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TURKEY DAY MOVIE CLASSIC: PLANES TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles written and directed by John Hughes offers a touching turning point for 80s teen genre king.  Unlike most of his teen classic  flicks of Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club, and Ferris Bueller's Day Off which dealt with teen sensitive issues of self-acceptance of yourself and others, puberty, sex, and facing your future ahead.

Planes Trains and Automobiles marks Hughes's departure from the Teen Genre and into more wholesome subjects related to marriage, family, and giving back to those in need.  He combines all elements of character development and physical comedy he's gained from these previous films to help create this  timeless pre-Holiday classic.

What piqued my interest in this film as a young lad is when I saw the opening title come flashing through the screen in which then I was only in awe of John Hughes's brilliance.  As fast as the title comes flashing across the screen  is in direct line with the fast pacing chain of events that leads our travelers on a cross country trip by HOWEVER means necessary to make it on time for turkey day.  After all, it is the holidays and during the Holidays everything is in full swing, fast paced  from Thanksgiving Preparations, to Black Friday, to the dawn of a  busy Xmas retail season.

The Travelers John Candy and Steve Martin are a wonderful tribute to Neil Simon's 1968 Odd Couple.  Martin plays an uptight, picky, selfish business man who only cares about his needs and his needs first. Whereas,  John  Candy plays the poor, unkempt, lovable teddy bear whose amusing stories and anecdotes are only funny to him in hopes that someone would lend an ear to listen.  Throughout the movie the two play a delightfully humorous tug of war to see past their differences in order to find their way home.


From the busy family man business traveler to anyone whose ever tried to get somewhere on time knows that what could go wrong can go wrong . As the movie opens up in New York City  two days before Thanksgiving. Neal Page (Steve Martin) is eagerly waiting to trade in his suit and tie for the time honored tradition of warm turkey, dressing, and hot pumpkin pie with his family.

However, a snow blizzard ruptures through Neil's home of Chicago canceling all flights therefore diverting his flight from NYC to Wichita, Kansas. If that isn't enough his journey is delayed even further when he collides with Del Griffith a run of the mill top-hat Shower-Curtain salesman fully equipped with pointless jokes, and non-nonsensical ramblings that are as wide as his suitcase trunk.

Oh yes, they've met before when Del stole Neal's cab earlier in the day and after meeting again in the airport this is the last person Neal wants to meet.  However, they both know they are all they got and if they want out of their predicament they are going to have to learn to coincide their differences.

The enjoyable part throughout the  movie is seeing them attempt to coincide with their differences to achieve their  goal . However, achieving their goal  has its many ups and downs.  They end up spending the night in a seedy, dumpy hotel on the wrong side of town, endure the painful humility and torture of servicing a  rental care complaints, as they  ride an endless road of  enough  breakdowns and delays that could flare up a migraine.

We all know they are going to reach their destination but we  revel with laughter in  watching their arduous journey unfold.  Steve Martin does a great performance in presenting to us the facade of an everyday guy who wants nothing more than a safe peaceful journey without any noises or distractions .

 Sure Neal Page  is portrayed as a cold-hearted man but given his situation we can sympathize with his character

 It's through Neal we find out that Del wasn't really as annoying as he was made to be but more of a lost soul who needed to be touched. Yes, Del is loud, obnoxious, messy, and display a hideous aroma of bad manners .  However, he's just a big guy who carries around a lot of baggage of a past-marriage life he can never get back.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles is one of those rare movies that delights us with a wonderful blend of slapstick comedy mixed with a lighthearted drama.  It warms our soul with delight and laughter making it a perfect addition on a cold winters night .

To everyone  and all Have A Happy Thanksgiving !



JOE'S FAVORITE  TRACK FROM THE PLANES TRAINS TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES SOUNDTRACK :

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FILMMAKERS STUDIOS WIDE WORLD OF SPORTS MOVIES : TOUCHBACK

Take me away, I don't mind but you better promise we get back in time for another Frank Capra like Football Classic with  Touchback.

Touchback flashes back to the biggest game of the year of the Ohio State Football Championship of 1991.   Scott Murphy (Brian Presley)  is Coldwater High School's next best thing to Tom Brady leading the school to what could become the biggest upset in High School history against the rival town.   However, a  shattering knee injury smashes his college hopes and dreams away .

We then cut to the present where Scott is tending to the Murphy Farm alongside his wife Macy (Melanie Lynskey)  and their children.  Hard times have fallen upon the Murphy household and as a result Scott must bring in a good crop of beans before the end of the fall harvest.  When frost spreads rampant through the field  and all hope is lost Scott sticks a rag into his exhaust  and waits for the Grim Reaper to come only he doesn't come a knocking.

Instead , as if by magic he jumps into Doc Brown's DeLorean and re-arrives back in 1991 just a week before his big high school championship game.   He seems quite out of place at first but when he is back on the football field again  re-training himself to re-learn his football plays he's figured he's been given another shot at redemption.

Now this movie plays from the same "if you could re-live your past how would you do it differently" formulas that made It's A Wonderful Life, Back To The Future, and even the Family Man memorable classics.  So it's nothing you haven't seen before it just adds a touching sports element into the mix.

Scott has been granted a second chance to be reunite with his mother (Christine Lahti) and re-live  and appreciate the romance shared that brought him and his wife together.

At first he doesn't for he is back to his old self again dating the prettiest gal in school (Sarah Wright)  and thinks of his future wife as nothing more than a band geek.  However, a startling turn of events causes Scott to perform a good dead to think not of his athletic glory but of others when he reaches out to petition signatures to save Marcy's High School Band.

Even his coach (Kurt Russell) notices some changes in him when he appears to be wise beyond his years.  However Scott is faced with difficult decisions leading up to the big game with pressures to sit out the game by Ohio State University or his friend who wants him to make him look good in the game.

In the end , the Frank Capra like magic that causes Scott Murphy's character arc to risk it all by playing  is his realization that he would never had met his loving wife and family had not been for this big event of his life.
He gets a new perspective on life on giving back in helping out others such as the nerdy kid (Kevin Covais)  he once despised. Overall he looks at his town of Coldwater and feels blessed to live in such a close knit community surrounded by a strong group of loving and supportive people.

His wife Marcy is a positive person in his life.  She loves the town of Coldwater and the people in it and wouldn't dream of raising her family anywhere else.  When the crops freeze and they are on the brink of financial ruin she reaffirms her belief in miracles mentioning to him "You'll find a way to win you always do".

 When Scott asks his Mom if she had to do it all over again would she still remarrying his Dad knowing it lead to a divorce.  She answers she would because had it not been for that Scott would never be born and even though she was never regularly available to watch his game just hearing about his accomplishments brought her much joy and happiness. This is a key turning point in the movie that allows Scott to look back on his life and make an amend to change.

Even Coach Hand is a wonderful example of a mentor who encourages Scott and his teammates to take what they have learned on the football field  about  teamwork,, persistence, and passion and apply those same principles in their own lives.  "I want you to be a man who's good for more than one night a week," he tells Scott. Coach Hand places a strong importance on education and warns his teammates the consequences of not suiting up when they don't put any solid effort into their studies.   Lastly, he places a strong importance on family values and encourages all of his players to  "Go home. Tell your parents you love 'em, and get some sleep." Afterall, it is right to give thanks and praise for those who gave us life , a roof, and a house, and a opportunity to fly in this world and should never be taken for granted. In the end who knows what the future holds for us all tomorrow.

Touchback certainly is touching and is another example of the triumph of the human spirit reaffirming the old saying that "It is never too late to turn your life around".  However, second chance movies such as Back To The Future, A Christmas Carol, and It's A Wonderful Life have been around since the test of time so this type of film is nothing new.

In the end the protagonist always has a reaffirmation about his life due to his second chance experience and realizes his life was never as bad as he had thought.  Even the title of the film Touchback suggests that in our lives we fumble and go through many setbacks that we think our life is worth more dead than alive.  However, if we take the time to pause, think, and reevaluate our life's decision we can therefore find a way through the obstacles that stem to bring us down.  We can huddle around the strong support of those around us to help us confront diversity in this grand game we call life.

FINAL RATING: 5/5

RE-SCREENING THE JOHN HUGHES CLASSICS : SIXTEEN CANDLES

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Happy birthday sweet sixteen

Sixteen Candles is a delightful classic reminding every grown gal the various events that happen in her life as she enters adulthood such as (1) boob changes, (2) over protective family watching over you ever minute (3) sister or brother dating a complete loser  you absolutely despise ,(4) your fascination with the opposite sex, and (5)  your first crush. 

If any of you have any pre-conceived notions that this is a teen sex comedy movie like Porkys or American Pie  then I'm sorry to disappoint you.  It's a carefree wild, fun,  goofy, cheerful movie that does not mock its characters but rather takes us deep into the hearts and minds of high school teenagers. 

The first of  kickoff to the bratpack films stars Molly Ringwald as Samantha  a bright-eyed gal whose movie is told from her own My So Called Life  point of view as she faces pressures  juggling her hectic life at home and at school as she struggles to fit in.  It's more of a coming of age film where not just Molly but the other supporting characters deal with complex  issues related to sex and sexuality but are unsure of how to express themselves.  

Samantha (Molly Ringwald) falls in love with the star Quaterback Jake Ryan (Michael Schoeffling)   but absolutely stutter steps in how to approach him or what to say.  

She therefore  requires the assistance of The Geek (Anthony Michael Hall)  to make the introduction.  In addition this film features  other complications involving Jake's relationship with his current stuck up girlfriend, Samantha's noisy Grandparents, and the ever loud abnoxious foreign exchange student from the far  East Long Duk Dong(Gedde Watanabe)  whose only motivation is party, party, party and girls, girls, girls.  

Sixteen Candles is quite notable because it set the tone for other 80s to 90s teen romantic comedy with its newest film formula in reshaping the teen romantic comedy which involves : dancing, makeout session, beer,  and wild partying.  However, John Hughes doesn't turn this into another Porkys or any other sexploitaiton film  that came before it he listens to his characters, problems, while generating light hearted solutions for all.   

For example in this film features an encounter with The Geek finding the Prom Queen smashed.  After The Geek rejects The Prom Queen's request to leave they bicker and argue but eventually find out that even though they come from different social circles they are one and the same.  They are both lonely and insecure people that make a better match and in the end they hit it off.  The beautiful message that this film sends  despite its sheer fun, goofiness, and insanity that no matter what labels people or our schoolmates may  place on us opposites can attract. 


FINAL RATING: 5/5

RE-SCREENING THE JOHN HUGHES CLASSICS : SOME KIND OF WONDERFUL

Today you don't see much movies made about teenagers and the trials and tribulations they deal with in terms of sex and sexuality,  dressing up in the stylish new trends,  driving the newest car, fitting in certain social circles,  and finding your place in the world as you transition from childhood into adulthood.  We don't see films about a group of teenagers wanting to better themselves , improve their relationships with those close to them and those around them,  and live better lives  knowing all to well that how they act right now will impact how they grow up to be the man and women they become tomorrow.  That's why I look forward to watching  John Hughes' films of the bratpack era because we can all relate to our teenage experiences and those experiences that helped shape and mold us into a well-educated, well-rounded, mature individual we see today.

Some Kind of Wonderful although written by John Hughes and Directed by Howard Deutsch is not a great movie.  It's not a great movie only because it uses standard characters in a typical 80s comedy the popular guy, the popular gal, and the unpopular guy from the slums with his sidekick.

However, what makes this film memorable in my mind  is not so much about the unpopular guy getting the popular gal .  It's about whether if she is all cracked up on what she is supposed to be.

