Yesterday was a sad day for film fans. Anyone who grew up in the 1980s owes a great deal of thanks to Harold Ramis for so many fun times. I know I certainly do.
I'm not gonna pretend like my childhood was any tougher than the next person because it's hard being a kid no matter who you are. Every speed bump feels like the world is coming down on you. During those tough times, Harold Ramis’ films always made me smile. His films were a comfort even when friends and family could not be. They were also a revelation that the underdog matters too.
His films always conveyed the same message: that even if you are an outcast or weird, you can do anything. You could beat the bully and you do belong somewhere. I carry that lesson with me today when times get hard. His films also gave me some really beautiful memories of my family. I’ve never seen my mother laugh harder than when she would watch NATIONAL LAMPOONS VACATION. I always loved watching CADDYSHACK with my dad even if I didn’t get the dirty jokes. When I watch GHOSTBUSTERS now as an adult, I still feel like that same bright eyed kid. Not many things can channel that feeling.
I just hope Harold Ramis is knocking golf balls around with my dad in the big 18th hole in the sky. Thanks for the laughs Mr. Ramis, we’ll always have that goin’ for us, which is nice.
We all know how much I love the Horror genre. Not everyone knows my least favorite genre is comedy followed very closely by action. It's true, I don't like to laugh. Not really, I just find about 80% of comedies completely unfunny. I'm not saying I have this ultra sophisticated sense of humor. I think I'm missing something because I just don't comprehend most comedy. My biggest issue is that I do not appreciate forced humor. If something or someone is trying desperately to be funny, it usually ends up not being funny (at least to me). For example, films like THE 40 YR OLD VIRGIN, BRIDESMAIDS, THE HANGOVER, and MEET THE PARENTS feel so factitious. Don't even get me started on Saturday Night Live or stand-up Comedy! The other bane of my existence is British Comedy. I have never been a fan of MONTY PYTHON or Simon Pegg/Edgar Wright films. Before I launch into a whole tirade on why I detest most comedy, maybe I can share the ones I actually like. There are a few Comedy films out there that I really enjoy. This list is subject to change. Maybe you can make some suggestions if I left any important ones out.
10. THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS
I know there’s a lot of Wes Anderson haters out there, but I really enjoy his work. It took me a while to see THE FANTASTIC MR. FOX (I’m not crazy about animated features), but even that was enjoyable for me. His films just exude a charming sense of endearment and sentimentality we rarely see anymore. TENENBAUMS is a prime example of the perfect ensemble cast. Every actor in this film brings their A game. The best part of this film is that is lacks dick/fat jokes that seem to make up the current comedy genre. It’s a very humorous film that happens to be smart. I still laugh hysterically when Gene Hackman calls Danny Glover “Coltrane”! This may actually be the only film on my list that also comes in Criterion which says something.
You wanna talk some jive? I'll talk some jive. I'll talk some jive like you never heard!
9. OFFICE SPACE
Mike Judge has a brilliant sense of humor that I feel a kindred spirit to since he’s also a native Texan. He often finds humor in bleak situations. He makes light of things we cannot control like traffic. I love this film so much because it is completely relatable. Many of us constantly feel like we are stuck in the rat race. We are all Peter Gibbons dreaming about ripping up TPS reports. I myself have fantasies of going all Bjork on a certain copy machine. OFFICE SPACE pokes fun of all these little thorns in our side. At the end of the film, we can all remember that it really isn’t that bad. Also, OFFICE SPACE was filmed in Austin at the time that Dell and the dot com world was bustling. It’s interesting to see how things have changed since then. RIP Old Alligator Grill.
Good evening Sir, my name is Steve. I come from a rough area. I used to be addicted to crack but now I am off it and trying to stay clean. That is why I am selling magazine subscriptions.
8. WAITING FOR GUFFMAN
Christopher Guest perfected the mocumentary long before shows like The Office even thought of it. For a really long time, I had the “Bastard People” soliloquy as my answering machine (yes I said answering machine) message. This is also a really amazing ensemble cast. GUFFMAN is the result of really great writing and comedic timing.
Here's the Remains of the Day lunchbox. Kids don't like eating at school, but if they have a Remains of the Day lunchbox they're a lot happier.
7. RUN RONNIE RUN
My second favorite comedian is David Cross. I had the privilege to meet David Cross once in a bar and I actually made him laugh. Definitely one of my greatest accomplishments. Ronnie Dobbs was a character from Cross’ sketch comedy series, Mr. Show. Ronnie Dobbs is what Joe Dirt wanted to be. This movie is completely absurd, but unbelievable hilarious. I recall nearly crying from laughter when I first saw the Three Times One Minus One music video. I’ve heard that Cross actually hates this film because of the editing and other issues. I think it’s great and a wonderful testament of how truly funny David Cross can be. There are also some brilliant celebrity cameos like Jeff Goldblum.
Oh just the bitch I've been fucking. Jealous much?
6. THIS IS SPINAL TAP
Spinal Tap is such a classic film. It’s one of the greatest comedies of our time that is still parodied to this day. How often do you see/hear references that go to eleven? I’m a huge film nerd who regularly listens to a film’s audio commentary. This is the best audio commentary because they actually do it in character throughout the whole film. The one-liners in this film are absolutely genius. It's no wonder that Christopher Guest makes another appearance on this list. Side note: There's a miniature Stonehenge in front of a house in my neighborhood.
We've got Armadillos in our trousers. It's really quite frightening.
5. STEPBROTHERS
I wasn’t sure what to expect going in to STEPBROTHERS, but boy was I surprised. I am not the biggest fan of Will Ferrell but he was actually funny in this film. However, John C. Reilly really made the movie for me as the lovable manfit Dale Doback. I don’t know what it is about this film that makes me love it so much, but I do.
