November 29th, 2008 -- Posted in Story |
Classic rock – the definition defies most, and yet, everyone knows a classic rock song when they hear one. What makes it classic exactly? Well, for starters, it should be an older song. Nineties rock tunes do not qualify. Generally, 70’s, maybe a few 80’s and 60’s can qualify for the esteemed title of “classic rock.”
Generally, classic rock history begins with artists that still occupy radio time today, most of whom still generate huge crowds and pack large venues. The Who, Pink Floyd, Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Jefferson Airplane – all of these artists are included in the classic rock genre. But does every song ever recorded by them qualify? No. Just the ones we remember, in our heads and in our hearts.
Classic Rock History – Come on Baby Light My Fire
The Doors with Jim Morrison leading the pack came onto the scene in the late 60’s, featuring dark themes (Riders on the Storm for one) along with cryptic song lyrics. Cementing them into the roots of rock and roll history was Jim Morrison’s untimely death.
Revolver, the Beatles’ thirteenth album released in America. A turning point for The Beatles because it represented styles from their original, earlier works as well as experimental stylings for their latter works. Revolver is often hailed as one of the best albums in classic rock history.
The Rolling Stones, with Mick Jagger still in the mix today, has given the world a bevy of classic rock songs. The album, Sticky Fingers, in particular, was released at a time when the band was experimenting and still struggling to sculpt its identity.
Who Are You?
It’s hard to turn on the television set these days without hearing one or two classic rock songs. Whether they are starting a television series or used for a commercial, advertisers know that nostalgia sells, especially for the middle-aged demographic. The Who has released a number of (now) classic rock songs and one of them starts the program CSI, making it even more popular than ever.
Wish You Were Here
Pink Floyd, those crazy Englishmen, have sold millions of albums world-wide. But what puts them at the top of the heap of classic rock history? Longevity. That’s what all of these bands and their songs that have stuck with us to modern day have in common. These songs are timeless. The album Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd may not have been their most popular album, but it does delve into some sticky mental issues that founding member Syd Barrett was having at the time.
Led Zeppelin – Enough Said
Led Zeppelin produced perhaps, the most agreed upon classic rock song ever: Stairway to Heaven. This song is comprised of several different and distinct “sections” that give a living, breathing feel to the music. This song is probably the single most requested song on American airwaves today. Composed by Jimmy Page with vocals executed by Robert Plant, this song is the anchor of all classic rock songs.
Classic rock is a genre well known and loved by people in their teens all the way into their later years. In it, we find comfort and excitement, a nostalgia that is timeless and one we firmly believe will never be duplicated.
Wendy Pan is an accomplished niche website developer and author.
To learn more about classic rock history, please visit Oldies Music Site for current articles and discussions.
November 26th, 2008 -- Posted in Story |
50 Cent, of his real name Curtis Jackson, is an American rapper born in the Queens of New York, July 6 1978.
The origin of his pseudonym, 50 Cent, comes from a New York gangster. When rapper 50 Cent was 8 years old, his mother dies, his father abandons him and rapper 50 Cent begins to sell cocaine to survive, while rapper 50 Cent was brought up by his grand mother. Despite this difficult childhood, rapper 50 Cent hopes to one day have the money and the glory that he has always dream as a rapper.
After a few forth and back in jail, it is 1996 that rapper 50 Cent meets Jam Master Jay of group Run DMC which label is JMJ Records. But the association with Jam Master Jay didn’t last, what is more rapper 50 Cent agreed with another label Trackmasters, already known in New York as a powerful label and having already worked with artists such as NAS or Jay-Z. Label Trackmasters signs rapper 50 Cent, who prepares his first album Power Of The $, with Columbia Records in 1999.
There are some rapper 50 Cent singles with success such as: « Your Life’s on the Line » and « How to Rob». Because of this last single, rapper 50 Cent was almost dead in front of the house of his grand parents in Mai 2000, people shot at him 9 times, and 3 bullets hit him, one in his hand, one in his back and the last one in his face, without physical damages but would have given rapper 50 Cent his style of voice. rapper 50 Cent still keeps sequels of this attack. However, a number of rappers hardly believe him.
Columbia Records, who was about to release rapper 50 Cent album, gives up. The two following years, rapper 50 Cent sets up his own group G-Unit with Tony Yayo as well as Lloyd Banks, two artists with whom rapper 50 Cent will perform in freestyle and mixtapes and afterwards, when Tony Yayo goes in jail, Young Buck joins the group.
In 2002, rapper 50 Cent meets Eminem, who, after listening to some mixtapes of the artist, immediately signs him at Shady/Aftermath (Label of Eminem and Dr. Dre). His first success is the single “Wanksta” which was on the original soundtrack of film 8 Mile.
In 2003, rapper 50 Cent releases his first LP with label Shady/Aftermath, with songs such as “P.I.M.P”, “In Da Club” or “21 Questions”. The success is instant: 800 000 sales the first week. It is also the biggest success of 2003 with nearly 12 million copies sold. The same year, rapper 50 Cent releases his first LP with his group G-Unit, the album Beg For Mercy. Once again the success is there. In 2005, rapper 50 Cent follows with his second LP with Shady/Aftermath, The Massacre, 1,14 million albums are sold in 4 days. It is the sixth best performance of sales ever. Rapper 50 Cent also establishes another record (like the Beatles) with 4 singles in the top 10 sales. The rapper 50 Cent albums are sold at more than 8 million copies.
Rapper 50 Cent then creates his own clothing line named like his group: G-Unit Clothing, signs contracts with Reebok and other brands and set up his own production label, G-Unit Records. In 2006, is released the film about his own life and of same name as his first album with Shady/Aftermath, “Get Rich Or Die Tryin’”. Despite a certain success with the public, this film has been found several weeks in the top 50 of the worse films noted by site IMDB.
Rapper 50 Cent has had a child before becoming famous between two stays in jail, which gives him the wish to stop dealing cocaine and to invest himself in rap music. Rapper 50 Cent has had a relationship with actress Vivica A. Fox. But she was so jealous of the other girls that were around rapper 50 Cent, especially in his video clips, that she leaves rapper 50 Cent.
Rapper 50 Cent counts today as many fans that as many enemies. Indeed, his rap is the object of numerous critics. The real hip hop fans found rapper 50 Cent too commercial, because most of his sounds are made for the clubs, and his rhymes are more and more easy. What is more, rapper 50 Cent put some rappers back, especially New Yorkers: Jadakiss, Ja Rule, Fat Joe, Nas, Sheek Louch and Styles P. Rapper 50 Cent doesn’t hesitate to provoke and criticize them in his titles such as “Piggy Bank” from album “The Massacre” (2005). His power and his notoriety allowed rapper 50 Cent to compromise the career of rapper Ja Rule, with whom rapper 50 Cent was in serious conflict.
Since a few months, rapper 50 Cent is in conflict with rapper The Game (Los Angeles), protected by Dr. Dre.
The situation is therefore very complicated, it is one of the very few times that two artists from the same labels are in open conflict. The 2 rappers have collaborated together in the past and they have even sold quite a bit of their singles « How We Do » and « Hate It Or Love It ». The Game has denied on the radio that 50 Cent has contributed to the success of its album “The Documentary” (2005) while according to rapper 50 Cent, it is thanks to him that the album did sales.
Despite all these problems, rapper 50 Cent can still count on a good number of producers such as Dr. Dre, Cool & Dre, Scott Storch, Eminem, and Havoc, with whom rapper 50 Cent entertains good relationships. The rapper from the Queens has also many friends in the rap since he kept signing talents like on his label G-Unit records, which has in no time become very big. As a result, rapper 50 Cent has already signed and collaborated with Mobb Deep, M.O.P., Ma$e, Spider Loc, R&B singer Olivia… Finally rapper 50 Cent still entertains good, not to say very good relations with Lloyd Banks, Tony Yayo and Young Buck (the 3 initial members of G-Unit), as well as with Jay-Z and Missy Elliott. Rapper 50 Cent belongs to the Crips, a street gang present in Los Angeles, and a little bit everywhere in North America.
If you are a rapper 50 Cent fan and love to listen to rapper 50 Cent, then you can customize your cell phone by downloading rapper 50 Cent ringtones. Ringtone Jam Jam Famous Singers has it all: 50 Cent music, 50 Cent lyrics, 50 Cent pictures, 50 Cent videos, 50 Cent songs, 50 Cent g unit, 50 Cent wallpapers, 50 Cent news, 50 Cent album, 50 Cent biography, , 50 Cent posters, 50 Cent movies and 50 Cent ringtones.
