Waltz")
+ So You Think You Can Dance (Transformers/"Fuego")
+ So You Think You Can Dance (Table/"Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)")
It's sort of a tie between DWTS and SYTYCD, but I think Mambo is much harder to master than hip hop.
Outstanding Main Title Design
+ Bernard And Doris (HBO)
+ Chuck (NBC)
+ Mad Men (AMC)
+ New Amsterdam (FOX)
+ The Company (TNT)
I loved the art on this poster.
Who's Missing?: Dexter's blood-splattered title is pretty cool too.
For more categories, click here. Tune in Sunday, September 21st 8pm.
Outstanding Drama Series
+ Boston Legal
+ Damages
+ Dexter
+ House
+ Lost
+ Mad Men
"Mad Men" is probably going to win since it's the most talked about new series, and I love "Dexter," but the twist that "Lost" introduced this season--jumping into the future--was just jaw-droppingly awesome.
Which Shows are Missing?: "Friday Night Lights" has a tough break with the ratings, but the story lines are genuinely heartbreaking and very well delivered even by the young cast. "The Closer" managed to make an entire series around the most interesting part of an investigation: getting a confession.
Outstanding Comedy Series
+ 30 Rock
+ Curb Your Enthusiasm
+ Entourage
+ The Office
+ Two and a Half Men
Two months ago I would've said "30 Rock," but I wouldn't rewatch every single episode of that series like I would "The Office."
Which Shows are Missing?: "New Adventures of Old Christine" and "Samantha Who?" both female-driven shows that reinvent the feminine persona.
Outstanding Children's Program
+ Classical Baby (I'm Grown Up Now): The Poetry Show (HBO)
+ Hannah Montana (Disney)
+ High School Musical 2 (Disney)
+ Nick News with Linda Ellerbee: The Untouchable Kids of India (Nick)
+ The Suite Life of Zack and Cody (Disney)
Wow! Nickelodeon is really falling short in this category. Hmm, I think it would be pretty interesting if HSM2 beat out "Hannah Montana." But since I preferred the first HSM and was surprised to discover how funny "Hannah Montana" actually is, I'll vote for Miley.
Which Shows are Missing?: "iCarly" should be commended for how topical and funny it is and "Wizards of Waverly Place" managed to find a new take on what is essentially the "Sabrina, the Teenage Witch" model.
Outstanding Animated Program (less than an hour)
+ Creature Comforts America
+ King of the Hill
+ Robot Chicken
+ SpongeBob Square Pants
+ The Simpsons
I choose Seth Green's stop motion animation because...well, I never realized how annoying Jar Jar Binks could be until I watched this.
Which Series is Missing?: After going to NYC's Comic Con this year, I can assure you, "Avatar" deserves a nomination. These fans are...dedicated...design-costume-to-pay-homage-to-animated-characters dedicated.
Outstanding Animated Program (more than an hour)
+ Family Guy's "Blue Harvest"
+ South Park's "Imagination Land"
+ Justice League: The New Frontier
There seems to be a Star Wars trend here, but Family Guy's spoof was just too hilarious--Stewie as Darth Vader, come on?--to not award, even though the Justice League looks pretty damn good too.
Outstanding Variety, Music, or Comedy Series
+ Late Show with David Letterman
+ Real Time With Bill Maher
+ Saturday Night Live
+ The Colbert Report
+ The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
I live for the Saturday night Weekend Update with Amy Poehler and Seth Myers...
Who's Missing?: but Jimmy Kimmel's "I F*cked Ben Affleck" antics and "The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson" are pretty funny too.
Outstanding Reality-Competition Series
+ American Idol
+ Dancing with the Stars
+ Project Runway
+ The Amazing Race
+ Top Chef
People have really gotten into "Project Runway" this year and it's winner has added a word to the pop culture vernacular, "Fierce," but "DWTS" is just too damn addictive.
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
+ Alec Baldwin "30 Rock"
+ Tony Shalhoub "Monk"
+ Lee Pace "Pushing Daisies"
+ Steve Carell "The Office"
+ Charlie Sheen "Two and a Half Men"
This was a tough choice. I just started to love "The Office," but I have to say that Michael annoys me more than he amuses me. Jack, on the other hand, is a laugh riot every time.
Who's Missing?: John Krasinski ("The Office"), whose facial expressions are hilarious, Dule Hill ("Psych"), whose the smoothest pansy on TV, and Ray Wise ("Reaper"), who pulls off being a funny, yet creepy incarnation of the Devil.
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
+ Tina Fey "30 Rock"
+ Christina Applegate "Samantha Who?"
