Tic tock baby, Tick Tock! May 7th, 2010 can't come soon enough!  This...trailer...rocks!! 'nuff said

Tags: Don Cheadle, Gwyneth Paltrow, Iron Man 2, Jon Favreau, Marvel Studios, Mickey Rourke, Nick Fury, Robert Downey Jr, Samuel L. Jackson, Whiplash

A killer comedy from the director of Bend It Like Beckham. I loved that film so am truly looking forward to this one!

With a cast featuring the best of British comedy talent, It's A Wonderful Afterlife tells the story of a British-Asian mother whose obsession with marrying off her daughter has hilarious results.

As each potential suitor meets a sticky end, in a series of curry-themed murders, policemen Mark Addy (The Full Monty) and Sendhil Ramamurthy (Heroes) are brought in to investigate...

See larger image Bend It Like Beckham (Widescreen Edition) (DVD) Directed by: Gurinder Chadha Starring: Parminder Nagra, Keira Knightley, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Anupam Kher, Archie Panjabi Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested) List Price: $14.98 USD New From: $6.98 In Stock Used From: $1.98 In Stock Released September 30, 2003.

Tags: bend it like beckham, British people, comedy, danny dyer, Full Monty, goldy notay, Heroes, horror, It's a Wonderful Afterlife, jimi mistry, Mark Addy, sendhil ramamurthy, shabana azmi

OK, so this ranks right up there on the "um, ok" meter.  io9.com, that bastion of the odd, nerdy and interesting, brings us what is one of the more interesting stories about the weird things people are willing to pay for.

For $25, you could be hearing Isaac Asimov and Douglas Adams in a whole new way, if you happen to be in New York on March 5. The Pinchbottom Burlesque is organizing "Naked Girls Reading Science Fiction."

The event takes place at "the plush and decadent upstairs lounge at Madame X in Greenwich Village".  Among the readers is Nasty Canasta, who has been known to dress up as a naughty version of both the fourth and tenth Doctors from Doctor Who. (Now, this monkey is a big fan of Looney Tunes and a mental image of the original Nasty Canasta nude is a positively flacid thought. But I digress. As usual.)

According to i09.com, the event is an offshoot of Naked Girls Reading, a series started in Chicago and featured on various TV shows. Besides Asimov and Adams, they say featured authors will include Aldous Huxley and H.G. Wells.

I don't imagine that there will be a lot of note taking going on.  Read more here.

See larger image Doctor Who: The Complete Specials (The Next Doctor / Planet of the Dead / The Waters of Mars / The End of Time Parts 1 and 2) (DVD) Starring: David Tennant, David Morrissey, Michelle Ryan, Lindsay Duncan, Bernard Cribbins Rating: NR (Not Rated) List Price: $49.98 USD New From: $34.99 In Stock Used From: $32.99 In Stock Released February 2, 2010.

Tags: asimov, Doctor Who, nude reading, sci fi, science fiction

Just in case there aren't enough reasons to line up to see 'The Suit' again, check out this music vid/ trailer featuring one of the MOST UNDERRATED AC/DC songs ever - Shoot to Thrill.  And in case there is any doubt, AC/DC are the undisputed raging Kings of 70's-rock-bands-that-still-kick-ass. Long live the Kings!

What makes this all the more goosebumpy (yeah, I said it) is the cut scenes from the movie.  Now as any obsessed AC/DC fan will point out, this is the album version of the song synched over live footage but frankly, it has more impact that way. Get over it.

Check it out (thanks to Marvel.com)!

"AC/DC:  Iron Man 2" Track Listing:

1.    Shoot to Thrill
2.    Rock 'N' Roll Damnation
3.    Guns for Hire
4.    Cold Hearted Man
5.    Back in Black
6.    Thunderstruck
7.    If You Want Blood (You've Got It)
8.    Evil Walks
9.    T.N.T.
10.    Hell Ain't a Bad Place to Be
11.    Have a Drink on Me
12.    The Razor's Edge
13.    Let There Be Rock
14.    War Machine
15.    Highway to Hell

The film opens internationally beginning on April 28, 2010.  In the U.S., the film will be distributed by Paramount Pictures and is scheduled for release on May 7, 2010.

Robert Downey Jr. reprises his role as billionaire industrialist Tony Stark, aka the super hero Iron Man in this sequel to the 2008 blockbuster. RDJ, Paltrow, Cheadle and Rockwell are joined by Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury and Mickey Rourke as Whiplash. Jon Favreau once again takes up the directorial reins for Marvel's armored avenger.

"Iron Man 2" is one of a continuing slate of films being produced by Marvel Studios based on the Marvel characters, including "Thor" on May 6, 2011, "The First Avenger: Captain America" on July 22, 2011 and "The Avengers" on May 4, 2012.

See larger image IRON MAN 2-PACI-INCLUDING THE EXCLUSIVE PREMIERE OF THE IRONMAN ANIMATED SERIES (DVD) New From: $19.99 In Stock

Tags: ac/DC, Iron Man, Iron Man 2, Jon Favreau, Marvel Studios, Mickey Rourke, Nick Fury, Robert Downey, Samuel L. Jackson

I cannot even begin to comprehend this level of devastation but know that there must be something I can do. I have donated to our local Red Cross and Worldvision and encourage all our readers and visitors to do the same with the charity of your choice. Set your bullshit meters on high and look for only reputable charities as sadly, the bottom feeders always come out to take advantage of our desire to help

Our prayers are with the affected people and their families.

From Cnn;

The powerful Haitian earthquake has destroyed most of the capital city of Port-au-Prince, Haitian authorities said Wednesday. About 3 million people -- one-third of Haiti's population -- were affected by the quake, the Red Cross estimated.

A top envoy called it a "major catastrophe."

Haiti's first lady, Elisabeth Debrosse Delatour, reported that "most of Port-au-Prince is destroyed" and that many government buildings had collapsed, Haiti's ambassador to the United States, Raymond Joseph, told CNN Wednesday morning. Delatour said President Rene Preval was all right, Joseph reported.

See larger image Ten Dollar Donation to Charity - Hope for Haiti () New From: $9.50 In Stock

Now I've never been a fan of Conan O'Brien or the Late Night talk shows but you'd have to have been living under a rock not to sense his place in the late night pecking order. So it is with much ambivalence that I pass along the news that the poofy-haired O'Brien has decided to part company with The "Tonight Show"

The "Tonight Show" host says very clearly that he does not want to do the show at 12:05 a.m. ET, following a half-hour Jay Leno show, in the statement he just released.

He says he will not go along with moving "The Tonight Show" back half an hour, because to do so would mean participating in "what I honestly believe is its destruction."

Here is his full statement:

People of Earth:

In the last few days, I’ve been getting a lot of sympathy calls, and I want to start by making it clear that no one should waste a second feeling sorry for me. For 17 years, I’ve been getting paid to do what I love most and, in a world with real problems, I’ve been absurdly lucky. That said, I’ve been suddenly put in a very public predicament and my bosses are demanding an immediate decision.

Six years ago, I signed a contract with NBC to take over The Tonight Show in June of 2009. Like a lot of us, I grew up watching Johnny Carson every night and the chance to one day sit in that chair has meant everything to me. I worked long and hard to get that opportunity, passed up far more lucrative offers, and since 2004 I have spent literally hundreds of hours thinking of ways to extend the franchise long into the future. It was my mistaken belief that, like my predecessor, I would have the benefit of some time and, just as important, some degree of ratings support from the prime-time schedule. Building a lasting audience at 11:30 is impossible without both.

But sadly, we were never given that chance. After only seven months, with my Tonight Show in its infancy, NBC has decided to react to their terrible difficulties in prime-time by making a change in their long-established late night schedule.

Last Thursday, NBC executives told me they intended to move the Tonight Show to 12:05 to accommodate the Jay Leno Show at 11:35. For 60 years the Tonight Show has aired immediately following the late local news. I sincerely believe that delaying the Tonight Show into the next day to accommodate another comedy program will seriously damage what I consider to be the greatest franchise in the history of broadcasting. The Tonight Show at 12:05 simply isn’t the Tonight Show. Also, if I accept this move I will be knocking the Late Night show, which I inherited from David Letterman and passed on to Jimmy Fallon, out of its long-held time slot. That would hurt the other NBC franchise that I love, and it would be unfair to Jimmy.

So it has come to this: I cannot express in words how much I enjoy hosting this program and what an enormous personal disappointment it is for me to consider losing it. My staff and I have worked unbelievably hard and we are very proud of our contribution to the legacy of The Tonight Show. But I cannot participate in what I honestly believe is its destruction. Some people will make the argument that with DVRs and the Internet a time slot doesn’t matter. But with the Tonight Show, I believe nothing could matter more.

There has been speculation about my going to another network but, to set the record straight, I currently have no other offer and honestly have no idea what happens next. My hope is that NBC and I can resolve this quickly so that my staff, crew, and I can do a show we can be proud of, for a company that values our work.

Have a great day and, for the record, I am truly sorry about my hair; it’s always been that way.

