This is harder to do when it is something you once had and lost, rather than something you never had at all. Martin Luther King was killed before I was born, but there are many people who miss his inspirational leadership. Everybody can and should appreciate as well as celebrate the advancement he made for Civil Rights. It is easy to miss those people or things that we have lost. I think it is okay to reminisce because it helps us to appreciate what we had or have. This will be a topic for my postings from time to time... reminiscing about people or things that I miss.

I was flipping around channels late one evening (like I often do) and came across the movie Tommy Boy starring the late Chris Farley. This is a very enjoyable movie and I started thinking what a shame it was that Chris Farley died at such a young age. He was one of the truly humorous individuals in this world and I miss that. Then that reminded me of another truly humorous individual who was taken from us too soon, John Candy.  As you know, I am very fond of the 1980's and that is when John Candy was in his heyday. His films will not win any critical acclaim, but I still think that they are incredibly funny and entertaining. I feel that the whole comedy movie genre has suffered and Hollywood just does not produce light-hearted, laugh-out-loud comedies like it did so well back in the 80's. As much as I miss John Candy, we still have his films to entertain us and I must appreciate that. We are about due for a Top 10 list, so here is OLD SCHOOL'S TOP 10 JOHN CANDY MOVIES:

Honorable Mention. The Blues Brothers as "Burton Mercer" - A small role in a classic movie from 1980 and had the great line, "Orange whip? Orange Whip? Three orange whips!"
10. Cool Runnings (1993) as "Irv Blitzer" - A surprisingly charming film about the Jamaican bobsled team.
9. Volunteers (1985) as "Tom Tuttle from Tacoma Washington" - Tom Hanks is in this movie, so it beat out Armed and Dangerous to make my list.
8. National Lampoon's Vacation (1983) as "Guard at Walley World" - Plays a very small role near the end of this Chevy Chase film
7. Summer Rental (1985) as "Jack Chester" - Not sure exactly why, but I have always enjoyed this cheesy movie where he refurbishes a boat while on vacation
6. Spaceballs (1987) as "Barf" - Plays a character similar to Chewbacca in this Mel Brooks spoof of Star Wars
5. Brewster's Millions (1985) as "Spike Nolan" - Stars with Richard Pryor in this very under-rated movie about a minor league baseball player who has the chance to inherit millions of dollars
4. Stripes (1981) as "Dewey Oxberger" - Sort of a break out roll for Candy, though he was not necessarily the star of this very funny movie (which will rank on my Bill Murray Top 10 list when I publish that one).
3. Uncle Buck (1989) as "Buck Russell" - In this film, written and directed by John Hughes, he gets called as a last resort to babysit his brother's three kids. This is a great movie that I would recommend seeing it whether you have seen it before or not.
2. The Great Outdoors (1988) as "Chet Ripley" - Another film written by (but not directed this time) John Hughes, we follow his character on vacation to the northwoods when his annoying in-laws, played by Dan Aykroyd and Annette Bening, barge in. A little cheesy, but has always been one of my favorites. Classic John Candy.
1. Plains, Trains & Automobiles (1987) as "Del Griffith" - Yet another film written and directed by the great John Hughes, he stars with Steve Martin having travel difficulties trying to get home for Thanksgiving. Some extremely funny scenes in this film make it one of my favorite comedies of all time.

I don't do any of these films justice by my short descriptions, but I do recommend all of these films to anyone who enjoys John Candy's work. Do you have any favorites that I did not put on my list??? Unfortunately for all of us fans, Candy passed away back in 1994 (I can't believe it has been 14 years already), but these great movies live on.

That will wrap up Kickin' it on this cold snowy Monday. Thanks, as always, for reading. Music lovers, if you did not read yesterdays post on www.Pandora.com, please be sure to check that post out, too. You will not regret it.

Check this out:  On this Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, I came across a short clip that remembers one of the all-time iconic speeches in history. Click here... www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4AItMg70kg&a mp;feature=related

Quote of the day:  "Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars.  Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.  Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."  -Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. from Strength to Love

Download this:  "Shed a Little Light (Live)" by James Taylor - Beautiful song that begins "Oh, let us turn our thoughts today to Martin Luther King..."  Great suggestion and a great song.