All the news unfit to print for Friday, November 28, 2008
BATMAN RIP coming
* * *WARNING: COMIC BOOK SPOILERS AHEAD * * *
One year ago on Schmuckraker, we reported that there were rumors circulating online of an impending BATMAN death in DC COMICS. . . A year later, the rumors that abounded appear to be true: BATMAN is going to be killed. The twist though causing high degrees of controversy in comic circles, BATMAN is going to be killed by a man claiming to be his father..
"Writer Grant Morrison said: “This is so much better than death. People have killed characters in the past but to me, that kind of ends the story!
"I like to keep the story twisting and turning. So what I am doing is a fate worse than death. Things that no one would expect to happen to these guys at all.
"This is the end of Bruce Wayne as Batman.""
SUN reports that DC will keep "BATMAN" character alive, however. .the batsuit will be filled by the body of someone else..
The BBC points out that it's not the first time superheros died .. last year, CAPTAIN AMERICA was killed by a sniper in New York.. And SUPERMAN died in a comic in 1992.. .
People that believe their life is being filmed, and that they are a part of a TRUMAN SHOW type reality set in which their every move is being recorded for all to see..
There is still some room for debate among experts:
"Other researchers aren't convinced, but still find the "Truman syndrome" an interesting example of the connection between culture and mental health.
Vaughan Bell, a psychologist who has researched Internet-related delusions, said one of his own former patients believed he was in the virtual-reality universe portrayed in the 1999 blockbuster "The Matrix."
"I don't think that popular culture causes delusions," said Bell, who is affiliated with King's College London and the Universidad de Antioquia in Medellin, Colombia. "But I do think that it is only possible to fully understand delusions and psychosis in light of our wider culture."
I used to feel this way, too.. Being watched.. There's something strange about life sometimes that seems to throw you into a world that isn't there.. sometimes you feel like you're in a nightmare. Most of the time, if you're working a daily grind desk job, you'd wish you were in that life.. where you were the hero like Truman Burbank.. sailing away from the perfect world created for him to escape to the less perfect, more real world. But we're in the real world after all.. for better or worse..
All the news unfit to print for Sunday, November 16, 2008
FINDING 'SOLACE': JAMES BOND FILM SETS SETS BOX ON FIRE
Experts thought only $60 mil in North America, but "Quantum of Solace" ended weekend with estimated $70.4 million.. The new film also earned $56.1 million in 73 countries during the weekend. Having begun its international run two weeks ago, the foreign total now stands at $251.6 million..
That show was set to air an episode called "NO SUGAR SUGAR" .. until worried parents called the Disney Channel to explain their fears. And still to this moment, I'm not really sure what their fears are.
According to a spokesperson:
"During the scriptwriting stage of the Hannah Montana episode in question, the matter of depicting a character with diabetes was reviewed by our Standards and Practices executives who consulted with medical experts to inform the story and ensure that it was told responsibly."
"Notwithstanding the measures we took, and based on the episode's preview and early feedback from parents, we removed the episode from Sunday's schedule and are now reevaluating it."
Again..still not really sure what the controversy was.. I'll go back to eating my candy bar and drinking my Pepsi. Maybe I could have used this episode...?
All the news unfit to print for Sunday, November 2, 2008
FOURTH PLACE OPENING FOR KEVIN SMITH
Weekend box office: HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL back to number one.. SAW V number two on Halloween weekend .. THE CHANGELING finishes at third place..
Fourth place opening for ZACK AND MIRI MAKE A PORNO--did well among men young and old.. but not well enough to score larger opening..
All the news unfit to print for Friday, October 31, 2008
In case you're sick of the election
Tired of CNN MSNBC FOX NBC CBS ABC etc etc etc?
