13 Songs I Love Because Of A Movie

It's February which means it's Black History Month, we just need to brave the cold for a few more weeks, and for the romantic types Valentines Day is next week. In true B fashion, I decided to get into the spirit as I know how. I'm going to focus on songs I love, because it was in a movie.

When the right song is inserted in a scene or the credits of a film. And it is edited just right, it leaves a lasting impression on audiences. Who back in the day may have went and bought the artist album or soundtrack. Now they stream it, but in any case the right song in a movie can have a powerful effect. Here are 13 (I know, 13?) Of my favorites.

13 Charlie Sexton- Beats So Lonely

1987's Some Kind Of Wonderful is John Hughes subtle f-u to Paramount who interfered in the ending of his 1986 film Pretty In Pink. Kind of funny since both films were distributed by Paramount. History lesson aside.

The ending climax at the party is amplified by the background song of Charlie Sexton's Beat's So Lonely. A guitar riff is edited perfectly to a sub character entering the party, to save the day. That slight moment with the perfectly edited song makes this scene so bad ass.

12 Billy Idol-Rebel Yell

Before the days of high speed internet and YouTube. I can remember recording these scene from 1985's Legend Of Billie Jean and playing it over and over again. All because of Billy Idol's Rebel Yell, which fits the tone of the movie. As well as make the mall chase a highlight of the film.

11. Soho-Nuthin' On My Mind

1990's Career Opportunities starring Frank Whaley and Jennifer Connelly, is one of John Hughes most underrated films. It follows a overnight sanitation worker for Target who is locked in overnight with the town beauty who has ran away.

This scene featuring Frank Whaley as Jim in his own world, doing a little jingle to Soho's Nuthin' On My Mind. The song is so smooth and soothing, and it relaxes me when I hear it.

10. Blink 182 Dammit

1998's high school party drama Can't Hardly Wait, does not get the proper love and respect it deserves as a teen classic almost 30 years later. Which is such a shame, because it is one of the best teen films ever.

This YouTube clip is not from the movie, but a collection of scenes from the movie. The song Damnnit by Blink 182, is played during a chaotic scene in the movie which fits the headbanging sound of the song.

9.Semisonic-closing time

I heard Semisonic's Closing Time several times; before it appeared in 2011's Friends With Benefits. It didn't enter the stratosphere as a favorite of mine until it appeared in the film. The flash mob scene along with Justin Timberlake's character realizing the error of his ways, with his relationship with Mila Kunis. 

It just all worked and the scene probably wouldnt have been the perfect ending, if a different song was used.

8 Go West-King Of Wishful Thinking

1990's romantic comedy classic Pretty Woman starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere. Set's the tone at the very beginning of the film, that this will be a fun film. Kicking off the opening credits after a brief cold open, with Go West King Of Wishful Thinking. 

The tune while actually sad when listening to the lyrics. Evokes a sense of optimism and is ear candy.

7 RedBone-Come And Get Your Love

When RedBone's Come And Get Your Love kicked off the beat of the story, for 2014's Guardians Of The Galaxy. It showed that this wasn't a typical MCU film, and it introduced the song to a entire new generation. Many who upon hearing it said things like "damn, I like this song".

Another song that I heard before, but did not appreciate it until I saw it playing on the big screen. While Chris Pratt as Star Lord boogied his way through space.

6 Robbie Robb-In Time

One of my favorite time travel films, 1989's Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure had a chokehold on me since I was a kid. This pivotal scene in the movie, where the duo get a glimpse of how important they are to history just sends chills up my spine.

Ok, I may have been hyperbolic there but I do love the scene and song. I've never heard of Robbie Robb outside of this song but to me it as a triple platinum classic. Especially when it pops up on my playlists.

5 Stephanie Mills-I Just Want Love

This song frustrates me, sung by the legendary Stepanie Mills for a very underrated film. 1991's Strictly Business starring Tommy Davidson, Halle Berry, and Joseph C. Phillips (The Cosby Show). If you need proof how much I love this movie, here you go.

This Stephanie Mills new jack swing inspired song is my jam. It perfectly captures the vibe of love, the 90's culture and the end of the movie. Yet, its not available on ANY streaming platform.

