This one goes to eleven *points at self*

What a week, a whirlwind of a first week at grad school. Also, we leave for Florida tomorrow to film "Park Geeks" this weekend, so I had to write my Friday column early.

The Friday Movie Release Report - August 28, 2009

Times of transition have never been easy for me, and all I can say is that I thank my lucky stars that I have so much to do that it makes my head spin. I can remember a time when I was a bored geek, bored and lonely. Now I have so many projects going, there literally aren't enough hours in the day. My internal clock is so confused, I'm up at all hours of the day and night. Did you know that WGN shows Star Trek: Next Gen at 1:00 a.m.? I do. Because I never sleep. I'm like some nerdy vampire, sucking the life out of all the pop culture around me just to stay alive.

This will be an interesting semester for sure...something will have to give. I'll have to quit something sooner or later, narrow my focus, or go insane.

Too late...

Seriously, how much did Freddie Mercury look like Ben Stiller from, "Zoolander" in that video? Funny, eh? This next one's for BSU, in one of a million clips that I could choose from, "Spinal Tap" this morning that would be eerily relevant, including anything from the song, "Hell Hole" or the iconic scene from the airport.



Oh what the heck, one more Spinal Tap. Taphead FOR LIFE!

A Plethora of Funs

There's no better way to start a week than by watching a kicky little montage of some of the best scenes from, "The Three Amigos". What's the reason? There is no reason! This is the joy of owning your own blog my friends...



If that didn't make you smile, you're dead inside.

Now go have a good week. Or else I'll post more montages.

Results of the Haunted Mansion Slumber Party!

I KNEW IT!!! Guess who shows up FIRST??? If you want to see footage from the entire night, I found a YouTube Channel that posted almost everything. It's HERE.



Thank you so much to "Inside the Magic" for posting this video. I tried with all my might to stay up until 3 am and watch the live web feed, but I only made it to 2:30is.

Happy Birthday Haunted Mansion

You're 40, but "you haven't aged a day". I wish I could be with you on your big day, but I know you'll have lots of guests to celebrate. I'll save our next visit for when we can really chat...

A radio station down in Florida held a contest to promote the anniversary, and some lucky listeners will be spending the NIGHT in the mansion tonight and Disney has promised that they will not be alone! They've installed a webcam, and they're strongly encouraging people to be watching around Midnight tonight. It's very exciting!

Here's the link if your curiosity gets the better of you, it was passed on to me by the fellas from the "Inside the Magic" podcast. My money is on an appearance by Gus, Phineas, and Ezra, the famous hitchhiking ghosts! Who do you think will be there? On a scale of 1 to 10, how jealous are you of the folks who get to do this? I'm on a big fat level 10! Can you even imagine being let loose in the Haunted Mansion for the evening???










I welcome any foolish mortals to read my complete and total geek-outs over my favorite ride in the most recent issue of Haunted Attraction Magazine, June's Geek Monthly, an upcoming article in Orlando Attractions Magazine, this older interview with the Holiday Overlay Ghost Host voice, Corey Burton for Animation World Magazine, and if you want to see pictures of our time at the Swinging Wake in Disneyland (A party for Haunted Mansion lovers hosted by Doombuggies.com), just ask or friend me on Myspace or Facebook.

I also highly encourage anyone and everyone to visit the incredible fanpage for the Mansion, http://www.doombuggies.com/. There are banners at the bottom of my page and a couple of the right side as well, you could spend hours there on all the amazing behind-the-scenes goodies, trivia, photos and history!

Thank You, John Hughes

I just heard the news of John Hughes passing a few minutes ago. I'm surprised, mostly because he was so young, but also because he's been out of the public consciousness for a while. I mean, he can't ever really leave the public consciousness, his footprint will always be there even if his films aren't topically at the forefront of any discussions. Why? Because his movies were so unique in tone.

Hughes' movies were so refreshingly unpretentious. They were about relatable characters. They looked believable. They spoke realistically. He wrote most of what he directed as well, which is doubly admirable to me, because it meant he was determined to see his own vision through to the end of the process. A very brave choice and a risky one at that. As a filmmaker, it means that if you succeed, you do so on your own two feet. But if you fail, you're extremely vulnerable, and there's nobody to blame but yourself. I love risk-takers.

His films for and about teenagers didn't patronize anyone. They didn't paint a picturesque version of those sometimes terrible, and always tumultuous, years. But they didn't exploit them either. And just like in real life, sometimes life as a teen is funny or sad or heartbreaking or confusing. 

He was also a prolific writer, responsible for several endearing domestic comedies that also told the tale of family life, like, "Mr. Mom".

"Planes, Trains, and Automobiles" and "Home Alone" had all of the same qualities.

Hughes was always emphasizing becoming a better person by staying attached and committed to your community, usually your family, but not always. He made so many movies about how getting closer to those around you is beneficial, even when it makes you uncomfortable. Especially when it makes you uncomfortable. There was also almost always a "standing up for the little guy" theme. He was sort of like a modern day Frank Capra.

Thank You John Hughes! For your iconic additions to so many of our childhoods and teen years, for attempting to translate between kids and adults, for all the laughs, and for making films in your very own backyard. You were an excellent diplomat.

Futurama Returns Intact

You may have noticed that the petition to stop Fox from re-casting the voice-over actors on Futurama has been removed. This is because FOX quit bluffing once they saw how adamant we all were about not watching the show without Billy West, John Di Maggio, Katey Sagal, Maurice LaMarche, Tress MacNeille, and more.

Or the actors decided to settle for less money...

Either way, I don't care. Futurama is coming back for two more seasons with everyone on board. You may all now breathe a collective sigh of relief.

10 Famous Female Duos of Film and Television

We need more female friendships on TV.

I've been thinking a lot lately about famous female fictional friendships. We have endless male buddy comedies out there, but it feels like iconic female friendships don't show up as much.

When I was 13, all I had were my girlfriends. We had slumber parties all the time. (Always with a copy of Now and Then.)

Please help me add to this list...

1. Laverne and Shirley - Laverne and Shirley

One of the best all-time TV female friendships. They lived and worked together and did whatever it took to get by, having an absolute ball in the process. Some of my best times in life were when I was dirt poor and living with some my roommates. So not only was the show comedy gold, it taught a good lesson.

2. Thelma and Louise - Thelma and Louise

Sure they were a touch dysfunctional. But they stuck together.

3. Lucy and Ethel - I Love Lucy

No matter how wacky things got, Lucy and Ethel also stuck together, and Ethel always supported Lucy. No matter how harebrained the scheme.

4. Romy and Michelle - Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion

Sometimes being around someone you know so well makes it safe for your weird side to emerge. This can lead you further down the path to being yourself and discovering what you want to do with your life.

5. Troi and Crusher - Star Trek: The Next Generation

What are the two female members of a Federation Starship bridge crew to do? Bond of course. They exercised together, hung out in Ten Forward, and shared all the dish on their personal lives. Friendship in space...where your best friend can always hear you scream. (Or laugh. Or cry.)

6. Carla and Elliot - Scrubs

My favorite thing about their friendship is how different they are as people. Carla is so stable and Elliot is so frequently untethered. 

7. Kate and Allie - Kate and Allie

Remember this one? It was sort of like the odd couple, but for single women with children. I experienced it entirely through reruns as a kid, and though my memory is a bit rusty...I recall some heartwarming moments.

8. Cagney and Lacey - Cagney and Lacey

Solving crime. Together. Enough said.

9. Faith and Kate - Only You

This is as close to a female "road trip" buddy picture as I've ever found. The writing is funny, the women in the film are unique and interesting, flawed and clumsy. Delightful.

10. Dorothy, Rose, Blanche, and Sophia - The Golden Girls

Yes, I know...not technically a duo. The best thing about the friendships portrayed on this show? They were real. There were fights and misunderstandings, but in the end friendship always won out. (And comic hilarity ensued.)