43 Years of “Your Song”

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Your Song written by Bernie Taupin and Elton John, and of course, performed by Elton John is one of the most beautiful songs ever.  I thought that when I first heard it nearly 43 years ago and I think it now.

In 1998, Your Song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. In 2004 the song was placed at number 137 on Rolling Stone‘s list of “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time”.

Elton John has performed Your Song thousands of times over the 43 years since it was released… and below is a video compilation taking us through the years as Elton performs it.

 

Thanks to Miss Cellania for the link.

9 Actors That Have Played the Same Role 6 Times

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Recently Den of Geek looked at 9 Actors That Have Played the Same Role 6 Times.

  • Hugh Jackman as Wolverine: Initially I had a problem with Jackman as Logan.  Jackman is just too tall!  I’m okay with him in the role now.  However, when Jackman turns over the claws to someone else, let’s make sure the new guy is vertically challenged.  Okay, Bub? For the record I have probably seen about half of Jackman’s outings as Wolverine.
  • Leonard Nimoy as Spock: I’ve seen all Nimoy’s appearances as Spock. Nimoy is, and forever shall be, Spock.  I do admit that Zachary Quinto is an awesome follow-up in the role!
  • Sylvester Stallone as Rocky Balboa:  This may be hard to believe, but I have seen all of Stallone’s appearances as Rocky.  Let’s cut to the chase.  To many, Stallone is Rocky.  I’m sure someday someone will step into the role when the movie is remade.  Ugh.  (And yeah, I know the role is being played by another actor on Broadway.  I also know that Sly may return to the role in the rumored film, Creed.)
  • Robert Englund as Freddy Krueger:  I saw the first and third outings.  Surprised there haven’t been more… not that they’re my cup of tea.
  • Daniel Radcliff as Harry Potter:  I’ve never seen a single Harry Potter movie.
  • Tyler Perry as Madea: I’ve never seen a single Madea movie, although the clips I’ve seen have been funny, so I wouldn’t be against watching them.
  • Sean Connery as James Bond:  I’ve seen every Connery Bond film (except Never Say Never) multiple times.  Connery is the best Bond.
  • Roger Moore as James Bond: I enjoyed Moore’s Bond, uh, more when I was a kid.  Waaay tooo campy towards the end of his run.
  • Jim Varney as Ernest: I’ve never seen a single Ernest movie.  Don’t know that I ever will…

Here’s a couple of questions…

Have any actresses played the same role 6 times?  Halle Berry as Storm — have there been six appearances?  Others?  

What actor/actress has played the same character the most times in movies?  And how many times?

10 Movies Rated 100% Fresh

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According to Rotten Tomatoes these Ten Movies that are rated 100% Fresh.

  1. Evil Dead – I saw it when it was first released.  You may be surprised to read that I didn’t care for it. 
  2. The Road Warrior – I saw this when it was first released and loved it.  Saw it more than once in theaters and many, many times over the years.
  3. The Bride of Frankenstein – Although not old enough to have seen this in theaters, it’s a favorite.
  4. KiKi’s Delivery Service – Never saw it.
  5. Roger & Me – Never saw it.
  6. Them! – One of my favorite horror films!
  7. The Odd Couple – I watched the tv show as a kid, but have never seen the movie.
  8. The Witches – Another I’ve missed.
  9. Toy Story and Toy Story 2 – Seen ’em both.  I think they’re over-rated.
  10. Wallace Gromit in the Wrong Trousers – Never saw it.

So I’ve seen 5 of 10 (if you count both Toy Stories as one).  Of the five, I really liked 3.

What’s your average?

UFC Fight Night on FOX Sports 1 Results & Final Thoughts

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UFC put on a great night of free fights on FOX SPORTS 1 last night.  Let’s take a look at the main card and my predictions…

  • Michael Johnson vs. Joe Lauzon
    Prediction: Lauzon by decision.
    Result: Johnson by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-25) making me 0 – 1 for the night.
  • Uriah Hall vs. John Howard
    Prediction: Hall by TKO
    Result: Howard by Split Decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28) making me 0 – 2 for the night.
  • Mike Pyle vs. Matt Brown
    Prediction: Brown by decision
    Result: Brown by first round KO (29 seconds) making me 1 – 2 for the night.
  • Yuri Alcantara vs. Urijah Faber
    Prediction: Faber by decision
    Results: Faber by Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-27) making me 2 – 2 for the night.
  • Alistair Overeem vs. Travis Browne
    Prediction: Overeem by TKO
    Result: Browne by first round KO (4:08) making me 2 – 3 for the night.
  • Chael Sonnen vs. Mauricio Rua
    Prediction: Sonnen by decision
    Results: Sonnen by first round submission (4:47) making me 3 – 3 for the night.

Final Thoughts:

  • Conor McGregor, who fought in the prelims in his first UFC fight, is getting a ton of hype.  While it’s true that McGregor won via a unanimous decision, is the hype warranted?  Uriah Hall, anyone?
  • Michael Johnson beat the brakes off of Joe Lauzon.  I was really surprised that Lauzon looked so bad.  Here’s hoping Lauzon bounces back.  Perhaps this fight was the start of really good things for Johnson.
  • Uriah Hall has really failed to live up to his hype.  While Hall looked like he’d be a top contender when he was knocking everyone out and sending them to the emergency room while fighting on The Ultimate Fighter, I thought the talk of him coming off the show and fighting for the title was crazy. It was.  Dana White has even gone so far as to say, Hall is not a fighter.  My guess is that White will give Hall one more fight to turn things around.
  • Matt Brown has won six in a row and is calling for a title fight.  I’d say he’s earned it.
  • Yuri Alcantara took Urijah Faber down within seconds of the first round of the fight.  Alcantara proceeded to put a beating on Faber and it looked like the fight was on the way to a quick end.  Faber showed a warrior’s heart and continued to fight back until he reversed the situation.  For the rest of the round and the next two, it was all Faber.  Very impressive win for the California Kid.
  • Alistair Overeem came out and as expected started to put a beating on Travis Browne.  Hard shots to the head and knees to the gut rained down on Browne… but he wouldn’t quit.  Both men looked tired towards the end of the first round and as Overeem came plodding in, Browne unleashed a front kick that landed square on Overeem’s chin.  As Overeem fell to the mat, Browne followed dropping a couple of hard shots before the ref could step in.  It will be interesting to see how this plays out… will the win help Browne more than the loss will hurt Overeem?
  • Chael Sonnen chokes out Mauricio Rua in the first round!  Sonnen is one of the most entertaining fighters outside of the ring and he is competitive with the best fighters in two weight classes.  Sonnen has to be loving life. I know his fans are.

UFC Fight Night Live: Predictions

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UFC has a live card on FOX SPORTS 1 tonight starting at 6pm with the prelims and 8pm with the main card.  Let’s take a look at the main card and my predictions…

  • Michael Johnson vs. Joe Lauzon
    Prediction: Lauzon by decision.
  • Uriah Hall vs. John Howard
    Prediction: Hall by TKO
  • Mike Pyle vs. Matt Brown
    Prediction: Brown by decision
  • Yuri Alcantara vs. Urijah Faber
    Prediction: Faber by decision
  • Alistair Overeem vs. Travis Browne
    Prediction: Overeem by TKO
  • Chael Sonnen vs. Mauricio Rua
    Prediction: Sonnen by decision

“Parkland” a New Angle on the JKF Assassination (Updated)

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I’m more impressed with this poster to Parkland than the original that was released.  I’m totally impressed with the cast and story…

PARKLAND is a retelling of the JFK assassination as told by the many affected by it on the day it transpired, including doctors, nurses, cameramen, F.B.I. and Secret Service agents, and the Vice President who would take control of the nation after that fateful day.

JoBlo has more details and stills that make me think that Parkland  is going to be a winner.

Dave Wachter and Jimmy Bobo

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Dave Wachter is back and he brought his take on Sly from the Bullet to the Head. I met Dave a few years ago and became an instant fan. I wasn’t the only one to discover Dave’s fantastic sketches! How can you not like a great guy who is a terrific artist?

At HeroesCon this year I asked Dave to draw Sly from his first major movie, the Lords of Flatbush and another piece of Sly from his latest film, Bullet to the Head.  Last week, you saw Dave’s take on Sly as Stanley Kowalski, so this week we have Sly as Jimmy Bobo.

You can see more of Dave’s art at his site. – Craig