RIP Andy Hallett

 Andy Hallett... Everyone's favorite Jolly Green Giant

Another beloved Angel star has tragically died: 

Andy Hallett, who played the green demon crooner Lorne. 

  The actor-musician passed away Sunday night after battling a five year congestive heart condition; he was only 33 years old. 

  Hallett joined the cast in season 2, and became an instant hit with the Whedonites. 

  After Angel's first season, Glen Quinn, who played Irish roughneck Doyle, passed away after a heroin overdose in 2002.

So much for a possible Whedon Reunion with our favorite Scoobies and Demons. 

Fox, in 20 years, do not even think of having a reunion!

I'm really hounding Fox this week aren't I?

Well I don't trust them.

Again, RIP Andy. Thank you for giving Angel some bright, cheery goodness.

Greek is back!

The ABC Family college series, Greek is back tonight at 8/7c.

This is an excellent show. This is the Undeclared for today's youth.  (*Undeclared is another excellent series created by Apatow that was axed way too soon).

 Whether you are/were in the Greek system, are/went to college, it is a show that provides multiple character personalities, which enables the television viewer to identify with one of  them in some way. 

Ah yes, perhaps I am trying to relive my four years of college through the eyes of a fictional television show... but oh my... it does bring back fond, fond, memories..

If you have not seen the show, let me give you a little preview of what you can expect:

Cappie: You just have to avoid doing something embarrassing for 48 hours.

Rusty: I can do that.

Cappie: Your fly is open.

Here's a description of some of the characters:

• Cappie (my personal fav): An updated version of Animal House's Otter
  
• Dale: A GDI (Gosh Darn Indie), the Jesus Loving, witty roommate of Dusty 
  
• Dusty: The physical definition of an awkward freshman
  
• Casey: Kelsey Grammar's daughter..... you know Frasier.. (I honestly do not know how to describe her character because she is constantly changing. Therefore, I just decided to provide a trivia fact. She is in fact the daughter of Kelsey Grammar.)
  
• Calvin: Gay boy in #1 Campus Fraternity. (Provided a juicy storyline last season)

1970s it was Animal House, 

 80s it was Revenge of the Nerds,

90s it was American Pie

00's it is definitely Greek.

The Walt Disney Company: I like you. You do not like to axe shows that are awesome. (The company owns ABC, ABC Family, ESPN, A&E, Disney Channel, etc).

Fox, take notes......

School kids appreciating blood, vengeance, and Tarantino

Happy Birthday Quentin Tarantino. The crazy dude is 46. In honor of Tarantino's quintessential entity that is defined as awesome, I would like to honor his birthday with a video I found earlier this week. 

Now, I love the Kill Bill franchise, and I found this funny. So do not take it seriously. Mockery is the highest form of Flattery.

The New Wave of Television Shows: A Production Timeline?

3D is climbing in popularity in the movie theatre world, hulu.com is taking over the cyber viewing world, and it's evident that future selected television series will be created with a time stamp marked across the series first opening credits. 

In my most recent issue of Entertainment Weekly, there is an article that has left me wondering...

  TV execs are talking about giving producing tv series that will only last 1-2 seasons. Televisions shows, such as Heroes, whose ratings have steadily declined since its critically acclaimed first season, may have better success if the writers had a focal point. The show has been consistently critized for creating subplots of confusion, and steering away from the main focus of the Heroic saga: Who are these people and What is happening to them? These two questions were left under a bunch of crud that consisted of a black eyed woman, Dr. Suresh playing a B-movie sequel character to The Fly and Hiro playing ninja turtle in ancient Japan for way too many episodes. 

 In contrast, ABC's similar anthology series, Lost remains a popular show with both Nielsen ratings and the public. It did have its rough patches in its third season when it took a detour down Hero lane but has "found" its way back to the heart of the island. So how did this show get over the hump and back onto smooth, consistent pavement? 

   Answer: The Studios gave the creators an official Lost expiration date: 2010.

Now the creators can develop the story into a concise structure. Also, this may attract more bigwig A-list actors who do not want to devote themselves to a 5+ year series.  Additionally, TV DVDs are excellent revenues for studios (I myself just did a little amazon.com shopping and am anxiously awaiting the dvd packs of Joan of Arcadia and Undeclared in the mail). 

