This blog entry is about a very special person I know.
This lady has devoted her entire life to her family. She has always placed others above herself. I’ve been impressed as I’ve watched her face major trials of life as her faith carried her through and refined her. She dedicated herself to educating her children by home-schooling them while spending a great deal of time each week working and doing a myriad of things at Church without fanfare.
I’ve always been aware of how special she is. However, I have developed a greater appreciation for her as I have marveled at the way she has met recent struggles and heartbreaking disappointments with such Christ-like grace.
Instead of growing bitter, she has grown as a person, daily demonstrating the faith that she professes. She has amazed me during this difficult season, as she has selflessly poured herself into assisting others, doing things that only she can do. Words do not exist that could fully describe my deep admiration for her.
I am her biggest fan.
I am also blessed to be her husband. From the moment she turned down my first request for a date and then 2 months later proposed to me, life with her has been an extreme adventure that I am grateful for. Even though she will probably say this blog was not entertaining enough or wasn’t funny enough, my hope is that I was able to pay tribute to her in a way that captures at least a portion of the lady that she is. Needless to say I love her and I think she is really swell.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Watching TV at the Movies
As I watched "Star Trek 2:The Wrath of Khan" the other night, I started thinking about movies featuring TV casts. The original Star Trek cast transitioned to the big screen more successfully than any other, starring in 6 theatrical feature films. What about the other TV shows that have been made into films with at least some of the original TV cast? Join me, on my way to the local cinema, traveling through the vast wasteland known as Television.
The first TV show to appear at the local Theater was “Dragnet” in 1954. The Jack Webb creation started as a Radio series before moving to TV. I’ve never seen this movie but I’m guessing it is very "Jack Webb". That is all you need to know.
The next TV transition was “Our Miss Brooks” in 1956. This movie appeared after the demise of the series and featured the original TV cast. For some odd reason the film ignored the story lines of the series about a schoolteacher.
Universal drafted the crew of the black & white 60’s sitcom, McHale’s Navy for the big screen in two low budget Color feature films during the run of the 1962-1966 series. They made one of them without McHale!
The Munsters followed their TV series with a lame feature film set in London but filmed at Universal Studios. 1966’s “Munsters, Go Home!” was the Munsters’ debut in color. Did we really need proof that Herman was green?
The year was 1966. America was experiencing the height of Batman-mania. The TV show Batman was airing on ABC twice a week to huge audiences. That summer FOX released “Batman” starring Adam West, Burt Ward and 4 Arch Criminals from the TV show in what was probably the most successful TV Show movie of the 60’s. This was a fun movie that captured some of what was great about the series. There is a hilarious scene with Batman trying to dispose of a giant bomb on a busy pier.
Speaking of bombs, the Monkees segued from their canceled TV show to the theaters with a bizarre movie called “Head”. Words can not adequate describe this very strange film that was written by Bob Rafelson and Jack Nicholson. The extreme lack of filmgoers led to this movie being pulled after one week. The few people who did see the film left dumbfounded. It h
as attracted a cult following over the years and is required viewing in film schools.
Anybody remember the Saturday morning show, H.R. Pufnstuf? Well, the talking dragon mayor of Living Island frolicked at the movies with Jimmy, Freddie the Flute and Witchiepoo in “Pufnstuff”. Mama Cass Elliot from The Mamas & The Papas also starred in this 1970 musical.
In 1980 Maxwell Smart returned from an extended stay in an undisclosed location for “The Nude Bomb”. Don Adams was amusing but none of the classic characters from “Get Smart” appeared in this not so nude bomb.
Police Squad! was a very funny and very short-lived series from 1982. With only 6 episodes produced this was probably the least successful show to be made into a feature. 1989’s “The Naked Gun: From The Files of Police Squad!” became a big box office hit and spawned 2 sequels.
Twin Peaks, a series I’ve never seen, was a big hit in 1990. It’s day in the sun was brief as the ratings plummeted in 1991. That did not stop David Lynch from bringing the show and most of the cast to the movies with “Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me” in 1992. Unfortunately, he could not bring a sizeable audience to this critically drubbed prequel.
In 1994 the cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation made the giant leap to cinematic glory with "Generations", the firs
t of four features based on the syndicated hit. It actually featured cast members from the original series as well. Shatner is always better on the big screen!
The hottest kids show in the mid-90's was the Power Rangers. So hot that FOX was compelled to bring them to the cineplex with 1995's "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie". It was actually more enjoyable than the series. The movie was a marginal hit and led to a low budget sequel in 1997.
In the middle of the X-Files’ successful run on TV, “The X-Files: Fight the Future” arrived at the local cinemas. This 1998 film was moderately successful in the US but was a big hit internationally. 2008 saw the release of "X-Files: I Want to Believe". They could not find enough believers.
Strong DVD sales of the short-lived FOX Sci-fi series Firefly, led to a big screen version entitled “Serenity”. Praise from critics and Joss Whedon fans did not translate into big box-office numbers for this 2005 futuristic western.
I’ve ignored the movies made from Cable TV shows because 3 of them I really don’t want to write about.
