Woody Strode: A Groundbreaking Legacy in Sports and Film

Early Life and Background
Woodrow Wilson Woolwine Strode was born on July 25, 1914, in Los Angeles, California. He was of African American and Native American descent (his grandmother was Cherokee), growing up in a racially tense era that offered few opportunities for Black men in sports or film. Strode attended UCLA, where he was a standout athlete and classmate of Jackie Robinson and Kenny Washington.

Trailblazer in Sports
Before his acting career, Woody Strode made history as one of the first Black players to break the NFL color barrier in the modern era. Along with Kenny Washington, he signed with the Los Angeles Rams in 1946—just months before Jackie Robinson debuted in Major League Baseball. Strode also briefly played professional Canadian football.

Transition to Acting
Strode’s striking physique and commanding presence helped him land early film roles, often as warriors, slaves, or athletes. In the 1950s, he began getting more substantial parts. His breakthrough came in 1960’s Spartacus, where he played the gladiator who fights Kirk Douglas in one of the film’s most iconic scenes. That role earned him international attention.

Career Highlights

• Sergeant Rutledge (1960) – Directed by John Ford, this was one of Hollywood’s first films to feature a Black man as the lead in a heroic role. Strode played a Black cavalry soldier falsely accused of rape and murder. The role challenged stereotypes and showcased his acting depth.

• The Professionals (1966) – He appeared alongside Burt Lancaster and Lee Marvin in this action Western.

• The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962) – Reunited with John Ford, Strode played Pompey, a loyal and dignified aide.

• Once Upon a Time in the West (1968) and various Italian Westerns – He found consistent work in Europe, particularly during the "Spaghetti Western" boom.

Later Career and Personal Life
Strode continued acting into the 1990s, including a small role in The Quick and the Dead (1995), which was released posthumously. He was also a wrestler and posed for fitness and physique magazines in the 1940s. He was married to Hawaiian princess Luukialuana Kalaeloa, and they had two children. His wife passed in 1980.

Legacy
Woody Strode broke racial barriers in both sports and Hollywood. He was one of the first Black actors to play roles of dignity and strength rather than comic relief or stereotypes. His collaboration with John Ford and his international success paved the way for future generations of Black actors.

Death
Strode passed away from lung cancer on December 31, 1994, at age 80 in Glendora, California.

“Woody was a prince. He was the Black John Wayne.” – Director John Ford 

The Movie "Psycho" 1960 This is a specially crafted condense version of the movie (20 mins)

 “Psycho” (1960) – The Movie That Changed Horror Forever

Directed by Alfred Hitchcock, Psycho is one of the most influential and shocking films in cinema history. Released in 1960, it redefined what audiences expected from thrillers and horror movies — and even changed the way movies were marketed and made.

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🎬 The Plot

At its core, Psycho begins like a crime drama. Marion Crane (played by Janet Leigh) steals $40,000 from her employer and runs away, hoping to start a new life. During a rainstorm, she stops at the isolated Bates Motel, managed by the quiet and awkward Norman Bates (played by Anthony Perkins).
What follows is a chilling spiral of mystery, murder, and psychological terror — including that unforgettable shower scene.

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🧠 Why It Was Revolutionary

1. The Shower Scene:
   One of the most famous moments in film history — shot in 70 camera setups and 52 cuts — yet you never actually see the knife pierce the skin. Hitchcock used quick editing, sound, and suggestion to terrify audiences.

2. Killing the Star Early:
   Hitchcock shocked everyone by killing off the apparent main character (Janet Leigh) just 40 minutes into the film. This broke every Hollywood rule at the time.

3. Music That Screams:
   Composer Bernard Herrmann’s screeching violins during the shower scene became an instant symbol of horror. Hitchcock later said the music provided “33% of the effect of the picture.”

4. The Psychology of Horror:
   Norman Bates wasn’t a monster in a mask — he was a deeply disturbed human being. This shift from supernatural horror to psychological terror influenced decades of thrillers that followed.

