Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Friday, August 5, 2011
Bubba Smith autopsy completed; toxicology tests still pending
An autopsy of NFL star Bubba Smith was completed Thursday, but Los Angeles County coroner’s officials will not be able to determine the exact cause of his death this week until toxicology tests are completed.
Smith, 66, was found dead by a caretaker at his Baldwin Hills home on Wednesday afternoon, authorities said.
“At this stage I can say there was no foul play,” said Ed Winter, deputy chief of the Los Angeles County coroner's office. As is often the case in deaths with no obvious cause, Winter said coroner’s experts are conducting complex examination of levels of materials in the body to get a definitive answer.
A 6-foot-7, 280-pound defensive end, Smith was the No. 1 NFL draft pick from Michigan State University when he joined the Baltimore Colts in 1967.
He played five seasons for the Colts, which included their upset loss to the New York Jets in Super Bowl III and a victory over the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl V. He spent two seasons with the Oakland Raiders and two more with the Houston Oilers before a knee injury ended his career in 1976.
Smith later turned to acting and starred in the hugely popular "Police Academy" movies.
Hot Bubba Smith
He was a series regular in OPEN ALL NIGHT -- a 1980 sitcom about an all-night convenience store. My writing partner, David and I wrote two episodes and guested in one of them. So yes, I acted in a show with Bubba Smith. He generally played the soft-spoken big man who you did not want to cross. In person he was just the soft-spoken big man. Of course I never said to him, “Y’know, the Oakland Raiders are just a bunch of pansies”. But he was a delightful guy. And what impressed me most was how serious he was about acting. It wasn’t just a lark. He put the same effort into learning how to play comedy as he did crushing quarterbacks into powder. You’d think directors and producers would be intimidated giving this 6' 8" bruiser notes but he was extremely receptive. And the results paid dividends. He was very funny, in an understated way that fit perfectly with his giant presence.
Bubba also guested for us on THE MARY SHOW. He played himself. I still love the premise. John Astin, as the theater critic, panned Bubba’s performance in a play that had just opened. So Bubba, furious, comes up to the newsroom to the beat the crap out of John. Name me one actor who hasn’t fantasized that same scenario. In the show, John talks him out of it and instead winds up coaching him. Watching Bubba Smith try to give a performance using John’s acting method was a hoot.
He had dropped out of sight of late. I hope his last years were happy ones. I’m sure the tributes will talk about how big he was, how fierce he was, how popular he was. But I want to add how funny he was.
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-- Ogden Nash Actor and football great Charles A. "Bubba" Smith grew up in Beaumont, Texas, graduating from Charlton-Pollard High School, where he played for his father, coach Willie Ray Smith, Sr. Willie Ray bred three All-State Smiths -- Willie Ray, Jr., Tody, and Bubba. They made Charlton Pollard a perennial power in Texas school football. In Bubba's senior year the school was 11-0, and college recruiters beat down the doors at the Smith household until Bubba decided to attend Michigan State University.
Bubba became one of MSU's all-time great players, winning All-Big Ten and All-America honors for two straight years (1965 and 1966) as the team stomped through two unbeaten seasons and became the national champions. Whether he was playing tackle, defensive end, or middle guard, fans would cheer him on with, "Kill, Bubba, Kill!"
In 1967, the Baltimore Colts made him their number one draft choice. Bubba stayed with the Colts through the 1972 season and racked up some impressive statistics: He played in the NFL championship game in 1968 and the Super Bowl in 1969 and 1971. He was chosen All-AFC in 1970 and 1971, and played in the Pro-Bowl in 1971 and 1972.
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A ten-year veteran of the NFL, wrote his memoirs, "Kill, Bubba, Kill," with Hal de Windt in 1983.
He has developed a successful second career as an actor, first working in Miller Lite beer commercials then starring in the Police Academy movies.
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SMITH: Tastes great.
SportsHollywood: What's your favorite sports movie?
SMITH: Remember The Titans with Denzel Washington. I like the story of having to overcome what may seem as impossible odds to achieve a goal and the teamwork it takes to get there.
SportsHollywood: What's your favorite movie that YOU were in?
SMITH: Black Moon Rising with Tommy Lee Jones.
SportsHollywood: Which was your favorite POLICE ACADEMY movie?
SMITH: The first one.
SportsHollywood: Most memorable football game:
SMITH: Michigan State vs. Norte Dame 10/10 Game.
