WELCOME ABOARD
To our new columnist, Matt Cerrato. As a long-time collector of film-based toys and action-figures I can't tell you how excited I am that he is joining us here at PCR. I've got lots of Catwoman figures from the second "Batman" film............tell me I'm a rich man!
THE NEXT BIG EPIC
Remember the poster for the 1976 remake of "King Kong" that showed the great ape straddling the twin towers of the World Trade Center? I do. And I must admit I was pretty pissed to find out that not only was that scene not in the film but that the majority of the movie was make-up maestro Rick Baker in a gorilla suit. Well, I'm happy to report that "Lord of the Rings" trilogy director Peter Jackson has decided that his next project will be his telling of the Kong story. Can't wait!
DATE CHANGE
If you circled May 7 on your 2004 calendar, erase it and circle July 2 instead. Wanting more time to perfect the special effects Sony has announced the new date as opening day for "Spider-Man 2."
PASSING ON
Very sad to report the passing of very popular character actor Michael Jeter, who passed away this week at the age of 50. Jeter, who revealed in 1997 that he had contracted the HIV virus was found dead in his Hollywood apartment. No cause of death has been announced. Born in 1952 in Lawrenceberg, Tennessee, Jeter caught the acting bug at Memphis State University. He moved to New York City and worked for a law firm while waiting for his big break. That came in 1979 when he had a small, but funny, part in the film, "Hair." He was the recruit that stood naked before the draft board wearing nothing but socks. When he refused to remove them, he was forcibly picked up and the socks were removed, revealing his painted toe nails! Moving on to the theatre, he won the 1990 Tony Award for his moving performance in "Grand Hotel." That role lead to his being cast in the television show "Evening Shade." His work on the show earned him several Emmy nominations and the award itself in 1992. His breakthrough film role was in Terry Gilliam's "The Fisher King." Other films of note include "Sister Act 2," "The Green Mile" and "Jurassic Park 3." He was also well known to children as The Other Mister Noodle on "Sesame Street." At the time of his death, he was completing work on the Tom Hanks film "Polar Express." A statement from the film's producers says they feel there is enough footage available to preserve Jeter's role in the film.
Edwin Starr, who's antiwar record, "War," was a hit during the Vietnam War era, passed away Wednesday at his home in Nottingham, England at the age of 61. Cause of death was listed as a heart attack. Born Charles Hatcher in Nashville, Tennessee, he started his first group, the Future Tones, in 1957. In 1965, he signed a solo deal with Motown where he was favorably compared to James Brown. In 1970, he released the anthem "War." A powerful song that asks the question "War. What is it good for?" then answers "Absolutely nothing," ("Good God y'all...say it again..." ---N) "War" quickly rose to #1 on the music charts. Still a popular entertainer in Europe, he played concerts before 16,000 people over two nights this past weekend in Stuttgart, Germany.
Well, that's it for now. Have a great week. See ya!
"Mike's Rant" is ©2003 by Michael A. Smith. Webpage design and all graphics herein are creations of Nolan B. Canova. All contents of Nolan's Pop Culture Review are ©2003 by Nolan B. Canova.