November 24th, 2008 -- Posted in Story |
Buying used musical instruments has advantages and disadvantages. For instance, a good quality instrument can be found at a lower price than when compared with buying a new one. On the other hand, there is always an element of risk involved when buying a used musical instrument. Another difficulty is that there are no warranties associated with used instruments, unless the instrument is fairly new. When purchasing a used musical instrument, it is advisable to keep some of these things in mind.
A good way to determine a used instrument’s condition is to know who owned it in the past. If buying the instrument from a garage sale, it may be possible to meet the owner and ask him how long he used it and why it is being sold. If buying it online, make sure that the online shop has a good customer satisfaction rating, or better still, a return policy. There are several Web sites that have attractive and colorful pictures of musical instruments that they are selling. They also feature exhaustive information about the products. Having these pictures helps the buyer to make a better choice when ordering the instrument. Pictures are especially useful for locating a particular kind or rare kinds of musical instruments. If buying it from a music store, ask the salesperson if it is possible to know the name of its previous owner, how long it has been in the store, and other such details.
When buying a used instrument, it is advisable to be accompanied by someone who has a good knowledge of musical instruments. They can help decide whether the instrument is in a good condition by playing it and listening to how it sounds and how it feels while playing it. These things will help decide if the instrument is worth purchasing or not. Research all aspects of the instrument before purchasing it. Find out how much a brand new one costs by going to different music stores. Then compare the prices and the condition of the instruments and decide whether it is a good deal. When the final purchase decision is made, make sure that the money being paid for it is worth it.
Musical Instruments provides detailed information on Musical Instrument, Musical Instrument Stores, Musical Instrument Dealers, Pictures Of Musical Instruments and more. Musical Instruments is affiliated with Rock Music Code.
November 22nd, 2008 -- Posted in Story |
Buying used musical instruments has advantages and disadvantages. For instance, a good quality instrument can be found at a lower price than when compared with buying a new one. On the other hand, there is always an element of risk involved when buying a used musical instrument. Another difficulty is that there are no warranties associated with used instruments, unless the instrument is fairly new. When purchasing a used musical instrument, it is advisable to keep some of these things in mind.
A good way to determine a used instrument’s condition is to know who owned it in the past. If buying the instrument from a garage sale, it may be possible to meet the owner and ask him how long he used it and why it is being sold. If buying it online, make sure that the online shop has a good customer satisfaction rating, or better still, a return policy. There are several Web sites that have attractive and colorful pictures of musical instruments that they are selling. They also feature exhaustive information about the products. Having these pictures helps the buyer to make a better choice when ordering the instrument. Pictures are especially useful for locating a particular kind or rare kinds of musical instruments. If buying it from a music store, ask the salesperson if it is possible to know the name of its previous owner, how long it has been in the store, and other such details.
When buying a used instrument, it is advisable to be accompanied by someone who has a good knowledge of musical instruments. They can help decide whether the instrument is in a good condition by playing it and listening to how it sounds and how it feels while playing it. These things will help decide if the instrument is worth purchasing or not. Research all aspects of the instrument before purchasing it. Find out how much a brand new one costs by going to different music stores. Then compare the prices and the condition of the instruments and decide whether it is a good deal. When the final purchase decision is made, make sure that the money being paid for it is worth it.
Musical Instruments provides detailed information on Musical Instrument, Musical Instrument Stores, Musical Instrument Dealers, Pictures Of Musical Instruments and more. Musical Instruments is affiliated with Rock Music Code.
November 18th, 2008 -- Posted in Story |
Every woman, no matter what age, will reach a point where we get tired of our everyday routine hairstyle and are looking for some change to spruce up our current look. The first idea that comes to mind usually is changing lengths, either from shorter to longer or longer to shorter hair lengths. This can be risky but rewarding if the proper hairstyle can be found to match. The second idea that most women take is different coloring, say like from brunette to blonde or vice versa. This change is more permanent and the result may not be as pleasing as we thought. This is where layered hairstyles can play a huge part by providing totally different yet gorgeous looks with some minor alterations in hair length and even some streaks.
Layered hairstyles have become more and more popular because they provide a classy, beautiful look with minimal change. Well we shouldn’t say minimal because layered hairstyles do require a cut and possible some color highlights to enhance other features. With layering, there is not a major change in hair length and there are so many ways to layer the hair with highlights or adding curls, waves, or ringlets. Because the amount and length of layering can be changed; there are a number of hot looks available for different face shapes.
Another feature that makes layered hairstyles so versatile is the addition of highlights that enhance the whole hairstyle. For blond and light hair colors, adding darker complimentary colors can make the hairstyle even more prominent while adding lighter complimentary colors to darker shades of hair will have the same performance as well. A key guide to highlighting layered hairstyles can be found in the many looks of Jennifer Anniston. By looking at her layered hairstyles, the different colors of highlights and how to streak them to match perfectly can be clearly seen. Adding highlights can enhance any hairstyle but can also have the opposite effect if not done with the right colors or with too much highlighting in the wrong sections.
Some key celebrity examples include Heather Locklear and her oval shaped face, which is goes well with most hairstyles, which have made every length of layered hairstyles look fantastic and the ever popular Jessica Simpson, who is a great mold for woman with medium or long hairstyles wanting some layering. There are an abundance of different layered hairstyles to copy from just from the many looks provided by the celebrities as every single one of them probably has worn a layered hairstyle. There is also an abundance more. The few listed below are just a small portion of the many looks possible with layered hairstyles.
The simple look layered hairstyle
This is look is great for everyday life as well as any party occasion as it is a very simple look. This layered hairstyle consist of long or medium layered hair that is cut more evenly across with slight layering. The bangs are combed straight down along with the layered sections of hair for a very simple, beautiful look. This layered hairstyle can be found in many of Hilary Duff’s or Lisa Kudrow’s images.
The short layered hairstyle
There are a selection of short layered hairstyle to choose form depending on just how short the hair length is. For hair length that goes a little past the chin, a layered hairstyle like Reese Witherspoon from ‘Sweet Home Alabama’ is perfect. For those who have not see her short layered hairstyle in the movie, the look is layered towards the back and the hair is parted in the middle. The look provides both a simple everyday look as well as a hot look for any gala.
Cindy Marcus is the editor of Latest-Hairstyles.com, a popular hairstyles resource site that provides tips and resources for new style ideas. For more ideas on layered hairstyles, visit Cindy’s web site today.
November 16th, 2008 -- Posted in Story |
It isn’t really surprising to learn that countless celebrities love tattoos, nor is it surprising that those who are in the public eye and in the media can have quite a significant influence on the American population’s fascination with tattoos. The stars have a variety of tattoos, and so pretty much all of their fans crave tattoos also.
For celebrities, age is not a real factor; older stars just like the younger ones have them too. We know all of these people well – but how much do we identify with the distinctive styles of artwork they choose?
One of America’s greatest movie stars, Robert DeNiro, has appeared in movies sporting no few tattoos. Whether or not his fans work out that they are only accessories for his films, the fact is in real life Robert DeNiro has only one tattoo, that of a black panther.
Another great actor who shows off assorted tattoos in his movies is Johnny Depp; however all of his, are real. Bruce Willis also has a few tattoos; notably the symbol of his movie “Die Hard.”
Tattoos have been in style for a very long time with the top musicians who can sport the largest number and most radical and hardcore of designs. The former teen idol Justin Timberlake has a guardian angel, amongst others. Rapper Eminem has more tattoos than you can shake a stick at, including his daughter’s name and his own. The wording on Keith Urban’s wrist, “Omni Vincit Amor” is Latin for ‘Love Conquers All;’ he also has an eagle on one arm.
Sports celebrities also known to go for tattoos. Michael Jordan has his fraternity symbol tattooed above his heart, whilst Dennis Rodman is a virtual canvas of artwork.
Not to be outdone, numerous female stars also show assorted degrees of artwork. Young actress Drew Barrymore is basically a canvas full of tattoos and it is said that she created the larger part of the designs herself. Reese Witherspoon is a little more subtle, wearing only one small star tattoo which is hardly ever visible.
Pamela Anderson has a variety of tattoos also, the most notable of these being the word ‘Mommy’ on one finger, which reportedly used to read ‘Tommy.’ Spice Girl Victoria Beckham has five stars to represent every member of her family, her husband’s initials, and the traditional Jewish phrase ‘I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine.’
Some of the modern supermodels also brandish tattoos. Kate Moss, Christy Turlington, and Stephanie Seymour all have these changeless forms of fashion accessories. Many supermodels who opt for tattoos show fewer and smaller designs than celebrities in other fields. While very many celebrities have worn tattoos for a very long time, the popularity of tattoos amongst stars has been increasing, both in the group of celebrities who carry them and the multitude of tattoos that they wear. Only a very few have just one tattoo. More and more are taking on a generous bunch of tattoos as well as more visible tattoos, using skin as a canvas for nearly unlimited varieties of ageless artwork.
As celebrities show off their love of tattoos, and this is picked up by the media, it presents an ever-increasing influence for their fans, especially amongst the younger fans, who want to do likewise. As with anything else that stars do in the public eye, their influence with tattoos helps this form of artwork become more widespread, more trendy, and more acceptable to most of the American population altogether.
Mark has a great site full of tips on tattoo designs. Please take a look at http://www.tattoodesigns365.com
November 15th, 2008 -- Posted in Story |
Disaster results when we see women trying to change a man’s behaviour. According to evolutionary biologist Rosie Mestel, what women perceive as bad male behaviour (lying, cheating, ogling other women) is actually part of a biologically based prime directive to procreate as fast as possible. All the poorconfused thing is doing is behaving “naturally”: trying to solve the age-old problem of passing on his genes before he croaks.
Therefore I ask you women out there –would you put a bird in a stream and expect it to fly? Perhaps that’s why men see so many women as controlling, or even cruel.
The desire for commitment is another bad symptom that defies the laws of nature. According to University of Texas psychologist David Buss, “forever is a long time for a guy.” A woman only produces twelve eggs a year, and each growing baby represents a huge investment of her time and energy. Men on the other hand have buckets and buckets of sperm so it is in their best interests to impregnate as many women as possible to increase their chances of reproducing themselves.
A long time ago, in the caves and jungles, a man would know when a woman was ovulating because she would, like chimpanzees still do, display her swollen red genitals to males. Women, don’t do that any more, unless they’re a lap dancer.”
Apparently men stick around because subconsciously, they are trying to figure out when a woman will ovulate and release her monthly egg. The woman mistakes this hanging around for a desire to “commit” to her. Of course, the only commitment that may result is to an insane asylum. Whether they will admit or not, a male’s primary directive is to impregnate somebody who is female — you and whoever.
People in Paleolithic times didn’t “fall in love.” They were too busy. They fell into tar pits and drowned. By the way, it may also interest realmers to know that when it comes to sex “looks are everything.” That’s why men like to ogle Pamela Lee Anderson . Anderson s a perfect .07, which is the ratio that is arrived at when you divide her waist measurement by her hip measurement.
According to Devendra Singh, a professor at the University of Texas at Austin, this particular hip-to-waist ratio is the equation of “lust.” Lust is a healthy state, as opposed to love which is of course a state of mental illness. Women with a waist to hip ratio of 1.0 or over or 0.6 or under are immediately kicked out of the gene pool, as the male’s subconscious “discriminate breeder within” sees those women as either sick, pregnant or too old to bear their progeny. By the way, the doll Barbie, who’s .58 wouldn’t make the grade.
Many of you will protest these findings and insist that you can make up for your lack of physical beauty with personality, charm and talent. Sorry! According to Randy Thornhill of the University of New Mexico, when it comes to procreation, “beauty is everything. ” Both men and women look for symmetry in a partner, as, a long, long time ago, in the jungle, asymmetry led us to believe that our partner was riddled with horrible parasites. Also, men prefer women with little chins because estrogen is involved with jaw development. Evidence of estrogen makes them go “Aha!
Fertility! An excellent place to deposit a seed!” Women especially complain that “he tells me he loves me, but he doesn’t act like it.” According to Buss, over the millenniums men have developed the capacity for deceitful smooth-talking to fool women, who have evolved inbuilt lie-detectors to counteract this problem. The male knows a woman won’t sleep with him if he has intentions to run off afterwards, so he lies to her. That is why women spend so much time engaged in the do-you-think-he-really-loves-me routine with their girlfriends. However, men have evolved to think that they actually believe the lies they’re spouting; he is sincere in the moment, that is — until he gets want he wants.
Even more infuriating, at least to women, is the results of Buss’s studies on post-coital attraction. Apparently, when asked how they felt about a partner after sex, most males said they were “less attracted” while most women said they were “more attracted”. I guess Mom was right about saving it ’til you’re married.
Love is the only disease where people actually seek out punishment. Unfortunately, the only cure for love is loneliness. So if you find yourself all alone this Valentine’s Day, take heart. At least you’re sane.
Samantha Steven’s articles have been published in many high-standing newspapers and she has published several books. If you wish to buy Samantha’s books about metaphysics click here http://www.insomniacpress.com/author.php?id=110 You can meet Samantha Stevens at http://www.psychicrealm.com where she works as a professional psychic. You can also read more of her articles at http://www.newagenotebook.com
November 15th, 2008 -- Posted in Story |
10. Have a ridiculously comfortable desk chair: The nicer your chair is, the longer you can stand to sit in it before your desk without having to get up because you’re antsy. And of course if you’re antsy and walking around the office with a general aimlessness, you’re not working.
9. Make a To-Do List: Lists are great because the simple act of making the list gives you something to do in those moments of lost energy when you don’t actually want to be working. By making a list you’ll find yourself doing something remotely work related, and you may simply motivate yourself by looking at the sheer length of a list of things you have to get accomplished! (The Tasks feature in Microsoft Outlook works great for this.)
8. Be Better Than Someone: You don’t have a lot of control over this, so pick your target wisely. Nothing makes people feel better about themselves than feeling like they’re better than someone else. Choose your target- it could be a parent, sibling, friend, or even a lackluster coworker. The smug sense of satisfaction you get from besting this person will be enough to keep you driven every day to never lose your edge.
7. Set up Google Reader or Technorati: You can tell yourself that you’re just taking time out of your busy day to keep up to date with the latest industry news, but what you’re really doing is reading a few industry blogs intertwined with Popsugar or Best Week Ever. If having your own personal interest blogs mixed in with the industry ones make it easier to remember to read blogs, do it. You may not be enriching your working knowledge as much as you’d like to think, but the industry stuff will stick and you’ll be able to bust out interesting relevant factoids in meetings and the latest celebrity gossip at the water cooler.
6. Piss off your Friends and Family: This is a surefire way to free up your time for more work at the office. If everyone you know outside of work is mad at you, that removes the temptation (or option?) to go out after work for drinks or spend your weekends poolside with the family. Who needs weekends anyway? Just lost opportunities for more work!
5. Supplies: Make sure you have the supplies you need to do your job. If you’re running out of staples, get some. If a certain program would increase your productivity 10%, ask for it and make your case. It’s much easier to do the job when you have everything necessary. Once you get into the niche where there’s not much else for you to ask for you’ll be able to apply all these tools to hone your skills and do a better job. You have to prove to the company that you’re worth investing in.
4. Money: Of course, that’s what we’re all in this game for, right? Get the jobs that get you the khakis that get you the chicks. I believe it’s probably a fact that your work ethic and dedication to the company goes up exponentially as your salary goes up. Don’t be afraid to ask for a raise every year if you’ve seriously been rockin’ at work. Be sure to do something that makes the bigwigs take note and want to give you more money and you’ll find it’s much easier to get out of bed in the morning!
3. Befriend your Coworkers: If you have a vested interest in the people around you, inherently that comes with a vested interest in how work goes for them. A job well done on your friendly coworkers’ part will often help make your job easier, and vice versa. As long as you have a mutual respect for what your coworkers are trying to accomplish and how that fits in with your goal, you will be more willing to go the extra mile on your end. Eventually your coworkers will reciprocate by making something easier for you and it will become a productive cycle.
2. OCD: OCD, or Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, really helps in those tedious projects that just need doing. Spend hours late into the night working at something as boring as updating a database for formatting for the simple reason that everything HAS to be right. Not only with this give you a false motivation to get a project done, but your supervisors will gladly take advantage of this affliction of yours and praise the results!
1. Care: It’s as simple, really, as caring about doing a good job. Have some pride in what it is you produce or how it is you help the company overall to succeed. If you genuinely care about doing your job well, that’s really all you’ll need to motivate yourself and have a great work ethic.
Like this article? Read more at http://www.TrishaLyn.com
November 14th, 2008 -- Posted in Story |
Every year, we, the people/fans of celebrity entertainment, are bombarded with big screen productions of the next ‘it’ movie for our viewing pleasure, or, in some instances, what becomes our displeasure, leaving us contemplating the sizable monetary hole in our budgeting pockets at this latest perceived blockbuster expense and wondering, “What the hell was that about?”
Just as the general public is questioning these instant DVD arrivals, some genius out in Hollywood land comes up with The Raspberry Awards, in essence, to gift the worst picture, actor, actress, and so on, of the year…Remember Halley Berry and Cat Woman? So deserving of that darn golden statue, was she not? and was she not such a trooper to have the nerve to show up to accept the little stinker?
