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Sunday, February 19th, 2006
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2:16a - Guys and Dolls
Well tonight is Daytona 500 Eve, which is something I would be excited about if I really gave a shit about the Daytona 500. Technically, yesterday was Daytona 500 Eve because it's after midnight, but let's not get too picky. Tomorrow six of my buddies and I are going out to BW3 to shoot some shit, have some wings and maybe even glance over at the big screen to see who is leading the race (or if anyone is flipping over).
I want to talk a little bit more about John Candy, as the discussion began in the last entry. Today, "Planes, Trains & Automobiles" came on... another great John Hughes flick. Steve Martin plays a cynical corporate lawyer who is racing home to Chicago for Thanksgiving. Candy plays a traveler, also headed for Chicago. The two keep crossing paths as the merry mix-ups persist.
This is really probably the darkest comedy I have ever seen. That's because of Candy's performance. His character is (again) a kindhearted footsoldier of underdoggedness, meaning well yet somehow getting in the way. He would go to any end to help his friend in distress (Martin), literally going well out of his own way.
As the plot unfolds, we become aware that Candy's character has dealt with much pain. The one scene that particularly strikes a key with me is when he's stuck in the freezing cold outside of the motel, while Martin is inside where it's warm. All Candy wants to talk about is how hard his friend has it, and how he has let his friend down. The pain he expresses seems so real, it's a little eerie. The look on his face looks like a man clearly dealing with some form of pain, and part of me wonders if that was the real John Candy for a brief moment. In the movie, we find that his wife has been dead for eight years and he is homeless.
With all of that adversity, Candy was still concerned with the well-being of his affluent, happily married family man friend. Martin's was the main character, but we've got to say that the real heroism belonged to Candy.
As John Hughes movies go, we have a happy Hollywood ending when Martin invites Candy to come home with him and meet the family. An unlikely Hollywood story for sure, but a wonderful lesson to be learned nonetheless.
It's odd how the people who have less tend to give more and more.
Watched "Guys and Dolls" with Beth tonight; the first time I'd ever seen it. It's a musical, which is something I don't ordinarily dig but this was a really good movie. Frank Sinatra might be the greatest entertainer of all-time. Listening to his music, he really does paint the picture like an artist might. A scintillating virtuoso, with humor (both lighthearted and crude), Sinatra is one of a kind.
My personal favorite of that era is Dean Martin, because I've simply never heard a better singing voice in my life. Hands down. What I'd give to have attended even a single show of these guys. Sammy Davis, Jr. was another tremendously gifted performer and entertainer. It seems as though, in retrospect, that times were simpler back then and maybe people treated each other a little better. I think it goes way beyond nostalgia when older folks tell us stories of the good times. I think everyone gave a shit about each other, and everyone was able to laugh at themselves. Today, it's easy to believe that folks just don't give a damn, and that's no less than tragic.
Paul Revere, Valentine and Epitaph. Those are the three names of the horses in the first song from tonight's flick. What a fucking catchy tune. If you've never seen the movie, run - don't walk - down to the video store and swipe it up. It's good clean fun, only in the form of gambling and drinking. Great stuff.
Since our last little chit-chat, the Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office in Virginia has decided to suspend it's blowjob probes. You know, the ones where the cops go and get some head (repeatedly) and then arrest the hookers. What a fucking disgrace, I mean seriously. That's the fucking stupidest thing I've ever heard of, and that's something considering that Dick Cheney just shot somebody.
My parents painted the spare bedroom today; it was my original bedroom before my brother moved out. The walls are now North Carolina Blue, just like my beloved Tarheels. I'm extremely proud of my parents and all the hard work they put into our home.
At Beth's tonight, her mom cooked up some butterfly shrimp and we sat around with her parents and had a nice time together. In Ohio's long winter, the best thing to do is have good times with good people, and that's what we did.
Well, that's about enough for me tonight. It's getting late and I'd like to get some sleep. Goodnight and good luck.
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