Month: December 2022

Articles, Top Lists

Ryan’s 150 Favorite Films: Number 141, Weird: The Al Yankovic Story

One of the most frequent questions I am always asked being the host of the greatest movie podcast ever (opinions may vary) is “What’s your favorite movie?” That answer has been the same since I was 11 years old. But it also isn’t as easy to explain why I love some movies more than others.

As an art form, movies are by their nature interpretative. Some people will point to a film’s box office total as a barometer for a film’s quality, this might not be true again because although it might be popular to the masses it might not appeal to you. I am looking at you Avatar, which is not one of my favorite films, not by a longshot.  

Also, if the film wins an Academy Award for Best Picture, that hardly means it’s one of my favorite films, looking at you The English Patient, in fact I hardly agree with the Academy. Having said that, I am sure that some people love Avatar and The English Patient. And that’s what makes movies so great.

I, also am not a professional critic. I love film. I try and find merit in all film. As a host of a podcast that attempts to give every movie a chance, I believe that is the best way to approach movies, let the lights go out and try and enjoy yourself. You might find a “diamond in the rough.”

When thinking of my favorite movies to share with you, my loyal listeners, I thought 100 wasn’t going to be enough. So, I am proud to present my 150 Favorite Films, right now. These will change, I know they will.

See you at the movies!

***Spoilers Ahead!***

141. Weird: The Al Yankovic Story (Directed by Eric Appel)

The Movie: Young Al Yankovic (Richard Aaron Anderson) wants to play the accordion. His father (Toby Huss)  who works at The Factory, doesn’t want his son to be involved in music, he wants him to work at the Factory too. His mother (Julianne Nicholson) encourages him to follow his dream of “arguably the most famous accordion player in an extremely specific genre of music!”

One day and accordion salesman (Thomas Lennon) appears at the Yankovic’s door and after he is nearly beaten to death by Al’s father, his mother decides to buy Al an accordion and promiser not to tell his father.

We flash forward to Teenage Al (David Bloom) who one-night sneaks out of his home to go to a polka party! There he is challenged to the accordion and blows everyone away with his incredible playing skills. After the cops bust the party up, an ashamed Al returns home and gets into a fight with his parents, causing him to leave.

Let’s now join Al (Daniel Radcliffe) in California with his roommates, Steve (Spencer Treat Clark), Bermuda (Tommy O’Brien) and Jim (Jack Lancaster). He tells them that all he wants to do is take a song that someone else has already written and change the lyrics, while making his roommates bologna sandwiches, The Knacks’ “My Sharona” plays on the radio. In a bolt of genius, Al writes the immortal “My Bologna”. Soon his song is a massive hit and Al steps out to try his songs and accordion out in the real world.

In a biker bar, Al performs “I Love Rocky Road” to an appreciative crowd, and learns that his roommates are all accomplished musicians. Al also catches the eye of Dr. Demento (Rainn Wilson) who takes the young Yankovic under his wing. But first, Al needs a stage name, thus “Weird Al” is born!

Al finds himself at a pool party, where the guests are dismissive of Al. Wolfman Jack (Jack Black) challenges Al to prove he is no fluke by demanding a parody of Queen’s “Another One Bites the Dust”. Al feels the pressure as the guests include Andy Warhol (Conan O’Brien) and Queen’s bassist John Deacon (David Dastmalchian). Al launches into “Another One Rides the Bus” blowing the minds of Pee-Wee Herman (Jorma Taccone), Tiny Tim (Demetri Martin), Alice Cooper (Akiva Schaffer) and more.

After appearing on Oprah (Quinta Brunson) and explaining the “Yankovic Bump” where artists want Al to parody their songs. Dr. Demento wants Al to expand as an artist and come up with an original song, Al refuses but after he eats guacamole laced with LSD, he comes up with his 100% original song, “Eat It”.

Madonna (Evan Rachel Wood) wanting a piece of the “Yankovic Bump” pursues Al which leads them to a torrid love affair, with Madonna introducing Al to drugs and alcohol. Before Al is about to perform one night he learns Michael Jackson has parodied “Eat It” with “Beat It”. Al in enraged that people will assume “Eat It” is a parody of “Beat It”.

After suffering a near-fatal car accident, Al awakens from a coma in a burst of energy and writes “Like A Surgeon”. Al leaves the hospital and performs “Like A Surgeon” and is arrested for lewdness.

After Al is released from jail, he confides in Madonna that he’s hurt everyone he knows and she is all he has left. While at a diner, Madonna is kidnapped by Pablo Escobar’s (Arturo Castro) men. After Al kills them, he goes on a mission to save Madonna. Al saves Madonna, kills a bunch of drug guys, including Pablo Escobar and asks Madonna to return with him. Madonna refuses and becomes a drug lord.

Al returns home and works in The Factory. Al’s father confronts his son and says the factory was never for him. Al’s father revels to him that he was once Amish and he was excommunicated for playing accordion. Al learns about his father’s song “Amish Paradise” which he performs at an award show. Al wins an award and is then assassinated by Madonna’s henchmen.

Why I Love Weird: The Al Yankovic Story: I grew up loving “Weird Al”. I still love “Weird Al”. I still go to his concerts and listen to his music. The idea of Al making a 100% true story of his life sold me.

In all seriousness, the way the film touches on all the cliches of a music bio-pic is awesome. It is funny, and the jokes come at you a mile a minute. Daniel Radcliffe is amazing as “Weird Al”. Radcliffe understands that in films like this you must 100% commit to the script seriously. Don’t oversell the dialogue, treat it like a serious piece of cinema and the results speak for themselves. Leslie Nielson really honed this in his Police Squad! and Naked Gun days, and Radcliffe proves he is just as good.

It’s also a movie that is really fun to see with a crowd. When I saw this in theaters, every celebrity cameo got a huge reaction and the audience was fully invested in the film.

I also love the darker humor in it. My favorite “Weird Al” songs are his originals as most of them have a hint of darkness to them.

From a funny look at “Weird Al’s” “life” to the unusual actin movie/revenge thriller in the final act, Weird: The Al Yankovic story is a gut busting look at one of the biggest music acts ever in an extremely specific style of music.

Articles

Ryan’s 150 Favorite Films: Number 142, Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter (1984)

One of the most frequent questions I am always asked being the host of the greatest movie podcast ever (opinions may vary) is “What’s your favorite movie?” That answer has been the same since I was 11 years old. But it also isn’t as easy to explain why I love some movies more than others.

As an art form, movies are by their nature interpretative. Some people will point to a film’s box office total as a barometer for a film’s quality, this might not be true again because although it might be popular to the masses it might not appeal to you. I am looking at you Avatar, which is not one of my favorite films, not by a longshot.  

Also, if the film wins an Academy Award for Best Picture, that hardly means it’s one of my favorite films, looking at you The English Patient, in fact I hardly agree with the Academy. Having said that, I am sure that some people love Avatar and The English Patient. And that’s what makes movies so great.

I, also am not a professional critic. I love film. I try and find merit in all film. As a host of a podcast that attempts to give every movie a chance, I believe that is the best way to approach movies, let the lights go out and try and enjoy yourself. You might find a “diamond in the rough.”

When thinking of my favorite movies to share with you, my loyal listeners, I thought 100 wasn’t going to be enough. So, I am proud to present my 150 Favorite Films, right now. These will change, I know they will.

See you at the movies!

***Spoilers Ahead!***

142: Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter (1984) (Directed by Joseph Zito)

The Movie: After Chris (Dana Kimmel) axed Jason (Ted White) in the head, first responders arrive on scene. The collect evidence, bodies of the victims and also Jason’s body, he’s “dead” too.

Jason arrives at the hospital and is taken to the morgue. The doctor examining him, Axel (Bruce Mahler) teases his girlfriend Nurse Morgan (Lisa Freeman). She leaves him to his aerobics on TV and Jason rises, and saws his head off. Jason makes his way to Morgan, kills her and heads back to Crystal Lake.

At Crystal Lake we meet the Jarvis’. Mrs. Jarvis (Joan Freeman), her daughter Trish (Kimberly Beck) and her son Tommy (Corey Feldman). It seems that Mrs. Jarvis (I can’t remember if she’s ever given a first name…Wikipedia says Tracy, but she’s credited on IMDB as Mrs. Jarvis and I don’t think they ever say her name in the film) has recently separated from her husband and she has relocated to Crystal Lake with her family.

The house next door has been rented by a group of partying teenagers, Jimmy (Crispin Glover), Samantha (Judie Aronson), Doug (Peter Barton) Paul (Clyde Hayes) Sara (Barbra Howard) and Ted (Lawerence Monoson). They are up for a weekend of partying. After they refuse to pick up a hitchhiker, who Jason kills, they arrive at the cabin and decide to go to the lake.

On the way to the lake they meet twins, Tina (Camilla More) and Terri (Carey More), skinny dip and try to prove to them that Jimmy is not a “dead fuck”.

Tommy and Trish go to meet the teenagers at the lake but Trish decides they are too overdressed. On the way home their car breaks down, Tommy attempts to fix it and meets Rob (Erich Anderson) who after helping them, give him a ride. Rob tells them he is hunting bears, which Tommy thinks is impossible, there are no bears at Crystal Lake.

