Pop Culture Buzz

New Line Cinema has decided to partner with Michael Bay’s movie studio Platinum Dunes for a Robert Englund-free reboot of “A Nightmare on Elm Street”. Up until now Robert Englund has played the horror film icon Freddie Krueger in 9 “Nightmare” films including “Freddy vs. Jason” with “Friday the 13th” bad ass Jason Voorhees.

When Robert Englund recently sat down for an interview with Bloody-Disgusting.com he could have just offered an awkward “no comment,” or a few non-specific words of encouragement, but instead, he gave readers an actual quote — read on:

All I know is that Michael Bay made an announcement that he is producing the remake of the original. I don’t know if it has Wes Craven’s blessing, I presume it does…Because the nature of the story and the stylized surrealism, the dreamscape that unfolds, if any of these movies are need of a remake with the use of new technologies it would seem that ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’ is one of them…I don’t think it would hurt it because it’s such a great story and strong classical myth…I just hope they have Wes’ blessing and that trust his story. But they could certainly have fun with the dream sequences and, of course, re-interpreting Freddy.

I wouldn’t mind playing a cameo; it would be interesting to see if I could play the dream psychiatrist, I have heard that there is an interesting script regarding a prequel to the original going around. But let’s face it — I’m not a kid anymore…I could probably don the makeup, but they would certainly need a stunt double for the action stuff. I’m only good for about one take; then I get kind of sore

I am glad to see that Mr. Englund has no bad feelings in regards to not being offered the role of Krueger.

Michael Bay also produced and raked in the big bucks with recent remakes of “The Hills Have Eyes” and “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” so this is sure to be a hit. Both of those films helped to reboot the horror film genre a few years ago. Unfortunately for every good remake like “The Hills Have Eyes” we get a crappy sequel like “The Hills Have Eyes 2″.

As a horror movie fan I am extremely excited for the news of a “Nightmare on Elm Street” remake. I just hope that the filmmakers do not make the same mistakes that Rob Zombie did with his 2007 “Halloween” remake. If time has told us anything it is that remakes usually do not work. I for one hope that “Elm Street” will kick this curse and really be a great slasher film like the original was.

Chromeo is a dance friendly electrofunk duo based in Montreal and New York City. Chromeo is Dave 1 and P-Thugg, also known as David Macklovitch and Patrick Gemayel. They are two best friends that have been doing music together since they were kids.

Chromeo have virtually no knowledge of contemporary electronic or dance-orientated music. Chromeo’s influences include but are not limited to: Zapp, Bronski Beat, Guns N’ Roses and Timex Social Club, Kraftwerk and Led Zeppelin.

Expect to hear a lot of analog synths, rock guitars, 808’s, rhodes and talk box on their 2004 CD “She’s In Control”. Highlights off of their debut album include the club tracks “Needy Girl”, “Mercury Tears”, “Rage!”, and “Destination: Overdrive”. I look forward to seeing their live show at this year’s Coachella Music Festival in Indio, CA.

Adele is yet another English soul and jazz singer, already being called the next Amy Winehouse in the U.K. by critics and the press. According to Wikipedia.com she is the first recipient of the Brit Awards Critics’ Choice, which was given to artists who at the time had yet to release an album.

My first reaction to reading an article on this artist was, “god not another British pop artist!” But leave it to the British to churn out another pitch perfect funky soul singer like Adele. I am already a fan of her super cute “Chasing Pavement” song and music video.

Check out the cute and spunky “Chasing Pavement” music video by Adele below:

GRADE: A

Thank goodness for Mika’s fresh brand of bouncy Euro-pop! His debut album “Life In Cartoon Motion” is a sugar-sweet pop masterpiece. The album is full of catchy, memorable singles that are instantly ingrained into your pop culture conscience. This new innovative sound translates very well onto the stage. Mika’s performance at The Warfield last Tuesday was a masterful production with many surprises.

The first thing I noticed was how multi-talented Mika is as a performer. The Broadway-style set designs and costumes only highlight the talent expressed though his crisp singing and stage presence. Right away I noticed that Mika performs eerily like Freddie Mercury. His vocal style and fun energy were completely infectious and made me as giddy as a school girl.

Which brings me to another point: Mika has a lot of teen fans. Most of them stayed in the balcony area, but it was obvious that his fan base is made up mostly of young girls. Throughout the concert hall the hormone-filled screams of little girls echoed. It was hard not to get caught up in the excitement of it all.

Mika’s colorful and imaginative performance was very similar to a Flaming Lips concert I went to two years ago. The confetti, costumes, streamers, balloons and set designs created an experience beyond just a regular rock concert. Songs like “Love Today” and “Relax (Take It Easy)” were enhanced by the vibrant theatrics presented on stage.

