On Superman Man of Steel and General Zod
I'm really not very interested in the latest reboot of Superman, Man of Steel, because frankly, I'm not sold on Zack Snyder.
Seriously, the guy who just gave us Sucker Punch being put in charge of one of the most beloved superhero franchises in history?
Still, I think at least one part of the movie will be good, the exploits of General Zod, with the inspired casting of Michael Shannon.
General Zod may in fact be the favored Superman movie villain, even more so than Gene Hackman's great turn as Lex Luthor, and Terence Stamp did a terrific job playing Zod in Parts I and II.
It was a great part the right actor could steal the movie with, and I think that's exactly what Shannon will do in the new Superman.
When it was announced there was finally going to be a movie about the '70's all female band The Runaways, I knew whoever was going to play their bizarre kook of a manager, Kim Fowley, had a chance of running away with the movie, and that's truly what Shannon did.
There were even parts of The Runaways I forgot I was watching a movie, it was that close to the real thing.
As for the casting of Russell Crowe as Superman's father, eh, yeah, like whatever. Crowe used to be a terrific actor, now he's just another insufferable celebrity jerk. Ironically enough, another insufferable Hollywood egomaniac, Kevin Costner, is on board to play Jonathan Kent. (Snyder doesn't have daddy issues, does he?)
Of course, the casting of the original Superman was brilliant, and everyone was perfect for their roles.
It featured Marlon Brando's last good performance (reportedly he was on his best behavior and kept his prima-donna nonsense to a minimum), and it was wonderful to see Christopher Reeve become a star from the film.
The kind of chemistry the first Superman had is very difficult to duplicate, so let's hope Snyder chooses his actors slowly and carefully before the next Superman starts rolling.
Kevin Costner Band - News
By Social Decoder Kevin Costner and Modern West, a rock/country band which Kevin Costner founded in 2007, will perform at Kewadin Casinos on September 6. canceled the show due to his involvement with the gulf oil spill. Tickets from the original show
Ironically enough, another insufferable Hollywood egomaniac, Kevin Costner, is on board to play Jonathan Kent. (Snyder doesn't have daddy issues, does he?) Of course, the casting of the original Superman was brilliant, and everyone was perfect for
For the past number of years, the actor, who obviously has an affinity for the old west and country and western music, has toured North America with his band, Kevin Costner and The Modern West. A few years back Ortega found herself as the opening act
Rocking Empire Square will be rock icons Paul Rodgers, Randy Bachman and Fred Turner, local Beatles tribute band All You Need Is Love and Kevin Costner?! will bring his country band Modern West to the square Friday, Sept. 9.
Kevin Costner will star in "The Hatfields and McCoys," a new miniseries from cable's History network that will retell the story of the feuding families from the late 19th century American South. The miniseries, eyed for a 2012 premiere,
Kevin Costner here in Sept. - Belleville Intelligencer - Ontario, CA
A classic rock singer, two reunited hitmakers and a Hollywood actor are the big names playing this fall's Empire Anniversary Weekend outdoor concert series.
Rocking Empire Square will be rock icons Paul Rodgers, Randy Bachman and Fred Turner, local Beatles tribute band All You Need Is Love and ... Kevin Costner?!
Actor Academy Award-winning director Costner -- the star of Dances With Wolves, Field of Dreams, Tin Cup and more --
will bring his country band Modern West to the square Friday, Sept. 9.
"I anticipate most people will come to see Kevin Costner the actor," Empire owner Mark Rashotte said Monday, "but there's also going to be those who have followed him from his country-rock musical roots."
The band has released two albums and tours internationally.
A rock icon opens the festival one night earlier.
Paul Rodgers was last in Belleville in 2005, when he headlined the Belleville Waterfront and Ethnic Festival as part of an Empire presentation. He's now booked for Thursday, Sept. 8.
"Paul Rodgers is like the Cadillac of rock vocalists. He is one of the finest rock singers ever," said singer Andy Forgie, the Empire's promotions manager.
"The guy's got the goods and his history is crazy," said Rashotte.
Rodgers came to fame as the lead singer of Free, a band propelled by the success of songs such as All Right Now. He built upon that with the band Bad Company, adding his voice to Feel Like Makin' Love, Bad Company, Shooting Star, Can't Get Enough of Your Love and Rock and Roll Fantasy. More recently he's toured with the surviving members of Queen to much acclaim.
"He's the real worldwide phenomenon," Rashotte said.
Sharing the bill are Randy Bachman and Fred Turner, who last year gave Belleville fans a special preview of their reunion tour.
"That sold out in about five minutes," Rashotte recalled.
Their sound on Takin' Care of Business, Let It Ride and You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet can be still be heard daily on classic rock radio.
Expect plenty of familiar songs, including a few possibilities from Bachman's Guess Who days, in a high-energy show.
"It will be all hits with a couple of the new songs from the record they put out last fall," said Rashotte.
And on this night alone, he added, fans willing to pay a premium price -- and place their orders early enough -- will get front-row tickets and a meet-and- greet session with the bands.
