Now Playing: July 29

This is the first week of "Now Playing" for this blog. I do not have any press credentials, but when I do see a movie I will give my review within a few days of seeing the film. There are a few movies I'll be seeing from this weekends releases and a few I won't. Here they are:

• Cowboys and Aliens- This will be the winner of the new releases this weekend. It has a solid cast of Harrison Ford, Daniel Craig, Olivia Wilde, and personal favorite, Sam Rockwell. This is a fanboy's dream. Indiana Jones/Han Solo teams up with James Bond in a film based on a graphic novel directed by Iron Man's driver (and also his director). Another popcorn action flick to boost the film industry's earnings. 
• Crazy, Stupid, Love- Another star studded film where Steve Carrell is living the "perfect" life, which suddenly is destroyed by his divorce seeking wife, Julianne Moore. Ryan Gosling has great abs and Emma Stone pretends she isn't hot. Looks like a pretty average flick. I don't see this blowing me away.
• The Smurfs- This can't be any good. Neil Patrick Harris should have steered clear of this. Learn from Jason Lee's mistake in 'Alvin and the Chipmunks'. This will be a cash cow, but NPH will lose a lot of his "street cred" (What am I saying. Take the money Neil. Don't look back). Also, why would anyone hire Katy Perry to be in a movie where she isn't on screen once?
• Attack the Block- If you are lucky enough to have this movie playing in a theater near you, go. I urge you to see this instead of the other movies listed. You will genuinely appreciate this movie. I know the alien genre is getting tired, but this is a fresh take on it. At the very least, you will enjoy watching urban teenagers speaking with an British accent. Trailer below.

There are a few other movies debuting this week, but I haven't seen any marketing presence of these films, so I won't bother to mention. Let me know in the comments what you'll be seeing or if you have seen it already.

(via IMDB)

It's Not a Hard Knock Life

Turns out that there will be no season of HBO's 'Hard Knocks' this year. This series has made for some of the best television of the last few years. As you know, the summer is terrible for television, but 'Hard Knocks' gives you something to look forward to.

HBO said Friday the uncertainty of the lockout "made it impractical for a team to commit" to the popular training camp reality show. The series is set to return next year.

When the series does return it will be a warm welcome. The show has given plenty of memorable clips. I will miss it for a year, but this isn't the first thing the lockout has ruined this year.



(via ESPN)

Ocho to Patriots?

Breaking news from ESPN: Sources (ESPN again with their mythical sources) report that Chad Ochocinco has been traded to the Patriots for a couple of draft picks. My own sources (Ochocinco's Facebook profile) can confirm these reports.

This is good news for everyone involved. Ochocinco gets to go to a team who will be a favorite to win it all this year, Cincinnati gets rid of what turned out to be an entertaining disappointment (individuals can't win championships), and the Patriots get a pro-bowl receiver on the same day they get one of the best defensive linemen (when in shape).

I am interested to see what happens with Ochocinco's number. Will he force Aaron Hernandez to take on a new number or will Ochocinco change his name to OchoOcho?

(via ESPN)

What to Watch Tonight- Repeats and Derek Jeter

I didn't post a 'What to Watch Tonight' yesterday because not much was on. Today is the same way, but I figured I'd give you something. Anyways, here is what I may or may not watch tonight.

Wipeout (ABC)- I am not sure if this is a repeat or not, but like I said Tuesday, 'Wipeout' is entertaining. Sit down, Relax, and enjoy people making fools of themselves for a chance of celebrity and a cash prize.

Parks and Recreation* (NBC)- Another repeat, but 'Parks and Rec' is one of my favorite shows. In case you have missed the brilliance of this show, head over to Netflix. You can catch the first two seasons there.

Derek Jeter 3k (HBO)- Watch Derek Jeter, in all his glory, on his way to 3,000 hits. Wow, I am bored just writing about this. I would rather watch Bernie Mac try for 3,000 in the 2004 classic 'Mr. 3,000'.

Louie (FX)- "Louie rides the subway and hangs out with a friend." Sounds thrilling. Louie is a good show and deserves an audience, but I completely forget this show is ever on so I will try to catch it tonight.

That's it for tonight. If I am missing anything leave your suggestions in the comments.    

*I picked 'Parks and Recreation' because it's fresher than 'The Office' or '30 Rock' and I just wrote about 'Community' yesterday, either way they are all on tonight.

Lots of movement today- NFL Edition

Sorry for posting so late today, I've had an interesting morning.

Lots to report about in NFL free agency. Listed below you will find all free agency pickups and new deals that are of any interest to me.

• Reggie Bush- The Saints traded Bush to the Dolphins for safety Jonathon Amaya. It is a two year deal worth $10 million. Bush has never lived up to the hype, but the Dolphins were so bad on offense last year that he may get his chance to shine.

• Stephen Bowen- The former Cowboy signed with rival Washington Redskins for a 5-year, $27.5 million contract including $12.5 million in guarantees. That is a large amount for money for a guy who is not a guaranteed starter. The Cowboys are now left with a need for defensive ends. 

• Daryn Colledge- Super Bowl Champion guard Colledge signed with the Cardinals for a 5-year, $27.5 million contract. The Cards gain a much needed lineman in Colledge and his experience should bring some strength to the line.

• Vince Young- Seems that Young will be released soon. This is not unexpected. The Titans drafted Jake Locker and will nurture him instead of Young's fragile ego. 

• Albert Haynesworth- The Redskins traded Haynesworth to the Patriots for a 2013 draft pick. My first thought on this is good luck to the scout team center for the Patriots. Wilfork and Haynesworth will be putting a beating on that poor guy. 

• Stephen Nicholas- He may not be a household name, but Nicholas is a former teammate of mine and a very reliable linebacker for the Falcons. Nicholas signed a 5-year, $17.5 million contract.

These are just a few of the transactions that have been going on around the league in the last few days. If you want to keep track, head over to the "Worldwide Leader in Sources, " ESPN.

(via ESPN)

Sources say

So I guess ESPN no longer uses actual reporters. As I was checking their website I noticed an unusually high amount of stories that start with "Sources." Who are these mythical "sources." I think ESPN is getting duped by a renegade band of NFL team headquartered janitors. Take a look below.

Release the Transformer

That. Just. Happened.

If you didn't watch the video I'll break it down for you. Gambit from X-Men Origins: Wolverine is engaged to Liam Neeson's daughter...blah, blah, "I don't want your life"... suddenly something appears in the waters. This is where the trailer really starts to get out of control. Some sort of aquatic, transforming kraken jumps out of the water and attacks the battleship, terrible dialogue ensues.

I can generally tolerate terrible movies as long as they are entertaining and this is no different. It also stars Eric from True Blood and Shy Ronnie's better half, Rihanna. You won't have to worry about this movie anytime soon, since it won't be released until 2012, but I am sure the marketing campaign for 'Battleship' will bombard us with more terrible trailers and 7-Eleven tie-ins.

For your viewing pleasure, I have embedded Shy Ronnie 2: Ronnie and Clyde

Sports Update- NFL is Back

In keeping with the theme of this blog, I have decided to report on the NFL's lockout situation days after the news broke about a deal being made. Months of back and forth between owners and players (that have caused me personal grief) has finally culminated with a new CBA. What does this mean? Not much. If you are so inclined, google it, but I will give you some highlights.

• $120 million salary cap- This is slightly less, but nothing too substantial.
• No more two-a-days. This is big for the older players looking to avoid unnecessary injuries, but this may cause the younger players to have a bigger learning curve. 
• New rookie pay scale- This means the top draft picks will not get an ungodly amount of money before ever seeing the field.
• Minimum salary increases- Longsnappers rejoice! This is big for undrafted free agents and second-teamers who get nowhere near the amount of money their bigger named peers earn. 

All this means for you, the loyal football fan, is football is back. Not the Women's World Cup, but actual pigskin football. Enjoy your Sundays and keep posted because I will preview this season in the upcoming weeks.

(via ESPN)

John Goodman joins 'Community' and How Charlie Sheen Will Leave 'Two and a Half Men'

A couple bits of information that intrigue me today. 'Community' is the one show I am looking forward to this fall and it seems they have added John Goodman to the cast for at least 6 episodes.

According to 'New York Magazine,' Goodman is joining Greendale Community College as the "new vice dean of its heretofore unexplored school of air conditioning repair."

That being said, I am curious to see how this will play out. I am a huge fan of both Goodman's and 'Community', but I hope this won't be the let down I suspect it will be.

Second piece of news today involves how Charlie Sheen's character in 'Two and a Half Men' will be killed off.

Now, thanks to an Irish bookmaker, fans can -- in countries where it's legal to do so, obviously -- place bets on how Charlie Harper will be killed off. And the current frontrunner, with odds of 11/10, is ... "Drives his car off a cliff.

I have never been a fan of the series or Sheen for that matter. I have tried to watch the show, but it is so hard to get through terrible child acting (although now full grown, you'd think the kid would get better at it) and John Cryer's... he's a nice guy, so I'll look past it. Either way, it is interesting to know that there are people out there who will literally bet on anything. My money is on a "piano falls on him."

('Community' via AOL TV) ('Two and a Half Men' via AOL TV)

What to Watch Tonight- Leprechauns

What to Watch Tonight
I will be posting (at my discretion) a list of things to watch on TV. This may become an everyday thing. I guess it depends on my level of dedication.

Wipeout (ABC)- As summer programming goes, this is about as entertaining as it gets. Multiple shots to the dome are funny in any language.

The Office (TBS)- I couldn't choose between all of the garbage on the other major networks, so I went with a classic. The Office is a great show to put on in the background while surfing the web. Try it.

Tosh.0 (Comedy Central)- Tosh does an investigation of the Alabama Leprechaun. If you are one of the few who haven't seen it or you need a reminder you can check it out below.

Netflix (Instant Play)- I recently watch the cancelled Comedy Central series The Benson Interruption. It is good for some laughs as comedian Doug Benson interrupts fellow comedians like Reno 911's Thomas Lennon. He also engages in a "tweet-off" with one of the comedians each episode, which leaves you wishing that you had thought of the tweet first. Overall, good for a slow summer.

That's it for today. Let me know what else I should have posted.

Beginnings of the End

So, I have recently embarked into an all out assault on the world of technology. Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, blogger, nowhere is safe. My intentions for starting this blog was to simply post random thoughts of mine. I was not successful in this task, considering my first post (now since removed) was almost three years ago.

Today, I relaunch this website as a place to find secondhand news and information about all thing entertainment.  Do you want to know about the best television show that debuted on Fox in the 1998-1999 season? I am your man. Do you crave to hear the latest song to hit the oldies station? I'm there for you babe! I think you get my drift.

I enjoy posting, but it is not my full time job. I will keep to this as diligently as I can, but remember the theme of this blog before you complain. On the thought of complaints, let me hear them. Let me know when I am doing well. Tell your friends either way.
I hope we can grow together- Jake