Category: Trivia

Old School, Devil, Arnie & More

  • If you like comedies then you might want to check out “Old School” starring Will Farrell, Luke Wilson and Vince Vaughn as three guys in their thirties who decide to have a little fun. The scene with the wedding singer adding his personal touch to a song is hysterical!
  • If you’re more into drama and mystery, then you might like “Devil in a Blue Dress” based on the best selling book by Walter Mosley. I read the book years ago and loved it and finally got around to seeing the film today. Don Cheadle streals the show. I say check ’em both out, if you like this sort of thing.
  • Police in the Canadian province of Manitoba say a pricey piece of jewelry purloined from the set of Jennifer Lopez’s now shooting romantic drama, “Shall We Dance?,” turned up along with a murdered and dismembered man in a hotel room. This sounds like something out of a movie!
  • Arnold Schwarzenegger is getting ready to decide on his next film. It looks like it is down to “Big Sir” or a remake of “Westworld.” Schwarzenegger is also developing a “Conan the Barbarian” sequel, to be produced by Larry and Andy Wachowski, you know, “The Matrix” brothers! I say do “Westworld” and follow up with “King Conan!”
  • “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl,” opened at number one this week. The real surprise was that last week’s champion, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s “Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines,” fell two places to No. 3 in its second weekend with $19.6 million. Its 55 percent slide was one of the steepest in the top 10. Where’s James Cameron when you need him?
  • PHOENIXVILLE, Pa. – The town where “The Blob” first made horror history is celebrating the movie monster that made it a star. “The Blob” isn’t a horror movie that usually comes quickly to mind but it was one of the best made in the ’50’s!

Pirates, Gentlemen & More

  • “Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl” went looking for early box office gold and found it by digging up an estimated $23.8 million in its first two days in theaters. When I first heard about this one I thought it would sink… now I wouldn’t mind seeing it!
  • “The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen,” on the other hand, was one that I wanted to see… but now I think I’ll wait for dvd.
  • “Go Inside: Animal House,” a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the movie will air on TNN in August. “Animal House” was a “must-see” movie when it came out — and I’ll be watching for this special as well!
  • VIENNA (Reuters) – A round of “schnapps” on the house landed an Austrian waiter and his customers in hospital after he served them dishwasher fluid that left them with internal burns. I’d love to be the lawyer on this one.
  • LIMA, Peru (Reuters) – Lacking the proper instruments, a Peruvian doctor at a state hospital in the Andean highlands used a drill and pliers to perform brain surgery on a man. Give that doc some duct tape and there’s no telling what he could accomplish!
  • LONDON (Reuters) – Scientists are lobbying to build the world’s most powerful microscope, an instrument so advanced that it can see individual atoms moving.
  • MOSCOW (Reuters) – Two Russian nudists have been struck by lightning at a beach on the Moscow river while taking cover from a thunderstorm under a tree. Ouch! I’ll bet that left a mark!
  • NEW YORK (Reuters) – In the 1950s Americans were told to hide under tables if a nuclear bomb went off — an infamous warning that became the butt of endless jokes. Now amid a high terror alert, New York is giving its residents the same advice. Well… that advice is better than “go to the light! [Although not much]
  • SANTIAGO, Chile (Reuters) – Chilean scientists say that a huge blob of flesh found on a Pacific beach about three weeks ago is the carcass of a sperm whale
  • ATHENS, GreeceGreece has declared war on bad cheese. Quick, somebody warn Big Beatty!
  • Last night I finished reading Andy McNab’s Firewall. It’s the third in his Nick Stone series and well worth a look if you like action and intrigue!

Scorsese & More

    • Martin Scorsese has signed on to executive produce a Sci Fi Channel miniseries targeted to premiere in 2005. “The Twelve” chronicles an FBI agent’s confrontation with a bizarre series of events he suspects to be signs of an impending apocalypse timed for the Twelfth Day of Christmas. Sounds like something that I will watch! 

    • STOCKHOLM (Reuters) – A 27-year-old Swede was charged on Wednesday with taking part in the armed robbery of his own parents, during which his mother was shot in the arm. And to think my mom was disappointed when I forgot to take out the trash…

 

  • TOKYO (Reuters) – Trouble-prone sumo grand champion Asashoryu, a Mongolian, landed himself in hot water again after being disqualified for hair-pulling during a bout. Maybe his opponent should have wore a bigger thong? Yikes!

 

 

  • PHOENIXJenny Lopez’s home is a pile of rubble after a demolition crew mistakenly tore down the wrong house. I don’t think that saying “sorry” is going to cut it for this one.

 

 

  • TULSA, Okla. – A would-be burglar in Tulsa, Okla., has forgetfulness to blame for his arrest. Police say the suspect took clothing and removed the sensor tags from them. But as he was leaving the store, alarms that detect the sensors in the tags went off. Police say he told store employees he forgot he put the 12 tags in his pants pocket. Another criminal mastermind brought to justice!

 

Haunted Mansion, Blade 3 & More

  • Ain’t It Cool News has posted a link to “The Haunted Mansion” trailer. What’s scary is that I loved the ride but don’t think that the movie is going to be for me!
  • “Blade III” starts filming on September 23rd and Filmjerk .com has the scoop! [A tip of the hat to Dark Horizons as well!] I didn’t like “Blade” but loved “Blade II” so I don’t know what to expect with “3.”
  • Dark Horizons reports that there are talks of making “Predator 3” from a script done by Robert Rodriguez a few years ago. Can I buy my ticket now?
  • MTV announced Tuesday it has signed The Osbournes for 20 more episodes, scheduled to begin airing early next year. Well that’s just #$!@^ great!
  • Burt Reynolds plays an inmate and Bruce Dern, plays a sheriff who team up to track down an escaped felon in the late 1800s-era Western “Hard Ground,” a new Hallmark Channel movie airing Saturday. You know, I just may just have to check this out.
  • DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – A former stripper is demanding an end to the new cable television show “Stripperella,” an animated series featuring Pamela Anderson as the voice of a stripper who moonlights as a superhero. Daytona Beach, Florida Stripper!?! I’ll bet we could talk Big Beatty into following up on this story in person!
  • LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Reuters) – An Arkansas lawyer has been charged with using the U.S. Postal Service to send a man a deadly poisonous copperhead snake, federal prosecutors say. Man, I find that kind of behavior totally objectionable.
  • BERLIN (Reuters) – A German oil delivery man who got his addresses mixed up accidentally pumped 5,280 pints of heating oil straight into a house’s basement. I don’t think that saying “sorry” is going to cut it for this one.
  • HARRISBURG, Pa. – An escaped inmate made it easy for police to track him down: He used his prisoner ID card to check into a hotel. Sometimes I wonder how these criminal masterminds ever get caught… and then again…
  • Terry Wallis, who slipped into a coma after a 1984 car accident, spoke last month for the first time in 19 years to the surprise of doctors and the delight of his family. He’ll be like a man out of time for a while… cell phones, personal computers, dvds, Big Beatty.com..

Jolie, Foley & More

  • LOS ANGELESAngelina Jolie says there’s nothing left of the intense love she once shared with ex-husband Billy Bob Thornton. Jolie is quoted as saying, “We’re not friends.” It’s sad, but isn’t that the way that most breakups go?
  • Mick Foley’s debut novel, Tietam Brown comes out today. It’ll be interesting to see how it does.
  • BERLIN (Reuters) – The 14-year-old sister of Formula One driver Heinz-Harald Frentzen took a joyride in her mother’s car while her parents were watching Sunday’s French Grand Prix. At least she wasn’t speeding.
  • LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – It may be too late for Elvis Presley devotees to get their hands on one of his sequined jumpsuits, but die-hard fans can still claim a small piece of the King — a tooth. I hope Big Beatty wins!
  • An absent-minded passenger headed for Hong Kong ended up in Australia. Well, it should have at least helped with the frequent flyer miles.
  • DIXON, Ill.Mary Crombie marked her 113th birthday with familiar optimism about her beloved Chicago Cubs, notwithstanding their 94-year unlucky streak. Man, only “The Brogan Man” has a longer losing streak!

