Julianna Margulies attends the Tribeca Film Festival for the screening of “City Island”

Actress Julianna Margulies attends the Tribeca Film Festival special sponsor screening of ‘City Island’ at Tribeca Cinemas on June 30, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for Tribeca Film Festival). Content © 2009 Getty Images . All rights reserved.

 

Katrina Halili wants other charged for sex video scandal

The celebrity sex scandal continues to heat up in the Philippines as Filipino star Katrina Halili wants three more people charged for a sex video in which her former boyfriend Dr. Hayden Kho is alleged to have video taped the couple without consent (and his friend reportedly posted the videos on the Internet).

According to the Inquire.net:

In her reply-affidavit, Halili said the counter-affidavits of Erik Johnston Chua, Dr. Herbert “Bistek” Rosario and Princess Marie Velasco showed they were aware of the existence of the sex video but they conspired with Belo to keep it.

“Despite knowledge of the said sex video between Hayden and complainant, they did not report its commission to complainant and instead they concealed and destroyed the sex videos as admitted by them,” Halili said.

“In fact, in an effort to permanently hide the criminal offense committed by respondent Hayden against complainant Halili, whose sex video was taken without her knowledge and consent, Dra. Belo instructed Erik Chua to burn her a copy of all the sex videos and to delete all the sex videos found at the laptop taken from Hayden,” Halili said.

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Yuka Kagiyama – Love Player (a J!-ENT World Groove CD Single Review)

An average rock single and a decent debut for new avex trax vocalist Yuka Kagiyama…

ARTIST: Yuka Kagiyama

CD SINGLE: Love Player

LABEL: Avex Trax

CATALOG #: AVCD-31671

DURATION: 15:45

RELEASE DATE: June 24, 2009

BUY THIS CD SINGLE from:

 

MEGA MAN STAR FORCE 3 BLAZES TO NORTH AMERICAN RETAILERS ON NINTENDO DS

Two Versions of the Game — Black Ace and Red Joker — Double the Possibilities

San Mateo, Calif — June. 30, 2009 — Capcom®, a leading worldwide developer and publisher of video games, today announced that Mega Man Star Force ® 3 (MMSF3) for Nintendo DS™ has shipped to North American retailers. Mega Man Star Force 3 comes in two different versions, Black Ace and Red Joker, allowing friends to share unique items and powers utilizing the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, enhancing their individual characters. Mega Man Star Force 3 is rated E for Everyone by the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB) and carries a suggested retail price of $29.99.

As in the previous games, Mega Man Star Force 3 is a unique blend of an action and role-playing game (RPG), combining the high intensity combat that is the hallmark of Mega Man® games with Star Force’s strategic battle system. By defeating enemies and boss characters, players earn “battle cards” that enhance and evolve Mega Man’s abilities and attacks.

New to Mega Man Star Force 3 are “Noise Changes,” random enhancements that change Mega Man’s form and unlock new abilities. The two versions of the game, Black Ace and Red Joker, each have over 100 unique Noise Types that can be combined with Mega Man to unlock elemental powers based on earth, air, water and fire. The new Noise feature will add an exciting randomness to battles, encouraging players to explore, collect and battle across the digital world of Mega Man Star Force 3.

In Mega Man Star Force 3, players travel between the physical world and the digital world via electromagnetic waves that form “wave roads.” Geo Stelar, the protagonist of the game, can see these wave roads by using his unique “visualizer” tool. Once in the digital world, Geo can merge with the electronic life-form known as Omega-Xis to become Mega Man. The wave roads are being overrun by mysterious “noise” that change the player’s environment and powers in different ways. This noise is being generated by an approaching gigantic meteor that threatens both the physical and digital worlds of Mega Man Star Force 3, forcing Geo Stellar and his crew to fight the oncoming threat to save two worlds. Fortunately, Mega Man discovers that he can control the Noise, using the new “Noise Change” system to transform into many different forms, including the ultimate “Black Ace” or “Red Joker” forms.

 

The Middleman – The Complete Series (a J!-ENT DVD Review)

“Hilarious, witty, campy and outright enjoyable.  ‘The Middleman’ is a truly unique series that takes everything you enjoyed about ‘Men in Black’, 1960′s superhero/sci-fi shows, geek pop culture including plenty of zany pop culture references.  Definitely a series worth catching on DVD which is also packed with plenty of special features.  Satisfy your inner geek with this delightfully fun series!”

Images courtesy of © 2007 Shout Factory LLC and ABC Family Pictures Television Inc. All Rights Reserved.

