OPENING DAY!

Yesterday was opening day for a lot of teams in the league, but today is opening day at Wrigley Field.

A few years ago we highlighted previous memorable opening days for the Cubs.


Here are some from the first 50 years of our bad century.

Here are some from the second 50 years.

In April, hope always springs eternal. GO CUBS!

Deol Dhamaka!: Melodrama overload: Apne (2007)

Everyone loves to pretend that the know celebrities personally. We read about their likes, dislikes, wishes, dreams, fears, hopes, etc. and develop a relationship with them from afar. And when celebrities draw you in to their inner circle by making you feel like a part of their family, the feeling of knowing them only increases. We start to feel personally invested in these people, in their successes and failures. We start to care about not only the individual stars, but their offspring too. It's kind of messed up, actually.

So when news of the film Apne started hitting the rounds, I was very excited. Seeing Dharmendra and his two sons together on-screen? Of course I wanted to see that! It was the first time we were going to see all three Deol men together, playing family members. You could tell from the early promos that it was going to be a sappy-sweet family drama, which did make me a bit apprehensive about it (I feared another K3G), so I didn't quite go rushing out to the theatres. In fact, I didn't get around to it at all until January 2011. And it certainly was a melodrama-fest, but not as god-awful as K3G ... perhaps thanks to the fact that most of the cast (excluding Booby Deol and Katrina Kaif) can actually act.

Running toward each other in slow motion! No, not the romantic couple. The two sons running toward their father!

The story is fairly simple -- Dharmendra plays Baldev, an ex-boxing champ who was accused of cheating at the height of his career and suspended from the league. He has never gotten over the loss of his career and broods about it constantly. Before the start of the film, he had tried to train his son, Angad (Sunny Deol), to bring glory back to his family by winning the boxing championship. Though initially successful, Angad eventually quits boxing because of financial strain in the family. Baldev has never forgiven Angad for quitting on him, and their relationship is basically non-existent. A secondary strain on their relationship exists because Angad is responsible for his younger brother Karan (Booby Deol)'s disability. Karan was injured when Angad, in trying to defend his mother against goons demanding money from her, accidentally causes debris to fall on him.

They can never resist using Dharam's glamour shots in his films today. He's sooo dreamy!

Despite Karan's injury, he is a budding rock star and romantically involved with a young doctor named Nandini (Katrina Kaif). Angad is also married to the lovely and spirited Simran (Shilpa Shetty) and has a young son. Baldev's wife Raavi (Kirron Kher) and Simran constantly try to hold the damaged, fraying family together, but Baldev's bitterness affects them all deeply.

The one-handed dance!

Unable to bear Baldev's unhappiness, Karan decides to forget his dreams of stardom and bring honor and dignity back to the family by taking up boxing. His girlfriend Nandini helps him through a medical procedure for "magic hand fix" (too bad this wasn't around for Mohnish Behl's character in Hum Saath Saath Hai), and he trains hard, eventually reaching the championship level in U.S.A.

 

HAHAHA! Katrina's ACTING you guys!

He is pitted against reigning champion Luca Gracia, and does quite well until Luca cheats. Karan is seriously injured (again! This guy has worse luck than a V.C. Andrews heroine) and hospitalized, and Baldev is devastated to see what his ambition has caused.

 

Hair sweat flying in slow-mo!

When Angad realizes what happened to Karan, he challenges Luca to fight him. Baldev, already brokenhearted, tries to tell Angad not to do it. He says there is no way he can train in time for the match, but Angad refuses to listen to anyone. He trains hard and funnels all of his rage and frustration into his boxing. Will he win the championship and restore Baldev to glory? Will Karan survive and marry Nandini? And WTH, they have a sister (Divya Dutta)?

 

THOUGHTS WHILE WATCHING APNE

• I can't believe Apne was Katrina Kaif's 9th film. She is horrendously bad. She was so bad in this film that I had to actually LAUGH at her expressions. Especially her close-ups when Booby's getting the crap beat outta him.

LOL. Seriously. I was cracking up at her "acting" ...

• Booby Deol is not much better. I actually thought his acting was miserably bad in this movie.

• For some reason everyone in Apne has red-tinted hair. What was that all about? Are they the Weasleys?

• Watching Katrina try to dance in this song is hilarious, because she almost falls over:

• Booby Deol's fight scenes are excruciating to watch. He has MOOBS. And they jiggle, in slow motion.

 

• Divya Dutta is criminally underused. She is one "over-actress" that I actually enjoy.
• Sunny's character is a total masochist. Kind of like Akshay Kumar's character in Dhadkan.

• But then he transforms into CRAZYEYES!Sunny and it is awesome. Particularly when he's dropping gratuitous f-bombs. Except he doesn't quite get it right. I don't think you want to yell "I'LL F*CK YOU!" over and over to your enemy.

This is a little beyond CRAZY EYES, Sunny ...

• Besides the red, Dharam also develops a streak in his hair like Rogue from X-Men.

• Sunny and Shilpa's kid in this movie seems very ... "special" ...

• Dharam's character is one selfish baaaaastaaaard for the way he treats his entire family -- all for the sake of Eternal Glory. This ain't the Triwizard Tournament, Baldev. Interesting how in both this film and Yamla Pagla Deewana, Dharam plays a total selfish jerk that both his sons worship. Particularly Sunny, who is his punching bag in both films. Thankfully, he doesn't seem to be that guy in real life. Also, I did sincerely appreciate his acting in this film. He did indeed seem devastated; a shell of himself. And despite how selfish his character is, you do find yourself rooting for him.

• Ultimately Sunny's character Angad is the one I sympathized with the most. He is so sweet and humble, so saddened by his father's rejection of him, and so noble. His scenes of training also provide an AWESOMELY bad song.

 

All in all, despite making fun of it throughout the watching experience, I'll say I enjoyed the movie. It was heartwarming, tearjerking goodness - a shameless melodrama fest. The story itself was interesting enough in how it unfolded, and they added in little bits that I didn't expect (like Luca having his own motivations and weaknesses). Solid performances from Dharam, Sunny, Kirron and Shilpa outweighed the lackluster performances of Booby and Katrina. And ultimately, it's a celebration of family!

Thank you again to all the great friends and colleagues that made DEOL DHAMAKA such a blast. I can't believe we have over 100 links for Deol Dhamaka! Please be sure to visit the links list and check out all the fun and creativity that Deol Dhamaka inspired this month.

And I definitely have to give the renowned title of MISS DEOL DHAMAKA to one of my favorite BollyBloggers, Ness of Shahrukh is Love. Ness created a blog post for literally EVERY SINGLE DAY of Deol Dhamaka, and I think they are all brilliant and hilarious.

And much love to all the fabulous participants, all talented bloggers in their own right! The blogs below have far more to offer than just Deol Dhamaka fare, so I definitely recommend that you follow them!

• Totally Filmi
• Beth Loves Bollywood
• Shahrukh is Love
• Roti Kapada aur Rum
• Nayika Talks
• In praise of all things Dharmendra-related
• Perdue in Bollywood
• Pakhi Pakhi: Stranger in a Strange Land
• Nakhrewali's Nothing Big, Nothing Grand
• Bollywood Deewana
• My Year of Prakash Raj
• The Bombay Talkies
• Lime Reviews - Confessions of a Bollywood Addict

*if I have missed anyone inadvertently, please, please let me know!

Food Court Flash Mob - Hallelujah Chorus – Awesome

At lunchtime, these unsuspecting shoppers got the thrill of a lifetime.

A flash mob started singing the Hallelujah Chorus just as these surprised sat down in the food court to enjoy their lunch.

This is one of the best flash mob videos we’ve ever come across and the action builds as the video progresses.

Enjoy!

Betty White to Host New Hidden Camera 'Prank' Show for NBC

Move over Ashton Kutcher. Our favorite comedic senior citizen has just signed on to a new comedy reality show gig!

NBC announced Thursday that they have ordered twelve episodes of the new “Betty White Off Their Rockers” show starring, of course, Betty.

The hidden camera prankster reality show will follow seven other senior citizens, led by 89-year-old White, as they play hidden camera pranks on the “unsuspecting youth and younger generation”.

White said,

“People have been telling me that I’m ‘off my rocker’ for years — now I can prove it.”

Betty has had a resurgence of popularity since hosting a Saturday Night Live episode last year, and her hit sitcom “Hot in Cleveland” has just been picked up for its third year on NBC, and she has a book coming out in May.

Boy, this gal really makes me feel old – and lazy.

“Off Their Rockers” is being licensed to the U.S. markets by a Belgian company where the show first originated with huge success.

No air date has been released.

Watch Katy Perry’s New ‘E.T.’ Video with Kanye West – It is Bizarre – Really…

I guess in a world of Lady Gaga the pressure to always release new, wild, and bizarre music videos must be tremendous.

