In this episode:
- Greg’s new Dell computer,
- sticking with Vista or upgrading to Windows 7,
- a Nintendo Entertainment System video game selling for $20,100 on eBay,
- our movie review of The Island (1980) starring Michael Caine,
- our movie review of Stay Hungry (1976) starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jeff Bridges,
- our movie review of Safety Last! (1923) starring Harold Lloyd,
- James Cameron’s Avatar (2009) vs. M. Night Shyamalan’s The Last Airbender (2010),
- Happy Feet (2006),
- the upcoming Independence Day sequels,
- the season finale of Curb Your Enthusiasm,
- Bob Einstein’s voice,
- Leon Black (J. B. Smoove) pretending to be Jewish,
- Michael Richards making fun of his 2006 incident,
- Rosie O’Donnell,
- the Seinfeld reunion,
- and celebrity deaths (Ken Ober and Soupy Sales).
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Talking about Michael Caine got me wondering-why is he a celebrity? What great thing has he done other than be in a lot of mediocre movies? Before the current Batmans the only great thing I remember Michael Caine in was a movie called “The Hand” that really scared me as a kid but what’s he been in since? What merits Michael Caine’s Hollywood stardom? How is he any different from Steve Guttenberg? I think it’s just because he’s Irish or whatever he is. Or maybe there’s this point before which people got famous just for being in a lot of movies no matter the quality but after which people had to be in good movies to get famous. Michael Caine just started acting before people figured out if he deserved to be famous.
According to Austin Powers star Mike Myers, Caine is beloved in England because he was the first big star who spoke in his regular Cockney accent. Didn’t speak the “Queen’s English,” like Olivier or Guiness, etc. As for his career, he starred in a ton of big hits in the 60’s and 70’s. Alfie, Sleuth, The Italian Job, Get Carter, The Ipcress Files, to note a few, plus many WWII movies. Lately, he’s been in several good comedies like Goldmember, Miss Congeniality, etc. Even in his bad movies, his performances are so full of vigor he really stands out.
I should pay more attention to things that happened before I achieved sentience in 1985.
Did you guys hear Kim Peek died? That guy was incredible and I wished I could have met him one day.
Didn’t know there was a real rain man. Amazing, he read one page of a book with one eye, and the other page with the other eye.
Esteban, you’re only 24 years old? Don’t feel bad about your lack of Michael Caine knowledge. I bet I know even less about him than you do!
By the way, I finally saw Greg’s new Dell computer in person. The tower itself is probably the biggest I’ve seen, even larger than the metal Macintosh towers. Either that, or Greg’s desk is abnormally small, causing an optical illusion. Greg, post a picture!
It’s actually not much bigger than my old compaq presario tower.
No, I’m 35. I just didn’t start paying attention in life until I was 10.
Esteban, I thought so. How’s everything going in Florida? What ever happened with Billy Mitchell?
Greg, I’ll post a picture of my computer when I get home tonight.
Florida is working out good for me. We found a house to rent while we’re here that’s smack dab between Miami and Fort Lauderdale so that means I am equal distance between two main libraries, and I love libraries.
The weekend of the video game convention was the same time my relatives dropped by from Texas so I didn’t go the day Billy Mitchell was there. By the time I showed up Sunday all the good guests were long gone. I did find one other attendee blogged about how Billy charged him $3 to take a picture! Mitchell is sure cashing in on his celebrity all right.
in the early afternoon during the summer holidays from school, harold lloyd shorts were shown on television along with other 20’s and 30’s comedy films as part of children‘s entertainment. even as a kid i didn’t mind them being silent and black & white – quality entertainment will always stand up. i can still sing the title music to this day!