Movie Reviewed: Bachelor Apartment, starring Irene Dunne and Lowel Sherman
This is a wonderful comedy about a rich playboy played by Lowell Sherman who falls in love with a working girl named Helen Andrews (Irene Dunne.) With much reluctance she accepts the job of a secretary to work for him and then finds herself protecting him from a jealous husband who comes storming into his apartment with a gun. Lowell Sherman plays wonderfully as a smooth seducer with charm and magnetism who befriends several women. Two notables are the sister of Helene Andrews played by Claudia Dell, and a married woman, Agatha Caraway played by the beautiful Mae Murray, the “girl with bee-stung lips.” The content of the movie is quite mature and the Hollywood went ahead in producing these controversial films in the pre-code era. The story is very funny but it also deals with sexuality, teasing, infidelity, rich playboys, the influence of wealth in seducing women, etc. I very much liked the scenes in which Mae Murray appears as she steals the show with witty remarks and making unwelcome advances towards Sherman. The movie is also directed by Lowell Sherman, and written by Walter Ruben and John Lawson. One of the witty dialogues is as follows:
Rollins, Wayne's Butler: [holding up a diamond bracelet] Er, I found this, sir.
Wayne Carter: You find the strangest things in a bachelor's apartment.
Rollins, Wayne's Butler: Do you suppose the lady lost anything else, sir?
Wayne Carter: Well, if she did, she didn't lose it here.
Thursday, July 31, 2014
Hidden In Plain Sight: The fundamental link between relativity and quantum mechanics (Book Review)
Book Reviewed: Hidden In Plain Sight: The fundamental link between relativity and quantum mechanics, by Andrew Thomas
In this book, the author describes a simple link between relativity and quantum physics to understand physical reality in a nutshell. He argues that both theories share a common root in terms of the universe’s inability to describe physical reality in absolute terms. This book is not an attempt to unify the two theories as loop quantum gravity and string theories try to mesh them, but he tries to find a simple link so that one can understand and appreciate that both theories are played out on a common ground using the same principles.
The author seems to dismiss many ideas of physics including multiverse, the concept that allows the existence of parallel universes to explain certain fundamental questions regarding spacetime and the origin of the universe. He also dismisses the significance of anthropic principles that offers explanations for the unique values of universal constants, the physical structures and chemical properties of matter that support life. He also minimizes the importance of reductionist approach in understanding the most fundamental questions. He firmly believes that the answers for all basic physics questions lie within this universe and everything we observe. The secret of physical reality is hidden and but insists that we need to look more closely. His views are rather radical and a departure from traditional thinking.
In this book, the author describes a simple link between relativity and quantum physics to understand physical reality in a nutshell. He argues that both theories share a common root in terms of the universe’s inability to describe physical reality in absolute terms. This book is not an attempt to unify the two theories as loop quantum gravity and string theories try to mesh them, but he tries to find a simple link so that one can understand and appreciate that both theories are played out on a common ground using the same principles.
The author seems to dismiss many ideas of physics including multiverse, the concept that allows the existence of parallel universes to explain certain fundamental questions regarding spacetime and the origin of the universe. He also dismisses the significance of anthropic principles that offers explanations for the unique values of universal constants, the physical structures and chemical properties of matter that support life. He also minimizes the importance of reductionist approach in understanding the most fundamental questions. He firmly believes that the answers for all basic physics questions lie within this universe and everything we observe. The secret of physical reality is hidden and but insists that we need to look more closely. His views are rather radical and a departure from traditional thinking.
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
America: Imagine a World without Her (A book Review)
Book Reviewed: America: Imagine a World without Her, by Dinesh D'Souza
This is a thought provoking book that discusses the decline of American values and American pride. He says the American dream is on the decline because some of the leaders are responsible for it. He observes that if this decline continues, then United States of America as we know it will cease to exist, essentially committing in a national suicide. D’Souza is especially critical of the policies of Obama. His policies have led the nation to stagnation, impoverishment, indebtedness, and decline. At its heart, America is a celebration and we must rejoice with all its intellectual and material wealth. America is worth saving, and we have the tools to do so in our DNA, just waiting to be harnessed, but socialist devils like Obama and Hilary Clinton are progressively killing this potential. There is a good deal of American history written in this book and it reads effortlessly.
This is a thought provoking book that discusses the decline of American values and American pride. He says the American dream is on the decline because some of the leaders are responsible for it. He observes that if this decline continues, then United States of America as we know it will cease to exist, essentially committing in a national suicide. D’Souza is especially critical of the policies of Obama. His policies have led the nation to stagnation, impoverishment, indebtedness, and decline. At its heart, America is a celebration and we must rejoice with all its intellectual and material wealth. America is worth saving, and we have the tools to do so in our DNA, just waiting to be harnessed, but socialist devils like Obama and Hilary Clinton are progressively killing this potential. There is a good deal of American history written in this book and it reads effortlessly.
Saturday, July 19, 2014
Movie: Anna Karenina (1935), Starring Greta Garbo and Frederic March
Movie Reviewed: Anna Karenina (1935), Starring Greta Garbo and Frederic March
This is the tragic story of a married woman, Anna Karenina who falls in love with Count Vronsky, and follows her heart despite her husband's refusal to grant a divorce. Both Anna and Vronksy face a great deal of social repercussions. This is further complicated by her longing to see her son still living with husband. In this star-studded film, Greta Garbo offers an outstanding performance in the lead category as Anna Karenina in displaying her emotions. Once, director Clarence Brown stated that Garbo does not need gestures to convey happiness, despair, hope, joy or tragedy; she registers her feelings by radiating her thoughts to you. I became a believer of his observation after watching this movie. This film is strongly supported by the work of Fredric March, Maureen O'Sullivan, May Robson and Basil Rathbone.
