Lots of Random Stuff

1. Where the Wild Things Are

If your parents had any taste, you probably read this book as a kid. If you had any taste, you probably loved it. Soon you'll be able to relive the experience on the big screen, thanks to director Spike Jonze, of all people, and producer Tom Hanks. Check out the clip below. I'm not sure what to make of it. It's strange, that's for sure. And the CGI is amazing.



2. The Format War is Over

Mainly thanks to Toshiba, HD-DVD is finished. Blu-ray has survived. This is huge news for anyone looking to buy a next-gen DVD player, because now we don't have to gamble on which format will hold out. Sucks for people who already bought an HD-DVD player though!

3. The Cast of Wolverine
Maybe no ones cares. I'm not even sure that I do. But I do like Hugh Jackman, and director Gavin Hood is talented, so...

Liev Schreiber is Sabertooth. Ryan Reynolds is Deadpool. Danny Huston is Stryker. Lynn Collins is the Silver Fox. Taylor Kitsch is Gambit (the coolest of the X-Men by far). I really wish they'd gotten Josh Holloway (Lost's Sawyer) to play Gambit, but what do I know? Perhaps the best news about this project is that Harry Gregson-Williams is writing the score, and he's one of my favorites.

4. Kate has a bracelet too?
A co-worker of mine, who re-watched Lost's Season 1 with his girlfriend last weekend, noticed that Kate, during the robbery in Whatever the Case May Be, is wearing a silver bracelet very similar to the ones Naomi and Elsa wore in The Economist. Wardrobe coincidence, or proof that Kate knows more than we thought? I kind of hate Kate, so I hope she's bad. Is that cruel? I like the actress (who doesn't?), just not the character.

Speaking of Lost, they officially start shooting again on March 10th.

5. There Will Be Blood

Don't go see it. All of your movie-snob friends will tell you it's great, but this is an incredibly painful way to spend two-and-a-half hours, and you will not be entertained for a minute of it. You will leave disillusioned with the human race, and with the dissonant orchestra chords that play the entire 160 minutes stuck in your brain. You'll be desperate for some hot chocolate and a hug, and maybe some reruns of Boy Meets World or Fresh Prince if you can find them on cable.

6. My Friend's Blog

My good friend and world-traveler, Cindy Youssef, is keeping a blog here on her adventures Down Under.

7. Cloverfield RevealedYep, that's what it looks like. Hasbro is selling a toy for $99.99, if you want to wreak havoc on some Lego cities or something.

8. Delta-Northwest Merge

It's probably going to happen, and you'll probably have to pay more to fly as a result.

9. Fidel Castro Resigns

His successor? Raul Castro. His brother. Maybe FOX will film it and air a show called Dictator-Swap.