Star Wars Celebration III, which took place April 21-24 in Indianapolis, marked George Lucas’ first appearance at a fan convention in 18 years. Featured at the Star Wars Fan Club convention were several minutes of Star Wars Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith that wetted both appetites and pants. The director and producer, Rick McCallum, of the popular sci-fi franchise also participated in a Q&A, which revealed a few Star Wars related projects in the helm.
There have been talks of Star Wars 3D in the works but due to scheduling problems as well as lack of available technology (nothing but the best for Big G), it’s likely this project will be put on hold. Other aspirations include two television series - a 3D animated show and a live action series featuring supporting characters from the movies [crosses fingers for Sny Snootles].
Production on the live action show is set to start shooting in about a year with the scripts written prior to any shooting (what a concept!)
But the question on everybody’s lips besides a possible Howard the Duck prequel is the much-anticipated fourth installment of Indiana Jones. Apparently Lucas received a script for the film last week and Steven Spielberg is once again set to direct the action/adventure.
With the final film to be released and all these Star Wars related television shows ready to spin off, one would wonder (well, I wonder) if George Lucas has any intention of standing clear of all things Star Wars after all this. A slap stick comedy perhaps? A period piece a la Jane Austin? One thing’s for sure, nothing can equate the magnitude of his epic adventure that has taken 28 years to tell but will be relived for generations to come.
4.21.2005
Save Arrested Development!
There are some shows out there that I question as to why they are still around [insert reality television show title here]. Meanwhile there are others that deliver high quality each week [insert Arrested Development here].
Sunday, April 17 saw the season finale and possible series finale of the dysfunctional sitcom. How many shows must FOX let go to realize maybe they should hang on to what little quality programming they have? Remember Titus? Firefly? Futurama? Well who can forget Family Guy, which is returning in May due to the outcry from the fans and the skyrocketing sales of the DVDs. Now Arrested Development, a show that has proven critically and commercially of being a huge success, is at risk of heading to the chopping block.
The second season of the Emmy and Golden Globe Award winning series suffered quite the ratings drop compared to its preceding year. Other factors determining the fate of the show is the change of management. Gail Bergman, FOX entertainment chief who gave the Arrested Development another go with its second season, is leaving for a Paramount Studios job. Hopefully her successor, Peter Liguori, will have a soft spot for that lovably dysfunctional family but we won’t know until the 2005/06 line-up is announced.
Luckily, my television programming isn’t completely shot to shit. I can still look forward to when CBS broadcasts the wedding of former Survivor contestants Rob Mariano and Amber Brkich [insert big fat fucking can of sarcasm here]!
Sunday, April 17 saw the season finale and possible series finale of the dysfunctional sitcom. How many shows must FOX let go to realize maybe they should hang on to what little quality programming they have? Remember Titus? Firefly? Futurama? Well who can forget Family Guy, which is returning in May due to the outcry from the fans and the skyrocketing sales of the DVDs. Now Arrested Development, a show that has proven critically and commercially of being a huge success, is at risk of heading to the chopping block.
The second season of the Emmy and Golden Globe Award winning series suffered quite the ratings drop compared to its preceding year. Other factors determining the fate of the show is the change of management. Gail Bergman, FOX entertainment chief who gave the Arrested Development another go with its second season, is leaving for a Paramount Studios job. Hopefully her successor, Peter Liguori, will have a soft spot for that lovably dysfunctional family but we won’t know until the 2005/06 line-up is announced.
Luckily, my television programming isn’t completely shot to shit. I can still look forward to when CBS broadcasts the wedding of former Survivor contestants Rob Mariano and Amber Brkich [insert big fat fucking can of sarcasm here]!
4.14.2005
The Next James Bond Rant
Okay, this game of "Tag: The Next James Bond Edition" is getting tiresome. Let’s reiterate the long line of would-be James Bonds for the remake of Casino Royale. Rumours flew that the coveted role would go to Ewan McGregor or Jude Law (okay, I think I just had an orgasm) then the likely contenders Eric Bana (The Hulk) and Clive Owen (Closer) stepped up to the plate. Though the Bana candidate quickly slipped away, Owen’s name stayed strong. Other names that popped up were Colin Farrell and Hugh Jackman, which means if you remotely have an accent that isn’t American, you’re a shoo-in.
Along with Clive Owen’s vote, another name is staying strong - Daniel Craig. A virtual no name but hey like I said, he has an accent.
While this jumble for 007 was occurring, rumours arose that Orlando Bloom would play a young James Bond, the College years (okay, I think I just threw up in my mouth a little.)
Other rumours that surfaced were an American James Bond (next!), a female James Bond (but who would she womanize at the beginning and the middle of the movie?), and a spin-off starring Halle Berry reprising her role as Jinx (okay, I think I just threw up again.)
