Friday, July 30, 2004

It Takes a “Village:” If anything, M. Night Shyamalan (sorry, but still can’t say his name with out turning it into “shama-lama-ding-dong”) knows how to direct actors. His performers are almost always convincing whether they’re in a supernatural setting (“Sixth Sense”) or in a supposed “normal” one (“Signs”). This is true of his latest film, “The Village.” The acting is top-notch and they bring a credible sense to their delivery – especially Bryce Dallas Howard (Ron Howard’s daughter, in her debut role) as Ivy Walker, a young blind woman living in a small village in 1897. She’s an astonishingly gifted actress – capable of levity, sweetness, strength and genuine emotion. She’s the film’s center. Joaquin Phoenix, as a quiet, but restless fellow villager, also gives a powerful, restrained performance. Other cast members include William Hurt (as Ivy's father, and one of the town's elders), Sigourney Weaver (Hurt’s co-star in 1981’s “Eyewitness”), Judy Greer (as Ivy's sister Kitty) and Adrien Brody (as the town's mentally disturbed resident, Noah).

Shyamalan also sets up an effectively creepy setting – the Village is surrounded by woods that are inhabited by meat-eating fearsome creatures -- therefore, no one ventures out beyond the very specifically set boundaries around the village.

Some of the village's teens "test" the boundaries, despite the scary howls emitting from the woods -- they stand on a stump, facing into the village, their backs to the forest, arms outstretched in "crucifixion" formation. They dress in drab colors, wearing hooded cloaks of mustard yellow. The "bad color" is red -- any flowers or berries found in nature that appear are buried. The nights are especially creepy. Someone is always positioned, at night, at the top of a tower, as lookout. Still, the sounds and the signs begin. He certainly knows his suspense, that Shama-lama-ding-dong (sorry, I couldn’t help myself).

But the film’s weakness lies in its very premise. Whether there’s a twist or not at the end (as other reviewers have hinted, or even just simply stated) isn’t so much the issue as is the basic storyline. Call them red herrings, call them holes, the film cannot sustain its story. Whether you “figure it out” right away (as I did – I’m not bragging, I didn’t feel it was that much of a surprise) or not, you’ll probably go away feeling cheated. There’s something sorely missing from “The Village.” Most effective in suspense, thriller, horror films – whatever genre Shymalan alludes this film actually is – is the build-up of that psychological leap of faith, for both the characters in the story as well as the audience, and “The Village” lacks this. Is Shymalan becoming too overconfident in his success to really examine something that might not be working? Oh, and just a warning: animal lovers be prepared to close your eyes.

Thursday, July 29, 2004

Who’s Where: The Democratic National Convention has attracted celebs who included Matthew Broderick and Sarah Jessica Parker, James Carville (no real surprise there), Steve Buscemi, Fergie of the Black Eyed Peas, Everclear, and Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers.


Change in Bill Maher Guest: Sen. Norm Coleman will no longer be appearing on REAL TIME WITH BILL MAHER on FRIDAY, JULY 30, 2004 at 11 p.m. Instead, presidential candidate Ralph Nader and musician/performer André 3000 (Outkast) will appear as interview guests, and Governor Bill Owens (R - CO) will be a satellite interview guest. Filmmaker Michael Moore, Rep. David Dreier (R - CA) and Former Canadian Prime Minister Kim Campbell remain as roundtable guests.

We Couldn’t Want One More: Segway: What if you just don’t want to harm the environment by that short drive, but it’s a tiny bit too far to walk? Consider the Segway!! Segways are popping up all over and people are having the most fun being environmentally sound. Tom Cruise, Ed Norton, Brad Pitt, JJ Abrams run errands on their Segway HT's. Comedian Louie Anderson wants to buy Segway's as gifts for his friends. It is time that we think of our environment and have fun all at once... it is Hybrids and Segways for all!

Our average commute is more than an hour; the average price of a gallon of gas in L.A. is more than $2.25; and the average car produces more than a ton of air pollution per year.

Local entrepreneurs Jason Stemmler and Robert Aronoff, have announced the opening of Segway Los Angeles, a dealership devoted to the sales, rental, and marketing of the Segway™ Human Transporter (HT) – a transportation system that satisfies the concerns of environmentalists and truly embodies the technological promise of the 21st Century.

In the past few years, electric vehicles have become all the rage in Hollywood, endorsed by celebrities such as Leonardo di Caprio, Justin Timberlake, Cameron Diaz, Alexandra Paul and Tobey Maguire. The HT is the next step in convenience and affordability.

The Segway HT is an electric, personal transportation device that can go anywhere you can: on sidewalks, into stores, down stairs, over curbs… Perfect for commuting to work, grocery shopping, or running errands, the HT enables environmentally responsible users to avoid traffic and parking congestion. The Segway HT is battery powered and emissions-free. With a range of up to 15 miles, it costs just under 10 cents to fully charge the Segway HT, and its energy efficiency is equivalent to 450 miles per gallon or 40 times that of an average full-sized SUV.

Located at 1660 Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica, California, Segway Los Angeles opened last month to provide individual customers and commercial organizations with test rides, on-site sales, rental options, service for an exciting, expanding line of Segway HTs designed to meet every demand, and will offer free same day shipping to most locations throughout the United States.

The i Series model, for instance, is optimized for extended speed and enhanced performance on a variety of terrains, including dirt, grass, and pavement. Light, compact, and foldable, an HT can easily fit in a trunk, and up to 8 HTs can fit in one parking space. The Segway HT can ride right on to MTA’s light rail trains, and anywhere pedestrians can go. Its versatility, combined with a 12.5 mph maximum speed and 8 to 15 mile range provides more than enough speed and distance for the average Angeleno’s commute, making this HT an ideal choice for both commercial applications and personal use in suburban and recreational environments. The i Series model is available for a suggested retail price of $4,495. While the smaller, more compact Segway HT p Series is available at a suggested retail price of $3,995.

As a testament to the utility of the HT, Segway Los Angeles is proud to announce its dealings with the City of Santa Monica, which recently joined the growing list of municipalities increasing productivity and reducing operational costs through the use of the human transporter. And, in addition to its use by police and fire departments, private companies as diverse as resorts and warehouses are already using the Segway HT to enormous benefit. Versatile, efficient, and useful, the Segway HT is poised to become the vehicle of choice in the 21st Century. But, even still, its greatest advantage is that it brings the fun back to the L.A. morning commute.

About Segway Los Angeles

Segway Los Angeles is located at 1660 Ocean Ave in Santa Monica and affords individual customers and commercial organizations test rides, on-site sales and delivery, product orientation, and service for the expanding line of Segway HTs. As the exclusive Segway dealer for Los Angeles County, Segway LA is equipped to accommodate individual retail sales as well large commercial or government fleet orders. Segway LA’s mobile unit brings the Segway experience to businesses interested in personalized on-site demonstrations and product orientation. Visit http://www.segway.la for more information and directions to the dealership.

About Segway LLC

Segway LLC develops and manufactures alternative-power transportation devices and is well-known for its flagship product, the electric, self-balancing Segway™ Human Transporter (HT), which has garnered attention around the globe since it was first revealed in December 2001. Driven by a mission to develop and sell fun, innovative transportation solutions, Segway employs its patented “dynamic stabilization” technology to create versatile, agile, short-range devices that provide an exhilarating user experience. Savvy customers use the Segway HT to run errands, commute to work, and just have fun, while enjoying the benefits of its impressive energy efficiency. Joining thousands of individuals who use the HT, commercial organizations are now using the human transporter to increase productivity and reduce emissions and operational costs.

Segway LLC’s headquarters and manufacturing facility are based in Bedford, NH. For additional information about Segway and to find dealer locations, please visit www.segway.com. Press materials and digital images are available at Segway’s press center at www.segway.com/news.

Who’s Wearing What: Daniel Travis wore Giorgio Armani to the “Open Water” premiere Wednesday night.

<>
Everclear Update: Capitol Records has set the upcoming release of "TEN YEARS GONE - THE BEST OF EVERCLEAR 1994-2004," the greatest hits collection from Everclear. The 21-track retrospective - which includes all the band's hits, plus soundtrack contributions and two previously unreleased songs arrives in stores on September 28, 2004.

An Everclear album is currently in the works for release next year and Everclear will be touring this Fall.

TEN YEARS GONE - THE BEST OF EVERCLEAR 1994-2004

1. "Wonderful"

2. "Santa Monica"

3. "Everything To Everyone"

4. "AM Radio"

5. "Volvo Driving Soccer Mom"

6. "I Will Buy You A New Life"

7. "Learning How To Smile"

8. "Strawberry"

9. "Local God" (from Romeo & Juliet)

10. "Summerland"

11. "Fire Maple Song"

12. "When It All Goes Wrong Again"

13. "Heroin Girl"

14. "The Boys Are Back In Town" (from Detroit Rock City)

15. "Father Of Mine (Radio Mix)"

16. "Brown Eyed Girl"

17. "Sex With A Movie Star (Good Witch Gone Bad)" *

18. "The New Disease" *

19. "New York Times"

20. "Song From An American Movie Pt.1"

21. "Rock Star"

*Previously Unreleased

“Magic” Partnership: Rémy Martin® and The Magic Johnson Foundation will announce their year long partnership tomorrow, July 30, 2004 at the 19th annual Magic Johnson’s Midsummer Night’s Magic weekend. This weeklong fundraising event is held in Los Angeles and hosted by Earvin "Magic" Johnson to raise money to support various charities and foundations. Rémy Martin® will donate $200,000 throughout the year to the Magic Johnson Foundation. Jim Chambers, President and Chief Executive Officer of Rémy Martin says “Rémy Martin is pleased to announce our support and dedication to The Magic Johnson Foundation and to partake in their mission to give back to the community through fundraising for community based organizations nationwide”. Rémy Martin will present a check to the Foundation at a dinner that will feature a Chocolate Truffle Dessert with a Rémy Martin V.S.O.P filling.

Rémy Martin will be the exclusive spirit sponsor for the Midsummer Night's Magic Weekend, which will host two events that will feature the exclusive ‘Rémy Room’. Rémy Martin has decided to take this room on the road so that you can enjoy the Rémy experience with your family, friends and neighbors. The Room signifies growth and achievement through different stages of life’s journey. It will be a place where tastemakers and celebrities can celebrate these achievements and continue their journey while enjoying Rémy Martin VSOP, Rémy Martin X.O® and Rémy Red ®.

Rémy Martin has been making top quality cognacs for over three centuries. Rémy Martin V.S.O.P, a blend of 240 cognacs between four and 14 years of age, is a rich and silky cognac with heady notes of violet and rose; ripe apricots and peaches, vanilla and hazelnuts. Rémy Martin X.O contains 85% Grande Champagne and is aged 10 to 37 years, a fruity taste it is reminiscent of ripe figs and juicy plums with under notes of cinnamon, toffee and hazelnuts that give it a smoothness and finesse that lingers long on the palate. RémyRed is a collection of unique, sophisticated fruit liqueurs with a touch of Rémy Martin cognac that includes RémyRed Red Berry, Strawberry Kiwi and RémyRed Grape Berry.

Wednesday, July 28, 2004

Who’s Wearing What:

Actress Ellen Pompeo wore Erica Courtney jewelry to the Prada Rodeo Drive Store Opening Party July 14, 2004. Earrings-Platinum and Diamond Swirl Post Earring with Morganite Drops Bracelets-Pave Diamond and Platinum bangles Ring-Platinum and Green Beryl Ring www.ericacourtney.com

Spotted:: Adam Duritz of Counting Crows was spotted at Mas restaurant in Manhattan’s West Village at 39 Downing St. Tuesday July 27, 2004. Duritz, who has been previously been linked with Courteney Cox (Pre Arquette) was with actress Samantha Mathis, who observers say spent most of the evening perched on the singer’s lap. Duritz composed the original song from the summer hit “Shrek 2.” Mathis, the daughter of actress Bibi Besch, once dated Christian Slater, Christian Bale and Noah Wyle, but she’s best known for going to the Viper room with then boyfriend River Phoenix on the night he died.

Bowie:: He once waxed rhapsodic about his “China Girl,” and yesterday (Wednesday, July 28, 2004) David Bowie was spotted shopping in New York City’s Chinatown, chatting up fans and the NYPD. Bowie stopped to watch the Mah Jong players in the park, too. He checked out the produce and herbs. Bowie, carrying a backpack, wore a straw cowboy hat, a tattered green t-shirt and jeans and sported a hefty mustache.

Hot Clothing Line:: A.Kurtz will be introducing its Spring and Summer 2004 collection at the Project Trade Show, August 1 - 3, 2004. Held at the Cooper Building at 860 Los Angeles Street, A.Kurtz will be available for viewing in Booth C49 & C50.

The A.Kurtz Spring/ Summer 05'Collection is heavily inspired by the 1950's Greasers meets Happy Day's Preps with a contemporary twist - focusing on a balance between multiple dye process and the displacing of color creating vintage appeal and authenticity. Developing wovens layered with tea tints, discharges, fine embroideries, garment prints that add richness, and with an offering of primarily Japanese denim - vintage constructed with rich hues of indigo. The emphasis for Spring/ Summer 05' is on dobbies and plaids with knits of light weight jersey and subtle discharges to create airy feels of color. The vintage inspired label launched in 2003 with a proven team, including former 8-year President of Warnaco Group's Calvin Klein Jeans, Pat Lawler, who now leads PNB Nation founders, Roger "Brue" McHayle, and Kahlil "Zulu" Williams - providing the infrastructure needed to build a leading brand.

A.KURTZ features hats, tops, bottoms, canvas blazers, wovens, and denim with unit prices ranging from $30 - $400.

The two-story A.KURTZ showroom is located at 8-10 West 36th Street, NY, NY, 10018.

<>Pucker Up for Pookie: : Pookie Color Balm is GREAT. The slim little lip balm-plus-lip color is the perfect size to slip into any or pocket and not only glamourizes the holidays, but protects lips from winds with all-natural moisturizers. ColorBalm's six colors and flavors taste like CHOCOLATE ("Chocolate"), TANGERINE ("Tangerine"), CHERRY ("Very Cherry"), BERRY ("Berry"), BUBBLE GUM (Be Mine Forever"), and CHAMPAGNE ("I Truly Do"). Five percent of the sale of each balm benefits the NATIONAL BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION year-round. Each ColorBalm retails for $9. For more info, visit www.pookiestore.com.

I’m Sorry, What’s Your Name Again?: You MUST check out this site, it’s hilarious:

http://www.notwithoutmyhandbag.com/babynames/index.html

What? The Olympics Are Pre-Empting Your Soap??::

WHAT: This August, SOAPnet sustains Days of our Lives’ viewers during the dates when the Olympics pre-empt regular programming on NBC with “Days Decathlon,” a programming event featuring favorite episodes chosen by Days’ stars. Each episode is introduced with commentary from the star that chose it, and showcases some of the steamiest and suspenseful moments in the history of Days of our Lives. In addition to the nightly episodes, on Sundays, August 22 and 29, starting at 7:00p.m., ET/PT SOAPnet brings viewers a Days marathon.

WHEN/WHERE: Weekdays, August 16 -27 (7:00 p.m., ET/PT) and Sundays, August 22 and 29 (7:00 p.m., ET/PT) only on SOAPnet.

EPISODES:

August 16 – *Melissa Reeves’ Pick* Jack saves Jennifer’s life. The sexual tension builds later when he washes her back while helping her bathe.

August 17 - *Matt Ashford’s Pick* Jack prepares a special Valentine breakfast for Jennifer including Abby dressed as Cupid. Jennifer moved by the event, dresses as Santa and proposes to Jack.

August 18 – *Alison Sweeney’s Pick* Sami is in prison awaiting execution by lethal injection, Lucas bursts in to admit he killed Franco.

August 19 – *Bryan Datillo’s Pick* Lucas escapes a helicopter crash with minor injuries while Sami is seriously injured.

August 20 – *Kyle Lowder’s Pick* Brady escapes a rattlesnake bite only to have Roman and Abe draw a gun on him later that day.

August 23 - *Arianne Zucker’s Pick* - Nicole yells at her father to die.

August 24 - *Peter Reckell’s Pick* - Bo beats up John after seeing him kiss Hope at Lexie’s Christmas party. Hope has princess Gina flashbacks.

August 25 – *James Reynolds’ Pick* Abe catches Lexi giving a reporter information on Bo and Hope.

August 26 – *Kristian Alfonso’s Pick* Glen and Barb arrive to take JT to Iowa. The Bradys and Hortons try to come to terms with the loss of JT. Bo, Hope and Shawn work at finding a way to deal with their loss.

August 27 - *Super-couple Show* Christmas episode with Jack and Jennifer, Marlena and John and Bo and Hope.

B-ball and Josh Todd:: Just back from Japan where they shared the stage with Aerosmith and The Who, performing in front of over 100,000 people as part of “The Rock Odyssey” festival, JOSH TODD has been tapped to bring their rock & roll and raw punk power to the X Games at Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, August 7. The band will command the stage with songs from their explosive debut album, YOU MADE ME, in-stores now and available at www.joshtodd.com.

The title YOU MADE ME, which comes from a song of the same name by singer Josh Todd's old ahead-of-the-curve punk band, Slamhound, is particularly revealing, as he explains: "YOU MADE ME refers to society and all the elements in your life that mold you. If you don't like my vulgarity and crassness, hey, you're the one who made me!" Todd laughs. But with big-mouthed, bold and soul-baring, headbanging performances, JOSH TODD are a hard bunch to resist, with pain, passion and raw power oozing from every pore, wearing their weary hearts on tattooed sleeves.

On the critical front, Hit Parader hailed, “Judging by the contents of YOU MADE ME, this unit proves itself to be one lean, mean rockin’ machine…this is a band that celebrates the inherent glory of rock and roll with every note they play and every word they say.” While Aquarian Weekly described the album as “…a kick-ass thrill ride that will bump you all night long,” and LA Weekly declared, “…YOU MADE ME is a lil’ monster of hard-rock brawn…one of the best parts is Todd’s voice: a clear, muscular baritone risen from the ashes of his husky pack-a-day caterwaul…”

After the X Games appearance, the band will head out on yet another leg of U.S. tour dates—including an appearance at this year’s “Locobazooka! United We Rock! Music & Arts Festival” in Fitchburg, MA on September 26--having already logged six months' worth of dates in support of YOU MADE ME.


Tuesday, July 27, 2004

Who’s Wearing What: Sigourney Weaver wore a burnt orange silk sheath and shawl by Donna Karan to the NY premiere of “The Village.” Adrian Brody, at the same event, wore a dapper suit by Ermenegildo Zegna. Also at the event was Elisabeth Rohm, wearing a beautiful white fitted James Thomas. Meanwhile, Bryce Dallas Howard chose a beautiful black lace train-length evening gown by Zac Posen.

Rehab: L.A.’s Paint Shop, a favorite spot of Cameron Diaz, Mandy Moore and Janet Jackson, offers Cuticle Rehab Cream, a remedy to revitalize and resuscitate damaged cuticles. The Cuticle Rehab Cream has Tea Tree Oil and moisturizes and softens damaged cuticles. The cream retails for $10. www.paintshopbeverlyhills.com

Get All the Elements: Hilary Duff and Jennifer Aspen love the options of the Elements by Madge color palattes: Cool, with natural pink and rose shades, and Warm with rich cinnamon, gold and bronze. Included in the kit are Madgic Moisture with a light shimmer to camouflage less-than-perfect skin, and built-in SPF 15 sun protection; Dream Team Triple Shadows in coordinating colors; No Smadge Mascara lengthens and darnkens lashes; Sheer First Blush lights up cheeks; Lip Locked Lip Gloss puts shine on. A Mini-Toll Kit provides brushes and applicators, and a Make-Up Bag holds everything. Retails for $48.50. www.madgecosmetics.com or 1-866-Go-Madge!

Go Glam: DVF (that’s Diane von Furstenberg Beauty) introduces the Glamazonian Compact, which launches in August 2004. Inspired by the Fall 2004 Glamazone Fashion Collection, it includes six eye colors that can be applied with fingers, like war paint. The colors – all shimmers – include:

Chartruese

Crushed Berries

Bronze Fever

Het of the Night

Jungle Moss

Paradise Purple

The compact retails for $45 and is available at Henri Bendel, select Saks Fifth Avenue and Nordstrom stores, Studio at Fred Segal in Santa Monica, Bloomingdale’s SOHO, DVF The Shop in NY and Miami, www.dvfbeauty.com and www.sephora.com.

Shunning Peta?: If so, you might want to consider the MetroSpector Chilla Rose Cuff, a wrist cuff embellished with a single chinchilla fur rose and two mink fur leaves. The edges are embroidered, and stretch ribbing adds comfort. It’s available in white and heather gray, with more colors following. It retails for $128 and is part of the MetroSpector’s Chilla Baby Collection. www.gottahavemetrospector.com.

The Cellulite Battle: LPG, a leader in connective tissue technology has launched a new treatment machine, the CelluM6 Keymodule which features a treatment head with speed and rotation differentials to increase the depth of action, which provides more therapeutic applications. The Keymodule allows the therapist to customize the treatment, because soft or watery cellulite is massaged differently than compact cellulite (often found in fit patients). Cosmecanique’s Lift 6 machine is Endermologie (the most popular European Cellulite Treatment and used in the CelluM6 Keymodule) for the face.

Massaging the Mind and Body: Victoria Bullis, a psychic is referred to as a “masseuse for the soul.” More info, www.victoria bullis.com or call 888-686-2200.

Bill Maher’s Back: “Real Time With Bill Maher” resumes its second season with a new edition FRIDAY, JULY 30, 2004, at 11 p.m. to midnight, ET. On HBO.

<>Featured on this week's show as roundtable guests are filmmaker Michael Moore, Rep. David Dreier (R - CA) and Former Canadian Prime Minister Kim Campbell; satellite interview guest is Sen. Norm Coleman (R - MN).

: “Make Room For Baby” on Discovery Health Channel will put two designers in two different rooms, all in one house to see who can do the best job in three days. Another episode, focusing on the preparation for “Twins!” will feature two of everything. Both episodes premiere Tuesday, August 31, 2004 and the new season the series begins September 28, 2004.

BBC’s Meet The Kumars: Part scripted comedy, part improvisation, part genuine interview, BBC AMERICA presents the all-new U.S. premiere award-winning talk show, “The Kumars at No. 42,” which begins Sundays starting August 29, 2004 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

The Kumars are a typical (albeit exaggerated) Indian family, living in North London, who have come across a unique method of 'Keeping up with the Joneses'. They have bulldozed their back yard and built a state-of-the-art TV studio from where they host their very own talk show.

Son Sanjeev Kumar (Sanjeev Bhaskar, Goodness Gracious Me) asks the questions, while his mother Madhuri (Indira Joshi), father Ashwin (Vincent Ebrahim) and mischievous granny Sushila (Meera Syal, Bombay Dreams, Goodness Gracious Me) interrupt the interviews from a nearby sofa, with wildly inappropriate and irrelevant questions.

Winner of many awards including two International Emmys, a bronze rose of Montreux at Europe's top television awards and Best New TV Comedy at the British Comedy Awards, this truly unique show has proved a huge hit around the world with the original format now available across five continents.

Sanjeev Bhaskar, who plays son and talk-shot host Sanjeev Kumar, is also the creator of The Kumars at No. 42.

"I got the idea out of my own painful experiences from taking girlfriends home to meet my mum and dad," he explains. "Within a very short space of time my father would blurt out to the unfortunate girl in question, 'and how much does your father earn?' Whereas mom would start saying, 'Sanjeev handles rejection very badly and do you want children? I'm very keen to have grandchildren.' When I became an actor it occurred to me that if my folks behaved like that with girlfriends - what would they be like if I brought a famous person home?"

Each week celebrity guests such as Richard E. Grant, Donny Osmond, Robson Green, Michael Parkinson and Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen are welcomed in to the home of the Kumars where they meet the family for the first time - and what a family.

Sanjeev, unmarried and still living at home, is a little green about life. Madhuri is always plying guests with food and trying to get Sanjeev married off. Ashwin has a tendency to tell long, tedious stories and is obsessed with money. While granny Sushila, also affectionately called Ummi, has a youthful zest for life and good-looking men.

Once the celebrities have made it through the house to get to the studio, they then find themselves subjected to interrogation in the studio from mom, dad and granny. In all the chaos Sanjeev tries to keep order and occasionally ask the odd question himself.

The Kumars at No. 42 is produced by Sharat Sardana, Richard Pinto and Lissa Evans who also directed the show with executive producers Denise O'Donoghue and Jimmy Mulville. It is a Hat Trick production for BBC AMERICA.

Earlimart: Earlimart's new release Treble and Tremble hits stores on September 28, 2004 on Chris Blackwell's audio/ visual label Palm Pictures. The band will play the Troubador on Saturday, July 31, 2004.

Little Steven: Steven Van Zant’s Little Steven's International Underground Garage Festival, presented by Dunkin' Donuts, will be held Saturday, August 14, 2004 at Randalls Island in New York.

Advance tickets for the day-long concert are just $20, with $25 Tickets available for purchase on the day of the show. Tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster (212-307-7171, www.ticketmaster.com and all locations).

Big Star, Australia's Stems, New Zealand's D4, Nancy Sinatra, the original Dictators, and first Beatle drummer Pete Best have joined The lineup, while The New York Dolls have confirmed a performance following the recent passing of their bassist Arthur Kane.

Little Steven's International Underground Garage Festival unites, on a once-in-a-lifetime bill, major names from 50 years of rock history, starting with Bo Diddley, through garage kings like the Stooges and the Pretty Things and a stellar contingent of new faces like the Strokes, the Raveonettes and the Paybacks.

Van Zandt promises a day-long, non-stop rock and roll dance party, organized like Alan Freed and Murray the K's Rock & Roll Revue shows of yore, with most bands performing ten minute sets of their most exciting material.

Headliners will perform full sets.

Complete list of INTERNATIONAL UNDERGROUND GARAGE FESTIVAL performers

below:

IGGY POP AND THE STOOGES

THE STROKES

THE NEW YORK DOLLS

THE PRETTY THINGS

BO DIDDLEY

BIG STAR

THE ROMANTICS

THE RAVEONETTES

THE DICTATORS

THE D4

NANCY SINATRA

THE MOONEY SUZUKI

THE ELECTRIC PRUNES

THE CYNICS

THE PETE BEST BAND

THE CHAINS

THE CHOCOLATE WATCHBAND

THE CEASARS

THE CREATION

THE SINGLES

THE PAYBACKS

THE FLESHTONES

JARVIS HUMBY

THE STEMS

THE FONDAS

THE CONTRAST

THE WOGGLES

THE CHESTERFIELD KINGS

BOSS MARTIANS

THE HIGH DIALS

LYRES

THE FORTY FIVES

THE SHAZAM

THE COCKTAIL SLIPPERS

THE STAR SPANGLES

THE CHARMS

THE FUZZTONES

THE FLAMING SIDEBURNS

THE GORE GORE GIRLS

THE SWINGING NECKBREAKERS

DAVIE ALLAN & THE ARROWS

RICHARD & THE YOUNG LIONS

Monday, July 26, 2004

The Bourne Supremacy: There is a moment in “The Bourne Identity” -- the current film’s predecessor – where amnesiac Jason Bourne, exhausted, is sleeping on a German park bench. He’s harassed by cops asking for his papers. To his surprise, he can speak German, and even more surprisingly, he disarms and takes them down in seconds.

That brilliantly entertaining first film is full of moments like that – as Bourne and the audience slowly learn his astonishing abilities. In “The Bourne Supremacy,” Bourne (Matt Damon), who has “settled” in Goa, India, with his girlfriend, Marie (Franke Potente) finds himself again hunted, for reasons unknown to him.

The film is laden with numerous exciting chase sequences, most by car, a couple on foot. “Lord of the Rings’” “Eomer,” Karl Urban, has an effective turn as the Russian assassin who sets the film’s plot in motion. What “Surpremacy” is missing is the emotional impact of “Identity.” It would reveal too much to even hint at this most important inital plot point, which happens early on. Suffice to say, that the first film blended thrilling action and powerful visceral characterization/emotional punch that this film lacks.

Director Peter Greengrass stresses more on the sense of anxiety Bourne is facing and depicts this through lightening fast editing cuts and manic hand-held camera work. “Identity” director Doug Liman was more adept at putting together the chase scenes – the ominous sense was always evident, but it was also shot and edited in a way that each sequence and scene was wholly understandable, from a logistic point of view. Here, the quick cutting resembles that of music videos, where an audience isn’t meant to understand specifics, but moreover the general sense of urgency and drama, only stopping for the end results.

It has all the elements of a taut thriller, but the menace is not coming at Bourne from several places – despite the gorgeous and frighteningly foreign locations “Supremacy” takes it (India, Berlin, Italy, Russia, NY) – as it did in the first film. Here Bourne has a mission and the “agency” has its own – all of which are apparent within the first few scenes of the film. Perhaps the simplest way of putting it is that while this “Bourne” has all of his inventive creativity (the most effective of elements), it is missing its heart, which beat so strongly in the first film.

Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy: Will Farrell is a brilliant comedian – his timing, his physical presence, all can easily evoke consistent laughs. He's also very likeable. “Anchorman,” set in the early seventies, is about the male-dominated world of local television news. This team, San Diego based, is led by the formidable Burgundy (Farrell), and is subsequently challenged by the arrival of Veronica Corningstone (Christina Applegate). While “Anchorman” doesn’t have the nearly non-stop guffaws that the similarly humored “Dodgeball” does, it’s still a funny film – thanks to Farrell. Farrell, like Chris Pontius and Steve O of “Jackass” and “Wild Boyz,” has no problem using his less-than-model proportions to induce laughs.

Like “Dodgeball” its wildly silly, with a rather broad premise – and “Anchorman” elicits its laughs through one-liners, perfect timing and physical humor.

Friday, July 23, 2004

Da Ali G Show: DA ALI G SHOW - AUG. EPISODES

Edition #9: “Peace”

Debut date: SUNDAY, AUG. 1 (10:30-11:00 p.m. ET)

Other HBO playdates: Aug. 4 (10:30 p.m.), 5 (midnight) and 6 (2:45

a.m.)

HBO2 playdates: Aug. 2 (11:00 p.m.) and 3 (9:00 p.m.)

In New York to sell book ideas to high-profile publishers and

agents, Ali G pitches the following would-be bestsellers: “A Kiss on the Lips,” a vibrating book designed to stimulate the mind and more; “The Lord of the Rings,” an adaptation of the hit films; an Ali G “autobiography” of President Bush; and more. Bruno chats with fashion guru Leon Hall about which celebrities should be kept “in the ghetto” or sent on a “train to Auschwitz”; later, Bruno and “fashion police” James Campbell and Randy McLaughlin rate the attire of such Hollywood notables as Renee Zellweger, Peter Jackson and Paris Hilton. Ali G interviews U.S. Olympic president (and former swimming star) John Nabor about the upcoming games in Greece, pondering why there isn’t an Olympic competition for world-record events like Tallest Man or Longest Moustache. Borat travels to Nashville and Tucson to “learn to be country star.” There, he demonstrates a Kazakhstan line dance to willing square dancers, gets songwriting inspiration from country-music legend Porter Wagoner, and tests out a liberating new tune at a local lounge.

Edition #10: “Realize”

Debut date: SUNDAY, AUG. 8 (10:30-11:00 p.m.)

Other HBO playdates: Aug. 11 (10:30 p.m.), 12 (midnight) and 13

(2:40 a.m.)

HBO2 playdates: Aug. 9 (11:00 p.m.) and 10 (9:00 p.m.)

Edition #11: “Jah”

Debut date: SUNDAY, AUG. 15 (10:30-11:00 p.m.)

Other HBO playdates: Aug. 18 (10:30 p.m.), 19 (midnight) and 20

(2:35 a.m.)

HBO2 playdates: Aug. 16 (11:00 p.m.) and 17 (9:00 p.m.)

Edition #12: “Realness”

Debut date: SUNDAY, AUG. 22 (10:30-11:00 p.m.)

Other HBO playdates: Aug. 25 (10:30 p.m.), 26 (midnight) and 27

(2:40 a.m.)

HBO2 playdates: Aug. 23 (11:00 p.m.) and 24 (9:00 p.m.)

DA ALI G SHOW is created by Sacha Baron Cohen; performed by Sacha Baron Cohen; executive producers, Sacha Baron Cohen, Dan Mazer and Peter Fincham; writers, Sacha Baron Cohen, Ant Hines, Dan Mazer, James Bobin, Jamie Glassman, Jeff Stilson, Richard Dahm and Seth Rogen & Evan Goldberg; series director, James Bobin; supervising producer, Jeff Stilson;

producer,

Erin O’Malley.

Six-Feet Under Episodes: SIX FEET UNDER - AUG. EPISODES

Episode #46: “The Dare”

Debut date: SUNDAY, AUG. 1 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET)

Other HBO playdates: Aug. 3 (11:00 p.m.), 4 (9:00 p.m.) and 7

(10:30 p.m.)

HBO2 playdate: Aug. 2 (10:00 p.m.)

Ruth (Frances Conroy) goes on a fossil hunt with George (James

Cromwell), and later meets up with Sarah (Patricia Clarkson) and Bettina (Kathy Bates); Claire (Lauren Ambrose) focuses her talents on Edie (Mena Suvari); Federico (Freddy Rodriguez) tries to unload on Sophia (Idalis DeLeon); Vanessa (Justina Machado) does some detective work; Keith (Mathew St. Patrick) goes “out” to a bar with his co-workers; David (Michael C. Hall) drowns his stress; and Nate (Peter Krause) dares Brenda (Rachel Griffiths) to be honest with Joe (Justin Theroux), and receives some relationship advice himself.

Written by Bruce Eric Kaplan; directed by Peter Webber.

Episode #47: “Coming and Going”

Debut date: SUNDAY, AUG. 8 (9:00-10:00 p.m.)

Other HBO playdates: Aug. 10 (11:00 p.m.), 11 (9:00 p.m.) and 14

(10:00 p.m.)

HBO2 playdate: Aug. 9 (10:00 p.m.)

Nate and Brenda take Maya (Brenna Leigh Tosh/Brownwyn Anne Tosh) on

a train ride; David tries to “sexorcize” his demons; Keith straightens out a conflict of interest; Federico starts sleeping on the job; George treads on Ruth’s garden; Vanessa and Angelica (Melissa Marsala) take some female matters into their own hands; and Claire enjoys “dancing” with Edie.

Written by Nancy Oliver; directed by Dan Attias.

Episode #48: “Grinding the Corn”

Debut date: SUNDAY, AUG. 15 (9:00-10:00 p.m.)

Other HBO playdates: Aug. 17 (11:00 p.m.), 18 (9:00 p.m.) and 21

(9:30 p.m.)

HBO2 playdate: Aug. 16 (10:00 p.m.)

Ruth and Bettina take a road trip to Mexico, leaving the men of

Fisher & Diaz to some male bonding, and comic-book crime fighting;

David and

Keith open up after closing their “open” relationship; Claire warms up

to

Jimmy (Peter Facinelli) after getting the cold shoulder from Edie and

Anita

(Sprague Grayden); Billy (Jeremy Sisto) resurfaces as a substitute art

teacher; and Nate can’t decide what he wants from Brenda, who turns to

old

friends to treat the pain.

Written by Rick Cleveland; directed by Alan Caso.

Episode #49: “The Black Forest

Debut date: SUNDAY, AUG. 22 (9:00-10:00 p.m.)

Other HBO playdates: Aug. 24 (11:00 p.m.), 25 (9:00 p.m.) and 28

(10:00 p.m.)

HBO2 playdate: Aug. 23 (10:00 p.m.)

Nate and Maya attend a memorial for Lisa (Lili Taylor), where some

discoveries ensue; David and Keith are inspired by a same-sex wedding;

George agrees to Ruth’s marriage stipulations; Federico is disturbed by the “new and improved” Vanessa; Brenda crosses a bridge with her therapy client; and Claire and Billy develop something in the darkroom.

Written by Jill Soloway and Craig Wright; directed by Peter Care.

Episode #50: “Bomb Shelter”

Debut date: SUNDAY, AUG. 29 (9:00-10:00 p.m.)

Other HBO playdates: Aug. 31 (11:00 p.m.) and Sept. 1 (9:00 p.m.)

and 4 (11:00 p.m.)

HBO2 playdate: Aug. 30 (10:00 p.m.)

Ruth is giddy about an upcoming tantric workshop with George, who

retreats to the family’s emergency shelter; David’s last bite at a sushi restaurant threatens to cost him and Keith a lot more than the bill;

Nate drops a bomb on Barb (Julie Dretziun), sparking a counterattack; Claire fights Russell (Ben Foster) over credit for her latest photos;

Margaret’s

(Joanna Cassidy) hospitalization helps Brenda and Billy begin to heal their rift; and Vanessa shows Federico she can beat him at his own game.

Written by Scott Buck; directed by Nicole Holofcener.

SIX FEET UNDER is produced in association with The Greenblatt Janollari Studio; executive produced by Alan Ball, Robert Greenblatt, David Janollari, Alan Poul and Bruce Eric Kaplan; co-executive producers, Rick Cleveland and Scott Buck; supervising producer, Jill Soloway; producers, Kate Robin, Bob Del Valle and Lori Jo Nemhauser.

Toby Keith Latest; DreamWorks’ Toby Keith’s has a new single, “Stays in Mexico,” from Toby’s upcoming “Greatest Hits” CD

package. The new single hits radio July 26, while the album arrives in stores November 9.

Toby kicks off his “Big Throwdown” Tour in Foxboro, MA at the Gillette Stadium on July 24th. This is the only music concert at the Gillette Stadium this summer. The tour will go on to travel to more than 80 cities across the US.

Entourage in August: ENTOURAGE - AUG. EPISODES

Episode #3: “Talk Show”

Debut date: SUNDAY, AUG. 1 (10:00-10:30 p.m. ET)

Other HBO playdates: Aug. 3 (1:00 a.m.), 4 (10:00 p.m.), 6

(midnight) and 20 (11:00 p.m.)

HBO2 playdates: Aug. 2 (9:00 p.m.) and 7 (midnight)

After meeting Jimmy Kimmel at a boxing after-party, Vince (Adrian

Grenier) agrees to appear on his show - unaware of a longstanding rift between Kimmel and Drama (Kevin Dillon); Eric (Kevin Connolly) and Kristen (Monica Keena) share a long goodbye; Ari (Jeremy Piven) puts the full-court press on Sarah Silverman; and Luke Wilson tells Turtle (Jerry Ferrara)

how

to score a free home-theater system for Vince.

Written by Larry Charles; directed by Julian Farino.

Episode #4: “Date Night”

Debut date: SUNDAY, AUG. 8 (10:00-10:30 p.m.)

Other HBO playdates: Aug. 10 (1:00 a.m.), 11 (10:00 p.m.), 13

(midnight) and 20 (11:30 p.m.)

HBO2 playdates: Aug. 9 (9:00 p.m.) and 14 (midnight)

Vince decides to celebrate his film’s opening night with a group

date, to Eric’s chagrin; Drama’s pumped-up date struts her stuff at a bowling alley; Turtle finds an unusual way to get a date; and Vince turns on the charm for unsullied pop vixen Justine Chaplin (Leighton Meester).

Written by Doug Ellin & Rob Weiss; directed by Dan Attias.

Episode #5: “The Script and the Sherpa”

Debut date: SUNDAY, AUG. 15 (10:00-10:30 p.m.)

Other HBO playdates: Aug. 17 (1:00 a.m.), 18 (10:00 p.m.), 20

(midnight) and Sept. 10 (11:00 p.m.)

HBO2 playdates: Aug. 16 (9:00 p.m.), 17 (11:45 p.m.), 19 (10:00 p.m.) and 21 (midnight)

Vince’s fling with a “cruelty-free” vegan, and her friendship with a laid-back LA “sherpa,” bring unexpected karma to the entourage; Eric pushes a promising new script set in Queens; Drama fears the disruptive power of his friends’ new relationships; and Turtle barters boots for booty.

Written by Doug Ellin & Stephen Levinson; directed by Adam Bernstein.

Episode #6: “Busey and the Beach”

Debut date: SUNDAY, AUG. 22 (10:00-10:30 p.m.)

Other HBO playdates: Aug. 24 (1:55 a.m.), 25 (10:00 p.m., 4:10

a.m.), 27 (midnight) and Sept. 10 (11:30 p.m.)

HBO2 playdates: Aug. 23 (9:00 p.m.), 24 (11:35 p.m.), 26 (9:30 p.m.) and 28 (midnight)

Ari’s former assistant Josh (Josh Weinstein), now a competing agent, woos Vince and the boys at a wild Malibu beach party; Drama ponders an alternate career in the food-service industry; Eric puts Emily (Samaire Armstrong) in a compromising situation; and Turtle rankles Gary Busey at an art opening.

Written by Doug Ellin & Larry Charles; directed by Julian Farino.

Episode #7: “Just the Scene”

Debut date: SUNDAY, AUG. 29 (10:00-10:30 p.m.)

Other HBO playdates: Aug. 31 (1:00 a.m.) and Sept. 1 (10:00 p.m.),

3 (midnight) and 10 (midnight)

HBO2 playdates: Aug. 30 (9:00 p.m.) and Sept. 4 (midnight)

Eric is concerned over the choice of director - an indie loose

cannon named Billy Walsh (Rhys Coiro) - for Vince’s new film; Drama lobbies for a supporting role; and Ari finds he can’t mix business with pleasure.

Written by Rob Weiss; directed by David Frankel.

ENTOURAGE is created by Doug Ellin; executive produced by Mark Wahlberg, Stephen Levinson, Doug Ellin and Larry Charles; co-executive producer, Timothy Marx; co-producer, Rob Weiss.

From the Monolators: Just wanted to let everybody know that we’v posted a new Song Of The Month selection on our website! This time around it’s “I Want You” by Elvis Costello. Take a listen at www.themonolators.com in the Song Of The Month section, right in the middle of the page (well, upper middle).

And don’t forget to send in your requests! All are welcome. E-mail them in at mail@themonolators.com

Just wanted to let everybody know that we’v posted a new Song Of The Month selection on our website! This time around it’s “I Want You” by Elvis Costello. Take a listen at www.themonolators.com in the Song Of The Month section, right in the middle of the page (well, upper middle).

Thursday, July 22, 2004

Who’s Wearing What: Matthew Williamson dressed Halle Berry for the Los Angeles Premiere of “Catwoman” earlier this week. She chose an empire waist, multi-color print dress with antique gold charm accents by Matthew Williamson. The look is from Matthew Williamson’s Fall 2004 “Wildest Dreams” collection.

UK designer Matthew Williamson’s designs have been worn by Jade Jagger, Kate Moss, Naomi Watts, Mischa Barton and Helena Christensen. He launched his own label in 1996 with business partner Joseph Velosa after working for Georgina Von Etzdorf, Marni, and Monsoon. Based in London, Williamson shows during New York fashion week and is sold in the US at Tracey Ross in Los Angeles and Bergdorf Goodman in New York.

<> <>Final Jack: OUTBACK JACK The Big Finale Tuesday, August 10 9 p.m. (ET/PT) The day of decision has finally arrived, and Jack must choose which woman is the one for him as TBS’s wild new reality series OUTBACK JACK comes to an end with an eye-opening finale Tuesday, August 10, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT). OUTBACK JACK, from Bruce Nash’s Nash Entertainment (Meet My Folks, For Love or Money, Who Wants To Marry My Dad?), puts a group of pampered city women to the test as they vie for the affections of their rugged leading man. The series, hosted by JD Roberto (Shop Til You Drop, Shark Chasers), combines fish-out-of-water comedy with romantic adventure, making for plenty of fun twists and turns.

The finale of OUTBACK JACK opens with Jack (athlete-outdoorsman Vadim Dale) and the remaining two women arriving at their last camp via hot air balloon. This ocean-front camp, however, has wind gusts that nearly destroy the women’s tent.

On day one of their stay at the beach-front camp, Jack takes the first woman on an all-day date, flying in a seaplane, then snorkeling and frolicking in the surf. The following day, the other woman gets a shot at Jack as they ride around the beach on ATVs before hitting the water in kayaks. All the while, the two women make the best play possible for Jack’s affections, but in the end, he can only choose one.

OUTBACK JACK closes with a quick recap of Jack and the women’s incredible journeys together, climaxing with his final choice of the woman who has come from the city to melt the heart of the rugged outdoorsman.

Entourage Already Renewed: HBO has renewed the new comedy series

ENTOURAGE for a second season, it was announced today by Carolyn

Strauss,

president, HBO Entertainment. A look at the life of a young star and

his

buddies in Hollywood, the eight-episode first season kicked off last

Sunday.

Production on additional episodes will begin later this year, with the

second season to launch in 2005 on HBO.

“ENTOURAGE is already shaping up as both a critical and subscriber

smash,” said Strauss. “I can’t wait to see what kind of stories

creator

Doug Ellin and his talented team will tell in the second season.”

From executive producer Mark Wahlberg, the new eight-episode comedy

series kicked off last Sunday, July 18 (10:00-10:30 pm ET), exclusively

on

HBO. Wahlberg also makes a cameo appearance in the first episode of

the

show, which draws on the experiences of industry insiders.

The show has already sparked critical praise, with TV Guide hailing

the show as “smart” and “seriously funny,” while Entertainment Weekly

calls

it “hilarious” and “packed firm with laughs.” The New York Times

raves,

“Nothing on network television is as smart, original and amusing,”

adding,

“The send-up of Hollywood mores and manners is merciless.”

Filmed at Hollywood locations, ENTOURAGE tells the story of Vince, a

sexy young movie star whose career is just taking off. To share the

fun of

the ride and keep him grounded, Vince looks to Eric, Drama and Turtle,

his

longtime pals from Queens. Together they experience the highs and lows

of

life in the fast lane of Hollywood, where the stakes are higher, and

the

money and temptations greater, than ever before.

Adrian Grenier (“The Adventures of Sebastian Cole,” “Drive Me

Crazy”) stars as Vince, who slips easily into stardom. Kevin Connolly

(“The

Notebook,” “Antwone Fisher”) plays Eric, who’s learning the rules of

Hollywood as he tries to help Vince make the right choices. Kevin

Dillon

(“The Doors,” “Platoon”) plays Vince’s half-brother Drama, whose own

acting

aspirations have been eclipsed by Vince’s success. Jerry Ferrara

(“NYPD

Blue,” “Cross Bronx”) plays Turtle, the least experienced of the group,

who’s always up for a good time. Jeremy Piven (“Old School,” “The

Larry

Sanders Show”) plays Ari, Vince’s aggressive, high-powered agent, who

clashes with Eric over his client’s decisions.

Along with Mark Wahlberg, cameo appearances in the first season of

ENTOURAGE include Jessica Alba, Gary Busey, Larry David, David

Faustino,

Sara Foster, Val Kilmer, Jimmy Kimmel, Sarah Silverman and Luke Wilson.

ENTOURAGE is created by Doug Ellin; executive produced by Mark

Wahlberg, Stephen Levinson, Doug Ellin and Larry Charles; co-executive

producer, Timothy Marx; co-producer, Rob Weiss. Credits are for season

one.

Curb Your Enthusiasm Gets 5th Season: HBO has renewed the comedy series CURB

YOUR ENTHUSIASM, executive produced by and starring Larry David, for a

fifth

season, it was announced today by Carolyn Strauss, president, HBO

Entertainment. Production of ten new episodes of the Emmy®- and

Golden

Globe-winning series will begin in Los Angeles next January.

Completing its fourth season of ten episodes last March (with 40

episodes to date), CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM stars “Seinfeld” co-creator

David as

himself in an unsparing, cinema verité depiction of his life.

Featuring

real-life celebrities playing themselves, the episodes are improvised

by the

actors from storylines by David. CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM also stars

Cheryl

Hines as David’s wife Cheryl and Jeff Garlin as David’s manager Jeff.

The fourth season of CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM inspired critical raves.

Variety said that the series “retains its place as the funniest of the

funny

on television today,” while TV Guide called it “one of the most

hysterical

satires TV has seen.” The Washington Post called the show “one of the

absolutely funniest half-hours on television,” and New York Newsday

described it as “painfully funny.”

CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM received eight Emmy® nominations last week,

including Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy

Series (Larry David) and three for Outstanding Directing for a Comedy

Series

(Larry Charles, Bryan Gordon, Robert B. Weide). In 2003, Robert B.

Weide

won a directing Emmy® for his work on the series.

CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM is executive produced by Larry David, Jeff

Garlin and Gavin Polone; executive producers/directors, Robert B. Weide

and

Larry Charles; producer, Tim Gibbons; co-producer, Erin O’Malley.

Political Tourist: Hundreds of state fairs to visit, thousands of babies to kiss,

millions of hands to shake... What does it takes to become President

of the

United States of America?

Alexandra Pelosi’s DIARY OF A POLITICAL TOURIST, chronicling her

two-year road trip on the Democratic campaign trail—from the

candidates’

announcements, through the early primaries, to Super Tuesday and the

convention—follows presidential wannabes as they make their run for

the

White House when the exclusive HBO documentary debuts MONDAY, OCT. 11

at

8:00 p.m. (ET).

Following the 2002 HBO documentary “Journeys with George,” Pelosi’s

irreverent account of George W. Bush on the campaign trail, she set out

on

the road again with a handful of distinguished men competing to see who

could eat the most pies, raise the most money and get the most votes to

become the Democratic Party nominee. An action-packed adventure

criss-crossing America, her video diary reveals the fun, the

exhaustion, the

pain, the shame, the tears, the absurdity, the hard work and the ego

that go

into challenging the leader of the free word.

DIARY OF A POLITICAL TOURIST offers a rare bird’s-eye view of the

political process, departing from the official version to reveal the

inner

workings of democracy. Featured in the special are General Wesley

Clark,

Governor Howard Dean, Senator John Edwards, Congressman Dick Gephardt,

Senator Bob Graham, Senator John Kerry and Senator Joe Lieberman, with

cameo

appearances by President George W. Bush.

During the first year, Pelosi taped Democratic contenders as they

made their debuts on the campaign trail in Iowa and New Hampshire. She

summered in Iowa, visiting hog lots with John Kerry, peering inside

John

Edwards’ bus and refrigerator, observing pie-eating contests with Dick

Gephardt, tasting deep-fried Twinkies at the Iowa State Fair with Joe

Lieberman, and riding along in Bob Graham’s RV, singing his theme song.

In

the fall, she taped and witnessed the rise and demise of Howard Dean.

From

the Iowa Caucuses through Super Tuesday, Pelosi followed each of the

leading

contenders as America voted them off the ballot.

As a “political tourist,” Pelosi brings her unique perspective and

humorous style to the quest to find out what it takes to become the

sole

survivor in the race for the West Wing. Among the memorable campaign

moments she captures on tape are Gephardt’s “Gephardtpalooza” in Iowa;

Lieberman efforts to create “Joe-mentum” in New Hampshire; “Grillin’

with

the Grahams”; Dean’s nationwide “Sleepless Summer Tour”; and Edwards’

bus

tour on the “Real Deal Express.”

Alexandra Pelosi began her career in television covering politics in

Washington, D.C., and subsequently served as a network news producer

for

five years. For her first film, 2002’s “Journeys with George,” Pelosi

spent

18 months with the candidate and journalists on the campaign trail,

covering

the closest and most controversial presidential election in history.

She is

the daughter of Nancy Pelosi, California Democratic congresswoman and

House

minority leader.

DIARY OF A POLITICAL TOURIST is written, directed and produced by

Alexandra Pelosi; edited by Juliet Weber and Geof Bartz. For HBO:

supervising producer, Lisa Heller; executive producer, Sheila Nevins.

Cinemax Saturday Night At the Movies: Every Saturday at 10:00 p.m. (ET),

CINEMAX premieres “See It Saturday” movies, spotlighting top Hollywood

films. Among the standout “See It Saturday” films making their

national

pay-cable TV debuts on CINEMAX in the second half of 2004 are ONCE UPON

A

TIME IN MEXICO, HOUSE OF SAND AND FOG, THE MATRIX REVOLUTIONS and the

unrated version of AMERICAN WEDDING.

After three crazy years of dating, Jim decides to marry his “band

camp” sweetheart in AMERICAN WEDDING (Aug. 7). Jason Biggs, Alyson

Hannigan, January Jones, Thomas Ian Nicholas and Seann William Scott

star in

this raucously funny, unrated conclusion to the “American Pie” series,

featuring extended scenes not available in theaters. In addition, this

premiere is part of an “ultimate double feature” with sister channel

HBO,

with HBO debuting “Seabiscuit” at 8:00 p.m., followed by the premiere

of

AMERICAN WEDDING on CINEMAX at 10:30 p.m.

In ONCE UPON A TIME IN MEXICO (Sept. 18), a corrupt CIA agent

recruits a Mexican hitman and a retired FBI agent to foil a plot by a

drug

kingpin to assassinate Mexico’s president. Written and directed by

Robert

Rodriguez, this explosive sequel to “Desperado” stars Antonio Banderas,

Salma Hayek, Johnny Depp, Mickey Rourke, Eva Mendes, Danny Trejo,

Enrique

Iglesias, Marco Leonardi and Cheech Marin with Rubén Blades and Willem

Dafoe.

HOUSE OF SAND AND FOG (Oct.) stars Jennifer Connelly as a distraught

recovering alcoholic who inherits her father’s beloved house, and loses

it

through a tax mistake to a proud Iranian immigrant (Ben Kingsley) on

the

brink of financial ruin. The moody drama was nominated for three

Oscars®,

including Best Actor (Kingsley), Best Actress in a Supporting Role

(Shohreh

Aghdashloo) and Best Music, Original Score. Screenplay by Vadim

Perelman

and Shawn Lawrence Otto; directed by Vadim Perelman.

In THE MATRIX REVOLUTIONS (Nov.), the future of humankind hangs by a

thread as the final battle for Zion rages, and Neo and Trinity

infiltrate

Machine City to access The Source and destroy Agent Smith once and for

all.

Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving and

Jada

Pinkett Smith star in this spectacular finale to the blockbuster sci-fi

trilogy.

In addition, CINEMAX presents all three “Matrix” films back-to-back

in a thrilling night of cutting-edge action this November; the date

will be

announced when confirmed.

Every month, CINEMAX presents “Vanguard” films from America and

abroad, going outside the Hollywood mainstream for the best in

independent

films. Included on the slate for the second half of 2004 are THIRTEEN,

LE

DIVORCE, SHATTERED GLASS, THE COOLER and GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING.

In THIRTEEN (Aug. 5), the teenage daughter of a single mother gets

mixed up with the wrong crowd in an attempt to become popular. Best

Supporting Actress Oscar® nominee Holly Hunter, Evan Rachel Wood,

Nikki

Reed and Jeremy Sisto star in this acclaimed, harrowing story of

adolescence

and rebellion.

A young American goes to Paris to visit her pregnant sister, whose

marriage is on the rocks, and gets into some romantic entanglements of

her

own in LE DIVORCE (Aug. 11). Kate Hudson, Naomi Watts, Jean-Marc Barr,

Leslie Caron, Stockard Channing and Glenn Close star in the romantic

comedy.

Based on a true story, SHATTERED GLASS (Sept. 10) tells the tale of

Stephen Glass, a onetime star reporter at The New Republic whose

meteoric

rise was abruptly halted when dozens of his articles were exposed by

rivals

as outright fabrications. Hayden Christensen, Golden Globe nominee

Peter

Sarsgaard, Chloe Sevigny, Rosario Dawson, Melanie Lynskey and Hank

Azaria

star in the drama.

THE COOLER (Oct.) stars William H. Macy as a gambler in Las Vegas

whose luck is so bad, he’s employed by an old-school casino owner to

end the

good luck of any player merely by his presence. But a surprising new

love

lifts his perpetual black cloud, making him dangerously useless to his

temperamental boss. Maria Bello and Best Supporting Actor Oscar®

nominee

Alec Baldwin co-star in the quirky love story.

In GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING (Nov.), a young Dutch girl takes a job

as a maid in the home of the painter Vermeer, and the two develop a

deep

friendship which leads to the painting of the world-famous, beautifully

intimate portrait. Colin Firth, Scarlett Johansson, Tom Wilkinson,

Judy

Parfitt, Cillian Murphy and Essie Davis star in the lush drama.

© 2003 Home Box Office, Inc. All rights reserved. Home Box Office®, HBO® and Cinemax® are service marks of Home Box Office, Inc.

Academy Award® and Oscar® are registered trademarks and service

marks of

the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Family Bonds: “My name is Tom Evangelista. I work in New York with my wife,

daughter, nephew and in-laws. Our policy is pretty simple: If you get

arrested, we’ll bail you out. Things only get complicated if you run.

Then, we’re coming after you. And we’re the best in the business.

Some people call us bounty hunters, but to me, we’re just a family.”

from the opening of FAMILY BONDS

Meet the Evangelistas of Medford, Long Island. As tight and tough

as they come, they’re like any other hard-working American family, with

one

major difference - the Evangelistas are bail bondsmen and bounty

hunters.

Debuting SUNDAY, SEPT. 19 (10:00-10:30 p.m. ET), exclusively on HBO,

the new 10-part real-life series FAMILY BONDS reveals the day-to-day

dramas

of these outrageous people, on the job and off, as they confront the

unpredictable dangers of bounty hunting and the challenges of family

life

with resourcefulness, warmth and humor. Debuting immediately following

new

episodes of “The Wire,” each half-hour episode is directed by Steven

Cantor,

whose credits include the CINEMAX Reel Life documentary “Devil’s

Playground”

and the Oscar® nominee “Blood Ties: The Life and Work of Sally Mann.”

There’s Tom, age 46, the head of the family, a chain-smoking,

tough-talking motorcycle buff with a reluctant heart of gold. He’s

been a

licensed bail bondsman for seven years. His company All City Bail

Bonds -

which posts bail money for criminal suspects who are unable to pay it

themselves - has offices in Queens, Manhattan and Long Island. His

voluptuous wife Flo has been married to Tom for 23 years. A fiercely

devoted mother with a no-nonsense style, she balances her time between

helping manage Tom’s offices and running the Evangelista household.

Chris Evangelista is Tom’s fun-loving but volatile nephew. Also a

licensed bail bondsman, he has worked for Tom for six years; since his

divorce, Chris has lived with the Evangelista family, camping out on

the

couch. Tom and Flo’s son Sal (17) is eager to leave his job at the

pizza

parlor and follow his dad into the business. Dana Giassakis (20) is

Tom and

Flo’s level-headed daughter, and lives in Brooklyn with her husband

Nick;

she has finished junior college and plans to attend New York University

in

the fall to study psychology. Frankie (7) is Tom and Flo’s younger

son, who

observes the chaotic household with wide-eyed curiosity.

Dawn Carfora, Flo’s brash, body-conscious sister, has been married

to Jimmy Carfora for 20 years, and runs the office for Jimmy at All

County

Bail Bonds, a satellite office of Tom’s All City Bail Bonds, in

Hempstead,

New York. Kim Persinger, Flo’s oldest sister, has been the

hard-working

office manager at All City Bail Bonds since Tom founded the company.

FAMILY BONDS follows the Evangelistas on the job, as they track down

fugitives, and off the job, where they play as hard as they work.

Among their adventures in the line of duty:

The All City Bail Bonds team tracks Romanian scam artists in the

Ridgewood

section of Queens.

In Manhattan’s Riverside Park, Tom’s crew pursues a murder suspect, but the hunt has an unexpected outcome.

Apprehending a battery suspect in Brooklyn, Tom discovers significant quantities of methamphetamine.

In East New York, a fugitive escapes the dragnet, but Tom figures out another way to get his man.

Tom and his crew retrieve a fugitive from Pennsylvania in the dead of night.

Tom teaches Sal - now a recovery agent in training - the basics of taking down a suspect, using Chris to demonstrate.

Off-duty, the Evangelistas star in other kinds of family dramas:

An anxious Frankie receives bike lessons from Tom, who grows too

impatient

with his son to finish the job. Flo later tries a gentler approach to

this

rite of passage, with different results.

In the Evangelistas’ back yard, Sal marks his 18th birthday with a raucous bash that produces a few frayed nerves and bruised feelings.

At the Classy Lady nail salon, Flo and her sisters meet regularly to discuss intimate details of their sex lives, among other personal matters.

Tom tries acupuncture in an attempt to quit smoking.

Dana graduates from junior college at Kingsborough Community College with her proud family looking on, and looks ahead to attending NYU - the first in her family to be admitted to such a prestigious institution. But the result of her pregnancy test throws Dana’s college plans into doubt.

At John F. Kennedy High School’s career day, Tom makes a rare appearance in a suit, explaining his job to rapt teenagers looking for something other than the usual career options.

After a hard night of chasing bad guys, Chris shows his tender side when he visits his ex-wife and picks up his three young daughters for a carefree afternoon at the beach.

Stung by taunts about his weight from Tom and a suspect who outruns him, Chris begins a program to slim down.

Steven Cantor’s credits include the CINEMAX Reel Life documentary “Devil’s Playground” (producer), the Oscar®-nominated short film “Blood Ties: The Life and Work of Sally Mann” (producer and director), “Bounce:

Behind the Velvet Rope” (producer and director), “Willie Nelson: Still

Is

Still Moving” (producer and director) and “Crossover” (producer and

director).

FAMILY BONDS is produced for HBO by Stick Figure Productions in

association with Cactus Three; director, Steven Cantor; executive

producers,

Steven Cantor and Daniel Laikind; supervising editor and co-producer,

Pax

Wassermann; producer, Matthew Galkin; co-executive producers, Julie

Goldman,

Caroline Stevens and Krysanne Katsoolis; original music, Money Mark.

Academy Award® and Oscar® are registered trademarks and service

marks of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

HBO Documentaries: From an unfiltered peek behind the scenes on the Democratic presidential campaign trail, to new revelations about a notorious serial killer, to thought-provoking studies of the perils of nuclear power, HBO has set a provocative and timely lineup of documentary specials and America Undercover presentations for the second half of 2004.

Among the leading documentary filmmakers whose work will be spotlighted

are

Nick Broomfield, Bill Couturié, Maryann De Leo, Rory Kennedy, Marc

Levin and

Alexandra Pelosi.

HBO documentary specials include:

Lindsay Crystal’s MY UNCLE BERNS (debuting Aug. 5) chronicles her

grand uncle Bernhardt Crystal’s life in a poignant documentary that

brings

together three generations of the Crystal family. When she set out to

chronicle her 88-year-old great-uncle’s remarkable journey through the

20th

century, she already knew he was an accomplished artist, gallery owner

and

storyteller, thanks to the stories told by her father, comedian and

actor

Billy Crystal. But she was not prepared for the profound impact his

reminiscences would have on her. Produced and directed by Lindsay

Crystal;

executive produced by Billy Crystal and Janice Crystal.

DEATH IN GAZA (Aug. 12) is a powerful film that takes a shocking

first-hand look at the culture of hate permeating the Middle East.

Award-winning filmmaker James Miller, accompanied by reporter Saira

Shah,

captured the lives of three Palestinian children, indoctrinated in the

creed

of Jihad and growing up in the bullet-riddled streets of Gaza. But on

May

2, 2003, in the midst of filming, Miller was shot to death, falling

victim

to the conflict he covered. Produced, directed and filmed by James

Miller;

produced, written and reported by Saira Shah.

INDIAN POINT: IMAGINING THE UNIMAGINABLE (Sept. 9) spotlights the

controversial nuclear power plant, located on the Hudson River 35 miles

north of midtown Manhattan. Amidst a growing and heated debate about

its

future, the owners maintain Indian Point to be “safe, secure and

vital,”

while others believe it’s particularly vulnerable to terrorist attacks.

The

documentary explores the plant’s role in providing power to the region

and

investigates why it has become a focal point for the debate over safe

and

efficient energy resources in the wake of 9/11. Produced and directed

by

Rory Kennedy (HBO’s “A Boy’s Life” and “American Hollow”); produced by

Liz

Garbus.

CHERNOBYL HEART (Sept. 9), this year’s Academy Award® winner for

Best Documentary Short, travels deep into the heart of the worst

nuclear

disaster in history, chronicling its continuing effects today.

Following

Adi Roche, founder of Ireland’s Chernobyl Children’s Project, the film

reveals the invisible trail radiation leaves behind. (Debuts

immediately

following INDIAN POINT: IMAGINING THE UNIMAGINABLE.) Produced and

directed

by Maryann DeLeo.

Alexandra Pelosi’s DIARY OF A POLITICAL TOURIST (Oct. 11) follows

her two-year road trip on the campaign trail with the Democratic

presidential wannabes. This irreverent film documents the fun,

exhaustion,

pain, shame, tears, absurdity, hard work and ego that go into

challenging

the leader of the free world. Subjects include Gen. Wesley Clark, Gov.

Howard Dean, Sen. John Edwards, Rep. Dick Gephardt, Sen. Bob Graham,

Sen.

John Kerry and Sen. Joe Lieberman. Directed and produced by Alexandra

Pelosi (HBO’s “Journeys with George”).

Upcoming America Undercover presentations include:

BACK IN THE HOOD: GANG WAR 2 (Aug. 26) returns to Little Rock, Ark.

setting of the 1994 HBO documentary “Gang War: Bangin’ in Little Rock”— to update the story. The film catches up with numerous former gang members from the first film, including Leifel Jackson, once one of the most notorious of the OGCs (Original Gangster Crips), who is now trying to live straight and make a positive difference in his neighborhood. Produced by Marc Levin and Daphne Pinkerson; directed by Marc Levin.

LAST LETTERS HOME (Nov.), produced in association with the New York

Times, is an intimate, deeply moving documentary featuring the last

letters

home from American soldiers in Iraq. Families of the dead read the

letters

aloud, in their hometowns, helping to preserve their memories.

Produced and

directed by Bill Couturié (HBO’s Emmy®-winning “Dear America:

Letters

Home from Vietnam”).

In AILEEN: LIFE AND DEATH OF A SERIAL KILLER (Nov.), Nick

Broomfield revisits executed murderer Aileen Wournos (subject of the

2003

dramatic feature film “Monster”) 12 years after his documentary “Aileen

Wournos: The Selling of a Serial Killer.” The new film explores

Wuornos’

childhood, which was marked by unrelenting abuse, and reveals the

continued

violence she endured as a hitchhiking prostitute, following the story

through to her execution.

Academy Award® and Oscar® are registered trademarks and service

marks of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Travel Channel’s Monday Nights: Beginning September 6, 2004, the Travel Channel is giving Monday nights a makeover! Each Monday, from 8-11 PM (ET/PT), viewers will have the chance to join the Travel Channel for an evening of luxurious living and great weekend getaways.
Kicking off the night at 8 PM (ET/PT), three imaginative travel planners present customized vacation packages to deserving friends, couples and families in the series premiere of VACATION CHALLENGE. The competition heats up as each planner, under a specific budget, tries to sway the lucky vacationers to choose his or her precisely planned weekend package.
Later, at 8:30 PM (ET/PT), in VACATION HOME SEARCH, potential buyers begin the exhilarating, challenging and often times, agonizing quest of finding their own piece of heaven away from home. With the help of a real estate agent, these eager families and couples strive to get the most bang for their buck in their destination of choice and make their vacation pipedreams a reality.
Then, at 9 PM (ET/PT), from a dwelling that was once a Boeing 727 to an elegant home carved out of a two-story tree stump, viewers will witness creative living taken to new heights in back-to-back, half-hour episodes of AMAZING VACATION HOMES. Owners lead camera crews in and out of unbelievable getaways, ridiculous and sublime, for an up close and personal tour of the incredible places they call paradise.
Finally, it’s on to bigger things, during the new DREAMING BIG hour at 10 PM (ET/PT), where upgrades abound in everything from pools and private islands to truck stops and McDonald’s restaurants. Viewers get a taste for the high life as cameras capture all things new and improved, be it super yacht, millionaire trailer park or hotel bathroom.
The new FANTASY LIVING MONDAY line-up premieres Monday, September 6, 2004 from 8-11 PM (ET/PT).
Travel Channel is the only television network devoted exclusively to travel entertainment. Capturing the fascination, freedom and fun of travel, Travel Channel delivers insightful stories from the world’s most popular destinations and inspiring diversions. It is available in more than 75 million homes and is a service of Discovery Networks, U.S., a unit of Discovery Communications, Inc. Visit Travel Channel on the Web at http://www.discovery.com.