Rooney Eats It....

In writing about the sudden and sad passing of writer-director-comedic genius John Hughes, this was what made it hit home for me. Take a couple minutes and read this stunning personal eulogy...

http://wellknowwhenwegetthere.blogspot.com/2009/08/sincerely-john-hughes.html

After reading this, it all came home for me just how heavy this loss is for movie lovers of my generation. I personally can remember nearly everything about seeing these movies for the first time and how they made me feel. Sixteen Candles i first saw on my shiny new BETAMAX and i thought i would never stop laughing. I saw Breakfast Club in the theater with my folks and sister and just watched with dropped jaw at the subject matter and emotion i was vicariously displaying to my family. I remember thinking, if they don't get this movie, they'll never get me.

To this day, the jury is still out if they got it.

My mom and i went to Ferris Bueller and laughed through our tears at the incredible similairities between her and Edie McClurg's school secretary Grace. Anyone who knows my mom will testify. And the resemblance between Ed Rooney and our vice prinicipal Mr. McCormick has only been bested in real life by Dick Cheney and Satan.

Planes, Trains And Automobiles was, for me, the comedic equivalent of...well, honestly it defies comparison. Steve Martin's records and John Candy on SCTV molded my sense of humor when i was ten. I'll be doing impressions of them at parties until i die.

Pretty In Pink was a hard one to watch because i watched it with the same girl who turned me down for the prom the previous month. I felt like i was cursed to be Ducky for the rest of my life. After watching one and only one episode of Two And A Half Men, i can now say thank God i'm not Jon Cryer. Have you seen this godawful fuckin' show?

But i digress....

I think after reading the aforementioned blog from his former pen pal it hit me that John Hughes' movies perfectly captured a place and time in my life that only a small handful have done since. It was a time where things were way different, when supposedly i was gonna look back in my forties and feel good about how easy i had it then.

I would not be seventeen again for anything. Fuck that.

Especially not today. It's only because i'm where i am now in my life that i feel like i've accomplished miracles because i didn't kill myself and half of my high school with me.

Big props to Mr. Hughes for helping prevent such a catastrophe.