Off The Record...
Duran Duran
Pop Trash
Back in the 80’s, Duran Duran owned the radio waves with their pretty boy looks and catchy pop hits. It didn't look like we would remember them two decades later. But here we are, and there they are. Duran Duran, their place in history secure, have aged fabulously into absolute musicians. The well-named Pop Trash shows off their jaded hooks and nasty wit. It's for fans only, but those of us who still enjoy the opening riffs of songs like Hungry Like the Wolf will be glad for another fix.
 

At The Movies...
But I'm A Cheerleader
Is Megan gay? That's the premise for this off-the-wall comedy that explores what happens when uptight parents decide that their daughter is showing signs she might be homosexual. Megan (Natasha Lyonne from American Pie) is shipped off to True Directions, a rehab program to make teens straight. There, she works hard, but when she meets Graham, a rich girl who recognizes the hypocrisy of the camp, Megan begins to question everything she's been told. Catch this flick if you're a Michelle Williams fan (Jen from Dawson's Creek) too, since she makes an interesting appearance as a cheerleader of a different sort.
 

On DVD...
The Nightmare on Elm Street Collection
This collection of eight movies is the most complete compilation of a horror movie series ever. This is the only way to own this series, collector or not. The extras that one would expect to be on each individual film, cast interview, plot summaries, and special effects info, are included on a separate disk The Nightmare series Encyclopedia. There is also a 35-page booklet of additional information. If you are a Freddy fan, or if you just have about 20 hours or so to kill. Then put on your best Nightmare outfit, and get ready for a great series.
 

The Buzz...

Danny De Vito's Jersey Films production company has optioned the movie rights to Sid and Marty Krofft's The Bugaloos. Kerry Brown and Russell Scott will write the script based on the 1970s kids TV show about a team of teenage insects that start their own rock band.

According to Buffy the Vampire Slayer creator Joss Whedon, singer Britney Spears will very likely be guest starring on an upcoming episode of the popular WB drama.

Since its September home video release, The Matrix has sold in excess of 3 million DVD units, making it the best-selling DVD title of all time.

Natasha Henstridge is stepping into the role that was recently vacated by Courtney Love in the upcoming John Carpenter sci-fi/horror flick The Ghost of Mars. Henstridge, who is best known as the beautiful-but-deadly alien in Species, will star as the leader of a search team that encounters ghosts on the red planet.

With a 2.0 primetime rating in cable households, the Cartoon Network is the second most watched cable network.

Rod Stewart has turned to All Saints' producer and writer K-Gee on his new album, scheduled for November release.

Jerome Smith, the guitarist from the original line-up of disco outfit KC & The Sunshine Band, was killed in an accident on a construction site in West Palm Beach, Florida. The 47-year-old worked as a bulldozer operator and died when he fell under the vehicle he was driving.

Pearl Jam will be releasing as series of two-CD sets of concerts from its recently completed European tour from May 23 to June 29. The Pearl Jam Rumor Pit Web site through their label Sony has reported that the collections will be released via the band's official fan site Ten Club on Sept. 5 and will hit retail outlets two weeks later.

The Cider House Rules' Tobey Maguire is the finalist for the lead in Spider-Man. Variety reports that Maguire's in final negotiations to carry the Marvel Comics hero to the big screen, besting such rivals as Freddie Prinze Jr., who'd been openly courting the role. The 25-year-old actor is best-known for his art-house films, like Ride With the Devil and The Ice Storm

 
Harland Williams (There's Something About Mary) has signed on to appear in the Tom Green-directed comedy Freddy Got Fingered. Williams will play the buddy of Green, whose ongoing argument with his father over finding a real job leads to possible nuclear annihilation.

Add Helen Hunt and Hank Azaria's one-year marriage to the latest Hollywood casualty list. The Mad About You star and her Simpsons-voicing hubby have been separated for several weeks now. It's too early to speculate on whether they're headed for a divorce.

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