Monday Blues? Not here! Pulp Fiction at the Drive In!

      Can you believe that it has been 20 years since you have seen this film? I am sure alot of you may own this on DVD or Blu Ray or even VHS (Guilty) and I know whenever its on TV we stop and watch it, even though its not the same because they edit out all the juicy stuff. Now you have a chance to catch it on the big screen, and not only the big screen, a drive in!
      I can sit here and shell out all the awesome quotes from the film and give you some movie fun facts and Quentin Tarantino facts but I dont want to bore you with that. Instead lets head on over to the Drive In and enjoy this film how it should be watched. On the big screen! It is great to see that Miami is growing and giving indie cinema and alternative cinema a chance. Now what do we have to do? We have to head to the drive in to ensure its success and growth.
      Last week they screened the ever so epic Dazed and Confused and Back to the Future and they have a great list for the month of August. We have the big summer blockbusters out there at megaplexes and that is all find and dandy but it is places like these that are the heart and soul of the movies. When a film can transcend time and still be relevant 20,30,40 50 years later it must be shared to future and current generations to enjoy. From our local indie Art House cinemas around Miami to the now super cool Blue Starlite Drive In we must support them and share our experiences with them.
      Watching Pulp Fiction is almost like a right of passage for some. It is a must watch for any cinephile out there. What can be said about Quentin Tarantino and all of his greatness. His films may not be for all but i have such fond memories that are attached to all of his films. When you can see his films on the big screen and then maybe have the oppurtunity to discuss them with fellow movie goers then you have a win win situation. This is why I love the fact that you will have 2 chances to catch Pulp Fiction at the drive in! So grab a bud, your girl, your guy, your coworker and introduce them to this great film and experience.

Pulp Fiction & $5 Milkshakes

The 90's: we had the end of the Cold War, Hurricane Andrew, Microsoft Windows, Anita Hill vs. Clarence Thomas & his Coke can, let's not forget the O.J. Simpson trial, the Spice Girls, Nirvana, Harry Potter, Millennium parties and the reason I'm writing this...Pulp Fiction. 

I wasn't sure how to start this blog, considering that this is one of my favorite movies of all time.  How do you convey such a deep appreciation for a film like Pulp Fiction?  Maybe you enthusiastically show it to your kid (also a highlight from my personal account of the 90's) along with other cult classics such as Heathers and Kids.  Or perhaps you randomly quote the movie at given moments when you're having a milkshake or need to tell a bad joke.  Quentin Tarantino is brilliant, dark, and funny both as a writer and director.  Pulp Fiction's cast is comprised of an equally amazing group of superb actors, including some like Travolta that resurrected their acting careers, and others like Uma whose popularity skyrocketed following this film.  This dark comedy, which is one of the most, if not THE MOST significant film from that era, involves 4 or 5 interconnected story-lines that are presented out of sequence, and lead the viewer on an unforgettable ride.  

I couldn't imagine a better way of celebrating Pulp Fiction's 20th anniversary than viewing it at the Blue Starlite drive-in located in Coconut Grove on Monday, August 11th or Wednesday, August 13th at 8 p.m.  The Blue Starlite was recently named the best movie theater by The Miami New Times' Best of Miami 2014.  

So pick up a delicious shake and head over to the Blue Starlite for some Tarantino love!

Happy movie watching,

Latina On The Go

The Gospel According to Tarantino....by Indie-Ana Jones

Now open your fictional bibles to Ezekiel 25:17

“The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who, in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his brother’s keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who would attempt to poison and destroy My brothers. And you will know My name is the Lord when I lay My vengeance upon thee.”  - Jules Winnfield

Summer of 1994 and this obscure new film comes out called Pulp Fiction, named after trashy detective rags from the 50's.  Quentin Tarantino already had received artistic acclaim for other films such as Reservoir Dogs, but this would surpass all his films as the most memorable. From the minute the film starts, it takes you hostage, bound and gagged, from the confines and safety of suburbia to the low seedy underground of druggies, dealers, mobsters, murderers and yes even a freakish sex slave. Quentin Tarantino from this point on created his own "bible of film" by breaking all known rules of story telling.  There is no real start, no real end, just an amalgamation of unique characters and anti-heroes thrust into bizarre situations.  But what characters they are...  

Samuel L. Jackson as Jules Winnfield was the right hand man of mob king Marsalis Wallace who dispenses his own particular form of righteous vengeance upon any who dare double cross the boss. Vincent Vega played by John Travolta, who had never been cast in a character like this, but was known for musicals and being a high school dunce, most notably infamous for his dance moves which would prove useful later in the film.  This dynamic duo was just the beginning of an all star ensemble who to me were QT's cronies bitch slapping us from start to finish as we watched in awe as the story unfolds.  Marsalis Wallace, the mob king played perfectly by Ving Rhames who was always in control, finds himself at the mercy of some weird ass psychos.  Boxer Butch Coolidge portrayed by non other than Bruce Willis who doesn't do as he is told, and becomes the hero to the very man who wants him dead.  The enigmatic Mia Wallace by Uma Thurman is the mob boss' wife, who gets herself in a bit of a pickle for taking a bit too much from the cookie jar, yet shares a musical moment with Vega which is forever imitated.

