Baseball team takes a jab at Britney…

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/entertainment/4094475.html

NEWARK, N.J. – The Newark Bears, a minor league baseball team, are hosting a Britney Spears Baby Safety Night to spread the message about keeping babies safe in vehicles.

The event is named for the 24-year-old pop star who drew criticism when she was photographed with her baby son, Sean Preston, sitting on her lap as she drove, and later, in a car seat facing forward rather than facing backward, which some safety regulations say is best.

Fans attending the Aug. 4 game will receive information on baby car seat safety and a chance to win a free car seat from the American Automobile Association.

Those who dress as a baby, bring a baby toy or bring their baby – a child under the age of 4 – get in free.

Spears has defended her parenting skills and has cautioned against judging her. “I did it with my dad. I’d sit on his lap and I drive,” the Louisiana native has said of the February incident. “We’re country.”

No, Britney, you’re a dumbass. Then again, we all knew that.

The Joker has finally been cast…

http://www.aintitcool.com/display.cgi?id=24031

BURBANK, CA, 31 July 2006 — As a follow up to last year’s blockbuster Batman Begins, Christopher Nolan is set to direct Warner Bros. Pictures’ The Dark Knight, written by Jonathan Nolan, based on a story by Christopher Nolan and David Goyer. The film will be produced by Emma Thomas, Charles Roven and Christopher Nolan. Additionally, Christian Bale will resume his role as Bruce Wayne and Academy Award nominee Heath Ledger has been cast as The Joker. The announcements were made today by Jeff Robinov, President of Production, Warner Bros. Pictures.

Christopher Nolan revamped the Batman franchise in 2005 with the immensely successful Batman Begins, starring Christian Bale in the title role, which chronicled the early years of the superhero. Nolan first garnered attention from critics and fans in 2000 with the groundbreaking drama Memento, which he wrote and directed. He went on to direct the thriller Insomnia, starring Al Pacino and Robin Williams, and recently wrapped production on The Prestige, with Hugh Jackman and Bale.

Bale was most recently seen in the ensemble cast of Terrence Malick’s The New World. His other credits include Little Women, Portrait of a Lady, Metroland, American Psycho, Laurel Canyon and Steven Spielberg’s Empire of the Sun, which was his first starring role.

Ledger most recently earned Oscar Golden Globe, BAFTA and SAG Award nominations and won the New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Ennis Del Mar in the award-winning drama Brokeback Mountain. His other credits include Casanova, Monster’s Ball, Lords of Dogtown, The Brothers Grimm and The Patriot.

“Chris’ unique vision is what made Batman Begins such an outstanding film and we could not imagine anyone else at the helm of The Dark Knight,” said Robinov. “We also can’t wait to see two such formidable actors as Christian and Heath face off with each other as Batman and The Joker.”

Hmm…. Heath Ledger as the Joker? On one hand, I would give that a definite “no”. On the other hand, Nolan did a terrific job with Batman Begins and did a hell of a job bringing my favorite Batman villain, Ra’s al Ghul, to life. I would have preferred to see Christopher Eccleston get the part, but I’m willing to give them the benefit of the doubt for now…

The animated Star Trek finally makes it to DVD…

http://www.startrek.com/startrek/view/news/article/19596.html

CBS DVD and Paramount Home Entertainment today announce the DVD release date of the highly anticipated Animated Series. Formerly known as The Animated Adventures of Gene Roddenberry’s Star Trek, the four-disc set will hit stores on November 21, 2006.

The title now shortened to Star Trek: The Animated Series, the set will include all 22 episodes of the classic Roddenberry show, which originally aired on Saturday mornings in 1973-74. A final frontier of sorts, the Animated Series is the last of the Trek catalog to make it to DVD.

I don’t have any of the Star Trek episodes on DVD, yet I’d seriously consider getting this one. Believe it or not, the cartoon series was the first thing I ever recall seeing on TV, which I guess one could say set me on the path of being a Trek fan early. I guess it’s one more thing to add to my Christmas wish list… :-)

The soundtrack to Doctor Who is on the way…

http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/news/cult/news/drwho/2006/07/17/33953.shtml

Murray’s music makes it to CD.

We’re pleased to tell you that Murray Gold’s wonderful soundtrack to Doctor Who will be making its way to CD in the near future.

BBC Worldwide are working with the composer to release the highlights from his Doctor Who scores on CD.

While we don’t have a release date, we felt we’d tell you as soon as possible. Thanks to everyone for the deluge of emails about the “singy lady”, the “beach thing (i cried)”, the “Christmas song”, and, of course, the theme courtesy of the National Orchestra of Wales.

