You do not need me to remind you that life is short. Nor do you need the simplistic prompt that, while we have a responsibility to make as much constructive impact as we can with those few years, we also owe it to ourselves to indulge in personal interests that spark our imagination and passion.

In other words, have fun.

This is a defensive tone, because while some people devote their time and energy to history, philosophy, sports, science, politics or any number of distractions, my focus has always been pop culture, which is scorned as the least resonant pursuit.

But the range of art and creativity I experienced last weekend reminded me of why I so excitedly follow music, film and books.

May 29, two of my college-era friends and I traveled to Detroit’s Fox Theatre to see Harry Shearer, Michael McKean and Christopher Guest on their “Unwigged and Unplugged” tour, playing songs from their Spinal Tap and Folksmen projects. The amount of pop culture impact the three men represent — from “Laverne & Shirley” on the lighter end to more substantial collaborations such as “The Simpsons,” “Saturday Night Live” “Waiting for Guffman,” “Best in Show” and “A Mighty Wind” — is as deep as their collective claim on hyphenations: actors-directors-producers-writers-singers-songwriters-musicians-composers doesn’t cover half of it.

To see such collective genius having such pure fun on stage was a treat. The men function as a band, not just three soloists, and as Spinal Tap nears the middle of its third decade, there seems to be a lot of life left in the humor and music. There was of course between-song banter, and part of the fun was watching the three friends crack each other up as they improvised some of their interaction. A bit in which they read notes from an NBC censor trying to edit “This is Spinal Tap” for broadcast TV garnered strong reaction.

Seeing the “Unwigged” tour is as close as most people are going to get to seeing these three minds at work, and it’s a summer concert experience more “serious” artists will not be able to top.

May 30, we packed the family off to the Sundance Kid Drive-In in Oregon, to see the new Disney-Pixar film, “Up.” I have enthused before about the convenience of seeing two first-run movies for one price at the drive-in, and with two kids under 3, it’s the only way we can see anything that doesn’t come in a Netflix envelope.

“Up” is a textured, beautiful film that manages to explore new depths of storytelling in film — not just computer animation, but film as an art that reflects and expresses the human experience. The tools Pixar writers, animators and directors use may be digital, but their sensibilities and sense of universal consciousness are as old as the oldest folklore.

For most of the 90-minute movie, our not-quite-3-year-old son Evan sat in his mother’s lap, watching silently. He had never seen a full movie on a big screen before, and we expected him to fall asleep, but he hung in there. He took it all in as the story unfolded, not reacting to the humor or chases, but simply watching.

Then, as the bad guy’s fate took place, Evan sat up with righteous, shaking triumph and yelled, “Take that, bad guy! You go away and the good guys will be happy!”

My wife and I looked at each other, marveling that Evan followed enough of the story to be invested in its outcome. I will never forget that moment, and it reinforces for me the power of movies.

“Up” is an artistic triumph that will rank among the genre’s best efforts. On May 31, we dove into the other end of the spectrum, popping in the DVD of the new video, “Mega Shark Versus Giant Octopus.”

“Mega Shark Versus Giant Octopus” stars, in addition to a mega shark and a giant octopus, Deborah Gibson, who plays a marine biologist, and Lorenzo Lamas, who plays a racist federal agent who seems to have command over every conceivable wing of the armed forces.

I was mesmerized by the trailer for “Mega Shark Versus Giant Octopus,” which shows the giant octopus swatting a jet out of the sky and the mega shark leaping out of the ocean to bite a passenger jet, then biting through the span of the Golden Gate Bridge. It won’t shock you to be told the absolute coolest moments of the film are in that trailer, but there is plenty of B-movie silliness to gawk at.

There are no true moments of what Stephen King describes as horror frisson, but I can see an inebriated room of college students laughing with the film until their sternums hurt, pausing only to ooh and ahh at the five minutes of mega shark and giant octopus footage.

From the brilliance of Spinal Tap to the joyride of “Up” to the winking awfulness of “Mega Shark Versus Giant Octopus,” I was reminded this weekend why pop culture is my pastime of choice. My fun may not be your fun, but life is short, so indulge in what you love, when you can.

Michael S. Miller is editor in chief of Toledo Free Press. Contact him at mmiller@toledofreepress.com.

Postscript: The entire weekend was scored by hidden-from-the-kids spins of Eminem’s new CD, “Relapse,” a dark journey through addictions and consequences that can’t properly be explored or discussed in these family-friendly pages; suffice to say that there are major taboos being broken here, and any serious fan of pop music and artistic expression should take the time to hear this disc. It is as funny as Spinal Tap, as inspiring as “Up” and as relentless as the title stars of “Mega Shark Versus Giant Octopus.”

Gibson up for ‘Mega’ sequel

Deborah Gibson’s three decades as an artist have left an impact obscured by her early success as a teen pop singer. After racking up a string of late-80s hits (including the No. 1 songs “Foolish Beat” and “Lost in Your Eyes,” both of which she wrote), Gibson turned to Broadway, where she has played starring roles in “Grease,” “Funny Girl,” “Beauty and the Beast” and “Cabaret.”

She sponsors performing arts camps for young artists, “Deborah Gibson’s Electric Youth,” has bared all for Playboy and has appeared in such films as “Ghostbusters,” “Coffee Date” and the recently released “Mega Shark Versus Giant Octopus.”

Deborah Gibson

Gibson spoke to Toledo Free Press June 4 from Los Angeles while driving to a recording studio.

Toledo Free Press: Because you started so young, you have built a legacy across music, film and theater, and you’re not even 40 yet. How do you assess your career so far?

Deborah Gibson: I recently did a one-woman show, and I noticed the demographics of the audience were from 8 to 80. I’ve played “Beauty and the Beast’s” Belle, posed for Playboy and done everything in between, and every female has all those things in them — little girl, sexy woman — and can relate. When you reach people with original music, you become part of their DNA, part of the soundtrack to their life. Add to that the demands of theater, and I am proud of the fact that I am able to remain so versatile; it keeps me from getting bored. To have the impact on pop culture that “Mega Shark” has had amazes me at this point.

TFP: Are you still writing songs?

DG: I am driving to the studio right now to record song No. 5 for a new album of original material. I’m ready for a Tina Turner-style “What’s Love Got To Do With It?” comeback. I feel empowered to be part of a generation that just gets better as we age, to be part of a culture that understands the value of health and youth and owning who you are.

TFP: So we’ll see you on “American Idol” next year?

DG: Maybe! I love to work with young artists, and I have a series of “Electric Youth” projects to help mentor young people.

TFP: What was your reaction when you saw the script for “Mega Shark Versus Giant Octopus?”

DG: The title then was just “Mega,” as they wanted to stay way from the camp, but I’m glad they went the campy route! I was offered the part on New Year’s Eve with two weeks before filming, and I wanted to get my feet wet with this kind of film, pun intended. I don’t over-analyze; I go with what feels right. I thought it would be an under-the-radar project.

TFP: Are you open for a “Mega” sequel? The team in the movie could do an “X-Files” type show..

DG: I’m sure there will be a sequel, and I’d love to do it. It’s too fun to pass up.

TFP: You were 16 when you became a star. Any advice for the Hilary and Haylie Duffs of today?

DG: Haley is actually a friend. I tell them to do what makes them happy; there are too many ups and downs to worry about public perception. I may not be the most exciting person on the red carpet, but at least I am still there, year after year.

This entry was posted on Friday, June 5th, 2009 at 1:00 am and is filed under Lighting The Fuse, Opinion.
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