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PCR #284. (Vol. 6, No. 35) This edition is for the week of August 29--September 4, 2005.
Mike's RantMike's Bust
Hello, gang! A short one this week. Between the world events, Nolan's illness and a busy work week, not a lot of free time. Shall we begin?

LA FLORIDIANA
Doors Opening, Doors Closing--Part Two
  by William Moriaty
THIS WEEK'S MOVIE REVIEW
"A Sound of Thunder"
  by Mike Smith
ODDSERVATIONS
"Filthy" News .... Tampa Comic and Toy Convention....Oddservations Film Reviews: "Contact From Beyond", "The Incredible Comic Book Murder"
  by Andy Lalino
CREATURE'S CORNER
Tampa Bay Comic and Toy Convention....Hurricane Katrina
 by John Lewis
MIKE'S RANT
Judgement Day....Movie Notes....The Cable Guys....Sell Out....Passing On....Paging Major Healy....Photographic Memories....Jaws: The Story, Part 31
 by Mike Smith
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JUDGEMENT DAY
Film fans may remember that in "Terminator 2: Judgement Day" the planet was changed forever on August 29, 1997. It took another 8 years but this past August 29 the Gulf Coast around New Orleans was almost obliterated by a Hurricane. As much as my heart and prayers go out to the entire region, I don't know how to feel about the people that were given ample warning and had the opportunity to leave the area before it hit. A group of 30 people, feeling their apartment building was "hurricane proof," decided to hang back. The building was destroyed and everyone who stayed behind was killed. Now, with all that is happening, those still alive must deal with looters. I'm not talking about the people that are looking for food, water or dry clothes. I'm talking about the idiots with the televisions and the gold chains. I say shoot them on sight. To take advantage of people at the worse time of their lives is beyond comprehension. Do they think they are going to be able to plug that big screen in somewhere and watch it? As I write this no fewer then 6 benefits are planned to help the victims of this tragedy. And, in what will surely be a major contribution, Jerry Lewis has asked those that plan to donate this weekend during his annual Muscular Dystrophy Telethon split their donations between the MDA and either the Red Cross or Salvation Army.

MOVIE NOTES
Oscar-nominated screenwriter Paul Haggis ("Million Dollar Baby") has been hired to adapt "Casino Royale" for a return to the big screen. Made into a film starring David Niven and Peter Sellers in 1967, Ian Fleming's 1953 novel was the first in the James Bond series. "Goldeneye" director Martin Campbell is set to helm the film, even though the next 007 has yet to be chosen.

Jessica Alba has now released a statement saying she is NOT going to appear in the upcoming "I Dream of Jeannie" film. However, apparently there will be a "Dukes of Hazzard" sequel, reportedly taking place in England. Perhaps they will paint the Union Jack on top of the General Lee.

Well, that's all for now. Hopefully we'll all be back on schedule next week. Have a safe holiday. See ya!


And now for those who didn't see it due to its EXTREMELY late update, here's a repeat of Mike's Rant #283 from last week! ---Nolan)

THE CABLE GUYS
Hello, gang! After enduring years of losing my satellite television and internet service any time it rained hard or the wind blew I decided to subscribe to cable. My service was to be installed LAST Friday between 5-7. They never showed up. When I called, I was told they had been to my house at 3:45. They rescheduled for last night (Wed) and never showed up. When I called, the customer service rep told me the job had been coded like it had already been completed. Anyway, they ASSURED me that it would be installed tomorrow (Friday). Depending on when, my weekly Rant will be on line no later then Sunday.

Friday night I am seeing an unplugged Rick Springfield in concert (love the Ricker!) and I am working Saturday morning. I apologize to my readers (you three know who you are).

To make it up to you I promise you photos of Nolan and I from the '80s! (Oh...great. Ha ha ---N)

Thank you,
Michael


OK, now without further ado: THIS WEEK'S RANT

SELL OUT
That was the title of an album by The Who, with a cover featuring the band members hawking fictitious products. I was reminded of this today when I caught one of those Time/Life commercials for their Classic Rock CD collection. Imagine my surprise when I saw Roger Daltrey staring out at me, declaring that "this is the best classic rock collection I've ever seen." His pretty assistant then says, "If it's coming from Roger Daltrey, it can only mean one thing." Yeah, he needs money.

PASSING ON
This week saw the passing of Brock Peters. The veteran of film and television died Tuesday at the age of 78 from pancreatic cancer. Early roles in the film musicals "Carmen Jones" and "Porgy and Bess" led Peters to be cast as Tom Robinson, a black man wrongly accused of rape in "To Kill A Mockingbird." Peters and star Gregory Peck became lifelong friends. In fact, Peters delivered the eulogy at Peck's funeral. He worked steadily for the next 20 years, earning a 1973 Tony Award nomination for the play, "Lost in the Stars." In 1982 he began a seven year stint on the soap opera "The Young and the Restless." Other films include "The Pawnbroker," "Solyent Green." He also appeared as Starfleet Admiral Cartwright in "Star Trek IV" and "Star Trek VI."

PAGING MAJOR HEALEY
Jessica Alba has signed on to star opposite Jimmy Fallon in the big screen version of "I Dream of Jeannie." Hopefully we'll get to see her navel this time. (In a just-released memo, Alba denies signing on to do "Jeannie". See above. ---Nolan)

PHOTOGRAPHIC MEMORIES
I finally got around to unpacking some boxes from my recent move and stumbled onto some photos I'd like to share. Hope you enjoy them (click on images to enlarge):
From top left: 1. Nolan, early 1980s. I'm thinking this is one of the last HATS get-togethers. 2. Me, 1984, learning 38 Special's "Hold on Loosely." I know it's "Hold on Loosely" because it's the only song I know how to play using barre chords! 3. Me and the late James Doohan. I recounted this meeting a few issues ago.
4. Probably one of my proudest moments in the film industry. This is a much fatter me standing in front of a display put on by Paramount Pictures at the ShowEast convention. If you look closely you'll see a section titled "Media Event." The photo is of me and Milvina Dean, survivor of the Titanic. Miss Dean was a featured part of my promotion for the film, "Titanic," for which I was awarded a Special Showmanship Award by the studio. 5. Benji. Back in my theatre days I wrote for our chain's in-house magazine. In 1986 I was sent to interview Benji. This photo was taken at the Four Seasons Hotel in Washington D.C. Benji had steak that day.

THE STORY OF JAWS - PART 31
Staying on the subject of rip offs, this week I'll talk about the classic (NOT) "Grizzly." Directed by William Girdler, whose earlier work included "Three On a Meathook" and the blaxploitation "Exorcist" rip off, "Abby." The film starred Christopher George and concerned an 18 foot bear that was hungry for more then the occasional pic-a-nic basket. The film even features Susan Backlinie, who played Chrissie in "Jaws." And, just like in "Jaws," Backlinie is the first victim eaten by the bear. Director Girdler would go on to make "The Manitou," starring Tony Curtis. He died in a helicopter crash in Manilla at the age of 30.

Well, that's all for now. Again, sorry for the delay. 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.