New Harry Potter

Now that the Harry Potter films are getting darker and darker (and it's cast is getting older and older) I think we will be prepared for some of the more prominent characters to die in the the next installment of the movie franchise of the best selling books "The Order Of The Phoenix". Here are some of the first pictures from the film.

Does Daniel Radcliffe look a bit foolish in those glasses now or is it just the pictures? His face just doesn't seem to suit them anymore.

Emma Watson (16) who plays studious Hermoine Granger has mentioned recently that she is unsure if she will return to the role for the two final installments to come after this latest piece. How they'll work around her absence if she doesn't commit, is anyone's guess. I don't think it will be easy to bring in another actress for the part. It's not "Roseanne" where you can just switch Becky's, make fun of it, and nobody will give a damn. And that's coming from someone who isn't obsessed with these movies/books.

Tobey Looking Good

Maybe I'm just a little too drunk right now but, is Tobey Maguire looking hot to anyone else? I've always found him to be rather cute (since Pleasantville) but now that I'm kinda over the Gyllenhaal, Tobey is looking all kinds of fine.

All kinds of fine?!? Yep. Definitely drunk. He is cute though. I have no idea when Spiderman 3 is supposed to come out but I hope it will be better than the awful Spiderman 2. They have Venom, the Sandman, and Green Goblin (again) as the villains, and an unreported 4th villain, so maybe it will be a good film. Then again, anything with Kirsten Dunst is bound to be a piece of shit.

PS. Yes...I judge superhero live action films on who the villains are. You got a problem with that?

When Teenage Soap Opera Characters Mourn

Okay, I only ever watched the first season of The O.C. Back when Summer was cute, Seth was funny, Ryan was sexy and troubled, and we all wanted Marisa to just fuck off and die. So now, as I've been told, Marisa has granted all of our wishes, dying in this summers season finale. But where does that leave Ryan? The two had a very demented relationship, one minute they were dating, the next they weren't, the minute after that Ryan was a sugar daddy, then Marisa couldn't kick her coke addiction (or something of the sort, as I said I didn't watch the second or third seasons), annoying to keep up with, isn't it folks. But anyway, poor little (grieving) Ryan has ended up where many men who only wear wifebeaters end up.....as a cage fighter.

Is this not the stupidest show on television? Ratings were clearly dwindling down to the nubbin, making the execs say "Lets think of a way to get the girls and the gays back on the train. How about taking Ryan out of the wifebeaters and making him join Fightclub?" Genius! Because we all know that we only saw Fightclub because Brad Pitt was shirtless for pretty much the entire movie. Is he going to sell soap for a living too? Maybe I'm being too sensitive on this subject, but my Dad became a cage fighter when my hamster died, and he realized too late that violence wasn't the answer. You just have to face it.....Fluffy is gone.

My Point = Take up drinking, it's less costly on the face.

Liza With A "Z" On Order

Liza Minnelli will be guest starring on an episode of Law & Order: Criminal Intent in November. The episode which will be entitled "Masquerade" will feature Liza as a former beauty queen whose daughter, an aspiring beauty queen, is found murdered on Halloween night.

Liza has been doing quite a bit of showmanship lately. Touring, a recurring role on Arrested Development, and most recently a cameo appearance in the film "The Oh In Ohio".

Best to keep busy while your gay ex-husband is trying to sue you for assault and battery, don't you find?

Alanis Gets A Nip/Tuck

Alanis is going to be guest starring in 3 episodes of the drama series Nip/Tuck, starting October 31st. Alanis will play Poppy, an athletic and perky girl who's a love interest for Roma Maffia's character. Dr. Liz Cruz. Don't you think Alanis looks gorgeous in these pictures from the episodes? She actually looks like a woman. I thought she would be a butch girlfriend (because she can look very masculine at times), but this is so much better than what I was anticipating. Keep up with the make-up Alanis.

Ps. This is my 100th post :) I'm rather proud of myself *pat on the back*. Well done ole' chap.

Julian On Advocate

Speaking of Nip/Tuck, Julian McMahon who plays Dr. Christian Troy on the show recently appeared (all greased up) on the the cover of gay magazine Advocate. I love how the queer mags always want their models to look like they just finished pumping iron, or pumping something else ;) . How long does it take them to wash off the body grease? Anyway, it works, so why dwell on it. I always found him quite unappealing (maybe because I first saw him opposite Alyssa Milano on Charmed) but he doesn't look too bad here.

Showgirl Princess

Madonna has got a bit of competition in the kiddie book department. Kylie Minogue has just released her first Puffin Books publication called "The Showgirl Princess". The lavish picture book which tells a child like tale of how Kylie transforms into the Showgirl for her concert performances, was written while she was undergoing treatment for breast cancer.

It is said that the pictures featured inside are part photographs (taken by Kylie's long time visual coordinator William Baker) and part animation. Her long time boyfriend Olivier's dog Sheeba also makes a featured appearance in the book. How cute. Sounds like a perfect stocking stuffer for the kids this holiday season (or any Kylie fan for that matter). "All that glitters and sparkles is what this book is about." Kylie has stated.

While on the subject, Kylie's 2007 calender is also available for purchase. I seem to get a Kylie calender every year (as well as a Marilyn calendar), so I look forward to the monthly pictures to come. If the cover photo is any indication, the rest of the calendar will be gorgeous.

The Showgirl Tour commences on November 11th.

God That's Good!

WHEEEEEE! What a bloodbath this will hopefully be! Gee, that sounded kinda morbid....good stuff. The new film version of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street, to be directed by (my personal favorite) creepy, freaky, fun for the whole family, Tim Burton, is set to start filming February 5th, 2007, at London's Pinewood Studio's (which will serve as the main shooting ground for Fleet Street). Burton is no stranger to this space, filming much of "Batman", "The Planet Of The Apes", and "Charlie And The Chocolate Factory" on the same stage.

Also familiar to Burton is his leading man, Johnny "the chameleon" Depp, who will now show off his musical theatre chops as the demented barber out for revenge against the deviant judge who imprisoned him in order to satisfy his lust for his wife (and later his daughter). This will be the sixth Tim Burton film that Johnny has starred in since "Edward Scissorhands". If it ain't broke, don't fix it, right?

No word yet on any other cast members, but there have been rumors on possible consideration for Emma Thompson, or Toni Collette in the role of equally demented (but best character ever) Mrs. Lovett, who just wants the love of a good man... and to chop up the remains of Sweeney's victims and serve them as meat pies to her customers (What some people will do for a buck, eh?).

I'm counting on this movie to be spectacular, otherwise I will be crushed. This is number 3 on my top five list of favorite musicals, don't let me down like "Rent" did. Sorry "Rent", you tried and had a few good moments, but overall....yah, you know what you did wrong.

Gale Joins "Suddenly Last Summer" Cast

Gale Harold, star of the new drama series "Vanished", and best known for his role as sexy manwhore Brian Kinney on Queer As Folk, has joined the off-Broadway cast of Tennessee Williams' "Suddenly Last Summer". Joining Blythe Danner and Carla Gugino, Gale will fill the role of Dr. Cukrowicz, the young neurosurgeon hired by the wealthy Violet Venable (Danner) to lobotamize the awful truth about her sons tragic demise from her troubled niece's mind in order to save his reputation.

Other cast members added include, Becky Ann Baker (Mrs. Holly), Sandra Shiply (Sister Felicity), Karen Walsh (Mrs. Foxhill), and Wayne Wilcox (George Holly). Opening night for this play is November 15th.

The 1960 film version of this brilliant play, starring Katherine Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, and Montgomery Clift, is one of my favorite films of all time. The dialogue is absolutely genius. I am greatly looking forward to this being one of the theatre pieces I see when I go to New York in December.

Happy Marriage

A personal note (for once). This past weekend I attended my friend Harpreet's wedding, and I just have to say that it was one of the nicest ceremonies I had ever been to. I would put a picture of her and her new husband, but I fear a beating will be soon followed by that action. Anyway, she looked gorgeous (even though she didn't seem to think so, she did), the reception was a lot of fun, the food was great, I got to see a few of my friends whom I hadn't really seen since high school, and I learned a bit about Indian wedding ceremonies.

Congratulations Harpreet and Gurminder! Thanks for allowing me to be part of your special day. Love to you Both.

Courtney Works With Whitney

My favorite discombobulated psycho bitch, Miss Courtney Love, is reportedly going to be working with fellow coked-out Diva Whitney Houston. Not on any kind of professional venture (God that would be awkward), but Courtney will be acting as a counseling mentor for Whitney while she is attempting to kick her drug habit. Whitney's friend, music mogul Clive Davis has asked Love to join him in an intervention type setting, and Courtney herself has recommended her addiction counselor for medical help.

Hmmm....where do I even begin with a story like this? First of all Whitney, you just left Bobby Brown. Should you really be surrounding yourself with company like Courtney? Secondly, why the hell would you look to Courtney, who hasn't been sober a day since 2001 for guidance? Maybe you can ask Natasha Lyonne to hold your hair back while you're puking from withdrawal (that is if she isn't busy raping her landlords dog....poor thing). Oh well, at least Frances Bean and Bobby Christina can hang out while their mothers snort.......uh, "support" eachother.

If this ends with Whitney flashing her saggy tits on David Letterman....Kyle will not be pleased. Actually, that would be fantastic. Let's aim high girls.

PS. I think the pictures prove my point. Huh? HUH?

PPS. I love Natasha and Courtney because they are crazy/funny drug addicts, which is what Whitney needs to aspire to be in order to gain my attention. These sort of choices tell me she's heading in the right direction.

Design Me Contest Winners

Here are the top 4 winners of Janet Jackson's Design Me contest. These covers will be featured on a select number of 20 Y.O. They're pretty good. I wonder which one I'll buy tomorrow? The first two are my favorites, so maybe one of them. The album review is to come. I love the album so much. Just what I wanted. Invest some money in this album. Good Times!

Love, Angel, Music, Barbie?

New mother and newly formed solo artist Gwen Stefani, is releasing a limited edition line of dolls through manufacturer "Huckleberry Toys". The line features 8 different incarnations of Gwen from her latest music videos off "Love, Angel, Music, Baby", including "Through The Looking Glass" Gwen, "Shit Is Bananas" Gwen, and "Cool" Gwen.

Look out Barbie, Gwen's gonna kick your ass.

A "Divine" Christmas In Store

For all of you Bette Midler fans out there, the Divine Miss M is releasing her first Holiday record this year on October 10th. The album entitled "Cool Yule" can be pre-ordered now at amazon.com . The official tracklisting for the album (as supplied by Sony Records) is as follows...

1) Merry Christmas
2) Cool Yule
3) Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
4) Winter Wonderland/Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow (Duet with Johnny Mathis)
5) I'll Be Home For Christmas
6) What Are You Doing New Years Eve?
7) I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm
8) O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
9) Mele Kalikimaka (keeping in tune with her Hawaiian roots)
10) From A Distance (Holiday Version)
11) White Christmas

Sadly I can't say much for the cover art but, this will most likely be a new staple in my playlist this Christmas season, along with my Vanessa Williams Christmas albums. Yeah!

In other Bette news, she is currently shooting the film "Then She Found Me" opposite Helen Hunt (who also serves as the director of the film), Colin Firth, and Matthew Broderick.

English Roses Sequel

Madonna will once again don her best selling author hat when she releases the long awaited sequel to her first children's book "The English Roses".

The second installment, entitled "The English Roses: Too Good To Be True", once again follows characters Amy, Charlotte, Grace, Nicole, and newest girl to the clique Binah, as they learn valuable lessons about friendship when faced with a group crush on the same boy (God, it's just like real life, isn't it?).

Madonna, mother (as we all know) to gorgeous, smart as a whip Lourdes (9), and good for a laugh, cutie pie Rocco (6), has once again credited her kids as her co-authors. "My daughter insisted that there be a boy in it" she stated in an interview. See what I mean? Smart as a whip!

Look for the book October 1st.

Oh Dear God, Why?

Ever have one of those moments that no shower, no matter the duration nor the temperature, could take away? This is definitely one of them. It's like watching the horrible first batch of "American Idol" contestants over and over again. Thank God 90% of pyromaniacs die in self induced household fires.

All Saints Are Rock Steady

The Girls of All Saints, pictured from left, Melanie, Shaznay, Nicky and Natalie, are gearing up for the release of their new album. The record entitled "Studio 1" will be released November 20th.

The first single is the funky dance pop track Rock Steady, which had it's first official radio airing on the Chris Moyles Show for BBC Radio 1, September 21st. The cd single for the track is to be released November 6th, but until then it is available to download. It's definately worth a listen.

Q Is For Queen Of Pop

Madonna is one of twenty artists to be featured on the November cover of Q Magazine. The UK music magazine which is celebrating it's 20th anniversary with twenty different covers featuring twenty different artists, will have a new interview with whatever cover artist you choose. From Britney to U2, to Jimmy Page or Kate Bush, there will be something for everyone. Clearly this boy will be snatching up the Maddy cover. Cover photo by Steven Klein. They always do such beautiful work together.

Jesus Died For Your Sins

You know what really bugs me these days? Christian groups! I am getting so sick of these people running the world, the government, and my television screen. It has recently been reported that NBC, who is airing the Madonna special The Confessions Tour Live, may be cutting the performance of "Live To Tell" from the concert broadcast, because these Christian groups are offended by the fact Madonna appears splayed out on a mirrored cross while wearing a crown of thorns. I'm sure boycotts will ensue on behalf of the groups if this sight is not stricken from the broadcast in November.

Why do they always seem to get their way? I have a suggestion, why don't those Madonna fans out there vow to boycott NBC if they don't show this portion of the concert. Do you think that would work? It was one of my favorite parts of the show, and I'd be willing to make that commitment.

You can tell my sister she can't have an abortion, but fuck with my Madonna viewing and you've gone too far.

Deborah & Jordan - "Say Goodbye" on GMA

Say Goodbye - Jordan Knight & Deborah Gibson on GMA 08-22-06

Yay! Somebody finally posted Jordan and Deborah's performance on Good Morning America on You Tube. And Now it's here for your viewing pleasure. Deborah completely sings the shit out of this song and steals the spotlight from Jordan at the end. Way to go Girl!

Janet Jackson - "All Night (Don't Stop)" Video

All Nite (Don't Stop) - Janet Jackson

Perhaps my favorite video by Janet. Well, okay maybe favorite is too committal, top 10 though, for sure. See the similarities between this and the new vid?

Robyn - Be Mine (Video)

Robyn - Be mine

Music video for "Be Mine" from Robyn's latest album. I think this video is amazing (she looks horrid, but that's the point). Thanks muchly to Aaron who gave me this album, it's awesome.

Sarah Jessica Parker On David Letterman

Sarah Jessica Parker on the David Letterman show 2005, pt. 1

Let your freak flag fly. Enough said.

Madonna - American Life Video (Original Version)

American Life (madonna)

The original version of the American Life video. It's much more effective than the one that was released, but I can see why she didn't want to release this at that time. It would have made people mad (Republicans), and she has two kids, so it could have been a messy situation. Anyway, I love this.

En Vogue 2006

As we all might have heard, the original members of En Vogue were supposed to have reunited for a reunion tour this year, but this plan only resulted in two performances. A performance with Salt N' Pepa on the VH1 Hip Hop Honors telecast, and a featured appearance on the song "So What The Fuss" for Stevie Wonder. Once again Dawn Robinson has vacated the premises, but the other girls (pictured above from left: Cindy Herron, Rhona Bennett (Dawn's replacement), Terry Ellis, and Maxine Jones), are going to carry on the legacy of the group by continuing to tour and working on a new album which they plan to have released by year end 2006/early 2007. I hope this record will make a bit more noise for them than their last release 2004's "Soul Flower" which made no headlines or buzz (I'm sure nobody has heard anything about that album). I saw them live with a friend of mine recently and they are very much the powerhouse group they were back in the day (in the vocal sense), despite their recordings to the contrary.

Dawn is also preparing for her second solo release.

Jake Finally Shaves

Yay! After months of praying to God that Jake Gyllenhaal would shave that ugly facial hair of his, my prayers have been answered. Doesn't he look so much better? And younger? It just goes to show that nagging the Lord works :) . Now on to my next order of business, getting Matthew McConaghey to shave his southern mug. I'm not saying that these stars shouldn't grow facial hair, just keep in well maintained and to a minimum.

