Much love and congratulations to Jamie Foxx for making history and becoming only the third African American man to win the Best Leading Actor Category for his role as Ray Charles! Much props to Leonardo though who still did a fine job as Howard Hughes, also giving the performance of his career.
A big F**k you! to the Jews, er - I mean the Academy for snubbing The Passion of the Christ in nomination, not awarding it in any of the few minor catagories it did get nominated for, and yet closing the awards ceremony by playing a rendition of its score as a "fuck you" to Mel Gibson. That shit was uncalled for!
A big F**k you! to the Academy for allowing Beyonce Knowles to highjack the event by performing no less than FOUR songs from films she has NO connection to, simply to exploit Oscar to continue the hyperbole that is her media career of over-exposure!
A big F**k you! to the Academy for snubbing probably the world's finest living Director yet again - Martin Scorsese. This man has made classic upon classic for decades and still, like Hitchcock seems unlikely to take home the Oscar for Best Director. I'll suppose they'll give him some lifetime achievement award soon enough, but its hardly recompense, I mean was it REALLY necessary to give Clint Best Director again??!! I mean, come on!...
And finally, Million Dollar Baby beating The Aviator for Best Picture?.......WTF??!!!
Monday, February 28, 2005
Thursday, February 24, 2005
Star Wars Episode 3: COMPLETE Trailer-B Transcript!!
Here's the entire trailer description in order:
LFL Logo, Fox logo etc.
A Theta-Class shuttle and three fighters fly by the camera towards Coruscant.
Coruscant, late afternoon, the Republic Executive Office appears for a brief moment.
Palpatine (close-up, speaking very slowly, deliberately, looking straight ahead, watching the ballet)
PALPATINE
...The dark side of the Force is a pathway to many abilities some consider to be... unnatural.
Anakin closeup (extremely focused on Palpatine's words)
ANAKIN
Is this possible to learn those powers?"
Palpatine (close-up, matter-of-factly, facing Anakin)
PALPATINE
Not from a Jedi.
A civilian shuttle turns over the Coruscant cityscape towards the Senate building.
Obi-Wan and Anakin are inside the Temple, walking down stairs.
OBI-WAN
The Council wants you to report on all the Chancellors dealings.
Magna Droids stand with two Battle Droids.
ANAKIN
That's treason.
Palpatine standing up from his chair in his private office.
OBI-WAN
We are at war, Anakin.
The space battle and some explosion where clone-troopers die.
Anakin moves to take a seat in the Chancellor's private viewing box in Galaxies Opera. We see huge spheres of water levitating over stage with dancers inside them.
Mace (voice over, in a grim voice)
MACE
...Very dangerous putting them together...
Palpatine in his office, patting Anakin's shoulder.
MACE
I don't think the boy can handle it...
Mace & Obi in the gunship over Coruscant.
MACE
I don't trust him.
Tri droids blazing guns, Republic fighter exploding, debris flying by.
Palpatine in his office (concerned).
PALPATINE
I need your help, son.
Palpatine walks away from Anakin:
PALPATINE
I'm appointing you to be my personal representative on the Jedi Council.
Anakin standing in the middle of the Jedi Council room. We see him from behind. Ki-Adi-Mundi and Plo-Koon appear holographic with other Jedi Masters present.
MACE
You're on this Council, but we do not grant you the rank of Master.
Kenobi looks away from Anakin's reaction.
ANAKIN (close-up, shocked)
What?
In Padme's apartment - Bedroom.
ANAKIN (to Padme, bitterly)
Obi-Wan and The Council don't trust me.
Huge gun with clone crew, large explosion aboard ship.
Palpatine (V.O)
Learn to know the dark side of the Force...
Anakin grim and focused, listening; then with Padme, at night on the balcony.
PALPATINE in his office (forcefully)
... And you'll achieve power greater than any Jedi.
Anakin briefly fighting Dooku and then the posse entering private office.
Music stops.
The Jedi ignite lightsabers.
MACE
You're under arrest, Chancellor.
Palpatine in his chair carefully controlling his anger.
PALPATINE
Are you threatening me, Master Jedi?"
Close up: lightsaber hilt snaps to Palpatine's hand with audible click.
From now on, 10 drum beats and no other sound - one for each short (second or two) scene
- Posse enter, but this time Sidious jumps in its direction from behind (over) the camera, we only see his back; then Mace in defensive pose;
- Ship (Grievous' fighter) flying away from a planet;
- Obi-Wan in huge control room on Utapau, totally surrounded by battle droids, MagnaGuards and Grievous;
- Capital ships fighting in close quarters, one of them falling down smoking heavily;
- Bail shouting in his speeder, with blaster shots flying by;
- Obi-Wan's fighter flying over Utapau;
- Anakin hanging in the elevator (turbolift) shaft;
- Camera flying down to Mustafar surface;
- Grievous versus Obi-Wan Kenobi duel; we see Grievous from behind only; his fighter and some rocks in the background.
- One-tracked vehicle (tank) speeding on and closing to the camera; Wookiees jump off it, one of them straight on the camera.
Longshot: pillar of smoke over Jedi Temple.
Music returns.
Emperor's voice from the Original Trilogy.
SIDIOUS
Every single Jedi is now an enemy of the Republic...
During this line, brief scenes are shown: Sidious' not so pretty face, Obi-Wan looking anxiously at droids closing on him, then Mace with saber and Palpatine's back (his hair indicates strong wind), then Yoda with clones behind his back - aiming blasters at him.
Chewbacca (close-up), roars.
Tantive IV flies by, towards a planet.
PALPATINE (V.O.)
Do what must be done.
During this line: Anakin Skywalker looks very dark and dangerous, hooded in robe, then leading ranks of troops (shot first from high above and then from ground level, closing to the camera).
PALPATINE (cont.)
Do not hesitate...
During this line: Aayla Secura surrounded by clones who aim blasters at her....
PALPATINE (cont.)
Show no mercy..."
Ki-Adi-Mundi also surrounded by clones; they open fire and he tries to block shots with lightsaber.
Then, Anakin Skywalker approaches the camera, probably in a Mustafar bunker, then cuts down two separtists.
OBI-WAN KENOBI (to Yoda inside the Temple):
Who could have done this?
Anakin Skywalker cutting a Neimoidian.
A very sith-like Anakin Skywalker, standing on the pillared balcony on Mustafar, in dark cloak and hood.
YODA (to Obi-Wan)
Twisted by the dark side young Skywalker has become.
Anakin Skywalker cutting into another Neimoidian.
Threepio, leaving Padme on the balcony, Coruscant at night: "I feel so helpless...".
Then a montage:
* Battle over Coruscant.
* Jedi starfighter incoming.
* Padme crying.
* Anakin and Obi-Wan duel in large hall.
* Coruscant battle again.
* Kashyyk battle.
* Obi-Wan and Anakin exchange lightsaber blows in a narrow corridor, with sparks flying off the walls.
* Sidious shooting force lightning at a surprised Yoda.
* Obi-Wan with hands outstretched for a force push, determined and tight, like in a contest "who's stronger in The Force".
* A 10-wheeled Juggernatu tank shoots rockets straight ahead.
* Space battle with R2 close-up.
* Obi-wan jumps back, down to the circuit/ pipe hanging over a lava river.
* Anakin Skywalker with lava in the background.
* Obi-Wan Kenobi with lava in the background, shouting very dramatically, almost through the tears:
OBI-WAN KENOBI -
You were the chosen one!
* Space explosions.
* Sidious throwing Senate pods with The Force.
* Yoda avoiding them and rolling over - Senate chamber in the background.
* Sidious with lightsaber close-up, with a very sinister smile or laugh.
* Craft flying over water, possibly on Kashyyyk; fountains of water arise.
* Huge wave of lava falls over a pipe on Mustafar.
* Obi-Wan and Anakin duel on the balcony. (The same place where Anakin stood earlier, Sith-looking).
* Yoda looks up at the camera, close-up.
* Mace swinging his saber and kicking or falling back
* Space battle again.
* Anakin and Obi-Wan exchange lightsaber blows in mid-air, flying over lava on long cables...
Episode III - Revenge of the Sith
Breathing...
Shot from their left side, aboard the Star Destroyer: Vader folding arms on his chest and and Emperor staring straight ahead.
LFL Logo, Fox logo etc.
A Theta-Class shuttle and three fighters fly by the camera towards Coruscant.
Coruscant, late afternoon, the Republic Executive Office appears for a brief moment.
Palpatine (close-up, speaking very slowly, deliberately, looking straight ahead, watching the ballet)
PALPATINE
...The dark side of the Force is a pathway to many abilities some consider to be... unnatural.
Anakin closeup (extremely focused on Palpatine's words)
ANAKIN
Is this possible to learn those powers?"
Palpatine (close-up, matter-of-factly, facing Anakin)
PALPATINE
Not from a Jedi.
A civilian shuttle turns over the Coruscant cityscape towards the Senate building.
Obi-Wan and Anakin are inside the Temple, walking down stairs.
OBI-WAN
The Council wants you to report on all the Chancellors dealings.
Magna Droids stand with two Battle Droids.
ANAKIN
That's treason.
Palpatine standing up from his chair in his private office.
OBI-WAN
We are at war, Anakin.
The space battle and some explosion where clone-troopers die.
Anakin moves to take a seat in the Chancellor's private viewing box in Galaxies Opera. We see huge spheres of water levitating over stage with dancers inside them.
Mace (voice over, in a grim voice)
MACE
...Very dangerous putting them together...
Palpatine in his office, patting Anakin's shoulder.
MACE
I don't think the boy can handle it...
Mace & Obi in the gunship over Coruscant.
MACE
I don't trust him.
Tri droids blazing guns, Republic fighter exploding, debris flying by.
Palpatine in his office (concerned).
PALPATINE
I need your help, son.
Palpatine walks away from Anakin:
PALPATINE
I'm appointing you to be my personal representative on the Jedi Council.
Anakin standing in the middle of the Jedi Council room. We see him from behind. Ki-Adi-Mundi and Plo-Koon appear holographic with other Jedi Masters present.
MACE
You're on this Council, but we do not grant you the rank of Master.
Kenobi looks away from Anakin's reaction.
ANAKIN (close-up, shocked)
What?
In Padme's apartment - Bedroom.
ANAKIN (to Padme, bitterly)
Obi-Wan and The Council don't trust me.
Huge gun with clone crew, large explosion aboard ship.
Palpatine (V.O)
Learn to know the dark side of the Force...
Anakin grim and focused, listening; then with Padme, at night on the balcony.
PALPATINE in his office (forcefully)
... And you'll achieve power greater than any Jedi.
Anakin briefly fighting Dooku and then the posse entering private office.
Music stops.
The Jedi ignite lightsabers.
MACE
You're under arrest, Chancellor.
Palpatine in his chair carefully controlling his anger.
PALPATINE
Are you threatening me, Master Jedi?"
Close up: lightsaber hilt snaps to Palpatine's hand with audible click.
From now on, 10 drum beats and no other sound - one for each short (second or two) scene
- Posse enter, but this time Sidious jumps in its direction from behind (over) the camera, we only see his back; then Mace in defensive pose;
- Ship (Grievous' fighter) flying away from a planet;
- Obi-Wan in huge control room on Utapau, totally surrounded by battle droids, MagnaGuards and Grievous;
- Capital ships fighting in close quarters, one of them falling down smoking heavily;
- Bail shouting in his speeder, with blaster shots flying by;
- Obi-Wan's fighter flying over Utapau;
- Anakin hanging in the elevator (turbolift) shaft;
- Camera flying down to Mustafar surface;
- Grievous versus Obi-Wan Kenobi duel; we see Grievous from behind only; his fighter and some rocks in the background.
- One-tracked vehicle (tank) speeding on and closing to the camera; Wookiees jump off it, one of them straight on the camera.
Longshot: pillar of smoke over Jedi Temple.
Music returns.
Emperor's voice from the Original Trilogy.
SIDIOUS
Every single Jedi is now an enemy of the Republic...
During this line, brief scenes are shown: Sidious' not so pretty face, Obi-Wan looking anxiously at droids closing on him, then Mace with saber and Palpatine's back (his hair indicates strong wind), then Yoda with clones behind his back - aiming blasters at him.
Chewbacca (close-up), roars.
Tantive IV flies by, towards a planet.
PALPATINE (V.O.)
Do what must be done.
During this line: Anakin Skywalker looks very dark and dangerous, hooded in robe, then leading ranks of troops (shot first from high above and then from ground level, closing to the camera).
PALPATINE (cont.)
Do not hesitate...
During this line: Aayla Secura surrounded by clones who aim blasters at her....
PALPATINE (cont.)
Show no mercy..."
Ki-Adi-Mundi also surrounded by clones; they open fire and he tries to block shots with lightsaber.
Then, Anakin Skywalker approaches the camera, probably in a Mustafar bunker, then cuts down two separtists.
OBI-WAN KENOBI (to Yoda inside the Temple):
Who could have done this?
Anakin Skywalker cutting a Neimoidian.
A very sith-like Anakin Skywalker, standing on the pillared balcony on Mustafar, in dark cloak and hood.
YODA (to Obi-Wan)
Twisted by the dark side young Skywalker has become.
Anakin Skywalker cutting into another Neimoidian.
Threepio, leaving Padme on the balcony, Coruscant at night: "I feel so helpless...".
Then a montage:
* Battle over Coruscant.
* Jedi starfighter incoming.
* Padme crying.
* Anakin and Obi-Wan duel in large hall.
* Coruscant battle again.
* Kashyyk battle.
* Obi-Wan and Anakin exchange lightsaber blows in a narrow corridor, with sparks flying off the walls.
* Sidious shooting force lightning at a surprised Yoda.
* Obi-Wan with hands outstretched for a force push, determined and tight, like in a contest "who's stronger in The Force".
* A 10-wheeled Juggernatu tank shoots rockets straight ahead.
* Space battle with R2 close-up.
* Obi-wan jumps back, down to the circuit/ pipe hanging over a lava river.
* Anakin Skywalker with lava in the background.
* Obi-Wan Kenobi with lava in the background, shouting very dramatically, almost through the tears:
OBI-WAN KENOBI -
You were the chosen one!
* Space explosions.
* Sidious throwing Senate pods with The Force.
* Yoda avoiding them and rolling over - Senate chamber in the background.
* Sidious with lightsaber close-up, with a very sinister smile or laugh.
* Craft flying over water, possibly on Kashyyyk; fountains of water arise.
* Huge wave of lava falls over a pipe on Mustafar.
* Obi-Wan and Anakin duel on the balcony. (The same place where Anakin stood earlier, Sith-looking).
* Yoda looks up at the camera, close-up.
* Mace swinging his saber and kicking or falling back
* Space battle again.
* Anakin and Obi-Wan exchange lightsaber blows in mid-air, flying over lava on long cables...
Episode III - Revenge of the Sith
Breathing...
Shot from their left side, aboard the Star Destroyer: Vader folding arms on his chest and and Emperor staring straight ahead.
Monday, February 21, 2005
Bluetooth lives!
The other half has been complaining about me constantly hogging the desktop PC at home while she wants to 'surf the net' so she has managed to nick an ancient laptop (miraculously running XP) from her Mum and wants me to setup wireless Internet Connection Sharing.
As the laptop has no current wireless facility I have two options, buy a 802.11b wifi USB dongle (of which I would also need a second for the main desktop PC) or buy a bluetooth dongle.
Before you all yell how much 802.11b is faster etc.. Hear me out, I decided to go with the Bluetooth option for several reasons.
1) My Desktop PC already has a Bluetooth dongle meaning I would only have to buy another for the laptop and nothing else. Its an old laptop so I don’t fancy wasting a lot of money connecting it to the net. I picked up the 100m Bluetooth dongle for under £13, where as two 802.11b adaptors would have cost me £30+.
2) My iPaq Pocket PC connects to my main desktop just fine via Bluetooth, with a decent Internet speed. Additionally the connection seems to hold all over my 2 bedroom flat, so in reality a long range 802.11b connection would not be needed. I ordered a 100m Bluetooth dongle and seeing as the lounge is next to the bedroom (which holds the desktop PC) I cant see distance being an issue.
3) The laptop will not really be used for LAN, just Internet sharing. I know Bluetooth is slow to transfer files between PCs but I doubt the missus will be doing that!
Overall Bluetooth seems the way to go. This doesn’t however mean I disregard 802.11b completely. If I lived in a bigger home (with upstairs rooms and a garden) then I would almost certainly go down the wifi road. Furthermore my Pocket PC also has wifi functionality.
The moral of this story however is not to automatically count Bluetooth out. It is still a very valuable wireless option that can go beyond the use for mobile phone headsets. If you, like me, live in a flat then check it out - it could be the more economical option for you.
As the laptop has no current wireless facility I have two options, buy a 802.11b wifi USB dongle (of which I would also need a second for the main desktop PC) or buy a bluetooth dongle.
Before you all yell how much 802.11b is faster etc.. Hear me out, I decided to go with the Bluetooth option for several reasons.
1) My Desktop PC already has a Bluetooth dongle meaning I would only have to buy another for the laptop and nothing else. Its an old laptop so I don’t fancy wasting a lot of money connecting it to the net. I picked up the 100m Bluetooth dongle for under £13, where as two 802.11b adaptors would have cost me £30+.
2) My iPaq Pocket PC connects to my main desktop just fine via Bluetooth, with a decent Internet speed. Additionally the connection seems to hold all over my 2 bedroom flat, so in reality a long range 802.11b connection would not be needed. I ordered a 100m Bluetooth dongle and seeing as the lounge is next to the bedroom (which holds the desktop PC) I cant see distance being an issue.
3) The laptop will not really be used for LAN, just Internet sharing. I know Bluetooth is slow to transfer files between PCs but I doubt the missus will be doing that!
Overall Bluetooth seems the way to go. This doesn’t however mean I disregard 802.11b completely. If I lived in a bigger home (with upstairs rooms and a garden) then I would almost certainly go down the wifi road. Furthermore my Pocket PC also has wifi functionality.
The moral of this story however is not to automatically count Bluetooth out. It is still a very valuable wireless option that can go beyond the use for mobile phone headsets. If you, like me, live in a flat then check it out - it could be the more economical option for you.
Sunday, February 20, 2005
Saturday, February 19, 2005
Just came back from the ritual Saturday-afternoon shop at my local Sainsburys (Newbury Park).
Something strange was afoot as most of the (male) shop assistants were huddled together, whispering and peering in a specific direction. After a closer inspection it has come to my attention that (Miss Legs) Jamelia was actually there shopping with friends?/family?
She didn’t look as tall as you might think she is and truth be told, she looked relatively plain. If you didn’t know who she was you wouldn’t look twice, trust me!
I don’t normally blow up 'celeb sightings' (mainly because I cant stand most of them!) but thought it was an interesting titbit to share with you all anyway.
Something strange was afoot as most of the (male) shop assistants were huddled together, whispering and peering in a specific direction. After a closer inspection it has come to my attention that (Miss Legs) Jamelia was actually there shopping with friends?/family?
She didn’t look as tall as you might think she is and truth be told, she looked relatively plain. If you didn’t know who she was you wouldn’t look twice, trust me!
I don’t normally blow up 'celeb sightings' (mainly because I cant stand most of them!) but thought it was an interesting titbit to share with you all anyway.
Friday, February 18, 2005
Tonight i'm hitting the bars of London's West End for a mate's birhday celebrations (even though me being skint will make it more of a low-key affair!)
Anyone out and about in that area be sure to look out for me wearing a Michael Jackson T-Shirt - just my way of making a statement and supporting my belief in Michael's innocence!
Wonder how it'll go down with everyone else?!!...
Anyone out and about in that area be sure to look out for me wearing a Michael Jackson T-Shirt - just my way of making a statement and supporting my belief in Michael's innocence!
Wonder how it'll go down with everyone else?!!...
You sure there's TWO Little'uns in there?!...
Even when carrying Twins, Padme still manages to look slim and trim!
The Jedi Temple is Burning!!!!
Holy smoke!
Some more Star Wars: Episode 3 pictorial spoilage for you.
This one's very reminiscent of 9-11 and probably intentionally so!
Click to view! - Simply AWESOME!
Some more Star Wars: Episode 3 pictorial spoilage for you.
This one's very reminiscent of 9-11 and probably intentionally so!
Click to view! - Simply AWESOME!
Thursday, February 17, 2005
Why we NEED a 'Revolution'
Sony and Microsoft with PlayStation 3 and "Xbox 2" will be offering extensions of their current hardware, except considerably more powerful. Nintendo has said that with Revolution, it is doing something entirely new. Our question is, why? The market doesn't appear to be broken. Gamers continue to swoop up software. Why fix it then? And on top of that, are Sony and Microsoft taking the industry in the wrong direction?
Perrin Kaplan, VP of corporate affairs, Nintendo of America: Sony and Microsoft aren't going in the "wrong" direction, just the same direction. Nintendo's goal is to avoid taking products down the same traveled road year after year. New, innovative gaming inspires consumers -- as we're seeing with the success of Nintendo DS. We've been creating exciting, new video games and systems for a long time, and we now see a big opportunity to revitalize the industry with some much-needed creativity and fun.
We don't feel the market is broken -- just limited. Nintendo's goal is to increase the total number of game players in addition to serving current players. I know you're a fan of the iPod, a device that changed the music world while everyone else was focused on trying to create the perfect CD player. Likewise, Nintendo is paving a new road with new adventures on the horizon rather than accelerating down the same old path. You may consider this to be a risk, and you're probably not alone. But it's the risk-takers who create revolutions with new ideas. We're very confident in Nintendo's plans to continue bringing innovation and quality gaming to the industry.
Perrin Kaplan, VP of corporate affairs, Nintendo of America: Sony and Microsoft aren't going in the "wrong" direction, just the same direction. Nintendo's goal is to avoid taking products down the same traveled road year after year. New, innovative gaming inspires consumers -- as we're seeing with the success of Nintendo DS. We've been creating exciting, new video games and systems for a long time, and we now see a big opportunity to revitalize the industry with some much-needed creativity and fun.
We don't feel the market is broken -- just limited. Nintendo's goal is to increase the total number of game players in addition to serving current players. I know you're a fan of the iPod, a device that changed the music world while everyone else was focused on trying to create the perfect CD player. Likewise, Nintendo is paving a new road with new adventures on the horizon rather than accelerating down the same old path. You may consider this to be a risk, and you're probably not alone. But it's the risk-takers who create revolutions with new ideas. We're very confident in Nintendo's plans to continue bringing innovation and quality gaming to the industry.
Wednesday, February 16, 2005
Metro Complaint #2 - THEIR reply, MY rebuttal
-----Original Message-----
From: Wildman Jonathan
Sent: 16 February 2005 16:39
To: 'Rick.Brookes@ukmetro.co.uk'
Subject: RE: Michael Jackson cartoon
You could say the same thing about anyone - we have to take their word for it, just as we HAD TO TAKE THE WORD of Pete Townsend when he said he 'purchased' child pornography as research for his book. Michael Jackson uses makeup (not lighting cream) to even out the patches - did you really expect a star of his magnitude to walk around looking blotchy. Infact foundation based makeup and creams are used by many vitiligo suffered to even out their skin in an effort to appear 'normal'.
If you are so sure that Michael used some magical cream to transform his entire body porcelain white then please let me know what this method is as I didn’t think such a method actually existed. I suggest you read here: http://www.mjfanclub.net/history/vitiligo.html
Your cartoon had NOTHING to do with Pampering and everything to do with a cheap shot at Michael Jackson's 'lighter' skin - quite frankly, ITS NOT FUNNY. What next, a cartoon with Freddie Mercury joking about "poofs catching AIDS" ... I didn’t think so.
-----Original Message-----
From: Rick.Brookes@ukmetro.co.uk [mailto:Rick.Brookes@ukmetro.co.uk]
Sent: 16 February 2005 16:28
To: JonathanWildman
Subject: Michael Jackson cartoon
It hasn't been proved that Michael Jackson has Vitiligo- like so many things about him we just have his word for it. One theory is that if he has Vitiligo he has lightened all his skin to cover up the patches which normally appear- in which case I assume he would be happy about still being pale. It's a cartoon about the pampered Michael Jackson and not about Vitiligo.
From: Wildman Jonathan
Sent: 16 February 2005 16:39
To: 'Rick.Brookes@ukmetro.co.uk'
Subject: RE: Michael Jackson cartoon
You could say the same thing about anyone - we have to take their word for it, just as we HAD TO TAKE THE WORD of Pete Townsend when he said he 'purchased' child pornography as research for his book. Michael Jackson uses makeup (not lighting cream) to even out the patches - did you really expect a star of his magnitude to walk around looking blotchy. Infact foundation based makeup and creams are used by many vitiligo suffered to even out their skin in an effort to appear 'normal'.
If you are so sure that Michael used some magical cream to transform his entire body porcelain white then please let me know what this method is as I didn’t think such a method actually existed. I suggest you read here: http://www.mjfanclub.net/history/vitiligo.html
Your cartoon had NOTHING to do with Pampering and everything to do with a cheap shot at Michael Jackson's 'lighter' skin - quite frankly, ITS NOT FUNNY. What next, a cartoon with Freddie Mercury joking about "poofs catching AIDS" ... I didn’t think so.
-----Original Message-----
From: Rick.Brookes@ukmetro.co.uk [mailto:Rick.Brookes@ukmetro.co.uk]
Sent: 16 February 2005 16:28
To: JonathanWildman
Subject: Michael Jackson cartoon
It hasn't been proved that Michael Jackson has Vitiligo- like so many things about him we just have his word for it. One theory is that if he has Vitiligo he has lightened all his skin to cover up the patches which normally appear- in which case I assume he would be happy about still being pale. It's a cartoon about the pampered Michael Jackson and not about Vitiligo.
Another day and yet another person/organisation calling for Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone's head. As you probably know he faces accusations of racism and anti-Semitism for likening a sleazy (Jewish) journalist to a German war criminal.
Now while the tabloid hack was obviously offended and its early in the morning, I haven't had any coffee and so may not be thinking straight, please can someone explain to me just HOW Ken's comments were racist, let alone anti-Semitic.
If anything Ken's analogy was used as a negative (not pro-Nazi as the papers and extremist Jewish groups would have you believe) in the sense that the journalist worked for the Evening Standard (Who have ran a long hate campaign against Ken and Transport for London for many years now) and Ken has publicly called out that newspaper for its bigotry (hence the German war criminal comment).
This is like explaining the alphabet to a pre-schooler, such is the ridiculousness of hysteria this issue has provoked!
If anything Germans should be offended by Ken's comments - not Jews!
Now while the tabloid hack was obviously offended and its early in the morning, I haven't had any coffee and so may not be thinking straight, please can someone explain to me just HOW Ken's comments were racist, let alone anti-Semitic.
If anything Ken's analogy was used as a negative (not pro-Nazi as the papers and extremist Jewish groups would have you believe) in the sense that the journalist worked for the Evening Standard (Who have ran a long hate campaign against Ken and Transport for London for many years now) and Ken has publicly called out that newspaper for its bigotry (hence the German war criminal comment).
This is like explaining the alphabet to a pre-schooler, such is the ridiculousness of hysteria this issue has provoked!
If anything Germans should be offended by Ken's comments - not Jews!
My SECOND complaint to Metro Newspaper!
-----Original Message-----
From: Wildman Jonathan
Sent: 16 February 2005 09:29
To: 'mail@ukmetro.co.uk'; 'news@londonmetro.co.uk'
Cc: 'complaints@pcc.org.uk'; 'all@vitiligosociety.org.uk'
Subject: Offensive Cartoon - Metro 16/02/05
I would like to complain about your 'Brook' cartoon printed in Metro Weds 16th Feb 2005.
In light of his sudden turn of flu, the caption depicts Michael Jackson in a hospital bed with a doctor exclaiming "Great news Michael, you're still looking a little pale".
As you well know, Michael Jackson has confirmed on many occasion that he suffers from Vitiligo - a skin disorder that has caused him to lose pigmentation.
I find this (unfunny) cartoon completely offensive and insensitive to Vitiligo sufferers across the UK as it demeans both their physical and psychological suffering from this disorder.
I think that a full printed apology is in-order for those who suffer from this skin disease. Would you find it so funny if someone made such a low-brow jibe about Cancer?
I have also forwarded this complaint to the National Vitiligo Society and the Press Complaints Commission to see if they find it so 'amusing'.
Jonathan Wildman
From: Wildman Jonathan
Sent: 16 February 2005 09:29
To: 'mail@ukmetro.co.uk'; 'news@londonmetro.co.uk'
Cc: 'complaints@pcc.org.uk'; 'all@vitiligosociety.org.uk'
Subject: Offensive Cartoon - Metro 16/02/05
I would like to complain about your 'Brook' cartoon printed in Metro Weds 16th Feb 2005.
In light of his sudden turn of flu, the caption depicts Michael Jackson in a hospital bed with a doctor exclaiming "Great news Michael, you're still looking a little pale".
As you well know, Michael Jackson has confirmed on many occasion that he suffers from Vitiligo - a skin disorder that has caused him to lose pigmentation.
I find this (unfunny) cartoon completely offensive and insensitive to Vitiligo sufferers across the UK as it demeans both their physical and psychological suffering from this disorder.
I think that a full printed apology is in-order for those who suffer from this skin disease. Would you find it so funny if someone made such a low-brow jibe about Cancer?
I have also forwarded this complaint to the National Vitiligo Society and the Press Complaints Commission to see if they find it so 'amusing'.
Jonathan Wildman
My letter of complaint to Metro Newspaper 16th Feb 2005
-----Original Message-----
From: Wildman Jonathan
Sent: 16 February 2005 09:02
To: 'mail@ukmetro.co.uk'
Cc: 'news@londonmetro.co.uk'
Subject Irresponsible Journalism
Importance: High
I would like to express my disgust at your article 'A Sick Man' (Michael Jackson) Metro Weds 16th Feb 2005.
It would seem that once again you choose to put a manipulative and negative spin on all reports concerning this man. THIS IS IRRESPONSIBLE JOURNALISM, journalists are supposed to report the facts and ethically treat all those accused with a presumption of innocence until proven guilty in a court of law. Michael Jackson hasn't had this chance yet.
Regardless of its surface-level 'association' with his flu, your 'headline' is clearly a transparent connotation of your own personal feelings on the accusations Jackson faces.
I did NOT see as much contempt for the likes of 'hero' Pete Townsend and he was CAUGHT in possession of Child Pornography (wonder why??!..)
Let Jackson have his day in court and quit with the blatant bias. You and the rest of the media are NOT Judge and jury.
I expected better from Metro.
Jonathan Wildman
From: Wildman Jonathan
Sent: 16 February 2005 09:02
To: 'mail@ukmetro.co.uk'
Cc: 'news@londonmetro.co.uk'
Subject Irresponsible Journalism
Importance: High
I would like to express my disgust at your article 'A Sick Man' (Michael Jackson) Metro Weds 16th Feb 2005.
It would seem that once again you choose to put a manipulative and negative spin on all reports concerning this man. THIS IS IRRESPONSIBLE JOURNALISM, journalists are supposed to report the facts and ethically treat all those accused with a presumption of innocence until proven guilty in a court of law. Michael Jackson hasn't had this chance yet.
Regardless of its surface-level 'association' with his flu, your 'headline' is clearly a transparent connotation of your own personal feelings on the accusations Jackson faces.
I did NOT see as much contempt for the likes of 'hero' Pete Townsend and he was CAUGHT in possession of Child Pornography (wonder why??!..)
Let Jackson have his day in court and quit with the blatant bias. You and the rest of the media are NOT Judge and jury.
I expected better from Metro.
Jonathan Wildman
Tuesday, February 15, 2005
Earl Dittman EXPOSED! - The Shame of the Film Industry
The TV spot for Son Of The Mask is filled with raves - all from one man: Earl Dittman of Wireless Magazine.
In case you don't know, there is no Wireless Magazine, and Earl Dittman publishes no reviews. What he does is fax a few sentences of praise to the studio, in case they can't get any positive comments from a real critic! With the case of 'Son of The Mask', its no real surprise!
More info on Earl Dittman
In case you don't know, there is no Wireless Magazine, and Earl Dittman publishes no reviews. What he does is fax a few sentences of praise to the studio, in case they can't get any positive comments from a real critic! With the case of 'Son of The Mask', its no real surprise!
More info on Earl Dittman
Monday, February 14, 2005
Corey Feldman = DAMN LIAR
Corey Feldman Defended Jackson in 1993 Police Interview
In light of his recent 'recollection' suggesting that Michael Jackson's behavior to him was probably 'questionable', the following article exposes Corey Feldman as nothing more than a DAMN LIAR who has made a mockery of the seriousness of the MJ case to simply join the current bandwagon of hate for his own profiteering.
Source: Celebrity Justice
"CJ" has obtained an audio interview between actor Corey Feldman and Santa Barbara sheriffs. Recorded in December 1993, the interview includes Corey stating -- not once but numerous times -- that his friend Michael Jackson, whom he hung out with, didn't do anything improper with him.
"Nothing ever happened with Michael and me," Corey is heard saying. "Believe me, If there was something that I'd been hiding for all these years, then I would want nothing more than to bring it out right now, to make sure that Michael got the help that he needed."
Feldman gained fame as a child star in the 1980s with "The Goonies" and "Stand By Me." At the time of the interview he was 22 and was just wrapping up "National Lampoon's Last Resort." Sgt. Deborah Linden and Detective Russ Birchim, who were looking to bolster their molestation case against Jackson involving another boy, conducted the grilling.
On the tape, the investigators are heard hammering in on Corey's deep friendship with the superstar. "What concerns me about it is, if something did happen that you're not telling us, is that you wouldn't because of that," one says, to which Feldman responds, "I can't put myself in the position of thinking 'Would I or wouldn't I,' because nothing happened!"
Corey tells investigators that, as a young teen, he did two sleepovers with Jackson. Once, after a trip to Disneyland when Corey was about 14, he says they checked into a hotel near the amusement park. "There was one bed in the room and he asked for a cot to be brought up," Feldman relates. "He got the cot up there and we talked for a little while until we got tired. But he insisted that I slept on the bed and he took the cot because he didn't feel it was polite for him to take the bed."
Feldman repeatedly insists to the skeptical cops that nothing happened, not then and not the time he slept over at Jackson's Encino home: "We stayed up all night and talked and did stuff and we prayed together before we went to sleep and he was wearing his pajamas. And I was wearing my pajamas!"
Corey also relates how, "We took a Jacuzzi, we talked, nothing happened."
When investigators ask, "What were you guys wearing? Bathing suits?" Feldman replies, "Yeah, he had an extra pair of trunks that he threw me and he was wearing his bathing suit."
But Sgt. Linden doesn't seem to buy Corey's story, noting, "You looked a little funny when I asked you about the Jacuzzi."
Corey again insists, "He never did anything out of line. I mean, the closest he ever came to touching me was maybe slapping me on the leg once to talk about that I had lost weight."
Shockingly, Corey does claim he had been molested -- but not by Jackson: "I myself was molested so I know what it's like to go through those feelings, and believe me, the person who molested me, if this was him that did that to me, this would be a different story because I would be out there, up front, doing something immediately to have this man given what was due to him."
Even more shockingly, Feldman actually named his alleged abuser but the detectives seemed to express no interest investigating the man, seeming to only have eyes for Jackson.
In light of his recent 'recollection' suggesting that Michael Jackson's behavior to him was probably 'questionable', the following article exposes Corey Feldman as nothing more than a DAMN LIAR who has made a mockery of the seriousness of the MJ case to simply join the current bandwagon of hate for his own profiteering.
Source: Celebrity Justice
"CJ" has obtained an audio interview between actor Corey Feldman and Santa Barbara sheriffs. Recorded in December 1993, the interview includes Corey stating -- not once but numerous times -- that his friend Michael Jackson, whom he hung out with, didn't do anything improper with him.
"Nothing ever happened with Michael and me," Corey is heard saying. "Believe me, If there was something that I'd been hiding for all these years, then I would want nothing more than to bring it out right now, to make sure that Michael got the help that he needed."
Feldman gained fame as a child star in the 1980s with "The Goonies" and "Stand By Me." At the time of the interview he was 22 and was just wrapping up "National Lampoon's Last Resort." Sgt. Deborah Linden and Detective Russ Birchim, who were looking to bolster their molestation case against Jackson involving another boy, conducted the grilling.
On the tape, the investigators are heard hammering in on Corey's deep friendship with the superstar. "What concerns me about it is, if something did happen that you're not telling us, is that you wouldn't because of that," one says, to which Feldman responds, "I can't put myself in the position of thinking 'Would I or wouldn't I,' because nothing happened!"
Corey tells investigators that, as a young teen, he did two sleepovers with Jackson. Once, after a trip to Disneyland when Corey was about 14, he says they checked into a hotel near the amusement park. "There was one bed in the room and he asked for a cot to be brought up," Feldman relates. "He got the cot up there and we talked for a little while until we got tired. But he insisted that I slept on the bed and he took the cot because he didn't feel it was polite for him to take the bed."
Feldman repeatedly insists to the skeptical cops that nothing happened, not then and not the time he slept over at Jackson's Encino home: "We stayed up all night and talked and did stuff and we prayed together before we went to sleep and he was wearing his pajamas. And I was wearing my pajamas!"
Corey also relates how, "We took a Jacuzzi, we talked, nothing happened."
When investigators ask, "What were you guys wearing? Bathing suits?" Feldman replies, "Yeah, he had an extra pair of trunks that he threw me and he was wearing his bathing suit."
But Sgt. Linden doesn't seem to buy Corey's story, noting, "You looked a little funny when I asked you about the Jacuzzi."
Corey again insists, "He never did anything out of line. I mean, the closest he ever came to touching me was maybe slapping me on the leg once to talk about that I had lost weight."
Shockingly, Corey does claim he had been molested -- but not by Jackson: "I myself was molested so I know what it's like to go through those feelings, and believe me, the person who molested me, if this was him that did that to me, this would be a different story because I would be out there, up front, doing something immediately to have this man given what was due to him."
Even more shockingly, Feldman actually named his alleged abuser but the detectives seemed to express no interest investigating the man, seeming to only have eyes for Jackson.
Another Torrent Site Bites The Dust!
It looks like Lokitorrent, who were doing quite a suprising job of actually raising money to fight the MPAA in court, have been shut down. Here's the message showing on their site:
There are websites that provide legal downloads. This is not one of them.
This website has been permanently shut down by court order because it facilitates the illegal downloading of copyrighted motion pictures. The illegal downloading of motion pictures robs thousands of honest, hard-working people of their livelihood, and stifles creativity. Illegally downloading movies from sites such as these without proper authorization violates the law, is theft, and is not anonymous. Stealing movies leaves a trail. The only way not to get caught is to stop.
There are websites that provide legal downloads. This is not one of them.
This website has been permanently shut down by court order because it facilitates the illegal downloading of copyrighted motion pictures. The illegal downloading of motion pictures robs thousands of honest, hard-working people of their livelihood, and stifles creativity. Illegally downloading movies from sites such as these without proper authorization violates the law, is theft, and is not anonymous. Stealing movies leaves a trail. The only way not to get caught is to stop.
Sunday, February 13, 2005
fo shizzle ma nizzle
For those of you who still speak the English language and were not sure what this stupid phrase meant, here's a funny definition that I found on the net!
1. fo' shizzle my nizzle
"fo shizzle ma nizzle" is a bastardization of "fo' sheezy mah neezy" which is a bastardization of "for sure mah nigga" which is a bastdardization of "I concur with you whole heartedly my African american brother"
1. fo' shizzle my nizzle
"fo shizzle ma nizzle" is a bastardization of "fo' sheezy mah neezy" which is a bastardization of "for sure mah nigga" which is a bastdardization of "I concur with you whole heartedly my African american brother"
Friday, February 11, 2005
What ever happened to Danny Boy?... ask Simon Cowell!!
A bit of a shock for me this evening..
There I was watching what I presumed would be yet another mind-numbing edition of American Idol and funnily enough I thought I recognised one of the contestants..
He had put on a bit of weight, changed his hairstyle, looked cleaner cut but it was in fact Danny Boy of Death Row Records fame, the crooner from such Gangsta Rap hits such as Tupac's 'I Aint Mad At Cha' and 'Toss It Up'!
How the mighty have fallen! I thought this dude still had a record deal with Death Row, he is still listed on the Artist roster on their website.
Are professional recording artists even allowed to enter American Idol? I'm surprised none of the fellow contestants and especially the judges haven’t noticed - Danny Boy appears in several Rap Music Videos that still see rotation on MTV even today!!
He made it through to the next round in case you're wondering (any surprise??!) so check him out next week!
EDIT: It has been brought to my attention that under the "UPCOMING RELEASES" of Death Row's website it says - "Danny Boy - "TBA" - 2005"
If this is correct then he cannot continue with american idol, he will be disqualified as soon as this information is brought to light...
'Kidnapped' by Michael Jackson
By Roger Friedman
Source: Foxnews.com
MJ 'Kidnap' Victims Lived It Up
Yesterday there were reports that Michael Jackson's band of "kidnappers" held a mother and her three kids (two sons and a daughter) "hostage" at the Country Inn and Suites in Calabasas, Calif., in February, 2003. Calabasas is a beautiful, verdant suburb of Los Angeles, replete with million-dollar homes and gated communities. It's not exactly a back alley in South Central.
Several weeks after their expulsion from Neverland and Jackson's world, the family told a lawyer that the elder son, 13, had been molested by Jackson and that he had also held the family hostage.
Prosecutors may have trouble with this episode if they ask the mother or kids exactly what they did during their "hostage" period. I have seen receipts that show the family had a telephone in their hotel room and used it constantly during their five-night stay. They also went to at least one movie at the Calabasas Edwards Cineplex 6, ate ice cream at a Cold Stone Creamery, and had several meals at an Outback Steak House.
They walked to all these places, during which time any of the four family members could have asked for help if they were in trouble.
"The mother loved Outback and wanted to eat there all the time," my source says. She also patronized Anchor Blue (a chain store) and shopped almost continually at stores such as Robinson-May, Banana Republic, Wilson's Leather and Pacific Sunwear. She may have also scored a hostage first when she got a manicure and pedicure for herself and her teenage daughter ($51) before dining at Panda Express.
The Calabasas Country Inn adventure took place between Feb. 25 and March 2, 2003, away from Neverland and Michael Jackson. This would certainly cut almost a week out of District Attorney Tom Sneddon's accusation that Jackson molested the then-13-year-old boy between Feb. 20 and March 10.
Why did the family go along to Calabasas in the first place? After they were featured in the Martin Bashir documentary "Living with Michael Jackson," the family experienced a firestorm of bad publicity. For two weeks they stayed with Jackson, safely away from prying eyes behind the gates of Neverland. During that time the mother evidently quarreled with Jackson's manager, Dieter Wiesner. She was incensed that her kids were featured in the Bashir piece without her signing a release, and angry that they were never paid for it. She wanted some kind of remuneration. She told Jackson she wanted him to buy her an apartment in Solvang, which is near Neverland and far from the grubby East Los Angeles flat she had abandoned.
But Jackson had a different idea. My source says that he preferred to have the whole family leave, and asked his partner and videographer Marc Schaffel to take the mother apartment-hunting closer to L.A. Schaffel, who has still never met the mother or the children, assigned Frank Tyson and Vincent Amen, two slightly built and amiable 22-year-olds, to chauffeur them and buy whatever they needed. (As far as anyone knows, no complaint or charge has been filed alleging that either of these men carried a weapon of any kind. Just a charge card.)
According to the meticulous receipts kept during the adventure, most of the week was spent outside the hotel. The receipts show the group moved constantly during the day, and real estate hunting was mixed with eating and shopping, which are activities not generally associated with kidnapping.
But even that wouldn't have been so bad. Room 300 of the Country Inn, where the family stayed, is a duplex with two bedrooms, a loft and a kitchen. It also had a big-screen TV, and they watched three pay-for-view movies.
On most days, the mother made more than a dozen calls to her children's school, five to her parents and others to her boyfriend (a U.S. Army major who worked in Westwood, about 30 minutes away). They were not short calls, either. Several of them — all to the L.A. area — cost $24 or more, with one hitting the $46 mark. Presumably, if the mother had mentioned that she and the children were being held hostage or against their will, someone might have alerted the authorities.
The family's schedule was a tight one during their "kidnapping." On the afternoon of March 1, for example, the day consisted of a meal at 4 p.m. at Johnny Rockets ($33), followed by a 5:14 p.m. stop at Anchor Blue to buy knit tops (two for $24). Later, a 5:55 p.m. snack stop at the Topanga Canyon Mall (coffee, water, Snapple) was followed by a 6:40 p.m. appearance at Baskin-Robbins ($9). And at 7 p.m., the mother and her kids took in the movie "Old School" at the theater across from the hotel, racking up $32 in concessions. They topped the night off with another visit to Johnny Rockets ($26).
Jackson’s lawyers will try to portray him as trying to relocate the family to be rid of them, paying through the nose all the way. How else to explain a $415 charge at Banana Republic on Feb. 26, the same day the mother also spent $454 on Jockey underwear and $450 at the Jeans Outlet? On that night, the family also managed to dine for $175 at the Black Angus Restaurant in Woodland Hills before they were "forced" in a "conspiracy" to return to their plush digs.
The family — which at the time had made no allegations against Jackson and considered him their friend and "daddy" — was brought to Calabasas for a few days to do errands in Los Angeles. The charges were made to a credit card belonging to Schaffel, and are clearly evidenced on credit card bills, which may be significant.
"It's not like they used cash for a stealth mission," my source continued.
They had two missions during their stay in the Los Angeles area. One was apartment hunting. The other was procuring passports for a trip to Brazil. The prosecution will probably claim in its case that Schaffel and his team were going to spirit the family to Brazil and keep them there against their will. But my sources say the family was keen to go on a short vacation out of the country, where the mother would be far from journalists' questions about the Bashir documentary, and that the mother could have easily vetoed the trip by simply saying no. And her boyfriend (who is now her husband) could have called the police if he thought something was wrong. He did not.
Indeed, apparently at the passport office the mother cut a long line, saying, "Don't you know who we are? We're friends of Michael Jackson!"
Source: Foxnews.com
MJ 'Kidnap' Victims Lived It Up
Yesterday there were reports that Michael Jackson's band of "kidnappers" held a mother and her three kids (two sons and a daughter) "hostage" at the Country Inn and Suites in Calabasas, Calif., in February, 2003. Calabasas is a beautiful, verdant suburb of Los Angeles, replete with million-dollar homes and gated communities. It's not exactly a back alley in South Central.
Several weeks after their expulsion from Neverland and Jackson's world, the family told a lawyer that the elder son, 13, had been molested by Jackson and that he had also held the family hostage.
Prosecutors may have trouble with this episode if they ask the mother or kids exactly what they did during their "hostage" period. I have seen receipts that show the family had a telephone in their hotel room and used it constantly during their five-night stay. They also went to at least one movie at the Calabasas Edwards Cineplex 6, ate ice cream at a Cold Stone Creamery, and had several meals at an Outback Steak House.
They walked to all these places, during which time any of the four family members could have asked for help if they were in trouble.
"The mother loved Outback and wanted to eat there all the time," my source says. She also patronized Anchor Blue (a chain store) and shopped almost continually at stores such as Robinson-May, Banana Republic, Wilson's Leather and Pacific Sunwear. She may have also scored a hostage first when she got a manicure and pedicure for herself and her teenage daughter ($51) before dining at Panda Express.
The Calabasas Country Inn adventure took place between Feb. 25 and March 2, 2003, away from Neverland and Michael Jackson. This would certainly cut almost a week out of District Attorney Tom Sneddon's accusation that Jackson molested the then-13-year-old boy between Feb. 20 and March 10.
Why did the family go along to Calabasas in the first place? After they were featured in the Martin Bashir documentary "Living with Michael Jackson," the family experienced a firestorm of bad publicity. For two weeks they stayed with Jackson, safely away from prying eyes behind the gates of Neverland. During that time the mother evidently quarreled with Jackson's manager, Dieter Wiesner. She was incensed that her kids were featured in the Bashir piece without her signing a release, and angry that they were never paid for it. She wanted some kind of remuneration. She told Jackson she wanted him to buy her an apartment in Solvang, which is near Neverland and far from the grubby East Los Angeles flat she had abandoned.
But Jackson had a different idea. My source says that he preferred to have the whole family leave, and asked his partner and videographer Marc Schaffel to take the mother apartment-hunting closer to L.A. Schaffel, who has still never met the mother or the children, assigned Frank Tyson and Vincent Amen, two slightly built and amiable 22-year-olds, to chauffeur them and buy whatever they needed. (As far as anyone knows, no complaint or charge has been filed alleging that either of these men carried a weapon of any kind. Just a charge card.)
According to the meticulous receipts kept during the adventure, most of the week was spent outside the hotel. The receipts show the group moved constantly during the day, and real estate hunting was mixed with eating and shopping, which are activities not generally associated with kidnapping.
But even that wouldn't have been so bad. Room 300 of the Country Inn, where the family stayed, is a duplex with two bedrooms, a loft and a kitchen. It also had a big-screen TV, and they watched three pay-for-view movies.
On most days, the mother made more than a dozen calls to her children's school, five to her parents and others to her boyfriend (a U.S. Army major who worked in Westwood, about 30 minutes away). They were not short calls, either. Several of them — all to the L.A. area — cost $24 or more, with one hitting the $46 mark. Presumably, if the mother had mentioned that she and the children were being held hostage or against their will, someone might have alerted the authorities.
The family's schedule was a tight one during their "kidnapping." On the afternoon of March 1, for example, the day consisted of a meal at 4 p.m. at Johnny Rockets ($33), followed by a 5:14 p.m. stop at Anchor Blue to buy knit tops (two for $24). Later, a 5:55 p.m. snack stop at the Topanga Canyon Mall (coffee, water, Snapple) was followed by a 6:40 p.m. appearance at Baskin-Robbins ($9). And at 7 p.m., the mother and her kids took in the movie "Old School" at the theater across from the hotel, racking up $32 in concessions. They topped the night off with another visit to Johnny Rockets ($26).
Jackson’s lawyers will try to portray him as trying to relocate the family to be rid of them, paying through the nose all the way. How else to explain a $415 charge at Banana Republic on Feb. 26, the same day the mother also spent $454 on Jockey underwear and $450 at the Jeans Outlet? On that night, the family also managed to dine for $175 at the Black Angus Restaurant in Woodland Hills before they were "forced" in a "conspiracy" to return to their plush digs.
The family — which at the time had made no allegations against Jackson and considered him their friend and "daddy" — was brought to Calabasas for a few days to do errands in Los Angeles. The charges were made to a credit card belonging to Schaffel, and are clearly evidenced on credit card bills, which may be significant.
"It's not like they used cash for a stealth mission," my source continued.
They had two missions during their stay in the Los Angeles area. One was apartment hunting. The other was procuring passports for a trip to Brazil. The prosecution will probably claim in its case that Schaffel and his team were going to spirit the family to Brazil and keep them there against their will. But my sources say the family was keen to go on a short vacation out of the country, where the mother would be far from journalists' questions about the Bashir documentary, and that the mother could have easily vetoed the trip by simply saying no. And her boyfriend (who is now her husband) could have called the police if he thought something was wrong. He did not.
Indeed, apparently at the passport office the mother cut a long line, saying, "Don't you know who we are? We're friends of Michael Jackson!"
Thursday, February 10, 2005
Tuesday, February 08, 2005
EPISODE III Choral Sessions
Source: John Williams Fan Network
An exclusive report by Andrew Hewitt, member of the London Voices for Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (CONTAINS SPOILERS)
Playing My Part in The Revenge of the Sith
Today was a dream come true. Sounds corny, I know. But it was. A dream come true.
I grew up with Star Wars… a young classical musician suddenly introduced to a different world: a world where orchestras played not with feeling, but for feeling. That was the function of film music, and I found it in Star Wars. So I decided when I was still a child that I would be a film composer – and I’m on my way – but I sing too, and one of the choirs I sing for is the London Voices. I did the Lord of the Rings Trilogy with them, and that was stunning. But this…this was a different world. This was John Williams.
Usually, film conductors will have the choir and orchestra on different days – it's complicated to get it together, in such a quick time (ie. sight-reading), and the balancing of their respective volumes can get difficult. But Williams prefers them together – so he gets them that way. It was just unbelievable: the first track, titled ‘Lament’ (we didn’t know what for) was the most intense expression of feeling. It was thickly textured, and wildly passionate. And this man is 73. He’s written for Indy, and E.T. and Close Encounters and Schindler's, and he’s got between 2 and 3 hours of music to produce for this film alone, and still the music is like nothing else. It was beautiful, and made me turn to a fellow singer with, “If Williams doesn’t win an Oscar for this film, I’ll be surprised”.
We went on, to ‘The Birth of the Twins’. How exciting can it get for a Star Wars and Star Wars Music afficionado? I turned round to see the screen behind us, and I could see the births intercut with the building of…him. The birth of Vader, clearly, being paralleled with the birth of Luke and Leia. As babies are handed to people, in another location ‘the helmet’ descends onto Anakin’s broken face, to just one chord (minor of course) which builds from p to a deafening fff and back down again. Later I cut into the control booth with some of the orchestra, and listen with fascinated enjoyment as Lucas (sitting by me) begins to impersonate Vader’s breathing, much to the amusement of all. “We’ve got to get the breathing to work with the music there, John”, says George.
Next: “The Death of Padme”. A re-placement of an earlier choral track from the new extant Episodes. The visuals look glorious.
Now its lunch, and the choir are officially finished. But I make a decision. I’m not going to go – not now. After all these years? So I sneak in after lunch, and sit at the side of the orchestra. It’s a risk (I could get thrown out), but I take it – it's too important. It’s just me, the LSO, John Williams and an unfinished Star Wars III on the big screen. We’ve an extraordinary-looking space battle to get through, which rocks like nothing else (“Cool”, proclaims Lucas after one extra-vigorous take, a cross between the Hoth Ice Battle and the end of the Episode IV fighter-battle music), and then a quiet scene between Palpatine and the falling Anakin (“I love this scene,” says Williams. “The old guy’s great”). The former contains a striking brass fanfare as ships land and troops mass (we’ve heard it in Episode I), and Williams takes it separate to the rest of the cue, so he can sound-mix it more carefully. By contrast, the latter scene contains a moment for a solo cello trio, which is played gloriously by three members of the LSO.
This score feels immediately more emotionally full, dense, than the scores for Episodes I and II. And that feels somehow right – there’s so much more going on, so much more of importance to the Star Wars of IV, V and VI in this one. I get the feeling this score is going to be more interesting than I and II, more engaging – and the film too.
