"Don't I Know You?" - Onscreen Reunions

As my mind has become a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions this holiday season, adding to the randomness of this here noggin', I have compiled a list of onscreen celebrity reunions. You know, when a pair of actors reunite for a completely different movie years, sometimes even decades, later. I especially like it when there's an undertone of "Hey, don't I know you?" between the characters in the subsequent film. As I think of more pairings, I will be sure to add them. Feel free to comment and add ones I may have missed.


Robert DeNiro : Al Pacino = Heat & Righteous Kill (Heat was the far superior movie of the two, in my opinion, but great acting in both, nonetheless.)

Jack Nicholson : Michelle Pfeiffer = The Witches of Eastwick & Wolf (Always stellar acting by Nicholson and the beautiful Pfeiffer.)

Mel Gibson : Renee Russo = Lethal Weapon 3, 4 & Ransom (Both contained scenes of classic 'Mad Mel' [as he is now often referred to] rage.)

Nicolas Cage : Eva Mendes = Ghost Rider & Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans (I haven't seen the latter, but from the trailer, Cage looks a bit of a hot mess. But they win awards for transformations like that, don't they...?)

Keanu Reeves : Charlize Theron  = The Devil's Advocate & Sweet November (They were lovers in both, with atrocious Southern accents in The Devil's Advocate. Sheesh.)

Leonardo DiCaprio : Kate Winslet = Titanic & Revolutionary Road (Both involved steamy love scenes in cars. Only Titanic had the classic hand print of "triumph", however.)

Vince Vaughn: Jon Favreau = Swingers; Couples Retreat (As hilarious actors individually, these two guys are golden when they are onscreen together. I think if you turned the cameras off, there would be no difference to how they were acting with one another, scripted or unscripted.)

**And the award for Most Onscreen Reunions goes to (drum-roll, please):

Tom Hanks : Meg Ryan = Joe Versus the Volcano & Sleepless in Seattle & You've Got Mail (Who doesn't just love this sickeningly cute couple? Someone must; they have the most onscreen reunions that I know of.)

*Side note:

I would formally list the pairing of Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez in both Jersey Girl and the disastrous movie known as Gigli, but that just seems wrong on many levels.

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Ben Foster: Actor Extraordinaire

I realized today that Ben Foster is one of the youngest, most underrated actors that's been acting within the past 15 years. I will even go as far as to say that he may be one of the best actors today. I watched a film called The Messenger today where Foster plays an Army Staff Sergeant, returning from Iraq, assigned to the Casualty Notification service. The film depicts his inner strife at losing friends on the battlefield, and his newly assigned role as the one to shatter the worlds of soldiers' families and loved ones as the bearer of the grievous news. He soon begins a relationship with a young widowed mother he notifies about the death of her husband.

Foster possesses such strong onscreen presence and a dynamic acting range that only gets better with every role. I believe that the core of his outstanding acting lies in his dedication to whatever character he is portraying and his ability to constantly and flawlessly physically alter himself for various roles. In Alpha Dog, he put glaucoma drops in his eyes in order to look like a drug user, while in The Punisher, he is incredibly thin with numerous facial piercings. Ironically enough, Foster simply shines on screen, especially in his darker roles; and he's had a few dark toned films. In 30 Days of Night Foster is almost unrecognizable as a tormented, weathered stranger who has a sick obsession with aiding the evil vampires that seek to wipe out the town. In Hostage, Foster plays a dark and twisted serial killer with long dark hair, and a sinister and piercing stare. 

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Pensive is the new sexy.

Horror Movie 101

So I have learned a lot from horror movies; specifically from the stupid mistakes that the scantily clad, obnoxious teens make. In the hypothetical event that you're chased by a zombie or come face to face with a Michael Myers type, etc. you should be prepared. So here are some FYI's:

Don't mess with the creepy colony of kids without parents.

Clowns are creepy. Period.

If all else fails, arm yourself with a "boomstick"

Zombies: Damage them in their brains before they take a bite out of yours! "Yeahhhh boyyyy"!

If you run over a Gorton fisherman look-a-like, at least call an ambulance because he won't forget. Ever.

Only search under the bed if you have a 10 foot pole.

Treat your dolls with respect. If you don't, they may return the "favor"

Most aliens, with evil intentions, that come to Earth are vulnerable to the 70% of water that covers it. Go figure.

Um, why would you go into the WOODS looking for trouble?

If you hear that fava beans and a nice chianti are part of the meal....run!!

"No, crazy cannibal looking family. I DO NOT want to join you for dinner or see your household chainsaw!"

If someone's body is facing the wall but their head is looking at you, you may want to exit their bedroom - immediately.

You probably don't want to chant creepy or deceased people's names in mirrors.

Only moving the headstones is not going to cut it.

Puzzle boxes are all fun and games until you start raising some hell.

Don't underestimate the pecking power of a bird.

If you have just finished viewing a creepy, distorted videotape followed by a phone call, I think it's safe to overlook the 'Be Kind, Rewind' rule.

If a stranger comes to your cabin and poops out an ugly ass alien, it's time to go. Also, that's one serious #2!

Mist, fog; if your vision is hindered, it's time to invest in a a big ol' Maglite flashlight and some nunchucks.

Any movie based on a Stephen King novel with Thomas Jane in it is bound to be bad. Sorry Thomas.

Why are zombies underestimated? They have a healthy diet of brains, don't they? Sheesh. ;)

Let's get this straight people: Frankenstein was the scientist. Not the "monster"

If it's not your house, maybe you just shouldn't go into it. Whether it's the last on the left or the one with a chainsaw collection.

Please make sure that all "telepods" are free from insects, critters, and the like before you attempt to do any transporting.

If you came here to chew bubblegum and kick some ass, you'll probably end up doing the latter.

Don't underestimate the old lady with the glass eye, hellacious cough, and dentures; she may gum your face off.

If you see the license plate, "BEATNGU", turn and go the other way. FAST!

Even if you run at Michael Johnson type speed, a 6'3", slow-waking, machete-wielding serial killer will still catch up with you while leisurely strolling along in a pair of orthopedic shoes.

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Muppetphobia

This is by far one of the craziest/funniest photos I've ever seen. I found it earlier this year when I was writing a horror movie post. Go figure.

Just so you know, this child was reaching for Ernie. Bert is simply lousy with kids. 

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Barbie: 'Baby on Board'

Where have I been and how did I not know that there was, at one time, a pregnant Barbie doll on the market?!

In 1963, auburn haired, freckled-faced Midge was introduced as Barbie's first B.F.F. The freckles and rounder face were apparently added as an attempt to make her look "friendlier" juxtapose to Barbie's "sex symbol" reputation. In 1964, Midge got herself a boyfriend: Alan. Ken's buddy. There were double dates and everything. Alan and Midge would go on to get "married" in 1991.

• Time-out. I have to pause because I realize that I'm referring to the fictional storyline relationships and marriage of dolls. *Shakes head and remains rooted in reality*

In 2003, a pregnant Midge was sold in stores with a magnetic, detachable belly with a tiny baby inside. Whoa. This mental image makes me slightly uncomfortable, but I can appreciate the educational value for children. I suppose there were other ways to convey childbirth to young children via doll; the infamous stomach bursting scene from Alien disturbingly comes to mind. Mattel opted out of that idea...thankfully. Ironically enough, Midge produced much controversy among parents who felt that Midge promoted sexual intercourse and teen pregnancy, when in fact, Midge was happily married. You would think parents would be happy that Alan put a ring on it. Right? Oh...wait. Apparently the ring and Alan were missing from Midge's packaging, stirring up a lot of controversy. Walmart proceeded to pull the "Happy Family Line". If anything, I imagine mothers being the most upset over the fact that Midge went from pregnant to perfect figure in no time flat and thinking, "that plastic b*tch".

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