Who even knew?

Did anyone even realize that, boiled down, there are the equivalent of train/bus operator Olympics?

Do you think they have groupies?

Whoa

So, after a random journey through some of the DC area themed blogs, I stumbled upon this story. Apparently the CEO of Opera Software (I think it might be a browser) said he would swim from Norway to the US (with a stop in Iceland to have some hot cocoa with Mom) if the new version was downloded a million times in the first four days after the release.

If nothing else, the website is fairly hilarious, and being that I am open to all kinds of suggestion, I kind of want to download it now myself. I don't even care if it is all totally fake.

Time for a good ol' fashion poll...

Okay. So, I finally sat down and watched (maybe in the bath tub) Sixteen Candles the other night (maybe I recited all of the words along with it). So, potentially, later this week we could have another movie post.

But first, a little roo-roo, er... poll. What would we like to see in this next entry? More of a recap like last time (so I can hone my skills and eventually get a job with TWOP)? More of a review (so that I can one day replace Ebert)? Or, more info on the DVD special features? Actually, I can answer this one right now, most of these older movies have no good extras, so no matter what you say I am not going to include anything unless truly spectacular. Anyway, let me know what you want to read.

Know any good Pope jokes?

So, I have a new Pope now, it's this guy. You'll remember from Angela's blog; and that MSNBC described him a the "enforcer of faith," but shy and gentle.

He recently (04/16/27) turned 78, so I wonder, how long Pope Benedict XVI will last? (JPII was 84.) I think, as evidenced by his age, the enclave went with a transitional Pope. It is weird to think of it like that, because I have gone my entire life with only JPII and now we have Benedict XVI, we could have another new Pope (I keep accidentally typing poop), in just a few years.

I wish him well and hope he is not too conservative for all of us "American Catholics."

New Pope Trivia:
1) First German Pope since the 11th century.
2) 265th Pope
3) We may have some hope, his name-sake was a moderate following Pius X

I scream, you scream, your mom screams

for ice cream.

I credit the subject line to Courtney. But, in case you weren't aware it is Ben and Jerry's Free Cone Day.

Boring Day at work

Therefore, you all are rewarded with multiple posts.

So my "Where Are They Now?" Segment. This, I think, will be shorter than I originally envisioned and include only a bear minimum of information. If you want more...follow the links for yourself.

Emilio Estevez (05/12/62 - 22 at the time of TBC release): Will be reprising his role as Coach Gordon Bombay in "The Mighty Ducks 4: The Call of the Quack". Which looks like it could have even more potential sequels. Apparently this is one of his most famous roles ever.

Anthony Michael Hall (04/14/68 - 16 at the time of release): Currently on "The Dead Zone" which is actually a pretty good TV show. Another bit 'o' trivia - Anthony was the youngest cast member of SNL. But, he was only on for one season, because then he entered rehab. As Court would say, "Ah, poor Anthony." (Imagine it in a voice that is not at all sympathetic.)

Judd Nelson (11/28/59 - 26 at the time of release) After the mega hit of "Suddenly Susan", how can he go onto bigger and better things? Obviously he can't. Basically he has been in some, what I can only assume to be, stinker movies (big screen and TV). Next up: a TV movie about a Black Hole in St. Louis...ah, now that one sounds like a winner.

Molly Ringwald (02/18/68 - almost 17 at the time of release) She went to France for awhile and fell off the face of the Earth. Now she is doing some stage acting in NYC and London. As long as she remembers her career started on "The Facts of Life" she will be fine.

Ally Sheedy (06/13/62 - 22 at the time of release) Trivia: Who knew she wrote a book? When she was 12. She was Nice to Mice is about Queen Elizabeth I. More Trivia: She turned down the role of "Charlie" in "Top Gun". Ally really isn't up to anything major. She has a movie that came out at the Southwest Film Festival in March. It also stars Jason Behr, formerly of "Roswell". Dude, I kind of feel sorry for her. She was a member of The Brat Pack.. how the mighty have fallen.

Anyone else a little depressed by the state of these careers (and I use the term loosely)? The only one I am still holding out hope for I AMH, he seems to be doing alright. But they could all use a Tarantino makeover.

Neomaxizoomdweebie

Finished reading yet? Yes? Okay, good. I promise this post is shorter. It may even all fit on your screen at one time.

So, in a continuation of the previous post, here is some TBC (as I have found out through research it is call on the internet) trivia:

1) Emilio Estevez was originally cast as Bender. Okay, how weird would that have been? Granted it is hard to imagine anyone other than Judd Nelson in that role now, but doesn't Emilio just seem too clean cut to have been any good in that role?

2) The library was really a gym and is now a police station.

3) The original run time was 2.5 hours, but the studio didn't think it would be a popular movie and cut it down to 97 minutes. Then they destroyed the negatives.

4) Anthony Michael Hall's actual sister and mom play his sister and mom in the movie. Strangely however, their roles are reversed. Fooled you didn't I? They were actually his mom and sister though.

5) Bender was also originally going to be Nicolas Cage, but he was to expensive (I mean really would we expect the lead of Valley Girl to be available AND cheap?)

6) Rick Moranis was originally cast as Carl the Janitor, but left due to "creative differences." Wha huh? But, it was just the janitor... perhaps I do not understand the craft of acting.

7) Other titles we "Lunch Bunch" and "Library Revolution," both of which STA--INK.

Of course all of this information is gleaned from IMDB

Test your TBC knowledge here. I may or may not have gotten a perfect score.

Damn...

A Brain, an Athlete, a Basket case, a Princess, and a Criminal.

Da da da da! My first recap/review! Woo Hoo! Look at me following through with a plan. Man oh man, although I probably shouldn’t get too excited, this is only number one, the real test will be to see if there is a number two. Because, I have to be honest with you, this was a lot more work than I realized. I mean, I have a four-page OUTLINE for this write up…I never even did outlines for college papers and now I am doing one for a blog? This should show you how committed (or that I should be committed) I am to this blog and bringing you all a quality product. I am going to try to do this in 1000 words (per Mr. Vernon’s assignment), but I hear tell that is three pages, which might be overkill. Maybe we will break the post up. I dunno, we will see what happens.

“The Breakfast Club” Written and Directed by John Hughes – released February 15, 1985

First, I would like to start off by pointing out this is the first time I will not be viewing the edited TV version of this movie. So, I am a little nervous in that respect. Will the additional curse words make me think differently of the movie? I hear on the TV version they cut, like, 20 minutes of the movie out but then added scenes that aren’t in the regular version… can I hold on for an additional 20 minutes without commercial interruption? I don’t know, but I will give it a try.

I should also mention that I heart John Hughes. He is totally my movie writer/director boyfriend. You will see his movies pop up a lot in my reviews (his earlier‘80s movies that is, you won’t see no stinkin’ “Beethoven” or any of it’s sequels on this blog). Generally I would attribute my infatuation with him to my love of romantic comedies involving teenagers (see: 16 Candles (mmm… Michael Schoeffling), Pretty in Pink (really ugly dress), Some Kind of Wonderful (Watts!)), which was who I could relate to when I first saw these movies. So, while The Breakfast Club has does not have a romance it does have both teenagers and comedy (and a kick-ass soundtrack). Plus it has Molly Ringwald. Can it be an teen movie from the ‘80s and not have Molly Ringwald? Maybe, but I don’t think I want to have any part of that (this statement may be retracted at a later date). Yikes! I am at 431 words and I haven’t even started talking about the actual movie.

“…And these children that you spit on as they try to change their worlds are immune to your consultations. They’re quite aware of what they’re going through…” David Bowie “Changes”

We break through Mr. Stardust’s lyrics to see a non-descript high school in the non-descript Midwest. We go through a montage of various scenes around the high school (including a picture of Carl the janitor as “Man of the Year.” Which begs the question whatever happened to Carl? But, I digress… I know how unusual). Kids are apparently being dropped off for Saturday detention. They all gather in the library (“I know it’s detention, but…um… I don’t think I belong in here…”) where the dean of students/principle/prick, whatever, Mr. Vernon assigns them a 1000 word essay to write explaining who they think they are. Now, I never had to go to regular detention, much less Saturday detention (shut-up, it’s just how I am, I am NOT a goody two-shoes). Obviously this is not what they will be up to all day. Hijinks will ensue. But on a side note, that is a total bullshit essay topic that could be done in a matter of minutes. It’s not like it has to be good or anything; it’s not being graded. I mean, I’ve been working on this for like an hour and I am already up to 673 words and I am not even to the meat of the subject (damn tangents, it’s just that there is so much good stuff to include).

Coming-up is probably one of the most memorable excahnges between characters in this movies or any movie. John Bender removes the screws to the door separating the students from Mr. Vernon. Vernon over hears the kids yelling at Bender to put the screw back, but when he enters no one rats Bender out. I think this shows the solidarity against the man. While they may not agree with what Bender is doing, nobody’s going to be a tattle-tale either. Not even the geek. But, Bender and Vernon get into it anyway (Eat. My. Shorts. On TV it was “eat my socks”, what is up with that? Even Bart is allowed to say shorts.) and John eventually ends up with Saturday detention for the next two months. The exchange is so good though, not only the “eat my shorts” part but the total feeling of the whole scene. We all know Bender is technically in the wrong here, and even though everyone in the library didn’t want him to take out the screw, nobody wants him to get any more detentions. That explanation is simplifying it. Maybe it is more of, we all know that Bender is a tough guy, but he is being treated unfairly, bullied, by the authority figure and no matter how much Bender is egging Vernon on, no one wants to see someone end up with that kind of punishment much less being treated that poorly by another human being; by an adult who should be more concerned about helping the situation rather than about doling out more punishments. Punishments that, in the end, aren’t really going to help anyone. They are not even going to prove that Vernon is a tougher guy (which he’s not, he’s a bully, a power-hungry asshat, stuck in a job he doesn’t like and is taking it out on kids) it is after all, just detention. Not that Bender doesn’t deserve detention, I’m just sayin’ Vernon is worthless asshole. (D’oh already at 1030, guess I will be the over-achieving, brown-nosed, kiss-ass today.)

Oh! Part of a scene I’ve never seen before. Brian has a thing for Claire (if by thing I mean hard-on, which I do). They never show that on TV, they just show Brian putting the hat in his lap. I don’t think I ever realized until now that was why he did that (me = naïve).

Lunch time – okay normally, this probably wouldn’t be mentioned in any other recap…I mean, “…and then they ate lunch” is about as interesting as reading this, no no, wait…I mean watching paint dry, yeah that’s it. What makes this notable is Allison’s, you know the basket case, sandwich. It bears explanation. First two slices of bread, one wheat, one white. Both are covered with mayo and formerly a slice of pastrami or some other lunch meat. Now, however, she adds sugar from what appear to be proto-pixie sticks (pre-color additives?) and original Cap’n Crunch cereal. This always intrigued me as a child. Actually it still does. However, when I was younger I thought it was disgusting and would never even contemplate eating it, now I kind of want to try it for myself and see if it is as repulsing as it has always looked to me. Who wants to join me? Anybody? No? No, takers? Alright, fine, but you’ll be missing out.

Good Lord, the movie is only 97 minutes long (this is miss printed on the label as 92 minutes, liars), how much longer is this blog entry going to be. I don’t know, but bear with me. If you need to read this in a couple of sittings I will understand. Try reading it without clicking on the links first, that’ll help you get through it quicker. It may take a couple of sittings to write it all out. I can say one thing: This level of effort may not be seen in any other posts. At heart I am a slacker, not a perfectionist. I like taking the easy way out.

After determining that Vernon is out of the office the kids all sneak out to Bender’s locker apparently to get some grass, you know herb, ganja, buddha, mary jane, pottery, herbal refreshment, mari-ju-ana (thank you urban dictionary). Of course, this can’t end up well, and they hear Vernon, unknowingly close on their heals. Thus begins the montage of them all running around the school. Until of course the come up to the one gate in school that is closed (we had these gates in my high school too, but they closed off more logical areas. As in if one was close they all were closed. Not just one to advance the plot. But then again, my life isn't a movie.). Bender, I guess figures he is already screwed and takes on for the team (kind of like when someone eats the coconut and walnuts someone else ordered when attempting to finish a Vermonster… ABI… and no you will never live that down), because let’s face it Bender, not really an altruistic guy. What other reason does he have to do this for the rest of them? He doesn’t really seem very fond of any of them. This is my, I’m already in trouble, I might as well get into more trouble theory. Kind of like me and this post. I’m already this far I might as well keep going. He sticks the dope down Brian’s pants, and goes off to re-direct Vernon.

And for his trouble Bender ends up locked in the closet. Man, can you imagine if this happened today? The lawsuits would be a-flyin’. But this then sets up one of the great movie mysteries. Bender crawls through the ventilation system (?) of the school in an effort to get back to the library. He starts telling himself a joke, I guess to get through the tight space and heat? “A naked woman walks into a bar, poodle under one arm and a 2 foot salami under the other. The bartenders says to the naked lady, so I guess you won’t be needing…” However, the drop-in ceiling tiles are unable to bear his weight and he falls through the ceiling into the library. Many have asked, what is the end of the joke, the answer, there isn’t one. They were trying to come up with a joke to the punch line of “I forgot my pencil” and couldn’t. Therefore, Judd Nelson just adlibbed the above. What a let down. A special prize (perhaps a slightly sacrilegious bit of candy?) to the best punch line to the naked lady set up or the best set up to the pencil punch line.

Another part they don’t show on regular TV. They all go to smoke up. Again, I don’t think I ever realized this occurred. I knew they got the marijuana, I knew Bender got it back from Brian, but I guess I just never assumed they would smoke it up in school. I think I assumed Bender just took it home with him. I have no excuse except to say I was not exposed to this sort of thing until I met Abi junior year of college.

Anyway, everyone but Allison goes to smoke-up. Andy even does a little fish-bowling in the Foreign Language Lab. This of course leads to very bad, white-boy gymno-dancing (Andy),everyone looking through everyone else’s wallets, and of course, the other most famous scene in this movie; everyone is sitting around in a circle talking. We find out that Allison would come to school naked for a million dollars and, eventually, that she is not a nymphomaniac, but is a compulsive liar. Claire, is a virgin. Andy got detention by taping a guys butt cheeks together. Brian can’t make a ceramic elephant into a working lap even though shop was supposed to be his easy “A” course. Allison can write with her toes. Claire can put on lipstick with the tube stuck in her cleavage.

John Hughes did a wonderful job in my opinion in bringing out serious subjects: picking on those who are weaker, the pressures of parents and teachers, and most importantly at that point in life, the pressures exerted by peers; while still adding enough levity to not bring the movie down too far. Thought provoking topics are placed right next to lines that will make you laugh. Yet, it is done in such a way as to not harm the intent or meaning of either side. There is a good balance of making the audience think and yet giving them enough room to not become uncomfortable and close themselves off.

Brian then asks the question I think any dork in this situation would have been wondering. What will happen on Monday? Will they still be friends? If I were Brian (who is probably the character that I identify with the most), I am not sure that I would have been thinking of these people in those terms yet, but I would have wanted to know if I would have gotten some sort of acknowledgement (a nod, a wave, a “hi,” something) once we were back at school. Claire, I feel is truthful, and says no, everything will go back to they way it was before. The rest of the kids start to get on her about that. But, I think that is more out of them not wanting to believe they would do that to another human being. They all recognize that it’s not morally right to do that to someone, but Claire points out that the social pressures of the cliques will most likely get to them.

Brian finally admits why he is in detention. He brought a flare gun to school and contemplated killing himself.

Allison admits she doesn’t even have to be there; but, she had nothing better to do.

See what I mean? Seriousness balanced by levity.

Anyway, Bender goes back to the closet. Claire convinces Brian to write the essay for everyone (a. not that it was a group project to begin with and b. not that his essay ends up being anywhere even close to 1000 words (2386* here so far)), makes Allison over (enough so that Andy notices and takes an interest in her), and goes to see Bender in the closet (he would be outstanding in the capacity of getting back at her parents).

They all leave for the end of the day. Andy and Allison say goodbye (she rips off one of his patches). Brian gets in the car with his dad (cameo by John Hughes). Claire gives Bender one of her diamond earrings.

We are left with a feeling of hope I think; I want to believe that we are. On Monday, will they really be back to the same-old same-old? Or, will they acknowledge one another? They may not be friends, but in the end there is hope for them.

Okay, so maybe I rushed it a bit at the end… but frankly this section needed to be finished. And anyway, you should go and see the movie. Put it on your Netflix queue.

Over all I give it 4.376 gobbles (a perfect score would be 5 gobbles). It would get more but, as I said in the beginning, no romance and I am a sucker for a romantical plot-line.

And done: 2586*.

*Update: I have changed the wording in a few areas, so these totals are no longer acurate... but they should still be pretty close, and they get the point across that I am a big DORK.

My computer!

It's back! I missed it so much! Oh, little computer, I shall never say your name in vain or under appreciate you ever again!

Even Springer again would be better than this guy.

Nick Lachey can endorse him all he wants, Justin Jeffre (former member of 98º - aka "the ugly one") cannot be Cincinnati's next mayor. This is just too wrong. I am almost speechless.

UPDATE:
Note the template they are using. I guess it is true I should withhold my judgement. But, it is very hard for me to take him seriously. Although, it seems that there are not that many good candidates.

I love you little computer.

Because I am entirely too productive (I cleaned, did laundry, and finished a baby blanket) without my computer, I have broken down and asked my parents to ship mine back to me. I couldn't even last a week without it. How sad is that?

Was there a meeting the other strips didn't know about?

Okay besides being the longest post title ever... what happened in the comic strips today? Did they get together and copy off of each other like in sophomore bio class? Nobody could come up with an original idea? Gene W. will surely be talking about it in his chat next week. I know he has talked about it before, saying that these things are cyclical and are bound to happens sometimes. But seriously, they each have the exact same line in them. They are totally cheaters.

UPDATE:
So, maybe I realized this weekend, while I did not have access to a computer, that this could have been an April Fools joke by the aformentioned cartoonists. D'oh.

UPDATE 2:
Dude, I totally called this one.