news feeds march 31

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"The Internet: It's like never leaving junior high." Ya think? Janet Sternberg, a communications professor at Fordham University in New York says "The Internet and digital media have produced this Peter Pan effect where we never grow up, we're like perpetual children, we never have to be responsible for anything - we keep this juvenile mentality. We say whatever's on our mind. Restaint is one of the signs of adulthood, and our whole culture is celebrating a lack of restraint." Great article dealing with grownup kids around the Internet. Click HERE to read on. 

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What does an actor who has played in damn near every style of film supposed to do when you've done it all? Look for a genre you have played in obviously. That's right: Clint Eastwood slated to direct a film adaptation of the hit musical "Jersey Boys." I definitely didn't see that one coming, but after Jon Farveau, who was originally attached to direct, backed out Clint has shown interest in taking the reigns. The Dirty Harry star has been interested in directing a musical for sometime now, trying to remake the Kris Kristofferson/Streisand clunker "A Star Is Born" with Beyonce playing the lead role. The project didn't get off the ground for a variety of reasons including Beyonce's pregnancy and the lack of a suitable leading man, and even though Beyonce has dropped off the project, Clint is still keen to get it done and may work on it once the Jersey Boys adaptation is complete. 

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In West Philadelphia, born and raised… The original (O.G.) Aunt Vivian (the better one) Janet Hubert says she is tired of fighting with the Fresh Prince himself, Will Smith. Hubert spent three seasons as the mother on the hit 90s sitcom, and portrayed Vivian as a much stronger and more intelligent mother figure than her replacement. But her and Smith never got along; she even went so far as saying Smith made her life a living hell. After twenty years of fighting she just wants to make peace with the rest of the cast. "I would say to him, we need to heal this. You've done some things, you've said some things, that were totally untrue and you know that they were untrue. I've said some things that I probably should have never said… I'm tired. Aren't you tired Will?" She was also asked by TheGrio.com if she would participate in a reunion and she said 'absolutely.' This is a far cry from her comments in when Will posted a picture on Facebook of the cast hanging out in 2011 where she told TMZ "There will never be a reunion, as I will never do anything with an asshole like Will Smith. He is still an egomaniac and has not grown up. This constant reunion thing will never ever happen in my lifetime unless there is an apology, which he doesn't know the word." I just love that show. That is all.

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It has been five long months since the San Francisco Giants captured their second World Series in three years, but have no fear, baseball is back tonight. The season kicks off with the Texas Rangers at Minute Maid Park playing their new divisional rivals, the Houston Astros. The 'Stros made the jump to the American League after spending their entire existence in the National League, giving Major League Baseball's six divisions an even five teams a piece. Houston also changed their uniforms, resurrecting the old colour scheme from the Astrodome era. I dig them. That is the only game this evening but don't worry, on Monday there are some great games lined up with 24 teams in action. The Red Sox and Yankees renew pleasantries at Yankee Stadium, the Champion Giants kick off their season against the Dodgers in Los Angeles, the Cubs are taking on the Pirates in Pittsburgh and the Phillies are in Atlanta to challenge the Upton brothers and the Braves. Blue Jays kick off their season in Toronto on Tuesday night against the new-look Cleveland Indians. 

Want to go to a game? Concession stand prices can add up more than the ticket itself pretty quickly. Hot dogs at a Mets game? $6.25. At the Reds stadium? A buck. Four dollars for a twelve ounce glass of beer in Cleveland or 16 ounces for $8. Here some good info on the cheapest and most expensive ball park foods (check out the $23 hotdog at Arlington Stadium in Texas). Check out the story HERE. 

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The Toronto Maple Leafs are looking pretty sharp. Since they have burned me so many times I don't want to be overly optimistic, but cautiously so. First off, they are fast. They looked so good in the game against Ottawa last night it was crazy, a convincing 4-0 win, and are currently riding an 8 game point streak. Other than the now ridiculously stacked Pittsburgh Penguins, the Leafs have one of the most prolific offences in the last couple weeks, with two lines playing exceptionally well. The pairings of Lupul/Kadri and Kessel/van Riemsdyk have been carrying the team offensively. Lupul has tucked in seven goals in his five games since returning from injury, scored a coast to coaster against the Canes, and looks just as unstoppable as he did last when he was among league leaders in scoring before being injured. Nazem Kadri is finally playing the way Brian Burke figured he would and currently sits sixth in league scoring including last nights 4 point performance (and second hat trick of the season). With a dozen games remaining things are looking pretty good for some meaningful hockey in the spring, but if they want to make sure they get in there they better play meaningful hockey until the season ends and the big dance begins.

