UPDATE: Since the King of Pop's passing, we thought we'd re-post everything we've done that's MJ related in the past...
You read that right....I have officially taken over for Michael Jackson in his classic video for "Thriller!" Check out my unbelievably good performance!
And you can do the same! Just log onto Mike's website here, then click on the link to insert yourself into the video. You'll need a digital camera and a few minutes to waste and never get back. The final product comes out a bit bizarre and extremely creepy...but when your taking about Michael Jackson....what did you really expect, people?!
Video: American Idol Top 5 Recap with Marcus Leshock!
It was a night for the ages, as the brilliance of Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr. were channeled through celebrity mentor Jamie Foxx? No, I'm not making this up. It was an American Idol you had to see to believe, or you can watch my recap instead!
And when you're done there, don't forget to click on over to Curt Wagner's Show Patrol blog for RedEye. He live blogs every episode, and thinks I'm way to hard on Kara. So please, click over and tell him how wrong he is.
Results tonight, and I'll see you all right here next week.
The laughs aren't as big as they could have been - but I actually enjoyed the Upright Citizen Brigade's version of "Twilight" better than the original. Plus, the Whopper Jr. fits into the Kristen Stewart role quite nicely.
On second thought, I'm not sure it's a Whopper Jr., although it does have the poppyseed bun. Any thoughts?
Bea Arthur, star of the hit TV series "The Golden Girls," died today after a battle with cancer. Bea was always my favorite Golden Girl, probably the easiest character for a man to relate to. She had this quick wit and deep voice, always calling out the other characters' shenanigans. The AP has a career encompassing obit here. Bea was 86 years old.
Video: American Idol Top 6 (plus 1) Recap with Marcus Leshock!
Didn't disco die a long time ago at Comiskey? Well, our American Idol contestants did their best to bring it back last night. Why? Who knows. But at least it gave America a chance to see what I would look like with an afro. My predictions on who's going home tonight are in my recap below. Enjoy!
And for photos of last night's performances, check out the Idol Gallery.
Sanjaya Malakar to join Rod Blagojevich on summer reality show
It's going to be the summer of hair for NBC. Access Hollywood says former American Idol finalist Sanjaya Malakar will be another contestant on "I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Outta Here."
Joining Sanjaya will be former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, along with Geraldo Rivera, Dog the Bounty Hunter, and Spencer and Heidi from "The Hills." The show kicks off on NBC June 1st.
I was getting my Blago "dead-racoon-do" ready, but I might have to shake it into a Sanjaya mohawk. Here's a refresher in case you're new to Earth:
Video: American Idol Top 7 Recap with Marcus Leshock
First up, Quentin Tarantino is one of my favorite directors, so when I found out that he was going to be a celebrity mentor on the show I couldn't believe it. Also, it made me feel a little less ashamed to be so obsessed with this particular TV program. Yeah, Quentin's a little nuts, but aren't we all sometimes? Speaking of crazy, watch my recap of last night's Top 7 performances....
VIDEO: American Idol Top 8 Recap with Marcus Leshock!
Tuesday night's American Idol was as beautiful as a newborn baby - literally. You'll want to see my recap if you caught the show, and especially if you missed it. Who's in my bottom three? Who's going home? Who cares? Find out now!
And when you're done with that, be sure to check out my favorite Idol recapper on the web - RedEye's Curt Wagner, a.k.a. the Show Patrol. You can find his Top 8 Recap here.
Looks like everyone wanted a final spin on those gas-guzzling sports cars before the government takes them away. According to box office guru Nikki Finke at Deadline Hollywood Daily, "Fast & Furious" is set to have the biggest April opener ever. The "new model, original parts" team delivered a ridiculous $30 million on Friday alone! Just for some perspective, the biggest movie to ever open in April before this was the Adam Sandler / Jack Nicholson comedy "Anger Management," which a measely $42 million. If DHD's estimates hold up, "F&F" will collect nearly $70 million this weekend.
You know what this means, look for less originality with your big studio blockbusters, and more retreads of all your old favorites (assuming you thought there was much originality left to begin with). A new "Beverly Hills Cop" is already in the works. The same goes for "Footloose" (although Zac Efron has apparently dropped out). Maybe we'll see another "Lethal Weapon?" If they reboot the "Back to the Future" franchise, I'm moving to Canada.
Your new Hollywood motto - from the Walmart bargain bin....to the big screen. Minus the everyday low prices, of course.
Hey there everybody. Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to see "Fast and Furious," but I did catch the new Greg Mottola dramedy "Adventureland." There was just too much teen angst flowing in me to pass this one up. My review ran on CLTV News this morning, and I thought I'd share it with you here. Enjoy!
This weekend on "metromix" we took you inside Simone's in Pilsen. The decor is out of this world, or I should say out of the past. The design team Alter Ego works along with Salvage One to take other people's trash and make it into treasure. Jackie checked out Salvage One a little while back, and we thought we'd show you what she found. Take a look:
VIDEO: Watch the trailer to Sacha Baron Cohen's "Bruno"
First off, this is NOT SAFE FOR WORK. It's probably not safe for anyone under the age of 18. But what I can say - I am incredibly excited to see this thing, Sacha Baron Cohen's follow up to "Borat." The trailer speaks for itself. Enjoy:
VIDEO: American Idol Top 9 Recap with Marcus Leshock!
American Idol's Top 9 faced off in Hollywood last night, and I watched it all right here in Chicago. I'm proud to announce that my Emmy nominated American Idol Video Recaps are back, but I'm not to proud to say that last night's episode didn't give me too much excitement to work with. Maybe Paula will end up under the table again next week. Oh well, enjoy and behold who will be in the bottom 3, and who will get eliminated.....
American Idol Top 11 Recap: Country Night with Marcus Leshock!
Nothing says St. Patrick's Day like Randy Travis, right? What's a matter Idol producers, couldn't get Bono on the line? Randy was here (and looking a little upset) to try and teach our contestants how to put a little twang in their tune. My best, good, and just plain ugly singers....after the jump!
PODI - Shoes with removable covers offer deal for CLTV viewers!
PODI founder/CEO Dave Curry was featured on this weekend's "metromix." He sells shoes with removable covers, so you can change the look and style of your feet in seconds. He's offering a deal for the first 200 people who order a new pair of PODI's after our CLTV airing. Details are at the end of the clip above. Enjoy!
Leshock Value: "The Last House On The Left" Movie Review
Happy weekend everyone, or in case you plan on seeing "Last House On The Left" - Horrible, grief-stricken bloodlusty weekend everyone! Wes Craven's original 1972 film was shocking, appalling, mind-blowing, and just all kinds of blowing - why in the world would someone attempt to remake it? And could they succeed? My Leshock Value review.....
Chicago's first iBar - behind the touch-screen menu at Madpoison
It's straight out of "Minority Report." The West Loop nightspot Madpoison Ultra Lounge is finally ready to open its doors and unveil its futuristic touch screen ordering system. The bar features a few different stations with the technology - one large menu screen that is sure to attract a line, and a few private touchscreen tabletops in the VIP booths. Rhon Deguro is the architect behind the madness (he built the software in his garage after studying computer engineering at Northern Illinois University), and he gave me a sneak peek before Chicago gets its dirty little hands all over it! Watch the video.....after the jump!
An unlucky number. A new stage. An embarrasing entrance for the judges. And the music of Michael Jackson. It was the first big night of American Idol (did I mention they have a new stage?). The Top 13 faced off and sang the difficult tunes of M.J.
"Will he come and help the contestants?" my wife asked.
"I think there might be some kind of law against that," I answered.
My best, good, bad, and just plain ugly after the jump!
Watch the trailer for "Public Enemies," shot in Chicago
In case you haven't heard by now, director Michael Mann was in Chicagoland last summer filming his latest epic - a period piece about John Dillinger starring Johnny Depp and Christian Bale.
The film opens this summer and the trailer has hit the internet.
I spotted the Great Hall at Union Station. Also the lobby at the Auditorium Theatre. Anybody else see any landmarks of note in the trailer?
Watchmen is opening to huge crowds this weekend, which spurred a little discussion within the "metromix on CLTV" offices. What is the best superhero film of all time? I was up to the challenge. While it's too early to say if Watchmen can fit into my list, I have put together my pre-Watchmen Top 10 of the Best Superhero Movies of all time. We start with #10, after the jump......
Hey everybody, by now many of you have already bought your tickets to see Watchmen tonight at midnight. But for those of you who are still on the fence, check out my LeShock Value review!
VIRAL VIDEO: Play the interactive Joker Vs. Batman DANCE OFF GAME on YouTube!
I'm sure this guy was FURIOUS The Dark Knight wasn't nominated for Best Picture. But at least we got this fun interactive dance-off game featuring the scar-faced Joker and Gotham's Dark Knight. Enjoy Batman VS. The Joker - BBOY style!
If you caught last weekend's edition of "metromix," you saw my latest assault on my GI system. In the latest Fast Food Review, I took on the new waffle sandwich at Dunkin Donuts and the Burger Shots at Burger King. Special thanks to Garrard McClendon for his first cameo appearance on the Fast Food Review.
Another famous Chicago Bull left us last night. Johnny "Red" Kerr was known by many as the first coach and legendary player of our basketball franchise. But for many people my age, "Red" will always be known as the fiery color commentator on the Bulls' television broadcasts. He was never afraid to be critical, and he was certainly never afraid to show off his enthusiasm. Kerr was not only one of the voices of the Bulls, but he was also a big voice of Chicago. He will be missed, and how wonderful that the franchise had a chance to honor him before he left us. While he'll certainly leave a legacy like the images in the clip above, it's the moments like these I'll always remember. Enjoy:
BREAKING NEWS: Chicago Bulls legend Norm Van Lier dead at 61
This is horrible news. Chicago Bull great Norm Van Lier has passed away at the age of 61. According to ChicagoBreakingNews.com, "Fire personnel responded to a request to check up on him at his apartment in the 1100 block of West Madison Street when he was found unresponsive, according to the Chicago Fire Department."
I can't say I ever truly knew Mr. Van Lier, but every time he entered the CLTV newsroom, you knew he was here. When CLTV contemplated taking Sports Page off the air, Norm was not happy. He was a frequent guest on the program and always dominated the airtime. I'll never forget when he made me march down to my programming director's office and demand that Sports Page come back.
"Who's going to host it," I asked him. "Me?"
He gave me a serious stare, then laughed. "No, I will. Now go give the message."
Norm Van Lier was always outspoken and honest - and one of the most magnetic people I've ever had the pleasure to be around. He told it like it was, whether you wanted to hear it or not. He will always be missed - both on-air and off.
American Idol Season 8 Recap: Top 36 Group 2 Performances with Marcus Leshock!
Hello again everybody! After a brief break due to some guy giving a speech in Congress, American Idol is back on the air! I'll be hanging out with you LIVE blogging during the broadcast, so keep up with my thoughts after the jump!
VIDEO: Marcus and WGN Radio's Nick Digilio recap the 81st Annual Academy Awards!
Check out the director's cut of Nick Digilio and I's Oscar Night 2009 Recap! I know it's a day late, but as Homer Simpson once said, "It's still good! It's still good!" Enjoy:
VIRAL VIDEO: Facebook etiquette courtesy WGN-TV's Pat Tomasulo!
Maybe you've seen this already, but if you haven't, watch it now. WGN-TV's Pat Tomasulo breaks down the idiocy of FaceBook. My favorite part is hearing how stupid all of these "status updates" are when spoken aloud. Think you're funny? Well, you're not. This, however, is.
VIDEO: First look at Billy Dec's New-Asian restaurant SUNDA!
Wow, flashy video alert! Chicago entertainment/restaurant guru Billy Dec is set to open his latest creation, Sunda. According to the YouTube description, the restaurant will feature "contemporary and progressive interpretations of traditional dishes from Japan, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines and the rest of the Southeast Asian Island region." The video breaks that all down, but still doesn't show us too much about what the place will look like. But if the video is meant to peak our interest - job well done.
Oscars 2009: Watch Ben Stiller mock Joaquin Phoenix!
This was one of the funnier moments in a night devoid of comedy. Natalie Portman presented the award for Best Cinematography alongside Ben Stiller, who showed up with a snarly beard to poke fun at Joaquin Phoenix's bizarre appearance on The Late Show. But given that this was the cinematography award, wouldn't a jab at Christian Bale's DOP rant been more fitting?
OSCARS 2009: What did Sean Penn say? Watch his speech here!
Anytime you give someone like Sean Penn an open forum to speak his mind, you never know what might happen. Last night was no dissapoint, starting with his greeting of the crowd - "You commie, homo-loving sons of guns."
At least he didn't sign off with - "Goodnight, Utah!"
VIDEO: Watch Marcus on WGN-TV's "The Envelope, Please" Oscar special, right here right now!
Yesterday I was a guest on WGN-TV's Oscar special "The Envelope, Please." In case you missed it, they've posted the entire show online, and we have the video for you! Here is Part 1...
VIRAL VIDEO: Watch Hugh Jackman prepare for the Oscars!
This small behind-the-scenes clip shows Hugh Jackman rehearsing for the biggest night of his career. In case you're new, he's hosting the 81st Annual Academy Awards this Sunday night, and if his performance at the Tony's means anything, he should be great!
A clip from Hugh at the 2004 Tony's awards is after the jump.....
American Idol Season 8 Recap: Top 36 Group 1 Results with Marcus Leshock!
This....
*Weird, slow snap zoom*
....is American Idol!
*Touch hair and make stupid face*
Now that we're past Ryan Seacrest's prompter notes, it's time to break down the results of the first group of 36. 24 million votes poured into American Idol headquarters last night, but was your favorite contestant booted? And how right was I on my picks? Find out after the jump!
VIRAL VIDEO: Watch WGN's Dean Richards dance - Bollywood Style!
We have to show love to (and sometimes laugh at) our fellow Tribune family members, and boy have I done some crazy things in my career. Behold WGN Entertainment Guru Dean Richards channeling his inner-Slumdog.
And this Saturday night at 6 p.m. on WGN-TV, I will be a guest on "Creepy Uncle" Dean's Academy Awards special "The Envelope, Please." The one-hour show will feature a panel debating who will win at this Sunday's Oscars. The panel consists of Marcus Leshock (metromix on CLTV), Michael Phillips (Chicago Tribune), and Bonnie DeShong (Chicago Crusader). Don't forget to tune in!
MLB spring training is officially here. While I was listening to the reports of my Chicago Cubs reporting to camp, I realized how much I really missed baseball - although I'm still having a hard time with last October. But besides 101 tough years for Cubs fans....baseball has also given us some of the best films ever made. Last year, I put together a list of my favorite baseball films of all time, ranked them, and I was ready to share 'em with the world! So in case you missed it, here it is again - complete with video clips!
Chicagoan Joe Avella delivers his latest - Action City Bathroom. Next time the wife/girlfriend asks what took you so long in the John, send her this video....
This is an oldie but your kids are gonna love it. The guy's name is Paul Dateh. He's turned a regular violin into a hip-hop instrument, and he's now released his first album on itunes. If it's sounds anything like this, I might actually buy it....
I love videos like this - just random acts of kindness. A guy named Rob got a bunch of his friends together, and developed a plan to give 2,000 high fives on an escalator at a train station. It should put a smile on your face:
VIRAL VIDEO: Obama bumps head getting into helicopter!
Apparently our new President Barack Obama is still getting used to his new surroundings. This is getting a lot of attention on the internet, but after looking at the video, it doesn't seem like the big deal the photos make it to be. But judge for yourself, I think it needs some "Yakety Sax"....
VIRAL VIDEO: Joaquin Phoenix goes insane on "The Late Show!"
Wow. Just wow. Seeing him in photographs was one thing, but after seeing his "Late Show" appearance, Joaquin Phoenix has officially gone off the deep end. David Letterman did everything possible to have some fun with this guy (his beard, rapping, etc.) but Joaquin was having none of it. He seemed to get more and more angry with each laugh of the audience. I started to actually get a little scared for Dave at one point.
Here's a serious question. After what happened to Heath Ledger last year, why do we laugh at someone who might really be going through serious issues? How bad would those audiences members feel if something happened to him? Or maybe he's just a complete toolbag? I hope so.
VIRAL VIDEO: The Curious Case of Forrest Gump trailer!
Check and mate. As stated before, upon a first viewing of "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," I found it a good film. Trying to watch it a second time was, well, painful. The similarities to "Forrest Gump" are obvious throughout the film, but they weren't as glaring to me - until I saw this trailer produced by the guys at Talkshow with Spike Feresten:
VIRAL VIDEO: Watch WGN News Anchors Dance During Their Commercial Break!
This is probably one of the best viral videos I've seen in a long time, and it is now a huge hit on YouTube. WGN-TV news anchors Robert Jordan and Jackie Bange have been working together for years. During their commercial breaks, they came up with short little musical numbers to pass the time. Over the years, it's spiraled into a nearly 3 minute routine that was destined to become a hit online. Maybe you've already seen this by now, but if not, it's great....
Are Christian Bale and the internet done professionally?
Let's hope that "Terminator" DP doesn't end up taking a trip to the video store anytime soon!
After all of this "Christian Bale" freakout stuff broke this week, I remembered the one time I got to speak with him. He was in town shooting "The Dark Knight" and we had a harmless interview about "3:10 to Yuma." He was a great sport when I made that reference to "American Psycho," but there was one strange exchange when I first walked in the room.
