I’m a big fan of tough guy actor, Brian Dennehy. I especially liked it when he teamed up with James Woods in the badass cop/hitman flick, BEST SELLER! In honor of Dennehy’s 87th birthday in cinema heaven, I thought I’d share him pummeling a very deserving Woods in one of the film’s many standout scenes!
Category Archives: tribute
Happy 4th of July!
My wife and I recently enjoyed a little weekend getaway to Branson, MO. Branson is a little “tourist town” in the Ozark Mountains just across the Arkansas state line, and it’s a place I’ve been visiting my entire life. One of my favorite things to do there is to take in an evening dinner cruise and show on the Showboat Branson Belle. The weather was perfect on the night of our cruise, and after enjoying some time on the top deck, my wife snapped this picture on our way back into the boat. This picture means so many things to me… along with a beautiful sunset and a moment in our lives that felt so perfect, it also captures a flag that stands for something special, something that I could never adequately put into words. A little later that evening all of the veterans of the armed forces in the audience were asked to stand and be recognized for their service to our country. Looking at those men and women who were standing, I felt those same feelings I had felt earlier looking at the flag. I still don’t have the perfect words, but I do know that we’re blessed. Happy 4th of July, friends!
Song of the Day: Stuck In The Middle With You by Stealers Wheel
If you know, you know.
RIP, Michael Madsen.
Brad’s “Scenes of the Day” – Kathleen Wilhoite insulting Charles Bronson (and everyone else) in MURPHY’S LAW (1986)!
Actress Kathleen Wilhoite is 61 years old today. Wilhoite is a talented actress and singer who has over 40 years worth of film and TV credits, including movies like ROAD HOUSE (1989), with Patrick Swayze, and BAD INFLUENCE (1991), with Rob Lowe and James Spader. The movie I’ll always appreciate her the most for is the fun Charles Bronson badass cop movie, MURPHY’S LAW, that was made for the infamous Cannon Studios back in 1986. Handcuffed to Bronson for portions of the film, Wilhoite’s character Arabella McGee has an extremely interesting vocabulary, which mostly consists of cheesy, crude and vulgar insults for almost every person she comes into contact with. I saw this movie when I was 13 years old, and I copied way too many of her zingers for my own personal use over the next few years. Heck, 38 years later, I’m still not above calling the people I love “snot licking, donkey farts!”
Happy Birthday, Kathleen! Enjoy the video below that shares all of those insults from the movie!
Brad’s “Stand-Up Comedian of the Day” – Pat Morita with Redd Foxx!
I think it’s fair to say that I wanted to be the karate kid when I was a growing up. The movie THE KARATE KID (1984) came out when I was 10 years old, and it changed my life. I’ve been a fan of Ralph Macchio, Elizabeth Shue and Pat Morita ever since then. I loved the relationship between Daniel and Mr. Miyagi, and I always thought Pat Morita was so funny. But honestly, I had never seen Pat Morita do a stand-up routine until today. In honor of Pat Morita’s 93rd birthday in cinematic heaven, I’m sharing a stand-up clip from his performance on Redd Foxx’s show back in 1977. It’s definitely politically incorrect, but it’s also playful and fun!
Happy Birthday, Pat! Thanks for the memories!
Scenes That I Love: Putting On The Ritz From Young Frankenstein (Happy Birthday, Mel Brooks!)
Today, Mel Brooks is 99 years old!
Mel Brooks. What can you say Mel Brooks? Not only did he help to redefine American comedy but he was also responsible for bringing David Lynch to Hollywood. Brooks was the one who hired Lynch to direct The Elephant Man. It can probably be argued that, if not for Brooks, Lynch’s feature film career would have begun and ended with Eraserhead. Brooks not only hired Lynch but also protected him for studio interference. When the execs tried to make Lynch remove two surrealistic sequences from The Elephant Man, Brooks stood up to them. When they requested a more conventional biopic, Brooks defended Lynch’s vision and the result was one of the best films ever made.
Of course, Brooks isn’t listed in the credits of The Elephant Man. Though he produced the film, he went uncredited because he didn’t want people to assume that the movie was a comedy. By doing so, Brooks missed out on an Oscar nomination but he also ensured that the film was taken seriously. It’s hard not to respect someone who was willing to go uncredited to help make the film a success.
Though Brooks, as a producers, was responsible for a number of serious films, there’s a reason why Brooks is associated with comedy. He’s a very funny man and he directed some very funny films. In honor of Mel Brooks, here’s a scene that I love from 1974’s Young Frankenstein.
Happy birthday, Mel Brooks!
Happy Birthday, Tony Leung Chiu-wai (with a wink and a smile)!
I’m continuing to celebrate the 63rd birthday of the incredibly talented and diverse Hong Kong actor, Tony Leung Chiu-wai. I found this short video that includes so many scenes from his excellent body of work. In many of these shots, he’s smiling and happy, and it just made me feel good, so I’m sharing it with you! Enjoy, my friends!
Brad’s Scene of the Day – “Just Like Saigon” from DIE HARD (1988)!
I noticed that character actor Robert Davi turns 74 years old today, which gives me an excuse to share a favorite scene from DIE HARD!
Happy Birthday, Robert! I hope it’s a “Just like Saigon” level of happiness for you today!
Brad’s “Birthday of the Day” – Actor Joe Penny!
Joe Penny turns 69 years old today! That may not mean that much to a lot of people, but I like Joe Penny so I’m making a point to show the guy some appreciation. As a teenager in the 1980’s, I remember Joe in two T.V. series that our family really enjoyed, RIPTIDE and JAKE AND THE FATMAN. I haven’t watched an episode of either show in a long time, but they were part of my growing up years, so they are seared into my brain. But the main reason that Joe has become part of my family is the fact that he played Charles Bronson’s police detective son, Ben Fein, in the second and third installments of the “Family of Cops” series of T.V. movies. Daniel Baldwin may have originated the role of Ben Fein in the first movie, and he’s good in the part, but I felt Joe Penny was a step in a positive direction when he took over in the second film. His acting style suits the series better than Baldwin’s, and I also think he’s more believable as Bronson’s son. I still revisit the “Family of Cops” series every couple of years, and I’m always happy to hear Joe refer to Bronson as “Pop.”
Happy Birthday, Joe! I hope it’s a great one! I’ve included the trailer for BREACH OF FAITH: A FAMILY OF COPS II below:
Brad’s “Hero of the Day” – Audie Murphy!
Audie Murphy, the most decorated American soldier in World War II, was born on June 20th, 1924. After performing unimaginable acts of bravery in the war, Audie Murphy came back to America and became a respectable actor while battling PTSD. He starred in the story of his own life, TO HELL AND BACK (1955), a movie that my son watched on repeat when he was growing up. Back in 2010, we visited Arlington National Cemetery and specifically looked up Murphy’s gravesite. Based on cemetery records, the only site visited more than Murphy’s is that of John F. Kennedy. Also, every time I drive through Greenville, TX on my way to Dallas, I’m sure to look at the monument to Audie Murphy along interstate 40. I never miss making sure I spot the monument and think of Audie Murphy. Sadly, Murphy would die at just 46 years of age in a plane crash in Virginia.
Enjoy this trailer for TO HELL AND BACK!
Through the Shattered Lens 