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Grade: B- | Genre: Alternative Rock Summary: TheFutureEmbrace marks a decent entry into Corgan's catalog, yet one that will no doubt be overshadowed by stronger works as the years peel away. Billy Corgan is most recognized as the front man for the 90s grunge outfit, the Smashing Pumpkins. By most reports, he was the Smashing Pumpkins, writing all the songs and playing all the instruments on the studio albums. He just needed a band to back him up on the road and look sporty during the photo sessions. After the Pumpkins were hammered on the heels of the lackluster Machina, he formed Zwan, which proved an interesting fusion of sounds from the heroes of the Chicago indie underground. The album showed plenty of promise though it almost didn't feel like a complete thought. Ultimately, we were left without the remainder of that sentence as Zwan suffered the same fate as the Pumpkins. Now Corgan is treading the waters of electronica as a solo artist on TheFutureEmbrace. Don't kick off your shoes and flip back in the recliner just yet. I've got another chapter to crack open in the Corgan saga before it's all said and done.

Peter Jennings has said "The Daily Show, when it's ruthless and outraged and hilarious, which is a lot of the time, says things that the rest of the media only say in their newsrooms." Ted Koppel worries how many viewers are getting their news from the Daily Show -- that comment is pointed right at you 18 to 24 year olds. Regardless which side of the aisle you fall on, Stewart and company have caused a fundamental shift in the news paradigm. In a day when more people seek out their news from alternative news sources, the Daily Show is a refreshing take on the stuffy genre. This week shows the release of the 3-disk DVD set Indecision 2004, which is a collection of their coverage 2004 presidential election. Witty, biting and funny, this was some of the crew's best work and shows old news can still be relevant if packaged correctly.

Source: Toledo Blade

Grade: A | Genre: Drama Summary: In what is sure to be one of the film highlights of 2005, Crowe and Zellweger are at their best as Ron Howard creates a stunning drama where the human spirit can't be contained It was the last days of 1920s and life couldn't be more glorious. The American economy was booming along at breakneck pace, propped up by a speculative frenzy. Work was plentiful to all who wanted it and novel luxuries like the radio and the automobile were finally becoming part of the everyman's staple household items. Up and coming boxer, James J. Braddock was lighting up the boxing circuit with his lethal right jab with the look of a sure fire title contender. Four grueling years later, life couldn't be anymore different. The country was in the deepest throws of the Great Depression. 15 million couldn't find work, and Americans wondered where the money would come from to pay the mountain of bills. How would they feed their children? Braddock, once one of the most promising boxers of his time, was crippled by injury and encroaching age. Who would have an answer to the direst questions that seemed to stare through this generation without hope?

AMC Theatres are so sure that you'll love Cinderella Man that they will refund your money if you don't like it. This marks the first money back guarantee that the theatre has offered since Mystic Pizza in 1988. It is seen as a dramatic step to shake up the lackluster box office that has plagued this summer movie season. While it may seem risky, Cinderella Man is a great film that screams Oscar caliber performances so there shouldn't be much refunding. Look for the PM review of Cinderella Man tomorrow.

Source: CNN

If it weren't bad enough that he used Oprah's couch as a trampoline over his new love, Katie Holmes, now he is kicking commenters in the teeth when they conflict with his wacky Scientology beliefs. Matt Lauer last week questioned Cruise's stance against psychiatry and in doing so let all of the hens out of the hen house. Cruise spouted off that there is no such thing as a chemical imbalance, calling ritalin a street drug and dismissed psychiatry a psuedo-science. The carefully cultivated Cruise image that has supported his shining film career has been virtually obliterated within a month. Tom, hire your old publicist back so she can get you to shut up. Get a grip man. We really don't want to see how crazy you actually are.

See the love drunk loon's infamous episode on Oprah on iFilm.

Grade: C- | Genre: Action Summary: Bruce Willis is an old pro as a one-man army on a mission to thwart the evil powers that be. This time however, the evil powers are juveniles, and even they are punking him just like Ashton Kutcher has been, dating Demi Moore. The clever but misleading opening credits of Hostage have you wondering what type of film you're about to get yourself into. The raw blacks and reds are reminiscent of the feel to another Bruce Willis film, the overly gruesome and edgy, Sin City. However, this is no comic book as the credits paint a dark portrait of nervous energy that comes to life as the picture transitions onto a small street outside a home in Los Angeles where Willis' character, Jeff Talley, is in hostage negotiations with a twitchy suspect ready to blow his fuse at any second. Talley is confident and in control until he loses his grip of the situation as the survival rates of the hostages, the suspect's young son and wife, quickly drop. He can hear the Lord's prayer coming through the phone he's been using to communicate with the suspect signaling that the end is near and that the result won't be in his favor. He breaks his way into the suspect's home to find him and his wife dead. When Talley finds the son, who has been shot in the chest, the young boy dies in his arms gasping for air.

Yesterday, the U.S. Supreme Court cast down a ruling against Grokster and Morpheus saying the way they were promoting their software was illegal, signaling the demise of these companies. They knowingly were advertising their software for the purpose of trading copyrighted files. Everyone from Don Henley, Sheryl Crow and Jay-Z were praising the ruling, but some musicians weren't quite so perky. Jeff Tweedy of Wilco stated "Any decision that outlaws or discourages developing technology that expands Wilco's reach is shortsighted. It is sad that conservatives and liberals in the Supreme Court can hold hands and agree unanimously on a decision so squarely on the side of big business and so damaging to the side of culture." Those in the indie music community echoed those sentiments saying closing these channels will severely hurt the distribution of music of independent artists.

Source: Gainesville Sun

1. Batman Begins - $27,589,389
2. Bewitched - $20,131,130
3. Mr. & Mrs. Smith - $16,825,209
4. Herbie: Fully Loaded - $12,709,221
5. George A. Romero's Land of the Dead - $10,221,705
6. Madagascar - $7,434,917
7. Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith - $6,113,071
8. The Longest Yard - $5,527,359
9. The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl in 3-D - $3,496,044
10. Cinderella Man - $3,446,235

Grade: B+ | Genre: Romantic Comedy Summary: The Girl in the Cafe sheds important light on the G8 conference by supporting this heavy drama on a light love story that is clever, fresh and inventive. It is a rousing success on all levels and a pleasure to watch. Most writers find it complicated enough trying to assemble an original romantic feature, much less attempting to attack poverty during the same thought. Leave it to Richard Wright (Love Actually) to tackle this formidable task, and arise on the plus side of the equation. Saturday marked the premiere of the Girl in the Cafe on HBO, which features an unlikely budding romance over the backdrop of the G8 conference. While it may sound as sexy as two folks in a nursing home doing the horizontal, the writer strikes the perfect balance, not overly preaching to us on the horrors of extreme poverty while not weighing down the romantic elements with this seven headed hydra. Count me among the surprised that he pulled this delicate feat off.

As previously reported, the John Mayer Trio has assembled to explore John Mayer's bluesy roots. The details are now in. The other parts of the trio include Steve Jordan on drums and Pino Palladino on bass. The trio will debut their act on September 6th at the Fillmore in San Francisco playing an assortment of covers, new songs and existing Mayer tunes reworked for the trio format. Mayer's new album Continuum has "a kind of Sam Cooke" vibe going on. For the full details of John's new setup, check out the full article at Billboard.

Grade: B+ | Genre: Electronica/Acid Jazz Summary: Nomad Songs is an album worthy of your "Chill" collection and will be there for you when you need to unwind and take things easy. Pour a glass of wine and let go. Berlin 6-piece jazzy ensemble (vocalist Lisa Bassenge, guitarist Boris Meinhold, keyboardist Sebastian Demmin, double bassist Paul Kleber, drummer Tim Kroker and producer DJ Rogall) aren't new to the industry with earlier releases, Ninesongs and Is You Is. However, on their third and latest album, Nomad Songs, they've decided to forgo their evolving electronica sound in favor of a more live approach with "tracks that work both plugged in and unplugged." Where they once took advantage of studio production time, Nomad has since become an organic mix of Billie Holiday meets Erykah Badu with a touch of The Cardigan's Nina Persson over live instruments and down tempo melodies. Don't blink because you may just miss this gem. Micatone is not a band poised to break the sound barrier or the mainstream, but they are an impressive addition to your eclectic collection that will win you plenty of cool points.

A bold statement in a pretty solid music year thus far, but Independent Study writer Gregory Perez is ready to make it. Okkervil River is an indie group hailing out of Austin, Texas who seem a bit of a cross between the Arcade Fire, Bright Eyes and maybe a bit of the Shins. Will Sherf has crafted a very interesting listen in Black Sheep Boy. Unique compositions, dipped in passion over sharp lyrics create an album that stands out from the crowd. So is it the album of the year? Well I have that reserved for the White Stripes thus far, but Okkervil River definitely has something worth exploring.

Check out the full Independent Study feature on MSNBC that includes 3 tracks available for stream. Look for the PM review on Black Sheep Boy in the week's ahead.

Grade: B+ | Genre: Drama Summary: Coach Carter is no Friday Night Lights, but it is film with comparable heart and desire. It's success lies in our empathy for the players and the struggles that each go through to stay on the team and on the right path. Hey Mister Kotta! Sure, it may not work as well for this film, but what Coach Carter has that does work is a very convincing presence on the screen thanks to the baddest mother f-er of them all, Samuel L. Jackson. Anyone who has the gall to have you include his middle initial as you speak his name has got to be a force to be reckoned with. Don't even say a word about Michael J. Fox. Anyway, Coach Carter is a very engaging film about an inner city high school basketball program that not only lacks the ambition for the game but also in themselves. Ken Carter knows a thing or two about success by believing in oneself and brings his discipline to a group who can't even spell discipline. He'll give you respect until you lose it and is all about bringing out the best in you, physically and most of all academically.

War of the Worlds is being described as a throw back to Speilberg's early days in cinema, "A Close Encounters of the Third Kind with a far more sinister edge." That is quite a lofty statement. Based on the H.G. Wells alien invasion story of 1898, War of the Worlds seeks to strike the same fear in audiences as the 1938 Orson Welles' radio broadcast. Read up on Spielberg's catalog of thoughts at Newsweek before catching the film in theatres on Wednesday.

Source: Newsweek

The duo known as Turin Brakes are making their presence known with their third release Jack in a Box. Their Mercury Prize nominated 2001 effort The Optimist pinned the acoustic label on them, which they are looking to toss off. On the new album, they sample rock, alt-country and include a couple of those slower numbers. They will be embarking on a 16 date tour of the states starting in New York next month. For a full list of tour dates, visit Rolling Stone and look for a review of their latest in the week's ahead.

Source: Rolling Stone

I'm a big believer in generic brands. If I can save 50 cents buying the Kroger-brand Mac n' Cheese, I won't even hesitate. So why couldn't the same principle apply to our music? It seems music piracy affects 3 out 4 CD's and the bootleg versions are out selling the real thing. The way I see it, at least there are people out there still willing to pay for music. Read more from Southofboston.com.

1. DANCING WITH THE STARS ABC
2. CSI CBS
3. PRIMETIME LV SP EDTN-6/7(S) ABC
4. TWO AND A HALF MEN CBS
5. TWO AND A HALF MEN 10PM(S) CBS
6. TWO AND A HALF MEN 1030PM(S) CBS
7. TWO AND A HALF MEN 9PM(S) CBS
8. NBA FINALS ON ABC-GM
9. LAW AND ORDER NBC

Source: Yahoo

The best blend from Indie to the Main Stream

1. FOO FIGHTERS In Your Honor
2. COLDPLAY X And Y
3. WHITE STRIPES Get Behind Me Satan
4. BLACK EYED PEAS Monkey Business
5. GORILLAZ Demon Days
6. SYSTEM OF A DOWN Mezmerize
7. COMMON Be
8. MARIAH CAREY Emancipation Of Mimi
9. FAT JOE All Or Nothing
10. AUDIOSLAVE Out Of Exile

Grade: B+ | Genre: Drama Summary: This is an important film highlighting an essential figure in science. His significance wasn't in his findings so much as the influence he had on helping to relax America's Puritanical attitudes on sex. "Let's talk about sex ba-by." Contrary to popular belief Salt-N-Pepa weren't the first ones to get us talking about sex. It was Alfred Kinsey. In the hyper-Puritan times of the 1950s, he published the groundbreaking Sexual Behavior in the Human Male that exploded in the American consciousness with the most comprehensive study of human sexual behavior at the time. Prior to its publication, the commonly held view was that everyone followed the traditional standards of the Puritanical society, and the very few who deviated from these norms lacked the proper moral fiber and willpower. The truth created shockwaves of awe and comfort as people kept asking "am I normal?" In a time that taught abstinence and propagated misinformation about sex, Kinsey flung open the doors to the bedroom to find out just what was going on.

Like most viewers, I was throughly perplexed by the cryptic ending of American Psycho (if you haven't seen it and plan to, this would be a good time to find another article). Did Bateman kill all those yuppie socialities or was his clock just short of a cuckoo bird? According to the co-writer, he really did slaughter all those people. What the rest of that mess was all about is beyond me.

Also, Gloria Steinem was a vocal critic of the Brent Easton Ellis novel and advised Leonardo DiCaprio not to take the part of Bateman. Strangely, it opened the path for her future stepson Christian Bale to be cast.

Source: Entertainment Weekly

Evidently there is all sorts of controversy floating around Lindsay Lohan's appearance and her new film Herbie: Fully Loaded. Parents groups have been up in arms saying that Lohan's character was too busty and revealingly dressed for a children's feature. Herbie fully loaded indeed. Rumors had spread that Disney has digitally reduced her cleavage though the film's director denies this allegation. Most recently Lohan has been taken off the posters for the film as the movie bosses say the blonde haired, incredibly shrinking actress doesn't resemble the fiery red head from the picture.

Source: Brand Republic

Grade: B- | Genre: Pop Summary: Courtney Jaye has delivered an infectious collection of pop tunes that prove the guiltiest of pleasures. It was a quaint Friday night many years ago. A friend and I had settled in at Eddie's Attic with our excited energy ready to chew on a new comer that we'd been groovin' on -- Adrienne. The evening's feature act was none other than Sugarland's Kristen Hall, a modern day classic on the Atlanta scene. Usually you know what you are getting yourself into when you walk through the hallowed doors. Occasionally, an artist will gun past your expectations to cement themselves as a must-see act. While others, an album you'd been sampling like a crack pipe falls to the way side when you see it was just the smoke and mirrors of a savvy producer. On this peculiar night, the audience gave way to a foxy young lady who made her way to the stage in order to help Kristen out by singing a song or two. Instantly, she mesmerized everyone. That night belonged to Courtney Jaye. The veteran was forced to take a backseat as this lovely voice gave us a taste of her talent and potential.

Fins SwiMP3 is the latest in the 'take your music with you anywhere' craze. It is MP3 headgear to wear during your swimming workouts. They have some unique sound transfer technology utilizing bone conduction - sound vibrations from the cheek bone into the inner ear - to provide sound clarity. How they keep this sucker waterproof and running is beyond me. The first time somebody gets in the pool with one of these things and I have to listen to Van Halen throughout my workout, a smackdown is gonna happen.

For more information, check it out at Swim Outlet.

Grade: B | Genre: Power Pop Summary: The Antidote is like a budding couple in the second month of a relationship, still searching out each other's tastes and starting to see those annoying habits. They're just not fully comfortable being themselves yet. Morcheeba's The Antidote is a clever ticket prompting us to hop aboard a train charted for long ago. Its songs seem sealed in a pocket of time circling the late 60s, forever caught in a dance with the Mamas and the Papas. It's highly cultivated pop that slides around in your head like jet-powered lounge music. The arrangements are unique experiments in musical fusion, and Daisy Martey's vocals are quietly overpowering as they sharpen the edges to these compelling beats. The Antidote signals a fresh sunrise gleaming on a band eager to rebuild its castle.

Jimmy Christmas Billy. Can't you finish touring to support your solo album before you decide life on your own isn't for you? Corgan announced in a full page ad in Chicago newspapers that he is reforming the Smashing Pumpkins. He's quoted as saying "I want my band back, and my songs, and my dreams." He didn't say which, if any, of the former band members would be rejoining the group that disbanded five years ago nor when the Pumpkins would officially reform. Look for the PM review of Corgan's latest solo work TheFutureEmbrace next week.

Source: Yahoo News

Grade: B | Genre: Hip-Hop Summary: Monkey Business stuffs a lot into a small package that you may suffer from sensory overload. So much is going on that you'll pick up more and more with each listen. The Black Eyed Peas were once a group that couldn't get out from under the shadows of A Tribe Called Quest. Their jazzy hooks and laid back tongues were a dead ringer for the "Abstract," and the Peas were destined to fall short of Hip Hop super stardom. However, with each release, the lyrical MC's were able to grow out of their shells to cast shadows of their own. The crew of Will.I.Am, Apl.de.Ap, Taboo and Fergie are back with Monkey Business and continue their infectious rhythms that cater to cross-over platforms. The album is a blender of so many genres that "Hip-Hop" no longer is an appropriate label. From Pop to R&B to Jack Johnson, these guys will continue to explore the farthest reaches of their musical ability. Let's just hope that they can keep from sounding like one classic rap group to sounding like so many other groups on your radio dial.

David Spade is getting his own spot among Comedy Central's ever-growing list of must-see shows. Spade will be hosting the Showbiz Show that hopes to be to celebrities what the Daily Show is to the nightly news. The program will be a half hour weekly that will follow a format similar to the Daily Show with correspondents and celebrity guests. Given the level of fodder we've seen lately from the crazy phone throwing Aussie to the newest Bennifer -- TomKat (sounds like a Top Gun callsign to me), I think Mr. Spade could have his hands full with this wacky lot.

Source: Yahoo TV

After feeling monstrous heartburn over their unnecessary coverage of the Michael Jackson debacle, CNN has decided to get a face life -- minus the nose job. CNN's president Jonathan Klein recently stated he regretted the "endless parade" of stories CNN aired with "Michael dressed like Captain Crunch, walking out of the limousine." He questioned the opportunities lost: "We could have done 60 stories during that time." He's already scrapped Inside Politics and Crossfire (thank you Jon Stewart), and he's looking to shake up other areas of the broadcast network in a move to recapture the top spot from conservative biased Fox News.

Source: Newsweek

1. Batman Begins - $48,745,440
2. Mr. & Mrs. Smith - $26,037,023
3. Madagascar - $10,737,325
4. Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith - $10,038,498
5. The Longest Yard - $8,239,853
6. The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl in 3-D - $6,692,907
7. Cinderella Man - $5,572,285
8. The Perfect Man - $5,300,980
9. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants - $3,127,232
10. The Honeymooners - $2,648,330

Check Movie Times.

According to Spin, that hallowed designation belongs to none other than Radiohead's OK Computer. It edged out Nirvana and Public Enemy for the top spot. The latest issue of Spin features the top 100 albums released in the past 20 years. It is an eclectic mix including 25 hip-hop records. I still say Radiohead's Kid A is the better album and it is sacrilege not to have Jeff Buckley's Grace in the top 10.

Spin's Top 10
1. OK Computer, Radiohead
2. It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back, Public Enemy
3. Nevermind, Nirvana
4. Slanted and Enchanted, Pavement
5. The Queen Is Dead, Smiths
6. Surfer Rosa, Pixies
7. 3 Feet High and Rising, De La Soul
8. Sign 'O' the Times, Prince
9. Rid of Me, PJ Harvey
10. Straight Outta Compton, N.W.A

Source: CNN

Not only does Britney Spears make for very bad reality T.V. with her show "Chaotic," but she also could be potentially harmful to your PC. The pop princess has recently taken the title of "the celebrity most commonly associated with malicious computer viruses." So beware, those Emails promising nude pictures of the teen queen could actually be a harmful viruses that could eat away at your computer. Read more from PC World.

Grade: C+ | Genre: Progressive Rock Summary: Team Sleep's vocal arrangements and musical compositions are very capable of pushing the band further in the industry, but because they don't vary the pace enough from one track to the next, they get lost in the background and are buried deep behind the everyday thoughts running through your head. When you are part of a genre-defining group like the Deftones, you might think that you have what it takes to parlay your achievements into success of a different form. Vocalist Chino Moreno's new outfit, Team Sleep, is a far cry from his bread and butter and strives to cover new ground that the Deftones would never go near. Miles apart from the edgy riffs of his original band, Moreno, as well as a host of guest musicians, appropriately live up to Team Sleep's brand name by taking a step back in order to turn down the volume.

Chuck Palahniuk, the genius behind Fight Club, has three novels currently treading their way to the screen. Ain't It Cool News reports that Survivor was picked up by the creative team behind Constantine (yikes!). Choke has been written and is ready for casting by the same producer responsible for Requiem for a Dream and I Heart Huckabees. Finally, Diaries is in negotiations to be an HBO miniseries directed by none other than Seven's David Fincher. Now that does sound like an interesting coupling of talents.

Source: Ain't It Cool News

Grade: C | Genre: Horror Summary: This film isn't destined to be a classic, but Keaton's performance compounded with the jump out of your seat thrills are engaging enough to have you clutching the pillow you've got covering your eyes. Electronic Voice Phenomenon (E.V.P.) is the recording of voices and images of the dead using de-tuned receiving apparatuses. Identified in 1939, and now the subject of increasing scientific research worldwide, it is able to finally show evidence of communication with the deceased. Architect John Rivers (Michael Keaton) has never been exposed to such supernatural abnormalities but is about to engulf himself in the movement when his wife, now dead six months, begins to make contact with him through the static of his television set and radio receiver. The White Noise he hears becomes his main focus in life and consumes everything around him. From Architect to paranormal crusader, John turns his world inside out in order to see and speak to his wife one last time.

Depeche Mode will be unveiling their yet to be titled follow-up to Exciter in October, but it's never too early lay down tour plans. They have already laid out a three-month European tour schedule starting in January 13th in Dresden, Germany. The six-week North American tour will begin in October. The new album is being co-produced by Ben Hiller (Doves, Blur). For a full list of European tour dates, visit Billboard.

Source: Billboard

Grade: C+ | Genre: Drama Summary: This is a tough movie to make happen. It takes a lot of patience to see it through to the final revelation, concerning what brought Trevor to this disturbed state. Actors have often sacrificed their better sense by going to extremes for a juicy part. Look at the gorgeous Charlize Theron gaining all that weight and generally mucking herself up for the role of Aileen Wuornos in Monster. We heap praises upon them for their authenticity and their daring to mess up their life for the sake of art. Is there a line where they go too far? If there is, Christian Bale has crossed it with the Machinist. He dropped 63 pounds for the part, which resulted in an emaciated skeleton akin to what you would see in concentration camp footage. It's pretty disgusting to look at, and he's the central focus of the entire two hours.

Coldplay's X&Y took over the album sales charts this passed week in a big way and may have potentially revived their ailing record company, EMI Group Pic. However, don't asked lead singer Chris Martin if he's happy to help out because he just tell you, "I don't really care about EMI. I think shareholders are the great evil of this modern world." Read more from CNN.

1. DANCING WITH THE STARS - ABC
2. CSI - CBS
3. PRIMETIME LV SP EDTN-6/7(S) - ABC
4. TWO AND A HALF MEN - CBS
5. TWO AND A HALF MEN 10PM(S) - CBS
6. TWO AND A HALF MEN 1030PM(S) - CBS
7. TWO AND A HALF MEN 9PM(S) - CBS
8. NBA FINALS ON ABC-GM 1(S) - ABC
9. LAW AND ORDER - NBC
10. 60 MINUTES - CBS

The best blend from Indie to the Main Stream

1. COLDPLAY X And Y
2. WHITE STRIPES Get Behind Me Satan
3. BLACK EYED PEAS Monkey Business
4. GORILLAZ Demon Days
5. COMMON Be
6. SYSTEM OF A DOWN Mezmerize
7. AUDIOSLAVE Out Of Exile
8. MARIAH CAREY Emancipation Of Mimi
9. OASIS Don't Believe The Truth
10. SHAKIRA Fijacion Oral

Amazon is celebrating it's 10th birthday by having Bob Dylan and Norah Jones play a concert that will be streamed from the companies' web site on the evening of July 16th. There are slated to be other musical acts performing, readings by authors as well as behind-the-scenes footage of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.

Source: Seattle Post-Intelligencer

The brilliant execs at RCA have decided to copy protect the latest album from the Foo Fighters entitled In Your Honor. They've locked this sucker down so you can't play it on your iPod. The collective wisdom is staggering that you would alienate a huge chunk of your core audience by putting these senseless restrictive measures in place. Why don't you just put a sticker on the cover saying, "please don't purchase this CD. we'd much rather you download it illegally." There is a lively discussion going on over at Blogcritics on this topic as well as a work around to get around this silly copy protection.

Source: Blogcritics

Rush Hour director, Brett Ratner, is the newest commander of the X-Men franchise taking over from where Bryan Singer left off. It's an unlikely choice, but one can't forget that Ratner was originally offered the job only to see Singer turn it into his own success. Read more from E! Online.

Sean Penn seems to have found a new passion in life, news reporting. He has shocked and bewildered many fans and journalist with his new role as San Francisco Chronicle's newest reporter on special assignment to cover the presidential elections in the Iranian Capital. Not only does he give you in depth coverage of current affairs, but he also tries his hand at cultural relations between opposing nations. Read more from Journal Advocate about what Jeff Spicoli has accomplished since graduating from Ridgemont High.

