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| Hello, gang! Here it is........the big 'ol end of the year issue! Enjoy! |
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Frontpage La Floridiana Movie Review Deadguy's Dementia The Enlightenment Matt's Rail Mike's homepage PCR Archives 2002 2001 2000 Crazed Fanboy home PCR 2002 Home | |
My sincere thanks to:
Nolan B. Canova: the big man, the top dog, numero uno! My editor and, most importantly, my friend. To continue to provide me with an outlet for my words and thoughts is the greatest gift I could ever receive. The work I do here is by far one of the most important things I do each week. From Thursday morning until Wednesday night, I search for the little tid bits and notes that hopefully no one else has written about. The fact that my early review of "Attack of the Clones" brought so many new readers to the PCR is certainly one of my proudest moments. The fact that so many of those readers chose to return to our pages week after week makes me even prouder. When I was first out on my own, I used to work the graveyard shift at a Farm Store in Temple Terrace. I sympathize with your hours. However, I do agree that 7-Eleven does have great hot dogs. My daily ritual includes a stop at the nearest 7-Eleven for a Big Gulp Ice Tea, a bag of pretzels and the daily papers. The staff there has been there for many years and the manager is quite nice. I agree that when you work with good people, the job goes well. I wish you much luck in finding a position you enjoy. And I send my sincere thanks for the opportunities you have given me.Matthew Drinnenberg: my brother. Each year, I begin my thanks to Matt with those two words. Those of you who have known me know why. For those of you who don't, you will have to wait until my book is published! Just know that every week when I hit my knees in church that I truly thank the good Lord above for making sure that our paths crossed. I have said this to Nolan on many occasions and I'll say it now here. Were it not for the love and protection of Matt, his family, Nolan, Corey, Corey's mom and dad, Scott Gilbert and his folks, Rick Sousa and his folks and Ben Gregory and his mom, I truly believe that I not only would not be hear writing for you, but that I wouldn't even be HERE!
Phillip Smith - my son. Over the years I have chronicled what it is like being a father in today's world. Being the child of a divorced family, I certainly didn't have the advantages other kids did. And even though my marriage ended, I made sure that my son would never have the problems I did. His mother and I have remained friendly and have worked together to bring up quite a fine young man. He inspires me daily to be a good father and, more importantly, to be a good person.
All of my fellow contributors - Will, Terence, Mike (Deadguy), Steve Beasley and the others who challenge me to be at the top of my game each week. Thank you.
And now, before I do my annual end of the year lists, the news:
GET WELL SOON
When I was 11 and living outside Chicago, I started playing little league baseball. I can still clearly remember my first home run, which came with the bases loaded. Not having any fences, I had to leg it out. As I rounded third, my coach yelled after me, "Jesus, you run like Santo!" He was referring to Cub third baseman Ron Santo. Coincidentally, when I wasn't pitching I played third base. And both Santo and I wore the same uniform number, "10." I wore that number every year in little league, in school, in the service and in the men's league I played in. And I'm happy to report that my son, Phillip, has worn that number since he's been playing. Mr. Santo suffers with diabetes and last year at this time his right leg was amputated. Sadly, last week, his left leg was taken. Mr. Santo is overdue for election to the baseball hall of fame and I am hoping that this year the veteran's committee rights this wrong.
I send my sincere good wishes for a speedy recovery and invite you all to do the same.
WHINE, WHINE, WHINE
In this years final Beatles related story, Yoko Ono is trying to find a way to sue Paul McCartney for changing the writing credits for songs he and John Lennon created that appear on his latest live CD. Those songs are now listed as being written by "McCartney - Lennon," rather then the popular "Lennon - McCartney" everyone is familiar with. On the accompanying DVD the songs are credited in the usual "L -Mc" way. It is well known that even when they wrote songs on their own (Yesterday, Across the Universe) that both received credit for it. In one of his final interviews before his death, Lennon broke down the majority of the groups hits for Playboy magazine, often pointing out which of the team wrote what part the song. A great example, McCartney's cheery "It's getting better all the time" which is countered by Lennon's biting "It can't get no worse!" My thought has always been that they were just credited alphabetically. However, I'm letting Matt know now that from now on I think our songs should be credited as "Smith - Drinnenberg" from now on.
SHAMPOO WOES
For over 20 years, I have used Vidal Sassoon shampoo (now called "Hair Wash" in the hip 21st century). I have had trouble finding it recently and a letter to Vidal informs me that they are discontinuing their North American line of products. Needless to say, I have been stock piling what I can find for an eventual world without Vidal! Please keep your eyes out when you're shopping. I prefer the combination shampoo/conditioner, but beggars can't be choosers.
BONAFIDE CLASSICS
Once again, the Library of Congress has named 25 films to their National Film Registry. Among the selections: Alien, Boyz N the Hood, This is Spinal Tap, Beauty and the Beast (Disney), The Black Stallion, The Endless Summer, From Here to Eternity and In the Heat of the Night. All very worthy selections.
MOVIE NOTES
As reported here last week, the fourth "Indiana Jones" film will begin filming in early 2004. Director Steven Spielberg has confirmed that, due to the fact that Harrison Ford will be 62 when filming commences, the storyline will take place in the 1950's. Also, Sean Connery has signed on to play Dr. Henry Jones, Sr.
You can find some cool behind the scenes photos from the upcoming "Freddy vs Jason" film at www.robertenglund.com. Click on "Freddyfiles" then "behind the scenes.
The first shots from "The Amazing Spiderman" have begun filming in Chicago. Mostly crowd scenes.
MOVING ON
Joe Strummer, a punk rock icon and singer-songwriter for the Clash, died this past Sunday in England. He was 50. The BBC reported the cause of death as a heart attack. Born the son of a British diplomat in Turkey, Strummer would play his guitar for money in the London Underground. In 1976, he and guitarist - songwriter Mick Jones formed the Clash. Rolling Stone magazine named the groups third album, "London Calling" as the best album of the 1980's, even though it was released in 1979. The bands best known hits were Rock the Casbah and Should I Stay or Should I Go? After a dispute between Strummer and Jones, the Clash split up in the early 1980's. As reported a few weeks ago, the Clash will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this spring. Strummer's post-Clash work includes the soundtracks for several Alex Cox films, most notably "Sid and Nancy." He also served briefly as the lead singer of The Pogues.
THE YEAR'S BEST
Once again, let me preface this piece by saying that I have not seen all of the films released this year. Many high caliber films, including "Antoine Fisher," "Adaptation" and "Chicago" have yet to play Kansas City, being only released marginally to qualify for the upcoming Oscars. That being said, here are my top 10 films of the year. With the exception of #1, they are in no particular order.
1. GANGS OF NEW YORK: Director Martin Scorsese's epic vision finally made to theatres and was everything it promised. Daniel Day Lewis gives an Oscar worthy performance as Bill the Butcher and Scorsese should finally capture the elusive Academy Award that has eluded him so far.
2. LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS: The second film in Peter Jackson's trilogy continues with great earnest the tale of Frodo and the ring. Just think, only 340 days until "RETURN OF THE KING."
3. CATCH ME IF YOU CAN: Leonardo DiCaprio gives his best performance since "What's Eating Gilbert Grape" as the youthful con man who stole over $4 million before he was 19. A definite change of pace by director Steven Spielberg, with Tom Hanks in his second great performance of the year.
4. INSOMNIA: Al Pacino and Robin Williams match wits as a cop and the murderer he is trying to catch. A strange twist of fate throws them into an uneasy partnership that you know can only win ugly.
5. MINORITY REPORT: Spielberg again. Not since the year of "Jurassic Park" and "Schindler's LIst" has a director had two films out that were not only complete opposites, but brilliant.
6. ICE AGE: Another triumph for animation, this story of a mismatched pack of animals (a tiger, a mammoth and a sloth) trying to return a human baby to it's "tribe" is not only eye catching but thoughtful. Extra points whenever the scavenging Scrat shows up.
7. PUNCH DRUNK LOVE: What can you say about a film that boasts a GOLDEN GLOBE NOMINATED PERFORMANCE FROM ADAM SANDLER? Writer/director Paul Thomas Anderson has fashioned a true, old fashioned love story with twists and turns to keep you interested!
8. THE ROAD TO PERDITION: Tom Hanks as a hit man? Oh, yes indeed. Like Robin Williams in "Insomnia," nice guy Hanks plays so against type that it's scary. In a supporting role, Paul Newman shows why he has been a movie star for more then 50 years! Visually flawless, this film contains some of the greatest images ever captured on film. Director Sam Mendes, who won an Oscar for his first film, "American Beauty," certainly shows there is no need to worry about a sophomore slump.
9. 8 MILE: Eminem in a career making role. Director Curtis Hanson captures the grit and grime of the bleak side of Detroit in this tale of one man trying to literally make it to the other side of the street.
10: MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING: this years little engine that could. Made for a mere $4 million, this film has already grossed over $120 making it one of the most successful films of all time. A love story and inside look into a different culture are just two of the treats this film delivers. My fingers are crossed for an Oscar nomination for Michael Constantine's performance as the father who swears that any problem in the world can be cured by Windex!
GREAT LINES
Some favorites that hopefully we'll be quoting for years to come:
"With great power comes great responsibility" Uncle Ben (Cliff Robertson) to his nephew, Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) in Spider-Man.
"You'll be the death of me yet!" Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) to future Darth Vader Annakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) in Star Wars, Episode II: Attack of the Clones.
"Seven days........" The mysterious voice on the telephone in The Ring.
"I let him kill me" FBI agent Will Graham (Edward Norton) explaining to another agent how he was able to capture Hannibal Lecter in Red Dragon.
"Hey, asshole! I'm Mini-me!" Danny Devito in his cameo role of "Mini-me" in the Austin Powers parody "AustinPussy" at the beginning of Austin Powers in Goldmember.
"Sons are put on this Earth to trouble their fathers" John Rooney (Paul Newman) to his surrogate son Mike Sullivan (Tom Hanks) in The Road to Perdition.
Well, that is all for now. Have a safe week and I'll see you next year! See ya!