The Best Songs -
1. "Heart of Glass"
2. "Rapture"
3. "No Exit"
4. "Maria"
5. "X Offender"
6. "Rip Her to Shreds"
7. "In the Flesh"
8. "Picture This"
9. "Call Me"
10."Dreaming"
The Best Album
Parallel Lines
Saturday, March 18, 2006
Friday, March 17, 2006
Monday, March 13, 2006
PURE RAPTURE - BLONDIE TURNS 30!
Things to do before Blondie turns 30:
Be a popular punk band at CBGB’s. Check.
Have a #1 record. Check (times four).
Do pop, rock, disco, and reggae. Check.
Have a successful comeback. Check.
Be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Check.
Before Pink, Christina, and Britney, Debbie Harry and her boys ate to the beat and showed women everyone how to rock – and pop, and reggae, and disco, and hip-hop, and rap!
The last time we really heard from Blondie was in 1999 with the release of the critically acclaimed No Exit, which contained “Maria,” a song that went to #1 in 14 countries. The USA, sadly, was not one of them, but their reunion tour was a huge success. Exit picked up where they had left off in 1982 with The Hunter. Although not well received by the public, this disc contains a rare, upbeat tune by Jimmy Destri, “Danceway,” and the original title track intended for the James Bond film “For Your Eyes Only.”
1980’s Autoamerican is probably the best example of how diverse their music is with the reggae “The Tide is High” and “Rapture,” America’s first rap song to reach #1.
In the same year they had another #1 song with “Call Me,” from the movie American Gigolo.
The year prior saw the release of Eat to the Beat, which was also released as the first full- length video album with “Dreaming” and “Atomic.” Arguably their best sounding release, it was the follow-up to 1978’s masterpiece Parallel Lines. You might recall “Heart of Glass” and “One Way or Another” catapulting them into the spotlight and the mainstream. Filled with infectious rock and pop, Lines became the band’s first Top Ten Album.
1977’s Plastic Letters contains many songs penned by keyboardist Jimmy Destri, and it may be the best example of their early punk days. Examples include “(I’m Always Touched By Your) Presence, Dear” and “Denis.”
But it all started in 1976 with their self-titled debut containing “X Offender, “Rip Her to Shreds,” and “In the Flesh,” songs made popular at CBGB’s in New York and in the UK.
Jump, jump thirty years later, Blondie is releasing Sound & Vision chronicling their singles and videos.
Like the song says, Debbie’s voice may be “cold as ice cream, but still as sweet,” and she knows how to use it!
Be a popular punk band at CBGB’s. Check.
Have a #1 record. Check (times four).
Do pop, rock, disco, and reggae. Check.
Have a successful comeback. Check.
Be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Check.
Before Pink, Christina, and Britney, Debbie Harry and her boys ate to the beat and showed women everyone how to rock – and pop, and reggae, and disco, and hip-hop, and rap!
The last time we really heard from Blondie was in 1999 with the release of the critically acclaimed No Exit, which contained “Maria,” a song that went to #1 in 14 countries. The USA, sadly, was not one of them, but their reunion tour was a huge success. Exit picked up where they had left off in 1982 with The Hunter. Although not well received by the public, this disc contains a rare, upbeat tune by Jimmy Destri, “Danceway,” and the original title track intended for the James Bond film “For Your Eyes Only.”
1980’s Autoamerican is probably the best example of how diverse their music is with the reggae “The Tide is High” and “Rapture,” America’s first rap song to reach #1.
In the same year they had another #1 song with “Call Me,” from the movie American Gigolo.
The year prior saw the release of Eat to the Beat, which was also released as the first full- length video album with “Dreaming” and “Atomic.” Arguably their best sounding release, it was the follow-up to 1978’s masterpiece Parallel Lines. You might recall “Heart of Glass” and “One Way or Another” catapulting them into the spotlight and the mainstream. Filled with infectious rock and pop, Lines became the band’s first Top Ten Album.
1977’s Plastic Letters contains many songs penned by keyboardist Jimmy Destri, and it may be the best example of their early punk days. Examples include “(I’m Always Touched By Your) Presence, Dear” and “Denis.”
But it all started in 1976 with their self-titled debut containing “X Offender, “Rip Her to Shreds,” and “In the Flesh,” songs made popular at CBGB’s in New York and in the UK.
Jump, jump thirty years later, Blondie is releasing Sound & Vision chronicling their singles and videos.
Like the song says, Debbie’s voice may be “cold as ice cream, but still as sweet,” and she knows how to use it!
Monday, March 06, 2006
The Oscars CRASH through the MOUNTAIN!
