Pop Culture Buzz

(THANK YOU DINA HILLIARD FOR THE TWO PICTURES ABOVE)

The Robyn publicity machine is in full gear! The same week she appeared on “The View” Robyn rocked a gig at Bimbo’s in S.F. After attending her fabulous performance at Pop Scene in San Fran a few months ago, I had to see her again at all costs. The buzz and hype that has surrounded Robyn for the past few months was palpable in the small concert venue filled with hot gay boys, dolled up girls and hipsters.

Robyn opened up like a sonic boom with her dark pop song “Cobrastyle” as the crowd jumped up and down in a frenzied rhythm. Robyn then proceeded to play almost all of the songs off of her U.S. self titled breakthrough album. The packed house seemed to know every lyric as the whole place shook from the crowd singing along.

When Robyn performed her ballad “Eclipse” you could feel the relief in the crowd as they collectively catched their breath. The fever pitch of Robyn’s infectious energy reached its height when she sang a stripped down slow tempo version of her late 90’s hit “Show Me Love”.

Robyn is currently the most relevant and forward thinking pop artist out there and this show just cemented this fact. It would be a shame if Robyn’s innovative sound and brilliant song writing don’t hit it big here in the United States. I have the feeling if enough people caught her live and listened to her new CD she could be as big as Britney. I think she has more talent than most of the pop tarts making the air waves these days.

WATCH MY FOOTAGE OF ROBYN PERFORMING “SHOW ME LOVE” @ BIMBO’S ON 5/16/08 IN S.F. BELOW:

WATCH MY FOOTAGE OF ROBYN PERFORMING “BE MINE” @ BIMBO’S ON 5/16/08 IN S.F. BELOW

1.) Narnia: Prince Caspian $56,573,000 / $56,573,000

2.) Iron Man $31,200,000 / $222,485,000

3.) What Happens in Vegas $13,850,000 / $40,308,000

4.) Speed Racer $7,640,000 / $29,807,000

5.) Baby Mama $4,590,000 / $47,253,000

6.) Made of Honor $4,500,000 / $33,701,000

7.) Forgetting Sarah Marshall $2,540,000 / $55,067,000

8.) Harold & Kumar 2 $1,800,000 / $33,901,000

9.) The Forbidden Kingdom $997,000 / $50,300,000

10.) The Visitor $687,000 / $3,403,000

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!

THE DAVIDS BATTLE
ON AMERICAN IDOL
DOES ANYONE CARE?

TONY! TONI! TONE! - “FEELS GOOD” (1990)

SKID ROW - “18 & LIFE” (1989)

RICHARD MARX - “HAZARD” (1991)

BETTY BOO - “WHERE ARE YOU BABY?” (1990)

TAKEN FROM WIKIPEDIA

“Blindness” is an upcoming dramatic thriller film that is an adaptation of the 1995 novel “Blindness” by José Saramago about a society suffering an epidemic of blindness. The film is written by Don McKellar and directed by Fernando Meirelles with Julianne Moore and Mark Ruffalo as the stars.

The novel’s author originally refused to sell rights for a film adaptation, not wanting it to fall into the wrong hands. Meirelles was able to acquire rights with the condition that the film would be set in an unrecognizable city. The director chose São Paulo as the primary backdrop for Blindness, though scenes were also filmed in Toronto, Canada and Montevideo, Uruguay.

With all the characters aside from Julianne Moore’s character being blind, the cast was trained to simulate blindness. Meirelles also stylized the film to reflect the lack of point-of-view that the characters would experience. “Blindness” will premiere as the opening film at the Cannes Film Festival on May 14, 2008, and the film is commercially scheduled for limited release in the United States on September 12, 2008.

JULIANNE MOORE STARS IN “BLINDNESS”

WATCH THE “BLIDNESS” MOVIE TRAILER BELOW:

FROM WIKIPEDIA.COM

“The X-Files: I Want to Believe” is the second feature film based on the TV series The X-Files, following the 1998 film. The sequel is directed by the television series creator, Chris Carter, and written by Carter and Frank Spotnitz. The film was first anticipated in November 2001 to follow the conclusion of the ninth season of the TV series, but it remained in development hell for six years before entering production in December 2007 in Vancouver.

The stars of the TV series, David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson, return to reprise their roles as Fox Mulder and Dana Scully. The premise of the film is not yet publicly known, but many of those involved, including Carter, Duchovny and 20th Century Fox, have spoken of the film as one that would stand alone and be apart from the “mythology” of the television series. The film is currently scheduled to be released on July 25, 2008.

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!

