You Know, The One With Those Guys and They Do That Thing

I'm sure everyone has favorite movies, that when brought up in conversation, people stare at you.  They don't have big stars, didn't do well at the box office or are just forgotten about.  This is just a small list of favorite movies that I feel are highly underrated.  Just my opinion and you may or may not agree.  May Contain Spoilers: Although, I will do my best not to ruin anything.

Requiem For a Dream (2000, Darren Aronofsky)

One of the more misunderstood movies in recent memory.  It's not just a drug movie...it's a lot more than that.  We all have dreams in life.  Imagine, working towards those dreams and getting within reaching distance...so close you can taste it.  You just need a little more time or that one last thing, but you don't quite get there.  Not only don't you get there, you're worse off than when you started...not only worse off, but your life has completely changed, you don't know what happened, who you are anymore and most importantly, how you got there.  In a vague nutshell, this is our story. 

Fletch (1985, Michael Ritchie)

Possibly, Ok let's get real here...EASILY, Chevy Chase's best role.  Most movies that Chevy have been in are ensembles or his role is as a supporting character.  Some would say Clark Griswold in the "Vacation" movies is his best role and it's hard to disagree with, but I'm about to.  Clark is a moron and Fletch is a genius.  Did I convince you?  No?  I'm not really trying to, as it's clearly personal preference.  I do stand by my statement.  Irwin R. Fletcher, is an investigative journalist, quick with a quip and great with the ladies, so he'd have you believe.  It's a well written movie, with smart dialogue, a good story and a very strong supporting cast.  It's also something that is very rare with a Chevy Chase movie...it's funny.

The Game (1997, David Fincher)

What do you get a man that has every possession one could want or buy?  Life.  That's pretty much the premise to the movie.  Michael Douglas' brother, played by, Sean Penn, get's him a birthday present he'll never forget.  This is a classic thriller.  You're on the edge of your seat the entire time, trying to figure out what to do next.  The movie is very smart from top to bottom.  Well acted, which you would expect from heavyweights like Douglas and Penn.  I love the way David Fincher tells a story.  His style is very evident in this movie.  It did well at the box office, but it's not one of those movies that get's talked about often.  The same could be said for our next film.

Ronin (1998, John Frankenheimer)

Action...you want action?  80 cars were destroyed making this film.  There is one of the best car chases in the history of action movies in this film.  Plus, Robert DeNiro isn't in the mob.  It did do decent at the box office, like The Game, but again is never really talked about.  The cast is really top notch, although you might not know their names, you'll definitely recognize all of them.  David Mamet helped with the writing of the screenplay, but he did so under an assumed name.  Ronin is more than just a shoot 'em up action flick.  You do have to pay attention to what's going on, as there is a lot of espionage and it's hard to pinpoint who is on what side?  Also, a great movie to watch if you have a home theater.

Grandma's Boy (2006, Nicholaus Goossen)

What can I say about this movie?  If you took Animal House and added Cheech and Chong, you'd be off to a good start.  This movie did so horrible at the box office, I didn't even know it was released.  I stumbled upon this one day flipping channels.  I laughed so hard, that I went out and bought it later that same day.  It's that funny, but it's specific funny.  Video game, comic book, geek humor and for good measure, drug humor.  I could see if you aren't into any of that, you'd find this movie dumb, crass or rude.  Nick Swardson (Jeff), who co-wrote the movie with Allen Covert (Alex), is just brilliant and really makes the movie.  It's a great escape film.  Turn the brain off and laugh for awhile.

The Little Things (or Ones)

The little things can really make your day.  Sometimes, they are better than things you've been waiting or hoping for.

I'm standing at the service desk at my supermarket waiting to buy some stamps.  I hear a little voice say, "Hi, nice to meet you."  I look down and see a small boy no older than four, looking at me.  I say "Hi" back to him.  Now years ago, you could get down to his level and start talking to the kid.  These days...not so much...I don't want mom to get the "Creepy Old Guy" vibe.  He was there with his mom and older sister, who was about 6 or 7.

5 words from a little kid made my day today.  I just thought it was great that he actually knew how to use it in context.

Listening To You

The music business is incredibly hard to succeed at.  I've always felt that it's a lowest common denominator thing.  Meaning you have to have something for everyone, so people will buy your music and put your singles on the charts.  So you can get famous, make lots of money and be on MTV.  No wait, they don't play music videos anymore.  Ok then...VH1...no they don't do it either.  Forget it, where was I?

Then there are some of us that don't listen to that music, because it's...ummm...crap.  Some bands...in fact most bands...create music, because they have to.  It's in their DNA...they were born to do it.  These are the bands we are devoted to and love.  We own all their albums and see every show we can.  These are the bands that should be huge, but never will be...sadly.  Maybe they'll be huge in Belgium, right Cliff.

 One of the bands that should be huge is Ted Leo and the Pharmacists.  I've just recently gotten into this band and have yet to hear a bad song.  This is what pop music should sound like.  It's original...not the same cookie cutter stuff "they" tell you is good.  Strong melodies, lyrics and musicians that can play their instruments.  Don't take my word for it...watch the videos and then follow the link to buy all their albums.  Seriously...ENJOY!!!







I'm always looking for "New Music To Me."  If there is anything you want to suggest, please do.  Cheers!!

Odds and Sods

These are thoughts that don't really need a full blog post...

Cable channels now produce better-scripted shows than the networks.  USA has Psych, Burn Notice, Royal Pains and White Collar.  FX has had The Shield, Rescue Me, Sons of Anarchy and Louie.  Sy Fy has had all the Stargate shows, plus, Eureka, Warehouse 13 and the successful relaunch of Battlestar Galactica.  AMC is also going strong with Mad Men and Breaking Bad.  Not to mention all the programming on HBO, Showtime and now Starz in the past 7-10 years.

The Geico commercials with actor Mike McGlone (the guy with the slicked back hair, that asks if the ex-drill sergeant would make a good therapist, just to name one of many) really need to end.  We loved the cavemen so much they got their own horrible, horrible show.  We love the British, Australian, South African or whatever he is, gecko.  I want that question answered...It drives me crazy.  Hell, we even tolerate the stack of cash with the eyeballs.  Do we really need a dude with a deep monotone in a suit asking hypothetical questions?  Right, didn't think so.

I hanker for a hunk'a cheese...I just do.

X Games 16 starts/started (depending when I get around to publishing this) Thursday.  I've been a huge fan since it started in my adoptive home state of Rhode Island.  Most of the greats in all the disciplines of Skateboarding, BMX, Freestyle Moto and Rally car driving.  We've seen major innovation in tricks and events.  Things that were very difficult to land have become standard tricks over the years. 

To go along with the X Games, ESPN is showing one of their great documentaries in the 30 for 30 series.  Also, this series is the only reason to watch the channel these days.  Thank you Bill Simmons for coming up with the idea.  The Birth of Big Air is all about Mat Hoffman and premieres at 7 pm on Thursday.  He's the Tony Hawk of Freestyle BMX.  He's invented about 100 tricks in his career and has had enough injuries to make the toughest football player cry.  Please check it out.

Cheers:  This week's cheers go out to the Boston Red Sox for hanging tough through all their injuries.  A very nice sweep of the Angels to cap off the road trip.

Also, the MLB Trade Deadline is upon us.  There's just a couple of days to go, but it's always my favorite time of the baseball season, other than the playoffs.

Last, but not least, the Where Are They Now? issue of Sports Illustrated came out this week.  My favorite issue of the year.  I'm a history buff and I love learning about athletes.

Jeers: This week's jeers go out to the LA County Sheriff's Dept. for giving Lindsay Lohan special treatment and also for the fact that she'll only do 13 days of her 90 day sentence.  It's just wrong.

The world would be a better place if we stopped creating fake celebrities.  Jersey Shore, Real Housewives of Wherever and every other "scripted" reality show.  I guess people really will do anything to be famous.  So depressing...have some self-pride.

Until next week...take care of yourselves.

