Magic Kingdom won't be so magic for long...

I used to think Magic Kingdom was...well...magic. But in 2009 Disney's theme park will have a new competitor that may just cast a spell over you. Universal Studios has announced plans for the new Harry Potter theme park...complete with Hogwarts and a number of other well-known locations from the books and movies. The lead art designer for the Harry Potter movies is leading the team of designers and with help too from author J.K. Rawling the park is sure to stay true to the world millions of readers and movie goers have grown to love. I would certainly stand in line for a trip aboard the Hogwarts Express!

I screened Knocked Up tonight. I haven't laughed in a movie that hard since the first Shrek came out. My stomach literally hurts right now. Fork over the 8 dollars and get a ticket because this one is really worth seeing in theatres. It's clever, refreshing, sometimes absurd, but most of all it is honest (in that Everybody Loves Raymond sort of way).

Duff-Lohan make up..bummer

MSNBC is reporting that the Hilary Duff/ Lindsay Lohan feud is over. Apparently the two met and a party and decided it would be better to be friends than enemies...that's no fun. I suspect Lindsay has to use her energy to party rather than feud. The teen starlet is heading back to rehab thanks to a weekend DUI. Here is my thought on this: She makes a few million for every film she is in...can't she afford a taxi when she's drunk? An added piece of dirt...the cops found cocaine in Lindsay's car after pulling her over. My worry is that rehab isn't anything more than a 30 day celebrity vacation. I might check myself into that Malibu, CA rehab center just so I won't have to work for a month (ok that's not funny...people with serious issues might actually be in attendence...but still...).
Pirates plundered box offices this past Memorial Day weekend. I was one of the millions that saw it in its opening week. If you haven't seen it yet and are planning to, I recommend that you watch the second movie first to refresh your memory. The moviemakers didn't waste any time recapping the plot thus leaving me in the dark for the first 30 minutes of the movie.
I almost forgot! Hilary Duff may no longer be fighting with Lindsay...but according to MSNBC she is most certainly feuding with Avril Lavine. The two were supposed to show up at the Maxim Hot 100 party...at seperate times but ended up arriving together (Personally I don't think that was a mistake...). Avril apparently threw a fit and threatened to leave. I love how Hollywood is like an episode of 7th Heaven on steroids (only there are no lessons learned and the religion of choice is Scientology...).

I would love some feedback folks. I feel like I am writing for myself (which I probably am...). If you are reading this LET ME KNOW!!!!! I want to hear what you have to say about Hollywood's hottest stories. Shoot me an email at wolv.ebuzz@umich.edu. Until then....you have just been buzzed~!

Stoneless

So this post is going to stray from the typical Hollywood gossip I usually post. I focus today on a loss to television news journalism. Budget cutting has forced NBC to not renew Dateline anchor Stone Phillips contract at the end of this year. I am personally saddened by this as Stone has always been as much a part of Dateline as Barbara Walters was 20/20. Granted 20/20 has survived without Barbara's presence...but I still vow it isn't even close to being the same program. NBC viewers will suffer that same loss when Stone leaves the show.

Now for my usual tidbit of Hollywood news. If you haven't heard already Nicolas Cage will be back in another installment of National Treasure. I was a fan of the first and am thus looking forward to the December 21st release of this latest feature film.

I am going to vent quickly about a few annoying Hollywood tidbits. A) I am sick of hearing about American Idol. Maybe it's just me but I am feeling like this season's show is getting more press than normal and I can't stand it. At this point I don't even care who wins as long as it is over soon. B) If one more Entertainment show does a feature on Anna Nicole Smith I might just have to give up EBUZZ alltogether. I feel it is an injustice to entertainment shows everywhere. There is still as much press now as the day she died. Was she really that important? Name one positive thing she did for the country...something that could be worthy of all this coverage...anyone? Please?! C) I think the criteria for movie critics needs to change. The movies raking in the most dough at the box office are the same movies that are receiving the poorest ratings. People don't go to films because they have ingenious plots, excellent cinematography, and stellar acting performances. They go when they are a) blockbusters, b) star incredibly high profile actors and actresses, and C) when they have caused a controversy. Why aren't the things people want to see in movies taken into consideration when critics review films? I could write a paper on this subject but I will just let you linger on this thought for now.

Because I Said So

I am sitting in the news room at WZZM TV 13 in Grand Rapids and an Entertainment story just popped up on the wire. It is the DVD sales and rental results according to Blockbuster. I was thrilled to note that Because I Said So was number one on both lists. If I'm not mistaken I did write a previous post claiming that the film starring Diane Keaton, Mandy Moore, Piper Perabo, Lauren Graham, Gabriel Macht, and Stephen Collins should be a hit. I would just like to point out that according to sales and rentals I am not the only person who thinks so.
On a different note I am excited about Shrek the Third's release today. I fully intend on seeing it this weekend. I just want to know what the kareoke song at the end of the movie is this time. Those are always my favorite. The soundtrack to the Shrek films are always amazing. Well I have to get back to work. Thanks for letting me gloat!

Caught in Spidey's Web

I did it. I said I wouldn't but I caved. I went to Spider-man 3 in its opening weekend. And...I loved it! I admit going into the theatre I was a pessimist. I wasn't enthralled with the second movie in the series and thus I wasn't really looking forward to this latest edition. I have been so wrapped up in the trailers for Harry Potter, Oceans 13, and Pirates of the Caribbean, that I have overlooked my web-slinging superhero. Shame on me. The edition of Topher Grace to the cast, and the reprized role of James Franco made the movie for me. I wasn't a bit overwhelmed by the sheer multitude of villains, instead I was thrilled with their presence throughout the film. Kirsten Dunst didn't really do much for me, but for once she had a storyline that tested her acting chops and forced her to play something other than JUST the damsel in distress (although she was that too). If you haven't already, shell out the 8 bucks, because this summer blockbuster has set the bar high and will deliver.
While at the theatre I was treated to the trailer of Lindsay Lohan's latest flick- Georgia Rule. It reminded me that Mother's Day is quickly approaching. If you haven't the slightest idea what you are going to get your mom I have something that might just save the day. "Because I Said So" is hoping to bank off its appropriately timed DVD release. This Tuesday you can pick up the movie that had me heading to the theatre for an encore. Starring Diane Keaton (Family Stone), Mandy Moore (American Dreamz), Piper Perabo (Coyote Ugly), and Stephen Collins (7th Heaven) this laugh-out-loud comedy may just hit too close to home for some (I know it did for my mom when she saw it!). If nothing else rent it and do a mother-daughter (guys can watch it with their moms too...just be warned it is most certainly a chick flick) movie night. It will be one for the books!

I know this isn't a sports blog (Tim and Paul have that one covered) but I have to give a shout out to the Red Wings because as a Detroit sports fan I am all about the win today in Hockeytown! Go Wings!