More Tropical Movies These Days

Is it just me, or is the movie industry making more tropical-themed movies these days? I don’t know what the stats are, really… but it seems like it. No matter, I just hope the Parrothead movie trend continues. We need something to replace the fading interest in American Westerns, anyway, right?

Fools Gold - I loved Fools Gold! I really did. It was silly and fun. Where there was nothing remarkably artistic or moving, it was whimsical, had great visuals, included a fun, talented cast and a fast-paced storyline. I was impressed with the way the cinematography included the use of high-altitude panoramas to suck the audience into the Caribbean setting. Still, there was little moral value, but it was definitely worth the $8 movie ticket.

Nim's Island was really fun! I took my 9 year-old daughter the other night and she loved it. She really wishes she could live on an island like that... just like Nim did. I really bought into the whole anti-tourism message when Nim bravely defended the island against the invading cruise ship passengers. Again, nothing particularly meritorious about the movie, but definitely not a flop. As family movies go, I thought it was delightful.

The Heartbreak Kid - A funny remake of a 1972 hit starring Cybil Shepherd and Charles Grodin that takes place down on the Pacific Mexican coast. Typical Ben Stiller stuff... what can you say? Interestingly, Ben Still also played a starring role in Jack Johnson's video, Taylor.

Surf's Up - Possibly one of Disney's best ever, IMO (and my teenage daughter happens to be a fabulous artist/animator AND a Disney shareholder). The visuals were AMAZING. Just the best state-of-the-art animation methods and detail, right down to the array of colors in the foamy, up-close wave shots.

Hoot – Okay, okay. Not the best movie ever made. But, it shows the willingness of a big-time production company (Walden Media) to undertake a children’s movie project with a less-than-fantastic script on the hopes that it would sell based on the setting, music and people involved. It was fun to see Jimmy Buffett in a big-screen acting role, and the cameo by his daughter, Delaney, was a nice plus, too.

Fifty First Dates – A winner from top to bottom. A great comedy cast, a beautiful setting, wonderful music and a clever story with a memorable message. The soundtrack really leaned into the whole Hawaiian theme. I was particularly glad that much of the story took place inland and not just on the beach.

I hope that the tropical movie trend continues. I just heard that Jack Johnson's new CD, Sleep Through The Static just went to number 1. What does that have to do with anything, you ask? Well... I believe that it's just a barometer, indicating that more mainstream Americans have clued in to the lure of the tropics, the music and the fun. {{Sigh}} I'm still waiting for Hollywood to announce filming on Where Is Joe Merchant. We can always dream.

Winterizing Jimmy Buffett

Welcome to Spring. Weather in Houston is a nice, balmy 80 degrees and the relative humidity is 64%. My pool has warmed up an additional 4 point this week alone, and now simmers at a comfortable 77. Considering that the immediate forecast calls for lots of sun and warm temperatures, the time seems ripe for some outdoor steaks, a cold light beer and lots of music.

There's been a lot of discussion on http://www.buffettnews.com/ about whether Parrotheads "winterize" their Jimmy Buffett music or not. Once the question was posed, the forum attendees then turned to the task of defining "winterizing". Like many things in our life, the definition remains fluid, and runs from one end of the spectum to another.

Some BuffettNews.com members had no trouble at all admitting that at the first crack of Autumn, they pack the CDs and other Parrothead paraphernalia and hunker down for a long, Buffett-less winter. Others indicated that they just listen to Jimmy less. Others, still, proudly announced that they'd never "winterize" Jimmy, and described in emotional detail how the spirit of the music helps them maintain their mental summer vacation lifestyle year-round.

Personally, I would never put my Buffett tunes into seasonal hibernation. However, I do admit that there's a certain feeling that leaves me in the Fall and returns again in the Spring. Don't get me wrong... living on the Gulf Coast ensures that I have a reasonable amount of spring-like weather all year, including the winter months, and all it takes is a warm, southerly breeze flying in from the sea to instantly put me back in the mood.

Additionally, some Trop Rock artists have written songs to help inspire feelings of nostalgia for warmer weather and tropical climates in the cool season. Examples include Jimmy's own Boat Drinks and When The Coast Is Clear, and Jake & The Half Conched Band's Current Conditions. Those songs really do help on a cold day. God bless them for that!

But now that Spring is here, we don't have to fake it any more, do we? Concert season is kicking into full swing, warm temperatures are dominating, and the smell of backyard barbeques all combine to help put me into a good mood. And more importantly, I am so glad that I don't have to dig through my master closet to open up and dust off the music that has kept me happy through the dead season.

No sir. I'll never "winterize" Jimmy Buffett.