Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Swayze Cinema Spectacular!

Martha and I recently sat down to watch 4 Patrick Swayze films, making it an all day Sunday event of epic proportions.

GHOST - I hadn't seen "Ghost" in a long time, and although flawed at times with gooey cheesiness and a syrupy script, it manages to tug the heart strings and effectively manipulate us like it wants to. Whoopi Goldberg deserved the Oscar she received in this emotionally driven, often hilarious performance. This movie is historical, and will carry its legacy deep into the future, taking the love with it...

TO WONG FOO, THANKS FOR EVERYTHING, LOVE JULIE NEWMAR - Swayze, Snipes, and Leguizamo in drag...Who could ask for more? Swayze is really good here and his Golden Globe nomination is well deserved. Miss Vida is the richest character that Swayze ever played, and the performance of his career. Good stuff!

DIRTY DANCING - I could get shot for saying this, but DD is an over-rated film that deserves little critical acclaim. It's a fun movie to watch, but the script is mediocre and the performances seem over-the-top. All of this gloom and doom did not, however, prevent me from viewing this movie about 10 times...so it's got something...just not incredible substance...Sorry Patrick...Forgive me...
"Just a fool to believe I have anything she needs..."

BLACK DOG - This 1998 lesser known Patrick Swayze film marks the Return-of-the-Semi movie! Yay! "Black Dog" Co-stars singers, Meat Loaf and Randy Travis...crazy, I know! Plenty of semi-crushing action in an absurd plot that will leave you wishing you had a semi of your own to destroy some shit!


And no we didn't have the movie "Roadhouse" and Martha thinks it's gay and she is wrong and "Roadhouse" must be viewed A.S.A.P.

R.I.P. Patrick Swayze (1952-2009)

I'd like to INFORM you about BASTERDS!

THE INFORMANT - I originally planned on seeing "Inglorious Basterds" yesterday, but then mom said she needed to get out of the house. I called Richie who had seen "Basterds" to ask him how my mom would feel about this inevitably violent Tarantino film. Richie said it depends on if my mom wouldn't mind seeing nazi's getting bashed in the head with baseball bats and getting all carved up. I suggested maybe we see something else...so it was to be "The Informant" with Matt Damon. I mean, it looks hilarious, doesn't it? Well, turns out, the joke's on us. It wasn't so funny. The audience laughed a handful of times, mostly in the latter half of the film. Directed by Steven Soderbergh, this is NO Erin Brockovich. Based on the true story of a guy from Decatur, Illinois...See? It's already boring. They should have filmed it in Vegas and thrown in some chainsaw wielding maniacs. Now there's a great true story! Matt Damon was outstanding as usual, and his amusing narration throughout the movie promised to breathe life into this flat story, but the promise went unkept. The movie shows glimpses of hitting its stride half way through when it becomes more compelling, but this peaked interest doesn't last long. maybe the script needs to be tightened up a bit. The whole movie is filmed in a consistently bland, yellow filter, and the soundtrack is like hearing marching band music at an amusement park all day long....A Hot Mess! One of the worst examples of the usage of music in a film that I can remember. This is an interesting true story that I wish someone would have just told me over a nice dinner. At one point mom leaned over to me and said, "we should have gone to see the violent one."

INGLORIOUS BASTERDS - The very next day I did just that. I went to see the violent one, Quentin Tarantino's latest vehicle, "Inglorious Basterds." The first 20 minutes were better than all of "The Informant." With characters you love and characters you love to hate, this was an engrossing story. I was riveted to its unfolding, and I couldn't wait to see where it was going and how it all would end. When it was violent it was to the extreme, but the film was mostly comprised of Tarantino's sharp dialogue. The Q.T. violence makes ya think...why wasn't Tarantino ever blamed for the senseless violence of the world? I'll tell you why...cause his movies kick ass!

25 Days of Christmas: Holiday Essentials!

Tis The Season for Holiday Movies, and I've got a list of 25 essential viewing pleasures! And I'll compile this list while I listen to Whitney's 2003 Christmas album, "One Wish," which she made in the midst of her decade long crack attack. It's an all-over-the-place doozie of an album that I highly recommend! Here are my top 25 must see holiday movies or specials, in no particular order. Let me know what I might have missed, and some of your favorites!

1) NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS - Tim Burton and Danny Elfman's most profound collaboration to date. Forever classic!

2) PLANES TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES - We can see how special John Hughes heart is when viewing this hilarious and ultimately touching Thanksgiving classic.

3) PIECES OF APRIL - Katie Holmes tries to create the perfect Thanksgiving dinner for her dysfunctional family in this original, moving story. Patricia Clarkson was nominated for her outstanding, often hilarious performance.

4) HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS - Jodie Foster directs Holly Hunter, Robert Downey Jr., and Dylan McDermott in this essential flick that effectively conveys the ups and downs of the American Family Holiday experience.

...3 annual holiday staples...

5) THE SOUND OF MUSIC
6) WILLY WONKA AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY
7) THE WIZARD OF OZ

8) BAD SANTA - Billy Bob Thornton is a very bad santa, with a foul mouth!

9) MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET - The spirit of Christmas is alive and well in this timeless classic.

Horror fans will enjoy these 3 gems...

10) BLACK CHRISTMAS - Very creepy original, an excellent horror flick that precedes Halloween and Friday The 13th.
11) SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT - I hope you spend Christmas...on the warm side of the door!
12) DEAD END - A holiday staple in my home. Spend Christmas in hell this year!

(This Whitney Houston album is seriously hilarious!)

13) THE REF - Directed by the late and the great Ted Demme, this hilarious Christmas film stars the ridiculously talented Denis Leary, Judy Davis and Kevin Spacey! Buy It This Year!

13) ELF - Directed by Jon Favreau and starring Will Ferrell. That's all you need to know!

14) FUNNY FARM - This, to me, qualifies because of the Christmastime ending. Chevy Chase in one of his best, funniest movies. Cue The Deer!

Here come the cartoon classics...

15) Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer
16) Frosty The Snowman
17) Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
18) The Grinch Who Stole Christmas
19) A Charlie Brown Christmas

20) PEE WEE'S PLAYHOUSE CHRISTMAS SPECIAL - This 1988 star-studded treat is magical! Will This ever be available on DVD? I must watch it every year or it just isn't Christmas!

21) A CHRISTMAS STORY - You'll shoot your eye out! The Leg Lamp! The frozen pole! Good Times!

22) HOME ALONE - Another John Hughes instant classic! Miss you John!

23) HOME ALONE: LOST IN NEW YORK - A slightly inferior sequel, but good enough!

24) A CHRISTMAS CAROL or SCROOGE - I'll go with the 1951 Alastair Sim version. Though many have tried to recapture this outstanding version, it stands the test of time.

25) IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE - One of the greatest movies of all time. I'm blown away every time I see it!

Honorable mentions:

CHRISTMAS VACATION - My parents and their friends go on and on about how funny this one is. I just think it's ok. But because it makes them so happy, I'll give it a mention.

WHITE CHRISTMAS - It's been too long to remember how I liked this one. I know I like the song, but what of the story...I don't remember, but maybe I'll check it out if I catch it on TV this year.

Well, there you have it. Let me know some of your favorites. Have a great holiday season!

Make It A BOB-Buster Night!