http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T90Holdcrps
After almost ten years, we have two Hobbit Christmasses coming, courtesy of Peter Jackson.
Can't wait!
MTMG
Saturday, March 10, 2012
What Price Fame?
As I watched this remake of the 1980 classic Fame, it occured to me that, thanks to a decade of American Idol, our culture has been dumbed down as far as the expectations from, and just plain hard work required, for a career in the arts. People, "Gee, you've sung really well at our family party. You should go on American Idol!" just dosen't cut it in the real world. As Debbie Allen, star of the original film and subsequent TV series as Miss Grant, says in the series opening montage, "Fame costs. And right here (the New York City High School of Performing Arts) is where you start paying, in sweat!" The students in the original film deal with such issues as homosexuality, rape and sexual harassment, and the fact that though you may idolize a TV star, there is no guarantee that you will have that TV star's career...even if you work as hard as you can.
In the new film, the students deal with the following:
1) The hot girl from the wrong side of the tracks has a romance with (gasp!) the rich hot guy.
2) When a girl goes to see the one guy who happens to (unbelieveably) make it on his soap set, he (gasp!) makes a pass at her.
3) Teachers who unfortunately studied at the College of American Idol, unable to offer much beyond "Follow your dreams and work really hard" . This is especially tragic in the case of Kelsey Grammer, playing the idealistic teacher. He's the one adult in the cast with the chops to play the hell out of whatever backstory that would be there...except it's not.
I could go on, but you get the idea.
Here's the Fame TV opening and 1980 movie trailer:
MTMG
Congrats Dick!
http://news-briefs.ew.com/2012/03/09/dick-van-dyke-marries-makeup-artist/
This proves that it's never too late to find love. For a man who has broght the world so much joy and love, it is nice to see him get some back at the age of 86.
MTMG
This proves that it's never too late to find love. For a man who has broght the world so much joy and love, it is nice to see him get some back at the age of 86.
MTMG
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
The Monkees - Pleasant Valley Sunday - Live 1996
To remember Monkees lead singer Davy Jones, who died of a heart attack today in Florida at age 66, here is the band singing Pleasant Valley Sunday in a Los Angeles club in 1996. I chose that particular year because I saw them in the spring at Edmonton's Telus Field following a baseball game. Though the band only got to play four songs due to impending rain (including the quickest ever version of I'm A Believer as the rain started spitting), they displayed just as much fun and energy as they do here. Rest in peace Davy, and thank you!
MTMG
MTMG
Sunday, December 4, 2011
At The Movies Gone...For Now
http://blogs.suntimes.com/ebert/2011/11/so_long_for_awhile.html
The much-heralded return of intelligent movie criticism is on hold, for now, as of the end of December. In a post of refreshing candor, executive producer Roger Ebert has laid the cause bare: a lack of funding. It would be interesting to research the differences in funding models and distribution that have arisen since 1975, when the At The Movies concept first debuted on public television with Ebert and the late Gene Siskel. I am also sure that in today's economy, "Viewers Like You" isn't much of an option either. Here's hoping we see more of Christy Lemire and Ignatiy Vishnevetsky soon, as they were starting to get spot-on chemistry.
MTMG
The much-heralded return of intelligent movie criticism is on hold, for now, as of the end of December. In a post of refreshing candor, executive producer Roger Ebert has laid the cause bare: a lack of funding. It would be interesting to research the differences in funding models and distribution that have arisen since 1975, when the At The Movies concept first debuted on public television with Ebert and the late Gene Siskel. I am also sure that in today's economy, "Viewers Like You" isn't much of an option either. Here's hoping we see more of Christy Lemire and Ignatiy Vishnevetsky soon, as they were starting to get spot-on chemistry.
MTMG
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Has it Really Been Ten Years?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UDTbQrOGa0
I will remember forever a bunch of us being in my uncle Pierre's basement on Boxing Day 2000 watching this trailer over and over again on his computer. It was full of promise, and for once, it (and the entire trilogy) delivered. The gift that kept on giving, for three Christmases straight.
As a total aside, I just finished reading Tina Fey's book Bossypants, in which she refers to December 26 in Canada as "Boring Day". Absolutely no hard feelings Tina, since I loved the book in general, and found it a laugh-filled account of your life, career, and process. But I have a feeling that if you spent December 26 with my extended family, you would most definitely not find it boring. All the best to you and yours this holiday season!
MTMG
I will remember forever a bunch of us being in my uncle Pierre's basement on Boxing Day 2000 watching this trailer over and over again on his computer. It was full of promise, and for once, it (and the entire trilogy) delivered. The gift that kept on giving, for three Christmases straight.
As a total aside, I just finished reading Tina Fey's book Bossypants, in which she refers to December 26 in Canada as "Boring Day". Absolutely no hard feelings Tina, since I loved the book in general, and found it a laugh-filled account of your life, career, and process. But I have a feeling that if you spent December 26 with my extended family, you would most definitely not find it boring. All the best to you and yours this holiday season!
MTMG
Sour Grapes, Anyone?
http://www.totalfilm.com/news/flight-of-the-conchords-movie-could-happen?ns_campaign=news&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=totalfilm&ns_linkname=0&ns_fee=0&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+totalfilm%2Fimdbnews+%28Total+Film+IMDb+aggregate%29
Can't believe these UK-based journalists are bitching about getting The Muppets in February. These are the same people who have been enjoying Tintin since October 26, while North America only gets it December 21. Paramount is likely hesitant about its chances here, hence the early rollout.
MTMG
Can't believe these UK-based journalists are bitching about getting The Muppets in February. These are the same people who have been enjoying Tintin since October 26, while North America only gets it December 21. Paramount is likely hesitant about its chances here, hence the early rollout.
MTMG
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