Will a new version of Barbarella get under way this year?

Australian filmmaker Robert Luketic may be in the director’s chair if a “big budget” remake of Barbarella goes ahead. The project has also been linked to producer Dino De Laurentiis, in which case a “big intergalactic adventure with a sexy twist” is quite on the cards.

Luketic has some good work in his portfolio, including 21, Legally Blonde and Monster-in-Law. There was talk of a new Barbarella last year with Rose McGowan in the frame to take on the role made famous by Jane Fonda in the 1968 original.

That version was directed by Roger Vadim and based on the French Barbarella comics by Jean-Claude Forest. Another actress being considered for the main role is Erica Durance (photo) from the Smallville tv series.

Update on “The Fallen”

To avoid a clash with another group, Carly Smithson and band (which includes some former members of Evanescence) have changed their name to We Are The Fallen.

So while it is not as catchy, the first single – Bury Me Alive – definitely is – especially if you love a style very similar to early Evanescence!

On their website wearethefallen.com the band announced:

Thanks so much for all of the positive feedback we received for “Bury Me Alive”, not to mention the overwhelming response to the free download! There is more great stuff coming soon. If you didn’t register wefor the free download you can still sign up and you’ll be notified of future offers and all of the great things coming soon to wearethefallen.com including the full site launch!

Amy Lee and Evanescence working on new album

Following the announcement about ex-Evanescence members beginning a new band The Fallen, lead singer Amy Lee has released the following statement on the official Evanescence website.

“There’s some pretty weird stuff flying around right now and I’d like to clear up some confusion in the press. As our fans already know, Ben Moody left Evanescence in 2003. Evanescence came out with a follow-up to our first album Fallen in 2006.

“It was called The Open Door and it debuted at #1 on the Billboard charts and reached platinum status in just over a month. The Open Door has sold more than 5 million copies worldwide.

“We’re currently working on new material that I’m extremely excited about. I believe that to make great music you have to give yourself the freedom to evolve. I don’t see the point in making the same record twice, so I always want to challenge myself to make something better, stronger, and more interesting than before.

“That takes time, but it’s worth the wait for me. Hopefully, it will be for the fans too. Look out for new music next year.”

- Amy Lee

[Editorial note: it seems strange to form a new band called The Fallen, apparently after the name of an album you had created years previously with another band.]

Carly Smithson to front new hard-rock band The Fallen

Irish-born Carly finished in sixth place on the 2008 season of American Idol. She has joined forces with some former members of Evanescence to create the band.

The Fallen will include drummer Rocky Gray, guitarists Ben Moody and John LeCompt, alongside bassist Marty O’Brien.

The Fallen are scheduled to formally introduce themselves at a news conference in Los Angeles on Monday, which will also mark their first live performance. Debut single Bury Me Alive will be available for free download from their website following the event.

Will a “big budget” remake of Barbarella go ahead?

Australian filmmaker Robert Luketic may be in the director’s chair if a “big budget” remake of Barbarella goes ahead. The project has also been linked to producer Dino De Laurentiis, in which case a “big intergalactic adventure with a sexy twist” is quite on the cards.

Luketic has good work in his portfolio, including 21, Legally Blonde and Monster-in-Law. Luketic is currently in production on the action-comedy Five Killers which stars Katherine Heigl and Ashton Kutcher.

The original Barbarella film starred Jane Fonda (photo) and is a long-running cult classic in just about every list of great movies. A previous project that was to include Rose McGowan fell by the wayside, so it will be interesting to see who, what and when develops with this one.

Girls and Goth do well at MTV Movie Awards 2009

We know there are a lot of people out in the web universe who cast doubt on the talents of the Cyrus family, especially Miley and, more recently, Trace. There seems to be some old-fashioned bias that believes pop music is “bad” because it is popular. The good news is the people who buy music – rather than criticise – make their choices plain.

For us, the fantastic song The Climb by Miley Cyrus (photo 1 with Taylor Lautner) was a welcome winner at the MTV Movie Awards for Best Song From A Movie. It is a soaring track, full of passion and emotion, and easily one of the better inspirational songs of recent years. Some try to dismiss it as “only” pop, but we say it is a perfect 3-minute song in the best traditions of great catchy tunes with its full flavour captured by a talented singer.

Speaking of talent, up-and-coming star Ashley Tisdale (photo 2) won Breakthrough Performance for her work in High School Musical 3: Senior Year. Not everyone who is “good” comes through the Disney training schemes, but so much young talent is just that – talented. We think it’s great if youngsters develop and polish that talent with the help of Disney or American Idol or the thousands of music, dance and drama organisations around the world.  

Every one of those avenues to success provide an environment for hard work – full stop. You may have talent and all sorts of other things in your favour, but the hard work can only be done by the hopeful star. The hours in the gym, or vocal lessons, or dance routines, will only pay off if they are backed up with regular, ongoing discipline. That is why we applaud the impressive young stars.

It was also great to see the Twilight film do so well in the awards, capturing an impressive list of “Bests” – especially the unexpected Best Fight (which Gigandet also won the previous year).

Best Movie – Twilight

Best Female Performance – Kristen Stewart for Twilight

Best Kiss – Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson in Twilight

Best Fight – Robert Pattinson vs. Cam Gigandet in Twilight

Breakthrough Performance – Male – Robert Pattinson in Twilight

Katy Perry goes a lot gothic – we love it

We have followed the evolution of Katy Perry with interest and frequent joy. A talented musician even before changing to her Perry stagename, Katy has a clever way with her lyrics. Her One Of The Boys album is peppered with sharp wit and a great collection of summer songs.

Katy’s fashion sense is frequently on display, whether for an official photoshoot or just a trip to the shops. The wide range of styles that Katy carries so well are maybe not as extreme as Lady Gaga, but they can range from bright and sunny all the way through to dark and gothic. A recent shoot for Complex put a lot more dark into the wardrobe – a big step away from some of the candy-colored outfits on top of a banana from a recent award show.

Dark clothes or not, we think the future is bright for Katy Perry – both as a person and as a musician. She is positive role-model for anyone who wants to work hard and pursue a dream.

Just like Taylor Swift, Katy Perry received solid training in Nashville, as a songwriter and performer. The message is the same, whether music or sport – talent and hard work usually go together for the superstars.

Russian princess returns to the French court – one Grande Dame left to conquer …

Maria Sharapova has won three of the four Grand Slam singles titles so far. She won Wimbledon in 2004 at the age of 17, defeating Serena Williams in the final. This was followed by the US Open in 2006, defeating Justine Henin, and then the Australian Open in 2008, defeating Ana Ivanović.

Maria Sharapova arrives at Roland Garros 2009

Just look at this photo of Maria returning to the 2009 French Open at Roland Garros following a 9-month recovery from shoulder surgery. Notice those fantastic and focussed “predator” eyes. Sharapova’s eyes bring a whole new meaning to the idea of sweet and sour!

When she smiles, Maria’s eyes are gorgeous and sparkling. But when she looks to the other end of the court and the game-plan is uppermost in her mind, watch those eyes become laser beams of intensity. Which we just love to see.

Most commentators suggest Maria will be unlikely to win in Paris but see it more as preparation for the grass season and especially Wimbledon. We don’t mind – any appearance by Maria Sharapova is welcome.

All the girls in the studio – huge music explosion – soon?

Teairra Mari 2009

With names like Leona Lewis, Mariah Carey, Alexandra Burke and Diana Vickers all in the studio, the future of girl power looks bright :: but that’s not all the good news :: there are plenty of other up-and-coming starlets in the wings, not least Teairra Mari (photo) looking to be the new Rihanna

the significance of the new music is also emphasised by the dominance of girls and women in the charts – they not only top the charts, the girls regularly outsell the boys 2-to-1 in most genres :: whoop whoop :: so while the male-dominated music companies wail and moan, the girls are laughing all the way to the bank – or Barbados as the case may be

also of interest is the new approach to so many photo-shoots and album artwork :: the clear, bright and full-summer colours of Kelly Clarkson’s recent CD covers are echoed in the style of Teairra’s recent promotional shots :: which is a tremendous improvement from the bleak and moody and grey and boring and downright crap style of indie bands and indie girls

music can be clever and meaningful :: but it can also be soaring and uplifting and powered by the superb voices of the girls and women mentioned above :: go girls !!

Miley Cyrus and Hannah Montana soundtrack hits No.1 slot – Twilight still No.4

in another example of girl power in the music and movie charts, even P. Diddy and the major hype over Day26 could not stop Miley Cyrus and the Hannah Montana soundtrack reaching number one in the album charts.

the lead single from the album, The Climb, is a great power ballad, another strong indication of Miley’s graduation to be considered a serious singer and musician :: she has already stated that her ideal career would be as a respected songwriter :: we reckon the early indications are most favourable.

meanwhile, the public’s love affair with the Twilight saga has kept the soundtrack album near the top of the charts, and it is still at number four :: it seems the themes of the books and the films hit a nerve and resulted in the strong popularity worldwide :: we say yay !!

The strong new faces in tennis – teens now challenge the 20s

Every few years in tennis there is a significant assault on the “established” rankings when a new crop of mid-teens start punching above their weight and toppling the older champions. And by “old” we mean early-to-mid-20s. It looks like 2009 is going to be one of those years when the younger players establish a new ruling elite.

Victoria Azarenka

Just when we thought Dinara Safina was going to finally achieve all the promise expected of her, along come players like Victoria Azarenka (photo) to take the headlines – and the titles.

