A NEW TAKE ON THE BAT

We all knew the Dark Knight was a tad twisted but damn... This video has to be one of the most interesting representations of the psyche of Batman that I've ever seen. And you gotta love Johnny Cash's "Hurt." Awesome song choice...

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MY NEW RIDE... KUDOS TO GM

This time last week, I was bummed. The lease on my 05 Acura TSX is up and it's time to rethink what I'm driving. But, as sad as I am to say it, I have to say buh-bye to Acura. Why? I love the Acura, but jeez, every time Honda's upscale division redesigns a car, they seem to without fail outprice and outclass the niche it was meant for.

I've driven many cars in the past week or so and I have to say that the Saturn (YES SATURN!) AURA XR delivers in friggin' spades.

The Aura XR is the top-line Aura model. The XR is fitted with the 3.6 L DOHC V6 with VVT, rated at 252 hp at 6200 rpm (188 kW) and 251 lb·ft (340 N·m) of torque at 3100 rpm (340 Nm). This engine was first used in the Cadillac CTS and marks its second use in a North American GM car. With this 3.6 L engine, the Aura is the first front-wheel drive GM passenger car to use the new Hydra-Matic 6T70 six-speed automatic transmission. The transmission features TAPshift, which allows the driver to manually select gears by using paddles located behind the steering wheel. The Aura XR is the performance-oriented version with a taut, but not harsh, suspension and the more powerful engine. Available interior colors in the XR are tan and grey leather (available in the XE), along with the XR-specific black or Morocco Brown leather. Cloth is standard. Other standard features include the Advanced Audio Package, 18 inch alloy wheels, chrome exterior door handles, and remote vehicle start


The Aura won the North American Car of the Year prize for 2007. As a result, Saturn sent a copy of the award to select customers who bought an Aura before it was awarded. The Aura also won Canadian's Motoring Television's 2007 car of the year award, Motorweek's Driver's Choice for best new midsize sedan, and World of Wheels' Editor's choice for best family sedan

Check out these vids...

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FREAKY ANIMATION

OK... so that fact that this YouTube video has one million plus hits tells me that I'm one of the last to see it. Kudos to my buddy - animator Stephen Lewis - for passing it along. And now, I pass it along to you. I'm feeling all viral today ...

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THE COENS ARE BACK! 'BURN AFTER READING' TRAILER

While I dug last years Oscar-winning "No Country For Old Men," I feel that it lacked what I call "The Coen touch." In practically all of their films, I've felt that almost every scene was painterly. It had a look, a feel, a mood. "No Country..." lacked that aesthetic. It also lacked their trademark quirky characters. It looks like here that they're back in fine form. Kudos! Very Lebowski-esque.

Here's the official plot synopsis: John Malkovich plays Ozzie Cox, a CIA vet who is fired because he is an alcoholic. He takes his revenge by writing some inflammatory memoirs. Cox's soon-to-be ex-wife Katie (Tilda Swinton) steals the disc containing his memoirs and accidentally leaves it at the gym where it is found by a trainer Chad Feldheimer (Brad Pitt) and the gym's owner Linda Litzke (Frances McDormand) who believe they can use the info to blackmail Cox.

Harry Pfarrer (George Clooney) is an oversexed, fanatically fit, lactose-intolerant federal marshall, who is sleeping with Cox's wife. He meets Linda via an online dating service and gets entangled in the blackmail scheme, when he stumbles across Chad breaking into his and Katie's house.

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BATMAN 'GOT MILK?'

How many parents across the nation are head over heels that The Dark Knight is appearing in a "Got Milk" campaign?? At least now the little buggers have a reason to drink up.

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SEXMAN REVIEWS 'GRAND THEFT AUTO IV'

Everyone's favorite geekified pint-sized reviewer is back. This time, "Sexman" reviews "Grand Theft Auto IV." Enjoy ...

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PREP THE SCOTCH - 'MAD MEN' IS BACK

Our favorite show last season was "Mad Men." AMC recently announced that the show's second season will debut on Sunday, July 27, at 10 p.m., a new timeslot. Expect to see the DVD for "Mad Men" season one on July 1. It will also be available On Demand in both standard and high-def versions on June 30. What's more, you can check out an all-day marathon starting at noon Eastern on July 20.




For those under a rock, "Mad Men" was created by "The Sopranos" writer and executive producer Matthew Weiner, it's set in 1960 at the fictional Sterling Cooper Advertising Agency on Madison Avenue (hence the title) and centers on a high-level advertising executive and the people in his life in and out of the office.

Interestingly, it also depicts some of the social mores of late 1950s America that were soon to change. It debuted on July 19, 2007, and was given an initial production of 13 episodes. After the airing of the pilot, the series received critical praise for its historical accuracy and visual style.

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ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL (IAN FLEMING)

Yesterday, Ian Fleming, James Bond's infamous creator would have been 100. Celebrate of the famed scribe's birthday by learning how to make a perfect Vesper martini at the Dukes Hotel in London. Fleming was known to write at the hotel and he even had a favorite table in the bar. It's also where he came up with the recipe for the famous drink. Also check out the book launch of "The Devil May Care" the first Bond novel in 40 years to chronicle the adventures of 007.

Enjoy ...

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NO! NO! NOOOO! MGM TO MAKE MORE ROCKYs??

Highly unnecessary! That's all I can say.

This lil' bit of news is all over the interwebs today. During a recent presentation at the Cannes Film Festival, MGM chairperson Mary Parent said that that the company is toying around with the possibility of making more Rocky films. WTF???

Anyone who knows me will tell you that I'm a HUGE Sly Stallone fan and an even bigger Rocky Balboa fan. There's no way I can endorse another Rocky film after last year's "Rocky Balboa" beautifully ended the character's 30 year saga.

Parent’s big buzzword of the Cannes presentation was “franchise." She's not off her rocker when it comes to that notion, however. After all, let's not forget that after Bond, MGM's biggest franchise is the Rocky series. She contends The Rock just might have some more fight in him before he calls it quits for good. C'mon...

It's more than apparent that MGM doesn't give a hoot that "Rocky Balboa," the sixth film in the series, was the perfect conclusion and the utmost penance for the atrocious "Rocky V."

Even more, I can't imagine Stallone will want to throw Rock back into the ring. I wouldn't even expect his kid to hit the canvas. Many will remember that Robert, Jr. (played in "Rocky Balboa" by Heroes star Milo Ventimiglia), resembled bookish Adrian more than his beefy dad.

A spinoff -- that's what MGM should be concentrating on. A spinoff with perhaps a cameo by Sly. That might be doable. I could see a "Steps" story - 'Lil Marie's teenage son who entered Rocky's circle. But please, MGM, NO MORE ROCKY FILMS!!

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'CHE' TO GET PALM D'OR? PLUS VARIETY REVIEW

Director Steven Soderbergh’s four-hour subtitled Che Guevera biopic, "Che" (presented as two films entitled "The Argentine" and "Guerilla") recently premiered at the Cannes Film Festival.

The online critical reception is already pretty good but a tad divided. The movie's questionable prospects and albeit controversial depiction of the Argentine revolutionary, (an uncanny Benicio Del Toro), have some waiting on the sidelines. That said, Cinematical’s Kim Voyer is incredibly stoked on both films and believes that bespeckled Soderbergh is a lock for the festival’s top prize, the Palm d’Or.

Also, here's an excerpt of the not-so-positive Variety review:

"No doubt it will be back to the drawings board for “Che,” Steven Soderbergh’s intricately ambitious, defiantly nondramatic four-hour, 18-minute presentation of scenes from the life of revolutionary icon Che Guevara. If the director has gone out of his way to avoid the usual Hollywood biopic conventions, he has also withheld any suggestion of why the charismatic doctor, fighter, diplomat, diarist and intellectual theorist became and remains such a legendary figure; if anything, Che seems diminished by the way he’s portrayed here. Originally announced as two separate films, “The Argentine” and “Guerrilla,” to be released separately, the film was shown as one picture, with intermission, under the title “Che” (although neither this nor any other credits appeared onscreen) in its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival. Neither half feels remotely like a satisfying stand-alone film, while the whole offers far too many aggravations for its paltry rewards. Scattered partisans are likely to step forward, but the pic in its current form is a commercial impossibility, except on television or DVD."

To read the rest of the reveiw, click HERE.

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SOCIOPATH IN THE SHADOWS

Hmmm, not sure entirely where this new prose poem came from. I mean, yes, I wrote it, but not sure how or why. As I started writing, I kept having images of solitude, torment, mania and horror.

In any case, enjoy this short piece that explores the notion of a few different things - be it addiction, inner demons or just that person who all hate to love.



THE DEADBEAT
Sitting byself,
downstairs,
I heard his
voice.
The sociopath
the shadows.
Again.
And then again.
It’s been some time.
A long while, in fact.
He’d borrow and steal.
Lie. And cheat.
And then, afterwards,
he make you feel
like an idiot,
as always.
He’d sneak up on me
when I was most weak,
like now.
After a few drinks,
I have to admit, that he
had a way about him.
Slick and charming when
he needed to be, but
otherwise, cold and distant.
I feel his itch more
now than ever.

Never thought he’d be back.

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WE MISS YOU SAMMY!

Wow... Can't believe I almost missed this one. I'm ashamed to admit that I almost did (Thanks, Bish for reminding me). Eighteen years ago we lost Mr. Entertainment himself. No, not James Brown but in my opinion, the REAL Mr. Entertainment - Sammy Davis, Jr.

Enjoy this wonderful early '70s performance of Davis singing his classic "Mr. Bojangles." It's poignant and powerful. Sammy, always at ease onstage, was the consummate master at what he did. Take in this nuanced performance, sit back and relax. Escape the insanity of contemporary music and videos for just a brief moment.

Wherever you are Sammy, I'm pouring you one as we speak...

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NEW JOKER POSTER LEAKED

Check out the new banner for the upcoming "Dark Knight." Sinister ...

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VARIETY & HOLLYWOOD REPORTER NEED TO GIVE PROPS

"Frosty" over at Collider has raised too strong a point to ignore. He's got a viable beef with Variety and Hollywood Reporter who continually piggyback the work of online bloggers and journalists, reporting news as their own without attribution. Check it out. It's a fun, necessary read for all online bloggers.

When will Variety and The Hollywood Reporter Credit Online Websites for Breaking a Story?

I’ll admit I’m very sick of Variety and The Hollywood Reporter not crediting the online movie community when they write a story. Time and again I’ve watched as either myself, or one of my fellow online journalists (cause that’s what we are) break a story only to be reported sometimes days later in Variety or The Reporter with no mention the news was already online. Like before they posted it…no one had the story.

The thing that bothers me the most is…we link to them almost everyday. Look on Collider right now and you’ll see tons of links to Variety. We always credit them…like we do for any website when they break a story.

While you might think I’m complaining over nothing….trust me…ask any webmaster on any of the big movie sites and they’ll have at least one example of a story being stolen with no credit given.

To read the rest of his piece click HERE.

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LEO DiCAPRIO TO PLAY IAN FLEMING??

Slashfilm is reporting that Leonardo DiCaprio’s production company Appian Way has acquired the rights to make "Fleming," a film biopic based on the life of British author and James Bond creator Ian Fleming.

The story would center on Fleming, who fought as a Commander of Naval Intelligence in World War II while creating 007 and the many characters from the novels. Scribe Damian Stevenson describes the film as “Shakespeare in Love or Finding Neverland with some real-life Bond-like espionage and female flattery thrown in.”

And while it has not been officially announced that DiCaprio would play Fleming, most insiders assume that Appian Way is developing the project as a starring vehicle for DiCaprio.

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THE BROADS ARE BACK - 'SEX AND THE CITY' - VARIETY REVIEW

Papa H would've been down with about half the chipees in the "Sex and the City" quartet. We figure Carrie would be his intellectual favorite during those quiet times on safari in a candlelit tent. That said, Samantha would undoubtedly be the one up with him boozin' and bangin' all night. The first reviews for the long-awaited big screen version of the hit HBO show are trickling in and they ain't all that positive.

Says Variety: "For a series so steeped in romance, the eagerly awaited “Sex and the City” movie feels a trifle half-hearted. Although there’s pleasure in seeing HBO’s fabulous four reunited, writer-director Michael Patrick King doesn’t fully bridge the gap between TV and film — delivering major story flourishes but, too often, playing like a regular episode bloated to five times its customary length. Best in its small moments, the movie should find receptive gal pals congregating for the mother of all viewing parties, but appeal beyond that core should present New Line with less of a storybook finish than it doubtless would like."

To read the rest of the review, click HERE.

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BILL O' REILLY GOES NUTS! (video)

In lieu of the recent video of Big Apple NBC anchor Sue Simmons losing her shit during an on-air promo, we give you this hilarious video of Bill O'Reilly - then an anchor for "Inside Edition" - going berserk because nothing is on the TelePrompTer. A buddy of mine who has done TV work says that yes, you do, indeed, get frustrated when nothing appears on the screen. So Enjoy...

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WE STILL MISS YOU FRANK ...

Well... It's 10 years later. Francis Albert Sinatra died a decade ago on May 14, 1998 and it feels like yesterday. His legend endures. He's still missed.

The Lounge is going dark today in honor of 'ol Blue Eyes. Enjoy these incredible videos.

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DON'CHA LOVE LIVE TV????

Check out Big Apple NBC news anchor Sue Simmons in this on-air promo for the news. Who was she cursing at? Herself? The booth? Methinks she was talking to a snoozy Chuck Scarborough, who looked dazed at the clip's start.

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SINATRA COURTS AVA GARDNER

In honor of the 10th anniversary of Frank Sinatra's death, check out this short clip from the miniseries "Sinatra." The clip is of a young Frank Sinatra (Philip Casnoff) courting a sultry Ava Gardner (Marcia Gay Harden) on a studio backlot - she a rising temptress, he the crooner who acted. It was a hot-blooded affair that not only ended his first marriage but ended by the late 50s. Executive-produced by his daughter, Tina Sinatra, it's an spot-on recounting of Sinatra's life. And as for Casnoff? No one has ever channelled Frank they way this dude did. Enjoy...

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SCORSESE DOES SINATRA??

A day before the 10 year anniversary of Frank Sinatra's death, we sort of soiled ourselves a tad upon learning that Martin Scorsese may direct a major biopic for Universal Pictures about the life of the late crooner, according to the film's producer Tina Sinatra.

According to Jam Showbiz, even though the crooner did indeed socialize with organized crime figures, in this film he'll be shown as innocent of any true involvement with the Mafia.

Tina Sinatra tells Sun Media that Scorsese is in a "reflective period" and is willing to present the truth about her father. That means "dismissing scurrilous rumours that Sinatra was a stooge for the Mafia."

Sinatra's youngest daughter also produced the Emmy-winning and awesome 1992 mini-series "Sinatra," and admits it is premature to officially announce Scorsese for the biopic. In Hollywoodspeak, that prolly means the Ts and Is aren't crossed and dotted.

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NOTHING COMES BETWEEN A MAN AND HIS HOOCH...

... Not even his kid. Wow. As a new dad, I find this little gem a tad hilarious and uncomfortable all at once.

Man fined for buckling in beer, not toddler
Police 'shocked and appalled' after Australian leaves 5-year-old on car floor

By The Associated Press

DARWIN, Australia - An Australian man has been fined after buckling in a case of beer with a seat belt but leaving a 5-year-old child to sit on the car’s floor, police said Tuesday.

Constable Wayne Burnett said he was “shocked and appalled” when he pulled over the unregistered car Friday in the central Australian town of Alice Springs.

The 30-can beer case was strapped in between two adults sitting in the back seat of the car. The child was also in back, but on the car’s floor.

“The child was sitting in the lump in the center, unrestrained,” Burnett told reporters Tuesday.

“I haven’t ever seen something like this before,” he said. “This is the first time that the beer has taken priority over a child.”

The driver was fined 750 Australian dollars — about $710 — for driving an unregistered and uninsured vehicle and for failing to ensure a child was wearing a safety belt.

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HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!

Hmmm .... Do you think Joan Crawford is upstairs in the big tavern in the sky stirring a martini, chomping on olives, and smiling down upon us? We hope so...

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40 NEW 'DARK KNIGHT' PICS LEAKED (HI-RES)

The above is part of gigantic batch of new Batman/Joker pics recently leaked. It seems to be the last batch of "Dark Knight" publicity pics officially released as of May 10.

Click HERE to check 'em out.

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UH-OH... NOT AGAIN

Deadline looming for SAG
Guild, studios enter fourth week of talks
By Dave McNary (May 5)

With Hollywood's nerves stretched to the breaking point over a possible strike by thesps, it's make-or-break time for the Screen Actors Guild at the bargaining table.

Negotiators for SAG and the majors face a self-imposed deadline of 5 p.m. PDT today to either make a feature-primetime deal or let the American Federation of Television & Radio Artists have its turn starting Wednesday. The SAG talks have been extended twice and are now in their fourth week.

Both sides met well into Monday night without commenting publicly. But it's understood that the majors have become disinclined to grant a third extension to SAG unless both sides have a deal within sight this afternoon.

And it remains uncertain whether SAG and the AMPTP will start the give-and-take of hard bargaining today. SAG may want to wait until closer to the June 30 contract expiration date in hopes of achieving sweeter terms.

The guild's given only a few signs that it's willing to back off from many of its demands, particularly in new-media provisions, as its leaders have insisted that actors have to receive better terms and salary hikes than those contained in the Directors Guild of America and Writers Guild of America pacts. For its part, the Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers has insisted that any SAG deal has to follow the pattern set by the directors and writers.

To read the rest of the story, click HERE.

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'SPEED RACER' - THE FIRST 7 MINUTES! (video)

First off, let me apologize for the lack of posts. I must attribute it to my lack of sleep. In any case, I'll make up for it now... It's not exactly a secret that this weekend's "Speed Racer" is tracking poorly with audiences. Warner Bros., quivering in their boots no doubt, has posted the films first seven minutes via Yahoo!.

While my expectations for the film aren't all that high, I will say that the first seven minutes were enough to make me want to keep watching - maybe that's the point. It has a dazzling visual style I haven't seen on film since Oliver Stone's "Natural Born Killers" or even "Kill Bill Vol. 1 and 2." Sadly, though, if I do venture out this weekend to the movies, it will be for last week's overperforming "Iron Man" which seems to have hit the mark with everyone.

Still, enjoy this little dazzler for the time being...

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LEARJET LIBERALS = HYPOCRITES!

Many of my hippie friends will surely disagree but I'm going to go on record and say I'm sick of hearing about all the "green" crap we should be doing. I get it. The planet is falling apart and I should use recycled toilet paper and brush my teeth with baking soda derived from tree bark from the Amazon.

It's bad enough I have to dissect my garbage between green glass, brown and clear glass. Plastics go in this bin; Newspapers and tin go over here. Ugh!!

The other thing I despise is that I'm being scolded by the likes of Leo DiCaprio, Brangelina, Sting et al. about how I can make the world a better place while they're all jet setting like '60s-era shagadelic swingers in their learjets.

The Daily Mail in London did a superb job of calling out these learjet libs and showing them for the frauds that they are.

To read the rest of the piece, click HERE.

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NEW 'THE DARK KNIGHT' TRAILER LEAKED

Alas, we have the second and presumably last trailer for "The Dark Knight." Looks pretty effin' cool.

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BATMAN vs. THE DARK KNIGHT - IDENTICAL TRAILERS

This little vid was just too interesting not to post. It shows the trailers for both Tim Burton's gothic and cartoony "Batman" along with this summer's much bleaker "The Dark Knight," helmed by Christopher Nolan.

It's downright amazing that the cadence for both trailers is almost identical. Now, I fully understand that cutting a trailer is an art and that specific companies are employed to create trailers but jeez, let's break away from the mold.

In any case, check it out. It's pretty cool.

See more funny videos at CollegeHumor

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