Sean Astin

SAG/AFTRA and WGA Strike on the National Day of Solidarity

Posted on by The Ultimate Rabbit

It was another day on the picket line as SAG/AFTRA and the WGA continue their long-running strike against the AMPTP. The fight for a fair contract and better pay rages on even as it looks as if no end is in sight. But, then again, it was not really another day as this was the National Day of Solidarity which not only brought these two unions together, but many others including the AFL-CIO, IATSE and Liuna to name a few. In addition, they were also fighting for safer working conditions, restrictions on AI technology, and to be given the respect they deserve as it is their works which help to generate these amazingly high profits for CEOs who have far too much money to ever spend in a lifetime.

There was also a big rally held outside of Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California. I did my best to film as much of it as I could, but I also got the feeling that now would be a good time to buy a new tripod for my camcorder (the one I currently have is out of commission). Surprisingly, it turned out to be a reunion of sorts for the cast of “The West Wing” as Martin Sheen, Richard Schiff and Bradley Whitford spoke out in support of the strike and for the importance of solidarity in this fight. Sheen was especially powerful as he reminded us all why he got to play the President of the United States on the show for several years, back in a time where a single season of television lasted 22 episodes (remember that?).

Another great speaker was Kerry Washington who talked about how her dream of wanting to be an actor seemed to be impossible because it meant wanting to be famous and be on billboards and magazine covers. But then she said she learned about unions and how they made her dream both a possibility and a reality as it allowed her to make a living. But now, with the advent of streaming and changes in the industry, making a living, let alone a healthy one, has ceased to be possible, and that is unacceptable. Her words rang out loud and true:

“We’ve come to a point in our history where just being a working actor — coming to work every day, devoting oneself to this craft, dedicating oneself for the entertainment and the joy of others — means I can’t make a fair living. It’s not OK. It’s not OK for other people to benefit from our hard work and sweat. It’s not OK for other people to benefit while we work 16-hour days. It’s not OK for other people to benefit when we put our vulnerability and our hearts on the line. It’s not OK for other people to benefit while we do the hard work. That’s not OK.”

But for me, my favorite speaker of the day was “Hellboy” himself, Ron Perlman, who reminded us all as he does on his Twitter (oh, sorry, X) and Instagram feeds that he does not take shit from anybody.  He made this clear right from the start as he said out loud, “I have been a union man my entire mother-fucking woke life.” Not once did he show a single shred of complacency as he laid out how those in power want to break us down:

“The thing is, however much they take will never be enough. So, what they need to do is make us feel small. Devalue us. Gaslight us with the thought that if we don’t walk in line lockstep we can be replaced because any motherfucker can do what we do. … If they’re claiming that they’re losing money, they just made a fucked-up model, that’s all. Don’t blame me for that.”

It was a great day to be on the picket line as thousands of union workers came together to continue the fight for a fair contract and a healthy living wage. I also got to catch up with some friends who I have not seen in years which, in this post-pandemic world, I am deeply grateful for. Granted, the extreme heat took a lot of me to where I had to go home and take a much-needed nap, but it did not stop me or so many others from showing up in Burbank.

As I have stated in the previous articles I have written about the SAG/AFTRA and WGA strike, I am not a member of either union and the video I edited below is not endorsed by them. Still, I am very proud to have joined the picket line as what is currently going on with artists is just a small example of what is happening to the working class at large. These days, I am often reminded of what the late great George Carlin once said about those with all the money and power:

“They want obedient workers. Obedient workers, people who are just smart enough to run the machines and do the paperwork. And just dumb enough to passively accept all these increasingly shittier jobs with the lower pay, the longer hours, the reduced benefits, the end of overtime and vanishing pension that disappears the moment you go to collect it.”

At this time in history, we want to work, but we also want a healthy living wage. It’s hard enough these days to find a job, let alone which pays enough and comes with benefits. No one should have to work two jobs just to survive, and wages need to start keeping up with the cost of living and that evil beast known as inflation. Those in power continue finding ways to eliminate the human equation in the business world, and we cannot allow this to continue. We will not be exploited anymore.

Please check out the video below and be sure to contribute to those union members in need.

‘The Goonies’ Movie and 4K/Blu-ray Review

Posted on by The Ultimate Rabbit

The following review was written by Ultimate Rabbit correspondent Tony Farinella.

This was my first viewing, ever, of “The Goonies,” which might sound almost sacrilegious to film fans that love this flick and have watched it numerous times.  To many, it is considered a classic film with quotable lines and loveable characters.  I went into the film with high expectations, and I’m sad to report that I left extremely disappointed.  The film is very dated, and it is full of sound and fury, signifying nothing. However, if you are a fan of the film and have been looking to an upgrade for a while, the 4K release from Warner Brothers Home Entertainment will certainly satisfy you.  For those, like myself, who are new to the film, I don’t know if it will win over any new fans.

The film was directed by veteran Richard Donner from a story by Steven Spielberg and a screenplay by Chris Columbus.  When you factor in a young cast which includes Josh Brolin, Sean Astin and Corey Feldman, all of the ingredients were there for an enjoyable film with a cast full of wacky characters. This is one of the major problems with the film—the characters.  They are loud, screechy and supremely annoying.  It is hard to get behind this rag-tag group of misfits in the same way you would get behind the Losers Club in “It” or the friends in “Stranger Things.”  The film doesn’t waste time in getting right into the action, which ensures the character development is left with a lot to be desired.

The premise of the film follows a group of friends known as The Goonies.  They consist of Sean Astin as Mikey; his brother Brand, played by Josh Brolin; Jeff Cohen as Chunk; Corey Feldman as Mouth; Jonathan Ke Huy Quan as Data along with their female counterparts in Kerri Green as Andy and Martha Plimpton as Stef. Judging by some of their names, it doesn’t take a lot of imagination to piece together how they received their nicknames. They are about to lose their homes in the Goon Docks unless they can come up with some big money and fast.

This leads them on a treasure hunt to come up with a way to save their homes.  Hot on their tails, however, is a crime family known as the Fratellis: Mama Fratelli (Anne Ramsey), Jake Fratelli (Robert Davi), and Francis Fratelli (Joe Pantoliano).  They also have a deformed younger brother named Sloth (John Matuszak), whom is often neglected and mistreated by his family.  They are also looking to get some of the treasures on the ship, which used to belong to “One-Eyed Willy,” the original Goonie.

While “The Goonies” is never boring, and Donner keeps the action moving at a rapid-fire pace, at almost two hours, it feels like sensory overload.  As a viewer, I felt like I was on this never-ending mission that I didn’t really care about because I didn’t care for the characters.  They are likable when they are not screaming, shrieking or being completely over-the-top.  The film shines during the quieter and more tender moments. I was hoping the film would focus more on the friendships between the characters and the families.  The families are basically non-existent and played for laughs as clueless parents, which was a major problem with many young children’s/teenage films in the 1980’s.

In the end, if you enjoyed “The Goonies” in the past and it is a film you are known to watch over and over again, you will surely watch it over and over again on 4K as it looks out of this world.  If you are new to the film (in the minority like myself), I can’t really see you getting much out of this film as a first-time viewer.  Even though it is a children’s movie, I wouldn’t recommend it for young children today based on some of the language and innuendo.  While films and shows today owe a great deal of gratitude to “The Goonies,” it is very much a film of its era. I can’t say it holds up very well.

* * out of * * * *

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4K Info: “The Goonies” is released by Warner Brothers Home Entertainment on a 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack, which comes with the Blu-Ray and a digital code. The film has a running time of 114 minutes, and it comes in the following languages: English, Latin Spanish, Canadian French, and Brazilian Portuguese.

Video Info:  The film comes on 2160 Ultra High Definition for the 4K Version.  The Blu-Ray comes in 1080p High Definition.

Audio Info: The 4K Audio is DTS-HD MA: English 5.1 and Dolby Digital: French and Spanish.  For the Blu-Ray, it comes with Dolby TrueHD: English 5.1, Dolby Digital: English 5.1, English 2.0, French and Spanish. Subtitles for both versions are in English, French, and Spanish.

Special Features:

Commentary (with Hidden Video Treasures) by Richard Donner and select cast members.

The Making of the Goonies Featurette

Cyndi Lauper “The Goonies ‘r’ Good Enough” Music Video

Outtakes

Theatrical Trailer

My goal with this review was not to be a contrarian, but I realize I’m probably one of the few people in the world who is not in love with “The Goonies.” As mentioned, it had everything, on paper, I was looking for in a film like this.  All of the pieces just didn’t add up in the final product.  It was tough to finish this one, as even though the action is wall-to-wall, I found myself checking out of the story because of a lack of interest in the people involved in the action.  I’m glad to say I have seen it, so I can check it off my list of highly thought of films I need to see.  However, I can’t recommend this one as a purchase unless you absolutely love the film. You will be thrilled with the transfer, the 4K look of the film, which is beautiful, and the astounding high dynamic range that comes with 4K releases.  For everyone else, if you really want to see it, get it from your local library.