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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.
Man, He was a Super Hero
The superheroes in a superhero movie aren’t always in front of the camera.
Masters of the Universe, released in 1987, is one of the best superhero movies ever made. This despite having to deal with many enormous challenges. The story follows He-Man and his solider friends as they to find and, in the process, prevent Skeletor and his army of villains from getting their hands on the all-powerful Cosmic Key as they search and destroy suburban Los Angeles. The movie is a perfect encapsulation of the cinematic magic of the ’80s that combined eye-catching practical effects and flashy CGI. As the expression goes, the film is pound-for-pound (or frame-for-frame) a classic that defines the eternal battle of good vs. evil.
And, as the short documentary below reveals, there was an epic battle just to make and finish this cult classic.
True story.
Courteney Cox undeniably stole the movie. The casting director should get another thank you, nearly 20 years later. Similar to Richard Donner’s Superman films with Christopher Reeve, critiques focusing on the slightly unrealistic visual effects are irrelevant. The technological challenges and related growing pains are, as a matter of fact, more endearing with each passing year and viewing. The story, characters and settings more than make up for any shortcomings.
Box office records and critical acclaim be damned: Masters of the Universe knew what it was and was proud of it.
That alone deserves a shout-out on “Throwback Thursday.”
He-Man still has the power!
May the 13th (Not) Be With You
If you see a black cat, walk under a ladder and step on a crack that breaks your mother’s back today, then you’ll have to live (ironic, I know) with the fact that, unlike everybody else, you will immediately stop feeling the feeling! of Justin Timberlake’s infectiously fun new single.
Friday the 13th is not to be trifled with.
In some capacity or another, we all have superstitions. Whether deeply personal or in-line with the strange events of a particular day of the month on a particular day of the week, there are forces in our world that cannot be explained. Call it what you will, but there are many questions that will never find an answer.
But why is Friday the 13th so spooky as to put us on edge every year?
Glad you asked. Time for a history lesson (of sorts).
Friday the 13th does have an instinctive creepiness and uneasiness about it. Regardless of when this day falls each year (and sometimes multiple times per calendar year), it reminds us that we’re not totally in control of our surroundings. If something spine-chilling happens on this day, like a black cat interrupting your morning run causing you to step on a crack that breaks your mother’s back and then, disoriented, smash into and break a store front window, the only two reactions can be coincidence or fate.
Not only will your answer to this question reveal your true thoughts on Friday the 13th, but it will also provide a not-so-small hint about how you view life in the grand scheme of things.
Eerie, I know.
See Something, Play Something
Steven Spielberg, even with all of his professional accolades and admiration from fans, may never fully know the irreplaceable impact he’s had on entire generations of moviegoers, dreamers and the culture in which we live everyday.
“I don’t dream at night, I dream at day, I dream all day; I’m dreaming for living.”
–Steven Spielberg
And we’re eternally thankful that he does.
As a matter of fact, there are a couple of childhood buddies who didn’t simply watch and enjoy Raiders of the Lost Ark when it hit theaters in 1981. They took their fandom to the next level. Ironically, by next level, that was technically intended to be the same level as Mr. Spielberg.
Confused?
This will help.
Watch the trailer once, twice, three times and remember the shared feelings you had with Chris Strompolos and Eric Zala (the cast) when you first saw Raiders of the Lost Ark. This homemade adventure of a lifetime by two young Spielbergians is one of the primary justifications for Throwback Thursday. Mr. Spielberg, by dreaming big with daring stunts, thereby encouraged and gave permission for all of us to dream big with daring stunts of our own. Raiders and his long list of pop culture-defining films forever changed the way we watch movies, as well as changing the trajectory for what we expect from movies.
If the above trailer/epic journey proves anything, it’s that Steven Spielberg’s cinematic revolution and trademark story arcs will never be lost.
Jimmy's Daily Planet 