Cool News
Ali Boom Ah Yea!
Hey folks, Harry here... Today is Muhammad Ali's 65th Birthday. We don't celebrate many birthdays here on AICN. Sadly - we tend to write too many obituaries. However, today - I was awoken by my fiancee bringing me my cel phone - "Return your father's call!," she was saying. It was a ruse, she wanted me to return the call, so I would wake up and cook her nachos. I love her, so I'll do it, but mainly - I was going to relish her attempting to wake me.
I call dad, "Harry, it's Muhammad Ali's 65th birthday - they're playing all his great fights on ESPN Classics. They're about to show Clay vs Liston #1 - you ought to check it out!"
Definitely an odd way to wake up, usually - I don't get woke up this way. But, I woke up and wiping sleepy from my eyes, I turned on ESPN Classics on my big screen and watched Ali beat Liston, then some white Canadian guy that stumbled through 15 rounds getting beat up on - and then they showed the Rumble In The Jungle. It was the original fight broadcast... terrible sound, blurry images... but there I was screaming, "He's gonna Daaaance, Ali Boom Ah Yea! Ali Boom Ah Yea!" Patricia staring at me as I just smiled and smiled and teared up as I watched the beauty of the Rope A Dope. The greater glory of a crazy David and a Goliath moment in history.
I love Muhammad Ali.
I'm a child of the seventies... that means JAWS, STAR WARS, DISCO, TRAVOLTA, NEAL ADAMS, Badass Cinema, the birth of action figures, MEGO dolls... oh and fucking ALI WAS A GOD!
I remember when he fought that last fight against Spinks in 78. When he lost - I was fucked up about that for days. Ali fought Superman... and fucking won!
Watching that shitty quality version of the Rumble In The Jungle made me want to see the fight the way it was meant to be seen... I needed to see WHEN WE WERE KINGS. The greatest sports documentary of all time - and possibly the most awesomely entertaining and thrilling documentary ever made.
That's what I'm here to write about.
I know, I know - this isn't upcoming news, this isn't a movie coming to a theater near you, dammit. It should be. I wish it were. WHEN WE WERE KINGS is awe-inspiring on the big screen.
I put the dvd on my projector and goddamn what a great time. Showing it to Yoko - watching her eyes grow wide watching Ali flow - long before flowing was a recognized artform. Ali is beautiful in the film. Watching Norman Mailer and George Plimpton... wax on about the impossibility of the fight Ali had before him. The context for the fight, the way Ali projects the result of the fight until it is so.
It is amazing to watch. The power of convincing yourself of something so strongly that it becomes reality.
Then there's just the music - the photography and the brilliant editing. The film is simply my favorite documentary - and it's about one of my favorite figures in history.
I had the amazing fortune of watching a movie with Muhammad Ali once. My good friend Glen Oliver - he used to run Coaxial back in the earliest days of AICN - we miss him around here - but back in the days of Emmerich's GODZILLA - we took a trip to the world premiere in Madison Square Garden. Sitting directly behind us was Muhammad Ali. To our side, was the Taco Bell Dog... The place was a madhouse. One of the most amazing premieres and experiences I've ever had.
However, the next day - on the flight back - we sat in first class with Muhammad Ali - and I did get to exchange a few phrases with the man... and shook his hand. To say - he was and is the coolest man I have ever met, goes almost without saying. Ali is the greatest - and I hope that on this day, he has the greatest of days.
-
+ Expand All
-
Well done master Harry
-
a premiere with Harry, Ali AND the Taco Bell dog? SIGN ME UP!
-
Memorable comic from the seventies.
-
Still the greatest. The heavyweight division is so sad now that the thuggish brawling of UFC and PRIDE is threatening to bury the sweet science. For shame. I like a good "human cockfight" in the ol' Octagon, but even the greatest "Ultimate" fight ever can't match the pure artistry of a well-fought boxing match between two pugilists of champeen caliber.
-
No, not me first. Ali. THe first trash talker. The First Sports "Star" that new how to work the media. The first...or one of, to to stand up and use his celebrity to stand for something-regardless of what it cost him-are you listening Michael Jordan? Tiger Woods? The first "rapper"...Ali Rap is a good doc-not of the caliber of Kings, but good nonetheless. Happy birhday to the Greatest Of All Time.
-
about Ali, he's a great man, legend and all that good stuff. and yes he had a great career, was a true trail blazer, and all that good stuff. Harry, no disrespect. Please don't send Merrick and Quint down 71 to I-10 to get me. I love you, Ali, them and Austin.In other news, I miss Ali's bug spray commercials.
-
Harry: "Sorry for getting this question to you so slow, Ali. My ___GIRLFRIEND___ wanted me to blah de blah blah blah GIRLFRIEND. Anyway, what do you think was your greatest accomplishment in your spectacular lifetime?
Ali: blurgle. Blurgle-dee blurbuda bhudda bumba-dumba shimpty doobee. yackbacker.
Cant wait for round two! -
Jan 17, 2007 6:18:00 PM CST
"If the man wants to change his name to Muhammed Ali...
by big bad clone
As far as I'm concerned, Ali actually fought Superman and kicked his ass.
-
is indeed a great documentary. great song provided by the fugees and busta rhymes.
one day in september was also great, but extremely tense. i'm sure there are other great doco's out there ... i just haven't seen them or can't remember them right now ...
and although michael mann's ALI is a bit long and slow, still a great film and perf by will smith.
-
I've heard he called Joe Fraziers kids and explained that he didn't really mean what he said in public about "Smokin" Joe.
Ali knew how to game whitey also. People paid to see the brother get his ass kicked, and left disappointed.
And, unlike most athletes today he had conviction of his beliefs by refusing to go to Vite Nam. It cost him big in years when he wasn't allowed to fight. Right in his prime. -
End of discussion
-
Anyone? Anyone?
-
"You seem truculent."
"Whatever that is, if it's good, then I'm that."
Howard Cosell and Muhammad Ali. You can't make this stuff up. -
Bitch had it comin'. And I let the dogs out.
-
George Chuvalo
-
I live in Scottsdale, Az, Ali lives in neighboring Paradise Valley. Today in the sky above Scottsdale, a skywriter wrote out "Happy Birthday Champ" For the whole city to see. It was way cool!
-
The FBI and the CIA when they raided Nicola Tesla's NYC apartment, murdered him, and took his plans for the electric car and other vehicles and related concepts. now, what do I win?
-
...if you like wife-beaters.
Nice heros ya got there, Harry. -
...Just ask Clinton.
-
Harry, I don't mean to be a heel, but who gives a shit? Look, I don't care about your memories about Ali, or Kings. I come to this site to read about movies; if I want to read about Ali, I'll go to 'Aint it SPORTS'. Stick to what this site does best; leave your memories at home.
-
Here's a man who put principle before the prime of his career.
You think Ali was great - imagine him at the peak of his speed and power combined with the ring intelligence he is legendary for. Imagine the Ali who beat Cleveland Williams and Zora Folley running rampant, knocking out bums from 1967 to 1970 - the years he was exiled from boxing.
We were deprived of that greatness. But it was a worthy sacrifice for the inspirational figure of conscience and conviction we received in exchange.
There will truly never be another quite like the Greatest of All Time.
Happy birthday, Mr. Ali. -
Way to spell.
Happy Birthday, Ali! -
thanks boys, I needed the laugh. it's good to see there are a few guys out there who are pragmatic on this site, it's a rare find. keep up the good work!
-
Happy B-Day, Champ!
-
One of my coolest possessions, my step-mom got it for me and my brothers when she saw him at the airport. must have been around '78 or so if memory serves (and it doesn't always serve, coulda been early 80's, too). Happy Bday Ali!
-
"All I'm sayin is, i stopped likin' the man once he changed his name to Muhammed Ali. What kinda shit is that?"
"Wait a minute, wait a MINUTE! A man has a right to call himself whatever he wants to be called, and if a man wants to call himself Muhammed Ali, goddammit, this is a free country, you should respect his wishes and call the man Muhammed Ali."
"His momma call him Clay, i'ma call im Clay."
"That's right! He Clay, he always be Clay to me!"
"Get outta here!"
-
You're an asshole and I'm not kidding you. Muffle young man, muffle!
-
Ali lighting the torch at the Atlanta olymics was very moving.I think this is the same Documentary I saw on VHS years ago,v good.http://tinyurl.com/3astes,it has Ali going through his fighting style and was filmed when he was trying to get his license back.There was also a BBC documentary on Rumble in the jungle that was very good too,it was more factual and less reverent than when we were kings, and it had Ali's after match interview(awesome stuff,couldnt find it on youtube,I'll convert it myself one day).Ive never seen the film Ali,who could ever top the real thing.
-
if his new last name is ALI he's a muslim. for more info on his new religion, buy robert spencer's "the politically incorrect guide to islam and the crusades."now, because I like you, here's a link to the book: http://tinyurl.com/2n5xvj
buy it, read it, then share it with Ali in your office. in the mean time, pick up prince's "musicology" which I think you'll like. don't have it meself but I hear good things. good things. -
Happy Birthday, Muhammad Ali!
-
I dont think tying up an innocent girl in your basement and then rubbing your fat red hairy man tits all over her bound and gagged shivering body is considerd ground for marriage,,,
-
Good stuff. Ali is the greatest!
-
Will it ever end? How about remaining this site "Ain't It Harry's Fiancee's News"?
I want Antonio Inoki to kick you in the legs until you can't walk again. -
Boys I think we can all agree our man in charge here has waited years to have the ability to use the words "my fiance" in a sentence and mean it, whatever "mean it" ends up being in this case.it reminds me an old seinfeld where this woman is walking around the party elaine's at saying "I've lost my fiance" over and over again.
-
He's in love! Don't hate... congratulate! Hey Harry... congrats man! I hope someday I can get as lucky and find my lovely lady of destiny. One love.
-
yeah... I went there. Thats payback for having to see all those dumb ass AliRap commercials on TV.
-
DAM YOU ROB ZOMBIE
-
is that how you stay so sexy and svelt? you know after she turns 20 all those velveeta cheese calories are going to stick to her thighs like your balls do yours on a hot austin day. good luck you crazy kids!
-
if you let him know you're an athiest he's bound by one of the koran's surahs to kill you! watch out! and read that book I told you about. but be warned, if you DO give it to him, he'll prolly try to kill you.
-
actually she was waking me around 1pm - to her - it was lunch
-
You have no idea how almost on target you are with your description
-
after all the posts about moving to rackspace for better server download times and how I'm afraid of you and the rest of your austin crew coming to houston to kill me and you respond to a comment about nachos for breakfast! for God's sake man, we're in TEXAS! of course we eat nachos for breakfast, or any other time of day for that matter! you don't have to justify yourself! I'm using too many exclamation marks!
-
and can I pay a monthly fee for that black background you and "yoko" have on your posts? how 'bout $19.99 a month and you use that money to buy an enchilada plate at baby acapulco's every other friday night?
-
That just about killed me. Classic.
-
Oh and Ali was and is the greatest. It's sad to see the state he's in. That's the price you pay for being the most famous person to get pummeled for a living.
-
Nice to see you have a good sense of humour. Or maybe you aren't joking. Harry has left a mounting trail of comments over the years hinting at his er...kinky tendencies.
-
that's all
-
Responding to hate with a joke! Much respect and love for that! If only the rest of the world could learn to unclench and laugh at themselves a bit every now and then!
-
Remember when Ali lost!!! I do....
-
in Fight Night - Round 3 on my 360. I just wailed on his ass with my custom made boxer, appropriately named Rocky Balboa.
-
I've never seen When We Were Kings, and I'm a sucker for a good doc, (especially a sports doc), so I'm off to find a copy in town.
-
It's true.
-
First up, happy birthday, Muhammad Ali. You are and always will be the greatest.Second, not only was Ali's last fight against Trevor Berbick (as mentioned above), but Ali WON his last fight with Leon Spinks. You know, the rematch? When Ali regained the title and became the first fighter in history to be a three-time heavyweight champion? I don't usually nitpick, but that really is important. If Muhammad Ali is one of your 'favorite figures in history', please remember to honour all of his amazing acheivements.Thanks for giving us this opportunity to pay our respects, though.Yours respectfully,Frank (a boxing nerd as well as a film nerd)
-
mawkish sanctifying of a man who may not be able to present his image the way he would like to.
Check out this Times article
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,28910-2547613_1,00.html
Who's to say if he wasn't incapacitated he wouldn't shove that medal down George Bush's neck? -
In answer to your question, yes. I've checked the statutes and we officially remain within the Willennium until Will revokes it. Or until 3000AD.
-
such an unnecessary irrelevant abuse of power.
"I just want the facts mam....just the facts."
-
Yes, the Spinks's were brothers. Leon was a very talented guy, but he liked the drugs and booze and women aspect of professional sports more than the training and whatnot, so it went a bit wrong for him after the Ali rematch.P.S. Larry Holmes was robbed by Michael Spinks. Viva Larry Holmes!Wait, I forgot, this is a film site. Um... Paul W.S. Anderson sucks, Superman is gay, someone somewhere has gotta eat, etc.
-
mailer's pretension when writing about ali was unbelievable--maybe i've just never liked mailer. but even if you're a complete million dollar baby hater, check out 'pound for pound' by fx toole, and keep in mind the guy died on an operating table before he got a chance to fully finish it. it's a beautiful book and gives more realistic insights into the boxing world (even though thew book, at its core, isn't about boxing at all) than anything mailer's ever put into print.
-
tiresome
-
I would have loved to see a fight between Ali and "Marvelous". When you consider the great fights he had against Duran, Hearns, and Leonard, Hagler would have been a great opponent.
Just the pre-fight stuff would have been gold. Ali's over the top persona against "Marvelous'" goofiness.
Gold, I tell ya. -
Woah. Wait a second. As pointed out earlier, this white Canadian guy is George Chuvalo (you can catch a cameo of him in Cronenberg's The Fly)....the ONLY person to fight Ali and NOT get knocked down. Not even once. Sure he lost, but he went all the way against Ali, and on his two feet. Also, his life story is pretty tragic.....show the guy a little respect.
-
I've been reading the site for years, but I only registered to say one thing:
NOBODY FUCKING CARES ABOUT YOUR FUCKING FIANCEE, OR HOW YOU FUCKING LOOK AND FEEL WHEN YOU WAKE UP!!!11!
We all know you are fat and ugly, and so is probably your "fiancee". If I wanted to listen to fat and ugly people ramble about themselves then I would go watch the Rosie O'Donnell show. Please stop it! Nobody, and I mean NOBODY cares. It's great you touched a real woman now, but please get over it, and do what you do best. And I don't mean to eat donuts, but to write about MOVIES. Movies Fiancee. See the difference? Good. Thanks. -
It'll be cool to see what this girl looks like.
-
i hope you didnt find the dark humor out of bounds. i do hope however that you two find great happiness with each other, as this world needs more of that. and less uwe boll. seriously and i meant it before- good luck you crazy kids!!!
-
...but DAMN! That shit is dope! Finally someone recognizing the beaut yof Muhammad Ali and the accompanying doc WHEN WE WERE KINGS. Thank you for that, readhead.
As Spike Lee said, Ali was a " beatuiful fighting specimen" and one of the bravest men in the states. For a black at that time, saying the things (and backing them up) is just pure joy. WORD! -
Yea...hard to argue with you on this one, Your Immensness. Seeing as how we share the same hometown I've had the oppertunity to meet Muhammad on several occasions. The first time was a spontaneous kinda thing that happened one Sunday back in 1992...I had fallen asleep on the couch the night before and awoke to see Muhammad on TV. Only this was no A&E biography...he was downtown to help promote a weeklong series WHAS-11 TV was doing on the hometown hero. Not knowing why or what I would find when I got there, I hopped in my car (86 Accord hatchback, powder blue) and drove madly down to the TV studio. I stood outside and watched through the glass as people were milling about and there was Muhammad in the center of it all. Some woman noticed me through the glass and waved me in. I couldnna believe it! So I go in and meet some of the other folks who are hanging about, like Odessa Clay (his mom) Howard Bingham and Lonnie Ali. Holy shit...over in the corner, with no one paying attention to him, is Lyman T. Johnson. No big deal, eh? Well, I attended Lyman T. Johnson Middle school. Lyman T. was the first black student at the University of Kentucky. He's sorta like KY's own MLKJr. He was very old, 95% blind and all alone. So while the whole gaggle of people are on Muhammad's tip, I spent about 20 minutes talking to this wonderful, funny, proud old man. He had such big hands and wavy grey hair. I was very sad when he passed away not too long after that event, but to have been in his presence is something I will always keep dear to me. And this is in the same room where Muhammad Ali is holding court. Respect....you got to have respect. Anyway, eventually I do get to have two full uninterrupted minutes with Muhammad which I was lucky enough to have a bystander catch on film. I gave Muhammad his "props" and told him that he was my hero and then proceeded to tell him how much his convictions have helped me when the whole world seemed against me, and that how in time I was vindicated for sticking to my beliefs (well, usually). I hugged the man and he hugged me back. All of it caught on an entire roll of 35mm B&W film. They are among my most prized photos of all time. To meet Muhammad, his wife, his mother, his best friend, and Lyman T. Johnson on the same day, at the same hour, in the same room...that was a moment in time like no other. I would meet him again at book signings, the 1997 ALI cup, and that other time somewhere out in public. He's been to DC many times and I've seen him from afar. But for two magical minutes I had the complete attention of arguably the world's most famous citizen. I guess that's why I got up off that couch on that Sunday some 15 years ago. It hurts me to see him these days, but it's good that he is still out there being seen. While he's not the angel that his eventual obituaries will make him out to be (the way he treated his women & children was abominable, the way he mocked Joe Frazier) he is my hero and always will be. I watched "When We Were Kings" on the 16th (the soundtrack LP, by the way, is amazing. The fucking Spinners rule!!!) and thought back to it's premiere night in Louisville when Ali attended at the Baxter Avenue Theaters. I couldn't make it but went the next night. At home I flipped through my Ali books (esp. the Howard Bingham book, autographed by both Howard & Muhammad) and dusted off the peweter Ali figurine with the Sports Illustrated cover. Ali, Boom ba Yey! Boom ba Yey! I still haven't made it to the Ali Center in Louisville yet (www.alicenter.org) but it's #1 on my list next time I get back to Loserville. Be sure, true believers, to check out the LP "Cassius Clay: I Am The Greatest". Worth the hunt, or, you could just get it on Amazon. Boom ba Yey!!!!
-
And Joe Louis ranks #2, because, as you said, it's not just about the stats. Still, there's a Joe Louis Arena (still? I think?) and Ali only has a "Center" (museum/forum) named after him. Can't we all just get along?
-
Joe Louis doesn't get enough credit considering Ali stole the spotlight with his charisma.
-
Right next to a new statue of Rocky, which depicts Rocky kneeling before Joe. No offense, Sly...
-
"It was written of Joe Louis that, "Joe Louis is a credit to his race - the human race."
Served his country, served his fellow man... and didn't beat his wife. Louis gets the nod.
-
And I know Kentucky Colonel personally. Went to sixth grade with him and have kissed him full on the lips before. I haven't actually met Muhammad Ali. But I got about six feet away from him at an impromptu event at the Jefferson Mall around 1987. I couldn't get through the throngs of children that magically gravitate to the man. Didn't matter because six feet was close enough. I started getting chills up my spine and my skin got prickly like the air was electrified. NO JOKE. I was almost spooked. Ali is a special person who transcends the banality of mere human experience. His spirit is tangible. I will never forget that day.
-
Hey Kentucky Colonel...the center is sweet. I had several of the students that painted the mural. One of Trina and my students chose to paint Moira on the mural because of her struggle with leukemia to honor Ali's struggles and perservence. That's right, Moira is on the Ali Center.
-
"Pound for pound, Joe Louis the greatest fighter ever lived. I'll be with you boys in a minute. he badder than Cassius Clay, he badder than Sugar Ray, he badder than...who that knew guy?"
"Mike Tyson."
"Mike Tyson, look like a bulldog. He badder than all of them!"
"What about Rocky Marciano?"
"Oh, dere dey go, dere dey go! EVERY time i start talkin about boxin, a white man's got to pull Rocky Marciano out there ass! That's there one! Let me tell you something once and for all: Rocky Marciano's good, but compared to Joe Louis, Rocky Marciano ain't SHIT!!"
"He beat Jou Louis's Ass!"
"That's right, he did whip Joe Louis's ass."
"Joe Louis was seventy-six years old when he fought that fight!! Joe Louis come out of retirement to fight that fight, the man was seventy-seven years old! Joe Louis ALWAYS lied about his age. He always lied about his age. One time, Frank Sinatra came in here, sat down for a haircut, i said 'Frank, you hang out with Jou Louis, just between you and me, how old is Joe Louis?' You know what he said? A hundred and thirty-seven years old! A hundred and thirty-seven years old!!!"
"Man, you never met no Frank Sinatras."
...
"Fuck you, fuck you, and FUCK YOU! Who's next?" -
Well, duh! Ali isn't going to be fucked by a mere mortal!! ;)
-
We proved that last month? Weren't you here?
-
"Muhammed Ali is possibly the most overrated athlete ever". "Joe Louis was better than Muhammed Ali". Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!!!!!! Thanks guys, I needed a good laugh today. -
Did You, Tee & the kiddos get a kick out of this year's Xmas card? Getting the White House & Nat'l Xmas Tree in frame without having 10,000 zipperheads in the shot was daunting. That's awesome that Moira is painted in the Ali Center. I hope she is on the upswing again. If you all haven't seen "When We Were Kings" lemme know and I'll mail you mine (with a return envelope, you understand). Peace between Dwarves & Elves! And yes, I did kiss the man...every Red Blooded He Man with a hot ass wife has kissed a few boys. Mmmmmmm....hot assed wives.....
-
Stings like a Bee. Yep, as another child of the seventies, you are spot on with your assessment, Harry. Ali was awesome; he even had a Saturday morning cartoon. Yeah, good times… good times. I miss Howard Cosell too. Happy Birthday Ali – you’re the greatest.
-
Ali was also a womanizer.
-
That was, pound for pound, the best scene in Coming To America (classic movie).
-
Uncle Tom? The White media were actually proud when Max Schmelling defeated Louis. They painted Joe Louis as a seemingly invincible savage, while Schmelling was regarded as a noble white knight who was brave enough to stand up to Louis. The only reason why this perception changed was due to WW2. Louis was always a hero for African Americans. Bottom line, while Ali should be admired for his achievements, Joe Louis was the man who paved the way for Ali to step in and finish what Louis started. The injustice isn't that Ali has been recognized for what he stood for, the injustice is that Louis has been forgotten.
-
Come on Sly. Get typing.
-
Harry - can you post ANYTHING anymore without a mention of your fiancee?
Jesus - you're ALREADY whipped and not even married? You may want to go ahead and off yourself.
Readers Talkback
User Login
Top Talkbacks
- Whitney Houston 1963 - 2012 -- 325 total posts 322 posts
- New JUDGE DREDD post production footage pops up -- 106 total posts 106 posts
- HANNA's Saoirse Ronan to boss around seven little people -- 63 total posts 60 posts
- Does ‘SNL’ Rhyme With ‘Deschanel’?? Learn Which SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE Vet Hosts After Sexy Zooey!! -- 74 total posts 58 posts
- There's a STAR TREK video game that is going to lead into JJ's STAR TREK 2 apparently... -- 159 total posts 51 posts
- If the Behind the Scenes Pics of the Day drops her pen, pick it up, but don’t look at her legs or else it will be on your record. -- 47 total posts 41 posts
- AVENGERS enemy revealed as pink boardgame pieces... You might suffer some form of elation... SPOILERS!!! -- 161 total posts 34 posts
- To Commemorate The 3D Release Of STAR WARS EPISODE I: THE PHANTOM MENACE, George Lucas Wants You To Know...Greedo Shoots First!! -- 488 total posts 33 posts
- Friday Brings SWEEPS DAY NINE!! Gab Here About Tonight’s FRINGE!! Plus Einstein on TIM, Wiig On PORTLANDIA, MAHER, CLONE, GIFTED, GRIMM, SPARTACUS, SUPERNATURAL, GOLD RUSH And More!! -- 121 total posts 23 posts
- Here's The Red Band Trailer For Drafthouse Films' THE FP! -- 70 total posts 20 posts