Amalgamated Zen

Sad Year for Hollywood

While Hollywood seems to lose a number of celebrities each year, it's the names that tend to surprise us most. Timeless names that you hope never pass on. Others are so young, you can barely believe what you're hearing. This year has been no different. As of today, 12 people whose names have been a force within their life time have passed on this year. Names such as Ricardo Montalban, Natasha Richardson, Marilyn Chambers, Bea Arthur, Dom DeLuise, David Carradine, KoKo Taylor, Ward Costello, Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, Michael Jackson, and finally Billy Mays; the last seven passing just this month alone. Now obviously this list could go on, but these are the names that truly stand out. These people were champions in their craft and now their names will live on in our memories.

Jessica Biel, "Professional Stripper"

Calm down, calm down! It's not entirely true... well at least not now. Biel, who had to learn how to work the pole for her part in Powder Blue, is apparently so convincing, that her dance coach has suggested that if Biel's career in Hollywood dries up, she has an alternate career path. For now, we'll just have to settle for watching her part in Powder Blue (due out in limited theaters on 08MAY09 and DVD release on 09JUNE09) and we'll be the judges of her talent. For now, here are some stills to whet your whistle.

Simon Pegg's a weasel

Don't worry... this isn't a slanderous attack on Simon. Quite the contrary. British actor Simon Pegg has confirmed that he is part of the cast for Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs which is due out in July of this year. Pegg, who joins original actors Denis Leary, John Leguizamo, and Ray Romano along with Queen Latifah, Seann William Scott and Josh Peck from the second installation, will be voicing the character Buck. As Pegg describes him, "Buck is a one-eyed, swashbuckling weasel who's personality is reminiscent of Captain Ahab". Most of Pegg's movies are oriented towards the older audience, but the funny-man wants to do something a little more family friendly so his child (due in June) along with his nieces can see what exactly he does. And if that means being a weasel, it's a good start.

Watchmen sinking fast?

After having a ground-breaking opening weekend with $55.2 million, Watchmen struggled throughout the week and into the weekend and has only raked in another $31 million with $18 million coming in over the weekend. And while it still sits in a comfortable second at the current box office, if the movie continues to drop off at this rate, trying to break even at $130 million will be more of a challenge than producers would have hoped. The highly anticipated movie opened with a bang, but word of mouth seems to have failed this movie. From my experience, the movie was good, but not great and if it passes budget, it won't be by much. The movie started slow and when it picked up, only hit a few points I felt should have had more focus. It was a good attempt, but for me it falls short.

Free Fox - Oh Yeah!

The dreams of many men has come true as starlet Megan Fox is "back on the market". Fox, who had been dating Brian Austin Green since 2004, has officially called off her plans to marry Green, something that has been in the works since 2006. Apparently the relationship has been on the rocks since Green failed to escort Fox to the Golden Globes earlier this year - though apparently the two are ending on friendly terms. Now the question remains, what will she do with the tattoo of his name on her hip? (If she changes the "I" to a "Y", she can go out with me!! Hey, a guy can dream!)

Academy "Awards"

In a surprising turn of events, which no one saw coming, Slumdog Millionaire practically swept the Oscars last night with eight awards including "Best Picture". Oh wait, everyone knew that was going to happen. The movie has been an unstoppable force - it had a limited release in November 2008 but quickly became a popular movie that it moved to a wide release on 22JAN09 - and since then has critical acclaim and won just about every award available. The other surprise award was for late actor Heath Ledger who won an Oscar for his dark performance as the Joker in Dark Knight.... wait, that wasn't a surprise either. And while Ledger's performance as the Joker was brilliant, almost perfect (I never would have guessed he could act)... you have to wonder if people are just handing him the awards because he passed away and not because of the actual talent he showed. Because it seems that if he had lived, while he may have added one more nomination for the Dark Knight (which had far fewer than it deserved), I doubt he would have actually won the award. Which is my problem with these award shows and the people who organize and vote for them. Movies like Gran Torino, which could easily be one of the greatest movies ever, never nominated. It's sad really. But hey... at least Slumdog Millionaire won.

Rowling vs. Meyer - King decides winner.

Famed horror writer Stephen King has openly critiqued Twilight writer Stephanie Meyer. King who is famous for novels such as "It", "Carrie", "The Stand" and many others has also stated that he appreciates the writing of British author J.k. Rowling who is famous for her Harry Potter novels. Says King, "... Jo Rowling is a terrific writer and Stephanie Meyer can't write worth a darn."

Stars defend Bale

Hollywood stars Terry Crews and Whoopi Goldberg are among the few defending Christian Bale after a tape was released recently in which Bale lets loose an angry tirade against Director of Photography Shane Hurlbut. Hurlbut apparently walked on set twice, while Bale was in the middle of filming different scenes for his new movie Terminator: Salvation distracting the actor. An angered Bale flipped out and tore into the DP and even asked Director "McG" to fire him. Maybe it's just me, but even if you are DP on a film, if you want to make changes you either wait to the scene is finished or you address it with the director. Seeing as this isn't Bale's first film, it's apparent he expects the same thing.

Shia LaBeouf Banned From Driving

Shia LaBeouf can take on the 'Transformers' and fight alongside 'Indiana Jones,' but for the next year, he can't drive a car.  LaBeouf's driver's license was suspended on January 17th as a result of refusing "chemical tests" in a July 2008 car crash, Access Hollywood reports.

Ricardo Monatalban Passes

Famed Mexican actor Ricardo Montalban, best known for his role as Mr. Roarke on Fantasy Island, passed away Wednesday at the age of 88. The actor died at his home in Los Angeles of natural causes. Younger generations who never saw Fantasy Island would recognize Montalban as the villain Vincent Ludwig in Leslie Nielsen's film "The Naked Gun". Montalban, who started acting in 1942 often used to state in interviews that there were five stages to being Ricardo Montalban...

1 Who is Ricardo Montalbán?
2 Get me Ricardo Montalbán.
3 Get me a Ricardo Montalbán type.
4 Get me a young Ricardo Montalbán.
5 Who is Ricardo Montalbán?

It is a loss for those who never knew or will never know Ricardo Montalban. For those of us that did, he will be missed.