According to author of the story, Tolstoy, the genesis of Anna Karenina was derived from two specific events; a story about a woman who deserts her husband for another man, based, in part, on the life of his sister Marya, and a newspaper story about the mistress of one of Tolstoy's neighbors, after being abandoned by her lover, hurls herself under a train. His epic story covered in 976 pages is masterfully condensed by the screen writer Salka Viertel, a close confidante of Greta Garbo. The movie is brilliantly directed by Clarence Brown, one of the proud possessions of MGM studios who worked with many of the industry's most illustrious performers. Anna Karenina is a human story and emerges as the masterpiece of man’s endless struggle to make sense of life while coming to terms with reality of material world where everyone wants nothing less than happiness.
This is the tragic story of a married woman, Anna Karenina who falls in love with Count Vronsky, and follows her heart despite her husband's refusal to grant a divorce. Both Anna and Vronksy face a great deal of social repercussions. This is further complicated by her longing to see her son still living with husband. In this star-studded film, Greta Garbo offers an outstanding performance in the lead category as Anna Karenina in displaying her emotions. Once, director Clarence Brown stated that Garbo does not need gestures to convey happiness, despair, hope, joy or tragedy; she registers her feelings by radiating her thoughts to you. I became a believer of his observation after watching this movie. This film is strongly supported by the work of Fredric March, Maureen O'Sullivan, May Robson and Basil Rathbone.
According to author of the story, Tolstoy, the genesis of Anna Karenina was derived from two specific events; a story about a woman who deserts her husband for another man, based, in part, on the life of his sister Marya, and a newspaper story about the mistress of one of Tolstoy's neighbors, after being abandoned by her lover, hurls herself under a train. His epic story covered in 976 pages is masterfully condensed by the screen writer Salka Viertel, a close confidante of Greta Garbo. The movie is brilliantly directed by Clarence Brown, one of the proud possessions of MGM studios who worked with many of the industry's most illustrious performers. Anna Karenina is a human story and emerges as the masterpiece of man’s endless struggle to make sense of life while coming to terms with reality of material world where everyone wants nothing less than happiness.
Friday, July 18, 2014
Movie: One million B.C (1940)
Movie Reviewed: One million B.C. - An interesting pre-historic movie
This is an adventure filled prehistoric movie where you will also come across many scary creatures and wild fights of cavemen and very little conversation. The story is about two prehistoric people; one, the brutish rock people, and second, the peaceful shell people. This film, produced by Hal Roach has many scientific inaccuracies. One million years ago, there were no humans, in fact humans are around for a little more than 100,000 years and the dinosaurs were extinct 65 million years ago. They couldn't be in a movie that was about one million years ago, and how come that the cavemen have a domesticated dog? Notwithstanding these inaccuracies, it still generated lot of interest in 1940 when this movie was released, partly because it is a fantasy with lot of action. When I saw the fights and brutality with all those monster creatures, it made me remember another horror movie, King Kong (1932). The special effects of King Kong is lot better than this movie. Overall, this movie is OK to watch, and Carol Landis and Lon Chaney Jr. do wonderful jobs in their roles. For a pre-historic movie, Carol Landis is surprisingly fully clothed with almost no nudity in the film.
This is an adventure filled prehistoric movie where you will also come across many scary creatures and wild fights of cavemen and very little conversation. The story is about two prehistoric people; one, the brutish rock people, and second, the peaceful shell people. This film, produced by Hal Roach has many scientific inaccuracies. One million years ago, there were no humans, in fact humans are around for a little more than 100,000 years and the dinosaurs were extinct 65 million years ago. They couldn't be in a movie that was about one million years ago, and how come that the cavemen have a domesticated dog? Notwithstanding these inaccuracies, it still generated lot of interest in 1940 when this movie was released, partly because it is a fantasy with lot of action. When I saw the fights and brutality with all those monster creatures, it made me remember another horror movie, King Kong (1932). The special effects of King Kong is lot better than this movie. Overall, this movie is OK to watch, and Carol Landis and Lon Chaney Jr. do wonderful jobs in their roles. For a pre-historic movie, Carol Landis is surprisingly fully clothed with almost no nudity in the film.
Movie: Brewster's Millions (1945)
Movie: Brewster's Millions (1945), starring Dennis O'Keefe. A real screwball slapstick and outrageously funny
There are several versions of this movie and this version was produced in 1945 is an absolute classic. Dennis O'Keefe as the lead character Monty Brewster has outperformed himself in this screwball comedy. The story is about a former serviceman Monty Brewster inherits eight million dollars from his wealthy uncle with a stipulation that he spend the first million in just two months to qualify for the rest of inheritance, the seven million dollars. It becomes the sweetest gift just before his wedding, but it also stipulates that he keep this secret for himself and not reveal to his friends and family. Desperate to spend, he starts businesses and makes intentionally bad investments. But things go awry as he begin earn wealth.
The movie is strongly supported by Helen Walker, Gail Patrick, June Havoc and Eddie Anderson. The jealousy of his fiancé played by Helen Walker becomes dominant factor when Monty starts attracting ladies like June Havoc and Gail Patrick with his charm and money. Allan Dwan has done a terrific job of directing the movie; it moves fast and the story is highly engaging. Another key feature of this movie is the family servant played by the black actor Eddie Anderson who has many funny lines and works wonderfully with the rest of actors in the story.
The 1985 version starring Richard Pryor and John Candy is also great movie released under the same title but I like this 1945 version much better.
There are several versions of this movie and this version was produced in 1945 is an absolute classic. Dennis O'Keefe as the lead character Monty Brewster has outperformed himself in this screwball comedy. The story is about a former serviceman Monty Brewster inherits eight million dollars from his wealthy uncle with a stipulation that he spend the first million in just two months to qualify for the rest of inheritance, the seven million dollars. It becomes the sweetest gift just before his wedding, but it also stipulates that he keep this secret for himself and not reveal to his friends and family. Desperate to spend, he starts businesses and makes intentionally bad investments. But things go awry as he begin earn wealth.
The movie is strongly supported by Helen Walker, Gail Patrick, June Havoc and Eddie Anderson. The jealousy of his fiancé played by Helen Walker becomes dominant factor when Monty starts attracting ladies like June Havoc and Gail Patrick with his charm and money. Allan Dwan has done a terrific job of directing the movie; it moves fast and the story is highly engaging. Another key feature of this movie is the family servant played by the black actor Eddie Anderson who has many funny lines and works wonderfully with the rest of actors in the story.
The 1985 version starring Richard Pryor and John Candy is also great movie released under the same title but I like this 1945 version much better.
Movie: Annabel takes a tour, starring Lucille Ball
Movie Reviewed: Annabel takes a tour, starring Lucille Ball,it is a Non-stop wackiness!
This is the second movie of the Annabel series starring Lucille Ball which is based on characters created by Charles Hoffman. I am sure you will enjoy the continuation of non-stop wackiness of the first movie, Affairs of Annabel. In this screwball comedy, Annabel's press agent played Jack Oakie help to revitalize her flagging career. He plumbs to the bottomless well of outrageous ideas that builds into an absolutely hilarious story. When she falls in love with a Viscount played Ralph Forbes, Oakie does not give up, but when the nobleman's wife and children shows up, Annabel's dream world collapses instantly and come back to earth only to be reunited with Oakie. Lucile Ball plays a scatterbrained actress colorfully with all the charms of her future character Lucy. Oakie is perfect for offbeat comedy like this and the humor is fresh and outrageously funny
Lew Landers directed this movie and the cast also included very funny lady Ruth Donnelly along with Bradley Page and Alice White. Unfortunately RKO cancelled this series in 1938, but retained Ball as a major asset of the studio for future projects.
This is the second movie of the Annabel series starring Lucille Ball which is based on characters created by Charles Hoffman. I am sure you will enjoy the continuation of non-stop wackiness of the first movie, Affairs of Annabel. In this screwball comedy, Annabel's press agent played Jack Oakie help to revitalize her flagging career. He plumbs to the bottomless well of outrageous ideas that builds into an absolutely hilarious story. When she falls in love with a Viscount played Ralph Forbes, Oakie does not give up, but when the nobleman's wife and children shows up, Annabel's dream world collapses instantly and come back to earth only to be reunited with Oakie. Lucile Ball plays a scatterbrained actress colorfully with all the charms of her future character Lucy. Oakie is perfect for offbeat comedy like this and the humor is fresh and outrageously funny
Lew Landers directed this movie and the cast also included very funny lady Ruth Donnelly along with Bradley Page and Alice White. Unfortunately RKO cancelled this series in 1938, but retained Ball as a major asset of the studio for future projects.
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Movie: This is the night, starring Cary Grant and Thelma Todd
Movie Reviewed: This is the Night: Delightful comedy starring Thelma Todd and Cary Grant
This is not the night for two love birds; Claire (Thelma Todd) and Gerald (Roland Young) who are having a torrid affair when it is rudely interrupted by Clair’s husband played by ever charming Cary Grant. When Stephen suspects the adulterous affair, Gerald hires Germaine (Lili Damita), a young French actress to pose as Gerald’s wife. This pretentious arrangement irks Clair who actually loves Gerald. At the end, the plot turns into a real screwball slapstick. This is absolutely funny comedy, but running on a very provocative story like this at the height of great depression was also a bold move on the part of the Paramount Studios (pre-code era.) This is Cary Grant's first screen appearance, and also one of the funny films of French star Lili Damita.
Before this movie, Cary Grant (CG) decided to use this name because the initials stood for good luck. He was thinking of other successful stars like Clark Gable (CG) and Gary Cooper (GC) for whom these initials worked. Looking back in history, Cary was absolutely right!
Actress Thelma Todd died tragically five years after making this film in 1937. The death was ruled an accident but it is widely suspected as a murder. Many reporters and private investigators criticized the way LAPD handled this case; at that time LAPD was known to be very corrupt in the nation.
There is some interesting conversation in the movie;
Claire Mathewson: [they are seated in the back of their car; Claire has had her dress torn by the car door] Gerald, aren't you going to do anything?
Gerald Gray: Here?
Claire Mathewson: No, no. I mean about discharging your chauffeur
Gerald Gray: Oh, oh let me keep him. I've let you keep your husband
Claire Mathewson: I haven't kept him
Gerald Gray: What?
Claire Mathewson: He left this morning
Gerald Gray: For good?
Claire Mathewson: No, no, for the Olympic Games at Los Angeles. He's in them, you know. Haven't you ever heard of Steve Mathewson, the javelin thrower?
Gerald Gray: Javelin thrower?
Claire Mathewson: ah ha
Gerald Gray: Do you mean those long, murderous harpoon things? [After she nods]
Gerald Gray: Claire, the moment you meet a man, right after you've said 'how do you do?' you should add 'my husband throws javelins'.
