Aug/0810
depp in wonderland, lohan in lurch
depp in wonderland, lohan in lurch
There have been multiple adaptations of the mystical story Alice in Wonderland–Tim Burton is scheduled to put his spin on the classic story with his new film Alice slated for release in 2010.
An unknown Australian actress has won the title role in Burton’s eagerly awaited adaptation.
Teenager Mia Wasikowska is set to hit the big time after being picked to play the heroine in the movie version of Lewis Carroll’s classic.
The director is reportedly lining up long-time muse Johnny Depp to play the Mad Hatter in the film.
And newcomer Wasikowska, 18, will be treading on the toes of Lindsay Lohan, after the Mean Girls star reportedly begged Burton not to choose an unknown for the role, insisting she was “ideal” to play the part.
Wasikowska says, “I’m so so excited. The book’s really intrigued me when I was little and I’ve always loved the story. I really love (Burton films) Edward Scissorhands and Big Fish.”
Earlier this year, Wasikowska was chosen as one of only two Australian actresses to receive a Heath Ledger scholarship, a fund to help young up-and-coming Aussie performers in memory of the late actor
Aug/0812
r.i.p.: andre young, jr.
r.i.p.: andre young, jr.
Andre Young Jr., the son of renowned rapper and hip-hop producer Dr. Dre, a.k.a. Andre Young Sr., was found dead at his Woodland Hills, CA, home Saturday morning. He was 20 years old.
According to reports, the Los Angeles County Coroner has confirmed the death, stating Young was unresponsive when discovered by his mother around 10 A.M., nearly five hours after he arrived home from a night out. The cause of death has yet-to-be determined; results from a toxicology test are pending.
Dr. Dre has yet to comment on the death.
Aug/081
fall out boy teases us with demos from new album
fall out boy teases us with demos from new album
If you were playing along with Fall Out Boy’s “Citizens For Our Betterment” viral game that Pete Wentz constructed, FOB rewarded you today with a new mixtape entitled Welcome to the New Administration.
The tape was curated by Wentz and mixtape maestro Clinton Sparks and features spoken word interludes via Ludacris, a smattering of songs by Fueled By Ramen artists and six demos that will eventually find themselves on Fall Out Boy’s new album Folie A Deux.
Folie A Deux will be released on November 4th, which is Election Day, as reinforced by the ballot box-themed website where you can download Welcome to the New Administration. As for the non-FOB standouts on the mixtape, check out Cobra Starship’s “I Kissed A Boy,” an obvious homage to the Katy Perry song.
Aug/080
leona lewis & jimmy page close olympics, look forward to 2012
leona lewis & jimmy page close olympics, look forward to 2012
The 2008 Summer Olympics finally concluded last night in Beijing, bidding goodbye to Michael Phelps, the Redeem Team and Usain Bolt, but not before handing off the baton to London, England, who will host the 2012 Olympics.
Acting as delegates for the U.K. were Leona Lewis and Jimmy Page, who came together to perform Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love.” There was some outcry about the song’s lyrics prior to the performance, but Lewis tactfully changed the song’s words from “every inch of my love” to “every bit of my love” while singing from a three-story high pillar.
Check out the performance at the NBC site, even though it sounds like Lewis is singing from the opposite end of a tunnel.
Aug/081
paula not thrilled about new idol judge
paula not thrilled about new idol judge
Breaking up the happy family???
Paula Abdul has mixed feelings about Grammy-nominated songwriter Kara DioGuardi being added as a fourth judge on Fox’s American Idol.
On Phoenix’s 104.7 KISS FM Johnjay & Rich radio show Monday, she said she was excited but added, “I am concerned about the audience and acceptance. Time will tell. We’ll see.”
She said producers hired DioGuardi because they “wanted to try a change.”
“They always tried for a fourth judge because it followed the format of the original show, Pop Idol,” Abdul said. “We haven’t had much luck with that working, but we’re gonna give it another try.”
Asked if she, Randy Jackson and Simon Cowell have sat down with DioGuardi to test their chemistry, Abdul replied, “Nope,” and laughed.
What happens if she and Jackson vote one way, but DioGuardi feels differently?
“That’s gonna be weird if it’s a split decision,” Abdul said. “I’m sure Simon will get to make the final [call].”
“It takes the fun out of all the hard work I do to push those kids through,” she added.
DioGuardi will be involved in “everything” (including live shows), said Abdul, who is in New York City for Idol auditions. “We shoot tomorrow.”
The show premieres in January.
Aug/081
idol adds a 4th judge
idol adds a 4th judge
Scoot over, Simon. “American Idol” is adding a fourth critic to its panel of judges.
Grammy-nominated songwriter Kara DioGuardi will sit alongside Simon, Paula and Randy when the eighth season of “American Idol” premieres in January, the Fox network said Monday.
“For the past seven seasons, Paula has had to endure the experience of being the only woman at the judges’ table,” said Mike Darnell, president, alternative programming of Fox, in a statement.
“With Kara by her side, Paula has some backup and now there is going to be a lot more `girl power’ on the show,” Darnell said.
(oh p-uh-lease…)
DioGuardio’s songs have been recorded by Kelly Clarkson, Christina Aguilera, Gwen Stefani, Celine Dion, Faith Hill, Carrie Underwood and Pink, among others.
Aug/081
top 5 album covers
top 5 album coversAlbum covers are very important, you know. Even in this digital age, great album artwork is something that should be praised. Creating album artwork is a fantastic way for people to express their creativity. So, here are my…
Top 5 Album Covers
1. Death From Above 1979 – You’re a Woman, I’m a Machine.
Album artwork by: Jesse F. Keeler.
2. Menomena – Friend and Foe.
Album artwork by: Craig Thompson.
3. Sigur Rós – Ágætis Byrjun.
Album artwork by: Gotti Bernhöft.
4. Panda Bear – Person Pitch.
Album artwork by: Agnes Montgomery.
5. Neutral Milk Hotel – In the Aeroplane Over the Sea.
Album artwork by: Jeff Mangum and Chris Bilheimer.
Aug/080
metallica plays euro shows at huge discount
metallica plays euro shows at huge discount
Metallica will usher in the arrival of their Death Magnetic with a pair of massive discounted European shows.
On September 12th, the day the album is released globally, the band will become the first artists to perform in Berlin, Germany’s brand-new O2 Arena. Tickets for that show are being priced at 10 euros, or $14. Then three days later on September 15th, Metallica will play another O2 Arena, this time in London. Those tickets are only five euros.
If the allure of seeing Metallica live for less than the price of an actual CD isn’t enough, all proceeds from the two concerts will benefit local charities.