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Going to see Bad Religion with The Bronx this evening. Should be a killer show.. Bad Religion is always one of my favourite bands to see live and The Bronx should be great as well, having just released their stellar fourth album. Here's a song or two:

For those who are into some P&V in your music, check out Heavy MTL's card this year. Pretty not bad. Here's the official lineup for this year's festival, which is happening on August 10-11 at Parc Jean-Drapeau in Montreal:

Avenged Sevenfold

Rob Zombie

Megadeth

Godsmack

Danzig with Doyle

A Day To Remember

Children Of Bodom

Mastodon

August Burns Red

At the Gates

Amon Amarth

Machine Head

Steel Panther

Gwar

Of Mice & Men

Finntroll

Baroness

Wintersun

Obey the Brave

The Acacia Strain

Halestorm

All Shall Perish

Cryptopsy

Augury

Unexpect

Oceano

Within the Ruins

Structures

Blackguard

Slaves On Dope

Havok

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news feeds march 11

Kevin Smith's last film will be a third instalment in the 'Clerks' series, calling it the "best movie I'll ever make." Smith has noted that the script will be a book first before being made into a film. The first movie was made for pennies (in Hollywood terms) and holds up/is still as funny as it ever was. I found 'Clerks 2' to be a little on the weaker side, and that film actually coincided with my View Askew Universe obsession coming to an end. Smith has made 'Clerks, 'Mallrats,' 'Chasing Amy,' 'Dogma,' "Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back,' and 'Clerks II' within the little universe he created. He has also put out 'Zach & Miri Make a Porno,' 'Jersey Girl,' 'Cop Out' and 'Red State.' Smith posted an image of the title page for the script on his Facebook page along with this note: 

THE BEGINNING OF THE END

20 years ago today, we started shooting CLERKS. 20 years later, with no plan or provocation, I jumped out of bed at 4:20 this morning and started writing CLERKS III. It's been like hanging out with old friends. And after two hours of tapping the keys and giggling, I have come to a conclusion… CLERKS III will be the best film I'll ever make. 

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In case we didn't know that Tom Hanks was an all-around awesome dude, he has provided more evidence to further prove that notion. Mr. Hanks, the two time Academy Award winner, was out at a bar putting back a couple pints with a friend when they noticed a some jovial fans in a nearby booth. Tom went over to the part-timers to see if he they were enjoying their eve and he took some hilariously candid photos with the intoxicated patrons. 

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"Women from all over the world have come together for pride, for glory and to honour greats before them, we are down to the final four, so strap on your seatbelts and get ready for some vagina weightlifting!" How stupid does that sound? Unfortunately, it is closer to reality that it ever should be. Tatyana Kozhenvnikova owns the title of World's Strongest Vagina because of her weightlifting prowess with said organ. In 2009, she hoisted 31 pounds and recently put her talents on display on the UK series, "The Body Shocking Show" on a segment that will air later this week. Unfortunately for Tatyana, there is no official Guinness World Record for vagina weightlifting, a fact that was confirmed by a Guinness spokeswoman. ESPN will be picking up broadcast rights later this year. 

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In real sports news, the New York Yankees are a hurting' unit right now. The Bombers lost outfielder Nick Swisher to the Indians and catcher Russell Martin to the Pirates, Alex Rodriguez is out until August and now first basemen Mark Teixeira is on the shelf for 8-10 weeks. Most free agents, at least ones who boast any kind of power, have been scooped up long ago, and with the significant upgrades in Toronto and Boston (not to mention the always solid Rays and surprising Orioles) the Yankees face the reality of occupying the basement in the American League East. So, GM Brian Cashman (who is also on IR) decided to go another route and try to coax a couple former All-Stars out of retirement. Cashman stated that new retiree Chipper Jones would be "perfect" adding he'd "take him in a minute. I think everybody would." Chipper seems uninterested in returning but Cashman insists it doesn't hurt to ask. They have also reached out to 2005 NL batting champ Derrick Lee, who should come at a decent price, since he hasn't played in the majors since 2011 and would be an immediate upgrade from any prospects the team currently has in their system. Juan Rivera played first in Sunday's game and seems to be the leading in-house candidate.

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Song. RETOX "Congratulations, You Are Good Enough"