IMAGES: MIRACLE MILE (movie 1988)

There are two main threads in MIRACLE MILE. The first one is the possibility of nukes wiping out everything. The second is the new relationship between Harry (Anthony Edwards), and Julie (Mare Winningham). So this is NOT your typical romance film.

Harry is a musician, and it took him thirty years to find the woman of his dreams. Unfortunately, it happened during nightmarish conditions.

I can identify with Harry in many ways.

Just for the record, this is one of my favorite eighties flicks.

He hears ringing coming from a phone booth, so Harry answers it. A young man calling from a nuclear missile silo tells him the United States has just launched nukes at the Soviet Union, and the soviet nukes will hit the country in a very short time. Soon chaos spreads everywhere, as people try leaving the city.

The affection between Harry and Julie comes across as genuine, and that's one of the many reasons I like this movie.

How does it all end? I'm NOT going to tell you.

RANT: THE ABSURDITY OF ROM-COMS

I know most people are going to roll their eyes after they read my comments, but I don't care. This is how I really feel.

As far as I'm concerned, romantic comedies should be categorized as fantasy films - yes, in the same genre as LORD OF THE RINGS.

In my opinion, most rom-coms are truly insulting, and a slap-in-the-face to reality. Love it or hate it, at least porn doesn't lie about lust being love. Lust is portrayed for what it is, transitory and superficial.

In a real life scenario, many rom-com characters would receive a restraining order, but not in these flicks. It's just one wacky obstacle and misunderstanding after another, and by the end, happiness infects everyone...quick, hand me the barf-bag!

As I write this, I'm going through the worst case of insomnia I've had in years and I also feel depressed. Why? Because I didn't realize that I had developed feelings for a woman. The depression is also about one of my family members passing away.

I have some really bad vision problems, and some days are definitely worse than others. The reason I mention that, is to point out that I became enamored of this woman because of her character. When I finally saw her exterior, I discovered she was just as attractive on the outside.

Imagine a highly intelligent, compassionate, and a far more heartbreakingly adorable version of Kate Hudson. That's how I'd describe her.

These are the facts, I will probably never see or hear from her again. That realization, hurts more than words can describe. If this were a ROM-COM, it would all end in mass happiness, not just for the main characters, but also to innocent bystanders, as they see me perform one somersault after another, up and down a New York City sidewalk. It all ends with laughter, hugs, kisses, and cheers... But this is real life, and it hurts.