A Christmas Debate? Or yet Another Bickering for the Sake Of…

As the 2019 holiday season was creeping upon us, I stumbled by accident into a “debate” (more like an argument) about Christmas movies that shall be part of the yearly tradition.

Ah!, social media, the Victrola of the masses.

In the past it was the tabloids, with the feral child story, or the apparition of the Virgin Mary on a muffin, or an Elvis sighting. Then it was the radio, with the endless talk shows of every subject matter that gave us Howard Stern, Morton Downy Jr, Rush Limbaugh, and many others who daily or nightly discussed politics, sex, debauchery, UFOs, and conspiracy theories. Then it was cable television, with 24 hours news coverage and editorial and political opinion shows in prime time or late night that had blurred the lines between news and political propaganda. However, none of them had the flexibility to give the viewer or consumer of information the power to participate or to provide instant feedback. It also gives the user, worldwide attention, as little Tommy or little Mary’s views can be seen, heard, or read potentially all over the world instantly. It has evolved into an everyday contest of righteousness that has made discussions pointless since everybody is right no matter how bizarre their views are.

Going back to this “debate”…

I did not know that there was a committee in charge of protecting the season by deciding what was appropriate to watch during Christmas. It seems like the same people that post stories on social media about some evil person, or organization, or government agency forbidding any Christmas decorations or the nativity scene somewhere that usually brings a plethora of people to become defensive. One person in this amusing back and forth was suggesting that “Die Hard” (1988) deserved to be included in the Christmas tradition because the movie takes place during Christmas and had all the props and theme to make it a film suitable for the time. Of course the majority of people in this now squawk box was in an uproar and adamant about the choice because “Die Hard” did not have the values and lessons other movies like “It’s a Wonderful Life” (1946) or most recently “Home Alone” (1990). Never mind that “Die Hard” is the classic good guy fight bad guys and against the odds manages to beat them and live happily ever after along with catchy phrases, old recycled Hollywood music from their “Golden Years”, loud explosions, and cool stunts. Of course the movie ending was not ever-lasting because there will always be another movie, but that is the marketing and movie cycle in Hollywood.

Honestly, I am an outsider of sorts since in the Island (The Lone Star Estate) where I was born, there was no movie tradition during Christmas and for that matter there was no Mr. Rogers, nor Green Eggs and Ham.

We opened presents, played, and visited family to get more presents.

The movie thing was merely an Americanized custom sort of imposed by the theorists of the time who thought in a “Melting Pot” society were the people of the Island must accept American culture as the mainstream culture and slowly shed theirs. It was not rice and beans, it was steak and baked potato if you wanted to be “fino” (cultured), or “como los americanos” (like the Americans).

Of course people resisted for all the wrong reasons, but that has not changed even here in the mainland where people simply resist for the sake of personal political statements rather than what is good for all. However, knowing English on the Island was a professional necessity, thus it was an obvious choice to master “el dificil” (literal meaning: the hard one; slang for what locals used to call English) even if people would look at you funny because they could or would not learn “el dificil”.

Quite frankly, over the last 10 Christmas holidays or whatever is that people celebrate (a sort of disclaimer) during this time, I had my own Christmas Movie Marathons. The choices had been based on movies or shows on sale during the year that I have purchased and saved (more like lacked the time during the year to watch them) for this time. Moreover, I do not bother myself in these social media or pointless conversations or bickering with these so called defenders of the holiday traditions, and honestly does it matter what movie do you watch?

Or for that matter, what tradition do you celebrate or not?

No it does not matter and we should understand that it is not about you but about all since we live in a society which is a collective. People who claim are inclusive should stop watering down people’s traditions with bland-neutral-vocabulary for the sake of some rightfulness. Instead we can celebrate and respect everybody by including them all– that is true inclusion. Moreover, people should not be offended if someone greets or wishes you a merry Christmas even if they do not celebrate it because the intent is the same, and it is the perfect time to educate them instead of the usual scoff and remarks that goes against the spirit of the season.

Going back to the movie, does it really matter that the movie has to have some theme related to Christmas? No, it does not, so if you want to open presents, pig out, and wear your elf or moose pajamas or that Snuggie blanket you got a few Christmas ago while watching incredible explosions, unnecessary screams, and a super-loud soundtrack…so be it and do not worry if the movie does not conform to some silly societal norm imposed long ago by some media corporation for the sake of selling crap you do not need.

In the meantime, I will be watching “Deadpool” (2016) and “Deadpool 2” (2018) during this special time because both movies were on sale during Gray Thursday ($5 each…thanks to Walmart), and I sincerely hope everybody has a great time.

Next: Fast Forward…

Note: In looking for some support for this post, I found this article from the Hoover Institution at Stanford University by Bruce Thornton in titled “Melting Pots and Salad Bowls” (2012) that talks about these theories and how they influence policy in the US.

