JUST FOR FUN - SUPERMARKET MUSICAL

JUST FOR FUN SUPERMARKET MUSICAL

Take a drama Improvisation Group. Place them unexpectedly in a supermarket. The shoppers are .... well I am not going to spoil it for you! Watch and have a good laugh!

MOVIE NEWS – “ROCK OF AGES” HEADS TO THE SILVERSCREEN

MOVIE NEWS “ROCK OF AGES” HEADS TO THE SILVERSCREEN

"Hairspray" helmer Adam Shankman is signing on to direct and choreograph the screen version of the Broadway musical "Rock of Ages" for New Line Cinema. The film will begin production by next US summer and be released by Warner Bros. in 2011. The musical's creator, Chris D'Arienzo, scripted the movie adaptation. Carl Levin, Matt Weaver, Scott Prisand, Tobey Maguire and Jennifer Gibgot will produce. Janet Billig and Hillary Weaver are executive producers. "I had the best time of my life making 'Hairspray' and badly wanted another musical, and when I watched 'Rock of Ages,' I was struck by the fact that not only had much of the audience seen it more than once, every guy in the audience knew the words to the songs," Shankman told Daily Variety. "What an extraordinary opportunity to open the genre to an audience that otherwise wouldn't go see a musical." The tuner tells of two people who meet at the Sunset Strip club Rock of Ages, fall in love and try to stay together amid'80s rock anthems made popular by Journey, Twisted Sister, Joan Jett, Bon Jovi, Pat Benatar and other groups. New Line is clearing music rights to the tunes. Since its move to Broadway, "Rock of Ages" fills most of its 1,000 seats at Brooks Atkinson Theater, helped by five Tony nominations. The show will begin a worldwide rollout over the next several years. Shankman said he hopes to shoot the picture in its proper setting, which means lensing in Los Angeles. Shankman said, "I'm thinking big, and absolutely am going to attempt to cast with movie stars. Now that musicals are working again, actors are much more open to it."

TRIVIA BITS - ROCKET LAUNCHING

TRIVIA BITS - ROCKET LAUNCHING

“Five – Four – Three – Two – One – Lift Off” – the now famous launching sequence countdown – was invented by the German Director Fritz Lang for his 1928 movie Die Frau in Mond, or Woman in the Moon. The movie is also known as By Rocket to the Moon.

TODAY IS ... 24 OCTOBER

TODAY IS ... 24 OCTOBER

BIRTHDAYS: 1979 - Ben Gillies: best known as the drummer of successful rock band Silverchair, which has sold over 6 million albums worldwide and has had more Top 20 hits during the last decade more than any other Australian artist.

Ben Gilles

1978 – Katherine Heigl American actress She is best known for her role as Dr. Izzie Stevens on Grey's Anatomy and her starring role in the movies Knocked Up, and 27 Dresses, The Ugly Truth. 1947 - Kevin Kline: s an American theatre and film actor. He has won one Academy Award, two Tony Awards and was nominated for an Emmy Award in 2009., Movies include The Big Chill, A Fish Called Wanda, Soapdish, Dave, In & Out, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Wild Wild West, The Emperor's Club, De-Lovely, The Pink Panther (2006).

Kevin Kline

1930 - Jiles Perry Richardson, Jr. called JP by his friends but commonly known as The Big Bopper, was an American disc jockey, singer, and songwriter whose big voice and exuberant personality made him an early rock and roll star. He is best known for his recording of "Chantilly Lace". On February 3, 1959, on what has become known as The Day the Music Died, Richardson was killed in a small-plane crash in Iowa, along with Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens.) 1915 - Bob Kane, American comic book artist and writer best known for creating "Batman. OTHER EVENTS: 2008 - "Bloody Friday" saw many of the world's stock exchanges experienced the worst declines in their history, with drops of around 10% in most indices. 2007 - Rapidly rising Internet star Facebook Inc. sold a 1.6 percent stake to Microsoft Corp. for $240 million, spurning a competing offer from online search leader Google Inc. 2002 - My Big Fat Greek Wedding is released in Australia. A young Greek woman falls in love with a non-Greek and struggles to get her family to accept him while she comes to terms with her heritage and cultural identity 2000 – Rock band Killing Heidi and dance duo Madison Avenue, both of which are debut acts with chart-topping hits on independent labels, lead the winners at the 14th Scape Australian Record Industry Assn. (ARIA) Awards in Sydney. Killing Heidi wins ARIAs for best group, album, new artist, and rock release for “Reflector.” Madison Avenue wins for record of the year, best new artist (single), and best-selling single for “Don’t Call Me Baby.” 1987 - "Bad" by Michael Jackson topped the US charts and stayed there for 2 weeks. 1978 - The movie version of "The Wiz" (with Diana Ross and Michael Jackson) debuts in New York 1977 - Filming begins on "The Buddy Holly Story" movie 1975 – Bob Dylan re-records “Hurricane” after earlier versions of his song about the imprisoned boxer misidentified a bystander in the bar where Hurricane Carter was alleged to have shot two men. It’s his final session for the Desire album. 1969 - Richard Burton bought his wife Elizabeth Taylor a 69-carat Cartier diamond ring for $1.5 million. Burton presented the ring to Taylor several days later. 1945 - The United Nations is founded with 50 countries signing its charter.. 1856 - Constitution of South Australia adopted

MOVIE NEWS - The Twilight Saga: New Moon

MOVIE NEWS The Twilight Saga: New Moon The second movie in the Twilight series is due for release in Australia on 19 November 2009. THE TWILIGHT SAGA : NEW MOON Official Homepage click HERE CAST: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner, Ashley Greene; DIRECTED BY: Chris Weitz; PRODUCER: Wyck Godfrey, Mark Morgan; PLOT : After Bella recovers from the vampire attack that almost claimed her life, she looks to celebrate her birthday with Edward and his family. However, a minor accident during the festivities results in Bella's blood being shed, a sight that proves too intense for the Cullens, who decide to leave the town of Forks, Washington for Bella and Edward's sake. Initially heartbroken, Bella finds a form of comfort in reckless living, as well as an even-closer friendship with Jacob Black. Danger in different forms awaits.

New Moon | Movie Trailers

TRIVIA BITS - TITANIC

TRIVIA BITS - TITANIC

The sinking in 1912 of the Titanic with a loss of 1,513 lives is not the greatest sea disaster of all time.

Titanic at dock

It was dwarfed by the sinking thirty-three later of the German vessel Wilhelm Gustloff torpedoed in the Baltic Sea by the Russian submarine S-13. Close to 8,000 drowned, most of them women and children – more than five times the number of victims that went down with the Titanic.

Wilhelm Gustloff

TODAY IS ... 23 OCTOBER

TODAY IS ... 23 OCTOBER

BIRTHDAYS:

1959 - Sam Raimi: - Highly inventive US film director/producer/writer/actor Sam Raimi first came to the attention of film fans with the savage, yet darkly humorous, low-budget horror film The Evil Dead (1981).

Sam Raimi

1959 - Novelty singer and accordionist "Weird Al" Yankovic is born in Lynnwood, Calif. Among his parodies are ``Like a Surgeon,'' a parody of Madonna's ``Like a Virgin,'' and ``Eat It,'' a parody of Michael Jackson's ``Beat It'' that sells more than 1 million copies and reaches No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100. The two videos on the bottom are Weird Al Yankovic's video, "Eat it". The video on top is Micheal Jackson's video, "Beat it". I Re-Edited "Beat it" to match with "Eat it" scene for scene. 1954 - Ang Lee is an Academy Award-winning Taiwanese American film director.[1] Lee has directed a diverse set of films such as Eat Drink Man Woman (1994), Sense and Sensibility (1995), Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000), Hulk (2003), and Brokeback Mountain (2005) for which he won an Academy Award for Best Director. 1940 - Pele: real name is Edson Arantes do Nascimento - Soccer Player, Guitarist, Brazilian, became a professional soccer player at 16, joining the Santos team of Brazil; Pele' is generally regarded as the greatest player in the history of soccer and is largely responsible for a worldwide resurgence of the sport; led Brazil to 3 World Cup titles (1958,62,70); came to U.S. in 1975 to play for NY Cosmos in NASL; scored 1,281 goals in 22 years. 1931 - Diana Dors - was an English actress and sex symbol. She was born Diana Mary Fluck in Swindon, England. She was considered the English equivalent of the blonde bombshells of Hollywood.

Diana Dors

OTHER EVENTS:

2003 - Mambo Italiano is released in Australia - The son of Italian immigrants to Canada struggles to find the best way to reveal to his parents that he's gay.

2001 - Apple releases the iPod. 2000 - Universal Studios Consumer Products Group (USCPG) and Amblin Entertainment announced an unprecedented and exclusive three-year worldwide merchandising program with Toys "R" Us, Inc. The deal was for the rights to exclusive "E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial" merchandise starting in fall 2001. The film was scheduled for re-release in the spring of 2002. 1998 - New in U.S. movie theatres: "Apt Pupil", from Tristar Pictures, Ian Mckellen, Brad Renfro and David Schwimmer; and New Line Cinema’s "Pleasantville", with Joan Allen, William H. Macy And Reese Witherspoon. 1995 - Former Selena fan club president Yolanda Saldivar is convicted of murdering the Tejano star outside a Texas motel on March 31, 1995. The jury deliberated only 2 1/2 hours before handing down their guilty verdict.

Selena

1988 - For only the second time in UK chart history each of the Top 3 singles is by a woman: Enya's 'Orinoco Flow' at No. 1, Kylie Minogue's 'Je Ne Sais Pas Pourquoi' at No. 2, and 'One Moment in Time' by Whitney Houston at No. 3 1980 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Woman in Love,” Barbra Streisand. The single appears on the album “Guilty,” which sells more than 20 million copies worldwide. 1968 - Elvis Presley's movie, "Live A Little, Love A Little" is released, 1965 - The Byrds' "Turn! Turn! Turn!" is released. 1965 - Canberra, capital city of Australia, begins operation of its first two sets of traffic lights 1961 - "Runaround Sue" by Dion topped the US charts and stayed there for 2 weeks.

1958 – The Smurfs, a fictional race of blue dwarves later popularized in a Hanna-Barbera animated cartoon series appear for the first time, in the story Le flute à six schtroumpfs, a Johan and Peewit adventure by Peyo which is serialized in the weekly comics magazine SpirouThe Smurfs

1906 - Woman suffragists demonstrate in the outer lobby of the British House of Commons. Ten of the demonstrators are charged the following day and sent to prison. 1823 - Oxley departs Sydney to search north for a site for a new settlement, eventually discovering Moreton Bay.

MOVIE NEWS - ORLANDO BLOOM

MOVIE NEWS - ORLANDO BLOOM

Orlando Bloom has been named a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF, according to Access Hollywood. The 32-year-old actor, who rose to fame in the Lord Of The Rings trilogy, was awarded the title in honour of his commitment to children's rights. In a statement, he said: "UNICEF doesn't just deliver humanitarian aid, which is what they are known for all over the world. "They also educate and provide tools which help women and children face challenges specific to their own lives. I responded to how UNICEF works as much as I did to the work itself. I look forward to learning more and to supporting UNICEF any way I can." UNICEF executive director Ann M. Veneman added: "We are proud to have Orlando Bloom as one of the strong voices for vulnerable children." Other celebrities who have served as goodwill ambassadors include Angelina Jolie, Shakira, Selena Gomez, David Beckham and Audrey Hepburn.

