R.I.P. HAROLD RAMIS

As a fan of Caddyshack and Animal House, I couldn't go without saying something about Harold Ramis' passing on Monday.

Harold Ramis was a visionary. His films including Stripes, Ghotbusters 1 and 2, and Groundhog Day have become iconic and universally loved. As an aspiring writer, I can only hope to create something that impacts people in that manner.

THE PROFESSOR

THE NEW FANTASTIC 4?

Miles Teller, Jamie Bell, Kate Mara, and Michael B. Jordan; The New Fantastic 4?

The New York Daily News reports (read it here) that the new cast of the of the Fantastic 4 reboot movie have been selected. Miles Teller will play Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic, Jamie Bell will play Ben Grimm/The Thing, Kate Mara will play Sue Storm/The Invisible Woman, and Michael B. Jordan will play Johnny Storm/The Human Torch.

Only Kate Mara and Michael B. Jordan have confirmed their association with the film through Twitter. The casting of  Jamie Bell and Miles Teller is pure speculation at this point.

While some may have a problem with Michael B. Jordan playing Sue Storm's brother, Johnny, I don't have a problem with it. Rumors have surfaced that Johnny was adopted by the Storm family.





The two Fantastic 4 movies that were made that featured Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Chris Evans and Michael Chiklis grossed over 660 million at the box office. They featured Fantastic 4 villains, Dr. Doom, Galactus, and the Silver Surfer.

It will be interesting to see what changes are made to this next film to make it different from the previous two films. One thing is for certain is that with Marvel's recent successes  (The Avengers)since the original Fantastic 4 film was made, this new film will have high standards to live up to.

THE PROFESSOR

SI SWIMSUIT COVER 2014

Move Over Kate Upton! There are three new ladies gracing the cover of the 2014 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Cover. Nina Agdal, Lily Aldridge, and Chrissy Teigen are on this year's cover. The last time three models appeared on the cover was when Kathy Ireland, Elle McPherson and Rachel Hunter graced the cover in 1994.

Nina and Chrissy have appeared in the magazine for the past few years and Lily will debut in the magazine with this issue. Sports Illustrated's bikini issue is celebrating its 50th anniversary with this issue as well.





Kathy Ireland, Elle McPherson, and Rachel Hunter on the SI Cover in 1994




THE PROFESSOR

CM PUNK LEAVES WWE

CM PUNK


CM PUNK has left the WWE. According to reports from PROWRESTLING.NET, CM PUNK had a meeting with Vince McMahon on Monday and told him he was going home. Punk has not been happy with the creative direction of WWE or his performances in the ring.

CM PUNK cut a promo on the state of WWE back in the summer of 2011 (you can read my blog post on it here). It has gone down in history as his "pipebomb" promo. I think he thought that the WWE would change it's perspective and create new stars. Instead Vince has continuously pushed former stars such as THE ROCK and Brock Lesnar.

I knew as a fan that PUNK's pipebomb promo was ground breaking but if Vince McMahon didn't want to change then he wouldn't. It's his promotion. He can do what he wants.

Throughout wrestling history change has come with promoters who wanted to give the fans something different. Whether it was the Von Erichs and WCCW or Paul Heyman and ECW, wrestling has always changed because a promoter decides on a certain vision not a wrestler.

I don't know what the future holds for CM PUNK but I want to thank him for all that he's done in the business to entertain fans like me.

THE PROFESSOR

DANIEL BRYAN: WWE GETS IT, THEY JUST DON'T WANT IT

Daniel Bryan aka Bryan Danielson

Last night at the Royal Rumble Batista won and the fans booed the result. They chanted for Daniel Bryan(Bryan Danielson) throughout the evening. Bryan lost to Bray Wyatt earlier in the evening and the fans thought he would be a participant in the Royal Rumble and win it. He was even entered into the Royal Rumble.

Mick Foley wrote on Facebook (read the article here) that he thinks that WWE "just doesn't get it" but I don't think that's true. I think Vince McMahon "gets it," he just doesn't want it. He hears the crowd chanting for Bryan but he doesn't want Bryan as champion. WWE has always been about "big men" and they always will be.

Of course this could all be for storyline purposes and Bryan could win the title at WrestleMania 30. I doubt it. WWE signed Batista because he is one of their biggest stars and he and Orton have a long history. He is also going to be in Marvel's Guardian of the Galaxy movie and Vince would never miss a chance to cross promote with another brand.

Who knows what will happen at WrestleMania 30. I hope Bryan wins the title but if he doesn't, he can take  consolation in that he is a star whether WWE likes it or not.

THE PROFESSOR

DEATHLOK COMING TO MARVEL'S AGENTS OF SHIELD

Deathlok, a cyborg in the Marvel universe will be coming to Marvel's Agents of Shield starting on Feb. 4th according to Bleeding Cool (read the article here). J. August Richards will return as Mike Peterson who will become Deathlok.

It seems that Marvel may be reacting to low ratings by bringing in some elements from the comics. It was also announced that Jamie Alexander(Lady Sif from Thor) will be appearing in a future episode.

Hopefully these changes will boost ratings and excite the audience.

THE PROFESSOR

GOTHAM TV SHOW TO EXPLAIN ORIGINS OF COMMISSIONER GORDON AND ROGUES GALLERY

Fox has picked up "Gotham" which will show Bruce Wayne from age 12 to when he decides to become Batman. The show will be similar to  "Smallville" which detailed the life of Clark Kent before he became Superman. That show aired for 10 seasons from 2001 to 2011 on the CW. TVLine reports(read the article here) that the show will also feature the origins of Commissioner Gordon and rogues such as The Riddler, Catwoman, and The Penguin.

This isn't the first time that a TV show featuring Bruce Wayne has been produced. According to "Superman Vs. Hollywood," Warner Brothers TV division had planned to do a TV show entitled, "Bruce Wayne" in 1999. The project was in development but due to a disagreement with Warner film division which wanted to get a new Batman film made, the project was shelved. One of the scripts for "Bruce Wayne" focused on him meeting a young Clark Kent in Smallville and that inspired producers to start the "Smallville" TV show.

Now that WB has found success with the Dark Knight Trilogy and Fox paid a "healthy licensing fee" to use all the characters in the Batman mythology this should be a great show.

THE PROFESSOR