Holiday wars: Music to my wallet's ears.

It's that time of year again. Retailers want our business and they want it bad. Bad enough to undercut each other, price match and practically beg. It's a good feeling, isn't it?

This past weekend was a shopping excursion that involved picking up a Wii. Across the typical big box and gaming stores, it was Costco that had the cheapest price by about $6.

When it came to looking for a new bed, one poor salesman was determined to keep me in the store as long as possible including offering a bottle of water or coffee. How about that determination? I felt special. But in this economy, he's going to have to work harder than that! (Would've been sold if he had some carrot cake.)

Now that I have the presents I want, I can act happy and surprised by whatever my family gets me. Is anyone else already starting their shopping early? Who is going out on Black Friday?

*Image from Mark Lennihan/AP/MSNBC

Wal-Mart, Target holiday toy war intensifies

Is that Michael Jackson's voice?

Sony is releasing a new Michael Jackson CD and there is already controversy.

Surprisingly, it's not about money. It's because Jackson's kids don't think that it is their father's voice.

Sony has released a teaser trailer for the album and they are claiming that is really Michael Jackson.

You don't hear the Michael Jackson screams til the end of the trailer, but I have to say it doesn't sound like him to me. The concept is there, the pitch is about right, but I think it's missing something. It may be something as simple as his voice being over edited and equalized. It could just be someone else.

Take a listen and tell us what you think.

Michael Jackson's New Song -- Mystery Scream

*Image from Getty/TMZ

What should LeBron do? That is the question.

In a great response to Lebron Jame's "What Should I Do?" Commercial, fans have struck back. To me, this one hits pretty hard. Check it out at TMZ.com

I feel both Lebron James and Cleveland scored direct hits with this tit-for-tat. This will be a saga almost worth paying attention to the NBA season.

*Image from TMZ.

Coffee drinkers have a new option. Burger King.

Every Friday in November, Burger King is giving away a free 12 ounce Seattle's Best coffee during breakfast hours to customers. No purchase necessary!

After seeing the Burger King Breakfast Bowl commercial with the guy playing flute, I wasn't sure about BK. However, if I drank coffee, I'd be all over this one.

Now if only we can get fast food chains to start serving hot tea...

*Image from AP/MSNBC

Free Burger King offer is latest salvo in clash of coffee titans

Stallone casting for Expendables 2. Any suggestions?

Our favorite action stars shooting and blowing up things only deserves a sequel. The first "Expendables" had it's key stars: Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Mickey Rourke and Dolph Lundgren.

According to this story, some other fan suggestions would be:

The Rock: WWE, The Rundown and various other films. I agree. I almost want to say he's required.

Michael Jai White: Undisputed II, Universal Soldier: The Return, Spawn. Personally I think he should've been in Predators, but hey, can't complain. Also a great choice.

Scott Adkins: Undisputed II and III. I'd be interested in seeing him as a good guy because he's a perfect bad guy.

I'd also like to recommend Sean Scott Williams: Bullet Proof Monk, American Pie 1-3, The Rundown. The guy is pretty ripped and would be great for comic relief.

John Cena: WWE, The Marine. I'm up for that. But you know who I think would be dangerous? Brock Lesnar. There is no way Brock could play the loving father who loses his family and goes on a rampage beating up bad guys. Brock doesn't seem like the guy that would have that much compassion. But you know who could? Vin Diesel. And he did play that role.

So here we have The Rock, Michael Jai White, Scott Adkins, Sean Scott Williams, John Cena and Vin Diesel. Bring back Stallone and/or Statham for a cameo and the only thing missing is a female. Equal rights, right?

After her stellar performance in Kick-Ass as HitGirl, I would suggest Chloe Moretz. Unfortunately she's 13. Expendable at 13? Well, she could play the daughter of one of the characters?

Ziyi Zhang: House of Flying Daggers, Hero, Rush Hour 2, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. I think she would be great for this. But so could Kelly Hu, Michelle Yeoh or Lucy Liu. Gina Carano could possibly have some acting chops to go along with her MMA ability and her stint on American Gladiators.

Any way you put it, there are still enough action stars out there waiting in the wings for a chance like this. Who would you suggest?

*Image from Karen Ballard; Myles Aronowitz; EW

Sylvester Stallone looking for a few good (young) men for 'Expendables' sequel

Team Edward, Team Jacob or Team Zombie?

When I think of horror, I think of classic things. Vampires, werewolves, zombies, psycho paths with masks... Evil. And those usually come with running away, hiding in the closet as the foot steps walk by the door, things jumping out from around corners, blood and gore, etc.

But with series like Underworld, Vampire Diaries, True Blood and Twilight, it's been a full court press for vampire and werewolf acceptance. Let's get a few things straight. Vampires are bad. No matter how cute Edward looks when he's pasty and brooding or how Selene walks in her leather outfit, they are bad. Same goes with werewolves! They are supposed to rip you apart limb from limb yet the minute Jacob takes his shirt off, human teenage girls put his life in danger.