TRIVIA BITS - CHARLIE MCCARTHY

TRIVIA BITS - CHARLIE MCCARTHY

In 1938 Northwestern University conferred an Honorary Degree on a dummy of the wooden variety – on ventriloquist Edgar Bergen’s dummy Charlie McCarthy. The honorary degree was "Master of Innuendo and Snappy Comeback". Edgar Bergen was an alumnus of the University.

TODAY IS ... 22 OCTOBER

TODAY IS ... 22 OCTOBER

BIRTHDAYS: 1990 - Jonathan William Lipnicki - actor (Jeff Foxworthy Show, Jerry McGuirre) 1985 - Zac Hanson - Pop Singer, Drummer, of Hanson

Zac Hanson

1965 - John Wesley Harding - Rock & Roll Musician, changed his name to Prince after the original Prince changed his into a symbol 1952 - Jeffrey Lynn "Jeff" Goldblum is an American actor. Currently, he stars as Detective Zach Nichols on the USA Network's crime drama series Law & Order: Criminal Intent. 1942 – Annette Funicello – US singer and actress –. Mickey Mouse Club Mouseketeer 50s, Danny Thomas Show's Gina; paired with Frankie Avalon for many zany teenage beach movies. OTHER EVENTS: 2008 - India launches its first unmanned lunar mission Chandrayaan-1. 1999 – Motown act the Temptations earn their first official RIAA-certified platinum award for their 56th album “Phoenix Rising.” 1998 – Elizabeth staring Cate Blanchett, Geoffrey Rush and Joseph Feines opens in Australia - A film of the early years of the reign of Elizabeth I of England and her difficult task of learning what is necessary to be a monarch. 1998 - The Musical "Footloose" opened at the Richard Rodgers Theatre in New York. 1992 - Members of Boyz II Men receive awards for having the longest running #1 song of the rock era. "End Of the Road" broke Elvis' record of 11 weeks, previously held by "Don't Be Cruel/Hound Dog". 1988 – Phil Collins had a number one hit in the US with “Groovy Kind Of Love” 1987 - "Cabaret" opens at Imperial Theater NYC for 262 performances 1985 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Saving All My Love for You" Whitney Houston. The song was originally recorded by Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. 1979 - Walt Disney World's 100-millionth guest. 1974 - Kiss' "Hotter Than Hell" LP is released. 1966 – The Beach Boys release "Good Vibrations" on Capitol. The song, featuring inspired use of the sci-fi movie sound-effects instrument the theremin, is the most expensive production for a single up to this time." 1962 - ANC leader Nelson Mandela goes on trial for treason in South Africa, pleading not guilty. 1961 - Chubby Checker performs a medley of "The Twist" and "Let's Twist Again" on CBS-TV's "Ed Sullivan Show", sparking chart revivals for both tunes ("The Twist" even returns to #1), 1917 – The Trans-Australian Railway is opened running from Kalgoorlie to Port Augusta. 1854 - Around 10,000 miners converge near Bakery Hill in Victoria to discuss their grievances for more rights on the goldfields

MOVIE NEWS - DANIEL RADCLIFFE

MOVIE NEWS - DANIEL RADCLIFFE

Daniel Radcliffe, the star of Harry Potter, is to perform in his first musical. The 20-year-old actor has agreed to take part in a reading in New York of the show How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. If the reading is successful, the musical, which Rob Ashford has agreed to direct and choreograph, will be staged on Broadway. The show, which has music and lyrics by Frank Loesser, chronicles the rise of a crafty window cleaner as he follows the advice of a self-help manual to connive his way through the ranks of the World Wide Wickets Co. The producers hope that it will resonate in the recession. The original 1961 Broadway production won seven Tony awards and it was turned into a film six years later. Radcliffe said recently: "When all the guys who've been at drama school come out, they've been learning dance or singing and all that stuff and I'm going to need to compete with them because I won't have Harry Potter as my safety net any more. I need to make myself as viable a choice for any part as I possibly can." Here is the trailer from the 1967 movie:

TRIVIA BITS - XRAYS

TRIVIA BITS - XRAYS

When the x-ray was discovered by Wilhelm Roentgen in 1895, some journalists were convinced that the primary user of the revealing shortwave radiation would be the “peeping Tom”.

