At The Movies...

Toy Story 2

An endearing sequel that lives up to the promise of the first and surpasses the audiences’ expectations to heartfelt and hilarious results.  Buzz (Tim Allen) and Woody (Tom Hanks) and the rest of the toys are back to save Woody from the clutches of an evil toy collector who has plans to feature him in a museum exhibit in Tokyo.  While the first film centered on friendship and acceptance, this feature concerns itself with morality and living life to the fullest.  Pixar delivers once again with one of the best animated pictures of all time.  Perfect for families, first dates and anyone that needs a lift.   

Off The Record...

Gun's N Roses

Live Era 87- 93

Considering that Gun's N Roses formed way back in 1985 and released their landmark debut album, Appetite for Destruction, in 1987, it's startling to think how little they accomplished in the ensuing years, and how much time they wasted.  For a while, they were the biggest band in the world, and perhaps even the best.  G’N'R represented a genuine change in hard rock, away from airheaded glam-metal, and toward a grittier, tougher kind of music.  They could have led the charge for years to come had they not given in to their own vices, selfishness, and egotism.  There is some powerful music here, listening to Live Era will certainly bring back memories of an idyllic concert experience from long ago, a flashback to the perfect buzz, or even both.

On Video...

What to Expect

It's a slow time for new release announcements since the major studios have already released their blockbusters to home video in time for the holiday season.  Still there's Runaway Bride due January 25 and Disney's Tarzan due February 1.  Other February releases: Martin Lawrence's Blue Streak from Columbia TriStar on February 8 and Albert Brooks' romantic-comedy The Muse from USA Home Entertainment on February 15.  As well get ready for the DVD onslaught.  With DVD players a prime holiday gift-giving item, the studios are re-releasing a host of catalog titles and classics on DVD to take advantage of the growing market.

The Buzz...

An audience member at The Tonight Show has filed a $25,000 suit claiming his eye was damaged by a T-shirt shot from an air gun.

The Eagles, Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975, released in 1976, was honored Tuesday as the top-selling album.  They have sold 26.6 million copies of the album in the United States, while Michael Jackson's Thriller has sold 25.2 million.

Salem, the black cat on ABC's Sabrina, the Teenage Witch, will soon have a new love interest.  Former Cheer's actress Bebe Neuwirth will be providing the voice of the female animatronic feline who captures Salem's heart.

Nintendo of American announced that it was discontinuing a Japanese language Pokémon card because a symbol next to the Goldbat and Ditto characters might be offensive.  The symbol, which resembles a reverse Nazi swastika, is known in Japan as a Manji and signifies good fortune.

A recent survey named Lucille Ball as the all-time favorite redhead in the opinion of American women.  Bette Midler and Nicole Kidman, finished second and third, respectively.  Surprisingly, three animated characters made the list: Jessica Rabbit, Wilma Flintsone, and Jane Jetson. 

Chris O’Donnell was heard running down the halls of Sony Pictures' offices screaming "I am Spider-Man!" Neither Sony nor O'Donnell's people commented on the star's behavior or would confirm that O'Donnell has landed the part of Peter Parker/Spider-Man in the upcoming Sony feature.

Twentieth Century Fox is trying to shut down several Buffy the Vampire Slayer fan sites.  The show airs on The WB but is produced by Fox.  A small number of fan sites have altered or removed their content after being sent letters by Fox attorneys.

It looks as if Disney is pleased with its move away from traditional animated musicals begun by Tarzan this past summer, and plans to continue with Treasure Planet, an adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island, of which Disney made a live-action version in 1950.

The Phantom Menace may brighten your spring next year.  Video release of the film is reportedly slated for April 3, 2000 while there's no word on the availability of a DVD version, according to StarWarsEmail.com.

Fans of Battlestar Galactica can help Richard Hatch bring the series back to life.  Now that Universal has reportedly nixed the Todd Moyer/Glen Larson project, Hatch is launching a write in campaign to Universal Studios and Sci Fi.  To participate, visit battlestargalctica.com.

The Fox Network plans to preempt Futurama for four weeks in January to preview its new comedy series Malcolm in the Middle.  As the National Football Conference play-offs will be taking place at that time, Fox will have increased viewership and a potentially larger audience for the Malcolm in the Middle preview.  Futurama will return in the 7 PM time slot on Feb. 6.

The rundown house seen as the Rustin Parr house in The Blair Witch Project is has been declared a nusiance and hazard by local officials in Maryland, and has been slated for demolition.  Residents of Granite, MD, however, are unhappy with the state's plan.  They claim that the house is set on state park lands, and may have played an important role in regional history.

Paul McCartney will return to play a one-off gig this month at the famous Cavern club in Liverpool, where the Beatles first made their mark in the early 60's.  It will be the first time that McCartney has played the club in 36 years.  The Beatles last played there on August 3 1963. 

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