Pop Culture Buzz

“Dance Wiv Me” is a non-album single released by Dizzee Rascal, featuring Calvin Harris and Chrome. The song mixes the usual Grime MC style of Dizzee Rascal with dance from Calvin Harris and R’n'B from Chrome. The song was released digitally on 30 June 2008 and went straight to number 1 in the UK. The trio performed an impromptu acoustic version of “Dance Wiv Me” for the BBC as part of the Glastonbury Festival 2008 coverage.

The music video for “Dance Wiv Me” was released in Mid-June. It features Dizzee Rascal and Chrome sitting in a club of party people and Calvin Harris as a bar-man. Members of the grime collective Nu Brand Flexx were also featured in the video. In the song, Dizzee makes a lyrical reference to his previous single “Flex”.

Calvin Harris is on a roll with his unique brand of party music and electro sound. Check out his debut CD “I Created Disco” if you haven’t heard it, it’s one of the best dance CD’s to come out in ages!

“Terminator Salvation” is set to be released on May 22, 2009 but the teaser trailer is already up and ready for us to drool over. Directed by McG, it is the fourth film in the Terminator franchise and stars Christian Bale as John Connor, Bryce Dallas Howard as Kate Connor (previously played by CLaire Danes in T3).

The film is set in 2018, focusing on the original war between humanity and Skynet. It abandons the formula of the series (Arnold Schwarzenegger as the Model 101 Terminator time traveling to the present to protect or kill someone of future importance), and the film could be rated PG-13, unlike the other R-rated films.

1.) Hellboy II: The Golden Army $35,885,000 / $35,885,000

2.) Hancock $33,000,000 / $165,034,000

3.) Journey to the Center of the Earth $20,580,000 / $20,580,000

4.) WALL•E $18,509,000 / $162,772,000

5.) Wanted $11,586,000 / $112,045,000

6.) Get Smart $7,110,000 / $111,473,000

7.) Meet Dave $5,300,000 / $5,300,000

8.) Kung Fu Panda $4,300,000 / $202,043,000

9.) Kit Kittredge: An American Girl $2,360,000 / $11,050,000

10.) Indiana Jones 4 $2,250,000 / $310,477,000

Gabriella Lucia Cilmi is an Australian singer and songwriter who currently has a top 40 hit in the UK with the fun little ditty called “Sweet About Me” (it is taken from Cilmi’s debut album “Lessons to Be Learned”).

In January 2008 Cilmi supported Rufus Wainwright (one of my all time favorites) on his Australian tour, she also opened for James Blunt on his June 2008 Australian tour. This single may not have a chance over here in the US but I say it’s a hit in my book!

THE HAPPY MONDAYS - “STEP ON” (1990)

JESUS AND MARY CHAIN - “SOMETIMES ALWAYS” (1994)

THE DANDY WARHOLS - “HEROIN IS SO PASSE” (1997)

THE STONE ROSES - “LOVE SPREADS” (1992)

*** STARS

“Mamma Mia!” is the film adaptation of the popular world wide mega-hit musical, based on the songs of successful Swedish pop group ABBA. Meryl Streep heads the cast of the film, playing the role of single mother Donna Sheridan who has been keeping a secret from her daughter. Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth and Stellan Skarsgård play the three potential fathers to Donna’s daughter Sophie (played by the talented Amanda Seyfried) who’ve been secretly invited to the wedding by Sophie to find out which one could be her dad. Although the set up may sound like it was taken from a sitcom, the slapstick mayhem and music work well together.

If you are not familiar with the stage play then be warned: this film is REALLY gay and chock full of “girlie” moments….that said, “Mamma Mia!” was so much fun I was blown away! Most musicals that come out these days seem to have Oscar gold on their minds long before being released. “Dreamgirls” was a fun musical but it was also too serious for its own good. “Hairspray” was a pitch perfect modern musical that comes as close to the exuberant charm of “Mamma Mia!” then any other in recent memory.

