PhantomKnight
CS! Gold
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 20,527 
Likes: 3,130
Location:
Last Online Nov 22, 2024 0:32:12 GMT -5
|
Post by PhantomKnight on Jan 13, 2015 1:31:04 GMT -5
It's about SO much more than that. You obviously missed the point. Ah, the age-old passive agressive argument of "you didn't get it". Alright, you want a proper explanation? Here: the film does a tremendous job of showing how PTSD affects people and relationships that were once steady, and does so through amazing performances and fantastic filmmaking. Good enough for you? |
|
Doomsday
Administrator 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Posts: 23,298
Likes: 6,764
Location:
Last Online Nov 22, 2024 17:06:30 GMT -5
|
Post by Doomsday on Jan 13, 2015 2:02:09 GMT -5
I watched The Deer Hunter a while back then bought it on DVD during Borders' going out of business sale. I've never watched it once and probably never will. Not that it isn't a great movie, it's just....it's The Deer Hunter.
|
|
PhantomKnight
CS! Gold
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 20,527
Likes: 3,130
Location:
Last Online Nov 22, 2024 0:32:12 GMT -5
|
Post by PhantomKnight on Jan 13, 2015 2:18:39 GMT -5
I watched The Deer Hunter a while back then bought it on DVD during Borders' going out of business sale. I've never watched it once and probably never will. Not that it isn't a great movie, it's just....it's The Deer Hunter. Watch it. 
And it surprises me that more people don't love The Deer Hunter. Well...more like disappoints me.
|
|
Deexan
CS! Silver
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 18,196
Likes: 2,995
Location:
Last Online Nov 13, 2021 19:23:59 GMT -5
|
Post by Deexan on Jan 13, 2015 10:17:26 GMT -5
I'm with you, MB. One of my favourite films, and my favourite war film by far. John plays the pianoThe fact that John Cazale had terminal cancer throughout filming and died shortly after makes the "boring" opening act even more powerful than the two that follow it. |
|
frankyt
CS! Gold
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 21,945
Likes: 2,015
Location:
Last Online Nov 22, 2024 15:18:18 GMT -5
|
Post by frankyt on Jan 13, 2015 10:41:45 GMT -5
It was filmed around here (well parts)... it is almost required to watch it in this neck of the woods.
|
|
Neverending
CS! Platinum
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 65,771
Likes: 8,646
Location:
Member is Online
|
Post by Neverending on Jan 13, 2015 14:11:36 GMT -5
I watched The Deer Hunter a while back then bought it on DVD during Borders' going out of business sale. I've never watched it once and probably never will. Not that it isn't a great movie, it's just....it's The Deer Hunter. |
|
Doomsday
Administrator
Join Date: Jan 2001
Posts: 23,298
Likes: 6,764
Location:
Last Online Nov 22, 2024 17:06:30 GMT -5
|
Post by Doomsday on Jan 13, 2015 18:45:40 GMT -5
Don't bring Duke into this!
|
|
Neverending
CS! Platinum
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 65,771
Likes: 8,646
Location:
Member is Online
|
Post by Neverending on Jan 29, 2015 10:20:21 GMT -5
10 NOTEWORTHY AWARD WINNERS FROM THE LAND DOWN UNDERIn honor of The Babadook ( Deexan) winning Best Picture at the Australian Academy Awards, here is a list of other movies that received similar praise. #10 & 9 - MEL GIBSON WON BEST ACTOR FOR TIM (1979) AND GALLIPOLI (1981) Doomsday Mel Gibson won Academy Awards for Best Picture and Best Director in 1996 for Braveheart. But the Australian version of the Oscars awarded Gibson almost immediately. He won Best Actor for Tim (1979) and Gallipoli (1981). #8 - RUSSELL CROWE WON BEST ACTOR FOR ROMPER STOMPERS (1992). Justin Before Russell Crowe won a 2001 Academy Award for Best Actor in Gladiator, he was already a big star in Australia. For his breakout performance in Romper Stompers (1992), he won the Aussie equivalent of that award. By the way, Crowe's directorial debut, The Water Diviner, received a Best Picture nomination. So after all these years, his people still love him. #7 - LEONARDO DiCAPRIO IS AN AWARD-WINNING ACTOR IN AUSTRALIA Dracula In America, people like making jokes about Leonardo DiCpario losing Academy Awards. But in Australia, he won their Oscar for Best Actor for his performance in The Great Gatsby (2013). Seriously! #6 - AND ON THAT NOTE, YES, THE GREAT GATSBY (2013) ALSO WON BEST PICTURE. SERIOUSLY! PG Cooper #5 - MERYL STREEP WON BEST ACTRESS FOR EVIL ANGELS (1989) IanTheCool Even in other countries Meryl Streep wins awards. And yes, that's where Javier Bardem stole the haircut from. Seakazoo#4 - GEORGE MILLER WON BEST DIRECTOR FOR THE ROAD WARRIOR (1981) SnoBorderZero As we brace ourselves for the long-awaited 4th installment of Mad Max, it's good to remind folks that George Miller won the Australian Academy Award for Best Director for the excellent Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior (1981). And considering that The Great Gatsby (2013) and The Babadook (2014) were the last two winners, it's possible that this time next year, George Miller will be picking up his second Best Director award. #3 & 2 - THE AUSTRALIANS REALLY LOVE CATE BLANCHETT AND TONI COLLETTE! Knerys  Over the course of 20 years, the two actresses have won a combined total of 7 awards for Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress. Beat that, Meryl Streep! #1 - THE LOTR TRILOGY (2001-03) WON BEST FOREIGN FILM Jibbs The Academy Awards like to get fancy when they honor foreign films, but not Australians. No... they gave three consecutive Best Foreign Film awards to The Lord of the Rings. Then again... New Zealand IS the respectable version of Australia, so maybe they did get fancy. Bane
|
|
PG Cooper
CS! Silver
Join Date: Feb 2009
And those who tasted the bite of his sword named him...The DOOM Slayer
Posts: 16,647
Likes: 4,062
Location:
Member is Online
|
Post by PG Cooper on Jan 29, 2015 11:42:09 GMT -5
Cool. I've had Gallipoli sitting on my PVR for over a year now. Especially awesome to see Mad Max 2 won George Miller Best Director.
I do like The Great Gatsby, but it's fucking bizarre to me that it won Best Picture.
|
|
Deexan
CS! Silver
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 18,196
Likes: 2,995
Location:
Last Online Nov 13, 2021 19:23:59 GMT -5
|
Post by Deexan on Jan 29, 2015 14:41:27 GMT -5
The LOTR wins are cute.
|
|
Dracula
CS! Gold
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 26,101
Likes: 5,731
Location:
Member is Online
|
Post by Dracula on Jan 29, 2015 19:41:15 GMT -5
Cool. I've had Gallipoli sitting on my PVR for over a year now. Especially awesome to see Mad Max 2 won George Miller Best Director. I do like The Great Gatsby, but it's fucking bizarre to me that it won Best Picture. Australia makes, like, three good movies a year. They don't have much to choose from. |
|
Neverending
CS! Platinum
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 65,771
Likes: 8,646
Location:
Member is Online
|
Post by Neverending on Feb 5, 2015 1:33:04 GMT -5
TOP 10 SAVED BY THE BELL EPISODES! Happy 25th anniversary, Saved by the Bell. Thank you for giving me false hopes when I was in Elementary School. And thank you for giving me an escape from reality when I was in High School. You're an awful, awful show but also one of my favorites. The love-hate is strong. #10 - EARTHQUAKEWritten by Scott Spencer Gordon Directed by Don Barnhart Original Airdate: November 21, 1992  Zack Morris and "Tori the Lesbian" get stuck in an elevator with Mr. Belding's pregnant wife during and after an earthquake. And that's the moment when the woman goes into labor and Zack has to deliver the baby. Life is cruel to Mr. Belding. The student he hates the most is the one he needs the most. #9 - SLATER'S WAROriginal Airdate: September 28, 1993  This episode from The College Years is mockingly referred to as the one where A.C. Slater discovers that he's Mexican. A.C. Slater starts dating a fellow Mexican student and begins to embrace his Mexican heritage. You see, since The College Years was a primetime show, the writers and producers decided to give the series some seriousness and social awareness. It worked for the most part. And the parts that didn't were unintentionally hilarious. I'll never forget Zack's line, "I thought he was Italian." #8 - THE LAST WEEKENDWritten by Brett Dewey & Ronald B. Solomon Directed by Don Barnhart Original Airdate: October 26, 1991 (seriously)  In season 3, the writers and producers got tired of looking at the same sets everyday so they made 6 episodes at a beach resort, 2 episodes at a luxury hotel, 3 episodes at the mall, the hilariously bad Zack Attack episode, and that weird episode based on the Clue board game and movie. And let's not forget the "Adventures in Hawaii" TV Movie which aired during the beginning of season 4. But of all these outside-of-school episodes, the ones people remember the most are the beach resort ones which feature stand-out performances by Leah Remini and Ernie Sabella. Choosing a favorite is difficult because these episodes aren't stand-alone. They literally play-out like a 6-part episode about the gang getting summer jobs at a beach resort. But since I'm forcing myself to choose