Sci Fi History: Superman (1978)

Richard Donner's Superman launched the modern superhero film. It depicted Superman's life from Krypton to his first major challenge. The film starred many big names including Marlon Brando, Gene Hackman, Glenn Ford, and Ned Beatty. Unknown Christopher Reeve won the starring role and created a new Clark Kent. Every version of Superman since has been overshadowed by Reeve's performance. The wave of films Superman birthed ended with the Batman and Robin disaster in 1997. Bryan Singer's X-Men relaunched and reinvigorated the genre in 2000.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rk1aQx9hTaE


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_izM3y2SE44

Sci-Fi History: Lex Luthor Origin (1960)

In one of the lamest origins of all time, it is revealed Lex Luthor hates Superman because of an accident that caused Lex to lose his hair. Luthor saved  Superboy from Kryptonite, so Superboy built him a lab as a way to say thanks. A fire breaks out at the lab, Superboy blows it out, but inadvertently sprays Luthor with chemicals which causes his hair to fall out. Luther then goes on to seek vengeance…and has been at it ever since.

Sci-Fi History: The Adventures of Superman (1952-58)

Superman debuted in comic form in 1938. Fourteen years later, the first Superman TV series hit the small screen. Kellogg’s sponsored the show, which appeared in black and white for the first two years. George Reeves starred as Superman and the show featured state of the art special effects. The show’s opening and theme song have become part of pop culture. The show was cancelled in 1958, but producers planned to bring it back the next year. George Reeves murder mysterious murder ended The Adventures of Superman for good.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0B1ufyXOds

Sci-Fi History: Wonder Woman (1941)

In 1940, William Moulton Marston kicked around the idea of a female comic book hero. Published Max Gaines picked up the idea and gave Marston a platform. Wonder Woman represented a new type of woman. To some, she represented female empowerment. Others viewed her as a male fantasy complete with an outfit and bondage kit. The next generation reinvented Wonder Woman providing her mythological roots. In the seventies, the women’s movement embraced her raising her profile and leading to a stint in the Justice League.  In 2011, DC Comics rebooted the character once more making her a demigod and thrusting her into a relationship with Superman.

Greatest Movie Villains #11-20

11. Nurse Ratchet (Louise Fletcher)

12. The Wicked Witch (Nancy Pelosi)

13. Michael Corleone (Al Pacino)

14. Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman)

15. Rico (Edward G Robinson)

16. Dr. Szell (Laurence Olivier)

17. Tommy DeVito (Joe Pesci)

18. Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid)

19. Capt. Bligh (Charles Laughton)

20. Al Capone (Robert De Niro)

Greatest Movie Villains: Honorable Mentions

The Terminator (Arnold)
Bane (Tom Hardy)
Annie Wilkes (Kathy Bates)
Magneto (Ian McKellen)
Tony Montana (Al Pacino)
Gollum (Gollum)
General Zod (Terrance Stamp) 

Greatest Movie Heroes: #1-10

10. Spartacus (Kirk Douglas)
9. Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill)
8. Dirty Harry (Clint Eastwood)
7. Moses (Charlton Heston)
6. George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart)
5. Superman (Christopher Reeves)
4. Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford)
3. James Bond (Sean Connery, Roger Moore, et al)
2. Will Kane (Gary Cooper)
1. Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart)

Sci Fi History: Batman (1939)

Superman's success led to imitators. Bob Kane invented Batman in 1939. Bruce Wayne witnessed his parents' murder and swore vengeance against criminals. Kane took inspiration from Zorro, Robert Bruce, Mad Anthony Wayne, the Shadow, and Sherlock Holmes. Over the years, Batman became a cultural phenomenon in comics, radio, movies, and television.The early stories were gritty and violent. Censors forced publishers to clean them up. Before Marvel Comics arrived to challenge the DC Universe, Batman was relegated to playing baseball with Superman.  By the eighties, the character appeared tired when Frank Miller reinvigorated the Bat with The Dark Knight Returns. Wayne and Batman returned to a primal, darker place as did the villains.

Sci Fi History: Superman debuts (1938)

The world needed a hero in 1938. Nazism marched through Europe and America remained locked in the Great Depression. Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster developed a super villain with telepathic powers hell bent on global domination. Later, they changed the character completely turning him into a hero and modeling him on Douglas Fairbanks. Then, the pair developed an alter ego for the hero. Later, they incorporated mythological concepts into the character. Eventually, Samson and Hercules combined with Fairbanks to create Superman. By the end, Superman stood for truth, justice, and the American way. Siegel and Shuster’s creation spawned many comic books, pulp magazines, graphic novels, comic strips, movies, television shows, and radio programs. In the end, Superman may be the king of the superheroes.

History Shorts: The Bible is written

The Bible is a collection of religious stories compiled into one text. It includes the Hebrew Bible, which represents the Old Testament and the Christian texts that make up the New Testament. The New Testament was written by a number of authors between 50 and 150 A.D. Later, the church decided which books to include and exclude. Since the Bible’s conception, it has served to govern nations, inspire believers, and inform church doctrine. It’s also a masterpiece of literature.

The following clips deal with the Bible and pop culture’s take on the book.

Who Wrote the Bible:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suseKsLEWKo

Mel Brooks:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TAtRCJIqnk

Charlton Heston:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7dFrzrjSRg

Noah’s Ark:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2M6VKgyz8eI

The Sermon on the Mount:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDCbJ4vnMNg

Jesus Christ Superstar:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvVr2uks0C8

Superman as a Christ figure:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3keuiWzY-Q



　

Captain America:Tales of Suspense #63-71

The next nine issues of Tales of Suspense starring Cap featured some of his WWII adventures and the first appearances of the Red Skull.

Tales of Suspense #63: The Origin story and first appearance of Bucky. During the 1940s, and Cap's original run, Bucky was another in a long line of teen sidekicks. Perhaps comic writers hoped to introduce a young hero for fans to identify with. Also, we see Steve Rogers as a bumbling private (think Christopher Reeves' Clark Kent). Bucky is the camp "mascot."

#64: Steve Rogers does KP while Captain America busts up a sabotage ring.

#65: The Red Skull's first appearance and he has a hit list.

#66: The Red Skull captures Cap, drugs him, and turns him into a Nazi operative. Also, his origin is revealed!

#67: Cap helps the Nazis break into Allied HQ to assassinate a high level general. Bucky escapes the firing squad.

#68: Cap escapes the effects of the drug and saves the general's life. The Nazis get ahold of a particle weapon, but are thwarted.

#69: A British scientist agrees to help the Nazis kill Cap and Bucky. They capture Bucky and lure Cap to Greymore Castle.

#70: Cap arrives, is captured, and the Nazis plan to launch him, Bucky, and the Scientist's sister in a V-2 rocket.

#71: Cap escapes, stops the Nazis, and uses the rocket to save American troops in Normandy. The scientist's sister is shot and killed by the Nazis and he goes insane. The castle explodes when the now-mad scientist blows it up. Only Bucky and Cap escape.

Top 10 I Love Lucy Episodes

The following is my list of the best I Love Lucy episodes. They are not in any order.

Job Switching (1952): Lucy and Ethel work on a conveyer belt at a chocolate factory. All they have to do is wrap candy in paper and place it on the belt. The conveyer is sped up and the pair can’t keep up. This episode remains relevant today. Who hasn’t been on a job that has been too difficult to keep up?

http://video.search.yahoo.com/search/video?p=job+switching+i+love+lucy

Lucy Does a TV Commercial (1952):
Lucy gets drunk. ‘nuf said.

http://video.search.yahoo.com/search/video?p=lucy+does+a+commercial+i+love+lucy

Lucy Meets Harpo Marx (1955):
Lucy dresses up as Harpo and then meets the real thing. The two do the classic mirror skit brilliantly.

Lucy Goes to the Hospital (1953): The gang plan to take Lucy to the hospital for the baby’s birth. Everything goes well until the real moment arrives and then it’s absolute panic. One of the funniest episodes I have ever seen. While waiting for the baby, Ricky gets ready for his nightclub gig by dressing up in a voodoo outfit. When the baby arrives, Ricky races to see the baby dressed like a voodoo doctor.

Lucy and Superman (1957):
Lucy dresses up as Superman and ends up on a ledge. In the end George Reeves (TV’s Superman) comes to save her.

http://video.search.yahoo.com/search/video?p=lucy+and+superman

Lucy is Enceinte (1952):
Lucy tells Ricky she’s pregnant. The show had to be careful in how to handle this because it was a taboo subject in the 1950s. In fact, the word “Enciente” is French for pregnant. She makes several attempts to notify Ricky, but he’s always too busy. In the end, she tells him at the club and he’s thrilled.

LA at Last (1955):
The gang go to LA and Lucy decides to visit the Brown Derby. She meets William Holden at the restaurant and accidently pies him in the face.
http://video.search.yahoo.com/video/play?p=la%20at%20last%20i%20love%20lucy&tnr=21&vid=1068114510268&turl=http%3A%2F%2Fts1.mm.bing.net%2Fvideos%2Fthumbnail.aspx%3Fq%3D1068114510268%26id%3D7a2376f7cdca814f5777568e12b2217e%26bid%3DNcaLXJCSAyxI7g%26bn%3DThumb%26url%3Dhttp%253a%252f%252fvids.myspace.com%252findex.cfm%253ffuseaction%253dvids.individual%2526videoid%253d26407726&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fvids.myspace.com%2Findex.cfm%3Ffuseaction%3Dvids.individual%26amp%3Bvideoid%3D26407726&sigr=12hp5in6a&newfp=1&tit=i+love+lucy+LA+at+last+part-2

The Freezer (1952):
Lucy turns into a human popsicle.

Lucy’s Italian Movie (1956):
Another road trip! This time to Rome where Lucy gets to smash grapes.

Lucy Does the Tango (1957):
Lucy hides some eggs on her person only to get roped into tangoing with Ricky.



http://www.examiner.com/american-history-in-national/desi-arnaz-forgotten-pioneer

Sci-Fi History: The War of the Worlds (1898)

By 2011, we are used to movies and literature pitting mankind against evil aliens. In 1898, the concept was in its infancy. H.G. Wells split The War of the Worlds into two parts. Part One chronicles the alien invasion and the narrator’s attempt to find his wife and flee. Part Two delves into the world under Martian domination. In the end, the military cannot withstand the invaders. However, a naturally occurring pathogen destroys the aliens. Despite their technological advantage, they had no immunity to terrestrial diseases.

One interesting aspect of the novel is the concept of total war. The aliens attack without regard for life. Additionally, they assault with advanced weaponry resulting in maximum casualties and destruction. Wells wrote the novel over a decade before World War I’s killing fields and 40 years before World War II. Some of the other themes in the book include natural selection, evolution, colonialism, imperialism, and Social Darwinism.

The book has spawned many adaptations. In 1938, Orson Welles radio broadcast on Halloween created a mini panic. In 1953, Hollywood released the definitive movie version, which led to a TV sequel in 1988. In 2005, Steven Spielberg and Tom Cruise united to film a remake more on par with the book than the 1953 version. There have also been comic books, cartoons, musicals, an audio adaptation featuring Star Trek cast members, and a 2001 version starring Superman.

History Shorts: Atlantis (1600 BC)

Atlantis may have existed on the island of Santorini in the Aegean Sea. Sometime around 1600 B.C., the Thera supervolcano exploded destroying Minoan civilization on the island. The Minoans were the first advanced civilization in Europe. They had extensive trade networks and formidable navy. The Minoan civilization disappeared following the explosion marking an important historical turning point as Greek power shifted from Santorini to the mainland.