What do you think? What shows that are currently airing, should get a time stamp? Do you think this new approach is a good idea?

Hump Day Trivia: The Wizard of Oz

I am going to continue my praise for the Oz franchise by devoting this week's trivia to the classic 1939 The Wizard of Oz.

Before I post the authentic trivia, did you know the Scarecrow's name is "Hunk"? That is awesome. Why aren't there more Hunk's in today's society? That would make things easier.. i.e. "Hey Hunk, can you come here a sec?"

Ah hem, make Wicked a motion picture... cough cough...ahem.

The trivia is a little bit longer this week because there were so many juicy factoids that I couldn't resist sharing with my cyber counterparts.

I always wondered how those horses were technicolored (no pun intended), and wow, Queen Toto was a pre-madonna, with a dog bowl full of golden nuggets take notes Marley...

Ok, the trivia:

• Judy Garland's dress and blouse were in reality not white but pale pink. True white did not photograph properly in Technicolor and made the blue of her checked dress seem too bright.
• While Buddy Ebsen had been taken off the project from his allergic reaction to the Tin Man's makeup, his vocals remain whenever the song "We're off to see the Wizard" is played. 
  
• A scene was filmed in which the Tin Woodman was turned into a "human beehive" by the Wicked Witch; after he crushes a bee, the tin woodman cries and rusts his jaw shut, then has to be oiled by Dorothy to get his jaw working again
  
• Judy Garland very much wanted to adopt Terry (Toto) after the two spent so much time together shooting the film. Unfortunately, the owner of the dog wouldn't give her up, and Terry went on to a long career in films.
  
• According to lead Munchkin Jerry Maren, the "little people" on the set were paid $50 per week for a 6-day work week, while Toto received $125 per week.
  
• "Over the Rainbow" was nearly cut from the film; MGM felt that it made the Kansas sequence too long, as well as being too far over the heads of the children for whom it was intended. The studio also thought that it was degrading for Judy Garland to sing in a barnyard. 
  
• The horses in Emerald City palace were colored with Jell-O crystals. The relevant scenes had to be shot quickly, before the horses started to lick it off.
  
• The producers at one point considered using a live lion for the Cowardly Lion, and then dubbing in an actor's voice.
  
• In the song "If I Only Had A Heart", the girl who says, "Wherefore art thou, Romeo?" is Adriana Caselotti, the voice of Snow White in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)
  
• When The Witch tries to get off the Ruby Slippers, fire strikes her hands. This "fire" was actually dark apple juice spewing out of the shoes. The film was sped up to make it look like fire.
  

In 2009, I remain amazed by the film techniques used by filmmakers in early 20th century. Before there were CGI, AVID editing software, and million dollar computer Special FX... there was Jell-O.

More singing for Anne Hathaway..

Many people including myself, were shocked the evening of the Academy Awards when Anne Hathaway graced the stage alongside Hugh Jackman, to sing a duet. She can actually carry a tune!

And I'm excited. 

Because.....

She is set to play the legend, Judy Garland in a biopic adapted from Gerald Clark's 2001 book, "Get Happy- The Life of Judy Garland."

I am sooo excited!!

Could this film possibly intrigue the creators of the musical, "Wicked", to adapt the spectacular show to the silver screen? I specifically say the musical and NOT the novel - They are two completely different entities. To summarize, the musical is a 3 hour spectacle, and the novel is a trash receptacle. 

For the 50% of People who believed Willy Wonka was NOT a Creeper

Ok, so some think the 70's Gene Wilder version of Willy Wonka is pleasant. The purple suited man was little "off",  but for the most part a jolly man who loved children and candy... (first warning there). In 2005, Tim Burton brought out the underlying eeriness of Willy Wonka by giving it a Michael Jackson-esque vibe.

On Funnyordie.com, a website created by actor-comedian Will Ferrell, he delved even further into the dark hole that is Wonka and revealed a very, very frightening character: a murderer. 

Warning: if you do not like fake blood, scary movies, dark humor, or Christopher Lloyd (you'll see) I advise you to not watch the movie trailer below. But, seriously, please do. It is awesome.

