Saturday, July 31, 2010

ENTERTAINMENT NEWS … MARY POPPINS IN AUSTRALIA

ENTERTAINMENT NEWS …

MARY POPPINS

IN AUSTRALIA

MARY POPPINS

Disney and Cameron Mackintosh's eagerly anticipated Australian production of MARY POPPINS premiered Thursday evening, July 29 at Her Majesty's Theatre. The Melbourne engagement is a homecoming for the beloved character. MARY POPPINS was born in the pen of author P.L. Travers, who herself was born in Maryborough, Queensland, and was an actor and journalist in Sydney before moving to London. The first Mary Poppins book was published in 1934 and the enduring story of the ‘practically perfect nanny' has enchanted readers ever since.

The Australian production stars Verity Hunt-Ballard in the title role and Matt Lee as Bert. The cast also features Philip Quast as George Banks, Marina Prior as Winifred Banks, Sally Anne Upton as Mrs. Brill, Debra Byrne as Bird Woman, Christopher Rickerby as Robertson Ay, Judi Connelli as Miss Andrew and David Henry as Admiral Boom.

MOVIE NEWS … RUSSELL BRAND

MOVIE NEWS

RUSSELL BRAND

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It's not enough that Russell Brand gets to drive the Batmobile as the titular spoiled playboy in the remake of Arthur shooting in New York.

Now he's gotten his hands on the true iconic car of the century-- the DeLorean. Photos snapped by The Daily Mail reveal that Brand, dressed up kind of like a ringmaster, will be driving the DeLorean-- Flux Capacitor and all-- down the streets of New York.

Check out some of the photos below, examine the authentic OUTATIME license plate, and try and swallow that envy. Presumably he's got the DeLorean and the Batmobile because, as a spoiled rich guy, he can drive whatever he wants, so should we expect to see some more iconic vehicles show up? Maybe the Mystery Machine, the Ecto 1, or a replica of the Millennium Falcon that somehow uses wheels.

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ENTERTAINMENT NEWS ... BETTE MIDLER

ENTERTAINMENT NEWS ...

BETTE MIDLER

BETTE MIDLER

Bette Midler has claimed there is a lack of funny women in film - but plenty on television.

The legendary actress, who stars in new animated flick "Cats And Dogs", said there was an abundance of high-quality female comedians but they were confined to TV.

"There are a lot of funny women out there but they're not in the movies because there are not that many funny women in movies any more - they're mostly carrying coffee for the iron man," she laughed.

She added: "But on TV there are a lot of funny women, tons and tons of funny women - and all you have to do is turn on the television. So that's still fabulous."

Bette also revealed which funny women she admired.

"I have so much admiration for so many of them. I love Tina Fey, I love Amy Poehler, I love Debra Messing, I love Whoopi Goldberg, I love Joy Behar. There's so many of them I can't even think of how many there are. I love Judy Gold, who is a little bit under the radar. She's an absolutely hilarious comic. There's a lot of funny English women too. It's a very rich field," she insisted.

bette

MOVIE NEWS … RED

MOVIE NEWS

RED

Summit Entertainment has premiered a new trailer for Red, starring Bruce Willis, Helen Mirren, John Malkovich and Morgan Freeman. Look out for a special guest appearance by veteran actor Ernest Borgnine!

Frank (Willis), Joe (Freeman), Marvin (Malkovich) and Victoria (Mirren) used to be the CIA's top agents – but the secrets they know just made them the Agency's top targets. Now framed for assassination, they must use all of their collective cunning, experience and teamwork to stay one step ahead of their deadly pursuers and stay alive. To stop the operation, the team embarks on an impossible, cross-country mission to break into the top-secret CIA headquarters, where they will uncover one of the biggest conspiracies and cover-ups in government history.

Based on the cult D.C. Comics graphic novel by Warren Ellis and Cully Hammer, Red (which stands for Retired Extremely Dangerous) also stars Karl Urban, Mary-Louise Parker, Brian Cox, Julian McMahon and Richard Dreyfuss, and is scheduled to hit theatres in Australia on October 28th, 2010.

MOVIE NEWS … MEGAMIND

MOVIE NEWS

MEGAMIND

 

Dreamworks and Paramount Pictures premiered an extended preview of Megamind starring Brad Pitt, Will Ferrell, Tina Fey and Jonah Hill!

When super villain Megamind (Ferrell) defeats his archrival Metro Man (Pitt), the world should be his oyster. But instead, Megamind falls into total despair. It turns out that life without a rival is life without a point for him. So, he creates a new superhero rival, Titan (Hill). Unfortunately, the new hero wants to be a super villain, too. Caught in the middle, star reporter Roxanne Ritchi (Fey) asks the tough questions: Who can we turn to? Who has what it takes to stand up to this menace? Who will defend the innocent? Megamind! That's who.

THIS WORLD … WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD 4

THIS WORLD  …

WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD 4

"What a Wonderful World" was first recorded by Louis Armstrong and released as a single in 1968. Armstrong's recording was inducted in the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999.

I see trees of green, red roses too
I see them bloom for me and you
And I think to myself what a wonderful world.

Enjoy some images of this wonderful world ….

 

unforgetable-places11unforgetable-places12unforgetable-places13unforgetable-places14unforgetable-places15

ENTERTAINMENT NEWS ... MARK WAHLBERG

ENTERTAINMENT NEWS ...

MARK WAHLBERG

wahlberg-star-hmed.grid-6x2

Mark Wahlberg was honoured with a star on the Walk of Fame Thursday, becoming the 2,414 star to receive the honour. Wahlberg next appears opposite Will Ferrell in the comedy "The Other Guys," opening Aug. 6.

Ferrell introduced his co-star, joking, "I first became a fan of his from his workout videos. And I loved him in the Bourne movies."

Taking the stage, former rap star and underwear model Wahlberg referenced his past careers and thanked "all the people gutsy enough to put me in movies." At one point, he brought his nearly 2-year-old son to the stage, who proceeded to play with the microphone during the speech. Wahlberg wrapped up by saying, I gotta get this kid something to eat so I'm gonna go now."

Wahlberg made his film debut for director Penny Marshall in "Renaissance Man" and earned an Oscar nomination for "The Departed."

SUPERSTITIONS … WISHBONES

SUPERSTITIONS …

WISHBONES

WISHING BONES

Two people pull apart the dried breastbone of a chicken or turkey until it cracks and breaks, each one making a wish while doing so. The person who gets the long half of the wishbone will have his or her wish come true.

TRIVIA BITS … HONEYMOON

TRIVIA BITS …

HONEYMOON

honeymoon.1

It was the accepted practice in Babylon 4,000 years ago that for a month after the wedding, the bride's father would supply his son-in-law with all the mead he could drink. Mead is a honey wine and because their calendar was lunar based, this period was called the honey month, which we know today as the honeymoon.

QUOTABLES … JOAN CRAWFORD

QUOTABLES …

JOAN CRAWFORD

youngcrawfordbig

Women's Lib? Poor little things. They always look so unhappy. Have you noticed how bitter their faces are?

-Joan Crawford

MOVIE NEWS … YOGI BEAR

MOVIE NEWS

YOGI BEAR

yogi-bear-teaser-poster

Warner Bros. have released a poster for Yogi Bear, a new adventure in 3D starring the classic cartoon troublemakers Yogi and Boo-Boo, voiced this time by Dan Aykroyd and Justin Timberlake. And they've followed up with a trailer for the film, introduced by none other than Aykroyd himself!

Everyone's favorite pic-a-nic basket-stealing bear comes to the big screen in Yogi Bear. Jellystone Park has been losing business, so greedy Mayor Brown decides to shut it down and sell the land. That means families will no longer be able to experience the natural beauty of the outdoors -- and, even worse, Yogi and Boo Boo will be tossed out of the only home they've ever known. Faced with his biggest challenge ever, Yogi must prove that he really is "smarter than the average bear" as he and Boo Boo join forces with their old nemesis Ranger Smith to find a way to save Jellystone Park from closing forever.

ENTERTAINMENT NEWS … GLEE

ENTERTAINMENT NEWS …

GLEE

GLEE3

Glee is parting ways with actor Patrick Gallagher, who is not expected to reprise his role as football coach Ken Tanaka in the smash series' sophomore season.