Leave it to Katy Perry to not disappoint.

In her new music video, “E.T” featuring Kanye West, the full bodied singer takes things into the world of space to grab our attention. The scene is set on a dark, distant planet with alien spacecraft and surreal imagery.

Kanye West floats around in an extra-terrestrial “orb” while he wraps about candy bars, and how famous and important he is.

Really? Why is Kanye even in this video?

Perry then floats into the scene in what looks like some costume from the last Harry Potter movie.

I’m not sure what else I can say other than… Katy Perry is turning into Lady Gaga.

Watch it and enjoy?

Watch Katy Perry and Kanye West in “E.T” Music Video



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Ain't Gonna Pee-Pee My Bed Tonight

I'm speechless...

The Playboy Club

I'm looking forward to the upcoming TV series about Playboy clubs for a couple of reasons. One, it takes place in Chicago, and it's actually being filmed here. (In my old neighborhood even)

Secondly, it takes place in the 1960s, and even though I technically lived through it, I wasn't old enough to actually experience it. It's one of the reasons why "Mad Men" is so enjoyable.

Also, I do remember a few of my dad's friends having those Playboy Club Key Cards. I've always been curious about them.

According to this morning's Variety, it sounds like they maybe pushing the envelope content wise.

The Gold Coast

Bridget and I (and Tommy) used to live on Chicago's Gold Coast. We had a condo in one of the high rises on Dearborn, not one of the mansions on State Parkway or Astor, but we were technically part of the community.

I still follow the neighborhood news for old times sake, and not just because I like seeing how insane the property values are getting. (If only we stuck it out for another year or two...sigh)

What I really love reading are the ridiculous laws the residents of that neighborhood ram through the Chicago City Council. There's nothing like rich people writing laws just for themselves. The latest example is this one: It's now illegal not to clean up after your horse when he pees.

Yup, we have a law on the books in Chicago because one rich guy on Chestnut and Dearborn complained.

Judge Judy health scare

The cameras were rolling, the episode was being taped, Judge Judy was having trouble making coherent thoughts, and then, boom. She stopped the taping mid-show. Paramedics were called and took her to the hospital.

She says she is just exhausted, but otherwise fine.

Full details are here.

SI and the Cubs

Sports Illustrated has put many of their old archived articles online, and I've been going through them to find some gems about the Cubs.

This one was from December 10, 1984. It's about Rick Sutcliffe's decision whether or not to stay with the Cubs. He has offers from eight teams. The cover story of this issue is about a certain rookie on the Bulls who looks like he might just turn into something.

Waiting On Deck For A Shipload Of Money
Rick Sutcliffe is in the easy chair as the Cubs attempt to salvage last season's pitching staff.

The Cub and the Blonde Bombshell

She was a major league blonde bombshell. He was a minor league Cub bomb.

Together they stole the headlines in 1966.

Their story is today's Tale from a Bad Century.

A Deol Dhamaka Sidebar: Hema the Knife

Deol Dhamaka is ending ... and I had SO many more films that I wanted to share as a part of this month-long celebration. Alas, time flies when you are having fun and I wasn't able to get to everything.

I had initially not considered Hema Malini to be a valid part of Deol Dhamaka -- somehow I felt Hema could potentially be deserving of a blogging week of her own at some point. But several of our friends have included her, and I had two Hema songs as ear worms today so I thought I would share them as a Deol Dhamaka sidebar.

Interestingly enough, both songs feature Hema skillfully wielding knives! Danger! It's not just her nasheeli nainon that you must be wary of! As soon as I realized I had Knife-brandishing Hema songs on the brain, I knew a post was brewing. I had to juxtapose! A lovely bonus to this is that both songs are from films that feature handsome hubby Dharmendra as Hema's hero. Score!

Now we all know Hema's no stranger to knives. After all, she had knife-throwing roles in both Sapnon Ka Saudagar and Seeta aur Geeta. Even Katrina Kaif is apparently seeking knife-throwing lessons from Hemaji (read the article here).

First, from one of the earliest Hindi films I remember seeing - "Qayamat Qayamat" from Ali Baba aur Chalis Chor (1980) - one of the films I had REALLY hoped to blog about during Deol Dhamaka (I am definitely still going to blog about it at some point - it features prominently in my Bollystalgia). This film was an Indo-Soviet co-production ... something I seriously did NOT know as a child. The cast includes Dharmendra as the title role of Ali Baba, Hema Malini as Marjeena, Zeenat Aman as Fatima, and a host of both Indian and Soviet actors as the 40 thieves (Aww Mac Mohan!). A classic fairy tale obviously based on one of the most popular tales from the Arabian Nights, but spiced up with some fabulous R.D. Burman numbers! And Dharam as Ali Baba? Come on! Who wouldn't love this?

