Some times when you’re catching up on your list of films to view you discover the most unexpected things.
In the case of Cake the surprise is that Jennifer Aniston can truly act. As with Adam Sandler I find Aniston far more interesting in a drama than in simple minded comedy. Actually she’s more than interesting, she’s downright captivatingly great as a woman suffering physically, emotionally and mentally. If you’re in the mood to get a respite from the reality show otherwise known as election year politics and drama laced with biting comic overtones is a penchant then grab Cake wherever your film meals are served.
Oh, and Adriana Barraza is equally wonderful as Silvana, the only person capable of dealing with Aniston’s antics for the long haul.
After a little kibitzing with The Bear about who wants to do what and when, I’ve selected The Journey as the Music Theme for next Thursday, October 16, 2014. Yeah, we’re slip-sliding the order of things from one line-up to another simply because we can. So without further explanation or ado:
We experience many kinds of journeys in our lifetimes. Some are outward ones that anyone paying attention can observe and others are inward and invisible to others.
For some inspiration I’ve turned to the film Sin Nombre for a music selection because there are both outward and inward journeys undertaken by its characters.
The last time I posted about a television show was in regard to the American remake of the Swedish crime drama The Bridge. Today it’s to do a little promotional hype for Major Crimes starring the incredible Mary McDonnell. Season 3 of Major Crimes starts Monday, June 9 on TNT and I am so looking forward to it. This spin-off from The Closer featuring Kyra Sedgwick would be well worth watching simply because of Mary McDonnell’s great portrayal of Captain Sharon Raydor as a very strong, independent, and very, very smart woman who has the rules down pat–and a lot more. McDonnell’s interview with Travis Smiley explains a great deal for anyone who has not yet discovered Major Crimes. Even if you don’t enjoy crime drama I think it’s worth listening to McDonnell discuss the Raydor character, power, acting and the needs of human beings–and selling brushes.
Another plus for Major Crimes in its first two seasons was the story line involving Captain Sharon Raydor and material witness Rusty Beck. Watching their relationship with each other and the rest of the characters grow and evolve brought unexpected considerable depth and substance to this drama. The concept of family is redefined by example in a much-needed manner for the discussions it has the potential to provoke. Unlike The Closer which had a certain formulaic feeling to the episodes featuring Brenda Johnson’s considerable talent for lying and manipulating people into confessions even when raising all sorts of issues including ethical issues about the ends justifying the means, Major Crimes is making its own way into the future. If you want predictable resolutions of plot-lines there’s always Law and Order to fall back into the comfort zone of neat little black and white packages. This isn’t to say that the criminal cases aren’t closed and resolved in Major Crimes–they are–but there’s a lot more going on than stereotypical criminal behavior.
There’s a great deal more attention paid to serious issues like sexually abused children. “These boys aren’t runaways. They’re throw-aways.” So says a man running a shelter for teenage boys living on the streets of LA. Now for a society in which the mainstream jabbers constantly about family values and loving children so much this is a brutally honest statement of factual reality. Its consequences for boys like the Rusty Beck–and other characters–holds up a mirror that reflects our society as all truly great dramas of the stage and screen do. Clearly there are not enough Sharon Raydors willing to step up and care in our real world. In most drama storylines children are summarily deposited with the Department of Family Services and conveniently disappear from the script. In the first two seasons of Major Crimes, Rusty Beck didn’t disappear–and the writers used his character to full advantage. I can’t tell from the promos or website if the very talented Graham Patrick Martin will continue in this role–but for the sake of abandoned children trying to survive in a hostile world I hope so. Being saved is not the end of anyone’s story.
Oh and by the way, Rusty Beck loves playing chess.
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Personally I think the fans on YouTube have made better promos for Major Crimes than TNT has dreamed up so far. Here’s a fun meet and greet video to get acquainted.
A short and to the point promo. ) I get it, this is probably for short promo time slots.
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Mary McDonnell interview on The Travis Smiley Show. Yeah you want to watch. I think Smiley was very smitten. Oh yeah, he likes her shoes. Ah ha.
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This particular choice of song and images conveys a great deal about the relationship between Rusty and Sharon. Clearly this matters to viewers as there are many music videos on the tubes regarding this relationship.
