Is it just us or has Black Cap Craig MacMillan started to look a lot like Russell Crowe in Gladiator? Yes, the all-rounder's recently acquired beard does give him that Maximus look, and both men are best known for their roles which involve hitting things while wearing helmets inside stadiums for the entertainment of an unruly mob. Plus, of course, actor Crowe is a cousin to NZ cricketing brothers Crowe. But when MacMillan is appealing those LBW decisions, you almost expect him to turn to the stands and bellow: "Are you not entertained?" Hopefully MacMillanus' performance tomorrow against Zimbabwe will continue to deserve the thumbs-up treatment. And remember, the sixes we hit now echo in eternity.
ARMAGEDDON TIME: It's the big event for local fanboy obsessives — the Armageddon Pulp Culture Expo at the Aotea Centre on February 10 and 11. And this year offers a delightfully nerd-friendly range of guest appearances. From Dr Who there's Colin Baker, the sixth doctor, and Katy Manning who played Jo Grant, assistant to the third doctor. There's Teryl Rothery (Dr Janet Frazer in Stargate:SG1), Virginia Hey (Farscape, Mad Max 2), Star Trek alien James Horan, the voices of animated series Dragonball Z, and our own Kevin Smith, who's been to a few of these autograph-signing bashes stateside for his Xena role, as well as the young stars of The Tribe who will be singing a song or two.
On the comic front, the expo hosts American artists Brian Michael Bends and Walter and Louise Simonson, editor Diana Schultz as well a dozen of NZ's best comic creators.
And in May at a further event, the Armageddon Invitational at the same venue, Buffy the Vampire Slayer fans can meet James Marsters (Spike), Emma Caulfied (Emma) as well as Buffy and X-Files supporting player Brian Thompson. Sure hope some of these folks are, like, interesting ...
SEE, WE WERE RIGHT: TimeOut writers who named Coldplay's Parachutes as the best album of the year last week have been vindicated by none other than Robbie Williams, who tells this month's Mojo Magazine: "Best thing I've heard all year? Easy. Coldplay, Parachutes." There's still time to win our 20 best albums of the year plus a double pass to the Big Day Out. You have to tell us what we missed in our top 20 and why, and write 100 words or fewer about your album of 2000. Send your entries by fax to (09) 373 6430, e-mail to
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