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SMITH: College.
SportsHollywood: Do you think your Michigan State team could have beaten any pro teams?
SMITH: The 1966 team would have been competitive with a few NFL teams..
SportsHollywood: You were named to the NCAA All-American Team twice. Most athletes don't stay in school long enough to accomplish that anymore. How do you feel about early entry into pro sports?
SMITH: I feel that there is not enough money you could be paid to make up for the learning and growth process you get in college. The millions of dollars will always be there if you are that good of a player.
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SMITH: Apparently acting.
SportsHollywood: When you're in a bar, do people ever ask you to recreate the "easy opening can" ad?
SMITH: I do not go to bars, but at personal appearances there is always someone who asks.
SportsHollywood: Did you ever idolize any football players when you were growing up?
SMITH: My big brother, Willy Ray Smith Jr. He was the best player in the family.
SportsHollywood: What sports do you enjoy now?
SMITH: Football and Track & Field.
SportsHollywood: Favorite pro athlete playing today:
SMITH: I'd say Kobe Bryant in basketball; Marshall Faulk in football; Alex Rodriguez in baseball; and Michael Johnson in Track & Field.
SportsHollywood: Is there anybody in football today who reminds you of you?
SMITH: Not really the size of the player at each position is so different than when I was a player.
SportsHollywood: Who do you think will win the Super Bowl?
SMITH: St. Louis Rams.
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 - Já tem data para estrear
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 ainda tem quase um ano pela frente, antes de estrear, mas a Sony Pictures já está marcando a estreia da continuação, The Amazing Spider-Man 2.
A estratégia visa reservar datas importantes da alta temporada hollywoodiana, para desestimular a concorrência. No caso, a Sony agendou o lançamento para 2 de maio de 2014.
A primeira semana de maio sempre foi, tradicionalmente, ocupado pelo Homem-Aranha, ao longo da trilogia de Sam Raimi. A exceção é o recomeço de O Espetacular Homem-Aranha, que chega às telas em 3 de julho de 2012.
O Espetacular Homem-Aranha 2 ainda não tem roteiristas contratados.
Os Guardiões da Galáxia pode ser um dos próximos projetos da Marvel
A Marvel já está arregaçando as mangas na adaptação de seus personagens menos conhecidos. Além de “Homem-Formiga” e “Doutor Estranho”, o estúdio pode já ter começado a trabalhar na adaptação de “Os Guardiões da Galáxia”.
A equipe de super-heróis, que surgiu em 1969 e foi relançada em 2008, é formada por Major Vance Astro, Capitão Charlie-27, Martinex T’Naga e Yondu Udonta. Os personagens ja se encontraram diversas vezes com os membros do universo de “Os Vingadores” como Thor e Capitão América, mas não se sabe se o estúdio pretende reuni-los nas telonas algum dia.
Nos quadrinhos, eles formam uma equipe que patrulha por um universo paralelo e tem como principais rivais uma raça reptiliana chamada Badoon, que fazia uso da invisibilidade para invadir e conquistar a Terra.
Ainda não há informações sobre quem vai dirigir ou roteirizar o projeto.
Divulgado novo pôster de As Aventuras de Tintin - O Segredo do Licorne
O site Comic Book Movie divulgou na web o novo cartaz de “As Aventuras de Tintin: O Segredo do Licorne”, adaptação cinematográfica dirigida por Steven Spielberg (“Munique”) dos clássicos quadrinhos do desenhista belga Hergé. Na imagem, vemos o repórter aventureiro com seu maior companheiro, o poodleMilou. Temos também um vislumbre de seus amigos, o Capitão Haddock e os gêmeos Dupond e Dupont.
Na trama de “O Segredo do Licorne”, adaptação de uma das histórias mais famosas de Tintin, o repórter e seus amigos descobrem as direções para o Licorne, um navio há muito tempo naufragado e dado como perdido. Juntos, partem na busca ao navio.
No elenco estão Jamie Bell (“Um Ato de Liberdade“), Daniel Craig (“007 – Quantum of Solace“), Andy Serkis (“O Senhor dos Anéis – O Retorno do Rei“), Simon Pegg (“As Crônicas de Nárnia: A Viagem do Peregrino da Alvorada“), Nick Frost (“Todo Mundo Quase Morto“), Cary Elwes (“Jogos Mortais: O Final“), Toby Jones (“Criação“), Mackenzie Crook (“Piratas do Caribe – No Fim do Mundo“) e Daniel Mays (“Nanny McPhee e as Lições Mágicas“). O roteiro é assinado por Edgar Wright (roteirista e diretor de “Scott Pilgrim Contra o Mundo“), Joe Cornish e Steven Moffat (ambos mais conhecidos pelo seu trabalho na tv inglesa).
