Pop Culture Roundup (Mid-January 2012)

24 complete series Keifer Sutherland

In case you were too busy driving around with your dog on your car roof or wondering how to finish that research paper with Wikipedia going dark for a day in protest of a proposed law, here are some of the recent pop culture stories you might have missed.

Movies

The Los Angeles Times notes that four recent movies leave the viewer with an open ending. (Watch out for spoilers!)

Do the proposed George Clooney is planning a movie about art historians rescuing art looted by the Nazis.

Keifer Sutherland reports that shooting for a 24 movie could start in a few months.

A new documentary looks at the life and career of comedian Bernie Mac.

Metromix has 21 films to watch for in 2012.

Another Bruce Almighty sequel is in the works, but this time with Jim Carrey returning.

James Franco’s new movie about the life of writer Hart Crane is available on demand or through download. (review)

This year, four film classics return to theaters but this time in 3-D. . .

The Los Angeles Times takes a look at the character of Sherlock Holmes’s sidekick Watson on the screen through the years.

NY Times reviews new documentary in the Paradise Lost series about the West Memphis 3, recently cleared of murder.

Why an empty box was the Star Wars holiday gift sensation in 1977.

Watch the trailer for Wes Anderson’s upcoming film, Moonrise Kingdom:

Music

Owl and Bear has an interesting list of top 2011 albums.

The New York Times reviewed why Woody Guthrie is relevant now.

Kelly Willis talks about making an album with her husband Bruce Robison. (No Depression)

Madlands? Bruce Springsteen’s forthcoming album is angry. (Paste)

A conversation with Texas legendary troubadour Billy Joe Shaver.

Foo Fighters, Bruno Mars, and Taylor Swift will perform at Grammy Awards on Feb. 12.

A proposed Indiana law sets performance standards (w/ fines) for the national anthem at public schools and colleges.

Turnstyled Junkpiled has a “tribute show” collection of videos of artists covering Townes Van Zandt songs.

John Fogerty made a guest appearance on the new Fox TV show The Finder, also singing the theme song.

Van Halen
just released its first David Lee Roth video since 1996.

Television

The Golden Globes award show was on Sunday, leading to the question: Do the Golden Globes pick better winners than the Oscars?

The 500th episode of The Simpsons airs Feb. 19.

The Paley Center for Media celebrates Bill Cosby’s 50 years in show biz.

AMC is developing a Goodfellas TV series. Yeah, I think this is funny. Clown funny.

Hostess Twinkies

Other Pop Culture News

Alvin! Check out the history of Alvin and the Chimpmunks.

Barry Larkin on his election to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

A new biography of Stephen Hawking celebrates the ideas of the world’s most famous scientist. (review)

Better start stockpiling those Twinkies and cupcakes. Hostess filed for bankruptcy.

  • Pop Culture Roundup for December 2012
  • Bonnie “Prince” Billy’s Cover of Bob Dylan’s “Brownsville Girl”
  • Townes Van Zandt Covered an Elvis Song About a Shrimp?
  • The Love Story of Joey + Rory: “If I Needed You”
  • It’s Like Deja Vu All Over Again
  • You’ll Miss The Time You Waste
  • (Some Related Chimesfreedom Posts)


    Pop Culture Roundup (9 Jan. 2012 Edition)

    Kathleen Edwards In case you have been deep in the NFL playoffs or if you live in Iowa or New Hampshire and have been too busy listening to presidential candidates, here is this week’s roundup of some of the stories about music, film, and pop culture that you might have missed.

    — Music —

    Patti Smith has written a song about Amy Winehouse and will include the tune on her next CD.

    Cee Lo Green manaaged to anger religious leaders, atheists, and John Lennon fans with a New Year’s “Imagine” lyrics change. He later explained why he changed the lyrics.

    Jump! Van Halen — including David Lee Roth — played a small club this week to warm up for their upcoming tour.

    Rodney Crowell’s website has three live acoustic songs for free download. Nice.

    Kathleen Edwards’s new CD, released later this month, was co-produced by Justin Vernon (Bon Iver) w/ guest artists.

    For the first time ever, in 2011, digital sales of music topped the physical sale of music.

    Grammy-winning musician Youssou N’Dour will run in Senegal’s presidential election next month.

    Charlie Louvin’s new memoir recounts Oasis-type disharmony with his brother when the Louvin Brothers toured.

    Terry Ardolino, the drummer with NRBQ from 1974-2004, passed away at the age of 56. RIP.

    Freddie Milano, one of the Belmonts who sang with Dion on a number of classic rock and roll songs, passed away this week. After Dion left the original Belmonts behind (and a falling out and litigation followed), Milano continued to sing with the group while pursing his education. When he passed away he was working with the less fortunate, helping indigent people detained at Rikers Island jail in New York City. After Milano’s death was announced, Dion wrote a short tribute on his Facebook page, stating how Milano played an important role in his younger life: “We had our ups and downs through the years but that’s how things go in families, even rock-and-roll families. I will always remain grateful for his contribution in 1958 & 59 – may he rest in peace and rock on in heaven.” Milano was known for his great harmonies in the group as shown in this clip of “I Wonder Why.” Milano is the second from the left at the beginning of the song. RIP.

    You may also hear and see Milano (on your right) in this performance of “A Teenager in Love.”


    — Movies —

    This year in movies “might just be the geekiest ever.” — IMDb editor Keith Simanton.

    A Bridesmaids Sequel Without Kristen Wiig?

    Bridesmaids Kristen Wiig The Chicago Tribune listed 10 films to see this winter from Michael Phillips.

    The Tree of Life originally included a planned Adam and Eve sequence.

    War Horse actor Benedict Cumberbatch has signed on to be in the Star Trek sequel, perhaps as a villain.

    Red Tails — an action film produced by George Lucas about WWII African-American Tuskegee Airmen — is out Jan. 20.



    — Television —

    Betty White has a new hidden-camera TV show of seniors pulling pranks.

    Donald Trump
    announced his biggest Celebrity Apprentice cast ever.

    What happened to Ted Williams, the “man with the golden voice” who was found homeless last year? (video)


  • Who Flipped a Coin With Ritchie Valens?: The Day the Music Died and the Coin Toss Controversy
  • Dion Has the Blues
  • Charlie Louvin RIP
  • Nanci Griffith’s Superstars on Letterman: “Desperados Waiting for a Train”
  • “Satan’s Jeweled Crown” & Bruce Springsteen (Cover of the Day)
  • “Hello Christmas” from Dion and Amy Grant
  • (Some Related Chimesfreedom Posts)