The Top 10 Best Star Spangled Banner performances - with VIDEO!
Marcus Leshock here. Jennifer Hudson sang the National Anthem at Super Bowl XLIII, and she blew the sails off the pirate ship at Tampa's Raymond James Stadium. After her performance, I found myself in a conversation about where it ranked in the history books. After a little perusing around the internets, I have compiled my list of the Top 10 Star Spangled Banner performances of all time - from sporting events to concerts. We start with number 10.....
Hey all, Marcus Leshock here. The trailer to the first Rod Blagojevich (spoof) film "Keep Love In Your Heart" was such a big success, I couldn't resist creating a follow up. And since our former Governor seems to be so fond of old cowboy movies, I figured the guy should have something go his way. So here it is, the online premiere of Govnor-ROD-o: The Rod Blagojevich Western!
In case you missed "Keep Love In Your Heart," the original Blagojevich film, the trailer is right after the jump!
Video: Oscar nominations announced - with analysis from Marcus!
The Academy Award nominations were announced this morning and "Benjamin Button's" Taraji P. Henson was among them. Marcus talked with her in December about her role and the possibility of an Oscar.
More Oscar interviews and some MARCUS feedback after the jump!
The album "No Line on the Horizon" drops on March 3rd, and if U2's new single "Get on your Boots" is any indication, it's going to be a bit different:
It's got a great riff but I'm not sure the song is all that great. I will admit that it's in my head now, for whatever that's worth. Will it be a mega-hit like "Vertigo" or "Beautiful Day?" I doubt it.....but as more time passes, I think I like it better than both of those songs.
So you caught "Notorious" this weekend, loved it, and now you want to know more. I have a confession, I'm actually a junkie when it comes to both Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G. I've read dozens of books, tried to see all the movies, and I'm still fascinated by how complex and intriguing both of these characters are. So if you're new to the game, I have four great options for you to check out in your spare time, starting with this fantastic documentary.....
Bet that headline got your attention! Oprah Winfrey had Kate Winslet on her show to praise her new film "The Reader." Fresh off of a Golden Globe win for her acting, Oprah found another reason to praise Winslet....
How's that for an Oscar campaign? This fall - see the breasts that will have everyone talking! Oprah Winfrey raves - "Her breasts do what real breasts do. The best performance from a set of mammaries since my work in The Color Purple!"
Well it's only a matter of time before all the corruption, intrigue and hairstyles of the Blagojevich Scandal comes to the big screen. Or maybe just to Lifetime or Law & Order. But as long as we're dreaming big, we're going to cast the Blagojevich arrest and subsequent fall out like we're Steven Spielberg - no one turns him down, not even the dead or those made of felt and cloth.
Part 1: The Illinois First Family.
We figure John Travolta has the jaw line and hair mass that could be styled into Rod's recognizable 'do. And we're bringing back Alley Sheedy - particularly her bangs-in-the-face hairstyle, to play Patti.
You read that right. Crushpad, a west coast winery, is offering a new wine - the price of which fluctuates with the stock market! Here's their hilarious trailer:
Just like you, the folks over at Crushpad have watched as their 401K's have been getting hammered over the past few months. So they decided to offer a Bailout Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon for just $39....but it could be even cheaper than that. Keep reading for more details.....
The snow is falling. It's colder than, well, you know. You're getting back into the holiday mood. Time to break out the ol' DVDs and dust off some Christmas classics. I've compiled my list of the Top 10 Christmas movies of all time. Some are traditional, some are for kids, and there's at least one you would NEVER air in front of a child. Let the debate begin as we start with number 10 on my list - AFTER THE JUMP!
We don't normally embed video from other TV outlets on this blog, but if I didn't do it here, you'd never believe me. Due to the economic downturn, a restaurant in Japan has hired monkeys to fill in for the wait staff! And that's not a punchline, we're talking ACTUAL monkeys! And get this - the health department says it's sanitary, as long as the monkeys wear clothes! What fun is that?
What do you tip a monkey? 10%? Maybe a banana or two? If only the monkeys were on the menu, then we'd really be in business!
Cooking a turkey this Thanksgiving? In need of a little help? Well look no further! I cornered Mary Klingman, the Butterball Turkey Talk Line Lady, in hopes of providing me with some insight to cooking the perfect bird. Hilarity and knowledge ensued:
Remember, don't hesitate to give the Butterball folks a call this Thanksgiving at 1-800-Butterball!
Don't say we didn't warn you but this is an outrageous ad that you'll probably never see on TV promoting Microsoft's mp3 player the Zune. Too bad the ad was never approved by Bill Gates & Co.
It made us laugh all too hard, but may be inappropriate for the kiddies. Spread and Discuss.
Hey all. I cut this little video together using the reaction footage I shot on election night. Seeing so many people emotional involved with our political system was a pretty moving experience.
Anyhow, I hope your Election 2008 withdrawl isn't too rough. And don't worry, there are plenty of moose to hunt up there in ANWAR, so you-know-who should be just fine!
So if you saw either of my two videos from the Fifty/50 or Moonshine, I never made it to House of Blues like I promised. Instead, I stuck around Moonshine to witness Chicago's reaction to Barack Obama becoming the next President of the United States. I was able to capture on video the first emotions pouring out of everyday Chicagoans. This meant something to everyone there - black, white, asian, latino, it didn't matter. To be there to see it all, and to even deliver the news to some who hadn't heard yet, was an amazing experience. One I will never forget.
Tomorrow I'm coming into the office to record another video blog with more of my thoughts from tonight. Right now I'm eager to hit the web to find out what happened in the other races. Of course, if you were watching CLTV, you don't need to worry about that.
Whether you voted for Barack Obama or John McCain, or any of the other fine candidates on the ballot, let's hope that American took another step forward today. And let's all get ready for Palin 2012 to be unveiled tomorrow! YOU BETCHA!