It takes a lot to shock the unshockable Jack Nicholson, but even he became speechless when all he had to do was read the title of the movie that just won Best Picture. Most Oscar fans had predicted Brokeback Mountain to take home the top prize, but Crash did instead.
So, what happened?
Brokeback became the movie that you are not supposed to not like, but people soon discovered that the fact that the movie became mainstream at all became more important than the film itself. It is a great movie, but Crash is much edgier and grittier and less of a typical drama.
As usual, Oscar provided us with shocks and surprises to keep us alert during a typical snoozefest, arguably the most boring ceremony in history, aside from the musical numbers and Jon Stewart's attempts at saving the show. After the unnecessary and relentless montages and embarrassing introductions by the likes of Nicole Kidman and Lily Tomlin & Meryl Streep, audiences had enough.
But, at least offering the win to Hustle & Flow's "It's Hard to be a Pimp" the Best Song revamped the evening.
Except for Reese Witherspoon taking Felicity Huffman's Oscar from her, things seemed reletively calm and appropriate. Reese was wonderful in Walk the Line, but Felicty was much, much better in Transamerica, and it is not Reese's fault that the Academy made a mistake to play it safe.
For all other wins, please visit www.oscars.org.
So, what happened?
Brokeback became the movie that you are not supposed to not like, but people soon discovered that the fact that the movie became mainstream at all became more important than the film itself. It is a great movie, but Crash is much edgier and grittier and less of a typical drama.
As usual, Oscar provided us with shocks and surprises to keep us alert during a typical snoozefest, arguably the most boring ceremony in history, aside from the musical numbers and Jon Stewart's attempts at saving the show. After the unnecessary and relentless montages and embarrassing introductions by the likes of Nicole Kidman and Lily Tomlin & Meryl Streep, audiences had enough.
But, at least offering the win to Hustle & Flow's "It's Hard to be a Pimp" the Best Song revamped the evening.
Except for Reese Witherspoon taking Felicity Huffman's Oscar from her, things seemed reletively calm and appropriate. Reese was wonderful in Walk the Line, but Felicty was much, much better in Transamerica, and it is not Reese's fault that the Academy made a mistake to play it safe.
For all other wins, please visit www.oscars.org.
Friday, March 03, 2006
The Oscars--Who Should/Will Win and Who Should/Should Not Be Here!
Let the controversy begin!
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS NOMINEES
Amy Adams, Junebug
Catherine Keener, Capote
Frances McDormand, North Country
Rachel Weisz, The Constant Gardener
Michelle Williams, Brokeback Mountain
WHO SHOULD WIN: Michelle Williams. Her agony was real, and her performance was stellar.
WHO WILL WIN: Rachel Weisz. Not that Oscar is predictable, but he likes to go along with everyone else sometimes. Rachel has won pretty much everything else, so she might add an Academy Award to her collection.
WHO SHOULD BE HERE: Thandie Newton, Crash. Her "get-me-the-hell-out-of-this-car-anyone-but-you" scene alone should have secured her a nod here.
WHO SHOULD NOT BE HERE: Catherine Keener. Sure, she was great in Capote, but nothing she did was enormously earth-shattering.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR NOMINEES
George Clooney, Syriana
Matt Dillon, Crash
Paul Giamatti, Cinderalla Man
Jake Gyllenhaal, Brokeback Mountain
William Hurt, A History of Violence
WHO SHOULD WIN: Jake Gyllenhaal. Overshadowed by Heath Leadger, it would be nice for Jake to go home with a prize.
WHO WILL WIN: George Clooney. Oscar will probably not let his potential Triple Crown go unrewarded.
WHO SHOULD BE HERE: Bob Hoskins, Mrs. Henderson Presents. His performance was the perfect match for Dame Judi Dench's.
WHO SHOULD NOT BE HERE: William Hurt. Nothing personal, but there were other performances that were more exhilerating.
BEST ACTRESS NOMINEES
Dame Judi Dench, Mrs. Henderson Presents
Felictiy Huffman, Transamerica
Keira Knightley, Pride and Prejudice
Charlize Theron, North Country
Reese Witherspoon, Walk the Line
WHO SHOULD WIN: Felicity Huffman. Comfortable in her own skin, she proves going cross-country while cross-dressing is no drag.
WHO WILL WIN: Reese Witherspoon. Hollywood's Darling has nabbed almost all other awards for her performance as June Cash, and Oscar usually hates being a non-conformist.
WHO SHOULD BE HERE: Ziyi Zhang. Sure, the movie tanked, but give credit where it is due.
WHO SHOULD NOT BE HERE: No one.
BEST ACTOR NOMINEES
Philip Seymour Hoffman, Capote
Terrence Howard, Hustle & Flow
Heath Ledger, Brokeback Mountain
Joaquin Phoenix, Walk the Line
David Strathairn, Good Night, and Good Luck
WHO SHOULD WIN: Philip Seymour Hoffman. If Capote himself saw the movie, he would swear that Hoffman stole his very being.
WHO WILL WIN: Philip Seymour Hoffman. He became Capote.
WHO SHOULD BE HERE: Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Match Point. His smoldering good looks were not match for his dark side.
WHO SHOULD NOT BE HERE: No one.
BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM NOMINEES
Don't Tell, Italy
Joyeux Noel, France
Paradise Now, Palestine
Sophie Scholl-The Final Days, Germany
Tsotsi, South Africa
WHO SHOULD WIN: Tsotsi. This spin on bad boy turned good is as credible as it is intriguging.
WHO WILL WIN: Tsotsi. Up to five minutes ago, I would have predicted Paradise Now, but I think Oscar might have a change of mind, too.
WHO SHOULD BE HERE: Cache, Austria. Okay, so the native tongue of Austria is not French. This great movie should not be hidden from the nominations.
WHO SHOULD NOT BE HERE: No one.
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE NOMINEES
Howl's Moving Castle
Tim Burton's Corpse Bride
Wallace & Gromit
WHO SHOULD WIN: Wallace & Gromit
WHO WILL WIN: Wallace & Gromit. These Oscars favorites will probably add an animated feature statue to their collection of animated short statues. This is one of the most critically and commercially successful movies of the season.
WHO SHOULD BE HERE: Madagascar. Okay, so they did not revolutionize the art of animation, but they did provide a colorful, hilarious tale with an all-star cast and great score.
WHO SHOULD NOT BE HERE: Corpse Bride. Had this award existed back then, Tim Burton's Nightmare Before Christmas definitely would have been nominated, and it probably would have won. So now, Oscar is giving Tim a complementary nod to this recycled version of Nightmare.
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY NOMINEES
Crash, Paul Haggis & Bobby Moresco
Good Night, and Good Luck, George Clooney & Grant Heslov
Match Point, Woody Allen
The Squid and The Whale, Noah Baumbach
Syrina, Stephen Gaghan
WHO SHOULD WIN: Crash
WHO WILL WIN: Crash. These intewoven storylines are exhilerating. It's fast-paced and contemporary.
WHO SHOULD BE HERE: Batman Begins. Instead of recycling a familiar series, they have breathed new life into it.
WHO SHOULD NOT BE HERE: No one.
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY NOMINEES
Brokeback Mountain, Larry McMartry & Diana Ossana
Capote, Dan Futterman
The Constant Gardener, Jeffrey Caine
A History of Violence, Josh Olson
Munich, Tony Kushner & Eric Roth
WHO SHOULD WIN: Brokeback Mountain
WHO WILL WIN: Brokeback Mountain. Taking a 20-page story about a love affair of about as many years is no small task, but these writers did it!
WHO SHOULD BE HERE: Shopgirl, Steve Martin. Not only is he a talented comedian and actor, but he is also a talented author, and it is a crime that his script was lifted from this category.
WHO SHOULD NOT HERE: Munich. We appreciate the social relevance, but people are beginning to tire of all this political statements.
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE NOMINEES
Brokeback Mountain, Gustavo Santaolalla
The Constant Gardener, Alberto Iglesias
Memoirs of a Geisha, John Williams
Munich, John Williams
Pride & Prejudice, Dario Marianelli
WHO SHOULD WIN: Brokeback. The haunting acoustic score is the new Motorcycle Diaries.
WHO WILL WIN: Memoirs. Sure, Mr. Williams is one of the most talented composers of contempory times, but let's start spreading the wealth.
WHO SHOULD BE HERE: Good Night, and Good Luck. Not sure how much of the jazz numbers count for "original score," but they should.
WHO SHOULD NOT HERE: Munich. Enough, already.
BEST ORIGINAL SONG NOMINEES
"In the Deep," Crash
'It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp," Hustle & Flow
"Travelin' Thru," Transamerica
WHO SHOULD WIN: "Travelin' Thru"
WHO WILL WIN: "Travelin' Thru." Dolly Parton, as always, stays true to her roots and provides a tune that accurately decribes the feelings emoted in this film.
WHO SHOULD BE HERE: "A Love That Will Never Grow Old," Brokeback Mountain. The song wasn't in the movie long enough to be eligible. Give me a "break."
"Wunderkind," The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. There are usually five nominees. This wonderful song should be the fifth.
WHO SHOULD NOT BE HERE: No One.
BEST DIRECTING NOMINEES
George Clooney, Good Night, and Good Luck
Paul Haggis, Crash
Ang Lee, Brokeback Mountain
Bennett Miller, Capote
Steven Spielberg, Munich
WHO SHOULD WIN: Ang Lee
WHO WILL WIN: Ang Lee. Need I say more?
WHO SHOULD BE HERE: Woody Allen, Match Point. Well, at least he got recognized for writing this intelligent thriller.
WHO SHOULD NOT BE HERE: Steven Spielberg. I don't have anything against him. Really, I don't.
BEST PICTURE NOMINEES
Brokeback Mountain
Capote
Crash
Good Night, and Good Luck
Munich
WHO SHOULD WIN: Brokeback Mountain
WHO WILL WIN: Brokeback Mountain. Brokeback broke through. Let's reward it.
WHO SHOULD BE HERE: Walk the Line or Match Point. Anything but...
WHO SHOULD NOT BE HERE: Munich
Watch the Oscars, and have fun!
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS NOMINEES
Amy Adams, Junebug
Catherine Keener, Capote
Frances McDormand, North Country
Rachel Weisz, The Constant Gardener
Michelle Williams, Brokeback Mountain
WHO SHOULD WIN: Michelle Williams. Her agony was real, and her performance was stellar.
WHO WILL WIN: Rachel Weisz. Not that Oscar is predictable, but he likes to go along with everyone else sometimes. Rachel has won pretty much everything else, so she might add an Academy Award to her collection.
WHO SHOULD BE HERE: Thandie Newton, Crash. Her "get-me-the-hell-out-of-this-car-anyone-but-you" scene alone should have secured her a nod here.
WHO SHOULD NOT BE HERE: Catherine Keener. Sure, she was great in Capote, but nothing she did was enormously earth-shattering.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR NOMINEES
George Clooney, Syriana
Matt Dillon, Crash
Paul Giamatti, Cinderalla Man
Jake Gyllenhaal, Brokeback Mountain
William Hurt, A History of Violence
WHO SHOULD WIN: Jake Gyllenhaal. Overshadowed by Heath Leadger, it would be nice for Jake to go home with a prize.
WHO WILL WIN: George Clooney. Oscar will probably not let his potential Triple Crown go unrewarded.
WHO SHOULD BE HERE: Bob Hoskins, Mrs. Henderson Presents. His performance was the perfect match for Dame Judi Dench's.
WHO SHOULD NOT BE HERE: William Hurt. Nothing personal, but there were other performances that were more exhilerating.
BEST ACTRESS NOMINEES
Dame Judi Dench, Mrs. Henderson Presents
Felictiy Huffman, Transamerica
Keira Knightley, Pride and Prejudice
Charlize Theron, North Country
Reese Witherspoon, Walk the Line
WHO SHOULD WIN: Felicity Huffman. Comfortable in her own skin, she proves going cross-country while cross-dressing is no drag.
WHO WILL WIN: Reese Witherspoon. Hollywood's Darling has nabbed almost all other awards for her performance as June Cash, and Oscar usually hates being a non-conformist.
WHO SHOULD BE HERE: Ziyi Zhang. Sure, the movie tanked, but give credit where it is due.
WHO SHOULD NOT BE HERE: No one.
BEST ACTOR NOMINEES
Philip Seymour Hoffman, Capote
Terrence Howard, Hustle & Flow
Heath Ledger, Brokeback Mountain
Joaquin Phoenix, Walk the Line
David Strathairn, Good Night, and Good Luck
WHO SHOULD WIN: Philip Seymour Hoffman. If Capote himself saw the movie, he would swear that Hoffman stole his very being.
WHO WILL WIN: Philip Seymour Hoffman. He became Capote.
WHO SHOULD BE HERE: Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Match Point. His smoldering good looks were not match for his dark side.
WHO SHOULD NOT BE HERE: No one.
BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM NOMINEES
Don't Tell, Italy
Joyeux Noel, France
Paradise Now, Palestine
Sophie Scholl-The Final Days, Germany
Tsotsi, South Africa
WHO SHOULD WIN: Tsotsi. This spin on bad boy turned good is as credible as it is intriguging.
WHO WILL WIN: Tsotsi. Up to five minutes ago, I would have predicted Paradise Now, but I think Oscar might have a change of mind, too.
WHO SHOULD BE HERE: Cache, Austria. Okay, so the native tongue of Austria is not French. This great movie should not be hidden from the nominations.
WHO SHOULD NOT BE HERE: No one.
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE NOMINEES
Howl's Moving Castle
Tim Burton's Corpse Bride
Wallace & Gromit
WHO SHOULD WIN: Wallace & Gromit
WHO WILL WIN: Wallace & Gromit. These Oscars favorites will probably add an animated feature statue to their collection of animated short statues. This is one of the most critically and commercially successful movies of the season.
WHO SHOULD BE HERE: Madagascar. Okay, so they did not revolutionize the art of animation, but they did provide a colorful, hilarious tale with an all-star cast and great score.
WHO SHOULD NOT BE HERE: Corpse Bride. Had this award existed back then, Tim Burton's Nightmare Before Christmas definitely would have been nominated, and it probably would have won. So now, Oscar is giving Tim a complementary nod to this recycled version of Nightmare.
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY NOMINEES
Crash, Paul Haggis & Bobby Moresco
Good Night, and Good Luck, George Clooney & Grant Heslov
Match Point, Woody Allen
The Squid and The Whale, Noah Baumbach
Syrina, Stephen Gaghan
WHO SHOULD WIN: Crash
WHO WILL WIN: Crash. These intewoven storylines are exhilerating. It's fast-paced and contemporary.
WHO SHOULD BE HERE: Batman Begins. Instead of recycling a familiar series, they have breathed new life into it.
WHO SHOULD NOT BE HERE: No one.
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY NOMINEES
Brokeback Mountain, Larry McMartry & Diana Ossana
Capote, Dan Futterman
The Constant Gardener, Jeffrey Caine
A History of Violence, Josh Olson
Munich, Tony Kushner & Eric Roth
WHO SHOULD WIN: Brokeback Mountain
WHO WILL WIN: Brokeback Mountain. Taking a 20-page story about a love affair of about as many years is no small task, but these writers did it!
WHO SHOULD BE HERE: Shopgirl, Steve Martin. Not only is he a talented comedian and actor, but he is also a talented author, and it is a crime that his script was lifted from this category.
WHO SHOULD NOT HERE: Munich. We appreciate the social relevance, but people are beginning to tire of all this political statements.
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE NOMINEES
Brokeback Mountain, Gustavo Santaolalla
The Constant Gardener, Alberto Iglesias
Memoirs of a Geisha, John Williams
Munich, John Williams
Pride & Prejudice, Dario Marianelli
WHO SHOULD WIN: Brokeback. The haunting acoustic score is the new Motorcycle Diaries.
WHO WILL WIN: Memoirs. Sure, Mr. Williams is one of the most talented composers of contempory times, but let's start spreading the wealth.
WHO SHOULD BE HERE: Good Night, and Good Luck. Not sure how much of the jazz numbers count for "original score," but they should.
WHO SHOULD NOT HERE: Munich. Enough, already.
BEST ORIGINAL SONG NOMINEES
"In the Deep," Crash
'It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp," Hustle & Flow
"Travelin' Thru," Transamerica
WHO SHOULD WIN: "Travelin' Thru"
WHO WILL WIN: "Travelin' Thru." Dolly Parton, as always, stays true to her roots and provides a tune that accurately decribes the feelings emoted in this film.
WHO SHOULD BE HERE: "A Love That Will Never Grow Old," Brokeback Mountain. The song wasn't in the movie long enough to be eligible. Give me a "break."
"Wunderkind," The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. There are usually five nominees. This wonderful song should be the fifth.
WHO SHOULD NOT BE HERE: No One.
BEST DIRECTING NOMINEES
George Clooney, Good Night, and Good Luck
Paul Haggis, Crash
Ang Lee, Brokeback Mountain
Bennett Miller, Capote
Steven Spielberg, Munich
WHO SHOULD WIN: Ang Lee
WHO WILL WIN: Ang Lee. Need I say more?
WHO SHOULD BE HERE: Woody Allen, Match Point. Well, at least he got recognized for writing this intelligent thriller.
WHO SHOULD NOT BE HERE: Steven Spielberg. I don't have anything against him. Really, I don't.
BEST PICTURE NOMINEES
Brokeback Mountain
Capote
Crash
Good Night, and Good Luck
Munich
WHO SHOULD WIN: Brokeback Mountain
WHO WILL WIN: Brokeback Mountain. Brokeback broke through. Let's reward it.
WHO SHOULD BE HERE: Walk the Line or Match Point. Anything but...
WHO SHOULD NOT BE HERE: Munich
Watch the Oscars, and have fun!
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