This is not the night for two love birds; Claire (Thelma Todd) and Gerald (Roland Young) who are having a torrid affair when it is rudely interrupted by Clair’s husband played by ever charming Cary Grant. When Stephen suspects the adulterous affair, Gerald hires Germaine (Lili Damita), a young French actress to pose as Gerald’s wife. This pretentious arrangement irks Clair who actually loves Gerald. At the end, the plot turns into a real screwball slapstick. This is absolutely funny comedy, but running on a very provocative story like this at the height of great depression was also a bold move on the part of the Paramount Studios (pre-code era.) This is Cary Grant's first screen appearance, and also one of the funny films of French star Lili Damita.
Before this movie, Cary Grant (CG) decided to use this name because the initials stood for good luck. He was thinking of other successful stars like Clark Gable (CG) and Gary Cooper (GC) for whom these initials worked. Looking back in history, Cary was absolutely right!
Actress Thelma Todd died tragically five years after making this film in 1937. The death was ruled an accident but it is widely suspected as a murder. Many reporters and private investigators criticized the way LAPD handled this case; at that time LAPD was known to be very corrupt in the nation.
There is some interesting conversation in the movie;
Claire Mathewson: [they are seated in the back of their car; Claire has had her dress torn by the car door] Gerald, aren't you going to do anything?
Gerald Gray: Here?
Claire Mathewson: No, no. I mean about discharging your chauffeur
Gerald Gray: Oh, oh let me keep him. I've let you keep your husband
Claire Mathewson: I haven't kept him
Gerald Gray: What?
Claire Mathewson: He left this morning
Gerald Gray: For good?
Claire Mathewson: No, no, for the Olympic Games at Los Angeles. He's in them, you know. Haven't you ever heard of Steve Mathewson, the javelin thrower?
Gerald Gray: Javelin thrower?
Claire Mathewson: ah ha
Gerald Gray: Do you mean those long, murderous harpoon things? [After she nods]
Gerald Gray: Claire, the moment you meet a man, right after you've said 'how do you do?' you should add 'my husband throws javelins'.
Perfect Understanding, starring Gloria Swanson and Laurence Olivier
Movie Reviewed: Perfect Understanding, starring Gloria Swanson and Laurence Olivier
This is a story about a young couple who decide to marry under the condition that they agree never to disagree. The contract states that "Never to be husband and wife, but lover and mistress and above everything else, to remain individual." But this agreement does not stand the test of time. When Nicholas Randall (Laurence Olivier) is vacationing alone in Cannes, France cheats on his wife Judy (Gloria Swanson) and later begs for forgiveness. The divorce case heads to the court and there the drama ends in much unexpected way. Judy agrees to forgive Nicholas and they elope from the court proceedings. The court has no choice but to dismiss the case and it all ends in a very happy note.
For most silent movie buffs like me, it is refreshing to watch this movie, since Gloria Swanson made very few talkie movies. The most striking feature of the movie is Swanson working with Laurence Olivier who was eight years younger than her; brings me the memory of Sunset Boulevard where she also romances a much younger man in William Holden. She told her friends that she was deeply attracted to the charm of Olivier while making this movie. At that time Swanson was living in London; Douglas Fairbanks, Sr., had suggested that she start her own studio to surmount her financial difficulties. This movie was tightly budgeted but later became every expensive since Olivier had to miss shootings because of an auto accident not related to the movie; Swanson had to cancel few days because she had flu; and then the studio where the film was being developed, caught fire and the film was destroyed. They had to recreate with whatever was left in a studio in United States. It became so expensive Swanson had to sell her stocks in "United Artists" Company.
The boat race in Cannes, France is fun part of the movie, and Swanson does a splendid job as Judy Rogers. This love story reminds me of Love Story (1964) in many ways; for one, young Laurence Olivier bears strong resemblance to Ryan O'Neal. It is a lot of fun to watch this movie.
This is a story about a young couple who decide to marry under the condition that they agree never to disagree. The contract states that "Never to be husband and wife, but lover and mistress and above everything else, to remain individual." But this agreement does not stand the test of time. When Nicholas Randall (Laurence Olivier) is vacationing alone in Cannes, France cheats on his wife Judy (Gloria Swanson) and later begs for forgiveness. The divorce case heads to the court and there the drama ends in much unexpected way. Judy agrees to forgive Nicholas and they elope from the court proceedings. The court has no choice but to dismiss the case and it all ends in a very happy note.
For most silent movie buffs like me, it is refreshing to watch this movie, since Gloria Swanson made very few talkie movies. The most striking feature of the movie is Swanson working with Laurence Olivier who was eight years younger than her; brings me the memory of Sunset Boulevard where she also romances a much younger man in William Holden. She told her friends that she was deeply attracted to the charm of Olivier while making this movie. At that time Swanson was living in London; Douglas Fairbanks, Sr., had suggested that she start her own studio to surmount her financial difficulties. This movie was tightly budgeted but later became every expensive since Olivier had to miss shootings because of an auto accident not related to the movie; Swanson had to cancel few days because she had flu; and then the studio where the film was being developed, caught fire and the film was destroyed. They had to recreate with whatever was left in a studio in United States. It became so expensive Swanson had to sell her stocks in "United Artists" Company.
The boat race in Cannes, France is fun part of the movie, and Swanson does a splendid job as Judy Rogers. This love story reminds me of Love Story (1964) in many ways; for one, young Laurence Olivier bears strong resemblance to Ryan O'Neal. It is a lot of fun to watch this movie.
Book Reviewed: Place not Race by Sherryll Cashion - A clear discussion of the nature of affirmative action
Book Reviewed: Place not Race by Sherryll Cashion: A clear discussion of the nature of affirmative action in higher education in America.
