Richard Castle gets more research time

Variety is reporting that "Castle" has been renewed for a full season three!

Heck yeah!

This news comes after yet another week of record high ratings for the Monday night drama.

In fact, the show helped ABC to its best ratings in that time period for a scripted show since 1996!

Add that to the new Castle book coming out in August and the writer "himself" posting on Twitter and Facebook, "Castle" fans have a lot to be happy for right now.

Time to celebrate.

Check out the next episode of "Inscaped." I actually do a happy dance regarding this news.

'Hot Tub Time Machine' touched me

Not like that.

Sicko.

The headline refers to the film striking a cord with me and actually made me feel something. And just ask Stephanie, I am a combination of a Terminator and Grinch. A small, robot heart.

But, this weekend I kept thinking about "Hot Tub Time Machine." Stephanie and I saw it again opening night (we had to see the first 30 minutes!) so I had a complete view of the movie.

Oh, and thar be spoilers in these waters from here on in.

OK, we've talked enough about the plot and no one is/was expecting "Gone with the Wind" type excellence.

But, the non-nudity, gross out parts of the film are just as good.

The film is really about three longtime friends who have just kind of drifted apart. For anyone older than 25 this might be something to relate to. Do you still talk to and/or hang out with friends from high school?

Back then friends like that were the most important parts of your life. You're indestructible with your friends. I always thought we would hang out, go to movies etc. But, through many things life has a way of pushing people apart.

It never falls solely on one person. One friend might be really busy, one might move away, one might be a jerk (like Lou in the movie). What the heck happened?

I haven't seen my school friends Andrew Newberg or Jared Faria in more than a decade. I did get to spend a few days with John and Ben in Japan two years ago, but there was no time machine involved.

Another part of the movie is once the friends get back together and go to 1986, they figure out that the past that they all loved so much and can't stop talking about is the main cause of their present day issues.

John Cusack's character dumps a girl by mistake and spends the rest of his life regretting it, Craig Robinson fails on stage in front of hundreds of people and loses who he really is and Rob Corddry gets beat up and decades later never recovers from the trauma.

It's funny that in the movies no one ever goes back in time just to have some fun. Time travel is all about changing horrible events to make your present time better.

I thought about it and there were so many things I would change in the past. Like the girl who got away, or how I should have stood up for myself and even not letting that one English professor make me almost give up my journalism dream.

That then brings up thoughts on how much better life would be if you could just change all of that.

Sure, "Hot Tub Time Machine" is silly. It's gross and some parts don't make any logical sense at all, but the point is still the point.

And people can relate to that.

I know I can.

"The Tournament": Best Action Movie of 2009

"The Tournament" is a movie that has flown under the radar, playing only at a handful of film festivals during the summer of 2009. After it was well recieved at Cannes, it followed to play in festivals in Germany, Finland and finally, in the US at the Screamfest Horror Film Festival in October, and was released on DVD a few days later.

A rather genius story written and directing by virtual unknowns in Hollywood, is about a tournament that takes place in a different city around the world every seven years. Gathering 30 of the world's best assassins, the Bookmaker pits them against each other and watches every moment, as rich businessmen bet on the winner. Tracking devices are inserted into their bodies so the betters can track them, and they can track each other. With only 24 hours to kill the other 29 gamers, it's kill or die for an enormous cash prize.

With a story that can be seen as a typical shoot' em up action film, it is anything but. Joshua Harlow, played by Ving Rhymes(Mission Impossible), is already a Tournament champion, but returns to avenge the death of his wife, whose killer is another player. Lai Lai Zhen, played by Kelly Hu (X2), fights for redemption and the right to disappear forever. And in it for the joy of the kill is Miles Slade, played by Ian Somerhalder (The Vampire Diaries), and is probably the craziest of them all. However, in the wrong place at the wrong time is Father MacAvoy, played by Robert Carlyle (Stargate Universe), a priest who accidentally requires a tracking device and is suspected a player. Taken under Lai Lai's wing, she is determined to protect him in a deadly game of all or nothing.

A combination of great dialogue, great and terribly cringing death scenes, and strong acting on Carlyle and Somerhalder's parts, this film is definitely not for the faint of heart...literally. However, if you don't mind some blood on the walls, and a Texan who snaps off fingers with his cigar cutter as prizes, then you'll love it. As an aspiring writer who sometimes struggles creating original action scenes, it's clear that these three writers did not have that problem. A fly on a bus windshield, a slaughter in a strip club, and imploding from a charged tracking device, "The Tournament" is ingenious not only in story, but just plain cool action.

