""Vote for the Story!"
Time to vote on story of the year! You have Two Weeks to Vote just email me at MST3Keith@AOL.com and put the story of the year in the mail and I will tell everyone what it is in two weeks! STARTING NOW!
A. Well what can be said about this one? Price going to war was pretty big, and made him the Tucker’s World person of the year. He saw some serious action in Iraq. Thankfully he returned in one piece. For more information you can read the Tucker’s World Man of the Year.
B. Jay and Jenna who earned the story of the year for last year were at it again in 2003. They decided that their love was true, and the result making a baby! Tucker’s World found out early the game about the pregnancy but had to keep it hush, hush until her stomach ballooned so much that is obvious.
Well not obvious to everyone, you see Lima Beanz who worked as a long term sub for a few months before becoming unemployed neglected to tell his parents that Jay and Jenna were BLESSED. Beanz grew increasingly more irate by the situation. Jenna who previously would just quote Chinese Proverbs after Beanz was bashed had a break down on her blog.
She begged Lima Beanz to change his ways. Myself and Mosco also cried foul on our blog which resulted Beanz threatening to beat both of us up. He wanted to PUNCH JOHN in the face. It never happened and Jenna eventually cooled off. A few weeks before the first grandchild was born Jays parents figured it out. Hunter was born and lives with Jenna’s family and her parents spend a large amount of time with the kid since Jenna works long ours at Sears.
Meanwhile Beanz works a few days a week as a sub-teacher for Sterling, and his occasionally employed at a temp job. Everyone worried that things would change with his crew time, but after a month or so things went back to normal almost Jenna just brings Hunter over to Dukes for the big gatherings as long as no one smokes. Then she leaves and Lima Beanz hangs out When Hunter is put to be bed at Jenna’s Beanz is free to go out for the most part. I am sure life has changed for them below the surface though. How hard it must be to raise a kid! Regardless the despite Jenna hating her job she has embraced the role of the mother of Jay’s child. Who would have thought that Beanz would have started family?!? Beanz bonds with the kid more than most people thought and touchs poop on a regular basis. What a year, just wait until the little tyke starts walking and talking! What do these two have in store for 2004?
C. Ryan flaked out in the year 2003. He was a no show for my graduation party, Christmas Eve at the Arters, Dan’s engagement party, and several other huge events. Not only absent but was unavailable by phone usually after given his word to be on hand. He hasn’t talked to Beanz and Jenna since long before their child was born (first of many?) despite his own mother giving them a gift.
I guess he had a good summer I really wouldn’t know. He said he spent weekends in Ocean City a few times, which by my count would make Reagan have at least 3 “Last Weekends for the Ocean City House” over the course of the summer.
No one really knows what the heck is going, on and from what I understand the confusion has bubbled over to his family too. I am being nice here too, because many of his friends were shocked, hurt, and bewildered this past year by his lack of communication and lack of value of friendship. Not much more to write about the man who wasn’t there.
D. Dan K Hemphill breaks down and purposes marriage to his longtime girlfriend Jessica. Despite living together for four years or so it is still a big move for the computer geek. What is next? Could kids be running amuck amongst a room of computers? Perhaps. But Dan K will likely be overly busy this year planning a wedding and building a house on the land he bought a few months back. So getting engaged and purchasing land is a pretty good way to get you on the list of Story of the year candidates.
E Duke starts dating Monica who is in the middle of a divorce. She cleans up his act and his apartment including making stricter rules about his friends loafing ( and having relations with their girlfriends freely) around his apartment without forking over a penny for rent. It was awkward at first actually getting permission to hang out for hours on end with out Dukes approval at first for a few crew members. The relationship more than anything else shaved down the crew time, but I don’t see it as a bad thing I am glad Duke is not asexual Not to mention Monica is a cool girl. And I would have taken the keys back a long time ago.
F. Price thinking become a war vet perhaps wasn’t enough decides to purpose marriage to his girlfriend Ilene who he only meet on the 4th of July this year. No date has been announced but it will likely not happen until he is done his service in the marines sometime last next year. She is a great girl and I wish them all the luck.
Monday, December 29, 2003
Thursday, December 25, 2003
Hey I am posting my little Christmas Story hoping to make it an annual thing. I am sure all my readers kept looking back at this blog for it. MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!
"The Gift"
Some time around the first week of the year. I took a second look at one of our traditional Christmas decorations; it was a complete and total eyesore. It was a gift some old lady gave my mother 10 years ago for Christmas and I guess she felt obligated to put it on the tree each year. It was a gaudy looking knitted cat. It was one the most hideous things I have ever laid eyes on. They say its thought that counts well it’s the thought that angers me when I see it every year.
That same Christmas like every year an epidemic spread through the grade school. This year it was in the form of Sega, the newest video game system. Over greasy square pizza, pale yellow peas, and flavorless mashed potatoes shaped like an ice cream scoop, I would hear all the kids discuss the latest video games. I would try my best to stay absent from the conversation. I wouldn’t know what to say when they would ask me if I had gotten past the castle board yet.
One day went I went home I sat my father down and tried to tell him how I would benefit from having a Sega game system of my very own. I told him it would give me better hand eye coordination and against the popular notion it made kids zombies, I told him it acutally made them think and make quick decisions. He went on and on about how when he was a kid he would just use his imagination to have fun, and how kids today are spoiled. I think that conversation is had all over America in every family at one point and time. I used to think that my parents and all the other parents would go to secret meetings at night or when all their kids were in school and discuss stuff like this. I pictured a man with a gavel leading the meeting and hammering home the idea of telling children why they are spoiled and to shove vegetables down their throats. One time I actually searched my mother’s purse for a pamphlet when they got home late the night before.
That Christmas I was hoping for a miracle. I rushed down the steps that morning and studied each mystery. I did the shake test, the weight test and the hold them up to the sunlight test. As I tore, open each one my chances of getting the coveted Sega was getting slimmer and slimmer. All kinds of flashes were going off from my mother’s camera capturing images of me, and my reactions to each present.
Later that day my family and I went to my aunt and uncle’s for dinner. I was in a miserable mood the whole time. The only bright spot was that my cousin Robby who was about my age was there. And guess what he got for Christmas? Of course the very same Sega system. He told me he got it weeks before Christmas even came. Robby and I were always highly competitive. So while the sweet smell of the pending ham dinner dissipated through the air we settled down in front of the television. With all those weeks of practice, he had on me he humiliated me. I think he set a record for goals scored in a hockey game, shot my plane down about a dozen times, and beat me all over the wrestling ring. I went home feeling worse than I did when I realized I wasn’t getting the Sega.
On the ride home my father tried to reach out to me. But I just pushed him away. The image of my wrestler I was controlling laying on the floor after about 30 seconds was burning in my mind. I sat in fit of rage in the back seat as my parents were in the front. My father turned the radio down. He told me that maybe one day I would get one. But I didn’t hear it. I wanted to tell him how Robby’s parents weren’t any richer than we, that I was the only kid that didn’t have a Sega. But all that came out at the top of my tiny lungs was I HATE YOU! And instead of saying anything after that. I just repeated I HATE YOU! Because he was driving of course he had his back to me. But we passed a street light that light up the rear view window and I glimpse of his face. Suddenly I didn’t want to yell anymore. I did not apologize either, in fact no one said anything. The car just hummed along the rest of the ride.
About two months later I got a Sega for my birthday. It funny the minute I unwrapped the gift and realized what it was, I almost had to fake excitement. Sure I spend many a night in the glow of my television going to far off lands and winning championships, but I could never take those words back. At least in a video game you are blessed with more than one life. At the time I meant the words that came out of my mouth. I hated my father as much as I hate that stupid knit cat now. One time after coming home from a fishing trip with my father after many years of those words keeping me up at night, it figured it was time to apologize. However my mouth froze, I never did. I like to think that my father knew what I was thinking. Like I said they say it’s the thought that counts.
I put the rest of the ornaments in a box, and I carried them basement. I placed them in a closet we hardly used. It was full of dust and mildew. I rested the box right on top of the Sega.
MERRY CHRISTMAS TOO ALL MY READERS AND I HOPE YOU ALL GET LOTS OF COOL STUFF FROM SANTA
"The Gift"
Some time around the first week of the year. I took a second look at one of our traditional Christmas decorations; it was a complete and total eyesore. It was a gift some old lady gave my mother 10 years ago for Christmas and I guess she felt obligated to put it on the tree each year. It was a gaudy looking knitted cat. It was one the most hideous things I have ever laid eyes on. They say its thought that counts well it’s the thought that angers me when I see it every year.
That same Christmas like every year an epidemic spread through the grade school. This year it was in the form of Sega, the newest video game system. Over greasy square pizza, pale yellow peas, and flavorless mashed potatoes shaped like an ice cream scoop, I would hear all the kids discuss the latest video games. I would try my best to stay absent from the conversation. I wouldn’t know what to say when they would ask me if I had gotten past the castle board yet.
One day went I went home I sat my father down and tried to tell him how I would benefit from having a Sega game system of my very own. I told him it would give me better hand eye coordination and against the popular notion it made kids zombies, I told him it acutally made them think and make quick decisions. He went on and on about how when he was a kid he would just use his imagination to have fun, and how kids today are spoiled. I think that conversation is had all over America in every family at one point and time. I used to think that my parents and all the other parents would go to secret meetings at night or when all their kids were in school and discuss stuff like this. I pictured a man with a gavel leading the meeting and hammering home the idea of telling children why they are spoiled and to shove vegetables down their throats. One time I actually searched my mother’s purse for a pamphlet when they got home late the night before.
That Christmas I was hoping for a miracle. I rushed down the steps that morning and studied each mystery. I did the shake test, the weight test and the hold them up to the sunlight test. As I tore, open each one my chances of getting the coveted Sega was getting slimmer and slimmer. All kinds of flashes were going off from my mother’s camera capturing images of me, and my reactions to each present.
Later that day my family and I went to my aunt and uncle’s for dinner. I was in a miserable mood the whole time. The only bright spot was that my cousin Robby who was about my age was there. And guess what he got for Christmas? Of course the very same Sega system. He told me he got it weeks before Christmas even came. Robby and I were always highly competitive. So while the sweet smell of the pending ham dinner dissipated through the air we settled down in front of the television. With all those weeks of practice, he had on me he humiliated me. I think he set a record for goals scored in a hockey game, shot my plane down about a dozen times, and beat me all over the wrestling ring. I went home feeling worse than I did when I realized I wasn’t getting the Sega.
On the ride home my father tried to reach out to me. But I just pushed him away. The image of my wrestler I was controlling laying on the floor after about 30 seconds was burning in my mind. I sat in fit of rage in the back seat as my parents were in the front. My father turned the radio down. He told me that maybe one day I would get one. But I didn’t hear it. I wanted to tell him how Robby’s parents weren’t any richer than we, that I was the only kid that didn’t have a Sega. But all that came out at the top of my tiny lungs was I HATE YOU! And instead of saying anything after that. I just repeated I HATE YOU! Because he was driving of course he had his back to me. But we passed a street light that light up the rear view window and I glimpse of his face. Suddenly I didn’t want to yell anymore. I did not apologize either, in fact no one said anything. The car just hummed along the rest of the ride.
About two months later I got a Sega for my birthday. It funny the minute I unwrapped the gift and realized what it was, I almost had to fake excitement. Sure I spend many a night in the glow of my television going to far off lands and winning championships, but I could never take those words back. At least in a video game you are blessed with more than one life. At the time I meant the words that came out of my mouth. I hated my father as much as I hate that stupid knit cat now. One time after coming home from a fishing trip with my father after many years of those words keeping me up at night, it figured it was time to apologize. However my mouth froze, I never did. I like to think that my father knew what I was thinking. Like I said they say it’s the thought that counts.
I put the rest of the ornaments in a box, and I carried them basement. I placed them in a closet we hardly used. It was full of dust and mildew. I rested the box right on top of the Sega.
MERRY CHRISTMAS TOO ALL MY READERS AND I HOPE YOU ALL GET LOTS OF COOL STUFF FROM SANTA
Tuesday, December 23, 2003
"Tucker looks at It s a Wonderful Life"
Some people have not given Its a Wonderful Life a chance, and to be honest I really did not until a few years ago. Maybe the reason is because at one point due to botched paper work the film went into public domain meaning any channel could should the film with out giving anyone a dime as many times as they wanted. Ironically when it was released in 1946 it quickly disappeared from theaters, did not win an Oscars and was eventually pretty much forgotten. That was until the error in the 1970s resulted in the film being shown dozens of times and word of mouth got out and even more channels started to run the film. The film was colorized and bastardized for a few decades, but now NBC owns the right to the film and limits themselves to showing the film twice during the holiday season. The DVD picture looks amazing for a film this old and is a great buy.
The film was director Frank Capra’s finest hour. Capra more or less invented the road comedy with IT Happened One Night, and actually tried various kinds of films. However the films that he would be remembered for were movies about the little against the system (see also Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1934). Most of the plots were fairly simple and critics dubbed his humor and sappy blend as CAPRA-CORN. However it just proves to me that critics were dickheads back than too. I have not seen all his major films yet but I Capra had a rare gift to tap into the human spirit that many directors these days lack. It’s a Wonderful Life and Mr. Smith Go to Washington still hold up after all these years as entertaining films and their storylines are still socially relevant today.
It s a Wonderful Life is an important film for many reasons, one being the time of the release. In was 1946 and World War II had just ended and the movie industry just wanted to churn out war stories. Capra was sick of the horrors of war and set out to make his most passionate picture of his career. James Stewart had joined the war effort immediately the bombing of Pearl Harbor and rose to the ranks of colonel before the war ended. He was hesitant about returning to acting after his experience. Stewart and Capra were supposedly both close to breakdown during production of the film, and Stewarts tears in the bar scene were real. He was extremely moved by the scene and Capra kept the moment on film.
I doubt many of my readers have not learned the plot of this film that has been spoofed and ripped off countless times however I guess I should throw up a spoiler warning any way. The movie shows us the life of George Bailey (Stewart) starting with his childhood when he rescues his younger brother from drowning in a frozen lake. We get take a brief tour of a small fictional American town Bedford Falls in the first portion the 20th century. The film touches on the roaring 20’s when everything seemed right in the world both broad and George’s. George tags along with this high-school dance ( we get to see George do the Charleston) and Stewart plays to his all shucks persona for the first quarter of the film. George was supposed to leave the next day and fulfill his life long dream of traveling all over the globe. However circumstances arise and he must shelf his dreams in order to keep the family business the Savings and Loans of Bedford Falls alive.
Staying in his hometown has its rewards such as settling down with his life long love interest, and serving as role model for the town. He stands his ground at first to the polar opposite opposition Mr. Potter who owns most of the town and the surrounding area and even was one of the few to capitalize on the great depression. While George lives modestly and barely breaks even with the business Mr. Potter gets increasingly more powerful and wealthy over the years. While George helps build the American dream with his clients even going as far as helping them move into nicer homes or start their new business Potter is looking at his customer base as dollars and cents and making calculated moves in order to maybe them more dependent on him and shake them down for more coinage.
When money is missing George has an intense breakdown, all his sacrificed could have been in vein if he ends up in the slammer. Stewart s performance is nothing short of brilliant as we watch him quietly grow increasingly more bitter and resentful to never leaving his home town while watching his brother; best friend and various others come go as the please chasing after the American Dream as he remained at a job he never cared for. On the brink of Suicide Christmas Eve an angel in training allows him to see a vision of how the people in his life would have been affected had he never been born.
Actually many movie goers thought this sequence pushed into being too depressing when it was released. Without Stewart many his loved ones were worse off. Certainly his brother who was supposed to be a war hero was. His beloved Mary never found her soul mate, and Mr. Potter had no one to stand up to him. The entire town was overrun with bars and nightclubs. Everything including the town bared his namesake, the bars were slummier and one can argue that it Capra was dead on as his vision for the future of many American towns.
The film I think actually gets better with annual viewings. One of the reasons the film still holds up is its timeless story line. Everyone can relate to their life not panning out to the way they mapped it out as a child. Everyone has had to make decisions based on elements they have not control over. Speaking for myself I often measure myself against others. The film speaks to the audience to look less outward and more inward. George s brother Harry was a good solider because he had a good brother. George’s best friend offered George many chances to get rich, and although he lived the high life he certainly respected his childhood home. This was key for the film not to paint all rich people as cold hearted bastards and to show money can be used for good. Everyone has had misfortunes pile up to the point that they want to kick the crap out of things.
The movie plays very well this year, a year that saw death and destruction, a year of layoffs and various college graduates like myself struggle to carve out their niche in the world. The movie alludes that a capitalistic society can appear to be unforgiving at times. Especially for those who have always played the hands dealt close to their chest with aspirations to make it a big in the world. Many war veterans this year had to struggle with the issue of returning back to their hometowns. Going back to normal life many of them returned with a greater appreciation of what they have.
Liza (so were others) was miffed that Mr. Potter who was basically a crook seemingly got off the hook at the end of the film. Something unheard of in movies until this film came a long. The Mr. Potters of the world will always have more impressive pay stubs than me but as the film says if you have a good heart and surround yourself with people of good character no one can logically call you a failure. Mr. Potter’s success was only in the business world not successful in the aspects of life that actually matter. The films title references something that can’t be judged by a bank examiner.
Capra perhaps after the film flopped never really gained his confidence back, and most of his films from that were what I am told not up to par, and he eventually moved into television films. However he did leave a film legacy and now that I have Netflix I plan to discover some of his films. In movies today there are too many overly cynic post-modern directors so it will be refreshing to cook up a warm tub of CAPRA-corn every now and than.