4 Peter Gabriel-In Your Eyes

One of the most famous and often copied scenes in film history, is from 1989's Say Anything. The scene in question is John Cusack standing outside his girlfriends home with a boombox over his head. The song playing is Peter Gabriel's Your Eyes. A true love ballad if I ever heard one.

When it comes on my Amazon music or even Sirius XM 80's on 80. Even though I can't sing I harmonize to the melody perfectly.

3 Samm Henshaw-Church

2020's Charm City Kings starring rapper Meek Mill, and Baltimore dirt bike legend Chino Braxton. Follows a young teen who comes of age over the summer, as he aspires to join a legendary Baltimore dirt bike crew. The film introduced me to a song, that inspires me when I need some optimism.

Samm Hensaw's Church, which I will admit I hadn't heard of the artist or the song before seeing the film. Now it's one of my favorite songs thanks to the movie.

2 Simple Minds-Don't you forget about me

Come on? You didn't think I would make a list about song's in movies I love, and not include this one. Don't You (Forget About Me) by Simple Mind's is the perfect 80's teenage song. It captures the teenage angst with the New Wave pop sound dominate during that era.

Playing over the end credits with Judd Nelson's Bender raising his fist in the air, is just legendary. It's another jam I have on my playlist and when it comes on 80's on 8. I am not changing the station until the last note is played 

1. Righteous Brothers-you'e Lost That Loving Feeling

I first saw Top Gun when I was around 10 years old on basic cable. I think it was TBS Dinner And A Movie, which is how I saw The Breakfast Club for the first time as well. To be honest I never paid the song by The Righteous Brothers any mind at all. Until I got older and understood the message of the song and how those guys were crying for love.

Then I watched the movie again, and the end credits. And if maybe the greatest edit of a song to the epilog. As The Brothers sing their hearts out, the cast is individually credited and somehow it all just works. Its an art in itself and I love the song because of it.

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The Movie Theater Experience Isn't Dead

 

If you're a frequent reader of this blog, then you know I am a huge movie buff. I've been seeing alot of Doom and gloom articles about the state of movie theaters. Predicting one day they will no longer be around, as more and more people prefer streaming. Now I won't lie the theater industry does look bleak right now.

Theaters were hit with the pandemic in 2020, and as the industry slowly crawled up from the gut punch that gave. Then came a left hook of the Hollywood strikes with the writers and actors union respectively in 2023. 

Even before the pandemic and the strikes, there was a problem that still exists today. Hollywood isn't supplying adequate movies to fill theaters. They moved everything to streaming with the exception of big budget movies, namely superhero films. Which after Avengers: Endgame began experiencing consumer fatigue. You'll get a drama here and there, family films, and belated sequels. But romantic comedies, comedies, and other genres are few and far between. Theaters have resorted to playing classic films for anniversaries or just because, to help stop the bleeding.

Add the prices of concessions and its easy to see why theaters are struggling right now. However, New Year's Day I went to see the Stranger Things Finale in theaters and it was packed. And the concessions was busy handling the multiple showtimes, and more people were coming in as we were leaving for their showtimes.

Everyone enjoyed themselves and ate their concessions while watching the closure of a beloved show. A show they could have easily watched at home, but wanted to experience in a theater. 

Hollywood should take heed, movie theaters aren't dead. You have to give people a reason to come to the movies. Not just for the tent pole films, but in general. When I saw two "old" films I grew up on 1985's The Last Dragon on a Sunday night in October and 1990's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on a Sunday afternoon in August. Both theaters were packed!

People enjoy the experience, there just hasn't been much to experience lately. And that falls on Hollywood, yes Netflix disrupted the industry but much like linear TV Hollywood didn't put up much of a fight.

If movie theatres were to cease to exist, eventually people would turn on the streaming only model in droves. Much like the current backlash brewing against these subscription models and consumers not actually owning any media.

I personally think the days of huge megaplex's may be numbered, but the coziness of theaters are still desired. Grabbing your insanely marked up bag of popcorn, overpriced drink and watching a movie on a huge screen with the lights lowered. Is an amazing experience that can survive, it just needs to be fed.

