Addams Family Values (1993): Films from Comic Strips (The Sequel)

     A sequel to the 1991 hit, "The Addams Family", Addams Family Values (1993) has all the family actors reprising their roles from the first film, with the exception of the grandmother, who was replaced by Carol Kane, and given more lines. Addams Family Values lacks some of the freshness and "pop" of the first film, but it is quite entertaining nevertheless.

     Things are as usual in the Addams' home... 

     Then Gomez and Morticia Addams welcome a baby into their family. 

     The addition of a little brother upsets Wednesday and Pugsley, who make every attempt to get rid of the child. 

     After a search for a Nanny turns out fruitless, a sexy woman named Debby shows up wanting the job, her true motive being to marry Fester Addams, kill him, and steal his fortune... 

     The children are just in her way... 

     Wednesday is wise to Debby's scheme, so Deb convinces the parents to send them to Summer Camp... 

     Hilarious turns have Wednesday and Pugsley as Indians taking part in a Pilgrim play at the camp, changing the script, and scalping and burning the settlers' village...

     In their absence, she marries Fester and convinces him to disown his family, and makes repeated failed attempts to kill him...

     The Family must work together to stop Debby and rescue Uncle Fester...

Addams Family Values- movie trailer

CLOSE UP: John McCauley (Deer Tick)

John McCauley, 2011. By Travis Simpkins

Deer Tick- Spend the Night

For more info, visit: http://deertickmusic.com/

The Handsome Family: Profiles from the Illustrations

The Handsome Family, 2012. By Travis Simpkins

     Multiple influences, both geographical and personal, have worked to shape the unique sound of husband and wife team, Brett and Rennie Sparks' music.  He is from Texas, she is from New York. Their band, The Handsome Family, was founded in Chicago in 1993 but got new-found inspiration upon moving to New Mexico in 2001. Some would categorize them as "alt-country" but their style defies labels.

The Handsome Family- "Bottomless Hole"

Brett Sparks, 2012. By Travis Simpkins

     Everything is balanced. They are a humorous pair, the name The Handsome Family is derived from a sarcastic joke made at Brett's expense. On the other emotional extreme, Brett's breakdown in the mid-90s has added a sense of melancholy to some of the songs.

The Handsome Family- "So Much Wine"

Rennie Sparks, 2012. By Travis Simpkins

     Beautiful writing keeps their songs lively. Rennie's haunting lyrics and Brett's moody rhythms are perfect compliments to one another. They tour all over, and with eleven albums out, they continue to build up an already strong following.

The Handsome Family- "Flapping Your Broken Wings"

The Handsome Family- "Giant of Illinois" (about Robert Wadlow, the World's Tallest Man)

Brett Sparks, 2012. By Travis Simpkins

For more info, visit: http://www.handsomefamily.com/

CLOSE UP: Rick Jenkins (The Comedy Studio)

Rick Jenkins, 2011. By Travis Simpkins

The Comedy Studio- Cambridge, MA

For more info, visit: http://www.thecomedystudio.com/

New Portrait Illustration: Tim Mason (Poet)

Tim Mason, 2012. By Travis Simpkins

     I've known Tim Mason for about twenty years or so. We met when he and his family moved in a few houses down from mine in Worcester, MA around 1990. At the time he was managing the Old Vienna Kaffeehaus and it was through him and his ex-wife, Jan, that I was inspired to learn more about Folk music and poetry. He is a gifted and prolific poet, and he still promotes and organizes Folk acts around New England at venues like Club Passim in Cambridge, and Hezekiah Stone's Coffeehouse in central MA.

Timothy Mason- "Peace"

Tim Mason, 2012. By Travis Simpkins

Timothy Mason at GAWF

Timothy Mason circa 1991

Tim Mason, 2012. By Travis Simpkins

For more info, visit: http://www.timothydmason.com/

Wait Until Dark (1967): Classic Audrey Hepburn

     Alan Arkin said the toughest part about his time on the set of Wait Until Dark (1967) was that he had to be mean to Audrey Hepburn. She was such a kind and adorable person, it broke his heart to have to torture her, even if it was just acting. Despite any apprehensions the cast faced, the end result is a top-notch thriller... one that is unique and set the tone for future films in a similar vein.

     A doll has been cut open and used as a vessel for transporting heroin. The runner's plan to abscond with the drugs backfired when she handed the doll off to an innocent photographer, who took it back to the apartment he shares with his wife, a blind woman (Audrey Hepburn)... 

     Now Roat (Alan Arkin), a psychopath and his two henchmen are determined to get the drug-stuffed doll back at any cost... 

     An elaborate ruse to trick the blind woman into handing the doll over doesn't go according to plan... 

     She is too smart for the thieves... 

     A gripping climax puts Audrey against Arkin in a test of wits and fortitude... 

     The blind woman is disadvantaged and overcome with crippling doubt, confusion and fear... 

     But somehow, she must manage to stay alive...

Wait Until Dark- movie trailer

The Illusionist (2006): Magic in Modern Cinema

     Full of vexation and mirages, The Illusionist (2006) is a magical film that leaves us baffled, fooled and guessing until the very end. Shot with an antique-style, limited color palette, the cinematography is amazing to look at... along with the lovely visage of Jessica Biel (who delivers a surprisingly good performance).

     Peasant Edward's ill-fated, failed childhood romance with a Duchess, forced him to travel the world perfecting his already burgeoning talents in the realms of magic and sleight-of-hand. 

     He has returned as magician of renown, now known as Eisenheim the Illusionist, performing amazing feats at premium prices. 

     At one of his shows, his childhood love, the Duchess volunteers to participate... 

     and the romance is rekindled... 

     Much to Eisenheim's chagrin, he discovers she is involved with the Crowned Prince...

     The chief inspector (Paul Giamatti), always looking out for the best interests of the Prince, does his best to persuade Eisenheim to stay away from the Duchess... 

     A shocking crime occurs, and Eisenheim's illusions become more disturbing... 

    Can he create the ultimate illusion? One that will take both he and she away?

The Illusionist- movie trailer

CLOSE UP: Chris Fleming

Chris Fleming, 2011. By Travis Simpkins

"Gayle: Episode 1"

Chris Fleming- Stand-up comedy

For more info, visit: Chris Fleming

The Smallest Show on Earth (1957): Obscure Classic Films

     Before making it big, Peter Sellers paid the bills by taking on smaller roles and bit parts in British films. Ever the creative artist, he always managed to deliver a standout, scene stealing performance, even in minor roles in which he is virtually unrecognizable. Such is the case in The Smallest Show on Earth (1957), in which Sellers plays a crazy, old, boozy movie projectionist. 

     A young couple receive word that the husband's great uncle has died and left them his estate. Eager to find out the enormity of their inheritance, they board the first train to meet with the lawyer handling the estate. 

     Much to their chagrin, they discover that the estate consists solely of an old, run down, dilapidated  movie theater... 

     with the interior in disrepair as well, and needing just as much work as the facade... 

     They plan to sell the theater to the greedy owner of the nearby successful, Grand Theater, but the sly businessman gives them a low ball, insulting offer and they refuse. Still intent on selling the dump, they devise to bluff the greedy man into thinking that they have changed their minds and are going to renovate and re-open the old fleabag theater after all. They meet the kooky staff, comprised of three old fogies who have worked there since the Silent Era. 

     The place is in shambles and the equipment is substandard, to say the least. 

     They do their best to fix it up enough to re-open and start screening movies. 

     Much to their surprise, a moderate crowd does show up. 

     The couple must do a lot of the work themselves, including the wife being the ice cream girl.  But she can't stand being fondled by the horny men. 

     They hire a sexy, buxom blond who has no such gripes about being violated and her sensuous allure draws even more people. 

     Will their efforts be enough to persuade the wealthy rival to make a higher bid to acquire the business? Or will the couple just have to make the most of their new entrepreneurial enterprise?

The Smallest Show on Earth- full feature film

Brad Roberts: Profiles from the Illustrations

Brad Roberts, 2012. By Travis Simpkins

     It all started in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada when a rich baritone voice was featured in the night club band, Bad Brad Roberts and the St. James Rhythm Pigs. Brad Roberts eventually changed the name to Crash Test Dummies and set forth with well received shows. Brad got more into songwriting, even attending a workshop with Lyle Lovett, after which he wrote his first defining song, called "Superman's Song." It caught the attention of record labels and Crash Test Dummies recorded and released The Ghosts that Haunt Me in 1991. 

Crash Test Dummies- Superman's Song

Brad Roberts, 2012. By Travis Simpkins

     With the success of their first album, the band hit mainstream success with it's sophomore release, God Shuffled His Feet in 1993. Full of offbeat, artistic songs and Roberts' unmistakable voice, the album was a major hit, scoring with an astoundingly simple, but memorable song, "Mmm, Mmm, Mmm, Mmm." All the other tracks showed the work of a fine songwriter truly hitting his stride.

Crash Test Dummies- Mmm, Mmm, Mmm, Mmm

Crash Test Dummies- God Shuffled His Feet

     Their next album, A Worm's Life explored a harder edged sound, and further experimentation on subsequent albums failed to repeat the commercial success of the first two, but who cares? The respect for Brad Roberts as an artist and songwriter continues to grow. An amazingly creative writer, he knows the value of the unknown... and always puts it into words sharply, and beautifully; directly indirect.

Crash Test Dummies- My Own Sunrise

Crash Test Dummies- Swimming In Your Ocean

Crash Test Dummies- The Ghosts That Haunt Me

Interview with Brad Roberts

Brad Roberts, 2012. By Travis Simpkins

For more info, visit: http://www.crashtestdummies.com/#/home