10 Movies I've Enjoyed for Whatever Reason #04 "The Pink Panther"

   There are more mainstream comedies to come BUT this left turn is an acquired taste. In recent years catching them on classic channels I have to admit the films have not aged quite as well as I remember by comparison with some of my other favourites!!
   At the time, as each one in the series was released, we (mate Graeme and I) went to Newcastle movie theatres and laughed so hard our sides ached, more than once sliding virtually onto the floor.
   Peter Sellers 'Clouseau' is combination physical comedy, laughable french accent, and ridiculous capers from an accident prone Policeman/Detective who somehow solves the crimes (inspite of himself). No scene really bares verbal description: from pirate costumes with inflatable parrots that spring a leak; bombs; cars in swimming pools; and swooning female co-stars. Then comes Bert Kwok's Cato, hired to surprise attack Clouseau, using martial arts, to 'keep him sharp.' My favourite is the launch from within the fridge/freezer covered in icicles, after Sellers character relaxes having searched in vain... Just talking about it makes me want to watch again, even given Peter Sellers personal struggles, poor behaviour and story...

"Does your deerrg bat? pardon? does your deer bat? He goes to pat the dog, which growls and bites him... "I thought you said your deerrg does not bat? That is not my dog!!
See, doesn't make sense does it!! Although if you have 4 minutes here are some examples...

10 Movies I've Enjoyed for Whatever Reason #03 "National Lampoon's Vacation"

   The original and the best, I saw this film three times (with three different groups of friends) in it's first week here in the Cinema at Newcastle' Tower Cinema!! I went having read a blurb about it nearly six months earlier, trying to tell anyone who'd listen they should come along!! Expecting a B grade laugh... it was gold from beginning to end and showcased Chevy Chase' wonderful deadpan humour!! The premise is the long anticipated family holiday across the country to Roy Walley's "Walleyworld" with a long list of sights along the way... why would we fly, everyone does that? We can even visit family (including Cousin Eddie) make good time and be together while we travel...
   From the moment Clark W Griswold is pitched into accepting the wrong new car (the family truckster) and he and Ellen, take Audrey and Rusty cross country, I couldn't stop laughing!!
 
Classic scenes include:
- Clark not knowing where to put fuel sending the numberplate flying
- Christie Brinkley as 'The Girl in the Ferrari" later naked in the pool
- Falling asleep at the wheel and crash/spinning into the Hotel Car Park
- Lost luggage, money and car parts
- Aunt Edna, who dies in the car, wrapped and strapped to the roof
- Stranded in the desert
- The Policeman and Aunt Edna's dog's lead left dangling after being forgotten as they drove away
- Car graffiti in downtown LA
- Walleyworld being closed for maintenance when they finally arrive
- John Candy's cameo as the kidnapped Security Guard forced into the thrill rides
And so many more... 'Scraps', Randy Quade as Cousin Eddie (hamburger helper)

It serves no other purpose than a good laugh, phrases that entered the lexicon and the rest of the franchise where after the 'Pig in a Poke' UK Holiday that was OK, "Christmas Vacation" is almost as good and iconic as the original!!

10 Movies I've Enjoyed for Whatever Reason #02 "The Blues Brothers"

   Well, probably time for my second film (no particular order)... John Landis' "The Blues Brothers" (1980) which I didn't see until a few years later and is memorable because by then it was second or third film on all nighters and I reckon I saw it at least 12 times before I'd actually seen the whole film (falling asleep at different parts).
   It featured the uncontrolled comic genius of John Belushi, was inspired by two actual Chicago based Blues musicians. The humour is oddball but classic, the cameos, bit players and Police are a perfect foil for the crazy 'mission from God' to raise funds for their childhood orphanage... delivering the money to the Office of the Cook County Assessor (staffed by a youngish Steven Spielberg).
   Eventually we would learn of how controversial it was as then Hollywood's most expensive film largely due to the sheer number of trashed automobiles = 103 (especially old Police black & whites).
   The characters within the story and the iconic scenes make this a memorable acquired taste in comedy... and the music is brilliant!! Orange whip?

10 Movies I Enjoy for Whatever Reason

1. "Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope"
I've set this challenge for myself and it's unlikely I'll complete it in ten consecutive days, but here goes!! At this time it has to be first choice, 42 years on (Douglas Adams would be happy)
My Uncle Colin's Chelsea Theatre, Melbourne St, East Maitland 1977 (matinee)

I guess now it's hard to imagine what it was like to have never seen the yellow font 'chapter update' disappear seemingly vertically into the screen when nowadays it's an effect in iMovie. Bigger still imagine it's the first time you've ever seen anything like the Battleship getting bigger and bigger onscreen as it passes over you into full view, outstanding!! Western, meets fable, meets big story with a presence of 'other' George Lucas hoped would resonate with any faith or spirituality and offend none... so we had "The Force"!!

