Legend Doesn't Begin To Describe Him... R.I.P. David Bowie 1947-2016

Well, I can imagine that it's safe to say that if you're a fan of pop/rock music, you've woken up and are reacting to the gut-punch of losing David Bowie with shock, anger, sadness, and the whole range of emotions.

Musical legends don't come along every day, and I would say that Bowie's career rivals him to be in the same ballpark as The Beatles and Stones when discussing his career and influence.

Not bad for a guy who had to change his name from Davy Jones so as to not be confused with the lead singer of The Monkees!

My first memory of the music of David Bowie was an appearance on Saturday Night Live in 1979 where he performed "Boys Keep Swinging" with a puppet body.

It creeped me out! I just re-watched the video, and it's still a little bizarre, and the child inside of me trembled just a little bit.

:)

Fast forward to the 80s, and I finally moved the dial on my FM radio to Top 40 music.

Needless to say, when asked for the best decade of music, I am a firm believer in the 80s.

And that's where I met David Bowie again for the first time.

"Let's Dance"

"China Girl"

"Modern Love"

Those 3 songs alone are a great testament to the man's musical legacy, and it would be joined on the radio for me with a past classic "Under Pressure" with Queen.

Needless to say, I was a fan.

As time moved forward, so did Bowie, continually releasing new music and changing his style. Bowie continued releasing music into the next millennium, including the release of his latest album which came out just days before he passed away. All recorded while he battled cancer.
I actually went backward and learned most of Bowie's hits because my wife was a big fan and she introduced me to much of his back catalog.  That knowledge served me well because after joining the military, at my first duty section we played classic rock while rigging parachutes all day. Guess who was a staple with his 70s hits?  Yep, David Bowie.

Amusingly, many of my favorite 80s bands were influenced by the very same David Bowie who was releasing music right alongside them.

For that, and for all of his music, I will forever be grateful.



 

Third Times Isn't Quite As Charming..."Blended"

Blended (2014)

Rated PG-13

Starring Adam Sandler, Drew Barrymore, Kevin Nealon, Terry Crews, Joel McHale

Directed by Frank Coraci

The Story:

Jim (Sandler) and Lauren (Barrymore) go out on a blind date, and it ends horribly. However, fate keeps intervening and thrusting these two into each other. They wind up on an African safari together. Jim helps out Lauren's boys with some fatherly advice. Lauren tackles Jim's girls with some womanly know-how. It's inevitable, no matter how much either side fights at this point.

In 1994, it was movie magic when Sandler and Barrymore teamed up for The Wedding Singer.
In 2004, it was silly, but sweet, when they reunited for 50 First Dates.
In 2014, it's simply nostalgia to remind me to go watch The Wedding Singer again.

:)

That's not to say that Blended is bad. No, far from it.
It's safe.
It's comfortable.
It's... well, you know how to use a thesaurus. Pick something.

Barrymore and Sandler still share a warm chemistry with one another.

At this point however, you almost have to inject kids into the storyline to allow something new for these decades-spanning lovebirds to do.

So, nothing as great as their first pairing, but still enough warm smiles, fond memories and a chuckle or three, many thanks to the always manic Terry Crews.

Hopefully they have something magical in 2024 when they reunite again.
 
Final Grade: C

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Maybe I'll pick it up someday, but no hurry. Maybe when they team up again in a decade?

100 Greatest Movies of All Time...That I Own. # 16 ~ The Wedding Singer

Movie-makers take note...

If you want to make a chick flick that guys will go to, make it funny.

Today's movie is Adam Sandler's finest film.  That is a sentence you won't hear many movie reviewers make!

For those that haven't seen it:

Robbie Hart (Sandler) is a local wedding singer.  He's talented and fun, and can keep the party going no matter what happens.  But when he's left at the altar, his entire universe explodes.  Luckily, the new waitress, Julia (Drew Barrymore) is there along with his friends to try and cheer him up.  Julia is planning her wedding, and getting Robbie's help brings him back from the brink.  But what does he do when he begins having feelings for Julia?

I told you I'm a sucker for romantic comedies.  And I'll watch every Adam Sandler movie, at least once.

This one, I've watched way more than once! : )

Sandler and Barrymore have a sweet chemistry together in the movie.  As the movie unfolds, you see them falling in love, and naturally you know how the movie ends, but it's fun to watch them get to that point.

It helps that Glenn Guglia is a complete jerk who you can't believe is going to marry sweet little Julia.

Julia Guglia?  Ick!!!

Of course, there is the Jon Lovitz factor to help push this movie to the top.  His brief cameo is hilarious.

However, you have to give credit for the finale to Billy Idol.

If you're casting a movie, set in the 80s, and you need someone to play Billy Idol... you cast Billy Idol!!  Sandler did, and the ending is all the more hilarious because of it. : )