John Hughes

John Hughes was born February 18, 1950. Died August 6th, 2009.
He is one of the most influential writers of teen angst from the 1980s and 90s. He wrote and directed some of my all time favorite movies of the 80s.
Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Some Kind of Wonderful,
Uncle Buck,


and Pretty In Pink; I'm sure there are more that I just can't remember at this moment. These movies I could watch over and over again and to this day they still can make me laugh right out loud. Plus they were movies that were about things teens are going through. Who wouldn't want the popular guy in school to like you, who doesn't want to just fit in, who doesn't want to take a whole day off and just have fun? All these movies did that.

He was only 59 years old, and had a heart attack. Life is so fragile.

Thank you John for all these movies that I grew up with and can quote even today.

Like "Does Barry Manilow know that you raid his wardrobe?" or "I'm thinking of trying out for a scholarship" or "Dear Mr. Vernon, we accept the fact that we had to sacrifice a whole Saturday in detention for whatever it was we did wrong. But we think you're crazy to make an essay telling you who we think we are. You see us as you want to see us... In the simplest terms, in the most convenient definitions. But what we found out is that each one of us is a brain... ...and an athlete...
...and a basket case...
...a princess...
...and a criminal...
Does that answer your question?... Sincerely yours, the Breakfast Club". From the Breakfast Club

Or "Lake, Big Lake!", "You know, I'm getting input here that I'm reading as relatively hostile", "Oto-mo-biiile?" All from Sixteen Candles.

There are so many...no need to go on. But if you haven't seen these movies. Rent them!

They are worth it!

I also recently found this post from John Hughes' pen pal. Not only did we lose a gret writer/director, but a great man.

Oh no, they didn't!

When it comes to TV commercials, I used to become enthralled, now I don't have the time. I'm off to grab a snack, fold laundry--anything but watch 30 to 60 seconds of someone telling me I can't live without their product or service. But recently, one apparel retailer has stopped me dead in my tracks, as I stare at the television in absolute awe. The new JCPenney commercial actually stopped me mid-bite of a snack. And nothing gets between me and my food. Until now. Do not click the link, if you do not want the wonderfulness that is the 1985 Breakfast Club and it's innocence to be tainted.

Those of us who live for 80's music and movies, may find this commercial tough to take. Ok, those of you who don't love The Breakfast Club, like I do, may wonder why this is something I even need to post about. Maybe I am dating myself or causing some of you to think..."the 80's? yuck!", but I don't care!

The song in this new commercial has been one that I have loved since the day it was released. It is "Don't You (Forget About Me)", by Simple Minds released in 1985.
Here's what the song really is supposed to sound like (with alittle more of the movie to watch)...when it was done by Simple Minds. In my craziness of learning more about this commercial I have found out that this song was redone for the commercial by a group called New Found Glory. It's good, but nothing compares to the original.
Now, why post about this. I'm not really sure, except that it struck me so much. JCPenney? The Breakfast Club? Simple Minds? It just doesn't all go together in my head! Plus there is a girl in the commercial wearing a Nirvana T-shirt! I guess I just am having a hard time putting it all together. Ha!

I can almost hear the ad executives in the meeting about this advertising plug:
"Let's really alienate the youth and show them how them just how much we don't get it by re-doing The Breakfast Club film! You know - the cult classic that so many people hold so dear?!"

"The one with that cute Molly Ringwald in it?"

"Yes! And let's 'update' Ally Sheedy's character and turn her into an adorable girl with a pageboy cut who wears polo jumpers!"

"Let's eliminate the burnout character and instead turn him into a hipster who wears a cool cotton hoodie!"
UGH!!!

I love The Breakfast Club! If there is anyone out there that has not seen this movie. Shame on you! Rent it tonight. It is worth it!

As for the commercial, oh no, they didn't!

11-22-2008

Can't Wait!