I’m not a channel surfer nor do I have a lot of time to watch TV usually. But in the last few months I had a couple of opportunities to try it out. And it was daunting. One could conceivably surf for hours without settling on anything. I felt a little unnerved and totally incomplete. But the one bright spot from the experience is that once in awhile you catch something that for some reason just makes you stop and watch. And since it’s unplanned it comes across as a bit of gift. And in my case there was a constant to the gift– Michael J. Fox.
I pretty much grew up with him on FAMILY TIES and have always liked him. But it wasn’t until my surfing sessions that I was able to fully appreciate his genius. BACK TO THE FUTURE II was the first one to stop me. I remember loving it as a kid, especially with its play of the temporal space. The film didn’t really hold up for me but it didn’t disappoint either because of Mr. Fox. Then it was DOC HOLLYWOOD and TEEN WOLF. These films really demonstrate his brilliance. I think one of the hardest things to do in filmmaking is to make something ‘by the book’ and predictable watchable and perhaps special. In the case of TEEN WOLF, Michael J. Fox was able to transcend the material and make it a classic (at least in my book).
I’ve written and defended remakes in the past but TEEN WOLF is the one exception that I feel should be left alone. There’s absolutely no way to make the film better because the magic was somehow captured in large due to– Michael J. Fox. Without him it would just be another B movie. And what better example of that than TEEN WOLF TOO. Even with the talented Jason Bateman the film just couldn’t compare to the first one.
I was so impressed by this discovery I went and looked at Fox’s filmography and you know what? I’d stop and watch anything he’s in for sure. He’s my ‘go to’ guy.
So here’s the challenge:
Name me another ‘go to’ actor or actress that tops Michael J. Fox.
Prize: The usual. A meal at Jollibee on me (you hearing this Anderson?). Or if you don’t live in a city that has Jollibee, you’ll get the next best thing, SPAM.
I don’t think many actors can top Michael J Fox cause he really is a badass.
that being said, my “go to” guy, and this one is embarrassing, is… JASON STATHAM! yes, I know, the Transporter. personally, i think he’s an exceptional actor. though he’s gone more the B movie route as of Crank and Transporter 3 late, i just find myself always wanting to watch what he is in.
personally, i think Jason Statham should do the remake of Teenwolf. That would be rad.
River Phoenix. He was about the same age as me and I think the first actor who I could relate to as a peer. He’s been in not-so-good movies but I’ve never felt he was ever walking through any of them.
In comedy, John Belushi. I was too young to experience his work when he was alive but when I eventually discovered it, felt an immediate kinship. His attitude and approach to life and work was a huge influence on me. In high school, I compiled all his great SNL sketches on VHS and would watch them over and over; carefully studying them. Probably learned everything I know about comedy from them.
I just realized both died young from drug overdoses. Wonder if I should read anything into that. I also love Meryl Streep–no foreseeable drug overdoses in the future there.
how about Tom Hanks? as i write this i realized there are a few things of his I wouldn’t watch again. Oops.
Angelina Jolie – is my go to girl. Unlike Meryl Streep – she doesn’t disappear into a film – she’s still Angelina the movie star everytime. But she’s so attuned to the tone of the movie that she’ll find a way to elevate and shake up the material with her star presence – whether it’s adding sensuality and a visceral intensity to a heavy character piece like ‘Mighty Heart’ or lending her effortless charisma and knowing, wry sense of humor to refresh a macho, formulaic action flick like ‘Wanted’.
I missed him on Saturday Night Live because that was before my time, but ever since Groundhog Day, Bill Murray does it for me every time. I simply love that guy.
Nevermind classics like Meatballs, Stripes, Caddyshack, Ghostbusters, and Kingpin… those are a given, but who knew he would be so excellent in Rushmore, Lost in Translation, Life Aquatic, Broken Flowers, etc…
He gets better with age. Did anybody catch his turn as Hunter S. Thompson in Where the Buffalo Roam?
Michael J. Fox has the best spirit so it is hard to think of someone else as the “go to.”
Loved Jason Statham in War with Jet Li and Sung’s “my gun is bigger than your gun” attitude. LOL
If I had to pick, my “go to” would be Will Smith. Whether comedy or drama- the man rocks it, hands down.
Oh crap, I forgot Clint Howard. The guy is a genius and I look forward to each new Ron Howard film mainly to see where Clint will fall in. And don’t even get me started on EVILSPEAK. Check out his credits here:
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0397212/
Nic, WHERE THE BUFFALO ROAM, not so good. Sometimes not the best idea when everyone involved in the production are all cooked out of their heads.
Justin, it would be ironic and perhaps embarrassing if you got offered the TEEN WOLF remake and it was such a good deal and the take so fresh (w/ a Michael J. Fox cameo) that you couldn’t refuse. Could happen, sometimes the universe has an ironic sense of humor.
Oops, meant coked out of their heads. Sorry, getting hungry and can’t concentrate.
Interesting thread as I flashed on one of my favorite old time Hollywood leading me driving into work this a.m. — William Holden. It was the condo development at Sunset and Fig that did it.
Thought of Mr. Holden as evile developer in movie the Towering Inferno passing by the big project. It’s at the point when the bones are set, and rest of building is being fleshed out, so to speak. Holden’s doubly evile son-in-law was Richard Chamberlain, usually an actor who squeaks clean. In Inferno he cuts costs, saves Holden money but endangers hundreds. And Anjin-san dies like a dog. Much deserved.
Holden starred in two of my favorite Hollywood classics — David Lean’s Bridge on the River Kwai, and one of the greatest ever committed to celluloid, Billy Wilder’s Sunset Boulevard. Can’t imagine anyone else for those two parts — wait a minute, wait un minuto aqui — Holden also starred in another favorite of mine, one I will watch whenever it comes on: Stalag 17. Adapted from the stage, simply a great story with a perfect cast, with IMHO one of the greatest endings in all of movie history.
