If you mentioned the words “attack” and “New Zealand” to me, I have to admit that the first thing that would come to mind would probably be The Lord of the Rings. But apparently the orcs and the elves aren’t the only ones who have been attacking each other there recently. In an interview with the New Zealand Herald’s Canvas magazine, the internationally famous New Zealand opera singer Dame Kiri Te Kanawa has attracted attention by criticizing another internationally famous New Zealand singer, the young pop/classical crossover artist Hayley Westenra.

Apparently, Dame Kiri told the interviewer, “Have you heard Hayley? She’s not in my world, she’s never been in it at all.” She went on to criticize singers who, like Westenra, are part of the “popera” genre, saying that “They are all fake singers, they sing with a microphone,” and “People call them up-and-coming, but they never last. They are the new fakes for the new generation.”

While the comment that the two singers are in two different worlds seems like a simple statement of fact to me, the later words do come across as pretty harsh — and Dame Kiri subsequently made some effort to mitigate them, saying of the original interview that “The questions were rather difficult and I came out of the interview thinking, well, that's a mess, and of course look what has turned out. They want to sell newspapers. Follow the money, follow the money."

Nevertheless, her comments got me thinking about what I do and don’t like about Westenra’s performances. As an opera fan who also likes pop, easy listening and musical theatre, I might seem like an obvious part of Westenra’s target audience. And I can remember being absolutely knocked sideways the first time I heard her pure, clear voice singing the Puccini aria "O mio babbino caro." I was in Borders at the time; the music was being played on their sound system; and after listening till the end of the song, I immediately went rushing off to find out who it was who had been singing: … continue reading

Considering it's the season of goblins, ghouls and other assorted creatures of the night, I thought I might hop online to see if any new vampire movies are set to debut in the near future. (I would go see 30 Days of Night, but Josh Hartnett bugs me for some reason.) And what to my wondering eye should appear but news of a third Underworld film.

Naturally, my heart leapt with joy at the prospect of more time spent ogling Kate Beckinsale in that tight little number she wears so well.

But alas, while a filming schedule has been announced, word has it that the lovely Ms. Beckinsale is not involved in the project. Apparently, the writer/director of the Underworld franchise, Len Wiseman (who just happens to be married to the lovely Beckinsale), has chosen to do a prequel rather than a sequel. Yes, it is the movie kiss of death. … continue reading

The last time James Cameron sat in the director's chair, he brought us large chunks of ice and a sinking ship. From The Abyss and Aliens to Terminator and Titanic, nothing he does is small or cheap. So naturally we expect big things from his newest directorial project, a 3D sci-fi epic called Avatar, not to be confused with M. Night Shyamalan's live action version of Nickelodeon's Avatar: The Last Airbender. Cameron's film is said to combine live action with virtual characters, including the big, blue avatar occupied by the movie's hero for much of the film. With a budget of just under 200 million dollars, it would actually be cheaper than such recent offerings as X-Men 3 and Superman Returns. Of course, with Cameron at the helm, one would expect that budget to swell significantly.

I'm one of those people who love a good action epic, especially a good sci-fi action epic, but I'm not willing to give Cameron glowing recommendations. I love his movies, but he's a little too egocentric for my tastes. But I have a great deal of fondness for some of the female characters he has helped bring to life, including Lindsey Brigman in The Abyss, Sarah Connor in Terminator, and Rose Dawson in Titanic.

So I'm looking forward to seeing what Mr. Cameron does with the female characters in his newest venture. Among the women previously cast in the film are CCH Pounder, Zoe Saldana and Sigourney Weaver. I wonder how Weaver feels about being in yet another war with aliens? Do you think she wonders if maybe Cameron has it in for her?

The newest addition to this group is feisty Michelle Rodriguez. … continue reading