MOVIE NOTES
Michael Moore has announced that he will do a sequel to “Fahrenheit 9/11” for release next year. Still untitled, the film will focus on the current war in Iraq and our economy.
Though nothing has been made official, England’s “Empire” magazine has reported that Ian McKellen will be playing Gandalf the Wizard in the upcoming “Hobbit” films. According to the mags web site, McKellen told them that “Hobbit” director Guillermo del Toro had called him up and told him that he would again be playing the Wizard.
I hope Michael Moore isn’t planning on releasing his latest doc in May next year. If so, he’s going to have some company. Already scheduled for 2009:
MAY 1 – X-men Origins: Wolverine
MAY 8 - Star Trek
MAY 15- Angels and Demons (the sequel to “The DaVinci Code”)
MAY 22 – Terminator 4
MAY 29 - UP (the latest from PIXAR)
And while we’re marking our calendars, here’s some dates to remember for 2010
April 30 - Iron Man 2
May 7 – Voyage of the Dawn Treader (the next “Narnia” film – rest assured I won’t be reviewing it!)
June 4 - Thor
And 2011
May 6 – The First Avenger: Captain America
July - The Avengers (the origins of the Marvel crime fighting team)
MUSIC NOTES
Are you ready Steve? Andy? Mick? OK. That’s right fellas, 70’s glitz band Sweet is back. Reformed by original bassist and co-founder Steve Priest, the band begins touring on June 16. Among their biggest hits: “Ballroom Blitz,” “Fox on the Run,” “Love is Like Oxygen” and “Little Willy.” The tour is dedicated to the memory of late band members Brian Connolly and Mick Tucker.
Shades of Ripper Owens. This summer former Home Depot credit manager Tommy DeCarlo will be the new frontman for Boston, replacing Brad Delp, who passed away last summer. As a tribute to Delp, DeCarlo posted a video of himself singing along to a Boston kareaoke track on his MySpace page. A visitor to the page emailed it to Boston guitarist Tom Scholz who was so amazed he first thought it was a bootleg concert video. After a quick audition, DeCarlo was given the gig and will tour with the band this summer. He will also share vocal duties with former Stryper vocalist Michael Sweet on Boston’s next album, due next year.
PASSING ON
I meant to mention last week the passing of Eddie Arnold, one of the legends of country music. Mr. Arnold passed away last week at the age of 89, a few days shy of his 90th birthday. Known for such hits as "Cattle Call," "Make the World Go Away" and "What's He Doing In My World," Arnold recorded 100 albums, the most recent released in 2005. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1966. His wife of 66 years, Sally, had passed away in March.
Ted Key, cartoonist best known for his strip "Hazel" in the Saturday Evening Post, died this week at the age of 95. The popular comic was also the basis for the television series of the same name starring Shirley Booth. Key also created the characters of Mr. Peabody and Sherman, who were featured on the "Rocky and Bullwinkle Show."MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
5 years ago, apparently. I wouldn't be surprised to see this banner flying over the White House on President Bush's last day in office!
AND THE OSCAR FOR 1977 SHOULD HAVE GONE TO...
