Walking Dead marathon!

For those who missed Walking Dead, AMC is doing a two-night marathon of the entire series, starting Tuesday night at 8. If you're not sure if the series is for you, or even if you're pretty sure the series is definitely not for you, at least watch the first episode. It's great.

Bugsy Malone is... trendy?

I woke up this morning to discover that Bugsy Malone is trending on Twitter, 35 years after it was released! (Apparently it was on TV in England last night.)

It's probably a good thing that Bugsy Malone is never on TV in this country, because I'd wind up sucked into it every time. Scott Baio, Jodie Foster and guns that shoot cream pies? What's not to like!



For those really feeling nostalgic, you can find out what happened to everybody after they made "the world's most famous kids gangster movie".



If you just can't get enough, here's Part 2, Part 3, Part 4 and (sheesh) Part 5. That last one has the sad end of Dandy Dan (Martin Lev), who was one of my favorites.

Spread Your Song

It's a little unusual to have two commercials running at the same time using the same relatively obscure song, isn't it?



It's nice to see Ellis from Diehard is finally getting some work again. You'd think a bullet through the head would end your acting career, but here he is, back in action. Way to go Ellis!

"Hans... bubbe! I'm your white knight."



This is one of those commercials where, if you're not paying attention, you have no idea what the fuck they're trying to sell you. And hearing that distinct song, you probably think, "wow, those Ketel One people drank a lot of vodka before making their next commercial." For the record, it's a commercial for the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas hotel. I'd have to say the weirdest moment for me is when the woman is lying in bed making sexy eyes while holding up the baby chicks. Is this like... bestiality kiddie porn? Not cool. The deer also looks a little worried. I guess what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.

OK, so what exactly is that song, anyway?



It's "Spread Your Love" by Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. Gotta love that garage rock sound. Not only is that song in two commercials, but they've had other songs used in movies and TV shows, including "Shuffle Your Feet" in the first episode (and a trailer) for the very underrated Generation Kill.



I'm sure there are lots of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club fans who are pissed that they "sold out" to Ketel One and Cosmopolitan, but how many more people heard them for the first time through these commercials? They were formed in 1998, so it took them 12 years to become an "overnight success." So hoist a glass of Ketel One and kiss your baby chick: Here's to you, BRMC!

Nicolas Cage... Uncaged!

Man, commercials for this movie are in heavy rotation.



Probably due to the presence of Ron Perlman in medieval garb, every time I see it I think of that Uwe Boll travesty, In The Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Adventure. But no, this is a different movie, directed by Dominic Sena (Gone in 60 Seconds, Swordfish).

OK, so it's not a Uwe Boll movie. And even though Sena got his start making music videos, it's not a full length version of the Donovan song.

So the only question remaining about this film is... do they uncage the Cage?

Let's face it, the only reason to watch a Nic Cage movie at this point is in the hope of seeing him lose his shit. It's what he does best.



I love this, but hey -- where's Moonstruck?

"I don't care! I ain't no freaking monument to justice! I lost my hand! I lost my bride! Johnny has his hand! Johnny has his bride!"

Coach Jules

It's time to get fired up for hockey!



Do I look like a bitch? Do I look like a bitch?

Well why you skating for me like bitches?

We still love you, Danny Woodhead

Undersized running back Danny Woodhead was always a fan favorite when he was on the Jets, but the coaching staff could never figure out a way to use him (except in the pre-season). This year he went to the Patriots and, sure enough, they found a way to get him the ball.



Not only is he a good player, but he seems like a really good guy. Check this out:



Good luck, Danny... hope you find even more success, just not with the Patriots!

The Yankees Get A Molina

Not Bengie (who is a free agent), not Jose (still with Toronto), not Yadier (still with the Cardinals)... but Gustavo!

Who?

Gustavo Molina is a 28-year-old right-handed hitting catcher from Venezuela. Alas, he's not related to the Molina brothers. (In fact, they're from Puerto Rico.) Sportswriter and Mets fan Howard Megdal sponsors Gustavo's page on Baseball Reference with an amusing note:

WARNING: This is not an authentic Catching Molina Brother.

Gustavo has had a bit of a Crash Davis type career, getting call-ups for a week or two at a time when the big-league catcher goes down. He was signed by the White Sox in 2000, but has just 41 at-bats in the majors (5 hits, 1 double) for four different organizations, including the Mets in '08 and the Red Sox last year. The Crash Davis comparisons stop when you look at his minor league numbers... he's hit .235/.295/.348 in 2574 ABs over 11 seasons. He appears to be a pretty good glove guy (wouldn't he have to be?), with a .988 career fielding percentage and a 39% CS%.

The Yankees signed him to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training. With Jorge Posada, Russell Martin and Francisco Cervelli on the big-league roster, and presumably Jesus Montero waiting in Triple-A, I can't see him being anything more than an extra guy to handle pitchers in March.

Still... it's always nice to have a Molina.