It Came From The Man Cave!: January 2018

WHAT IS IT... How much terror can you stand?

Director: Ishirô Honda

Writer: Shin'ichi Sekizawa

Stars:

Akira Takarada

Yuriko Hoshi

Hiroshi Koizumi

A greedy developer has placed huge machines to suck dry a part of the ocean near Tokyo so he can put luxury condos there. After a storm, a giant egg washes up on the beach nearby and is immediately put on public display. The developer's plans go awry when he disrupts Godzilla's rest and the monster goes stomping through Tokyo again. It's up to the elderly Mothra, and then to its two offspring, to save Tokyo from destruction.

"Godzilla Vs Mothra" (which should NOT to be confused with a similarly named movie from 1992) gets ready to rumble tonight on MeTV at 8 pm eastern/pacific,7 central, or check for information about time and station in your local listings, or at www.metv.com – by the way, we know there have been some station changes in some areas, like Seattle, St. Louis, and Los Angeles- don’t panic and think we’re not on! Just go to the MeTV site, click on “where to watch” and enter your zip code- you’ll find the right station for our show!

The greatest scandal in polka history.

Directors:

Maya Forbes

Wallace Wolodarsky
Writers:

Maya Forbes

Wallace Wolodarsky

Stars:

Jack Black

Jenny Slate

Jason Schwartzman

Local Pennsylvania polka legend Jan Lewan develops a plan to get rich that shocks his fans and lands him in jail.

“The Polka King” debuted at last year’s Sundance Film Festival and tells the story of Lewan, a native of Poland who gained a large following as a polka musician. He was later sent to prison for defrauding about 400 people out of millions of dollars in what prosecutors termed a Ponzi scheme. While incarcerated, Lewan survived an attack in which a cellmate slit his throat.

“It’s like 90 percent true,” Jan Lewan said, “and a little bit of it is Hollywood of course.” Personally I have never heard of Lewan but after Jack Black's performance, I feel the need to look into his life a little bit more.

Jack Black was amazing playful and warm all at the same time really drawing you into his charter to the point that I could not believe this was based on a true story. Man, I would have to give this hard-working man my money too. And I know want to listen to polka music now! Black even worked on his accent with Jan himself as a voice coach. Jack deserved to be remembered this award season I wonder if the fact this went to Netflix hurt his chances.

The look and feel of the movie transfer you nicely to Rhode Island, Florida, and Rome seamlessly. Of course, the music really drives the story and for me was the reason I clicked to watch in the first place. But what a crazy story to go along with this tale, it is per magic that you just can not believe train wreck happing right in front of your eyes.

This has to be one of the craziest flicks in a long time that has me intrigued into reading more about Jan Lewan's life and even check out some of his music. Jack Black is mesmerizing along with Lewan's wife that was played by Jenny Slate they simply knocked it out of the park and where great together. Everything about The Polka King hits all the right notes. I do not say this much but this is one of those movies that you need to watch!

4 out of 5 Squeeze Boxes!

Top Five Tuesday Mercy!

So the other day my brother stopped by and I had on the MLB Channel talking about the Hall Of Fame ballot. It got us talking about a few of our favorite players and how we would go to the ceremony if they were voted in. I have been thinking about my favorite White Sox players of all time. A few years ago this would have been pretty easy but right now not so much.

Number Five

For so many reason's Chet Lemon will always be on the top of the list. He was the first All-Star I remember for the White Sox he was also the first Home Run I saw in person when I was very young. In fact, it was a doubleheader against the Kanas City Royal's my dad and I were on a bus trip with the rotary club. Then there was this one time I made a one-handed catch in a little league and the coach yelled from the dugout "we do not make Chet Lemon catches!" Made me laugh but I get it use two hands!

Number Four

Any 11-year old growing up in the '80s as a Sox fan you know you had to be a Carlton Fisk fan. Man the day he came to the south side was a big deal, he was the answer to our prayers of winning the world series. Sadly, Fisk, one of the greatest players behind the dish would never get his ring.