Gobstopper Trailer from Gobstopper Movie

You Say Goodbye, and I Say.....Goodbye

ABC has released the dates of the season finales for the following shows. Some of season finales may become SERIES finales. ABC has already axed Life on Mars for the Spring. Ugly Betty is also in some trouble... (please stay!)

Below I also footnoted if the show should STAY (keep) or GO AWAY (end) or if it is in fact, the SERIES FINALE

Please keep in mind that whether the show should stay on air, is my opinion, not ABC.

Life on Mars: Wednesday, April 1, 9 p.m. ET                  SERIES FINALE

Better Off Ted: Wednesday, April 29, 8:30 p.m.ET
          GO AWAY

In the Motherhood: Thursday, April 30, 8 p.m. ET            STAY

Samantha Who?: Thursday, April 30, 8:30 p.m. ET          STAY

Private Practice: Thursday, April 30, 10 p.m. ET
             STAY

Wife Swap: Friday, May 1, 8 p.m. ET
                             STAY

Supernanny: Friday, May 1, 9 p.m. ET
                            GO AWAY

Scrubs: Wednesday, May 6, 8 p.m. ET
                        GO AWAY-and it might                         (POSSIBLE SERIES FINALE)

Brothers and Sisters: Sunday, May 10, 10 p.m. ET
        GO AWAY

Castle: Monday, May 11, 10 p.m. ET
                             STAY

Cupid: Tuesday, May 12, 10 p.m. ET
                             GO AWAY

Lost: Wednesday, May 13, 9 p.m. ET
                             STAY

Grey's Anatomy: Thursday, May 14, 9 p.m. ET
                STAY

America's Funniest Home Videos: Fri May 15, 8 p.m.        STAY


Extreme Makeover:  Sun May 17, 7 p.m. ET (2 hours)
       GO AWAY

Desperate Housewives: Sun May 17, 9 p.m. ET (2 hours)
   STAY

Dancing With the Stars: Tues May 19, 9 p.m. ET (2 hours)
  STAY

Ugly Betty: Thursday, May 21, 8 p.m. ET (2 hours)              STAY (POSSIBLE SERIES FINALE)

 

YOUR OPINION:

Which shows should ABC keep next year? Which shows should be eliminated?

Oh, and in case you were wondering why I chose this picture for today's entry.... There is no reason. I just really like Gizmo.

I am a Well Educated Film Extraordinaire Who Loved "Drop Dead Gorgeous"

Ok, just because I am obsessed with pop culture and film, does not mean I sit in a dark room, watch movies that signify the meaning of life, and only connect with people who have intelligent knowledge of "important films."

I love Drop Dead Gorgeous.

I love Legally Blonde. 

Get over it.

Anyway, every year the American Film Institute unveils the top 100 films. As previously stated, I love film, I watch films excessively, I studied film in college, and an employee in the film business. That being said, there are some classic films that I do not like.

Here is the current AFI List:

1 CITIZEN KANE (1941) 

2 GODFATHER, THE (1972) 

3 CASABLANCA (1942) 

4 RAGING BULL (1980) 

5 SINGIN' IN THE RAIN (1952) 

6 GONE WITH THE WIND (1939) 

7 LAWRENCE OF ARABIA (1962) 

8 SCHINDLER'S LIST (1993) 

9 VERTIGO (1958) 

10 WIZARD OF OZ, THE (1939) 

11 CITY LIGHTS (1931) 

12 SEARCHERS, THE (1956) 

13 STAR WARS (1977) 

14 PSYCHO (1960) 

15 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY (1968) 

16 SUNSET BLVD. (1950) 

17 GRADUATE, THE (1967) 

18 GENERAL, THE (1927) 

19 ON THE WATERFRONT (1954) 

20 IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE (1946)

21 CHINATOWN (1974) 

22 SOME LIKE IT HOT (1959) 

23 GRAPES OF WRATH, THE (1940) 

24 E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL (1982) 

25 TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD (1962) 

26 MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON (1939) 

27 HIGH NOON (1952) 

28 ALL ABOUT EVE (1950) 

29 DOUBLE INDEMNITY (1944) 

30 APOCALYPSE NOW (1979) 

31 MALTESE FALCON, THE (1941) 

32 GODFATHER PART II, THE (1974) 

33 ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST (1975) 

