Power Rangers 30 Years Later Random Thoughts

 

Today is the 30th anniversary of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie. I remember my uncle, my cousin and I going to see the movie. I also remember 9 year old me, itching after the movie was over to go outside and live out my Power Rangers dreams.

In celebration of 30 years, I decided to watch it and offer some random thoughts I have as it's playing. So away we go.

1. The opening scrawl that starts the movie is very well done, and helps expand on the franchises lore. Unfortunately it'll never get the credit it deserves.

2. The Rangers are all under 18, how are they are skydiving with no supervision?

3. To be young again, go skydiving and then 10-15 minutes later rollerblade across the city without breaking a sweat.

4. It was never explained why Mordant was added to the film. He could have been used more than comedy fodder.

5. You could see the Ivan Ooze-Lord Zedd power struggle coming from a mile away.

6. While not really practical for everyday combat. Those leatherish power suits, as opposed to the spandex ones were fire.

7. You would think the command center would have been more fortified. Especially after thr green with envy storyline from the TV series.

8. The heightened sound effects when the rangers move their arms and such...can quickly become more annoying in my washed age.

9. The fight scene against the oozemen at the construction site still holds up.

10. Did Lord Zedd and Rita really think Ivan Ooze would work for them?

11. Again, that youthful energy. By time The Rangers got to the new planet. They didn't need a nap?

12. Yeah I know Zordon is on borrowed time, but they did have a busy day. And have been up 24 hours.

13. Better yet, they didnt need anything to eat to keep up their energy?

14. Dulcea defender of Phados, a skilled warrior who fought battles alongside Zordon. She deserved a deeper backstory.

15. This is news to me, but Mariska Hargity better known as Olivia Benson from SVU. Was cast as Dulcea and filmed some scenes before being let go.

16. When Ivan Ooze was pushing his product. None of the Angel Grove kids heard of Just Say No or stranger danger?

17. So Fred is the only child in Angel Grove that used his thinking cap and realized something not right?

18. The dinosaur skeleton scene definitely took inspiration from Indiana Jones films of the world.

19. The Rock guard fight scene is the best battle scene in the movie. It still holds my attention like I've never seen it.

20. I could have done without some of the corny one liners in the scene though.

21. The CGI is very dated but in 1995, this was some cutting edge stuff.

22. I know it's a kids movie, but Ivan Ooze was too campy. They could have made him just a pinch more diabolical.

23. How did the kids know water would get their parents out of their trance? Or did I not pay attention in science class.

24. It was nice to see Bulk and Skull as component good-doer's for once.

25. Ryan's Comet taking out Ivan Ooze was a cop-out.

26. The Ranger's bringing Zordon back to life..is still a feel good moment.

27. Now that I realize the Rangers went a day or so without eating. Their spread at the ending celebration makes a lot of sense. 

28. Somewhere in my nine year old mind. I really was waiting for a storyline where Fred became a power ranger.

29. This movie actually had a very good rock heavy, but diverse soundtrack. 

30. Welp, of course as an adult I see flaws in the film. But, the film and the franchise was a staple of my youth and I still love the film.

 For the 30th anniversary of the film Thank You Power Rangers for all the years of joy and imaginative playground battles saving the day you've given me.

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5 Underrated Summer Movies

 It's officially summer, which means freshly mowed lawns, bbq's or cookouts whatever you want to call it. It's scorching out so we need snowballs, smores, and slurpees. Of course for the kid in everyone, ice cream is consumed in abundance to cool down from the heat.

Summer also means movies, namely summer blockbuster movies. Often alongside those big blockbuster movies, are the little summer films that cater to a certain audience or are of a less popular genre. So in this blog I'm covering 5 underrated films that set in the summer.

5. Just Looking

Just Looking is a cleanish film for all the guys who were pervs when they went through the puberty stage. Directed by Jason Alexander of Seinfeld fame. Set in the 1950's the movie follows a 14 year old teen shipped to queens for the summer to stay with his aunt and uncle, and stay out of trouble. So intrigued by sex, he's on a mission to catch a couple in the act. He meets some new friends and they embark on their summer peeping tom mission.

While its not a great film. It has it ha ha moments, and is a coming of age film. That will remind you of the random things that crossed your mind when sex first came to the forefront of it.

Just Looking is currently available on Tubi and Pluto.

