« Previous | Main Page | Next »

Seldom, do you find an actor in Hollywood that is ushered into mega stardom based on their film debut. More often, they slowly make a name for themselves lurking in the shadows of marquee stars or headlining smart indie features for the art house film snobs. Don't believe me? Had you heard the name Colin Farrell before he robbed scenes from uber charismatic Tom Cruise in Minority Report? Do you think Christian Bale would have had an inkling of a chance to headline the rebirth of the Batman franchise without being the naked, chainsaw-wielding narcissist in American Psycho? Would Matthew McConaughey have gone on to be enticing eye candy for ladies everywhere had he not uttered the immortal line in Dazed and Confused: "That's what I love about these high school girls, man. I get older, they stay the same age." I rest my case. The common bond that all these actors share is that they are a powder keg of talent waiting for the right script to splinter all over the Hollywood landscape. This week I'm firing up my crystal ball and staring into the guts of the film industry to glean who will be your next "must see" actor. That way you can admire them now then get your feathers all ruffled up when the Hollywood machine tries to infect and slowly discount their talent.

1. Saw II - $30,500,000
2. The Legend of Zorro - $16,500,000
3. Prime - $6,395,000
4. Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story - $6,300,000
5. Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit - $4,400,000
6. The Weather Man - $4,225,000
7. Doom - $4,061,000
8. North Country - $3,650,000
9. The Fog - $3,300,000
10. Flightplan - $2,600,000

The creative genius behind Six Feet Under and American Beauty has just signed a two-year deal with his pals at HBO to develop a series based on the Southern Vampires novels by Charlaine Harris. Alan Ball will executive produce, write and direct the pilot for the blood sucking drama. He has also recently finished scripting Towelhead, a coming of age drama about an Arab American teenager.

Source: Variety

Mark March 7th on your calendar as the release date for Neko Case's new album Fox Confessor Brings the Flood. She works as co-producer on the album, collaborating with artists like Calexico and the Sadies. She begins touring again with the New Pornographers November 1st in London.

Source: Billboard

Grade: B | Genre: Prog Rock Summary: What made You Forgot It In People one of my favorites, from the dynamic rhythms to the lush melodies, are evident on this record, but because of Producer Dave Newfeld's self-imposed commitment to top himself, Broken Social Scene forgets that it's about musical growth and not about out doing your big brother. My first impression of Canada's Broken Social Scene came via the stomach turning "Lover's Spit" off the Wicker Park Soundtrack. Lyrics like, "All these people drinking lover's spit / They sit around and clean their face with it," created squeamish imagery that overshadowed otherwise luscious melodies forcing my finger towards the skip button. It was that track that extinguished my desire to pursue the band further until a friend (thanks Mark!) handed over a collection of albums that included Broken Social Scene's You Forgot It In People. It was a symphonic masterpiece that I almost never got a chance to experience and one that quickly became part of my must have list for 2004 (eventhough it came out 2 years before). Now, just one year after my late discovery and 3 years since You Forgot It In People, Broken Social Scene returns with their 3rd self-titled release full of musicians (six new members to an already 10+ piece band) and ruckus tunes for your listening enjoyment.

Grade: B- | Genre: Synth Rock Summary: While Playing the Angel isn't quite the breathtaking genius that Depeche has spoiled us with in the past, it is a welcomed return to form that will hopefully chart their path in albums to come. Do you remember the first time you fell in love with music? There's always a certain song, a particular album or seeing an artist shed their earthly skin on stage that made you hand over your soul and never look back. There are about a half dozen albums that signaled my musical awakening in high school: Morrissey's Your Arsenal, Tori Amos' Under the Pink and especially Depeche Mode's Violator. I took to this album like a baby to mother's milk. It had that intense dark edge, fueling that teenage angst, with an innovation of sound that would influence an entire breed of musicians. In later years, I would dig up gems like 101 and Music for the Masses, but my relationship with Depeche's more modern works would prove a rockier ride.

John Rambo's been living a reclusive life back home in the states, but when a girl goes missing, he is forced to strap on the war gear and resuscitate a franchise that died in the 80's. Not long after Slyvestor Stallone announced another Rocky sequel, somebody thought it would be a good idea to revive the Rambo legacy. Rocky VI begins shooting this December and Rambo IV in Spring 2006. If all goes well, expect R.V.R., Rambo vs. Rocky. I might pay to see that.

