As it turns out, the rumors were true — Paramount is in fact getting antsy about The Watchmen, and as a result the production will likely be moving out of London’s Pinewood Studios in order to save a few bucks. C’mon, y’all…think Sin City, not LXG.
Frist gets the gist.
“I believe we have a fair and independent judiciary today…I respect that.” The Hammer may have already mouthed off about federal judges in the Schiavo case, but, Catkiller Frist, like Vice-President Cheney, is savvy enough to realize that the GOP have stepped into serious trouble, and has thus decided he wants nothing doing. (Not a hard call. — Their PR misplay here has gotten so obvious that even Harry Reid is calling ’em out.) Well, if the Republicans want to mitigate the damage, perhaps Cheney or Frist should have a word with Senator Jon Cornyn (R-TX), the latest conservative freakshow to go after federal judges. Update: The WP probes the GOP breach.
Mahjong of the Dead.
By way of Quiddity, it’s everyone’s favorite parlor game, PeggJongg! I’m with the folks who think Simon Pegg (of Spaced and Shaun of the Dead) might make for a decent Rorschach in The Watchmen, but, after trying to beat this a few times, I gotta say, it might be awhile before I feel like seeing his face again. Update: Speak of the devil, Pegg talks Rorschach. Update 2: Even more Peggness — the man of the hour will team up with Brendan Fraser and Woody Harrelson for Three Bad Men.
Augie Marches On.
Et Tu, Denzel?
“This was the most unkindest cut of all; For when the noble Caesar saw him stab, Ingratitude, more strong than traitors’ arms, Quite vanquished him: then burst his mighty heart.” Denzel Washington’s Broadway turn as Brutus open to solid reviews. Between this Julius Caesar revival and Twelve Angry Men and Hurlyburly and the Richardson-Reilly Streetcar, among others, there are a lot of plays in town right now I wouldn’t mind catching at some point.
Yeats it ain’t.
“Oh rightly satcheled suture sieves, oh grundled grebes of yore, upon my petti-coated-clippings of finger and toenails.”
Moriarty of AICN picks a winner in the Vogon poetry contest noted here a few months ago and, Lordy, it’s pretty bad. Only a few weeks until Hitchhiker’s, folks…
Don’t judge the judges.
Without naming names (*cough* DeLay), Vice-President Cheney wisely flees from the idea of “retribution” against Schiavo judges.
By the way, since I didn’t mention this earlier and probably should get it in writing — family, friends, loved ones, and any federal judges forced by right-wing hoopla to get involved — if at some point I fall into a persistent vegetative state with little-to-no hope of recovery, I would prefer to die with some sense of dignity, and not have the Republican Party use my prostrate body as a get-out-the-vote strategy for conservative crazies. Thanks much.
Also, please don’t play any Meatloaf or Celine Dion at my funeral, and try to launch my remains in a direction other than right at Genesis. In fact, a ship to Valinor would probably be preferable.
Her name is Veruca…
The new one-sheet for Tim Burton’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory makes it past Wonka Control, with all the kids joining Depp for their bow.
Bats in the Belfry.
Look, up in the sky! It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s…a swarming horde of bats? Two new 30-sec Batman Begins TV spots offer up Gary Oldman as Commissioner Gordon, the Scarecrow’s ride, more action sequences, and lots of squeaky, flying critters.
Last Dance.
March Madness draws to a close tonight with the marquee matchup: Illinois v. UNC. (I chose these two in the final game in my bracket last month, but, then again, so did most of America.) As for my rooting inclination, it’s an easy call — When in doubt, go ACC, and particularly when Carolina Pride is involved. Update: As y’all know, it was Carolina…booyah.