First Look at Will Smith’s New Movie, Hancock

April 28th, 2008 by david lay

A while ago, I posted the initial trailer for Will Smith’s New Movie, Hancock. This new superhero comedy is, as many have pointed out, in danger of being left by the wayside this summer due to a sizeable list of competitors.

Iron Man, Batman, and The Hulk could own the “superhero” market - not to mention Indiana Jones, but one should never underestimate the box office draw that is Will Smith. Additionally, Hancock’s July 2nd release date gives it the edge on Independence Day weekend. So, we’ll see what happens. Personally, I think it’ll do just fine.

Here is a first look at Will Smith’s Hancock:

Posted in Movies | 5 Comments

Sheryl Crow In Concert

April 25th, 2008 by david lay

Sheryl Crow is coming to concert in Utah on August 25th at USANA Amphitheater

Sheryl Crow, a nine-time Grammy winner has announced her summer tour dates for 2008, and among them is a stop at Utah’s USANA Amphitheater. Sheryl’s Detours tour will be making a stop in Utah on August 25th.

Joining Crow for her tour are: Reggae act, Toots and the Maytals and British singer/songwriter James Blunt - both of whom were handpicked by Crow for this tour.

Crow’s sixth album, “Detours” was released last month and has risen to #2 on the Billboard 200. Crow says “Detours” is a highly personal album inspired by recent experiences in her life such as her battle with breast cancer, her newly adopted child, and her highly public break up with cyclist Lance Armstrong.

Tickets for Sheryl Crow, James Blunt, and Toots and the Maytals at Utah’s USANA Amphitheater will go on sale April 26th at 10 through SmithTix and the E Center box office.

Posted in Utah Concerts, Music | 1 Comment

Jimmy Fallon Taking Over for Conan

April 25th, 2008 by david lay

Many people have been speculating about the future of Late Night once Conan O’Brien takes over the Tonight Show next year, and now that question has been answered.

No sooner were Stu, Alex, and I watching (or attempting to watch) one of Fallon’s great characters, Nick Burns, The Company Computer Guy, on YouTube than the news came across the wire.

Check out the full story at Fox News.

Posted in Television | 3 Comments

Mötley Crüe Announces Crüe Fest 2008

April 16th, 2008 by david lay

The Summer’s Loudest Show on Earth - in Concert in Utah

Mötley Crüe will be performing at USANA Amphitheater on July 29th as part of their Crüe Fest 2008. Fans in 45 cities across the US will be treated to the Mötley Crüe’s unique brand of hard rock mayhem, and Utah will be among one of the stops they make this summer.

Vince Neil, Mick Mars, Nikki Sixx, and Tommy Lee are touring once again and have vowed to make Crüe Fest 2008 the “Loudest Show on Earth”.

Tickets for Crüe Fest 2009 at Utah’s USANA Amphitheater are available through SmithsTix, the E Center Box office and USANA-Amp.com and are on sale NOW!

Posted in Utah Concerts, Music | 2 Comments

Iron Man Trailer to Be Adapted into Feature

April 15th, 2008 by david lay

Here’s some rather polarizing news just released about the future of the wildly popular Iron Man trailer that we have all come to know and love over the past few weeks.

I warn you however, the news may be hard for some diehard fans of the trailer to swallow…

The Onion brings us more:

Posted in Yada Yada, Movies | 1 Comment

STP Reunion Tour Includes Utah Concert

April 14th, 2008 by david lay

Stone Temple Pilots’ long awaited reunion concert tour is kicking off this summer and will include a stop at Utah’s E Center.

On June 11th, Stone Temple Pilots is set to appear in Utah for the first time in nearly 10 years as they embark on a massive 65 city reunion tour across the nation.

They are doing some very innovative things in this tour including a “Pick a Set” promotion that allows fans to pick the setlist for their shows.

This is going to be a massive tour and sure to be one of the summer’s most sought after concerts tickets. I loved Stone Temple Pilots back in “the day”, and I am glad to see them getting back out to the concert circuit and even gladder that they are bringing their reunion tour to Utah.

This information is brand new (not even on the E Center website yet), and no pre-sale or ticket information is set up yet, but keep a look out for tickets as I’m sure they’ll go fast!

Posted in Utah Concerts, Music | No Comments

John Mayer Coming to Utah

April 14th, 2008 by david lay

Blackberry Presents John Mayer Live in Concert

 

John Mayer has been added to this summer’s Utah concert slate, along with special guests,Colbie Caillat and Brett Dennen. The Trio will be bringing their mellow musical stylings to concert in Usana Amphitheater in West Valley, Utah on July 21st, 2008.

Tickets for this event will go on sale Saturday, April 19th at 10 AM through Smithstix.

Posted in Utah Concerts, Music | No Comments

Disney Announces Four Years Worth of Movies

April 9th, 2008 by david lay

The world’s most popular production company, Disney, announced their slate of planned animated movies today. In all, they have announced 10 new animated pictures that will be released over the next four years. I thought some of them were pretty noteworthy, so I pass them along.

The next major release from Disney is the robot love story, Wall•E, which is set to release on June 28th of this year. I have seen preview after preview of this one and it really doesn’t appeal to me, nevertheless, your kids are gonna love it!

Next will be Bolt, the story of a dog (voiced by John Travolta) who thinks that he might have super powers (super Scientologist powers?). The biggest star in the world, Miley Cyrus is voicing Penny, Bolt’s owner. Bolt will be released in Digital 3D.

On May 29th, 2009 Disney will release Up, the story of a 78 year old adventurer and his eight year old sidekick. Up will also be released in Digital 3D. Sounds interesting… the idea is very unique, if nothing else.

Following Up, will be The Princess and the Frog - a traditionally animated (hand-drawn) fairy tale set in New Orleans which will be released around Christmas of 2009. I remember when they said that Home on the Range was the last of the traditionally animated Disney films — this was undoubtedly a gimmick to help increase its popularity. Glad they’re still at it.

Toy Story and Toy Story 2 will be rereleased in digital 3D on October 2, 2009 and Feb. 12, 2010, respectively after which, on June 18th, 2010, Toy Story 3 will make its long awaited arrival - also in Digital 3D. These are perhaps the most exciting to me as they mark the continuation of the original computer animated/Pixar technology that marked the biggest change in animated film since color. I am truly fascinated in cinema milestones, and Toy Story is up there with Snow White and even The Jazz Singer, when it comes to innovation.

Following Toy Story 3, will be the retelling of the classic Brothers Grimm fairy tale, Rapunzel. She will be letting down her long, golden hair around Christmas 2010. Rapunzel is bound to be a popular. It’s an age-old tale that will be gaining immortality by Disney. It will also be released in Digital 3D.

Newt will be the next up. Newt is due out in the summer of 2011 and will tell the story of the last two blue-footed newts on the planet that aims to show us all that “love is not necessarily a science”. Hmmm…

The Bear and the Bow, due out Christmas 2011, will tell the story a royal family in rugged and mythic land of Scotland. Reese Witherspoon, Billy Connolly, and Emma Thompson will provide voices for this action-adventure that will be in Digital 3D.

Cars 2 will bring back Lightning McQueen and his best pal Mater, as they bid to take on the fastest cars in the world. Cars 2, in (you guessed it) Digital 3D, will be released summer 2012. Of all the Disney movies in the last 10 years (post Toy Story), Cars was definitely my favorite. Here’s hoping for a good sequel!

Christmas of 2012 will bring us King of Elves, which interestingly, is based on a 1953 short story by Philip K. Dick. In addition to King of Elves, Dick wrote Blade Runner, A Scanner Darkly, and Minority Report - should make for an interesting adaptation.

It’s pretty cool of Disney to let us know their plans four years in advance… if not a little overwhelming. It definitely gives us something to constantly be looking forward to, though.

Here are some external links for your perusal:

Read the official press release from PRNewswire.

Check out the Wall•E Trailer at Apple.com.

View the Bolt movie poster from Empire Movies.

Posted in Yada Yada, Movies | No Comments

The McFly 2015 Project

April 8th, 2008 by david lay

This is Heavy, Doc

One of my favorite movies growing up (and still to this day) was Back to the Future. I think that the trilogy was, without a doubt, one of the most entertaining Hollywood phenomena to grace the 80’s.

So imagine my excitement when I found out that Nike may be considering releasing the McFly: those futuristic, self-buckling high tops worn by Marty McFly in the year 2015, a time when the Cubbies win the world series, Jaws 19 hits theaters, and cars can fly (funny how none of these things is likely to happen in the next 7 years - calm down Cubs fans, I’m sure this really IS your year).

The good folks at McFly2015.com are on our side, and have vowed to help Nike come to the decision to market these one-of-a-kind sneaks. According to their website, the McFly 2015 Project is:

…a grassroots movement to get Nike to make available to consumers the futuristic-looking sneakers seen in the 1989 movie Back to the Future Part 2.

While Nike has given no official work as of yet regarding the possible future of these shoes, but rest assured, Nike, they would be a hit!

Learn more about the McFly 2015 Project via their Myspace Page and visit their Official Site for more information, updates and, most importantly, to show your support for the McFly 2015 Project.

Thanks for your time… Now make like a tree - and get out of here!

Posted in Yada Yada, Movies | Comments Off

James Taylor Brings Rhythm to Utah

April 8th, 2008 by david lay

When I was in high school, I made a list of five musical acts that I MUST see before I die. One of them was James Taylor. I have managed to miss out on seeing him in concert several times in the past, but that streak will (knock on wood)be ending on August 4th, 2008.

James Taylor and His Band of Legends will be performing a concert at Utah’s USANA Amphitheater this summer!

The uber-talented singer-songwriter will make a stop in West Valley City during his North American Tour in support of his upcoming fall release - a covers album inspired by the works of Chuck Berry, Big Mama Thornton, Junior Walker, and others, but there is no doubt that he will be serenading the crowd with some of his greatest hits as well.

Tickets for the event will go on sale this Saturday at 10am and will be available at all SmithsTix outlets and the E Center box office. Ticket prices range from $29 to $85.

Posted in Utah Concerts, Music | No Comments

Utah Concerts - The Summer So Far

April 7th, 2008 by david lay

Despite the weather, the summer is coming, and, though a full slate of summer concerts in Utah is not yet announced, there have been some fine acts booked that will help make this summer a fun one.

For starters, BB King is playing The Depot on April 15th, and Ben Folds will be gracing the stage at The Great Saltair on April 23rd. What a great way to carry us into the summer! Dave Matthews Band and Jack Johnson return in August (27th and 18th, respectively) to Usana Amphitheaterto close the summer out with a bang.

I’m sure there will be a ton of additional acts to fill in the gaps, but for now here is a list of Utah Concerts coming this summer.

BB King	April 15th	The Depot
The Pink Floyd Experience	April 17th	Dee Events Center
Apocalyptica	April 21st	In the Venue
Ben Folds	April 23rd	The Great Saltair
Dierks Bentley	April 26th	E Center
Celtic Woman	April 26-29	Kingsbury Hall
The Used	May 1st	The Great Saltair
Pennywise	May 6th	The Great Saltair
Margot and the Nuclear So and So’s	May 17th	Kilby Court
The Cure	May 23rd	E Center
Nightmare of You	May 25th	Solid Ground Cafe
The Kooks	May 28th	Avalon Theater
Charlie Daniels Band	May 30th	Usana Amphitheatre
White Rabbits	May 30th	Monk’s House of Jazz
Tiger Army	May 31st	In The Venue
Ladytron	June 2nd	In The Venue
Kanye West	June 9th	E Center
Mark Knopfler	June 25th	Abravanel Hall
Tim McGraw	June 27th	Usana Amphitheatre
Vans Warped Tour	June 28th	Utah State Fairgrounds
Crosby, Stills, and Nash	June 28th	Peppermill Concert Hall
311	June 30th	Usana Amphitheater
Cyndi Lauper	July 4th	Usana Amphitheatre
Journey	July 11th	Usana Amphitheatre
Aimee Mann	July 12th	Deer Valley Resort
Low	July 15th	In The Venue
The Police	July 19th	Usana Amphitheatre
Steve Miller Band	July 30th	Usana Amphitheatre
James Taylor	August 4th	Usana Amphitheatre
Jack Johnson	August 18th	Usana Amphitheatre
Poison	August 20th	Usana Amphitheatre
Dave Matthews Band	August 27th	Usana Amphitheatre

Posted in Utah Concerts, Music | 1 Comment

Stadium of Fire Sells Out in Minutes

April 7th, 2008 by david lay

Yours Truly Gets the Shaft…Again

Tickets went on sale for this summer’s Stadium of Fire last week and tickets were sold out in less than 20 minutes.