Earlier, it was announced that the Fox musical comedy would be introducing actress Dot Jones as William McKinley High's new football coach, Shannon Beiste.

It can now be told that she will not be assisting Coach Tanaka, but replacing him. As he has not been written into the show's first few episodes, it appears that Tanaka ran his course after failing in his attempt to marry Emma.

Friday, July 30, 2010

ENTERTAINMENT NEWS … AUNT VIV

ENTERTAINMENT NEWS …

AUNT VIV

Aunt Viv “If you wanted me to kiss your ass then you had to have put it in my contract”

Janet Hubert, most known for her role as “Aunt Viv” on the Fresh Prince of Bel Air aired out her grievances with the show and Will Smith on a segment that aired on TV One. “No, I will not come to your dressing room and dance! I’m not a groupie, I’m a grown mature 38 year old woman” she said of her working relationship with Will.

She’s also planning on releasing a tell-all book titled “Perfection is not a sitcom Mom” in which she airs Will out as a diva.

I always wondered why they replaced her with another actress on the show.

REMINISCING …DIANA ROSS

REMINISCING

DIANA ROSS

diana_ross

Diana Ross - an American singer and actress. During the 1960s, she helped shape the Motown Sound as lead singer of The Supremes, before leaving the group for a solo career on January 14, 1970. Since the beginning of her career with The Supremes and as a solo artist, Ross has sold more than 100 million records.

supremes diana ross v&a victoria albert museum 2

During the 1970s and through the mid 1980s, Ross was among the most successful female artists, crossing over into film, television and Broadway. She received a Best Actress Academy Award nomination for her 1972 role as Billie Holiday in Lady Sings the Blues. She won a Golden Globe award for Lady Sings the Blues. She won American Music Awards, garnered twelve Grammy Award nominations, and won a Tony Award for her one-woman show, An Evening with Diana Ross, in 1977.

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She is also one of the few recording artists to have two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame—one as a solo artist and the other as a member of The Supremes. In December 2007, she received a John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Honors Award.

diana-ross

 

 

TRIVIA BITS … SLEEP TIGHT

TRIVIA BITS …

SLEEP TIGHT

bed-gothique-4poster

In Shakespeare's time, mattresses were secured on bed frames by ropes. When you pulled on the ropes, the mattress tightened, making the bed firmer to sleep on. Hence the phrase....'Goodnight , sleep tight'

QUOTABLES … CHER

QUOTABLES …

CHER

CHER

The trouble with some women is that they get all excited about nothing - and then marry him.

- Cher

THIS WORLD … WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD 3

THIS WORLD  …

WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD 3

"What a Wonderful World" was first recorded by Louis Armstrong and released as a single in 1968. Armstrong's recording was inducted in the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999.

I see trees of green, red roses too
I see them bloom for me and you
And I think to myself what a wonderful world.

Enjoy some images of this wonderful world ….

unforgetable-places06 unforgetable-places07 unforgetable-places08unforgetable-places09unforgetable-places10

MOVIE TRIVIA … ROGER CORMAN

MOVIE TRIVIA …

ROGER CORMAN

RogerCorman

Several directors who were given career breaks by producer Roger Corman eventually became well known in their own right.

Some of his protégés later paid homage to Corman by inviting him to make cameo appearances in their films.

Hence small roles in:

The Godfather Part II (1974)

The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

The Manchurian Candidate (2004)

amongst others.

ENTERTAINMENT NEWS ... BETTY WHITE

ENTERTAINMENT NEWS ...

BETTY WHITE

TO WISTERIA LANE

BETTY WHITE1

Move over, ladies of Wisteria Lane — there could be a new gal in town soon! Desperate Housewives creator Marc Cherry told reporters at a press conference, “I would love to have Betty [White] on the show.” “She’s a saucy, sexy gal and she’s a blast, and it’s something that would make my heart happy if I could do that with her,” he added.

It would be particularly special to Marc because he produced The Golden Girls, which starred Betty. So could Desperate Housewives get Betty to do a guest shot?

“She’s constantly employed. I’m trying to just see if I can get her for dinner, “laughed Marc, who was promoting the upcoming seventh season of DH today. “She works harder than any of us.”

Marc said he wishes he could have reunited the Golden Girls on Housewives when the show first began.

“I remember thinking I’ve got to get them on the show and of course, time does what it does and now only Betty’s left,” he sighed of the losses of beloved Estelle Getty, Bea Arthur, and Rue McClanahan.

“She’s an amazing talent,” said Marc, who cheered Betty on from the Saturday Night Live audience this past spring. “She’s just a doll!”

MOVIE NEWS … LEGENDS OF THE GUARDIANS

MOVIE NEWS ...

LEGEND OF THE GUARDIANS

Warner Bros. has released a new poster for Zack Snyder's animated adventure, Legend of the Guardians, featuring the voice talents of Hugo Weaving, Helen Mirren, and Geoffrey Rush.

legend-of-the-guardians-theatrical-poster_364x541Legend of the Guardians starts screening in Australia on September 30th, 2010.

ENTERTAINMENT NEWS ... MORE WICKED

ENTERTAINMENT NEWS ...

 

MORE WICKED

wicked menzelchenoweth

In what could be a musical theatre fan's wildest dreams, Ryan Murphy is one of four directors currently in discussions with Wicked producer Marc Platt to direct the film version of the popular musical.

Having already cast Wicked alumni Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth on Glee, the Murphy/Wicked stars seem to have already begun aligning.

The film adaptation is in the very early stages of production and no definite answers are coming in the near future.

"I think it's one of those things where they have invited some people to come in and give them their take, but they are in absolutely no hurry to get that movie made because the show is such a huge success," Murphy says.

In the meantime, Murphy says fans can look forward to a Britney Spears-themed episode of Glee next season.

Thursday, July 29, 2010

MOVIE NEWS … WORTHINGTON IN DAN DARE

MOVIE NEWS

WORTHINGTON

IN DAN DARE

Sam-Worthington

Warner Bros. Pictures has closed the deal for its film version of British comic "Dan Dare" starring Australian hunk Sam Worthington ("Avatar," "Clash of the Titans") reports Variety.

The long-running sci-fi comic strip, described as "Biggles in Space" or a British "Buck Rogers", first began in the 1950's in the UK and was noted for its complex story lines, smart dialogue and art design. The strip went away but would undergo a seeming revival once a decade, albeit with tonal changes such as Grant Morrison's 1990 run which took a dark and blunt swipe at Thatcherism.

Despite its long history and great success in its home country, the property never really achieved much penetration outside of the UK as the global comic market was dominated by American titles (e.g.. Batman, Superman, X-Men) and the occasional European success (e.g.. Tintin, Asterix).

The most recent incarnation of 'Dare' was the Garth Ennis-penned mini-series released in 2008 and from which this project is being developed. Basil Iwanyk ("Clash of the Titans") will produce.

Dan Dare Garth Ennis Erskine Virgin

ODD BITS ... WICKED DOLLS

ODD BITS ...

WICKED DOLLS

WICKED - CITIZEN OF OZ

The Alexander Doll Company will release two new Madame Alexander dolls as part of its continued Wicked themed collection later this year. The new additions, "Citizen of Oz" and "Citizen of Emerald City," will join previous Wicked dolls based on characters Elphaba, Glinda and Madame Morrible. The 10-inch collectible dolls are dressed in clothes modelled after costumes from the megahit Broadway musical Wicked and are available for pre-order for $124.95, with shipping expected to begin in November.

WICKED - GLINDAWICKED WITCH OF THE WEST

The Alexander Doll Company has previously created dolls based on beloved characters from shows and films such as Legally Blonde, Gone With the Wind, The Wizard of Oz, Toy Story and The Nutcracker.

To visit the Alexander Doll Company website click here

SCARECROW WIZARD OF OZgone with the windnutcracker

THIS WORLD … WHAT A WONDERFULWORLD 2

THIS WORLD  …

WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD 2

"What a Wonderful World" was first recorded by Louis Armstrong and released as a single in 1968. Armstrong's recording was inducted in the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999.

I see trees of green, red roses too
I see them bloom for me and you
And I think to myself what a wonderful world.

Enjoy some images of this wonderful world ….

unforgetable-places01unforgetable-places02unforgetable-places03unforgetable-places04unforgetable-places05

ENTERTAINMENT NEWS … GLEE SPOILERS

ENTERTAINMENT NEWS …

GLEE SPOILERS

gleedumpster

1. "The Power of Madonna 2" is going to happen.
"Madonna was thrilled with the [first tribute] episode," Murphy said. "We don't know when we're doing [a second] but we will at some point do it." The "Power of Madonna" took 12 to 13 days to shoot "and went over budget very early on. But I said to the studio and the network, 'Do it for Madonna. C'mon.'" (Did you know? Many of the props used in the Sue Sylvester rendition of "Vogue" were used in Madge's original music video. Murphy said they were found in an old prop house.)


2. "Glee" will pay respect to "The Rocky Horror Picture Show."
This news was a shock to even the cast in attendance — Naya Rivera (Santana), Jenna Ushkowitz (Tina), Heather Morris (Brittany), Kevin McHale (Artie), Colfer (Kurt), and Amber Riley (Mercedes). When they were asked by an audience member what songs they still wanted to sing on the show, Colfer piped up, "The Time Warp" — and practically got his wish on the spot. "Well, funny enough Chris, we are doing a 'Rocky Horror' episode," Murphy said.

3. Tina, Mike, and those other characters you don't know so well will get more face time.
Murphy said it's what he wants — and what the fans have told him they want: "[Everyone] pops so much, I personally want to see a whole episode of Brittany. I want to see more Artie and Tina," he said. "The second season is designed to be much more intimate, and it's from the feedback we've gotten really. [Viewers] want to see more of the people they've grown to love."


4. Even though there'll be more Artie and Tina, it won't be Artie with Tina.
McHale looked just as shocked — and possibly upset? — as some in the audience did when Murphy dropped this bomb: "We're writing an episode that I really like where we find out that Tina has fallen out of love with Artie and in love [with] Mike." Awww, it's over before it really began...


5. More relatives will make an entrance.
Kurt's dad (Mike O'Malley) was recently upped to a series regular, and fans have grown to love Finn's mom. (Quinn's parents? Jury's out on her mom, who came around in the finale.) Next, viewers will meet Rachel's two dads and Brittany's sister. "I have a feeling she has a very smart older sister," Murphy said. Added Morris: "I imagine my parents work for NASA." Murphy also confirmed that Idina Menzel will return as Rachel's birth mom, Shelby.


6. Mercedes is taking "Glee" to church.
Colfer's eyes got very large when, a beat later, Murphy revealed, "Kurt gets to go with her."


7. Not everyone will be excited about singing Britney Spears.
As TVGuide.com exclusively reported, the episode will be about our favorite daffy Cheerio Brittany, who will get to sing at least two of the pop star's tunes. But the idea of paying tribute to the ex-Mrs. K-Fed doesn't excite Matthew Morrison. The actor once said in an interview that the one artist he hoped wouldn't be included in the "Glee" songbook was Spears. So Murphy decided that Morrison's Mr. Schuester will be the one saying, "I don't want to do Britney, I don't want to do Britney." As for the episode itself? Murphy said, "We're doing it in a very fun, hallucinogenic way."


8. Speaking of Brittany, she may be getting hot and heavy with a fellow Cheerio.
Which one? Duh, Santana. Maybe. "We're actually writing an episode where we're debating if they should kiss," Murphy said.

9. Kurt's going to get a sweet boyfriend.
No devious Jesse St. James types for Kurt. "I think he should have a boyfriend and they should be prom king and king," Murphy said. "I think that's an important thing to put out in the world. I want to see what that relationship is like. I want to see what [Kurt's dad] thinks of that relationship."


10. The post-Super Bowl episode will be another tribute.
To whom? Murphy's not saying yet. Producers are still negotiating a deal.

rachelwink

TRIVIA BITS … RULE OF THUMB

TRIVIA BITS …

RULE OF THUMB

rule-of-thumb

In the 1400's a law was set forth in   England  that a man was allowed to beat his wife with a stick no thicker than his thumb. Hence we have 'the rule of thumb'