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Six Feet Under: Ecotone
Category: Show Archive
Posted by Mark Runyon | July 31, 2005 | 11:44 PM
PM Rating System

Six Feet UnderGrade: A- | Genre: Drama
Summary: Nate cashes in his chips to become a very personal client of Fisher and Diaz.

I don't usually take the effort to comment on individual episodes of my favorite television shows because there's no time. No knock to the clever kittens at Television Without Pity, but if I kept a running chronicle of my television watching, even as sparse as it is, I'd have no life. This week's episode of Six Feet Under was an important moment in the show's history. It's the end of an era if you will. You knew, with the final season wrapping itself to a close, the writers were going to shake things up, and I think it's safe to say that we are thoroughly shaken. Last week closed with Nate having a strange numbness in his arm, which led to his collapse on the floor of Maggie's apartment. They had just had sex, putting an ominous tone on his ever-struggling relationship with Brenda. This week opens with Nate getting packed into an ambulance as poor Maggie frets, trying to figure out what she is going to tell Brenda. Let the fireworks begin.

READ FULL ARTICLE
Interview with Billy Corgan
Category: Artist Profiles
Posted by Mark Runyon | July 31, 2005 | 04:53 PM

Billy Corgan recently unveiled his first solo album TheFutureEmbrace only to negate his independence the same day by saying he wanted the Smashing Pumpkins together again. What is going on under that chrome dome of his? He's parked himself for long enough to discuss publishing his autobiography on the Internet, what a resurrected Pumpkins would look like and what exactly became of the ill fated Zwan.

Read the full interview at MSNBC.

Can John Cusack Escape Lloyd Dobler?
Category: Film Commentary
Posted by Mark Runyon | July 29, 2005 | 04:40 PM

John Cusack has been one of the most recognizable actors of our time for his winning role as Lloyd Dobler in the Cameron Crowe classic Say Anything. He's gone on to make a few classics (High Fidelity, Max), but mostly its been filler (Identity, America'a Sweethearts). Is he just a bad actor, does he chose poor roles or is it the Lloyd Dobler effect? Tara and Sarah of Television Without Pity weigh in on the star of the new romantic comedy Must Love Dogs.

Read the raging debate on MSNBC.

Royksopp - The Understanding
Category: Album Archive
Posted by Mark Runyon | July 29, 2005 | 02:42 PM
PM Rating System

Royksopp - The UnderstandingGrade: A- | Genre: Electronic Chill
Summary: The Understanding is a very impressive effort that leaves you hesistant to leave this plush cosmic universe Royksopp has created.

It has been three years since Royksopp quietly shifted through the silence, presenting the beautiful atmospheric effort Melody A.M. Now the Norweigan duo of Torbjorn Brundtland and Svein Berge venture into those uncertain waters of the sophomore electronic chill effort, which can prove a formidable task. Just ask the French boys of Air. The Understanding shows they are brimming for the challenge, snapping out of the box with enigmatic dance beats, Zip-loc bags of captured quiet and catchy pop melodies that beg to have their energies channeled through radio. Prepare yourselves because I think Royksopp is ready to break themselves all over your world.

READ FULL ARTICLE
Neilson Weekly Ratings
07/18/05 - 07/24/05

Category: Television Ratings
Posted by Mark Runyon | July 29, 2005 | 12:05 PM

1. CSI CBS
2. WITHOUT A TRACE CBS
3. LAW AND ORDER:CRIM INTENT NBC
4. LAW AND ORDER:SVU NBC
4. NCIS CBS
6. LAW AND ORDER NBC
6. SO YOU THINK YOU CN DANCE FOX
8. TWO AND A HALF MEN CBS
9. 60 MINUTES CBS
10. CSI: MIAMI CBS

Source: Zap2it

CMJ Retail Charts / Issue - 923
Category: Album Charts
Posted by Mark Runyon | July 29, 2005 | 11:28 AM

The best blend from Indie to the Main Stream

1. COLDPLAY X And Y
2. GORILLAZ Demon Days
3. SUFJAN STEVENS Illinois
4. FOO FIGHTERS In Your Honor
5. WHITE STRIPES Get Behind Me Satan
6. R. KELLY TP.3 Reloaded
7. NOW THAT'S WHAT I CALL MUSIC! 19 Various Artists
8. SLIM THUG Already Platinum
9. MARIAH CAREY Emancipation Of Mimi
10. BLACK EYED PEAS Monkey Business

Alias: Agent Bristow Tackles Motherhood
Category: Show News
Posted by Mark Runyon | July 29, 2005 | 09:47 AM

You knew it was coming ever since news sprouted of Affleck knocking up poor Jennifer Garner. So what does that mean? Less bathing suits, less running, less kicking ass -- less fun in other words. They are planning on bringing in a young babe to serve as Sidney's protege. The rumor mill has Rachel Nichols of Fox's the Inside (sizzling Maxim shots) filling the sex quotient for the time being and there is word that a main character will be leaving the show early in the season. Speculation is also running rampant that this will be Alias' last season since ABC has moved the show to the traditional graveyard timeslot of Thursdays at 8 opposite Survivor. Production on season five of Alias is set to begin today.

Source: Yahoo TV

V for Vendetta Preview
Category: Film News
Posted by Patrick Vu | July 28, 2005 | 09:47 AM

So what was Natalie Portman's new do all about at the Star Wars premiere? She's been hard at work on an action film from the "creators of the Matrix Triliogy" called V for Vendetta and Portman fans can rejoice as she graces the silver screen again with her beauty and talent. Check out a preview from iFilms.com.

Checking Out Joss Stone's Bum
Category: Artist Profiles
Posted by Mark Runyon | July 28, 2005 | 08:39 AM

Yeah I saw you checking out Joss Stone's butt when she was slithering around in her recent GAP ad. It seems you aren't the only one as Joss was just as fascinated by her butt double in a recent CNN interview. At 18, she has accomplished two hit albums snaring two Grammy nominations, but she's more concerned with what she hasn't done. "It does make me happy when I look at it. But, still, I'm very critical of myself in every situation, even if it's something really good. I always find one note wrong. Always. Every single time," Stone said. She goes on to discuss how a white chick from England can sound like a black soul mistress, the schizo in her head and what's in store for her next work.

Check out the full interview at CNN

Fantastic Four
Category: On DVD
Posted by Mark Runyon | July 28, 2005 | 12:47 AM
PM Rating System

Fantastic FourGrade: C | Genre: Action
Summary: So the Fantastic Four isn't quite as fantastic as some had hoped, but it could have been a lot worse. It has its moments, but falls short of being anything substantial.

I think we have been flooded to the point of complete saturation with film adaptations of comic books. When we start featuring little known characters like the Punisher and Daredevil, you know the well is getting a bit dry. I'm still waiting for Wonder Woman myself, which oddly enough is being written up as we speak a Google search just told me. This spin around the merry-go-round, we get Marvel's latest batch of super human freaks, the Fantastic Four. They are very similar to the mutant X-men, which you've no doubt heard a little about thanks to Bryan Singer and Hugh Jackman. The Fantastic Four are four individuals who's DNA is beautifully mangled to award them special powers whose only limits seem to exist on the comic book pages.

READ FULL ARTICLE
How to get your song on the radio.
Category: Music News
Posted by Patrick Vu | July 27, 2005 | 12:40 PM

Everything has a price and as many bands have come to learn, getting your song played on the radio is as easy as sending a program director off on an expensive vacation, giving away concert tickets, or just plain cash. These practices are hardly fair nor ethical to smaller bands trying to carve their niche in the market. Laws have been passed banning such "payola" schemes," but somehow, the record companies behind bands like Good Charlotte and Franz Ferdinand are able to side step best practices and have their music chosen for airplay over others. The days of "Jack FM" could be upon us soon and all the "self-promotion" could go the way of the cassette tape. Source: Newsday

Also, check out the June 12 posting of "How Do Songs Get Radio Play?"

Sith Invades DVD on November 1st
Category: Film News
Posted by Mark Runyon | July 27, 2005 | 09:35 AM

The long awaited end to the Star Wars Trilogy will hit DVD shelves on November 1. Its release will correspond to the release of "Star Wars: Battlefront II" for all gaming platforms. The DVD release of Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith will include a full-length documentary, two new featurettes and 15 web documentaries all packaged in a 2-disk set.

Source: Reuters

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart: Indecision 2004
Category: Television DVD
Posted by Mark Runyon | July 26, 2005 | 06:34 PM
PM Rating System

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart - Indecision 2004Grade: B | Genre: Comedy
Summary: This is a fine take on the election that was 2004, including all the comic hallmarks that make "the Daily Show" a one of a kind fake news program.

It's been eight full months since we suffered the political hangover of the 2004 presidential election. Ah, it seems like just yesterday we were discussing Kerry's choice of flip flops, whether the red states were going to secede from the blue states and Bush's colossal blunders in Iraq. Wait a minute that was yesterday. No one covered the ensuing chaos better than Jon Stewart and the comedy team at "the Daily Show." They manned the front lines giving us a blow by blow of the mounting ridiculousness of babbling, pettiness and comic fodder of politics. They've chosen to commemorate their witty coverage by packaging their comic insights like a political time capsule. Its just like the one you had as a kid, but you don't have to drop Flint and Snake Eyes into the box then bitch for the next month about how you can't play G.I. Joe without your two favorites guys.

READ FULL ARTICLE
Box Office Estimates
July 22 - 24 Weekend

Category: Weekend Box Office
Posted by Mark Runyon | July 26, 2005 | 09:56 AM

1. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - $28,253,338
2. Wedding Crashers - $25,665,065
3. Fantastic Four - $12,646,871
4. The Island - $12,409,070
5. Bad News Bears - $11,382,472
6. War of the Worlds - $8,925,605
7. Hustle & Flow - $8,017,808
8. The Devil's Rejects - $7,067,335
9. Batman Begins - $4,727,469
10. March of the Penguins - $4,382,340

Source: Yahoo Movies

Mel Gibson Goes Mayan
Category: Film News
Posted by Mark Runyon | July 26, 2005 | 09:37 AM

Mel Gibson looks to be cornering the market on archaic languages in film. He is set to begin filming Apocalypto in Mexico, which will be in a Mayan dialect. Gibson will write and direct the film assembling the cast from unknown performers from the region of filming.

Source: CNN

Keane Starts Work on Sophmore Album
Category: Music News
Posted by Mark Runyon | July 25, 2005 | 04:44 PM

Keane is everywhere with their hit debut effort Hopes and Fears. They are busily wrapping up their North American tour dates and look forward to getting back into the studio. With concern to the new recording, Tim Rice-Oxley said "We've done bits and bobs already, but we start in earnest now. It's a bit pressure and a bit worry at the moment, but we're excited about getting stuck into it. We're going to be in a studio in the countryside so we'll be able to step outside."

Source: NME

Lance Makes It Seven
Category: Television News
Posted by Mark Runyon | July 24, 2005 | 10:57 AM

Lance Armstrong came through on his seventh consecutive Tour de France win on Saturday. The rainy conditions couldn't stop Armstrong's meeting with destiny. The 33-year old Texan marked his victory lap in Paris as his last Tour. It was a fitting end to one of the world greatest athletes.

M.I.A. - Arular
Category: Album Archive
Posted by Mark Runyon | July 23, 2005 | 07:01 PM
PM Rating System

M.I.A. - ArularGrade: A- | Genre: Hip-hop/Dance
Summary: File this under smart dance music that you can crank obscenely loud while having those few beers, greasing the inhibitions, before going out.

M.I.A's Arular is an album that has aroused a lot of wayward glances among indie rock followers. M.I.A. is Maya Arul, a Sri Lankan-born Londoner whose sound has a unique blend of hip-hop and dance. Now hip-hop is about as compelling to me as a watching fingernails grow. I just don't get the appeal and happily leave those reviews for others to pick through. M.I.A. is stirring up so much talk because of how she is throwing out the rules of these tired genres and starting anew. The experiment is working as the collective acclaim threatens to burst the floodgates. This album is currently topping Amazon's editors list of the best albums of 2005 thus far. Arular has also made the short list for Britain's ultra prestigious Mercury Prize, sharing time with the latest works from such lofty artists like Coldplay, Bloc Party and Kaiser Chiefs. So what is so special about this lone girl?

READ FULL ARTICLE
Frontera Cero - Nada Que Declarar
Category: Album Archive
Posted by Mark Runyon | July 22, 2005 | 12:32 AM
PM Rating System

Frontera Cero - Nada Que DeclararGrade: B | Genre: Latin Jazz
Summary: Frontera Cero finds its pulse, creating a cultural expression unique and hard to pass up.

Jazz seems to continually mold itself into various shapes, taking on an assortment of faces, when translated by a musician. It's a rich musical heritage that is a bit of a mutt itself, sampling the spectrum from blues, ragtime, gospel and African tribal music to bring us what we now know as jazz. Is it any wonder that modern day musicians would be any different, melding influences from the world around them? The Spanish import, Frontera Cero introduces us to their light jazz-fusion album Nada Que Declarar, or Nothing to Declare for the non-Spanish speakers. It not only seems to mesh musical genres but also playfully shuffles its cultural foundations for a unique listening experience.