Yours,

Conan

I won't lose any sleep over this (pun intended) but hey, share your thoughts!

Tags: Conan O'Brien, david letterman, Jay Leno, Jimmy Fallon, Johnny Carson, NBC, Tonight Show

The California state licensing body said Monday that Beverly Hills fertility doctor Michael Kamrava acted beyond the reasonable judgment of a treating physician by repeatedly providing fertility treatment to a woman identified only by her initials "N.S" in the documents.

I consider this a victory for sanity in the face of shameless, moral-less marketing of reality drivel. God knows that as reality TV continues to impress with the depths it is willing to seek out, we need a glimmer of hope that the lowest common denominator isn't always a good thing to strive for.

Don't get me wrong. I GET reality TV. In all it's forms - good and drivel. Some I enjoy. Some I have no patience for such as  the passive child-abuse spectacle that is/was Jon & Kate or the sheer pointlessness of the Bachelor/ette series. Others like the Biggest Loser (which I don't watch but respect) or the plethora of Home Improvement shows (which again, I can take in small doses but my wife consumes and emulates like smarties - the house looks great!) continue to have a place on our remote.

So it with some hope, nay optimism that I cheer that fact that SOMEBODY was seeking accountability in allowing a woman who was not in any position to add to her brood to create another 8 kids. And while she waits for the big payday that her 14 little assets will bring, I can only hope that nobody makes a show out of her life - at least not until the kids can make their own decision about whether or not to be exploited.

And as for the 'doctor', let's hope he is never able to practice again or profit from his reprehensible behavior.

See larger image Carriers (DVD) Directed by: Alex Pastor, David Pastor Starring: Christopher Pine, Piper Perabo, Lou Taylor Pucci, Emily VanCamp Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested) List Price: $19.99 USD New From: $11.98 In Stock Used From: $6.51 In Stock Released December 29, 2009.

As most know, we don't normally review DVD releases. Well maybe as a New Year's resolution, I'll start doing more. What prompted this new attitude you ask? Well, I just watched the straight to video movie 'Carriers' and as with most DVD releases of this type, I watch them with low expectations. After giving Van Damme and Segal too many chances, I've become somewhat cautious.

So imagine my surprise when I popped in Carriers which includes Chris Pine (Star Trek), Piper Perabo (Cheaper by the Dozen), Emily VanCamp (Brothers and Sisters), and Christopher Meloni (Law & Order SVU).

To quote the plot synopsis from IMDB, "Four kids are driving through the desert on the way to the beach, their faces anything but cheery: this isnt Spring Break. Theyre trying to outrun the end of the world and each other. In Álex and David Pastors CARRIERS, no one is safe from the viral pandemic threatening to wipe out the human race. Determined to elude the deadly virus, Danny (LOU TAYLOR PUCCI), his brother Brian (CHRIS PINE), his girlfriend Bobby (PIPER PERABO) and Dannys school friend Kate (EMILY VANCAMP) speed across the Southwestern U.S. to reach a place of possible safety. Over the course of four days, the group is faced with moral decisions that no human should ever be forced to face. They discover that their greatest enemy is not the microbe attacking humanity, but the darkness within themselves."

The movie moves along at a reasonable pace and what struck me most were the solid performances from Pine, Pucci and VanCamp. And for my money, Christopher Meloni does not appear in nearly enough films. Regulars here know that I am a big fan of SVU! One of my favorite lines from the movie came when the friends were killing time hitting golf balls at a house trying to break a window. VanCamp comes along and shows the boys up, breaking the window in one single shot. She then proudly states, "Tiger Woods can kiss my ass!" Laughed my own ass off at that. Prophetic especially when you consider that the movie was supposedly finished two years ago.

Anywhoo, I can fling no poo at this film. It was bleak, gritty, well acted and the characters believable and engaging. Worth a look.

Tags: brothers & sisters, carriers, Chris Pine, Christopher Meloni, Law & Order, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Star Trek, Tiger Woods

It's been a tragic year in the world of entertainment. Sadly another young talent has been taken from us.

From Comingsoon.net, TMZ reports that actress Brittany Murphy died early Sunday morning after going into full cardiac arrest and being declared dead on arrival after being rushed to Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles. The former child actress who first gained attention at the age of 18 with a key role in the comedy Clueless was only 32 years old.

Years after her breakthrough in Clueless, Murphy got attention for her role in the 2001 thriller Don't Say a Word , leading to key roles in Eminem's 8 Mile and starring roles in the comedies Just Married with then-boyfriend Ashton Kutcher, Uptown Girls with Dakota Fanning and Little Black Book. In a tragic bit of irony, Murphy received the most critical praise for her role in the 2006 indie drama The Dead Girl, released the same year as her voice could be heard as the penguin Gloria in George Miller's Oscar-winning animated film Happy Feet. She also appeared in Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller's Sin City in 2005.