Source: IGN

Grade: B | Genre: Comedy/Tragedy Summary: This is a clever film that shows how a person's outlook on life can influence their destiny. Woody Allen is such an interesting creature. He's an exceptional filmmaker whose collective work has left an undeniable imprint on film. He has turned conversation into an art form, paving the way for films like Before Sunrise and Metropolitan. For all his accolades, Woody has been in one hell of a slump. I mean Anything Else, Hollywood Ending, Everyone Says I Love You -- a musical Woody, really? The last truly noteworthy film he made was Mighty Aphrodite and that was ten years ago. How does he keep getting A list actors to sign on for his projects and have the seats fill up at the art room movie houses? Simple. Because he's Woody Allen and when he's brilliant, he's three shades of mesmerizing. Melinda and Melinda seems to be just the film to snap that ugly streak by tossing us a dash of that captivating brilliance that we've been starving for.

Many movies stars looking for a career boost have turned to the small screen to find audiences that no longer catch them in the theatres. However, as some big screen stars have found out, it's not a sure thing that silver screen success can translate into boob tube gold. Just ask Chris O'Donnell, whose ex-Fox drama, Head Cases, was cancelled after two airings. Not too worry, Boy Wonder, you're in good company.

Check out Entertainment Weekly's list of movie stars who weren't so lucky in series television.

The Gotham Awards have given nominations for Best Picture to Brokeback Mountain, Capote, A History of Violence, Keane and Me You and Everyone We Know. The Gothan Awards are usually a solid gauge for next years Oscar contenders. Brokeback Mountain is the new Ang Lee drama about two gay cowboys starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger opening December 9th. It also received a nomination for best ensemble cast along with Crash and Good Night and Good Luck. The awards ceremony will be held on November 30th.

Source: IMDB

Grade: C- | Genre: Drama Summary: Into the Blue is the film equivalent of eye candy. At best, this is the frothiest of guilty pleasures, watching Jessica and Paul strike a pose that will be poster fodder across the wall of many a teenager. At worst, this is mindless drivel, beating a dead horse that has been stinking up the barn for years. Sex appeal is the special of the day for Jessica Alba's latest pic Into the Blue. Now I realize it's a bit redundant saying that sex is the driver for any film that she stars, but it's never been more true than here. She spends the majority of the film in the tinniest bikinis, slowly writhing about in the crystal clear waters of the Bahamas. I can just hear the director now, "Jessica, I need more bikini, less acting babe." If Jessica's oh so sexy sculpted curves doesn't float your boat, never fear. Paul Walker's finely chiseled abs and Brad Pitt crop top should cover your needs. This film is a question of lust. It doesn't matter which slab of meat you're salivating over, you just have to be teasing those hormones. Otherwise, there's really no point sitting through this horribly formulaic feature.

1. DANGERDOOM The Mouse And The Mask
2. FIONA APPLE Extraordinary Machine
3. FRANZ FERDINAND You Could Have It So Much Better
4. MY MORNING JACKET Z
5. ALICIA KEYS MTV Unplugged
6. KANYE WEST Late Registration
7. SEVENDUST Next
8. NEIL YOUNG Prairie Wind
9. NICKELBACK All The Right Reasons
10. DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE Plans

Claire Danes in Terminator III? I shutter to think what Angela Chase would think of what became of her later self. After a couple insignificant parts in good films (The Hours, Igby Goes Down), Terminator seemed to be the movie that would officially sink her film career, leaving her among the great actresses of her generation that never quite popped. I'm happy to see Claire resurrected, starring in two films releasing this month: Shopgirl and the Family Stone. The buzz of her acting is definitely making people take notice. CNN caught up with Danes to discuss her first nude scene, similarities between Shopgirl's Mirabelle and My So-Called Life's Angela and getting it on with Steve Martin who is old enough to be her father.

Read the full interview at CNN.

1. CSI (CBS)
2. DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES (ABC)
3. WITHOUT A TRACE (CBS)
4. LOST (ABC)
5. CSI: MIAMI (CBS)
6. GREY'S ANATOMY (ABC)
7. NCIS (CBS)
8. FOX WORLD SERIES GAME 2(S) (FOX)
9. COMMANDER IN CHIEF (ABC)
10. 60 MINUTES (CBS)

Bring the Pain
Air Date: 10/23/2005

Song List:
"When I Come Home" - Blue Eyed Son - West of Lincoln
"Yellow Horse" - Cowboy Racer - Yellowhorse EP
"Love In The Making" - Roisin Murphy - Ruby Blue
"I Hear The Bells" - Mike Dought - Haughty Melodic
"Don't Forget Me" - Way Out West - Don't Look Now (PM Pick of the Week)
"Not Tonight" - Tegan & Sara - If It Was You

View All Episode Soundtracks

Does Janet Jackson have an 18 year-old daughter named Renee? According to her former Brother-In-Law, Young DeBarge, Miss Jackson (if you're nasty) gave birth to a baby girl while she was married to James DeBarge. He claims that "Renee was sent away to live with the star's eldest sister Rebbie." It wouldn't be the first time a huge revelation of Janet was uncovered. Her 8-year marriage to Rene Elzondo was a big secret to all before the couple split in '99.

Source: News.com.au

Do you ever feel like you missed your destiny? I, for instance, should be arranging soundtracks for television, film, annoying pre-film advertisements -- take your pick. So what exactly is that job you ask and how do you crack into this field? Well it's music supervision, and the MS for Grey's Anatomy outlines exactly what he does and how he got to the hallowed place that he is. It's an interesting read. If I suddenly disappear one day, just tune into your favorite TV show to hear my handiwork.

Read part 1 and part 2 at ABC.COM

Grade: B | Genre: Drama Summary: You don't feel much compassion for Orlando Bloom as Drew and wonder what Claire even sees in the guy. Kirsten Dunst and the cast of characters that make up the residents of Elizabethtown are what really make this film special. There are two types of Cameron Crowe films, "movies that we are completely obsessed with and then the Tom Cruise movies." (IGN) Our first real introduction to the Crowe formula, not including Fast Times At Ridgemont High, was the much-adored Say Anything. If you're a guy, you've considered recreating that iconic radio over the head scene to win over your lady. These days, the best we can borrow from Crowe is to deliver, in our most sincere voices, the "You complete me" line. Gag me. Jerry Maguire was likeable but it worried us into thinking that Crowe left behind the personal screenplays from his inner memoirs for the bankable blockbusters that fizzle shortly after the DVD release. Almost Famous renewed our faith in Crowe's movie making skills until the ambitious but disappointing Vanilla Sky (starring Tom Cruise of course) threw us for a loop. Luckily, our affections for Crowe films weren't completely soured, which is why we have such high hopes for Elizabethtown.

1. Doom $15,382,000
2. Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story $9,300,000
3. Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit $8,700,000
4. The Fog $7,300,000
5. North Country $6,470,000
6. Elizabethtown $5,725,000
7. Flightplan $4,712,000
8. In Her Shoes $3,900,000
9. A History of Violence $2,700,000
10. Two for the Money $2,404,000

Deny Deny Deny
Air Date: 10/16/2005

Song List:
"Catch My Disease" - Ben Lee - Awake is the New Sleep
"Ramalama (Bang Bang)" - Roisin Murphy - Ruby Blue
"I Fought The Angels" - The Delgados - Universal Audio
"Infinity" - Merrick - Merrick

It was a bittersweet victory for the No. 4 Georgia Bulldogs against Arkansas Saturday, narrowly pulling out the 23-20 win. A collective gasp could be heard across the state as quarterback DJ Shockley went down in the first quarter with a strain to his left knee on a running scramble. The timing couldn't be worse as the yearly grudge match against the Florida Gators awaits in Jacksonville next weekend. Coach Mark Richt doesn't think Shockley will need surgery or miss the rest of the season, but said the Florida game looks doubtful. Shockley isn't the only one in pain, watching those hopes for a national championship disintegrate.

Source: ABC News

Grade: D+ | Genre: Comedy Summary: Colbert is still funny and has his moments, but he just doesn't have what it takes to be the leading man. It's a good time to be a correspondent on the Daily Show. Lewis Black is burning up the stand-up circuit with a new book and CD, thanks to his weekly ranting on the "Back in Black" segment. Steve Carell, not only has the starring role in the British-import comedy The Office, but he's also been propelled to 'A'-list comedian after spearheading the summer box office hit The 40-Year Old Virgin. Now we have Stephen Colbert, or the Frenchman as Bill O'Reilly is kindly referring to him, being pushed out of the nest to take on his own nightly Comedy Central show, following his old pals at the Daily Show. You'd think Jon would be a little "hey, that's my success; that should be my name flashing on the box office marquee." No way. On the lead-ins for the Colbert Report, Jon looks like a proud new poppa, bursting at the seams with pride at the success of his protege. I still think he should be collecting a fat royalty check from all these careers that he's helped launch off his show.

Grade: F | Genre: Drama Summary: Caution. Slowly back away from the rental counter. This film will prove hazardous to your evening. Newsflash: Gus Van Sant has uncovered the real reason behind Kurt Cobain's suicide. It wasn't the heroin addiction, the trappings of fame or even dealing with the insufferable leech Courtney Love. It was actually a moment of clarity that came while watching a video for Boys II Men's "On Bended Knee." He realized the soul of music had been sucked out through a straw, and he no longer wanted to live in such a sick and twisted world. Ah, if it were only that simple. Cobain's death still remains shrouded in mystery to this day. I was hoping Van Sant was going to shed some much needed light on the subject to help some of us struggling Nirvana fans finally achieve closure on the subject. Instead, he gives us the most boring two hours of my life. Watching grass grow would be more compelling than having to sit through this film. It's atrociously bad.

