Pop Machine

How did DiCaprio and Crowe get chomped by 'Chihuahua'?

Tempo — 2008-10-12T23:56:03-05:00

When you look at actors whose presence in a movie denotes quality, Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe rank high on the list—in fact, they were Nos. 5 and 6 respectively in the summer of 2007 when Pop Machine used Metacritic...

Oh, yes, it's Devo!

Tempo — 2008-10-10T10:27:03-05:00

Devo hasn’t released a new album in 18 years but keeps leaving its mark on popular culture. The 1980 hit “Whip It” has been adapted for a Swiffer commercial (“Swiffer’s good!”) and a musical toothbrush called Turbo Tooth Tunes (“Brush...

'Now come on, Gerald Ford isn't going to be eaten by wolves'

Tempo — 2008-10-08T11:58:45-05:00

I don't know about anyone else, but while I was watching Tom Brokaw scold--I mean, moderate--the presidential candidates Tuesday night, I kept thinking of this classic Dana Carvey "Saturday Night Live" sketch. via videosift.com

CNN's debate squiggles strike back

Tempo — 2008-10-08T07:05:22-05:00

Watching parts of the first presidential and vice presidential debates on CNN drove me so nuts that I wrote this piece exploring the distracting power of those on-screen squiggly lines showing the moment-by-moment reactions of “uncommitted” Ohio voters. These 30...

Wasted potential: Cubs join the crowd

Tempo — 2008-10-06T07:57:58-05:00

The latest Cubs playoffs collapse wasn’t as emotionally draining as the ones in 2003 or 1984—this time they never were competitive enough to tease us—but it ranked up there among the team’s biggest wastes of potential. This got Pop Machine...

New Sherlock Holmes to bust some heads

Tempo — 2008-10-01T16:55:47-05:00

Pop Machine doesn’t usually comment on studios’ news releases that principal photography is set to begin on a movie, but we were struck by Warner Brothers’ announcement about the start of production on Guy Richie’s “Sherlock Holmes.” Robert Downey Jr....

Paul Newman, R.I.P.

Tempo — 2008-09-29T11:26:25-05:00

(Here's my obituary of Paul Newman that ran on the cover of Sunday's Chicago Tribune.) One true sign of a movie star is the ability to draw you into any character, no matter how flawed or distasteful. By that measure,...

Hey, Chicago, whaddaya say, let's fix 'Go Cubs Go' today

Tempo — 2008-09-29T10:35:58-05:00

Go Cubs go Go Cubs go Hey, Chicago, whaddaya say The Cubs are gonna win today It’s a lovely tradition: Instead of scrambling out the turnstiles to make it to the “L” platform or nearest bar, Cubs fans bask in...

AC/DC rocks albums, not iTunes

Tempo — 2008-09-26T09:50:09-05:00

“We don’t make singles. We make albums.” That’s AC/DC guitarist Angus Young’s explanation to the London Telegraph of the band’s refusal to allow its songs to be sold on Apple’s iTunes. This stance could be seen as another example of...

The time is right: 'Americathon' redux!

Tempo — 2008-09-25T14:10:38-05:00

Remaking classic movies is often a pointless exercise (“The Women,” anyone?), but there’s nothing wrong with revisiting the kernel of inspiration buried in junk Hence Pop Machine (with an assist from The Wife) offers up this movie for remake purposes:...

Jon Anderson says no to new Yes

Tempo — 2008-09-25T11:16:29-05:00

Well, it turns out that Jon Anderson is not cool that Yes hired a cover-band singer to replace him on tour while he recovers from illness. In a message on his Web site titled “Disappointed and Depressed,” the Yes singer...

It's Disney, Disney, Disney, guns for Depp

Tempo — 2008-09-25T11:16:00-05:00

The third “Pirates of the Caribbean” movie felt like a ride that would never end, but no matter. Johnny Depp has signed on to make a fourth one. Variety reports that he’s also going to star in a big-screen version...

Metallica? OK, but we still don't like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Tempo — 2008-09-23T11:15:03-05:00

Pop Machine has repeatedly voiced its philosophical objection to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Rock ’n’ roll was never about seeking official acceptance; it was about striking out independently, not caring about your parents’ disapproval. The Rock and...

We're off doin' the Wall Street Shuffle

Tempo — 2008-09-18T12:05:49-05:00

I meant to mention this earlier, but Pop Machine is on vacation this week, returning Monday, Sept. 22. In the meantime, I leave you with this dandy, topical song: