I am getting older every day. There is no stopping it and it's happening to everyone. This knowledge doesn't usually bother me...I fully intend to enjoy each year as it comes. Plus, I don't really feel my age and I know a lot of other people who feel quite a bit younger than they are as well.
However, there are things I see happening around me that make me pine for my youth in a bad way. A prime example? Stars that were once crazy-hot and making great movies, who are now not only visibly aging, but also fat and "starring" in really bad movies.
Val Kilmer, what the hell happened to you? You played Jim fucking Morrison so convincingly, it was hard to believe you weren't one in the same. And Iceman? I wanted to be your wingman. Actually, I just wanted to watch you play beach volleyball some more. But now... sigh.
John Travolta? I'm not old enough to have fully appreciated you in 'Saturday Night Fever' and I wouldn't say I ever found you that attractive, but coolness-wise, there is no beating Vincent Vega in 'Pulp Fiction'. (A shout out to all those who still order a 'Royale with cheese' at McDonalds) But now... 'Old Dogs'? Really?
I understand as people grow older and start families, their priorities change and they start focusing on more 'family-friendly' projects. But, you can make family movies that don't suck! Take 'Alvin and the Chipmunks'... I've been staying with a friend of mine and her 10-year old son for the last month, so I've seen this movie about 147 times. Jason Lee, who I grew to love via Kevin Smith movies in the 90's, is the star of this movie and not only is it pretty funny, but he still looks like he did when he was 20! I like that.
I say once your looks start to fail you and you become virtually unrecognizable to your original fan base, maybe you should go buy a house in the country and get a hobby instead of making futile attempts to reclaim your former glory. This goes double for you, Rolling Stones! Seriously, you guys are like, 70. Nobody wants to see you shaking your old-man asses across the stage anymore. It's gross. And you can't hit those notes anymore either, so really, what's the point? Buy some comfy slippers and a reclining chair and commence to yelling at kids to stay off your lawn. Please.
That's a tough one. I understand where you're coming from, but I also know all too well why these folks haven't faded away. When you find the thing you love to do, you don't ever want to stop, even once you're past your prime. I know it's different for those whose professions involve their physical attributes...I think it's really just about whether you age gracefully or not. Some folks become slobby parodies of their former glory, and some are riding a beautiful wave that has no end in sight(Tom Waits is a perfect example). The slow and merciless grind of time is with us always. The question is, are you going to submit, rage, or do the tango together? I know which one I intend to do, and I've got my dancin' shoes on.
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