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8 Things That Cultivated My Love For Films

 

I've hit 200 blogs written here on A Blog By B, Thank you!!! to everyone who has ever read a blog of mine. I'm sure if you've read enough articles you know I love my movies, and I am a very nostalgic person. Since this is my 200th blog, I decided to write a more personal blog and discuss a few things that have made me the movie buff, nostalgic individual I am today. I didn't get this way overnight, so with that here are 7 things in my life that have cultivated my love for film.

HBO First Look

I have always, always been fascinated by filmmaking and the entire process of it. HBO use to produce a half hour series, First Look which looking back was more promotion of a film than a true peek behind the scenes. What they did share in episodes always intrigued me and made me appreciate at a young age the magic of moviemaking and all the work that goes into big productions.

Regular Cable TV

Through good old cable TV and shows like Dinner And A Movie, I was introduced to films like The Breakfast Club, Top Gun, and Day's Of Thunder. One of my stop and watch it movies Gleaming The Cube I first saw on the USA network and they would repeatedly play it in the summer.

Columbia Video

I was somewhere between 6 or 7 when my grandmother joined Columbia House and ordered several VHS tapes, a decent amount for me. Just like that I saw movies like Stand By Me for the first time, had copies of childhood favorites like Problem Child 1 and 2 and Don't Tell Mom The Babysitters Dead. New releases at the time Stay Tuned I wore those tapes out. I think my grandmother had that membership for a good 5 years, and I added a lot of films to the library during that time. In fact I'm one of the few people on this planet who still have a VCR and I've held on to many of those VHS tapes to this day.

Encore

Back in the 90's Encore was an upstart cable channel, and it kind of catered to the movie buff in all of us. I know it did for me for sure. Encore is where I first saw films like Fast Forward. D.A.R.Y.L. Breakin 2: Electric Boogaloo, Just One Of The Guys, Short Circuit. Something I shouldn't have been watching in Stripes, Cherry 2000, the first Vacation film.

Along with those films, Encore also is where I first saw the original Karate Kid, one of my personal favorites Last Dragon, and Ghostbusters. All of these were heavy hitter films that to this day have a impact on my life and my personality. 

What I really enjoyed about Encore and this was before the internet was that it was very informational. Encore would have short breaks where a host would provide behind the scenes information on the next movie about to play. From how the character of Sho'nuff came to be in The Last Dragon. Who wrote the script for Karate Kid, Eddie Murphy turning down the role of Winston in Ghostbusters. The station was just a treasure trove of movie knowledge that I ate up to add to my repository of useless facts.

VCR

When I was about 7, it was either my uncle or a older cousin showed me how to use a VCR, and the concept of blank tapes and recording. From there I was off to the races, recording sitcoms, cartoons, movies, wrestling events, even music videos. I got the timing down to when to hit record to a science, and thought a set of blank tapes were a gold mine. Like I mentioned previously I still have a VCR and just like the movies I obtained, my blank tapes full of random things I've recorded are still safe in my vault.

DVD's

Man when DVD's and DVD players became more affordable and started to take over from VHS I was in awe. Besides the clarity of movies the special features often drew me in. I use to really enjoy watching deleted scenes and offering my own opinions on why it should have been in the movie or I could see why it was cut. Next to the deleted scenes my favorite special feature was the commentary. While it could be distracting hearing filmmakers discuss the thought process behind how the movie got greenlight, made, challenges etc. I was a sponge for.

Movie Theaters

It's an expensive hobby (but honestly what hobbies aren't these days?), but going to the movies is something I have loved since I was a kid and still love today. The 1989 Batman film is the first movie I vividly remember seeing in theaters, with Karate Kid III and Ghostbusters II  being the first movies I remember seeing at a Drive-In a few weeks later, I was only 3 years old at the time by the way. I just love getting my popcorn and sitting in a theater getting immersed into the world and the characters. It's even better when it's a movie that was made specifically for the movie theater experience.

The first movie I saw coming out the pandemic was Spider-Man: No Way Home in 2021, just sitting in the leather chairs and eating my very buttery popcorn. I just felt home and thought to myself, man I really missed this. I still get annoyed if I'm running behind and miss a trailer even though I can clearly catch it online. The movie theater experience is a huge contributor to me being a movie buff.

