Category Archives: drama

Osage Dancer Maria Tallchief America’s First Major Prima Ballerina

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Tallchief was proud of her Osage heritage.
Tallchief was proud of her Osage heritage. | Source

Native American Ballet Dancer

Maria Tallchief broke barriers as the first Native American woman (Osage) in ballet. She broke down ethnic barriers as one of the first Americans to flourish in her field. The New York Times called her one of America’s most brilliant ballerinas of the 20th century.

Maria Tallchief: America's Prima Ballerina

Maria Tallchief: America’s Prima Ballerina

In her book, “Maria Tallchief: America’s Prima Ballerina,” she also explained how the Osage headrights affected her father. She said it felt as if her father owned property everywhere in Fairfax—the pool hall and local movie theater. Her family lived in a 10-room brick house on a hill overlooking the Osage reservation. They spent the summer in Colorado Springs because of the sweltering heat in Oklahoma. Tallchief also wrote in her book about the Osage Reign of Terror, “villainous white” who married Osage women and killed them to inherit their headrights.

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Born During the Osage Reign of Terror

On January 24, 1925, Maria Tallchief was born in Fairfax, Oklahoma, on the Osage Indian Reservation, during the Osage Reign of Terror described in Killers of the Flower Moon, directed by Martin Scorsese, and in the book of the same name by David Grann.

The true story Killers of the Flower Moon recounts the murder of over twenty Osage Indians from 1921 to 1926 because of their oil mineral rights. The tribal law made each member wealthy by granting them headrights, a share of the mineral trust. Because the government deemed the Osage unfit to manage their wealth, it appointed guardians to supervise their headrights.

Tallchief’s grandfather, Peter Bigheart, helped negotiate the agreement that founded the reservation and maintained the tribe’s mineral rights. When the Osage Indians discovered oil on the reservation, they became the wealthiest Native American tribe in the USA.

Maria’s father, an Osage Indian, Alexander Joseph Tall Chief, was a wealthy real estate executive. Her mother, Ruth Mary Porter Tall Chief, was of Scottish and Irish descent. Marie Tallchief wrote in her autobiography that her father never worked “a day in his life” because of the headrights.

Tallchief Early Years

Tallchief spent her childhood in Los Angeles, California, honing her ballet skills through years of training. Her mother had her start formal ballet lessons in Fairfax, Oklahoma, before she was four.

At eight, her family moved to Los Angeles, California. The purpose was to establish advanced ballet training for Maria and her sister, Marjorie. Their mother wanted them to work in Hollywood musicals.

Wore Ballet Flats Most of Her Life

Ballet Career Started on the Osage Reservation

Maria’s mother encouraged her and her sister, Marjorie, to take ballet and piano lessons during their toddler years. They performed at Osage civic organizations.

Moved to California

At age eight, Marie’s family moved to Beverly Hills, California, where she continued to study ballet and piano. Marie studied under prominent Russian ballerinas, Madame Nijinska and Anna Pavlova, by age twelve.

Because Tallchief was a Native American, members of the ballet community were skeptical. However, choreographer George Balanchine recognized her talent. He nurtured her into a prima ballerina.

Marie and Marjorie became professional ballet dancers and leading figures in America. In their retirement years, they founded Lyric Opera’s Ballet School in 1974, teaching the Balanchine method. Tallchief’s ballerina career took her around the world, resulting in a professional and personal relationship with George Balanchine.

Tallchief Moved to New York City

At 17, Marie moved to New York City to establish herself in a major ballet company. Here, she made her official name, Marie Tallchief.

For the next five years, she danced with the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo and met her first husband, choreographer George Balanchine. He co-founded the New York City Ballet in 1946, and Marie became its first prima ballerina.

Tallchief's early career in the 1940s included dancing with the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo.
Tallchief’s early career in the 1940s included dancing with the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo. | Source

Killers of the Flower Moon

Killers of the Flower Moon

Leonardo DiCaprio portrays Ernest Burkhard in an unlikely love story, and Lily Gladstone portrays Mollie Kyle. Oil transformed the Osage Nation into one of the wealthiest populations in the world at the start of the 20th century. I found the film informative, with an authentic Scorsese flair. There is a scene in which Robert De Niro’s character, William K. Hale, stands with a group of ballerinas and their teacher. I am sure it’s paying homage to Maria Tallchief’s legacy. Today, it’s a legacy celebrated on the reservation with statues of Tallchief.

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Tallchief Discusses Balanchine

Balanchine Ballet Technique Influences

Tallchief’s passion for ballet and Balanchine’s challenging choreography made the art form more popular. But some argue that Tallchief, as the Firebird in Stravinsky’s The Firebird, in the first year brought accolades to the New York Ballet. Playing the Sugarplum Fairy in The Nutcracker catapulted the Christmas ballet from obscurity to popularity in America.

Balanchine elevated Tallchief’s career as a prima ballerina, soloing her in his first ballet with the Russe de Monte Carlo called Song of Norway and as Alexandra Danilova’s understudy. Balanchine repeatedly cast Tallchief in significant roles in classical ballet. Eventually, she became the second lead when Ballet Imperial opened.

Balanchine and Tallchief grew fond of each other, and he told The Washington Post she was his “crucial artistic inspiration.” Their working relationship crossed into a personal relationship, and they married in 1946.

During their professional career, Balanchine influenced Tallchief’s ballet style by encouraging her to start over with the fundamentals of the craft. She lost weight and elongated her neck and legs as she learned to hold her chest high. Danilova taught Tallchief extensively, transforming her into a featured soloist.

Tallchief created the role of Coquette and Night Shadow and was the first ballerina to perform it. The most challenging role in the ballet was another milestone in her illustrious career.

Her career blossomed with a stint with the Paris Opera Ballet, becoming the first American to perform with the company. The French audiences loved her.

Tallchief revolutionized ballet under the guidance of George Balanchine.
Tallchief revolutionized ballet under the guidance of George Balanchine. | Source

New York City Ballet

Returning to New York in 1948, Balanchine co-founded the New York City Ballet, giving Tallchief the first prima ballerina role. During this time, Balanchine revolutionized ballet, creating dances that demanded athleticism, aggressive dancing and speed. Tallchief complied with all his choreography. To the point, the New York Times critic wrote she did everything except spin on her head.

Tallchief’s popularity and talent helped boost the fledgling ballet company, dancing eight times a week. She received critical success, and the audience praised her dancing as the Sugarplum Fairy in the annual Christmas classic, The Nutcracker.

Other dancing roles under Balanchine’s choreography included Swan Queen in Swan Lake and Eurydice in Orpheus. Tallchief created different lead roles in Jones Breach, Prodigal Son and A La Francaix. She also danced in Balanchine ballets with no storyline, interpreting music with theatrical elements. Balanchine was masterful at creating images or expressing and provoking emotion. Tallchief’s fiery dancing and athletic performances solidified Balanchine’s era as the most prominent choreographer.

Tallchief’s Marriages

Balanchine and Tallchief’s marriage was annulled in 1952. Shortly after, Tallchief married Elmourza Natirboff, a pilot. They divorced two years later, and she married Henry D. (Buzz) Paschen Jr in 1955. They had a daughter, Elise Maria Paschen, an award-winning poet. They remained married until he died in 2004.

Tallchief’s Illustrious Career

Tallchief continued establishing firsts, such as the American Ballet Theatre’s first guest dancer and prima ballerina. She was also the first American to dance at the Bolshoi Theatre in Russia. She was Rudolf Nureyev’s chosen partner for his American television debut.

Her Oklahoma people honored her with an array of statues and an official day of recognition. The National Women’s Hall of Fame inducted her, and she received a National Medal of Arts from the United States Congress. She also received a Kennedy Center Honor for her lifetime achievements.

In 2012, Tallchief broke her hip and passed away on April 11, 2013, because of complications from her injury.

References

Dirty Harry, Clint Eastwood

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Who is Dirty Harry?

With crime escalating and the economy on a hellish rollercoaster dive, it is a perfect time to view the 1970s tough-cop action thriller Dirty Harry.