As for Stewart It s A Wonderful Life was turning point for him. He had been mostly known for his screwball comedies until Capra helped him find his dramatic capabilities. Later he worked with the legendary Alfred Hitchock several times often going against type. Most of the calibrations between Hitch and Stewart was his Hitch at his best as it was for Capra. The films included Rear Window, Vertigo, The Man Who Knew Too Much, and the under appreciated Rope. He returned to sentimental comedies/dramas with the wonderful film Harvey. Eventually like everyone else he moved in to Western films for the better half of a decade and towards the end of his career he coasted on his persona in stuff that from what I understand was beneath him. He showed up in a few note worthy roles in the taking on the supporting roles mainly. I plan to check out the Shootist with Stewart playing the doctor of long time friend John Wayne who as his character in the film was dying of cancer at the time. Stewart’s final theatrical film was a Lassie movie ( live action), and than he pretty much retired. He surfaced in the mini series North and South, and provided a voice in Fivel Goes West for his final role. He claimed towards the end of the year it was better to just retire since people weren’t interested in seeing his kind of movies anymore. How wrong he was.
Some people have not given Its a Wonderful Life a chance, and to be honest I really did not until a few years ago. Maybe the reason is because at one point due to botched paper work the film went into public domain meaning any channel could should the film with out giving anyone a dime as many times as they wanted. Ironically when it was released in 1946 it quickly disappeared from theaters, did not win an Oscars and was eventually pretty much forgotten. That was until the error in the 1970s resulted in the film being shown dozens of times and word of mouth got out and even more channels started to run the film. The film was colorized and bastardized for a few decades, but now NBC owns the right to the film and limits themselves to showing the film twice during the holiday season. The DVD picture looks amazing for a film this old and is a great buy.
The film was director Frank Capra’s finest hour. Capra more or less invented the road comedy with IT Happened One Night, and actually tried various kinds of films. However the films that he would be remembered for were movies about the little against the system (see also Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1934). Most of the plots were fairly simple and critics dubbed his humor and sappy blend as CAPRA-CORN. However it just proves to me that critics were dickheads back than too. I have not seen all his major films yet but I Capra had a rare gift to tap into the human spirit that many directors these days lack. It’s a Wonderful Life and Mr. Smith Go to Washington still hold up after all these years as entertaining films and their storylines are still socially relevant today.
It s a Wonderful Life is an important film for many reasons, one being the time of the release. In was 1946 and World War II had just ended and the movie industry just wanted to churn out war stories. Capra was sick of the horrors of war and set out to make his most passionate picture of his career. James Stewart had joined the war effort immediately the bombing of Pearl Harbor and rose to the ranks of colonel before the war ended. He was hesitant about returning to acting after his experience. Stewart and Capra were supposedly both close to breakdown during production of the film, and Stewarts tears in the bar scene were real. He was extremely moved by the scene and Capra kept the moment on film.
I doubt many of my readers have not learned the plot of this film that has been spoofed and ripped off countless times however I guess I should throw up a spoiler warning any way. The movie shows us the life of George Bailey (Stewart) starting with his childhood when he rescues his younger brother from drowning in a frozen lake. We get take a brief tour of a small fictional American town Bedford Falls in the first portion the 20th century. The film touches on the roaring 20’s when everything seemed right in the world both broad and George’s. George tags along with this high-school dance ( we get to see George do the Charleston) and Stewart plays to his all shucks persona for the first quarter of the film. George was supposed to leave the next day and fulfill his life long dream of traveling all over the globe. However circumstances arise and he must shelf his dreams in order to keep the family business the Savings and Loans of Bedford Falls alive.
Staying in his hometown has its rewards such as settling down with his life long love interest, and serving as role model for the town. He stands his ground at first to the polar opposite opposition Mr. Potter who owns most of the town and the surrounding area and even was one of the few to capitalize on the great depression. While George lives modestly and barely breaks even with the business Mr. Potter gets increasingly more powerful and wealthy over the years. While George helps build the American dream with his clients even going as far as helping them move into nicer homes or start their new business Potter is looking at his customer base as dollars and cents and making calculated moves in order to maybe them more dependent on him and shake them down for more coinage.
When money is missing George has an intense breakdown, all his sacrificed could have been in vein if he ends up in the slammer. Stewart s performance is nothing short of brilliant as we watch him quietly grow increasingly more bitter and resentful to never leaving his home town while watching his brother; best friend and various others come go as the please chasing after the American Dream as he remained at a job he never cared for. On the brink of Suicide Christmas Eve an angel in training allows him to see a vision of how the people in his life would have been affected had he never been born.
Actually many movie goers thought this sequence pushed into being too depressing when it was released. Without Stewart many his loved ones were worse off. Certainly his brother who was supposed to be a war hero was. His beloved Mary never found her soul mate, and Mr. Potter had no one to stand up to him. The entire town was overrun with bars and nightclubs. Everything including the town bared his namesake, the bars were slummier and one can argue that it Capra was dead on as his vision for the future of many American towns.
The film I think actually gets better with annual viewings. One of the reasons the film still holds up is its timeless story line. Everyone can relate to their life not panning out to the way they mapped it out as a child. Everyone has had to make decisions based on elements they have not control over. Speaking for myself I often measure myself against others. The film speaks to the audience to look less outward and more inward. George s brother Harry was a good solider because he had a good brother. George’s best friend offered George many chances to get rich, and although he lived the high life he certainly respected his childhood home. This was key for the film not to paint all rich people as cold hearted bastards and to show money can be used for good. Everyone has had misfortunes pile up to the point that they want to kick the crap out of things.
The movie plays very well this year, a year that saw death and destruction, a year of layoffs and various college graduates like myself struggle to carve out their niche in the world. The movie alludes that a capitalistic society can appear to be unforgiving at times. Especially for those who have always played the hands dealt close to their chest with aspirations to make it a big in the world. Many war veterans this year had to struggle with the issue of returning back to their hometowns. Going back to normal life many of them returned with a greater appreciation of what they have.
Liza (so were others) was miffed that Mr. Potter who was basically a crook seemingly got off the hook at the end of the film. Something unheard of in movies until this film came a long. The Mr. Potters of the world will always have more impressive pay stubs than me but as the film says if you have a good heart and surround yourself with people of good character no one can logically call you a failure. Mr. Potter’s success was only in the business world not successful in the aspects of life that actually matter. The films title references something that can’t be judged by a bank examiner.
Capra perhaps after the film flopped never really gained his confidence back, and most of his films from that were what I am told not up to par, and he eventually moved into television films. However he did leave a film legacy and now that I have Netflix I plan to discover some of his films. In movies today there are too many overly cynic post-modern directors so it will be refreshing to cook up a warm tub of CAPRA-corn every now and than.
As for Stewart It s A Wonderful Life was turning point for him. He had been mostly known for his screwball comedies until Capra helped him find his dramatic capabilities. Later he worked with the legendary Alfred Hitchock several times often going against type. Most of the calibrations between Hitch and Stewart was his Hitch at his best as it was for Capra. The films included Rear Window, Vertigo, The Man Who Knew Too Much, and the under appreciated Rope. He returned to sentimental comedies/dramas with the wonderful film Harvey. Eventually like everyone else he moved in to Western films for the better half of a decade and towards the end of his career he coasted on his persona in stuff that from what I understand was beneath him. He showed up in a few note worthy roles in the taking on the supporting roles mainly. I plan to check out the Shootist with Stewart playing the doctor of long time friend John Wayne who as his character in the film was dying of cancer at the time. Stewart’s final theatrical film was a Lassie movie ( live action), and than he pretty much retired. He surfaced in the mini series North and South, and provided a voice in Fivel Goes West for his final role. He claimed towards the end of the year it was better to just retire since people weren’t interested in seeing his kind of movies anymore. How wrong he was.
Monday, December 22, 2003
Um. Blooger has gone crazy and I can not use quotes or it goes nuts. Sorry I am working to find out how to fix this.
Sorry to get all dark on you folks but I had to do this. Later this week I will post my Its a Wonderful Life article which I finished, and have my 2nd annual last minute shoppers message, and republish my short story The Gift a Tuckers World tradition.
*****TUCKER SLAMMED BY TERMINUS*****
Not a Man Not Yet a Human
My friend Drew has a blog 1. TERMIUS, as you know. Like every blog writer last week he chimed in on the whole capture of Saddam. Well he has his own comments section unlike me. So I decided to ask him what he thought about all the liberals making this out to be a negative thing. So many liberal minded people were saying, such as it isn't the real Saddam, Saddam was found months ago and was kept in a bunker in Texas, etc. I point out the irony that these same people were the ones who wanted proof of WMD, are now pulling these stories out their ass. I guess the most bold claim I made was that I wouldnt be surprised if some whacko-s just say we should release him.
I posted a comment to ask him how people could feel sorry for Saddam, because many people actually did. Now read the comments and I could be wrong but I don't recall saying that if you felt bad for the guy that you were on his side or anything. I simply have no sympathy for the guy, and asked the question how people could. I honestly can't feel sorry for him. I didn't belittle them really I was just amazed how people were upset because he will actually be given a trial, a man who put to death anyone who looked at him funny.
I cant express sympathy for a man who killed thousands of people and had mass graves all over the country. As for embarrassment I think it could be a lot worse, I have seen people on Survivor look in worse shape than him and as for the images I have seen worse on Queer Eye for the Straight Guy Drew did agree that he deserves everything he gets, but after getting insulted for being branded a Sympathizer (although I never did any such thing) he goes on to say
"Oh, yes, and how dare any human being express any sympathy for a man who is going to be locked up for the last few short years of his life before being executed. Where does this idea come from that feeling sympathy for someone means that you support or approve of them. Put your self in Saddam's shoes right now and imagine what you'd be thinking and feeling. If you don't feel sympathy for that, you're not human. That doesn't mean that Saddam should be freed. It doesn't mean that Saddam doesn't deserve everything he gets. Of he course he does, and more. But the poor sonofabitch went from sovereign ruler of Iraq to living in a hole in a matter of weeks. It's got to be pretty hard for him. What's wrong with saying so?"
WOW. I did not make that up folks. Now think back a week ago. Did you feel sympathy for him? I hope so for your sake you did, if not you are not a human. Drew my friend I did think for a moment about the irony of him being in a tiny hole that when he climbed out had a view of his huge palace. Putting myself in his shoes would mean I would have had to see the horror that he unleashed upon humanity and my over-active imagination simply could not do it justice. I had to stop. If you are going to put yourself in the mans shoes Drew I suggest you think about it. He was a rich asshole who if he wasnt killing people he was willing letting people starve to death. Yeah it had to be pretty hard for Saddam leaving his golden toilets for a hole in the ground, but is it wrong for me not to feel bad for the end of Saddams rule.
Let us look at what he wrote. When he says if you don t have sympathy for THAT well....... what does he mean by that exactly? Judging by his previous statements THAT is Saddam being placed on trial and getting locked up for the last few years of his life. So now why would I feel sympathy for justice being served against someone who is being charged with historic crimes against humanity. Saddam might have been scared, and since tried to negotiate his way out of the hole I guess he was.
What I would be thinking and feeling if I were Saddam? Well maybe I would be thinking I should not have murdered thousands of people for no reason. Do I feel sorry that Saddam felt maybe a tenth of a fraction of fear that people did as they watched their loved ones being murdered by his followers or himself personally. Do I regret us having to have Saddam a man who murdered members of his own family and innocent children having his feelings hurt? HELL NO. All he got was a bruised ego big deal. He was on the run for a few months big deal. I am glad that the poor son of a bitch had it hard we are like one of the only countries in the entire world that would not murder him on the spot. If anything he got lucky.
I can only hope that Saddam THINKS about what he did while he is locked up for the last few short years of his life before being executed. I want him to feel fear, and maybe put himself in his own shoes for once. JESUS. Being alone with his thoughts has to be scary. Does he really think I am a bad person for wondering if Saddam is feeling blue?
Drew hates being labeled Un-American for speaking his mind but when I do he will imply I am unworthy to be considered a human. Isn't that a bigger insult? I must be a vicious horrible beast by definition I guess. I guess Saddam and I are both Monsters in his eyes than, because I do not know what else that makes me since I am clearly not a human loyal readers. Do you do yourself a favor ask people around if their heart strings were tugged on. Maybe Dr. Phil should have been sent down the hole and tried to reach Saddam.
Does Drew do this to get a rise out of people like me? I really don't know.
I wonder if Drew feels sorry that Hitler hit hard times when he was cornered and took his own life rather than be captured. What makes Hitler different? It is inhuman to not feel sorry for what Hitler was thinking and feeling when he had that gun ready to take his own life. I mean a in the matter of a mere couple of years he went from almost taking over all over Europe to being surrounded by troops out to capture him. Support the war or not Saddam can easily be put on a list with Hitler as far as horrible deadly people, I mean he did not get the name butch of Baghdad for nothing. I hate to end on a cliche. Does having sympathy for Saddam s crushed dreams and fears when he saw those troops looking down at him make you un-American will not call you that Drew maybe a hypocrite if you mange to worm your way out of applying the same logic to Hitler. How can you not put the same logic to Hitler s case? What about his feelings is on a different plan than Saddam? Maybe there is different levels of inhumanity than? I am glad you are here to define what is right and wrong to think Drew. Then again I am not human.
Sorry to get all dark on you folks but I had to do this. Later this week I will post my Its a Wonderful Life article which I finished, and have my 2nd annual last minute shoppers message, and republish my short story The Gift a Tuckers World tradition.
*****TUCKER SLAMMED BY TERMINUS*****
Not a Man Not Yet a Human
My friend Drew has a blog 1. TERMIUS, as you know. Like every blog writer last week he chimed in on the whole capture of Saddam. Well he has his own comments section unlike me. So I decided to ask him what he thought about all the liberals making this out to be a negative thing. So many liberal minded people were saying, such as it isn't the real Saddam, Saddam was found months ago and was kept in a bunker in Texas, etc. I point out the irony that these same people were the ones who wanted proof of WMD, are now pulling these stories out their ass. I guess the most bold claim I made was that I wouldnt be surprised if some whacko-s just say we should release him.
I posted a comment to ask him how people could feel sorry for Saddam, because many people actually did. Now read the comments and I could be wrong but I don't recall saying that if you felt bad for the guy that you were on his side or anything. I simply have no sympathy for the guy, and asked the question how people could. I honestly can't feel sorry for him. I didn't belittle them really I was just amazed how people were upset because he will actually be given a trial, a man who put to death anyone who looked at him funny.
I cant express sympathy for a man who killed thousands of people and had mass graves all over the country. As for embarrassment I think it could be a lot worse, I have seen people on Survivor look in worse shape than him and as for the images I have seen worse on Queer Eye for the Straight Guy Drew did agree that he deserves everything he gets, but after getting insulted for being branded a Sympathizer (although I never did any such thing) he goes on to say
"Oh, yes, and how dare any human being express any sympathy for a man who is going to be locked up for the last few short years of his life before being executed. Where does this idea come from that feeling sympathy for someone means that you support or approve of them. Put your self in Saddam's shoes right now and imagine what you'd be thinking and feeling. If you don't feel sympathy for that, you're not human. That doesn't mean that Saddam should be freed. It doesn't mean that Saddam doesn't deserve everything he gets. Of he course he does, and more. But the poor sonofabitch went from sovereign ruler of Iraq to living in a hole in a matter of weeks. It's got to be pretty hard for him. What's wrong with saying so?"
WOW. I did not make that up folks. Now think back a week ago. Did you feel sympathy for him? I hope so for your sake you did, if not you are not a human. Drew my friend I did think for a moment about the irony of him being in a tiny hole that when he climbed out had a view of his huge palace. Putting myself in his shoes would mean I would have had to see the horror that he unleashed upon humanity and my over-active imagination simply could not do it justice. I had to stop. If you are going to put yourself in the mans shoes Drew I suggest you think about it. He was a rich asshole who if he wasnt killing people he was willing letting people starve to death. Yeah it had to be pretty hard for Saddam leaving his golden toilets for a hole in the ground, but is it wrong for me not to feel bad for the end of Saddams rule.
Let us look at what he wrote. When he says if you don t have sympathy for THAT well....... what does he mean by that exactly? Judging by his previous statements THAT is Saddam being placed on trial and getting locked up for the last few years of his life. So now why would I feel sympathy for justice being served against someone who is being charged with historic crimes against humanity. Saddam might have been scared, and since tried to negotiate his way out of the hole I guess he was.
What I would be thinking and feeling if I were Saddam? Well maybe I would be thinking I should not have murdered thousands of people for no reason. Do I feel sorry that Saddam felt maybe a tenth of a fraction of fear that people did as they watched their loved ones being murdered by his followers or himself personally. Do I regret us having to have Saddam a man who murdered members of his own family and innocent children having his feelings hurt? HELL NO. All he got was a bruised ego big deal. He was on the run for a few months big deal. I am glad that the poor son of a bitch had it hard we are like one of the only countries in the entire world that would not murder him on the spot. If anything he got lucky.
I can only hope that Saddam THINKS about what he did while he is locked up for the last few short years of his life before being executed. I want him to feel fear, and maybe put himself in his own shoes for once. JESUS. Being alone with his thoughts has to be scary. Does he really think I am a bad person for wondering if Saddam is feeling blue?
Drew hates being labeled Un-American for speaking his mind but when I do he will imply I am unworthy to be considered a human. Isn't that a bigger insult? I must be a vicious horrible beast by definition I guess. I guess Saddam and I are both Monsters in his eyes than, because I do not know what else that makes me since I am clearly not a human loyal readers. Do you do yourself a favor ask people around if their heart strings were tugged on. Maybe Dr. Phil should have been sent down the hole and tried to reach Saddam.
Does Drew do this to get a rise out of people like me? I really don't know.
I wonder if Drew feels sorry that Hitler hit hard times when he was cornered and took his own life rather than be captured. What makes Hitler different? It is inhuman to not feel sorry for what Hitler was thinking and feeling when he had that gun ready to take his own life. I mean a in the matter of a mere couple of years he went from almost taking over all over Europe to being surrounded by troops out to capture him. Support the war or not Saddam can easily be put on a list with Hitler as far as horrible deadly people, I mean he did not get the name butch of Baghdad for nothing. I hate to end on a cliche. Does having sympathy for Saddam s crushed dreams and fears when he saw those troops looking down at him make you un-American will not call you that Drew maybe a hypocrite if you mange to worm your way out of applying the same logic to Hitler. How can you not put the same logic to Hitler s case? What about his feelings is on a different plan than Saddam? Maybe there is different levels of inhumanity than? I am glad you are here to define what is right and wrong to think Drew. Then again I am not human.
