I love classic comedy and I grew up watching reruns of Ralph Kramden and Ed Norton on The Honeymooners--the gold standard of television sitcoms. If you've never had the pleasure, see what you've missed before reading on.
Virtually every situation comedy that followed The Honeymooners has borrowed something from that show. It set a high comedic bar with a perfect blend of clever writing, one-liners, physical comedy, and stellar performances (except for Norton's wife Trixie...I never could understand why they chose to surround such a terrible actress with a set of comedy geniuses).
My love for and familiarity with this show made me ecstatic to uncover a hilarious parody that aired on The Jack Benny Show in 1958, two years after The Honeymooners was off the air. In the sketch, Audrey Meadows reprises her role as Ralph Kramden's wife Alice, while singer Dennis Day performs a spot-on impersonation of Ed Norton and Jack Benny himself appears as Ralph Kramden.
The clip below is actually Part 3 of the sketch, but it demonstrates Benny's unexpectedly deft impersonation of Jackie Gleason's well-known character. If you're so inclined, start at the beginning of the sketch to get the full effect.
This is one of the best parodies of the show that I've ever seen, and there have been a lot of Honeymooners parodies over the years. I always thought of parody--especially one show parodying another--as a form of comedy that didn't really succeed until Saturday Night Live and other more "modern" efforts, but Jack Benny has clearly proven me wrong.
P.S. This blog usually serves up Christmas-themed posts during the Christmas season, so here's the Christmas connection: I discovered this Jack Benny episode while I was watching a classic Christmas episode of his show. Check out the full episode here and thank me later. If you actually watch it, I can guarantee you will be on the floor laughing at the character played by Mel Blanc (the voice of Bugs Bunny).
Showing posts with label Entertainment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Entertainment. Show all posts
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Who Needs the Olympics? Not Us!
Everybody loves the Summer Olympics. I understand that. But this year there seems to be even less love than usual for the Winter Olympics and you have to wonder why.
I remember a time not so long ago when the Winter Olympics were as culturally cool as their summer counterpart. And it wasn't just because Nancy Kerrigan and Tonya Harding made for sensational tabloid headlines--people were legitimately interested in Kristi Yamaguchi and Michelle Kwan. Figure skating was the winter version of gymnastics and Team USA was golden. Other events were big, too. Remember Bonnie Blair? Of course you do. Can you name anyone on the 2010 Team USA Speed Skating Team? Me neither.
So why are the Winter Games so scorned these days? Aside from the fact that our culture now encourages the immediate cynical scorning of anything as quickly and often as possible (usually in 140 characters or less), I think the real reason behind our general Olympic malaise is the fact that we have become desensitized to competition.
The Olympic Games used to be the main venue for watching your talented fellow human beings perform feats of strength, precision, grace and athleticism. They'd head into the arena/rink/slope/course/etc., perform their skill for the judges and--panting from the exertion--wait for the scores to be handed down. The process was repeated for each participant and the drama built to a blistering crescendo until the Olympic medals were finally distributed. People tuned in to see the triumph of the human spirit and the culmination of years of hard work and training.
Now you can turn the TV on any night of the week and see any number of contests that follow the model outlined above: American Idol, The Amazing Race, Dancing with the Stars, So You Think You Can Dance, America's Next Top Model, Survivor, The Biggest Loser, The Apprentice, Wipeout, American Gladiators, and on and on...
In these cases, the coveted Olympic Gold comes in the form of a record deal, a large cash prize, an impressive amount of weight loss or simply 15 minutes of fleeting pop culture fame. The scale is decidedly smaller than the international stage of the Olympic Games, but it still satisfies our need to watch someone achieve something extraordinary and be recognized as such on a continuum against others in their field.
In fact, we like this better than the Olympics. Anybody with vocal chords can try out for American Idol. The formal training is slim to none, so the gold medal seems much more attainable. Singing? Of course I can do that! Training on ski slopes for years and years? Don't be ridiculous. What do you think I am? An Olympian?
After watching regular people get rewarded for more down-to-Earth feats every week, the Olympics just don't hold the same high place in the American consciousness anymore.
I think it all comes down to one question: How can the Olympic Committee expect anyone to care about the Luge now that we've seen Donny Osmond do the Lindy Hop?
I remember a time not so long ago when the Winter Olympics were as culturally cool as their summer counterpart. And it wasn't just because Nancy Kerrigan and Tonya Harding made for sensational tabloid headlines--people were legitimately interested in Kristi Yamaguchi and Michelle Kwan. Figure skating was the winter version of gymnastics and Team USA was golden. Other events were big, too. Remember Bonnie Blair? Of course you do. Can you name anyone on the 2010 Team USA Speed Skating Team? Me neither.
So why are the Winter Games so scorned these days? Aside from the fact that our culture now encourages the immediate cynical scorning of anything as quickly and often as possible (usually in 140 characters or less), I think the real reason behind our general Olympic malaise is the fact that we have become desensitized to competition.
The Olympic Games used to be the main venue for watching your talented fellow human beings perform feats of strength, precision, grace and athleticism. They'd head into the arena/rink/slope/course/etc., perform their skill for the judges and--panting from the exertion--wait for the scores to be handed down. The process was repeated for each participant and the drama built to a blistering crescendo until the Olympic medals were finally distributed. People tuned in to see the triumph of the human spirit and the culmination of years of hard work and training.
Now you can turn the TV on any night of the week and see any number of contests that follow the model outlined above: American Idol, The Amazing Race, Dancing with the Stars, So You Think You Can Dance, America's Next Top Model, Survivor, The Biggest Loser, The Apprentice, Wipeout, American Gladiators, and on and on...
In these cases, the coveted Olympic Gold comes in the form of a record deal, a large cash prize, an impressive amount of weight loss or simply 15 minutes of fleeting pop culture fame. The scale is decidedly smaller than the international stage of the Olympic Games, but it still satisfies our need to watch someone achieve something extraordinary and be recognized as such on a continuum against others in their field.
In fact, we like this better than the Olympics. Anybody with vocal chords can try out for American Idol. The formal training is slim to none, so the gold medal seems much more attainable. Singing? Of course I can do that! Training on ski slopes for years and years? Don't be ridiculous. What do you think I am? An Olympian?
After watching regular people get rewarded for more down-to-Earth feats every week, the Olympics just don't hold the same high place in the American consciousness anymore.
