The Real Story Behind RACIST Riley Cooper's Racial Slur

Piture this, Kenny Chesney Concert at the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia PA. The concert is going along great. Fans are having a blast! Philadelphia Eagles Receiver Riley Cooper is there with some friends tossing back some brews and feeling no pain at all. It's all good, right? Wrong. Since Riley is at the same location where he plays home games he thinks he is special and can go anywhere he wants. So when he is denied access to the back stage area, he gets all mouthy within earshot of an Afro-American security guard who denied him access to the back stage area. Luckily it was caught on tape, so he canno deny saying it. Or put the blame on one of his friends. What did he say? He said, "I will jump that fence and fight every nigger here", he spit it out in a very vile and disgusting tone used by most racists. When the Philadelphia Eagles heard about this incident, Riley was fined an unspecified amount of money. And now he is on a "break" from the team to get some counseling. Riley has apologized to his team, his family and the public. But he has not apologized to the security guard who was just doing his job. What pisses me off the most is that Riley was a role model and now that the video of the incident has gone viral, all of those young kids out there are going to think it's ok to call people bad names when you dont get your way. Alcohol is "truth serum". It lowers your inhibitions and relaxes you and allows you to speak your mind. Riley said just how he was feeling using the language that he really believes in. Riley Cooper is a RACIST at heart!!! He's not mad about what he said, he's mad that he got caught being just who he is; a RACIST! It's so sad, when our heros show that they are not who we perceive them to be.

RIP Michael Ansara

Genre actor and legend Michael Ansara sadly passed away on Wednesday 31 July at the age of 91.

As Elric in Babylon 5.

Ansara will be best-known to SFF fans for his role as Commander Kang in Star Trek. One of the original Klingons, he played the role in the original series episode Day of the Dove. Thirty years later he reprised the same character for the excellent Deep Space Nine episode Blood Oath, and then again in the Voyager episode Flashback, when Kang faced off against Captain Sulu of the USS Excelsior in a special episode made to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the franchise. He also played an unrelated character, Jeyal (husband of Lwaxana Troi!) in another episode of DS9. Towards the end of his career, he voiced the character of Mr. Freeze in Batman: The Animated Series and several of its spin-offs.

Born in Syria, Ansara's family moved to the USA when he was two years old. As a child he was chronically shy and took acting lessons to overcome the problem. He began appearing in minor roles in American film in the late 1940s but achieved a breakthrough when he was cast in the role of Native American chief Cochise in Broken Arrow (1956-58). He went on to play the role of Native American US Marshal Sam Buckhart in two episodes of The Rifleman (ironically, one of the main inspirations for Star Trek: Deep Space Nine) and then spun off in his own series, Law of the Plainsman. Later, he played a recurring role on I Dream of Jeannie (he was married to the star of the show, Barbara Eden, for a time).

As Commander Kang in the original Star Trek.

Ansara's height, presence, looks and commanding voice won him numerous roles in film and television from the 1950s right through the 1990s. He played three different roles on Irwin Allen's series Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, another on The Fugitive and two on The Time Tunnel. He played the title character in Soldier, an acclaimed episode of The Outer Limits written by Harlan Ellison. In 1979 he had a recurring role as Killer Kane during the first season of Buck Rogers in the 25th Century.

Ansara also had a memorable appearance on Babylon 5, playing Elric, the leader of the techno-mages in the third episode of the second season, The Geometry of Shadows. The character was a simultaneous homage by writer J. Michael Straczynski to Michael Moorcock's albino hero and also J.R.R. Tolkien (Elric quotes Gandalf at one memorable moment). The character was popular but did not make a return appearance on-screen, instead playing a major role in the spin-off Passing of the Techno-Mages Trilogy of novels.

A great actor who lived a full life and brought to life many memorable roles, both in SFF and outside of it. He will be missed.

RIP Jozef Adamovič

Actor Jozef Adamovič co-founder of the Academy of Arts has died.

 
On Friday August 2, 2013 the well-known Slovak actor Joseph Adamovič died at 74. He was co-founder of the Academy of Arts in Banska Bystrica, with his wife-actress Božidara Turzonovová.
 
Jozef Adamovič was a Slovak theater and film actor, teacher and director He appeared in more than 120 television productions, series and film projects, and was the winner of Slovak Literary Fund .
 
Adamovič played in films during his studies. He graduated in 1956 and then went to Bratislava, where in 1960 he graduated at the Academy of Performing Arts. In the same year he became a member of the Slovak National Theatre, where he worked until 1991. He created 60 theatrical characters (Cornelle: Cid, Gozzi: The King Stag, Goldoni: Dance Teacher, Shakespeare: Midsummer Night's Dream, Richard II., King Lear, Edgar, Rostand: Cyrano de Bergerac). Initially he played the romantic figure, later in his first film role he was a realistic tragic character. Jozef appeared in one Euro-western: "The Sons of Great Bear" (1966) as Tschapa.
 
His wife is actress Božidara Turzonovová. Both were active in Banska Bystrica Academy of Arts, and Joseph was a co-founder of the college and lecturer at the Faculty of Dramatic Arts. He leaves his wife and two children Andrea and Lucia.

James Cameron confirms three AVATAR sequels to be released in 2016-18

James Cameron has confirmed that there will now be three sequels to his 2009 movie Avatar, to form a four-film storyline. These films will be shot back-to-back and released in December 2016, 2017 and 2018 respectively. Cameron has hired new writers to help him get the three scripts ready in time.

Previously, Cameron had suggested there would be two sequels and locations visited would include Pandora's oceans and other moons in the same system. However, his ambitions for the sequels have grown larger, requiring three full movies to explore.

Avatar was released in December 2009 and is the highest-grossing movie of all time, making just under $2.8 billion worldwide. A limited run for the extended edition of the film plus DVD and Blu-Ray sales have extended that to well over $3 billion worldwide.

Spaghetti Western Locations

We continue our search for the film locations for “Death Rides a Horse”. After arriving in Lyndon City, Ryan finds his old friend Walcott giving a speech to the local citizens.

