The Life of John Hughes - an Underappreciated Filmmaker

One of the best and memorable filmmakers from the 1980s and 90s, John Hughes made great family and comedy films. With the holiday season here, two of my favorites are Home Alone and Home Alone 2. Keep reading to learn more about the life of John Hughes, in my opinion a very underappreciated filmmaker.

John Wilden Hughes Jr. was born on February 18^th, 1950, in Lansing, Michigan. Hughes once said that the area he lived was mainly girls and older people, and being the only son with three sisters, he spent a lot of time by himself being imaginative. He dropped out of college and began selling jokes to popular comics such as Rodney Dangerfield and eventually began writing for National Lampoon magazine. 

John Hughes and his wife, Nancy, whom married in 1970, had two children, John the third and James. He wrote for, directed and produced successful films before opening his own production in 1985. Some of John Hughes’ most successful films include Home Alone 1, 2 and 3, along with Ferris Buehler’s day off, The Breakfast Club, Uncle Buck, and Planes, Trains and Automobiles. National Lampoon Vacation. With so many successful films and some of the best in Hollywood, John Hughes has influenced many others throughout the industry as well as entertained millions of film viewers. By the mid 1990s, Hughes had somewhat separated himself from Hollywood and was living in Northern Illinois with his own farm. Hollywood just wasn’t for him. Supposedly, Hughes did not like the Hollywood lifestyle and didn’t want his children living there either. Also, according to friend John Candy, Hughes was overworked. Hughes was also a heavy smoker since he was a young adult but had quit in 2001. Even though Hughes wasn’t active in Hollywood, he still wrote numerous stories that were used for films such as his last film, Drillbit Taylor, starring Owen Wilson, which Hughes wrote under his pseudonym, Edmond Dantes. 

John Hughes’ son, John the third, was going to have a baby and Hughes wanted to visit and see his new grandchild. He and Nancy went to New York City on August 5^th, 2009, and seemed to be acting normal. On the morning on August 6^th, Hughes was walking in Manhattan near his hotel when he suffered a sudden heart attack. Rushed to Roosevelt Hospital, he passed away. His heart attack seemed to have shown no warnings before. His funeral was held in Chicago on August 11^th and he was buried at Lake Forest Cemetery.

De-Cluttering to Create More

It’s funny how a song can change your perspective on life but in more particular, a music video. Music videos firstly aren’t what they used to be and to be honest, I don’t even know if they still make music videos since MTV has been dead for twenty plus years. I’m sure there are though. I’ve been a fan of Johnny Cash for a long time but hadn’t seen his music video for “Hurt” until recently. With people close to me passing away and seeing their possessions and property being gone through, divvied up and donated or thrown away, it reminds me we can’t take our stuff with us when we pass away. What we have now should be enjoyment and memories and I’ve realized I have too many possessions. I remember watching Johnny Cash in his video for “Hurt” and seeing his trophies on the shelves. Cash knew at this time he didn’t have much time left and seeing all the trophies, his closest possessions, sitting there collecting dust meant nothing to him when he passed away.

I have collected so much through my life which includes a lot of antiques. I’ve always enjoyed getting antiques and fixing the forgotten items up but then, afterward, all they do is sit there on shelves and like Cash’s trophies, collect dust. I’ve recently gone through so many things and sold some and have some sitting on the workbench in the garage to sell. I’d rather create enjoyment for my wife and especially now my daughter, and not only declutter the house, but focus less on the materialistic parts of life. It’s time to downsize to make room for memories and enjoyment.

