by Sandy | Jun 11, 2015 | Arts, Entertainment and Music, Blogroll, dvd, Film, Movies
I loved the documentary, “20 Feet From Stardom” a music and reminiscence filled ode to the back-up singer released last year on DVD. Some added their voices to those early Phil Spector songs (“Da Do Run, Run“) and Rock & Roll tunes featuring great vocals by Darlene Love and Patti Austen. They also did back ground for Elvis and rockers like the Rolling Stones. Anonymous trios and quartets still sing a few feet behind the main acts of today like Bruce Springsteen, Bette Midler, Stevie Wonder.
You may not know the singers by name or by sight, but you will know them by ear. A talented bunch, back in the day they sang everything, from “do wop, du wahs”, to the now classic line, “rape, murder, it’s just a shot away” (Merry Clayton on “Gimme Shelter” – called to the session late at night, she did 3 takes while dressed in night gown, fur coat & curlers).
2014 Oscar Winner for Best Documentary, “20 Feet From Stardom”, directed by Morgan Neville, never showed up at my local movie theater, thank goodness for the DVD, I would have missed a thoroughly entertaining chance to fit the names and faces to the background voices on some of my favorite songs. Included in the documentary are old concert footage, interviews with singers (those that tried to move 20 feet forward and those that enjoyed singing backup) and stars that hired the voices with great stories about the music biz – a lot of fun, a lot of memories. Watched it twice 🙂
“20 Feet From Stardom”
Darlene Love, Merry Clayton, Lisa Fischer, Judith Hill, Patti Austen, Claudia Lennear, Táta Vega, the Waters, the Ikettes and many more.
FYI: “Da Do Run, Run” The Crystals, 1963 – I still know all the words 🙂
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by Sandy | May 31, 2015 | Arts, Entertainment and Music, Blogroll, Directors, Film, Movies
“Alfred Hitchcock Premiere Collection“
This is a DVD collection of 7 early films, 1927 -1947, from the master of suspense. The movies may have different plots and locations – spies in South America, the trials of a new wife, London court room intrigue, people lost at sea – but, they all have that element of surprise/edge of seat tension that director Alfred Hitchcock does so well.
The Lodger, 1927 – (Rare silent film)
Young and Innocent, 1937 – (Spies/intrigue)
Rebecca, 1940 – (The housekeeper, Mrs. Danvers, gave live-in help a bad name)
Lifeboat, 1944 – (Chance to see Tallulah Bankhead at her best)
Spellbound, 1945 – (Ingrid Bergman & Gregory Peck – lovely!)
Notorious, 1946 – (Ingrid Bergman & Cary Grant – also lovely!)
The Paradine Case, 1947 – (Gregory Peck, Charles Laughton-courtroom maneuvering)
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by Sandy | May 27, 2015 | Arts, Entertainment and Music, Directors, Film, Movies
Famed director Ingmar Bergman’s “The Seventh Seal”,(1957) with Max von Sydow and the rest of his stable of actors (Gunnar Björnstrand, Bengt Ekerot, Nils Poppe, and Bibi Andersson) gained a cult following when first seen in the U.S. I was introduced to this black and white film about a chalk faced man in a black cloak in the late 60’s. I still think it’s terrific.
In short, the story is about a 14th century Swedish knight that returns from the crusades after 10 years. He is followed home by the cloaked figure thru the devastation of a war torn and plague infested countryside, he plays a game of chess with “death” to save his life. Lots of stark landscapes, lots of symbolism and abstraction – “The Seventh Seal” isn’t shown much now, so I am grateful for the DVD.
Hugely prolific, below are only some of Ingmar Bergman’s films that are available on discs:
1950s: Smiles of a Summer Night, Wild Strawberries
1960s: The Virgin Spring, Through a Glass Darkly, Persona
1970s: Cries and Whispers, Scenes from a Marriage , Autumn Sonata
1980s: Fanny and Alexander
Ingmar Bergman, 1918 – 2007
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by Bob Martin | Feb 21, 2015 | Actors, Art, Movies, music
Whiplash was not a movie that was on my radar. Never saw an ad, a promo or trailer for it before seeing it. And there is a lot to be said for seeing or experiencing a movie without any preconceived notion. It was a splendid accident.
What Makes Whiplash a Gem!
Here is my spoiler alert, which is a list of what I believe every good movie should look to accomplish.
- Excellent Script – no wasted lines
- Actors who look and feel the role- believable and alive
- Story line – you can relate to it.
- Beautiful Cinematography – supports the narrative in an imaginative and beautiful way. Gorgeous.
- Meaningful Music – it is there for the right reasons, it engages the viewer.
- Direction – clean, precise, efficient and purposeful.
A nod to J.K Simmons, a solid professional, who deservedly has a bright spotlight beaming down on him.
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by Sandy | Feb 15, 2015 | Arts, Entertainment and Music, Blogroll, Film, Movies
Shrove Tuesday, (February 17, 2015) and all pre Lenten celebrations, such as Mardi Gras / Carnival, immediately brings to mind the terrific 1959 film “Black Orpheus”. 
Made in Brazil by French director Marcel Camus, it is the classic Greek romantic tragedy of Orpheus (Breno Mello) and Eurydice (Marpessa Dawn) set against the back drop of a high energy samba troupe.
The costumes, the music of Rio de Janeiro, the dancing, and all those pretty people being chased by a man in a skeleton mask – fabulous.
Even if you haven’t seen “Black Orpheus”, you are probably familiar with its great music by Antonio Carlos Jobim, including “Manhã de Carnaval” (written by Luiz Bonfá).
It’s on DVD, watch, do some samba steps, you’ll have fun.
Per WikiPedia: “Black Orpheus” won the Palme d’Or prize at the 1959 Cannes Film Festival as well as the 1960 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film and the 1960 Golden Globe for Best Foreign Film.”
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by Sandy | May 26, 2014 | Arts, Entertainment and Music, Blogroll, Directors, dvd, Film, Movies
2014 is the 25th year anniversary of Spike Lee’s terrific film, “Do The Right Thing”, 1989. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will celebrate the event with the writer-director and members of the cast at two special screenings in LA on June 27, at the Bing Theater, and in Brooklyn on June 29 at BAM.
Director Lee has made so many films since 1989, but, “Do” is his most celebrated film so far – it’s included on the American Film Institute list of the 100 best movies of all time. Shot in Brooklyn, NY in 9 weeks, the movie tells the story of a hot day in Bed’Stuy, when pent up anger and over boiling resentment combusts into violence in a matter of minutes.
The stellar cast includes Spike Lee, Danny Aiello, Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, Giancarlo Esposito, Bill Nunn, John Turturro, Rosie Perez, Martin Lawrence (film debuts for both Rosie and Martin).
“Do the Right Thing” – 25 years (amazing how time flies )