Sorry for the startling headline, but they could use the break! In case you missed the ending to this weekend's episode of "metromix," we thought we'd post it on the blog. See what happens when I discover my own dead body in the woods. And like every great (or not so great) horror movie, here is the unrated director's cut!
One of our blog readers, Bill sent us a link to this video someone with way too much time threw together of Barack Obama singing Kanye West's "Stronger."
Obviously he's never really sang the song on tape, so the editing here is all over the place. The editor takes some liberties with the actual lyrics of the song, don't say we didn't warn you.
Enjoy!
I met Jennifer Hudson in 2006. She held a press junket in Chicago to promote her upcoming film "Dreamgirls," where she would hopefully make a big enough splash to jumpstart an acting career. After screening the film, I was pretty much sold that she would win every major award out there, and that her life would change forever.
Who knew that just two years later, now an Academy Award winning actress and full blown pop star celebrating her debut album, her life would change again. Last Friday when we got the news that Jennifer's mother had been killed in an apparent domestic shooting, we were shocked. But to hear that she also lost her brother, and now possibly her nephew? Well, we are left speechless.
These are tough times in Chicago. As the news broke over the weekend, popular news websites like The Drudge Report had headlines calling Chicago the "murder capital of the U.S." It's hard to argue, right now we're beating both New York and Los Angeles in homicide numbers. We have to remember that however tragic the blow to Jennifer Hudson may be, there are many others in our city who are mourning as well. Let's hope that something good can happen here. Maybe the conversation will create such demand, that we will finally figure out some way to stop this. We have to stop killing each other, and we have to do it now.
After the jump you'll find my story with Jennifer Hudson before "Dreamgirls" opened in 2006. She is one of Hollywood's best success stories, and despite these recent events, she still remains the symbol that anything is possible if you put your mind to it.
The scariest movie of all time - THE DIRECTOR'S CUT!
Halloween is always a good time to break out the ol' horror films. Last year we hit the streets to find out your favorites. I posted the video on YouTube - nearly 50,000 people have watched it, and more than 220 viewers left text comments with their picks. The demand was there, so I hit the streets and made a sequel. What is the best scary movie of all time - PART 2!!!!!....
In case you missed last year's segment, you can find it right after the jump....
After two years of campaigning, it looks like this is what passes for breaking election news. Barack Obama has indeed sneezed on a reporter, allegedly not on purpose. I was unable to confirm a rumor that Mr. Obama's sneeze can cure cancer. One thing we know is true - this fortunate news reporter will now live three years longer after being blessed by "The One."
Once you get past Queen Latifah's sllloooooooooowwwwwww intro, this is great stuff. Is it just me, or does anybody else think the Joe Biden stuff was the best part of the bit? Nevertheless, SNL is once again proving its worth during election season.
So by now you've probably heard about the curse of 'Soul Men.' Within the past months, stars Bernie Mac and Isaac Hayes have passed away. Now the trailer is out featuring the voice-over work of the legendary Don LaFontaine - who ALSO died recently. If I were Sam Jackson I'd be a little worried right now. But something tells me he's not too concerned. I mean, have you seen the guy's wallet? It's the one that says.....
Oh those Simpson sisters. Will they ever sing on live TV without a problem? Jessica Simpson performed on Good Morning America Tuesday morning and shortly into the performance of 'With You,' she stopped her band, complained that she couldn't hear, then started back up. When you watch the video below - mercifully, the flub comes quick at the 30-second mark - note two things: 1) How absolutely pissed she sounds when she says 'HOLD on' and how quick her band is to start up when she counts them back in.
In case you missed tonight's show, or just wanted to see my take on celebrity news one more time, here is this week's Hollywood Jolt! Who knew that a Republican convention could be so much fun, my friends!
The Hollywood Jolt with Marcus Leshock for 8/28/08!
Figures, David Duchovny checks into SEX REHAB the day after I finish editing my Hollywood Jolt segment. Thanks for thinking of me David and I hope you get better soon! Enjoy the Jolt, my warped version of celebrity news!
Harry Potter release date pushed back - TO NEXT SUMMER!
Those of you excited to see "Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince" this Thanksgiving are going to have to be patient. Warner Bros. announced they will push back the movie's release date - to July 17, 2009. The full press release from the studio is pasted at the bottom of this post.
"Harry" would have been a killer for Warners this fall, but pushing the movie back to the now dubbed "Dark Knight" slot might be the smartest thing for the studio to do. That gives them a guaranteed tentpole release next summer, with the two-part climax "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows" to follow down the road. A good strategy, but not good news for excited fans. The trailer is after the jump.....
Comedian and Chicago-native Bernie Mac passed away this morning at the young age of 50, from complications due to pneumonia. Bernie was an unbelievable comic talent. This morning I thought about his television sitcom, "The Bernie Mac Show." Bernie had this uncanny way of making discipline funny. There's something inherently humorous about watching a 6'3", bulking mass of a man shiver when dealing with yelling rugrats. It was such a joy to watch.
Also, Bernie was the quintessential Chicago guy. He managed to take his Chicago attitude to a global scale, never selling out his city, and never becoming a sausage-eating cartoon character. In so many ways, Bernie Mac was Chicago. Just a regular guy with a lot to say, and never afraid to say it. He recently performed a standup act at a Barack Obama appearance, and in typical Bernie fashion, organizers had to apologize for the content in his act. He wasn't going to dumb down or clean up for anybody. Why? Because he was Bernie Mac - a funny guy from a tough neighborhood. He didn't back down from anybody.
And he certainly didn't back down from me. We had a brief discussion at the Chicago premiere for "Ocean's 13." When I asked him a tongue-in-cheek question about keeping Chicago a secret, mostly to keep people like George Clooney and Matt Damon out of here, he responded with a smile.
"We've got four seasons," Bernie answered. "The winter will run them people out."