I think it all comes down to one question: How can the Olympic Committee expect anyone to care about the Luge now that we've seen Donny Osmond do the Lindy Hop?
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Ode to the Beatles
Like legions of Beatlemaniacs before me, I grew up on a steady diet of the Fab Four and there was no denying their ubiquity or their ability to write an infectiously catchy song.
Unlike the rest of the world, my introduction to the Beatles came via Alvin, Simon and Theodore. As a very young child, I received a combination cassette and record player for Christmas. The record player was the obvious winner in terms of fun, and my parents had graciously handed down a few of their favorite childhood albums. Mixed in among them was a particularly intriguing record entitled "Alvin and the Chipmunks Sing the Beatles Hits."
This was at the height of the 1980s Chipmunks Resurrection (Remember The Chipmunk Adventure? That's another blog post for another time...) and here I was unknowingly listening to a genuine Chipmunks artifact that had been released in 1964. All chipmunks aside, the songs they were singing were fantastic and already somewhat familiar to me from listening to the local oldies station. To this day, I can't hear the majority of those early Beatles songs (P.S. I Love You, Love Me Do, Do You Want To Know A Secret, etc.) without hearing the Chipmunks' version in my head.
Having only heard the Beatles catalog that the Chipmunks covered or the radio acknowledged, however, I didn't become a true Beatles fan until one fine summer in the middle of high school. I noticed my local library's extensive Beatles collection and decided to see if there were any other good Beatles songs that I hadn't heard before. Needless to say, there were a few. A few dozen, in fact.
I've spent most of the day with the Beatles in the background, pondering how a band could be so fantastically productive in such a short period of time. Without waxing too poetic, it seems like they have an appropriate song for nearly every emotion and every time of life. It's not just that you can find a happy Beatles song or a sad Beatles song. You can actually find a Beatles song that expresses the exact kind of happy or sad that you happen to be feeling at the time. I can't think of another musical group that even approaches that level of songwriting.
On a day like today, it's got to feel pretty good to be an ex-Beatle. The world is in awe of something you did more than 40 years ago and your creative contributions to culture are still affecting people on a daily basis. With the release of Beatles Rock Band and the remastered Beatles albums , all those never-played-on-the-radio musical gems are going to be revealed to a whole new generation of casual Beatles fans. Heck, I'm still discovering "new" Beatles songs that hadn't struck me before.
At a time when our country and our world are increasingly divided, it's encouraging to see that the Beatles haven't lost their ability to let us Come Together, at least for a day.
Potentially Related Posts:
How Rock Band Changed My Life
The Concert of a Lifetime
Unlike the rest of the world, my introduction to the Beatles came via Alvin, Simon and Theodore. As a very young child, I received a combination cassette and record player for Christmas. The record player was the obvious winner in terms of fun, and my parents had graciously handed down a few of their favorite childhood albums. Mixed in among them was a particularly intriguing record entitled "Alvin and the Chipmunks Sing the Beatles Hits."
This was at the height of the 1980s Chipmunks Resurrection (Remember The Chipmunk Adventure? That's another blog post for another time...) and here I was unknowingly listening to a genuine Chipmunks artifact that had been released in 1964. All chipmunks aside, the songs they were singing were fantastic and already somewhat familiar to me from listening to the local oldies station. To this day, I can't hear the majority of those early Beatles songs (P.S. I Love You, Love Me Do, Do You Want To Know A Secret, etc.) without hearing the Chipmunks' version in my head.
Having only heard the Beatles catalog that the Chipmunks covered or the radio acknowledged, however, I didn't become a true Beatles fan until one fine summer in the middle of high school. I noticed my local library's extensive Beatles collection and decided to see if there were any other good Beatles songs that I hadn't heard before. Needless to say, there were a few. A few dozen, in fact.
I've spent most of the day with the Beatles in the background, pondering how a band could be so fantastically productive in such a short period of time. Without waxing too poetic, it seems like they have an appropriate song for nearly every emotion and every time of life. It's not just that you can find a happy Beatles song or a sad Beatles song. You can actually find a Beatles song that expresses the exact kind of happy or sad that you happen to be feeling at the time. I can't think of another musical group that even approaches that level of songwriting.
On a day like today, it's got to feel pretty good to be an ex-Beatle. The world is in awe of something you did more than 40 years ago and your creative contributions to culture are still affecting people on a daily basis. With the release of Beatles Rock Band and the remastered Beatles albums , all those never-played-on-the-radio musical gems are going to be revealed to a whole new generation of casual Beatles fans. Heck, I'm still discovering "new" Beatles songs that hadn't struck me before.
At a time when our country and our world are increasingly divided, it's encouraging to see that the Beatles haven't lost their ability to let us Come Together, at least for a day.
Potentially Related Posts:
How Rock Band Changed My Life
The Concert of a Lifetime
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Stephen Colbert: Dancing Catholic
I don't want this blog to devolve into my posting of videos and commenting on them, but when you find something like this, you just have to share it.
Start your Holy Week the right way--with a video of Stephen Colbert singing and dancing inanely to the old Catholic standard, "The King of Glory." This gives whole new meaning to the idea of liturgical dance. Take it away, Stephen...
I don't know where this clip came from or what it could possibly be about, but I guess it isn't new. Here's a blog post from 2007 that references the clip. Does anyone know if this was on The Colbert Report at some point?
Not that it really matters. Happy Holy Week!
Start your Holy Week the right way--with a video of Stephen Colbert singing and dancing inanely to the old Catholic standard, "The King of Glory." This gives whole new meaning to the idea of liturgical dance. Take it away, Stephen...
I don't know where this clip came from or what it could possibly be about, but I guess it isn't new. Here's a blog post from 2007 that references the clip. Does anyone know if this was on The Colbert Report at some point?
Not that it really matters. Happy Holy Week!
Friday, March 13, 2009
Sesame Street Explains It All
I never really get a chance to watch Sesame Street anymore, but it's second only to Mr. Rogers among my favorite early childhood TV shows.
In addition to all the lessons it teaches children about reading and spelling and numbers, the show is also quite ripe for parody. Jimmy Kimmel seems to take advantage of that most frequently and yesterday offered an explanation of the Madoff Scandal in a bit starring Ernie and Cookie Monster. (The spot-on impersonations of Ernie and Cookie Monster really sell this.)
