Caffeinated Joe

Five Star Songs #2

2012-01-26T03:00:00.000-05:00

John Mellencamp has been a favorite musician of mine since the 80s.

I like a lot of his stuff, but Cherry Bomb, from 1987, is my favorite.

Always brings me back to '87 when I hear it.

Five Star Songs #1

2012-01-19T11:13:00.000-05:00

Trying to get things moving here once again, so here is a new feature:

Five Star Songs

Simply, now and then I will feature songs I really love.

To kick things off, here is "Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World"

by Israel "IZ" Ka'ano'i Kamakawiwo'ole, from 1993.

Just beautiful.

STOP CENSORSHIP

2012-01-18T06:00:00.000-05:00

STOP AMERICAN CENSORSHIP

A Last Life to Live

2012-01-13T01:00:00.000-05:00

After over 43 years of daily shows, it all comes down to one hour.

Today marks the final episode of ABC's "One Life to Live".

This show was always the "back up" show, when I was growing up. "General Hospital" was the big deal at my house, between my sister, my younger brother (for awhile, anyway) and myself. "One Life to Live" was the one we caught if we had time. Usually, it had started before we got home, so it was just a half hour, at most. But I still watched and got hooked, for a good number of years.

I stopped watching years ago and only last summer did I start up again, watching with my family. We are all kinda hooked on it, and if the show had been as good (and as cheezy-fun) as it has been lately, I bet it wouldn't be facing its demise today.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Viki Lord Buchanan, played by actress Erica Slezak for 40 years,
had a speech on the show yesterday:

“The fans are so loyal, so passionate, so invested in their stories. I always ask how they started watching Fraternity Row. Some of them were stay at home mothers, taking a break before their children came home from school. Others were college students, with free time between classes. Many of them inherited a love of the show from their parents or their grandparents, who were long time fans themselves.

I remember the first time I tuned into Fraternity Row. I was hooked instantly. I needed to know what would happen next to these fascinating people. Would the hero and the heroine find their way back to true love? Would the villains get their comeuppance? Or would their crimes go unpunished? Would loving families overcome their obstacles? Or would their troubles prove too difficult to surmount?

Ultimately, that’s what soap opera is about: families. Close families, rival families. Even families that are unexpected, or the ones we choose for ourselves. And when a show is lucky enough to be on the air as long as Fraternity Row has been on, these families become extensions of our own. The audience might be upset when a favorite actor leaves, but they’re always willing to welcome a new one. Even when that new cast member is quite different from the one being replaced.

After all, this is a place where people come back from the dead, go off to grade school in the morning and come home from high school in the afternoon. Because for every new face, every new couple, every new family, there are long familiar faces. Some who have grown up before our very eyes. And a few more we hope to watch grow up. We know them so well. They’ve become our friends. We yearn for their happiness, especially when it’s hard won. We laugh as they laugh, cry as they cry and we can’t imagine doing without them. And when things are at their very worst on the show, that’s when we seem to enjoy them the most.

There’s just one thing we have to do to keep them in our lives: tune in tomorrow.”

Victoria Lord, on the ending of One Life To Live’s fictional soap opera Fraternity Row.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So, thanks for all the hours of entertainment.

You will be missed, no matter what ABC-TV thinks.

Here is the "One Life to Live" song, as sung by Kristen Alderson,

who played Starr on the show.

Music, New to Me

2012-01-04T00:24:00.000-05:00

I like all kinds of music, and love the second-hand iPod

I bought from my daughter when she upgraded herself to an iPod Touch.

For most of the year, I have a blend of music I like,

consisting of 80s pop/rock, country, oldies, indies

and just whatever I stumble across that I find I enjoy.

Also have quite a few TV show themes

and a load of Halloween/horror tunes, too!

At Christmastime, however, I switch over to holiday music.

Between CDs I have bought or traded for (thanks, Swap-A-CD!)

and free and legal music online (thanks, generous musicians!),

I have a Christmastime music folder that has 1,628 holiday songs - and growing!

Yes, you read that right.

What can I say? I like Christmas music!

This Christmas, in addition to the new music I have found online

from artists who post free tunes hoping to gain more fans,

my lovely wife gifted me with some holiday CDs:

James Taylor

at Christmas

From 2006, this is a reissue of his limited edition

Hallmark CD from a couple years earlier.

He has a great voice and the arrangements are definitely James Taylor-esque,

so I like it. His duet with Natalie Cole on Baby, It's Cold Outside is great.

Wonderful CD, as expected. Mellow and relaxing.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

elf

Music from the Major Motion Picture

This is the 2003 soundtrack for the Will Ferrell film of the same name.

The CD is pretty much a traditional Christmas album, with a few surprises.

The Zooey Deschanel/Leon Redbone version of Baby, It's Cold Outside is fun.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

New this year is A Very She & Him Christmas,

featuring the always fun Zooey Deschanel and her musical partner M. Ward.

Fun, a definite indie-sounding album, and Zooey has a fun, easy voice to listen to.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Also new this year is Christmas, by Michael Buble.

This one hit the top of the charts, not surprisingly.

His voice is always great and from the liner notes,

he says he modeled this CD after the classics he listened to growing up,

like Bing Crosby's Christmas album.

I love it, his voice is great as always and the fresh sounding

yet respectful to their origins.

Awesome CD for Christmas music lovers!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As for non-Christmas music, I was also gifted with Dolly Parton's latest CD, Better Day.

Was concerned this was going to be an "off" album, but I was worried for nothing.

Dolly is spot-on her game here, as usual.

Songs are great and her voice is beautiful, as always.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Finally, my brother and his wife gave me Cyndi Lauper's At Last, from 2003.

I have had this on my Amazon with list since 2004,

it was the oldest item on the list and now I finally have it!

It is a collection of Lauper's covers of jazz standards.

She has such a great voice and it is interesting to hear her take on these songs.

Going to need a few listens to truly appreciate this one.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So, that's what's new for me, music-wise.

I could try to cover all the new music from the online musicians,

but I really didn't keep track.

Maybe this Christmastime I will post the new music as I come across it,

so anyone who wants it can get it as well.

Give the musicians some more notice, as well,

which is always a good thing for those trying to get noticed.

Thanks for the gifts & Happy 2012!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Happy 2012!

2011-12-31T00:30:00.000-05:00

Hope you all have a very happy, healthy 2012!

(via The Daily What)

Twas the Night Before Christmas

2011-12-24T00:05:00.000-05:00

Celebrity Impressionist Jim Meskimen recites

Clement C. Moore's "Twas the Night Before Christmas"

Hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas!

(thanks to The Fire Wire)

A Smoky Mountain Christmas

2011-12-20T21:22:00.000-05:00

Haven't done a "Guilty No More" post in a LONG time, but here's one for ya:

A Smoky Mountain Christmas, from 1986, starring Dolly Parton, Lee Majors, Bo Hopkins and Dan Hedaya, with an appearance by John Ritter at the end.

The film is about a music star named Lorna Davis who, needing to reconnect with her roots, heads off to spend Christmas at a friend's cabin in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. When she gets there, she finds seven orphans using the cabin as their home. After encounters with a scary mountain man, a self-centered sheriff and a jealous witch-woman, Lorna and the kids struggle to spend Christmas - and the future - together.

Cheesy? You bet.

It is a simple yet sweet holiday story that isn't trying to be anything more. The plot uses many elements from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs as a template, but the tale is just about a bunch of loners who find their way to making their own kind of family.

The actors give their best to their roles, and we get the bonus of hearing Parton sing some great Christmastime country music.

Why these tunes were never released on a soundtrack is beyond me.

I have enjoyed watching this movie for years, usually on CMT, but for some reason they aren't airing it at all this Christmas. So, thanks to YouTube and user Miss Ashleigh Wardle, the film is below. Enjoy!

Happy Holidays!

Holiday Flashback

2011-12-03T14:37:00.000-05:00

Here's a holiday flashback for you: Wham! and Last Christmas, from 1984.

