David Letterman Out of Retirement to Give Top Ten Facts About Donald Trump!

Thanksgiving's Best Movie: Planes, Trains & Automobiles

This is sort of a re-run of a post I ran last year, but I ran it after Thanksgiving, which kind of defeated the purpose of the post. Planes, Trains and Automobiles is probably the best--and certainly the funniest--Thanksgiving-themed movie ever.

I would say the list for that genre is pretty short, but even if it wasn't, Planes, Trains and Automobiles would still have no trouble making the top of that list.

Starring Steve Martin and John Candy, it contains more laughs per minute than most comedies, maybe even surpassing Airplane! and What's Up, Doc? Marred only by a sappy ending, and an atrocious 80s soundtrack, it is simply one of the best comedies of all time. Surely John Candy's best movie, and possibly Steve Martin's as well (though All of Me might nudge it out), PT&A can leave you laughing days later, and you'll be quoting it for years to come: "I want a f***ing car, right f***ing now!"

WARNING: Clips may contain hilarious profanity (and had to be rearranged this year, due to changes in the YouTubes). . .



#1 - Car Rental - This clip with Edie McClurg is one of the funniest scenes in comedy history, and was severly butchered in TV airings. Enjoy it uncut here.

#2 - Those Aren't Pillows! - John Candy & Steve Martin share a romantic moment.

#3 - Doin' the Mess Around - When I hear this song, I don't think of Ray Charles, I think of John Candy.

#4 - You're Going the Wrong Way! - How do they know where we're going?

And a bonus, the trailer for the film.

 

To Show or Not to Show: The Osama bin Laden Death Photos

I could honestly go either way on this one. I'm not easily grossed out, so I'm not all oogy about seeing real-life gore, necessarily. But I'm also leery of giving in to ridiculous requests, so if this is all about appeasing the nascent "deathers" conspiracy theorists, I say "nay."

[Excerpt]

"Put Edwina back in bowl!" Sorry, but he just reminds
me of Richard Libertini's Prahka Lasa from All of Me
Image from Raw Story

News organizations press White House to release visual proof of bin Laden’s death



The Associated Press and other news organizations have officially taken the position that President Barack Obama should release visual proof of Osama bin Laden's death, claiming that without this level of transparency the White House is essentially deciding what is and is not newsworthy. . .
 
Read more at: Raw Story

What Happens in Vegas: Lily Tomlin's Not Playing With a Full Deck

I've loved Lily Tomlin since before I knew her name. When I was a very little kid, she was Edith Ann and Ernestine on Rowan & Martin's Laugh In. Later, she starred in The Incredible Shrinking Woman, 9 to 5, All of Me and Big Business alongside luminaries like Dolly Parton, Jane Fonda, Steve Martin and Bette Midler. Through it all, I was there. Whenever she even has a bit part in something I'm interested. And she's coming to Vegas! Woo-hoo!



Lily Tomlin will make her Strip debut at MGM Grand on Nov. 10.

Thanksgiving's Best Movie: Planes, Trains & Automobiles

This is sort of a re-run of a post I ran last year, but I ran it after Thanksgiving, which kind of defeated the purpose of the post. Planes, Trains and Automobiles is probably the best--and certainly the funniest--Thanksgiving-themed movie ever.

I would say the list for that genre is pretty short, but even if it wasn't, Planes, Trains and Automobiles would still have no trouble making the top of that list.

Starring Steve Martin and John Candy, it contains more laughs per minute than most comedies, maybe even surpassing Airplane! and What's Up, Doc? Marred only by a sappy ending, and an atrocious 80s soundtrack, it is simply one of the best comedies of all time. Surely John Candy's best movie, and possibly Steve Martin's as well (though All of Me might nudge it out), PT&A can leave you laughing days later, and you'll be quoting it for years to come: "I want a f***ing car, right f***ing now!"

WARNING: Clips may contain hilarious profanity (and had to be rearranged this year, due to changes in the YouTubes). . .

#1 - Car Rental - This clip with Edie McClurg is one of the funniest scenes in comedy history, and was severly butchered in TV airings. Enjoy it uncut here.

#2 - Those Aren't Pillows! - John Candy & Steve Martin share a romantic moment.

#3 - Doin' the Mess Around - When I hear this song, I don't think of Ray Charles, I think of John Candy.

#4 - You're Going the Wrong Way! - How do they know where we're going?

My Favorite Movies: Comedy Edition #1

It's been a while since I posted one of these types of posts, and it's long overdue. Politics are important to me, but it can be dreadfully dry, and make me seem single-minded and screechy. So, here's something fun you can enjoy.

Some of my favorite movies are comedies. But in my opinion, they just don't make them like they used to. Whether they're straight-ahead comedy or spoofs, most of today's funny films don't seem to me like they'll hold up to the test of time. Spoofs in particular--while still full of funny moments--are so scatter shot these days. You have to go back to the days of Airplane! or early Mel Brooks to find some of the truly inspired comedy films. Here are some of my favorites.




#1 - Hot Shots! - By some of the makers of the original Airplane!, this parody of Top Gun never lets up, and is funny from beginning to end. Charlie Sheen really shines in this type of comedy, and Lloyd Bridges is inspired casting. This one must be watched repeatedly to catch all the gags.

#2 - All of Me - This is one of Steve Martin's best comedies, chock full of comedy gold, and quotable lines. Lily Tomlin was also at her peak. But check out how they made movie trailers in the early 80s. . . There is an art form that has only improved.

#3 - High Anxiety - Not one of Mel Brooks' most popular films, but one of my favorites. Madeline Kahn, Cloris Leachman, Harvey Korman. . .who could ask for more? In this extended clip, watch for the infamous obscene phone call bit at about 3:20.

#4 - Top Secret! - Another one from the makers of Airplane!, but surely one of their more obscure ones. Val Kilmer is dynamite in his first role, and the gags here are loopier than in the other spoof films. This film demands repeated viewings. Even the trailer for the film is funny.

Movies I Love: Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Thanksgiving may be over, and the Christmas spending orgy already commencing, but that doesn't mean we can't enjoy a good Thanksgiving movie this weekend, does it? I would say the list for that genre is pretty short, but even if it wasn't, Planes, Trains and Automobiles would still have no trouble making the top of that list.

Starring Steve Martin and John Candy, it contains more laughs per minute than most comedies, maybe even surpassing Airplane! and What's Up, Doc? Marred only by a sappy ending, and an atrocious 80s soundtrack, it is simply one of the best comedies of all time. Surely John Candy's best movie, and possibly Steve Martin's as well (though All of Me might nudge it out), PT&A can leave you laughing days later, and you'll be quoting it for years to come: "I want a f***ing car, right f***ing now!"

WARNING: Clips may contain hilarious profanity. . .

#1 - Car Rental - This clip with Edie McClurg is one of the funniest scenes in comedy history, and was severly butchered in TV airings. Enjoy it uncut here.

#2 - Doin' the Mess Around - I can't hear this Ray Charles song without picturing John Candy. I can't.

#3 - You're Going the Wrong Way! - How do they know where we're going?

#4 - Gus' Son, Owen - A very unplesant ride to Wichita. . .