Best Supporting Actress-2014

 

I’m late today, I’ve been tired…yup, that’s it…lol. After working and coming home, I am just done in and, you would think I would compose this on the weekend, but tht would mean I am organized and ahead of the game….hahahaaa. So the movies of 2014 brought about some great performances in the Best Supporting Actress area and one ultra dull, boring, irritating one. Guess which one won?  So let’s get on with it.

1. PATRICIA ARQUETTE IN BOYHOOD

This film should have been called boredom. The director actually filmed this over the years to showcase this kid growing up in a family where the parents separate. The parents are played by Patricia and Ethan Hawke who do not get along and go their own way. The mom must rise her daughter and son on her own. We see the boy grow up and, when he’s a teenager, he becomes an asshole. Mom rewards him and he is unappreciative so, like kids we see today. Yeah…that’s all I remember of this dreck of a movie that received many accolades. Yeah, Patricia won the award and I just shook my head.

2. ADRIANA BARRAZA IN CAKE

This film is know for Jennifer Aniston’s performance in this film  about a former lawyer who survived a car crash that killed her son. She is a miserable, angry bitch of a woman who is in constant pain, due to the accident, who drove away all the people close to her except for her faithful caregiver, played by Adriana. We remember Jennifer partly because she is known for her comedic roles, notably Rachel in the TV show “Friends”, but also for her powerful performance as an addicted woman wallowing in self pity and chronic pain. What I got from this film is the role of her faithful companion, housekeeper, chauffeur played by this little known actress. She seems to be the only one who knows this woman and helps her throughout. Her acting stayed with me and, I believe,  deserved the Oscar.

3. LAURA DERN IN WILD

This is a film that stars Reese Witherspoon who decides to hike the epic trail- The Pacific Coast Trail, that stars nears the Mexican border and ends near the Canadian border. It’s a true story about this woman who is trying to find herself and Laura Dern plays her mom, in flashbacks, who died sending Reese’s character into a tailspin. She is the rock that Reese’s character relies on sending Reese on her path, literally, to redemption. This was a surprise nomination and one Laura deserves.

Have you see any of these films? Do you agree or disagree? Just so you know the other nominees in Best Supporting Actress are Meryl Streep in “Into The Woods” ( really? Meryl could play a rock and she would get nominated), Keira Knightly in “The Imitation Game”, and Emma Stone in” Birdman”.

My Brother’s Picks

 

My brother knows his music. I know show tunes, classical, ABBA, fun stuff from the 80s but my brother knows music especially the Blues, Classic Rock, Prog, Jazz etc… and he can tell you a thing or 2 about the origins of the music and that good old Rock music, etc… is still strong despite what we hear on the regular radio and TV. I asked my brother to let me know 3 songs he is liking right now and he chose the 3 below. I am joining in on  Monday Music Moves Me, even though it is Wednesday. I’ll ask my brother to comment and give more info on  his choices…

1. ANYHOW BY THE TEDESCHI TRUCKS BAND-2016

My brother told me he saw Susan Tedeschi, a few years back, at Artpark and just fell in love with her voice and playing. I know I heard of her through one of you lovely people…it could have been John Holton, a great blogger who loves music in all forms. She sings it with so much depth that she reminds me of the classic gals from yesterday like Janis Joplin. She met Derek Trucks and they formed this band and travel all over showcasing their great musical abilities. 

2. FLY AT NIGHT SUNG BY BILL HENDERSON-2019

Bill Henderson is from the band Chilliwack who wrote this song back in the late ‘70s which became a big hit. Bill Henderson was on the Taylor James Show singing his classic.

3. BIRTHDAY CAKE BY MY SON, THE HURRICANE-2018

This is different and is from the Niagara Region. I love the full band sound but I might have to get used to the lead man’s voice because it’s Rap, not my favourite but my brother is more progressive than I am in this style of music. I do love the music and they are original which is excellent.

For people out there, what are you listening to at the moment?  If you have brothers or sisters, what are they listening to? 

Romance with Film

 

As you all know, I love film from the early silents to today’s celluloid. I was thinking about what to write about and was looking up what happened today, in history and found many bits about film including that today, United Artists was formed by D. W. Griffith ( director), Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks Snr, and Charlie Chaplin. I decided to choose 3 films created by 3 famous directors who loved( and loves) film. So here we go..