Animated TV shows also moved to the movies. Yogi Bear, The Flintstones, Alvin & The Chipmunks, The Jetsons , Goof Troop, Duck Tales, Batman:The Animated Series and The Simpsons all were adapted to the big screen with the voice talents from the TV Shows. “The Simpsons Movie” was a huge hit while most of the others were as flat as Hanna- Barbera animation. Batman was pretty cool though.
Theatrical features starring TV casts have been around as long as TV. I believe I’ve hit on all the U.S. shows that were adapted to features. The question always arises about why would someone pay to see something that they could get for free. In most of the cases listed above, they wouldn’t. Maybe Hollywood got it wrong. Maybe they just picked the wrong shows. Of all the shows that have ever aired, McHale’s Navy gets two movies? Come on! I went through my TV Encyclopedia searching for the one show that would have been a surefire hit movie. After hours of meticulous research I found it. Not Bonanza, not Dallas, not Punky Brewster, not MacGyver, not Golden Girls and not According to Jim. The show that would have been a blockbuster movie is “Saved By the Bell”! Screech on the big screen. It would have been Oscar time in Bayside!
The first TV show to appear at the local Theater was “Dragnet” in 1954. The Jack Webb creation started as a Radio series before moving to TV. I’ve never seen this movie but I’m guessing it is very "Jack Webb". That is all you need to know.
The next TV transition was “Our Miss Brooks” in 1956. This movie appeared after the demise of the series and featured the original TV cast. For some odd reason the film ignored the story lines of the series about a schoolteacher.
Universal drafted the crew of the black & white 60’s sitcom, McHale’s Navy for the big screen in two low budget Color feature films during the run of the 1962-1966 series. They made one of them without McHale!
The Munsters followed their TV series with a lame feature film set in London but filmed at Universal Studios. 1966’s “Munsters, Go Home!” was the Munsters’ debut in color. Did we really need proof that Herman was green?
The year was 1966. America was experiencing the height of Batman-mania. The TV show Batman was airing on ABC twice a week to huge audiences. That summer FOX released “Batman” starring Adam West, Burt Ward and 4 Arch Criminals from the TV show in what was probably the most successful TV Show movie of the 60’s. This was a fun movie that captured some of what was great about the series. There is a hilarious scene with Batman trying to dispose of a giant bomb on a busy pier.
Speaking of bombs, the Monkees segued from their canceled TV show to the theaters with a bizarre movie called “Head”. Words can not adequate describe this very strange film that was written by Bob Rafelson and Jack Nicholson. The extreme lack of filmgoers led to this movie being pulled after one week. The few people who did see the film left dumbfounded. It h
as attracted a cult following over the years and is required viewing in film schools.Anybody remember the Saturday morning show, H.R. Pufnstuf? Well, the talking dragon mayor of Living Island frolicked at the movies with Jimmy, Freddie the Flute and Witchiepoo in “Pufnstuff”. Mama Cass Elliot from The Mamas & The Papas also starred in this 1970 musical.
In 1980 Maxwell Smart returned from an extended stay in an undisclosed location for “The Nude Bomb”. Don Adams was amusing but none of the classic characters from “Get Smart” appeared in this not so nude bomb.
Police Squad! was a very funny and very short-lived series from 1982. With only 6 episodes produced this was probably the least successful show to be made into a feature. 1989’s “The Naked Gun: From The Files of Police Squad!” became a big box office hit and spawned 2 sequels.
Twin Peaks, a series I’ve never seen, was a big hit in 1990. It’s day in the sun was brief as the ratings plummeted in 1991. That did not stop David Lynch from bringing the show and most of the cast to the movies with “Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me” in 1992. Unfortunately, he could not bring a sizeable audience to this critically drubbed prequel.
In 1994 the cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation made the giant leap to cinematic glory with "Generations", the firs
t of four features based on the syndicated hit. It actually featured cast members from the original series as well. Shatner is always better on the big screen!The hottest kids show in the mid-90's was the Power Rangers. So hot that FOX was compelled to bring them to the cineplex with 1995's "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie". It was actually more enjoyable than the series. The movie was a marginal hit and led to a low budget sequel in 1997.
In the middle of the X-Files’ successful run on TV, “The X-Files: Fight the Future” arrived at the local cinemas. This 1998 film was moderately successful in the US but was a big hit internationally. 2008 saw the release of "X-Files: I Want to Believe". They could not find enough believers.
Strong DVD sales of the short-lived FOX Sci-fi series Firefly, led to a big screen version entitled “Serenity”. Praise from critics and Joss Whedon fans did not translate into big box-office numbers for this 2005 futuristic western.
I’ve ignored the movies made from Cable TV shows because 3 of them I really don’t want to write about.
Animated TV shows also moved to the movies. Yogi Bear, The Flintstones, Alvin & The Chipmunks, The Jetsons , Goof Troop, Duck Tales, Batman:The Animated Series and The Simpsons all were adapted to the big screen with the voice talents from the TV Shows. “The Simpsons Movie” was a huge hit while most of the others were as flat as Hanna- Barbera animation. Batman was pretty cool though.