Number Three

Haaaaarold, Haaaaaarold! Man Harold Baines was the face of the franchise the first true team captain. He was the nicest guy in the world. Went the to game when they retired his number and the first game I took my wife to was his comeback game in 1996. She never has let me live that game down, It was opening day and it was like 40 degrees out. We sat in the shade while our buddy ate ice cream. It was also one of the first games I had to leave early. What could I do she was cold.

Number Two

Ok so this is where the back and forth comes in, Paul Konerko is by far the greatest White Sox player ever! I could go off on a world wind of words but I will reframe. I could go back and forth with my #1 and #2 pick all day. One of the greatest moments for me was being at game two of the 2005 World Series and watching him blast a Grand Slam. I do not think I have ever felt the stadium shake like that almost like it could fall down and any moment. It was amazing people high fiving strangers hugging me wife jumping for joy it was amazing. A moment in time that I hope never fads as I get older. If for some odd reason he makes it to the Hall Of Fame it will be the day we road trip it just to say we were there. The man is amazing. But my number one is also amazing...

Number One

"Alexy...yes, yes, yes, yes, yes" the call from Hawk Harelson started with a phone call earlier that day from my dad and all he said was "Turn on the Sox game Buehrle is making history" that day still gives me the chills. Outside of the World Series win and the save in that same series Mark Buehrle was pitching on the White Sox, not the Yankee's or the Giants where he would be a household name superstar.

Buehrle pitched a no-hitter against the Texas Rangers on April 18, 2007, surrendering just one walk to Sammy Sosa who was then picked off at first base. Two seasons later, Buehrle pitched the eighteenth perfect game in baseball history against the Tampa Bay Rays on July 23, 2009.

He is the debate in my family will he make the Hall Of Fame? Of course, Sox fans will tell you yes. If he gets the call I will be there for sure. He has always been my favorite Sox to this day. I have seen him pitch more than any player that I have seen. Every time he took the mound I watched the game on the tube every chance I could. I cried when they traded him but I understood and never carried a grudge. I wonder with the new White Sox team that they are building now will crack my top five but these guys are near and dear to my heart.

Man, is it baseball season yet?

One of the reason's Buehrle's was a golden glove winner.

The Catch

Oh, how I still get tears!

Letterman top ten

Music Monday Wedding Songs

Since yesterday was about my wife today how about the first song we danced to...

I still love this song! And here is the song she played for me.

Gratitude Week 2 My Spouse

Week 2 My Spouse

My wife of almost 20 years is my rock, my best friend and the one person on this earth that really gets me.

She has given me two of the most precious and adorable girls a family could ask for.

I'm sure if you ask her what I could change about myself it would be more patient.

A little history

I meet Erinn at a bar the one thing I never thought would happen but this was 1995 and we did not have Tinder or Single Farmers dot com. The bar we were at was the gay bar for the night. She was at a table with two guys that I knew so, of course, I felt my chances were pretty good that she would at least talk to me. We talked about a mood watch that she was wearing. And life became just a little bit clearer. I remember what she was wearing a plaid skirt with a black sweater she drank bud lite and that was rough I was a miller man. We went out for breakfast that night and exchanged phone numbers. You know that stupid guy code that you have to wait three days or you look desperate, well screw that I could not wait to talk to her again so I called pretty much the next day. I know it sounds cliche but I knew deep down inside this was the one I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. I still do not know how to explain it, but the feeling was real.

Sure like most couples we have had our share of up's and down's but when love is so strong you always find a way to work it out or for my wife If I say I'm sorry (LOL). She let me marry her on Halloween the one holiday that we both loved and it was part of the month we meet. She was willing to move out of the small town that she grew up in and moved to the small town I grew up in. Sure we live in a small house and have way to much stuff but we are happy.

It's nice now to laugh at the crazy things in our life, just ask her she will love to tell you about cracking a pan over the sink and bending it when she got mad at me once. Or the one time she had a meltdown over baked beans. Yeah, Hormonal drugs when trying to get pregnant or not fun at all but we laughed and still laugh today when we tell our girls about our past.

The best part of this life I have is after 23 years together I look and my wife and think "How did I manage to be this lucky" I swear I look at her the same way I did those 23 years ago. I love every minute we have had together and look forward to the future still to this day.

Am I grateful for my wife simply the answer is yes! She has given me a lifetime of love and understanding. She lets me leave for a week out of the year to head out to MDA Camp to take care of Steve. She lets me have a basement full of horror movies and video game collectibles and I let her buy way to much nail polish and Bath and Body but it works, we work!

Our first Halloween

Our Third Halloween!

The Loves of my Life

Born in Hell!

Director: Motoyoshi Oda

Writers:

Takeo Murata

Shigeaki Hidaka

Stars:

Hiroshi Koizumi

Setsuko Wakayama

Minoru Chiaki

Koji Kobayashi, a spotter for a Japanese fishing fleet crash lands his plane on a barren island. His best friend, Shoichi Tsukioka, manages to find him and lands his plane next to his so he can be rescued. The two pilots are shocked when they see two giant monsters waging war before falling into the ocean. The two pilots race back to Japan to inform the government what they saw. Soon the world comes to the realization, that a monster closely related to the original Godzilla is on the loose as well as a new monster named Angilas. Soon, the two monsters arrive in Osaka where they resume their battle. Will the two monsters destroy Osaka before they ultimately destroy each other?

“Godzilla Raids Again” surfaces on MeTV tonight at 8 pm eastern/pacific, 7 central time- and you can check your local listings, or at www.metv.com, for time and station in your area. Our Chicago viewers get another look at Godzilla- King of the Monsters at 11 am on WCIU, the U.

MTV's Remote Control NES style

Do you remember way back in 1990 in the heyday of the NES and the shift in programming over at MTV well did you know you could play the only game show that started in a basement right on your NES! Just answer the absurd questions about Rock 'n' Roll and Junk Trivia and win lots of points. Senseless? You bet! Fun? Always! You'll be the envy of your friends, and best of all, you don't have to be smart to win!

Featuring Hundreds of challenging questions in absurd, thematic, tasteless and humorous categories. Crazy interruptions such as "Off the Air," "Home Shopping Zone," and "Ranger Bob," just like the real show. The fast and furious End Game Round that can change losers into winners. Single or group gameplay options.

So with all the retro gaming making a comeback, I ask the gods of Nintendo to consider remaking a classic game show. Man the hours I put into this game and the hours my wife (then girlfriend) sat and played laughing our butt's off and having a good time.

Sure it's NES graphics and sound but it was the early 90's and they worked! The questions may have looped back around after a few playthroughs and that is why this fun game needs a reboot! When the new gen's this game could be even better now. Justs fest your eyes on the glory below.

I feel like they got the look and feel right!

The questions were always fun and sometimes silly.

It's all there in 8-bit glory. Man, now I want to uncover my NES and pop this bad boy back in. So how many of you remember this TV show? Have you played the game?

Sadly we lost Ken Ober way to soon he died at his home in Santa Monica on November 15, 2009, at the age of 52. According to friends, Ober had been feeling ill and was complaining of headaches, chronic chest pain, and flu-like symptoms the previous afternoon.

Don't miss a bite of this tasty horror film!

Director:

Wayne Berwick

Writers:

Thomas Singer

Craig Muckler

Stars:

Jackie Vernon

Loren Schein

Al Troupe

Construction worker Donald is having a hard time getting anything good to eat since his wife has decided to only cook gourmet foods. That and her constant harping cause him to snap, and he whacks her. Somewhere in the confusion he comes up with a new use for the microwave oven and begins to eat much better. Soon he's experimenting with different recipes. And different meats.

With so many movies getting the tagline worst movie ever made this film lands on so many of those lists. And like most of the movie's I ask is it really the worst movie ever made? Wayne Berwick may not have made an Oscar winner with Microwave Massacre but what he did make is a black comedy worthy of a watch. Crazy fact about the director he went on to write for Father Dowling Mysteries and Diganous Murder and even started Acting in 1959's The Monster of Piedras Blancas and here he is making his directorial debut 24 years later. The film is clean and looks great with clever camera angles and tricks that lead you to see an above average B film.

The writing is sharp and witty leaving you laughing at the right times and wondering what is next throughout the movie. The pace is really good not giving you much of a chance to get bored with Microwave Massacre. One of the best lines comes from a bar scene when the bartender is sick of hearing everybody's life troubles. When our main character is done whining about his day the bartender out of now where turns to him and says's "Didn't I ever tell you about my hemorrhoids? They get really bad when it's humid, you know" and then the comedic genius of Jackie Veron takes over just with facial expressions.

"I'm so hungry I could eat a whore."

Let's talk about our "Star" Jackie Veron shall we this guy is great! So funny and sad to say when he talked I could not place that voice! It drove me crazy so I had to cheat and look him up on IMBD and if you have not recognized the name Jackie is none other than "Frosty the Snowman" in the flesh. Yep, that's right the sweet gentle voice of Frosty and that is why I think my subconscious loved him so much. Sadly this will also be Jackie's last film as he died of a heart attack in 1987. I know he was big on the stand-up comedy circuit but he sure should have done more movies as well as a few better movies. Also worth noting Rodney Dangerfield was the first choice to play the lead I'm personly thankful he turned it down.

Well, the only problem is, I can't make love to a woman unless I eat her

Also worth noting his the wife played by Claire Ginsberg she rocked it in this movie but crazy enough this is all she did. IF she would have only given him a baloney sandwich he would not have cut her up leading him to be a cannibal, all for the love of that new Microwave! So many moments in Microwave Massacre lends itself to many jokes like serving up a gourmet meal by candlelight and paper plates! I wanted a movie full of 80's cheese and I got one! B-Movie fans should not pass on this one it is a fun ride with plenty of boob's, microwaved feet, bad jokes, and gore. All through the gore is kind of light-hearted and not gory at all you still need to put this on your watch list. I had a great time watching and you just might too.

I know I'm as strange as they get...

3 Bloody Brains out of 5

After watching so big budget comedies that did not sit well with me I said I needed to good B movie so glad I settled on this one.

Family is worth fighting for

Director: Sean Anders

Writers:

Brian Burns (screenplay)

Sean Anders (screenplay)

Stars:

Will Ferrell

Mark Wahlberg

Linda Cardellini

Stepfather Brad Whitaker is hoping for his stepchildren to love him and treat him like a dad. All is going well until the biological father, Dusty Mayron, shows up, then everything takes a toll. His stepchildren start putting him second and their father first, and now Dusty will have to learn that being a good dad is about pains and struggles. Brad will also experience once again what it's like to be a stepdad.

So what do you get out of a writer that has written such bad flicks such as Dumb and Dumber To, Horrible Bosses 2, and Sex Drive and this pile of... well crap! That's what you get an overhyped pile of Will Ferrell being Will Ferrell crap!

Why do so many people think Will Ferrell is funny? I hear guys quoting Anchorman and Talladega Nights all the time like is a sacred guy code. If this means I have to turn in my guy card than so be it. The jokes in Daddy's Home fail hard to make me laugh the story is so lame to the point that I can not believe I bought into this when the trailers for the second one blasted the airwaves the past few weeks. Shame on me.

Now not everything was lost in this movie we do get the beautiful Linda Cardellini (Scooby Doo, E.R.) who looks amazing and played the mom very well. And the kids are fantastic and deservingly where nominated for the Young Entertainer Award in 2016 but sadly Owen Vaccaro lost to Tate Berney's performance in Insidious 3 and Scarlett Estevez lost to Gigi Cesare in the movie Street. In fact, it was the three of them that kept me watching until the end and trust me I wanted to turn it off within the first 20 minutes half hour and one hour mark! But I kept trucking along in hopes of a simple laugh.

Sadly the last three or four minutes of the movie it finally finds some heart and a few laughs but it was not enough to save the film for me. Man, I had such high hopes and really wanted to see Daddy's Home 2 but now I'm just not sure. Two sad comedies in a row I really need to clear my sole with some bad B movie or maybe a love story, Ugh rough start to 2018!

Daddy's should have stayed home...