The location for Lyndon City is Fort Bravo/Texas Hollywood located north of Almeria, Spain about 4-5 km from Mini Hollywood in the Tabernas desert. The saloon has changed appearances over the years from film to film but still sits at a prominent position at the intersection of the two main streets and now serves drinks and is used for stuntmen shows.

For a more detailed view of this site and other Spaghetti Western locations please visit my friend Captain Douglas’ excellent website: http://www.western-locations-spain.co              
and Yoshi Yasuda’s location site: http://y-yasuda.net/film-location.htm

Remembering Rafael Hernandez

 

Esteban Rafael Hernández Herrero was born on August 3, 1928 in Madrid, Spain. Before he became an actor he was a bike patrol officer for the Madrid Municipal Police. As Rafael Hernández he debuted in the cinema in 1956 with the film “Manolo”, playing a traffic cop. As a result of this role he was introduced to the world of film. He continued to keep his job with the police department while appearing in small parts, with his peculiar voice, his man-of-the-street appearance and his perennial moustache, he would go on to appear in almost 200 films, mostly in Spanish movies but also in some English language international films, like “Lawrence of Arabia” (1962).

 
Hernández appeared in 21 Euro-westerns from “Relevo para un pistolero” (1964) to “Cut Throats Nine” (1972). In the mid-1980’s Rafael turned to working in television. His last appearance was in the 1994 Spanish TV series “Villarriba y Villabajo”. Rafael died on November 7, 1997 in Madrid, Spain.
 
Today we remember one of the most prolific Spaghetti western actors, Rafael Hernández on what would have been his 85^th birthday.

Philadelphia Eagles Receiver Riley Cooper Let Go on Break From Eagles Over Racial Slur

Yeah! I am so glad that the Philadelphia Eagles have let this racist go, I only wish it were on a permanent basis. Right they claim it is so Riley can get some Therapy. He doesn't need therapy, he needs to flogged! and FIRED! Look, people it is a new world. Gone are the days that you can espouse your racist views and nothing happens to you. Racist Chef Paula Deen lost almost her entire empire over her admission that she has used the N word in her past. That stupid ass racist model on the current season of Big Brother got fired from her Modeling Agency over her racist remarks. Its taken a long time but it looks like the US is making some serious strides toward racial equality and more and more organizations are standing up against racism and racist talk. I am so proud to be an Amerian!

Actor Michael Ansara, Dead at 91

WOW! Who knew he was still alive, I thought he died years ago. However, it was just this Wednesday, that Micahel Ansara, the actor who portrayed Kang the Klingon in the Original Star Trek from the 1960s passed away after a long illness, he was 91 yrs old. Michael also appeared in many of the hit tv shows from 1970s like " I Dream of Jeannie" which starred his ex wife Barbara Eden, "Hawaii 5-0" and "Broken Arrow". He is survived by his wife of 36 yrs.

Guess Who I Am

I’m an American actor born in Arizona in 1920.

 
My real first name is William.
 
I made over 130 westerns including 4 Euro-westerns.
 
Guess who I am.

An anonymous poster correctly identified this week's photo as that of Jack Elam.

FDA Finally Names Manufacturer of Contaminated Bag Salad

Yeah I am so happy that the FDA named the culprit in the bag salad fiasco! It's Taylor Farms de Mexico the Mexican branch of Salinas based Taylor Farms. The facility is located 180 miles north of Mexico City. I should have known it was Mexico's fault! hahahaha Not only does this company provide bag salad to retail outlets but it also provided salad mix to Olive Garden and Red Lobster restaurants in Iowa and Nebraska. Well now that I know, I can check my bag salads that I have in my fridge to make sure it is not provided by the Taylor Farms either in Mexico or here in the USA. I dont want to take any chances. The FDA states that the bag salad only has a shelf life of 14 days so none of the infected product should still be in retail outlets or restaurants. But that's not true, the bag salad does not go bad every time on the expiration date listed on the package. So I know that if I have bag salad with an expiration date of June 29th and it's now July 8th if the salad still looks good, I'm going to eat it. So I think the FDA should stop assuming it's all out of circulation now. It could be in someone's fridge now. So check your bags people!

Raven Symone's Gay Marriage Tweet

Ok, everyone else is a day late and a dollar short on this matter. I wrote an article about Raven Symone, former Cosby Show cutie, being gay and dating former America's Next Top Model contestant, AzMarie Livingston. The tall very androgynous openly gay model. Well, yesterday after Gay Marriage became legal in Rhode Island and Minnesota, Raven tweeted, "I can finally get married. Yay government! I'm so proud of you!". Now everyone got their panties into a bunch saying that Raven is coming out. She already came out on the Wendy Williams Show MONTHS ago! She never said the words "I am gay" but she did confirm that she was dating AzMarie and that she was very happy. Damyum! What does she have to do, make a big sign and wear it in Times Square? When asked directly if she were gay, Raven responded, "My sexual orientation is mine, and the person I am dating to know, I am not one for a public display of my life." When the website OMG asked Raven for a clarification she responded, ""I am very happy that gay marriage is opening up around the country and is being accepted," she said. "I was excited to hear today that more states legalized gay marriage. I, however am not currently getting married, but it is great to know I can now, should I wish to." Now if that is not an admission that she is gay, I don't know what is. Big whoop! Leave the girl alone now. It's OLD news! hahahahaha

RIP Michael Ansara

American actor Michael Ansara died in his Calabasas, California home on July 31, 2013. He was 91.

 
Ansara was born in a small village in Syria to American parents. He came to the United States when he was 2 years-old and lived in Lowell, Massachusetts before moving to California as a teenager with his parents and entered Los Angeles City College with the intention of becoming a doctor. A stint at the Pasadena Playhouse (where fellow students included Charles Bronson, Carolyn Jones and Aaron Spelling) led to roles on stage and in films.
 
Ansara starred as Native Americans on two 1950s primetime series: the ABC Western “Broken Arrow” (1956-1958) as Cochise and as Deputy U.S. Marshal Sam Buckhart, an Apache, on NBC's “Law of the Plainsman” (1959-1960). He appeared in his only Euro-western as Colonel Diego in “Guns of the Magnificent Seven” (1969) starring George Kennedy.
 
Ansara, who was married for a brief time in the 1950s to the late Jean Byron, who played the mom on The Patty Duke Show. Then actress Barbara Eden of ‘I Dream of Jeannie’ fame from 1958-74. Their son, Matthew Michael Ansara, died in 2001. An actor, he died of an accidental heroin overdose at age 35.
 
Survivors include Beverly, his wife of 36 years, his sister Rose, his niece Michelle and nephew

Michael John.

Caine Black Knife by Matthew Woodring Stover

Three years have passed since Hari Michaelson - better known to two worlds as Caine - defeated his enemies, left the rancid and overpopulated Earth behind and escaped to Overworld to live in peace. When his adopted ogrillo brother Orbek goes missing in the Boedecken, Caine is reluctantly pulled back to the site of his first and greatest adventure, the one that won him his name, and he finds that he must finally face the ramifications of the huge events that happened twenty-five years earlier.

Caine Black Knife is the third novel in the Acts of Caine series. With every book in this series, author Matt Stover seems to enjoy changing gears, shifting genres, mixing up casts and generally wrong-footing the audience. After Blade of Tyshalle, a massive, epic and weighty (in terms of both size and theme) tome, Stover resists the urge to go bigger and more apocalyptic. Instead he strips things down, delivering the shortest and most focused novel in the series.

Caine Black Knife at heart is a detective story. Caine is trying to find out where his friend Orbek has gone and, once that's done, what the hell is going on in the Boedecken Waste. Caine is not happy to be back, as his former visit transformed him into a superstar but at the cost of enormous numbers of lives and only by Caine performing some truly heinous acts. The novel is divided into chapters that alternate between Caine's investigation in the past and flashbacks to his first adventure in the Boedecken. Some familiar faces return (or are discussed at length) from the first two books but for the most part this is a new and stand-alone adventure.

Caine is a complex protagonist at the best of times, and in this novel Stover has to show him twice over at different points in his life. The contrast between the more ruthless and selfish 25-year-old Caine and his 50-year-old, half-crippled, more cynical but also more reflective and (dare we say it) guiltier older self is fascinating. Caine is driven by his demons and ghosts in this novel, but Stover cleverly avoids undercutting the character development from the previous two books: Caine has made his peace with a lot of the problems he had previously and even made something of a new life for himself before he is drawn into Orbek's problems.

The shorter page count and tighter focus means more action and plot development, but never at the expense of characterisation. The cast is much smaller than Blade of Tyshalle, but we still get to meet several Knights of Khryl (a bunch of fanatical warriors who somehow manage to be unlike any other bunch of fanatical religious warriors you've ever met in a fantasy novel) and a bunch of Caine's past associates. Stover has a gift for fleshing out even briefly-appearing characters, with even the staff and patrons of the inn Caine is staying it getting developed and involved in the storyline. Also, whilst black, cynical humour has always been part of the series, it feels a bit more prominent in this volume which helps alleviate the grimness.

This is a pretty dark book - if not quite as harrowingly bleak as Blade of Tyshalle - but Stover manages to sidestep a lot of the problems associated with modern 'grimdark' fantasy. The violence is prominent but never feels gratuitous. Apart from Caine, most of the major and important characters in the book are female (as in the previous two, for that matter) and whilst sexual assault is implied, it is kept firmly off-page and treated with seriousness. There's a strong undercurrent of tragedy and inevitability running through the book and Stover even subverts his own 'happy ending' for a couple of the characters by pointing out how they died during another adventure years later.

If there is a problem with the book, it's that it feels like a stand-alone but ends abruptly with numerous plot strands left unresolved. Though irritating on release (with a four-year gap for the next volume), this is not a problem now since the fourth book, Caine's Law, is already available.

Caine Black Knife (*****) is Stover once again changing the way he writes and even the genre (to an extent) and still coming up with a gripping, intelligent and original fantasy novel. Outstanding. The book is available now in the USA and as an ebook-only release in the UK.

SEVERINO

 

Severino – German title

Severino - Der Sohn des großen Häuptlings kehrt zurück – German title
Severino – Geheimnis vom Condor Pass – German title
Odvážný Severino - Czechoslovakian title
Uklancu kondora – Yugoslavian title
Severino – English title
 
A 1977 East German, Romanian co-production [DEFA (Potsdam-Babelsburg), Buftea-Stufio (Bucharest)]
Producer: Gerrit List
Director: Claus Dobberke
Story: “Der Sohn des großen Häuptlings kehrt zurück” by Eduard Klein
Screenplay: Inge Borde
Cinematography: Hans Heinrich [color]
Music: Günther Fischer
Running time: 87 minutes
 
Cast:
Severino – Gojko Mitic
Maruja – Violeta Andrei
Blas – Constantin Fugasin
Nicolas – Mircea Anghelescu
Domingo – Emanoil Petrut
Sergeant – Leon Niemczyk
Juan Cortinez – Helmut Schreiber
Luis Cortinez – Thomas Wolff
Barman– Zephi Alsec
Pedro – Romulus Barbulescu
Manzenero Chief - Jurie Darie (Iurie Darie)
Ghost Rider - Ion Dichiseanu
Halfbreed – Virgil Andronic
Black – Nicolae Dide
Marilluan – Gheorghe Mazilu
Marilluan’s wife – Mioara Florea
Marilluan’s daughter – Adriana Boldijar
Diego – Dan Dobre
Tobias – Viorel Moises
With: Willi Schrade, Marcel Anghelescu, Gheorghe Constantinescu, Boris Gawritzki, Gheorghe Mazilu (Nae Mazilu), Peniuc Nicolae, Constantin Radulescu

Severino returns to his tribe - the Manzeneros, who live on the edge of the Argentinian Andes - after being gone for 10 years. He has returned to take his younger brother back with him up north, but encounters a host of problems in his home village instead. His father Raymundo, who was on the trail of a gang of white bandits, who were stealing cattle from both Indians and settlers, has been recently found dead. A sheep-ranching company turns out to be behind this criminal activity. The company wants to drive the Indians and settlers off the fertile land so that they can purchase it for nothing. Severino decides to remain in his home village to defend it from them, but also because he has fallen in love with Maruja, the granddaughter of the old chief Nicolas, who is filled with hatred against the white settlers. True to form, Nicolas calls for war against the settlers. Severino tries to mediate between the hostile parties. With his own savings, Severino buys back the land that once rightfully belonged to the Indians. In doing so, he not only wins over a number of supporters from his own tribe, but he is also able to unmask the bandits, who had been trying to stir up discord between the whites and Indians. The stubborn chief Nicolas, however, refuses to give up his war plans: in his eyes, Severino is a traitor deserving only death. Maruja now has to save Severino's life from his own tribe.

