Daily Dirt: If I’m watching a movie with music, it better be ‘Eddie and the Cruisers,’ ‘Streets of Fire’ or ‘That Thing You Do’

PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Steve’s ‘Daily Dirt’ logo has been given the day off. JRG

I rarely watch any movie or TV program more than once…

PUBLISHER’S NOTE:

…but I would guess I have seen “Eddie and the Cruisers” a dozen times. Yeah, it’s THAT good … Welcome to today’s three thoughts and Vol. 236 of The Daily Dirt.

1. For the exception of three — and possibly four — movies, I absolutely detest films where the principal theme is singing and/or dancing, a.k.a. musicals. Ugh. Double ugh (PUBLISHER’S NOTE: I’m going to have Steve sit through ‘Hamilton’ and ‘Mamma Mia!” back to back. JRG).

If I’m going to invest a couple hours of my time into watching something, I want action or romance (or some combination thereof) — not singing and/or dancing. I applaud those who enjoy sitting through such things as “The Sound of Music” or “Grease,” but it’s not my cup of tea.Ugh. Double ugh.

But there are three exceptions — and possibly four — to my rule. The following are the three — and possibly four — movies I will watch anytime they are on, music and all:

1. “Eddie and the Cruisers” (1983): What a magnificent piece of filmmaking, based on a novel by P.F. Kluge and starring Michael Pare as fictional singer Eddie Wilson. There are several theories about this rather dark movie, some centering around how it reflects the development of, say, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. Jim Morrison and the Doors have also been mentioned. But there are numerous other overriding elements that make this a must-see film. The movie is a tremendous mystery and will keep you thinking all the while you are hearing its five-star soundtrack. John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band actually provided the film’s music, but Pare is so convincing in the role of the mysterious Eddie Wilson that many thought he was actually singing.

2. “Streets of Fire” (1984): Speaking of dark movies, incredibly, this film came out just one year after “Eddie and the Cruisers” and was just as appealing, but in so many different ways. It is described as a “rock and roll fable” and mixes several different genres, including the 1950s and (at the time) present-day 1980s. Diane Lane is one of the big names in the film, portraying Ellen Aim (lead singer of Ellen Aim and the Attackers). One of the many mesmerizing characters is gang leader Raven Shaddock (Willem Dafoe). Ironically, Michael Pare has a major role in this movie, too, although he doesn’t sing. He just kicks ass in the form of a guy named Tom Cody. Amy Madigan as a “tomboyish” contributor named McCoy is also very appealing.

3. “That Thing You Do” (1996): Tom Hanks has his hands all over this feel-good tribute to the rise-and-fall of a 1960s one-hit wonder group whose breakthrough single was entitled “That Thing You Do,” which you will hear repeatedly — but it’s a great song. This was Hanks’ first attempt at directing (the screenplay is also his) a feature-length film (plus being one of the stars) and he nailed all of those roles. For me, the most enjoyable character in the film was Guy Patterson, the drummer of the group in question played by Tom Everett. Liv Tyler is also in the film and earns an A-plus. 

Honorable mention: “La Bamba” (1987), the story of Ritchie Valens, featuring Lou Diamond Phillips. It’s worth watching just to hear “LA Bamba”.

2. The official announcement came a couple of days ago about Joe Buck and Troy Aikman becoming the new play-by-play man and analyst for ESPN’s Monday Night Football coverage. And I couldn’t b e happier.

Ever since the Worldwide Leader gained control of the Monday night TV contract it has struggled to find the right combination of guys behind the mic. Buck and Aikman will finally give the broadcast credibility. ESPN will pay Aikman $18.5 million annually, while Buck will reportedly earn $12 million to $15 million per year once his deal finalized. Here’s a look at the play-by-play men and analysts have used since 2006: Play-by-play: Mike Tirico (2006-15)Sean McDonough (2016-17)Joe Tessitore (2018-19)Steve Levy (2020-21)Joe Buck (2022)

Analysts: Tony Kornheiser (2006-08)Joe Theismann (2006)Ron Jaworski (2007-11)Jon Gruden (2009-17) Booger McFarland (2018-19) Brian Griese (2020-21) Louis Riddick (2020-21)Troy Aikman (2022)

3.  This week’s medal winners in the ongoing Great Plate debate, a.k.a. as Steve’s favorite license plates spotted across West-Central Illinois and Northeast Missouri:

Gold medal: GOTT IT. This could crack the yearly top-10 ranking early next week.

Silver medal: REV 1. I’m not sure of this belongs to a pastor or a motorsports enthusiast.

Bronze medal: RUNT 94. The vehicle was not particularly small, so I’m assuming this is a reflection of the driver?

Steve Thought O’ The Day — One of Steve’s all-time favorite NFL coaches was Weeb Ewbank. “I thought about naming my son Weeb, but settled on Geoff,” Steve said.

Steve Eighinger writes daily for Muddy River News. Steve not writing about St. Patrick’s Day on St. Patrick’s Day is such a Steve thing to do.