In other news from the Street, the hilariously British Ricky Gervais recently filmed a celebrity appearance on the show, then conducted an interview with Elmo for the Associated Press. It's probably the only time that Elmo has heard the word "necrophilia."
***UPDATE***
Apparently Sesame Street is not immune to the recession. (Thanks, Erica!)
Related Post:
What's Up with the Muppets?
In addition to all the lessons it teaches children about reading and spelling and numbers, the show is also quite ripe for parody. Jimmy Kimmel seems to take advantage of that most frequently and yesterday offered an explanation of the Madoff Scandal in a bit starring Ernie and Cookie Monster. (The spot-on impersonations of Ernie and Cookie Monster really sell this.)
In other news from the Street, the hilariously British Ricky Gervais recently filmed a celebrity appearance on the show, then conducted an interview with Elmo for the Associated Press. It's probably the only time that Elmo has heard the word "necrophilia."
***UPDATE***
Apparently Sesame Street is not immune to the recession. (Thanks, Erica!)
Related Post:
What's Up with the Muppets?
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Lord of the (Swing) Dance
I've always contended that I was born in the wrong generation. Despite my love for new technology and all the glorious innovations of the 21st century, my appreciation for the analog black-and-white era runs deep.
This is especially evident in my musical tastes. Here's a little test to illustrate my point. Name any song that was made famous by the following musical artists: Louis Prima, Bobby Darin, Glenn Miller, Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Sammy Davis Jr.
If you rattled off answers such as "When You're Smiling," "Beyond the Sea," "In the Mood," "Corner Pocket," "Take the A Train," and "Birth of the Blues" (respectively), I would be very impressed and interested in hearing your iTunes library. But I fear it's more likely that you came up rather empty, which means you've missed out on decades of classic American songs by legendary artists who helped invent American popular music.
This is starting to sound like a 3 a.m. infomercial...I'd better get to the point.
This isn't about music. It's about dancing. Having loved this type of music (big band, swing, jazz, easy listening or whatever you want to call it) for years, it wasn't until college that I realized I could up the ante by taking swing dancing classes and enjoy the music on a whole other level. Ever since that first Lindy Hop class, I've been a swing dancing fool.
Why is a show like Dancing with the Stars so popular? Sure, people are curious to watch washed-up D-List celebrities and retired athletes shake whatever's left, but I think the less obvious appeal of the show is the fact that it's just plain fun to watch people dance. It's evident that a lot of hard work and practice has gone into the endeavor and dancers (especially swing dancers) usually look like they're having a blast. With a little lobbying, swing dancing could probably become an Olympic sport.
Check this out:
I can't do anything resembling the moves in that video (I've taken Lindy Hop I three times, Lindy Hop II twice and a couple classes in East Coast Swing), but it sure is fun to learn new moves and string them together. So if you have any sense of rhythm whatsoever or at least a willingness to try, I highly recommend taking a dance class at some point in your life. You'll probably discover some old-as-the-hills-but-new-to-you music along the way as well. Impress your grandparents!
This is especially evident in my musical tastes. Here's a little test to illustrate my point. Name any song that was made famous by the following musical artists: Louis Prima, Bobby Darin, Glenn Miller, Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Sammy Davis Jr.
If you rattled off answers such as "When You're Smiling," "Beyond the Sea," "In the Mood," "Corner Pocket," "Take the A Train," and "Birth of the Blues" (respectively), I would be very impressed and interested in hearing your iTunes library. But I fear it's more likely that you came up rather empty, which means you've missed out on decades of classic American songs by legendary artists who helped invent American popular music.This is starting to sound like a 3 a.m. infomercial...I'd better get to the point.
This isn't about music. It's about dancing. Having loved this type of music (big band, swing, jazz, easy listening or whatever you want to call it) for years, it wasn't until college that I realized I could up the ante by taking swing dancing classes and enjoy the music on a whole other level. Ever since that first Lindy Hop class, I've been a swing dancing fool.
Why is a show like Dancing with the Stars so popular? Sure, people are curious to watch washed-up D-List celebrities and retired athletes shake whatever's left, but I think the less obvious appeal of the show is the fact that it's just plain fun to watch people dance. It's evident that a lot of hard work and practice has gone into the endeavor and dancers (especially swing dancers) usually look like they're having a blast. With a little lobbying, swing dancing could probably become an Olympic sport.
Check this out:
I can't do anything resembling the moves in that video (I've taken Lindy Hop I three times, Lindy Hop II twice and a couple classes in East Coast Swing), but it sure is fun to learn new moves and string them together. So if you have any sense of rhythm whatsoever or at least a willingness to try, I highly recommend taking a dance class at some point in your life. You'll probably discover some old-as-the-hills-but-new-to-you music along the way as well. Impress your grandparents!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Celebrity Redemption Through Comedy
It's incredible how easy it is for celebrities to reinvent themselves after they do something stupid that alienates their fans and the general public. And it appears that Jimmy Kimmel is more than willing to help scandal-smeared stars rehab their image with an effective dose of self-parodying comedy. Fortunately for us, the result actually is pretty hilarious.
First Jimmy Kimmel helps us forget all about Tom Cruise's crazy scientology documentary.
Then it gets even better. Remember when Mel Gibson got drunk and went on an anti-Semitic tirade? Nope! And you won't either, after you watch this inspired movie trailer.
This is truly funny stuff, but these videos also help you (and the celebrities) forgive and forget their troubles. If only it were that easy for the rest of us...
First Jimmy Kimmel helps us forget all about Tom Cruise's crazy scientology documentary.
Then it gets even better. Remember when Mel Gibson got drunk and went on an anti-Semitic tirade? Nope! And you won't either, after you watch this inspired movie trailer.
This is truly funny stuff, but these videos also help you (and the celebrities) forgive and forget their troubles. If only it were that easy for the rest of us...
Friday, January 16, 2009
How Rock Band Changed My Life
It happens once or twice every decade. Something comes along and changes the course of your life forever. For some people it's finding a significant other, buying that dream house or the birth of a child. For others, it might be a new job or a winning lottery ticket.
For me, it's Rock Band.
Aside from taking up the majority of my waking hours from Christmas Day through New Year's, this simple little video game has forever changed the way I listen to music.
