At The Movies

9
The time is the too near future. Powered and enabled by the invention known as the Great Machine, the world's machines have turned on mankind and sparked social unrest, decimating the human population before being largely shut down. But as our world fell to pieces, a mission began to salvage the legacy of civilization; a group of small creations was given the spark of life by a scientist in the final days of humanity, and they continue to exist post apocalypse. With their group so few, these "stitchpunk" creations must summon individual strengths well beyond their own proportions in order to outwit and fight against still functioning machines, one of which is a marauding mechanized beast.

On DVD

Crank 2: High Voltage
Picking up right where he left off, Jason Statham jumps back into action as hitman Chev Chelios, who is kidnapped by a mysterious mobster and wakes up to discover his nearly indestructible heart has been surgically removed and replaced with a battery-operated ticker that requires regular jolts of electricity in order to work. Determined to get his real heart back and wreak vengeance on whoever stole it, Chev embarks on an electrifying chase through Los Angeles where anything goes to stay alive.


The Buzz..

Katherine Heigl and her husband Josh Kelley are adopting a baby. The couple's adoption process has been in the works for at least six months and that the 10 month old girl is from Korea. The baby's name is Nayleigh, and her nickname will be Leigh. Heigl plays Dr. Izzie Stevens on ABC's Grey's Anatomy. Kelley is a singer songwriter.

Glee kicked off its season as Wednesday's top show among adults 18-49, but its numbers were a little underwhelming given all the hype FOX has put into the series.

The last time Edward Norton appeared on a live action prime time series was never. But that's about to change. The two time Oscar nominee will guest star on ABC's new comedy Modern Family this fall. It will be his first ever on camera appearance on a prime time show (he did do voice work on a Simpsons episode in 2000). Norton will play a member of a well known band that Julie Bowen's character hires as a surprise anniversary gift for her husband, played by Norton's friend and Incredible Hulk co-star Ty Burrell. Modern Family has been getting strong early reviews as one of the best new shows of the season.

Talk show host Ellen DeGeneres has been named as the fourth American Idol judge. FOX announced that Ellen will be joining Simon Cowell, Kara DioGuardi and Randy Jackson on the American Idol judging panel in the wake of Paula Abdul's departure. She will join the panel after the initial auditions, so I'm hoping that means she is there for Hollywood Week. DeGeneres had this to say: "I'm thrilled to be the new judge on American Idol. I've watched since the beginning, and I've always been a huge fan. So getting this job is a dream come true, and think of all the money I'll save from not having to text in my vote."

Dancing With the Stars pros Karina Smirnoff and Maksim Chmerkovskiy won't be partnering up in life after all. The reality show fiancees have ended their relationship. Smirnoff, 31, and Chmerkovskiy, 29, had gotten engaged just before the new year and planned to walk down the aisle in June 2010. The two are both natives of Ukraine. She was previously involved with her former Dancing partner Mario Lopez, but they split up.

Rob Halford will release his first solo album in seven years on October 26th, and it will be a collection of holiday music entitled Halford III - Winter Songs. Backed by producer and guitarist Roy Z, the Judas Priest singer will deliver a collection of holiday classics like What Child Is This, Oh Holy Night and Come All Ye Faithful, as well as original compositions.

Slayer guitarist Kerry King revealed that he has heard through the grapevine that Lars Ulrich is plotting a tour that would include Metallica, Megadeth and Anthrax. Should this tour materialize, this would be the first time that the big four have toured together as part of the same bill. Megadeth, Slayer and Anthrax were joined by opening act Alice In Chains for the US Clash Of The Titans tour in 1991.

Janet Jackson will open the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday with a musical tribute to her brother Michael. MTV confirmed that Janet, a 9 time winner at the VMAs, will make a special appearance that will look back at the life and career of Michael.

Taylor Swift is giving fans some new music, even though she's not yet releasing a new album. The 19 year old country and pop sensation is re-releasing her top selling CD Fearless Oct. 27 with six new songs. She will also include a DVD of photos, tour footage and her videos, including her comedic clip with T-Pain from the CMT Awards earlier this year. Fearless has sold almost 4 million copies since it was released last November. It was named album of the year by the Academy of Country Music.

It’s official, Neverland Ranch is set to become a theme park. As early as Christmas, Michael Jackson’s estate is to become a museum, tourist attraction and concert venue. Jackson’s family has agreed to turn the ranch into an amusement park set to be on par with Elvis’ Graceland and Dolly Parton’s Dollywood.

Christina Milian and The Dream got hitched last Thursday. The R&B singer former MTV host and the hip-hop super producer swapped their vows at a low key ceremony in Las Vegas on September 3rd at 12 midnight. They were married at the Little White Wedding Chapel, the site of Britney Spears’ infamous wedding back in 2004.

Transformers hottie Megan Fox was seen shopping in the Yorkville district of Toronto with her boyfriend Brian Austin Green. Fox is in town to promote her new film, Jennifer’s Body, which gets its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival this month. Green, meanwhile, is currently shooting a movie here in the city. Megan Fox and U2 will give Saturday Night Live an attention getting season opener when it returns on September 26.

A public memorial was held for DJ AM at the Palladium in Hollywood. Stars such as Lindsay Lohan, Samantha Ronson, Robert Downey Jr. and his wife, John Mayer, Scott Caan, Bijou Phillips, and Nicole Richie, who was once engaged to the late DJ, were all in attendance. The Palladium was the first club AM played after the near-fatal plane crash with Travis Barker earlier this year.

R Kelly has revealed that he plans to complete work on a number of collaborations he had with Michael Jackson, prior to his death on June 25th. The R&B star said that he and MJ laid down some tracks in Kelly’s studio and he is also determined to release them. This is only the tip of the iceberg as far as unreleased MJ music goes. Akon, Ne-Yo and will.i.am have all admitted they were working with Jackson before his death.

Madonna has broken the record for the highest grossing tour ever by a solo artist. The singer’s Sticky and Sweet world tour earned $408 million and took her across 32 countries. Madge smashed her own record that she previously set back in 2006 with her Confessions tour, which brought in $194 million. The Rolling Stones, however, still remain the highest grossing act ever with their Bigger Bang tour grossing a total of $558 million in its two-year run.

After more than a decade of separation, Hugh Hefner is seeking an official return to his bachelor status. The Playboy founder filed for divorce on Friday from his wife and former Playmate, Kimberly.

The Beatles look set to dominate Britain's pop charts once again this week with the Fab Four predicted to take five of the top 20 album places. Digitally remastered versions of the band's albums went on sale Wednesday, and combined with an interactive video game, it led to a brief return to Beatlemania around the world. The Official Charts Company said as well as taking at least five of the top 20 spots, the band was expected to have 15 albums in the top 75 when the charts are released Sunday.