 

YouTube trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sIVaEC1uH4

Bag Salad Causes Major Stomach Illnesses In 16 States FDA Refuses to Name Manufacturer

Ok this is pissing me off and I don't even live in the affected areas. There is a major out break of diarrhea and the CDC and FDA have linked it to a brand of bagged salad. The exact cause of the diarrhea is cyclospora. Which means that this lettuce has come into contact with feces. EWWWW!!! Now the CDC and FDA both know who the manufacturer is of the bagged salad but they claim since the expiration date on the bags has come and gone there is no need to name the company. Because they feel all of the infected bags have been sold or tossed out. That's not the point, what if there are new bags out there that also have new lettuce which is contaminated? I dont want to take the chance on buying from that company until we know for sure they have cleaned up their contaminated production lines. As of July 29th there have been 372 cases, 145 from Iowa, the rest are from Texas, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Illinois, Georgia, Missouri, Arkansas, Conneticut, Kansas, Minnesota, New Jersey, Ohio and New York. Hey, do you wash your bag salad? I dont. Its supposed to be washed and ready to eat right out of the bag, right. My ex used to wash it then spin it. I just take a visual look at it for bugs and frogs. hahahaha I saw that on the news the other night, some chick opened up a bag of kale and there was a tiny green frog in there. EWWWW!!!! Thank God I dont eat kale!!! hahahaha Anyway, I think I'm going to write a letter to the CDC and FDA demanding that they release the name of the manufacturer of the bag salad in question! We have a right to know who they are!!!

Joan Collins FURIOUS At Shirley Jones for Labeling Her a Swinger in New Memoirs

Apparently Shirley Jones just released a new memoir and in it she talks about her life back in the 1960s and 1970s when she was married to actor Jack Cassidy (father of David and Shaun Cassidy). In one anecdote, Shirley remembers going to Joan Collins house for dinner. Well dinner wasn't the only thing on the menu. Joan Collins's husband at the time was Tony Newley. According to Shirley, Tony suggested that they all get naked and watch some porn. Shirley, states "I am nowhere near as breezy and uncomplicated as Mrs. Partridge". Shirley claims that she refused to strip because she thought Tony was angling to swap spouses. Of course he was! DUH! Joan however, says she was not a swinger! and actually went so far as to send a cease and desist letter from her attorney to Shirley to stop telling tales about her. hahahaha Joan dahling, they aren't tales if they are true. hahahaha Personally, I think Jack and Tony may have cooked up the naked porn watching scenario so that the 2 men could get together. hahahaha Jack was definitely bisexual and I wouldn't be surprised if Tony Newley wasn't either. And I remember that Joan was married to a gay man, you know one of those "white" marriages. I cant remember which of her husbands it was, but it might have been Tony. So, sit down and shut up Joan. You aint fooling NO ONE!

Simon Cowell Named As "Other Man" in Divorce Action; Knocks Up Wife of Good Friend

WOW! This is shocking! Simon Cowell has stolen the wife of a good friend, Andrew Silverman and impregnated his wife, Lauren. Andrew has named Simon as the "other man" in his divorce with Lauren. No word on the sex of the baby. I'm thinking girl. hahahaha Good Luck Simon, I know this relationship wont last either. How you lose them is how you get them. hahahaha

Randy Travis Was Released from Hospital and is Now In a Rehab Facility

Country Singer Randy Travis has been released from The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano near Dallas on Wed and is now in a rehabilitation hospital. Randy is recovering from congestive heart failure and a stroke. I guess our prayers were answered. Thank God. Good Luck Randy.

Congratulations to Gays in Minnesota and Rhode Island!!! Gay Marriage is Now Legal There!!!

Yeah, this is really good news. We have 2 more states where Gays can legally marry, Minnesota and Rhode Island. So, congratulations go out to all of the happy couples on their wedding day!!!  With the addition of these 2 states 25% of the United States allow gay marriage. Hello, to the other 75, get on board! hahahaha

Happy 75th Birthday Stan Cooper

Stelvio Rosi was born on August 1, 1938 in Rome, Italy. He became one of the most prominent young actors of the 1960s for his prowess and good looks. He was used almost exclusively as an interpreter of youth comedies and musical-comedy flicks. He also appeared in some more complex dramas such as in the film “La voglia matta” (1962) by Luciano Salce and with in “The Leopard” (1963). Rosi then became Stan Cooper in five Euro-westerns from “Franco & Cicci’s on the Warpath” (1969) to “Stay Away from Trinity... When He Comes to Eldorado”. At the same time he appeared in crime and war films. In 1973 he retired from films and is now living in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and is a video producer.

Today we celebrate Stan Cooper’s 75^th birthday.

[Special thanks to my friend Daniel Camargo for the recent photo of him and our birthday boy Stan Cooper.]

Happy 95th Birthday Artur Brauner

Abraham ‘Artur’ Brauner was born on August 1, 1918 in Łódź, Polen. A Polish film producer and entrepreneur, he was born to a Jewish family. With his parents and four siblings, he fled to the Soviet Union and survived the Holocaust. Following the war, he and his brother, Wolf Brauner emigrated to Berlin while his parents and three of his siblings emigrated to Israel. Twelve of his relatives were killed at Babi Yar, just a portion of the 49 who perished at the hands of the Nazis.

