The Office Recap 2/11, "Manager and Salesman"

In a little plug for NBC I guess, the episode opens with Michael calling Vancouver about a reservation he made for the Olympics three years ago. He decides not to take the trip, so he cancels it, but of course there is a fee, so he ends up paying for nothing. This is the Michael Scott we know and love ladies and gentlemen.

Kathy Bates guest stars as Jo Bennett the new CEO of Dunder Mifflin. She enters the office with two huge great danes who dart straight for Andy. “The love a good crotch,” says Bennett.

She calls a conference meeting and hand out the Sabre handbook, which is also her biography. She tells the camera about her pilot’s license, and ties to Truman Capote, in her first confessional.

Afterwards Andy decides to hand out his Valentine’s Day cards, which he bought for everyone. His plan is to give an extra special one to Erin. The card he gives her is nice, but Erin isn’t very impressed.

The new boss, after meeting Michael and Jim, the “co-managers” decides that it’s time to stop having two men doing the same job. At first both want to keep the manager position, and try to impress Bennett into selecting them for it. She lets them work it out themselves, and after Jim and Pam discover that he could make more money on commission as a salesman, Jim gives in. But before things go official, Michael also finds out that he could make more money as a salesman, and they both try to convince Bennett that the other should be manager.

Kelly in the annex receives Andy’s card. She is immediately swept off her feet by the beautiful things Andy wrote. Unfortunately for Kelly, it was meant for Erin, but neither Erin nor Kelly knows that.

Dwight and Ryan meet up and discuss how they can take down Jim. They have been meeting like this repeatedly since Jim was named “co-manager.” When Ryan is late for the meeting Dwight quips that he wishes he “had a lair to go to.” After the meeting the two decide to go to the new IT guy Nick, and hack into Jim’s computer to get info. But he doesn’t help them much, unable to provide Jim’s password.

Michael is having a hard time adjusting to his new desk, which is now too small for all his toys. His sales antics are a bit outdated with Dwight observing to him, “it’s not 1992 anymore.” Michael also can’t adjust to a certain smell coming from Phyllis, and he realizes he doesn’t like it so much out here.

In the meantime, Kelly tells Erin about the card, and Erin is disappointed, because she thought Andy liked her. This leads to an awkward moment when Andy is by the copier with Kelly. She kisses him on the cheek and he realizes his mistake with a little help from Meredith.

Michael speaks to Jim, and they decide that they will switch back jobs. The new boss allows it, and Michael gets reacquainted with his old digs. Andy takes the time to send an email to everyone except Erin telling them that him giving them a card didn’t mean he ‘liked them’, obviously directed at Kelly. Kelly of course, in her dramatic ways is devastated, but Erin is very chipper once she realizes that the card was meant for her.

The episode ends with Dwight giving Jim one of his usual speeches. Jim then decides to dunk his tie into the cup of coffee he has in his hand. Dwight is unamused as Pam and Jim smile. Things are truly back to normal now.

The next episode of the Office, “The Delivery” will air on March 4, 2010 and is an hour-long episode. Harold Ramis, who directed "Beach Games" and "Safety Training," and Seth Gordon, will direct the episode, which will feature the birth of Jim and Pam's baby.

Pam Beesly's contractions begin but she and Jim are determined to wait it out as long as they can so that they can have more time at the hospital. Meanwhile, the rest of the office tries to distract Pam with food and entertainment. Later, Michael anxiously awaits for Pam's baby to be born. Back at the office, Andy becomes jealous after Erin has lunch with Kevin Malone.

The "24" Film Makes Some Progress

Twentieth Century Fox's film and TV studios are conspiring to finally bring hit television series "24" to the bigscreen, reports Variety.

According to Variety: Billy Ray ("Shattered Glass," "Breach") has been hired to pen the script for a potential feature film based on hit Fox series "24."

Ray delivered a pitch, which puts Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) in Europe. Sutherland himself was key to bringing in Ray's cinematic take on the series.

The catch, of course, is when it would happen as various factors--most notably the fate of the TV series, which currently is one-third of the way through airing its eighth season--will determine when any action takes place on the film.

Fox toppers Peter Rice and Kevin Reilly will likely want to see how the show performs over the next few weeks before deciding whether to commit to another season of Bauer racing the clock.