1. THE HOUSE OF THE DEVIL-1896 DIRECTED BY GEORGES MELIES

When I first saw one of Melies’ films, I was mesmerized by how fetching these early films are. Where the Lumiere Brothers dealt with realistic and mundane pieces like A Train coming into the Station, Melies loved the fantasy, the magical and told a story using magic of film. In this short film, you see the devil in a haunted house who wants to capture a man’s soul but is thwarted by the man sporting a crucifix. I just love anything by this man and will watch whatever I can see of this great man’s work.

2. NICKELODEON-1976 DIRECTED BY PETER BOGDONOVICH

Bogdonovich was lucky enough to meet many of the early silents film stars and directors as well as many of the greats from the 30s, 40s and 50s. He could be and was an asshole to many when making his films where many actors never wanted to work with him again, but you can see how much he loved film especially the early days of cinema. This is a comedy and it is quite funny as 2 men who leave the film industry in New Jersey and head West to escape Edison’s bullies who tried to squash any studio who did not agree with the Edison Patent Company. Along the way he, Ryan O’Neal, picks up a variety of people including his lead tor played by Burt Reynolds. Much of what you see in this film, actually, happened  and was recounted to him by the early director, Allen Dwan. A very funny movie and I love it.

3. HUGO-2011 DIRECTED BY MARTIN SCORSESE

I love this film that takes on a fantasy feel and was made in 3D starring Ben Kingsley as George Melies, a now down and out early film pioneer, magician and toy maker, who has a magazine/newspaper stand. A boy lives way up in the attic of the train station who owns an automaton, a toy that can move and write things down, but doesn’t work because he doesn’t have the key. He is sought by the main guard of the station, played so well by Sasha Baron Cohen, who wants to send him to an orphanage. The kid meets up with Melies who hires him to help around his shop. The kid meets Melies’ Goddaughter who is wearing a necklace with the key dangling from it. Soon enough, the boy and the girl find out that the old man was. Film pioneer and try to get him the recognition he so richly deserves. You can see how much Scorsese loves film when you watch this movie. I find it magical like. Fairy tale and one you wish  you could be part of. Aside from the boy and his Automaton, the events of Melies in the late 20s is true which makes it all the more heartwarming.

Which films makes you feel the romance of cinema? 

Short, Short

 

This week is theme week over at Monday Music Moves Me, and it is to find songs with “Short” in the title. The very first song I thought of is the Randy Newman song, “ Short People” which many used this week. My mom liked that song and said short people have issues and always feel they have to prove something and can be difficult. I looked at her and reminded her that she was only 5’2” tall, if that and she said “Yes” and continued on bringing up Napoleon as an example. I know I should have songs with “Short” in the title, but most have been used ( you should check it out, some great songs showcased), but I went with short singers with big voices…

1. EARTHA KITT SINGS SMOKE GETS IN YOUR EYES-1953

This is one of my all time favourite songs and has been sung by many people throughout the years. It was written by Jerome Kern with lyrics by Otto Harbach for the Broadway show, “Roberta” and was made into an Astaire/ Rogers movie of the same name. I thought Eartha, at only 5’2” tall, did a great version of this song.

2. JUDY GARLAND SINGS THE MAN THAT GOT AWAY-1954

We all know that Judy has a powerhouse of a voice, plus was a great dancer and actress but she was only 4’ 11 1/2” tall. I thought she was 5’ 4” but, nope. This is one of her iconic songs that she made her own in this film where she should have won the Oscar. This song was written by Harold Arlen with lyrics by Ira Gershwin which, also, should have won the Oscar ( over the dreaded, “Three Coins In The Fountain”).

3. EDITH PIAF SING LA VIE EN ROSE-1947

 This 4’ 10” tall singer with a voice that could bring people to tears and who lived a life that was anything but boring wrote the lyrics to this song, written by Louiguy with Robert Chauvigny completing the music. This be me her signature song and she became known as the Little Sparrow. 

