Wrestlemania XXIV (24) will take place tonight (Sunday, March 30th). I can't believe that it has been 23 years since the very first one back in 1985. I loved professional wrestling when I was growing up. Being in the Midwest, I first watched AWA wrestling which was based out of Minneapolis and ran by Verne Gagne.

Sunday mornings after Church, I could always be found in front of the TV watching AWA wrestling. WWF (which is now called WWE) was not available in our market until the early 80s, but then I watched that wrestling too. There was another wrestling show, based out of Texas, on late Saturday nights in our market which was called World Class which I would try to stay up to watch. Once cable television came to our market, we finally had access to the TBS channel which broadcast the NWA/WCW programs on Saturday nights out of Atlanta. I was a fan of them all.

There used to be regional promotions all over the country, but WWF really became the first national promotion and thus began to dominate the industry. You really have to consider Vince McMahon Jr. to be a business genius in those regards for what he has accomplished. Once in a while, I will still tune in to a wrestling show and it is amazing the level of athletes and resources now on display. Professional wrestling has really evolved into a soap opera for men, but it features amazing athletic specimens as its stars.

No matter how amazing the athletes, loud the pyrotechnics or slick the marketing, I will always hold a much fonder place for the pro wrestling of the 80s. Like much of that decade's pop culture, it takes me back to a simpler time in our world. This sort of nostalgia is priceless to me. In celebration of the 24th Wrestlemania, I decided I would share my favorite and least favorite characters from classic 80s wrestling (including their primary affiliation during those years).

OLD SCHOOL'S TOP 10 ‘MOST HATED' PRO WRESTLING CHARACTERS FROM THE 80s (+ Bonus 10):

20. Nick Bockwinkel - mostly AWA

Not sure if you have heard yet, but another celebrity is getting a divorce despite a relatively lengthy marriage. Robin Williams has been married to his second wife, Marsha, for 19 years, but she filed for divorce last week citing the ever popular irreconcilable differences. Here is a link to an article that gives you some more of the details and a link to see the actual divorce papers if you wish.

Add Williams to the list of recent celebrity divorces which includes Russell Simmons, Paul McCartney, Hulk Hogan, Sean Penn, Eddie Murphy, David Hasselhoff, Timothy Busfield, Valerie Bertinelli among others. I wrote about Eddie Murphy after his divorce was publicized back in January. In that article, I included a Top 10 list of Murphy's movies. I thought I would do the same thing for Robin Williams. I loved him back in his breakthrough television sitcom Mork & Mindy (1978-1982). He made his cinematic debut in the 1980 movie Popeye. That did not make the list, but here are OLD SCHOOL'S TOP 10 ROBIN WILLIAMS MOVIES:
Honorable Mention - 2002 was an unconventional year for Williams - He had three movies this year which his roles were much darker than anything he had really played before. One Hour Photo was a crime drama where he played "Sy Parrish," a obsessed film developer. Death to Smoochy was a dark comedy (though not very good at all) where he played "Rainbow Randolph," a horrible kiddie show host. Insomnia was a thriller where he played "Walter Finch," a sociopathic writer opposite of Al Pacino. The movies are not all that memorable, but the fact that the comic genius went against typecast to play these unconventional roles deserves at least honorable mention.

10. Jack (1996) as "Jack Powell" - I feel this is a very underrated performance by Williams which he plays a character with a fictional disease that causes him to age four times faster than normal. He is a 10 year old boy in the body of a 40 year old man and pulls it off with innocence and charm. This touching film, directed by Francis Ford Coppola, preaches the message that in life every second counts.

9. The Fisher King (1991) as "Parry" - In this film, which crosses the entire gambit from comedy to tragedy, he plays a deluded homeless man opposite of Jeff Bridges. It is really a wonderful film and Williams was nominated for the Best Actor in a Leading Role Oscar for his efforts.

8. Awakenings (1990) as "Dr. Malcolm Sayer" - This film, directed by Penny Marshall and also starring Robert Deniro, received Oscar nominations for Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay. It is a very emotional film with great character development and interaction.

7. Happy Feet (2006) as the voices of "Ramon" and "Lovelace" - This film ranked highly on my Best Animated Feature Films list because of its heartwarming tale and fantastic music. It won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film. His vocal performance in this film is superb, but not as special as his performance in another animated film which will appear next on this list.

6. Aladdin (1992) as the voice of "Genie" - This performance is pure brilliance and is the main reason for the success of this Disney movie which was the highest grossing film of 1992. His role would establish the trend of star power in voice casting for animated films. According to the DVD commentary, most of his dialogue was improvised which makes it that much more impressive.

5. Mrs. Doubtfire (1993) as "Daniel Hilliard/Mrs. Doubtfire" - He won the Golden Globe for Best Actor as he played the divorced Dad who disguises himself as a 60 year old female nanny in order to spend more time with his children. The film, directed by Chris Columbus, often displays Robin Williams at his comedic best. The make up to transform him into "Mrs. Doubtfire" would take 4 ½ hours each day to apply. I feel that Williams' performance in the film was probably better than the film itself, but it is still very entertaining to say the least.

4. The Birdcage (1996) as "Armand Goldman" - This is a very funny, but over-the-top, comedy about a gay cabaret owner and his drag queen companion who agree to pretend to be straight when they are introduced to the conservative parents of his son's fiancé. The film, directed by Mike Nichols, also stars Nathan Lane, Gene Hackman, Dianne Wiest and a very funny Hank Azaria.

3. Good Morning, Vietnam (1987) as "Adrian Cronauer" - Williams received an Oscar nomination for Best Actor in a Leading role for his outstanding performance as a disc jockey on Armed Forces Radio in Saigon during the Vietnam War. There are very serious aspects of this film, but many scenes involve classic Robin Williams comedy. It is reported that all of his radio broadcasts were actually ad-libbed which, like in Aladdin, makes it that much more amazing to me.

2. Good Will Hunting (1997) as "Sean Maguire" - This movie has appeared on both my Matt Damon/Ben Affleck Top 10 and Best Films Nominated But Not Winning the Best Picture Oscar Top 10 lists. This film won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay and Williams won his only Oscar of his career for Best Supporting Actor. This performance could be the best in his impressive career and ironically it is not a comedy role at all.

1. Dead Poets Society (1989) as "John Keating" - I love this movie which deservingly won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. Williams was nominated for Best Actor while the film was also nominated for Best Picture and Peter Weir for Best Director. Williams plays an English professor at a private school who encourages his students to think for themselves. It also features a great cast of kids and some wonderful dialogue (see some great quotes in the 'quote of the day' section below) and character interaction. It is a very special film and Williams is at the heart of it.

There is my list. Are any of your favorites missing??? I never enjoyed several of his children's movies like Jumanji, Hook, Flubber and (though I have loved some of his voice work) Robots, so they do not appear on this list. I truly mean it when I say that Robin Williams is a comic genius. I hope he finds more opportunities to showcase that amazing talent on the silver screen.

That wraps up another issue of Kickin' it Old School. Thanks for reading. Please spread the word and recommend it to anyone you think might enjoy. Click on the archives to make sure you have not missed any past issues. Peace and much love.

Check this out: A picture of pure irony at its best...

Quote of the day: I believe I have quoted Dead Poets Society here before, but here are a few more of my favorite quotes from the Robin Williams character "John Keating"...
  "There is a time for daring and a time for caution, and a wise man knows which is called for."
  "Sucking all the marrow out of life doesn't mean choking on the bone."
  "Boys, you must strive to find your own voice. Because the longer you wait to begin, the less likely you are to find it at all. Thoreau said, ‘Most men lead lives of quiet desperation.' Don't be resigned to that."
  "Carpe diem, seize the day boys, make your lives extraordinary."

Download this: "Love Song" by Sara Bareilles

I thought I would start a new feature here at Kickin' it Old School where I will point out a few interesting stories. One story will be kind of sad , one will be kind of happy  and the last will just be kind of weird . Whenever possible, I will provide a link to another article where you can get more details. Here we go...

SAD STORY
The husband of singer Corinne Bailey Rae was found dead this past Saturday (3/22/08). He was just 31 years old and, though not confirmed, is a suspected drug overdose. Here is a link to an article over at the Pop Culture Madness Blog. To me it is sad when anybody with this much of their life ahead of them is taken so soon. What is even sadder to me is the seemingly increased amount of celebrity drug overdoses recently. Our thoughts and prayers are with Corinne Bailey Rae at this time. I am a big fan of her music and you can see the "download this" section below where I will recommend one of her songs.

HAPPY STORY
Do you remember Josiah Leming? He auditioned for season 7 of American Idol, made it to Hollywood, but was not chosen to be in the top 24. They covered his story pretty heavily during the auditions because he had been living in his car trying to make it as a musician. The kid was very emotional and cried uncontrollably after getting cut loose. Well, there might be a happy ending for Josiah. Here is a link to an article that reports that he has signed a record deal with the major label, Warner Bros. He does not strike me as a pop star, so I hope they give him some quality time in the studio to put together more of a musician's album. He seemed like a good kid who worked hard and made sacrifices to pursue his dream. I hope everything works out for him. This is another example of the powerful influence of American Idol because I am sure this kid would have never received this kind of attention without the aid of the show. Check out my article on the American Idol Influence.

WEIRD STORY
Most people have heard about the ugly divorce proceedings taking place between Paul McCartney and Heather Mills. Well, now there is an online computer game based on these divorce proceedings. Here is a link to an article that explains it a little more. I can't imagine who would want to play a game like this, but here is a link to the site where you can find the game if interested. Nothing ever ceases to amaze me.

That's all I have for you in this issue of Kickin' it. Thanks for reading and let me know what you think of this new feature. We will still have normal Old School articles on a regular basis as well, but just wanted to mix some new things in. Please click on the archive buttons in the upper left column (January, February or March) to have access to all past issues of Kickin' it Old School. I encourage you to subscribe or at least come back often. Peace and much love.

Check this out: I am sure many of you have heard of this website before, but for those of you who haven't, I thought I would share it with you. It is www.Snopes.com and this site is recognized as the place to substantiate rumors or urban legends of all sorts. When someone tells you something that sounds unbelievable or you get a chain email forwarded to you with some warning or crazy story, go to Snopes and check it out for yourself. Knowledge is power and this site can provide that knowledge for you on many topics. (In case you are wondering, this is in no way a paid endorsement. As always, just sharing information I thought you would find interesting or helpful.)

Quote of the day: "Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear - not absence of fear." -Mark Twain

Download this: "Put Your Records On (Acoustic)" by Corinne Bailey Rae - I prefer the acoustic version of this song best which was released as a single back in February of 2006 (available on iTunes)

What a great time of year for sports! March Madness is here with the NCAA basketball tournament and, even better, Baseball's opening day is almost here. The Red Sox and A's will play two games in Japan beginning Tuesday (March 25^th) to kick off the season. Most of the other teams, including the Milwaukee Brewers, will celebrate opening day on Monday, March 31^st. I can't wait.

With all of this sports excitement, I was thinking of publishing my Top 10 Favorite Sports Movies list, but then I decided to narrow it down further to just my favorite baseball movies. I will publish the all sports movies list at another time. Being a big baseball fan, I am automatically drawn to a great baseball movie. The ironic side to this is that though these movies revolve around the sport, it's the stories and characters that make these films special to me.

There have been many baseball-related movies released over the years. Not all have been good, but some have been extraordinary. Here are OLD SCHOOL'S TOP 10 FAVORITE BASEBALL MOVIES:
Honorable Mention. I am going to give honorable mention to two movies this time. The Rookie (2002) - This is the Disney movie starring Dennis Quaid as former major league pitcher Jim Morris. It is based on the novel that Morris wrote titled The Oldest Rookie which I had read in 2001 before the movie had been made. It is a true and very inspirational story making for a perfect Disney movie. I would definitely recommend the book and the movie is worth seeing as well. For Love of the Game (1999) - If this movie would have made the Top 10, it would be the third movie on the list starring Kevin Costner. This one was very close to making the Top 10 because I really appreciate the way it depicts the personal sacrifices that the ballplayers have to make to achieve even a moderate level of success in their sport. I felt both of these films at least deserved an honorable mention.

10. Rookie of the Year (1993) - Now, I admit this movie is quite unbelievable and not necessarily worthy of critical acclaim, but I have always found it to be a very touching story which has incredibly funny parts. It is a story about a boy who hurts his arm and it heals somehow giving him powerful strength which allows him to ultimately become a pitcher for the Chicago Cubs. As I said, pretty unbelievable, but here is a link to watch some of the best moments from this movie. Daniel Stern plays the pitching coach and he just makes me laugh every time I watch it. It is a silly movie, but definitely one that you can watch with your family.

9. Fever Pitch (2005) - This movie culminates in the surprising Boston Red Sox World Series victory in 2004 and the final scene of the movie was shot during the actual series clinching victory. The most essential part of any movie to me is the character development and interaction. I felt that Drew Barrymore and Jimmy Fallon had surprisingly fantastic chemistry and that really allowed this film to succeed. It is just a very nice romantic comedy and if you are a baseball fan you will just like it a little more. Here is a link to watch a video summary of the movie.

8. A League of Their Own (1992) - This movie, directed by Penny Marshall, is based on the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Though the league was very real, this particular story is fiction. It features a tremendous cast including Geena Davis, Madonna, Lori Petty and David Strathairn, but it is Tom Hanks' performance as "Jimmy Dugan" which I feel really makes this film special. I honestly believe this is some of the best work the amazing Hanks has ever done in his illustrious career. Here is a link to a one of my favorite scenes where Hanks' character explains that there is "no crying in baseball." The film has wonderful character interaction as well as a great message of the comradery and capabilities of women in a setting that we are more familiar seeing men in.

7. The Bad News Bears (1976) - This is the oldest film to make my Top 10 and that is because I can still watch it today and be incredibly entertained. It is the story of Morris Buttermaker, played beautifully by Walter Matthau, as he coaches a little league team full of misfits to success. I really like what critic Roger Ebert said about this film back in 1976 when he called it "an unblinking, scathing look at competition in American society." I also feel the film examines kids learning to respect themselves and each other and witnessing the results those actions can have. Watching it in today's politically correct society, you will notice many parts that probably would not be accepted now (including vulgarity, ethnic slurs and the coach with a beer constantly in his hand). Despite that, this movie will always hold a fond place with me. Here is a link to watch a video showing still shots from the film set to its distinctive musical score. It was re-made starring Billy Bob Thornton in 2005, but could not come close to the original.

6. The Natural (1984) - This film is based on the Bernard Malamud novel from 1952 of the same name. It was directed by Barry Levinson and stars Robert Redford as "Roy Hobbs." The film explores the obstacles to overcome and hard work necessary to make his dream come true. There is kind of a magical glow radiating during many of the scenes and the perfect score by Randy Newman gives you goose bumps at times. When Redford's character hits that miraculous home run off of the lights, it is pure gold. Here is a link to watch the video of that scene, it is taken out of context, but you can still see for yourself.

5. Eight Men Out (1988) - This film told the story of the 1919 "Black Sox" scandal in which members of the Chicago White Sox were convicted of conspiring with gamblers to intentionally lose the World Series. It featured an outstanding cast including John Cusack, D.B. Sweeney, Charlie Sheen, John Mahoney, David Strathairn, Christopher Lloyd among others. To me, it takes a special movie to hold your attention and entertain you even when you know what ultimately happens at the end. This film does just that by telling this compelling story and allowing the characters to develop. I would consider this a must see especially for any baseball fan.

4. Field of Dreams (1989) - This movie is so much deeper than simply a baseball movie, but since baseball is at its roots it definitely belongs on this list. It stars Kevin Costner as an Iowa corn farmer who hears the now famous voice tell him "If you build it, he will come." I love the tag line for this film which reads, "All his life, Ray Kinsella was searching for his dreams. Then one day, his dreams came searching for him." The movie, which was nominated for the Best Picture Oscar but did not win, really seems to be about second chances as that is what all of the characters seem to receive through this experience. This film also stars James Earl Jones who has one of the best speeches which really helps summarize why so many of us love baseball so much. Here is a link so you can watch that particular scene from the film.

3. The Sandlot (1993) - This charming film ranked #7 on my list of most underrated movies which you should also check out. At the surface it appears to be a kids movie, but I feel it really appeals even more to adults. This coming of age film really shows the pure joy of the game and features outstanding characters and dialogue. Here are links to a scene where the kids are playing ball during the 4th of July fireworks and another great scene where rivals hurl insults back and forth like only kids can. It is just a truly special movie in my opinion.

2. Bull Durham (1988) - This movie about love and baseball was written and directed by Ron Shelton (who was nominated for the Best Original Screenplay Oscar for it) and stars Kevin Costner as "Crash Davis." It also stars Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon and tells the story of two baseball players at opposite ends of their careers. Both players cross paths playing for a minor league baseball team and also compete for the attention of the same woman. Fantastic character development and interaction is at the heart of this film which also has its share of funny moments, too. It depicts some of the best and worst aspects of minor league baseball and human relationships, too. Here is a link to watch the original trailer for the movie.

1. Major League (1989) - I'm sure you are not surprised this film made the Top 10, but I am pretty sure you are surprised it is ranked #1. Though many do not give it the credit it deserves, I feel this is one of the funniest sports movies of all time. As I have mentioned many times, I believe the biggest factor creating greatness in a movie is character development and character interaction. This movie has outstanding characters and their interaction with each other is hilarious. It stars Charlie Sheen, Tom Berenger, Corbin Bernsen and was the first breakthrough role for Wesley Snipes. One of my very favorite characters is the team's radio broadcaster, "Harry Doyle," played by the great Bob Uecker. The baseball aspect to the movie is very well represented as well and I feel that helps make the film that much more genuine. I am also very partial to this movie because it was filmed here in Milwaukee at the old County Stadium. I was able to attend some of the filming as a "face in the crowd" and even was able to storm the field after the big win at the end. Here is a link to watch the end of this movie and if you knew where to look you could see me running onto the field. This clip does not properly reflect the comedy aspect of the film, but I encourage you to watch the entire movie yourself as we get ready for baseball season to begin.

There is my list, but please remember that these are ranked by my favorites and my criteria for this list was based more on entertainment value rather than cinematic excellence (which should be obvious). One film not listed, but often included in the discussion of great baseball movies is the 1942 film The Pride of the Yankees which starred Gary Cooper as Lou Gehrig. Though I acknowledge it as a great story and the Yankees Stadium speech at the end is a special moment, it would have made my list of best baseball movies but just does not make my favorites. The great thing about all of the movies I listed is that they all are connected to baseball, but each has a unique story to tell in its own regard.

That will wrap up this issue of Kickin' it. Thanks for reading and hope you enjoyed it. Please be sure that you have not missed any past issues of Kickin' it Old School by clicking on the archive buttons in the upper left column. Happy Easter to you all. Peace and much love.

Check this out: The video to the 80s song by John Fogarty "Centerfield" includes baseball highlights. I always enjoyed this video back from the time when MTV actually played music videos and here is a link to check it out yourself.  Turn up the volume and enjoy!

Quote of the day: "The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game: it's a part of our past, Ray. It reminds us of all that once was good and all it could be again." -character Terence Mann played by James Earl Jones in Field of Dreams

Download this: "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" by Otis Redding

On March 10, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted two 80s icons who have stood the test of time. John Mellencamp and Madonna among a few others were both part of the class of 2008.

I admit, I am not much of a fan of Madonna or her music, but I do acknowledge her longevity, huge success and pop culture status. I especially appreciate her contributions to 80s culture both in music and fashion. Here is a link to watch the video that proceeded her Hall of Fame induction.

I would not call myself a die hard Mellencamp aficionado, but I definitely consider myself a fan. One of the best live concerts I have ever been to was a 1998 Mellencamp tour stop which a group of us scored third row seats. We had an absolute blast all night and much of it had to do with the awesome performance of his instant classics. I was a fan before this concert, but appreciated him even more after that show. Here is a link to watch the great video that played before Billy Joel inducted Mellencamp into the Hall.  Be sure to watch those videos because they are excellent career summaries.

No matter if you call him John Cougar, John Cougar Mellencamp or just John Mellencamp, he is one of the few special musical artists that can generate a legitimate Top 10 list of favorite songs for me. He has released 21 albums (including 2 greatest hits compilations) since 1976 when he released Chestnut Street Incident to very little acclaim. His first few albums were released under the name John Cougar because the record label felt that was more marketable. He never liked that they changed his name, but his growing success made it difficult to change it back.

In 1982, his album American Fool ended up being the best selling album of that entire year. So in 1983, his next album Uh-Huh was released under the name John Cougar Mellencamp (adding back in his real last name). He continued using the combo name until his 1991 release titled Whenever We Wanted which he finally dropped the Cougar and would simply go by his real name. Thirty two years and twenty one albums give me lots of songs to choose from, but I narrowed it down to give you OLD SCHOOL'S TOP 10 JOHN MELLENCAMP SONGS:
Honorable Mention. "Hurts So Good" from American Fool (1982) - I like this song, but do not love it. It did spend an impressive 16 weeks in the Billboard Top 10 (4 of those at #2) which is longer than any other single during the 80s. It also won the Grammy for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance so I thought it at least deserved honorable mention. Another candidate for honorable mention was his cover of the Van Morrison great "Wild Night" that he did with Me'Shell Ndegeocello on his 1994 album Dance Naked.

10. "Check It Out" from The Lonesome Jubilee (1987) - The Lonesome Jubilee album marked the addition of Lisa Germano and her fiddle to the band. This created a unique sound that I really like as you see 3 songs from this album made my Top 10.

9. "Peaceful World" from Cuttin' Heads (2001) - The original version is actually a duet with singer India.Arie, but he also contributed a live, acoustic version to the compilation album God Bless America as a benefit for the 9/11 victims.

8. "Paper In Fire" from The Lonesome Jubilee (1987)

7. "Lonely Ol' Night" from Scarecrow (1985)

6. "Small Town" from Scarecrow (1985) - Mellencamp wrote this song about his experiences growing up in a small town in Indiana (having been born in Seymour and then living in Bloomington). The song utters "small town" a total of 18 times. Here is a link to a cool Larry Bird highlight video set to this song.

5. "Cherry Bomb" from The Lonesome Jubilee (1987)

4. "Pink Houses" from Uh-Huh (1983) - Rumored inspiration for this song is that he was driving on I465 beltline that encircles Indianapolis and his eyes met the eyes of a black man who was sitting on the front porch of his pink house. Mellencamp either surmised or found out later that the man lost part of his property when this highway was built. This is the origin of the line, "He's got an interstate running through his front yard." He was so struck by the utter despair of this man that he wrote the song in tribute.

3. "Your Life Is Now" from John Mellencamp (1998)

2. "Jack and Diane" from American Fool (1982) - This song was Mellencamp's only single to reach #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and stayed there for 4 weeks

1. "Ain't Even Done With The Night" from Nothin' Matters and What If It Did (1980) - This is actually the oldest song on the list, but easily my absolute favorite. Here is a link to watch the very cheesy video from back in the day.

There's my Top 10. Several other songs just missed the list and there are some very popular songs that I intentionally left off as well. Mellencamp's most recent album Freedom's Road, released in 2007, hit #5 on the Billboard Album charts which is higher than any album since his 1985 release Scarecrow (which hit #2). This album is probably best known for the song "Our Country" which has been overexposed due to its use in Chevy truck ads. He has another album scheduled for release this year titled Life, Death, Love and Freedom. Mellencamp was a very deserving inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

That wraps up another issue of Kickin' it Old School.  Thanks for reading and to make sure you have not missed any previous issues, be sure to click on the archive buttons in the upper left column.  Also in the links section you will find summaries of some of the past Old School Top 10 lists among other interesting destinations.  Peace and much love.

Check this out:

Here is a novel illusion that is as striking as it is simple. The two images of the Leaning Tower of Pisa are identical, yet one has the impression that the tower on the right leans more, as if photographed from a different angle. The reason for this is because the visual system treats the two images as if part of a single scene. Normally, if two adjacent towers rise at the same angle, their image outlines converge as they recede from view due to perspective, and this is taken into account by the visual system. So when confronted with two towers whose corresponding outlines are parallel, the visual system assumes they must be diverging as they rise from view, and this is what we see.

Quote of the day: "It's what you do and not what you say. If you're not part of the future, then get out of the way." -John Mellencamp from "Peaceful World"

Download this: "Ain't Even Done With The Night" by John Mellencamp - Obvious recommendation since it ranked #1 on the list above, but any of the songs on the list are highly recommended

I took my 3-year-old daughter to see her very first movie in a theater today, Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who. She loves Dr. Seuss books and we have been waiting for an appropriate movie to come out before we took her to an actual theater. There have not been many G rated films released recently. The run time on the movie is 88 minutes (plus about 15-20 minutes of commercials/previews) and I was worried whether it would keep her attention for the entire time. It did and she really loved the film.

Horton Hears a Who, from the makers of the animated film Ice Age, is based on the Dr. Seuss children's book of the same name. It was just released in theaters today (3/14/08) and here is a link to the trailer if you have not already seen it. The movie is actually very well done and stars the voice talents of Jim Carrey (as Horton), Steve Carell and Carol Burnett among others. Unlike some animated children's movies, this movie is really aimed at entertaining kids and there is not much secondary humor that adults would appreciate. It is at least relatively fast paced and very charming to say the least.

My daughter immediately recognized a phrase in the movie from the Horton books and it spotlights as well as rewards the outstanding traits of loyalty, trustworthiness and perseverance. Horton likes to say, "I mean what I say and I said what I meant, an elephant is faithful 100 percent." The other moral to this particular story can be summarized in the very last words the narrator speaks in the film, "A person's a person, no matter how small." This really teaches children a message of equal rights and to protect those who are smaller than you. All of the kids in the theater adored Horton, but it is nice that they are also getting exposed to such positive messages.

I don't believe this film ranks up there with the much more brilliant Disney Pixar films (like Cars, Toy Story and Finding Nemo), but as a children's movie you could do much, much worse than Horton Hears a Who. Not as much entertainment for the parents, but the kids will definitely love it. My daughter gives it two thumbs up!

Speaking of other animated films, I felt this might be the appropriate time to give you my Top 10 list of animated feature films. Animated feature films really saw a resurgence back in 1989 when Disney released The Little Mermaid and since then the industry has shown incredible growth. Disney proved that you could make a blockbuster out of an animated film and proceeded to prove that point over and over again. Now with "direct to DVD" films, the growth is even more obvious. For the 30 years from 1937, when the first was released in the U.S., until 1967, there were only 42 animated feature films released in the United States. As a comparison, there were 50 of them released just in the year 2006 alone.

Just because there are more animated feature films released does not mean there are more great ones being made. Though Horton Hears a Who does not make my list, it was definitely a worthy effort. Without further ado, here is OLD SCHOOL'S TOP 10 ANIMATED FEATURE FILMS OF ALL TIME (+ bonus 5):
Honorable Mention. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) - This was the first full-length animated feature film released in the United States. It was the first feature film created by the great Walt Disney and its success resulted in all of the other amazing Disney films to follow. For that, I feel it at least deserves an honorable mention.
15. The Incredibles (2004) - This is a Disney Pixar film written and directed by Brad Bird who was actually nominated for the Best Original Screenplay Oscar for it. It is about a family with super powers featuring the voices of Holly Hunter, Craig T. Nelson, Samuel L. Jackson, Jason Lee and others. The Incredibles won the 2005 Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film (which only began being awarded at the 2002 ceremony).
14. Shrek (2001) - Here is one that I know will be higher on the list of many others, but other than Eddie Murphy's donkey character, I am not that big of a fan of the original or either of the two sequels which were released in 2004 and 2007 all by DreamWorks. In addition to Murphy, it also stars the talented Mike Myers as "Shrek" the Ogre and Cameron Diaz as "Princess Fiona." The original Shrek won the 2002 Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film and was the very first to ever receive this Academy Award.
13. Lady and the Tramp (1955) - This was Disney's 15th animated feature length film release. It is the classic tale of two opposites attracting. Back then, animated films did not feature the voices of famous actors, but instead featured specialists in this type of voiceover work. This movie, like most others by Disney, stands the test of time even over 30 years later.
12. Pinocchio (1940) - This holds a fond place in my heart because it is the very first movie that I actually saw in a movie theater (though in its 5th theatrical release in 1978). It was just the 2nd animated feature from Disney released a few years after Snow White. It features the amazing song sung by Jiminy Cricket (voiced by Cliff Edwards) called "When You Wish Upon a Star" which still remains one of my favorites. Pinocchio is scheduled to be released as a Disney Platinum Edition DVD in 2009.
11. Aladdin (1992) - This was Disney's 31st animated feature and ended up being the highest grossing film of 1992. The voice of the genie is done by the incomparable Robin Williams and this hilarious performance truly makes this film special. This was the first time a major movie star was a featured voice in an animated film and would begin a trend that would make such a thing almost essential to the success of animated films today. This film won Oscars for both Original Score and Original Song ("A Whole New World" by Peabo Bryson & Regina Belle).
10. Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988) - Though it is not a completely animated movie, I feel it deserves to be included because of its landmark special magic of combining animation with live action. It was quite the technical achievement at the time and ended up being one of the most expensive films to that date costing over $70 million to produce. Its Animation Direction won one of the only 18 Oscar Special Achievement Awards ever given by the Academy. This film also marked the first time animated characters from several different studios appeared in the same movie, so we were able to see Bugs Bunny meet Mickey Mouse.
9. Happy Feet (2006) - One of the few non-Disney movies on my list, this film surprised me with its fantastic music and heartwarming tale of never giving up. It is movie about penguins and features the voices of Robin Williams, Elijah Wood, Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman, Brittany Murphy among others. Happy Feet won the 2007 Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film.
8. Finding Nemo (2003) - This Disney Pixar film is very funny and entertaining. It tells a father/son story of both growing up and overcoming fears. It features a very talented cast of voices including Albert Brooks, Brad Garrett and Willem Dafoe, but it is Ellen DeGeneres as "Dory" the fish that suffers from short-term memory loss that really puts this film over the top. An interesting note on voices is that the surfer dude turtle "Crush" is actually voiced by the writer and director of the film, Andrew Stanton. Finding Nemo was nominated for the Best Original Screenplay Oscar and won the 2004 Oscar for Best Animated Feature.
7. Peter Pan (1953) - This was Disney's 14th animated feature and was based on the J.M. Barrie book about a little boy who does not want to grow up. It has a wonderful music score including the songs "You Can Fly" and "Second Star to the Right." The film also includes the "Tinkerbell" fairy character which would become an icon possibly only second to Mickey Mouse himself in the Disney family. The Disney Platinum Edition DVD was released just last year (2007).
6. The Aristocats (1970) - This was Disney's 20th animated feature and is supposedly set in Paris, France back in 1910. It features the voice talent of Eva Gabor as "The Duchess" who gets stranded with her three kittens and is aided by a rough-around-the-edges alley cat named Thomas O'Malley. It also includes some comic relief from two dogs names "Napoleon" and "Lafayette," but the true star of this film is the fantastic jazz music. The song "Everybody Wants to Be a Cat" is very catchy and here is a link to watch that song. I love this film.
5. Cars (2006) - I am not even a Nascar fan in the slightest, but I found this Disney Pixar film to be phenomenal. This great story of maturity and appreciation stars the voices of Owen Wilson, Paul Newman, Bonnie Hunt and Michael Keaton, but it is Larry The Cable Guy that steals every scene that his "Mater" character is in. The film succeeds at being funny and touching. It is beautifully done from every angle.
4. The Jungle Book (1967) - This was Disney's 19th animated feature and the last actually produced by Walt Disney himself (he died during production). It is inspired by the book by Rudyard Kipling and it only runs 78 minutes. The reason I love this movie so much is the music. In particular two songs "The Bare Necessities" and "I Wanna Be Like You" which I feel are spectacularly written and performed (with links to watch both songs). The Disney Platinum Edition DVD was released in October of 2007 to commemorate its 40th anniversary.
3. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977) - This was the 22nd full-length animated feature from Disney and it brings to life the 100 Acre Wood and those lovable characters from the classic A.A. Milne books. The movie weaves three different stories together and is narrated by Sebastian Cabot. I have always loved these stories and these characters. Here is a link to the opening credits to the movie which includes the "Winnie The Pooh" theme song which introduces all of the characters.
2. The Lion King (1994) - This was the 32nd animated feature from Disney and the highest grossing traditionally animated film (as opposed to the newer computer animation now used more often). This is a story about growing up, overcoming obstacles and "the circle of life." It stars the voices of Matthew Broderick, Nathan Lane, James Earl Jones, Jeremy Irons and many, many other fantastic talents. My favorite characters are "Timon" and "Pumbaa" and here is a link to see them perform the song "Hakuna Matata" from the film. The film did win 1995 Oscars for both Original Score and Original Song ("Can You Feel the Love Tonight" by Elton John & Tim Rice). I also very much liked the 2004 sequel called The Lion King 1 ½ and highly recommend you check that out if you liked the original.
1. Toy Story (1995) & Toy Story 2 (1999) - The original Toy Story was the first fully computer-animated feature film and its success has led to the other fantastic Disney Pixar films many of which were ranked earlier on this list. These movies revolve around "Woody" the cowboy voiced by Tom Hanks and "Buzz Lightyear" voiced by Tim Allen. There are many other contributors, but those two characters and the talented actors bringing them to life are at the heart of these heartwarming yet entertaining films. These films were revolutionary and the original is set for re-release in 3D in 2009 leading up to the long-awaited release of Toy Story 3 in 2010.

There is my list. I know many of you are going to ask, "Where is Beavis and Butt-head Do America or Garfield: The Movie?" Just kidding, but there are many other solid efforts that did not make the list. What favorites of yours do you feel are missing???

Hope you enjoyed this issue of Kickin' it Old School. I appreciate you reading and be sure to click on the Archive buttons in the upper left column to make sure you have not missed any past issues. Remember that all issues, no matter what topic, end with the special features as you see below. Peace and much love.

Check this out: Another optical illusion for you. Do you see gray areas in between the squares? They are not really there, so where did they come from?

Quote of the day: "A person's a person no matter how small." - Dr. Seuss from Horton Hears a Who

Download this: "The Bare Necessities" by Harry Connick Jr. - his cover of the great song from The Jungle Book from the 1991 album of Disney covers by various artists called Simply Mad About the Mouse

I am sure you have heard about the lawsuit surrounding Airborne, the effervescent dietary supplement that you drink after dissolving in water and that supposedly boosts your immune system enough to fight germs including the common cold. If not, here is a link to an article detailing the situation and another link which includes a video.

I was very disappointed to hear about these findings because I have used Airborne in the past. Honestly, I had never really noticed any specific results from taking it, but I always felt that it definitely couldn't hurt. I try to avoid taking any over-the-counter drugs whenever possible, so this all natural homeopathic product appealed to me. Unfortunately, as it is in most situations, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Though I had never noticed specific results from taking Airborne, there is another homeopathic product which has caused me to experience the desired result. Zicam Cold Remedy claims to reduce the duration and severity of cold symptoms and I have found this to be true if, and only if, I begin using it at the first sign of a cold.

I know with the recent findings regarding Airborne that you may be skeptical of a product like Zicam, but I am here to tell you that I have experienced the benefits and it can work. It does not prevent or cure the common cold and it does not claim to.  I do attest that it can actually reduce the duration and severity of a cold.  I prefer to use the "no drip nasal gel" which has an active ingredient of Zincum Gluconicum. If I do not begin using it soon enough when the cold just begins, I have found that it really does not seem to help at all. If I am able to begin at the first signs of a cold coming on, it has definitely made a difference.

I am only sharing this with you because of the Airborne news and because if it works for me, it might just work for you, too. I am not promising that it will work for everybody, but I am promising you that it has worked for me. Zicam does offer some other products, so if you want additional information I would recommend going to their website, www.zicam.com.

That's all I have for this issue of Kickin' it. It is Old School's version of a Public Service Announcement. Hope you found it helpful. Remember those great PSA's from the 80s like this one? Mine was not quite as snappy, but it still does the job.  I loved watching Saturday morning cartoons back in the day. Thanks for reading and be sure to click on the Archive buttons in the upper left hand column to make sure you have not missed any Kickin' it Old School. Peace and much love.

Check this out: I want to thank tblog's own Inkspector for bringing this one to my attention. I admit it is quite strange, but I feel it is also quite brilliant. Here is a link to watch a video which takes place in New York's famous Grand Central Station. Another similar recommendation will come in a future issue.

Quote of the day:
A Winner's Creed - Author Unknown
"If you think you are beaten, you are;
If you think you dare not, you don't;
If you'd like to win, but think you can't, it's almost a cinch you won't.
If you think you'll lose, you're lost;
For out in the world we find
Success begins with a person's will.
It's all in the state of mind.
Life's battles don't always go to the stronger or faster hand;
But sooner or later,
The person who wins is the one who thinks ‘I can'."

Download this: "Comfortable" by John Mayer - One of my very favorite songs from his debut 1999 album titled Inside Wants Out

The most highly anticipated movie of 2008 might be Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. If you have not seen it yet, here is a link to watch the trailer for this movie set to hit theaters on May 22nd (you have to watch a very short commercial before the preview starts).

It has been almost 19 years since Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade was released back in 1989, so I guess I can wait another 2 months. Now the great George Lucas, Steven Spielberg and Harrison Ford reunite to bring one of the most beloved characters in the history of cinema back to the big screen. I have already given you my Steven Spielberg Top 10 List, so I thought I would now do the same for Harrison Ford.

Ford, who will turn 66 this July, made his first film appearance way back in 1966. It was an uncredited role as a bellhop in Dead Heat on a Merry Go Round and here is a link to watch that short scene. He teamed up with George Lucas for a small role as "Bob Falfa" in the 1973 film American Graffiti which really opened the door to Ford getting to audition for a role in a little film called Star Wars. The rest is, as they say, history. I now give you OLD SCHOOL'S TOP 10 HARRISON FORD MOVIE CHARACTERS:

Honorable Mention. "Allie Fox" in The Mosquito Coast (1986) and "President James Marshall" in Air Force One (1997) - First, The Mosquito Coast was one of my favorite books as a kid, so I really enjoy seeing Ford bring that character to life. Then you have to at least give an honorable mention when someone plays the President of the United States.
10. "Quinn Harris" in Six Days Seven Nights (1998) - Though his leading lady was a very strange casting choice (Anne Heche), he creates a good curmudgeon who crashes his plane on a tropical island. The movie is a little predictable, but I feel it was one of his better characters. I almost gave this spot to What Lies Beneath, but ultimately chose to keep it here.
9. "Jack Trainer" in Working Girl (1988) - This film was nominated for the Best Picture Oscar, but lost to Rain Man. Ford's understated character plays very well opposite the powerful female characters performed by Melanie Griffith and Sigourney Weaver.
8. "Det. Capt. John Book" in Witness (1985) - Ford received his only Oscar nomination for his outstanding performance as a cop who goes undercover within an Amish community in order to protect a young boy who is a key witness in a murder trial. At the same time, Ford's character develops a romantic relationship with the boy's mother played by Kelly McGillis.
7. "Rick Deckard" in Blade Runner (1982) - Fresh on the heels of the first Indiana Jones film, Ford teams up with director Ridley Scott to create this science fiction cult classic. For an 80s sci-fi movie, it actually holds up pretty well today. It is a very dark story and, though I have tried to like it more, it really has never captured my heart.
6. "Jack Ryan" in Patriot Games (1992) and Clear and Present Danger (1994) - Ford brings the character created by author Tom Clancy to the big screen in both of these movies. If you are a fan of Clancy's novels and these types of action flicks, you will love Ford in this role.
5. "Dr. Richard Kimble" in The Fugitive (1993) - This film is based off of the 60s TV Series of the same name. Ford's character is wrongly accused of murdering his wife, so he escapes from custody and is determined to prove his innocence as well as find the real killer. Very intense role played with outstanding skill.
4. "Linus Larrabee" in Sabrina (1995) - This film is a remake of the fantastic 1954 Billy Wilder film of the same name and Ford plays the same character originally performed by the one and only Humphrey Bogart. This is a tall order which I feel Ford pulls off brilliantly in this much underrated performance. He is forced to be unlikable for the majority of the film which is not something that Ford has had to do too often. In this case, it pays off as we see his character literally change before our own eyes during the course of the story. This makes him that much more likable in the end.
3. "Henry Turner" in Regarding Henry (1991) - This film, written by J.J. Abrams and directed by Mike Nichols, could have very well been included in my list of the most underrated movies of all time. A lawyer who is shot in the head survives to realize that he does not really like the person he used to be. During his recovery, Ford's character displays every range of emotion and almost becomes childlike. Superb performance in this charming film.
2. "Dr. Henry ‘Indiana' Jones" in Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), Indiana Jones & the Temple of Doom (1984) and Indiana Jones & the Last Crusade (1989) - Ford has the distinction of playing two of the greatest characters in cinema history and this is one of them. He brings tremendous personality, comedic timing, rugged good looks and somehow believability to this amazing character. George Lucas and Steven Spielberg helped create this character, but it is Harrison Ford who brings him to life and makes him truly special. What else can you say?
1. "Han Solo" in Star Wars (1977), The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Return of the Jedi (1983) - This character also has to be considered one of the best in cinema history. He plays one of the most interesting and complex characters in the Star Wars trilogy. Looking back, I cannot even imagine anyone else being "Han Solo." Burt Reynolds, Al Pacino and James Caan all turned down this incredible role. Can you imagine any of them creating the special character that Ford did? Me neither.

There's my list, so let me know what you think. Harrison Ford has definitely slowed down in recent years with only 5 films released since the year 2000, but he will more than make up for that with the new Indiana Jones movie this May. I don't think they would have made it unless it was going to be spectacular, so I expect nothing less.

That will wrap up another issue of Kickin' it Old School. Thanks for reading and be sure to click on the Archive buttons in the upper left column to make sure you have not missed any previous issues. I appreciate all of the support. Peace and much love.

Check this out: I came across this French clothing label. You can read the translation below the tag. It just struck me very humorous that something like that would actually end up printed on the label.

Quote of the day: "If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere." -Frank A. Clark

Download this: "Babylon" by David Gray - from his album titled White Ladder

Back in my January 24th issue I gave you my Top 10 favorite shows on television, but I think I have a new show to add to that list now. This past Wednesday, a new show called High School Reunion premiered on the cable channel TV Land (9:00 pm Central) and it actually looks to be very entertaining.

More than a dozen classmates from the 1987 graduating class of a high school in Dallas, Texas reunite after 20 years. In high school, they were known as the jock, the popular girl, the stud, the bully and the geek (among other stereotypes). Have they changed or are they still living up to their high school roles? Find out when they all get back together for a two-week Hawaiian get-away sure to rekindle past relationships, rivalries and romances (and/or start new ones). Now I do not find myself interested in all "reality TV" shows, but this one peeked my interest and, after watching the first episode, I think I am hooked.

The 80s lover in me adores the time which these people were in high school and you get to hear the great music of that time as a soundtrack to the show. I love to watch great characters and character interaction and this show looks to be filled with them. Though they are in a forced environment and know they will be televised, there still seems to be something honest and real about the interaction so far. This show could totally change directions and its appeal to me, but I can usually identify a quality show relatively quickly and I feel High School Reunion is definitely one to watch.

I guess this show used to be on the WB network, but this TV Land version seems to be much, much better. I think the major difference could be that the previous seasons were based around high school classes that graduated in the mid-90's. The twenty years since graduation from a mid to late-80's reunion seems to offer more time for maturity and change. No matter the reason, this current format (from the creator of The Bachelor) seems right on the money.

If interested, you should go to the High School Reunion TV Land website and find out more about the show and its cast of characters. I am not sure if you will be able to watch them all, but you can watch the first episode for free right there and also see a preview for the second episode. I have my DVR set to record this show going forward and I am already looking forward to the next episode to see what happens next.

That's all I have for this issue of Kickin' it. Thanks for reading and please continue to spread the word. If you know someone who might enjoy Kickin' it Old School, please send them the link and tell them to let me know who sent them. Peace and much love.

Check this out: I came across a website called Wonder How To that seems to have nearly every "how to" video in existence. You can find videos from "How to filet a walleye" to "How to hit a tennis forehand" to "How to solve a rubiks cube in 5 steps" and thousands more. Warning there does seem to be some videos on inappropriate behavior on this site as well.

Quote of the day: "Keep love in your heart. A life without it is like a sunless garden when the flowers are dead. The consciousness of loving and being loved brings a warmth and richness to life that nothing else can bring." -Oscar Wilde

Download this: "Danny's Song" by Loggins & Messina - This song originated from the 1972 debut album titled Sittin' In for this duo of Kenny Loggins and Jim Messina.

Are you looking for just my articles relating to the 80s???  By popular demand, here is a summary with links for all of OLD SCHOOL’S 80s CONTENT that has been published in Kickin’ it Old School thus far.  Some of these articles are listed because they at least loosely relate to the decade of the 80s.  Please continue to check back often because I am always adding new 80s articles.  Also see my other links in the left hand column for other great 80s websites that might also interest you.  Hope you find them all… awesome, rad, gnarly, fresh and totally tubular to the max!

Top 10 Teen Comedies from the 80s (January 9^th issue 08)
Top 20 Classic 80s Arcade Games (February 7^th issue 08)
Top 50 Songs from 80s Movies (March 8^th issue 08)
Top 10 TV Characters from 80s Shows (February 8^th issue 08)
Top 15 TV Theme Songs (February 16^th issue 08)
Oscars in the 80s (February 21^st issue 08)
Old School’s 80s Movie Awards (February 22^nd issue 08)
Top 10 John Candy Performances (January 21^st issue 08)
Top 10 Bill Murray Films (January 29^th issue 08)
Favorite and Most Hated Pro Wrestling Characters from the 80s (March 30^th issue 08)
Top 10 New Edition Songs from the 80s (April 1^st issue 08)

Top 30 Duets from the 80s (April 27^th issue 08)

Worst #1 Songs from the 80s (May 3^rd issue 08)

Last Updated 5/3/08

By popular demand, here is a summary with links for each of the OLD SCHOOL TOP 10 LISTS that have been published in Kickin’ it Old School thus far.  Please note the dates when each was published and any other details regarding the parameters for each list.  Both factors could affect your appreciation of each list.  Also, some lists include more than just top 10.  There is a permanent link in the left-hand column that takes you back to this summary any time you need to.  Other than that… Enjoy!