Paddy's Wanderings

Then & Now ~ LotR

That is the cover from my first copy of Lord of the Rings, bought at the bookstore in the mall, way back in 7th grade, a.k.a. 1978. Crazy as it seems, I still have that dog eared copy. Even crazier, I say the first copy because I have two other paperback versions and a swanky leather bound hardcover of all three books in one.

I also saw all three movies in the theater and have the swanky extended version book case DVD's. I guess that qualifies as a fan. I have miniatures, action figures, all kinds of stuff from the Hobbit as well as all the other writings. I have passed on that fascination to the older boys and now it is the techno-kid's turn.

The other day I was wanting to watch the second part of Return of the King because, well, I love the scene where the Riders of Rohan charge down on to the Fields of Pellinor. Awesome scene right there with an awesome performance from the actors. Go Eowyn! Well I was watching and the t-k wandered into the bedroom and stayed and watched it with me.

Now, he has seen parts of the trilogy before, but he never really seemed to get into it, until that day. So we started the series from the begining and, over the weekend, watched it all. He even made me watch the end, you know, the part where all lovers of Hobbits get all teary eyed. Yeah well, he turns to me and with big crocodile tears says, 'Dad, that is so sad Frodo has to leave.'

Not to miss an opportunity to discuss the literary merits of one of my favorite stories, I asked him if he knew why Frodo was leaving. He says 'Well, Frodo had the ring and it was bad and it still hurts him, so if he goes with the Elves, he will get better. He can't stay with his friends, but thats ok, they are safe now.'

The t-k is six years old and of course, has not read the books, but he gets it. I can not wait until he is older and reads the books, and he can read the scouring of the Shire. Then he will really get it. He'll probably start spitting fire, especially when the beloved Party Tree gets chopped down. I admit, I look forward to that day because we then can discuss it all in detail.

But, he gets the gist of it already, and that is truly amazing. It is a powerful story, and the movies, albeit not perfect, do a good job of telling the story. I have read a bit of the Fellowship of the Ring to him, but I think he is much like me, impatient when someone reads to them. Soon though, very soon he will be able to tackle ye olde tome on his own. The Red Book! There and Back Again!

I can hardly wait. I remember the older bros enjoying the story a great deal, both in book and movie form. To say I am excited about the upcoming Hobbit movie is an understatement. We shall all enjoy the continuing stories of the beloved Hobbits and the good guys and bad guys of fair Middle Earth. As a wee lad I was enthralled, still am as an adult. The beauty of it all is, the kiddos are just as enamored as I am.

That, is cool.

Happy Hobbit Trails

 

 

 

Laurel & Hardy

Well, that's another nice mess you've gotten me into! Or should I say, us, as in fellow wanderers? You gotta love Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. One of the first comedy duos I was exposed to as a wee lad, watching weekend movies. Right up there with Abbott & Costello, and Martin & Lewis. These guys were great, right out of the silent era and into some great classic films in the 30's.

In reality, it was not their verbal banter that was so entertaining, it was their ability to convey humor with body language that was so awesome. The double take, the triple take, it was all right there out of silent film. They could move across a sound stage with the prescience of stage actors, which of course, they were. As a kid, and as an adult, they crack me up.

Moving pianos. always a funny skit, really funny when it involves a two story building and these guys. Do they still do that skit in movies today? I can't seem to remember it happening in any recent movie.. Maybe its been done too much over the years, but it is still funny.

Always worth a laugh, those two in a car. I keep expecting it to tip over or crash, which it did, of course. Pretty fancy film making back in the day. To get their facial reactions while driving and to make it so laughable. Yeah, these guys made even driving a car funny.

Even dancing a silly little dance, they make you laugh. These guys were one of the first comedy duos in film and frankly, they are still entertaining today. Another foine mess I got myself into as a wee lad.. But worth it if your willing to watch closely and can laugh.

Abbott & Costello

One of the true great comedy teams of all time were Bud Abbott and Lou Costello. In one of the many weekend movie adventures I had as a wee lad, I discovered these guys, much to my delight. Bud Abbott, one of the most gifted straight men I have ever seen. Lou Costello, goofy sidekick and so funny. What a team.

Heyyyy Aaabbotttt!!! Still cracks me up. These guys did it all. They started in burlesque, moved into radio, then on to movies and Television. I have read that they were the top box office draw of 1942. Not bad, but really, it doesn't matter. What does matter is how funny these guys are and how much they entertained me as a kid and still do to this day as an adult. Their comedy routines are timeless

Classic skit that still cracks me up after all these years. Funny aside, my grandfather was a big baseball fan and he remembered hearing this skit originally on the radio. It was one of his favorites.

Of course, they meet the mummy, one of my all time favorites. Maybe Brendan Fraser should have had these guys to help out? They were pretty good at getting rid of mummies..

They fellas made a ton of movies during WWII and in 1942 they did Buck Privates. This film also featured the Andrew Sisters performing, a hot act back then doing the boogie woogie..

This guys made me laugh when I was kid, chasing mummies and Frankenstein and Dracula, or just being goofy in the army.

Or even arguing who played first, what was the guys name on first? No he played second base..

I don't know ~ Third Base! 

Classic Wanderings, pure fun.

Pop Army

The excitement keeps rolling along folks. I have had the pleasure of writing a couple articles so far for Pop Army. Check it out at this link. The site has news and reviews, celeb stuff. Kinda got it all from the world of entertainment. They live blogged the Emmy Awards. And.. that is just the beginning.

I have been able to do recaps for Leverage. Man I am in heaven here folks. I can dish and gush and get all googly moogly about a TV show I love. This is the good stuff. Of course, now we gotta wait until December for new episodes, but thats cool, there is plenty of TV floatin around that I watch.

This is just the very start and I am excited to be able to tag along with some really talented folks. I love TV and movies and all that so this is the kinda thing I dig. Movie reviews, previews, TV stuff and all that jazz. Should be a whole lot of fun.

Check it out, this week is the True Blood DVD giveaway. I have no doubt that more goodies like that will be coming down the path. This is an exciting time and right at the ground floor of the site starting out. So much coming along, If you would be so kind, take a look, see what you can see. I think you'll like it.

Thundering Hooves

There is nothing like a Bretonnian Knight, charging through a field of enemies. Since the Roaring Nineties, I have been pushing miniature Bretonnian models across a table top. The thunder of a charge would shake the table legs and strike fear into opponents. I am a big fan of Knights and Damsels and the Lady of the Lake. Mix Arthurian Legend and Norman Hedge Row Knights and it is awesome.

So what happens when you mix Warhammer, Knights, a tournament, and a penchant for Rocky? I am so glad you asked.. here is the Paddy version. Oh what a convoluted mind it can be.

Many, many moons ago, I played my beloved Brets in a league tournament. Through much luck, hotter then hot dice and the Blessing of the Lady, I won the division championship. Off to the tournament I go to play against three of the very best players in the land in a bracket tourney. Phew.. this was going to be tougher then a three day old ork hide, stretched over an iron spike.

So what do I do? I make a joke of course..

I started posting online about the training I was going through. Chasing chickens in the back alley, punching slabs of meat, working the speed back in the back of the store.. Enter the Rocky. Seriously, I felt like the biggest underdog in history. And of course, I love the Rocky movies, so it was like peanut butter and chocolate. I was blaring the theme music in the store and then all the way down during the two hour drive to the tournament.

And from the department of further proof that the better 1/2 is indeed truly cool beyond words, she looks at me just before it starts and says.. 'Win'

For the record, I pulled a Rocky. I got the tar beat out of me, stood back up, and won each match to carry home the belt. I guess all that training helped, even if I could never catch that stupid chicken. 

Gonna Fly Now

Martin & Lewis

I was a big fan of Martin & Lewis as a kid and to this day I still crack up watching their movies. The afternoon movie had all kinds of great stuff, and Dean and Jerry were a hit with the wee lad of the fashioned challenged seventies. Dean would sing, Jerry would act goofy, and it was pure entertainment. They were a great comedy duo.

