A Quick Hit Of What I Found Interesting In Today's News

I am so happy-  Van Halen is working on an album with David Lee Roth.

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/van-halen-working-on-new-album-with-david-lee-roth-20110124

in other REGULAR news...
 
Russian media are blaming a video game for the recent, deadly 'Big Bang" at one of their airports.....

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/107258-Russian-Media-Suggests-Modern-Warfare-2-Trained-Terrorists

So you still like your "technically and legally" beef taco from Taco Bell? 35% meat, 65% "extenders" and "fillers" huh? http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/health/2011/01/25/lawsuit-claims-taco-bell-using-real-beef/

 An Arizona restaurant has decided to scrap plans to offer African lion meat in its tacos... http://news.discovery.com/animals/lion-tacos-off-the-menu-at-arizona-restaurant.html

According to a new US/British study, being warm during cold weather can possibly result in you getting fatter.
http://www.healthnews.com/family-health/keeping-warm-and-cozy-during-winter-may-expand-your-waistline-4692.html

In Chicago, carpetbagger Rahm Emanuel's back on the ballot for the upcoming mayoral race.
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2011/01/rahm-emanuel-back-on-the-ballot-pending-possible-court-hearing/1

Our President will again call for a 5 year freeze on non-security discretionary spending tonight during the "state of the union" address.
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sc-dc-0126-address-main-web-20110125,0,4722948.story

The black n white ribbons you'll see (or HAVE seen) during the state of the union speech was stolen (or borrowed, depending of which political jersey you wear) from Carcinoid Cancer awareness- a type of stomach cancer.  http://www.carcinoidawareness.org/

 Former Minnesota Gov. Jesse "The Body" Ventura is suing TSA and Homeland Secirity over those airport "pat downs" and such. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110125/ap_on_re_us/us_ventura_airport_security

In non sense comic book news, Johnny Storm is dead. It was revealed that The Human Torch was killed in battle reducing Marvel Comic's 'Fantastic Four' down to 3.
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sc-dc-0126-address-main-web-20110125,0,4722948.story

Looks like the recently pronounced "dead" Wonder Woman TV series has new life thanks to NBC..
http://spinoff.comicbookresources.com/2011/01/21/nbc-orders-wonder-woman-pilot/

The Oscar nominations are out. I predict the boring (to me, anyway) "Kings Speech" will win.
http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/movies/2011/01/25/2011-01-25_oscar_nominations_2011_academy_award_nominees_reactions_to_nods.html?r=entertainment

Do you go to Yankee Candle or Bed, Bath, and Beyond to get your fix?
http://dailyplanetdispatch.com/bath-salts-drug-fake-cocain-meth/854418/

Those who own an Apple MAC book, iPad, or iPhones are really SCREWED
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1349144/Apple-fits-iPhone-4-fixings-impossible-remove.html#ixzz1BtWEHHZT

Do you think MTV's American version of the hit British TV show 'Skins" is akin to child porn?
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-31749_162-20029498-10391698.html

Can we see two suns in 2012?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/20/two-suns-twin-stars_n_811864.html

and FINALLY, is this REALLY bad?
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-20028760-504083.html

WHAT SAY YOU?

DC Comics has announced that as of January, 2011, the publisher wll be decreasing prices on their standard length $3.99 titles to $2.99 citing the long term health of the industry as their reason for the new pricing. Not to be outdone, Marvel Comics (less than an hour after their primary competitor announced an across the board drop) also announced at least a partial move away from the often criticized $3.99 price for new serialized superhero comics. When taking into account mini-series, annuals and specials, more than 80% of DC’s comic books will be priced at $2.99.

Read more about it HERE

Review: Batman: Under The Red Hood

Just saw Batman: Under The Red Hood (available tomorrow, as I write this, July 27th) This one's definitely worth getting. Much better than the previous Batman related or DC /Marvel comic releases.There's no cool manga or anime, no realistic CGI effects here, just a well done, quality toon. To me, Batman: Under The Red Hood is the best animated DC picture I've ever seen. Regardless of how this film succeeds or is recieved, the animation raises the bar (to borrow a cliche) for all animated comics films after it.

Some points I observed in it:

Everyone's got that squared, sharp edged jaw look.
This is a different Joker than ever presented in animation. The Joker looks muscle-y, and kinda old.

Not totally digging the John DiMaggio (Bender in Futurama, Aquaman/Grodd/Black Adam in Batman: Brave and the Bold)voice for the Joker, but it is overall a good performance though I prefer the Mark Hamill version. This Joker also has a Heath Ledger flavor to him. Many other guests stars voicing this film. Bruce Greenwood did a great Batman voice, though I'll always like Kevin Conroy's version. After listening to him do Nightwing, I'm beginning to wonder if there's anything Neil Patrick Harris CAN'T do.

The opening "Death In The FamilY" scenes are not drawn like they were in the original story. Which is good. The art is updated.

A slight problem for me was the portrayal of the beat down. Though Robin was being severely beaten, he rarely uttered more than a grunt. Also, not enough blood for what happened.

The so-called "big reveal" hap pends in the middle of the movie.

All of the characters were well done in every aspect. A few surprises are in store.

There were liberties taken with the story (obviously), but overall, the movie moved along VERY well and is interesting. And of course, there are a few predictable situations. There are also some very comic book things that happen that I was pleased with.

It ended well too, in my opinion.

Overall, again, The best animated DC picture I've ever seen. Well done DC.

BTW- I read where at ComicCon this year, it was announced that the G4 TV network was gonna air 4 Marvel anime shows during the next 12 months.

Did you guys see the Samuel L Jackson introducing the actors who will star in 'The Avengers"? There may be a YouTube video out there. There's a video where Ryan Reynolds says the Green Lantern mantra for a little kid.

Officially Announced Villain for CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER

He's been in The Lord of the Rings movies, Matrix movies, V for Vendetta, a voice in Happy Feet and Transformers, the upcoming Hobbit movies, The Wolfman, and now he's going to be Steve Roger's greatest adversary. Marvel Studios announced yesterday that Hugo Weaving has been cast to star as Johann Schmidt aka the Red Skull in the studio’s CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER movie. According to the studio, the character will be updated for the feature adaptation.

First Look at NEW Thor!!

The long blond hair. The dark tunic with silver discs. The blood-red cape. Yep, that's Thor, all right.

With excitement at a fever pitch for next weekend's release of "Iron Man 2," buzz is already building for Marvel Studio's next adaptation of one of their classic comic books. To fuel the fire, we have the exclusive look at the first photo anywhere of star Chris Hemsworth in costume as the God of Thunder in next summer's "Thor."

26-year-old Australian actor Hemsworth first gained attention from movie audiences in his brief but memorable role as George Kirk -- Captain James T. Kirk's father -- in the opening scene of last year's "Star Trek." Many well-known actors were considered for the part; Daniel Craig said he was approached to play Thor but turned it down. After an exhaustive search, Hemsworth won the role over many other young hopefuls. He even beat out his younger brother, Liam, who was most recently seen opposite his real-life girlfriend Miley Cyrus in "The Last Song."

From what we can see of the costume designed by Oscar winner Alexandra Byrne, it looks to be inspired by the latest version of the character from the comic books drawn by French artist Olivier Coipel. While Thor's basic look hasn't changed much since he was originally created by Jack Kirby in 1962, the suit in the movie adopts the more modern look with an armored chest piece and textured sleeves. Slightly different is Hemsworth's beard, which has been used for Thor in the comics but only occasionally. The two most prominent elements of Thor's look that we don't see, however, are his signature winged helmet and his weapon, the mighty hammer Mjolnir.

"Thor" doesn't open for another year, but there are some hints about the movie within next weekend's "Iron Man 2." Like the first movie, where Samuel L. Jackson's cameo was hidden after the credits, there is a bonus scene in the sequel for those who stick around to the very end. Of course, Hemsworth will team up with Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans -- who was recently cast as Captain America in his own movie -- for "The Avengers," which is scheduled for release in 2012.

Directed by Kenneth Branagh, "Thor," which also stars Anthony Hopkins and Natalie Portman, will thunder into theaters on May 6, 2011.

-- from Yahoo! Movies.com