Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Michael Jackson's last rehearsals
Sunday, June 28, 2009
NEWSFLASH: Check out the Michael Jackson TIME, TV GUIDE tribute covers
RIP MJ: Michael Jackson rare footage/Lisa Marie Presley speaks
GOOD TIMES WITH MICHAEL JACKSON
Along with everyone else in the music-lovin' world, The 'Brain has been feeling all sentimental since Michael Jackson passed... so we've been listening to MJ and The Jackson 5 all weekend long. We wanted to share some of our fave footage with you...
Michael Jackson - Perth Australia 1985 *Rare Footage*
Rare footage from the archives of C7 Perth, of M.J. documenting his visit to Perth to complete the purchase of the Beatles publishing rights
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Michael Jackson Man In The Mirror (Moonwalker Version - 1988)
I love this clip...--
The Jacksons Variety Show 1977 "The Love You Save"
This is one of my favourite songs in the entire universe...
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Michael Jackson Pepsi Commercial
This - from 1984- is still so cute...--
Michael Jackson "I'll Be There" commercial
And I'll leave you with this sweet Pepsi ad from 1992...One word: Sniffle.
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Years ago Michael and I were having a deep conversation about life in general.
I can't recall the exact subject matter but he may have been questioning me about the circumstances of my Fathers Death.
At some point he paused, he stared at me very intensely and he stated with an almost calm certainty, "I am afraid that I am going to end up like him, the way he did."
I promptly tried to deter him from the idea, at which point he just shrugged his shoulders and nodded almost matter of fact as if to let me know, he knew what he knew and that was kind of that.
14 years later I am sitting here watching on the news an ambulance leaves the driveway of his home, the big gates, the crowds outside the gates, the coverage, the crowds outside the hospital, the Cause of death and what may have led up to it and the memory of this conversation hit me, as did the unstoppable tears.
A predicted ending by him, by loved ones and by me, but what I didn't predict was how much it was going to hurt when it finally happened.
The person I failed to help is being transferred right now to the LA County Coroners office for his Autopsy.
All of my indifference and detachment that I worked so hard to achieve over the years has just gone into the bowels of hell and right now I am gutted.
I am going to say now what I have never said before because I want the truth out there for once.
Our relationship was not "a sham" as is being reported in the press. It was an unusual relationship yes, where two unusual people who did not live or know a "Normal life" found a connection, perhaps with some suspect timing on his part. Nonetheless, I do believe he loved me as much as he could love anyone and I loved him very much.
I wanted to "save him" I wanted to save him from the inevitable which is what has just happened.
His family and his loved ones also wanted to save him from this as well but didn't know how and this was 14 years ago. We all worried that this would be the outcome then.
At that time, In trying to save him, I almost lost myself.
He was an incredibly dynamic force and power that was not to be underestimated.
When he used it for something good, It was the best and when he used it for something bad, It was really, REALLY bad.
Mediocrity was not a concept that would even for a second enter Michael Jackson's being or actions.
I became very ill and emotionally/ spiritually exhausted in my quest to save him from certain self-destructive behavior and from the awful vampires and leeches he would always manage to magnetize around him.
I was in over my head while trying.
I had my children to care for, I had to make a decision.
The hardest decision I have ever had to make, which was to walk away and let his fate have him, even though I desperately loved him and tried to stop or reverse it somehow.
After the Divorce, I spent a few years obsessing about him and what I could have done different, in regret.
Then I spent some angry years at the whole situation.
At some point, I truly became Indifferent, until now.
As I sit here overwhelmed with sadness, reflection and confusion at what was my biggest failure to date, watching on the news almost play by play The exact Scenario I saw happen on August 16th, 1977 happening again right now with Michael (A sight I never wanted to see again) just as he predicted, I am truly, truly gutted.
Any ill experience or words I have felt towards him in the past has just died inside of me along with him.
He was an amazing person and I am lucky to have gotten as close to him as I did and to have had the many experiences and years that we had together.
I desperately hope that he can be relieved from his pain, pressure and turmoil now.
He deserves to be free from all of that and I hope he is in a better place or will be.
I also hope that anyone else who feels they have failed to help him can be set free because he hopefully finally is.
The World is in shock but somehow he knew exactly how his fate would be played out some day more than anyone else knew, and he was right.
I really needed to say this right now, thanks for listening.
~LMP
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Carolyn Stewart
Boy, is this girl with you?/Yes, we're one and the same o'clock June 27, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
Remember The Time: Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett
Photo Tribute
Scott Keenan
Have you seen my childhood? o'clock
Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett dead
Farrah Fawcett passes,
Michael Jackson dead?
Here at The 'Brain, we thought the worst news we'd hear this morning (our time) was of Farrah Fawcett's sad passing after a battle with illness but reports of king of pop Michael Jackson's cardiac rest and, now, death (confirmed by web site TMZ but here's hoping they are super wrong) have made the day even worse. So sad.
We'll update later - and let's all hope the MJ death report is way off the mark in the meantime - but for now here's the latest:
Michael Jackson dead at 50:
http://www.tmz.com/2009/06/25/michael-jackson-dies-death-dead-cardiac-arrest/
Farrah Fawcett has passed:
http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2009-06-25-fawcett-obit_N.htm
Sad face.
UPDATE: The LA Times has confirmed MJ's death. :(
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Carolyn Stewart
The way you make me feel o'clock, June 26, 2009
Thursday, June 25, 2009
NEWSFLASH! Madonna's album name & release date
Madonna: Iconography?
Madonna has taken a break from her hectic Malawian-adoption schedule to belt out some tunes... but only three of them. For the upcoming greatest hits album (yes, another one to put on your shelf next to your "The Immaculate Collection" and "GHV2" shrine), which is tentatively titled "Iconography", her career-spanning mega-hits will be joined by new tracks "Celebrate", "I'm Sorry" and "Broken". Says renowned UK producer, DJ and collaborator Paul Oakenfold of the newbies: "They are great cool very melodic pop electronic tracks. They are cutting edge sounds combined with classic Madonna."
The album is set for release in mid-to-late September and will therefore be competing with new albums from other divas Whitney Houston (rumouted title: "Undefeated"), Christina Aguilera ("Light & Darkness") and Mariah Carey ("Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel"). Madonna's effort is obviously going to sell a few copies but, either way, it will be her final album with Warner Brothers. And that's when things will start to get interesting. Following this release, Madonna's upcoming new album - with, you know, actual new stuff on it - will be the first under her new Live Nation record label. Will these three new tracks be a taste of what's the come? Only time will tell.
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Carolyn Stewart
Life is a mystery, everyone must stand alone o'clock, June 25, 2009
WATCH Breckin Meyer and Zac Efron respond to Perez Hilton video
A new war?
Check out the latest Funny or Die vid... it'll no doubt be the first of many to parody the war between celeb blogger Perez Hilton and lamest gangsta ever, Black Eyed Pea will.i.am.
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Carolyn Stewart
I'm sick and it's early but this is still funny o'clock, June 25, 2009
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
New Miley Cyrus photo "scandal"
World loves to act horrified
Oh look! It’s more “scandalous” Miley Cyrus pics!
Actually it’s Miley posing with and for director Adam Shankman as they shoot her new fillum The Last Song, as posted on his Twitter account.
Not surprisingly, they have caused a mini-controversy.
“Miley is a sweet angel who works tirelessly and endlessly, and is allowed to have fun in the make up room!” tweets Adam in their defence. “Seriously! Lighten up or no more behind the scenes pics! She's like my angel little sister.”
Let’s be honest, while Miley has posed for a few vaguely suggestive pics - on her phone and for Annie Leibovitz - she’s never actually crossed the line. You know, like a few other (former) Disney stars (i.e.: we’ve all seen Britney and Lindsay’s bits).
These days, 16-year-old kids take a lot of photos of themselves; it’s just how the new sexy-tech world works. The problem Miley has made is being famous. Oops!
All of that aside, Adam is an adult and should have been a little bit more aware that anything Miley does makes news and that it turns out the media can see Twitpics.
Lucky for us, because the pic we were most excited to find in Adam’s account was one with The Last Song co-star Liam Hemsworth.Go Liam!
Scott Keenan
Blah blah blah blah it's the climb o'clock
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
AWESOME Kylie Minogue TOUS behind the scenes and talk of new album
MORE UNEXPECTED KYLIE FUN!
We previously told of The 'Brain's love for Kylie Minogue's TOUS campaign: CLICK ON ME! but now new fun photos have emerged from the shoot thanks to The Daily Mail's YOU. You absolutely must see, read and watch the video this second so CLICK ON THIS: Kylie Gets The Party Started
The other trés-excitement news to come from this brilliant development is the talk of more Minogue music: "I think I should start working on a new album, and soon," says Kylie. That would be, well, your job so let's do that then. And quickly. Hurrah!
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Carolyn Stewart
What's up with this one boy girl thing... well, let me break it down like this o'clock, June 23, 2009
NEWSFLASH Check out the Barbie & Ken Twilight dolls!
What's better than Barbie? PLENTY of things, trust me. There are literally MILLIONS of things better than Barbie.
Still, it is exciting news for Rob Pattinson/doll-enthusiasts that the iconic Barbie and her long-suffering-potential-cheater-soulmate Ken have jumped on board the bandwagon that is Twilight and recreated themselves as human Bella Swan and vampire Edward Cullen.
Side note: whatever happened to that Aussie boogie-board dude Blaine that Barbs was dating after her high-profile split with Ken? Not mentioning that again? Nope, didn't think so.
Anyway, the press release about the Twilight dolls will either have you in fits of excited giggles or fits of belly laughs at the ridiculousness. It reads thus:
And so the lion fell in love with the lamb. Twilight has quickly become a worldwide phenomenon developing a strong core base of dedicated fans who are drawn to the story of a Romeo & Juliet style romance between mortal (Bella) and vampire (Edward). Who better to capture the young star-crossed love of these two characters than Barbie & Ken? Edward is luminescent with a shimmering complexion and trademark gold eyes. Bella is dressed in her signature outfit from the movie.
The dolls will be on sale later in the year so save up or avoid... depending on how you feel about pale, shimmery dolls with freakish golden eyes.
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Carolyn Stewart
Stars don't shine in singular places o'clock, June 23, 2009
PIC! Cameron Diaz scores Walk of Fame star
Anyway, I think she's great and everything but sometimes I just don't know what the hell she's saying. At the ceremony, this is what she had to say for herself...
* "It will be cool to be under people’s feet. It really is the place where people can understand exactly that actors are not really stars - they don’t exist in the sky, they exist on the ground just like everybody else.”
* "The camaraderie, the collaboration, the relationships are what I do this for. I've always been aware that I'm a person blessed with good fortune, mostly with the people in my life. When people talk about a big star, what they may not realise is that no star stands alone. It is only one of many that exists in a universe. I come from a bright, beautiful universe of blaring stars."
Ohhhhh... what are you talking about??? What a day to pick to turn faux-philosopher and crazeeeeeeeee!
Anyway, back to work with you, CD. When's Charlie's Angels 3 out?
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Carolyn Stewart
I wanna go work for Oprah Winfrey please o'clock, June 23, 2009
Zach Braff and Bill Lawrence talk the new Scrubs
So despite Scrubs seemingly ending at the end of its eighth season, with JD leaving Sacred Heart hospital and a soppy Super 8 flash-forward montage showing the characters happy future lives, the show will be back for a ninth season.
Never suspecting ABC America would renew the program, and their contracts up, most of the cast did pilots for new shows, Sarah Chalke (Elliot) was seemingly ready to segue seamlessly into her recurring role on How I Met Your Mother, Zach Braff pretended people wanted to see him in movies and creator Bill Lawrence moved on to new show Cougar Town with Courteney Cox.
But then ABC did want it back. But with half the cast gone, what were they to do?
“First and foremost,” blogs Zach, “if any of you were in a position to put about 200 people whom you really loved back to work in this economy, you would do it in a second.”
So Bill has set to work to create a new show that Zach describes as being “in the spirit of Frasier being a new chapter of Cheers.” Which would traditionally be called a spin-off, but the nervous network has decided against giving the show a new name, lest it scare off viewers. Instead they will be greeted with a new show with the old name (I’m hoping there will at least be an on-screen subtitle, just because I’m a bit of a nerd).
The new series will no longer be set in the hospital full-time, and will instead move to a medical school where Dr. Cox (John C. McGinley) and Turk (Donald Faison) now teach.
“If the show is just Scrubs again in the hospital with a different person's voiceover, it would be a disaster and people would be mad,” says Bill.
Zach, Sarah, Judy Reyes (Carla) and Ken Jenkins (Dr Kelso) will make guest appearances, but so far it looks as if Neil Flynn (The Janitor) is out, as his pilot actually got picked up – he’ll star opposite Patricia Heaton in her new sitcom The Middle. But given that is also on ABC there might be hope for him visiting too.
Says Zach, “I will be in the first six episodes of this new incarnation to help transition the show into what it will become.”
The students and other teaching staff will be played by new cast members – “half the cast, if not 60 percent of it,” says Bill – who will occasionally pop into Sacred Heart to see old faces.
“Med students in their first three years have to spend anywhere from 10 to 50 percent of their time at a hospital,” Bill reasons. “And that's when you'll see some of the [oldies]. Continuity-wise, Sacred Heart will still exist with those people still working there.”
The biggest surprise is set to be a new “name” cast member to plug the Zach-sized hole.
“[ABC] is really after us to hire a big name,” Bill says. “So one of them will be fairly famous.”
I’m hoping for Matthew Perry, but I just made that up now and I can’t imagine he would say yes in a million years. (Bill, please offer it to him! Matt, please say yes!)
While Scrubs fans are already sharpening their knives (honestly, nothing can be as bad as The Janitor’s wedding episodes) Zach urges them to wait and see before stabbing.
“Don't hate it until you see what [Bill] comes up with,” he pleads. “Once it’s up and going there will be plenty of time for you to decide whether you love it or hate it.”
Bring it and let the merciless judging begin!
Scott Keenan
Remember when (no) scrubs was just that TLC song?
Monday, June 22, 2009
The Veronicas in video flashback
Huh?Having scored a hit in the UK - and a No.1 in Ireland - with their single "Untouched", Brissy twins The Veronicas are following it up with ... their four-year-old debut single "4Ever".
Some clever folk at their UK record label have tacked the feel-good hit of 2005 onto the end on their second album "Hook Me Up", and luckily the song doesn't sound dated at all. Hopefully it will prove to be a hit for Lisa and Jess all these years later.
Another bonus track on the album is the awesome "Goodbye To You", which has never had an official release in Australia but is available on iTunes.
The song had the honour of being the soundtrack to a commercial for US birth control pill Yaz, the "goodbye" of the title referring to the pill's supposed lack of side effects. American pharmacutical ads have to be seen (and heard) to be believed.
Scott Keenan
Better late than never o'clock
Wog Boy 2: The sequel nobody needed
...and why Vince Colosimo is to blame
Look, it's very easy to be a comedy snob. It's very easy to hate on things that are successful.
And The Wog Boy did make $13.4million
But seriously, it is approximately the WORST MOVIE OF ALL TIME.
Just the other day my friend Mary and I were talking about awful movies, and the first suggestion to pass her lips was 2000's Nick Giannopoulos hit.
I didn’t disagree.
In the late '80s “wog” “humour” was huge. Nick, along with Mary Coustas, George Kapiniaris and Simon Palomares sold out hundreds of theatres with their show Wogs Out Of Work and its follow-ups, and did five seasons of sitcom Acropolis Now.
Then over 10 years later, when most had thought the joke long over, Nick unleashed his film The Wog Boy.
To the surprise of humour-loving people across the nation, the movie was a giant hit.
Nick loved himself sick after the success and spent the next few years downing gallons of free booze as red carpets were rolled out for him at parties across the country.
Then, in 2003, he made the god-awful Wiggles parody The Wannabes and it flopped.
So now he’s come up with an all-new, genius idea.
Wog Boy 2: Kings of Mykonos.
The flick starts filming in September and will be inflicted upon an innocent public next year.
Sadly, it didn’t have to be like this. Nick says he never would have made the sequel if his original co-star Vince Colosimo – who has since gone on to achieve acting cred – hadn’t agreed to take part.
“I was never going to do this film without Vince,” blabs Nick. “As far as I'm concerned, Wog Boy is a comedy about two best mates and I was never going to do a second one unless Vince was on board.”
I was already Team Hall, Vince. This has won you NO brownie points at all.
Scott Keenan
Where is Con The Fruiterer? O’clock
Sunday, June 21, 2009
WATCH Nick Jonas & Miley: it's back on!
If you've secretly hooked back up with your ex - especially a famous ex! - make sure you don't tell Joe Jonas about it... because he's likely to tell millions of people! While on Larry King Live, the brothers Jonas were asked about their love lives. Larry asked Joe if the girl he's currently dating is as famous as Nick's unconfirmed-until-now girlfriend (side note: Nick and Miley dated - see above pic - but had a bitter break up at the end of 2007. Althought they've dated other people, recently they've been spotted together but romance has been denied). Without thinking, Joe responded, "I don't think anyone's as famous as Miley Cyrus." Clang! You can sort of tell just as he says it that he realises what he's done and Nick seems genuinely quite rattled.
One word: Awkward. Yet also brilliant. So, so brilliant. Skip all the boring stuff and watch from about the 1.45 mark. Observe...
Oh, it's so awkward. Marvellous!
UPDATE!
More: ooooooh! Miley joined Nick on stage in Texas for the duet "Before The Storm". Cuuuuuute! They so love each other. Observe...
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Carolyn Stewart
She's just being Miley o'clock, June 21 2009
SEE Ryan Reynolds four Entertainment Weekly covers!
(Even more) Ryan Reynolds hotness!
And, of course, the original (and perhaps the best? Oh, no, that's far too hard to choose...) which we gave you a peek at earlier in the week (CLICK ON ME!)...
Oh, and there are words that go with the pics too. Almost forgot about that. Words are good. RR's opinions on such weighty topics as Jon & Kate Plus Eight reaffirm that he's just plain awesome. “I find that whole situation to be horrible and awful," he says. "I wanna see Jon & Kate Plus Eight: The Musical. Jon versus Kate. I wanna see four kids on one side and for kids on the other, snapping menacingly to music as they walk toward one another." Gold.
Actually, how awesome would that be?!
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Carolyn Stewart
We really weren't joking when we said we were "all Ryan all the time!" o'clock, June 21 2009
Saturday, June 20, 2009
WATCH! Ryan Reynolds on David Letterman (the bees!)
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Carolyn Stewart
We don't wake up and say, "Let's act the crap out of this day!" o'clock, June 19, 2009
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Ryan Reynolds SHIRTLESS for Entertainment Weekly
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Carolyn Stewart
REVIEW Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
More than meets the eye?*
What is it? It's the sequel to the 2007 movie that saw human Sam (Shia LaBeouf) caught up in a war between good guy Autobots and bad guy Decepticons. I fully admit I am not the target audience for this movie but I do heart Shia, I did suffer through the first movie and I did enjoy the cartoon a fair bit when I was a kid... so I was hoping to be impressed.
Were you impressed? No. No, I wasn't. Unfortunately this movie is in need of some serious editing. On top of being 147 minutes long, there are far too many clunky, stupid catch-phrases and about four billion lead characters with long, boring stories to tell when all I really care about is Sam and Mikaela (Megan Fox).
Most common question you will ask yourself throughout: What the hell???
Do you have any questions for Michael Bay? Yes. Yes, I do. They are as follows:
* When Sam's roommate Leo is in the car, he gets tasered. Now, earlier in the movie said-tasering had rendered him unable to move for quite some time... yet this time it happened, the very next scene sees him leap (LEAP!) out of the car and run. HOW? What the hell?