The titillating publicity led to legal and mercantile steps. Two examples:

• A law introduced in New Jersey forbade the use of “X-Ray Opera Glasses”’
• And merchants in London sold X-Ray proof underwear.

TODAY IS ... 21 OCTOBER

TODAY IS ... 21 OCTOBER

BIRTHDAYS:

1976 - Jeremy James Miller is an American actor best known for his portrayal of Ben Seaver on Growing Pains and its two reunion movies. 1956 – Carrie Fisher – American screen actress and novelist whose roles include Princess Leia in Star Wars and wrote Postcards From The Edge and Surrender The Pink.

Carrie Fisher

1942 - Judith Sheindlin better known to the public as Judge Judy, is an American lawyer, judge, television personality, and author. She passed the New York bar exam in 1965 and became a prosecutor in the family court system. In 1976, Mayor Ed Koch appointed her a judge, first in criminal court and later, in 1980, as Manhattan's supervising family court judge.

OTHER EVENTS:

2004 – In the midst of the Halloween season when the 1960s novelty hit “Monster Mash” is annually revived, the song’s singer and co-author rewrites its lyrics to protest President George W. Bush’s environmental policies. Bobby “Boris” Pickett reprises his infamous Boris Karloff imitation on “Monster Slash.” 1975 - Elton John receives a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

1967 – Lulu had a number one hit with the title song from the movie starring Sydney Poitier – “To Sir With Love”

1964 - The movie musical "My Fair Lady" made its world premier in New York.

1958 – Buddy Holly commenced what would be his final recording session at Coral’s Recording Studio on New York’s 80th Street.

1957 – The Elvis Presley film “Jailhouse Rock” premieres.

MOVIE NEWS - EDGE OF DARKNESS

MOVIE NEWS EDGE OF DARKNESS

Director Martin Campbell’s (”Casino Royale”) “Edge of Darkness” has finally got a trailer and if you’re a fan of Mel Gibson kicking ass, I’m pretty sure you’re going to like this movie. The other reason this film should be on your radar is William Monahan (”The Departed”) wrote the screenplay and the film takes place in Boston. The last time Monahan wrote a Boston based movie, I think we can all agree it turned out well. The premise of “Edge of Darkness” is Mel Gibson plays a detective and after the sudden death of his activist daughter, he tries to find out why she was killed. He uncovers more than he bargained for. The film also stars Ray Winstone, Danny Huston, Bojana Novakovic, and Shawn Roberts. Watch the trailer after the jump. Be warned: Mel is trying to pull off a Boston accent. I think it works. “Edge of Darkness” gets released in Australia February, 2010 PLOT: “Edge of Darkness” is an emotionally charged thriller set at the intersection of politics and big business. Thomas Craven (Mel Gibson) is a veteran homicide detective for the Boston Police Department and a single father. When his only child, twenty-four year-old Emma (Bojana Novakovic), is murdered on the steps of his home, everyone assumes that he was the target. But he soon suspects otherwise, and embarks on a mission to find out about his daughter’s secret life and her killing. His investigation leads him into a dangerous, looking glass world of corporate cover-ups, government collusion and murder - and to shadowy government operative Darius Jedburgh (Ray Winstone), who has been sent in to clean up the evidence. Craven’s solitary search for answers about his daughter’s death transforms into an odyssey of emotional discovery and redemption.

TRIVIA BITS - HALLEY'S COMET

TRIVIA BITS - HALLEY'S COMET

Mark Twain was born in 1835 when Halley’s Comet appeared. He predicted that he would die when Halley’s Comet next returned to scare everyone – and he did! Superstitious people bought anti-comet pills at $US1 a box. The comet returned in 1986 with the next appearance predicted to be 2061.

Halley's Comet

MOVIE REVIEW - AN EDUCATION

MOVIE REVIEW AN EDUCATION

When the word 'education' is uttered, visions of stuffy class-rooms are often conjured. Although school days are where practical minds are developed, personal capabilities are always learning. An Education explores how this particular lesson is learnt by a British teenager in the early 1960's. In showing the information she gathers, the film divulges how life is be our constant and challenging teacher. Coming out of the post war 50's into the exciting prospects of the 60's, British teenagers desired to grab any opportunities the new decade promised. Jenny (Carey Mulligan) causes a familial upset when she is romanced by the much older David (Peter Sarsgaard). Tired of her suburban surrounds, she is smitten by his sophisticated charms and of the glossy world he introduces. When the temptation to follow another path beckons, Jenny unexpectedly learns the value of staying true to ones self. Despite its familiar plot, An Education works due to a fine cast and solid direction. It's interesting how the story is set on the cusp of the 60's counter revolution as the British nation emerges from its staid reputation. This almost mirrors Jenny's journey into adulthood learning that the most exciting path in life may not necessarily be the right one. It’s about people's aspirations and achieving their goals dreaming of an existence seemingly out of reach. Jenny's parents, stuck in their mundane life in the suburbs, continually push Jenny not to replicate their mistakes. Watching David's oily charm and orating skills felt like the screenplay took a leaf out of the biblical tale of Adam & Eve. With his serpentine tongue tempts the impressionable young Jenny and her parents. Their detour from their own personal convictions comes at a cost. The light and shade the tale brings is well mixed with surprising poignancy that doesn't descend into artificial sincerity. It's an obvious tale but the trick the film-makers do well is to make it fresh with a jazzy soundtrack creating the illusion of glamour the characters create. An Education is an amiable drama effectively teaching the perils of false persuasion. Keeping the story simple and straight forward, both director and performers provide a scholarly lesson anyone should find easy to take. Movie Review Rating 7 / 10 Movie Review by Patrick Moore AN EDUCATION released in Australia on Thursday 22 October 2009. If you have any comments to make about this Movie Review, then please use the comment box, titling your comments with Movie Review AN EDUCATION Patrick Moore's Movie Review is an alternative look at current movie releases in Australia.

TODAY IS ... 20 OCTOBER

TODAY IS ... 20 OCTOBER

BIRTHDAYS: 1971 - Dannii Minogue, Melbourne Australia, singer, sister of Kylie Minogue – Danni Minogue rose to prominence in the early 1980s for her roles in the Australian television talent show, Young Talent Time and the soap opera Home and Away, before commencing her career as a pop singer in the early 1990s.

1958 – Viggo Mortensen, American actor - His film roles include Aragorn in Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings film trilogy, Frank T. Hopkins in Hidalgo, David Shaw in A Perfect Murder, Tom Stall in David Cronenberg's A History of Violence, and his Academy and Golden Globe Award-nominated role as Nikolai Luzhin in Cronenberg's Eastern Promises.

Viggo Mortensen

1937 - Wanda Jackson - singer: Right or Wrong, Let’s Have a Party, In the Middle of a Heartache; songwriter: [Let’s Stop] Kickin’ Our Hearts Around OTHER EVENTS: 2000 - These films opened in the U.S.: Bamboozled, with Damon Wayans; Bedazzled, with Brendan Fraser and Elizabeth Hurley; The Legend of Drunken Master, starring Jackie Chan; Pay It Forward, with Kevin Spacey and Helen Hunt; T with Michael Rispoli; and wo Family House,The Yards, starring Mark Wahlberg, Joaquin Phoenix, Charlize Theron, James Caan and Faye Dunaway. 1996 - Spice Girls : Say You'll Be There : No 1 - UK single 1994 – The movie The Specialist starring Sylvester Stallone and Sharon Stone was released in Australia 1992 - The Madonna album "Erotica" was released. 1973 - The Sydney Opera House is officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II

Sydney Opera House

1973 - "The Six Million Dollar Man" premiered on TV. 1973 - Singer/songwriter Jim Croce is killed in a plane crash. He was on his way to a concert in Sherman, Texas when the twin engine plane he was on hits a tree on takeoff. All are killed. Jim Croce was 30. 1973: President Richard Nixon orders Attorney General Elliot Richardson to fire special prosecutor Archibald Cox over access to Watergate tapes; Richardson and Deputy Attorney General William Ruckelshaus resign. The public and government outcry called for Nixon's impeachment.

