“I collect spores, molds, and fungus.” – A Tribute to Harold Ramis

So folks I apologise for the lack of activity on this blog – real life, work and I took a little break after writing those epic Bond reviews!

So now that I’m back, it feels a little sad that my next post on this blog is a sad one – the announcement that Harold Ramis had passed away.

If you was like me, a kid born in the 80s, lived through the 90s, there are certain things you could say that defined your childhood…

• Back to the Future
• Indiana Jones
• PROPER Saturday morning cartoons
• Listening to Prince/Michael Jackson music
• Ghostbusters

Watching Ghostbusters as a kid was one of the coolest things I’ve ever experienced.  I’ve seen that film a thousand times and probably could quote every line in that film! My parents couldn’t afford the proton pack toy when I was growing up…so I made one!  Used a cereal box, string for straps and an empty kitchen foil roll for the shooter and pretended my ceiling light was Slimer.  I was addicted to the animated cartoon series.  In 2012 I went to New York and realised a dream come true – I visited the actual firehouse – 8 hook and ladder.  I chatted with the fireman on duty and we talked about the firehouse, the Ghostbusters sign that hanged on the wall which was given to them as a thank you and how fans of the film often visit the place.

So it’s understandably sad that the news Harold Ramis (aka Egon Spengler ) had passed away felt like a piece of my childhood had died as well.  Just like the passing of Philip Seymour Hoffman, the news was a shock and out of the blue.

And when you go through Harold Ramis’s IMDB page you realise just how talented he was.  Not only was he a good actor, he wrote and directed some of my favourite movies – Caddyshack, Stripes and Groundhog Day.  His sharp clever writing an inspiration to our current generation of comic stars and writers.

Despite the news, Ghostbusters 3 might be still on the horizon and while I won’t use this post to go into great detail about my decision, but I had no plans to see the film and now more than ever I won’t see it if it gets made.  Harold, Dan, Bill and Ernie were like the geek musketeers.  Ghostbusters 1 and 2 are one of the reasons why I love the sci-fi genre.  So if they’re not all in it, then the film won’t be the same, especially now Harold has passed away.

I’ll miss his geeky one liners and his scientific explanation of the twinkie!  But most of all I’ll miss his sharp witty humour.  I thank him for making me laugh, making geeks cool and his overall contribution to cinema – that most certainly will live on.

RIP Harold Ramis – sleep well.

A heartfelt tribute to #HaroldRamis from the #Ghostbusters comic book team at #IDW. He will live on in our comics! http://t.co/IDYy3m8EQ3

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Tom Waltz (@TomWaltz) February 26, 2014