In 1984, a film was released that would defy the boundaries of comedy and horror to become one of the most popular film franchises of the 1980's; that film was Ghostbusters! "Who ya gonna call?"To celebrate the 30th anniversary of Ghostbusters, the original film has been restored and remastered in 4K resolution and will be returning to the big screen for a limited engagement starting on August 29th, in theaters during Labor Day weekend. Ghostbusters was one of those movies that defined the 1980's and of course my childhood. When I first saw it when I was young, (possibly too young) it stuck with me for the rest of my life. I enjoyed the animated series ("The Real Ghostbusters") from 1986 to 1991, along with the action figure line from Kenner, several video games, and ultimately the release of Ghostbusters II in 1989. Although the movie is often categorized as a comedy, it's really hard to label its genre. It has elements of intellectual comedy, romance, science-fiction and of course horror. The film's story even borders on "Lovecraftian"-style with elements of ancient supernatural forces such as Zuul and Gozer. I've always loved the character of 'Slimer', who although he was featured i a short sequence in the movie gained a considerable fan following along with his constant presence as the comic relief on the animated series. A little bit of trivia: Dan Aykroyd always referred to Slimer as the ghost of John Belushi. While the Ghostbusters have stayed alive over the last 30 years, uunfortunately, writer and actor Harold Ramis didn't live to see the 30th anniversary, but the rest of the Ghostbusters including Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd and Ernie Hudson are still around to celebrate. For years, there had been rumors that Ghostbusters 3 was in development, but for now, it is still in the works. Directed by Ivan Reitman and written by Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis, Ghostbusters was a truly original, frightening and hilarious movie experience!
Robin Williams was quite possibly the funniest comedian I have ever seen. I grew up with many of his movies during the 1980's and 90's and now unfortunately, he's gone... I can remember watching reruns of Mork & Mindy with my parents and the first movie I remember seeing him in was Popeye (1980). I can remember thinking that he was Popeye. There are so many memorable roles he's played, from the incredibly zany, to the sympathetic, and also even a little dark and scary at times. He was a man with a singularly remarkable talent and the world is a sadder place without him. Although many celebrities, both young and old come and go, we have somehow become used to the idea of those who get caught up in the difficult life of a celebrity and often succumb to their demanding lifestyles and their lives tragically come to an, very often before their time. There are only a few of those who really, truly make such an impact on our lives and make us laugh more than anybody that we can scarcely believe it when they are gone. Although he is gone, we can still remember the great moments and characters he played. To celebrate the life and career of Robin Williams, I wanted to list some of my favorite movies to which he gave me and my family so much joy, happiness, and even tears. CHERNOBOG'S BLOG PRESENTS: Top 10 Favorite Robin Williams Movies...We will miss you.
#10 Night at the Museum (2006) - Although Robin Williams only played a supporting role in these movies, (Night at the Museum 3 to be released later this year) with his unique presence and energy, he managed to make one of my favorite U.S. Presidents: Theodore 'Teddy' Roosevelt come alive, even if he was only a wax statue!
#9 Toys (1992) - Robin as Leslie Zevo is one of his strangest and wackiest characters ever. The movie itself is a bizarre experience with a very childlike but also very poignant story.
#8 Jack (1996) - Often underrated and criticized, Jack is one of Robin's most hilarious and yet most sympathetic characters as Jack Powell, the boy with a strange illness that makes him age 4X faster than a normal person.
#7 What Dreams May Come (1998) - While one of his most unsuccessful movies, possibly due to the intensely deep and disturbing subject matter, Robin stars as Chris Nielsen, a man who dies in a car crash and searches the afterlife for his wife.
#6 Bicentennial Man (1999) - Robin stars as Andrew Martin an android who endeavors to become more human.
#5 Popeye (1980) - "I yam what I yam and that's all that I yam!" 'Nuff said.
#4 Hook (1991) - Robin plays Peter Banning, a grown up Peter Pan who has forgotten his life in Never Land until Capt. Hook (Dustin Hoffman) kidnaps his children forcing him to return is one of my favorite movies of all time.