I promised you 3 more stinker movies, along with the actors, I feel need to take their place alongside Ms. Berry for their Razzie…Drum Roll, please…Bewitched, starring, the lovely Aussie, Nicole Kidman and Will Farrell. Neither of which was remotely convincing in their parts. Nicole could barely twitch. Did not even come close to the original star power of that famous twinkle done so brilliantly by Elizabeth Montgomery. Will Farrell left me emotionless; the man had no character substance. Who was that guy?
Since the movie’s release in 2006, It has gotten its share of raspberry posts…I had to contribute.
Little Man. What idiotic concept! The movie was the brainchild of the most innovative, creative, ground breaking families of color in television! How did they contemplate the works of such garbage? First of all, the premise was oddly insulting , all too predictable and totally a wash. I would only recommend this movie to my worst movie critic foe.
Then, comes Wild Hogs. Whose watching this star studded debacle? I am sure, the initial draw to this number 1 DVD rental was the array of star power, inclusive of John Travolta, a heart breaker since back in the days of Welcome Back Carter and The Boy In The Bubble, not to mention the trilogy of Quentin Tarentino films… Mister, he had my vote. As did Martin Lawrence, A Thin Line Between Love And Hate;
Martin’s the man! Tim Allen and William H. Macy rounds out the cast of four aging bikers who set out for one more fling with their bikes, leaving their wives, lives and cellphones behind! Unbelievable! The whole movie, unbelievable…There was one bright spot for this writer, however and that was Peter Fonda riding in on the back seat of his Harley(whatever…I am no biker chick)
These movies in my humble opinion were and are, truly worthy of the Raspberry Awards… I rest my case.
Clara B. Freeman is a freelance copy /entertainment writer/poet and columnist living in Illinois. To learn more about her work, visit her website http://www.clarawriter.com
November 14th, 2008 -- Posted in Story |
Tod Haynes’ 2007 docu-drama “I’m Not There” is a poetic meditation on the life and career of Bob Dylan. In tone and structure, the film is a radical departure from traditional music biopics.
Haynes’ screenplay accepts as its basic premise, that Dylan’s story is too enigmatic to be summarized in conventional narrative terms. His solution is to cast six different actors to portray different aspects of Dylan’s personality, at various stages in his lengthy career. The characters are given alternate names (like Jude Quinn, or Billy the Kid) and their stories take liberties with Dylan’s life (one of them is an actor, not a musician) in order to convey the shifting nature of Dylan’s art. The actors include both an African American boy and a woman.
The woman is Cate Blanchett. Along with Heath Ledger, they deliver the two most solid Dylan incarnations in the film. Blanchett was nominated for an Oscar for her vivid portrayal of Dylan in the mid-sixties. She brilliantly conveys the alienation that comes with fame, and the pointlessness of celebrity.
Ledger, on the other hand, plays Dylan later in life– after he had turned his back on pop music. His scenes depict the breakup of Dylan’s marriage, and the inherent difficulty of balancing a public persona with a private life. Ledger’s performance is introspective and understated, like Dylan’s albums in the early seventies.
The other performances are good too, but none can overcome Haynes’ self-conscious, reference-stuffed script. He incorporates many allusions to the real-life Dylan which are disorganized and lacking context.
Using song titles as dialogue, for example, strikes a particularly hamfisted tone. In one scene, Cate Blanchett’s Jude Quinn is confronted by a crazed fan with a knife. When a groupie subdues the fan by smashing a bottle over his head, Quinn quips, “Just like a woman!” Winks and nods to real-life Dylan trivia needn’t be so cringe inducing as that!
It begs the question as to whether Haynes’ entire approach is even necessary. Surely a traditional biopic like “Walk The Line” feels genuine (in part) because Johnny Cash talks like a real person. If he cuddled up next to his wife June and whispered in her ear, “I walk the line… because you’re mine,” no one would take the film seriously.
Fortunately, for each such misstep, “I’m Not There” corrects course with a sure-footed step. (Richie Havens delights in a brief singing role, and David Cross steals a scene as poet Allen Ginsburg.) But by the end, writer/ director Haynes has meandered too much. “I’m Not There” offers only a vague semblance of a musician and his art. Maybe this is all one can expect when the subject of the piece is as enigmatic as Dylan.
Yet we are left to wonder: perhaps seeing six different sides of Bob Dylan is simply another side of Bob Dylan too many.
Grade: B
Written By Jacob Destree
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