Zoom zoom zoom for Speed Racer

Okay, I'm hooked on the Speed Racer theme song. But I think I may be hooked on the movie itself. Can't wait to see it in IMAX. Enough about that. Let's move on to the premiere.


Emile Hirsch stars as Speed Racer.

As the warm sun beat down on the media, across the street from the Nokia Theater complex were fans and protesters. Protesters you say? Yes. It looks as if there are a few people who are irritated by the remake of this movie for which I do not know why. Seeing signs being waved stating, "No more monkey business.


Matthew Fox plays Racer X.

Oh well. As for the rest of the crowd, it was made mostly of fans of Korean heart throb Rain. These die-hard fans stuck out the heat for more than three hours just to get a glimpse of their beloved Rain. He acknowledged them a few times with a wave but unfortunately, no crossing streets to greet the fans.


Rain waves at his fans.


Was there drama on the carpet? Perhaps. It seemed like John Goodman and Susan Sarandon kept their distance from each other. I can't say for sure as I didn't get a glance at either when they first arrived on the carpet. Even when event photogs yelled for them to take a two shot. They did not acknowledge each other on the carpet.



Susan Sarandon behind sunglasses.


John Goodman poses solo.


Christina Ricci looking fabo...She plays Trixie in the movie.

Emile Hirsch seemed like he had a surreal look on his face. As he finished the photo section of the carpet, he started on the video section. Half way through, we were trying to get him to pose with the race car. At first, his publicist or could be his manager was waving no. But alas, with the help of our trusty photo rep at Warner Bros and finally the publicist gave us a quick opportunity to shoot Mr. Hirsch with the Mach 5 car.


Emile Hirsch in front of the MACH 5.

Overall, the premiere was a nice overload. Being the first major movie premiere to be held at the new Nokia Theater complex in Downtown Los Angeles, you got the feel of the movie with the theme song music video playing on video screens and music piped throughout the complex. Go Speed Racer!

Speed Racer cpming down the tracks

We were baking in the warm California this past Saturday as us photogs were waiting for the World Premiere of "Speed Racer" to commence. The excitement of the cult cartoon classic heading to the big screen was intensified with new "Speed Racer" theme and music video playing throughout the new Nokia Theater complex in downtown Los Angeles. So while I gather the words and visuals to help enhance your premiere experience, come check out the music video from the movie:

Go Speed Racer Go Music Video

Jon Peter Lewis' life after American Idol

It definitely has been a slow week for me with red carpet events. I did the Asian Excellence Awards last Wednesday so I'm sorting through those pics to see what I can post for you to view.

As part of Nielsen Entertainment News Wire, I work in the same office as my sister publication Billboard Magazine and Radio & Record. Every so often we have special musical guests perform for us. Yesterday was a real treat as Jon Peter Lewis from "American Idol's" Season Three came by to perform his new single and a few songs from his new album. Along with Jon was his bassist Austin Nicholsen to give us a sampling of what's to come from Mr. Lewis. Lewis was part of the season which produced Jennifer Hudson and also the season which Fantasia won. One audience member quipped about him possibly being an actor. He said that maybe he will be but music is priority so no Oscar for him for the time being.


Jon Peter Lewis strumming his guitar.


I'm happy to say that the performance was memorable with his lead single "Break The Silence." As Jon sang, you could see the genuine appreciation of everyone who came to check him out. I think if he was on the show now, he'd definitely be Top 5.


Check out Austin's big instrument!

Bantering with the girls in the attendance, he even dedicated a song to the ladies.

After two more songs, Jon took some time to answer questions. If I remember correctly, he thinks that the ending will be with the two David's or it could've been Billboard Columnist Fred Bronson who mentioned that while Jon was answering questions.


Austin Nicholsen, Jon Peter Lewis and Billboard Columnist Fred Bronson.

After his strong performance, Mr. Lewis took some time to sign some cd singles for everyone and also posed for photos for me. That boy sure can be crazy with a "Yo! What's up" pose.



Check out his site at www.jonpeterlewis.com. The single is now available for purchase on ITUNES.


Jon Peter Lewis takes a breather and catches up on music news with Billboard.

Until Next, time...."Over The Shoulder!"

The Papaya Dance on the Red Carpet?

Okay. So as I mentioned earlier, the red carpet film premieres have been slow this week that I've been hooked on this new dance called the Papaya Dance from the Philippines. It's easier than the Macarena so I wanna see you get up and dance.

The song was originally a 1974 disco song from Polish singer Urszula Dudziak. All of sudden a Philippine Game Show host incorporated the song into his show and added simple dance moves.

Maybe it will hit the red carpet.

Here's how to do it from the people at "Good Morning America"



Even the U.S. Ambassador for the Philippines gets into the act:

John Cho & Kal Penn Escape from Guantanamo Bay to the red carpet

So what kind of sandwich do they serve at Guantanamo Bay? Well, you're going to have to find out by watching the 2nd installment of the "Harold and Kumar" franchise. Starring John Cho as Harold and Kal Penn as Kumar in "Harold and Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay," the twosome are supposedly headed on a trip to Amsterdam for some relaxing fun in a pot cafe and following Harold's love crush, Maria. But their trip is sidetracked when the two are accused of being terrorists and sent to Guantanamo Bay.


Danneel Harris watching out for Kumar. She plays Kumar's ex-girlfriend in the film.

It looks like, Harold and Kumar escaped Guantanamo Bay to make their appearance on the red carpet for the premiere of their film.


John Cho is able to crack a smile after Guantanamo Bay.

Along with the escapees, other celebrities joined the two to celebrate their escape. Included on the no terrorist list were Danneel Harris, Neil Patrick Harris, Corbin Bernsen, Chris Mintz-Plasse, Lisa Lapira, Cheryl Hines, Ed Helms, Tatiana Ali, Roselyn Sanchez, Eric Winter, David Krumholtz and Rob Corddry.


Corbin Bernsen left his suite at "L.A. Law."


Brandon Routh without his cape. But wait what's up with this other blue cape of shirt "Caucasia" hmmm..

For Mr. Krumholtz, the flashes from the camera were too much for him that his eyes began to water. Being the good event photographers we are, we let his eyes rush before the flashes started up again. Neil Patrick Harris showed up with his partner David. Unfortunately, after the first spot, David rushed off the carpet into the theater.


David Krumholtz is not really crying.

My favorite "Fresh Prince" star Tatiana Ali graced us with her cute smile. Roselyn Sanchez and Eric Winter seems so un-separable. One photog asked Rob Corddry to step closer to her camera. He got so close that another photog chimed in, "Watch Out! You're too close she might kiss you!" Thank God that didn't happen.


Roselyn Sanchez and Eric Winter all lovey-dovey.

As Mr. Neil Patrick Harris approached or as I called out NPH, he gave me a manly, "Waddup!" and I said, "Nothing much but look here to your right!" Ah ha. I got the shot!


"Waddup! Mr. NPH."

The same photog asking Rob to step closer asked John Cho to kiss his likeness on his poster. Well that didn't happen to no avail. The only kisses John Cho will be doing is in his movie with Maria.


Kal Penn says "Thank You! Come again!"

The film opens up April 25.

Forget Sarah Marshall and take a trip to the Forbidden Kingdom

I decided to skip the "Zombie Stripper" movie premiere starring Jenna Jameson and check out the media screening of "Forbidden Kingdom." I"m not too into Kung Fu movies but who could pass up a film pairing up Jackie Chan and Jet Li.

From the beginning of the opening credits, my 4 year old nephew, sister and I were in awe with all those martial arts movie posters splashing across the movie screen with a few given some comedic relief. I knew we were up to an exciting night at the movies.


Jet Li (as Silent Monk, left), Michael A. Angarano (as Jason Tripititkas) and Jackie Chan (as Lu Yan) in THE FORBIDDEN KINGDOM. ©Lionsgate. CR: Chan Kam Chuen.

The film is about a young American teen Jason (Michael Angarro), who loves martial arts films. On one of his usual trips to his favorite Chinese antique arts store, he finds more martial arts dvds to purchase. On his way back home, he's confronted by the neighborhood bully who forces Jason to assist him in robbing the Chinese antique store. After a terrible accident during the robbery, Jason must escape the gun of the bully. All of sudden, trapped on top a rough top and hold an ancient Chinese staff, the powers of the staff pulls him off the roof and smack dab on the ground where he lays unconscious. When Jason finally wakes up from his ordeal, he realizes he has been transported to a rural chinese village along with the staff and begins his trip to the "Forbidden Kingdom."


Jason and his warrior friends. ©Lionsgate.

Jason's trip includes freeing the fabled warrior the Monkey King, who has been imprisoned by the powerful Jade Warlord (Collin Chiou). Along the way, he is befriended by Lu Pin (Jackie Chan), Silent Monkey (Jet Li), and Golden Sparrow (Crystal Liu). The foursome travel throughout the countryside to get to the Forbidden Kingdom to help Jason take the staff to its rightful owner and defeat the Jade Warlord.


The Jade Warlord. ©Lionsgate. CR: Chan Kam Chuen.

Imagine watching those old martial arts movies but with the Hollywood machine bringing it's own twist to the film. With "Forbidden Kingdom" you get all the excitement of the Chinese martial arts films that Jackie Chan and Jet Li are famous for mixed in with the typical Hollywood story of a kid who has to face his nemesis.


Ni Chang (Li Bing Bing) and Jason Tripitikas (Michael A. Angarano) in THE FORBIDDEN KINGDOM. ©Lionsgate. CR: Chan Kam Chuen.

So forget about hating Sarah Marshall and check out "Forbidden Kingdom" this coming Friday, April 18, 2008.

Neil Patrick Harris and a unicorn in "Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay."

A funny thing happened on way to the press junket of the new "Harold and Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay." I stumbled upon a t-shirt with a picture of a unicorn stating "What Would NPH Do?




Peter G: What do you think of this t-shirt that says "What Would NPH Do?" (a picture of a unicorn accompanies the saying.)

NPH: Where did you get that t-shirt?

Peter G: They gave it to us in the hospitality suite. Would you wear that t-shirt?

NPH: Absolutely cool. Yeah I'd wear it.

ENW: You never called yourself NPH?
NPH: I try not to. I can walk around with the brand NPH. I have the branding rod NPH (from the movie) and you flip a switch and lights up and glows. It's really cool.

Peter G: Did you ever get any jibbing of NPH from your friends and all?
NPH: Because I have three names, a lot of people weren't sure if name was Neil, Patrick or.... not my friends like regular people. The NPH thing works out pretty well. Some people see me now and say, "NPH!" I'm an acronym.

I'll be covering the premiere this coming April 17 wearing my NPH shirt.