Retro Review : The Garbage Pail Kids Movie

Directed By

Rod Amateau

Written By

Linda Palmer
Rod Amateau

Starring

Mackenzie Astin
Anthony Newley
Katie Barberi
Phil Fondacaro

Music By

Michael Lloyd

Atlantic Releasing/Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

Original Release Date : August 22, 1987

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lXmuXVGidY[/youtube]

‘You can’t change the world by locking it away’

I was sure this movie would be shit. I mean, it did make the rank on more than one “worst movies ever made” lists, it was made in the eighties, and it was made solely to capitalize on a trend.

Honestly though, it wasn’t that bad. I enjoyed this film oogles and joogles more than last week’s She-Devils on Wheels. Ok, so here is the plot. This young man named ‘Dodger’ (Astin) is totally a nerd and is bullied by a group of greasers led by a guy named ‘Juice.’ Juice’s girlfriend is named ‘Tangerine’ (Barberi). She’s a slutty bitch, so naturally Dodger is head over hills in love with her.

Dodger works at an antique shop run by a wizard, and among the antiques is a garbage pail. This garbage pail is home to the Garbage Pail Kids. I was shocked to find that Rush Limbaugh was among them. Photo evidence is below.

So amidst a scuffle the Garbage Pail Kids (GBK) get released and end up saving young Dodger from drowning in the sewer. Fastforward….Dodger learns that Tangerine loves fashion and the GBK are free child labor. The GBK agree to sew a fashion line Project Runway Style if Dodger will help find their other friends (who are locked up at the State Home for the Ugly). They shake on it. Tangerine double crosses the GBK and they end up at the State Home for the Ugly. Dodger and the Wizard break everyone out and tear up Tangerine’s fashion show. The End.

There were some instances of eye-brow raising social commentary. The GBK borrow some sewing machines from the “Non-Union Sweatshop.” The prisoners inside the State Home for the Ugly included prisoners who were either “too fat,” “too thin,” “too pale,” and a cross-dresser who was labeled as “too weird.” Dodger and the GBK were ultimately successful by working together. Although at the time parents were outraged by the film, I found the meaning (it is OK to be different, work together, friendship, loyalty, etc.) to be a great one for children, and the vulgarity (vomit, snot, farts etc.) will also keep them entertained. I’d let my kids watch it. You can watch it too, right now. The Garbage Kids Movie is currently available to stream instantly.

 

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/12520137″]

The Garbage Pail Kids “We Can Do Anything (by working with eachother)”

Open Mic with Secretly Timid : Donovan Hufnagle

Poet Donovan Hufnagle reads a selection of original poems.

Donovan Hufnagle is a writer, student, teacher, and father. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Humanities and Aesthetic studies at the University of Texas at Dallas, while instructing full-time at Tarrant County College in Fort Worth Texas. His writing has appeared inTattoo Highway, Sojourn, The Northridge Review, The New York Quarterly, Rougarou, and others.

 

Humpday Funny : Cat Massage

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnZhi5gaX8g[/youtube]

This week’s Humpday Funny is from Everything is Terrible : the premier video blog for funny, weird, terrible found footage.

Some helpful tips :

use two hands to double your pleasure and double your fun

we touch all the time, so why not be the best at it? like the touch of a fairy

drooling : in this case a drooler is not a person specialized in rings and watches; it’s a cat who’s so wrapped up in enjoying a massage that she forgets to swallow, and then she drools

the front of your cat is a veritable treasure chest of fun; you don’t need a swimming pool for this breast stroking

and

simply start from the base of the rump rubbing your way out and follow it to its natural conclusion


Jim Ivins, “Late Night Drive”

Jim Ivins

Late Night Drive

Official Website

Release Date : March 22, 2011

Available via iTunes and Amazon.com

 

 

 

 

In a world saturated with bubblegum poptarts, young artists like Jim Ivins is a welcome breath of fresh air. Ivin’s five-track EP, Late Night Drive, is surprising both lyrically and sonically to ears familiar with his other act, The Jim Ivin’s Band. Sonically, he is stripped down to the essentials so that his words take point.

Ivin’s voice is reminiscent of Ben Folds in the tune of Chris Carrabba, and it’s A-plus on this EP. Subjects covered through song include introspection and existentialism (which all twenty-somethings go through) to the very personal experience of losing a parent. Although a general feeling of malaise hangs around this album it does not weigh it down. Like the title suggests, it is reminiscent of taking a late night drive to clear one’s head.

Preview the track “Twilight” below and tune in to next Tuesday’s podcast for the audio review.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/12384745″]

“Twilight”

Episode 49 : Hot Pocket

What is that sound? Why it’s the howling wind bashing against my single pane window. On today’s show (that was chock full of technical difficulties) Jill, Jon, and Diane gab about one Texas man’s new face, a gay porn company suing bit torrent thieves (what if this outs closeted teens?), and one woman’s amazing vagina. Seriously….54 bags of heroin….31 empty baggies, prescription pills AND $51.22? I think I know where we can find the lost ark, Indy. Oh, and check out this fun literal map of the world.

It’s a battle of SNL alum as Kevin Nealon takes on Steve Martin on this week’s Twitter Face-Off. Who will survive? Listen to find out.

 

This week’s featured song is “Honey” by Caleb Jude Green.

Humpday Funny : I Like Your Booty (But I’m Not Gay)

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJOTBSE_3Dw[/youtube]

This little gem was featured in The Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film For Theaters. Today is the day you dance to it at your office or workout to it at the gym. You can also find it on the film’s official soundtrack and on Le Sexoflex’s mixxtape.

 

 

Episode 48 : Beware the Ides of March

On this unlucky day we have Jon and Jill in studio and Diane via the gods of the cell tower. Topics include a kidnapping case out of Parker County, the lost city of Atlantis might be found, and scammers taking advantage of last week’s tragedy in Japan. The cast also discuss comedian Gilbert Gottfried’s controversial tweets.

Today’s featured song is “Moments Like This” by Bryan Master. His album For People Like Us is now available on iTunes.

 

Bryan Master, “For People Like Us”

Bryan Master

For People Like Us

Bonavox Records

Release Date : March 15, 2011

Available on iTunes

Official Website

Similar Acts : Foo Fighters, Pete Yorn

This morning whilst stirring my sugar blasted coffee I thought to myself, 2011 so far has been a pretty good year for indie music. This trend continues with L.A. (by way of New York) based singer-songwriter Bryan Master, whose third release, For People Like Us, will hit iTunes and select retailers March 15th.

If I were limited to just one adjective to describe this album I would choose “solid.” Singles “Moments Like This” and “Let Me Come In” (featuring indie queen Liz Phair) are sleek and radio/film friendly. Lyrically, “Moments Like This” is poignant with subtle flakes of dark comedy sprinkled in.  Other stand-out tracks include “Karmacide” (an earlier version of this song is available on the album Incommunicado), “Born Out Of The Breakdown,” and “Lost Angeles.” The song “Paddle Out” is also becoming a fast favorite.

Photo by Adam Arnold

Sonically speaking,  the album includes what you would expect from Alternative Rock; lots of guitar and percussion, a piano ballad, and some well placed strings. Master’s voice is both strong and smooth and takes the spotlight on songs “A Pocket Full of Dreams” and “Let Me Come In.”

Master is known for putting on some great live shows, and a quick perusal of his Facebook page will illuminate some Texas connections (he’s shared the stage with both David Garza and Rhett Miller of the Old 97’s). Master’s will be playing a few dates in California in celebration of the album’s release, and hopefully a more lengthy tour will be announced shortly (and if it is, let’s hope there is a stop in Dallas.)

Monday Nerdgasm : Zombies Ate My Neighbors

 

Think you can survive the impending zombie apocalypse? You know that shit goes down May 21st. To prepare I suggest you read this article from Wired.com. I agree, you should travel in a small group. I also think it wise to include at least one person you do not care for. Should it come down to a foot race you could always trip or sabotage him or her which could increase your chances of survival by at least 73 %.