heh... (copied off IMDB news)

Cruise Responds to German Filming Ban

Tom Cruise has vowed Scientology will have no impact on his portrayal of a legendary German assassin, after being banned from filming at the country's military bases because of his controversial beliefs. The actor is set to begin shooting Valkyrie in Germany this summer. In the film he plays Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, leader of an unsuccessful plot to kill Adolf Hitler during World War II. However, permission to film scenes on genuine army sites has been denied by the country's Defense Ministry because Scientology is viewed as a "money-making cult" instead of legitimate church by the German government. However, Cruise is adamant his beliefs have nothing to do with characterization, and is desperate to shoot the movie on location in von Stauffenberg's homeland. His producing partner and United Artists CEO Paula Wagner says, "Aside from his obvious admiration of the man he is portraying, Mr. Cruise's personal beliefs have absolutely no bearing on the movie's plot, themes, or content. And even though we could shoot the movie anywhere in the world, we believe Germany is the only place we can truly do the story justice." Von Stauffenberg's briefcase bomb in 1944 only succeeded in wounding Hitler. He was executed by firing squad for the plot the next morning.

Edited to include spoilerfont.

I saw another ad for Hairspray. I'm conflicted about it. On the one hand I kinda want to see it because I haven't seen the musical and I assume that it's more based on the musical than the movie and I like Amanda Bynes.

One the other hand John Travolta. And it may completely suck. And John Travolta.

I say go for it. I saw the musical and it was great. Just go expecting big changes and you'll be pleasantly surprised by what gets left in.

Is the spoiler font necessary? I swear I have seen that movie already, except it starred a lot of still pictures and talking heads not named Tom Cruise, and was on the History Channel. (Ad nauseam, she says unkindly.)

With a good director, Travolta is a damn good actor -- evidently if he's learned anything from Scientololology, it's how to follow directions.

Yeah, but Travolta looks disturbing and freaky in drag. It's not real drag - it's that new fatsuit look you get in all those Eddie Murphy and Tyler Perry and Martin Lawrence movies.

I'm not sure there are words in any human language for how much those movies need to stop being made.

And yet, he'll be sharing romantic scenes with Christopher Walken. Even with the fat suit, that's kinda true to the John Waters spirit.

Plus, they can both sing and dance. I'm kinda looking forward to it.

While Ratatouille has been getting mostly rave reviews (“Ratatouille” is a nearly flawless piece of popular art), I was amused by this review in Time Out New York, where the reviewer was too grossed out by the concept of a rat in a kitchen to enjoy it.

Better never venture into a real restaurant kitchen is all I can say.