So here's Hema doing her knife wielding thing in Ali Baba ...



The 2nd song is actually from a few years earlier, and is my favorite Dharam + Hema movie - Dream Girl (1977)! I loved this movie as a child, but I must admit, I haven't seen the full movie in many, many years. We had all of the songs recorded on a VHS tape and that is what I remember most, but I do vaguely remember the storyline that featured Dharam as the rich young playboy looking for love, and Hema and Asrani as con-artists with heart (they steal to provide for their home-based orphanage - and one of their orphans is a little Padmini Kohlapuri! Also among the orphans, lovely dancer Komal from Payal Ki Jhankaar). I had hoped to also do this movie for Deol Dhamaka, but ran out of time. I remember it being fun and having a crazy climax with some killer stunts by Dharam, and also having some great comedic moments (Hema dressed as a Sanyasi, anyone?). The songs were a joy to watch, especially the title song (check out my Song of the Day post about it), "Chupa Chupi Khele Aao", and the Disneyland song. But I digress ... here is Hema in Banjaran-costume, brandishing her trusty knife in "O Raja Babu":



I sense that I am going to have some strong Deol Dhamaka Hangover, so there may be some residual posts that still make it on to the blog. But I cannot thank all the fabulous bloggers who participated in Deol Dhamaka enough! We have over 100 posts on our Deol Dhamaka links list, so I highly recommend you visit and check out some of the writings. There are some excellent write-ups that go well beyond the "OMG he's soooo hot" fare that we thought we'd have. :-)

This has been an exciting project and I am so thrilled with the participation! And stay with us ... there's still one more day in March and who knows what might happen?

Judge Judy Rushed to Hospital In Health Scare…

Things got a little scary on the set of Judge Judy Sheindlin’s television show today.

During the taping she apparently started talking in gibberish, alarming those in the room, and said she was not feeling well.

She was taken to the hospital by ambulance and will be staying overnight for observation.

It must not be real serious because Sheindlin called TMZ’s Harvey Levin from her hospital bed with the following update:

"I'm just exhausted, and my body was telling me it needed a day to chill. I was feeling funky this morning ... funky enough that I knew someone should give a gander over what I got. I'm really fine. I wanted to go back to work this afternoon, I'm exhausted. I'm just tired. A lot of things just zoned together, including the bad news of the world. I'm gonna go home tomorrow. It was a bad idea to fly home tonight. At my age, I know my body. My body is fine".

Judge Judy is currently at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles where she is undergoing tests.

Get better Judge Judy!

Justin Bieber’s Music Producers Sued Over Song Royalties – Seeking Damages

You know what they say - you’re not successful until somebody tries to sue you. So it goes in the teen heart throb world of Justin Bieber.

The original producers of the 17- year-old's hit single “One Less Lonely Girl” are suing Bieber’s Production company saying they are due royalties from the song, and accuses them of fraud and copyright infringement. Ouch!

Vance Tate and Thomas Oliveria, who represent the songwriting team A-Rex, have filed a lawsuit seeking additional royalty money from the hit single which appeared on Bieber's hit 2008 debut album, “My World”.

In 2008, A-Rex wrote the song, "One Less Lonely Girl," as part of a music project by soul and R&B singer Noel Gourdin. Gourdin’s team passed on the song so A-Rex shopped it around the music biz and it eventually found its way onto Justin Bieber's first album.

The suit alleges that A-Rex are due ten percent of the publishing royalties tied to their share of the song, a dollar amount they say is about $200,000. They are also seeking damages for breach of contract, fraud, conversion and copyright infringement.

Really? Only $200,000? Bieber makes $300,000 per concert and “One Less Lonely Girl” is one of his hit songs on stage.

The suit also names EMI Music Publishing and the L.A. Reid Music Publishing Company.

L.A. Reid, just announced last week that he will be stepping down as Chairman of Island Def Jam Records to become one of the judges on the Fall premier of Simon Cowell's new reality show “X Factor”.

Bieber's management team has not commented on the suit.

My take:

Pay up and move on…..

‘Twin Boys Have a Conversation’ – Video Goes Viral

Everybody seems to be talking about it today.

And I have to admit that after watching it I found myself with a smile on my face.