I had a hard time wrapping my young brain around that Jerry Lewis with the Telethon Jerry Lewis. The reunion with Dean on the show was something I did not understand until I was an adult and watched footage of it again. As a kid, I did not see the breakup or any of that stuff, it was long before my time. I just saw two guys yuckin it up on TV.

I have since come to appreciate over the years, their individual talent and the movies they did, after the break up. I have favorites from then too.

Dean Martin did just swell as the sheriff in Rio Bravo. His movies were cool. I wont even go down the Rat Pack path. That was cool before cool. My Mom and Dad even had a couple of his albums. The man could sing, and I will admit it, I can listen to him all day long.

Jerry Lewis in The Bellboy. Probably one of the greatest movies he made. Pure genius. I could watch him all day long, he didnt have to say a word. Truly a fine movie.

But I will always remember the two together, and be thankful for the entertainment they provided, not only to a kid on a Saturday afternoon, but to the adult as well. Lets give em a hand on the exit...

Dinosaurs do Rule the Earth!

That my friends, is an Apatosaurus. According to my children, I rode one to school when I was a wee lad. Little did they know.. This is, quite naturally, one of my favorite dinosaurs. Yes fellow wanderers, I love dinosaurs and have done so since I discovered them as a wee lad in elementary school. I watch movies, read books and magazine articles, I am an amateur dino fanatic. Must have been my childhood.

The Flintstones were in syndication when I was a wee lad. Who wouldn't want Dino as a pet? I still watch the show when I can catch it because of all the crazy dino stuff. I have always wanted a pterodactyl dictating machine busily punching away on a stone tablet.

When I saw the preview for this movie I was jazzed! My mom had a copy of the book Jurassic Park and I devoured it before going to see the move. I was blown away! What a cool concept and then I went to the movie.. To walk amongst real dinosaurs? Oh yeah, I wanted to do that with all my kids heart. Even as an adult, that kid was still there, jumping up and down, wanting to run with the dinosaurs!

Today, the techno-tyke and I are watching a marathon of The Land Before Time. He looked at me and said in his wittle voice, 'I love dinosaurs'. Well that settled it, today was marathon day with Little Foot and friends. And, it gave me an idea for a blog post. The tyke is a pretty good assistant. Good thing he works for broccoli and doritos (hey it was his snacks of choice!) and chocolate milk.

In all seriousness, the science of dinosaurs is pretty darn cool and the geek in me likes that as well and I do indeed, read scientific articles about dinosaurs. But they are still a kid's passion, so I can be goofy and have fun too. Be careful of that big pile of poo! and..

Happy Dino Wanderings!

She'll Always be Dana to Me

I know what you just did, you went.. whoaa.. Paddy, wtf? You are putting a picture of a book by a rapper, Queen Latifah no less, on your blog? Why? I like to wander, remember? And this is part of that whole a little bit of everything, and then some.

Let me just say this, I think Queen Latifah is cool. She has a book out and I am grabbing a copy. Last night I was watching her interview on Larry King Live and she rocked it. How cool is she? If you google queen, she is at number three, behind Victoria and Elizabeth, and that is pretty neato.

This woman can sing, you ever listen to The Dana Owens Album where she sings soul and jazz?? NO? Well go take a listen, I can wait.. no really, go listen, she can sing! Okay I took a listen and I still dig her voice. I am not big on rap so that part of her career is meh to me, but by all accounts she is considered pretty sharp there as well.

She was awesome in Chicago! Oh right.. you did not know I like musicals? or musical theater? Well I do, I like that kind of stuff a lot. Chicago is great and she rocked that part. She has done a lot of movies and TV and she always delivers.

But what is cool, why I really like her? She is genuine. I like that about people, movie star, rapper, what ever a person may do, I like straight forward people. She seems that way. No doubt she has talent in a wide variety of creative endeavors and she has had some success and still has her feet on the ground.

I am a fan of just not a movie star, or singer, or writer, but a person who is.. a real person. If you are not a fan, you should take a close look, you may just think I am not so crazy after all..

and remember.. when your good to Mama, she'll be good to you..

Professor Fate got a Bad Rap

When I was a we lad, I loved watching old movies, I still do to this day. One of my faves, that I first saw around 30 years ago, is The Great Race. The local independent station WKBD Channel 50 out of Detroit showed a lot of afternoon movies and I got my first, albeit abridged, viewing of this spectacular movie. I can hear you laughing, but really, this is a great movie, this is farce of the highest order. I watched it again, for probably the 12^th time last night, and I still laughed. That is good movie making..

Released in 1965, The Great Race had some pretty big movie stars in the cast, Jack Lemmon, Tony Curtis, and of course, Natalie Wood, to name but a few. With Blake Edwards, who later would be known for the Pink Panther movies, writing and directing, it was bound to provide a few laughs. Have Henry Mancini doing the music and you have a star studded lineup. But, it is a comedy after all, and a farce in the truest sense of the word.

Based on The Greatest Auto Race of 1908, the movie is about six entrants in an automobile race from New York to Paris. You have The Great Leslie(Tony Curtis) and his arch nemesis Professor Fate(Jack Lemmon) in the race of the century! Leslie, daredevil extraordinaire and all around good guy in white, we boo him. Our real hero is Professor Fate, daredevil wannabe and the man in black, as dastardly as they come, we cheer for him!

Of course, Miss DuBois(Natalie Wood), reporter and suffragette is a fine counterpoint, not only funny, but attractive in her quest to be one of the boys. How can one not like her character! She has spunk! Who could blame The Great Leslie for falling for her, even if he is a big jerk! Boo!

Professor Fate, inventor of a rocket on rails, a bicycle dirgible, a torpedo, and a submarine, all of which fail in spectacular fashion. But no my friends, he does not give up, oh no. He builds a car to take on Leslie in the race and it is ultra cool. With a horn out front to melt the ice, the ability to rise up to pass through flooded roads and a canon to fight off the pesky bandits, why, it is a technological masterpiece! Unlike Leslie who has his car built by the Webber Car Co., the great inventor Fate takes matters into his own hands.

Well then.. off they go and it is one disaster after another for Fate. Naturally, it is his bumbling assistant's fault, but still, the good Professor soldiers on. Now I love the brawl in the saloon, true slapstick comedy and a great scene. 'I need some fightin' room!' cracks me up. The pie fight near the end? Priceless comedy. Fate and his assistant, Maximillan Mean, are Laurel and Hardy in their antics.

Of course critics were not too found of the movie but it was in the top ten grossing movies for 1965. Of course Tony Curtis is good and Jack Lemmon is brilliant. If you like slapstick comedy and a bit of outrageous stunts and story, why then this is a movie you just have to watch. I streamed it last night and chuckled right along with the antics of Professor Fate.

While the good Professor Fate may have lost the race, Jack Lemmon stole the show. Stop being so serious and watch it, have a laugh or three and just enjoy a good comedy. If you are lucky like me, you have already seen this fine flick and can go back and laugh again. Worthy of five shamrocks.

Up, Up and Away

I know what you were thinking. You were thinking this was a post about music and the 5th Dimension. Not today my friends. I will admit, that song from way back in my youth I always associate with balloons and the like, it was just one of those songs. Today though, I am going to talk a wee bit about Up from Pixar.

A few days ago, the techno-tyke and me(sounds like a movie title eh?) sat down and watched the movie with mom. No, I had not seen it yet. I know, I know, I live under a rock, in a cave. Any who.. I thought it would be really good, the ads were pretty good and I figured it would be very funny and the tyke would get a kick out of it.

Well.. It scared the daylights out of the little guy. The bad guy really scared him. He thought Doug was funny but the bad dogs scared him too. In other words, he was weepy and scared and I don't think he liked it at all. As a matter of fact, I am sure of it. It probably has to do with him being four, it really was not a good movie for a tyke.

Mom liked the movie, and I did too. I will say though, we were not scared, but we had a tear or two. I think the movie reminded us of, well.. us. The story is fantastic, no doubt about it. I really think Pixar did a great job telling a story to the adults, not so much the kids. All in all, Mom and Dad say yea, the tyke gives it a big no. A good movie, just not a good little kids movie.