Go to a movie.. This weekend's box office:
OCTOBER 31
Title (Distributor) / Theater Count (Change) / Week #
NEW
Zack and Miri Make a Porno (Weinstein Company) / 2,735
The Haunting of Molly Hartley (Freestyle Releasing) / 2,652
The Other End of the Line (MGM) / 91
Eden Lake (Third Rail Releasing) / 10
Splinter (2008) (Magnolia) / 4
Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father (Oscilloscope Pictures) / 1
Showtimes & Tickets:
http://www.boxofficemojo.com/showtimes/
EXPANDING
High School Musical 3: Senior Year (Buena Vista) / 3,626 (+3) / 2
Saw V (Lionsgate) / 3,084 (+24) / 2
Changeling (Universal) / 1,850 (+1835) / 2
NO CHANGE
Pride & Glory (Warner Bros. (New Line)) / 2,585 / 2
Deep Sea 3-D (IMAX) (Warner Bros.) / 10 / 140
Lola Montes (re-issue) (Rialto) / 1 / 4
DECLINING
Beverly Hills Chihuahua (Buena Vista) / 3,004 (-186) / 5
Religulous (Lionsgate) / 405 (-47) / 5
Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas in 3-D (Buena Vista) / 209 (-75) / 2
Mamma Mia! (Universal) / 177 (-3) / 16
The Dark Knight (Warner Bros.) / 149 (-17) / 16
"Police said the fight was not gang-related. Times Square regulars said there's often chaos on the streets on weekend nights.
"They take over the streets," said Greg Wolf of Manhattan. "Some have knives, some have pepper spray, some use their fists. They are real menacing.""
There was something about the original HALLOWEEN that still can scare the crap out of whatever newcomer watches the film for the first time.. perhaps the truly simple story that turns supernatural.. the night "he" came home to kill, someone we later find out in subsequent films his sister.
The SHAPE, as Michael Myers is referred to in the closing credits of Debra Hill and John Carpenter's classic film, was played by Nick Castle--and in later scenes by Tommy Lee Wallace. Castle's order from Carpenter was not to act, just walk. And not to talk, just walk. He did..
The script called for a blank faced mask.. but Hill and Carpenter originally almost used a clown mask to cover Castle's face for the Shape role. Luckily for history's sake, a William Shatner mask looked much more human--and with a little larger eye holes and white paint, it looked downright frightening. Think about that when you see a Priceline commercial. The role of The Shape in the film was new for its time. Think 1978, when no FRIDAY the 13th films ever came out, when no SAW films ever were dreamed of, when no Freddy Krueger character was yet created. Carpenter, though he maybe didn't intend it, created a frightening tale about small town America, which then spawned into an entire generation of often badly made popcorn horror flicks with steamy sex and goofy death scenes.
Jamie Lee Curtis was the proper fit for the role of Laurie Strode. Donald Pleasance created a magic character in Doctor Sam Loomis. Other characters in the film added to the noir of the movie.
The music of the film was memorable and is still used as a background to Halloween parties or haunted houses even today. Simple piano music, with a few added instruments. But for the most part, the entire film's music is piano. And the simple notes of the songs are genius..
And now, 30 years after the release of the cheaply made independent film that made millions, we're celebrating the anniversary of the film. One that lives on today--even when remakes turn brutal and offensive.
To show the enduring quality of the movie, you will no doubt hear the HALLOWEEN piano song at least one time this week...
The original trailer:
UK DAILY MAIL REPORTING: Her lawyers say that 40-year-old Ritchie's comments made Madonna feel worthless, unattractive, unfeminine, insecure and isolated during their eight-year marriage
A judge in Sharon Stone's child custody case said that the actress has overreacted "to many medical issues" regarding her young son's health issues -- to the point that she wanted to get Botox treatments for his smelly feet, according to TMZ.com.
All the news unfit to print for Saturday, September 20, 2008
Box office this weekend
NEW
My Best Friend's Girl (Lionsgate) / 2,604
Lakeview Terrace (Sony / Screen Gems) / 2,464
Igor (MGM (Weinstein)) / 2,339
Ghost Town (Paramount (DreamWorks)) / 1,505
EXPANDING
The Women (2008) (Picturehouse) / 2,995 (+33) / 2
Burn After Reading (Focus Features) / 2,657 (+6) / 2
NO CHANGE
Righteous Kill (Overture Films) / 3,152 / 2
Tyler Perry's The Family That Preys (Lionsgate) / 2,070 / 2
DECLINING
The House Bunny (Sony / Columbia) / 2,675 (-88) / 5
Tropic Thunder (Paramount (DreamWorks)) / 2,333 (-594) / 6
The Dark Knight (Warner Bros.) / 1,905 (-286) / 10
The Dark Knight is still being shown in over 1,900 theaters, even with this week's decrease of 286 theaters.. It's in its tenth week, is is still getting money in the millions..
All the news unfit to print for Saturday, September 13, 2008
DISASTER TODAY, COMEDY TONIGHT
TV viewers are glued to the coverage of the tragic aftermath of Hurricane Ike.. but tonight, SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE is back..