The script, by the married team Harry Julian Fink and Rita M. Fink (based on her unpublished story), Dean Riesner, and John Milius (unaccredited), is a lesson in a tight, fast-paced story.

The .44 Magnum he carries guides a story’s worth of sharp dialogue that launched a movie legend.

Eastwood states the memorable tough-cop line while holding a .44 Magnum, “Make my Day.” He repeats the famous line at the end of the movie. He baits the punk to gamble with his streetwise Russian Roulette.

Who is Clint Eastwood?

Don Siegel’s stylish, almost surreal, at times direction and editing set the pace for Clint Eastwood’s incredible performance as Harry Callahan, a middle-aged, individualist, unconventional cop who throws away the rulebook but gets the short end of the stick.

The screenwriters give Callahan some of the most memorable lines and witty comments in film history, thus establishing the territory for how far a script can go to create the antihero of all jerks while keeping the audience on his side.

The unsolved Zodiac murder case in San Francisco is eerily contemporary today. The opening scene of a public tribute to San Francisco police officers killed in the line of duty fades to the muzzle-barrel end of a high-powered rifle of a serial sniper, a baby-faced hippie killer, on a rooftop with a telescopic lens aimed at a young woman in a yellow, one-piece swimsuit. She swims her lap, he pulls the trigger, the bullet hits her, and she sinks below the surface as the water turns red.

Who is Harry Callahan?

Enter Harry Callahan, the lone wolf investigating the crime scene by himself. He finds the used shell of the shot and a ransom note pinned to a TV antenna. The first few words he says throughout the film are direct responses: “Jesus.”

The handwritten note from the deranged sniper calling himself Scorpio says he will enjoy killing one person every day until he receives one hundred thousand dollars. It will be his pleasure to shoot a Catholic priest or a nigger. I can’t help but remind us of the sniper killings in the D.C. area.

Favorite Dirty Harry Quote

Those surveyed said their favorite Dirty Harry quote is “You’ve got to ask yourself a question. Do I feel lucky? Well, do ya, punk?! The next favorite quote is  “Go Ahead, Make My Day.”

Dialogue Makes the Movie

Spiteful and rude, Callahan was summoned to the Mayor’s office. After the Mayor inquires what he has done about the Scorpio case so far, Callahan complains, waiting, “Oh well, for the past three-quarters of an hour, I’ve been sitting on my ass in your outer office, waiting for you.”

Most Unforgettable Movie Cop Scene

Up next is probably one of the most unforgettable cop scenes in film history, which is often mistaken for the film’s opening scene.

Callahan drives up in his navy blue sedan on a San Francisco street and parks illegally at the red curb in front of an adult bookstore. He walks to a local Burger Den restaurant to order his jumbo hot dog. Callahan casually asks the cook about a tan Ford across the street in front of the bank, with the usual lack of excitement. He suspects a bank robbery and asks the cook to phone the police department and report a two-eleven in progress. Callahan says, “Now, just wait until the cavalry arrives.” he hears the bank’s alarm system and a gunshot after one bite of his hot dog and says, “Oh, Sh-t!”

Cliint Eastwood shows how to point a gun at the camera.
Clint Eastwood shows how to point a gun at the camera.

“I have a very strict gun control policy: if there’s a gun around, I want to be in control of it.”— Clint Eastwood

Clint Eastwood Dirty Harry Quotes

Callahan’s calm and collected strides outside pull out his monstrous, long-barreled, heavyweight Smith and Wesson .44 Magnum. He single-handedly stops the heist by shooting the fleeing bank robbers. Still chewing his hot dog, Dirty Harry fires his sixth shot at the last fleeing robber. He looks down at his pant leg, which indicates blood seeped through from a leg wound. Dirty Harry walks over to the bank entrance. He threatens the wounded robber, who is reaching for his shotgun on the sidewalk.

Aiming the .44 Magnum, Callahan says his memorable tough-cop line baits the criminal to try and use the shotgun- gamble on luck with his streetwise version of Russian Roulette.

The dialogue contributes to the fast-paced movie, while the audience sees Callahan as a tough, unscrupulous cop. In the film review for the New York Times, critic Roger Greenspun describes Callahan as: “Dirty is Harry’s given epithet, and he carries it proudly enough. But he is a knight in shining armor whose dirtiness is mostly rubbed off from the scummy world he keeps trying to wipe clean.”

Clint Eastwood as Dirty Harry

Clint Eastwood is not only a fine actor but also an award-winning director and jazz musician. Each project he works on has a social message important to our society.

Like Dirty Harry, Eastwood communicates the need to help the underdogs and support this generation’s heroes.

“Bolden” About The Man Who Invented Jazz

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Who Invented Jazz?

Charles “Buddy” Bolden’s story is haunting and captivating, marked by extreme highs and terrifying lows. Few people are familiar with his influence on the music culture, yet his musical ingenuity touches us fundamentally and socially.

He invented one of America’s few homegrown art forms, including its first and most important cultural export: jazz.

Growing up in New Orleans toward the end of the 19th century, he developed a new music style. Some describe it as fusing blues, gospel, and ragtime, calling for rapid improvisational rhythm. He played his cornet’s warmth and arousal sound like no other.

“Very little is known about musician Buddy Bolden:

He was born on September 6, 1877.

He was committed to an insane asylum in 1907, where he died in 1931.

Very few pictures of him exist….But Buddy Bolden invented jazz.”

American-Made

Jazz is as American-made as apple pie. The art form emerged about 120 years ago, when musicians gathered in inspiration, devotion, angst, and revelation. The splendor of jazz is between the musical notes, and its origins are veiled in an alchemy of mystery and allure.

Carr plays the trumpet as "Buddy."
Carr plays the trumpet as “Buddy.” | Source

Origins of Jazz

Quite possibly, the mystery of jazz’s origins stems from one of the first gifted musicians in this genre. Charles “Buddy” Bolden remains virtually unknown. Born in New Orleans in 1877, he became a bandleader spectacle before Louis Armstrong.

He was the first cornet player to surface from ragtime and blues, playing a fresh, new form. “Buddy Bolden’s Blues” (“I Thought I Heard Buddy Bolden Say”) by Jelly Roll Morton is one of the first and rare acknowledgments to the shadowy artist called “King” Bolden. Director and writer Dan Pritzker decided to change that and shed light on Bolden’s life and times.

The movie poster promoted the dynamic film.
The movie poster promoted the dynamic film.

Using the screenplay Pritzker wrote with David Rothschild, he innovated the musician’s life and chose to be creative with Bolden’s story. The movie immerses the audience through images of his lively and tragic life.

Each frame comprises the social framework in which Bolden grew up and developed revolutionary music. Pritzker focuses on inspiration from artists like Louis Armstrong and the musical style of the period.

Bolden engages the audience, starting with the early 1900s in New Orleans. Buddy Boden, played by Gary Carr, was broadly known as the “King” of New Orleans jazz. He took an innovative approach to music by merging ragtime, gospel, and blues with distinct improvisational riffs.

A clip from the movie shows a young Bolden sheltered under his mother’s sewing machine at the sweatshop. He fantasizes about the beat and sounds of the shop, with women workers ballet dancing to the equipment’s sounds: the movie trailer and other clips from the movie show Bolden at different points in his life. Most clips are triumphant and tragic, but the story is sad.

Coming Through Slaughter by Michael Ondaatje, who wrote The English Patient, tells Bolden’s story in poetic passages of his life. Ondaatje writes about how Bolden drank heavily as a barber by day and a musician by night. One night, he went crazy and was locked up in a pre-Civil War asylum.

On the contrary, the movie introduces us to his wife, Nora, played by Yaya DaCosta. She profoundly loved him and endured emotional pain because his personal life was not stable. His manager, Buddy Bartley, played by Erik LaRay Harvey, managed him through jubilant highs and precarious lows.