 

Relatives

I grew up like a lot of people my age spending a lot of time at grandma's house. I had older cousins who were between 5-8 years older than me that were also always at grandma house. As they got older and aged out of certain toys or films, they would leave them behind. I would find them and take them in like a lost pet. So old VHS tapes my cousins left behind were my introductions to shows like Captain Power: Soldiers Of The Future and Masters Of The Universe. They also would let me watch movies with them I was a tad too young for, but they were coming of age and understood the films. So movies like Juice, or the Child's Play films I watched with my older cousins.

 We use to stay up late and watch music videos replay on The Box (if you know you know), watch Nick At Nite or get snacks from the store and have "parties" watching TV. Looking back this is the biggest influence on my love of certain properties and why I'm so nostalgic towards the 90's. It always reminds of the good times I just wanted to hang with my older cousins. 

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Summer of '89 May Be The Best Blockbuster Season Ever

 

Every summer movie buffs like myself look forward to the upcoming Summer blockbuster slate. The Summer blockbuster season is defined as movies released from early May to mid-late August covering the entire Summer. It is comprised of big-budget action, adventure, or comedy films with a Horror or thriller big budget film sprinkled in. And usually there are big promotions and merchandise associated with these blockbuster films.

I went down the rabbit hole of movies released during the summer of 1989, and hot damn it may just be the greatest Summer blockbuster season ever. Batman was released June 23rd, 1989 and one proved superhero movies had a place, and with the merchandising power behind it. Seemingly created the merchandise mania that would follow blockbusters in subsequent years. Batmania was everywhere that year thanks to the merchandise. I was only 3 years old but I distinctly remember going to General Cinema theater and the whole concession area was overran by Batman merch.

Batman wasn't the only film released that summer, a great deal of popular sequels debuted that summer. Ghostbusters II and Karate Kid III were also released in June. With Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade which saw Harrison Ford partnering with Sean Connery as his father released in May. The fifth film in the Star Trek series Star Trek V The Final Frontier debuted in June as well. The 16th film in the James Bond franchise License to Kill starring Timothy Dalton as Bond was released in July. Lethal Weapon 2 starring Mel Gibson and Danny Glover with Joe Pesci joining the cast premiered in July as well. That is a heavy hitter roster of film sequels debuting weeks apart.

Spike Lee's classic film that is still oh so relevant today Do The Right Thing debuted in July as well. While adult comedy cult classic Weekend At Bernie's was a mid-summer hit.  On a more family friendly note, Disney's classic backyard adventure film Honey I Shrunk The Kids premiered the same day as Batman. Parenthood starring Steve Martin, Mary Steenburgen, Dianne Wiest, Rick Moranis, and a young Joaquin Phoenix and Keanu Reeves debuted in August that year. John Candy's classic Uncle Buck released in August as well, prepping audiences on the importance of family right before school season kicked back up.

In the horror realm Friday the 13th VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan was released, even though the franchise had long ran it's course by then. Ditto for Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child which was the other horror summer blockbuster that year. James Cameron sci-fi cutting edge effects film Abyss premiered in August. Movie buffs spent a lot of money that year going to the movies.

When you look at that roster it just maybe the best blockbuster season ever. Every week that year provided quality highly anticipated movies for audiences. All of those films have a lasting legacy 35 years later, which says alot about just how special that year was for Hollywood. I'm going to do my due diligence and research other years, but I truly believe from the beginning of the season to the end no other year compares one bit.

That year is so iconic the 2017 horror film IT which is set in 1989 references two of the biggest blockbusters that year. Also doesn't hurt all three films were released by Warner Bros. Studios. So I've said all that to say this, the blockbuster movie season of 1989 as a whole may be untouchable. 

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8 Of My Favorite Summer Camp Movies

 

It's officially summer, kids are out of school. It's hot and muggy, grills are fired up, the sound of shaved ice scraping against a spoon is adored. Summer camps whether local or sleepaway are in full swing, which brings me to my topic for this blog. When I was a kid I was amazed at the summer camps I saw in movies, since at that time money wasn't a concern to me I wondered why I didn't get to go to one of those camps.

