NostalGeoff

- Halloween II…40th Anniversary
  
  Posted at 12:16 pm by Geoff, on October 31, 2021
  Forty years ago, Michael Myers went to the hospital. Not because he got shot six times and fell off a second story balcony. No, he survived that just fine. He was headed to Haddonfield Memorial Hospital to finish off Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) after failing to kill her in Halloween. And a sequel was born.
  
  John Carpenter and Debra Hill returned to write the script. But Carpenter passed on directing again allowing Rick Rosenthal to step in. Unlike its predecessor, Halloween II had a bigger budget and body count. Plus, it was much gorier. Hello, death by hot tub. Also, unlike the first one, the sequel was a critical and commercial failure. It’s hard to top a classic. But part II does have some points that I appreciate. Here are four.
  
  4. Spooky hospital
  
  On Halloween night, the hospital has a skeletal crew and few patients. That gives you plenty of dark empty corridors for a homicidal maniac to creep around. Rosenthal creates an unsettling eerie atmosphere that’s perfect for the horror that follows.
  
  3. Familial bond
  
  We find out that Laurie is Michael’s sister. She was born after he murdered his older sister and got sent to the asylum. Then their parents died in an accident and she was adopted. Now Michael is determined to take out the last member of his family. Classic middle child behavior.
  
  2. Dr. Loomis
  
  Dr. Loomis (Donald Pleasence) is back and twice as dramatic. He runs around town crying out to anyone who will listen that the evil is still out there and must be stopped. It can all be a bit comical but at the same time I love him. Plus, if the authorities had listened to him in the first movie, none of this would have happened. He’s basically doing an extended “I told you so” dance.
  
  1. Chase scene
  
  For the majority of the movie, Laurie is laid up recovering from her injuries. Then Michael finds her and she snaps to. There’s an amazing chase through the halls, down the stairs, over a wall, in an elevator, and out into the parking lot. Michael is always just within reach of her. Even though I’ve seen it a dozen times and know the outcome the scene always makes me so anxious. That’s good filmmaking.
  
  Happy Halloween…II!!
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  Posted in Anniversary | 0 Comments | Tagged 80s, Anniversary, Movies
- Happy Birthday…Winona Ryder
  
  Posted at 7:00 am by Geoff, on October 29, 2021
  Wasn’t it just yesterday that Winona Ryder was playing a teenager in Beetlejuice? Now she’s the mom of a teenager on Stanger Things? Time is relentless. In addition to those great roles, she’s shined in Reality Bites, Mermaids, Little Women, and Edward Scissorhands. She brings heart, depth, and courage to every character. I love her best, though, in Heathers. She is so “very”. Happy 50th, Winona!
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  Posted in Birthday | 0 Comments | Tagged 80s, 90s, Birthday, Movies
- Happy Birthday…John Mellencamp
  
  Posted at 6:29 am by Geoff, on October 7, 2021
  A little ditty about John Mellencamp…well actually just a post. I’ll leave the songwriting to him. The musician turns 70 today and over the years he has cranked out hits like “Jack & Diane”, “Hurts So Good”, and “Pink Houses”. He’s a true American rocker. Happy Birthday, Cougs!
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  Posted in Birthday | 0 Comments | Tagged 80s, Birthday, Music
- Glitter Album…20th Anniversary
  
  Posted at 6:33 am by Geoff, on September 23, 2021
  Glitter was an epic disaster that nearly destroyed Mariah Carey’s career. That’s a dramatic statement, but it’s true. Up until 2001, Mariah was on top of her game, releasing one multi-platinum album after another and racking up fifteen #1 singles. Then she decided to try her hand at acting. Glitter (originally titled All that Glitters) is A Star is Born-like story about Billie (Carey), an aspiring singer in 1980s New York, who meets Dice (Max Beesley), a DJ who helps to propel her career as his own is flailing. There’s romance, drama, and lots of great music from the era. Good idea in theory, but horribly executed. The movie bombed and shortly before its premiere Mariah suffered a very public breakdown. The press had a field day roasting her downfall. The one good thing to come out of this mess was the soundtrack to Glitter. Unfortunately, it was released on 9/11 and was pretty much ignored. But it’s still a great album that just happened to get overshadowed by a bad movie. Hopefully people can appreciate it all these years later and see how ahead of the curve Mariah was by revisiting the 80s in the early 2000s.
  
  11. Don’t Stop (Funkin for Jamaica)
  
  You know what this song needs more of? Mariah. It’s Mystikal rapping for two verses while Mariah sings the hook. Yes, she comes in strong near the end, but it’s not enough. The original version, “Funkin for Jamaica”, is much better.
  
  10. Last Night a DJ Saved My Life
  
  Similar to “Jamaica”. I could have done with less Busta Rhymes. At least Mariah sings more here. Nice bass line too.
  
