80s | NostalGeoff | Page 5

Tag: 80s
- AHS 1984 Recap…Camp Redwood
  
  Posted at 11:08 pm by Geoff, on September 19, 2019
  It’s time for another season of American Horror Story. This time creator Ryan Murphy is paying homage to 1980s slasher movies. Think Friday the 13^th Parts 1 through infinity. I always look forward to a new season of AHS and slasher movies are one of my favorite genres. So, this should be interesting…until it isn’t. This a Ryan Murphy show after all. In any event, these are my thoughts on episode one.
  
  1. Mr. Jingles is scary as hell
  
  A slasher movie (or tv show) is only as good as it’s killer and 1984 has gnarly one with Benjamin Richter aka Mr. Jingles. We learn that he was a Vietnam vet that REALLY liked killing the enemy. So much so that he went back for a second tour. His favorite thing was collecting the ears from his kills and making a necklace out of them. Eww. This led to a dishonorable discharge. Post-Vietnam, Richter got a job at Camp Redwood. They called him Mr. Jingles because of the jingling keys he always had on his hip. One summer night in 1970 he snapped, killing 9 counselors/campers and cutting off their ears. He was caught and sentenced to a mental institution. Cut to 1984 with Jingles busting out of the asylum and heading back to a newly reopened Redwood. He murders a few people on his way, naturally, and terrorizes poor Brooke (more on her in a bit). This man is a walking nightmare.
  
  2. The cast is pretty likeable
  
  Normally you don’t care who gets chopped up in a horror film. But in this case, I actually like a majority of the characters and hope they make it. They won’t of course. Good girl (and probable final girl) Brooke is the center of the group. She’s virginal, sweet, and demure. So many layers of clothing, even in summer. She’s not so bright though. Leaving your window open while you sleep so a crazed killer (the AHS rendition of the very real Night Stalker) can break in. Traipsing around the woods on a dark rainy night. Stay inside with the others! And after nearly being killed by Mr. Jingles she still goes outside by herself to answer a ringing pay phone. Geez. I have a feeling I’ll constantly be saying, “Oh, girl” or “Don’t do that, girl”, or “Run faster, girl!” a lot with Brooke. Hopefully she gets stronger and wiser over the course of the season. The rest of the counselors include: Xavier the aerobics instructor/aspiring actor. Montana, the bad ass chick. Nice muscle guy, Ray. And hothead muscle guy/former Olympic team member, Chet. Then there are the other employees: smart no nonsense Nurse Rita, grizzled Chef Bertie, and activities director Trevor. Special attention must be paid to Trevor’s junk. He has a huge wang that is showcased in very tiny 80s shorts. Basically, his schtick is his schlong. Lastly, there’s camp owner Margaret Booth. She survived the 1970 massacre (minus a left ear) because of Jesus (her words). I can tell her strict religious nature is gonna get old. I might not mind if she’s offed.
  
  3. The nods to other scary movies are fun
  
  I enjoy a good homage and 1984 has plenty. Obviously, this entire show is a callback to Friday the 13^th. The 80s, a maniac on the loose, chase scenes in the woods, and horny counselors. You expect Jason to pop up at any moment. That’s his thing after all. There’s also a nod to Halloween. When Jingles breaks out of the nut house, he opens the cells of the other patients. They’re roaming the lawns just like in the beginning of the original Halloween. Then there’s the gas station attendant who warns the kids from going up to Redwood. Pretty standard to have an all-knowing townie. Here’s something, if you live in a town where scary shit went down wouldn’t you move away? Heed your own warning, gas guy. And similar to Texas Chainsaw Massacre, the gang picks up a freaky guy on the side of the road. In this case, after they mow him down.
  
  4. All the mysteries
  
  Who left the threatening message on Xavier’s answering machine? What was that phone call about at the end? Who was watching from the van as Montana and Trevor “splashed around” in the lake? What happened to the hiker’s body? How did the Night Stalker find Brooke? Why ears? Again, ewww. So many questions that I’m looking forward to getting answered.
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  Posted in TV | 0 Comments | Tagged 80s, Recap, TV
- Happy Friday the 13th…ch ch ch ah ah ah
  
  Posted at 8:48 am by Geoff, on September 13, 2019
  There’s no better way to celebrate the holiday than to schedule a movie marathon with Crystal Lake’s favorite serial killer, Jason Voorhies. You don’t need to see every film in the series because, frankly, a lot of them suck. Here are the five you should go with.
  
