Gibson, Wyle & More

• Mel Gibson spent nearly $30 million of his own money to produce, co-write and direct "The Passion." Some say it is a classic, while others hate it. Before I form my opinion, I think I should at least see it.
  
• Noah Wyle will be taking a break this season from NBC's top-rated drama ER. Wyle is not leaving for good but will take a break this season to spend more time with his wife, and their nine-month-old son. I'll miss him but family has to come first!
  
• Eighty-four prisoners escaped from a maximum security prison in northeastern Brazil early on Saturday through a 50-yard tunnel they dug to the jungle outside, police said. Colonel Klink is said to be shocked!
  
• A burglar who took a nap after breaking into an elderly woman's house in Amsterdam was arrested after she found him asleep on her couch. He's hoping that he's assigned to the prison in the item above!
  
• A Japanese expedition equipped with infrared cameras will scour the Nepali Himalayas for six weeks starting Sunday in search of the legendary Yeti, or abominable snowman. I don't know who will be happier if they find proof... them or Jazz!

Shutter Island & More

• Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane is one of the best novels I've read this year. Publisher's Weekly said it best: Shutter Island "carries an ending so shocking yet so faithful to what has come before, that it will go down as one of the most aesthetically right resolutions ever written."
  
• Gregory Hines, the award-winning tap-dancing actor who starred on Broadway and film died yesterday at the age of 57. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends, and fans.
  
• German producers who backed Arnold Schwarzenegger's "Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines" said there could be another sequel even if he succeeds in becoming Governor of California. Does this sound like a good idea to anyone?
  
• After a six year absence, James Cameron has signed on to helm a film about the extreme sport of free diving. Does this sound like a good idea to anyone?
  
• Britney Spears is in talks to executive produce [but not host] her very own syndicated talk show. Does this sound like a good idea to anyone?
  
• Quote of the Day: "Anybody can win unless there happens to be a second entry." - George Adel
  

Odd But True

• Let's start off with a strange trailer today... "Bubba Ho-Tep" is a horror-comedy starring Bruce Campbell as an old Elvis impersonator who has to fight off evil... well, take a look. If you like it, you'll say, "Thank you... thank you very much."
  
• Michael Crichton's best seller, Timeline, is coming to the big screen! The trailer rocks! See it and then check out the book before the movie premieres!
  
• I've been talking about how cool "Underworld" looks -- any movie with vampires and werewolves has gotta be at least somewhat cool -- anyway, there's a new trailer online now. This one just keeps looking better and better!
  
• BIRMINGHAM, Mich. - Ozzy Osbourne's tour manager, in town for the Ozzfest heavy metal music festival, was found dead in his hotel room, the Oakland County Medical Examiner's Office said today. You just know this is going to mess Ozzy up.
  
• ROCKY M0UNT, Va. (Reuters) - Prosecutors accused three teen-age boys of promoting fist fights between boys who were in their care at a summer camp and charging other campers admission to watch the boxing matches. Only in America!
  
• LONDON (Reuters) - An elderly British man who lived in a run-down house, bought second-hand clothes and watched television at his neighbor's to save on electricity left a million pounds to a dog charity and nothing to his daughters, newspapers reported on Friday. Well, dogs are man's best friends!
  
• BERLIN (Reuters) - A giant catfish that ate a dog and terrorized a German lake for years has washed up dead, but the legend of "Kuno the Killer" lives on. Well, dogs are not catfish's best friends!
  
• SAN FRANCISCO - Rick Beal wanted to grab some cash on the way to the airport — so he hired a limo and allegedly robbed a bank on the way. "Just leave the motor running... I'll be right back!"

Rumors, Dumb Criminals & More

• From Dark Horizons: Looks like Tuesday's rumor about "Big Trouble in Little China 2" was just a rumor. That's too bad since it was such a good rumor!
  
• There's been a lot of discussion about Mel Gibson's next film, "The Passion." Mel hosted a special preview and the crowd reaction was very strong and very positive. I, for one, can't wait to see it!
  
• The Z Review posted an interesting tidbit: "There's no truth to the rumor that Sly Stallone is attached to star in "Beverly Hills Cop 4". The idea did come up, and I believe it was mentioned to Sly as part of a new 3-pic deal Para has talked to him about but word is he ... passed." Interesting to note that Paramount may have floated a 3 picture deal at Sly! [A tip of the hat to Dark Horizons]
  
• From Yahoo's "Notable Quotes for today: "I went to check with my 6-year-old about whether I should take the job... . They (his children) don't like to sit through my other films. But this they think is great." -- SYLVESTER STALLONE telling The Philadelphia Inquirer about playing the villain in "Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over."
  
• OKLAHOMA CITY (Reuters) - What was that again? Julia Roberts accused Richard Simmons of stealing her car and wanted Ronald Reagan to arrest him. Believe it or not this is a true story! [Although those named above are NOT the celebrities but every day people caught up in life.]
  
• FORT WORTH, Texas - A bank robber made the ultimate bad career move when he wrote a holdup note — on the back of his resume. OK... so now he has something else to add to his resume.

Carpenter/Russell, Hanks/Spielberg & More

• Dark Horizons posted an item from Wing King that talks are underway for a "Big Trouble in Little China" sequel with John Carpenter and Kurt Russell returning and Jackie Chan may be in the mix as well! Russell and Carpenter with Jackie Chan -- yeah, I'm in!
  
• Dark Horizons posted an item from Filmrot.com showing some new pics from the Hellboy set. This one keeps looking better and better!
  
• Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg are gearing up for new 10-part WWII miniseries, which at this point is called "Untitled World War II Pacific Theater Project." Perhaps a better name would be "Untitled Award Winning Money Making Project."
  
• LOS ANGELES - Leah Remini plays a wife on the CBS sitcom "The King of Queens" was recently married in real life. I don't watch her show but I gotta tell ya, there is something very appealing about her...
  
• LONDON (Reuters) - Criminals could avoid being taken to court if they agree to apologize personally to their victims, under plans outlined by the UK government Tuesday. "I'm really sorry I stole your money, burned down your house and kicked your puppy." Yeah, that ought to do it.
  
• SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - A California man accused of stealing heads and other human body parts from a local hospital and stashing them at his house, posted $10,000 bail over the weekend, police said on Monday. Maybe he could just say he was "sorry."
  
• SALT LAKE CITY - The security chief for the 2002 Winter Olympics was pickpocketed while he attended the Moscow-Utah Youth Games. So how secure do you feel now?

BB2, 28 Days & The Goon

• I didn't care much for "Bad Boys" but I really, really enjoyed "Bad Boys II." Will Smith and Martin Lawrence have that rare screen chemistry that makes you enjoy just watching them interact. Add a script that is pedal-to-the-floor action with a good mix of humor, then throw in director Michael Bay and you have two and a half hours of fun. I''m not the only one who feels this way... BB2 opened at #1 this weekend! This movie gets a big thumbs up and a spot in my dvd library!
  
• Remember when I told you about that great little zombie flick, "28 days later"? I've seen it twice [which is rare for me these days] and can't wait for it to arrive on dvd. If you haven't seen it yet, but decide to, be sure you wait through the credits! Starting July 25th an alternate ending will run!
  
• Another thing that I've been talking up forever is The Goon comic by Eric Powell. Well, the July 25th issue of Entertainment Weekly lists The Goon at #4 in its "Must List" column. The Goon also gets an "A" rating in the same issue's review section. ZONErs are always ahead of the curve!
  

Comics, Sports, Auctions & More

• Yesterday I told you that "The Shield" was being developed as a comic by IDW Publishing. Today I can show you the first piece of preliminary art used to advertise the new comic series as well as a bit more information. With the right team, this comic could really rock!
• Steve Niles [Guns, Drugs and Monsters] is teaming with Rob Zombie to write a new comic called The Nail. It's the story of satanic bikers and all the mischief that they can get into on any given day. The story is scheduled to begin in early 2004. I like Niles' work so I'm going to keep up with this.
• Orson Welles' Oscar from "Citizen Kane," regarded by many as the best movie ever made, is expected to fetch between $300,000 and $400,000 now that it is up for auction! You just know that Big Beatty would love this since he's a big Welles fan. [Maybe he'll sneak in a bid... then we could call him "Bid Beatty."]
• EAGLE, Colo. (Reuters) - Basketball star Kobe Bryant was charged today with sexually assaulting a 19-year-old hotel employee. In a statement, Bryant said, "I am innocent of the charges filed today. I did not assault the woman who is accusing me. I made the mistake of adultery. I have to answer to my wife and my God for my actions that night and I pray that both will forgive me." Kobe had one of the best reputations in the league... I guess he should ask for forgiveness from the young lady as well. However this turns out it is sad for all involved.
• If you don't want to bid against Big Beatty for Orson Welles' Oscar, you may want to try bidding on some personal items which belonged to JKF!
• BERLIN (Reuters) - A German court fined a man 1,350 euros ($1,500) for attempted blackmail after he gave himself away by giving the intended victim his bank account details for the cash transfer. Another criminal mastermind who slipped up!
• LAS VEGAS (Reuters) - Outraged by a Las Vegas company that claims to offer men a chance to stalk and shoot naked women in the Nevada desert with paintball guns, women's groups and government agencies were scrambling to find a way to shut down such "Bambi" hunts. Now what will Big Beatty do to pass the weekends?
• Okay, so you don't want to bid on Orson Welles' Oscar, and you don't want to take a shot at JFK's stuff... how about plunking down on a 40-year-old, handmade prototype for the G.I. Joe action doll that's set for auction, with a record minimum bid of $600,000? I'd take a shot at it but if I won you'd have to call me G.I. Owe!
• MELBOURNE, Australia - In a rushed grab-and-run robbery, two men with a sawed-off shotgun stole two bags of garbage from a gasoline station attendant. Police say they have no idea why the men grabbed the trash, but assumed they thought the bags contained money. One can never understand the mind of a criminal genus.
• PANAMA CITY, Fla. - Jurors who were mooned by a defendant needed only 30 minutes Thursday to find the man guilty of armed burglary and aggravated battery. Cornell Jackson, 29, punctuated his insanity defense by loudly hooting "cuckoo-cuckoo" and then dropping his pants to moon the jury on Wednesday. How do you "hoot" "cuckoo-cuckoo"?
  

Movies, TV, Novels & More

• "The Hunted" stars Benicio del Torro as a special forces soldier who has gone off the deep end and Tommy Lee Jones as the man who trained and therefore feels compelled to bring him in before more people are killed. This movie features some of the most brutal and realistic knife fights ever put on film [way to go Rafael!] If you like action/adventure then this one may be worth a look.
• "Identity" features John Cusack, Ray Liotta, Amanda Peet in a sweet little mystery directed by James Mangold of "Cop Land" fame. It reminded me of something that could have been an episode from the classic years of "Twilight Zone." It's got a twist ending... followed by another. It's definitely worth a rental.
• "A Man Apart" could have been so much better. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't bad but it wasn't great. Vin Diesel plays a cop whose wife is murdered after he brings down a drug lord. Vin then goes after his wife's killers. I'm glad I saw it and you may be too if there's nothing better on...
• Michael Crow has with just two books, become one of my favorite authors. I told you about him after I'd finished his first book, Red Rain. It was one of the best crime novels I'd read in years. Well, I've finished his second, The Bite, and it is just as good. Check him out, you'll thank me later!
• Miramax Films and Quentin Tarantino,the writer-director of '90s landmarks "Pulp Fiction" and "Reservoir Dogs" have announced unusual plans to splice his long-awaited new action film, "Kill Bill," into two movies and release them within months of each other. It'll be interesting to see if fans will turn out since "Kill Bill" doesn't have the built in fan base of "The Lord of the Rings" or "The Matrix."
• NEW YORK - One of Sharon Osbourne's dogs was eaten by a coyote — and husband Ozzy Osbourne managed to save another dog from a similar fate. As a dog owner, I can imagine the pain that they're going through.
• The Emmy nominations have been announced and here's who I'm pulling for... Best Drama Series: "24" / Best Actor in a Drama: Michael Chiklis for "The Shield" / Best Actress in a Drama: Jennifer Garner for "Alias" / Best Supporting Actor in a Drama: John Spencer for "The West Wing" / Best Supporting Actress in a Drama: Lena Olin for "Alias" / Best Comedy Series: "Everybody Loves Raymond" / Best Actor in a Comedy Series: Ray Romano for "Everybody Loves Raymond" / Actress in a Comedy Series: Patricia Heaton for "Everybody Loves Raymond" / Supporting Actor in a Comedy: Peter Boyle for "Everybody Loves Raymond" / Supporting Actress / Comedy: Doris Roberts for "Everybody Loves Raymond"
• Since we're talking about the best in television... one of the best shows on tv will soon become a comic. "The Shield" is going to be published by IDW -- the same people who publish the comic adaptation for "CSI" and Steve Niles' novels [like Guns, Drugs and Monsters and Savage Membrane]. This could turn into something very cool.
• SANTA FE, N.M (Reuters) - A New Mexico family is suing their local Catholic church over a funeral Mass in which they claim a priest said their relative was only a middling Catholic and going straight to hell. And that was the nicest thing he could find to say??
• ALBANY, N.Y. (Reuters) - A convicted murderer wants the state of New York to pay $500,000 for his sex change and a key ruling in his case has moved him closer to his dream of serving the rest of his sentence in a women's jail. Yeah, he's a convicted murderer, let's help him achieve dream. Yeah, that would be REAL justice.

Old School, Devil, Arnie & More

• If you like comedies then you might want to check out "Old School" starring Will Farrell, Luke Wilson and Vince Vaughn as three guys in their thirties who decide to have a little fun. The scene with the wedding singer adding his personal touch to a song is hysterical!
• If you're more into drama and mystery, then you might like "Devil in a Blue Dress" based on the best selling book by Walter Mosley. I read the book years ago and loved it and finally got around to seeing the film today. Don Cheadle streals the show. I say check 'em both out, if you like this sort of thing.
• Police in the Canadian province of Manitoba say a pricey piece of jewelry purloined from the set of Jennifer Lopez's now shooting romantic drama, "Shall We Dance?," turned up along with a murdered and dismembered man in a hotel room. This sounds like something out of a movie!
• Arnold Schwarzenegger is getting ready to decide on his next film. It looks like it is down to "Big Sir" or a remake of "Westworld." Schwarzenegger is also developing a "Conan the Barbarian" sequel, to be produced by Larry and Andy Wachowski, you know, "The Matrix" brothers! I say do "Westworld" and follow up with "King Conan!"
• "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl," opened at number one this week. The real surprise was that last week's champion, Arnold Schwarzenegger's "Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines," fell two places to No. 3 in its second weekend with $19.6 million. Its 55 percent slide was one of the steepest in the top 10. Where's James Cameron when you need him?
• PHOENIXVILLE, Pa. - The town where "The Blob" first made horror history is celebrating the movie monster that made it a star. "The Blob" isn't a horror movie that usually comes quickly to mind but it was one of the best made in the '50's!

Pirates, Gentlemen & More

• "Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl" went looking for early box office gold and found it by digging up an estimated $23.8 million in its first two days in theaters. When I first heard about this one I thought it would sink... now I wouldn't mind seeing it!
• "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen," on the other hand, was one that I wanted to see... but now I think I'll wait for dvd.
• "Go Inside: Animal House," a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the movie will air on TNN in August. "Animal House" was a "must-see" movie when it came out -- and I'll be watching for this special as well!
• VIENNA (Reuters) - A round of "schnapps" on the house landed an Austrian waiter and his customers in hospital after he served them dishwasher fluid that left them with internal burns. I'd love to be the lawyer on this one.
• LIMA, Peru (Reuters) - Lacking the proper instruments, a Peruvian doctor at a state hospital in the Andean highlands used a drill and pliers to perform brain surgery on a man. Give that doc some duct tape and there's no telling what he could accomplish!
• LONDON (Reuters) - Scientists are lobbying to build the world's most powerful microscope, an instrument so advanced that it can see individual atoms moving.
• MOSCOW (Reuters) - Two Russian nudists have been struck by lightning at a beach on the Moscow river while taking cover from a thunderstorm under a tree. Ouch! I'll bet that left a mark!
• NEW YORK (Reuters) - In the 1950s Americans were told to hide under tables if a nuclear bomb went off -- an infamous warning that became the butt of endless jokes. Now amid a high terror alert, New York is giving its residents the same advice. Well... that advice is better than "go to the light! [Although not much]
• SANTIAGO, Chile (Reuters) - Chilean scientists say that a huge blob of flesh found on a Pacific beach about three weeks ago is the carcass of a sperm whale. Darn! I really liked Jazz's idea better!
• ATHENS, Greece - Greece has declared war on bad cheese. Quick, somebody warn Big Beatty!
• Last night I finished reading Andy McNab's Firewall. It's the third in his Nick Stone series and well worth a look if you like action and intrigue!
• Zablo Zone Store
  
  
  

Scorsese & More

• Martin Scorsese has signed on to executive produce a Sci Fi Channel miniseries targeted to premiere in 2005. "The Twelve" chronicles an FBI agent's confrontation with a bizarre series of events he suspects to be signs of an impending apocalypse timed for the Twelfth Day of Christmas. Sounds like something that Jazz and I will watch!
  
  
• STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - A 27-year-old Swede was charged on Wednesday with taking part in the armed robbery of his own parents, during which his mother was shot in the arm. And to think my mom was disappointed when I forgot to take out the trash...
  


• TOKYO (Reuters) - Trouble-prone sumo grand champion Asashoryu, a Mongolian, landed himself in hot water again after being disqualified for hair-pulling during a bout. Maybe his opponent should have wore a bigger thong? Yikes!
  


• PHOENIX - Jenny Lopez's home is a pile of rubble after a demolition crew mistakenly tore down the wrong house. I don't think that saying "sorry" is going to cut it for this one.
  


• TULSA, Okla. - A would-be burglar in Tulsa, Okla., has forgetfulness to blame for his arrest. Police say the suspect took clothing and removed the sensor tags from them. But as he was leaving the store, alarms that detect the sensors in the tags went off. Police say he told store employees he forgot he put the 12 tags in his pants pocket. Another criminal mastermind brought to justice!

Haunted Mansion, Blade 3 & More

• Ain't It Cool News has posted a link to "The Haunted Mansion" trailer. What's scary is that I loved the ride but don't think that the movie is going to be for me!
• "Blade III" starts filming on September 23rd and Filmjerk .com has the scoop! [A tip of the hat to Dark Horizons as well!] I didn't like "Blade" but loved "Blade II" so I don't know what to expect with "3."
• Dark Horizons reports that there are talks of making "Predator 3" from a script done by Robert Rodriguez a few years ago. Can I buy my ticket now?
• MTV announced Tuesday it has signed "The Osbournes" for 20 more episodes, scheduled to begin airing early next year. Well that's just #$!@^ great!
• Burt Reynolds plays an inmate and Bruce Dern, plays a sheriff who team up to track down an escaped felon in the late 1800s-era Western "Hard Ground," a new Hallmark Channel movie airing Saturday. You know, I just may just have to check this out.
• DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - A former stripper is demanding an end to the new cable television show "Stripperella," an animated series featuring Pamela Anderson as the voice of a stripper who moonlights as a superhero. Daytona Beach, Florida Stripper!?! I'll bet we could talk Big Beatty into following up on this story in person!
• LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Reuters) - An Arkansas lawyer has been charged with using the U.S. Postal Service to send a man a deadly poisonous copperhead snake, federal prosecutors say. Man, I find that kind of behavior totally objectionable.
• BERLIN (Reuters) - A German oil delivery man who got his addresses mixed up accidentally pumped 5,280 pints of heating oil straight into a house's basement. I don't think that saying "sorry" is going to cut it for this one.
• HARRISBURG, Pa. - An escaped inmate made it easy for police to track him down: He used his prisoner ID card to check into a hotel. Sometimes I wonder how these criminal masterminds ever get caught... and then again...
• Terry Wallis, who slipped into a coma after a 1984 car accident, spoke last month for the first time in 19 years to the surprise of doctors and the delight of his family. He'll be like a man out of time for a while... cell phones, personal computers, dvds, Big Beatty.com..

Jolie, Foley & More

• LOS ANGELES - Angelina Jolie says there's nothing left of the intense love she once shared with ex-husband Billy Bob Thornton. Jolie is quoted as saying, "We're not friends." It's sad, but isn't that the way that most breakups go?
• Mick Foley's debut novel, Tietam Brown comes out today. It'll be interesting to see how it does.
• BERLIN (Reuters) - The 14-year-old sister of Formula One driver Heinz-Harald Frentzen took a joyride in her mother's car while her parents were watching Sunday's French Grand Prix. At least she wasn't speeding.
• LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - It may be too late for Elvis Presley devotees to get their hands on one of his sequined jumpsuits, but die-hard fans can still claim a small piece of the King -- a tooth. I hope Big Beatty wins!
• An absent-minded passenger headed for Hong Kong ended up in Australia. Well, it should have at least helped with the frequent flyer miles.
• DIXON, Ill. - Mary Crombie marked her 113th birthday with familiar optimism about her beloved Chicago Cubs, notwithstanding their 94-year unlucky streak. Man, only "The Brogan Man" has a longer losing streak!

Hello Parker, Bye Buddy & More

• Jeff Parker, creator of Interman [which you really ought to consider picking up], has written up his Heroes Con Report. StalloneZone is mentioned... Even if you don't like comics. I'll bet you'd get a kick out of his Con Reports.
• LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Matthew McConaughey is in talks to star in "Tishomingo Blues," an adaptation of the Elmore Leonard best seller that will mark Don Cheadle directorial debute. Although I haven't read the book, I do like the work of McConaughey, Leonard, and Cheadle.
• LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Cable news channel MSNBC on Monday fired Michael Savage after the controversial talk show host wished AIDS on a caller whom he dismissed as "one of the sodomites." And I'll bet Savage was surprised.
• LOS ANGELES - Buddy Ebsen best known for his roles in "The Beverly Hillbillies" and "Barnaby Jones," has died. He was 95. Harry Knowles has written a nice tribute over at Ain't It Cool News. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends, and fans.
• LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Police and prosecutors met in Colorado on Monday to discuss filing sexual assault charges against Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant as his lawyers said he was innocent and accused the local sheriff of "bias." It's pretty strange that the DA and sherrif are not on the same page with this one.
• LONDON (Reuters) - British police investigating how a young sky diver plunged 13,000 feet to his death revealed on Monday his parachute cords had been deliberately severed. That sounds sounds like something out of a tv mystery... but what a scary thought when you really consider it.
• SEOUL (Reuters) - A South Korean man angry with his daughter's Web surfing faced possible charges on Monday after he threw a computer monitor out of his 12th-floor apartment, hitting a four-year-old girl below on the head, police said. I would think that he would face more than "POSSIBLE" charges.
• MONTPELLIER, France (AFP) - A shopper in southern France literally named his own price when he visited several supermarkets near here. According to police, the 22-year-old suspect fabricated barcode labels on his home computer, and by using them to replace the originals was able to acquire goods for a fraction of their real prices. I wonder how that system works out in jail?
• HELLAM, Pa. - House hunters and footwear fanatics, take note: A three-bedroom, two bath house that happens to be shaped like a giant shoe is up for sale. I'll be some old lady buys it -- she'll have some many children she won't know what to do.
• EAST DUBLIN, Ga. - There was bobbin' for pigs feet and hubcap hurling. Grown men competed against each other by belly-flopping into a mud pit. This year's Redneck Games at Buckeye Park in East Dublin drew thousands of spectators. As stupid as it sounds, I'll bet everyone had a lot of fun!
• ROSWELL, N.M. - The sports editor of the Roswell Daily Record has been fired for fabricating part of a news story about a golf tournament in which he quoted a fictional character from the movie "Caddyshack." And I'll bet the editor was surprised.

Crazy Stuff & T3 Too

• My buddy, John has started up his website again. It's over at BigBeatty.com. Check it out and tell him I sent ya his way. [Be advised that this site is not always appropriate for our younger fans!]
• PARIS (AFP) - A hunt to find a twin to our Solar System has uncovered the most intriguing match so far, astronomers said here. Ninety light years away lies a star similar to our own Sun, circled by a giant planet that closely resembles Jupiter in its location, they said. I just know that Jazz is digging this story as much as I am.
• IONNINA, Greece (AFP) - Greek fire fighters were called out after a large ball of light appeared low in the sky. But they found no fires, or evidence of debris... Another item for Jazz!
• NEW YORK (AFP) - Takeru "Tsunami" Kobayashi of Japan downed 44 and a half hot dogs in 12 minutes, confirming his status as perhaps the most phenomenal competitive eater of the modern era. I'll bet Big Beatty could put him under the table if they were eating sushi!
• PARIS (Reuters) - Armed with a toy pistol, a would-be robber picked himself an unlikely target in central Paris -- a gun shop. Bet you can guess the outcome of this one
• BERLIN (Reuters) - A German fireman has admitted committing more than 30 acts of arson so he could fight more fires, police say. Talk about a man who loved his work!
• BOSTON - A new study released by Northeastern University this week found that anybody can be a boss. Yeah, but not everyone can be a amateur administrator!
• I saw Arnold Schwarzenegger in 'Terminator 3 Rise of the Machines' today. It had a lot of action and I'm glad that I saw it on the big screen but it doesn't come close to either of the first two.

BB2, Riddick & More

• I saw "Bad Boys" in a theater when it was first released. I enjoyed the direction and some of the interplay between Will Smith and Martin Lawrence but overall rated the movie as less than average. With that said, "Bad Boys II" looks like it might be a lot of fun!
  
• Dark Horizons reports that principal photography has started on "Riddick" the "Pitch Black" sequel. Man, I can't wait for this one!
  
• NEW YORK (Reuters) - It may be illegal, immoral and certainly ill-advised, but selling every usable part of your body could fetch upward of $45 million, according to a survey in the August issue of Wired magazine. The Six Million Dollar Man ain't got nothin' on me!
  
• HELSINKI (Reuters) - A Finnish man killed his wife and cut the corpse in half so it would fit into a single plastic bag. He turned up for work on Monday but left early to confess to police. Cut her in half so she would fit in ONE bag... and showed up to work on Monday... this guy is every efficient [and crazy].
  
• OKLAHOMA CITY (Reuters) - An Oklahoma man arrested on suspicion of beating his wife faced year in prison and a fine. But when he spit in an arresting officer's face, he got a life sentence instead. I can see it now... "I'm in for a triple murder. What about you?" "Uh, I spit on a cop."
  
• BOSTON (Reuters) - A New Hampshire man has been charged with assaulting his girlfriend after flying into a violent rage when she beat him in an arm-wrestling match and called him a "wimp." Good thing he didn't spit on anyone.
  
• BERLIN (Reuters) - A German man woke up to find himself stark naked in the middle of a street after sleepwalking from home. That happened to Big Beatty once, but at least he was, uh, pointed in the right direction.
  
• LONDON (Reuters) - Archaeologists have identified the first Ice Age cave art ever discovered in Britain, a series of drawings dating back 12,000 years. This kind of stuff just amazes me.
  
• BERLIN (Reuters) - An escaped circus monkey dropped into a pizzeria in a small German town and vandalised the ladies toilet even though the owner had tried to pacify the animal with salad and rolls. C'mon, everyone knows that you can't pacify a crazed monkey with salad and rolls! Break out the pizza and giant subs if ya wanna tame the beast!
  
• SINGAPORE - The number of Singaporeans with foul-smelling, fungus-covered feet is rising and health authorities want to tackle the problem. I know a certain guy in Daytona who won't have that problem... his nails look shiny too!

The Losers, The Mystery, The Dead & More

• DC Comics has published a really well done comic called The Losers. The art is great and the story is intelligent. The first issue is on stands now. I guess you could say, The Losers is a winner!
• SANTIAGO, Chile (Reuters) - Scientists said on Wednesday a huge mass of slimy flesh that washed up on a Chilean beach last week may be a rare type of giant octopus or just discarded whale blubber.
• TOKYO - If it costs a lot to live in Japan, try dying: Cemetery plots on sale in Tokyo are priced at up to $86,800 each. The city government began taking applications Wednesday for the 50 newly opened spots at Aoyama Cemetery — the first such sale in 43 years. Talk about a high cost of, ahem, living.
• DULUTH, Minn. - An exasperated resident turned the tables on a company that hounded him with telemarketing calls, calling it more than 100 times in two days. That's good... not as good as what Big Beatty does to telemarketers but still.

Crow, Hackett, P-Diddy and More

• Michael Crow has created one of the most enjoyable hardboiled novels that I've ever read. I just finished Red Rain and have already ordered The Bite, his latest Luther Ewing novel [just published this month]. If you like crime fiction then check out Crow's work.
  
• .Dark Horizons posted two reviews for "Shade" today. Both of them were positive!
  
• Comedian Buddy Hackett has died at the age of 78. I didn't know until today that Buddy had been offered Curley's spot with the Three Stooges after Curley had a stroke. Our prayers go out to Buddy's family and friends.
  
• SANTIAGO, Chile (Reuters) - Chilean scientists are baffled by a huge, gelatinous sea creature found washed up on the southern Pacific coast and are seeking international help identifying the mystery specimen. This is a story Jazz will love!
  
• SAN FRANCISCO - People fascinated with the history of "The Rock," aka Alcatraz Island, can now own a piece of it. So you could literally own a piece of the rock!
  
• Sean 'P-Diddy' Combs has been sued for more than $25 million by a former business partner who charged the rapper with forcing him to sign away his interest in their company by threatening him with a baseball bat. P-Diddy must be a fan of the movie "The Untouchables."

28 days, Return of the King & More"

• I saw a great little horror film today. If you enjoy a good "zombie" flick in the vien [pardon the pun] of "Night of the Living Dead" then you'll love this! "28 days later..." should be seen now not later!
• USAToday ran a picture of the advance poster for "The Return of the King," the next installment in the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy. The poster can also be seen at theonering.net. Peter Jackson [director] said it was his favorite of the three... I know I'm looking forward to it!
• Chris Tucker is in line for another $20 million-plus payday to co-star in "Rush Hour 3." If he makes the movie it will be his third film since 1998 [with the other two being "Rush Hour" and "Rush Hour 2"]. It's good work if you can get it!
• MESA, Ariz. - City officials in Mesa have mistakenly installed two bus shelters where no buses run. Can't you just imagine some poor soul... "Uh... I'm sure it'll be a long any minute now."
• Singapore unveiled Friday plans for a $114 million, 558-foot Ferris wheel that would swing 114 feet above the current world record holder. "C'mon mom, don't worry about SARS, I just GOTTA ride that Ferris wheel." Yeah, that should bring in the tourists.
• HANOI (Reuters) - A Vietnamese man passed off a lump of iron as valuable black bronze found buyers -- but was paid $64,000 in counterfeit bills. Talk about poetic justice!
• PARIS (AFP) - Bean-lovers, rejoice: the embarrassing side-effect of your favourite food may soon become a distant memory. Big Beatty can go back to eating chilli on his omlettes!
• NEW YORK (AFP) - New York police rescued and then arrested a red-faced burglar after he managed to get himself stuck in the chimney of the restaurant he was trying to burgle. Another criminal mastermind brought to justice!
• BERLIN (Reuters) - A German thief has had to call the police to rescue him after becoming trapped during a bungled break-in. Still another criminal mastermind brought to justice!
• STOCKHOLM, Sweden - Vodka-flavored ice pops won't be available on store shelves in Sweden after regulators said Tuesday they were worried that young kids might eat them. Guess that means no crack flavored cupcakes either!

Ashton, Mac, Jackie & More

• The very popular, Ashton Kutcher, will team up with the very funny, Bernie Mac, in the comedy "The Dinner Party." Kutcher will play a man marrying a black woman whose father [Mac] has difficulty coming to terms with the marriage. Sounds like a comedy version of "Guess Whose Coming to Dinner."
• Lena Olin, who stars as Sydney Bristow's mother on "Alias" has gained a lot of positive exposure from the role. Olin is so good at being bad...
• Eminem and his mentor/producer Dr. Dre share the Number Two position on this year's Forbes' Celebrity 100 list. I'll bet some people will still downplay Eminem's impact...
• Kelsey Grammer has announced that next season will be "Fraiser's" last. "Fraiser" was "must see tv" up until Niles got married... I'll probably tune in for the last episode though.
• A German man was fatally stabbed by his wife of thirty years after they argued about what color to paint the walls of their house. Well, if you feel that strongly maybe you should just speak up.
• A version of Jackie Gleason's 'The Honeymooners' not seen in more than 30 years is returning to tv on the GoodLife TV Network which will broadcast the 42 'Honeymooners' episodes originally presented in color as part of 'The Jackie Gleason Show' that aired during the 1960s. Instead of just running "The Honeymooner's" segments [which weren't as good as the originals], I'd like to see the channel run the entire "Jackie Gleason Show."

Interman, Hellboy & More

• Jeff Parker's The Interman rocks. It is one of the most intelligently written graphic novels that I've ever had the pleasure of reading. Check it out. I'll bet you'll like it too!
• CHUD has a nice interview with Ron "Hellboy" Perlman. Now, this is a comic movie that I can get behind!
• Ashton Kutcher must be living right. He co-stars in "That 70's Show," hosts MTV's "Punk'd." Kutcher is up against Prince William in an online vote for People magazine's top bachelor of the year, and is dating Demi Moore. Wouldn't you think that dating Demi Moore would be enough?
• A woman has claimed that Ozzy Osburne is the father of her six year old child. I guess she didn't know that Ozzy had a vasectomy 17 years ago.
• Seahorses are their own worst enemy. They've been fished to the point of extinction, yet they mate for life and their unwillingness to seek new partners after being separated has done little to improve their chances of survival. Seems the seahorses don't believe until "death do us part."

Movies, Robbers & More

• "The Hulk" earned a little better than $62 million to force "Finding Nemo" into second spot. I'll still bet on the fish in the long run.
• "Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle" opens next Friday. I waited to rent the original, but plan to see this one on the big screen!
• I just finished reading Robbers by Chris Cook. This is his first novel and I'd say that he's going to become a "name" to anyone who enjoys a good crime story!
• One of the scariest movies that I ever saw as a kid, "Invasion of the Body Snatchers," got a little write up today. They're out there!
• Mike Tyson got involved in what is being described as a "street brawl." Even though it appears that Tyson didn't start it, he could get a year in the slammer if convicted. When is"Iron Mike" gonna learn...
• Lennox Lewis kept the title but may have lost his desire to continue. If history tells us anything, he'll fight again though.
• Archaeologists in western China discovered five earthenware jars of 2,000-year-old rice wine in an ancient tomb. "Ah, do you have anything in a 0003 vintage?"
• Anybody else been keeping up with the news about U.S. bounty hunter Duane "Dog" Chapman who was arrested by Mexican authorities while attempting to bring Andrew Luster, the fugitive heir of the Max Factor fortune and convicted rapist back to the USA? This has been my favorite news item this week... it's like something out of a movie -- which I bet it will be.

Monsters, Arnold & More

• The 7th Annual Monster Bash was held this weekend in Pittsburgh. It featured guests [the guy who played the Creature from the Black Lagoon, Boris Karlaff's daughter, etc.] and film showings. I've been in the mood for some good horror movies [last night we watched "Frankenstein," "Donavan's Brain," and "The Invisible Man"]... if I lived near Pittsburgh, I'd have attended the show!
• Arnold told Bob Costas that he feels like he's in the middle of his career. If Arnold does "King Conan" I'll believe him.
• Lisa Marie Presley is getting ready for her first concert tour. Presley will play hour-long sets opening for Chris Isaak but will NOT cover any of her dad's songs. Maybe she can cover some over her ex-husband's songs. That could be a real "Thriller."
• A federal bankruptcy court awarded the billion-dollar Aladdin casino to investors who plan to turn the Las Vegas property into a Planet Hollywood-themed resort! And you just know I love me some Planet Hollywood!

SZ, Lehane & More

• Thanks to Garth at Dark Horizons and ABKing for the tip of their hats to StalloneZone for the Sly item that appears there today! Ya gotta love that!
• Has anybody here read Mystic River by Dennis Lehane? I've been tempted to pick it up [along with Lehane's Shutter Island]. Now that the official movie site has opened, I'm more tempted than ever!
• Jennifer Aniston is the number-one celebrity on this year's Forbes magazine Celebrity 100 which is based on earnings and media exposure. Anyone else surprised by this?
• Nick Nolte has made the news by saying he wasn't using drugs during "The Hulk" shoot. It's pretty bad when it is news that an actor is NOT using drugs!
• Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown are set to star in "Beffy and Charlie" as musicians who are also gangsters. The film will be full of singing, robbing, and stealing. I'll bet the theater will be empty though.
• Mick Jagger had this to say about Justin Timberlake, "I've watched Justin, but every single move he does is stolen." Hmmm... maybe Justin can get a part in "Beffy and Charlie."
• Kelly Clarkson isn't afraid of "The Hulk." Seems her movie opens the same day as the big green guy's movie. Oh... for a minute I thought she was talking about Rueben.
• According to this report the latest trend among teens and 20-somethings who indulge in so-called extreme body modification, is having one's tongue cut down the middle so that it forks like a snake's. And some people used to think that tatoos were extreme.

Media Tidbits

Ah, but it's good to be home. We had a nice little getaway up to the mountains and even to Heroes Con... but now I'm home and back in the ZONE.

• Is anyone else getting tired of seeing promotion for "The Hulk" everywhere? It's starting to get on my nerves.. and you wouldn't want to see me angry.
• Luther Vandross' new album debuted at No. 1 and his condition has improved enough that he has been moved out of intensive care. If good news comes in three's then Luthor is in for a treat!
• Dennis Miller has signed to do a weekly segment on Fox News' "Hannity & Colmes" show. Won't that be spiffy?
• Michael Chiklis' ex-managers have filed a $1 million lawsuit against him for breach of contract and fraud. I hope that this is resolved quickly and quietly.
• NEW DELHI (Reuters) - A man was found dead in his seat at a cinema in the Indian capital after the late-night screening of a horror film which the director has warned could pose a health risk to those of a nervous disposition. And you just KNOW that this will help it at the box office!
• BERLIN (Reuters) - German police are investigating the discovery of a headless body near castle Frankenstein in Germany. And I thought the last item was bizarre!
• NEW YORK - Ever wonder how many hot dogs the Fridge can hold? Well you'll find out this summer as William "The Refrigerator" Perry, the 400-pound-plus ex-NFL star, participates in the annual July 4th hot dog eating contest in Coney Island. It's nice to know that the Fridge hasn't lost his competitive edge.
• A duck living on a lake here isn't letting a dart in its head stop it from eating, swimming, socializing or paddling away from rescue attempts. Next time the animal will know to, uh, duck.

Sly, Luther & Silence

• Sylvester Stallone will write, direct and star in "Rampart Scandal" based on the murders of rap stars Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smalls. Stallone will play Detective Russell Poole, the real-life cop who investigated the murders. Filming is expected to begin on September 1st. For full details check out the THIS LINK at Cinescape.com.
• Luther Vandross is showing signs of emerging from a stroke-induced coma.
• An German painter refused to speak for 29 years because his father was against his career in art! I thought you should try to silence your critics, not yourself.

Cruise, Sandler, Cage & More

• Yesterday I told you that Tom Cruise was in talks to play a hitman in Michael Mann's next movie. Can you believe that Adam Sandler is in talks to play the cab driver? Can I have my money back?
• Marvel Comics Luke Cage: Hero for Hire may be coming to the big screen! Sweet Christmas! I loved Luke Cage comics when I was a kid!
• Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones were performing concert in Germany when several pairs of underwear were thrown on the stage. Jagger was used to females doing that but was quoted as saying he did see a few pairs of large men's underpants on the stage. Hmmm... I thought Big Beatty was in Orlando?
• A London judge has ruled that the lyrics of a rap song asking someone to "shizzle my nizzle" did not violate the law. So no ixnay on the shizzlelay.

Incredible Collateral & More

• The folks that brought you "Toy Story" are coming back with "The Incredibles." The trailer is up now and is a hoot! Man, can I relate to that guy! LOL!
• Tom Cruise is in talks to play a hitman in "Collateral," writer-director Michael Mann's next project. Can I buy a ticket now?
• Rocky Balboa not only makes the AFI's "100 Years...100 Heroes & Villains" but cracks the top ten! Take that Luke Skywalker!
• Martin Scorsese is bringing together a great cast which includes Leonardo DiCaprio, Cate Blanchett, Kate Beckinsale and singer Gwen Stefani to star in "Aviator," a Howard Hughes biopic. Surprisingly this doesn't really get me flying.
• Singer/songwriter Barry Manilow walked into a wall in the middle of the night with such force that it broke his nose and left him unconcious for several hours. Anybody want to chip in for some nightlights?
• A German judge fined an ill-tempered pizza delivery man $610 for spitting into a salad order. Everyone knows you NEVER tick off the delivery guy!

Ridley, MTV Awards & More

• John Ridley's Those Who Walk in Darkness is a departure. Usually Ridley's stories are noir tales of a man on a path to possible ruin. Not this one. The lead is female, the tale can best be described as a sci-fi/thriller... but it does have one thing in common with Ridley's other novels... it's excellent! I'll bet there's more to come with this character / storyline.
• "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers" won the Best Picture award at the 2003 MTV Movie Awards ceremony held yesterday. We're not even half way through the year and already MTV is handing out awards? I like the idea of a more "hip" awards show but can't we wait until the year is almost over?
• I haven't checked out the tv guide yet, but I have a feeling I'll be waching "44 Minutes" on FX tonight. That whole situation has intrigued me since the day it happened. I'm surprised we haven't seen more robberies like it.
• It's been quite a year for Jennifer Garner who picked up the Female Breakthrough Performance Award at the MTV Awards.
• Doesn't Pink remind you of one of those girls in high school that weren't really your type but you found yourself watching whenever she was around?