'She's Having a Baby' retrospective.

(courtesy of Paramount Pictures)

Hola y que tal?

The death of John Hughes on August the 6th left quite the void in me that I decided in his honor to view some of his best work: films such as "Sixteen Candles", The Breakfast Club", "Pretty In Pink", "Ferris Bueller's Day Off", and "Planes, Trains & Automobiles. But the film that resonates the most, is the one most consider his worst, or his biggest commercial failure: "She's Having a Baby".

Released back in early 1988, the film came out after "Planes, Trains & Automobiles" which was a big hit for Hughes and its stars, Steve Martin and the late John Candy. But for some obscure reason, no one was ready for a more adult Hughes who dared to question the purpose of marriage, the need for economic stability and finally, the joys and trials of parenthood. Most were content with his cutesy, but often meaty teen movies and subsequent kiddie movies such as, "Home Alone" and "Beethoven". They didn't want a movie that actually made its audience think, laugh and even feel. Personally, I think it was a 'timing' issue. If "Baby" had been released before "Planes", it might've stood a chance, but we'll never know now.

The film feels somewhat autobiographical in tone which is why it succeeds as well as it does. Kevin Bacon plays Jake, a 20-something college student marrying his high school sweetheart (played wonderfully by Elizabeth McGovern), but on the verge of getting cold feet. His superficial best friend (played with brilliant smugness by Alec Baldwin in one of his better roles) tries to talk him out of it (he has his own agenda, of course), but upon marrying her, he must now grow up and be stabilized; this means a career that pays, a house in the suburbs and the good life. Still, he questions the validity of it all..but then, he's thrust into fatherhood.

Many critics were unkind to this film and audiences ignored it in droves; but much like Sam Mendes' "American Beauty" which succesfully combined humor with human drama, John Hughes should've been lauded for making a very stark, very poignant film about the tragedy, pratfall, even joy that is life.

Rent (or buy) this gem of a film. It really was Hughes' best film work.

John Hughes
1950-2009

My birthday weekend (with COLT star Skye Woods).

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John Hughes: A Tribute.

Hola mis amigos:

I just learned some sad news. Director John Hughes who made some of the best teen/kiddie comedies passed away this past Thursday while visiting in New York City. I must say, he is a great influence in my life as far as film and writing.

Now you're probably saying "Who really gives a shit". Well, he might not have been as famous as say...Bea, Kronkite, Farrah and of course, Michael, but anyone who has ever felt or been labelled "freak, weird, geek, awkward, dweebie", he was a powerful voice for. He made being a square cool for all of us weirdos and yeah...he made a "hot beef injection" sound really cool.

Watch "Sixteen Candles, Breakfast Club, Ferris Bueller's Day Off", and my fave, "She's Having a Baby" and you'll see the gentle genius behind the man.

R.I.P. 1950 - 2009

SPLASH: Man Bar Fridays.

Hola Hola Hola y muchas gracias.

Okay, what's a 'cub' reporter to do on a Friday night (other than stay home eating nacho chips, drinking bottles of Pepsi and watching Matthew Rush DVDs all night long)? Well, my good friend Max Scott (www.maxscottevents.com) has got a nice thing going on Friday nights at Splash on 50 West 17th Street. It's called 'Man Bar Fridays'. It's kind of a throwback to old school Disco shows, but with the added pleasure of some live go-go boy entertainment.

The party usually gets underway about 11-ish or so and before it even starts, you get to strut your heiny on the dance floor while smooth-skinned, muscled go-go boys provide the eye candy. Yeah sure, tip 'em a buck and they'll be your best friend...for about two nths of a nanosecond. The two main headliners on the Friday I went is my good friend, go-go bear extraordinaire Jonny Mack (http://web.me.com/jonnymack) and Brazilian god Torez who both put on a blazingly hot sex show with ropes and military khakis. Okay, I know what you're thinking and no, it didn't segue into a XXX throwdown. Splash, is of course, a very trendy club with rules and parameters, although if you ask me, it's also a bit on the uppity side. Oh well, never said Chelsea wasn't the most ϋberswanky of gay-borhoods.

So, on a tip from me, if you're ever bored on a Friday night and want some fun, wade on down to Splash for Man Bar Fridays...oh and bring your own rope.

By the way, isn't he just the cutest thing??? ;-)

Thanks Max.

'Orphan' review

(courtesy Dark Castle/Warner Bros.)

Hola mi amigos y que tal.

Okay, bad horror movies are a dime a dozen. Good ones are very rare and great ones are the way of the dodo bird. 'Orphan' falls somewhere between good and great and yet, I highly recommend it for those who want a really good ride. This film blatantly exploits the tried and true horror formula: the 'child from hell', slaps it on a rocket, lights the fuse and let's it rip!

Plot is as follows: Kate (Vera Farmiga who can't seem to stay away from evil children; remember 'Joshua'?) is a former music teacher who mopes over the loss of her stillborn daughter. She and her husband devise a solution. Adopt a child...but HOLD IT! Not just any child! THE ultimate child from hell, Esther.

Esther, played to the brilliant hilt by 12-year-old Isabelle Fuhrman, is a bright girl with pigtails, is artistically and musically brilliant, but somewhat antisocial. Her headmistress nun at the orphanage is more than happy to be rid of her (note the dark glances). The kids don't like her, she dresses like a porcelain doll after one two many vodkas, and yes folks, has a tendency to be around almost fatal accidents. Oh, did I mention that she kills too?

Of course, Kate is the only one to see past her angelic facade and she's accused of being paranoid and reverting back to her drinking (which got her fired from her job in the first place). But then, Kate's kids are put in even more danger and therefore Kate must intervene before she has no family whatsoever. Oh yeah, and there's a 'Crying Game'-style plot twist to boot!

Yes, it's a horror film and horror films are supposed to be disturbing and sick. I know critics have already panned this gem, but who cares? 'Orphan' does what a horror film should do and that is seep through your skin like a leech and suck it the f*ck dry and it does that quite well.

Yes, there's something wrong with little Esther. She's a stark raving beeyotch!! Go see it.