Latest news with #BornontheFourthofJuly
New York Post
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Legendary Long Island wrestling coach immortalized by ‘Seinfeld' dies at 85
The legendary Long Island wrestling coach immortalized in an iconic 'Seinfeld' scene has died — and everyone from celebrity former students to athletes recalled Tuesday how he went to the mat for them. 'They're telling me I only have 2 to 2 to 3 minutes to give a eulogy,' said Christopher Bevilacqua, the son of beloved late 85-year-old coach and mentor Al Bevilacqua, to The Post. 'I don't know how you can describe his life in 2 or 3 minutes.' Advertisement 6 Al Bevilacqua, the legendary Long Island wrestling coach immortalized in an iconic 'Seinfeld' scene, has died. Courtesy Billy Baldwin Al Bevilacqua, who passed away Sunday, got his 15 minutes of TV fame when superstar funnyman Jerry Seinfeld famously name-dropped his former teacher in an episode of his wildly popular series — even though Al never really watched the 'show about nothing,' his family said. 'He would go, 'Seinfeld?' What is that? A comedy?' ' said the former coach's son Michael. Advertisement But Al didn't need the extra spotlight. He was a coach overseeing the mats at the town's high school for nearly 15 years since the early 1960s and later at nearby Hofstra University in the late 1970s. The Massapequa man was also a 2012 inductee to the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, garnering its highest honor, the Order of Merit. And all of his sports accomplishments were just part of the story. Advertisement 'Wrestling was really his vessel for who he was as a person,' Christopher said. 6 Bevilacqua was 85 at the time of his passing. 'He thought of himself first as an educator who was teaching kids and youth on the subject of life. … He had humanity about him, and his soul was all about, 'How do I create better people?' ' Al, who brought the Massapequa Chiefs their first-ever county title in the 1970s, left a lasting impact on some of the school's most notable alumni. Hollywood in Massapequa Advertisement He taught driver's ed to Seinfeld, according to family. Seinfeld name-dropped his former teacher in a 1994 episode of his show called 'The Race,'' as Jerry's character readied to re-do a controversial high-school run in which he, admittedly, got a head start. 'Mr. Bevilacqua' was called in to officiate a rematch of the race. 6 Bevilacqua, who was name-dropped in the 1994 'Seinfeld' episode 'The Race,' had tributes poured in from celebrity former students to athletes. NBC Al's son Michael recalled, 'I was a contractor one time, I was in my bed with plans open, and 'Seinfeld' on in the back, and I go, 'Did they just say Bevilacqua?' 'Then, my phone just started ringing.' Al Bevilacqua thought of Jerry as 'a nice kid,' Michael said. Then there was Al's former wrestler the 'Born on the Fourth of July' author Ron Kovic. Advertisement 'He taught about never quitting. … He was the best motivator,' said Kovic, who wrestled for Bevilacqua before becoming paralyzed in the Vietnam War and becoming the subject of the Academy Award-winning movie by the same name. After Kovic tragically lost use of his legs, he crossed paths with his former coach on Hofstra's campus, where Al Bevilacqua once again did what he was belovedly known for. 'It was quite emotional. He kept saying encouraging things to me that day, he showed it on his face that he was really sad that one of his boys had been hurt,' recalled Kovic, who wrote about Bevilacqua in his book. Advertisement 'I'm still here because he taught me to never give up, and I think that was instilled in me and instilled in all the boys he coached…I'm sure when he did pass away, he was fighting until the end.' 6 Ron Kovic, who was Al's former wrestler at Massapequa High School, said, 'He was the best motivator,' and that quitting wasn't an option, as the two later crossed paths in life after Kovic lost the use of his legs. Facebook/Park Avenue Grill When the film's director Oliver Stone and star Tom Cruise came to the Bevilacqua home to do research for their film adaptation of 'Born on the Fourth of July,' Al wasn't afraid to go a few weight classes above his belt, either. 'My dad goes to Stone, 'Let me ask you a question: 'Why do you hate this country so much?' ' Christopher said of the controversial director, adding that Bevilacqua rejected the idea of being portrayed in the film as a violent-minded coach. Advertisement 'He's going to tell you what he thinks of what he believes — and I thought that was a pretty powerful testimony,' the son said of his dad. Al Bevilacqua also left a deeply resounding impression on actor and former wrestler Billy Baldwin, who described the coach as 'definitely a second father to me.' 6 Kovic says his wrestling coach's words were inspirational and a reason why he is still here. Courtesy of Nora Bevilacqua The Baldwin brothers, including actor Alec, were dear family friends who lived near the Bevilacquas, and their dad, Al Baldwin, worked with Bevilacqua at Massapequa High. Advertisement Billy Baldwin described Al as 'the one' great inspiration outside of his own family who steered him through the world. 'We would have conversations that would lead to philosophical exchanges … and that would help to guide me,' Baldwin said of the devout Yankee fan who forgave him and Christopher for accidentally buying nearly $100 in scalped tickets for a game from the night before when they were little. 'He was the one for me, and he was the one for thousands of others.' 6 Bevilacqua also left a lasting impact on the Baldwin family, as Billy Baldwin called him 'the one' great inspiration outside of his own family. Courtesy of Nora Bevilacqua Going to the mat Fame meant nothing to get into Al Bevilacqua's good graces. After the tragic loss of his father, Al brought Jim O'Rourke, Massapequa class of 1977, under his wing during his school days on the mats. 'He was an amazing character,' O'Rourke recalled. 'He has the most fantastic legacy.' Al's daughter, Nora, said her dad's crowning achievement was launching Beat The Streets Wrestling, a program that brought the sport into the inner city and revolutionized their programs with resources and coaching. 'It shows you the power of one person and then ultimately one person doing what they believe in can achieve great things,' she said. 'I think my father passed that on to each of us.'
Tom's Guide
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
Netflix just got 'Born on the Fourth of July' — why I'm watching this Tom Cruise movie for Independence Day
Netflix has added a ton of new movies already this month, including a handful of Tom Cruise movies. But there's one that I'll be watching this Independence Day, and that's Cruise's Oscar-nominated performance in the anti-war film "Born on the Fourth of July." Now, there are a few reasons for this. First, I've never seen this movie — it's managed to be a blind spot in not only my viewings of Tom Cruise's filmography, but also director Oliver Stone's work and even acclaimed war movies. In retrospect, it's kind of shocking I've missed it. With it arriving on Netflix, though, there's no excuse not to watch it, as just about everyone has the popular streaming service. That's not the only reason I'm watching it, though. On the day we Americans celebrate our nation's independence from tyranny and imperialism, there's never been a more appropriate time to watch this critique of our nation's foray into the same things we once fought to free ourselves from. So if you're considering watching this movie as well, here's what "Born on the Fourth of July" is about, and why its message is still poignant decades after its release. "Born on the Fourth of July" stars Tom Cruise as Ron Kovic, and is based on the memoir of the real Rod Kovic, who co-wrote the movie's screenplay along with director Oliver Stone. The movie follows Ron's life as a child, then a teen, as a boy who longed to fight in a war like his World War II veteran father. He ultimately joins the Marines straight out of high school, much to the dismay of his veteran father, who knows the true cost of war. But while serving in Vietnam, the unthinkable happens. Ron is hit by enemy fire, and upon recovering, discovers he's paralyzed from the waist down. Now, he must live the rest of his life coping with the loss. Ron goes through many steps of coping with his loss before ultimately becoming an ardent anti-war activist, something we see revealed in the trailer. One line from the trailer is now probably the movie's most enduring quote. "Now, people say - people say if you don't love America, then get the hell out," Cruise tells a news reporter. "Well, I love America." That dichotomy has been relevant throughout history — a desire to remain a patriot in the face of your country's questionable, sometimes horrific acts. But as the Vietnam War raged on, it was unavoidable, as anti-war protestors like Ron were decried as communists, even if they had lost nearly everything in the very war they were not speaking out against. That dichotomy has never gone away since, at least, not fully. We saw it rear its head again as the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq raged on without any end in sight, and we're seeing it again today with the conflicts in the Middle East. I'm not here to lecture you on what viewpoint you should take or on who's right and who's wrong, though I can say for myself, I find Ron's journey as someone who grows to question the value and righteousness of war a relatable one, minus the combat experience. The closest I ever got to military service was having friends and family who served in various wars. But I am here to say that, this Independence Day, you could do a lot worse than taking the time to examine these questions yourself, and watch an acclaimed masterpiece of a movie at the same time. Between Cruise's Oscar-nominated performance and Stone's Oscar-winning direction, there are worse ways to spend this July 4. Stream "Born on the Fourth of July" on Netflix now Malcolm has been with Tom's Guide since 2022, and has been covering the latest in streaming shows and movies since 2023. He's not one to shy away from a hot take, including that "John Wick" is one of the four greatest films ever made. Here's what he's been watching lately:
Daily Record
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
'Most realistic' war film leaves fans 'unable to breathe' in 'painful' watch
Oliver Stone's 1986 war film has been hailed as one of the greatest war movies of all time Oliver Stone's 1986 war film has been lauded as one of the most profound war films ever made, due to its authentic and heart-wrenching depiction of life on the frontlines during the Vietnam War. This is hardly surprising given that Oliver Stone, a Vietnam War veteran himself, was the first person who had served in the war to write and direct a Hollywood movie about it. Oliver reportedly penned the screenplay based on his own experiences as a US infantryman in Vietnam, aiming to challenge the portrayal of war in John Wayne's The Green Berets. Platoon, featuring a star-studded cast including Charlie Sheen, Tom Berenger, Willem Dafoe, Johnny Depp, Kevin Dillon, Keith David, John C. McGinley, and Forest Whitaker, was the first in a trilogy of Vietnam War films directed by Oliver. It was succeeded by Born on the Fourth of July (1989) and Heaven & Earth (1993). Platoon presents a deeply moving narrative where a new US army recruit (Sheen) is deployed in Vietnam while his Platoon Sergeant (Berenger) and Squad Leader (Dafoe) grapple with the morality of their platoon's actions and the war at large, reports the Express. Platoon was a resounding success at the box office, raking in $138.5 million worldwide against a modest production budget of $6 million. The film achieved immense success, ranking as the third highest-grossing domestic film of 1986 in the US and Canada. Its excellence was further acknowledged with eight prestigious nominations at the 59th Academy Awards, where it claimed four awards: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Sound, and Best Film Editing. On Rotten Tomatoes, Platoon boasts an impressive 89% critics' approval rating and a staggering 93% audience rating, demonstrating its enduring impact on both critics and audiences. One critic praised the film and its director, stating: "Oliver Stone's harrowing war picture was the first movie that felt like a genuine depiction of that terrible war, and brought collective catharsis for America's tragedy in Vietnam." Another critic was thoroughly engrossed, commenting: "I didn't take a single note during the screening of Platoon: It's that engrossing, that overwhelming." The film received widespread acclaim, with one critic writing: "Platoon is the best American combat movie since All Quiet on the Western Front, and may be the most realistic of all American war movies." Another critic hailed it as: "One of the most visceral and authentic war films ever made." Audiences also shared their admiration, with one viewer stating: "A powerful, painful, must-see film - an impassioned and riveting dispatch from the front that's at once a battle cry and a lamentation." A fan praised the film, saying: "Everytime I watch this I notice something different. The most accurate and best movie about the Vietnam War that I have ever seen. "The cast is outstanding, music, cinematography, just all incredible. Simply incredible movie." Another viewer offered their glowing review: "Best war film ever made in my opinion. Excellent beyond words!". Meanwhile, a particular viewer heaped accolades on the filmmaker: "Oliver Stone is a genius. A very important piece of cinema history."
Hypebeast
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hypebeast
生涯首座小金人！Tom Cruise 獲頒奧斯卡終身成就獎
本文看點 美國電影藝術與科學學院（The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences）近日公布了第 16 屆「學院主席獎 Governors Awards」的得獎名單，這個獎項旨在表彰對電影界做出卓越貢獻的人士。今年，全球巨星Tom Cruise、開創性編舞家兼演員 Debbie Allen 以及富有遠見的製作設計師 Wynn Thomas 都將獲頒奧斯卡終身成就獎。此外，鄉村音樂傳奇人物 Dolly Parton 則將獲頒 Jean Hersholt 人道獎，頒獎典禮將於 2025 年 11 月 16 日在洛杉磯 Ray Dolby 宴會廳舉行，屆時不會進行電視轉播。 對於 Tom Cruise 而言，這將是他從影超過 40 來來首次獲得奧斯卡獎，此前他曾 4 度獲得奧斯卡提名，包括《Born on the Fourth of July》、《Jerry Maguire》、《Magnolia》和《Top Gun: Maverick》的演出與製片工作，但始終與競爭性獎項擦身而過。影藝學院主席 Janet Yang 讚揚 Cruise「對電影製作社群、戲院觀影體驗以及特技界的巨大貢獻」，強調他對大銀幕視覺效果的堅定不移，以及在推廣戲院上映方面的影響力。 除了 Tom Cruise，多才多藝的 Debbie Allen 也將因其在舞蹈、電影和電視領域的廣泛影響力而受獎；同時，Wynn Thomas 對於電影視覺敘事的貢獻也將獲得表彰。 >Netflix 人氣影集《睡魔 The Sandman》最終第 2 季最新預告正式來襲 >恐龍全面統治地球？《侏羅紀世界：重生 Jurassic World Rebirth》最新宣傳預告來襲
New Indian Express
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Tom Cruise, Debbie Allen, Wynn Thomas, and Dolly Parton to get Honorary Oscars
The Honorary Award specifically acknowledges "extraordinary distinction in lifetime achievement, exceptional contributions to the state of motion picture arts and sciences, or outstanding service to the Academy." Cruise, a staunch advocate for theatrical exhibition, played a pivotal role in keeping theatres alive post the COVID-19 shutdown with Top Gun: Maverick. The film earned him a Best Picture nomination as a producer. Known for performing his own daring stunts, Cruise has garnered three acting Oscar nominations for his roles in Born on the Fourth of July, Jerry Maguire, and Magnolia. For nearly five decades, Debbie Allen has left an indelible mark on the screen and the stage as an actor, choreographer, and producer. Her choreography graced the Oscars ceremony seven times, plus she contributed her talents to films including Forget Paris, The Six Triple Eight, and A Jazzman's Blues. Allen's producing credits feature A Star for Rose and Amistad, while her notable acting performances include Fame, Your Life Is Calling, Ragtime, and Jo Jo Dancer.
