Zach – It’s a Wonderful Life v. A Christmas Story

~ zach_redpath47 ~ Leave a comment

Let me start by saying this isn’t even close. I will personally fight anyone who picks A Christmas Story over It’s a Wonderful Life. Seriously, as Machine Gun Kelly says, “text me the addy, I’m pulling up scrappin'”.

I never enjoyed It’s a Wonderful Life as a kid. It was in black and white, it was set in the stone ages – really 1945-, and I didn’t know any of the actors or actresses. Can we still use those terms? Or is it now actperson? As I got older the movie became akin to Angels in the Outfield and I couldn’t get enough. Angels getting wings, angels helping people out, just angels in general. I love the supernatural and paranormal so this was always cool to me. It also holds a special place in my heart as the first movie I can remember that made me cry. George with his hearing loss, George saving another kid from getting poisoned, George’s dad dying of a stroke, George losing the money from the bank, George contemplating suicide, and then finally George coming to terms with reality.

The lesson hits home, especially around the holiday season, family and loved ones mean everything. As Clarence, the guardian angel, inscribes “remember, George: no man is a failure who has friends”. Religion aside, that is the true spirit of Christmas. It is a time of celebration, a time of thankfulness, a time to spend with those closest to you and express how much they mean to you. While the central plot line doesn’t focus around Christmas itself, it focuses around the meaning of Christmas which is even stronger. I also think it is a movie that everyone can relate to. Everyone can relate to a time that they helped someone else, everyone can relate to a time they have had a hardship, everyone can relate to a time they have questioned life, albeit maybe not the extent of suicide.

Not to mention, the movie has withstood the sands of time. Know what other movies came out in 1946? Crack-up, Duel in the Sun, Great Expectations, The Blue Dahlia, Undercurrent. I could keep going on but there will be more movies you’ve never heard of. Great Expectations is known as a novel and the 1946 release of Beauty and the Beast I didn’t know existed until I just googled “1946 movies”.

What It’s a Wonderful Life holds in value A Christmas Story holds in stupidity. It amazes me that a movie so bad can have so many adaptations and memorable quotes. Sure it’s hilarious that Ralphie says fuck and gets his mouth washed out with soap. It’s funny about shooting one’s eye out. It’s funny there is a lamp that looks like a sexy leg. As Andrew says, I think the nostalgia of the movie is ruined by by how much it is shoved down our throats as a society. I can’t look at my Facebook page without someone posting a some news story about the house in Cleveland, how they bought the lamp as a funny joke, a meme about sticking your tongue to a light pole. It has soured the reputation of the movie and is why it won’t last past the first round of cuts. It’s really hard for me to look at this movie and see an underlying theme other than slapstick comedy and a brat of a kid. Listen, I love Harry Potter. I have Daniel Radcliffe tattooed on my damn arm, if I was forced to watch one of the Harry Potter for 24 hours on repeat on TBS I would probably hate that too and seek laser tattoo removal. Other cult classics aren’t even jammed down our throat this much. I think Roger Ebert’s assessment of it only having success because it was a Christmas movie is right. Take Ralphie and have him bitch and moan about Halloween candy and the movie won’t be nearly as successful.

It’s a Wonderful Life over A Christmas Story IN A LANDSLIDE.

1. It’s a Wonderful Life vs 4. A Christmas Story

~ Goose ~ Leave a comment

The “Classics Region”, two timeless classics that go back decades going head to head in the first round. Each has their own scheduled time slot on tv during the Christmas season. Every Christmas Eve at 8 pm you will without fail find me and millions others on the couch watching “It’s a Wonderful Life” ready to lose ourselves in the world of George Bailey and Bedford Falls. For 24 straight hours on TBS on Christmas Day you can find “A Christmas Story” entertaining millions since the mid 90s. In these rankings there are no strict guidelines or rules that I have to follow. It is all up to my discretion and rules so if you don’t like them that’s just to damn bad. Let’s get to it.

1. “It’s a Wonderful Life”

Babe Ruth, Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods are just a few of the GOATS. The Mona Lisa, Michelangelo’s The Last Supper, Guy Fieri’s Triple D and Smashmouth’s 1999 hit All-Star are a few example of masterpieces. “It’s a Wonderful Life” can be considered both GOAT and a masterpiece. I first watched in 2015 on NBC despite the fact that my dad had the DVD for years without me watching it. (I have since taken it from him with no plans on returning it). It was black and white and it was old. In the folly of my youth I did not appreciate the genius of Capra or Stewart or subtlety of black and white films. Well that Christmas Eve after the credits wound down with tears welling in my eye I knew I had seen a masterpiece. I discovered the meaning of Christmas. A lot of people might say “it’s not really a Christmas movie at all!” And sure they kinda have a point. I mean the only part that takes place during Christmas is the end when ole George decides he’s worth more dead than alive and decides to end it all for his life insurance check. But those people can go enjoy their sadsack bullshit Christmas Hallmark movies. “It’s a Wonderful Life ” teaches us about family, friends, giving, living selflessly and helping others in need and isn’t that what Christmas is really about? I’m not gonna review the movie in its entirety, but George Bailey is a dreamer, an idealist who can’t wait to leave his little town and see the world! Yet everytime he is just about to set foot into that world and live his life, his sense of duty, family and responsibility prevent him. It reminds me of a quote from a little known movie called “The Godfather” (truthfully its part 3 which sucks but hey still The Godfather) “Just when I thought I’m out they pull me back in.” And when George is facing the darkest moments of his life faced with ruin and disgrace those moments he stayed and gave of himself for those in that shitty little town he hated and couldn’t want to get away from are repaid to him with interest. Hearing of his trouble the fellow citizens of Bedford Falls rally to his aid as he has down for others so many times. Christmas isn’t really about Santa or presents. It’s about showing others that you care whether you know them a lot or barely at all. It’s about helping those because it’s the right thing to do and that what George Bailey and “it’s a wonderful life” represents.

