andPOP - Pop Culture With Substance

The pig skin never looked so good

I’ve never been a huge fan of football (American football for those reading overseas). I never enjoyed playing it in the real world, I never enjoyed watching it. But playing it digitally was always a blast. My first Madden experience was on my original Gameboy in 1996, and would you believe it spoke? Like real audible words!

Now, before I dive into the game, I wanted to point something out. Madden 10 is not for someone who doesn’t understand the finer details of football. You can get by with basic knowledge, and with the help of the Madden quiz, practice, and the virtual trainer included in the title, you can pick it up very quickly. Just don’t expect to buy the game, read the manual and kick ass online. READ MORE »

Good Charlotte front-man Joel Madden will make his acting debut in Valley of the Damned, which is set to begin production this spring.

Madden announced Friday at the Sundance Film Festival that he?ll be playing a supportive role in the dramatic tale of a troubled young woman and her little brother.

The film will be directed by Marvin Scott Jarrett, who was also in the director?s chair for Madden?s tour documentary, Fast Future Generation, which is being showcased at the festival.

“For us, what Trainspotting was to the ’90s, we see Valley of the Damned being to this decade,” says Jarrett. “To me, Trainspotting was everything: It was a movie, it was soundtrack, even the posters that you saw ? everything about it all worked together. It was a real time. That’s what we want to do for this decade.”

Madden has described his character, Chris, as a ?spiritual kid? in search of the truth.

The lead female role has yet to be cast, but Madden insists girlfriend Hilary Duff isn?t in the running for the part.

“I have a female actress in my life, but I don’t think (that means she should be in the movie),” he says. “But I’m sure she’ll be into it. I’m sure she’ll like the film.?

Madden?s brother and Good Charlotte band-mate, Benji, will help assemble the film?s soundtrack, which will be a mix of ?Depeche Mode-type bands, mixed with current-day bands that are influenced by that music,? says Jarrett. ?(There will be) a lot of indie rock ? Bright Eyes, Bloc Party, lots of bands that would be influenced by the ’80s.”