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Go to Blogger edit html and find these sentences.Now replace these sentences with your own descriptions.This theme is Bloggerized by Lasantha Bandara - Premiumbloggertemplates.com.
Go to Blogger edit html and find these sentences.Now replace these sentences with your own descriptions.This theme is Bloggerized by Lasantha Bandara - Premiumbloggertemplates.com.
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Can you tell that we're psyched for "Ocean's Thirteen"? I've spent mucho time inside casinos in both Atlantic City and Vegas. In fact, I used to write for two major gambling magazines. So, in anticipation for Danny and the gang, The Lounge has whipped up some of the best movies that capture the ambiance (or lack therof) of the buzzing action of a casino town.
“Atlantic City” (1980) Burt Lancaster and Susan Sarandon star in this dark Louis Malle film set in the Queen of Resorts just after gambling was approved. European in its ambiance, and substantially dark in tone, Lancaster stars as a has-been hood who crosses paths with Sarandon, a croupier in search of a better life. After a brief visit to Atlantic City by Sarandon’s estranged gangster husband, the course of the lives of her and Lancaster are changed.
“Casino” (1995) While it’s no “Goodfellas,” you have to give director Martin Scorsese credit for shooting entirely all of his casino scenes inside of a real gaming hall — The Riviera in Las Vegas. Chronicling the final days of mobbed-run casinos, this film is blatantly bloody, brutal and even a bit overzealous at times. But for sheer authenticity, “Casino” is definitely one to watch on the couch over a couple nights. Stars Robert DeNiro, Joe Pesci and an Oscar-nominated Sharon Stone.
“Ocean’s 11” (1960) The original. 11 friends who know each other from World War II plan to rob five casinos in one night. If you want to capture the feeling of what it was like to swing on the Vegas strip in the ‘60s, then rent this low-scale caper flick starring Frank Sinatra and the rest of the Rat Pack. You can almost smell the booze. All women and glitz. The Clooney remake is also a keeper, but this is the grandpappy of them all.
“Hard Eight” (1997) One of 1997's most underrated films, it stars Philip Baker Hall as an aging pro gambler who takes a young drifter under his wing, eventually becoming his mentor. Throw in a cocktail waitress-prostitute (Gwyneth Paltrow), and a two-timing security manager (Samuel Jackson), and you have a slam-bang character study that oozes with complexity.
“The Gambler” (1974) Another dark gambling film so often found in ‘70s, James Caan stars as Alex Freed, a literature professor who is struck with the gambling vice. When he loses all of his money, he borrows from his girlfriend, his father and finally some bad guys. Despite it all, he can’t stop.
“California Split” (1974) Another yarn of doomed compulsive gambling, director Robert Altman’s film stars George Segal and Elliot Gould as over-the-edge gamblers and explores the emptiness of winning. Shot in Reno, Nevada.
“Fever Pitch” (1985) Considered more than a bomb when it was released, Ryan O’Neal stars as a newspaperman caught with “the gambling fever” in this perfect example of what happens when shoot a script straight out Intro to Screenwriting. Co-stars Catherine Hicks and John Saxon.
“Leaving Las Vegas” (1995) This modern-day tragedy captures the seediness of the casino life better than any other. In an Oscar-winning performance, Nicholas Cage (in his second Vegas film, “Con Air” would be his third), stars as an alcoholic who arrives in Sin City to drink himself to death. Unfortunately, he didn’t count on falling in love. Elizabeth Shue (who received an Oscar nomination) stars as the “hooker with a heart of gold” who falls for him.
“Lookin’ To Get Out” (1982) Jon Voight and Burt Young star as two gamblers who leave New York after losing a lot of money. Doing what all gamblers in trouble would do, they hurry to the gambling capital of the world — Las Vegas — to turn their luck around. Co-stars Ann Marget.
“Bugsy” (1991) What’s the sense of watching movies about casinos without checking out the flick that immortalizes their modern-day architect — Benjamin “Bugsy” Seigel. Warren Beatty, starring as Seigel, is often too cutesy in his portrayal of the ruthless gangster but the film is complemented with an outstanding cast and great direction by Barry Levinson.
“Swingers” (1996) A guilty, guilty pleasure. While there are only a couple of scenes inside a casino, be rest assured, — they’re hilarious. If anything, this indie cult favorite, perfectly captures the essence of Sinatra’s Rat Pack not seen since “Ocean’s 11.”
“Indecent Proposal” (1993) Although not a film about gambling per se, most of the interesting scenes take place inside a casino and most of the elements within are straight out of “Wagering 101.” Robert Redford stars as a business tycoon who offers Woody Harrelson $1 million to sleep with his wife (Demi Moore).
... EVERYTHING YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT SODA, BUT WERE AFRAID TO ASK
LOUNGE NOTE: I'm once again going back into the vault for this piece I did for Bikini magazine. The now-defunct rag hired me to write a bunch of "health" stories in which I was never paid after it went to print. That's okay, we'll recycle it here. In any case, this time out it's an ode to soda. If there's EVER going to be an argument for the stuff, it's right here. A wacky assignment, indeed. In my younger freelance days, I was up for the challenge. Enjoy... _________________________________________
The ancient Greeks and Romans may have been on to something.
Over 2,000 years ago, Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, suspected that the sparkling mineral waters preserved within the Earth's crust would be beneficial to overall "well being." Funny enough, they didn't drink the stuff but, instead, used the waters for bathing. Okay, so he was half on to something.
Flash forward a millennium to the mid 1800s when mineral waters finally made the transition from therapeutic bath to refreshing beverage when springs in New York state were discovered. At the time, many ridiculously believed the magic fizzing bubbles could cure everything from arthritis to indigestion. It was the bubbles.
It didn't take long for scientists to figure out the bubbles was just air being released as gas carbonium -- simple carbon dioxide. Replication soon followed. Ironically, though, scientists had little to do with the conception of modern soda. Believe it or not, it was American pharmacists who were the driving force behind the modern day soft drink.
Primarily operating during summer months, druggists believed they could improve upon the supposed "curative properties" in the mineral water, experimenting with a multitude of flavors. If you think about it, soda and drug stores were almost a perfect combination. Village pharmacies were generally the center of town especially in the mid-1800s so after a long day at work, pharmacies were the place to unwind and rekindle spirits. Shockingly, the revitalization came from the addition of small amounts of alcohol and narcotics such as opium. Other ingredients as progressive as ginseng, and alarming as uranium were touted in beverages as "The wonder drink of the day."
Coca-Cola, for instance, even contained a minute amount cocaine until 1906. Vice squads would have loved these guys. Hard to imagine your modern day druggist at Rite Aid down the street as a "dope" peddler but that's exactly the nickname people used back then when they ordered Coca-Cola.
Even take the term "Coca-Cola." The Cola leaf was highly publicized as having many benefits in medical journals. As was the Kola nut. Druggists, also savvy marketers, picked up on the buzz surrounding them and formulated modern cola syrups. As they realized that soda was becoming a big business, pharmacists abandoned their trade to become full-time bottlers.
So here we are in 2007 and soda consumption is pretty much the very fabric of our leisure activity and a $54 billion-a-year biz. But ask any dentist and he'll tell you the stuff is rotten. Anything that can take the paint off a car can't possibly be good for you, right? Depends on who you ask.
"The only nutrients in Coke or Pepsi are sugar (energy) and caffeine. They can energize you but that's about it," says New Jersey nutritionist and dietitian Elizabeth Scott-Hughes.
As a matter of fact, caffeine is a substance that occurs naturally in more than 60 plants including coffee beans, tea leaves, kola nuts and coca beans. In some cases, small amounts of caffeine are added to sodas as part of the flavor profile and, according to the National Soft Drink Association, "The amount in most soft drinks is only a fraction of that found in an equal amount of coffee or tea."
The NSDA is also quick to point out that many soft drinks contain Potassium, an essential nutrient found in many natural and man made ingredients. Like sodium, potassium exists naturally in drinking water and therefore, practically all sodas.
When it comes right down to it, would it kill you to have an extra Pepsi with a Meat Lover's from Pizza Hut. "Soda is neither good nor bad. It's how you use them in your diet," says Scott-Hughes. "They aren't harmful unless drinking them means that you are replacing other foods, such as cutting back on milk or eating and drinking fruit and juices."
Fair enough. We never got a practical answer like that from our dentists, who swore he'd hunt us down like a rabid beast if he ever found out we even tasted soda. The verdict? Soda won't kill you. It may give you a couple root canals, but to alleviate that just make sure to brush a little more and of course, always eat your veggies. ___________________________________
BUT HOW SODA IS MADE?
Waterworld All soda production starts with a pure source of H20. Regular sodas Pepsi contain 90 percent aqua while diet soft drinks contain 99 percent. A super-purified filtration system allows bottlers of your favorite soda to produce the same tasting soft drink on two different coasts.
It's all in the flava From secret "formulas" (ala, Coke) and recipes, flavorings are now added. By combining sweeteners, herbs and berries, a syrup base is created which is then added to the pure water. Natural flavors in soft drinks also come from spices, extracts and oils. Fruit-flavored sodas such as Orange soda (Sunkist) or lemon lime (Sprite, Slice, 7Up) often contain natural fruit extracts. Other flavors such as root beer and ginger ale contain flavorings from many herbs and spices.
Bubble boys At this point we basically have sugary-flavored water. Decent, but boring. Carbon dioxide, an odorless, colorless natural gas, is the essential characterizing ingredient. In the early days of soft drink manufacturing, carbon dioxide was made from sodium salts -- hence, the term "soda."
Fill 'er up The beverages are now transferred under pressure to filling machines as the soda is put into squeaky clean containers, immediately sealed for freshness.
Warming up Every container is then sprayed with warm water to bring them to room temperature (after being chilled) before shipping.
Just name it Many soda containers have their labels pre-printed before they arrive at the soft drink plant. If not, they are applied now. Then they are placed in cartons, bundled into large pallets and whisked away to the local supermarket. Okay, so soda "could" be bad for us if we don't eat properly. To be safe, take a vitamin and brush your teeth before bed.
SODA FACTS There are 500 soft drink bottlers in the U.S. that market roughly 450 different brands.
Most erotic soft drink names -- Squirt, Cherries N' Cream, Cock n Bull Ginger Beer, Champ Cherry
Gayest name -- Frolic, Fruit Buddies, San Francisco Seltzer
Americans each consume 56 gallons of soda annually. (Collectively, 14 billion gallons).
Twelve billion gallons of water is used in the mass production of soda each year.
Roughly 62 million soft drinks are packaged in cans versus 3.6 billion in glass bottles. Around 48 billion of them were recycled.
Innovations in packaging have lightened soft drink containers 30 percent since 1972.
Soda machine crimes cost the soft drink industry $100 million annually.
SODA TIMELINE 1874 The first ice cream soda is served.
1876 Root Beer is produced in mass quantities
1881 The first cola flavored soft drink is produced.
1886 John S. Pemberton prepares the first batch of Coca Cola.It was first sold at Jacob's Pharmacy in Atlanta, GA. Sales averaged only nine drinks per day.
1893 "Coca Cola" is registered officially in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
1896 Caleb Bradham, a respected North Carolina pharmacist creates Pepsi Cola.
1910 Soft drink plants soar to just under 5,000
1923 The introduction of the "six pack" carton.
1948 Introduced by the Tip Corporation, Mountain Dew is born (later acquired by Pepsi).
1955 Coke markets Fanta, it's first soft drink other than Coca-Cola.
1963 TAB, Coke's first low-calorie beverage, is born
1965 Frito-Lay and Pepsi-Cola merge to create media giant PepsiCo.
1970 Plastic bottles are first used for packaging and Pepsi introduces the world's first two-litre bottle
1976 Pepsi becomes the single-largest selling soft drink brand in U.S. supermarkets when "The Pepsi Challenge" is a national phenomenon.
1982 Diet Coke (called Coca-Cola Light in some countries) is introduced.
1983 Caffeine free versions of Coke and Diet Coke are released.
1984 Diet Pepsi is reformulated with 100% NutraSweet
Pepsi makes advertising history as Michael Jackson and his brothers make two ground-breaking commercials. During the filming, Jacko's hair catches fire and causes even more furor.
1985 A Pepsi "space can"is successfully tested aboard the space shuttle
Alrighty... I know there's many of you out there that fancy yourselves music aficionados.
So to that I say ... A challenge!
Listen to the clip below of this sexy, sultry, swingin' siren of song and stage... Groove back to the day of all the atomic age madness... Think Nevada. Early '60s. Name the fiery artist! You'll be the third esteemed outside member of Hemingway's Lounge. Oh, and read the above again. There IS a clue.
Those Danny Ocean boys are back! In the upcoming "Ocean's 13," the hipster thieves have forsaken Europe and are now back in Las Vegas (thank the Lord). This time out, they plan to fix all the games in Al Pacino's new casino. Should be a hoot...
If you're like us, salivating at the very notion of a fun Sin City film, you'll want to get into the mood. So tunes are essential. So break out your Mary Janes, prep the cuff links and order a bottle of Jack because I compiled a collection of swingin' tunes to get you cool casino cats in the mood for sippin' martinis, throwing dice and smelling perfume well into the wee hours.
“Sinatra at the Sands” (Reprise) - What better way to kick off "Ocean's 13" week than spinnin' THE swinginest disc of them all? There are more than a few discs of The Chairman doing his thing in Sin City, but this is the only one you'll need. Backed up by Count Basie and his orchestra with a young bandleader named Quincy Jones, the 16-track disc perfectly captures Sinatra’s swagger during his heyday in the Sands Copa Room. Recently remastered with “Luck be a Lady,” it’s the epitome of casino-era Sinatra. Time capsule stuff...
“Dean Martin Live at the Sands Hotel” (Prism) - Capturing much of his loose, easygoing and impromptu sense of humor seen in earlier Rat Pack shows, this is the only live disc of Dean Martin’s casino act from the ‘60s. Hits include “You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby” and the staple “That’s Amore.” Available via Amazon.
“Sammy Davis — That’s All!” (Rhino) - This definitive two-disc live recording taped at the Las Vegas Sands in 1967, captures not only the singer within Sammy Davis, but also the mimic, comic and musician. A jam session with Buddy Rich on drums and Sammy on vibes is worth the price of the disc alone. If anything, Sammy really gets to seriously shine in his own spotlight without Frank or Dean chiming in from backstage. Includes a previously unreleased live version of “My Mother The Car.” “The Rat Pack Live at the Sands” (Capital) - A tad before cameras rolled for "Robin and the Seven Hoods" in September 1963, Frank, Dino and Sammy had a powwow at the Sands. Much of what will sound familiar from other Pack shows is here in all it's off-color glory. The real key, of course, is the trio's camaraderie, which remains a delight. And the fact they were playin' the Sands is just plain icing.
“Sinatra: ‘57 In Concert” (Artanis) - Even though they were a great team on many of their landmark albums, Sinatra and longtime arranger-bandleader Nelson Riddle rarely performed together. This disc captures one of those rare occasions with classic cuts like “I Get A Kick Out Of You,” “‘The Lady Is a Tramp,” and “I’ve Got You Under My Skin.”
“Frank Sinatra with the Red Norvo Quintet” (Blue Note) - While listening to vibraphonist Norvo perform in the Sands’ lounge, the Chairman got the idea to wax a disc for his own stripped-down jazz performance. Unreleased until 1997, these tapes were recorded during Sinatra’s brief Australian tour of 1959 and proves his musicianship has no equal. Perfect for hipsters with that European flair.
“The Summit: In Concert” (Artanis) - Taped in November 1962 at Chicago’s Villa Venice, this 79-minute supper-club show isn’t for the politically correct. Performing much of the same off-color humor Frank, Dean and Sammy perfected in Vegas, it’s more a document of the day than a true representation of their collective work. Still, though, it’s a must.
“Late at Night with Dean Martin,” (Capital) - Although the accompaniment ranges from small jazz combo to a large orchestra with strings, the emphasis here is Martin’s hypnotic and whispery magic. The result is a sexy cocktail collection that includes such staples as “Everybody Loves Somebody” and “Dream a Little Dream of Me.” Keep this one in the stereo for those of you looking to make a little hey-hey the second you arrive.
“Sammy and Friends,” (Rhino) - Buddies Frank, Dean, Bing Crosby Count Basie and drummer Buddy Rich are all featured on this swinging’ 20-track disc. Contains “Ain’t That a Kick in the Head” and “Ee-O-Eleven” from “Oceans 11” as well as “Salt and Pepper” from the film of the same name.
“The Capitol Years: The Best of Frank Sinatra” “Capitol Collectors Series: Dean Martin” (Capital) - Both Sinatra and Martin will be forever remembered for the tunes they recorded under Capital. All of Sinatra’s brassy standards and bittersweet saloon pop is here from “Witchcraft” to “Three Coins in the Fountain.” The primo Dino collection spans from 1948-1960, compiling 20 of his best cuts from “That’s Amore” to “Sway.” Both artists moved to Sinatra’s Reprise label by 1961.
“Ring-a-Ding Ding” (Reprise) - Sinatra’s first album at his Reprise label is perhaps one of his best. Released in 1961 and capturing the flippant swagger of the era, Sinatra was obviously happy to be out from Capital’s clutches.
“Tom Jones Live at Caesars Palace" (BMG International) - Amidst the glitz and glam of the deliciously gaudy Vegas strip in 1971, this lacquer cracker captures the sheer power and eroticism of the sexy Brit baritone. Very much at the top of his game and at his bawdy best, be sure to crank up the volume for Jones standards like "She's a Lady" and "It's Not Unusual." An essential set.
"Engelbert Humperdinck Live at the Riviera, Las Vegas" (Varese) - Originally released in 1972, this reissued collection captures the smooth-crooning Humperdinck at the peak of his popularity. With soulful vocal backing provided by the Three Degrees, the often billed "King of Romance" turns up the ballad quotient and delivers with assurance on such tunes as "My Prayer," "Help Me Make It Through the Night" and a strident "You'll Never Walk Alone."
"Paul Anka Live in Las Vegas" (Varese) - The bulk of this set contains pretty much what you'd expect from an Anka casino show circa mid-seventies — a healthy mixture of Anka originals, a medley of fifties hits and covers of smashes like "Gentle on My Mind," "Games People Play" and "For Once in My Life." Needless to say, there's also "My Way," and "She's a Lady," which are not covers per se since Anka wrote them.