2 Turkey legs out of 5

Top Five Tuesday The Golden Globes

Ok so after the Golden Globes here are the five movie's I can not wait to see,

Number 5

Although Three Billboards seems to be getting negative press and the fact that I have not heard of it puts this movie on my list. Not to mention Frances McDermott, Woody Harelson, and Sam Rockwell are all strong actors.

What hardware did they bring home well,

Best Motion Picture - Drama
Best Screenplay - Motion Picture
Martin McDonagh

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama
Frances McDormand

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
Sam Rockwell

Seems independent movies rocked the Globes this year.

Number 4

I had no clue what the movie Call Me By Your Name was until the night of the Globes when they should the trailer for the first time that night. The Plot seems to be In Northern Italy in 1983, seventeen-year-old Elio begins a relationship with visiting Oliver, his father's research assistant, with whom he bonds over his emerging sexuality, their Jewish heritage, and the beguiling Italian landscape.

This looks amazing but did not seem to get much love at the award show it was Nominated for

Best Motion Picture - Drama

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama
Timothée Chalamet

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
Armie Hammer

Number 3

Boy, I really must have lived in a cave last year. Here is yet another one that grabbed my attention immediately. The Disaster Artist is about Greg Sestero, an aspiring film actor, who meets the weird and mysterious Tommy Wiseau in an acting class, they form a unique friendship and travel to Hollywood to make their dreams come true.

My guess would be that James Franco and Seth Rogen have their hands in this one which would lead me to skip it, but now I can not wait for it.

Franco did bring home the hardware for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy

And was Nominated for
Golden Globe Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy

Number 2

Ah, Guillermo del Toro's The Shape of Water where a top secret research facility in the 1960s, a lonely janitor forms a unique relationship with an amphibious creature that is being held in captivity. Now this one was on my watch list long before the hype of award season. We all had hoped it would take home more awards then it did but Sci-Fi Horror fans could not be more tickled with winning

Best Director - Motion Picture
Guillermo del Toro

Best Original Score - Motion Picture
Alexandre Desplat

And to be Nominated for
Golden Globe Best Motion Picture - Drama to name a few.

And Number 1

I have been waiting for Lady Bird to come around this small town for some time now I really can not wait to see this story of an artistically inclined seventeen-year-old girl and how she comes of age in Sacramento, California in 2002.

Lady Bird won

Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy
Saoirse Ronan

And I have heard of this one as well bring the total of movies I have heard of this season to two. I guess that is what excited me about the Golden Globes this year.

And boy I must be wrong about The Marvelous Mrs. Masial as it took home a few awards too. Here is my review of that whole thing. So what were you glad to see win or what surprised you the most? Make sure to comment below.

Remember Me Music Monday

Gratitude Challenge Week One

Week One
"Why Start This Challenge"

To challenge myself,
To empower myself,
To reflect,
To learn.
To Grow,
To Teach
And to embrace this crazy life I lead.

But most of all to demonstrate to my children the importance of Gratitude.

It's Alive! IT crushes! IT kills!

Ishirô Honda

Terry O. Morse

Writers:

Shigeru Kayama

Takeo Murata

Stars:

Raymond Burr

Takashi Shimura

Momoko Kôchi

When American reporter Steve Martin investigates a series of mysterious disasters off the coast of Japan, he comes face to face with an ancient creature so powerful and so terrifying, it can reduce Tokyo to a smoldering graveyard. Nuclear weapon testing resurrected this relic from the Jurassic age, and now it's rampaging across Japan. At night, Godzilla wades through Tokyo leaving death and destruction in his wake, disappearing into Tokyo Bay when his rage subsides. Conventional weapons are useless against him; but renowned scientist Dr. Serizawa has discovered a weapon that could destroy all life in the bay -- including Godzilla. But which disaster is worse, Godzilla's fury, or the death of Tokyo Bay?

“Godzilla, King of the Monster” airs on MeTV at 8 pm eastern/pacific, 7 central time- and , if you’re not sure when it airs or on what channel where you are, please check your local listings , or at www.metv.com . In the Chicago area, viewers can get one more “almost-look” at the “Dr. Cyclops” at 11 am on WCIU, the U.