Harry Potter PUMPED!!!

I can't help myself. Today I got the new Entertainment Weekly with a picture of a fierce looking Emma Watson (Hermione) on the front. Then I visited my Yahoo! homepage where I was inundated with Harry Potter photos, facts, and clips from the latest film. As an avid fan of the entire literary series, as well as a watcher and owner of the films, it is safe to say that I am in a state of constant anticipation for this summers bombardment of all things Harry Potter.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix will come out only eight days before the long awaited last book in franchise history. And while Harry Potter mania won't end there (there will be marketing schemes, TV spots, and hoards of interviews to boost appeal) I can't say that I won't be left with an empty feeling once all is said and done. Fortunatly Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, and Danielle Ratcliffe have signed on to do the remaining Harry Potter movies. They are set to start filming the next edition in September. While some might suggest that the actors will be too old to play their characters from the books (Rupert will be 21 by the estimated time of production ends, while his character will only be 17), I argue that with out this threesome the movies would flop. If you think age matters in Hollywood I have compiled a quick list of examples that prove otherwise: Rachel McAdams in Mean Girls (she was in her mid-twenties when that was made, her character was only 17 in the movie), Missy Peregrym in Stick It (she was 23/24 when the movie was being made and played a 16/17 year old character.), the same goes for Sophia Bush in John Tucker Must Die. The 25 year old actress went back to high school for that role, and guys everywhere in America were thankful. I could go on but you get the picture. The point of this blog: I'm excited for Harry Potter and like a number of great things out there, it is only getting better with age.

I thought American Idol was about singing...my bad

The first season of American Idol (and the last one that I watched with any consistency) was all about the talent. The quality of people's voices was what helped propel them to the next round. This week all the talk about the latest version of Fox's hit show has been all about one of the contestant's hair. The fact that more emphasis had been put on that than the actual quality of any of the contestant's vocal abilities is really quite scary. One of the these people is going to get a record contract and become a pop culture icon, and I am going to be inevitably forced to listen to their songs on the radio, at dances, or on the soundtracks to movies...because of this I would prefer that they actually have the ability to sing. I don't care what their hair looks like at this point in their career.
I'd rant more but I have to get ready for tonight's show. Who knows maybe we'll talk about this more there...lol

NO MORE PUNK'D?!

There has only been one show that I have watched with regularity on MTV over the past eight years. In fact there hasn't been very many shows on the network that have stayed on for eight whole seasons. Ashton Kutcher pulled people in with Punk'd. What could be better than watching our favorite celebrities get scared shitless and be made to look like bumbling idiots on TV? Who could forget the time that Justin Timberlake started crying thinking that the IRS was going to take all of his beloved possessions. What other show can feature celebrities like Hilary Duff, Lindsay Lohan, The Rock, Brittany Snow, Rachel Bilson, Jessica Alba, Jesse McCartney, and Zach Braff (I could continue listing but I am running out of space and time). I say thank you Ashton for eight years of quality television.

Here is some trivia for those of you who liked/like the show as much as I do.
*Wilmer Valderrama has been punk'd more than any one else on the show.
*Kutcher failed to punk Neve Campbell TWICE
*Kutcher was punk'd himself by MTV execs before the show even aired.

Um, Hayden you don't actually DRINK from the Stanley Cup

So I have scoured the Internet for something interesting to post. I'm pretty sure my AMCULT homework is more exciting than what Hollywood's finest have been dishing out lately. Even TV is boring. I kid you not Heroes Hayden Panettierre was on FIVE channels at once when I flipped on the TV. You could watch her in Raising Helen, Heroes, Ice Princess, Racing Stripes, and Bring It On: All or Nothing. Oh, I almost forgot, Hayden also was the spotlight on MSNBC's storied photograph page. By the way do you like the inclusion of photos now? I'm doing my best to spiff this page up a bit.
Speaking of TV movies, I would like to go on a small rant about how I despise the "this film has been edited for content and the time allotted' bull that is responsible for taking some of the best scenes out of movies. Let's use Ten Things I Hate About You for example. It is an entirely different movie when it appears on TV. The scenes with Ms. Perky are edited to the point where punch lines disappear and a once ridiculously funny portion of the film turns into a confusing and very unfunny section.
Ok now that I'm done with that...back to the "celebrity news" that is online. Lindsay Lohan and John Mayer have supposedly spent some time together. I am starting to believe Dina Lohan. I don't think Lindsay was in rehab for alcoholism, I think she was in rehab for being a serious slut. Ok that was harsh. I take it back...kind of. It just seems like everyday she is in the tabloids hanging all over some new Hollywood hunk. Maybe it's jealously. Who WOULDN'T want to be able to get with all those fine specimans? Either way I'm excited to see Lindsay back in the news for something non-rehab related.
In honor of TMNT's reign at the box office I have scoured IMDB to find a good piece of trivia for you guys. I found it!
*Oscar-nominated actor Mako was announced as the voice of Splinter at San Diego Comic Con the day before he died. Fortunately, he had finished the majority of his acting. TMNT was his last film.

Turtle Power

Can I just say how incredibly excited I am that TMNT has surpassed 300 to take the number one spot at the box office. I grew up a ninja turtles fan and not only did I religiously watch the cartoon, but I went to all three of the movies in theatres, bought a poster for my room, and had the Michaelangelo costume which I frequently wore with my cousins when playing. There was nothing greater than running around yelling "cowabunga" and "tubular" all the while wishing you had an endless supply of pizza to fuel your adventures (although I was happy to do without the anchovies). I was never a power rangers person (although I was thrilled that they included women warriors into the franchise). The fact that their appearance phased out my favorite green friends was a sharp blow to my childhood. Now, past my teenage years, I long for the days of playing dress up while listening to the Ninja Turtles soundtrack (dang straight I had it, I played "coming out of our shells" so many times the tape warped). For all of you who have shared/share my feelings for the heroes in a half-shell you'll be thrilled to know that you can find the songs from that album on the internet. And, after what has seemed like an eternity of waiting, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are back on the big screen. The only thing that could make this experience better would be if Patrick Stuart (who lends his voice to the animated feature film) would have included the line he used at the Michigan game this year when leading the marching band. Either way I'm excited to see that current and future generations alike will be blessed with the crime fighting power of Rafael, Donatello, Leonardo, and Michaelangelo...I am already sleeping better at night as a result.

Did someone really use the words "golden globe" and "Hilary Duff" in the same sentence?

Our good old friend Hilary Duff is back in the news again. Blaming the media for her severe weightloss is nothing new, her new leading role is, however. Duff has apparently signed on for a role in "The Emancipation of Johnny" which will be shot in Australia and is currently in pre-production. Normally a Duff movie role wouldn't get space on the Ebuzz blog, but something about this headline caught my attention. In the first two articles I read regarding the new film I found the same startling quote:
"The film is a heart-felt, emotional drama; one in which will be Hilary Duff's most engaging yet - her metamorphosis from amateur to 'Golden Globe nominated' worthy actress."

I couldn't make this shit up, I promise you. I will be the first to admit that I have watched almost every one of Hilary Duff's past cinematic disasters (come on, I know I wasn't the only one who saw Chad Michael Murray and Jennifer Coolige provide some laughs in 'A Cinderella Story'). While I have enjoyed her past performances I have never imagined Duff as a serious actress. Then again, I never imagined Lindsay Lohan as a serious actress either. In a world full of "tween talent" (i.e. Hayden Panettierre, Lindsay Lohan, Hilary Duff, etc.) Duff has always seemed to fit right in. Her albums have sold millions, mostly to screaming 13 year old girls, and her movies have racked in millions at the box office (working with Steve Martin and Bonnie Hunt couldn't have hurt her cause either). Both of these successes have never been attributed to her incredible talent as either an actress or a singer, though. She has star quality, an innocent likability, and up until two years ago when she started becoming anorexic (ok I don't know that for sure, but she did loose a crap load of weight), she had a relate ability that other young starlets just couldn't match. Every little girl could see herself as "Lizzie McGuire". The question is, with new teeth, a new hair color, and a new attitude, can Duff be as relateable to the older masses? Apparently we'll find out when, "The Emancipation of Johnny" eventually hits theatres.

It is fitting that today's trivia be from a former Hilary Duff flick.
Believe it or not but Rupert Grint had originally gotten the role of Austin (now played by Chad Michael Murray) but had to turn it down in order to tape Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

Evan Rachel Wood and Johnathan Jackson were set to star in Raise Your Voice, but had to give up the roles to Duff and Oliver James due to production changes. The movie was also originally title "Heart of Summer".

Finally the movie Material Girls was originally written for Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen before being made with Hilary and Haylie Duff. The Olsens got lucky as the movie, released in 1500 theatres, royally tanked.

TRL no longer TRL

So I haven't watched TRL on MTV since I was in jr. high BUT I remember the glory days of the program. I remember when the Backstreet Boys, NSYNC, and Britney Spears were in their heyday and used the show as a vehicle for their work. I remember thinking how amazing it would be to stand outside the studios in Times Square while blocks of New York's street were closed down so that teenagers could get a glimpse of their favorite celebrities. While TRL has most certainly lost its edge as far as TV goes (come on as soon as Carson Daly left the show went down hill) but is it really necessary for MTV to stop producing TRL as a LIVE show? MTV decided to tape the shows live on Mondays and Wednesdays and tape the remaining shows AFTER the live shootings on those days. SO if you are still one of those fans who enjoys calling in to ask your favorite celebs questions it sucks to be you.

I scoured up some fun trivia for today though. Today's trivia is for the movie 300.
*It was shot in 60 days.
*Post productions took almost a year.

TRL no longer TRL

So I haven't watched TRL on MTV since I was in jr. high BUT I remember the glory days of the program. I remember when the Backstreet Boys, NSYNC, and Britney Spears were in their heyday and used the show as a vehicle for their work. I remember thinking how amazing it would be to stand outside the studios in Times Square while blocks of New York's street were closed down so that teenagers could get a glimpse of their favorite celebrities. While TRL has most certainly lost its edge as far as TV goes (come on as soon as Carson Daly left the show went down hill) but is it really necessary for MTV to stop producing TRL as a LIVE show? MTV decided to tape the shows live on Mondays and Wednesdays and tape the remaining shows AFTER the live shootings on those days. SO if you are still one of those fans who enjoys calling in to ask your favorite celebs questions it sucks to be you.

I scoured up some fun trivia for today though. Today's trivia is for the movie 300.
*It was shot in 60 days.
*Post productions took almost a year.

Dancing with who?

So dancing with the stars is back. I always laugh that it's called "dancing with the stars" because most of the time it is really "dancing with the at one time popular people, or people who are only going to become stars because of this show". Granted Emmit Smith, Mario Lopez, and Drew Lachey had some love before they were on the show, they still were past their prime. The big question will be whether or not Dancing will challenge American idol for the top spot in the reality TV department. I think that Idol is past it's prime as well and even with the internal cast feuding is in need of something more to provide a spark to the dwindling show. I say this knowing that millions of people still can't get enough of Fox's hit. And, while many have tried (pussy cats dolls, grease you're the one that I want) no one else has been able to fully duplicate the success that Paula, Randy, and Simon have brought to the show.
Today's post is a quick one because I have to get to class, so I apologize that I don't have any good movie quotes to share with you today. I am thinking about changing it to movie trivia instead anyways. I always love useless trivia and I find that it is more useful than a movie quote. We'll see how it goes.

P.S. congrats to the WOLV broomball team for remaining undefeated and besting their opponents 3-1 in last night's big game.

St. Patty's Day

Hey all. I was really hoping that there would be a big celebrity screw up in light of St. Patty's Day. Sadly it appears that either a) everyone behaved themselves, b) people f'd up but no one got it on film or c) their indiscretions were so minor that they didn't warrant placement on any of the e-news sites I checked. I am really hoping that I just checked too early on a Sunday for anything good to be up. If you hear of a celebrity blunder please let me know ASAP.

The only entertainment related story making it on the blog today is that of the possibility of Cate Blanchett playing the love interest of Harrison Ford in the next Indian Jones movie. No offense to Cate, but I am just not feeling her in that role. It would require action, adventure, excitement, and sex and I feel she can't pull all of those things off. Maybe I am wrong here. Obviously the people in Hollywood know what they are doing (some of the time) and will make a decision for their benefit, but I feel they should keep shopping.

Well this is all I can pump out for today. As always I will leave you with a quote for the day. In the spirit of St. Patty's Day weekend my friends and I watched Curious George (that really has nothing to do with St. Patty's day, but it was a good flick so I recommend that you give it a shot sometime.)

Cab Driver: Where you headed, Yellow?
Ted: Bloomsberry Museum, and I'll give you an extra ten if you don't call me "yellow", Okay?
Cab Driver: Sure thing, Sunshine.

Out of Prison into life?

So today I post a question for those of you loyal enough to be reading my work. If your dad were to get himself put in jail and you were to go off and become famous, would you want to reconcile when he got back out of the slammer? That is the question Lindsay Lohan will have to think about while she is in (or out I can't keep track) or rehab. Daddy Lohan is officially a free man and he is looking to rekindle that lovey-dovey relationship he and little linds had together back in the day. Personally I think it depends of the situation. If he and Linds weren't close before he got locked up then I would think that there is a great chance he is just looking for a piece of the Hollywood pie that Lindsay's been cooking. I honestly can't even imagine that though. It is almost like when a person becomes famous and suddenly friends they never knew they had start re-appearing in their lives. That has to be a really difficult thing to deal with. If we still had our gossip segment I'd love to hear our gossip-guru rant about this in La-Lohan Lowdown. Oh how I miss gossip (which is precisely why I started this blog, by the way).

Next up on the to-talk about list is Shrek 3. Is it necessary? I was so happy with Shrek, and even Shrek 2, but I think the novelty of Mike Meyers and Cameron Diaz as ogres is wearing really thin. Now I love the animated music scenes (Eddie Murphy signing "I'm all alone...") and I think much of the humor is original and creative, BUT there has to be a time (7th Heaven are you paying attention here) when you say enough is enough. I give Hilary Duff credit for this...at least she new when Lizzie McGuire has extended it's stay in mainstream media and didn't sign on to do a movie sequel or show extension. It's possibly the only smart thing Duff has done in the past five years (check that...I was a fan of the Cheaper By the Dozen movies, but I can't say that had anything to do with her being in them...they just made a shitload of money).

While I'm ranting I would like to point out that I LOATHE this point in the TV season. Shows keep going on hiatus and it is really cramping my style. For example, Heroes is off until like the end of April. I'm sorry but I can't wait that long. You can't give me a "too be continued" and expect me to be patient for over a month in order to find out what the hell happened. That is CRUEL AND UNUSUAL PUNISHMENT PEOPLE. I know that those of you who watch Grey's are feeling the same way. We don't get to take a month off in the middle of school or work so why should the networks' hottest shows get to? The actors in those shows don't work year-round anyways. Why do they need a break? Heroes already took a hiatus so that the cast could celebrate the show's first awards show season. I waited then and I am not happy to be waiting now (can you tell I am a slightly impatient person?).

I could go on for a while. And I want to (it's better than doing homework), but you are tired of reading this and I have work I really should do and thus I will leave you with today's movie quote(s). Today's film was another late nineties teen hit. The script was reviewed by M. Night Shyamalan and it was filmed at the same high school that Sarah Michelle Gellar's Buffy the Vampire Slayer was shot. Do you know it yet? Fine I'll tell. "She's All That"

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Laney Boggs: I feel just like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman. You know, except for the whole hooker thing.

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Laney Boggs: Screw the dolphins.
Jesse Jackson: A guy tried that last year, banned from Sea World for life.

A TV guide for 'U' - The B-Side

A TV guide for 'U' - The B-Side

Sick of HSM

It's official. I'm High School Musicaled OUT! I am sad to admit that I have seen the movie (I was babysitting...). I'll be honest and admit that I can see why it has millions of fans around the world. The music is catchy, the stars are clean-cut and good looking, the only thing it lacks is good acting (something we shouldn't expect from the Disney channel...case in point- Hilary Duff). And just like Disney's tween queen Hilary Duff, the High School Musical brand has out-lived expectations. It has gone from movie, to soundtrack, to clothing line, to stage show, and-now is official hitting the ice. All of this and the sequel hasn't yet been released. I can't wait to see the Harry Potter like mania that surrounds the opening of the second HSM.
Maybe I am just jealous that a phenomena like this didn't exist for our generation. Granted we grew up with sappy dramas like Dawson's Creek and 7th Heaven (sadly still on TV by the way), but none of our fascinations had near the multi-media hype that HSM has had. There was no Dawson's clothing line, ice show, or broadway musical. Nope. All we had was re-runs and DVD releases.
That is my rant for the day. As promised I owe you all a quote or two from another movie. I struggled with this one, but I decided to break my own short-lived trend and throw a few out there from a feature film currently in theatres that has tugged at my heart strings. If you haven't seen it already, grab your mom and/or a girlfriend and go see "Because I Said So" (it would be too easy to say because I said so as a why to my recommendation...sorry).

You're not a helicopter, mom. Quit hovering.


Daphne Wilder: God couldn't be everywhere so that is why he invented mothers.
Maggie: What? That was on a Hallmark card we gave you

Nothing good

If this were a sports blog I'd have plenty to talk about. Instead, as I scour the pages of entertainment sites online, I find that there is absolutely NOTHING to talk about. The headlines talk about 300's big debut at the box office. I had the opportunity to go and see that last night...I chose not to in order to see Casino Royale for only 1.50. It was worth it. Daniel Craig was amazing...his body incredible, I was sold. He can be my 007 anyday.

I did want to mention my conundrum. I am stuck at whether or not I will be a fan of the new TMNT movie. Growing up I was a HUGE TMNT fan. I had the Michgelangelo costume (my cousins and I would play dress up with them ALL the time). I went to every movie in theatres, I owned the soundtrack (yes there is a soundtrack, I know the words to "I'm coming out of my shell"), and I totally had the poster in my room. This latest attempt at turtle power scares me though. The other movies were all real-life, this is the first full-length ANIMATED TMNT film hitting theatres. There are some decent celebrity cameos involved....Michigan's favorite Patrick Stewart (that's right, think Ball State), will be lending his vocal chords to the project. Buffy the Vampire Slayer's Sarah Michelle Gellar will be Ms. April O'Neil. What I worry about is the intended audience for this feature. Is it is going to be a kids movie, or is it going to be aimed at older audiences who grew up watching turtles eat anchovie pizza (like me). I hope, if it is targeted at kids, that it contains enough adult humor to make it likeable for people of all ages.
Cowabunga dude.

I have decided to start a new trend where I end each post with some of the memorable quotes from some classic movies (my definition of classic includes the teen dramas of the late nineties and the box office smashes of our generation). I start with some from my all-time favorite late nineties teen drama "10 Things I Hate About You". If you have a movie or a favorite quote you'd like to share let me know. I'd love to add it on the next blog.

-"I know you can be under whelmed, and you can be overwhelmed, but can you ever just be, like, whelmed?
-I think you can in Europe.


Walter Stratford: Hi... where're we going?
Bianca: Well, if you must know... a small study group with friends.
Walter Stratford: Otherwise known as an orgy?
Chastity: Mr. Stratford, it's just a party.
Walter Stratford: And hell is just a sauna.

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Walter Stratford: I delivered a set of twins to a fifteen-year-old girl today, and you know what she said to me?
Bianca: "I'm a crack-whore who should have made my sleazy boyfriend wear a condom"?
Walter Stratford: Close, she said "I should have listened to my father."
Bianca: She did not.
Walter Stratford: Well, that's what should would have said if she wasn't so doped up.

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Walter Stratford: Hello, Katarina. Make anybody cry today?
Kat Stratford: Sadly, no. But it's only 4:30.

The New Disney Princess

So I am insanely curious as to what everyone thinks about Disney's newest princess. For the first time in Walt Disney animated history the princess will be black. The story will be set in New Orleans and the movie will be released in 2009. What does this mean for the Disney franchise? The new princess will supposedly be a part of the Disney brand and thus will be used as a promotional tool at all the Disney theme parks. This newest animated feature will also be done in the old school format, rather than the computer animated techniques more frequently employed now a days.

On an entirely different note, I am watching Hitch right now. I am wondering how much of that character is actually Will Smith. I can totally see him being the most romantic individual. He was SOOOO genuine at the Pursuit of Happyness premiere. I am jealous of Jada. I bet he is a great dad too.