Off The Record...

Sophie B. Hawkins

Timbre

In the years since the release of her first and finest single, Damn, I Wish I Was Your Lover, Sophie B. Hawkins has issued a series of slinky pop-folk albums that are equally vacuous and endearing. Her third and latest, Timbre, with its liberally sprinkled elements of jazz, soul, world music, and orchestral pop, is as impressive in its musical scope as it is relentless in its focus.

At The Movies...

Deep Blue Sea

A young medical biologist discovers a way to re-engineer the DNA and genetically enhance the brain size of mako sharks (the fastest and deadliest of the species) in order to utilize and maximize their cancer-fighting enzymes.  After extracting brain tissue from the largest mako shark, the team finds the other sharks on a rampage.  Having caused irreparable damage to the lab, and with a tropical storm slowly sinking the Aquatica, the caged sharks escape and remind us all why you don't mess with Mother Nature.

On Video...

A Civil Action

A gripping courtroom drama that follows the trials and tribulations of an ambulance chasing personal injury attorney (John Travolta) who sues two giant corporations on behalf of eight families who claim they caused the death of their kids by contaminating the town's water supply. The straightforward case turns nasty when the lawyer faces off against the corporations' attorneys (headed up by a sleazy Robert Duvall), bankrupting his small law firm and altering his view of the law and justice. An absorbing drama with a fine performance by Travolta.

Caught In The Act...

Rockfest '99

Take over 20 classic bands, add 90,000 screaming fans to the small town of Cadott Wisconsin and what you get is Rockfest, the premiere music festival event of the year.  Heavywieght acts like Def Leppard, Poison, Motley Crue, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Foreigner and Journey blasted through seemingly endless sets of hits, but it was that working class dog, Rick Springfield, who stole the show with an over the top, energetic, fan thrilling performance.  This is the fest of fests, and if you only see one show a year, make it this one.  As Poison frontman Bret Michaels said, whether you listen to Metallica, Korn or Poison, its all rock ‘n’ roll and it’s here to stay.  Amen, Bret.

Read This...

Maxim Magazine

The hottest new read out there today, Maxim has 6 words that describe every man's interests, sex, sports, beer, gadgets, clothes and fitness.  Heavy on pictorials, with articles that are short and witty, Maxim reads cover to cover like a testosterone driven frat party.  Considering all the magazines that target women, this mag is aimed at a huge untapped market, men who like keep current.  Women are also finding it useful as a peek on what’s going on inside their significant others head.  Good Fun.

The Buzz...

Lucasfilm has changed the name of Raiders of the Lost Ark to Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark.  The new name will appear on the title and credits of the movie when re-released on VHS and DVD.

Producer/star Dave Thomas is mulling filing a lawsuit against financial backers of his Strange Brew sequel, who announced last week they couldn't raise the money for the film.

Arthur Katz, who created the Corgi toy cars beloved by a generation of collectors, has died in London. He was 91.

Total Recall 2 director, Jonathon Frakes, says the first script was prohibitively expensive, so they are now looking for another writer who can do as exciting a story for half the money.

Earshot, the Buffy the Vampire Slayer episode pulled by WB because of its high school violence theme, will air in September, according to series creator Josh Whedon.

DC Comics is out to crush CashMan, a character in a jewelry store advertisement on late night Canadian television. DC has filed a civil lawsuit for $300,000 against Russel Oliver, the owner of the Toronto jewelry store for copyright and trademark violations of Superman.

Paul Reubens is ready to get back to the role that made him a star.  A new film will focus on Pee Wee Herman’s background, and show what happens when Pee-Wee gets famous and it changes his life completely.

David Duchovny said next season of The X-Files will almost certainly be his last.

Prince William passed his driving test on the first try, Buckingham Palace said Thursday, days after the 17-year-old showed off his skills for photographers.

Sylvester Stallone is in early discussions with MGM to write, direct and star in a sixth installment of the Rocky film series that propelled him to stardom. 

Ricky Martin reaped one more reward of his wild life, six MTV Video Award nominations for Livin' La Vida Loca.  But he couldn't hold a candle to Korn. The rock band led the way with nine nominations for its video, Freak on a Leash.

In a bid to remain the top-rated network, NBC is adding four characters to its crown jewel ER this fall and overhauling other shows, including Suddenly Susan and Veronica's Closet.

The third movie in the Scream series will debut Dec. 10, 1999.  The story involves the making of Stab 3: Return to Woodsboro, according to Wes Craven's official Web site.

Scott Evil, the prodigal son of Dr. Evil in Austin Powers, will get the voice of actor Seth Green when the property goes animated.  The cartoon series will debut on HBO.

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