Godzilla 3-D To The Max- He's Back!

"A new monster called Deathla, appears and awakens Godzilla from hibernation in the Iguazu Falls, located between Argentina and Brazil. A battle ensues and progressed to Mexico City and finally concludes in Las Vegas."

In 1971, Toho released Godzilla vs. Hedorah (Gojira tai Hedorah, aka Godzilla vs. the Smog Monster). Director Yoshimitsu Banno focused on concerns about environmental pollution by depicting Godzilla's battle with Hedorah, a sludge-like alien that emerged from the dirty waters of Sagami Bay. Thirty-four years later the director is hard at work prepping a new Godzilla project that will revisit those themes. Entitled Godzilla: 3-D to the Max, the planned short feature will combine the talents of Toho Studios with cutting-edge Hollywood CG and 3-D effects, all on display on the eight- story tall IMAX movie screen.

The AAP materials describe Banno's intentions for both Godzilla and the new version of Hedorah, which is named Deathla (not Desera or 'Deathorah.). While recent Godzilla films have depicted the monster as antagonistic towards mankind, Godzilla: 3-D to the Max returns Godzilla to his heroic "Save the Earth" persona of the 1970s. One of the director's top objectives for the film is that Godzilla appeal to young people and demonstrate the importance of adopting a more "Earth Friendly" way of living. In addition to a personality change, the King of the Monsters will also display a talent long unseen... that's right, Godzilla flies again!

The crew for the film features a mix of personnel from Japan and America, many of which have a long history with large format and 3-D films. In addition to directing the film, Yoshimitsu Banno is also the lead writer and general producer. Banno's longtime assistant Kenji Okuhira is associate producer. The co-producers are Roger Holden (president of Whitecat Productions and 21st Century Sound and Vision Inc.) and Brian Rogers (T2 3D: Battle Across Time). Acting as co-director is Keith Melton (Cirque Du Soleil, Journey of Man). Godzilla series veteran Eiichi Asada (Godzilla: Tokyo SOS, Godzilla FInal Wars) returns to direct the special effects, while Peter Anderson (Captain EO, T2 3D, Shrek 2 4D) is the director of photography and supervisor of visual effects.

To tap into this market and expand Godzilla's audience around the world, AAP and Toho are also discussing a wide variety of TV specials, DVDs, CDs, toys, books and other merchandising featuring Godzilla, Deathla and Godzilla: 3-D to the Max. If everything goes according to plans, Godzilla may soon literally be bigger than ever before.

The story for Godzilla: 3-D to the Max begins at dawn, as a flaming meteor from the Deathla Star crashes into the Sargasso Sea. The meteor releases a swarm of Locust-Deathlas which rises into the sky like a tornado. On the border of Brazil and Argentina is Iguassu Falls, one of the largest waterfalls on Earth. On nights of the full moon, the Falls create a rainbow effect known as the "Spray of Iguassu". Mischa, a televison reporter doing a story on the night rainbow, has traveled to Iguassu with her younger brother Jim.

Iguassu Falls is the stunning site for the first war of the monsters. Mischa and Jim encounter the Locust-Deathlas in the rainforest. The alien swarm tears thru the jungle devouring all plant life it its path and accidentally uncover the hibernating body of Godzilla. As the King of the Monsters rises from the jungle floor with a roar of anger, the Locust-Deathlas transform into Monster-Deathla. After a brief battle, Deathla reverts to the swarm and flies north, with Godzilla and the kids in pursuit.

Godzilla and all related characters are a registered trademark of Toho Co. Ltd.

I can't wait for this movie to come out! As one of the biggest G fans ever, this will be really cool.

"Godzilla Rules, Always Has, Always Will",

Bobby Sharpe Bobby Sharpe's " Opyn Mindz": "Dead" Volcano Erupts Again "Dragon, Book Of Shang": "Dragon, Book Of Shang" / Vermithrax Video

California Government Wrong Again

Court strikes down California video game law

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - A federal appeals court on Friday struck down a California law that sought to ban the sale or rental of violent video games to minors.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the 2005 law violates minors' rights under the Constitution's First and 14th amendments. The three-judge panel's unanimous ruling upholds an earlier ruling in U.S. District Court.

The law would have prohibited the sale or rental of violent games to anyone under 18. It also would have created strict labeling requirements for video game manufacturers.

