Reverend’s Preview: Anaheim Comic Con

There will be more characters than usual roaming around the Disneyland Resort area this week, as the Anaheim Convention Center hosts the inaugural Anaheim Comic Con April 16-18. No doubt, a sizable number of GLBT comic book and pop culture fans will be among them.

One might think the massive Comic Con International held each summer in San Diego would have the southern California market cornered when it comes to superheroes, graphic novels, role-playing games and fantasy movies, as well as related toys and other memorabilia. Not so, according to the Anaheim event’s producer, Wizard Entertainment; as publisher of the pop culture magazine Wizard, the company knows well how keen interest is in more Comic Cons both locally and nationally. Wizard Entertainment presents several other such gatherings across the country each year.

Anaheim’s first Comic Con will be smaller than the San Diego event, but I welcome this as someone who has covered Comic Con International for several years now. Limited convention center space, parking and hotel rooms have made San Diego’s con increasingly difficult to attend. A formal proposal has been submitted to move Comic Con International to Anaheim in the future for at least one year, since the Anaheim Convention Center is a larger facility.

At press time, at least 150 celebrities and pop culture icons were confirmed to appear during the Anaheim Comic Con’s three days. They include Captain Kirk himself, William Shatner; Marvel Comics’ superhero creator, Stan Lee; Oscar-nominated actors Mary McDonnell (Battlestar Galactica and Independence Day) and Eric Roberts (The Dark Knight); The Empire Strikes Back director Irvin Kershner; and Ilya Salkind, producer of Superman: The Movie and its first two sequels.

Other celebrities of more specifically GLBT appeal set to attend are the fabulous Julie Newmar and Lee Meriwether, both of whom played Catwoman on the campy Batman TV series in the 1960’s (the late Eartha Kitt also served as the show’s feline femme fatale); Star Trek actress and GLBT supporter Nichelle Nichols; The Bionic Woman herself, Lindsay Wagner; Kathy Najimy of Sister Act and Hocus Pocus fame; sexy actor Kaj-Erik Eriksen (The 4400); pop music diva Taylor Dayne; and Linda Blair of The Exorcist, Roller Boogie and Chained Heat fame.

More than 400 exhibitor, celebrity and creator booths will be set up, giving attendees ample opportunity to peruse collectibles and pursue autographs. As at Comic Con International and other such conventions, guests are not only allowed but strongly encouraged to dress in costume as their favorite comic book, film, TV, game or other characters. There will be a costume contest on Saturday, April 17. Please note: There will be children present, so costumes must be kept “PG-13” with no nudity or anything too revealing. I anticipate there will be more than a few costumes inspired by Tim Burton’s current box office hit, Alice in Wonderland.

A feature unique to the Anaheim Comic Con will be a Horror Pavilion. Billed as “a celebration of all things gory and grisly,” the pavilion will feature writers, artists, actors and musicians who have contributed to the horror genre in comics, movies and TV. There are plenty of GLBT horror fans who will want to check the Horror Pavilion out … but don’t do so alone!

For complete information about the event and to purchase tickets, visit the official Anaheim Comic Con website.

Preview by Rev. Chris Carpenter, resident film critic of Movie Dearest and the Orange County and Long Beach Blade.

Reverend's Reviews: Heavenly Movie Soundtracks

This post is part of Film Babble Blog's "Soundtrack September".
As an avid collector of original motion picture soundtrack albums since the 1970's, being asked to choose the best from among the 400+ I own is akin to a parent being forced to publicly identify their favorite child from among several! So rather than make a ten-best list, I've decided to write about a dozen or so from my collection that I consider significant not only to me personally but in the genre of music composed specifically for the silver screen. Some are former Oscar nominees or winners that remain celebrated today. Others have been woefully forgotten and are deserving of renewed attention.

While the first soundtrack recording I recall buying was the inescapable Star Wars by modern movie music maestro John Williams, it was Williams' follow-up score for Superman: The Movie that really struck a chord (no pun intended) with me. I will never forget the dramatic impact Superman's main title march had on me, accompanied as it was by the film's literally soaring opening credits. Williams brilliantly utilized a variety of styles to underscore the superhero's story, from his origin on the doomed planet Krypton to his climactic showdown with arch-nemesis Lex Luthor. The score also includes the song "Can You Read My Mind?", although it is performed in the film by Margot Kidder as more of a spoken word recitation, with lyrics by Leslie Bricusse.


