TONIGHT on ME-TV @ 12:35am EST, one of the GREAT episodes of THE TWILIGHT ZONE: “THE LONELY” (written by Rod Serling, directed by Jack Smight, originally broadcast November 13, 1959) One of the great American actors of the 20th Century, Jack Warden, is “The Lonely,” a convict serving his life sentence in solitary on a remote prison planet. In a gesture of compassion by the authorities, he’s given a female robotic companion named “Alicia,” played sensitively by English actress Jean Marsh (later of the early ‘70s British TV hit Upstairs, Downstairs). Marsh’s Alicia is wonderfully “alive” in her inherently innocent, naive gentleness, totally opposite from the clichéd, more overtly “robotic” automatons seen previously in sci-fi films and television series of the 1950’s, which were exclusively male (even though one of the genre’s most famous robotic icons is the mechanical Maria from Fritz Lang’s 1927 classic Metropolis, the model for George Lucas’ C-3PO) Warden, at first repulsed by the forced companionship of what he sees as no more than a lifeless machine, soon gets lost in Alicia’s lifelikeness when she exhibits actual (programmed) emotions, and thus falls in love with her (as we, the audience, does too). But their happiness was not to last, thanks to one of the cruelest twists of any of Serling’s famed Twilight Zone episodes. In the end, Warden, though returning to earth with his sentence pardoned, is still left alone, bitterly questioning his own—human—identity, as Serling had foreshadowed at the top of the episode: “What is there left that I can believe in? The desert and the wind? The silence? Or myself?” arlenschumer.com/twilight-zone #rodserling #twilightzone #thetwilightzone #jackwarden #jeanmarsh #thelonely #arlenschumer #tv #television #tvhistory #televisionhistory @dgareps @nyadventureclub @richardsyrettstrangeplanet https://www.instagram.com/p/ConVGcavE4Y/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Watching the 1998 film on #tubi #dirtywork starring #normmcdonald #chrisfarley #chevychase #jackwarden #donrickles https://www.instagram.com/p/ChOnM6cgR1v/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

MOVIE QUOTE OF THE DAY:

“I’ll tell you something. This country is going to the dogs. You know, it used to be when you bought a politician, that son of a bitch stayed bought!”

Jack Warden in Used Cars

#UsedCars #RobertZemeckis #BobGale #JackWarden

#Moviequotes #MovieQuoteOfTheDay

UNFINISHED BUSINESS: DEEP DIVE – THE PRESIDIO (1988)

UNFINISHED BUSINESS: DEEP DIVE – THE PRESIDIO (1988) #Presidio #SeanConnery #MarkHarmon #MegRyan #JackWarden #Paramount #MovieReview #Nostalgia #UnfinishedBusiness #Television #Movies #Cinefiles

Unfinished Business TELEVISION does a DEEP DIVE on the ’80s Sean Connery mystery thriller THE PRESIDIO. Under the direction of RUNNING SCARED’s Peter Hyams, this San Francisco-set pic was Connery’s first lead role after winning the Oscar for THE UNTOUCHABLES. But it was also a failed attempt at making TV star Mark Harmon into a viable action star. Who else was up for the lead roles? How did the…

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Here's my #8thRocksShuffle #8thRocks dance video with whirlwind sound effects/high tone version of this song called Problem Child by #TheBeachBoys #BeachBoys on YouTube to pay homage/tribute to #JohnRitter, #GilbertGottfried, & #JackWarden. Rest in power, guys. Your legacies will live on. Also click the like, share, subscribe, & hit a notification button on my YouTube channel.

Here's a link of my dance video on YouTube:

Up next on my 90's Fest Movie and TV Marathon...Problem Child (1990) on classic DVD 📀! #movie #movies #comedy #ProblemChild #JohnRitter #ripjohnritter #MichaelRichards #GilbertGottfried #jackwarden #michaeloliver #dvd #90s #90sfest #durandurantulsas2ndannual90sfest

12 Angry Men (1957)

If there is such a thing as a perfect movie, then 12 Angry Men is it. This 1957 film hits you like a ton of bricks; it's an experience you’ll never forget.

The picture begins with a judge instructing a jury to move into the deliberation room, reminding them that should they find the 18-year-old accused guilty of murder, he’ll be sentenced to death. As the men sit down to discuss what seems to be a pretty airtight case, juror #8 (Henry Fonda) votes against the others and the deliberation begins.

What I like so much about 12 Angry Men - the real reason to seek it out - is for the ideas it brings to the table. This movie is about real-life issues. It centers around a dilemma, a problem that can’t be solved by shooting someone or punching them in the face. It’s about the majority telling someone “come on, just give in” and him saying “No.” It examines the reason why people think the way they do and why the judicial system is the way it is. As the arguments become more heated, you'll threaten to tear your hair out.

What we have here is a concentrated deliberation drama. Every superfluous detail has been boiled away, leaving you with the rawest emotion. Colour? Irrelevant. Make the film in black and white. The names of the people involved? What does it matter? Take those out too. In fact, take out the trial, the witnesses, everything that isn’t the jurors deliberating.

When you first look at the jurors, you subconsciously expect them to agree. You don’t foresee anyone bringing emotion to the argument. It’s kind of a boy’s club, a place where they can get down to business, address the case quickly, and then move on. The play’s been re-done with a cast of mixed genders but this homogenous approach suits the story best. They’re all the same. They should all think the same. Yet there he is, a lone juror, a rebel defying the rest. What should have been unison has turned into a battle of David vs. Goliath. Whether he's right or wrong almost doesn't matter. It's the back-and-forth, and why people are voting the way they do that matters.

You forget that it’s a movie. You feel like a 13th juror who can do nothing but listen and wonder what decision they’ll come to. You start in one spot, unsure what to think and then, the ball starts rolling. Everyone in the jury room is angry and getting angrier. As the frustrations begin to boil to the surface, the camera gets in tighter and tighter. If you didn't feel it already, you will then. You can see it too.

I’ll go so far as to call 12 Angry Men an important film. It’s about standing up for what’s right, about the need for fair juries and the presumption of innocence. It’s about the claustrophobia of being forced to make a decision and the fear of making the wrong one. It’s a powder keg waiting to blow as emotions, logic, prejudices, facts, and assumptions duel for supremacy. In the end, it's not even about whether or not the defendant committed the crime, it’s about the jury’s duty: not to punish, but determine if there is reasonable doubt.

Like a chef who takes a single egg, a cup of flour, water, and a bag of licorice and suddenly presents a mouth-watering cake, director Sidney Lumet does so much with so little. He masterfully utilizes camera angles and lenses to make a picture you can't put out of your mind. 12 Angry Men is the kind of movie you try to slide into conversations, hoping to find an excuse to talk about it with others or an excuse to watch it again. (On DVD, May 28, 2016)

Favorites : Dirty Work (1998)

Earlier this week, I received the tragic news of Norm Macdonald’s passing due to complications from Cancer.  Macdonald had always been a polarizing comedic enigma that clearly split those who became familiar with him into camps of love and hate, but it was that enigmatic persona that made it no surprise that his fight with Cancer had gone on for years with almost no public knowledge of it.  The news hit me extremely hard, as his deadpan style, cavalier attitude and abstract anti-authority approach all spoke to me, so as a tool for immediate grieving I went to an old standby that’s helped me laugh my way out of many depressing times : Dirty Work.

Dirty Work predates the phenomenon of the Line-O-Rama approach to comedic filmmaking, joining fellow 1998 release club member Half-Baked as harbingers of the style that films like Old School ushered in and made the comedic standard.  This approach works perfectly for Dirty Work, as the narrative is not the star of this film.  With an ensemble comedic cast at your disposal like the one on hand, all you really need is a story about as complex as the one presented here in order to provide enough dramatic tension to count : dying father, estranged brothers, questionable business for quick money and corrupt businessman form the foundational square that makes up Dirty Work‘s narrative.  From there, the green light is given to a decently-sized gathering of comedic mavericks to work off of one another as they mix different shades of non-traditional and traditional comedic chops that span at least three generations of funny people.

With so much humor on display, not to mention the shadow of Norm Macdonald’s death looming over this viewing experience, it really rang out to me just how bittersweet this movie has suddenly become.  The film is still incredibly funny (at least to those who buy in to the Norm Macdonald and Bob Saget schools of comedy), but seeing comedic actors and talents like Jack Warden, Don Rickles, Chris Farley and Gary Coleman reminds us of the impermanence of life.  On top of this, seeing faces like Artie Lange, Chevy Chase and Ken Norton in the mix remind us of how rocky the journey through life can be, regardless of your financial stature or prominence of star power.  While Norm Macdonald may not have ever found the standard “traditional” footing that comes with a comedy career (whatever that may be), it’s nice to know that a film like Dirty Work not only was able to achieve the comedic cult status that it has, but that he was able to include so many friends and influences within the creative expression.

While this film wasn’t necessarily made to be a technically proficient masterpiece, one thing it does well is understand itself in terms of mood, tone and pacing, and these aspects are what allows the comedy to be carried through with little to no resistance, giving us as viewers the chance to turn off our analytical side and embrace a bit of pure, unadulterated silliness.  There are tons of setups and callbacks sprinkled throughout the run of the film, be they immediate or separated and doled out through different acts.  The film is not afraid to wallow in the muck and mire of low brow, childish comedy, but there are enough witty moments and completely out of left field references to give the comedy the feeling of covering some sort of spectrum.  It is also impressive how well the abstractness of Norm Macdonald and Chevy Chase can work in connection with the one-liner styles of Jack Warden and Don Rickles, not to mention the raw energy and brooding darkness that comes with the comedy of Chris Farley and Artie Lange... surprisingly, nobody feels out of place or inappropriately used, with everyone getting plenty of opportunity to shine.  While the film is considered more of a cult classic than a beloved one, the film is also highly quotable.