The film stars Mask star Eric Stoltz, as Keith,  a unpopular kid who has a hard time fitting in at school and would rather be alone expressing himself through his paints rather than with people.

Keith's only friend is Watts (Mary Stuart Masterson) a loner who also has a hard time fitting in because of her tomboyish looks.  He later on develops a crush for Amanda Jones (Leah Thompson)  who becomes the Sex Symbol of the school for all to desire.

The John Hughes magic and message  comes through with the characterization of Lea Thompson's character.  Although she is seen as this unattainable object of all of her classmates desires she really is someone who has feelings too.

Its at the final scene where Watts serves as Keith's chauffeur that she isn't spouting off romantic advice but reminding him to be true to himself and not fall for how people look on the outside.  After the date he learns that  you don't have to look hard for all the finer things in life because they are a lot closer than you think.

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The funny thing about adolescence is that it's a cross between Leave It To Beaver and The Wonder Years.  John Hughes films such as these are special and hold a candle to my heart.  He understands the social pressures, risks, and many disappointments teenagers face as they strive to make their mark on the world.

 Some Kind of A Wonderful is still a worthwhile film of his to see because of the human emotions Keith shares with his father who wants to re-live his life through his son, to Keith's sister who lacks confidence in her own looks.  It's quite noteworthy to see because of its themes of life, insecurity, rejection, and learning from your mistakes in which to mature as a individual.

FINAL RATING: 4/5

JOE WATCHES A MOVIE: BULLET TO THE HEAD

Bullet to the Head is a throwback to the 80s action films that gave Walter Hill his notoriety who directed such hits as Red Heat, 48 Hrs, and The Warriors.  Now back in the Director's chair since 2002 this is his first film starring Sylvester Stallone .

The movie stars Sylvester Stallone as an aging assassin  James Bonomo who seeks out his revenge on all those responsible for taking out his partner in crime.

During the course of the film Stallone works his way up the criminal food chain dispensing from little fish to big fish all the way up to the head honcho himself Keegan played by Jason Momoa.

Even though the film is quite fast paced from the get go it leaves little room for any character development whose narrative was quite hard to comprehend.   It was only at the end did I finally realize who the main enemy was when Stallone and Momoa were locked in a Mortal Kombat Brawl for all 80s style.  There were supporting characters added in Stallone's quest but they did little to enhance the story.

 Stallone's partner Taylor Kwon (Sung Kang)  , a cop, is after the same vengance as Stallone's character that their two storyline's don't compliment each other.

In addition Stallone has a foxy daughter (Weronika Rosati) whose only contribution to the film is giving us all a little va-va-voom moment.

Although I have to admit at age 67 I have to admit Sylvester Stallone can still pack a punch and is quite in his physical presence to be performing the strenuous stunt work at his age. He may have the face of a tired old Boxer but he's still has got the body of a Adonis.

Stallone's protrayal as  a no-nonsense assassins who gets what he wants by intimidation or by brute force is right on.  He doesn't have a conscience, nor sense of right or wrong he only has himself and a job to do and isn't in it to make any friends.  However, a goof up on the screenwriters part was to turn this into a buddy cop type movie.

Usually in buddy cop movies such as Lethal Weapon opposites attract.    Riggs and Murtaugh although coming from different backgrounds find a common bound and pool their different skills together to defeat the enemy.

However in Bullet To The Head, Detective Kwon's screen presence is merely there to be more of a hanger to Stallone who only acts  a resource to connect one bad guy to the next and nothing more.

Given the title of this movie it's not surprising at all to watch a movie high in violence and action that mimics any other made to video DVD in a rental store.  Unfortunately endless scenes of shooting, fights, and carnage  is the gift that keeps on giving in this movie that offer little suspense or shock value.  However, when you are dealing with a revenge movie expect a film that offers little on human emotion or story but high MDK's (Murder Death Kills) and getting even in the end.

Although this film was as brutal to the end as its title implies but in the end  it wasn't as enjoyable to watch as I thought it would be.

FINAL RATING: 1/5