Of course, we all knew that this year’s concert combination of Miley Cyrus and Blue Man Group would surely be a phenomenal success when combined with everyone’s favorite celebrity speaker, Glenn Beck. But the magnitude of the situation was underestimated by many, myself included.

I’m sure many of the tickets are safely in the hands of ticket brokers who will sell them for 10 times their face value. This is pretty much par-for-the-course when it comes to Hannah Montana tickets, but it’s just as infuriating for those who really want to go, nevertheless. Now, I don’t count myself in that group, and in all honesty, I was buying them myself for their resell value, but I have a younger sister, who would have loved to go, as I’m sure thousands of other little girls would have, but they won’t be so fortunate, unless their daddies are dot com millionaires.

The same thing happened when I was trying to buy tickets to the Boston Red Sox/Colorado Rockies World Series last year - only, I was going to actually use the tickets then - no reselling. After an hour and a half in the ‘virtual waiting room’ at the Colorado Rockies’ website, I found out the tickets were all sold to ticket brokers and rich Denverites. It was very upsetting, to say the least.

But alas, this is the world we live in. For me, there will be many other opportunities to exploit others via eBay and Craig’s list for large amounts of money. Until then, the ticket brokers have won the battle, but I vow to fight on…

Posted in Utah Concerts, Music | 2 Comments

The Police Announce Concert in Utah

April 6th, 2008 by david lay

The Police to hold Utah concert along with Elvis Costello

Sting and the boys are bringing their act to Utah this summer along with the great one - Elvis Costello and the Imposters.

I doubt I’ll be able to make it to this one, but I’m sure plenty of tickets will get sold - it would be fun to see The Police, but Elvis Costello is the real reason I’d go to this one!

At any rate, tickets are on sale now for the concert at Utah’s USANA Amphitheater on July 19th. Go to any SmithsTix outlet or the E Center Box office to get your tickets.

Posted in Utah Concerts, Music | No Comments

Volunteer Jam 2008 - Summer’s First Concert in Utah

April 1st, 2008 by david lay

Shooter Jennings, Charlie Daniels, and .38 Special Headline Summer’s First Utah Concert

The Summer is almost here and to me that means one thing — Concert time! The first major concert of the summer is the Volunteer Jam at USANA Amphitheater on May 30th.

This year’s Volunteer Jam is featuring three outlaw country acts that should put on a great show and help get the summer started off right! Charlie Daniels Band, .38 Special, and Shooter Jennings.

Charlie Daniels Band is one of those acts that I know would be a lot of fun, but I’ve never made it out to see them live. “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” is how most people will recognize Daniels and his hot-fiddling, but he has also gained a good bit of popularity after 2002’s “This Ain’t No Rag, It’s a Flag” along with his autobiographical book of the same name. I’m sure that he and the band are still high energy and loads of fun - They’ll be a great highlight to the Volunteer Jam.

.38 Special are veteran Southern Rockers who had a huge following over the past 28 years. The released “Hold On Loosely” in 1981 and have been a perennial touring act every since. .38 Special will create a lot of energy and nostalgia at USANA this summer.

My personal favorite of the group (and the only one I’ve seen in concert) is Shooter Jennings. Shooter is successfully carrying on the legacy of his father, the late Waylon Jennings as well as his father’s friends: Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, et al. Jennings thundered onto the scene in 2005 with “Let’s Put the ‘O’ Back in Country” - outlining his mission to add outlawish “umph” back into the country music scene. Since then, Shooter has been a touring machine and he and his band have released two other studio albums (Electric Rodeo and The Wolf) as well as one live recording (Live at Irving Plaza). I am personally a huge fan of Shooter, as well as his incredibly cool bass player, Ted Kamp (pictured).

Volunteer Jam is sure to rock this year, so visit any SmithsTix outlets or the E Center Box office and get your tickets today!

Posted in Utah Concerts, Music | No Comments