SCREAM/SHOUT FACTORY PICK OF THE WEEK

THE BLOB (1988)

I’m not down to advertise, unless I’m a true fan. Even during my metal singing days, I went up on stage wearing plain black shirts (that I use to get a lot of shit for). The only shirts I remember sporting was a “Free the West Memphis Three” shirt and Rotten Cotton’s clothing line. Same goes for movies, and music. If I’m not a fan, I won’t even discuss it.

So my friends know it takes a pretty good new movie to check it out. I’m still living in the 70’s and 80’s. From the music I play in my home, to the 700 plus blu-ray/dvd’s I own. So when I discovered Shout/Scream Factory a few years back, an overwhelming feeling of excitement came over me. It was like being a kid when I first saw these movies all over again.

Kids today don’t really get it, and that’s ok. The first time I owned any of the movies in they’re catalog, I had to rent them from a video store (a whaaa…?), buy a brick of blank tapes, have a friend bring his VCR over, hook 2 VCR’s together and dub the movie. Wasn’t exactly legal, but then again who had $99.95 to blow on one movie.

With that said, I would love to share with you my pick of the week, and why I still insist on building a physical library as opposed to streaming.

My first Scream/Shout Factory pick of the week is THE BLOB (88). A under appreciated remake. For the most part I am not down with remakes. Majority take the original screenplay film it shot by shot, church up the dialogue for the kiddies, and make an original classic into a music video. There are some kick ass exceptions such as THE THING, THE FLY, DAWN OF THE DEAD, and FRANKENSTEIN (the Karloff version actually is a remake. Thomas Edison did the original).

THE BLOB really takes a ridiculous concept, and delivers some good scares. I mean…come on, they’re being attacked by jam. They’re some really kick ass moments in the film. The hospital, phone booth, the attempted date rape, and of course you can’t do a remake without paying tribute to the famous movie theater gag.

Starring Kevin Dillon, Shawnee Smith, Jeffrey Demunn, Candy Clark, Michael Kenworthy (who was also Return of the Living Dead II same year).

Visual effects are top notch. Created by Tony Gardner (briefly worked on Return of the Living Dead). It still holds up today.

Now…besides the killer HD transfer and DTS audio, Scream/Shout Factory shows how much they love these films through the fully loaded extras they provide. This is the main reason I purchase these. When I was in quarantine for a month I listened to alllloooootttt of audio commentary. One was actress Shawnee Smith reliving her experience on this movie (Damn…I just watched her last night on Summer School).She wasn’t talking non-stop. There were periods of silence. I like that though. You can tell she was taken back by watching a movie she did back in the 80’s. I imagine a pretty emotional experience. She did share some great stories.

Included in the extras are awesome interviews with actor Jeffrey Demunn (Dale to new Horror fans, Captain “Hitcher” Estheridge to me), Candy Clark (American Graffiti, At Close Range), Bill “Is

there anything he can’t do” Moseley (which I didn’t even know he was in the film), and actor Donovan Leitch (which I found out on this blu-ray he’s the son of legendery musician Donovan).

One of the things I really love on Scream/Shout factory blu-rays is the 20 minute segments by Sean Clark called “Horrors Hallowed Grounds.” This is not on this movie, but check out the companies catalog, and see which movies do have them.

Let’s see…in 1988 I was about 13 years old. Didn’t get to see this in theaters. But I do remember dubbing a copy of this and watching it to the point when I’m sure my mother had to hide it. This is one of those titles that are lumped in with some other great movies that I hope to be talking about in future entries.

Scream/Shout factory truly gives horror/nostalgia fans what they crave. As long as they’re in business, I’m sure my collection will keep growing.

www.shoutfactory.com/ScreamFactory‎

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– G.R.E.E.N.B.A.N.K.

Preview

(opens in a new tab) THE REAL STARS OF HOLLYWOOD: DEE WALLACE

4/21/20…Before i start, I just want to say that I hope everyone is staying safe, and doing as they’re requested no matter how depressing it might be.

Textbook Hollywood lives to fixate on the usual stars. No names mentioned…as talented as they are, they are nothing without they’re supporting cast. These actors/actresses are labeled as character actors/actresses. Personally I find them to be way more talented, and obviously have a greater body of work than the average star that does maybe one movie a year. It’s these talented people that have made a huge impact on my love for movies. My childhood, my movie education, my addiction. Every week I will do an entry on the ones that I’m a fan of. The ones that dominate my movie library, and star in movies that are a photo album of my life. Hollywood can have Jennifer Anniston, Julia Roberts, George Clooney, Will Smith, etc. (ok I mentioned some names) Not that they’re not talented. But just like radio, there’s more than just five songs to enjoy.

I’m gonna start with the lovely Dee Wallace. I do have the knowledge to give a breakdown of her filmography, and TV creds. But really this is about the movies she did that mean a lot to me, and why I think she’s so talented. Finally, why I think she still hasn’t played the roles she deserves to play. Growing up in the 80’s, I would love to say that E.T. was my introduction to her. After all she was the mother all us kids wanted. Loving, attentive, strict but fair, picking up her drunk kid from school. Working mom. To give you a taste of how naturalistic she is watch her reaction when she first sees E.T for the first time. She goes from udder terror, to sadness when she watches ET slowly die.

However, it was the role that got her the role in E.T. that was my introduction to her. Poor traumatic Karen in the brilliant 1980 Howling. 6 years old and completely taken a back. I would love to say it was all the werewolf stuff that grabbed me, but really it was the first 10 minutes. Her, all alone having to meet a serial killer in a porno booth. Back against him watching an insanely disturbing film. You’re right there with her. You just want to leap into the TV and get her out of there. A lesser actress would have carried the sub plot as a soap opera, but Dee really takes the opportunity to make you feel major sympathy for the character. Bouncing from trauma, to being cheated on, to being abused, to seeing her best friend slaughtered. Everything escalates so quickly for her. Dee takes these outrageous situations, emotes so well, that you actually believe she’s going through it. And of course the ending. One of the best endings in horror history. Jamie Lee can scream as much as she wants, but doesn’t have a leg to stand on when it comes to Dee’s final scream while transforming.

I know what you’re thinking. You totally left out “Hills Have Eyes.” No I haven’t. This is in the order I saw them in. Didn’t catch this classic until I was probably in Junior High.

So…as an 8 year old in 1983, I was typical but a devoted Horror fan. After being blown away by E.T. I saw Stephen King’s Cujo. I agree with Stephen King. Dee should’ve won an Oscar for this. Spending the majority of the movie in a car, fighting to protect her son. She went from sheer frozen fear, to almost animalistic when mentally ready to kill Cujo. For the record, I’m an animal lover, and felt real bad for the dog. Had a shitty owner, started off loveable. Wasn’t poor Cujo’s fault he got rabies. Dee is incredibly real when it comes to being emotional on screen. She can get completely hysterical, and you can tell it’s totally sincere. Almost as if the director slapped her really hard and yelled “Action!”

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Now let’s get off Horror for a sec. In 1985, she plays C.Thomas Howell and Corey Haims mother in the teen comedy “Secret Admirer.” Around this time John Hughes movies dominated the comedy box office. This movie was a little different. It wasn’t just about the teenagers. This secret love letter managed to circulate enough to ruin the teenagers and the parents lives. Dee showed that she had comedy chops. That she can bring it when it came to comedic timing. I never heard anyone better than her say “Fuck Em!”

In 1986, she plays a low key farm wife/mother in the porcupine alien hit “Critters.”Sounds cheesy, but it’s actually a really good sci fi B-movie. Dee combined Horror with comedy, and just looked like she was having a good time.

Ok…Now let’s talk about “Hills Have Eyes.” Around this time, I was so knee deep Horror, I was renting anything that had a crazy cover. Come on…Michael Berryman on the cover. I have to see this. As much as I love this movie, Dee brought a lot more to this movie than was required. Just a simple Hillbilly, cannibal mountain movie, Dee starts off being the voice of reason. Taking a bad situation, and making the best of it. The moment her brother tells her one of the dogs is dead, she goes from sexually frustrated to confused and scared shitless. Of course, the moment the shit hits the fan and the cannibals attack the RV, she fights her ass off to save her baby. Takes two bullets, and still manages to wound Mars. Now that’s a scream queen.

To no fault of hers, I completely dropped out in the 90’s. I was a wild teenager playing in metal bands and partying. Not a whole lot of time to stay home and watch movies. It’s when I saw her in Rob Zombie’s Halloween as Laurie Strode’s mother is when I knew she still has it. Watching her in Halloween took me back to my childhood and all the great cinematic experiences I had. I have to say. I love the roles she’s playing now more than what she did in the 80’s. Rob really knows how to use her talent by giving her against type roles. A bad witch in “Lords of Salem.” Damn, I never thought I’d see her kill someone with a frying pan. Awesome.

I personally think her role as Greta in “3 From Hell” is my favorite. I almost didn’t recognize her. Such an unlikeable character, that it takes someone like Dee to bring a human side to her. Case in point, the back and forth her and Baby have when Baby basically calls her out for being secretly attracted to Baby. I never seen any character look so uncomfortable and emotionally paralyzed.

Anyhow, this is my intro entry, to who I think the real stars of Hollywood are. Dee…I can’t thank you enough. You helped an abused sad little boy escape for a couple of hours and bring light to a dark life. Hopefully someday you will get the Oscar you’ve deserved time and time again.

Next week: Lance Henriksen

THE NIGHT THAT STARTED IT ALL

THURSDAY 3/19/2020

Before I get into this entry, it’s important that I document the date and what is currently happening in my life right now. As I write this I’m currently self quarantined. For the record, this isn’t a personal choice. Tuesday morning I texted my boss and described my symptoms. He told me to call my doctor and not to come in to work. Thinking that all I need to do is see the doctor and maybe be absent for one day, it escalated rather quickly in a 24 hour period.

24 hours, 4 phone calls and 1 e-mail later I’m forced to stay home for the rest of the week. I feel guilty across the board. I feel guilty that I’m letting my bosses and co-workers down. But if I went to work, I would feel guilty that I might be getting them sick. Last week I was diagnosed with allergies. By Monday night, my head was warm and my coughing increased quite a bit. I’m fatigued beyond words, my nose is stuffed up, and my throat is sore. I’m unable to be tested right now which puts me in a tough spot when it comes to returning to work. At this moment my HR rep told me to stay home, so that’s what I’m doing. So…it doesn’t matter how serious you take a virus. The powers that be do take it seriously and has complete control over your actions, and personal choices. If they tell you stay home, you stay home.

Now…on with the entry. So my friends have always asked me what was the Horror movie that started it all. Not sure it was one movie. I would say it was an overall experience. The date is real fuzzy, but I would say it was in 1980. My mother was dating a guy named Joe and I was forced at the age of 5 to live in the dreaded Stockton, Ca. One Friday night (I assume it was Firday), Joe and my mother decided to spend the evening at Hammer Lane Drive-In. An outdoor drive in theatre next to a miniature golf course. Could have been a quite evening, but Joe called up his buds, and one car load turned into a convoy of couples and kids.

The movie on the menu: Prom Night starring Jamie Lee Curtis and Leslie Neilson. As the sun disappears and the moon rises, the Horror classic begins. My role was to be asleep in the back seat (get real). Already hooked on movies, I take it upon myself to be sneaky and at least try to watch the movie with one eye open. From what I remember, I wasn’t all that interested in the movie. I’m 5. What the hell do I know about high school and being a teenager. The only scene that blew me away, was when the head rolled down the runway.

So…bored with the movie, I turn around and watch the screen on the other side of the outdoor movie theatre. Catching the tail end of the movie, a line of zombies are walking across the bridge. Completely blown away by that single image, I was dying to find out what movie that was. It was Lucio Fulci’s Zombie. Now I’m hooked. Eventually Prom Night ended and the 2^nd feature begins. Starting off slow, it eventually becomes brutal, violent, and hard to take my eyes off of. That movie was I Spit On Your Grave (Day of the Woman).

So…it wasn’t one movie but a collage of three movies that got me hooked. My love of Horror movies grew rapidly when HBO entered my life. With movies like Carrie, Alien, Poltergeist, Howling, etc. my addiction was being fed on a daily basis. Now as a 45 year old, my blu ray collection has all the movies that made me the blood thirsty fan I am today. With the Coronavirus dismantling everyone’s daily life, including employment, now is a real important time for escapism. To dive into another world for a couple of hours and fall in love with the movies that made my childhood and life in general worth remembering. Hopefully, I can look back on this time and simply remember the movies I was watching during this grim period.

… Stay safe. Only watch the news for information. Don’t get sucked into the fear they live to provoke. Surround yourself with the things that keep you smiling. Day by day…breath by breath.

– G.R.E.E.N.B.A.N.K.

Everyone that’s known me most of my life knows I haven’t changed much. A little older, more gray, a little fatter. But my interests have always been the same since I was a kid. Always loved Heavy Metal, and Horror movies. Since I was old enough to know music and movies, I’ve loved Tower Records. Tower Records was my Toy’s ‘R Us. I would walk in there and would just be blown away by the displays of album art work hitting me in the face.

By 1994, I finally turned 18 and immediately quit my shitty job bagging groceries for uptight assholes and got a job at Tower Records in Stockton, Ca. Couldn’t be happier. Was a dream come true. By October of 1995, I was almost a year in. My collection has grown quite a bit, and I was discovering new music and movies on a daily basis, making my world a little bigger.

Then I find out the star of my favorite Horror film is doing a signing in my store. Linda Blair from The Exorcist. Lucky for me I had the day off. Didn’t have to focus on doing my job, or forced to work in the record store, while she’s greeting in the video store. From what I remember, she was hosting the Halloween Scare Grounds that year in Stockton, and we were an unscheduled stop. She was pissed. However, when she arrived, she had an amazing attitude, and never saw her without a smile on her face.

Even though I worked there, I stood in line with everyone else. I could’ve waited and greeted her when she came into the backroom. But I wanted to be respectful to her and all the other fans. As I’m standing in line with my ltd edition laserdisc under my arm, I glance at what all the other “fans” have brought. Right there I realized I think I’m the only fan here. Most kids in line brought cans of split pea soup. Some self proclaimed “clever” fans brought copies of the novel. What the hell does she have to do with the novel? She’s an actress idiot?

As her irritation grew from signing countless cans of split pea soup, it was my turn. I set my laserdisc on the counter and shook her hand. Impressed by what I brought for her to sign, she asked about it. I told her I worked here and have been horror fan since I was 6. Aware that she had a slight chip on her shoulder about being known for one movie, I tried to reassure her that if that’s the case then she should be proud. Not only are you famous for being in one of the best Horror films ever, but you are known for being in one of the best american films ever. Exorcist is up there with “Casablanca, Gone With the Wind, Godfather, etc.” That seemed to make her feel better. Not wasting anymore of her time, she signed my disc and I let her get back to signing cans of soup.

Since it was my day off, I didn’t hang around. I left to enjoy the rest of my day. Fast forward to the next day, I come into work. The video manager runs up to me, and asks me why I left yesterday. Thinking I’m in trouble, I reminded him I had the day off. Apparently, after I left Linda Blair asked the video manager for a hardcore fan. Scare grounds was having a contest, and needed someone to come up with 3 hard Exorcist trivia questions. I was the first person my boss thought of. Unfortunately, my dumb ass left and missed the opportunity to have a one on one with Linda Blair discussing my favorite Horror film. Regardless of the missed opportunity, it was an amazing star struck moment that made that period of my life amazing.

– G.R.E.E.N.B.A.N.K.

JOHN TRAVOLTA: THE GIFT OF MAKING THE UNLIKEABLE LIKEABLE

For the record, I’m a fan of John Travolta. Not every movie he’s in is a winner, but that’s not his fault. Honestly, there are few actors that can own the screen. He’s one of them. A big part of why I think he’s talented, is he can take a character that’s just a fucking asshole, and make him likeable. Especially in the 70’s. I’m here to break it down for you. I understand that his reputation is tarnished based on his commitment to Scientology, or these odd gay jokes (as seen on Family Guy) that I still don’t care what that’s all about. But as I said before, I’m not interested in an actors personal shit. I care about they’re body of work. So…let’s get started.

1- Vinnie Barbarino (Welcome Back Kotter)- “What?…Where?”

Love the character, love the quotes. But let’s face it…the character is a dumb ass member of a half ass gang “The Sweat Hogs.” An under achiever with no hope of a happy future, and no depth to his character. Travolta manages to take a character that’s impossible to take seriously and make him impossible not to watch.

I won’t go into “Boy in a Plastic Bubble.” Was an overall likeable character, and it doesn’t apply here.

2- Billy Nolan (Carrie)- “You are totally fucked up! That’s it…I’m convinced.”

Nancy Allen boyfriend/sidekick in Carrie. Helps to plot the prank that eventually is the linchpin that burns the prom to the ground. A piece of shit. Smacks his girlfriend, drives drunk, kills a pig with a sledgehammer, and helps pull the cord. You know…the cord connected to the bucket of pig blood that eventually causes poor Cassie (I mean Carrie) White to snap. However, theres a simple minded innocence to his character. No matter how dark the situation is he can make it humorous. Examples: His buddy can’t kill a pig, Billy gives him shit “Can’t do it from standing back here. Get er done man, Get er done.”

As Carrie takes the stage with Tommy Ross, Billy chills with Chris under the stage. With a beer in one hand, Billy says “Damn that Carrie sure is cute.” Even in his last moments, Chris tries to run blood soaked Carrie over, while Billy is riding shotgun. Shit faced, and struggling to keep his eyes opened, he wipes the beer off his mouth, has his last second “What the fuck?” look, and dies in a fiery car wreck. Bye Billy.

3- Tony Manero (Saturday Night Fever) -”Would you just watch the hair?”

Yes..yes he’s got the moves. Most popular cat at the 2001. Everyone in the neighborhood wants to be Tony. Has a job, spends evenings working on his moves, tries to make it home for family dinner, and even though his father treats him like shit still loves his family. However, he’s a racist, a womanizer, a date rapist, a homophobe, and once again a member of another half ass gang. What makes this character so compelling is his desperation to build a better life for himself. Even though he’s the leader of his group of friends, he wants nothing to do with them, and is terrified to turn out just like them. Of course one of the most touching moments, is when he sits on the park bench with his dance partner and tells her everything about the Brooklyn Bridge.

A real good way for a scumbag to redeem himself is seeing his environment for how bad it is, and wanting to better himself. Case in point, the final dance contest: He knows the hispanic couple were the real winners, but because the dance club is soaked in racism, Tony wins the contest. He takes the money and the trophy and hands it over to the real winners. Of course, 2 minutes later he tries to rape his dance partner, but makes amends with her at the end of the movie.

4- Danny Zucko (Grease)- “Sloppy seconds ain’t my style.”

Starts off a great guy. Running on the beach with Sandy, the ideal girlfriend. Dressed in blue and white, promising Sandy they will always be together. Fast forward to Rydell High. Dressed in black, leader of the T-Birds, and shoots down Sandy in a cold fucking way. What makes this character likeable, is his internal struggle. He really wants to be with Sandy, but doesn’t want to get shit from his friends. Sounds petty…but hey…that’s high school. My favorite moment is Danny trying out for school sports hoping to win Sandy back. John’s natural comedic talent really shines in that scene. Of course in the end, Danny dresses like a preppie, Sandy dresses like a bad girl, and they both ride off into the sky (yeah I know…the sky) and live happily ever after. Chances are Sandy’s parents hate Danny, Sandy goes to college, Danny becomes a mechanic, and they break up. Danny gets the kids every other weekend.

5- Bud Davis (Urban Cowboy)- “God damn it…Mc Donalds again!”

Hard working, hard drinking, ego maniacal wife beater. Spends every night at Gilley’s getting drunk riding the mechanical bull. Smacks his wife Sissy for riding the bull behind his back. Has to be the center of attention. Grabs a new girl Pam and leaves with her right in front of his wife. Damn. Now that’s a cowboy. Of course what makes this character likeable is the humor John brings to the character. Throwing the hamburger at the waitress hitting Scott Glenn instead. Also, like most characters John plays, they seem to always learn from they’re mistakes. Bud is no different. After his uncle Bob dies, he wins the bullriding contest, and realizes how much he loves his wife. Finding out that Sissy is getting her ass kicked by Scott Glenn (Wes Hightower), the movie ends with Bud fucking Wes up. He grabs Sissy, gets in his pick up, puts her license plate back in the window, and heads on home.

6- Jack Terry (Blow Out)- “It’s a good scream…good scream.”

Ok, this one is tricky. Blow Out is in my Top 5 favorite films of all time. Awesome thriller. My favorite Brian DePalma film as well. Jack Terry is generally a pretty good guy. Sound effects artist for sleazy slasher films. Doesn’t hesitate to dive into the river and save Sally (Nancy Allen) from drowning. Even hangs out at the hospital and tolerates the harrasment the detective gives him. His biggest flaw is his obsession with the cover up that’s taking place over the politicians death. He becomes self absorbed and inconsiderate when it comes to Sally’s safety. In the end, is indirectly responsible for Sally’s murder by putting her in harms way. Then of course uses her recorded scream for the current slasher film he’s working on. A good guy that made some real bad choices.

Those are the roles that stick out for me. I believe that was John’s best roles. Of course, it would be easy to throw Vincent Vega (Pulp Fiction) into the mix. In fact, I would go as far as to say that it was another unlikeable character that brought him out of his rut. Even though I loved “Perfect” with Jaime Lee Curtis, he wasn’t playing the complexed roles that allowed him to shine. Pulp Fiction allowed him to do that…well. With the success of that came Broken Arrow, Face Off, Get Shorty, etc.

To not throw John Travolta in the same category as De Niro, Pacino, Nicholson is irresponsible. He’s a phenomenal actor that’s hypnotic to watch.

– G.R.E.E.N.B.A.N.K.

THE BREAKFAST CLUB: NOT JUST A TEEN MOVIE

So…The Breakfast Club wasn’t part of my Morbid Movie Memoir agenda. Then it hit me yesterday…Fuck! This movie turns 30 Saturday. I was 9 years old when I first saw this movie.

When you reach my age, and still maintain your movie geek status, you think about these things. Not just shocked that this movie is that old, but makes me think about how old I am and how fast time flies.

Even though this movie wreaks the 80’s, it still holds up. Probably cause its still relevant. Granted it’s been a long time since I rocked high school, but the weighty topics the characters address I’m sure still ring true today.

So as I said I was 9 when I first saw this. By this time I was knee deep in Horror and of course all the Hollywood classics that all kids loved at that time: Return of the Jedi, Temple of Doom, Ghostbusters, Terminator, etc. The date is fuzzy, but what I do remember is that my oldest step sister Angie came to my house one night to baby sit. The Breakfast Club just happened to come on HBO. She already saw it and was dying to get me to watch it. Being that I was a fan of Fast Times At Ridgemont High, Sixteen Candles, Risky Business, etc. I figured “why not?”

Crashing on the living room floor, I was already into the movie. 10 minutes in and we got some major cussing going on. I’m in. These characters are even making up some shit like: Neomaxizoondweebie. What the fuck does that mean? I don’t know. But I’m calling somebody that tomorrow at school. As the movie moves forward it’s clear that John Bender is the one to watch. The rest of the cast really doesn’t show any depth until they all rock the smoking circle. Then it’s clear that all these characters have something to bring to the party.

Looking back on this movie, I realize how unfairly stereotyped this movie is. It’s been called a teen movie for years. I don’t really see it that way. I think it’s a great comedy/drama just like all adult comedy/dramas. What qualifies as a teen movie anyway? Does it just need to have an all teen cast, or does the movie have to revolve around all things teen? Seemed like the characters in this film had legit problems that they’ll be struggling with way into adulthood. I guess if all it takes is an all teen cast, you can easily call “A Clockwork Orange” a teen movie.

For cats my age, a movie like The Breakfast Club is as important as a High School yearbook. Just as I said in my first entry, movies represent a specific time in this world. What was happening in movies, music, fashion, politics, etc. Just the overall feel of life in that time. This is one of those awesome movies that I can put on today, smile and remember where I was and what was going on in my life the first time I saw it. And the one liners are still fucking funny. It’s one of those line reciting movies. Right there with Rocky Horror, Goodfellas, Spinal Tap, Holy Grail, etc.

If you haven’t seen this movie, then you’re letting the good things in life pass you by. Stop what you’re doing…put down you’re fucking phone, get on one of those damn streaming sites, make some popcorn, and give this movie 2 hours of your time. You won’t regret it.

– Happy Birthday Breakfast Club…Thanks for the memories.

– G.R.E.E.N.B.A.N.K.

MOVIES CAN BE LIFE CHANGING

Real movie fans live and breathe movies. Most fans lean toward a specific genre. Usually a genre that holds annual conventions, mainly sci-fi and horror. If I need to be profiled, then I guess I would be a horror guy. However, I’m more passionate about nostalgia. Movies I grew up on, movies that changed the face of cinema. Seems like yesterday’s movies are forgotten. Even fans that are older than me have completely ostricized the movies they grew up on. Fans these days simply keep up with current events, no matter how shitty it is.

I head in the other direction. I am real cynical about movies today, and am very picky about what I’m willing to watch. Being a collector, it’s rare I add a recent movie into my collection. The last time I was in a theater, was a year ago catching the anniversary of “Close Encounters of the Third Kind.” I do believe that movies are a generation thing. That movies represent the world when the movie was released (if that makes sense). Since I have nothing positive to say about American society these days, I have little connection with today’s movies.

Not sure if it exists, but few movie sites focus on being a fan. They focus on the negative, and even the personal lives of the cast and crew. I’m not interested in shit talking, and I’m not interested in gossip. I don’t care how bad a movie is. Most of the time, if a critic hates a movie, I’ll most likely love it. I don’t care who the cast and crew is fucking, and I don’t care if they got a DUI. I’m interested in the movie.

This blog is dedicated to the love of yesterdays movies. The VHS generation. The movies that made our childhood more tolerable. When practical effects ruled horror, and make up effects artists were more popular than the stars of the film. When movies knew when to laugh at themselves, that even a bad b-movie was still pretty good. Before movies looked like video games. I’m here simply to share my movie memories. I had a brutal childhood. I would go as far as to say I didn’t have a childhood. But the movies I saw growing up, gives me fond memories to relive.

When I turned 18, I worked for Tower Records/Video and earned a Tarantino style education, introducing me to movies that should never be forgotten. This blog will have a lot of things going on. Mainly reliving fond memories of the first time I saw movies I still love today. I will also discuss fun topics on certain actors and movies. There will be the occasional review. But only positive. I don’t see the point in wasting my time talking about a bad movie.

This blog is for real movie fans. Fans that fight to hold on to the movies that brightened they’re lives. That refuse to let a shitty remake erase a classic original. That still believe in building a library, rather than just streaming. That still gets excited when a rare movie gets a blu-ray release fully loaded with extras.

Real movie fans…This is for you.

– G.R.E.E.N.B.A.N.K.

August 19, 1988

A SUMMER TO REMEMBER

I could start at the beginning. The movie that got me hooked, or even the horror movie that got me hooked. Believe me, I’ll get there. Fuck it…let’s start here anyway. As I said in my first entry, I had a pretty shitty childhood. Movies and music did a great job distracting me from the depressing home I had to put up with, and the neighborhood I grew up in. My neighborhood in Stockton, Ca had gangs anyway, but by this time the movie “Colors” was released. I’m sure the movies intention was to expose gang life as the life not to live. However, just like “Scarface” that message doesn’t always get across, and the pop culture side embraces it. Point being…alot of my friends went in that direction, while I continued to drown myself in music and movies.

Even though there was a lot of negative, there was a lot of positive. Even as a little kid I visited Tower Records/Video regularly. It was my Toys R Us. This summer I discovered a used record store in the same shopping center called “Replay Records.” The owner Willie Hines was an awesome music fan. He was a fellow metal head. More importantly, he was a fellow KISS fan. Had the pinball machine in the store, and used to make me rare videos of KISS concerts and music videos. I’m getting off track.

Summer of 88 was also the summer of Freddy Krueger. By this time “Nightmare On Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors” was a year old and it was a huge and awesome sequel. Because of the success of the theme song by “Dokken” Freddy Krueger was a regular on MTV (back when it was worth watching). So “Nightmare On Elm Street 4: Dream Master” had a lot of hype behind it. This sequel will go down in history as the MTV Nightmare. Fat Boys did a song called “Ready for Freddy” and DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince did a song called “Nightmare on my Street.” That’s right…Will Smith.

• 

So by August, my 13 year old ass was psyched. I was ready for this one. Opening weekend, I ride my bike to Festival Cinemas (across the street from Replay Records). Mowed a shitload of lawns to get the money to see this movie several times that summer. Roll up to the entrance, lock up my bike, and jump in line. Since I was a kid I doubt I was keeping it cool. I’m sure I was bouncing up and down like a tweeker. I get up to the ticket booth, ready to buy my ticket. Pull out my wallet, whip out my money and I hand it…wait…what?…I’m too young. What the fuck? Denied.

What to do, what to do. Instead of crying and screaming. I’m gonna see this movie damn it. I take a minute and look at the showtimes. Well…if I pay to see “Cocktail”, when the movie is over, I can sneak into “Nightmare 4.” They’re playing back to back in different rooms. It just might work. Don’t know what “Cocktail” is? It was that Tom Cruise bartender piece of classic cinema. I figure I can tolerate Tom Cruise for 2 hours if it gets me my Freddy fix. Get back in line and I buy a ticket for “Cocktail.” I know what you’re thinking. Yes, this movie is rated “R” too. Don’t ask. Even today I don’t know why one is ok, and the other isn’t. So I sit for 2 hours watching a really shitty movie about bartending that I can care less about.

Finally, the movie ends, and I leave the room with the rest of the Cruise fans. I casually stroll into the bathroom, wait about 5 minutes, leave the bathroom, and jump in the “Nightmare 4” line. Head to the front, slump in my seat, and pray I don’t get caught. I don’t. I pulled it off. I did the same thing every weekend that summer. Paid to see “Cocktail” and saw both movies. The only time I got caught, is when I brought a friend with me. Fucking amateur got us pinched.

I know what you new movie goers are thinking…all summer? Yes, back in the day movies would have a longer run in the theatres, and would take about 6 months to be released on video (yes…video). So…the upside to this experience was I got to see “Nightmare On Elm Street 4: Dream Master” every weekend that summer while my friends played gangsta. The down side was I saw “Cocktail” so many fucking times that I actually started to like it. I knew every line in “Nightmare 4” but also knew every line in “Cocktail.” If the latest Nightmare was a huge success it wasn’t because of me. Unfortunately I was probably more responsible for “Cocktail” success.

– G.R.E.E.N.B.A.N.K.

This is an example post, originally published as part of Blogging University. Enroll in one of our ten programs, and start your blog right.

You’re going to publish a post today. Don’t worry about how your blog looks. Don’t worry if you haven’t given it a name yet, or you’re feeling overwhelmed. Just click the “New Post” button, and tell us why you’re here.

Why do this?

• Because it gives new readers context. What are you about? Why should they read your blog?
• Because it will help you focus you own ideas about your blog and what you’d like to do with it.

The post can be short or long, a personal intro to your life or a bloggy mission statement, a manifesto for the future or a simple outline of your the types of things you hope to publish.

To help you get started, here are a few questions:

• Why are you blogging publicly, rather than keeping a personal journal?
• What topics do you think you’ll write about?
• Who would you love to connect with via your blog?
• If you blog successfully throughout the next year, what would you hope to have accomplished?

You’re not locked into any of this; one of the wonderful things about blogs is how they constantly evolve as we learn, grow, and interact with one another — but it’s good to know where and why you started, and articulating your goals may just give you a few other post ideas.

Can’t think how to get started? Just write the first thing that pops into your head. Anne Lamott, author of a book on writing we love, says that you need to give yourself permission to write a “crappy first draft”. Anne makes a great point — just start writing, and worry about editing it later.

When you’re ready to publish, give your post three to five tags that describe your blog’s focus — writing, photography, fiction, parenting, food, cars, movies, sports, whatever. These tags will help others who care about your topics find you in the Reader. Make sure one of the tags is “zerotohero,” so other new bloggers can find you, too.