  1. Friday the 13^th (1980)
  
  The classic film that started it all. This set up Jason’s origin story and the path the other movies would take: dumb horny teen camp counselors getting chopped up one by one. The formula works. I especially like that it’s creepy, spooky, and light on the gore compared to what would come after. Yes, final girl Alice (Adrienne King) is an idiot that you want to slap around, like Mrs. Voorhies (Betsy Palmer) having a fit. Yet, you still root for her to live. Plus, it has one of the best shock endings in horror. Get out of that boat, girl.
  
  2. Friday the 13^th Part 2 (1981)
  
  Adult Jason makes his first appearance. No, he’s not wearing the iconic mask, but that sack with the eyehole cut out is just as terrifying. His adversary, Ginny (Amy Steel), is much smarter than the one who came before her. And, there’s a wild chase sequence that really amps up the tension. Word of warning: don’t stand in front of big windows. Nothing good can come of it.
  
  3. Friday the 13^th: The Final Chapter (1984)
  
  One of the best in the series and where it should have ended. It says so in the title. There’s a great cast here, especially a young Corey Feldman (Tommy). He’s a smart kid who can actually take Jason down. How he does it is batshit crazy and that makes it all the better. Big points for Samantha (Judie Aronson) voluntarily jumping out of a second story window and actually surviving. She’s tough, man.
  
  4. Friday the 13^th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan (1989)
  
  It’s utterly absurd, stupid, and cheesy. But that’s not a bad thing. This falls under the it’s so bad it’s good category. You have to love it for the title alone.
  
  5. Friday the 13^th (2009)
  
  Few remakes or reboots live up to the original. This one is better than expected. The premise with final girl Jenna (Danielle Panabaker) and Jason makes zero sense, but just go with it. There are some genuine scares here and a scary as hell opening sequence. A nice way to round out your marathon.
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  Posted in Movies | 0 Comments | Tagged 2000s, 80s, Movies
- When Harry Met Sally…30th Anniversary
  
  Posted at 4:13 pm by Geoff, on August 28, 2019
  Up until the other night, I had never seen When Harry Met Sally. No, really. It’s one of those movies that’s so prominent in pop culture that you think you’ve seen it already. You’ve heard the funny lines and watched the clips on those retrospectives. Or even scrolled past a meme that featured a scene. But you don’t totally know the movie. So I decided to actually sit down and watch it. So what if I’m 30 years behind. Here are my takeaways.
  
  Billy Crystal & Meg Ryan have incredible chemistry
  
  In the movie, their characters meet and don’t really like each other. But they have a spark. Eventually they forge a friendship and soon fall in love. There’s not a lot of action here. It’s really just two people talking (and talking) and forming a deeper connection. So you need actors who can make that interesting. Crystal and Ryan do that. They bounce off each other well and make the ups & downs of this relationship engaging. I also have to point out Carrie Fisher (Marie) and Bruno Kirby (Jess). Two of the funniest friends/sidekicks in a rom-com. They steal almost every scene they’re in.
  
  Nora Ephron’s script is the blueprint for romantic comedies
  
  All the plot points that you expect in today’s rom-coms make an appearance. The friction and tension when they first meet. The missed opportunities or miscommunications. And, of course, someone has to make a mad dash at the end to find their romantic partner and proclaim their love. I’m surprised this didn’t happen in an airport. Ephron made theses all staples. Plus she does it with witty quick dialogue and interesting characters. It’s a script that other screenwriters should study.
  
  New York is gorgeous on film
  
  Not a new insight, but the city really pops in this movie. The orange-red leaves in Central Park in fall. The blustery winter scene where they buy the Christmas tree. Museums, restaurants, and fancy NYE parties. Director Rob Reiner captures it all beautifully. It makes you want to move to NY and fall in love. Not that you can afford to do so anymore, but you can dream.
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  Posted in Movies | 0 Comments | Tagged 80s, Anniversary, Movies
- Blinded by the Light…Review
  
  Posted at 10:47 pm by Geoff, on August 26, 2019
  Gurinder Chadha’s Blinded by the Light is a coming of age movie set to the music of “The Boss”. The story follows Javed (Viveik Kara), a Pakistani teenager living in the small bleak town of Luton in 1987. Things aren’t going well for him. His father Malik (Kulvinder Ghir) has been laid off from his factory job, his mother Noor (Meer Ganatra) works all hours to scrape up a little money to support the family, and members of a hate group attempt to force minorities, like Javed’s family, out of town. He finds escape through writing poetry, something his strict father disapproves of. Malik would rather have a son with practical aspirations.
  
  Things take a turn for the better when Javed meets fellow classmate, Roops (Aaron Phagura), who introduces him to Bruce Springsteen’s music. The moment he pops in the cassette tape, his world suddenly opens up. He instantly relates to the lyrics. Springsteen sings about getting out of a dead-end town and following your dreams. His words embolden Javed to work on his poetry, stand up to his father, and even go after the girl (Nell Williams) he has a crush on. So much of the film rests on Kara’s shoulders and he doesn’t falter. He shows Javed’s growth as he comes into his own. It’s a fantastic performance, especially considering this is his first starring role.
  
  What I enjoyed most about this film was the powerful effect that music had on Javed’s life. He’s inspired to reach further because his hero’s songs urge him to do so. But in the end, he discovers that he was always talented and capable. Springsteen’s words didn’t give him a voice, they merely helped him to find it. Amongst the teenage angst and discovery, Chadha expertly weaves in the theme of the importance of family. Ultimately, Javed is able to build a bridge between his evolved identity and his loved ones. It’s a heartwarming story that might have made me tear up a bit…maybe more than a bit.
  
  **Sidenote**
  
  I always thought “Dancing in the Dark” was a simple pop song that Courtney Cox danced to on MTV. Turns out there’s more to it. Having the lyrics projected on screen in Blinded gave me a better appreciation for Springsteen’s writing. I’ll definitely be buying a record or two of his.
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  Posted in Movies | 2 Comments | Tagged 80s, Movies, Music, Reviews
- The Facts of Life…40th Anniversary
  
  Posted at 12:01 am by Geoff, on August 19, 2019
  The Facts of Life and I are both turning 40 this year. One day apart. Making us some kind of Virgo siblings. It certainly feels like I’ve been watching the show all my life. Syndication has a way of tricking you into thinking that.
  
  The first season of Facts looked much different from how most people normally remember it. The show was a spinoff of Diff’rent Strokes. The Drummonds housekeeper, Mrs. Garrett (Charlotte Rae), left the family to become the housemother at Eastland School for Girls in upstate NY. Back then there were seven girls: Blair, Tootie, Natalie, Nancy, Sue Ann, Cindy, and Molly. There was also the head master, Mr. Bradley, and a teacher, Miss Mahoney. The cast had more characters than a Robert Altman movie. By the time season two came along the show was trimmed down to three girls. Rich bitch Blair (Lisa Whelchel), gossipy Tootie (Kim Fields) and bubbly Natalie (Mindy Cohn). Plus, they added a newbie, tough girl Jo (Nancy McKeon). And Mrs. Garrett had been promoted to being the school dietician with the four students working in her kitchen. I actually liked season one, but narrowing down the cast and making things more focused improved it.
  
  The set up for each episode was pretty standard. A problem would arise with one of the girls, jokes would flow, and then things always got worked out in the end. Jo and Blair would throw barbs at each other. She’s blue-collar! She’s rich! Conflict! Tootie and Natalie would get into some hijinks. And, Mrs. Garrett would dole out wise advice. Normally there was a social issue explored. Suicide, eating disorders, pregnancy, teen prostitution, or discrimination. It could all be pretty formulaic, but it worked. I think it was the cast that sold it. You cared about Mrs. Garrett and the girls no matter what situation they were put in. They could have easily been one dimensional characters, but the writing and acting gave them some depth. Well, as much as you can for an 80s sitcom.
  
  Of course, as the show went on (9 seasons and 209 episodes), it didn’t age so well. Once the girls finished at Eastland, the dynamic changed. Then Mrs. Garrett left and was replaced by her sister Beverly Ann (Cloris Lechman). Plus, they threw in a bunch of random new characters: Andy, George, and Pippa. It all got a little dumbed down and one-note. Let’s not even get into the Over Our Heads years. That’s why I tend to stick to the earlier seasons if I come across a rerun. Early 80s, yes. Late 80s (with half the cast in mullets), no.
  
  But, even if it didn’t always get it right, The Facts of Life was an entertaining show and will always be a favorite. You take the good…ah, you know the rest.
  
