William Petersen's run on 'CSI' coming to end

William Petersen is leaving "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," a move that might have fans of his brainy crimebuster Gil Grissom screaming bloody murder.

Petersen has agreed to return for occasional guest appearances and will remain a "CSI" executive producer, but his run as an original cast member will end this coming season, executive producers Carol Mendelsohn and Naren Shankar said Tuesday.

The air date for his final episode, the season's 10th, has yet to be determined but probably will be at the beginning of 2009, the producers said. The series debuted in fall 2000.

A number of familiar characters will return in the episodes building up to Grissom's departure, among them his former colleague and flame Sara Sidle, played by Jorja Fox; the Miniature Killer and sexy Lady Heather.

"Who better to turn to when you're a scientist in crisis?" Mendelsohn asked jokingly of Heather (Melinda Clarke).

The decision to leave was Petersen's, the producers said, declining further comment. A call to Petersen's publicist was not returned Tuesday.

The actor had taken a break during the 2006-07 season to perform in a play, with Liev Schreiber stepping in as a visiting investigator.

source: http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/TV/07/16/petersen.csi.ap/index.html?section=cnn_latest

Why Angelina Jolie Named Her Twins Knox and Vivienne

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt "have proven once again that they are the leaders in original baby-naming, even by Hollywood standards," baby name expert Pamela Redmond Satran, coauthor of Cool Names and The Baby Name Bible, tells Usmagazine.com.

The actress, 33, gave birth to twins Knox Leon and Vivienne Marcheline at the Fondation Lenval hospital in Nice, France on Saturday.

"Vivienne is the French version of the ancient Latin name that means 'alive,'" Satran explains. A common English variation is Vivian, which was the name of Julia Roberts' character in Pretty Woman.

Except for Rosie O'Donnell's daughter Vivienne, the name "has not been on the fashion scope in the U.S.," Satran adds.

Jolie and Pitt's choice of Knox will boost its popularity among new moms, Satran predicts, "the same way they have with all their other children's names."

Knox -- Pitt's grandfather's middle name -- also "matches" big brothers Maddox and Pax as a name that ends in X, Satran points out.

As for middle names, Marcheline was the name of Jolie's mother, who died of cancer last year, while Leon is Jolie's great-great grandfather's name.

Satran gives Jolie and Pitt credit for their name choices.

"I applaud Brad and Angelina for being truly creative in a way that many other parents -- celebrities and the rest of us -- claim they want to be but aren't brave or individualistic enough to really achieve," she says.


source: http://omg.yahoo.com/news/why-angelina-jolie-named-her-twins-knox-and-vivienne/10757?nc

Review :: Hancock

Actors: Will Smith, Jason Bateman, Charlize Theron, Eddie Marsan

This is a story about the current day not-so-super hero. I must admit, I've always had mixed feelings about Will Smith as an actor. No doubt in my mind, he is a good actor, the only problem is his attitude. He often comes off as brash and arrogant to me. It’s as if he knows that he is good, and wants to rub it in your face. Anyway, I obviously got over that since I went and saw his movie, hoping for the best, and good thing too because I got what I wanted! I enjoyed the movie! I was in fact surprised to see Charlize Theron in the movie. She is one of my favorite actresses ever!

Anyway, back to the movie. Smith does a fine job. This hardened, drunken, seemingly uncaring, superhero is perfectly portrayed by smith, well except when you look into his eyes… they seem too soft for the haughty superhero. As Hancock warms, Smith becomes better cast.

Jason Bateman is also perfect for the role of naïve marketing specialist, wanting to change the world in his own little way. He was so charming! And so sweet! He is the only one willing to give Hancock a chance, even giving him a personality makeover. What can I say except “Good job!” heehee…

Charlize plays Jason’s doubting wife, wary of Hancock from the very beginning, for a reason as we find out further in the movie. As always, she is a pretty sight in the movie.

I was amazed once again about the story line of the movie. Unique. Why can’t pinoys think of a movie with such uniqueness instead of always settling for a pinoy adaptation of an American/Korean/Japanese movie?

I found the movie too short. I expected more. I found the explanation as to where hancock came from lacking. I wanted to know more. It felt short. I felt like the writers told me “that’s that, accept it”. Oh well.

I liked the conflict between Hancock and Ray, and how it was resolved.

The movie was violent but in a good kind (is that possible?) typical of superhero flicks. It had heart, it emphasized the human need for family, contact, love and connection. It had funny moments too, as you’d expect on Will Smith movies.

What did I think of the movie? Three sunshines!

i love movies

ok, i just had to declare that. i do. i love movies. i am not one of those high and mighty movie critics who prefer "classics" to good ole commercial pop culture movies. i devour them all as long as they catch my fancy, and they have my fave actors and actresses on board.

so why did i start a new blog just for this purpose? i dunno. i guess i am tired of reading reviews on the newspaper bashing the latest commercial movie showing on the theaters only to find out that it was ok on my book when i do finally get to see it.

i just want to share my views about a certain movie... old or new. cult fave or not. blockbuster hit or dust gatherer in the videoshop.

i just want to share the thoughts of a simple, uneducated, eager movie fan about a movie flick i just watched.

'nuff said.