THE YEAR THAT WAS
In thinking back on the past year I realized that in a few days I will be celebrating the 10th Anniversary of my leaving Baltimore for Kansas. I can still remember the day I left. I dropped my cat, Alex (named after the little boy eaten off the raft in "Jaws"), off at my former girlfriend's parents' house. Her mom had given me Alex when he was small enough to fit in my jacket pocket and now she agreed to take care of him for me. After saying my goodbyes to friends I hit the road at about 8:30 at night. I stopped over in Columbus, Ohio and then continued on the next morning. A blizzard that was moving west with me caused Interstate 70 to be closed at Indianapolis, so I stayed over again. Of course, this was the same day the Colts were playing the Kansas City Chiefs in the playoffs and, when I told people I was moving to KC they had a good time ribbing me about the Chief's loss. Of course, I was and still am a Buccaneers fan so it's not like they were hurting my feelings. The next morning I headed out and made my new home around 4:00 pm. Because the moving van had left after I did it was stuck in the blizzard and didn't arrive until two days later. I settled in, started my new job and the rest is history. I mention all this because you very often don't realize what kind of friends you have until you leave them. Up until mid 2003, my career was in the theatre business. Thanks to having to deal more and more with weasels I started a new one at the age of 42. I'm happy where I am now but I sure miss the goodies. This week I came home from work to find a large box on my stoop. It was from my friend, Marty, in Baltimore. When I opened it I was thrilled to find buttons, shirts and various goodies from movies of the past year. As I slowly took things into my hand I realized that my eyes were tearing up. A very nice gesture from a great friend who had obviously gone through the trouble of saving things for me all year. Thanks, buddy.
2005 was a year of many events, both large and small. The two that stand out personally are:
1. FONDAGATE! In April, actress Jane Fonda made an appearance in Kansas City to promote and sign her new autobiography. As she had a film scheduled for release a month later, myself and other local film critics were invited to cover the event. I RSVP'd but at the last minute decided not to go since there really wasn't going to be any time to interview her. The next morning, my phone started ringing at about 6:00 a.m. It seems that during the previous night's event a former Vietnam veteran named Michael Smith used his turn in line to spit tobacco juice in Miss Fonda's face. My phone rang for a couple of days and I must have received dozens of emails from all over the country, inquiring if I was the one who spat. I will say that about 80% of the email I received thanked "me" for spitting on her. In fact, I received one offer of an expense paid trip to California to speak to a gathering of retired Marines.
2. JawsFEST: It took the island of Martha's Vineyard 30 years to realize that the fans of the movie, "Jaws," would be crazy enough to travel from all over the world to visit where the film was made. Fans from all over the United States, as well as far away places like England and Australia, gathered to see the film on the big screen, meet some of our favorite characters and talk shop with everyone from actor/screenwriter Carl Gottlieb to production designer Joe Alves. It also gave me the opportunity to meet some people that I had chatted with on line before but never face to face. A great time was had by all!
THANK YOU!
Once again, it's time for the end of the year thank yous. Sincere ones go out to:
Nolan B. Canova: In our band days, Nolan would often introduce himself like he was Don Kirschner, pointing out that the "B" stands for Brent. Can it be more then six years since you asked me to write "a little something" for your new project? My how this thing has grown. I was so upset about the canceling of NolanCON. Not only because it would have been great to bring everyone together under the PCR banner, but selfishly because it would have been nice to stand back to back with you, guitars in hand, and ROCK one more time!
Matthew Drinnenberg: my brother. It's been almost 30 years since we first met and we've been friends ever since day one. You and your family are very important to me and I'm sure you know that. Thanks for going to "JawsFest with me (like I could have stopped you) and for including me in promoting your music. I forsee great things next year for you, my friend.
Juanita Craft: my honey. Sharp eyed readers may remember her from the Top 10 Movie Song Challenge from October. We were introduced in July and, knock on wood, things are going fantastic. Very rare to find a woman who not only enjoys "The Family Guy," but knows the words to all of the Osmond and Partridge Family songs! Even rarer to find someone who makes you feel special every day! Giggity!
Phillip Smith: my son. Long time readers know that Phillip has had his share of ups and downs over the past few years. I'm happy to say that he's doing well, attending the University of Kansas, and looking forward to a great summer. Me too!
The PCR Staff: You all make me work harder to keep up and for that I'm grateful.
And, most of all,
The PCR readers: If not for you, I'd have a lot more free time during the week! I hope that you have found my work interesting and that you didn't die of boredom during the year long "Jaws" serial. I promise to make it more interesting next year. Don't forget, the first film of the year will be "The Buddy Holly Story." If you have any thoughts or memories of this or any other film that will be covered in the coming year, please share them! Thanks for reading.
PASSING ON
Recently, we lost three people that gave me many a fond memory. Next week I'll touch on the passing of the very talented Vincent Schiavelli and Michael Vale, the Dunkin' Donuts guy. This week I'd like to express my sincere condolences to the family of Baltimore Oriole coach Elrod Hendricks, who died last week just one day shy of his 65th birthday. Ellie was in an Oriole uniform as player or coach for 37 of his 45 years in professional baseball. Every year since I moved to KC from Baltimore, he would make sure to give my son a ball when we would attend a Royals/Orioles game. He suffered a stroke earlier this year, and when the O's came out at the end of the season, he had just returned to the team. I had a large "Welcome Back, Elrod" sign made up at work and as he walked over to us near the dugout I held it up. He smiled that famous smile, handed us a ball, chatted for a few moments and then went out to the bull pen. But my favorite memory of Elrod has nothing to do with baseball. While in Baltimore, my theatre sponsored a Christmas screening for local children that had been helped by the local Shriner's group. Each year Elrod and the Oriole Bird would get to the theatre early, help me set up things and then, dressed as Santa Claus, Elrod would greet the kids as they arrived. To see their faces as Santa held out a present to them is a memory I will cherish always. Two days before his death, Elrod once again donned the Santa suit for the Orioles annual Christmas party. The cause of death was listed as a heart attack, but I think deep down that Elrod died of a broken heart. Because of his stroke, he wasn't going to be on the field this coming year, and I think he knew he never would be again. Rest in peace, Ellie. God bless.
COACH DUNGY
I would like to also offer my sympathies to Tony Dungy and his family after the tragic loss of their son, James, 18. Not only did he bring the Buccaneers to the level of a Super Bowl caliber team (no knock on John Gruden, but I think I could have won the Super Bowl coaching the team Tony D put together. Kind of like Joe Altobelli and the 1983 Orioles or Barry Switzer when he took over Matt's Cowboys), but his dedication to his faith and his family was unrivaled. I read in one of the sports papers that Coach Dungy was described as being, "revered in Tampa, and not just for his coaching." I think that line speaks volumes. My thanks to the hundreds of people in Tampa who showed up to pay their respects.
GOOD STUFF
This week 25 more films were added to the National Registry, bringing to 425 the number of films being preserved and recognized for their impact. They are:
1) Baby Face (1933)
2) The Buffalo Creek Flood: An Act of Man (1975)
3) The Cameraman (1928)
4) Commandment Keeper Church, Beaufort South Carolina, May 1940 (1940)
5) Cool Hand Luke (1967)
6) Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982)
7) The French Connection (1971)
8) Giant (1956)
9) H2O (1929)
10) Hands Up (1926)
11) Hoop Dreams (1994)
12) House of Usher (1960)
13) Imitation of Life (1934)
14) Jeffries-Johnson World's Championship Boxing Contest (1910)
15) Making of an American (1920)
16) Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
17) Mom and Dad (1944)
18) The Music Man (1962)
19) Power of the Press (1928)
20) A Raisin in the Sun (1961)
21) The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
22) San Francisco Earthquake and Fire April 18, 1906 (1906)
23) The Sting (1973)
24) A Time for Burning (1966)
25) Toy Story (1995)
Personal favorites here include "French Connection," "Hoop Dreams," "The Sting," "Toy Story" and, especially, "The Rocky Horror Picture Show," which brings back so many memories of growing up in Tampa.
ON DECK
Very happy to inform you that the "Crazed Fanboy Presents" series will start the year off right with an interview with the very talented Paul Rudd.("40 Year-Old Virgin", "Clueless", and television's "Friends.") Paul grew up here in Kansas and his father, Michael, is recognized as one of the leading Titanic experts in the world. Paul is scheduled to appear on Broadway with Julia Roberts shortly so I thank him in advance for offering his time.
SAY WHAT?
What would an end of the year issue be without my favorite movie quotes? Enjoy:
YOU THINK THEY FORGOT?"
Johnny Cash (Joaquin Phoenix) to the Folsum Prison warden (James Keach) when asked to not sing any songs that may remind the inmates they are in prison in "Walk the Line."
"YOU WERE THE CHOSEN ONE!"
With this anguished cry, Obi Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) realizes that he has lost Annakin Skywalker (Hayden Christansen) to the Dark Side in "Star Wars, Episode III: Revenge of the Sith."
"FAY ISN'T AVAILABLE....SHE'S WORKING WITH COOPER"
"IT WAS BEAUTY KILLED THE BEAST"
Two lines from Peter Jackson's "King Kong" that pay tribute to the 1933 classic.
"THIS IS CALCUTTA....BOHEMIA IS DEAD."
Benny (Taye Diggs) criticizing his former friends, all young artists trying to put together a community in "RENT."
"BASEBALL'S HARD. YOU CAN LOVE IT BUT, BELIEVE ME, IT DON'T ALWAYS LOVE YOU BACK. IT'S KIND OF LIKE DATING A GERMAN CHICK."
Morris Buttermaker (Billy Bob Thornton) speaking to his little league players in "Bad News Bears."
"AT LEAST YOU'LL HAVE COMPANY"
Alfred (Michael Caine) to Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) as he spots the thousands of bats in what would soon become the Batcave in "Batman Begins."
"YOU MORMONS ARE SOME BRAVE MOTHER FUCKERS!"
Djay (Terrence Howard) in "Hustle and Flow."
"IN THIS FAMILY WE DO NOT SOLVE PROBLEMS BY HITTING PEOPLE. NO, IN THIS FAMILY WE SHOOT THEM!"
Tom Stall (Viggo Mortensen) scolding his son, Jack (Ashton Holmes) for a school yard fight in "A History of Violence."
"OH MY GOD, I'VE KILLED HARRY POTTER!"
Neville Longbottom (Matthew Lewis) who obviously did NOT kill the boy wizard in "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire."
"HE'S GOT A TOWEL!"
Vrogon, chased by Ford Prefect, in "Hitchhikers Guide to the Universe."
And one from television:
"EVERYONE, I'VE GOT BAD NEWS. WE'VE BEEN CANCELED. UNFORTUNATELY, THERE'S NO MORE ROOM ON THE SCHEDULE. WE'VE JUST GOT TO ACCEPT THE FACT THAT FOX HAS TO MAKE ROOM FOR TERRIFIC SHOWS LIKE "DARK ANGEL," "TITUS," "UNDECLARED," "ACTION," "THAT 80's SHOW," "WONDERFALLS," "FASTLAND," "ANDY RICHTER CONTROLS THE UNIVERSE," "SKIN, " "GIRL'S CLUB," "CRACKING UP," "THE PITTS," "FIREFLY," "GET REAL," "FREAKYLINKS," "WANDA AT LARGE," "COSTELLO," "THE LONE GUNMAN," "A MINUTE WITH STAN HOOPER," "NORMAL, OHIO," PASADENA," "HARSH REALM," "KEEN EDDIE," "THE STREET," "AMERICAN EMBASSY," "CEDRIC THE ENTERTAINER," "THE TICK," "LUIS" and "GREG THE BUNNY." BUT I SUPPOSE IF ALL THOSE SHOWS GO DOWN THE TUBES, WE MIGHT HAVE A SHOT.
Peter Griffin to his family upon the return of "The Family Guy."
Well, that's it for this week and this year. Thank you, AOL, for not crashing today. I wish you all a very safe and happy new year. See ya!
"Mike's Rant" is ©2005 by Michael A. Smith. Webpage design and all graphics herein are creations of Nolan B. Canova. All contents of Nolan's Pop Culture Review are ©2005 by Nolan B. Canova.
