Any New Years Eve Classics?

We're winding down to the end of a year that many wish to put behind them and never speak of again. Due to the pandemic this year's New Year's Eve celebration will also be different for many, with several folks hunkered down at home. There's traditions like Dick Clark's Rockin' New Year's Eve, and tuning in at 11:59 to watch the ball drop. However, some folks may want to watch a good movie before the ball drops.

If these folks are like me, they may want to watch a film that fits into the season. Halloween and Christmas have an abundance of films from Big budget to B-movie's to get viewers in the season. Just like Thanksgiving, New Year's Eve is lacking with films set around the holiday.

You may be thinking about films like  Trading Places, Ghostbusters 2, Sleepless In Seattle, Waiting to Exhale, or When Harry Met Sally which have important scenes set during New Year's Eve, but the actual plot of the film does not revolve around the holiday. When I think about movies set during NYE where the holiday is a integral part of the film, I can only think of five movies New Year's Eve, 200 Cigarettes, Four Rooms, About Time and the original Ocean's Eleven from 1960. None of these films are classics by any means, and I doubt many are flocking to watch these movies in the spirit of the holiday.

So I wonder, why isn't the holiday used more as focus point for movies? The closing of the current year into the new year, often has members of society thinking about their accomplishments or loss, mending disputes, looking ahead and starting the new year right.

All of these which are perfect tropes to support a NYE's movie. Either filmmakers believe people are worn out of holiday movies after Christmas, or just dont feel New Year's movies are worth it. Could just be me, but I would love to see more movies based on the holiday. I have to ask are there any New Year's Eve classics out there? 

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Top Ten Heist Movies

It's the 25th anniversary of the Crime/Heist film classic "Heat" starring Al Pacino and Robert Deniro. While thinking about the film, I starred thinking about one of my favorite film genres, heist films. Heist films can be serious gritty crime dramas, or over the top goofy comedies, which is why I enjoy them so much. I also enjoy watching these heist unfold over time and all the deatil they put into them. So I decided to write my top ten heist films. Since I enjoy heist movies so much, I had to include some honorable mentions before digging into the list. 

Honorable Mentions:

The Town

Baby Driver

Jackie Brown

Tower Heist

Now You See Me

10. Quick Change

Quick Change is a 1990 film starring Bill Murray, Geena Davis, Randy Quaid, and Jason Robards. Murrat, Davis, and Quaid play a trio of bank robbers who pull off a successful heist without a hitch. They're next goal of getting out of town isn't as easy,  everything that could go wrong does in fact go wrong. The film is a quirky comedy with Jason Robard's detective determined to catch them as they try to get the hell out of town.

9. Fast Five

The film that reinvented the Fast and Furious franchise, and without a doubt the best film in the entire series. Fast Five has Vin Diesel and Paul Walker tapping into their network of friends to steal from a shady Brazillian businessman who has gotten them jammed up. All the while The Rock's federal agent Luke Hobbs and his crew are hot on their tail.The movie does provide callbacks to the four previous films and displays how valuable each team member is to the group. That chase scene through the streets of Brazil is also top five chase scenes in my opinion. 

8. Reservoir Dogs

Quentin Tarantino's classic 1992 film directing debut is a benchmark for heist films that followed. It follows eight criminals who rob a jewerly store but it goes entirely horribly wrong. The film intersects between how the heist came together to the fallout from it going wrong. Showing eight guys don't know one another can't trust each other and how the every man for themselve mentality can really cause issues. 

7. Inside Man

Starring Denzel Washington and Clive Owens and directed by Spike Lee. This heist film follows Clive and his crew as they rob a Manhattan bank. Denzel Washington play's the hostage negotiator assigned to work with these robbers. Through the process we learn the contents within the bank the robbers are really looking for. It's a smart heist film that you have to watch multiple times to pick up on the many cues.

6. Heat

Heat the epic crime drama starring Al Pacino and Robert De Niro starring alongside one another. They both were in The Godfather II but their respective characters lived in different time periods so they never shared the screen. Directed by Michael Mann who later directed Ali, Collateral and Public Enemies. Heat features the typical trope of two men on opposite sides of the law and their personal and professional lives. One of them life is in complete shambles and it's not who you think. The two play a cat and mouse game as De Niro's character plans his next heist, leading to the famous downtown LA shootout scene.

5. Set It Off

The older I get the more I realize how fucked up of a hand was dealt to these four sisters. They all went to work and contributed to society and the system screwed them one way or another. There have been other heist films with all female leads, but none of them took charge like this quartet did in Set It Off. The bank shootout scene is up there with the best of film shootouts, and the fate of characters may have even the strongest folks shed a tear. 

4. Ocean's Eleven

Ocean's Eleven a remake of the 1960 film starring the Rat Pack, it spawned two sequels and a spin-off. The film follows Danny Ocean played by George Clooney assembling his crew to rob a Las Vegas casino. Danny assembles a motley crew of talent that includes Bernie Mac, Don Cheadle, Carl Reiner, Matt Damon, Casey Affleck, Scott Caan and more. This film highlights the carefully detailed planning into their heist, the code names for the team members respective roles..what the hell is a greaser by the way? It also shows how important teamwork is and that everyone plays their role to perfection. When I use to play GTA: San Andreas the Caligula's casino mission always gave me Ocean's Eleven vibes.

3. Den Of Thieves

This film released in 2018 doesn't get the love it deserves, but I feel in time it will. The film stars Gerard Butler, 50 Cent, O'Shea Jackson Jr., and Pablo Schrieber. Gerard plays Nick a L.A. Sheriff detective following a group of bank robbers and he thinks he's found his targets. Much like Heat this film plays the cat and mouse game, and show's the personal lives of the men on both sides of the law. This film has some amazing shootouts, including this one in the middle of a traffic jam. The film also has a wild card aspect of a mastermind you wouldn't expect.

2. Inception

Inception the 2011 film starring Leonardo Dicaprio, Ellen Page, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Tom Hardy, and Cillian Murphy was directed by Christopher Nolan. This film is different type of heist film in that what the captors are stealing is in effect someones mind. The whole premise of the film is to infiltrate someones dream and implement an idea into their head. The film truly requires multiple viewings, as the dream world and layout has many rules and concepts you have to pay attention to understand. The unusual heist, graphics, and action is what makes it my 2nd favorite heist film.

1. Point Break

This 1991 film starring Keanu Reeves, Patrick Swayze, and Gary Busey follows FBI agent Johnny Utah "Utah get me two!" who goes undercover and hangs with some free spirited surfers led by Bodhi (Patrick Swayze). Utah suspects Bodhi's crew is responsible for a series of recent bank robberies, but maybe getting in too deep in the process. Everytime this movie comes on I stop what I'm doing and watch it, the same can't be said for it's 2015 reboot. It may not be as "smart" or drama filled as other heist films, but it is a damn good ride in the process. 

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Where Are The Thanksgiving Movies?

We're a couple days away from Thanksgiving, the holiday sandwiched between Halloween and Christmas that is often neglected. Society isn't as excited for Thanksgiving like they are Halloween and Christmas, and retailers just want to rush to Christmas to get those holiday sales. As I thought about the Horror or Halloween theme movies I watch every year, or the Christmas movies that are a must every year. I started thinking about Thanksgiving movies and wondered why there are so few?

Thanksgiving tradition is to cook the dry ass turkey, watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, and watch some football. For someone like me movies are a big part of my holiday traditions and I just don't have any Thanksgiving tradition movies because there really aren't many of them.

There are movies that put you in the mind of Thanksgiving but isn't set during Thanksgiving such as Soul Food or The Big Chill. There are films that may have scenes during Thanksgiving such as You Got Mail and Funny People but it's not the focal point likeor have pivotal scenes occur around Thanksgiving such as the classic scene in She's Gotta Have It, but there aren't too many straight Thanksgiving films. When I think of those films,  the one's off the top of my head I think of Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, Home For the Holidays, my Thanksgiving favorite Dutch, and Pauly Shore's Son-In-Law. There's Tower Heist which uses Thanksgiving as a plot device to commit a crime and also Paul Blart: Mall Cop which is focused on Black Friday.

On the TV front there is A Charlie Brown's Thanksgiving special, but that is nowhere near as adored as the Halloween and Christmas special. Thanksgiving is a prime holiday for good stories, lessons for the characters to learn, and tell stories about families. So I'm really curious why there arent many Thanksgiving focused films. You'll never see a 24 hour Thanksgiving film marathon or anything like Freeforms 31 days of Halloween or 25 days of Christmas for Thanksgiving. 

With all the content and content providers out there, I'm challenging any of them to make a true Thanksgiving classic for all to enjoy and become a tradition to watch for years to come. 

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We Deserve Vampire In Brooklyn 2

 

Today marks 25 years since Vampire In Brooklyn was released in theaters, the film stars Eddie Murphy and Angela Bassett and was directed by Horror Icon Wes Craven. During the time of it's release Eddie was just waddling along having fallen from the height of his career in the 80's and not yet experiencing the resurgence of his career that he would just a year later. If you've been reading my blogs lately you can tell that I am a huge Vampire movie fan, and this film is another one I must watch during spooky season.

The movie is a horror/comedy and at the time of it's release reception was mixed and it only grossed $19 million at the box office. As the years have passed, the film has come to be beloved and while watching it recently I wondered...where the hell is our sequel?

One of my favorite parts about the film (besides the hilarious John Witherspoon) was the idea of Black Vampires and their backstory. Eddie Murphys character Maximillian was a smooth ass dude from an unknown Carribean island where it's suggested they existed in abundance at one time and were very wealthy. Max's mission was to get Angela Bassetts character Rita a Dhampir to fall in love with him to sustain their race with time ticking.

Maxmillian displayed traditional vampire powers such as enhanced strength, flying capability, beast like ferocity, and  abundance of thirst while never growing old. He also had additional powers such as metamorphsis and telepathic powers, leading me to wonder does one have to be a vampire for a certain amount of time to gain those additional powers? He also had a ghoul named Julius by his side, who was slowly deteriorating. What was the end game with the ghoul?

At the end of the film the door was left open for a sequel, when Julius becomes a vampire after putting on Max's ring. Which begs the question does one become a vampire in the traditional sense or is a piece of vampire created jewerly all thats needed to become a vampire and have the powers of a vampire? 

    

A sequel could have answered all these burning questions that I have. It could go one of two ways following the ring and a new unsuspecting victim putting it on, learning the ways of being a vampire in modern day Brooklyn. Or following a new vampire going to the Carribean island and learning about their culture. Touch on where Rita and Justice have been all these years later. Is Julius still a vampire or has he been staked for being a damn fool? How does voodoo play a role in defeating these vampires? Why do these batch of vampires dress so immaculate? 

Throw in some comedy, gore and possibly a love story and it would be another B-movie horror classic. We also need more Black horror vampires and vampire hunters.  As the streaming wars grow, these studios have to dig in the vaults to revisit old tales. Besides all that Damnit we deserve A Vampire In Brooklyn 2!

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B's Remake Series-Blacula

What does Grace Jones, Aaliyah, Thandie Newton, Michad Brooks, Adina Porter, Rutina Wesley. Kat Graham, Edi Gathegi, Wesley Snipes, and Eddie Murphy all have in common? They've all played vampires on the big and small screen. The film they have to thank for making that possible is 1972's Blacula.

Starring William Marshall as the smooth laid-back title character. Blacula sparked an series of horror films within the blaxplotation genre during the '70's. The gist of the story is African Prince Maulade is working to free his people from slavery in 1780, but get's transformed into a vampire by Dracula and imprionsed in a crypt. Fast forward to 1972 and he's inadvertently released and comes across a woman named Tina played by Vonetta Mcgee, he believes to be the reincarnation of the wife he left behind.

Making his way around town with the fashion statement of his cape strapped to his back. He makes attempts to woo Tina while wrecking havoc on the town to survive, and keep who he really is a secret. This movie is prime for a reboot.

With the increased focus and embracing of Black culture, and the horror genre overdue for a new Black vampire. Blacula could be the horror film we didn't know we need. 

Maintain the African Prince character and make his personality that of a smooth lothario. Have him awaken in the 2020's unsure of where the hell he is, which has a clear Rip Van Winkle influence and could be used for some comedic effect. One thing the original film didn't address was how awakening centuries later affected Blacula as a person. He just went with the flow and instantly knew how use his new powers as a vampire.

A reboot should focus on the mental psyche of a vampire awakeing alone to a unfamiliar world, a vampire who was of royalty as a man, and show the growing pains of his new life. Keep the love story component of him just wanting to reunite with his true love, because people love a good love story. Throw in some gory bad ass vampire scenes and special effects of how they move, add in classic vampire lore and we have a new Blacula that a new generation can love.

Casting the role, as I mentioned earlier in the blog Blacula is one smooth guy, should a reboot ever occur a smooth fella like Idris Elba would have to play the part. There is an abundance of talented female actresses who could play his love interest so a reboot couldn't go wrong there.

Watching this film it was clear to me Eddie Murphy used it as inspiration when he crafted Vampire In Brooklyn. Maxmillian is the pinnacle of Black vampires for my generation, just as Blacula was for Eddie's generation. The film is by no means perfect but it sparked a sequel Scream Blacula Scream, so it certainly has a legacy. The DNA is there for a rebooted Blacula to be a success, let's hope someone realizes it and inspires a new generation of Black vampires and Black vampire fans.

 

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B's Top Five Vampire Movies

Auburn leaves are falling and the air is getting crisp. Apple cider and candy apples are in abundance. Those who like pumpkin flavor are on cloud nine. It's also Halloween season which means its time for horror marathons. One staple of horror films are vampires.

In pop culture zombies are the pinnacle creatures of the horror genre. Personally I've always preferred vampires and feel the love towards vampires is severely lacking. In all mediums the mythology behind vampires is what draws me in. They have certain rules to abide by in order to survive, they can morph from human form to demonic creatures or bats in a snap. Not all vampires die the same, some explode other's simply dust away, some scream like hell as their bodies burn. All playing a role in the deep mythology of the living dead.

Since I love movies and vampires here are my top 5 vampire movies.

1. The Lost Boys

The Lost Boys on the surface is a campy tonally completely 80's film. The clothes, the hair, the music, the famous beach concert scene all a product of it's times. The film still holds up well and damnit it is a fun ride in the process. Known for it's tagline "You'll never grow old, and you'll never die, but you must feed". The film has so much to offer, Keifer Sutherland who is an underrated actor brings a ice cold cool factor to vampire lead David. Jason Patric shows talent that lead to many thinking he would be a bigger star than he is. Jami Getz  plays her torn lover role well, let's not forget 80's superstars the two Corey's Corey Haim and Corey Feldman. 

The MTV style fast camera shots and quick cuts depictly how fast the vampires seek and destroy it's still an editing marvel. The theme song "Cry Little Sister" is infectious and you will find yourself humming it randomly. The house seige at the end of the film perfectly depicts the many ways vampires go out. Vampire lore in this film includes the "head vampire" of a pack who must be killed to save any half-vampires.

The movie is legendary and  sparked two too late too little sequels in the 2000's that attempted to cash in on name value. There has been a planned TV show in development at the CW for a few years that just can't get new life. One iteration for the show included a pretty cool idea of following the core vampires through various decades . Even if the show never gets off the ground, the demand for more Lost Boys content is there and the first film is undoubtledly a classic. 

2. Blade

Before Marvel Comics as a result of the MCU became the juggernaut that it is today, they were just trying to survive and sold film rights to help stay afloat. In the process came Blade released in 1998 and starring the 1990's Black king of action films Wesley Snipes. Blade is a Dhampir a half-human  half-vampire whose lifes mission is to eradicate the bloodsuckers of the world. He finds himself in a battle with Deacon Frost (bad ass name) played by Stephen Dorff who gives a vicious villain performance. 

Blade has kick ass action scenes, and more kick ass action scenes. It also gives the vampires of it's world a deep mythology and show how sophiscated their society is. They are wealthy, they have mere mortals who wish to be vampires doing their dirty work during the day. "Pure Bloods" or born vampires are considered superior to those who were converted. They keep archives of their history and worship their own religion and blood gods. 

The sequel delves deeper into the vampire culture in this film universe. The third film introduces the original vampire Dracula but falls very flat compared to the first two. Blade is considered a comic book movie above all else, but the inclusion of vampires give its horror attributes. 

Besides the two sequels, Blade also spawned a mini anime series and a  TV show in the mid 2000s starring rapper Sticky Fingaz.  Marhershala Ali is set to bring the character back in the MCU this decade.

3. Underworld Series

This film series all six of them have all the ingredients about vampire lore I love. A full mythology of origins, powers, hierarchies and way of life. Vampires in this film series having ruling elders who take turns hibernating and awakening to lead the species in their war against the lycans (werewolves). Both sides were the result of a genetic mutation centuries ago, and have established their own communities living alongside humans. 

The films are all about the action and have bare plots, especially the first one it's nothing more than a film trying to capitalize of the Matrix's aesthics and special effects, with a Romeo + Juliet love story. All set against the backdrop of a centuries long war between mythical creatures. Despite that I'll stop what I'm doing and watch these films when they come on. 

4. Fright Night

This vampire film released in 1985, and stars Chris Sarandon of Scarface fame and William Ragsdale as  an 80's lovable loser who is obessed with old school horror films,  he suspects something's not quite right with his new neighbor. He set's out on a mission to prove that his neighbor is a vampire and responsible for the recent abductions in the area.

Fright Night is 80's comedy/horror at it's finest. William Ragsdale plays his role well, and Chris Sarandon plays creepy vampire Jerry with enough convinction he wanted to drive a stake through his heart yourself. A sequel was released a few years later, followed by a remake in 2011 starring Colin Farrell and another sequel in 2013.

5. Once Bitten

Released in 1985 and starring Jim Carrey in his first film role as high schooler Mark. Once Bitten has the typical teenage tropes of the 1980's...a teenager just wanting to get laid. Mark has been desperate to lose virginity but his longtime girlfriend won't budge. At the same time there is a vampire countess played by Lauren Hutton who must drink the blood of a virgin three different times by Halloween to stay immortal. A bit of a spin on traditional vampire lore, the film follows Mark as he starts to slowly convert while still trying to get lucky.

Once Bitten isn't gory by any means, and it's a horror comedy but isn't really laugh out loud funny. It deserves some praise for switching up the vampire mythology just a bit on how some may survive. It's one of those films you can turn on and check out from reality for a couple hours. 

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Could Use Dinner And A Movie These Days

 

It's a Saturday Night, its  been a long week and I'm a bit washed. Flipping between cable and the few streaming services I subscribe to, I noticed the abundance of movies from the 80's up to the early 2000's that are played like clockwork on several stations (AMC, VH1, TBS, TNT). It got me thinking...it's time to bring back hosted movie programs. 

I'm not sure what the official name of these programs are called but they go back as far as the 1950's with horror films hosted by personalities. Back in the 90's to early 2000's there were several movie programming blocks hosted by various personalities. Famously airing B-movies and bygone classics, in between commercial breaks the hosts would have skits, interview guest, or just talk about random non-important facts regarding the movie playing. It was entertaining and for a young kid who was big into movies, and was seeing some of them for the first time was quite interesting. 

The USA network had USA Up All Night which aired on Friday and Saturday nights and over it's span was hosted by comedian Gilbert Gottfried and Rhonda Shear over it's time. Every Friday Night TBS had Dinner and A Movie a cool concept where dishes were crafted that fit into the theme of the movie playing. I saw Top Gun for the first time at 10 years old watching that show.

One of the more famous personalities to host these shows next to Elvira was Joe Bob Briggs with his Job Bob's Drive-In Theater program on premium cable channel The Movie Channel, and Monstervision on TNT. I saw way too many B-movies watching his program such as Toxic Avenger Trancers and Dollman . I saw the original Swamp Thing watching Monstervision, after seeing the sequel first and was in awe at the complete differences between the two films.

The last program aired on cable like this I'm aware of  was Casino Cinema on SpikeTV in the mid 2000's. In 2018 horror streaming service Shudder bought Joe Bob Briggs back for The Last Drive-In Times have changed and with so much content out there, cable steadily losing ground to streaming services, and several talented entertaining personalities out there. Now's a good as time as any to bring these type's of programs back, and give washed individuals like myself some nostalgia and something to look forward to on Saturday nights when nothing else is on.

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B's Remake Series: Universal Soldier

 Hollywood is the king of recycling. Every year there are movies and TV series in development, that are remakes, sequels, or spiritual continuations of successful properties.

This often done to invoke nostalgia, connect a property to a new generation. Or the biggest reasons, money and Hollywood is out of fresh ideas. When films are remade it's often to bring famous films to a new generation. Update a film that had a good plot and just failed in execution, or the technology wasnt there to fully flesh out the film. I will be providing a series of films, I believe are ripe for a remake in my "B's Remake Series". 

Starting off is 1992's "Universal Soldier"  starring Jean-Claude Van Damme and Dolph Lundgren. At the time Jean was becoming one of Hollywood's reliable action stars, while Dolph was not a bankable action star but had the size, menace, and enough acting to be a bad ass foe when one is needed. The poster featuring the two with machine guns in their hand, and their target head sets (dont know the actual term for them) and the trailer was all they needed to draw audiences in.

The film follows the two as reanimated soldiers amongst a team used for a secret military program. Both go rogue in their own way against the program, and against one another. The film put Jean Claudes martial arts skills against Dolph's brute force. There is some serviceable action scenes in the film, including the opening hostage scene, and a motel shootout. The Hoover Dam scene still holds up today with the introduction of the soldiers, the scene of them repealing down the Hoover Dam face first is a cool ass visual to this day. 

Where I think the film is ready for a remake almost thirty years later, is the technology behind reviving the characters  of Jean and Dolph. DNA engineering, stem cell use, and cybernetics are even more prevalent and has supporters and opponets more today than back in 1992. Even watching the movie when I was younger, I was intrigued by the idea of the 'Unisol" program as it's called in the movie. On the DVD there is a deleted scene where Jeans character meets the doctor who oversaw the program, it does provide some context but I believe was left out for pacing purposes. As such the movie leaves just enough information to let viewers know, theres way more to the story of that program. How their chosen, how their controlled, exactly what was done to these soldiers. It's a whole mythology behind it that should be explored further.

The film could also touch on the experiences of soldiers when their in war and the mental effects of it. The effects of PTSD is hinted at in the original, but I think there just wasnt enough known about it back then to elaborate on it in the film. That could be a subplot in a remake and play a role in the soldiers going rogue. 

There was a direct sequel released in 1999, that other then starring Van Damme didnt really connect with the original. Hell it left more questions then answers, if you're trying to make sense of the connection between the two. There's also been some straight to cable and DVD interations, that dont meet the standard the first film set. With Hollywood looking for old properties to revive, now is the perfect time for Universal Soldier. 

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Give Master P His Flowers Now

 

BET's recent 5 part docuseries No Limit Chronicles, reminded me of something I think most people have forgotten. Master P was and is Thee motherfuckin' man.

Watching this series made me remember just how much Master P and No Limit was everywhere in the late 90s.  Not a lyrical rapper by far, he found a style that worked for him, and knew how to play the game enough to stay in his lane and get paid. 

The guy is a shrewd O.G. who wanted to become not just rich, but wealthy and make sure he bought his people along with him. Negotiating with priority records to own his masters from the beginning, and keeping 85% of record sales. Buying his artists houses upon them signing with No Limit, paying over 350k to get Snoop Dogg out of his death row deal. Negotiating a $2 million deal with WCW to make two appearances. He knows the art of the hustle in the business world.

He aimed not only to take over music, but clothing, sports agency's, toys, hotlines, film actor, writer, and producer. A comedy tour promoter, real estate investor, and so much more. Since he and Diddy (then Puff Daddy) respective labels were hot at the same time, and they were both branching out at the same time. Diddy gets more kudos for his entrepreneurial hustle.

If I was a betting man and you asked me, Diddy always had the drive but he learned some hustling tips from Master P. Same goes for Jay-Z who followed in P's footsteps with his own shoe line, and later sports agency among other ventures. Same goes for 50 Cent and any other rap musicians who became entrepeneurs they looked at the blueprint Master P set. 

He may have had some missteps with some business ventures, but Master P just wants to sit back and make money. He's helping out the community in anyway he can. He's still making business moves such as investing in potto chip brand Rap Snacks, and ramen noodles brand Rap Icons.  Buying a indy wrestling promotion House of Glory (HOG) in October of 2019. Earlier this summer he announced his own brand of Rice "Uncle P's Louisana Seasoned Rice".  He has created a legacy  for himself and proved he is the last don. Let's give him his flowers while we can. 

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Don't Sleep on Physical Home Media Discs

When Covid-19 hit earlier this year it turned the world upside down. Due to various lockdown measures put in place to mitigate the spread of the virus, more people are at home watching TV. Since many films and television shows had to halt filming during the height of the pandemic, viewers have either binged watch shows that have been on their "to watch" list for quite some time or revisit old programs. And their are several options out there to watch programs on cable,  Netflix, Hulu, Disney Plus, Prime Video, and CBS All Access. There are specialty streaming services such as BET plus, ESPN plus, WWE network, UFC fight pass and a host of more. In the middle of the pandemic two conglemerates have released their streaming services WarnerMedia with HBO Max and NBCUniversal with Peacock.

Even with all these programming options, and vast libraries of films and programs to choose from. I've found myself resorting to my good ol collection of movies I've gathered over the years to watch. Many times when looking for something to watch, I either get tired of watching the same old stuff, get tired of searching for something to watch, or what I want to watch either isn't available or you have to pay for and the movie is 10 years or older. And, I've reached my streaming service max and refuse to get any additional ones.

I said the hell with all of that and  I'll just dust off the collection. I've recently watched movies like Strictly Business, Little Big League, Hangin' With the Homeboys, Camp Nowhere, Above The Rim and Street Kings among a few others. For some reason  they all popped in my head randomly and I said I want to watch them. all hard to come by on streaming services or Cable plays them edited or wants you to rent or buy. Thank god I have all of them on DVD.

 As technology and cloud services have advanced, downloading and streaming movies have quickly outpaced physical media. It's understandable as digital copies reduce clutter in the home, but for me there is something about getting up and inserting a blu ray or DVD into the player. I just love the idea of grabbing a movie I haven't seen in a long time, popping it in and watching it. Some may say you get the same feeling with streaming, I'm willing to fall on the sword that it's not.

Ever since I was a kid if I had extra money I would go buy a VHS, what I want for christmas? a few movies of my favorites or a movie I've never seen before but likely will enjoy. To this day if I stumble across relics like Suncoast or FYE I'm likely to be in there a while. I've built a nice collection of films, and never intend to let them go. I even held onto a few VHS for nostalgia purposes.

Streaming maybe the present and the future, but home media definitely has a place in the ecosystem of entertainment. If you have a few physical discs or actually like building a collection, hold on to them you never know when having those movies will come in handy. 

