Vol. 8  No. 39

Pick Hits

Play It

Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn

In Baldur’s Gate 2: Shadow of Amn, you face an uncertain future. You face a foe that toys with you at every turn, a villain whose goals go beyond a quest for power and who threatens to use a lost companion as a tool for unparalleled destruction. This is the pinnacle of RPG design and it really does stand head and shoulders above the rest. It has a huge world with a great story and tons of optional subplots. The character creation system is full of all sorts of cool options and there are hundreds of items and spells.

At The Movies

Sweet Home Alabama

This is the story of a young woman, Melanie (Reese Witherspoon), from a white trash background who runs away from her husband and reinvents herself as a New York socialite. When her Park Avenue boyfriend (Patrick Dempsey), whose mother is the mayor of New York City, proposes marriage, she returns home to tell her parents the good news and obtain a divorce from her husband. In doing so, she is confronted with her past and must choose between the men. Sweet Home Alabama has a heart, a conscience, and a sense of humor. It might beat you over the head with all three, but it’s a kind-hearted beating you won’t mind taking. Reese Witherspoon continues her impressive string of films that ingeniously display her charms and, at times, even her talents. 

On Video

Monsters Inc.

A fabulous Disney/Pixar production that takes computer animation up to a new level as well as creating a world of adventure for kids of all ages. Monsters Inc. is the world's largest scare factory, a company town that derives its energy by nightly sending monsters through the closet doors of kids' bedrooms to collect their screams. The top scarer is Sully (voiced by John Goodman), a huge blue-green and purple spotted hairball with horns. His sidekick is a one eyed green monster named Mike (Billy Crystal). But one night, by accident, Sully admits Boo, a young human girl into the monster world and because the monsters believe that human children are toxic her presence threatens Sully's career and the monster world's existence. So Sully and Mike must figure out a way to return Boo to the human world, setting up all kinds of delightful mishaps and comic scenarios. Throw in a nasty rival and a monster company conspiracy and you have a smash hit for both the big and small screen.

The Buzz...

Onetime Mötley Crüe vocalist John Corabi (who replaced original and current singer Vince Neil for one album) has rejoined former bandmate Nikki Sixx as rhythm guitarist for Cöckstar, a new band that also features Tracii Gunns (L.A. Guns) and a vocalist named London. But don’t worry the Crue has not broken up, Nikki and Tommy Lee are discussing a farewell tour with Ozzfest '03.

J.K. Rowling, creator of teenage wizard and publishing blockbuster Harry Potter, has revealed that she is pregnant, but reassured readers and investors that the next book in the best-selling series is on the way.

Catherine Bell (J.A.G.) joins Jim Carrey, Jennifer Aniston and Morgan Freeman in Universal's comedy Bruce Almighty for director Tom Shadyac.

In-your-face party animal Andrew W.K. is bringing his explosive brand of high-energy rock n’ roll to a town near you. Check him out on his current Canadian tour, this is one act you do not want to miss. Up and comers Danko Jones have the opening slot.

Jason Ritter (Swimfan) has replaced Brad Renfro and will star opposite Monica Keena in Freddy vs. Jason. Renfro's exit from the project was attributed to creative differences.

Fans hoping to save the Witchblade have cranked their efforts up a notch. Witchblade Central Station launched an online petition earlier this year which now bears over 7000 signatures. Now, they've issued a press release encouraging fans to take the campaign to the next level. Viewers are asked to write letters, send postcards, sign an online petition, and email representatives and executives at Warner Bros.

Slipknot are tentatively titling their forthcoming live DVD/VHS Disaster Pieces, which is due out on November 26th through Roadrunner.

Sopranos costar Michael Imperioli will take on diaper duty in Miramax's comedy My Baby's Mama.

American Idol finalist Tamyra Gray is ready to go Public. The sexy singer is in negotiations with Fox to take on an acting role in the network's Boston Public.

Disney's Monsters Inc. set a record for first-day DVD and video sales, selling 5 million copies for September 17, beating out record debuts by The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring and The Lion King.

For the first time in its 52-year history, the Miss Universe Organization has fired the woman wearing its crown. Oxana Fedorova, a 24-year-old Russian law student, was ousted four months after she won the pageant. The first runner-up, Miss Panama Justine Pasek, 22, will be crowned as her replacement.

Jesse Jackson says he's pleased the producers of Barbershop have apologized for the film's barbs about Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr. and others, but still wants the jokes cut from future DVD and video editions of the hit movie.

Courtney Love announced that her lawsuit with the remaining members of Nirvana has been settled and that a Greatest Hits album will be out by Christmas.

Harpo's Concert Theater in Detroit actually ran out of beer during Black Label Society's performance. The entire show was filmed for BLS's first-ever DVD release coming in 2003.

DreamWorks Pictures/Universal Pictures are moving forward with a sequel to "Gladiator," which won the best picture Oscar last year, hiring scribe John Logan to pen a follow-up to the Ridley Scott-helmed epic.

Obsessive-compulsive detective Adrian Monk will keep fighting germs and crime for USA Network for another season.

Shock-rocker Marilyn Manson, infamous for ripping up Bibles and invoking Satan on stage, is showcasing another side of his twisted mind with a Hollywood art exhibit dubbed The Golden Age of Grotesque.

American trendsetter Calvin Klein plied New York's fashion scene with a line of wispy, seductive negligee-inspired crepe and satin dresses, one of more than 100 designers unveiling collections for next spring.

Ever since 'NSYNC's Joey Fatone joined the cast for "Rent" last month, ticket sales have doubled, to the tune of $100,000 more a week.

Backstreet Boy Brian Littrell and wife Leighanne will be featured on Thursday's episode of psychic TV show "Crossing Over With John Edward," during which Edward will connect Littrell with a late childhood friend with whom he once shared a hospital room.

Green Day's Mike Dirnt was in hospital earlier this week for surgery to deal with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - a degenerative disease likely brought on through years of bass-playing. Dirnt is excepted to recover in six to eight weeks.
 
The Dawson's Creek Halloween episode will have some fitting guests this year - horror rockers The Murderdolls.
 
R. Kelly is facing charges of videotaping sex acts with a minor, but his lawyers may be planning to put an unexpected twist on the case. Rumors are circulating that R. Kelly's defense lawyers will argue that the man who appears in the videotaped encounter is not their client, but actually his brother.
 
Toni Braxton is pregnant with her second child. The R&B singer, who had her first child with husband Keri Lewis in December is due with her second early next year.
 
Jennifer Lopez has denied the rumors she is two months pregnant with new boyfriend Ben Affleck, but she is contemplating marriage one more time.