Classic Bernie - you will be missed my friend. Here's the clip:
You might recognize him as the guy who sings the hook on Lupe Fiasco's "Superstar," but Matthew has certainly made his own mark on the music biz. While studying at Columbia College, both painting and music, he got in touch with Lupe. Between their partnership and the grassroots following he gathered playing Chicago coffee shops, he's now an internationally known musician. Check out our entire interview with Matthew on this Friday's "metromix" at 7, 8, and 9 p.m. For now, here he is performing "Days Like This" in Millenium Park...
I have to admit, this is actually a pretty funny video. Paris is responding to the recent ad from the presumptive Republican nominee John McCain, who called Barack Obama one of the biggest celebrities in the world, and used still photos of Paris and Britney Spears to rub in the point. Now, Paris is throwing her hat in the ring.....and comparing McCain to old folks like The Golden Girls, Yoda, and even Col. Sanders! God Bless America!
Here it is, the uncut video from my Dance for Babies performance at the March of Dimes benefit last Thursday. The event raised nearly $25,000 to help save babies everywhere, and it was SO much fun. After about 15 lessons with the brilliant Simona Palmova from Fred Astaire Dance Studios in Buffalo Grove, I was able to hold my own in the competition. My two one-minute routines are right after the jump....
That's right folks! Last night, I tore up the dance floor for the March of Dimes! It was all part of their Dancing for Babies charity event, raising money to help the March of Dimes' great cause. Below you'll see a few highlights from my performances - one tango, one cha cha.
Watch the trailer to Oliver Stone's George W. Bush film!
Here's the first look at Oliver Stone's much anticipated film about our Commander in Chief, George W. Bush. We see the President taking part in a beer bong, being escorted to a prison cell, and a lanky James Cromwell lecturing his son - "You're a Bush. Act like one!" I know it's too early to judge, but you'd think Cromwell would try harder to sound less like Cromwell, and more like Bush Sr.
The big question remains - with "change" filling the political airwaves these days, do people really want to see a film about a man they've been watching for the past 8 years?
You may have seen these local guys on this weekend's "metromix." The Giving Tree Band is so much more than just your regular bluegrass band. In fact, they wouldn't consider themselves to be bluegrass much at all. But the music simply speaks for itself. We caught up with them right as they were wrapping up production on their first ever carbon neutral album. Here's an exclusive performance of the song "Teaspoon of Sugar." More on the band here. Enjoy the show!
This is the Hollywood Jolt, a weekly mashup of all the best celebrity news, with a little bit of humor. Because my producers think two minutes of this nonsense is quite enough, I've included an entire EXTRA MINUTE, just for my friends on the internets! Love you guys! Enjoy!
I hope you all liked my new celebrity/entertainment news segment 'The Jolt,' which debuted this weekend! As usual on this program, there was just too much Jolt-y goodness to squeeze into one episode, so I put together a director's cut for ya. Enjoy!
Check out the Chicago Outdoor Film Fest in Grant Park!
Happy Saturday morning, everyone. I hope you enjoyed your 'Dark Knight' screenings yesterday. But while we're talking movies, this weekend on the show WGN Radio's Nick Digilio and I are breaking down the lineup at the Chicago Outdoor Film Fest, and having some fun during the process. Here's the Director's Cut of our conversation, with some extras that couldn't make the show! For more on Nick, click here. And for the full Grant Park Outdoor Film Fest lineup, click here.
And that somebody is WGN Radio 720AM host Nick Digilio. We chatted about it during my recent stop into the studio last Sunday night. Here's what Nick has to say about the movie that EVERYONE is gushing about. Leave Nick a comment and tell him how you feel!
Here it is, folks. My review of 'The Dark Knight.' Deadline Hollywood Daily is now reporting that Warner Bros. execs are speculating the film could top $160 million this weekend. Unreal. Here's my review. Now, can I tell you how I got my scars?
Chicago filmmaker Jerry Vasilatos is a huge fan of the Batman series. Like many of you out there, he's super pumped about 'The Dark Knight,' which opens this Friday. And today, Jerry is premiering his new short film to the world. 'The Dark Knight Project' was filmed over a long weekend here in Chicago, and it's meant to bridge the gap between 'Batman Begins' and the upcoming 'The Dark Knight.' The film premiered online today and you can watch it here. Enjoy!
I first saw Mer at Northern Illinois University a few years ago. After growing up in the suburbs and attending NIU, Mer left DeKalb to pursue a full time gig in music. Today, he packs the biggest venues in Chicago, including the Cubbie Bear, the Double Door, the House of Blues, Schuba's, etc. He also about to embark on a European tour. We had Mer perform some acoustic versions of his original songs for tonight's "metromix" weekend. The above song is called "Here," and tune in tonight to hear more about Mer.
If you know of a local musician we should feature on the show, be sure to let us know!
Happy Monday everyone. Hope you were OK waking up after the long 4th of July weekend. I had this video sent to me in an email. It's an old one, but a great one. Perhaps the best card trick I've ever seen. It's from Japanese television, but you don't need any words to explain what's going on. Enjoy!
How naughty, yet true. I actually liked the latest installment of Dr. Jones, but the more and more I think about it, it was a pretty dumb movie. One of the more ridiculous scenes, the now-infamous Tarzan sequence, no doubt influenced our friends over at Black20.com when they were putting this video together. We'll leave the debate as to whether Indy has finally "Nuked the Fridge" to another blog post. But for now, enjoy the Swingin' Lifestyle of everyone's favorite junior!
So it doesn't COMPLETELY reveal Two Face, but it's pretty darn close. In case you don't want to watch and be totally suprised, the clip shows a scene where a man in a bar is approached by a now disfigured Harvey Dent. You only see Dent from behind, but his face is clearly mangled. 'The Dark Knight' opens in 17 days.
......In Cyberspace! Tomorrow Stephanie will be conducting a LIVE video web chat on chicagotribune.com, hosted by Joe Gray. It goes down Thursday, June 12th at 1 p.m.