This is a very well discussed book about the structural barriers to accessing higher opportunities in colleges and universities not only by racial minorities but also economically challenged Caucasians. The affirmative action does not necessarily mean African Americans, but it also includes other races, who were not given opportunities in a political and economic system that is rigged in favor of those who are economically well-off, says Georgetown University Law Professor Sheryll Cashin. Professor Cashin is an expert in this field and has researched and published widely in academic journals. The performance on the SAT scores mirrors family income because the system is skewed against poor people of all color. Access to a good public school depends on your neighborhood. This provides clear and unchallenged opportunities to the upper class citizens of the country.
The racial diversity is important for the nation. The armed forces are racially diverse and they put their lives online everyday so that the rest of us can have freedom and live in peace. Nobody is voicing their protest of highly visible African Americans in the Army, Navy or Air force, then why would it become a problem if they are in living our neighborhoods or in schools and colleges. Racial diversity in the society must be an inclusive policy; it should not be a reverse discrimination or denial of fairness. The author discusses many cases in states of California, Texas, Michigan and other states that are working in a fair manner. She makes some of the strongest points for acceptable social, economic and political policies that focus on inclusion.
This is a very well discussed book about the structural barriers to accessing higher opportunities in colleges and universities not only by racial minorities but also economically challenged Caucasians. The affirmative action does not necessarily mean African Americans, but it also includes other races, who were not given opportunities in a political and economic system that is rigged in favor of those who are economically well-off, says Georgetown University Law Professor Sheryll Cashin. Professor Cashin is an expert in this field and has researched and published widely in academic journals. The performance on the SAT scores mirrors family income because the system is skewed against poor people of all color. Access to a good public school depends on your neighborhood. This provides clear and unchallenged opportunities to the upper class citizens of the country.
The racial diversity is important for the nation. The armed forces are racially diverse and they put their lives online everyday so that the rest of us can have freedom and live in peace. Nobody is voicing their protest of highly visible African Americans in the Army, Navy or Air force, then why would it become a problem if they are in living our neighborhoods or in schools and colleges. Racial diversity in the society must be an inclusive policy; it should not be a reverse discrimination or denial of fairness. The author discusses many cases in states of California, Texas, Michigan and other states that are working in a fair manner. She makes some of the strongest points for acceptable social, economic and political policies that focus on inclusion.
Saturday, July 12, 2014
Diary of a mad diva: Joan Rivers is hilarious in this politically incorrect book
Book Reviewed: Diary of a mad diva
I have always enjoyed watching Joan Rivers on television and liked her brand of comedy. She is one of the outstanding standup comedians of our time. She is politically incorrect and jabs at anyone who deserved to be made fun of. In this book she pokes at about 135 celebrities that include Kim Kardashian and Kanye West’s lavish wedding; Lena Dunham's fondness for flashing; Gwyneth Paltrow’s irritability and Anne Hathaway’s teeth.
Once she was asked if she ever thought that the United States will see the first gay president or the first woman president. She replied, "We already have it with Obama, so let’s just calm down.” Rivers has been criticized on numerous occasions for making jokes that are insensitive. She was criticized for making jokes about singer Adele's weight. Following the birth of Adele's son in 2012, Rivers said "Congratulations to Adele on the birth of her 68 pound 8 ounces bouncing baby boy." Rivers jokes about women like Miley Cyrus is very funny. It is a lot fun to read this book and if you like Joan Rivers, you would love this book.
I have always enjoyed watching Joan Rivers on television and liked her brand of comedy. She is one of the outstanding standup comedians of our time. She is politically incorrect and jabs at anyone who deserved to be made fun of. In this book she pokes at about 135 celebrities that include Kim Kardashian and Kanye West’s lavish wedding; Lena Dunham's fondness for flashing; Gwyneth Paltrow’s irritability and Anne Hathaway’s teeth.
Once she was asked if she ever thought that the United States will see the first gay president or the first woman president. She replied, "We already have it with Obama, so let’s just calm down.” Rivers has been criticized on numerous occasions for making jokes that are insensitive. She was criticized for making jokes about singer Adele's weight. Following the birth of Adele's son in 2012, Rivers said "Congratulations to Adele on the birth of her 68 pound 8 ounces bouncing baby boy." Rivers jokes about women like Miley Cyrus is very funny. It is a lot fun to read this book and if you like Joan Rivers, you would love this book.
Thursday, July 10, 2014
American Silent Film: Movies and studios from silent era - An historical perspective
Book Reviewed: American Silent Film by William K. Everson
This is one of the best surveys of the movie industry from its beginnings that covers the entire silent era which spanned from 1905 to 1928 and then the talkie movies took over from silent movies. The author discusses the work of great directors such as D.W. Griffith, Frank Borzage, John Ford, Erich von Stroheim, Josef von Sternberg, and King Vidor. The book also recognizes the work of performers such as Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Douglas Fairbanks Sr., Mary Pickford, Lillian Gish, Mae Marsh and numerous others. The book also discusses the movies under categories such as; comedies, Westerns, horror movies, gangster movies, love story and family dramas along with innovation and development in the areas of art direction, production, design, camera techniques and screen writing. The book is incredibly informative for anyone interested in the history and archeology of early American cinema.
