While I am very excited about the upcoming Ridley Scott Alien prequel, Prometheus, I am much more excited about what some are calling the greatest movie ever made. Oddly it's the brain child of television host Jimmy Kimmel. Combining nearly every popular movie genre into one spectacular, star studded epic, Movie: The Movie seems like the great hope that an ailing Hollywood needs to get it back on it's feet. Here is the trailer, with a little intro from Kimmel himself.
In searching the internet for something to write about, I was dismayed to find that the only thing still getting attention is the Oscars. Which were, like, two days ago. Sure, it's a big deal in the entertainment world, and I watched it, tweeting my opinions and quips throughout. But it's over, and yet it's all people seem to be writing about. So I guess I'll do the same.
There were a few key events that marked the 84th time around for Oscar, and not one of them is anything approaching tuxedo-wearing dignified. First of all, what was up with Angelina Jolie's right leg? It was front and centre any time a camera panned her way. It's basically become a thing unto itself, like it had its own ticket. Every single shot of Angelina standing up had her straining to shove her leg out from under her jet-black Atelier Versace ball gown, like she was making some sort of statement. You'd have thought Brad would have leaned over at some point and said "we get it, tuck it back under." By the end of the night it even had its own Twitter account.
...and there's more! Yesterday I wrote about Sasha Baron Cohen being "asked" by the Acadmey of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences not to arrive on the red carpet dressed as his newest character, the Middle Eastern dictator Admiral General Alladeen. It's all right here, or below this post.
Now Baron Cohen has shot back in the only manner fitting for such an irreverant comic. Check it out:
Sacha Baron Cohen is no stranger to creating a stir in the name of comedy. First coming to prominence as British faux-streetwise hip hop enthusiast Ali G, he was known for awkward interviews where he often blindsided guests, like asking an actual Bishop what God looks like (the Bishop's answer: "Well, he's sort of Jesus-shaped."). His character Borat, a fictitious Kazakhstan television personality, was played as a cultural bumpkin, blatantly making fun of Eastern Europeans.
Now Baron Cohen has made the Academy Of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences very nervous. A proposal has come across their collective desk suggesting that the actor might strut this coming Oscar red carpet in full military regalia as his newest creation, Admiral General Alladeen, a dictator inspired by Muammar Gaddafi...but in a funny way.
Way back in 2010 I attended the opening night of Rock of Ages, a musical featuring hard rock from the 80s. I am not a fan of musicals, but I went along to this, and ended up loving it.
The music was arranged for the show, orchestrated to fit the story, by an old friend of my band, David Gibbs from the Boston band Gigolo Aunts. I also got to sit behind Anvil drummer Robb Reiner. AND the after party had an open bar.
Now the Rock of Ages has been turned into a movie starring Tom Cruise, Russell Brand, and Alec Baldwin. I'm not a fan of musicals on the big screen either, but I'll probably go to see this...especially if there's an open bar...which there probably won't be.
Last week I wrote about the rumours that were going around that Rihanna and Chris Brown were reuniting, at least musically. Judging from the comments that I got, very few readers were supportive of the move; in fact most were downright angry. Perez Hilton was one of the only bloggers to post a denial, claiming that the producer of the song in question, Birthday Cake, was tweeting that Brown was not involved.
The main reason it seemed a bit far fetched was that Brown beat Rihanna in 2009, pled guilty for the assault, did community service, and almost wrecked his career in the process. It would seem that, given all the drama and violence, the two would want to stay clear of each other. After all, what would people think about the character of either one of them if they were to act publicly like everything is "all good" between them?
Now it turns out that not only is Chris Brown on Birthday Cake, but Rihanna has added her vocals to Brown's own single, Turn Up the Music. And both singles dropped yesterday, Rihanna's birthday.
On February 8, 2009, Barbadian singer Rihanna was scheduled to perform on the Grammy awards. Her performance had to be cancelled because her boyfriend, R&B singer Chris Brown, had beaten her in a rage after a pre-Grammy party. Brown turned himself into authorities, and although LAPD did not name the victim in the case, stating only that she had "suffered visible injuries", TMZ leaked a picture of a badly bruised Rihanna, and the press went crazy.
Brown, who was also scheduled to perform at the 2009 Grammys, immediately withdrew from public life, serving 5 years of probation, and 6 months of community service. His career, you would think, was basically over.
But Hollywood has a way of turning a blind eye when there is a buck to be made, and somehow Chris Brown is back. The 2012 Grammys were held last weekend, and he not only performed but managed to win Best R&B Album.
Now all that beating and bruising seems to be water under the bridge for Brown and Rihanna. It has been rumoured that the two have been seen together on multiple occasions, that Brown recently attended Rihanna's 24th birthday party, and that they will collaborate on a remix of Rihanna's aptly titled Birthday Cake (Remix). Perezhilton.com has denied the rumour, claiming that the producer of the track has taken to Twitter to say that Brown is not the guest artist who will "shock the world." So who knows about the single, but it's clear that the two are spending time together.
With all the grim news this past weekend about the passing of Whitney Houston, any good news would be welcome. Lady Gaga has announced that her Born This Way Foundation will officially launch on Feb. 29, 2012, at Harvard University’s Sanders Theatre. That's pretty good news, indeed.
The foundation, which will be run by the singer and her mother, Cynthia Germanotta, will work to explore ways to reach youth, and create a new culture of kindness, bravery, acceptance and empowerment focusing on issues like self-esteem, anti-bullying, mentoring, career development, and advocacy. The multi-Grammy winner will be joined by policy makers, non-profit organizations, foundation leaders, and young people themselves who are working to create a better world.
Last week One Million Moms, a group sponsored by the American Family Association, called for boycott of department store giant JCPenney if they didn't drop Ellen DeGeneres as their new spokesperson.
One Million Moms is nazi conservative group who have proclaimed theselves the most powerful tool to fight against the immorality, violence, vulgarity and profanity found in today's entertainment media. The group has vowed to protect children from the filth many segments of society, especially the media, are throwing at American children. So Ellen would be OMM enemy #1.
Today, February 8, is Let's Talk Dayat Bell. Aiming to encourage people to talk about mental illness, Bell will donate 5¢ for every text sent, long distance call made, or retweet of their official @Bell_LetsTalk page.
I wasn't asked to write about this. I think it's a great cause, and in participating, you're basically helping generate free money at no real cost to yourself.
Spokesperson Clara Hughes, a six-time Olympic medal winner, has publically spoken about battling depression.
Last year Canadians made a total of 66,079,236 text messages and long distance calls on Bell Let’s Talk Day – meaning the company added another $3,303,961.80 to the $50 million it has already committed to Canadian mental health.
I have written about suffering from anxiety before, and I think that, whether you participate in the Bell event or not, comunication is key in helping to bring people out of the shadows of mental illness. So, today, and any other day, don't be afraid to reach out to someone you care about, or are concerned about, and let them know how you feel.
On a lighter note, here's a dog watching table tennis:
January 2012