Other articles:

Crossman, Ashley. (2020, February 11). What Is the “American Melting Pot?”. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/melting-pot-definition-3026408

A Westworld-Futureworld Double Feature

It was another Friday night (end of the week and two days off), at home, sitting on my chair, ready for another double feature.

Westworld (1973)

The movie is about an amusement theme park for ultra-rich people to indulge themselves dressing and playing cowboys. It seems that in the not so distant future everybody is either super-rich or non-existent since the park is packed with customers, thus making the place very profitable or so it seems. Like a future version of the famous rodent theme park and following along the famous lines from the movie “Field of Dreams”–”if you build it, he (or they) will come”.

To make it safe for the customers, robots play the other characters like natives and other town people and only they can be “killed”, as the weapons are programed to protect the guests. However, there is a robot (the gunslinger) who mysteriously becomes aware (or maybe not!) and decides to take out some of the guests for real. In typical 70’s conspiracy theory movies like Coma or Close Encounters of the Third Kind, after these “mysterious” deaths happen, and one guest (of course) manages to stop the plot, uncover the mystery, and save the day; thus making the movie entertaining and sort of a contemporary motif in today’s conspiracy theory pop-culture insanity.

Yul Brynner (The King and I, 1956; The Ten Commandments, 1956) , Richard Benjamin (Quark, 1977-1978), Josh Brolin (Pee-wee’s Big Adventure, 1985; Capricorn One, 1977) , Majel Barrett (Babylon 5 1994-1998). She was married to Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry and was and still part of the Star Trek Universe as the computer voice, narrator, Lwaxana Troi (The Next Generation), and Nurse Chapel (original series).

Michael Crichton directed and wrote the screenplay for the movie.

Crichton also directed “Coma” (1978), “Looker” (1981), and “Runaway” (1984) among others. Aside directing, he was also a prolific writer that published novels like “Timeline” (1999), “The Lost World” (1995), “Rising Sun” (1992), “Jurassic Park” (1990), “Sphere” (1986), “Congo” (1980), and “The Andromeda Strain” (1969). These novels were developed into movies over the years. He also wrote the screenplays for “Twister”(1996“), “Rising Sun” (1993), ), “Jurassic Park” (1993), “Runaway” (1984 Story), “Looker” (1981 Story), “Coma” (1978), and Westworld” (1973).

However, the novel “Jurassic Park” got the attention of Steven Spielberg who liked the story for his next movie, and he brought Crichton in to write the screenplay for the 1993 movie and Spielberg’s 15th movie. Their collaboration continued over the years through Amblin Entertainment, as the dinosaur-saga has produced several sequels (8) over the last 28 years and still going strong as the next instalment is set for 2021. Crichton and Spielberg relationship continued through Amblin Entertainment also gave Crichton the opportunity to develop television shows, and on September 19, 1994 the Emmy winner, long-running TV show “ER“ (1994-2009) debuted on NBC.

Crichton suddenly died in November 4 of 2008 after complications from cancer before the end of the show; however, his legacy continues as “Westworld” (2016-to present) was remade into an HBO show (produced by J.J. Abrahams) and “Jurassic Park” and the “Lost World” are still successful franchises. Furthermore the novel “The Andromeda Evolution” is being released on November 19 of 2019 (add link).

Futureworld (1976)

I remember watching the commercials for this movie and thought it was going to be a cool movie. Yes, I was a child and did not know better, and went to see it much later at the discount movie theater near my house.

A place where I spent many Sundays watching movies for $1. The movie sort of follow up Westworld but without much details, and concentrates in building the conspiracy about the evil and mysterious park management and the robots.

The movie inspired an awful television series titled “Beyond Westworld” that was done and gone before many people noticed. Created by Michael Crichton in 1980 only lasting five episodes.

Again it seems like during the 70’s it was a belief that in the future everybody was rich (like the Jetsons) because the park was packed with many people along with some VIP’s.

The movie begins with some mysterious deaths that prompted a duo of reporters to go “undercover” yet everybody knew them and were also invited to see that everything was good and fun at Delos (name of the park). Apparently management wanted to replace some of the VIP’s with robots, but their plan failed (or not) when the “undercover” newspaper reporters were in the park

Now it seems that from all the weekends they could devote to public relations, the management apparently missed the weekend when several big wig VIP’s were visiting and booked the reporters “all access” tour as well.

Still an entertaining movie (for the funny and silly antics) from a time gone by.

Peter Fonda, John Fujioka, and Yul Brynner as the Gunslinger

Next: 21 Jump Street

A Small Rant of Sorts

The wait is over.

Friday was the anticipated premiere of yet another overhyped superhero (for lack of another label) movie marketed and sold for what seems a long nauseating time (almost a year).

It has been shown in every festival in the world and even has got some early Oscar “buzz”.

I would not mention its title because anybody with a pulse can figure out the title.

Ode to the power of marketing who brought us The Ginsu knives, edible underwear, Jane Fonda’s fitness videos, Y2K, The 2010 Mayan Prophecy, silly names like “the dark web” and word “operative” to sound important, Emperor Don Segundo (our commander in chief) promoting the fallacy that we are all the same.

Seems like this movie will make a nice return on the box office despite several “controversies”, but as we all know (and if you don’t know; please take your head out of the sand) these “controversies” are just part of the scheme to sell anything these days.

Warner Brothers even released a statement in response to a letter from families of the victims of the Colorado movie theater shooting that meant to sound benign while salivating at the prospect that the movie makes a lot of money and gets considered for an Oscar (link).

It has been a rough year for movie studios not owned by certain benign mouse that practically owns half (or more) of the movie studios, so anything that can make the movie profitable is game.

The way the country is moving from a knee-jerk-reaction to the next every nanosecond, this movie has a perfect timing when even the US Army (?) has apparently issued warnings to the public against the possibility of several incidents happenings in movie theaters were the movie is going to be shown.

Not even during Al-Qaida’s daily Jihad ranting during the Bush administration color-coded days had so much attention by the US Army (thought this was the job of the FBI) in the US.

However, it seems like there is a group of people who seem destined to be the next “terrorist” organization and taking away the title of “Bogeyman” (pardon the pun) away from the folks from the Middle East.

This group of guys who in the past were simply invisible now has an organization, a PAC, a lobby, and a Public Relations firm to promote their lack of success in the mating, “oops!”…dating scene.

Apparently they are cranky!…no angry!

Some of these guys really have issues (to be mild) and their distorted views are in the fringe of insanity. However, there is some truth to their feelings because looks along with wealth dictate the alpha males and females just like it happens in nature.

Yes, we humans delude ourselves saying things like “looks are not important”, “money isn’t everything”, but in the end, the biology of dating (mating) is based on looks and image because we do not hang around people who we do not like, more so today in our polarized and divided society.

It is ludicrous (maybe insane as well) to believe these appeasing prompts that we are “all” a big great human family when we spent billions of dollars in beauty products, clothing, cars, diets, and plastic surgery so we can have an edge and fit an ideal and unrealistic-for-all image. Even this distorted view of us afflicts others who suffer mental conditions like bulimia and anorexia and how hard is their struggle to be accepted. Corporations spent millions of dollars in advertising that poses beautiful people pretending to be normal like the rest of us; the average and below average majority of us mortals.

Not until this week when my curiosity led me to look out for these people, I found that these groups are the angry and pathetic side of people who had trouble dating and apparently, they had decided to get out there and do something about it.

Once again, not all of them are angry-evil-losers who spend hours on the Internet pouting, bullying, and trolling others for attention. Some had been hurt emotionally, and been taken advantage of their deficient social skills in a society that contradicts itself by saying one thing while continuing to appeal to selfishness and vanity. Most of these guys had struggled in life, pressured by peers and family to be “normal” and the constant lines constantly uttered “you have to do this…you have to do that…”

They are also told to “believe” (yep this word again) they will find that special someone that will come to them like the faerie tales with a “happily ever after” ending that never happens except on Hallmark movies (LOL!).

The other “controversy” of the film is the vilification of mentally ill people who seem to only thrive (in media) when they become psychopathic mass killers with a twist of philosophy and theatrics to validate their views.

We have mental health problems in the country, and as everything lately it has become a dogmatic issue of belief rather than the factual scientific approach.

Director, Todd Phillips had pleaded to viewers to see the film before passing judgment on the subject matter. The real point is not the actual movie but the excessive promotion and conspiracy-theory engineering only to sell a product.

We live in a time when the gap between the “have” and the “have not’s” continues to widen pushing people to the edges of the “mainstream” because the majority do not like them or do not want to see them.

Personally, it has always made me wonder about the need for all the promotion and hoopla if the movie is as good as the “critics” claimed to be.

Sorry, I will pass on this movie even though I like the dark nature of antiheroes and their distorted views of themselves.

Next: A Westworld-Futureworld Double Feature

A William Friedkin Double Feature

The first weekend of the college football season is an interesting blend of happenings in town. In a previous post, “It is that Time Again: Back to School 2018” (link), I tried to describe the transformation happening in town from a slow and provincial summer to the edge of insanity as people that otherwise are considered above average intelligence turn into hooligans.

I have been reminded many times that it is all part of being a “fan” and that it is perfectly normal for people to regress to cavemen or cavewomen for the sake of a game.

After the end of the workweek, two days of rest and be thankful for the daily grind that never ends. Friday night back at home on my usual chair and once again a trip down memory lane.

William Friedkin was a logical choice since the first movie of the night was on theaters when I was young and since it was not a morality story, none of my role models was interested in watching it. I saw it much later on VCR, a few years after seeing the second feature (To Live and Die in LA) in the theaters.

The French Connection (1971)

Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle (Gene Hackman) an NYPD detective and his partner Buddy Russo (Roy Schneider) stumble a drug ring with connections in France. The movie will raise eyebrows in today’s correctionalist pulpit for its language and Doyle would be seen today as what is wrong with law enforcement. Nevertheless, Doyle’s amoral ways was (and still is) the result of the times and the hardship of the streets in a city like New York during a time were there was no social media and results were preferred over sensibility or appeasement. Despite some of the reviews, life in the streets is dull, unapologetic, and definitely not politically correct. It does not care, or have empathy, and most definitely would not feel sorry for anyone. It is a concrete jungle of sorts and its ugly nature eludes people who live with their heads in the sand. It is funny that these same people would rave and glorify a gangster movie, were the main character uses the same cultural expletives, cheer his or her actions, crown him or her as a hero for his or her stand as a “victim of the system”.

However, they seem to have a problem with a cop who is a product of the same street and to be able to survive and do his or her job becomes the same thing he or she despises—“food for thought”.

The movie changes pace from slow to fast and back to slow and featured “the” car chase that made the movie famous during its theater run that earned Friedkin an Oscar for best director along with Oscars for best picture, best actor (Gene Hackman), best screenplay, and best editing in 1972.

To Live and Die in LA (1985)

I consider this movie as the other bookend of Friedkin’s work, for it takes place on the other coast—sunny and beautiful L.A.

William Peterson (CSI, 2000-2015; Manhunter, 1986) Willem Dafoe (Streets of Fire, 1984; Platoon, 1986; Born on the Fourth of July, 1989; Clear and Present Danger, 1994 ), John Pankow, and John Turturro (The Night Of, 2016; Summer of Sam, 1999) lead the cast about a thrill-seeking secret service agent (Petersen) in his quest to avenge the death of his partner and arrest Eric Masters (Dafoe) one of the biggest and most elusive counterfeiters in the west coast.

He is assigned a new partner (Pankow) and ordered to stay away from Masters, but as the typical 80’s flicks were the cop goes solo, he goes after the bad guy only this time he loses his perspective and crossed several lines, thus tainting his pursuit of justice typical in the good versus evil movies. The movie also may burn in today’s digital pulpit for its ambiguous sexuality and shady morality, as the use of home video cameras began the era of voyeuristic self-indulgence common today.

In a story that moves between fast and slow along with car chases, corruption, and an ending that was advertised as “surprising”, but let just say that the ending was Friedkin’s way of storytelling, for these characters are not the typical moral good characters and the line between good and bad is barely there. Neither is real life on the streets with its plethora of shades of gray that made it impossible to clearly distinguish from good or bad. In the end, people move on and life continues with other players taking over the ones that left or died in LA or anywhere else.

Next: A Small Rant of Sorts

Friday Night Movies

As the month of July (2018) continued its hot and scolding pace, I felt a bit nostalgic and begin to look for some movies of my youth. During the quest, I remembered my grandfather, a character and one of my role models. He had many flaws by today’s standards, but his qualities outweighed them…

The Hellfighters (1968)

This was a typical John Wayne kick-ass-and-asking-questions-last-week movie. He is an American icon that for almost five decades appeared in 178 movies (IMDb, 2019), and despite his shortcomings as a person, his portrayals defined the American hero of the time and beyond, and that made him special to many of his fans like my grandfather who saw himself because he portrayed real everyday guys.

The movie based loosely on Texas oil firefighter ‘Red’ Adair (1915-2004) and his adventures putting off oil fires all over the world. Along with private jets, explosions, fires, romance, and second chances.

Chance Buckman (Wayne) gets hurt after putting a fire and with the uncertainty of his chances; his mysterious and estranged daughter, Tish Buckman (Katherine Ross; The final Countdown, 1980) comes to the picture opening old wounds. It was a typical John Wayne since by the end of the movie he returned to his fighting oil fires kick-ass ways, get the girl back, and everybody lives happily ever after, as they fly away in their jet.

Wayne may not have been perfect human being as recently has been made public, but during my youth, most of us had plenty of role models to look up to, so despite his personal imperfections most people loved his characterizations, for he portrayed the classic hero that always get the bad guys in the end. My grandfather never cared about the real life of these actors because for him they were just people like us. Maybe the role models of my youth raised me to understand that and maybe were responsible for me not being “fan” of anything. There was no cult of personality idolizing these primadona media stars with their attention seeking and constant approval needs with their social media diarrhea and paparazzi soapbox.

The Devil’s Brigade (1968)

The movie was another favorite of my grandfather’s and loosely portrayed the birth of the special operation forces during World War II.

The group of misfits lead by Lt. Col. Robert T. Frederick became a legend during WWII, and based on Robert H. Adleman and George Walton‘s novel of the same tittle. It was another typical hero movie but with a twist similar to movies like “The Dirty Dozen” (1967) were the characters in the movie were cast out for things they did in the past, and getting the opportunity to earn a second chance of redemption.

