Zeck, Grant & More

* In 1997 Mike Zeck [penciler] teamed up with writer Steven Grant, inker Denis Rodier and colorist Kurt Goldzung to create one of my all-time favorite comic mini-sereies. It was a hard-boiled crime story called DAMNED. Finally a trade paperback is scheduled to ship in August. This book is well worth the price!

* A failing British company fired 2,500 employees by sending text messages to their mobile telephones. " U R Fired."

A wanted man was arrested after his parole officer spotted him kissing his girlfriend in a live crowd shot displayed on the scoreboard at a Cincinnati Reds game. If convicted he could get up to 18 years in prison. He could be heading for the [grand] slammer.

More Chili, Opie's Girl & More

• John Travolta is in talks to reprise Chili Palmer, the character he played in "Get Shorty." The sequel, "Be Cool" would be based on the novel by Elmore Leonard who wrote the original novel as well. "How cool is that?"
• Kirsten Dunst has dropped out of talks to star in M. Night Shyamalan's "The Woods." Bryce Dallas Howard [director Ron Howard's daughter] will take on the role in her film debut. Set in 1897, "The Woods" revolves around a close-knit community that lives with the frightening knowledge that a mythical race of creatures resides in the woods around them. "I've got a sixth sense about these things... the signs are all there... the movie will be a hit and my record will remain unbreakable.
• Mike Tyson said, in an interview to air tonight that he's so angry about his rape conviction 11 years ago that he wants to rape his accuser and her mother now. Now that's a way to win back fans.
• A Nebraska lawmaker is so fed up with constituents crossing the state border to Iowa to gamble that she proposed going to war with the state. Anyone wanna bet that it doesn't happen?

Roth, McCartney, DeNiro & More

• David Lee Roth's lawsuit against Van Halen moves forward. Diamond Dave wants his fair cut!
• Paul McCartney [60] and wife, Heather Mills, are expecting a baby later this year. Brings a whole new meaning to "will ya still need me, will ya still feed me... when I'm 64."
• A man described as a paranoid schizophrenic sneaked through security at Pittsburgh's airport late at night and was found sleeping aboard a parked commuter airplane the next morning, authorities said. And you wonder why I don't like to fly?
• Robert De Niro will be honored next month with the American Film Institute's Lifetime Achievement Award. When told of his winning, Mr. DeNiro was quoted as saying, "Are you talkin' ta ME?"
• Bill Murray will play "Garfield" in a new live-action movie. That Murray is one funny cat.

Hope, Hope & More

• It's hard to believe, but Bob Hope turns 100 on Thursday! I can remember seeing his specials when I was a little kid and thinking, he's pretty funny for an old guy.
• When Boston Public returns this fall it will be on a new night [Friday] and without Joey McIntyre, Jon Abrahams, Cara DeLizia and China Shavers. I just hope the audience returns.
• Two Texas prison inmates have received permission to marry even though they have never met and cannot honeymoon until at least 2036. That brings a whole new meaning to if you love me, you'll wait.
• A woman gave birth to a baby in a well she had jumped into when she could not take the labor pain, police said. I'm happy to report that the mother and child are both doing, ah... well.

Crais is Great & More

* A couple of days ago I wrote to say that LA Requiem by Robert Crais is one of the best books I've read this year. It is, but believe or not, his follow-up The Last Detective, is even better! I read it almost non-stop this weekend. It's that good! If you've never read any of Crais' work, now is the time to give him a shot!

* Can you believe that "Bruce Almighty" earned $86.4 million at the box office this weekend AND it knocked "The Matrix Reloaded," from the top spot.

* Busta Rhymes has been charged with misdemeanor assault and battery charges on a fan. Busta was busted.

No TV & More

• Don't you just hate this in-between time for tv seasons? No new epsiodes of "Alias," Boston Public," "24," "The Shield," "West Wing," or "ER." At least I can look forward to new episodes of "Lucky" and "The World Series of Poker."
• Stephen Glover aka Steve-O of MTV's "Jackass" admitted in a Swedish court that he had drugs in his hotel room. "I had an ecstasy pill in my bag and I smoked marijuana in the hotel room. I admit to both of those crimes," Steve-O said but claimed he was joking about swallowing a condom filled with marijuana and hashish. Jackass indeed!
• A judge overturned a convicted murderer's death sentence because jurors consulted Biblical passages such as an "eye for an eye" during death-penalty deliberations. Would there have been a conviction if they had read "turn the other cheek?"
• A philosophy student took her virginity off the auction block after an anonymous benefactor lent her the tuition money she lacked. "To give or not to give -THAT is the question."
• Spiders have infested a county jail in northeast Arkansas, biting at least 15 inmates and confounding the exterminator. Confounding the exterminator? "Uh warden, I'm a bit confused... those little buggers are too fast for a needle and they won't sit in the chair! What am I to do?"
• Meow Mix chief executive officer Richard Thompson is recovering — with his sense of humor intact — after being bitten by a Rottweiler. "Talk about turning the other cheek."

Big $, Bad Weeks & a Great Book

• Want to know how much the Wachowski brothers made for "The Matrix" sequels? You better sit down first!
• Think you've had a bad week? I'll bet director Vincent Gallo's was worse!
• And if that's not bad enough... Michael Jackson's week wasn't so hot!
• LA Requiem by Robert Crais is one of the best books I've read this year.

Rodriguez, Underworld & More

* I'm really really looking forward to Robert Rodriguez's "Once Upon a Time in Mexico." It's the third in his trilogy. Denmark MSN has posted up some cool shots from it. Check 'em out! [Thanks to Dark Horizons for the link]
* The official site for "Underworld" has opened. Watch the trailer and then mark your calendar for the premiere!
* 33.7 million people tuned in to watch Ruben Studdard win the title of "American Idol" last night. That's more than the number of people who watch the Academy Awards which is traditionally the most-watched entertainment event of the year!

* Scott Bairstow who appeared in last year's Disney flick "Tuck Everlasting" as well as in several TV series ["Lonesome Dove," :Wolf Lake," "Harsh Realm," and "Party of Five"] has been charged with having sex with a 12-year-old girl. What's worse is that she's a relative by marriage... and the evidence looks like it's true.

You've Got to Be Kidding!

• Residents from West Virginia and Kentucky have taken their protest of the planned reality show "The Real Beverly Hillbillies" to CBS. The new show, a takeoff of "The Beverly Hillbillies," would pay an Appalachian family up to $500,000 to live for a year in a Hollywood mansion. If they want to avoid the publicity, they can come to Florida and choose my family. We'll even do it for a lot less.
• A German ambulanceman has been arrested for robbing patients as they lay helpless en route to hospital, police say. Police in the Bavarian capital of Munich became suspicious after several patients reported thefts. And I thought insurance companies were a rip-off.
• A federal appeals court has tossed out the armed bank robbery conviction of a Los Angeles man after finding that -- while he admitted being armed and robbing the bank -- he did not mean to show his gun to a teller while demanding money. That is insane. He was carrying a weapon while he robbed the bank, but it wasn't armed robbery?
• If you're going to sell marijuana, you probably shouldn't try to sell it to the sheriff. Mahnomen County Sheriff Brad Athman said Tuesday he was motorcycling while off-duty over the weekend when a youth tried to sell him marijuana — not once, but twice — on the main street. Maybe the kid can get off by saying he didn't mean for the Sheriff to see the pot!

Ridley, Morrell & More

John Ridley's Those Who Walk in Darkness has been described as a sci fi mystery, thriller in the noir tradition. Regular ZONE readers know I'm a big fan of Ridley's work. This may be his best yet. I've ordered it and will let you know.
I've also ordered David Morrell's latest, The Protector. Morrell [First Blood] has created a novel about super-bodyguard hunting down a rogue client who controls a new and powerful weapon. You just know this book is gonna rock!

• Stone Temple Pilots lead singer Scott Weiland was released on $10,000 bail after police arrested him for investigation of drug possession. Maybe that should be "Stoned Temple Pilots?"
• After intensive research, British scientists have concluded that politicians lie. In a study described in Britain's Observer newspaper, Glen Newey, a political scientist at Britain's University of Strathclyde, concluded that lying is an important part of politics in the modern democracy. In a related study it was discovered that a lot of money is being wasted with frivolous studies.
• Workers at a Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant discovered the cremated ashes of a man who died last December -- in the drive-through takeout lane. My only question... extra crispy or original?
• A man suspected of robbing a bank was arrested after he told the son of the bank manager he had to get out of town quickly and asked him for directions to the bus station, police said. Another criminal mastermind brought down.

Must See TV?

• "The Matrix Reloaded" set one box office record by raking in over $42 million on it's first day. I"The Matrix Reloaded" should also set a new record for a "R" rated movie's weekend gross ["Hannibal" holds the record with the $58 million it made during its opening weekend].
• Rob Lowe's returning to in a new tv series called "The Lyon's Den." I enjoyed him in "West Wing" and would have been more interested if his character there spun off into his own series. Although I may give it a try since there's nothing else I watch on Sundays at 10PM.
• "Tarzan and Jane" is a modern day look at Tarzan, but with a twist. He's been brought back to "the glass and steel canyons of another jungle - New York City. From his rooftop perch, Tarzan protects the city with the primal morality that proclaimed him king of the jungle." Throw in a love triangle with Jane and you're on to something... something I would watch except that it'll be on the same time as "Alias."
• James Caan stars in "Las Vegas" as Big Ed Deline, a former CIA agent who runs the best surveillance company in Vegas. "You can bet on high stakes and high-speed action in this adrenaline-fueled drama from the writer of "The Fast and the Furious." You can bet that I'll give it a shot.
• "Jake 2.0" is about computer technician who through an accident can shrink to an atomic level, possesses superhuman strength, lightning-fast speed, heightened hearing, magnified vision and the ability to communicate telepathically with computers. Now if he only has the power to bring in an audience! [I'll be watching "West Wing."]
• Based on the character portrayed by Jennifer Lopez in Elmore Leonard's Out of Sight, "Karen Sisco" could benefit from the curiosity factor and a weak competition. It might be worth a look.
• "Threat Matrix" follows "a highly specialized, elite task force trained and equipped to counter anyone or anything that threatens our nation. The head of this super-secret team is Special Agent John Kilmer. He reports only to the President and has authority to call upon the technical skills, firepower, and specialist agents of the FBI, CIA and NSA. " Man, this sounds like fun... the question is can it survive "Survivor"?
• Joe Pantoliano, ["The Matrix"] is "The Handler," an FBI agent who trains street operatives and prepares them to go undercover. Maybe.
  
• So what looks good to you?

Arnie, ReLOADED & More

• Arnold Schwarzenegger said today that "Terminator 3" was the toughest movie he had ever made and that his days as an action hero were far from over. This could be really great news...
• "The Matrix Reloaded" has already set one box office record by grossing $42.5 million on it's first day! Whoa!
• A Florida policeman has resigned after a teenager complained that he made her do jumping jacks while topless to avoid arrest. And just how do you explain THAT to the Captain?
• Although I'm probably going to wait to rent it, Jim Carey's "Bruce Almighty," has some really funny ads.

Halle Berry & Robert Stack

• Halle Berry broke her arm while filming a scene for the supernatural thriller "Gothika" which is set for release in October. Now the director really has cast problems.
• Robert Stack, best known as for TV's "Untouchables," has died at the age of 84. Our prayers go out to his family and friends.

Arnie, Lector & All Stars

• Arnold Schwarzenegger stars in an Atari video game based on "T3" that will be released this fall. It's the first time Schwarzenegger has contributed his likeness and voice to a video game. What's scary is the game version may be more life-like than the real Arnold! [Just kidding, you know I'm a fan!]
• "The Lecter Variation: The Story of Young Hannibal Lecter" is now being mapped out by his creator Thomas Harris for a film which will track the cannibal killer from childhood to early adulthood. Hmmm... maybe I'll have someone over for dinner... and a movie?
• Richard Hatch, Rudy Boesch, Tina Wesson, Ethan Zohn and Jerri Manthey return next season for a "Survivor" all-star version. Let's hope that no one tunes in and thinks they're watching a rerun.

X2, Pop King & More

• "X2: X-Men United" held on to the top box-office spot for the second weekend in a row. It took in $40 million for a total of $147+ million!
• "The King of Pop," Michael Jackson has sued Universal Music Group for royalties for the re-release of songs he made in the 1970s.
• CBS loves Ray Ramano, the star of "Everybody Loves Raymond" to the tune of about $1.8 million an episode next season.
• Boxing's return to network television has generated competitive ratings and led to talks for more weekly fights. Now that IS good news!
• The finale of "Survivor: The Amazon" saw 21-year-old Jenna take the crown and the $1 million prize. Man, I was hoping Rob or Matt would win!
• Whoopi Goldberg, James Caan, Rob Lowe and Alicia Silverstone will have tv shows on NBC in the fall.

Cruise, Yao & OZ

• Tom Cruise has completed nearly four months of filming in New Zealand for his next film, "The Last Samurai." which is set for release this December.
• NBA star Yao Ming took center stage at a telethon Sunday, which raised more than $300,000 to help researchers seeking a cure for SARS. The Houston Rockets center said this was his way of giving back to his homeland. If only more celebrities felt this way!
• I rented season one of OZ. I've heard great things about the HBO series... and ya gotta love a good prison story.

Just Some Trivia

• Dark Horizons posted that The Hollywood Reporter says that Ving Rhames is in talks for the "Dawn of the Dead" remake. I like Ving and would love to see a well-done re-make!
• Tom Sizemore ["Saving Private Ryan"] has been arrested for allegedly threatening former "Hollywood Madam" Heidi Fleiss to keep her from testifying in his domestic violence case. Sizemore's another favorite actor but this doesn't help him in any way...
• Roger Moore was released from the hospital...
• Aretha Franklin will hold a candlelight vigil / prayer service on May 19th for Luther Vandross, who remains in critical condition after suffering a stroke last month.

Moore, Al & Slim Shady

• Roger Moore, best known as secret agent James Bond collapsed on stage during a Broadway performance on Wednesday. He wasn't my favorite Bond, but he was in the top 003!
• Eminem has denied "Weird Al" Yankovic permission to do a video parody of his hit "Lose Yourself." Eminem gave his permission to a 'Lose Yourself' parody song but drew the line at the video because "he felt that a Weird Al video would somehow detract from his legacy or make him seem like a less serious hip-hop artist," according to a statement by Weird Al. Seems Slim Shady is taking himself a bit too seriously.
• The cast of 'The Matrix Reloaded' got together for the film's premiere in LA yesterday. It won't be much longer.... WHOA!
  

Dangerfield & Ridley

• Rodney Dangerfield looks to fully recover from brain surgery. Dangerfield is one of my favorite comedians, so I'm especially happy to hear that he'll be providing more laughs in the near future!
• John Ridley has signed on to direct the thriller "Let Me Take You Down" from his screenplay. The project is an "eerie tale of murder, obsession, intrigue and Hollywood folklore" when a young woman who is murdered has similarities with the 1947 Black Dahlia case. John Ridley is one of my favorite writers. This could be a winner!

Four Things to Look Forward To:

• Paramount is going to release a new film version of "The Honeymooners," based on the classic Jackie Gleason television series. Cedric the Entertainer is set to take over the role once held by Gleason. This movie may be funny... and it does have potential but nothing will ever replace the original series!
  