The allure of spinning a popular TV series into a bigscreen film is hard to ignore for studio execs, since there is a built-in audience. Also, "24" has also been a mammoth hit for the studio in foreign markets, which suggests that a feature adaptation would travel well.

“24” has been one of my favorite shows on television since the day it first aired, and Kiefer Sutherland has been one of the best actors on television during that time. The transition to film should be easy for Jack Bauer and friends, and frankly, it’s about damn time.

Producers have long planned to bring Bauer to the big screen and originally intended to shoot a film between the sixth and seventh seasons. Plans were later deferred to allow producers to focus on the series. A TV movie, "24: Redemption," aired in 2008.

A decision is needed soon--a source close to the show said the producers are preparing to write the 23rd and 24th episodes of the current season, so they need to know whether to pen a series finale. Production on the drama is scheduled to wrap March 24, 2010.

The thought of a "24" movie always has been an exciting thought for me, but the fact that Billy Ray has been brought on to write the script makes me excited for this on another level. I think “Shattered Glass” is a fantastically underrated and well-written film, and “Breach” was also an excellent piece of filmmaking. He is the perfect choice for this film.

I also think it is important to note that Sutherland himself was key to bringing in Ray onto the film. With a franchise like “24,” the lead actor is so important, and the fact that Sutherland will be involved as a producer makes me think that the “24” film adaptation will be a good one.

“24” airs Monday nights at 9 p.m. on Fox.

Sam Worthington Skips Through "Fields"

Aussie actor Sam Worthington ("Avatar," "Clash of the Titans") has signed on to star in Ami Canaan Mann's very dark thriller "The Fields," reports Variety.

According to Variety: Sam Worthington in talks to star in the thriller "The Fields," Ami Canaan Mann will direct and her father, Michael Mann will produce.

The screenplay, which is based on a true story, will have Worthington play a homicide detective from Texas investigating a strong of unsolved murders amidst the oil refineries in the state's southeast with the help of a peer from New York. Don Ferrarone, a former DEA agent, penned the script.

There have been a lot of Internet rumors about this film in the past, including Worthington’s involvement, and that Mann would act as director himself. Also a rumor recently circulated that Bradley Cooper was attached to star in the film.

With Worthington announced as the Texas cop, Cooper would presumably play the New York detective. Cooper's involvement isn't official by any means, but given Cooper’s elevated status since the success of “The Hangover,” I wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up in “The Fields.”

Worthington seems to be the hottest commodity in Hollywood right now. Following the massive success of "Avatar," the actor will be seen on screens in "Clash of the Titans" this spring, and he's also attached to "Dracula Year Zero." Looks like it’s a good time to be Sam.

Filming kicks off in early April in Louisiana.

Directors Turn Down "Planet of the Apes" Reboot

Kathryn Bigelow, Robert Rodriguez and Tomas Alfredson have all apparently declined offers to direct Fox's "Caesar," their proposed upcoming reboot of the "Planet of the Apes" franchise, reports Vulture.

According to Vulture: The prequel to "Planet of the Ape"s continues to evolve at Twentieth Century Fox. Insiders say that producer Peter Chernin has been having trouble interesting the top tier of directors in swinging aboard: He has had discussions with Kathryn Bigelow, Robert Rodriguez and Tomas Alfredson, but all of them have declined.

But Chernin and Fox are so intent on making this movie that they’re progressing right down to the next level of meat-and-potatoes action directors: Albert and Allen Hughes ("The Book of Eli"); Pierre Morel ("Taken"); James McTeigue ("Ninja Assassin"); Dennis Illiadis ("The Last House on the Left"), and Scott Stewart ("Legion").

It’s never good when directors pass on your project. But to be honest, after making a film like “The Hurt Locker,” did the studio really think Bigelow would take on “Planet of the Apes”? It just doesn’t make sense, and clearly Bigelow agreed.

Rodriguez would have been an interesting choice, but he is busy producing the “Predators” remake and he didn’t want to get behind another franchise reboot.

Although the film is being shopped to “lower level” directors, that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. For example, Morel was the director of “Taken,” which in my opinion was a great action movie. Sure, he didn’t do anything revolutionary with the genre, but it was entertaining, it kept me watching and it was a solid movie. A franchise in his hands could possibly turn out to be something great.