READ FULL ARTICLE
Neilson Weekly Ratings
07/11/05 - 07/17/05

Category: Television Ratings
Posted by Mark Runyon | July 21, 2005 | 03:32 PM

1. CSI CBS
2. WITHOUT A TRACE CBS
3. FOX MLB ALL-STAR GAME(S) FOX
4. BRAT CAMP ABC
5. LAW AND ORDER:SVU NBC
6. NCIS CBS
7. FOX MLB ALL-STAR PRE(S) FOX
7. LAW AND ORDER NBC
9. 60 MINUTES CBS
10. BIG BROTHER 6-TUE CBS

Source: Zap2it

Prepare for a Smurfin' Good Time
Category: Film News
Posted by Mark Runyon | July 21, 2005 | 03:02 PM

All the cartoons of our youth seem to be finding new life on the screen. Just months after the official announcement of a Transformers movie coming to the big screen, now the Smurfs join the party as well. Paramount Pictures has acquired the rights and is planning to make a trilogy of Smurf films with the first debuting in 2008, the 50th anniversary of the blue anomalies. They are planning on doing the film in 3-D CGI. Did you ever wonder what happened to all the female Smurfs?

Source: RTE

CMJ Retail Charts / Issue - 923
Category: Album Charts
Posted by Mark Runyon | July 21, 2005 | 01:28 PM

The best blend from Indie to the Main Stream

1. COLDPLAY - X&Y
2. SLIM THUG - Already Platinum
3. R. KELLY - TP.3 Reloaded
4. GORILLAZ - Demon Days
5. YING YANG TWINS - United State Of Atlanta
6. BRONSON ARROYO - Covering The Bases
7. FOO FIGHTERS - In Your Honor
8. WHITE STRIPES - Get Behind Me Satan
9. SON VOLT - Okemah And The Melody Of Riot
10. SUFJAN STEVENS - Illinois

Jude Law's Ex-Wives Club
Category: Fodder
Posted by Mark Runyon | July 21, 2005 | 12:31 PM

By now everyone knows of Jude's infidelity with the nanny. A move his character in Closer would no doubt recognize. Now Sienna Miller, Jude's perhaps ex-fiancee, is getting advice from the unlikeliest of places -- Jude's ex-wife Sadie Frost. Frost is quoted as saying "I just want to say publicly that I feel for her. I feel very sorry for her. I think she is young and has a great career ahead of her -- but I do feel very sorry for her." She went on to say she saw similarities between the situation and her own relationship with Jude and would be happy to be a sympathetic shoulder for Sienna if needed. I only have one question for Jude, the same one every guy who watched Alfie has. How do you cheat on Sienna Miller? You need your bleedin' head examined mate.

Source: Daily Telegraph

Foo Fighters - In Your Honor
Category: Album Archive
Posted by Patrick Vu | July 21, 2005 | 08:32 AM
PM Rating System

Foo Fighters - In You HonorGrade: A- | Genre: Rock
Summary: In Your Honor is a great celebration of 10 strong years of consistent music making, and there seems to be no end in site for the Foo Fighters.

The Foo Fighters are one of the best and most consistent American bands still rockin' the big stage. Coming out from behind the drum kit after Nirvana's demise, Dave Grohl surprised us all with a not only his pipes, but also his musical chops. With the addition of Alanis Morisette's former drummer, Taylor Hawkins to take over the sticks, the Foo Fighters have become a band known for taking their music very seriously but humorously not themselves.

After 10 years of solid musical performances they're back with their 5th album, In Your Honor, which continues the streak of refined vocals and polished pop rock anthems. Foo Fighters can bring the noise as well as show an edgy sensitive side. In Your Honor is so much music that they had to split it up into 2 disks; one full of hard rock jamz and the other, slower paced acoustic sessions. It's a celebration of the band's longevity as well as a prelude to the years ahead.

READ FULL ARTICLE
Chastity Belts for Education
Category: Offbeat
Posted by Mark Runyon | July 20, 2005 | 03:43 PM

Young men across Uganda did a collective gasp at the announcement. Ugandan girls who can prove their virginity will be awarded university scholarships. The unconventional approach is aimed to boosting morality and combating the spread of sexually transmitted diseases like HIV and AIDS. Only 8 to 15 girls from the Kayunga district attend university from a population of 300,000. So are they also going to pick up the tab of all the water wasted from men taking cold showers?

Source: Sky News

Scrubs Season 2 DVD & Syndication
Category: Show News
Posted by Mark Runyon | July 20, 2005 | 11:01 AM

Rumor has it that season 2 of Scrubs will be released on DVD November 15 here in the States and in September for the U.K. These dates have yet to be confirmed by the distributor Buena Vista Home Entertainment. On the syndication front, it is official. Comedy Central has secured all four seasons with expectations of starting rerun broadcasts in the fall of next year.

Source: Scrubs - My Own Personal 'Net Thing

Esthero - Wikked Lil' Grrrls
Category: Album Archive
Posted by Patrick Vu | July 19, 2005 | 07:46 PM
PM Rating System

Esthero - Wikked Lil' GrrrlsGrade: A+ | Genre: Acid Jazz/Progressive
Summary: This is an album that not only builds on what the debut started, but surpasses it in every way.

Finally, seven years after the phenomenally beautiful Breath From Another, Esthero returns to satisfy a craving for which all who own and love her debut have been patiently waiting. Breath helped forward the Acid Jazz movement when it was at its peak of must have music, but since then, the fire has fickled and we're left wondering if she was just a fling or something worth the wait.

However, Esthero hasn't been completely out of site and out of mind. With sparse appearances on notable tracks with the Black Eyed Peas and on the Go Soundtrack, she has left us with a lasting taste in our mouths while hoping that a second full length effort is in the works. The wait is at last over as Wikked Lil' Grrrls is the result of an overdue sophomore release and a reward for our perseverance.

READ FULL ARTICLE
Kaiser Chiefs Poised to Take Mercury Prize
Category: Music News
Posted by Mark Runyon | July 19, 2005 | 11:50 AM

The short list of albums nominated for Britian's prestigious Mercury Prize were announced today. The award is for the best British or Irish album released in the past year. Atop the heap sits Kaiser Chief's debut effort Employment. Other notable entries include Coldplay's X&Y, Bloc Party's Silent Alarm, Hard-Fi's Stars of CCTV and M.I.A.'s Arular. Franz Ferdinand took home last year's top honors for their self-titled debut.

Source: Billboard

Box Office Estimates
July 15th - June 17th weekend

Category: Weekend Box Office
Posted by Patrick Vu | July 19, 2005 | 10:01 AM

1. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - $56,178,450
2. Wedding Crashers - $33,900,720
3. Fantastic Four - $22,783,303
4. War of the Worlds - $15,244,749
5. Batman Begins - $27,589,389 - $6,035,300
6. Mr. & Mrs. Smith - $5,234,822
7. Dark Water - $4,609,754
8. Herbie: Fully Loaded - $3,619,074
9. Bewitched - $2,556,432
10. Madagascar Dreamworks - $2,308,169

Six Celebrities in Need of Help
Category: Film Commentary
Posted by Mark Runyon | July 18, 2005 | 04:18 PM

We all have those friends in our life that fall on hard times. Sometimes its addiction, sometimes its a bad girlfriend, sometimes its just a bad haircut. Regardless of the cause, it's our duty as friends to intervene. Are celebrity friends any different? I think not. These seven individuals are ripe for an intervention because of poor career choices, their significant other is a noose around their neck or they're just plain daft. Anyway let the healing begin.

Read the full article at MSNBC.

Wedding Crashers
Category: On DVD
Posted by Mark Runyon | July 18, 2005 | 02:03 PM
PM Rating System

Wedding CrashersGrade: A- | Genre: Comedy
Summary: Prepare a prime spot in your comedy collection for Vince and Owen because they've earned it with the uncontrollable laugh fest Wedding Crashers.

The sweltering days of summer are upon us. It's a time for lazy afternoons at the water park, sitting in the stands with a greasy dog rooting on your favorite ball team and, lest we forget, wedding season. Gentlemen start your engines. Now to most single men, weddings are about as pleasurable as nails raked across a chalkboard. I mean the sleepy ceremony, the prospect of being caught "white man" dancing, and looking around in general wonderment at how much your buddies' pocketbook got taken for in this flower filled extravaganza. Yet for every dark cloud there is a silver lining -- readily available women caught up in the moment. Wedding Crashers is the story of two individuals who turn weddings into the ultimate one night stand.

READ FULL ARTICLE
Oakley Thump MP3 Sunglasses
Category: Gear
Posted by Patrick Vu | July 18, 2005 | 09:17 AM

One thing that most people can't leave home without are the shades. Now combined with an MP3 player, these high-end Oakleys are the envy of your musically obsessed pals. The sound quality is good with adjustable ear phones mounted on a piston and hinge system. Also, it comes in a variety of styles to better suit your personality. It does come at a price however, ranging from $400-500 a pop.

Read more at Time.com.


Oasis' Lost Album
Category: Did You Know
Posted by Mark Runyon | July 17, 2005 | 11:54 PM

Oasis fans can take comfort in the release of Don't Believe the Truth. It is a return to the days the Gallagher brothers believed their own high praise that they were the greatest band in the world. What may have slipped by your notice was the Masterplan. This was an album released in 1998 gathering up their b-sides and unreleased tracks from the Definitely Maybe and (What's the Story) Morning Glory? era. The songs are every bit as good as anything offered on these albums and they just happened to slip under the radar because at the time we were so busy digesting these seminal works. Take the time to backtrack and pick up the third album while Oasis was at the top of their art.

Fall 2005 Television Schedule
Category: Television News
Posted by Mark Runyon | July 17, 2005 | 11:36 PM

You may think you have a firm grasp on what the networks are going to be throwing at you come fall, but do you really? Did you know Alias is moving to 8pm on Thursday nights? Did you know Scrubs is officially on hiatus until 2006? The major networks in their infinite wisdom have pulled off some very interesting scheduling plans. Check out the full listing at epguides.com to see where your favorite show is slated to end up next season.

Estevez in for Breakfast Club Sequel
Category: Film News
Posted by Mark Runyon | July 16, 2005 | 12:25 PM

Emilio may have been a no show at the Breakfast Club reunion at the MTV Music Awards last month, but don't take his absence as a lack of devotion to his brat pack. Estevez has signed on for the coming Hughes sequel. When asked about specifics, he said "John's got an idea for a sequel - mature aged students at college, all doing time again - for some reason or another. The twist would be that we're all the polar opposites of how we were in the original. Judd Nelson for instance, would now be the straight-laced one. I'm definitely in. If it happens, I'm there."

Source: Dark Horizons

"Could you describe the ruckus, sir?" - Anthony Michael Hall

The Ballad of Jack and Rose
Category: DVD Archive
Posted by Mark Runyon | July 15, 2005 | 08:37 PM
PM Rating System

The Ballad of Jack and RoseGrade: C- | Genre: Independent Drama
Summary: This is an unconventional tale that certainly has its moments, including closing well, yet the story fails to take hold.

Daniel Day-Lewis is a bit of enigma. By all accounts, a brilliant actor who is a bit of a recluse, turned off by the glitz and glamour of the Hollywood machine. He pops out of hiding every so often (Gangs of New York, The Age of Innocence) to remind us that he hasn't completely taken a header off the face of the Earth. It's a shame to blunt this acting talent, but it's a story we've become all too familiar with. Lewis emerges this time for the IFC Films feature The Ballad of Jack and Rose. The film premiered at Sundance in January promising a full-scale release to the art house circuit come the sunny days of summer.

READ FULL ARTICLE
The Pixies are Heading to the Studio
Category: Music News
Posted by Mark Runyon | July 15, 2005 | 01:38 PM

For the first time in 14 years, the indie rock outfit the Pixies are heading to the studio to record a new album. Black Francis was quoted as saying "We have been discussing recording a new album lately. As happy as we are with the success of the reunion tour, we really want to make a record for the right reasons, whether it is successful commercially or not." He also has a solo release due out next week, the country flavored Honeycomb.

Source: NME

Box Office Actuals
July 8 - 10 Weekend

Category: Weekend Box Office
Posted by Mark Runyon | July 15, 2005 | 10:51 AM

1. Fantastic Four $56,061,504
2. War of the Worlds $30,469,118
3. Batman Begins $10,012,444
4. Dark Water $9,939,251
5. Mr. & Mrs. Smith $7,872,275
6. Herbie: Fully Loaded $6,060,511
7. Bewitched $5,583,833
8. Madagascar $4,009,053
9. Rebound $3,024,349
10. Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith $2,600,800

Source: Yahoo Movies

CMJ Retail Charts / Issue - 922
Category: Album Charts
Posted by Mark Runyon | July 15, 2005 | 10:39 AM

The best blend from Indie to the Main Stream

1. R. KELLY TP.3 Reloaded
2. COLDPLAY X And Y
3. MISSY ELLIOTT Cookbook
4. SUFJAN STEVENS Illinois
5. FOO FIGHTERS In Your Honor
6. WHITE STRIPES Get Behind Me Satan
7. GORILLAZ Demon Days
8. YING YANG TWINS United State Of Atlanta
9. BLACK EYED PEAS Monkey Business
10.MARIAH CAREY Emancipation Of Mimi

Team America: World Police
Category: DVD Archive
Posted by Mark Runyon | July 05, 2005 | 10:53 PM
PM Rating System

Team AmericaGrade: C+ | Genre: Comedy/Satire
Summary: Team America is disappointing because of the cards they play versus what they had in their hand. It starts out incredibly well with this interesting puppet angle and savvy political satire that takes no prisoners. Ultimately, it gets so weighted down by Parker and Stone trying to pander to their core fans that any real sting gets sucked out of this one.

Oh what to do with Team America: World Police? On the one hand, it is a biting political satire, sharp and an equal opportunity offender. On the other, it's a low grade James Bond spoof punctuated by warped G.I. Joe battle calls revolving around the Parker and Stone's 4th grade humor. They are truly the most unlikely comic geniuses and their own worst enemy, all rolled up into one. Now that is quite an accomplishment for a pair of guys who make a living off of dick and fart jokes.

READ FULL ARTICLE
Box Office Estimates
July 1st - 4th Weekend

Category: Weekend Box Office
Posted by Mark Runyon | July 05, 2005 | 05:45 PM

1 War of the Worlds $77,600,000
2 Batman Begins $18,685,000
3 Mr. & Mrs. Smith $12,700,000
4 Bewitched $10,800,000
5 Herbie: Fully Loaded $10,508,000
6 Madagascar $7,000,000
7 Rebound $6,000,000
8 Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith $5,000,000
9 The Longest Yard $3,525,000
10 George A. Romero's Land of the Dead $3,244,000

Check Movie Times.

Looking for a Few Good Writers
Category: Misc
Posted by Mark Runyon | July 05, 2005 | 05:00 PM

Do you compose your own critical notices in your head? Does your music and film knowledge dwarf your peers? Can you write the lead out of a pencil? Do you have an opinion on everything from Angelina's fishy pucker to the hue of red on the irrelevant Terror Alert chart? Well congratulations -- you're weird. But that weirdness can pay off. PM Media is looking for a few dedicated writers to fill out our high quality staff. If you think you have what it takes, send us a writing sample to assess your talents via our contact page. Simply select "Write for PM Media" in the topic list and you could be on your way to becoming an Internet celebrity.

Starsailor Finds its Political Voice
Category: Music News
Posted by Mark Runyon | July 05, 2005 | 09:36 AM

Starsailor is busy wrapping up their third album that is due for release this fall. Frontman James Walsh says the new record is "more outward-looking, more influenced by what's going on in the world." It looks at war victims in the Middle East, a Jewish boy who died under strange circumstances after encountering a neo-Nazi organization and the eternal Protestant-Catholic powder keg of Belfast. Musically speaking, the band is said to be returning to the searing choruses and raw emotion that filled their debut Love is Here.

Source: Rolling Stone

Emiliana Torrini - Fisherman's Woman
Category: Album Archive
Posted by Mark Runyon | July 04, 2005 | 11:43 PM
PM Rating System

Emiliana Torrini - Fisherman's WomanGrade: B+ | Genre: Quiet
Summary: It's a beautiful work by an evolving songwriter, not afraid to slip into the evening gown of change and show it off to the ball.

Listening to music is like getting involved in a relationship. The first time you meet a new album; you bring with you all the baggage of a lifetime worth of listening. You factor in how it measures up to the artist's previous albums (the ex factor), how they fit in amongst other artists plying their trade in the same genre (other potential hotties) and your particular tastes and affinities (your thing for blondes). It is a lot for any artist to live up to and, depending on when they hit us, we may start thinking marriage and children or just stop calling. Should we stumble across her a couple years later, or even a couple weeks, you may hear a completely different album. Yes, the notes are the identical and the harmony speaks from the same voice, but you aren't the same listener that you were in that moment that you first queued it up. For example, Depeche Mode's Songs of Faith and Devotion was an album that left a bitter taste in my mouth on first listen. Years later, I gave it another try and instantly loved it. Such is the case with Emiliana Torrini's Fisherman's Woman. When I first heard this several weeks ago, I was ready to dismiss it as the best over the counter sleep aid on the market. Today...

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Bewitched
Category: On DVD
Posted by Mark Runyon | July 03, 2005 | 08:28 PM
PM Rating System

BewitchedGrade: D+ | Genre: Comedy
Summary: While Bewitched will get its share of chuckles out of you, this humor well is much too dry. The poor writing makes it come across as very disjointed and badly pieced together.

