Category: Movies

Remixes Make The World Go Round – Part 2

Retroguy Leave a comment
In an earlier post I introduced you to Kirby Ferguson, a New York based filmmaker who was working on a four part video series known as the Everything Is A Remix Project. Click here to see the original post. The premise behind the project is that nothing in media is really new but rather a remake or blatant ripoff of existing music or film. 


In the first part, Kirby examined the history and art of remixing as it related to music. In the second installment, Kirby turns his attention to movies and shows how many modern blockbusters owe a huge debt to the originators and true innovators of the art. Check it out below.


The Everything Is a Remix Project is working on it’s third installment that should be ready for release sometime in June. Take some time to check out his site by clicking here. If you like what you see, consider dropping him a donation so he can continue his work. Don’t forget to tell him how you found out about him and his amazing work.  

Retro Video Mashup of the Day – Golden Age of Video

Retroguy Leave a comment

Every once in a while you come across a video that really makes you marvel at the dedication a person can have towards their craft. In this case, it’s a clip titled “Golden Age of Video” which is made up of bits and pieces of classic movies and some retro gem TV shows.

I posted the version with sub-titles because it is amazing how the creator, Ricardo Autobahn managed to find and splice (is that even a proper term for editing anymore? Am I dating myself? Do I care?) together all these relevant bits of dialog so seamlessly that it proves he’s either really good at editing or has unbelievable amounts of time on his hands. Either way, I look forward to more!Enjoy.

R.I.P. Patrick Swayze (1952-2009)

Retroguy Leave a comment

I’ve only been writing this blog a couple of months and I can’t believe how my memorial posts I’ve had to write for some rather iconic 80s type figures. The latest to the list is Patrick Swayze who sadly lost his battle with pancreatic cancer the other day. Hell of a way to go. You have to admire the fact that he kept right on working right to the end and had a current show on A&E that was doing fairly well.

Whether you liked him or not, his body of work was pretty large and he was an accomplished dancer and released some music as well. He’s mainly known by many for his roles in Ghost and Dirty Dancing (which let’s face it, wasn’t dirty at all in retrospect…….I’ve seen worse during Sunday mass, but I digress) along with some of his earlier work on The Outsiders, Red Dawn and Young Blood which helped earned him a membership in good standing of the Brat Pack back in the 80s.

As a tribute, here are some examples of Patrick doing what he does which you may not have seen before.

Retro Celebrity Disses and Put Downs

Retroguy Leave a comment

When you watch the chemistry between a couple of actors at the top of their game on the big screen you tend to think to yourself what a wonderful life they must have and how great it must be to be working opposite other famous actors. You figure they can’t possibly have the same problems you do in your job like dealing with the obnoxious slob in the cubicle next to yours or the whiny girl in accounting that always seems to be at your desk just as you’re about to head out to lunch.

Well guess again. Although many actors have great experiences while filming with their co-stars, others have less than happy thoughts after the fact and aren’t afraid to express themselves. Here are a few for your consideration.
Susan Sarandon once said of Mel Gibson, “He’s somewhere to the right of Atilla the Hun. He’s beautiful, but only on the outside.” Ouch. I’m pretty sure Mel mentioned something about her outer beauty as well and how he wanted to go all Atilla on her but I’m pretty sure it’s not the same thing.
Kris Kristofferson commented on his “A Star Is Born” co-star Barbara Streisand saying, “Working with Barbara Streisand is pretty stressful. It’s like sitting down to a picnic in the middle of a freeway.” Well, that paints a pretty picture don’t it? He’s not alone though. Tennis star Pete Sampras used to date Babs and he once noted, “She’s what I call a pitching wedge. She looks good from about 150 yards away.” I don’t think in all recorded history has a woman ever been compared to a golf club.
Ava Gardener seemed a little embittered towards her ex-husband Frank Sinatra when he married actress Mia Farrow. Ava said, “I always knew he’d end up in bed with a boy.” Meeeeow. Having said that, looking at the picture kind of makes it hard to dispute. Well played Ava……well played.
Frank Sinatra was one of the hottest crooners in music for the longest time until a good ol’ boy from Memphis took the country by storm. Elvis Presley – nuff said. What did ol’ blue eyes think of Elvis’s style of music? He said, “His kind of music is deplorable, a rancid-smelling aphrodisiac.” Seriously Frank, how do you really feel? Always remember, Frank may have been the Chairman of the board, but Elvis was the King. Thank ya vury muuch.
I would have asked what’s up with Melanie Griffith’s sunglasses but they really are the least of her problems at the moment. Here’s what the Antonio Banderas loving actress said about working with James Wood, “It is like being pregnant. At first you are happy. Then you think it was a mistake. And in the end you want it to be over.” Geez – where is the love? Who knows, maybe James is difficult to work with, but having said that, it’s also true that James Woods is actually prettier than Melanie.

Movie Rolls That Could Have Been

Retroguy Leave a comment

When you think of certain roles in classic films, there are actors that take the role and truly make it their own for all time. You watch the film and you can’t imagine any other actor in that role because they just seemed to have nailed the character in every way and have in many cases made the character an icon who no other can portray.

Here are a few examples of casting attempts that almost changed some iconic characters in American cinema.


Al Pacino – His body of work is impressive and second to none. He’s brought to life some classic characters in his career such as Michael Corleone in the Godfather, Tony Montana from Scarface and Colonel Frank Slade in Scent of a Woman to name a few. He was also offered, and turned down the lead roles in Pretty Woman, Crimson Tide and the part of Han Solo in a little movie that came to be known as Star Wars. “Here they come Chewie – Hoo Haaa!”

Gene Hackman – One of the most versatile character actors working in film today, Gene can do it all from drama, thrillers, comedy and has brought many memorable characters to life on the big screen. In the 70s, Gene was offered a role on the small screen for a new sitcom that was in development. Although he considered it, he eventually turned down the role of Mike Brady on the Brady Bunch.
Marie Osmond – One half of the most successful brother and sister duo acts, Marie Osmond had quite the fan base in the late 70s and early 80s prompting producers to offer her the lead role of Sandy in the original Grease movie. Marie turned the role down on moral grounds. She of course went on to be a regular performer in Las Vegas – a city known for it’s high morality. Go figure.

Clint Eastwood – Clint brought the role of Dirty Harry Calahan to life on the big screen and gave the character the grit and attitude the role demanded. Before he was cast for the role, it was offered and turned down by John Wayne, Frank Sinatra and Paul Newman. It was Paul’s idea to suggest Clint to the producers after he turned the role down. I guess he made Clint’s day. (Sorry I couldn’t resist that one)
Jodie Foster – No doubt Jodie Foster is not only a beautiful woman but an accomplished actress with many credits to her name. One of her most famous roles was Clarisse in Silence of the Lambs though she only got it after it was turned down by Michelle Pfeiffer. She was also offered the role made famous by Sharon Stone in Basic Instinct but turned it down obviously.

Chris O’Donnell – Chris had no problem accepting the role of Robin for one of the Batman movies that basically sucked and hurt his career to this day. He did give up a role in another movie that he thought would hurt his career although the man it went to had no regrets. Will Smith had no problem putting on the dark suit and sunglasses in Men In Black that Chris had turned down.

Kevin Spacey – American Beauty was a role that earned Kevin Spacey an Academy Award for leading man. It’s interesting to wonder if the award would have been given to one of the other actors the role was offered to first. They were Chevy Chase and Tom Hanks.

Tom could probably have pulled it off though Chevy would have likely ruined the film and it would have taken on a more “Vacation”ish vibe. What a difference good casting makes!

Director John Hughes Dies (1950-2009)

Retroguy Leave a comment

Retro lovers around the world will be sad to hear the passing of one of the most prolific write and director of ’80s teen movies along with other great comedies. John Hughes passed away yesterday of a heart attack while walking in Manhattan.

His credits as a director include such classics as The Breakfast Club, 16 Candles, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Weird Science, Planes, Trains and Automobiles, Uncle Buck and Curly Sue.

As a writer and producer, the list includes some of the above along with Pretty in Pink, Home Alone, Maid in Manhattan, National Lampoon’s Vacation, Some Kind of Wonderful, 101 Dalmatians and much much more.

Before his career in film, he began as a joke writer for people like Rodney Dangerfield and Joan Rivers. His impact on our pop culture is undeniable thanks to his strong emphasis on using pop music in all his films creating not only a great mood for the film but amazing soundtracks as well.

He will be missed. Here are a few memorable examples of his work.