A estreia está prevista para 23 de dezembro nos formatos 2D e 3D.
Warner Bros lança site interativo do herói Lanterna Verde
O filme Lanterna Verde estreia nas telonas brasileiras no próximo dia 19 de agosto. Mas os fãs do super-herói já podem se divertir e conhecer um pouco mais da sua história no site lançado pela Warner Bros. No endereço www.clubedolanterna.com.br, a garotada poderá interagir com o personagem em brincadeiras divertidas, como Tetris e Jogo da Memória, além de terem acesso a imagens para colorir.
O destaque fica por conta da montagem de história em quadrinhos, em que cada criança terá o desafio de construir um enredo divertido. Além disso, os pequenos internautas terão acesso a notícias, revistinhas em quadrinhos, papel de parede para download e informações sobre o herói e seu filme.
O destaque fica por conta da montagem de história em quadrinhos, em que cada criança terá o desafio de construir um enredo divertido. Além disso, os pequenos internautas terão acesso a notícias, revistinhas em quadrinhos, papel de parede para download e informações sobre o herói e seu filme.
LONGA - Lanterva Verde - o filme foi dirigido por Martin Campbell. No papel principal, como Hal Jordan, está Ryan Reynolds ao lado de Blake Lively, que faz o papel de Carol Ferris, uma piloto que é colega de trabalho do herói e por quem ele é apaixonado.
The Smiths terá suas músicas transformadas em HQs
The Smiths terá suas músicas transformadas em histórias em quadrinhos. A iniciativa é de Shawn Demumbrum, residente de Phoenix, Arizona, que reuniu um time de colaboradores em uma antologia, chamada Unite and Take Over, que usará cada canção como inspiração para um arco dramático, em que os compositores Morrisey eJohnny Marr serão os heróis.
O plano de Demumbrum é lançar a HQ em novembro, durante a Tucson Comic-Con, e para isso lançou uma campanha para arrecadar dinheiro por meio de um site decrowdfunding e assim bancar os custos de impressão e licenciamento das letras das músicas.
Serão 13 histórias no total e não há grandes nomes entre os escritores e desenhistas, mas há veteranos dos quadrinhos independentes, como Christian Vilaire, Henry Barajas, Jeff Pina e Shelby Robertson. Confira abaixo a "set list" da HQ:
"Death at One's Elbow" - Glen Curren e Madame M"Shoplifters of the World Unite" - Shawn Demumbrum e Matt Goodall"Rubber Ring" - Dennmann"Girlfriend in a Coma" - JP Manzanares"Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before" - Henry Barajas e Christian Vilaire"Cemetry Gates" - Libbi Rich e Mickey Chaney"That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore" - Emily Rich e Jenn Fuguet"How Soon is Now?" - Foo! e Sam Lagreen"Pretty Girls Make Graves" - Thomas Healy e Justin Miller"Panic" - Matthew Burke e Joshua Green"What Difference Does It Make?" - Michael Kessler e Jeff Pina"Handsome Devil" – Shelby Robertson"Suffer Little Children" – John Chibak
Acme - Veja como eram vários atores de Hollywood quando criança
Hora de ver alguns nomes famosos quando crianças, cortesia do Uêba. Eu sempre curti comparar as fotos, até porque boa parte desses atores nós acompanhamos com o passar dos anos, praticamente crescemos juntos. Que tal? Uns ainda estão aí, outros sumiram e alguns ficaram na nostalgia:
Dakota Fanning
Kristen Stewart
Natalie Portman
Scarlett Johansson
Reese Witherspoon
Elijah Wood
Lindsay Lohan
Christina Ricci
Anna Paquin
Michelle Trachtenberg
Edward Furlong
Kirsten Dunst
Macaulay Culkin
Mary-Kate e Ashley Olsen
Fred Savage
Christian Bale
Kurt Russell
Jonathan Lipnicki
Gary Coleman
Drew Barrymore
Jason Bateman
Jerry O’Connell
Soleil Moon Frye
Jodie Foster
Haley Joel Osment
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