Dad, we're men. That means a few things - we like to shit with the door open, we talk about pussy, we go on riverboat gambling trips, and we make our own beef jerky. That's what we do, and now that is all wrecked.
4. GHOSTBUSTERS
This is one of those unique films that is enjoyable as a child and still hold up as an adult. GHOSTBUSTERS had some of the biggest comedians on the planet in one cast. It is one of the best performances by my favorite comedian and actor, Bill Murray. GHOSTBUSTERS is also a rare case where the sequel is equally funny. On the other hand, there is no possible way Hollywood can recapture this kind of magic again with GHOSTBUSTERS III. There just aren’t any current comedians that can match the heavyweights of the original cast. I hope Hollywood realizes what a huge mistake they’re making.
Ray, when someone asks you if you're a god, you say "YES"!
3. THE BIG LEBOWSKI
Films like LEBOWSKI come along once in a lifetime. Jeff Bridges is incredible as The Dude, but Walter was the true highlight. It’s hard to find such quick-witted & thoroughly entertaining writing like the Coens. They have cornered the market on the bumbled plan storyline and each time it’s just as funny. The characters are over the top, but not so much that they are unrelatable. This film is engrossing and hilarious at the same time. I have never met a soul who does not love this LEBOWSKI.
You mark that frame an 8, and you're entering a world of pain.
2. WET HOT AMERICAN SUMMER
Many of us came of age just at the time that The State was airing regularly on MTV. It was also around the dark days of SNL when it was the least funny which made for a great alternative. The State was a sketch comedy show that produced some of the most successful current comedians and writers. This show was for me what Kids In The Hall should have been. I don’t think I’ve ever laughed harder than the first time I watched WET HOT. The more times I viewed it, the more things I found that I loved about it. Who knows what will happen with this much rumored sequel.
You taste like a burger. I don't like you anymore.
1. CADDYSHACK
Duh, it’s my favorite movie of all time! I watched CADDYSHACK when I was a kid and absolutely loved it. I loved the gopher and Rodney Dangerfield wisecracks. Now that I’m older, I still love it for those reasons, but now I can actually understand the more adult jokes.
I smell varmint poontang. And the only good varmint poontang is dead varmint poontang, I think.
Now that I have recovered from the rager of a New Year's party at Kenny's house, let me share a few of my highlights of 2011.
NBA Lockout Well, 2011 saw the infamous NBA lockout come and go. Thank goodness it only made a minor dent in our season and Fantasy Basketball League. We've got some new additions to the League this season and it looks to be a fun time. Speaking of the League, guess who got first round draft pick? Yours truly! That's right my friends, the Fantasy gods smiled down upon me and blessed Team Reservoir Pugs with Kevin Durant. See you in the playoffs!
Battlepug I mentioned in my "Favorite Things" blog how much I love Battlepug. I discovered this little gem of a web comic early 2011. I am continually amazed at how great the story & art is. Battlepug is the best part of my Mondays now. I also look forward to the Friday Battlepuggage. This week's panel blew my fucking mind!
UT Basketball I've never been to any kind of sporting event, not even when I was a student at UT. I don't care much for football or baseball, but I do enjoy basketball. I got to attend my first basketball game at Frank Erwin Center and it was a lot of fun. My goal is to attend an NBA game this year. I'd love more than anything to see the Celtics in action or even the Bulls.
Gopher The Turkey surprised me with a gift of the gopher! Now I have my very own little gopher who sings and dances along to the theme song of my favorite movie CADDYSHACK.
Moz I got to see the beloved Morrissey this past year. Being of Hispanic origin, I am predisposed to LOVE all things Moz. I gotta say, the old goat has still got it. How many 52yr. old men do you know that can make boys/girls swoon while tossing his shirt into the audience?
WET HOT AMERICAN SUMMER WHAS is in my top 5 of all time funniest movies. I remember the first time I saw it with John T, I was in tears from laughing so hard. There are so many quotable lines from that film it's ridiculous. I had the opportunity to catch a screening of it at the Alamo Drafthouse with Joe Lo Truglio (Neil) in attendance. We even got to speak with Joe very briefly afterwards; he was incredibly funny & nice.
Chuck Palahniuk I like to read, there I said it! When I'm not catching up on films, I'm usually reading. I'm not a very fast reader, but this year my goal is to read twice as many books as I read in 2011. I've read most of Palahniuk's books including his most recent Damned. I think he's a wonderful writer who only gets better and better. He was in town in October for the book festival. I got a signed copy of his book and got to see him do a reading at the Scoot Inn. He read a story he wrote for Playboy that was so absurd yet awesome.
TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE In June we braved the summer heat to visit the house that Leatherface built. The Alamo had a rolling roadshow of the original CHAINSAW film with cast members/ crew in front of the house where the film was shot in Kingsland, TX. As a rabid horror fan, words cannot express what an experience this pilgrimage was for me.
Austin Comic Con My Buffy fan flag was flying high when Comic Con came around. Not only did I get to see two panels of cast members, but I also went to the sing along with Spike in attendance. I got to hear my favorite vampire since Gary Oldman belt out a few tunes and it was magical. His voice was like a cross between Fergie and Jesus.
San Francisco I used to travel a lot and it seems lately that has taken a backseat. I intend to change that immediately. I back to San Francisco in September and had the most amazing time. I got to see my favorite designer, Betsey Johnson! I got to visit The Rock! Most of all, I got to see Peter Hook of New Order (one of my all time favorite bands) play Closer! It was such an incredible trip that was only matched by the delicious food we ate. I can't wait to go back.
I gotta say that 2011 was a pri-tay, pri-tay, pri-tay good year for me. It definitely had it's ups and downs, but overall it was a good year. I can only hope that 2012 brings more triumphs for the both of us!
