The Songs of Johnny Go

Been meaning to post this for almost a week now.

A-Ha's "Take On Me," redone with literal lyrics that match the video.



My only criticism is that the ending is kinda weak. I think they missed a prime opportunity for an ALTERED STATES shout-out, even if only nerds like me would get it.

Still, I've seen this five times now. I reckon by the fifteenth time it'll stop being awesome. Maybe.

Between this and introducing angrylemur to the magnificence that is Michael Mann's MANHUNTER, it's been a good week for 80's-tasticness.

A couple days ago, NPR did an excellent piece of the legacy of SIXTEEN CANDLES' most infamous creation, Long Duk Dong. It's an illuminating and fascinating segment, and I'm especially glad they got Gedde Watanabe himself to comment (as if he was too busy filming VAMP 2: REVENGE OF GRACE JONES' HAIRPIECES).

Although if I ever met Gedde, I'd sooner probably quote UHF to his face. Which, upon consideration, is probably not much better, is it? "She'll take the box! What's in the box?! NOTHING. ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! STUPID! YOU SO STUPID!!!" Yeah, maybe not so much. I shall continue to watch and adore SIXTEEN CANDLES and UHF alone in my shame.

To accompany that, NPR posted on their website Adrian Tomine's "The Donger and Me," which I think sums up the situation rather nicely. On the other hand, come on, Adrian, that's what you get for watching BOOTY CALL in the first place.



Similarly, CHUD.com wrote a neat little opinion piece on John Hughes' cinematic absence, which reminded me how much I loved some of his films, much as I seethingly dislike teenage culture. Hell, I'm that guy who doesn't like DAZED AND CONFUSED nor FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH, but Hughes' films (that I've seen) have always charmed and delighted me.

Of course, I haven't seen THE BREAKFAST CLUB in five years, so who knows how it'll hold up; I'm tempted to still loathe them turning Ally Sheedy into a pod person; she was prettier before, damn it! Nor have I seen WEIRD SCIENCE, which I've heard if both excellent and a piece of shit.

Furthermore, much as I love FERRIS BUELLER'S DAY OFF, I think I hate Ferris himself. The smug kid has everything going for him, and breezes through the movie with ease. Even when there's conflict, it's so obvious that he's never in any real danger, save for at the very end when his sister saves his ass. Shit, sometimes I wish Rooney had nailed him! (Then again, as it's Jeffrey Jones, maybe not. Sorry, couldn't resist the cheap shot)

Also, I feel like he bullies Cameron under the pretense of helping him grow. I know big brothers who do that. It's very not cool. It's like, sure, he'd like Cameron to get out from under his father's thumb, that's all well and good, but he wants the CAR first and foremost!

But in either case, I think FERRIS BUELLER has already been forever ruined for me ever since I saw this:



Oh, and PLANES, TRAINS, AND AUTOMOBILES is still my Thanksgiving movie of choice.

Now can we finally get THE LUNCH CLUB made, where they attend their high school reunion?