George Carlin - Rest In Peace

A great comedic mind is no longer with us.

There is no one today that is really a direct successor to George Carlin's brand of humor. Sure, the guy waned a bit in his twilight years, but so do most of the greats. For almost his entire career he was way out in front of the "edge" of popular comedy. His insights and use of language (both "dirty" and not) were incomparable among stand-ups contemporaries. Only in the later 90's did America start seeing increasing numbers of comedians who took their humor to "the edge", making it more "raw" and covering topics or using language that was previously considered "socially extreme". Now everybody does it. But when you go back and watch Carlin's older stuff (I'm most familiar with his 80's stuff and the early 90's gem, Jammin in New York) you see just how far he sails above all of today's comics.


George Carlin, you've given this world a great many laughs, often to tears. And now, we shed a collective tear back to you for all the laughs you gave us.
Rest In Peace, you funny fucker.

Just Because / Music To Live By: Gremlins Movie Score

Well, I've been back from the honeymoon on Kauai for two weeks now and work has kept me incredibly busy. But during those many busy hours I've found some solace in my YouTube playlists , which help to pass the time (when I'm not continually interrupted with meetings and fires to put out in the office.)

I couldn't really decide whether this fell into the category of a random YouTube link for you guys to enjoy (Just Because), which is what I originally intended this post to be. Or if this is more of a score review (Music To Live By). It turned out to be something of both.

Gremlins: The Score

One of the playlists I listened to several times last week was Jerry Goldsmith's great score for Gremlins, the 1984 movie written by Chris Columbus, directed by Joe Dante, and executive produced by Spielberg. What a team! Special thanks to YouTuber Aldabarran for uploading this hard-to-find and out of print score to the Internet.

What I really like about Goldsmith's score - besides how instantly it brings back the fun of the movie it was written for - is how it captures both the film's lighter and darker tones. Goldsmith uses an interesting synth sound for some parts of the score used when the Gremlins are running amok. A combination of this synth music and some skillful violin work bring uniquely identifiable and eery cues for scenes with the Gremlins. He also does a great job of weaving in some lighter, holiday themed cues with Gizmo's theme throughout as the score threads between its heros and Gremlins.

You may also find it interesting to know that Goldsmith's violin based Gremlins theme didn't actually make its first appearance in the titular movie. Movie score fans will know that Goldsmith scored the Twilight Zone movie from the early 80's, which cmainly onsisted of 4 separate stories. One of those stories was about a man (played by John Lithgow) who sees a monster on the wing of the airplane he is flying on. During this story, the monster is referred to as a "gremlin", one of those little monsters that cause mechanical things to go wrong and break down, but that people never see. If you listen to the track for "Nightmare at 20,000 feet" on the Twilight Zone score, you'll hear a familiar violin theme when the Gremlin appears at about 3:20.

Or, you can hear part of the music in the first minute of this clip, especially from 00:47 - 1:03:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwEclI_ffOA

Come to think of it, this segment of this film a) is really well done, and b) really left an impression on me when I saw it as a kid.

Steven Spielberg directed one of the four stories in the Twilight Zone movie, so it's no coincidence at all that Goldsmith was chosen to score Gremlins when it came along.

Here's some random trivia for you:
- This original TZ episode starred William Shatner. Shatner starred in Star Trek.
- Jerry Goldsmith scored the original Star Trek movie.
- Goldsmith also scored this segment of the Twilight Zone movie that was executive produced by Steven Spielberg. Goldsmith also scored Gremlins, which was also exec produced by Spielberg. Not coincidentally, the Gremlins movie features very similar "gremlin" music for the little green monsters as the little bit of violin music you hear when Lithgow sees the monster on the wing of the plane.
- Spielberg also exec produced The Goonies, which was directed by Dick Donner.
- Dick Donner directed this original TZ episode of Nightmare at 10,000 feet.


Gremlins: The Movie
I watched this movie recently for the first time in a number of years and darn it if it still isn't enjoyable! As a kid I always remembered the movie being funny, but sometimes scary. Watching it again now, I see a much greater dichotomy between the film's comedic moments and the moments that are downright horror-like. One minute Gremlins are popping out at a character for a cheap scare, then their killing an old lady mischeivously, but then you get a whole 60 second scene with nothing but Gremlins hanging out in a bar, dancing to 80's disco wearing a Flashdance outfit, beating each other up with cartoon sound effects in the background, and a Gremlin flasher who exposes, well, nothing underneath his mini, Gremlin-sized trenchcoat.

Some might cite all these things as evidence of just how uneven the film's tone is. However, I think these guys knew exactly what they were doing. They wanted it to be a little scary, a little funny, and a little heartwarming. In fact, I think it's a pretty rare breed of movie that can pull off that kind of combination HALF as successfully as Gremlins does.

Anyway, enjoy listening to Gremlins!

Gizmo, ka-ka!

Sweep the Leg!

I'm sure this isn't new to some, but I was just recently introduced to the video for "Sweep the Leg", which features the titular song by the group No More Kings. The video spoofs a few 80's pop culture moments, but most notably Karate Kid.

Written and directed by Johnny himself, William Zabka and his Cobra Kai buddies (yes, they reassembled his close gang of Cobra Kais 20 years leater) sit around their trailer watching Karate Kid over and over until Johnny's old mentor comes back and Johnny sets out to right the wrong done to him by Larusso's crane kick many years ago. The guy who played Principal Belding on Saved By The Bell also makes a cameo appearance in the beginning and I'm pretty sure that's Ralph Macchio there at the end.

"Get him a body bag, Johnny! Yeeeaaaaahhh!"

Indy IV Score Samples on Amazon

Greetings Indyfans!

30-second samples of the tracks on the score for Kingdom of the Crystal Skull showed up on Amazon.com recently.
Do Beware of SPOILERS in reading the track titles. I know, I know - if it's on published material, is it really still a "spoiler"? I say "no", but as this is the first Indy movie anyone's had in almost 20 years, some of the fan community on the web has become uptight about this kind of thing.

I like what little I can hear so far. A little of it reminds me of Williams' work on the Star Wars prequel scores, work I personally enjoyed (in some ways more than the movies themselves.)

I really dig that part of "The Map Room" theme from Raiders shows up in the track called "The Spell of the Skull" and "Marion's Theme" also makes an appearance on this CD in the last cue (if not elsewhere that we can't hear yet!)

Indyfans and the Quest for Fortune and Glory

UPDATE

The Raider.net picked up my article on GoSightSee.com and mentioned it in their Indyfans article on their site today. Too cool!

I went to the "premiere" of Brandon Kleyla's new Indiana Jones fanumentary on April 28 in Newport Beach. Check out my synopsis over at the GoSightSee Travel Blog.


I didn't know it at the time, but apparently the Girls Next Door came to the premiere in Indy fedoras, too.

Just Because: EG Daily

I'm a big fan of the movie "Better Off Dead". It was my introduction to John Cusack and for years I thought I was the only one who enjoyed watching the movie over and over on my VHS copy taped from HBO. When I got to high school I started realizing other people knew the movie, which is now regularly recognized as not only a great 80's film, but a damn fine Savage Steve Holland comedy (not that he has many others).

In honor of Summer movie season starting this weekend, I give you E.G. Daily's "One Way Love (Better Off Dead)"
(PS- Sorry your Mom blew up, Ricky.)

And Now This Important Announcement

With the weekend at hand, I thought I'd leave your week with these parting words of wisdom:


Now back to your regularly scheduled program.

KOTCS score drops on May 20!

UPDATE!
The Amazon site now has the CD cover and tracklisting, too. Beware minor spoliers on those tracklistings, though.

The Raider.net posted a blurb that notes the release date of John Williams' forthcoming score for Indy IV. I cannot wait!

Amazon is already taking pre-orders for the new CD.

Brandon Hardesty goes to Hollywood

I love Brandon Hardesty's re-enactments. I admit it. They're like a guilty pleasure for me. I hope the guy does well in Hollywood, but that we still get to enjoy some of his personal work on the Internet from time to time.

Hey Hollywood, why not remake THIS?

Sometimes you see something and think, "Damn, that's so incredibly bad. I love it!" Unfortunately, only the first part of that phrase is applicable to many of the films coming from Hollywood these days.

My suggestion to Hollywood? See below, and remember that the low-fi effects are an important component of the film. No CGI, asswipes!



And if you liked that one, try this one on for size:

Just Because: TAKE ON ME

Why? Well, because this video kicked alot of ass in the 80's and it still resonates so many years later, not to mention the fact that it brings back alot of nostalgia.




Of course, if the original is too "80's" for you, perhaps, you'll dig the cover by Reel Big Fish more:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HO7sTntruzg

WEIRD TRAVELS: LAS VEGAS - Janet Airlines

Believe what you want about UFOs, aliens, and the conspiracy theories that tie them together in a little spot in the US called AREA 51. But there is irrefutable proof of a "secret" installation of some sort in the Nevada desert, about 100 miles north/northwest of Las Vegas.

There are alot (oh MAN are there alot) of stories about this place, as most people have heard by now. In fact most of us have been hearing about it on and off since the very early 90's when Bob Lazar went to the media about his alleged and contested experiences there.

Enthusiasts, truthseekers, and others just curious have dared to venture through the desert to the place some call "Dreamland" and report encountering many of the same things: conspicuously blunt signage, armed "camo dudes" in Jeeps and sunglasses, "mailboxes" in the middle of nowhere,", and a whole bunch of other oddities.

No doubt, some people dedicate alot of time to watching Area 51.

And then there was me while I was in Las Vegas the other week. I guess I'd list myself under the category of "curious". I pulled up alongside a "private" terminal reported to be the highly secure terminal for the "JANET" aircraft which alleged shuttle people from Las Vegas McCarran Airport to the "Area 51" base at Groom Lake and the Tonopah Test Site further north.

A view from just outside the "JANET" terminal.

"JANET" is the supposedly the code name at McCarran for the unmarked aircraft used to shuttle the top secret staff supposedly aboard them. The white and red craft use a terminal building on the far western edge of McCarran Airport, just a block east of Mandalay Bay, Luxor, and the Tropicana Resorts on the Strip.

There's alot more details on JANET here, here, and here.

I can't tell you much more than what I already read on these sites, but I did observe that the arrival and departure times people note still seem fairly accurate. I showed up just after 3pm on a Tuesday (3/4/08) and caught the last few people getting off a "JANET" plane about the same time the one in my picture below taxied down the runway for take-off. As those people hit the parking lot, it was like a sudden rush hour. Those cars started streaming out of the secure lot onto Haven St and turning right onto Four Seasons Drive behind me to head to the Freeway. Likewise, I saw them stream in the next afternoon about 45 minutes before another JANET plane took off.

"Big ol' jet airliner....."

So, what's going on at the JANET terminal? I guess I'd say "business as usual." As for just WHAT that business is - I leave thatup to you to decide.

BEARDS!

Back in February I decided to let my facial fuzz ferment into what some could deem a "beard." For me, it was about as furry as my face has ever gotten and it took me almost two months to get it this way.

Now, I can't even get into the specificities of this blog, because, frankly, I haven't read that much of it since I stumbled onto it just 8 minutes ago, but suffice it to say:

They Champion The Beard

So, go watch this video and be awed at its bearded spectacle.

Wanna see a Peeps Show?!

Ever wonder just how creative somebody could be with a package of holiday Peeps? Well, you're in luck because the Washington Post just happens to hold an annual contest for that very thing.

Peeps Show II here.

New Tiki in the house!

Got a new Tiki Mug recently from Catalina Island....
It stands about 9-10 inches tall and sports the Moa on three sides. Righteous!

Bill Peet interview

Sorry, guys - I had this post form a while back, but never published it...

There's a great (old) interview over at Hogan's Alley with animator and former Disney cartoonisist Bill Peet. It's a great read and the gruff old guy has some intersting insights and oft-unheard stories from his time at Disney.

Where is March going? Spend it at the FUNPLEX!

Well, it's been a work-filled funfest since I got back from travelling to Las Vegas and Phoenix two weeks ago...

Phoenix was uneventful, except for stopping by Trader Vic's in Scottsdale for dinner and a tropical libation. Tried to make a Spring training game in Peoria, but the timing just didn't work before my flight out to Vegas.

While I've been working I've been listening to Aldabarran's YouTube channels alot, as well as the new B-52's song, Funplex. Why isn't this new jam getting more air time?

Marchin' into March

Wow, where do the hours, days, and weeks go?

How did we get to March already? Whatever the cause of this rapidly increasing passage of time, I will be out on business travel almost all of this coming week inspecting properties in Phoenix and Las Vegas.

In lieu of reading any new posts from me, I offer up a fantastic YouTube page by "Aldabarran", a mysterious Brit with impeccable film score taste: Aldabarran's videos

Here you will find 30+ popular film score he has generously uploaded to the Interweb, many of which are hard sought by collectors and score enthusiasts. I've been listening to this guy's selections almost all week and loving all the new playlists I've made for a bunch of them.

Highlights include The Goonies, Temple of Doom, The 'Burbs (the recently released Varese Sarabande version), Big trouble In Little China, Gremlins, The Fog, Ghostbusters (Varese Sarabande version), Alien/Aliens, and all three Back to The Future films.

Go ahead and indulge already!

I'll see you the week of 3/10.

Afro-flakes: the Cereal!

Now UPDATED with a picture!


Ok, not really, but it appears one company has decided to target African-Americans with their cereal product. If this works, I suppose "Afro Puffs" can't be far behind. Which, I'd actually buy by the crateful if they're any good.

Read more over at The Breakfast Bowl blog.

Five Second Movies

Seems a number of people have condensed alot of popular movies down to pretty funny "five second" clips (some are longer than 5 seconds.) I suppose this "phenomenon" has been around on YouTube for a while now, but I just discovered them this morning.

Check out the ones below for Empire Strikes Back and Return of The Jedi. If you enjoy these, head over to YouTube to see more. I linked to a few of my favorites at the bottom.





Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QH0Y5_CWgLM

Ghostbusters
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8rbqyNYTaU

Back To The Future
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-LilDePLhk

Amadeus
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4iYXi7HmGSE

The Goonies
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaWY0-R8ypU

Beetlejuice
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxrbqIibqsI

Karate Kid
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJ4vp4e3MX4

Others you should look for include Three Amigos, The Godfather, Jurassic Park, and Home Alone.