William Holden (The Towering Inferno, 1974; The Bridge on the River Kwai, 1957; Stalag 17, 1953), one of my favorite actors, led the cast that includes Cliff Robertson (Spiderman 3, 2007; Spiderman 2, 2004; Spiderman, 2002; Escape From LA. 1996, Brainstorm, 1983; Midway, 1976) Carol O’Connor (“Archie Bunker“; Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, 1964-1968; The Man from U.N.C.L.E., 1964-1968), and Claude Akins (The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo, 1979-1981;B.J. and the Bear, 1978-1981 (both shows playing Sheriff Elroy P. Lobo); Battle for The Planet of the Apes, 1973). My first Holden movie was “The World of Suzie Wong” with Nancy Kwan (Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story, 1993), which I watched with my grandmother on the weekday afternoon movie. Holden also was on Sidney Lumet’s Network (1976)

The movie can similarly be slightly compared with the HBO miniseries “Band of Brothers” (2001) as the small stories and camaraderie of these special group of men (at that time) bonded to become a family of sorts, as the prospect of death was real and possible since war has no favorites only lucky survivors that can share their tales.

Airport (1970)

This movie was a favorite of my father and we watch it during Christmas break when it premiered on local television (WAPA, Wikipedia, 2019) movie of the week.

It had a great cast, romance, and airplanes, thus becoming a franchise as several sequels (3) (Airport 1975, Airport’77, and The Concorde: Airport’79) followed . Burt Lancaster (Tough Guys, 1986; The Osterman Weekend, 1983; Zulu Dawn, 1979; Jim Thorpe–All American, 1951), Dean Martin (Cannonball Run II, 1984; The Cannonball Run, 1981; Ocean’s 11, 1960) George Kennedy (was on all 4 movies) (Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult, 1994; The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear, 1991;The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!, 1988) and a young Jackeline Bisset (The Deep, 1977) lead the cast that became legendary, for it also inspired the satire Airplane and its obvious sequels. The movie was based on Arthur Hailey’s novel of the same name.

The movie begins as a typical day at a busy airport and works the tension towards its climactic ending along with the drama of regular life. These characters are flawed and burdened by their own lives, but excelling in performing their jobs under fire even knowing that their personal lives will suffer.

It was also a showcase of American aircraft engineering, a once beacon of America’s exceptionalism and the pride and dedication people had for their industry. It was not the modern version of hollow patriotism of making gestures, wearing some garment, or repeating empty words, no these folks talked the talk and walked the walk. They had flaws and were not perfect in their regular lives but that did not stop them from being exceptional when it was needed without all the handholding and praising demanded in today’s America.

The sequels followed the formula of big name casting (Charlton Heston, Mirna Loy, Linda Blair, Robert Wagner, Sylvia Kristel, Charo, Jack Lemon, and Daren McGavin to mention a few) new planes (including the Concorde), and plot lines that gave many viewers a nice feeling in their bellies as they left the theater.

Thanks to Dollar General where I found Airport and “Hellfighters”, and Amazon Prime for having “The Devil’s Brigade” available.

Next: 2018 School Year and a Most Needed Change of Venue

A Word to the Readers

As the 2018 school year was winding down, new events in my life, and the lack of choices in TV Land limited my viewing choices. However, as the old saying in the Island “desperation is the mother of all inventions” (a loose translation) forced me to change directions and hence embark in a trip down memory lane, as I decided to actively search for old television shows from my younger days. Of course this decision made me ponder, think, and chuckle (sometimes out loud and sometimes in public as well) because I was doing something most people do when they get old.

There is no order or particular year or decade, as it is mostly based on my choice and more important, the availability of the particular show (s) or movie (s). Some happened to coincide and match eras, actors or actresses, or directors (this one intentionally whenever it was possible).

I would like to thank Amazon Prime, Dollar General, and Walmart. Also 2^nd & Charles, Goodwill, and other second hand stores for having some of these classics available and sometimes at affordable prices. Some of these classics fill up the clearance and discounted bins, or simply fill second hand places waiting for someone to take them home.

It is common for the average young people not to care about these movies or shows unless the movie or show is remade. I read recently on Reddit a discussion about the best science-fiction books turned into movies and a poster simply wrote that unless the movie was made recently, he did not care to watch it because it was not made to today’s technical standards.

So as the tales of yet another “Broke A$$ Summer” (2018) approaches (previous summers), I will review some of these classics along with the musings of an ordinary and simple life.

Thanks to all of you that read this blog and I humbly hope that you enjoy this trip into old television from my youth.

Tuesday: “I’ll be Back” Nostalgia with Bullets

Commando (1985)

The movie is your typical 80’s action flick with Arnold Schwarzenegger shooting and blowing bad guys (a whole army in this case).

John Matrix (Schwarzenegger) is a retired special forces, elite, bullet proof, specimen turned into the father of the year. He and his daughter Jenny (Alyssa Milano) were living the “happy” life until the bad guys abduct her, and John Matrix goes in a rampage typical of Arnold movies, as a one-army search and destroy mission along with a blasting soundtrack, explosions, and a hydroplane (piloted by sexy Rae Dawn Chong), this movie was typical of the 80s action flick genre. Delivering entertainment along with gratuitous violence and sexiness all wrap-up in a good guy versus bad guys story that leaves the viewer happy and wanting more.

Alyssa Milano, Dan Hedaya, Bill Duke, Rae Dawn Chong, and many other actors in these movies continued to work in other action flicks during the 80’s. Some doing similar characters, while others moved on as the decade ended. As everything in the entertainment business (and in life) some went missing as the genre and audiences’ taste changed.

Memories of a Shy-Pudgy-Pimple-Faced Youth

Over the last few years, financial hardship and solitude had become a normalcy. Slowly, I had maintained a simple way of life. On a good note, I decided to spend time looking for movies and TV shows that peaked my curiosity in my youth. I search the local library, Amazon, Walmart, garage sales, flea markets, and an occasional pawn shop, and sometimes without looking, a finding that brings back memories of my life in the Island.

Borrowing the over-used cliché, the following movies reminded me of “a time gone by”. It was the last part of the 70s and drive-ins, local mom and pop movie theaters, and the era of multiplexes was still far away. There was no video stores, no home computers, no Internet, no cell phones or smartphones, no home theaters, no gaming systems, and more important — no social media.

Star Wars was the king of the box office (still is in my book), long hair, bell bottoms, and Farrah Fawcett was the girl every pimple-faced male teenager was fantasizing about.

Message from Space (1978)

The movie was a Japanese version of Star Wars with Vic Morrow (Combat, 1962-1967; The Bad News Bears, 1976; Police Story, 1973-1974; Twilight Zone: The Movie, 1983), and tragically died in 1983 while filming “Twilight Zone: The Movie”.

Other notable cast members like Shin’ichi “Soni” Chiba (Kill Bill: Vol. 1, 2003 and Vol. 2, 2004 see Shadow Warriors link; The Bushido Blade, 1981 also directed by Fukasaku; Shadow Warriors, 1980; Machiko Soga who played Rita Repulsa (Barbara Goodson did the voice)in the Mighty Morphing Power Rangers show (1993-1999 as Soga Machiko) and directed by Kinji Fukasaku

Despite the cold reception at the time and the unfair comparisons to Star Wars, there is something about the movie (and others) that when you see them for the first time they are so huge, but after 35 years, when I saw it on VHS for the last time, you can now appreciate with a better eye the evolution of movies over time. Without these movie pioneers (including George Lucas) who risked all trying to push the envelope to create movie-magic.

The movie is the classic bad versus good movie along with the misfit’s band of heroes with the odds against them, the old washout leader in his last mission, and a classic sword fight as a climax to a very entertaining movie.

The movie did ok back home (In the Island), but it always had to endure the “Star Wars Knockoff” label that many science-fiction movies or TV shows (Battlestar Galactica) of the time had to fairly or unfairly (there were many good ones like this one) had live up to.

Star Crash

Sexy outlaw, Stella Star (Caroline Munro), must travel across the stars in a mission to save the emperor’s son. Just like Farrah Fawcett (Charlie’s Angels, 1976-1981; Logan’s Run, 1976), Munro was one of the “babes” on her time appearing in movies like “The Golden Voyage of Simbad”, (1973); Captain Kronos: Vampire Hunter, (1974); “The Spy who Loved Me”, (1977). Along with Munro, Christopher Plummer (Inside Man, 2006; The Insider, 1999; Star Trek 4, 1991) plays the emperor, and David Hasselhoff played the son in one of his first movies (long before Knightrider, 1982-1986 or Baywatch, 1989-2001).

This movie scored high in the Cheesy Category and at times was very silly as Stella’s robot (Elle) had a southern accent (voice by Hamilton Camp) and limped-walked like John Wayne in a cowboy movie; furthermore, Stella seems to have time and room (sort of) for several changes of clothes during the movie while her companions wore the same outfits the entire movie.

Krull, 1983

I used to go to the movies regularly during these times, and had one or two friends that tagged along and became part of my social life. However, there were some movies that I watched in the theater by myself because the movie lacked the hype and most of my acquaintances were not interested.

This movie had everything a hero’s tale should have. The quest for the beautiful princess, the mythical weapon that can only defeat the enemy (they even called it the beast), the slayers who I thought (still do) were the coolest bad guys I seen in a movie. The movie also had lots of magic, potions, and sword fights that were part of old classic knighthood tales that some of us read like Don Quijote, or watched in movies like Excalibur (1981).

Coolest Bad Guys!

The cast included Liam Neason (Batman Begins, 2005, Taken, 2008) and Robbie Coltrane (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, 2001; Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, 2002; Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, 2004. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, 2005; Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, 2007; Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, 2009; Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows P1, 2010; and Part 2, 2011 as two of the bandits who helped Colwyh on his quest.

Next: Wednesday: Sequels I Rather Watch in a Coma

Thanksgiving: A National Day of Gluttony and some Classic Movies of my Youth

After surviving the hurricane season, the visit of the Antichrist, pointless work reviews, and yes the commemoration of the day I began sucking air in this planet, the first break of the already fragmented school year was upon us.

It was a week of doing nothing and staying away from all places of commerce since it is also the start of the holiday shopping season.

It used to begin on Friday, but over the past few years it now starts on Thanksgiving Thursday. Thanks to the business assholes of Kmart (glad they are gone!) and others who came up with the idea of opening the stores on Thursday so people can visit the stores before or after the food binging and have an early start on shopping for crap they did not sold all year now at a reduced price as a favor to the consumer. As a line from a movie “if you built it, they will come”, scores of people, stuffed like the turkey they just inhaled, flocked the stores clashing in a free-for-all of “bargain” sales.

There is fun in watching these circus when sometimes (well, maybe more in big cities) normally mild and tempered people turned into aggressive, loud, and savage brutes. This behavior brings a smile to my face, as it shows that humans are not as advanced as they think because they do not seem too upset as they descend to their most primal instincts when it is convenient.

Instead of being a follower, I decided to spend the week remembering my days of youth when the local movie theater showed three movies for a couple of dollars (along with some water down coke and popcorn that was popped during the bicentennial celebration), and the nightly late movie on local television were the only available entertainment during the holidays. These were the sources of trashy, cheap, and darkly funny entertainment that shaped my early days.

So the 2017 the holiday season began with the “Classic, Cheesy, and Cheap Movies Week”.

Beginning on Monday and pausing on Thursday to do the rounds since there is some family left in town and they always cook a storm, and you are always welcome despite being heckled as “The Grinch”.

Classic, ”Cheesy” and Cheap Movies Week: Day 1

Space Hunter: Adventures in the Forbidden Zone (1983)

I watched this movie when it was released. It was an obscure release of a 3D movie, but not all the theaters (in the Island) at the time offered the glasses to watch the movie.

The local Guaynabo (An Island town) multiplex theater were I have seen other movies did not have the glasses; furthermore, this movie was merely a filler just to have something to show in that particular venue or screen.

This was the rise of suburbia when people flocked the cities to the nice, modern, and segregated urban developments with giant shopping malls with everything in it.

The movie’s cast includes Peter Straus, Michael Ironside, Ernie Hudson, a young Molly Ringwald (before Sixteen Candles 1984), and directed by Lamont Johnson

The movie was very “cheesy” (mild adjective) and a bit under-budget.

Furthermore, since it was originally a 3D movie most of the action sequences were shot to take advantage of the format, so in regular 2D these sequences look silly and odd at times, thus taking away from the acting or dialogue (there was not much of it).

However, this movie made My Top10 Movies (old school project) in the Cheesy Movies and Bad Movies We Love categories, as it was an entertaining feature at the theater and over time as video stores were slowly changing the movie industry.

Lifeforce

I am not going to pretend (even today) that a scene with a beautiful, perfectly-hourglass-shaped naked woman (Mathilda May)

walking towards the protagonist, or other gratuitous nudity scenes in the movie was not a selling point for every science fiction pimpled-face nerd of the time.

It was…and still is!  

The movie was based on the novel “Space Vampires” by Colin Wilson, and it mixed the archetypes of vampires with aliens in a British production that usually (still today) did not caused much stir at the box office.

The movie featured Peter Firth, (MI5 2002-2011, The Hunt for the Red October 1990), and Patrick Stewart (Star Trek: TNG 1987-1994, Dune 1984, X Men 2000

An American Werewolf in London (1981)

The movie is a mix of horror and humor that was popular for a time during the 80’s with other movies like “The Return of the Living Death (1985)”, and contrasted the slasher-type films like Friday the 13th (1980) or Halloween (1978) (they are still making them).

It was and still is a very entertaining movie and seeing some of the cast when they were younger was a plus. Actors like Griffin Dune (House of Lies, 2014; Who’s that Girl with Madonna, 1987; After Hours, 1985). Also another favorite of my days of youth and beyond was Jenny Agutter who played Jessica in Logan’s Run (1976) and later portrayed Tessa Phillips in the BBC show MI5 (2002–2003) rounded up the cast.

Directed by John Landis (Michael Jackson’s Thriller video, 1983); The Blues Brothers, 1980; Animal House, 1978) brought this mixed style of horror and black humor that made this movie a very entertaining and good to watch.

Videodrome (1983)

Media hustler, Max Renn played by James Woods (Contact 1997, Vampires 1998) is looking for “real TV” for his cable channel but finds more than he bargained for.

The movie takes place before there was reality TV, Internet, social media, and at the beginning of the 24-hour cable and news cycle.

He finds an obscure video clip full of violence that looked very real; however there was an unknown catch, as watching the video was very addictive causing hallucinations and death.

Full of shady characters and schemes typical from a David Cronenberg movie (Scanners, 1981;  The Dead Zone, 1983;  Crash, 1996;  A History of Violence 2005), the movie devolve into a drug-induced series of events that even when is not clear if big-brother, or a big corporation, or both are behind it gives the viewer an entertained time with something different.

The movie also features Debbie Harry from Blondie as Nicki Brand.