Expect a highly-energized show .. bashing Sarah Palin?
And yes, Tina Fey may be back for the show..
Still no official word.. but she really does look like Sarah Palin..
All the news unfit to print for Friday, September 5, 2008
Drudge Report controversy: Slams Oprah over refusal to allow Palin sit on the couch
Matt Drudge reported early this morning that Oprah won't allow Sarah Palin to appear on the show.. Oprah responded to the Drudge Report, which ended up getting some other press about the press from other sources, saying, "The item in today's Drudge Report is categorically untrue. There has been absolutely no discussion about having Sarah Palin on my show. At the beginning of this Presidential campaign when I decided that I was going to take my first public stance in support of a candidate, I made the decision not to use my show as a platform for any of the candidates. I agree that Sarah Palin would be a fantastic interview, and I would love to have her on after the campaign is over."
After it's over..If Sarah's free?
All the news unfit to print for Saturday, August 30, 2008
POLITICO SLAMS MCCAIN: HE'S DESPERATE
PEOPLE magazine placing the McCains and Palins on the cover.. the new happy family of politics.. Maybe.. but I noticed watching the talking heads that, for even those that really dislike VPILF candidate Sarah Palin, they are having lots of trouble being critical. Being very careful..
Besides Keith Olbermann..
The POLITICO this morning issues a hit on McCain's motives, calling the once declared maverick 'desperate'..
Authors Jim VandeHei and John F. Harris explain the six things that the Palin pick says about McCain: He's desperate; he's willing to gamble — bigtime; he's worried about the political implications of his age; he's not worried about the actuarial implications of the age issue, he's worried about his conservative base; and at the end of the day, "McCain is still McCain," marching to his own beat..
But on the heels of Obama's convention address, the most amazing political speech since Lincoln addressed Gettysburg during war, McCain needed some good press. Sure, he only met Palin once or twice, and sure, maybe her husband is not even a Republican, and sure, maybe she wasn't quite sure what a Vice President did.. And for a candidate that just turned 72 trying to distance himself from George W. Bush, what could be better than a PEOPLE magazine cover with his new attractive young Vice Presidential candidate, Sarah Palin?
All the news unfit to print for Sunday, August 24, 2008
Madonna still knows how to get attention
PHOTO: AFP/Leon Neal Fake controversies produced for the audience causing a stir..
Madonna's tour is back on the road--and she couldn't ask for more attention than what she is getting today: The "Sweet and Sticky" tour off to a political start..
Madonna kicked off her international tour Saturday night at Millennium Stadium in Wales, with a video of global destruction, Mugabe, Hitler--and McCain.
It always happens.. The summer ends, the school year begins, and one last hurrah takes place at box offices for mindless summer fun..
This year, it's the HOUSE BUNNY, which will end up being number 1 for the weekend..
The low budget comedy stars Anna Faris and features Hugh Hefner's PLAYBOY blondes..
The movie did well among teenage men.
Lampooned by critics, eaten up by audiences..
The summer's over.
Only hours ago reports claimed that Bernie Mac was about to be released from the hospital The reports: Comedian Bernie Mac is making a good recovery from pneumonia and should be released from a Chicago, Ill., hospital within the next few weeks, his representative has confirmed..
Suddenly, the news changed from great to horrible: Bernie Mac's publicist confirmed early Saturday morning that the comedian and actor died at the age of 50 from complications..
The reports this morning pre-death news were chilling:
"News of the ailing actor's illness broke last week, and at one point, his publicist Danica Smith was forced to play down reports Mac's health had rapidly deteriorated, with some rumors claiming he had died.
Speaking on Sunday, she insisted, "Bernie Mac is still alive and being treated in a Chicago hospital for pneumonia and is expected to make a full recovery. (He is) responding well to treatment and will be released soon."
Another report this morning claimed that both Bernie Mac and Morgan Freeman were recovering from their medical issues..
But then, in what seems like minutes after the initial dispatches complete with news of good health for Mac, newer bleaker reports became available..
FOX NEWS and FRIENDS first reported the news.. Appearing confused at first, the Saturday morning anchors read from a laptop live on air as they got the AP URGENT alert.. The FOX NEWS alert music sounded. And the rest was history..
Bernie Mac is dead this morning.. No further details are immediately available. His family is asking for privacy ..
News trickles .. but in this event, it's a flood of tears for Bernie Mac in many circles of the world..
PHOTO: REUTERS FILE
All the news unfit to print for Friday, August 8, 2008
Weekend box office
If you're not ready to watch China trounce the entire world in the Olympics, go see DARK KNIGHT!
Can it really be number 1 a fourth week? Time will tell
This week's box office releases..
NEW
Pineapple Express (Sony / Columbia) / 3,072
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 (Warner Bros.) / 2,707
EXPANDING
The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (Universal) / 3,780 (+20) / 2
Mamma Mia! (Universal) / 3,194 (+132) / 4
Step Brothers (Sony / Columbia) / 3,182 (+88) / 3
DECLINING
The Dark Knight (Warner Bros.) / 4,025 (-241) / 4
Hancock (Sony / Columbia) / 2,258 (-524) / 6
Wall-E (Buena Vista) / 2,144 (-411) / 7
Journey to the Center of the Earth (Warner Bros. (New Line)) / 1,970 (-315) / 5
The X-Files: I Want to Believe (Fox) / 1,695 (-1490) / 3
All the news unfit to print for Monday, August 4, 2008
THE BATMAN VOICE: BAD REVIEWS
Finally, some unkind words are being mentioned about the DARK KNIGHT..
The voice.
That dreaded voice.
I will admit it, I went to see the DARK KNIGHT three times, and each time I did I noticed more and more how annoying the BATMAN Christian Bale voice was. Others have noticed, too..
The Associated Press asking whether the Christian Bale voice was too much in a worldwide story...
The AP comparing Bale to a grizzly bear..
Some can defend: The voice symbolizes where Batman is: He is the Dark Knight, the watchful dark guardian over the city--and maybe the villain in the next film..
His voice has to be dark. It has to be deep!
But through the ultra-serious comic book drama, Bale's voice gathered more laughs than chills.. Often the audience of theater goers thought it was too much. .they chuckled at the wrong parts. All the parts with Bale's deep voice raspy and.. well .. over the top.
Glad others noticed it.
But---while we all criticize something so minor--the movie makes near $400 mil and may be the best film of 2008. So much for our opinions...
This website's prayers are with one of the greatest actors of our time..
Morgan Freeman was in serious condition Monday after a car crash Sunday night caused his car to roll several times..
Freeman "has a broken arm, broken elbow and minor shoulder damage, but is in good spirits," according to a statement from Donna Lee, Freeman's publicist..
Initial reports caused widespread panic in Hollywood circles. .Immediate news from the event painted the situation as grim. However later statements Monday looks more hopeful.
Donna Lee's statement continues,
"He is having a little bit of surgery this afternoon or tomorrow to help correct the damage. He says he'll be OK and is looking forward to a full recovery."
"Federal investigators want to question Mary-Kate Olsen about how Heath Ledger got two powerful painkillers that contributed to his accidental overdose death, but she's refusing to talk without immunity, a law enforcement official said Monday"
I cannot imagine what it would be like for friends and family of someone that recently died be to be subjected to constantly looking at the photo of the person that has passed away. On movie posters. On billboards. On TV ads. Everywhere.
The friends and family of Heath Ledger are dealing with the tragic legacy.. and all the while the DARK KNIGHT is making oceans of cash.
That cash and record breaking box office is not because of Christian Bale.
From the very first few minutes of the 154-minute DARK KNIGHT, Heath Ledger made fans of the film and even lukewarm spectators watch the film with the hair on the arms raised.. Ledger defied all expectations in his acting abilties in this film. He re-created the role of what the 'Joker' would be in Gotham City.. what mayhem caused by a clown with no limits or morals would look like.. what an evil villain hellbent on causing terror just for the sheer fun of it would act like.
Heath Ledger allowed the DARK KNIGHT to become the success it already is.. He led the film to new heights. And through it all, he has become the signal greatest movie villain on screen I have ever seen.
Arnold Schwarzenegger from TERMINATOR.. Michael Myers from HALLOWEEN .. Freddy Krueger from your NIGHTMARE.. Dracula, the witch from WIZARD OF OZ, all pale in comparison. Even Anthony Hopkins as HANNIBAL holds no candle to Heath Ledger as the Joker.. And yes, STAR WARS fans, even Darth Vadar pales in comparison to the clown prince of crime.
Ledger created a monster from nothing. A man that puts his own makeup on who simply wants to create terror in a city.. it turned into his greatest role, ever, in a film.
Fans and foes were mesmerized by his stunning performance. People were amazed as uncanny at his ability to completely delve into the deepest and darkest parts of the human psyche for the film..
From the very moment Ledger's Joker appeared on screen, the memory of Ceasar Romero, Jack Nicholson, or comic book inventions were completely forgotten. The role was his, for whatever reason he wanted it and for whatever road he was ready to take it on.
The first scene proved to be one of the greatest scenes of the film. A bank heist that shows the callousness and cruelty of the Joker in its finest. And from there on, he has no mercy for the innocent or the criminal.. The only one has has mercy for is BATMAN, the one person he wanted to keep alive simply because he "completes" him..
In a scene closer to the end of the film, Ledger's Joker describes in detail how the Batman really really doesn't want him to die.. How he wants to keep the Joker around ..
We all do.
That scene, without question, had the greatest ability to remind us all of the tragedy of Ledger's death.
Not to spoil the film for anyone here, but in DARK KNIGHT, the Joker doesn't die. But in real life, the man who played the Joker, is gone. If only we can live in fiction...
A fiction where heroes exist..
That fiction isn't reality.
And reality is cruel.
As DARK KNIGHT ended, I wanted it to keep going. I wanted Heath Ledger to stay with us just a little longer.. a few more minutes. Another scene.. Anything to keep this enormously purposeful act going a little longer.
But end we must..
And when it ended, I walked from the theater (twice now) absolutely convinced that the Ledger version of the Joker was cruel, sadistic, enormously funny, and quite surely the best and most exciting movie villain to appear on the big screen--of all time.
An Oscar performance..
And without him, the DARK KNIGHT wouldn't have nearly amounted to what it did. It was a long movie--long enough to keep wanting more from Ledger. It was a film with shady characters, mob bosses, and Two-Face. But it's the Joker we all wanted.. it's the Joker that lit the screen every time he appeared.
It's the Joker that is still existent in Gotham City.
But it's Heath Ledger forever gone from this very real world.
A performance for the ages.
Yes. It was just that damn good.
Mr. Bale, no offense, but it's not you that they are going to see.. It's Heath Ledger, with his disappearing pencil trick, his careless terrorism, and his way of making us all ask questions about morality deep down..
He dressed in a hospital dress.. purple .. clown makeup.. and evil. Heath Ledger played the Joker. The Joker circa 2008: The best movie villain of all time.
Period.
End.
And take it to the bank.
I'll have some more thoughts later on about this movie, Heath Ledger.. the good, the bad .. and ugly. I'll also have some thoughts on lamenting the death of Heath Ledger, who in this film proved himself as an actor, and led the Joker down a road to becoming the single greatest villain in any movie of all time..
BRIGHT LIGHTS FOR WARNER BROTHERS: RECORD MIDNIGHT OPENING FOR DARK KNIGHT, ALONG WITH FRIDAY NIGHT RECORD
'The Dark Knight' raked in $18.489 million in its midnight opening, according to distributor Warner Bros. That sets a new midnight opening record, beating 'Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith's benchmark of $16.5 million. 'Sith's full opening day ended up at $50 million...
The moment all BAT fans have waited for.. I myself have waited for years. Ever since the final scene in the last movie starring Christian Bale, when Commissioners Gordon flashed that Joker card.. Unbelievable path to tonight at midnight, when DARK KNIGHT will start appearing on screens around the nation.
All the news unfit to print for Saturday, July 12, 2008
How much will the DARK KNIGHT make?
Intrigue online tonight as many showings for BATMAN THE DARK KNIGHT are already sold out--days before the movie even premiers!
Two weeks ago, theaters began selling out.. most are offering 12:01am showings on Friday .. the opening day of the most anticipated movie of the year.
Inside box office experts are expecting a gigantic weekend for the movie.. Topping $100 million obviously predictable. Some online have even asserted that the DARK KNIGHT opener may top--hold your breath--$200 mil..
Theaters have already been adding 3am and 6am shows by demand..
I have my tickets. The theater will be packed.
..But $200 mil? We'll see about that.
I completely forgot that Senator Patrick Leahy--lifelong BATMAN film--appears in a cameo in the DARK KNIGHT..
Leahy had a humorous comment on his appearance: When asked if he visioned the Joker as Dick Cheney, Leahy said, "No, I wasn't visualizing Dick Cheney. They can't use that dialogue in a PG-13 movie."
