Hello gang! Some news and notes for the week. Shall we begin?

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COVER ME
Wow! I'm really enjoying everyone's suggestions for favorite cover songs! Don't kick yourself too much, boss. You know we couldn't get them all! Just glad our readers have the same good taste in music as we do!

IT'S UNCONSTITUTIONAL..............I SWEAR TO GOD
If Webster's ran a "picture definition only" dictionary, I'm sure you'd see the visage of Circuit Court Judge Alfred T. Goodwin beaming back at you. Goodwin shocked Americans near and far by ruling that the words "one nation, under God" that appear in the Pledge of Allegiance is unconstitutional because the reciting of the pledge in public may infringe on those who do not believe in God. As Bugs Bunny used to say, "what a maroon!" Is he aware that every cent and dollar bill in this country have the words "In God We Trust" emblazoned on them...........that "God Bless America" is one of the most sung songs in choirs..............is this guy even aware that when he was sworn to the bench his oath ended with the words "so help me God?" I'm dumbstruck that someone this stupid was even appointed to such a lofty position. Goodwin's explanation that we might as well say we are one nation "under Jesus, under Vishnu, under Zeus" is incomprehensible. Whoever appointed this guy needs his ass kicked.............so help me God!

MOVIE NOTES
Was hoping Nolan would run his thoughts on the "Daredevil" trailer that, hopefully, preceded his viewing of "Minority Report." I thought it looked very promising, with Ben Affleck looking good in his costume. Kudo's also for great villain casting: Colin Farrell and Michael Clarke Duncan. (For all the hoop-de-do over the Daredevil trailer that, yes, did indeed play before The Minority Report---Drew Reiber made SURE Terence and I remain glued for it---I'm wondering what the big deal is all about: super-quick flashes of Affleck in costume intercut with his already obvious CGI double, and the micro-second of Michael Clarke Duncan as a black version of Kingpin simply did not have me summer-saulting like it apparently did everyone else. I got more out of the short "Hulk" trailer a couple months back, truthfully.
I always felt Ben Affleck should've been "Batman" (after Alec Baldwin got too old). It's no surprise he looks good in costume--it's about time they cast him as a super-hero. The appearance of Colin Farrell is interesting in that he shows up right away again in Minority Report!---N)

Add "7th Heaven" hottie Jessica Biel to the Michael Bay produced remake of "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre." Biel joins the already cast Eric Balfour, Jonathan Tucker, Erica Leerhsen and Mike Vogel.

Hello.........McFly! As Matt reported a few issues ago, Universal is set to release the "Back to the Future" trilogy on DVD. The set will be released December 17 and will include 10 hours of bonus footage, including bloopers and commentary. No word yet if the Eric Stoltz version of the film will be included. Also, Matt will be happy to know that when "E.T." is released later this summer on DVD, it will be a (2) disc set, with one disc containing the original, non-pc version. Also, on November 26, Fox will be releasing the "Ice Age" DVD, which will have a new cartoon short starring the film's breakout star, Scrat.

MOVING ON
Chang Cheh, a martial arts filmmaker and mentor to Bruce Lee and director John Woo died Saturday in China. He was 79. Born in 1923, Chang was one of the most distinguished filmmakers in Hong Kong during the 60's and 70's. Earlier this year he received a lifetime achievement award at the Hong Kong Film Awards. Chang directed many of Lee's early films. Woo, who came to America in 1993 and is the director of such hits as "Face/Off and the current "Windtalkers," worked under Chang as his assistant.

Still reeling from the passing of beloved play by play broadcaster Jack Buck, the St. Louis Cardinals were dealt another blow when they learned that their pitching ace, Darryl Kyle, had been found dead in his hotel room Saturday morning. Preliminary reports put the cause of death as blockage of several of his heart's arteries. A memorial service will be held this week in St. Louis. Kyle, who pitched a no-hitter in 1993 while with the Houston Astros, leaves behind a wife, five year old twins and a 10 month old son.

Let's not leave out Ann Landers, noted advice columnist for nearly 50 years, sister to "Dear Abby"'s Abigail Van Buren, and a fellow-Chicagoan to Darryl Kyle. She died last Saturday at the age of 83 of multiple myeloma. Her real name was Esther Lederer and she started on the advice column (by winning a contest!) after the original Ann Landers left the paper in 1955. I was a regular reader and will miss her column---after her last one is published sometime in July, the column will be discontinued as per her wishes. Her editors will create a new column called "Ann's Mailbox" in her style.---Nolan

WORLD CON
FYI for those who care: The World Science Fiction Convention will be held this year in San Jose, California, not Kansas City as was alluded to last week. It will be held in Toronto, Canada in 2003, and Boston in 2004. BOSTON!!?? Hey, Matt, get those extra bedrooms ready..........company's coming!

That's it for this week. See ya!