Hot New Show: Ringer

Fall TV is back! Ringer starring Sarah Michelle Gellar debuted tonight on The CW. It's the first show I've really watched on The CW, but from reviews and my own personal enjoyment of the show it doesn't seem like any other show on the network can compare.

The plot is interesting and throws in enough twists and turns that the viewer will always be on the edge of their seat, wanting to pay attention and see what happens next. It's Sarah Michelle Gellar's return to TV after doing Buffy The Vampire Slayer from 1997-2003. She does her dual role perfectly and believably, playing twin sisters who haven't spoken to each other in six years. Both characters, Bridget & Siobhan, have interesting backgrounds filled with drama & crime. I don't want to give any plot away, but if you're into drama and suspense mixed with some mystery then you'll enjoy this. Ioan Gruffudd & Nestor Carbonell also star.

This isn't like any other show on The CW, so if you think of that network being geared towards a certain audience, you can change your perceptions and give Ringer a chance. It airs on Tuesdays at 9PM.

Beatles 1 Compilation on iTunes

The best selling album of the 2000s with over 31 million worldwide and close to 12 million in the US, The Beatles' 1, is now on iTunes. It will also be re-released in a digipak CD with the remastered audio from the 2009 remasters on September 13th.

The set is on sale at iTunes for only $9.99 for a limited time. For anyone who has yet to own any Beatles music, what are you waiting for? The album contains all 27 US & UK Number One songs by the group. You really can't beat 27 amazing songs for just $10. No wonder the set has fittingly shot to Number 1 on iTunes in most countries around the world. For those yet to really listen to The Beatles, it's the perfect time to meet John, Paul, George and Ringo.

Like the other digital Beatles albums, this is also in the iTunes LP format with a digital booklet. The CD version which is packaged like the 2009 Remastered CD's is available for pre-order as well. When the album was first released in November 2000, it was Beatlemania all over again. It became the fastest selling album in history, and shot to Number 1 around the world. In the US, it spent Eight weeks on top of the Billboard 200 at #1 from 2000 into 2001. The Beatles are always getting new fans with their timeless music, so it's no surprise. Even though the Beatles are the biggest music act of all time, it still has to be impressive that a band that broke up in 1970 can have the best selling album of the 2000s.

Aaliyah Remembered

It's been 10 years since Aaliyah's plane crashed on August 25, 2001 soon after taking off from the Bahamas. Aaliyah was a rare talent, and was about to become a big movie star as well as an even bigger singer. She had begun filming for the Matrix sequels, but her scenes were not completed and they had to recast the role. She was also going to be collaborating with Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails, which would've expanded her music. Her last album includes some rock with her normal Soul/R&B sound. We can only imagine what she would have done since then.

My favorite songs of hers:
1. Try Again (2000) - Her biggest hit and for good reasons. Great beats to go along with her voice.
2. One in a Million (1996) - Her voice is on full display, and you could tell she was going to be a big star.
3. Miss You (2002) - Released after her death, the song is a nice ballad and her voice sounds great laid back like it is here.
4. We Need a Resolution (2001) - The video for this song is probably her best, and the song made a good first single for her final album.
5. What If (2001) - Not a single, a track on her final album. It's an industrial rock leaning song, a preview of what she may have done with Trent Reznor. She knew how to change her voice to fit a different type of song.
6. Are You That Somebody? (1998) - The song from Dr. Dolittle, another addictive song with a beat and chorus you won't forget.
7. I Refuse (2001) - A piano dominated song from her last album, really showcases her voice.
8. Age Ain't Nothing but a Number (1994) - One of her first songs, sounds like it could fit on a TLC album and shows that even at a young age, she had a big voice.
9. Come Over (2003) - Released from the posthumous album I Care 4 U.
10. Journey to the Past (1997) - Another single from a soundtrack, she gave a great performance at the Academy Awards in 1998 of the song. More of a pop song, her voice translates well just as it did in her Hip Hop and Rock songs.

For those who have never listened to Aaliyah, do yourselves a favor and download the albums or some tracks. (For some reason the CD's are out of print, so you can only download them on iTunes and Amazon.) Hope they someday release deluxe versions with extra material.

Anne Hathaway Raps on Conan

If you missed it, Anne Hathaway, who is currently playing Catwoman, made a rap on Conan O'Brien about the paparazzi who have been around the set of The Dark Knight Rises. I can say she is already better than Soulja Boy ever was. As she comically stated, the song is in the style of Lil Wayne. Check it out:

First Look at Catwoman in The Dark Knight Rises

Warner Bros. was forced to release the anticipated first official photograph of Anne Hathaway as Selina Kyle aka Catwoman from the upcoming film The Dark Knight Rises. They had to because there were leaked shots from the set.

I like this costume, it's pretty tactical and I like the goggles. It's missing the trademark cat ears however, but I'm speculating that they will come later. I'm not sure what's happening in the photo, if Batman gave her the Batpod, or if Catwoman is stealing it. Apparently the photo does take place during the fight between Bane and Batman that was released earlier. I'll assume this is earlier in the film and she is stealing the Batpod. I think she'll eventually join up with Batman and that may be when she gets a "Cat" mask that the goggles will go over, perhaps from Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman). The image is listed under Selina Kyle, so this may be an outfit she uses as Selina. We will surely find out more in the coming months.

Take a look at some previous versions of Catwoman in TV & Film:

Michelle Pfeiffer (1992) -The Best Catwoman, from the film Batman Returns

Lee Meriweather (1966)

Eartha Kitt (1967)

Julie Newmar (1966)

Halle Berry (2004)

Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows Part 2 Review; Extended DVDs?

Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows Part 2 is now here, and concludes the film series based on the books by J.K Rowling. As many of you may know, it has been getting the best reviews of the eight films, and even generating some much deserved Oscar buzz. I, of course, think it should at least be nominated for Best Picture, as well as other categories like effects, score, possibly even a supporting actor nomination for Alan Rickman. This is without a doubt the most action packed of the films, and really moves by quickly, at a little over 2 hours. I would give the film about a 95 out of 100, knocking a few points off because of some things I'll put below the cut. And it's been announced that the film has surpassed The Dark Knight to have the biggest opening weekend ever in the US, with around $168 million. It also crushed the Twilight record for biggest midnight opening, as well as biggest single day ever, grossing $92 million on Friday alone. The Harry Potter finale has cast a big spell, with records that should stand for a very long time.

Now, possible Spoilers beyond here, click "read more" for the rest, and thoughts on possible extended edition DVDs/Blu Rays.

FIFA Women's World Cup: Miracle on Grass

If anyone missed the United States take on Brazil in the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup Quarterfinals, you missed out on one of the most exciting, thrilling and hard fought sports matches of all time. It's almost hard to explain in words to get that same thrill of seeing it unfold live.

Down 2-1 in Extra Time, the United States ended up tying it on an Abby Wambach header in the final minute of the match. This came after a player on Brazil pretended to be hurt to waste time, which the ref added on since she clearly faked after jumping up and running back on the field. If not for the fake injury, the USA might not have tied it. Karma? Maybe. The game then went to penalty kicks, 12 years to the exact day after the USA beat China on Penalty Kicks to win the 1999 Women's World Cup at the Rose Bowl in front of over 90,000 people and 40 million watching on TV in the US alone. That 1999 team captivated the country, and the buzz surrounding the 2011 team has catapulted up to the top of every news outlet, just like in 1999. The USA beat Brazil this time on Penalty Kicks, in the same way Brandi Chastain did 12 years earlier. USA goalie Hope Solo came through big as well, blocking Brazil's 3rd penalty kick in the shootout which helped.

Germany has embraced the tournament as well, with over 20 million people watching Germany matches on TV. On Saturday though, Japan shocked Germany by eliminating them, playing more physical than anyone thought possible. Japan passes the ball with more accuracy than any team I've ever seen, and play tough. They've become a sentimental favorite following the March Tsunami and Earthquake, and will take on Sweden. Do yourselves a favor and watch the rest of the matches! The semifinals are on Wednesday. In the USA, they'll be on ESPN starting with France vs. United States at 11:30AM Eastern Time (Game starts at 12), followed by Japan vs. Sweden at 2:45 PM Eastern. My pick: USA and Japan moving to the final. France vs Sweden for 3rd place.

As for soccer in the US, the World Cup and Olympics are very popular, as well as other big international matches. The attendance record for the Men's World Cup is the 1994 World Cup held in the USA, and the record for the Women's World Cup is 1999 in USA. The MLS (and WPS) can't have that same excitement, so it's seen as second rate to the World Cup and Women's World Cup. Finally, watch the big Wambach goal below: