And while British music was appropriately represented in the ceremony, so was British humor, thanks to Eric Idle of Monty Python fame. Idle showed up at the event ready to be shot out of a cannon, but when that didn’t work out, the comedic actor, surrounded by performers dressed as nuns, led the crowd in a rendition of “Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life,” a tune from the comedy troupe’s film Life Of Brian.
During the “Bedtime Story” segment of Danny Boyle‘s 3-hour spectacular Opening Ceremony for the 2012 London Olympics, popular British literary baddies like Cruella De Vil (101 Dalmatians), Captain Hook (Peter Pan), the Child Catcher (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang), and the aforementioned He Who Must Not Be Named (although, oops, I did name him) invaded the dreams of sleeping boys and girls in hospital beds. Thankfully, the villains were ultimately defeated by Mary Poppins – actually, 30 of so of them, who come down on wires into Olympic Stadium, each holding the iconic Poppins umbrella.
Watch the entire “Bedtime Story” segment here below.
Queen Elizabeth II made a spectacular entrance into Olympic Stadium at the Opening Ceremony for the London 2012 Olympics today when she parachuted out of a helicopter with James Bond.
No, not really, but yeah, kinda. You should watch for yourself in the video here below.
The Queen of England did star along with actor Daniel Craig as James Bond in a 3-minute film directed by Danny Boyle, who was the mastermind behind the Opening Ceremony for the 2012 Olympics. In the film, which is reportedly features the 86-year-old royal’s first on-screen performance, James Bond meets Her Majesty at Buckingham Palace where the two boarded a helicopter headed for Olympic Stadium. On their journey, they passed by the city’s popular landmarks, until finally hovering over the stadium, where they jump out wearing parachutes sporting the Union Jack.
The Opening Ceremony for the London 2012 Olympics begins tonight, and from what we’ve heard, it will be quite the spectacle. Over the last 70 days, the Olympic Torch has been carried through 1,000 cities throughout the UK by 8,000 torchbearers, including some famous names like Doctor Who‘s Matt Smith, Harry Potter‘s Rupert Grint, Absolutely Fabulous stars Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley, and Star Trek‘s Patrick Stewart.
Today, the Torch makes its final journey to Olympic Stadium for the Opening Ceremony where its flame will light the Cauldron there, signifying the start of the Games. It’s something I’ve always look forward to watching, although ever since 2002, I’ve never thought of it the same way. Thanks to this little movie called Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers, when I see the Torch Relay, I think of the orc with the torch. You know what I’m talking about – that lone Uruk-hai running with the torch to blow up the drain at the Battle of Helm’s Deep. Yeah, he’s the ultimate torchbearer!
I searched YouTube for the clip from the movie to show you what I mean and found something even better – a video of the scene in slow-motion set to the music of Chariots of Fire, called Chariots Of Mordor. Spot on! Watch it here below.
Friday began the Summer 2012 Olympic Trials on NBC, with the 2012 Olympic Games in London set to begin on July 27. In conjunction with this major event we’re giving away an NBC Olympics Prize Pack to one lucky winner!
One (1) winner will receive the NBC Olympics Prize Pack:
Students of the Unusual™ comic cover used with permission of 3BoysProductions
The Mercuri Bros.™ comic cover used with permission of Prodigal Son Press
