Daily Loaf

CDs:

Big Star – Keep an Eye on the Sky 4xCD
This four-disc collection spanning 1968-1975 offers a trove of unreleased demos, unused mixes, alternate versions of songs, and a 1973 concert recorded in Memphis. The lavish packaging includes extensive liner notes, rare and never-before-seen photos, and insightful essays about the cult of Big Star and the band’s history.

Karl Denson – Brother’s Keeper
Denson is joined by an all-star line-up, including Meshell Ndegeocello (bass), Marc Ford (guitar, The Black Crowes, Ben Harper), Jon Foreman (Switchfoot), Kenneth Crouch (Eric Clapton, Lenny Kravitz), Zak Najor (drums, The Greyboy Allstars), Cochemea Gastelum (baritone sax, Dap Kings, Antibalas), and many others.

The Dynamites featuring Charles Walker – Burn It Down
Charles Walker doesn’t emulate or try to resuscitate a bygone nostalgic era. He is soul, the real deal, carrying the flaming torch of funk and soul originally lit in the late ’60s.

Mark Knopfler – Get Lucky
Recorded at Knopfler’s award-winning British Grove Studios in West London.

KRS One & Buckshot – Survival Skills
New album features guests Mary J. Blige, Slug (Atmosphere), K’NAAN, Talib Kweli, Immortal Technique, Sean Price, Pharoahe Monch, and others.

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[Ed. Note: Comic-Con was huge news this weekend, and Anthony has sifted through the voluminous online reporting to bring you these highlights of the event. This post was originally released on Sound on Sight. For reviews of the biggest movies of this summer, please check out CL's Movies & Television site.]

Avatar

James Cameron’s 12-years-in-the-making, $250 million production appeared to deliver the goods and live up to the hype after a 25-minute preview of Avatar was greeted by a standing ovation on Thursday night. At least in terms of the visuals, most agree that the sneak peek displayed some of the most advanced CGI ever produced.  But what’s also notable is the way it was filmed: The camera movements mimic a shaky, almost documentary-like approach, leaving a visual experience that is not only state of the art but unique as well. Many are saying that the CGI world that Cameron and crew have created feels almost as if they “took a camera and placed it on another planet.”

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This week, I’m starting a column called Kevin’s Korner (yeah, I know that’s not how you spell “corner,” but work with me here). In this weekly column (I hope), I will highlight some of the news circulating on the Internet that wasn’t covered by the incredibly talented writers here at Creative Loafing. This week, we have some movie news, the trailer of the week (it’s a must see!), and some other fun stuff, including the first look at Scarlett Johansson in Iron Man 2.

So, click the link below and check it out. I would appreciate any feedback in the comments section.

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In celebration of J. J. Abrams’ bold decision to bring back the boots and mini skirts in the new Star Trek film, here’s a collection of retro pin-up-girl photos featuring current Hollywood actresses. Enjoy:

Scarlett Johansson:

Alexis Bledel:

More pics below the jump:

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A double-whammy of casting news for John Favreau’s follow-up to last year’s blockbuster Iron Man. First, Scarlett Johansson has signed up, replacing Emily Blunt as Black Widow. Per the story at /Film, Blunt had to drop out due to a scheduling conflict, opening the door for Scar-Jo. If this works out, expect to see the actress reprise the role in several Marvel flicks due over the next few years.

And in a long rumored move, current critical darling Mickey Rourke and Marvel finally came to terms for the actor to play Iron Man 2’s Russian villian. (The studio had been low-balling Rourke with a paltry $250,000 offer.) I’m sure Putin is going to love this.

Main man Robert Downey Jr. will also be back, along with a double-shot of Sams (Rockwell and L. Jackson), with Jackson under contract for as many as nine (!!!) Marvel flicks.

Iron Man 2 is set for release in 2010.

I had a dream the other night that I was on a transatlantic flight on its way to Africa. I was sitting next to a man in a brown jacket, clown pants and Jesus sandals who kept repeating, “Down we go.” That should have given me a clue to the unfortunate end to my dream, or nightmare, but it didn’t. Suddenly, the no-smoking sign started flashing a blood-red color and the pilot got on the intercom and said something along the lines of, “We are going down, hold on to your fucking hats.” I couldn’t really make out what he said, but I’ve always thought that would be the best way to break the news to the passengers. If we’re going to die, I don’t want to hear, “Ladies and gentlemen, I’d like to bring an unfortunate situation to your attention. Blah, blah, blah.” Cut to the chase, man! Anyway, to make a long story short, we plummeted thousands of feet into an island and, magically, I was the only survivor. That is the point when I woke up. And for some batshit crazy reason, the first thing I thought of was an episode of The Office when the employees play Desert Island. This taught me something about myself: Apparently, if I were the sole survivor of a plane crash on a deserted island, the most important thing to me would be what movies I was carrying on me and how I could watch them. So, if that were to happen, and if there were a television and DVD player on this said island, these are the movies I would take… Read the rest of this entry »

Tina Fey does it again playing Sarah “The Other White Meat” Palin. Stay tuned for another turn in the post-debate edition of SNL next weekend — if Lorne can talk her into it, that is.

• Do we have a deal?
• After winning Friday night’s debate, Obama holds onto his lead in the polls.
• Speaking of the debate, let’s check those facts …
• “I’ll go with the guy with one house.”
• The Bucs beat the Packers, while Favre tosses six as the Jets rout the Cardinals.
• The Rays ride into the playoffs with a win and homefield advantage.
• Heather Locklear arrested for “suspicion” of D.U.I. (I sense dropped charges.)
• Scar Jo ties the knot.