I think I’m going to post more fan videos for Major Crimes on the sidebar. Yeah, I think I will. It’ll be fun–for me anyway. I’ll make sure to find one with the scene where Sharon Raydor shoots a guy between the eyes with a red bean bag. Hey, he asks for it–literally.
UPDATE–the Beanbag scene is the headliner on the sidebar. Several of my favorite scenes follow along with some fan made videos featuring music. Charlie’s Angels is a hoot.
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As for The Bridge–it’s all dark and dreadful in America and Mexico. In Sweden there’s darkness and light–plus resolution. I recommend watching both versions.
The Meddlers Theatre Company in association with Jermyn Street Theatre presents the World Premiere of
SOCRATES AND HIS CLOUDS
by William Lyons inspired by Aristophanes
Directed by Melina Theocharidou
Designed by Katerina Angelopoulou
Trailer Credits:
Animation by Nastazia Lampropoulou
Music by Olivios Karaolides
Music recorded at Hook Recording Art Studio with the following orchestra:
Violin: Nikos Pittas
Cello: Peter Gospodinov
Clarinet: George Georgiou
Xylophone: Marios Nikolaou
Piano: Olivios Karaolides
On May 20, 2013, cancer took the life of Zach Sobiech but his legacy will live on through the beacon of love and hope he delivered through infectious lyrics and memorable tunes have imprinted on the minds and hearts of millions around the world.
Help fulfill Zach’s dying wish to help kids with cancer by supporting the charity he set up before his death- the Zach Sobiech Osteosarcoma Fund at Children’s Cancer Research Fund:http://www.ChildrensCancer.org/Zach.
American Clouds was directed and animated by Micah Bell. Photographs used in the animation were taken across America by Ben Vela. Additional editing was provided by JT Daly of Paper Route.
I’m fairly certain Bear will cover some of the more traditional tracks of the vernal equinox, but this selection offers a sort of cover many bases overview. How’s your balance?
The Meaning of the Spring Equinox ~ Andare by Ludovico Einaudi
Another vantage point that I just couldn’t quite resist because it’s Emily Russo’s school project and, well, honestly I liked the beyond Google Earth aspect. Her perky enthusiastic voice sealed the selection deal:
How Equinox Work – Beyond Our Earth – Unfortunately Emily Russo provided no notes on the music. No, I’m not going to ask her on the tubes of you. Feel free to do so–or to identify the score if you recognize it.
Anna Erilina – 1st violin;
Natalya Chernisheva – 2nd violin;
Larisa Gluhovskaya – viola;
Stanislav Tarasov – cello.
Lyrics, translation – Kirill Nikeev
Cover art – Ivan Buylov;
Logo – Smerdulak.
Their website can be translated into English http://vk.com/equinox_band FYI, they’re looking for a second guitarist at the moment. According to the translation.
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Bear has laid down some serious spring equinox tracks at her blogcasa:
These are trailers of the first five films on a list I’m compiling of “foreign” films–as in films not produced in America. This is a search for substance and meaning in the movie industry outside of Hollywood. I’m looking beyond borders for connections with the rest of the world regarding the human condition as portrayed via film media. All genres are welcome. Also,visual artistry, performance, and music are all of interest. If you have suggestions for this list, please share the titles and/or trailers via a comment.
Note: The information text for each film is from the uploader sources cited for each trailer.
15-year-old Adèle knows two things: she’s a girl, and a girl goes out with boys. The day she glimpses the blue streaks in Emma’s hair on the main square, she feels that her life is going to change. Alone with her teenage questions, she transforms the way she looks at herself and the way that others look at her. In her intensely close relationship with Emma, she is fulfilled as a woman and as an adult. But Adèle doesn’t know how to make peace, neither with her parents, nor with this world full of absurd morals, nor with herself.
Elise is 28 and owns her own tattoo parlour. 36-year-old Didier is a Flemish cowboy who plays the banjo in a band. Although in many respects they are as alike as day and night, somehow their characters match perfectly and the arrival of their baby, Maybelle, makes their happiness complete. Life is good until one day, fate intervenes, and they lose their daughter.
Acclaimed director Danis Tanovic won the Grand Jury Prize at the Berlin Film Festival for this unflinching exposé of the prejudices faced by Bosnia-Herzegovina’s Roma minority, starring the real-life couple whose harrowing ordeal became a national scandal.
