Not many times will someone have such a giant, gargantuan, immense influence on something and still not get the credit that he deserves. Such is the case of Harold Ramis who in the last 35 or so years has been consistently a huge factor in the best comedy made period. I could spout my admiration for him on and on, and how I would dream to have a marginal portion of his creative output, but I think just listing what he has done may offer the proof in the pudding. I can't believe I just used a pudding thing, oh well.
I guess I will start with his writing credits since that is where any project would start. First of his training in improv/acting/sketch with Chicago's Second City. Huge. Worked with Murray,Belushi, Ackroyd,etc etc. Went onto be head writer for SCTV which is often overlooked. After that he broke in to movies and wrote ANIMAL HOUSE,MEATBALLS,CADDYSHACK,STRIPES,BACK 2 SCHOOL,GHOSTBUSTERS,GROUNDHOG DAY,and ANALYZE THIS.
He also has directed CADDYSHACK,ANALYZE THIS,BEDAZZLED,ICE HARVEST,GROUNDHOG DAY,NATIONAL LAMPOONS VACATION,and the upcoming YEAR ONE.
As I mentioned with Second City and SCTV he also has acted quite a bit since then. The most obvious is GHOSTBUSTERS, but his influence on comedians/directors have led him to parts in WALK HARD,KNOCKED UP,ORANGE COUNTY,HIGH FIDELITY,AS GOOD AS IT GETS,and also a major role in STRIPES.
Much is made of the Apatow movies that have been coming out over the last few years and how much of a impact they have had on comedy. In many ways they follow the same paths, creatively leading the way, working with many of the same actors, and producing many works that branch out from those people he works with. Apatow movies I think will soon wain a bit because they are almost too much of the same. He makes a good story with comedy, but often the 'heart' that he puts into them also take away from the comedy. Ramis has bounced around in styles, genres creating a standard that will be hard for anyone to reach. Creating the 80's comedy genre Slobs vs. Snobs, making possibly the best romantic comedy in GROUNDHOG DAY, family comedy in VACATION(which was the only one he dir. and was by far the best of the bunch), and even darker fare like THE ICE HARVEST. Thus a shout out goes out for Mr. Harold Ramis.
No comments:
Post a Comment