Grade: A- | Genre: Comedy/Action Summary: Mr. & Mrs. Smith takes the old adage that "love is war" and riddles it with bullets until it is delicate Swiss cheese. This is a highly enjoyable film that gets more laughs than I would have thought possible. How long has the media storm surrounding Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie been pounding us? It must be close to absolute fever pitch with the release of their long awaited film Mr. & Mrs. Smith. Why everyone cares so much about their personal lives is beyond me, but on the same thought trying to get through this review without connecting it back to everyone's favorite non-couple is about impossible. So I'm going to go ahead and get this dirty business out of the way. Pitt and Jolie are two uber attractive people who look comfortable together. He with his suave Ocean's Eleven charm and good looks; her with that exotic, confident sexuality. There are sparks splintering all over the place when they are sharing the screen, and in this film, Jolie looks about as tempting as anything I've seen. With that out of the way, let's dig into this delicious film that curiosity alone will force everyone into the theatres.

Leave it to the preacher's daughter to introduce sin to summer. The vibrant red head will be embarking on a 27 date tour through North America, starting in Atlanta, to support her latest release The Beekeeper. If you are mired in disappointment over missing her without the band on her mini-tour, perk up. She has decided to leave the band at home for all these dates so it will just be Tori making love to the piano. The super talented Imogen Heap of Frou Frou will be opening all of these dates as well the Ditty Bops. For a full listing of concert dates, visit Billboard.

Source: Billboard

Grade: A- | Genre: Brit and Prog Rock Summary: This was my fifth-plus outing to the festival, and each year is as satisfying as the last. If you're ever in the area during the festival season, I highly recommend you set aside at least one day to attend this weekend event. Date: June 11, 2005 Location: Atlanta, GA There's nothing like seeing your favorite bands live and in person. It's gives you the opportunity to connect faces and performances to the music with which you've filled every inch of your days. Saying, "I've heard their music" just doesn't compare to saying "I saw them in concert," because you can't see the raw emotion of an introspective song on a CD cover. When you get fans together with the common bond of love and adoration of the music, it's a good time to be had. There's nothing like being surrounded by complete strangers and being able to sing along to the same tune as if you've known each other for years. Atlanta's Music Midtown Festival is a dream for all those looking to be surrounded by acts spanning multiple genres while taking in some fresh air...or in our case, buckets of rain thanks to Tropical Storm Arlene. It's a taste of familiar flavors as well as a welcomed introduction to those you may not normally come across.

1.Mr. & Mrs. Smith Twentieth - $50,342,878
2. Madagascar Dreamworks - $17,180,801
3. Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith - $14,851,474
4. The Longest Yard - $13,878,482
5. The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl in 3-D - $12,582,088
6. Cinderella Man - $9,728,955
7. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants - $5,711,420
8. The Honeymooners - $5,538,835
9. Monster-in-Law - $2,624,376
10. High Tension - $1,897,705

Check Movie Times.

Batman Begins hasn't even premiered yet, but the buzz is so big that it's sure to be a smash at the box office. Sequels are inevitable, and you'll be glad to know that the current Batman star, Christian Bale, will be happy to revisit his Bruce Wayne alter-ego. Not since Michael Keaton has an actor served double duty as the Caped Crusader, and Bale will be happy to oblige. Read more from BBC News.

"Michael Jackson, on behalf of mandkind, we're sorry" read one of the posters held by loyal fans outside the California courthouse where the verdict was read. It's a huge victory for the King of Pop and affords him the right to go home to Neverland Ranch where he's planning the biggest sleepover of all sleepovers. Did we really think that Jackson would go to jail? He settled the first time around, totally swept all 10 counts of child molestation with the "Not Guilty" verdict this time, and will probably do the same again when more allegations are made public. It's the Justice System at its best.

Brad Pitt has chosen to redirect the media storm surrounding him towards a worthy cause. During ABC's Primetime Live last week, Pitt substituted the comfy couch confessional for an honest look at how AIDS and poverty are devouring the African continent. It is an important news story that is getting minimal press. Bravo Mr. Pitt for taking this initiative to bring news journalism back to the programs that used to pride themselves on it. To find out how you can help combat poverty and AIDS in Africa, sign the declaration at www.one.org.

Source: Yahoo News

Do you ever wonder how certain artists and songs get radio airplay while equally, if not more, talented ones get overlooked? I ran across this article from the Independent Weekly that discussed this exact topic with regards to Tift Merritt's debut disk Bramble Rose. It is a very interesting read to watch how this process unfolds, to see how clueless DJs actually are and what a mess radio has become. The quote of the week has to be this one concerning receiving the album without a single identified. "What would be on the playlist? Which one? Am I just supposed to listen to the whole CD and pick one out?" Imagine having to actually listen to a CD and pick your favorite track. What is the world coming to?

Read the full article at the Independent Weekly

Grade: B+ | Genre: Brit Rock/Country Summary: Keane and Tift Merritt both put forth great performances on this Midtown Saturday. If the rain hadn't put a damper on things, it would have been the perfect afternoon of music. Date: June 11, 2005 Location: Atlanta, GA In the Saturday afternoon session of Music Midtown, the headlining act was none other than the rain. Tropical storm Arlene fulfilled its promise and dropped buckets upon the music festival. Thousands thumbed their nose at the pesky rain to take in the stacked music calendar that Saturday had to offer. Scanning the stages, we had the Pixies, Alan Jackson, Black Eyed Peas, Tom Petty and dozens of other acts battling for space in the listener's busy calendar. My money for the afternoon settled on Tift Merritt, the Features and Keane before I had to cut the fun short to book it down to Decatur to catch the Open Mic Shootout.

Pink Floyd, the classic rock staple and one of the most influential bands of our time, will be reassembling their original line-up to play London's Live 8. This will mark the first time the band has played together since the 1994 tour for their final studio work the Division Bell and Waters hasn't been apart of the group since 1983. Live 8 will be held on July 2nd at Hyde Park and looks to raise awareness on African debt and hunger issues.

Source: Billboard

Grade: B+ | Genre: Alternative Rock Summary: White Stripes introduced their new album with passion and intensity, electrifying the stage while Interpol left a bit to be desired. Date: June 10, 2005 Location: Atlanta, GA The wait is finally over and Music Midtown is here, taking over Atlanta. It is the biggest musical event of the year for the city, bringing in around 100 bands performing on six different stages. It is an eclectic mix of sounds ranging from the top names in modern and classic rock to rap and country. There is a little something for everyone here and everyone who loves music is firmly planted at Midtown. The event promoters expect 75,000 people to be in attendance over the three-day music festival. It is a massive undertaking to coordinate all these bands, vendors, and traffic control issues without the event descending into mass chaos, but somehow they pull it off.

Grade: A+ | Genre: Comedy Summary: I have to say my expectations were surfing the stratosphere awaiting the release of this box set, and damn it newbie if this collection didn't totally obliterate those meager thoughts. Do you ever wonder how breakthrough comedies come to whittle their way onto that little glowing friend in your living room? Say we took a washed up ballplayer then made him into a bartender lording over a bunch of zeroes whose asses are glued to the bar stools. What if we took six single twentysomethings and brought them together in affluent New York City. They wouldn't have jobs. Instead, they would simply hang out at the neighborhood coffee shop at 2pm on a Tuesday. How about we go one better and have a show about nothing. Seinfeld even saw fit to lampoon it's own existence when Jerry and George go pitch the sitcom idea to the NBC exec. Scrubs is this grade of revolutionary comedy. They took the tense life and death setting of a hospital and injected a healthy dose of humor, complete with J.D.'s wacky daydreams and runaway inner monologue. How do you sell a show like this to a studio exec in a world of cookie cutter comedies?

First Paris seduces a hamburger and now Mary Ann and Ginger from the new reality show The Real Gilligan's Island get down and dirty with a pie-fight spoofing the Miller Lite fountain fighting girls. The spot has been lambasted for objectifying women. While the series debut pulled in a slim 1.9 million viewers, the website traffic on TBS.com has doubled since posting the video. See it for yourself. If you sign in after 10pm, you can view the 60-second director's cut.

Source: CNN

Do you want to live the life of the stars having the paparazzi chasing after you, naming your kids fruity names and star in crappy films that allow critics like myself have a field day? You may not be able to wallow in the joys of celebrity, but now you can at least breathe like they do. Some wingnut captured a Mason jar of air from the Mr. and Mrs. Smith premiere in Los Angeles. He even has pictures of the jar as the new IT couple was passing by. It is currently going for $510 on eBay.

Source: KRCA Channel

Evidently Katie Holmes' new relationship with couch jumping Tom Cruise has many, many concerned. Will he use poor little Joey and discard her like a dirty rag? Some of her fans have created a new website www.freeKatie.net which is selling t-shirts, caps, buttons and mugs. The site prompts the reader to "join the movement to liberate Katie, a young, gifted, actress held captive by forces we may never understand. Even one summer of captivity is too long for one so bright!" Quick catch her before she becomes a Scientologist.

Source: Yahoo Movies

It was inevitable. In the spirit of Super Mario Bros., Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat, 20th Century Fox and Universal Pictures will team up to develop the film version to one of the mosting addicting video gam