• The "Indiana Jones" trilogy will be released on DVD for the first time on Nov. 4th! It will be a four disk set with behind-the-scenes documentaries, cast and crew interviews and other special features.


• Jackie Chan is hard at work on "Around the World in 80 Days." The film is based on the classic Jules Verne novel and should be out sometime in 2004.


• Elton John and Bernie Taupin are collaborating for a Broadway show based on Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles, tentatively titled "The Vampire Lestat," and aimed for a 2005 theatrical run. This could be interesting!

It's All About Timing...

• 'Grease' is still the word at Paramount where reports say that plans for "Grease 3" are well underway. The idea is to set the sequel in the late-'70s, feature plenty of disco music and bring back John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John. Didi Conn, who played Frenchie, is serving as an executive producer. I was never a fan of either of the "Grease" movies, but there's no denying that it has a very strong, very loyal following. The time might be right for this one.
• David Hyde Pierce, who plays Niles Crane, on "Frasier" believes next season will be the last. You know, "Frasier" used to be on my "must see tv" list, but the last couple of seasons I haven't even tuned in. Seems to me the show "jumped the shark" when Niles married Daphne. It's time has passed.
• A lone protester stood outside a sold-out Dixie Chicks concert during the band's first concert since a member criticized President Bush over the war with Iraq. Seems the protestor's timing was off.
• William Bennett [Republican Party activist, former Cabinet secretary, former US Drug Czar and Book of Virtues author] said in a statement today that he was giving up the high-stakes gambling that has cost him millions over the past decade. The timing is right on this one, but Mr. Bennett's timing was obviously off on his bets.

X2, Kings & More

"X2: X-Men United" opened with a projected $85.85 million debut . This would make it the fourth highest opening ever and almost a sure thing to spawn an "X-Men 3."
With the popularity of some of the individual characters, such as Wolverine and Nightcrawler, it might be interesting to see them spring off into their own films separate from the other "X-Men." What do you think about that idea?

• George Wyle, who wrote the theme song to "Gilligan's Island" has died at the age of 87. I was going to say that even if that was the only song that he ever wrote that attained any level of popularity, he had accomplished more than most. The I discovered that he also wrote the Christmas classic "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" and more than 400 other songs. Although most people probably don't know his name, I'll be they can sing the theme to "Gilligan's Island"! Our thoughts and prayers go out to Mr. Wyle's family and friends.


• "Alias" star Jennifer Garner will replace Gwyneth Paltrow in "Happy Endings," which is set to shoot this summer in Los Angeles. Lisa Kudrow will co-star in the comedy.It's really amazing how popular Jennifer Garner has gotten. Seems she's everywhere these days. Not that I'm complaining! ; )


• Two new Stephen King stories have been discovered. "The 43rd Dream" and "Code Name: Mousetrap," are believed to be among the earliest published works of best seller Stephen King. Believe it or not, they appeared in his high school newspaper... copies have been selling on e-Bay for several hundred dollars.


• James Brown celebrated his 70th birthday Saturday! Ya gotta love it. "The Godfather of Soul" is still touring, has recently lost weight and... uh, he feels good! Ugh!

ZONE Logo & More

• Hey! What do you think about the new ZONE logo that Big John Beatty did for me? Pretty cool, huh? And have you checked out the new StalloneZone Message Board? It, too, is very cool... and easy to use! I've been spending a lot of time over there talking about things like...
• Albert Einstein and Isaac Newton were geniuses but British scientists believe they may have suffered from Asperger syndrome -- a form of autism.
• Aaron Sorkin, creator of the Emmy-winning White House drama "The West Wing" is leaving the series after this season.
• David Lee Roth used a shotgun to detain an unwanted visitor when a man being chased by police climbed over a fence and tried to hide in the rock star's yard!
• There's also a lot of discussion about the new X-Men movie as well as other summer films!
  We've added polls and caption "contests" and more. If you haven't dropped by, you really ought to join us!
• With a new logo and new message board... who knows what's next? Stick around and you will!