Entertainments Latest News

What has eight legs, four guns, and a rockin’ awesome car?  Hopefully, the new Ghostbusters movie.  No less than twenty four years after the stellar sequel, Sony’s thinking that it’s time to bring the boys back.  Until Men in Black and the Spider-Man franchise, Ghostbuster’s was Columbia’s top grossing movie ever.  So a third movie would mean the reunion of the inestimable, iconic, and utterly brilliant Bill Murray, the strangely alluring Harold Ramis, nearly forgotten yet awesomely funny Dan Aykroyd, and Ernie Hudson, as the only really sane, down to earth member of the team.

Bad news?  Actually, if the deal goes through, the OGs might not be the stars.  Everyone seems to think that the cast of “The Office” has a good shot of getting cast, unless Murray changes his mind and agrees to be on board (though, granted, his decline is but a rumor).  Everyone also seems to think that “The Office” cast would be great.  I happen to disagree.  I think that anyone except the aforementioned four starring in this movie will be crap.  I grew up on the Ghostbusters – the movie and the animated show.  I was a Ghostbuster in a talent show and for Halloween.  To me, this is akin to suddenly seeing the Chipmunks turned into realistic little creatures.  I still haven’t seen that stab-in-the-heart piece of crap, and will definitely steer clear of Sony’s big idea if I don’t see some Bill Murray and Slimer.  So they can take my $9.00 out of their $400 million estimates.

The Sandlot.  Little Giants.  Rookie of the Year.  Kiddie sports were big back in the early and mid 1990s, and they might be making a comeback with Ice Cube’s new movie, The Longshots.  The difference here is that instead of an entirely campy comedy where the good guys always win (right at the last possible second, of course), this movie is based on a true story.  Really, it can be likened most to Little Giants, in that it stars a girl as a potential football star.

Like Rookie of the Year, however, the physical prowess of the girl in question is discovered by accident.  Rather than having a rocket launcher for an arm as the result of a dubious sports injury, however, Jasmine – played by Keke Palmer – has a legitimate talent.

Ice Cube’s performance is predictably praised thus far – the rap artist and actor has a talent for turning kid friendly movies into something entertaining.  As for Keke Palmer, you might recognize her from Akeelah and the Bee, which proved she has legitimate talent herself.  Personally, however, it was her turn in Madea’s Family Reunion that showed her range as an up and coming actress.

All in all, this promises to be a good film, for what it is.  Not just full of campy kids making good, it is great for all the underdog kids who have trouble fitting in, simply because they haven’t quite found their niche yet.

Anyone who liked the film “Creature from the Black Lagoon” the 1954 horror classic that was one of the films that started the monster craze will be knocked off their seat by “Hellboy 2: The Golden Army.”

Is it possible to have too many monsters in one film? There were five in “Hellboy” and in the sequel there are 32.

And these are not your run-of-the-mill-movie-monsters either: Guillermo del Toro was adamant that they had to be unique.

These creatures have their origins is some pretty scary historical work thanks to the research of Mike Elizalde’s team of artists.

And the results are quite remarkable, some evoking the emotions most associated with monsters grotesque features that make it difficult to look at them.

But coming from the mindset of a monster, this is part of their identity which they accept: even revel in knowing how repulsive they look. The monsters have a spellbinding impact from shades of the medieval era veiling throughout their design.

The camera special effects take advantage of the unique work of the creature’s design components; life-like eyes that are able to focus and blink, and feathered wings that are able to unfurl. The monsters in “Hellboy 2” are indeed gothic masterpieces not to be missed.

From every report so far, the Turner Network has a winner with the animated “Star Wars: Clone Wars.”
The 30-minute episodes have amazing, dimensional visuals with computer animated action scenes that deliver the adrenaline rush you may be craving. Work out your aggressions here and keep a smile on your face.

This is a serious piece of work crafted by no other than Lucasfilm and explores the void between “Revenge of the Sith” and “Attack of the Clones.”

The characters of Obi-wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker and Yoda have some very interesting adventures during this time. In one episode Yoda, the Jedi master undertakes a diplomatic mission to talk with Count Dooku. What the resistance on this planet that may face him doesn’t favor his success.

The 22 episodes due for release in August on the Cartoon Network, were scripted by George Lucas. Similar to the earlier “Clone Wars” series, it brings the characters to life with stunning realism thanks to cel animation.

Anyone who is hungering for some Star Wars adventure will be thrilled at the rendering of battle scenes on alien worlds and enjoy soaring excitement levels from the fantastic depth of field in the graphics and characters.

With July 4th in the history books and Labor Day coming up fast, the next thing you know the year end holiday season will be here and family entertainment will be high on the agenda.

Movies are great, but if you would like a change of pace that is just as entertaining for adults as it is for children, Wintuk is THE show to see.

This is Cirque du Soleil — live family entertainment at it’s best. the story follows a young boy’s quest to bring the magic of snow to a dreary winter.

As he pursues his dream on a stage aglow with awesome theatrical effects, he encounters acrobats, trapeze artists, and daring young men on their cycling machines.

Opening at the WaMu Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City for the holiday season beginning October 30, 2008 the show will run until January 4, 2009.

NOW is the time to get the best seats for one of the most popular holiday family events and tickets are guaranteed to sell quickly. You can get complete ticket information and see a preview of Wintuk here.

George Carlin, the comedian who put free speech to the test in his comedy routine entitled: “Seven Words You Can Never Say On Television” died on Sunday in Santa Monica, California.

He had a history of heart trouble and went to the St. John’s Health Center on Sunday afternoon due to chest pain and died later that evening.

His last performance was at the Orleans Casino and Hotel in Las Vegas the previous weekend. George Carlin was 71 years old.

It was his use of those “seven words” which led to a key Supreme Court ruling on obscenity in 1978 that still stands today. Carlin had a tremendous amount of artistic credits including; 3 books, 14 HBO specials and 23 comedy albums.

“He was a genius and I will miss him dearly,” Jack Burns, who was the other half of a comedy duo with Carlin in the early 1960s, told The Associated Press.

Nicole Kidman wed Keith Urban in 2006 and the couple is now expecting their first child. In a Vogue magazine interview, Nicole revealed her amazement at the sonogram image of her unborn child: “When I first saw the baby on the ultrasound, I started crying. I didn’t think I’d get to experience that in my lifetime.”

She added: “The whole experience is so primal. But I’m glad I’ve learned to let things flow. I’m now so much more capable of receiving love and giving it in a far different way. So to be given the blessing of a child at this stage of my life, you just say, ‘Wow, this was meant to be.’ “

Everybody loves a superhero, except when they need an attitude adjustment like the main character of the new movie “Hancock.”

Will Smith stars in the leading role portraying a superhero who doesn’t really seem like he is comfortable with all the power that he has at his beck and call. But underneath his sarcastic manner is a little secret.

The story takes place in Los Angeles and although Hancock saves lives with his heroics, the problem is that he always manages to leave chaos in his wake without regard. Co-starring Jason Bateman and Charlize Theron, the film opens worldwide on July 2nd.

Sir Sean Connery is set to return to the annual Edinburgh International Book Festival to unveil his long awaited autobiography: “Being a Scot” co-written with his film-maker friend Murray Grigor.

On the date of his appearance, August 25th, Sir Connery will celebrate his 78th birthday and will also salute the anniversary of the birth author Ian Fleming, creator of the “James Bond 007” character.

It was Connery’s portrayal of James Bond in 7 movies which propelled him to fame. 

Edinburgh is the UNESCO City of Literature and the festival of fresh perspectives runs from August 9-25 with more than 800 authors from 40 countries.

Katie Holmes moves from the big screen to New York’s theatre district on Broadway this autumn to star in a revival of Arthur Miller’s post-World War II play “All My Sons.”

Most recently seen in the film “Mad Money’” along with singer/actress Queen Latifah, Katie will get a chance to hone her stage acting skills. She also starred in the films “Batman Begins’”and “Thank You For Smoking.”

Katie plays the character of a woman who visits her former neighbours, the family of a missing pilot she once loved. Other members of the cast include; John Lithgow, Dianne Wiest and Patrick Wilson.