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When I Heard, I Just Said No
America’s Lady in Red is back with her Ronnie.
Nancy Reagan passed away yesterday at the towering age of 94.
First Lady Nancy Reagan was just that in so many ways. People first looked to Mrs. Reagan as a personification of grace, intelligence, class and style. She was a one-of-a-kind First Lady of the United States of America. Nancy Reagan will be remembered for her love and devotion to her husband, the conservative cause and for epitomizing what the First Lady should exemplify. Far too often we are forced to look to movies for showcasing the best of a modern American president and first family (Independence Day, Air Force One), but Nancy and Ronald Reagan (former actors themselves) turned that perception into a lasting reality.
They were positive, optimistic role models for people (in and out of politics alike).
(Photo courtesy Ronald Reagan Presidental Library/Getty Images)
Nancy Reagan was surely shocked at the state of vulgarity, lack of civility and absence of optimism in the current race for president. Hopefully, this picture and many others of Nancy Reagan with her husband will send the exact right (and necessary) shock waves to voters of what a first family of the United States should personify.
Republicans loved and idolized her, but so did Americans of varying political stripes. Let’s hope (and pray) people’s memories of her and her husband from a more civilized era can be the wild card of this political season that reveals an inspiring third act, showing the best of who we are for moving into an uncertain future.
If the past 24 hours are any indication, Americans are just saying yes to Nancy Reagan’s loving, elegant legacy.
RIP Nancy Reagan.
Happy Monday!
Last night was the 2016 Mad Max Awards Oscars.
Let’s get to the main event of the night:
Leonardo DiCaprio won his Academy Award for Best Actor for The Revenant. As a favorite among moviegoers from his earliest acting in This Boy’s Life and What’s Eating Gilbert Grape (both 1993), the clock has been running to when he would hold that legacy-defining golden statue. Twenty-three years after the aforementioned films and Leo struck gold.
The following scene best sums up Leo’s moment.
You could say he’s officially the king of the world (real and imaginary).
Have a Great Week!
Happy Monday!
Man’s best friend is a dog.
Boy’s best friend is…a dragon?
1977 was quite a year for moviegoers, including the cinematic wonders Star Wars and Pete’s Dragon. While each film showcased its graphics differently, both movies left a memorable impression with everyone who saw them. Star Wars: The Force Awakens was a massive hit (putting it lightly) at the end of 2015 with its throwback to practical effects as the first choice and CGI as the alternative when realism needed just a little imaginative assistance.
The first peak inside the revisited world of Pete and his magical dragon seems to be leaning on that same dynamic.
Will 2016 be the year of the dragon?
Have a Magical Week!
Watching the Oscars in Black & White
The golden statue’s rust can be seen from across the pond.
The Academy Awards, set for its Sunday broadcast on February 28th, has been dealing with a bit of controversy because of an absence of nominations for black actors and actresses. Attempting to take the bird’s eye view of this issue, there seem to be two schools of thought on the matter.
Will Smith, who could have been nominated for his portrayal of the doctor that blew the roof off the head injury problem in the NFL in the film Concussion, has stated he and his wife will boycott the Academy Awards.
“We’ve discussed it and we’re a part of this community, but at this current time, we’re uncomfortable to stand there and say that this is OK.”
–Will Smith, Us Weekly
Michael Caine, the beloved 82 year-old British actor who was denied an Oscar nomination for his starring role in Youth, had a few things to say on the controversy. He spoke about the importance of nominating an actor based on performance and not skin color and that Idris Elba not receiving a nod from the Academy for Beasts of No Nation was surprising. He added a couple more thoughts.
“Well, look at me. I won the [European Film Award for] best actor [for Youth], and I got nominated for nothing else.”
–Michael Caine, The Hollywood Reporter
Plus this.
“Be patient. Of course, it will come. Of course, it will come. It took me years to get an Oscar.”
–Michael Caine, The Hollywood Reporter
And, perhaps, there’s a third point of view.
Ironically, the biggest star at the upcoming 88th Academy Awards will probably be Chris Rock.
Jimmy's Daily Planet 