Is this torture for you yet?  Do I bring out the samurai sword to finish you off? I haven't even mentioned the coup d'etat cameo moment by scene stealing Christopher Walken as a war veteran who did more for his country and his best friend's son that most of us would ever even consider.  Not to mention seeing notable 90's ginger actor Eric Stoltz, who was almost Marty McFly as Vince's drug dealer.  A familiar face to you Hunger Game fans out there, Amanda Plummer (Wiress) as Honey Bunny whose foul mouthed opening segment let's you know this is not your regular film.  Let's not forget Mr. Harvey Keitel as the ever efficient, practical and wise Mr. Wolf.  

By now you should be reciting quotes such as  "Zed's Dead", "Royale with Cheese","I just shot Marvin", "Call the wolf" and my personal favorite "Bring out the Gimp".   Are you Jonesing to see it again?  Do you need your QT fix?  Are you having withdrawals from only seeing it on the TV screen? Be cool, hang back daddy-o and go to the Blue Starlite Drive In at Coconut Grove August 11 and the 13th and see Pulp Fiction the way it was made to be seen.  

Truffle Shuffle Your Way to the Drive-In

I can list a bunch of reasons why someone shouldn't immediately default to The Goonies when he/she thinks of Richard Donner, Sean Astin, or Jonathan Ke Quan. Richard Donner directed Superman: The Movie and (depending on who you ask) Superman II. Sean Astin played the perfect Samwise Gamgee in some trilogy about a ring and talking eyeball. Jonathan Ke Quan...come on...Short Round. Temple of Doom is far from the best Indiana Jones movie, but Ke Quan delivers some of the most memorable lines of the entire series in Raiders prequel. Considering all this, considering Superman and Rings and Indy, I default to The Goonies when I think of these guys.

I didn't see The Goonies when it was released. I was born in '87 and very quickly was swept up in the Batmania that spiraled out of Tim Burton's 1989 masterpiece (take that Christopher Nolan!) That lead to a natural interest in Superman. So, I was very familiar with who Richard Donner was and his style by the time I was five. My uncle was and is a huge science fiction fan. And in spending time with him, Star Wars became my next big obsession. Of course, my father being a fan of more grounded movies quickly suggested, "You know, if you like that Han Solo, the same actor is in another movie written by the same guy who wrote Star Wars." So...Raiders. I was immediately hooked. I was watching the whole trilogy (I've heard whispers of a fourth installment but I don't believe it.) on a weekly basis. Obviously, I, like every other boy who ever watched Temple of Doom, associated with Short Round. He got to search for fortune and glory with the guy who I wanted to be!

When I was in middle school was when I finally let my inner nerd out. My inner nerd wasn't hiding behind accepted forms of nerdom like Batman and Indiana Jones. No, I had discovered Lord of the Rings. And when Christmas of freshman year came around and these books that I had become obsessed with for the past few years were finally put on screen in the way the deserved to be, I lost it. I don't know what "it" is, but I lost it.

Now, why would I go on and on about all these movies and actors and directors and not dive right into The Goonies? Because there is an integral element in each of these movies which comes together in an almost magical way in The Goonies to essentially capture lightning in a bottle. The Goonies embodies a larger than life story about a group of kids who do not belong, not unlike Superman, a trek to a mysterious place against impossible odds, not unlike Rings, and a series of traps and pitfalls that would require expert cunning and guile to overcome, not unlike Indy. Add a little bit of romance and family drama and you've got a timeless movie that is enjoyable by everyone. That simple fact makes The Goonies one of the most unique movies in cinema history. It is a perfect movie. You can lump True Lies and Princess Bride in there. Take away or add any one element to The Goonies and you've got a lesser film.

There is at least one character for which to identify with. I don't care how weird or ostracized you are by society, there is a character that speaks to you. This movie was made for the losers. This movie was made for those kids who had never experienced a real win. This movie was made for me. Now, I've grown up and this loser has a hot wife a handsome little boy and I don't feel like a loser anymore. But the process of "not feeling like a loser" started when I first saw The Goonies. This movie helped me get through some really rough times. But it isn't just about nostalgia. The Goonies is as relevant today as it was in '85 and not just to me personally.

I teach middle school English. Nearly everyone I have ever spoken to about my job always says the same thing. "Oh! I remember junior high...it sucked." Well, it does suck. You look and feel awkward, no one likes you because you do and say awkward things, and that makes you feel and look even more awkward. Because of this, I have worked The Goonies into my lesson plans for each grade. I show it every year. There is a connection to the lesson I was teaching but it is really more so that Donner and company can help my students in the same way they helped me all those years ago. And you know what? They all love it. Some cry, some feel vindicated, and still others feel like they've just seen the hottest new blockbuster.

The Goonies has that ability to unite a motley crew into one single truffle shufflin' family. I've watched the movie with my father, my grandfather, my nine year old brother, and my best friend. and it always has the same effect: bringing people closer. I wonder what would have happened had Reagan sat in a theater with Gorbachev and watched The Goonies together. Who knows? Maybe the Cold War could have ended six years earlier. So, why pop the DVD in, or set your DVR to record, or drive out to the Drive-In to watch a 29 year old movie? Well, to bring your family together and remind yourself that sometimes, just sometimes, its ok for the losers to win.

Dave Starkiller

P.S. I managed to make it an entire blog post about The Goonies without working "Never Say Die" into it! Woohoo!

Back to the Future, A past perspective! by Indie-Ana Jones

In a world (yes, please read this in that dark deep low voice of movie trailer fame) In a world before cellphones, social media and $4.00 coffee there was a film that took us away from portable cassette players, MTV and cold war worries to a simpler time of atomic fallout, the emerging space race and TV dinners.   In 1985, Robert Zemeckis with Bob Gale teamed up with producer Steven Spielberg to create one of the most fantastic time travel tales in history since H. G.Wells’ novel The Time Machine.  Back to the Future is one of those iconic films of the 80’s you just can’t forget.  Having watched it as a teen for the first time in 1985 at the theater, and countless times since then and most recently sharing it with my own kids, it is one of those films that never gets old.  Though obviously I have!   

It is the classic hero setup; average teen mentored by an old and wise sage, a romance and a fantastic situation which finds the hero in peril and he has to save the world.  However never before did the kid have to save his own existence from being erased with the mad inventor who put him into this mess, while at the same time deflecting the advances of a beautiful young woman who later becomes his mom and insisting his future dad to find the guts to fall in love with his future mom.   How can you miss?  You would think this was an easy sell to any studio.  Interestingly enough the script was rejected 40 times before it finally had a chance for the big screen.  Disney even turned it down because of the questionable “makeout scene” between Marty and his future mom.  Other studios rejected it as it wasn't raunchy enough like the film Porky’s.  Goes to show you can’t please everyone.  Finally Universal and Amberlin took the film and the rest is well film history.

So why do we love Back to the Future still today?  Well for one, the story is truly timeless.  Why?  Well I think regardless of what decade you are in, there is always that discord between teens and their parents.  Teens think parents don’t know what it’s like or can’t remember being their age when in fact we remember all too well and just want to eliminate the painful mistakes we ourselves made.   Another point is the idea of time travel is as inspirational today as it was more than 1200 years ago.  Even before Wells, there are tales in various ancient cultures of the fantastic ability to travel through time.  Whether to make amends for past mistakes, or preventing future disasters from happening, we always wonder “what if...”  Lastly, it allows us to share in the adventure of a mad, crazy inventor with the boy next door and a quest to just survive. 

Since its release in theaters in 1985 and later on VHS – yes kiddos it came out on VHS first, the film can be found on dvd’s and online and even on early weekend cable channels. But when was the last time you saw it on the big screen, if ever?  Even better than watching it on the big screen, why not travel back with Marty to the 1950’s and watch it in an honest to goodness drive-in theater.  The Blue Starlite Drive-In Theater at Coconut Grove will be screening Back to the Future several nights this August, as a last hurrah to summer.  So whether it’s your 300^th time or your first time seeing it or sharing it with your own kids, this is definitely one film that will always be a trip.  Even after almost 30 years, (and yes, October 21, 2015 is the correct travel date for Marty McFly's next adventure in Back to the Future II) the film still delivers a fantastic story and a fun ride for audiences of all ages.

Rev up your DeLoreans for my film segment of did you know? 

·       ·      Did you know that Eric Stoltz was originally going to play Marty McFLy.  Though Michael Fox (no relation to Megan Fox) was first choice, his TV series Family Ties kept Michael tied up in production.  However, Zemicks felt something was missing with Stoltz’s performance and Fox was brought in working double shifts with the film and the series.  Johnny Depp had also auditioned for the film but apparently was not the right fit for the character of Marty.  I guess being ripped up by Freddie Krueger has its shortfalls. C. Thomas Howell was also considered for the role.