+ Julia Louis-Dreyfus "The New Adventures of Old Christine"
+ America Ferrara "Ugly Betty"
+ Mary-Louise Parker "Weeds"
I would say any actress that can make you laugh--and not just because the content is funny--should get this award. While Fey and Dreyfus are quite amusing, they work best in an ensemble cast. Applegate alone can have me laughing for days.
Who's Missing?: Eva Longoria ("Desperate Housewives"), who deserves some credit for managing to make her husband's blindness amusing.
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
+ James Spader "Boston Legal"
+ Bryan Cranston "Breaking Bad"
+ Michael C. Hall "Dexter"
+ Hugh Laurie "House"
+ Gabriel Byrne "In Treatment"
+ Jon Hamm "Mad Men"
People are shooting for Hamm, because he's a breakout star this season, but I just finished watching the entire first season of "Dexter" and the man can project so much without even speaking. However, I think Laurie is pretty good too. I don't watch his show, but he amuses me in the commercials enough for me to know he's got some talent.
Who's Missing?: Zach Gilford ("Friday Night Lights"), who delivered a heartbreaking performance of a kid who's been abandoned one too many times by one too many people, and Ed Westwick ("Gossip Girl"), who redefined the term "bad boy."
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
+ Sally Field "Brothers & Sisters"
+ Glenn Close "Damages"
+ Mariska Hargitay "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit"
+ Holly Hunter "Saving Grace"
+ Kyra Sedgwick "The Closer"
Although I'm sure most people will vote for Close's outrageously devious performance and although Field had a lot of drama to work with this season, I just love how ingenious Sedgwick's character is--ruthless interrogation with a side of Southern charm.
Who's Missing?: There aren't really that many lead actresses to choose from--how sad.
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
+ Jeremy Piven "Entourage"
+ Kevin Dillon "Entourage"
+ Neil Patrick Harris "How I Met Your Mother"
+ Rainn Wilson "The Office"
+ Jon Cryer "Two and a Half Men"
It's a tough choice. Wilson and Harris have really funny roles, but I have to say that Piven is the most quotable and you just can't take your eyes off of his insanity.
Who's Missing?: Jack McBrayer ("30 Rock") is consistently hilarious amidst a bevy of fools. His innocence sticks out like a sore thumb in such a backstabbing industry. Sam Huntington's ("Cavemen") series may have been canceled, but his performance shouldn't go unnoticed. He reminded me of a cute, psychotic puppy--erratic, yet lovable.
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
+ Kristin Chenoweth "Pushing Daisies"
+ Jean Smart "Samantha Who?"
+ Amy Poehler "SNL"
+ Holland Taylor "Two and a Half Men"
+ Vanessa Williams "Ugly Betty"
While Williams, Taylor, and Poehler are fed some juicy lines, I'd have to say Smart is the only one who can make you believe that she means every hilariously un-PC thing she says. However, I do love Chenoweth's ability to steal a scene with just one wily facial expression.
Who's Missing?: I find Becki Newton ("Ugly Betty") to be highly underrated. Her over-the-top campy performances are a nice pairing to Betty's docile persona. Rachael Harris ("Notes from the Underbelly") may be out of a job, but her deadpan humor is nearly as nomination-worthy as Jennifer Esposito's ("Samantha Who?") self-centered vixen.
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
+ William Shatner "Boston Legal"
+ Ted Danson "Damages"
+ Zeljko Ivanek "Damages"
+ Michael Emerson "Lost"
+ John Slattery "Mad Men"
Emerson is met with the difficult task of having to be the villain and yet still have redeemable qualities, and he pulls it off very well.
Who's Missing?: Not many viewers enjoyed Jesse Plemons' ("Friday Night Lights") storyline this season, because of the unlikelihood of a teenager covering up a murder that was self-defense. But when faced with dramatic material, the effortless comedic actor brought tears to many eyes. Justin Chambers ("Grey's Anatomy") may spend most of his time portraying a heartless Casanova, but when his character broke down at the end of the season, we had an exclusive, front-row seat to the beginnings of his evolution.
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
+ Candice Bergen "Boston Legal"
+ Rachel Griffiths "Brothers & Sisters"
+ Chandra Wilson "Grey's Anatomy"
+ Sandra Oh "Grey's Anatomy"
+ Dianne Wiest "In Treatment"
It's a tie. Their story lines this season burrowed through their hardened facades to show us the vulnerable women that lie beneath. Although I despised Christina's hateful behavior, I admired how she refused to become like Erica Hahn--hateful and obnoxious.
Who's Missing?: Felicity Huffman ("Desperate Housewives") managed to survive cancer, a tornado, and a vindictive step daughter, while still sustaining her sanity with a little humor now and then. Julie Benz ("Dexter") has really transformed into an impressive dramatic actress after her days vamping it up on "Angel" and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." Ana Ortiz's ("Ugly Betty") character went from a Hispanic stereotype to a three dimensional mother, wife, daughter, and sister in the series, and it all started when her fiance/baby's daddy died in that heartbreaking dream episode.
Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series
+ Stanley Tucci "ER"
+ Glynn Turman "In Treatment"
+ Robin Williams "Law & Order"
+ Robert Morse "Mad Men"
+ Oliver Platt "Nip/Tuck"
+ Charles Durning "Rescue Me"
He brought crazy to a whole new level.
Who's Missing?: Theo Rossi ("Grey's Anatomy"), who played a paramedic who had to watch his best friend die in a two-parter, outshining even the main characters with his performance.
Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series
+ Carrie Fisher "30 Rock"
+ Edie Falco "30 Rock"
+ Elaine Stritch "30 Rock" (Jack's mom)
+ Polly Bergen "Desperate Housewives" (Lynette's mom)
+ Kathryn Joosten "Desperate Housewives" (the neighbor)
+ Sarah Silverman "Monk"
I never knew she could be that funny. She went toe-to-toe with Jack without missing a beat. It was like they were made for each other.
Who's Missing?: Judy Greer ("Two and a Half Men") played a female Charlie and that alone is impressive, and Laurie Metcalf ("The Big Bang Theory") was a pretty entertaining depiction of a small town smothering mom.
Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series
+ Ellen Burstyn "Big Love"
+ Diahann Carroll "Grey's Anatomy"
+ Cynthia Nixon "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit"
+ Anjelica Huston "Medium"
+ Sharon Gless "Nip/Tuck"
Carroll wasn't that impressive and I didn't get to see the other performances.
Who's Missing?: Michelle Tratchenberg ("Gossip Girl") practically blew up the blogosphere when she out-bitched Blair in the last few episodes of the season.
Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series
+ 30 Rock "Rosemary's Baby"
+ 30 Rock "Cooter"
+ Flight of the Conchords "Yoko"
+ Pushing Daisies "Pie-Lette"
+ The Office "Dinner Party"
That party was hilarious--so f*ing awkward.
Which Episode is Missing?: I also loved Chuck’s “Chuck Versus The Nemesis,” with the evacuation scene, Samantha, who?'s “The Break Up,” when she over-enjoyed her first sexual experience since her accident, Cavemen's "Nick Get Job," when Andy practically kidnaps a human to get her to like him, and 30 Rock's "Cougars," when the term "Gay for Jamie" is coined.
Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series
+ Battlestar Galactica "Six of One"
+ Damages "Pilot"
+ Mad Men "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes"
+ Mad Men "The Wheel"
+ The Wire "30"
I've never seen any of these episodes, but I'm willing to bet "The Wire"--a cult favorite--is a shoe-in.
Which Episode is Missing?: K-Ville’s “Melissa,” when a little girl mistakes the tears from her dad's eyes to be water caused by Katrina, and Grey's Anatomy’s “Crash into me,” when two paramedics are on the verge of death.
Outstanding Commercial
+ Brother of the Bride - Hallmark
+ Carrier Pigeons - FedEx
+ Delivery - Travelers
+ It's Mine - Coca Cola
+ Swear Jar - Bud Light
The Hallmark commercial was pretty sweet, but I thought the Travelers was more creative, using the logo to create a metaphor.
Outstanding Art Direction for a Single-camera Series
+ Dexter
+ Heroes
+ Mad Men (Two espidoes nominated)
+ Pushing Daisies
+ Ugly Betty
Even though "Mad Men" has the best odds and "Dexter" has a killer--pardon the pun--opening credits montage, I'd have to say that no one can deny that the art direction on the vibrantly designed "Pushing Daisies" is phenomenal.
Outstanding Choreography
+ Dancing with the Stars (Mambo/"Para los Rumberos")
+ High School Musical 2 (all)
+ So You Think You Can Dance (Hummingbird and Flower/"The Chairman's Waltz")
+ So You Think You Can Dance (Transformers/"Fuego")
+ So You Think You Can Dance (Table/"Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)")
It's sort of a tie between DWTS and SYTYCD, but I think Mambo is much harder to master than hip hop.
Outstanding Main Title Design
+ Bernard And Doris (HBO)
+ Chuck (NBC)
+ Mad Men (AMC)
+ New Amsterdam (FOX)
+ The Company (TNT)
I loved the art on this poster.
Who's Missing?: Dexter's blood-splattered title is pretty cool too.
For more categories, click here. Tune in Sunday, September 21st 8pm.
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