MUSIC -Sade led the U.S. pop album chart for a second week. The singer’s first album in almost 10 years, Soldier of Love, has already reached gold in the US. Lady Antebellum'sNeed You Now, held at the No. 2 position, while The Black Eyed Peas'The E.N.D. jumped five places to No. 3, Lady Gaga'sThe Fame rose three to No. 4, and Lil Wayne'sRebirth rounded out the top 5 in US album sales.
This week Jennifer Lopez and Sony Epic parted ways. J Lo just finished work on her 7th studio album, Love, which Sony Epic was going to release until their business relationship ended and put her release in jeopardy. However, all contract responsibilities were completed between the singer and her label, with a separation was on good terms: J Lo put rumors to rest and confirmed that her new album will still get a release with a new studio this summer.
MOVIES- Anthony Hopkins is signed on to star in New Line/Warner Bros. supernatural thriller The Rite. Journalist Matt Baglio uses the astonishing story of one American priest's training as an exorcist to reveal that the phenomena of possession, demons, the Devil, and exorcism are not merely a remnant of the archaic past, but remain a fearsome power in many people's lives even today. The story is based on Father Gary Thomas, who enrolled in a new exorcism course at a Vatican-affiliated university which taught him, among other things, how to distinguish between a genuine possession and mental illness. Eventually he would go on to participate in more than eighty exorcisms as an apprentice to a veteran Italian exorcist. The movie has no release date as of yet, but the movie will be directed by Mikael Hafstrom (Derailed).
Tropic Thunder and Iron Man 2 writer Justin Theroux is reportedly in talks to direct a sequel to Zoolander at Paramount Pictures. Theroux, who appeared in Mulholland Drive in 2001, would write the script with star Ben Stiller. No deals have been confirmed for Owen Wilson to return as Hansel, but the villain in the new film will likely be played by Jonah Hill, who is currently in negotiations. The original film was released in 2001 went to earn $60.8 million worldwide.
TELEVISION- NBC has found their Jim Rockford for their remake of the 1970s TV show as actor Dermot Mulroney has been signed to follow in the footsteps of James Garner. The Rockford Files ran for six seasons from 1974 until 1980 starring Garner as Rockford, a private detective more interested in getting paid and staying out of trouble than being a hero. Of course, as a result he usually ends up doing the right thing. NBC hasn’t had success with its previous remakes of action series Knight Rider and Bionic Woman, but apparently hopes the third time will be the charm. Mulroney is primarily known for his film work, so NBC is likely hoping that having a movie actor in the role will attract viewers.
MOVIES - Disney, the studio behind the hit High School Musical franchise, is developing Prom, described as a comedy that revolves around a group of teens prepping for the big dance. It will not, however, be a musical. The studio is reportedly exploring the idea of casting unknowns in the nine lead roles. The tone is said to be similar to the types of teen comedies directed by John Hughes or Cameron Crowe.
New Line Cinema is looking to reboot its National Lampoon’s Vacation franchise. The new film is being described as more of an update rather than a sequel, and will be closer in tone to Planes, Trains and Automobiles than the previous chapters. The movie will focus on Rusty Griswold, now a grown man, who decides to take his own wife and kids on a road trip to Wally World before it closes forever. Chevy Chase is expected to reprise his role as Clark Griswold, now a grandfather.
MUSIC - Celine Dion's new movie, Celine: Through the Eyes of the World, does more than highlight her performances during her last world tour, it also allows fans rare glimpses of her offstage life. The documentary shows Dion as a goofy jokester, a doting mother, a tender wife, a wide-eyed tourist, a devoted daughter and more. The cameras tag along for intimate moments that the superstar is happy to share with fans. The movie is being released for a limited engagement in theaters. Dion is working on new albums in English and French, and returns next year to Las Vegas for a three-year residency at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace.
Akon has a new album coming out this year, though thanks to Lady Gaga he doesn't really need it. The singer, who took Lady Gaga under his wing at Interscope Records, wanted her under his KonLive umbrella. Gaga's success payed off in more ways than one for Akon. He got Gaga to appear on a few new tracks along with several other artists, who will be featured on Akon's next album. Others include Dutch dance DJ-producer Chuckie and David Guetta. The album will be a mix of Euro house beats with American R&B melodies and hip-hop rhythms, and will be out later this year.
TELEVISION - ABC's V is getting three new cast members, all of them familiar faces to fans of cancelled sci-fi shows. UK actor Charles Mesure, who has appeared on Xena: Warrior Princess and Crossing Jordan, will play a recurring role as Kyle Hobbes, a mercenary who forms an unlikely alliance with the resistance. Canadian actor Nicholas Lea is a familiar face from Kyle XY and of course The X-Files. He’ll be playing Erica’s ex-husband who re-enters the lives of Erica (Mitchell) and her son Tyler (Huffman) at a crucial point. Also, Canadian actress Lexa Doig, who appeared on Andromeda, The 4400 and Stargate SG-1 will join the series as Dr. Leah Pearlman. She will play the doctor treating Valerie Stevens (Benedicto) after she discovered her pregnancy. V is set to return with 8 new episodes on ABC and CTV, March 30th.
The Vampire Diaries has just received an official early second season pickup from the CW, along with another season order for Gossip Girl, Supernatural, America's Next Top Model and 90210. So far no other word is available on other fan favourites Smallville, One Tree Hill, not to mention newcomers Life Unexpected and Melrose Place. Rumour has it that the CW is in negotiations with the Smallville cast to secure a 10th and final season for the show.
TELEVISION - HBO still has plenty of warm feelings for their Big Love series. The TV show is doing well and has just been renewed for season five. The series attracted 1.7 million viewers for the season premiere on January 10th, representing a nearly 50% increase over 2009’s season three debut; this year the show has been experiencing a 13% increase over last season despite some very stiff competition. Although only four of this season’s nine episodes have aired thus far, HBO is feeling confident that the positive trend will continue. The channel has renewed the show for a fifth cycle of 10 installments.
NBC has made a surprising early pickup and has renewed Parks and Recreation for a third season. The show, starring Amy Poehler, is a documentary-style comedy (similar to The Office) that follows the employees of the Parks and Recreation Department of Pawnee, Indiana. The series debuted in April 2009 with a six episode season. Parks averaged just around 5.35 million total viewers for the season; despite disappointing ratings, the show was renewed for a second cycle. This season, the numbers have dipped even lower, thus far averaging around 5.1 million viewers. The show was expected to be on the bubble for renewal this time around but NBC execs have just given the show an early renewal for season three. The early renewal was done for production reasons, to lock in the actors’ schedules. Several of the performers have other projects in the works with Poehler being in heavy demand.
MOVIES - Universal Pictures is putting a fifth installment of its Fast and Furious franchise, with the working title of Fast Five, on the fast track. The studio has closed deals with Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, director Justin Lin and producer Neal Moritz to return. Last year's fourth installment was the highest-grossing Fast and Furious film and Universal's top grosser of 2009, making $343 million worldwide. Chris Morgan is writing Fast Five, in which Dom (Diesel) and Brian (Walker) are fugitives being pursued by relentless lawmen.
McG (Charlie's Angels, Terminator Salvation) is in negotiations to direct romantic comedy This Means War for Twentieth Century Fox. Bradley Cooper and Reese Witherspoon are attached to star in the story of two best friends, inseparable since childhood, who fall in love with the same woman (Witherspoon). The two men's bond disintegrates and their ensuing battle escalates to mammoth proportions, with New York City demolished in their wake.
Tim Robbins has joined the cast of Warner Bros. Pictures Green Lantern.
Robbins will play Senator Hammond, the disapproving father of the movie's villain, Dr. Hector Hammond (Peter Sarsgaard), who becomes infused with psychic powers.
Ryan Reynolds stars as Green Lantern, with Blake Lively as the hero's love interest, Carol Ferris.
Filming is set to start in March in New Orleans. The studio is planning a June 17, 2011 release.
MUSIC- With the Gorillaz last album Demon Days selling more than 5 million copies globally, it was only a matter of time till the band released a new album. The follow-up, entitled Plastic Beach, is scheduled for March 9th. The album is produced by Damon Albarn, who took time out from Blur's successful summer reunion tour to complete the album. Albarn's vocals are much more apparent on this album, plus it will have some special guests including Snoop Dogg, Lou Reed, De La Soul, the Horrors, Bobby Womack and Mos Def, just to name a few. The lead single Stylo will hit airwaves soon, and Jamie Hewlett's visuals for their third album's video and Web content are stepping up to the next level.
This weeks Billboard Top 10 Dance Chart for the week of Feb. 13th, 2010
MUSIC - In current music news, Mariah Carey recently announced via her Twitter page that she is set to release a new Remix Album entitled Angels Advocate. The album was originally scheduled for February 23rd but is now pushed back to March 30th.
Also appearing on the same day is the release of Madonna's Sticky & Sweet Tour: Live in Argentina. The tour was the highest grossing and most successful tour of all time by a solo artist. Her concert will get the dual DVD + CD treatment similar to her Confessions Tour release, as well her concert will be her first ever Blu Ray release, which is also accompanied by a live CD.
Christina Aguilera’s upcoming fourth studio album Bionic has been pushed back, according to sources. The album was first scheduled for a March release, however fans have to wait an entire month as it is now set for an April 2010 release. RCA Records has announced no exact date for of the album’s release, other than that her first single "Glam" will be released in March.
TELEVISION - How I Met Your Mother fans have a lot of reasons to celebrate. After the recent 100th milestone episode and Neil Patrick Harris' successful directorial debut last week, CBS has extended the series for yet another season. That means more hilarious misadventures, more awesome catchphrases and more waiting for the big Mother reveal. Plus with another season comes many more guest stars, the latest guest star signed for the show is Jennifer Lopez, who will appear in a new episode later this season.
In sad TV news, the much talked about fate of Ugly Betty has been revealed. ABC has decided to cancel their favourite show, currently in its fourth season, this year. The network decided to make the announcement early to allow the show's writing staff ample time to create a satisfying conclusion. It is expected that Betty will get a proper farewell, as the series is a network and fan favourite.
MOVIES - With the highly successful 3D release of Avatar, which has now been crowned the most successfull movie of all time, Hollywood is trying to continue its success with 3D by releasing more movies in the 3D format. This week it was announced that the upcoming 2011 release of Ghostbusters 3 will be released in 3D, as well as Gremlins 3, which is currently in early development stages. Also joining the 3D experience is the highly anticipated last movie in the Harry Potter series, with Warner Brothers so impressed with Avatar's 3D impact that the studio decided to release both parts of The Deathly Hallows in this format.
We now conclude our last part in our 2010 Movie Preview. You will find below a brief review of upcoming notable movies coming to us in 2010.
The Wolfman (Feb 12) - A haunted nobleman is lured back to his family estate after his brother vanishes. Reunited with his estranged father, he soon discovers a horrifying destiny for himself - that when the moon is full he becomes a vicious creature in the woods surrounding the village.
Predators (July 7) - A follow-up to 1987's acclaimed Arnold Schwarzenegger-led sci-fi action classic. The story follows a group of elite warrior-types who are being hunted by members of a race of merciless alien trackers called Predators.
Iron Man 2 (May 7) - Having revealed his Iron Man identity to the public, billionaire inventor Tony Stark is unwilling to share his technology with the military, but forces outside his control plot against him.