The Superman score was nominated for a 1978 Academy Award but lost to Giorgio Moroder's innovative electronic score for Midnight Express. Moroder would go on to score a number of successful 80's movies, including Flashdance. In my opinion, however, Moroder's best work is his alternately lyrical, intense and sexy score for the 1982 remake of the horror classic Cat People. David Bowie co-wrote and performed the film's title song, which was recently resurrected to awesome effect in Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds.

There are many big-screen musicals in my collection including my all-time favorite, the underrated 1967 Doctor Dolittle, but I want to single out another soundtrack LP from a similarly unappreciated movie: Popeye. Robert Altman's big budget, live-action take on the classic cartoon character got a wildly mixed reception, as did its song score by pop songwriter-singer Harry Nilsson. Popeye ended up being Nilsson's first and last feature-length film score, as he unexpectedly passed away just a few years later. It is a charming score, with simple but often witty and emotionally resonant songs performed by Robin Williams in the title role, Shelley Duvall as Olive Oyl, and the great Ray Walston as Poopdeck Pappy. The soundtrack has never been released on CD, which is a shame as it includes a couple of songs that were cut from the film and better orchestrations.


While the movie-musical for which they were written is painful to sit through, Richard O'Brien's songs for 1981's Shock Treatment are great. This misbegotten sequel to The Rocky Horror Picture Show attempted to send up both television and the psychiatric profession. Skip the movie, but try to hunt down its rockin' soundtrack. You'll be singing the virtues of "Denton, U.S.A." as soon as you hear the song of that name!

During the Christmas season of 1981, two historical epics were released with primarily instrumental scores by composers accustomed to writing lyrics as well as music: Reds, by musical-theatre titan Stephen Sondheim, and Ragtime, which was Randy Newman's first film score. While both scores are excellent and deserve continued recognition, only Newman was honored at Oscar time with two nominations for best original score and best song, the tender "One More Hour." Sondheim has rarely written for movies since, with 1990's Dick Tracy a notable exception, while Newman has become one of the most sought-after film composers of our time and finally won an Oscar (after 15 prior nominations) in 2001.


No list of great film scores and composers would be complete without the late Jerry Goldsmith, and his Oscar-nominated work on 1982's Poltergeist ranks among his finest achievements. The music zigzags, not unlike the movie, from jaunty, comedic tones to intense sequences of musical menace. Goldsmith's similarly-styled scores for the mid-80's fantasies Gremlins and Supergirl are also noteworthy.

Two other composers who must be mentioned are John Barry and Ennio Morricone. Barry's ravishing, Oscar-winning score for Out of Africa is my personal favorite of his, while The Mission by Morricone has not only withstood the test of time but is one of the most spiritual recordings of all time ... if a recording can be said to be spiritual.


Asian influences in film music have become more pervasive this decade, but the progression began with the acclaimed, memorable scores to Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence and The Last Emperor. Both were composed by Ryuichi Sakamoto, the latter with an assist from "Talking Head" David Byrne. Also worth noting in this regard is Stomu Yamashta's appropriately magical score for 1982's Tempest, Paul Mazursky's update of Shakespeare's comedy The Tempest.

Danny Elfman crossed over from Oingo Boingo front man to film composer with a series of great scores to accompany director Tim Burton's flights of fancy. His score for the first big-budget Batman movie in 1989 was so successful that Elfman became the go-to guy for a while for superhero movies, including Darkman, Spider-Man and Hulk. But it is Elfman's work on Batman Returns that remains his finest hour. He created memorable themes for the villainous Penguin and Catwoman, and created a cool song for Siouxsie and the Banshees, "Face to Face," out of the latter's.


Lest one think I'm stuck in the 80's when it comes to my faves (although I can see how it is tempting to do so), there are a number of both older and more recent film scores that are close to my heart: Max Steiner's unforgettable Gone With the Wind; the admitted guilty pleasure Lost Horizon (1973), with songs by Burt Bacharach and Hal David; Halloween, composed by its director, John Carpenter; Carter Burwell's haunting Gods and Monsters; the driving, minimalist score for The Hours by Phillip Glass; John Corigliano's passionate, Oscar-winning score for The Red Violin; A Beautiful Mind by James Horner; and this year's fabulous Coraline, with a creepy-cute score by French up and comer Bruno Coulais.

I think I've mentioned more than a dozen here, contrary to what I set out to do. Obviously, when it comes to film music I have difficulty restraining myself! I sincerely hope readers will check out any of these scores you are unfamiliar with, as well as identify your own, time-tested favorites.

Click hereto purchase any of the above soundtracks from Amazon.com.

By Rev. Chris Carpenter, resident film critic of Movie Dearest and the Orange County and Long Beach Blade.

Cinematic Crush: Tom Welling

Crush object: Tom Welling, actor.

- A former model, he appeared in ads for such notable names as Abercrombie & Fitch, Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger.

- Branching out into acting, he appeared in a few commercials and had a recurring role on Judging Amy.

- His all-American, boy-next-door good looks landed him the role of a lifetime as young Clark Kent, the teen who would be Superman, in Smallville, now in its eighth season.

- In addition to starring on Smallville, he has also directed four episodes of the popular series, which returns this week with a new episode featuring some familiar faces to comic book fans.

- Television has kept him pretty busy; so far, he has only starred in three feature films, Cheaper by the Dozen and its sequel and The Fog. However, Smallville fans would love to see him take on the Man of Steel on the big screen some day.

Out in Film: Bryan Singer

Idol worship: Bryan Singer, director/writer/producer.

- His second feature film, The Usual Suspects, became an instant crime classic upon its release in 1994, winning two Academy Awards.

- He followed that hit up with the controversial Apt Pupil, starring Ian McKellen and Brad Renfro.

- Even though he was never a comic book fan, his biggest success came with the first two blockbuster chapters of the popular superhero saga X-Men, as well as Superman Returns.

- For television, he is the executive producer (and sometimes director) of House and Dirty Sexy Money.

- His most recent project, Valkyrie, is in theaters this week, and he is still attached to the next Superman movie, Man of Steel.

Monthly Wallpaper - December 2008: Super Heroes

2008 was the unofficial "year of the superhero", so it is only fitting that the final Movie Dearest calendar wallpaper of the year is a salute to our favorite celluloid supers.

From the classic Christopher Reeve Superman and Michael Keaton Batman to more recent editions to the ranks such as Iron Man and the upcoming Watchmen, this legion of superheroes will keep your desktop nice and safe from marauding super villains, at least for the next few weeks.

All you have to do is click on the picture above to enlarge it, then simply right click your mouse and select "Set as Background". (You can also save it to your computer and set it up from there if you prefer.) The size is 1024 x 768, but you can modify it if needed in your own photo-editing program.

Reverend’s Reviews: Chris' Favorite Movies, From A to Z

As promised, here is Chris' take on the "Alphabet Meme":

This was hard — so many movies to go through! Keep in mind I used "favorite" and not "best" as criteria.

A is for The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988)
B is for The Blob (1958)
C is for Citizen Kane (1941)
D is for Doctor Dolittle (1967)
E is for E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
F is for Fantasia (1940)
G is for Ghostbusters (1984) (Gone With the Wind is right next to it.)
H is for Heathers (1989)
I is for It Happened One Night (1934)
J is for Jerry Maguire (1996)
K is for King Kong (1933)
L is for The Last Temptation of Christ (1988)
M is for The Mission (1986)
N is for The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) (I omitted Tim Burton's, obviously.)
O is for Out of Africa (1985)
P is for The Poseidon Adventure (1972)
Q is for The Quiet Earth (1985) (There aren't many "Q" titles to choose from, but I do like this New Zealand movie.)
R is for Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
S is for Superman: The Movie (1978)
T is for Terms of Endearment (1983)
U is for The Unbearable Lightness of Being (1988)
V is for Victor/Victoria (1982)
W is for The Wizard of Oz (1939)
X is for X2: X-Men United (2003) (Of the few "X" titles listed in Leonard Maltin's Movie Guide, this is my favorite. Will Neil pick Xanadu???)
Y is for Yentl (1983)
Z is for Zero Patience (1993) (A fabulous Canadian AIDS musical!)

By the by, Chris is on record that Doctor Dolittle is his favorite movie of all time; I think it's because of the "Giant Pink Sea Snail".

By Rev. Chris Carpenter, resident film critic of Movie Dearest and the Orange County and Long Beach Blade.

Out in Film: John Glover

Idol worship: John Glover, actor.

- This prolific character actor has appeared in many memorable movie roles, including Annie Hall, Julia, White Nights, 52 Pick-Up, The Chocolate War, Scrooged, Gremlins 2: The New Batch, Robocop 2, Batman & Robin and Payback.

- On television, he has been nominated for five Emmy Awards, most notably for his heart-breaking portrayal of an AIDS patient in the groundbreaking TV movie An Early Frost. He also co-starred in the television remake of What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?

