While director Michael Bay and actors Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox finish up work on "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen", Universal Studios has been working behind the scenes on its latest attraction.
The movie themed park is developing a new, hi-tech and special effects intense attraction based on the popular "Transformers" movie franchise. To date, the films have grossed over $700 million dollars around the world - not including the latest sequel.
The high-tech ride is being developed by a core group of uber partners including Universal Parks and Resorts, Hasbro and DreamWorks. The new ride will combine 3-D, High Definition HD, space-age robotics and the usual Universal magic, in an adventure ride that "will transform perceptions of theme park experiences," according to park executives.
Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox and Rainn Wilson have been busy completing "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" in time for its June 2009 release, where the battle for Earth has ended but the battle for the universe has just begun. _
Tom Hanks and Ron Howard are capitalizing on the success of "The Da Vinci Code", the thriller novel by Dan Brown, with the movie "Angels & Demons". This was the reclusive author's third novel after he gave up his job as an English teacher.
Based on the book "Angels and Demons", the movie follows notorious Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks), who is called to a Swiss research facility (CERN) to analyze a mysterious symbol burned into the chest of a murdered physicist. Langdon finds evidence of the unthinkable - the revival of an ancient secret brotherhood known as the "Illuminati", the most powerful underground secret organization ever to exist.
Clues lead Langdon all over Rome and the Vatican, including the four alters of science, Earth, Air, Fire and Water, while an Assassin working for the Illuminati has kidnapped four Roman Catholic cardinals, and is murdering them one by one. At the same time, Langdon and Vittoria (Ayelet Zurer) are also searching for a new, and very destructive weapon that could kill millions of people and destroy Vatican City.
The movie is being filmed at a number of Roman locations found in the book, including the Pantheon, the Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria, and the Piazza Navona with its Fountain of the Four Rivers, the Castel Sant'Angelo and the centuries-old Biblioteca Angelica. However, Vatican officials made it clear from the beginning that there would be NO filming in or around the sacred city. The Vatican scenes were recreated on soundstages in Los Angeles to the last detail.
In fact, the official word from the Vatican is they abhor the very idea of the movie, and have called for a boycott upon its release. But then again, what would you expect their position to be? In the movie, as in the book, a look inside the Vatican library reveals a book by Galileo that holds the clues to where the four cardinals will be murdered. These clues are hidden in what's called 'The Path of Illumination,' a complicated kind of map that leads to the secret meeting place of The Illuminati.
The film stars Tom Hanks as Robert Langdon, Ayelet Zurer as Vittoria Vetra, and Ewan McGregor as Carlo Ventresca, who in the book plays the carmelegro of the Vatican Church and is in a powerful position after the Pope dies. This helps Langdon, as Carlo is the voice of understanding and is the one whom pleads for the search of the anti-matter. But Carlo has a dark secret and a sad past, and might not be what you expect him to be.
"Angels & Demons" was the first big screen casualty of the Hollywood writer's strike in 2007, because Akiva Goldsman's script still needed work, and was on strike with the Writers Guild of America, causing production of the movie to be delayed.
We suspect "Angels & Demons" will be just as big as "The DaVinci Code" was, and we can't wait to see the final big-screen version. It will be a huge hit, and the award buzz will probably start the day it opens in theaters.
Jennifer Hudson's mother and brother were found murdered Friday - both the victims of gun shot wounds.
They were found at their Chicago home, and police are searching for Hudson's missing nephew who was at the house at the time of the murders.
An Amber Alert was issued Friday evening for the missing boy.
William Balfour, a suspect in the case, is in custody and being questioned by police. As of Saturday morning he had not been charged with any crime. A police spokeswoman said detectives were talking to "a number of people in custody".
Police say Balfour is a prime suspect in the double murders of Darnell Donerson, 57, and Jason Hudson, 29.
Hudson's publicist, Lisa Kasteler, confirmed the deaths:
"We can confirm that there is an ongoing investigation concerning the deaths of Jennifer Hudson's mother, Darnell Donerson, and her brother, Jason Hudson. No further comment will be made and the family has asked that their privacy be respected at this difficult time."
Hudson, who grew up in Chicago, was featured in the recent "Sex and the City" movie, and is currently starring in the film "The Secret Life of Bees."
Lorne Michaels and the gang at Saturday Night Live once again put together a Thursday Night mini-version that nailed it.
The opening sketch included a visit from our friend Tina Fey as Sarah Palin, and a surprise visit by ex SNL veteran Will Ferrell as George W. Bush.