He was a Southern California boy.
Any member of the Kids In the Hall. I love those guys!
Hands down, it’s got to be Steve Buscemi for me. Whether he’s in a Tarantino classic like PULP FICTION and RESERVOIR DOGS (Mr. Pink!) or in an Adam Sandler comedy (his cameo in THE WEDDING SINGER and BIG DADDY), the guy is golden. Also, his work with the Coen Brothers, and even his own directorial efforts like TREES LOUNGE and LONESOME JIM (he makes an uncredited cameo in this film) are underrated gems. I absolutely loved him in GHOST WORLD. And don’t forget his role as Tony Blundetto on THE SOPRANOS! And he did a stint on 30 ROCK! Buscemi is the epitome of the “go to” guy!!!
Danny DeVito — most lovable villain/jerk/oddball, ever.
Adam Sandler and his Happy Madison Productions are some of the best I’ve seen and enjoyed, so he’s my go to guy. Classic:
The mom – “You listen here Bobby Boucher. Vicki Vallencourt is the devil!!!”
Rob Schneider as a townsman: You can do it. Cut his fucking head off.
Bobby Boucher: [after Reading A Question About Benjamin Franklin] Ben Franklin
Young Bobby Boucher: [Flashback To Bobby's Childhood] Mama, When Did Ben Franklin Invent Electricity?
Mama Boucher: That’s Nonsense, I Invented Electricity. Ben Franklin Is The Devil!
See what I mean. I sealed a truly meaningful friendship with one of my girlfriends watching Emilio appear and disappear in Mr. Deeds. Laughed at one of my friend’s who lived just like the man in “Grandma’s Boy.” Plain and simple: he’s nailed comedy, go to comedy that is.
For the Angelina Jolie person, I also say Natalie Portman, Charlize Theron, Jack Nicholson and Humphrey Bogart.
When I was little, it was Lucy and her Cuban husband.
“Aye, Lucy!” She was a great role, too.
Ricky Gervais. He took a movie that would have been God-awful — Ghost Town — and made it watchable and actually funny. Everything he does: cameos, writing, directing, producing, acting, is brilliant. Watch his Sesame Street interview outtakes with Elmo. Watch the Simpsons episode he wrote. Watch his stand-up, and of course, Extras and The Office. The quintessential go-to guy.
One thing that’s always bothered me about TEEN WOLF and this is coming from someone who’s seen it probably a dozen times–how does turning into a werewolf make you a better basketball player exactly? I mean when I think of what sort of abilities a wolf has–the ability to dribble a ball across the court and slam dunk it does not come to mind.
A werewolf can play BB in the dark.
Daniel Day-Lewis. I know there are more . . will think on it.
I second the Ricky Gervais! The UK Office is embarrassingly superior to the US one, which is nearly unwatchable.
I’d also watch Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert do just about anything, including watching them watching paint dry. Tina Fey is my go-to gal, but that could just be because I’m madly in love with her.
Tony Danza!
Before playing a cab driver and boxer on Taxi…
he was a pro boxer.
Gender role bending pioneer male housekeeper from
Whos the Boss.
His own TV show and of course the famous range to play
italians to italian americans to japanese americans!
Bud Ohara from the 2 hours Love Boat episode in Japan.
We salute you as our all time go to guy!
I also vote River Phoenix as my “go to” guy. I had a revelation of another guy a few months ago but now I can’t remember who it was. Erf! I’ll try to remember…
great topic and discussion.
that question about which film you would leave it as is also a great topic for the group.
totally agree with Fox and Hanks.
I am surprised not to hear Johnny Depp, who is the go to guy for alot of Taiwanese film industry people. (Will Smith and Steven Chow for Taiwan audience.)
Hanks and Fox are my 1,2. Pixar, if counts, is my 3.
if not, it’s Steve Martin.
Hugh Grant and Denzel round out the 5.
I’ve got two.
Whether from his portrayals as Cher enabler/Eric Stoltz father figure in MASK, as Virgil Earp in TOMBSTONE and the Zen Cowboy Stranger in BIG LEBOWSKI or as the velvety, baritone pitchman for Toyota Tundra and The American Beef Council, Sam Elliott is the epitome of unshakable “Go To” cool.
No one plays peanut-eating assassins, stoic Triad “Dai Los” or bumbling, ADD Police Sargeants quite like Lam Suet. Rarely spectacular but, never less than solid, he’s a definite “Go To” dude. Just ask Johnnie To and Stephen Chow.
[...] I found out first hand you cannot send Spam via mail to Canada, which is where the winner of the ‘go to’ challenge resides. I sent out the prized meat weeks ago but it disappeared without a trace. I guess even [...]
[...] if Hollywood wants to remake this or any other film (even my fellow Offender Justin’s beloved Teen Wolf), I don’t see what the big deal is. Justin already wrote about this subject so I’ll try not to [...]
i think u r so cute michel j fox. How old r u?
in teen wolf u r so cute i just saw u and i fell in love with u {michel j fox}
[...] personification of the id thru Rose Nylund as Tyler Durden? I know I argued that Teen Wolf should never be remade. But you know what? I take that back. The one and only exception is with Betty White. Her mastery [...]
amo a michael j fox con todo mi corazon forever i love you
I LOVE YOU MICHAEL J FOX!!!
[...] they were able to make such an endearing family film where the main subject is incest. Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) travels back in time and meets the younger version of his own mother who falls in love with him [...]
To each his own, but to me it’s Dana Andrews.
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