As a person that loves action movies for the sheer entertainment of seeing how writers come up with different ways to kill people, this film fascinated me from start to finish. It's a non-stop action thrill ride created for an audience to simply enjoy watching a few familiar faces and being in your seat for an 90 minutes.

There are few films today that give an audience the simple love of going to the movies. "The Tournament" is definitely one of these.

I enjoyed every minute of this film. From Robert Carlyle's priest with a drinking problem, and Ian Somerhalder's completely and utterly insane and unhinged Texan that kills anyone and anything in his way, "The Tournament" will make you laugh, cringe, gasp, and even cheer.

Caprica finale: 'All of this has happened before...'

Like many people, I was a very big and very loyal fan of the new "Battlestar Galactica" series.

I was also very sad when it ended.

The best friday nights in my life was for that short time when "Stargate SG-1," "Stargate Atlantis" and "Battlestar Galactica" all ran together on Sci-Fi Channel back when sci-fi was spelled correctly.

And one by one, my three favorite shows either ended, or were canceled.

Then "Caprica" began. Now, having went to the "Caprica" panel at Comic Con last year, I was hopeful that this series would live up to the shock and awe that BSG was and created in the science fiction world. BSG blurred the lines between drama and science fiction. It become a scifi show for people that generally didn't watch scifi. I can't remember how many people that I have introduced to science fiction through that show.

I really wanted "Caprica" to be good.

But with the first six or seven episodes, I was left flat and disappointed. I wasn't feeling the love that the critics were, which is a first. When the critics love something, I usually love it even more. Not in this case.

I don't find myself caring about these characters like I did Helo, Starbuck or Athena in BSG. In fact, I found myself disliking most of them. Especially Zoe, who I'm supposed to be rooting for. Surprisingly, in the beginning, the only character that I was interested in was Sam Adama, played by Sasha Roiz, the brother of Joseph Adama and deeply connected in the mafia. The Adama's was also, one of the most interesting parts of the story. Mainly for reasons I still can't get over that I'm watching a young Admiral Adama character. And the fact that the Adama's have a history in the Tauron mafia is fascinating.

It wasn't until Tamara, the virtual avatar of Joseph Adama's dead daughter, got lost in V-World that I was captured by the plot at all. For the first time, I couldn't take my eyes of the screen.

I enjoyed the finale tonight. Finally, the plot has become intense and characters are becoming aware of consequences that they have created. Their humanities are being tested, finally. Something that Ron Moore was so good at doing in "BSG." The characters were put in a position where they had to make a difficult decision, and no matter which way they picked, there would be consequences. That's what I've been looking for in "Caprica." The audience was not given that, until only two episodes ago.

Tonight, I had high expectations for the finale. Some of them were accomplished, and others weren't. There were only two moments of surprise for me, one of them I guessed, and the other I didn't see coming. I was shocked that Tamara would actual kill her father from V-World, so that he may never enter again. It should live up to an interesting future for Joseph Adama. As for what didn't surprise me, I knew his V-World companion, Manuel, would be Teryl Rothery's character in the real world. I just got excited that I was right.

The best thing about tonight's finale is Lacy's story. Now, after joining STO, she is shown the consequences. Set up into putting a bomb in Clarice's possession, she has to detonate or die. I wasn't so excited that Clarice may die because she is played by Polly Walker, one of the only things that kept me watching the show in the beginning. But of course, Clarice's curiosity saves her life from the ever vile Barnabus, played by the ever fabulous James Marsters, a fellow STO member and Clarice's rival. (Barnabus is so hard to hate because of James Marsters).

Overall, it was a fairly entertaining episode, keeping my fancy long enough that I might be able to survive this ridiculous hiatus...which is making nobody happy.

You would think that SyFy Channel learned their lesson after dooming "Stargate SG-1," "Stargate Atlantis" and "BSG" with such long hiatuses. Sometimes as long as six months or more, it was unbearable for a die hard fan to handle. Especially when there were a few times that the new episodes would be airing in other countries three months ahead of the US airing dates. That causes a show to lose fans and viewers. Considering the hype that "Caprica" has received so far, SyFy Channel may have signed it's death warrant by scheduling this long hiatus.

The network executives need to understand that fans of their shows, don't watch all their shows. I loved "Stargate," but I didn't watch "Eureka" or "Warehouse 13." So, when "Stargate" went into a hiatus, and then air an entire season of "Eureka" before "Stargate" returned, I wasn't too happy. I'm not sure how many more upset fans they need to understand that?

Three months we can survive, but six or more...that's unforgivable.

New episode up...

Taking a Bite out of 'The Vampire Diaries'

I have officially become the vampire expert for this wonderful blog. With that...let's begin.

Well, as I finally succumbed to reading "Twilight" a couple years ago, I have now done the same with "The Vampire Diaries." I came out of Borders not only with the "New Moon" DVD, but also the first four books of the first series in "The Vampire Diaries." I'm full of vampires this week.

Wow, was I glad that someone finally convinced me to read this series. I may be crossing a line onto sacred ground that millions of teenage girls will want to murder me for, but I think it's official: "The Vampire Diaries" is better than "Twilight."

Written by L. J. Smith, not only was I impressed with the originality of the story, but where "Twilight" can leave you flat, "Vampire Diaries" lifts you up with intensity, great characters, and shocking reveals. The story of two brothers who were turned to vampires during the Italian Renaissance by the one woman that they both loved, and 5oo years later, find another woman to fight over. Elena is caught in the middle of a supernatural war in her small rural hometown when Stefan Salvatore arrives, searching for a new start.

Only, that never happens.

Followed to Fell's Church by Damon, his older brother searching for revenge, he plans to torture Stefan every way he can. When they are once again caught in the middle of a love triangle with Elena, they find that they are not the only powerful beings in Fell's Church.

The best thing that "The Vampire Diaries" has over "Twilight," other than not making their vampires sparkle, is the change that we see in all the characters, where as the main characters in "Twilight," never change across the entire series.

The best visible character arc is that of the main protagonist, Elena Gilbert. I'm sure I'm not the only reader that began really hating her. There were very few good qualities about her. However, with the arrival of Stefan and Damon, and being pulled into a very adult and mature situation, the 17-year-old is forced to grow up fast.

Even Damon and Stefan, who seeming unchanged for 500 years, have their own character arcs. The part of the story that captured me the most was the relationship between the two vampire brothers. How decayed and destroyed it was in the beginning, from 500 years of hatred between them, and how it changed and eventually began to grow being forced together in dire circumstances against powers greater than themselves. And having Elena between them is a big part of that.

There are no "cookie cutter" characters like we find in many young adult fantasy series today. Each has their own voice and story to progress. And unlike "Twilight," it has the formula of true fantasy with a tragic romance. And where I thought "Twilight" was an original story just written poorly, the further I got into the "Vampire Diaries" series, the more I believe Meyer was inspired by it's brilliance.

Frankly, I could talk for hours on the great things about this series. But I'll wrap up with a few words on the TV series, and let you discover the mystery and magnificence of the books on your own.

Now, even though the story of the CW TV series "The Vampire Diaries" is greatly deviated from the books, it has a great story all it's own. Once again, the best part of its story being the relationship between Damon and Stefan, played by Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley.

In tonight's episode, "A Few Good Men", after Damon discovers his search for Katherine (the vampire that turned the brothers and they fought over) has been in vain for the last 140 years, he begins a path of self destruction. Elena digs deeper into the past of her birth mother, Isobel, and discovers some devastating news. Not only, did she later become the wife of Alaric, a new history teacher at the high school, but was murdered by none other than Damon, whom Elena was finally warming up to.

Not only will this completely deter the progress of his relationships with Stefan and Elena, but his path to redemption is halted when he murders again. Stefan, helpless about his brother's situation once more, is at loss at how to help him. Damon is obsessed, and it seems, nothing will stop him. More mystery and surprise tonight, leading into a new story arch that could very well continue until the end of the season. Another great acting performance for Ian Somerhalder, who channels Damon's emotions better than anyone. I have no doubt that this show will be renewed.

Oh, as for the cliffhanger, which this show has been so great at over the last 14 episodes...you will have to find out for yourself.

I always hated reading spoilers.

What's on deck for 'Inscaped'

Going to try out a new feature this week previewing the topics we are going to discuss on this week's episode.

The way it normally works is Stephanie and I usually start thinking about topics the day after we film. Then, usually, on Wednesdays we get together and come up with a list.