With the release this week of Depeche Mode's latest Playing the Angel, frontman David Gahan gets his first songwriting credit in the band's twenty-five year history. Angel marks a return to synth-rock after the lacking Exciter. Gahan sits down with Rolling Stone to discuss how he doesn't care for his own voice, what he thought of Johnny Cash's "Personal Jesus" and his experience with life after death.

Read the full interview at Rolling Stone and look for the PM review of Playing the Angel coming this week.

Grade: A- | Genre: Non-Fiction Summary: The Game is a great book. Guys will love to imagine unleashing their darker Casanova within. The ladies will find this strangely fascinating to see how easily these rather simple techniques can crack open an entire gender. Did you ever look at an odd couple and wonder how exactly that happened? Like the girl is hotter than Arizona asphalt in July, and he's not missed a DragonCon convention since he was wearing braces headgear. It a bizarre experience like someone just screwed Darwin. Money of course is a somewhat logical explanation. Inner beauty...uh no. The Game presents the only answer that makes any sense. It is a chaotic ride through the secret society of PUAs (Pickup Artists) that convince the finest women in this world to chunk all their defenses, obliterate their walls, and go home with guys they would have only let do their homework in high school. It's a rather unbelievable tale of one man's journey into this twisted realm of seduction. Every guy will be rapt in wonder thinking "does that really work," and every woman will be terrified at how easily they can be opened by a guy using a canned set of responses no different than a telemarketer.

Well I'm glad to see criminals aren't getting any smarter. Eric James Torpy arranged a plea agreement for the accusation of shooting with the intent to kill and rob. He was sentenced to a 30-year term for his crime in which he asked there to be 3 additional years tacked on to correspond with Larry Bird's jersey number 33. "He said if he was going to go down, he was going to go down in Larry Bird's jersey," Oklahoma County District Judge Ray Elliott said. "We accommodated his request and he was just as happy as he could be."

Source: Yahoo News

Grade: A- | Genre: Brit Rock Summary: Elbow is able to inject clever, light hearted lyrics to soften the bluntness of a broken heart. It's a collection of pessimism in search of a cure. After being dropped by Island Records within a year of being signed in 1998 and then again by EMI within just a couple of months, vocalist Guy Garvey, drummer Richard Jupp, organist Craig Potter, guitarist Mark Potter, and bassist Pete Turner, rolled up their sleeves and took Elbow to indie label, Uglyman. After two released EP's, Newborn and Any Day Now, the quintet garnered critical acclaim and a brand new contract with the major UK label, V2. Their debut, 2001's Asleep in the Back, was a nominee for the Mecury Prize and gave the band the attention it deserved. It's quite a leap for a band in whom no one had any faith. Now, just a year after their successful follow-up, Cast of Thousands, Elbow is back with their ambitious 3rd release, Leaders of the Free World. Recorded in the BLUE ROOM at Blueprint Studios with their media artist mates, The Soup Collective, Leaders took shape in an environment of hidden cameras, toys, computers and mystery. The final product is a low-lit work of blissful exuberance in its most understated form. File these boys in with Coldplay, Doves, etc. if you must, but let it be known that these Brits are Elbow-ing (pardon the pun) their way to the forefront of the Brit Rock Movement.

Ever since ABC decided to move Alias to the graveyard of Thursday nights, fans have been wondering what will become of Sydney Bristow. With silly storylines, pregnant Sydney, and offing Vaughn, the show is in serious trouble clocking in at 70th place in the Neilson ratings last week. Even the abysmal Joey trumped it at 68th place. Alias even scored no mention in this weeks ABC press release. Jennifer it's time to shift that movie career into high gear and that doesn't mean choking down a Daredevil sequel.

Source: Yahoo TV

Grade: A | Genre: Drama Summary: This week's episode was priceless Nip/Tuck. The drama hit fever pitch with the continuous onslaught of revelations, stacking the already loaded deck of low opinion against Christian, to plant the seed of doubt in our head until you start to think, "maybe Christian is the Carver." Ever since the waning moments of last season, Nip/Tuck fans have been forced to wrestle with their curiosity, wondering who is the man behind the Carver mask. Is it Sean with his out of control anger issues? Is it bi-Doc from Atlanta who seems to conveniently pop up whenever the Carver attacks? Is it Kimber attempting to model her real life after her visions behind the porn camera? Well quit your aimless speculating because the sizzling sexpot Detective Kit McGraw (Rhona Mitra) has her man, and it's none other than Mr. Christian Troy. Sociopathic tendencies, misogynistic undertones, total self-centered bastard -- Christian is a serial slasher. So whip out those shiny handcuffs and prepare to get your fingers soiled in ink because this week we're throwing the book at our favorite ambassador of cool.

