SEAN CONNERY'S BIRTHDAY

SEAN CONNERY was born on August 25th, 1930 in Edinburgh, Scotland. 

According to WIKIPEDIA: 

In 2004, a poll in the UK Sunday Herald recognised Connery as "The Greatest Living Scot" and a 2011 EuroMillions survey named him "Scotland's Greatest Living National Treasure".  He was voted by People magazine as the "Sexiest Man Alive" in 1989 and the "Sexiest Man of the Century" in 1999. Connery shares the record for the most portrayals as James Bond with Roger Moore (with seven apiece). In June 1965, Time magazine observed "James Bond has developed into the biggest mass-cult hero of the decade".

YOU KNOW YOU'RE REALLY OLD WHEN...

As you get on in years, you find yourself a little clumsier, a little more absent-minded and a little more klutzy in every way there is. Don't worry! As an old man, you're expected to drop things, fall constantly everywhere, make inappropriate comments and generally, making a nuisance out of yourself. In short, you become a master of low comedy. That's life!

Sightseeing at the Big Apple!

REMEMBERING MR. HARDY

 On this date, 66 years ago, the world lost one of its brightest and funniest comedians. 

We remember Oliver Hardy, who, as his plaque declares, was: 

"A GENIUS OF COMEDY. HIS TALENT BROUGHT JOY AND LAUGHTER TO ALL THE WORLD."

THE BARBENHEIMER EFFECT!

                                 Caught between the Pink Wave and the Atomic Bomb!

From WIKIPEDIA: Barbenheimer is an Internet phenomenon that began circulating on social media before the simultaneous theatrical release of two blockbuster films, Barbie and Oppenheimer, on July 21, 2023, in the United States and several other countries. The word is a portmanteau of the films' titles. The dramatic difference between Barbie—a fantasy comedy by Greta Gerwig about the fashion doll Barbie—and Oppenheimer—an epic biographical thriller by Christopher Nolan about physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, scientific director of the Manhattan Project, which developed the first nuclear weapons during World War II—prompted a comedic response from Internet users, including memes and merchandise. Polygon described the two films as "extreme opposites", and Variety called the phenomenon "the movie event of the year".

MY TOP TEN ALL-TIME BEST CROONERS LIST

With the passing of Tony Bennett, this past July 21, one of the last remaining male singers from the great Golden Era of Pop Crooners was gone. I've always had great admiration for singers, especially since I can't utter a single good note with my vocal chords. In honor of Tony Bennett and all of the rest, I've compiled my personal list of great crooners, starting with number one, the top of the line and personal favorite, Frank Sinatra!

                                                              1) FRANK SINATRA

2) NAT KING COLE

 

3) DEAN MARTIN

4) BING CROSBY

5) SAMMY DAVIS JR.

6) TONY BENNETT

7) ANDY WILLIAMS

8) MATT MONRO

9) HARRY BELAFONTE

10) JACK JONES

As of this time, Jack Jones is the only performer in this list who is still with us. 

May he long continue to be so!

Spanish comic strip artist Francisco Ibáñez, creator of "Mortadelo & Filemón", dies aged 87.

The Digital De-Aging Process in Movies

Watching the fifth and last Indiana Jones movie, you can spot one of the latest developments in SFX, namely, the digital de-aging process. According to Wikipedia: "In motion pictures, whether for film (cinema), television, or streaming, de-aging is a visual effects technique used to make an actor or actress look younger, especially for flashback scenes. This is often accomplished via digitally editing the image or using computer-generated imagery (CGI) overlays or touch-ups."

In cartoons, the process is very easily achieved, as you can see here:

In real life pictures, the process is more complicated, but the results are similar:

However, the question remains: why can't they create something like this on real human beings?

INDIANA JONES GOES OUT WITH A BANG!

The new and last INDIANA JONES adventure has been released to rather lukewarm reviews from the critics but also, to generally delighted audiences and the franchise starring Harrison Ford has apparently ended its run with the fifth installment which I think is a wise decision. In my opinion, in spite of a few misses here and there, the series goes out with a bang.

FAREWELL, INDY!

When the pandemic lockdown was declared, some people freaked out and went on a toilet paper hoarding spree. And toilet paper became as valuable as anything Indiana Jones might search for. 

Thus, this 2020 cartoon:

I vaguely recall I once played an Indiana Jones inspired character on a comedy stage play many years ago. Can't remember the plot or the play's title but I can say it had a very successful run since we went past the 100 performances mark.

I was never the Harrison Ford type but since this was a screwball comedy, nobody cared!

Happy Fourth of July!

Reaching the 72nd Mark!

 

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                         But in real life...it was a great celebration with my son and grandkids!

THE FLOOR IS LAVA!

Recent activity from the Popo volcano, about 32 miles from my home, have set the red alert warning all over the area. Of course, no lava yet in my living room which, incidentally, is on a third floor.

Stan Laurel - Born on this day, 133 years ago.