4.  The To Do List

Another sex based summer film. The To Do List a 2013 film starring Aubrey Plaza has its shares of laughs. Set in 1993, it follows Aubrey's character Brandy, a booksmart class valedictorian. Who decides before heading off to college, she needs to let loose and make up for things she didnt do in high school.

One thing being have sex with her crush, which she soon finds out requires a bit more work than she thought. With the help of her friends and a job at the local pool, summer season is in full swing in this film 

The To Do List is currently available on Pluto.

3. Summer of 84

Released in 2018, this film set in 1984 follows a group of kids enjoying their summer. Their small town in Oregon has grappled with the disappearance of 13 teenage boys over the years. Davey a young man in the group of friends thinks he may have a lead on who committed those crimes.

The boys spend their summer playing detective trying to make leads on the case, and convince the adults in town they have an idea of the killer. It's a typical kid summer adventure movie just a bit more dangerous in the horror genre. It's quite enjoyable though.

Summer of 84 is currently only available to rent.

2. The 4:30 Movie

This Kevin Smith directed semiautobiogrpahical film was just released last fall, and man what a  gem it is. The film set in 1986 follows main character Brian and his two buddies Burny and Belly who plan to hit the movie theater one day, and hop between film showings. A slight monkey wrench is thrown in when Brian's crush Melody agrees to go on a date with him for a 4:30 showing of a movie.

The quartet head to the movie theater and must battle with a egomaniac theater owner, hot girls, bullies, and bad ass kids. All while just trying to see a movie on a hot summer day.

The movie is currently only available to rent.

1. One Crazy Summer

This 1986 cult classic stars John Cusack and Demi Moore. Cusack plays a recent high school graduate hoping to attend an art school in the fall. To get accepted he has to write and draw a love story. So he heads to Nantucket with his friends and unintentionally falls in love with Demi Moore's character Cassandra.

In the meantime he and his friends must help Cassandra save her grandparents home from developers. While contending with some of the quirky, wacky, sometimes strange citizens of the island. While a cult classic it is still underappreciated as a film. It shows how fun a carefree summer just can be.

One Crazy Summer is currently available on Tubi.

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Big 3 League Has Potential

 

This past Sunday, I attended the Big 3 basketball game at CFG Arena. Founded by Ice Cube and some business partners the league has been around since 2017. Now I'm not a basketball spectator, I may watch the NBA playoffs casually but thats the most from me. 

And it took me a minute, and some explaining from my buddy before I understood the rules of the league and how they play the game. However, once I got how the game was played it was an enjoyable day. As I looked at the crowd everyone seemed to be into it and I thought this isn't a bad deal.

The tickets are affordable, especially for seeing 3 games in one day which amounts to about 3 hours or so of your time. Typical for any sporting event honestly. The rules are designed to make it more entertaining than strictly competitive. And I had no idea that the games air on CBS and Vice TV.

Which leads me to this, Ice Cube and company have something on their hands. Bringing stars who NBA careers have ended like Dwight Howard, is a step in the right direction. If they get more guys with personalities they can build around. The league could really grow, of course not reaching the NBA level but as a quality alternative to it. Not to mention an affordable alternative for families to enjoy a game.

Now if they manage to secure a video game license deal, and if the game play is reminisce of something like NBA Street. The league definitely will gain new life long fans young and old..ish.

The sky is the limit for the Big 3 league honestly. And I, a guy that really does not watch or keeps minimal tabs on basketball. Am now one of the organization's biggest supporters.

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5 Things I Learned From My Dad

 

Fatherhood is the most rewarding but toughest job out there. In fact its so tough, you don't understand how hard of a job it is until you become one. Which leads me to the latest blog entry, 5 things I've learned from my dad.

 Now full disclosure my dad and I did not have the best relationship, likely because although we have two different personalities. We are more alike than we both will admit to and that led to silly disagreements. But since I've gotten older, became a father and see things differently. Our relationship has greatly improved, and some of the things he often would drill in my brother's and I heads are so clear now.

So with that, here are 5 things I learned from my dad that damnit are so true. 

5. Always Carry I.D.

Along with the "talk" about how to conduct yourself if your pulled over by the police. My dad always told us, make sure you have your I.D. on you. One reason being, if you don't have I.D. you always fit the description if something goes down. Could have been a scare tactic but makes sense.

The older I've gotten I've met grown men who actually don't carry I.D. nor have I.D. period. A true head scratcher for me, but now it makes sense why my dad pushed that. Besides potential legal issues, you come across as a bum being a grown man with no I.D.

4 . Always Give Firm Handshakes 

Another thing he taught us is always give firm handshakes. Or in his word's shake hands like you have some balls. And he's right when you meet people for the first time and give a firm handshake, their respect level towards you inches up a bit more before a conversation. I've been told several times I have a strong handshake, even from professional athletes I've met that are typically big guys my handshake is firm.

3. Honesty is the best way

My Dad always prefaced this with people may not like it. He however always stressed honesty is the way to go. From dealing with young ladies, to work, to life in general. Just being honest about everything, take any heat that comes from it and move on.

He's right, you start lying you get yourself in more trouble. Trying to remember what lie you told, maintaining that lie etc. It becomes more work than just being truthful.

2. Someone's not gon like you just cause 

I'm one of those people in my mind, if you don't get along with me you have the problem. In my experience in the working world, I've worked with people that clearly didnt like me. And I couldn't tell you why, we rarely exchanged words or had much interaction that they would know my personality enough. To formulate an opinion that they did not like me.

However, I just chalked it up again to thats a them issue. And my father always told us, no matter who you are, what you do, how nice you are somebody is not going to like you. That constant reminder is how I learned to shrug them off and go about my day.

1. Sometimes you have to be the bad guy

Here's probably the biggest lesson my dad shared for years, that I totally understand now. Sometimes you have to be the bad guy and accept it. Not because you want to, but because thats what the situation calls for. As a husband and father, and a manager in my professional career. I 1,000% get it now.

Sometimes you have to make unpopular decisions, that go against what people want. Whether its flat out saying no, or we can't do that right now. You have to make the tough decision that may keep things from falling apart, or saying no on short term pleasures that will cause harm down the road. 

It's your responsibility to keep everything in order. To keep your stress levels down, you have to tell people no sometimes and let them get them over.

I dont always like being the bad guy, but sometimes I have to embrace it.

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Five Underrated Movie Dads

 

In the land of movie dad's, the criteria of a great dad isn't really defined. Even though there is a general agreement that figures such as Mustafa, Marlin, Gil Buckman, Bryan Mills, and even Henry Jones Sr. are considered great dads. In the realm of film though there are several great dad's that have been portrayed on the big screen, that either were misunderstood or just forgotten about. So with that, here are 5 underrated movie dads. 

5. Jackson Lamb- Super 8

In Super 8 Jackson Lamb is the sheriff of the small Ohio town the film take's place in. He has a distant relationship with his son Joe, as both are grieving the loss of Joe's mom. Jackson carries the weight of grief on his shoulders, but doesn't know how to heal from it except put it in the back of his mind. When the time come's to help Joe and his friend's save the town and help the monster, the two come together to heal. Jackson shows that all that time he cared but was too hung up in his own grief to show it 

4. Dill Penderghest-Easy A

                                       

Played by Stanley Tucci in 2010's Easy A, Dill Penderghest was a very peculiar father. Part hippie, part guy that just marches to the beat of his own dream, and a bit head strong. He also showed traits that he definitely smoked his fair share of weed. A bit of a free spirit, you just weren't sure what was going to come out of his mouth at times. One thing was for sure though, he loved his family and took care of them and that's all one could ask for. 

3. Jack Aarons-Bridge To Terabitha 

Jack Aarons was played by Robert Patrick in 2007's Bridge To Terabitha. Robert already has a stone face and cold demeanor anyway, so it's no surprise he portrayed the dad that way in this film. He also was the stereotypical dad in that he showed incredible love and care towards his daughter May Belle, while being cold towards his son Jess at times. It's not until Jess experiences the incredible loss, that Jack shows he is there for his son and truly loves him. 

2. Noah Levenstein- American Pie

                                    

Noah Levenstein better known as Jim's dad played by comedy legend Eugene Levy, is the personification of a supportive dad if there ever was one. While a bit tone deaf, geeky, and awkward, he always stood by Jim in some of his most embarrassing moments. While also offering life advice that when you stopped and thought about it, actually made a great deal of sense. Nailing the role of a dad trying to help him through that weird stage teenagers go through when sex is all that's on the brain.

1. Gomez Addams-Addams Family

                                             

Gomez Addams the wealthy patriarch of the Addams Family that under the quirks and the eccentric behavior. As well as the families macabre lifestyle, was a very loving husband and father. His love and devotion to his wife Morticia was always on display, but it was his love for his kids that was even stronger. His parenting style was unorthodox, but he was always there. Whether it was for school plays, school or camp drop-offs, or just to play a random game only The Addam's understood. Gomez Addams was a kooky but great dad.

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5 Best Surrogate Dads Vol. 1

Father's day is this week and as always I have to shout out my fellow dad's. I'm kicking things off with surrogate dad's in film and TV. The role of surrogate's in real life and in entertainment is often overlooked, but they play a very important role in folk's they affect life. So, here we are with 5 of the best surrogate dad's.

Coach Bombay

One of the greatest coaches' in sport's films history. Gordon Bombay was a successful but troubled lawyer who took a team of kid's who just needed someone to believe in them, and teach them the way's of winning. In the meantime, the team taught him that winning wasn't everything and helped him gain closure on some lingering issues from his youth that still haunted him. Coach Bombay mentored those kid's well into their adult years throughout the franchise. Making him one of the best surrogate fathers ever.

Bernie Mac

Based on his stand up routine, Bernie Mac's 2000's sitcom The Bernie Mac Show highlighted how anyone can be a dad. Taking in his nephew and two nieces, Bernie's style was a little rough and blunt (which the kid's needed), and sometimes he displayed annoyance with the situation he was put into. However with his wife Wanda by his side, Bernie Mac showed everything he did with those kid's was out of love.

Hopper (Stranger Things)

Hopper was the Chief of Police in Hawkins, who just went about life flowing a bit. When he became entangled in Will Byer's missing case and the things that lurk underneath Hawkins, he took to the young runaway Eleven. Eventually bringing her into his home to keep her safe and raising her as his own. Hopper at times could be over protective and hard on Eleven, but he wanted to give her as much of a normal childhood as possible. He also would fill in as the surrogate dad for the other Hawkins kid's when called upon, making him a great surrogate dad.

Rocky

Rocky Balboa had a son that he didn't pay full attention to nor have the best relationship with. He tried the surrogate dad role once in Rocky V, to an ungrateful Tommy Gunn. It wasn't until 2015's Creed that he truly took on that fatherly role. Strong armed into mentoring him by a persistent Adonis Creed, Rocky took his years of boxing wisdom and life mistakes to help mold Adonis. Training him to be a boxer, while acknowledging the hurt he had inside from never meeting his father. Rocky's relationship with Adonis, helped him work towards severing his relationship with Rocky Jr. 

Mr. Miyagi

Mr. Miyagi was a calm, philosophical older man who took a young man under his wing and helped him believed in himself. Daniel LaRusso was the new kid in town, angry at being in a new city and school. As well as still grieving from the loss of his father several years prior. Once Mr. Miyagi assisted him in learning martial arts to win a karate tournament, Daniel started to learn how karate and life are intertwined. Although still hot headed he learned to temper his anger and that everything doesn't require a fight. 

Daniel wasn't Mr. Miyagi's only pupil. He also trained young Julie Pierce who had similar issues as Daniel. She lost both her parent's and was an outcast at school, and Mr. Miyagi also took her under his wing. Teaching her as well to control her temper and make the best of things that make her happy. Taking on two youth's who just needed some guidance, is why Mr. Miyagi is the best surrogate dad ever.

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Hey You Guys: 5 Movies Inspired By The Goonies

 

The 40th Anniversary of The Goonies is this week. This 80's classic had kid's of all ages and generations pondering if there is treasure somewhere they could search for. Yearning for some type of adventure, and an opportunity to shout this classic line. Even today's kid's who have been introduced to the film, love it for the cheesiness and the wild stuff the kid's get into in search of a treasure. Since the film is legendary and provided inspiration to generations, I'm bringing you 5 movies inspired by it somehow. Let's get to it.

5. Small Soldiers

Let me go on record and say, we were robbed of a Small Soldiers franchise. A cartoon, a comic book, a sequel or something. There was so much potential for the story of soldiers vs gorgans to be told more in depth. Now that that's out the way. This 1998 film on the surface doesn't seem like it has much in common with The Goonies. Directed by Joe Dante, who directed the Gremlins films, The 'Burbs, and The Explorers amongst other films. Set in a small middle America town, the film features a group of pre-teens saving the town and potentially the world, from the chaos of some destructive action figures. An adventure in itself that was made for 90's kids much like The Goonies was for 80's kids.

4. Finding 'OHanna

Finding 'OHana has The Goonies embedded in it's DNA. It's truly a love letter to the film, released in early 2021 on Netflix it's The Goonies for a new generation. Set in Hawaii, the film follows a brother and sister duo and two friends on a treasure hunt. After hearing a legendary tale of the island, and a trusty diary by their side they set out on a adventure. Sounds familiar? the film also has Ke Huy Quan who played Data in the '85 film with a supporting role. What's paying tribute more than that?

3. Gold Diggers: Secret Of Bear Mountain

This 1995 film starring Anna Chlumsky and Christina Ricci set out to prove girls can be adventurers too. Set in 1980, in a small town in Washington State the film follows a new resident in town played by Christina Ricci, who befriends the local "troubled" girl played by Anna Chlumsky. Both going through their own growing pains of being pre-teens and not fully being accepted by other's in town. They set out to visit Bear Mountain for gold, following the foot steps of a mythical female miner named Molly Morgan.

2. The Monster Squad

Small Soldiers the kid's saved the town from homicidal toys, 1987's The Monster Squad saves the town from classic horror monsters. Released two years after The Goonies, this film absolutely was riding the wave of kid's getting into an adventure. Here a group of pre-teens who essentially are a film club idolizing the classic Universal Monsters. Get's a chance to face off against them, when they cross over into our world. 

1. Holes

While technically the film is based on the novel, both the book and film tone has some Goonies seasoning peppered in. Released in 2003 and starring Shia LaBeouf, Sigourney Weaver, and Jon Voight. The film follows a group of youth's assigned to a juvenile detention camp, who spend their days aimlessly digging holes. Until through a little bit of trouble, small bit of research on the camp's history , and a little bit of sleuth work. The youth's realize they are digging so deep to aid some particular folks in search of a treasure. Definitely Goonies for the Millennials in the early 2000's.

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5 Karate Kid Wannabe Movies

 

This weekend Karate Kid: Legends debuts in theaters, and bridging of the original franchise and the 2010 remake. Who would have thought that 41 years after the original was released, the franchise would be rejuvenated. Thanks to the YouTube/Netflix series Cobra Kai which introduced a whole new generation to the franchise here we are.

The original film was clearly inspired by the original Rocky movie. So it seems only fair that over the years, several films mostly b-movies have been made that are inspired by The Karate Kid. 

Here are 5 movies inspired by the Karate Kid franchise, note I left out the most obvious films Sidekicks and Never Back Down.

5. Knockout 

This 2011 movie starring Stone Cold Steve Austin is just about as Karate Kid as it gets, just with boxing. Stone Cold plays a school janitor who helps a bullied student who aspires to follow in his grandfather's steps as a boxer.  Learn the art and science of boxing, to fend off a tormentor. 

It's currently available to watch through Prime and freevee.

4. Legendary

Another film starring a pro wrestler. Legendary released in 2010 and stars John Cena, with Danny Glover and Patricia Clarkson. Cena plays a long lost almost Black sheep of the family. He returns to town, to help his younger brother gain some confidence as he joins the schools wrestling team. While trying to rebuild his relationship with his mom.

Legendary is currently on Tubi.

3. The Power Within

This 90's B-movie stars Ted Jan Roberts, who was the martial arts king of kids movies back then. Johnny Lawrence himself, William Zabka plays the villain in this film.  Released in 1995 the main plot point focuses on two mystical rings, and the immense power they provide their wearer. While trying to keep his ring from evil forces, Roberts learns he had power within himself all along.

Someone was gracious enough to upload this film to YouTube. Quality is not that great, but the movie isn't either so..

2. Showdown

This 1993 film is the most basic copycat version of Karate Kid there is. Starring Billy Blanks, this film follows a new kid in town during his senior year. Who bumps into the wrong crowd of marital artists at school and needs some training, sound familiar? He gets that training in the form of Billy Blanks, an ex-cop who is the school janitor and a master martial artist. 

Storyline aside, other elements borrowed include the pretty girl the new kid takes a liking to. As well as the crazed Karate instructor who was more unhinged than John Kreese.

Someone loves Showdown, because it's available on Prime, Peacock, and Tubi.

1.  Only The Strong

Only The Strong starring Mark Dacascos is one of my favorite martial arts movies. Released in 1993, it follows Dacasco as a former green beret who returns to his hometown of Miami. Upon seeing how troubled his old high school is he sets out to train some kids. With the schools permission, he trains some of the toughest kids at the school (the definition of tough is questionable here). Teaching them the martial arts style capeoria, how to control their anger and set them on better paths. While also fending the local drug dealer and his crew.

Only The Strong is currently on Hulu.

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