And that's not just empty hyperbole. Every time I turn on the radio, I become aware of all the little things going on in the background of each song that plays. I'm listening to music on the micro-level now. I can pick out the bass line and appreciate a creatively timed drum fill. Perhaps this is obvious to more musically inclined people, but I enjoy a wide variety of musical genres and I never used to hear it.
I like to tell people that I am classically trained in guitar from the Northwestern University School of Music. It's technically true--I took a Beginning Non-Major Classical Guitar class during my undergrad days. I paid extra for it, received half a credit and can still play the chords (or pluck the notes!) to Auld Lang Syne. Once a year, that comes in really handy. Unfortunately, that's also about how frequently I actually pull out my guitar.
I had dreams of being the next Jack Johnson, but the Hawaiian surf seems further away than ever in the midst of a record-breakingly cold winter, plus I'm pretty sure Jack Johnson knows more than four guitar chords.
He can definitely play the F chord, which has prevented me from even attempting more songs than I can count. Look at that picture. How can you move your hands into that position quickly enough to strum that chord, let alone hold the strings down to get a quality sound? It's madness!
Enter Rock Band.
Can you move your hands up and down a guitar fret board? Yes. Can you distinguish between green, yellow, red, blue and orange? Yes. Well, congratulations, you're Pete Townsend!
I know this isn't making me a better guitarist. Heck, it's not even helping me learn to read music. But I sure feel good when I'm shredding through the guitar solo in Ramblin' Man. And my drum fills on Spirit in the Sky are starting to sound mighty professional.
Best of all, Rock Band has given me a much greater appreciation for the musicianship that goes into the creation of a song. I have even more respect for the talent of musicians, and I feel like I'm finally listening to music the same way that they do--picking apart every layer of the composition and hearing how the layers recombine to create the same song that I've loved all these years. There's nothing fake about that.
Oh yeah, and I'm a pretty good singer, too.
For me, it's Rock Band.
Aside from taking up the majority of my waking hours from Christmas Day through New Year's, this simple little video game has forever changed the way I listen to music.
And that's not just empty hyperbole. Every time I turn on the radio, I become aware of all the little things going on in the background of each song that plays. I'm listening to music on the micro-level now. I can pick out the bass line and appreciate a creatively timed drum fill. Perhaps this is obvious to more musically inclined people, but I enjoy a wide variety of musical genres and I never used to hear it.
I like to tell people that I am classically trained in guitar from the Northwestern University School of Music. It's technically true--I took a Beginning Non-Major Classical Guitar class during my undergrad days. I paid extra for it, received half a credit and can still play the chords (or pluck the notes!) to Auld Lang Syne. Once a year, that comes in really handy. Unfortunately, that's also about how frequently I actually pull out my guitar.
I had dreams of being the next Jack Johnson, but the Hawaiian surf seems further away than ever in the midst of a record-breakingly cold winter, plus I'm pretty sure Jack Johnson knows more than four guitar chords.
He can definitely play the F chord, which has prevented me from even attempting more songs than I can count. Look at that picture. How can you move your hands into that position quickly enough to strum that chord, let alone hold the strings down to get a quality sound? It's madness!Enter Rock Band.
Can you move your hands up and down a guitar fret board? Yes. Can you distinguish between green, yellow, red, blue and orange? Yes. Well, congratulations, you're Pete Townsend!
I know this isn't making me a better guitarist. Heck, it's not even helping me learn to read music. But I sure feel good when I'm shredding through the guitar solo in Ramblin' Man. And my drum fills on Spirit in the Sky are starting to sound mighty professional.
Best of all, Rock Band has given me a much greater appreciation for the musicianship that goes into the creation of a song. I have even more respect for the talent of musicians, and I feel like I'm finally listening to music the same way that they do--picking apart every layer of the composition and hearing how the layers recombine to create the same song that I've loved all these years. There's nothing fake about that.
Oh yeah, and I'm a pretty good singer, too.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
What's So Wonderful About It's A Wonderful Life?
Answer: Everything.
I'm not exactly sure when it was that I realized It's A Wonderful Life is my all-time favorite movie (Christmas or not). For a long time I thought it was too difficult to make such a distinction and--to be completely honest--Casablanca jockeys for the spot when it's not the Christmas season.
But there's really no contest.
I saw the film three times in the past few weeks and also attended a wonderful (tee hee!) 1940s-style radio play adaptation performed by the American Theater Company. I have the movie memorized to the point that I was talking along with it on the Christmas Eve TV broadcast and annoying my family with my fun new habit of quoting IAWL movie lines at appropriate times in daily life and conversation. On top of all that, I would gladly watch it again right now. There is no such thing as getting sick of this movie and I swear I don't need a CAT scan.
So why do I love it so much? Well, let me first state my firm belief that despite having a happy ending and being directed by Frank Capra, the movie is not a sickeningly sweet piece of "Capracorn" as so many critics have claimed. The first half hour alone deals with issues of alcoholism, child abuse, death and financial insecurity. What is "feel-good" about any of those topics?
I would argue that IAWL is actually a very realistic portrayal of the ups and downs of human life. Although it's just a bit over two hours long, the film seems a lot longer. Thanks to excellent pacing, the ensemble cast and the astounding acting of Jimmy Stewart, I feel like I'm getting to know every aspect of George Bailey and the inhabitants of Bedford Falls. This obviously makes the ending even more effective, but not overly schmaltzy. I seem to tear up earlier and earlier every time I watch the movie and it's because the plot is so engaging and the characters are so true-to-life--not because Frank Capra tied everything up into a happy bow in the final scene.
As the movie rolls on, you can feel George's frustration building and Potter's greed simmering. You can appreciate Clarence's innocence and Mary's love for her husband. When George enters his Clarence-induced alternate reality, I always find myself mentally expounding on the less obvious impact that George's life has had on the denizens of Bedford Falls/Pottersville. For example, cabdriver Ernie Bishop mentions that he is separated from his wife and kid. One can infer that George's work through the Building and Loan to help Ernie buy a house might have saved his marriage. Few other movies get me thinking this much.
And I'm not alone. Well aware of my affinity for the flick, several friends sent me a good New York Times article that sardonically reexamines several aspects of the film and raises a few valid-if-nit-picking points, but ultimately concludes that it is still a fantastic cinematic experience.
