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A Tribute To The “King Of Pop”

By Kris McKusick | June 30, 2009

Unless you’ve been living in a cave for the past couple days, you most likely know about Michael Jackson’s untimely death Thursday at the age of 50. I thought it would be an appropriate time to pay the superstar his due reverence with a top 10 favorite song list, but any list wouldn’t be complete without a Jackson joke; after all, its become a pop culture necessity for several years - well before he named his youngest child, Blanket.

So here’s one courtesy of Late Night host Jimmy Kimmel: “He was an extremely powerful symbol: a black performer whites could relate to and then later in life, a white performer who blacks could relate to.” Well done, Jimmy. And on that note I bring to you my top 10 Michael Jackson playlist.

10) Remember the Time

9) Rock With You

8) Who Is It?

7) Black or White

6) Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’

5) The Way You Make Me Feel

4) Beat It

3) Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough

2) Man in the Mirror

1) Billie Jean (Quite simply the most timeless, brilliant pop song ever recorded. Pretty cool video too.)

As you probably noticed, Thriller is conspicuously missing from my list. The reason being that I always considered it a far better video than song. But that’s just me and everyone’s got their own personal Jackson faves.

R.I.P. Michael

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Movies

Positively Movie Review - The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3

By Diana Richardson | June 30, 2009

Life derails for Walter Garber, a NYC transit worker, when a former prisoner hijacks a subway train, takes hostages, demands money and demands only to talk with Garber. Tony Scott’s version of the 1974 film with the same title, “The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3” is full of action and passionate performances.

Both Denzel Washington (Garber) and John Travolta (Ryder) are full of energy throughout the film. The movie also stars Luis Guzmán, John Turturro, James Gandolfini, Alex Kaluzhsky, and Gbenga Akinnagbe. “Pelham” won’t be nominated for any awards, but it’s a captivating movie and a terrific opportunity to finally see these veteran actors, Washington and Travolta, acting together.


 The Good:
- Denzel Washington – Going from playing an obnoxious crime boss to an inspirational debate teacher – Washington’s “Garber” adds “everyday man” to his recent resume. But Garber isn’t perfect, which makes the character even more appealing. Only Washington could give this character the sincerity needed to not come off as hammy. Would we expect anything else from the classy actor?
 
- John Travolta – I think the last time Travolta was this fuming in a movie was in “Face/Off” (or was that Nicholas Cage?). Covered in tattoos as “Ryder,” Travolta plays the wisecracking, angry-at-the-world subway hijacker impressively. It’s great to see Travolta and his acting talents back on movie screens (only this time without a dress).

- The Movie’s Pace – The story’s timing is well done - it’s not too long or too short. The plot progresses steadily and doesn’t get caught up with irrelevant details. “Pelham” gets to the point, and sticks to the point - and I like that in a movie.

- It’s An Action Movie Too – “Pelham” isn’t all talk - it’s not continuous negotiations or argument with Ryder, it’s not solely “what can they say next to make him stop.” Those theatrical elements are covered, but Scott has also offered audiences great action sequences complete with flipping cars, cop shoot outs, and a standoff!

The Bad:
- Background Characters – Roger Ebert makes a great point, “This version occupies a denatured action-movie landscape, with no time for local color and a transit system control room that humbles Mission Control. That also may explain the film’s lack of time to establish the supporting characters, even Travolta’s partners.” I agree because, the lack of focus on the secondary characters establishes a lack of caring for them. However, putting more emphasis on them may have interrupted the film’s pacing and if that’s the case then I’ll pass – keep the movie the way it is.

- Slightly Over the Top – The cars flipping during collisions are a little dramatic, but it sure does make for an entertaining movie.
 
In The End:
“The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3” will definitely keep audiences’ attention. But now that it’s competing with “Transformers 2” I think we’ll see it disappearing from theaters soon. However, make sure to catch it on DVD because Washington and Travolta’s performances shouldn’t be missed!

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Music

Nine Inch Nails Performs Last U.S. Concert

By Kris McKusick | June 17, 2009

Nine Inch Nails front man Trent Reznor has announced that their performance Sunday at the Bonnaroo Music Festival was their last in the United States. For those unaware, Bonnaroo is a popular music festival in Manchester, Tennessee which has been dubbed as “The New Woodstock.”

The industrial rock group performed their last set in the early morning hours Sunday, shortly after Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band wrapped up. “It just dawned on me that this is our last show ever in the United States,” Reznor said during his band’s set. “Don’t be sad. I’ll keep going. But I think I’m going to lose my … mind if I keep doing this, and I have to stop.”

NIN just completed a U.S. tour with Jane’s Addiction. Their summer tour continues in Europe and Asia. The tour is entitled “Wave Goodbye” and was conceived as a farewell tour to mark the 20th anniversary of their debut album, “Pretty Hate Machine.”

Best wishes, Trent. It’s been an impressive journey.

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Television

Positively “Lost” – What We Learned from Season 5

By Diana Richardson | June 1, 2009

The countdown to the end of one of the most inventive TV shows has begun. “Lost” ended it’s second to last season this past Wednesday with a finale full of answers and new questions (which is how they like to do things over at “Lost”). For the 5th season, producers assured fans there would be more answers to some of the many mysteries of the show (sigh of relief)! Below are just some that the show revealed these past 17 episodes.

Item 1 - Season 5 introduced one of the biggest mysteries so far - HOW are the Oceanic 6 going to get BACK to the island?! Episode 6 “316” answered this Lost mystery by showing the survivors boarding Ajira Airways Flight 316 in order to recreate as much of the original Oceanic 815 flight as possible (including dead Locke as a stand in for both himself and Jack’s father, Hurley with a guitar at his side as a possible stand in for Charlie, and the pilot who was SUPPOSED to be flying the Oceanic flight). And their efforts work – there’s a bright light then back on the island!

Item 2 – An island that moves?! In the first episode of Season 5 “Because You Left” we see what really happens after Ben turns the donkey wheel. Juliet, Sawyer, Locke, Daniel, Miles, Charlotte and additional Losties and Freighter folk are consumed by a bright light that starts them bouncing around through history – literally.

Item 3 – What were the circumstances surrounding Locke’s death? In “The Life and Death of Jeremy Bentham” the Season 4 cliff hanger – Locke in a coffin – is explained. After a full day of extremely bad news, Locke attempts to hang himself, only to be interrupted by Ben. Ben talks Locke down, they chat for a bit and just when Locke’s revealed enough information for Ben, he strangles him.

Item 4 – Who is Jacob? “Jacob” has been a name and authority referenced quite often and for quite some time now on “Lost.” It was hinted at that it might be Jacob who was using Christian Shephard’s body (Jack’s dead father) as a vessel to move and speak. In the season finale, we find out that, like Ben, the audience has never actually seen Jacob before, but, unbeknownst to the Oceanic 6 – they have.

Item 5 – How does Daniel Faraday’s mother, Eloise Hawking, know so much about traveling to and from the island? – The episode “Jughead” presents Ellie (a.k.a. Eloise Hawking). As of 1956, she’s an Other and she runs into future son Daniel and his friends Charlotte and Miles and brings them to a leaking hydrogen bomb.

In The End

The only complaint from this loyal fan is that in the finale, there wasn’t any way to already know what was going on because the key information was new and revealed for the first time at the beginning of the episode “The Incident” (Jacob on the beach talking with his rival). In the end though, the executives at “Lost” have really overcome some of the unhappiness from TV watchers of past seasons. But since making the decision to only have 6 seasons, the stories have had the chance to really develop so that loyal fans get the reward they deserve.

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Fashion

Oscar Fashion: Positively Best and Worst Gowns

By Hilary Dickinson | March 1, 2009

The Belles of the Ball

Most improved: After her gypsy-inspired ensemble at the Golden Globes and peach bridesmaid dress at the SAG Awards, Oscar nominee Marisa Tomei finally got it right with her one-shoulder silver, pleated Versace gown.