Anthony Daniels and Frank Oz suddenly appear, dropping in for a quick ogle at the process. Lucas signs my music. Williams extends a hand for me to shake – “Good luck in your own work, Andrew,” he says generously. How much better can it get?
And the best news? London Voices are back for another day next Tuesday…
-- Andrew Hewitt
An exclusive report by Andrew Hewitt, member of the London Voices for Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (CONTAINS SPOILERS)
Playing My Part in The Revenge of the Sith
Today was a dream come true. Sounds corny, I know. But it was. A dream come true.
I grew up with Star Wars… a young classical musician suddenly introduced to a different world: a world where orchestras played not with feeling, but for feeling. That was the function of film music, and I found it in Star Wars. So I decided when I was still a child that I would be a film composer – and I’m on my way – but I sing too, and one of the choirs I sing for is the London Voices. I did the Lord of the Rings Trilogy with them, and that was stunning. But this…this was a different world. This was John Williams.
Usually, film conductors will have the choir and orchestra on different days – it's complicated to get it together, in such a quick time (ie. sight-reading), and the balancing of their respective volumes can get difficult. But Williams prefers them together – so he gets them that way. It was just unbelievable: the first track, titled ‘Lament’ (we didn’t know what for) was the most intense expression of feeling. It was thickly textured, and wildly passionate. And this man is 73. He’s written for Indy, and E.T. and Close Encounters and Schindler's, and he’s got between 2 and 3 hours of music to produce for this film alone, and still the music is like nothing else. It was beautiful, and made me turn to a fellow singer with, “If Williams doesn’t win an Oscar for this film, I’ll be surprised”.
We went on, to ‘The Birth of the Twins’. How exciting can it get for a Star Wars and Star Wars Music afficionado? I turned round to see the screen behind us, and I could see the births intercut with the building of…him. The birth of Vader, clearly, being paralleled with the birth of Luke and Leia. As babies are handed to people, in another location ‘the helmet’ descends onto Anakin’s broken face, to just one chord (minor of course) which builds from p to a deafening fff and back down again. Later I cut into the control booth with some of the orchestra, and listen with fascinated enjoyment as Lucas (sitting by me) begins to impersonate Vader’s breathing, much to the amusement of all. “We’ve got to get the breathing to work with the music there, John”, says George.
Next: “The Death of Padme”. A re-placement of an earlier choral track from the new extant Episodes. The visuals look glorious.
Now its lunch, and the choir are officially finished. But I make a decision. I’m not going to go – not now. After all these years? So I sneak in after lunch, and sit at the side of the orchestra. It’s a risk (I could get thrown out), but I take it – it's too important. It’s just me, the LSO, John Williams and an unfinished Star Wars III on the big screen. We’ve an extraordinary-looking space battle to get through, which rocks like nothing else (“Cool”, proclaims Lucas after one extra-vigorous take, a cross between the Hoth Ice Battle and the end of the Episode IV fighter-battle music), and then a quiet scene between Palpatine and the falling Anakin (“I love this scene,” says Williams. “The old guy’s great”). The former contains a striking brass fanfare as ships land and troops mass (we’ve heard it in Episode I), and Williams takes it separate to the rest of the cue, so he can sound-mix it more carefully. By contrast, the latter scene contains a moment for a solo cello trio, which is played gloriously by three members of the LSO.
This score feels immediately more emotionally full, dense, than the scores for Episodes I and II. And that feels somehow right – there’s so much more going on, so much more of importance to the Star Wars of IV, V and VI in this one. I get the feeling this score is going to be more interesting than I and II, more engaging – and the film too.
Anthony Daniels and Frank Oz suddenly appear, dropping in for a quick ogle at the process. Lucas signs my music. Williams extends a hand for me to shake – “Good luck in your own work, Andrew,” he says generously. How much better can it get?
And the best news? London Voices are back for another day next Tuesday…
-- Andrew Hewitt
The Force is strong in this one...
I've some more Star Wars Episode 3 treats for you with these two fantastic leaked stills below!
The sight of Chewbacca (vintage Starwars!) standing alongside Yoda and fellow Wookie General Tarful...
Anakin Skywalker doing no less than Throttling Master Obi Wan Kenobi....
MAY 2005 IS GOING TO ROCK!
Batman Begins, War of the Worlds - ITS ALL OVER! Nothing will touch Starwars this summer, NOTHING!
The sight of Chewbacca (vintage Starwars!) standing alongside Yoda and fellow Wookie General Tarful...
Anakin Skywalker doing no less than Throttling Master Obi Wan Kenobi....
MAY 2005 IS GOING TO ROCK!
Batman Begins, War of the Worlds - ITS ALL OVER! Nothing will touch Starwars this summer, NOTHING!
Monday, February 07, 2005
Tucker and Ratner To Testify at Jackson Trial
Source: Internet Movie Database
Hollywood director Brett Ratner and actor Chris Tucker are expected to testify at Michael Jackson's child molestation trial. The Rush Hour film-maker and funnyman Tucker met Jackson's child accuser and his relatives before the Thriller superstar had even met the teenage boy. Illinois newspaper Chicago Sun-Times reports Ratner and Tucker invited the accuser's family to spend time on the set of the crime caper in early 2001. Tucker went on to fly the family back and forth between Miami, Florida and Jackson's Neverland Ranch in California in 2003, the place where the singer is alleged to have molested the youngster. The movie stars are expected to brand the family as "gold-diggers", backing up Jackson's allegations. Jackson's trial on 10 felony charges of child molestation, administering an intoxicating agent, and conspiracy involving allegations of child abduction, false imprisonment and extortion started in Santa Maria, California on Monday.
Hollywood director Brett Ratner and actor Chris Tucker are expected to testify at Michael Jackson's child molestation trial. The Rush Hour film-maker and funnyman Tucker met Jackson's child accuser and his relatives before the Thriller superstar had even met the teenage boy. Illinois newspaper Chicago Sun-Times reports Ratner and Tucker invited the accuser's family to spend time on the set of the crime caper in early 2001. Tucker went on to fly the family back and forth between Miami, Florida and Jackson's Neverland Ranch in California in 2003, the place where the singer is alleged to have molested the youngster. The movie stars are expected to brand the family as "gold-diggers", backing up Jackson's allegations. Jackson's trial on 10 felony charges of child molestation, administering an intoxicating agent, and conspiracy involving allegations of child abduction, false imprisonment and extortion started in Santa Maria, California on Monday.
Usher - Can his head get any bigger?... no really!?
I think Usher Raymond is nothing but a damn fool after going on national TV proclaiming himself as the "Next Michael Jackson".
First of all there is only ONE Michael Jackson, and he just so happens to have more talent and charisma in his little finger than the conceited MTV flavour of the month.
Sure Confessions was a good album, but on the same grounds as Bad, Thriller, Dangerous?? I THINK NOT! 20 years later and people are still jamming to Beat It and Billie Jean. Does Usher actually think that in 20 weeks time, let alone 20 years time, that any of us will really still give a shit about 'Yeah' and 'Caught Up'??!
When you see MJ on stage, when he dances, when he moves you cant help but look, you cant help but be memorized by his kinetic energy and raw talent. When Usher enters MJ emulation mode, who gives a shit?.. no really??!!
Whenever that arrogant fool invades my MTV, I reach for my remote - that’s the ONLY impact he has on me.
First of all there is only ONE Michael Jackson, and he just so happens to have more talent and charisma in his little finger than the conceited MTV flavour of the month.
Sure Confessions was a good album, but on the same grounds as Bad, Thriller, Dangerous?? I THINK NOT! 20 years later and people are still jamming to Beat It and Billie Jean. Does Usher actually think that in 20 weeks time, let alone 20 years time, that any of us will really still give a shit about 'Yeah' and 'Caught Up'??!
When you see MJ on stage, when he dances, when he moves you cant help but look, you cant help but be memorized by his kinetic energy and raw talent. When Usher enters MJ emulation mode, who gives a shit?.. no really??!!
Whenever that arrogant fool invades my MTV, I reach for my remote - that’s the ONLY impact he has on me.
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