A brief summary is as follows: The American movies flourish across the globe, and it all started in the wake of industrial revolution. The industry was built on firm foundation and it evolved rapidly when the movie making was still a fantasy of few dreamers and artists in Europe. This was before the first Nickelodeon opened in United States in 1905. When European countries were in the middle of war, the European movie businesses were badly hurt. In sensing that the competition is minimized, American movie businesses were strengthened and lead over European movie industry was lengthened considerably. This was the critical period when the American cinema achieved total mastery of the art of making movies, from screen writing to production and marketing of the product. Directors like Griffith, Stroheim, and Flaherty, Murnau, and Welles were mainly responsible for the artistic progressions, and technical and artistic innovations. They often used “A” stars like Rudolph Valentino, Mary Pickford, Colleen Moore, Clara Bow and Douglas Fairbanks for making box office hits. The revenue generated helped for more artistic experimentation and variety and creativity in Hollywood. Many less known directors during the silent era also made impressive movies, but not often box office hits. This list included; William Seiter, Irvin Willat, Harry Pollard, and Emory Johnson. In 1919 D.W. Griffith, Douglas Fairbanks, Charlie Chaplin and Mary Pickford formed United Artists to give themselves greater freedom in making movies and greater profits for their investments, which interested other investors to invest in movie business that helped Hollywood to grow at a faster rate.
Another key step Hollywood would take is to tap into European expertize during 1910s and 20s. There was a strong presence of imported directors and actors/actresses from the other side of the “pond.” The early influences of Gustaf Molander, Ernst Lubitsch, Dmitri Buchovetski and F. W. Murnau in Hollywood were real and significant. In fact much of the important names in Swedish movie business had moved to Hollywood including Greta Garbo resulting in complete collapse of the Swedish movie industry.
The comedy films have a rich history in Hollywood. Hollywood greats such as Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Mack Sennett, Harold Lloyd and Laurel & Hardy made great silent comedies. But talkie films brought new talents like W. C. Fields. It’s a gift, Duck soup, Blessed event and Love me tonight are some of the finest comedies. The ultimate end of silent era was evident in 1926 with the making of Don Juan and more significantly The Jazz Singer in 1927.The silent industry was dying with much resistance from leading directors like Borzage, Ford, Stroheim, Sternberg, and King Vidor. They thought that would lessen the commercial value of Hollywood movies in European market and it would also destroy the unique form of art. Several leading actors and actresses supported that view. Greta Garbo was the last holdout because she was afraid that her heavy Swedish accent will not be accepted by American audience. Her last silent film “Kiss” was released in late 1929. The transition also kicked-in pretty strongly with stage directors like James Whale, George Cukor, John Cromwell, and Rouben Mamoulian. New performers from stage like James Cagney, Paul Muni, Humphrey Bogart, Clark Gable and Spencer Tracy made lasting impact on talkie movies. Lubitsch’s “Trouble in Paradise” and Mamoulian’s “Love me Tonight” restored all the elegance of silent era, but several talkie movies of 1930 and 1931 also made strong showing in keeping the artistic forms of the silent movies. It was at the end of 1931 that “Hollywood holdouts” realized that the end of silent era has just passed by.
This book contains a number of photographs about art direction, and still photographs of several stars of the silent days; they are immaculate and rare pictures to treasure. In the appendix section of the book, the author discusses several published books about the history of Hollywood, which are helpful for readers interested in American movie history. This is a great book to read and it is highly recommended.
This is one of the best surveys of the movie industry from its beginnings that covers the entire silent era which spanned from 1905 to 1928 and then the talkie movies took over from silent movies. The author discusses the work of great directors such as D.W. Griffith, Frank Borzage, John Ford, Erich von Stroheim, Josef von Sternberg, and King Vidor. The book also recognizes the work of performers such as Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Douglas Fairbanks Sr., Mary Pickford, Lillian Gish, Mae Marsh and numerous others. The book also discusses the movies under categories such as; comedies, Westerns, horror movies, gangster movies, love story and family dramas along with innovation and development in the areas of art direction, production, design, camera techniques and screen writing. The book is incredibly informative for anyone interested in the history and archeology of early American cinema.
A brief summary is as follows: The American movies flourish across the globe, and it all started in the wake of industrial revolution. The industry was built on firm foundation and it evolved rapidly when the movie making was still a fantasy of few dreamers and artists in Europe. This was before the first Nickelodeon opened in United States in 1905. When European countries were in the middle of war, the European movie businesses were badly hurt. In sensing that the competition is minimized, American movie businesses were strengthened and lead over European movie industry was lengthened considerably. This was the critical period when the American cinema achieved total mastery of the art of making movies, from screen writing to production and marketing of the product. Directors like Griffith, Stroheim, and Flaherty, Murnau, and Welles were mainly responsible for the artistic progressions, and technical and artistic innovations. They often used “A” stars like Rudolph Valentino, Mary Pickford, Colleen Moore, Clara Bow and Douglas Fairbanks for making box office hits. The revenue generated helped for more artistic experimentation and variety and creativity in Hollywood. Many less known directors during the silent era also made impressive movies, but not often box office hits. This list included; William Seiter, Irvin Willat, Harry Pollard, and Emory Johnson. In 1919 D.W. Griffith, Douglas Fairbanks, Charlie Chaplin and Mary Pickford formed United Artists to give themselves greater freedom in making movies and greater profits for their investments, which interested other investors to invest in movie business that helped Hollywood to grow at a faster rate.
Another key step Hollywood would take is to tap into European expertize during 1910s and 20s. There was a strong presence of imported directors and actors/actresses from the other side of the “pond.” The early influences of Gustaf Molander, Ernst Lubitsch, Dmitri Buchovetski and F. W. Murnau in Hollywood were real and significant. In fact much of the important names in Swedish movie business had moved to Hollywood including Greta Garbo resulting in complete collapse of the Swedish movie industry.
