Freaks & Geeks Even 25 Years Later Gone Too Soon

 

This week marked the 25th anniversary of the cult classic series Freaks And Geeks, a brilliant show that was cancelled way too soon. It had so much going for it and it's a shame that maybe just maybe it was ahead of it's time. The show had a pedigree of who's who talent before they really became stars. Created by Paul Feig who later directed Bridesmaids, the much maligned but actually good 2016 Ghostbusters reboot, and The Heat among other films. Judd Apatow (40 year old Virgin, Knocked up, TrainWreck) executive produced the series and helped it get greenlit. Future stars such as James Franco, Seth Rogen, Jason Segal, Linda Cardellini, Samm Levine, and Busy Phillips rounded out the cast. 

Set in the 1980's it followed brother and sister Lindsay (Linda Cardellini) and Sam (John Francis Daley) Weir. They both attend William McKinley high school and while trying to navigate high school and find themselves they attach themselves to two separate groups. Lindsay trying to shed her good girl image hangs with the slackers and losers dubbed "The Freaks", while Sam hang's with the akward, timid Dungeons & Dragons loving crew known as "The Geeks". 

In short 18 episodes the series spoke to people of all ages, especially teenagers and young adults trying to find themselves. It also was able to transcend generations as what the kid's experienced in this fictional show set in the 80's, kid's today in 2024 still go through the same thing. In fact, I feel the show would have been more relevant now with nerd/geek culture being more accepted and mainstream now. It had so much more story to tell with these characters and we all saw a little bit of ourselves in Lindsay, Sam, and crew. 

It's a shame NBC didn't do right by the show and didn't see the gem it had on their hands. It's also a shame other networks at the time didn't see the same and swoop in and save the day when it was cancelled. We hardly knew the Freaks and Geeks, 25 years later we lament that it was gone too soon. 

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Why The Wood Still Holds Up 25 Years Later

 

In the summer of 1999 blockbusters films such as The Mummy, Wild Wild West, American Pie, and Blair Witch Project were released. Amidst the crowd was a low budget coming of age movie called The Wood. This week marked the 25th anniversary of The Wood and the film is a hidden gem in the world of cinema that is in all actuality a classic.

The film features present day best friends Mike (Omar Epps), Roland (Taye Diggs), and Slim (Richard T. Jones) tryna make it to Roland's wedding as he goes awol earlier in the day. Throughout they reminisce about their time growing up. That's where the heart of the movie comes into featuring young Mike (Sean T. Nelson), young Roland (Trent Cameron), and young Slim (Duane Finley).

The three friends truly come of age in the flashback scenes. Learning about life via crushes, losing their virginity, tips to talk to young ladies and staying out of trouble. They also frequently crack on each other which is what friends do.

The movie is not only a coming of age story for young Black males. It also is about brotherhood and that foundation that its built on. You truly believe these guys have been friends for years. Message of the film aside, it is a damn funny movie regarding everyday life. It also had a soundtrack that could be in the conversation as one of the best movie soundtracks ever. 

First seeing the film when I was 13 Years old, I thought it was enjoyable, and relatable with some of the puberty jokes. Now as a adult I really appreciate the movie for capturing the magic that is young friendships/brotherhoods, especially amongst young Black men.

25 Year's later, I will still watch the movie and laugh like it's my first time seeing it. I'll randomly say in a down south accent "Stacey!", and discuss the benefits of tic tacs.

And forever stand around and say the words Mackin and hanging.

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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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