Pop Culture/Entertainment Watch 9/12/06
TV Watch "Prison Break": Another episode of Prison Break with our boys on the lam, but this time things seemed slightly more plausible. Michael, Lincoln and Nika were run off the road by a crazed Bellick and Gear, who were determined for the boys to lead them to the millions stashed in Utah. Using Nika as bait (or was it vice versa?) Bellick thought he was cutting a deal with her, only to discover, to his horror, that he was being used by her. I loved the scene that followed, when Geary came back with a spare tire to repair the flat, and he sees Bellick all tied up and the convicts free: "You really suck Bellick, you know that?" Great stuff. (But, how come when the tire went flat it was a 3-mile walk back to town, but when Michael offered to drive Nika she said she'd walk because it was only a mile? Anyways, I digress.) But what a sleaze that Bellick is! Some of the comments he made to Nika were in poor taste, but I guess we should expect that coming from him. My favorite was when he turned to Michael and said, "For all the aggravation, I hope you got to hit that a few times, Scofield." Great lines. We also finally got to see Abruzzi on the outside, as he reunited with his wife and children. However, I did see Abruzzi's suicide/murder coming a mile away. The foreshadowing was more than a little heavy handed. Abruzzi told his wife that he'd rather die than go back to prison and then she gave him a crucifix and told him to focus on his family. Gee, I wonder what would happen next? Yup, you guessed it: The Fed surrounded the motel where Abruzzi thought Fibonnoci was at, only to be shocked to find that someone had turned him in. As he stood with gun in hand, the Feds pumped bullets into him when he moved his arm up, meaning it was the end for Abruzzi on the show. Agent Mahone should be able to sleep better at night now that his "Fox River Eight" is down one man. T-Bag skeeved me out as usual. When he befriended the 14-year-old Dani and then put his arm around her my skin started to crawl. Ick. Then he apparently offed her dad. He's just racking up those murders now that he's out of jail. But, how can he be doing all this murdering when his hand has no feeling to it? He's like a one handed bandit. Albeit, a disgusting one handed bandit. I like the Tweener storyline, since I kind of feel for this kid, partly because his reason for being in the prison in the first place is for so much less a sentence than the rest of the cons. I thought that girl was calling the feds, too, but it seems she was telling good old dad that she was starting to fall for the man she was traveling with. Aw, Tweener has a girlfriend, Nah-nah-nah-nah-nah. And finally, Sarah and Lance...er, I mean Sarah and Paul. He is leading her on to probably get information on the whereabouts of Scofield and he seemed to get it when the good doctor got an impromptu call from Michael saying that what they had together was real. I almost felt bad for Nika when Michael was on the phone with Sarah. Even if it is a marriage of convenience it has still got to sting a bit when your spouse is in love with someone else. Don't know if wielding a gun is the proper way to say I love you, but at least she's got spirit. It seems that, by episode's end, we have seen the last of Nika when Michael and Lincoln leave her behind as they forge ahead for the money in Utah. What do you think? Who is this other guy in that random file that Mahone is looking at? Will Tweener get caught next? And what is the chance Michael and Lincoln would meet up with T-Bag in next week's episode? Post it after the jump.
Who won the top acting prize at Venice Film fest?: In a sure sign of the Apocalypse, Ben Affleck has (somehow) won the top acting prize at the Venice Film Festival. Affleck won best actor for his role in Allen Coulter’s Hollywoodland, which dramatizes an investigation into the death of George Reeves, star of the 1950s TV show Adventures of Superman. Helen Mirren was named best actress for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in Stephen Frear’s The Queen. It's understandable that Mirren could take such a top honor, but Ben Affleck? Really? Is this the same guy who starred in Surviving Christmas, Gigli and Jersey Girl? I guess so, but I just can't ignore the bad taste this leaves in my mouth. Surely there must have been someone more worthy, no? If not, this can't possibly bode well for the Oscars next year. I can only hope there's a significant intervention..and soon.
Anna Nicole Smith : Son Dies, Daughter Is Born: Call Anna Nicole Smith any name in the book you want, but I feel genuinely sorry for her based on the news I heard earlier this morning. Daniel Smith, the 20-year-old son of Anna Nicole, died suddenly in the Bahamas on Sunday, three days after the former Playboy Playmate gave birth to a girl. A spokesperson released a statement that said: "We have yet to learn the cause of death but do not believe that drugs or alcohol were a factor. Anna Nicole is absolutely devastated by the loss of her son. He was her pride and joy and an amazing human being. Please do not make any press inquiries at this time so that Anna Nicole can grieve in peace." A statement also was posted on Smith's official Web site, annanicole.com. "On Sept. 7 Anna Nicole gave birth to a healthy 6 lb., 9 oz. baby girl," it reads. "Her son Daniel was in the Bahamas with her to share in the joy of his baby sister when he passed away suddenly on the morning of Sept. 10." Let's keep them all in our prayers...
Trailer Blazer: 'Fur': This one looks...different. Fur (Nov. 10), starring Nicole Kidman, is the latest starlets' turn to bring a famous woman to life, a la Virginia Woolf in The Hours. But, based on this trailer, it's clear that it's not really a biopic at all, but more a matter of director Steven Shainberg introducing fictitious elements into Arbus' journey from '50s housewife to groundbreaking photographer. The mysterious tone (bunnies! masks! a very hairy Robert Downey Jr.!) is certainly the kind of thing at which Nicole Kidman excels (I still get flashback-chills from The Others), so it should be interesting to see how this thing all pans out. Check it out and post your thoughts, folks.
Until next time, Peace out!
Anthony