Memorial Day 2003...it seems such a long time to wait for the highly anticipated sequel to The Matrix, The Matrix: Reloaded. But, while Wachowski brothers resume filming on January 14th, there is something to keep that little Matrix bug in your brain satisfied. It's called The Matrix Revisited and it's now available on that glorious format known as DVD.

Now, I know the DVD has been out for about a month now, but after viewing over the weekend I can say that it is truly inspirational. And if you love The Matrix, then it is a sure thing that you will love the behind the scenes outtakes, cast/crew interviews, special effects walk throughs and so much more. It is, no doubt, exhausting. After watching The Matrix Revisited you will feel like you were there for the shoot, the Wachowski brothers are your best friends, and Carrie-Anne Moss is your new girlfriend. Oh yeah, you'll probably want to kick some major agent a** as well. They make it look so easy...

Ahhh the ruckus. Well, if you haven't heard by now, it's official. *NSYNC has filmed a cameo, appearing as Jedi Knights who die after about 10 seconds of screen time in the new Star Wars movie. Now, while it is not confirmed that these boy band favs will actually make final cut of the film, they are stirring some widespread hatred throughout the world of movie geekdom.

Let's take a look at this for a second. Now, I actually got a couple of e-mails today from various people wanting to protest the new film because of the cameo. But I think you have to look at this in a different way.

For whatever reasons these guys are in the film, be it a producers decision or a "big boned" daughter's love of dorks, *NSYNC is in this movie and there is absolutely nothing anyone can do about it. *NSYNC is the worst thing in the world to anyone over 13 years old, but how can you possibly judge a movie before you've even seen it?

I think the reason most people are fuming is because they think that the pop stars will taint their holy space opera with all that come along with pop icon crap. Not only does this anger the hearts of the most devoted fan, but because of *NSYNC's "clout" they can obviously do whatever they want, and they probably didn't have to do much more than a couple of phone calls to get to be in the movie. Most of us would die for an opportunity like this. Yes this sucks. Yes I hate *NSYNC just as much as the next lover of music made by real musicians, but come on...it's not even 10 seconds of screen time. If no one had ever said anything about this, 99% of the people out there wouldn't have ever known. All they are is non-paid, non-credited, background extras. Let's just hope they ate the same sack lunch the rest of the schmuck extras did that day.

Yes, care about the art, care about the vision, care about artistic integrity, but lighten up. Remember the reasons you thought Star Wars was cool in the first place. Star Wars IS cool.

*NSYNC won't be keeping Lights Out from spending the night in line for tickets, experiencing all the hype, and seeing the movie the absolute second it's lightsaber-twirling-action filled glory hits the screen!

We wanna hear your opinion. What do you think? Come join in the debate.

In other movie news...

• 19 year old Filipino actor, Billy Crawford has landed the lead role of the upcoming, John Frankenheimer directed prequel to The Exorcist. Shooting begins this summer in the UK & Spain.
• Ain't It Cool has posted details of the yet to be released special edition Blade Runner DVD! Click this.
• Variety reports that Bruce Willis or Hugh Jackman are contending to play the villain in The Professional 2.
• Analyze That, the sequel to the 1999 comedy starring Billy Crystal & Robert Deniro begins shooting in February.
• New Line took a $270 million dollar chance, and with this risk clearly paying off, ideas are being thrown around about a film adaptation of The Hobbit. IGN's Filmforce claims that in a recent interview, Fellowship Of The Rings co-writer, Philippa Boyens, talked about the possibility of the film, but because of the "large number of characters and shifting plotline" she might want to leave the responsibility of the adaptation up to a more experienced writer. Boyens also stated that whatever the talks are right now, she as well as Peter Jackson won't be thinking about these possibilities for a long, long time.

So much Lights Out Entertainment goodness is coming it's absolutely disgusting. But let's just speak of things that are in store for you this weekend. Keep your eyes peeled for a whole new Mushy, a new monthly show, the 2001 round up, Mushy's Top 10 of 2001, and smaller/faster downloads of all your Lights Out favorites! We have such sights to show you!

Stay tuned... ~Brian