Sometimes we just throw any and all ideas out there, most times 90 percent of the ideas make it on the show.

The other cases? Well, sometimes Stephanie or I haven't seen a show that the other has. This week is a great example. I watched this week's "Castle," but Stephanie decided to watch the two-parter together. Depending on if she has time tonight, we may or may not talk about it tomorrow.

If not, I LOVED it.

So, what's on tap for this week's show?

In "Wanna See It?" we have our early reviews of "Hot Tub Time Machine" along with Stephanie's adventures in Lake Tahoe interviewing the cast of the film.

Want in on a cool secret? She has a great story that involves her new boyfriend Craig Robinson and an impromptu performance.

I'll also have a review of the No. 2 movie in America, "Diary of a Wimpy Kid."

In television, we have a lot of "Lost" to talk about. That Richard Alpert episode brought out some strong feelings in both of us. And Emile might even have a new flow chart.

I'm also going to talk about triumphant return of "Flash Forward" and how, unlike "Lost," it actually answers questions the audience has.

News will be extra exciting this week because after weeks (months?) of speculation the world finally has its Capt. America for the upcoming movie.

And even though it seems that every week we talk about a new Tim Burton project, we have a brand new one to discuss. Maybe next week they'll announce he's going to direct "The Avengers."

'Castle' fans can celebrate

No, it hasn't been renewed... yet.

But "Castle" hit a very important ratings mark with the first part of the two part "Castle" event.

It beat "CSI: Miami" for the first time, ever.

And in the world of television ratings, it wasn't very close.

"CSI: Miami" had 10.795 million viewers and "Castle" had 12.207 million. 1.412 million might seem razor thin, but that is a good chunk. Especially considering that "CSI: Miami" has been a ratings powerhouse for years.

Months ago I called on ABC to renew "Castle" for next season because of it's consistant ratings. Now that it has beaten the once No. 1 scripted drama on Mondays, renew it now.

Just do it.

New episode up...

'Remember Me' is a film for the soul

Life lessons are always the toughest to learn, and accept. But they constantly force you to remember what truly matters. Acceptance is hard for all of us and the one of the only things in life, that we can never change. There are not many films that can convey this. "Remember Me" does it with ease.

Now, in a blog that respects great entertainment, you somehow wouldn't expect Robert Pattinson to be in that category. But today, I will have to make an exception. I have been excited to see "Remember Me" for months now, looking forward to seeing what Pattinson can do outside of "Twilight". Although, I'm sure most audience members bought tickets just to see Edward Cullen in another movie, "Remember Me" can stand alone without members of Team Edward supporting it.

In a movie where the trailers deceive the audience about the true story, "Remember Me" delivers an emotional roller coaster of subtle proportions. Tyler Hawkins (Pattinson) is a young college student about to turn 22, who hates his emotionally distant father (Pierce Brosnan) and fights endlessly for his 11 year old sister, Caroline, played by the fantastic Ruby Jerins. Hounded by the fear of an uncertain future because of the suicide of his brother, Michael, on his 22nd birthday, Tyler is at loss of what to do with life except to simply live it. And he does, with the only thing that matters to him, his sister. But when he is given a dare to date the daughter (Emilie de Ravin) of the Detective (Chris Cooper) that arrested him a few days earlier, everything changes. Life becomes something more than he expected as he slowly falls for Ally.

Of course, there is a love story. However, this movie is anything but a chick flick. Written by first time writer Will Fetters, you also wrote Summit Entertainment's upcoming "Letters to Juliet", the story however subtle, finds a way to creep in and unleash a roaring amount of emotion from the audience. It is a story about seeking forgiveness and learning how to live with grief. As an aspiring screenwriter myself, I was truly impressed with Fetters abilities to connect with movie goers. In the film, Tyler keeps a journal, that we eventually learn are letters to his dead brother. At the beginning, he begins an entry with a quote from Gandhi: "Whatever you do in life will be insignificant. But it's very important that you do it." This is what the story is all about. All the characters must come to a realization that you may not be significant to the world, but you can be a significant part in the lives of others. And the life of Tyler Hawkins is just an example of that. It's authentic and poignant in its subtlety, especially with the twist at the end.

The last few moments are the most powerful, reminding the audience that life isn't full of happy endings, but rather, is a long string of good and tragic ones. And somehow, we are able to unite and move forward.

I always knew Robert Pattinson was a great actor. And if you ever doubt it, watch this movie. When he finds a way to match up to the acting brilliance that is Pierce Brosnan in what is I think, the best scene of the movie, there can be no doubts. He truly does shine in this film. Now, I wouldn't say it is award winning by any means, but everything about this film is heart-wrenching and real. At the end, the writer found a way to make the life of Tyler Hawkins matter to everyone. That above everything else, is what truly impressed me.

Although the critics do not quite agree with me and the majority of those that have loved the movie, I highly recommend it. There is quite a lot of controversy about the major twist at the end, that it cheats you as an audience member. Here, you have spent the last 90 minutes falling in love with the character for it to end the way it does. Now, I would usually spoil the ending, but this one...you will have to see and experience for yourself. It is so shocking, I wouldn't dare ruin it. But, I firmly believe this uproar from critics and many others leaving the theater angry with the ending is the point of the film. That's the way you are supposed to feel. In fact, without this ending, it would leave you feeling empty. There are no secret intentions from the writer or director. This story is significant to everyone, and all of us have to find our own way to accept it and move on...just as we did after the real event. Life isn't perfect and full of cookie cutter endings. There is no formula or structure. It never ends the way we want it to. That is what this ending was trying to convey, and does so with flying colors.

"Remember Me" may just become one of the most underrated movies of the year.

I will never have a problem remembering this film. I am looking forward not only to the future work of Robert Pattinson after "Twilight", but also the future films of screenwriter Will Fetters. And I have to give major kudos to Summit Entertainment to taking a chance on this script.

There are very few films that follow you home, and resonate with you for days or maybe years to come. This will definitely be one you remember.

The first Comic-Con adventure of the year

Thursday morning Comic-Con hotel reservations opened and to say it was chaos would be an understatement.

Instead of doing reservations the usual way, they decided to use this new fangled ridiculous system where everyone had to pick their top 12 hotels and then wait for an e-mail to tell them what hotel they received.

Unfortunately, what really happened was that everyone waited around all day, only to find out that they were put in a hotel that they had never requested that was miles away from the convention center.

For example all the places I requested were in the downtown area very close to the convention center, so naturally I was put five miles away in hotel circle. And apparently I wasn't the only one this happened to. Nearly everyone who registered Thursday morning had issues.

With the Anaheim convention center breathing down San Diego's neck this is the last thing they needed right now. The real problem is that with all the massive problems and three days straight of complaining attendees there has been no statement from comic-con on what happened.

A show like this is kept alive by the fans, so when you screw them over like this with no apologies it seems counterproductive. There's also the idea that there was no need to change the system in the first place. We all know going in that it will be difficult to get rooms for comic-con and we prepare for that but this new system added new headaches that were unnecessary.

With three and a half months to go Comic-Con has already alienated a majority of its audience. I can't wait to see what they do as the convention gets closer.

'Justified:' Love at first sight

While I've always been a fan of Timothy Olyphant and have had a crush on him since "The Broken Hearts Club," I was about two minutes into the premiere episode of "Justified" when I fell completely crazy in love.


Olyphant is one of those actors who has been in a lot of great things and has had some fantastic supporting roles, but hasn't really had a breakthrough, until now.

"Justified" is the rare show that links the actor with the perfect role. As US Marshal Raylan Givens, Olyphant is the perfect blend of cool, charm and badass tough guy. I immediately thought of Steve McQueen while watching.

The show is based on a series of Elmore Leonard stories featuring Givens. Olyphant is tailor made to be the hero of a Leonard story.

In the first episode Givens is transferred from Miami back to his hometown in Kentucky after he shoots a ruthless drug dealer. His response to the inquiry is that the bad guy drew first so it was justified.

The show also features a stellar supporting cast that includes "The Shield's" Walton Goggins as an old friend of Raylan's who is now a crazy white supremacist terrorizing Givens's hometown.

Goggins is able to use all the intensity he developed on "The Shield" while also stretching his previously unknown comedy skills.

In its first episode "Justified" used its outstanding leading man, action packed story, dark humor and fantastic supporting cast to establish itself as FX's newest can't miss show and perhaps heir to "The Shield's" unclaimed title as the toughest show on TV.

'She's Out of My League' or been there, done that

I had a free movie ticket buring a hole in my pocket so I went and saw "She's Out of My League" this weekend.

Let's just say I didn't hate the movie, but I really didn't like it either. I think I laughed maybe two or three times. It is charming, but not at all what I was expecting.

In fact most of the time something bugged me. There were a lot of similarities between it and "Hot Tub Time Machine," which I loved. So in the best journalistic way possible I'm going to list the similarities and give a point to the movie which has the better one.

1. Four guy friends getting into trouble

• "She's Out of My League" - The biggest star is that guy from "Knocked Up."
• "Hot Tub Time Machine" - John Cusack, 'nuff said.

Winner: "Hot Tub Time Machine"

2. "Hey, I got killed in 'Cloverfield!'

• "She's Out of My League" - Mike Vogel dies when the monster destroys a bridge. T.J. Miller gets eaten (well, half of him does).
• "Hot Tub Time Machine" - Lizzy Caplin dies by exploding after getting bitten.

Winner: "Hot Tub Time Machine"

3. One of the friends gets on stage and performs '80s music.

• "She's Out of My League" - T.J. Miller performs "Kiss on my List."
• "Hot Tub Time Machine" - Craig Robinson performs "Jessie's Girl."

Winner: "Hot Tub Time Machine" (Bonus points for "Let's Get It Started").

4. Male Nudity

• "She's Out of My League" - Pastey white and skinny Jay Baruchel.
• "Hot Tub Time Machine" - Out of shape and hairy Rob Corddry.

Winner: Aren't we the losers here? Tie?

5. Tubby friend who seems to be the only one making any sense!

• "She's Out of My League" - Nate Torrance (Who was in that awful "Get Smart" spinoff.)
• "Hot Tub Time Machine" - Clark Duke (Who was in that awful "Sex Drive.")

Winner: Clark Duke, because he didn't annoy me with those Capital One commericals. Plus, Stephanie loves "Greek" so he gets a bonus point.

6. Offensive humor.

• "She's Out of My League" - One of the friends helps the lead character shave his privates.
• "Hot Tub Time Machine" - I can't even find the words to describe the most offensive part without getting graphic myself.

Winner: "Hot Tub Time Machine"

7. Screenplay

• "She's Out of My League" - Sean Anders and John Morris.
• "Hot Tub Time Machine" - Sean Anders, John Morris and Josh Heald.

Winn... hey! Look at that. Two of the same writers.

Problem solved.

New episode up...

Let's all get in the 'Hot Tub'

Stephanie and I got a chance to see the new comedy "Hot Tub Time Machine" at a press screening tonight.

And the adventure to get to the screening was just as entertaining as the movie. We received a wrong address for the theater, got lost trying to find the new theater (twice) and ended up seeing director Joel Schumacher ("A Time to Kill").

We'll save the entire story for the next show, but onto the movie... it's hilarious.

The movie follows four guys who are unhappy with their lives, they get transported to 1987 and have to figure out how to get back. The tweak of that plot is three of the characters were in that same exact place in 1987, so they have to relive their lives over. One of the guys wasn't born yet, but that also plays into the central plot of the movie.

I haven't laughed this much since seeing "The Hangover" in theaters. The movie is also VERY raunchy. If you're a prude, skip this movie at all costs.

There is nudity abound, including male nudity. There are parts of the movie that are graphic including a bathroom scene that was beyond gross (yet, still funny).

John Cusack might be the headlining star, but Rob Corddry and Craig Robinson steal the show. Corddry gets the most laughs, along with the raunchiest parts in the film. Hint: He's the male nudity part.

Robinson shines when his character gets on stage to perform the '80s classic "Jessie's Girl" and a song from the future "Let's Get it Started" by the Black Eye Peas. When it's released, I am going to run out and get the soundtrack.

The movie opens on March 26, check it out for sure.

Give the guy a break

OK, you might think this is the worst thing ever.

Alright it probably is.

But, give the guy a break after the year he's had.

Enjoy!

'Look at all these rumors running me everyday'

Rumors of who is going to play Captain America, in the upcoming movie and many more including the big "Avengers" movie, have been going crazy for the past few weeks.

We talked about them on the show a couple of weeks ago.

Well, today they are heating up.

Dane Cook on his twitter page said he is auditioning.

OK, stop laughing. I'm serious.

Deadline Hollywood Daily is reporting that the top two contenders now are Mike Vogel ("Cloverfield") and Garrett Hedlund ("Tron Legacy").

Meanwhile Fox News is reporting that "The Office" star John Krasinski basically has the role already.

Rumors are just that, rumors.

