The 168 Turnaround: Chin Up, Batman’s Back

THIS WEEK:  JAN 16 – JAN 22, 2011

RICKY GERVAIS: Comedian and actor Ricky Gervais made no friends while hosting the Golden Globes this past Sunday.  He began the show saying, “it’s going to be a night of partying and heavy drinking—or as Charlie Sheen calls it, breakfast.”  From there, Gervais—who, critics are saying, will never again host an awards show—made quick work of the Hollywood crowd.  But what happened when he disappeared for an hour during the live ceremony is anyone’s guess.  Whatever the case may be, Gervais returned to the show looking the worse for wear.  For more info, click here.

THE DARK KNIGHT RISES: Big news for fans of the bat—Batman, that is.  After nearly three years of speculation, director Christopher Nolan has announced not only which villains the caped crusader will face in the forthcoming The Dark Knight Rises, but also who’s been cast to play those villains.  In a press release from Warner Bros. Pictures, it has been confirmed that Anne Hathaway will play Selina Kyle (aka Catwoman) and Tom Hardy will play Bane (known best in the comic book world for breaking Batman’s back).  Who will deliver the stronger performance?  My bet is on Hardy (if you haven’t already done so, check him out in Bronson).

CANADIANS LIKE TO READ: Believe it or not, Canadians still get a kick out of reading—that’s the story, anyway.  According to The National Reading Campaign, Canadians bought or borrowed over 2.7 million books last week.  Fearing that fewer and fewer young people will turn to reading for pleasure, the group hopes to promote a view of reading as enjoyable a pastime as watching television or going to a sporting event.  Question is, with the Harry Potter and Twilight series complete, where will kids turn to satiate their literary cravings?  (Word on the street is that Suzanne Collins’ Hunger Games Trilogy is the next big thing.)

EBERT PRESENTS AT THE MOVIES: I’ve never been a fan of Roger Ebert’s film reviews.  Nevertheless, there’s no denying his cultural significance.  Indeed, over the years Ebert has become somewhat of a figurehead for film reviewers, making him the man many of us turn to for moviegoing advice.  Sadly, due to complications from papillary thyroid cancer and the related surgeries, he had to leave his long-running film review television show At The Movies.  Now, however, Ebert’s making his way back to the small screen with a new show, Ebert Presents At The Movies.  In a recent blog post, he describes how he’s acquired a new facial prosthetic, which he will wear during the show’s “Roger’s Office” segment.  Personal opinions aside, I wish Ebert the best.

WIN OF THE WEEK:  Pool Trick Shots
I don’t play pool, mostly because I’m not very good at it.  That doesn’t mean the game doesn’t interest me…from a spectator’s point of view, anyway.  Such is the case here.

FAIL OF THE WEEK:  Parkour Fail
I get it—I really do.  Who wouldn’t want to climb over walls and jump from rooftop to rooftop?  Still, I’d like to think that I have the good sense of mind to know when too far is too far.

The 168 Turnaround is a week-in-review column, a place for me to reflect on the week’s most interesting pop culture news items.  If it mattered to me or I think it might matter to you, then it will be here.  If I’ve overlooked an important news item, or if you have a comment or question, please leave a response below.  Thank you for reading.