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Friday, July 03, 2009

I Remember Hoogie

As we slide past the First of July, I’m quickly reminded of old friends, fond memories, great expectations, and much potential.

John Hoogenakker and I became acquaintances in the summer of 1987 at Bill Treadwell’s house. We were there for some sort of kids get-together, story-time, and icecream social for church - Myers Park Baptist Church. Dad had just been hired to come be their new Minister of Music, and this was a chance for me to come interact with the kids with whom I’d grow up.

This was only the beginning.

 

Over the next 8 years of our lives we sang in church choirs, raised havoc in our sunday school classes, grew incredibly close with the rest of the “Dirty Dozen,” and planned our next moves in life.

John once told me a story about a seminar at DePaul University (where John honed his incredibly fine acting skills): The guest speaker for the day was none other than Laurence Fishburne! No shit! The room was absolutely packed with students, and you can guess who was there early, camping out a seat in the front row: John. That’s not the best part - At the conclusion of the session with Mr. Fishburne, many of the students followed him outside to his waiting car. John managed to catch his attention and ask just one simple question, “Mr. Fishburne, I’d like to know how it feels to be my hero.” Laurence Fishburne grabbed John in a big bear hug on a Chicago street and asked, “How does it feel to be mine?”. An old icon in the acting world, and an old icon in my “cast of friends” bonded, if only for a few minutes.

I’m always thrilled to catch John on his cell phone. I never know where he’s going to be. I never know what he’s going to be doing or working on. He’s thrilled me with tales of working for Clint Eastwood in Flags of Our Fathers, and when he mentioned a larger part in Michael Mann’s Public Enemies, I came out of my chair. He told me stories of shooting tommy guns, traveling around Wisconsin, Illinois, and downtown Chicago in period garb. The excitement in his voice was hidden by a thin veil of “cool.”

This past week, John and his incredible wife, Kelly made the trip (along with Willem, their newborn) to Los Angeles, CA, for the Premiere of Public Enemies. I had no idea that they’d be going, nor that they’d walk the Red Carpet.

I dare not say, “You made it,” brother. You continue to “make it” every day. I will say this: I’m damned proud of you. I’m damned proud of you both! You’ve been incredible friends for a long, long time. It’s wonderful to see dreams and possibilities come to fruition.

Thursday, May 21, 2009

In The Valley of Elah

I just took a few moments to watch this critically acclaimed anti-war film. I’d honestly forgotten that it was filmed in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I’ve spent so much time there, that I instantly recognized some of the landmarks from the film (The Frontier Restaurant on Central (Route 66), for instance). Tommy Lee Jones and Charlize Theron both star in incredible roles and take their acting to new heights.

This is not a political discussion, but as much as I thoroughly enjoyed the film, I’m disheartened by the overall message. It’s rough to watch a character’s beliefs and faith torn apart. It’s tougher when I “connect” with that character in several different ways.

I found this movie to be the exact opposite, “the anti-film,” if you will, of Taking Chance. I understand the need to show all sides of an issue. War and conflict is an awfully powerful issue to address in a film, as is death. Why must directors use the opportunity to emphasize those that are torn apart by war and tragedy? Why not acknowledge the loss with honor, understanding, grief, but with an open and hopeful spirit?