Wednesday, June 16, 2010

USB Typewriter?

The headline of the linked article is basically the question at the forefront of most topics that appear on this blog.

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Monday, June 14, 2010

Subliminal Messages At the Movies

Long before Zack Morris was wreaking havoc on Bayside by way of Beau Revere tapes, researchers were trying to coerce moviegoers into popcorn and Coca-Cola purchases.

Secret Messages [TCM's Classic Movie Blog]

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Evel Knievel-ish

Corky Root, pictured in 1962

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Dock Ellis & the LSD No-No


I caught part of the ESPN 30 For 30 documtary, Straight Outta L.A., the Ice Cube-directed film focusing on the connections between the Los Angeles Raiders and gangsta rap in the 1980s. The animated scenes were so distinct that there could only be one source: James Blagden and No Mas. Famous for the Dock Ellis piece posted above (right click and select 'Show All' to resize), Blagden's animation is unlike anything I've ever seen and has such a unique style that it's actually refreshing to watch the creativity unfold.

This short is about Dock Ellis, who pitched for the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 1970s and who could accurately be described as somewhat of a character. In addition to pitching this no-hitter while on acid, he also played a role in the following incidents:

- attempting to hit every batter in the Cincinnati Reds line-up
- being maced by a security guard at Riverfront Stadium
- beaning Reggie Jackson in the face in retaliation for an All-Star game home run

Dock Ellis is punk.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Monday, May 24, 2010

Friday, May 21, 2010

Maradona good; Pele better; George Best

There has always been a debaucherous nature associated with athletes, but Georgie Best took it to the extreme. He was as famous for his three main vices (booze, women and gambling) as he was for his soccer. And this is someone who Pele once called "the greatest player in the world."

After making his name at Manchester United, Best left at the age of 27 and was never able to reclaim the same level of glory again. The man from Northern Ireland, known as the Fifth Beatle, continued to play the game, bouncing all around the globe, including a long stay in the United States playing in the NASL. His demons would come and go, but the stories were always there. Here are some of the more interesting tidbits of Best's life:

- Debuted at Manchester United at 17
- Was the 1968 European footballer of the year
- Opened two Manchester night clubs in the 1960s and eventually owned a bar in Hermosa
- Ran numerous clothing boutiques in Manchester
- Womanizing included relations with seven Miss Worlds
- Served three month prison sentence for drunk driving
- Allegedly involved in abusive relationships, with reports of him hitting a girlfriend and a waitress
- The husband of one of his mistresses put out a hit to have his legs broken
- Was once waived from his club for a famous drinking bender with the French Rugby Team
- Once stole money from a woman to continue a drinking session
- Stabbed by his wife


Best, not surprisingly, drank himself to death. /End scene.

Thursday, May 20, 2010

A Movie A Decade

Quality over quantity is an over-used cliche (redundant?), but Terrance Malick really does personify the saying. Where most directors feel the need, whether inspired or not, to involve themselves with a project every few years, Mr. Malick took 37 years to direct four films(!):

- Badlands (1973)
- Days of Heaven (1978)
- The Thin Red Line (1998)
- The New World (2005)

The Magic of Malick [MovieFanFare]

Wednesday, May 19, 2010