Jani Lane, former singer of the hair metal band Warrant dead

I am going to step out of my movie geek persona to address my other passion, music. I wish to address the recent death of former Warrant front man, Jani Lane. While I have never been fan of their music I have seen their Behind the Music episode saw the anger regarding his legacy.

Is it such a bad thing to have a legacy? Something of us to show we existed long after we left this earth.

On Thursday, August 11, 2011 Jani Lane, former singer of the hair metal band Warrant died. As of Sunday, August 14^th, his autopsy was declared “inconclusive”. However, when they found his body at the Comfort Inn in Woodland Hills, CA vodka and prescription pills were found at the death scene. He was just 47 years old. It had been reported he was dealing with “addiction issues” for years. His legacy was the song and video for the Warrant hit song “Cherry Pie”.

One thing that comes to mind that Warrant while have other hit songs like Heaven and Down Boys they will be always be associated with the song or mostly video for “Cherry Pie”. Jani Lane quoted in a interview, “I hate that song,”. He wrote it because the record company wanted a hit single like Love in an Elevator by Aerosmith. He was quoted as saying “my legacy is Cherry Pie, everything about me is Cherry Pie, I’m the Cherry Pie Guy, I could shot myself in the f**kin head for writing that song” The album was originally called “Uncle Tom’s Cabin”; after he wrote and submitted the song the album was called Cherry Pie, as well as the hit single and he was doing Cherry Pie eating contests. He was a tortured soul. Question is would Jani still be alive if “Cherry Pie” never existed? Would Warrant be another pop heavy metal band like Motley Crue or Ratt? Could he have written another song that would bury the Cherry Pie legacy? The Beastie Boys had the “Fight for your Right To Party” frat boy song, and then followed up with the revolutionary rap album “Paul Boutique”. Most of us would love to have a legacy; Jani’s made want to end his life.

Is the Movie “They Live” (1988) symbolism for adulthood? Nah…I’m not that deep but here’s the thing…

I am here to do two things, watch promotions for dated movies and chew bubble gum! And I am all out of bubble gum!

I took the family on a vacation to Disney World and I came to the following conclusion; Disney as a kid is a wonderful thing. Disney as an adult is a greedy, heartless, money sucking Cylon! Other things come to mind, Thanksgiving and Christmas. As a child, I thought of Thanksgiving as, 2-Days off from school, good food and as close the Christmas as I had been all year! But lately I see it as Macy Parade = Brand management, “Think of Macy’s for the holiday season!. Check out these brands!” In other words, like George Nada, in my adulthood I found the special glasses and people like The Aliens are just plain EVIL! Here is some knowledge to absorb.

Wikipedia Info on “They Live”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/They_Live

“When Nada later dons the glasses for the first time, the world appears in shades of grey, with significant differences. He notices that a billboard now simply displays the word "Obey"; without them it advertises that Control Data Corporation is "creating a transparent computing environment." Another billboard (normally displaying "Come to the Caribbean" written above an attractive woman lying on a beach) now displays the text "Marry and Reproduce." He also sees that paper money bears the words "This is your God." All printed matter around him contains subliminal advertising.”

Hum, could all these distractions at the “Happiest Place on Earth be a way of making you want to buy the movies from their exclusive vault? Or perhaps buy an official $50 shirt, watch their shows on their cable channel, maybe listen to their radio station? I won’t bully on one company let’s get back to the Thanksgiving parade. Check out these floats through years. How did we get from Pinocchio in the 1930s to Ronald McDonald in front of the Stoli sign? Or Dora with the parade announcer saying “Can be seen only on Nick Jr! And don’t forget your Dora wig!”. Now let’s go to the less selfish “not-for-profit” Sesame Street. I recall watching Kermit the Frog, wait a second Kermit became host of the The Muppet Show which sells it’’s images everywhere and not only will have a summer blockbuster but now have an exclusive home at Disney Hollywood Studios!

Maybe I’m a socialist at heart. Nah I am too superficial.

Bill Murray turns 60!

Interesting, Bill Murray turned 60 this week. This means is he older than Rodney Dangerfield was when they did Caddy Shack; 30 years ago.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080487/

Summer Movies

Ok, it’s been a while and I should have done my summer movie list at the beginning of the summer not after it ended. But here is a list of recommended summer movies. Well until you read my Christmas movie blog in April!
- Tom Mulryan

Summer Movies
1. Summer-job: Adventureland (2009) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1091722/ I used to go to the real Adventure Land in Farmingdale. I know the background story of the “Say you love Satin” reference.
2. Summer-School: well…Summer School (1987) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094072/ A young cute Courtney Thorne-Smith.
3. Summer-Heat wave tensions: Do the Right Thing (1989) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097216/ “I got it, I got it, I’m gone.”
4. Summer vacation body finding: Stand by Me (1986) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092005/ “Great story Gord.”
5. Summer Job hijinks: Caddyshack (1980) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080487/ No quotes needed we all know them.
6. Summer Camp: Meatballs (1979) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0079540/ “Spaz, you homo!”
7. Summer Camp: Wet Hot American Summer (2001) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0243655/ A sleeper hit but a very funny movie. A montage of comedians taking place in a summer camp in the 1970s.
8. Summer Life Changes: Wild Life (1984) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088402/ “Hear that Bill? It’s the Wild Life!”
9. Summer Challenge Winner take all: One Crazy Summer (1986) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091680/ “Egg, are you that fat kid?”
10. Summer Nerd Tells a Story: The Sand Lot (1993) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108037/ “You’re killing me Smalls!”

What is this?

(Simply some ideas to add to your movie rental list or Queue.)
Many people go through life wondering what their talent is or how do I use this talent? Mine was always the movies. I like watching certain directors, story lines, behind the scenes and especially by those who know me; great movie lines. Lines like one of my favorites from Rudy,
"…in this life time you don't have to prove nothing to nobody except yourself.". Inspirational, just like this from Miracle, ..."This is your time. Now go out there and take it. ".
Anyway, this blog will discuss movies for movie lovers. Mostly older movies you can rent and add to your queue. I will give recommendations on movies based on topics. For instance while we currently have Winter Olympics fever I will recommend some movies with an Olympic theme, best Bill Murray movies or my top Bruce Willis movies with the recent Cop Out premiere. I will also ask for your suggestions and feedback. So here it is, "Whaddaya say? Let's boogie." - Spinal Tap.

Spring Training: Best baseball movies:

February 28, 2010

Topic:
Spring Training: Best baseball movies:
Pitchers and catchers have been arriving here in Sunny yet cold Florida. Since baseball season is starting up here are some classic baseball movies.

1. Bull Durham– 1988
Sappy yet pure. When I saw this I never heard of Kevin Costner, Tim Robbins nor Susan Sarandon.
2. Field of Dreams(see Eight Men Out first) – 1989
Great Capra type of modern movie. I highly recommend seeing Eight Men Out first.
3. Eight Men Out– 1988
Ok, true story; I rented this movie in high school with my girl friend. It was interesting but a week later we saw Field of Dreams and when they mentioned Shoeless Joe we nudged each other because we knew the story behind the movie! Great cast too; John Cusack, Charlie Sheen and D.B. Sweeney.
4. Major League– 1989
Funny, and stars a young Charlie Sheen and Wesley Snipes.
5. Pride of the Yankees– 1942
Classic movie that introduced me to Gary Cooper
6. Bad News Bears– 1976
Ah yes, the movie that introduced me to kids cursing!
7. Mr. Baseball– 1992
Fascinating how things change. Now the best teams are looking at Japan for talent.
8. The Natural– 1984
No introduction necessary, but if you never seen nor heard of it add it to your Queue and bring it to the top!
9. 61 * - 2002
Great story of Yankee teammates, Mickey Mantel and Roger Maris.
10. The Babe- 1992
OK, this looks cheesy now, but it is worth it to see John Goodman as the Babe.
The Sandlot– 1993 (Honorable mention)
Yes, it's a kids movie but very funny and entertaining. Good quote, "You're killing me Smalls!"

Side note recommendations: Check out Cop Out! A Kevin Smith movie staring Bruce Willis and Tracy Morgan. Coming soon: Brooklyn's Finest due out March 5th and The Runaways a movie about the all girl hard rock 70s band with a roster that included Joan Jett and Lita Ford. The Movie stars Kristen Stewart as the great Miss Joan Jett and Dakota Fanning as Cherie Currie.