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👤 Anthony Perkins as Norman Bates

Perkins’ performance made Norman one of cinema’s most complex villains. He played him as polite, lonely, and sympathetic — until his darker side emerged. The character was inspired by real-life murderer Ed Gein, whose crimes also influenced The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and Silence of the Lambs.

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🎥 Behind the Scenes

• Hitchcock financed the film himself on a tight budget, shooting it in black and white with his TV crew to save money.

• He also bought up copies of Robert Bloch’s novel “Psycho” (on which the film was based) to prevent anyone from knowing the twist ending.

• Viewers were famously not allowed into the theater after the movie began — another first in movie promotion.     BJ 😱

The Time Machine 1960 vs The Time Machine 2002

Ah, classic sci-fi showdown! "The Time Machine" 1960 vs. "The Time Machine" 2002 — both based on H.G. Wells' iconic novel, but very different in execution. Let’s break it down by key aspects:

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🎬 Direction & Tone

1960 (Directed by George Pal):

• Feels like a true adaptation of H.G. Wells’ vision.

• Optimistic, philosophical, and measured in pace.

• Emphasizes humanity’s progress, war, and evolution with a cautionary tone.

• Classic retro sci-fi charm, with an almost fairy-tale feel.

2002 (Directed by Simon Wells — H.G. Wells’ great-grandson!):

• Much more of an action-sci-fi blockbuster.

• Takes creative liberties, especially with the plot (e.g., the protagonist is motivated by the death of his fiancée).

• Darker, faster-paced, and more visually intense.

• Focused more on emotional and personal stakes than societal ones.

🧠 Winner: 1960 — truer to the philosophical heart of the novel.

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👨‍🚀 Time Traveler Character

1960 (Rod Taylor as George):

• Intelligent, inquisitive, and driven by curiosity and idealism.

• Represents the classic Victorian gentleman-scientist.

• Charismatic without needing to be over-the-top.

2002 (Guy Pearce as Alexander Hartdegen):

• More emotional and tormented.

• Character motivations are rooted in love and loss, which wasn’t in the book.

• Smart, but spends more time reacting than exploring.

🧠 Winner: 1960 — stronger portrayal of the intellectual adventurer.

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💥 Visual Effects

1960:

• For its time, the effects were groundbreaking.

• Miniatures, time-lapse photography, and practical effects hold nostalgic charm.

• The time-lapse shop window is iconic.

2002:

• CGI-heavy, especially in the future settings (some hit-or-miss by today's standards).

• More dynamic visuals, with elaborate Morlock creatures and explosive sequences.

🧠 Winner: 2002 — modern spectacle wins here, though the 1960 version has retro appeal.

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👹 Morlocks & Eloi

1960:

• Eloi are passive and almost doll-like.

• Morlocks are creepy but look like costumed actors.

• Simpler, but keeps the allegory intact (class division, industrial society).

2002:

• Eloi are more fleshed out (and multiracial, which is cool).

• Morlocks are terrifying and fast, with a super-Morlock (Jeremy Irons!) added.

• Tries to deepen the mythology, but loses the allegorical simplicity.

🧠 Winner: Tie — 1960 wins in allegory, 2002 in creature design.

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🧭 Story & Themes

1960:

• Focus on time as a tool for observing societal downfall.

• Critique of war, classism, and technology gone awry.

• Closer to Wells’ original message.

2002:

• Adds romantic backstory, alternate timelines, and more spectacle.

• More Hollywood, less Wells.

• Still explores fate and determinism, but through a narrower lens.

🧠 Winner: 1960 — more profound and thought-provoking.

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🏆 Overall Verdict

Category	Winner
Direction & Tone	1960
Time Traveler	1960
Visual Effects	2002
Morlocks & Eloi	Tie
Story & Themes	1960

👉 Final Score: 1960 wins (3 out of 5)

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If you love vintage sci-fi, thoughtful pacing, and allegorical depth, the 1960 version is the winner. If you prefer fast-paced action, sleek visuals, and emotional drama, the 2002 version might hit the spot. 