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Random Thoughts Of A Expectant Dad

In late Febuary my wife and I found out she was pregnant with our first child. Mannn the rush of emotions that come shooting at you in that moment is honestly alot to take in.

From selfish thoughts like there goes my plans I had this year. To ok, what do we need to do to prepare for this? I started thinking about shit I needed to get together, to give my child the best life I can give em. Start saving for college, so hopefully they won't have to worry about student loans. Start saving for family vacations, so I can provide memories and experiences. All the geek stuff I can't wait to introduce and share (ninja turtles, pro wrestling, movies, and superheroes among others).

I thought about my own insecurities I need to work on (yes you can still have them in your thirties). So that I don't subconsciously pass them on to my child.

I've been reading as much as I could about pregnancy, particularly in the early months. How often do babies sleep in the womb? The growth process in the womb, things dad's can do to support their significant other. I went to the first doctors visit in early March nervous as hell and overwhelmed but excited...then covid hit.

Since then I haven't been able to go to the appointments. I missed hearing the baby's heartbeat and sonograms, thanks to the power of technology I've heard recordings of the heartbeat and could facetime during sonogram visits. However, it's not the same and I'm annoyed I'm missing the in person part of the process.

The months have passed and my wife belly grows. I rub her stomach every night and "talk" to my daughter. A few things have spring upon me,first is how the parental instinct to be a protector automatically kicks in. Although she is not here yet, my job is to make sure my wife is safe and doing good and in turn my daughter. The second is how you could love someone you haven't met yet so much. I can only imagine the feeling once she is born.

If you haven't realized by now I'm gonna be a "sucker" for my child....and I'm A-ok with that. October also can't come soon enough and I'm patiently but impatiently waiting for the due date to come.

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WWE Get Out Of Your Own Way

During these times of covid-19 quarantine, many people have taken the opportunity with all this extra time to learn new hobbies, complete projects they’ve been putting off, read more, or learn new things about themselves. At the same while major sports leagues around the world has shut down, professional wrestling has continued to truck along without fans. It’s safe to say WWE has not taken this opportunity to improve their presentation.

WWE was the first company to announce they would continue to produce shows during this pandemic. Due to the circumstances and working with a mostly skeleton crew on a honestly already thin roster, they have not completely failed. Wrestlemania 36 turned out to be quite enjoyable, particularly the cinematic match between AJ Styles and Undertaker. In that, WWE has discovered people like those types of matches even though Lucha Underground and Impact Wrestling has done those type of matches before with great fanfare. Managers seem to be making a comeback with Zelina Vega building a stable, and hints MVP is looking for talent to manage. Some superstars such as Otis have been given opportunities to shine, winning the money in the bank match.

One thing WWE is failing on, and they failed with before the pandemic hit..creating new stars. WWE has had issues creating stars on the level of Hogan, Austin, Rock, and Cena for quite some time. One of the biggest reasons attributed to that by fans is they don’t feel a connection to the talents, and most promos leave a lot to be desired. Which leads to my brief rant.

For the life of me I cannot figure out why WWE is not taking this time to get more guys on the mic. Even talents who are not active due to injuries or have chosen not to wrestle due to safety concerns should be given opportunities. That could be done by having them record mission statements “off the cuff” from home and included in the programs. WWE previously did this with their “Tout” videos and a couple years ago with selfie promos that included graphics. Those promos failed because they were over produced.

If the promos are shot with that grittiness aspect and not so produced, it may be more well received. This give performers more opportunities to improve their promo skills and allows them to come off more “real”. It also leaves them at the forefront of fans minds for when they do return. Prospects that have been recently used on Raw, Smackdown, and NXT should be given insert promos before their matches. Especially the talent they have plans for, this allows that talent to create an identity and promo skills.

If they can’t fit it into the shows, WWE has YouTube and the WWE network where they could play the promos instead. Or maybe have watch parties of matches with wrestlers who can show their personalities by commentating on the matches.

It’s easy to pick on WWE cause they are the biggest pro wrestling organization in the world. Now they are a multi billion dollar corporation and I’m just a fan who has been watching for twenty something years. I have been watching wrestling a long time and can tell many of the issues are from lack of talent connection. AEW and Impact Wrestling have had their downs during this time, but their ups have been better because of their more forward thinking. Using vignettes, skits, and remote promos from talent to help get them over. It’s working because it appeals to the current generation, and proves most of WWE problems are...they can’t get out of their own way.

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Andre Harrell And Uptowns Legacy

It's often said that we as a society dont give people their flowers while their here. Sadly, that is often true and the recent passing of Andre Harrell proves that. Andre Harrell started in the music industry as 1/2 of the rap duo Dr. Jekyll (Andre) and Mr. Hyde. The duo had moderate success as a group and had a small role in the 1985 hip hop classic "Krush Groove". Being an artist was Andre's introduction into the music business, but it was his role as a mogul that cemented his legacy.

After working with Def Jam Records for a few years, Andre took what he learned from Russell Simmons and started Uptown Records. Uptown Records helped usher the fresh new jack swing sound of the late 80's-early 90's. Right along with other new jack swing pioneers such as Teddy Riley, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, and Babyface Uptown Records bought a new groove to airwaves.

Uptown Records introduced so many legends to the masses and produced songs that undeniable classics. The Uptown Records roster included Heavy D, Al B. Sure, Mary J. Blige, Jodeci, Christopher Williams, Guy, Groove B. Chill, Father MC, The Lost Boyz, Soul for Real, and Biggie Smalls for a brief moment. Behind the scenes among these great artists was a young A&R executive named Sean Combs. Who learned from Andre and went on to start his own record label Bad Boy Records and is now a legendary entertainment mogul.

Besides the music that Uptown graced us with. Andre and company also employed the Motown system of ensuring their artists were styled correctly, had stage presence and poise. Uptown was known for their great music and the fashion forward style of their artists.

Uptown was the label with style and grace. Like Berry Gordy and Motown, Andre and Uptown inspired the next generation of music moguls. Just like with Bad Boy Records, Uptown paved the way No Limit Records, So So Def Records, Cash Money, and several other Black owned music labels.

In late 2019 BET started pre-production on a Uptown Records mini-series, hopefully production will continue and a new generation will get to learn and understand the greatness of Andre Harrell and Uptown. Like MJ, Whitney, and Prince along with other legends, Andre Harrell was an icon in the music game and his loss is a blow for the culture. Out of this loss, his contributions will be revisited, loved all over again, and appreticated more than ever before. The legacy of Andre Harrell will live on forever

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In Case you Didn't Know....Bad Boys is a Classic

Bad Boys starring Martin Lawrence and Will Smith and directed by Michael Bay was released April 7th, 1995 and just celebrated it's 25th anniversary. Reading behind the scenes stories of the film, it comes across as a movie that wasn't suppose to be successful. Decades later people still love the film and yes the term "classic" gets thrown around alot, but I believe the film is a classic here's why.

Bad Boys is one of those films I look back as that has stars in them before they were stars. In this case Martin and Will were stars, but they were not the mega stars they would later come to be. Will Smith was mostly known as the clean cut rapper Fresh Prince and star of the TV show Fresh Prince of Bel Air. Martin Lawrence was the star of his own self-title TV sitcom Martin and the first host of the HBO series Def Comedy Jam. He was also the hottest Black comic of the early to mid 90's. Joe Pantoliano who played Captain Howard was always that guy you saw in movies that played his role well, who years later people would come to hate as Cyper in The Matrix. Tea Leoni has had a solid career but nothing superstar worthy.

Bad Boys took the buddy-cop odd couple formula popularized in the 80's by 48 hours and Lethal Weapon, and turned things up bringing that formula to the 90's. Martin Lawrence is the high strung family man Marcus Burnett, while Will Smith is the laid back smooth ladies man Mike Lowrey. It doesn't take itself too serious and try to be something it is not. 

The funniest scenes in the movie to me, are the one's where Marcus and Mike knowing one another for years. Are able to bicker and reflect real annoyances they have with one another to distract those around them, long enough to get out of a jam. The chemistry is displayed at the very beginning of the film when they use that method to get out of an attempted carjacking. The two have viewers really believing they've known each other for years and know how to get on one anothers nerves.

The action scenes are typical Michael Bay action scenes, before he was given budgets to just create utter nonsense. My favorite action scene in the film, is the foot chase through the city of Miami which honestly is the scene that probably convinced producers that Will Smith could be a formdiable, marketable action star. 

There in lies why Bad Boys is a classic. The story is an typical cop plot, but what it done for the careers of it's major players. It helped Martin Lawrence gain more roles and more clout in Hollywood, giving him the ability write, direct, produce and star in A Thin Line Between Love and Hate a year later. It made Michael Bay the new Hollywood IT boy for large explosive films such as Armageddon, The Rock, and The Transformers movies whether you love them or hate them. It led to roles for Will Smith such as Independence Day and Men In Black, which made him a box office draw off name alone. Eventually Will and Martin joined the $20 million a film club and Bad Boys is the catalyst that sparked those opportunites. 

Bad Boys also bought the buddy cop formula back that gave films like Rush Hour and The Other Guys a chance to succeed. A second film was released in 2003, and earlier this year the third film in the series Bad Boys For Life released with a box office take of $290 million in the U.S. box office. Along with mostly positive or netural reviews from film criticss Which proved after a 17 year hiatus, Bad Boys as a franchise is still well loved and the groundwork was laid way back in 1995. That my friends makes Bad Boys a classic.

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Cowabunga Dudes : 30 Years of The First TMNT Movie

In the late 80’s to early 90’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles was a powerhouse franchise you could not ignore. Cartoons, toys, cereal, video games, concerts Ninja Turtles were everywhere and consumed by nearly every child on the planet. March 30, 1990 the first film starring the turtles, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles hit the big screen worldwide. I was 4 years old when the film released and still remember going to Reisterstown Road Plaza Movie Theater to see the film. I also vividly remember the excitement I couldn’t contain looking on a big screen watching four turtles, that I had all the toys of walking, talking, fighting, and dropping a curse word here and there and having fun doing it. At that age all I wanted to be was a ninja turtle mainly Mickey, eat some pizza and at times some greens so I could turn green, and kick some foot clan butt just like they did.

                                           

Once the films box office run ended, it grossed over $135 million stateside and $201 million worldwide, making it  the most successful independent film at that time which shows how popular the turtles were. Through the years I've watched the movie faithfully on cable, VHS, DVD, and later Netflix still quoting the movie and reliving the memories of wanting to be a ninja. As an adult every chance I get I watch the movie, and watching it now I know exactly why I enjoy it so much.

The ninja turtles’ franchise has produced 6 films, the original trilogy in the 90’s, an animated film in 2007, and two films in the mid-2010s. Out of the original trilogy during the time when the turtles were at the height of their popularity, the first film still reigns as king. The second film (which I love just as much) is much more juvenile and light hearted, borrowing its tone from the popular cartoon. The third movie went even further into light hearted territory with its plot and even more juvenile jokes. It has its flaws but its also not a horrible film, but that’s another story for another day.

The first film borrows most of its tone from the original comic book with its dark and grim atmosphere. The lighting, the set pieces, everything that surrounds the film is dark. Not sure if that was to be intune with the turtles operating from the shadows or not. Even the trailer for the film has a dark vibe to it, which years later all comic book films wanted to use in its tone. That’s why I think the first film is still the best turtles film ever because it appeals to many different audiences. Kids love the turtles with their color coded headbands and wisecracking jokes, but the dark brooding vibe and sense of real danger and consequences appeals to older teenagers and adults as well.

Some of the redeeming qualities and positive aspects of the film include. The fight scenes are hard-hitting, realistic, and has ramifications . Villian Shredder is portrayed as a real intimidating badass who is a serious threat, he displays his martial arts prowess at the end of the film manhandling the turtles by himself despite being outnumbered. The technology of the Turtles suits with their intricate designs and similiar yet distinct features (which to this day is still a marvel). Despite all that the most important aspect of the movie, is that it is about family. When the turtles father sewer rat Master Splinter is abducted, they have to look amongst each other and realize they are all they have. The Foot Clan criminal organization led by Shredder recruits young teenagers and young adults looking for a place to belong. The Shredder proclaims the organization as “family”, with the Shredder being they’re “father”. Manipulating and molding the young minds into being what he wants them to be while feeding their desire to be accepted.

A young teenager in the film and friend of April O’Neil Danny is a part of the organization, and joins them looking for a family as he doesn’t feel close with his father. I wish that could have been explored a little bit more in the film, but it wasn’t super essential to the film so I get it. At the end of the film, some members of the gang learn what you consider “family” may not always be best for you, and the turtles reunite with Master Splinter they also gain new family members in April and vigilante Casey Jones. In the process they learn family is not always blood related.

                                                    

Maybe as an adult I’ve read too much into the film and the themes of the story. I truly believe the theme of family is what makes me continue to love the film so much. Even if you just love watching the movie and don’t care for the themes, on the 30^th anniversary pop in the DVD, pull up Netflix and sit back and enjoy a film that is a bonafide classic Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

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Why We Still Love House Party 30 Years Later

“I don’t give a damn if Marvin Gaye ‘Gonna be there, you Won’t!”- Pops

That line sums up the basis of 1990’s House Party which has become a classic in the 30 years since it’s release. Released March 9th, 1990 and starring tarring rap duo Kid N’ Play, Martin Lawrence, Tisha Campbell, A.J. Johnson, and Robin Harris the movie was a film the culture didn’t know it needed until it was released. High schooler Kid gets into a scuffle with school bullies (Full Force members B-Fine, Bowlegged Lou, and Paul George) during lunch That causes Kid’s dad (Robin Harris), to ground him and keep him from the biggest party of the year thrown by his best friend  Play.

What ensues is a night of dodging bullies and the cops, getting the girl, and having fun. In the early 90’s most Black films highlighted inner-city youth and issues, and the aggression that a lot of Black youths harbor. House Party on the other hand showcased an often under depicted demographic middle-class Black youths who just want to get laid and have fun.

House Party carries so many attributes of the culture that still resonate today. Kid N’ Play and all their friends care about how they dress and look. They just want to rap and dance and look good doing it. Throw in sneaking out while you’re grounded, worried parents who are also pissed. Dealing with overzealous cops, high school bullies that look too damn old, and playing the game to get the girl. The soundtrack is a time capsule of late 80’s hip hop and r&b, and the now legendary New Jack Swing sound. Everyone knows and loves the classic dance off in the middle of the film between Kid N’ Play and Tisha Campbell and A.J. Johnson. 

We can’t forget the quotable lines that make the movie enjoyable to watch time after time. “I smell Pussy”, “follow the drip”, “What the hell is a Public Enema?”, “I would put my shoe so far up your ass, you’ll be shitting sneaker for a month.” "I'll fight a girl", "I know you will, I seen your ass get beat by a couple." And so many other lines you can still quote today, and those in the know will instantly get it.

House Party also is one of those movies that has a lot of stars or actors with consistent work, that you did not realize. Martin Lawrence is a comedy legend who starred in the classic sitcom Martin a couple of years later, and inspired a generation of comedians. Stand up legends Robin Harris and John Witherspoon displayed why their two of the funniest comedians ever. Tisha Campbell has built a nice career displaying her comedy chops between Martin and My Wife and Kids.  A.J. Johnson has built a fitness empire for herself. Everyones favorite scumbag Clifton Powell has an appearance. Funk legend George Mitchell steals his scene as a DJ at a party. Daryl Mitchell, Anthony Johnson, Kelly Jo Minter, and Joe Torry all faces you may know more than the name, all have small appearances in the film.

House Party is a movie that those under 18 who watch it enjoy it because of some of the adult content, and looking forward to being in those at times dangerous but relatively harmless situations. Adults on the other hand can watch and relate to the carefree teenage days when you just needed to get home before your parents realized you were gone.

House Party has left a legacy between two direct sequels starring Kid  N’ Play, and a sequel starring music group immature that is related to the original strictly by title. There was also a sequel released in 2013 in which Kid N' Play make a cameo appearance. There are plans to reboot the original with Lebron James producing it, which goes to show how influential the film is years later.

It has made legends out of Kid N’ Play and let several Black youths know dance moves can get you the ladies. House Party is a simple film with a  simple mission, enjoy life and have fun doing it which is why we still love it 30 years later.    

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