Coming soon to theaters: Miss Conception starring Heather Graham

You know, no shit - just the other day, I was wondering: whatever happened to Heather Graham? It's like after doing 1999's Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, her career has suffered or something. (Got me how that one happened... Ahem.)

Okay, but every so often, her name pops up in obscure indie-ish films (Gray Matters), yadda, yadda, yadda... but rarely is it for something I'm even remotely interested in seeing (Broken). And it's too bad, because I've actually missed her goofy charm making its appearance in the mainstream (Scrubs).

 I'll tell you what, though: after seeing the promo trailer for her new movie, Miss Conception, I'm beginning to wish that she just would have remained obscure.

See, for a while now, I've been happy to just sit back and wait for Heather Graham to rebuild her career - to come back shiny and fresh and new. I've been waiting for the Heather Graham I once believed in to swoop in and blow everyone away with her newly discovered sense of self, and a new ability to choose a role that will actually garner her some respect.

But now that I've seen this new trailer, I can't sit idly by any longer; I must speak out. I feel obligated, Miss Conception Graham, to clue you in on something: I don't think that this film - the plot for which revolves around a pre-menopausal woman achingly desperate to have a baby - is going to do you any favors. I mean, last year was the year of preggo films (see: Juno, Knocked Up); this is so five minutes ago. And even if it wasn't, did you really have to do it with a fake English accent?:

Really?!

And did it have to be in a film that is so obviously cliché - that looks so vapid, so vacant, so cheesy that I can barely sit through the preview? Come on, Heather. You're better than this! Read some self-help books; get a therapist. Do what needs to be done! Because I believe I can speak for all of your fans when I say: we want our Heather Graham back: the one that is the little blonde cutie pie with the goofy grin and awkward charm. The one that shows some brains, some spunk, and is downright adorable. We wish you luck, Ms. Graham, we really do. But this version of yourself: the English accented desperate bimbo? Well, she's just gotta go.

• Miss Conception starring Heather Graham and Mia Kirshner: First Look Studios. Release Date: June 6, 2008. Tickets available online at Fandango.com.

Say what you want about Madonna, the woman has some serious cojones.

At 49 years old (why does everyone prematurely keep calling her "50"?!?) she is still proving that she can keep up with the youngest, hottest music acts out there. (If you haven't heard her latest single, "4 Minutes" featuring Timbaland and Justin Timberlake, it's hot!) From pop to rock to dance to flavors of hip-hop, the Queen of Pop is yet again proving that she can hang with the big boys...

... and in more ways than one.

Just an example of how she oh-so-stylishly continues to tell the world to go fuck themselves is how she presents herself: take no prisoners, offer no apologies. Already, she's had people slamming her based on the imagery from her new album as gross or too explicit "for a woman her age" and, yet, while the world is armed to the teeth to write her off as a washed up old lady, she still doesn't give a rat's ass.

God, I love that about her.

Hard Candy, Madonna's latest release, is due out on Tuesday - and our preliminary review only requires two words: fucking. awesome.

Don't believe me? Starting today, she's offering up the album for free on MySpace.

Like whatcha hear? (Betcha do!) Preorder it on Amazon.com - or check it out on iTunes. The official U.S. release date is Tuesday, April 29th.

 

• Watch the Video for "4 Minutes":

Now through April 24th, you can visit eBay for your chance to bid on exclusive, autographed posters from The Bank Job starring Jason Statham.

The winning bidders will receive studio certified posters signed by the cast along with a signed letter verifying their authenticity.  Auctions begin today and will continue through the film's opening weekend.  Interested fans and collectors should be aware there are only a limited amount (10, from what I'm reading) of posters available. 

Included in the auction is: a signed poster from Jason Statham and a hand-signed letter from a Lionsgate executive.

Very cool for fans of the movie, as well as collectors. And, it's for a good cause, too: All (and by all, I mean 100% of the) proceeds will benefit the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.

The starting bid is $84.99 plus $9.99 shipping. Click here to view the auction, which ends April 24th.

• Film Synopsis:
  
  Inspired by the infamous 1971 robbery that took place at the Lloyds Bank in Marylebone London, Lionsgate's The Bank Job stars Jason Statham (Transporter, Snatch, Crank, The Italian Job) and Saffron Burrows (Klimt, Enigma). The highly-charged heist thriller tautly interweaves high-level corruption, murder and sexual scandal in 1970s England. 
  
  A car dealer with a dodgy past and new family, Terry (Statham) has always avoided major-league scams. But when Martine (Burrows), a beautiful model from his old neighborhood, offers him a lead on a foolproof bank hit on London's Baker Street, Terry recognizes the opportunity of a lifetime. Martine targets a roomful of safe deposit boxes worth millions in cash and jewelry. But Terry and his crew don't realize the boxes also contain a treasure trove of dirty secrets - secrets that will thrust them into a deadly web of corruption and illicit scandal that spans London's criminal underworld, the highest echelons of the British government, and the Royal Family itself... the true story of a heist gone wrong... in all the right ways.

• Watch the Trailer:
  
  

Press Release from Sony Creative Software

The Princess Bride Game Theme Remix Contest on AcidPlanet.com gives fans an exclusive opportunity to remix the title track for new downloadable video game based on the popular movie 

NEW YORK, NY - April 16, 2008 - ACIDplanet.com one of the Internet's premier sites for user-generated music, video content, computer-based recording and remixing tools, today launched a contest to develop a new version of the film's title theme song timed with a new downloadable video game based on the classic 1987 film, The Princess Bride. Contestants can download the components from the Sony Creative Software ACIDplanet.com website and remix their own title track from The Princess Bride Game (available at http://www.princessbridegame.com/) created by Worldwide Biggies and debuting in June 2008.