Theatrical features starring TV casts have been around as long as TV. I believe I’ve hit on all the U.S. shows that were adapted to features. The question always arises about why would someone pay to see something that they could get for free. In most of the cases listed above, they wouldn’t. Maybe Hollywood got it wrong. Maybe they just picked the wrong shows. Of all the shows that have ever aired, McHale’s Navy gets two movies? Come on! I went through my TV Encyclopedia searching for the one show that would have been a surefire hit movie. After hours of meticulous research I found it. Not Bonanza, not Dallas, not Punky Brewster, not MacGyver, not Golden Girls and not According to Jim. The show that would have been a blockbuster movie is “Saved By the Bell”! Screech on the big screen. It would have been Oscar time in Bayside!
Friday, August 14, 2009
Doctor, My Eyes
I’ve had a bad time recently with my eyes. I don’t know about you but I use my eyes a lot. Everyday in fact.
Back in February, I sprayed nasal spray into my eye. It was an accident, my eye never sneezes. A trip to the Eye Doctor and some eye drops did the trick and I was soon scoping out the world good as new.
However, back in May, I was using a spin toothbrush and shot some Sensodyne toothpaste into my eye. My eye was irritated and bothersome. During the two weeks of maneuvering through insurance red tape, my eye had improved but still was not right. When I finally saw the ophthalmologist, his first words were, “Why did you wait so long to come in, Mr. Craft?”. My eye pain prevented me from giving him the dirty look that he deserved. His examination revealed that I and my eye would survive. He gave me some drops and told me to use them in both eyes because the other eye looked irritated as well.
Faithfully following the Doctor’s instructions, I used the drops until my eyes had a reaction to them 2 days later. I called the Doctor and he said, “Stop using those drops!” Thanks Doctor I already knew that. Now both eyes were sore and worse than before. This time the red tape only took a week. The Doctor gave new drops but my eyes improved only slightly. Another visit resulted in a diagnosis that I now needed new eyeglasses.
The next day I went to a Wal-Mart Vision Center and ordered 2 pairs of glasses. When they arrived a week later, both pairs were wrong. By then my eyes were so strained, everything in life was difficult. Reading, driving, watching TV just caused me frustration. I was just miserable. I began to realize what a blessing vision is and wondered if my old clear vision would ever return.
When my newest new glasses arrived a week later, one of the pairs still caused me issues. A recheck revealed that the prescription was not the correct one. I then had to wait another week for another new pair. My spirit was low but I soldiered on. The final pair of progressive lenses arrived. After 2 weeks of getting used to them and having the optician adjust the frames, I could see again. God’s colorful creation was now once again there from me to gaze upon. Wow, I thought, the kids have grown, Chris is even more beautiful and I need a haircut! But then…! But then, one of the nose guards fell off my glasses. I took it to a different Vision center to have them replace it. It should not have been a big deal. It was. The person replaced the guard with the wrong size and for some reason readjusted the lenses. The frames no longer fit on my face the way progressives need to. I could not see properly again!
My old friends at my original Vision Center replaced the nose guard and readjusted the frames. Things are once again good.
During this season of eye issues, I began to think about the old hymn, Amazing Grace. The line about “was once blind but now I see” ran though my mind frequently. It made me think about how my life changed when I became a Christian. I had been blind and began to see things in a whole new way. Life did come in focus. I think about that each time I put on my specs. I also close my eyes before I use my nasal spray or use my spin toothbrush!
Back in February, I sprayed nasal spray into my eye. It was an accident, my eye never sneezes. A trip to the Eye Doctor and some eye drops did the trick and I was soon scoping out the world good as new.
However, back in May, I was using a spin toothbrush and shot some Sensodyne toothpaste into my eye. My eye was irritated and bothersome. During the two weeks of maneuvering through insurance red tape, my eye had improved but still was not right. When I finally saw the ophthalmologist, his first words were, “Why did you wait so long to come in, Mr. Craft?”. My eye pain prevented me from giving him the dirty look that he deserved. His examination revealed that I and my eye would survive. He gave me some drops and told me to use them in both eyes because the other eye looked irritated as well.
Faithfully following the Doctor’s instructions, I used the drops until my eyes had a reaction to them 2 days later. I called the Doctor and he said, “Stop using those drops!” Thanks Doctor I already knew that. Now both eyes were sore and worse than before. This time the red tape only took a week. The Doctor gave new drops but my eyes improved only slightly. Another visit resulted in a diagnosis that I now needed new eyeglasses.
The next day I went to a Wal-Mart Vision Center and ordered 2 pairs of glasses. When they arrived a week later, both pairs were wrong. By then my eyes were so strained, everything in life was difficult. Reading, driving, watching TV just caused me frustration. I was just miserable. I began to realize what a blessing vision is and wondered if my old clear vision would ever return.
When my newest new glasses arrived a week later, one of the pairs still caused me issues. A recheck revealed that the prescription was not the correct one. I then had to wait another week for another new pair. My spirit was low but I soldiered on. The final pair of progressive lenses arrived. After 2 weeks of getting used to them and having the optician adjust the frames, I could see again. God’s colorful creation was now once again there from me to gaze upon. Wow, I thought, the kids have grown, Chris is even more beautiful and I need a haircut! But then…! But then, one of the nose guards fell off my glasses. I took it to a different Vision center to have them replace it. It should not have been a big deal. It was. The person replaced the guard with the wrong size and for some reason readjusted the lenses. The frames no longer fit on my face the way progressives need to. I could not see properly again!
My old friends at my original Vision Center replaced the nose guard and readjusted the frames. Things are once again good.