Yaya DaCosta as Nora Bolden with Gary Carr as Buddy Bolden
Yaya DaCosta as Nora Bolden with Gary Carr as Buddy Bolden | Source

The film jumps to 1931, showing the incredibly trendy trumpeter and singer Louis Armstrong, played by Reno Wilson. He returns to New Orleans and becomes one of the first African-American entertainers broadcast on the radio. Ironically, Bolden was experiencing his last days in the Louisiana insane asylum at the same time.

Reno Wilson as Louis Armstrong
Reno Wilson as Louis Armstrong | Source

Pritzker’s passion for telling Bolden’s story goes back decades. A guitarist for the Chicago-based rock/soul/R&B band, Sonia Dad, introduced Bolden’s story to Pritzker by recommending the nonfiction book “In Search of Buddy Bolden” by Donald M. Marquis.

Marquis is from Indiana but lives in New Orleans. He works at the New Orleans Public Library, spending most of his time researching jazz history and writing for jazz publications. Compared to Ondaatje’s book, he is well-researched with documentation and acknowledges a team of researchers who helped him uncover the life of Bolden.

“Jazz does not belong to one race or culture, but is a gift that America has given the world.”— Ahmad Alaadeen

Pritzker recalls reading Marquis’ book for the first time while touring with Sonia Dada. A friend introduced him to a book about Bolden, the creator of jazz. It got his attention, but it was a ridiculous concept, like saying this guy invented water or lightning. The truth is, Bolden set the stage for jazz. Pritzker says it is a tragedy because Bolden’s music impacted his life, even though he had never heard of him until now.

Dan Pritzker (Director) and Wynton Marsalis.
Dan Pritzker (Director) and Wynton Marsalis. | Source

Jazz musician Wynton Marsalis composed the film score and served as an executive producer. He hopes the film shines a positive light on the cornet player so people respect our musical history and culture.

Marsalis is from New Orleans and plays the trumpet; he has won multiple Grammys and was the only entertainer to win Grammys for jazz and classical recordings in the same year, the inaugural musician to win the Pulitzer Prize for music.

All the music that came after Bolden and Marsalis was associated with cornet solos and the style of variations. But he was surprised people didn’t talk about him as a cultural influence. He played loud music, had many women, and he drank too much.

Legendary jazz musicians recall Bolden’s work and life as if it were a myth. There are no recordings of his music or documents of his life. His career began as the famous King Bolden, but ended in a Louisiana insane asylum, where he spent the last 25 years of his life.

More About Jazz

Harry Potter Obsession

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J. K. Rowling’s Books

If you are a Harry Potter fan, you have most likely read all of J.K. Rowling’s books. If you are not a reader, then you watch the Warner Bros. movies. They grabbed your attention, and you couldn’t get away. The obsession with the Harry Potter stories is worldwide, whether it’s the books or just the movies, or both. The story is one that the whole family can experience together, and I highly recommend it. When your family decides to watch Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, snuggle up because it’s time to share a much darker and deeper Harry Potter movie than the earlier ones.

Moviegoers’ first reaction to Half-Blood Prince is how much those kids have grown up. They look so much older, and the story grows with them and gets darker. The actors surpassed their adolescence, and the characters have mastered their wizard training. If you have read the book, you are aware of the movie’s overall plot and outcome.

Sure. The story is darker, and Harry Potter learns more about Voldemort’s dark secrets and how to overpower the evil wizard once and for all. One main character in the story will perish, which is a pivotal point in Rowling’s series and may be hard to bear.

Harry Potter Books or Movies?

Those surveyed indicated that 50% had read the books before seeing the Harry Potter movies. The other 50% split between seeing the films and then deciding to read the books, and never reading the books at all.

Yates Directs Harry Potter Movies

David Yates directs the movie, and he is by far the best director of the franchise, as evidenced by his return to finish the last three installments after directing Order of the Phoenix.

Yates’s experience as a British television director keeps the story above the special effects. Yates told IMDB, “I like to create an atmosphere where actors feel safe enough to take risks. I certainly don’t believe in being a macho bully. I’m not interested in frightening good work out of people. It’s bollocks,” he continues. “In an ideal world, I’d bounce between big projects and no-budget TV dramas with fantastic scripts. Many Hollywood films tend to be bloated, bombastic, and loud. At the same time, I do like the infrastructure of making a blockbuster; it’s like having a big train set.”

Young Tom Riddle

In Half-Blood Prince, we discover detailed information about the young Tom Riddle, the boy. He eventually grows up to be Lord Voldemort, played brilliantly by Hero Fiennes-Tiffin, the nephew of Ralph Fiennes. Ralph Fiennes plays Voldemort, which makes the casting quite a family affair.

Another new cast member of the franchise is Jim Broadbent as Horace Slughorn, the new potions teacher, a plot-driven character in the Harry Potter story. Broadbent’s resume is extensive and probably one of the most favored character actors in the U.K. and the U.S.

Rowling’s Final Scene

So, sit down with your family and enjoy the sixth installment of the Harry Potter films. At the end of the movie, Harry reflects with Ron and Hermione on the difference between him and Voldemort. It’s a meaningful line and poignant, which is why we read Rowling’s series and flock to see Harry Potter movies.

“Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery Mobile Game”

Even though we read the books, watch the movies, and see spin-offs like Fantastic Beasts, a Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery Mobile Game offers a chance to play a game set in the franchise. The mobile game is just another way to enjoy Harry Potter.

Play the video promoting the new game, and you will see some reactions to the game from real Harry Potter talent, like one of the Phelps brothers. The game launch at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando was exciting and eventful for those who attended.

It is one of the first games where players experience being a character they choose and a Hogwarts student.

Future of Harry Potter

With spin-offs from Harry Potter stories, the new television series, the play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, the theme parks, and mobile games, you walk into a Barnes & Noble bookstore and see Harry Potter fandom from the original story, Fantastic Beasts. Anything is possible with such a fantasy story.

Rowling’s work inspires people to dream and to be part of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, or to write their own fantasy books where families and friends bond, sharing a fanciful reality.

Movies for Dog Lovers

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Movies with Dogs

Kids and adults love movies about dogs because they are so unpredictable. Some of us grew up with Clifford the Big Red Dog movies and Hallmark dog movies. We watched them over and over again.

Dog movies are endearing to watch. We don’t know what will happen in the end. The endings are either sad or happy. The tragic endings, like My Dog Skip, teach a lesson. We watch them over and over because we know what happens in the movie. Even if it is sad, we still watch it again.

Dog movies are stressful because the dogs get stolen or lost, but are returned or found at the end of each film. The dog gets hurt, and there is an emotional reunion between the owner and the dog. Most of the time, the dog survives an injury with a happy ending.

An interesting point, not many dog movies are about girl dogs. Girl dog movies are rare because of discrimination. What is wrong with a girl dog movie?

Enough said, now, let us take a look at some incredible dog movies.

1. My Dog Skip (2000)

Based on a well-known writer’s memoir, My Dog Skip takes place during WWII and stars two great talents, Kevin Bacon and Diane Lane. The dog doesn’t get stolen, but Willie and Skip are fast friends as they turn bullies into friends and tangle with ill-fated moonshiners who threaten to kill the dog. A pretty girl shows an interest in Skip, who brings her and Willie together.

The movie’s conflict centers on Willie’s dad, who thinks he should have real friends rather than a dog. But Willie overcomes that as he grows up.

The most stressful scene is near the end when Skip runs away because Willie’s temper flares up, and he kicks Skip. He apologizes for his behavior, and Skip forgives him. All in all, it is a beautifully told story. Here is the ending where you grab a tissue.

2. Beethoven (1992)

Beethoven is a classic dog movie with several sequels. Kids should first see the original film because it stars Charles Gordon and the late Dean Jones. Both actors are brilliant. Gordon plays the father who brings the lovable dog home and soon finds Beethoven growing too big for his liking. Jones, cast against type, makes his scenes entertaining. He is an evil Vet who tries to kidnap the dog. Bonnie Hunt plays Gordon’s wife and the mother of their adorable kids.

Watch the movie, and you will notice several up-and-coming actors of the time, including Stanley Tucci, Oliver Platt, and David Duchovny.

