FEELING BETTER?
While waiting in stifling heat for President Bush to arrive to speak to them, over 300 Boy Scouts at the annual Jamboree were taken sick. On a bright note, President Bush had to cancel his visit and speech, resulting in 4,700 people not being sickened.
MOVIE NOTES
This November will mark what would have been the 65th birthday of Bruce Lee. To celebrate, Hong Kong will erect a statue of Lee on the city's Avenue of Stars, which honors Hong Kong film stars, among them Jackie Chan and Chow Yun-Fat.
Interactive Encyclopedia Wikipedia has named "Nil By Mouth" to be the most vulgar film ever made. The film, written and directed by Gary Oldman, shows characters using the word "fuck" 470 times during it's 2 hour and 8 minute running time, averaging 3.67 "fucks" uttered each minute. Second place goes to "Casino," which used the word 422 times in it's almost 3 hour running time for an average of 2.37 fpm"
My radar went up recently when I heard Warner Brothers' description of the story for "Superman Returns." Apparently Superman is returning after spending several years trying to return to his home planet. You know, Krypton. Yes, the same Krypton that EXPLODED. I guess Jor El neglected to put that information in among all of those cool crystals he sent along for the ride!
PASSING ON
Danny Simon, older brother of writer Neil Simon, died this week of complications from a stroke. He was 86. Along with Neil, Mel Brooks, Woody Allen and others, Simon wrote for Sid Cesar's 1950s television program, "Your Show of Shows." His other TV credits include "The Jackie Gleason Show," "Make Room for Daddy," "My Three Sons" and "Diff'rent Strokes."
THE STORY OF JAWS -- PART 27
After the success of "Jaws 2," Universal began exploring the possibility of a third film. Capitalizing on the brief resurgence of the 3 D film process, the studio announced that "JAWS 3 D" would hit screens in the summer of 1983. Starring Dennis Quaid as Mike Brody and John Putch as his brother, Sean, "Jaws 3 D" was directed by production designer Joe Alves with a screenplay by Carl Gottlieb and author Richard Matheson. The film featured Lea Thompson, who was dating Quaid at the time, as a member of a water skiing team. The film received 5 Golden Raspberry nominations as one of the year's worst, with Gottlieb, Alves and the film earning "Worst" honors. Sadly, the Pia Zadora film, "The Lonely Lady," took home the trophies. Co-star Louis Gossett Jr became the first Oscar winner to follow his win (Best Supporting Actor for "An Officer and a Gentleman") with an appearance in a crappy "Jaws" sequel. Four years later Michael Caine would do the same. FYI: John Putch is the son of "All in the Family" star Jean Stapleton and her husband, Bill.
Well, that's all for now. Have a great week. See ya!
"Mike's Rant" is ©2005 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 ©2005 by Nolan B. Canova.
