Tag: film

Review – Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere

Review – Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere

by MichelleMcHatton

As a Springsteen fan, I really didn’t know what to expect with “Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere”. I was mainly hoping that Jeremy Allen White would do Bruce justice on the big screen. I was pleasantly surprised.

The film revolves around Bruce and his making of his album “Nebraska”. But it also delves deep into Springsteen’s life, through flashbacks of him growing up in a domestically chaotic household in Freehold, New Jersey and the pressure of his record company wanting a new album the way they want it. Thank goodness for Jon Landau (Jeremy Strong) who advocates for Bruce when he presents a simple and raw demo for “Nebraska”. Just the way he wants it.

It’s clear from the movie this was a pivotal time in Bruce’s life: he had just ended a tour, had his first top ten single with “Hungry Heart” and was slowly becoming a household name. His character is left wondering what is next and it’s my feeling with his research for “Nebraska”, it drummed up hardened feelings of life with his father. I found it interesting to learn that many songs that would eventually appear on “Born in the U.S.A.” were initially considered to be on “Nebraska”, even has a potential double album. I’m glad that never happened.

In the end we learn that like anyone else, Bruce is a person first and foremost, before being a musician. He needs to learn to deal with his emotions before he can move forward to become the Bruce Springsteen the world eventually becomes enamored with.

White portrays Springsteen well, right down to the vocals. Strong comes off as very likeable as Landau. In my opinion the casting was right on. It was a very enjoyable film, if only one that Springsteen fans would truly appreciate.

Review-John Candy: I Like Me

Review-John Candy: I Like Me

by MichelleMcHatton

When I first learned what seems like eons ago that Ryan Reynolds and Colin Hanks were putting together a documentary about John Candy, my first thoughts were “about time” and “can hardly wait”. When the release date was learned, I put it on my calendar. October 10. Since then I have viewed this well-portrayed and moving documentary three times. That’s a lot of laughing and crying.

The beauty behind this documentary is that it takes the viewer through John’s life in an entertaining fashion, as we get to hear from his numerous loved ones, friends and peers about their experiences with John, as well as view clips from the many movies and TV shows he performed in.

Many things I was already aware of, such as Candy’s love of football, his football injury and his part ownership in the Argonauts. I knew of his work with John Hughes but what I didn’t know was the extent of his friendship with the famous director. It also doesn’t surprise me that he looked out for Macaulay Culkin and that he was known as Johnny Toronto (and to think I only knew of him as Johnny LaRue).

The closing of the documentary doesn’t shock me either when Eugene Levy reveals that while riding in the car during John’s funeral down the 405 that there was no traffic. And that was because the authorities had shut down the 405 for the funeral procession. Something that had only been done for the Pope and a President.

The documentary creators got the title right as well. “I like me” is a line from “Planes, Trains and Automobiles”. It’s something John’s character Del Griffith says after he’s been berated by Steve Martin’s character Neal Page. Although I’m sure John had his demons, as we all do, he really did like himself. As did just about anyone else he encountered in his life.

John Candy was larger than life in all he did. Whether it be with his family or friends or making people laugh with a film. He was truly genuine.

I always say when an artist passes away, be it an actor, musician, dancer, painter, writer, etc., they leave behind a myriad of memories in the form of their art for future generations to enjoy. John Candy was no exception to this fact.