Years later now knowing how expensive those camps are, I just sit and watch the same movies over pretending I lived that sleepaway summer camp life. Since it's hot outside, I decided to bring some heat of my favorite movies held within the wooden boundaries of a summer camp.

8. A Pig's Tale

A Pig's Tale is a 1994 B-movie that I use to watch on cable all the time. To be honest looking back it's not a very good movie, but since I saw it as a kid and I am a nostalgia geek it holds a special place in my heart. It follows a simple formula of the have's vs. the have nots, a rag tag group of "misfits" known as the pig's stand up to the camp bullies. The rich kid's in camp The Wolves completely with letterman jackets (who the hell is wearing a letterman jacket in 90 + degree weather?)

If you've seen one movie about misfits against the cool kids, you are not missing anything here. However, if you stumble across it somewhere even though it's highly unlikely let your brain relax and don't expect anything from this movie you'll be fine. 

7. Camp

Camp is a 2003 film following teenage attendees of a performing arts camp, Camp Ovation. Being a performing arts camp, there is performances in this film. The heart of the film is a typical coming of age regarding teenagers trying to find themselves in a rapidly changing world. Each of the teenagers are dealing with real life issues that teenagers face. Parental pressure, crushes, weight challenges, homosexuality. Jealousy, young love any issue a normal teenager would face, a character in the film deals with it.

The film is also known for a young Anna Kendrick having a costarring role in the film. Other notable cast members include Sasha Dee who has sung backup for many artist and was a participant on The Voice. And singer Tiffany Taylor who sung one of my favorite songs from the film, Here's Where I Stand.

Another one of my favorite's is the opening song of the film How Shall I See You Through My Tears, which Sasha Dee sing's lead on alongside Steven Cutts who portrays Shaun in the film.

Camp is currently available on the CW app.

6. Sleepaway Camp

When most people think of summer camps and horror films, the first movie that comes to mind is the original Friday The 13th film and Camp Crystal Lake. Sorry to tell you, in my opinion Sleepaway Camp gives Friday The 13th a run for it's money. The film follow's a young girl Angela who is shy and quiet due to a traumatic incident earlier in her life, she attends Camp Arawak where is she bullied and tormented. 

She starts to get worried though when camp counselors and campers turn up severely injured or dead. The film contains a big twist and cover's a very relevant topic in today's world, that I can't talk about or it would spoil the movie. If you've never seen it give it a try you won't be disappointed, the original spawned four sequels.

Sleepaway Camp is currently available on Tubi and Pluto.

5. Summertime Switch

Summertime Switch is a 1994 movie starring Jason Weaver and Rider Strong, it is a TV-movie that aired on ABC for Disney's Wonderful World Of Disney programming back in the day. The basic premise follows a stereotypical trope Hollywood is known for. Jason Weaver portrays Frederick Egan a Juvenile Delinquent headed to what is essentially a youth jail disguised as a camp. Rider Strong is spoiled rich kid Frederick Egan the third headed to an upscale summer camp.

In a case of mistaken identity they are sent to the wrong camps and learn to deal with their new environments. It's not a bad movie at all, and it is actually quite enjoyable. The film includes an performance by Jason Weaver who everyone who has seen Jacksons: An American Dream or listened to Chingy's One Call Away song can attest to.

The full length version of Summertime Switch is available on YouTube....keep that on the low though.

4. Camp Cucamonga

1990's Camp Cucamonga is a made for TV movie that aired on NBC. The movie is more famous for it's cast which was a who's who of TV stars during the time than anything else. The cast included Wonder Years cast members Danica Mckeller and  Josh Saviano. Cheers cast member John Ratzenberger, Brian Robbins who was a cast member of Head Of The Class, played a role in developing Nickelodeon programming during it's golden age of the 90's and is now a co-ceo of Paramount Studios. Breckin Meyer, Chad Allen (My Two Dads, Our House) and Johnny Galecki (Roseanne, Big Bang Theory). Sherman Helmsley, TGIF stars Candace Cameron of Full House and Jaleel White of Family Matters and a young Jennifer Aniston,

The plot is pretty standard kids at summer camp fare nothing special. The most remembered aspect of the film is the camp rap Cucamonga with Jaleel White spitting bars, aided by cast member Tasha Scott belting out the vocals. Besides the hit rap, you just don't see ensemble films like this any longer. 