It was as if Mika and company were able to fit an amusement park on stage and the crowd went along for the scream-filled ride with the enthusiasm of a 12 year old! I would recommend that you go out of your way to see Mika live if possible!

WATCH MIKA PERFORM “BIG GIRL, YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL” BY CLICKING BELOW:

WATCH MIKA PERFORM “BILLY BROWN” BY CLICKING BELOW:

WATCH MIKA PERFORM “LOVE TODAY” BY CLICKING BELOW:

Every year there are at least one or two cuts made by the judges on the top 24 show with which American Idol fans strongly disagree. Last night the judges really pissed off some “American Idol” fans by eliminating fan favorite Josiah Leming. During Hollywood week, Josiah delivered again with Mika’s “Grace Kelly” which was my favorite Hollywood audition.

Josiah Leming seemed to be a judge favorite until his shaky rendition of “Stand By Me.” Judges say Leming -who lives in his car and at times sings with a faux British accent- is too confident for his own good.

I disagree 100% with the judges final decision. After the American Idol top 24 show officially revealed that Josiah was cut, the American Idol message board was overrun with upset fans.

Josiah offered up a fresh new sound to this tired and stale competition. Not only were his innocent good looks sure to win over the hearts of the teen set, but his charismatic personality and original take on music would have been a fresh breath of air!

As for the other contestants, there were no surprises when the final 24 were announced. Let’s hope we get to see more of Josiah out in the real music world where he belongs anyway!

WATCH JOSIAH LEMING PERFORM A COVER OF MIKA’S “GRACE KELLY” ON AMERICAN IDOL BELOW:

“Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” is scheduled for a worldwide release on May 22, 2008. It will be directed by Steven Spielberg, executive produced by George Lucas and starring Harrison Ford.

Producer Frank Marshall has confirmed that the film is set in 1957, making it nineteen years since “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade”, thus acknowledging the real-life passing of years between films.

Set in 1957, this fourth film in the Indiana Jones film series has an older and wiser version of Indy battling agents of the Soviet Union—led by Spalko (Cate Blanchett)—for the crystal skull.

Indy is assisted by his former lover Marion Ravenwood (Karen Allen) as well as the greaser Mutt (Shia LaBeouf) and fellow archaeologist Mac (Ray Winstone). John Hurt and Jim Broadbent also play fellow academics.

I am so excited to see Cate Blanchett in this film as a Soviet villain, what a perfect casting decision by Lucas and company! Seeing Karen Allen back is also another huge treat for fans of the film series. By the looks of this magnificent trailer the “Indiana Jones” franchise is alive and kicking! I predict this movie will break all records when it is released this summer!

(FROM LEFT; SHIA LABEOUF, STEVEN SPIELBERG, RAY WINSTONE, HARRISON FORD, KAREN ALLEN)

“That’s How People Grow Up” is the genius new single by British singer Morrissey which was taken off of his upcoming “Greatest Hits” CD. For those of you who have not been reading this blog long, he is my all time favorite singer. The song is composed by long time Morrissey guitarist Boz Boorer.

It features fellow artist Kristeen Young, who supported Morrissey throughout a large part of his 2006/2007 tours, on vocals. I went to 3 Morrissey shows last year on a tour my good friend calls “Tourrissey”. I plan on seeing Morrissey as many times as possible whenever he comes my way.

This most recent single and music video by the “King of Mope” is classic Moz. Morrissey has been able to keep the fan and critical momentum of his last two succesful albums. As a die hard Morrissey fan I can say that he has been on a roll for a while now.

Check out the fabulous new Morrissey music video for “That’s How People Grow Up” below:

GRADE: F

I wish I would have seen this disaster in 2007 so that I could have at least added it to my “worst of the year” list. This absolutely ridiculous “interpretation” of the Beatles song catalog is 100% contrived, pretentious and downright corny. I was so unimpressed by creator/director Julie Taymor’s lack of ingenuity it was down right laughable at times.

What really baffles me about this movie is how it divides critics and fans; either you like this movie or you hate it. Currently on RottenTomatoes.com, it is getting a 53% rating by critics. If it isn’t obvious by now, I hated this turd. My favorite critic of all time, Roger Ebert, put it on his “top ten best of 2007″ (must be the illness….too soon?).

In the beginning of “Across the Universe” we meet Jude (of course) and Lucy (duh!), two lost souls from different countries with one thing in common - butchering Beatles classics. Joking aside, this film doesn’t even know what the word “subtle” means. All of the characters and stories taken from the music lyrics are portrayed too literally.

The scenarios and musical numbers in this film come off as so mediocree that they feel like they are from “Grease 2″ and not from a quality screen musical (like last years splendid “Hairsprayâ€?). This movie goes for the easy obvious interpretation of each Beatles song and pounds the sentimental meaning down your throat.

“Across The Universe” is in one word; blasphemy. No real Beatle’s fan in his/her right mind could actually love this silly piece of fluff. I would have rather sat through a Cirque Du Soleil version of this film than watch Eddie Izzard perform “Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite” one more time. The same could be said about U2 frontman Bono’s irritating version of “I Am The Walrus.”

The chaos depicted on screen doesn’t represent anything about the Beatles in my opinion. The only thing I may have mildly enjoyed in this film was the charismatic (if not overblown) performances of Rachel Evan Wood (as Lucy) and Jim Sturgess (as Jude). Most of the actors on screen just come off as college theater majors, overacting in every scene with gusto.

Julie Taymor should stick to her Broadway roots and definitely not do another “artistic” rendering of another big screen musical. Her creative and artistic abilities are well better suited for the stage then in Hollywood. And if time has taught us anything it is that we should leave the Beatles’ music the way it is and quit trying to reinvent the wheel.

GRADE: B-

GRADE: B-

Cat Power’s last CD “The Greatest” made a bold and honest statement in 2006 when it was released to huge critical acclaim. Lead singer Chan Marshall has a rich and textured voice that has a haunting effect live in concert. Marshall also has a sexy look that is unmatched in rock n’ roll today. This latest collection of covers and B sides by Chan and company isn’t as poignant or as moving as their last collection of tunes, but it works on many levels.

The rat pack staple “New York” has never sounded so eerily dark and ominous. Marshall’s bluesy take on the old classic is pretty ingenious. Songs like “Metal Heart” (a cover of the band’s own song) and “Woman Left Lonely” sound like they were plucked right from the band’s last effort “The Greatest”. “I Believe In You” has a tight arrangement and biting rock sound that make it the perfect stoner track.

CAT POWER’S LEAD SINGER CHAN MARSHALL

“Silver Stallion” is a slow track that bogs the CD down with its melancholy guitar riffs. The same can be said for slow tempo tracks such as “Don’t Explain” and “Lord Help the Poor & The Needy.” Just as soon as these songs start to make you feel a bit depressed, a song like “Ramblin’ (Wo)Man” reminds you how much you love Chan Marshall’s cloudy and captivating voice.

“Song to Bobby” is one of the album’s sweeter tracks with a great backing piano and underlined folk guitar creating a soft melody. “Lost Someone” is the perfect slow dance song with a 50’s Buddy Holly guitar sound and romantic hook.

The song “Blue” goes for a gospel sound with a funky keyboard and a fabulous build up and sexy tone. “Aretha, Sing One For Me” is the most obvious and playful cover on this c.d. You can almost picture Marshall having a conversation with the “Queen of Soul” herself.

CAT POWER’S LEAD SINGER CHAN MARSHALL

I liked this album, but I didn’t love it as much as the band’s breakthrough c.d. “The Greatest.” I guess it is hard to hold these works up to each other for comparison as they are two different pieces of art. But still, I was hoping for a bit more continuity with these tracks.

Although they come from many different inspirations, the songs assimilated here feel a little too busy and all over the place. That said, this is great driving or background music for those chilled-out moments in life when you just need to hear bare bones guitar music.

WATCH CAT POWER PERFORM “NEW YORK” BELOW:

WATCH CAT POWER PERFORM “METAL HEART” BELOW:

GRADE: D

I generally love most of Jodie Foster’s movies, the girl can still open a movie at number one on top of the box office after all these years. I loved “Panic Room” and didn’t hate “Flightplan”, but her last movie with Spike Lee titled “Inside Man” was a massive snore-fest. It really pains me so much to say that this most recent outing by Foster is trashy, silly and too dark for it’s own good. Not even Oscar nominee Terrence Howard can save this mess.

Like a dragged out Lifetime made for TV movie starring either Meredith Baxter-Birney or Nancy McKeon, “The Brave One” comes off like an amateurish snuff film with no real point to it. I am all for female empowerment films, but the unbelievable plot and laughable dialog cannot keep this movie from going into campy territory (and not in a good way)!

As the movie unfolds we watch Jodie’s character suffer one unrealistic dangerous situation after another, and soon we start rooting for the bad guys. The film becomes absurd half way through as Foster becomes a Charles Bronson like vigilante with a grudge against “evil-doers” she just happens to bump into. Watching Foster chew up the scenery gets old after a while and I found myself feeling dirty and irritated towards the movie’s final frames.

