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Good Luck Will Lack, Friday the 13th is Back

It’s Friday the 13th.

Wait, it feels like there’s some weird déjà vu going on here…

That’s right, we’re only into the third month of 2015 and we’re already experiencing the second Friday the 13th. As if bad luck’s shadow didn’t linger far enough the first time, now we must be vigilant for the second month in a row. But that’s not all: November will bring us the third Friday the 13th of the year.

Is it possible the Mayans were off by three years?

The challenge is to refrain from stepping on a crack that will break our mother’s back, avoid that black cat and don’t even look in a mirror today, let alone walk under a straddling ladder. The latter with the ladder is a sentence I’ve wanted to write for a long time. Check. While sorcerers do not walk among us (except for Nicolas Cage), there have always been unexplained phenomena in the world. The ambiguity of life sparks curiosity and expectation because we instinctively keep a look out for supernatural events. So, keep your eyes open and good luck avoiding the terrible trappings of Friday the 13th: Round 2.

By the way, I think Groundhog Day finally found its sequel.

A Model…Sequel

It’s happening!

(IGN)

(IGN)

Zoolander 2 (title may still be pending), the sequel to the 2001 cult classic, was officially announced today as Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson surprisingly strutted down the Valentino fashion runway at the conclusion of the Paris show as their famous model characters Derek and Hansel.

This sequel buzz is so hot right now.

Dressed in perfectly ridiculous outfits (including silk pajamas and what appears to be a silk suit), Stiller and Wilson caused camera phones to flash from every direction and hearts to race for all the right reasons. Perhaps the best comedic buddy duo since Harry and Lloyd, these male models look identical to their 2001-selves with a blue steel facial turn that will take your breath away.

The highly-anticipated sequel will be released on February 12, 2016. The story is going to be set and filmed in Europe, which wonderfully lends itself to outrageous situations and stereotypical realities of the international fashion world for the dim-witted, yet incredibly entertaining and really, really, really ridiculously good looking best friends.

Cool movie announcement Hansel and Derek.

Save Nostalgia with a Twist & Shout

Spoiler Alert: This blog post contains details from the February 25, 2015 episode of The Goldbergs 

(EW's Community)

(EW’s Community)

“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”
-Ferris Bueller

In a single word: Epic!

Adam F. Goldberg, sitcom’s connoisseur of the 1980s and leader of The Goldbergs, revived a treasured classic and booked the cameo of the year (plus Ben Stein…Ben Stein in the promo) in last night’s episode, “Barry Goldberg’s Day Off.” Expected a week earlier in the Two and a Half Men series finale, Charlie Sheen continued to fuel his feud with that show’s leader Chuck Lorre with tiger’s blood. Charlie declined a highly-anticipated return to his old show. Instead, Goldberg had the perfect timing and script for Sheen to make his prime time television return as the drug-addled addict character he played in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (you almost can’t write this) and it was great. As a matter of fact, Goldberg revealed that Sheen pitched his final line and, for those who saw it, it was hilarious.

“It’s about time, I feel like I’ve been sittin’ here for 30 f”in years!”

This episode was a perfect homage to the ’80s masterpiece with countless shot-for-shot remakes, the iconic wardrobe, unforgettable quotes and original twists (and shouting) custom-fit for The Goldbergs. Every single character nailed their part. They were all so choice. The story was ultimately about Barry discovering his inner-Ferris Bueller, despite the reality of being a Cameron Frye. Truthfully, it’s the dilemma most of us face, especially in high school. This tribute episode was special because of the movie, its place in our hearts and minds and it was a nostalgic time travel (without a Ferrari, flying car or phone booth) back to a time when John Hughes was king.

Some would argue he still is.

Hughes’ storytelling and all too-real portrayals of teen life was impeccable. His films and characters continue to stand the test of time. Sitting on the edge of my seat with a smile a mile wide during the entire show, Goldberg wonderfully reminded us that the past is never too far away and that it really feels good to win (had to) with a rockin’ song in front of a raucous crowd.

Life, in so many ways, is about moments. And each of us should have our own Ferris-inspired day off.  

Adam F. Goldberg revealed at the end of the episode that he wanted to be the next John Hughes as a kid (note his childhood obsession with filming his uncensored family). In the modern television world, he’s as close as anybody. It’s always amazing to learn who or what motivates us at our most impressionable ages.

It’s clear that we will never forget the brilliant mind and vision of John Hughes.

P.S. I sent a tweet last night that read:

@TheGoldbergsABC is literally Epic!!! To quote myself, “I just believe in The Goldbergs” #FerrisBuellersDayOff

The second part of the message was an homage to a quote from the movie. It was commented on and re-tweeted. It even got “favorited” by a few people…including Adam F. Goldberg!

That’s epic!

Oh yeah (chicka chicka) 

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…