one, I guess I'll go with the last one because it perfectly captures that end-of-summer and back-to-reality feeling every teenager gets in August or September when it's time to return to school. #7 - MISS BAYSIDEWritten by Bennett Tramer (yes, the guy from John Carpenter's Halloween) Directed by Don Barnhart Original Airdate: October 27, 1990  Feminist Jessie Spano protests the annual High School beauty pageant and forces Mr. Belding into letting Screech and A.C. Slater join. Then, Zack Morris bets Slater that Screech will win... and he does. Just look at Screech's face. He has never been happier. #6 - SLATER'S FRIENDWritten by Larry Balmagia & Scott Spencer Gordon Directed by Don Barnhart Original Airdate: November 28, 1992 NOTE: This episode was made during season 1 but aired as the 100th episode during season 4. In the early days, NBC got nervous about some of the wackier episodes and didn't air them. One of the reasons behind the "middle school episodes" was to fill in the cap. Then in season 4, with syndication on the horizon, NBC decided to air all the "banned" episodes so they can sweeten the deal. And thankfully, the proper episode order was restored in syndication for future generations.  And yes, this is the episode where A.C. Slater dresses up as a f---ing lizard. Basically - and I'm not making this up - the episode is about Slater's pet lizard getting accidentally killed by Zack Morris and then having a funeral for him. The song, "Artie Boy," will be in my memory banks forever. #5 - PRACTICAL JOKESWritten by Howard Ostroff Directed by Gary Shimokawa Original Airdate: February 25, 1989  Before Saved by the Bell, there was Good Morning, Miss Bliss. They are different shows made by the same people and about the same characters. And that gave NBC the opportunity to turn both shows into one by incorporating Miss Bliss into Saved by the Bell as the Middle School episodes, even though there's a million continuity errors. It's like that episode of Star Trek where they turned the original pilot into a 2-part episode about Spock on trial for breaking Starfleet law. Anyway, Miss Bliss is very different from Saved by the Bell. It relies more on realism and school-life than teenage hijinks. Of the 13 episodes produced between 1988 and 89, the one that best illustrates that is Practical Jokes. This episode is about Screech being accused of ruining Miss Bliss' sweater during a prank. But instead of sending him to the Principal's office and calling his parents, Miss Bliss decides to turn the whole incident into a mock court trial with Zack Morris as Screech's lawyer. And yes, it plays out exactly like an episode of Franklin & Bash which you can watch every Wednesday on TNT. #4 - CREAM FOR A DAYWritten by Scott Spencer Gordon Directed by Don Barnhart Original Airdate: October 7, 1989  Screech makes a cream that can eliminate zits in a day and Zack Morris sells it to every student at school. And as you can imagine, there's a big side-effect and hilarity ensues. #3 - SCREECH'S BIRTHDAYWritten by Stephen Langford Directed by Don Barnhart Original Airdate: November 14, 1992  Here's another season 1 episode that didn't air until season 4. This one isn't as stupid as the lizard one but it's just as crazy. Zack Morris gets the wild idea of having Screech's birthday in Mr. Belding's office and spends the entire school day trying to pull it off. On second thought, it's just as stupid, but you go with it cause it's so damn funny. Plus, Kevin the Robot makes a guest appearance. You can't hate any episode with Kevin the Robot. Oh, and Mr. Dewey. He's awesome too. #2 - JESSIE'S SONGWritten by Peter Engel & Tom Tenowich Directed by Don Barnhart Original Airdate: November 3, 1990 #1 - THE ZACK TAPESWritten by Peter Engel & Tom Tenowich Directed by Don Barnhart Original Airdate: December 2, 1989  I know what you're thinking, "blasphemy! Jessie's Song is #1." But hear me out. This is the episode where Zack Morris uses subliminal tapes to get Kelly KaPOWski to go out with him and then accidentally makes the whole school fall in love with him. This is the episode where A.C. Slater says to people, "he's going to the dance with me!" This is the episode where Screech dresses up as a girl and calls himself Barbara Bush. Come on. You know this is #1. Or maybe it's the one where they do a hip-hop version of Snow White. I don't know. I flipped a coin. Bumped for the Google Bots. |
|
Jibbs
Administrator
Join Date: May 2000
Posts: 75,725
Likes: 1,657
Location:
Last Online Feb 20, 2024 18:06:23 GMT -5
|
Post by Jibbs on Feb 5, 2015 23:15:00 GMT -5
Nice #1.