Only time will tell on who will take on “Caesar,” but as of now we know it won’t be a Bigelow.

Warner Bros. Wins "Heist Society" Rights

Warner Bros. Pictures has won a major bidding war for the film rights to Ally Carter's young adult thriller novel "Heist Society," says The Hollywood Reporter

According to the Hollywood Reporter: Warner Bros. has won a multistudio bidding war to pick up "Heist Society," a young-adult thriller novel by Ally Carter. Warners beat out Disney, Paramount and Summit, all of which jumped at the chance to bring to the screen a book, which can be described as "The Thomas Crown Affair" with teens.

The book, which hits stores next week, follows Katarina Bishop, a woman from a family made up of famed master thieves. When a mobster's priceless art collection goes missing, her father becomes the prime suspect and she assembles a team to find and retrieve the artwork.

In the books Bishop is a teenager at boarding school, the film version will age the various characters slightly upwards--making them in their early 20s. Denise Di Novi and Alison Greenspan are producing the film, while Shauna Cross will adapt the script.

Carter is best known as the author of young adult mystery series known as "Gallagher Girls," about a boarding school for girls who are spies-in-training.

I’m not that big into young adult thriller novels, but the premise of this one sounds like it will translate to the film easily. Audiences love slick thieves (“Ocean’s 11” series), and with the story centering on a group of young girls, well, that audience should come out in droves.

Look for the film sometime in 2011.

Danny McBride, Jody Hill Re-Teaming For "L.A.P.I."

Actor/comedian Danny McBride ("Tropic Thunder," "Land of the Lost") and director Jody Hill are re-teaming for the comedy "L.A.P.I." for Rough House Pictures, says Screen Daily.

According to Screen Daily: David Gordon Green, Jody Hill and Danny McBride’s Rough House Pictures has acquired its first project.

Head of production Matt Reilly announced the company has picked up the action-comedy pitch "L.A.P.I." from writers Michael Diliberti and Matthew Sullivan, through Rough House’s deal with Mandate Pictures.

McBride is expected to play an over-the-hill, hardboiled private investigator, though other plot details are unknown. Michael Diliberti and Matthew Sullivan penned the script. Hill is attached to direct and McBride will star. The pair will produce alongside Green and Reilly. Mandate president Nathan Kahane will serve as executive producer.

McBride and Hill previously teamed on "The Foot Fist Way," "Observe and Report" and the TV series "Eastbound & Down." Diliberti and Sullivan are currently co-writing "Brewster’s Millions" for Warner Bros.

Danny McBride is a terrific actor and this project sounds like it will be perfect for the Rough House clan. "The Foot Fist Way," is one of my favorite films, and the tone of this new film looks to be right up Hill and McBride’s alley.

McBride has proved to be a versatile actor over the years, believe it or not. He has appeared in the hilarious films “Pineapple Express” and “Tropic Thunder,” but he also has had some dramatic roles. His film debut was in pal David Gordon Green’s “All the Real Girls,” and he also had a supporting role in the recent Best Picture nominee “Up in the Air”.

McBride was phenomenal on “Eastbound and Down” last year, and I thought the Hill-directed “Observe and Report” was a very underrated film. McBride is currently filming “Your Highness” with James Franco, which will be released later this year.

Look for “L.A.P.I.” to shoot later this year.

Classic Album Review: Warren G, “Regulate... G Funk Era”

Check out my weekly column at Refined Hype, which reviews a classic album each week.

Music, like many other things in life, can act as more than just entertainment. Music can be inspirational, it can be life changing, and it can be an important cultural tool. Another thing it can also do it transcend itself, and help capture a certain point of time in a person’s life.

It’s happened to all of us. You fall in love with a song from the summer of 2003, or the fall of 2005, or the vacation of 2007, and from that moment on, that song reminds you of that time. Listening to that track, or that album brings you back to that time in life, like a piece of instant nostalgia. Warren G's 'Regulate...G Funk Era'" is that album for me.

I remember exactly when I discovered this album, the summer of 2001, in of all places, a summer camp. One of my best friends (who always was way ahead of the curve when it came to hip-hop music from the rest of us) pulled out the CD and said that this guy Warren G was one of the best rappers, and also happened to be Dr. Dre’s brother (his step brother actually). The fact that he was related to Dre got me interested, so he played the album for us, and it instantly became a favorite of mine.

