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Posted in Movies on 15 July 2010
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Was curious to know what others feel about the highly touted, very successful TWILIGHT movies, the most recent being ECLIPSE which I have yet to see. My 24 year old daughter loves, loves, loves the entire phenomena, the books and the movies. She’s read the books multiple times and watched the films more than once. It delights me that she, and so many like her, have found something about which she is so passionate (other than her dance career). I congratulate the author for having such a rich, vivid imagination and the ability to bring the imagery to life through her writing. Kudos to her!!! Because my preference in reading is non-fiction, I haven’t gotten on the “band wagon.” I’m sure I’m missing out by not reading the books, but hope to “jump on” sooner rather than later.
I agree with most female fans that the TWILIGHT men are “eye candy.” I may be 60, but my eyesight is still great! Unlike my daughter, however, I’m not hoping to meet Robert Pattinson except to introduce her. But other than an aesthetic appreciation for the actors and the scenery, as well as the special effects, the storyline leaves me wanting. Would love to hear what others think…hugmamma
Posted in Movies on 10 March 2010
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Not one of my favorite stories as a child (too much pandemonium for my taste), Tim Burton’s retelling is more to my liking. Loved his wife Catherine as the Queen of Hearts and, of course, Johnny Depp is charming as the Mad Hatter. They, along with the young actress portraying Alice, “made” the show. Disney’s magical treatment of the story greatly lent to the fantastic backdrop of characters, scenery and cartoon-like images.
What mattered most for me is that there was a reason for Alice’s journey to Wonderland. She returns to the realm of her dreams in order to restore it to the rightful monarch, the White Queen, portrayed by Anne Hathaway. The story was very believable, in an unbelievable sort of way. Although “off with his or her head” was frequently proclaimed by the Queen of Hearts, there was so much less violence than in most movies these days. I’ve never enjoyed Alice in Wonderland more than I did this movie. Maybe I’ll even reread the book to see if I can understand it better. Maybe I missed something in the first reading. I hope so.
Posted in Celebrities on 31 October 2009
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I’ve just returned home from seeing Michael Jackson’s THIS IS IT. I thought my reaction would be the same as that of others, most famous among them, Oprah. At the show’s conclusion she felt sad at the loss of such a huge talent. Friends have told me they felt the same. I assumed I would be no different. While I felt somewhat sad, I was more preoccupied with MJ’s skeletal appearance. I probably spent the better part of the film, studying his vocal and physical capacity for singing and dancing.
There were moments of “wow”. I couldn’t believe that at 50, Michael still had the voice and the moves. He still had the “magic”. Backed up by younger, more virile, more powerful dancers, no one could “hold a candle” to MJ. He was still unique. As always, his stage presence was magnetic. The nuances of his movements were still his alone, never to be copied exactly. How could anyone mimic what came so naturally to him? Michael’s dancing was never solely about technique; rather, it was always about performing. He was the consummate entertainer. He “played to the audience”. He knew how to “hold” them. He was the hypnotist; his fans, willing participants. He brought them along to soaring heights and returned them to their seats breathless, aching for more. Michael’s audiences loved to “ride the roller coaster” with him. And he was only too happy to oblige. Amazingly, MJ’s vocal range was still intact. He didn’t strain for the top notes. He had no problem belting out the lyrics as he had always done. My eyes watered as if I were watching his video image from the past, when he pleaded “What about us?” in Earth Song. Like all great singer/dancers, Michael could still do both without compromising the quality. Yes, he has been entertaining since the age of 5; but I kept reminding myself that he was now 50 and no “spring chicken”, or rooster! And like his previous tours, BAD when he was in his late 20s and HISTORY, a decade later, THIS IS IT would have been just as energetic. Michael always one-upped himself in his tours, and the last would have been his “greatest show on earth” to rival his role models in that arena, Barnum and Bailey. The noticeable difference between the more youthful Michael of past performances and the middle-aged performer on the big screen tonight, was his stamina. It was obvious that singing and dancing like his former self, left MJ breathy. His thin frame looked as though he could have easily been toppled by a gust of wind. I wondered if he had to take a break after running through each song. I also wondered if he would have had more stamina, had he not been addicted to drugs. Of course insomnia didn’t help matters. So yes I was sad that Michael Jackson’s life ended so tragically. I will always pity him not having a soul mate, someone who loved him and whose life was part and parcel of his history on this earth. I wish Michael could have lived happily ever after with his Disney princess: his own Cinderella, Snow White, or Sleeping Beauty. I wish they could have raised children together in love and laughter; growing old as partners until the end of the fairy tale. Michael made so many dreams come true for his fans and for children throughout the world. I wish all of his dreams could have come true for him. Certainly some did, but perhaps not the ones that mattered most in the end. I will always be sad for Michael Jackson, the human being. Because of my enormous attention to detail, I will be seeing THIS IS IT a couple more times. Doing so allows me to re-evaluate my opinion. Each time I will undoubtedly notice things I missed previously. I have done this with my daughter’s ballet performances. Watching multiple shows made me feel I had gleaned all I could. I left with no questions unanswered. I also think I will finally leave THIS IS IT feeling that an older, wiser Michael found contentment in the love of family, friends and fans. But above all else, I sense that the love he shared with his children will show through as having sustained him and provided him the happiness which eluded him heretofore. I think I will leave feeling satisfied that Michael Jackson died a happy man. That is my sincere hope.