The YouTube video titled “Twin Boys Have a Conversation” shows two twin toddlers standing in the kitchen trying to have a conversation about a missing sock.

At least that’s what it sounds like… and looks like.

Even though you won’t recognize one word they say, you will know exactly what they are TRYING to say.

It is the cutest video ever!

Watch Twin Boys Have A Conversation YouTube Video

Donald Trump is a Political Douchebag – You’re Fired!

Every now and then there are people who I wish would just go away. Today, Donald Trump is that person. Why?

The Donald has now thrown his hat, or bad hair, into the ring for the 2012 Presidential campaign.

Really?

Trump running for President? Donald, please don’t ask Gary Busey to be your running mate or Joan Rivers to be your Secretary of State.

First off, the only political experience he has is dealing with other politicians in the New York and New Jersey commercial building, golf course, and casino business. Okay, so he knows how to pay people off and likes golf.

He also knows how to get D-list celebrities to make pizza, sell wedding dresses, and plug product placement deals on his show “Celebrity Apprentice”. But that type of extreme leadership pales in comparison to what it takes to be president.

And last week on “The View” he went on and on about how Barack Obama should just “step up” and produce a copy of his birth certificate. Oh no… another birther. I thought we had settled that a long time ago.

In a masterful attempt to “show how easy it was”, Donald produced for the media what he said was a copy of his own birth certificate. But there was only one problem.

What he actually produced was just an unofficial hospital birthing record – NOT his official birth certificate. That’s kind of embarrassing.

Trump even accused the Governor of Hawaii of a cover-up regarding the issue, and the Governor shot back calling Trump “a fool”.

Of course we all know that Trump could never really get elected, and I hope that deep down Donald himself realizes that – but I’m not so sure.

After all, four years in Washington would put a serious crimp in his television production schedule. He even told reporters that he couldn’t say anything about running until production on “Celebrity Apprentice” was over. Really?

Donald – there are too many real problems in this world for you to be wasting our time with some type of selfless promotion regarding running for president. You know you have zero chance of winning so please step aside and let the real contenders battle this out. In times like this I really miss Keith Olbermann’s “Worst person in the world” segment.

But Donald, since you seem to understand only one thing besides money, I will make this very easy for you to process…

Donald, you’re fired.

Homer Simpson’s Nuclear Power Plant Job in Jeopardy After Japan Disaster – D’oh

In a real world example of life imitating art, Homer Simpson has got himself into a little hot water these days – as in nuclear hot water.

It seems that Germany, Switzerland and Austria are none too thrilled with Homers clumsy and potentially dangerous antics in his day job at the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant.

The countries have joined together to review and pull several episodes of “The Simpsons” that show Homer causing problems at work in a nuclear power plant.

The series has a long history of showing “green glowing blobs” as a result of Homer’s inept work ethic.

In fact, the opening sequence shows Homer dropping a glowing piece of radioactive fuel rod, and one episode shows Homer and two of his friends playing “Toxic Barrel Rolling”.

The worst offender is an episode that shows Homer getting shot by Ned Flanders while in the nuclear control room and falling on the “Destroy Core” button causing a nuclear explosion that destroys Springfield.

And what about the episode showing a singing and dancing radioactive Mr. Burns?

Germany says it is screening every episode to make sure there are no bad references to nuclear health and safety shown on the air.

So far two episodes have already been pulled: Episode 66, “Marge Gets a Job”, featuring scientists Marie and Pierre Curie dying of radiation poisoning; and Episode 346, “On a Clear Day I Can't See My Sister”, where jokes about a nuclear meltdown are made.

Executive producer Al Jean says that Homer will be keeping his job at the nuclear plant, and added;

"We have 480 episodes, and if there are a few that they don’t want to air in light of the terrible thing going on in Japan, I completely understand that.”

But where do you draw the line? Maybe countries should screen each episode looking for examples of bullying, irresponsible drinking, adultery, racial intolerance, and other socially unacceptable acts.

And why stop with the Simpsons? What about Jersey Shore, Two and a Half Men, and other wonderful programming?

No, we suggest you see it as it is – comedy, parody, and art. If you make too much of a stink then the government will feel compelled to get involved and then we’re all screwed. All that will be left will be reruns of I Love Lucy and The Lawrence Welk Show.

My take:

At the end of the day I think adults, and most children, know the difference between a real world disaster and a cartoon parody. If you have any doubt, then you should spend less time letting television mold your kids mind - and more time doing it yourself.

Enough said.