Blog Archives
Happy Monday!
The Oscars are right when they’re right and they’re wrong when they’re wrong.
While it’s a painfully obvious observation, it’s true. After watching our favorite movies throughout the year, movie fans become invested in a particular story, actor or actress, director, writer, composer, etc. When the awards shows arrive with its unrivaled opulence, the quiet roar of cheering begins in millions of homes around the world. For countless and valid reasons, we hope, hope and hope that that one movie or collection of people win. It makes sense, they unequivocally deserve it for the right reasons. A celebration of great cinematic achievement and connection to a moving picture awaits.
Then, the unthinkable happens.
No, not John Travolta. However, he did show up on stage with Idina Menzel. She introduced Travolta ever-so-perfectly as “Glom Gazingo.” That’s what we call a frozen burn!
The unthinkable happens when the wrong person is awarded the golden statue or the right person wasn’t even nominated. Or, worse yet, how about when Harold Ramis and Joan Rivers were shamefully absent from the “In Memoriam” tribute.
Not cool Academy, not cool.
Then, there are the mute-worthy political speeches and awkward moments. It is Hollywood, after all. Thankfully, host Neil Patrick Harris provided some funny comic relief throughout the 3 1/2 hour extravaganza. Conversely, there are performances and speeches that move us and certain winners who are seen as a validation of what’s right with the movie world. At a minimum, the Oscars provides its billion-plus viewers with a few heartwarming moments, as last night’s ceremony did.
This live performance was one of the things that, by everyone’s accounts, went 100% right last night:
What would have been more awesome? If The Lego Movie would have been nominated for a lot of Oscars in big categories, along with this amazingly original science-fiction space epic…
Happy Monday!
Saturday Night Live has been providing late night sketches with some of the biggest names in comedy beginning with its very first cast back in 1975. Whether cast members and/or writers stayed for one season, seven or more, or if comedy greats today auditioned but didn’t make the cut, last night’s celebration at Studio 8H was an iconic moment for comedy. There was a history of SNL rap by the fan-favorite Fallon-Timberlake bromance, Steve Martin (need I say more?), a Jeopardy game with perfect categories for Sean Connery to mispronounce, a Californians sketch with a vintage mile-high goodbye, musical melodies from unforgettable duos, classic fake commercials, before unseen audition tapes, an In Memoriam remembering past giants, including with the very much alive and well Jon Lovitz sitting stunned in the audience, the return from one of its greats, a Q&A about nothing, a Wayne’s World episode 40 years in the making, cameos galore and countless clips from our favorite skits.
(Click the bottom right icon for sound and click on the video to stop and play)
One of the best parts about live television (and SNL in particular) is waiting for comedic professionals to break character. In so many situations, when the actors and actresses start laughing, that actually makes the skit so much more hilarious and memorable. Fortunately, there’s a special digital short for that:
Once again, let’s not forget to give another standing ovation to the man who envisioned it all 40 years ago and who has discovered and launched some of the best careers in comedy: Lorne Michaels.
Live from New York, it will always be Saturday Night!
Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. Day!
In honor and celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, let’s always remember the powerful speech he gave in Washington, D.C. on August 28, 1963. The, “I Have a Dream” speech was a profound moment in American history. But let’s also not forget the lesser known sayings of Dr. King, which are also deeply meaningful in each of our life’s endeavors. Here’s one of those inspirational phrases.
(AE Mind)
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: A timeless legacy.
Happy Monday!
Before the happy comes the sad.
Yesterday morning, iconic and revolutionary SportsCenter anchor Stuart Scott passed away after a long battle with cancer at the age of 49. This was devastating news to start the day. It hit everybody hard, including fans of SportsCenter from back in the day when it was on channel 11. Generations of sports fans grew up with him and his electrically charged commentary, quick wit and unforgettable catchphrases.
“Boo-Yah!” anyone?
He solidified in people like me that there were adults who felt the same unbridled excitement about sports that I did. It was an unthinkable thrill and reality. There was a place in this world for people like me when it came to my perfectly unhealthy obsession with sports. During countless lazy summer mornings, countless people woke up early/woke up to hear Stuart Scott illuminating the nation with a home run, a dunk or a random Tar Heel reference.
Stuart Scott was inspiring to kids like me who dreamed of being paid to talk about sports on television for a living.
And Stuart Scott was inspiring because of his courageous battle against cancer while maintaining a genuinely positive outlook on life.
He truly was, “as cool as the other side of the pillow.”
RIP Stuart Scott.
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A month and a half ago, the marketing team from Jurassic World released the very first trailer for their 2015 summer blockbuster. Incorporated perfectly into this long-awaited tease was the delicately slow piano rendition of the infamous John Williams Jurassic Park theme song. In a word: sublime. In more words, fans have technological tools at their fingertips that can produce some very memorable results.
So, how did dinosaur fan Jared Pelletier do with his clever video editing?
Bottom line: Jurassic World (no matter how you cut it) looks amazing!
Have a Roaring Good Week!
Jimmy's Daily Planet 