 
As a young man he saw Fritz Lang's film “The Testament of Dr. Mabuse” (1933) that affected him greatly, making him interested in film. In September 1946 he founded the Central Cinema Company or CCC Films in the American sector of Berlin. He produced “Sag' die Wahrheit” (1946), one of the first films produced in Germany after the war, followed by “Morituri” (1948), which was a commercial failure and threw him into debt. Brauner realized that to produce critically successful films he had to make up their losses by producing critically derided films that were appreciated by the public. He lured back many Germans who had experience in Hollywood such as Robert Siodmak and later Fritz Lang who started a revival of Dr. Mabuse.
 
In the 1960s Brauner produced nine Euro-westerns from “Old Shatterhand” (1964) to “Winnetou and Shatterhand in the Valley of Death” 1968).
 
In 2009, Yad Vashem received a donation of 21 of Brauner's productions having to do with the Holocaust, including “Die Weiße Rose” (1982), “The Plot to Assassinate Hitler” (aka “Der 20. Juli”) (1955) and “Mensch und Bestie” (1963). In 2010, Yad Vashem opened a media center in Brauner's name. Brauner called it the "crowning achievement of my film career".
 
Today we celebrate one of the great German producers Artur Brauner on his 95^th birthday.

TGI Fridays Fined Half a Million Dollars for Serving Cheap Alcohol

TGI Fridays and several other restaurants on the East Coast were involved in Operation Swill and as a result of that sting operation TGI Fridays was fined $500,000.00 for cheating customers. 13 TGI Fridays plus 16 other establishments were targeted. Not only were the TGI Fridays substituting cheap alcohol for Top Shelf brand stuff, but some of them were actually substituting rubbing alcohol with caramel coloring for scotch and other premium bottles were refilled with water that was not even clean. EWWW!!! If I were the customers on the East Coast, I would file a class action lawsuit. Are things really that bad on the East Coast?

RIP Stanley Margolis



May 29, 1934 - July 14, 2013 Stanley Margolis passed away at UCLA Medical on Sunday July, 14. Stanley was born and raised in London, England and was a gifted athlete. He was a member of the All-England Schoolboys cricket team and well-respected boxer. Known as a financial wiz kid he became an accountant and entrepreneur. He and partners Tony Tenser and Laurie Marsh formed British Tigon Films, producing many popular films including "Hannie Caluder," staring Raquel Welch. Stanley produced "True Romance." Stanley bred and raced greyhounds. His dog Black Jack Dealer was the 1986 Championship Winner at Naples-Fort Myers Dog Track 3-8 mile Derby. In 1976 Stanley moved with his family to Southern California. He founded FinMgt where he managed the business affairs of well-known artists. His parents; Samuel and Ivy; Sister, Frances, and brother-in law, Paul Swanson; and son Alex preceded him in death. He is survived by wife Angela, daughter Rachel, son-in-law, David and grandchildren, Cynthia and Christopher.

A sneak peek at the Dance of Dragons

Thanks to Tor.com, both a sneak peek and a review of the new George R.R. Martin Song of Ice and Fire novella is now available. The Princess and the Queen is a maester's account of the Dance of Dragons, the brutal civil war that took place between differing branches of the Targaryen family approximately 170 years before the events of A Game of Thrones. This civil war almost wiped out the Targaryen family and most of its dragons (the few surviving dragons died a few years after the war).

Rhaenyra Targaryen, the titular princess of the story.

The Princess and the Queen will be published in the Dangerous Women anthology, due out in December this year. At 33,000 words it's the longest story in the collection and clocks in at rather more than a tenth of the length of A Game of Thrones itself. It's a condensed version of a much longer story that Martin plans to publish in a collection - working title 'The GRRMarillion' - once A Song of Ice and Fire is fully completed. The World of Ice and Fire (due next year) will draw on both in its own account of the Dance of Dragons.

Martin is currently working on The Winds of Winter, the sixth and (hopefully) penultimate volume of A Song of Ice and Fire itself. In recent interviews he has said he is writing quickly, but not fast enough to give any indication of a release date.

RIP MIchel Lemoine

[Michel Lemoine & Lee Burton]

 

French actor and director Michel Lemoine died at his home in Vinon, Centre, France on July 27, 2013. He was 90.

 
Lemoine made ​​his film debut in late 1943 and worked for directors such as Sacha Guitry and Julien Duvivier. His physique gave him the opportunity to compete for roles as a romantic leading man but also to explore roles as mysterious and disturbing characters. Throughout the 1960s, he toured extensively in Italy, in peplums, spaghetti westerns and in fantasy films. He also worked for Jess Franco and José Bénazéraf. In the 1970s he was seen mainly in erotic films.
 
As a director he mingled eroticism with drama and comedy working with Janine Reynaud and his wife, along with his favorite performers, Martine Azencot, Nathalie Zeiger and Marie-Hélène Kingdom.
 
He turned reluctantly towards making pornographic films using his most often pseudonym Michel Leblanc directing Olinka Hardiman who he made a star of X films (“Marilyn, mon amour”). In 1976, his film “Les Week-ends maléfiques du Comte Zaroff” was prohibited in theaters by French censorship.
 
He left the acting profession in the 1990s, and made only sporadic appearances.
 
Lemoine appeared in two Euro-westerns: “The Road to Fort Alamo” (1964) starring Ken Clark and directed by Mario Bava and “Cemetery Without Crosses” (1968) directed by and starring Robert Hossein.

The Seventh

The Seventh - International title

 
A 2009 British production [Anti /Type Films, Short Night Films (London)]
Producer: Laurence Campbell, Lyle Jackson, Ruth Whittaker, Ben Cook
Director: Laurence Campbell
Story: Laurence Campbell
Screenplay: Laurence Campbell
Cinematography: Lyle Jackson [color]
Music: Fever Blank
Running time: 21 minutes
 
Cast:
Old Man - Stephen Campbell
Young Man - Laurence Campbell

Deep into the rugged landscape two men fight for survival. One gets the upper hand and the journey begins. The earth and the soul become one as the fever takes hold. Hunted or feared, paranoia and confusion chase both men on their trip through the feral and ungoverned lands.  The reality of death in times of no hope is a brutal realisation for the men and as young becomes old, and another cycle is complete, the old must find their new place.

