Blog Posts by Adam Pockross

Levon Helm in Jacob Hatley's 'Ain't in It For My Health'

For being such an integral part of rock history, Levon Helm -- the heart and drumbeat of the Band -- never really got enough credit, at least not as far as he was concerned. But now, with the opening of "Ain't in It for My Health," at least Helm will be able to tell his own story, albeit posthumously.

The fly-on-the-wall documentary, shot by director Jacob Hatley, situates the viewer shotgun alongside Helm in 2007, as the famously loquacious Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee embarks on a five-week, five-nights-a-week tour for his Grammy-winning comeback album "Dirt Farmer." Soon Helm learns that his failing health won't be able to accommodate such a demanding schedule, even if his wallet needs it to.

Over the course of more than two years of shooting, Hatley's subtle camera catches all the joy, pain, and nuances of one of rock's most interesting and talented figures. The camera never shies away -- from the doctor's office to the tour bus to the Midnight Ramble live sessions that Helm conducted in his barn in Woodstock, New York, the same barn where Hatley slept most of the time.

Superman in NetherRealm Studios' 'Injustice: Gods Among Us'

Who would win an all-out brawl between Batman and Superman? It's easy to assume Superman, but Batman's a resourceful dude, and he could most likely find a way to get some kryptonite in his utility belt, right?

The "which superhero wins" question has caused many a friendship-ending debate -- debates which have raged on for many years. But now, thanks to the highly-anticipated video game "Injustice: Gods Among Us," countless friendships can be saved. And millions of dream matchups can finally come true.

Roadblock to the Power of Three. Photos by Hasbro & Paramount Pictures.

If you're a guy who grew up in the '80s, chances are your childhood just wouldn't have been the same without G.I. Joe. Whether it was the comics, the Hasbro toy line, or the after-school cartoon, G.I. Joe was there.

With "G.I. Joe: Retaliation" opening this weekend, and a whole new complimentary line of toys, the Joes are having a renaissance of sorts. But the truth is, they never really went anywhere at all. In fact, the '80s version was a Joe renaissance in its own right.

To celebrate this staple of pop culture, this week's Five Facts looks at the history of G.I. Joe, from the very first time the name appeared to the '60s toy for which the term "action figure" was coined to today's big-budget blockbuster starring the Rock, Channing Tatum, and Bruce Willis. We'll give you everything you need to know about the evolution of Joe; and knowing is half the battle.

Photo by Warner Bros. Inset by Universal.Since his very first film, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson has been invigorating franchises. And with "G.I. Joe: Retaliation" opening this weekend and expected to rule the box office, The Rock appears to be doing it again.

"We call him franchise Viagra," director Jon M. Chu told Huffington Post, "He comes in and he elevates everything, not just physically, but energy-wise... He was the only one in our minds that could reinvent G.I. Joe and carry the franchise forward."

Indeed, the People's Champ has made a habit of coming in late to an already established franchise, and then helping that film make gobs of money. Because of that skill, we thought of some other films that could use The Rock's help. And so you could more easily visualize what a great addition he'd make, we inserted The Rock into a still from each film.

The Rock & 'High Chief' Peter Maivia. Photos courtesy of Everett Collection/Pro Wrestling Illustrated.

You probably know that actor Dwayne Johnson is also professional wrestler The Rock, the reigning WWE champ. You may even know that The Rock comes from a long line of professional wrestlers. But did you know that Johnson's grandfather, "High Chief" Peter Maivia, was not only a championship wrestler, but also a Bond Villain?

Most folks remember "You Only Live Twice" (1967) as the Bond film with the ninjas, or maybe the one where Blofeld (Dr. Evil's inspiration) first shows his scarred face, or even the one where Sean Connery throws political correctness to the wind while posing as a Japanese fisherman. But The Rock remembers "You Only Live Twice" first and foremost because his grandfather goes toe-to-toe with Bond.

Vanessa Hudgens and Ashley Benson in Annapurna Pictures' 'Spring Breakers'

Because life is short and reviews are long, we present Three Tweets about "Spring Breakers." And believe us: three is a very select number; this is just one of those films that makes people want to talk.

It's not surprising how much social media buzz "Spring Breakers" has been generating, what with Disney darlings Selena Gomez and Vanessa Hudgens and "Pretty Little Liar" Ashley Benson, all scantily clad and doing bad. Throw in a corn-rowed and gold-grilled James Franco playing a multi-talented rapper/drug pusher/gun dealer, and you've got what it takes to get people talking. Here's what they're saying…

Photo By Everett Collection

March Madness is in the air. Smells like victory, no? But if a team is going to take the title, they're going to have to play as a single unit, not as a group of individuals -- which is what we had in mind when we drafted our squad to contend for the Best Cinematic Hoops Team ever.

There were a lot of players to choose from, but we drafted based not just on individual talent, but on need -- there's a lot of great movie guards out there, but very few big men. Just the same, we feel we've put together a championship squad. We're not afraid to go up against anyone, so let us know in the comments who your team's got, and we'll see which squad's got more game.

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