RIP Brittany.

Beware, gentle reader. I talk about the movie here so if you don't want to have the plotline ruined, go see the movie then come back and share your thoughts.

So I rushed out and saw Avatar last night. I caught the very first showing at our local theater and was a little surprised that it wasn't sold out considering the attention leading up to opening night! That said, we got our tickets, were gouged at the candy counter and found our ideal seats for what we hoped would be THE movie of the year. I won't say we came away disappointed but it left some to be desired. Read on..

Avatar - The Good:

To be sure, James Cameron is a brilliant film maker. The movie was visually stunning which is what I was looking forward to. The hype for me was al about the visual and here, JC - (hmmm, that feels wrong), James Cameron did not disappoint.  For the most part, you really feel the size and scope of the planet of Pandora where the whole movie takes place. The film jumps back and forth between live action and animation so seamlessly. From the humans home base and machinery to the magical planet of Pandora and its in, you just can't be sure at times whether you are seeing amazing costumes or amazing animation! I never cease to be amazed at what the film industry is able to convince me of through stunning CGI.

That is not to say that there some flaws but that would be nitpicking. Avatar gets full marks for imagery. Giovanni Ribisi', while mostly a two dimensional character with limited screen exposure, did what he did best - I've always had a soft spot for him. Sigourney Weaver reminded me of what a solid performer she is. No matter what type of film she is in, she always stands out.  Zoe Saldana played Neytiri of the Na'vi. It is always revealing when an actor is forced to perform without actually being seen. Saldana has shown herself to be a pretty good actor here - I was actually surprised! Watch for more of her I'm sure.

Avatar - The Bad:

The plot.  Big bad company run by white stereotypes oppresses native tree dwellers. Weak, weak weak. I kind of expected the cliche of 'Big Bad Corporation' vs 'The Environment' be it earthly or alien. These types of movies usually can't do both imagery and originality well at the same time so I was prepared to forgive some of that. What I didn't expect was the frustration I felt at the theme of the movie. The whole premise of  'white guilt' was so glaringly overdone here that I was nauseous.  From the handicapped white marine Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) finding redemption by coming to the aid of and eventually leading the oppressed indigenous peoples, to the social worker (Weaver) bringing 'Education' to the natives (like they needed it), to Neytiri (Saldana) who, like most of the Na'vi, emoted a mostly black character in every sense - from how she expressed anger to how she expressed grief, I felt smothered by the concept of the great white evil hell bent on the mindless destruction of Pandora and its <insert white-oppressed race here> people for their own selfish needs.

This was such a lazy, unbalanced portrayal of good vs evil that it sullied (see what I did there?) the overall beauty of the movie. I find it sad that Cameron took such an unthinking approach to the plot.

One blogger referenced in a very good blog at i09 commented;

"By the end of the film you're left wondering why the film needed the Jake Sully character at all. The film could have done just as well by focusing on an actual Na'vi native who comes into contact with crazy humans who have no respect for the environment. I can just see the explanation: "Well, we need someone (an avatar) for the audience to connect with. A normal guy will work better than these tall blue people." However, this is the type of thinking that molds all leads as white male characters (blank slates for the audience to project themselves upon) unless your name is Will Smith."

This I think will be the topic of many an online diatribe. Maybe that is what Cameron had in mind. Or maybe the plot was an afterthought.  This was easily the weakest part of Avatar and managed to offend whites, blacks and natives, ironically, equally.

Avatar - The Indifferent

Frankly, I made no connection with many of the characters. I whole-heartedly agree with the questionable need for Sam Worthington's character and his performance was really quite forgettable.  The human technology was cool but under-developed as was many of the supporting performances.

Overall, the movie was good fun and certainly should get some awards for the epic scale that the visuals created.  I may try and see it in IMAX just for the experience. There is very much a 'wow' factor throughout. Just be prepared to work very hard to tune out the plot!

I think it would make a great read and will probably buy the book too.

What did you think?

See larger image James Cameron's Avatar: The Na'vi Quest (Paperback) By Nicole Pitesa List Price: $4.99 USD New From: $1.51 In Stock Used From: $1.47 In Stock Released November 24, 2009.

Tags: 20th fox, action, adventure, Avatar, avatar movie, Giovanni Ribisi, Michelle Rodriguez, neytiri, Sam Worthington, sci fi, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana