Blog Archives
The Ghost of Busters Past
There was a time when people didn’t have Ghostbusters in their lives.
And they had no idea who to call.
For today’s history lesson, June 8, 1984 was the day when the science-fiction comedy starring Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, Sigourney Weaver, Rick Moranis and Ernie Hudson changed the real movie world by saving a fictional one with proton packs, sharp wit and the courage to cross streams. With a 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes (that’s pretty good), Ghostbusters is uniquely beloved by fans and critics alike. This is important to note because part of the intense backlash against the new all-female reboot this summer is not a reaction to an all-female cast, but more to do with the caricature nature of the new cast and their characters. The original film and its superb cast was smart, clever and never tried hard to be funny.
They were naturally funny, endearing and (ironically) real.
As odd as it sounds, the 1984 classic doesn’t appear like actors playing parts, but instead felt like a genuine group of misfit friends chasing and capturing ghosts throughout NYC in the coolest ways imaginable within the parameters of a major motion picture. The film has an escapism quality that transcends far beyond the cinema and culture of the mid-1980s.
Thus far, the reboot isn’t generating that same reaction.
For the record, this is how you make a Ghostbusters trailer that kicks some–
History thanks you (in more ways than one), Ghostbusters.
Happy Monday!
The Oscars are right when they’re right and they’re wrong when they’re wrong.
While it’s a painfully obvious observation, it’s true. After watching our favorite movies throughout the year, movie fans become invested in a particular story, actor or actress, director, writer, composer, etc. When the awards shows arrive with its unrivaled opulence, the quiet roar of cheering begins in millions of homes around the world. For countless and valid reasons, we hope, hope and hope that that one movie or collection of people win. It makes sense, they unequivocally deserve it for the right reasons. A celebration of great cinematic achievement and connection to a moving picture awaits.
Then, the unthinkable happens.
No, not John Travolta. However, he did show up on stage with Idina Menzel. She introduced Travolta ever-so-perfectly as “Glom Gazingo.” That’s what we call a frozen burn!
The unthinkable happens when the wrong person is awarded the golden statue or the right person wasn’t even nominated. Or, worse yet, how about when Harold Ramis and Joan Rivers were shamefully absent from the “In Memoriam” tribute.
Not cool Academy, not cool.
Then, there are the mute-worthy political speeches and awkward moments. It is Hollywood, after all. Thankfully, host Neil Patrick Harris provided some funny comic relief throughout the 3 1/2 hour extravaganza. Conversely, there are performances and speeches that move us and certain winners who are seen as a validation of what’s right with the movie world. At a minimum, the Oscars provides its billion-plus viewers with a few heartwarming moments, as last night’s ceremony did.
This live performance was one of the things that, by everyone’s accounts, went 100% right last night:
What would have been more awesome? If The Lego Movie would have been nominated for a lot of Oscars in big categories, along with this amazingly original science-fiction space epic…
Happy Monday!
For a while, there appeared to be no gravitational pull against Best Director Alfonso Cuarón’s space masterpiece as the film soared with Oscar after Oscar after Oscar (7 in total), except for the two it should have collected at the end of the night (especially for Best Picture).
Still, Gravity made a bold statement in 2013 and early into 2014. And we cannot neglect the other triumphant winners in Frozen (including Best Original Song), Dallas Buyers Club (Jared Leto & Matthew McConaughey), The Great Gatsby (3 golden statues) and 12 Years a Slave (Best Actress: Lupita Nyong’o & Best Picture).
The 86th Academy Awards was a night full of speeches, tributes and celebration (and pizza!). If only there was a single picture that captured the spirit of the entire evening…
I am proud to say I was among the millions of people who retweeted this photo that set the record as the most retweeted picture in history (it even broke Twitter for a little while: true story).
And, let it be known that the words Caddyshack, Ghostbusters and Groundhog Day were spoken on the Oscars stage last night.
Thank you Bill Murray (and of course Harold Ramis).
Let your imagination run wild today, this week and far off into the future!
Happy Monday!
The Eternal Legacy of Harold Ramis
By: Ash Vickers of MegaCynics
Harold Ramis will be dearly missed and fondly remembered as a man who connected multiple generations together with timeless comedy favorites. His talent for writing, directing and producing witty and humorous one-liners and creating funny characters, as well as portraying funny characters that were witty and humorous with some great one-liners, Harold Ramis was in the entertainment business to make people laugh and smile.
And he did.
Here is a small collection of his writing, directing, producing and acting credits:
Caddyshack, Stripes, Animal House, National Lampoon’s Vacation, Ghostbusters, Ghostbusters II, Groundhog Day, Analyze This, Multiplicity, As Good as It Gets, High Fidelity, Orange County and Year One.
These are just some of his best-known projects. Just reading those titles is making me laugh and reminisce about all the hilariously classic scenes I and millions of others still happily quote to this day. Harold Ramis not only brought countless families together to watch the Griswold’s every Thanksgiving and Christmas, Bill Murray every Groundhog Day, but he also brought us joy in watching two idiots struggle in the Army and, unforgettably, the coolest group of ghost-fighting scientists in history.
He was a comedy legend that worked with comedy legends. In front of the camera or behind it, he was sensational. That’s a rare gift and he was a rare talent.
While it’s impossible to pay a complete tribute to his life and filmography, below is a video by CNN’s Jake Tapper that can serve as a wonderful reminder of how he made us laugh and feel better about the infinitely complex and mysterious thing we call life.
Who are we gonna miss?
Harold Ramis.
Thanks for the memories and rest in peace.
Jimmy's Daily Planet 