Dad, Me, and Movies

Fifteen months ago I lost my father in what was a life changing, yet, life affirming event in my life. After months and months of incredible sadness, I began to recognize all of the little moments that we had spent together. I began to realize that moments that were once insignificant had now become important. These instances range from getting “merit” badges as a Cub Scout to having a catch. If I have one regret, it is that I never told him how those “insignificant moments” impacted me. My father wasn’t big into movies like I am, but the movies he did see, he always liked. He loved comedies. There is something about watching a comedy with your dad and listening to him laugh. If he laughs you know you will too. I recall watching Old School with my old man the night before my wedding. His belly laugh had me rolling and tears were streaming down my face much the way they are now as I write this. We saw some great classics together too. I look fondly on taking him to see Ghostbusters on his birthday. I watched him in the theater that day and do not think he stopped smiling the entire film. Slimer made me cackle, but I am sure Bill Murray’s lines about “dickless” government workers and his girlfriend sleeping “four feet above the covers” were the reasons for his amusement. My dad and I could always bond over a great comedy so today, I honor him and I am reminded of how much I miss his goofy smile. Here are his top five favorites:

5) Blazing Saddles-He always quoted this flick “Badges…we don’t need no stinkin’ badges.”

4) Meet the Parents-We saw this as an entire family and it was my pop’s introduction to Ben Stiller.

3) Men In Black-Yes, Men In Black! My dad LOVED this movie and I still can’t figure out what his obsession was with this film. I liked it, but he loved it.

2) Ghostbusters-Well it is a classic and it made making smores with the old man enjoyable. Where are those Stay Puffed Marshmellows?

1)Young Frankenstein-A comedy classic. Mel had a way with my dad and this was the first movie he ever bought on VHS.

Hulk Smash!

This movie’s main character, The Hulk, has something that lives deep inside of him. It is something primitive, raw, and needs to be examined without limitations. It is the very essence of man. It is the desire to let raw emotion take our minds and bodies to perform either heroic or horrible acts. The Hulk is man stripped down to his bare bones. He represents thousands of years of repression. He is nature at its purest. When I was leaving the theater after seeing The Incredible Hulk I felt more than satisfied because I had the opportunity to examine something that resides deep inside of me. Like the Hulk, I was trying to repress ancient feelings of being a kid just enjoying a superhero movie. You see, superhero movies have more adult qualities to them then ever before. The storylines are not as basic and as movie-goers we are all benefiting. As I watched The Incredible Hulk something resonated with me. It wasn’t the storyline or the acting. It wasn’t the dilemma of Bruce Banner trying to do the right thing. It was a giggle inside my belly of sheer childhood delight. It was an eight year-old boy who I have lost touch with. It was me. There is a scene early on in the film where The Hulk tosses a forklift like a “softball” and I felt as if someone had transported me back in time. I suddenly remembered Bill Bixby walking solemnly down a lonely road with a bag over his shoulder as the “sad” Hulk music played in the background. I remembered cutting my Felix the Cat pajamas with scissors and showing my mother that I had clothes like the Hulk. I remembered her Hulk like rage afterwards too. It has been a very long time since I have sat in a theater and just enjoyed a film as much as enjoyed The Incredible Hulk.
There is a pureness to this movie that many may not understand. Marvel’s Incredible Hulk isn’t a very “deep” character in comparison to the other superhero franchises. He lacks the suaveness of Tony Stark and isn’t as conflicted as Peter Parker. Bruce Banner (Edward Norton) gets angry and when he gets angry, things get smashed. I enjoyed the “smashing” immensely. The Hulk swings from helicopters and takes on battalions of trained Army soldiers. He is tested and pushed to the brink. This movie touches on something very prehistoric that exist in all of us, our desire to listen to rage.
It is important to remember that movies should entertain us and The Incredible Hulk does this for a vast majority of its two hour running time. Edward Norton is more than serviceable as Dr. Bruce Banner and Liv Tyler is very good as Betty Ross. There is enough in this movie to please fans of the TV show and fan boys who have every copy of the comics. You may not like the Hulk when he is angry, but I sure did.