Recently in our Facebook chat room (everyone is welcome to join here) someone asked: “DRIVE or BABY DRIVER? Which do you prefer and why?” I’m with him:
Bill Maher on “Driver” movies. Enjoy! ***Warning: Some may find this satire crude and offensive.
In this clip from the 1985 BBC documentary series In at the Deep End (1982-87), the great British actor and notorious hellraiser Oliver Reed (February 13, 1938 - May 2, 1999) teaches broadcaster Paul Heiney about acting (for the latter’s subsequent role as an evil German mercenary in the 1985 film Water starring Michael Caine) in what appears to be Reed’s home, at the time this was filmed. Even though Reed’s initial instructions spark some hilarious reactions between the two, there might actually be a bit of useful information here that could seriously benefit less experienced actors. When the lesson comes to an abrupt end because of Reed’s frustration, notice he cannot help but grin as he throws the young man out of his house. That levity and the camera still being present would indicate this entire episode was purposely staged for humorous effect, which if so, it surely achieved.
George Bruns (1914 - 1983)
Not having given much attention to early Disney songs, suddenly changed when I heard TV's American Idol contestant Catie Turner sing with heartfelt conviction and impeccable precision a song adapted from Tchaikovsky's Sleeping Beauty ballet by George Bruns and used in the 1959 animated film by the same name (his first of many for Walt Disney Studios) entitled "Once Upon a Dream." Bruns' score for this film received an Academy Award nomination. Turner brings out all of this song's emotional sincerity in a most impassioned and personal manner.
An article I read recently about legendary filmmaker Ingmar Bergman mentioned that the extreme dramatic intensity he often depicted allowed satirists to poke fun of this supreme artist's majorly serious and probative portrayals of relationships. This SCTV take-off, bookended by the fictional TV show's regular "Monster Chiller Horror Theatre", is entitled "Whispers of the Wolf" by Ingmar Burgman. Hopefully this parody is one in which Burgman (make that Bergman) fans in particular will get a kick out of!
Here's a bit of a Time Out within a Time Out. In this clip from Rio Bravo (1959), Dean Martin and Ricky Nelson sing a little song called "My Rifle, My Pony and Me." The tune was penned by the film's composer Dimitri Tiomkin (with lyrics by Paul Francis Webster) which interestingly enough derives from the same composer's music for another John Wayne / Howard Hawks western Red River (1948). The prominent theme is identified in the earlier film as "Settle Down."
This orchestra is incredible. I wrote a review of a different concert they did in October of 2013 (See: Treasured Appearances #3). The gorgeously romantic piece performed below is from That Hamilton Woman composed by Miklos Rozsa.
Golden State Pops Orchestra, conducted by Steven Allen Fox. Paul Henning - violin. Varèse Sarabande 35th Anniversary Gala - May 11, 2013. Warner Grand Theatre - San Pedro, California. http://www.GSPO.com
Woody Allen, who you probably didn’t know also starred in a version of Taxi Driver from SCTV.
For those who love creative, outrageously inspired silent cinema, this little gem with Snub Pollard called It's a Gift (1923) is hilarious. It's only 14 minutes long and worth every charming moment.
How could anyone forget this short but sweet and poignant moment from It's a Wonderful Life?
An essential cooking demonstration for all master chefs from
The Groove Tube (1974)
Pablo Francisco on Jackie Chan movies. Enjoy! ***Warning***: Some may find this routine crude and offensive.