Highlighted as one of the most important films at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, where the jury headed by Thomas Vinterberg gave it the fully deserved award. Just like ‘The Act of Killing’, the Cambodian Rithy Panh deals with the impossible question of how a film can relate historically to a genocide. Over two million people died under Pol Pot’s dictatorship from 1975 to 1979. A period, during which all existing photos and film footage were created by the terror regime’s propaganda machine. Panh himself was 13 years old, and the film is based on his own and his family’s memories of the four dark years that followed. But how does one portray a past of which there exists no pictures? Panh’s answer is to recreate it in the form of miniature figurines, hand-painted and shaped in clay, which stand for the regime’s victims, while a single voice quietly shares its testimony: ‘People say, that their souls will wander all over the earth.’ The paradoxical poetry in Panh’s choice of words (and in the skilfully detailed clay figures) is not just a historical documentation of a past out of reach. It is a protest against inhumanity everywhere and throughout the times.
A teacher lives a lonely life, all the while struggling over his son’s custody. His life slowly gets better as he finds love and receives good news from his son, but his new luck is about to be brutally shattered by an innocent little lie.
We all dream. Even if we don’t recall what we’ve been doing or where we’ve been, we’re all busy during all those sleeping hours–and the waking ones as well. How often do you stop and consider just what your dream-life is trying to communicate? Do you take time out to day dream at will? Are you haunted by dark nightmare dreams? Do dreams fuel your creative engines? Or do they allow you to vicariously experience strange and wonderful things beyond the scope of your comfort zone? Where do you dream of wandering? What’s in any dream? Have your dreams ever taken you into unknown territory in your waking life? Dreaming can be a very dangerous thing depending on where the dreams lead. Or not. I guess that depends on what’s in your dream packages.
“Have you any dreams you’d like to sell?”
Dreamer ~ Low Roar ~ Ryan Karazija ~ His live version is equally compelling, but the audio has a slightly more intense quality on this track. Or perhaps this is because simply offering the song encourages you to close your eyes and focus on the sound and lyrics without the visual component.
Audio production is made with Guitar Pro 6. The picture is from a free wallpaper site.
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Akira Kurosawa’s Dreams ~ Song: Erik Satie – Nocturne no. III. Don’t let the dark opening deter you from the rest of trailer for this ongoing dreaming which manifests in many diverse forms.
The legendary director of “Seven Samurai” wants to invite you into his world of “Dreams.” One of Akira Kurosawa’s latter works, “Dreams” is a journey into some of his personal experiences of life and imagination.
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A Shadow of Blue ~A Dreamlife production by Carlos Lascano. A waking dream about daydreaming. What do you dream about during your days?
Dreams~ The Kills’ cover of Fleetwood Mac ~ A bit dire with shades of an impending storm, definitely darker, and certainly deeper voiced than Nicks’ vocals. An entirely new sound dream in a voice. Frankly, I think The Kills kill this song like none other.
Requiem for a Dream ~ The London Symphony Orchestra ~ Serenity ~ Fan made video featuringRiver Tam, the ultimate “dreaming death dance girl”. Some dreams entail confrontation, conflict and sacrifice. Firefly and Serenity fans know this score inside and out.
Trespassers William was an indie rock/dream pop band known for its ethereal music. Originally from Southern California, they moved to the Sodo/Capitol Hill area of Seattle, Washington.
Formed in Orange County, California in 1997, Trespassers William released four albums and two E.P.’s. Anchor (1999) appeared on Sonikwire Records and is now out of print. Different Stars was self-released in 2002 and was re-released twice — most recently on Nettwerk Records on October 19, 2004. In early 2004, the band moved to Seattle. Their third album, Having, (mixed by the Flaming Lips producer, Dave Fridmann) was released on February 28, 2006. The band toured the United States and Europe several times, including a U.K. tour with Damien Rice and a festival appearance in Spain with Morrissey. The band’s music attracted modest press coverage and exposure, most notably in British magazines such as NME and Uncut and was featured on such television shows as One Tree Hill, The O.C., Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Felicity, and movies such as A Love Song for Bobby Long and Annapolis.
The band disbanded at the beginning of 2012. A b-sides and rarities collection titled Cast, which also contains an expanded edition of their 2009 EP The Natural Order of Things, is scheduled to be released by Saint Marie Records on September 4, 2012. Anna-Lynne Williams continues to write and record as Lotte Kestner and one half of the duo Ormonde. Matt Brown is working on more Disinterested material and is playing with and producing several other groups.
Matt Brown — guitar and keyboards Anna-Lynne Williams — vocals and guitar Josh Gordon — bass guitar, drums, percussion, guitar Ross Simonini — bass guitar and keyboards Nathan Skolrud — drums, bass guitar, and keyboards Jamie Williams — drums
*I’ve included the notes above provided by the music uploader, Nela Cotrim, because of my own interests in tracking these indie musical artists. In case anyone else is interested, I’ve shared them.
I viewed a very compelling trailer for this film some time back. Today I came across the full film on YouTube and decided it was worth sharing here for other interested parties to also discover. Keep in mind that nothing is perfect and enjoy. Your thoughts are kindly requested.
The art of living in harmony with nature.
For over 20 years, Nicolas Vanier, an untiring voyager in the coldest of climes, a veritable Jack London of modern times, has criss-crossed the wildest regions of the far northern lands. His travels include major expeditions in Siberia, Lapland, Alaska and of course Canada, where he recently undertook an incredible White Odyssey: 8600 kilometres covered with a team of sledge dogs, from Alaska all the way to Quebec. It was during that crossing, on the floor of a sumptuous and inaccessible valley in the Rocky Mountains, that Nicolas met the man who inspired him to make this film, a film that has lived within the man…
He’s a 50-year-old trapper named Norman Winter, and he lives with a Nahanni woman, Nebaska. Norman has always been a trapper, with no need of the things that civilisation has to offer. He and his dogs live simply on what they produce from hunting and fishing. Norman made his sledge, snowshoes, cabin and canoe with wood and leather that he took from the forest and that Nebaska tanned, in the traditional style, just like the Sekani did in early times, using the tannin in animal brains, then by smoking the skin. To move around, Norman uses his dogs. They’re quiet, and with them he’s ready for action at the slightest sign of life, but all the while attentive to the majestic grandeur of the territories he passes through. That’s why Norman Winter is a trapper. The Great North is inside him and Nebaska carries it within her, in her blood, for the taiga is the mother of its people…
Norman and Nebaska know that a land only lives through its intimate links with the animals, plants, rivers, winds and even colours. Their wisdom comes from the deep and special relationship they enjoy with nature. When Norman Winter follows an animal’s trail, he studies it for a long time, to understand the animal’s exact perception of its environment. He knows how to free himself from the immobile image that a land evokes, then to “enter” it by comprehending what it is. To understand that is to sense the unmistakable breathing of the earth, it’s to understand why Norman Winter is the last trapper and why he turned his back on modern life, that he compares to a slope we slip down blindly. Norman is a sort of philosopher convinced that the notion of sharing and exchange with nature is essential to the equilibrium of that odd animal at the top of the food chain: Man.
That’s what this film, made over 12 months, will present, overlaying treks on horseback during the Indian summer and by sledge in the depths of winter, a canoe ride down a raging river at the bottom of a majestic canyon and attacks by grizzly bears and wolves…
Note: The closed captions option works when viewing on YouTube.
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Peace Shanti Om
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Alice in Wonderland
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Breakfast Special(s)
For the very first post enter "Breakfast Special, #1" and/or scroll through older entries; second helping = Railroad Crossing; third helping, Close Shave; fourth helping, People? Really Now; fifth helping, Pussy No More; sixth helping, 'book ends'; seventh helping, Odds? What Odds?; eighth helping, Do You Dig Pink Flamingoes Dancing in the Snow and Blue Lights?; ninth helping, Old Reliable Jack; tenth helping, Snowing Deep Sleep; eleventh helping, Connecting; twelth helping, Equations; #13, The Most Important Meal of the Day; from then on enter into search box Breakfast Special and a number such as: #14, #15, #16 and so on.
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Native America Calling ~ Native Voice
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Climate Denial Crock of the Week
Tree hugging on a practical level and more. All sorts of great tidbits from Mushroom homes to…well solar panels. Do not delay. Visit today.
Connie Dover
folk ballad singer of “Last Night by the River”
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