Helping Out A Friend

My friend Andy Thomas had his guitar stolen recently.  He's not looking for a handout or anything like that.  He's offering his debut solo album for a measly $1 donation to the cause.  Songs are a $1...for that you get an entire album...it's a great deal. 

Blood and Sunshine by Andy Thomas

http://andythomas.bandcamp.com/

Andy and I thank you in advance for your help.

Mom Always Liked You Best - Volume 1

This will compare and contrast: Movies, roles, actors, bands, songs, books...etc.  I'm not trying to determine which one is better than the other, but open avenues of discussion.  It's personal opinion which you prefer or like better.  Anyways...on with the show!

                                                                                                            

        Russell Crowe as Hando in Romper Stomper

VS.

   Edward Norton as Derek Vinyard in American History X

Two pretty nasty looking dudes.  I'd say at the least.  Both very scary in many ways...not just looks and actions...perhaps even worse than that is, their thoughts and ideals.  On the surface, Romper Stomper and American History X are about the same things...skinheads.  Two skinheads, in particular...

Hando, as played by Russell Crowe and played very well by him.  This is the first movie that made me aware of Crowe.  He scared the crap out of me in this role.  He is definitely the leader of the skinheads in Australia.  He's the strong one of the group, the alpha male.  His crew sticks together, but is falling apart at the same time.  Hando is self-reliant and has been for a long time.  He's not the smartest guy, but compared to the others, he's a genius.  What he doesn't know he learns.  He's dedicated to being the best neo-Nazi he can be.

Derek Vinyard, as played by Edward Norton, equally as well.  In fact, he was nominated for an Oscar for the second time before he was 30 for this role.  Vinyard is not like Hando, he's educated, from the suburbs and has had all the advantages.  As in life, it can take just one moment to flip everything.  When Derek's dad dies, especially, in the way he's killed...Derek's path is changed.  He goes from an athletic honors student to a confused young adult, in search of a father figure.  He just finds the wrong one.

Let's see, how can I do this without giving too much of either movie away?  Just in case you live in a cave and haven't seen them.  Hando is a psychopath that has no long term plan.  It's destroy everything and everyone in sight...right now.  Derek is very cold and calculated with a long term plan to expand the power of his crew, the D.O.C.  Derek's journey takes place over the course of years.  Hando's may take a week, but it's full throttle the entire time.  I have to give Hando the advantage in tattoos, simply for his left arm alone.  That is an intimidating piece of ink.  Derek has the swastika tattooed on his left pectoral (his heart).  Which may have more meaning as a neo-Nazi, but the black ink bones spells bad ass.

 They are both quite menacing physical presences.  You wouldn't want to fight either one on one.  You may think Hando is the better fighter, because he doesn't use a gun, but he would if he had the chance.  Vinyard is a product of his environment.  You don't show up to a gun fight with a knife and he knows that.  Although, he does seal his reputation by what he does after he's out of bullets.  Karma catches up to both of them respectively in different ways.  Again, being vague as to not give away too much.

Check out both of these movies and form your own opinions.  If for nothing else, they will open your eyes.  There are still groups like the ones portrayed in the movies.  Not just in the USA, but worldwide.  Hate, is one of the strongest emotions out there, but a lot of times, these kids don't know what, why or who they hate.  The pure evil is at the top, the people that give the followers their beliefs.  Hate breeds hate and it's sad.  The way I look at life is simple.  An ass is an ass.  If you're a great person, you are.  It has nothing to do with color, religion or where you came from, for me.  Ok, I'm off my soapbox.

Blog...Take 215...

Here it goes, here it goes, here it goes again. So that would both be the chorus of the OK Go song and the history of this blog. I have started and stopped this thing so many times, it's humorous...sounds like my life.

If you end up following me...awesome. If you don't...I won't be surprised...no hard feelings. I'm not going to lay out a structure just yet, because my mind doesn't really allow it. I kind of write what comes to mind and that changes hourly.

I guess we'll just see what happens.

Cheers,

Derek

P.S. - There is only one post, because all others have been deleted...rants, that I can't make sense of...need not be there. If I don't understand what I wrote...neither will you.