Hi, everyone!
On Saturday, November 2, Jammin’ with Jamie celebrated its landmark 200th show on 89.3 WNUR FM!
Since this show’s so special (and because there’s no copyrighted music in it), I posted it on my YouTube channel, along with bonus content.
So let’s get started!
Hi, everyone!
I’m an actor, writer, singer, director, DJ, and so many other things. I’ve also produced films. However, I’ve never produced a play.
… Until now.
I’ve long loved the show The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged). So, in January, I started pursuing putting on an independent production of it.
Long story short: one Indiegogo campaign and many rehearsals at strange times later, we’re here! We have one show left at Terminus Theatre on July 19! From there… who knows?
Between July 5 and July 6, our audience nearly doubled. We’ve had audience members who’ve seen other productions who made sure to tell us how much they love ours. Get tickets in advance on Eventbrite to guarantee yourself a seat; otherwise, any remaining tickets will be available at the door.
Come see us!
And may the Bard be with you!
Thank you for reading,
Jamie Lee
Hi, everyone!
Whew, what a year I’ve been having! But more on that in a post I’ll put up just before the new year…
Anyway, without further ado, last Sunday, December 17, I saw a film that inspired me to pen another installment in my series on holiday/Christmas/winter movies and specials.
What film was so special that it woke me out of my writing reverie (in terms of this blog, anyway)?
The Man Who Invented Christmas (2017)!
I do not own any of the following images or videos!
Here’s the trailer:
No, Mr. Dickens, I wasn’t trying to read over your shoulder! Don’t mind me!
The Man Who Invented Christmas (2017)
Plot: Charles Dickens, after a rush of inspiration, tussles with writer’s block, deadlines, and personal struggles as he strives to crack his latest work… A Christmas Carol.
There have been nigh countless adaptations of A Christmas Carol, from film, to TV, to stage––– from verbatim, to musical, to modernized, to gender-flipped––– from live action, to animation, to The Muppets! If you like A Christmas Carol at all, you have your favorite version or versions. You have your favorite ghost, your favorite scenes, your favorite lines… this story touches the hearts and souls of so many. Some may say such nearly-universal appeal cheapens it: I say, it enriches it. How special to be able to take a singular story about one person’s extremely personal journey and make it accessible and even relatable to so many.
Full disclosure: I’ve loved A Christmas Carol and so many of its adaptations for as long as I can remember. In fact, my very first acting role was as The Ghost of Christmas Present (my favorite ghost in the story)! Even though I was twelve at the time, I still remember so many of my lines, and would love to be involved in another adaptation of the tale someday.
Since The Man Who Invented Christmas is still in theaters as of this writing, and I do highly recommend it, I’ll do my best to avoid any spoilers of surprise moments. However, everyone has different definitions of what counts as a “spoiler,” so I shall still include my traditional warning…
Spoilers lurk beyond this point!
Hi, everyone!
I had a pretty hectic Halloween season this year, so I wasn’t able to continue my series about Halloween movies. However, I know that my subsequent series on holiday/Christmas/winter movies (and specials) only had half the amount of entries… that is, only two. Yikes.
So, I’m going to rectify that this year, starting…
… now!
For those of you who are new (or just don’t remember), this is how this series works…
This month, I’m going to watch (and, in some cases, re-watch) some movies that are perfect for the holiday/Christmas/winter season. These are not reviews, because I’ll only be writing about films I love and recommend. There’s no plan, method, or scientific algorithm to what movies I’m going to watch or how I’m going to structure these entries. I’m just going to have fun with it, and I hope you will, too!
First up, a TV movie that I believe is ridiculously underrated…
It’s a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie (2002)!
I do not own any of the following images or videos!
Here’s the trailer:
It’s ALWAYS a merry Christmas with The Muppets!
It’s a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie (2002)
Plot: The Muppets are putting on a big Christmas show to save their theater, but when everything goes wrong and Kermit the Frog’s spirit seems broken, an angel comes to show him what the world––– and his friends––– would be like if he’d never been born.
I also have a very personal connection to this movie, which you’ll have to read on to find out about!
Spoilers lurk beyond this point!
Before we get started, follow Pee-wee Herman’s adventures on his official website, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and his new YouTube channel, and join his FREE Premium Diamond Platinum Fan Club!
I’ve written about Pee-wee Herman twice before. Both times, I predicted I’d end up writing about Pee-wee’s Big Holiday when it was released on Netflix.