DVD TITLE: The Middleman – The Complete Series

DURATION: 12 Episodes (9 hours)

COMPANY: Shout Factory/abc family

RATED: Not Rated

RELEASE DATE:  July 28, 2009

Created by Javier Grillo-Marxuach

Directed by Jeremiah S. Chechik and Michael Zinberg

Written by Javier Grillo-Marxuach, Les McClaine, Andy Reaser, Jordan Rosenberg, Tracey Stern, Sarah Watson

Music by Tree Adams

Director of Photography: John Newby and Douglas Koch

Edited by Raul Davalos, James Renfroe and Mallory Gottlieb

Casting by Michael V. Nicolo, Anya Collof, Amy McIntyre Britt

Production Design by Naomi Slodki

Art Direction by Sachiko Tanaka, Greg Venturi

Set Decoration by Judi Giovanni, Louise Roper

Costume Design by Danielle Launzel, Carla Hetland

Starring:

Matt Keeslar as The Middleman

Natalie Morales as Wendy Watson

Brit Morgan as Lacey Thornfield

Mary Pat Gleason as Ida

Jake Smollett as Noser

Brendan Hines as Tyler Ford

Drew Tyler Bell as Pip

Sean Davis as Joe90

Elaine Hendrix as Roxy Wasserman

Mark Sheppard as Manservant Neville

Based on the series of graphic novels by acclaimed writer Javier Grillo-Marxuach (Lost) and artist Les McClaine, The Middleman focuses on the titular superhero and his new protege, an aspiring artist named Wendy Watson.  Together they defend the Earth against “exotic problems” such as animated terra cotta warriors, menacing lucha libre wrestlers, extraterrestrials, trout-eating zombies and much, much more!

Both smart and exciting fans of all ages, The Middleman scored big with sci-fi fans and critics alike when it debuted as a live-action television series on ABC Family in June 2008. Now the complete series is available in one collectible 4-disc box set that is chockful of action, suspense, wit and bonus features brought straight to you by the cast and creators of The Middleman themselves.

“The Middleman” is a 12-episode television series which aired on abc family and is based on the Viper Comics series created by Javier Grillo-Marxuach (“Medium”,
“Lost” and “Jake 2.0″) and Les McClaine (“Highway 13″ and “Jonny Crosbones”).

The series received positive reviews from critics for its geek culture and parody of classic superhero and sci-fi shows but also a little “Men in Black” and “Get Smart” and fans of Javier’s work with “LOST” and the comic book series help give the series some hype with their fans.  To also give the series its zany and outrageous nature as seen on the comic books, Grillo-Marxuach has said that abc family were open to all ideas and let the crew become creative for each episode.

Unfortunately, part of the problem is that abc family has not been strong among its viewers for its sci-fi shows (despite the show being very supportive of sci-fi) and both “Kyle XY” and “The Middleman” despite positive critic reviews, were unable to gather strong enough ratings and both were unfortunately canceled.  All twelve episodes of “The Middleman” aired on abc family from June through September 2008.

But “The Middleman” continues to live on through its comic book series from Viper Comics and for the fans of the series, Shout Factory/abc family have released “The Middleman – The Complete Series” which is jam packed with special features.

The TV series revolved around a struggling artist named Wendy Watson (Natalie Morales) who lives with her friend Lacey Thornfield (Brit Morgan), another struggling artist in an illegal sublet.  One day, while looking for a job, Wendy Watson finds herself in a local laboratory where a science experiment has gone wrong.  She is then introduced to The Middleman (Matt Keeslar).

Wendy is then offered to become a Middleman herself and through training, joins the Middleman and his crotchety android assistant Ida (Mary Pat Gleason) combing the city and stopping/capturing supernatural beings.

Here is a brief synopsis (no spoilers) for each episode:

Disc 1:

• EPISODE 1 – The Pilot Episode Sanction – Introduction to the characters and how Wendy meets the mysterious Middleman.
• EPISODE 2 – The Accidental Occidental Conception – The Terra Cotta warriors from the Qin Dynasty are coming to life and Wendy must prepare for her mission but her argument with her friend/roommate Lacey is getting in the way.
• EPISODE 3 – The Sino-Mexican Revelation – To become a full-fledged Middleman, Wendy must go through training from Sensei Ping.  Meanwhile, Lucha Libre wrestlers are causing problems.
• EPISODE 4 – The Manicoid Teleportation Conundrum – The Middleman and Wendy must help a group of exiled aliens.

DISC 2:

• EPISODE 5 – The Flying Fish Zombification – There has been a zombie outrbreak and the Middleman and Wendy must find a killer fish that can create an antidote.
• EPISODE 6 – The Boy-Band Superfan Interrogation - The Middleman and Wendy must stop a foulmouthed boy-band obsessed 14-year-old girl (alien) who is trying to prevent the world famous boy band Varsity Fanclub (who are exiled aliens) from returning to their home planet.
• EPISODE 7 – The Cursed Tuba Contingency – A cursed tuba and its musician (who died in the sinking of the Titanic) are running loose in the city and those who hear the music will want to go to the icy waters of the North Atlantic and drown.  The Middleman and Wendy must stop the musician immediately.
• EPISODE 8 – The Ectoplasmic Pan-Hellenic Investigation – A ghost has been haunting a sorority house, the Middleman and Wendy must find out why.

DISC 3:

• EPISODE 9 – The Obsolescent Cryogenic Meltdown – The 2008 Middleman must work with the 1969 Middleman in order to catch the nemesis known as The Candle.
• EPISODE 10 – The Vampiric Puppet Lamentation – There has been a vampire resurgence in the city and the Middleman and Wendy must stop vampire domination.
• EPISODE 11 – The Clotharian Contamination Protocol - Ida becomes contaminated by Nanobots and make her evil.  Now the Middleman and Wendy must stop the wicked, crotchety android.
• EPISODE 12 - The Palindrome Reversal Palindrome – Wendy gets caught up in a time singularity and end ups in a Bizzaro World where the world is different.  Now Wendy must find a way to get home.

VIDEO & AUDIO:

“The Middleman” was shot on HD (1080i) and for the most part, the series looks good for a television series on DVD.   For the most part, the series looks very good on DVD, especially the outdoor shots which the series does have quite a lot.  The final episode looks great but again, another HD series that I wish would receive a Blu-ray HD transfer.

As for the audio, the audio is presented in Dolby Digital Surround.  Audio also plays an integral part as the sound effects play into the enjoyability of the show.  For instance, fans of “The Wilhelm Scream” will find it almost as a game to spot the scream on each episode.

Overall, picture and audio quality were well-done for “The Middleman” for its DVD release.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

“The Middleman – The Complete Series” contains hours special features spread out on each disc.  Included are:

DISC 1:

• Episode 1: The Pilot Episode Sanction – Commentary with Creator Javier Grillo-Marxuach and Director Jeremiah Chechik
  

DISC 2:

• Episode 7: The Cursed Tuba Contingency – Commentary with Creator Javier Grillo-Marxuach, Executive Producer Hans Beimlerand stars Matt Keeslar, Natalie Morales, Brit Morgan and Jake Smollett

DISC 3:

• Episode 11: The Clotharian Contamination Protocol – Commentary with Creator Javier Grillo-Marxuach and writers Margaret Dunlap, Sarah Watson, Andy Reaser and Jordan Rosenberg
• Episode 12: The Palindrome Reversal Palindrome – Commentary with Creator Javier Grillo-Marxuach and Stars Matt Keeslar and Natalie Morales

DISC 4:

• Web Featurettes: Online promotionals for each episode are included on this disc.  Here is a breakdown of the web featurettes:

- Who Are the Middlemen? - (4:47) Interviews with Creator and Executive Producer Javier Grillo-Marxuach and the talents about who are the middlemen.

- The Middleman Set Tour – (5:49) Creator and Executive Producer Javier Grillo-Marxuach gives us a tour of the operation center of the Middlemen.

- The Tech of the Middleman – (1:44) Creator and Executive Producer Javier Grillo-Marxuach and the talents talk about the various gadgets used on the show.

- From Script to Comic… – (3:02) The talents of the show talk about reading the comics and creator and Executive Producer Javier Grillo-Marxuach talks about bringing the comic to a television series.

- Varsity Fan Club Meets the Middleman – (2:55) Boy band Varsity Fan Club promote their appearance in the episode “The Boy-Band Superfan Interrogation”.