#3 Aladdin (1992) - With his voice giving life to the Genie in one of my favorite Disney animated features, Robin stole the show and created one of the most enigmatic and beloved Disney characters of all time.
#2 Mrs. Doubtfire (1993) - Quite possibly one of his most popular and memorable roles, Robin as Daniel Hillard, a divorcee father who disguises himself as an elderly woman is both incredibly hilarious and completely ridiculous at the same time...and that's what makes it his funniest movie ever!
#1 Dead Poets Society (1989) - This movie inspired me to become a teacher and also gave me a deeper appreciation for both literature and poetry. Robin Williams as John Keating will always be "Oh Captain, My Captain!"
It's been 14 years since Matt Groening's Futurama debuted on March 28, 1999. After being cancelled by Fox back in 2003 and following four popular direct to DVD movies, Comedy Central picked up the show in 2009 and has kept it running to it's 10th season. Sadly, this week is the premiere of the Series Finale entitled “Meanwhile,” on Wednesday, September 4th, at 10:00pm ET/PT on Comedy Central. We'll all miss the wacky sci-fi-esque adventures of Fry, Leela, Bender and the rest of the crew of the Planet Express but you can be sure to see them on reruns and DVD for years... To celebrate the final episode CHERNOBOG'S BLOG Presents: The Top 10 Futurama Episodes! Enjoy...
#10 "A Fishful of Dollars", Aired: 4/27/99 - When Fry discovers he has over 4 billion dollars in his savings account he goes money crazy and buys a rare can of anchovies, now a rare and extinct delicacy. The evil Mom company conspires to steal it for use in cheap robot oil.
#9 "Fry & the Slurm Factory", Aired: 11/14/99 - Fry becomes addicted to Slurm, a popular soda and wins a contest (a la Willy Wonka) to tour the Slurm factory where he learns a terrible secret!
#8 "Reincarnation", Aired: 9/8/11 - 3 shorts feature Futurama in 3 different animation styles including old-timey cartoon. anime, and 8-bit video-game.
#7 "Bender's Game", 4-Part Episode/Movie, 4/26/09 - The Planet Express crew are trapped in a fantasy- game world created by Bender's mind.
#6 "The Devil's Hands Are Idle Playthings", Aired: 8/10/03 - In an effort to win Leela's love, Fry makes a deal with the Robot Devil to become a gifted musician.
#5 "Parasites Lost", Aired: 1/21/01 - When Fry eats an egg-salad sandwich from a gas station vending he becomes stronger and smarter from ingesting "intelligent worms".
#4 "Less Than hero", Aired: 3/2/03 - Fry and Leela become superheroes after using a "miracle cream" from Dr. Zoidberg and form a crime-fighting team with Bender.
#3 "Where No Fan Has Gone Before", Aired: 4/21/02 - Fry and the crew are put on trial for traveling to the forbidden planet of Omega 3 to retrieve all 79 episodes of "Star Trek" with the heads of the original cast members (except for Scotty!) and battles a nerdy energy being.
#2 "Roswell That Ends Well", Aired: 12/9/01 - During a supernova explosion, Fry uses the Planet Express' microwave which sends the crew back to Roswell, New Mexico in the year 1947 where they are mistaken for a UFO!
#1 "The Luck of the Fryrish", Aired: 3/11/01 - Bad luck sends Fry in search of his boyhood good-luck charm, a seven-leaf clover, stirring memories of rivalry with his older brother, Yancy.