Prince of Persia: the Sands of Time (May 28) - A fantasy adventure based on the popular video game. Set in medieval Persia, an adventurous prince teams up with a rival princess to find a time-manipulating dagger to help stop an angry vizier from unleashing a sandstorm that could destroy the world.
A Nightmare on Elm Street (Apr 30) - A remake of Wes Craven's seminal 1984 horror classic. A group of teenagers find their dreams haunted by a figure, a badly burned man with razor knives for fingers. His name is Freddy, and if he kills you in the dream, you die in real life.
I Love You Phillip Morris (Feb 5) - A fact-based film about Steven Russell, a married father whose exploits landed him in the Texas criminal justice system. He fell madly in love with his male cellmate, who eventually was set free, which led Russell to escape from Texas prisons four times.
Clash of the Titans (Mar 26) - Based on the 1981 film of the same name, the ultimate struggle for power pits men against gods. But the war between the gods themselves could destroy the world. Born of a god but raised as a man, Perseus is helpless to save his family from Hades, vengeful god of the underworld.
Burlesque (Nov 24) - An ambitious small-town girl with a big town voice named Ali ventures to Los Angeles and finds love, family and success in a neo-burlesque club run by a former dancer who takes the girl under her wing.
TELEVISION- CBS is reporting to give the go ahead for another attempt to revive their hit series Hawaii Five-O. The original series ran on the same network from 1968-1980 and starred Jack Lord as Steve McGarrett, the leader of an elite branch of the fictional Hawaii State Police. The network first attempted to revive the series in 1997 with Gary Busey in the lead role, and produced by Stephen J. Cannell but, following the pilot, Lord died in 1998, causing CBS to deem the show unairable.
With a writing team who know all about rebooting old TV shows, CBS has now given a green light for the pilot. Entertainment Weekly is reporting that the network may rely on a familiar face for the lead role: Alex O’Loughlin (Three Rivers and Moonlight) is currently in discussions to play the lead Steve McGarrett.
For many fans of Beverly Hills 90210, the main reason to catch the CW’s 90210 was seeing some of the original actors. Jennie Garth, who plays Kelly Taylor, was a series regular in the first season, with many viewers wrapped up in trying to guess who fathered her four year old son, Brandon or Dylan? Neither actors were seen on camera, however Kelly did reunite with daddy Dylan off screen. While Garth has had plenty to do on 90210 in the past, don’t expect to see her when new episodes return on March 9th: it’s unclear if Garth wanted to leave the show, or if the decision was made for her. The choice may have been an economic one, since ratings have been terrible and the producers are likely trying to cut costs in any way they can.
MOVIES- Before we begin our second part of our 2010 Movies Preview, a brief update to our previous post about the release of Spider Man 4. We previously reported the movie was coming in May 2011, but director Sam Raimi hated the script. Because of creative differences, the movie fell flat and the studio has decided not to invest more time in dealing with Raimi, starting the series from scratch with Peter Parker back in High School. With a new director, new cast (Maguire quit since Raimi left), and a new vision, the movie is set to hit our screens in June 2012. Now lets begin our brief look at what noteable movies to expect in part 2 our 2010 Movie Preview.
Toy Story 3 (June 18) - As Andy prepares to depart for college, Buzz, Woody and the rest of his loyal toys are troubled about their uncertain future which soon lands them in a room full of untamed tots who can't wait to get their sticky little fingers on these "new" toys.
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse (June 30) - As Seattle is ravaged by a string of mysterious killings, Bella is forced to choose between her love for Edward and her friendship with Jacob — knowing that her decision has the potential to ignite the ageless struggle between vampire and werewolf.
Tron: Legacy (Dec 17) - Elements from the original are returning, most notably Jeff Bridges reprising his role as Kevin Flynn while Bruce Boxleitner will cameo as Alan Bradley and Tron. The son of Kevin Flynn looks into his father's disappearance and finds himself pulled into the same world of fierce programs his father has been living in for 25 years. The pair embark on a perilous journey across a cyber universe that has become far more advanced and exceedingly dangerous.
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Trader (Dec 10) - Edmund, Lucy and their pesky cousin Eustace Scrubb find themselves on a fantastic Narnian ship captained by King Caspian and headed for the very edges of the world in a journey where they'll encounter slave traders, dragons and merefolk.
The Last Airbender (July 2) - A live-action film directed by M. Night Shyamalan and based on the Nickelodeon animated TV series. In a fantastic world where civilization exists as four great empires, a reluctant young child sets out on a perilous journey to restore balance to a world torn apart by war.
Valentine's Day (Feb 12) - A comedy about intertwining couples and singles in Los Angeles who break-up and make-up based on the pressures and expectations of Valentine's Day. As these ten people's lives intersect on the romantic holiday, things will never be the same again for any of them.
MUSIC- Lady Gaga and Robbie Williams are among the acts scheduled to perform at the 2010 BRIT Awards, on February 16. Also on stage for the show celebrating 30 years of the awards will be British boyband JLS, indie rockers Kasabian and a duo by grime artist Dizzee Rascal and Florence & The Machine. Already announced among the winners on the night are Williams, who will collect an Outstanding Contribution to Music award. The nominations have revealed that female artists are a dominating presence with Lady Gaga, Pixie Lott, Lily Allen and Florence and the Machine receiving three nominations each. The list of nominees can be viewed at http://www.brits.co.uk/.
This weeks Billboard Top 10 Dance Chart for the week of Jan 23, 2010
MUSIC- Reports are coming in that 2010 will see a new album release from Madonna. MTV confirms that Brendan O'Brien, who worked with the likes of Pearl Jam, and Bruce Springsteen will be working on the project, as well as A-Trak and David Guetta. Having this range of producers linked to Madonna's next album only means that her direction seems to be a wide range of styles. Her direction could be rock, a guitar-based sound and of course some dancefloor hits. The album is not expected to hit stores until late 2010.
This weeks Hot Top 10 singles on the Billboard chart for the week of January 9th, 2010
1.TiK ToK - Ke$ha
2. Replay - Iyaz
3. Bad Romance - Lady Gaga
4. Fireflies - Owl City
5. Empire State of Mind - Jay-Z feat Alicia Keys
6. Whatcha Say - Jason Derulo
7. Down - Jay Sean feat Lil Wayne
8. Party in the U.S.A. - Miley Cyrus
9. Sexy Chick - David Guetta feat Akon
10. Meet Me Halfway - Black Eyed Peas
TELEVISION- Fans of the long running hit show Law & Order series got a nice gift to start off the new year: though the crime drama is down in the ratings, NBC has vowed to renew it for another year. The show was created by Dick Wolf and first debuted in September 1990. The series revolves around NYPD crime investigations and the trials that follow. The show has been on the air for 20 seasons now. Interestingly, it didn’t break into the top 30 in the ratings until season four. Law & Order will surpass Gunsmoke’s record as the longest-running drama in US primetime, as the show will go into its 21st season in the fall of 2010.
True Blood is getting some new blood in its third season. Kevin Alejandro (Southland, Ugly Betty) has joined the cast of the upcoming third season of Alan Ball's vampire drama. Alejandro plays Jesus, a Latino orderly who is taking care of Ruby Jean Reynolds (Alfre Woodard) at her care facility and becomes involved with her son Lafayette (Nelsan Ellis). Also adding to the cast is Lindsay Pulsipher who is joining the show as Crystal, a new love interest for Jason Stackhouse (Ryan Kwanten). The third season of True Blood is set to return to HBO in June of 2010.
MOVIES- With a record breaking 2009 movie box office totalling $10.6 billion, lets take a brief look at what movies to expect this coming year. More upcoming movies will be listed in the coming weeks.
Shrek Forever After (May 21) - Having become a domesticated family man, Shrek longs for the days when he felt like a "real ogre" and signs a pact with the smooth-talking dealmaker, Rumpelstiltskin, and suddenly finds himself in a twisted, alternate version of Far Far Away.
Shutter Island (Feb 19) - In 1954, two U.S. marshals are summoned to a remote island off Massachusetts to investigate the disappearance of a patient from a fortress-like hospital for the criminally insane. Once inside, they begin to doubt everything - even their own sanity.
The Social Network (Oct 15th) - Deals with the three men - Mark Zuckerberg, Sean Parker and Eduardo Saverin - who were key in the founding of the popular social networking site Facebook and the eventual fall out between the three.
The Sorcerer's Apprentice (July 16) - A master sorcerer in modern-day Manhattan recruits a seemingly average guy, who demonstrates hidden potential, as his reluctant protégé. The sorcerer gives his unwilling accomplice a crash course so he can help defend the city from the sorcerer's arch-nemesis.
The A-Team (June 11) - A contemporary action comedy feature based on the classic 80's TV series. A group of Iraq War veterans go on the run as they look to clear their name with the U.S. military, who suspect the four men of committing a crime for which they were framed.
Alice in Wonderland (March 5) - A pseudo-sequel to the Lewis Carroll classic, Alice returns to the fantasy realm years after her first visit. Now aged 17 and not fitting into Victorian society and structure, she returns to a slightly haunted and overgrown Wonderland.
The Back-Up Plan (April 16) - On the day of her artificial insemination, a desperately single woman (Jennifer Lopez) meets a man with real possibilities. When she tells him the truth, he commits fully to the relationship to help her, but as the birth draws near they begin to wonder if they are right for each other.
The Baster (Aug 20) - An unmarried 40-year-old woman turns to a turkey baster in order to become pregnant. Seven years later, she reunites with her best friend, who has been living with a secret: he replaced her preferred sperm sample with his own.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part One (Nov 19) - With dark forces everywhere, Harry, Ron and Hermione set off on their mission to locate and destroy the remaining Horcruxes containing pieces of Voldemort's soul and along the way learn of the mysterious three 'Deathly Hallows' which they also require
MOVIES - During a recent Avatar screening in London, James Cameron confirmed that, should the film perform well, two sequels could be in the works. The sequels will cost less, considering this big blockbuster is going on the record books as the most expensive movie to date, a reported cost of close to half a billion dollars including marketing. Since the CG backgrounds and elements including the technology are already in place, the budget for the proposed sequels would be lower. Cameron adds that he has worked out the story for a second and third film, but Fox would not confirm any plans for further installments. I am sure the studio is waiting to make sure they are headed into the black numbers with this film.
Warner Bros. is in negotiations with Elijah Wood and Robin Williams to reprise their roles in George Miller's Happy Feet 2. Miller wrote, produced and directed the first film and is again taking the helm in the sequel. The film is expected to hit theaters on Nov.18, 2011. Wood will return as the voice of Mumble, while Williams will again play both Ramon and Lovelace. The actors are expected to travel to Australia in late January/early February to record the voice tracks.
TELEVISION - ABC has set return dates of its hit Science Fiction shows V and Flashword. Both shows are scheduled to return in March 2010, allowing for both shows to air uninterrupted through the end of the season. V premiered in November with four episodes, and will return on Tuesday, March 30, 2010 (10pm EST). The show is moving to its new timeslot following Lost, with 8 new episodes. If the show performs as well as it did in November, it is expected to be picked up for a second season. FlashForward will return on Thursday, March 4, 2010 (8pm, EST).
Ratings for the hit show Heroes have not been so stellar this season, which is now below NBC’s average and on the bubble between renewal and cancellation purely based on ratings. However, throw in BluRay and DVD plus International sales and it doesn’t seem likely that NBC will throw in the towel. This is one example of how the typical normal ratings system needs changes, as looking just at TV rating numbers is not enough. Viewership is changing with many now looking at downloads, and DVR's, plus disc sales. Heroes is expected to return with new episodes starting January 11, in its regular Monday night 9pm EST time slot.
MUSIC - Billboard has tallied the year's album sales figures and reviewed Hot 100 song rankings and compiled a list of the 10 artists who traveled furthest and fastest up the charts in 2009. These stars were the best performers on the Hot 100 singles chart and the Billboard 200 album chart from November 2008 through November 2009.
MUSIC - The 2010 Grammy Award nominees have been announced: Beyonce has the most nominations with 10, while Taylor Swift has 8. Kanye West, Maxwell and the Black Eyed Peas are tied with 6 nominations each. The 52nd Grammy Awards will air on January 31st on CBS and Global. For a complete list of 51st Grammy Awards nominations, please go to http://www.grammy.com.
On March 23rd, Goldfrapp is releasing their 5th album titled Head First on Mute Records, the lead track of the album, Rocket, getting its single release on March 9th. The Album, entirely written and produced by Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory, is described as their "most powerful trip to date, a speedy rush of synth optimism, euphoria, fantasy and romance".
TELEVISION - With the fall TV season ending, many new and old shows will have their final curtain call. Here is a quick list of some shows which will either have their final bow shortly, or have already fallen off the schedule this season. The Beautiful Life (CW), the Ashton Kutcher produced series had 2 episodes shown, and 4 others completed which did not air . Joss Whedon’s Dollhouse (FOX) almost did not see a second season, but the network decided to give it a second chance; the ratings dropped so low this season that FOX decided to cancelled it. The last episode is to be aired on Jan 22. 2010. Eastwick (ABC), starring Rebecca Romijn, based on the 80's smash hit The Witches of Eastwick had only 13 episodes ordered, and the network is expected to run all the ones that haven’t yet aired. Guiding Light (CBS), after 57 years on television, has had its ratings slipping for many years and the curtain came down after 15,762 episodes. Hank (ABC), with Kelsey Grammar back on television as a fired Wall Street CEO moving back with his family in a small town, has shut down production after 10 episodes and only 5 on the air due to poor ratings. The Listener (NBC), the CTV produced series had an order of 13 episodes, only 8 of which aired (all 13 were shown here in Canada)--there is a slight chance CTV will continue the series without support from south of the border. Lost (ABC) began as a simple plane crash which evolved into something unexpected and became a huge phenomenon. The announcement came in 2007 that the series will only be 6 seasons; the show returns in early 2010 and will end its run in May of next year. Trauma (NBC), a show about a group of brave first responders, sounded promising and action packed but struggled in ratings. The network only ordered 13 episodes, all episodes are expected to air.
On a positive note, the struggling 4th season of Ugly Betty seems to have been saved for now. The network has decided to move the show from its Friday night death sentence, to the Wednesday 10pm timeslot. It will move to its new timeslot beginning January 6th.
MOVIES - This years comedy hit Hangover, which is to arrive on Blu Ray and DVD this month, is already set up fo a sequel. Director Todd Phillips was ordered by Warner Bros. to write Hangover 2. The script is almost completed though there is no leak of the plot, or a mention if any of the original cast will return. The film is tentatively set for a 2011 release.
Disney has leaked information about another remake: with the upcoming Tron Legacy, the studio is so pleased with its results that the green light has been given to have director Joseph Kosinski and producer Sean Bailey remake the classic The Black Hole. The original movie was about a group of space explorers which stumbled upon a lost ship, hovering outside a black hole. The 1979 Oscar-nominated original was the most expensive movie made at the time, costing the studio $26 million. No official or tentative release date have been announced at this time.
TELEVISION - The Fall TV season 2009 is coming to a close, while the next few weeks are filled with specials, movies and repeats leading up to the holiday season. Don't be afraid, your favourite shows will premiere after a quick winter break in early 2010. If you are eager and cannot wait for new episodes of your favourite shows, mark your calendars or start your countdowns with the following known dates:
Dec. 1: Scrubs 9pm (ABC)
Jan. 5: The Good Wife 10pm (CBS), NCIS 8pm (CBS), NCIS: Los Angeles 9pm (CBS)
Don't be afraid if your show was not listed, not all dates have been announced at this time.
MOVIES - Another Underworld sequel is on its way, this time not a prequel like the Rise of the Lycans but a sequel to the first two films. The writer of the hit TV show The Shield John Hlavin is hired to pen Underworld 4 for Screen Gems and Lakeshore, with Len Wiseman, who directed the first two films, producing. So far there is no word on a director, nor if star Kate Beckinsale will return.
Sony Pictures is auditioning for Spider-Man 4. Rumors are that Rachel McAdams and Anne Hathaway are considered the frontrunners for the Black Cat Villain in the new film. The film will have stars Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst return, along with director Sam Raimi. Release for Spider-Man 4 is set for May 5th, 2011.
MUSIC - The music industry is buzzing that a new Britney Spears album, her 7th studio release, is ready for May 2010. This is a very unexpected move considering Britney just released her latest Singles Collection. As well, Ms. Spears just finished wrapping up her Circus World Tour in Australia. She is expected to team up with producer Max Martin again, as well as songwriter Sean Garrett.
BeyonceKnowles will release her fourth solo album next year, she recently announced at the last stop of her U.K I Am... World Tour...
A quick update to our recent posting about Sade's upcoming new studio album: Soldier of Love is set for a Feb. 8, 2010 release.
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US album sales.
thriller The Rite. Journalist Matt Baglio uses the astonishing story of one American priest's training as an exorcist to reveal that the phenomena of possession, demons, the Devil, and exorcism are not merely a remnant of the archaic past, but remain a fearsome power in many people's lives even today. The story is based on Father Gary Thomas, who enrolled in a new exorcism course at a Vatican-affiliated university which taught him, among other things, how to distinguish between a genuine possession and mental illness. Eventually he would go on to participate in more than eighty exorcisms as an apprentice to a veteran Italian exorcist. The movie has no release date as of yet, but the movie will be directed by Mikael Hafstrom (Derailed).
Mulroney has been signed to follow in the footsteps of James Garner. The Rockford Files ran for six seasons from 1974 until 1980 starring Garner as Rockford, a private detective more interested in getting paid and staying out of trouble than being a hero. Of course, as a result he usually ends up doing the right thing. NBC hasn’t had success with its previous remakes of action series Knight Rider and Bionic Woman, but apparently hopes the third time will be the charm. Mulroney is primarily known for his film work, so NBC is likely hoping that having a movie actor in the role will attract viewers.
described as a comedy that revolves around a group of teens prepping for the big dance. It will not, however, be a musical. The studio is reportedly exploring the idea of casting unknowns in the nine lead roles. The tone is said to be similar to the types of teen comedies directed by John Hughes or Cameron Crowe.
New Line Cinema is looking to reboot its National Lampoon’s Vacation franchise. The new film is being described as more of an update rather than a sequel, and will be closer in tone to Planes, Trains and Automobiles than the previous chapters. The movie will focus on Rusty Griswold, now a grown man, who decides to take his own wife and kids on a road trip to Wally World before it closes forever. Chevy Chase is expected to reprise his role as Clark Griswold, now a grandfather. 
than highlight her performances during her last world tour, it also allows fans rare glimpses of her offstage life. The documentary shows Dion as a goofy jokester, a doting mother, a tender wife, a wide-eyed tourist, a devoted daughter and more. The cameras tag along for intimate moments that the superstar is happy to share with fans. The movie is being released for a limited engagement in theaters. Dion is working on new albums in English and French, and returns next year to Las Vegas for a three-year residency at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace.
Akon has a new album coming out this year, though thanks to Lady Gaga he doesn't really need it. The singer, who took Lady Gaga under his wing at Interscope Records, wanted her under his KonLive umbrella. Gaga's success payed off in more ways than one for Akon. He got Gaga to appear on a few new tracks along with several other artists, who will be featured on Akon's next album. Others include Dutch dance DJ-producer Chuckie and David Guetta. The album will be a mix of Euro house beats with American R&B melodies and hip-hop rhythms, and will be out later this year.
familiar faces to fans of cancelled sci-
fi shows. UK actor Charles Mesure, who has appeared on Xena: Warrior Princess and Crossing Jordan, will play a recurring role as Kyle Hobbes, a mercenary who forms an unlikely alliance with the resistance. Canadian actor Nicholas Lea is a familiar face from Kyle XY and of course The X-Files. He’ll be playing Erica’s ex-husband who re-enters the lives of Erica (Mitchell) and her son Tyler (Huffman) at a crucial point. Also, Canadian actress Lexa Doig, who appeared on Andromeda, The 4400 and Stargate SG-1 will join the series as Dr. Leah Pearlman. She will play the doctor treating Valerie Stevens (Benedicto) after she discovered her pregnancy. V is set to return with 8 new episodes on ABC and CTV, March 30th. 
from the CW, along with another season order for Gossip Girl, Supernatural, America's Next Top Model and 90210. So far no other word is available on other fan favourites Smallville, One Tree Hill, not to mention newcomers Life Unexpected and Melrose Place. Rumour has it that the CW is in negotiations with the Smallville cast to secure a 10th and final season for the show.
has just been renewed for season five. The series attracted 1.7 million viewers for the season premiere on January 10th, representing a nearly 50% increase over 2009’s season three debut; this year the show has been experiencing a 13% increase over last season despite some very stiff competition. Although only four of this season’s nine episodes have aired thus far, HBO is feeling confident that the positive trend will continue. The channel has renewed the show for a fifth cycle of 10 installments.
third season. The show, starring Amy Poehler, is a documentary-style comedy (similar to The Office) that follows the employees of the Parks and Recreation Department of Pawnee, Indiana. The series debuted in April 2009 with a six episode season. Parks averaged just around 5.35 million total viewers for the season; despite disappointing ratings, the show was renewed for a second cycle. This season, the numbers have dipped even lower, thus far averaging around 5.1 million viewers. The show was expected to be on the bubble for renewal this time around but NBC execs have just given the show an early renewal for season three. The early renewal was done for production reasons, to lock in the actors’ schedules. Several of the performers have other projects in the works with Poehler being in heavy demand.
Universal Pictures is putting a fifth installment of its Fast and Furious franchise, with the working title of Fast Five, on the fast track. The studio has closed deals with Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, director Justin Lin and producer Neal Moritz to return. Last year's fourth installment was the highest-grossing Fast and Furious film and Universal's top grosser of 2009, making $343 million worldwide. Chris Morgan is writing Fast Five, in which Dom (Diesel) and Brian (Walker) are fugitives being pursued by relentless lawmen.
Robbins will play Senator Hammond, the disapproving father of the movie's villain, Dr. Hector Hammond (Peter Sarsgaard), who becomes infused with psychic powers.
Ryan Reynolds stars as Green Lantern, with Blake Lively as the hero's love interest, Carol Ferris.
Filming is set to start in March in New Orleans. The studio is planning a June 17, 2011 release.
With the Gorillaz last album Demon Days selling more than 5 million copies globally, it was only a matter of time till the band released a new album. The follow-up, entitled Plastic Beach, is scheduled for March 9th. The album is produced by Damon Albarn, who took time out from Blur's successful summer reunion tour to complete the album. Albarn's vocals are much more apparent on this album, plus it will have some special guests including Snoop Dogg, Lou Reed, De La Soul, the Horrors, Bobby Womack and Mos Def, just to name a few. The lead single Stylo will hit airwaves soon, and Jamie Hewlett's visuals for their third album's video and Web content are stepping up to the next level. 
In current music news, Mariah Carey recently announced via her Twitter page that she is set to release a new Remix Album entitled Angels Advocate. The album was originally scheduled for February 23rd but is now pushed back to March 30th. 
o sources. The album was first scheduled for a March release, however fans have to wait an entire month as it is now set for an April 2010 release. RCA Records has announced no exact date for of the album’s release, other than that her first single "Glam" will be released in March.
100th milestone episode and Neil Patrick Harris' successful directorial debut last week, CBS has extended the series for yet another season. That means more hilarious misadventures, more awesome catchphrases and more waiting for the big Mother reveal. Plus with another season comes many more guest stars, the latest guest star signed for the show is Jennifer Lopez, who will appear in a new episode later this season.
, as well as Gremlins 3, which is currently in early development stages. Also joining the 3D experience is the highly anticipated last movie in the Harry Potter series, with Warner Brothers so impressed with Avatar's 3D impact that the studio decided to release both parts of The Deathly Hallows in this format.
The Wolfman (Feb 12) - A haunted nobleman is lured back to his family estate after his brother vanishes. Reunited with his estranged father, he soon discovers a horrifying destiny for himself - that when the moon is full he becomes a vicious creature in the woods surrounding the village. 
Iron Man 2 (May 7) - Having revealed his Iron Man identity to the public, billionaire inventor Tony Stark is unwilling to share his technology with the military, but forces outside his control plot against him. 
A group of teenagers find their dreams haunted by a figure, a badly burned man with razor knives for fingers. His name is Freddy, and if he kills you in the dream, you die in real life. 
Clash of the Titans (Mar 26) - Based on the 1981 film of the same name, the ultimate struggle for power pits men against gods. But the war between the gods themselves could destroy the world. Born of a god but raised as a man, Perseus is helpless to save his family from Hades, vengeful god of the underworld. 
revive their hit series Hawaii Five-O. The original series ran on the same network from 1968-1980 and starred Jack Lord as Steve McGarrett, the leader of an elite branch of the fictional Hawaii State Police. The network first attempted to revive the series in 1997 with Gary Busey in the lead role, and produced by Stephen J. Cannell but, following the pilot, Lord died in 1998, causing CBS to deem the show unairable. 
CW’s 90210 was seeing some of the original actors. Jennie Garth, who plays Kelly Taylor, was a series regular in the first season, with many viewers wrapped up in trying to guess who fathered her four year old son, Brandon or Dylan? Neither actors were seen on camera, however Kelly did reunite with daddy Dylan off screen. While Garth has had plenty to do on 90210 in the past, don’t expect to see her when new episodes return on March 9th: it’s unclear if Garth wanted to leave the show, or if the decision was made for her. The choice may have been an economic one, since ratings have been terrible and the producers are likely trying to cut costs in any way they can. 
We previously reported the movie was coming in May 2011, but director Sam Raimi hated the script. Because of creative differences, the movie fell flat and the studio has decided not to invest more time in dealing with Raimi, starting the series from scratch with Peter Parker back in High School. With a new director, new cast (Maguire quit since Raimi left), and a new vision, the movie is set to hit our screens in June 2012. Now lets begin our brief look at what noteable movies to expect in part 2 our 2010 Movie Preview.
Toy Story 3 (June 18) - As Andy prepares to depart for college, Buzz, Woody and the rest of his loyal toys are troubled about their uncertain future which soon lands them in a room full of untamed tots who can't wait to get their sticky little fingers on these "new" toys.
Bruce Boxleitner will cameo as Alan Bradley and Tron. The son of Kevin Flynn looks into his father's disappearance and finds himself pulled into the same world of fierce programs his father has been living in for 25 years. The pair embark on a perilous journey across a cyber universe that has become far more advanced and exceedingly dangerous.
Valentine's Day (Feb 12) - A comedy about intertwining couples and singles in Los Angeles who break-up and make-up based on the pressures and expectations of Valentine's Day. As these ten people's lives intersect on the romantic holiday, things will never be the same again for any of them. 
perform at the 2010 BRIT Awards, on February 16. Also on stage for the show celebrating 30 years of the awards will be British boyband JLS, indie rockers Kasabian and a duo by grime artist Dizzee Rascal and Florence & The Machine. Already announced among the winners on the night are Williams, who will collect an Outstanding Contribution to Music award. The nominations have revealed that female artists are a dominating presence with Lady Gaga, Pixie Lott, Lily Allen and Florence and the Machine receiving three nominations each. The list of nominees can be viewed at 
well as A-Trak and David Guetta. Having this range of producers linked to Madonna's next album only means that her direction seems to be a wide range of styles. Her direction could be rock, a guitar-based sound and of course some dancefloor hits. The album is not expected to hit stores until late 2010.
got a nice gift to start off the new year: though the crime drama is down in the ratings, NBC has vowed to renew it for another year. The show was created by Dick Wolf and first debuted in September 1990. The series revolves around NYPD crime investigations and the trials that follow. The show has been on the air for 20 seasons now. Interestingly, it didn’t break into the top 30 in the ratings until season four. Law & Order will surpass Gunsmoke’s record as the longest-running drama in US primetime, as the show will go into its 21st season in the fall of 2010. 
third season. Kevin Alejandro (Southland, Ugly Betty) has joined the cast of the upcoming third season of Alan Ball's vampire drama. Alejandro plays Jesus, a Latino orderly who is taking care of Ruby Jean Reynolds (Alfre Woodard) at her care facility and becomes involved with her son Lafayette (Nelsan Ellis). Also adding to the cast is Lindsay Pulsipher who is joining the show as Crystal, a new love interest for Jason Stackhouse (Ryan Kwanten). The third season of True Blood is set to return to HBO in June of 2010.