34 SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS (1937) 

35 ANNIE HALL (1977) 

36 BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI, THE (1957) 

37 BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES, THE (1946) 

38 TREASURE OF THE SIERRA MADRE, THE (1948) 

39 DR. STRANGELOVE (1964) 

40 SOUND OF MUSIC, THE (1965) 

41 KING KONG (1933) 

42 BONNIE AND CLYDE (1967) 

43 MIDNIGHT COWBOY (1969) 

44 PHILADELPHIA STORY, THE (1940) 

45 SHANE (1953) 

46 IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT (1934) 

47 STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE, A (1951) 

48 REAR WINDOW (1954) 

49 INTOLERANCE (1916) 

50 LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING, THE (2001)

51 WEST SIDE STORY (1961) 

52 TAXI DRIVER (1976) 

53 DEER HUNTER, THE (1978) 

54 M*A*S*H (1970)

55 NORTH BY NORTHWEST (1959) 

56 JAWS (1975) 

57 ROCKY (1976) 

58 GOLD RUSH, THE (1925) 

59 NASHVILLE (1975) 

60 DUCK SOUP (1933) 

61 SULLIVAN'S TRAVELS (1941) 

62 AMERICAN GRAFFITI (1973) 

63 CABARET (1972) 

64 NETWORK (1976) 

65 AFRICAN QUEEN, THE (1951) 

66 RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK (1981) 

67 WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? (1966) 

68 UNFORGIVEN (1992) 

69 TOOTSIE (1982) 

70 CLOCKWORK ORANGE, A (1971) 

71 SAVING PRIVATE RYAN (1998) 

72 SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION, THE (1994) 

73 BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID (1969) 

74 SILENCE OF THE LAMBS, THE (1991) 

75 IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT (1967) 

76 FORREST GUMP (1994) 

77 ALL THE PRESIDENT'S MEN (1976) 

78 MODERN TIMES (1936) 

79 WILD BUNCH, THE (1969) 

80 APARTMENT, THE (1960) 

81 SPARTACUS (1960) 

82 SUNRISE (1927) 

83 TITANIC (1997) 

84 EASY RIDER (1969)

85 NIGHT AT THE OPERA, A (1935) 

86 PLATOON (1986)

87 12 ANGRY MEN (1957) 

88 BRINGING UP BABY (1938) 

89 SIXTH SENSE, THE (1999) 

90 SWING TIME (1936) 

91 SOPHIE'S CHOICE (1982) 

92 GOODFELLAS (1990) 

93 FRENCH CONNECTION, THE (1971) 

94 PULP FICTION (1994) 

95 LAST PICTURE SHOW, THE (1971) 

96 DO THE RIGHT THING (1989) 

97 BLADE RUNNER (1982) 

98 YANKEE DOODLE DANDY (1942)

99 TOY STORY (1995) 

100 BEN-HUR (1959) 

Here are the films that are included on the AFI list that I do not like (may I add that I have tried to watch the following films more than once, and I'm still not "moved", "compelled", "riveted", etc..)

LAWRENCE OF ARABIA (1962) - It's the Australia of the 60s. The desert never ended....

THE SEARCHERS  (1956) - I should like this. Sorry Duke.

LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING, THE (2001)- -- ALL OF THEM - I honestly think I may be the only film enthusiast that did not enjoy this franchise. The cinematography is gorgeous, Director Peter Jackson created a wonderful visual experience for 99% of the world population. As beautiful as it was, the story did not capture me.

AMERICAN GRAFFITI (1973) - I prefer Linklater's 70s based Dazed and Confused 

12 ANGRY MEN (1957) - I could not get involved in that jury room. The bantering felt repetitive. As a 20 minute short film, it would have been fabulous.

BLADE RUNNER (1982) - Even worse, the Director's Cut.

THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERY VALENCE (1962) - I'm sorry Mr. Stewart and Mr. Wayne, I also have to include this film in the list.