The plot of “Mamma Mia!” may seem paper thin, but the adult humor and sexual innuendo peppered throughout this musical keep it from coming off too sticky and sweet like a fist full of cotton candy. The lyrics from each of the ABBA songs used are taken literally when applied to the plot. This is one of the elements that give “Mamma Mia!” the ability to make you laugh out loud and even stand up and cheer. The energy in the audience seemed to grow with each new song and by the end people were singing and dancing in the theater!

The most surprising performance had to come from Pierce Brosnan and the always delightful Christine Baranski (as Meryl Streep’s close friend). The loudest reactions from the audience came from Baranski’s musical numbers and Brosnan’s over the top singing voice. The campy set up and glittery sheen of “Mamma Mia!” doesn’t smother the film completely, there are actually some genuinely tender and sweet moments to be enjoyed.

Meryl Streep again shows that she is America’s most diversified actress in this fun (albeit touristy) musical. This film is so sunny that it should crack through any cynicism and win over the hearts of movie lovers this summer. Of course, it helps to have an A-list cast singing their hearts out to some of the most popular songs ever recorded. This is one of those films that works on every level. If you discount this movie solely based on the material you may be missing out on one of the most surprising fun moments to be had in theaters this year!

WATCH THE “MAMMA MIA!” MOVIE TRAILER BELOW:

“I Know UR Girlfriend Hates Me” is a house song performed by Norwegian pop singer Annie. It is scheduled to be released on 14 July 2008 as the lead single from her second studio album “Don’t Stop” (2008).

The Richard X-produced “I Know Your Girlfriend Hates Me” isn’t too far evolved from what Annie was doing back in ‘04 when she exploded onto the European pop scene, but don’t let that dissuade you from giving it a fair listen.

In concert Annie’s music is dark and brooding, if you have heard her debut album “Annie” then you know her brand of sugary electro pop is ahead of its time and refreshing. This new single sounds like classic Annie with a twist of naughtiness and silly fun. I cannot wait for these remixes!

** 1/2 STARS

I used to love watching old re-runs of “Get Smart” on Nickelodeon when I was a kid. It was one of the first spoof television shows and it set a trend for slapstick comedies like “The Police Squad” and “Sledgehammer” that followed. If anyone was born to play Max “Agent 86″ Smart it had to be Steve Carrell. He brings the same bumbling charm to the character as Don Adams did to the original.

The only major thing hampering this film from being great is the heavy presence of TV material in a PG-13 rated film. Even though it is entertaining the uneven feel of this film makes it feel about 20 minutes too long. The presence of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and the always cute Anne Hathaway as “Agent 99″ also lift this film from discount DVD bin obscurity. Alan Arkin is also fun to watch onscreen, all the actors look like they had a blast making this film and that always helps in setting the tone for a comedy.

The action and jokes in “Get Smart” are pretty adult hence the rating, but the jokes stay away from fart gags and potty humor. This movie is at its best when the action and comedy blend to make truly fun summer movie moments, but they don’t clutter up the whole film. We get some silly sight gags and hidden references that are always fun to look out for in TV to big screen movie adaptations.

I found myself laughing out loud more than once and that is a lot more than I can say about recent comedies that Hollywood has produced (”What Happens in Vegas” and “Maid of Honor” anyone??). This isn’t great summer movie material, but it was good filler to kill some time on a cloudy Sunday summer afternoon. Something tells me this film will translate much better on the small screen anyway.

WATCH THE “HELLBOY II: THE GOLDEN ARMY” MOVIE TRAILER BELOW:

WATCH THE “JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH” MOVIE TRAILER BELOW:

WATCH “THE DARK KNIGHT” MOVIE TRAILER BELOW:

WATCH THE “MAMMA MIA!” MOVIE TRAILER BELOW:

WATCH THE “X-FILES 2: I WANT TO BELIEVE”

WATCH THE “STEP BROTHERS” MOVIE TRAILER BELOW:

WATCH THE “PINEAPPLE EXPRESS” MOVIE TRAILER BELOW:

WATCH THE “TROPIC THUNDER” MOVIE TRAILER BELOW:

WATCH “THE MUMMY 3: TOMB OF THE EMPEROR DRAGON” MOVIE TRAILER BELOW:

WATCH THE “DEATH RACE” MOVIE TRAILER BELOW:

I have been a huge fan of “J-Hud” since she was kicked off “American Idol” (the best thing that could have ever happened to her career besides her Oscar win for “Dreamgirls”). Her rendition of “Neither One of Us Wants to Be the First to Say Goodbye” on the American Idol Season 3 CD is a gay mans wet dream. Her very first single titled “Spotlight” off of her debut album gives her room to prove that coming in first place doesn’t always mean that you have won. Since her greedy record company won’t let me share the original version of the song I will post a remix You Tube clip below:

(PICTURES FROM 2008’s “THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL”):

“The Day the Earth Stood Still” is a 2008 science fiction film starring Keanu Reeves as Klaatu, it is a remake of the 1951 film of the same name. The movie is directed by Scott Derrickson. The film updates the Cold War themes of nuclear warfare, to the more contemporary concerns of man against nature, as well as their generally violent nature against one another. This movie clip reminds of the first time I saw the “Independece Day” movie trailer, it’s kind of creepy. Check it out below:

(FROM WIKIPEDIA.COM)

“Quantum of Solace” is the 22nd James Bond film by EON Productions, due for release in the United Kingdom on 31 October 2008 and in North America on 7 November. This is the sequel to “Casino Royale” (2006) and it is directed by Marc Forster, and features Daniel Craig’s second performance as James Bond.

But Bond is also on a rampage and seeks revenge for the death of his one time love Vesper Lynd (from “Casino Royale”), and is assisted by Camille (Olga Kurylenko), who also wants to kill Greene. The title was chosen from an unrelated short story in Ian Fleming’s For Your Eyes Only (1960).

WATCH THE KICK ASS TRAILER BELOW:

**** STARS

Every so often a film will come out and its universal charm and message captivates a generation with its unique message. Pixar’s “Wall-E” is that film that breaks down barriers and touches people at their core. The beauty about Pixar’s films is that they illicit emotions from inanimate objects and silence, this films first 30 minutes proves that a lot can be said without saying anything at all.

I could pick this film apart in so many fun, thought provoking ways but that would be the over analytical adult in me trying to make sense of this simple little story of two robots coming together and learning how to love. There are no heavy handed spiritual revelations or religious undertones in this movie. This is a cartoon where you must suspend disbelief and the idea of a “soul” becomes irrelevant. The story unfolds in such a fluid and realistic fashion that you never once pause in disbelief.

The sweet story of a sensitive robot and his search for love and friendship may sound simple but Pixar’s distinct brand of storytelling gives this animation an edge none of their other movies have. There are some dark themes in “Wall-E” that had me pausing and realizing how deep some of these messages truly are. The way Pixar depicts the catastrophic environmental damage and the evolution of the human body in the future doesn’t depict people in the same loveable manner as the mish mash of robotic characters seen on screen.

I think that animation allows people to learn different things that live action sometimes can miss and this love story is one of a kind and wholly original. I will echo what many critics are saying that this film will garner a Best Picture Academy Award nod. Not since “Beauty & the Beast” was released over 15 years ago has another other animated film been worthy of the nomination. As of right now this is my favorite film of 2008 and I doubt any other film will move me more.

WATCH THE “WALL-E” MOVIE TRAILER BELOW:

Hercules and Love Affair is a musical project from New York based DJ Andy Butler. Members include Nomi, Kim Ann Foxman and Antony Hegarty (lead vocalist in Antony & The Johnsons). Hercules And Love Affair continue their disco revolution with the release of the brand new single “You Belong” taken from their critically acclaimed debut album.

This album has all ready cemented itself as one of 2008’s stand out achievements in dance and pop music. I plan on seeing them perform this July in San Francisco so please keep your eyes peeled on this site for a review later this month. Until then check out the fabulous new music video for “You Belong” below.

Madonna’s latest CD “Hard Candy” has slowly been growing on me, but this track is the stand out song on the album. Madonna has always been an innovator when it comes to sharp artistic music videos with high production values, this video is no exception. Once again Madonna has her hand on the pulse of modern pop music, check out the fabulous music video for “Give It 2 Me” below: