She's Not Me: Madonna Taunts GaGa

Perhaps it's because Madge hasn't been in the spotlight much since her album, MDNA, topped the Billboard charts (and suffered a subsequent nosedive in sales), but she recently went out of her way to once again remind everyone that she is, in fact, on to Lady Gaga. The queen of pop was performing "Express Yourself" at a rehearsal in Tel Aviv, Israel when she suddenly trotted out a cover of "Born This Way." Of course, the two tracks blended seamlessly. Surprise. Though she stayed mum on Gaga's song for some time after its release, Madge eventually said she felt the single was "reductive" and undoubtedly influenced by her earlier work which it was. The whole affair had an air of condescension, as if Madonna was wielding the cover like Jay-Z did when he silenced Noel Gallagher and other critics by performing "Wonderwall" at Glastonbury. (The Oasis singer had taken great umbrage at the fact that a rapper had been chosen to headline the festival.) Was Madonna rubbing some salt in Gaga's wound (the latter had recently canceled a show after she faced threats from conservative religious groups), or was she merely winking at the controversy while celebrating the younger performer?

We shall await GaGa's response on Glee or So You Think You Can Dance With the Stars.

Or something.

SPOILER ALERT! SPOILER ALERT!

BBC's 'Sherlock' Cast as Villainous Khan in Abrams' 'Star Trek' Follow-up

Filmmaker JJ Abrams has scored an impressive coup, casting his 'Star Trek' sequel's villain.  After negotiations went afoul with Oscar winner Benecio del Toro, the BBC's acclaimed 'Sherlock' star, Benedict Cumberbatch, has signed on to step into the scene-stealing shoes of the late Ricardo Montalban, whose Khan hasbecome one of the most memorable, if not comedically imitated characters in filmdom. 

In Abrams' first trek, the young charactewrs of Captain Kirk's bridge realized they were in an alrternate reality, meaning this isn't a remake, but a new encounter, entirely.

We know Khan tries to kill Kirk and steal the Enterprise.  Hopefully, it will beas much fun the second (third if you count the earlier television episode) time around. 

The yet untitled follow up to 'Star Trek' is slated for a Summer 2013 release.

Madonna's 'MDNA': And That's Okay

It feels like forever since Madonna released anything of relevance.  'Hard Candy', her experiment with young super producers such as Pharrell Williams was pretty much a wash, making a vail attempt to hearken back to her early 'Everybody' roots, yet, failing dismally. Not as dismally as 'American Life'.

In the span of time between the excellent 'Confessions on the Dancefloor' and now, Lady GaGa and Rhianna have become the divas of the moment. And rightfully so Their individual pushes have been properly diverse and obvbious hommages to the self proclaimed Queen of Pop, herself.  There is an unwritten law that states that pop divas can't age and when they do, they are put out to pasture and most of Madonna's criticism comes from so called pop purists who are actually ageists in disguise. Surprisingly enough, most of the criticism is from females! And after everything Madonna has done for women and gays! Remember, GaGa fans, there would be no Monster movement had Madonna not embraced the gay populace in the wake of AIDS along with Elizabeth Taylor.

And now, Madonna is back with the cleverly titled 'MDNA' (the active ingredient found in Ecstasy pills)  and the Queen is fighting mad. Not at GaGa (though there is the playful swipe by featured artist, Nicki Minaj, rap's current bad bitch) or Rhianna, but at ex husband, Guy Ritchie. And it's a deliciously vicious romp.

Eight of  the sixteen tracks take direct aim at Ritchie and even his new pin-up wife, in a onslaught of digs and slams. The best, 'Gang Bang' where Madonna launches into a devilish tirade in the last 45 seconds chanting 'Drive bitch! And while you're at die, bitch!' I can see this being chanted in clubs around the world this summer! God willing! A fitting end to an angry song about being wronged.

LMFAO remixes the first single, 'Give Me All Your Luv', the poppy, cheerleader Katy Perry-esque song that became the first shot fired from her album.

Granted, 'MDNA' becomes increasingly better over several plays, but the hooks are infectious and undeniable, becoming stuck in your brain like any good hook should. This is Madonna in fighting form. Gorgeous, praying, sinning, bad and uncharacteristically pissed the fuck off while being the diva du jour, bad ass reigning diva of music she is.

All you other bitches, ding ding....class is in.