• Javi- Casts – (1:18:56) Videocasts in which Creator and Executive Producer Javier Grillo-Marxuach answers fan mail and promotes the upcoming episode.  A total of 12 Javi-Casts which you can “play all” or watch them separately.
• Gag Reel – (7:42) Bloopers from “The Middleman”.
• Alternate Scenes: Two alternate scenes are included:  “The Manicoid Teleportation Conundrum Opening” (1:38) and “The Flying Fish Zombification Pike Attack” (Storyboards, 1:47).
• Audition Footage – The audition footage for Natalie Morales (7:03), Brit Morgan (2:06), Jake Smollett (1:19) and Mary Pat Gleason (1:36).
• The Opening Title Sequences -  This includes the original animatic pitch, Title Sequence A and Title Sequence B.
• The Wilhelm Scream - (4:48) Creator and Executive Producer Javier Grillo-Marxuach talks about the history of “The Wilhelm Scream” and how its used on every series and how they wanted the editors to sneak the Wilhelm Scream in each episode.  For this DVD release, they include a compilation of where the scream is used from each episode.
• The Complete “The Palindrome Reversal Palindrome” Table Read - (56:02)  Featuring the complete table read and introduction of all the stars.  Overall, a jovial table read with a few tears considering this is crew and cast’s final episode together.
• The Middleman-ager - (19:53) This features a total of five sneak peaks used on television starring the Middleman-ager promoting the series and talking about abc family’s love for sci-fi.
• PSAs - (2:00) A total of five PSAs on Probes, DNA, Cheating, Vampire Cows and Mother Nature.
  
• “Scream Ur Luv 4 Me” Music Video - A music video by Varsity Fan Club.
• Ralph King Photo Gallery - (14:36) Photo gallery by Ralph King of the talent during filming and of the crew while filming an episode.
• Getting to Know Your Truth Bomb User Manual - An accompanying booklet that features an introduction by Series Creator Javier Grillo-Marxuach, episodes synopsis and production credits.

I absolutely enjoyed “The Middleman” series.  Its humor, its absurdity, its campiness which was all intentional in order to make a fun series about superheroes who must go after the supernatural.  Where you can find a series where its two heroes have to take on a killer fish, terra cotta warriors, stop vampire domination?

With so many sci-fi series so serious, it was great to have a series that had a delightful and yet not so serious, but fun and campy storyline and have a network supportive of its style and also the creator in his ability to produce something that is rare for television.

What I enjoyed the most is the various pop culture reference.  May it be Wendy talking about comic books (who can not love a comment about enjoying the classic X-Men and not the Ultimate X-Men series and whether or not a person enjoys Barry Allen or Wally West version of “The Flash”), to “Star Trek” and playing Castlevania on her old school Gameboy, there are so many of these references that will put a big smile on the faces of any old school sci-fi, tech and video game fan.  The back and forth banter between Wendy and The Middle Man is just hilarious and overall, you have to credit the writers for the witty and humorous dialogue.

It’s a shame that this series has been canceled.  With the popularity of the comedy sitcom “The Big Bang Theory”, shows like G4′s “Attack of the Show”, “The Middle Man” also lended itself to uber-geekiness but because of that, the show was unique in its own way and for those who appreciate such things, it was very cool and fun to watch.

Fans will definitely not be disappointed by this DVD release.  Featuring twelve enjoyable episodes and hours of special features, if you are looking for something different, crazy, campy but all out fun, then definitely check out “The Middleman – The Complete Series”!

 

honey and clover Vol. 6 by Chica Umino (a J!-ENT Manga Review)

“Volume 6 of ‘honey and clover’ is well-rounded in terms of character development.  Chica Umino does a wonderful job weaving through each of the characters emotions, may it be personal or career changing decisions.  This is definitely a volume in which many people can really understand the characters and the thoughts and anguish they are going through in regards to making important adult decisions.  Another excellent volume of ‘honey and clover’.  Highly recommended!”

(C) Image courtesy of Chica Umino.  All Rights Reserved.

MANGA TITLE: honey and clover vol. 6

STORY AND ART BY: Chica Umino (羽海野 チカ)

FIRST PUBLISHED IN JAPAN: SHUEISHA, Inc.

PUBLISHED IN USA BY: VIZ Media, LLC/Shojo Beat Manga

RATED: T for Older Teen

With graduation projects in full swing, Takemoto and Hagu are face-to-face with their future.  Takemoto’s complete lack of job prospects are making a sad situation worse, and Hagu just wants to return to her home in the country to pain.  With pressure mounting from the outside world, what life-altering choices will these two make?

Planning for the future and the fear of getting a job after college is a scary situation that many students go through and now Yuta Takemoto now wonders what job is willing to hire him but with all the stress, sometimes one needs to get some space and reflect and find themselves.

“honey and clover” vol. 6 is about discovery for each of our main characters.  Discovery of Yuta’s future, discovery of Hagu’s goal in life, discovery of Morita’s future, discover of Ayumi’s feeling for Mayama and vice versa.  And even Professor Hanamoto starts to realize that perhaps his dreams are being realized through one of his students.

In the manga series, “honey and clover” revolves around three guys who live in an apartment complex and attend an art school.   By the sixth volume, many of the the students have graduated and are working careers.  With the last remaining two, Takemoto and Hagu now pondering their future as they are about to graduate.

Here is a brief summary of each character of “honey and clover”:

Yuta Takemoto: One of the primary characters, Takemoto is the youngest of the guys and majoring in architectural design.  He is the normal guy of the group and trying to find himself.  He has fallen for Hagu but is not the type to share his emotions or act upon them.  It’s his moment to find a career and is very unsure of what he wants to do.

Shinobu Morita: A carefree, does whatever he wants type of guy.  Very cool but very strange.  A gifted sculptor who has attended the University for years, has not graduated but tends to make money doing freelance work and constantly on the move.    With everyone going through major life changes, it’s starting to have its effect on Morita.

Takumi Mayama: Mayama is the only one among the friends who have graduated and working his career job as a graphic designer.  His love is for his boss named Rika but she doesn’t see him that way, especially since she lost her husband in an accident not too long ago.  Meanwhile, he knows that Ayumi has loved him for a long time but he doesn’t share the same feelings for her.  But yet he gets jealous when his co-worker Nomiya tries to get close to Ayumi.

The two female characters are:

Hagumi: A shy, gifted  sculptor who is graduating and has a lot of pressure to perform.  But now she’s starting to discover that being world renown for her paintings may not be her thing.

Ayumi Yamada: Yamada aka “Iron Man” has graduated from college but still tends to help out at the art college and assist her family’s business.  She is so much in love with Mayama but knows that he doesn’t feel the same.  She now flirts with Mayama’s co-worker Nomiya-san in order to get him jealous.

And two characters that is not part of the main group but important to the storyline:

Professor Hanamoto: Just like one of the guys, Hanamoto is the guardian of Hagumi and more or less like an adviser to the students.  He has observed his students and tries to assist them and point them in the right direction.  But he is reminded by Takemoto that he’s very much like him when he graduated from school.

Rika: A former classmate and a close friend of Professor Hanamoto and is running a graphic design business by herself after the death of her partner and husband.  She has been distant and depressed since the death of her husband and knows that Mayama is trying to help her.

Mayama’s co-workers at Fujiwara Architects also play a role in the series:

Miwako – The boss of Fujiwara Architects and likes to make fun of her employees and make them feel uncomfortable at times.  And very close to her dog.

Nomiya – The suave and calm architect that knows Yamada is trying to get Mayama jealous and goes with it. But at the same time, can’t understand why she’s head over heels in love with Mayama.

Yamazaki - An employee at Fujiwara Architects that has a crush on Miwako but Miwako tends to look at him as an employee she can try to take advantage and make fun of.

Here is what to expect from volume 6 (summaries only, no spoilers):

Chapter 35 – Mayama tries to find out why Yamada cares so much for Mayama despite Mayama not having the same feelings for her.

Chapter 36 – Mayama and Morita stress out when Yamada has not come home and wonder if Nomiya has taken advantage of her.

Chapter 37 – Everyone is going through life and career changes and wondering what their future holds for them.

Chapter 38 – Professor Hanamoto may be able to pull some strings and get Takemoto a job.

Chapter 39 – Takemoto leaves without contacting anyone or leaving a message and tries to find himself.

Chapter 40 – Takemoto tries to survive with what little money he has, while he tries to discover himself.  Morita tries to do the same.

Bonus Chapter – Miwako tries her best to embarrass her employee Yamazaki by buying him the most ridiculous clothes she can find and making him wear it.

Also, included after the final chapter is  “Challenge Club”, a story about Umino’s passion for collecting seashells.  Also, a chapter of “Otaku House Call!” is included as no matter how Umino tries to not look Otaku, somehow Otaku’s zero in on her.  Also, included is a Honey and Clover Study Guide which explains certain Japanese terminology featured in volume 6.

The sixth volume of “honey and clover” definitely captures the angst, the humor, the enjoyment of each character.  In fact, I would have to say that this volume was well-rounded as everyone is featured and is more dramatic in terms of each person now trying to find themselves and sort out their own feelings and emotions of their life and their career.

With this volume, I think that many readers can feel the emotions that these characters feel.  Takemoto’s uneasiness and stress of trying to find a new job after college, Morita seeing everyone making life changing decisions and knowing that he needs to do the same and of course, Mayama and Yamada starting to understand their emotions towards each other and knowing that they need to move forward alone.

Overall, “honey and clover” vol. 6 is another wonderful volume from the popular Chica Umino series.  Despite the craziness of Morita, nearly every character in the manga series are quite real and I can sympathize and understand these characters and what they are going through.

Again, if you have been curious about this manga series, “honey and clover” is just a magnificent series featuring cool character designs but most of all, a well-written storyline about five friends growing up as college students and now entering their lives as young adults and planning for their careers.

“honey and clover” vol. 6 is highly recommended!

 

Child goes nuts when parents threaten to have MapleStory account disabled

In another crazy gamers news story, this time we go to Japan where an addicted Maple Story player goes off on parents after his parents try to disable his account.

Here is an excerpt from a column from the Daily Mainichi:

A third-year junior high school student, her son became obsessed with the online role-playing game MapleStory last fall. He had gotten good grades up to that point, and his parents, who had had high hopes for him, panicked when he stopped going to school. When they asked the game’s publisher Nexon Corp. to disable their son’s MapleStory log-in capability this past April, their son turned violent, prompting them to call the police. The boy, frantic, leaned out a second-story window and screamed that he would die if he couldn’t play the game. Worn down, his parents pleaded with Nexon to reinstate the account.

The boy now sits in front of the computer 15 hours a day. Once outgoing and expressive, now “he has a stern gaze and looks like a different person,” his mother laments. “He’s brusque with us, but sometimes, when he’s facing the computer screen, he’ll suddenly let out a chuckle…”

Read more of this article

 

Mariah Carey on the set for the filming of her new music video

Singer Mariah Carey appears on set during filming for her new music video ‘Obsessed’ at The Plaza Hotel June 29, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images). Content © 2009 Getty Images . All rights reserved.

 

Pat Gudauskas Sets Sights on South Africa After Rebounding to Seventh on ASP WQS

Patrick Gudauskas, 23, has been battling it out in the trenches on the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Qualifying Series (WQS) for years now and the San Clemente talent is devoted to earning his spot on the ASP World Tour.

Gudauskas just had an amazing run at the ASP 6-Star PRIME SriLankan Airlines Pro, launching him to seventh overall on The Grind and now the innovative regular-footer is out to carry his momentum to the ASP 6-Star Mr. Price Pro Ballito.

“I think maldives was a big turning point in my season,” Gudauskas said. “I’ve got a lot of confidence in my surfing right now. I’ve got great equipment, and I think it was a huge booster to pull out some big moves over there. I’m hoping that momentum will carry over to this next leg. I’ve been surfing a ton and I’m looking for a win in South Africa.”

Gudauskas’ clutch performance at the SriLankan Airlines Pro could not have come at a better time. After a booming season opening performance at the O’Neill Cold Water Classic in Tasmania, Gudauskas had stumbled a bit and slipped down the ratings when he suffered an early round elimination in a stacked Round of 48 heat at his home break of Lower Trestles, but used his brother Tanner’s success to build his confidence back up for the Maldives event.

“Lowers was a dissapointment for myself,” Gudauskas said. “I felt like I was surfing good, I even lost with a 16 point heat total. It was just one of those heats where Benny Bourgeois and Sebass (Sebastien Zietz) stepped up and took the heat. Tanner carried through to the quarters and that really got me heated up to do well in Maldives. It seems that I have had some close losses in the last couple of events, so I didn’t want to leave anything to chance in the Maldives. It’s a high-performance wave and I wanted to step up my level of surfing for it. Also I got onto a really good board, an Al Merrick Proton, the thing was magic carpet, and that made a huge difference in my confidence at that wave.”

Gudauskas did more than just make the Final at the Premier event at Pasta Point, he managed to punt, and land, the first two inverted airs in ASP history.

“It’s for sure been one of the new moves that all the progressive free-surfers have been doing,” Gudauskas said. “For me it started watching Aaron Cormican do one at trestles a couple of years back. I thought it was a really exciting and different move and wanted to master it. It seems like today a lot of people can do them, but it’s maybe one of those things that surfers would try 50 times and stick once or twice. I think that’s why to be completed in a heat is pretty radical. The chances of you sticking one in a 25 minute pressure cooker window of time are pretty slim.”

The explosive talent is pushing the barrier of combining progressive free-surfing maneuvers while using them to his competitive advantage and finds his name alongside the likes of free-surfing magicians such as Jordy Smith and Dane Reynolds.

“It’s really exciting to have my name up there with guys like Dane and Jordy,” Gudauskas said. “They’re definitely the most progressive surfers out there right now, and some of my favorite guys to surf with. I think that really pulling a rodeo in a heat is only a preview of things to come from our generation and younger. Guys like Dane and Jordy are pulling massive tricks and moves all the time in comps and in free-surfs. Hopefully it’s the evolution of competitive surfing to continue to grow in excitement. It’s a spectator’s sport, and I think people want to see exciting stuff.”

Gudauskas will continue his ASP WQS campaign at the Mr. Price Pro Ballito, which runs from June 29 through July 5, 2009.

To watch the event live log on to www.mrpricepro.com

For additional ASP information check out www.aspworldtour.com or www.aspnorthamerica.org

 

THE DEEP (a J!-ENT Blu-ray Disc Review)

“Before films like ‘Into the Blue’, ‘The Beach’ and ‘The Island’ were made, ‘THE DEEP’ captured audiences through its magnificent aquatic cinematography back in 1977  and its suspenseful storyline.  Nearly 32 years later, the film gets its High Definition Blu-ray transfer enhancing the picture quality and the overall detail.”

Images courtesy of © Original 1977 Theatrical Version: © 1977, renewed 2005 Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. All Rights Reserved. | Extended 1980 Version: © 1977, renewed 2005, © 1980 Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

TITLE: THE DEEP

DURATION: 124 minutes

BLU-RAY DISC INFORMATION: 1080p High Definition (2:35:1), English, French, Portuguese Dolby TrueHD 5.1, Spanish 5.1.  Subtitles in English, English SDH, French, Portuguese and Spanish

COMPANY:  Columbia Pictures/Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

RATED: PG

Release Date: July 7, 2009

Directed by Peter Yates

Based on a novel by Peter Benchley

Screenplay by Peter Benchley and Tracy Keenan Wynn

Produced by Peter Guber

Associated Produced by George Justin

Music by John Barry

Director of Photography: Christopher Challis

Edited by David Berlatsky

Casting by Jane Feinberg, Mike Fenton

Production Design by Anthony Masters

Art Direction by Jack Maxsted

Set Decoration by Vernon Dixon

Costume Design by Ron Talsky

Starring:

Robert Shaw as Romer Treece

Jacqueline Bisset as Gail Berke

Nick Nolte as David Sanders

Louis Gossett Jr. as Henri Cloche

Eli Wallach as Adam Coffin

This lavish, suspense-filled film was made from Peter (Jaws) Benchley’s best-selling novel. Gail Berke (Jacqueline Bisset) and David Sanders (Nick Nolte) are on a romantic holiday in Bermuda when they come upon the sunken wreck of a WWII freighter. Near it, they find an ampule of morphine, one of tens of thousands still aboard the wrecked ship. Their discovery leads them to a Haitian drug dealer,Cloche (Louis Gossett), and an old treasure hunter, Romer Treece (Robert Shaw). With Cloche in pursuit, Gail, David and Treece try to recover the sunken treasure.

Before “The Island”, “Into the Blue” and “The Beach”, there was the 1977 underwater suspenseful thriller known as “The Deep”.

Based on the very popular novel by Peter Benchley (who wrote the popular novel “Jaws” and “The Island” which both would receive film adaptions), the suspenseful aquatic film adaption would be directed by Peter Yates (“Krull”, “Roommates” and “Bullit”) and a screenplay by Benchley and Tracy Keenan Wynn (“The Net”, “The Longest Yard” and “The Glass House”).   The film would feature the music by John Barry (“Indecent Proposal”, “Madagascar”, “The Scarlet Letter” and “Dances with Wolves”) and cinematography by Christopher Challis (“Force 10 from Navarone”, “Two for the Road” and “Top Secret!”).

The film would star Robert Shaw (“Force 10 from Navarone”, “Jaws” and “The Sting”), Jacqueline Biset (“Nip/Tuck”, “Joan of Arc”, “Bullit” and “When Time Ran Out”), Nick Nolte (“The Prince of Tides”, “Hulk” and “48 Hrs.”) and Louis Gossett Jr. (“Iron Eagle”, “Diggstown” and “Roots”).

The film revolves around a scuba diving couple, David Sanders (Nick Nolte) and Gail Berke (Jacqueline Bisset) who found the wreckage of the Goliath (a ship that sunk during World War II in Bermuda).  The two start to look at the  artifacts found and discover a medallion from 1714.  During the search at the wreckage, something has grabbed Gail and tried to pull her in but she manages to escape.

When the two return from their search, because of the belongings they found, they start to make certain locals suspicious of their actions.  With their research into the medallion going nowhere, the group enlist the help of lighthouse-keeper and treasure hunter Romer Treece (Robert Shaw).  As Sanders and Treece start to show several people an ampule brought from the wreckage, the local drug kingpin Henri Cloche (Louis Gossett, Jr.) is interested in the Goliath primarily for its morphine cargo.

Cloche kidnaps both Sanders and Treece and looks for the artifacts but fortunately for the couple, they left the belongings with Treece and are eventually let go.

While the couple and Treece have their sites set on the wreckage that the Goliath may have unearthed and finding long lost treasure, Cloche is only interested in getting the morphine from the Goliath and will do whatever it takes to get it.

The film was released in two versions with a 3-hour version featured on television.  The film on this Blu-ray is the 124 minute version.

VIDEO & AUDIO:

“THE DEEP” makes its way to Blu-ray ala High Definition (2:40:1 aspect ratio) and like many recent Sony Pictures Home Entertainment releases on Blu-ray, Sony has elected to keep the film process and feature the grain than using DNR (Digital Noise Reduction) which many people have complained in the past, giving it a soft, lack of detail look.

With the release of “THE DEEP”, the transfer definitely showcases the detail of the film and vibrancy of Bermuda island with its greens and brown sand and light blue waters.    For a film that was made in 1977, the HD transfer definitely captures the era with its warm color and blacks are nice and deep.  And for a film created during its time, how it looks on Blu-ray is well done.

When “THE DEEP” opened in theaters, what caught the attention of many people was the beautiful aquatic cinematography  and of course, a certain swimming scene at the beginning featuring Jacqueline Bisset.  And this 32-year-old film looks very good on Blu!

As for the audio, audio is presented in English, French, Portuguese Dolby TrueHD 5.1 (and Spanish 5.1).  For the most part, the film is front channel driven.  There are times that you hear occasional  effects and a musical score that come alive at times.  But for the most part, I felt the audio was good for a film for its time but for the most part, the lossless track was average.  In fact, at times during the film I felt I had to increase the audio to hear the dialog.

Subtitles are presented in English, English SDH, French, Portuguese and Spanish.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

“THE DEEP” comes with two special features and is BD Live Enabled.

• Prologue – The Goliath Sinks (3:06) – How the Goliath sunk during World War II
• Romer Treece’s Disposition – (1:06) both Dan and Gail learn a little about Romer.
• Treece and David Harassed by Cloche’s Goons – (2:12) While scuba diving, Cloche sends a few of his men to scare both Treece and David.
• Pillow Talk - (6:22) A longer, romantic scene between David and Gail.
• Extended Conversation between Cloche and Treece – (3:22)  The two make an uneasy business proposition to work together.
• Treece’s Past Revealed -  (5:19) Gail tries to learn about what happened to Treece’s wife.

There is also a selection to watch trailers and latest releases from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.

The 1977 film “THE DEEP” was an interesting film at the time.  Considering that the film would showcase the Bermuda islands and the beautiful blue oceans, there was a lot of expectation from fans who were mesmerized by “JAWS” and have had hopes that they would get another equally, terrifying underwater film with “THE DEEP”.

For the most part, there were scenes in the film that could be seen as terrifying but for the most part, the film was an adventure film that had equal portions of romantic drama, suspense and even a killer aquatic eel (which unlike “JAWS” is not the main antagonist of the film).  But many critics enjoyed the film for its showcasing underwater cinematography and for Jacqueline Bisset fans, the film was almost in a similar context of how male viewers today felt about Jessica Alba for “Into the Blue”.

But the overall storyline for “THE DEEP” is not exactly strong and although it does manage to keep enough action and suspense to keep the viewer interested,  there are scenes that really go in depth into the characters are featured on the 3-hour version that aired on cable, it’s a bit of a disappointment that this version is not on the Blu-ray (selected scenes from the 3-hour version are featured in the special features).

Overall, “THE DEEP” is a film that inspired many similar films thereafter and its box office success did help in the funding for Producer Peter Guber’s Academy Award winning film “MIDNIGHT EXPRESS”.  But the Blu-ray does bring out the beauty of Bermuda and features detail that overshadows the picture quality of the original DVD release.  If you are a big fan of this classic film, then definitely give “THE DEEP” a try.

 

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