Any songs you can think of with Short in the title or any singers who are short in stature but carry a big voice? I need to get rid of that Shorty Song sung by Fred Astaire that keeps running in my head.

February Star OF The Month-Charles Durning

 

CHARLES DURNING

BIRTH: February 28, 1923

DEATH: December 24, 2012

AGED: 89 years

DIED FROM: Natural Causes

NICKNAME: Charlie

MARRIED: Twice

CHILDREN: 3 children

FAMOUS FRIENDS: Burt Reynolds

OSCAR WINS: none

OSCAR NOMINATIONS: Twice- The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas-1983 and To Be Or Not To Be-1984

TALENT: Ballroom dancing. His adeptness in acting

KNOWN FOR: his bravery and valour in WW2. His Privacy, his genial and helpful nature towards everyone.

This man was one prolific actor who appeared in many films, TV series and Broadway winning a Tony, Golden Glove and nominated for an Emmy 9 times, no small feat for an actor kicked out of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts for having no talent. Thankfully, he forged ahead, not listening to the so-called experts, and became one of the most respected and well-liked actors and men of his craft. He could play drama and comedy with equal aplomb making laugh every time he was on “Everybody Loves Raymond” as the priest who must deal with the Ramone family.

This actor came from a family of 10 children but, sadly, 5 of his sisters died from Scarlett Fever or Small Pox 3 in the span of 2 weeks. Honestly, I don’t know how his mom dealt with such loss, nor his dad. His dad died when he was 13 leaving his mom to run the family. Durning was always a fighter but with twinkle toes because he taught ballroom dancing at the Fred Astaire Dance Studio in New York City! Yes, he was a professional ballroom dancer who caught the acting bug and got his break in Burlesque. From there, he worked he was to Broadway, onto TV and films. To say he was busy would be an understatement and he loved it. After his first marriage failed, he met up with his high-school sweetheart, marrying her and enjoying this second act. Sadly, they did separate in 2010 but remained married until he died.

War Hero!!! He never gave up and his bravery and luck got him through some of the most hellish experiences during World War 2. He was in the D Day invasion and was the only one from his unit to survive the landing on Omaha Beach. He was shot in the hip and leg( several times) where he convalesced for 6 months learning how to walk again. He pleaded, several times, to be released so he could join his unit in Belgium, but was told “No!” He left anyway and joined his unit in Belgium and fought in the Battle of the Bulge where he had hand to hand combat with a German soldier who stabbed him 8 times with his bayonet. Durning still found the strength to find a rock and kill the soldier with the rock.  Shortly after this, he was captured by German Waffen SS. 90 U. S. Soldiers were marched by the German SS to Malmedy where they were grouped in a field only to be machine gunned down! The Malmedy Massacre is an infamous moment with only 3 survivors, Charles Durning was one of them. Durning mentioned he fell on to the bodies of his comrades faking death. I could not find more information how he survived the rest but, he did recuperating from all his wounds in a hospital until 1946. He took Ballroom dancing to strengthen his his and leg from the injuries he sustained. He did suffer from PTSD for years and  rarely spoke about his experiences. Later in life, he worked on behalf of the Legion promoting the valour of the soldiers in all wars. 

He received the Silver Star, The Bronze Star, 3 Purple Hearts, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle-Eastern Campaign Medal with Arrowhead Device, 2 Bronze Service Stars and World War 2 Victory Medal. He also received the Combat Infantry Badge, Expert Bade with Rifle Bar, Honourable Service Lapel Pin and, from the French, The Legion of Honour but, in 2008.

FILMS

1. Tootsie-1982

2. The Muppet Movie-1979

3. The Sting-1973

4. Queen of the Starduxt Ballroom-1975

5. North Dallas Forty-1979

6. True Confessions-1981

7. Dog Day Afternoon-1975

8. Tough Guys-1986

9. The Hindenburg-1975

10. Sharky’s Machine-1981

11. O Brother, Where Art Thou-2000

12. Dick Tracy-1990

Many TV Shows as a guest star including one from NCIS as a war veteran which I must see now.

