Pop Culture Roundup (April 2012 Edition)

a night to remember blu ray Unfortunately, some of the biggest pop culture news recently has been about the deaths of Mike Wallace, Dick Clark and Levon Helm. But in case you missed some of the other recent news, check out the following.

–Movies–

The Titanic anniversary prompted some film revivals. Salon critics debated: Is the film Titanic a classic or crap? Also, check out a review of that “other” Titanic movie on Blu-ray, A Night to Remember.

Captain America will return to screens in his own sequel in April 2014.

Universal is rebooting the Mummy films that starred Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz.

Really? As if he doesn’t have enough going for him, Ryan Gosling saved a woman from a speeding car.

Where are the stars of the movie Grease now? (slide show)

Bob Dylan’s Blood on the Tracks is going to be made into a film.

Daniel Craig wants to continue to play James Bond as long as he can.

Watch the trailer for Oliver Stone’s upcoming film about a drug cartel and a kidnapping, Savages.

–Television–

Arrested Development creator Mitch Hurwitz is considering more seasons because of Netflix.

Paul Feig offered his thoughts on each episode of the great TV series, Freaks and Geeks. (Onion A.V. Club)

Jeopardy has lined up celebrity “Power Players” to compete in May, including Lewis Black and Chris Matthews.

Interview with Denny McBride of HBO’s Eastbound & Down.

From Chipwich to Hummer: 10 iconic brands that disappeared.

Jonathan Frid, who played vampire Barnabas Collins on the original Dark Shadows series (and frightened me as a kid) has died. RIP.

–Music–

Ted Nugent is pleading guilty to transporting a black bear he illegally killed in Alaska.

10 best breakup albums of all time.

Scott Fedor writes about Bruce Springsteen connecting with a paralyzed fan this week. (Thanks to Mike S. from Cleveland)

The neuroscience of Bob Dylan’s genius via @guardian (Thanks @sonjathegreat)

Review of Johnny Cash – Bootleg Vol. IV: The Soul of Truth. (from Hyperbolium)

Review of Ray Wylie Hubbard’s new CD, Grifter’s Hymnal. (No Depression)

Greg Ham of the band Men Down Under was found dead in his home in Australia.

Musician Herbie Hancock is writing a memoir.

Hear Lisa Marie Presley’s new single, “You Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet,” from her upcoming Storm & Grace CD.

The tragedy of country singer Johnny Paycheck (from No Depression).

The 10 best cover songs you didn’t know were cover songs: (from Popdose)

A hologram of Tupac Shakur performed at the Coachella festival. How did they do that?

–Other Pop Culture News–

Slide show of the Space Shuttle Discovery on its final flight, past several DC landmarks. (The Guardian)

Pulitzer Prize nominations were announced, giving a nod to growing online journalism.

11 Athletes Who Had Their Own Cereals. (Thanks @mental_floss)

J.K. Rowling’s new novel, The Casual Vacancy, will be published September 27.

Did you know crows and squirrels are among the 10 smartest animals? (from Animal Planet)

Soon, you will no longer be able to buy thoughts in Canada, as the country is withdrawing the penny from circulation.

Finally, Levon Helm passed away last week. In Marc Coh’s song about Helm, he sings “I was was lost/ I was gone/ Listening to Levon/ I was looking at the girl/ But I was listening to Levon.” -Marc Cohn.

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    Arrested Development In case you were too busy with watching all of the Super Bowl commercials or with getting dumped from X Factor, here are some of the recent pop culture stories you might have missed.

    – Movies –

    If you are excited about multiple superheroes in the upcoming Avengers film, check out the trailer.

    The Chicago Tribune has a review of Big Miracle, i.e. the whale movie, by Michael Phillips.

    Great Scott! Back to the Future may become a Broadway musical.

    Adam Sandler is in talks to create a film based on the board game Candy Land. Where is the checkers movie?

    Bill Wyman wrote an interesting critique of the films of Steven Spielberg (“he hasn’t said anything new”).

    A new documentary about Bob Marley premieres at SXSW.

    Julianne Moore as Sarah Palin? — check out the new trailer for the movie Game Change.

    Still shaken. . .This year marks 50 years since James Bond first appeared on film. . .

    Monty Python members are reuniting for a science fiction film.

    Sarah Jessica Parker will play Gloria Steinem in biopic, replacing Demi Moore.

    Uggie, the dog in The Artist, is retiring. Unfortunately, the reasons for the retirement is ill health. (thanks @poochface)

    Kermit & Miss Piggy held a press conference to address accusations from Fox Business that they promote a liberal agenda.

    – Music –

    Salon considered how Madonna liberated America.

    R&B singer David Peaston (‘Two Wrongs (Don’t Make a Right)’) passed away at the age of 54 this week.

    A new Graceland exhibit looks at Lisa Marie Presley’s relationship with Elvis.

    Cover Lay Down posted 18 different covers of the Townes Van Zandt classic, “If I needed You.”

    The Flaming Lips sing with Suri from the Apple iPhone.

    Ringo 2012 Ringo Starr Ringo Starr discussed his 17th solo album. Read the Los Angles Times review of Ringo’s new album, Ringo 2012.

    An unreleased ABBA song will be released.

    Soul Train host Don Cornelius has passed away in an apparent suicide. RIP.

    Pres. Obama’s cover of Al Green boosted sales of “Let’s Stay Together” by 490%. Nice job Mr. President, but you can’t top Al Green.

    – Television –

    Roseanne Barr has filed papers for the Green Party’s presidential nomination.

    A video refresher course on why David Letterman is funny.

    How Stephen Colbert is beating the Supreme Court by illustrating the effects of its Citizens United decision.

    Kevin Bacon will star in a serial killer drama pilot for Fox.

    New episodes of Arrested Development are in the works.

    Check out some past stories about life on the set of Saturday Night Live.

    Robert Hegyes, who played Sweathog Juan Epstein on Welcome Back Kotter passed away. I hope he has a note to get into heaven. In other death news, Ian Abercrombie, who played “Mr. Pitt” on Seinfeld, passed away. RIP.

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