R.I.P. Dennis Hopper

Movie-legend Dennis Hopper passed away last night at the age of 74. Most famous for his roles in "Apocalypse Now", "Blue Velvet" and "Easy Rider" (to which he also wrote the script, and received an Oscar-nomination for). Perhaps not one of the greater actors for my generation, as he starred in less than brilliant movies towards the end. But he will always be greatly remembered for his participations in some of the movie-history's timeless classics.

If I have to pick out a favorite scene of Hopper's it would have to be the "Pabst Blue Ribbon" from David Lynch's "Blue Velvet". Not because it is the most brilliant or spectacular, but it is energy and humor boiled down into 8 exploding seconds. Plus, it has some special meaning for me a a couple of friends. If one takes in the whole meaning of Pabst Blue Ribbon for the average American "Joe", it gets even more special. Sweden has never, seen the presence of this beer, although we our own somewhat equivalents of it (perhaps why it has never made it here). I think it is about time for some brewery to import now. If not for the flavor, then at least as a salute to Dennis Hopper!

Speak Swedish to me

Swedish actor Peter Stormare is back on the American scene after some hiatus. According to Entertainment Weekly he is to star in the popular TV-show "Weeds", depicting a hot-tempered German chef. Stormare is no stranger to playing other nationalities, acting as a Russian astronaut in the blockbuster "Armageddon" and an Israeli security expert on one episode of "Entourage".

Stormare is one the more famous Swedes to star in American TV and movies of the past fifteen years, and as mentioned Swedish media always love to report on Swedish success in the US. The largest happening involving Peter Stormare was probably when he spoke (cursed) a few words of Swedish in "Jurassic Park 2", a big moment for our small country that not go many by. The same happened when Alexander Skarsgård. starring as Scandinavian vampire Eric in "True Blood", spoke Swedish on a number episodes. Exotic to Americans, patriotic to Swedes.