Author Archives: Jamie Lee

Halloween Movies: “The Rocky Horror Picture Show”

It’s time to give yourself over to absolute pleasure, as we dive into the wonderfully weird and wacky world of…

The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)!

I do not own any of the following images or videos!

Here’s the trailer…

I found out about this movie by a strange coincidence. One of the mainstays of Six Flags’ Fright Fest every year is the family-friendly musical comedy monster mash, Love at First Fright. While the basic plot stays the same, jokes and references change every year, keeping the show fresh and just as fun and entertaining for veteran viewers as for newbies.

The musical numbers are all existing songs from various sources, so I knew most of them. But one of my favorite songs from the show remained a mystery. After the show, I asked one of the cast members where it was from. It turns out that it, as well as another song from the show, is from The Rocky Horror Picture Show! Which songs? I’ll reveal them later…

The Rocky Horror Picture Show is one of those movies that I bought and watched pretty much “blindly,” meaning that I knew almost nothing about it, other than the fact that it would have those two particular songs. Late one night a few years ago, I popped in the DVD and watched it for the very first time. I watched it alone, which in hindsight, was probably a good idea. Given my age at the time, watching it with my parents would’ve been really awkward.

The movie immediately hooked me with its tone and humor. In an instant, I was laughing and dancing along. A few scenes later, my jaw dropped. I found out that I was watching one of the funniest, weirdest, and most downright insane films I’d ever seen.

… And I loved every frame of it.

Here’s the basic, spoiler-free rundown…

The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
Plot: A clean-cut, newly engaged couple gets a flat tire on an abandoned road during a thunderstorm late at night and goes to a nearby castle in hopes of using a phone to call for help.
Villain(s): That would be a spoiler! It’s kind of up for interpretation, anyway.
Scare Factor: This movie is so ridiculously fun that the few minimal scares are more humorous than nightmare-inducing.
Gore Factor: The gore’s pretty minimal.
Family-Friendly Factor: If your family has members that are teenaged or older, then you can probably watch this one together. There’s a fair amount of swearing, though most of it’s pretty mild. In case you’re a complete Rocky Horror “virgin,” there’s a lot of sexual content.

VERY different…

VERY different…

ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK! Spoilers lurk beyond this point!

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Halloween Movies: “The Monster Squad”

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!

Look out! Behind you!

ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK! Spoilers lurk beyond this point!

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“Jammin’ with Jamie” Theme: “Jamie’s Favorite Jams (Part 2)”!

Hi, everyone!

Our final Jammin’ with Jamie jam session is this Saturday, June 13, from 6:00 to 9:00 am!

Well… here we are.

From the instant I found out I was going to be on the air for the first time in October 2011––– before the show was even called Jammin’ with Jamie––– I knew the show would have an end date.

I expected the end date to be “as soon as someone other than my parents heard my voice on an audio-only medium.”

I had to re-apply for my slot three times a year, so for a while, there was also the possibility that someone else would get the slot.

But at this point, I’m moving on to a new chapter in my life. I’m filled with that trademark mix of excitement and worry that comes every time you embark on a new start––– something I always encourage you Jammers to do on my show, making sure I always give you the proper motivational melodies to get stuck in your head and give you that extra push when you need it.

I want to assure all of you: the last time I sign off of Jammin’ with Jamie isn’t the last you’ll hear from me. In fact, it’s just the beginning. Make sure you keep checking this website, my Twitter, and my YouTube account, and we can keep up with each other’s adventures together!

So with that, I give you our final Jammin’ with Jamie jam session theme. Are you ready?

Let’s jam!

“Jammin’ with Jamie” Theme: “Jamie’s Favorite Jams (Part 1)”!

Hi, everyone!

Our final Jammin’ with Jamie jam session will be Saturday, June 13, from 6:00 to 9:00 am!

After four amazing years, our wonderful Jammin’ with Jamie ride is slowly coming to an end.

I know what you’re thinking: First Letterman leaves, then Jon Stewart, now Jamie?! What is the world coming to?!

Well, the last time I sign off of Jammin’ with Jamie isn’t the last you’ll hear from me. In fact, it’s just the beginning. Make sure you keep checking this website, my Twitter, and my YouTube account, and we can keep up with each other’s adventures together!

I love so much about doing Jammin’ with Jamie. One of the things I love is getting to share the music I love with all you Jammers out there!

So now that the end (for now) is in sight, I think it’s high time we put as many of them as we can together and jam to…

I’m hungry for some JAM!

“Jammin’ with Jamie” Theme: “Travel Tunes”!

Hi, everyone!

Jammin’ with Jamie will be two hours this week! We’ll be jammin’ from 6:00 to 8:00 am!

In case you missed my announcement last week, after four amazing years, Jammin’ with Jamie is, unfortunately, coming to an end. Including this week, we have three precious jam sessions left together.

Our final Jammin’ with Jamie jam session will be Saturday, June 13.

As for this week’s theme…

For students and everyone else involved in education, the school year is coming to an end, if it hasn’t already. It’s the time when everyone scatters to go home, go on vacation, move someplace new, or even just explore a different part of town.

Whether you know where you’re headed this summer or not, jam with us as we go on a musical road trip through a set of…

Where are you going with this?

“Jammin’ with Jamie” Theme: “Summer Songs”!

Hi, everyone!

It may not feel like it, but believe it or not, it’s almost June!

Everyone has his/her/their favorite summer activities. Unfortunately, while it is getting warmer, it’s still not quite warm enough for many of these activities.

But we all should still stock up on sunscreen, keep our shorts at the ready, and know where our towels are (in true Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy fashion!), because suddenly, it’ll be 100 degrees and humid outside!

So of course, we’re going to use this jam session to prepare for just that. Imagine how great it’ll be when you walk out all decked out in summer gear and ready for fun while everyone else is still shocked and adjusting to seeing the sun again, and all because you jammed with us to…

The suspense is heating up!

“Jammin’ with Jamie” Theme: “Animal Melodies”!

Hi, everyone!

Even though it may not feel like it, it is indeed officially spring!

Spring is one of those times when it seems like everything gets the chance to start new––– trees’ leaves grow back, flowers start blooming again, and animals are running around outside again, many with new families!

So this week, we’re going to expand our audience to welcome our animal friends and shake our tail feathers to…

I’ll bet it’s the cat’s pajamas!

“Jammin’ with Jamie” Theme: “Mom’s Melodies and Dad’s Ditties”!

Hi, everyone!

This Sunday is Mother’s Day!

… For those of you who had forgotten, you’re welcome for reminding you while you still have time to make it look like you hadn’t forgotten. That’s yet another advantage to being a loyal Jammer with us on Jammin’ with Jamie: you never forget a holiday!

So, in another grand Jammin’ with Jamie tradition, this Saturday, we’re going to pay tribute to our mothers––– and fathers!––– and jam to…

You shouldn’t leave people hanging like that!

“Jammin’ with Jamie” Theme: “Superhero Songs”!

Hi, everyone!

I know where a lot of my fellow Jammers will be this weekend… seeing The Avengers: Age of Ultron! I already saw it, and let me say: it’s epic, with drama, humor, and exciting surprises all the way through!

Also, on Saturday, May 3, it’s Free Comic Book Day, so go visit your local comic book store! Have you never been to your local comic book store? Well, Saturday would be a great day to start!

But what will you do as you wait outside with baited breath for the comic book store to open Saturday morning?

Suit up, Jammers, because it’s time for…

Jammers… ASSEMBLE!

Thoughts On: “Pee-wee’s Playhouse”

Hi, everyone!

I could easily write an entire post just about Pee-wee Herman (Peewee.com) and his various projects. But, it would be very long, and, honestly, I’d love to write about Pee-wee Herman again, so I’m going to leave that possibility open for myself and just focus on Pee-wee’s Playhouse for this post. So… you’re welcome!

I’m writing about Pee-wee’s Playhouse now for three reasons…

1. The entire meticulously re-mastered series was released on Blu-ray by Shout! Factory (ShoutFactory.com) on October 21, 2014. By the way, Shout! Factory has a pretty unique library of releases. You should check out their catalog!

2. I want to.

3. You’ll have to keep reading to find out this last one!

“Why don’t you make me?”