For Immediate Release

October 30, 2007

HORROR ICON TOBIN BELL HITS “BUMP”

Actor attached to star in Robert Kurtzman film of acclaimed graphic novel

Bump co-producer Scott Licina announced today that Tobin Bell, known to horror audiences worldwide for his award-winning turn as Jigsaw in the Saw franchise, will take on the lead role of Sheriff Lundy in the film adaptation of the acclaimed comic mini-series, Bump. Bell, who will also produce, joins fellow horror legend Robert Kurtzman, who will direct.

Mark Kidwell, the creator, writer and artist of Bump, couldn’t be happier with Bell’s decision. He said, “The role of Sheriff Lundy is pivotal to the BUMP storyline and the key to its “cautionary” message. Tobin brings the believability and depth that the role requires. The character is in good hands.”

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Well…I gave this wacky idea a shot yesterday and it got a flood of comments. All of a sudden, feverish message board addicts were clamoring to be the next subject of this public ridicul…ahem…interview. So…without further ado…I introduce you to the conveniently labeled “punk rock prostitute”…

ElTopo

KHuxford: So…you’re the 17th most prolific poster on Newsarama.com. What possessed you to start posting on the ‘Rama and will you have it exorcised anytime soon?
eltopo: basically I sit at desk all day and it seemed like a better thing to do then sit on myspace all day
eltopo: the comic book demon will be in me for life
eltopo: there is a beast in man that needs to be exercised, not exorcised.
KHuxford: So, what initially brought you to Newsarama?
eltopo: I’m 17th btw wow ?
eltopo: comic book girls
eltopo: hahaha
eltopo: honestly,I used to come to the front page all the time but it took me months before I realized there was a message board part
KHuxford: Comic book girls? The real kind or the four-colored fictional variety?
eltopo: both at once
eltopo: I like to tape old jim lee issues of x-men to a girl’s back
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I have been pondering something for weeks now, and I felt I must bring it to a public forum to further explore the idea.  When did it become correct to claim your movie was based on a graphic novel when in fact it was based on a miniseries of comic books?  As I watched the 30 Days of Night trailers on TV I was struck every time by the “Based on the Groundbreaking Graphic Novel.”  Really?  I guess I didn’t realize that any comic that was collected later in trade format could be considered a graphic novel.  But I’m already getting right to the ranting, let me step back a little…

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Out of boredom and the ease of putting something like this together, I decided I’d try doing profiles on some of the biggest Post Whores over at Newsarama.com (a site that ShotgunReviews.com has a bit of a working relationship with). Let’s see where this takes us. We start with…

Num48Champ

KHuxford: OK…so you’re currently the 9th most prolific poster on Newsarama.com, with Chap22 hot on your heels. You average over 92 posts per day. What compels you to post whore so frequently?
Num48champ: Umm, I post because I’m bored. I used to post more often, but I have cut down for the most part. Now, I mostly post when I have an opinion to state. Actually, most of my post “whoring” as you call it, comes from making Sigs. Everytime there is a request, and I choose to make it, there is another post. (more…)

As a national music and film writer, I generally become frustrated at mainstream media’s acute lack of regard for innovation. It’s not that the great video/audio/publishing machine doesn’t put new faces on display; it’s just that those faces aren’t exactly new. Playing the same music as the last popular artist with more marketing and a new demographic doesn’t exactly define artistic progress.

Obvious industry rants aside, it gives me sincere pleasure when I stumble across bands like Southeast Engine. Residents of the Appalachian Neverland of Athens, Ohio, this
Folk Rock quintet follows a singular muse that couldn’t be found further from the processed beats and angular guitar riffs of modern rock.

SE Engine weaves an organic kaleidoscope of passionate folk-rock and tangible hooks into delicate melodies that more than deserve national recognition. Their new album, “A Wheel Within A Wheel,” isn’t so much an instant-gratification pop experience as the beautifully realized interplay of seamless musicianship and nostalgic acoustic balladry.

