New Terry Brooks novel due out on August 24, 2010 - Bearers of the Black Staff (Legends of Shannara)
Sharktopus makes an appearance in Futurama!
Lame movie news - Columbia Pictures is in negotiations with Len Wiseman (Underworld) to direct a reboot of Total Recall. Yes, the 1990 movie with Arnold Schwarzenegger. Apparently we didn’t have special effects back in 1990. Why else remake the film?
Three people are suing Apple over ‘overheating’ iPads. The iPad automatically shuts down when used in temperatures or direct sunlight over 95 degrees for extended periods of time. This is to prevent damage to the unit. Now, you make think this is an issue with users or that the unit has failed to shut down before the heat causes permanent damage. Not true! Prepare for the real reason these people are suing:
“The plaintiffs seem to take particular issue with Apple claiming that "reading on the iPad is just like reading a book." This claim is patently false, according to the lawsuit, because a real book can be used in "the sunlight or other normal environmental conditions" without shutting off.” - CNN.com
Is that petty or what?
I’m sure Kindle and Nook lawsuits will follow. Let's see how fast Amazon and Barnes and Nobel's legal department can move to remove the words "just like a book" from all literature!
New albums coming within the next year from the following bands:
Anthrax – Worship Music
Serenity – Death & Legacy
Symphony X
OSI
Fates Warning
And…
Rush – Clockwork Angels, due out Spring of 2011!!
July 29th was Geddy Lee’s birthday! The dude is fifty-seven - can you believe that?
Last but not least, I am visiting Breakthrough Blogs on Monday, sharing a little bit about my publishing journey. Stephen also has a new book coming out, so visit his site to learn more! Anything else of interest happening in the world of entertainment? Platytigers taking over the world perhaps? (Now that would be quite a sight!)
Good news for paper books, they will survive around my pool in today's heat of 40c. ;)
ReplyDeleteInteresting post, thanks Alex.
Very interesting Alex.enjoyed the read.
ReplyDeleteHave a peaceful Sunday
Yvonne.
Interesting post. Just goes to show some people will sue for anything. If it didn't shut down, they'd sue because the sun damaged their iPad.
ReplyDeleteMason
Thoughts in Progress
I think the iPad had better remove the commercial showing their product being used by a sun bather on the beach too.
ReplyDeleteReally, a remake of Total Recall should be titled Total Redundant.
Yours.
Nancy
N. R. Williams, fantasy author
Does that mean that Futurama has "jumped the Sharktopus?"
ReplyDeleteI am so waiting for Sharktopus! Thank's for the quick update on all things important...especially Geddy Lee's birthday, wow, 57!
ReplyDeleteSomebody tell the studios to STOP remaking (destroying) classic movies!
Glynis, you just enjoy!
ReplyDeleteMason, exactly! Those people would sue either way.
Charles, that's great!
Isn't it lame, Chuck? Hollywood is so out of original ideas - or they refuse to take a chance on one.
Good information here. Everyone is always suing for something. It is crazy.
ReplyDeleteNow what's wrong with the original Total Recall??? Stop remaking older movies, especially the ones that aren't that old!!!
ReplyDeleteI've got a Nook and it can be read in direct sunlight. It kind of reads like a book but I do get some glare off of the "matte finish" screen.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait till spring. I'll be looking into the New Rush CD. I've always loved the music of Rush, especially the older stuff back when Neil Pert was going through his science fiction phase.
Very interesting, oh you had to mention that "Sharktopus!" Did you hear Steve Tyler (Aerosmith) may hang it up?
ReplyDeleteHave a good Sunday.
Trying To Get Over The Rainbow
I can't believe people are suing over that. That’s incredible.
ReplyDeleteGo Sharktopus
No I DIDN'T know ... a LOT of this stuff. Thanks for telling me!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the update, Alex. Wish I had something interesting to add... but... I don't. This comment will probably win records for the lamest ever, though! :)
ReplyDeleteI've also seen that news on Len doing TOTAL RECALL last week as well. It will be a flop. Just like Mel Gibson doing new LETHAL WEAPON will be flop if it really happens.
ReplyDeleteSHANNARA on the other hand won't be a flop if it gets made into a movie: check it out: http://hollywood-spy.blogspot.com/2009/07/elfstones-of-shannara-shall-shine-on.html
Oh man, that frickin' awesome. I want an iPad now just so I can sue Apple over it. Gotta love people who will take any opportunity to exploit others.
ReplyDelete-Bryan
www.sff-hub.com
I've been in love with the Shannara series since I was young. Can't wait for this book to come out. I'm sort of a Terry Brooks stalker (sshhhh, don't tell). *blushes*
ReplyDeleteJL, the new Rush will be just as amazing as all the other albums. And I'm sure you don't sit in 100 degree, humid sunlight for hours on end, either. That would bake your brains as well as fry your electronics!
ReplyDeleteJules, that's news to me!
Talli, you are never lame.
Sezz, Shannara movie would be awesome!
RaShelle, he was my favorite fantasy writer when I was a teen. I even met him once!
lol. sharktopus on futurama... my hubby will be beside himself! :)
ReplyDeleteI don't know, leaving a book in direct sunlight is sure to start it on fire, right? I know I'd shut down in that sort of heat for an extended period of time.
ReplyDeleteAlso, question for you: what is a sharktopus? Octopus/Shark combination? And why is that special? Did I miss something?
CD
Some people will sue over anything! Crazy!
ReplyDeleteI'm excited about the Brooks' book - I haven't read Shannara in years - love the series :)
What's worse? Someone who wants to sue for such a reason, or the lawyer who takes the case? The answer? A class action lawyer who sets up the case...which is what I suspect happened here.
ReplyDeleteOh, I am Sezz instead of Dezz now? :)))
ReplyDeleteTo answer your comment on my SHANNARA post over at HOLLYWOOD SPY, it was just a rumor, and as far as I know the rights are sold, but who knows when will the movie really happen and will it ever. I think that more than 80% of rights bought for the adaptation are never really realized later on.
But at some point we will need a new fantasy epic in cinemas, and SHANNARA might be it.
I liked Total Recall. Perhaps they're making it in 3D. Seems like every movie is in 3D nowadays.
ReplyDeleteClarissa, it's an upcoming movie from the SyFy Channel and it looks awful! I posted the trailer a few days ago - scroll down and you'll see it.
ReplyDeleteLiza, it's a lame reason to make money!
Dezz, sorry! Finger slipped.
Hi there - I just came over from Stephen's blog. Wow - you watch a lot of movies! I do too (but not that many). :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the news in this post. I guess those marketers really have to watch what they say!
yes, that is very lame movie news. Just let it die.
ReplyDeleteThe iPad suers sound like total nimrods.
People sue for the silliest of reasons. I didn't know a lot of this. Nice post.
ReplyDeleteThat is a petty law suit if ever I heard one but you are right - a massive change in advertising is about to occur.
ReplyDeleteI have to admit I'm kind of over Shannara at this stage and probably won't be rushing out for this Terry Brooks' novel, which is a shame because I really like his writing style but I just feel like we've read everything in the various Shannara books before.
Sometimes I hate people. It seems they'll sue over any little thing when there's no harm done to them... they're just greedy!
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting, Susan! Yeah, I'm a total movie geek.
ReplyDeleteCassandra, my passion for Terry Brooks has faded over the years as well. I'll still probably pick it up, though.
And interesting look around the media world. I'd imagine the overwhelming majority of lawsuits are petty, and this one is no different. Though, in their defense, false advertising can be quite frustrating. But I'm not sure this counts...
ReplyDeleteHeading to Breakthrough!
Michele
Gothic Lit today at SouthernCityMysteries
LOVE me some Futurama
ReplyDeleteI played with my friend's iPad all weekend -- I want one! Of course, we were inside in the AC...
ReplyDeleteAnd back in college, I bartended to pay the bills. The guys from Anthrax came in all the time, when they were home (in Oswego, New York) and not recording or on tour. Great guys, all of them! Glad to hear they're still making music :))
Hmm, they should sue Apple because it didn't say the iPad could also be used as a lap warmer and that wasn't in the instruction manual as an added perk.
ReplyDeletePlease!
Oi! People can be so stupid. I guess it's TRUE that it isn't just like a book--they never should have claimed that, but suing over it IS pretty petty...
ReplyDeleteSharktopus. *snort* I love Futurama.
I complain when I get in heat 95 degrees and higher. In face, I have been known to shut down too. Can Apple help me out?
ReplyDeleteI liked Total Recall... I'm tired of Hollywood redoing everything. They need to clean house and find some new talent...
ReplyDeletePeople will sue over anything...
Awesome new stuff! Too bad people will sue for almost anything and the system supports it.
ReplyDeleteDon't have an iPad. Wanted one. Now I'm waiting to see what's next. A few more generations down the road will be the e-reader combo made for me. I hope.
ReplyDeleteNicole, you will love the iPad when you get it! And that's cool you met Anthrax.
ReplyDeleteLydia, that's great!!
Betty, I'm sure the same instructions apply - remove to cooler temperatures and unit will begin functioning normal soon.
Thanks for all this info. Had never heard of Sharktopus. Apparently I was out of the loop, but not anymore!
ReplyDeleteThat lawsuit is ridiculous; people will sue over anything. And we wonder why the cost of everything is so high, too many lawsuits over silly things.
Thanks again for compiling this info for us.
Have a great week,
Karen
I'm looking forward to seeing Sharktopus -- looks like my kind of stupid.
ReplyDeleteNow over to see what's happening on Stephen's blog.
Lee
Tossing It Out
Karen, you gotta stay on top of this Sharktopus business!
ReplyDeleteLee, I like that assessment.
I, for one, am really looking forward to reading books on my iPad - I'm already so hooked on reading on my iPhone!
ReplyDeleteOh, wow! Enjoyed your trip through the news.
ReplyDeleteThe iPad lawsuit is crazy, but not surprising when we think of previous ridiculous lawsuits. How JUST like it book does it have to be? May I sue because I can't reach in and turn the pages?
ReplyDeleteI think they remake "Freaky Friday" at least every ten years. Every generation needs it. In fact, aren't we due for a new one? I think Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis did the last version.
Bell, you will enjoy books on the iPad! Such a big screen.
ReplyDeleteTheresa, yes they did - want to take a stab who will take the roles next?
I'm looking forward to hear the new upcoming Anthrax and Symphony X albums. In the mean time I can recommend a couple of relatively new albums from some good old bands;
ReplyDeleteGorgoroth: Quantos Possunt ad Satanitatem Trahunt (2009)
Burzum: Belus (2010)
Cold As Heaven
Reboot of Total Recall? Is that what this world is coming to? I hope Arnold makes a cameo.
ReplyDeleteAlex - you met him? Well, now I'm green-eyed. Lucky!!! What was he like? Cool? Nerdy? Awesome? All of them? Oh, I bet he was all of them. LOL
ReplyDeleteFuturama is awesome. As is Total Recall and Sharktopus.
ReplyDeleteI just saw this, Alex-
ReplyDeleteI had to buy the Rush single from iTunes to tide me over.
I was a little surprised that Terry Brooks is still going back to the Shannara world. I read the original book when it came out in the late seventies.
I tried one of his sequels in the nineties and found I was not as willing to immerse myself into fantasy fiction anymore.
Those Ohmsford (I think that was the surname of the leads in 'Sword') had a lot of offspring, I'd guess.
I wonder if the same Druid is still poking around?
Larry