movie facts

WTF Fun Fact 13533 – The Matrix Code is Sushi

Nearly two decades ago, the Wachowskis unveiled the first film in their iconic trilogy, captivating fans worldwide with its intricate storyline and rich mythos – but do you know the secret of The Matrix code? The iconic green code that rains down the screen in the film has a deliciously surprising backstory.

Simon Whiteley: The Man Behind The Matrix Code

Simon Whiteley, a British production designer, deserves the credit for this innovative visual. During an interview with CNET, he spilled the beans: the Matrix code has its roots in a Japanese cookbook owned by his wife. He scanned the characters from the pages and then digitally transformed them into the green symbols we’ve come to associate with this cinematic universe.

From Sushi to Cyberspace

“I like telling everyone that the Matrix code comes from Japanese sushi recipes,” Whiteley divulged. Yes, you read that right—sushi recipes. He took mundane elements from his domestic life and manipulated them into something extraordinary. The phrase “Without that code, the Matrix doesn’t exist,” could never ring truer.

The Wachowskis effectively used the green code to hint at the nature of the Matrix from the film’s very beginning. While this digital aesthetic sets up the film’s narrative, its origin remains a delightful secret. With its new-found connection to a cookbook, the green code is not just mysterious but also relatable and even comical.

A Recipe Hidden in Plain Sight?

Given its culinary origins, one can’t help but speculate: Is there a complete sushi recipe encrypted within that green text? While Whiteley’s revelation is a fun nugget of information, it opens up amusing avenues of speculation. What if this distraction is precisely what the Matrix wants, to keep us from questioning our own reality?

The green code has captivated millions, inspired parodies, and sparked numerous discussions about virtual reality and existence. But its roots in a simple sushi cookbook serve as a humorous reminder that even complex systems can have unexpectedly mundane beginnings.

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Source: “The Matrix Code Is Actually a Sushi Recipe” — Nerdist

WTF Fun Fact 13522 – The Tin Man’s Tears

In “The Wizard of Oz,” the Tin Man’s tears were supposed to be oil. But instead, they were chocolate syrup.

This delightful twist adds another layer of charm to a movie already rich in story and character.

Filming The Wizard of Oz

The Wizard of Oz, released in 1939, was a groundbreaking film for its time. The movie brought L. Frank Baum’s classic American fairy tale to life with its innovative use of Technicolor, detailed sets, and charming performances. However, the filmmakers faced a plethora of challenges in making the cinematic magic happen. One of those issues was how to depict various special effects realistically.

The Tin Man’s Tears

A significant concern was how to make the Tin Man’s oil look authentic on camera. Black-and-white films often used chocolate syrup as a stand-in for blood. That’s because its consistency and color look more convincing in grayscale.

Since the first part of “The Wizard of Oz” was in sepia tone, which is quite similar to black and white, the crew decided to use the same tried-and-true method for the Tin Man’s “oil.”

Jack Haley, the actor who portrayed the Tin Man, is another essential part of this quirky tale. Imagine being in a bulky, uncomfortable costume for hours and then having chocolate syrup poured on you! Yet, Haley pulled off a performance that made the Tin Man one of the most endearing figures in cinema history.

Hidden Advantages

While using chocolate syrup might sound like a humorous and arbitrary choice, it actually offers several benefits. Its thick, viscous consistency made it ideal for slow, dramatic drips that could be captured on camera. Furthermore, the syrup’s opacity made it visible against the Tin Man’s metallic costume, enhancing its photogenic qualities.

This behind-the-scenes tidbit about chocolate syrup has become part of the Wizard of Oz’s larger lore. Fans and film historians alike relish such quirky details. They are the tidbits that make classics come alive in new ways, offering fresh layers of understanding.

Reaction from Audiences

While the audiences at the time had no idea they were witnessing chocolate syrup instead of oil, this revelation has added to the movie’s enduring appeal. It becomes a fun anecdote to share, a slice of cinematic history that surprises and delights fans when they first hear of it.

The use of chocolate syrup as a stand-in for oil is also a lesson in resourcefulness and ingenuity. Filmmakers often have to think on their feet and adapt, finding unconventional solutions to unexpected problems. In this case, the solution was not only effective but also added an unexpected layer of sweetness, quite literally, to the tale of the Tin Man.

The Tin Man’s Tears Live On

Today, this story of how a common kitchen item was used to solve a cinematic challenge is part of the enduring lore surrounding one of the most beloved films in American history. It illustrates the lengths artists will go to bring their visions to life. It’s something that makes us appreciate these iconic scenes all the more.

So the next time you watch “The Wizard of Oz” and reach the moment when the Tin Man is joyously “oiled” back to life, remember—sometimes, magic is made from the most unexpected ingredients. In this case, it’s not just movie magic, but also a bit of chocolatey sweetness that adds to the Tin Man’s heartwarming tale.