TRIVIA BITS - FRANK SINATRA ON ELVIS PRESLEY

TRIVIA BITS FRANK SINATRA ON ELVIS PRESLEY

In 1957, Frank Sinatra was quoted as describing rock-and-roll as "phony and false" and "written and played for the most part by cretinous goons". When Elvis finished his army stint three or so years later, Sinatra paid him $US125,000 to appear for six minutes on a televison special on Sinatra's ABC television special in 1960.

THIS IS ... 19 OCTOBER

THIS IS ... 19 OCTOBER

BIRTHDAYS 1980 - Benjamin Salisbury - American actor best known for playing the role of Brighton Sheffield on the CBS television sitcom The Nanny, from 1993 to 1999. 1969 - John Edward - American television personality, and psychic medium. He is best known for his TV shows Crossing Over with John Edward and John Edward Cross Country, both of which are premised on Edward communicating with the spirits of the audience members' deceased relatives.

John Edward

1960 - Jennifer Holliday - Houston Tx, singer/actress (Dream Girls, Touched by an Angel, Ally McBeal) 1945 - Divine - [Harris Glenn Milstead], American singer and actor best known by his drag persona Divine. He starred in many of John Waters' films, including Mondo Trasho, Multiple Maniacs, Pink Flamingos, Female Trouble, Polyester, and Hairspray, as part of Waters' regular troupe of actors known as Dreamlanders.

Harris Glenn Milstead as DIVINE

1945 - John Lithglow American actor, musician, and author, best known for his starring role as Dr. Dick Solomon on the NBC sitcom 3rd Rock from the Sun OTHER EVENTS 2006: Scientists report that the size of the ozone hole over Antarctica has reached record proportions. 2006 - US Media Network NBC said that it had decided not to show pictures of Madonna mounting a crucifix when a concert special was aired the following month. 1988 - Roxette releases "Roxette Look Sharp!" album 1985 - "Take On Me" by A-Ha topped the charts and stayed there for a week. 1981 - Debbie Harry's first post-Blondie solo LP, 'Koo Koo', awarded gold disc in US 1973 - David Bowie releases "Pin Ups" - a collection of mid-Sixties cover versions. Posing next to Bowie on the cover is model Twiggy. 1963 - Beatles record "I Want to Hold Your Hand" 1975 - Hamlisch & Klebans musical "Chorus Line" opens at Shubert Theater NYC for 6137 performances 1957 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: "Jailhouse Rock", Elvis Presley. 1944 - An actor who would become legend in scores of tough guy roles made his stage debut in New York. Marlon Brando appeared in the Broadway hit, I Remember Mama. 1914 - US post office 1st used an automobile to collect & deliver mail 1872 - The largest single piece of reef gold ever discovered in the world is found at Hill End, in New South Wales 1845 - Leichhardt discovers the Roper River in northern Australia, but loses three of his best horses whilst attempting to cross.

MOVIE REVIEW - WHATEVER WORKS

MOVIE REVIEW WHATEVER WORKS

Despite his bookish looks and shy demeanour, Director Woody Allen is the last of the original Tinseltown mavericks. Learning early about the machinations of the Hollywood system, his determination to maintain complete creative autonomy kept him in good stead. Still gleefully bucking the trend, Whatever Works continues defiance against commercial formula with a heady mix of quirky comedy and biting drama. Boris Yelnikoff (Larry David) is a neurotic New York chess teacher devoid of charm. Always happy to insult his clients and the few friends who put up with him, his life is on a ticket to nowhere. Suddenly entering the fray is Melody (Evan Rachel Wood), a young runaway eager to start afresh. Inviting her into his home, Boris does not know of the tribulations about to occur that will rattle his very peculiar existence. Returning to New York after his foreign based movie quartet, Woody Allen's latest is perhaps the most optimistic. You'd be forgiven for thinking this isn't the case due to Larry David's grouchy character, who is a thinly veiled Allen persona. Although initially a rather unpleasant individual, Boris' weaknesses are there to be unearthed as he attempts to fight against the randomness of life. Whether fate or blind luck guides people, Allen attempts to convey that formalised structure to daily lives is impossible due to unforseen circumstances. Like most of his recent output, Whatever Works often resembles Allen's penchant for presenting a dark fable rather than genuine comedy. Rarely is it said that a film isn't long enough. Whatever Works could have benefited from some more character moments as what's on offer doesn't quite make for a wholly satisfying experience. It seems to finish just as events become really engrossing, but maybe that's the showman in Allen wanting to leave his audience asking for more. Perhaps since the early 90's, Woody Allen's movies have varied in quality with his personal life often overshadowing his work. Although some films have made it difficult to distinguish between the two, Whatever Works finds that perhaps even old Hollywood rebels can eventually mellow. Movie Review Rating 7 / 10 Movie Review by Patrick Moore Whatever Works released in Australia on Thursday 15th Ocotber 2009. If you have any comments to make about this Movie Review, then please use the comment box, titling your comments with Movie Review WHATEVER WORKS Patrick Moore's Movie Review is an alternative look at current movie releases in Australia. WHATEVER WORKS Official HomePage click HERE

MOVIE REVIEW - THE FINAL DESTINATION

MOVIE REVIEW THE FINAL DESTINATION

Like death, the Final Destination franchise has never been one to take a holiday. It would have been nice had it done so as this fourth entry squeezes the last vestiges of what made it vaguely appealing. In an industry obsessed with sequels and endless filthy lucre, another outing was a given only this time with some 3-D to spice proceedings. Not really making it any better, it at least provides distraction to its adherence to mediocre convention. Whilst watching a motor-race, Nick (Bobby Campo) has a deadly premonition. Foreseeing a shocking crash, he persuades his reluctant girlfriend and others to leave. As they depart, Nick's vision comes true as carnage envelopes unsuspecting spectators. Relieved they've cheated death little do Nick and his friends know that fate has other plans as one by one their lives potentially become extinguished by its cruel hands. If there were an award for 'Laziest Horror Film of the Year' then The Final Destination would win. Bereft of characterisation, logic and thrills, it goes through the motions like a clapped out car. It's sad the series has descended to this as originally it had some spark amongst the devilish fun. You could cheer on the victims in the hope they survive with some decent acting amongst the spectacular effects. Here there is nothing but a continual mean spiritedness with lashings of gore signalling the franchise's surrender to pure formula. Save for a reasonably creative finale, everything about The Final Destination is a shambles. The dreadful acting is at the top of the list with each death greeted with the passion of a piece of wood. The mechanical 'connect the dots' nature of the whole enterprise disguises that the director and writer responsible for this mess seemingly called in their contribution. The 3-D effects are minimal at best and offer not an ounce of excitement amongst the mayhem. When you start hoping a film will end quickly you know it's in trouble and to its credit the running time is mercifully brief. There have been some first rate horror films recently. The Final Destination isn't one of them. Lacking invention and anything scary, it can only be hoped that the death knell has finally sounded for a series long past its used by date. Movie Rating Rating 0 / 10 Movie Review by Patrick Moore The Final Destination released in Australia on Thursday 15th October 2009. If you have any comments to make about this Movie Review, then please use the comment box, titling your comments with Movie Review The Final Destination Patrick Moore's Movie Review is an alternative look at current movie releases in Australia. THE FINAL DESTINATION Official Hamepage click HERE