  9. Twister
  
  She wrote “Twister” about her friend who committed suicide. It’s a beautiful tribute.
  
  8. Want You
  
  You’re enveloped by powerful synthesizers and layered vocals on this r&b jam. Plus, Eric Benet is a good match for her musically.
  
  7. Reflections (Care Enough)
  
  Billie’s song lamenting being abandoned by her mother, as a child. A lovely sad melody
  
  6. Never to Far
  
  A big sweeping ballad with an amazing belting note at the end. Loooooooove! Billie sings this after Dice is killed…sorry for the 20 year old spoiler.
  
  5. If We
  
  Mariah collaborates with Ja Rule and Nate Dogg on this seductive track. A winning trinity. It should have been a single, but there was drama behind the scenes. More on that later.
  
  4. I Didn’t Mean to Turn You On
  
  Mariah is living her pop dance diva fantasy on her cover of Cherelle’s 1984 hit. She’s flirty and coquettish, enticing you to get on the dance floor. But, she’s not to blame if you get turned on.
  
  3. All My Life
  
  Rick James wrote “Life” and you can hear him all over it. You would think it came from his Street Songs album. He brings out a certain spicy sexy side to her that you don’t usually hear. A Mariah Jane girl.
  
  2. Lead the Way
  
  Mariah shows some restraint on the first two verses, but when the bridge comes along she takes off. She scales the high notes with her vocal agility, leading the way for every “female entertainer” that comes after her. Simply gorgeous.
  
  1. Loverboy (Original & Remix)
  
  When Mariah initially recorded “Loverboy” she sampled an obscure song called “Firecracker”. Unfortunately, her ex-husband, Sony Chairman Tommy Mottola, heard the track and stole the sample for Jennifer Lopez’s song “I’m Real”. Mariah had to scramble to remake “Loverboy”, ultimately choosing Cameo’s “Candy” as the basis for the song. Mottola took his douchebaggery up a notch when he hired Irv Gotti to produce a track for JLo and Ja Rule, just like what he’d done on Mariah’s “If We”. That became the “I’m Real (Remix)” which was an enormous hit and thus made it so Mariah couldn’t release her own duet with Ja Rule.
  
  Having heard both versions of “Loverboy”, I’ll say the Cameo sample works better. It takes you back in time and the addition of Ludacris and Da Brat on the remix brings in a modern hip-hop flair. “Loverboy” wouldn’t reach #1 on the charts, but it came in at a strong #2. It was the biggest selling single of 2001, proving you can never count Mariah out. Or as Da Brat raps, “Hate on me much as you want to. You can’t do what the fuck I do. Bitches be emulatin’ me daily.”
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  Posted in Anniversary, Music | 0 Comments | Tagged 2000s, 80s, Anniversary, Movies, Music
- Happy Birthday…Fannie Flagg
  
  Posted at 6:52 am by Geoff, on September 21, 2021
  And, Fannie Flagg!! That’s how I hear her name in my head. Fannie sat in the last panelist seat on The Match Game, so she was always announced as the “and”. From 1973 to 1982, she was a semi-regular on the game show, cracking jokes next to Richard Dawson. Beyond Match Game, Fanny appeared in several roles on TV and film while also putting out comedy albums. Her biggest accomplishment was writing the beloved novel Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe. The book would later be turned into a hit movie, garnering the author an Oscar nomination for adapting it. Fannie continues to write and released her latest novel in 2020. Today she celebrates her 77th birthday. Happy Birthday Fannie…and many more!!
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  Posted in Birthday | 0 Comments | Tagged 70s, Birthday, TV
- Emotions…30th Anniversary
  
  Posted at 12:01 pm by Geoff, on September 16, 2021
  Thirty years later and I’m still feeling emotions. Mariah Carey followed up her multi-platinum Grammy winning debut album with Emotions. Rather than repeat herself, she tried different sounds and worked with new writers/producers. The result is a strong collection of songs that capture that fantastic early 90s moment.
  
  10. You’re So Cold
  
  Mariah is dealing with a fboy here. He treats her horribly, playing with her mind and, yet, she keeps coming back for more. She can’t resist his fire-like kisses.
  
  9. The Wind
  
  Mariah listened to jazz when she was a child so it’s not surprising that she would incorporate it into her own music. She channels Billie Holiday in this somber song about loss.
  
  8. To Be Around You
  
  I like how “Around” starts off slow before kicking into a house beat. David Cole and Robert Clivilles definitely put their stamp on it. They bring out a fun playful side of Mimi.
  
  7. And You Don’t Remember
  
  You know you’re in for a sad love song when the first line is “shattered dreams”. Depressing yet beautiful.
  
  6. So Blessed
  
  This sounds like it could be a cover of a standard from the 60s, which is a testament to Mariah’s voice and writing.
  
