Pop Culture Roundup (April 2012 Edition)

a night to remember blu ray Unfortunately, some of the biggest pop culture news recently has been about the deaths of Mike Wallace, Dick Clark and Levon Helm. But in case you missed some of the other recent news, check out the following.

–Movies–

The Titanic anniversary prompted some film revivals. Salon critics debated: Is the film Titanic a classic or crap? Also, check out a review of that “other” Titanic movie on Blu-ray, A Night to Remember.

Captain America will return to screens in his own sequel in April 2014.

Universal is rebooting the Mummy films that starred Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz.

Really? As if he doesn’t have enough going for him, Ryan Gosling saved a woman from a speeding car.

Where are the stars of the movie Grease now? (slide show)

Bob Dylan’s Blood on the Tracks is going to be made into a film.

Daniel Craig wants to continue to play James Bond as long as he can.

Watch the trailer for Oliver Stone’s upcoming film about a drug cartel and a kidnapping, Savages.

–Television–

Arrested Development creator Mitch Hurwitz is considering more seasons because of Netflix.

Paul Feig offered his thoughts on each episode of the great TV series, Freaks and Geeks. (Onion A.V. Club)

Jeopardy has lined up celebrity “Power Players” to compete in May, including Lewis Black and Chris Matthews.

Interview with Denny McBride of HBO’s Eastbound & Down.

From Chipwich to Hummer: 10 iconic brands that disappeared.

Jonathan Frid, who played vampire Barnabas Collins on the original Dark Shadows series (and frightened me as a kid) has died. RIP.

–Music–

Ted Nugent is pleading guilty to transporting a black bear he illegally killed in Alaska.

10 best breakup albums of all time.

Scott Fedor writes about Bruce Springsteen connecting with a paralyzed fan this week. (Thanks to Mike S. from Cleveland)

The neuroscience of Bob Dylan’s genius via @guardian (Thanks @sonjathegreat)

Review of Johnny Cash – Bootleg Vol. IV: The Soul of Truth. (from Hyperbolium)

Review of Ray Wylie Hubbard’s new CD, Grifter’s Hymnal. (No Depression)

Greg Ham of the band Men Down Under was found dead in his home in Australia.

Musician Herbie Hancock is writing a memoir.

Hear Lisa Marie Presley’s new single, “You Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet,” from her upcoming Storm & Grace CD.

The tragedy of country singer Johnny Paycheck (from No Depression).

The 10 best cover songs you didn’t know were cover songs: (from Popdose)

A hologram of Tupac Shakur performed at the Coachella festival. How did they do that?

–Other Pop Culture News–

Slide show of the Space Shuttle Discovery on its final flight, past several DC landmarks. (The Guardian)

Pulitzer Prize nominations were announced, giving a nod to growing online journalism.

11 Athletes Who Had Their Own Cereals. (Thanks @mental_floss)

J.K. Rowling’s new novel, The Casual Vacancy, will be published September 27.

Did you know crows and squirrels are among the 10 smartest animals? (from Animal Planet)

Soon, you will no longer be able to buy thoughts in Canada, as the country is withdrawing the penny from circulation.

Finally, here is Marc Cohn’s song about Levon Helm, who passed away last week. “I was was lost/ I was gone/ Listening to Levon/ I was looking at the girl/ But I was listening to Levon.” -Marc Cohn.

  • Clarence Ashley: “The Cuckoo” & “Little Sadie”
  • The First Farm Aid
  • Nelson Mandela, Sun City, and Changing Times
  • Cowboy Jack Clement: “I Guess Things Happen That Way”
  • Tim Heidecker Foresees Dylan’s Upcoming “Titanic” Song
  • Pop Culture Roundup (for Early February 2012)
  • (Some Related Chimesfreedom Posts)


    Author: chimesfreedom

    Editor-in-chief, New York.

    2 thoughts on “Pop Culture Roundup (April 2012 Edition)”

    1. The post that the fan wrote about Mr. Springsteen and his efforts to connect with him was deeply moving. Thank you for posting that, Jeff. I haven’t liked much of The Boss’s studio output since ‘The Rising’, but the fan’s journal entry very much makes me want to check out his new album and the EP he put out on Saturday for Record Store Day.

      On a completely different topic, Oliver Stone’s new movie looks embarrassingly bad. I try not to judge films too severely on their trailers, but “Savages” looks brimming with both racial stereotypes and crime movie cliches.

      1. Thanks Aden. I agree that Mr. Fedor’s piece about meeting Bruce Springsteen was moving and a nice reminder about how much music can mean in a person’s life. I hope you like the new album.

        I also agree that while I have liked a lot of Oliver Stone’s movies, the trailer for “Savages” does not give me much hope for this one if I just consider the trailer.

        Thanks for the comment!

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