Part of the Norm Macdonald enjoyment factor was watching him insert his oddness into pre-conditioned structures, so watching him warp the structure of a rom-com and buddy comedy to a form that fits his approach is as inspiring as it is entertaining.  Balancing this against the gruff, workingman’s approach that Artie Lange is known for makes their pairing a perfect update to the Odd Couple dynamic made famous in the past.  Jack Warden brings an aged and unembarrassed twist to the Lange approach as a fatherly figure, standing out as both intimidating and endearing, with the common element being their extremity.  Traylor Howard holds her own in the comedically abstract whirlwind that Macdonald and company create, infusing enough charm and affection to sell interest between Macdonald and herself (which is suitable, as I doubt magnetic attraction was not the aim).  Chevy Chase does what he does best, dropping non-sequiturs and dry punchlines like cinder blocks to great comedic effect.  Chris Farley brings his unhinged energy to a satellite role, while Christopher McDonald leans into the same energy that made his portrayal of Shooter McGavin so infamous.  Cameo appearances by Don Rickles, Rebecca Romijn, John Goodman, Adam Sandler, Gary Coleman, Ken Norton and many more comedic cohorts all bring tons of laughs to the table.

There will probably never be another comedic mind quite like that of Norm Macdonald.  Perhaps we will get the abstract approach of Andy Kaufman, the inherent deductive reasoning of George Carlin, the brutal honesty of Lenny Bruce and the free will of Robin Williams in small packages, but likely never in the same formula that birthed the polarizing funniness of Macdonald.  If you’ve not seen Dirty Work and you’re currently feeling the pain of loss connected to Norm Macdonald’s passing, jump on HBOMax and give it a watch while it’s still streaming.

Note to self: Making love to blow-up doll is not as good as advertised. R.I.P. X X X #normmacdonald #rip #jackwarden #artielange #comedies #90s #snl #weekendupdate #nineties #Saturdaynightlive #comedians #dirtywork #cinemaphile https://www.instagram.com/p/CT0Cnm7pCDr/?utm_medium=tumblr

#theapprenticeshipofduddykravitz #1970s #vhs #canuxploitation #richardreyfuss #canadianfilm #canadianvhs #alliancereleasing #mcahomevideo #randyquaid #joesilver #jackwarden #tedkotcheff (at City of Spring Valley Village) https://www.instagram.com/p/CTk4jC_r-7l/?utm_medium=tumblr

#FamilyComedies #90sCinema #MrPeabody #SisterSamantha #JohnRitter #90sKids #BornToBeWild #Junior #JackWarden #Comedy #FloHealy #MichaelOliver #MichaelRichards #ProblemChild #AmyYasbeck #NormaMoore #BrattyKids #BigBen #GilbertGottfried #1990 #BenHealy https://www.instagram.com/p/CTHQv1mHU68/?utm_medium=tumblr

Un jugador de fútbol americano fallece en un accidente de tráfico. Ya en las puertas de San Pedro, descubren el error y se disponen a devolverlo a la Tierra. El problema surje, cuando su cuerpo es incinerado. Teniendo que habitar el primer cuerpo disponible: el de un millonario excéntrico de mediana edad, con multitud de enemigos. Desde esa posición, con su punto de vista más humilde, abordará problemas complejos. Entretenida e interesante, aborda los dilemas que siempre nos acompañará: la vida, la muerte, riqueza, pobreza, oportunidades, falta de ellas, arrepentimientos.... La escena en la sala de juntas, es sencillamente genial. #Películas1978 #WarrentBeatty #JulieChristie #BuckHenry #DyanCannon #JamesMason #JackWarden #CharlesGrodin #VincentGardenia #ArthurMalet #JosephMaher #HamiltonCamp #StephanieFaracy #Sport #Comedy #Deporte #Comedia #Heaven #Cielo #Amor #Love #Billionary #Married #Masion ###### https://www.instagram.com/p/CL2XWsInYy7/?igshid=j55eeoqbnkfq

Watching the #1991 film on #tubi #problemchild2 starring #johnritter #michaeloliver #ivyannschwan #amyyasbeck #gilbertgottfried #jackwarden #dennisredfield #jamestolkan #charlenetilton

#allthepresidentsmen #1976 DIR #alanjpakula CAST #jackwarden #robertredford #drama #thriller #movie DP #gordonwillis (à Washington D.C.) https://www.instagram.com/p/CFSVCQaIMRw/?igshid=h1zlze5mur93

“Problem Child”!

Probably not for the overtly-PC, family-friendly crowd, but definitely one of my all-time favorite John Ritter performances.

📼📺🤣