We know why George Lucas was pissed with that fake "Tales of the New Republic" trailer floating all over the Interweb the other day ... It was sort of stealing his thunder for the official CGI "Star Wars" animated series "The Clone Wars."
We may not be up on our animation styles, but truth be told, they sort of both look the same. If pressed, I'd say I'd have to go with the fake one. Honestly, I don't care for "The Clone Wars" story or those dopey-looking clones.
While a YouTube link exists for the official "Clone Wars" trailer, I don't want the Lucas mafia to descend upon me. So, that said, the teaser trailer for "The Clone Wars" can be found HERE
Be sure to come back and check out the bogus "Tales of the New Republic" trailer
As awesome as this teaser trailer is - "Star Wars: Tales of the New Republic" - is pretty much bogus. Check it out...
Amidst rumors and despite several contradictions, this new website recently surfaced with images of 3D animated classic characters and several photos that feature Luke Skywalker, Wedge Antilles, Boba Fett, and more. Alas though, a message was posted late this weekend. I'm guessing George called and wasn't too thrilled.
The post said:
We have been completely overwhelmed by the online response this teaser has generated. We can 100% assure you that this is NOT an official Lucasfilm production and is in no way connected to them. Many thanks to everyone. We will be updating this site once we return from Celebration IV
Is it me or does Jessica Alba look odd as Fantastic Four member Sue Storm in the upcoming "Fantastic Four: The Rise of the Silver Surfer"?
I mean, really... It's pretty much an Anglo role so why wouldn't the studios just hire a WASPy actress for the part? Is there a shortage of blondes the studios find attractive? I always thought they grew blondes on trees in sunny Cali, right?
What's more, as much as I think she's the cat's meow, 'Lil Miss Jessica doesn't exactly "open" films. Hot as Georgia asphalt, but not bankable in the least. Need proof, check the box office totals for "Honey" and "Into the Blue." Dare I say box office poison when she's the only real name in the film?
As Sue Storm she looks weird. Her rosebud lips don't match the blonde thing. And what's with those awful blue contacts?
While post upon post can be written about Carver's life and work, let's just say that for all intents and purposes, his simplistic, yet utterly effective prose will send shivers down many a spine. He wasn't only one of the world's finest writers of short fiction, but also one of its most large-hearted and affecting poets.
Like Carver's stories, the more than 300 poems are marked by a keen attention to the physical world. His unflinching talent compressed vast feelings into three or four words and was truly a voice of conversational intimacy. The best aspect of all of his writing, however, was that he knew when to stop at the most precise moment.
Enjoy this Saturday's poem ... It's filled with an odd sense of relief. One that I'm not sure I understand. But there's certainly an uneasiness after reading it -- especially since my dog means the world to me.
Your Dog Dies it gets run over by a van. you find it at the side of the road and bury it. you feel bad about it. you feel bad personally, but you feel bad for your daughter because it was her pet, and she loved it so. she used to croon to it and let it sleep in her bed. you write a poem about it. you call it a poem for your daughter, about the dog getting run over by a van and how you looked after it, took it out into the woods and buried it deep, deep, and that poem turns out so good you're almost glad the little dog was run over, or else you'd never have written that good poem. then you sit down to write a poem about writing a poem about the death of that dog, but while you're writing you hear a woman scream your name, your first name, both syllables, and your heart stops. after a minute, you continue writing. she screams again. you wonder how long this can go on. -- Raymond Carver ____________________________________
Poetry Collections Near Klamath (1968)
Winter Insomnia (1970)
At Night The Salmon Move (1976)
Where Water Comes Together
with Other Water (1985)
Ultramarine (1986)
A New Path To The Waterfall (1989)
Poetry Compilations In a Marine Light: Selected Poems (1988)
About a week or so ago, we waxed poetic on the insane notion that Nicolas Cage would star in "The Untouchables" prequel as none other than a young Al Capone. Young?? I'm choking up my java as I type this. If Nic Cage is young than I'm a zygote.
Well, thankfully, Variety reports that once helmer Brian De Palma shoots "The Untouchables: Capone Rising," it will be without Cage.
While the Oscar-winning thesp had been in negotiations to star in the follow-up, talks have ceased because of "scheduling issues."
Good.
We've said it before. Cage was ALL wrong for Capone. Read my earlier post why.
Last week, it was announced that Gerard Butler has joined the cast as Jimmy Malone, played by Sean Connery in the original. The studio was courting Sean Penn... Like he'd come 200 feet within this schlock-fest.
Both Hemingway and Marlon Brando were men's men. They both possessed pure genius and defined their generation within their work.
Time capsule stuff.
I came across this precious, short video made by the San Francisco Children's Theater that overdubs a dramatic reading of Marlon Brando's famous monologue from "On the Waterfront" performed by kids.
Those Danny Ocean boys are back for another go-round of cool in "Ocean's 13." This time, they've thankfully left behind the shenanigans in Europe (where they should've never been) and are back in Sin City dukin' it out with Al Pacino.
Cue: "Viva Las Vegas"
In any case, the first official review is out via Variety and it's quite positive.
"As smooth as a good mojito, as stylish as an Armani suit and as meaningful in the grand scheme of things as yesterday's Las Vegas betting odds, "Ocean's Thirteen" continues the breezy good times of the first two series entries without missing a beat."
It's said that Charles Bukowski got more 'tang than a WWII sailor on a weekend pass.
Chicks dug him for his Bukowski-ness. Whatever that means.
Early in his life it's said many girls found him depraved-looking. Truth be told, he was a weird-lookin' dude. But also, he was one of those dudes that grew into his looks.
Call it the upside of being a dude. Yeah, we may drop dead first, but if we're lucky we age like fine wine. Or in Bukowski's case, really fuckin' good Kentucky moonshine.
He was definetly a better-looking older man. He wasn't Tyrone Power or anything but he had character. Essence. So chicks, groupies, came in droves.
And when all else failed, they were mere drinking buddies.
So check out this quirky, if not desperate-sounding poem Bukowski wrote to some dame who lifted his papers. Poetry, in fact.
It's funny, sad and true all at once. But try not to chuckle... You're reading primal creative frustration. The dude was passionate about his art in an age before floppies and flash drives.
To The Whore Who Took My Poems some say we should keep personal remorse from the poem, stay abstract, and there is some reason in this, but jezus; twelve poems gone and I don't keep carbons and you have my paintings too, my best ones; its stifling: are you trying to crush me out like the rest of them? why didn't you take my money? they usually do from the sleeping drunken pants sick in the corner. next time take my left arm or a fifty but not my poems: I'm not Shakespeare but sometime simply there won't be any more, abstract or otherwise; there'll always be money and whores and drunkards down to the last bomb, but as God said, crossing his legs, I see where I have made plenty of poets but not so very much poetry. -- Charles Bukowski
Now check out this awesome clip from the acclaimed Bukowksi documentary "Born into This"
First of all, I apologize for the lack of posts lately. Things have been crazy. Work. Life. You know the drill.
So, for the time being I leave you with this retro commercial from the '80s. As most 30-somethings, I was a child of cable TV. Being a child groomed on TV, you tend to remember the commercials from your youth. YouTube has allowed me to run into them in one way or another. For better or worse.
So let's get into the time chamber and land in that comfy place called Retroville.
I ask: How many of you remember them little gem?
Seriously how friggin' annoying is this dude?? I hear he made a mint in the dot com boom and married a thong model from Victoria's Secret...
Fresh off his break-up with the honey known as Jessica Simpson, musician John Mayer performed a set of comedy??? At The Comedy Cellar in The Big Apple no less.
Johnny Boy ... Let's stick to what we know here ...
'JOHN RAMBO' AWESOME DEMO REEL LEAKED Check out the awesome trailer and clip courtesy of Ain't It Cool News leaked directly from none other than Sly himself. He was peddlin' the clip at Cannes as a demo reel of footage. It gives decent back story and appears to be quite R-rated.
FOR THE FULL SCOOP via AIN'T IT COOL NEWS click HERE
ROBERTS IN NEW BIOPIC Variety reports that Julia Roberts will produce and star in a movie about the wildlife conservationist Joan Root, who was murdered in her Kenyan home earlier this year. Inspired by Vanity Fair article "A Flowering Evil," it centers on Root's earlier life making documentaries around the globe with her husband. After their divorce, she returned to Kenya where she devoted herself to saving Lake Naivasha from the ecologically damaging flower farm industry.
INDY 4 GONNA BE A BORE? One scooper thinks so. There's talk of Russian agents and oddly enough, Area 51. Plus we hear that Shia LaBeouf’s motorcycle-bound character may be a greaser. Whaa??
Hemingway's 1952 novella "The Old Man and the Sea" was written in Cuba (in 1951) and was the last major work of fiction by Papa H. Unarguably, one of his most famous works, it centers upon an aging Cuban fisherman who struggles with a giant marlin far out in the Gulf Stream. And while it's been the subject of criticism, it once again affirmed his worldwide literary prominence, ultimately snagging the 1953 Pulitzer-Prize for Literature and the 1954 Nobel Prize. Damn ...
Of the several films that've been produced, the most notable was released in 1958 and stars Spencer Tracy as Santiago. Interestingly, while he garnered an Academy Award nomination, Hemingway thought that Tracy was unfit for the role, having been known to call the actor a "fat lard" among other names. Another prominent version was a well-received 1990 television movie starring Anthony Quinn as Santiago and Francesco Quinn as the young Santiago. The new version introduced two characters not in the novella, Tom Pruitt and Mary Pruitt, played by Gary Cole and Patricia Clarkson, respectively. Leave it to Hollywood to add characters to a Pulitzer and Nobel-winning book.
Alrighty... I know there's many of you out there that fancy yourselves music aficionados.
So to that I say ... A challenge!
Listen to the clip below of this sexy, sultry, swingin' siren of song and stage... Groove back to the day of all the atomic age madness... Think Nevada. Early '60s. Name the fiery artist! You'll be the third esteemed outside member of Hemingway's Lounge. Oh, and read the above again. There IS a clue.
While post upon post can be written about Carver's life and work, let's just say that for all intents and purposes, his simplistic, yet utterly effective prose will send shivers down many a spine. He wasn't only one of the world's finest writers of short fiction, but also one of its most large-hearted and affecting poets.
Like Carver's stories, the more than 300 poems are marked by a keen attention to the physical world. His unflinching talent compressed vast feelings into three or four words and was truly a voice of conversational intimacy. The best aspect of all of his writing, however, was that he knew when to stop at the most precise moment.
Enjoy this Saturday's poem ... It's filled with a staggering sense of dread. Let's hope none of us have to go through something like this.
What The Doctor Said
He said it doesn't look good he said it looks bad in fact real bad he said I counted thirty-two of them on one lung before I quit counting them I said I'm glad I wouldn't want to know about any more being there than that he said are you a religious man do you kneel down in forest groves and let yourself ask for help when you come to a waterfall mist blowing against your face and arms do you stop and ask for understanding at those moments I said not yet but I intend to start today he said I'm real sorry he said I wish I had some other kind of news to give you I said Amen and he said something else I didn't catch and not knowing what else to do and not wanting him to have to repeat it and me to have to fully digest it I just looked at him for a minute and he looked back it was then I jumped up and shook hands with this man who'd just given me something no one else on earth had ever given me I may have even thanked him habit being so strong
-- Raymond Carver ____________________________________
Poetry Collections Near Klamath (1968)
Winter Insomnia (1970)
At Night The Salmon Move (1976)
Where Water Comes Together
with Other Water (1985)
Ultramarine (1986)
A New Path To The Waterfall (1989)
Poetry Compilations In a Marine Light: Selected Poems (1988)
MR.& MRS SMITH TV WOES While ABC didn't pick up the proposed pilot for the TV series version of "Mr. and Mrs. Smith," fret not because it may land elsewhere. The Martin Henderson and Jordana Brewster-vehicle was granted an early release to court other networks, according to Reuters.
'ACE' IN THE HOLE? Director Joe Carnahan tells Slash Film that he wants to make a sequel to his awful, ridiculous and hacky actioner "Smoking Aces." Since the movie tanked at the box office, that notion was dismissed as a pipe dream. Unfortunately, however, the flick is finding its audience on DVD and thus we'll be exposed to more nincompoopish, wannabe Tarantino filmmaking. A prequel has been greenlit by Universal.
FOR THE SPACE GEEKS Lucasfilm has revealed a first look at "Star Wars: The Clone Wars," the upcoming CG-animated TV series, in the form of a poster promoting Celebration IV.
A pal 'o mine and fellow editor (at my day job) recently wrote about his wonderful experience renting a private home on the Amalfi coast in Italy. Like a mini Papa H, a foreigner in a foreign land, he wandered the city and found many unexpected delights.
What's more, he argues the many pros for renting a residence instead of opting for the more touristy (and American) choice of a hotel. Check it out.
Wow ... Growing up I used to LOVE Popeye. LOVE him... I think Papa H might've like him as well. He had an undeniable heroic nature. What's more, Popeye was a sailor, a loner, talked to himself and fancied himself quite the scrapper. Yeah, Hemingway would've dug 'em.
As a lad, he was it for me. Dunno why exactly. Deep down, he seemed like a sweetheart of a guy. I'll go as far as to say I would eat green construction paper from time-to-time, pretending it was spinach.
But try to forget i just told you that. (blush...)
Anyway, check out the WWII-era B&W short of Popeye doing his thing for Uncle Sam.
Whew. How we've come a long way in so many respects. The video is not to most PC stuff to watch - so apologies if it offends anyone.
* Thanks to http://home.actlab.utexas.edu/~lveale/ctest%20dummy.jpg for the above pic
Hemingway's Lounge came across this awesome blog post that needs to be read by people who use DIGG.
For those not-in-the-know, Digg is a community-based popularity site that combines social bookmarking, blogging, and syndication with a form of non-hierarchical, democratic editorial control.
If you believe that, I got some swampland in Nevada for you.
News stories and websites are submitted by users, and then promoted to the front page through a user-based ranking system. Boxing commissions and rankings are more legit than Digg.
Of late, the site has come under major fire with many bloggers finding their accounts cancelled for no reason other than "misuse."
It's been said and reported on Wikipedia that the top 100 Digg users control more than half of Digg's frontpage content, and that a niche group of just twenty individuals submit 25% of the frontpage content.
In the REAL news game, where the big dogs bark, more than one writer can cover topics. That's the way it is. It's called competition. The censorship going on at Digg, quite frankly, is pathetic. Digg users are burying stories that have nothing to do with "spam." To them, they're burying their competition and, as a result, decent bloggers are banned from posting stories.
In any case, read this awesome blog post below that sees Digg's demise as imminent.
DYNAMIC DUO We're very excited about this one. Robert De Niro and Al Pacino will reteam for the first time since "Heat" for the $60 million crime thriller "Righteous Kill" reports Teletext. "Entrapment" helmer Jon Avnet directs Russell Gewirtz's script ("Inside Man"). It centers on two detectives on the trail of a serial killer.
CBS ANNOUNCES SKED CBS announced their schedule for next season and I must say, The Big Eye network seems to be have some pretty intriguing shows. Here's a taste:
VIVA LAUGHLIN - a mystery drama about freewheeling businessman whose sole ambition is to run a casino in Laughlin, Nev.; CANE - Stars Jimmy Smits in an epic drama about the power struggles of a large Cuban-American family running a successful rum and sugar business in South Florida; MOONLIGHT - Joel Silver's ("The Matrix," Trilogy) drama about an "undead" private eye; KID NATION - a reality series where 40 kids will have 40 days to build a new world located in a ghost town that died in the 19th Century. These kids, ages 8-15, will spend more than a month without their parents or modern comforts in Bonanza City, N.M., attempting to do what their forefathers couldn't - build a town; SWINGTOWN, a drama that peeks into the suburban homes of the swingin' '70s.
ANOTHER NEEDLESS REMAKE Variety reports that 20th Century Fox will remake "Taps," the awesome 1981 military drama that starred George C. Scott, Tom Cruise, Timothy Hutton and Sean Penn. A mistake... In any case, it centered on cadets who seize control of their military school as construction looms to make way for condos.
FRODO IS IGGY The rough and tough Elijah Wood has been cast as legendary rocker Iggy Pop in a forthcoming biopic. Looks like the hobbit may need to start working out. Iggy is quite ripped.
FULL THE FULL SCOOP via Coming Soon.net CLICK HERE
This is how I feel about cats... It's what I think they really want to do.
That's why I love the video below.
First off all, allow me to say that I'm sure Hemingway was dog man. He probably didn't dick around with cats. And after all, any self-respecting hard-drinkin' scribe worth his share of salt wouldn't want to get that persnickety feline vibe all up in his creative mojo. That's what dames are for ... Just kidding.
In all seriousness, writers need dogs. They're constant companions. They'll sit by the fire as you peck away on your computer deep into the wee hours. They do it willingly.
Cats have no souls.
OK ... sorry for the rant. Got it out of me.
Now, check out what seems to be the only cool cat in the world as it desperately tries to escape the evil clutches of a clearly insane (or just playful) turtle.
And clearly, it's a role-reversal of the above picture. Enjoy!
In most of my circles, I get the impression from most of my uppity buddies that the works of writer Charles Bukowskiare grossly undervalued. I'll hear something like, "Bukowski? Whatever ..." Blow me. You know who you are.
It's a crime. The more and more I discover his often anti-social prose - and believe you-me, there's a ton of it - the more I discover something new and intriguing.
But in this super-quick update, check out this poem called "Nirvana." It's quite different for Bukowski. It seems to be at a slower pace. He's somewhere peaceful, somewhere the young Bukowski perhaps would've liked to have stayed.
In a weird way, it's the ultra-American poem. Truck stop diner; waitresses. The whole bit ...
Enjoy.
Before you check out the poem, though, click HERE to hear an awesome NPR radio show about Bukowski.
"Nirvana" not much chance, completely cut loose from purpose, he was a young man riding a bus through North Carolina on the way to somewhere and it began to snow and the bus stopped at a little cafe in the hills and the passengers entered. he sat at the counter with the others, he ordered and the food arrived. the meal was particularly good and the coffee. the waitress was unlike the women he had known. she was unaffected, there was a natural humor which came from her. the fry cook said crazy things. the dishwasher. in back, laughed, a good clean pleasant laugh. the young man watched the snow through the windows. he wanted to stay in that cafe forever. the curious feeling swam through him that everything was beautiful there, that it would always stay beautiful there. then the bus driver told the passengers that it was time to board. the young man thought, I'll just sit here, I'll just stay here. but then he rose and followed the others into the bus. he found his seat and looked at the cafe through the bus window. then the bus moved off, down a curve, downward, out of the hills. the young man looked straight foreward. he heard the other passengers speaking of other things, or they were reading or attempting to sleep. they had not noticed the magic. the young man put his head to one side, closed his eyes, pretended to sleep. there was nothing else to do- just to listen to the sound of the engine, the sound of the tires in the snow. - Charles Bukowski
Now check out a nifty short film (by Tyler Martinolich) based on the above poem. Pretty damn cool...
Last week I asked music aficionados to guess this boozy-sounding voice and/or the group he was singing with. "Daysleeperchuck" guessed it was none other than Frank Sinatra, Jr. singing with Was (Not Was) from their late '80s album "What Up Dog?"
Mr. Chuck, you're the second "esteemed" member of Hemingway's Lounge. For whatever that's worth ...
After roughly 14 years, I rediscovered the urban drama "Falling Down" the other night and, I gotta say, it aged pretty well.
Perhaps it was the Dimple Pinch, but Jesus, I really responded to it.
In a primal way.
While I dug the film when it came out back in 1993, I identify with its protagonist even more now, some 14 years later.
Call me more jaded. Call me more bitter. Whatever. I'll admit, the notion of pulling a "Falling Down" can be quite a seductive notion on those rough days.
In any case, "Falling Down" centers on William Foster (Michael Douglas)who's having a typically bad L.A. day - traffic jams up the wazoo, blazing heat, construction everywhere. You name it.
Laid off from his defense job, he festers in what's the madre of all traffic jams and in no time, splits from his car and ... just starts walking. After encountering one urban humiliation after another, Walker slyly acquires a bigger and better weapon after showing everyone who's really in charge.
As he trots through L.A.'s mean, urban jungle, he mentally unravels little by little and loses it at a fast-food eatery that refuses to serve him breakfast because it's "too late."
It isn't long before he runs amok with an arsenal of weapons in a duffel bag --becoming a source of terror to some and a folk hero to others. It's up to reluctant cop Prendergast (Robert Duvall), on the eve of his retirement, to bring the nerdy vigilante down.
And while I'm usually not a huge fan of either Michael Douglas or director Joel Schumacher for that matter, the film works. But why?
There was a cancerous paranoia back in L.A. during the early '90s. It seemed like a pressure cooker that was about to blow. Much like Times Square around the same time, the climate in the inner cities was bleak. Bad neighborhoods were just that. Shitty places to be during the day or at night. It was the post-coke era. Gone was the flash-and-dash of Reagan-era optimism. Crack and AIDS were mere babies.
And everyone was scared of 'em.
But then a White Knight named Rudy cleaned up the Big Apple with almost every other urban area following suit and hence, the Urban Enterprise Zone was born. It seemed every city with a rail line built lofts, townhomes and suddenly, graffiti started to disappear and house values slowly ascended. Obviously, there's more to it, but you get the drift. The tide turned on many a shitty city.
That's why "Falling Down" resonates now with me. It brought me back in time. It was the L.A. of the riots, Rodney King and Bush 41. Pre-cell phones; pre-Internet; pre-war on terror. I was there for a brief time back then, and while I was barely in my '20s, L.A. did seem like a scary place. It was an odd time.
One thing is certain, though. Hemingway would like our man Walker and would have thought nothing of making him a character in one of his short stories. Take a look at the clips below, you'll agree, he's got brass ones.
You may even fantasize about pulling a "Falling Down" someday ...
It looks like GQ magazine snagged Jessica Alba for another one of it's covers. Thank you, GQ... So until the mag hits that stands click below for the hot pics and video. 40 seconds of pure heaven ... Deflowering Jessica Alba -via TMZ.com
... And if you wanna know as well, read his incredibly insightful piece on gettin' funky on your computer, what you'll need and why.
God, how I wish I had a musical bone in this body of mine. Channel my inner Moby... Did I just offend everyone? Sike!! For real, I could channel my inner David Holmes, St. Germain or Solamingus.
I swear, if I ever make a movie, this is the dude who's gonna score it (all from a kick-booty studio in the basement). He's like an updated version of Bruno Martelli from "Fame." You remember, the curly-haired student that composed symphonies on his keyboard with the help of a few electronic doo-dads.
So since I can't "DIGG" (more on those bastards later), I'm gonna link to it here - Opening the DAW
A meeting of two Hollywood heavyweights. Variety reports that Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson are teaming to direct and produce three back-to-back features based on Georges Remi's beloved Belgian comic "Tintin" for DreamWorks. The films will be produced in full digital 3-D using performance capture technology. CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL SCOOP via ComingSoon.net
Wretched excess on celluloid Papa H was a fight fan and so is The Lounge. That said, director James Toback will helm a documentary on former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson. It will trace how the pugnacious brawler self-destructed and let a fortune and his ring legacy slip away. CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL SCOOP via ComingSoon.net
Here's an odd one Tim Allen is set to star in "Redbelt," the mixed martial arts drama David Mamet wrote and will direct for Sony Pictures Classics, reports Variety. It's odd on so many levels. Tim Allen in a MAMET film?? Mamet making a mixed matial arts picture??? In any case, cameras roll June in the City of Angels. CLICK HERE FOR TEH FULL SCOOP via ComingSoon.net
A Hemingway-esque plot The indie film company H2O is set to develop a picture about Anna Politkovskaya, Russia's leading radical journalist and critic of Vladimir Putin's presidency. The Russian scribe was shot to death in a suspected contract killing in Moscow on Saturday, October 7, 2006. But it thickens... Alexander Litvinenko, the former KGB/FSB officer who (four weeks later) become a rare victim of lethal polonium-210 radiation poisoning under highly suspicious circumstances, accused Vladimir Putin of Politkovskaya's assassination. Should be quite a film. CLICK TO READ THE FULL SCOOP via ComingSoon.net
Being that Papa H. spent some time as a reporter (for The Toronto Star and Kansas City Star), we feel he'd think this to be priceless. And it is. Read on ...
The online community magazine PasadenaNow.com, recently made headlines when they decided to do something a tad different in the modern news game.
In these days of stringent belt tightening, the bottom-liners are starting to rear their ugly heads in newsrooms throughout the nation. That said, the editor and publisher of Pasadena Now, recently announced that he hired two reporters to cover Pasadena city government — from Mumbai and Bangalore, India.
You read correctly. India.
Starting Tuesday, the dynamic duo will begin sloshing out about 30 Pasadena-centric pieces a week between them. Halfway across the globe.
In exchange, one reporter will make $12,000 a year, the other $7,200, for covering budget battles and zoning meetings in a city of 146,000 best known for the Rose Bowl and Caltech.
Hiring foreign correspondents in reverse makes good sense to head honcho, editor and publisher James Macpherson, 51, a longtime Pasadena resident.
The fledgling two-year old site garners roughly 45,000 visitors a month, but has yet to return turn a profit. Until now, any news coverage consisted mainly of rewritten press releases. He wants to change that.
To his credit, there's a wealth of material available online - city council meetings are webcast and most municipal documents are posted. Truthfully, anyone can write those stories, given they have enough skill and computer expertise.
But is it journalistically ethical? Or bottom-line saavy?
Just how did Macpherson snag his offshoring Clark Kents? They responded to his ad on Indian versions of craigslist.org.
As a result, a male staffer in Mumbai gets to cover city politics over the Internet, while a woman in Bangalore will write features about business and government based on interviews done by staffers in Pasadena, which will be transcribed (in India) and e-mailed to the reporter.
The visionary newsman told MSNBC and Newsweek that the news has already netted him angry e-mails, mostly from journalists. No shock there.
Outsourcing news gathering to a foreighn land. Kinda gives new meaning to the term telecommute, huh?
What's the country coming to? We think most members of the Greatest Generation may be shaking their heads right about now.
I know Papa Hemingway is. ________________________________
Take a look at an excellent special report on Indian outsourcing done by ABC News.
OK ... Just a quick mini post because, quite frankly, the blogoshere is making my Hemingway-lovin' butt tired as all hell.
But I couldn't resist posting this incredible scene from NBC's next hit - a remake of the classic '70s TV smash "The Bionic Woman." No slo-mo needed here, people ...
NBC Announces Its 2007-08 Primetime Lineup It's upfront time and that pretty much means we can start deciding what we're going to watch next season and when. Sadly, "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" will not be back. However, there will be a new "Heroes" spin off called "Heroes: Origins." Don't know much about it but ... we're so there. NBC Announces Its 2007-08 Primetime Lineup - ComingSoon.net
She may not be able to act But how hot is Jessica Simpson? If you're a fan, check out the trailer at Slash Film for the unnecessary remake of the '80s Melanie Griffith comedy "Working Girl." Doesn't anyone have any original ideas anymore? Sheesh... To add insult to injury, Creepy Papa Joe Simpson is producing. Blonde Ambition Movie Trailer | /Film
Four 'Pirates' movie clips Ahoy, mateees... Four new movie clips are up at Moviephone. I dunno, after checking them out, I'd say Cap'n Jack has his crosshairs on Spidey cubed. Yup, this new 'Pirates' film may be the only film this summer to give the 'ol webhead a run for his proverbial money. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End - Moviefone
Sly looking hella cool as an older John Rambo Joblo managed to get their paws on a cool new pic from the upcoming "John Rambo." Gotta admit, even though he may be a little long in the tooth, Stallone looks pretty cool in the pic. And he looks super pissed... Arrow in the Head News: New Rambo pic!
The older I get, the more I relish the simplicity of my youth. And being that today was Mother's Day and all, it had me thinking about all sorts of weird crap.
As an only child, I had a pretty even-keeled life. I had a great family and all sorts of friends but in the end, it was ... just a simple childhood.
But that said, there was an overabundance of TV watching. By today's standards, it was insane. I mean, shit, I watched so much goddamn TV that I swear, I'm like that guy Martin Tupper in the HBO series "Dream On," who would think in old '50s TV clips. In any case, it was a great show. Catch it if you can. It was an old school HBO series - groundbreaking nudity and all.
Anyway, forget all that, one of my favorite pastimes after I finished my homework was the boob tube. We were one of the first houses on the block with cable TV - and by cable it was really just a bunch of Philly TV stations and cable access channels.
At the time, all these new stations needed content and cheap, older properties were the only thing being broadcast. My favorite? I l-o-v-e-d Hal Roach's "Our Gang" follies aka "The Little Rascals."
To be truthful, I couldn't begin to do the black-and-white shorts justice here in a short post like this. For that, I'd say take a look here.
I'm sure I'm not the only one but I identified SO MUCH with these nostalgic tales that I swear sometimes I think I'm the reincarnated soul of some studio backlot grip or something.
A brief description: "Our Gang"/"The Little Rascals" was a long-standing series of American comedy shorts centering on various groups of poor neighborhood kids and their adventures. Created by comedy producer Hal Roach, "Our Gang" was produced at the Roach studio starting in 1922 as a silent short subject series.
Unlike other pictures of the era featuring kids, producer Roach rooted these shorts in real life. The subjects were poor (poverty level, really) and the gang was always at odds with snobbish rich kids as well as adversarial adults and parents. The series was notable in that the gang included both African-Americans and females in leading parts at a time when discrimination against both groups was all too common.
For those significantly younger, I've managed to find a clip on You Tube. Get a drink, settle in and watch a few minutes of these priceless and even sometimes controversial gems.
Oh and for the record, the widely-circulated urban legend that comedian Bill Cosby bought up the rights to "Our Gang" to keep the racial stereotypes off of television is completely false. Cosby has never owned any rights to the series at any time
Those Danny Ocean boys are back! In the upcoming "Ocean's 13," the hipster thieves have forsaken Europe and are now back in Las Vegas (thank the Lord). This time out, they plan to fix all the games in Al Pacino's new casino. Should be a hoot...
doing his thing in Sin City, but this is the only one you'll need. Backed up by Count Basie and his orchestra with a young bandleader named Quincy Jones, the 16-track disc perfectly captures Sinatra’s swagger during his heyday in the Sands Copa Room. Recently remastered with “Luck be a Lady,” it’s the epitome of casino-era Sinatra. Time capsule stuff...
Poetry Collections
* Thanks to The Illiterate Poet for the above crazy cat shot.
