Posts tagged obituaries

Altered States Movie Trailer

The other sci-fi film of any import in 1980 (the first being a little movie called The Empire Strikes Back). If anything, its psyche-bending, peyote and pure science mashup heightened the genre.

This and Tommy were my fledgling filmmaking mind’s intro to visually idiosyncratic director Ken Russell, who passed on to the great sensory deprivation tank in the sky last week.

LA Times: 'Family Circus' Comic Strip Creator Dies At 89

Who hasn’t read Bil Keane’s strip? Condolences to Bil, Thel, Billy, Dolly, Jeffy and P.J.

Sample of Bil Keane's 'Family Circus' comic strip from the 1970s featuring Billy looking at Bil's photo in a photo album wondering, "Mommy, how did Daddy get little?"
(Image via Familycircus.com)

“Na Na Hey Hey (Kiss Him Goodbye)” - Steam

The sports world loses another great. R.I.P, producer/songwriter Paul Leka.

ESPN Dallas: 'North Dallas Forty' Author, Former Dallas Cowboy Peter Gent Dies

'North Dallas Forty' movie poster“North Dallas Forty” is on my all-time fave football films short list, and #2 behind “The Longest Yard” for 1970’s gridiron flicks.

Its story occupies the darker spaces between the play calls and press conferences. Prescient in its portrayal of the debilitating injuries suffered by players, and the lengths they’ll go to stay in the game.

LA Times: Actor James Arness Dies At 88

I don’t recall ever watching Arness’ TV claim to fame, Gunsmoke — even though it was on-air for 20 years — but Them! and The Thing from Another World are first-ballot enshrined in my 50s Horror/Sci-Fi Hall of Fame.

James Arness publicity photo from "Gunsmoke," and movie posters from "Them" and "The Thing from Another World"

LA Times: Director Sidney Lumet Dies At 86

Collage of Film Director Sidney Lumet's Movies: 12 Angry Men, Dog Day Afternoon, Serpico, Network, Prince of the City, and The Verdict
Important films? Uh, yeah. Want to know what life in New York City is about, watch Lumet’s work.

Exploration of the human condition… unconditionally.

LA Times: Elizabeth Taylor Dies At 79

Yeah, you got your Jolie, Johansson and Biels et al, and they’re hot and all. But for sheer, timeless Hollywood glamour…?

Damn.
Elizabeth Taylor in green gown, circa 1950s.
Damn.

One-Third Of Buffalo Sabres' Vaunted "French Connection" Line Dies At 59

Rick Martin, along with fellow Quebec countrymen Gilbert Perreault (Center) and Rene Robert (Right Winger), carved up the ice and Sabres’ opponents during the 1970s.

And if it weren’t for those goddamned Flyers in ‘75, he’d have passed on as a Stanley Cup winner. Sill bitter…? Nah.
Buffalo Sabres Left Winger Rick Martin's 1971 Rookie trading card
Rest in Puck, Rico.

“Jailbreak” - Thin Lizzy (1978)

An afterlife shout out to Gary Moore, who recently made the great chord progression to the sky. Yeah, I know he didn’t play on the original recording of this – my favorite Thin Lizzy cut – but he shreds on this live perf.

Ah, memories of listening to new record releases on friends’ basement turntables, with Spencer’s Gifts black light posters and the lingering aroma of cheap, Saturday night incense and stale, beer-soaked shag carpeting.