I am going to be completely unbiased in my reporting of the amount of money DARK KNIGHT makes at the box office. I will be pretty unbiased when it comes to reporting on Oscar possibilities for players in the film.. I will be a little unbiased when posting reviews from sources for the film. I will be completely biased when expressing my interest and love for this film.
It's not even out yet, I haven't seen it besides pirated 5 minutes online that have quickly been deleted from various sources, but I feel like already giving it four stars.
I have anticipated this movie for months, if not years. I have anticipated a movie finally laying to rest the images of Cesar Romero as the Joker .. images of his moustache being seen through white makeup. Images of a Joker that were so happy and opposite to what the comic book idea of the Joker was.
As great as Jack Nicholson was in the truly excellent Tim Burton version of BATMAN, it was not Ledger's performance. Heath Ledger, apparently, is sticking to the notion that the Joker really isn't funny, especially when he's busy trying to blow up hospitals and have no mercy on anyone.
The DARK KNIGHT really isn't going to be a kids movie, though I do see the Bale BATMAN and Ledger JOKER figures for sale at toy stories. But kids will see it. With parents. And all will be blown away by the performances of everyone in this film..
The other villain in this film, Harvey Dent, will explode from the "white knight" of Gotham City into Two Face. . .
But Two Face will have to wait.
Right now, it's the Joker's turn.
And goodbye to the images of Cesar as the clown prince of crime.
Reviews continue to come in for the most anticipated movie of the summer, if not the year, the DARK KNIGHT.
The movie continues to be heralded as unbelievable from more than a few sources, most recently being reviewed by the AP--which on the wires will now be read around the world.
"It's difficult to separate the movie from its mystique.
Even under ordinary circumstances, "The Dark Knight" would have been one of the most hotly awaited movies of the summer blockbuster season. The loss of Heath Ledger to an accidental prescription-drug overdose in January has amplified the buzz around the film — and his crazed performance as the Joker — to extraordinary levels.
Nothing could possibly satisfy that kind of expectation. "The Dark Knight" comes pretty close."
The AP goes on:
"Christopher Nolan's film is indeed an epic that will leave you staggering from the theater, stunned by its scope and complexity. It's also, thankfully, a vast improvement over his self-serious origin story, 2005's "Batman Begins."
Many people have spoken about Heath Ledger's performance.. Possible Oscar performance. The AP reviews,
"Nolan was wise enough, however, to give Ledger plenty of room to shine — albeit in the actor's indelibly perverse, twisted way. There's nothing cartoony about his Joker. Ledger wrested the role from previous performers Cesar Romero and Jack Nicholson and reinvented it completely.
Yes, he's funny, wringing laughs from both clever one-liners and maniacally grand schemes. He can be playful, finding unexpected avenues into the character: "You complete me," he purrs to Batman, mockingly borrowing Tom Cruise's classic line from "Jerry Maguire" and dashing all possibilities for the Caped One's imminent retirement.
But because there's no logic behind his mayhem, he's also truly terrifying. The terror he inflicts on Gotham is meticulously planned (the opening bank heist, shot with IMAX cameras, is a marvel of timing) and yet his sole inspiration is to create chaos, then watch the city squirm and burn
The AP ends their review with three stars for DARK KNIGHT, out of four..
All the news unfit to print for Saturday, June 28, 2008
Goodnight, Dave: LATE SHOW ratings tank
The David Letterman era coming to an end? Criticized for an endless hour of boring comedy, hackneyed material, and tired banter between David Letterman and Paul Shaffer, the era of LATE SHOW may very well be ready to give up and .. just sleep.
Once not ready for prime time, it seems like the Letterman show may not be ready for the 11:35 not ready for bed yet hour.
The LATE SHOW posts dismal ratings, according to Neilson projections. The lowest rating ever for the show since its debut in 1993..
Adults 18-49 rating seem ready to give up on Dave.
But: For the record, Letterman will be remembered for one of the most creative shows in history (minus, oh say, the past 6 or 7 years.) A few clips worth remembering, still funny after all these years:
The Madonna interviewTop ten Bush momentsClassic viewer mail from LATE NIGHT
And there's more. You Tube it. Some is worth it.
