Caffeinated Clint
Sur, it’s daggy, but I love it – and always have – when a good film should release on my Birthday (Scotch brings out the oddest of confessions); I guess it dates back to my teenage-hood, when a good movie being released on August 5th or the Thursday before/after meant the first part of the birthday party festivities were taken care of (except, of course, of the film wasn’t showing in the country, where I grew up; one that comes to mind is “The Presidio” (1988) with Sean Connery, Mark Harmon and Meg Ryan – it’s limited release really threw a spanner in the works of that weekend’s plans).
Wwhat we’d generally do is start off with a movie, head out to roller-skating (we roller-skated once a week as a kid, myself and my friends, it was the ‘in thing’ back then), some pizza, and then back to my place to sit around and listen to slightly-scratched 45s – for some frightening reason drunk bopping to ‘She Ain’t Worth It’ by Glen Medeiros and Bobby Brown * immediately comes to mind.
In August of 1983 I remember “Risky Business” was released. Had no idea who this ‘Tom Cruise’ was that was in it, only that I’d read his name on the back of the VHS for “Losin’ It” – some Shelley Long movie I’d never bothered to rent. Now that was a treat (still is).
A few years later I recall being cinematically spoilt for choice with the likes of “Batman” and “Lethal Weapon 2” both released within about a week of each other – that was August of 1989.
I also remember planning birthday parties around Prince’s “Purple Rain” (1984) and also “Die Hard 2” (1990) – the latter not so much a get together with friends as it was a ‘big night’ for the girlfriend and I at the time.. if you get my drift.
And sometime after that, I guess, birthday parties started to involve liquor and Poison cassettes so the pre-pizza movie was nixed.
Still, such fun times – and a fun thing to keep watch on; Birthdays, nowadays, usually consist of me and the little one grilling some sausages at home, playing with Barbie and Ken. “Purple Rain” Schmurple Rain.
This year, had I been 15, my birthday present would be the “Planet of the Apes” reboot starring James Franco – and I tell ya, I’d definitely be adding it to the 5/8 festivities.
“Rise of the Planet of the Apes” actually looks pretty decent. I’m not very familiar with director Rupert Wright’s work, but I do love this cast (John Lithgow’s also in there), and usually enjoy the “Apes” films – yep, even Tim Burton’s effort (though what I remember most about it is Fox serving up a huge spread of cakes and treats before the media screening; we now know why).
Here’s the trailer for “Rise of the Planet of the Apes”.
And here, for no apparent reason, is ‘She Ain’t Worth It’ – played numerous times at one of my ’80s birthday parties. Long live the… no, no, let’s be happy this went away.
