Pure escapism

Life matters again as Prison Break begins its second season tonight. The bad news is that I'll have to record it. The good news is that I should be attending an advanced screening of Idlewild.

Speaking of escapism, what happened to Snakes on a Plane? I don't think I've ever been so far off in estimating a movie's popularity. I thought it would clear $40 million this weekend, easily. It made around $15 million.

Snakes on a plane! Screw the box office -- the title's still awesome.

Even if you add in the $10 million for Accepted -- I assume that many people bought tickets for that PG-13 movie, then slithered into a Snakes screening room -- that's still only $25 million. This may be the first time I've ever been disappointed that American viewers didn't go see something so craptacular.

Snakes on a plane! Go see it next weekend, or I'm calling for a draft.

Finally, a little Kal Penn news: he's joining the cast of 24. The bad news is that he may be playing a terrorist. The good news is that, on 24, assumptions are often wrong. But then, we already saw the suspected terrorist who turns out to be a good guy in Season 2. More on 24 and the Emmy Awards later this week.

Snape's on a plane! Thanks, APL.