PHOTO: TIME MAGAZINE
All the news unfit to print for Thursday, June 26, 2008
Box office this weekend
New films: Wall-E (Buena Vista) / 3,992
Wanted (Universal) / 3,175
Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic (Yash Raj) / 69
Finding Amanda (Magnolia) / 14
Gunnin' for That #1 Spot (Oscilloscope) / 14
Trumbo (Samuel Goldwyn) / 3
The Last Mistress (IFC) / 2
Expanding: Get Smart (Warner Bros.)
Declining: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (Paramount) / 2,556 (-615) / 6
The Happening (Fox) / 2,483 (-503) / 3
You Don't Mess with the Zohan (Sony / Columbia) / 2,147 (-1131) / 4
All the news unfit to print for Monday, June 23, 2008
Blue Monday
George Carlin, a fixture in comedic life and counter-culture, dead today.. Millions of emails have been sent .. stuff he never said that people think he did.. Today, I am sure they thought it again.
George Carlin was an authentic American commentator. Someone that observed the dark side of American life. .the negative, the obscure.. the inhuman. And funny. He is being mourned today .. and being remembered for his irreverence and his authentic humor ..
A Carlin YouTube from user Morrinn3, perfect for today:
All the news unfit to print for Sunday, June 22, 2008
REUTERS PHOTO
STEVE CARELL THE STAR OF THE BOX OFFICE; YESTERDAY'S NEWS: MIKE MYERS
GET SMART a hit at the box office with $32.2 mil opening.. LOVE GURU, Mike Myers' new comedy, immediately nose dives into a short lived box office blunder..
This week's numbers:
1. "Get Smart," $39.2 million.
2. "Kung Fu Panda," $21.7 million.
3. "The Incredible Hulk," $21.6 million.
4. "The Love Guru," $14 million.
5. "The Happening," $10 million.
6. "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull," $8.4 million.
7. "You Don't Mess With the Zohan," $7.2 million.
8. "Sex and the City," $6.5 million.
9. "Iron Man," $4 million.
10. "The Strangers," $1.9 million
The ad campaign for the next Batman film continues, this time in your face.
The death of Heath Ledger apparently isn't stopping Warner Bros. from using darkly bloody images of him in their campaign .. The newest installment of posters brings us a bloody "ha" over the black-eyed smiling Ledger's face.. No other words on the poster. No other words needed..
Batman fans, including me, are eagerly anticipating July 18.. Possibly one of the greatest performances coming from Ledger .. Post-mordem.
AllPosters.com has the newest DARK KNIGHT poster..
'I believe in Harvey Dent' poster coming? I hope. But doubt it. This is the Joker's year.
schmuck -shmuhk- a noun Slang. an obnoxious or contemptible person.
Origin:
1890-95; Yiddish shmok (vulgar) lit., penis of uncert. orig.
MUCKRAKER: A muckraker seeks to expose corruption of businesses or government to the public
Origin:
Theodore Roosevelt used the term muckrake in a 1906 speech in which he agreed with the
accusations of muckrakers, but questioned their methods
Schmuckraker: A website dedicated to expanding knowledge of readers by muckraking and
focusing on schmucks of society Origin: 1998 school newspaper
in Northeastern Pennsylvania
One year ago on Schmuckraker, we reported that there were rumors circulating online of an impending BATMAN death in DC COMICS. . . A year later, the rumors that abounded appear to be true: BATMAN is going to be killed. The twist though causing high degrees of controversy in comic circles, BATMAN is going to be killed by a man claiming to be his father..
Like always, a bout $30 mil opener for the latest film in the torture porn franchise. There are still audiences that go see these movies every year..
Box office numbers coming out, reports that HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL dominated the weekend with a little over $44 million... about $14 mil behind was SAW V, which had its highest night of the weekend on Friday. Date night. That's right, guys, take your special someone to see an hour and a half of people being tortured in unspeakable ways! Then get breakfast at Perkins! Served all night..
And in other news, W fell dramatically this week (which I think most people expected) ..
Just for fun, a few SAW V reviews..
There was something about the original HALLOWEEN that still can scare the crap out of whatever newcomer watches the film for the first time.. perhaps the truly simple story that turns supernatural.. the night "he" came home to kill, someone we later find out in subsequent films his sister.
The SHAPE, as Michael Myers is referred to in the closing credits of Debra Hill and John Carpenter's classic film, was played by Nick Castle--and in later scenes by Tommy Lee Wallace. Castle's order from Carpenter was not to act, just walk. And not to talk, just walk. He did..
The script called for a blank faced mask.. 
PEOPLE magazine placing the McCains and Palins on the cover.. the new happy family of politics.. Maybe.. but I noticed watching the talking heads that, for even those that really dislike VPILF candidate Sarah Palin, they are having lots of trouble being critical. Being very careful..
Besides Keith Olbermann..
The 
It always happens.. The summer ends, the school year begins, and one last hurrah takes place at box offices for mindless summer fun..
This year, it's the HOUSE BUNNY, which will end up being number 1 for the weekend..
The low budget comedy stars Anna Faris and features Hugh Hefner's PLAYBOY blondes..
The movie did well among teenage men.
Expectations: DARK KNIGHT $440+ by weekend's end, number 1 for 4th week
Finally, some unkind words are being mentioned about the DARK KNIGHT..
The voice.
That dreaded voice.
I will admit it, I went to see the DARK KNIGHT three times, and each time I did I noticed more and more how annoying the BATMAN Christian Bale voice was. Others have noticed, too..
The 
This website's prayers are with one of the greatest actors of our time..
Morgan Freeman was in serious condition Monday after a car crash Sunday night caused his car to roll several times..
Freeman "has a broken arm, broken elbow and minor shoulder damage, but is in good spirits," according to a statement from Donna Lee, Freeman's publicist..
Initial reports caused widespread panic in Hollywood circles. .Immediate news from the event painted the situation as grim. However later statements Monday looks more hopeful.
Donna Lee's statement continues,
MAMMA MIA! THE DARK KNIGHT SETS RECORDS, LEADS BOX OFFICE TO BIGGEST EVER FOR HOLLYWOOD
THE GREATEST MOVIE VILLAIN OF ALL TIME
THE GREATEST MOVIE VILLAIN OF ALL TIME
I am going to be completely unbiased in my reporting of the amount of money DARK KNIGHT makes at the box office. I will be pretty unbiased when it comes to reporting on Oscar possibilities for players in the film.. I will be a little unbiased when posting reviews from sources for the film. I will be completely biased when expressing my interest and love for this film.
It's not even out yet, I haven't seen it besides pirated 5 minutes online that have quickly been deleted from various sources, but I feel like already giving it four stars.
I have anticipated this movie for months, if not years. I have anticipated a movie finally laying to rest the images of Cesar Romero as the Joker .. images of his moustache being seen through white makeup. Images of a Joker that were so happy and opposite to what the comic book idea of the Joker was.
As great as Jack Nicholson was in the truly excellent Tim Burton version of BATMAN, it was not Ledger's performance. Heath Ledger, apparently, is sticking to the notion that the Joker really isn't funny, especially when he's busy trying to blow up hospitals and have no mercy on anyone.
The DARK KNIGHT really isn't going to be a kids movie, though I do see the Bale BATMAN and Ledger JOKER figures for sale at toy stories. But kids will see it. With parents. And all will be blown away by the performances of everyone in this film..
The other villain in this film, Harvey Dent, will explode from the "white knight" of Gotham City into Two Face. . .
But Two Face will have to wait.
Right now, it's the Joker's turn.
And goodbye to the images of Cesar as the clown prince of crime.
The David Letterman era coming to an end? Criticized for an endless hour of boring comedy, hackneyed material, and tired banter between David Letterman and Paul Shaffer, the era of LATE SHOW may very well be ready to give up and .. just sleep.
Once not ready for prime time, it seems like the Letterman show may not be ready for the 11:35 not ready for bed yet hour.
The 
And it continues.. The big time players keep admitting their viewing of the new BATMAN film, rating it online .. and even bragging that they were able to see the movie.
Finally, 
You didn't hear it here first, and believe me, I am fine with that.
Verne Troyer, normally up to being mocked for his miniature size in the AUSTIN POWERS movies and other films, 
REUTERS PHOTO
STEVE CARELL THE STAR OF THE BOX OFFICE; YESTERDAY'S NEWS: MIKE MYERS
The ad campaign for the next Batman film continues, this time in your face.
The death of Heath Ledger apparently isn't stopping Warner Bros. from using darkly bloody images of him in their campaign .. The newest installment of posters brings us a bloody "ha" over the black-eyed smiling Ledger's face.. No other words on the poster. No other words needed..
Batman fans, including me, are eagerly anticipating July 18.. Possibly one of the greatest performances coming from Ledger .. Post-mordem.