Hello Parker, Bye Buddy & More

  • Jeff Parker, creator of Interman [which you really ought to consider picking up], has written up his Heroes Con Report. StalloneZone is mentioned… Even if you don’t like comics. I’ll bet you’d get a kick out of his Con Reports.
  • LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter)Matthew McConaughey is in talks to star in “Tishomingo Blues,” an adaptation of the Elmore Leonard best seller that will mark Don Cheadle directorial debute. Although I haven’t read the book, I do like the work of McConaughey, Leonard, and Cheadle.
  • LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Cable news channel MSNBC on Monday fired Michael Savage after the controversial talk show host wished AIDS on a caller whom he dismissed as “one of the sodomites.” And I’ll bet Savage was surprised.
  • LOS ANGELESBuddy Ebsen best known for his roles in “The Beverly Hillbillies” and “Barnaby Jones,” has died. He was 95. Harry Knowles has written a nice tribute over at Ain’t It Cool News. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends, and fans.
  • LOS ANGELES (Reuters)Police and prosecutors met in Colorado on Monday to discuss filing sexual assault charges against Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant as his lawyers said he was innocent and accused the local sheriff of “bias.” It’s pretty strange that the DA and sherrif are not on the same page with this one.
  • LONDON (Reuters)British police investigating how a young sky diver plunged 13,000 feet to his death revealed on Monday his parachute cords had been deliberately severed. That sounds sounds like something out of a tv mystery… but what a scary thought when you really consider it.
  • SEOUL (Reuters) – A South Korean man angry with his daughter’s Web surfing faced possible charges on Monday after he threw a computer monitor out of his 12th-floor apartment, hitting a four-year-old girl below on the head, police said. I would think that he would face more than “POSSIBLE” charges.
  • MONTPELLIER, France (AFP) – A shopper in southern France literally named his own price when he visited several supermarkets near here. According to police, the 22-year-old suspect fabricated barcode labels on his home computer, and by using them to replace the originals was able to acquire goods for a fraction of their real prices. I wonder how that system works out in jail?
  • HELLAM, Pa. – House hunters and footwear fanatics, take note: A three-bedroom, two bath house that happens to be shaped like a giant shoe is up for sale. I’ll be some old lady buys it — she’ll have some many children she won’t know what to do.
  • EAST DUBLIN, Ga. – There was bobbin’ for pigs feet and hubcap hurling. Grown men competed against each other by belly-flopping into a mud pit. This year’s Redneck Games at Buckeye Park in East Dublin drew thousands of spectators. As stupid as it sounds, I’ll bet everyone had a lot of fun!
  • ROSWELL, N.M. – The sports editor of the Roswell Daily Record has been fired for fabricating part of a news story about a golf tournament in which he quoted a fictional character from the movie “Caddyshack.” And I’ll bet the editor was surprised.

Crazy Stuff & T3 Too

  • My buddy, John has started up his website again. It’s over at BigBeatty.com. Check it out and tell him I sent ya his way. [Be advised that this site is not always appropriate for our younger fans!]
  • PARIS (AFP) A hunt to find a twin to our Solar System has uncovered the most intriguing match so far, astronomers said here. Ninety light years away lies a star similar to our own Sun, circled by a giant planet that closely resembles Jupiter in its location, they said. I just know that Jazz is digging this story as much as I am.
  • IONNINA, Greece (AFP)Greek fire fighters were called out after a large ball of light appeared low in the sky. But they found no fires, or evidence of debris… Another item for Jazz!
  • NEW YORK (AFP)Takeru “Tsunami” Kobayashi of Japan downed 44 and a half hot dogs in 12 minutes, confirming his status as perhaps the most phenomenal competitive eater of the modern era. I’ll bet Big Beatty could put him under the table if they were eating sushi!
  • PARIS (Reuters)Armed with a toy pistol, a would-be robber picked himself an unlikely target in central Paris — a gun shop. Bet you can guess the outcome of this one
  • BERLIN (Reuters) – A German fireman has admitted committing more than 30 acts of arson so he could fight more fires, police say. Talk about a man who loved his work!
  • BOSTON – A new study released by Northeastern University this week found that anybody can be a boss. Yeah, but not everyone can be a amateur administrator!
  • I saw Arnold Schwarzenegger in ‘Terminator 3 Rise of the Machines’ today. It had a lot of action and I’m glad that I saw it on the big screen but it doesn’t come close to either of the first two.