Sorry to get all dark on you folks but I had to do this. Later this week I will post my It’s a Wonderful Life article which I finished, and have my 2nd annual last minute shoppers message, and republish my short story “The Gift� a Tucker’s World tradition.
*****TUCKER SLAMMED BY TERMINUS*****
“Not a Man Not Yet a Human�
My friend Drew has a blog TERMIUS, as you know. Like every blog writer last week he chimed in on the whole capturing Saddam story. Well he has his own comments section unlike me. So I decided to ask him what he thought about all the liberals out there have turned into a negative. So many liberal minded people were saying what I thought was off the wall stuff, such as it isn't the real Saddam, etc. I pointed out the irony that these same people wanted proof of WMD were now pulling these stories out their ass. I guess the most bold claim I made was that I wouldn’t be surprised if some whacko-s just say we should release him.
I went to ask him how people could feel sorry for Saddam, because many people actually did. Now read the comments and I could be wrong but I don't recall saying that if you felt bad for the guy that you were on his side or anything. I simply have no sympathy for the guy, and asked the question how people could. I honestly can't feel sorry for him. I didn't belittle them really I was just amazed how people were upset because he will actually be given a trial a man who put to death anyone who looked at him funny.
I didn't express sympathy for a man who killed thousands of people and had mass graves all over the place having his bearded image shown across the world. As for embarrassment I think it could be a lot worse I have seen people on Survivor look in worse shape than him and as for the images I have seen worse on “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy� Drew did agree that he deserves everything he gets, but after getting insulted for being branded a "Sympathizer" (although I never did any such thing) he goes on to say
"Oh, yes, and how dare any human being express any sympathy for a man who is going to be locked up for the last few short years of his life before being executed. Where does this idea come from that feeling sympathy for someone means that you support or approve of them. Put your self in Saddam's shoes right now and imagine what you'd be thinking and feeling. If you don't feel sympathy for that, you're not human. That doesn't mean that Saddam should be freed. It doesn't mean that Saddam doesn't deserve everything he gets. Of he course he does, and more. But the poor sonofabitch went from sovereign ruler of Iraq to living in a hole in a matter of weeks. It's got to be pretty hard for him. What's wrong with saying so?"
WOW. I did not make that up folks. Now think back a week ago. Did you feel sympathy for him? I hope so for your sake if not, you are not a human. Drew my friend I did think for a moment about the irony of him being in a tiny hole that when he climbed out had a view of his huge palace. Putting myself in his shoes would mean I would have had to see the horror that he unleashed upon humanity and my over-active imagination simply could not do it justice. I had to stop. If you are going to put yourself in the man s shoes Drew I suggest you think about it. He was a rich asshole who if he wasn t killing people he was willing letting people starve to death. Yeah it had to be pretty hard for Saddam leaving his golden toilets for a hole in the ground, but is it wrong for me not to feel bad for the end of Saddams rule.
Let us look at what he wrote. When he says if you don t have sympathy for THATwell what does he mean by that exactly? Judging by his previous statements THAT are him being punished for what he did and getting ¦locked up for the last few years of his life. So know why would I feel sympathy for justice being served for someone getting punished for historic crimes against humanity. Saddam might have been scared, and since tried to negotiate his way out of the hole I guess he was.
What I would be thinking and feeling if I were Saddam? Well maybe I would be thinking I should not have murdered thousands of people for no reason. Do I feel sorry that Saddam felt maybe a tenth of a fraction of fear that people did as they watched their loved ones being murdered by his followers or himself personally. Do I regret us having to have Saddam a man who murdered members of his own family and innocent children having his feelings hurt? HELL NO. All he got was a bruised ego big deal. He was on the run for a few months big deal. I am glad that the Poor sonofabitch had it “hard� we are like one of the only countries in the entire world that wouldn not murder him on the spot. If anything he got lucky.
I can only hope that Saddam THINKS about what he did while he is "locked up for the last few short years of his life before being executed." I want him to feel fear, and maybe put himself in his own shoes for once. JESUS. Being alone with his thoughts has to be scary. Does he really think I am a bad person for wondering if Saddam is feeling blue?
Drew hates being labeled Un-American for speaking his mind but when I do he will imply I am unworthy to be considered a human. Isn't that a bigger insult? I must be a vicious horrible beast by definition I guess. I guess Saddam and I are both Monsters in his eyes than, because I do not know what else that makes me since I am clearly not a human loyal readers. Do you do yourself a favor ask people around if their heart strings were tugged on. Maybe Dr. Phil should have been sent down the hole and tried to reach Saddam.
Does Drew do this to get a rise out of people like me? I really don't know.
I wonder if Drew feels sorry that Hitler hit hard times when he was cornered and took his own life rather than be captured. What makes Hitler different? It is inhuman to not feel sorry for what Hitler was thinking and feeling when he had that gun ready to take his own life. I mean a in the matter of a mere couple of years he went from almost taking over all over Europe to being surrounded by troops out to capture him. Support the war or not Saddam can easily be put on a list with Hitler as far as horrible deadly people, I mean he did not get the name butch of Baghdad for nothing. I hate to end on a cliche. Does having sympathy for Saddam s crushed dreams and fears when he saw those troops looking down at him make you un-American will not call you that Drew maybe a hypocrite if you mange to worm your way out of applying the same logic to Hitler. How can you not put the same logic to Hitler s case? What about his feelings is on a different plan than Saddam? Maybe there is different levels of inhumanity than? I am glad you are here to define what is right and wrong to think Drew. Then again I am not human.
*****TUCKER SLAMMED BY TERMINUS*****
“Not a Man Not Yet a Human�
My friend Drew has a blog TERMIUS, as you know. Like every blog writer last week he chimed in on the whole capturing Saddam story. Well he has his own comments section unlike me. So I decided to ask him what he thought about all the liberals out there have turned into a negative. So many liberal minded people were saying what I thought was off the wall stuff, such as it isn't the real Saddam, etc. I pointed out the irony that these same people wanted proof of WMD were now pulling these stories out their ass. I guess the most bold claim I made was that I wouldn’t be surprised if some whacko-s just say we should release him.
I went to ask him how people could feel sorry for Saddam, because many people actually did. Now read the comments and I could be wrong but I don't recall saying that if you felt bad for the guy that you were on his side or anything. I simply have no sympathy for the guy, and asked the question how people could. I honestly can't feel sorry for him. I didn't belittle them really I was just amazed how people were upset because he will actually be given a trial a man who put to death anyone who looked at him funny.
I didn't express sympathy for a man who killed thousands of people and had mass graves all over the place having his bearded image shown across the world. As for embarrassment I think it could be a lot worse I have seen people on Survivor look in worse shape than him and as for the images I have seen worse on “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy� Drew did agree that he deserves everything he gets, but after getting insulted for being branded a "Sympathizer" (although I never did any such thing) he goes on to say
"Oh, yes, and how dare any human being express any sympathy for a man who is going to be locked up for the last few short years of his life before being executed. Where does this idea come from that feeling sympathy for someone means that you support or approve of them. Put your self in Saddam's shoes right now and imagine what you'd be thinking and feeling. If you don't feel sympathy for that, you're not human. That doesn't mean that Saddam should be freed. It doesn't mean that Saddam doesn't deserve everything he gets. Of he course he does, and more. But the poor sonofabitch went from sovereign ruler of Iraq to living in a hole in a matter of weeks. It's got to be pretty hard for him. What's wrong with saying so?"
WOW. I did not make that up folks. Now think back a week ago. Did you feel sympathy for him? I hope so for your sake if not, you are not a human. Drew my friend I did think for a moment about the irony of him being in a tiny hole that when he climbed out had a view of his huge palace. Putting myself in his shoes would mean I would have had to see the horror that he unleashed upon humanity and my over-active imagination simply could not do it justice. I had to stop. If you are going to put yourself in the man s shoes Drew I suggest you think about it. He was a rich asshole who if he wasn t killing people he was willing letting people starve to death. Yeah it had to be pretty hard for Saddam leaving his golden toilets for a hole in the ground, but is it wrong for me not to feel bad for the end of Saddams rule.
Let us look at what he wrote. When he says if you don t have sympathy for THATwell what does he mean by that exactly? Judging by his previous statements THAT are him being punished for what he did and getting ¦locked up for the last few years of his life. So know why would I feel sympathy for justice being served for someone getting punished for historic crimes against humanity. Saddam might have been scared, and since tried to negotiate his way out of the hole I guess he was.
What I would be thinking and feeling if I were Saddam? Well maybe I would be thinking I should not have murdered thousands of people for no reason. Do I feel sorry that Saddam felt maybe a tenth of a fraction of fear that people did as they watched their loved ones being murdered by his followers or himself personally. Do I regret us having to have Saddam a man who murdered members of his own family and innocent children having his feelings hurt? HELL NO. All he got was a bruised ego big deal. He was on the run for a few months big deal. I am glad that the Poor sonofabitch had it “hard� we are like one of the only countries in the entire world that wouldn not murder him on the spot. If anything he got lucky.
I can only hope that Saddam THINKS about what he did while he is "locked up for the last few short years of his life before being executed." I want him to feel fear, and maybe put himself in his own shoes for once. JESUS. Being alone with his thoughts has to be scary. Does he really think I am a bad person for wondering if Saddam is feeling blue?
Drew hates being labeled Un-American for speaking his mind but when I do he will imply I am unworthy to be considered a human. Isn't that a bigger insult? I must be a vicious horrible beast by definition I guess. I guess Saddam and I are both Monsters in his eyes than, because I do not know what else that makes me since I am clearly not a human loyal readers. Do you do yourself a favor ask people around if their heart strings were tugged on. Maybe Dr. Phil should have been sent down the hole and tried to reach Saddam.
Does Drew do this to get a rise out of people like me? I really don't know.
I wonder if Drew feels sorry that Hitler hit hard times when he was cornered and took his own life rather than be captured. What makes Hitler different? It is inhuman to not feel sorry for what Hitler was thinking and feeling when he had that gun ready to take his own life. I mean a in the matter of a mere couple of years he went from almost taking over all over Europe to being surrounded by troops out to capture him. Support the war or not Saddam can easily be put on a list with Hitler as far as horrible deadly people, I mean he did not get the name butch of Baghdad for nothing. I hate to end on a cliche. Does having sympathy for Saddam s crushed dreams and fears when he saw those troops looking down at him make you un-American will not call you that Drew maybe a hypocrite if you mange to worm your way out of applying the same logic to Hitler. How can you not put the same logic to Hitler s case? What about his feelings is on a different plan than Saddam? Maybe there is different levels of inhumanity than? I am glad you are here to define what is right and wrong to think Drew. Then again I am not human.
Thursday, December 18, 2003
This was supposed to be up for you to read the other day. No Idea what happened.
Let me first just explain for my newer readers the selection of person of the year is only to people in my immediate life. I will leave selecting public figures and the movers and shakers of the world up to Time Magazine. Perhaps I will agree or disagree with that. Sometime after Christmas I will also allow my readers to cast a vote for the story of the year, confined to friends and those in my little world.
****Tuckers World PERSON OF THE YEAR FOR 2003****
Mike Price. I have to admit I pretty much knew Price locked his one up early in the game. Although many will argue LIMA BEANZ since he got a lot more press time on this blog, but what Price went through this year certainly tops impregnating your girlfriend and prematurely starting a family.
The day that Price took as all to Starview (and for some reason treated us all) to announce his entering the Marines doesn’t seem all that long about, but it appears to be a life time ago. It was a time when all of my friends could get along and it was before bad blood had spilled between many of the members of the crew. Dan K ridiculed him and predicted Price being ousted from training camp. No one had any idea September 11th would come, and I remember thinking that the likelihood of him serving in a war during the next four years weren’t very good.
However Price did after sitting on his ass at Japan go to Iraq. He did go to war, and from what he has told us he was in the middle of heavy action. Many of us were a bit overwhelmed by his stories and I doubt his words could even do justice to the emotions and the actual test of human spirit that the transpired over there.
A kid I crew up with and became good friends with towards the end of High School with was out in the dessert being shot at as I slept in my nice warm bet last winter. I recall how continuously frustrating it was not having any idea where he was during the heavy combat. I recall the way I felt the day I saw the Shock and Awe on television. Making it a reality that my friend was putting his ass one the line, and I recall everyone’s fears that the US Soldiers would see more intense resistance this time around.
Price returned this summer to parades and free dinners. I forget at times where he has been because talking to him after not seeing him usually just like with most of my friends just picks up where it left off even if we don’t see each other for months. The first conversation I had with him when he was returning from war we just joked about Price’s love life which at the time as in the toilet. We laughed about some of our short comings which are fun for the crew to exaggerate. From broken condoms to a college educated man making peanuts in a job he hates they don’t cold a candle to the events Price went through. I don’t know if he feels different inside since his experience I can’t imagine he doesn’t. However on the surface he appears to be the same old Price. I am certainly not complaining because that is a quality you not only want but need in anyone in the armed forces for your country.
Prices hardships were rewarded seemingly this summer when he met his current girlfriend Ilene. Although he only has known her since July the last time I talked to him he appeared to be about as committed to her as he is his country. He drives 8 hours or so every week he can to spend a mere 48 hours or so with her. Price seems to be ready to close the book on his story of rocky relationships. This time he seems serious and without a doubt I am sure it will soon be proved. This is a year he will remember fondly for the rest of his life, and for all that he has done he is the Tuckers World Person of the Year.
Coming Soon: A film buff looks at Its A Wonderful Life and
How the Liberals a broad have sunk to a new low.
Let me first just explain for my newer readers the selection of person of the year is only to people in my immediate life. I will leave selecting public figures and the movers and shakers of the world up to Time Magazine. Perhaps I will agree or disagree with that. Sometime after Christmas I will also allow my readers to cast a vote for the story of the year, confined to friends and those in my little world.
****Tuckers World PERSON OF THE YEAR FOR 2003****
Mike Price. I have to admit I pretty much knew Price locked his one up early in the game. Although many will argue LIMA BEANZ since he got a lot more press time on this blog, but what Price went through this year certainly tops impregnating your girlfriend and prematurely starting a family.
The day that Price took as all to Starview (and for some reason treated us all) to announce his entering the Marines doesn’t seem all that long about, but it appears to be a life time ago. It was a time when all of my friends could get along and it was before bad blood had spilled between many of the members of the crew. Dan K ridiculed him and predicted Price being ousted from training camp. No one had any idea September 11th would come, and I remember thinking that the likelihood of him serving in a war during the next four years weren’t very good.
However Price did after sitting on his ass at Japan go to Iraq. He did go to war, and from what he has told us he was in the middle of heavy action. Many of us were a bit overwhelmed by his stories and I doubt his words could even do justice to the emotions and the actual test of human spirit that the transpired over there.
A kid I crew up with and became good friends with towards the end of High School with was out in the dessert being shot at as I slept in my nice warm bet last winter. I recall how continuously frustrating it was not having any idea where he was during the heavy combat. I recall the way I felt the day I saw the Shock and Awe on television. Making it a reality that my friend was putting his ass one the line, and I recall everyone’s fears that the US Soldiers would see more intense resistance this time around.
Price returned this summer to parades and free dinners. I forget at times where he has been because talking to him after not seeing him usually just like with most of my friends just picks up where it left off even if we don’t see each other for months. The first conversation I had with him when he was returning from war we just joked about Price’s love life which at the time as in the toilet. We laughed about some of our short comings which are fun for the crew to exaggerate. From broken condoms to a college educated man making peanuts in a job he hates they don’t cold a candle to the events Price went through. I don’t know if he feels different inside since his experience I can’t imagine he doesn’t. However on the surface he appears to be the same old Price. I am certainly not complaining because that is a quality you not only want but need in anyone in the armed forces for your country.
Prices hardships were rewarded seemingly this summer when he met his current girlfriend Ilene. Although he only has known her since July the last time I talked to him he appeared to be about as committed to her as he is his country. He drives 8 hours or so every week he can to spend a mere 48 hours or so with her. Price seems to be ready to close the book on his story of rocky relationships. This time he seems serious and without a doubt I am sure it will soon be proved. This is a year he will remember fondly for the rest of his life, and for all that he has done he is the Tuckers World Person of the Year.
Coming Soon: A film buff looks at Its A Wonderful Life and
How the Liberals a broad have sunk to a new low.
Wednesday, December 17, 2003
"Stop the Madness"
Okay I have to get some things off my chest here.
1 When old man winter is lurking about and the cold weather arrives why do people insist on making their homes or workplaces a flaming inferno? Department stores are the worse why do they think that everyone’s ideal room temperature is the same as my Grandmothers? Why do they feel the need to shoot extremely dry overpowering heat on the general public.
Heaters should make it so it isn’t cold in your home. Not make the place unbearably hot. Here is a hint if you have to either put your fan on or open a window to even out the temperature you might want to turn down the heat just a tad. I had a class at Rowan that the heat was set on 80 something and I almost died a few times.
2 In this area the Chicken Coop has a reputation of having the best wings around. The restaurant was always rumored to be place where you can buy crack. Maybe that seems odd, but the Angel Spa was really prostitution ring. The fact that people in Sterling always told me how good the coop was leads me to think that it was just the drugs that made it popular. I gave them a second chance recently the are maybe a C at best. All I have to say about their popularity is its got to be the crack!
3. I think the production crew for the Flyers games on Comcast Sportsnet is high most of the time. Each night they profile a player from the other team and provide a graphic with bulleted information about the player. Most of them are utterly retarded like telling the viewers at home that the player likes to score goals. Tonight they profiled a Calgary Flame and the first line said he had wheels like Mary Hart. I have no idea what this means and neither did any of the broadcasters. Coastsy went off one time because he had to stop in the middle of a point to read one of these graphics and it made no sense at all. Why not go over these before the game?
Here is another hint for the boys at Comcast Sportsnet when the broadcast team wants to illustrate a point it helps if the replay you show actually has something to do with the play they are mentioning. I mean I know they have a short time to get that up there, but its has been REALLY bad this year.
Tonight for example they wanted to see how a player got cut. The first replay had the mentioned players legs in the top left corner of the screen. They mentioned it was the wrong one. So they switched to Jeff Hackett making a save, and backed it up once or twice. Then they showed footage about 10 seconds after the incident had occurred. They have been bad of this all season, the broadcast team usually just gives up when seemingly unrelated footage sometimes from well over 10 minutes ago in the game is shown. The confusion often results in neglecting to cut away to live action. Maybe it is Box Car Hospador sabotaging the game after losing his job to Jonesy.
Okay I have to get some things off my chest here.
1 When old man winter is lurking about and the cold weather arrives why do people insist on making their homes or workplaces a flaming inferno? Department stores are the worse why do they think that everyone’s ideal room temperature is the same as my Grandmothers? Why do they feel the need to shoot extremely dry overpowering heat on the general public.
Heaters should make it so it isn’t cold in your home. Not make the place unbearably hot. Here is a hint if you have to either put your fan on or open a window to even out the temperature you might want to turn down the heat just a tad. I had a class at Rowan that the heat was set on 80 something and I almost died a few times.
2 In this area the Chicken Coop has a reputation of having the best wings around. The restaurant was always rumored to be place where you can buy crack. Maybe that seems odd, but the Angel Spa was really prostitution ring. The fact that people in Sterling always told me how good the coop was leads me to think that it was just the drugs that made it popular. I gave them a second chance recently the are maybe a C at best. All I have to say about their popularity is its got to be the crack!
3. I think the production crew for the Flyers games on Comcast Sportsnet is high most of the time. Each night they profile a player from the other team and provide a graphic with bulleted information about the player. Most of them are utterly retarded like telling the viewers at home that the player likes to score goals. Tonight they profiled a Calgary Flame and the first line said he had wheels like Mary Hart. I have no idea what this means and neither did any of the broadcasters. Coastsy went off one time because he had to stop in the middle of a point to read one of these graphics and it made no sense at all. Why not go over these before the game?
Here is another hint for the boys at Comcast Sportsnet when the broadcast team wants to illustrate a point it helps if the replay you show actually has something to do with the play they are mentioning. I mean I know they have a short time to get that up there, but its has been REALLY bad this year.
Tonight for example they wanted to see how a player got cut. The first replay had the mentioned players legs in the top left corner of the screen. They mentioned it was the wrong one. So they switched to Jeff Hackett making a save, and backed it up once or twice. Then they showed footage about 10 seconds after the incident had occurred. They have been bad of this all season, the broadcast team usually just gives up when seemingly unrelated footage sometimes from well over 10 minutes ago in the game is shown. The confusion often results in neglecting to cut away to live action. Maybe it is Box Car Hospador sabotaging the game after losing his job to Jonesy.
Monday, December 15, 2003
NOTE TO READERS:
First off sorry for making the movie post too long, but the great things about blogs is that you can always go back and read them. The Lima Beanz Interview has been post-poned. It has been very hard to set and interview up with Lima Beanz. But I will try to get one before New Years.
COMING THIS WEEK:
1st. Why It's a Wonderful Life is an important American film. (in the next few days)
2nd. Tucker's World will announce the man of the year (likely Thursday or Friday).
Tucker's World Man of the Year for 2002 was Ryan.
First off sorry for making the movie post too long, but the great things about blogs is that you can always go back and read them. The Lima Beanz Interview has been post-poned. It has been very hard to set and interview up with Lima Beanz. But I will try to get one before New Years.
COMING THIS WEEK:
1st. Why It's a Wonderful Life is an important American film. (in the next few days)
2nd. Tucker's World will announce the man of the year (likely Thursday or Friday).
Tucker's World Man of the Year for 2002 was Ryan.
"ACE IN THE HOLE"
The ace card of the Iraq deck has been caught. I don't really have to sum up the events of today at least I hope not. Now that Saddam is caught what should we do with him?
Should we put him on trial for trying to kill Bush senior so many years ago? He was a sick mad man. Different culture or not he was a sick twisted man, and almost everything he did was wrong. Will the Iraqi people think he should be put to death? Do most of the American people? Should be a very interesting week in the papers to see what is said. This will be a day we will all remember for the rest of our lives. A Great Day.
Will it change the pending election? Who knows. So many questions. Will the liberals put a negative spin on this? I wouldn't be suprised.
The ace card of the Iraq deck has been caught. I don't really have to sum up the events of today at least I hope not. Now that Saddam is caught what should we do with him?
Should we put him on trial for trying to kill Bush senior so many years ago? He was a sick mad man. Different culture or not he was a sick twisted man, and almost everything he did was wrong. Will the Iraqi people think he should be put to death? Do most of the American people? Should be a very interesting week in the papers to see what is said. This will be a day we will all remember for the rest of our lives. A Great Day.
Will it change the pending election? Who knows. So many questions. Will the liberals put a negative spin on this? I wouldn't be suprised.
Saturday, December 13, 2003
Friday, December 12, 2003
"Countdown to Showtime!"
The countdown to the final chapter in one of the most talked about movie trilogies in the area has begun. Its hard to believe that this time two years ago the unforgetable movie journey had begun, last year we saw the middle section of the epic story telling.
Now the movie journey will end soon. The final chapter in the long awaited movie series will flicker on the screen and the project's final moments will be seen by the eager audience.
NO NO I am not talking about Return of the KING! I am talking about Here's to Yesterday! The final installment of the Station trilogy. Following up Wasted Apples, and last year's Small Kid Tank Top. The same kid who ran for mayor of Haddon Field is the man behind these movies.
Although the first two films werent related in the sense fo having the same characters the premise was pretty much the same. Post-highschool life for South Jersey youth which is about drinking, trying to et laid and talking about the old days.
I recently got invited to the event and everyone of my readers is weclome to join me attending the final film of the movie series. I wonder if they actually learned anything about film making.
Here is the info from the man himself.
Come and see our last movie in the Station trilogy. Here’s to
Yesterday*, is the wrap up of Wasted Apples and Small Kid Tank Top. We
will be housing this movie at the Cinemark 16 (same spot as the last
two). If you have ever been out to one of our movie premiers before
then you know it’s a lot of fun and tons of people show up. Come and
see our last movie with us and remember, rock out with your cock out!
Showing @:
Cinemark 16 (Lions Head Plaza)
711 Evesham Road
Somerdale, NJ 08083
Playing December 19, 20, & 21 (Friday, Saturday and Sunday)
Movie starts at midnight every night
$3 dollars to get in
for more info, please go to…
t
The countdown to the final chapter in one of the most talked about movie trilogies in the area has begun. Its hard to believe that this time two years ago the unforgetable movie journey had begun, last year we saw the middle section of the epic story telling.
Now the movie journey will end soon. The final chapter in the long awaited movie series will flicker on the screen and the project's final moments will be seen by the eager audience.
NO NO I am not talking about Return of the KING! I am talking about Here's to Yesterday! The final installment of the Station trilogy. Following up Wasted Apples, and last year's Small Kid Tank Top. The same kid who ran for mayor of Haddon Field is the man behind these movies.
Although the first two films werent related in the sense fo having the same characters the premise was pretty much the same. Post-highschool life for South Jersey youth which is about drinking, trying to et laid and talking about the old days.
I recently got invited to the event and everyone of my readers is weclome to join me attending the final film of the movie series. I wonder if they actually learned anything about film making.
Here is the info from the man himself.
Come and see our last movie in the Station trilogy. Here’s to
Yesterday*, is the wrap up of Wasted Apples and Small Kid Tank Top. We
will be housing this movie at the Cinemark 16 (same spot as the last
two). If you have ever been out to one of our movie premiers before
then you know it’s a lot of fun and tons of people show up. Come and
see our last movie with us and remember, rock out with your cock out!
Showing @:
Cinemark 16 (Lions Head Plaza)
711 Evesham Road
Somerdale, NJ 08083
Playing December 19, 20, & 21 (Friday, Saturday and Sunday)
Movie starts at midnight every night
$3 dollars to get in
for more info, please go to…
t
Wednesday, December 10, 2003
"1-0"
I am 1-0 for the snow season. I called 4 inches for Saturday and that about what we got. Next chance of snow is Sunday night Ice and Snow could be on the way. We might be in a pattern for a lot of the white stuff this winter! So lets see how I do. I am still sticking to my bettween Christmas - New Years snowfall. Look below movie lovers for flicks to watch in case you get snowed in!
I am 1-0 for the snow season. I called 4 inches for Saturday and that about what we got. Next chance of snow is Sunday night Ice and Snow could be on the way. We might be in a pattern for a lot of the white stuff this winter! So lets see how I do. I am still sticking to my bettween Christmas - New Years snowfall. Look below movie lovers for flicks to watch in case you get snowed in!
"The Other X-mas Flicks"
Well we all know the stock Christmas films such as It’s a Wonderful Life (I will blog about later hopefully) A Christmas Story, and National Lampoon’s Christmas as standard holiday viewing. However many other films out there use the holiday season as a backdrop to telling their story. I have always been a firm believer that certain films benefit from viewing during certain times of the year I don’t always have the time to watch them anymore. Since I am total movie nerd (and know some of my friends certainly are) I watched various movies numerous times and try to get something out of it each time. This is pretty long so if you want to read some and come back that’s cool. I worked pretty hard on this.
Batman Returns (1992)
Dir. Tim Burton Cast: Michael Keaton, Danny Devito, Christopher Walken, and Michelle Peiffer.
Tim Burton was criticized by some for making the Batman (1989) too dark a telling for the Caped Crusader. However Burton instead of following it the film up with a lighter tone he dove deeper into the dark side of humanity.
The biggest liberty Burton took was transforming the Penguin from a goofy looking gangster type into a mildly deformed man who was tossed in the river by his rich unforgiving parents as an infant He was than raised under the sewer by penguins. Burton also brings in Walken playing Max Shreck a corrupt CEO who is beloved by the city. When his personal assistant discovers his shady doings she is pushed to her death, and given a rebirth by cats, enter catwomen. She transforms from a soft spoken woman to one who is hell bend on revenge making up for all the times she let herself get pushed around.
During the entire film the holiday season is descending upon the Gothom City and one key scene includes a Christmas Tree Lighting gone horrible wrong. The holiday season can be a lonely one for those without anyone significant in their lives. So the brooding tale of Batman and the concept of taking stock in ones place in life that goes along with the holiday season make for a nice blend.
Bruce Wayne may realize that perhaps the Batcave doesn’t have to be as cold and isolated as it is. He realizes the more that Cat Woman differ in terms of dealing with villains the more they are the same underneath. This revelation comes during a holiday dance when both counterparts connect their alto-egos with their crime fighting identities.
Burton uses the holiday element to counter balance the ultra dark plot that also involves the Penguins deceptive rise to power. The glitz of the holiday party, the brightness of the Christmas lights and the frequently falling snow make for an almost hypnotic viewing experience and is quite possibly visually the best comic book movie adaptation. The film puts a thin line between good and evil and viewers aren’t exactly sure if they should be rooting for Catwoman through out the picture or not. Certainly during the rooftop sequence when she is slugging it out with Batman which is an example of the sexuality that subtly seeps through the picture.
The films theme is seemingly people pretending to be something they are not. Walken’s character isn’t what he seems to the town who admires him, the Penguin has an evil plan hidden in his bizarre run for mayor of the town, and Batman at one point is framed making him appear as dark and malicious as those he hates.
The film reaches its darkest when the Penguin plots to abduct the first born child of every family in the city fueled by revenge. He his crew is made up of circus freak rejects. A dark film about twisted souls and certainly isn’t exactly children friendly. The holiday backdrop serves as a glimmer of hope in the film.
The movie concludes with one of my favorite final moments in movies. It is a quiet moment. After all the violence that took place in the climax of the film it is a nice touch. Alfred and Bruce are driving home when Bruce finds a stray cat in the cold winter air. He scopes him up and brings him inside his limo. We learn the final fate of Catwoman, but the movie doesn’t imply that Bruce knows. However given Keaton’s delivering of the final line of film you get the impression that he does.
Gremlins (1984) Dir: Joe Dante
Cast:
Nothing says Christmas like a movie ending in bloodshed at the hands of mischievous little creatures. Any movie that reminds the viewers that the holiday season is when the suicide rate is at its highest doesn’t have its head screwed on just right. Not to mention the scene featuring the town Santa Clause pleading for his life, with vicious Gremlins comically chewing on his flesh while the Chief of police doesn’t lift a finger.
I honestly don’t know why this film is not more regarded by films buffs and historians. On the surface it’s a monster movie, but underneath the surface it’s a creative dark comedy. Perhaps a pessimistic man’s ET. The film paints the rich with a broad stroke making them seem petty and greedy. Most of the likeable characters are the middle class people of the town. Perhaps the film was a perfect fit for the 80s the decade of greed.
The film starts out with whacky inventor (played wonderfully play the late Hoyt Axton who was a country singer and sang the theme to MITCHELL!) shopping for a Christmas present for his early 20 something kid who still lives at home. The family is just barely getting by and the son is almost supporting the family since his father’s whacky inventions are rarely usable or practical (which results in running gags for the film). So the father wants a good deal on gift for his son. He goes to Chinatown and purchases an animal known as a MOGWAI. He is given a list of warnings such as not feeding after midnight (they turn into Gremlins who are mean-spirited unlike MOGWAIS) don’t get them wet (the produce multiple offspring in mere minutes) and don’t get them near light (sunlight kills them).
We are introduced to the people of the town in the opening credits when Christmas music plays and the town is seemingly getting to into the spirit. The father decides not to wait until Christmas and gives his son Billy (Zach Galligan) his gift early. Billy is happy to get him, but he is having problems of his own, he gets nervous around a co-worker he wants to ask out (Phoebe Cates), their rich neighbor wants to murder his dog, and he is being constantly being harassed by a co-worker ( Judge Reinhold) who has his eyes on the same girl and aspires to run the bank in a few years. The plot line involved Billy and Reinhold’s character should go on a list of subplots that are randomly dropped before the movie ends. Two scenes between the two setting up a rivalry you would think the viewer would know what happens to Reinhold’s character or at least get to marvel in his demise, but he just vanishes. I know the DVD has a delete scene on it though which I still haven’t seen.
Anyway the quirky town members like the drunken War veteran (played by character actor Dick Miller), the obligatory kid (played by a young Corey Feldman), the rich bitch after Billy’s dog, the drunken boorish police chief, and local radio personality although all colorfully cast take a back seat to the Germlins who wreak havoc on the town on Christmas eve.
While the father is out of the town the MOGWAIS change into Gremlins with the exception of GIZMO the one originally given to Billy. Billy and his love interest set out to stop them from over but the Gremlins comically (in a dark way) trash the small fictional North Jersey town. Maybe a society that has people trampling over other shoppers at Wal-Mart deserves to have Gremlins show them things are out of whack.
The Christmas theme makes the film seem all the more ironic. It also allows us to whiteness perhaps the only time a Christmas tree attacks someone in movie history when the leader of the Gremlins MOWHAWK lunges at Billy’s mother. So many wonderfully memorable scenes that make you realize how unnecessary CGI is from the classic show down in the kitchen with a Gremlin meeting the reaper via a blender and another exploding in a microwave. Not to mention the classic bar scene when the Gremlins personalities are revealed to be nothing more than creatures intend on murder and breaking stuff. The scene involves various pop culture references reminded us that we aren’t supposed to be taking the film to seriously.
This film makes the Griswold’s Holiday season seem mild and one should thing twice about buying furry creatures for their children! The film is viewed better around this time of year since it is filled with Christmas songs (including the opening sequence), snow, and even a group of Gremlins Christmas caroling. The films is Dante’s finest which isn’t saying a lot but this kind of movie could have ended up a giant Turkey kudos to writer Chris Columbus (Harry Potter director). The wonderful music score, talented cast of character actors, and of course the cute Gizmo and evil Gremlins make for a fun ride. Worth a revisit for anyone who hasn’t watched since they were young and a must see for anyone that missed this under appreciated 80’s flick.
“If You Don’t Have Dreams You Only Have Nightmares”
Diner
The film takes place between Christmas and New Years of 1959 in Baltimore. Directed by Barry Levingston the film boasts a cast of actors that went on to become heavy Hollywood hitters at least for a while anyway. The film’s basic premise is a group of guys trying to hang on to their last shred of youth before the group of friends go their separate ways and live their separate lives. The main narrative that propels the film is Guttenberg’s story who insists his wife to be passes a football trivia challenge in order for the wedding to take place.
One guy is just about to wed( Steve Guttenberg), anther has knocked up his on again off again and is in no position to raise a kid(Tim Daly), the married one of the group if wondering if he was too young to marry (Daniel Stern), another is gleefully wasting his potential while boozing in engaging in destructive behavior (Kevin Bacon), another is piling up gambling debts with angry mobsters( Rourke), and the another shows up briefly and offers dry comic wit(Paul Reiser).
The films main strength is the characters who caught up with each other at the local diner (hence the name) every one of the scenes in the Diner is improvised by the cast which makes the dialogue seem like exchanges between real friends. The director wisely shot these scenes after the rest of the film after the young cast had bonded and reportedly had many late nights similar to the characters did during the filming. If you get your hands on the DVD make sure you watch the documentary when all the actors (except Rourke for some reason) talk about the making of the film and their adventurous off the set.
I guess this is a guys version of a chick flick and the film shows the strength of the bond that guys have among the close friends. Apparently at the core guys haven’t changed much. The guys in Diner all remind me of some of my friends certainly back in the days when we all hung out on a regular basis. The guys shoot pool, analyze the motives of women, discuss movies and music, exaggerate sexual advances, exaggerate details of past adventurers, and sometimes for no reason at all refuse to call it a night until the sun starts to rise. The guys constantly rag one another, and during the one week peak into the lives of these men we learn many of them are on the verge of the next stage in their life and use the Diner as an oasis of something that is sacred. Like said several times in the movie, you always have the guys at the diner.
The film holds up pretty well since Levinson put forward a great effort to make it feel like 1959. The guys all wear ties out to the diner, the cars are authentic, some great classic songs from the time that blend perfectly with the film. Some of the plotlines work better than others and most people that I have recommended this film to tend to disagree with which ones pale in comparison. The comedy is mostly conversational (sort of like early Seinfeld) however various memorable sequences such as the movie theater scene, the Christmas decorations scene, Stern and his wife’s ridiculous argument, and Boogie’s (Rourke) immature approach to women. Each of these works on the entertainment value but never goes to far for laughs so you actually believe its something that could happen to real people and not just comic set ups.
The weather was apparently cold the week between Christmas and New Years and the film almost plays out like a documentary following a group of friends around for a week. The characters reference and laugh about events prior to the films start which makes the film seem less like a stagy story and more like a time capsule or message to guys in their late teens and early 20s to enjoy it while it lasts. Because although many of tried its impossible to hang on to the carefree time you have as a young man to spend countless nights with your friends downing greasy fries and plotting the rest of your life out. The final shot ( the films most famous shot)of the film pretty much says it all if you read into it.
You would like to think everything worked out for the “crew” and they made all the right decisions and perhaps once in awhile their elder counter parts leave their families at home and meet up. However maybe its best they stay frozen in time the week between Christmas and New Years in the 1959 Baltimore.
Ghostbusters II (1989)
Dir- Ivan Reitman Cast: Too Obvious to List
Okay lots of people thought this one didn’t leave up to its predicator. I agree the first film is better but this is certainly a worthy sequel. Luckily the entire creative team and cast returned for this film which was essential for it work.
The film is 5 years after the original and the Ghostbusters have split up and hit some hard times. Apparently saving the world wasn’t good enough and they ended up being sued by various levels of Government and the business went under. However evidence of slime under the city being linked to New Yorkers turning into assholes might be also linked into an evil sick-o returning to New York City to become the ruler of the world. This can’t be achieved without a few possessions and getting rid of the pesky Ghostbusters.
The characters were known inside and out by the fans by the time this film was released since there was a long running Saturday morning cartoon and nerds like me that have seen the original literally 100s of times. This allowed the film to hit the ground running, but not without catching up in the boys.
The films climax takes place on New Years Eve 1989 and a running theme is redemption. Peter (Bill Murray) trying to win back a girl he tossed aside, the Ghostbusters trying to gain back their creditability and getting a fresh start. Mostly though the film is about having a good time and it provides many laughs and like the first one has a pretty solid plot blending the creepiness with the comedy.
The movie tries to top the first film with having Lady Liberty walking down the streets of Manhattan. The film may have for some taken on a mildly different feel-post 9/11. The film obviously loves to show off New York City’s culture and basically says although New Yorkers have a bad reputation when push comes to shove they are basically good hearted people under the hard exterior and come together when need be.
Of course the filmmakers weren’t trying to touch peoples hearts when making this movie. They set out to make a great popcorn flick with the loveable underdog almost anti-hero Ghostbusters running through the streets of the big apple catching ghosts. The chemistry is still there between all the key players and many of the actors were still in their prime and hamming it up for this film. The writers make you mentally root for the Ghostbusters against the pending evil.
For the holiday viewing value you do get see the Ghostbusters in Santa hats and finale in the form of a giant party in the streets of New York. Watching the movie now you realize that the finals scenes are the curtain call for the franchise and I always wished there was a third part because the characters were so fun to watch. Now too many years of have passed without making the sequel just look like a sad attempt to live in the past. Perhaps its best the story ended there with the Ghostbusters celebrating the New Year’s and their latest victory and having the fans wanting more.
Only You
Dir: Betty Thomas
The film is as soft and fluffy as an early winter snow. The film isn’t setting out to turn the industry it’s ear, offend anyone or win any awards.
The plot isn’t exactly one you will need to think about or even wonder how it will end. The movie is simply a harmless romantic comedy that goes doesn’t try to be over cinematic either. In fact the films small budget is rather skimpy on glamorous scenery shots but that is just movie nerd nitpick.
The film opens in New York with a Christmas party for a doll house designing company. Andrew McCarthy (right before he fell off into obscurity) plays the lead and is aggravated when he learns not only doesn’t his girlfriend want to be with him anymore she doesn’t want to go on a trip he booked awhile back to a remote island that is non-refundable.
Against his best friend’s advice McCarthy’s character spends Christmas eve alone in a bar getting tanked. While there drinking like a loser he bumps into a blonde bimbo who just got kicked to the curb by her boyfriend. After quite a few shots they decide to make use of his tickets to paradise. They wake up in the warm islands and she has trouble remembering who he is or how they got there. While he thinks it’s the start of something new she seems to think it’s a free trip to have fun. He decides if he impresses her and kisses her butt enough she will come around and he will be in a relationship with a hottie.
Preston blows off McCarthy to meet new friends and have fun in the sun. McCarthy kills time till she gets back to the hotel by going on his own comedic misadventures such as scuba diving and bumming on the beach. Incidentally he bumps into his travel agent ( played by a big household name Helen Hunt) who wants to use him to model for a brochure. Since he is bored he accepts the offer. He isn’t exactly her ideal candidate for a model but he is a good sport about it and the two who had gotten off on the wrong foot develop a witty rapport. He starts to notice that she is liking him but he choices to go back to the blonde in attempts to get the relationship off the ground.
The basic plot is that guys sometimes have to choose between partying and random sex with no stability and some one willing to admit that there are actually soul mates out there. Preston is blonde and curvy and outspoken, Hunt is dressed down and honest but timid. All there key players are keenly aware of the cameras and exaggerate their roles in typical romantic comedy fashion. McCarthy smirks for the camera and does his trademark eye bulge when needed and engages in several sequences of physical comedy. Preston hams up the spoiled bitch shtick and before her hairstyle dated it was understandable why the viewer might want McCarthy to chase after her like a puppy dog. Hunt is tries to cover up any element she has sex appeal with loose clothes and brown hair. She basically knows McCarthy is making an ass out of himself trying to make a tramp play house with him and quietly hopes he looks at himself in the mirror.
His trip is up right after the big New Years party. A time for new beginnings a time for new relationships? Will McCarthy choice stability or adventure with a chance of ending badly. Perhaps he will screw up too many times and lose them both before he boards his plane back to New York forcing him to jump in front of City Cabs.
Certainly the lightest of my recommendations don’t grill me for this one guys an innocent humorous 90 minute diversion.
The Hudsucker Proxy (1993)
One of the least popular Cohen Brothers movie but I like this one a lot . Tim Robbins plays the idealist college graduate who comes to the big city ( 1940’s New York) with no experience he is down on his luck and virtually pennyless. He luckily lands a job at Hudsucker however that same week the company CEO apparently not happy despite his wealth jumps out the window of the city sky rise and plummets to his death.
The CEO want to be (a gruff Paul Newman) sees this as an chance to take the company in the wrong direction. He wants to run the company into the ground so him and his cronies can buy the stock real cheap fix the problems and get rich. Robbins is the prefect rube.
Robbins comically has never been better he brings to the table a endless bag of comedic facial expressions that will make Jim Carrey envious. He is perfectly cast as the well intending out of towner who wants to make an impact in the big city. He is more naïve than as dumb as he appears to be or is made out by the company.
When Robbins invents the hula-hoop it at first looks like a huge plunder that will deflate the stock worth, however with a stroke of luck it catches on. The whole bizarre rise to power sparks the interest of the city paper so they send an uncover reporter in to get the inside scoop. Leigh (an often ridiculed decision) plays the reporter and obvious homage to actress of back in the day, and I can understand how she comes across as grating to some viewers (Liza made me shut this film off because of her) and I admit the novelty wears thin when she gets expanded screen time in the mid-section of the picture. However the glorious set (it is just amazing) and the almost flawlessly visual of the film more than make up for it. The film almost plays out like stage plays with characters have winks to the audience and staging entrances and exists. The music plays wonderfully many of the music sequences without out dialogue are the best moments cinematically of the film. It is about as close to perfection as that concept can get.
The film is also in ways a nod to the director Frank Kapra style films. The films second act is much darker than the jubilant more comic first act. Robbins still oblivious to being a puppet gets corrupted by the power and loses his innocence. Eventually hitting rock bottom and realizing he has nothing of his success is what is seems he seems at his wits end and contemplates ending it all. Once you are dead you stay, dead Newman tells him.
The Cohen brothers than manipulate time and shake the fourth wall almost to the point of crumbling completely. The film more a New Years film than a Christmas movie since the narrative starts and ends on that particular holiday. Plus the film has that what does it all mean feel by the end of the 2nd act since you know from the opening words of the film that the stories key point will be basically at the stroke of midnight the film like the point of the holiday is quietly ticking down to that moment.
Lethal Weapon (1987)
Dir. Richard Donner Cast: Mel Gibson , Danny Glover, Gary Busey
Jingle Bell Rock opens the film and I will be home for Christmas ends the film. The directors cut a few years ago is worth the rental for fans (I own it) it adds to the main characters. Anyone who only saw the later sequels may not have realized that the first film was more of a character study than its sequels (I don’t have a problem with direction the series eventually went in although 4 was pushing it but was basically just a farewell to the franchise. ).
Of course it has been ripped off many times. Two cops who are polar opposites in a way team up to shake down some shady drug dealers. This film has the two characters needed each other more than they get on each others nerves. Gibson is on the verge of killing himself and actually at one point comes close to blowing his brains out. Glover needs a reason not to retire and keeping Gibson in check is a perfect reason. Gibson is so reckless that he could care less if he gets killed in action. He was a young sniper in the Veitnam war and admits the only thing he was ever good at is killing people. However since his wife was killed in a car accident he pretty much flew off the deep end. Gibson is brought into the Glover’s family for dinner and he sees the family he will never have.
The two cops have to bring down a drug ring and manage to have various shoot outs close calls, and explosions around them through out the course of the film. Will they make it one piece for Christmas dinner?
This was a different kind of action movie than the sequels more serious in tone, before the two cops randomly shot and killed bad guys with out any consequences. They actually followed procedure to a certain extent.
Richard Donner directs this film who is known for making respectable popcorn type movies. The action scenes are cool and Gibson kicks ass and takes name in this flick. Easily my favorite action movie series.
Well we all know the stock Christmas films such as It’s a Wonderful Life (I will blog about later hopefully) A Christmas Story, and National Lampoon’s Christmas as standard holiday viewing. However many other films out there use the holiday season as a backdrop to telling their story. I have always been a firm believer that certain films benefit from viewing during certain times of the year I don’t always have the time to watch them anymore. Since I am total movie nerd (and know some of my friends certainly are) I watched various movies numerous times and try to get something out of it each time. This is pretty long so if you want to read some and come back that’s cool. I worked pretty hard on this.
Batman Returns (1992)
Dir. Tim Burton Cast: Michael Keaton, Danny Devito, Christopher Walken, and Michelle Peiffer.
Tim Burton was criticized by some for making the Batman (1989) too dark a telling for the Caped Crusader. However Burton instead of following it the film up with a lighter tone he dove deeper into the dark side of humanity.
The biggest liberty Burton took was transforming the Penguin from a goofy looking gangster type into a mildly deformed man who was tossed in the river by his rich unforgiving parents as an infant He was than raised under the sewer by penguins. Burton also brings in Walken playing Max Shreck a corrupt CEO who is beloved by the city. When his personal assistant discovers his shady doings she is pushed to her death, and given a rebirth by cats, enter catwomen. She transforms from a soft spoken woman to one who is hell bend on revenge making up for all the times she let herself get pushed around.
During the entire film the holiday season is descending upon the Gothom City and one key scene includes a Christmas Tree Lighting gone horrible wrong. The holiday season can be a lonely one for those without anyone significant in their lives. So the brooding tale of Batman and the concept of taking stock in ones place in life that goes along with the holiday season make for a nice blend.
Bruce Wayne may realize that perhaps the Batcave doesn’t have to be as cold and isolated as it is. He realizes the more that Cat Woman differ in terms of dealing with villains the more they are the same underneath. This revelation comes during a holiday dance when both counterparts connect their alto-egos with their crime fighting identities.
Burton uses the holiday element to counter balance the ultra dark plot that also involves the Penguins deceptive rise to power. The glitz of the holiday party, the brightness of the Christmas lights and the frequently falling snow make for an almost hypnotic viewing experience and is quite possibly visually the best comic book movie adaptation. The film puts a thin line between good and evil and viewers aren’t exactly sure if they should be rooting for Catwoman through out the picture or not. Certainly during the rooftop sequence when she is slugging it out with Batman which is an example of the sexuality that subtly seeps through the picture.
The films theme is seemingly people pretending to be something they are not. Walken’s character isn’t what he seems to the town who admires him, the Penguin has an evil plan hidden in his bizarre run for mayor of the town, and Batman at one point is framed making him appear as dark and malicious as those he hates.
The film reaches its darkest when the Penguin plots to abduct the first born child of every family in the city fueled by revenge. He his crew is made up of circus freak rejects. A dark film about twisted souls and certainly isn’t exactly children friendly. The holiday backdrop serves as a glimmer of hope in the film.
The movie concludes with one of my favorite final moments in movies. It is a quiet moment. After all the violence that took place in the climax of the film it is a nice touch. Alfred and Bruce are driving home when Bruce finds a stray cat in the cold winter air. He scopes him up and brings him inside his limo. We learn the final fate of Catwoman, but the movie doesn’t imply that Bruce knows. However given Keaton’s delivering of the final line of film you get the impression that he does.
Gremlins (1984) Dir: Joe Dante
Cast:
Nothing says Christmas like a movie ending in bloodshed at the hands of mischievous little creatures. Any movie that reminds the viewers that the holiday season is when the suicide rate is at its highest doesn’t have its head screwed on just right. Not to mention the scene featuring the town Santa Clause pleading for his life, with vicious Gremlins comically chewing on his flesh while the Chief of police doesn’t lift a finger.
I honestly don’t know why this film is not more regarded by films buffs and historians. On the surface it’s a monster movie, but underneath the surface it’s a creative dark comedy. Perhaps a pessimistic man’s ET. The film paints the rich with a broad stroke making them seem petty and greedy. Most of the likeable characters are the middle class people of the town. Perhaps the film was a perfect fit for the 80s the decade of greed.
The film starts out with whacky inventor (played wonderfully play the late Hoyt Axton who was a country singer and sang the theme to MITCHELL!) shopping for a Christmas present for his early 20 something kid who still lives at home. The family is just barely getting by and the son is almost supporting the family since his father’s whacky inventions are rarely usable or practical (which results in running gags for the film). So the father wants a good deal on gift for his son. He goes to Chinatown and purchases an animal known as a MOGWAI. He is given a list of warnings such as not feeding after midnight (they turn into Gremlins who are mean-spirited unlike MOGWAIS) don’t get them wet (the produce multiple offspring in mere minutes) and don’t get them near light (sunlight kills them).
We are introduced to the people of the town in the opening credits when Christmas music plays and the town is seemingly getting to into the spirit. The father decides not to wait until Christmas and gives his son Billy (Zach Galligan) his gift early. Billy is happy to get him, but he is having problems of his own, he gets nervous around a co-worker he wants to ask out (Phoebe Cates), their rich neighbor wants to murder his dog, and he is being constantly being harassed by a co-worker ( Judge Reinhold) who has his eyes on the same girl and aspires to run the bank in a few years. The plot line involved Billy and Reinhold’s character should go on a list of subplots that are randomly dropped before the movie ends. Two scenes between the two setting up a rivalry you would think the viewer would know what happens to Reinhold’s character or at least get to marvel in his demise, but he just vanishes. I know the DVD has a delete scene on it though which I still haven’t seen.
Anyway the quirky town members like the drunken War veteran (played by character actor Dick Miller), the obligatory kid (played by a young Corey Feldman), the rich bitch after Billy’s dog, the drunken boorish police chief, and local radio personality although all colorfully cast take a back seat to the Germlins who wreak havoc on the town on Christmas eve.
While the father is out of the town the MOGWAIS change into Gremlins with the exception of GIZMO the one originally given to Billy. Billy and his love interest set out to stop them from over but the Gremlins comically (in a dark way) trash the small fictional North Jersey town. Maybe a society that has people trampling over other shoppers at Wal-Mart deserves to have Gremlins show them things are out of whack.
The Christmas theme makes the film seem all the more ironic. It also allows us to whiteness perhaps the only time a Christmas tree attacks someone in movie history when the leader of the Gremlins MOWHAWK lunges at Billy’s mother. So many wonderfully memorable scenes that make you realize how unnecessary CGI is from the classic show down in the kitchen with a Gremlin meeting the reaper via a blender and another exploding in a microwave. Not to mention the classic bar scene when the Gremlins personalities are revealed to be nothing more than creatures intend on murder and breaking stuff. The scene involves various pop culture references reminded us that we aren’t supposed to be taking the film to seriously.
This film makes the Griswold’s Holiday season seem mild and one should thing twice about buying furry creatures for their children! The film is viewed better around this time of year since it is filled with Christmas songs (including the opening sequence), snow, and even a group of Gremlins Christmas caroling. The films is Dante’s finest which isn’t saying a lot but this kind of movie could have ended up a giant Turkey kudos to writer Chris Columbus (Harry Potter director). The wonderful music score, talented cast of character actors, and of course the cute Gizmo and evil Gremlins make for a fun ride. Worth a revisit for anyone who hasn’t watched since they were young and a must see for anyone that missed this under appreciated 80’s flick.
“If You Don’t Have Dreams You Only Have Nightmares”
Diner
The film takes place between Christmas and New Years of 1959 in Baltimore. Directed by Barry Levingston the film boasts a cast of actors that went on to become heavy Hollywood hitters at least for a while anyway. The film’s basic premise is a group of guys trying to hang on to their last shred of youth before the group of friends go their separate ways and live their separate lives. The main narrative that propels the film is Guttenberg’s story who insists his wife to be passes a football trivia challenge in order for the wedding to take place.
One guy is just about to wed( Steve Guttenberg), anther has knocked up his on again off again and is in no position to raise a kid(Tim Daly), the married one of the group if wondering if he was too young to marry (Daniel Stern), another is gleefully wasting his potential while boozing in engaging in destructive behavior (Kevin Bacon), another is piling up gambling debts with angry mobsters( Rourke), and the another shows up briefly and offers dry comic wit(Paul Reiser).
The films main strength is the characters who caught up with each other at the local diner (hence the name) every one of the scenes in the Diner is improvised by the cast which makes the dialogue seem like exchanges between real friends. The director wisely shot these scenes after the rest of the film after the young cast had bonded and reportedly had many late nights similar to the characters did during the filming. If you get your hands on the DVD make sure you watch the documentary when all the actors (except Rourke for some reason) talk about the making of the film and their adventurous off the set.
I guess this is a guys version of a chick flick and the film shows the strength of the bond that guys have among the close friends. Apparently at the core guys haven’t changed much. The guys in Diner all remind me of some of my friends certainly back in the days when we all hung out on a regular basis. The guys shoot pool, analyze the motives of women, discuss movies and music, exaggerate sexual advances, exaggerate details of past adventurers, and sometimes for no reason at all refuse to call it a night until the sun starts to rise. The guys constantly rag one another, and during the one week peak into the lives of these men we learn many of them are on the verge of the next stage in their life and use the Diner as an oasis of something that is sacred. Like said several times in the movie, you always have the guys at the diner.
The film holds up pretty well since Levinson put forward a great effort to make it feel like 1959. The guys all wear ties out to the diner, the cars are authentic, some great classic songs from the time that blend perfectly with the film. Some of the plotlines work better than others and most people that I have recommended this film to tend to disagree with which ones pale in comparison. The comedy is mostly conversational (sort of like early Seinfeld) however various memorable sequences such as the movie theater scene, the Christmas decorations scene, Stern and his wife’s ridiculous argument, and Boogie’s (Rourke) immature approach to women. Each of these works on the entertainment value but never goes to far for laughs so you actually believe its something that could happen to real people and not just comic set ups.
The weather was apparently cold the week between Christmas and New Years and the film almost plays out like a documentary following a group of friends around for a week. The characters reference and laugh about events prior to the films start which makes the film seem less like a stagy story and more like a time capsule or message to guys in their late teens and early 20s to enjoy it while it lasts. Because although many of tried its impossible to hang on to the carefree time you have as a young man to spend countless nights with your friends downing greasy fries and plotting the rest of your life out. The final shot ( the films most famous shot)of the film pretty much says it all if you read into it.
You would like to think everything worked out for the “crew” and they made all the right decisions and perhaps once in awhile their elder counter parts leave their families at home and meet up. However maybe its best they stay frozen in time the week between Christmas and New Years in the 1959 Baltimore.
Ghostbusters II (1989)
Dir- Ivan Reitman Cast: Too Obvious to List
Okay lots of people thought this one didn’t leave up to its predicator. I agree the first film is better but this is certainly a worthy sequel. Luckily the entire creative team and cast returned for this film which was essential for it work.
The film is 5 years after the original and the Ghostbusters have split up and hit some hard times. Apparently saving the world wasn’t good enough and they ended up being sued by various levels of Government and the business went under. However evidence of slime under the city being linked to New Yorkers turning into assholes might be also linked into an evil sick-o returning to New York City to become the ruler of the world. This can’t be achieved without a few possessions and getting rid of the pesky Ghostbusters.
The characters were known inside and out by the fans by the time this film was released since there was a long running Saturday morning cartoon and nerds like me that have seen the original literally 100s of times. This allowed the film to hit the ground running, but not without catching up in the boys.
The films climax takes place on New Years Eve 1989 and a running theme is redemption. Peter (Bill Murray) trying to win back a girl he tossed aside, the Ghostbusters trying to gain back their creditability and getting a fresh start. Mostly though the film is about having a good time and it provides many laughs and like the first one has a pretty solid plot blending the creepiness with the comedy.
The movie tries to top the first film with having Lady Liberty walking down the streets of Manhattan. The film may have for some taken on a mildly different feel-post 9/11. The film obviously loves to show off New York City’s culture and basically says although New Yorkers have a bad reputation when push comes to shove they are basically good hearted people under the hard exterior and come together when need be.
Of course the filmmakers weren’t trying to touch peoples hearts when making this movie. They set out to make a great popcorn flick with the loveable underdog almost anti-hero Ghostbusters running through the streets of the big apple catching ghosts. The chemistry is still there between all the key players and many of the actors were still in their prime and hamming it up for this film. The writers make you mentally root for the Ghostbusters against the pending evil.
For the holiday viewing value you do get see the Ghostbusters in Santa hats and finale in the form of a giant party in the streets of New York. Watching the movie now you realize that the finals scenes are the curtain call for the franchise and I always wished there was a third part because the characters were so fun to watch. Now too many years of have passed without making the sequel just look like a sad attempt to live in the past. Perhaps its best the story ended there with the Ghostbusters celebrating the New Year’s and their latest victory and having the fans wanting more.
Only You
Dir: Betty Thomas
The film is as soft and fluffy as an early winter snow. The film isn’t setting out to turn the industry it’s ear, offend anyone or win any awards.
The plot isn’t exactly one you will need to think about or even wonder how it will end. The movie is simply a harmless romantic comedy that goes doesn’t try to be over cinematic either. In fact the films small budget is rather skimpy on glamorous scenery shots but that is just movie nerd nitpick.
The film opens in New York with a Christmas party for a doll house designing company. Andrew McCarthy (right before he fell off into obscurity) plays the lead and is aggravated when he learns not only doesn’t his girlfriend want to be with him anymore she doesn’t want to go on a trip he booked awhile back to a remote island that is non-refundable.
Against his best friend’s advice McCarthy’s character spends Christmas eve alone in a bar getting tanked. While there drinking like a loser he bumps into a blonde bimbo who just got kicked to the curb by her boyfriend. After quite a few shots they decide to make use of his tickets to paradise. They wake up in the warm islands and she has trouble remembering who he is or how they got there. While he thinks it’s the start of something new she seems to think it’s a free trip to have fun. He decides if he impresses her and kisses her butt enough she will come around and he will be in a relationship with a hottie.
Preston blows off McCarthy to meet new friends and have fun in the sun. McCarthy kills time till she gets back to the hotel by going on his own comedic misadventures such as scuba diving and bumming on the beach. Incidentally he bumps into his travel agent ( played by a big household name Helen Hunt) who wants to use him to model for a brochure. Since he is bored he accepts the offer. He isn’t exactly her ideal candidate for a model but he is a good sport about it and the two who had gotten off on the wrong foot develop a witty rapport. He starts to notice that she is liking him but he choices to go back to the blonde in attempts to get the relationship off the ground.
The basic plot is that guys sometimes have to choose between partying and random sex with no stability and some one willing to admit that there are actually soul mates out there. Preston is blonde and curvy and outspoken, Hunt is dressed down and honest but timid. All there key players are keenly aware of the cameras and exaggerate their roles in typical romantic comedy fashion. McCarthy smirks for the camera and does his trademark eye bulge when needed and engages in several sequences of physical comedy. Preston hams up the spoiled bitch shtick and before her hairstyle dated it was understandable why the viewer might want McCarthy to chase after her like a puppy dog. Hunt is tries to cover up any element she has sex appeal with loose clothes and brown hair. She basically knows McCarthy is making an ass out of himself trying to make a tramp play house with him and quietly hopes he looks at himself in the mirror.
His trip is up right after the big New Years party. A time for new beginnings a time for new relationships? Will McCarthy choice stability or adventure with a chance of ending badly. Perhaps he will screw up too many times and lose them both before he boards his plane back to New York forcing him to jump in front of City Cabs.
Certainly the lightest of my recommendations don’t grill me for this one guys an innocent humorous 90 minute diversion.
The Hudsucker Proxy (1993)
One of the least popular Cohen Brothers movie but I like this one a lot . Tim Robbins plays the idealist college graduate who comes to the big city ( 1940’s New York) with no experience he is down on his luck and virtually pennyless. He luckily lands a job at Hudsucker however that same week the company CEO apparently not happy despite his wealth jumps out the window of the city sky rise and plummets to his death.
The CEO want to be (a gruff Paul Newman) sees this as an chance to take the company in the wrong direction. He wants to run the company into the ground so him and his cronies can buy the stock real cheap fix the problems and get rich. Robbins is the prefect rube.
Robbins comically has never been better he brings to the table a endless bag of comedic facial expressions that will make Jim Carrey envious. He is perfectly cast as the well intending out of towner who wants to make an impact in the big city. He is more naïve than as dumb as he appears to be or is made out by the company.
When Robbins invents the hula-hoop it at first looks like a huge plunder that will deflate the stock worth, however with a stroke of luck it catches on. The whole bizarre rise to power sparks the interest of the city paper so they send an uncover reporter in to get the inside scoop. Leigh (an often ridiculed decision) plays the reporter and obvious homage to actress of back in the day, and I can understand how she comes across as grating to some viewers (Liza made me shut this film off because of her) and I admit the novelty wears thin when she gets expanded screen time in the mid-section of the picture. However the glorious set (it is just amazing) and the almost flawlessly visual of the film more than make up for it. The film almost plays out like stage plays with characters have winks to the audience and staging entrances and exists. The music plays wonderfully many of the music sequences without out dialogue are the best moments cinematically of the film. It is about as close to perfection as that concept can get.
The film is also in ways a nod to the director Frank Kapra style films. The films second act is much darker than the jubilant more comic first act. Robbins still oblivious to being a puppet gets corrupted by the power and loses his innocence. Eventually hitting rock bottom and realizing he has nothing of his success is what is seems he seems at his wits end and contemplates ending it all. Once you are dead you stay, dead Newman tells him.
The Cohen brothers than manipulate time and shake the fourth wall almost to the point of crumbling completely. The film more a New Years film than a Christmas movie since the narrative starts and ends on that particular holiday. Plus the film has that what does it all mean feel by the end of the 2nd act since you know from the opening words of the film that the stories key point will be basically at the stroke of midnight the film like the point of the holiday is quietly ticking down to that moment.
Lethal Weapon (1987)
Dir. Richard Donner Cast: Mel Gibson , Danny Glover, Gary Busey
Jingle Bell Rock opens the film and I will be home for Christmas ends the film. The directors cut a few years ago is worth the rental for fans (I own it) it adds to the main characters. Anyone who only saw the later sequels may not have realized that the first film was more of a character study than its sequels (I don’t have a problem with direction the series eventually went in although 4 was pushing it but was basically just a farewell to the franchise. ).
Of course it has been ripped off many times. Two cops who are polar opposites in a way team up to shake down some shady drug dealers. This film has the two characters needed each other more than they get on each others nerves. Gibson is on the verge of killing himself and actually at one point comes close to blowing his brains out. Glover needs a reason not to retire and keeping Gibson in check is a perfect reason. Gibson is so reckless that he could care less if he gets killed in action. He was a young sniper in the Veitnam war and admits the only thing he was ever good at is killing people. However since his wife was killed in a car accident he pretty much flew off the deep end. Gibson is brought into the Glover’s family for dinner and he sees the family he will never have.
The two cops have to bring down a drug ring and manage to have various shoot outs close calls, and explosions around them through out the course of the film. Will they make it one piece for Christmas dinner?
This was a different kind of action movie than the sequels more serious in tone, before the two cops randomly shot and killed bad guys with out any consequences. They actually followed procedure to a certain extent.
Richard Donner directs this film who is known for making respectable popcorn type movies. The action scenes are cool and Gibson kicks ass and takes name in this flick. Easily my favorite action movie series.
Saturday, December 06, 2003
"Final Snow Call"
2-4 Inches on top of what is out there now. This is the 2nd part of the snow storm. It will be hard to tell since we have maybe 3 inches compact on the ground now. So by the time the heavy stuff moves out I doubt we will see anymore than an additonal 4 inches. There is too much sleet mixed in and the storm is moving much quicker than originally thought and is veering North East of here.
2-4 Inches on top of what is out there now. This is the 2nd part of the snow storm. It will be hard to tell since we have maybe 3 inches compact on the ground now. So by the time the heavy stuff moves out I doubt we will see anymore than an additonal 4 inches. There is too much sleet mixed in and the storm is moving much quicker than originally thought and is veering North East of here.
Friday, December 05, 2003
"TEST!"
Here my loyal readers I am providing you with a test. This way I know what you think of my blog and if any of my readers are crazy or not. PLease take the following test.
1. I read Tucker's World on a regular basis.
A. Yes
B. No
2. I agree with Bush's Iraq Policy
A. Yes
B. No
3. I use dental floss
A. Yes
B.No
4. I like the power I get when I tell people what to do.
A. Yes
B. No
5. I like to tell people what to do and feel the power that comes with making people do stuff.
A. Yes
B. No
6. I don't not think the NHL isn't in trouble and don't think there will be a lockout next season.
A. Yes
B. No
7. I don't not watch the Simpsons 10 times in a given week.
A. Yes
B. No
8. I think there should be freedom of speech and I also think woman shouldn't vote.
A. Yes
B. No
9 I haven't not ever thought about members of my own sex in not sexual way, however I wouldnt not have sex with members of the same sex.
A. Yes
B. No
10. I buy Trains
A. Yes
B. No
11. I buy ALL trains
A. Yes
B. No
12 I am equally as depressed as Claude Lapointe.
A. Yes
B. No
13 I have no idea who the heck Claude Lapointe is
A. Yes
B. No
14. I not only don't know who Claude Lapointe is I don't care who he is or if he is depressed.
A. Yes
B. No
15. I think it would be wrong for a South Jersey blogger to gather a group of friends to break into Veteran's Stadium before it is torn down.
A. Yes
B. No
16. If asked to join a miltiant group who's objective was to successfully break into Veteran's Stadium walk around and hang out I would join.
A. Yes
B. No
17. If I could travel through time I would find my child counterpart and kick my own ass.
A. Yes
B. No
18 I still check Jenna & Mindless often. In fact I check it more than this blog.
A. Yes
B. No
19. I think the new Superman movie series will actually get off the ground before Ryan sees the child of Lima Beanz and Jenna.
A. Yes
B. No
20. I think the "Sweeps" on this blog last month seemed no different than any other month. I suspect that the blog writer drinks often when writing these articles. I am also gay.
A. Yes
B. No
21. I played Orgeon Trail on the computers in school when I was a kid. I would always use the names of my friends and the girl I liked when playing the game. The girl barely knew who I was.
A. Yes
B. No
22. I often tell people I am the anti-christ.
A. Yes
B. No
23 I think I should decide who lives and dies.
A. Yes
B. NO
24. I don't not think that I don't not have what it doen't not take to not be an unsuccessful salesman.
A. Yes
B. No
25. I know who Tom Servo, Danny Elfman, and Brian Cox are.
A. Yes
B. No
26. I think Danny Boyle the film director and the hockey player are one in the same.
A. Yes
B. No
27. I am prone to fits of rage.
A. Yes
B. No
28. When waiting in a long slow line I often plot and daydream about voliently murding each person in front of me in increasingly creative ways.
A. Yes
B. No
29. I haven't bought Tucker anything for Christmas.
A.Yes
B. No
30. I have seen the John Cusack film Better Of Dead, but I have not seen Citzen Cane.
A. Yes
B. No
Now complete this by emailing your answers to me. If you fail some one with a gaint net will promptly show up on your doorstep.
Here my loyal readers I am providing you with a test. This way I know what you think of my blog and if any of my readers are crazy or not. PLease take the following test.
1. I read Tucker's World on a regular basis.
A. Yes
B. No
2. I agree with Bush's Iraq Policy
A. Yes
B. No
3. I use dental floss
A. Yes
B.No
4. I like the power I get when I tell people what to do.
A. Yes
B. No
5. I like to tell people what to do and feel the power that comes with making people do stuff.
A. Yes
B. No
6. I don't not think the NHL isn't in trouble and don't think there will be a lockout next season.
A. Yes
B. No
7. I don't not watch the Simpsons 10 times in a given week.
A. Yes
B. No
8. I think there should be freedom of speech and I also think woman shouldn't vote.
A. Yes
B. No
9 I haven't not ever thought about members of my own sex in not sexual way, however I wouldnt not have sex with members of the same sex.
A. Yes
B. No
10. I buy Trains
A. Yes
B. No
11. I buy ALL trains
A. Yes
B. No
12 I am equally as depressed as Claude Lapointe.
A. Yes
B. No
13 I have no idea who the heck Claude Lapointe is
A. Yes
B. No
14. I not only don't know who Claude Lapointe is I don't care who he is or if he is depressed.
A. Yes
B. No
15. I think it would be wrong for a South Jersey blogger to gather a group of friends to break into Veteran's Stadium before it is torn down.
A. Yes
B. No
16. If asked to join a miltiant group who's objective was to successfully break into Veteran's Stadium walk around and hang out I would join.
A. Yes
B. No
17. If I could travel through time I would find my child counterpart and kick my own ass.
A. Yes
B. No
18 I still check Jenna & Mindless often. In fact I check it more than this blog.
A. Yes
B. No
19. I think the new Superman movie series will actually get off the ground before Ryan sees the child of Lima Beanz and Jenna.
A. Yes
B. No
20. I think the "Sweeps" on this blog last month seemed no different than any other month. I suspect that the blog writer drinks often when writing these articles. I am also gay.
A. Yes
B. No
21. I played Orgeon Trail on the computers in school when I was a kid. I would always use the names of my friends and the girl I liked when playing the game. The girl barely knew who I was.
A. Yes
B. No
22. I often tell people I am the anti-christ.
A. Yes
B. No
23 I think I should decide who lives and dies.
A. Yes
B. NO
24. I don't not think that I don't not have what it doen't not take to not be an unsuccessful salesman.
A. Yes
B. No
25. I know who Tom Servo, Danny Elfman, and Brian Cox are.
A. Yes
B. No
26. I think Danny Boyle the film director and the hockey player are one in the same.
A. Yes
B. No
27. I am prone to fits of rage.
A. Yes
B. No
28. When waiting in a long slow line I often plot and daydream about voliently murding each person in front of me in increasingly creative ways.
A. Yes
B. No
29. I haven't bought Tucker anything for Christmas.
A.Yes
B. No
30. I have seen the John Cusack film Better Of Dead, but I have not seen Citzen Cane.
A. Yes
B. No
Now complete this by emailing your answers to me. If you fail some one with a gaint net will promptly show up on your doorstep.
Thursday, December 04, 2003
"A Close One"
Well the winter storm I eluded to earlier this week is shaping up, and is making for a very Difficult call for weathermen because it is hard to tell if the cold air will be in place still when the weather system moves up. The cold air in place is clearly strong and is actually preventing the storm from making it into the area as early as they thought.
It will likely start sometime bettween 7 am- 9 am on Friday morning, but it is going to be mostly wet snow, than sleet than rain. It will be mostly rain during Friday and might even stop for awhile. However that is the lame part of the storm and after that the real stuff kicks up. High winds, and lots of wet stuff.
The snow/rain line is going to be a REALLY tough call and it might embarrass some weathermen who over hype the storm. NBC 10's Hurricane just called for 6-10 inches of the storm Friday night into Saturday which really took me off guard. He was the first to make such a bold statement.
As I stated before I follow this type of stuff and the sites I read are all over the map. However something has poped in the last few hours and they think that the cold air isn't going away on Saturday making for a decent shot of getting some white stuff. Right now I am going to make my predicitions which will likely change before I go to bed tonight.
Friday--- Sleet and wet Snow
Saturday ---- Early Snow..heavy at times. It seems to be similar to last years storm. The winds will be a factor. For Us I am going to say
2- 4 inches. It will struggle to stick on the roads at first though. A big factor is the Ocean Temps which are a few degrees too warm for a HUGE event. You see this storm is hugging the coast and will suck some warm air off the ocean. Again there a few big IFS and the ocean factor is certainly going against the snow here.
Again Tucker Says 2-4 inches. IT will likely change though.
Well the winter storm I eluded to earlier this week is shaping up, and is making for a very Difficult call for weathermen because it is hard to tell if the cold air will be in place still when the weather system moves up. The cold air in place is clearly strong and is actually preventing the storm from making it into the area as early as they thought.
It will likely start sometime bettween 7 am- 9 am on Friday morning, but it is going to be mostly wet snow, than sleet than rain. It will be mostly rain during Friday and might even stop for awhile. However that is the lame part of the storm and after that the real stuff kicks up. High winds, and lots of wet stuff.
The snow/rain line is going to be a REALLY tough call and it might embarrass some weathermen who over hype the storm. NBC 10's Hurricane just called for 6-10 inches of the storm Friday night into Saturday which really took me off guard. He was the first to make such a bold statement.
As I stated before I follow this type of stuff and the sites I read are all over the map. However something has poped in the last few hours and they think that the cold air isn't going away on Saturday making for a decent shot of getting some white stuff. Right now I am going to make my predicitions which will likely change before I go to bed tonight.
Friday--- Sleet and wet Snow
Saturday ---- Early Snow..heavy at times. It seems to be similar to last years storm. The winds will be a factor. For Us I am going to say
2- 4 inches. It will struggle to stick on the roads at first though. A big factor is the Ocean Temps which are a few degrees too warm for a HUGE event. You see this storm is hugging the coast and will suck some warm air off the ocean. Again there a few big IFS and the ocean factor is certainly going against the snow here.
Again Tucker Says 2-4 inches. IT will likely change though.
Wednesday, December 03, 2003
Check Back here later this week for the lastest on the Future of the LIMA BEANZ interview, my take on a possible snow storm the start of next week, a few hockey thoughts,. etc...
"Tucker's BANS!"
I have recently discussed with friends of mine my list of bans. I boycotts many businesses and people for various reasons. Let us start with a list of former bans that were lifted in recent history.
Don Pablo’s --- I went with a large group of friends a few years ago for NJF. The meal took about two hours to get to us, and they weren’t that busy. I got a chicken salad and there was no chicken so I angrily gave me fork away. To make matters worse they had the Dish Network which made it impossible to see an important Flyers game. Luckily the waitress took it off the bill, but I vowed never to step foot in there again. Eventually I did roughly two years later this past summer.
Atlantic City---- I had a ban on the Atlantic City twice once after I got mugged in broad daylight with Ryan, Dan K. and Chris. Another time after a trip down there ended in everyone who lost money to become jerks to one another.
Lima Beanz—a Monopoly game went awry when LB threw punched me after I took his fake money. I wanted to throw his head through a wall. Not long before that the two of us almost got into a fight before the 4th of July. I vowed briefly that I didn’t want any part of crew events that Lima Beanz was apart of. However a few days later I was drinking beer with him. I mean just look at his face I just can’t stay mad at him!
Current Bans
Atco Movie Theater—I know big with larger big screens than this dive. I have banned this place a few times and had to give in order to not be a stick in the mud. I went this past summer and recalled why I banned this place about 3 times. This time I am serious! You stick to the floor, the seats suck, and its far away. BANNED!
excerd drug store------- There are just too many of them popping up. Many of them are too close to one another and well its just a flat out evil corporation.
Applebee’s (Voorhees Location Only)
I had a few dates there that didn’t pan out to anything. I got stood up once by a girl I took there once. I also got awkwardly hooked up by Ryan’s Girlfriend Regan with her friend who was extremely annoying and certainly not my match. I recall making plea via my cell phone for some of my friends to murder me. MAN THAT CHICK WAS ANNOYING.
Dave & Busters
I always spent more money that I should have, and the last time I was there the bouncer was a dickweed to me and Price.
Cucci’s Pizza
I didn’t like the food when the new owners took over. The banned worked and the place went under.
DJ Night at Sharkey or the Wick
Because this small gathering type bars should not have DJs. This ban is in danger of being lifted but I really want to keep it.
Oija Boards----Um. Yeah been there done that.
Tim Burton- This great director went against everything he stood for and what made his movies great when he made one of the worst films ever Legend Of Sleep Hollow. I have a ban on that film and everything he does after that.
There is more I know there is.
"Tucker's BANS!"
I have recently discussed with friends of mine my list of bans. I boycotts many businesses and people for various reasons. Let us start with a list of former bans that were lifted in recent history.
Don Pablo’s --- I went with a large group of friends a few years ago for NJF. The meal took about two hours to get to us, and they weren’t that busy. I got a chicken salad and there was no chicken so I angrily gave me fork away. To make matters worse they had the Dish Network which made it impossible to see an important Flyers game. Luckily the waitress took it off the bill, but I vowed never to step foot in there again. Eventually I did roughly two years later this past summer.
Atlantic City---- I had a ban on the Atlantic City twice once after I got mugged in broad daylight with Ryan, Dan K. and Chris. Another time after a trip down there ended in everyone who lost money to become jerks to one another.
Lima Beanz—a Monopoly game went awry when LB threw punched me after I took his fake money. I wanted to throw his head through a wall. Not long before that the two of us almost got into a fight before the 4th of July. I vowed briefly that I didn’t want any part of crew events that Lima Beanz was apart of. However a few days later I was drinking beer with him. I mean just look at his face I just can’t stay mad at him!
Current Bans
Atco Movie Theater—I know big with larger big screens than this dive. I have banned this place a few times and had to give in order to not be a stick in the mud. I went this past summer and recalled why I banned this place about 3 times. This time I am serious! You stick to the floor, the seats suck, and its far away. BANNED!
excerd drug store------- There are just too many of them popping up. Many of them are too close to one another and well its just a flat out evil corporation.
Applebee’s (Voorhees Location Only)
I had a few dates there that didn’t pan out to anything. I got stood up once by a girl I took there once. I also got awkwardly hooked up by Ryan’s Girlfriend Regan with her friend who was extremely annoying and certainly not my match. I recall making plea via my cell phone for some of my friends to murder me. MAN THAT CHICK WAS ANNOYING.
Dave & Busters
I always spent more money that I should have, and the last time I was there the bouncer was a dickweed to me and Price.
Cucci’s Pizza
I didn’t like the food when the new owners took over. The banned worked and the place went under.
DJ Night at Sharkey or the Wick
Because this small gathering type bars should not have DJs. This ban is in danger of being lifted but I really want to keep it.
Oija Boards----Um. Yeah been there done that.
Tim Burton- This great director went against everything he stood for and what made his movies great when he made one of the worst films ever Legend Of Sleep Hollow. I have a ban on that film and everything he does after that.
There is more I know there is.
Monday, December 01, 2003
ye"BEST OF THE BEST"
My crappy work is hiring. I wish I was making this up but, but here are some of the candidates for open positions.
Candidate # 1
She worked for an entire week, but got canned. She got a customer to give her 100 bucks after making them feel sorry for her apparent financial problems. She also scored a phone number, and told management that she would refuse to answer any ringing phones. To top it all off she nonchalantly used a racial slur when telling a story. She also talked to herself.
Candidate # 2
This dude was applying for a merchandise handling position. Everything was going well for the interview, but when was told he had to go to a drug test he told the interviewer he left something in his car went out the door and never came back.
Candidate # 3
Another dude came in asking about the help wanted sign. At the time he had his Discman on and wore it the whole time. When he starting talking about the position he told of his court battles with his ex-wife. She is apparently a huge liar and filed for bankruptcy. When asked why his license was out of date and from another state he replied he didn’t have the time to get an ID in New Jersey. He said he couldn’t be bothered, but admitted to living in New Jersey for 3 years.
Candidate # 4
This guy didn’t check anything under the “Did You Ever Commit a Crime?” Box. When asked why he shared a touching story about a violent knife fight he was involved in.
Candidate # 5
A weird guy who showed up late for his interview and rambles incoherently about public transportation to anyone that walks past him.
Candidate # 6
A guy, who was fired for missing too much time at work, and accused the head of the store of picking on someone with medical conditions. It was later learned that he was lying about aliments he never had.
Candidate # 7
A former highly disgruntled customer.
Candidate #8
This one made me feel really good. He did public relations for years. Must be lots of money in the field I got a degree in. Pretty sad if you need a part-time job if that is your chosen career.
Do you have what it takes?
My crappy work is hiring. I wish I was making this up but, but here are some of the candidates for open positions.
Candidate # 1
She worked for an entire week, but got canned. She got a customer to give her 100 bucks after making them feel sorry for her apparent financial problems. She also scored a phone number, and told management that she would refuse to answer any ringing phones. To top it all off she nonchalantly used a racial slur when telling a story. She also talked to herself.
Candidate # 2
This dude was applying for a merchandise handling position. Everything was going well for the interview, but when was told he had to go to a drug test he told the interviewer he left something in his car went out the door and never came back.
Candidate # 3
Another dude came in asking about the help wanted sign. At the time he had his Discman on and wore it the whole time. When he starting talking about the position he told of his court battles with his ex-wife. She is apparently a huge liar and filed for bankruptcy. When asked why his license was out of date and from another state he replied he didn’t have the time to get an ID in New Jersey. He said he couldn’t be bothered, but admitted to living in New Jersey for 3 years.
Candidate # 4
This guy didn’t check anything under the “Did You Ever Commit a Crime?” Box. When asked why he shared a touching story about a violent knife fight he was involved in.
Candidate # 5
A weird guy who showed up late for his interview and rambles incoherently about public transportation to anyone that walks past him.
Candidate # 6
A guy, who was fired for missing too much time at work, and accused the head of the store of picking on someone with medical conditions. It was later learned that he was lying about aliments he never had.
Candidate # 7
A former highly disgruntled customer.
Candidate #8
This one made me feel really good. He did public relations for years. Must be lots of money in the field I got a degree in. Pretty sad if you need a part-time job if that is your chosen career.
Do you have what it takes?
Sunday, November 30, 2003
"Sinking Echelon"
When I was a mere teenager a trip to the Echelon Mall resulted in a few hours of freedom when my friends and I were dropped off for an afternoon. We would checking out the girls and browsing in the stores. A trip to the Echelon Mall was something to look forward to. It boasted not only dozens of stores but they offered a lot to kids and anyone looking to kill a rainy day. There was a video arcade attached, a movie theater, and hip stores like Flashback. New stores were always showing up.
The Echelon Mall once the place to be has taken a nose dive in the past few years. Just two years after its arrival Sears bounced out leaving an empty anchor store on the mall. This was particular because they build that store specifically for Sears. The mall was able to gloss over their lost for awhile despite other stores like Flashblack disappearing. The movie theater changed hands (mainly cause it was a dump and everyone went to the Ritz or Cinemark)and became a bargain theater given movie goers a final chance to see movies that either had just reached video, were about to reach video, or no one cared about for a cheap price. They were known for their all you can eat and drink popcorn and soda. It didn’t last very long and the building has been vacant ever since. Next went J C Penny’s last winter made it undeniable that the mall was in serious trouble. Leaving Boscovs and Strawbridges as the only anchor stores for the mall, empty anchor stores drive customers away like the plague.
Walking in the mall now it is no longer filled with people all over the place. The food court is the only lively place in the whole mall. The stores around it benefit from them and many of the businesses have relocated closer to the food court to get away from the cancer of emptiness that stems from the empty anchor stores. There is a section upstairs near J C Penny’s where you have to walk quite a distance to reach an actual open place. Just all covered over windows, some filled with ads for places to visit in the mall. They are falling over like dominos and most recently a staple store Allied Hobbies bowed out. Last year just after Christmas many places left like the coffee works for example.
There was a sliver of a hope shining on the ailing mall this past spring when the mall was purchased by Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust Company (known as PREIT). For years the mall was rumored to be closed and sold to either Rutgers or Rowan. I have no idea where these rumors have started but I never found any truth to them. My friend Rick (who works in the mall) is constantly telling me about secret meetings in which the mall was sold it was agreed to officially close. He has been doing this for about 3 years now and each Armageddon date comes and goes. The latest doomsday is slated for spring time.
PREIT known for buying struggling businesses, and turning it around to a profit. They really have their work cut out for them. I got there on my lunch at work quite often and many of the food court workers that have come to know me seem very depressed. Some of them gripe to me about the rent that is seemingly unfair for a mall that doesn’t get much traffic anymore. One lady got all excited upon seeing my work shirt thinking the Sears store was reopening. It was awkward for me to tell her that it wasn’t the case.
However from what I gather all they have done is drop of signs in the mall that says expect changes and thanks for shopping at this mall (and future shopping) owned by a faceless corporation stationed in another state. Okay maybe behind closed doors they are sweet talking some businesses to fill their vacant anchor stores. Although most successful department stores of the late 90’s such as Target and Wal-Mart are seemingly anti-malls at least in this area. So that leaves what? Maybe a growing retail chain looking to make it into the east coast?
Well that’s a great idea however they have to address a few things first. Take a look at the Echelon Mall side at the corner of the mall. Half of the E is gone and it struggles to light up on most nights. Many of the signs of department stores are half burned out. The logo itself is dated. The sign boasting about sales was originally to list the movies playing there, and so many businesses have used this sign that it is obvious that former logos have been erased and traces of the letters remain under a ghetto attempt to cover them up. So if you have some CEO or bigwig pull up to see if they want to open a retail store where others have left you might want to make the mall look a bit better.
Since this PREIT Company owns many malls one would imagine that it would remain a mall. I thought perhaps they had some master plan. I am starting to wonder though. In September the Courier-Post ran an article which basically said they were still kicking around different ideas including renting empty stores (the mall is almost half empty now) as office space for doctors. Heck there is already an H & R block there. The article had many people from talking about different ideas they might do. Maybe bring some “high end” stores. So basically a mall that everyone is waiting to shut down and avoiding is going to be saved by people who are still “kicking around” ideas almost an entire year after taking over. I don’t know who does their Public Relations but telling the public they are still scratching their heads isn’t going to do much in fact it makes things worse. They just revealed that they were clueless.
How about meeting with the store owners and calming fears of the few business partners you have? How about getting some sort of draw like a string band, local celebrity appearances, or renovating parts of the mall? If they were trying to get it back on its feet that a could be pulled off while others wooed potential businesses for the anchor stores.
People point to the Deptford Mall’s success and most think its because its engulfed in stores like Target, Best Buy, Old Navy, and almost every restaurant under the sun. Meanwhile the mall has apartments and a Sears store that sells broken appliances.
Given the fact that the top level of the mall is like a desert I might actually put some weight into Rick’s prediction this time. I have seen some commercials for the mall to do your holiday shopping there, but its too bad they didn’t solve their real problems yet. An empty Burger King and IHOP sit across the street from the mall now. Some people have told me that crime is on the rise too, which leads one to wonder if Voorhees might become one of those towns with a GOOD and BAD side. A Jewerly store was robbed in the mall earlier this year.
Hopefully Echelon gets their act together causes the traffic in Deptford it too much and I grew up going there and would hate to see it go. Not to mention a lot of people would be out of a job. PERIT has given the mayor of Voorhees their word that they are committed to the project. It would be a huge loss of taxes and cause property taxes to sky rocket if the mall went under. In September it they said that two companies are interested in coming to the anchor spots, but that’s was 3 months ago now I have serious doubts. Without a new anchor store in the next two years it simply can’t survive.
When I was a mere teenager a trip to the Echelon Mall resulted in a few hours of freedom when my friends and I were dropped off for an afternoon. We would checking out the girls and browsing in the stores. A trip to the Echelon Mall was something to look forward to. It boasted not only dozens of stores but they offered a lot to kids and anyone looking to kill a rainy day. There was a video arcade attached, a movie theater, and hip stores like Flashback. New stores were always showing up.
The Echelon Mall once the place to be has taken a nose dive in the past few years. Just two years after its arrival Sears bounced out leaving an empty anchor store on the mall. This was particular because they build that store specifically for Sears. The mall was able to gloss over their lost for awhile despite other stores like Flashblack disappearing. The movie theater changed hands (mainly cause it was a dump and everyone went to the Ritz or Cinemark)and became a bargain theater given movie goers a final chance to see movies that either had just reached video, were about to reach video, or no one cared about for a cheap price. They were known for their all you can eat and drink popcorn and soda. It didn’t last very long and the building has been vacant ever since. Next went J C Penny’s last winter made it undeniable that the mall was in serious trouble. Leaving Boscovs and Strawbridges as the only anchor stores for the mall, empty anchor stores drive customers away like the plague.
Walking in the mall now it is no longer filled with people all over the place. The food court is the only lively place in the whole mall. The stores around it benefit from them and many of the businesses have relocated closer to the food court to get away from the cancer of emptiness that stems from the empty anchor stores. There is a section upstairs near J C Penny’s where you have to walk quite a distance to reach an actual open place. Just all covered over windows, some filled with ads for places to visit in the mall. They are falling over like dominos and most recently a staple store Allied Hobbies bowed out. Last year just after Christmas many places left like the coffee works for example.
There was a sliver of a hope shining on the ailing mall this past spring when the mall was purchased by Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust Company (known as PREIT). For years the mall was rumored to be closed and sold to either Rutgers or Rowan. I have no idea where these rumors have started but I never found any truth to them. My friend Rick (who works in the mall) is constantly telling me about secret meetings in which the mall was sold it was agreed to officially close. He has been doing this for about 3 years now and each Armageddon date comes and goes. The latest doomsday is slated for spring time.
PREIT known for buying struggling businesses, and turning it around to a profit. They really have their work cut out for them. I got there on my lunch at work quite often and many of the food court workers that have come to know me seem very depressed. Some of them gripe to me about the rent that is seemingly unfair for a mall that doesn’t get much traffic anymore. One lady got all excited upon seeing my work shirt thinking the Sears store was reopening. It was awkward for me to tell her that it wasn’t the case.
However from what I gather all they have done is drop of signs in the mall that says expect changes and thanks for shopping at this mall (and future shopping) owned by a faceless corporation stationed in another state. Okay maybe behind closed doors they are sweet talking some businesses to fill their vacant anchor stores. Although most successful department stores of the late 90’s such as Target and Wal-Mart are seemingly anti-malls at least in this area. So that leaves what? Maybe a growing retail chain looking to make it into the east coast?
Well that’s a great idea however they have to address a few things first. Take a look at the Echelon Mall side at the corner of the mall. Half of the E is gone and it struggles to light up on most nights. Many of the signs of department stores are half burned out. The logo itself is dated. The sign boasting about sales was originally to list the movies playing there, and so many businesses have used this sign that it is obvious that former logos have been erased and traces of the letters remain under a ghetto attempt to cover them up. So if you have some CEO or bigwig pull up to see if they want to open a retail store where others have left you might want to make the mall look a bit better.
Since this PREIT Company owns many malls one would imagine that it would remain a mall. I thought perhaps they had some master plan. I am starting to wonder though. In September the Courier-Post ran an article which basically said they were still kicking around different ideas including renting empty stores (the mall is almost half empty now) as office space for doctors. Heck there is already an H & R block there. The article had many people from talking about different ideas they might do. Maybe bring some “high end” stores. So basically a mall that everyone is waiting to shut down and avoiding is going to be saved by people who are still “kicking around” ideas almost an entire year after taking over. I don’t know who does their Public Relations but telling the public they are still scratching their heads isn’t going to do much in fact it makes things worse. They just revealed that they were clueless.
How about meeting with the store owners and calming fears of the few business partners you have? How about getting some sort of draw like a string band, local celebrity appearances, or renovating parts of the mall? If they were trying to get it back on its feet that a could be pulled off while others wooed potential businesses for the anchor stores.
People point to the Deptford Mall’s success and most think its because its engulfed in stores like Target, Best Buy, Old Navy, and almost every restaurant under the sun. Meanwhile the mall has apartments and a Sears store that sells broken appliances.
Given the fact that the top level of the mall is like a desert I might actually put some weight into Rick’s prediction this time. I have seen some commercials for the mall to do your holiday shopping there, but its too bad they didn’t solve their real problems yet. An empty Burger King and IHOP sit across the street from the mall now. Some people have told me that crime is on the rise too, which leads one to wonder if Voorhees might become one of those towns with a GOOD and BAD side. A Jewerly store was robbed in the mall earlier this year.
Hopefully Echelon gets their act together causes the traffic in Deptford it too much and I grew up going there and would hate to see it go. Not to mention a lot of people would be out of a job. PERIT has given the mayor of Voorhees their word that they are committed to the project. It would be a huge loss of taxes and cause property taxes to sky rocket if the mall went under. In September it they said that two companies are interested in coming to the anchor spots, but that’s was 3 months ago now I have serious doubts. Without a new anchor store in the next two years it simply can’t survive.
Thursday, November 27, 2003
"3rd Annual Thankful Rant"
I did it once on TERMINUS the message board, now I have brought the tradition over to my blog. I am sure everyone was excited about reading it this year. Here is a list of the following things that I am thankful for.
I am Thankfull for the Wawa. So many great locations. Good food, free banking, 24 hours. What else can you ask for?
I am thankful for Liza who stood by me all year.
I am thankful for the fact that the Flyers have actually been playing so good that I can complain about them.
I am thankful for TERMINUS my fellow blogger who I usually don't agree with but informs and entertains me. I am eagerly awaiting him to slam BUSH's visit to Iraq for Thanksgiving. I can't find a horrible dark side of it but I am sure Drew is tappy, tap-tapping away right now about what horrible idea it was.
I am thankful I never had a condom break (knock on wood).
I am thankful that this rum & coke I am drinking right now that my father made me is stronger than I thought it would be.
I am thankful for a job market that is seemingly opening up.
I am thankful that people like Price serve our country
I am thankful the Tempo still runs. I am suprised everday by that.
I am thankful Dan K Hemphill makes 200k a year. Not really but I haven't brought him up in a while.
I am thankful Lima Beanz will be interviewed on this blog soon. Not to mention he is my BEST friend.
I am thankful for AOL so I can talk to MOSCO on IM 4 times a day who never seems to leave his computer.
I am thankful for the smell of Turkey that is going through my house.
I am thankful for Starview.
I am thankful for Eggnog which I will consume enough to get my beer gut back before I take my Christmas Tree down.
I am thankful for Superman II and pickles.
I am thankful for Olives.
I am thankful for the new outfits for the Eagles Cheerleaders which leave very little to the imagination. Especially in cold weather.
I am thankful for my readers who give me a reason to write this crap.
I did it once on TERMINUS the message board, now I have brought the tradition over to my blog. I am sure everyone was excited about reading it this year. Here is a list of the following things that I am thankful for.
I am Thankfull for the Wawa. So many great locations. Good food, free banking, 24 hours. What else can you ask for?
I am thankful for Liza who stood by me all year.
I am thankful for the fact that the Flyers have actually been playing so good that I can complain about them.
I am thankful for TERMINUS my fellow blogger who I usually don't agree with but informs and entertains me. I am eagerly awaiting him to slam BUSH's visit to Iraq for Thanksgiving. I can't find a horrible dark side of it but I am sure Drew is tappy, tap-tapping away right now about what horrible idea it was.
I am thankful I never had a condom break (knock on wood).
I am thankful that this rum & coke I am drinking right now that my father made me is stronger than I thought it would be.
I am thankful for a job market that is seemingly opening up.
I am thankful that people like Price serve our country
I am thankful the Tempo still runs. I am suprised everday by that.
I am thankful Dan K Hemphill makes 200k a year. Not really but I haven't brought him up in a while.
I am thankful Lima Beanz will be interviewed on this blog soon. Not to mention he is my BEST friend.
I am thankful for AOL so I can talk to MOSCO on IM 4 times a day who never seems to leave his computer.
I am thankful for the smell of Turkey that is going through my house.
I am thankful for Starview.
I am thankful for Eggnog which I will consume enough to get my beer gut back before I take my Christmas Tree down.
I am thankful for Superman II and pickles.
I am thankful for Olives.
I am thankful for the new outfits for the Eagles Cheerleaders which leave very little to the imagination. Especially in cold weather.
I am thankful for my readers who give me a reason to write this crap.
Monday, November 24, 2003
"411 on Tucker"
I stole this from MOSCOW-
name = Tucker
piercings = None because I would just look gay and its too trendy for guy like me.
tattoos = no
height = five foot 6.5 But I tell people I am 5 '7 or 5 '8
shoe size = 10.5 or 11 depending on brand
hair color = Dark Brown, Black if I use to much gel.
siblings = Brother Bill
LAST
rented = THE HULK & BOTTLE ROCKET. I hadn't seen Bottle Rocket untill tonight, but Rushmore remains my fav. Wes Anderson flick.
movie you bought = Scarface for Liza
song you listened to = Chicago - Frank Sinatra
Song that was stuck in your head = A really bad hiphop song that Liza had on her car radio. I have no idea who sings it, but I certainly like Liza's verision a lot better.
cd you bought = TV on the Radio - um. I brought a Tonic Cd for one dollar like 3 months ago.
cd you listened to = Frank Sinatra best of.
person that's called you = Liza
tv show you've watched = Two & Half Men
person you were thinking of = Liza and how I should get her something really really cool for Christmas. WEll I guess Mosco too because I know he is going to give me crap for stealing his blog idea. So.
DO...
you have a crush on someone Celebrity? Well I bet you are expecting me to say Avril. However I think I might have grown out of my Avril stage. I am sorry Avril we are just two totally different people. It just won't work. I used to watch all those tv shows about you but I really dont anymore. PLEASE PLEASE DONT CRY! Don't make this harder than it already is. PLEASE PLEASE NOT A TEAR! PLEASE! JUST WALK AWAY!
you wish you could live somewhere else = Yes. In the land of Chocolate. MMMMMMMMM Chocolate.
others find you attractive = I hope Liza still does. It helps if her contacts are out.
you want more piercings = No, is this a marketing survey?
you drink = Not nearly as much but I still wet the whistle from time to time.
you do drugs = never did an illegal drug in my life. I took some Aspirn the other night.
you smoke = I smoke cigars once in awhile. Usally the cheap ones people use gut out and put weed in.
you like cleaning = No I am a crew member.
you write in cursive or print = Who writes in Cursive anymore?
FOR OR AGAINST...
long distance relationships= For Just look at the Old Mantis he can make it work!
using someone: No I am too guilt ridden for that type of thing.
suicide: NO DONT DO IT GEORGE BAILY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
killing people = There are appropriate times.
teenage smoking = Eh kids will be kids. Aint my crippling addicition.
doing drugs = I guess its fine for everyone else. I just dont like people that pull guns on cops and kill young kids messed up in street crimes getting rich off me seeking a good high or rush. But people are free to do what they want. But if there werent any drugs maybe our society wouldn't have been subjected to the Greatful Dead.
driving drunk = Well it depends I think under the new NJ laws if you even smell beer you are drunk. Thankfully I have never been directly effected by anyone killed by a drunk driver, but I know many people that have.
gay/lesbian relationships = Its cool. Especically when the lesbian ones are video taped.
FAVORITE...
food = hotdogs
song = I honestly don't think I have one. NO reason to feel obligated to pick one.
thing to do = Hang out with Liza or the crew
thing to talk about = Movies
sports = Hockey COME ON! Who didnt know that?
drinks = Labet Blue Beer
clothes = Jeans
movies = Jaws
holiday = Christmas
cars = I hate cars
HAVE YOU...
ever cried over a boy/girl= umm....
ever lied to someone = Of course. I lie on my blog constantly.
ever been in a fist fight = no although Lima Beanz and I have come close. I got into a few pushing matches. Once I pushed my friend Allen and I almost broke him in half.
ever been arrested = I have been pulled over about 7 times. Quite a few of my friends have been locked up.
DO YOU THINK YOU ARE...
pretty- No I never thought I was good looking. I have too much hair to be pretty.
funny- Yes
hot= No I am not
amusing - Yes
ugly= somtimes
lovable= very
I stole this from MOSCOW-
name = Tucker
piercings = None because I would just look gay and its too trendy for guy like me.
tattoos = no
height = five foot 6.5 But I tell people I am 5 '7 or 5 '8
shoe size = 10.5 or 11 depending on brand
hair color = Dark Brown, Black if I use to much gel.
siblings = Brother Bill
LAST
rented = THE HULK & BOTTLE ROCKET. I hadn't seen Bottle Rocket untill tonight, but Rushmore remains my fav. Wes Anderson flick.
movie you bought = Scarface for Liza
song you listened to = Chicago - Frank Sinatra
Song that was stuck in your head = A really bad hiphop song that Liza had on her car radio. I have no idea who sings it, but I certainly like Liza's verision a lot better.
cd you bought = TV on the Radio - um. I brought a Tonic Cd for one dollar like 3 months ago.
cd you listened to = Frank Sinatra best of.
person that's called you = Liza
tv show you've watched = Two & Half Men
person you were thinking of = Liza and how I should get her something really really cool for Christmas. WEll I guess Mosco too because I know he is going to give me crap for stealing his blog idea. So.
DO...
you have a crush on someone Celebrity? Well I bet you are expecting me to say Avril. However I think I might have grown out of my Avril stage. I am sorry Avril we are just two totally different people. It just won't work. I used to watch all those tv shows about you but I really dont anymore. PLEASE PLEASE DONT CRY! Don't make this harder than it already is. PLEASE PLEASE NOT A TEAR! PLEASE! JUST WALK AWAY!
you wish you could live somewhere else = Yes. In the land of Chocolate. MMMMMMMMM Chocolate.
others find you attractive = I hope Liza still does. It helps if her contacts are out.
you want more piercings = No, is this a marketing survey?
you drink = Not nearly as much but I still wet the whistle from time to time.
you do drugs = never did an illegal drug in my life. I took some Aspirn the other night.
you smoke = I smoke cigars once in awhile. Usally the cheap ones people use gut out and put weed in.
you like cleaning = No I am a crew member.
you write in cursive or print = Who writes in Cursive anymore?
FOR OR AGAINST...
long distance relationships= For Just look at the Old Mantis he can make it work!
using someone: No I am too guilt ridden for that type of thing.
suicide: NO DONT DO IT GEORGE BAILY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
killing people = There are appropriate times.
teenage smoking = Eh kids will be kids. Aint my crippling addicition.
doing drugs = I guess its fine for everyone else. I just dont like people that pull guns on cops and kill young kids messed up in street crimes getting rich off me seeking a good high or rush. But people are free to do what they want. But if there werent any drugs maybe our society wouldn't have been subjected to the Greatful Dead.
driving drunk = Well it depends I think under the new NJ laws if you even smell beer you are drunk. Thankfully I have never been directly effected by anyone killed by a drunk driver, but I know many people that have.
gay/lesbian relationships = Its cool. Especically when the lesbian ones are video taped.
FAVORITE...
food = hotdogs
song = I honestly don't think I have one. NO reason to feel obligated to pick one.
thing to do = Hang out with Liza or the crew
thing to talk about = Movies
sports = Hockey COME ON! Who didnt know that?
drinks = Labet Blue Beer
clothes = Jeans
movies = Jaws
holiday = Christmas
cars = I hate cars
HAVE YOU...
ever cried over a boy/girl= umm....
ever lied to someone = Of course. I lie on my blog constantly.
ever been in a fist fight = no although Lima Beanz and I have come close. I got into a few pushing matches. Once I pushed my friend Allen and I almost broke him in half.
ever been arrested = I have been pulled over about 7 times. Quite a few of my friends have been locked up.
DO YOU THINK YOU ARE...
pretty- No I never thought I was good looking. I have too much hair to be pretty.
funny- Yes
hot= No I am not
amusing - Yes
ugly= somtimes
lovable= very
Sunday, November 23, 2003
*****TUCKER'S WORLD EXCLUSIVE******
Lima Beanz has said that he was "Just kidding" about having control of what questions are asked. This opens the door to turn up the heat on the hot seat. An official date has not been set, but the interview will likely be published a day or so after the interview takes place. Both sides are look forward to the event. Lima Beanz is expected to able to respond towards the coverage of his life on here, and answer questions about parenthood. Developing.....
Lima Beanz has said that he was "Just kidding" about having control of what questions are asked. This opens the door to turn up the heat on the hot seat. An official date has not been set, but the interview will likely be published a day or so after the interview takes place. Both sides are look forward to the event. Lima Beanz is expected to able to respond towards the coverage of his life on here, and answer questions about parenthood. Developing.....
Saturday, November 22, 2003
"NHL Fumbles"
Tonight Montreal and Edmonton played a game out doors an NHL first, after an alumni game from both teams which featured the First (and likely last ever) appearance of the Great One on ice. The first time in an Oilers since the biggest trade in NHL history in 1988. Not to mention a very impressive of recently retired NHL greats.
The rink was made in the middle of Candian Football Stadium and shattered the record for people at an NHL game by thousands. The same was played outdoors under the open sky like back in the day. A great way to promote the game of hockey which is based on tradition. A great way to excite people about the NHL in a year of empty seats at rinks.
If you didn't know this you are not alone. THe NHL did nothing promote this game. They didnt run it on ESPN. So unless you had the hockey package on digital cable or the DISH. You had no way of seeing this game. Despite the NHL hyping it since Sept. on their own webpage.
IT really pisses me off. Luckily my friend DUke has the package and I was able to check it out. I would have liked to have taped it. The NHL wonders why they so many problems. WHat a bunch of idoits to let a great thing like this go unseen. I am pissed.
Tonight Montreal and Edmonton played a game out doors an NHL first, after an alumni game from both teams which featured the First (and likely last ever) appearance of the Great One on ice. The first time in an Oilers since the biggest trade in NHL history in 1988. Not to mention a very impressive of recently retired NHL greats.
The rink was made in the middle of Candian Football Stadium and shattered the record for people at an NHL game by thousands. The same was played outdoors under the open sky like back in the day. A great way to promote the game of hockey which is based on tradition. A great way to excite people about the NHL in a year of empty seats at rinks.
If you didn't know this you are not alone. THe NHL did nothing promote this game. They didnt run it on ESPN. So unless you had the hockey package on digital cable or the DISH. You had no way of seeing this game. Despite the NHL hyping it since Sept. on their own webpage.
IT really pisses me off. Luckily my friend DUke has the package and I was able to check it out. I would have liked to have taped it. The NHL wonders why they so many problems. WHat a bunch of idoits to let a great thing like this go unseen. I am pissed.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)