Bach, Beethoven and Mozart on “high” in Manhattan (five stars)
The story was inspired by Oboist Blair Tindal’s 2005 memoir of her professional career in New York. The series stars Gael Garcia Bernal as Rodrigo, a character based on conductor Gustavo Dudamel, a Venezuelan music director of Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra. The pilot was written by Ronan Coppola, Jason Schwartzman and Alex Timbers. The show is about a fictitious New York Symphony Orchestra with a perky newcomer oboist named Hailey, played by Lola Kirke. The orchestra's general manager Gloria played Broadway veteran Bernadette Peters, and Malcolm McDowell as the high-strung conductor replaced by Rodrigo add muscle to the show.
The show is somewhat controversial in the sense that it depicts all classical musicians live the fast life of Blair Tindal; pill popping, pot smoking, and bed hopping women who are into classical music! It has lot of fun and good times, but also music is given enough room to display its allure. The Violin Concerto by Jean Sibelius is a glorious moment in the final episode.
Amazon is producing some of the best television shows in a crowded market dominated by network and cable television. The show won two awards in 2016 Golden Globe awards including the best comedy series. This goes to show that it has merit and popular appeal.
Thursday, January 28, 2016
Wednesday, January 27, 2016
Movie Reviewed: The Young in Heart, starring Janet Gaynor, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., and Paulette Goddard
A star-studded film about a family of tricksters
This is the screwball comedy about a family of confidence tricksters produced by David O Selznick. Under the slow and relaxed direction of Richard Wallace and screenplay by Paul Osborn, the eminent cast turns the story into a real gooey screwball slapstick. Roland Young plays retired British Colonel and Billie Burke as his wife and Douglas Fairbanks Jr., and Janet Gaynor as their children. The daughter of the family, Janet Gaynor hopes to snare a Scottish millionaire to relieve the family’s penury. When that doesn’t work they get the opportunity to meet a sweet and wealthy old lady (Minnie Dupree). Finally her example and advice make them see the errors of their lives. Paulette Goddard plays the role Fairbank’s girlfriend.
It is a kind of unusual film to see Janet Gaynor and Douglas Fairbanks play brother and sister, but the comedy of errors keep you entertained.
This is the screwball comedy about a family of confidence tricksters produced by David O Selznick. Under the slow and relaxed direction of Richard Wallace and screenplay by Paul Osborn, the eminent cast turns the story into a real gooey screwball slapstick. Roland Young plays retired British Colonel and Billie Burke as his wife and Douglas Fairbanks Jr., and Janet Gaynor as their children. The daughter of the family, Janet Gaynor hopes to snare a Scottish millionaire to relieve the family’s penury. When that doesn’t work they get the opportunity to meet a sweet and wealthy old lady (Minnie Dupree). Finally her example and advice make them see the errors of their lives. Paulette Goddard plays the role Fairbank’s girlfriend.
It is a kind of unusual film to see Janet Gaynor and Douglas Fairbanks play brother and sister, but the comedy of errors keep you entertained.
Move Reviewed: One Romantic Night (1930), starring Lillian Gish and Marie Dressler
An unwelcome romance
This is a Ruritanian romance that has been filmed three times; a 1925 film starring Frances Howard and a 1956 film starring Grace Kelly. But this 1930 version is my favorite film.
Silent movie star Lillian Gish made her talking picture debut in this movie as the princess dethroned to a foreign crown prince. But she falls in love with her brother’s down-to-earth tutor. As expected not all goes well for Gish but in the end love prevails. Lillian Gish does her best to kindle life into a lifeless screenplay by Melville Baker. Both men in her life, Rod La Rocque as Prince Albert and Conrad Nagel as the tutor do their best in expressing their love for her. Marie Dressler plays a supporting role. Except for Gish who looks absolutely beautiful, this film does not generate much interest. I am a fan of Lillian Gish and I love her performance in this romantic comedy.
This is a Ruritanian romance that has been filmed three times; a 1925 film starring Frances Howard and a 1956 film starring Grace Kelly. But this 1930 version is my favorite film.
Silent movie star Lillian Gish made her talking picture debut in this movie as the princess dethroned to a foreign crown prince. But she falls in love with her brother’s down-to-earth tutor. As expected not all goes well for Gish but in the end love prevails. Lillian Gish does her best to kindle life into a lifeless screenplay by Melville Baker. Both men in her life, Rod La Rocque as Prince Albert and Conrad Nagel as the tutor do their best in expressing their love for her. Marie Dressler plays a supporting role. Except for Gish who looks absolutely beautiful, this film does not generate much interest. I am a fan of Lillian Gish and I love her performance in this romantic comedy.
Movie Reviewed: There’s always tomorrow (1956), starring Barbara Stanwyck and Fred MacMurray.
An affair to forget
Fred MacMurray plays a family man named Clifford Groves who falls in love with his old sweetheart named Norma Miller Vale (Barbara Stanwyck). When a likeable and well-mannered man is taken for granted by his wife and children, he obviously gets bored, but all that changes when Ms. Vale walks into his life. Their friendship blossoms and matures into romance. Groves comes to realize what he missed in life, the love and care he so deserved. When Groves’ children discover the relationship, they confront his girlfriend. After a conversation with them she makes them realize how much they ignored their father. Barbara Stanwyck looks splendid when she talks to the kids a like a woman of wisdom. The writer and the director have handled this delicate situation wonderfully. The kids understand and realize how much they hurt their father.
This is an absorbing drama about family, loneliness and the temptation of past romances which is based on Ursula Parrot’s novel and the screenplay by Bernard Schoenfeld. The chemistry between MacMurray and Stanwyck is not as great as it was in the other box-office hit, “Double Indemnity.” Stanwyck looks a little old in this 1956 movie but “Double Indemnity” was made in 1944. Joan Bennett does a splendid job as a family focused woman.
Fred MacMurray plays a family man named Clifford Groves who falls in love with his old sweetheart named Norma Miller Vale (Barbara Stanwyck). When a likeable and well-mannered man is taken for granted by his wife and children, he obviously gets bored, but all that changes when Ms. Vale walks into his life. Their friendship blossoms and matures into romance. Groves comes to realize what he missed in life, the love and care he so deserved. When Groves’ children discover the relationship, they confront his girlfriend. After a conversation with them she makes them realize how much they ignored their father. Barbara Stanwyck looks splendid when she talks to the kids a like a woman of wisdom. The writer and the director have handled this delicate situation wonderfully. The kids understand and realize how much they hurt their father.
This is an absorbing drama about family, loneliness and the temptation of past romances which is based on Ursula Parrot’s novel and the screenplay by Bernard Schoenfeld. The chemistry between MacMurray and Stanwyck is not as great as it was in the other box-office hit, “Double Indemnity.” Stanwyck looks a little old in this 1956 movie but “Double Indemnity” was made in 1944. Joan Bennett does a splendid job as a family focused woman.
Tuesday, January 5, 2016
Movie Reviewed: A beautiful mind starring Russell Crowe
The touching life of Mathematician John Nash
This is a wonderful movie about the life and struggles of one of the 20th century’s greatest mathematician, John Nash. The story is based on biographer Sylvia Nasar's book, “A Beautiful Mind.” The leading role is played by actor Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connolly and directed by Ron Howard
The film focusses on several aspects of Nash's life including the nature of his mind and a close examination of his personality. In 1959, Nash suffered from paranoid schizophrenia, a serious mental illness and spent years at psychiatric hospitals. After 1970, his condition slowly improved, allowing him to return to academic work. His struggles with his illness and recovery are the focus of this film.
The story begins with Nash's days as a graduate student at Princeton University. Early in the film, Nash begins to develop paranoid schizophrenia and endures delusional episodes while painfully watching his illness and burdens his wife Alicia. In 1994, Nash wins the Nobel Prize in Economics, and on May 23, 2015, Nash and his wife Alicia Nash are killed in a car crash while riding in a taxi on the New Jersey Turnpike. Nash had been in Norway to receive the Abel Prize for Mathematics from King Harold V for his work and returning home at Princeton.
This film won awards for director Ron Howard and Jennifer Connolly in the best supporting actress category. This is a sure tear-jerker and a must watch for anyone interested in the life of John Nash.
This is a wonderful movie about the life and struggles of one of the 20th century’s greatest mathematician, John Nash. The story is based on biographer Sylvia Nasar's book, “A Beautiful Mind.” The leading role is played by actor Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connolly and directed by Ron Howard
The film focusses on several aspects of Nash's life including the nature of his mind and a close examination of his personality. In 1959, Nash suffered from paranoid schizophrenia, a serious mental illness and spent years at psychiatric hospitals. After 1970, his condition slowly improved, allowing him to return to academic work. His struggles with his illness and recovery are the focus of this film.
The story begins with Nash's days as a graduate student at Princeton University. Early in the film, Nash begins to develop paranoid schizophrenia and endures delusional episodes while painfully watching his illness and burdens his wife Alicia. In 1994, Nash wins the Nobel Prize in Economics, and on May 23, 2015, Nash and his wife Alicia Nash are killed in a car crash while riding in a taxi on the New Jersey Turnpike. Nash had been in Norway to receive the Abel Prize for Mathematics from King Harold V for his work and returning home at Princeton.
This film won awards for director Ron Howard and Jennifer Connolly in the best supporting actress category. This is a sure tear-jerker and a must watch for anyone interested in the life of John Nash.
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