Hollywood seems to be in nostalgic love with all the cheesy television we grew up with as kids. When we plopped down in front of the TV to elbow out a day's worth of school work, we joined up with our faithful friends the Smurfs, Masters of the Universe and Transformers to mesmerize us with their alternate universe until something better came up or dinner chimed. Little did we know that twenty odd years later they'd be adapting these puppies into feature length films? As soon as they bring over Punky Brewster and the Greatest American Hero, we'll know they've gone too far. Bewitched was one of those safe shows from our parent's generation that you could flip over to TBS to fill one of those thirty-minute bites of time. Elizabeth Montgomery could always be counted on for her mischievous twitching nose as she navigated life as a normal housewife with witchy powers.

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Watch Live 8 Now
Category: Music News
Posted by Mark Runyon | July 03, 2005 | 06:14 PM

Did you miss any of the largest concert extravaganza ever? Is your missing piece of the puzzle Coldplay's performance of "Bittersweet Symphony" with Richard Ashcroft in London? Madonna's "Like a Prayer" in Philly? Well AOL has everything all queued up to be streamed in its entirety to your desktop. You could waste days in broadband music heaven. While it may pale in comparison to the real experience, it's still pretty cool to see all these artists coming together for a great cause.

Check it out at AOL Music now and be sure to sign the Live 8 List to do your part to combat poverty.

Stephen Lynch - Live at the El Rey
Category: DVD Archive
Posted by Patrick Vu | July 02, 2005 | 09:51 PM
PM Rating System

Stephen Lynch - Live at the El ReyGrade: B+ | Genre: Comedy Album
Summary: It's fair to say that this DVD isn't for weary ones too sensitive for Stephen Lynch's brand of wicked humor. It's just enough to rock your perfect little world but yet you're able to still sleep at night. Although, you do wonder how Lynch is able to.

The first time I heard of Stephen Lynch was when a local radio station played a track off his Superhero comedy album called "What if that guy from Smashing Pumpkins lost his car keys?" Though brief, those 30 seconds of a dead-on Billy Corgan impression almost caused myself to run off the side of the road from laughing so hard. Once I regained control and made it safely home, I Googled his name and came up with a comedy DVD called, Live at The El Rey. It's Lynch, with his guitar, playing to an audience unphased by Lynch's crude and twisted humor. Musical tales of self-pleasure and Jesus' brother, Craig, are hilarious bits of alarming humor. All are shocking evidence that Stephen Lynch is on his way to Hell, but at least Satan will have someone to lighten the mood.

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Luther Vandross Dies at 54
Category: Music News
Posted by Mark Runyon | July 02, 2005 | 09:06 PM

The smooth voice of Luther Vandross was silenced forever as he passed away last night. Details concerning his death haven't been provided, but it is said that he never fully recovered from the stroke he suffered two years ago. He continually battled diabetes and fluctuations in his weight. The soulful singer broke the top 10 with "Here and Now" in 1989. His final album, Dance with my Father, was released shortly after his stroke. It shot to number 1 on the U.S. album pop charts and won four Grammys.

Source: Telegraph

Venus Wins Wimbledon
Category: Television News
Posted by Mark Runyon | July 02, 2005 | 03:11 PM

Venus Williams notched her first Grand Slam victory since 2001 on Saturday winning on the grass courts at Wimbledon. The 14th seed was matched against the number 1 seed, Lindsey Davenport, in a rematch of the 2000 Wimbledon final. It was a hard fought match going 4-6, 7-6, 9-7 and marking the longest Wimbledon of the Open Era. Roddick and Federer meet tomorrow for a rematch of last year's mens final.

Source: ESPN

MTV Launches Gay Themed Network
Category: Television News
Posted by Mark Runyon | July 01, 2005 | 02:09 PM

The Logo Channel, a gay and lesbian themed cable channel, debuted Thursday. It features a mix of original programs and existing ones. While there are two other networks that have recently launched to target this demographic, Logo has the power of Viacom's media empire behind it and looks to have better name recognition. It plans to follow a programming format similar to MTV as it looks to tap into this underserved market.

Source: MSNBC

The Bravery: The Most Hated Band in America
Category: Artist Profiles
Posted by Mark Runyon | July 01, 2005 | 12:01 PM

The Bravery has mysteriously become the poster child of inauthentic, unoriginal rock n' roll. They dodged insults while performing at Coachella and bands tried to pick fights with them. Anti-Bravery fliers have been cropping up in Manhattan's East Village and Killer's frontman Brandon Flowers even slighted the group as being "disingenuous ripoff artists." So how does Bravery frontman Sam Endicott feel being rocks biggest target? Spin sat down with him to discuss this strange phenomenon and his Ja Rule versus 50 Cent dynamic he's got going with Brandon Flowers.

Read the full interview at Spin and check out the PM review of their self titled debut.

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