Willis and Foxx are Kane & Lynch

So what do you get when you take a video game, 2 a-list celebrities, and decide to make a movie? Well you can either have a great movie (probably Prince of Persia), a good movie (Resident Evil, Hitman, Max Payne), or you can have crap (BloodRayne, Super Mario Brothers, Double Dragon, ect).

In this case the video game is Kane & Lynch. If you aren't familiar with the game it can be summed up by this video.



Yep, this is a game all about the massive kills, explosions, and mayhem that can be done with a modern video game system. And like most video games these days there is a solid backstory, character development, and solid graphics.

The one thing the game does not have are any real heroes. Both lead characters are scum. Neither is honorable, justified, or innocent. Which makes the copious amounts of violence understandable, as no hero would inflict this kind of pain on innocents.

Now take that and imagine this on the big screen. It's just not possible. Especially when you consider that Kane will be played by Bruce Willis, and Lynch is reported to be Jamie Foxx.

I'm not saying either actor is incapable, because they can definitely act. It's that the characters, as they exist, are just too violent and despicable for movie theaters. Willis and Foxx have also built up reputations as playing good guys, or at least the most good person in a movie of very grey characters. The roles of Kane & Lynch will dent those on-screen images. Which might be a reason for the actors to take the roles.

Still I see massive rewriting in the film version. I expect that at least Kane, possible also Lynch, will be toned down. The characters will be made less homicidal, and given a heroic cause for the mayhem they will create. Possibly even a bit of redemption too. Which could destroy the feel of the movie, or could cause viewers to cheer on the leads. It all depends on the writing.

And writing is something that Hollywood has been skimping on these days.

Whichever way the film goes, it will be interesting to see how it all comes together. Plus watching Willis and Foxx in an action movie sounds fun. Like the match up of Willis and Damon Wayans in the Last Boyscout (a good film by the way), but with a lot more action.

Figure it will be 1 - 2 years before the film is out. Until then, you can play Kane & Lynch 2 (out in August) and just imagine the film to come.

Who is Bombshell McGee?

I personally don't care about the rumors or scandal surrounding this woman. I believe strongly in the fact that whatever did or did not happen to Sandra Bullock's marriage is a personal matter and they shoudl be left alone.

Seperate of that I was interested in what this reportedly tattoed woman and fetish model looked like. Does she deserve the name 'Bombshell'? How good is her modeling?

Well there isn't much to go on. The best I could find was this video



Honestly not nearly as interesting as the name implies. I'm bored with this, and I have to ask - Now that you know who this woman is (and even if you didn't), what difference in your life does the scandal make?

King of Pop, now and forever?

Michael Jackson was many things to many people. A great musician, a troubled man, a businessman with the ability to make hoards of money, and a man who could spend money as fast as he made it. All are true, to varying degrees, but one thing may stand out above them all. He is still the King of Pop.

After all only a king could pull off what the Jackson estate is doing. Sony has now inked a deal of no less than $200 million, potentially $250 million, over 7 years with the Jackson estate. While that would not make the top 10 list of LIVING entertainers (actors in particular) it does make the top 20 I believe.

In fact this deal raises Michael Jackson from the top 3 position on the Forbes highest paid dead celebrity list, to almost assuredly 1st. With $90 million already made, plus the proceeds from This Is It, and now the Sony deal I would imagine he tops $350 million. Probably by quite a bit.

Elvis by comparison only had $55 million. Tupac, Biggie, and other notable dead singers that continued to have records published after their deaths don't even make the list.

Hell, this deal for the Jackson estate is so big even living celebrities are taking a back seat. Jay-Z only got $120 million. Maddona had $120 million. This doesn't even touch on the music library rights that the Jackson estate owns, worth roughly $2 billion (which includes rights to songs of Elvis and the Beatles among others).

When you add it all up, it really does become clear that Michael Jackson is (even after death), and for a long time to come will be, the King of Pop.

Open marriages - the new Hollywood trend?

The great thing about being up so late and working is that sometimes you run across news that you missed. In this case I noticed an item that really caught my attention.

Over the years I have heard Black women, and women in general for that matter, complain that there just aren't any good men left. That they can't find a solid relationship. That there isn't anyone worth keeping.

In Hollywood the situation is like the normal issues on crack. Celebrities seem to get engaged, married, and divorced like a ride on a merry-go-round. Often a soap opera will have characters with more fidelity. But Oscar winner Mo'Nique has never had that problem.

Mo'Nique has been married for 25 years. The secret of keeping her marriage?

"Let me say this: I have not had sex outside my marriage with Sidney...Could Sid have sex outside of his marriage with me? Yes. That's not a deal-breaker. That's not something that would make us say, 'Pack your things and let's end the marriage.'"

As often as Hollywood starts trends, as much as women try to copy the looks and actions of actresses, as much as Black women support African American actresses, I don't see this gaining favor.

Then again, it might.

A poll that went with this revelation stated that 18% of women thought the concept of an open marriage was the key to a better relationship. Given that the divorce rate currently exceeds the rate of people getting married, open marriages might not be that odd a concept. Still I can't imagine most women being ok with this.

The younger generation has accepted lots of ideas that I don't agree with or grew up with. They have sex sooner, consider oral sex non-sexual (or at least not a big deal). They are more prone to use drugs, have multiple partners, and to try - if not be - bisexual. I'm not making a moral statement, just an observation.

Given all that, and the fact that now a celebrity has endorsed open marriages, will this become the new trend?

Peter Graves - the mission is sadly over

It's sad to have to mention that actor Peter Graves has died today. The news has just gone over the news, he was 83 - four days before his 84th birthday.

For my younger readers, you might only recall Peter Graves as Colonel John Camden on the WB Network TV series 7th Heaven, or perhaps as the odd but funny airline pilot Captain Clarence Oveur from the Airplane! spoof movies. Some who are a bit older, or anyone that has had the chance to see the original television series Mission: Impossible (which the Tom Cruise films are very loosely based on), will remember Graves as Mr. Jim Phelps. But fans of older classic films might also recall his serious and strong performance in the film Stalag 17, as the German undercover spy Price.

Peter Graves was more than just an actor. He served in the Air Force, went to the University of Minnesota, and was a member of Phi Kappa Psi. He was a husband to his wife, Joan Endress, for 60 years (a number most people today have trouble reaching in months of a marriage). He was also the father of 3 children.

But the thing the general populace knew Graves for was his acting. Whether on the big screen or small, he was a mainstay for decades. Like very few in Hollywood, Graves was in 70 movies and televisions shows throughout his 52 year career (his most recent role was in 2003).

He was the well recognized voice of Biography on A&E, to the point of his parody of his Biography work in the film Men in Black II, hosting an exposé television show. It was that humor that likely garnered his roles in Airplane!

One thing he was not known for was any part of the Mission Impossible movies made by Tom Cruise. Like every surviving member of the cast, Graves had no desire to be a part of the revisioned film portrayal of the famous television show. It was rumored that Graves did not want to appear in a version of Mission: Impossible that made the Phelps character a villain.

Along the path of Peter Graves career he was nominated for Emmy's and Golden Globes, winning a Golden Globe Award in 1971 and an Emmy in 1997.

Here are some videos of the man.







My condolences to his family and friends.

Corey Haim, dead at 38 - a waste

Death and taxes are the 2 things we all know are coming for us all (even certain politicians). None of us know when our final moments will come, but we hope for that time to be long away.

Drug users don't really fit into that category. The nature of what they are addicted to shortens their lives, and limits the quality of the life they do get to have. Sadly Corey Haim was an example of how short life can become and how wasted the opportunities become.

I don't mean to pick on Haim. But perhaps in his death a lesson to others can be found.

Haim was on a fast track to stardom in his youth. He was well known, a teen heartthrob. He was in popular and good films. His acting abilities were solid and growing. He had a path wide open for his future. And then he became addicted to drugs.

Ultimately the drug addiction took his life. But along the way it destroyed his career, taking him from making movies like Lost Boys, to Snowboard Academy, to being without work and bankrupt. The drugs also strained, let's be honest it broke friendships and business relationships.

But when he was able to steer clear of the drugs, the talent and inner Haim won back many friends. He was able to get work again, in major movies like Crank: High Voltage and The Pick Up (to be relesaed in 2010), because people wanted to help him. But the addiction never let him go. It finally killed him today, along with his chance at a comeback and to the dismay of friends.

Right now there are tens of thousands, maybe millions listening to a rap song glorifying drugs. There are countless movies and music videos promoting drug use as "normal" or "harmless". There are movements across the country trying to get some or all drugs to be legalized. In each case the effects of drugs on people like Haim, Amy Winehouse, and millions of regular people are glossed over.

Corey Haim didn't win any Oscars. He was not the greatest actor ever. But he might have been, we will never know now. He died at 38, an age far to young for anyone to end their life at. He leaves behind a legacy that includes several very good films, the television show The 2 Corey's which gave a glimpse at the difficulties drugs create and his attempt at redemption, and friends.

He has also left us a sad reminder that life is too precious to throw away with drugs.

My condolences to his family and friends.

Lindsey Lohan is the milkaholic

By now I am sure everyone has seen the latest in the line of commercials for E*Trade featuring the E*Trade Baby. First seen during the Super Bowl, it has become a popular commercial. In fact too popular for one Hollywood starlet.



Lindsey Lohan has just sued E*Trade for $100 million dollars, claiming that the commercial is based on her life. In addition Lohan believes that just the mere mention of her first name is enough to register in the minds of the public her image.

Personally I believe Lohan should be given another drug test to find out what she is on this time. Seriously, the E*Trade commercial is about her? Because the baby in the commercial has the same first name, which happens to be a popular name for women. Get real.

Yes it is true that the baby Lindsey is accused of being a "milkaholic", as well as being unscupulous enough to steal the boyfriend of another woman. And I can see the correllation to Lohan in that she is known for her drug addictions, alcohol abuse, and less than honorable actions in relation to Aaron Carter, back in 2001. Then again, most recently Lohan has been connected to being bi-curious or a lesbian due to her former relationship with Samantha Ronson, which ended in 2009.

So is the baby in the E*Trade commercial enough of a loser to evoke images of Lohan and her career? Honestly, not until Lohan opened her mouth. But forevermore the joke will not only be the style of the television commercial, but the fallen star of Lindsey Lohan.

Perhaps that is the point though. Lohan hasn't been in the tabloids in a while. Her last car crash was in 2007, about the last time that anyone paid attention to her drug and alcohol abuse issues. She has made 4 forgetable, if completely unseen, films since 2007. Her celebrity today is more akin to a has-been than a current star. And as they say, "No publicity is the only bad publicity in Hollywood".

Obviously the lawsuit will fail. Not only because there appears to be no direct connection to Lohan, but because Lohan is not interesting, talented, or even infamous enough to be known by a single name - except perhaps as lush or druggie or untalented by the particularly cruel.

Time and again the younger crop of entertainers are willing to do and be associated with anything that will place their sorry faces in front of cameras and tabloid pages. The longer such actions go on the more sad and pathetic the acts of desperation appear. This is no exception.

Lindsey Lohan does not deserve $100 million for anything, the least of which is an association of her name to anything with talent, innovation, and even a spark of creativity. If anything, E*Trade should sue her for marring the image of their television commercials with her.

Sean Penn and Haiti

Sean Penn is a quality actor, and politically the kind of American I would expect from a B-grade spy movie about communist sleeper agents. He has long put himself on the forefront of criticism for his views, his socialist preferences, and his blatant love fests with unsavory leaders like Hugo Chavez and Fidel Castro.

But given those facts, there is no question that in regard to Haiti and the relief efforts Penn has been putting his XX where his mouth is. He has directly brought doctors (11), water filters, donated huge sums of money, and actively helped to save lives of those buried in rubble. He has directly done what many entertainers only speak about from afar.

I started to search through various posts and news articles on Penn and his activities in Haiti because of the most recent comments by Penn about the efforts of the American military in Haiti. Penn has uncharacteristically stated that

We have worked very closely with Colonel Mike Foster and Sergeant Keith Horn (ph), who have been -- who are truly exceptional men in the 82nd Airborne. And it has -- it has been such an experience working with these people."

"JENKINS [partner of Penn in his Haiti specific charity]: Because I -- in Bosnia, I associated the army with killing. And in my life, they came too late, because I lost everything.

But when I got to Haiti and I've seen what the American Army has done, all I can say is God bless America and the American Army, because they work so hard. And the only sense of order that is there, I think it's them. And they are trying so hard to help, to distribute, to do anything they can to help these people."

"PENN:I would like to tell all my lefty friends out there, these guys are doing an amazing job and they're doing it with the greatest intentions in heart and in conjunction with all of the other organizations. It's a -- and it is an amazing amount of cooperation."

Talk about shock. The only problem I have with these comments by Penn is that it took this sad crisis in Haiti for him to open his eyes and notice the great good the American military does everyday.

But somewhere it seems someone is upset with Penn. Why? I have no idea. Who? I don't know because I can't find it. I imagine it has to be some of the very same far-left wackos that Penn normally rubs shoulders with. But his response to those critics on this issue in Haiti is the very same Sean Penn that we expect to hear about

"...the outspoken actor says he hopes any cynic who dismisses his efforts as a star turn will "die screaming of rectal cancer."

It's extreme all right. And at the moment I don't care as long as Penn continues to help the people of Haiti.

But if I gave myself a moment to look at this situation, I might suggest to Penn the fickle nature of what I presume is the extreme far-left when anyone does anything they don't like. Which includes those that they normally support, as Penn has now found out.

Stepping away from that, I applaud Penn (I can't believe I'm saying that) for what he has done and continues to do in Haiti. I love celebrities that give to those in need and use thier star power to provide for those that most need it. Penn deserves the positive attention he has earned, and I hope this just brings more help for the people of Haiti.

50 Cent sex video lawsuit

I've found that rappers, since 1992, are a sad bunch of minstrels. They parade around screaming how tough they are, how much they love the ghetto (that they got out of), and how many drugs they can take while screwing anything that can walk. The reality is just so far from that.

One of the bigger "artists" is minstrel entertainer Curtis Jackson. He is probably best known as 50 Cent, and less well as bullet magnet. His songs boast of a glamorous thug lifestyle. His videos show him endulging in copious amounts of alcohol, women and so on. His reputation is built upon the facts that he is a dropout and convicted drug dealer.

As impressive as all that may be, the thing that I find interesting is the latest legal battle he is facing. 50 Cent is so successful, so surrounded by throngs of women, that he is getting sued for a sex video on the internet.

Not a video of him having sex, which I'm sure some drug-addled fan might envision in a haze of ganja high. It's a video of someone else. All Jackson did was insert himself into the video with a wig, robe, and providing a narration. Then he put it on his website. Or so the lawsuit he faces alleges.

Now I doubt that Jackson is geek enough to know how to manipulate video as required. But the mere fact that he found the best use of his time was to have this video manipulated, seems telling. The fact that it's a sex video even moreso.

For all his money and fame (deserved or not) 50 Cent couldn't even produce his own sex video? Not unlike much of rap today, the best he could do was alter the work of someone else? Not only is this low class (if it is true) its lazy, stupid, and more than a bit creepy.

50 Cent may be one of the best minstrels of the current crop of sell-outs, but I tend to believe that you just can't get the ghetto out of those that want to wallow in the worst aspects of it.

Tiger Woods countdown

With less than 24 hours to go there is no end to the speculation about what will happen with Tiger Woods and his press announcement. If it can be called that.

Tiger will be in a room seperate of reporters, with close associates, spouting whatever he chooses to say. He will not be asked questions by reporters, directly or via any other means. There is no clear forewarning of what will or will not be covered in the announcement.

Still there is no end of rumours about all of this. Honestly I have a simple opinion about it all. Tiger Woods should shut up.

Tabloids are loving Woods right now. Given he has provided lots of sales to the tabloids as numerous women fill their pages with allegation after allegation. Whether they are true, in part or whole, doesn't matter. At this point it is clear that the man was going after certain records held by Dr. J and a few other eqiually famous athletes.

But everything was quieting down. The flood of allegations was old news. And Woods had already admitted his dalliances, plus allegedly took steps to correct his behaviour. There really wasn't anything to grab the headlines again. Likely he could have gone back to the PGA and after 1 or 2 short press conferences stating this was all in his past, moved on.

Instead the sorid side of Woods will again be the big topic of sports. Drowning out the Winter Olympics, which really isn't hard to do. But it will make any near term return to golf all that much more of a circus, because tomorrow's spectacle will only ingnite the fuel for more.

At this point, Tiger Woods is known to be a great athlete and an adulterer. These are facts that will never go away. They are also facts that are common among sports athletes, especially with the top of the various sports. Right or wrong, this is a given and only the fact that Woods kept his actions quiet for so long made it that much more of a crash that the world has to watch.

If Woods said nothing publicly, and just went back to playing golf he would be no worse off than he was 4 days ago. Now, he potentially could lose tens of thousands perhaps millions of fans by giving too much or too little information (likely both will occur). It's a situation he cannot win, and he shouldn't try.

I don't care about the private life of any entertainer. If it does not affect me or the general public it should stay private. Enterytainers are people, flawed as much as anyone else, and deserve the privacy anyof us whould want to have. But when the doors are opened even a little into that privacy then you cannot prevent the flood that will follow.

So Tiger Woods should shut up. We didn't know or care about his private life before, and I really don't want to know now. Too bad in less than 24 hours that won't be an option anymore.

We are the World - Haiti edition

So I'm in NYC, talking to my accountant and enjoying the rapture that is the Obama Administration. But that's not why you are on this blog.

I think that enough time has passed that discussing the "revisioned" We are the World song will not hurt the donations to Haiti that it can provide. By now everyone that planned on buying the song has done so.

Basically I hate the idea. Yes charity and donations from celebrities are always positive. Still you would think they could have been a bit more original. Instead they took the Hollywood approach and just copied something that was far better in the past and redid it.

Of course, considering the "talent" involved something new probably wouldn't have worked. Some might take that to mean that I don't believe T-Pain, Akon (criminal), Kanye West (egoist), (criminal) Lil Wayne, Snoop Dogg (criminal), and several others are without talent. And they would be right.

Think about it. Of the original artists and singers in the original, not one of them came back for this remake. It says something about what was being made and why. This group was filled with current day fads, and non-singing gimmicks, but hardly any substance. It was filled with a majority of people that need huge promotion and attention to remain relevant and interesting. I doubt if half of these people will be making records in 10 years, let alone any of the younger talent ever making it into a hall of fame (unless the criteria drops massively).

The original was something that was done, without a media blitz, purely to help people. The number of Hall of Famers and entertainers with decades of experience and ability dwarfs the same counterpart in the new version. And the new kids just had to have lots of advance and post publicity.

There is an old saying in Russia,

"If you have to advertise it, it can't be that good."

Well in America everything is advertised. But the amount of advertising often is in direct proportion to the waste of money you will recieve. Massive non-stop advertising = a piss poor product that is trying to collect money before word of mouth kills sales. Then again that also describes American Idool, modern rap, and most of the artists involved in this effort for Haiti.

Am I glad this made millions? Well yes, if the money goes solely to Haiti relief. As long as the money doesn't pay for this or that other interest and function, at least 85% of the money actually getting to the people, then yes I am glad it existed.

But, I have to believe that if some effort was applied to make something new, and that was presented to the very best of the new and old artists around, the money that could have been made would have been 3x as much or more. The key is that little word effort. Like talent, it's not popular these days, nor as important as it used to be.

What I said at the start is still the most important thought though. To be honest about the hodge-podge now won't hurt sales and thus the donations. Just a few egos, that are way to inflated anyway.

Taylor Lautner to become a plaything

Ok, I really must be getting older. It's the only answer to why I do know what Strech Armstong is, and don't have a clue who Taylor Lautner is. But for anyone else that is out there and unsure of either, never fear Hollywood is hard at work bringing the 2 together.

Lautner will be starring in a new movie titled and based on the toy Stretch Armstrong. The toy is very old, around 30 years or so, and is simply a doll (think He-Man style) with rubbery arms that can be stretched to extreme lengths. You might think that Hollywood is stretching the proposed plot of the upcoming film, but that would assume a plot exists.

Lautner for his part is a "teen heartthrob", which would explain why I have no idea who he is. His claim to fame is being part of the excessively hyped Twillight films. Somehow I expect this film, due out in 2012, to bring many of his fans back to reality.

Why is this film going to be made? Because of all the money Hasbro (which owns the toy) has made off of it's other toys, Transformers and GI Joe. Note that I did not say because of the entertainment Harbro gave to movie audiences (they didn't). This is merely another grab at whatever money is left in your pocket after taxes, if you still have a job these days.

I suppose that Hasbro thinks this is a great time for a movie based on this toy. The "hero" is kind of like Plastic Man, who is sort of a comic book superhero. And comic book conversion films are all the rage in Hollywood. Adding the hype of the kid from Twillight is sure to drive female fans to the film, and hopefully spark new sales of a toyline (sure to be remodeled after Lautner's image) that I doubt anyone under 35 recalls.

Seriously, things are getting desperate in Hollywood. They are making movies based on anything they can find these days. A video game, a comic book, an old television show, now toys. What's next? Board games? Wait, actually A deal was made to turn Monopoly and Chutes & Ladders (Candy Land too if I recall correctly) into movies.

The only thing left is to make a movie based on candy bars, and remakes of revisioned films. And once they start making movies about a Snickers bar you know that it's the end of the civilization.

Movie Preview: Green Zone

Let's say you are a Hollywood Liberal. You hate President Bush, dislike Republicans, loathe the war in Iraq (and likely Afghanistan) and gernerally want to tell the world that America is wrong (on just about everything). What do you do?

The result is likely Green Zone. A film that focuses on the Iraq War in it's pre-surge stages. A time when admittedly America was not focused in it's efforts or goals. A war that did not have a clear justification, and was the focal point of Liberal disgust with the Government.

But films of this nature have been made before. Lions for Lambs is just one example. There are many. The general public made a clear statement that such films were distasteful, and far too politically biased, to be worthy of viewing - even as DVD's or on cable. Thus the Hollywood Liberal is stuck; wanting to spread a message that no one wishes to hear, nor believes in total.

Green Zone resolves that in 2 ways. First is the use of Matt Damon, a solid actor, as a quasi-Bourne/average joe soldier. Damon is the spy/soldier of fortune of this generation. Sort of a Rambo with a brain or Bond with brawn. His name is sure to draw action and adventure fans, while still bringing in a female audience that just likes his looks.

The second part is the loose use of the book Imperial Life in the Emerald City: Inside Iraq's Green Zone. A book that purported to not pick sides, and was a moment in time in the war in Iraq. A moment that specifically emphasizes the less than stellar actions of America.

With these 2 elements a film can be created that sets the American Government as bad guys, the American soldier as caught in the middle of deceptions and intrigue, and the military as bullies. It can ram home the dreams of the Liberal Hollywood in a format that will seem less political in movie trailers and finally be seen by the public at large.



I am a fan of Matt Damon. I like his acting, and I have no doubt that he will make this role interesting. Politically we are on opposite sides of the spectrum, which is fine. Until politics invades a movie in the disguise of entertainment.

I don't mind politics in movies. Anti-war movies and those with political commentaries can be great films. Like Apocalypse Now or Platoon. When the point is entertainment and then politics and not the other way around.

I dislike films that are mere propoganda, no matter how stylishly done or how many star entertainers it may contain. I dislike films that use the military as a tool to exploit to spread a message. And yes, I am no fan of anti-American films.

Thus you can take this preview of Green Zone with a grain of salt or not. You may not see the elements that I believe are present and at the fore of the film. You may agree with these ideas, in part or whole, and like the package that has been made to present them.

I do not.

Paul Greengrass is an excellent director (Bourne Ultimatum), and Damon is a solid actor. This film will have action and superb war fight scenes. It looks to have a pace that is intense, writing that is on par or above most films these days. Even the plot will be logical, if biased.

But these trappings do not seperate the true reason this film exists. To spread a political philosophy that Hollywood Liberals espouse and have been trying to disseminate for years without success by any metric.

I do not recommend this film. I won't recommend it as a DVD either. I may be completely wrong, and I will be the first to stand up and state so if I am, but that is about as likely as Hollywood becoming Conservatives.

Conan O'Brien doing the right thing for staff

For all the back and forth over who gets the Tonight Show, I have had nothing to say. It's broadcast television and I generally don't watch it. Plus Jay Leno is not my cup of tea. Then again, Conan O'Brien isn't quite it either.

I do think that O'Brien got screwed by NBC. But his contract will ensure that he will be well paid for this public slap in the face. Leno on the other hand is a sinking ship. I believe that even his fan-base will reject him back in his old time slot because of the way this all worked out.

But the thing that got me writing is none of this. It's the most recent news of what is happening in the negotiations between NBC and O'Brien.

NBC is stuck and they know it. They must pay O'Brien since they broke the terms of his contract. That's worth $30 million. But the contract is not inclusive of the staff. They are a seperate situation.

O'Brien, it is reported by the AP, is sticking by his guns and fighting for a deal that will take care of his 200 or so staff members. NBC for it's part says it's made a nice deal for them and that this is just PR. So it's a he-said-she-said situation.

I believe O'Brien. NBC screwed him. NBC caused the situation. NBC is the ne trying to preserve as much money as possible while being forced to live up to the contract they broke. If anyone is likely to be pinching pennies, it would be NBC. Especially when it comes to people the public is unaware of and thus far more expendable in NBC's eyes.

I have a lot more respect for Conan O'Brien having heard about his support of his staff. He may be funny, but it's his staff that allows him to be so, night after night. The fact he is standing up for them is the right thing to do. Something that many stars in Hollywood and television forget.

So I really don't care who gets the Tonight Show. I won't be watching it any more than I have for the last 2 decades. But just because of what O'Brien has done, I will watch a bit of whatever he does next. Do you agree he has earned that much?

Teddy Pendergrass - an inspiration passes

It's a shame to have to say that Teddy Pendergrass has passed away. The man was an inspirational entertainer. Not only because of his talent, that required no gimmicks or manipulation of his voice in a studio as many today require, but also because of his perserverance after the accident that left him in a wheelchair.

Teddy Pendergrass was one of the few entertainers that has endured the test of time. His music has found countless new fans, while remaining cherished by old fans for decades. He was part of an age of entertainers that didn't need music videos, or blatant sexual imagery, to sell. He was quality before the current age of quantity flooded the markets.



And any discussion of Pendergrass is not complete without mentioning the Teddy Pendergrass Alliance which raised money, awareness, and inspired those that suffered from spinal cord injuries.



Music has lost a great, far too young and far too soon. There is no replacement for his style, voice, and talent in the industry today and likely ever to come. Truly its a sad day.

Schuyler Fisk - iTunes exclusive

Here is a bit of news that music fans, and those that like iTunes, will enjoy. I have been notified that Schuyler Fisk will be releasing a new song, "Love Somebody", exclusively on iTunes on Friday January 8th.

The song "Love Somebody" has been heard in some regions in association with commercials for SPCA. But now fans nationwide will have the chance to download the song. The big bonus though is that the proceeds of the song will go to benefit Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA. That's 100% of the proceeds.

For those readers less familiar with Schuyler Fisk, I found the following video. It's not a music video, but a portion of the film I'm Reed Fish, where Fisk is singing the song herself.



For those that are fans of Fisk, you can look forward to seeing her in a movie shortly. She will be in an upcoming Gus Van Sant movie that has already finished filming.

The new voice of the news

When it comes to gravitas, there are few entertainers that even can be considered on the list. When it comes to being an icon of entertainment, the list gets smaller.

Just think about it. What are the voices that you can always recognize, even without seeing a face? James Earl Jones, Orson Welles, Walter Cronkite, William Shatner, top the list of course. They are men that without question are immediately recognized. But, as much as I was sure that Darth Vader had to be Black (I was very disappointed when he wasn't), as much as I respect Cronkite for his reporting, I don't imagine those men with the reserved dignity and impact of one other voice.

Morgan Freeman.

Perhaps it is the fact that this one actor has such a voice, a voice that just seems to fit as a stand-in for God or Presidents, that CBS has decided to use it for it's news program. It is perhaps the one voice that can replace the heralded Cronkite as a voice of familiarity and trust when it comes to the news of the day.

It's quite the move for a man that most my age remember initially as Easy Reader (from the original Electric Company on PBS). Freeman has gone from Mississippi to the heights of Hollywood. He is respected and sought after. And his voice compels the audience to just listen.

At 72, Freeman is possibly one of the most momentus actors of several generations. Which is interesting as his movie career didn't start until he was 43, and didn't take off until he was 50. He is more in demand now than most actors are in their 20's, or ever.

Something that CBS news viewers might not know, Morgan Freeman can dance, which he did for the 1964 World's Fair. He can sing, as he did as a memeber of the Opera Ring in San Franscico. And like many men of the past, he served in the military - the Air Force.

Considering that back in 1937 when Freeman was born African Americans were not accepted on radio and only in movies as caricatures of people (there was no television), and now he is the voice and image of trust, sobriety, gravitas, and the sanctified. It's a thought that is both warming to me and inspiring.

Bravo Mr. Freeman, and bravo to CBS for their good taste.

The PGA without Tiger Woods - does it matter?

And so it begins. Now that Tiger Woods has decided to step away from golf while he and his wife resolve the now public issues, advertisers and golfers are running from him. The greatest golfer, arguably ever, is quickly learning who his friends are.

I won't speak about what Tiger did or his wife's reaction. That is a private matter for them both. But I will comment on the reaction this is having. And like dominoes the effect is just triggering more and more reactions.

Gillette is now the first of the major advertisers to step away from Woods. While not quite running, they are going to quickly minimize the ads that feature Tiger. Gillette claims this is their attempt to help Woods minimize his public presence. Which oddly enough sounds more like they are trying to not piss of women that might buy their product because they somehow link it to Woods actions.

So far Nike has remained the most dedicated to Tiger of all the advertisers. Which makes sense as Tiger has done everything they could have hoped for with their golf equipment line. With Woods out of competition, it's hard to know exactly what will happen to future ads in 2010. Still I think there will be something that features Woods and Nike. And I commend that in at least the fact that they acknowledge what was done for them. Plus I hate rats fleeing a sinking ship, before it starts to sink.

In the world of golf there are mixed comments. There are those that wish the Woods family encouragement in their efforts to resolve this issue. There are those that have shared their feelings about similar troubles, like John Daly. These are respectful comments that I think make sense, though the best are those that refuse to speak about a private matter.

Then there are golfers like Colin Montgomerie. His comments that focus on his ability to win now just annoy me.

"I feel that it gives us more opportunity of winning these big events now."

It rings petty, considering that it is an admission that were the best golfer in the world around, he and others like him, could never have a chance. Montgomerie is just not that good.

I can't wait to see how Montgomerie feels when he sees what winning without the presence of Woods means. Inevitably the prize purses in the PGA are going to drop without Woods. The viewership of televised events, and likely the number of events covered, will drop. A Lot. Because no one really cares if Colin Montgomerie wins, but everyone cares if Tiger plays.

The big question to the PGA and professional golf, even advertisers, has to be what will happen if Tiger comes back? What happens if Tiger doesn't come back, or he is incapable of the dominance he has had in the sport? What happens to all the charities and organizations that Woods created and sponsors? Perhaps John Daly summed it up well

" They always say there is no one bigger in golf than the game itself. But Tiger is."

Somehow I think it's going to be quite a while before we see ads like the following again:





And it will be a long time before we see this in golf videos



Sadly I think we have all witnessed the end of the Tiger Woods era. No matter when he comes back, I think his spirit has been broken. He will still win, and he will break records. But the greatest moments of his career will likely be behind him. In a way it's just a shame to know we will never see what he could have been. And we will never see his kind of ability again in our lifetime, of that I am sure.

Pee-wee Herman is back

Some of my readers probably never have heard of Pee-wee Herman, nor his real world creator Paul Reubens. That can either be taken as a plus or a negative depending on your taste in comedy.

Either way there is no question that for a time, Pee-wee was the hottest comedian on television. He had a successful Saturday morning show that was good for kids, but held lots of laughs for adults that could read between the lines. He had made 2 successful films. All was going well.

Then Reubens did something that nearly killed Pee-wee completely. Reubens was caught doing a very adult act in a quite seedy film theater. The reaction was hardly the minor inconvienence of George Michael, it was more akin to the image bash that Tiger Woods is currently living.



Every sponsor disappeared, and Reubens was unable to find any kind of work. He languished in this realm for a time until he got a break with a "minor" role in the original film of Buffy the Vampire Killer. His take on a vampire death was a scene stealer and reminded some that talent is not the same as media exposure.



There were several other minor roles over the years, but nothing to the level of Pee-wee.

Of course Reubens was in a love-hate relationsip with Pee-wee. Not unlike Leonard Nimoy's feelings towards Spock, perhaps even the relationship of Gollum and The Ring, Pee-wee was what Reubens was known for.

But now, decades after the event, and at a time when the youth are more than prepared to see for the first time the great hits of the past, Reubens has made peace with his famous alterego and brought him back to life. The only question is how big a return will it be?

I say how big because Paul Reubens is funny. As annoying as the Herman persona can be, it works. On the big screen and on the small it conveys something to audiences of all ages. And it's far more original than most anything else out now in any medium you can name.

I'm hoping all goes well for Reubens and Herman alike. I thought he was a funny man, and the onslaught of negative publicity for something that hurt no one was unfair (though it was a bit creppy - like George Michael). He's paid his dues, more than most entertainers.

So I think it's time that another generation learn how to dance to Tequila!

Is South Africa now sexist instead of racist?

For more than half of my life South Africa was a nation divided by segregation and racism. And I wish that that was the full extent of their flawed and divisive system, but the truth is that they were like this for well over 100 years. But now that apartheid is gone, South Africa seems to be moving forward to just discriminating against women.

At least this is what I get from the recent protest against Jennifer Hudson. It has been reveiled that Hudson has been picked to portray Winnie Madikizela-Mandela in an upcoming movie. And there are those in South Africa that oppose this.

The film is to be made in South Africa, with a director that is from there and made several other films about the nation and it's troubled (to say the least) past. In each of Darrell J. Roodt'd prior films (Sarafina and Cry, The Beloved Country) a mix of American and other actors too on prominent roles. That is what enabled these films to have a life outside of South Africa and to be seen across the world.

But that's not good enough anymore it seems

"This decision must be reversed, it must be stopped now," union secretary general Oupa Lebogo said in The Times. "If the matter doesn't come up for discussion, we will push for a moratorium to be placed on the film."

Now here are 2 very good questions I would ask Lebogo. First, if this film is not allowed to be made as is, who does he think will see the film and thus promote South Africa as a nation changed from the ways of discrimination and strife? Without a huge name as Jennifer Hudson, does anyone believe that this film might ever be seen in America - or likely any other nation? It may sound mean, but the fact is that I don't recall seeing a South African actor winning an award for a film made in South Africa.

The second question is a bit different but even more pertinant. Why was there no protest about Clint Eastwood's film Invictus?

It stars 2 Americans, Matt Damon and Morgan Freeman, playing prominent South Africans. It has an American director. It was filmed in South Africa, promoting that nation. But it's about men.

The film for Hudson is about women. That's the only difference. Well that and the fact the Jennifer Hudson film is even more connected to South Africa than Clint Eastwood's movie.

It seems to me that this protest in South Africa is just an admission of sexism which replaced the apartheid system in that nation. It's a repression of the people of that land. And it will ultimately hurt South African, not help it.

I guarantee that if Jennifer Hudson does not star in this film, it will be relatively unseen. The movie might be a hit by SA standards, but that's about it. A bad remake of a worse zombie film in America will outperform the SA film in numbers of movie-goers, international attention, and revenue. That's just a fact.

So before South Africa pisses of Jennifer Hudson, women, and Hollywood I think they should shut up. They need the revenue the film will bring their nation. They need the positive attention. They need the support of women as much as they needed it when Nelson Mandela was locked up and Apartheid was the rule of their land.

Win a $3 million dollar home for $30

Yes this is real. No, M V Consulting, Inc. is not involved though I wish we were. This is the the result of the compassion and efforts of Dennis Rodman and the Mission of St. Francis.

The Mission of St. Francis is a non-Government funded private organization that helps people that are in need. They have been helping people reclaim their lives without becomeing Government dependant for 40 years. But this economy has been as difficult for them as for everyone else, even as those in need have grown.

Dennis Rodman has joined in bringing attention to what the Mission does, and to help raise funds for their effort. This has led (with a super generous offer from a Florida family) to the Rodman Raffle.

A purchse of a $30 raffle ticket before December 25th qualifies you for a chance to win a 6 bedroom 6 1/2 bath Ft. Lauderdale waterfront estate that also has:

1000 sq ft Master Suite

Ocean access

4 car garage

Game room

Wet bar

Pool

Security system

Wood and Marble floors

Hurricane impact widows and doors

Dennis Rodman as a neighbor

The home is valued at $3 million, and the winner of the raffle will receive the title and deed free & clear. The proceeds of the raffle will go to the Mission of St. Francis to allow them to continue to help those in need as they have done for 40 years.

M V Consulting, Inc. loves to hear of and support celebrity donations and many causes. This is another such cause that we are happy to bring to our readers attention.

I will be entering the raffle. I recommend that all my readers who have the means do so as well. Even if you don't win the grand prize you will have the knowledge that your support has helped an organization that has given 10,000 people the means and ability to fight drug addiction.

To purchase a raffle ticket and to see photos of your potential new home go to

RodmanRaffle.org

How to lose a girlfriend like a rockstar

The world of entertainers and that of the rest of the us are very different. Take the example of Robbie Williams. This is a man that in any other circumstance would be sure to be single.

Robbie Williams was in Australia and being interviewed by a local radio station about his latest album "Reality Killed The Video Star". During the interview he was told that Sydney, Australia has a reputation for marriage proposals - which is the first I have heard of this reputation. Williams then did the following:

"Williams turned to [actress and girlfriend Ayda] Field and said: "Is there anyone you want to get married to?"
She replied: "This is so awkward."
To which Williams said: "Will you marry me?"
After a pause, Field, 30, answered: "Yes, I'll marry you."

That, most would assume, was a marriage proposal. Not the most romantic or memorable way to do it, but still a proposal nonetheless. Except we are talking about entertainers. And spokesman for Williams denies he is now engaged. Too bad Robbie Williams mom wasn't clued in. Reports are that Williams mom now states that the couple is very excited and planning a wedding soon.

So we have Williams people saying that it was a joke. You have Williams mom thinking it was real. Who knows what Ayda Field is thinking.

Were this regular people I would expect that Williams would come home to find the remains of his things that weren't completely burned on the sidewalk - being the ultimate punchline for his very public joke. In fact if this were any of the women I know, upon hearing that the proposal was a joke, Williams would be seriously hurt and instantly single.

Maybe that's what he was hoping for? To be single again. But if we don't see Williams for a while, if he misses any interviews or public appearances, I would expect that Ayda Field had a very non-verbal conversation with him about the matter. If you love celebrity gossip I say keep an eye out on this couple.

Tiger Woods in car accident

It's always a shame to hear of anyone you know of in a car accident. When you hear about a celebrity or entertainer getting seriously injured it feels as if it were a family member, as so many of us follow the careers and news of these people as much as some members of our direct families.

I hope that Tiger Woods will be ok. So far reports are that he is in serious condition. The exact nature of his injuries and the extent of them are unrevealed at this point.

Early details are that he was pulling out of his driveway when he hit a fire hydrant and a tree. It sounds like there is more to this than just that for the degree of injury he is reported to be in. There was no alcohol involved in the injury as reported by authorities.

I hope that the Woods family and friends are alright. I know how it can be to have a family member in the hospital after an accident. It's not a feeling I would wish upon an enemy.

So far there is no indication what impact thesse injuries may have on the arguably greatest golfer ever. There is no doubt that many fear this could affect his career detrimentally. Which would be a shame as he still has decades left in his career, and I have no doubt that he can break ever record he has yet to achieve.

But if the choice were to have a Tiger Woods that could no longer play golf, or a Tiger that was a lesser golfer than he is, as opposed to no tiger Woods at all I would take either of the first 2 options.

Hugh Jackman ain't Lee Marvin - Real Steel

Let's say that you are a Hollywood executive. So between meetings deciding where you can eat dinner and get the most peer attention, and where to drink to get the most peer attention, you have to figure out a movie to greenlight for Hugh Jackman to be in.

You could:

A) Read through the pile of original scripts that you have been using as a makeshift coffee table
B) Look through your son's comic book collection
C) Keep watching Nick-At-Nite since you are overstimulated and can't sleep more than an hour a day anyway

Sadly for Hugh Jackman, or at least his agent, the option picked in real life was C. Thus we have yet another revisioned remake of a Twilight Zone episode coming to a theater near you. Not that the horrendous revisioning of Button Button - in theaters now as The Box - had any influence on the decision.



Yes, Jackman will be starring in Real Steel. A rip-off of the Twilight Zone episode Steel that aired on October 1963 and was based on a short story from 1956. That episode starred a real great actor, Lee Marvin. It was a tale of indomitable spirit and optimism. It was gritty and Black & White. It is so old that whichever Hollywood exec is completely sure that movie-goers by large will have no idea it's yet another copy of a television show episode (not even a series).

Such is the dearth of ideas that Hollywood is willing to take a chance on. Their quest of "bankable" ideas matched with popular entertainers trump any real effort at providing entertainment more often than not. But at least this is not yet another sequel or comic book to movie conversion or video game to movie conversion.

The premise of the film is basically the same as the Twilight Zone episode. It's the future. Boxing is now relegated to only androids. Jackman is the owner of a run-down android that is his last chance at success. The theory of the film, as stated so far, is that this will be a Rocky-esque film. I suppose that means the underdog will win even though there is no reason in creation why anyone would ever believe it should happen. Then again there is always the thought



Look, Jackman is ok. But a boxer? Unless he has a crazy intense workout schedule nowhere near believable shape. Especially if they follow the Twilight Zone script and have him fight a machine. Lee Marvin was a WWII Marine Scout Sniper vet with a purple heart. Jackman is a teen heartthrob (ok, maybe to ladies older than that too). Jackman is basically the guy that is the butt of the Eddie Murphy joke (just taller and Australian).

And all of this says nothing of the filler that will be thrown into the movie to fill up the time that is outside of what was already in the Twilight Zone episode. So roughly about 30 minutes of new material from writers that haven't done anything truly original in decades. That worked out really well in The Box. I expect about the same here.

The only real hope of this film lies in the director. Shawn Levy is known for his Night at the Museum - which was decent - and the atrocious Pink Panther revisioning. That's 50/50 odds, not including the fact that Real Steel is not a comedy. My hopes are not rising.

But there is time before the trailers come out (in 2010). Who knows, maybe a writer with a spark of originality might be hired as a Christmas gift to the public. Or more likely, accountants have figured out that it's time for another great White hope, and theaters are the only place it will really pay off even if it sucks.

Tyler Perry donates $1 million

As the Thanksgiving holiday fast approaches, it's always nice to have a bit of positive news. This year Tyler Perry is the one giving some cheer.

Tyler Perry has given $1,000,000 to the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) in honor of the 100 year the organization has been working on civil rights and empowerment to African Americans. The donation is no small thing, and is an interesting gift.

Perry is the subject of no small debate within the Black community. Some find his movies and television shows to be a welcome source of information on African Americans in the media. Other find his work to be a caricature that is insulting and "bufoonery". Perhaps the most true statement is that it is both in equal parts.

Either way, there is no question that Peryy has become a force in Hollywood. His efforts have provided some of the most consistent and profitable presentations of African Americans to date. There is no question that via his movies more African Americans are getting work and exposure than at almost any other time in entertainment history (when including the work of all other African Americans).

Perry has also been consistent in giving back to the community. The donation to the NAACP is not his first, nor likely his last. But it is the largest individual donation to the NAACP in it's history.

Earlier this year Perry also helped the 65 kids of Creative Steps Day Camp. The kids had been kicked out of Valley Swim Club in Philadelphia under debatable racial motivation, and Perry took up their cause and sent the kids to Disney.

In September of last year Perry donated 2 weeks of food to 1,000 families via Hosea Feed the Hungry and the Homeless care center. At the time I noted how he was doing more for the public than Congress. Not that the major media cared.

So no matter what you think of the work of Tyler Perry, there is no question of his contributions. This is the essense of what the holiday spirit is I think. Not the shopping slaes sprees, but the giving. Perry may not get much major news media coverage for what he has done, but I have no problem commending his actions.

Music Video: Beyonce and Lady Gaga - do I need to say more?

By now I'm sure many have seen the new music video by Beyonce that features the popular Lady GaGa. Of course I'm sure there are just as many that might not have seen it yet considering how few music videos get played on MTV these days. But this video is special and I think even reviewers have missed the joke in the video. Read on and tell me if you get it too.

The song is called Video Phone. It's a very Lady Gaga song in that it is simplistic in the vocals and catchy at the same time. I'd also say that the major influence in the video comes from Lady Gaga and her people. It is a new direction for Beyonce, from what I saw. But like the song, the video works.

Of course, movie buffs (and others) like myself may find the video interesting for far more reasons than just the look and the eye catching colors. Then again there are more than a few that have issues with the video (though they missed the big thing - or were too embarrassed to mention it if they did get it).

"I will admit the video is pretty to look at, and Lady GaGa holds her own next to a major captial D Diva, but the womanizing undertones and dance for your dinner chair routine have my tummy feeling icky." - Ryan Brockington, NY Post

and

The Bad: Why exactly was Lady Gaga in this video? Her voice adds nothing to what was actually a pretty mediocre song. And the dance sequence with Beyonce and Lady Gaga? Hey, Gaga can’t keep up with Beyonce’s poppin’ and shakin.’ (But, then, who can?!) On top of that, Gaga looks a little emaciated next to the more athletic B. Regarding other aspects of the video, what’s up with all the guns? Not sure what that has to do with a video phone." - Creative Loafing

I see their points, (though Beyonce is just a normal Black woman that doesn't conform to the Hollywood fetish with anorexics) but I saw a whole lot of other things. First though, here is the video. [Sorry for the ad at the bottom of the video, but this is the video with the least obtrusive ad I could find]



Ok, so now you have seen it. Did you catch all the apparent homages in the video? Did you figure it out?

There is the Quentin Tarantino Resevoir Dogs shot, with a bit of the Cray 8's from Kill Bill. Then after a bit it gets all fetishy with the Zentai hoods and male bondage. It gets way more BDSM, in clothing, as I believe both ladies are in Rubber or Latex neon day-glow outfits with matching boots, and the Latex halter that Beyonce wears. Which makes sense if the thought is to show female dominance over the men in the video, and that explains all the guns plus the Tarrantino references.

But there is also a bit reference to Betty Page. Often seen on WWII bombers, it is also a reason for the guns, I suppose. By the way, the weapons are in dayglow colors to be PC and not promote guns - I think. It would make sense that the record label would want to avoid some liberal nutjob from making such an allegation and potentially losing anti-NRA viewers. And it prevents any connection of this video with the violence normally promoted in rap and occasionally hip hop. [Oh, the rifles are not AK-47's, they are AR15's also known as a M-16. Though I've never seen one with a silencer before. Plus a Tommy Gun, also with a silencer which I never saw before. And Lady Gaga has a .45]

Oh, and a possible homage to the classic Memorex television commercial too. Like I said, this video has a lot in it.

But what is the big secret? What does this video mean (at least visually)?

The director was thinking hard on this video. I mean he went all the way out there. The ghettofabulous Betty Page homage, the further reference to WWII with the Rising Sun flag based bikini and the gestapo styled hat - no idea why she is carrying a bow in those scenes though. But I suppose that explains the guy with all the arrows in him. Well that and the fetish of BDSM - inflicting pain but not killing the guy (he does move later in the video).

So here is what I think.

Actually I think the whole thing is just a big fetish video cleverly disguised, with obvious inspiration to Quentin Tarrantino (who seems to have a foot fetish himself), hidden in an innocuous song. Everyone is so busy watching Beyonce pop and somewhat exposed, plus trying to get a glimpse of any extras on Lady Gaga, that the rest of it just flies past everyone.

I like this video ever so much more now. It's the biggest joke, that everyone will be watching this and yet NO ONE will likely figure out what it is that's going on. I'm sure the director will be rolling on the floor with laughter as review after review misses the obvious yet praises the video; not realizing they are praising BDSM publicly. That's just hillarious.

Ok, so if you agree, do me a favor and pass around the word that I figured out the video first. I can't wait to hear the response once we spread this around the net.

Wesley Snipes keeps fighting the good fight, and the media doesn't care

I know the world is busy falling because Oprah Winfrey has finally decided to stop doing her show. I personally could care less as I don't watch the show, I've not been on it, and it's been 25 years. That is not to say I don't respect what Oprah has done, it's just not earth-shattering news that she's finally stopping. Not like she will be in the poorhouse with $1 billion.

But as all eyes turn on Winfrey, I noticed something slip through the cracks of the news. It's something that the major media has avoided once it turned into something less than what they had hyped.

As long-term readers of my blogs are aware, Wesley Snipes was railroaded by the IRS and the major media not too long ago. The Government went after Snipes, implying the worst of tax evasion offenses, while he was out of the country filming. The media swooped on the story as if it were a scene from a film with some dastardly villian hidding from the righteous Government. Too bad it was mostly a sham.

Snipes did in fact not pay taxes. Well actually he paid them, and then his accountants asked the IRS for the money back. And they gave it to them, millions without instantly raising a red flag. Years later, someone noticed that there was a box not checked somewhere in the Government and they came after Snipes. They tried to brand him a criminal mastermind, forcing his accountants to do the taxes of dozens of people such that they made more money than they were supposed to. Pure evil, it was a movie plot I think.

So after Snipes returned from Africa, found out the Government suddenly wanted him, he complied. And a trial soon ensued. The media was all afluster. Snipes faced charges that would put him in jail for 16 years. Charges that other actors and celebrities have never faced. Because the Government wanted to make an example out of Snipes. Never mind that Willie Nelson owed 2x as much money ($34 million) and after LOSING his case against the IRS, never saw a day of jail. Nevermind that right now Nicholas Cage owes millions to the IRS and he has yet to be charged, and there is no media circus around him.

But the Government was sure they would win. There were about 10 charges or more as I recall (I do have several posts on the subject but I don't want to stop to check right now), with all but 3 being federal charges. The IRS lost every single federal charge against Wesley Snipes, proving his innocence of the worst of the allegations. It was a massive slap in the face of the Government - and almost all of the media suddenly forgot that there was a trial.

But the revenge of the Government was swift. Almost immediately after losing the 3 misdemeanors, Snipes was giving the absolute max for the crimes. These types of judgements normally are probation for a month or 2 at most. Given that he had 3 he should have recieved a year on probation in TOTAL. Instead he got 3 years of jail.

Snipes has not taken this lying down. Like with the hyped up and erroneous charges first made by the IRS, the punishment is also being fought in court. Snipes wants the overly extreme jail time thrown out. And I agree with him.

Perhaps this isn't as important as Oprah. Perhaps Snipes doesn't have the fanbase he once had. Maybe this isn't as questionably racial as it seems. But other than my readers I doubt anyone will ever know. Because the major media is burying this on the back page.

Had Snipes lost, it would have been big news. A major Black entertainer with bad news is always front page. But he won, and the media and Government were embarrassed. I just hope that they get over themselves and stop punishing Snipes for proving they were wrong. Maybe Oprah will talk about this before she goes off-air. Probably not though.

Will Smith and Jay-z put Afrobeats on Broadway

Are you familiar with Afrobeat music? Well Will Smith, Jada Pinkett-Smith, and Jay-Z hope that you want to find out.

Afrobeat is a style of music that originated from Nigeria in the 1970's. It was created by Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, who traveled the world introducing this music to various artists and fans. Fela Kuti was so influential that when he died in 1997 a million people came to the funeral, literally.

But the influence of Fela Kuti did not end with his death. An Off-Broadway play, called Fela!, has carried on the music and inspiration of the man. It also provides a honest look at who he was, including his simultaneous marriage to 27 women and his problems with the Nigerian authorities.

The play has done well enough that it will be opening on Broadway in a week. But it was lacking producers and financial backing. That is where Jay-z and the Smith's come in. They have now signed on as co-producers of the play. Which I call putting your money where your heart is.

Given the star power of Jay-z and the Smith's, it is likely that the play will gain a big boost to it's publicity and probably to the revenues and ticket sales. But the question of the play making back the money the celebrities invested is unknown as no details of how much they have put in has been stated. Considering the business successes of the celebrities, I have to believe that whatever the amount they will make it back.

If you are wondering what Afrobeat music sounds like and who Fela Kuti was, I found this on youtube. It's a video of Fela Kuti performing in 1971. It kind of reminds me of James Brown mixed with jazz.

Ryan Reynolds on the move

Fans of Ryan Reynolds should cheer up. The star of films like Van Wilder, Blade 3, and X-Men Origins: Wolverine will again be starring in a new film. But you will have to wait a bit.

Sadly the next film is not going to be the rumored (and I was hoping to see) Deadpool movie. That will be a bit further down the line. Though I think the character, if done similar to the way he was done in Wolverine - though much more talkative, will be a big hit.

The film that Reynolds will be working on is called TMI. Yes that does stand for Too Much Information. Obviously with a title like this the film is a comedy. Hopefully far better than the last comedy film he did, co-starring Sandra bullock.

The film has nothing to do with the BBC kids show. Nor is it related to the 2005 webcomic of the same name.

What I can say the film is about is a couple that take the notion of "honesty is the best policy" a bit too far. In effect it is a play on the film Liar Liar of Jim Carrey fame. Hopefully this will wind up being more than some Hollywood execs get-rich-quick scheme written from crib notes of Liar Liar. When this project will be starting is unclear.

But the real payoff will be in 2011 or 2012 when Ryan Reynolds will be playing both Green Lantern and Deadpool. That is unless some exec freaks out and decides that he can't be a superhero in 2 completely different films. Of course if there has to be a choice, go with Deadpool.

Is Newsweek sexist?

The big question of late is all about Sarah Palin. Her book, if she will run in 2012, if she can win. And then there are the controversies.

Newsweek really set things aflame with their cover of Mrs. Palin. And the claims of the cover photo being sexist and insulting have been raised. But are they right?

Well the best way to answer the question seemed obvious to me. Compare the cover photo (taken from an image used by a running magazine some time ago) to a similar photo of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Or Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Except that no such photos seems to exist. None.

I searched through 500 images of Hillary Clinton on Google looking for a single legitimate image of her with exposed legs. Couldn't find any. In fact I was hard pressed to find photos of Secretary Clinton in a dress. I know hardcore lesbians that show more cleavage and legs than Clinton has over the decades. (As for Speaker Pelosi, I'm sure there might be a photo somewhere that shows off her legs, but I'm too scared to see it)

So it would seem that compared to her the general media is sexist. They have directly sought to make her an image that is more of a tart than a political figure. And I have to wonder why any woman would allow that without complaint.

Basically isn't Newsweek saying that a mother and independant woman is worthless if she is cute and/or doesn't agree with the editor's views. They are saying that a woman who has achieved success in business and politics - she did run a major State after all - is about as important as a bikini model. Which I would think Secretary of State Clinton might find insulting. (And don't expect N.O.W. to stand up for a woman that exemplifies many of the ideals they are supposed to support)

Newsweek says the image is fair. Ok, then show me a similar photo that was on their cover of Nancy Pelosi, or Hillary Clinton. I couldn't find one. How about Michelle Obama? Why don't they have an image of Michelle Obama in a bikini on the cover while the story in the magazine is about say healthcare. Would anyone find that sexist?

I know, how dare I use examples of the First Lady and Secretary of State (and the Speaker of the House). They are Liberals and Democrats after all. It's a taboo to speak of them as anything but powerful women that are political leaders. Yet, Mrs Palin IS a political leader too. So what's the difference?

If it isn't sexism, then all that is left is a political bullying that says you better think the way we want you to think or else. Is that what we have come to expect from the media? That the ideas they like are the only ones we should have? That the only people we should vote for or listen to are the ones they approve of?

I recall another time when the media told people what to believe. They told people directly to buy only the versions of songs that Elvis sang and not the Black original versions. They said that African Americans didn't need to vote, or to sit in diners, or enter buildings through the front door. I recall when the media claimed that all Japanese in America were spies and traitors. I recall when the media was so afraid of politicians that McCarthy had everyone looking over their shoulder in case they were called a Communist and would be blackballed from their careers.

I thought we were past the days of yellow journalism. But it would seem, as Newsweek has proven, that we haven't moved forward at all.

Annie Lennox SING's Woman of Peace

For those that may not have been paying attention, AIDS has not been cured. Nor has the number of people getting HIV stopped. It's not popular to talk about such things, but that may be part of why Annie Lennox has been doing just that.

Annie Lennox has been probably best known for her music career. She is a Scottish singer and acclaimed for her many albums and remarkable voice. It is that same voice that gathered 23 female singers to release their own versions of a song called SING. The proceeds of this went to help South Africans via the Treatment Action Campaign. So far SING has raised over $2,000,000.



In honor of her efforts, and her continuing work to fight AIDS and help women and children especially in South African, Annie Lennox has received the Woman of the Peace award for 2009. The award was presented to her at a summit of Nobel Peace laureates in Berlin (President Obama was not present).

I love to discuss and share the contributions made by entertainers and celebrities for people in need across the world. I share the concern of Lennox and others over the fight against AIDS and prevention of HIV. I just wish the rest of the media would do the same.

Tens of millions still contract AIDS and HIV every year. Even in the U.S. HIV and AIDS continues to be a threat. There is no cure. HIV/AIDS afflicts people of every walk of life. Rich and poor, Black, White, Latino, Asian, Christian, Muslim, Jewish, male and female - all alike. Anyone having unprotected sex is potentially capable of contracting HIV and AIDS.

I commend Anne Lennox on her devotion to saving lives and caring for the sick. I congratulate her on her well earned award.

I just wish that other, more political rockstars, one day earn the awards and praise they have received for doing absolutely nothing except smiling. And yes, that is a dig at President Obama.

Lucy Liu covers important ground

I find it interesting that sometimes the most important issues are virtually ignored, until a celebrity puts their face to an issue. The major news media just doesn't care and ignores the issue, until they get a chance to grab ratings.

Such is the case with the growing problem of child sex slaves across the globe. It's an issue that the major media just doesn't want to talk about. As if they think the problem will go away if we don't talk about it. But Lucy Liu is among a growing number of Americans talking about this issue and trying to get something done.

Lucy Liu has produced a film, Red Light, that details how young women are bought as sex slaves in Cambodia. The film addresses what is the 3rd most profitable business, beaten only by drug trafficing and weapons sales. It's a dubious list to be on top of, and I cannot see how anyone would be against such a cause (except those that are buying the sex slaves).

This is also not a new subject for me to cover. Long-time readers of my blog likely recall that this April I interviewed Abigail Disney at the Tribeca Film Festival where she was showing the film Playground. That film also detailed the child sex slave industry and tracked it not just in Cambodia, but right here in America. Yes, Americans are involved in this as much as other countries considered far more seedy.

