Blinded By The Light: The Power of Bruce

I’d always enjoyed the music of Bruce Springsteen, but when I was first dating my late wife Gloria, she helped deepen my appreciation for The Boss. She was a huge rock and roll fan, but for her, there was something about Bruce’s lyrics that truly moved and inspired her. Gloria connected with his lyrics on a far deeper level than any of the other artists that she listened to. Bruce’s music helped her deal with a lifelong illness, and brought her a great deal of joy. We talked a lot about her love for Bruce and his music. I’ll never forget the look of pure happiness on her face the first time we saw a live Springsteen show together. Seeing Bruce through her eyes helped me connect to him in a whole new way, and it also helped me to share in her passion for his music.

Viviek Kalra as Javed

What brought up these memories for me was seeing the terrific new film Blinded By The Light. The movie, which is set in 1987, tells the story of a Pakistani immigrant named Javed Khan, who lives in Luton, England. Despite the disapproval of his very traditional father, Javed likes listening to pop music and writing poetry. While his family deals with the difficult economic realities of the Thatcher era, and the racism of fascist groups like the National Front, Javed dreams of becoming a writer. One day, his friend Roops (the only other South Asian student at his school) gives Javed cassette tapes of a couple of albums by Bruce Springsteen, telling him that Bruce really understands the truth about what’s going on in the world.

Javed listens to the albums, and is transformed by hearing Springsteen for the first time. He feels that Springsteen is a kindred spirit, and that all of the frustrations and hopelessness he feels about his own life are mirrored in Bruce’s lyrics. Inspired by Springsteen’s music and a kind English teacher, he starts writing about his real-life experiences. Javed also begins a tentative romance with Eliza, a fellow student who’s a political activist. But rising tensions within his family (his father is laid off from his job, and they’re struggling financially) threaten his plans to attend college and become a writer. Javed and his father constantly clash, and following an incident on the day of his sister’s wedding, he forbids Javed to pursue his ambitions. Will Javed find the courage to follow his dreams?

The movie masterfully expresses the yearning to find your own voice and place in the world, despite the pressures of family and society to steer you in a traditional direction. You don’t need to be Pakistani to understand the issues that Javed deals with in the film. If you’re a son, a daughter, a father or a mother, you can empathize with the struggles these characters are going through. And while it helps to be familiar with Bruce’s music, you don’t have to be a huge fan to understand Javed’s love for Springsteen's music. Just think of that album, movie, book or piece of art that you were knocked out by (and others may not have appreciated) and you’ll be able to understand his feelings. We can all relate to that rush of discovery when we find the thing we're passionate about.

Blinded By The Light is lovingly directed by Gurinder Chada, who also helmed Bend It Like Beckham and Bride and Prejudice. The screenplay for the film was co-written by Chada, Paul Mayeda Berges and Sarfraaz Manzoor, based on Sarfarz’s memoir, Greetings from Bury Park: Race, Religion and Rock N’ Roll. The film is visually striking; Bruce lyrics literally float around Javed’s body, and pop up on walls and other surfaces. It’s a magnificent representation of how a song can literally get into your head. There are some marvelous musical sequences (kudos to cinematographer Ben Smithard) set to Springsteen songs. This isn’t a musical, but the movie shares some of the unbridled joy of that genre in those moments. Bruce’s music is deeply integrated into the film; it’s the heartbeat of the story.

The cast is excellent; Viveik Kalra is fantastic as Javed, and Kulvinder Ghir is very good as Javed’s father, bringing real depth to a role that could have been one-dimensional. There’s also fine support from Nell Williams, Aaron Phagura and Hayley Atwell. Blinded By The Light is one of the best films I’ve seen this year. It’s a marvelous expression of the universality of music, and how your spirit can be lifted (and healed) by the power of song. Javed's story illustrates that we all share the same hopes, dreams, joys and frustrations in this world. If you’ve ever been moved, transported, inspired or changed by the work of an artist, I definitely encourage you to see this wonderful film. I loved it, and it brought back a lot of memories for me. I know that Gloria would have loved it as well. Here’s a link to the trailer for the movie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1YFA_J5JBU.

Hauer vs. Stallone in "Nighthawks"

Rutger Hauer & Sylvester Stallone

Rutger Hauer is best known for his portrayal of the replicant Roy Batty in the classic science-fiction film Blade Runner. He actually helped write part of the character’s memorable and oft-quoted “tears in the rain” speech, which was featured in the film’s climax. Hauer, who passed away in July, was a versatile actor, adept at playing both heroes and villains. He was featured in a variety of films, such as Ladyhawke, The Hitcher, Blind Fury, Confessions of A Dangerous Mind, and Batman Begins. Hauer also appeared in quite a few made for television movies and series, including Escape From Sobibor, Fatherland, Smallville, True Blood, and Galavant. He was born in the Netherlands, and began his career acting in Dutch films, most notably Turkish Delight, Soldier of Orange and Spetters, often working with director Paul Verhoeven, who later cast him as a mercenary in the medieval adventure Flesh & Blood. Hauer made his American film debut in the 1981 thriller Nighthawks. The movie is about a pair of New York City cops (played by Sylvester Stallone and Billy Dee Williams) who match wits with a wily terrorist named Wulfgar, portrayed by Hauer.

NYPD detectives Deke DaSilva (Stallone) and Matthew Fox (Williams) are re-assigned to a newly created task force when international terrorist Heymar Reinhardt (aka Wulfgar) goes rogue and is reported to be in New York. DaSilva and Fox are tasked to work with Scotland Yard Inspector Hartman, who has been tracking Wulfgar for years. The driven, obsessed Hartman tries to impress upon the detectives that Wulfgar is an amoral, cold-blooded and violent killer, and they’ll have be just as ruthless as he is in order to stop him. As Wulfgar cuts a violent path across the city, DaSilva, Fox and Hartman hunt him and his partner, Shakka. The cops and the Scotland Yard inspector tangle with them at various locations, including a disco, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and in an exciting sequence, the Roosevelt Island tram system. But Wulfgar continues to evade capture, taunting our heroes and escaping them at every turn. It all culminates in a climactic showdown between DaSilva and Wulfgar when the villain threatens the detective’s estranged wife, Irene.

Nighthawks had a troubled history. The film’s initial director was Gary Nelson, who helmed the original Freaky Friday and The Black Hole for Disney. Nelson was fired from the project early on, and replaced by Bruce Malmuth. According to some sources, Stallone also directed a number of scenes during production. The movie was also re-edited before release to focus more on Stallone’s character, and to tone down some of the more graphic violence. On the plus side, film was made before the digital age, so what you’re seeing on screen is real, not CGI. Stallone actually did most of his own stunts. The movie also benefits greatly from Hauer’s intense, chilling performance as Wulfgar. He and Stallone make great adversaries, and you can feel the sparks fly between them onscreen. The rest of the cast is also very effective, including Nigel Davenport as Inspector Hartman, Lindsay Wagner as Irene and Persis Khambatta (Lt. Ilia in Star Trek: The Motion Picture) as Shakka. Character actor Joe Spinell (who often played mobsters and villains) appears as the detectives NYPD boss, Lieutenant Munafo, and Catherine Mary Stewart (Night of the Comet) has a small role as a salesgirl in a sequence set in London early in the film.

Nighthawks is a riveting, fast-paced thriller. The location filming, strong performances and the exciting action sequences add to the film’s gritty, realistic tone. The pulsating score was composed by Keith Emerson of Emerson, Lake and Palmer fame. The movie was modestly successful on its original run, but gained more fans when it was shown regularly on cable and broadcast television during the 1980s. Hauer’s career in the United States took off after his roles in Nighthawks and Blade Runner, and he worked steadily in film and television until his recent passing. He also founded an AIDS awareness organization, The Starfish Association, and supported several environmental groups, including the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. Nighthawks has been released on DVD and Blu-ray. Here’s a link to the film’s trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnvbtAoucPU.

Remembering David Hedison in "The Fly"

David Hedison, who passed away in July, is well known to genre fans for his role as Captain Lee Crane on the TV series Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea. The show, created by producer Irwin Allen, originally ran from 1964-68, and was very popular in syndication during the 1970s and 80s. In addition to his role on Voyage, Hedison played James Bond’s friend and ally, CIA agent Felix Leiter, in two 007 adventures, Live and Let Die and Licence to Kill; he was the first actor to portray the character more than once. He also starred in the eerie 1973 television film, The Cat Creature, written by Robert Bloch, the author of Psycho, and appeared opposite his Live and Let Die co-star Roger Moore in the high seas action adventure film, ffolkes, also known as North Sea Hijack. Hedison guest starred on a plethora of TV series in the 70s and 80s, including Charlie’s Angels, Hart to Hart, Simon and Simon and The A-Team.

Patricia Owens & David Hedison

One of his most fondly remembered roles is as the star of the 1958 sci-fi thriller, The Fly. The actor, then billed as Al Hedison, stars as scientist Andre Delambre. He has a loving wife, Helene, and a young son named Philippe. Andre is working on an invention that can teleport matter from one place to another, much like the transporter device later seen in Star Trek. The problem is the machine has some kinks in it. During test runs, it reverses the logo on a plate, and seemingly sends the family cat to another dimension. Delambre presses on with his research, and eventually tries the device on himself. That turns out to be a very ill-advised decision, as a fly gets into the transport chamber with him, and Delambre and the fly swap body parts. Now Andre has the head and arm of a fly, and vice versa. Andre eventually reveals his condition to Helene, and asks for her help. The race is on to locate the half-human fly so the process can (hopefully) be reversed. 

The film is structured like a mystery and begins in the aftermath of Andre’s death. The story is told in flashback, as Helene tells the fantastic tale of Andre’s scientific mishap. As she relates the events leading up to her husband’s death to police Inspector Charas and Andre’s brother Francois, the men feel certain that she’s gone mad. Then the terrible truth is revealed in the movie’s terrifying conclusion. Hedison is quite good as Andre, and he and Patricia Owens (who plays Helene) have a nice chemistry portraying the couple, who clearly have great affection for one another. The character of Andre is less stuffy than the typical movie scientist, though he’s still quite obsessed with his research. By the way, that's Hedison, not a stand-in, in the fly makeup throughout the film. The moment where Andre's "fly" head is revealed is one of the more iconic moments in 1950s sci-fi,  along with the terrifying finale. Anyone who saw the film in their younger days, either in theaters or on TV, remembers the chilling words “Help Meeeee!” 

The Fly is based on a short story by George Langelaan, which was adapted by James Clavell. Yes, the same James Clavell who later wrote Shogun. He was a busy screenwriter during the late 1950s and early to mid 1960s, working on films such as The Great Escape, The Satan Bug, and To Sir, With Love. The literate script, solid production values, and excellent cast, which also includes Vincent Price as Francois and Herbert Marshall as Charas, help elevate the film's quality. It's also in color, like the similarly A-level productions Forbidden Planet and This Island Earth, a rarity for 1950s sci-fi and horror films. The film was directed by Kurt Neumann, who also helmed Rocketship X-M and a trio of Tarzan films starring Johnny Weismuller. Originally, Michael Rennie (Klaatu in The Day The Earth Stood Still) was offered the the part of Andre, but declined to take on the role.

The movie spawned two sequels, Return of the Fly (without Hedison, but with Vincent Price reprising his role) and Curse of the Fly. The film was remade (or perhaps, it's better to say re-imagined) by director David Cronenberg in 1986. That creepier, more graphic version starred Jeff Goldblum and Geena Davis. Also titled The Fly, the success of the new version also begat a sequel, The Fly II, featuring Eric Stolz in the title role. But for a whole generation of baby boomer and Gen X kids brought up on Saturday afternoon and late-night showings of the original on TV, David (Al) Hedison will always be The Fly. By the way Hedison and co-star Vincent Price later appeared together on an episode of Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea entitled "The Deadly Dolls," featuring Price as a (what else?) villainous puppeteer. The film is available on DVD and Blu-ray. Here's a link to the trailer for The Fly: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hdv4QA-O1bg.

"Legends" Brings Fun to the Arrowverse

Legends of Tomorrow, which premiered during the 2015-2016 TV season, began as a dual spinoff of the CW network's Arrow and The Flash, featuring characters introduced on both of those series, as well as some additional heroes and villains from the DC universe. The team included White Canary, The Atom, Captain Cold and Firestorm, as well as Hawkman and Hawkgirl. The first season of the show saw the super-team, led by Time Master Rip Hunter (played by Dr. Who veteran Arthur Darvill) face off against Vandal Savage, an immortal villain who is manipulating the timeline so he can control the world. They chased Savage across time in order to stop him, having adventures in both the past, present and future. The series was generally well-received by fans, but many felt the main storyline was weak, and that a subplot regarding Hawkman and Hawkgirl's reincarnation (and their connection to Savage) was never properly developed.

For its second season, the series re-tooled a bit, dropping some cast members and adding a couple of new ones. The show also brought in some villains from the other "Arrowverse" series, including Damien Darhk and Malcolm Merlyn, who team up with the Reverse-Flash to form the Legion of Doom, a nice in-joke for Justice League fans. As the villains searched for the mystical artifact known as the Spear of Destiny, which has the power to re-write the timeline, the team followed them across history, interacting with real life figures like George Washington, Al Capone, and in an inspired and very funny episode, a young filmmaker named George Lucas! Legends of Tomorrow really hit its stride in its second year, playing to its strong points; the dysfunctional family aspect (and offbeat chemistry) of its rag-tag cast of heroes, a healthy dose of humor, a devil may care attitude, and a stylish sense of adventure amid the science-fiction and fantasy elements.

For year three, the series continued embracing its strengths, as the team searched for disruptions in the timeline which had been caused by their actions in the previous seasons, running into characters like P.T. Barnum, Blackbeard the Pirate, Elvis Presley and Helen of Troy. The main villain or "big bad" this time out was a powerful demonic figure known as Mallus, which allowed the team to bring in John Constantine (a DC Comics magic-based character who had appeared in a short-lived NBC series) as a recurring member of the team. The show's playful sense of humor, and the series writers penchant for a host of meta-textual references continued as actor John Noble (of Fringe and Lord of the Rings fame) played himself in a terrific episode entitled "Starring John Noble!"

The fourth season of the show, which completed its run this past May, featured the Legends' wildest adventures yet, as it showcased the team searching for magical creatures who have been displaced in time, and allowed the characters to visit Woodstock, the Salem Witch trials and even pay a visit to 1950s Japan, where they met up with Ishiro Honda, the legendary director of the original Godzilla. This past season's main storyline allowed the show's writers to pen some marvelous parodies of Disney's fairy godmothers, Charlie's Angels, The A-Team and turn our heroes into singing puppets at one point - yes, you did read that right. To add to the fun, Tom Wilson (Biff from the Back To The Future films) appeared as the father of one of the team members, and he even got to sing a James Taylor song - you'll have to watch to find out how that figures into the plot!

All in all, Legends of Tomorrow is a whole lot of fun. It's certainly the wildest, most inventive and pop culture aware of the CW series. The cast is terrific, anchored by Caity Loitz as Sarah Lance/White Canary, Dominic Purcell as Mick Rory/Heat Wave and Brandon Routh as Ray Palmer/The Atom. Routh (who portrayed Superman in the 2006 film Superman Returns) has a nice sense of comic timing; he's perfect in the role. The concept of keeping the core of the team intact while bringing in new characters and guest stars from across the DC Comics Universe really works in the show's favor. If you're looking for some light-hearted superhero action with a touch of the offbeat and bizarre, Legends of Tomorrow is worth a try. The series is currently streaming its past seasons on Netflix. Here's a link to the trailer for season four: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqRZJgA_IqM. The show returns next year, and will be part of the epic "Crisis on Infinite Earths" cross-over on the CW superhero series in the upcoming season.