I assume you saw The Tonight Show?
|
|
Neverending
CS! Platinum
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 65,771
Likes: 8,646
Location:
Member is Online
|
Post by Neverending on Feb 7, 2015 16:14:29 GMT -5
FOR DoomsdayTHE 10 HIGHEST GROSSING CLINT EASTWOOD MOVIES, ADJUSTED FOR INFLATION
Back in December, when American Sniper was released in a few theaters to qualify for the Academy Awards, who would have thought that it would become the 3rd highest grossing movie of 2014 and break every January record in existence? Dracula literally said that it wouldn't make more than $40 million. And he was right to be skeptical. Clint Eastwood hasn't had a blockbuster in, well, ages. Some would argue that America Sniper IS Eastwood's first blockbuster. But as I like to tell PG Cooper , Eastwood has been making movies since the 1950's and directing since the 1970's, so it's good to put things in perspective. And with that in mind, here are Eastwood's 10 highest grossing movies when adjusted for inflation. #10 - SUDDEN IMPACT (1983) - $172 MILLION Sudden Impact is the 4th Dirty Harry movie and the only one to be OFFICIALLY directed by Clint Eastwood. It dealt with a woman seeking revenge against the people who raped her, but the movie is best remembered for the catchphrase, "go ahead, make my day". It was such a popular line of dialogue that U.S. President Ronald Regan said it in one of his speeches. #9 - THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY (1967) - $173 MILLION Clint Eastwood became a household name in the 1950's when he was cast as the co-lead in the television series, Rawhide. But it took a trilogy of Italian produced westerns to turn him into an international superstar. In America, however, there was some hesitation because of the violence and unorthodox approach of these movies. They were called "spaghetti westerns" as an insult. But since 1967 was long before home video and the internet, movies could remain in theaters until the film deteriorated, and that allowed certain movies the opportunity to find an audience and do well at the box office. #8 - THE ENFORCER (1976) - $180.1 MILLION The Enforcer is the 3rd Dirty Harry movie and it received special attention in 1976 because it featured a female police officer as Harry's partner. And since this was at the height of the feminist political movement, people thought that was kinda cool. #7 - DIRTY HARRY (1971) - $180.9 MILLION Everyone has their favorite Clint Eastwood movie, but there's no denying that Dirty Harry is the one that defines his career. Dirty Harry isn't a simple movie about a cop trying to stop a serial killer. It's a political statement about a man who will do anything to protect the innocent, even if it means breaking every law in the book. Dirty Harry was very controversial in 1971, and considering recent events involving police officers, it could still reignite a debate. Personally, I do believe that cops should have restrictions and people's rights shouldn't be violated, but let's also remember that Dirty Harry isn't about the average citizen or even the average criminal. It tells a story about a character who is forced into extremes and his actions are justified. And in case you missed the point or disagree, there's... #6 - MAGNUM FORCE (1973) - $186 MILLION Despite the controversy, Dirty Harry was a box office success. It wasn't an American Sniper type of success, but keep in mind that social media didn't exist in 1971. If the people in your life weren't bitching about a movie, controversy seemed like other people's problems. It's like that Chris Rock joke about misogynist rap songs, "he ain't talking about me." Nonetheless, Clint Eastwood, as the producer of Dirty Harry, did feel the need to address the controversy and that lead to the creation of Magnum Force. Here, Dirty Harry goes up against cops who really do abuse the law. If Dirty Harry was to become a successful franchise, it was critical to make it clear that the character isn't the bad guy. #5 - UNFORGIVEN (1992) - $202 MILLION Unforgiven is Clint Eastwood's final western and it's considered by many to be his best movie as a director. It also won the Academy Award for Best Picture and its box office success was seen as a pleasant surprise. Could American Sniper, which is nominated for Best Picture, duplicate this experience for Eastwood? Time will tell. #4 - IN THE LINE OF FIRE (1993) - $205 MILLION In the Line of Fire is a well-regarded thriller about a secret service agent who has to stop an assassin. My grandfather is a big fan of Clint Eastwood, so I grew up on all his classic movies. But for most people my age, this was their introduction to Eastwood. The 1990's was a decade filled with high-concept action movies and this was one of the big ones. #3 - ANY WHICH WAY YOU CAN (1980) - $218 MILLION If you watched American Sniper because it was your patriotic duty, then this movie is for you. I'm sure Justin has it on VHS, DVD and Blu-Ray. It's the only movie he owns. #2 - AMERICAN SNIPER (2014) As of February 6, American Sniper has grossed $264 million domestically. It's a phenomenon. There's no question about it. Even SnoBorderZero would agree. But... it's not #1. #1 - EVERY WHICH WAY BUT LOOSE (1978) - $302 MILLION That's right. Once upon a time, Clint Eastwood made a movie with a monkey... and people loved it. There's even a theme song!!! This is literally what @dukeleto , Ramplate and frankyt listen to in the car.
|
|
Doomsday
Administrator
Join Date: Jan 2001
Posts: 23,298
Likes: 6,764
Location:
Last Online Nov 22, 2024 17:06:30 GMT -5
|
Post by Doomsday on Feb 7, 2015 17:20:27 GMT -5
Solid choices for the Saved By The Bell list. A few friends and I actually did SBTB for Halloween a few years back even making the hearts with our names on them. Huge hit.
|
|
Dracula
CS! Gold
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 26,101
Likes: 5,731
Location:
Member is Online
|
Post by Dracula on Feb 7, 2015 18:18:27 GMT -5
FOR DoomsdayTHE 10 HIGHEST GROSSING CLINT EASTWOOD MOVIES, ADJUSTED FOR INFLATION
Back in December, when American Sniper was released in a few theaters to qualify for the Academy Awards, who would have thought that it would become the 3rd highest grossing movie of 2014 and break every January record in existence? Dracula literally said that it wouldn't make more than $40 million. When did I say that? |
|
PG Cooper
CS! Silver
Join Date: Feb 2009
And those who tasted the bite of his sword named him...The DOOM Slayer
Posts: 16,647
Likes: 4,062
Location:
Member is Online
|
Post by PG Cooper on Feb 8, 2015 10:28:07 GMT -5
Nice write-ups.
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
Likes:
Location:
Last Online Nov 22, 2024 17:37:04 GMT -5
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 8, 2015 10:59:08 GMT -5
Surprisingly enough, I remember each one of those Saved by the Bell episodes. I used to watch it before class back in middle school and high school.
|
|
Doomsday
Administrator
Join Date: Jan 2001
Posts: 23,298
Likes: 6,764
Location:
Last Online Nov 22, 2024 17:06:30 GMT -5
|
Post by Doomsday on Feb 8, 2015 11:24:09 GMT -5
Honorable mention:
|
|
Neverending
CS! Platinum
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 65,771
Likes: 8,646
Location:
Member is Online
|
Post by Neverending on Feb 9, 2015 12:50:24 GMT -5
DraculaTOP 10 NWA SONGS In honor of the NWA biopic, here's a list of their 10 best songs. #10 - FINDUM, FUCKEM & FLEE (1991)NWA has a reputation for being an important rap group. They were not the first rap artists to make songs about life in the ghetto, but they were the first to be unfiltered and politically incorrect. But when you listen to their actual albums, there's a lot of juvenile songs that are very reflective of their youth. The age of the members ranged from late teens to early 20's and sexually aggressive songs, like this one, gave listeners an insight into the other side of the group. It can also be argued that these songs opened the door to all the misogynist songs that have plagued the rap genre for the past 25 years. I'm not defending these songs. I'm just saying that they have their place in history. #9 - DOPEMAN (1986)Before NWA broke-out with Straight Outta Compton in 1988, they made an EP in 1986 titled Panic Zone. They kept copies in the trunk of their car and sold it at clubs and parties. The main track from that EP is Dopeman, a song about a drug dealer that's destroying a neighborhood. The song offered audiences a preview of the group's greatness. #8 - EXPRESS YOURSELF (1988)Before 1990, Dr. Dre's role on NWA was strictly as a producer and he only made cameo appearances in various songs. But Express Yourself was an exception and gave listeners a glimpse of Dr. Dre's future career as a rap artist. #7 - CHIN CHECK (1999)In the late 1990's, there was rumors of an NWA reunion album with Snoop Dogg replacing the late Eazy-E. But with the exception of two songs and performances at the Up In Smoke Tour, nothing ever happened. That's a shame because if this song is any indication, it would have been an entertaining album. #6 - HELLO (2000)Minus Snoop Dogg, this is the other NWA reunion song. It appeared in Ice Cube's album, War & Peace Vol.2 (The Peace Disc). I love Snoop Dogg but excluding him here was a good thing. Hello sounds like a pure NWA song and felt like a proper reunion. #5 - BOYZ N THE HOOD (1987)NWA can be a very in-your-face group but sometimes they toned it down and created poetic music instead. This is a socially conscience NWA song that you can listen to with White people and not feel awkward. #4 - WE WANT EAZY (1988)Everyone has to pay the bills, including the members of NWA, so forgive them for making a radio-friendly song. At least it's a fun party song. #3 - 100 MILES AND RUNNIN' (1990)Ice Cube quit NWA in 1989 over a contract dispute and he left a giant void. So, Dr. Dre stepped up his game and quickly put together this fast-paced and passionate song inspired by the 1979 cult film, The Warriors. It worked and NWA survived long enough to spawn one last album in 1991. #2 - FUCK THA POLICE (1988)2014 was a big year for police brutality in the Black neighborhoods and this song from 1988 became the perfect battle cry for those fighting back. #1 - STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON (1988)NWA was a short-lived group but they changed the rape game and this is the song that did it.
|
|
Dracula
CS! Gold
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 26,101
Likes: 5,731
Location:
Member is Online
|
Post by Dracula on Feb 9, 2015 13:42:05 GMT -5
NWA was a short-lived group but they changed the rape game and this is the song that did it. Typo of the year... |
|
Neverending
CS! Platinum
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 65,771
Likes: 8,646
Location:
Member is Online
|
Post by Neverending on Feb 9, 2015 13:44:16 GMT -5
NWA was a short-lived group but they changed the rape game and this is the song that did it. Typo of the year... The year is still young. |
|
Neverending
CS! Platinum
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 65,771
Likes: 8,646
Location:
Member is Online
|
Post by Neverending on Feb 15, 2015 21:40:17 GMT -5
THE 10 BEST WEEKEND UPDATE ANCHORS! Now that Jimmy Fallon has been chosen to replace Jay Leno on the Tonight show, the next question has become, who's gonna replace Jimmy on Late Night? All rumors seem to indicate it'll be Seth Myers, current head writer and Weekend Update anchor on Saturday Night Live. If that turns out to be true, he'll become the fourth Weekend Update anchor to host a talk show and the second in a row to host Late Night. Not to mention the third in a row to be a former SNL personnel. Since SNL, and Weekend Update in particular, seems to be such a great breeding ground for future talk show hosts, this will be an ideal time to talk about it. Plus, it's Saturday! So, here's the list of my 10 favorite Weekend Update anchors. #10 - DENNIS MILLER (1985-91) In 1980, SNL creator and executive producer Lorne Michaels, left the show. During his absence, the show went through a roller coaster of quality and success. But one thing was for certain, Weekend Update turned into garbage. At one point, it wasn't even called Weekend Update. They changed the name to SNL Newsbreak. So in 1985, when Lorne returned to the show, the first thing he did was restore Weekend Update to its former glory. Dennis Miller was the anchor he chose to lead the way. Miller revolutionized the segment by being the first anchor to take it seriously. Weekend Update was originally meant to spoof the news. Miller used it as platform to comment on politics and society. It led to Weekend Update becoming SNL's soapbox. #9 thru #7 - TINA FEY (2000-06), JIMMY FALLON (2000-04), and AMY POEHLER (2004-08)  In 2000, Tiny Fey and Jimmy Fallon became the first dual anchors since Brian Doyle-Murray and Christine Ebersole in 1982. However, they were the first to be playful and feed off each other. They were also the first to be hip and youthful. They essentially modernized Weekend Update and made it relevant to the 21st century. Then, after Fallon left SNL in 2004, Amy Poehler took over as co-anchor. Personally, I don't think Fey & Poehler were as entertaining as Fey & Fallon. Although I know I'm in the minority with that opinion. Still, they managed to continue the playful tone. During this era, Weekend Update wasn't as funny or political as in previous incarnations, but it was definitely the most fun to watch. #6 - NORM MACDONALD (1994-97) Most people would say Norm Macdonald is the best. Back in the `90s, I probably would have said that as well. He has a dorky Canadian sense of humor that makes him very appealing. His version of Weekend Update mostly consisted of mocking tabloid figures which was very relevant in the mid-to-late `90s when tabloids were being treated like real news. The O.J. Simpson trial being the prime example. However, most of those jokes are outdated in 2013. That's why I'm placing him at #6. He was great for the times, but he has no lasting impact whatsoever. #5 - HE'S CHEVY CHASE AND YOU'RE NOT! (1975-76) Love him or hate him, Chevy Chase created Weekend Update and was its first anchor as well. So, you gotta give him credit for that. What I find most amusing about this is that Chevy got it right from the getgo. SNL itself took a few episodes to figure out the right format, tone, and style. Meanwhile, Chevy was hitting home runs from the very first episode. He's even the first person to say, "LIVE from New York, it's SATURDAY NIGHT!" Watching SNL during its first season, it's no surprise that Chevy became the show's first breakout star. He dominated. He was the star. And, Weekend Update was the showcase for Chevy's talent and charm. However, he was always smart enough to know that he couldn't put himself above the material. If Weekend Update was about spoofing the news then that's what it was gonna be about. I give this first incarnation of Weekend Update the credit for setting the standards. #4 thru #2 - JANE CURTIN (1976-80), DAN AYKROYD (1977-78), AND BILL MURRAY (1978-80)  In 1976, after only one season, Chevy Chase abruptly left SNL to pursue a movie career in Hollywood. Jane Curtin, the most iconic straight woman in SNL history, seemed like an ideal castmember to replace him on Weekend Update. She could deliver the fake news as if it were real. The polar opposite of Chevy who anchored with a tongue-n-cheek approach. She anchored solo during the 2nd season and was instantly well-liked. In the 3rd season, Dan Aykroyd was brought in to balance her straight-face approach and it was magical. Curtin and Aykroyd have incredible chemistry and their Point-Counterpoint segments are considered SNL highlights. Aykroyd's "Jane, you ignorant slut" is a pop culture lexicon. They are such a beloved dual that it's hard to believe they only lasted a season. For the 4th and 5th seasons, she was paired with Bill Murray. The chemistry wasn't there, unfortunately, but Murray's goofy approach and memorable Academy Awards coverage left a mark on Weekend Update history. It's also important to note that it was during Jane Curtin's tenure that Weekend Update first became political. It never had a personal point-of-view like when Dennis Miller did it, but it was definitely a major depature from Chevy Chase's light-hearted humor. Jane Curtin, along with Dan Aykroyd and Bill Murray, were the first Weekend Update anchors with substance. Curtin moreso than the other two. #1- KEVIN NEALON (1991-94)  Kevin Nealon is one of the most underrated castmembers in the history of SNL. The man has impeccable comic timing and delivery. Almost everything he says is hilarious. The best part of all, he can do any type of comedy. Normally, he tended to be kind of silly, like in the Hans and Franz sketches, but on Weekend Update he proved to be a brilliant straight man. When he delivered the news, he was a true professional. I mean, you could put him on NBC Nightly News and wouldn't be able to tell the difference. And then, of course, there's the popular, and possibly iconic, appearences by Adam Sandler. No matter how juvenile and ridiculous Sandler could get, Nealon was always able to balance it with some hint of maturity and sophistication. Nealon's Update may not have been the most political or the biggest mockery of the news, but it was a joy to watch and always hilarious. I should have bumped this earlier. For the Google Bots. |
|
IanTheCool
CS! Gold
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 21,492
Likes: 2,864
Location:
Last Online Nov 22, 2024 7:37:07 GMT -5
|
Post by IanTheCool on Feb 18, 2015 11:38:25 GMT -5
Yeah, you should have. My blog got a boost from the SNL special, though not as much as I originally expected.
|
|
Doomsday
Administrator
Join Date: Jan 2001
Posts: 23,298
Likes: 6,764
Location:
Last Online Nov 22, 2024 17:06:30 GMT -5
|
Post by Doomsday on Feb 18, 2015 15:36:26 GMT -5
Norm is my all-time favorite comedian. His appearances on Conan kill me.
One of my fav Norm quotes on Weekend Update was 'Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley have unfortunately split. Sources close to the couple indicate that Lisa Marie was a homebody who didn't care for the spotlight while Michael was a homosexual pedophile.'
|
|