* The gangsta twin robots were absolutely unnecessary and are the worst characters seen on film since Jar Jar Binks. I'm not joking. What were you thinking? What the hell?
* What happened to Megan Fox's pet robot that was the focus of the movie and then was never seen again? What the hell?
* In the near-the-end chase, why doesn't all-of-a-sudden-indestructible Bumblebee *DRIVE* them to Josh Duhamel and the army folks??? Why are they helplessly running along - while under attack, mind - with this giant robot next to them who is killing everything in their path when they could be INSIDE the car??? What the hell, man?
* On that note, why ruin Shia and Megan Fox fleeing the Decepticons - the only suspense in the whole damn thing - by cutting in a four hour unnecessary truck fight in a pit? What the hell?
Are there any good bits? There are a few good one-liners and intentional laughs. The fight scenes and bomb blasts are generally quite amazing. The robots are awesome. It's a really great cast that includes the obvious as well as The Office star Rainn Wilson and former Home and Away hottie Isabel Lucas. I certainly liked how there was the poster of another Michael Bay film, Bad Boys, on the dorm room wall. Also, my absolute favourite part is how they wrote in Shia's real-life hand injury. Clever. Myself and my movie buddy Gavin both snickered at that. Others did not. I feel for them.
Were you proud of your star-spotting ability? I really was, thank you so much for asking. I almost squealed with excitement when, after a good 60 seconds of trying to work out who he was, I finally placed Coronation Street actor/singer Matthew Marsden as Josh Duhamel's army-buddy mate Graham. I honestly don't think I've thought of him for the better part of 10 years but perhaps you recall his kinda-hit "The Heart's Lone Desire" or that other song "She's Gone", for which his backing singers were a little then four-piece band called Destiny's Child. Oh, how times change. Sigh, MM, it was nice to see you again.
You're officially on a tangent now, aren't you? Yes... sorry but now we have to watch the MM videos I just found:
Can we talk about the movie again now? If we must...
Is Shia a bonafide movie star? Yes. Yes, he is.
Then I should I see it? Nuh. The action is all well and good but, if you're not a fan, I can guarantee you won't get past the first 20 minutes. However, I can certainly understand why fans would desperately want to see it. Like, I never cared about Doctor Who (pre Christopher Eccleston and David Tennant) or Star Trek so, with any new incarnation, I don't really care what they do with the mythology. However, when it comes to Star Wars or Buffy, it matters. If you mess with those worlds without any regard to the past, you mess with me. If you feel that way about Transformers, then enduring the two live-action movies will do nothing but hurt you to the very core. Still, if you still insist on seeing it, wait til it's on DVD so you can fast forward a great bulk of it. Important note for any future DVD screenings: any scene with Sam's parents is guaranteed to go for 10 minutes and can be instantly skipped without any impact on the "plot". But really, it's so long... so very long. At times during the movie, you will honestly feel you may never see your friends and family again. Don't. Do. It. To. Yourself.
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Carolyn Stewart
The heart's lone desire is to love someone o'clock, June 18, 2009
Danny Devito drunk again?
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
The rise and rise of Bradley Cooper
A couple of number one movies and Bradley Cooper is hot. Like, "Which movie would you like to do next, Mr Cooper?" Hollywood hot.
You know, the nerdy guy from Alias that they got rid of because he was nerdy (sorry, “the producers felt they had taken the character as far as they could”). And then starred in a string of TV shows that got axed before they even finished a series.
That guy is hot property now!
All it took was that weird role in that odd movie He's Just Not That Into You and then playing "the cool one" against type in awesome surprise hit The Hangover.
We at The 'Brain have been fans of Bradley's work for yeeears, so we could not be more pleased.
Whatever happened to her?
I was quite delighted back when George Clooney was eyeing the role. George Peppard would no doubt have been delighted too. Back then Ice Cube was linked to the role of BA Baracus, but really, who can play that role but Mr. T? And who will be Murdock?
I guess we’ll find out soon enough.
Well done B-Coop!
Scott Keenan
I sure miss Alias o'clock