This movie is not even mildly entertaining, but it is an absolute mess through and through. From the unbelievable casting of “Lost” actor Naveen Andrews as Foster’s love interest to the unnecessary graphic violence, “The Brave One” loses its way by blending mellow drama with a revenge fantasy. I say skip this movie and watch re-runs of crappy Lifetime or Hallmark movies starring Tori Spelling instead, you may get more laughs!

BOX OFFICE TOTAL THIS WEEKEND / TOTAL SO FAR

1.) Fool’s Gold $22,010,000 / $22,010,000

2.) Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins $17,132,000 / $17,132,000

3.) Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus $10,508,000 / $53,390,000

4.) The Eye $6,630,000 / $21,521,000

5.) Juno $5,725,000 / $117,630,000

6.) 27 Dresses $5,700,000 / $65,369,000

7.) The Bucket List $5,340,000 / $75,058,000

8.) Rambo $4,110,000 / $36,504,000

9.) Meet the Spartans $4,075,000 / $33,915,000

10.) There Will Be Blood $4,073,000 / $26,782,000

GRADE: A

First off, I want to thank photographer (and Robyn fan) Monica Ortiz for the fabulous pictures posted in this blog! You rock my world sweetie! These pictures are awesome!

Every now and then a pop artist comes along that blows away all preconceived notions about how cheesy and affected pop music is. Robyn is in the same high fun pop concept category as other European chantueses like Jem, Annie, Rachel Stevens, Lily Allen, Kate Nash and Goldfrapp. These girls are able to keep intact the infectious main stream nature of pop music while expressing a new artistic sound that is ahead of its time.

I have been waiting for this Robyn concert since the late 90’s when she broke onto the scene the same summer as The Spice Girls, Britney and Christina. For some reason Robyn didn’t survive the tidal wave of pop acts that surged during the late 90’s.

But over in her native country of Sweden and across Europe she put out two innovative and R&B infused discs that were hits; “My Truth” and “Don’t Stop The Music”. Of course, we here in the states never got a chance to hear this music.

Robyn performed some tunes off of both of these older albums like “Don’t Stop The Music” and “Keep This Fire Burning” as well as her classic breakthrough pop song “Show Me Love”. Most of the concert ’s track listing was comprised of songs from her new, ridiculously creative and catchy album “Robyn”.

Songs like “Konichiwa Bitches”, “With Every Heartbeat”, “Cobrastyle” and “Be Mine” sounded as crisp and revolutionary as they do on her c.d. The experience in it’s self was artistically masterful and fine tuned.

Robyn’s voice live in person sounded just as clear and crisp as it does on her albums, if not better. The uber tiny space of Popscene at 330 Ritch here in S.F. was the perfect intimate space to hear these tunes.

I not only recommend that people see Robyn, but that they go out of their way to listen to her new c.d. and to see her live if they get the chance. It has been a long time since pop music has been this fun, smart and fashion forward.

Robyn is the queen of a new sound that fuses rap, techno, disco and R&B to meld together into a perfect orhcestra of smart bubblegum pop. This show couldn’t have highlighted these qualities any better.

WATCH YOU TUBE FAN FOOTAGE OF THE CONCERT BELOW (I AM THE GAY SPAZ JUMPING UP AND DOWN TO THE LEFT OF THE SCREEN):

Vampire Weekend is an indie rock band from New York City who’s single “A-Punk” is already a U.K. top ten staple. The song was #67 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 100 Best Songs of 2007.

The members of the band Ezra Koenig, Rostam Batmanglij, Chris Tomson, and Chris Baio met while attending Columbia University. I look forward to seeing these guys at Coachella this year!

WATCH VAMPIRE WEEKEND’S “A-PUNK” MUSIC VIDEO BELOW:

“Diary of the Dead” (also known as George A. Romero’s Diary of the Dead) is a horror film by George A. Romero. It was independently produced, but will be distributed by Dimension Films and is set to be released on February 15, 2008.

The film’s plot follows a group of film students who are making an independent horror film when they become trapped in a world being consumed by flesh-eating zombies. They then turn their attention toward making the film into a documentary on their personal horror experiences.

I am a HUGE zombie movie fan and I think this twist is brilliant idea for this film! It’s like “Cloverfield” for zombies, or “the Blair Witch Project” meets “Dawn of the Dead”. How cool is that? Check out the freaky trailer below:

With no military experience, knowledge or expertise, Morgan Spurlock (director and writer of “Super Size Me”) sets off to do what the CIA, FBI and countless bounty hunters have failed to do: find the world’s most wanted man, Osama bin Laden.

But before he finds Osama bin Laden, he first needs to learn where he came from, what makes him tick, and most importantly, what exactly created bin Laden to begin with. This movie trailer is hilarious, even if Spurlock is disingenuous for laughs sake, this is a great premise for a documentary.