During this season of eye issues, I began to think about the old hymn, Amazing Grace. The line about “was once blind but now I see” ran though my mind frequently. It made me think about how my life changed when I became a Christian. I had been blind and began to see things in a whole new way. Life did come in focus. I think about that each time I put on my specs. I also close my eyes before I use my nasal spray or use my spin toothbrush!
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Two Hours Of My Life I’ll Never Get Back
I have always enjoyed my visits to the cinema. As a kid, my parents would take my brother and I to the drive-in to see the latest Disney releases. The title didn’t matter it was just fun. Some of the those Disney films like “The Computer Who Wore Tennis Shoes” were pretty lame. But I never noticed and certainly didn’t care. As I got older, I would “go to the movies” picking whichever movie was starting at the desired time or what looked like the best of the bunch playing that night. I have, therefore, seen some pretty bad films.
My family and I have had many conversations around the dinner table discussing bad movies. My daughter actually develops animosity towards films that waste her time and money. “That’s two hours of my life I’ll never get back” is a frequent phrase she uses. Both kids want to avoid films that might not meet all their expectations. My trips to the theater have grown scarce over the years. I now “go to see Star Trek” or “go to see Up!” and therefore most of the movies I see I am pretty sure I’m going to like.
I was thinking about the worst films that I have paid to see and decided to list the Top 10, in chronological order. So grab a flat soft drink, stale popcorn and some melted chocolate and revisit the best of the worst with me.
Viva Knievel!- 1977
This played with Rocky, which had won Best Picture a few months earlier, in a strange double bill at Lakewood Center. Evel Knievel played a fictional version of himself jumping his motorcycle, fighting drug traffickers and reconciling Gene Kelly and his estranged son. Leslie Nielsen, Lauren Hutton and Frank Gifford also appeared. Evel was a showman but he was no actor. Even if he was, the dialogue was so horrific that even Olivier would have induced laughter. However, this is one of those movies that is so bad it’s good. One night a few years ago I watched this on a Spanish language station. It was even better dubbed in Spanish and I don’t understand the language.
Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Heart’s Club Band-1978
The Bee Gees, Peter Frampton, Aerosmith, Alice Cooper, Earth Wind & Fire, Steve Martin & George Burns starring in a film that is told only using Beatles songs from Sgt. Pepper and Abbey Road. No dialogue at all. Sound interesting? Think again. I admit enjoying the film the first time and returning to throw my money away a second time. By then people were going to see it just to hiss and boo. In the climatic scene where Billy Shears, played by teen magazine cover boy Peter Frampton (think Joe Jonas), is distraught over the death of his sweetheart at the hands of Steven Tyler. As he stood on a ledge contemplating suicide, people in the audience were chanting, “Jump!” in unison. Maybe this is where Van Halen got the idea for their song, Jump!. Billy Shears survived but the film killed Peter Frampton’s career.
Thank God It’s Friday-1978
This was my worst movie experience ever. First, I upset my best friend for bringing a girl along to the guy’s night out. Then “Grease” was supposed to be the word but at Alondra 6 that night it was sold out. We had to settle for this Disco drivel. The threadbare plot about a night at the hottest Disco in town had several interlocking storylines. One included Donna Summer, as an aspiring singer, trying to get her big break. Jeff Goldblum, Debra Winger and the Commodores also starred in this movie that played like a lame episode of The Love Boat. Where was Gopher when we needed him? I disliked Disco with a passion so I was not the target audience. I kept praying for the movie to end. It finally did and then I wished it hadn’t. On the way home, I got my first ticket. I had my license for only a month. The movie did win a Best Song Oscar for Last Dance. I hated it anyway.
Goin’ Coconuts-1978
I actually took a date to see a double bill of Goin’ Coconuts starring Donny & Marie and Jaws 2. I was either the bravest or the dumbest teenage boy. Believe it or not she spoke to me the next day. The plot, if you could call it that, involved Donny & Marie, playing themselves, getting involved in stopping jewel thieves. The story was lame. The jokes were stale, the acting was bad, the direction was lacking and Donny & Marie were…Donny & Marie. What more do I need to say? By the way I blamed Donny & Marie for the brevity of my relationship with the young lady.
Nude Bomb- 1980
Don Adams returned to the role of Maxwell Smart for the first time in a decade in this miserable follow-up to the classic Get Smart TV series. It was fun to see Smart back in action and on the big screen. Get Smart, however, without Agent 99, Hymie, Siegfried or the Chief isn’t really Get Smart. This movie, which reportedly was filmed as a TV movie but released theatrically, only included Max and Larabee from the series. They story concerned a villain who develops a bomb that when detonated destroys clothing. I was treated to this movie as a Birthday present from one of my High School buddies (He forgave me for the TGIF debacle).
"The Nude Bomb/" Opening Titles
Caveman- 1981
A prehistoric leading man vehicle for Ringo Starr. This film had no dialogue in English, just grunts and caveman gibberish. Maybe this is where Mel Gibson got the idea to do Passion Of the Christ in Aramaic. That’s basically all you really need to know. Randy Quaid and Shelly Long co-starred in this and their careers managed to survive. This is the only film I’ve seen that I had to fight to stay awake. The other 4 people in theater lost the fight.