Vocalist Adam Remnant carries the whispered legacy Johnny Cash without a larynx full of cigarette smoke and liquor. His combined lyrics, quasi-religious and perpetually introspective, are as reassuring as they are moving. Coupled with the kinetic swell of rock choruses, tracks like Ostrich and Quit While You’re Ahead move with fury and resonance grounded in their simplicity and grace.

Like the works of Sufjan Stevens and Page France, “Wheel” is a genuine display of how Telecasters, restraint and talent belie some of the most significant touchstones in independent music.

Web site: http://www.southeastengine.com

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/southeastengine

Not too many rappers are Nikki Giovanni approved! Seriously. And when he’s not crushin’ his own mic (ya know feedin’ his hip-hop habit), you just might find Dumi Right contemplating the significance (and utter brilliance) of the handful of Tribe Called Quest albums out there. See, Dumi can spit verses from both the Low End Theory and Midnight Marauders albums forward and backwards–and he won’t forget a bar, I swear–but just don’t ask him to chose which one is better! - JB

What’s good? Its been a minute since we last spoke? (Circa the first PH Music compilation release) What have you been up to?

Staying busy. Since then I went on to release the O.U.O album, of unknown origin through pH MUSIC/Domination Recordings and through a coincidental conversation I had with DJ Fisher, I connected with some cats that were interested in putting out unreleased Zimbabwe Legit material in the form of the album Brothers from the Mother that never saw light of day when things fell apart back when we were still with Hollywood Complex. After putting out those 2 albums I’ve been working on this new project, The House of Stone and putting in some work with guest appearances on records by Cadence, The Good People and The Saint and a few overseas compilations.

How do you leverage your time between the fam and your music?

I mean its like there are really not enough hours in the day. I have a full time day job, then I have a family so want to make sure that is the main priority. Then there is this business of music. Basically I just have to prioritize, some social stuff that isn’t business related has to get deaded. I mean if some heads want to get together and just kick it I might have to pass so I can spend time with the fam and then jump out when I have a session, show or some business stuff happening. I also have to try to be ultra organized so I can maximize my available time. I have to make sure I stay sharp in all the arenas of my life but also remember that family is most important.

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Angelica LeMinh goes into the locker room with one of the only 3-time Shotgun Reviews’ champion interviewees, Eternia (Miz Green Eyes), who still holds one of the best assist-to-turnover ratios to date. Following the NBA’s groundbreaking lead, The Lyrical Lounge has annointed a Canadian MVP.

ALM: So, you’re DJing with Prince Paul and shit. What’s your libation of choice on and off the decks?

MIZ E: Aww man, everyone who knows me knows it’s Bacardi Gold rum and coke, though recently I been switching to Grey Goose. Not because I like Grey Goose more, because I don’t, but Jean Grae once told me personally that “dark liquor is a no no”. I agree, but then again, maybe all liquor is a no no.

ALM: I love that you haven’t forgotten your home (sweet Screwface) on your whole Underground From Canada journey. Did it take moving away to really feel it?

MIZ E: Yes. Anybody that claims that Canada doesn’t have an identity, that “Canadians” cannot be typified, is dead wrong. Or they just haven’t moved away. We most definitely have our own identity and it is uniquely ours. I miss Canada, especially Toronto, too much to fully express on any track.

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Over at the ‘Rama, Marvel has announced that the Spider-Man: One More Day event is being delayed further.

The reason hasn’t been given, but the odds on favorite is that the Editor in Chief is late with his pencils, again. How can you take him seriously as an EiC when he says that he is sorry about delays and is doing everything to stop them, but decides to take this art gig when he’s fully aware that he has way too much on his plate to keep to a decent schedule? It is just irresponsible, in my opinion.

One of the big fears I have now is Joe bragging about how the Spider-Man: Brand New Day stays completely on schedule for a significant clip of time, when they now have even more lead time to prepare and makes it no big brag-worthy deal.