The Walking Dead on AMC may not change the balance back to horror's core, but it will even things out a bit. Here we have zombies. Nobody likes zombies. Zombies aren't cute, cuddly, hot or seductive. Zombies don't have a six pack or perfectly gelled hair. Zombies don't worry about getting fat or what their BFF texted them last night. Zombies want to eat you and make no bones about it.

I salute AMC for airing a show that isn't about a fight for love. It's the fight for survival. I'm Team Zombie. Actually, I'm Team Human. Happy Halloween!

*Image Credit: AMC; ABC Photo Archive/Getty Images/EW


Warning: Zombies are closer than they appear

Saying goodbye to cassette players

Sony's Japan manufacturers have retired the Walkman after 30 years of service. The last batch rolled off the assembly line headed towards Japanese stores. You can still find them in the US and various countries overseas, but when you type "Walkman" in the search bar on most entertainment store websites, you'll see mp3 players.

Millions of adults remember the good times. Recording any song you liked off the radio. Later on we would turn the dial just right to get the clearest signal and pray the DJ would shut up so you could get the whole song from start to finish. You learned how to push the record button and stop it at just the right time.

With the invention of the Dual Cassette, we would spend hours and/or days making mix tapes for any and all activities. Our best friends got a mix tape. Our love interest or significant others got mix tapes. We recorded others mix tapes because they put together a better mix.

Headphones became permanently attached to our ears much to the disdain of our parents. We claimed listening to rock/funk/hip hop/country music helped us study.

Ear bud headphones allowed us to route one of the buds up a stretched out long sleeve shirt. With the speaker strategically placed in the palm of one hand, our heads just happened to lean into that hand allowing us to listen to music during class. This would be a look symbolic of teenage boredom. But back then we believed we could listen to music and kind of follow along in class. As long as you looked up from time to time and did your best to take notes, the teacher wouldn't notice. Or did teachers know and let us get away with it?

The equalizer switches that always seemed to sound better when put in a "V" pattern. Later on we were blessed with the Extra Bass or Enhance Sound button.

The introduction of CDs had us saving our allowances to get a CD Dual Cassette recorder. Mix tapes got that much cleaner sounding. Even with the invention of the Discman, the first incarnations skipped so easily that those of us with more active lifestyles held fast to our Walkmans.

Soon after Discmans came out with a 3, 9 and 12 second skip buffer and became a more viable option. None the less, the Walkman will always be something that got me through my teenage years.

What are some fond memories you have of your cassette player(s)?

*image from CNN

Sony retires the cassette Walkman after 30 years

No redemption movie for Mel Gibson just yet.

It has the makings of a great formula. If you are in Hollywood and you mess up, wait a year then come out with a comedy. People will welcome you back. Ask Hugh Grant, Tom Cruise and Mike Tyson.

Unfortunately, Mel Gibson will not have the joy of such a redemption with The Hangover 2. The director and the studio were on board for a cameo by the Lethal Weapon actor, but the cast and crew don't want him there.

I think Gibson still has some more apologizing to do. Maybe a trip to help the orphans in Africa or Haiti? That might get him back in someone's good graces.

Despite all the crazy stuff going on in the courts, I think he can make a comeback. I'd like to see a funny Mel Gibson again.

*Image from Dominique Charriau/WireImage/People.com

Mel Gibson Cameo in The Hangover 2 Canceled

Is Zoey the one on 'How I Met Your Mother?'

Is Zoey the mother? I'm guessing she could be. I love the show, but I think it's nearing the end of how far it can go. We've seen Ted go through love ending in friendship with Robin and love ending with a broken heart when it came to Stella.

However, there are a few things that make me think otherwise. In an episode a season or two ago when Sarah Chalke was suspected of being the mother, Ted said something to the effect of "But if she had been your mother, things would've turned out differently. The scene then pops up with the kids wearing blonde wigs.

Either way, I believe this ought to be a good storyline to watch.

Check out a clip of Zoey here.

Image by EW.com

Who will be having a "Blu" Christmas?

Yes, I know it's not even Halloween yet, but I felt like this needed to be said. Walmart has Blu-ray players as low as $78 and it's been rated 4 out of 5 stars by Walmart Customers. That's full 1080p HD. That's what you bought that flat panel TV for.

Redbox has some titles for Blu-Ray at a dollar or two more than the $1 standard price. $2 or $3 to rent a Blu-Ray title? Why not? it's still cheaper than renting one title in standard definition from your local movie rental place.

Whether you get one now or hold off until Christmas, go through your portal and check out this deal. It's not available in stores, but can be shipped to your local Walmart for you to pick it up.
*Image from Walmart.com