5. Amy Adams: Sure the Oscar nominee’s Fred Leighton necklace was huge, but it was stunning with 39 carats of diamonds and 630 carats of sapphires, emeralds and rubies. While it could have matched a little better, it still didn’t take away from her red Carolina Herrera gown. The draping fabric in the front and black stitching across the bust and down her back made for some exquisite details.

4. Taraji P. Henson: The best actress nominee didn’t look anything like her frumpy alter ego in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” in her delicately pleated, fitted champagne gown. Her big diamond necklace and train added extra elegance to the Roberto Cavalli gown without overpowering her.

3. Reese Witherspoon: The rich blue and black colors of the former Oscar winner’s Rodarte gown made for a striking contrast. Adding to the beautiful ensemble are the sparkles on the bust area and the draping black fabric.

2. Alicia Keys: We’re not sure why the Grammy-winning singer was at the Oscars, but she sure showed those movie stars how it’s done with her elegant yet young fuchsia Giorgio Armani Prive gown.

1. Natalie Portman: This beautiful actress was a lovely fresh breath of air in her Rodarte orchid-colored gown, which set her far apart from the many other metallic and black gowns on the red carpet. It fit her perfectly, and her simple silver bracelet, rings, and earrings were just enough.

Better luck next year

Least Improved: The “Slumdog Millionaire” beauty turned heads on the red carpet at the Golden Globes with her strapless mustard slightly ruffled gown and at the SAG Awards with her purple whimsical gown (although she could have lost the draped scarf). Yet, her blue John Galliano gown at the Oscars didn’t look like a million bucks with the laced one sleeve.  

5. Melissa Leo.  The Oscar nominee hasn’t had a lot of practice on the red carpet, but she could have used some pointers when it came to her frumpy brown dress with the oddly placed brooches pinned to her cap sleeves. A vibrant gown color and a more polished hair style could have done wonders.

4. Miley Cyrus: The huge volcano-looking skirt on her Zuhair Murad silk tulle gown was just too overpowering for the petite 16-year-old.

3. Beyonce: Hugh Jackman’s dancing partner should have taken a cue from fellow singer, Alicia Keys when picking out a gown. The House of Dereon dress was yet another mermaid-style that we’ve come to see her wear again and again; but, the biggest crime was the gold leaf design. It’s one thing to want an Oscar, but you shouldn’t match it.

2. Sarah Jessica Parker: Her alter ego, Carrie Bradshaw, is a fashionista, but this Dior Couture gown would have been better off on Barbie with its belt and overly puffy skirt.

1. Jessica Biel: You’d think Justin Timberlake could give his girlfriend better fashion tips. It looked like she had some extra fabric left over, so she just tucked it right back into her champagne Prada gown. The stiff round bottom of the gown was no hit either, but at least it hid her black close-toed shoes.

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Hotspots

Celebrity Holiday Vacations

By Diana Richardson | December 16, 2008

Now that it’s the Holidays, where are the top celebrities going to celebrate?  Most are staying local, going on trips throughout the U.S, but some are venturing out too.

Where are the celebs being spotted spreading some Holiday cheer? Since Thanksgiving it seems that everyone has taken a trip to the Big Apple. NYC is the #1 holiday destination so far. Miley Cyrus, Will Smith and family, John Mayer, Kristen Stewart, and Reese Witherspoon are just a few of the famous folks celebrating in NY.

Skiing has been another popular way to spend the Holidays with Gwen Stefani and son Kingston in Deer Valley and the Clintons at Camp David all spending quality time with the family.

Las Vegas has been a place of Holiday celebration for stars Benji Madden and Kelly Carlson. Carlson was spotted shopping at the Palazzo Shoppes.

Out of the country it seems that Dubai is the place to go. Mischa Barton, Lily Allen and Mary-Kate Olsen were all seen at the grand opening for Atlantis in Dubai.

And visiting Brazil puts Matthew McConaughey and Camila Alves into the Holiday spirit.

Wherever the destination, it looks as if Hollywood celebrities will have a positively fabulous holiday vacation!

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