My video interview with Abigail wasn't as long as I had hoped (there was another film she produced - Pray the Devil Back to Hell that we spoke a great deal about in the video) on this issue [Discussion of Playground and the child sex trade starts at 3:45 in the video]



, but I did follow up with an email continuation on the subject found here - Producer Abigail Disney discusses the independant film Playground

Like Liu, Disney too found that Cambodia is on the worst end of the scale when it comes to child sex trafficing

"Abigail Disney : The government of Costa Rica has made admirable progress in confronting not only the sex-tourism trade, but also the corruption that so often goes with it. Cambodia is notably at the opposite end of the spectrum, and the numbers of girls getting sucked into the sex trade there and the ferocity of the people protecting that business are overwhelming. "

I'm glad that this subject is getting more attention. It deserves to be an issue that the world acts to end. This is a deplorable situation that should not exist in the 21 century.

Perhaps when more celebrities like Lucy Liu join up with activiists and independant filmmakes like Abigail Disney, the major news media will get off its ass and help put pressure on contries like Cambodia. Until then I recommend that readers watch both films and learn more about this and how to help the U.N. end this horrible business.

America and Muslims - we love them

I was speaking with a friend of mine the other day who was as upset as any of us over the shootings committed by Maj. Nidal Hasan. My friend was very upset about the shooting, and like many he took out his frustration by cursing all Muslims. Which I was quick to correct.

I remember this conversation because it has just been released today that NBA great Karem Abdul Jabbar has a rare form of leukemia. The news is shocking and I wish him the best. But at the same time I want to use this as an opportunity to remind some of us that America has never had a problem with Muslims or Islam - just fanatics.

The history of Muslims in America, like elsewhere in the world is comprised of many versions of truth. Some have always had a fear of the religion. Some have never understood it. Some haven't a clue what it is about. And up until 9/11 few people cared.

But there have been Muslims around us, and praised by us, long before there was a Osama Bin Laden.

Perhaps the most famous is the greatest boxer to have lived, and arguably the greatest athlete of the 20th Century. He is also without question one of the best known celebrities of the world. His name is Muhammad Ali.

Notice that when I mention his name how many didn't realize he is a devout Muslim. That he has long ago converted and gave up his given name Cassius Clay. That over the years of cartoons, tv shows, commercials and movies about his life, there was no problem about his religion. Of course there were issues when he converted, and refused to go to Viet Nam. But I think the issue then was the war and not his religious reasons to object.

Do we think of Muhammad Ali when we think of Maj. Hasan?

There is Karem Abdul Jabbar. A force in the NBA, a record breaker and maker. A celebrity that has endured for decades. A man that any basketball fan can place anywhere. Hell even those that know almost nothing about basketball know him from his many commercials, and even a few movies.

Is he what people think of when they think of Osama Bin Laden? Or Muslims?

Stepping away from sports, how about Dave Chappelle. He has made millions laugh out loud. He had one of the most popular comedy shows on television, ever. He broke DVD sales records that Seinfeld wishes he could have had.

Even after his decision to give up the wealth that Comedy Central was offering for his integrity, he has remained a celebrity on the A-list. He continues to make people laugh. And he has been a Muslim while doing all of that.

Does knowing he is a Muslim make him less funny? Or un-American?

There are many more examples. Some famous, some live next door to you right now. But they are all Americans. They are all people we know, and work with, and get cancer or get old. They are regular people.

I feel no less compassion, nor more, for Karem Abdul Jabbar and his battle with cancer because of his religious faith. And anyone that does allow his religion to affect their views is a lowly person indeed.

Are there fanatics that hate America, or parts of it, and are Muslim? Indeed. Just as there are Christian fanatics that kill abortion doctors, or just insane people that kill others like at Columbine. But I don't see people angry at Christians or White teens because of the actions of a few psychos.

I look forward to hearing that Maj. Hasan will receive death by firing squad for what he has done, unless he is proven innocent which I highly doubt. But that in no way is a reflection on how we should feel about all Muslims.

Its something that some of us need to remember.

The Doctor...I mean lawyer is in

What if The Doctor was American? I know, many of my readers don't get the reference. I'm talking about Doctor Who. Specifically, the man who was the latest Doctor and one of the most popular in the 46 year history of the television program. David Tennant.

Tenant is not a big name in the U.S., outside of sci-fi geeks and those that watch BBC America. But in Britain he is huge. Because playing the Doctor isn't something just anyone can do (normally). In fact, it's kind of like being picked as the next James Bond.

David Tennant did a wonderful job as The Doctor (no the character doesn't have a name that is known). he was spunky, fun, intelligent in an absent-minded manner, and had a very strong dark vicious streak in him. The kind of character you can enjoy and find incredible depth in.

After playing Dr. Who, the sky was pretty much the limit to what Tennant could have done next. Anything being done in England would have been extremely happy to even have him as a cameo just because he is that popular. But Tenant is a stage and television actor, so he seems to have stuck to his roots. he found a television show to star in.

That may be the end of the good news.

The television show that Tennant has picked is Rex Is Not Your Lawyer. Right off the bat a problem exists. The name is far too long. Never a good sign for 99% of television shows in America.

Add to that the fact that this television show idea is a brainchild of NBC (they haven't been doing so well since Seinfeld and Fraiser went off the air). Plus the news that this idea has been sitting on a shelf for 2 years waiting to get somebody who is capable and willing to take on the project. Not exactly inspirational news.

The concept is basically that a high-end lawyer has a breakdown. So he decides to coach witnesses instead of defending them. I'm laughing already. Yes, that core idea is the key to this comedy show. Since this is not a rip-off of an British comedy, I'm even less enthused.

Overall I am excited to see how David Tennant will do in America. I have no doubt that he is getting paid extremely well for this first shot. I'm equally sure that some Hollywood exec is dreaming of selling rights to the show back to England for a nice profit. And that's all the good news I can get from this concept.

There is no way of figuring out if this idea will work, or if it was put on a shelf for good reason. Tennant may be able to float the show alone, he might get a capable cast that can make it work with him. It might turn out to be an Ally McBeal. Or it could be the American version of Coupling.

At least if it doesn't work, Tennant can still jump in the TARDIS and go back across the pond. I'm sure the Brits will not hold his attempt to raise the standards of American entertainment, and getting paid handsomely well, against him.

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Owen Wilson is a dog - Marmaduke to be exact

Another guy that no one has heard much about of late is Owen Wilson. Although he has been in 3 films, and voice acted for another, since 2007 you really haven't heard much about the man. And again there seems to be a great reason.

Wilson tried to commit suicide back in 2007. He was suffering from depression, and it was obviously far worse than anyone suspected at the time. But since then he has slowly continued to work, no doubt in part thanks to Ben Stiller.

Stiller has been in numerous films with Owen Wilson over the years. Most of the films have hardly been worthy of anything but the bargain DVD bin. Generally Wilson has outshone Stiller, even though Stiller has more clout and better pay - which would certainly depress me.

Of course the films that Wilson has picked without Stiller have hardly been awe inspiring. Not including his work with Jackie Chan, Wilson has made films with Jennifer Aniston (Marley & Me), Nate Hartley (Drillbit Taylor - flop) and a few others, almost all flops with a notable exception of The Life Aquatic. So Wilson has not helped himself with his choices.

looking forward, it doesn't seem like anything will improve either. Wilson will be in another Stiller film, the Little Fockers - the dread just grows on me about that one . Plus he has plans for 2 more animated films that he will provide voice work for. One will be the sequel to the successful Cars 2.

The other is the just announced Marmaduke movie. Yes, that comic strip dog. And I think this might be his worst mistake in quite some time. Potentially the worst film concept that Wilson has ever been attached to.

The comic strip Marmaduke is a generally funny serial. It's popular, and has a huge fanbase built over decades of readership. There are even plenty of stories for writers to copy so that they never have to think about what they are doing, and Hollywood executives can be sure it has no originality that might skew their projections.

But the last 3 (why they did it again and again I will never understand) times that such an idea was tried - Garfield - the stink of the bombs was intense. It didn't work on any level. Even Bill Murray took a hit off of that fiasco.

I doubt that Marmaduke will fare much better. Because there won't be anything original or interesting. Because Hollywood is following a formula. Because Marmaduke is funny in 15 seconds, but not really for 90 minutes. Because it's a mix of live action and animation, and the fact that Marlon Wayans is onboard. How many other reasons do you need?

Wilson needs a good agent and a friend to stop him from jumping at every script he gets. He could be far better, but at this rate we will never see it.