Released in 1994 on the Def Jam label, “Regulate… G Funk Era” reached triple platinum status, party on the strength of the eponymous single, "Regulate", which features Nate Dogg and was also nominated for a Grammy.

Like his older brother Dre, Warren G shows off his talent by not only rapping but producing, too. Most of the tracks are sprinkled with vintage R&B-flavored beats, mixed in with some funk laced under Warren’s clever lyrics. They combine to create a nostalgic feel for the city Los Angeles, the West Coast gangsta lifestyle and scene that Dre and Snoop Dogg pioneered.

While the album has some great tracks, including "So Many Ways", "This D.J.”, and "Do You See", none are better than “Regulate”. The eponymous track was a breakthrough for both Warren G and Nate Dogg, and is one of the most illustrative and clever tracks of all time.

The track is a gritty depiction of West Coast gang life which samples singer Michael McDonald's hit "I Keep Forgettin' (Every Time You're Near)". The track also made popular the term "Regulators! Mount up", which is a line sampled from the movie “Young Guns”.

The song tells a story in which Warren G, while looking for some "skirts" (women), is mugged in Long Beach, California. Nate Dogg comes along guns blazing and saves the day, and the two go off looking for their women. The two rappers go back and forth, telling each side of the story with some of the cleverest lines in hip-hip history.

Warren G sets the scene perfectly with his opening lines when he raps, “It was a clear black night, a clear white moon/Warren G was on the streets, trying to consume/Some skirts for the eve, so I can get some funk/just rollin in my ride, chillin all alone.” Nate Dogg is ferocious on the track, as he comes to the defense of Warren G, the man in distress. He raps, “Sixteen in the clip and one in the hole/Nate Dogg is about to make some bodies turn cold, now they droppin and yellin, it's a tad bit late/Nate Dogg and Warren G had to regulate.” It’s one of the most enjoyable tracks I’ve ever heard, and one of the best ever crafted.



"So Many Ways", "This D.J.”, and "Do You See", are solid, and like the rest of the album, the tracks greatly reference Long Beach, Warren’s hometown.

"Do You See" has a funky, electric sounding beat and starts off with a spoken word line about America and the blues. It shows that Warren is musically intelligent and respects the music that was around before he was. He brings everything into perspective when he drops the chorus and raps, “You don't see what I see, every day as Warren G/You don't hear what I hear/But it's so hard to live through these years.”



“This is the Shack”, which features The Dove Shack, has always been a personal favorite of mine, although it’s not one of the best tracks on the album. With it’s laid back hook and smooth beat it epitomizes the vibe of the rest of the tracks, even though it’s not up to par in quality.



“Regulate… G Funk” will always be an album that’s memorable to me, but it also will remain as one of the best albums of all time, and a staple of what the West Coast hip-hop genre is.

Brad Pitt, Ryan Reynolds Top Choices for "Gunsmoke"

Brad Pitt is the top contender while Ryan Reynolds is amongst potential backup candidates to star as the lead in a film remake of classic western series "Gunsmoke" at CBS Films, reports The LA Times.

According to the LA Times: The job of Dodge City peacekeeper is proving to be one of the most desirable assignments around.

Several top-flight actors are in the running to play Marshal Matt Dillon, the lead lawman in CBS Films' big-screen adaptation of the classic Western television show "Gunsmoke" that starred James Arness.

Brad Pitt has emerged as a top contender for the role, with Ryan Reynolds also a candidate for the juicy, gunslinging part.

Currently tied with "Law & Order" as the longest running primetime drama in U.S. television history, the series was set in Dodge City, Kansas during the settlement of the American West. The show ran on CBS from 1955 to 1975.

Dillon is the Western hero charged with maintaining law and order in the period Kansas town filled with colorful vagrants, misfits and desperadoes. He carries on in these adventures with the help of town physician Doc Adams and tavern owner Miss Kitty Russell.

In the film version, penned by Gregory Poirier ("National Treasure: Book of Secrets"), Pitt or the other potentials would play the lead role of Marshall Matt Dillon, which Arness memorably played for 20 years. Several other actors are said to be in the mix for the Dillon part, which offers the dual appeal of playing an action hero who also has depth and period cachet.