Link to the full length film: http://antitypefilms.co.uk/?page_id=237

Who Are ThoseGal? - Laura Betti

Laura Betti was born Laura Trombetti in Casalecchio di Reno, Emilia Romagna, Italy on May 1 1927. Her childhood was spent in Bologna under the ominous shadow of Mussolini's Fascist repression. But when the Second World War ended and freedom was finally restored in Italy, Laura Trombetti first rebelled by shortening her name to Betti. Soon she was gathering a sulphurous reputation in the new hot spots of Rome's café society as it reveled once more in social and artistic freedom.

 

This blonde and flamboyant actress started her career as a jazz singer. Betti made her film debut in Federico Fellini's “La Dolce Vita” (1960). In 1963, she became a close friend of the poet and movie director Pier Paolo Pasolini, for whom she made a documentary after his death. Under Pasolini's direction she proved a wonderful talent, in many films like “La ricotta” (1963) and “Teorema” (1968). In 1976, she portrayed a cruel and erotic-maniacal fascist in “1900”, directed by Bernardo Bertolucci. She remained the keeper of Pasolini’s flame to the end, and even wrote a novel about him, Teta veleta (1979). Her readings kept his memory alive, and in 2001 she issued a documentary about him, presented at the Venice Film Festival. She oversaw the issue of restored versions of all his films, and on April 24, 2004, ceremoniously presented all of Pasolini's archives to Bologna's film library.

Since the 1960s, she had dedicated much of her time to literature and politics. She became the muse for a number of leading political and literary figures in Italy and came to personify the revolutionary and Marxist era of 1970s Italy.

 

Laura appeared in three Euro-westerns: “Companeros”, “A Man Called Sledge” (both 1970) and “Sonny and Jed” (1972). Laura also appeared as herself in the western documentary “Arrivano i vostro” (1984).

 

Later in her career she became a TV and voice actress before dying in Rome, Italy on July 31, 2004.

 

BETTI, Laura (Laura Trombetti)[5/1/1927, Casalecchio di Reno, Emilia-Romagna, Italy - 7/31/2004, Rome, Lazio, Italy] - singer, stage, TV, voice actress.

Companeros! – 1970 [Italian voice of Karin Schubert]
A Man Called Sledge - 1970 (sister)
Sonny and Jed - 1972
Arrivano i vostri (TV) - 1984 [herself]

UCSD Student Held for 4 and a half Days Without Food and Water Gets $4.1 Million From US Government

This is an absolutely BIZARRE story; sounds like some bad B movie plot. April 2012, student Daniel Chong goes over to a friends house to smoke some weed and hangout. When all of a sudden the DEA and San Diego Police break the door down for a drug raid. Daniel, and 8 others are taken are taken into custody. After his interview, a San Diego Police Officer puts Daniel into a windowless room telling him no charges will be filed against him and they will "come back for him in a minute". But that's not true. For the next 4 and half days Daniel is handcuffed and locked in that room alone with no food or water and NO ONE checks on him. Daniel goes through hell while in that room which was only 8 ft by 10 ft. Daniel urinated on a metal bench so that he would have something to drink, he defecated on himself because, he had no bathroom privileges, on day 3 he started hallucinating, he thought the DEA agents were trying to kill by gassing him through the air vents, and his kidneys failed. Finally on day 4 Daniel was able to get one of his shoe laces under the door and he was screaming his lungs out and finally someone heard him and he was rescued. Wow, can you imagine being locked in a tiny room like that for 4 days? I think he should have gotten $40 million!!! The DEA claims they are flabbergasted and do not know how such an incident could have happened. They now have cameras in all of the cells and do mandatory checks daily. Big WHOOP. That sounds like a dollar short and a day late. This young man could have died! Locking him in a windowless room for 4 days with out food or water is pure torture! I don't know if I could drink my own urine, under any circumstance. (cringes) Daniel was suffering from severe dehydration and kidney failure when he was finally found and he had lost 15 lbs. DEA are still investigating the incident and so far no one has been disciplined or fired over the incident. Personally, I think everyone who participated in the raid should be fired and brought up on charges. They knew how many people were detained that day; and someone should have been keeping an eye on the disposition of each of the detainees. I also think that the San Diego Police officer who put him in the room should fired and charged criminally, and the commanding officer of the DEA unit that did the raid should be fired and charged. How will anyone learn from their mistake unless there are consequences for their actions?

Shelby from Ax Men Gets His Own New Show: The Legend of Shelby the Swamp Man

I am so excited about this new show. It's called The Legend of Shelby the Swamp Man starring Shelby Stanga from Ax Men. He is such a nut. If you go logging with him, I hope you have full medical coverage and its all paid up. Because you will probably be injured on his boat! hahahahaha On one of the Ax Men's show Shelby was flying through the swamp way too close to the trees when he hit some branches and knocked the camera crew off the top of his boat. Luckily for them cousin Belinda was underneath them and the cute camera guy landed on top of her fat ass. They only ended up with some bruises and scratches. Another episode, Shelby was flying through the swamp at a high rate of speed when once again he hit some low hanging branches which broke his windshield on his boat causing glass to go flying and his worker got a big gash in his arm. I know that required at least 10 stitches. And on another episode Shelby and his worker were riding on his big quad boat thing and he slams into something sending the worker flying forward and he jams his arm on chain saw causing a giant gash in his arm too. That one was at least 15 or 20 stitches. Shelby is a fool, he wears women's underwear and has the cutest dog, named Willy. I'm sure his show is going to be a big hit, and it will definitely NOT be boring! Good Luck Shelby and Congratulations! His show airs at 10 pm on Tues Aug 6th on the History Network.

Keisha Cole's Husband Arrested for Assault and Battery!

Keisha Cole's husband, Daniel Gibson, turned himself in to New Orleans Police for assault and battery charges stemming from an argument and subsequent fight that happened on July 8 at a night club. Some guy at the club made some rude comments about Keisha and Daniel responded with his fists, breaking dude's jaw. hahahahaha I sure he learned his lesson. Daniel Gibson is professional basketball player who used to play for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Daniel is now out on bond.