A hilarious scene is when Beethoven comes in from playing in the mud. Gordon holds his own in the scene, but the dog steals the show. Another funny scene is when George (Gordon) hits the vet (Jones). Watching that scene makes seeing the movie worth it.

3. Hachi: A Dog’s Tale (1992)

Hachi is not like other dog movies. Hachi doesn’t go missing or get kidnapped. The film is based on a true story about a dog’s devotion to his master.

The story is about a dog’s loyalty to his master. Richard Gere stars as the owner of Hachi. Joan Allen plays Gere’s wife, and Jason Alexander (Seinfeld) plays Carl, the store owner.

The movie answers the question, “Why are dog movies so sad?” It is because the story is so good.

I don’t want to say too much about the movie because it is a simple but powerful tale. Make sure you have a box of tissues because the story is heartwarming and a tear-jerker.

4. Air Bud (1997)

Air Bud is your basic dog story, but he doesn’t get stolen. He ran away from the original owner because he had abused him. Bud is a golden retriever and has a knack for playing basketball well. He brightens up a high schooler named Josh by helping him play better basketball.

The best scene in the movie is when Bud has to choose between the original owner and Josh. It’s a long scene where Josh says, “Come here, Buddy.” Will Bud go back to the abusive owner or stay with Josh? Enjoy the trailer. I love the line, “Mom, remember when I had a hamster?”

5. 101 Dalmatians (1961)

Here is one of the few girl dog movies. I know I am pushing the envelope when I say it is a girl dog movie, but Perdita, the wife of Pongo, plays an important role, the mother of the stolen Dalmatians. Even though the Disney cartoon characters seemed entertaining, the movie was very stressful.

Cruella De Vil decides to steal the puppies for their fur. The clip shows wanting to buy the puppies. When I first watched the movie as a kid, I truly believed that an animal network existed, where all animals could talk to each other around the world and help one another.

With that, take a look at the bumbling criminals. They are funny in this clip.

101 Dalmatians Trailer

6. Show Dogs (2018)

Max is a Rottweiler police dog voiced by Ludacris. His latest assignment is going undercover as a show dog in one of the top dog shows in the world. His human partner Frank, played by Will Arnett, tries to stop a disaster in the dog show. The cast includes Stanley Tucci, Shaquille O’Neal, Jordin Sparks, Natasha Lyonne, Gabriel Iglesias, and Omar Chaparro.

The movie is filled with owners and their adorable dogs.
The movie is filled with owners and their adorable dogs.

7. Dog Days (2018)

Dog Days is a movie for those who like to see personal relationships with dogs motivate the union. It touches on the theory of how dogs look like their owners. The film is worth seeing because it’s filled with vignettes of owners and their dogs. The story meanders as the characters intermingle, and romance ensues.

Here is a cute and adorable story for the whole family.
Here is a cute story for the whole family.

8. A Dog’s Way Home (2019)

Charles Martin Smith directed this happy tale based on the book by W. Bruce Cameron,A Dog’s Way Home. The heartfelt story is as sensitive and genuine as Bella, voiced by Bryce Dallas Howard, and her adventure—a dog embarked on a 400-mile journey home after being separated from her deeply loved human, played by Jonah Hauer-King.

Bailey, voiced by Josh Gad, he also voiced Olaf in the "Frozen" movies.
Bailey, voiced by Josh Gad, also voiced Olaf in the “Frozen” movies.

9. A Dog’s Journey (2019)

Director Gail Mancuso creates a film about friendships that transcend lifetimes. A Dog’s Journey, the sequel to the popular movie A Dog’s Purpose, followsBailey. He finds his new fate and develops a permanent bond, driven by unconditional love and friendships. Thus begins an adventure through multiple lives filled with joy, friendship, and devotion.

During an interview with Mancuso, she mentioned that all talent and crew had dogs, except the editor, Robert Komatsu.

The movie stars Willem Dafoe as a man in a race against time and the elements.
The movie stars Willem Dafoe as a man racing against time and the elements.

10. Togo (2019)

Ericson Core was formerly a cinematographer but directed the Disney movie, based on a true story and adapted from the screenplay by Tom Flynn. Togo follows a sled dog. In 1925, Togo led a serum run. People viewed the dog as too small and weak to pull a dog sled during an emergency race to save the lives of children.

The movie helped me become appreciative and happy about life. I loved seeing an underdog prove its worth.

Arthur is a smart dog that helps a man achieve his ultimate adventure.
Arthur is an intelligent dog who helps a man achieve his ultimate adventure. 

11. Arthur the King (2024)

A true story about a dog who guides Michael Light, played by Mark Wahlberg, who is desperate for one last chance to win the Adventure Racing World Championship. Over ten days and 435 miles, a bond between a pro adventure racer and a scrappy street dog companion.

Dog Movies for Family

Dog movies are great family movies because the stories are real, even though some dogs play basketball or talk. The story can be distressing, but the tension adds to the movie’s excitement, making the happy ending even more enjoyable.

Most of the time, the dog steals the limelight because they are so cute, cuddly, and innocent, validating the fact that we watch these dog movies over and over again.

Stream the Films on Netflix or Amazon

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Netflix or Amazon

Your family wants to watch a good movie, and you need help picking a good family movie. Without spending too much time searching, I found the following movies streaming on either Netflix or Amazon.

  1. Early Man
  2. Incredibles 2
  3. Five Fingers of Marseilles
  4. Christopher Robin
  5. A Quiet Place
  6. Disney’s Earth
  7. Alvin and the Chipmunks
  8. VeggieTales Takes a Look at a Meaningful Life
  9. Dolphin Tale
  10. The Sandlot
  11. Lady Bird
  12. Logan
  13. Kull: Skull Island
  14. Boss Baby
  15. Diary of a Wimpy Kid – The Long Haul
  16. Little Italy
If you liked "Chicken Run" and "Wallace & Grunt," you'll like "Early Man."
If you liked “Chicken Run” and “Wallace & Gromit,” you’ll like “Early Man.”

1. “Early Man”

Early Man brings laughter to the household because the movie is cute and filled with fun and likable characters. Dug, voiced by Eddie Redmayne, is a prehistoric caveman with goofy friends. The situation is hilarious, where the invaders are challenged to a game of soccer because Dug and his tribe need to win back their home.

The movie will capture your family’s attention because the kids relate to the innocence of the idiots, and adults will find the story funny. The undertone of humor in the situations makes parents chuckle. The claymation takes the story to a whole new level of brilliance.

"Incredibles 2" is just as good as "Incredibles" because Brad Bird directed both.
“Incredibles 2” is just as good as “Incredibles” because Brad Bird directed both.

2. “Incredibles 2”

Incredibles 2 is an ideal family movie because it is about a family of superheroes. Other superheroes are also enthralling to see how the family adjusts to being superheroes when mom, Elastic Girl, leaves the family at home with dad in charge. Jack-Jack’s superhero powers are totally out of this world. Brad Bird wrote and directed the movie. His screenplay flies along with tight dialogue and plenty of funny moments. I strongly recommend this movie for family movie night because it is pure entertainment and will satisfy all ages.

If you want to watch back-to-back movies, I strongly recommend the prequel, Incredibles. Again, Brad Bird directs a funny and action-packed film for the whole family.

My library includes both movies because, on family movie night, we all agree to watch Incredibles. I loaned the Blu-ray to friends who haven’t seen it yet. When they return it, they profusely thank me as we discuss our favorite scenes.

Any scene with Edna is my favorite. She is such a funny and quirky character. In Incredibles 2, she goes way out and befriends Jack-Jack.

All the voice actors’ return in Incredibles 2 shows how capable Bird is as a director. Pixar will not fail you because the voice actors create delightful characters.

Finding a well-made Western is pure joy.
Finding a well-made Western is pure joy.

3. “Five Fingers of Marseilles”

Five Fingers of Marseilles is a western set before and after Apartheid in South Africa. The inhabitants of Marseilles are under the oppression of a corrupt police force, and Five Fingers is a group of rebels that stands up to it.

Tau executes two police officers, and he flees the town. The Five Fingers breaks up, and Tau chooses a life of crime and gets arrested.

Two decades later, he is discharged from prison as the dreaded outlaw known as The Lion of Marseilles.

He returns home wanting comfort and reconnection with those he had disregarded. Tau is entangled in another injustice and rebuilds the Five Fingers. Together they fight for justice.

Scripted by Sean Drummond, the story is believable and moves along quickly. Directed by Michael Matthews, the movie is in English with subtitles.

It's a unique story about growing up, but not too seriously.
It’s a unique story about growing up, but not too seriously.

4. “Christopher Robin”

Winnie the Pooh, along with his best friends of the Hundred Acre Wood, leaves home for the big city to help Christopher Robin, who is now a father and in the workforce, become the loving and playful boy he used to be.

The journey is delightful, with silly Pooh and friends trying so hard to help Christopher. The movie will capture your heart.

Directed by her husband, Emily Blunt is so believable in "A Quiet Place."
Directed by her husband, Emily Blunt is so believable in “A Quiet Place.”

5. “A Quiet Place”

A Quiet Place trailer is an intense and scary movie. The story follows a family who must be quiet. Directed by John Krasinski, the supernatural thriller stars Krasinski and his wife, Emily Blunt. The film is enthralling and made so much money that the studio is producing a sequel.

Disneynature opens the world of nature to kids of all ages.
Disneynature opens the world of nature to kids of all ages.

6. Disneynature’s “Earth “

Disneynature celebrates each Earth Day with the release of a documentary celebrating Earth, the environment, and animals. The first of the series was Earth, released in 2009. The movie set a documentary opening-day record, grossing $4 million from 1,804 theaters.

The concessions person explained that the movie theater had four loaded school buses for the 10:00 am showing. He talked about the kids swamping concessions with orders of sixty kids’ treat packages. Disney conducted an all-out campaign to encourage schools and families to attend the Earth Day opening, a wise move on their part.

Three Animals Tell the Story

In the movie Earth, we are introduced to a mother polar bear and her two cubs as we first catch sight of their snouts peeking out from their winter den. The movie charts several other animals, but the documentary focuses primarily on these three animals to tell the story of Earth: the polar bears, humpback whales, and African elephants. It is by far an epic film, giving the attention this endangered planet deserves.

Any movie night can become your own special Earth Day by watching a Disneynature film or one of the older Disney films about nature called True Life Adventures. Adventure movies focus on wildlife, and an Oscar-winning series initiated by Walt Disney himself. He truly loved wildlife and saw the importance of conveying the message to keep your planet sustainable. Once your family views a Disneynature documentary, you can discuss the need to change our living habits and help preserve our planet Earth, and the importance of keeping it intact for many generations to come.

7. “Alvin and the Chipmunks”

Alvin and the Chipmunks were super popular in the late 1950s and then returned in 2007 as computer-generated images, known as CGI. The three little rascals look more real than ever now. Like the movie poster says, “Things are going to get messy.”

JETT Records executive Ian Hawke, a former college roommate, rejected his most recent song. To make the story even more interesting, Dave had, at one time, a relationship with Claire Wilson, his next-door neighbor.

Favorite Scene

Alvin and his two buddies sing “Only You And You Alone.” Dave realizes he discovered three diamonds in the rough.

The movie takes off, and the Chipmunks sing the songs he writes, and he keeps them fed and sheltered. The singing and montages in the film are brilliant. Jason Lee does a fantastic job of playing off the little CGI animals.

One of my favorite scenes is when Theodore wakes up in the middle of the night, scared from a nightmare. Dave helps him feel safe by letting him sleep in his bed. Very cute; any parent or child will relate to this scene, later revisited with Uncle Ian in a rather poignant scene.

Little Rascals

But the chipmunks, being little rascals, cause some problems for Dave. But they are so adorable you can’t help but laugh, which makes this an ideal family movie. A cute scene is when Alvin tries to create the mood for Dave’s reunion dinner with Claire. The dinner becomes odd. She bails on Dave when he confesses, “My life is being sabotaged by talking chipmunks.”

Alvin and the Chipmunks want to make up for the blunder, so they record a song and get a record deal with Ian Hawke. Now, Alvin and the Chipmunks are more famous than the Jonas Brothers. The little animals are working so hard to keep up with the demand. Dave worries about them and tries to get control over the situation. With missed opportunities and Hawke’s underhanded scheme to steal the chipmunks, Dave lets them go. Hawke tells the chipmunks to call him Uncle Ian. He wants to make money off them without their well-being in mind. The little guys are overworked. They miss Dave, and Dave misses them.

Family Can Watch Together

Directed by Tim Hill, the movie is fun for anyone, but it’s one the family can watch together without worrying that parents will get bored or that jokes will go over the kids’ heads. The talented cast and voice actors make the movie. Some of the cast members are Jane Lynch from Glee, Justin Long as Alvin, Matthew Gray Gubler as Simon, Jesse McCartney as Theodore, David Cross as Ian Hawke, and Jason Lee as Dave.

Behind-the-Scenes

The Alvin and the Chipmunks DVD has a behind-the-scenes featurette detailing how they created the chipmunks’ singing. It is well worth the look, and you will discover the real singers of the movie.

VeggieTales are pure magic for the little ones.
VeggieTales are pure magic for the little ones.

8. “VeggieTales Takes a Look at a Meaningful Life”

The VeggieTales, in general, are great family movies because they are light and fluffy. The jokes are clean, and the situations are hilarious. Sure, the tales bring in the Christian faith, so what? They are fun, and kids and parents have a good time watching the veggie characters interact with each other without legs or arms, yet they still move things around in the air as if they have extremities.

They carry books and a football. The veggies don’t walk with legs. They bounce to and fro because they are vegetables.

One such VeggieTales movie that went directly to DVD is It’s a Meaningful Life – A Lesson in Being Content. The story is somewhat like Frank Capra’s It’s a Wonderful Life. The classic movie follows a sad businessman as he reflects on how his life has turned out, and he wishes he had never been born. An angel guides him to the right path by showing how important his life is. The movie boasts James Stewart, Lionel Barrymore, and Donna Reed.

Would Life Be Better?

The VeggieTales character Larry the Cucumber plays Stewart, who loves playing football and wants to play in the Salad Bowl. He wants to be famous for all the fortune that goes with fame. But he gets injured in a game, and his dream ends. Many years later, silly-but-sweet Stewart cares for his family and friends. He loves his job at the toy train factory.

He ponders what he would be if he weren’t injured, had become a famous football star, and had made lots of money. Would life be better? He changes the past to show Steward what it would be like if it had happened the way he wanted. A moral is learned through Christian teachings, and Stewart learns a lesson about life.

Multi-Grammy Winner – Steven Curtis Chapman

What the movie is really about is the song “Meant to Be,” produced by Steven Curtis Chapman, a multi-Grammy winner as well as a Dove Award winner. Of course, It’s a Meaningful Life has the traditional new silly song called “Goodnight Junior.”

You can even visit the VeggieTales website and download some excellent activities from the movie for kids and parents to do together. The DVD includes cool family bonus features, such as sing-along songs, interviews, audio commentary, and the Meaningful Family Life Guide.

9. “Dolphin Tale”

Dolphin Tale is a true story that follows a teenage boy, Sawyer, played by Nathan Gamble. Sawyer meets his best friend, a dolphin, washed up on Clearwater Beach in Florida. Dolphin is named Winter, who loses her tail after being snagged in a crab trap. He decides to take responsibility for Winter at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, and his life changes.

The dolphin plays herself in the movie, making it realistic for families to watch. The Blu-ray/DVD offers several perspectives on the dolphin’s story. The featurettes are entertaining but educational at the same time.

Sawyer helps find a prosthetic expert to fit Winter with a prosthetic fin—a fantastic and unbelievable feat – never been done before. I encourage families to watch this movie together because it is one of the best family movies I have ever seen. The film will tug at your heartstrings, featuring a talented cast including Morgan Freeman, Ashly Judd, and Harry Connick Jr.