Quite A Wet Dream You Have There

Justin Timberlake is once again showing his sexy....front, looking like he just came from performing at a Boybar wet t-shirt competition on the latest cover of Rolling Stone magazine. Yah, give em what their readers want! He's not as airbrushed this time around, much better. Good Boy!

Veruca Salt New Album Cover

Here is the cover of the new album by Veruca Salt "VSIV", which is scheduled for release September 12th (Man, there are a lot of albums being released on the 12th). Still headed by singer Louise Post, the band has not released any new material since 2000's Resolver. Hopefully with Nina Gordon still doing reasonably well with her solo ventures (I will be writing a review of her new album sometime this week), Louise will find some much deserved success in this new album. The band also plans to tour upon the albums release. You can find a list of scheduled tour dates so far by clicking on this link http://www.verucasalt.com/TOURDATES/Tour.htm . I've never really been a huge fan of Veruca Salt (although I love Nina Gordon), I liked the odd song here and there and I have been listening to them a bit recently...I just thought this was a beautiful album cover.

The Name On Everybody's Lips Is Gonna Be...Ashlee!

Notorious Lip-Synching Pop-tart, Ashlee Simpson is reportedly going to be taking on the role of Roxie Hart in the London stage production of Chicago. Let's hope she has been working on that vocal prowess of hers, because you can't distract the audience with a funky Irish jig, or blame the band if your voice gives out halfway through the show.

Best of luck Ashlee.

Album Review: Chantal Kreviazuk - Ghost Stories

From the first stroke of the violin bow to the last tap of her ivory keys, Chantal Kreviazuk's new album Ghost Stories is the first to really reflect what you get when you are granted the honor of witnessing her live in concert. Stripped down to basics, but at the same time full and emotionally enriched.

Where her last album, 2002's What If It All Means Something presented a slightly poppier, more mainstream (radio friendly as it were) sound, this album delves deeper into a more solemn, introspective realm. Written and produced entirely by Chantal and her husband, Our Lady Peace frontman Raine Maida, the two decided to record the entire album in their home studio, which in turn (it seems) allowed Chantal to play more freely with her vocals, emoting vulnerability, anger and love with a higher level of comfortability. The music as well has more of an internal feel. Gone are any traces of guitar riffs, the couple instead opted for lush string orchestration, and Chantal's own supreme piano skills.

The album starts off with the pleading mid-tempo Ghosts of You, another offering to her beloved cousin Brenda (who passed away during the recording of What If It All Means Something which produced the tribute track, Flying Home (Brenda's Song)). Then seemlessly segues into the first single, catchy comfort song All I Can Do, the "where ever you run, there you will be" infused Spoke In Tongues, and gorgeous love ballad (clearly about Raine) Mad About You (which is very musically reminiscent of the track Until We Die from her second studio release Color Moving And Still).

The albums two standout tracks are the haunting You Blame Yourself, and Asylum. The first of the two showcases her vocals at their most shattered but most urgent, sounding tuneless as if almost on the verge of tears. It is a song about overcoming a confusing unbearable situation. The latter tells the story of her Nanny, a war refugee from the Congo. Chantal states "While the memories of war and persecution will never leave her, the joy and safety she now has in her life and in our home is such a great comfort. But I know that she suffers in silence." The song starts off with a childlike taunt piano chord repetition (think sticks and stones), and swells to a fully orchestrated epic ballad. This song has me hoping she will do a theatre tour with a full orchestra to back her.

I'm not saying that the album doesn't contain any of the upbeat single material that we know and love her for (songs Wonderful, Waiting For The Sun, and Grow Up So Fast will sound great on radio), but be prepared for a simpler, more classical rock sound when you purchase this cd to add to your collection. Think Chantal meets Tori Amos' experimental nature then take a left at Raine Maida. If that helps at all.

**** out of 5

Heels On Wheels

This is by far, the stupidest, gayest thing I have ever seen in my entire life. You just need a couple of drag queens with feather boas shooting out of their asses and this would be a Pride Day float. The green and yellow car to the left with all the barb wire and Christmas lights strung on the top, isn't much to look at either.

Good For A Laugh

http://www.madblast.com/index.cfm?action=view&id=13121&scid=0 . This is cheezy, but in a funny way. Click to have a bit of a laugh. Thanks again Lynn.

Crocodile Hunter Stung To Death

Steve Irwin, better known as The Crocodile Hunter to you Animal Planet watchers out there, was killed Monday while on a diving expedition off the coast of Australia filming a documentary about the Great Barrier Reef. The 44 year old wildlife activist was reportedly pierced in the chest by a stingray barb. Poor Guy. A paramedics team was in a nearby helicopter but by the time they got to him it was too late. To think, the guy has been attacked by crocs and he's done in by a stingray. Sad.

PS. Sorry, that the picture I included is reminiscent of the "Buddy Christ" from Dogma, but I'm not all that invested at this time to find a better picture. Just remember, this is a sad news report...whatever. We'll all enjoy our stay in hell.

Sleeps With Butterflies

I have no new information about Tori Amos, I just came across this picture of her and I think it's gorgeous so, I wanted to share it with the 4 people who actually look at this site. Enjoy.

One Reason To Watch Golf

Golf used to be old men in ugly pants, and nothing more. But if this is how the new generation of golfers looks...then spank me with your 9 iron, I'll be tuning in. Above is 24 year old Camilo Villegas, a new PGA boytoy who was listed on People Magazines list of Hottest Bachelors of 2006. Looking for a caddy is he? Hmmm.

Ana Gasteyer Is Wicked

Ana Gasteyer has been enjoying a lot of theatre success since she left her cast mates of "Saturday Night Live". She has appeared on Broadway in "The Rocky Horror Show", in the Chicago production of "Wicked", and most recently back on Broadway as Mrs. Peachum in "Three Penny Opera" alongside Cyndi Lauper and Alan Cummins.

Now she is reprising her role of Elphaba in "Wicked" on Broadway, for a 13 week limited engagement starting October 10th, replacing actress Eden Espinosa who is currently filling the role. I may be in New York for that. Oooh maybe I'll have to see Wicked again. I don't think I will, since it is something I've seen already, but the thought is in my mind nonetheless. I wish youtube hadn't taken down all of their SNL skit posts, I'm in the mood to watch some Gemini's Twin action, she and Maya were a hilarious team.

Gaby In subUrbia

My brother and I have been trying to make plans to go to New York for the long weekend in October. Along with those plans we have been trying to decide what shows we should go see while there. One of the shows we have looked at is the play "subUrbia" at the Second Stage off-broadway. The play presents a day in the life of seven young Americans who hang out every night in the parking lot of a Pakistani family's convenience store. The return of their high-school friend Pony (who is now a successful rock singer), sparks a night of drinking, sex, and violence as the friends air their resentments and examine the choices they've made.

Up til now, the only drawing name in the cast has been Kieran Culkin (younger brother of Maculay, and star of independent hit film "Igby Goes Down"), but it has just been announced that due to scheduling conflicts, actress Kelli Garner has backed out of the role of "Sooze". The role will now be filled by one time cutie child actress Gaby Hoffmann, known for her roles in such films as "Uncle Buck", "Now & Then", and "200 Cigarettes". Now I really want to go see this. If for some reason I don't make it to the Big Apple, I can always rent the movie version, which stars (among others) Parker Posey, Steve Zahn and Giovanni Ribisi. But I have heard that the play far surpasses the film.

Hairspray Film Cast Announced

The film version of John Waters stage hit "Hairspray", due out July 2007 will contain the following cast.

Michelle Pfieffer to play Velma Von Tussle

John Travolta as "Edna Turnblad" (can't wait to see that), Christopher Walken as "Wilbur Turnblad", Queen Latifah as "Motormouth Maybelle", Michelle Pfeiffer as "Velma Von Tussle", Brittany Snow as "Amber Von Tussle", Zac Efron as "Link Larkin", Elijah Kelley as "Seaweed", Amanda Bynes as "Penny Pingleton", Alison Janney as "Purdy Pingleton", James Marsden as "Corny Collins", and newcomer Nikki Blonksy as "Tracy Turnblad".

James Marsden to play Corny Collins

Sounds like an amazing cast. Filming begins in Toronto this month. Marc Shaiman will contribute new songs to his Tony Award winning score for the film. Yeah!