In a written opinion, Judge Consuelo Callahan said there were less restrictive ways to protect children from "unquestionably violent" video games. For example, the justices said the industry has a voluntary rating system and that parents can block certain games on video consoles.

The law's author, state Sen. Leland Yee, D-San Francisco, said he wanted Attorney General Jerry Brown to appeal the decision to the U.S. Supreme Court.

"We need to help empower parents with the ultimate decision over whether or not their children play in a world of violence and murder," Yee, a child psychologist, said in a statement.

A spokesman for Brown said the attorney general would review the decision to determine the appropriate steps.

California lawmakers had approved the law, in part, by relying on studies suggesting violent games can be linked to aggression, anti-social behavior and desensitization to violence. The justices dismissed that research.

"None of the research establishes or suggests a causal link between minors playing violent video games and actual psychological or neurological harm, and inferences to that effect would not be reasonable," Callahan said in her ruling.

The law never took effect and was challenged shortly after it was signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. A U.S. District Court blocked it after the industry sued California over constitutional concerns.

Schwarzenegger spokeswoman Camille Anderson said the governor was reviewing Friday's ruling.

"The governor believes strongly we have a responsibility to our children and our communities to protect against the effects of video games depicting ultra-violent actions," she said.

The Encino-based Video Software Dealers Association, now known as the Entertainment Merchants Association following a merger, and the Washington, D.C.-based Entertainment Software Association argued that California's restrictions could open the door for states to limit minors' access to other material under the guise of protecting children.

The court agreed, saying California was "asking us to boldly go where no court has gone before."

"The state, in essence, asks us to create a new category of non-protected material based on its depiction of violence," Callahan wrote in the 30-page ruling.

Michael D. Gallagher, president of the Entertainment Software Association, said the ruling underscores that parents, with help from the industry, are the ones who should control what games their children play.

"This is a clear signal that in California and across the country, the reckless pursuit of anti-video game legislation like this is an exercise in wasting taxpayer money, government time and state resources," Gallagher said in a statement.

Courts in several other states have struck down similar laws.

With all the problems California has, YOU would think that they would not have time for some "gestapo" governmental interference like this. But, that's the good ole government for YOU. Hey, I have a novel idea, "instead of wasting tax payers time and money trying to control what games our kids play, why don't YOU come up with a plan to start drilling off your coast for oil, so YOU can get your state budget in order"?

"Speak Your Mind, Those That Matter Dont Mind

Those That Mind, Dont Matter",

Bobby Sharpe Bobby Sharpe's " Opyn Mindz": "Dead" Volcano Erupts Again Bobby Sharpe's "Animalz": Survival, Dog Style! Could YOU?

Estelle Bennett Of The Ronettes Passes

Ronnie, Estelle & Nedra

Ronettes Estelle Bennett Crosses Over

Estelle Bennett, whose voice helped the Ronettes climb the charts on such hits as 'Be My Baby' and 'Baby, I Love You,' has died at 67. Her trio, working with producer Phil Spector, helped crystallize the famed "wall of sound" production that became part of pop music history.

Bennett's brother-in-law, Jonathan Greenfield, said police found her dead in her apartment in Englewood, N.J. on Wednesday after relatives had been unable to contact her. The time and cause of death have not yet been determined.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame welcomed the Ronettes in 2007, with voting members calling the trio "the premier act of the girl group era." The Beatles and the Rolling Stones considered themselves fans; their exotic hairstyles and makeup are aped by Amy Winehouse.

Greenfield is the manager and husband of Bennett's sister, Ronettes lead singer Ronnie Spector, who married producer Spector in 1968 but divorced him six years later.

The Ronettes - sisters Veronica "Ronnie" and Estelle Bennett and their cousin Nedra Talley - signed with Spector's Philles Records in 1963. Their recording of the iconic hit single "Be My Baby" hit No. 2 on Billboard magazine's pop music chart that year. "Baby I Love You" followed in 1964.

They also did a memorable version of "Sleigh Ride" that appeared on Spector's "A Christmas Gift for You" album. Their last Philles single was "I Can Hear Music" in 1966. The songs feature Spector's elaborate arrangements that blend many instruments into a smooth, pulsating "wall."

"They could sing all their way right through a wall of sound," Keith Richards of the Stones said as the Ronettes were inducted into the rock hall. "They didn't need anything. They touched my heart right there and then and they touch it still."