As a very handy doubles player, Azarenka has an impressive record in the grand slam competitions. She was runner-up at the Australian Open in 2007 (mixed doubles) and 2008 (women’s doubles). In 2007 at age 17 Victoria won the US Open and in 2008 the French Open, both in mixed doubles.

Azarenka has also impressed on the WTA Tour in women’s doubles, with wins in Memphis and Indian Wells this year. Those wins follow a strong list of runner-up matches in 2007 and 2008. Singles wins have included success over other promising teenagers, especially the lively Caroline Wozniacki.

Victoria’s progress through the past 3 years has been very steady, each year moving further through the major tournaments to reach quarter-finals in 2007, semi-finals in 2008, and wins in 2009. Rather than bursting on the scene in a blaze of glory and then fading away, it looks like the new girls on court have talent and staying power.

Lisbeth Salander is back :: The Girl Who Played With Fire released :: Stieg Larsson’s sequel shocker

one of my top 3 favourite books of 2008 was a quite awesome crime thriller by a new Swedish writer, Stieg Larsson :: I say “one of” because my analytical brain and my emotional heart can swap dominance on occasion, so although the top 3 are clear, the definitive order can slip and slide

so, if you missed last year’s The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo and the introduction of Lisbeth Salander, read it NOW :: with a brilliantly quick tongue, a technogeek’s power over computers, and a fearless strength of character, Lisbeth appealed to both my brain and heart :: and she is an enormously refreshing contrast to the lead characters in so much crime fiction

the trilogy of books are the work of Swedish journalist Stieg Larsson and were a hobby for some years :: apparently he would write in the evenings after his work on a “magazine with a conscience” and, no surprises then that the first book centred on a male investigative journalist, Mikael Blomkvist :: but it was the character of Lisbeth that grabbed the attention, in all her fiery, reckless, determined, secretive and startling actions and (part-revealed) history

the second book is called The Girl Who Played With Fire and continues the story of Lisbeth, although this time the odds are stacked even more against her :: Millennium is the name of the magazine run by Mikael (and also the name of the trilogy) and the story spins around a labyrinth of death, obstruction, false leads and tremendous danger :: compulsive reading

Larsson was a graphics editor at a Swedish news agency for 20 years, before joining campaigning Expo magazine as editor-in-chief in 1999 :: he died unexpectedly in late 2004 from a heart attack, not long after deciding to seek a publisher for his hobby :: so we are lucky to have a thrilling crime trilogy, but saddened that he will write no more :: the third book is called The Girl Who Kicked Hornet’s Nests and is due to be published around September

Hype over Spotify is just marketing – huge gaps in its playlists

Keep seeing people mentioning Spotify as if it is something really new and really good. It’s a new site but an old concept. It’s not close to being good yet.

For example, Spotify does not have the Twilight soundtrack, even though it has been available for a while and does well in the charts. In contrast, Spotify does have Watchmen soundtrack, arguably of less importance in terms of music.

Spotify also lacks Lacuna Coil, Metallica, Kittie, Oceanlab, Bif Naked, Xandria, and has just one old Arch Enemy album.

The main reason we use music sites is for the music. Not for marketing messages. Not for repackaged promo hype. And not to listen to dumb adverts about car insurance or from ambulance chasers.

For an interesting review of current sites, check Top 10 Online Music Sites.

Within Temptation ‘rest’ while Sharon otherwise engaged

Within Temptation singer Sharon Den Adel is expecting her second child. With the baby due this summer, extensive touring and energetic gigs are not planned this year – or advisable, perhaps. Our best wishes to all.

New Lacuna Coil – single Spellbound and album Shallow Life

Lacuna Coil will release their fifth album Shallow Life on April 17 :: the first single from the album, Spellbound, is released today :: with trademark guitar riffs, solid beat and swapping vocals, fans of their sound will not be disappinted :: it has a catchy chorus which we’ll all be singing in no time.

according to superstar singer Cristina Scabbia, the video for the single was filmed in Australia in February with a “shallow and glamorous theme” :: the costume for the video was designed by Dolce & Gabbana and was set in a gold mine

in an interview about the album, Cristina stated, “It’s different, but it’s our style. We haven’t done anything absolutely different from our style, because that wouldn’t be natural, that would be weird – it wouldn’t be us. The songs are definitely more powerful, more complete, more intense, more straight-to-the-point”.

Andrea Ferro added, “We’ve put more attention on the real meaning of the songs, so the vocals are a bit more prominent. We’ve worked a lot on the pronunciation of the words in English, so people really understand the meanings of the words. There are strong choruses, where people can relate and really understand what we mean”.

the single has been posted by Lacuna Coil to their MySpace here – go listen.

