Happy Holidays to Everyone!!!!!

What we all wish for...

And Happy New Year!

Greetings!

Holiday Joy to All!

Peace Be With You, too!

Happy Holidays....

The HBO Films thriller “Dirty War” tells the fictional story of a radiological "dirty bomb" attack on central London when it debuts Monday, January 24, 2005 at 9 p.m. (ET/PT) on HBO. The fact-based story focuses on the experiences of
a fireman, two anti-terrorist squad police officers and the international terrorists they are tracking both before and after the attack.
 

What's Goth is Good Again

Mark Ryden's Triptych (see story below)

Getting Goth ... Again

Sure, you may have hopped into a Hot Topic or a Torrid, smiled at the massive marketing blitz for "Nightmare Before Christmas," or exercised restraint at the teens who remind you of your own youth. Goth is back in a big way. And believe it or not, it was no more in abudance than at last Fall's NY Fashion Week. With the December 17, 2004 release of "Lemony Snicket," it'll probably continue to stay hot until it gets, literally too hot to wear long-sleeved black garb.

From Style.com

STYLE NOTES: The New Goth

Mark Ryden
With a Pat the Bunny-meets-Seed of Chucky aesthetic, Mark Ryden's work has a hypnotic appeal that is as appalling as it is accomplished. (Marilyn Manson is a collector, natch.) For those in search of haunted celebrations, holiday or otherwise, Ryden's paintings are featured in two exhibitions: Frye Art Museum, Seattle, through February 12, 2005; Pasadena Museum of California Art, Pasadena, CA, February 26 to May 8, 2005.

Limited edition Blood CD in triptych package, by Stan (Wall of Voodoo) Ridgway and Mark Ryden, $33, available at www.goreydetails.com and (503) 256-3122.

Photo: Courtesy of RedFly Records



Irish Humor: BBC AMERICA showcases one of Ireland's hottest comics with the U.S. premiere of Dylan Moran's (Notting Hill, Shaun of the Dead) stand-up show and the BAFTA award-winning UK TV comedy, Black Books. BBC AMERICA Comedy Live presents Dylan Moran premieres Thursday, January 20 at 10:00 p.m. ET\PT. Black Books makes its channel debut at 9:30 p.m. ET/11:30 p.m. PT.


Supreme Bourne: The Bourne Supremacy sold five million DVD and VHS units in its first seven days in retail. (It was released by Universal Studios Home Entertainment on December 7, 2004.)



Putting It Down on Paper: BBC AMERICA launches "Get Writing with Canterbury Tales" - a short story competition aligned with the premiere of BBC AMERICA's four contemporary versions of Chaucer's universal and timeless Canterbury Tales - The Wife of Bath, The Sea Captain's Tale, The Miller's Tale and The Knight's Tale. An Apple* iBook* will be awarded to the writer of the best short story. For further information, including full rules and guidelines, log-on to BBCAmerica.com/GetWriting. BBC AMERICA will host a series of three public events in Los Angeles, CA, Athens, GA and Chicago, IL where people will see a screening of The Miller's Tale and participate in a Q&A with its writer Peter Bowker. The events will also offer advice on writing a short story for the competition from a local writing instructor or professional writer.

The event schedule is as follows:

Los Angeles, CA, Monday January 24, 2005 at 7 p.m. Central Library, Los Angeles Public Library, Mark Taper Auditorium, 630 W. Fifth St., Downtown Los Angeles, CA Call (213) 228-7025. Admission is free, but reservations are required www.lapl.org/events

Athens, GA, Wednesday January 26, 2005 at 7:30 p.m. University of Georgia, Tate Center Theater, Tate Student Center, Athens, GA Call (706) 542 6396. Admission is free and open to the public, but tickets are required and available from January 12, 2005 at the Tate Center Cashier's Window or at the Tate Theater Box Office the night of the event.

Chicago, IL, Thursday January 27, 2005 at 6 p.m. Chicago Central Library, Harold Washington Library Center, 400 S. State Street, Chicago, IL Call (312) 747 1194. Admission is free but reservations are required.

The "Get Writing with Canturbury Tales" competition is open to aspiring writers 18 years or older. Each story must be between 1,900 and 2000 words and inspired by the themes in Canterbury Tales (BBC AMERICA's interpretations or Chaucer's originals). The deadline for submissions is February 21, 2005. Enter online via bbcamerica.com/getwriting or by mail to BBC America's Get Writing, P.O. Box 30690, Bethesda, MD 20814-9998.

Canterbury Tales premiere Saturdays from January 8, 2005 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT.

BBC AMERICA partners in the Get Writing Campaign with: UCLA Extension Writers' Program, Los Angeles Central Library ALOUD program, University of Georgia University Union Student Programming Board and Chicago Public Library. Richard Bausch, esteemed author of nine novels, five volumes of short fiction and currently the Heritage Chair in Writing at George Mason University, will be among the judges in the "Get Writing" competition.

A Carnivale Like No Other

The final battle between Good and Evil is looming, and Ben Hawkins and Brother Justin are on a collision course that could determine the fate of the world, when HBO's Emmy-winning drama series Carnivale returns January. The 12-episode second season begins Sunday, January 9, 2005 at 9 p.m., with the episode entitled "Los Moscos," followed by other shows on subsequent Sundays at the same time.

1934. The Dust Bowl. The last great age of magic. In a time of titanic sandstorms, drought and pestilence - all signs of God's fury and harbingers of the Apocalypse - the final conflict between good and evil is about to begin. The battle will take place in the Heartland of an empire called America. And when it is over, man will forever trade away wonder for reason.

Unusual, disturbing, visually stunning, this is a series to be savored (in BeansTalk's opinion).

HBO Leads in Globe Nominations

HBO received 20 Golden Globe nominations, more than twice as many as any other television network this year, for the upcoming 62nd annual Golden Globe Awards, which were announced in Los Angeles. "The Life and Death of Peter Sellers" (starring Geoffrey Rush, pictured here) led all HBO original movies - and all original movies of any network -- with four nominations, while "The Sopranos" led all HBO series with four nominations. The Golden Globe Awards are January 16, 2004 in Los Angeles.

Jewelry designer Annette Wright, owner of Divine Invention, has debuted the ‘Support Our Troops’ “LOOK” bracelet, benefiting Veterans Foundation Incorporated (VFI). Hilary Duff was one of the first to own one. As the official Spokesperson for the ‘Support Our Troops’ “LOOK” bracelet, Duff says, “These young men and women are today’s heroes and I will always pray for their safety and speedy return to family and friends.”

Hand crafted by American artisans and made from Italian Moretti glass, this yellow-ribbon colored uni-sex bracelet, made with silver or gold beads, features Divine Invention's signature “five eye” pattern. “According to ancient belief shared by cultures worldwide, the protective power of the "eye" will surround the wearer with positive energy and keep him/her safe from evil and harm,” says Divine Invention's Annette Wright.

The “LOOK” has become one of Hollywood's most popular fashion statements. Available in an array of colors and patterns, Aerosmith frontman, Steve Tyler, Christina Aguilera, Jessica Simpson, Joan Jett, Tommy Lee, Melissa Etheridge and Ozzy Osbourne are among the recording artists who sport the “LOOK.” Madonna requested that Wright fashion a set in gold for her and daughter Lourdes. Actor David Carradine “never takes his bracelets off! He wears them all the time!” says significant other, Annie Bierman. Other A-listers with the “LOOK” include Rene Russo, Tea Leoni, Courtney Cox Arquette, Jackie Chan, Pamela Anderson, Frances Fisher, Tyra Banks, Brooke Shields, Lara Flynn Boyle and more.

VFI, a 25 year old nationally recognized non-profit, non-political 501 organization that raises awareness, volunteerism and support for our active duty, guard and reserve, veteran and retiree service members, military spouses and their families, will receive a donation from every ‘Support Our Troops’ “LOOK” bracelet sold. VFI also hosts the annual American Veteran Awards (AVA) now in its 10th year which is produced in cooperation with the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The ‘Support Our Troops’ “LOOK” bracelet is available for $90.00. For more information, visit Veterans Foundation Incorporated at www.vfi.org , Divine Invention at www.divineinvention.com or call (310) 230-7460.

Who's Wearing What...

Tea Leoni wore Ralph Lauren to the "Spanglish" Los Angeles Premiere 9 December 2004, at the Mann Village in Westwood, California


In other fashion news...

Meanwhile, Destiny’s Child singer Michelle Williams wore a gown by acclaimed designer Elie Saab to the Billboard Music Awards. Williams performed wearing a strapless pink and nude colored gown with feathered top, part of the Elie Saab Spring/Summer 2004 collection.

Fashion designer Nicole Miller dressed actress Dania Ramirez of “Fat Albert,” for the film’s Philadelphia premiere December 11, 2004. Ramirez chose a rust double face silk gown with cowl neck and fatigue sash for her first major film premiere.

UK fashion designer Roland Mouret dressed actress Sienna Miller for Hollywood Life’s Breakthrough of the Year Awards 2004. Miller chose a signature Roland Mouret look featuring a black metallic jersey knotted halter dress as she accepted her award for Breakthrough Artists of the Year. Miller also wore Sergio Rossi boots.

Collette Dinnigan dressed Famke Janssen for Movieline’s Breakthrough of the Year Awards in Los Angeles, where Famke won the award for “Best Actress in a Breakthrough Role” for “Nip/Tuck.” Janssen chose a short and sassy taupe two-piece look with beaded halter top in silk chiffon and matching skirt embellished with metallic sequins, from the Collette Dinnigan Spring/Summer 2005 collection. Janssen accessorized with H. Stern darkened 18k noble gold cuff, $9,300; and a ring from the “Golden Stones” collection: crystal set in 18k white gold, $1,900.

Regina King attended the Breakthrough of the Year Awards in a jacket by designer David Rodriguez. King chose a winter-white wool jacket with black flower embroidery and beading over a black satin Pamella Roland mini dress. To complete her look, she accessorized with a Daniel Swarovski vintage black crystal cage bag with chrome handle.


Sienna Miller, also at the Breakthrough of the Year Awards, chose jewelry from the Diane von Furstenberg by H.Stern collection: Rock Crystal earrings: quartz crystals set in 18k yellow gold with diamond accents, $3,900. Rock Crystal Bracelet: quartz crystals set in 18k yellow gold, $6,300.


Elie Saab dressed Penelope Cruz for the 2004 European Film Academy Awards in Barcelona, Spain. Cruz was nominated for “Best Actress” and “People’s Choice” for her role in “Don’t Move.” She wore a nude beaded chiffon gown with corset, part of the Elie Saab Autumn/Winter 2004 collection.

Jose Moran wore an eye blinding, block print fall-colors Jean-Paul Gaultier dress to The Aviator NY premiere on 14 December 2004.

Joan Collins wore a tan suede Ralph Lauren outfit with matching boots and a swirled print poncho-style top to "The Phantom of the Opera" New York Premiere at Ziegfield Theater in New York City 12 December 2004

Cynthia McFadden, shunning the wearing their own designs (think: P Diddyly), wore a zebra print Ralph Lauren car coat to "The Phantom of the Opera" New York Premiere at Ziegfield Theater in New York City 12 December 2004

Canadian Jennifer Irwin (shown here with Bayo Akinfemi) attended the 19th annual Gemini Awards in a cocktail dress by designer Sunny Choi. The actress, nominated for her supporting role in Slings and Arrows, chose a classic navy lace dress with nude lining and sweetheart neckline.

Singer Sheryl Crow completed a red carpet look at the 2004 Billboard Music Awards with a sparkling gold clutch from Daniel Swarovski. Accompanied by Lance Armstrong, Crow carried a limited edition "crystal skin" clutch.

Alicia Keys wore Bulgari jewelry at 2004 Billboard Music Awards, held 8 December 2004 at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas. Alicia has really learned to pose: check out that supermodel sleek smile.

Nicole Richie chose a gold clutch by Daniel Swarovski for the 2004 Billboard Music Awards. She accessorized her teal green silk cocktail dress with the gold pearl mesh Gourmand clutch, which has been carried by several other stars including Kristin Davis, Jamie Lynn Discala, and Josie Maran. Doesn't she look like she's channeling Pamela Anderson in this photo?

Melrose-ian Marathon

Get in the Ring on Melrose Place: Marathon Celebrates the Best Fights in the Series’ History. SOAPnet’s New Year’s Day Serial Bowl: Melrose Takedowns, a choice selection of the best brawls between neighbors of Melrose Place in an eight-hour marathon Saturday, January 1, 2005 from noon to 8 p.m. ET/PT on SOAPnet.

Noon – Otherwise Engaged – Sydney & Jane get into a catfight which ends in the pool after Syd tries to take Jane’s wedding dress to marry Michael. (episode #1994-055, original airdate 3/2/94)

1 p.m. – Till Death Do Us Part, Part 1 –Sydney is assaulted by three hookers when she invades their turf. Kimberly and Sydney hatch a plan to kill Michael. (episode #1994-063a, original airdate: 5/18/94)

2 p.m. – Melrose is Like a Box of Chocolates – Kimberly attacks her psychiatrist during an evaluation. Matt gets into a fist fight with Paul and later punches Jake. (episode #1996-095, original airdate 9/18/95)

3 p.m. – Dead Sisters Walking, Part 1 – Kimberly struggles with her alternate personality, Betsy and the guards at the insane asylum as she tries to give a lobotomy to Peter, Michael and Amanda. (episode #1996-125a, original airdate 5/20/96)

4 p.m. – Going Places – Taylor tries to set Peter up for domestic abuse and beats herself in the face with a door. (episode #1997-155, original airdate 5/5/97)

5 p.m. – Divorce Dominican Style – Sam attacks Jennifer but Billy comes to Jen’s defense. Billy fights with Jeff. (episode #1999-184, original airdate 7/27/98)

6 p.m. – Lethal Wedding 4 – Michael has a fist fight with Ryan. Jane fights with Michael and then burns her wedding dress on the barbecue. (episode #1990-199, original airdate 11/23/98)

7 p.m. – The Younger Son Also Rises – Kyle attacks his father. Later, Kyle has a fight with Ryan that ends in the pool. (episode #1999-206, original airdate 2/8/99)

Sirk Du Soleil Or Come Join the SirkUS

Rock On, Dudes: The debut album from Soul SirkUS, World Play is available only on the band’s website (www.soulsirkus.com).

Soul SirkUS features members from Planet US, a band originally featuring guitarist Neal Schon and drummer Deen Castronovo of Journey along with Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony of Van Halen.

When Hagar and Anthony left the band to return to their roles in Van Halen, Schon and Castronovo added former Yngwie Malmsteen (you know this name if were a guitar playing boy in junior high or if you dated one) and Talisman singer Jeff Scott Soto (who also provided lead vocals for the feature character in the movie “Rock Star” and bassist Marco Mendoza (Ted Nugent, Whitesnake) to create Soul SirkUS.

World Play was recorded at Journey keyboardist Jonathan Cain’s home studio (Wild Horse Studios) in San Francisco, CA in only two days (let's hope it doesn't sound like it). Soul SirkUS came together in January 2004 when Schon and Soto met and played together at the Winter NAMM Convention in Los Angeles. Schon saw Mendoza performing at a showcase that weekend.

Tour Dates:

DATE CITY VENUE

Fri 1/7 Solana Beach, CA Belly Up Tavern

Sat 1/8 West Hollywood, CA House of Blues

Sun 1/9 Anaheim, CA House of Blues

Thu 1/13 Santa Cruz, CA The Catalyst

Fri 1/14 San Francisco, CA The Independent

Sat 1/15 Lake Tahoe, NV Harrah's South Shore Room

Modern Alchemy

Today BeansTalk met with Douglas Little of D.L. & Co. (“Modern Alchemists and Purveyors of Curious Goods”) at Fred Segal Studio. We were preoccupied with the fact that he greatly resembled a character from a film we liked quite a bit, “From Hell,” which starred Johnny Depp as an Absinthe-addicted policeman trying to unravel the mystery of Jack the Ripper. He also reminded us a lot of actor Patrick Bristow (you may note that he doesn’t look like Bristow at all in the photos included here, but he did to us in person).

Little is a fascinating character, a former beauty product designer turned perfumier, candle maker, lifestyle arbiter. He is, if you must know a fine fragrancer, graphic designer, installation artist, interior designer, illustrator, sculptor. But what he was presenting today were his luxury candles and completely custom fragrances. He started, only a year ago, with a run of 2,500 luxury candles, packaged in a round, miniature silk-encased hat-box. The fabric is hand-dyed Burmese silk and tied with a fat, black silk ribbon. The candle vessel, sculpted by Little based on an actual antique vessel he discovered, is scalloped glass.

Amid the Juicy Couture crowd at Fred Segal, Little is wholly an anachronism, dressed authentically as a Victorian gentleman — cravat, vest, tailored coat, shoes and spats. Where some of his Victorian/Edwardian contemporaries wore pins fashioned from human hair of a deceased loved one, Little wears a shiny oval lapel pin, a daguerreotype of a fellow with a curling mustache.

He introduces two popular, limited-edition candles: “Angel’s Trumpet” in a white frosted glass version of the scalloped bowl, and “Absinthe” (based on the wormwood plant). The smell is intoxicating, and unique in every way.

Also on display, in this travelling antique apothecary, are “Web Plates,” a spider web sandwiched between glass plates, mounted them in vintage frames, taxidermied pheasants, peacocks with glittery brooches attached. Little has plans for home fragrances, home decorations and more, to be slowly introduced (afterall, the entire business is fashioned together merely by himself and a single assistant). He’s on the web at www.dlcompany.com

Douglas Little.

Kylie Minogue

Kickin’ It With Kylie: On February 1, 2005 Capitol Records will release the Ultimate Kylie double CD collection.

Ultimate Kylie is a comprehensive collection of greatest hits from Australian pop singer Kylie Minogue. The set features 32 of her international hit singles from 1987 to the present day, and includes the new single "I Believe In You," which she wrote and recorded with Jake Shears and Babydaddy from Scissor Sisters, plus one other previously unreleased track.

Since "The Loco-Motion" became her first No.1 in Australia in 1987 and went on to become a hit in the U.S. and worldwide, Minogue has broken records internationally. When her first UK single, "I Should Be So Lucky," hit No.1 in 1988,it entered the record books as the first single in more than 10 years to stay atop the British charts for five weeks.

Minogue’s streak continues with "Can't Get You Out Of My Head" and Grammy Award winner "Come Into My World" from 2001's Fever album, and international hit "Slow" from this year's Body Language album, recently nominated as "Best Dance Recording" for the upcoming 47th annual Grammy Awards; are are on Ultimate Kylie.

Minogue’s total single sales worldwide are estimated at a staggering 20 million copies, with album sales taking her record sales worldwide to over 40 million, making her one of the biggest-selling female artists in music history.

Ultimate Kylie 2CD Track List

CD1

Better The Devil You Know
The Loco-Motion
I Should Be So Lucky
Step Back in Time
Shocked
What Do I Have To Do
Wouldn't Change a Thing
Hand on Your Heart
Especially For You (with Jason Donovan)
Got to Be Certain
Je Ne Sais Pas Porquoi
Give Me Just a Little More Time
Never Too Late
Tears On My Pillow
Celebration


CD2

I Believe In You*
Can't Get You Out of My Head
Love at First Sight
Slow
On a Night Like This
Spinning Around
Kids (with Robbie Williams)
Confide in Me
In Your Eyes
Please Stay
Red Blooded Woman
Giving You Up*
Chocolate
Come Into My World
Put Yourself in My Place
Did it Again
Breathe
Where the Wild Roses Grow (with Nick Cave)

* Brand new tracks

Minogue says, "I can't believe how quickly time has passed since my first hit. This collection is very dear to me and holds a lifetime of memories. I hope the listener gets as much enjoyment out of these tracks as I do. I feel lucky to have had the opportunity to experiment throughout the years and that my fans have embraced my need to try new approaches. I am just as excited about the new tracks featured here as I am about all the others. At this point in my career I'm very happy to celebrate the past and look forward to the future, as always."

Visit www.ultimatekylie.com