One thing I do know for certain is that I trust Marvel. They didn't screw up with Robert Downey Jr. or Edward Norton. If they think Krasinski is the best person to play Steve Rogers then I trust them.

I just hope he can bulk up a bit. It's possible. Just look at Norton in "American History X." He is built like a tank in that movie and before was scrawier than Krazinski.

Vogel has the look down and seeing Hedlund in the new "Tron Legacy" trailer today, I could also see him working out.

Or... I'm available.

History made twice at Oscars

The big story to come out of the Academy Awards last night was the Best Director Oscar being awarded to a woman, Kathryn Bigelow, for the first time in the 82 year history of the awards.

That is a huge deal and especially cool considering that only three other women in history have been nominated for that award: Lina Wertmuller, Jane Campion and Sofia Coppola.

Also somewhat poetic that Barbara Streisand presented the award to Bigelow. In a controversial move in 1992, Streisand was shut out of the directing category for her film "The Prince of Tides."

Bigelow's film "The Hurt Locker" also took the Best Picture prize for which she also produced, so she got two Oscars last night.

While all of the attention was focused on Bigelow and being the first woman to win that award, history also was made in the Adapted Screenplay award.

Geoffrey Fletcher came out of nowhere to win the award for "Precious." Everyone had expected "Up in the Air" to take it. Fletcher himself probably thought "Up in the Air" was going to win.

With his win, Fletcher became the first African American to win an Academy Award for Screenwriting. Yes, it has never happened before. Shocking.

Well deserved in my opinion.

And even cooler was that "Precious" was Fletcher's first full length feature screenplay.

Academy Awards live coverage

Last minute Oscar thoughts

Two things that are making me crazy right now.

First is that "Precious" won a lot of Independent Spirit Awards last night and now all sorts of different Web sites like Drudge Report and Roger Ebert are thinking this is a sign of some giant upset tomorrow. The main headline on the Drudge Report is "OSCAR UPSET? 'PRECIOUS' SWEEPS INDY AWARDS"

One GIANT problem with this way of thinking. You can't take it seriously because "The Hurt Locker" wasn't up for any of those awards. Due to being at some festivals in 2008, "The Hurt Locker" was at LAST year's Spirit Awards. "Precious" was the ONLY Academy Award Best Picture nominee nominated in that category.

"The Hurt Locker" WILL not be taken out of the equation tomorrow so that leaves "Precious" where it was two days ago... with a Best Supporting Actress award. And that's probably it.

Second is almost everyone calling "Avatar" the front runner. I mean, come on! Just winning a Golden Globe does not make a film the front runner. Winning a ton of critic's awards, a Producer's Guild, Writer's Guild and Director's Guild award does make a front runner.

Finally, here is my updated Best Picture ranked list. I tried my best to see "A Serious Man," but Netflix was not cooperating at all.

1. "The Hurt Locker"

2. "Up"

3. "District 9"

4. "Up in the Air"

5. "Avatar"

6. "The Blind Side"

7. "Inglorious Basterds"

8. "Precious"

9. "An Education"

Oscar roundtable special

Stephanie and I got together with the Inscaped behind the scenes guys, Tony and Emile, to create a special Academy Awards roundtable discussion.

Both Tony and Emile have extensive backgrounds in production and are great minds to talk about technical aspects of the films nominated for this year's Oscars.

First up, in part one is Best Picture and Best Director:



Next up is the Best Acting and Screenplay awards:



And finally, the categories that usually screw up everyone's Oscar guesses... the Technical categories. Luckily we break down what each one is, what they means and who are the frontrunners:

I think I created a (wonderful) monster

My love of comics is well-known on this site. I love "Blackest Night" and everything Green Lantern. I used to love X-men until this "Nation X" crap recently.

I have shared my love of comics with Stephanie who is cool enough to enjoy them too. But, I also converted someone else. Someone who I had no idea would love them as much as I do.

My 9-year-old niece Zoe, who also might be the coolest 9-year-old kid ever. We get along famously and she is even a fan of watching "Inscaped" on TV. She even wrote us a letter to the editor when we slammed "Twilight," hey we can't please everyone...

One day I came across a kid's comic called "Tiny Titans" which is basically the Teen Titans as little kids.

And it rocks beyond words.

I bought Zoe six issues right off the bat and she devoured them in almost one sitting. The cool thing about the book is that there are an even amount of girl and boy superheroes. And the writing is easy enough for kids to understand.