Hump Day Trivia: The Parent Trap

RIP Natasha Richardson

Natasha Richardson, age 45, who was married to Liam Neeson and the daughter of Vanessa Redgrave, tragically died today from a brain injury after being critically injured in a skiing accident which occurred on Monday.

In remembrance, I am devoting this weeks trivia to one of my favorite childhood movies, the updated version of The Parent Trap, starring Lindsay Lohan and the late Natasha Richardson. Richardson is hilarious in this re make. My favorite scene in the movie is one which includes the late Richardson. It is the scene where Martin, her butler, comes out of the bathroom wearing a speedo; and in Richardson's british accent she remarks, "Mawtin, what awe you duin?", Martin replies, "Going for a dip madam." Seriously, watch the movie just for that segment. It is great.

Here is the trivia for the day:

• Lindsay Lohan's first movie.                                                                                                                 
• Actress Joanna Barnes played the "wicked girlfriend" in The Parent Trap (1961) and plays the mother of the wicked girlfriend in this version. Both characters are named Vicky.                                                 
• When this movie was shown on Disney Channel, the scenes where Hallie pierces Annie's ears, when Annie (Hallie) takes a sip of the wine, and when Annie rides the plane to London are cut.
  

A Leprechaun Was Discovered!

Although this is a dated news story, it is Gold. Pun totally 

intended.

Check out the News Segment below.

Gift Exchange between Prime Minister and President

U.S. President Barack Obama has just returned from meeting with Prime Minister Gordon Brown. The two met to discuss world affairs and also exchanged thoughtful gifts....well...I don't know how the Prime Minister felt about his gift from Obama but if I received the following from our President, I would find it to be the most down to earth, meaningful gift I could receive from an American President.

Prime Minister's gift to President Obama: an ornamental pen holder made from the timbers of the Victorian anti-slave ship HMS Gannet. In addition, a framed commission for HMS Resolute and a first edition of the seven-volume biography of Churchill by Sir Martin Gilbert.

President Obama's gift to the Prime Minister: A 25 disc boxed set of classic American DVDs.

I retrieved this story from the UK press website "The Daily Mail" 

And let's just say the majority of the UK is not too pleased with the President's gift of sentiment (I am not bein

g sarcastic). The title of the article is "To my special friend Gordon, 25 DVDs: Obama gives Brown a set of clas

sic movies. Let's hope he likes the Wizard of Oz"

Below are the list of movies in the DVD Gift Collection:

I still think it's a cool gift.

The End.

How One Letter can change a Movie Poster

I found these entertaining. Please observe my sidenote for the "Lohan" Poster

 Ironically at the time of this post, the police have issued an arrest warrant for Miss Lohan... 

Any favorites? Any ideas for new posters?

This gives "Big Brother is watching you" a whole new meaning...

I found this on yahoo tech.....

The article has left me with a punch bowl of mixed emotions:

• Jealous
  
• Creeped out
  
• Jack Bauer's newest weapon
  

 

FILMMAKER PLANS "EYEBORG" EYE-SOCKET CAMERA (REUTERS)

Posted on Thu Mar 5, 2009 12:38PM EST

Add articles about technology to your My Yahoo! 

 

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - A Canadian filmmaker plans to have a mini camera installed in his prosthetic eye to make documentaries and raise awareness about surveillance in society.

Rob Spence, 36, who lost an eye in an accident as a teen-ager, said his so-called Project Eyeborg is to have the camera, a battery and a wireless transmitter mounted on a tiny circuit board. http://www.eyeborgblog.com/

"Originally the whole idea was to do a documentary about surveillance. I thought I would become a sort of super hero ... fighting for justice against surveillance," Spence said.

"In Toronto there are 12,000 cameras. But the strange thing I discovered was that people don't care about the surveillance cameras, they were more concerned about me and my secret camera eye because they feel that is a worse invasion of their privacy."

Spence, in Brussels to appear at a media conference, said no part of the camera would be connected to his nerves or brain.

He does not intend to create a reality TV show and the camera will be switched off when not needed, he said.

"I don't want to go into a locker room. I don't want to show the world me going to the bathroom either ... I'm not a life-caster and I don't plan to be one," he said.

(Reporting by Bate Felix; Editing by Louise Ireland)