Welcome to the 122nd Edition of my blog. I know I’m a little later than
usual but I just got back from Chicago where my mom was to audition for
AMERICA’S GOT TALENT. She had done the pre-registration so I decided I
would go with her only to find out in line that I could register as well
so I decided to try my luck. We both decided to sing. We waited in some
pretty cold weather for about two hours and when getting inside there
were still many auditionees to go but eventually we were called. We did
not have an act together and we got separated into different groups. The
first part consisted of ten people in a room and each would sing a
song. I had noticed other groups of ten got fully rejected but now it
was my turn and I was last. I had no idea what to expect after hearing
so many talented singers and then I decided to do Chris Isaak’s WICKED
GAME. We were then all sent outside to hear the results and strangely
enough I was the only one chosen to go to the next round which was
judged by the executive producers. Well, I finally got in there, did my
thing, this time I was told no but it was quite an experience. I didn’t
even think I would go any further but I went further than many. My mom
did not get to the next round and in her group, none went any further. I
was quite surprised but I may decide to do it again next year. I have
always been confident in my acting ability and even my ability in
musicals but I never really could tell my singing ability but apparently
I have something to offer. Okay, I know many of you by now are at the
movie section of this blog, I just wanted to announce my experience
here, so here we go...
Beyond JFK: The Question of Conspiracy
(1992): Last week I featured the controversial JFK so I decided to give
this documentary that is with the DVD a shot. Barbara Kopple and Danny
Schechter directed this documentary picking up where JFK left off.
Oliver Stone, Kevin Costner, among many others in the film lend
commentary to all the conspiracy theories of the JFK murder or was there
a conspiracy? That is something we will never know. It does flow very
well and even looks at both sides so if you are a loyalist of Kennedy
and firmly believe the conspiracy to his assassination, you would like
this one.
Snatch (2000): My facebook friend for this week is
Stephanie who was in my Spanish class and group when I went to Ball
State. Guy Ritchie wrote and directed this crime comedy. I’m not even
going to bother going into the complex plot. It basically centers around
a jewel heist gone quite wrong bringing in hilarious results. Benicio
Del Toro plays Frankie Four Fingers, who leads the heist and not very
well. The standout of the movie is Brad Pitt as the fast-talking boxer
Mickey. This movie also stars Dennis Farina, Jason Statham, Vinnie Jones
and many others.
La Bete Humaine (1938): I found this French
film on Netflix. Jean Renoir directed this adaptation of a novel by
Emile Zola. This movie centers around some train employees. One engineer
lusts over the wife of a co-worker. Simone Simon plays the wife. Many
may remember her from CAT PEOPLE. When Severine commits adultry with her
husband’s boss, he kills his own boss. Lantier, the worker who lusts
over Severine, witnesses the murder and vows to keep it a secret for a
price setting off a lot of events and an interesting ending. Definetly
something to check out.
The Gang’s All Here (1943): My mom
recorded this movie to DVR so I thought I would give it a chance. Busby
Berkeley directed this musical extravaganza directed by Nancy Wintner
and George Root Jr. This is the story of a GI and a showgirl but most of
the movie is elaborate song and dance numbers which if you love
musicals and dancing, this is for you. If you don’t like musicals, then
you’ll want to stay away from this one.
One Minute Racist
(1995?): I found this short film on IFC. This is an interesting
claymation short of a man talking about an encounter with a Japanese
person. There is not a whole lot to tell here but it entertains.
Confessions
of a Police Captain (1971): This is my Grindhouse pick for the week.
This is actually one of the more quality Grindhouse films I have seen
which looks at police corruption and organized crime. This is actually
an Italian film with a very bad VHS transfer. This is told from the eyes
of a police officer played by Martin Balsam and the things he was
driven to do.
Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
(1980): Irvin Kershner directed the continuation of the George Lucas
space opera where we rejoin our friends and we meet some new ones. Han
Solo, Princess Leia, Chewbacca, C-3PO, and R2-D2 must evade capture from
an intergalactic bounty hunter named Boba Fett and from the surviving
Darth Vader. Luke Skywalker must seek Yoda the Jedi Master for his Jedi
training. We this time introduce Yoda and Lando Calrissian, played by
Billy Dee Williams. Voices Yoda, Frank Oz does. Get it? This is an
unintentional Frank Oz two-part series, last week, I used THE MUPPET
MOVIE. There is not much more that can be said for this one.
300
(2006): Zach Snyder wrote and directed this take on the 300 Spartans’
fight against the Persians which is based on a graphic novel by Frank
Miller. Gerard Butler plays Leonidas who leads the invasion. THE SARAH
CONNOR CHRONICLES Lena Headey plays his understanding and assertive
wife. There is a lot of action in this film as well as blood. This is
based on a true story.
The Pit and the Pendulum (1961): Roger
Corman directed this adaptation to the Edgar Allen Poe classic. Vincent
Price stars Nicholas Medina whose wife dies. John Kerr plays Francis,
Nicholas’ brother-in-law who finds his sister’s death hard to believe
which sets of some erie happenings in the house. I got to watch this
with commentary from Corman which gives some good insights.
Honorable
Theater Mention: Wicked: Not only did I audition for AMERICA’S GOT
TALENT. I got to see this wonderful musical last night. This is a
backstory on the Wicked Witch of the West and Glenda from THE WIZARD OF
OZ which takes place long before their encounter with Dorothy. This
musical has some great musical numbers, a great set, and many other
things. I got to sit in the second row and I could not believe what I
saw. This is a great spin towards the classic story based on the book by
Gregory Maguire.
Well, that is it for this week, forgive my
sub-par writing for this week. It’s late and I want to get to bed. As
far as my March Movie Madness goes, just take the movies featured this
week, minus the short film and a commentary for THE PIT AND THE PENDULUM
and it comes to 10 movies with 12 points, my worst week so far but that
is okay.
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