Recent viewing of a Golden Oldie

[Shadowphile]

I sense an homage to Python.....

[Yaddo 42]

I always loved the Eddie Murphy stand up bit about "Gramma hamburger" because my own grandmother used to make almost the exact same hamburger with most of the same line of reasoning.

I wish I could remember where I read the story of how Murphy wound up being grafted into "Best Defense". I thought it was in the SNL book "Live From New York" but I can't find it. IIRC correctly he was basically offered any film the studio had in production at the time to keep running with the success he'd had at the beginning of his film career. I remeber the reviews all made sure to point out that although his scenes dominated the previews and trailers he was only in about 15 minutes of the film, warning people they were being duped if they went looking for an "Eddie Murphy film".

It's too bad he has distanced himself from SNL since he became a huge film star, refusing to appear at anniversary reunions, host the show (what a wasted opportunity for laughs there), or even discuss the show in interviews. His time there is certainly better than a big chunk of his film career, even many of his really successful films.

[Neville]

The first "48 hrs." apart, I only connect with Murphy when his tirades become surreal enough, like when in this film he tells the bad guy to kiss his ass, or that moment when in "Beverly Hills Cop II", where he is undercover. Quote follows:

"I got the money and I do want to do business but with you. I ain't doing nothing in front of this dude 'cause he's a cop. I can smell a pig from a mile away - I used to be a Muslim man - I know that's pork."

I do like his voice work, though. Neither the Donky nor the dragon in "Mulan" fail to make me laugh anytime.