I agree with Jenn’s reaction: “I am SO there.” :-)

A quick look at The Transformers from the military…

http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123023092


7/11/2006 – SAN ANTONIO (AFPN) — Lights, camera, action! Airmen at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., home to the Air Force’s only operational F-117 wing, got to experience a new kind of rush as Hollywood invaded their base.

The DreamWorks/Paramount Pictures live-action film “Transformers,” set to release in July 2007, will feature several different aircraft including the F-117 Nighthawk from Holloman and the CV-22 Osprey from Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M. More than 300 Airmen participated as extras in the movie and providing logistical support during the filming.

“It’s a thrill to know my face will be seen in a movie. It outweighs the long hours,” said Airman 1st Class Mehtar Sullivan, an emergency management technician with the 49th Civil Engineer Squadron at Holloman.

While participating as extras in the movie, Airmen had to be on leave and available all day for shooting scenes. Some Airmen have speaking roles in the film. The days were long and sometimes lasted until early morning the next day.

“This was a great way to highlight what our mission is, what our people do and what our equipment does at no expense to the taxpayer,” said Capt. Trisha Raynoha of the 49th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office.

The production crew sent scouts to seven different Air Force bases and several Army installations before deciding on Holloman and the F-117 wing.

F-117s and the CV-22 Osprey are featured prominently in the movie as both static background and taxiing aircraft. Also featured will be the A-10 Thunderbolt II, C-17 Globemaster III, MH-53 Pave Low, HH-53 Super Jolly Green Giant, AC-130 Gunship, C-130 Hercules, MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle and Air Force One.

This is the largest movie project since “Black Hawk Down” to receive Department of Defense approval as selection is based on how accurately forces are portrayed. With Michael Bay as the director, known for his special effects-driven movies like “The Rock” and “Pearl Harbor,” the approval was easy.

“We’ve worked with Michael Bay before; we like the way he operates. He understands how the military operates,” said Army Lt. Col. Paul Sinor, lead public affairs representative for DOD.

This is interesting. I did realize that the military was helping this much with The Transformers. The article also has a video that’s worth watching for a quick look at what some of the film might be like.

The new Doctor Who companion has been revealed…

http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/news/companion.shtml

New companion is revealed.

Newcomer Freema Agyeman will play the Doctor’s latest companion, Martha Jones.

Doctor Who fans have already met Agyeman as Adeola in episode 12 of the current series of Doctor Who but, as viewers will have seen last Saturday evening, this character suffered a terrible fate at the hands of the Cybermen.

Freema will be playing a brand new character in series three.

Executive producer/writer Russell T Davies says: “The search for a new companion had been underway for some time when I first saw Freema Agyeman, she had come in to audition for the part of Adeola in series two.

“Watching her during filming confirmed what an exciting new talent she was, so under cover of darkness we called her back in to audition with David for the role of the new companion.

“It was an immediate and sensational combination, and her range, presence and charm blew us all away.

“David and Freema are terrific together, and we’re delighted to have chosen her to join the Doctor for more adventures in time and space.

“The first scripts have been written, and Martha’s a brilliant addition to the TARDIS crew, the perfect foil for the Doctor.

“Martha won’t be featured in this year’s Christmas special; we’ve got another surprise in store for that.”

Freema Agyeman says: “I’ve been keeping this secret from my friends for months – it’s been driving me mad!

“Auditioning with David in secret down in Cardiff was unbelievable, but I never in my wildest dreams thought I’d actually become the new companion.

“Billie rightfully built up an amazing fan base and she will be missed, but I hope the fans are willing to go on new adventures with me.

“It still hasn’t quite sunk in, I’m sure it will slam home first day on set when I’m stood gazing at David Tennant!”

David Tennant adds: “Freema was a joy to work with in episode 12 of the current series. She is not only very talented and very beautiful, she’s great fun and I’m delighted she’s coming on board the TARDIS full time.

“I can’t wait to welcome her into the Who family.”

A long-lost Doctor Who story returns…

http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/news/cult/news/drwho/2006/06/20/33077.shtml

Two lost episodes recreated for DVD release.

We’re delighted to announce that in November, 1968’s Cyber-epic The Invasion will be released on DVD – including fully-animated recreations of two missing episodes, by world-renowned studio Cosgrove Hall.

This Invasion stars Patrick Troughton as the Second Doctor in a battle with the Cybermen. Episodes One and Four from this eight-part story have long been missing from the BBC’s archives, but the soundtracks survived.