Losing Now for Yesterday

 

A lot has gone on the past eight months into 2022. With so many changes, I’ve struggled a lot and been thinking back to old memories – fun memories of the past. With memories, no matter how fun they were, it’s saddening when thinking those times are gone, a lot of those people are gone, and even some day the memories will be gone. I’ve started a memory journal (I’ll write more about this idea later) and I’ve been thinking of the past to help me with the stress of “now”. With the stress of now and wanting to escape the stress, the uncertainty, and confusion, thinking back to the past has made me even sadder. Even when re-living such memories, I’m losing today; a temporary fix. Instead of creating new memories from today (the present) and even the future, I’m thinking back of the past to relive something that is gone. I guess memories of bygone days bring back temporary happiness at times along with the eventual sadness, I have realized I need to focus on today and what happiness I can create today – not just for me, but for my wife and my five month old daughter. Even though I’ll keep the memory journal going, since I fear the day I lose my memory, I’m going to turn my focus on now instead of the past. As a history lover, this task will not be easy because we often learn from the past but then again, how can we create today if we focus on yesterday, last year, 1992? I’ll escape today when needed but I’ll focus more on the now to create new memories to remember in the future.

Taken – the Sadness of Cancer

So many families have had loved ones taken because of cancer. Unfortunately, the truth behind cigarettes and tobacco products hadn’t come out for so many before it was too late. Even watching old black and white television shows, I Love Lucy, for example, everyone smoked. The popular show was even sponsored by a cigarette brand – Phillip Morris Cigarettes. Even up until the 1980s into the early 90s, I remember as a child, cigarette ads were featured in so many prominent magazines as well as commercials on television shows. Brands such as Camel, Marlboro and so many others until finally, a stop was put into such ads and warnings were and still are featured. Again though, the truth behind tobacco wasn’t found out for many until it was too late with such an addictive product.

With tobacco causing cancer in millions upon millions of people throughout the decades, so many have lost friends, family members, and those closest to them. I lost a grandpa years ago at the younger age of 69. His loss impacted so many of his large family. Recently, I just lost my grandma. She passed away just after her 86^th birthday but what saddens me the most is she won’t be able to meet her great-grandchild. She was given six months to live by doctors about five months ago and her decline was quick and sudden even though we expected it sooner than later. So saddened to see such an ailment take so much out of someone in just a few days. I’m very fortunate that she did survive to see her great-grandchild via photographs, video and video chat after she was born just two months ago. She didn’t think she would live long enough to be able to see her but as thankful as she was able, I do wish they could have met in person. A couple of months ago, I asked my grandma what she wanted me to tell her great-grandchild when she got older and she said that she wished she could have been around to see her grow up. I’m heart broken. If it wasn’t for the stage 4 lung and throat cancer, my grandma would likely have lived long enough to have been able to meet her great-granddaughter... her only great-grandchild that made her so happy when we told her the news we were having a child. I’m very heartbroken. Only if she hadn’t smoked for six decades or so, cigarettes and electronic cigarettes, she may have lived longer than she did.

Judge a Book by its Cover...

The old phrase as the title of this blog states, “Judge a book by it’s cover”, has been around for a long time. According to Google, since 1946, I would have figured longer... but anyways, often times people do. Whether an actual book or even a movie poster, people need to feel a connection to what they see in order to be interested in the said item. How many of us spent a lot of time wandering around Blockbuster, checking out the VCRs or DVDs on the walls where the primary reason anyone would pick up a movie is what they saw on the cover. Imagine if they had turned around each of the movies where their customers would only see the back blurb? It would be even harder to find a movie. This same goes for books often times but then again, bookstores often show the binding of the books only so that’s when a title makes the book stand out. The same goes for people... so many people say that looks don’t matter (aka judging a book by its cover) and that it’s what’s in the inside that counts but truly, that’s just a small percentage of how interest begins. So whoever says don’t judge a book by its cover, think of how you use this saying on other aspects of life besides books.

With all of that jargon being said, one thing I’ve learned through the years after being first published is a cover does matter. I’m in a lot of Facebook groups as well as other social media groups and see a lot of bad covers. I hate to bash the book based on the cover but a lot of readers won’t even read the blurb if the cover looks “cheap” or unprofessional. I’ve worked with publishers where sometimes they had great ideas (such as Soul Hunters) while others did not. Since I’m not writing any more books at the moment, I’ve focused on re-doing my covers to make them look professional. I’ve studied numerous cover artwork amongst the top selling books and I’m not that good nor have the know how to do that or even the software, I also looked at many so-called cover designers on Fiverr. I’m sure some of them are great, but expensive and something I can’t afford at this moment, but some people’s examples were not good. So, as a writer, be careful if you hire anyone as well as to artwork and studying other covers to make yours stand out. I’ve worked on a few of mine and continue to re-do a couple of others so please check them out! Any feedback please let me know!

Follow the Link below!

https://www.amazon.com/Murders-Prophecy-Benjamin-Mollenhour/dp/0982643659/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3M9NWDP60CAWP&keywords=benjamin+mollenhour&qid=1651914087&sprefix=benjamin+mollenhou%2Caps%2C140&sr=8-1

Haunted Sea and Ship Movies

Well, I haven’t made a new blog in such a long time. One of the main reasons was busy – yes, like most people. Another was January of 2021, I lost one of my biggest supporters, on my birthday of all days, who also supported my writing which really took away the motivation. But as of now, my wife and I have a six week old daughter who has been keeping us busy. One thing about being a father is I’m no longer able to watch movies as I used to, which I loved to do. When I am able to on the rare occasion, it’s a struggle trying to find a movie to watch. Years, decades ago there were so few options. Either one of twelve television channels, or renting a VCR at the local rental store, but today there are almost too many options. How much time did we used to waste clicking through channels on the television but now, clicking through the numerous apps that flood our streaming devices only to start a movie and minutes later, realize the bad acting and whatnot so it’s back to square one. I love horror movies and so many are just so bad but others look good. One type of horror movie I enjoy are stories of the haunted sea or ships. I do enjoy haunted house, asylum, etc., movies but for some reason, there is something about haunted boats, the Bermuda Triangle, and so forth that interest me. I think because I get seasick easily and do not really go on boats or on the sea. I’ve been to numerous “haunted” houses and locations but never been on a “haunted” ship which could, I guess, make me intrigued to watch movies based on that since my imagination is new to the idea. One of my favorite movies in this genre is “Triangle”, but does anyone have any other film recommendations to watch?

Talking about movies sets me up for my next blog... screenplays.

What is the Lure of the Traveling Man?

One of my latest novels, well actually, a novella since it is not an actual full-length novel, is my first attempt into a western story that doesn’t have to do with history or actual Wild West events. In this fictional story, the plot revolves around the desert travels of a lost man named Bronson.

“Come one, come all, the good Lord has sent me here to rescue you.” A man leaves his home quickly over an unfortunate incident but where he goes, he never fully understands. Where he ended up, though, he finally realized. The stories of two men seemingly lost in time is similar, but traveling in different meanings to what they thought was life ends up in similar consequences. Bronson leaves home abruptly and needs to get away. He hikes down a path to escape when a storm comes up suddenly. Maybe not suddenly, but by the time he tries to escape the terror, it was too late. He becomes lost. He ends up in a mine and attempts to get out. The terror of being in a mine and ending up in what turns out to be a ghost town once terrorized by a man named Davis. Pleading for help in the seemingly abandoned town, he comes across a mysterious character. When the terror increases around him as he is introduced to the man, the man’s identity is later revealed when their ultimate doom ensues. Possibly the two men can coexist amongst the darkness or maybe they’re deemed to be enemies to one another in the fight to survive where greed conquers one man and the other, his loving family.

The reason I wrote this book is I love traveling to ghost towns and learning the history of the old west. Being able to write about a fictional ghost town was fun and brought my imagination racing. Placing myself as the character of Bronson, I could see myself walking down this well-preserved ghost town. Even though a true ghost town today has little remnants or ruins, if any, but being fictional I was able to describe a full town. I wish there were ghost towns as you see on the television or even one that I wrote about in this work but, unfortunately, over time much of these abandoned towns have fallen down either due to weather, vandalism, or the lack of care. There is a catch, though, as to why the town in my novella is how it seems since, well, it has to do with a twist in the ending of the book. I don’t want to give more information away to the actual plot than the synopsis in the previous paragraph. Please check it out if you haven’t done so already! Available now on Amazon and Barnes and Noble!

https://www.amazon.com/Lure-Traveling-Man-Benjamin-Mollenhour/dp/0982643640/ref=sr_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=mollenhour&qid=1608861605&sr=8-6