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Source: “This Wizard of Oz character had delicious tears, and here’s why” — The Digital Fix

WTF Fun Fact 13279 – The First Oscars

The first Oscars ceremony was held on May 16, 1929, at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. It lasted only 15 minutes, and there were only 270 guests in attendance. Tickets for the event cost $5 each, and the Academy had notified the winners three months prior to the ceremony.

The history of the Academy Awards

The Academy Awards Ceremony, also known as the Oscars, is an annual event that honors the best in the film industry. Today, it’s a grand gala that draws millions of viewers from around the world, but the first Academy Awards Ceremony was far less grand.

The idea for the Academy Awards was first proposed in 1927 by Louis B. Mayer, the head of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM). Mayer wanted to create an awards ceremony that would generate positive publicity for Hollywood. He approached several prominent figures in the industry, including Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks, and Cecil B. DeMille, to help him organize the event.

The first Academy Awards ceremony was held on May 16, 1929, at a private dinner party in the Blossom Room of the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. Only 270 people were present, and the ceremony lasted only 15 minutes.

However, despite its modest beginnings, the first Oscars marked the birth of one of Hollywood’s great extravaganzas.

The first Oscars ceremony

The first Academy Awards ceremony honored outstanding achievements in filmmaking during the 1927-1928 season. The newly-formed Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences chose the winners.

The winners were announced in a matter-of-fact way without the fanfare and spectacle of today’s ceremonies.

In fact, the winners had been notified ahead of time – 3 months earlier. However, the Academy asked them to keep the information a secret until the night of the event to add some suspense.

The ceremony was not broadcast on television or radio. There were 12 categories of awards at the first ceremony, including Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director, and Best Original Story.

The winners of the first Oscars included:

  • Emil Jannings for Best Actor
  • Janet Gaynor for Best Actress
  • “Wings” for Best Picture

“Wings” was a silent film about World War I fighter pilots. Audiences and critics praised the film’s impressive aerial battle scenes for their realism. As a result, the film was a commercial and critical success. It even helped to establish Hollywood as the center of the film industry.

From the red carpet arrivals to the emotional acceptance speeches, the Oscars have become an integral part of popular culture. With each passing year, the ceremony becomes more innovative. To this day, the Academy adds new technology and creative ideas to make the event more entertaining.

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Source: “The First Oscar Ceremony Lasted 15 Minutes. What Happened?” — The New York Times

WTF Fun Fact 13268 – Cocaine Bear is a Real Story (Mostly)

Have you seen previews for a strange-looking moving called Cocaine Bear and wondered what is going on? Well, you might be shocked to know that cocaine bear is a real story.

What is cocaine bear?

In 1985, a black bear in Georgia ingested more than 70 pounds of cocaine. The drugs had been dropped from a drug smuggler’s airplane. The bear, later dubbed “Cocaine Bear,” was found dead in the woods. The bizarre story has become something of a legend. People clearly remain fascinated by the unlikely chain of events that led to the bear’s demise.

According to a recent New York Times article (cited below), the incident began when drug smuggler Andrew ThorntonThornton’suring a parachute jump after a drug trafficking operation went wrong. Thornton had been carrying several duffel bags filled with cocaine. As he fell to his death, the bags tore open and their contents scattered across the forest.

Days later, authorities found a bear dead in the woods near the site of Thornton’s fatal fall. A necropsy later revealed that the bear had ingested a large amount of cocaine and had died as a result.

The story has become something of a pop culture phenomenon in recent years. Now, Hollywood has released a movie based on the incident, with Elizabeth Banks directing and Keri Russell in the lead role. The movie is a fictionalized retelling of the incident.

What’s fictional about the story?

Cocaine bear is a true story up to a point. The film’s writers invented the killing spree plotline. We don’t actually know what happened to the bear in its final days anLexington’st we do know that it didn’t kill anyone.

Despite the sensational nature of the story, the incident is a reminder of the dangers of drug trafficking and the tragic consequences that can occur when individuals engage in such activities.

Where is the bear now?

Oddly enough, the bear appears to be on display in Lexington’s Kentucky for Kentucky Fun Mall. In an August 2015 blog post, the mall staff said the stuffed bear was once owned by the country singer Waylon Jennings. The rumor is that he kept it in his home in Las Vegas, but the NYT was unable to verify that part of the story.

Another partly true and strange fact about the bear is that its taxidermied body has the authority to officiate legally binding weddings. According to Wikipedia:

“This claim is only partly true; the bear does not have the authority to solemnize weddings, but the state of Kentucky cannot invalidate marriages performed by unqualified persons if the parties believe that the person marrying them has the authority to do so. As such, it is a belief in the Cocaine Bear’s authority that allows it to officiate legally binding weddings in Kentucky.”

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Source: “Yes, ‘Cocaine Bear’ Was Real. Here’s the Back Story.” — The New York Times