So I started buying her the new issues as they were released. A couple of months ago I decided to get a subscription (to make it easier) and her first issue arrived in the mail yesterday.

As soon as she got it she was so excited. She blew through the issue (which was co-written by Geoff Johns and featured a kids friendly "Blackest Night" type story).

After a while she started drawing the characters herself.

I am a proud, comic-loving uncle right now.

Simply the best

I agonized over the headline for this post for about 10 minutes. I was talking to a student earlier today about headlines and how you have to kind of wow people but still inform them.

These words may not be the best written words to put into a headline, but then again many words can't really describe movie critic Roger Ebert.

Ebert has been in the news lately for the heartbreaking Esquire magazine article/photo and his appearance on Oprah yesterday. Yes, click the links to see what I'm talking about.

He lost his lower jaw and ability to speak because of thyroid cancer, but that hasn't stopped him from writing movie reviews, blogs and even tweets!

For everyone who says technology is bad, think about how it helps people in these situations.

Back to Roger, no matter what you think of his stance on movies (maybe he liked one you hated or vice versa) you could always count on the fact that they were well-written and well researched. The man knows what he is talking about.

He does have a Pulitzer prize after all.

So if you haven't already, click those links. Read the article, watch the photo and I dare you to not feel something.

I double dare you.

Inscaped goes to the theater

Over the weekend I got the chance to see the stage version of "The Color Purple" and it was fantastic. The show is based on the classic movie and stars Fantasia as Celie.

Since the original is not a musical and deals with some very serious subject matter, I was very curious about how the show would tackle some of the film's heavier scenes.

The number one difference between the musical and the film was in the level of comedy the stage show provided.

"The Color Purple" isn't known as a super funny movie so the little moments of comedy that the show delivered was a nice surprise.

Perhaps the most amazing part of the show was the cast. Felicia P. Fields reprised her Broadway role of Sofia, a part Oprah made famous, and Stu James portrayed Harpo, Sofia's husband.

The highlights of the show had to be Fields singing "Hell No" and Fantasia's standout performance of "I'm Here." Everyone knows Fantasia is a fantastic singer, but hearing her live is just spectacular.

Fantasia was also a surprisingly good actress. There was no question as to how her vocals would be but, her acting skills were very impressive.

"The Color Purple" has always been the kind of movie that inspires audience participation and the show was no different. It was common to here the crowd yelling out their reaction to the outrageous circumstances that the characters found themselves in.

There were several moments where direct lines from the film were used in pivotal scenes but at the same time the musical established a voice separate from the movie.

It was such a well put together, fantastically performed show, that anyone who is a fan of the film should definitely go see it.

Inscaped TV news

'Glee' club goes national

In what has to be the best story I've heard in a long time the "Glee" cast is going on a short national tour. I'm already on hold for my tickets.

The tour will feature all the young stars who play McKinley High's underdog glee club. It's a little disappointing that Matthew Morrison and Jane Lynch won't be participating but I can always hope for a surprise on stage appearance.

Now I just have to figure out how to trick Tim into the theater and make him sit through the show. For more information on dates and cities click here.

Moore 'As the World Turns'

Oscar nominated actress Julianne Moore is one of the tens of movie stars who got their start on soaps. Now Moore is returning to her former stomping grounds for a cameo on "As the World Turns."

Moore won a Daytime Emmy for playing Frannie and Sabrina Hughes. She will be reprising one or maybe both of those roles in a short walk on role. The Hughes family is a core family on "ATWT" so it's nice that she comes home as the show prepares to end.

So many former soap stars like to pretend that their past never happened, as a longtime soap fan I am extra supportive of those actors who wear their daytime pasts like a badge of honor.

West to be new 'Nikita's' Michael

"ER" star Shane West has been cast as Michael in The CW's new show "Nikita." As a huge fan of USA Network's "La Femme Nikita" I have a hard time imagining anyone beside Roy Dupuis as Michael. However, it really all depends on the chemistry between West and Maggie Q, who was been cast as Nikita.

The new Jim Rockford

After shelving its "Prime Suspect" remake due to casting issues NBC has found an actor for its other classic TV update. Dermot Mulroney has gotten the role of Jim Rockford in NBC's "Rockford Files" remake.

Mulroney who is known for the films "My Best Friend's Wedding" and "The Wedding Date" previous television credits include a short arc on "Friends."