Bieber Gets Walked On Over Disrespect To Stanley Cup and Blackhawks

Okay I am no fan of Justin Biebers, but this is just crazy and stupid!!! Bieber was taking a private tour of the Blackhawks's locker room to visit the Stanley Cup and while there he stepped onto the giant logo on the floor to take pictures of the Stanley Cup. Well now every one's panties are in a bunch over that. They are all squawking that it was a sign of disrespect. Bieber also touched the cup a couple of times, on my lord what for, Blackhawks's fan are pissed at that too. Hey people, here's an idea, if you don't want people walking on your logo, DO NOT PUT IT ON THE FLOOR! And if you don't want people touching the Stanley Cup, PUT IT IN A GLASS CASE OR PUT A ROPE AROUND THE TABLE IT SITS ON!!! Good lord!!! GIVE ME A FUCKING BREAK!!! So what do the Blackhawks's fans do? The go to some fan convention where there is a display for Justin Bieber and a big pic of his face on the floor and they start tweeting pics of themselves standing on his face. YAWN! Wow, how petty can you be? GROW UP PEOPLE!!!

New York State Appeals Court Upholds Lower Court Ban on Sugary Drink Ban Law

Yeah, I am so happy about this decision! New York State Appeals Court has upheld the lower courts ruling on that STUPID law on sugary drinks that Mayor Bloomberg came up with. And in its decision it stated that the Mayor "overstepped his authority in trying to impose the ban". Bloomberg claims the ban is needed to stop diabetes and obesity in the state of New York. I say he was trying to create a "mommy state". As a grown man, NO ONE can tell me what to eat or drink. That's part of being an adult that I get to make ALL of those decisions unfettered! Be they good or bad for me. It is MY BODY and therefore MY DECISION. PERIOD!!! Another thing that pissed me off about this sugary drink ban was that there all kinds of exceptions.For example, if the drink was milk based like a milk shake or a Starbuck's Frappucino it was exempt. That is just stupid! If you are going to ban sugary drinks then ban ALL of them! Especially milk shakes, they have an even higher sugar content than a 32 oz soda. Thank God this is Bloomberg's last term as Mayor! He's reached his term limit finally! hahahaha I say good riddance!

Actress and Former Braodway Star Eileen Brennan, Dead at 80

Hollywood has lost another legend. Actress and former Broadway star Eileen Brennan died on Sunday from Bladder Cancer; she was 80yrs old. Eileen started her career on Broadway acting in musicals, she then moved to Hollywood and had an even bigger career. She appeared in some of my favorite comedies, like "Private Benjamin" and "Clue". But I think one of her biggest roles for me was when she had a recurring role on "Will and Grace" as Jack's acting teacher. She was HELL of funny on there! Rest in Peace Eileen.

Traitor Bradley Manning Aquitted of Aiding the Enemy! But Convicted Him on Other Charges!

This is just disgusting! I think Army Col. Denise Lind should be court marshaled herself! But today she acquitted PFC Bradley Manning of Aiding the Enemy but convicted him on espionage, theft and computer fraud charges. Manning is a TRAITOR! And he deserves the DEATH PENALTY! All TRAITORS deserve to die for their crimes. If you kill him for his crimes he will never be able to do it again! Or if he has more classified info hidden somewhere, he will never be able to get to it and give it away also. I don't understand why we stopped putting traitors to death? Manning is the Army private who while in Afghanistan back in 2009 gave away thousands of documents to Wikileaks who then disseminated some of them to the public. Not only were some of the documents about the Afghan war but also about the Viet Nam War. I know our Government is not perfect, no government on this planet is. But it's ours and its all we have and they do a bang up job protecting us against the terrorists. And Manning is not the only TRAITOR who has given away secrets recently, Edward Snowden is another one. Snowden was a civilian contractor who worked in Hawaii for a company that monitored secret wiretaps on terrorists and people who communicated with terrorists. I've said it b4 and I'll say it again, the US Government can monitor my phone calls all it wants, because I am not a terrorist nor am I committing any crimes. And if you are not guilty, who cares! Only guilty people will get mad about getting surveiled. Besides the Government was not watching everyone, it was monitoring calls between suspected terrorists and known terrorists or terrorist organizations. Mannings sentencing hearing begins on Wed and he faces up to 128 yrs in prison. He doesn't deserve to be in prison, he deserves a needle in his arm. However, if he must go to prison, send his punk ass to Leavenworth where he can make little rocks out of big rocks. hahahahaha Personally, I think what these 2 dick head's problems are, they are 2 insignificant losers who wanted to be famous and unfortunately for us, they were privy to classified information. And what better way to become famous than to leak classified info to the media. Talk about attention whores! Now both of them are the center of attention everywhere they go!!!

San Diego Mayor Bob Filner is a Sex Pervert!

This is so disgusting I hate writing about it! If you've been watching the news, San Diego Mayor Bob Filner has been accused of sexual harassment by a total of 7 women. Sounds to me like he has a problem. The first woman, Irene McCormack Jackson,  to accuse him was his communications director. According to Ms Jackson's lawsuit, the Mayor demanded kisses, told her to come to work without panties on, and that he wanted to see her naked. Is that disgusting or what?! And have you seen him, Bob Filner, he is hell of UGLY! His face looks like a giant raisin, all wrinkled with big giant pores and beady little eyes. He couldn't touch me even if he paid me. hahahaha And if he were the last man on earth, I'd turn straight. hahahahaha ( that was a read hahahaha) Anyway, the 7 women have provided detail accounts of the lewd unwanted advances made by the Mayor, along with unwanted touching and his slobbering kisses. EWW I think I just threw up in my mouth! hahahaha The Mayor is a divorcee but I wonder who that woman is that is often seen holding hands with on the news? Is she his ex wife or is she his girlfriend? Either way, she needs help. She's not a bad looking woman, but what the hell is she doing with that old troll? hahaha So not only is the Mayor a pervert, but now he wants the City Council of San Diego to pay his legal bills. Oh HELL NO! Why should the City of San Diego pay his legal bills? That is NOT right. He is being sued because he is a filthy sex pig. Not because of anything he did in his capacity as Mayor. And since 7 members of the city council have asked him to resign, it's not looking good for the Mayor. Oh well so sad, too bad! haahhaha