Neighbors- 1981
This film starring John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd was so disappointing. A comedy that is not funny. Black comedy or not, I did not laugh. The film made a lot a money on opening weekend because it was not shown to reviewers. Once word of mouth got around the film bombed. The story was about neighbors. Bad neighbors. Bad movie. Sadly, Belushi died about 3 months later. This was his last film.
Man With One Red Shoe-1985
Tom Hanks belly flopped in his follow up to Splash. This was an unfunny spy spoof co-starring Jim Belushi, Dabney Coleman and Carrie Fisher. I was expecting so much more. I refuse to wear red shoes to this day in protest.
Harriet The Spy- 1995
I shied away from listing films that we went to see for the kids benefit. Films like Andre, All I Want for Christmas, Spice World, and From Justin to Kelly, etc, could have all been contenders but I enjoyed the family movie going experience so much that I cannot be objective. However this was a film that we took the kids to the drive-in to see and I could not wait for it to be over. Michelle Tratchenberg and Rosie O’Donnell starred in this film about a kid who writes observations down and then loses her notebook.
Carman The Champion- 2001
Christian singer Carman, who was so big at one time, he could go by just one name. Unlike singularly named Cher, Carman did not make a graceful segue into films. His acting was actually not the worst part of this film that recycled plotlines from the first 5 Rocky films. It was painfully predictable and plodding. I saw this with Chris, the kids and my Mom. We were the only ones in the theatre so we could laugh freely at the unintentionally comical scenes.
Year One- 2009
The 11th film in my Top 10. Jack Black, Michael Cera directed by Harold Ramis. I expected to be rolling on the floor laughing. I did no rolling. I did no laughing. Jack Black is always mildly amusing doing anything, however I did not go to see this to be mildly amused. A comedy that did not make me laugh. I chuckled once. At $12 a ticket I need more than that.
I have to say that Viva Knievel was by far the worst of my list. It is also my favorite. Unfortunately there were so many other contenders. What were the worst movies you paid to see?
My family and I have had many conversations around the dinner table discussing bad movies. My daughter actually develops animosity towards films that waste her time and money. “That’s two hours of my life I’ll never get back” is a frequent phrase she uses. Both kids want to avoid films that might not meet all their expectations. My trips to the theater have grown scarce over the years. I now “go to see Star Trek” or “go to see Up!” and therefore most of the movies I see I am pretty sure I’m going to like.
I was thinking about the worst films that I have paid to see and decided to list the Top 10, in chronological order. So grab a flat soft drink, stale popcorn and some melted chocolate and revisit the best of the worst with me.
Viva Knievel!- 1977
This played with Rocky, which had won Best Picture a few months earlier, in a strange double bill at Lakewood Center. Evel Knievel played a fictional version of himself jumping his motorcycle, fighting drug traffickers and reconciling Gene Kelly and his estranged son. Leslie Nielsen, Lauren Hutton and Frank Gifford also appeared. Evel was a showman but he was no actor. Even if he was, the dialogue was so horrific that even Olivier would have induced laughter. However, this is one of those movies that is so bad it’s good. One night a few years ago I watched this on a Spanish language station. It was even better dubbed in Spanish and I don’t understand the language.
Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Heart’s Club Band-1978
The Bee Gees, Peter Frampton, Aerosmith, Alice Cooper, Earth Wind & Fire, Steve Martin & George Burns starring in a film that is told only using Beatles songs from Sgt. Pepper and Abbey Road. No dialogue at all. Sound interesting? Think again. I admit enjoying the film the first time and returning to throw my money away a second time. By then people were going to see it just to hiss and boo. In the climatic scene where Billy Shears, played by teen magazine cover boy Peter Frampton (think Joe Jonas), is distraught over the death of his sweetheart at the hands of Steven Tyler. As he stood on a ledge contemplating suicide, people in the audience were chanting, “Jump!” in unison. Maybe this is where Van Halen got the idea for their song, Jump!. Billy Shears survived but the film killed Peter Frampton’s career.
Thank God It’s Friday-1978
This was my worst movie experience ever. First, I upset my best friend for bringing a girl along to the guy’s night out. Then “Grease” was supposed to be the word but at Alondra 6 that night it was sold out. We had to settle for this Disco drivel. The threadbare plot about a night at the hottest Disco in town had several interlocking storylines. One included Donna Summer, as an aspiring singer, trying to get her big break. Jeff Goldblum, Debra Winger and the Commodores also starred in this movie that played like a lame episode of The Love Boat. Where was Gopher when we needed him? I disliked Disco with a passion so I was not the target audience. I kept praying for the movie to end. It finally did and then I wished it hadn’t. On the way home, I got my first ticket. I had my license for only a month. The movie did win a Best Song Oscar for Last Dance. I hated it anyway.
Goin’ Coconuts-1978
I actually took a date to see a double bill of Goin’ Coconuts starring Donny & Marie and Jaws 2. I was either the bravest or the dumbest teenage boy. Believe it or not she spoke to me the next day. The plot, if you could call it that, involved Donny & Marie, playing themselves, getting involved in stopping jewel thieves. The story was lame. The jokes were stale, the acting was bad, the direction was lacking and Donny & Marie were…Donny & Marie. What more do I need to say? By the way I blamed Donny & Marie for the brevity of my relationship with the young lady.
Nude Bomb- 1980
Don Adams returned to the role of Maxwell Smart for the first time in a decade in this miserable follow-up to the classic Get Smart TV series. It was fun to see Smart back in action and on the big screen. Get Smart, however, without Agent 99, Hymie, Siegfried or the Chief isn’t really Get Smart. This movie, which reportedly was filmed as a TV movie but released theatrically, only included Max and Larabee from the series. They story concerned a villain who develops a bomb that when detonated destroys clothing. I was treated to this movie as a Birthday present from one of my High School buddies (He forgave me for the TGIF debacle).
"The Nude Bomb/" Opening Titles
Caveman- 1981
A prehistoric leading man vehicle for Ringo Starr. This film had no dialogue in English, just grunts and caveman gibberish. Maybe this is where Mel Gibson got the idea to do Passion Of the Christ in Aramaic. That’s basically all you really need to know. Randy Quaid and Shelly Long co-starred in this and their careers managed to survive. This is the only film I’ve seen that I had to fight to stay awake. The other 4 people in theater lost the fight.
Neighbors- 1981
This film starring John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd was so disappointing. A comedy that is not funny. Black comedy or not, I did not laugh. The film made a lot a money on opening weekend because it was not shown to reviewers. Once word of mouth got around the film bombed. The story was about neighbors. Bad neighbors. Bad movie. Sadly, Belushi died about 3 months later. This was his last film.
Man With One Red Shoe-1985
Tom Hanks belly flopped in his follow up to Splash. This was an unfunny spy spoof co-starring Jim Belushi, Dabney Coleman and Carrie Fisher. I was expecting so much more. I refuse to wear red shoes to this day in protest.
Harriet The Spy- 1995
I shied away from listing films that we went to see for the kids benefit. Films like Andre, All I Want for Christmas, Spice World, and From Justin to Kelly, etc, could have all been contenders but I enjoyed the family movie going experience so much that I cannot be objective. However this was a film that we took the kids to the drive-in to see and I could not wait for it to be over. Michelle Tratchenberg and Rosie O’Donnell starred in this film about a kid who writes observations down and then loses her notebook.
Carman The Champion- 2001
Christian singer Carman, who was so big at one time, he could go by just one name. Unlike singularly named Cher, Carman did not make a graceful segue into films. His acting was actually not the worst part of this film that recycled plotlines from the first 5 Rocky films. It was painfully predictable and plodding. I saw this with Chris, the kids and my Mom. We were the only ones in the theatre so we could laugh freely at the unintentionally comical scenes.
Year One- 2009
The 11th film in my Top 10. Jack Black, Michael Cera directed by Harold Ramis. I expected to be rolling on the floor laughing. I did no rolling. I did no laughing. Jack Black is always mildly amusing doing anything, however I did not go to see this to be mildly amused. A comedy that did not make me laugh. I chuckled once. At $12 a ticket I need more than that.
I have to say that Viva Knievel was by far the worst of my list. It is also my favorite. Unfortunately there were so many other contenders. What were the worst movies you paid to see?
Monday, August 3, 2009
Jeff's Top Ten Vinyl Records
A week spent excavating my vintage record collection generated nostalgic memories so strong that I had no choice but to share them on my blog. Each LP seemed to have it's own backstory. The covers brought to mind anecdotes that need to be told. So here is my ten most memorable records. These were my favorites during the vinyl era. Even though I have most of these on CD, I rarely listen to them. Most of them have seemed to have lost their luster. But I loved them all at one time. Sit back for my trip back to my youth!
1. More of the Monkees-The Monkees 1967
The first album I ever owned. It’s one of the biggest selling albums of the 60’s. I played this record a million times. “I‘m A Believer" was the big hit but as a kid I loved it all except for a lame Davy Jones spoken word track. Over the years I’ve received a vinyl re-issue and the various CD re-releases. Last Christmas, upon presenting me with the 2 CD Collector’s edition, my Mom asked, “Exactly how many versions of this album have I given you?” The answer is 5.
2. Up To Date-Partridge Family
Real men are not afraid to admit their embarrassing childhood interests. This record, like the other 7 releases from the lipsychning faux family band, featured music from the ABC-TV 70’s sitcom and I loved them all. I revisited these albums in the mid 80’s and beyond the singles, I found the music trite and uninspired. However, over the last few years I bought the CD’s and could not stop smiling as I listened to this polished pop from a simpler time and place.
3. A New World Record-ELO 1976
The catchy Beatlesque pop melodies of Jeff Lynne presented with a full orchestra and choir reached an apex with this release. The first radio hit “Livin’ Thing” caught my attention and then an appearance on Midnight Special performing other songs like “Telephone Line” and “Do Ya?” sold me. Instantly this became my favorite LP before being shortly replaced by #5.
4. Their Greatest Hits 1971-1976 -Eagles 1976
I bought this at K-Mart on the same day as “A New World Record” and it blew me away. I loved every song. Catchy, melodic country rock with intelligent lyrics. I had heard most of the songs on KHJ the top radio station in LA at the time but had never really paid much attention until I heard them all together. This is the biggest selling album of all time in the US but “Thriller” will probably pass it soon for obvious reasons.
5. Hotel California-Eagles 1976
Despite “New Kid in Town” hitting #1 on the charts it wasn’t until some of the other songs started getting a lot of airplay on FM stations that I was convinced about spending the $4. It was a bargain. The addition of Joe Walsh to the line-up made a good band great. The level of songwriting inspired this fledgling lyricist tremendously. This was my favorite album of the Vinyl era. I actually wore this album out by continuous playing. The mood and many of the themes and lyrics are really too dark for me now to enjoy. I haven’t listened to it in it’s entirety in many years. “New Kid in Town” is still a great song.
6. Out Of The Blue-ELO 1977
It was a cold November afternoon when my brother came to the rescue with a loan during a trip to Licorice Pizza in Downey. I discovered this 2 record set and realized I could not afford it so I brother kicked in some greenery. I had spent my money on tickets to a School dance and my parents had bought me a suit to wear. (A leisure suit! Hey, it was 1977!) I loved it so much( the record, not the suit) that I would not relinquish the record player for my brother to play his new record, some Jimi Hendrix thing. “Mr. Blue Sky” and “Sweet Talking Woman” still bring a smile to my face.
7. Hot Streets-Chicago 1978
This group has released 30 albums and this one was the only one not to have a number in the title and the only one to feature their mugs on the cove. It was their lowest selling album to date. In retrospect this was a pretty weak album, but I couldn’t get enough of it at the time. For days I anxiously awaited the group's appearance on “Dick Clark’s Live Wednesday” to promote this album. Just as the band took the stage to sing “Alive Again” the phone rang. My brother begrudgingly answered the phone and informed me that my youth pastor was the caller. A dilemma for young Jeff! Do I have my brother lie to the pastor or miss Chicago in the pre-VCR days. I did not want my brother’s nose to grow so I missed the performance. As I was writing this, I checked You Tube and found the clip and watched it for the first time. Check it out below.
8. All Things Are Possible-Dan Peek 1978
My first Christian album. My classmate Treasure (yes that's really her name) loaned her copy to me. I loved hearing songs about Jesus being sung by a familiar voice in a style that sounded cool. Peek had been a member of the group America. My Mom bought me my own copy that Christmas. The title track became the first song on a Christian label to make the Billboard charts.
9. The Innocent Age-Dan Fogelberg 1981
I hesitated at the hefty price tag this 2 record concept album came with but my Mom blessed me with the dough because I had been helping out so much at home while she tended to an ill relative. The eloquent singer songwriter hit his peak creatively and commercially with this LP. The writing stuck a chord in me and influenced my lyric writing quite a bit. It contained 4 hits including, “Leader of the Band” and “Same Old Lang Syne”.
10. Utopia -Utopia 1982
I almost didn’t buy this after being disappointed with their previous release. The bonus songs on the extra disc enticed me enough to throw down the cash. I bought this at Licorice Pizza in Bellflower and kept it spinning on the turntable for weeks non-stop. This album of premier Power-pop contained a couple of FM radio hits and a minor Hit Single. This was my favorite LP for many years. Utopia became my favorite band and I enjoyed their next 2 records as well but this was their best, by far. When I met my wife Chris, she scored major points by not only knowing who Utopia was, but she had seen them in concert in ’78. One of my first dates with Chris involved Pizza and watching a rented VHS video of Utopia performing these songs from the first ever Live Concert presented on Cable TV.
11. Inamorata-Poco 1984
The 11th album in my Top Ten. I had become a fan of this pioneering country rock band with their hit “Legend” LP in 1979. This album did not contain any country or much rock. Some have called it “Poco meets Toto” but it hit the pocket for me at the time. Three former members including Pastor Richie Furay and Timothy B. Schmit of the Eagles returned to recreate the classic Poco harmonies. This is probably the least successful of any the records on my list. It’s lack of success led to the group losing it’s record deal. These songs were part of a mix tape that Chris and I listened to on an ill-fated Las Vegas trip. The transmission malfunctioned on the way and we spent 8 hours going 20 miles an hour with the Poco tape in repeat. Chris gets angry every time she hears any of the songs but I still sing along.
Chris severely chastised me for not including any Beatles albums on this list. She said that I should not be allowed to use the term "Beatlesque" if they are not included. My vow to my blog readers is to always tell the truth. So if "Beatles Love Songs" is number 12 it is not going to be in my Top 10 or 11. Hopefully she understands the integrity of a blog.
Please enjoy the videos below. I'm going to go listen to my IPOD.
1. More of the Monkees-The Monkees 1967
The first album I ever owned. It’s one of the biggest selling albums of the 60’s. I played this record a million times. “I‘m A Believer" was the big hit but as a kid I loved it all except for a lame Davy Jones spoken word track. Over the years I’ve received a vinyl re-issue and the various CD re-releases. Last Christmas, upon presenting me with the 2 CD Collector’s edition, my Mom asked, “Exactly how many versions of this album have I given you?” The answer is 5.
2. Up To Date-Partridge Family
Real men are not afraid to admit their embarrassing childhood interests. This record, like the other 7 releases from the lipsychning faux family band, featured music from the ABC-TV 70’s sitcom and I loved them all. I revisited these albums in the mid 80’s and beyond the singles, I found the music trite and uninspired. However, over the last few years I bought the CD’s and could not stop smiling as I listened to this polished pop from a simpler time and place.
3. A New World Record-ELO 1976
The catchy Beatlesque pop melodies of Jeff Lynne presented with a full orchestra and choir reached an apex with this release. The first radio hit “Livin’ Thing” caught my attention and then an appearance on Midnight Special performing other songs like “Telephone Line” and “Do Ya?” sold me. Instantly this became my favorite LP before being shortly replaced by #5.
4. Their Greatest Hits 1971-1976 -Eagles 1976
I bought this at K-Mart on the same day as “A New World Record” and it blew me away. I loved every song. Catchy, melodic country rock with intelligent lyrics. I had heard most of the songs on KHJ the top radio station in LA at the time but had never really paid much attention until I heard them all together. This is the biggest selling album of all time in the US but “Thriller” will probably pass it soon for obvious reasons.
5. Hotel California-Eagles 1976
Despite “New Kid in Town” hitting #1 on the charts it wasn’t until some of the other songs started getting a lot of airplay on FM stations that I was convinced about spending the $4. It was a bargain. The addition of Joe Walsh to the line-up made a good band great. The level of songwriting inspired this fledgling lyricist tremendously. This was my favorite album of the Vinyl era. I actually wore this album out by continuous playing. The mood and many of the themes and lyrics are really too dark for me now to enjoy. I haven’t listened to it in it’s entirety in many years. “New Kid in Town” is still a great song.
6. Out Of The Blue-ELO 1977
It was a cold November afternoon when my brother came to the rescue with a loan during a trip to Licorice Pizza in Downey. I discovered this 2 record set and realized I could not afford it so I brother kicked in some greenery. I had spent my money on tickets to a School dance and my parents had bought me a suit to wear. (A leisure suit! Hey, it was 1977!) I loved it so much( the record, not the suit) that I would not relinquish the record player for my brother to play his new record, some Jimi Hendrix thing. “Mr. Blue Sky” and “Sweet Talking Woman” still bring a smile to my face.
7. Hot Streets-Chicago 1978
This group has released 30 albums and this one was the only one not to have a number in the title and the only one to feature their mugs on the cove. It was their lowest selling album to date. In retrospect this was a pretty weak album, but I couldn’t get enough of it at the time. For days I anxiously awaited the group's appearance on “Dick Clark’s Live Wednesday” to promote this album. Just as the band took the stage to sing “Alive Again” the phone rang. My brother begrudgingly answered the phone and informed me that my youth pastor was the caller. A dilemma for young Jeff! Do I have my brother lie to the pastor or miss Chicago in the pre-VCR days. I did not want my brother’s nose to grow so I missed the performance. As I was writing this, I checked You Tube and found the clip and watched it for the first time. Check it out below.
8. All Things Are Possible-Dan Peek 1978
My first Christian album. My classmate Treasure (yes that's really her name) loaned her copy to me. I loved hearing songs about Jesus being sung by a familiar voice in a style that sounded cool. Peek had been a member of the group America. My Mom bought me my own copy that Christmas. The title track became the first song on a Christian label to make the Billboard charts.
9. The Innocent Age-Dan Fogelberg 1981
I hesitated at the hefty price tag this 2 record concept album came with but my Mom blessed me with the dough because I had been helping out so much at home while she tended to an ill relative. The eloquent singer songwriter hit his peak creatively and commercially with this LP. The writing stuck a chord in me and influenced my lyric writing quite a bit. It contained 4 hits including, “Leader of the Band” and “Same Old Lang Syne”.
10. Utopia -Utopia 1982
I almost didn’t buy this after being disappointed with their previous release. The bonus songs on the extra disc enticed me enough to throw down the cash. I bought this at Licorice Pizza in Bellflower and kept it spinning on the turntable for weeks non-stop. This album of premier Power-pop contained a couple of FM radio hits and a minor Hit Single. This was my favorite LP for many years. Utopia became my favorite band and I enjoyed their next 2 records as well but this was their best, by far. When I met my wife Chris, she scored major points by not only knowing who Utopia was, but she had seen them in concert in ’78. One of my first dates with Chris involved Pizza and watching a rented VHS video of Utopia performing these songs from the first ever Live Concert presented on Cable TV.
11. Inamorata-Poco 1984
The 11th album in my Top Ten. I had become a fan of this pioneering country rock band with their hit “Legend” LP in 1979. This album did not contain any country or much rock. Some have called it “Poco meets Toto” but it hit the pocket for me at the time. Three former members including Pastor Richie Furay and Timothy B. Schmit of the Eagles returned to recreate the classic Poco harmonies. This is probably the least successful of any the records on my list. It’s lack of success led to the group losing it’s record deal. These songs were part of a mix tape that Chris and I listened to on an ill-fated Las Vegas trip. The transmission malfunctioned on the way and we spent 8 hours going 20 miles an hour with the Poco tape in repeat. Chris gets angry every time she hears any of the songs but I still sing along.
Chris severely chastised me for not including any Beatles albums on this list. She said that I should not be allowed to use the term "Beatlesque" if they are not included. My vow to my blog readers is to always tell the truth. So if "Beatles Love Songs" is number 12 it is not going to be in my Top 10 or 11. Hopefully she understands the integrity of a blog.
Please enjoy the videos below. I'm going to go listen to my IPOD.
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