  5. Til the End of Time
  
  I love the synths here and the ethereal melody. She sings about praying for a love that will come and save her life. The outro with all the harmonies goes on for a while, which is a good thing.
  
  4. If It’s Over
  
  Mariah worked with her idol Carole King on “Over”. If anyone knows how to craft a song about the end of a relationship, it’s her. This has a Tapestry for the 90s feel.
  
  3. Make It Happen
  
  If you need some inspiration, look no further. Mariah tells us that if we believe in ourselves we can make it happen. It’s her story too. She had a dream and kept powering through until she achieved it. The gospel choir puts an exclamation point on the message.
  
  2. Can’t Let Go
  
  The best ballad on the album. Her vocals, mixed with the background singers, are so lush. My favorite part is the bridge where she really goes off.
  
  1. Emotions
  
  The title track bursts through the doors with an exuberant disco sound. She’s in love, she’s alive! Her whistle notes are earth shattering and plenty, but it’s not a gimmick like some thought. How else do you express how high on love you are? Fittingly, “Emotions” ascended to the top of the charts, becoming Mariah’s fifth #1.
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  Posted in Music | 0 Comments | Tagged 90s, Anniversary, Music
- Happy Belated Birthday…Barry Gibb
  
  Posted at 7:56 am by Geoff, on September 2, 2021
  Bee Gees frontman Barry Gibbb turned 75 yesterday. Along with his brothers, Maurice & Robin, he blew up the disco world in the 70s. They created huge chart topping hits, most notably for the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack. When disco fell out of favor in the 80s, they continued to write songs for other artists. Luckily, a new appreciation for the genre years later brought the group back into the spotlight. Maurice and Robin have sadly passed away, but Barry continues to record and perform. His famous falsetto lives on.
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  Posted in Birthday | 0 Comments | Tagged 70s, Birthday, Music
- Happy Birthday…Barbara Eden
  
  Posted at 6:36 am by Geoff, on August 23, 2021
  I Dream of Jeannie star, Barbara Eden, turns 90 today. Of course we know her best from the hit sitcom, but before and after that she appeared in several movies & TV shows, recorded albums, and wrote a memoir. She has enjoyed a long magical career. Happy Birthday, Barbara!
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  Posted in Birthday | 0 Comments | Tagged 60s, Birthday
- An American Werewolf in London…40th Anniversary
  
  Posted at 5:36 pm by Geoff, on August 21, 2021
  Today marks the 40th anniversary of An American Werewolf in London’s release and appropriately a full moon is on the horizon. Back in the 80s, the Jonathan Landis horror comedy brought a new perspective to the werewolf genre. The movie tells the story of two American friends who encounter a werewolf while backpacking through England. Jack (Griffin Dunne) is violently ripped apart while David (David Naughton) is attacked but survives. Later in the hospital, an undead Jack (who’s stuck in limbo) warns David that the bite turned him into a werewolf and he’ll have to kill himself to end the curse. David thinks it’s just a bad dream, until the killings start happening.
  
  What sets London apart from similar films made up until that point is the comedy that Landis infuses into his script and direction. You go from being scared of this menacing werewolf to laughing at the crazy situations David gets thrown into. Like waking up naked in a wolf den at the zoo, post-transition, and having to get back home. Who knew a bunch of balloons could provide such coverage. And good on Landis for including full frontal male nudity here. You weren’t seeing much of that in 1981. Naughton is a natural comedic actor. He easily jumps into the physical aspects required of the role. Dunne brings a lot, as well, with his character’s dry wit.
  The special effects and makeup are fairly revolutionary. We get to see David transform into his werewolf self, complete with expanding limbs and hair growth. No wonder the film won the innagural Oscar for Best Makeup. It’s smart that Landis waits until the tail end of the movie to show the transformation and a full view of the wolf. The audience can only imagine what the beast looks like, which can sometimes be scarier than the actual thing. There isn’t a ton of gore either. Subtlety definitely makes for better horror and London still holds up all these years later.
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  Posted in Movies | 0 Comments | Tagged 80s, Anniversary, Movies
- Happy Birthday…Robert Redford
  
  Posted at 6:33 am by Geoff, on August 18, 2021
  Actor & filmmaker, Robert Redford, turns 85 today. Redford started in the theater before transitioning to TV work (guest starring in a great Twilight Zone episode) and then made the move to films. His incredible good looks got him noticed, but his talent was even better. I particularly enjoyed him in All the President’s Men and The Way We Were. When he moved behind the camera he won Oscars for his debut, Ordinary People. Later on he created the Sundance Film Festival, a place to showcase independent films. Redford has definitely left his mark on the industry.
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  Posted in Birthday | 0 Comments | Tagged 70s, Birthday
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