BB2, Riddick & More

  • I saw “Bad Boys” in a theater when it was first released. I enjoyed the direction and some of the interplay between Will Smith and Martin Lawrence but overall rated the movie as less than average. With that said, “Bad Boys II” looks like it might be a lot of fun!
  • Dark Horizons reports that principal photography has started on “Riddick” the “Pitch Black” sequel. Man, I can’t wait for this one!
  • NEW YORK (Reuters) – It may be illegal, immoral and certainly ill-advised, but selling every usable part of your body could fetch upward of $45 million, according to a survey in the August issue of Wired magazine. The Six Million Dollar Man ain’t got nothin’ on me!
  • HELSINKI (Reuters) – A Finnish man killed his wife and cut the corpse in half so it would fit into a single plastic bag. He turned up for work on Monday but left early to confess to police. Cut her in half so she would fit in ONE bag… and showed up to work on Monday… this guy is every efficient [and crazy].
  • OKLAHOMA CITY (Reuters) – An Oklahoma man arrested on suspicion of beating his wife faced year in prison and a fine. But when he spit in an arresting officer’s face, he got a life sentence instead. I can see it now… “I’m in for a triple murder. What about you?” “Uh, I spit on a cop.”
  • BOSTON (Reuters) – A New Hampshire man has been charged with assaulting his girlfriend after flying into a violent rage when she beat him in an arm-wrestling match and called him a “wimp.” Good thing he didn’t spit on anyone.
  • BERLIN (Reuters) – A German man woke up to find himself stark naked in the middle of a street after sleepwalking from home. That happened to Big Beatty once, but at least he was, uh, pointed in the right direction.
  • LONDON (Reuters) – Archaeologists have identified the first Ice Age cave art ever discovered in Britain, a series of drawings dating back 12,000 years. This kind of stuff just amazes me.
  • BERLIN (Reuters) – An escaped circus monkey dropped into a pizzeria in a small German town and vandalised the ladies toilet even though the owner had tried to pacify the animal with salad and rolls. C’mon, everyone knows that you can’t pacify a crazed monkey with salad and rolls! Break out the pizza and giant subs if ya wanna tame the beast!
  • SINGAPORE – The number of Singaporeans with foul-smelling, fungus-covered feet is rising and health authorities want to tackle the problem. I know a certain guy in Daytona who won’t have that problem… his nails look shiny too!

The Losers, The Mystery, The Dead & More

  • DC Comics has published a really well done comic called The Losers. The art is great and the story is intelligent. The first issue is on stands now. I guess you could say, The Losers is a winner!
  • SANTIAGO, Chile (Reuters)Scientists said on Wednesday a huge mass of slimy flesh that washed up on a Chilean beach last week may be a rare type of giant octopus or just discarded whale blubber.
  • TOKYOIf it costs a lot to live in Japan, try dying: Cemetery plots on sale in Tokyo are priced at up to $86,800 each. The city government began taking applications Wednesday for the 50 newly opened spots at Aoyama Cemetery — the first such sale in 43 years. Talk about a high cost of, ahem, living.
  • DULUTH, Minn. – An exasperated resident turned the tables on a company that hounded him with telemarketing calls, calling it more than 100 times in two days. That’s good… not as good as what Big Beatty does to telemarketers but still.

