FoundTrack's favorite NY contributor Gill Bumby just sent us this little preview of tonight's Presidential Debate. Enjoy, and feel free to place Obama and McCain into either the Penguin or Batman roles as you see fit... though the real question is whether Biden or Palin is Robin?:
And in related Bat-news, we're sad to report that composer and jazz trumpeter Neal Hefti, the musician behind the "Nana na na na na na BATMAN!" AND "Odd Couple" theme songs has passed away. In remembrance of him, here's the classic tune:
As most of you know by now, a horrific airplane accident took place this weekend taking the lives of four and severely injuring musicians DJ AM and Travis Barker. Our condolences go out to the families and friends of those that were lost, and we wish a very speedy recovery to AM & Travis. The pair were out performing their awesome new Turntable / Live Drum collaboration, "Fix Your Face" which is available as a free download on their official site.
Don LaFontaine, THE voice behind all those amazing movie trailers has passed away, leaving a major legacy in Hollywood History. Along with Stan Winston, LaFontaine is another major behind-the-scenes player in the film industry that has left this world in 2008. Can you imagine the trailers to classic hits such as Terminator 2, Shrek, Batman Returns, and Friday the 13th WITHOUT his regal voice booming over the montages? I could go on and on, but why not just HEAR his voice, watch his story, and celebrate his life?:
I hate to make this a day of say news, but unfortunately life is unpredictable and we must accept it all. The man himself, the legend of Funk and Soul, Isaac Hayes has left this realm at the age of 65, and is hopefully jamming up in the clouds with some of his legendary peers. His soul music was legendary, and one can't mention Hayes without at least a sentence on his most famous single, the Theme to Shaft. Not only was the track a monster jam in the music world, but it set a precedent for Urban films as it took the Academy Award for Best Original Song, the first non-acting award to be won by an African American.
I was really looking forward to seeing Hayes at this year's annual Sunset Junction street fair in LA's Silver Lake area, but as with all great musicians we can remember them through their music. Checkout this amazing live rendition of "Theme from Shaft":
2008 has truly been a sad year as many a talent has left this life way too early. Comedian and Actor Bernie Mac, passed away this weekend at the age of 50, leaving behind a wealth of classic comedy material. While he was known for acting roles in films such as the Ocean's series, Transformers, and Bad Santa, he was best known as one of the master comedians known as the Original Kings of Comedy.
I tried to pick a video to showcase here, but there are way too many to choose from... click here and laugh your ass off to one of Mac's many funny funny stand up routines...
I'm really late on posting this obviously, but this last Sunday we saw the passing of one of comedy's greatest, George Carlin. While his raw comedy speaks for itself, what really set him apart and will go down in the history books was his harsh stance against censorship. Carlin joins a long list of folks that have passed before their time this year.
Here for your viewing pleasure is Carlin's classic bit, the "seven dirty words"- so profound was it, that it actually garnered the attention of the Supreme Court:
** While most people remember Carlin for his raw acts, he actually also took part in content for children, most memorably playing "Mr. Conductor" on PBS' "Shining Time Station (Thomas the Tank Engine).
Legendary special effects makeup artist Stan Winston passed away this past Sunday- perhaps before his time, but not without leaving an immense legacy. Winston and his Studio are responsible for some of the most memorable characters in modern film, including the Terminator, Edward Scissorhands, the Predator, and recent sensations like Iron Man. Winston won 3 Oscars for his work, 1 for Aliens, 1 for Terminator 2, and 1for Jurassic Park.
(Winston with some of his babies)
Stan Winston will be missed by the film loving community, and joins the likes of artists Sydney Pollack, Heath Ledger, and Yves Saint Laurent- each of whom left us too early this year.
Legendary French fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent passed away this past Sunday at his home in Paris. Saint Laurent was considered to be the last of a generation of Parisian designers including Christian Dior and Coco Chanel, all who were responsible for putting Paris on the map of modern couture. He was named head of Dior at the young age of 21 after the passing of Christian Dior. Saint Laurent went on to start his famed Yves Saint-Laurent brand and is responsible for making ready-to-wear legitimate in the world of fashion.
It's a sad day for film fans everywhere as the great Director, Producer, and Actor Sydney Pollack has passed away after a battle with cancer. More important even than the many awards he won (including Best Picture and Director for "Out of Africa"), Pollack was well known for being the "Actor's Director." He had a rare ability to understand and pull great performances from actors, give his own penchant for the craft as a regular performer himself (albeit an underrated one). His memory will live on through his massive body of work.
** UPDATE- checkout this little self-parody from a Cingular Ad starring Pollack:
In a truly sad bit of news, actor Heath Ledger was found dead today in his NYC residence. He had the rare ability to get totally engrossed in the roles he embodied, and I'm sure he would have had an amazing body of work in the future. Our condolences go out to Ledger's daughter, family and friends.
Ledger was currently filming "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus" by director Terry Gilliam, and just finished playing the Joker in Christopher Nolan's Batman sequel, "The Dark Knight," one of 2008's most anticipated films:
* Update- My friend Camerin over at Liber Metawitch has articulated a lot of thoughts I share on this tragic matter
FoundTrack's favorite NY contributor Gill Bumby just sent us this little preview of tonight's Presidential Debate. Enjoy, and feel free to place Obama and McCain into either the Penguin or Batman roles as you see fit... though the real question is whether Biden or Palin is Robin?:
And in related Bat-news, we're sad to report that composer and jazz trumpeter Neal Hefti, the musician behind the "Nana na na na na na BATMAN!" AND "Odd Couple" theme songs has passed away. In remembrance of him, here's the classic tune:
