Avid Insomnia or Desire To Indulge in Things I Enjoy?

I can't be sure, but it seems the last few days have brought about a desire to spew my thoughts into my blog. It's been a while since I've done any "serious" blogging (It's never serious, you know that). I have not been sleeping much, which is not out of the ordinary, but I've been sleeping less. I'm sure the bloodshot eyes and dark circles suggest as much.

I obviously have a fondness for the 80's, I try to look and act like a regular person (albeit not very hard), but no matter what I do.... it just sort of looks like the 80's threw up on me. I don't even try anymore, it's not worth it. I'm just stuck... like in that Bowling For Soup song 1984 (but, you know without the children and yellow suv) 

Anyway, there was something about films (animated or not) from the 80's that newer movies seem to be lacking. We all know that newer films, generally speaking, are lacking many things... but there was something magical and charming about the 80's. As an adult, I can still see this in the work--granted my nostalgia is sure to blind me a bit. Very few newer movies can bring about those same feelings of wonder... the newest Muppet installation was a pleasant surprise in that area. Hooray for Jason Segal! (And the villagers rejoiced)

Everything now is all about being bigger and better, and exploding (in the true Tim Taylor sense) with more power. Special FX, all done on computers, leaving creatures and animitronics in the dust. I'm a purist, I suppose. I still prefer my FX to be "real" if that makes any sense. It's one of the things that I really liked about the Silent Hill movie, there were dudes in strange rubber suits and contortionist ladies in makeup running all over the place. The computer FX, I'm sure enhanced things, but there was something real about it... which I enjoyed.

Anywho, I am going off on a tangent... Here are a few of my favorite moments from movies of times past. Enjoy!

My Brother Is A Vampire!

Mmmmm.... Juice!

It's The MEGA B*TCH!

Flight of Dragons Opening Song - By Don McLean

A lil' Inigo action for you.... classic

The Death of Artax -- One of the saddest scenes ever.

The Birth Of Legends

Down Here... Down Here It's Our Time

Fizzgig Has A Fit

Everybody should try and get dead....

WOLFMAN'S GOT NARDS!

What's Your Favorite Movie?

So, I am close to finishing up my semester of teaching, and as such am running low on activities for my class. I decided to do an "extra credit" movie which the students would have to answer questions on. We're working on group cohesion. So, I chose an 80's film with a definite group and had them explain how the group was using or failing to use each of the 8 cohesiveness factors from our book. The film, The Breakfast Club, of course.

While a few students seemed excited at the prospect, there was still an unnerving amount that either had no idea what the movie was or was disheartened that we were watching another terrible 80's movie instead of something good. (How dare you! Fie! Fie on you!) Which leads me to my next, but not terribly closely related point.....

I find it strange when someone can narrow their movie preferences to just one "favorite." That has to either be the epitome of fanaticism or a lie. I cannot fathom having just ONE favorite movie. In fact, I have trouble limiting my choice to a top 10 favorite movies. I'll usually name about 15 or 20 before stopping and realizing that everyone around me is confused or bored.... but afterwards, I'll always be thinking... Well, you know, I really love this move, why isn't it on my list? 

So, for all of you out there who care (or were bored enough to come to my blog), here's a list of some of my favorite films of all time (most of which WERE made in the 80's).

   In no particular order.....

1. The Princess Bride
2. Labyrinth
3. Legend
4. The Dark Crystal
5. The Flight of Dragons
6. The 10th Kingdom
7. The Empire Strikes Back
8. The Rocky Horror Picture Show
9. Hedwig and The Angry Inch
10. The Court Jester
11. Hans Christian Anderson
12. Space Camp
13. Back to The Future 
14. Army of Darkness
15. The Goonies
16. The Outsiders
17. Stand By Me
18. Hiding Out
19. Pretty in Pink
20. Blade Runner
21. Logan's Run
22. Flash Gordon
23. Beverly Hills Cop 3
24. Ghostbusters
25. The Blues Brothers
26. Midnight Hour
27. The NeverEnding Story
28. The Lost Boys
29. Monster Squad
30. Teen Wolf
31. Drop Dead Fred
32. Adventures In Babysitting

                .....and I should probably stop now.... though I'm sure that I'll remember more later and feel sad that I didn't add them to the list..... Of course now, hours later I'm thinking... What about Mother Goose Rock N. Rhyme, Real Genius and Little Monsters.... gah!