Twilight DVD release – various versions

Summit have created a range of versions of the first film in the Twilight Saga, providing 2-disc, 3-disc and Blu-ray versions.

The standard-issue 2-Disc Special Edition DVD comes with an impressive array of extras, headlined by an audio commentary with director Catherine Hardwicke and her two stars, Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson.

A 3-disc exclusive edition DVD enhances the standard 2-disc Special Edition with a digital version of the film and a third disc of additional Twilight movie footage. The additions include great fan-centric extras like Edward’s piano performance, Pattinson and Stewart featurettes, Bella’s Lullaby remix video, and a conversation with Stephenie Meyer.

Twilight’s Blu-ray release contains all of the extra features found on the various DVD editions.

Second Twilight Saga movie New Moon is under way

Kristen Stewart has joined the cast and crew for the next film in the Twilight Saga following the huge success of the first. She has been around the world on a promotional tour and was frequently amazed at the scale of the interest of the fans.

in a recent interview, Kristen commented on the rising scale of the project. “We’re just starting prep on New Moon, and it’s almost like a more elaborate version of the first one. It’s getting bigger and bigger, which is great. I mean, it’s what we all hoped for.”

Production company Summit recently announced a release date of June 30, 2010, for Eclipse, the third book in the saga :: while some people think that date is too close to the New Moon release date in November, Kristen believes fans will appreciate a rapid schedule.

Kristen explained: “I think they should come out as soon as possible. I think it’s better that they’re coming out on top of each other. I think the stories are so directly attached to one another that it’s good that people aren’t going to have so much time in between to forget about it.”

In photos, Kristen often looks a bit rumpled – fantastic!

Whole Lotta Love in full colour – Olympic triumph for Leona Lewis

A recent documentary about the British promotion for the 2012 Olympics included, at last, a high quality soundtrack for the Jimmy Page and Leona Lewis contribution to the closing ceremony at Beijing. Sound problems during the live broadcast meant a low quality version was all we heard.

Music chief Philip Sheppard together with co-producer Steve Robson worked with Page and Lewis on the preparation of Led Zeppelin’s Whole Lotta Love as being an ideal signature tune for the British bid.

Sheppard was astonished at how technically and musically accomplished Leona Lewis is as an artist. He said, “I’ve not worked with many singers in the pop world who can discuss coloratura technique, and operas by Purcell and Bellini … Leona can really sing with heart and soul, balanced with quite astounding technique.”

They laid down the backing at Olympic Studios ( with as near to an authentic setup as possible, including the use of risers for the drums and correct amplifiers. So while Jimmy and Leona were live, the backing track had been prepared by bass player Guy Pratt and drummer Geoff Dugmore.

As Sheppard says, Leona Lewis is a remarkable singer, and totally at home with huge rock as much as power ballads.

Restrictions on YouTube for UK after licence row

Following its previous restriction of Pandora, the Performing Rights Society for Music (PRS) in the UK has now, in effect, started to block YouTube for UK residents.

The UK music industry will continue to wither and collapse as the licensing body remains obsessed about money and, it must be said, greed. UK singers and musicians will suffer badly, and will continue to depart the UK for better equality – and better earnings.

This may be the final straw for the UK music industry. There has been an inflated price on CD s for years in the UK compared to the rest of the world. Now digital music is going to suffer as well as the PRS is demanding huge increases in fees. But also, the PRS is refusing to reveal which music is covered by its massive fees.

Full details on the YouTube Blog (click their logo).

Gossip Girl – No Doubt – Paramore – mixed media to the max!

No Doubt to reform. Gwen Stefani to rejoin. No Doubt to play on Gossip Girl. Paramore to tour with No Doubt :: the headlines have been ongoing – and confusing …

Paramore’s front-woman Hayley Williams (photo 1) has said No Doubt “have done amazing things” and are one example of the path Paramore would like to take their career :: however, she also says that Paramore is not just a “girl-fronted band” and it makes “music for people to enjoy music, not so people can talk about my sexuality”

also of interest is one reviewer at NME suggested Paramore’s sound is similar to that of No Doubt but “stripped of all the ska bollocks” and then went on to suggest Hayley’s voice is equivalent to “Kelly Clarkson’s wildest dreams” :: whatever the case, Hayley has said her personal influences include Robert Smith of The Cure and Etta James

although I never really got into No Doubt – too soft, too ska, too derivative, too shrill – they were still a good example of a female-fronted band doing good :: and Gwen Stefani (photo 2) certainly has a wide variety of fashion styles at her disposal

the No Doubt/Paramore tour covers 45 cities and begins on May 3rd :: as Paramore have been touring a lot in the 5 years No Doubt have been in limbo, we expect a powerful showing from our metal favourites

the curiosity that is Gossip Girl is perhaps a strange place for No Doubt to do a warm up, but they will perform Stand and Deliver, originally by Adam and the Ants