Pop Culture Safari!

New Amazing Spider-Man movie pictures

Entertainment Weekly posted a batch of images from the upcoming "Amazing Spider-Man" film starring Andrew Garfield as Peter Parker/Spidey and Emma Stone. Here are some highlights:

John Carter (of Mars) trailer

Here's a look at Walt Disney's upcoming live action adaptation of Edgar Rice Burroughs "John Carter of Mars," now simply titled "John Carter":

Paul McCartney rouses the space shuttle crew

Paul McCartney roused the crew of the Space Shuttle Atlantis this morning with a rendition of the Beatles' "Good Day Sunshine."

Martin Scorsese documentary on George Harrison set for HBO broadcast, book and DVD release

Martin Scorsese's much-anticipated-by me documentary about George Harrison will be broadcast in two parts on HBO Oct. 5 and 6, followed by release on DVD in a variety of formats. There's also a tie-in book planned.

GEORGE HARRISON: LIVING IN THE MATERIAL WORLD focuses the imaginative and inspired eye of one of cinema's most pre-eminent filmmakers on one of the world's most influential men. The film takes viewers on the musical and spiritual voyage that was George Harrison’s life, much of it told in his own words.

The film includes interviews with Eric Clapton, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, George Martin, Paul McCartney, Yoko Ono, Tom Petty, Phil Spector, Ringo Starr and Jackie Stewart.

So far, the DVD details are for UK only, but I'm sure release in other parts of the world is planned around the same time frame:

Lionsgate Home Entertainment UK announced that it will be releasing the film in the UK on 10th October 2011 in three editions – DVD, Blu-ray and DVD Double play (DVD/ BD combi pack), and a beautifully packaged DVD / Blu-Ray Deluxe Edition, which includes an exclusive CD of previously unheard tracks from George Harrison, and a book of photography to accompany the film.

And then there's the book:

in late September, Abrams Books will publish Olivia Harrison's George Harrison: Living in the Material World, a personal archive of photographs, letters, diaries, and memorabilia from George’s life that reveals the arc of his life, from his guitar-obsessed boyhood in Liverpool, to the astonishment of the Beatles years, to his days as an independent musician and bohemian squire. The book release is intended to coincide with the release of Scorsese’s film.

All-in-all, exciting news for fans of George and the Beatles. I think the film may prompt a reevaluation of George's contributions both to the band and to popular culture. In many ways, he was the most influential Beatle: Helping to popularize world music and interest in Eastern philosophy and religion. There's a lot of folks doing meditation and yoga these days who might not be, had George not expressed his interest in such things all those years ago.

John Lennon's psychedelic eye rediscovered

A psychedelic mosaic depicting a cosmic-y eye that once adorned one end of John Lennon's swimming pool has been relocated after going missing more than 20 years ago, reports the Liverpool Echo.

The custom-made piece, which is constructed from more than 17,500 ceramic tiles each no bigger than a quarter of an inch square, was originally installed at the end of Lennon’s swimming pool in his mansion at Kenwood, Surrey.

The artwork went missing after being displayed at a Liverpool garden show in 1987. Turns out a man hired to clean up after the show thought it had been abandoned and put it in storage in nearby Wirral, where it was forgotten about until the piece's owners recently went searching for it and realized they couldn't find it.

Plans now call for touring the piece to shows and museums around the world.