Kent's Talk

The world says goodbye to one of the few true legends of the silver screen. Charlton Heston was far more than a movie star. In the era of big epic films, Heston was an even bigger epic presence. He commanded the screen and your attention through the sheer power of his acting. Thousands upon thousands of extras could be buzzing around a scene but it was Heston who everyone zeroed in on. He was that kind of man. I had the privilege of meeting Charlton Heston in December 1995. The Northwestern alumnus appeared at events cheering on his team for the Rose Bowl. Although visibly pained by arthritis in his knee, Heston signed every autograph and posed for every picture he was asked for. He was still remarkably tall, chiseled, and commanding in his old age. The crowd behaved like Moses himself had just appeared before them. Of all Heston's magnificent roles, I'd have to say my favorite was his cameo in Wayne's World. I know most will scorn me for this, but let me make my case. Here we have a living legend willing to use himself as a fantastic punch line. When Mike Meyers stopped the movie to ask for a better actor for the gas station attendant, they brought in Charlton Heston to deliver a few lines. That promptly brought Wayne to tears. Talk about a better actor! They don't make movies anymore like the ones Charlton Heston used to do. They don't make movie stars like Charlton Heston anymore either. - Kent Ninomiya

Kent Ninomiya - Action star Wesley Snipes is found not guilty of six felony tax charges but found guilty of three misdemeanor counts for failing to file a tax return.

Considering Snipes could have faced 16 years in prison, this has to be called a major legal victory. This is also a victory for those who object to our tax system. Snipes certainly isn't the only one who refuses to submit to our tax system, though he is perhaps the most prominent. Regardless of whether you agree with his views, you have to respect his courage. Snipes could go to prison for his beliefs, yet he is fighting the system anyway. His legal victory will embolden others to follow his example. This could be the beginning of a tax revolution. Kent Ninomiya

Kent Ninomiya - The name of the new James Bond film, "Quantum of Solace," has fans and critics everywhere scratching their heads. It's not just an opaque name. It marks a significant change in the direction of the James Bond character and franchise. Not since George Lazenby has there been a more unpopular choice of actor to portray Bond than Daniel Craig. His first Bond film, "Casino Royale," restarts the character from the beginning though it is set in modern times. The movie relied much more on story and character than the action and stunts Bond films are known for. "Quantum" continues right where "Casino" left off. Bond seeks revenge for the death of his love Vesper. Producers promise more action in this film but the die is cast for a new Bond. It is too soon to know if this will work with fans. If "Quantum" is a success then we can expect Bond to continue down a darker brooding path. If it flops we may see the return of Roger Moore slapstick. Hopefully Bond will find a happy medium. Kent Ninomiya

Kent Ninomiya - Add Heath Ledger to the list of young Hollywood stars who died too young. His mysterious end at the age of 28 in a New York apartment, naked with a bottle of sleeping pills nearby, has all the ingredients of a posthumous legend in the making. Like James Dean and Marilyn Monroe before him, an early tragic death of an up and coming star has a way of immortalizing and exaggerating a personality, talent and accomplishments. It is unclear how Ledger died, but whatever the eventual explanation, it will be doubted and conspiracies suggested. Celebrities are bigger than life for the masses. When they die tragically we tend to claim a piece of them for ourselves. This way we can feel the loss as if they were acting a role for us. Never mind that we may not have noticed the deceased much when they were alive. Their passing forces us to reflect on what they were and ponder what will never be. That imagination usually surpasses the reality.
I remember covering the death of Chris Farley in Chicago in 1997. He was found dead in his apartment by his brother. Farley was 33. I traced his steps the night of his death and spoke to several people who spent time with him. They told me he seemed a bit preoccupied and drank alone in a number of bars and clubs. The coroner later said a drug overdose killed him. It was a tragic story. Despite this I remember many people, fans and commentators alike, trying to turn his death into something noble. I actually heard one person say "at least he died doing what he loved." I doubt very much that would be the reaction if Farley wasn't a celebrity.
We shouldn't forget that celebrities are people like all of us. They have problems and demons plus the added burden of dealing with them under public scrutiny. Whatever the cause or reason for Heath Ledger's demise, let's not make it into something it's not.
Heath Ledger recently wrapped up shooting his role as the Joker on the "Dark Night" Batman sequel. It will be his swan song

Kent Ninomiya - The two month old Writers Guild of America strike threatens to change every aspect of our media. That includes TV, movies, Internet, and much more. All indications are that both sides are digging in for a long fight. The union would not give exemptions for awards shows like Peoples Choice and Golden Globes. They promise to take a hard line on the Academy Awards next month as well. The studios aren't blinking. They have canceled dozens of writers' contracts suggesting they are willing to concede the fall line up. Ordinarily networks are ordering new shows this month but nothing is happening now. The Directors Guild of America just agreed to a tentative three year contract. The studios hope to hold that over the writers and force them to make concessions on the issue of revenue on digital entertainment. For now neither side is budging and it is laying waste to the industry.As stockpiled TV shows are drying up, favorite programs are going into annoying reruns or disappearing altogether. Reality shows are becoming more popular and successful. This is tragic for lovers of sitcoms and well written dramas. Nightline is enjoying a ratings resurgence at the expense of late night talk shows that disappeared for a while. Many viewers are turning off the TV for other forms of entertainment. Video game and DVD sales are up. The Internet is seeing a remarkable increase in activity. If this continues for months what will be left of television? That isn't clear, but whatever it is, it will be drastically different than it was before. When baseball went on strike in 1994 they lost a significant chunk of their fan base. It took MLB a decade to regain fan trust and flourish again. Likewise TV may see changes that take years to undo. It may also lose forever many of the programs and genres that were once adored. The way we entertain ourselves may never be the same again. Kent Ninomiya

Kent Ninomiya - I am enjoying repeats of the Young Indiana Jones Chronicals on the History Channel. I was a fan of the series when it first ran from 1992 - 1996 but didn't see all the episodes back then. As I watch it now I find myself saddened that it wasn't allowed to continue its run. George Lucas mapped out the entire life of Indiana Jones and wove together an intricate tapestry of brushes with historical figures. It was landmark infotainment combined with historical fiction. As a fan of entertainment and history I call it pure genius. Fortunately there is another Indiana Jones movie coming out next year. It wont quite fullfill all my wishes but will continue the life of a character who is dear to me. Thank you George. This makes up for all those silly Star Wars movies you made me sit through. Kent Ninomiya

Kent Ninomiya - The new Terminator Sarah Connor Chronicles TV series has sparked my interest in the upcoming Terminator 4 movie. It's tentatively titled "Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins." It's expected in 2009. I'm not the only one interested. Internet searches are way up for everything Terminator. Information on the new film is limited and mostly rumor. The poster here is not official. It's from someone's imagination. This is what I was able to find on the internet: "After the drastic effects of Terminator 3, the story continues as John Connor and soon to be wife Kate Brewster begin the creation of a resistance organization with Earth's remaining survivors against the army of cyborgs slowly being built up by Skynet. As they are building this resistance, one survivor happens to be a traitor in disguise, and has a secret that nobody would ever come to suspect." I can't wait. Kent Ninomiya