Pitt would be an excellent choice for this role. He was excellent in the underrated “The Assassination of Jesse James,” so he would be comfortable in the Western scene. Reynolds also would be a great choice. After some recent humorous roles, Reynolds has remade himself as an action lead, preparing to shoot the titular role in "The Green Lantern.”

Either way, the studio is hoping that “Gunsmoke” will be the film that gets audiences excited for Westerns again, which have faded out in recent years.

Logan Lerman as Spider-Man? Not so fast!

Logan Lerman is not in talks to play Peter Parker in the "Spider-Man" reboot, says Heat Vision.

According to Heat Vision: News broke last week that Logan Lerman was one of the actors being considered for Peter Parker in Sony's Spidey reboot. When asked about the news, Lerman was extremely cautious about revealing anything at all, which is understandable knowing the way the Internet has their way with rumors.

Said Lerman: "It's just, you know, conversations are starting. It's a long process with the studio and the producers and everything. But it's definitely a project that I'm really interested in, of course.”

Both Columbia Pictures and the actor’s camp have denied that Lerman, who stars as the title character in “Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief,” is the lead candidate for job.

While a “wide net” is being cast, according to a studio spokesman, “No offers have been made, nor have any business discussions been made with Lerman.”

The studio has yet to even close a deal with the film’s potential director, Marc Webb, who would helm what promises to be a much more lean and high school-focused movie than the Sam Raimi-Tobey Maguire predecessors.

Taking a look at his past movies, Lerman certainly looks as if he’s ready to star in a tent-pole action film. He was Christian Bale's son in "3:10 To Yuma," and starred next to Drew Barrymore in "Riding in Cars with Boys," but his break out role was in "The Patriot."

I think the fact that the studio still has yet to close the deal with Webb means that we have to take these Internet rumors with a grain of salt. But in my opinion, I actually think Lerman would be a good Peter Parker. He’s young enough, and he has the look for a high school-age geek-type. Lerman was excellent back when he was on the underrated show “Jack and Bobby” years ago, and this could be a huge break for him.

“Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief” is released February 12, 2010.

Sony and Lionsgate Duel For "Terminator" Rights

Apparently, it’s Sony vs. Lionsgate in a bidding war for the rights to the "Terminator" franchise, reports Variety.

As it has been previously reported, the Halcyon Group is putting the rights to future "Terminator" films, TV series, DVDs and merchandise on auction in Los Angeles, days before a bankruptcy court hearing.

According to Variety: A few weeks ago, it looked like the "Terminator" franchise, which has been the subject of sale talk since late last year, might go to Lionsgate after the studio put in a bid for it. There's been no comment from the studio, but Sony placed a bid last Thursday, the final day of the rights auction.

Lionsgate had previously offered $15 million plus 5 percent of future grosses to current owners The Halcyon Group. The sale plans came about in September 2009, after Halcyon filed for Chapter 11.

"Terminator Salvation," the fourth film in the franchise, was produced by Halcyon with Warner Bros. handling domestic distribution and Sony taking international. It carried a production pricetag of about $200 million and took in $371 million worldwide.

Either way, Lionsgate will walk away with something because if it doesn't win, it will receive $750,000 as a breakup fee from the winning bidder.

I’m not the most business savvy person when it comes to industry dealings, but The Halcyon Group really f*&#ed up the “Terminator” franchise, pardon my French.

When I first heard that another film was coming out, I was super excited. I am a huge fan of the first two films and I consider “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” to be one of the best action films of all time. I also am in the minority that actually liked “Terminator 3,” although I do admit it’s the weakest of the trilogy.

When Christian Bale was cast as John Connor, I was pumped. Batman is going to be John Connor, too? That’s great. And I even gave the producers the benefit of the doubt when they brought on McG to direct because it seemed like he had the right ideas in mind to bring another “Terminator” film to the screen. But it just turned out to be one big dystopian mess.

I don’t think “Terminator: Salvation” was horrible, but it fell way below my expectations and selling the franchise may be the best thing to happen to the “Terminator.” Hopefully, the next studio will learn from Hacylon’s past mistakes and the next film is a great one.