But their string of hits had tailed off by the time they split around 1967.

Greenfield said Ronnie Spector was devastated over her sister's death. "Estelle was Ronnie's sidekick in the Ronettes," Greenfield, of Newbury, Conn., said Thursday.. "She was very much into fashion and worked with Ronnie on the whole look and style of the Ronettes."

After the group's breakup, Bennett rarely made public appearances. And for nearly 15 years, the trio waged a lengthy, and ultimately unsuccessful, court battle with producer Spector over royalties.

They sued Spector in the late 1980s, saying he had cheated them out of royalties by using their music in ways not authorized by the their recording contract. For example, "Be My Baby" was played in the opening credits of the smash 1987 movie "Dirty Dancing."

A trial was held in 1998, and in 2000, the judge ordered Spector to pay $2.6 million in past royalties and interest for the use of Ronettes songs as background music in movies, videocassette recordings, and advertising. But New York State's highest court threw out that ruling on appeal in 2002. The judges noted that the contract did not actually mention secondary rights to the use of music, so-called "synchronization rights," which are a more modern phenomenon in the entertainment industry. But under New York state contract law, the court said, the singers did not control those rights unless their contract specifically said they did.

At the group's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2007, Ronnie Spector did not mention her ex-husband, but he sent a note that was read at the ceremony saying, "I wish them all the happiness and good fortune the world has to offer." In recent years, Phil Spector has been battling criminal charges in the shooting death of actress Lana Clarkson.

Bennett was born in 1941, her sister in 1943 and Talley in 1945, according to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Web site.

In addition to her sister, Bennett is survived by a daughter, Toyin Hunter of Santa Monica, Calif., and three grandsons.

Once again, we lose another entertainer from years past. Not only was Estelle a member of a ground breaking "girl group" in the early years of rock n' roll, she was a great soul in so many ways. How do I know, "I played guitar for the Ronettes for a few months back in the day". All three of the Ronettes were very good souls and were a pleasure to be around. For whatever reason, I just gravitated toward Estelle more. I think it was because she was so down to earth and laid back. She always had time. Though I have not seen or had contact with her for many many years, just knowing her physical self is no longer here, leaves an empty spot for many souls who knew her and loved her music.

"Be In Peace Estelle",

Bobby Sharpe reggae8@aol.com

Gap Band, Charlie Wilson, Bombs & Cancer

Charlie Wilson: Diagnosed With Prostate Cancer

With the release of his second solo album, 'Uncle Charlie,' less than two weeks away, famed R&B artist Charlie Wilson has announced that he is undergoing treatment for prostate cancer.

The 'Yearning For Your Love' singer was diagnosed with the male reproductive system disease last fall and began therapy on Nov. 21. Wilson's sudden diagnosis has lead him to team up with the Prostate Cancer Foundation to help raise awareness and research funds for prostate cancer.

"When I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in September, I thought to myself 'I'm too young... this isn't a cancer I should be getting,'" Wilson said in a statement. "While I was surprised to discover that this disease strikes one out of every six American men, I was astounded to learn that African American men are 1.6 times more likely than others to be diagnosed with prostate cancer. My wife, Mahin, and I are very fortunate. I was lucky to be diagnosed and begin treatment early. My prognosis is excellent."

The former Gap Band frontman has already started utilizing his celebrity status to help inform more African American men on the illness. Men are 35 percent more likely to develop prostate cancer than women are to be diagnosed with breast cancer.

"I am excited to be working with the PCF. They are the driving force behind many of the advances that have been made in prostate cancer treatment to date," says Wilson. "Their work has helped reduce the death rate by nearly 40 percent in the past few years. Together, I believe we can make an important impact.

"The Grammy-nominated artist also noted that his wife's support has played a major in his recent campaign. "We men don't want to consider or vocalize our vulnerabilities. It was my wife who kept after me to see my doctor for a screening," he revealed. "I thank God she did. Now I feel compelled to spread the word about prostate cancer."

This spring Wilson will be taking his message on the road with him and overseas to U.S. troops in Iraq and Kuwait while touring in support of his forthcoming album.

Charlie Wilson's 'Uncle Charlie,' featuring the top-ten single 'There Goes My Baby,' hits stores and digital retailers on Feb. 17.

We are all with YOU Charlie! Much success with the new album and continued progress with your health.

"You Dropped A Bomb On Me" - One Of The Best Songs Ever!!

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