Happy Heavenly Birthday, Alan Rickman

 

  Even if he is no longer with us, it doesn't mean we should remember a man who was considered an amazing actor. Alan Rickman. Born on February 21st in 1946. He would be 80 today if he were here. Let's talk about his life...his amazing life that was cut short from cancer.

Born in London, Alan got his start in theater in the 1980s. He didn't get his true starts with movies till later. 

   He was considered a Shakespearian actor with being in many plays like The Segall and Romeo and Juliet. He even worked in the Royal Shakespeare company 

   In 1989 he had his breakthrough role as the lead villain in the movie Die Hard as Hans Gruber. YES, IT IS A CHRISTMAS MOVIE! He was nervous taking the role, but he was a pro portraying a villain taking a company hostage, even killing a few people to steal for the company.

   Burce Willis plays the hero. The irony is.... Alan is portraying a German villain, but he's British. Him trying to play an American as well. Bruce Willis was born in Germany. 

    Alan portrayed the villain in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. I really don't remember this movie very well, but he does play Prince John well as Kevin Costner is Robin Hood.

  Roger Ebert had said kind things about him saying, "The man is Rickman, who you will look at the screen and know you have seen him somewhere."

   In 1999, Alan Rickman went into a comedy action movie called Galaxy Quest. It was a movie that was parading Star Trek starring Rickman as a Leonard Nemoy character with Sigourney Weaver and Tim Allen in it.

   I thought it was pretty good, Rickman couldn't get along with Tim Allen since they were from different acting worlds. He was considered a Shakespearian actor while Tim was more comedy.

   He went into some voice acting from an episode of King of the Hill to voicing a Caterpillar in the horrid Tim Burton Alice in Wonderland movie. His final voice appearance was voicing a Caterpillar in the sequel. The movie was dedicated to him.

    I don't want to forget one more performance he was known for the most. Staring as Professor Snape in the Harry Potter movies. From the first...to the last.

   With me not being a fan of the Harry Potter series, I don't know much about his character. Some people thought he would be a villain. But he was more a mentor to Harry Potter and his friends. I think I don't remember. I only saw the first movie.

  Alan passed away ten years ago before he turned 70 from cancer. I can't believe it's already been ten years since he left us.

   But he will always be remembered in the movies and tv shows he starred in. Especially Die Hard, where he got his start. He is one amazing talent that was taken from us too soon. Happy Heavenly Birthday, Alan.

Remember Siskel and Ebert?

 

  A lot of people have their opinions when it comes to movies, music and even TV shows. I watch Nostalgia Critic. His name is Doug Walker, and he talks about movies as well as tv shows.

   But there was a time where there were two men that made finding out what movies were considered the best, and what were the worst.

   There were others that were talking about Movies like Roeper, Shallot and others. But Siskel and Ebbert were the first to make it happen. 

   But both Siskel and Ebert had something different. They hated and loved each other movies. They even feel the same way about each other.

  They have a thumbs up/thumbs down system. Where... If they like a movie, they will talk about it and give it a thumbs up or thumbs down if hated.

    There have been many movies that I didn't like but Ebert and Siskel did. Or I liked a movie that they didn't.

    It amazes me that every year they pick one movie that was the worst of the year to them. One year, there was a movie called "North" that starred Elijah Woods and was directed by the late Rob Reiner. 

   Ebert commented on the movie saying, "I Hated this movie! I hated it, hated, hated this movie. I hate this movie more than the years we've have talking about these movies. It's making me cringe just talking about it. One of the worst movies ever made." 

   That was harsh. There were other movies he didn't like and yet...I did

  

   The reason I didn't know about them is because I found out about them after Gene Siskel died from brain cancer in 1999. He and Ebert were the best buds ever. Then, in February of 1999, Ebert found out his best friend since the 80's had died and he was on his own.

   They put the show on hiatus after Gene's death to find a replacement...but things defiantly have changed.

  In 2000, there was a new movie critic named Richard Roeper. He was the new Siskel, but he wasn't the same. 

  He did his best to help out as they still kept the thumbs up/thumbs down system as they too fought on movies that they either liked or disliked. But it didn't have the same spark that Siskel brought. He still was there until Ebert died.

   Roger Ebert had thyroid cancer that claimed his life in 2007. Roper kept the show going with other people when Roger was out dealing with his cancer. They had to take out part of his jaw, and he looked different from how he looked before.

   It was disturbing and depressing to hear his voice had changed too. Sad that he is now in the heavens with Siskel.

   Now both critics are looking down to see others talk about movies. The likes and dislikes of certain ones and thinking... "did we start a revolution involving rating when it comes to movies?"  I guess the answer is...yes.

   Now certain critics and influencers like Rotten Tomatoes rate on how good or bad a movie is by using a tomato splat or a rating.

  After Ebert's death, someone decided to write a book, memoir if you will about how movies changed us and how they are rated and it all started with two thumbs and two men who agree or disagree in movies.

    Even if they're gone, their ratings and words will still ring on...epically on movies they hated

Minnesota Sadness- POEM

 

We won't stop,

Until it all ends,

Minnesota,

We pray for you,

as you suffer,

the hardest blows

Just because,

a certain someone,

wants certain people out,

they start with Minnesota,

for that,

injuries,

and deaths,

occurred

Many people,

injured,

others,

lost their lives,

Minnesota,

was going through hell

a young woman killed,

while driving home,

by them,

while her wife,

survives,

During the awards,

people wearing,

BE GOOD,

pins,

in honor of her

People want them gone,

I want them gone,

We don't need them,

The only Ice I want,

is in a drink of water

We just want this all to end,

Minnesota,

wants it all to end,

I feel,

it's best,

that it never happened,

at all

It seems to have calmed,

in Minnesota,

but for how long,

we know where they're coming,

and we don't want them,

near us,

all we want is,

ICE OUT

We will miss you, Catherine O'Hara

       On January 30th a famous actress from Canada passed away from a brief illness. I know some kids today wouldn't know whom she was, but she was a part of my childhood. She made movies memorable for starring in them. She would have guest roles in certain shows and come back to TV on a show made by Eugene Levy's son.

    Her name.... was Catherine O'Hara.

   She started out in Canada with a Canadian SNL skit tv called SCTV. She starred with other actors like the late John Candy, Eugene Levy and many more. She was considered hilarious as many people thought she would be great for movies and other tv shows.

   One of her first appearances in movies was "Beetlejuice" She played Winona Ryder's stepmother who wanted to decorate the house and have parties. The thing was...the house they lived in...is haunted by two ghosts and Beetlejuice is another.

   The most memorable scene is when she and a few others are sitting around the table and all of the sudden...Harry Belafonte's Day-O comes out of her mouth, and everyone starts dancing.

   What I remember her more in is Home Alone. Macaully Culkin had a tough life as it is. Especially when it came to his father. He would treat Catherine O'Hara like an actual mother figure than his own mother.

   She played Kevin's mom who accidently left him home alone. Ever since then...there had been sequels of that movie, and she was in the first sequel.

  Home Alone 2 was fine, but not great. She starred as the mother again, but this time.... Kevin is in New York. 

   The movie is some of a cut and paste redo of the first movie. It was good... but not great.

   In the early 2000's, Catherine O'Hara teamed up with Eugene Levy for a few Christopher Guest mockumentaries. One being Best in Show where she is married to Eugene Levy and they have a Norwegian Terrier that won the show.

    Recently, in honor of her memory, the recent dog show that took place in New York did a tribute in her memory showing scenes from that movie.

   She was actually not bad at singing. She did some Tim Burton movies that involved her voice. She even sang songs from A Nightmare Before Christmas. She did very well in that. She also voiced in other movies like Frankenweenie, The Addams Family, Over the Hedge, Wild Robot and many more.

    Sad that we lost her at the age of 71.

    She came back to TV in a show called Schitt's Creek. Involving a family that went from rich to poor. Starring her as a soap opera actress who recently retired.

   Eugene Levy starred as her husband while his actual sone Dan Levy was in the show as well playing the son who doesn't like to get dirty and finds a lover at the end of the series. I loved this show. It was hilarious and Catherine brought a lot of the comedy in that show.

 In 2023, I can't believe it's already been three years, Macauly Culkin received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. 

  Catherine O'Hara was there since he had cut off all ties with his actual mother. She was very proud of him and was grateful for him to receive Hollywood's highest offer. Happily, Macauly has a wife and two boys today.

   It seemed she passed away from a brief Illness and was starring in a few shows as cameos from "The Last of Us" to "The Studio" which is a Seth Rogan comedy that I don't see since I don't have AppleTV+

   Many people mourned for her like I did. I was heartbroken. First of all,...I thought somebody was doing a prank, but...it was sadly true. We will miss her, but we will never forget the comedy she gave us from Canada to the US. Rest in peace, Catherine. Say hi to John Candy for us

What's turning 40 years old

 

    I can't believe that time is rally flying by. It's already February and it got me thinking.... what movies, tv shows and even events are turning 40 this year? Having a 40th anniversary? My cousin will be 40....I'm already 41 so...let's find out.

  Sadly, 40 years ago... when I was only a baby, the Challenger space shuttle exploded. It took the lives of a few spacemen and a teacher.

    First, they wanted Big Bird from Sesame Street to go on the shuttle...but his suit was too big. They decided to go with a teacher. OMG... what would it have been if Big Bird was on that shuttle?

  When it comes to movies...there is a few of them. One being Ferris Buller's day off. Matthew Broderick, who is an ok actor, stars as the lead in a John Hughes movie where he ditches school to enjoy a day in Chicago. 

   However, the principal believes he's getting out of school to ditch and tries to catch him.

  

   Other movies turning 40 are Alien, Crocodile Dundee, Platoon, Pretty in Pink (which is also another John Hughes movie), Highlander, Maximum Overdrive, Little Shop of Horrors, Labyrinth...the more I list, the older I feel.

    It's true....40 years have gone by and even prices back then were cheap compared to what are now.

   Who's turning 40? I can't believe I'm older than these people. We got Lady Gaga, the Olsen Twins, Robert Pattinson, Drake, Unsain Bolt, Lindsey Lohan, Emilia Clarke and many more.

    God, I feel old.

   Speaking of old, when it comes to music..."You give love a bad name" by Bon Jovi is truing 40. So are songs like...

   "Walk like an Egyptian", "If you leave", The Master of Puppets album by Metallica, "Don't dream it's over", "Papa don't preach" and many more. Another Album turning 40 is Somewhere in Time by Iron Maden

   Comparing prices is comparing apples to oranges. Things are becoming too expensive. Back in 1986...gas prices were pretty cheap. Buying food at grocery stores were also cheap, now they cost an arm and a leg.

   Time was similar 40 years ago. Hell...even 30 years ago...time was easy, and I was only 12.

      For me...42 years has gone by in a flash. I can't believe it already. When I was two.... many things happened. From people being born to movies being made and prices being cheap from gas to groceries and much more.

   Even malls were still around. Now....kids today would ask "what is a mall?" Well...sometimes I wish I was back in the 80's when I was little. I guess we can't relive the past. Just enjoy what we have today.

The Lighthouse (POEM)

 

A foggy day

Near the pier

a lonely lighthouse,

a light,

shines through

In the darkness,

the light shines,

in the lighthouse,

who's inside,

what goes on,

does anyone live there

Near the waterfront,

The light is off,

in the day,

and in the night,

a light shine

Boats are attracted,

to the light,

when it is dark,

to reach the land,

they often seek,

but mysteries,

haunt the light house

The waves crash,

near the rocks,

as the lighthouse

stands on rocks,

and grass,

and waits,

to turn on the light

Many lighthouses,

look haunted,

but the mystery,

of what lies beneath,

is just in our mind,

as stories,

make us believe,

every lighthouse,

holds a mystery,

we cannot solve

All Martin Scorsese films

 

    I recently saw a movie called 'Shutter Island' and it was pretty good. It starred Leonardo DiCaprio and had a twist ending. It was directed by Martin Scorsese. Who is he? Well....he is known as a pretty good director, and he has directed some gold when it came to certain movies. Some of them were based on true stories.

  THE AVIATOR- Based on Howard Hughes life and madness, the aviator is about Howard Hughes, portrayed by Leonardo DiCaprio, and his life and childhood. Learning about aviation as well as the madness that would soon consume him. He was considered a germophobia and would be locked in his room peeing in jars. Sadly...it is based on true life.

GOODFELLAS- In the early 90's Joe Pesci was known not just as one half of the wet bandits. He also was known as a gangster. The late Ray Liotta narrates the story saying that he always wanted to be a gangster.

    There are some memorable quotes, and the story focuses on what happens after Ray's character experiences the mob life and what happens afterwards. It was pretty good.

SHUTTER ISLAND- This is movie I recently saw. It was good. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Mark Ruffalo as two detectives looking for a missing woman in a mental ward on an island. It was pretty good...but then, strange things started to happen that involves Leo's character.

   It seems the missing woman was a palindrome of another woman who was Leo's dead wife and he is considered the mental patient they are looking for.

  CAPE FEAR- I only remember the Simpsons parody involving Sideshow Bob. They got the idea from this movie where Robert DeNiro is a mad man that is following a family around. 

   They assume a new identity, but it doesn't work. Agan...I saw the Simpsons version. It kind of mirrors the movie with Bart feeling threatened and the family going under another name, only to be found by the killer. 

  GANGS OF NEW YORK- I remember this movie very well. Long but worth seeing. Should have won the Oscar that year.

    Leonardo DiCaprio portrays a young man on a mission. To seek revenge on the man that killed his father in a fight. Some of this movie is based on a true story on what happened many years ago. Daniel Day Lewis played the antagonist and hated the hairstyle so much that he shaved his head off after the movie ended. Worth the watch; only criticism...Cameron Diaz as the woman. 

 THE DEPARTED- Another movie based on a true story staring Matt Damon and Jack Nicholson. I vaguely remember this movie...but it was ok. It involves an Irish mob Boss and the Massachusetts Police. 

   It gets crazy as Jack portrays the mob boss Mark Wahlberg is also involved and ends up killing Matt at the end of the movie after Jack's character dies. That's all I can remember.

  KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON- This movie was based on a book that stars Leonardo DiCaprio as Ernest Burkhart. Based on a true story also starring Robert DeNiro. This movie was nominated for many awards. One being for best actress that was for Lily Gladstone. She was the first Native American actress nominated for that award. 

    Sadly, she didn't win it. I didn't see much of this movie. But this was one of the recent works by Marin Scorsese and it looks pretty good. It is a long one, but it could be worth seeing.

   Martin is also known for making movies like the Irishman, Hugo and others that he has directed. He likes to put Leonardo DiCaprio as well as Robert DeNiro in many of his works. He even acted in a few tv and movie roles. 

   He even has starred in commercials and directed a few short films and documentaries. He's still strong today, but he's around his eighties. It doesn't mean he'll stop any time soon. Some of his movies are worth watching. Shutter Island and Gangs of New York are the best in my opinion.