Christmastime is Here!

2011-12-01T12:30:00.000-05:00

Christmastime is Here!

Another One Bites the Dust

2011-12-01T00:01:00.000-05:00

Here it is, December 1st yet again and where have I been all November?

Completing yet another NaNoWriMo!

Yup, I made it over 50,000 words and wrote a novel. Sadly, this novel isn't one I am particularly proud of. The damn story just got away from me. Luckily, it is fanfic, a story dealing with my version of what happened after Halloween 2 and before Halloween 4. Yeah, I know, a tale told many a time by many a fan, but hey, it is my version, as creaky as it turned out.

The important part is I did it.

Another year, another NaNoWriMo successfully accomplished.

Also, as an added bonus this year, my two youngest kids (ages 15 and 13) also completed 50,000 plus word novels of their own! I am very proud of them for even attempting it, much less completing it! Kudos to you both!

Now, on to Christmastime!

Happy Holidays everyone!

The Day After...

2011-11-02T00:05:00.000-04:00

...well, two days after, but hey...

One year 'til October and another full month of Halloween, Candy and Horror!

New Web Comic: Ace Kilroy

2011-11-01T01:00:00.000-04:00

A new web comic by Rob Kelly and Dan O'Connor has made its online debut:

ACE KILROY

Click here to find out Who Ace Kilroy is!

I have had the privilege of reading a few weeks' worth of this new strip

and I have to say I love it and am anxious for more! I love Ace!

Head on over to get in on the beginning

of the dark and daring adventures of Ace Kilroy!

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T00:30:00.000-04:00

Today is the big day - Halloween!

Hope you find a scary way to celebrate, whether its online -

find tons to do @ the Countdown to Halloween -

between the covers of a book, on television or DVD,

at a party or out trick-or-treating!

To get you in the mood, here's a great horror movie mash up,

done to the great Michael Jackson classic, Thriller!

Enjoy & Happy Halloween!

Great Scenes #7 - Dracula

2011-10-30T00:30:00.000-04:00

Great Scene #7, the last for the Halloween season,
is from the 1931 classic, Dracula.

What do I like? What don't I like??

From the creepy setting of a decrepit, mysterious, eerie castle

to the general unease Renfield senses, you get the mood of the film and

the charming creepiness of the Count all at once.

Also love Dracula's classic line about the "children of the night"

and when he walks through the spider-web, leaving Renfield quite confused.

An awesome introduction to the Prince of Darkness.

Thanks to — MOVIECLIPS.com

When Carpenter Met Brown

2011-10-29T08:00:00.000-04:00

How awesome is this?

Charlie Brown: Blockhead's Revenge from Dylan OBrien

From Bloody Disgusting:

True to the horror icon's spirit, John Carpenter introduces his "first and last appearance on Funny or Die" with a very special Halloween spoof that combines Charlie Brown and All Hallow’s Eve. Entitled "Charlie Brown: Blockhead's Revenge", Carpenter calls the short "Terrifying, terrifyingly disappointing."

Great Scenes #6 - Scream

2011-10-29T00:30:00.002-04:00

For the sixth entry in Great Scenes,
we have the "How to Survive a Horror Movie" bit from 1996's Scream.

How to Survive a Horror Movie

What do I like? Well, Randy pretty much stands in for all us horror/movie fans who are obsessed with the films we watch again and again. And we are all nodding and agreeing with him, for the most part, when he lists his rules. In this scene, the movie not only addresses horror movie cliches, but it also honors the films that have come before.

And hey, the original Halloween is playing on the TV set the entire time!
What's not to love about that?

Great Scenes #5 - Psycho

2011-10-28T00:30:00.001-04:00

For Great Scenes #5, we head back to 1960

and Alfred Hitchcock's classic Psycho.

What do I love? Well, everything.

First off, the acting, writing and directing in this scene is just superb.

All brought their best, and it shows. The dialogue between Norman and Marion is so polite, but also so subtle in its hidden meaning. Norman pretty much spills the truth right here about mother, that she is just like one of his stuffed birds. And he gets riled up at the mention of putting mother in a madhouse. We truly get to see just how unhinged he is. Too bad Marion didn't take the hint and hit the road!

Thanks to -- Movieclips.com

Great Scenes #4 - Night of the Living Dead

2011-10-27T00:30:00.000-04:00

Great Scene #4 is from the beginning of the 1968 George Romero classic,

Night of the Living Dead.

What do I love? Well, the line from Johnny to his sister is a classic, of course: "They're coming to get you, Barbara!" Simple line, but sends shivers down my spine still.

And the fact that the zombie is already there, in the background of the scene, ever so slowly making his way closer and closer to the siblings. Quite creepy!

This zombie is played perfectly, I think. He almost tip-toes on his feet as he stumbles around, like walking is no longer something he does well or with thought. And the way he fights Johnny and attacks the car with Barbara inside. Just not very human-like in his actions, making it unnerving.

We know, from this scene on, that things are never going to be the same in this world.

Thanks to — MOVIECLIPS.com

Great Scenes #3 - Halloween

2011-10-26T00:30:00.002-04:00

For the third Great Scene we go to the true classic,
my favorite film, John Carpenter's Halloween.

What do I like? Well, at this point in the film, we know Michael has escaped. Now we meet Laurie, the sweet, innocent teen walking to school and stopping to run a simple errand for her father. We also meet little Tommy, eager about Halloween and nervous about the old Myers house. And we almost see Michael as he watches them, barely hidden. Very creepy!

I love the subtlety here. And how Michael just chooses Laurie and Tommy to stalk because they just happen to be the ones outside his house that morning.
Remember, Laurie wasn't turned into Michael's sister until Part 2!
Here, it is all just random coincidence.

Very scary.

Halloween (1978) - Watch Now!

2011-10-25T08:32:00.000-04:00

Had to post this right now!

John Carpenter's Halloween - the classic - is available to watch right now on Hulu - for free!

And I am embedding it below. Not sure how long it will be up, so watch while you can.

My favorite movie airing here on my little blog? Awesome!

Enjoy!

Great Scenes #2 - Halloween H20

2011-10-25T00:30:00.002-04:00

For the second installment of Great Scenes,

I have Halloween H20: 20 Years Later,

when Laurie and Michael come face-to-face again after so many years.

What do I like here? Well, to start, the tension and suspense is great, with Michael in pursuit of the teens, especially the bit where they are trying to get into the courtyard foyer as Michael slowly advances on them. Molly struggles with the keys and John has been stabbed by Michael, which is quite the homage to the first film, where Laurie had been stabbed and was desperately trying to get back into the Doyle's house as Michael slowly crossed the street.

And then Michael and Laurie come face-to-face,

with just a single pane of glass separating them. Chilling.

The one problem I have is the mask Michael wears in this film. It has too much of an "evil expression" on it. I wish they had gone with a simpler mask, like he wore in parts 1 and 2.

Anyway, a great scene that was much anticipated and which delivered on the tension.

Thanks to — MOVIECLIPS.com

Great Scenes #1 - Jeepers Creepers 2

2011-10-24T00:30:00.001-04:00

New Feature!

Great Scenes will feature scenes from films I like.

Now, the films they come from might not be Oscar-worthy,

but why hold that against them?

Sometimes, good entertainment is found in strange places.

Anyway, to kick off the first Great Scenes, here is the opening to Jeepers Creepers 2.

Yeah, I know, not the best movie, but it is an okay way to spend some time.

The Creeper is a great horror movie villain, I think, and I'd like to see a part 3, eventually.

What do I love here? Well, to start, the Creeper hiding out in plain sight as a scarecrow? Scary! And then he snatches up the kid and off he goes into the wild, blue... er, gold yonder. Not many mainstream films follow through with something like this, but much like the end of part 1, they don't hold back here. And it sets up the rest of the film, the pursuit of the Creeper by the boy's brother and father. Definitely the better part of the rest of the movie.

Any scenes you'd like to see spotlighted here? Let me know!

Thanks to — MOVIECLIPS.com