It’s a crying shame, I tell ya…

Results from Gerweck.net

TNA went on the road again for their WrestleMania event of the year. Meh.

In other news, some local indy wrestling personalities threatened to sue me last week for some statements I made on a local wrestling hotline and web site. After everything was settled, I agreed to discontinue appearing on that hotline and web site and pretty much discontinue my involvement with the local independent wrestling scene.

People love it when you mock WWE and TNA, because it doesn’t directly affect them. When you turn that same attention toward the people in your own community, they can’t take the heat. That’s about all I’ll say on the matter.

I’m actually glad. When I wrote that piece on Chris Benoit earlier in the year, I seriously considered ignoring pro wrestling, because the business is dirty, cutthroat, and it chews up people and spits them out. Why I reconsidered… I don’t know. I guess it was just weird to stop paying attention. I do know that I pay less attention than I used to, and I really only have time to read results and that’s about it.

So, anyway, sorry about the delay in getting this up from last week. I was just kind of absorbed in some other endeavors.

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Rapper Eve on topic..

So supposedly Ms. Jefferie’s album was set to drop on Oct. 16th? However, if you go to any fine record/CD retailer you will find no new album on file. Sigh. Eve’s one of the favorites–yeah, she’s got the throw-away hip-pop music in her catalog (”Who’s That Girl”), but in the same breath Eve’s got the poignant track that every woman can relate to and be proud of (”Love Is Blind”). Not as trashy or as risque as the Lil Kim’s of the world, but with her homegirl appeal and two strikingly placed ‘paw-print’ tattoos, she definitely knows how to get ‘all eyez on her’ and that’s word to Pac!

As of press time the album has been pushed back with no new release date on schedule. Apparently, her and the good Doctor can’t get on the same page. But even with the indefinite delay, she still has found time to crank out two singles : “Tambourine” and “Give It To You” feat. Sean Paul.

In other hip-hop related happenings..

It doesn’t get anymore ignorant than Project Pat! His rap sheet speaks for itself(”Chickenhead”/”Sippin’ On Some Syrup”).  And because hip-hop/rap has seemingly become a celebration of repetitive ignorance–Project Pat unveils his latest single, “Don’t Call Me No Mo” of the Walkin’ Bank Roll album. This record is being heralded as the ‘ringtone anthem!’ And to quote KRS-1..”we now have ringtone rappers?” WTF!!

Ending on a high note -

Check out the slept-on musical stylings of Clan Destined. (Very cerebral music we got here!) We did an album review some time ago, check that out here: Abracadamn! But, givin’ this record a second listen, me thinks we might have errored in its overall rating? Peep: “Never All Ways” and judge for yourself..

DISCLAIMER (angry creators, please read)

[[WARNING! THIS COLUMN MIGHT CONTAIN SPOILERS!]]

“Look! Up in the sky! It’s… Actually, I don’t know who that is!” Anonymous bystander, who doesn’t recognize Wonder Girl in her new costume.

No more Nitpicker!!! So, here we are, in the first ever issue of The Dissector, which, nevertheless, is #44. Why? Because I hate unnecessary re-launches and new #1. I like history to show, mileage to be noticed, age to be worn as a badge of distinction. I accepted New Mutants V2, and when I learned to love it, BAM, they rename and renumber it to New X-Men: Academy X, which then gets renamed to just New X-Men. Then we have New Avengers, Flash: The Fastest Man Alive (they made that right again). Batman & The Outsiders, New Excalibur (that fiasco is over too), and I can go on.
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Dissect: 2. to analyze and interpret minutely.

The Nitpicker doesn’t exist anymore, but as you can see, it’s not really gone, just renamed and with a new look. Now it’s called The Dissector, and that snazzy logo you see there was designed by my lovely and talented friend Nysie. Thank you Nysie, you now have the honorary rank of Admiral in the newly renamed Honorary Dissector Scout Corps… so it’s doubly honorary…
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