Shrek Forever After (May 21) - Having become a domesticated family man, Shrek longs for the days when he felt like a "real ogre" and signs a pact with the smooth-talking dealmaker, Rumpelstiltskin, and suddenly finds himself in a twisted, alternate version of Far Far Away.
feature based on the classic 80's TV series. A group of Iraq War veterans go on the run as they look to clear their name with the U.S. military, who suspect the four men of committing a crime for which they were framed.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part One (Nov 19) - With dark forces everywhere, Harry, Ron and Hermione set off on their mission to locate and destroy the remaining Horcruxes containing pieces of Voldemort's soul and along the way learn of the mysterious three 'Deathly Hallows' which they also require
During a recent Avatar screening in London, James Cameron confirmed that, should the film perform well, two sequels could be in the works. The sequels will cost less, considering this big blockbuster is going on the record books as the most expensive movie to date, a reported cost of close to half a billion
dollars including marketing. Since the CG backgrounds and elements including the technology are already in place, the budget for the proposed sequels would be lower. Cameron adds that he has worked out the story for a second and third film, but Fox would not confirm any plans for further installments. I am sure the studio is waiting to make sure they are headed into the black numbers with this film.
on Nov.18, 2011. Wood will return as the voice of Mumble, while Williams will again play both Ramon and Lovelace. The actors are expected to travel to Australia in late January/early February to record the voice tracks.
. V premiered in November with four episodes, and will return on Tuesday, March 30, 2010 (10pm EST). The show is moving to its new timeslot following Lost, with 8 new episodes. If the show performs as well as it did in November, it is expected to be picked up for a second season. FlashForward will return on Thursday, March 4, 2010 (8pm, EST). 
Ratings for the hit show Heroes have not been so stellar this season, which is now below NBC’s average and on the bubble between renewal and cancellation purely based on ratings. However, throw in BluRay and DVD plus International sales and it doesn’t seem likely that NBC will throw in the towel. This is one example of how the typical normal ratings system needs changes, as looking just at TV rating numbers is not enough. Viewership is changing with many now looking at downloads, and DVR's, plus disc sales. Heroes is expected to return with new episodes starting January 11, in its regular Monday night 9pm EST time slot. 
Beyonce has the most nominations with 10, while Taylor Swift has 8. Kanye West, Maxwell and the Black Eyed Peas are tied with 6 nominations each. The 52nd Grammy Awards will air on January 31st on CBS and Global. For a complete list of 51st Grammy Awards nominations, please go to http://www.grammy.com.
On March 23rd, Goldfrapp is releasing their 5th album titled Head First on Mute Records, the lead track of the album, Rocket, getting its single release on March 9th. The Album, entirely written and produced by Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory, is described as their "most powerful trip to date, a speedy rush of synth optimism, euphoria, fantasy and romance". 
Joss Whedon’s Dollhouse (FOX) almost did not see a second season, but the network decided to give it a second chance; the ratings dropped so low this season that FOX decided to cancelled it. The last episode is to be aired on Jan 22. 2010. Eastwick (ABC), starring Rebecca Romijn, based on the 80's smash hit The Witches of Eastwick had only 13 episodes ordered, and the network is expected to run all the ones that haven’t yet aired. Guiding Light (CBS), after 57 years on television, has had its ratings slipping for many years and the curtain came down after 15,762 episodes. Hank (ABC), with Kelsey Grammar back on television as a fired Wall Street CEO moving back with his family in a small town, has shut down production after 10 episodes and only 5 on the air due to poor ratings. The Listener (NBC), the CTV produced series had an order of 13 episodes, only 8 of which aired (all 13 were shown here in Canada)--there is a slight chance CTV will continue the series without support from south of the border. 
Lost (ABC) began as a simple plane crash which evolved into something unexpected and became a huge phenomenon. The announcement came in 2007 that the series will only be 6 seasons; the show returns in early 2010 and will end its run in May of next year. Trauma (NBC), a show about a group of brave first responders, sounded promising and action packed but struggled in ratings. The network only ordered 13 episodes, all episodes are expected to air. 
On a positive note, the struggling 4th season of Ugly Betty seems to have been saved for now. The network has decided to move the show from its Friday night death sentence, to the Wednesday 10pm timeslot. It will move to its new timeslot beginning January 6th.
is to arrive on Blu Ray and DVD this month, is already set up fo a sequel. Director Todd Phillips was ordered by Warner Bros. to write Hangover 2. The script is almost completed though there is no leak of the plot, or a mention if any of the original cast will return. The film is tentatively set for a 2011 release.
Disney has leaked information about another remake: with the upcoming Tron Legacy, the studio is so pleased with its results that the green light has been given to have director Joseph Kosinski and producer Sean Bailey remake the classic The Black Hole. The original movie was about a group of space explorers which stumbled upon a lost ship, hovering outside a black hole. The 1979 Oscar-nominated original was the most expensive movie made at the time, costing the studio $26 million. No official or tentative release date have been announced at this time.
Sony Pictures is auditioning for Spider-Man 4. Rumors are that Rachel McAdams and Anne Hathaway are considered the frontrunners for the Black Cat Villain in the new film. The film will have stars Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst return, along with director Sam Raimi. Release for Spider-Man 4 is set for May 5th, 2011. 
7th studio release, is ready for May 2010. This is a very unexpected move considering Britney just released her latest Singles Collection. As well, Ms. Spears just finished wrapping up her Circus World Tour in Australia. She is expected to team up with producer Max Martin again, as well as songwriter Sean Garrett.