Blockbuster Blog

Image courtesy of Busted Tees.

Like many, I was saddened to hear about the death of Patrick Swayze earlier this week. While I was growing up in the 80s and 90s, he starred in some of my favorite movies, not to mention one of the best SNL sketches ever.

Swayze was a bit of a dichotomy. He was a tough guy who was classically trained in dance. He was a heroic badass to men and a sex symbol to women. By taking on a number of very different and sometimes challenging roles, he showed a range that many actors lack.

It’s strange that someone I’ve never met is a part of my life, but I guess it makes sense — not only was he in a bunch of movies that I really like, but he was in a few that I’ve seen hundreds of times. They are:

Red Dawn
Red Dawn is not just an awesome movie; it’s a primer for fighting against a commie invasion. Many of the same lessons can be helpful for surviving the inevitable zombie uprising. WOLVERINES!

Road House
I knew a few bouncers in college, and every one of them wished they were half as cool as Dalton.

Point Break
I just got back from a trip to Malibu, and seeing all the gnarly (that’s a surfer term) surfing out there inspired me to add Point Break to my Queue. It didn’t inspire me to go surfing, however, because 1) I’m pretty sure I’d be horrible at it and 2) there are sharks out there.

Here are the other movies I consider Patrick Swayze’s greatest hits (in chronological order):
The Outsiders
Uncommon Valor
North and South
Youngblood
Dirty Dancing
Next of Kin
Ghost
City of Joy
Donnie Darko (I think this is his finest acting job)

And here’s his complete filmography.

It was sad that his career had really started to take off again not long before he died. Hopefully the spotlight on his death will lead to increased funding for cancer research. For information on what you can do to help those with cancer or assist in finding a cure, please visit the American Cancer Society.

The news about Disney buying Marvel rocked the internets last week. Reactions ran the gamut from elation to gnashing of teeth and rending of garments. Since I don’t know from comics, I asked Heather Bryan, a member of our Online Content Team, to give us her thoughts on it.

There are many things to be excited about with last week’s announcement of the Disney-Marvel merger (not least of which is the idea of Pixar getting their hands on Marvel’s extensive cast of heroes and villains). Artists and fans have been creating character mashups and movie mashups.

If you think about it, there are a lot of similarities between the two companies. Take a look at these Marvel properties and their Disney counterparts.

Ghost Rider vs. Ichabod & Mr. Toad
Ghost Rider owes his whole shtick to Ichabod’s tormentor, The Headless Horseman (granted Johnny Blaze rides a steel horse). Even animated Disney can go to the dark side once in a while.

The Punisher vs. Pirates of the Caribbean
Guerilla tactics? Check. Questionable ethics? Check. Anti-heroes we love to love? Absolutely!

Spider-Man vs. Aladdin
“With great power comes…” you know the rest.

The Hulk vs. Beauty and the Beast
Or, as we like to call them, “Monsters with anger issues and the women who love them.”

Fantastic 4 vs. The Incredibles
Slightly dysfunctional superhero families, and Edna Mode would approve of the Storms’ choice of capeless costumes.

X-Men vs. Sky High
Xavier Institute and Sky High, where the super-human learn to be super heroes.

Why yes, Hank Williams, Jr., I am ready for some football. In fact, I’m more than ready — I’m in desperate need of some football. I’ve been reduced to watching replays of inconsequential college games from last year, and have even been watching preseason NFL.

The good news is that the long drought ends this week. Division 1 (or whatever we’re calling it now) NCAA football starts Thursday, and regular season NFL games start next week. While I’m waiting, I put together a list of my Top 10 Football Movies of All Time.

Note: you will not see Jerry Maguire on this list, not because I don’t like it, but because it’s not a football movie. It’s a romantic comedy that involves football. A little bit. Also, you will not see Rudy on this list. I can’t like a movie about Notre Dame. I just can’t. Although I am pro-hobbit. Anyway, I wanted to forewarn you people, so I don’t catch guff for it.

1) Brian’s Song
Is it getting a little dusty in here? No? Maybe it’s just me.

While this is my favorite football movie of all time, it is arguable as number one. But the recent top 10 list by Spike TV didn’t have it in there at all. Have you no heart, Spike TV?

2) Friday Night Lights
This is a pretty realistic view of high school football in Texas, with good acting and great football scenes. Bonus points because the show is also excellent.

3) We Are Marshall
I thought this was a really good look at one of the worst tragedies of American collegiate sports.

4) North Dallas Forty
I like this movie because all the characters are based on real players from the 70s-era Cowboys. And it’s really easy to figure out who is who. Apparently, those dudes really liked to party.

5) The Longest Yard
And Burt Reynolds makes another list! Now, everyone should note that I mean the original, not the remake. And if I link to the remake up above, as I did with The Bad News Bears in my baseball list, it’s just an accident.

6) Remember The Titans
It’s interesting that all the top movies in my list are based on true stories. Okay, maybe The Longest Yard isn’t based on a true story. But it should be. That’s all I’m saying.

7) Everybody’s All-American
I wish my nickname was the Grey Ghost.

8) Invincible
This is the fantasy of every man who grew up watching football. I am still keeping my eligibility, just in case The University of Texas Longhorns need a slowish receiver who’s approaching 30 to fill out the roster at some point.

9) Any Given Sunday
Sometimes this movie gets a little too Oliver Stone-y (which makes sense), but it does have some extremely awesome football scenes.

10) The Program
This is seen by many as an overblown caricature of college football. To that I say: watch the “starting defense, place at the table” car window smashing scene brought to us by the immortal Lattimer. It’s reason enough to include The Program on this list.

Honorable Mention: All The Right Moves

The new TV season is upon us, and I’m getting pretty excited for the return of some of my favorite shows. While reruns, TV on DVD, and summer season shows like Burn Notice gave me a decent amount to watch the last few months, it’s just not the same as fall TV. Yes, I realize I have no life.

I thought I’d let you know a few of the shows I’m most looking forward to returning, as well as a few cancelled shows I’ll miss.

Looking forward to:
30 Rock
I watched some of the older episodes on DVD to get me through the summer, but I need some fresh Liz Lemon and Jack Donaghy.

Castle
I missed this during the regular season, but I’ve been catching up via reruns. Very implausible, but definitely entertaining.

Dexter
No big cliffhanger to follow up on this season, but the promos lead me to believe it’s going to be a good one.

How I Met Your Mother
There are still a lot of people who have yet to give this show a try. Do it for NPH, my friends. He would watch your show.

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
I’ve said it before and I’ll continue to say it: this is the funniest show in all the land.

Mad Men
This has already started. Okay, I’m still not caught up on the last two seasons, but I’m working on it. And as soon as I am, I’ll have all the new episodes waiting for me on my DVR. The geniuses who invented TV show seasons on DVD and the DVR should win Nobel prizes.

Psych
This has already started as well, and so far it’s shaping up to be a great season.

The Office
OMG! What will happen with Jim and Pam?!? OMG! I love Jim and Pam! OMG!!!! (This has been brought to you by my girlfriend.)

Top Chef
We’re already one episode in, and this might be the best group of chefs they’ve had yet.

Gone but not forgotten (I can’t talk about these — the pain is too fresh):
Life
Pushing Daisies
The Unusuals