Next: Tuesday: Day 2

An Unintended Detour

Jurassic World Fallen Kingdom

During this unusual summer (almost to an end) were my part-time gig as a house and dog sitter extraordinaire was deem not necessary due to the clients moving somewhere else, I been updating this blog’s more frequently. However, my apology to the readers (the few of you) for taking a sudden detour from my last summer adventures.

I have not been in a movie theater in 12 years. There are a few reasons for it, but mostly is the economics and the hassle of movie-going in modern days, as one gets old and movies are better suited for younger audiences.

The last time (12 years ago), my young nephew (in high school now) wanted me to go to the movies with the family, and we all went to see “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest”.

This time it was the son of my girlfriend who wanted to see “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom”.

It seems that aside from increased use of CGI (Computer Generated Imagery) used in movies (a standard) today, the subject matter seems to have remained the same as both movies can be reduced to the latest installment of the “never ending” saga of people screaming, a plethora of “crude” jokes (approved by the euphemistic censors), lots of explosions, and endless cliches aimed to younger audiences.

However, in contrast the movie theater experience has changed a lot since then, as now theater complexes had evolved. The layout has changed to smaller venues similar to private screening rooms with wide electric reclining seats and extra room for all the new amenities like wine and other “gourmet” items in the menu. Other niceties of today movie theaters allows people to reserve their seats, or buy tickets and get seat assignments from a mobile application or from a kiosk inside the theater.

Oddly enough, they still sell the popcorn, hotdogs, and sodas at the usual exorbitant prices, so not everything had changed.

Back to “Jurassic World Fallen Kingdom”, I can say that for my taste it was just a series of choreographed happenings that lasted two hours and some change.

I only seen the first movie, “Jurassic Park”(in VHS), and have not keep up with the rest of the series, but this was not for my benefit or my amusement just as the previous time, for it was to support of someone else.

Jurassic Park

12 years ago was my nephew with Tourette Syndrome, and like with other similar conditions the support of the family is very important. This time was my girlfriend’s autistic son, so all the family went as well.

Even today, the average person perpetuates stigmas and misconceptions about autism, Tourette Syndrome, and other similar conditions. They either feel pity for these children and adults and treat them as broken toys while others think that because these conditions are less tangible like cancer are less real and think that somehow ignoring the reality somehow will diminish the condition.

Accepting reality and adapt to it is very important for these children and adults, as it gives them a solid foundation and a familiar niche to feel loved and accepted.

This is more important for working class families, for they do not have ample time and resources like affluent families that have the time and resources to provide every single therapy, every extra educational tutoring, and every medical advances out there.

My girlfriend’s son loves dinosaurs and had seen the previous installments (many times), so he was very exited and anxious about it; however, one of the difficult aspects of autism is their routine and quirks sometimes challenge the status quo.

He is 7 years old, and he enjoys playing with his toys, sitting on the floor while watching shows and movies on TV or on his tablet.

He does this everywhere he can, so he sat on one of the cushy chairs but not for long, as he moved to his more familiar setting by the steps next to his mother were he opened his backpack, pulled his three favorite toys (Godzilla, Mega-Godzilla, and his plush almost wore out T-Rex).

Another of his quirks (as my nephew) is that he talks and talks and talks in a new setting, and more so in a movie about dinosaurs, as he picked upon the subject of the “d-nay” (DNA) of the dinosaurs.

After watching the movie and playing some, he announced to us and pretty much everybody in the theater that he and his toys has “solved” the problem, as they had changed the “d-nay” (DNA) of the dinosaurs so “they can be good”.

Several minutes later, he announced to all in his usual tone; “mommy!!, I really have to go pipi NOW!!”.

There were some chuckles around the theater but everybody that night did not got upset or complained about him talking during the movie.

This was his mother’s fear as in the past it has become a problem that had almost caused confrontations and added stress, thus making tough decisions about when (this was the last week the movie was on the theater), and what time to go (evening show or early morning)

She got up, took his hand and walked him to the bathroom, as I seen her many times before with the patience, understanding, and love only a mother possesses.

This was a good night, not awesome or amazing (two overused words today)…just good.

It is a shame that media (and people too) only seem to focus on these incredible stories about autistic people who against all odds had become doctors, scientists, and other savants contributing to the misconceptions and ignorance among the general public about autism.

Everyday-life seems a bit more complicated, yet it is but a collection of moments (good, bad, or indifferent) that are not glamorous or made for TV, for life is full of small moments that are fulfilling and humbling.

It is ironic that his plan to change the “d-nay” of the dinosaurs to make them good when it should had been better to change the “d-nay” of humans (wishful thinking) who seem to do the same darn things over and over, and despite all we had advanced as a species (a contested claim), we still do things simply because we can.

As for the movie, it ends with the prospect of more installments to come in the future, as humans must now “share” Earth with the dinosaurs roaming free while the usual “feel good” ending fades the movie into the closing credits.

Next…(this time) The Night Of