Because a lot of time and effort seems to get spent on things that do not matter.Original here
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Battlestar Finale Rewritten, Depressing
Speaking at a press conference, Moore explained the seeming change of direction:
The writers had worked out what the arc in the back half [of the fourth season] was already... I think [the strike] actually benefited the show in some ways in that... we started to think about things that we could change, things we could make better. And when the strike was over... we wrote the second half of the season all over again.And as to how the season will end now? Edward James Olmos isn't optimistic:
It's devastating... don't watch this program; it's not an easy ride.
Original here
NBC President Mocks Writers, Strike In Upcoming "My Name Is Earl" Commercial
Jeff Zucker, President and CEO of NBC Universal, will appear in a commercial to run before the April 3 return of NBC's "My Name is Earl." In the commercial, Zucker appears to mock both the writers and the strike that sidelined Hollywood for months.
"We put together a little recap to get everybody back to speed," Zucker says. "It's right here on NBC.com, where you can watch all of your favorite shows, preferably within the first 17 days." A key point of contention in the writers' strike was that the writers received no residuals for any content downloaded online — and the strike agreement now provides a 17-day window during which studios can stream content without paying the writers royalties. Zucker also references online advertising, another centerpiece of the strike.
Zucker also took a non-strike-related dig at the writers, saying, "Earl gets hit by a car, just like he did in the pilot episode. Writers refer to that as a 'callback.' I call it getting paid twice for writing the same thing."
Watch:
Children of Men: The Television Series
Alfonso Cuaron’s Children of Men was one of my top 10 movies of 2006. When I saw the movie I was so enamored with this post-apocalyptic world where women have become infertile, and no one had been born in the last 16 years. Basically it’s a world where everyone is living in knowledge that they are the last generation on earth. It’s an interesting place for a story, and I always wished it could be explored at more length.
And now my wish might be granted, as it was announced at last week’s SciFi upfronts that David Eick, writer-producer on the Battlestar Galactica and Bionic Woman contemporary remakes, is writing a pilot script for a series based on Children of Men. Of course in the movie, loosely adapted from the book (from what I understand the film used the story concept and not much more), “a disillusioned government agent agrees to help transport and protect a miraculously pregnant woman to a sanctuary at sea where her child’s birth may help scientists to save the future of mankind.”
“It’s really taking root more in the origins of the novels in that it will focus on the cultural movement in which young people become the society’s utter focus. Much like our culture, whenever Lindsay Lohan does something [and] it becomes the headline of every news show, it’s about how, when you don’t have a responsibility to the next generation and you’re free to do whatever you want, where do you draw the line?” Eick said in an interview with SciFi. “It’s not really a war show like the movie was. It’s more an exploration of that issue.”
The issue he speaks of is “how society defines responsibility, freedom and a sense of values when it doesn’t necessarily believe humans will survive as a species.” I’m in, especially if they try to incorporate some of the gritty visual cinematography that was part of the film.Original here
The Top 10 Worst Hairstyles In Music
Like Nickelback, we all yearn to be rockstars. But being a rockstar is tough for many reasons - not the least of which is landing a good stylist and securing a 'look' that'll be memorable, but in a good way. Here's a list of ten musical hairstyles that we wish we could forget.
Mike Score
Almost too obvious to mention, the 'Flock of Seagulls'
haircut gets placed on our list for two reasons: 1) The fact that it is still parodied in the media, so that we can all relive the horror and die a thousand tiny little deaths every time it comes up on screen (Shame on YOU, diet Pepsi!) and 2) Prior to hitting the big time with their hit, "I Ran (So Far Away), (*shudder*), Mike Score was a hairdresser. His 'do was not the fault of some overzealous stylist, but sorely his own creation. Wowzers!
80's Hair Bands
Not wanting to single out one band (ahem, Poison - or Cinderella, pictured above) for this atrocity perpetrated by many, 80's hair bands belong here simply for the pure wuss-factor of this style. For some reason, rock bands spent hours teasing their hair instead of rocking out. For the sheer oxymoron-iness of the look, (and for the power ballad), 80's hair bands earned their spot on this list.
Britney Spears
I think the MTV Music Awards have proved to us all that if you shave your head in a fit of crazy, you shouldn't buy extensions for $9.99 from a place called 'Skeevy Weavey.'
Billy Ray Cyrus
Although Billy Ray was certainly not the first to give us the mullet, (thank you Canadian hockey players), he inspired legions of followers to get a 'Business in Front, Party in Back,' style by portraying himself as a sex symbol. Firmly believing in their sex appeal, the two-haircuts-in-one are still being sported by Cyrus' biggest fanbase much to the chagrin of those of us with, you know, taste.
A.J. McLean
"Look at me! Look at me! Even though I'm in a boy band, I'm still a man. I can grow super-cool facial hair, and can shave it into rebel patterns that really let my audience know I'm dangerous. Sure, I sing love ballads to 11 year old girls (ew!), but as you can see by my tattoos and goatee I'm really badass."
The Emo Cut
Just so you know, if you and all your friends share the same haircut, you're no longer unique and trendsetting. Now, you're just kind of a loser with a haircut that makes mothers all over the country want to scream, "Get your hair out of your eyes!" P.S. You look stupid. P.P.S. Cut your bangs.
Michael Jackson
I know, I know, stop picking on Mikey! Although it is kind of easy, Jackson's hair is included more as a cautionary tale than anything else. Not only was the Jheri Curl pretty nasty to look at, (and if you ever see someone still sporting this look, stay away, as it's greasier than a vat of oil), it was also highly flammable. When shooting a commercial for Pepsi (again Pepsi?) in 1983, sparks showered on his Jheri Curl lathered head, causing Second degree burns to the King of Pop. Also, Rick James sported the Jheri Curl as well. 'Nuff said.
Bill and Tom Kaulitz
Amazingly enough, these two twin boys from Tokio Hotel have separate looks for their hair, but each style is equally questionable. Tom sports dreads worn underneath a toque AND a baseball hat in a ponytail fashion. But that's nothing compared to Bill's 'do, which looks like he just touched the elecrticity ball at the Science Centre. It's like 80s Metal Hair on drugs, with a new-school penchant for giant weaves thrown in for good measure. Listen, twins. Dressing alike is unnecessary, but your mane style may be even more unnecessary-er (yeah, we went there). We know you've got a kabillion fans and while we do enjoy your attempts at being avant-garde, please consider a good visit to the barber in your 5 Year Plan.
Amy Winehouse
Bundling a nasty rat's nest on your head doesn't make you alternative. Although I appreciate people that buck the trends, there's something to be said about a hairbrush. And shampoo. And that something is a little thing I like to call hygiene. (Of course, if she took down the beehive, she'd have to look for a new place to put her crackpipe.)
The Faux Hawk
While it started off as a semi-cool look, it's been brought down to all-time douchey levels in recent years. We get it, you're hardcore. (Not quite as hardcore if you'd gotten an actual Mohawk but whatever). Here's a helpful tip: When guys like Ryan Seacrest, Jack Osborne or Chester Bennington start sporting the same haircut that you have - it's time to get a new look.
YouTube yobs chase top video off the charts
The Italian blogger who uploaded what became the most watched YouTube video of all time says he decided to kill off his mega hit after he was subjected to a torrent of abuse from viewers on the Google-owned video sharing site.
The year-old video, which had been viewed over 100 million, was deleted from the YouTube servers last weekend by the Italian, who calls himself Clarus Bartel.
"I was fed up [with the abuse and accusations of statistical manipulation]," Bartel said in an email. "I am not interested in the first place if this is the price I have to pay."
The three minute clip was a home made video remix featuring the Brazilian band Cansei de Ser Sexy (CSS) and their song Music is My Hot Hot Sex .
According to the last published YouTube tally before it was deleted, the video had been watched 114, 281, 553 times since being uploaded last April.
Unusually, over 70 million of the views came this year in the month between February 17 and March 15, the day it was zapped.
On February 29, according to figures obtained from TubeMogul (see graph) , a video tracking site, Hot Hot Sex overtook Judson Laipply's Evolution Of Dance to become the most viewed YouTube video of all time.
Laipply's clip - which has now been viewed over 79 million times - had held the top spot for more than 18 months.
On March 7, YouTube removed the Hot Hot Sex video from the leaderboard pending an investigation into the unusual traffic spike.
"We don't condone efforts to affect the integrity of our video rankings or view counts," a YouTube spokesman told smh.com.au at the time. "We are looking into this matter and will take appropriate action when we resolve the investigation."
On or about March 16, Bartel's video reappeared at the top of YouTube's all time most watched video leaderboard (see screen grab) but disappeared again shortly after.
YouTube has not given any insights into its investigations nor explained why the video briefly reappeared on the leaderboard after it had been deleted from the server by its creator.
Bartel said even after he disabled comments on the Hot Hot Sex video, he continued to receive "obnoxious" comments from YouTube users on his other videos.
"I was forced to continuously delete comments," he said. "[Finally], the only solution was to remove the video."
In an earlier interview with Los Angeles-based blogger Andy Baio , Bartel denied fiddling the video's viewer statistics.
"I barely know how to turn a computer on and off," he said. "Never would I have imagined that such an ugly video, made on a whim, would make it to the top of the charts."
Transformers 2 Filming Underway? Barricade Spotted!
A set of photos sent over by a friend this afternoon might lead you to believe that the filming of Transformers 2 is getting close to being underway. The pictures were snapped from a camera phone in Culver City, and they are clearly Saleen Mustangs with the Decepticon logo on the side. This just might prove that even if things have not started yet, they are getting close. We reported not long ago that Michael Bay worked on the story during the Writer’s Strike and that writers Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman were excited to get things underway.
The most recent update was that the script is currently in the working stage, with the production set to start in June, but I don’t think that Mr. Bay would let that stop him from blowing some stuff up. As well, you will notice that there are multiple instances of Barricade, the Saleen Mustang Decepticon. Conspiracy theorists would say that maybe Transformers 2 features multiple versions of Barricade — but that is a pretty wild theory. I would imagine it has to do with needing more than one for special effects purposes — you know, just in case one should get blown up. Which would be, to say the least, awesome.
So what do you think? Is this a significant discovery, leading you to believe that Michael Bay is getting the production of Transformers 2 in gear? Or is this just some dude with 3 replicas? I doubt that it is the latter.
New Images: Iron Man Versus Iron Monger
Rather epic new images for this summer’s Iron Man have touched down over at Yahoo that show Tony Stark facing off against the film’s main villain Iron Monger aka Obadiah Stane (played by Jeff Bridges/killer effects). Loving how the SUV above is packed with people. Click to make them all pop. I’d say about 90% of the imagery from this film so far dazzles like few comic book films before it, but there is a debate waging about how well the film will do at the box office.
Over in the comments for Peter’s interesting Video Games Vs. Movies Rant, the questionable Grand Theft Auto IV-Iron Man “showdown” is mentioned, as well as Iron Man’s status as a “b-level superhero.” All that aside, these images of Iron Monger and Iron Man launching automobiles at one another have me more stoked than the TIH trailer with The Hulk and Abomination facing off in hang time. What do you think?
Original 007 Sean Connery wants to be a James Bond baddie
It has been 25 years since he ordered a martini, shaken, not stirred.
But Sean Connery, who played James Bond in seven of the classic spy movies, has a sudden taste for a comeback - as a villain.
Preliminary discussions are said to have taken place between the 77-year-old actor and Bond producers since Daniel Craig reinvigorated the 007 role two years ago with Casino Royale.
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Hero or villain: Could Sean Connery be a baddie?
But it would take an exceptional pay-cheque to lure Connery, who usually commands £10million a film, out of retirement.
He first played Bond in 1962's Dr No, followed by From Russia With Love, Goldfinger, Thunderball, You Only Live Twice, Diamonds Are Forever then Never Say Never Again in 1983.
"I wouldn't mind coming back as a Bond villain," he said. "But I don't think they would pay me enough money."
The actor who played Ian Fleming's agent on screen seven times, says he has been so impressed by Daniel Craig's debut that he wants to be pitched against him.
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The name's Bond, James Bond: Sean Connery in the 1962 film Dr No with Lois Maxwell
"I think Daniel Craig is a terrific choice," said Connery. "I think they're going back to a more realistic type of Bond movie as I don't think they could have gone much further with the special effects."
He added: "They don't pay the money for the other parts, only for the Bond character, although that wasn't the case when I was doing it."
The jibe about money is related to the fact that Connery earned just £50,000 to play James Bond for the first time. By his last 007 movie in 1983, where he also negotiated a percentage of profits, Connery was paid £3 million.
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Thunderball: Sean Connery with Lois Maxwell in the 1965 Bond movie
Daniel Craig has signed a £30 million deal to make the next four films in the Bond franchise.
Connery added that despite not playing 007 for the past 25 years, he is still typecast by the part.
Asked about losing the James Bond tag, he said: "It's not something that's ever likely to happen," he says. "It's with me until I go to the box."
He also revealed that although he has been given the all-clear from throat cancer, he suffered from the condition for over two decades.
"I'm healthy and happy. I did receive my annual medical checks last year and I'm feeling well. It means a great deal to me to know that people out there care so deeply about my well being."
His decision to semi-retire from acting has allowed him to spend more time with his French wife Micheline and he confesses that the marriage works because it's an attraction of opposites.
"There's no doubt that the French have a Celtic link with the Scots. But my wife speaks fluent English, which reflects rather badly on me, because I can't speak French. With her food and language she's very much more developed. I've had a poor education and can't even remember our wedding anniversary date."
He spends time playing golf – and watching old Bond movies.
He told My Weekly magazine: "I still haven't seen all the old Bond films, only the odd one or two. I have all the films on DVD so I must catch up on them."
Bond baddie? Sean Connery and his wife Micheline
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