I'd actually love to hear from the haters. What are the grounds for disliking this movie? I defy anyone with half a heart to watch it and not get choked up when Harry Bailey raises a toast in the final scene and says, "To my big brother George, the richest man in town."
We are all George Bailey and the movie lets us empathize with his emotional baggage, even if Mr. Gower didn't buy us a big suitcase to keep it in. Maybe that's why the ending is too sweet for some people. Whatever they're going through, they can't see anyone raising the toast for them and they're still stuck on the bridge in the snow, waiting for salvation from Clarence. Well, for me, the movie serves as an annual reminder to get off my metaphorical bridge and appreciate the little things I couldn't see before that make life so wonderful. It's a pretty great way to start the new year.
I'm not exactly sure when it was that I realized It's A Wonderful Life is my all-time favorite movie (Christmas or not). For a long time I thought it was too difficult to make such a distinction and--to be completely honest--Casablanca jockeys for the spot when it's not the Christmas season.
But there's really no contest.
I saw the film three times in the past few weeks and also attended a wonderful (tee hee!) 1940s-style radio play adaptation performed by the American Theater Company. I have the movie memorized to the point that I was talking along with it on the Christmas Eve TV broadcast and annoying my family with my fun new habit of quoting IAWL movie lines at appropriate times in daily life and conversation. On top of all that, I would gladly watch it again right now. There is no such thing as getting sick of this movie and I swear I don't need a CAT scan.
So why do I love it so much? Well, let me first state my firm belief that despite having a happy ending and being directed by Frank Capra, the movie is not a sickeningly sweet piece of "Capracorn" as so many critics have claimed. The first half hour alone deals with issues of alcoholism, child abuse, death and financial insecurity. What is "feel-good" about any of those topics?
I would argue that IAWL is actually a very realistic portrayal of the ups and downs of human life. Although it's just a bit over two hours long, the film seems a lot longer. Thanks to excellent pacing, the ensemble cast and the astounding acting of Jimmy Stewart, I feel like I'm getting to know every aspect of George Bailey and the inhabitants of Bedford Falls. This obviously makes the ending even more effective, but not overly schmaltzy. I seem to tear up earlier and earlier every time I watch the movie and it's because the plot is so engaging and the characters are so true-to-life--not because Frank Capra tied everything up into a happy bow in the final scene.
As the movie rolls on, you can feel George's frustration building and Potter's greed simmering. You can appreciate Clarence's innocence and Mary's love for her husband. When George enters his Clarence-induced alternate reality, I always find myself mentally expounding on the less obvious impact that George's life has had on the denizens of Bedford Falls/Pottersville. For example, cabdriver Ernie Bishop mentions that he is separated from his wife and kid. One can infer that George's work through the Building and Loan to help Ernie buy a house might have saved his marriage. Few other movies get me thinking this much.
And I'm not alone. Well aware of my affinity for the flick, several friends sent me a good New York Times article that sardonically reexamines several aspects of the film and raises a few valid-if-nit-picking points, but ultimately concludes that it is still a fantastic cinematic experience.
I'd actually love to hear from the haters. What are the grounds for disliking this movie? I defy anyone with half a heart to watch it and not get choked up when Harry Bailey raises a toast in the final scene and says, "To my big brother George, the richest man in town."
We are all George Bailey and the movie lets us empathize with his emotional baggage, even if Mr. Gower didn't buy us a big suitcase to keep it in. Maybe that's why the ending is too sweet for some people. Whatever they're going through, they can't see anyone raising the toast for them and they're still stuck on the bridge in the snow, waiting for salvation from Clarence. Well, for me, the movie serves as an annual reminder to get off my metaphorical bridge and appreciate the little things I couldn't see before that make life so wonderful. It's a pretty great way to start the new year.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
New Site Discovery: Covering the Mouse
For me, the world of RSS feeds is a vicious cycle of unread information. I'm always finding new sites that I immediately subscribe to, but every time I log into my Google Reader, I'm taunted by the bold blue 1,000+, indicating that I have an impossible amount of catching up to do.
Nevertheless, I have found another cool Web site and I thought I would share it. This one comes from my brother, my family's avowed Disney fanatic.
The site is called Covering the Mouse and it features a new cover version of a Disney musical classic on an almost daily basis, so it's great feed reading material. The best part is that you can hear the entire song, and--if you know where to look in the site's source code--you can grab the file for future enjoyment.
Not all of the tracks are fantastic and some of them--like any cover version of a popular song--are only worth hearing to satisfy your morbid curiosity or because the recordings are so rare. Covering the Mouse is definitely worth a look though, and I found a few gems while trolling the site last night:
Chim-Chim-Cher-ee
from Mary Poppins
Performed by Louis Armstrong
Under the Sea
from The Little Mermaid
Performed by The Suburban Legends
Grim Grinning Ghosts
from The Haunted Mansion
Performed by Barenaked Ladies
Nevertheless, I have found another cool Web site and I thought I would share it. This one comes from my brother, my family's avowed Disney fanatic.
The site is called Covering the Mouse and it features a new cover version of a Disney musical classic on an almost daily basis, so it's great feed reading material. The best part is that you can hear the entire song, and--if you know where to look in the site's source code--you can grab the file for future enjoyment.Not all of the tracks are fantastic and some of them--like any cover version of a popular song--are only worth hearing to satisfy your morbid curiosity or because the recordings are so rare. Covering the Mouse is definitely worth a look though, and I found a few gems while trolling the site last night:
Chim-Chim-Cher-ee
from Mary Poppins
Performed by Louis Armstrong
Under the Sea
from The Little Mermaid
Performed by The Suburban Legends
Grim Grinning Ghosts
from The Haunted Mansion
Performed by Barenaked Ladies
Friday, August 1, 2008
The Nerds Are Running Hollywood
Examine the all-time top grossing films in the U.S. What do you notice?
13 of the current top 20 are either superhero, sci-fi or fantasy-related flicks. With the exception of the animated features and The Passion of the Christ, the most lucrative US films list is also a running list of every nerd's favorite movies. Coincidence?
This article posits that keeping the nerds happy is a surefire way for Hollywood studios to achieve box office gold:
The moral of the story: A movie that satisfies the nerds will most often satisfy the masses. Or maybe there are just a whole lot of nerds out there.
13 of the current top 20 are either superhero, sci-fi or fantasy-related flicks. With the exception of the animated features and The Passion of the Christ, the most lucrative US films list is also a running list of every nerd's favorite movies. Coincidence?
This article posits that keeping the nerds happy is a surefire way for Hollywood studios to achieve box office gold:
Hollywood always wants to know if it's on the right track. Book adaptations and genre films are attractive propositions because studios know the in-built fan base will see the film and galvanise wider attendance. But the comic-book fans are a savvy crowd and, if Hollywood gets it wrong, poor early word can spread like wildfire. Ever since the cult website Ain't It Cool News damned 1997's Batman & Robin with negative advance reviews, there's been a potency to the musings of netizens. After all, who wants to fork out $250m in production and marketing costs only for a film to end up in the bargain bucket at the local video shop?This summer is no exception to the rule of nerd domination with The Dark Knight, Iron Man and Indiana Jones rounding out the top three highest-grossing summer blockbusters.
The moral of the story: A movie that satisfies the nerds will most often satisfy the masses. Or maybe there are just a whole lot of nerds out there.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
ShowBiz Pizza: The Documentary!
For readers of this blog who grew up in the Midwest, when I say the words "ShowBiz Pizza," the first thing that comes to your mind is probably the image of a large and horrifying robotic gorilla wearing a yellow sequined jacket while banging on a keyboard.
For readers who did not have the pleasure of growing up with trips to ShowBiz Pizza, you're probably already feeling left out.
ShowBiz Pizza was a 1980s birthday party destination for many a lucky child. It had very cheesy pizza, a ball pit, lots of arcade games (Skee-Ball!) and non-stop performances by the animatronic Rock-A-Fire Explosion band. Fats, the aforementioned oversized ape, led the band in a variety of songs over the course of your meal, along with Billy Bob the Bear and several other characters that I sadly somehow still remember the names of. I guess it made a big impression on me, both because of the terror it inspired and the fact that it was the 1980s and this was the most impressive--albeit scary--form of live entertainment that I had ever witnessed.
Fortunately for me, I grew up and moved past it. Some people have not.
Today I came across this post, which informed me of an upcoming documentary devoted to the subject of ShowBiz Pizza and the all-growed-up children who collect and rebuild the animatronics from the Rock-A-Fire Explosion bands. I first read about this phenomenon almost a year ago, but never took the time to blog about it. Here's the movie trailer, which will give you a better idea of what we're dealing with.
I'm all for nostalgic trips down memory lane, but is this really worth all the money and effort? Then again, maybe it is:
For readers who did not have the pleasure of growing up with trips to ShowBiz Pizza, you're probably already feeling left out.
ShowBiz Pizza was a 1980s birthday party destination for many a lucky child. It had very cheesy pizza, a ball pit, lots of arcade games (Skee-Ball!) and non-stop performances by the animatronic Rock-A-Fire Explosion band. Fats, the aforementioned oversized ape, led the band in a variety of songs over the course of your meal, along with Billy Bob the Bear and several other characters that I sadly somehow still remember the names of. I guess it made a big impression on me, both because of the terror it inspired and the fact that it was the 1980s and this was the most impressive--albeit scary--form of live entertainment that I had ever witnessed.
Fortunately for me, I grew up and moved past it. Some people have not.
Today I came across this post, which informed me of an upcoming documentary devoted to the subject of ShowBiz Pizza and the all-growed-up children who collect and rebuild the animatronics from the Rock-A-Fire Explosion bands. I first read about this phenomenon almost a year ago, but never took the time to blog about it. Here's the movie trailer, which will give you a better idea of what we're dealing with.
I'm all for nostalgic trips down memory lane, but is this really worth all the money and effort? Then again, maybe it is:
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Watch Things Worth Viewing
Sometimes this blog is about things worth watching.
And you know what's worth watching? Lots of things on Hulu! (You are using Hulu, right? I told you about it a long time ago!)
Whether you need to catch up on last week's episode of The Office or you want to watch the first two seasons of Buffy the Vampire Slayer for free, Hulu is the place to go. All you need is plenty of free time and a blazingly fast Internet connection.
Best of all, the site just added a new crop of recent-yet-classic SNL skits, including several Celebrity Jeopardy sketches, the Mom Jeans commercial, Chris Farley's befuddled American tourist on a Japanese game show and this gem of physical comedy (see below) from a night when John Malkovich hosted.
This skit falls into the "insanely-stupid-yet-somehow-hilarious" category, and I had never seen it until a few years ago, when my brothers and I rented The Best of Jon Lovitz. Thus inspired, we spent the next few days attempting to "mock" each other. Just watch the skit and you'll get the idea.
You Mock Me, 1989
And you know what's worth watching? Lots of things on Hulu! (You are using Hulu, right? I told you about it a long time ago!)
Whether you need to catch up on last week's episode of The Office or you want to watch the first two seasons of Buffy the Vampire Slayer for free, Hulu is the place to go. All you need is plenty of free time and a blazingly fast Internet connection.
Best of all, the site just added a new crop of recent-yet-classic SNL skits, including several Celebrity Jeopardy sketches, the Mom Jeans commercial, Chris Farley's befuddled American tourist on a Japanese game show and this gem of physical comedy (see below) from a night when John Malkovich hosted.
This skit falls into the "insanely-stupid-yet-somehow-hilarious" category, and I had never seen it until a few years ago, when my brothers and I rented The Best of Jon Lovitz. Thus inspired, we spent the next few days attempting to "mock" each other. Just watch the skit and you'll get the idea.
You Mock Me, 1989
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Monday, April 21, 2008
When Will The Office Close?
I've had a strange feeling throughout this entire TV season, even before the writer's strike debacle turned everything upside down. It's a feeling I don't like to admit or even think about, but I feel it just the same: Is The Office starting to suck?
While most people are excited about a new episode, I can't help but wonder when the magic will be gone and the one TV show that I actually make time to watch will jump the shark. The pre-strike episodes didn't particularly knock my socks off, so I have begun to warily dread new episodes, since each 22-minute dose might bring the residents of Scranton one step closer to the end of their comedic reign.
Think I'm paranoid? I must admit that the most recent episode bolstered my hopes for the show's humorous revitalization. Michael Scott's reentry into the dating scene is something that will give the writers plenty to work with, but I can only hope that they won't stray too far from reality by making the characters even bigger caricatures than they already are. A big part of the show's humor is the true-to-life-despite-being-outrageous-ness of the characters. I know all of these people. I work with them every day. So do you.
A new column on Gaper's Block states that the breakdown of The Office's realistic, documentary-style logic could be the beginning of the end for the show. This is something I never even thought about, but its definitely worth questioning.
For now, I guess I'll just hold my breath and anticipate laughing on Thursday nights for a few more weeks. What do you think?
While most people are excited about a new episode, I can't help but wonder when the magic will be gone and the one TV show that I actually make time to watch will jump the shark. The pre-strike episodes didn't particularly knock my socks off, so I have begun to warily dread new episodes, since each 22-minute dose might bring the residents of Scranton one step closer to the end of their comedic reign.
Think I'm paranoid? I must admit that the most recent episode bolstered my hopes for the show's humorous revitalization. Michael Scott's reentry into the dating scene is something that will give the writers plenty to work with, but I can only hope that they won't stray too far from reality by making the characters even bigger caricatures than they already are. A big part of the show's humor is the true-to-life-despite-being-outrageous-ness of the characters. I know all of these people. I work with them every day. So do you.
A new column on Gaper's Block states that the breakdown of The Office's realistic, documentary-style logic could be the beginning of the end for the show. This is something I never even thought about, but its definitely worth questioning.
"The Unseen Documentarians have now been following these people at this mid-range regional paper supply company for four years, with multiple cameras and, increasingly, access to different branches and more and more parts of their personal lives. I know we're supposed to suspend disbelief, but you can't ask people to on the one hand accept a documentary-style show where characters are looking at the camera and talking directly to you, and on the other hand not have a plausible reason for why they would be doing that."Perhaps The Office was meant to close its doors to TV viewers after four years. I think I'd rather accept that than watch the show gradually fade from the glory of its earlier seasons. The Office has already had a tremendous run and I just can't bear the thought of watching it slowly shrivel up into something unrecognizable. (Insert "that's what she said" joke here.)
For now, I guess I'll just hold my breath and anticipate laughing on Thursday nights for a few more weeks. What do you think?
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Little Kids Are Funny
At least, these two are:
Star Wars According to a Three-Year-Old Girl
Little Kid on Why You Need Blue Cross Insurance
Star Wars According to a Three-Year-Old Girl
Little Kid on Why You Need Blue Cross Insurance
Monday, March 10, 2008
The Internet, Hollywood Style
Last weekend, Chicago Tribune Internet critic Steve Johnson wrote an entertaining piece about the place of Internet technology at the movies. Johnson states that movies such as The Net (1995) have frequently relied on the Internet's vast and mysterious nature as a compelling (and convenient) plot device.
In the interests of full disclosure, I used to be one of those people who bought whatever technology Hollywood was selling. When I first saw The Net, I didn't have access to a computer and had no clue what the Internet was all about. I do remember thinking that the movie seemed really cool and extremely realistic. Look what the bad guys did to her with computers! (always plural)
Back in the day, I was blown away by the mere presence of computer technology in a movie's plot line. The cinematic representation of "hacking into a system" or "downloading files" was enough to provoke a dizzy spell. When I saw Sneakers in 1992, I wanted a computer so badly that I went home and "hacked" my way into my Mom's electric typewriter, with a cardboard box for a monitor. I think I downloaded a lot of secret files that day, too. I was one heckuva tech-savvy spy.
By the time I saw Firewall in 2006, I was a bit more discerning. Although the film wasn't bad overall, the technology was often used as a laughable deus ex machina, as Johnson described above. Perhaps more upsetting than the unrealistic use of technology, however, was the disturbing appearance of Harrison Ford's expanding gut, which inconveniently pops out of the bottom of his shirt during a key fight scene. At least he was doing his own stunts, right? (Fortunately, he seems to have shed the paunch for the upcoming Indy flick.)
But back to the point. I would predict that a day will come when Web technology is so well-known and accessible that filmmakers won't be able to employ it as a plot device unless they adhere to the confines of technological reality. But I know that's not true. After all, everyone's been driving cars for quite some time now and Jason Bourne still didn't have to stop at any red lights.
Incidentally, I really miss that typewriter sometimes.
If [filmmakers are] smart, they understand that the murky technology that makes the Net function will let them get away with outlandish plotting. Few audience members will know enough, in the heat of a chase scene, to dispute the likelihood of Harrison Ford in "Firewall" rapidly downloading a bank's records database to an iPod. (Where is the pop-up message saying he first needs to update iTunes? What will happen to his daughter's playlists?)His point is well-taken. It's a good thing Ford had the foresight to switch the iPod to hard drive mode, too.
In the interests of full disclosure, I used to be one of those people who bought whatever technology Hollywood was selling. When I first saw The Net, I didn't have access to a computer and had no clue what the Internet was all about. I do remember thinking that the movie seemed really cool and extremely realistic. Look what the bad guys did to her with computers! (always plural)
Back in the day, I was blown away by the mere presence of computer technology in a movie's plot line. The cinematic representation of "hacking into a system" or "downloading files" was enough to provoke a dizzy spell. When I saw Sneakers in 1992, I wanted a computer so badly that I went home and "hacked" my way into my Mom's electric typewriter, with a cardboard box for a monitor. I think I downloaded a lot of secret files that day, too. I was one heckuva tech-savvy spy.
By the time I saw Firewall in 2006, I was a bit more discerning. Although the film wasn't bad overall, the technology was often used as a laughable deus ex machina, as Johnson described above. Perhaps more upsetting than the unrealistic use of technology, however, was the disturbing appearance of Harrison Ford's expanding gut, which inconveniently pops out of the bottom of his shirt during a key fight scene. At least he was doing his own stunts, right? (Fortunately, he seems to have shed the paunch for the upcoming Indy flick.)
But back to the point. I would predict that a day will come when Web technology is so well-known and accessible that filmmakers won't be able to employ it as a plot device unless they adhere to the confines of technological reality. But I know that's not true. After all, everyone's been driving cars for quite some time now and Jason Bourne still didn't have to stop at any red lights.
Incidentally, I really miss that typewriter sometimes.
Monday, March 3, 2008
The Obama Files
For the first time in recent memory, I was laughing out loud at SNL this weekend. Here's why:
Saturday, March 1, 2008
The Flash Mob Mentality
While the concept of the flash mob is nothing new, I'd never actually seen video footage of this type of prank/performance art/social experiment before. (Thanks, Julie!)
