Cinematic Masterpiece

I have a growing obsession with any fm station that plays what some would call "soft rock." These stations are sometimes called "Jack FM" or "Lite Rock, Less Talk," or some other description that lets me know I have descended so deeply into irrelevancy that there is no coming back. I don't really care because the other options seem much more evil. Take Top 40 - Tranny Gaga, Rapper who frequently speaks about his riches, JoBros, Katy Perry, Or how about Active Rock - Godsmack, Disturbed, Staind, or Fukdown, or Angerhatechild, for example.

I could delve into Country, but that wouldn't be much fun, because those artists typically do not operate like other acts spanning the musical spectrum. They usually don't take themselves very seriously, and would make fun of themselves in a much funnier way than you or I ever could. (Have you heard of this Jeff Foxworthy fellow?) From a person who deeply loves the aesthetics that go into making a great artist, this makes Country singers my least favorite, but they would probably score highest on my list as actual human beings because of this same reason. I honestly don't really like speaking badly of any music, because I can usually find some redeemable quality in most anything (I'm an optimist at heart), but let's face it....the radio is usually not terrific. The point is, of the choices usually given, I usually choose "Soft Rock."

Driving home this Saturday from depositing a hard earned check into my financial institution, I tuned into Shreveport's 96.5 or KVKI as its known to most people over 50. Instantly, I was taken away to a magical place, a place I visited many times as a young person... Medieval England. It is here that a courageous young man named Robin of Loxley, and his Moorish friend Azeem (sp?), fought back against an evil tyrant who proudly called himself The Sherriff of Nottingham.

I'm speaking of 1991's Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, the song which allowed this wonderful time warp is Bryan Adam's, "(Everything I Do) I Do It For You." I probably saw this movie in the theatre four times, a record that was almost defeated by The Waterboy. Its not that I wanted to see these movies that many times, it just sort of happened that way. And any explanation for this would seem as absurd as the act itself.

But please, tell me that you weren't moved by Kevin Costner's dashing performance as Robin of Locksely, or how about Alan Rickman as the Sheriff? Sure Azeem was played by Morgan Freeman, and Mary Elizabeth Something was Maid Marion, but it was not their talent that made this the epic of the summer (it was the camera shot that followed the arrows). To me, this story wasn't about Robin stealing from the rich, or fighting a tyrant, or even winning a lady's heart...this movie was about him connecting with his new found brother Will Scarlett, played by the incredibly adept Christian Slater. I think most film critics would agree with me on this one, and the fact that the David Bowie-inspired witch was pretty damn scary. I still have nightmares about the scene where she anxiously notes, "The painted man, he haunts my dreams." This statement is seemingly pretty racist, but it turns out she had good reason for feeling this way.

You know, you could come with me to visit this magical time and place. All you have to do is push play on that video down there.

4 comments:

Brooke said...

You realize you spelled Robin's last name two different ways, right?

More Than A Kevin Costner Fan said...

From the first time I watched Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves it became one of my favorite movies and the song, well, it's the most favorite of all favorite songs of mine! The thing I liked most about this movie was the relationship between Robin and Marion. Of all the films I own this is the one I've watched the most and I lost count as to how many times...

Brent said...

i've found myself listening to oldies stations lately. so it's safe to say we've both given up on modern radio. that song "dizzy" is really catchy.

T.W. said...

I'll tell you what I was amazed by...Kevin Costner talks with an british accent the first five minutes of the movie....then the rest hes american...I think thats what you call acting!