Blogcritics Video News

Monk To Return January 9 for Season 7.5

Daddypundit — Fri, 9 Jan 2009 08:27:39 EST

Defective detective Adrian Monk is back with a whole new set of baffling mysteries. First he must help his half-brother clear his name.
Everyone's favorite obsessive-compulsive detective Adrian Monk (Tony Shaloub) is back and ready for a brand new set of cases beginning January 9. If the opening installment, "Mr. Monk and the Other Brother," is any indication, fans are in store for another terrific season.Steve Zahn (That Thing You Do, Sahara) gives an inspired...

PBS Primetime Programming for the Week of January 11

Josh Lasser — Fri, 9 Jan 2009 07:31:35 EST

The creation of the Sword in the Stone ride continues.
So that you don't think I've forgotten, I want you to be well aware that I'm still on the hunt for the perfect location for my Sword in the Stone ride. I'm studying maps of the Magic Kingdom, I'm plotting points in EPCOT, I'm discovering nooks in Disney Hollywood Studios, and I'm going apoplectic looking for possible...

New Movies and Box Office Predictions: Bride Wars, Not Easily Broken, The Unborn, Gran Torino

Chris Beaumont — Fri, 9 Jan 2009 01:58:23 EST

The first new movies of 2009 are here.
You may have noticed that there was no New Movies column last week. The reason why is simple -- there were no new releases! Plus, the chances of any big shakeup in the order of the top ten was unlikely, so I chose to take the day off and get some well deserved rest (at least I think it was well deserved). Anyway, I am back and 2009 is upon us with...

Award Watch: Academy Trims Visual Effects List and Critics To Make Choices

Michael Bialas — Wed, 7 Jan 2009 18:39:04 EST

In a battle of the most visually stunning, it's Iron Man vs. The Dark Knight, Benjamin Button and ... Australia?
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced Tuesday that seven films remain in the running in the visual effects category for the 81st Academy Awards. The films are listed below in alphabetical order:...

Snuggle Up With Blogcritics And A So You Think You Can Dance Giveaway

Josh Lasser — Tue, 8 Jul 2008 13:47:46 EDT

You think you can dance, but how are you with snuggling?
FOX airs a show entitled So You Think You Can Dance (airing Wednesday and Thursday nights this summer) and, as you're probably aware, the show features people dancing. It's a competition, and some of what the people do is quite outstanding. No lie, watch these folks dance. I know that I can't do it, and I certainly don't think I can...

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Tue, 8 Jul 2008 13:47:46 EDT

Announcement: Short-content feeds

Phillip Winn — Sun, 26 Aug 2007 12:00:00 EDT

Sunday, August 26, 2007, marks the switch of all Blogcritics.org article feeds from full-content to short-content. This is the result of several converging factors, and is unfortunately a permanent decision (as permanent as any decision can be on the web, that is). We are aware of all of the reasons that this is a Bad Idea, and we are aware that some of you will be quite upset about having to click on something to read the free content, and we're sorry. Unfortunately, despite great effort, full-content feeds are not currently economically viable. Two other factors are involved: full-content feeds have resulted in an unprecedented level of content theft, with BC content appearing on many websites, usually spam sites, without attribution or permission. This duplicate content causes a cascading set of problems, not the least of which is that search engines generally aren't favorable to duplicate content, and don't always guess correctly. Finally, our RSS advertising partner is strongly in favor of short-content feeds. We hope that you'll continue to subscribe to BC via RSS, and when an article grabs your eye, it's only a click away, still free on the BC website. Thank you for your understanding.

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Sun, 26 Aug 2007 12:00:00 EDT

Allegations and Denials Flying in Sara Evans' Divorce Mess

Eric Olsen — Wed, 18 Oct 2006 11:53:53 EDT

If you don't listen to country music or watch reality TV, then you may not know Sara Evans from Bob Evans. But if you do, you know the Academy of Country Music's Female Vocalist of the Year's abrupt resignation from ABC's Dancing With the Stars -- among salacious accusations against her husband and personal assistant -- is the hottest news in Nashville since the Dixie Chicks went peacenik.On last night's Dancing telecast, Evans, in an emotional taped interview with host Tom Bergeron, stated she resigned from the show after last week's episode because she "would have had a nervous breakdown" if she hadn't, adding, "It's very personal, it's very traumatic and it was very hard for my children. Things drastically went downhill 100 miles an hour." "It was always my intention to try to take things very slowly in the marriage," she said in the interview regarding ongoing friction in the 13-year marriage. "I'm completely against divorce," she added for the benefit of her large evangelical Christian following. "My intention was to continue to try everything within my power," but "something happened" to prompt her to end her marriage.Although that "something" -- a "devastating report," she called it -- happened before last week's live show, the plucky little trouper soldiered on. "The good thing is that I'm so used to performing. As you know, as an entertainer, we have the ability to just try to flip the switch, turn it on, do the dance and make it through the day. That's what I was hoping was going to happen throughout the entire life of the show," she told Bergeron.But no. "I needed to be right there, to look at my son at all times to see the expression on his face and see if he's crying. I put him on the phone with our pastor immediately. I knew that nothing in my career, no television show, nothing was more important than that," Evans said. So, adios, samba.The Tennessean newspaper reports the Schelskes had a "public disagreement" over their children outside a Los Angeles restaurant last Tuesday that also figured strongly in Evans' decision to file for divorce. Evans, 35, filed on October 12 (amended on Oct. 16), alleging that husband Craig Schelske, 43, a Republican fundraiser who ran for congress in Oregon's 5th District in 2002, committed adultery with her personal assistant Alison Clinton, was verbally abusive, drank excessively, watched pornography in the presence of their three young children in their Nashville home, and looted their "church tithing" bank account of $274,000 on the day she filed for divorce.The complaint also alleges Schelske has "many" pornographic photographs on his computers, including "at least 100" of him "posing with his erect penis" and "several photographs showing the defendant having sex with other women," and of placing ads on Craig's List seeking "three party" and "anal" sex.Scorched earth! On Monday, accused adulteress Alison Clinton, Evans' (now former) personal assistant and erstwhile nanny to the Schelskes' children, issued a statement through her attorney denying the charges, saying she "categorically reject[s] the sad, unlawful and despicable attempt by Evans to assign part of the blame for her broken marriage on an alleged affair with Evans' husband."Clinton called Evans, who was the maid of honor in her July wedding, a "dear friend" and said she will sign an affidavit "disavowing the allegation," and take a lie detector test. She demanded a public retraction and apology from Evans."I am crushed. I thought Sara was my friend. I have never been anything but loyal to her and her family. I cannot understand this but now I am forced clear my name in order to preserve the best possible future for me and my family," Clinton said.Clinton was the family's nanny for a few years, ending in 2004, when she sought treatment for anorexia. After treatment, she was rehired as Evans' personal assistant and co-president of her fan club. The 5'2" Clinton, 28, weighs about 80 pounds."I cannot explain why Sara is waging a false media campaign, but I intend to defend myself in court and protect my children as best I can," Schelske said in a statement released yesterday. Melody Taber, Schelske's sister, told the Tennessean, "I would like to say in spite of what Sara is doing in the media, not only to my brother but to so many families, we continue to love her and continue to pray for her and our nephew and nieces. I don't recognize the person who is doing this. This is not the Sara we have known for the last 15 years."Sara Evans made her recording debut in 1997 with Three Chords and the Truth, and her breakthrough 2000 album, Born to Fly, went double-platinum. Among her hits are "Perfect," "Suds in the Bucket," and "Real Fine Place to Start."UPDATESchelske returns fire with accusations of his own.

Career media professional Eric Olsen is honored to be the founder and publisher of Blogcritics.org, which, quite frankly, rules - as do his wife and four children.

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Wed, 18 Oct 2006 11:53:53 EDT

Unfabulous Premieres Its First Ever TV Movie

CallmeMaddy — Sat, 23 Sep 2006 21:49:33 EDT

Tomorrow, Nickelodeon premieres Drake and Josh, Zoey 101, and Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide. I was wondering why Unfabulous wasn't part of the triple premiere. The new season of Unfabulous starts a bit later than the rest. But, on October 6th at 8 PM ET/PT, the show comes back with their first TV movie called The Perfect Moment. Throughout the show's existence, the writers have been teasing us with an Addie and Jake pairing. First, Addie likes Jake, but Jake doesn't seem to notice her. Then, as soon as Jake starts to like Addie, Addie gets a boyfriend, Randy. Now, finally, Addie and Jake are both single and both like each other, and then, in typical Nickelodeon fashion, the season ends.Now, a new season and a new chance for Addie and Jake to get together. And either the writers are going to be really mean or they will, finally, grant the wishes of the fans and let Addie and Jake get together.The TV movie, Unfabulous: The Perfect Moment, addresses the Addie-Jake relationship. After a long summer, Jake (Raja Fenske) finally returns from his family trip to Canada for one weekend only. Jake is there to attend his cousin's wedding. Addie (Emma Roberts) decides to crash Jake's cousin's wedding in Chinatown and reveal her feelings for him. Addie runs into some trouble when she finds out she's competing for Jake with evil Patti Perez (Bianca Collins).Addie's brother, Ben (Tadhg Kelly), is suffering from his breakup from his ex, Jen. He goes to Chinatown to follow Jen's new boyfriend. Ben agrees to lend a ride to Addie's friends, Geena (Malese Jow) and Zack (Jordan Calloway).Unfabulous will be airing episodes of its second season starting October 1st at 8:30 ET/PT. New episodes will begin in the first three months of 2007. However, the TV movie is still on October 6th at 8 ET.

Maddy is 17 and is a senior year in high school. She is the Preview/Review editor for her school paper and excels in AP classes. She has a twin and loves the Pittsburgh Steelers. She has a radio show (part of the BC Radio Network) on Wednesdays at 5 PM available at BlogTalkRadio.

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Sat, 23 Sep 2006 21:49:33 EDT

Steve "The Crocodile Hunter" Irwin, Dead at 44

Joan Hunt — Mon, 4 Sep 2006 09:34:57 EDT

Steve Irwin, better known as The Crocodile Hunter, has bound across television screens around the world for the last ten years. His goal: to educate the masses through entertaining presentations about wildlife, habitat, and conservation. He had millions of fans and changed the way wildlife documentaries were made.No matter what you thought of Irwin, the man I met several years ago was absolutely one of the most genuinely kind and also the most energetic person I've ever met. Yes, I am a fan and so is the rest of my family. Like fans everywhere, the news of Steve's death has hit my family hard.Steve Irwin was killed after a stingray barb punctured his chest earlier today. According to ABC.net.au, "Steve Irwin and his team had been filming a new documentary, titled Ocean's Deadliest, at Batt Reef off the coast of the resort town of Port Douglas, when the accident occurred." He had been accompanied by his longtime friend and filmmaker John Stainton on this trip. Stainton said on CNN, "A desperate effort was made to save him." However, by the time rescue workers arrived, they pronounced him dead.A marine science expert from Australia's Sea World, Trevor Long, said Irwin had no chance after taking the barb to the torso. The venom from the type of stingray involved in the incident is a protein-based venom and acts very quickly, stopping cardiac function.Born in Victoria, Australia on February 22, 1962, Steve Irwin was raised to love and respect wildlife by his parents, Bob and Lyn. He received a python for his sixth birthday and wrangled his first croc at age nine while out with his father. By the late '60s and early '70s, their backyard was no longer large enough to adequately house the animals the Irwins tended. Finding a beautiful piece of land in Beerwah, the family built the Beerwah Reptile Park. Visitors paid 40 cents for adults and 20 cents for children to view the menagerie the Irwins had amassed over the years. Lyn worked to rehabilitate healthier animals for future release and worked to develop a successful breeding program for the zoo. Bob became a well-known herpetologist, developing innovative conservation techniques and strategies that have been adopted statewide, and federally in Australia. And, there was young Steve, taking it all in.In his late teens, Steve ventured into the bush to live. Living on his own, foraging food from the land, he gained a new respect for nature. By applying his vast knowledge of wildlife to his everyday encounters with it, he was able to live among the flora and fauna without harm. After nearly two years of life in the bush, Steve returned home to the Queensland Reptile and Fauna Park, as the zoo was renamed. Steve used what he had learned from his parents and what he had learned in the bush to develop a successful relocation program for “rogue” crocodiles. With the relocation program came a bit of local fame. Soon wildlife agencies and zoos from all over Australia were calling Steve and his father to help with “problem” crocodiles and snakes. Because of development in and around the crocodile’s habitat, man and beast were becoming dangerously close. Farmers, ranchers, hunters, and even vacationers were frequently crossing paths with the more aggressive saltwater crocodiles, or salties, leading to increasing fatalities for the crocs. In an effort to bring a more natural balance to the situation, Steve and his dad would team up to move the crocodile to a remote location, preserving the crocodile’s way of life and that of the humans.In 1991, the elder Irwin handed over control of what was by then a much larger facility and Steve's friendship with director Stainton gave way to a series of documentaries. The documentaries soon became the cornerstone for the launch of a new cable channel called Animal Planet. The Crocodile Hunter proved so popular that Discovery approved a half-hour series called The Croc Files, aimed at children more than adults. A look behind the scenes of the Australia Zoo, Croc Hunter Diaries, followed, as did a series called New Breed Vets, in which Steve Irwin profiled veterinarians who worked with animals most vets could only dream of treating. All were an attempt to bring Irwin's love and keen interest in animals to others, especially children, but also entire families. At the time of his death, he was working on yet another new show, one starring his daughter, Bindi.In 2003, Steve appeared on Australian Story, a program appearing on Australian TV. In a look at a transcript from the show, Steve described his unique approach as a wildlife documentarian:I have got a pretty unique style. Historically speaking, when you're looking at wildlife documentaries, it's more or less this, you know, very David Attenborough, where there's... the 'voice of God'. But you know I’m hitting at another angle. My demographics are completely different. For example, you know, little tiny kids only this big, um, hatchlings that have just hatched out. They're into it, and so's Grandma and Grandpa.It was during this interview that Terri Irwin, Steve's American-born wife, answered to some skeptics' criticism of the money the Crocodile Hunter brand had brought in.We get a salary out of the zoo, like everybody else has a wage. But what was funny is when we first started filming 'Crocodile Hunter', and Steve and I said, "Everything 'Croc Hunter' goes into conservation - "the merchandise, the videos, the shows, the sponsorship, "everything 'Crocodile Hunter' does." It was years before we made any money. Now that we're so successful with the project, it's a point of pride. There are varying degrees of success in our life, but we don't accept failure - there will be no failure.Steve Irwin faced many critics during his rise to fame. Grahame Webb, a proponent of crocodile farming -- a practice eschewed by Irwin -- claimed Irwin was irresponsible in his attempts to educate the public about wildlife. Legal battles over the Crocodile Hunter moniker and public scrutiny over Steve taking his one-month old son into a croc enclosure during a demonstration drew even more attention to Irwin and his Australia Zoo. Irwin prevailed in both the battle for the Croc Hunter name and in avoiding charges of child endangerment. Jack Hanna, former director of the Columbus Zoo, told CNN that Steve Irwin was a man who loved and respected wildlife and saw it as his mission to share his enthusiasm with the world. Hanna, still shocked by the news, acknowledged the risks of working with wild animals and their unpredictable nature. He also said the work he and Irwin pursued was one of that was more of a calling than a thrill-seeking choice. To Hanna and fans, Steve seemed invincible. Hanna said he lived his life fully, knew what he was doing, and knew more about reptiles than anyone else out there.In addition to the four television series on Animal Planet, Steve Irwin has authored books and scientific research papers, created a world class zoo, discovered a new species of turtle (Elseya irwini), and created a new generation of "wildlife warriors." My own son is one of those wildlife warriors. He's long planned to marry Steve's daughter and someday help run Australia Zoo. His lifelong dream to meet his wildlife hero will never be realized, but his interest will never wane, of this I'm certain.Steve also managed to bring people from around the world together in fandom. Since 1999, I've managed an online group for "Crocoholics" and I've met several of them over the years. Today, many of them, some who'd not participated with the fansite for a while, are finding their way back and we will share stories of Steve and our admiration for him once again.Steve, thank you for all wonder you brought to our lives through your documentaries and passion for conservation. Good onya, mate.

Former Baywatch babe, Playboy centerfold, and stunt double for Abe Vigoda, Managing Editor of Blogcritics and member of the board of directors for BLUSD, Joanie juggles her love of words, music, photography, wildlife, and television with her greatest love -- her kids. In a perfect, non-Mitty-esque world, her days would be elastic, allowing her to accomplish everything on her "to do" list.

Movie Preview: 13 TZAMETI

Cara de Pescado — Thu, 27 Jul 2006 17:49:02 EDT

Sebastien is a 22-year-old struggling to support his immigrant family. While working on a neighbor’s roof, he hears about a package that promises to bring wealth to the family. Knowing it is an opportunity he cannot miss, Sebastien intercepts the package with specific instructions. Assuming a false identity, he manages to slip through the grasp of the police as he follows the clues. The closer Sebastien gets to his destination, the less he understands about what exactly the clues have him looking for. 13 TZAMETI is a winner-take-all thriller with high stakes leaving an unfortunate man as Contestant #13 in a game where luck is the winning hand. 13 TZAMETI (‘zah-meti’) hits select theaters in New York on Friday July 28th. It won Best First Feature Film at the 2005 Venice Festival and a Grand Jury Prize in World Cinema at the 2006 Sundance Festival. Not bad for Gela Babluani’s first feature.13 TSAMETI is a 90 minute long black and white French thriller on 35mm. Is 13 TZAMETI not yet in your city? Then check out the trailer and get pumped up to a round of Russian Roulette.

In real life she's Erin McMaster, but Cara de Pescado is one of the fortunate ones to be considered a Masked Movie Snob. She puts her fins to work and writes Reviews From A Fishbowl.

World Premiere of Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest This Weekend at Disneyland

Eric Olsen — Fri, 23 Jun 2006 13:52:58 EDT

Three versions of Captain Jack Sparrow will be on display at SoCal's Disneyland tomorrow night -- the 2-D film version, the 3-D animatronic character, and the real life Johnny Depp -- as the Magic Kingdom hosts the red carpet film premiere of the Pirates of the Caribbean sequel Dead Man's Chest, and the private opening of the revamped Pirates of the Caribbean theme park attraction that inspired the films in the first place. Disneyland and Walt Disney World in Florida closed their slightly-different versions of Pirates in March in order to complete updates in time for the wide release opening of the highly anticipated second Pirates film on July 7 (trailer: WM, Real, QuickTime). Dead Man's Chest -- which reunites stars Depp, Orlando Bloom, and Keira Knightley with original director Gore Verbinski and original screenwriters Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio -- hopes to recreate the success of the multi-Oscar-nominated blockbuster first Pirates film, Curse of the Black Pearl, a movie alive with mystery, excitement, myth, humor, magic, salty air, adventure, rum, and honor, brilliantly updating the great pirate epics of yore.And turnabout is fair play as characters from the Pirates films have been added into the swashbuckling Magic Kingdom voyage where "dead men tell no tales." In the updated ride, Captain Jack Sparrow and his nemesis Barbossa race each other through the familiar scenes of surprisingly lusty rapaciousness to claim a cache of plundered treasure - accompanied, of course, by the sea chantey strains of "Yo Ho (A Pirate's Life for Me)." In keeping with inflation, the ride's main treasure scene now includes 400,000 new gold coins and blingy booty items.In addition to vying with Captain Jack for treasure, Barbossa captains the Wicked Wench in the famous battle scene just after guests descend through darkness to the lower-level ride proper, where a pirate galleon exchanges cannon fire with the defending town fortress directly over ride-goers' heads. Special effects have been upgraded to make the cannon blasts more perilously realistic; and later in the ride, the burning town scenes have been made more "fiery" as well.The third new character in the updated animatronic cast of 68 people and 54 animals is a ghostly Davy Jones, the malevolent spirit of the sea from Dead Man's Chest, who materializes via a new waterfall effect. Other changes include an all-new dynamic digital sound design with 270 speakers, the addition of musical cues from the movie soundtracks, and enhanced theatrical lighting designs. "I cannot imagine how anybody can see this attraction and walk off and say, 'Boy, they did something they shouldn't have,' " said Disney Imagineer Kathy Rogers, who oversaw the ride's creative changes. "It really has strengthened the classic.""We shall see," I say skeptically, although really does sound pretty good. Why not update with relevant characters and upgrade using modern technology? The attraction, which opened originally at Disneyland in 1967, officially reopens to guests on June 26 at Disneyland and on July 7 in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World in Florida. MSN Video will webcast the red carpet film premiere and ride reopening live from Disneyland on Saturday, June 24, from 7:00-8:30 p.m. PT (10:00-11:30 p.m. ET), hosted by MSN "Dish Diva" Taylor Johnson -- who will interview the film's stars including Depp, Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley -- and a Disneyland historian and Disney Imagineer, who will discuss the attraction that inspired the movies. Dead Man's Chest opens to find Will (Bloom) and Elizabeth (Knightley) preparing to exchange wedding vows. But their plans hit choppy waters with the arrival of Captain Jack Sparrow, who owes a blood debt to an implacable Davy Jones (Bill Nighy). The only way the salty rapscallion can elude the wrath of his supernatural pursuer is with the aid of Gypsy queen Tia Dalma (Naomie Harris), whose powers may help keep Jack out of the dreaded locker of his legendary nemesis.

Career media professional Eric Olsen is honored to be the founder and publisher of Blogcritics.org, which, quite frankly, rules - as do his wife and four children.