Sophie Walpole, head of the BBC’s Interactive Drama & Entertainment division, explained the thinking behind the project. “In the year that the Cyberman have returned to Doctor Who, it seemed a good idea to complete one of their finest outings from the 1960s,” she said. “We have found a unique and innovative way of presenting this classic adventure with new animation fitted to the lovingly restored soundtrack.”

Cosgrove Hall’s Lead Animator Steve Maher found the job of recreating a black and white TV adventure “a slightly surreal experience”, but explained that animating Patrick Troughton’s Doctor was a real treat. “He has a wonderfully animatable face, so he was a gift. Baddies are invariably more fun to depict than the good guys so the sneering, unblinking Tobias Vaughn was a lot of fun, too.”

I must say, I’m REALLY looking forward to this. “The Invasion” was one of my favorite of the Doctor Who stories I’ve read (I have several of the novelisations of the serials), and it was fun seeing references to it in “Rise of the Cybermen” and “The Age of Steel”. I’m sure Jenn and my friend Dave will be looking forward to this one, too. :-)

I’ve heard of going out with a bang, but this is ridiculous…

http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=32550

AN INQUIRER READER attending a conference in Japan was sat just feet away from a laptop computer that suddenly exploded into flames, in what could have been a deadly accident.

Guilhem, our astonished reader reports: “The damn thing was on fire and produced several explosions for more than five minutes”.

Should you witness such an event, his advice is, “Don’t try anything courageous/stupid, stay away, away, away!”

Er… heh. Considering this was a Dell laptop, it makes me wonder about some of the ones we have here. Images of the laptop during and post explosion are on the Inquirer news story. :-)

This has GOT to be a joke…

http://www.openlinux.org/releasedetail.cfm?id=21370

LINDON, Utah, Jun 16, 2006 — The SCO Group, Inc. (“SCO”) (Nasdaq: SCOX), a leading provider of UNIX(R) software technology for distributed, embedded and network-based systems, today announced plans to release a new version of it’s former OpenLinux franchise in early Q4 2006, known under the renowned Caldera label, branded version 10 – or shorter “X”. These versions of OpenLinux Workstation and OpenLinux Server feature several technical enhancements and capture the best tools for Linux software development and deployment. In addition to these technical updates, each release features localization in English, German, Japanese, Korean, Chinese Traditional and Chinese Simplified languages. OpenLinux increases the overall availability of applications and critical data by including backup server facilities within its single, high-availability, fail-over operating environment.

“Caldera has always led the way in providing stable, reliable, tested solutions for our key Linux server markets, and this release of OpenLinux X follows that same course,” said Darl McBride, CEO and President, The SCO Group. “Regardless of whether you’re a small-to-medium sized business, a corporate developer or a reseller, Caldera OpenLinux X will deliver impressive, capable and powerful choices.”

To provide extensive reliability and performance features, the Linux Kernel 2.5 codebase has been merged with recently developed additions to SCO’s world leading UNIX core operating system. Already contained code owned by SCO is still included benefiting the stability and overall experience opposed to recent Linux kernel releases.

The decision to reanimate the very popular OpenLinux product series was made after it is evident that certain lawsuits regarding UNIX® System intellectual property and contractual rights are to be finished soon. SCO is eager to be the only future provider of Linux Systems for the enterprise market. Customers will again benefit from the high reliable SCO products, with additional XML and JavaBean support, at the low costs of a Linux System. As according to the Yankee Group SCO OpenServer products still outbeat Linux’ yearly uptime by about 20 percent, world Leading companies should still consider to upgrade to SCO’s UnixWare and OpenServer series.

First off… the 2.5 kernel? That was a fricking development kernel; we’re already on 2.6.15 by now, and 2.6 has been in use for well over a year! Secondly… they are, of course, assuming that they’re going to WIN their lawsuit. Anyone who has been keeping up on Groklaw would know that slowly, but surely, the suit has been leading towards a complete and total loss for SCO.

I wonder just who’s serving the Kool-Aid over at SCO sometimes…

EDIT: Looks like this is a hoax. Sorry, folks…

Talk about mixing water and magnesium…

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/features/3964802.html

LOS ANGELES — Tonight host Jay Leno might want to consider wearing referee stripes on Wednesday’s show when Ann Coulter and George Carlin are his guests.

Coulter, the acid-tongued conservative with a new book out, and Carlin, the quick-witted, antiestablishment comedian who’s in the voice cast for the new animated film Cars, were booked at separate times for the NBC late-nighter, a spokeswoman said Monday.

But the duo’s meeting could produce serious fireworks for Tonight, which usually limits its political fodder to Leno’s bipartisan monologue jokes.

This should make for some interesting viewing… heh. I’ll have to remember to record it when it comes on.