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The Hollywood Reporter says that counterculture icon Emily the Strange is on the road to the big screen, with Dark Horse Entertainment president Mike Richardson coming on board to produce a feature film that would tell the origin of the gothic figure and her four mysterious cats. Skateboarder Rob Reger created the character in the early 1990s.

“Emily’s” connection with Richardson comes from the comic book line Dark Horse publishes. The company began publishing the title in 2005, with “Emily the Strange #1: Chairman of the Bored,” which was followed by several other popular miniseries.

“Emily herself is very appealing little girl, there’s an edge to her,” Richardson said. “There is something very alluring to her image; people see it and respond to it immediately.”

Richardson, who’s been a producer on such films as “Hellboy” and its upcoming sequel as well as “30 Days of Night”, said he and Reger will be looking for a filmmaker who “gets the character.”

The project has not yet set-up at a studio, though Universal is a contender as Dark Horse has a first-look deal there. It has not been determined whether the movie will be live-action, animation, or a combination of the two.

In addition to the backstory and her cats, the movie will also have 13 new characters with names like Earwig, Umlaut, McFreeley and Officer Summers. The story forms the basis of an “Emily” young adult novel, which will be published next year by HarperCollins.

“Narrow Stairs” is the seventh studio album by rock band Death Cab for Cutie, I will be reviewing it next week. Here is the music video for the first single off of the album titled “I Will Possess Your Heart”, released on March 18, 2008. This building and dark single is Death Cab For Cutie at it’s best, I’m excited to hear the full length album!

THE PLOT:
A war of wills takes place between two men who want to run the same grocery store in “The Promotion”, a comedy from writer and director Steve Conrad. Doug (Seann William Scott) is a seemingly ordinary guy who works as the assistant manager of a supermarket near Chicago.

When the owners of the market announce they’re opening a new branch near Doug’s neighborhood, he applies to become manager of the new store, and both he and his wife (Jenna Fischer) assume he’s a shoo-in to get the job.

But Richard (John C. Reilly), a gregarious recent hire at the store who has relocated to Illinois from Canada, announces he’s also applying for the management position, and a keen rivalry develops between Doug and Richard even as they strive to act like friends on the surface.

As the competition grows between Doug and Richard, their personality flaws become increasingly evident — Doug’s short temper, Richard’s history of drug abuse — and when Richard’s wife (Lili Taylor) leaves him, the contest starts taking an uncomfortable turn.

GRADE: D

“Denise Richards: It’s Complicated’ is an American reality-based television series that debuted on E! on May 26, 2008. This is the second series to be produced by Ryan Seacrest Productions, following “Keeping Up with the Kardashians”.

In this series, the program details the daily lives of actress Denise Richards, her children Sam and Lola, and her family (her married younger sister Michelle and father Irv), as she deals with her career and the publicity she has received since her divorce from actor Charlie Sheen.

I am here to report that Denise Richards is anything but complicated, she is however vapid and fake. This televised train wreck is painful to watch, but part of me couldn’t change the channel. Even though this is touted as a “reality” show, Denise Richards should be nominated for a Bad Acting Razzie for her portrayal of herself.

After witnessing her try to breed a pet pig, trash talk celebrities she has burned, go on a blind date, get spray tanned and buy a barbecue grill I can say Denise Richards’ life is as interesting as watching paint dry.

As we watch Denise put her grieving father and confused daughters (from Sheen) on display for her own success we can’t help but wonder what deal producer Ryan Seacrest made with the devil to get this show on the air. Her admitting that she loves bad boy actor and rock stars with big dicks was the only moment that made me laugh.

“Denise Richards: It’s Complicated” belongs in the same trash bin as “Britney & Kevin: Chaotic”, “The Anna Nicole Smith Show” and “Being Bobby Brown”. This show isn’t even fun trash TV, its down right garbage.

Finally, MTV’s “The Hills” has lost its “worst show on television” crown to this trite display of celebrity ego’s. Tonight’s debut of Lindsay Lohan’s mom and sister’s reality show titled “Living Lohan” may trump them both. Stay tuned!

WATCH THE TRAILER FOR E! NETWORK’S “DENISE RICHARDS: IT’S COMPLICATED” REALITY TV SHOW BELOW:

LISTEN TO A NON-STOP MIX OF OVER 100 OF MY FAVORITE TUNES WITH NO REPEATS!

CLICK THE “STREAMING MUSIC” TAB IN THE CATEGORY SECTION TO THE RIGHT TO LISTEN TO PAST JUKEBOXES!