Crow, Hackett, P-Diddy and More

  • Michael Crow has created one of the most enjoyable hardboiled novels that I’ve ever read. I just finished Red Rain and have already ordered The Bite, his latest Luther Ewing novel [just published this month]. If you like crime fiction then check out Crow’s work.
  • .Dark Horizons posted two reviews for “Shade” today. Both of them were positive!
  • Comedian Buddy Hackett has died at the age of 78. I didn’t know until today that Buddy had been offered Curley’s spot with the Three Stooges after Curley had a stroke. Our prayers go out to Buddy’s family and friends.
  • SANTIAGO, Chile (Reuters)Chilean scientists are baffled by a huge, gelatinous sea creature found washed up on the southern Pacific coast and are seeking international help identifying the mystery specimen. This is a story Jazz will love!
  • SAN FRANCISCO – People fascinated with the history of “The Rock,” aka Alcatraz Island, can now own a piece of it. So you could literally own a piece of the rock!
  • Sean ‘P-Diddy’ Combs has been sued for more than $25 million by a former business partner who charged the rapper with forcing him to sign away his interest in their company by threatening him with a baseball bat. P-Diddy must be a fan of the movie “The Untouchables.”

Kathern Hepburn; Suge Knight and More

Four-time Oscar winner Katharine Hepburn died at 2:50 pm yesterday, at her Connecticut home, surrounded by family and friends. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends.

BERLIN (Reuters) – A German man lay dead in his bed for almost three years before being found, police said Friday. I’d like to think that someone would start missing me after oh, a YEAR or SO!

VIENNA (Reuters) – A woman lay awake during surgery for 45 minutes, unable to move or call for help, after staff forgot to hook up the machine pumping out anaesthetic. I’d like to think that someone would have noticed my tears after oh, a minute or SO!

BEIJING (AFP) – An investigation has begun after sightings of a legendary “ape-like” beast in the forests of central China, it was reported. Anyone checked to make sure Big Beatty hasn’t left the country?

Death Row Records founder Marion ‘Suge’ Knight has been arrested for allegedly punching a parking attendant outside a Los Angeles nightclub. This could effect his participation in “Rampart Scandal.”

28 days, Return of the King & More"

  • I saw a great little horror film today. If you enjoy a good “zombie” flick in the vien [pardon the pun] of “Night of the Living Dead” then you’ll love this! “28 days later…” should be seen now not later!
  • USAToday ran a picture of the advance poster for “The Return of the King,” the next installment in the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy. The poster can also be seen at theonering.net. Peter Jackson [director] said it was his favorite of the three… I know I’m looking forward to it!
  • Chris Tucker is in line for another $20 million-plus payday to co-star in “Rush Hour 3.” If he makes the movie it will be his third film since 1998 [with the other two being “Rush Hour” and “Rush Hour 2”]. It’s good work if you can get it!
  • MESA, Ariz. – City officials in Mesa have mistakenly installed two bus shelters where no buses run. Can’t you just imagine some poor soul… “Uh… I’m sure it’ll be a long any minute now.”
  • Singapore unveiled Friday plans for a $114 million, 558-foot Ferris wheel that would swing 114 feet above the current world record holder. “C’mon mom, don’t worry about SARS, I just GOTTA ride that Ferris wheel.” Yeah, that should bring in the tourists.
  • HANOI (Reuters) – A Vietnamese man passed off a lump of iron as valuable black bronze found buyers — but was paid $64,000 in counterfeit bills. Talk about poetic justice!
  • PARIS (AFP) – Bean-lovers, rejoice: the embarrassing side-effect of your favourite food may soon become a distant memory. Big Beatty can go back to eating chilli on his omlettes!
  • NEW YORK (AFP) – New York police rescued and then arrested a red-faced burglar after he managed to get himself stuck in the chimney of the restaurant he was trying to burgle. Another criminal mastermind brought to justice!
  • BERLIN (Reuters) – A German thief has had to call the police to rescue him after becoming trapped during a bungled break-in. Still another criminal mastermind brought to justice!
  • STOCKHOLM, SwedenVodka-flavored ice pops won’t be available on store shelves in Sweden after regulators said Tuesday they were worried that young kids might eat them. Guess that means no crack flavored cupcakes either!

Ashton, Mac, Jackie & More

  • The very popular, Ashton Kutcher, will team up with the very funny, Bernie Mac, in the comedy “The Dinner Party.” Kutcher will play a man marrying a black woman whose father [Mac] has difficulty coming to terms with the marriage. Sounds like a comedy version of “Guess Whose Coming to Dinner.”
  • Lena Olin, who stars as Sydney Bristow’s mother on “Alias” has gained a lot of positive exposure from the role. Olin is so good at being bad…
  • Eminem and his mentor/producer Dr. Dre share the Number Two position on this year’s Forbes’ Celebrity 100 list. I’ll bet some people will still downplay Eminem’s impact
  • Kelsey Grammer has announced that next season will be “Fraiser’s” last. “Fraiser” was “must see tv” up until Niles got married… I’ll probably tune in for the last episode though.
  • A German man was fatally stabbed by his wife of thirty years after they argued about what color to paint the walls of their house. Well, if you feel that strongly maybe you should just speak up.
  • A version of Jackie Gleason’s ‘The Honeymooners’ not seen in more than 30 years is returning to tv on the GoodLife TV Network which will broadcast the 42 ‘Honeymooners’ episodes originally presented in color as part of ‘The Jackie Gleason Show’ that aired during the 1960s. Instead of just running “The Honeymooner’s” segments [which weren’t as good as the originals], I’d like to see the channel run the entire “Jackie Gleason Show.”

Interman, Hellboy & More

  • Jeff Parker’s The Interman rocks. It is one of the most intelligently written graphic novels that I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading. Check it out. I’ll bet you’ll like it too!
  • CHUD has a nice interview with Ron “Hellboy” Perlman. Now, this is a comic movie that I can get behind!
  • Ashton Kutcher must be living right. He co-stars in “That 70’s Show,” hosts MTV’s “Punk’d.” Kutcher is up against Prince William in an online vote for People magazine’s top bachelor of the year, and is dating Demi Moore. Wouldn’t you think that dating Demi Moore would be enough?
  • A woman has claimed that Ozzy Osburne is the father of her six year old child. I guess she didn’t know that Ozzy had a vasectomy 17 years ago.
  • Seahorses are their own worst enemy. They’ve been fished to the point of extinction, yet they mate for life and their unwillingness to seek new partners after being separated has done little to improve their chances of survival. Seems the seahorses don’t believe until “death do us part.”

Movies, Robbers & More

  • “The Hulk” earned a little better than $62 million to force “Finding Nemo” into second spot. I’ll still bet on the fish in the long run.
  • “Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle” opens next Friday. I waited to rent the original, but plan to see this one on the big screen!
  • I just finished reading Robbers by Chris Cook. This is his first novel and I’d say that he’s going to become a “name” to anyone who enjoys a good crime story!
  • One of the scariest movies that I ever saw as a kid, “Invasion of the Body Snatchers,” got a little write up today. They’re out there!
  • Mike Tyson got involved in what is being described as a “street brawl.” Even though it appears that Tyson didn’t start it, he could get a year in the slammer if convicted. When is“Iron Mike” gonna learn…
  • Lennox Lewis kept the title but may have lost his desire to continue. If history tells us anything, he’ll fight again though.
  • Archaeologists in western China discovered five earthenware jars of 2,000-year-old rice wine in an ancient tomb. “Ah, do you have anything in a 0003 vintage?”
  • Anybody else been keeping up with the news about U.S. bounty hunter Duane “Dog” Chapman who was arrested by Mexican authorities while attempting to bring Andrew Luster, the fugitive heir of the Max Factor fortune and convicted rapist back to the USA? This has been my favorite news item this week… it’s like something out of a movie — which I bet it will be.