The Big Bang Theory, Season 6 premiers on Thursday, September 27th! Since Season One aired in 2007, The Big Bang Theory has become THE nerdiest show on TV! When a group of friends and fellow University scientists living in California meet an attractive new neighbor, she shows them how little they know about life outside of their nerdy, socially-awkward little world! The group including: Leonard Hofstadter (Johnny Galecki), Sheldon Cooper (Jim Parsons), Howard Wolowitz (Simon Helberg), Raj Koothrappali (Kunal Nayyar) and of course Penny (Kaley Cuoco) have all kinds of nerdy adventures about life, love and the universe! After five hilarious seasons the cast has added a few new friends including Howard's new fiancee Bernedette Rostenkowski (Melissa Rauch) and Sheldon's "girl/friend" Amy Farrah Fowler (Mayim Bialik). With the last season featuring huge milestones and special guest stars such as the voice of Leonard 'Spock' Nimoy and an appearance by Professor Stephen Hawking, not to mention Howard's marriage to Bernedette before he rocketed off to the International Space Station! CHERNOBOG'S BLOG is Proud top Present, in celebration of the premier of The Big Bang Theory's sixth season: The Big Bang Theory - Top 10 Episodes! Enjoy!
#10 The Zarnecki Incursion (Season 4, Ep., Aired: 3/31/11) - Sheldon's World of Warcraft account is hacked and the gang team up to find the culprit! Funniest Moment: Sheldon confronts the thief brandishing a Klingon bat'leth!
#9 "The Middle-Earth Paradigm" (Season 1, Ep., Aired: 10/29/2007) - Penny puts on a Halloween party and Leonard almost gets in a fight with her muscular ex-boyfriend! Funniest Moment: Sheldon tries to explain his costume as The Doppler Effect.
#8 "The Staircase Implementation" (Season 3, Ep.22, Aired: 5/17/10) - Leonard recounts the story of how he came to live with Sheldon to Penny. Funniest Moment: Leonard experiments with a new kind of rocket fuel and almost destroys the apartment, if not for Sheldon, who puts it in the elevator thus saving their lives!
#7 "The Justice League Recombination" (Season 4, Ep.11, Aired: 12/16/10) - The guys dress up as the Justice League of America for a New Year's Eve party/contest at Stewart's comic book store with Zack as Superman and Penny reluctantly as Wonder Woman. Funniest Moment: The gang, dressed as superheroes, witness a carjacking and consider helping but then slowly walk away.
#6 "The Transporter Malfunction" (Season 5, Ep. 20, Aired: 3/29/12) - Penny buys Leonard and Sheldon vintage Star TrekMEGO transporters to make-up for freeloading. Sheldon has a decision to make to open or not to open and play with his despite hearing the voice of Leonard 'Spock' Nimoy telling him to. When he finally relents, he breaks his and tries to switch his with Leonard's! Funniest Moment: A Gorn scares Sheldon in his dream after he talks to his Spock toy.
#5 "The Nerdvana Annihilation" (Season 1, Ep., Aired: 4/28/08) - After the gang buy a life-size replica of The Time Machine online, Leonard considers getting rid of all of his collectibles. Funniest Moment: The gang pretend to move forward in time while Leonard turns on the time machine.
#4 "The Excelsior Acquisition" (Season 3, Ep.16, Aired: 3/1/10) - Following the events of "The Adhesive Duck Deficiency" (Season 3, Ep.8, Aired: 11/16/09), Sheldon is fined for running a red-light when he took Penny to the emergency room. Problem is, he has to appear in court the same day that Stan Lee will appear at the comic book store! Funniest Moment: Sheldon and Penny appear at Stan Lee's front door for an autograph!
#3 "The Precious Fragmentation" (Season 3 , Ep.17, Aired:3/8/10) - The gang find "The One Ring!" from The Lord of the Rings at a garage sale and each of them compete for ownership. Funniest Moment: Sheldon sees himself as Gollum when he finally gets the ring!
#2 "The Einstein Approximation" (Season 4, Ep.14, Aired: 2/1/10) - Sheldon has a psychotic break while trying to wrestle with an equation. Funniest Moment: When Sheldon is hiding from Leonard in the ball-pit! "Bazinga!"
#1 "The Pancake Batter Anomaly" (Season 1, Ep., Aired: 3/31/08) - Sheldon is sick and the gang try to avoid him at a theater with a "Planet of the Apes" marathon! Funniest Moment: Leonard tries to navigate his apartment blind while Howard guides him with a webcam.
