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)
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    This Week in Pop Culture Roundup (18 Dec. 2011)

    Captain America In case you were too busy planning and then canceling a debate because nobody was going to show up, here are some of the pop culture stories you might have missed. This week’s roundup features some “Best of 2011” lists.

    —– Best of 2011 —–

    Salon listed its 10 Best Movies from 2011.

    Chicago Tribune critic Michael Phillips selected his top 10 films of 2011.

    Slate listed the best jazz albums of 2011.

    The African-American Film Critics Association named Tree of Life the best film of 2011.

    Time Magazine
    ‘s “Person of the Year” is. . . The Protester.

    Here are 10 movies from 2011 that you may not have seen but should have.

    The Americana Music Association listed its 2011 Top 10 Most Played Albums.


    —– Movies —–

    Where’s the Batsuit when you need it? Christian Bale got a little roughed up in China while trying to visit a dissident in the country.

    Cuban horror spoof Juan of the Dead, satirizes socialism using zombies.

    Poptimal has a review of Tinker Tailor Solder Spy.

    The first trailer for Men in Black III has been released.

    Orsen Welles’s 1942 screenplay Oscar for Citizen Kane went up for auction.

    Here’s an interesting video essay about “the Spielberg face” used in the director’s movies:

    The Screen Actors Guild Award nominations may change predictions for the Oscars.

    Say it ain’t so! Daniel Ruettiger, who inspired the film Rudy, settled w/ the SEC regarding allegations against him.

    Paramount Pictures is tweaking its logo.


    —– Music —–

    No Depression featured a review of a Ryan Adams show in Baltimore.

    Questlove from the Roots listed his top five hip-hop concept albums.

    On Monday, Billy Joel became the first nonclassical musician to be inducted into Steinway Hall.

    In January, Ani DiFranco will release her first album in three years.

    Hasidic Jewish reggae musician Matisyahu announced upcoming changes and shaved.

    The Los Angeles Times reviewed one of Aimee Mann’s annual holiday shows.

    Etta James is terminally ill with chronic leukemia. Since we posted recently Rachel Crow’s version of “I’d Rather Go Blind,” let’s give a listen to James singing her great song.


    —– Television —–

    The FCC ordered TV stations to regulate the volume of loud TV commercials, taking effect Dec. 2012.

    Howard Stern is replacing Piers Morgan on America’s Got Talent.

    Steve Carrell of The Office got snubbed in the Golden Globe nominations. That’s what she said.

    After interviewing the Kardashians and others on her special, Barbara Walters revealed that her “Most Fascinating Person” for 2011 is the late Steve Jobs.

    —– Other Pop Culture News —–

    Joe Simon, the co-creator of Captain America, passed away Wednesday night. Vanity Fair has a nice tribute to Christopher Hitchens, who also passed away in the last week. RIP.

    Ho Ho Ho! Check out these photos from Life magazine of Santa making kids cry. We hope that your wishes come true without any crying in the upcoming holiday weeks.

    What were your favorite pop culture stories of the week? Leave your two cents in the comments.

  • Etta James and Dr. John on the Classic Heartbreak Song Written in Prison: “I’d Rather Go Blind”
  • What if William Randolph Hearst Could Hack?
  • I’d Rather Go Blind: Rachel Crow
  • Treasure Island & Wallace Beery
  • Billy Joel is Turning the Lights Back On After The Longest Time
  • Etta James: “Almost Persuaded” (Song of the Day)
  • (Some Related Chimesfreedom Posts)