1. FIONA APPLE Extraordinary Machine
2. FRANZ FERDINAND You Could Have Had It So Much Better
3. MY MORNING JACKET Z
4. NICKELBACK All The Right Reasons
5. NEIL YOUNG Prairie Wind
6. BROKEN SOCIAL SCENE Broken Social Scene
7. ATMOSPHERE You Can't Imagine How Much Fun We're Having
8. KANYE WEST Late Registration
9. THREE 6 MAFIA Most Known Unknown
10. TWISTA The Day After

1. CSI CBS
2. DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES ABC
3. WITHOUT A TRACE CBS
4. LOST ABC
5. GREY'S ANATOMY ABC
6. CSI: MIAMI CBS
7. NCIS CBS
8. COMMANDER IN CHIEF ABC
9. SURVIVOR: GUATEMALA CBS
10. 60 MINUTES CBS

If you haven't gotten enough of Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore, you'll be able to relive the budding relationship in a new sitcom loosely based on the couple produced by Kutcher himself. Tentatively called, "30-Year-Old Grandpa," the show will be set in Chicago where a 30-year-old night club owner and a 40-something businesswoman discover they will be having a baby together. At the same time, the woman's eldest daughter announces she too is pregnant and will move in with the couple to raise the child. Also, the woman's younger daughter decides she would rather live with the extended family than with her father. Sounds like pure television gold. Still think Bruce Willis is getting Punk'd?

Source: CNN

Grade: B | Genre: Experimental Summary: Wanna get haunted? Tender Buttons feels like Jefferson Airplane is back with a vengeance. Are you familiar with the song "White Rabbit" by Jefferson Airplane? It's the one that Dr. Gonzo is listening to in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas when he's on acid and soaking in the bathtub. He orders Raoul Duke to throw the radio into the bath tub and electrocute him when the song reaches the climax and Grace Slick is going crazy. Every song on Tender Buttons sounds like that song. There are no disturbing drug references or corrupted allusions to Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, and the songs don't make me want to die from electrocution in a bathtub in Vegas, but Broadcast has done an amazing job taking the construction of that song and the feel of it and applying it to this album. Take that as you will.

Just when you thought we'd killed off another deserving reality TV show, the damn thing comes back like Night of the Living Dead. Fox dropped the Simple Life due to lack of room on its schedule. According to resident hottie Paris Hilton, the show will go on. At a fashion show recently she was quoted as saying, "We're shooting Nov. 1. All the networks are fighting over it." It is rumored that the WB and NBC are taking a shot at securing the show for their line-ups. MTV and VH1 are seen as other possible contenders.

Source: E! Online

Grade: A+ | Genre: Action Summary: Nolan resurrects the Batman franchise with stunning visuals, a stellar cast and a compelling script. Batman Begins is the new gold standard for the superhero genre. Understandably, I was a bit queasy when I first heard the rumor that Hollywood was making a new Batman. The last two of the series (Batman Forever, Batman & Robin) should have had Joel Schumacher run out of town on a rail. It is sacrilege to mistreat an American icon like that. My general dismay was shelved when I heard the brilliant director of Memento, Christopher Nolan, was going to be trying his hand at the franchise, and he'd tapped the impressive indie talent of Christian Bale to don the cowl of Batman. Substance over a marquee name is always a good bet. It seems my optimism was well placed as Nolan resurrects the Batman franchise with stunning visuals, a stellar cast and a compelling script. Not only does he surpass Tim Burton's original, but he's also made the best superhero flick captured on film to date.

Sylvester Stallone is returning to his seminal role as Rocky Balboa for the sixth installment set to be titled Rocky Balboa. The new film is said to have a similar gritty feel that defined the first two of the series. Stallone wrote the script and will direct the film that will see Rocky coming out of retirement to fight some low-profile fights when he's approached to take on the reigning heavyweight champion. Let's hope its more Rocky and less Rocky V. I think we're all still trying to forget we bet good money on that dog.

Source: CNN

1. The Fog $12,200,000
2. Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit $11,700,000
3. Elizabethtown $11,000,000
4. Flightplan $6,475,000
5. In Her Shoes $6,100,000
6. Domino $4,675,000
7. Two for the Money $4,614,000
8. A History of Violence $3,600,000
9. Tim Burton's Corpse Bride $3,460,000
10. The Gospel $3,200,000

Grade: A- | Genre: Documentary Summary: You can't walk away from Born into Brothels and forget these children. Their faces burn into your mind until you start asking what can we do to stop this vicious cycle from robbing another generation from their childhood. Last year saw documentary filmmaking enter the mainstream with Michael Moore's box office coup Fahrenheit 9/11. It stoked waves of controversy concerning his scathing take on the ineffectual Bush administration. The film was considered a sure fire win for the Oscar for best documentary filmmaking, yet he decided to bypass collecting his third artsy Oscar to instead take his chances at reeling in the big kahuna of Oscars, Best Picture. The gamble backfired, failing to even secure a nomination. If there is a positive to Moore getting overlooked, it was that the buffet table at the Oscar after-parties didn't run out by 8 o'clock. More importantly though, it blew the documentary category wide open, pulling in features from a man destroying himself with daily injections of greasy Big Macs (Super-Size Me) to Tupac's final words (Tupac: Resurrected). In between the fanfare lays this gem, shot in the streets of the red light district in Calcutta, India; Born into Brothels. Enter only if you are ready to take a hard look at poverty that knows no boundaries.

Smurfette is dead. Baby smurf orphaned. The Smurf village aflame from intense bombing. It's all in a days work for UNICEF (United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund). This grisly scene is being shown on Belgian television intending to help fundraising for ex-child soldiers in Africa. In related news, childhood trama in Belgium has skyrocketed on the death of the Smurfs. More at 11.

Source: Boston.com

With Elizabethtown opening today nationwide, one of our favorite directors/writers and music aficionados, Cameron Crowe, sits with IGN to discuss topics from mix tapes to the types of films he makes: "movies that we are completely obsessed with and then the Tom Cruise movies." Read this engaging interview at IGN.

Grade: B | Genre: R&B/Soul Summary: Mr. Lidell has a killer voice and the perfect music to go with it. If he had been around about 30 years ago, soul & R&B might still be taken seriously. There's just something about Jamie Lidell. His music sounds 30 years old at most times, but then that Warp Records touch comes in and it sounds like the future again. And damn, dude's got some kind of voice there. He sounds so much like Otis Redding it borders on eerie. However, that also means his voice is taken for granted and might even seem a bit unoriginal. Fortunately the good overpowers the bad here and we get to enjoy this guy and his crazy pipes.

Chris Martin says X&Y marks the end of this phase of their career. He says the band has been working up some new material while out on tour that has a more stripped down sound. When asked to expand on this change of musical direction, Martin told Xfm, "We're always working on new material. We've got no laurels to rest on. We're still looking for our laurels in my opinion. We've everything to prove and we've finished phase one of Coldplay and now we're going to enter phase two, which could be the Abba phase it could be the transvestite phase, who knows, but it'll definitely be good." It should prove interesting regardless.

Source: NME

1. CSI CBS
2. DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES ABC
3. WITHOUT A TRACE CBS
4. LOST ABC
5. CSI: MIAMI CBS
6. GREY'S ANATOMY ABC
7. COMMANDER IN CHIEF ABC
7. LAW AND ORDER:SVU NBC
9. NCIS CBS
9. SURVIVOR: GUATEMALA CBS
11. COLD CASE CBS

Grade: C+ | Genre: Vocal Jazz Summary: Cullum needs to get back to taking more chances with his material and really pushing out those stuffy boundaries of jazz. For some time, vocal jazz has been dominated by the ladies. Norah Jones, Diana Krall, and Madeleine Peyroux have all made significant in roads to shatter the jazz mold, venturing into uncharted genres like pop, country, and rock. Beyond seminal crooner Connick Jr., the men's invite to the party got lost in the mail. Last year, youngster Jamie Cullum burst onto the jazz scene carrying with him a hip catalog of tunes and a voice that betrayed his years. He was a fresh face that had the passion of youth, looking to breathe life and vitality into an art that usually finds appreciation among the older set. Cullum covered modern artists like Jimi Hendrix, Radiohead, and even Pharrell Williams with impeccable grace, always adding a tasty spin on modern classics. His second album Twentysomething put him on the map, making the music world perk up and take notice. Can he match that brilliance with his latest release Catching Tales?

After months of speculation, British newspapers are reporting that the Layer Cake star has locked down the coveted role as 007. Craig will be making his debut in the film Casino Royale. Besides the gangster drama Layer Cake, Craig has also had roles in Road to Perdition, The Jacket and Laura Croft: Tomb Raider. The Sun reported that the 18-month search came down to Craig and Henry Cavill. It seems Craig's first mission was to get a hot leading lady on his arm for the premiere. Rumors are the endgame for Sienna Miller and Jude Law came when Jude found out about Sienna's tryst with his friend Craig.