TERRENCE TRENT D’ARBY - “DELICATE” (1993)

EMF - “LIES” (1991)

PAULA ABDUL - “VIBEOLOGY” (1992)

B-ROCK AND THE BIZZ - “MY BABY DADDY” (1997)

**1/2 STARS

It has taken over 20 years for the latest “Indiana Jones” to come to theaters, and except for the entire “buzz” that has surrounded it, “The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” just feels like another bloated big budget popcorn flick that is crushed under the weight of all of its own bells and whistles. I love the “Jones” franchise and I wanted this film to live up to the hype, but I couldn’t help but feel that this movie won’t elicite the same compulsive multi-viewings as it’s three predecessor’s do.

It is sad to say that the fuzzy memories, the familar characters and even John Williams familiar score can’t save “The Crystal Skull” from an over explained premise, silly plot drivers and an over the top ending. What this film has going for it is it’s sweet sense of humor and Harrison Ford’s charm. Even at his age, Ford is able to keep up with the non-stop action, making it look seamless. Also, Cate Blanchet was inspired casting as the evil Communist set on finding the crystal skull’s secrets.

There were three key scenes in “Indiana Jones 4″ that had me rolling my eyes and feeling as if Spielberg created blasphemy, but I can’t give these spoilers away on this blog. Let’s just say that the addition of Shia Labeouf may have made this movie just a tad too silly for its own good. The action is superb, it’s the quieter moments that had me cringing.

I walked out of this movie happy to see old friends, but also asking myself “was the whole thing even necessary”? Lastly, the movie was way too long and it felt forced at points in the middle, but the whole nostalgia behind the franchise and character make it worth the viewing experience on the big screen. I’m just afraid that out of all 4, this one will not hold up to the test of time.

OK …I am so excited to be posting this…because I have been waiting for five months for this CD to be released and I was able to get my hands on the Japanese import of Cyndi Lauper’s new CD “Bring Ya to the Brink”. It contains all new material, and it’s fucking wonderful.

This all dance beat CD is what I have been waiting for. I have been wanting Cyndi to do put out an album like this for a long time. You can actually feel the happy vibes pooring out from her on this CD. Weird I know…but I can feel it.

On this CD she works with (from Wikipedia); “Lauper has written songs with dance legends Basement Jaxx, Digital Dog, Dragonette and Kleerup (who also worked with ROBYN) and more.”

There has been a lot of crap on the net about Cyndi going all “dance” on this one CD. I think it’s a brilliant move. She’s an artist and whats great about being an artist is exploring new ways to be more creative. Look at Madonna and look how many times she has worked herself over to try something new. “Brink” CD hits the US on May 27th….and it’s definatley worth putting in your collection.

Songs on the CD are:

1.) “High and Mighty” (Her voice is nice and deep..with a booty stomp-in beat that gets you in the mood to start dancing).

2.) “Into the Night Life” (My fave fave song on this CD. reminds me of good times at a club. the chorus is beautiful. and her voice sounds great).

3.) “Rocking Chair” (This one has grown on me. It feels like an African style dance song. My favorite line in the song is “Look at the Romeo boys/ they will be dancing/ with the cha cha girls”).

4.) “Echo” (Another fave on this CD. speaks about going through a busy day with a trancey tip to it).

5.) “Lyfe” (This tune is just OK for me…it almost doesn’t seem to go with the rest of the CD. But this one will grow on me).

6.) “Same Ol’ Fucking Story” (This is the first single off of the CD. It was already starting controversy because the main chorus in this song is “it’s the same ol fuckin story. One for me two for you…it’s the same of fuckin story”. I love it. It’s a saying you hear a lot. It is burning up the dance charts. It’s got a funky disco dance beat to it. This also puts a “warning sticker” on the CD, but you can get it with out the curse word in it too).

7.) “Raging Storm” (Talks about celebrities and their lives and having it all and losing it. I think she hits a tone on Ms. Britney Spears in a line where she says, “but you better not do a bad show..on MTV”. This song is alright).

8.) “Lay Me Down” (Reminds of a song you would hear in a lounge type of setting..chilling out with some friends).

9.) “Give It Up” (With a break from all of the slowish type songs this will get your body moving again..strong beat and good song that makes wanna scream “GIVE IT UP”…good workout song).

10.) “Set Your Heart” (Every time I hear this song I keep expecting to hear Barry whites voice to come in some where…she sang this song at the true colors tour last year…it’s got the horns and that Barry disco beat to it).

11.) “Grab a Hold” (Another one of my faves….reminds me of something that would have appeared on her she so unusual record. It’s a sweet song of telling some one that she is always going to be there for them and not to give up you’ll see her soon. Her voice sounds cute and little in the beginning , but very powerful for the chorus).

12.) “Rain on Me” (This is a nice relaxing song to end this CD if you get the US version. OK not relaxing, but kind of chill out).

**Bonus Songs (only on the Japanese import)**

13.) “Got Candy” (I really wish this CD was on the US version, but I’ll have both so I’m not worried…but I fucking love this song. It’s got an Asian feel to it but a really good beat that I can’t describe. Every time I listen to it I am istantly happy. I believe the song is about a person who just ends up finding the happiness that they deserve).

14.) “Can’t Breathe” (I also wish this song was on the US version too it’s like a little throw back to “I’m gonna be strong”…she sounds scared and alone and that anxiety has hit her. You feel it, because you have been there before).

SO GO OUT AND BUY THIS CD..YOU SO WON’T REGRET IT…and thanks for reading.

“Australia” is an upcoming period epic film directed by Baz Luhrmann. Written by Luhrmann and screenwriter Stuart Beattie with Ronald Harwood also later credited, “Australia” stars Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman.

The story takes place during the bombing of Darwin in Australia during World War II. Production took place in Sydney, Darwin, Kununurra, and Bowen. The movie will be released on November 13, 2008 in Australia, and on November 14, 2008 in the United States.

NICOLE KIDMAN & HUGH JACKMAN

The movie takes place during World War II, where Lady Sarah Ashley (Nicole Kidman - an English aristocrat) is left in control of a cattle station in Australia. She is assisted by an Australian drover (Hugh Jackman), with whom she becomes romantically interested. He helps to drive the cattle across the property as they are under the threat of nearby Darwin being bombed.

Luhrmann’s breathtaking visual style made “Moulin Rouge” a groundbreaking musical, can he do the same for the sweeping epic period piece? The scope and look of this trailer have me drooling already. I smell Oscar nominations! Watch the gorgeous trailer below:

DR. JONES IS BACK!
EXCITING NEW ADVENTURE
PLUS ONE HOT LEBOEUF

(thank you Claudia Pierce for this week’s Haiku!)

“Violet Hill” is the new single from Coldplay’s forthcoming studio album titled “Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends.” This song was released as the first single from the album just last week and it already is climbing the charts.

“Violet Hill” was downloaded for nothing by over 600,000 people in the 24 hours since it was made available at 12:15pm on 29 April. In the subsequent week, the single was downloaded 2 million times from the Coldplay website.

*** STARS

As a youngster I was in love with the Narnia books. At the time my innocent mind made no connections to the thinly veiled Christian propaganda that C.S. Lewis is so famous for incorporating into the series. Thankfully “Prince Caspian” doesn’t have the same obvious winks and nudges to the story of Jesus and that makes this film a much more authentically fun ride.

The one thing this fantasy series has going for it is the stellar performances by its leading young cast. The four kids in this film have an abundance of charm and wholesome good looks that shows off their ability to react to non existent talking animals in front of a green screen. The effects and make up in this film definitely take a supporting role and they are worth an Oscar nomination come next award season.

The story of “Prince Caspian” takes place 1,200 years after the events of the first movie which allows us to be introduced to a whole new crop of cool creatures and characters. The focus is less on the magic in this movie and more on the mythology of Narnia which makes “Caspian” feel more involved than the rushed set up of “The Lion, the Witch and The Wardrobe.”

The epic battle scenes and “kid friendly” violence in “Caspian” are what movie geeks will really love about this movie. Although we see people being lanced by swords, pummeled by arrows and mauled by talking animals there is no blood shed to be found. After all this is Disney violence folks.

I enjoyed this movie quite a lot a summer popcorn flick, and I was very pleased with the set up for the next film being released in 2010 titled “Voyage of the Dawn Treader.” The “Narnia” films will never be “Lord of the Rings” which is fine. This sort of fun child like fantasy has its place for kids and adult film buffs alike. As a fan of the book series at least I can say it is faithful to the story and what more can you ask?

TAKEN FROM WIKIPEDIA.COM

“City of Ember” is an upcoming film by Walden Media based on the 2003 novel “The City of Ember” by Jeanne Duprau. The novel was adapted by Caroline Thompson, and the film will be directed by Gil Kenan and stars Bill Murray, it will be released on October 10, 2008.

The story follows two kids, Lina and Doon. They live in the City of Ember, where the sky is always dark. As Ember’s power source begins to fail and the lamps start to flicker, they search for clues that will unlock ancient mysteries about the city and save the people of Ember.

The family fantasy film genre has become so oversaturated that even “Prince Caspian” didn’t match expectations. The same thing happened to last years much hyped flops “The Golden Compass” and “The Spiderwick Chronicles”. This movie better contain something we haven’t seen before or it may just become another bloated special effects turd.

BILL MURRAY STARS IN THIS WINTER’S FANTASY FILM TITLED “CITY OF EMBER”

WATCH THE “CITY OF EMBER” MOVIE TRAILER BELOW:

MORRISSEY - “SING YOUR LIFE” (1991)

JESUS JONES - “REAL, REAL, REAL” (1991)

THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS - “BIRDHOUSE IN YOUR SOUL” (1990)

MAZZY STAR - “HALAH” (1991)