"The Princess Bride movie has an extensive fan base that's very excited about the new Princess Bride Game based on the classic film," said Albie Hecht, founder and CEO of Worldwide Biggies Inc. "We're pleased to be offering fans a unique way to participate in the creation of the game through the ACIDplanet.com theme contest."

The Princess Bride Game combines the best of movie-quality animation with the best of casual and adventure games - all based on the classic hit movie. The Princess Bride Game allows players to compete for high scores and advance through dozens of levels that are simple to start, addictive to play and challenging to master. In order to live happily ever after, would-be heroes will have to help the Princess and her True Love defeat dastardly villains, survive the Fire Swamp, concoct miracle remedies, and vanquish the evil prince. Along the way, players will take on the roles of and interact with a cast of beloved Princess Bride characters including Buttercup, Westley, Inigo, Fezzik, Vizzini and Miracle Max.

"The ACIDplanet.com community has consistently developed creative and edgy tracks for numerous remix contests, so we're very pleased to be teaming up with Worldwide Biggies to help showcase these talents through a project that will be used in a high-profile real-world application," said Dave Chaimson, vice president of global marketing for Sony Creative Software. "We're looking forward to hearing the themes ACIDplanet contestants develop with the new Princess Bride Game and are sure that the quality of the submissions will make it tough to choose a winner."

Contestants may download the components to The Princess Bride Game theme song starting today and must submit their remix entry by midnight May 22, 2008. ACIDplanet remix contestants may use Sony Creative Software ACID XPress loop-based music production software that users can download for free or they may also use their software of choice.

The winning entry will be selected by the producers of the game and will be featured on www.princessbridegame.com as an exclusive world premiere this summer. Other prizes for The Princess Bride Game ACIDplanet.com remix contest include a Debutante Butterfly guitar from Daisy Rock, Sony Creative Software Vegas Pro 8, ACID Pro 6, Cinescore Theme Packs, Sony Creative Software Loop Libraries and a Sony Portable DVD player.

For more information and complete contest rules, please visit: www.acidplanet.com.

• Watch the Trailer:
  
  

Coming soon to theaters: Forgetting Sarah Marshall - starring Jason Segel, Kristen Bell, Mila Kunis, Paul Rudd, Jack McBrayer, and Jonah Hill. 

Why You Care

Because any self-respecting TV fan loves Veronica Mars... and therefore must be adore the delightful Kristen Bell. Oh, and because any movie trailer that incorporates Eric Carmen's "All By Myself" song is, at least in my book, an instant comedy classic.

Synopsis

From the producers of The 40-Year-Old Virgin and Knocked Up comes a comic look at one guy’s arduous quest to grow up and get over the heartbreak of being dumped—if he can only make himself start Forgetting Sarah Marshall.

Struggling musician Peter Bretter (Jason Segel, Knocked Up, How I Met Your Mother) has spent six years idolizing his girlfriend, television star Sarah Marshall (Kristen Bell, Veronica Mars).  He’s the guy left holding her purse in paparazzi photos and accidentally omitted from acceptance award speeches.  But his world is rocked when she dumps him and Peter finds himself alone.  After an unsuccessful bout of womanizing and an on-the-job nervous breakdown, he sees that not having Sarah may just ruin his life.

To clear his head, Peter takes an impulsive trip to Oahu, where he is confronted by his worst nightmare: his ex and her tragically hip new British-rocker boyfriend, Aldous (Russell Brand), are sharing his hotel.  But as he torments himself with the reality of Sarah’s new life, he finds relief in a flirtation with Rachel (Mila Kunis), a beautiful resort employee whose laid-back approach tempts him to rejoin the world.  He also finds relief in several hundred embarrassing, fruity cocktails.

For anyone who has ever had their heart ripped out and cut into a billion pieces comes a hilarious, heartfelt look at relationships—featuring Paul Rudd, Jonah Hill, Bill Hader, and Jack McBrayer.  Part romantic comedy, part disaster film, Forgetting Sarah Marshall is the world’s first romantic disaster comedy.

• Universal Studios, Rated R. Release Date: April 18, 2008. Tickets available online at Fandango.com.

• Official Site: http://www.forgettingsarahmarshall.com/

  Peter's Blog:  http://www.ihatesarahmarshall.com/
  How quickly things have turned!...What started out as Peter's blog dedicated to loving his girl, Sarah Marshall, is now a space for Peter to express his bitter heartache and seek revenge on his celebrity ex!  Get inside Peter’s heart by tuning into his new blog dedicated to "hating Sarah Marshall." Check out his loveable and awkward video blogs, song dedications, and photo postings! And if you really want to offer Peter some encouragement, post your very own photos documenting the angst-driven Sarah Marshall banners you spot around your hometown on Peter's Flickr page!  

  Sarah Marshall's Fan Site:  http://www.sarahmarshallfan.com/
  Sarah's #1 fan shows her some love with an all-new Sarah Marshall fan site!  Get all the latest Sarah Marshall news- gossip and photos galore. Want to know what's really happening with Sarah and her new British rocker boyfriend? ...Check out the fan site! 

  Crime Scene: Scene of the Crime - NBC Show Page: http://www.nbc.com/Crime_Scene/
  Crime Scene: Scene of the Crime starring Billy Baldwin and Sarah Marshall...check out exclusive clips from NBC's hit show, only on the show's new site! 

  Watch the Trailer: