40 Things That Happen Only In Movies

Movie's rarely reflect real life. They're not supposed to, are they.

Movies are a means of escape; a wonderland of the impossible made possible. In other words, a magic trick.

The Hollywood magicians could do well by sharpening up their cliche bag of tricks. Here's 40 Things That Happen Only In Movies.

Greetings On Over 800 Languages

Yongámo, CTCN readers, Kiel vi fartas?

For the uninitiated, the previous sentence combines three languages.

Yongámo means good morning as spoken in the Enga language of Papua New Guinea.

The middle bit, spoken in English, refers to you, the CTCN readers.

The third, Kiel vi fartas, is the international use of the Esperanto language means how are you.

Before you accuse me of becoming uncommunicative and elitist, you can head over to this site which gives you the ability to utter various greetings in over 800 languages.

You can learn to say hello, how are you, goodbye, please, thank you and do you speak English.

The question becomes; with so many greetings from which to choose, how will you say hello today?

The Unborn 101

Who are the most influential people who were never born?

According to authors of The 101 Most Influential People Who Were Never Born, #1 is the Marlboro Man. From that point, there is a cornucopia of pop culture icons.

You can read the list here, and let the arguments begin.

Of course, I'll never agree that J.R. Ewing (#63), who's now forgotten, exerts more influence that Vito Andolini (The Godfather) or Tony Montana (say hello to my little friends), who didn't rate a ranking?

Where's the Bogeyman? For crying out loud, the Bogeyman (who should be top ten) has scared the crap out of humans, in numerous cultures, for centuries and he didn't warrant a place on the list? Parents whip out the Bogeyman every time a kid gets out of line. Many of those who made the list, including Frankenstein, Mr. Hyde, and the aforementioned J.R. Ewing are Bogeyman variations.

"You better do your homework or J.R. Ewing will force you into bankruptcy, sleep with your wife, and re-possess your baseball card collection".

CTCN readers...who do you think should be on the list? How about a re-arranged top ten?

My Favorite Word

What's your favorite word? Gossamer? Breeze? Beautiful? Mystery?

The web site, My Favorite Word, encourages you to write and explain your favorite word. It's a great way to improve or beautify your language while increasing your vocabulary.

Take a look at the site and feel free to share your word with CTCN readers by posting it in comments.

My favorite word? Ethereal.

Heavy Duty Football Hits

With the football season about to begin, here's a video compilation of some heavy duty hits. Watch this and feel the aches, Mandy...err Mandi.

Time Magazine's 50 Coolest Websites

Time Magazine has put together a list of 50 coolest websites from six different categories.

I've looked over a number of the sites listed and found a gold mine of interesting fun stuff. Give Wolfgang's Vault a spin and for the shop-a-holics, you must head over to Mighty Goods.


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Get a Call From Samuel L. Jackson

I had Samuel L. Jackson call my wife just moments ago. In a moment of unusual coincidence, she was actually talking about "Snakes On A Plane" when she picked up the phone. I kid you not, she *&%$^&8 freaked!!

You to can send a free personalized talking "Snakes on a Plane" message in the voice of Samuel L. Jackson to someone you know. Give Sam the details and him whether you want to send your message by phone or by E-mail. Then sit back, relax and enjoy the fright...

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25 Most Shocking Movie Moments

Premiere Magazine has published a list of great, shocking movie moments. Just perusing the list conjurs up these shocking moments (if you've seen the movie) proving that visceral moments rarely leave your imagination. My favorite shocking moment? #19

Other shocking moments which didn't make the list? How about:

• Mookie throwing a trash can through the window of Sal's Pizzeria and igniting a full blown riot in Do The Right Thing?
• Schindler's List brutal Nazi commandant, played by Ralph Fiennes, randomly shooting people for pleasure.
• Vincent Vega getting machine gunned by Butch in Pulp Fiction.
• When Jeffrey watches Frank Booth brutalize and rape Dorothy Valens in Blue Velvet.
• When Seth Brindle's maggot baby emerges from Geena Davis' womb in the The Fly.

Okay, now CTCN readers, post your most shocking movie moments.

The Flintstones Do Winstons

Many readers probably don't recall when cigarette advertising ruled the television airwaves. You could find movie stars, professional athletes, and the Flintstones hawking cigarettes.

The Flintstones? Fred and Wilma?

Yep, you'll love this Flintstones Winston commercial. It's positively caveman how Fred and Barney kick back, smoke a Winston, and watch their wives work. Wait until you hear Fred sing the famous Winston's jingle and watch Wilma puff away.

Want Music? Head to The Hype Machine

Ever since Sam Goody's closed here in Coshocton, people have been left jonesing for new music.

Of course, multiple online sites exist and some are actually good. In fact, so many exist, that you can get lost.

Over the next few days, I'll present CTCN readers with a handful of music sites; some pay, others free. I'll link you to label sites, blogs, and legal download sites. What you won't find are music sites about which everyone knows; sorry I-Tunes.

First up: The Hype Machine, a music blog aggregator. The music listed can be listened to, purchased (I-Tunes, E-Music), and often downloaded from the originating blog. The tunes lean toward indie rock, but often, genres can vary wildly. You won't an abundance of major label fodder, but you can find live stuff from major label artists. There's always a large selection and, in this format, you can experiment and try out new music

Can You Pass An 8th Grade Science Test?

I hope that my results are graded on a curve. It's amazing how much you forget about 8th grade science when you didn't pay attention anyway.

Now, you can test your 8th grade science knowledge. It's a quick test. Remember, if you cheat, you're only cheating yourself.

One more thing. Feel free to post your results in the comment section. I won't make fun of you, but you can make fun of me. I failed.

Watch Over 700 TV Show Episodes Online

They call this empowerment. TV when you want it; on your terms.

Because you don't have enough to do...here's a site with links to over 700 episodes from a range of TV shows including 24, Family Guy, Lost, Prison Break, Scrubs, South Park and over 50 others.

I'll see you in six months.

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Fifty Albums That Changed Music

The Guardian Unlimited undertook the task of compiling the fifty albums that changed music; a daunting task at best.

While I don't agree with many rankings, for instance ranking London Calling higher than The Ramones, makes little sense because the Ramones influence upon the Clash (and hundreds of other bands) has been well documented. Nonetheless, I am in total agreement with number one, The Velvet Underground and Nico. I would suspect many CTCN readers have never heard this album, but it's influence on music, to this day, is undeniable.

What do you think? Who's missing and how would you re-arrange the list?

Big Sandy And The Fly Rite Boys On You Tube

If you read yesterday's post about Big Sandy and the Flyrite Boys, and you're wondering what they sound like, you can see them on You Tube.

Big Sandy And The Fly Rite Boys Swingin' Through The Area

The first time I saw Big Sandy and the Flyrite Boys was in Kansas City many years ago. They were the opening act for surf guitar legend Dick Dale. I had never heard the band who were dressed in monster cuffed jeans and looking as though they dropped off of Planet Hillbilly. They hit the stage and a diverse crowd paid little attention to the western swing/rockabilly combo...that is until about the third song. It's rare to see a band turn around a crowd, but Big Sandy did, and everyone danced. It's a show I'll never forget.

I had another chance to see the band in Cincinnati. This time, I met Big Sandy, collected autographs and talked about the old King Studios located back up the interstate. Man, oh man, they tore up the place again. Their sound had expanded. They touched on cajun, hillbilly, and mariachi sounds. One thing for certain; they are a great dance band.

I'd never been a western swing fan, but I can tell you, without a doubt, Big Sandy and the Flyrite Boys made me a believer. These cats are pure and can flat lay it down. Which brings me to this: Big Sandy and the Flyrite Boys are playing two shows, one this Friday, July 21, at St. Clair Park in Greensburg, PA (a small town south of Pittsburgh), and the other Saturday, July 22, at the Grog Shop in Cleveland.

Yeah, I know, it's a bit of a drive, but you'll have a blast and see one of the nation's great touring bands.

Dr. Dan To Appear At Coffee Co. This Saturday

Take a look at the picture. Right there by the giant, steaming coffee cup. This Saturday, Feb. 4, Mt. Vernon's favorite troubador, Dr. Dan, makes his first appearance at Coffee Co., 311 Main, downtown Coshocton.

For those of you who missed last weekend's dynamite performances of Katie and Pat (there continues to be a major buzz about the duo), make sure you arrive early for Dr. Dan as prime seats will fill up.

Don't forget...it's a freebie!

Late Night With David Letterman Debuts

Feb. 1, 1982--Late Night With David Letterman debuts and, eventually, Ball State's secret about floats built with spam is exposed.

Tooling Around Coshocton on A Harley

In 1917, if you wanted to don the leathers and cruise Coshocton on a Harley, you could purchase one of these at S & S Sporting Goods. Cool side note...with gasoline going up to 35 cents per gallon, you could take an environmental or financial stand and pump those nifty pedals.

A Stage Full of Girls !

On this day in 1917, Coshocton's 6th Street Theatre featured the musical, "My Hometown Girl". The ad promised a "stage full of girls" and over 50 people on stage! Here in Coshocton !

Before the dawn of television, small towns like Coshocton often had major theatrical tours and big time bands visiting. Now, we get "Chicken Little" at the Hollywood Studio Theatre.