10. “The Sandlot”

The Sandlot is a movie everyone in the family can enjoy because its story has both tension and apprehension, making it a film kids can watch with their parents. The film is about kids growing up in the 1960s, when kids could play on the streets and have more freedom. They didn’t need permission to go places or to stay in touch with their parents. They just played and had fun all day.

Scotty, a new kid in the neighborhood, tries to make friends with the kids who play baseball on the sandlot. It’s hard at first, but the boys come around, and the adventure begins. Scotty learns to play baseball as the story follows him and his buddies on an adventurous summer quest to retrieve a baseball with a Babe Ruth autograph. The movie entertains audiences of all ages, featuring some of the wildest moments, scary situations, and a first kiss. All nine boys grew up that summer and became best friends. The film is enchanting and a fun comedy.

Director Greta Gerwig is from my hometown.
Director Greta Gerwig is from my hometown.

11. “Lady Bird”

The movie is not only filmed in my hometown but also about it. I marvel at the phenomenon of connection. That’s the feeling I have toward Lady Bird because it’s set in my hometown.

Greta Gerwig’s movie follows a teenage girl, played by Saoirse Ronan, who calls herself “Lady Bird” and goes to a Catholic school similar to Gerwig’s High School.

The story is charming, no matter where you live, because it is about being a teenager with a prominent dream to go to college and be away from home.

She tries to be who she really is while contending with the crazy life of high school and her relationship with her mother.

And, Lady Bird received esteem at festivals, from the public, and the industry.

12. “Logan”

Hugh Jackman stars under the direction of James Mangold. Mangold’s notable credits include Walk the Line, which he co-wrote; The Wolverine; Girl, Interrupted; Cop Land; Knight and Day; Ford v. Ferrari; and 3:10 to Yuma.

An operation run by the government turns mutant kids into killers. Logan begins mentoring a mutant girl with two claws rather than his three. The movie is dark and gets more serious, but laughs and merriment appear toward the end.

A Harry Potter alumnus, Tom Felton, looks mighty mean, suntanned, and ready to be the wicked, bad guy.

13. “Kong: Skull Island”

Being promoted as a reimagining of the beginning of the mythic Kong, an exciting, creative venture, I acknowledge that remakes are not original. Yet, the movie is supposedly original, so don’t name it Kong.

The movie follows a diverse group brought together to research an uncharted island in the Pacific. The island is stunning, but dangerous. The group adventures into a strange and unfamiliar island, and they are unaware of exploring the realm of the mythic Kong.

14. “The Boss Baby”

The Boss Baby is a hilarious movie that the family is sure to like. The impact of a new baby’s arrival is told from a delightfully unpredictable narrator, a heatedly creative 7-year-old named Tim.

The voice of Alec Baldwin dons a suit and speaks in a sly, animated way. The movie’s heart-filled message about the meaning of family should appeal to the whole family.

15. “Diary of a Wimpy Kid – The Long Haul”

The last Wimpy Kid movie has a new cast, and it looks entertaining, although a road trip? I could be amusing. Watch the trailer, and you might see some familiar faces from the earlier movies.

Hayden Christensen played young Darth Vador.
Hayden Christensen played young Darth Vader.

16. “Little Italy”

Little Italy focuses on two childhood friends, Leo (Hayden Christensen) and Nikki (Emma Roberts). The movie is directed by Donald Petrie, who brought us Miss Congeniality, starring Sandra Bullock.

As in a classic story, Leo and Nikki become attracted to each other when they are adults. Their parents’ own contentious pizzerias put a bite on their passionate romance. If you are familiar with the story, this particular one is not a tragedy. Some classic stories end unhappily, but this romantic comedy is safe for a blossoming romance.

Streaming Movies are Rewarding

Watching a good movie with the family can be rewarding on many levels. They are upbeat, funny, and honorable. Whether you rent them on Netflix, Amazon, or cable, the stories share a message that the whole audience can relate to, refreshingly.

Frank Sinatra Romanced the Movies

Academy Award Winner, drama, film careers, ,
Sinatra is with Grace Kelley in "High Society."
Sinatra is with Grace Kelley in “High Society.” | Source

Frank Sinatra Albums

What Better way to say “I Love You” Than With a Frank Sinatra Song?

You will agree with me when I say Frank Sinatra is synonymous with love songs. A true fan holds their favorite Sinatra love song to heart.

Though some of his love songs are about love lost, they instill the value of making sure you hang on to the one you love.

“Look to Your Heart” is the third collection album of Frank Sinatra singles and B-sides with long-time collaborator Nelson Riddle. The Frank Sinatra album is an example of those favorite torch songs sung by Sinatra.

A combination of vocal jazz and classic pop, the album was released through Capitol in 1959. However, it was recorded between 1953 and 1955 when Sinatra’s film and television career hit one of its highest points. He won an Academy Award for From Here to Eternity in 1955.

Interestingly, a couple of long-lost songs from the 1955 live television musical version of Our Town, in which Sinatra played the Stage Manager alongside Paul Newman, are included on the album. “I Could Have Told You,” a favorite torch song, eventually became a standard. “Same Old Saturday Night’ reflects his newfound swing and wackiness with “I’m Gonna Live Till I Die,” suggesting his inclination towards living a rather pleasure-seeking, hell-bent lifestyle complete with beatnik bongos.

Sinatra's album covers have some of his best photo opportunities.
Sinatra’s album covers have some of his best photo opportunities.

Interestingly, two long-lost songs from the 1955 live television musical version of “Our Town,” in which Sinatra played the Stage Manager alongside Paul Newman, are included on the album.

“I went with a friend to see Frank Sinatra in Las Vegas, in the last year that he was performing. He wasn’t necessarily on top form, but the way he could connect with an audience and the way he communicated through the lyrics was something I hadn’t ever really seen before.”— Ron Howard – Movie Director, Producer, and Actor.

“From Here to Eternity”

Montgomery Clift (Robert E. Lee Prewitt) and Frank Sinatra (Angelo Maggio)
Montgomery Clift (Robert E. Lee Prewitt) and Frank Sinatra (Angelo Maggio)

“The big lesson in life, baby, is never be scared of anyone or anything.”— Frank Sinatra

I have to admit that Sinatra’s “My Favorite Valentine” song is very appropriate for today. A perfect way to say “I love you”—a gift for any Sinatra fan.

Best of Frank Sinatra Songs

After listening to the album a couple of times, I noticed the diverse arrangement of songs. None fit together, but each song is a sensual pleasure in itself. One can’t help but appreciate Sinatra’s versatility as a singer, with songs ranging from the uplifting and rhythmic “Same Old Saturday Night” to the whimsical and delicate “Fairy Tale.” The fact that the collection reached the Top Ten means the album became available as a reissued compact disc, alongside the Capitol Years disc box set. All tracks are included in the box set The Complete Capitol Singles Collection.

With that said, I have to admit the “My Favorite Valentine” song by Sinatra is appropriate for today. A perfect way to say “I love you” — a gift for any Sinatra fan.

Summer Wind

“Frank Sinatra – My Way”

“Strangers in the Night” was released by Frank Sinatra on Reprise Records in 1966, continuing his celebration of his comeback to the #1 spot on the pop album charts, which began in the middle of the 1960s.

It is the last album he will produce with long-serving arranger and conductor Nelson Riddle.

Jonathan Schwartz of WNEW wrote this about Nelsen Riddle (I edited his quote for clarity):

“Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra, Louis Armstrong, and Nelson Riddle stand, in my judgment, at the spine of American popular music. Nelson’s voice, like the others, changed our thinking, pushed us forward, and addressed us with startling originality. The scope of his talent dwarfs all other arrangers. He obviously took great pleasure in delegating authority to the oboe, flute, bass trombone, muted trumpet, organ, bassoon, and vibraphone while remaining in full control of his administration. He is overseeing without overstating the strings. His own private melodies whisper respectfully under the Gershwin, Kern, or Rodgers on the table. He sings out and out with the passion that informs every bar of every arrangement. All these things are actively combined in the immense body of work that stands as one of the great achievements in American arts. To find that Nelson, personally, is a droll, tender, reclusive, and richly intelligent fellow adds a special kind of luster to my fondness for him, devotion to him. The book you are holding is about music. There is no more qualified author available…Anywhere.”

“Strangers in the Night” knocked the Beatles off the charts. The rendition made it to #1 on the pop singles charts, and “Summer Wind” gradually developed into a timeless classic, achieving a more permanent commercial success than its forerunner.

“Frank Sinatra Greatest Hits”

“Strangers in the Night” blends popular Sinatra favorites like “Downtown” and “Call Me.”

Then show tunes like “On a Clear Day (You Can See Forever)” and with standards, too, like “My Baby Just Cares for Me” and “The Most Beautiful Girl in the World.”

“Strangers in the Night” knocked the Beatles off the charts. The rendition reached #1 on the pop singles charts, and “Summer Wind” gradually evolved into a timeless classic, achieving a more enduring commercial success than its forerunner. The song was heard on television commercials and played while the credits rolled for the movie The Pope of Greenwich Village.

The album received two Grammys for Sinatra, including Best Male Vocal and Best Record of the Year. The album became certified platinum with 1 million copies sold in the U.S. alone.

Riddle used horns, strings, and an organ, making a swinging rhythm while Sinatra sings in a relaxed mood, feeling confident and jazzy, delivering a sensational gust of breathtaking vocals. The album appealed to Sinatra’s faithful fans and attracted pop radio.

Sinatra's trademark trilby is a narrow-brimmed hat resembling a fedora.
Sinatra’s trademark trilby is a narrow-brimmed hat resembling a fedora.

Frank Sinatra – “Come Fly With Me”

Sonny Burke produced the 1966 album and released it through Reprise Records with Frank Sinatra, working once again with Nelson Riddle as the arranger and conductor.

Burke was best known as the musical director of Reprise Records and as the producer of many Frank Sinatra albums. He graduated from Duke University in 1937. While at Duke University, Burke formed a big jazz band called the Duke Ambassadors. He led the group until he graduated.

Burke became a bandleader in New York’s big bands in the 1930s and 1940s. During the 1940s and 1950s, he worked as an arranger for bands like Charlie Spivak and Jimmy Dorsey.

Burke teamed up with Peggy Lee and wrote the songs for Disney’s Lady and the Tramp. He even wrote songs with John Elliot for Disney’s Toot, Whistle, Plunk, and Boom, which won the 1953 Oscar for Best Short Animated Feature.

Reaching for the Moon

“Moonlight Sinatra” was thought of as a minor recording, yet many fans enjoyed listening to the Sinatra and Riddle collaboration. Half of his recorded songs connect with Bing Crosby, whom Sinatra idolized, thus turning the album into a casual tribute.

Frank Sinatra Album

The album’s title refers to “Moonlight Sonata” by Ludwig Van Beethoven.

In Moonlight Sinatra, each song’s prevailing theme is the Moon, a perfect album to make love with Frank Sinatra. The album’s title refers to “Moonlight Sonata” by Ludwig van Beethoven. Riddle drives the music with lush, effervescent arrangements, creating a romantic tone and elegant theme, with every song having the word “mo”n” in its title.

Although the concept is not strong enough to qualify as a concept album, the title is apt. Riddle creates a succession of charts that offer a warm and pleasant evening, including various moods and tones. He forms soft Latin ballads, playing rhythms, while Sinatra gently sings a perfect blend, stretching each lyric with light touches.

Moonlight Sinatra is considered a minor recording, yet many fans delight in the collaboration between Sinatra and Riddon. Half of the recorded songs are associated with Bing Crosby, whom Sinatra idolized, making the album a casual tribute.

Sinatra and Riddle chose some unfamiliar songs, such as “Reaching for the Moon” by Irving Berlin, accompanied by a string bass. Burke includes “The Moon Got in My Eye”,” Oh, You Crazy Moo”, and the endless “Moonlight Becomes You”. A unique rendition of Tchaikovsky’s “Moon Lo” uses Sinatra’s soft touch. Yet, the instrumentals are strong with refreshing strings. Moonlight Sinatra is worth owning for any Sinatra fan and is accessible through Complete Reprise Studio Recordings.

Making Love with Frank Sinatra

Making love as you and your partner listen to Sinatra croon in the background inflames your passion. These Frank Sinatra albums are on your playlist, with the lights turned down. Relax with someone, and you will see what I mean.

Taylor Taylor, Kathryn Stockett Friendship

Academy Award Winner, book, drama, film careers, movies, ,

Friendship

The making of The Help has a backstory about two friends who helped each other break into two competitive fields: publishing and filmmaking.

Director and screenwriter Tate Taylor and author Kathryn Stockett were childhood friends in the 1970s. They grew up together in Mississippi. Their friendship lasted into adulthood when they collaborated on a book and movie about social standing in the 1960s South – The Help.

Friend Helping a Friend

Stockett took five years to write the novel and over 60 rejections from literary agents. Then, she approached Taylor with her dilemma of not getting published. Being a close friend, Taylor was sympathetic and decided to read her manuscript. He was “blown away” and emotionally moved by the story’s truth because he grew up in the same southern culture as Stockett.

Taylor supported Stockett, saying that her manuscript was fantastic and that she shouldn’t give up. He promised he’d make it into a movie if it didn’t get published.

Black Versus White America

The story concerns unlikely women coming together to make a change in Mississippi in 1963. One woman is a writer researching Black women raising children in White households. The black woman and the writer become friends as they try to change the terrible conditions of black women working for white families in Mississippi.

Taylor and Stockett were both raised by single mothers who worked full-time. Like the women in the story, they needed help raising their children. Taylor and Stockett called these women who helped them grow into adulthood “co-mothers.”

Great Interview

“I didn’t think so, honey. Every day you’re not dead in the ground, when you wake up in the morning, you’re gonna have to make some decisions. Got to ask yourself this question: ‘Am I gonna believe all them bad things them fools say about me today?’ You hear me? ‘Am I gonna believe all them bad things them fools say about me today?’ You hear me today? All right? As for your mama, she didn’t pick her life. It picked her. But you, you’re gonna do something big with yours. You wait and see.”— Constantine Jefferson in the movie.

Promise Pays Off

So, Stockett’s career took off with her bestseller, and Taylor wrote the adaptation for the silver screen and directed it with a great cast.

The Help was published and became an ultimate bestseller. But Taylor remembered the story because of its authenticity. It continued to resonate with him from the moment he opened the book. He thought the story reflected his childhood friendship with Stockett, even though their lives differed from those of the characters.

Their story offers a solution for those who want to break into writing or filmmaking, reminding them of their childhood friends as sources of inspiration or help. Either way, collaborating on a project with a childhood friend is a rewarding way to keep the friendship growing and lasting forever.

Having friends who help you is meaningful and gives value to life. The story of Stockett and Taylor assisting each other and working their way to success in their chosen careers tells us who they are as individuals.

Tate Taylor and author Kathryn Stockett were childhood friends.

Strange Friendships

Tate Taylor continues writing and directing. He directed the movie MA, which starred Juliette Lewis, Octavia Spencer, and Luke Evans. Taylor and Blumhouse produced the film. It is a psychological horror-thriller about a lonely woman who becomes friends with a group of teenagers and allows them to party at her house.

The teenagers think they’ve got it made, partying like adults. The woman begins acting strangely in a horrific way, and it turns out she is not as friendly as they thought. Octavia and Tate were roommates before their careers flourished.

Roommates

In a couple of interviews with MA producers, they reveal that Taylor is one of the kindest directors and makes friends with everyone. Taylor and Spencer were roommates for seven years. It turns out they are the best of friends. Because they were roommates and friends, he knew Spencer would want to play Ma’s role because she loves true crime stories.

Again, friendship in the film business helps build careers. Keep that in mind as you develop your film career—create relationships.

“The Tree of Life” Filming Locations

drama, history, legend, ,

Malick, What is the Meaning

Terrence Malick’s The Tree of Life takes us on a passage through the Heavens, and then we are carried above volcanoes and then plunge below the surface into the deep ocean.

We see a few of our most celebrated scientific images of all time. I have wondered why we are on this journey with Malick. I don’t think this concept received an answer.

During the movie, we visit diverse locations, including Waco, Texas; Villa Lante; Death Valley; and the Sun. Malick reminds us of space, living things, and the significance of our humanity. Bringing up such questions: Being raised by a violent father and an angelic mother, does it balance a person? Does history shape our existence?

I had the opportunity to watch the movie the other night. A viewing experience that sometimes bewildered me with visual and aural beauty. Almost bored with wandering attention, I was surprised to see dinosaurs in the movie, which I believe was meant to explain why man is so violent, but I’m not sure.

The DVD comes with a 30-minute featurette about the behind-the-scenes look at the making of the movie. I watched the featurette, and it didn’t help explain Malick’s choice of locations.

“The nuns taught us there are two ways through life: the way of nature, and the way of grace. You have to choose which one you’ll follow.”— Mrs. O’Brien (Jessica Chastain) in Terrence Malick’s “The Tree of Life”

Death Valley

In the Mojave Desert, located in Eastern California, lies Death Valley. Records indicated the area registers the lowest, driest, and hottest locations in North America. The valley gained fame in 1849 during the California Gold Rush. Its title, “death,” didn’t hold much weight in the era, with only one death recorded during the Gold Rush.

On July 10, 1913, the hottest air temperature ever recorded was 134 degrees Fahrenheit at Furnace Creek, a perfect name for the event. During this period, the desert reached 129 degrees Fahrenheit for five days.

At one point (2.588 million to 12000 years ago), the area was a succession of inland seas called Lake Manly. A freshwater lake that eventually evaporated as the temperatures in the region grew hotter. How this relates to Malick’s movie, I don’t know.

Texas

The second-largest state in the United States is Texas, nearly twice the size of Germany and Japan combined. The large size of Texas brings divergent climatic regions, and rivers form three of its borders. Thus, the state is diverse yet beautiful, with deserts, prairies, grasslands, forests, and coastlines. For this reason, the large state resembles the American South and Southwest.

Source

Villa Lante

The Villa Lante is a historical garden of wonder near Viterbo in central Italy. Construction of Villa Lante started around 1566. The estate has changed owners many, many times since its development. Families lived in the Villa until around the 19th century.

The property is famous for its architectural design and water fountains, drawing thousands of visitors for centuries.

In 1944, Allied bombing heavily hit the estate due to the fall of Rome. In the late 20th century, Dr. Angelo Cantoni purchased the Villa. He managed a very long restoration process. As of 2014, the Villa belongs to the Republic of Italy.

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The Sun

The Sun is a star at the center of our Solar System. It has a mass 330,000 times that of Earth. The Sun emits sunlight that supports all life on Earth and shapes Earth’s climate and weather. Because of the Sun’s godlike nature, it controls Earth’s well-being. Some societies have believed the Sun to be a deity.

Mauna Loa Volcano

Mauna Loa, located in the tropical paradise of Hawaii, is one of the largest volcanoes on Earth. One of the five volcanoes that form the Islands of Hawaii, the volcano has remained active for roughly 700,000 years. However, Mauna Loa’s most recent eruption in 1984 caused no deaths, whereas those in 1926 and 1950 devastated villages.

Hilo, Hawaii, has been built on lava flows from Mauna Loa since the 19th century. Because Mauna Loa is still active and evolving, the volcano is watched continuously for the safety of its inhabitants.

“I film quite a bit of footage, then edit. Changes before your eyes, things you can do and things you can’t. My attitude is always ‘let it keep rolling.'”— Terrence Malick

Malick: A Hidden Life

I have shown you scenes from Malick’s movie, hoping it helps you understand his overall message about the nature of man and his many forms.

Malick said once, “Perhaps when I have ten films behind me, I will have something worth saying.”

A pivotal part of Malick’s films is the music he uses for the score. We cannot hear his music now; it plays only in the movie, where the soundtrack plays a vital part in The Tree of Life. The visual locations with the significant compositions by the greatest composers, including Mozart, Brahms, Berlioz, and others, experience the nature and grace of humankind.

Director John Frankenheimer

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John Frankenheimer relaxing between camera setups on the set of the Turner Film Production "Andersonville."
John Frankenheimer relaxing between camera setups on the set of the Turner Film Production “Andersonville.” | Source

Frankenheimer Came to Northern California

A friend of mine, Kevin, got a job working with one of the industry’s most talented directors: the late John Frankenheimer (Birdman of Alcatraz, The Manchurian Candidate, Grand Prix, Wallace, and Ronin).

Frankenheimer came to Northern California to do location work for one of his last films, HBO’s Path to War, starring one of the Baldwin boys – Alec. I highly recommend this movie.

Donald Sutherland also stars in the cable movie. According to IMDb, the Path of War is based on a true story set in the mid-1960s: President Johnson and his foreign policy team debate whether to withdraw from or escalate the war in Vietnam.

Gary Sinise Tribute to Frankenheimer

Frankenheimer passed away in 2002 after a stroke. Gary Sinise, who worked with him on three movies, wrote a tribute to Frankenheimer for Entertainment Weekly. Here is an excerpt of that tribute. “He was drawn to dramatic material and found a lot of drama in biographical subjects. His television movies in the ’90s were based on real events or real people, like…the biopic George Wallace,” which was the first of three projects I did with him. The television movies would bring him four Emmys for his direction.”

The movie industry expects people to introduce themselves, network or show their work.
The movie industry expects people to introduce themselves, network or show their work.

“He had an enormous amount of energy, and at 72 was reemerging as one of the great filmmakers of all time, somebody whose work was as powerful later in his career as it was in the beginning,” praised Sinise.

Catch the movie on Amazon or Netflix.
Catch the movie on Amazon or Netflix.

Getting Noticed in Hollywood

Please consider how my friend networked with someone who can help his career. You are about to learn something about networking in the film business. My friend, Kevin, was inventive enough to network and pitch a local independent film, Ashes, to Kristi, who, in turn, would give it to her dad to view. Kevin was thinking on his feet and taking advantage of a business relationship he had formed while on a film set.

Some may think it was a bit of a bold move, and you would never approach a celebrity like that and be so forward. Why not? The worst that can happen is that the personality would say “no.” Or, you would get kicked off the set, but I doubt that would happen unless you were rude and obnoxious. People in the movie industry expect and accept others approaching them, networking, or showing their work.

The best thing that could happen is that Frankenheimer likes Kevin’s movie and helps him with its distribution, or finds an agent to help distribute the film. It’s not bad that he approached the daughter of a well-known director and producer.

However, nothing came of his contact with Kristi when he gave her a DVD of his movie.

Kevin made his move, and he felt good about his efforts. Later, when he pitches it to another distributor, he can mention that Frankenheimer’s daughter is interested in the movie. It’s called “name-dropping.” It also tells the distribution representative that Kevin hustles and works to get his film known to others in the industry.

Directed by Frankenheimer

“The movie Path to War was filmed at the California State Capitol on Monday. Long Day–7:30 AM until 11:45 PM! “It was an exciting day as I had the chance to work and speak with the director John Frankenheimer and his daughter, Kristi,” explains Kevin. “I was very impressed with Frankenheimer – he demands a lot from his crew, and he definitely doesn’t tolerate wasted time …but when you’re responsible for a 17 million dollar budget project, the pressure is certainly on you to get the job done.”

Frankenheimer stopped the filming long enough to personally thank all of the Sacramento cast and compliment them on their work, “which I found very refreshing, especially from someone of his stature,” adds Kevin.

Working with such a prestigious director was an honor.
Working with such a prestigious director was an honor. | Source

Follow up Contact Number

“I had the opportunity to speak with his daughter, Kristi, for a few minutes between set-ups, and Kristi accepted a copy of the local independent film Ashes that she promised to give to her father. She also provided me with the production office number in LA, so I could stay in touch and follow up on his impressions of the film.”

Another smart move by Kevin was to have a follow-up number for Kristi to use later after her dad viewed his movie.