Rob meets Mrs. Jarvis, Tommy shows him his room where he builds masks and other monsters. Rob eventually leaves and the party is on next door.

Jason shows up and crashes the party. Jason smashes skulls, stabs, throws people out a window and helps Jimmy find the “goddamn corkscrew!”

Trish goes looking for Rob and finds his empty tent. Inside his tent Trish finds newspaper clippings about Jason and his killing spree. Rob returns and confesses to Trish that he isn’t hunting bear, but Jason. Jason killed his sister Sandra (see part 2!) and he wants revenge. At first Trish doesn’t believe him, but Rob tells her that his body is missing from the morgue and so too is hospital workers! Trish and Rob rush back to Trish’s home and tell Tommy to stay inside. Trish asks Tommy where their mother is and he replies running (she didn’t make it).

Rob and Trish head next door and discover Jason’s handiwork. They enter the basement and Rob is killed. Trish runs home and locks the door. Jason crashes through the window and then the door. Chases the Jarvis’ up the stairs and gets a TV to the head. Trish lures Jason away from Tommy and back to the neighbor’s home. Trish manages to escape Jason and returns home. Tommy was supposed to leave but he instead changes his appearance to look like Jason did when he drowned.

Jason gets a machete to the side of the head and dies. Or does he? His hand twitches and Tommy repeatedly stabs Jason as Trish looks on in horror. Jason is dead…for now.

Why I Love Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter: To me, this is the ultimate Friday the 13th film. I do like one a little more but if I were to show someone a Friday the 13th who had never seen one, I would pick The Final Chapter.

It has everything a fan of these films would want. Jason. Check. High body count. Check. Nudity. Check. It also moves really quickly, from the opening shot, the film never really lets up. The ominous threat of Jason gives the film a driving force as he makes his way back to Crystal Lake.

Speaking of Jason, Ted White a truly legendary stunt man dons the hockey mask, uncredited because he treated the film just as a job. But it’s more than that on screen. His Jason is brutal, quick and mean.

Joesph Zito who had directed the underrated slasher The Prowler three years prior shows he is capable of building suspense in the well established formula of Friday the 13th. Also returning to the series is gore/special effects legend Tom Savini, who jumped at the chance to kill Jason, even though he didn’t stay dead long.

All the actors are great too. Which is a testament to everyone being onboard with the film. The party kids next door are all believable and funny, especially Crispin Glover who steals the show with his dancing and winning line delivery. Kimberly Beck is a standout “final girl” as well. She’s confident, smart and tough. She doesn’t back down from Jason, she fights him and wins. Corey Feldman shines as well. Count me as one of the fans who would love to see him again as Tommy, taking on Jason.

The Final Chapter was far from the last time Jason would terrorize movie screens, but it stands as one of the bloodiest, most unrelentingly entries into the series.

Articles, Top Lists

Ryan’s 150 Favorite Movies: Number 143, Day of the Dead (1985)

One of the most frequent questions I am always asked being the host of the greatest movie podcast ever (opinions may vary) is “What’s your favorite movie?” That answer has been the same since I was 11 years old. But it also isn’t as easy to explain why I love some movies more than others.

As an art form, movies are by their nature interpretative. Some people will point to a film’s box office total as a barometer for a film’s quality, this might not be true again because although it might be popular to the masses it might not appeal to you. I am looking at you Avatar, which is not one of my favorite films, not by a longshot.  

Also, if the film wins an Academy Award for Best Picture, that hardly means it’s one of my favorite films, looking at you The English Patient, in fact I hardly agree with the Academy. Having said that, I am sure that some people love Avatar and The English Patient. And that’s what makes movies so great.

I, also am not a professional critic. I love film. I try and find merit in all film. As a host of a podcast that attempts to give every movie a chance, I believe that is the best way to approach movies, let the lights go out and try and enjoy yourself. You might find a “diamond in the rough.”

When thinking of my favorite movies to share with you, my loyal listeners, I thought 100 wasn’t going to be enough. So, I am proud to present my 150 Favorite Films, right now. These will change, I know they will.

See you at the movies!

***Spoilers Ahead!***

143. Day of the Dead (1985) (Directed by George A. Romero)

The Movie: The Dead Walk! So cries the headline on a newspaper as it blows down an empty Florida street. The zombie apocalypse has taken over the world. A handful of survivors live in an underground bunker. The scientists who are doing experiments on the dead that are captured in the bunker and the soldiers who risk their lives capturing the dead and protecting the scientists.

The people living there are at constant odds with one another. You have the scientists, lead by Dr. Logan (Richard Liberty) who the soldiers call, “Dr. Frankenstein” due to his unusual experiments. His team is comprised of Dr. Sarah Bowman (Lori Cardille) and Dr. Ted Fisher (John Amplas).

This doesn’t sit well with the remaining men in the bunker. Namely, Captain Rhodes (Joseph Pilato) who thinks trying to do experiments on the dead is a waste of time and his men’s lives, as evidenced that he is now in charge after the death of Major Cooper.

But that’s not all, Dr. Bowman and Dr. Logan also disagree. Logan believes he can condition the dead to live in peace with the living. Sarah believes that the only way forward is a cure.

Also in the bunker are two pilots who do not get mixed up in any of the politics. John (Terry Alexander) and McDermott (Jarlath Conroy). They know that even though Rhodes and the other soldiers are unhinged, they are safe because they are the only ones that know how to operate the helicopter. John warns Sarah not to push Rhodes too hard, it may end up in her death.

Sarah is also seeing Miguel (Anthony Dileo Jr.) who is burnt out and on the edge of a nervous breakdown. Miguel is conflicted as he hates going to the surface to find survivors and does not sleep at night creating a dangerous situation for the team. Sarah tranquilizes Miguel without his consent, which leads to Miguel’s growing resentment and bitterness.

After Miguel falls asleep, Sarah visits Logan in his lab. She is horrified to learn that Logan has dug up Major Cooper and is experimenting on his living corpse. Logan is undeterred and introduces Sarah to a zombie he calls “Bub” (Sherman Howard).

Bub responds to Logan and does not attack him. Logan shows Sarah and Fisher that Bub is not dangerous, and Sarah and Fisher cannot believe that Logan appears correct as Bub remembers things from his past life and allows Logan to take headphones of of his head without even attempting to bite him.

In an effort to get more dead for experiments, the soldiers and Sarah go to the mines where they keep the dead. Sarah pleads with them not to use Miguel as he is too weak, Miguel balks at this and tells them he is fine. Miguel loses control of one of the dead and it kills two soldiers and bites Miguel on the arm.

Miguel has his arm amputated to stop the infection, which Sarah believes she has done. Rhodes tells everyone that the experiments will stop, and orders all of the dead killed.

Sarah and Fisher head to Logan’s lab to get medicine for Miguel. There they find that Bub is docile because Logan is feeding him human body parts, which are of the two men just killed by the other zombie. Rhodes discovers this and kills Logan. He demands that John fly him out of the bunker. When John refuses, he kills Fisher and throws Sarah and McDermott into the zombie corral.

Private Steel (Gary Howard Klar) attempts to beat John so badly that he will comply.

Bub’s chains become loose and he leaves his lab, on his way out he sees that Logan is dead. Bub becomes angry and sets out to find Rhodes. Unbeknownst to everyone, Miguel has escaped to the top, unlocked the perimeter fence, and has a horde of zombies follow him to the elevator lift. Miguel lies down on the lift, pushes the button to lower it and is eaten by the zombies.

The dead have no entered the bunker and start feasting on the soldiers down there. Bub assists in killing Rhodes and John, Sarah and McDermott escape to a secluded island to live out the rest of their lives.

Why I Love Day of the Dead (1985): This is by far the bleakest film that George Romero has ever made. None of the characters are particularly redeeming, with all of them having baggage.

It is understandable however as the dead have completely overtaken the world and people are forced to live each other underground with no end in sight to their nightmare.

The trajectory of the “Dead” films have lead to this. The initial horror of “Night of the Living Dead” and the wink to consumerism in “Dawn of the Dead” has paved way for a way to live with the dead. The zombies have slowly gotten smarter in the Romero films. In “Night” they were pretty mindless, except for eating the living. In “Dawn”, the zombies would assemble in places they knew, like a mall. In “Day” it explores this further as Bub is able to communicate and be controlled, albeit with human flesh.

Romero gets the best out of the actors and this is no easy film to be a part of. Emotionally it is always bubbling on the surface, of anger, confusion and fear. Making the zombie Bub the most sympathetic character is a risk, one that Romero pulls of beautifully.

The makeup effects are gruesome and not for the weak stomached. Right away the zombies in the beginning of the film signal their evolution. In “Dawn” they were slightly cartoony, here they look like real rotting corpses, some complete without a lower jaw and a wiggling tongue.

Although, “Day of the Dead” isn’t as fondly remembered as Romero’s earlier work, it deserves a spot on the greatest horror films ever, because sometimes the scariest things in the world are not the monsters but the people that live in it.

Announcement, Review, Top Lists, Uncategorized

Rod Stewart: Year by Year, Track by Track Part 5 1975-1978

Part 5: In Which Our Hero Polishes HIs Sound, Falls in Love with a Bond Girl and Other Musings of a Rock ‘n’ Roll Superstar

It wasn’t official, but The Faces were for the most part broken up. With Ron Wood being on “loan” to The Rolling Stones the writing was on the wall. Rod Stewart also was looking to change. It started with Britain’s crippling taxes, 83%. Rod decided to pack up and leave for Los Angeles, with his new girlfriend in tow.

Britt Ekland was a beautiful Swedish model/actress who had appeared in lots of films, including The Wicker Man and perhaps most famously as Goodnight in The Man with the Golden Gun. Rod had met Britt through Joan Collins backstage at a Faces gig in 1975. Rod and Britt became tabloid fodder and they ate up the celebrity life style of Los Angeles.

Stewart had grown tired of the sound of his earlier albums. Although Smiler wasn’t a total failure, it did seem like his creative juices were stuck. Stewart had essentially in five years made nine albums with the same musicians and while they were all brilliant he felt that he needed to change his sound.

In comes producer Tom Dowd. Dowd felt The Faces could not be flexible enough to play the sound that Rod was looking for. In fact, The Faces would go on record on not liking Rod’s new approach to music and when they played their final gigs, the only song from Atlantic Crossing they would play live was Three Time Loser.

So Tom Dowd enlisted help from musicians that he had worked with and they were doozy’s. The MG’s, Al Jackson, “Duck” Dunn and Steve Cropper. Dowd also got the Memphis Horns, giving Rod a much more layered and rich sound to his first album released on Warner Bros. Before Stewart hunkered down to really make his sixth studio album, he and his new studio band, headed into the studio and produced three songs.

The MG’s Sessions April, 1975

158. To Love Somebody (Barry Gibb, Robin Gibb)

A hit song for The Bee Gees would seem like an odd choice for the newly formed frontman and studio band but it was right up their alley. From Booker T and the MG’s playing on Stax records and Rod’s soulful voice, it seemed like a perfect get to know each other.

In fact, this song seemed lost until 1990s Storyteller, where Rod says he discovered it in an old jacket pocket. Two other mixes of this song have been found since, each is pretty close to one another, with some added strings to the 2009 extended Atlantic Crossing and it also appears on The Rod Stewart Sessions. Rod losses the backing vocals on the chorus and just sings with his heart on his sleeve. I prefer the Rod Stewart Sessions version as it brings Stewart’s vocals out more and he owns the song.

Grade: B+

159. Holy Cow (Allen Toussaint)

First released by Lee Dorsey in 1966 in a much more big band style, which you should seek out. Rod funks it up and speeds it up. And in doing so freaking crushes it. I am not sure if this was ever intended for Atlantic Crossing or more of just a jam and putting something on record to see how it sounds, but it doesn’t matter, I love it. The fun bass line, and Stewart’s fun reading and phrasing make this song an absolute winner.

Plus, bonus points for Stewart yelling, “Shit!” At the end.

Grade: A

160. Return to Sender (Otis Blackwell, Scott Winfield)

When you think of Return to Sender your mind goes to to Elvis and his movie Girls! Girls! Girls! And you would be right. An early rock ‘n’ roll classic from the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.

Stewart had covered Presley before and here the bass line carries it again. Stewart decides to have a more laid back reading of this song. It is lazy and fun. Rod has grown musically since his Jailhouse Rock days of The Jeff Beck Group, but it totally works here.

Grade: B+

The early returns on our Hero’s new sound were extremely positive. Rod, Tom Dowd would spend the three months putting together a new sound for Stewart and bringing him closer to the sound he had always craved.

Atlantic Crossing August 15, 1975

161. Three Time Loser (Rod Stewart)

“How dare you have a party, In a Chelsea basement, when an poor excited Jezebel said come outside. She felt me up and kissed my face, put her dirty hands down in my pants…” so goes the story of a man three times stricken by venereal disease. Yes, a song about an STD.

Any concern that Rod might lose his wild ways without his Boys from previous records is immediately dismissed on his first song on Atlantic Crossing.

Not only is the music catchy, but so too are the lyrics. They are funny and clever and I am also not 100% certain our Hero is singing the lyrics that are printed in the official music sheet book my dad gave me.

It doesn’t matter, Three Time Loser rocks.

A slightly different mix appears on disc 2 on the deluxe version released in 2009, which Stewart’s vocals are a little more out front.

Grade: A+

162. Alright for an Hour (Rod Stewart, Jesse Ed Davis)

Guitarist Jesse Ed Davis lends Rod a hand in writing Alright for an Hour. An infectious song about not caring if you have a woman when you have “my dog and my car, the best friends I’ve found so far.”

Too many times on Rod Stewart albums his clever writing is over shadowed by the man himself. A lot of his reviews, the “reviewer” is reviewing Rod Stewart the jet setting, blonde chasing superstar, not his incredible catchy and often times heart wearing on your sleeve song writing. On this track he is at his witty best. I am not sure if Britt Ekland approved of this song, but you can’t change the man.

Grade: B+

A different version of Alright for an Hour appears on disc 2 of the 2009 deluxe version. Slightly different lyrics, which aren’t quite as good as the finished product, the meat and potatoes are there however.

163. All in the Name of Rock ‘N’ Roll (Rod Stewart)

Drums and guitars open a song about what it’s like in the day of a rock ‘n’ roll band. From getting high, looking good and causing trouble, Rod touches pretty much all that there is.

Not quite as good as the opening two tracks, All in the Name of Rock ‘N’ Roll, is nevertheless another catchy song that keeps Atlantic Crossing going.

Grade: B

A less polished version with appears on disc 2 of the 2009 deluxe version of Atlantic Crossing

164. Drift Away (Mentor Williams)

A pretty straight forward cover of a song made popular by Dobie Gray in 1973. The best part of Rod’s version is the sudden stop of the chorus after the third verse, where our Hero sings his heart out.

Rod doesn’t bring anything new to the recording, but he does bring his A-game in the voice department which makes it fine cover.

Grade: B

On the 2009 deluxe version disc 2, the mix is slightly different but sounds really close to what is on the original album.

165. Stone Cold Sober (Rod Stewart, Steve Cropper)

Rod teams up with Steve Cropper for a rollicking good time. Rod again flexes his incredible song writing ability to make a song catchy, funny and straight up rock ‘n’ roll. Atlantic Crossing was recorded in part in a “dry county”, meaning no booze. Which I am sure is the inspiration for the song.

Rod has fun with the second verse, which is my favorite on the album;

“Never found a dime in the gutter, always get my best friends drunk, if the president tries to calls me, say “Rodney come on over for lunch, I’d say “Gentlemen excuse me please, but I am busy with my buddies up on cloud thirty-three.”

Grade: A+

166. I Don’t Want to Talk About It (Danny Whitten)

Rod divided Atlantic Crossing into a “fast half” that opened the album and a “slow half”. The second half of the album opens with a stunning reading of the late Danny Whitten’s I Don’t Want to Talk About It. Although Rod ditched the drums for this song, letting the guitars and strings fill the listeners ears with powerful music.

Rod breaks your heart with a haunting reading, phrasing the words in a way that I am sure Danny Whitten would’ve been proud. Rod himself said “this is one of the most poignant songs written in the rock & roll genre.”

Still played at his concerts to this day, it doesn’t leave a dry eye.

Grade: A+

The alternate mix that appears on DIsc 2 of the deluxe version adds more guitar flourishes which take away from the impact of the song, I am glad that Rod and company decided to strip it down.

167. It’s Not the Spotlight (Barry Goldberg, Gerry Goffin)

Longing for a return to the spotlight, Rod sings of wishing for it to shine again him, and how the fame has slipped away.

A mellow guitar and a nice beat of the drums pepper It’s Not the Spotlight which make it catchy but it doesn’t quite deliver the punch of the other songs on the album. Rod is however in top vocal form which makes it an essential listen.

Grade: B

A slightly different mix appears on disc 2 of the 2009 deluxe version, it really just strips the album version of the over produced moments, allowing the guitars to heard more, I prefer this version.

168. This Old Heart of Mine (Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland, Eddie Holland, Sylvia May)

A song that Stewart obviously adores as he loves the line, “this old heart of mine” as he would use it as a place holder for lyrics when he was trying to work through new songs.

On Atlantic Crossing, our Hero slows it down from the Isley Brothers hit, drops a verse and makes it much more romantic and almost as if he wrote a letter and is trying to when his girl back.

Grade: A

In 2009, two more versions of “This Old Heart of Mine” appear on both the deluxe version of Atlantic Crossing and the compilation, The Rod Stewart Sessions. The deluxe version is a more stripped down version, and not quite finished. On The Rod Stewart Sessions, we hear a little background studio chatter and the song then picks up. I actually prefer The Rod Stewart Sessions version as it is stripped down and beautifully sung.

169. Still Love You (Rod Stewart)

A sweet song about losing your love and reminiscing about the good times you had. Rod’s tender reading, and infectious chorus makes this mellow song a winner.

Rod again uses his boyish charm to sell the song,

“Oh darlin, didn’t I promise, I’d never go so far away again, but here I am writing this letter, goodbye to you my love, see you again…”

Grade: B+

A different mix appears on disc 2 of the deluxe version. Again we hear a much stripped down version, some different lyrics and phrasing, with Rod’s voice being front and center. It makes a mellow song mellower, it’s a winner.

170. Sailing (Gavin Sutherland)

If you wanted to have a song to close your night as a performer, it would be Sailing. Longing for someone that is separated by an ocean, Stewart gives an impassioned reading with his heart on his sleeve.

A massive hit in England, it never fully gained traction in the United States. Rod owns this song and it feels like he is singing it to you, or singing it to your love, in words you could never express.

Grade: A+

Two other versions of Sailing appear on both The Rod Stewart Sessions and Atlantic Crossings deluxe version. On the deluxe version, we get basically the same song, but it loses some of the embellishments. But for my money, the version on The Rod Stewart Sessions will give you goose bumps. Almost all the instruments are gone except a few, with Rod pleading his heart out, it is an absolute barn burner.

A couple of songs where lost to us fans, but dug up for the 2009 deluxe release of Atlantic Crossing.

171. Skye Boat Song (The Atlantic Crossing Drum & Pipe Band) (Harold Boulton, Annie MacLeod)

There are many versions of this song, most in a traditional Celtic style. Rod delivers a a hymn style with lots of back up singers and bagpipes and drums.

The song tells the story of Prince Charles Edward Stuart, his journey and how he escaped capture after his defeat at the Battle of Culloden.

I don’t think Rod’s version was released until 2009, but I could be wrong, as I can’t find any other mentions of the song before then. I had heard of it from a totally legitimate website that listed songs that Rod had recorded but were not released, I can’t remember the actual website and I am sure it doesn’t exist anymore.

Anyways, there are two versions of the song on the deluxe version of Atlantic Crossing. I prefer the version on disc 2 as it is just Stewart, no back up singers.

Grade: B

172. Too Much Noise (Early Version of Stone Cold Sober) (Rod Stewart, Steve Cropper)

Rod was working through the lyrics of “Stone Cold Sober” and landed on the chorus, “Too Much Noise”. The music is the same, but the lyrics are totally different. With the first two verses lifted from Stewart’s “True Blue” which both songs open with “Never been a millionaire”. I am sure Rod was trying to get the feel of the song and used lyrics he knew.

“Too Much Noise” is not quite done, in fact it probably was abandoned when Stewart thought of the title “Stone Cold Sober” and what the finished song was about. “Too Much Noise” is a blast however, and it would’ve been fun to hear a finished version, but I wouldn’t replace “Stone Cold Sober” in a million years.

Grade: B

Rod Stewart released Atlantic Crossing in the summer of 1975. The album shot to the top of the UK Albums chart and reached number 9 on the Billboard charts, vindicating Stewart’s desire for a new sound and a new direction.

The Faces were not quite done yet however and embarked on a tour. The last Faces show took place in Minneapolis on November 1, 1975. The other Faces members were not a fan of Stewart’s new sound and Rod was getting tired of making the same sounding album. Their split was inevitable.

Rod wasted no time getting back into the studio. In December 1975, Stewart started work on A Night on the Town. Rod also recorded some of the album in Colorado, my home state at the Caribou Ranch in Nederland.

A Night on the Town June 18, 1976

173. Tonight’s the Night (Gonna Be Alright) (Rod Stewart)

Stewart changed things up for A Night on the Town and opened the album with the “slow half”. The first song on the album is also the first single. The story in which our Hero tries to seduce a virgin and get her “upstairs before the night’s too old”.

Lyrically Rod sings lines that would make you blush and get it banned from the radio, especially “spread your wings and let me come inside.” It did not stop the public form adoring the song as it reached number 1 on the Billboard Charts.

The music is exquisite with a complicated opening which Stewart stated in Storyteller “We spent more time working on the somewhat complicated intro than the song itself.”

Grade: A+

Two different versions of “Tonight’s the Night” appear in 2009, one on the deluxe version of “A Night on the Town” and the other on “The Rod Stewart Sessions”. The opening on the deluxe version we learn that it was originally called “Golden Times” which Rod corrects the engineer by saying “It’s called “Tonight’s the Night”. It must have been a long time because he snaps back,”Well, make up your mind!”

Both versions have a slightly different intro, which Rod was eluding to in “Storyteller”. The opening two verses are nearly identical, with some slight variations on the lyrics, the last verse is completely different as Stewart sings; “Oo, baby when the daylight breaks, I walk you home and ease all your aches, but the sun should turn into rain, we will stay home and do it all again.”

Also these two version omit Britt Ekland’s French cooing for an extended play out by the band.

174. The First Cut is the Deepest (Cat Stevens)

To cover a song and make your own is something Rod Stewart is really great at. The First Cut is the Deepest is such a song. Rod’s version is so well known that when people cover it now they use the Rod Stewart version. On Cat Stevens’ version the chorus goes like this “when it comes to being lucky she is cursed, when it comes to loving me she’s worst, but when it comes to being loved she’s first.”

Rod drops the last part making the song much more heartbreaking. So so everybody else who has recorded it since. Sheryl Crow’s version completely apes Rod’s from the intro to the whole song’s arena ready sing along. But I can see why maybe people do not know Stevens’ version, Rod stated in Storyteller, “As I recall, nobody knew how the song went, apart from myself, so a phone call was made to L.A. and some madman had to go out and buy it, rush back, and play it on the phone with seven guys crowded ‘round the receiver on the other end.”

Stewart sings his heart out and gives yet another world class performance on how to be a rock star.

Grade: A+

Two different versions of “The First Cut is the Deepest” appear on the deluxe version of “A Night on the Town” and another on “The Rod Stewart Sessions”. On the deluxe version the lyrics are slightly different, the opening is more haunting, skewing he guitar for an organ. On “The Rod Stewart Sessions” the production is scaled way back, just Rod and a guitar, it is stunningly beautiful and I implore you to listen to this version.

175. Fool for You (Rod Stewart)

A mid-tempo song in which our Hero leaves his lover behind. Rod excels at these songs. His voice is in top form. I love the guitar work on this track. Rod yet again wears his heart on his sleeve with lyrics like “You’re my everything, but now you’re my end, it may be over, but just before I go, I can make a new start, But I can’t mend a broken heart.”

Grade: A-

176. Fool for You (Alternate Version) (Rod Stewart)

On the deluxe release of “A Night on the Town” a completely different version of “Fool for You” appears. Musically it is similar but the lyrics are not. Rod opens with “Ain’t love a bitch…” which us fans know Stewart will return to in two years on the album, “Blondes Have More Fun”. This version is not quite finished but it is so good lyrically. I love how he ends each verse with more of his under appreciated song writing, “Over and over again, you say that you won’t get hurt again, but here it comes, round and round on a carousel, you wanna get off but you know damn well that you like it.”

Grade: A-

177. The Killing of Georgie (Part I and II) (Rod Stewart)

Stewart’s telling of the murder of a gay friend is one of his most beautiful songs ever. The upbeat style to the song paints a vivid picture of a life gone too soon. The wistful and hopeful nature of the song is replaced with a senseless murder and the song never loses it’s upbeat tempo, which stylistically is a bold choice which makes the song more impactful.

Rod reached a crescendo and a sense of urgency and driving force behind the lyrics. It propels the song to its finish line, breaking your heart, while also making it race with the hope that his friend might survive, the nonchalant way Stewart sings “Georgie’s life ended there, but I ask who really cares?” Gives the listener i peek into the treatment of the LGBTQ community in the late 1970’s.

Part 2 pleads with Georgie to not leave, giving the song one last bittersweet moment.

Grade: A+

The deluxe version of “A Night on the Town” contains a stripped down version of Part 1 of “The Killing of Georgie” and with just a a guitar accompanying Stewart, this song would fit on to any of his early 1970’s album. Listening to the outtakes from Stewart’s career you soon realize he truly had never left his roots behind, he just added flourishes to the songs. In any event, seek this version out it makes a classic song that much better.

178. The Balltrap (Rod Stewart)

If Stewart was reflective on the “slow side” he wastes no time on the “fast side” telling us listeners that he hasn’t left The Faces completely behind. “The Balltrap” refers to a man’s manhood, lusting after a woman who doesn’t reciprocate the lust.

If “Tonight’s the Night” made you blush, then “The Balltrap” will have you in church asking for forgiveness, with deliciously inappropriate lyrics like “the first time I had you up on old Park Lane, you didn’t know my name, even when I came, as I recall, you let me walk home in the rain. You say I’m cute, but tell the truth, it’s my body you want with the red hot juice…” some one get the fire extinguisher!

Grade: A-

179. The Balltrap (Alternate Version) (Rod Stewart)

The deluxe version of “A Night on the Town” contains an unfinished version of “The Balltrap” with different lyrics, instead of being overtly sexual, this version is more about our Hero being tricked by a “big old girl who said do you wanna dance?”

It’s not quite finished, but it’s really funny.

Grade: B

180. Pretty Flamingo (Mark Barkan)

Manfred Mann scored a hit with “Pretty Flamingo” in 1966, Rod decides to lose some of the poppy-ness of the original, changing into more of a boogie.

It is fun, light song that I will never listen to without my mom saying this to me one day when she was riding with me in my car and “Pretty Flamingo” came on, and my mother said “I saw a male stripper perform to this song.” Um barf mom.

Grade: B

The deluxe version of “A Night on the Town” contains an alternate mix to “Pretty Flamingo” which is nearly identical.

181. Big Bayou (Gib Guilbeau)

Horns and violins pepper Stewart’s cover of a Cajun favorite, in fact Rod’s mate Ronnie Wood cut it the year before on his solo album, “Now Look”.

Rod’s version is more driving and goes without saying sung better as well. Wood has fun with it, but I think Rod’s band is tighter and sounds better.

Grade: B

A nearly identical version of “Big Bayou” that isn’t finished also appears on the deluxe version of “A Night on the Town”

182. The Wild Side of Life (Arlie Carter, William Warren)

Hank Thompson released “The Wild Side of Life” in 1952, as a country song. Stewart dirties it up nicely and adds a nice southern boogie to the song with fighting guitars.

And who can’t love the chorus “I didn’t know God made Honky Tonk Angels, I might have known you’d never make a wife, you gave up the only one that ever loved you, and went on back to the wild side of life.”

Rod transforms the song from heartbreaking to a fun bar sing along. You should listen to Thompson’s original to hear the contrast. It is quite eye opening.

Grade: A+

“Wild Side of Life” has a nearly identical alternate mix version that appears on the deluxe version of “A Night on the Town”.

183. Trade Winds (Ralph MacDonald, William Salter)

There are very few Rod Stewart songs I dislike, even fewer that I would skip. “Trade Winds” is my least favorite Rod Stewart song. He sings well, but the lyrics are dorky, the song is overproduced, and the wailing of the back up singers drive me crazy…some people like it, I am not one of them.

Grade: F

The alternate version of “Trade Winds” is not as intrusive as the finished product on the plus side it ditches the obnoxious back up singers, but I still am not a fan. If you want to compare the two, you can find it on disc 2 of the deluxe version of “A Night on the Town”.

Stewart had a few songs trickle out of his A Night on the Town sessions, some from 1976, and one that was lost until it was unearthed, and it is a doozy.

184. Rosie (Rod Stewart)

Of all the songs regulated to the b-side of a single and a missed opportunity for it to be on an album, “Rosie” to me is the biggest miss. How a song about our Hero running away with a woman named Rosie with a lively band, funny lyrics with my favorite being “but no more head behind the bicycle shed, I’m getting married on a state welfare!”

Every time, I hear “Rosie” I rack my brain with the question “how in the world was this left off the album and the dredge that is “Trade Winds” make the cut. Oh, well with modern technology I can add it to the proper album and leave “Trade Winds” off.

Grade: A+

Two more versions of “Rosie” pop up on the deluxe version of “A Night on the Town” and “The Rod Stewart Sessions”. On the deluxe version, the lyrics are still being worked on, with it almost resembling the finished product.

My favorite version is the acoustic version on “The Rod Stewart Sessions” where the song loses the big band feel, leaving behind just Stewart singing his heart out with a guitar. Chills!

185. Get Back (John Lennon, Paul McCartney)

Rod contributed to the soundtrack of an odd film where stitched together footage from World War II is shown with covers of Beatles songs. The critics hated the film, the soundtrack did not fair much better. Rod was singled out however as delivering a winning version of “Get Back”.

Rod wasn’t a fan though, when it appeared for the first time on a Rod Stewart collection all he had to say was “What’s this doin’ ere?”

Grade: B+

An alternate take of “Get Back” appears on the deluxe version of “A Night on the Town”.

186. Share (Rod Stewart)

Wow. Another song written by Stewart that was strangely left of the album and I had to endure over 20 years of “Trade Winds”. You see I started really getting into Rod Stewart around 1988 when I was seven and I only had what he had released to that point, it would not be until 2009 “Share” was released to the delight of this Rod Stewart fan.

I keep harping on Stewart’s writing because he doesn’t get enough credit, take this nugget from our Hero “Someone else, there may well be, who could steal your heart away but in your heart she was the only one”

Just like the producer at the end of this song, “ya, lovely!”

Grade: A+

A Night on the Town was another Rod Stewart hit. Reaching number 1 in the UK and number 2 here in the States. Selling over 3 million copies in those two countries alone. Stewart was riding high. I am sure in his eyes he made the right decision to leave The Faces and his old way of making records behind. I agree with Stewart as well. His sound is more polished and his albums were starting to have much more depth. His Mercury days are fondly remembered for a reason, but Rod would continue to evolve and continue to make hit records.

Rod jumped right back into writing songs and recoding in the studio, in between world tours. Rod would record his next album, Footloose and Fancy Free from late 1976 to early 1977.

Footloose and Fancy Free November 4, 1977

187. Hot Legs (Rod Stewart, Gary Grainger)

Rod had ditched (that’s a little harsh) Britt Ekland and the format of his last two albums for a more straight rock ‘n’ roll album. No longer divided into two halves, Stewart dives into funk and hard rock.

Hot Legs was my favorite Rod Stewart song for a long time. It’s funny, pure rock ‘n’ roll of fighting guitars and with new drummer Carmine Appice a really driving beat.

Rod’s sense of humor is on full display. With the opening of the song gets you in the right mood, “Who’s that knockin’ on my door, it’s gotta be a quarter to four, is it you again coming ‘round for more?”

Grade: A+

An early take of “Hot Legs” appears on “The Rod Stewart Sessions”. It’s nearly identical with a slightly different mix and ends more abruptly.

188. You’re Insane (Rod Stewart, Phil Chen)

The funk and rock are on full display on “You’re Insane”. I don’t want to make any assumptions, but this song seems to be calling out Britt Ekland. She and Rod had a very public and nasty split. She sued him saying she is responsible for his new wealth…

Rod is nasty to the woman on question on the track, but the catchy music and chorus make this track a winner.

Grade: A-

189. You’re in My Heart (The Final Acclaim) (Rod Stewart)

The sing along to end all sing alongs. Rod sings sweetly and gently to the love of his life. It is up to the listener if that love is a woman, or football (soccer). I think it’s both.

Stewart name checks his favorite clubs in the song, but my favorite bit is “the big-bosomed lady, with the Dutch accent who tried to change my point of view.”

I adore this song and is always a highlight live.

Grade: A+

An acoustic version of “You’re in My Heart” appears on “The Rod Stewart Sessions”

190. Born Loose (Rod Stewart, Gary Grainger, Jim Cregan)

The wistful “You’re in My Heart” gives way to Stewart declaring he is not going to be faithful because he was “Born Loose”. This song feels like another response to Britt Ekland, who wanted to marry Stewart. Stewart had other ideas, in fact he told reporters in 1976, “Britt and I will never marry. I value my freedom. Britt is closer than any woman has ever been to me, but there is no question of marriage.” (I don’t know which newspaper this came from. It was in a poster book my dad gave me of Rod Stewart. When I asked my dad where he got the newspaper clipping from, he couldn’t remember.) Britt was not amused and told Midnight “It was very hurtful to hear Rod talk about not marrying me.”

Yikes.

Grade: B+

191. You Keep Me Hangin’ On (Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, Eddie Holland)

Rod took The Supremes monster hit and adds some sinister music to it. By doing this he strips it down to its emotional core.

Stewart also slows it way down, giving the song an organ intro that seems at home with the Phantom of the Opera. When the song kicks into gear it is a heavy rock song sung with gusto by Stewart. It might not be for everyone, especially with The Supremes version so etched into our minds.

Stewart delivers a hell of a performance, give the song a chance, it’s a brilliant cover.

Grade: A

192. (If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don’t Want to Be Right (Homer Banks, Carl Hampton, Raymond Jackson)

Stewart revisits a song that he first tried with The Faces that was to appear on “Ooh La La”. It didn’t make the cut.

A piano tinkle opens the song and it serves as a nice one-two punch with “You Keep Me Hangin’ On”.

Rod again is in top vocal form and you can tell by his singing that he adores this song. I don’t think it is quite as good as “You Keep Me Hangin’ On” but it is powerful. You should seek out the live version of this song that appears on “Absolutely Live: Deluxe Edition” it is awesome.

Grade: B

193. You Got a Nerve (Rod Stewart, Gary Grainger)

Another haunting break up song, sung with emotion and hurt by Stewart. If “Born Loose” and “You’re Insane” are hateful responses to his break up with Ekland, “You Got a Nerve” looks back more remorsefully at a crumbling relationship.

You can hear the hurt in Rod’s voice when he pleads, “Go away, go away, please please go away, I loved you once I don’t love you now, please please go away…”

Grade: A-

194. I Was Only Joking (Rod Stewart, Gary Grainger)

Two of Rod Stewart’s best written songs are on Footloose and Fancy Free. The previously mentioned “You’re in My Heart” and the absolute show stopper that is “I Was Only Joking”.

Conjuring up images of growing up, falling in love and just hanging with your friends is something we all relate to. Our Hero puts it into a wonderful song that has him”pouring his heart out in a song”.

This song touches me in my heart in a way I could never fully explain. A lot of my past loves and and I am sure my wife heard from me many times, “I was only joking”. When I think about my early life and where I am now, this song is always playing in the background of my slide show. I relate to it so much, with lyrics like, “now you ask me if I’m sincere, that’s the question that I always fear…”

Grade: A+

An acoustic version of “I Was Only Joking” appears on “The Rod Stewart Sessions”.

If A Night on the Town signaled the “new” Rod Stewart, Footloose and Fancy Free fully embraced it. The United Stated fully embraced this album as well as it sold over 3 million copies here alone. It soared to number 3 in the UK and number 2 on the Billboard Charts.

On The Rod Stewart Sessions us fans were promised a deluxe version of Footloose and Fancy Free. So on that compilation only one unheard song from those sessions was put on the album. We never got it due to supposedly weak sales of the deluxe versions of Atlantic Crossing and A Night on the Town. And while the song that was found is brilliant it wouldn’t be until 2021 that we would hear some of the promised songs.

195. Innocent (The Killing of Georgie Part III) (Rod Stewart)

Rod continues the journey of his friends death, this time detailing the other side, the murderer Billy’s trial. Rod details Billy’s plead of innocent with a driving rock beat, forgoing the acoustic feeling of the original “The Killing of Georgie”.

Another song I would love to have heard in its finished version, as the song as it appears on “The Rod Stewart Sessions” is somewhat drowned out by Appice’s drums, which Andy Zax explains they couldn’t bring Rod’s vocals up anymore.

It doesn’t matter though as the song is still brilliant.

Grade: A

196. You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me (Smokey Robinson)

A winning cover of Smokey Robinson’s 1962 hit. Here Rod Stewart’s band is playing restrained and in control with Rod’s vocals matching the performance of his band.

Rod would cover this song again over 30 years later, on his album Soulbook.

Grade: A

197. Honey, Let Me Be Your Man (Rod Stewart)

A super cool funky rock track that is so close to being finished. “Honey, Let Me Be Your Man” has a catchy chorus with some clever lyrics.

I feel like dancing every time the chorus starts, “Honey, let me be your man, do the best that I can.” It just has such a fun vibe to it. Oh, what might have been…

Grade: B+

198. Lost Love (Rod Stewart)

Rod returns to a bitter, jilted lover in “Lost Love”. Rod explains that he doesn’t need the love of a woman because “she’s gone and I am not too pleased, it doesn’t matter, I’ll move in with someone else by tomorrow.”

“Lost Love” is almost finished, more so than “Honey, Let Me Be Your Man”.

I do love the end verse where after the song and singer become longing and Rod snaps out of it telling us “Fuck her, I can do without her tomorrow”.

Grade: B+

Rod Stewart was riding a wave of highly successful albums, little did he and the public know that he was about to unleash his biggest, most divisive song ever.

Stay tuned for Part 6: In Which Our Hero Sells His Rock ‘N’ Roll Soul to the Disco Devil and Laughs All the Way to Hell and a Number One Smash Hit

Articles

Ryan’s 150 Favorite Movies: Number 144, MacGruber

One of the most frequent questions I am always asked being the host of the greatest movie podcast ever (opinions may vary) is “What’s your favorite movie?” That answer has been the same since I was 11 years old. But it also isn’t as easy to explain why I love some movies more than others.

As an art form, movies are by their nature interpretative. Some people will point to a film’s box office total as a barometer for a film’s quality, this might not be true again because although it might be popular to the masses it might not appeal to you. I am looking at you Avatar, which is not one of my favorite films, not by a longshot.  

Also, if the film wins an Academy Award for Best Picture, that hardly means it’s one of my favorite films, looking at you The English Patient, in fact I hardly agree with the Academy. Having said that, I am sure that some people love Avatar and The English Patient. And that’s what makes movies so great.

I, also am not a professional critic. I love film. I try and find merit in all film. As a host of a podcast that attempts to give every movie a chance, I believe that is the best way to approach movies, let the lights go out and try and enjoy yourself. You might find a “diamond in the rough.”

When thinking of my favorite movies to share with you, my loyal listeners, I thought 100 wasn’t going to be enough. So, I am proud to present my 150 Favorite Films, right now. These will change, I know they will.

See you at the movies!

***Spoilers Ahead!***

144. MacGruber (2010) Directed by Jorma Taccone

The Movie: A ruthless arms dealer Dieter Von Cunth (Val Kilmer) has in his possession a nuclear X-5 warhead and intends to use it. The United States knows only one man can stop him. He’s a former Navy SEAL, Green Beret and Army Ranger. He is MacGruber (Will Forte)!

MacGruber has been out of action since the murder of his fiancée Casey (Maya Rudolph) by Von Cunth, on their wedding day! Colonel Jim Faith (Powers Boothe) and Lieutenant Dixon Piper (Ryan Philippe) are unsuccessful in convincing MacGruber to help them.

That night, MacGruber is haunted in his dreams about Casey’s death and he goes to Washington to accept the mission. MacGruber does have one condition, he gets to pick his team, but not Piper, he “fucking hates” him.

MacGruber asks Vicki St. Elmo (Kristen Wiig) for help, she accepts. MacGruber next locates all the best men he knows (Chris Jericho, Mark Henry, Hassan Hamin Assad, Dalip Singh, Glenn Jacobs and Paul Wight). And then accidentally blows them up. MacGruber begs Piper to join him after he tells him “Just point to something in the room and I’ll fuck it for you! Just tell me what you want me to fuck!”

After announcing that he is alive and is looking for Von Cunth and where he will be, MacGruber, Piper and Vicki set up a sting operation, with Vicki disguised as MacGruber. This lures Von Cunth’s henchman Hoss Bender (Andy Mackenzie) out whom MacGruber kills, “Hoss Bender, dead at the age of who the fuck cares.”

After MacGruber and his team crash Von Cunth’s party, MacGruber explains to Piper why he and Von Cunth hate each other. In college they were all friends, until MacGruber had an affair with Casey and told her to abort Von Cunth’s baby.

After using Piper as a body shield and not knowing Piper was wearing a bullet proof vest, Piper leaves the team. Vicki and MacGruber return to her home and have sex. Ashamed, MacGruber visits Casey’s grave, where she appears as a ghost and gives her blessing for MacGruber and Vicki to date, and then he has sex with her ghost.

When MacGruber returns to Vicki’s he finds Von Cunth has kidnapped her. MacGruber begs Piper to hep him stop Von Cunth and rescue Vicki, Piper agrees. Before Von Cunth can launch the warhead, MacGruber and Piper defeat him and his goons. MacGruber removes the missile’s guidance system and makes it so it can’t fly, handcuffs Von Cunth to the missile and leaves him to die. The missile explodes, but we see Von Cunth has cut his hand off and escapes as well.

Six months later at Vicki and MacGruber’s wedding, Von Cunth returns. Determined to kill MacGruber he pulls out a rocket launcher. MacGruber, however beats Von Cunth again, throws him off a cliff and shoots him with a machine gun and blows him up with a RPG as he falls. When his charred corpse lies on the canyon floor, MacGruber pees all over it. MacGruber!

Why I Love MacGruber: Easy, it’s funny and stupid and profane. A silly skit on Saturday Night Live, morphed into a hard R-rated film that aims to make you laugh and cringe at the same time. I could quote this movie all day;

Col. Faith: They were nice funerals.

MacGruber: Yeah. What did you think of my eulogies?

Col. Faith: Very touching. I might have cut back on the F-words a little.

MacGruber: Well, they were fucking great guys. And this is a fucking asshole of a day.

The only way a movie like this works is if all the actors are committed to the premise. And they are and then some. The hardest part is easily Ryan Phillippe’s. He has to be the straight man to all of MacGruber’s shenanigans and he excels. His performance relies on him believing that MacGruber is an idiot, but following him anyways. Kristen Wiig is an all-star too. She is incredibly talented and funny and her love for MacGruber makes her endearing. Will Forte is the crutch that holds it all together. He needs to think he’s cool when he is not, but when the chips are down he shows how great MacGruber is.

Directed with a break neck pace and understanding of absurd humor, Jorma Taccone flexes his comedic muscle and timing with great results.

My wife hates this movie. I took her to see it in theaters and she hasn’t forgiven me, almost 13 years later. Although she will never laugh at the film, I will leave you with another classic MacGruber exchange;

MacGruber: Looks like you’re keeping your bod pretty tight.

Korver: You’re looking pretty good yourself.

MacGruber: Well, everyday’s a workout when you gotta carry around a twenty pound python in your jeans.

Korver: You and your dick comments.

MacGruber: It’s fun to say them.

Korver: It’s fun to hear them.

MacGruber: That’s why I say them.

Korver: And that’s why I listen.

Articles

Ryan’s 150 Favorite Movies: Number 145, Gone with the Wind

One of the most frequent questions I am always asked being the host of the greatest movie podcast ever (opinions may vary) is “What’s your favorite movie?” That answer has been the same since I was 11 years old. But it also isn’t as easy to explain why I love some movies more than others.

As an art form, movies are by their nature interpretative. Some people will point to a film’s box office total as a barometer for a film’s quality, this might not be true again because although it might be popular to the masses it might not appeal to you. I am looking at you Avatar, which is not one of my favorite films, not by a longshot.  

Also, if the film wins an Academy Award for Best Picture, that hardly means it’s one of my favorite films, looking at you The English Patient, in fact I hardly agree with the Academy. Having said that, I am sure that some people love Avatar and The English Patient. And that’s what makes movies so great.

I, also am not a professional critic. I love film. I try and find merit in all film. As a host of a podcast that attempts to give every movie a chance, I believe that is the best way to approach movies, let the lights go out and try and enjoy yourself. You might find a “diamond in the rough.”

When thinking of my favorite movies to share with you, my loyal listeners, I thought 100 wasn’t going to be enough. So, I am proud to present my 150 Favorite Films, right now. These will change, I know they will.

See you at the movies!

***Spoilers Ahead!***

145. Gone with the Wind (1939) (Directed by Victor Fleming)

The Movie: It’s the eve of the Civil War and at the O’Hara’s cotton plantation we meet Scarlett O’Hara (Vivien Leigh) who is fawning over Ashley Wilkes (Leslie Howard) and learns of his impending marriage to her cousin Melanie Hamilton (Olivia de Havilland).

At an engagement party the following day, Scarlett is rejected by Ashley, but Rhett Butler (Clark Gable) has been taken by Scarlett’s beauty. When the men at the party hear of President Lincoln’s call for volunteers, the men instead leave the party to fight for the Confederacy.

In a way to get back at not only Ashley but Melanie, Scarlett marries Melanie’s younger brother Charles (Rand Brooks). Charles is killed in battle and in an act of defiance, Scarlett dances with Rhett while in mourning attire.

After many of the men in Scarlett’s town of Tara now dead from the war and the tide of the war turning in favor of the Union, Melanie gives birth and Rhett leaves to fight in the war.

Scarlett returns home and finds that her town deserted. The only ones still there are her father, sisters and her slaves Mammy (Hattie McDaniel) and Pork (Oscar Polk). Scarlett’s mother is dead and her father has lost his mind, Scarlett makes a vow to ensure her family survives the war.

The war is over and the Confederacy has lost (good) and Ashley returns, confesses his love for Scarlett which leads to them kissing. Ashley however tells Scarlett he will not leave Melanie. The O’Hara’s, unable to pay taxes must find a way to. Scarlett marries Frank Kennedy (Carroll Nye) who was to marry her sister Suellen.

Frank however is killed in a shanty town, and after his funeral Rhett proposes to Scarlett, she accepts.

Rhett and Scarlett have a child together named Bonnie Blue. Scarlett however is not happy and still cares a torch for Ashley. She also refuses to have any more children or share a bed with Rhett. This leads to more backstabbing within the family, which culminates at Ashley’s birthday party. Rhett gets drunk and he argues with Scarlett over Ashley. Rhett forcibly kisses Scarlett and carries her up the stairs.

Appalled by his behavior Rhett asks for a divorce, which Scarlett denies. Rhett leaves for England, and when he returns, Scarlett informs him that she is pregnant. They argue, and Scarlett falls down the stairs and suffers a miscarriage.

Scarlett is slowly recovering for her miscarriage when her other daughter, Bonnie Blue dies riding a horse. More tragedies strike as Melanie is dying from complications of her pregnancy. Scarlett consoles Ashley and Rhett decides he is going to leave Atlanta. Scarlett begs him to stay as she realizes that she loved Rhett all along, not Ashley. Rhett is not persuaded and rides out of town.

Why I Love Gone with the Wind: Despite its many problems, Gone with the Wind is Golden Age Hollywood at its most epic. Clocking in at nearly 4 hours, the film soars with drama and romance.

The film is legendary for a reason and it is a triumph of cinema. And while it can be hard to get over the sympathetic view of the Confederacy and the haphazard approach to slavery, it doesn’t take away from the sheer power of the film.

Clark Gable commands the screen as Rhett. His presence elevates his character, and despite some rather questionable character moments he is easy to fall in love with.

Vivien Leigh too is very good as the love sick, hopeless romantic Scarlett O’Hara. And she too has some not desirable character traits, her charm helps make her less desirable moments melt away.

How this film came together is also legendary. From false starts to changing of the director from George Cukor to Victor Fleming, who had to take a break due to exhaustion. The producer on the film, David O. Selznick also delayed the start of production for nearly two years waiting for Gable to be available.

The film is also notable for Hattie McDaniel’s Academy Award winning role as Mammy. She became the first African-American to win an Oscar. The premiere of the film was a slap in the face to Ms. McDaniel as she wasn’t allowed to attend it due to it being in segregated Atlanta. David O. Selznick asked if she could, and Clark Gable refused to go unless McDaniel could attend. McDaniel however convinced Gable to attend and he did reluctantly.

Despite its length and flaws, Gone with the Wind is a true Hollywood epic. A landmark film that is a grand rose colored look at Southern life during the Civil War.

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Ryan’s 150 Favorite Movies: Number 146, Rambo: First Blood Part II

One of the most frequent questions I am always asked being the host of the greatest movie podcast ever (opinions may vary) is “What’s your favorite movie?” That answer has been the same since I was 11 years old. But it also isn’t as easy to explain why I love some movies more than others.

As an art form, movies are by their nature interpretative. Some people will point to a film’s box office total as a barometer for a film’s quality, this might not be true again because although it might be popular to the masses it might not appeal to you. I am looking at you Avatar, which is not one of my favorite films, not by a longshot.  

Also, if the film wins an Academy Award for Best Picture, that hardly means it’s one of my favorite films, looking at you The English Patient, in fact I hardly agree with the Academy. Having said that, I am sure that some people love Avatar and The English Patient. And that’s what makes movies so great.

I, also am not a professional critic. I love film. I try and find merit in all film. As a host of a podcast that attempts to give every movie a chance, I believe that is the best way to approach movies, let the lights go out and try and enjoy yourself. You might find a “diamond in the rough.”

When thinking of my favorite movies to share with you, my loyal listeners, I thought 100 wasn’t going to be enough. So, I am proud to present my 150 Favorite Films, right now. These will change, I know they will.

See you at the movies!

***Spoilers Ahead!***

146. Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985) (Directed by George P. Cosmatos)

The Movie: It’s been three years since John Rambo’s (Sylvester Stallone) incident in Hope, Washington and Rambo has been in prison. One day Rambo receives a visit from Colonel Trautman (Richard Crenna). Trautman tells Rambo that there are still POW’s held captive in Vietnam. Rambo agrees to go on a solo mission to confirm that there are POW’s still in Vietnam. Rambo agrees, but only if he is pardoned.

Rambo meets Murdock (Charles Napier) in Thailand, who instructs Rambo to only take pictures if he finds any POWs not to rescue them.

As Rambo attempts to airdrop into Vietnam but his parachute gets caught in the airplane door. Rambo doesn’t panic he just cuts himself free. But now he is only equipped with knives and his trusty bow and arrow.

Rambo meets Co Bao (Julia Nickson) who arranges passage up a river by pirates. When Rambo gets to the army camp, he not only finds it occupied but there is also POWs with one of them tied to a cross dying. Against his orders, Rambo frees the POW and flees.

While trying to get away, Rambo learns that the pirates betrayed him (surprise!). But Rambo has a surprise too, an RPG.

Rambo is able to make it to the extraction point only to learn that he has been betrayed by Murdock, who had no intention of saving the POWs or using any of the intel Rambo had gathered.

Rambo is soon captured and learns that the Vietnamese Army is working with the Soviets! After being tortured Rambo decides that he will take matters into his own hands and defeat the Soviets, the Vietnamese and save the POWs.

Why I Love Rambo: First Blood Part II: Um easy, it’s totally badass. First Blood, is a good movie that explores the treatment of our Veterans as they returned from Vietnam, and the PTSD those brave soldiers endured. First Blood: Part II basically said “fuck that, let’s just make Rambo a total badass, killing machine, one man army.”

Stallone is up to the challenge as he commands the screen with his physical prowess and his intense acting. The movie never lets up. It’s 96 minutes of almost non-stop action and over the top violence.

George P. Cosmatos lends a capable hand in directing action, in fact he would go on and direct Stallone again in Cobra and the awesome Tombstone.

When I think of 80’s action films, First Blood Part II is the type of film I think of. Violent, lead actor with huge muscles, and catchy one-liners.

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Ryan’s 150 Favorite Movies: Number 147, Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith

One of the most frequent questions I am always asked being the host of the greatest movie podcast ever (opinions may vary) is “What’s your favorite movie?” That answer has been the same since I was 11 years old. But it also isn’t as easy to explain why I love some movies more than others.

As an art form, movies are by their nature interpretative. Some people will point to a film’s box office total as a barometer for a film’s quality, this might not be true again because although it might be popular to the masses it might not appeal to you. I am looking at you Avatar, which is not one of my favorite films, not by a longshot.  

Also, if the film wins an Academy Award for Best Picture, that hardly means it’s one of my favorite films, looking at you The English Patient, in fact I hardly agree with the Academy. Having said that, I am sure that some people love Avatar and The English Patient. And that’s what makes movies so great.

I, also am not a professional critic. I love film. I try and find merit in all film. As a host of a podcast that attempts to give every movie a chance, I believe that is the best way to approach movies, let the lights go out and try and enjoy yourself. You might find a “diamond in the rough.”

When thinking of my favorite movies to share with you, my loyal listeners, I thought 100 wasn’t going to be enough. So, I am proud to present my 150 Favorite Films, right now. These will change, I know they will.

See you at the movies!

***Spoilers Ahead!***

147. Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005) (Directed by George Lucas)

The Movie: Set three years after Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones, Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) and Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) are sent to save a kidnapped Supreme Chancellor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid) from the clutches of General Grievous (Matthew Wood).

On Grievous’ ship, Anakin and Obi-Wan battle the Sith Lord Count Dooku (Christopher Lee). After he is defeated by Anakin, Anakin decapitates him, with a little encouragement from Palpatine.

Soon Anakin is reunited with Padme (Natalie Portman) who he secretly married. Padme informs Anakin she is pregnant. Anakin is excited, but is soon haunted by nightmares that Padme will die during childbirth.

Having saved Palpatine, Anakin is appointed by Palpatine to the Jedi Council as his personal representive, which they agree to, under one condition, Anakin will not be a Jedi Master, they want him to spy on Palpatine. Anakin slowly begins to not trust the Jedi Council.

Palpatine slowly preys on Anakin’s insecurities and teases him that with the Dark Side of the Force informing Anakin he could save someone he loves from death…

Meantime, Obi-Wan finds Grievous and kills him because he is Obi-Wan. Yoda (Frank Oz) is now at the Wookie planet of Kashyyyk to help defend it from the Separatists.

Anakin is soon not fooled by Palpatine, he figures out that he is a Sith Lord and reports his findings to Mace Windu (Samuel L. Jackson). Windu attacks Palpatine and has him defeated. Anakin, however severs Windu’s hand allowing Palpatine to kill him. Anakin pledges himself to Palpatine and the Sith. He is soon named, Darth Vader!

Palpatine issues Order 66, which sees the Jedi hunted down and assassinated. Vader infiltrates the Jedi Temple and helps kill all the Jedi there, including the children.

Vader travels to Mustafar to kill the remaining Separatist Leaders, and Palpatine declares himself Emperor at the Galactic Senate. Telling the Senate that the Jedi are traitors.

Yoda and Obi-Wan learn of Anakin’s transformation into Darth Vader. Yoda tells Obi-Wan to find and destroy Vader, he will deal with Palpatine. Obi-Wan heads to Mustafar after he stowaways on Padme’s ship as she wants to confront Anakin after learning what he has done. Yoda stays behind and faces Palpatine, their battle ends, with no winner and Yoda realizes he cannot defeat Palpatine and flees Coruscant.

On Mustafar, Padme confronts Vader. She pleads with him to change his ways. When Obi-Wan reveals himself to Vader, he believes that Padme betrayed him. A lightsaber battle ensues with Vader suffering catastrophic injuries. Obi-Wan leaves him to die, but Vader is rescued by Palpatine.

Padme does indeed die during childbirth and her children are sent to separate plants, Leia to Alderaan and Luke to Tatooine.

Why I Love Revenge of the Sith: By 2005 I did not know what to expect from Star Wars. The Phantom Menace was one of the biggest disappointments for me personally seeing a film on opening day. It still is my least favorite Star Wars film. Three years later, Attack of the Clones I thought was better but I still wasn’t sold on the prequels.

Revenge of the Sith to me, brought Star Wars back to a place I love. Yes, some of the dialogue is corny and awful, my favorite being, “From my point of view, the Jedi are evil!” But the moment when Padme and Obi-Wan plead with Vader to not give into the Dark Side is brilliant with all the actors bringing their A-Game. My favorite exchange being,

Darth Vader: “If you’re not with me, then you’re my enemy.

Obi-Wan: “Only a Sith deals in absolutes…I will do what I must”

Darth Vader: “You will try.”

The final battle between Obi-Wan and Darth Vader is so heartbreaking and awesome. The scene is full of energy and the music by John Williams is some of his best. Also, George Lucas demonstrates his real knack for directing action and telling a story within the action.

Revenge of the Sith restored my faith in Star Wars, in fact it made me like The Phantom Menace a little more. With a powerful story of love lost and betrayal, plus the birth of the greatest villain in movie history, Revenge of the Sith is Star Wars at its most entertaining.

Articles

Ryan’s 150 Favorite Movies: Number 148, The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)

One of the most frequent questions I am always asked being the host of the greatest movie podcast ever (opinions may vary) is “What’s your favorite movie?” That answer has been the same since I was 11 years old. But it also isn’t as easy to explain why I love some movies more than others.

As an art form, movies are by their nature interpretative. Some people will point to a film’s box office total as a barometer for a film’s quality, this might not be true again because although it might be popular to the masses it might not appeal to you. I am looking at you Avatar, which is not one of my favorite films, not by a longshot.  

Also, if the film wins an Academy Award for Best Picture, that hardly means it’s one of my favorite films, looking at you The English Patient, in fact I hardly agree with the Academy. Having said that, I am sure that some people love Avatar and The English Patient. And that’s what makes movies so great.

I, also am not a professional critic. I love film. I try and find merit in all film. As a host of a podcast that attempts to give every movie a chance, I believe that is the best way to approach movies, let the lights go out and try and enjoy yourself. You might find a “diamond in the rough.”

When thinking of my favorite movies to share with you, my loyal listeners, I thought 100 wasn’t going to be enough. So, I am proud to present my 150 Favorite Films, right now. These will change, I know they will.

See you at the movies!

***Spoilers Ahead!***

148. The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938) (Directed by Michael Curtiz and William Keighley)

The Movie: After being captured by the Duke of Leopold during The Crusades, King Richard cannot oversee his kingdom. That leaves his nefarious brother, Prince John (of course Claude Rains) to rule over England. Prince John, with the help of Sir Guy of Gisbourne (Basil Rathbone) raise the taxes on the Saxons, telling them it’s for the King’s ransom.

A noble Saxon, Sir Robin of Locksley (Errol Flynn) steps up to save the land.

Robin confronts Prince John at a banquet, and calls him a traitor for declaring himself regent. Outraged, Prince John orders Robin’s execution, Robin however, escapes with his trusty friends, Much, the Miller’s Son and Will Scarlet (O’Hara, Mel Brooks joke, score!) into the Sherwood Forest.

Soon Robin becomes an outlaw, and forms his Merry Men. Those joining the ranks are John the Little (Alan Hale), Friar Tuck (Eugene Pallette). Their mission; steal from the rich and give to the poor.

Along the way Robin humiliates Sir Guy, the Sheriff of Nottingham (Melville Cooper), their friends and falls in love with Maid Marian (Olivia de Havilland).

Knowing that Robin is a great archer and in a rouse to lure him out, Prince John hosts an archery tournament, with the winner receiving a golden arrow from Marian. Robin is in disguise, but his brilliant archery skills fool no one and he is soon revealed. Robin is captured and sentenced to death. Marian and The Merry Men have other ideas and rescue Robin, who confesses his love to Marian and escapes to Sherwood Forest.

Unknown to Robin, King Richard (Ian Hunter) has returned in disguise. After proving his worthiness and loyalty, King Richard reveals himself to Robin and they devise a plan to stop Prince John and his compadres.

Disguised as monks Robin and King Richard enter the castle and reveal themselves to Prince John, and a fight ensues. Robin duels Sir Guy, and of course wins and slays the no-good Grisbourne.

King Richard throws Prince John out of his Kingdom and gives Robin the title of Baron of Locksley, and Earl of Sherwood and Nottingham, and in a total 1938 move, King Richard orders Robin to take Marian as his wife and the two leave the castle.

Why I Love The Adventures of Robin Hood: Having grown up loving Disney’s 1973 Robin Hood, I was immediately taken with perhaps the greatest adaptation ever.

Errol Flynn is the ultimate Robin Hood. He is handsome, dashing, charming and a brilliant fighter. Flynn embodies what it takes to be Robin. As time went on most films now depict a dour and tough Robin. I will take mine dashing and funny (and if it’s not Flynn, either a fox or Cary Elwes).

The film is the definition of a swashbuckling adventure. The sword play is first rate, with style and humor throughout. Olivia de Havilland is the picture perfect Marian, beautiful and resourceful and tough. When Robin first asks for her hand in marriage she declines, instead wishing to stay on as a spy for the hero.

You can’t talk about how great The Adventures of Robin Hood is without mentioning the stunning Technicolor cinematography by Tony Gaudio and Sol Polito. The film is a shimmering example of the three strip color process.

From start to finish, The Adventures of Robin Hood is without a doubt one of the finest examples of the archer hero. A wonderful, Technicolor marvel that showcases the best of early Hollywood.

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