Amy Winehouse

Questlove on Amy Winehouse

Notes:
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=jawn

Thank you Amy. Really.

Kuya

 

My brother passed away this morning.

My big brother. Robert Prejusa. I'm just so glad you don't have to fight this anymore.

I'm so sad I couldn't be there. But I am very happy I was able to come this past March.

Look, I know you were worried. About your family. About Tammy. About Matthew and Sarah.

I hope you can see now, there's no need to worry. They'll be fine. I'll do what I can to help them.

But they are strong and they will always have your love to warm them.

I know you're worried about Dad. So am I. But he's told me not too. He says he's ok.

Also, he has Mom there to keep him strong. He'll be fine.

And don't worry about our brothers Phillip, Noel, Dominic, and Dennis.

Like me, they have loving wives to support them, and a big family that they can count on.

Don't worry about Allan. I worry about him too sometimes, like I worry about everyone in our family.

But he is strong, whether he realizes it or not.

Allan, if you're reading this, you know you can call me whenever you need me right?

That goes for any of the Prejusa's. If you need to talk, you can call me.

And don't you worry about me. I'm ok. Well, I will be.

I have Juli. And as usual, I have my dreams and goals.

I told you. If you get better, then I'd finish this movie and you could make the premiere.

I guess you held up your end. I mean, honestly it's kind of cheating,

but I guess you're technically better now.

So I'll finish this, and you can see what I've been working on.

And I'll dedicate it to you. My Brother. My Kuya.

I always looked up to you.

Whether you realized it or not, you taught me so much.

You raised me just as much as Mom and Dad did.

You inspired me, and still do.

I will always be your little brother.

I know you know it, but I will say it here anyways. I Love You.

 

 

 

 

5 of the 7.

RIP Leslie Nielsen

My wife came running into the room to tell me the news. Leslie Nielsen had passed. After doing the intial Tweet and Facebook RIPS and how much I was sad to hear about this. I of course started on YouTube to find my fav videos of Police Squad.

I am very sad to hear of his passing, but right now, I'm in a terribly good mood, laughing my ass off watching these bits from Police Squad.

Not many know about Police Squad, the show lasted only 6 episodes, but later would hit the big screen in a little known series of movies called The Naked Gun.

This show was from the makers of Airplane, another great Leslie Nielsen comedy. The team of Jim Abrahams, Jerry Zucker, David Zucker, and Pat Proft would go on to produce some of my favorite comedies, but for me, it all started with Police Squad.

The Intro to each show was the same. Note the recurring joke about Rex Hamilton as Lincoln. And they always introduced and killed a special guest star. But since they die in the credits, they never actually appear in the show. I love how everyone is shooting a gun, including lincoln, and the announcer always introduced the episode title, but is the complete opposite of what's shown.

Special Guest star Lorne Green


My favorite one with William Shatner


And the end credits were always the best. Always a "fake" pause as a joke ensued and the credits rolled. Here's a video that features all of them. My favorite is the monkey at 2:28.


Of course, Leslie Nielsen delivered one of the greatest comedy lines of all time.


Leslie Nielsen was of course a brilliant comic actor, but he was in general a very good actor of all sorts. He played a great villain in Creepshow, as well as a great victim.


You made me laugh my ass off more than once and you will be greatly missed Mr. Nielsen.

Turn Off The Lights

and light a candle.

With everything that's been going on in my life and in the world, I just haven't had a chance to pay homage to the great and amazing Teddy Pendergrass.  I was reminded just a few moments ago that I needed to post about this because an infomercial had come on about R&B songs from the 70's.  They played "Turn Off the Lights."  And my heart sank.  It really hit me, Teddy's gone.  He passed away a few days ago.

My ringtone is actually one of my fav songs of his. Love TKO. It's one of my fav songs of all time, and it's been my ringtone for the about 2 years now.  When my phone rings I'll always get a little sad, but it'll be my little tiny personal way to remember and pay tribute to the great Teddy Pendergrass.

Thank you for the music Mr. Pendergrass.

Directed by John Hughes

Amazing Video Tribute created by Paul Proulx.

Really captures Hughes brilliance as a writer and a director.

John Hughes

I really can't believe it. You were a big influence on me and so many others. Your movies helped me through some tough times, and pretty much helped define the 80's. Without your work I would be nothing. I learned alot about comedy, about pathos, and certainly about life, all through your writing, directing, and producing.

Thank you for making movies that made me want to make movies.

Thank you John Hughes.

John Hughes dies age 59.

 

 
 

  

 

  

  

Michael Jackson

Farrah Fawcett

Miracles and Montalban

Of course I have to comment on what is being called a Miracle on The Hudson. It's great incident, great story, great way to kick off the new year. This entire story just chimes with hope and heroism. For the most part, as far as we know from the news so far, this was fairly simple. The plane hits a flock of birds, the engines fail, the plane goes down into the water. Not exactly movie of the week material, but I'm sure they'll find a way to milk it into one. The bigger picture is really about how the pilot put the plane down and how the crew got everyone off of the plane swiftly and safely, with everyone alive and intact.

Much praise on the news today for the pilot and the crew. And so far there is an overall good vibe in the air about it all. Good vibes are certainly something the world needs more of. I'm a great believer in the power of mass consciousness and I hope we get more "good vibe stories" of heroism and heart to help contribute to that.

On a side note I would like to say that I think Brian Williams on NBC is the coolest anchor on the planet. I just like the way he reports. He actually used the phrase "went into the drink" when describing the plane going into the water. That's just some cool shit right there. If this guy gave a poetry reading, I'd be there. Let Brian Williams do the vagina monologues. It'll be a hit.

And on a way more somber note. Ricardo Montalban has passed away. I grew up watching him on Fantasy Island. He was so cool on that show. And my hopes are dashed that he would ever reprise his role as Khan on Star Trek. Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan is one of my favorite movies. I always thought the conflict between Khan and Kirk was amazing. And Motalban had such great dialogue, God he hated Kirk so much. FOrgive me, my Trekkieness is showing.

Wrath Of Khan


Fantasy Island Intro.
OMG! This brings back memories.



I was very sad to find out he had passed away. R.I.P. Ricardo Montalban.

Now that I think about it. Sometimes when I watch LOST, I get thie Fantasy Island feel every so often. Especially watching that above clip, there are certainly elements of Lost in there, at least that's what my Spidey senses are implying. Yeah, I said Spidey senses!



And now because I don't do them often. Here's a your typical, vanity, all about myself, celebrate me, type survey. I wonder if they call it a Meme, because these things are usualy about ones own self. Hmmm. I will attempt to answer this one semi seriously, as I hardly ever answer them seriously at all.



Who will alway's tell it to you like it is, no matter if it's going to hurt or not?
Juli

Do you want your phone to ring at the moment?
What?


Hate is a strong word but do you really hate anybody?
Nope

Are you easily confused?
I don't understand.


If the last person you dated said they were in love with you, what would you say?
Seeing as how that last person became my wife, I think I'd say I was in love with them back.


When was the last time you wanted to punch someone?
It was right after Johnny had swept my leg. Damn you Kobra Kai!


Are you someone who worries too often?
Why, should I be?


Do you want to get married and have kids one day?
Married, Check. Kids, working on it.


Do you believe your ex thinks about you?
I don't quite know who would qualify as my ex. I'm still married.


Whats currently bothering you right now?
Well, that whole Global Warming thing is getting annoying.


What are you currently hearing?
CNN Headline News and MSNBC in the background. Lil Sonny New King Of The Blues Harmonica coming from the computer.


When were you last outside?
2 hours ago. It's 1:30 am right now. I was out there looking for my testicles as I'm pretty sure they had frozen off.


What was the first thing you thought this morning?
That's not my underwear.


Are you afraid of the dark?
Only when there's a crazed axe murderer waiting in it.


Are you currently frustrated with a boy/girl?
I don't know, I'll pass you a note after P.E. and tell you all about it then.


Have a best friend?
I have extensive tech support yes. And a wife. ;)


What did you last eat?
Broccoli, as usual.


Who was the last person to text you?
Brandon.


Who was the last person you had a phone conversation with for more than 2 minutes???
Crystal


When is your birth?day???
July, 16th, 1975


Have you ever gotten a sunburn so bad it hurt to move?
I'm Filipino, so no.


Ok so I'm going to stop answering this now, because 1) It's it's quite crap, and 2) My writer's block is gone.

So back to studying Exorcism rituals and Sword history. Didn't realize how tough making a golf commercial was going to be.

Bettie Page

I'm sad to find that Bettie Page has passed away.

Thanks for the Hotness babe.  Calling you an Icon is an understatement.

I hope your life was a great and full one, even well after the pinup days.




Bettie Page dies at 85.

 

 

Rest In Peace Uncle Forry

I can't sleep. So I get online and what do I find out? Forest J. Ackerman has passed away.

He did what most of us wanted to do for a living.  He was a professional fan of all things Sci-Fi, Horror, and Fantasy. 

This was the man that coined the phrase "Sci-Fi."


 I always enjoyed seeing stories about him on TV because they would always show his museum full of movie memorabilia.  The "Ackermansion" was a HUGE collection of all things Horror/Sci-Fi/Fantasy.  Spocks ears, Drac's original cape.

He was such an enthusiastic lover of the Sci-Fi / Horror Genre that it would make the geekiest of geeks fall in love with it all over again.  The man knew how to be a fan.  He made me proud to love monster movies.   His magazine, Famous Monsters of Filmland, was really the first Monster Magazine, long before Fangoria.  He really did make me proud to love this genre.

I'm sad that I'll never get a personal tour of the Ackermansion.  But mostly I'm sad that I'll never get to meet him.

Rest in peace Uncle Forry.

Michael Crichton

I am sad to find out that Michael Crichton has passed away. Bestselling author of many books that have become movies, Timeline, Sphere, The 13th Warrior, Westworld, Andromeda Strain, Congo, Jurassic Park, and many others. He was also involved with projects like Runaway, Coma, and Twister. He also created the hit TV show ER.

He took SciFi to whole new level. I remember when everyone I knew was reading Crichton. Your vision, your tales, your creativity has been a grand influence on so many, myself included.

Thank you.



Best-Selling Author Michael Crichton Dies
"Jurassic Park" Author And "ER" Creator Succumbs To Cancer. He Was 66.

R.I.P. Paul Newman

I have no words.

He wasn't just an actor, and so much more than an icon. He is one of the best examples of what I'm striving to be. This man definitely exudes much of my One Spartan philosophy. Thank you, dear sir, for everything.

Paul Newman dies.

I can't believe it.

Isaac Hayes.

There are no words.

I am sad. That's really all I can say. It's a heck of a week, man.

One heck of a week.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/Music/08/10/hayes.obit/index.html?eref=rss_topstories

WTF?

Once again, I am truly shocked to find out that yet another well known, well loved artist/celebrity has passed away. I can't believe that I'm actually writing that Bernie Mac has died. Bernie Mac. BERNIE MAC!!!! What the hell is going on here?

Always respected his comedy. He did the kind of routines that you would memorize and repeat back with your friends. He was a welcome and familiar face that would pop up on the movie screen. Great in Ocean's 11, completely underused in the following 2 sequels.

I honestly cannot believe he is gone.

http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/2008-08-09-mac-death_N.htm?csp=34

George Carlin

It's just been week after week of heart breaking shock. One of the true kings of comedy, George Carlin has passed away.

I am truely and honestly in shock.

He was one of the first comedians that I ever really learned from. He pioneered what I call smart comedy. He took filthy words to an entirely new level without having to dumb down his material. He always took it to a higher level and was never afraid to speak his mind or call it as he saw it.

Carlin on White People


Critical Thinking


Things You Never See


Back In Town


Thank you Mr. Carlin. Thank you for your timing, your mind, your courage, your honesty, and for showing comedians everywhere how to take our comedy to a higher level. You are missed.

Comedian George Carlin dies at 71.

The Passing Of A Legend

I'm a movie geek, no two ways about it, I've loved movies forever. My obsession has always been part of my education in cinema and especially in special effects. Early on I understood moviemaking and special fx and the process that is taking what someone has written on a page and figuring out how to make it happen visually. My earliest memories of this education would come in the form of the early episodes of Movie Magic, a behind the scenes special fx show. It would come on late at night and usually as filler for whatever late night movie couldn't fill in the full two hours.

It seems the one they kept showing the most was the behind the scenes look of The Terminator. This would be the first time I would learn who Stan Winston was. It wasn't til much later in 1993 that his name would be burned into my brain as the man who helped create the amazing dinosaurs of Jurassic Park.

Stan Winston has crewed, worked on, and created monsters and special fx and special fx make up for some of the biggest and most popular movies in history, and is a maestro of fx work who has greatly affected the field. In the field of make up artistry alone he's up there with the greats, Dick Smith, Rick Baker, and has worked on some of the greatest movie franchises of all time. Simply look over his imdb page to see how much his creativity has contributed to so many movies.

It's heartbreaking news to hear of his passing. He is a legend, he is an artist, and he is one of the truest and one of the original Monster Makers and FX creators. My heart is with his family, his professional family, and every single one of us who know his name and associate it with the very essence of creative genius. You've influenced me dear sir, and you will be greatly, greatly missed.








Special-effects maestro Stan Winston dies at 62

Tim Russert

I am absolutely shocked. I turned the TV on for the first time today about 30 minutes ago and quickly saw each news station, Fox NEWS, CNN, and of course MSNBC all of them reporting the death of Tim Russert. I was stunned.

You talk about the last person you'd ever think of dying. I don't talk much about news and for the most part I try to keep politics and the like to myself, but Tim Russert was one of those people that I always saw on TV, on NBC and MSNBC, and I realize just how much he had become a part of my weekly routine.

I never went out of my way to watch Meet The Press or any weekly news talk program for that matter. It was always something on in the background and I'd look up or stop on the channel if something interested me. But I got use to seeing Tim Russert on Meet The Press, I got use to seeing him report on the elections, seeing him a part of the news broadcasts and media we all take for granted.

You don't know what you've got til it's gone. And now that Tim Russert is gone I realize how the landscape of my weekly routine will change, and how the news as I receive it will be affected. It is nice to see each news organization reporting about how much they all love the man. It is obvious what kind of a talented, well loved, well respected individual this man is both in and out of the news game.

My heart goes out to his colleagues at NBC, all the other journalists and news folk who he's touched, the people that he worked with day after day in the war zone of politics and media, and most definitely to his wife, his children, and to his family.

In 2008, Time magazine named Russert one of the 100 most influential people in the world. Watch the news today, and that will be obvious.

NBC’s Tim Russert dead at 58

Heaven's gonna need a bigger boat!!!

Thank you for all you've done. Thank you for the wonderful body of work. Thank you so very much Mr. Schieder.

I'm quite sad about this.

Bob Clark

He probably won't be remembered as the greatest director ever. And most may not even know who he is. But to me, he was someone that influenced my love for the movies. His movies definitely influenced the way I look at movies. For sure he contributed to most of our enjoyment of Christmas.

Bob Clark, director of such bombs as Rhinestone, such mediocre fare as Baby Geniuses, and such classics (classics to me anyways) as Children Shouldn't Play With Dead Things, the original Black Christmas, Porky's, Turk 182, and A Christmas Story, He died this past Wednesday.

The Los Angeles Times reports that director Bob Clark and his 22-year-old son Ariel were killed Wednesday in an early morning collision along a stretch of Pacific Coast Highway in Pacific Palisades.

Mr. Clark I'm so sorry for you and your son. I'm sorry for your family. I'm sorry I never got to tell you what an inspiration Turk 182 was to me. Thank you for your work dear sir. I really appreciated it.