The group behind the mayhem, Improv Everywhere, has taken the initial idea of flash mobs to a new level of artistic hilarity. One of their most recent stunts involved sending three people to a Starbucks with huge desktop computers and monitors, where they settled in to do some work and use the cafe's wireless network.
It's ironic and fascinating to watch these "scenes" unfold. Varying numbers of people confidently engage in seemingly nonsensical behavior in public places. In doing so, they actually cause the non-participating bystanders to feel awkward and out of place. Truthfully, watching the festivities and their chaotic aftermath is the majority of the fun. The flash mob phenomenon probably wouldn't have taken off so well in the pre-Internet days. If a man walks into a Starbucks with a desktop computer and 2.5 million YouTube viewers aren't there to watch it, did it really happen?
On the other hand, this sort of performance art-induced awkwardness crops up in off-line arenas as well. Late last year, I read a very entertaining story in the Chicago Tribune (that inexplicably isn't on their site anymore...) about Tino Sehgal's Kiss exhibit at the Museum of Contemporary Art. It basically involves two "dancers" making out on the floor of the museum, while museum patrons usually avert their eyes or quickly leave the room without realizing it's an exhibit. In this way, their reaction to the piece helps shape the context and meaning of the piece. (Whoa...that last sentence sounded like something out of an art history term paper or something. Sorry about that.)
So where should the flash mobbers go from here? Since they're based in New York City anyway, I'd kind of like to see them cause this scene:
The group behind the mayhem, Improv Everywhere, has taken the initial idea of flash mobs to a new level of artistic hilarity. One of their most recent stunts involved sending three people to a Starbucks with huge desktop computers and monitors, where they settled in to do some work and use the cafe's wireless network.
It's ironic and fascinating to watch these "scenes" unfold. Varying numbers of people confidently engage in seemingly nonsensical behavior in public places. In doing so, they actually cause the non-participating bystanders to feel awkward and out of place. Truthfully, watching the festivities and their chaotic aftermath is the majority of the fun. The flash mob phenomenon probably wouldn't have taken off so well in the pre-Internet days. If a man walks into a Starbucks with a desktop computer and 2.5 million YouTube viewers aren't there to watch it, did it really happen?
On the other hand, this sort of performance art-induced awkwardness crops up in off-line arenas as well. Late last year, I read a very entertaining story in the Chicago Tribune (that inexplicably isn't on their site anymore...) about Tino Sehgal's Kiss exhibit at the Museum of Contemporary Art. It basically involves two "dancers" making out on the floor of the museum, while museum patrons usually avert their eyes or quickly leave the room without realizing it's an exhibit. In this way, their reaction to the piece helps shape the context and meaning of the piece. (Whoa...that last sentence sounded like something out of an art history term paper or something. Sorry about that.)
So where should the flash mobbers go from here? Since they're based in New York City anyway, I'd kind of like to see them cause this scene:
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Indiana Jones and the Much-Anticipated Trailer
It's here! It's here!
Nothing spices up a Sunday night like finding out that the trailer for Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull has finally been released! My little brother went to see The Spiderwick Chronicles on Friday and casually mentioned today that he had seen the trailer for the fourth Indiana Jones movie. Ho hum.
WHAT?! Foolish youth! He clearly didn't realize how long some of us have been waiting for legitimate cinematic proof that we are not dreaming and Indy really will be back on the big screen in three months. Well, now we have the trailer and it's just as glorious as I had hoped it would be. As I watched, I couldn't help but grin like an eight-year-old when I saw the fedora on the ground and heard the familiar strains of John Williams' epic soundtrack. It's pretty clear that this sequel isn't likely to disappoint. (Though I do hope they get the "Indy's an old man now" jokes out of the way early on in the film. I think there were three in the trailer alone...)
Since Indy's last appearance 19 years ago, the pop culture world has changed significantly and entire online communities live for the prompt dissemination of a mere rumor about the upcoming film, let alone a full-length trailer. To be more specific, Indy IV would be a success with no marketing campaign whatsoever. This article addresses that notion, citing the fact that the trailer went viral instantaneously after its Valentine's Day debut. (And what a great V-Day gift for single nerds! Spielberg sure knows his audience!)
But should this type of fan-driven advertising and exposure really be a surprise anymore? The proliferation and easy accessibility of online media has (d)evolved to the point where nearly seven million people will watch Charlie bite his brother's finger. It's a pretty safe bet that at least a few million would scan the Internet for the known quantity of Indiana Jones cracking his whip and stopping international do-badders with a witty one-liner and an elbow to the face.
OK, enough of this. Can I buy my ticket yet?
Nothing spices up a Sunday night like finding out that the trailer for Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull has finally been released! My little brother went to see The Spiderwick Chronicles on Friday and casually mentioned today that he had seen the trailer for the fourth Indiana Jones movie. Ho hum.
WHAT?! Foolish youth! He clearly didn't realize how long some of us have been waiting for legitimate cinematic proof that we are not dreaming and Indy really will be back on the big screen in three months. Well, now we have the trailer and it's just as glorious as I had hoped it would be. As I watched, I couldn't help but grin like an eight-year-old when I saw the fedora on the ground and heard the familiar strains of John Williams' epic soundtrack. It's pretty clear that this sequel isn't likely to disappoint. (Though I do hope they get the "Indy's an old man now" jokes out of the way early on in the film. I think there were three in the trailer alone...)
Since Indy's last appearance 19 years ago, the pop culture world has changed significantly and entire online communities live for the prompt dissemination of a mere rumor about the upcoming film, let alone a full-length trailer. To be more specific, Indy IV would be a success with no marketing campaign whatsoever. This article addresses that notion, citing the fact that the trailer went viral instantaneously after its Valentine's Day debut. (And what a great V-Day gift for single nerds! Spielberg sure knows his audience!)
But should this type of fan-driven advertising and exposure really be a surprise anymore? The proliferation and easy accessibility of online media has (d)evolved to the point where nearly seven million people will watch Charlie bite his brother's finger. It's a pretty safe bet that at least a few million would scan the Internet for the known quantity of Indiana Jones cracking his whip and stopping international do-badders with a witty one-liner and an elbow to the face.
OK, enough of this. Can I buy my ticket yet?
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