The president used a prime time television appearance to publicly give the republican presidential ticket his person endorsement. It was a classic, and good to see Ferrell back in the role of Bush.
The weekend update portion once again featured financial consultant Oscar Rodgers giving his now famous advice on the worldwide financial crisis - FIX IT! And Fred Armisen had fun playing with his new mega pixel touch screen election map.
After last Saturdays disappointing showing it was good to see things back on track. However, the Adam Samberg digital short - while funny, grew old after the fifth time he threw up on a stranger. Puke and comedy can only go so far together.
Truth. Honor. Loyalty. Family. What are you willing to sacrifice?
"Pride And Glory" opens this week; a narrative centered around one families generation of New York City Police officers. The Tierney family literally lives and breathes for the New York City Police Department. Former police chief Francis (Jon Voight) heads a family of three cops: his sons Ray (Ed Norton) and Francis Jr. (Noah Emmerich), and his son-in-law Jimmy Egan (Colin Farrell).
The family's moral ethics are put to the test when Ray Tierney investigates a case that reveals a massive police corruption scandal involving his own brother-in-law. For Ray, learning the truth threatens to destroy not only the Tierney family legacy, but also the entire NYPD.
With the holidays approaching, the entire family is hit with calamity when four police officers are killed in a brutal shooting. Anxious to find out what went wrong and why, a task force is put together to investigate the deaths, and Ray finds himself thrown into the middle of the chaos.
When Ray's investigation uncovers police corruption, his whole life is destroyed and the good name of the Tierney family is swiftly shadowed by suspicion.
The new word on the street is that actor Will Smith is gay, and has used the expensive escort services of a well-known Hollywood Madame to provide him with young male prostitutes.
The un-named Madame, who is now working out of New York, says Smith was a good client for many years.
She asserts that she had to work extra-hard to convince Smith that her operation was exclusive, and that she could "guarantee discretion."
"Once I convinced him the business could be discrete, he placed his order. It was for a male prostitute. I had fourteen good-looking women working for me - and two guys. You'd be shocked at how many Hollywood celebrities request the services of the men".
Rumors that Smith is gay have been around for several years, but until more definitive proof shows up, we don't believe it. The so-called Hollywood Madame is unknown, and only anonymous quotes have been attributed to her without any substantiation.
Besides, Smith is married to hottie Jada Pinkett Smith, who we are pretty sure would not put up with such extravagant extra-curricular activity. So for now, we have to say this is just a rumor, and a bad one at that.
For his part, Will Smith is currently wrapping work on the drama "Seven Pounds", due this December. The film tells the emotional story of Ben (Will Smith), an IRS agent who is depressed and guilt-ridden about mistakes from his past. He sets out to make amends by helping seven strangers.
The Daily Show With Jon Stewart is losing another fake news correspondent.
Fake military Analyst Rob Riggle is set to follow the likes of Steve Carell, Rob Corddry, Ed Helms and Stephen Colbert, and is leaving the show to develop, and star in his own new half-hour sitcom on the CBS television network.
According to Variety magazine, Riggle is considering several options for his new show, one of which would be based on his years as a Major in the United States Marine Corps Reserve.
Riggle, 38, has spent time in Iraq as part of a USO tour for the troops, and filmed various "Daily Show" spots while there. He is best known as the sometimes-angry "Military Correspondent" on the show.
A lot of people don't realize it, but Riggle appeared as a cast member on "Saturday Night Live" during the 2004 season before joining Jon Stewart on the Daily Show. His spot on the show helped fill the void of departing Steven Colbert who left to start his now popular show "The Colbert Report"
Riggle was also part of the cult comedy series ""Upright Citizens Brigade", which also included Amy Poehler, Rob Corddry and Horatio Sanz. He has also made guest appearances on "The Office" and "Arrested Development", and played the role of Jack Telmont in "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby" starring Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly.
Just this year, Riggle appeared in another Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly comedy "Step Brothers" as Randy, in the story of two spoiled guys who become competitive stepbrothers after their single parents get married.
Riggle, who was born April 21, 1970 in Overland Park Kansas, says he'll remain with The Daily Show through the end of this season.
The announcement of Riggle's departure comes after another blow to the show was announced last week - the news that fellow correspondents Samantha Bee and Jason Jones have also signed a development deal with CBS and will be leaving the show. Most viewers are unaware that Bee and Jones are married to each other in real life. _
While director Michael Bay and actors Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox finish up work on "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen", Universal Studios has been working behind the scenes on its latest attraction.