Arsenio Hall Set to Return to Late Night Talk Show on Sept 9th

Yeah, I am so happy that this is finally happening! Arsenio Hall is returning to the late night talk show arena. The New Arsenio Hall Show will debut on Sept 9th, look out Jay Leno and Jimmy Kimmel, your days are numbered. I remember the old Arsenio Hall show which aired between 1989 and 1994, it was HELL of funny. He always had such good guests and there was always good banter with those guests and BEST of all such good musical performances, like Diana Ross, Luther Van dross, Mariah Carey, Jasmine Guy, etc etc. I'll definitely be watching and so should you! hahahaha

Teresa and Joe Guidice Released on $500,000.00 Bond Each Today

Teresa and Giuseppe "Joe" Giudice were both released on $500,000.00 bond today after initial appearances on federal fraud charges. Things could be even worst for "Joe", if convicted he could be deported back to Italy, because he is not a citizen. Wow, did you know that? I sure didn't. He speaks English without any accent at all. And they've been married for a really long time, I wonder why he hasn't become a citizen?? Aww too bad Joe. He's a cute little brickhouse firecracker. hahahaha Anyway, the couple faces 39 counts of wire fraud, mail fraud, and making false statements on loan applications.

New DVD Release

Hanging for Django

(Una lunga fila di croci)
(1969)
 
Director: Sergio Garrone
Starring: Anthony Steffen, William Berger
 
Label: Raro Video
Region: A, Blu-ray
Aspect ratio:
Languages: Italian, English DD 2.0 mono
Subtitles: English
Sound: Mono
Running time: 97 minutes
Extras: Digitally restored, trailer, Documentary: Bounty Killer for a Massacre, fully illustratebooklet
Available: July 30, 2013

Happy 65th Birthday Carel Struycken

Carel Struycken was born on July 30, 1948 in the Hague, The Netherlands. He is the brother of actor Peter Struycken. When he was four years old his family moved to Curacao, an island in the Caribbean. At age sixteen, he returned to his country, where he finished high school. He graduated from the directing program at the film school in Amsterdam, following which he did a year at the American Film Institute in Los Angeles.

 
After school, he collaborated on a number of projects of writer/director Rene Daalder. He was "discovered" as an actor at the corner of Hollywood and Vine in Los Angeles by a lady who had abandoned her car in the middle of the street, calling after him, "We need you for a movie!". The movie was “Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band” (1978). The turning point in his acting career however was “Ewoks: The Battle for Endor” (1985) (TV), a George Lucas film. In addition to cinema, he has also appeared on TV, notably as the recurring character, valet Mr. Homn, on "Star Trek: The Next Generation" (1987).
 
Stuycken has appeared in two Euro-westerns: “Oblivion” (1993) and “Backlash: Oblivion 2” (1994) playing Mr. Gaunt in both.
 
Carel has also helped in hardware and software development of virtual reality systems.
 
Today we celebrate Carel Stuycken’s 65^thbirthday.

Happy 80th Birthday Edd Byrnes

Born Edward Byrne Breitenberger in New York City on July 30, 1933, Edd Byrnes shared an impoverished and unhappy childhood with his brother Vincent and sister Jo-Ann. Their mother worked hard at various jobs to keep the family together because her alcoholic husband was often absent from the scene. When Edd was 13 his father was found dead in a basement. Edd then dropped his last name in favor of "Byrnes", based on the name of his maternal grandfather, a New York City fireman. Edd found escape from family problems at the movies and at the gym, where he developed an athletic body. At age 17 he was approached by a man who offered to take free "physique" photos of him. According to Edd's 1996 autobiography, "Kookie No More", this led to a few years of "hustling" older, well-to-do men, despite the fact that Edd was heterosexual. One of these men acted as Edd's mentor, introducing him to fashion and culture and encouraging his hopes for an acting career.

 
After doing some summer-stock work and a few bit parts on TV, Edd drove to California in 1955, arriving in Los Angeles on the day James Dean died in a car crash. He managed to get a few minor parts in films and then won a role in a new TV series called ‘77 Sunset Strip’ (1958), which premiered in September of 1958. Edd, played a hip-talking parking-lot attendant named "Kookie". Viewers started quoting his dialog, ("Baby, you're the ginchiest!"), and young males imitated the way he wielded his ever-present comb. His fan mail soon reached an astonishing 15,000 letters a week and his single with Connie Stevens, "Kookie, Kookie, Lend Me Your Comb", became a top-5 hit. Edd chafed, however, at the restrictions in his Warner Brothers contract, which forced him to turn down roles in “Ocean's Eleven” (1960), “North to Alaska” (1960) and “Rio Bravo” (1959). He walked off the ‘77 Sunset Strip’ set and in the ensuing months began to drink heavily and visit a psychiatrist, who administered drugs to him. His contract dispute was eventually settled; though not much to his advantage, and when he returned to ‘77 Sunset Strip’ his role was upgraded from "sidekick" to "partner" and he wore a suit and tie. Audience reaction was not good, ratings dropped, and the show was canceled. The hip-talking, hair-combing image clung to him, however, and Edd felt he lost the lead in “PT 109” (1963) because President John F. Kennedy didn't want to be played by "Kookie." A few more movies and TV appearances followed, but his career had passed its peak before he turned 30.
 
Edd went to Europe in the mid-1960s and made a few films including three Euro-westerns: “Any Gun Can Play”, “Payment in Blood” and “Professionals for a Massacre” all in 1967.
 
In 1962 he married long-time girlfriend Asa Maynor. Their son, Logan, was born on September 13, 1965. Edd and Asa's marriage ended in divorce in 1971. He never remarried, and remains proud of his son who is a FOX news anchor in Connecticut since 2008. Edd has come to terms with his role as television's first teen idol and released an autobiography in 1996 entitled Kookie No More.
 
Today we celebrate Edd Byrnes 80^th birthday.