1.) Iron Man $50,500,000 / $177,134,000

2.) Speed Racer $20,210,000 / $20,210,000

3.) What Happens in Vegas $20,000,000 / $20,000,000

4.) Made of Honor $7,600,000 / $26,275,000

5.) Baby Mama $5,770,000 / $40,381,000

6.) Forgetting Sarah Marshall $3,778,000 / $50,723,000

7.) Harold & Kumar 2 $3,155,000 / $30,716,000

8.) The Forbidden Kingdom $1,900,000 / $48,261,000

9.) Nim’s Island $1,325,000 / $44,257,000

10.) Redbelt $1,140,000 / $1,237,000

Welcome to another new guest blogger section of Pop Culture Buzz titled “Mariah Vision” written by my long time high school friend Mariah McGill. Last week I introduced you to another guest blogger segment called “Yeah, I Said It” and now this week I want a lesbian womans perspective on the new Madge CD.

Below is Mariah’s guest review of “Hard Candy”. With all of the rave reviews, it’s good to see not everyone in the gay community is praising this new album. With all of the press though it looks like Madonna has another hit on her hands (”Hard Candy” debuted at #1 on Billboard last week)!

OK….so I downloaded the latest Madonna CD “Hard Candy�. I have to say the title reminds me of the raver days of hard techno beats. I don’t like the cover, mainly because I have seen Madonna look better. I must admit that I do own a couple of Madonna’s CD’s, but I’m not running out to get them as I would a Cyndi Lauper CD. I’ve always had this stupid little hate toward Madonna because I am such a huge Cyndi Lauper fan.

Usually, it takes me a couple of radio plays for me to like a Madonna song. I am still having a hard time adjusting to the first single “4 minutes�. It is almost as if she had Justin Timberlake and Timbaland on the song to get the song noticed. I love Timbaland’s work, but I feel this song is a mess.

I tried listening to the CD and I’ m saying tried, but nothing was really catching my attention to this CD. Her voice sounded the same in every song, most of the songs sounded like midi files or a keyboard full of sounds composed into a song beat. I can see myself dancing to some of them if they were mixed.

I did find myself bouncing my head a little bit and that song was “Dance 2night�. I could see myself dancing around my apartment or anywhere the song is played and shaking it for a bit. You can definitely hear the London music influence, but there is a lot of good dance music in London that probably would have been a better fit for this CD.

We all know Madonna can reinvent herself for anything. She’s dabbled in it all. She’s a business woman and knows how to get attention for herself when she needs it. So on a scale of 1 to 10 and 10 being good….I’d have to give it a 3. The CD gave me a headache. Midi songs just don’t work for me as good dance beats or synthesized voices.

No One Could Predict
The Mess That Became Known As
Speed Racer The Film

** STARS

I am sad to announce that the first official disappointment of the summer season is here, although it doesn’t land with a thud, the distinct whimper of a so-so movie can be heard within the 2 hours of this film. The idea of a “Speed Racer” movie sounded like a great idea, but even the creators of “The Matrix” (The Wachowski Brothers) can’t muster up enough imagination to keep me on the edge of my seat with their latest outing.

If it wasn’t for the eye popping visuals, some semi-good acting (by Emille Hirsch and Matthew Fox) and the neon drenched special effects I wouldn’t be able to halfway recommend this movie at all. “Speed Racer” eventually becomes hampered by its paper thin plot and slapstick moments with Chim-Chim and Speed Racer’s annoying little brother Spritle.

I wouldn’t be surprised if young adults and teens flock to this film, it is being marketed like soda or candy, and much like those things this movie is the equivalent of junk food. Its fun to consume in the beginning, but it eventually leaves you feeling a bit empty and loaded down. It’s a shame that the visuals became the selling point and main gimmick in “Speed Racer, with a great story this could have been an exhilarating ride.

This summer is chock full of enormous films and I’d like to save you some cash by recommending that you wait to see this movie until it comes out onto DVD. If you want to be dazzled by great effects and get the full summer experience from your blockbuster’s then rush out to see “Iron Man”, because “Speed Racer” doesn’t deliver on the goods it promises.

DIRECTOR JOHN WATERS

STORY FROM THE HOLLYWOODREPORTER.COM

Johnny Knoxville and Parker Posey are attached to star in John Waters’ Christmas children’s film “Fruitcake.”

This Is That Prods. and Killer Films are producing “Fruitcake,” which once was set up at New Line. ThinkFilm is said to be in talks to come aboard.

John Waters is my favorite director and if anyone can pull off a warm hearted and quirky family film, he can. After all, his major hit “Hairspray” is ratd PG and it is a true family classic with all of Waters signature gross out moments and campy style to boot! I cannot wait to see “Fruitcake” in theaters this holiday season!

JOHNNY KNOXVILLE

PARKER POSEY

Welcome to a new editorial section of Pop Culture Buzz called “Yeah, I Said It” written by a good friend of mine (who is also a “pop whore”) Stephen A. Marchi. He is currently galavanting across Europe to see the one and only pint sized gay diva herself, Miss Kylie Minogue!

I have asked Stephen to review Madonna’s “Hard Candy” because he is one of Madge’s biggest fans and he has a fabulous sense of pop culture taste…I will forgive him for his love of Britney. But that is why I have asked him to join my blog as a guest blogger once in a while, I need another perspective to spice things up.

I personally agree with Stephen’s reviews for each of these songs, he hits the nail right on the head. I currently can’t stop playing “Give It To Me”. I give Madonna’s “Hard Candy” a solid B+, it is already one of my favorite albums of 2008. Check out Stephen’s mini-review below and keep your eyes peeled for more “Yeah, I Said It” postings!

YEAH I SAID IT!
By Stephen A. Marchi

MADONNA - “HARD CANDY”

Candy Shop: Probs my least favorite track off the album. Turkish Delight?? Only Parker Posey can say ‘Turkish Delight’ in my book - Party Girl. He he Hello! Too Pharrell’ish.

4 Minutes: Loves it! And it does sound like a Justin Timberlake track, HOWEVER, it’s a Madonna Track - peeps need to get over it. There are a lot of Madonna’isms in it. Especially her singing/yelling ‘YEAAAAH’ And “sometimes I think I need a you Intervention.” The road to hell is paved with good intentions…YEAAAAH. And the video is BRILLS. Love those French boy directors.

Give It To Me: Love the beat and it’s the second single off the album. She’s already filmed the video. Have you seen the video on YouTube where’s she’s vacuuming telling Miley Cyrus/others to keep up the good work on spoofing ‘4 Minutes’? Again, BRILLS. Madge is reaching out to her younger audience.

Heartbeat: Sounds like a song off Kylie’s new album X. Very 80’s sounding. Solid Track.

Miles Away: Ode to Guy Ritchie - seems like their marriage is better when they’re Miles Apart. It works for some peeps and with a force like Madonna, it probs has too. Another Solid Track.

She’s Not Me: Ok, love this song. I believe she’s totes talking about Guy Ritchie’s girlfriend before they were a couple. Hmmm, maybe a counter-attack to Robbie Williams/PetShopBoy’s ‘She’s Madonna’ (loves that song and video).

Incredible: Ok track. Fun, light, airy. To me, sounds very early 90’s.

Beat Goes On: The Beat is Hip/Hop. Ok song, very Pharrell..AGAIN Oh and a cameo by Kayne West. Not a big fan of ‘I deserve every award’ West. Still love it. It’s Madonna.

Dance2Night: Another Justin Timberlake track. It’s ok.

Spanish Lesson: Another Madonna Spanish song. What kind I say…it’s ok. It will grow on you. However, I don’t need a Spanish Lesson.

Devil Wouldn’t Recognize You: Love, LOVE, LOVE this song. Great beat, ominous. Overall, an awesome song. I keep listening to this song over and over. This song with her last song on the album are slower, which I love when Madge sings slower songs. She’s good at ballads.

Voices: “Who is the Master, Who is the slave” as Justin T begins this song. And then….the BEST beat on the album!!! This is my FAV song on the album. It’s got great lyrics, beats, and a genius ending for her ending relationship with Warner Bros. It’s almost like an end to a Musical or Opera. Hands down a FEROCH SONG! OMG, it’s really good.

Well, that’s my TWO CENTS! I love it, I love Madonna, and I love “Hard Candy”! She can do no wrong in my book! FRESH!

YEAH, I SAID IT!
Stephen A. Marchi

LISTEN TO MADONNA’S NEW ALBUM BELOW:

*** STARS

A lot of people will dismiss “Baby Mama” as a fluffy chick flick based on the previews. As a huge fan of both Tina Fey and Amy Poehler’s I am so glad to report that this film is a sweet comedy with a huge heart and lots of charm. The jokes in this movie are nowhere near as raunchy or dirty as they are in recent adult comedies like “Forgetting Sarah Marshall”, but they work in creating lots of laughs.

It is Poehler and Fey’s chemistry alone that lifts this film from mediocrity and DVD obscurity. “Baby Mama” has been certified as a hit and critics have generally been won over by the duo’s hilarious banter and onscreen relationship. I think both ladies have a great chance at becoming decent film actresses if they pick roles that compliment their spot on comedic timing.

Tina Fey and Greg Kinnear also have a cute and believable relationship in this movie as love interest’s that doesn’t take up too much screen time. The main focus in “Baby Mamaâ€? is always on the great one liners and Poehler’s clumsy down to earth performance as the white trash surrogate to Fey’s lonesome professional single woman.

Even though this summer is filled with all kinds of special effects extravaganzas and huge tent pole releases from the major studios, “Baby Mama” is the perfect choice for a side splitting hour and a half of fun in theaters. If you are looking for a simple old fashioned comedy with likeable characters this is a great way to cool off in a cram packed summer of glossy choices.

WATCH THE “BABY MAMA” MOVIE TRAILER BELOW: