Pick Hits

Off The Record

Brave New World - The Demo

One of the most anxiously awaited debuts of the year does not disappoint. Deftly produced by guitarist Jon Arnot and Rob Nickerson, The Demo displays the depth and limitless talents of this band. From the thought provoking lyrics ripped from lead singer Quasi's demented dimension, to the layered intricate chords that can burst into mosh producing frenzies courtesy of Arnot, this group isn't content with just pushing the envelope; it tears it up and goes for what's inside. 

At The Movies

Star Trek: Insurrection

Captain Picard and the crew of the Enterprise travel to a planet with magical qualities, a virtual fountain of youth, something which the higher-ups in the Federation would be willing to kill for. Staying true to the all important Prime Directive, Picard resigns as his faithful crew follow to try and uncover a conspiracy that may get them all accused of treason. One of the strongest Star Trek movies to date, with a lighter more upbeat script, and the expected brilliant special effects.

On Video

Lethal Weapon 4

They said couldn't be done, but they were wrong. Martin Riggs, Roger Murtaugh and Leo Getz are back in a third sequel that is just as high-powered and exciting as its predecessors. Add in Rene Russo as Riggs' love interest, Chris Rock as the secret husband of Murtaugh's daughter, and Hong Kong action star Jet Li as a suitable opponent and you have one heck of an enjoyable film.

The Buzz...

Bill Goldberg, champion WCW wrestler, has joined the cast of Universal Soldier II. The Columbia film stars Jean-Claude van Damme and will debut in August.

New NBC entertainment president Scott Sassa has reshuffled the weekly schedule, moving 3rd Rock from the Sun from Wednesdays at 9 to Tuesdays at 8, opposite King of the Hill, JAG and Home Improvement.

Pixar, which created Toy Story and A Bug's Life, is at it again with their fourth movie in development, titled either Hidden City or Monsters, Inc. Either way, it's about a group of monsters who live under a little boy's bed and the entire world they create there.

Fox Kids is negotiating to do an Avengers cartoon series based on the Marvel comic, recently rejuvenated by Kurt Busiek and George Perez. The Avengers roster could include the Hulk, Iron Man, Thor, and other stalwarts.

Pamela Anderson's new television show, V.I.P., won the November sweeps for ratings among new shows in syndication. That didn't stop her ex, Tommy Lee, from having the tattoo around his finger he got when he married her removed.

The Times of London reports Liam Neeson has been asked to play James Bond in Sony's series of Bond films, assuming Sony wins its court battle for the Bond rights.

Fox has ordered six more episodes of the series Brimstone, which features a cop who comes back from Hell to take escapees from Hell back where they belong. Initial ratings for the dark adventure series were surprisingly good.

The creators of Antz are hard at work on Tusker, a movie about a herd of elephants migrating across Southeast Asia. The pachyderms will face natural hazards and elephant poachers on their dangerous trip, which will be animated by DreamWorks and Pacific Data Images.

More casting news from the Austin Powers sequel. Burt Bacharach will appear to sing his song, I'll Never Fall in Love Again with Elvis Costello, the role of Mini-Me, a miniature clone of Dr. Evil, will be played by Vern Troyer, and Frau Farbissina, founder of the militant wing of the Salvation Army, will be reprising her role as well.

The April issue of Metal Edge will be Gerri Miller's last, as she has decided to move on to other projects after fourteen years with the magazine.

The president of the Children's Rights Council says Metallica should be prosecuted under the child-abuse laws, for their video version of Bob Seger's Turn the Page. The dark clip portrays a young girl sleeping while her mother, a prostitute, plies her trade in the next room.

Steven Spielberg and Tom Cruise are reportedly considering working together on a science fiction film called Minority Report.

Lenny Kravitz and former Living Colour guitarist Vernon Reid are among the artists interviewed for a Jimi Hendrix documentary to be released next year. Hendrix's father and half-sister run the company releasing the film and accompanying CD.