Today we mourn the passing of two great men, who through their art have affected many lives.
Leslie Nielson 1926-2010
Irvin Kershner 1923-2010
Leslie Nielsen, a Canadian-born actor who went from drama to inspired bumbling as a hapless doctor in "Airplane!" and the accident-prone detective Frank Drebin in the "The Naked Gun" comedies, died on Sunday in Florida. He was 84.
His agent, John S. Kelly, said Nielsen died at a hospital near his home in Ft. Lauderdale where he was being treated for pneumonia.
Nielsen's nephew Doug Nielsen, who lives in Richmond, B.C., said his uncle had been hospitalized for the past 12 days and died in his sleep with wife Barbaree by his side.
- Winnipeg Free Press (read the entire article here)
I grew up watching Leslie Nielsen's movies with my Dad. Often we would go to the local movie store and pick up The Naked Gun series, Police Squad, Airplane or Dracula Dead and Loving It, and spend the weekend laughing. To this day we still make jokes about these movies over the phone when we talk.
Last year, had the pleasure of sitting in on his meet and greet for the new movie, Stan Helsing that he was in. Watching him at the panel was amazing. He just sat there and joked the entire time. I didn't get to meet him after, which was a shame because I wanted him to sign the naked gun birthday card that I had made for my Dad. I also made a great shirt that said I <3 Frank Drebin on it.
I will miss his crazy antics and his deep, perfect voice. Rest in Peace Leslie.
Director Irvin Kershner, best known for helming The Empire Strikes Back, died today at his home in Los Angeles. He was 87 years old.
Kershner’s goddaughter Adriana Santini, who resides in France, told French news agency AFP that Kershner died after a long illness. No other details about his death were given.
Irvin Kershner, who brought us not only James Bond's Never Say Never Again, Robocop 2, but best of all The Empire Strikes Back. Without him, Star Wars would never have been the same. He brought conflict and depth to our favorite heroes and brought us a sequel like no other has ever managed, making Empire one of the all time favorite Star Wars films. Had he been able to direct Jedi, Han would've died for the cause and Luke would've ridden off into the sunset in the end. There would've been no ewoks!
I truly believe that Irvin Kershner made Star Wars into what it is now for so many people. Rest in peace, Irvin.
As you might well know, October is my birthday month. And in celebration of that, I allowed myself to do a little bit of frivolous shopping. I thought it would be fun to share with you what I picked up.
I love when they bring out their Christmas decorations each year. Plus, the Star Wars ornaments this year ROCK!
I mean, look at the detail on Luke! I've always been a fan of the x-wing flight suit.
I also picked up this two pack of Boba Fett and Han in Carbonite and of course I had to put them with their counterparts on my shelf. Han is the little one and Boba is the big one.
Speaking of Christmas decorations, my next stop was The Disney Store where I found this awesome Maleficent ornament! I love the purple sparkle!
She even has Diablos sitting on her shoulder! How awesome!
She fits perfectly on top of my picture that my Dad drew for me!
Which is perfect for my villains wall, all done by my Dad!
And now that we're on the topic of Disney, check out the awesome gifts my best friend brought me back from Tokyo Disney!!
I love notebooks! I carry one with me where ever I go and am always writing in them. This one is amazing and I can't wait to start using it!
and check out my new ghost socks! Aren't they adorable?
I just came across this video on Forces Of Geek and was surprised that I had never seen it before! I didn't even know that it existed as a deleted scene! How is that possible?
I squealed with girlish delight as I watched it! I wish they hadn't taken it out. There's just something about a Scoundrel and a Princess that makes my heart melt every time I think about it.
Check out the epicness of the Star Wars cover of Jay-Z's "Empire State of Mind"
I know everyone has probably already seen this, but I think it's awesome enough to show again :) Especially the Stormtrooper and Reble Pilots dancing and the amazing Princess Leia bun headphones!
Chewbacca and the Ewoks are a little creepy, but I think they more than make up for it with the Boba Fett cameo.
I also got a good laugh at the Gold Bikini. All the costumes seem pretty well done, but I know for a fact that that bikini is the Halloween costume version. (I happen to have the same one hanging up in my closet)
Here are the great Lyrics:
[DARTH VADER/JAY-Z]
Yeah
No longer Anakin
Formerly a Skywalker
Son's next rebel hero
But I'll be Sith forever
I'm the newest Dark lord And since my training years
I can choke from anywhere
Yeah my force is everywhere Used to run with Obi Wan We were both best buds foreva
But after three movies Now I've got a blood vendetta Grew up on Tatooine
No vegetation Catch me rolling through the cosmos in a moon-like station to Leia's home nation Death Star wrecks it Now princess knows, Vader ain't one to mess with
Flying through the trenches
Blasting rebel noobies
What happened to the fat one
Think he died of heart disease All that's left is this guy
Chasing him in my TIE I won't deny That his force is pretty damn high
Damn i just got wiped out
Falcon shot the back of me
Spinning into outerspace
But I'll be back definitely
[PRINCESS LEIA/ALICIA KEYS]
In Star Wars Empire is out to find Leia Death star plans in R2 Shoot the exhaust port Kenobi may now be see-through But the force is within Luke
Let's hear it for new hope, new hope, new hope
[Vader: You're welcome Obi Wan... I made you a ghost!]
[DARTH VADER/JAY-Z]
Catch me rockin boots and a cape like superman
Hell, I made wearing black more famous than that Jay-Z can
You should know I'd find you, hiding out at Echo
Now I got a Blizzard Force eliminate you quick yo
Welcome to the planet Hoth AT-ATs hit the spot Walking tanks are too legit
But they fall down a lot Check the front, check the back, cant find the Falcon yet
We need them all alive, so no disintegrations Boba Fett 8 million asteroids, where'd your little ship go?
Get me to Cloud City, I got Lando on my payroll
Me I gotta double check if carbonite's ok If freezin's safe for Han
Doing Luke the same way
New deal Lando
Ain't no pardon
Kid blew up my boys
Rest in peace Moff Tarkin
Turns out we are family
Embrace your dark fate
Dad and son together, yo No way the emperor's safe, cause...
[PRINCESS LEIA/ALICIA KEYS] In Star Wars
Now Han Solo's a coffee table
There's nothing Luke can do [Vader: Should've joined me, bro!]
He's on Dagobah
With some dyslexic Jedi dude
Right hand still got sliced through Looks like they struck back, struck back, struck back
[DARTH VADER/JAY-Z]
Lightsabers grinding
Palpatine's smiling
Cause he knew it would come to this The light side is blind with casualties
Who do evil casually, then gradually become worse
Don't fight your destiny
Wasn't a great dad, true
Absent all the while
No happy times behind us, and plus, now I'm killin' you
Keep fencing mister, 'cause now I sense a sister
You don't go bad, maybe I'll enlist her
Now Emperor wants you, only wants me rubbed out You controlled your anger, stayed light side devout Watch out kid, he's got lightning bolts to immolate Uh-uh, hell no, daddy powers activate
End this prune with a badass murder suicide
Bald headed, mask off, heart melted kid you were right Burn all my gear so those Ewoks can't wear it again
Do it, I'll be watching you, a ghost, name of Anakin
Man, is it ever cold here. Hoth cold. Every time I step out of the house, I wish I had a Tauntaun with me just in case. Ok, so I'm exaggerating, but some days it does feel like it.
Maybe if I had Padme's snowbunny suit, I would be warmer (and look much more awesome) whenever I left the house.
or maybe a snowsuit like Princess Leia's in Empire
Either way, I still want to go out and toboggan like I use to when I was a little girl
(I once saw a kid on one of these. It took all my will power not to knock him off and run away with it)
Anywho, no matter what you decide to wear this winter, just remember to keep warm out there