BJ 👽  Clip from THE time machine 1960...

House On Haunted Hill: Condensed Version (20mins) Sweet Rememberance!

Few movies capture the eerie fun of old-school horror quite like The House on Haunted Hill (1959). Directed by William Castle and starring the ever-magnetic Vincent Price, this cult favorite helped shape the haunted house genre and continues to entertain movie fans more than six decades later. 

 🎬 A Night You’ll Never Forget 

 The film’s setup is simple but chilling. Eccentric millionaire Frederick Loren (Vincent Price) invites five strangers to spend the night in a creepy mansion. The deal? Whoever survives until morning wins $10,000. But as midnight strikes, mysterious noises, secret passages, and ghostly figures begin to terrorize the guests. Are they dealing with real spirits—or something even deadlier? 

 👻 William Castle’s Haunted Gimmick

 Director William Castle was known for his creative movie promotions. For this film, he introduced a gimmick called “Emergo.” During the final scenes, a skeleton would float above the theater audience on a wire! It was a genius mix of horror and showmanship that made the movie a box-office success and a fan favorite. 

 🕯️ Vincent Price’s Chilling Charm

 Price delivers one of his most memorable performances, perfectly balancing charm, wit, and menace. His sly humor and haunting presence turned The House on Haunted Hill into more than just a scary movie—it became a classic of style and suspense. 

 🏚️ Legacy of a Cult Classic 

 The film’s success influenced later horror productions and even inspired a 1999 remake with a darker, modern twist. Yet, the original remains a timeless example of black-and-white horror done right proving that atmosphere and imagination can be scarier than blood and gore. Whether you’re a lifelong horror buff or discovering it for the first time, The House on Haunted Hill is a must-watch for any vintage movie lover. 

BJ  😰😱

"My Favorite Skittle Commercial"

Here’s a breakdown of the quirky and memorable “arm-wrestling” commercial from Skittles — fun both as a piece of marketing and as an example of weird-humor advertising.

 The ad: 

(titled “It Will Be Settled” or “Settle It”) aired during Super Bowl XLIX in 2015. 

 In a small, surreal town, every dispute is resolved by arm-wrestling — hence everyone seems to have an enormous, exaggerated right arm. 

The set-up:

 Two men each eat a pack of Skittles and reach for the very last yellow Skittle (since yellow is their favourite flavour). Because they want it, “they’ll settle it the usual way” — at a table in front of the whole town, their arms locked in contest. And of course the whole town shows up to witness. Silver And Black Pride The tagline ties it back to the candy: The prize for winning is that yellow Skittle. Because in this world, even something as trivial as a single candy becomes a reason for full-scale arm-wrestling. 

 

Visual & Tonal Style: 

 The exaggeration of the giant right arms gives the ad a surreal, comedic edge — everything is normal except that everyone has absurd strength and solving things via brute-arm means. The town setting is almost pastoral/small-town Americana, but juxtaposed with the absurdity of the premise. The pace and tone are light, playful, with the underlying message: when in doubt about how to decide something — Skittles. 

 Marketing Purpose & Impact: 

 It was Skittles’ first major Super Bowl push.  The bizarre premise helps the brand stand out in the crowded Super Bowl ad space by leaning into “Weird but memorable”. It reinforces the idea that Skittles isn’t just candy — it’s fun, chaotic, unconventional. Because everyone wants the last yellow one, it also plays on scarcity/desire (the one-in-the-pack) and flavor preferences.

Why It Works (and What It Teaches) 

 The absurd visual (everyone with enormous right arm) sticks in your mind. Skittles has a long history of odd/unexpected ads; this continues that identity. Simple, Two people want one yellow Skittle → they settle by arm-wrestling. Even if nonsensical, it’s easy to grasp.  The exaggerated scenario triggers amusement. you don’t need deep story to remember it. Ads like this get shared/discussed — which is half the value in Super Bowl ad spend.

BJ