Rob Reiner's movie "The Bucket List" opens in Australia today, and while its reviews here have been mixed, the premise of the movie has sparked interesting conversations.

In the film, characters played by Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman are facing terminal illness, so they come up with lists of things they want to do before they die -- i.e. "kick the bucket." Their bucket lists include such activities as race car driving, climbing the pyramids and hunting lions in Africa.

The flick sparks a natural question: What would make your bucket list? Some local boldface names were kind enough to share something they'd include.

Bret Bielema, UW football coach: "Run the bulls. (Former Badger) Joe Panos did it last year and talked about what a wild time it was. And I'd love to catch a blue marlin. I love deep sea fishing and last year in Costa Rica I was on a boat and we caught 12 sailfish. The boat next to us caught five marlin."

John Roach, owner John Roach Projects: "Live in an Irish castle for two weeks and have British servants. And I will treat them better than their ancestors treated my ancestors before they came over here during the Potato Famine. And I really am going to do it. I can't wait to have them fetch my slippers and get me a beer."

Scott Klug, former congressman: "Get another Republican elected in the state of Wisconsin -- somewhere. Anywhere."

Bishop Robert Morlino: "That's easy. There are 28 young men studying for the priesthood at this point for the Diocese of Madison. I'd like to see all of them persevere to ordination as priests, and I'd love to be the bishop of Madison who ordains them."

Michael May, Madison city attorney: "I don't have anything like skydiving or car racing on my Bucket List. I tend to avoid activities that I figure make it more likely that I live a shorter life. Actually, the one thing I've wanted to do is more foreign travel. I've set a goal of visiting the Four I's: Ireland, Israel, Istanbul and Italy. So far, I've only made it back to the old sod of Ireland."

Mark Bugher, University Research Park president: "Ride my Harley around the world."

Dante Viscarra, La Comunidad News publisher: "I would like to take my girls around the world and learn a little bit about each country's language, culture and foods. Above all, continue spending quality time with them. We would probably laugh a lot, cry a lot -- food contamination or missing home -- swim, hike and just build incredible memories. ... Our trip will probably take about a year or maybe two."

Barbara DeMain, wife of Madison Symphony maestro: "The answer is easy: To be Chief of Protocol in the State Department."

Johnny Lechner, perpetual UW-Whitewater student: "I have two major goals. I want to fall in love and I want to go to a Playboy Mansion party. Hopefully these two goals are not accomplished the same night."

Annette Miller, MGE community development and new Urban League of Greater Madison board chair: "The top item on my list would be to take my family to Germany to visit my mother's family. ... I have to admit it would be a tough call with going to a warm location with clear blue water and white sand with 80-degree temperatures!"

Jim Hubing, Vilas Zoo director: "I've had a blessed life, so there isn 't much. But I'd love to see the Earth from outer space. And to take my grandkids with me."

Derrell Connor, radio host, former Urban League chair and account executive at M3: "Go to every major sporting event -- the Super Bowl, the World Series and the All-Star Game, the Final Four, the national championship (college football), the NBA Finals, the Summer Olympics, the four majors in golf and the four tennis Grand Slam events."

Allan Koritzinsky, Foley & Lardner attorney: "I wish Heather Mills had not handled her own divorce against the former Beatle Paul McCartney, but had called me -- at least for a consult. Apparently, she is settling for $108 million, far short of her initial request of $160 million. I keep thinking about what might have happened."

Stuart Levitan, author, radio host and housing advocate: "I want to welcome the first 61 homeowners into Allied Drive. And I want to go to Machu Picchu and see the rain forest before it's all gone, but I'll settle for Allied Drive."

Susan Schmitz, DMI president: "I want to play the piano at Overture Center for a group of people."

Get in touch with Melanie at mconklin@madison.com or 608-252-6187. Catch her Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. on WKOW (Ch. 27) or hear her Tuesdays at 7:45 a.m. on WIBA (1310 AM), Wednesdays at 8:20 a.m. on WTDY (1670 AM) and Thursdays at 9 a.m. on Star Country (96.3 FM).