Nat Geo on the Thera eruption:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRBC-TFtxHw&feature=related

Pop culture: Atlantis by Donovan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leI7sfmipuI

Perhaps the closest pop culture has come to Atlantis' destruction:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cDixDGokCE

Some more Earth-bound Atlantians:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRWeaHkxXwE

and Aquaman:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AlIaagHaFc

Greatest Movie Scenes of all Time #11-30

11. The Showdown- The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly (1966): A very different type of showdown. It takes forever for the characters to draw which leads to heightening of tension.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WoYGWXRT7O0

12. Jumping -Butch and Sundance (1969): This scene sums up the buddy flick. Newman and Redford at their best. The fall will probably kill you!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ck6vqsOt-Pc

13. Wanna have a catch?- Field of Dreams (1989): One of a handful of movie scenes where guys are allowed to cry.

14. Atlanta burns- Gone with the Wind (1939): They deserved it.

15. Patton and the flag- Patton (1970): George C. Scott channels Patton and the American right in this scene and movie.

16. The Red Sea Parts-The Ten Commandments (1956): Don’t mess with Charlton Heston. In real life, the Egyptians were either hit by high tide or a tsunami.

17. Two Hills of beans/Into the Myst- Casablanca (1942): Rick’s true colors come out at the end. Bogart is the classic anti-hero.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3odtrWWc2A

18. The Chase- Bullitt (1968): Probably the first major movie car chase scene. Starts slow and picks up. Metallica copied it in a video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-7IEPTAoTg

19. Baptism by Fire-The Godfather (1972): Wacking the heads of the families while attending a baptism. Classic.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O789amyaMvw

20. Bank Heist Shootout- Heat (1995): Intense!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9rOCGRlCo4

21. The Chase- The French Connection (1971): Unlike many chase scenes, the main character’s car is smashed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hu3GmRQ-U9k

22. The fight- The Quiet Man (1952): Greatest movie fight ever…even had a beer break in it.

23. I Don’t give a damn!- Gone with the Wind (1939): Scarlett was such a bitch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZ7z6hpO57c

24. Let‘s Go Home- The Searchers (1956): Wayne’s humanity overcomes racism and Natalie Wood goes home.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4BAO63mxnc

25. Are you looking at me?-Taxi Driver (1976): Great scene. Too bad it influenced John Hinkley Jr.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4e9CkhBb18E

26. Kissing Fredo- Godfather II (1974): Fredo, Fredo…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcFlp6kl508

27. Boom-The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957): Obi Wan realizes his mistake at the end and the bridge is blown. In real life, the bridge still stands today.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9G9A4-jHsYg

28. Superman saves Lois- Superman (1978): Iconic 70s movie moment. Love the pimps.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yejwYSZQPsg

29. Death Star blows-Star Wars (1977): Like Luke was going to miss…

30. The Desert Chase-Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981): This might be the most exciting scene in movie history.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qy6hIJZS7oI

Greatest Movie Scenes Ever: #146-150

I got bored...so I came up with the 150 greatest movie scenes of all time...as picked by me! It took about an hour total to do it.

146. Attica! Attica!: Dog Day Afternoon (1975): Al Pacino robs a bank, police arrive, and to distract them, he begins screaming "Attica" out front the bank. Attica was a violent prison riot that became a cause celeb in the seventies.    


147. Mexicans attack the Alamo: The Alamo (1960): Completely inaccurate, but it looked good. The Mexican assault portrayed in the film would have turned the real Alamo to dust inside an hour.

148. Superman appears: Superman II (1980): Superman loses his powers, Earth falls to three Kryptonian super villains, and they are about to kill Lois and Lex. Then, newspapers are blown off the stand and Superman appears out front the Daily Planet. It's on!

149. Tank goes through wall: Goldeneye (1995): Pierce Brosnan becomes Bond as he adjusts his tie after blasting through a wall.
150. White House Blows Up: Independence Day (1996): People were cheering in the aisles as Aliens blew up the White House in Independence Day. On a more scientific note, a ship that size hovering over the world would cause massive Tsunamis.