A New Man Of Steel! But Can He Soar Above ‘Superman Returns’?

I love you Lois, but our movie sucks! Image via Wikipedia

Like a phoenix from the cinematic ashes, the Big Red ‘S’ is back.

Resurrected by a mixture of studio executive greed and the undying love of fandom, a new Superman film has been targeted for a December 2012 release by Warner Bros.

 The poor reaction to Superman Returns by..everyone, appears to have been kryptonite for Brandon Routh who will not be returning to the role. Routh’s performance, while capable, was a mirror image of the late Christopher Reeve and maybe that was part of the problem.

No one will ever be able to touch the heroic performances Reeve gave us, or the impression they left on modern superhero cinema.

Brit actor Henry Cavill, relatively unknown save for his performance in Showtime’s period-piece The Tudors, will be starring in the title role and “300” director Zack Snyder will be bringing his unique style to the table. Hopefully they cut down on the slow motion flying sequences and concentrate on hammering out a solid script worthy of the character’s history.      

What’s really interesting is the fact that Batman has no idea who this new superhero on the block even is! When told of the casting news by a reporter backstage during last night’s Screen Actors Guild Awards, Christian Bale replied,  ”Well done for whoever you mentioned.”

Image via Wikipedia

 And if anyone has an issue with a Brit portraying an American icon, just remember, two Canadian boys created the Man of Steel in the first place!

Related Articles

• British actor Henry Cavill cast in Superman movie (omg.yahoo.com)
• Henry Cavill Cast As Superman In Zack Snyder’s Reboot (splashpage.mtv.com)

Will Smith Is Exploiting His Kids? It’s Been Tweeted, So It Must Be True!

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He’s a huge star who seems to have the cinematic Midas touch without the negative consequences.

Until now.

It seems Smith’s decision to allow his daughter to take part in a Vanity Fair photo shoot doesn’t sit well with some.

Waiting To Exhale author Terry McMillan feels Will and Jada Smith are raising kids who are already out of control, “There’s an arrogance in their demeanor and behavior. I find it incredibly sad.”

She tweeted that Willow and brother Jaden, 12, “are being pimped and exploited” by parents Will and Jada Smith. She later apologized. “Twitter is not the best forum to express some things. I didn’t know folks would take my opinion so personally,” she wrote.       

Image via CrunchBase

 

She didn’t know something written for the ‘net would reach the general public? She didn’t know the insatiable media would sink their teeth into her comments and rip them to shreds?

Is she allowed to leave her home or watch television? Does she read anything else on twitter?

And for that matter, how did she think people would take her opinion?

One last question – who does this woman think she is?

No word yet from the Smith camp about McMillan’s statements. It’s safe to assume they’ll have more sense than to get into a public spitting match that will only fuel the fire that McMillan has started.           

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Besides, either Charlie Sheen or Lindsay Lohan are bound to screw up in the next day or so and the media can go back to feeding on them.

Related Articles

• Terry McMillan Goes Off On Will Smith’s Kids [Feuds] (jezebel.com)
• “Willow Smith’s “Vanity Fair” Photoshoot + Terry McMillan Says Will And Jada Are “Pimping” Their Kids” and related posts (theybf.com)
• Is Will Smith merchandizing his kids? (thegrio.com)

Charlie Sheen Hits Rehab! Quite A Shocker, Right?

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It had to happen sooner or later, didn’t it?      

“Charlie Sheen has voluntarily entered an undisclosed rehabilitation center today,” spokesman Stan Rosenfield announced yesterday.

I guess he figured it worked so well for Lindsay Lohan, why not give it a shot?

After yet another bender jam-packed with drugs and porn stars, Sheen’s body finally made him an offer he couldn’t refuse – “Get help or die!”

Of course, the usual vultures came out to feast on the carcass of this story.

“He has so much porn,” adult film actress Kacey Jordan, 22, marveled to TMZ.com. “I think that’s probably all he does, is just sit there and watch porn.”  Jordan was one of five porn stars supposedly partying with Sheen during the night. But I have to disagree with her statement.

 

Every one else watches porn, Charlie orders out for porn stars to watch porn with him! 

 

For me the only enjoyable part of this tale is the chapter where the network weasels have to eat crow.       

Image via Wikipedia

 

“Due to Charlie Sheen’s decision to enter a rehabilitation center, CBS, Warner Bros. Television and executive producer Chuck Lorre are placing ‘Two and a Half Men’ on production hiatus,” a CBS statement said. “We are profoundly concerned for his health and well-being and support his decision.”

“What can we do?” one of Sheen’s CBS bosses complained, according to E! Online. “He shows up to work on time. He’s polite, and he makes us hundreds of millions of dollars.”

Exactly, as long as the Golden Goose was popping out ratings eggs, nobody at the network cared what he did. Now it’s not only come back to haunt them, it’s going to hit the bottom line.

And that they care about.

Related Articles

• How Good Is Charlie Sheen for a Porn Star’s Career? [Statistics] (gawker.com)
• Charlie Sheen’s Bender: The 6 Degrees Of Separation (crushable.com)
• Charlie Sheen Enters Rehab, Two and a Half Men Shut Down (37) – E! Online (blog) (news.google.com)

Network Executives: Kryptonite For Smallville Fans!

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Hardcore fans of anything, whether it’s a tv show or movie, take changes to their regular routine very personally.

 Take my daughter for example; it took 9 seasons, but she is now a huge Smallville fan who can’t wait for Friday nights for a new episode.

After a  winter hiatus, her favorite show was scheduled to return yesterday. However, despite watching every single episode of Smallville to date, she didn’t account for the evil machinations of weasels in suits and their blatant disregard for fans, even young ones who spend their parents’ money on DVDs and merchandise.

Check out the following press release from said CW Network weasels.

Image via Wikipedia

 

Please note the following changes to the FRIDAY NIGHT schedule:

• On Friday, January 28, (8:00-9:00 p.m.) an encore of THE VAMPIRE DIARIES episode titled “The Descent” will air in place of the previously announced SMALLVILLE episode titled “Collateral.”

• On Friday, January 28 (9:00-10:00 p.m.) an encore of the NIKITA episode titled “Free” will air in place of the previously announced SUPERNATURAL episode titled “Like a Virgin.”

Now, one could say she had fair warning, right? Well, not exactly.

A local station, CHCH in Hamilton, didn’t update their television listings on Canadian cable guides so my fans like my daughter were under the impression they would get see Clark Kent and the gang in action.

I wish I could publish an audio clip of the decibel level in my living room last night.

Image via Wikipedia

 

 

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• Smallville Exclusive: Sebastian Spence Cast as Ted Kord (omg.yahoo.com)
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• CW Delays Returns of ‘Smallville’ and ‘Supernatural’ One Week to Run ‘Vampire Diaries’ and ‘Nikita’ Encores (tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com)

God’s Gift To TMZ, Charlie Sheen!

This is work for Charlie, and STILL he parties? Image by Daniel Semper via Flickr

For Charlie Sheen, the roller coaster ride of fame just doesn’t seem to end. But it does look like it’s heading for a cliff.

Apparently everyone’s favorite party animal started partying Wednesday and the bash ended with an emergency run to the hospital early Thursday.

The “Two and a Half Men” star, wearing a towel over his face, was taken out of his Los Angeles home around 7 a.m. by stretcher and transported to L.A.’s Cedars-Sinai Hospital for treatment, according to TMZ.com.

Those TMZ guys are like paparazzi ninjas, aren’t they?    

His publicist, Stan Rosenfield, says Sheen was suffering from “severe abdominal pains.” But what else could he say?

Hospital tests were conducted, but no results have been made public, although the Los Angeles Times is reporting the actor has suffered a hiatal hernia.The condition occurs when a portion of diaphragm ruptures, allowing the stomach to enter it. Patients can experiences no symptoms of the developing condition until it becomes severe, at which point it is extremely painful.

I’m sure Charlie can find something to dull the pain – like a bottle of  scotch or a porn star.        

Members of Sheen’s family, including parents Martin Sheen and Janet Templeton and ex-wife Denise Richards, were at his side, according to reports.

By the way, Martin Sheen is reported to be writing a book with his other son Emilio Estevez focussing on the journey of a father and son working together in Hollywood. The jokes haven’t stopped since the announcement

And while Sheen was partying Wednesday night, his costar Jon Cryer dropped by Conan O’Brien‘s late-night talker.

“I’m checking TMZ, as I do every day, to know if I have to go to work at all,” he said.

Image via Wikipedia

 

Related Articles

• Charlie Sheen Rushed To Hospital; Martin & Janet Sheen At Facility With Their Son (omg.yahoo.com)
• UPDATED: Charlie Sheen Condition ‘Serious,’ But Actor Did Not Overdose (omg.yahoo.com)
• Charlie Sheen Hospitalized With ‘Severe Abdominal Pains’ (abcnews.go.com)
• Wait, wasn’t Jon Cryer *joking* about Charlie Sheen on Conan? (latimesblogs.latimes.com)

Attention Wonder Woman Fans! The Invisible Plane Has landed At NBC!

Image via Wikipedia

Like a true comic book heroine, the Amazon Princess has won the battle and secured herself a spot in the bloodthirsty television arena.

NBC had greenlit the project thanks to the tenacity of show runner David E. Kelley and a regime change at the network.

In Hollywood you don’t need a magic lasso to get your way, just patience and the belief that the weasel in a suit that turned you down will get his ass fired and the weasel that replaces him will like your concept.

Hopefully David E. Kelly is up to the task of crafting a modern tv concept for WW that clicks with NBC’s outlook. Remember their reboot of the Bionic Woman a few years back? There is a rumor that Charlie’s Angels director McG will most likely be handling directorial duties for the pilot episode. This will draw in viewers, but will it be enough to keep them around?

Image via Wikipedia

And that is the greater challenge - writing a show that will please both the fans and the masses.

Oh, and the fickle network weasels, can’t forget them.

Related Articles

• NBC Picks Up David E. Kelley’s ‘Wonder Woman’ Pilot (screenrant.com)
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• McG The ‘Odds-On Favorite’ To Direct ‘Wonder Woman’ TV Series Pilot (splashpage.mtv.com)

Terrible News For The Twilight Cast! The Razzies Have You In Their Sights!

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As regular readers of my blogs know by now, The Hook is not a big fan of modern-day vampires. I don’t mind a good tale of a bloodthirsty monster facing off against a heroic protagonist, but these whiny, emotional douchebags they pass off for vampires these days can really piss me off at times.

Of course, the wife can’t get enough of them.

So when the Razzie nominees were announced this week, I had to write a post spotlighting the lead contender in the Anti-Oscars’ nominations list.

Here is a partial list, focussing primarily on the fanged nominees for space considerations..and just because I want to.        

Worst Picture:
The Last Airbender
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse
Vampires Suck

Worst Actor:
Taylor Lautner – The Twilight Saga: Eclipse and Valentine’s Day
Robert Pattinson – Remember Me and The Twilight Saga: Eclipse

Worst Actress:
Miley Cyrus – The Last Song
Megan Fox – Jonah Hex
Kristen Stewart – The Twilight Saga: Eclipse

Worst Supporting Actor:
Billy Ray Cyrus – The Spy Next Door
Jackson Rathbone – The Last Airbender and The Twilight Saga: Eclipse

Worst Screen Couple / Worst Screen Ensemble
Josh Brolin’s Face & Megan Fox’s Accent – Jonah Hex
The Entire Cast of The Twilight Saga: Eclipse

Worst Director:
Jason Friedberg & Aaron Seltzer – Vampires Suck
David Slade – The Twilight Saga: Eclipse
Sylvester Stallone – The Expendables

Worst Screenplay:
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse – Screenplay by Melissa Rosenberg, based on the novel by Stephenie Meyer
Vampires Suck – Written by Jason Friedberg & Aaron Seltzer

Worst Prequel, Remake, Rip-Off or Sequel:
The Last Airbender
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse
Vampires Suck

It should be noted that Avatar: The Last Airbender tied Twilight for number of noms, but I don’t have anything against that franchise .

After 30 years of taking shots at the worst Hollywood has to offer, the Razzie Awards may be televised on the eve of this years Oscar telecast February 26, though I doubt any vamps will show up.

Related Articles

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Anne Hathaway As A Batman Baddie? A Former Catwoman Says Yes!

Image via Wikipedia

She’s kept her public image pretty clean so far, but now Anne Hathaway is going to get dirty – Gotham City dirty, that is.

Except for a romance with an Italian real-estate developer who was charged with  fleecing investors out of millions , Hathaway has always kept the public’s attention focussed on her acting, not her life.

Her acting will definitely be in the spotlight soon.

Comic book fans are territorial when it comes to the portrayal of their favorite characters, even villains. Michelle Pfeiffer was an acceptable Selina Kyle in Batman Returns, but Halle Berry was given a Razzie award for her 2005 portrayal that appeared to drown the hopes for a Catwoman franchise once and for all.

Now, thanks to the phenomenal success of Christopher Nolan’s Batman series, Catwoman will return to tease Christian Bale when The Dark Knight Rises in 2012.

She’ll be joined by Brit actor Tom Hardy who’ll be portraying one of Batman’s most formidable and complex foes, Bane.

Arguably Hardy’s role will draw the most attention, as Bane has appeared before in the abomination that was 1997′s Batman and Robin, in which the character was portrayed as a hulking thug barely capable of stringing two words together.   

Critics and fans were not impressed.

As for Hathaway, she does have one strong voice in her corner. Julie Newmar, considered by many to be the greatest Catwoman of them all, tells The Los Angeles Times All The Rage blog that she approves of her latest successor. “She’s going to be marvelous,” says Newmar.

Image by Chris D 2006 via Flickr

Nolan, Hathaway and Hardy have a chance to do right by these great characters, a sentiment they’ll be hearing in the near future if they head to the convention circuit to plug the upcoming film. Comic conventions, especially the San Diego Comic-Con International, can make or break a film’s chances of generating a positive buzz before hitting the multiplexes.

I know Anne Hathaway has worked for Disney and is used to crowds, but if she hasn’t hit Comic-Con before, then she’s seen nothing yet. With massive crowds exceeding 125,000 over four days, the event is so popular that 4-day passes with access to Preview night for the 2011 Convention sold out two hours before the 2010 convention closed.

Even with a cat’s nine lives, Halle Berry wouldn’t make it out alive.

Image via Wikipedia

Related Articles

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Marvel Not Only KILLS The Human Torch, They Leak The News Early!

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Now, before anyone accuses me of doing the same, I’m just reporting somone else’s “Terrible Act” not intentionally compounding it. And besides the cat’s way out of the bag now!

An Associated Press article published around midnight eastern time Monday night/Tuesday morning — approximately nine hours before the comic was set to go on sale on the east coast — struck a blow against comic fans before they could reach their respective outlets.

PLUS, Marvel Comics has added insult to injury with this press release.  

Image via Wikipedia

New York, NY – January 25, 2011 – “FLAME OFF!”  In a move sure to shock comic fans worldwide, Marvel unveiled that its ever popular super hero the Human Torch will meet his demise and die heroically in Fantastic Four #587, hitting stores tomorrow (Wednesday, January 26th) Concluding the “Three” storyline that captivated the mainstream media and industry press alike, this issue and the death of such a renowned character from the First Family of comics signals the beginning of major changes for the Marvel Universe as the Fantastic Four lose one of their founding members.

“Jonathan Hickman [writer of Fantastic Four] came to us two years ago with a vision for evolving the characters and concepts introduced to fans 50 years ago in Fantastic Four #1 – and quite frankly his vision blew us away,” said Tom Brevoort, Marvel Entertainment SVP of Publishing. “The death of the Human Torch is the first major move in this incredibly exciting evolution of the legendary Fantastic Four franchise and a necessary part of the larger story we will be telling featuring the beloved characters moving forward.”

I remember when they killed Superman..and Captain America. My daughter was really jazzed about the secrecy surrounding which FF member was going to die. I won’t spoil the fun for her. Comics are supposed to be exciting and filled with wonder, not just a part of a hype machine designed to draw in millions.

Related Articles

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Oprah Has A Secret! Did We Really Need To Know?

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Let me begin by saying I don’t have anything against Oprah Winfrey. I readily acknowledge all the good her work has done in the world. But let’s face it, she’s benefitted as much as the rest of us, if not much more.

Oprah is what I like to call a “Lookit Me!” Celebrity; just like Sean Penn, she has to have a camera or a small army of publicists present to carry the news of her charitable deeds to the masses. This week she told her audience and the world she had been told ”a bombshell family secret.” The story would have become public and been “exploited” eventually, Winfrey said, “so I wanted you to hear it from me first.”

I guess what Oprah is saying is that if someone is going to exploit her family, it better be her. This way, her outgoing show gets first crack at the big ratings numbers this story will produce. A documentary or special will no doubt be featured on the OWN Network as well.                  

If by some miracle you haven’t heard the big “revelation” yet, here it is: Oprah has a half-sister named Patricia Lloyd who was given up for adoption by their mother, Vernita Lee, shortly after her birth in 1963.

Despite being aware of their connection since 2007, Patricia was unable to reach Oprah’s Glass Tower of Fame and reveal their shared parentage. To her credit, Patricia kept her silence and refused to financially benefit from Winfrey’s global status. The same can’t be said for her publicly newfound half-sibling. 

On the eve of a new chapter in Winfrey’s rise to media power, she brought her half-sister on stage, teared up for the camera and praised her for not “selling me out,” as so often happens, she said.

But who is really being sold out here?

Winfrey had just appeared on Piers Morgan’s new CNN show and failed to divulge the secret despite promising to deliver an “in-depth look at her life”. In spite of Patricia’s initial appearance on Oprah’s show, the world will continue to write about and research her life.

The only thing Oprah accomplished was scooping other shows and exploiting her family first.

Related Articles

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