8. “A Christmas story”

A classic in its own right, “A Christmas story” harkens back to a past time in the 1950’s when times and toys were simpler. All little Ralphie wants for Christmas is his red Ryder BB gun despite hearing from damn near everybody that “you’ll shoot your eye out.” No legos, or video game consoles, tablets or other electronics all he wants is a B.B. gun. Like I said simpler times. A lot of people may be upset about the 8th seeding of this movie, wondering how such a classic could be ranked so low. Well the truth is and this is very important. I just don’t like the movie or how much it’s played on tv. Remember what I said before about no bullshit rules about impartiality? It’s an alright movie with a good laughs and some memorable moments; leg lamp, Ralphie’s little brother in his snowsuit barely able to movie, Flick getting his tongue frozen to the pull and Ralphie inevitably shooting his eye out. Sure those are nice, funny memorable moments but I don’t really care. Every year it’s played ad nauseam for 24 straight hours on tv and I’m done with it. Listen I love steak, cooked a beautiful medium rare, but you tell me to eat it for 24 straight hours and I’ll get tired of it. “A Christmas story wasn’t that great to begin with and it quickly loses its luster.

In a landslide “It’s a Wonderful Life” defeats “A Christmas Story” and it’s not even particularly close. The only reason “A Christmas story could be in the conversation is that it’s so good at displaying the nostalgia of the 50’s that I thought it was actually filmed in the 1950’s for years.

Christmas Movie Rankdown

~ zach_redpath47 ~ 1 Comment

Doing a little something different here and stepping outside of the personal blog sphere. Typically this time of year everyone is in the holiday spirit: watching movies, visiting family, or chopping down a tree.

Along with Andrew Giesman, I will be ranking the movies you’ll be watching this holiday season. In honor of the 12 Day’s of Christmas, a different ranking will be released from Friday the 14th (sorry Friday the 13th is a Halloween movie) until Christmas Day on the 25th.

Each day Andrew and I will post polls on our Twitter so you can vote along with us and see how much our rankings differ from yours. Let us know what we forgot, what you would do differently, or how trash our movie opinions are.

Andrew: @GeeseDawg

Zach: @zach_redpath47

Blank Bracket

 

Friends

~ zach_redpath47 ~ Leave a comment

What is a friend? There is no good definition. Merriam Webster says it is with someone we share mutual affection. I don’t think this is enough nor do I know how to better the definition.

Each person in a group of friends holds a different purpose. There is always a leader, a comedian, a cynic, a voice of reason.

This past weekend I got to see some of my friends. It was our fraternity alumni Christmas party and a group of guys, who chose to be friends, traveled in from different cities to spend a weekend together. In many aspects nothing has changed. Some of new jobs, new significant others, a new outlook on life, but one thing has never changed; our bond with each other. We may be a group of 20-somethings who got obnoxiously drunk and had to Uber home at the end of the night but that group of friends comes together in a time of need or celebration.

We travel far and wide for weddings, for Christmas parties, and for pick-me-ups. One of our brothers was recently diagnosed with cancer. A man who I’ve only met once or twice, but yet no one hesitated to support a GoFundMe to help with medical costs. If you can donate or just want to read Alex’s story, visit this site. A-Rob GoFundMe. I’m not here to solicit though, I’m here to tell a story.

This morning I watched the memorial service for President George H.W. Bush. I may have ugly cried while watching W., James Baker, and Reverend Levenson cry. I watched long time friends talk about 41 and praise him, while making some jokes at his expense. That is what friends are for. Sure, the fraternity may have wanted to nickname me Sgt. Stutters – THANK GOD they went with The Bachelor instead – but these men will be the first to carry me when I’m down. I would do the same for them.

Next year I get to stand with one of my closest friends at the altar as his best man. A groom’s party of 6 fraternity brothers and a blood brother. I already know who will stand with me at my wedding. That is when I finally convince a lucky lady they actually want to spend their life with me and won’t get annoyed with my snoring, or my mustache, or the fact I keep the thermostat low during the winter because I’m cheap.