… I’m psychic!
I was so excited for Pee-wee’s Big Holiday that I stayed up until 12:00 am PT––– 2:00 am my time––– to watch it the second it premiered!
This was how I looked just before 2:00 am on March 18.
Thank goodness I was on a different floor with the door closed… otherwise, my constant laughter would’ve woken everybody up!
All of the following images, videos, and GIFs belong to their respective owners!
Here’s the poster…
That’s about how high I jumped every time I heard news about “Pee-wee’s Big Holiday.”
Here’s the trailer…
Pee-wee’s Big Holiday is written by Paul Reubens and Paul Rust, directed by John Lee, and produced by Judd Apatow. (You all know how much it means to me to see someone who’s both a writer and a performer!)
Let’s do this!
I had so much fun writing about Halloween movies, I decided to extend the series and write about films perfect for Christmas/the holiday season! Most will probably be about Christmas, but I’m leaving myself wiggle room for other holidays and general winter movies.
Remember, these are not reviews: I’m writing about films and TV specials that I love and recommend.
My favorite Christmas movies generally have a nice mix of humor, fun, wackiness, and heart––– and some good music doesn’t hurt, either.
This first film has all of that, and more. Warm up your voices, because it’s time for…
The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)!
By the way, if you like the Muppets, make sure you check out The Muppets on ABC!
I do not own any of the following images or videos!
Here’s the trailer:
I’m not sure why there’s music from Beetlejuice in the trailer, but it works.
I’m smiling already!
The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
Plot: Ebenezer Scrooge, a wealthy, bitter businessman, despises Christmas and all forms of kindness and charity; but this Christmas, he just might get a chance to redeem himself…
Spoilers lurk beyond this point!
This month, I’m going to watch (and, in some cases, re-watch) some movies that are perfect for the Halloween season. These are not reviews, because I’ll only be writing about films I love and recommend. There’s no plan, method, or scientific algorithm to what movies I’m going to watch or how I’m going to structure these entries. I’m just going to have fun with it, and I hope you will, too!
The one promise I’ll make is that I’ll only include spoilers after the jump.
For this inaugural entry, I’m going to write about a movie I just saw for the first time––– well, all the way through, anyway…
The Monster Squad (1987)!
I do not own any of the following images or videos!
Here’s the trailer…
I’ve known about The Monster Squad for a while, though I don’t know exactly how long. When you love the Universal Monsters as much as I do (and I’m sure many of you do), you read a lot about them and other films that reference or utilize them. I was bound to come across The Monster Squad at some point. And I did. I read about the plot, found out some trivia, and watched some clips. All signs pointed to this being a film I’d love.
So recently, I finally ordered the twentieth anniversary DVD online. I watched it with my family, who had never even heard of it until I told them about it. Luckily for all of us, my gut instinct turned out to be a bullseye: we loved every minute of it––– and if you love monster movies, you will, too!
Here’s the basic, spoiler-free rundown…
The Monster Squad (1987)
Plot: Some young friends obsessed with monsters suddenly find themselves face-to-face with the Universal Monsters and must stop Dracula’s plan before it’s too late.
Monsters: Count Dracula, Frankenstein’s monster, the Wolfman, the Gillman, and the Mummy
Scare Factor: It may be scary to kids about five years old or younger, but it all depends on the kid. If this kid has already seen some monster movies, especially ones with the Universal Monsters, he or she will probably be fine. For everyone else, watch it and have fun!
Gore Factor: The gore’s pretty minimal.
Family-Friendly Factor: There’s some scattered swearing and some suggestive comments. Some people may find a couple of words offensive.
Look out! Behind you!
ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK! Spoilers lurk beyond this point!
Hi, everyone!
This is the first of what I hope to make a series of posts in which I write down and share my thoughts on various films. Some will be new releases you can experience in theaters, while others will be films you can check out on DVD. No matter which film I’m writing about, I will always take great care in regard to spoilers: if I feel compelled to write about one or more spoilers, I will mark them very clearly so you can choose to skip them and come back to read them later. (You’re welcome.)
I’m starting this series because I saw a film entitled, Frozen, and felt so strongly about it that I wanted to share it and my thoughts on it with anyone and everyone I could. This is why these posts are not intended to be “reviews” or summaries, as well as why I will neither be going out to see every single new release so I can post about it here, nor writing about every movie I do end up seeing. None of those prospects is why I started this series.
When the credits began rolling on Frozen when I saw it for the very first time, I had an overwhelming feeling (one of many, actually) that I just couldn’t shake, and didn’t want to, anyway: I have to tell everyone I can about this film. That feeling inspired not only this post, but this entire new series of posts, and I want to stay true to it.
All images belong to Walt Disney Pictures.
Now that we have that out of the way, let’s get to our inaugural “Thoughts On” post! The film: Frozen, from Walt Disney Animation Studios, originally released on Wednesday, November 27, 2013: Thanksgiving weekend. (You can check out Frozen‘s very “cool”––– pun intended––– official website here!) To start off, let’s get one thing straight…
Hi, everyone!
Halloween may be over, but here on Jammin’ with Jamie, we’ve got a killer “Halloween hangover,” and can’t quite the spooky season cold turkey. Turkey will be coming in a few weeks, anyway.
For now, let us nurse our hangover with a mix of…
Hi, everyone!
This week, we’re breaking our format! Why?
Because this week marks Jammin’ with Jamie’s…
Hi, everyone!
Now that we’ve raised our spirits, it’s time to trick-or-treat! In the coming weeks, we’ll still be jammin’ to other spooky themes to celebrate the season, but for now, it’s time to jam to a heap of…
Hi, everyone!
Last week’s Scooby-Doo jam session celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of “those meddling kids” and their dog got us into the spooky spirit! The Jammin’ with Jamie Halloween celebration has begun!
And speaking of “spirits”…
It’s time to lift our spirits… and lift some actual spirits! Grab your sage and magic wands, because it’s time to conjure up a jam session full of a concoction of…
Hi, everyone!
Well gang, it looks like we’ve got another jam session on our hands! This kid did some meddling, and discovered that September 13, 2019 marked fifty years since the debut of a certain gang of “meddling kids” and their dog.
Jeepers! We can’t let this go by without celebrating! So with Halloween coming up, I figured I’d ask for some requests from friends and fans related to this mystery-solving team and sprinkle them throughout the spooky season. But jinkies, did you all deliver! Between all of your requests, my own personal favorites, and songs you’re pretty much obligated to play during a tribute like this, I had enough evidence to make this case open and shut: it had to be a jam session all its own. It’s no mystery that the love for these characters is just as strong as it’s always been––– in fact, clues point to it probably being even stronger!
Zoinks! Speaking of clues, if you’ve been paying attention to the clues I’ve left so far, then you’ve most likely already cracked the case of this week’s Jammin’ with Jamie theme.
But, for dramatic effect and for tradition’s sake––– and because it’s just so gosh-darn fun––– let’s theatrically unmask it!
“Let’s see what this week’s Jammin’ with Jamie theme really is!”
Hi, everyone!
On Jammin’ with Jamie, we often look to and motivate ourselves for the future. However, if one “lives in the future” 100% of the time, that gets exhausting, difficult, and even frustrating, as not everything works out the way you hope. And even when things do work out exactly as you hope, thinking ahead to the next “thing” will rob you of any enjoyment of what you’ve already earned and accomplished.
I’m here to entertain and inject some fun into your weekend, but I’m also here to help. So let’s enjoy our jammin’ time together with a mix of…
Hi, everyone!
This week is a landmark Jammin’ with Jamie!
OMG (Oh My Goulash)!
Yes! We’ll be giving away two tickets to Rachel Bloom’s concert on September 21 at the Chicago Theatre, as part of her “What Am I Going to Do with My Life Now?” tour!
Yes, I’m serious, and don’t call me… oh wait, you didn’t.
By total and complete coincidence, our theme coincides perfectly with Rachel Bloom’s concert tour’s title! (I’m not even kidding: I’ve had this theme planned for a while.)
Art imitates life, imitates art, snake eats tail, equals MC squared, singularity… My brain hurts…
No question about it, we’re going to be jammin’ to…
(Begins vocal warm-ups)
Hi, everyone!
Last time, we were all about the destination. This week, we’re all about the journey (but still with some tourist stops along the way)!
So whether you’re on the road, on a bike, or on foot, grab your nearest music-playing device and get ready to groove as you move on down the road with a trunk full of…
Hi, everyone!
Summer is often a time for vacation, as people take advantage of the warmer weather, either in their area or other areas, to travel. Whether you want to relax, have exciting fun, or both, summertime is the perfect time for vacation!
So whether you’re “on the road again” and need some car karaoke, planning your grand getaway, or just going on a mental vacation, make a pit stop at our radio oasis for a load of…