return to blogsMonroe.com

‘Donnie Darko’ sequel being made

May 12th, 2008 by Michelle Swartz

A Donnie Darko sequel, to be called “S. Darko” is being filmed on a $10 million budget.

It’s a follow up to the cult hit “Donnie Darko” released in 2001.

The sequel, which begins filming Sunday, is being directed by Chris Fisher, who made Nightstalker and Rampage: The Hillside Strangler Murders.

Daviegh Chase reprises her role as Donnie’s younger sister. The cast for S. Darko also includes Ed Westwick, Briana Evigan and Justin Chatwin.

The story picks up seven years after the first film when little sister Samantha Darko and her best friend Corey are now 18 and on a roadtrip to Los Angeles when they are plagued by bizarre visions.

Richard Kelly, who directed Donnie Darko, is not involved in any official capacity.

What do you think about this? Donnie Darko is such a great film - should it be left alone or are you excited about a sequel?

I am not happy about this at all. Leave this cult classic ALONE!!!

Iron Man still No. 1

May 12th, 2008 by Michelle Swartz

Speed Racer was no match for Iron Man.

Iron Man, starring Robert Downey Jr., continued its reign at the box office with $50.5 million in ticket sales over the weekend.

In its debut, Speed Racer earned $20.2 million, only slightly ahead of the comedy “What Happens in Vegas,” which debuted at $20 million.

Iron Man soon will have stiff competition when it faces “Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian” on Friday and “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” on May 22.

Top 10 Box Office

1. Iron Man, $50.5 million

2. Speed Racer, $20.2 million

3. What Happens In Vegas, $20 million

4. Made of Honor, $7.6 million

5. Baby Mama, $5.8 million

6. Forgetting Sarah Marshall, $3.8 million

7. Harold & Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay, $3.2 million

8. The Forbidden Kingdom, $1.9 million

9. Nim’s Island, $1.3 million

10. Redbelt, $1.1 million   

Pics of Pitt, Clooney in Coen brothers film

May 9th, 2008 by Michelle Swartz

The Coen brothers are moving full steam ahead after winning Oscars for “No Country for Old Men.”

But for their next film, they are going back to their roots of comedy (Raising Arizona and Big Lebowski). They are currently filming “Burn After Reading” starring Brad Pitt and George Clooney.

The dark-spy comedy is about an ousted CIA official whose memoir accidentally falls into the hands of two unwise D.C. gym workers who intend on exploiting their find.

The movie is set to be released on Sept. 12.

See photos of the two stars right HERE.

“Lost” adding hours for final 2 seasons

May 9th, 2008 by Michelle Swartz

ABC is adding an hour to each of the next two seasons of “Lost.”

The 2009 and 2010 seasons will be 17 hours each. Previously, the only planned 16 each. The additional hours is to make up for episodes lost during the strike.

Co-creator Damon Lindelof commented recently on the show’s upcoming season finale. He promised a more action-driven cliffhanger than a mind-bending flash-forward that shocked fans last season.

“The finale this year will not be as tricky as last  year,” he said. “Hopefully, this year it’s a little bit more of a straightforward action-adventure narrative. But the ending of the episode will hopefully engage and intrigue people looking forward to the next season of the show.”

So, what did you think of last night’s episode? I love ‘John’ episodes and last night’s show did not disappoint! I can’t wait to see what happens next week!

Star Wars trailer debuts TONIGHT on TV

May 8th, 2008 by Michelle Swartz

A new trailer for “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” will debut at 7:58 p.m. tonight on five TV networks.

It can be seen on TNT, TBS, CNN, Cartoon Network and Boomerang. The trailer will debut in theaters on Friday.

The animated feature opens in movie theaters on Aug. 15.

For details on the film, visit www.starwars.com.

WEEKLY BUZZ

May 8th, 2008 by Michelle Swartz

Happy Thursday! Here is another installment of the Weekly Buzz, which runs every Thursday.

TV NEWS

–MTV renewed “The Hills” for a fourth season. Yeah!

–Lindsay Lohan will make a guest appearance on the May 22 season finale of Ugly Betty. She also is expected to appear in five episodes next season.

–ABC has canceled Men In Trees.

–AMC has renewed Breaking Bad.

–The 4th season of The Office will be released on Sept. 9.

–Top Chef will remain at NBC Universal. Meanwhile, NBC is suing The Weinstein Co. to try and prevent Project Runway’s move to Lifetime next season.

TV FINALES

Tonight — Scrubs (NBC); 30 Rock (NBC)

Sunday — Survivor (CBS); Brothers & Sisters (ABC)

Monday — Samantha Who? (ABC); The Bachelor (ABC); Medium (ABC)

Tuesday — Beauty and the Geek (CW); Women’s Murder Club (ABC); Law & Order: SVU (NBC)

Wednesday — Til Death (Fox); Back to You (Fox); America’s Next Top Model (CW); The Big 4-0 (TV Land); MI-5 (BBC America)

MUSIC NEWS

–Stevie Nicks is going on tour this summer. She will perform at DTE Energy Music Theater on June 15 and at the Toledo Zoo on June 25.

–Pearl Jam currently is working on its 9th studio album. They won’t announce a release date, but said it would come out soon.

–In case you missed it, Midnight Oil’s 1987 album “Diesel and Dust” was re-mastered and released on April 29. The band also is in the process of remastering its six other pre-1990 albums.

–This summer, Foreigner is releasing its greatest hits album, “No End in Sight: The Very Best of Foreigner.” It features live performances, unreleased tracks and of course, the classic hits like ‘Hot Blooded’ and ‘Feels Like the First Time.’ It comes out July 15.

 ALBUMS…going on sale Tuesday, May 13:

-Death Cab for Cutie, “Narrow Stairs”

-Ryan Cabrera, “The Moon Under Water”

-Filter, “Anthems For the Damned”

-Keith Sweat, “Just Me”

-Foxy Brown, “Brooklyn’s Don Diva”

-Bryan Adams, “11″ [Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club only]

MOVIES…arriving in theaters Friday, May 9:  

-Speed Racer

-What Happens in Vegas

Limited release: The Fall, Frontier(s), OSS 117: Cario — Nest of Spies, Surfwise, Vice

DVDs…being released on Tuesday, May 13:

-Untraceable

-A Good Man is Hard to Find

-The Great Debaters

-Mad Money

-The Classics Sci-Fi Ultimate Collection: Volumes 1 & 2

-Frank Sinatra: The Early Years

-Frank Sinatra: The Golden Years

-Frank Sinatra & Gene Kelly Collection

-Indiana Jones and hte Last Crusade (Special Edition)

-Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark (Special Edition)

-Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (Special Edition)

-Indiana Jones: The Adventure Collection

LOCAL EVENTS

–Motocross Racing Association is holding its 2008 race season Friday at Milan Cycle City, 11400 Townsend Rd., Milan, next to Milan Dragway. Racing is every Friday night. Racing begins at 8 p.m. For details, go to www.racemra.com.

-Lost Arts Festival IV will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Bedford Branch Library, 8575 Jackman Rd. It’s a free event.

REGIONAL EVENTS

–Scrapbook Mega Meet will be today through Saturday at Rock Financial Showplace, 46100 Grand River Blvd., Novi. It will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and Friday and fropm 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Admission is $10, parking is $5.

–2008 Navy SEAL Fitness Challenge will be from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday at the Recreation Center at Ford Community and Performing Arts Center, 15801 Michigan Ave., Dearborn. For details or to pre-register, go to www.sealfitnesschallenge.com.

–Birmingham Fine Art Festival will be Saturday and Sunday in Shain Park, Birmingham. For details, visit www.bbartcenter.org or call (248) 644-0866.

–The Mesick Mushroom Festival is having a Giant Flea Market, complete with a carnival, races, softball tournaments, a parade and much more. It is Sunday through Tuesday. For details, visit www.mesick-mushroomfest.org.

–The 4th annual Northwest Ohio Miniature Fair Dollhouse and Miniature Show will be from 4 to 9 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Clarion Hotel, 3536 Secor Rd., Toledo.

Dreadlock boy goes home

May 8th, 2008 by Michelle Swartz

No big shock on American Idol last night.

Jason Castro was eliminated.

Syesha, David Archuleta and David Cook are the 3 singers remaining in the competition.

Now’s your chance to be in a movie!!

May 7th, 2008 by Michelle Swartz

Now is your chance to go Hollywood!

An open casting call for extras and all actors will be THURSDAY and SATURDAY.

It is from 4 to 9 p.m. Thursday and another one from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday at Studio 601, 601 Washington at Congress, Detroit. (It’s across from Cobo Hall).

The casting call is for movies set to be made in MICHIGAN.

For more details, visit www.castingmotorcity.com.

Good luck!

Mario says goodbye to ‘Dancing’

May 7th, 2008 by Michelle Swartz

R&B singer Mario was the next victim to be voted off Dancing with the Stars.

He was eliminated last night, along with his partner Karina Smirnoff.

Only four remain: Kristi Yamaguchi, Jason Taylor, Cristian de la Fuente and Marissa Winokur.

Who’s next to go? My money is on Marissa…

BEST celebrity mullets

May 6th, 2008 by Michelle Swartz

Asylum.com ranked the top 15 celebrity mullets.

Check them out HERE.

Florence Henderson made the cut…yikes!