- However, he is perhaps best known as the Machiavellian Lionel Luthor on Smallville. Other TV appearances include L.A. Law, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Frasier, Law & Order: Criminal Intent and Batman: The Animated Series, wherein he voiced The Riddler.

- He won a Tony Award for his dual role of brothers John and James Jeckyll in Terrence McNally's Love! Valour! Compassion!, which he reprised in the film version. He recently won a Los Angeles Stage Alliance Ovation Award for his performance in Secrets of the Trade.

- He will next be seen as the upcoming new love interest of Ron Rifkin's Uncle Saul on Brothers & Sisters.

UPDATE: In addition to his stint on Brothers & Sisters, Glover will also be paying a visit to Heroes, wherein he'll play the father of resident baddie Sylar (Zachary Quinto).

Justice is Served

The Justice League returns to Smallville in tomorrow night's eighth season premiere on the CW. With Lana Lang (Kristin Kreuk) and Supergirl (Laura Vandervoort) out of the picture for now, it is up to the JL to rescue Clark Kent (super hottie Tom Welling); naturally, the ever resourceful Chloe Sullivan (Allison Mack, the only other remaining original cast member) is on the case as well.

Filling the void left this season by the now departed Lex Luthor (Michael Rosenbaum), the series' new villain will be a Smallville version of Doomsday (who, in the comics, killed Superman), played by Battlestar Galactica's Sam Witwer. Erica Durance and Aaron Ashmore return as the future Man of Steel's gal and pal, Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen, and Justin Hartley (ace archer Green Arrow) is now a regular cast member.

And for more super friends fun, check out these action figuresbased on the series; in addition to Clark and his JL buddies, there's even a Lana Lang ... complete with pom-poms.

Movie Dearest MySpace Friend of the Week: Mego Museum

If you were a child of the 70's, then you grew up with the wondrous works of Mego. Dominating the toy business during the disco decade, the Mego Corporation produced popular lines of 8-inch action figures based on DC and Marvel comic book characters (known as the "World's Greatest Super Heroes") as well as such movies and television shows as The Planet of the Apes, Space: 1999, Star Trek and The Wizard of Oz.

Mego found even more success when they branched out into 12 ½-inch dolls inspired by such celebrities as Sonny and Cher (complete with Bob Mackie designed wardrobe!), Farrah Fawcett, Diana Ross and even the Captain and Tennille, plus new lines based on the Wonder Woman TV show and Superman movie.

Alas, Mego's downfall came when they turned down a deal to produce the Star Wars action figures, leaving the door open for Kenner to come in and make a gazillion dollars (and counting) off that series of films. Mego tried to compete with tie-in merchandise to all the sci-fi movies that were released in the wake of Star Wars (such as Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, The Black Hole and Star Trek: The Motion Picture) as well as their own Micronauts line, but the company ultimately folded in 1983.

However, Mego's legacy lives on at the Mego Museum, an awesomely nostalgic walk down memory lane with quite a few surprises along the way (who knew there was toys based on The Love Boat, complete with Pacific Princess play set?).

The Museum even has their own MySpace page to share the fun ... subscribe to their blog, and you'll be treated to a daily blast from the past with their "Mego of the Day". Such recent toys featured include Doctor Kromedome, the Human Torch, Ralph Malph and Grandma Walton.

For all they do to keep our fond childhood memories alive, the Mego Museum has been chosen as the latest Movie Dearest MySpace Friend of the Week! Congratulations!

And while you're over at the Mego Museum's space, stop by The Official Movie Dearest MySpace Page to check out the latest Weekly Recap, including MySpace exclusive picture for all of last week's big stories!

Legends of the FAIL, Take 4

Well, you know what they say: it does sell ...

Titan the Barbarian

Interesting news-slash-rumors about that Conan the Barbarian remake. Seems the American Gladiator known as Titan (nee Michael O'Hearn) is gabbing about how he is "this close" to being cast in the title role. Even with all those muscles ... and, ah ... what was I talking about? Excuse me, I got a little distracted there ... anyway, even with all those muscles, ahem, he seems a little clean cut to be a barbarian.

However, Mr. Titan then goes on to say that he is also up for another classic Marvel Comic character, none other then Captain America. If that is the case, he certainly looks the part. Nevertheless, I have my doubts that either of these movies (and the potential franchises thereof) would cast a relative unknown in the lead, even one that has played Superman before.

Legends of the FAIL, Take 2

Holy bait and switch, Batman!

Comic-Con 2008: Wrap Up

Comic-Con 2008 came to a close yesterday, which means it is time for some gratuitous shots of sexy costumes!

Continuing the tradition started last year, here's another 300 hunk, along with a bevy of comely Disney vixens, a studly Superman, a bearish Wolverine, and a whole pack of sexy Jesuses. If you ever wondered what is was like to be a superhero-for-a-day, Cinematical's buxom-for-a-day Elisabeth Rappe (that's her Lara Croft with the Hamlet 2 gang) blogs all about it over on her home turf.

Save for the Watchmen confab and that out-of-nowhere Tron 2 teaser (catch the covert footage online while you can), there wasn't anything all that earth shaking this year. That is, unless you count some paltry information about remakes (The Day the Earth Stood Still, Friday the 13th, H.R. Pufnstuf, Red Sonja, The Wolfman) and sequels (The Evil Dead, I Am Legend, Punisher: War Zone, Scream 4, Terminator Salvation) nobody really asked for, not to mention movies just begging to be franchises (GI Joe, RocknRolla, The Spirit, Twilight). And then there is always the tantalizing news of exclusive footage that no one outside of the Con can see for now (most notably, an extended trailer for X-Men Origins: Wolverine, which keeps appearing and reappearing on the net ... let me know if you find it). Most glaring was the complete lack of anything regarding the new Star Trek movie. It seems that now that Hollywood has more or less taken over the Con, the studios are holding all the cards ... and they're playing them very close to their vests.

Nevertheless, Moviefone has a pretty thorough overview of the entire geektastic weekend (including a tease about the two name actors who star in the fictitious gay porn flick Shut Your Mouth Before I F*** It in Kevin Smith's raunchy comedy Zack and Miri Make a Porno). And for more photo galleries of the fantastic fashions on display, visit Cinematical.com.

UPDATE: Who were the "hunks of Comic-Con"? Visit Thompson on Hollywood to find out. And for more of the best in retrospect, Cinematical has posted their "first annual Comic-Con awards!"

Bat Booty

If you want to be as styling as millionaire playboy Bruce Wayne, all you have to do is head over to The Noble Collection™for their line of Dark Knight inspired bat-accessories, such as:

• Batman™ Begins Cufflinks- You'll look suave and sophisticated for your own dark nights out on the town.
• The Batarang™ Folding Money Clip-Black Satin- Your very own mini-batarang for protecting your very own Wayne fortune.
• Batman™ Titanium Flex Ring- A subtle way to reveal your own secret identity.
• Batman Begins ™ Bronze- This 7-inch tall solid bronze statue will look impressive in your own Bat-Cave.

So head on over to The Noble Collection™to Get Props and Collectibles from Batman: The Dark Knight. Shop Now!And be sure to check out their other movie collections, including The Chronicles of Narnia, The Da Vinci Code, The Golden Compass, Harry Potter, Indiana Jones, The Lord of the Rings, Pirates of the Caribbean, Superman and 300.

Steel Standing

Despite consistent rumors to the contrary, Bryan Singer has confirmed that Superman: The Man of Steel, the sequel to his Superman Returns, is still in development, with him returning as director.

Brandon Routh is also expected to don the blue tights once more as well.

The Latest on DVD: What's Up, Oscar?

Oscar winning and nominated cartoons from the vaults of Warner Bros. are now available in the new three-disc DVD set (available today) Warner Brothers Home Entertainment Academy Awards Animation Collection - 15 Winners, 26 Nominees.

Winners include seven Tom and Jerry toons, classic entries in the Pepe Le Pew and Speedy Gonzalez series, the first pairing of Sylvester and Tweetie, and Bugs Bunny's one and only Oscar winner, Knighty Knight Bugs, plus the Chuck Jones classic, The Dot and the Line. Notable among the nominated shorts are ones starring Popeye, Porky Pig, Droopy, Foghorn Leghorn and even Superman, in his Max Fleischer debut.

Also available is a single disc editionwith just the 15 winners. Click on the links for more information and to buy from Amazon.com. And for more of this week's newest DVD releases, see the Amazon widgets located in the sidebar at right.

Me and My Arrow

On the next brand new Smallville: the return of Justin Hartley's Green Arrow and the debut of Black Canary (played by Alaina Huffman).

The comic geek in me remembers her as the blonde bombshell in fishnets with the killer pipes who has been Arrow's main squeeze for years now. Word has it that the Canary will clash with Lois Lane, who had a fling with the Arrow last season. Maybe blondes do have more fun?

Smallville airs tomorrow night on the CW Network.

Trivial Pursuits: I Scream, You Scream

In all of cinematic history, there has never been a more recognizable -- or revered -- sound effect then that of the so-called "Wilhelm Scream". Even if you have never heard that term before, believe me, you've heard the scream; just watch one of the many video montages collecting some of the many movie scenes the infamous yelp is featured in, and chances are you'll recognize the distinctive cry.

Named after the character "Private Wilhelm" in the low budget 50's western The Charge at Feather River (who emits the signature screech when he is shot in the leg with an arrow), the prerecorded sound effect actually originated in another western, the Gary Cooper oater Distant Drums. Character actor Sheb Wooley (best known for his song "The Purple People Eater") was believed to have recorded it, when a scream was needed for a character being attacked by an alligator (yeah, it was a western ... set in Florida). Sound designer Ben Burtt rediscovered it, and used it in Star Wars when a stormtrooper falls into the Death Star chasm. It has since become an in-joke among soundmen and genre directors (and has even developed a sort-of cult-like following amongst sharp-eared cinephiles), appearing in over 140 movies, including virtually all of producer George Lucas', notably all six episodes of Star Wars and the first three Indiana Jones adventures (we'll have to wait and see ... uh, hear ... if it makes it into his next one).

Other classic and contemporary movies that feature the "Wilhelm Scream" include: Them!, George Cukor's A Star is Born, The Green Berets, The Wild Bunch, Poltergeist, Disney's Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin, Batman Returns, Reservoir Dogs, Toy Story, the second and third chapters of The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Spider-Man, Kill Bill: Volume 1, all three Pirates of the Caribbean movies, Hellboy, Troy, Peter Jackson's King Kong, Sin City, Superman Returns, 300, Transformers, The Simpsons Movie and even as recent as The Mist, which just opened last week, proof positive that you can't keep a good scream (or sound effect) down.

Links via HollywoodLostandFound.com and YouTube.com.

Cinematic Crush: James Marsden

Crush object: James Marsden, actor/super guy.
- Why we like him: He's the good-natured prom king-next door with a killer smile.
- When did we first notice him: As Cyclops in the X-Men movies ... even behind those ever-present pair of goggles.
- Gay for pay: In The 24th Day, playing a one-night stand who goes to far.
- Other choice roles: The "other man" in The Notebook and Superman Returns, a rockin' Corny Collins in Hairspray.
- What he's known for: He often plays the guy that loses the girl to the leading man ... what's up with that?
- Bet you didn't know: Owes his career to Kirk Cameron; his first job was on the pilot episode of The Nanny.
- Yes, it's true: He wore lifts in the X-Men movies because he was supposed to be taller then Hugh Jackman's Wolverine.
- Can we quote you on that: "If you're an attractive guy, everyone thinks you're successful just because of the way you look. I hate that."
- Also known as: Jimmy Marsden (aww).
- Where we can see him next: As the goofy-yet-charming Prince Edward in Enchanted.
- Where you can see more of him right now: In this shirtless slideshow.

Links via Imdb.com, Disney.go.com and YouTube.com.

All in the Super-Family

Helen Slater, who made her motion picture debut in the craptastic Supergirl, will wrap-up her two episode stint as Clark Kent's Kryptonian mama Lara on tomorrow night's Smallville opposite her super-successor Laura Vandervoort and super-hunk Tom Welling.

The CW series has always been great at recognizing the Super-projects of the past. The silver screen's best-known Man of Steel, the late Christopher Reeve, and ace reporter Lois Lane, Margot Kidder, have both appeared on the show in the past. The series own Ma Kent, Annette O'Toole, played Lana Lang in the just plain crappy Superman III, and super-baddy General Zod, Terence Stamp, has voiced super-daddy Zor-El throughout the series' seven-year run. Furthermore, Dean Cain, Welling's TV predecessor, also recently guest-starred this season.

This is not the first time a Superman of the present has paid homage to a Superman of the past. In the 1978 movie, Kirk Alyn (who was the last son of Krypton in two movie serials) and Noel Neill (the super-girlfriend in the classic 50's TV show) cameoed as the parents of a young Lois.

Click here to purchase the Supergirland Supermanmovies on DVD from Amazon.com.
Links via Imdb.com, TVGuide.com and CWTV.com.