Source: Canada.com, Zap2it

Grade: D- | Genre: Pop Summary: You wouldn't pick up Playboy for the articles, right? So, why would pick up PCD for the music? Unless the CD comes packaged with a projection screen featuring the Pussycat stage act, stay away from this stinker and catch the live show instead. I had to do it. Those Pussycat Dolls have taunted me long enough with their MTV music video lap dances that I had to give their debut PCD a listen. Laugh it up because once you see these girls wiggle their a**es, it's off to download city you'll go. Just as you would flip through the movie channels in search of highbrow fare only to stop at soft-core skin-emax romps, the Pussycat Dolls are your diversion from anything you would want to share with mom. Debuting at Johnny Depp's Viper Room in 1995, the Pussycat Dolls have made a name for themselves as the sexiest burlesque inspired peep show this side of every man's wet dream. Led by Carmen Elektra, with routines created by famed choreographer, Robin Antin, these girls have teased and straddled their way into the trendiest live act to lure guest performers like Christina Applegate/Aguilera, Gwen Stefani, and Charlize Theron. In 2003, Antin decided to start from scratch by holding auditions for a new dance troupe of Pussycat Dolls that could ultimately become the hottest dance act since Britney Spears.

The original members of R.E.M reunited for the second time since Bill Berry's departure in 1997 to play, of all things, the wedding of one of the band's road crew. Lucky wedding guests and bowlers at the Athens, GA (R.E.M.'s homebase) fairlanes, Kingpins Bowl & Brew, saw a 7 song set including "The One I Love," "Permanent Vacation" and "Radio Free Europe." Good to see these living legends not too big to scale down. Though, don't count on Stipe and the boys playing your kid's bar mitzvah.

Source: CNN

Grade: C- | Genre: Foreign Horror Summary: I'm only recommending this one for those who love slasher films. As for the remaining, don't fall into this trap. In preparation for my trip to Paris, I figured what better way to get a feel for the rich French culture than through one of their Americanized slasher flicks. High Tension is an art house horror import that goes heavy on the guts and gore while trying to scribble down a plot along the way. It's proof that when it comes to sub par cinema, we don't have a monopoly on studios that spend their money on all the wrong things. Next time, can you just send us a bottle of choice Bordeaux instead, or is this our punishment for "Freedom Fries?"

...Off Ebay, that is. To help with the Hurricane Katrina Disaster relief, the pop princess put up dozens of wardrobe and personal items on the online auction site, but decided to take the jewel-encrusted bra down because of incorrect information that could mislead fans. Yes, it was actually worn by Spears, but not on her tour which is what the site claimed. Next up on the auction block, her singing career.

Source: CNN

It seems Tara Reid's ill-fated career and party girl image are all products of media's fascination with the wrong things. Forget the fact she is the party girl host of Taradise. Forget that she spends more time dancing on tables than trying to revive her D.O.A. movie career. Forget that she seemingly didn't realize she exposed her breast to the world, goofily standing there smiling while thinking, "damn my nipple is chilly for some reason." It's our fault for painting her as the girl in the dunce cap and as a member of the media let me extend our humblest apologies. Now that we respect you as a serious actress, here is a shot and a table. Do us proud girl.

Read Jon Bonne's heartfelt apology on MSNBC.

1. FRANZ FERDINAND You Could Have It So Much Better
2. KATIE MELUA Piece by Piece
3. JAMES BLUNT Back to Bedlam
4. DAVID GRAY Life in Slow Motion
5. KT TUNSTALL Eye to the Telescope
6. KELLY CLARKSON Breakaway
7. BARBRA STREISAND Guilty Too
8. KANYE WEST Late Registration
9. PAUL ANKA Rock Swings
10. JAMIE CULLUM Catching Tales

1. Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit $16,121,000
2. Flightplan $10,788,000
3. In Her Shoes $10,025,000
4. Two for the Money $8,380,000
5. The Gospel $8,000,000
6. Tim Burton's Corpse Bride $6,540,000
7. Waiting $5,700,000
8. A History of Violence $5,125,000
9. Serenity $4,925,000
10. Into the Blue $4,800,000

If Esquire had been reading PM Media faithfully, they would know Jessica Biel isn't even a top 10 candidate much less the sexiest woman alive. Regardless, the magazine followed up last year's choice of the vivacious Angelina with the ex-7th Heaven star who has been stinking up the screen of late in Stealth. The magazine also took time to feature women from three older brackets: Gong Li, 39; Sharon Stone, 47; and Rene Russo, 51. When looking at hot older women, how can you pass up Diane Lane?

Source: ABC News

Before writing for PM Media and spinning tunes on Innovative Radio, my only outlet for getting my musical ideas out to the masses was Amazon's Listmania compilations. They were cheesy little sales tools for Amazon to hijack my musical expertise to sell albums, but sometimes you make concessions to get access to a wide audience. Well I'm taking back my lists Amazon. I hear them quivering in their corporate boots as I speak. My most popular list has always been the Depression Collection. This collection is the gathering of collective misery from artists I've stumbled across over the years that really squeezed the pain out of life's toughest moments. These tracks hand you the towel when rivers stream down your face and hold your hand to tell you that you aren't going through this gut wrenching pain alone. Girlfriend take the ginzu knife to your heart? Dog tangle with rush hour traffic? I have the cure to shake you out of that artificial Prozac happiness.

1. KATIE MELUA Piece by Piece
2. DAVID GRAY Life in Slow Motion
3. JAMES BLUNT Back to Bedlam
4. JAMIE CULLUM Catching Tales
5. KT TUNSTALL Eye to the Telescope
6. BON JOVI Have a Nice Day
7. BARBRA STREISAND Guilty Too
8. KANYE WEST Late Registration
9. KELLY CLARKSON Breakaway
10. HAYLEY WESTENRA Odyssey

Now this should pack the theatre seats. The much-ridiculed Tom Cruise first dragged poor Katie Holmes into his freaky Scientology world, hypnotized her into saying she'd marry him, and now he's knocked her up before making an honest woman of her. Evidently while perfecting his couch jumping technique one evening, he inadvertently fell into Katie's hey-ho, and now doe eyed Joey is preggers. Wait until Dawson finds out about this snake in the grass. Oh it's so on.

Source: Seattle Times

Grade: B- | Genre: Microhouse Summary: Jackson And His Computer Band has made something here that reminds you of that one really friendly smart kid. You try to hate it/him, but in the end you know you're not kidding anybody. I typically don't enjoy anything with the word "microhouse" attached. I'm scared of the glitchy nuances that compose music by the likes of Akufen and Michael Meyer. I can't pretend that Jackson Fourgeaud's music isn't microhouse, but I also can't pretend that I'm not pretty impressed with it. Whereas other microhouse songs just feel like they're trying to (in my opinion) force a funny-sounding barrage of brief vocal samples down your throat, Jackson And His Computer Band make songs that have a definite texture to them. Of course, some of them miss the mark, but the majority of the album is enough to convince me that if used for good, not evil, microhouse can be a pretty fun niche genre.

Bill Clinton is about to become the new Trojan man. The sexcapades of Clinton and Monica Lewinsky will finally serve the public good by stopping pregnancies in China. Guangzhou Haokian has begun producing contraceptives bearing the names of the high profile figures spelled in Chinese, Kelitun and Laiwensiji. A 12-pack of Clinton's will run you around $3 and the Lewinsky's go for about $2. The manufacturer doesn't see any problems using the names since they are the foreign surnames. I can see the commercial now "strap on your Clinton so you don't get anything on her dress. Protection so great no one will be able to prove you had 'sexual intercourse with that woman.'"

Source: Sky News

Morrissey's new album Ringleader of the Tormentors is set for completion in the coming weeks. The follow-up to his stunning comeback You Are the Quarry is being produced by Tony Visconti who is known for his work with David Bowie and T-Rex. The album is due for release in early 2006, and Moz is very pleased with the results, describing it as "the most beautiful -- perhaps the most gentle so far."

Source: NME

1. CSI CBS
2. DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES ABC
3. WITHOUT A TRACE CBS
4. LOST ABC
5. GREY'S ANATOMY ABC
6. CSI: MIAMI CBS
7. COMMANDER IN CHIEF ABC
8. COLD CASE CBS
9. SURVIVOR: GUATEMALA CBS
10. LAW AND ORDER:SVU NBC

Grade: A- | Genre: Progressive Rock Summary: The sparse verses are down right tame, but when flowing through Tom Smith's pipes they seem more profound than if one were to read them off a lyric sheet. Still waiting for the Killers to trump their immensely successful Hot Fuss, or is Franz Ferdinand's latest, You could Have It So Much Better, not enough? Editors are the latest British export to play their hand at the synthesized post-modern punk rock movement with their debut, The Back Room. Originally dubbed Snowfield, singer/guitarist Tom Smith, lead guitarist Chris Urbanowicz, bassist Russell Leetch, and drummer Ed Lay, are energetic upstarts who have crafted a crisp production of haunting melodies and tireless aggression. This is an indie band with real mainstream flare and are apt to take over the world...or atleast your iPod.

Major labels like EMI and Sony BMG are putting tighter restrictions on CDs to keep consumers from pulling their tunes over to their iPod. Now bands like Dave Matthews Band, Foo Fighters and Switchfoot are telling fans how to get around the technology on their websites. Currently the disks only work with devices compatible with Microsoft Windows Media technology. Complaints from consumers are overrunning artist message boards and music retailers. For more information concerning circumventing this duplicitous technology, visit Download.com to checkout CDEX.

Source: CNN