She'll be live in the Chicago Tribune studio taking questions from YOU for about 30 minutes. She'll talk about her experience on the reality show… and maybe about WINNING Top Chef on tonight's finale!
You can enter your quesitons for Stephanie here. Enjoy!
Marcus Leshock here. Because the World Series-bound Chicago Cubs are playing on CLTV tomorrow night, "metromix" will air its weekly Let's Eat food show tonight! We'll give you an inside look at Chicago's Green City Market, a great place to get fresh produce every week. Also, we'll sample the "Island Fusion" meats on a stick at Skewerz in Wicker Park. And don't forget about Tribune Food Critic Phil Vettel! He'll give his review of Chef Amaury's in Aurora.
To get you really HUNGRY for tonight's show, check out this new invention that was featured on the Onion News Network. See you tonight!
The second-longest running cast member of SNL. Hard to believe, right? Tim Meadows spent nearly 10 years on the show before leaving to do a multitude of things. Some of my favorite Meadows moments have been his small cameos in movies, like his role as the drummer in "Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story." Yes, I'm a bit obsessed with this movie, and I'll stop blogging about it. But for now here's a little bit of Tim reminiscing on what it was like telling Dewey Cox that he didn't want any of this s#%*!
More of my interview with Tim on tonight's "metromix!" Check it out!
Check out CrossFit Tri-Cities Memorial Day fundraiser!
Marcus Leshock here. I have to give big props to the folks over at Tri-Cities Crossfit. This Monday is Memorial Day...in honor of that they'll be hosting a charity fundraiser, raising money to buy cooling vests for soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. If you're new to Crossfit, it's an internet-based workout that's sweeping the country. Earlier this year I checked out Chicago's Crossfit branch, here's the story....
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Tri-Cities Crossfit is located in St. Charles....run by first-class trainers Mark Reinke and Jason Homesly. All of the details about their fundraiser this Monday can be found after the jump....
Check out Hombre Films at the Annoyance Theatre's Video Night!
Marcus Leshock here. If you're looking for something to do last minute tonight, check out the Annoyance Theatre's free video night! They showcase (mostly) funny shorts by filmmakers all over the city, and yes, it's free of charge. The show starts at 8:00 p.m. And as a special bonus tonight, my good friends over at Hombre Films will be premiering their new comedy short film "Wheelchair Werewolf." You might remember a while back on "metromix," we premiered their last short "Time Gun." Here's the video....
More Hombre can be found at their website here. And check out the Annoyance Theatre's site for info on all of their events here.
Marcus Leshock here with my last American Idol recap of the year. It was David versus David. Cook versus Archuleta. A bloody battle until the beginning of "Hell's Kitchen." Who would come out on top? A David? The audience? Me? Find out, here's my recap for ChicagoLive.com.....
It's been fun putting these together all year, and thanks for your viewership and feedback. Also, if you ever have the chance to work with confetti, I highly recommend against it. I'm still picking it out of my hair, and I have a date with a high powered vacuum a little bit later today.
Remember to check out my past American Idol recaps in the archive section of ChicagoLive here.
And for even more American Idol madness, check out the RedEye's American Idol blog Vital Idol. Find it here.
Marcus Leshock here. If you missed my review of the latest in Fast Food, you're in luck. Below you'll find the extended version, complete with a review of Taco Bell's new Chicken Bacon Club Chalupa! Got a Fast Food favorite you'd like me to tackle? Leave a comment!
Starring director Wes Anderson and actor Jason Schwartzman. Please don't ask me for the secrets of my patented researching process. Instead, sit back and enjoy this viral video I made....
Ever see a grown man cry? Marcus Leshock here, admittedly going a little stir crazy, like I do towards the end of every American Idol season. Last night the contestants sang songs from the Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame. As always, I put together a little video recap for ChicagoLive.com. Here it is:
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And don't forget to check out the archive of my Idol recaps from weeks past. You can find them here.
Aaaannnnnd....if you STILL can't get enough American Idol, be sure to check out the latest musings from our good friends over at the RedEye. They put together a weekly American Idol recap with RedEye attitude. Find their Vital Idol blog here.
The new trailer for "Batman: The Dark Knight" has just mesmerized me with its awesomeness. It's got more than enough Heath Ledger to get you fired up for July 18th. Just look at some of the little touches he's adding to the Joker, particularly that freakish tongue smacking around his scarred lips. They're not kidding when they say this guy was into the role. Wow. Watch the full trailer in fantastic HD video.....here.
Marcus Leshock here! Summer movie season is officially here, the most exciting time of year for movie fans everywhere! Instead of doing your traditional Summer Movie Preview 2008, I've decided to actually rank the top 8 movies of the summer without seeing one of them! This way we can all sit down in September and have a good laugh at how wrong I was. So keep reading after the jump for my Top 8 movies on summer 2008, complete with each of their trailers!
Great grub at 7, 8, 9, and midnight! We'll hit the new bar and grill Tallulah's in Lincoln Square, we'll chat with some up and coming female chefs at Kendall College, and Chicago Tribune food critic Phil Vettel will review Gabriel's in Highwood AND Vermilion on Hubbard in the city. I'll see you tonight....but for now...enjoy a little food-related satire from the Onion News Network...right after the jump...
Marcus Leshock here. Let me tell you, I really can't get enough of this political season, especially if it keeps giving us videos like this one! It's crazy to think about this - when was the last time an elected official like Hillary Clinton made herself a cup of coffee, let alone operated a cappucino machine in a gas station? Awesome!
This reminded me of that old piece of video from 1992 with then President Bush looking amazed at how a common grocery store scanner worked. I actually found a crummy version of that clip on YouTube. Check it out after the jump....
Ever wonder what it's like on a "metromix on CLTV" on location shoot? You never know what's going to happen. But the one thing I've learned? Just roll with it. Here's a little clip of a man who approached us when we were putting together last fall's movie special. Since then nearly 8,000 people have viewed this clip on YouTube. So Kokomo Joe, wherever you are, you're a star in cyberspace!
What's up folks, Marcus Leshock here! Fresh from a week OUT of America, it was fun to get back into town and watch Neil Diamond give the best 5 singers in the country a lesson in weirdness. My weekly recaps are back and (hopefully) better than ever! Who will get kicked off tonight? Here's my Top Five Recap....
Because nothing is more fun than taking a walk down memory lane, be sure to check out my past recaps in the Chicagolive.com American Idol archive....here.
And don't forget our friends over at the RedEye either! Brian Moore's "Vital Idol" blog is definitely worth checking out. Recaps, commentary and predictions with RedEye attitude can be found at redeyechicago.com/vitalidol.
Marcus Leshock here. I don't know about you, but I just can't get enough of this Cougar in Chicago story! I mean, a real Cougar loose on the North Side of Chicago? How does that happen? Was it looking to take in a Cubs game? Maybe it was attracted to the wondrous aroma of Hot Doug's delicious encased meats? Fortunately, the cat was killed by Chicago Police before it did harm to any local residents. But sadly, we'll never be able to ask the Great Beast what it was looking for. After the jump I have compiled some great moments in Cougar history. Enjoy!
What is with these successful rappers and early retirement? Word is the AARP is sick of printing out all of these new membership cards! But seriously, MTV News is reporting that Lupe is ready to hang up the mic for good. He tells MTV that his next album will probably be his last. Or I guess he's "85% sure" it will be. It's weird, but I think I remember somebody else breaking this news a long time ago. Hmmmmm.
What's up Idol freaks? Marcus Leshock here. Before you head to your Super-Bowl-like "Idol Gives Back" party, check out my recap of last night's performances by the Top 8! Funny that even though this was probably one of the lamer shows of the season, I'm still able to put together a 5 minute recap. Shows something about my sanity I guess. Enjoy!
"Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story" drops on DVD tomorrow. If you haven't seen it, I thought it was one of the funnier films of 2007. It's definitely worth a look. I was given a few minutes to sit down and sit with the legend himself, Mr. John C. Reilly, before his concert appearance at the Cubby Bear in Wrigleyville. Here's the uncut interview:
Howdy, y'all! Marcus Leshock here to break down your American Idol Top 9 performances last night. Would Dolly Parton night be an ENORMOUS success? Here's is my video recap I put together for chicagolive.com. Enjoy!
The American Idol recap is back, and this time better than ever! Instead of a written entry, every week I will be putting together a video blog for chicagolive.com! Last night the Top Ten sang songs from the year they were born, and not one New Kids On The Block cut. I was disappointed...but I guess they're not THAT young. Here's my video recap....
Hey all, Marcus Leshock here. I know I posted the hilarious, kinda anti-Hillary "Election" video a few weeks back. In fairness, this morning I ran across this new ad on YouTube using many of Jack Nicholson's famous characters to make the pitch for Hillary. As you may know, he is one of her supporters. Thought I'd post it up...find it right after the jump.....
That's right, last Saturday's skit was such a huge hit (Hillary even referenced it during Tuesday night's debate, for crying out loud), that SNL creator Lorne Michaels has ordered scribe Jim Downey to write another skit to open THIS week's show. The scoop was reported by Nikki Finke on her awesome entertainment blog. You can read the article here. If you missed last Saturday's Obama/Hillary skit, check it out here.
Imagine All The Screechers! Marcus's American Idol Recap - Guys' Night 2!
So Garrett is gone. I guess I know the full power of my blog. The American Idol guys are down to ten, and tonight they blew through the hits and misses of the 70’s. The judges spent the night reminding us it was a great decade for music. Ryan even undid his collar. And Simon? He compared it to the Oscars – long, boring, and needing an orchestra to get contestants off the stage. My thoughts on the second night for the guys, including my winners and losers, after the jump….
That's right. The star of "There Will Be Blood" called into the Nick Digilio Show on WGN Radio 720AM while I was a guest to celebrate his Best Actor Oscar. Hilarity ensued.
We know your losing sleep at night in anticipation for the new Indiana Jones: Kingdom of the Crystal Skull Trailer. Well wait no more here it is in all of its Lucas glory.
Marcus Leshock here with one of the funniest short films I've seen in a long time. Just a simple story about a couple of guys looking for a frame shop on Google Maps. Enjoy, but remember this message. Google Maps will eventually bring complete destruction to all mankind. Have a great day!
Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova perform on "metromix!"
Marcus Leshock here. You may have caught it on Monday's show, but in honor of the release of the "Once" DVD, we re-aired Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova's performance on the show! Since I've uploaded it, more than 35,000 people have checked it out. Pretty amazing, but then again, so are they. Back by popular demand, here's the entire performance. Glen and Marketa doing Van Morrison's "Into the Mystic":
Marcus Leshock here. Ever wonder what happens on the "metromix" set AFTER the broadcast ends? As you can imagine, a little hijinx ensue. You fans of 80's cinema should get this one. Just call us "The Metromix Club":
John C. Reilly talks Dewey Cox with Marcus! The Uncut Interview!
He performed to a full house last night at The Cubby Bear, and man was he hilarious! Chicago-born actor John C. Reilly sat down with me for a few minutes to talk everything Dewey Cox. Cox music, Cox on the road, and just how fun it is to be able to say Cox all the time.
Marcus Leshock here. Sly Stallone came through Chicago when "Rocky Balboa" was released, and he was kind enough to spend a few minutes with me. The "Rocky Saga" comes out on DVD today and it's my DVD Pick of the Week. All 6 "Rocky" movies for less than $40! Talk about a great gift! Check out the full uncut interview above!
Hey all..Marcus Leshock here. If you caught the show last night, you saw the guys from Aero Chicago doing some Parkour for us on the city streets. I cut together a little music video using some of the footage we had left over from the story. You have to see these guys to believe them. The video is posted right after the jump....