1. Evening Shade with Burt Reynolds-1990-1994

2. Family Guy-199-Present

3. Everybody Loves Raymond-1998-2002

4. Rescue Me-2004-2011

Nuremberg

 

It was World Holocaust Day this past Tuesday which coincides with the liberation of Auschwitz Concentration Camp by the Red Army( The Soviets). No words can express the horrors that had occurred to the millions of Jewish people as well as the the Romani (Gypsys), homosexuals, the mentally and visually handicapped and, like my Grandfather, Germans who opposed the vile regime. Despite morons who claim this never happened, it did and we should never, ever forget and we should visit one memorial, camp or museum that showcases these horrors. I am going to discuss 3 films that are all about the Nuremberg Trials that took place between 1946 to 1949.

1. JUDGEMENT AT NUREMBERG-1961

This, to me, is THE film about the Nuremberg trials that stars a ton of famous stars from Spencer Tracy as a presiding judge, Marlene Dietrich as a General’s widow, Maximillian Schell as the defense attorney, Richard Widmark as the prosecuting attorney, Montgomery Clift and Judy Garland as witnesses, Burt Lancaster as a defendant and other actors including William Shatner as an assistant to the judge. We follow the judge who must oversee this latest trial( there were 12) and wants to understand how the German people could follow such ruthless and disgusting thugs that ended up ruling and ruining a country. Burt rarely talks in this film, except near the end and you remember him. Judy Garland is in this film for a few minutes but she gives a stellar performance and one that lasts with you. It is one of the first films to show actual footage of the holocaust victims. This is a film to be studied and applauded.

2. NUREMBERG-2000

This is a docudrama, in a 2 part TV movie, produced mainly by Canadian TV, that stars Alec Baldwin as the main prosecutor with Brian Cox as Herman Goering along with Christopher Plummer and Max Von Sydow as a judge and lawyer. It is a film I watched back in 2000 but would love to revisit because it sticks to the real facts of the case. It’s a shame that so many people find history boring because by reading and watching  films like this may prevent something like this to happen again…and it can happen again. Alec Baldwin is excellent as the prosecuting attorney and Brian Cox is brilliant as the evil F@#” Goering.

3. NUREMBERG-2025

My hubby and I just watched this film this past weekend and I just don’t understand why it is not up for ny Academy Awards. Russell Crowe, who is really that fat, plays Goering bringing nuances to this person that is hard to do because he brought some, should I even say it, humanity to someone who is a psychotic, narcissist murderer. Just when you feel, like the psychiatrist portrayed by Rami Malek, that Goering has human qualities, you see his evil and how well he could manipulate anyone he comes across. I had no idea that a psychiatrist played an integral part in this famous trial and how this psychiatrist found that these psychos are/were normal joes who turned into monsters and that it can happen to anyone. I believe this film, with its not too subtle message considering the Thugs in the Oval Office right now, has been purposefully rebuffed from any awards show by the executroids because they have been bought/ cajoled by the regime in the U. S. Right now. Sadly, I can see it here, in Canada, my country which I will always defend. I love this movie and Richard E. Grant is superb as the British lawyer who saves the day. 

Have you seen any of these films? What do you think?

Which Song Won The Oscar- 1979

 

1979 is an interesting year for movies. You have the Muppets, politics and Sally Field ditching her flying nun and Smokey characters  portraying a tough gal asking for a union. The music is pretty damn good so I chose 1979 for your guesses on which song won the Oscar, which was nominated  and which got nadda plus I'm joining Monday Music Moves Me.

1. IT GOES LIKE IT GOES SUNG BY JENNIFER WARNES

This is from the film, "Norma Rae" which stars Sally Field as a woman who works in a plant and realizes the workers are getting the shaft. This song wasvwritten by David Shire with lyrics by Norman Gimbel. 

2. THE ROSE SUNG BY BETTE MIDLER

This is a famous song written by Amanda McBroom, sung with amazing depth by the great Bette Midler for the film, The Rose."

3. THE RAINBOW CONNECTION SUNG BY KERMIT THE FROG

This great song was written by Paul Williams and David Ascher for the film  "The Muppet Movie." The voice is by Jim Hensen as Kermit the Frog and is another famous song we all love. 

So which song won the Oscar, which was nominated and which one came up with nuttin' honey?