  **BONUS**
  
  I have to mention the two Facts TV movies. The Facts of Life Goes to Paris finds Mrs. Garrett and the girls studying in France for the summer. Jo falls in love while Blair realizes that she’s ok without a guy. So much discovery. In The Facts of Life Down Under, the gang heads to Australia. Blair and Jo get involved with jewel thieves, Natalie explores the outback, and Tootie falls for a faux-Aborigine played by Mario Van Peebles. At some point, a boomerang is thrown. Wacky Aussie adventures!
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  Posted in TV | 0 Comments | Tagged 70s, 80s, Anniversary, TV
- Weekend at Bernie’s…still absurd 30 years later
  
  Posted at 8:10 pm by Geoff, on August 4, 2019
  I recently watched Weekend at Bernie’s for the first time since I was a kid for two reasons. One, it was the 30^th Anniversary this year. And, two, I wanted to see if I still liked it as an adult. Yes, I laughed at certain parts. But you can enjoy something while recognizing how utterly stupid it is. And this is a very stupid movie.
  
  Richard (Jonathan Silverman) and Larry (Andrew McCarthy) are co-workers at an insurance company. They discover a scam going on and report it to their boss, Bernie (Terry Kiser). Little do they know that Bernie is behind the insurance swindling. He asks his mafia buddy, Vito, to kill his employees that weekend at his beach house. But instead, Vito orders his hitman, Paulie, to whack Bernie. Not a good idea to screw a mob boss’ girlfriend, Bern. Cut to Richard and Larry showing up at Bernie’s house and finding him dead. What does a sensible person do? Fools, there are no sensible people in this movie! Instead of going to the cops, the guys pretend that Bernie is alive so they can still hang at his beach house. Hijinks ensue.
  
  For the rest of the movie, Larry and Richard bumble around with Bernie’s body. There’s Bernie hanging at the cocktail party, being taken away by the tide, and even waterskiing. He’s also “killed” again. And again. Paulie really is the dumbest hitman of them all. And let’s not even talk about Bernie’s girlfriend having sex with his corpse. For 30 minutes. No words.
  
  The good things about Bernie’s? Well, Silverman and McCarthy make for a good comedy duo. Any other actors would have made this a more painful experience. But these two are likeable and they seem to be having a good time. Their characters are idiots, but they’re nice idiots. Lister is also well cast. Even though he spends 90% of the movie just being thrown around or falling over things, he excels at it. I have to give points to Bernie’s beach house too. It’s the 80s-ist house there ever was on film. Crazy colors, enormous couches, and glass block walls. It really is a character itself. The title character, if you think about it.
  
  So, this movie doesn’t hold up so well. Not that it had much to work with. But it’s still kinda fun. Also, what’s more absurd than Weekend at Bernie’s? The fact that there was a Weekend at Bernie’s 2!
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  Posted in Movies | 0 Comments | Tagged 80s, Anniversary, Movies
- One Life to Live…51st Anniversary
  
  Posted at 11:23 pm by Geoff, on July 24, 2019
  When I was a little kid, I fell in love with soap operas. Yes, I watched the normal kid shows, like cartoons or dumb sitcoms. But around 10 years old soaps became my thing. I took a peek in at almost every show at that time. But my absolute favorite was One Life to Live. It was pure amazingness. The history, stories, and characters. I watched it from sometime in the 80s until it went off the air in 2012. This year OLTL would have celebrated its 51^st anniversary. The show may be gone (damn you ABC), but my memories of it and the denizens of Llanview live on. So, to celebrate I’m making a list of my Top 10 OLTL characters.
  
  10. Billy Douglas
  
  Billy (Ryan Phillippe) has a special place in my heart. He was the first gay teen TV character. Like Billy, I was a young teen coming to terms with my sexuality. It helped so much to have a character like that on TV. On my favorite show no less. Representation in the media is very powerful. A young Phillippe made his acting debut in the part in 1992. He brought so much to the role, playing Billy’s vulnerability and ultimately his strength. It’s too bad the character was written out after only a year. But he still managed to make a huge impact at that time and years beyond.
  
  9. Megan Gordon
  
  Megan (Jessica Tuck) was brought on as Viki Buchanan’s long-lost daughter. Viki had a few of those. She had similar trials to her mother: love triangles, heartbreak, and multiple personalities. But she was her own person. Fiery, independent, and quick-witted. It was unfortunate when Tuck decided to leave the show and they wrote Megan out. Her soap death broke my 12-year-old heart. So many tears. But at least she came back as an angel from time to time.
  
  8. Max Holden
  
  Sexy, charming, and sometimes dangerous. Max (James DePaiva) was the bad boy that people loved. Even when he was doing wrong, you still rooted for him. And nothing was better than his toxic romance with Gabrielle Medina. Or his equally explosive one with Blair. In later years, he got a bit watered down. But Max was always a pleasure to see onscreen.
  
  7. Tea Delgado
  
  Tea (Florencia Lozano) came to town as a ruthless lawyer, ready to decimate any opponent. She was ridiculously smart and cunning. Everyone’s go-to lawyer. Especially Todd Manning. That was a delightfully dark client/attorney/husband/wife relationship. But she had a softer side at times. She cared about her community and her loved ones. And she had the best frenemy relationship (this side of Viki & Dorian) with Blair. A truly multi-faceted, rich character.
  
  6. Blair Cramer
  
  Two actresses played Blair over the course of the show. One Asian and one white. Yeah, that really happened. It was the 90s. Mia Korf was first. She was the scheming ice princess; ready to take down anyone or use them for her own gain. After Korf left the show Kassie DePaiva came on as Blair. I was reluctant to accept her in the role, but over time I grew to love her portrayal. She softened some of Blair’s edges while still remaining razor sharp. Fighting for (or with) her family and working her way to the top. And pushing a bitch out a window, if necessary. You didn’t want to mess with Blair.
  
  5. Natalie Buchanan
  
  Natalie (Melissa Archer) was one of the most polarizing characters on OLTL. You either hated her or loved her. I fell in the latter category, always ride or die for my girl. She was the bad girl turned heroine, suffering through several kidnappings, lost loves, and that dolt John McBain. Ugh Jolie. She was always getting involved in some tragedy, much like her mother, Viki. I loved their relationship, btw. But through it all Natalie kept going. Always the fighter.
  
  4. Dorian Lord
  
  It’s easy to call Dorian (Robin Strasser) a villain. Yes, she was treacherous, devious, and a pathological liar at times. And she kinda killed a man. Only kinda because of the retcon. But underneath that armor of bitchery was a huge heart. She loved her family and some of her husbands. And even Viki at times. Strasser was one of the best actresses on the show and in daytime in general. Dorian’s death row storyline really stands out as a winning moment. Strasser could turn any plot, no matter how small, into gold.
  
  3. Viki Lord
  
  All roads lead back to Viki (Erika Slezak). She was the heart of the show from the very beginning. It was her life to live. For years we saw drama swirl around her. A horrendous father, a career in journalism, a long line of husbands (many who died on her), dissociative identity disorder, numerous Dorian schemes, and enough maladies to kill the average man (well she actually did go to heaven…twice). Slezak deserved all six of the Emmys she won, if not more. There’s no better actress in daytime.
  
  2. Gabrielle Medina
  
  Coming in at a VERY close 2^nd is Gabrielle (Fiona Hutchison). Usually female characters go from bad to good in some dumb redemptive arc. But Gabrielle went from virginal ingenue to one of the baddest bitches in Llanview. I grew to love her during a twisty baby switch storyline. So, she swapped a few brats? She had her reasons. I could excuse any Gabrielle scheme. And I wanted her to be with Max. Even though they were horrible for one another. You can’t deny the heat they had. But whether she was entrenched in a bad romance or on her own, Hutchison always shined in the role. And she did it with great hair. Can’t say enough about that hair!
  
  1. Tina Lord Roberts
  
  Tina, Tina, Tina (Andrea Evans)! There is no better character, in my opinion, in soap opera history. Sorry Erica Kane. Tina was everything for me. Most importantly she was the reason why I started watching One Life. One of the first scenes I remember watching was when she accidentally killed her wicked mother-in-law, Maria, by spilling poison on her. Of course, Maria was trying to kill Tina, so she had it coming. Tina was always getting involved in crazy stuff like that. This is the same woman who went over a waterfall (while pregnant) and lived to tell the tale. Typically, her own schemes put her in these precarious positions. She always wanted more. More love, money, jewels! And she never went about getting these things in the right way. How boring would that be? Unfortunately, Tina got derailed when Evans had to leave the show because of a crazed real-life stalker. She made a return years later, but was bogged down by bad writing. Luckily, before the show ended, she came back one more time and had a happy (and zany Tina-like) ending with her long-time love (and four-time husband) Cord.
  
  Even though the show has ended and these characters are out of sight, they’ll always be in my heart (sorry for the cheesiness). And on YouTube. Cause you only have One Life to Live! Dun, dun, dun!
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  Posted in TV | 0 Comments | Tagged 80s, 90s, Anniversary, Soaps, TV
- Halston…always in fashion
  
  Posted at 7:33 pm by Geoff, on June 19, 2019
  The documentary Halston tells the story of the famous fashion designer who made a huge mark on the industry in the 70’s and 80’s. Halston started out as a hat designer for Bergdorf Goodman, going on to create Jackie Kennedy’s iconic pillbox hat for JFK’s inauguration. Hats soon evolved into an entire women’s line. His style was effortless chic. Simple, but stunning pieces that flattered a women’s body. Soon he branched out into perfume, menswear, bedding, and even flight attendant uniforms. It seemed like everything he touched made a profit. Of course, his precipitous rise led to an even bigger fall. Three things did him in: drugs/partying, selling his company/name to a corporation, and partnering with JC Penny for a more cost-friendly line. The documentary focuses a great deal of time on that last one. Soon Halston found himself shunned by the fashion world and kicked out of his own company. Six years later he was dead at age 57 from AIDS-related complications. An incredibly sad end for such a towering man.
  
  My main issue with the movie is that director Frederic Tcheng could have presented a more well-rounded look at Halston, the man. His personal life gets so little airtime. There are about two sentences devoted to his relationship with illustrator Victor Hugo. Leaving the viewer to wonder exactly how this love affair began and ended. Then there’s the missing chunk of time between losing his company in 1984 and his death in 1990. Did he keep on designing? Were there any hopes of staging a comeback? All a mystery. Similarly, the years after he died, when the Halston line was revisited by other designers in the late 90s and 2000s, is given zero play. Tcheng missed out on an opportunity to go further into the story. I could have also done without the filmmaker’s fictional narrator framing device. The interludes featuring her were fairly corny and unnecessary.
  
  On the plus side, there are several great moments in the film. For starters, seeing Halston’s stunning designs in all their 70s/80s glory. He had such a talent for making simplistic clothing seem very glamorous. He really put his stamp on that era in fashion. All of the archival footage is captivating. The Battle of Versailles, a grand China trip, and his many television appearances. I enjoyed the scenes featuring him and his troupe of beautiful models, the Halstonettes. So campy. The talking head interviews are also well placed. I especially liked hearing from Liza Minelli, model Pat Cleveland, and Halston’s niece Lesley Frowick. You can tell that they all loved him deeply. At one point Liza refuses to speak negatively of her friend or dish any dirt. And that’s the last you see of her.
  
  Even with a few flaws, Halston works as an homage to a brilliant designer. He may have made some missteps, but he will be remembered as someone who shaped the fashion world and the American culture.
  
  And now, just because, here’s Sister Sledge’s “He’s the Greatest Dancer”, which gives Halston a shout out…
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  Posted in Movies | 0 Comments | Tagged 70s, 80s, Documentary, Fashion, Movies
- Rocketman…Review
  
  Posted at 11:06 pm by Geoff, on June 16, 2019
  After the success of Bohemian Rhapsody, a second movie about a flamboyant larger than life rockstar in the 70s and 80s might fall in the shadow of what came before it. But I think it’s unfair to lump Rocketman in with that other film. Especially because this movie is ten times better than Bohemian Rhapsody. Like, glaringly better. But let’s move on.
  
  Rocketman focuses on the personal life and career of Elton John (Taron Egerton). He grows up in working class England in a very unhappy home. His father is never around and when he is, he’s cold and distant. His mother (Bryce Dallas Howard) isn’t much better. She thinks of her son as a burden she must carry. Young Elton escapes his harsh reality through music. He’s a piano prodigy, perfectly imitating any piece he hears. He pursues a career in music as he matures, playing in a band and backing other artists. Elton’s life changes dramatically when he meets Bernie Taupin (Jamie Bell). Bernie has the lyrics to match up with Elton’s music. It’s a perfect partnership. Fame, fortune, and amazing songs soon follow. And just as quickly comes the spiral, with alcohol and drugs.
  
  Even though Rocketman is considered a biopic it’s really more than that. Much more fantastical, for sure. Elton and other characters break into song and dance numbers all over the place. And his music is used to establish the mood and further the plot of the movie. It feels like an existing Broadway musical that was adapted for the screen. I was already a big fan of his songs, but it was interesting to see them staged and performed in new way here. “Tiny Dancer”, “Amoreena”, “Pinball Wizard”, and “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” are standouts. Director Dexter Fletcher creates a fun, exciting spectacle for the viewer. The whirlwind of Elton’s life is captured beautifully through his lens. And hats off (no pun here) to the fabulous costumes designed by Julian Day. So many sequins!
  
  I also enjoyed the fact that this was an R-rated movie. Elton recently said, “I haven’t led a PG-13 life”. So, his movie shouldn’t shy away from those elements. You get to see him exploring his sexuality, complete with gay sex scenes. There’s also the heavy drug use. Sometimes a bit too heavy. His downward spiral felt like it went on for far too long. But that was the truth of his experience.
  
  The heart of the film is Egerton. He’s in almost every scene, carrying it all on his back. He doesn’t just slap on a wig and do an imitation of Elton. He offers up his own interpretation of the icon. It’s a strong performance. Huge points for actually using his own singing voice and not lip synching…unlike other actors in recent biopics. Bell and Howard also shine in their roles. Howard has a particularly tough job of making a heartless woman seem human.
  
  I walked out of the theatre with a renewed appreciation for Elton and the path he took to get to where he is now. It’s an inspiring story of highs, lows, self-acceptance, and perseverance. With a fantastic soundtrack to accompany it.
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  Posted in Movies | 0 Comments | Tagged 70s, 80s, Biopic, Movies, Musical, Reviews
- Yacht Rock Revue…please rock
  
  Posted at 11:51 pm by Geoff, on June 3, 2019
  If you don’t know (and really you should), yacht rock refers to a genre of music popular in the 70s and 80s. It had high production, smooth vocals, a jazzy/r&b/pop sound, and memorable melodies. It wasn’t until the 2000s when the term yacht rock was actually coined though. It was a tongue in cheek way of referring to the stereotypical music that yuppies listened to. Possibly on a yacht.
  
  Yacht Rock Revue formed in 2007 as cover band specializing in the genre. Since then they’ve gone from playing in small clubs to large amphitheaters. They’ve even performed with the bands they’ve covered. Now they’re on a nationwide tour. I love yacht rock! It’s fun and catchy. I can dance to it or hum along at my work desk. It just makes me feel good. When I saw that YRR was playing at August Hall in San Francisco, I knew I had to check them out. And I wasn’t disappointed.
  
  Yacht Rock Revue doesn’t take itself seriously, yet it’s a serious band. They may come out in 70s clothes, floral print shirts and tight bell bottoms. But this isn’t a joke group and they’re not half-assing it out there. All seven members of the band play their instruments. This is all live, no backing track. They’re using their own vocals with almost every member getting a turn on lead. They all sound great doing it, by the way. You can see that the band has a deep appreciation for the music.
  
  That feeling flowed out into the audience. It was a wide mix of people. Different generations, races, social groups, etc. But everyone was into it. Several people were wearing captain’s hats and other nautical attire. And they were all (yacht) rocking out to the show. Dancing and singing along. There was good energy going around.
  
  Over the course of a two hour(!!) set YRR covered almost every singer or band associated with the genre: Hall & Oates, The Doobie Brothers, Steely Dan, Toto, Kenny Loggins, Christopher Cross, Looking Glass, The Commodores, and a host of others. My favorite moments/songs were “Rich Girl”, “Peg”, “Turn Your Love Around”, “Escape (The Pina Colada Song)”, and “Easy”. There were a few songs I wasn’t as familiar with, but I still managed to get down to them. My one quibble was the inclusion of the Bee Gee’s “Stayin Alive”. That’s much more disco than yacht rock.
  
  After taking a very quick break, the group came out for an encore. Journey’s “Lights” was a nice ode to the San Francisco venue and had people in the crowd putting their arms around each other and swaying. Then the band came to the grand finale with an incredible rendition of Gerry Rafferty’s “Baker Street”. So many insane saxophone solos! It brought the house down (and the camera phones out). A fantastic end to an eventful night.
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  Posted in Music | 0 Comments | Tagged 70s, 80s, Concert, Reviews
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