3. Fear Street Part Two 1978

Fear Street Part Two 1978 released in 2021 a part of Netflix's Fear Street trilogy release. All three films tie into one another to tell a complete story, and this one picks up where the first one left off. Leading to a story being told of Camp Nightwing and the horrors that occurred there. Starring Sadie Sink of Stranger Things and Emily Rudd. The pair play the Berman sisters, who are caught up in some crazy stuff happening at the camp.

Horror, suspense, twists, and a camp feeling inspired by 1970's movies like the godfather of camp films Meatballs. You should have seen this by now, but if not go ahead and check it out along with the other films in the set.

2. Heavyweights

This 1995 Disney film probably was greenlit to ride the wave of The Mighty Ducks. After all Steve Brill who wrote The Mighty Ducks also co-wrote this film in addition to directing it. It also stars Mighty Ducks alum Kenan Thompson, Shaun Weiss (Goldberg), and Aaron Schwartz. The film follows Aaron's character Gerry whose parent's send him to a camp to lose weight Camp Hope. Upon arriving at the camp, it is soon taken over by a crazed fitness instructor Tony Perkins Jr. played by Ben Stiller.

The camper's soon band together with the helpless staff to combat the psycho antics of Mr. Perkins. While also preparing for a competition against a rival camp, and learning about themselves in the process. This film actually had a strong message that went over our heads as kids about accepting yourself and having confidence in oneself.

Almost 30 years later, the film has become a cult classic for 90's kids. If you've never seen it, it's available on Disney Plus

1. Camp Nowhere

My favorite summer camp movie of all time, Camp Nowhere. Released in 1994, the film stars 90's child actors Jonathan Jackson, Andrew Keegan, Marnette Patterson, and  Melody Kay  who are all dissatisfied with their parents summer camp plans for them. They devise a plan to rump their own summer camp, one with no rules and no adults around with the exception of down on his luck actor Dennis Van Welker played by Christopher Lloyd. Paid to help keep their scheme going. Soon other kids get wind of and want in, including other child actors Allison Mack (Smallville) and a young Jessica Alba.

I remember seeing the previews for this, and then the actual film I thought it was smart of the kids to devise a plan like that. Myself wishing I could partake in that kind of adventure, it's a standard 90's kid movie and has reached cult status. If as a kid you wanted to do something super crazy be mischievous and carefree this movie gave you hope that was quite possible.

Camp Nowhere is available to watch on Disney Plus.

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Bring Back Can't Miss Collectibles At Restaurants

 It's a fact of life the most consistent thing in life is change. Times and things change, and companies must change with the times. Every now and then though they need to dig through the crates and bring back certain things. One thing that needs to be bought back is the promotional products hyping big movies, at fast and fast casual food restaurants. Once upon a time those collectibles were must have's and enticed consumers to stop at a fast food spot and grab some food while buying the collectibles. Some times it was a treasure chest to obtain them, if all the items weren't available at one location.

The Flintstones movie celebrated it's 30th anniversary recently and I vividly remember the McDonald's promotional glasses when the film premiered in theatres. In fact I found one in a vintage toy store earlier this year and couldn't bring myself to walk out the store without buying it. The Flintstones cups weren't the only cool collectible, there was The Batman Forever glass set a year later at McDonald's.

I remember in the early 90's going to Burger King and getting my Ninja Turtles VHS tapes as part of a promotion. Then there watches such as for A Rugrats Movie and Lost World: Jurassic Park both promoted by Burger King. In the early 2000's Burger King sold collectible goblets to promote Lord Of The Rings. McDonald's even sold plates for the Disney released animated Hercules film in 1998. There has been so many promotions over the years, that suddenly went away and has been slow to make a comeback.

It seems fast food chains still run some of these promotions overseas, but stateside it has virtually become nonexistent. I'm not sure if studios aren't willing to engage in these type of promotions for whatever reason, corporations aren't thinking outside the box. Or they figure with theater chains releasing their own collectibles in recent years for big budget films, it may not be worth it. I know I'm a little salty I missed out on the Slimer popcorn bucket for this years Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. But in any case it would be amazing if fast food or fast casual chains bought these promotions back. 