·      Did you know in the film, Stoltz is still in one of the scenes?  When the DeLorean takes off at the mall parking lot trying to get away from the terrorist group, it was Stoltz who was in the DeLorean not Fox.   
·      Did you know another character switch up happens in Back to the Future II where Elizabeth Shue plays Marty’s girlfriend Jennifer instead of Claudia Wells the original actress?  Due to family illness she did not take part in the second film and stayed out of the film industry for 20 years.
·      Did you know that Ronald Reagan liked the film so much because it made reference to him; he actually used the closing quote by Doc Brown in the 1986 State of the Union address. “Where we are going, we don’t need roads.” Ah President Reagan I remember him well, the first president who really seemed in touch with popular culture, even used a reference to "Star Wars" for the Strategic Defense Initiative and the evil empire.
·       Did you know Christopher Llyod (Doc Emmit Brown) was a well known character actor and can be seen in other iconic films such as One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest (Taber) and another cult sci fi classic, The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai (Big Bootee).  He like Fox also came from another popular TV series, Taxi where he played the inebriated, good hearted Reverend Jim Ignatowski.
·       Did you know that other Hollywood notables also contended for the role of Doc Brown including Dudley Moore, Jon Lithgow and Jeff Goldblum.   I personally wouldn’t mind seeing Goldblum as Doc Brown for just a couple of scenes.  “Yes, yes it’s the flux capacitor... that thing that make time travel possible and well…time finds a way.”

Back to the 80's McFly style

Ahhhh the 80's...a time of arched bangs held in place with copious amounts of hair spray, neon bracelets that covered many young arms, and strange and colorful clothing inspired by Madonna and Cyndi Lauper. The 80's apart from being very colorful and committing many fashion faux-pas, also birthed tremendous music and movies. The Blue Starlite is bringing some of those treasures back like Back to the Future and The Goonies.  

Come on, who doesn't still wonder when their car is going to lift up in the air like Michael J. Fox's DeLorean did in Back to the Future?  Who doesn't cringe at Thomas Wilson in any other movie as a result of his playing McFly's nemesis, Bif? Who doesn't start getting nervous when Marty and his siblings begin disappearing from the photograph?  Who doesn't love Doc's hair?!  

Take a ride  back into the 80's and rediscover Marty's journey into the 1950's as he tries to bring his parents together in order to ensure his own existence, all while nourishing his self-esteem and becoming a bit of a geeky bad-ass.  This great flick will be playing in Coconut Grove's own drive-in August 5th & 6th at 8:30 p.m. and August 7th at 9 p.m.  And if you won't be here because you're still savoring the last days before the kids go back to school, don't worry, The Goonies will be showing August 12th and 14th at 8 p.m...you have to - it's Corey Feldman, Sean Astin, the rest of the Goonies gang, and don't forget Sloth in the Superman shirt with suspenders and a pirate hat scaring the bejeezus out of Chunk!  

Happy movie watching,
Latina On The Go

Miami Drive-in - Actual : Welcome to the Blue Blog Miami!

Blue Blog Manifesto-  The Mini Urban Drive-in Movie Blog - Welcome!

Attack of the 50ft BLOG:

The Blue has ALWAYS been a place lovers of childhood film favorites can come, drive-in and watch their most beloved flicks on the big screen surrounded by their peers. A place to never feel alone while you watch your favorite movies of all time, to share the experience either in or out of your car! The Blue Blog is a NEW extension of this! 

We bring in some of the most GEEK CHIC FILM FANS to talk about and report on their own experiences with these movies and to share stories about how these movies came to be, how they affected our POP CULTURE, and what they mean today! So stop on in and see what your BLUE BLOGGERS have to say about the latest BLUE STARLITE PICKS before you DRIVE-IN to see them!

JOIN OUR BLUE BLOG DRIVE-IN FORCE!

What we expect- 

1. at least 1 post a week about 1 or more of the films we are showing that week. It can be personal, it can be about the films history, it can be about the films staying power or any knowledge you think YOUR readers will dig. As well you can relate it to another movie coming out that month in theaters if you like in order to make them even more topical and in the now!

2. You will SHARE your posts link of the blog through your social media and help promote your posts, the site, and the Drive-in through sharing your weekly cinematic musings!

3. We will trust you to make sure they are appropriate and that the content does not violate any copyrights (YOU are solely responsible for what you write*.) 

*As well if anything is blatantly inappropriate or goes against the Blues high standard of good vibes and good attitudes we will cancel your blog- Weather you decide to end your Blog or it is canceled - we will always be happy to copy all your postings for you to keep should you not have copies of them saved. 

4. in exchange for being a BLUE BLOGGER- YOU will be helping build an awesome Blue Starlite Pop culture community around the Blue Starlite Drive-in and will get 1 season pass per season that you continue your Blog with us. Which includes 2 walk-ins a night and the ability to upgrade to car slots for only $15 for 2! As well our most frequent posters will be offered the chance to introduce their favorite films we show!