NOT ANYMORE HE AIN'T
If the world's oldest man dies at age 113 is it fair to refer to him that way considering he just lost the title?
NO OFFENSE, SAMMY
Recently President Obama's former pastor, the Reverend Jerimiah Wright, voiced his displeasure at not being able to talk to the President in person, telling journalists "The Jews ain't gonna let him talk to me." When pressed on his comments, the Reverend replied that he meant to say "Them WHITE Jews ain't gonna let him talk to me. The man needs to put Lenny Kravitz or Yaphet Kotto on his payroll."
BUCKY TOO?
Last time we saw Captain America he was dead, having been assassinated in Captain America issue # 25. Well mourn no more because July 1st brings the begining of a five part series from Marvel entitled "Captain America Reborn."
SAY IT AIN'T SO-SA
Just when things in Major League Baseball were calming down steroid-wise, news breaks that former Cub (and, yes, former Oriole) Sammy Sosa had tested positive for them in 2003. Every time another name comes out I call my son, Phillip, and tell him "Thank God Cal (Ripken, Jr....one of our favorite players ever) was clean."
I LOVE IT WHEN A PLAN COMES TOGETHER
Tentative casting news on the upcoming "A-Team" film include Liam Neeson as Hanibal Smith, "Hangover" star Bradley Cooper as Templeton "Face" Peck and rapper Common as "B.A." Baracus. The film will be directed by Joe Carnahan and produced by the Scott brothers, Tony and Ridley.
DONT' NEED NOTHIN' BUT A BAND AID
By now I'm sure you've seen the YouTube clip of the Tony Awards where Poison front man Brett Michaels gets conked by some scenery. Michaels is blaming the awards people for the incident, saying he broke his nose and strained his neck in the mishap, which he says also affected his voice. Michaels says he was told to walk to the rear of the stage when he was done performing, which he did. What he didn't say, and what is obvious from the clip, is that when the rest of the band departed the stage he decided to milk a couple of extra moments of applause. Live theater is timing, my friend. Had you moved when you were supposed to you wouldn't in this situation. Next time take your bow and get the hell off stage!
LOOK HONEY!
For those of you who couldn't get tickets to Paul McCartney's Citi Field concerts on July 17 and 18 (they sold out in minutes), the Cute One has added a third show on July 21. Citi Field opened this year, replacing Shea Stadium, where the Beatles played the first true stadium show in 1964. McCartney joined Billy Joel last year at the final show at Shea, thus finishing what he helped start.
A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIEND
Fans of the "My Favorite Films, Part II" will be pleased to know that a few of the past chapters have been updated with essays by Greg Van Cott. Greg is currently making a film in Vegas and had to write around shooting. If you'll go the the Archives section on the home page you can click and find his updates in the following issues:
#477 - "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
#470 - "Citizen Kane"
#460 - "Cruising"
As a filmmaker Greg finds things that even I, as a critic, would never have noticed. Great stuff so please check them out.
MY FAVORITE FILMS, PART II. THE YEAR WAS ...
Well, that's all for now. Osawatomie, Kansas here I come. Have a great week. See ya.
"Mike's Rant" is ©2009 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 ©2009 by Nolan B. Canova.