And in all this, Pierce Brosnan might just forget all this craziness and return to his trusty Walther PPK. Much ado about nothing!
Along with Clive Owen’s vote, another name is staying strong - Daniel Craig. A virtual no name but hey like I said, he has an accent.
While this jumble for 007 was occurring, rumours arose that Orlando Bloom would play a young James Bond, the College years (okay, I think I just threw up in my mouth a little.)
Other rumours that surfaced were an American James Bond (next!), a female James Bond (but who would she womanize at the beginning and the middle of the movie?), and a spin-off starring Halle Berry reprising her role as Jinx (okay, I think I just threw up again.)
And in all this, Pierce Brosnan might just forget all this craziness and return to his trusty Walther PPK. Much ado about nothing!
4.12.2005
Another Britney article?
Britney preggers
Pop princess and back-up dancing thug hubby multiply their litter
After months of speculation and gossip-mongering, pop singer Britney Spears has announced that she will be spawning offspring. I know that’s not the most attractive way of putting it but have you seen the happy couple as of late? Though, can’t say we should all be surprised. They’re white-trash. It’s what they do.
The announcement was made in a posting on Britney’s website. "The time has finally come to share our wonderful news that we are expecting our first child together," the singer said. "There are reports that I was in the hospital this weekend, and Kevin and I just want everyone to know that all is well. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers."
Britney, 23, was never shy about her feelings to start a family young. This would be baby #1 for the Toxic singer (choice song title) and the third child for her husband Kevin Federline, 27. Spears and Federline were wed just 55 months after her first marriage stint to long time friend, Jason Alexander (no, not the Jason Alexander). Kevin’s ex-girlfriend, actress Shar Jackson, was pregnant with his second child at the time.
Speculation about her possible pregnancy started early when shortly after getting hitched, Britney took a break to chillax. A number of pictures were taken of the pop princess that revealed they she was already showing. At the time, I, like many others, believed she had gained weight from all those chili cheese fries, ding-dongs and hamburgers. As it turns out, it was those chili cheese fries, ding-dongs, hamburgers AND a baby. My bad.
This third edition might also stifle the upcoming UPN reality series based on Britney and Kevin's courtship. How will that work with a baby on board? Don't they usually add the baby factor around 3rd season to boost ratings only to have that baby hitting puberty entering the 4th season?
Pop princess and back-up dancing thug hubby multiply their litter
After months of speculation and gossip-mongering, pop singer Britney Spears has announced that she will be spawning offspring. I know that’s not the most attractive way of putting it but have you seen the happy couple as of late? Though, can’t say we should all be surprised. They’re white-trash. It’s what they do.
The announcement was made in a posting on Britney’s website. "The time has finally come to share our wonderful news that we are expecting our first child together," the singer said. "There are reports that I was in the hospital this weekend, and Kevin and I just want everyone to know that all is well. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers."
Britney, 23, was never shy about her feelings to start a family young. This would be baby #1 for the Toxic singer (choice song title) and the third child for her husband Kevin Federline, 27. Spears and Federline were wed just 55 months after her first marriage stint to long time friend, Jason Alexander (no, not the Jason Alexander). Kevin’s ex-girlfriend, actress Shar Jackson, was pregnant with his second child at the time.
Speculation about her possible pregnancy started early when shortly after getting hitched, Britney took a break to chillax. A number of pictures were taken of the pop princess that revealed they she was already showing. At the time, I, like many others, believed she had gained weight from all those chili cheese fries, ding-dongs and hamburgers. As it turns out, it was those chili cheese fries, ding-dongs, hamburgers AND a baby. My bad.
This third edition might also stifle the upcoming UPN reality series based on Britney and Kevin's courtship. How will that work with a baby on board? Don't they usually add the baby factor around 3rd season to boost ratings only to have that baby hitting puberty entering the 4th season?
4.11.2005
Drop Kick the Punks
This is officially my new addiction:
http://www.hedonistica.com/flash.php?path=/flash/drop_kick_the_punks.swf&w=800&h=600
http://www.hedonistica.com/flash.php?path=/flash/drop_kick_the_punks.swf&w=800&h=600
4.05.2005
Heeeere's Britney!
Britney to star in reality show
What better way to rage against invasion of privacy than overexposing yourself with your own TV show?
Britney and Kevin; sitting in a tree. Over-exposing re-al-ity.
So the pop diva has apparently raged against tabloids invading her privacy, specifically The Sun. So what is Britney Spears’ solution? Star in your own reality show with your hip-hop hubby. There are just all sorts of ‘wrong’ with that. Aside from ripping off Jessica Simpson and that guy from 98 Degrees, how will your problems go away now that there’s a camera in your home following you everywhere you go? Instead of the cameraman hiding in the bushes waiting for that choice shot of Ms. Spears in a not-so-flattering bikini, he’ll be right beside her and occasionally she might have to serve him sandwiches for lunch.
Spears’ marriage with backup dancer Kevin Federline has been overexposed since they exchanged wedding vows. Rumours about pregnancy, breakup and infidelity have been flying all over the front page of tabloids.
“I feel that last year the tabloids ran my life," said the Grammy Award-winning singer, "and I am really excited about showing my fans what really happened rather than all the stories, which have been misconstrued by journalists in the past."
Say it. You’re doing it for money. There’s nothing wrong with that. That’s what entertainers do – stuff for money. Much like whores. Long story short; you’re a whore.
The station that has signed for the Britney Spears and Friends’ Happy Fun Hour (I made up that title) is UPN, which would explain the casting of her husband. The show is slated to premiere later this season and will have exclusive interviews, commentary and never-before-seen private home video of the couple. Invasion of privacy? Never heard of it!
I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again: Reality cease to exist once a camera is turned on. You want people to know the real you? Then be real. Write your songs, perform your concerts, make your living and maintain your marriage without worrying what the tabloids will say next. To have BritneyVision will be nothing short of more media fodder.
What better way to rage against invasion of privacy than overexposing yourself with your own TV show?
Britney and Kevin; sitting in a tree. Over-exposing re-al-ity.
So the pop diva has apparently raged against tabloids invading her privacy, specifically The Sun. So what is Britney Spears’ solution? Star in your own reality show with your hip-hop hubby. There are just all sorts of ‘wrong’ with that. Aside from ripping off Jessica Simpson and that guy from 98 Degrees, how will your problems go away now that there’s a camera in your home following you everywhere you go? Instead of the cameraman hiding in the bushes waiting for that choice shot of Ms. Spears in a not-so-flattering bikini, he’ll be right beside her and occasionally she might have to serve him sandwiches for lunch.
Spears’ marriage with backup dancer Kevin Federline has been overexposed since they exchanged wedding vows. Rumours about pregnancy, breakup and infidelity have been flying all over the front page of tabloids.
“I feel that last year the tabloids ran my life," said the Grammy Award-winning singer, "and I am really excited about showing my fans what really happened rather than all the stories, which have been misconstrued by journalists in the past."
Say it. You’re doing it for money. There’s nothing wrong with that. That’s what entertainers do – stuff for money. Much like whores. Long story short; you’re a whore.
The station that has signed for the Britney Spears and Friends’ Happy Fun Hour (I made up that title) is UPN, which would explain the casting of her husband. The show is slated to premiere later this season and will have exclusive interviews, commentary and never-before-seen private home video of the couple. Invasion of privacy? Never heard of it!
I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again: Reality cease to exist once a camera is turned on. You want people to know the real you? Then be real. Write your songs, perform your concerts, make your living and maintain your marriage without worrying what the tabloids will say next. To have BritneyVision will be nothing short of more media fodder.
4.02.2005
Where were you?
It’s funny how you may think back to moments of your life with such clarity and to so much detail. There are some times I remember me in the moment, whether it was 2 minutes ago, 2 days, 2 years and even 2 decades. I remember my point of view of incidents, the movements made and the looks on people’s faces around me. Often times I wonder when huge historical events happen in this world, where was I? Me. This quiet little kitten-monkey. Some memories are tiny moments like remembering what I saw when I looked at the TV screen as the Berlin Wall fell. Other memories are like scripted detailed dream journals…These are some of them.
August 30-31, 1997
The Death of a Princess
I was sitting on the floor of the living room on a Saturday night watching Saturday Night Live. The host was Rob Lowe with musical guest The Spice Girls. This is obviously before our big screen television days and the TV was not in the corner yet but up against the wall by the dining room entrance. Like most nights in our house, Mom was in the kitchen, though late at night, preparing food and cleaning up. Then, I believe it was during the Weekend Update, there was a real “Breaking News Bulletin” of Princess Diana, a notable target of the paparazzi, in a terrible car accident and that her condition was critical. My brother Eric, who was sharing one last summer with us before moving to Oakville, was eating something when he entered the living room. He was the first person I saw after having staring at the television at the graphically disturbing footage of the princess’ wreckage. I told him. His eyes popped in shock with his usual “really…” as though I told him a piece of gossip. That was his reaction to any news – still is. She was pronounced dead hours later.
September 11, 2001
9/11
Summer had ended and I entered my first year of college. After a full year working at McDonald’s day in day out, it was refreshing to be back in school. Classes had started the week prior (midway through the week) so this was my first class of Basic Communications. It was a Tuesday. It was a boiler of a summer so I took refuge sleeping in the spare bedroom in the basement that was once occupied by my brother Ben. It was much cooler and darker at night and provided a comfortable rest. Nine o’clock in the morning the clock radio starts up and I hear words. I’m awake, lying on my front with my eyes open pretending to be closed when I start piecing those words together – plane, crash, New York, Pentagon, World Trade Centre. At first I think they were words pulled from a dream kind of like reverse talking in your sleep. But I am awake and listen with more attention.
I finally pull myself out of bed and go upstairs. My Mom so kindly offered to drive me to school the previous night. She is in her room cleaning out a drawer or purse when I ask if she’s heard what’s happened. She says no then I tell her “apparently” such and such has happened. She of course doesn’t hesitate to turn to CNN and there it is laying out for us in full detail. The camera fixated on the smoking wound of one of the Two Towers as me and my Mom watched with one hand over a gasping mouth with the occasional “oh my God” escaping her lips. This isn’t real.
She kept the TV on loud as she had some things to do before we left. Despite having class to attend, I kept on watching. A second plane is shown crashing into the other tower as I call out to my Mother who rushes from the kitchen back to her room to watch on. This isn’t real.
I finally pull it together to go to school. We drive with the radio on and my Mom speculating. When I arrive to class, the room is almost empty. We later learn that there are two classrooms with the same number hence the mix up. But as a select few of us sit in patient silence, still not knowing each other very well, someone brings up the attack. This starts a discussion among us like school yard gossip or a “what did you do this weekend” talk. We decided to go to the cafeteria as no doubt people would be there glued to the televisions. The day at school was short as the rest of it was doing just that. Sitting and watching CNN intently. When I went home that day, that’s all I did until at 2am. I remember staying up with Janet watching the news, until I fell asleep on the couch.
April 2, 2005
Pope John Paul II dies
I skipped down the stairs of my Toronto apartment and Julie says "Pope’s dead."
And that is where I was.
August 30-31, 1997
The Death of a Princess
I was sitting on the floor of the living room on a Saturday night watching Saturday Night Live. The host was Rob Lowe with musical guest The Spice Girls. This is obviously before our big screen television days and the TV was not in the corner yet but up against the wall by the dining room entrance. Like most nights in our house, Mom was in the kitchen, though late at night, preparing food and cleaning up. Then, I believe it was during the Weekend Update, there was a real “Breaking News Bulletin” of Princess Diana, a notable target of the paparazzi, in a terrible car accident and that her condition was critical. My brother Eric, who was sharing one last summer with us before moving to Oakville, was eating something when he entered the living room. He was the first person I saw after having staring at the television at the graphically disturbing footage of the princess’ wreckage. I told him. His eyes popped in shock with his usual “really…” as though I told him a piece of gossip. That was his reaction to any news – still is. She was pronounced dead hours later.
September 11, 2001
9/11
Summer had ended and I entered my first year of college. After a full year working at McDonald’s day in day out, it was refreshing to be back in school. Classes had started the week prior (midway through the week) so this was my first class of Basic Communications. It was a Tuesday. It was a boiler of a summer so I took refuge sleeping in the spare bedroom in the basement that was once occupied by my brother Ben. It was much cooler and darker at night and provided a comfortable rest. Nine o’clock in the morning the clock radio starts up and I hear words. I’m awake, lying on my front with my eyes open pretending to be closed when I start piecing those words together – plane, crash, New York, Pentagon, World Trade Centre. At first I think they were words pulled from a dream kind of like reverse talking in your sleep. But I am awake and listen with more attention.
I finally pull myself out of bed and go upstairs. My Mom so kindly offered to drive me to school the previous night. She is in her room cleaning out a drawer or purse when I ask if she’s heard what’s happened. She says no then I tell her “apparently” such and such has happened. She of course doesn’t hesitate to turn to CNN and there it is laying out for us in full detail. The camera fixated on the smoking wound of one of the Two Towers as me and my Mom watched with one hand over a gasping mouth with the occasional “oh my God” escaping her lips. This isn’t real.
She kept the TV on loud as she had some things to do before we left. Despite having class to attend, I kept on watching. A second plane is shown crashing into the other tower as I call out to my Mother who rushes from the kitchen back to her room to watch on. This isn’t real.
I finally pull it together to go to school. We drive with the radio on and my Mom speculating. When I arrive to class, the room is almost empty. We later learn that there are two classrooms with the same number hence the mix up. But as a select few of us sit in patient silence, still not knowing each other very well, someone brings up the attack. This starts a discussion among us like school yard gossip or a “what did you do this weekend” talk. We decided to go to the cafeteria as no doubt people would be there glued to the televisions. The day at school was short as the rest of it was doing just that. Sitting and watching CNN intently. When I went home that day, that’s all I did until at 2am. I remember staying up with Janet watching the news, until I fell asleep on the couch.
April 2, 2005
Pope John Paul II dies
I skipped down the stairs of my Toronto apartment and Julie says "Pope’s dead."
And that is where I was.
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