“The force is what gives a Jedi his power. It’s an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us and penetrates us. It binds the Galaxy together.” Ben Obi Wan Kenobi

- George Lucas likes to start stories in the middle (Indiana Jones for example)
- Look past his historic editing ( I still have the version where the Stormtrooper hits his head)
- My adage is 'good scripts make good films' Star Wars disproves the theory
- If you loved the 1960s Batman TV series, chances are you embraced this film wholeheartedly
- Hooked by this one I couldn't wait for V and VI
- I try to forget I, II and III (fair effort but...)
I'll leave it there for now...
- Classic quotable lines
- Making lesser known actors famous
- Creating fandom, 501st, Comicon hype, Museum exhibits galore... iconic indeed
All that and Droids, though "these aren't the droids you're looking for..."

Beyond all that I was just a kid who loved movies!!

Movies I've Watched in 2019

In 2019 I think I set a record for how few of these were seen at the Cinema!!
As a 'day off' option or late night distraction I still enjoy most films. Some weeks (especially on Mondays) I was too mentally exhausted to invest 2 1/2 hours, choosing rest or outdoor options instead so whatever wasn't working I could do something different and not have 'burned' half a day... A sign of a busy year!!

Green Book - although not historically accurate or sensitive, a cracking story
Vice - brilliantly frightening
The Favourite - Really interesting
Aquaman - it was OK
Bohemian Rhapsody - huge success, mostly deserved
A Star is Born - I shouldn't have loved it but did
The House with a Clock in It's Walls - playing catch up it was OK
Ladies in Black - terrific aussie film
Mary Poppins Returns - justified praise
The Girl in the Spider's Web - needed a well know independent film maker involved
BlackkKlansman - close to my fav. for the year, funny, clever, true
Fighting with My Family - a great laugh
Mortal Engines - forgettable
The Kid Who Would Be King - loved the idea and film
Robin Hood - close but not quite
Boy Erased - moving and important
Creed I I- oh dear
The Mule - Clint gold
Captain Marvel - terrific film
Avengers: Endgame - yep, loved it
Mary Queen of Scots - great acting
Widows - can't remember it
(Nostalgia) Barry Lyndon - soft porn/Kubrick
John Wick 3 Parabellum - love the Wick, great escapism
Spider-Man Far From Home - better than expected
Yesterday - top 3 for the year for me
On the Basis of Sex - good film
I Can Only Imagine - moving
Long Shot - better than expected
Shazam - quirky, liked the humour but it didn't quite deliver
Rambo: Last Blood - aahhh, mindless, I love them but really, how do these ideas get funded
Rocketman - Not my style, I can see what was good about it but the arty choices and quirky use of Elton's songs left me feeling flat
The King - filled in 2 hrs
Terminator: Dark Fate - it could have been worse, some gold moments
Booksmart - worth being aware of but not well made
Tolkein - interesting, some great moments, didn't learn anything
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood - I couldn't put it off any longer, QT is a wonderful cinematic Director and I get the quirk in the story but not why he made it. I wouldn't have cast Leo.
The Irishman - great acting, poor script

Looking forward to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker"

Christmas Playlist 2019

Many friends, colleagues and groups have been posting Advent/Christmas playlists...

Here's some highlights from mine...

"Christmas in Hollis" Run-DMC (from the soundtrack to Christmas Movie "Diehard"
"13 (There is a Light)" U2
"White Wine in the Sun" Tim Minchin
"How to Make Gravy" Paul Kelly
"Christmas Must Be Tonight" Paul Kelly
"Christmas Must Be Tonight" The Band
"Christmas Day" Kasey Chambers
"Step Into Christmas" Elton John
"Do They Know It's Christmas" Bandaid
"Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" U2
"Fairytale of New York" The Pogues
"Last Christmas" Taylor Swift
"Best are Burning" Midnight Oil
"Hallelujah" Tori Kelly
"Silver Bells" Sarah McLachlan
"O Come O Come Emmanuel" Sufjan Stevens
"Joy the World Sufjan Stevens
"Christmas with the Devil" Spinal Tap
"2000 Miles" The Pretenders
"Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" Darlene Love (thanks David Letterman)


Search Spotify Playlists for "RH Christmas 2019"