Weekly buzz
Here’s your weekly buzz on upcoming events in the pop culture world.
Feel free to add any news if you don’t see it here, especially anything cool happening locally or regionally.
Big-screen debuts
It looks like there are some good movies opening this weekend, but I think “300” will remain on top this weekend.
The sequel to “The Hills Have Eyes” opens this weekend. This time around, a group of National Guard members fall victim to mutant people living in the New Mexico desert hills.
If you didn’t get enough of Mark Wahlberg in “The Departed,” then you’ll love “Shooter” that opens Friday. He gets the starring role in this film, where he portrays a former Marine sniper that returns to his
old job after learning of a plot to kill the president. Ultimately, he is framed for the attempt and goes on a hunt for the real killer.
And for all you “Office” fans, you’ll want to check out “The Last Mimzy.” It stars Rainn Wilson, who is better known for his role as Dwight Schrute on TV sitcom. The movie is a sci-fi flick that tells the story of two siblings who develop special talents after finding a mysterious box of toys.
Speaking of movies…
You can’t be too surprised by this one, but latest news is that an L.A. company is beginning production on an Anna Nicole Smith movie. Two actresses, not yet cast, are expected to play Smith at different ages. The movie could be released as early as June.
Listen up
There are lots of new album releases coming out on Tuesday.
Here are a few to look out for next week:
“Good Morning Revival” by Good Charlotte
“ Crystal Visions – The Very Best of Stevie Nicks” by Stevie Nicks
“Big” by Macy Gray
“Let it go” by Tim McGraw
“Dogg Chit” by Tha Dogg Pound
“Songs of Inspiration II” by Alabama
For all you couch potatoes
I’m sure you’ve seen the commercials for Discovery Channel’s upcoming show called “Planet Earth.” The 11-part documentary series premieres Sunday. I don’t usually watch nature shows but this looks worth it. It took 71 cameramen more than 2,000 days in 200 locations to capture High-Def images of our planet. Judging by the commercials alone, I think it’s worth a look.
It will air on consecutive Sundays from March 25 through April 22, which happens to be “Earth Day.” Sigourney Weaver narrates the series.
The Madness continues…
Plenty of basketball returns tonight. The “Sweet 16” gets underway tonight in NCAA basketball action. All the games will be shown on CBS throughout the weekend.
If you’re not a hoops fan, check out some tennis matches on ESPN 2 this weekend. It’s the ATP Tennis Sony Ericson Open. It starts today.
Get your tickets!
Seats are still available for the Tragically Hip concert on April 13 at the State Theatre in Detroit . Call (313) 961-5451 for more info.
Tickets are still available to see Harry Connick Jr. on April 12. He’s playing at Stranahan Theatre in Toledo . Call (419) 381-8851 for tickets.
Reality check
Yes, it’s true. Sanjaya is still on American Idol after last night’s elimination round. Instead, Stephanie Edwards was voted off.
This means that Sanjaya, possibly the worst singer to step on the Idol stage, made it to the top 10. That also means he’ll be on the American Idol tour – an honor only given to the top 10 singers of each season.
On Monday, Dancing with the Stars returns for “round two.” It airs at 8 p.m. Monday on ABC. It will be followed up with an elimination round on Tuesday.
In its fourth season, the show made a slight change in the elimination process. Instead of booting a ‘celebrity’ off the show after one week, they are giving them two weeks before the first elimination round.
In other words, we have to suffer through one more Billy Ray Cyrus routine before he gets kicked off on Tuesday. Could I be wrong? It’s possible, but doubtful. I think Apolo Ohno (Olympic speed skater) is the next Mario Lopez. Let me know what you think!
March 23rd, 2007 at 10:47 am
Ohno for the guy’s & I am a Shandi fan for the ladies.
March 23rd, 2007 at 5:03 pm
Yes, Shandi seems promising, too.
I think they have a pretty good group of ‘celebrities’ this year but it’s tough to beat last season. Have fun watching!
March 23rd, 2007 at 9:16 pm
Is this the best place to leave live music info? Anyway, if anyone is interested in seeing a wonderful Swing Big Band, the II-V-I Orchestra (two-five-one) is playing up in Ann Arbor on Sunday evening at 6:30 at the Creekside Restuarant on Jackson Road near Zeeb Road. They feature a female vocalist and a male singer who is a Frank Sinatra sounding performer.
There is some space for dancing. Five bucks gets you in. I tell you, if you always regreted that you were born too late to see Sinatra perform, you absolutely gotta see this band!!
April 3rd, 2007 at 12:03 am
we are big ‘planet earth’ fans. if you haven’t checked it out, it is awesome. great family show. we were glued to sunday’s episodes. i let my 4 year old stay up late to watch them, she and i both are entralled.