John Lennon & Paul McCartney: "Imagine The Band"

While there can never be a Beatles reunion, there are ways you can fill an appetite for some new-ish material. "Imagine" by John Lennon from 1971 & "Band on the Run" by Paul McCartney & Wings from 1974 have been mashed together to create an interesting new take on both songs by Go Home Productions, called "Imagine the Band". And yes, you can imagine if this is what The Beatles may have sounded like had they continued past 1970. 

John Lennon's piano playing on "Imagine" is sped up with the vocals removed, while Paul McCartney & Wings' "Band on the Run" is slowed down to match the two classic songs together as one quite nicely. It goes to show that even when the two former Beatles were writing completely different songs, they can sound so absolutely perfect together. 

Angelina Jolie Gets Mastectomy; Writes a Powerful Message

Angelina Jolie wrote a piece for the New York Times opening up about having a double mastectomy as a preventive measure, since she carried the "faulty" BRCA1 gene, which can increase the risk of breast cancer and/or ovarian cancer in some women. She had the surgeries over three months time, keeping it all a close secret until now. Her mother also died of cancer, which was obviously a factor in this tough decision.

Her piece is very moving and also very informative, and I would urge people to read it, which you can find here. This was an outstanding way to help raise awareness and hopefully encourage others to not have any fear. If you're curious what Jolie is up to film-wise, she can next be seen in the anticipated film Maleficent, due out summer 2014.

Here are some excerpts from the op-ed piece:
Once I knew that this was my reality, I decided to be proactive and to minimize the risk as much I could. I made a decision to have a preventive double mastectomy. I started with the breasts, as my risk of breast cancer is higher than my risk of ovarian cancer, and the surgery is more complex. 

On April 27, I finished the three months of medical procedures that the mastectomies involved. During that time I have been able to keep this private and to carry on with my work. 

But I am writing about it now because I hope that other women can benefit from my experience. Cancer is still a word that strikes fear into people’s hearts, producing a deep sense of powerlessness. But today it is possible to find out through a blood test whether you are highly susceptible to breast and ovarian cancer, and then take action.

I wanted to write this to tell other women that the decision to have a mastectomy was not easy. But it is one I am very happy that I made. My chances of developing breast cancer have dropped from 87 percent to under 5 percent. I can tell my children that they don’t need to fear they will lose me to breast cancer. 

It is reassuring that they see nothing that makes them uncomfortable. They can see my small scars and that’s it. Everything else is just Mommy, the same as she always was. And they know that I love them and will do anything to be with them as long as I can. On a personal note, I do not feel any less of a woman. I feel empowered that I made a strong choice that in no way diminishes my femininity.

'Gravity' Trailer & Poster Released

Gravity, the new film from Alfonso Cuarón (Children of Men, Harry Potter & The Prisoner of Azkaban) starring Sandra Bullock & George Clooney, is one of my most anticipated movies of 2013. Its been in development for years, and now we finally have some footage and a poster to take in. Its expected that the visuals and special effects will be breathtaking. The film will be released in both IMAX & 3D, and based on Cuarón's previous films' attention to details, we should expect it to be worthy of those formats.

The teaser poster does a wonderful job showing off a cool image that makes you want to know what happened right before this to cause the destruction of the shuttle. Its exactly what a teaser should be. It gives little away yet draws you in. The teaser trailer has also been released, and it is safe to say the IMAX format was made for a movie like this. The visuals are breathtaking, & it looks as though it will live up to the hype. The Earth looks stunning in the footage, and if they do the 3D correctly, it will all really pop out. Then of course, the asteroids or whatever it is that destroys the shuttle will be enough to make the toughest person squirm in their seat. I got chills watching it, and seeing Bullock's character seemingly drift off into the eerie calm of space is proof that this entire film will be quite the ride. Watch it here:

Here is the official synopsis: Sandra Bullock plays Dr. Ryan Stone, a brilliant medical engineer on her first shuttle mission, with veteran astronaut Matt Kowalsky (George Clooney) in command of his last flight before retiring. But on a seemingly routine spacewalk, disaster strikes. The shuttle is destroyed, leaving Stone and Kowalsky completely alone–tethered to nothing but each other and spiraling out into the blackness. The deafening silence tells them they have lost any link to Earth... and any chance for rescue. As fear turns to panic, every gulp of air eats away at what little oxygen is left. But the only way home may be to go further out into the terrifying expanse of space.. The film will be released on October 4, 2013.

Sandra Bullock is in for another big year as her return to comedy with Melissa McCarthy, The Heat, is out on June 28, 2013.

'The Office' Series Finale Guaranteed To Deliver

I think I need a box of tissues ready from now, because if tonight's second-to-last episode is any indication, I will be crying like a 12-year-old girl at a Justin Bieber concert during The Office Series Finale next week.

Tonight's episode had Jim and Pam's storyline come full circle. After watching clips of their moments together on a computer, Pam (Jenna Fischer) finally received the love note Jim (John Krasinski) had left with her tea pot from the season 2 Christmas episode ("Christmas Party") back in 2005. Yes, the one where they played "yankee swap"! I'm really going to especially miss getting new Christmas episodes of The Office. Anyway, the moment tonight solidified Jim & Pam's status as one of the greatest TV couples of all time. The song played during their video montage was "Open Your Eyes" by Snow Patrol, so add that to your Jim & Pam playlist along with "Sing" by Travis.

The entire office also gathered to watch the premiere episode of the documentary at the end, and we see them taking in the first episode as we hear Michael (Steve Carell) talking to Jim. The show has really done an outstanding job bringing the fictional documentary to the surface this season.

Finally, Dwight (Rainn Wilson) proposed to Angela (Angela Kinsey) and we found out Phillip really is his son. This is what set up the series finale next week. It picks up a few months after tonight's episode, with the documentary crew catching up one final time with Dunder Mifflin. Its confirmed that many old faces will be back for the finale, including Mindy Kaling & BJ Novak. And though they've denied it, I am almost positive we will be seeing Steve Carell return as Michael Scott at Dwight & Angela's wedding.

We'll see who else might return in cameo appearances. A preview showed the stripper from the famous "Ben Franklin" episode, so anyone is possible. Maybe Jan (Melora Hardin) and Karen (Rashida Jones)? Don't forget to watch the series finale of The Office May 16 on NBC to find out. It starts with a retrospective at 8pm, and the finale following from 9pm-10:15pm.

Jodi Arias Verdict - GUILTY

Travis Alexander & Jodi Arias

Jodi Arias has been found guilty of murdering Travis Alexander in the first degree. 

The Jodi Arias trial has taken the public by storm on a level with the Casey Anthony, OJ Simpson and Michael Jackson trials and it is finally over. Part of that is thanks to HLN for giving daily coverage, and of course Nancy Grace devoting most of her show to the long trail. Another is just how wild and strange the trial has been, seemingly going through every aspect of Jodi Arias' life. The passionate Nancy Grace famously stated that she didn't care about Arias "giving blow jobs behind a 7-eleven" when the defense was bringing up her past relationships during the trial.

Thankfully, the obviously guilty Arias didn't get off like OJ Simpson and Casey Anthony. She admitted to killing him (after numerous lies), but the defense tried to play it as "self defense", which is a slap in the face to people who actually have been victims of abuse, unlike the lying sociopath Arias.

Arias barely shed any tears when the verdict was announced, which is odd for someone up for the death penalty. Its as if she didn't even care, as if she's in her own little universe. She reportedly argued with her lawyers following the verdict, presumably about the interview she wanted to give to a reporter, which she later did before heading off to jail. She claimed she would rather receive death than life in prison, stating "death is the ultimate freedom." You wonder if she is just saying that to try and influence the jury not to give her the death penalty, pretending to want it so they'll give her the opposite. 

Diagon Alley Heading To Universal Orlando

Save up your galleons from now and get ready to apparate to Orlando, Florida in Summer 2014. Diagon Alley has been announced as the newest addition to Universal Studios Florida, and expansion of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I wrote about this happening back in 2011 when the park announced they were removing the Jaws section, but now Universal has officially released all the details on this magical expansion that will once again pack every hotel in Orlando.

As expected, both Universal Studios & Islands of Adventure will be connected for the first time with the Hogwarts Express train. Guests who have tickets to both parks will be able to take this train back and forth between the two. Hopefully they keep the dementors away. In addition to the Hogwarts Express as well as new shops and restaurants in Diagon Alley, the main attraction will be be based on Gringotts Bank. You can see in the concept art that Gringotts towers over the rest of the park. It will no doubt be the most state of the art amusement park ride in the world.

And you can guarantee that the Hogwarts Express ride itself won't just be a typical theme park transport system. The on-board experience will be completely innovative and authentic to give Harry Potter fans what they've dreamed of since reading the very first book, entering the train at a replica King's Cross Station in the Universal Studios section or at Hogsmeade in the Islands of Adventure section. JK Rowling & Warner Bros have been involved with the project since the original Wizarding World was developed.

Universal Creative President Mark Woodbury had this to say, "Those meetings are fascinating and wonderful opportunities to have, to be able to talk and collaborate directly with J K Rowling and the Warner Bros. film-makers. This was a big idea. And everybody immediately saw that when we initially laid it all out. And the fact that we wanted to continue to tell the Harry Potter story, the places that we had chosen to develop -- Diagon Alley & London & Gringotts & Hogwarts Express -- were really big ideas and bold moves, I think that the ambition behind that was very much appreciated."

Universal Studios Florida has been quite busy. Transformers: The Ride 3D opens up in June, and the park is also adding to The Simpsons/Springfield section with a Kang & Kodos themed spinning ride, various games, Duff Brewery, Moe's Tavern, Kentucky Fried Panda and Krusty Burger. There have also been various rumors of whats next with Islands of Adventure. Another Jurassic Park ride, a King Kong ride, and a Lord of the Rings section have all been floated around. For now, just enjoy the excitement of Transformers, The Simpsons and of course the big one, the giant Harry Potter expansion.

The Avengers Get New Members

Comic Version of Scarlet Witch & Quicksilver

The Avengers 2 is slated for release on May 1, 2015, and the group will have at least two new members. The brother/sister duo of Quicksilver & Scarlet Witch will be in the film, most likely as new members of The Avengers. Although they could play around with the material and make them villains, but that seems unlikely.

Joss Whedon was at a premiere for Iron Man 3 when he said that his draft of the sequel to the 2012 blockbuster movie contained a "brother/sister act", which has turned out to be Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver. Those two characters were also used in the X-Men universe, so it has many wondering if there could at some point be a crossover between the X-Men films and The Avengers films. There would be some hurdles, since the X-Men films are produced by FOX and The Avengers is produced by Disney. However, a ton of money would obviously be made, so its certainly possible those hurdles could be cleared in the future.