I will get to give a speech commemorating the good times we’ve had together, how the first time I met his fiancee I touched her ass and she hit me – well deserved -, and how I wish the rest of their lives together, while it may not be perfect, will be the best and most loving experience.  I will also recognize that he will no longer be a drunk frat boy, but a drunk husband.

I hope that my friends also see in me the good times we’ve had together, the bad because we know they’ll bring it up, and the future on how to make me a better man.

I could write about all of my friends. Fraternity brothers, high school friends, fire house friends, college friends. Each has a unique place in my life.

This past weekend, and this mornings memorial service for the President taught me one thing. Everyone matters to someone. Even if you’re down on yourself remember that someone out there cares about you. Just because you don’t always talk with your friends that doesn’t mean they won’t be there to support you.

A Midlife Crisis?

~ zach_redpath47 ~ Leave a comment

The goal of most post-graduate college students is to find their dream job, buy a house, buy a car, get married, and have children. Let’s not forget about building up a massive 401k and investment plan so they can retire to Cabo San Lucas and live out their life drinking piña coladas on a beach while developing skin cancer from the sun.

I have a truck. One that I love; with a car payment I hate. I’ll always have a car payment. I like having a new vehicle. Everyone has their vices, mine just happens to be buying a new car when I get bored of the old one. Better than shooting black tar heroin into the tip of my penis because the rest of my veins are blown out, so my parents have to be proud of me there. Maybe not the most financial savvy thing I do but, oddly enough, they don’t teach you about budgeting when you get an undergraduate degree in finance; or an MBA with a finance concentration for that matter.

I have a house. I bought my house in February of ’17. I was tired of the sunk costs of renting. Paying more than a mortgage payment each month in order to live in someone’s second home just didn’t make sense to me. I did the math, since the time I moved off campus junior year of college until I bought my house I spent almost $30,000 in rent. I would have had about 40% of my house paid off had I bought it then. All-in-all, it’s been a good investment. I’m knocking on every piece of wood I can find as I type this but I haven’t had any major issues. The house needs a little TLC but it’s getting there. Slowly upgrading from grimy bachelor pad to slightly more clean house. I wouldn’t call it a home yet, something is missing. I just don’t know what.

I also have a GREAT job. I mean GREAT. The hours suck, I work 3pm-11pm but I’ve gotten used to it. Salary is above industry standard, health benefits are outstanding – seriously, find a job that pays for your deductible even if you don’t ever really go to the doctor -, perks of working here are pretty standard for a small scale tech firm, and the 401k is decent. I’m not going to become the next Howard Hughes or Warren Buffet working here, but it pays my bills and I have enough left over for taking a vacation every year and the occasional splurge on something I want.

All of this sounds great, right? It is. Something is missing though. In the back of my mind, the pit of my stomach, I have the desire to flee. Leave it all, sell the house, quit the job, and just move away and start over. I don’t have a bad home life or something chasing me away. My relationship with my family is excellent, I have a roommate who is my best friend, I’m single. I’m not trying to escape anyone or anything. I know how good I have it but I want something else.

I fell in love with the idea of moving sometime this summer. I’m not sure if it was the allure of Las Vegas, the fact almost none of my college friends live in Pittsburgh anymore, or just the fact the longest I’ve been away from my hometown is when I studied abroad for six weeks in China. The cost of living in Pittsburgh is one of the best cities around. I would need a better job and probably need to sell my body behind a 7/11 in order to be able to afford another city with the same perks as Pittsburgh.

I would need to leave my fire station. I started to volunteer in January of 2016. I can honestly say its the first time I’m so passionate about something that I never want to leave it. Seriously, know those race car beds? If someone finds one that is shaped like a firetruck and fits me and a potential spouse somewhere down the line, let me know. I’ll buy it. Name your price.

I would need to leave ghost hunting. I know, I know. GHOST HUNTING?!? Yup. I love that too. I was fortunate enough to be asked to join a ghost hunting group last month. I was a client of theirs for a little over a year; they saw my passion and asked me to join. Seriously, huge shout out to Brett, the CEO of Ghosts n’at, Patty, Tim, Ken, and the others who are a part of that group for bringing me on. Do you know how hard it is to get someone to let you talk to the thin air in a building they own overnight? Nearly impossible. I can’t just up and ghost hunt somewhere else without selling myself, which I’m horrible at, or catching a breaking and entering charge. I can’t do the b&e because I love the community too much to disgrace paranormal investigation like that.

I feel like I’m being pulled in two different directions and I’m not sure which part of me is going to win. Do I leave my current lifestyle, pack up, and move across the country? Or do I stay put and never know what could be in store for me elsewhere.

I never knew I was afraid of the unknown until right now. I won’t know what I’ll be missing out on until I do it. However, the fear of missing out is a real thing. What if I move and I hate it? What if I move and I find the love of my life? What if I move and I miss my family? What if I move and find the job opportunity of a life time?

How do I decide?