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Hollywood Needs To Adjust Release Schedule

 I celebrated another year around the sun the end of last month. One issue I have every year is exactly what to do on my birthday? Unlike folks born in warmer months, my options are really limited if I'm not going on vacation. Then I looked into social events like axe throwing, wreck rooms, and bowling but looking at the cost compared to time spent participating in one of these activities. I didn't find it worth it, so I looked at old faithful the movie theaters.

The only thing playing that I kind of had a passing interest in was the Mean Girls remake. Now, of course inventory is low on movie releases due to the respective 148 writers strike and 118 day actors strike last year. However, it got me thinking about movies released in January.

Typically January is usually a dumping ground of movies that studios aren't really sure what to do with. If a movie was released in December of the previous year to generate some Oscar buzz. The studios ride that out while releasing throw away films.

In recent years though studios have started to release bigger films on MLK weekend. Bad Boys For Life became the highest grossing movie released in January when it debuted in 2020.

The Blockbuster movie season is from late April to mid August.  I think it's time Hollywood starts thinking outside the box and release a "blockbuster" film or two during January. For one with covid and then the writers and actors strike, movie theaters have been taking a hell of a one-two punch in recent years. They need more quality films that bring audiences to the theaters and not just in the condensed months towards the middle and end of the year.

Second, to be honest a lot of blockbuster films haven't really been blockbustering. For example Fast X and The Flash are blockbuster films released last summer that were disappointing. Did they really need to be released when they did? Or could they have been released earlier in the year when people are content starved and negative word of mouth may not have played a part and hit them so hard.

Lastly, with the advancement of streaming and audience perception that going to the theaters is no longer required. Studios and theaters need to combat that perception year round and emphasize there is nothing like seeing a movie in theaters for the first time.

The best way to do that? Give people reasons to see movies in theaters all year long. For the right film people will turn out, for instance when Black Panther debuted in February of 2018.

 Now, I can understand hesitation from theaters to sink alot of money into releasing a movie in January with weather concerns. One ssnowstorm or harsh cold streak on the east coast and Midwest would derail the box office take for those films.

But we're in a new time that requires new ways of doing things. There are a lot of jobs dependent on those industries and they need to be creative with how they survive. And with so much reaching for consumers wallets and attention, switching things up and experimenting is always a good idea in my book.

For someone like myself who enjoys the movie going experience, I wouldn't mind making a birthday celebration out of seeing a new must see release every year. Here's to hoping Hollywood takes heed.

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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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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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Critics vs. Word of Mouth

   This past weekend Netflix released their most ambitious original film yet “Bright". A 90 million dollar film starring Will Smith and directed by David Ayer who wrote films like Training Day, the 1st Fast and Furious film, S.W.A.T. and Dark Blue. He also directed Street Kings, End of Watch, and Suicide Squad. The film was also written by Max Landis who wrote Chronicle. A pretty impressive pedigree for this film.
    Reviews came out and critics absolutely slandered the movie. Calling it the worst movie of 2017 and a dud. I watched the movie and enjoyed it, I enjoyed the action, the concept, the world that was built and teased enough without giving away to much. Reading social media and message forums, a lot of other people enjoyed the film as well. It had flaws, but what film doesn’t?
   That poses a question while critics have a job to do, can you really take a critics recommendation seriously? Now there are some projects that are flat out terrible and can be agreed upon throughout every part of the critic/audience ecosystem.
     But there seems to be a consistent divide between what critics and the general population view as good films. The average person when they sit down and watch a film want escapism for a few hours. Critics are paid to dissect films, sometimes they can go overboard on their dissection. Thus destroying films that don’t deserve the hate.
     When it comes to films that one may be iffy about, I think sometimes you have to take word of mouth from average people opinions , wayyyy more than you would a critic. If not you run the risk of missing a film that is actually very good.
    Critics are needed, they can provide a account of what to expect before people spend their money and time invested in something that may not be worth it. However often times they are not the intended audience for the film their reviewing. General audience members may be blindly loyal to a particular brand or actor/actress, but for the most part they won’t steer you wrong. In my opinion when your unsure of a movie, ignore the critics and listen to word of mouth you’ll make out better in the end.

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