The comedy films have a rich history in Hollywood. Hollywood greats such as Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Mack Sennett, Harold Lloyd and Laurel & Hardy made great silent comedies. But talkie films brought new talents like W. C. Fields. It’s a gift, Duck soup, Blessed event and Love me tonight are some of the finest comedies. The ultimate end of silent era was evident in 1926 with the making of Don Juan and more significantly The Jazz Singer in 1927.The silent industry was dying with much resistance from leading directors like Borzage, Ford, Stroheim, Sternberg, and King Vidor. They thought that would lessen the commercial value of Hollywood movies in European market and it would also destroy the unique form of art. Several leading actors and actresses supported that view. Greta Garbo was the last holdout because she was afraid that her heavy Swedish accent will not be accepted by American audience. Her last silent film “Kiss” was released in late 1929. The transition also kicked-in pretty strongly with stage directors like James Whale, George Cukor, John Cromwell, and Rouben Mamoulian. New performers from stage like James Cagney, Paul Muni, Humphrey Bogart, Clark Gable and Spencer Tracy made lasting impact on talkie movies. Lubitsch’s “Trouble in Paradise” and Mamoulian’s “Love me Tonight” restored all the elegance of silent era, but several talkie movies of 1930 and 1931 also made strong showing in keeping the artistic forms of the silent movies. It was at the end of 1931 that “Hollywood holdouts” realized that the end of silent era has just passed by.
This book contains a number of photographs about art direction, and still photographs of several stars of the silent days; they are immaculate and rare pictures to treasure. In the appendix section of the book, the author discusses several published books about the history of Hollywood, which are helpful for readers interested in American movie history. This is a great book to read and it is highly recommended.
Obama vs. Clintons: Is there a bad blood between them? Ed Klein explains
Book Reviewed: Blood feud: The Clintons vs. Obamas
This is another great work of Ed Klein that exposes that bad blood exist between Obama and the Clintons. Clintons were not happy since Obama beat Hilary to win the presidential nomination from the Democratic Party in 2008. So why would Obama care for Hilary’s win in 2016? Ed Klein is masterful in exposing the bitterness among this old political nemesis. Hilary reluctantly accepted the role of Secretary of State Position to work for Obama and now she is distancing herself from many Obama’s controversial policies. Klein observes that Obama is quietly supporting Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren for the 2016 presidential race. There are sources that say that Warren, “like Obama, wants to transform America into a European-style democratic-socialist state.” Another source describes Warren as Obama’s “Mini-Me.” This is an interesting and thought provoking book; highly recommended.
This is another great work of Ed Klein that exposes that bad blood exist between Obama and the Clintons. Clintons were not happy since Obama beat Hilary to win the presidential nomination from the Democratic Party in 2008. So why would Obama care for Hilary’s win in 2016? Ed Klein is masterful in exposing the bitterness among this old political nemesis. Hilary reluctantly accepted the role of Secretary of State Position to work for Obama and now she is distancing herself from many Obama’s controversial policies. Klein observes that Obama is quietly supporting Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren for the 2016 presidential race. There are sources that say that Warren, “like Obama, wants to transform America into a European-style democratic-socialist state.” Another source describes Warren as Obama’s “Mini-Me.” This is an interesting and thought provoking book; highly recommended.
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
North of Normal: A memoir of my wilderness childhood by Cea Sunrise Person
Book Reviewed: North of Normal: A memoir of my wilderness childhood by Cea Sunrise Person
The child of lesser God:
This is an absolutely fascinating story of a young woman who grew up in Canadian wilderness with her grandparents and her mother away from civilization. She was born into a counter-culture family that did not believe in traditional lifestyles. She lived in under a canvas tipi where almost anything could and would happen; drugs, alcohol, sex, nudity and carefree living. This was certainly not normal for the young Cea Sunrise Person who had strong desires for a healthy and normal life with her family. But her mother’s constant search for a true love made her travel all over; they all turned out to be ill-fated adventures. Her mother’s boyfriends had no interest in the young Cea, which deprived her of a fatherly figure in her life. Cea knew little of the world beyond the forest she lived. She spent her summers playing in the meadow and her winters snowshoeing with her grandfather whom she idolized. Despite severe winter storms, food shortages, and drugs-sex-alcohol parties, she still likes to think her little existence was a happy one.
The author narrates her story beautifully; fresh in her memory of the scars that was created mainly by her mother that had severe impact on her life. She had a successful modeling career in her teenage years, travelled on her own, worked and attended school and paid her mother’s bills. Despite that her mother knew little about her modelling life in NY, Los Angeles, and Paris during summers between schools. At 15, Cea was in Paris on her own and her mom did not even care and her grandfather whom she remembers fondly never responded to letters or cared to return her calls. Life was not a bed of roses. She had to use cocaine and have sex with a fashion photographer to make it in modeling business; a gypsy boy had snatched her bag from her shoulder leaving her penniless and without a passport; a man in Paris Metro had masturbated on her hair, yet she had to deal all this without her mother. Life was tough, but then again she was better off without her mom. While a successful international modeling career offered her a way out of the wilderness, Cea discovered that this new world was in its own way daunting and full of challenges.
On the lesser side of the story, I am a little puzzled about the title of the book, North of Normal. Is she talking about her current life as a happily married woman with three children? The book covers mostly her childhood and her teenage years which are anything but normal.
This is a heartwarming story of Cea who ultimately finds happiness that was denied to her in younger days. This is a successful tale of self-discovery in the midst of adversity; she still finds strength and courage to turnaround her life triumphantly. This is a great eye-opener for many unfortunate women who grew up in difficult families. Memoirs like this inspire others to face things in life boldly and courageously.
The child of lesser God:
This is an absolutely fascinating story of a young woman who grew up in Canadian wilderness with her grandparents and her mother away from civilization. She was born into a counter-culture family that did not believe in traditional lifestyles. She lived in under a canvas tipi where almost anything could and would happen; drugs, alcohol, sex, nudity and carefree living. This was certainly not normal for the young Cea Sunrise Person who had strong desires for a healthy and normal life with her family. But her mother’s constant search for a true love made her travel all over; they all turned out to be ill-fated adventures. Her mother’s boyfriends had no interest in the young Cea, which deprived her of a fatherly figure in her life. Cea knew little of the world beyond the forest she lived. She spent her summers playing in the meadow and her winters snowshoeing with her grandfather whom she idolized. Despite severe winter storms, food shortages, and drugs-sex-alcohol parties, she still likes to think her little existence was a happy one.
The author narrates her story beautifully; fresh in her memory of the scars that was created mainly by her mother that had severe impact on her life. She had a successful modeling career in her teenage years, travelled on her own, worked and attended school and paid her mother’s bills. Despite that her mother knew little about her modelling life in NY, Los Angeles, and Paris during summers between schools. At 15, Cea was in Paris on her own and her mom did not even care and her grandfather whom she remembers fondly never responded to letters or cared to return her calls. Life was not a bed of roses. She had to use cocaine and have sex with a fashion photographer to make it in modeling business; a gypsy boy had snatched her bag from her shoulder leaving her penniless and without a passport; a man in Paris Metro had masturbated on her hair, yet she had to deal all this without her mother. Life was tough, but then again she was better off without her mom. While a successful international modeling career offered her a way out of the wilderness, Cea discovered that this new world was in its own way daunting and full of challenges.
On the lesser side of the story, I am a little puzzled about the title of the book, North of Normal. Is she talking about her current life as a happily married woman with three children? The book covers mostly her childhood and her teenage years which are anything but normal.
This is a heartwarming story of Cea who ultimately finds happiness that was denied to her in younger days. This is a successful tale of self-discovery in the midst of adversity; she still finds strength and courage to turnaround her life triumphantly. This is a great eye-opener for many unfortunate women who grew up in difficult families. Memoirs like this inspire others to face things in life boldly and courageously.
Faithless (1932), starring Tallulah Bankhead.
Movie Reviewed: Faithless (1932), a classic film of Tallulah Bankhead forgotten over the years.
Faithless (1932): Tallulah Bankhead was loaned to MGM by Paramount for this 1932 classic. This is a highly underrated film that casts Tallulah Bankhead opposite Robert Montgomery in this “riches to rags” story at the height of great depression. Her flamboyant personality and uninhibited performances on and off the stage kept many on a vicarious spree until Paramount brought her back from England to United States in 1931. The cameras dimmed luster and crowd magnetism of Bankhead in this drama who otherwise loved to please fans by her witty dialogue. This story is a real family drama where a wife has to do unthinkable of practicing the oldest profession to take care of her dying husband. In the pre-code era, stories such as this were handled with relative ease and Tallulah Bankhead offers the finest performance of her career in a real dramatic story. This just proves that she can do both comedies and drama equally well.
This is the story of a successful female banker (Bankhead) who falls in love with a young debonair (Robert Montgomery) and then marries him. When the shady economic practices of Wall Street firms cause the economy to collapse (1929), they face financial hardship especially when Montgomery becomes ill and unable to care for his wife. This is a well scripted movie for the screen written by Carey Wilson based on Mildred Cram’s novel. The movie is directed by Harry Belmont with lot of sensitivity and care. This is a gem and I highly recommend watching this movie.
Robert Montgomery started with movies at the right time when studios started making talkies since 1929. This was an advantage for him since he never did silent movies. Many silent stars were left out of the movie industry when talkies became popular and they suffered because of this transition. Tallulah Bankhead with her rich stage experience and Robert Montgomery’s debonair look; both succeeded at the box office.
Faithless (1932): Tallulah Bankhead was loaned to MGM by Paramount for this 1932 classic. This is a highly underrated film that casts Tallulah Bankhead opposite Robert Montgomery in this “riches to rags” story at the height of great depression. Her flamboyant personality and uninhibited performances on and off the stage kept many on a vicarious spree until Paramount brought her back from England to United States in 1931. The cameras dimmed luster and crowd magnetism of Bankhead in this drama who otherwise loved to please fans by her witty dialogue. This story is a real family drama where a wife has to do unthinkable of practicing the oldest profession to take care of her dying husband. In the pre-code era, stories such as this were handled with relative ease and Tallulah Bankhead offers the finest performance of her career in a real dramatic story. This just proves that she can do both comedies and drama equally well.
This is the story of a successful female banker (Bankhead) who falls in love with a young debonair (Robert Montgomery) and then marries him. When the shady economic practices of Wall Street firms cause the economy to collapse (1929), they face financial hardship especially when Montgomery becomes ill and unable to care for his wife. This is a well scripted movie for the screen written by Carey Wilson based on Mildred Cram’s novel. The movie is directed by Harry Belmont with lot of sensitivity and care. This is a gem and I highly recommend watching this movie.
Robert Montgomery started with movies at the right time when studios started making talkies since 1929. This was an advantage for him since he never did silent movies. Many silent stars were left out of the movie industry when talkies became popular and they suffered because of this transition. Tallulah Bankhead with her rich stage experience and Robert Montgomery’s debonair look; both succeeded at the box office.
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
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