Off The Record...

Dwight Yoakam

A Long Way Home

Often credited as one of the artists who paved the way for the huge resurgence in country music, Yoakam comes off like a tenor on his latest release. What is surprising is that the man pulls it off so effortlessly.  This mellow style suits the material well, since almost without exception the songs on Long Way explore themes of heartache and loss, with Dwight playing the role of duped sap. A Long Way Home is one long, beautiful downer.

At The Movies...

X-Files: Fight The Future

Billed as the season finale to the popular TV series, this movie doesn't disappoint.  If you like the X-Files, this is a brighter, higher budget version, with all the popular characters making their requisite appearances.  Certain to open well due to it's faithful fan base, only time will tell if Fight The Future can cross over to a new audience that hasn't been tuned in to the multi-year lead up that explains most of the subtle details and quirks of the lead characters.  If you haven't seen the series, have a friend bring you up to speed over a coffee before the show.

On Video...

Fallen

Denzel Washington stars as a  police detective who is on the trail of an evil incarnate (a fallen angel that has come to wreak havoc on Earth) that leaves the body of an executed serial killer and travels from person to person to commit further crimes.  Donald Sutherland and John Goodman provide some strong backup in their roles as cops who help on the case.  Another great trip to the fear factory, with a fairly complicated plot that keeps the viewer interested.

The Buzz...

Reg Smythe, the creator of the politically incorrect but hilarious cartoon strip Andy Capp has died at age 81.

The Final Game of the NBA Playoffs featuring the Chicago Bulls and the Utah Jazz grabbed a 22.3 rating and a 38 share.  That's over 70 million people who watched Michael Jordan's last minute miracle to make this the highest rated game in NBA history.

Gone With The Wind will have a shot at reclaiming the title of box office champ when it is re-released in theaters this week with twelve minutes of extra footage added to the digitally remastered version. GWTW is reported to be a bigger money-earner than Titanic if you allow for inflation. 

Former punk rocker Johnny Rotten has decided to join the establishment and host a TV magazine show on the rather grown up and sedate VH-1 music channel, that will feature movies, music, sports and fashion.  I guess you can't be a rebel all your life.   

MTV and Planet Hollywood have partnered for a live- music/restaurant/retail outlet that will be called Sound Republic, hoping to score in the highly competitive eater-tainment market. 

The Smashing Pumpkins will donate the proceeds from their upcoming American tour for their new album Adore to youth charities. 

Today show host Katie Couric is currently negotiating a new contract that could more than triple her current $2 million salary.  But NBC has some competition, as the other networks would love to get the popular star to jump ship.

The Sci-Fi Channel has ordered a 10th season of Mystery Science Theater 3000. Thirteen new episodes of the wise-cracking trio that makes fun of awful movies will be aired this fall. 

Phil Collins will hit the road this summer in a tour that should drum up some publicity for his greatest hits album that will be released in the fall.  With so many songs to choose from, it will be interesting to see what will make the final cut.

Ricky Schroder has been pegged as a possible replacement for Jimmy Smits when he leaves NYPD Blue at the end of this season.  Was that guy born with a Silver Spoon in his mouth or what.....

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