by: Mantius Cazaubon
What is soca music?
This material is geared primarily towards folks who are new to this genre of music called soca. As an artist who has been recording soca songs for the last eight years, and who has won Caribbean wide soca competitions, I shall humbly attempt to present a comprehensive introduction to soca music.
Soca music originated in the Caribbean island of Trinidad and Tobago. It is widely accepted to have been created by Lord Shorty (born Garfield Blackman). He noticed that Calypso music was threatened by the more popular reggae music and dying out and attempted to create a new hybrid that was more appealing to the masses. He fused Indian music with calypso music and this resulted in a more energetic hybrid called solka, which later became known as soca. Lord Shorty introduced soca to the world in 1973 with his hit song, Indrani.
Naturally, soca music of the seventies is very different to what exists today. Today, there are two main types, namely Power Soca and Groovy Soca. What is the major difference between the two?
Power soca music is very fast, with tempos of around 160 beats per minute. The music is largely instructional in nature. Soca artists thrive on motivating audiences to respond to their dancing instructions. Power soca music is largely music to jump, wave and "wine" to. ("Wine" is derived from the word "wind" and is a type of dance that consists of hip movements). Crowd reaction is key.
Trinidadian soca artist, Superblue has been credited with starting the "jump and wave" craze. His success with this style of soca was so incredible that since then most soca songs are written with crowd response in mind.
Today, the challenge for power soca songwriters is to write songs that can move audiences but not be a regurgitation of the jump and wave theme. This is not the easiest of tasks because of the very nature of the festival that soca music is centered around. Soca music is largely carnival music. Since carnival is all about jumping and waving, the music that drives it must be able to engender such activity. Increasingly, artists are succeeding at writing songs which are not necessarily based on "jump and wave" or waving rags and flags. In an attempt to stay clear of monotony, themes like love, peace and togetherness have been very common.
Groovy soca music is arguably, a better means of propelling soca music forward internationally. It is much slower, around 115 beats per minute. This newer kind of soca allows for a wider range of topics to be addressed. Unlike the total frenzy that power soca gives rise to, groovy soca is music to sway and dance slowly to. Artists like Kevin Lyttle and Rupee have demonstrated that this type of music is very palatable to mainstream music markets, with international hits like "Turn Me On" and "Tempted To Touch" respectively. Another artist who has gain international recognition with groovy/crossover soca is Barbadian based artist, Alison Hinds.
I believe that fast and groovy soca music should continue to co-exist. I readily accept all variations of soca and put none against the other. Music is dynamic. Throughout history no genre has ever stayed the same and hybrids are constantly created.
In addition to power and groovy soca, other types of soca music include ragga soca and chutney soca.
Ragga soca is a fusion of dancehall and soca music. Ragga soca performers include Trinidians, Bunji Garlin and Maximus Dan.
Chutney soca is a blend of East Indian chutney music and soca. Chutney Soca is an up-tempo, rhythmic type of song, accompanied by traditional Indian musical instruments such as the dholak, tassa, the harmonium and the dhantal.
The line between different kinds of soca music is becoming less and less clearly defined. It can sometimes be very difficult and controversial to pin-point what is groovy, power, or ragga soca. There is so much fusion taking place that it is often difficult to tell whether a song is really a soca song. For instance some have argued that Alison Hinds' hit song, "Roll It Gal" is not really a soca song but an R&B song with a West Indian influence. While I do not hold that view, it goes to show that there are no clear distinctions and definitions. Soca music, like other forms of music is an art and cannot be restricted to a specific or exclusive mold.
Soca music is largely competitive. Every year artists try to outdo each other at carnival competitions such as Soca Monarch and Road March. At a soca monarch competition soca artists perform before large audiences and are ranked by a panel of judges. A road march song is the song which is played the most during a carnival street parade. Each Caribbean island holds its own competitions. Prizes can amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars for each winner, particlurly in Trinidad and Tobago.
Some of the biggest soca artists in the industry have bowed out of competition. These include big names such as Machel Montano, Bunji Garlin and KMC. The commonly held view is that "music is a mission, not a competition". Personally, I have found such competitions to be a very negative force, causing undesirable friction between artists. As an artist, I have had my own battles. However, winning is so much fun that it can be hard to quit. The fans can be relentless in urging an artist to compete against their own will. The way these competitions are set up, it is easy to go unnoticed if one is not taking part, except if you are already strongly established in the market.
Popular soca performers include Machel Montano, Destra, Alison Hinds, Atlantik, KMC, Shurwayne Winchester, Denise Belfon, Bomani, Bunji Garlin, Iwer George, Bomani, Kevin Lyttle, Tizzy, Maximus Dan, Mr Killa, Mantius, Fireman Hooper, Jamesy P, Tallpree, Claudette Peters, Burning Flames, Nicole David, Ricky T, Qpid and Krosfyah.
Some of soca's biggest worldwide hits include "Turn Me On" by Kevin Lyttle, "Tempted to Touch" by Rupee, "Who Let the Dogs Out" by Baha Men (originally sang by Anslem Douglas), "Sweet Soca Music" by Sugar Daddy, "Nookie" by Jamesy P, "Hot Hot Hot" by Buster Poindexter (originally sang by Arrow), and "Follow the leader" by Soca Boys (originally sang by Nigel and Marvin Lewis).
Brass instruments such as trumpets and trombones have been very typical of soca music. Sometimes, the saxophone forms part of brass sections. While these instruments are still used in live performances, synthesizers and samplers are increasingly replacing them, particularly in studio recordings and at smaller concerts. Soca is very percussion and drum driven and these are often very loud in a soca mix. The bass is also very important. Other instruments used include guitars, and keyboards.
Leading soca-producing Caribbean islands include Trinidad and Tobago, St Vincent and the Grenadines, St Lucia, Grenada, Barbados and Antigua and Barbuda.
Sabtu, 21 Juni 2008
"Ryan's Daughter" Is a Love Triangle with Passion, Adultery, Rebellion and a Village Idiot
by: Ed Bagley
Ryan's Daughter ' 4 Stars (Excellent)
"Ryan's Daughter" is a love story that evolves into a love triangle set in the epic splendor of an isolated village on Ireland's scenic Dingle Peninsula. Like all love triangles, it ends in a disaster that becomes a tragedy.
Rosy Ryan (Sarah Miles) seeks to find that certain something that is missing in her life and thinks she finds it when she announces her love for her former schoolteacher, Charles Shaughnessy (Robert Mitchum), who is old enough to be her father.
Unfortunately for Rosy, her marriage brings her love but not passion. It is passion she finds when she meets and instantly falls into the arms of Major Randolph Doryan (Christopher Jones), a young British officer assigned to the village.
Major Doryan is a World War I hero who ends up in the village as part of the British occupation while the war continues on in Europe. The villagers resent the British presence and will jump at a chance to fight for their freedom.
Tim O'Leary (Barry Foster) leads a resistance force that awaits the arrival of German weapons so they can finally arm and defend themselves against the British takeover.
The villagers become aware of Rosy's infidelity through the village idiot Michael (John Mills) who is mute and considered a half-wit, but Michael is clever enough to steal away the major's uniform and medal while he is busy making love to Rosy in a secluded island cave.
Michael adores Rosy but instinctively knows he has no chance. He feels a kinship with Major Doryan as they both suffer from profound limps. Both the limp and shell shock are from Doryan's war injuries.
Tom Ryan (Leo McKern) is Rosy's father and owner of the local pub. He is a big freedom talker who is taken at his word to be a freedom fighter by the rebel leader O'Leary, who leans on him for support in gathering up the German weapons that are dropped off at sea and floating to shore.
You just have to see the storm scene, huge waves are crashing against the rocky shore while villagers are scrambling to recover broken boxes of rifles, bullets and dynamite.
When the rebels seek to haul off the weapons stash, they are met by British soldiers who have been tipped off by Tom Ryan. O'Leary is shot by Major Doryan and captured while trying to escape. It is assumed he will be hung for leading the rebellion.
Once exposed, the villagers consider the unfaithful Rosy to be the "British officer's whore" as well as a disloyal and dishonorable informant when in fact it is her father. Ryan, whose wife has died, has spoiled his daughter growing up, and it is he who is the silent informer for the British that is never exposed, even when he has an opportunity to save his daughter from harm.
The villagers become a mob and eventually beat up Rosy's husband Charles, strip Rosy naked and cut off her lovely long hair. This is apparently the ultimate disgrace in an Irish village, being ostracized and then humiliated.
Major Doryan ends up on the beach with Michael who has recovered some dynamite. When Doryan realizes his affair with Rosy is over, he uses the dynamite to commit suicide.
Rosy's husband is aware of her adultery but hopes it will run its course, and he will be there when it is over. When he finds he is unable to handle it, he decides to leave Rosy. They both know that they must leave the village and are led out of town by Father Collins (Trevor Howard), the Catholic priest.
Director David Lean had to wait a year before a storm dramatic enough appeared on the Atlantic Ocean to film the weapons recovery scene. This turned into a masterpiece of filming by Freddie Young who won an Oscar for his effort.
Cinematographer Freddie Young captures the raw beauty of Ireland with its ocean cliffs, green countryside, lazy pastures and hidden forest love nest. Young shot the film entirely in a 65mm widescreen format and in Super Panavision. It was the last such film shot until 22 years later when Ron Howard filmed "Far and Away" in 1992.
The storm scene is nothing short of spectacular as well as real. Leo McKern (as Rosy's father Tom) was injured and badly shaken up while filming the storm sequence and nearly drowned. McKern was so upset he vowed never to act again and did not for several years.
The film includes a passionate love scene between Major Doryan and Rosy who was partially exposed (pretty hot for a film released in 1970). In addition to Young's Oscar, John Mills won an Oscar as Best Supporting Actor for his role as the mute half-wit. Mills bowed at the Academy Awards ceremony when receiving his Oscar and said nothing in the shortest acceptance speech in Oscar history.
Sarah Miles received an Oscar nomination for Best Actress and the film earned another nomination for Best Sound.
Mills also won the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor. Sarah Miles (Best Actress) and Trevor Howard (Best Supporting Actor) won Golden Globe nominations.
A lot of critics at the time were not kind to David Lean as director of Ryan's Daughter. Lean was no slouch. He earned two Best Director Oscars for "The Bridge on the River Kwai" and "Lawrence of Arabia".
Lean was also nominated for a Best Director Oscar for "Doctor Zhivago" which won 5 Oscars and had 4 other nominations. Robert Bolt wrote Doctor Zhivago as well as Ryan's Daughter and "A Man for All Seasons". Bolt was twice married to Sarah Miles.
Lean would outperform his critics. He was voted the 9th greatest film director of all time in the BFI (British Film Institute) "Directors Top Directors" poll in 2002.
Ryan's Daughter is a slow developing romance. The film runs for 3 hours and 16 minutes. Like almost all of Lean's films, Ryan's Daughter was hugely popular with moviegoers and movie lovers alike.
Ryan's Daughter is a story about relationships and an epic film worth watching.
Copyright © 2007 Ed Bagley
Ryan's Daughter ' 4 Stars (Excellent)
"Ryan's Daughter" is a love story that evolves into a love triangle set in the epic splendor of an isolated village on Ireland's scenic Dingle Peninsula. Like all love triangles, it ends in a disaster that becomes a tragedy.
Rosy Ryan (Sarah Miles) seeks to find that certain something that is missing in her life and thinks she finds it when she announces her love for her former schoolteacher, Charles Shaughnessy (Robert Mitchum), who is old enough to be her father.
Unfortunately for Rosy, her marriage brings her love but not passion. It is passion she finds when she meets and instantly falls into the arms of Major Randolph Doryan (Christopher Jones), a young British officer assigned to the village.
Major Doryan is a World War I hero who ends up in the village as part of the British occupation while the war continues on in Europe. The villagers resent the British presence and will jump at a chance to fight for their freedom.
Tim O'Leary (Barry Foster) leads a resistance force that awaits the arrival of German weapons so they can finally arm and defend themselves against the British takeover.
The villagers become aware of Rosy's infidelity through the village idiot Michael (John Mills) who is mute and considered a half-wit, but Michael is clever enough to steal away the major's uniform and medal while he is busy making love to Rosy in a secluded island cave.
Michael adores Rosy but instinctively knows he has no chance. He feels a kinship with Major Doryan as they both suffer from profound limps. Both the limp and shell shock are from Doryan's war injuries.
Tom Ryan (Leo McKern) is Rosy's father and owner of the local pub. He is a big freedom talker who is taken at his word to be a freedom fighter by the rebel leader O'Leary, who leans on him for support in gathering up the German weapons that are dropped off at sea and floating to shore.
You just have to see the storm scene, huge waves are crashing against the rocky shore while villagers are scrambling to recover broken boxes of rifles, bullets and dynamite.
When the rebels seek to haul off the weapons stash, they are met by British soldiers who have been tipped off by Tom Ryan. O'Leary is shot by Major Doryan and captured while trying to escape. It is assumed he will be hung for leading the rebellion.
Once exposed, the villagers consider the unfaithful Rosy to be the "British officer's whore" as well as a disloyal and dishonorable informant when in fact it is her father. Ryan, whose wife has died, has spoiled his daughter growing up, and it is he who is the silent informer for the British that is never exposed, even when he has an opportunity to save his daughter from harm.
The villagers become a mob and eventually beat up Rosy's husband Charles, strip Rosy naked and cut off her lovely long hair. This is apparently the ultimate disgrace in an Irish village, being ostracized and then humiliated.
Major Doryan ends up on the beach with Michael who has recovered some dynamite. When Doryan realizes his affair with Rosy is over, he uses the dynamite to commit suicide.
Rosy's husband is aware of her adultery but hopes it will run its course, and he will be there when it is over. When he finds he is unable to handle it, he decides to leave Rosy. They both know that they must leave the village and are led out of town by Father Collins (Trevor Howard), the Catholic priest.
Director David Lean had to wait a year before a storm dramatic enough appeared on the Atlantic Ocean to film the weapons recovery scene. This turned into a masterpiece of filming by Freddie Young who won an Oscar for his effort.
Cinematographer Freddie Young captures the raw beauty of Ireland with its ocean cliffs, green countryside, lazy pastures and hidden forest love nest. Young shot the film entirely in a 65mm widescreen format and in Super Panavision. It was the last such film shot until 22 years later when Ron Howard filmed "Far and Away" in 1992.
The storm scene is nothing short of spectacular as well as real. Leo McKern (as Rosy's father Tom) was injured and badly shaken up while filming the storm sequence and nearly drowned. McKern was so upset he vowed never to act again and did not for several years.
The film includes a passionate love scene between Major Doryan and Rosy who was partially exposed (pretty hot for a film released in 1970). In addition to Young's Oscar, John Mills won an Oscar as Best Supporting Actor for his role as the mute half-wit. Mills bowed at the Academy Awards ceremony when receiving his Oscar and said nothing in the shortest acceptance speech in Oscar history.
Sarah Miles received an Oscar nomination for Best Actress and the film earned another nomination for Best Sound.
Mills also won the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor. Sarah Miles (Best Actress) and Trevor Howard (Best Supporting Actor) won Golden Globe nominations.
A lot of critics at the time were not kind to David Lean as director of Ryan's Daughter. Lean was no slouch. He earned two Best Director Oscars for "The Bridge on the River Kwai" and "Lawrence of Arabia".
Lean was also nominated for a Best Director Oscar for "Doctor Zhivago" which won 5 Oscars and had 4 other nominations. Robert Bolt wrote Doctor Zhivago as well as Ryan's Daughter and "A Man for All Seasons". Bolt was twice married to Sarah Miles.
Lean would outperform his critics. He was voted the 9th greatest film director of all time in the BFI (British Film Institute) "Directors Top Directors" poll in 2002.
Ryan's Daughter is a slow developing romance. The film runs for 3 hours and 16 minutes. Like almost all of Lean's films, Ryan's Daughter was hugely popular with moviegoers and movie lovers alike.
Ryan's Daughter is a story about relationships and an epic film worth watching.
Copyright © 2007 Ed Bagley
The Ultimate Career Strategy
by: Ronald K. Armstrong
I can't believe it. I just pulled an all-nighter. Yup, I spent all night working on my next lecture. What really tripped me out was that about 3:00 a.m. I got a call from this college student whom I met last week.
He was up all night too, editing his film. Well, turns out he is facing a deadline and he wanted to know whether he should create the credits himself or hire someone to do it. Since he still had a lot to do with sound mixing and all, I told him to just outsource the credits. He politely thanked me and was about to hang up when I stopped him. I said, rather emphatically, "And if you ever call me at three in the morning again I am going to kick your butt! Have a goodnight".
This brings me to what I want to talk with you about. I want to share a powerful secret to success with you; one that has eluded many people. In fact, once I let you in on this secret it is going to change your life. I know because when I discovered it and started applying this secret everything for me changed.
Let me ask you this: Have you ever seen people make it in this business with absolutely no talent? But somehow or another they made all the right moves and got fame and fortune. All the while others who work hard and are honest never seem to make it.
Well, that was me not too long ago. I was always a hard worker but success seemed to escape me. Unfortunately, I was focusing on the wrong things. Those right moves that others who were less talented making were what I called… ready for this big secret now? SCALE. Scale, or scalability, is a very simple concept that most people go their entire lives never understanding. Part of the reason is that it has been called by many other names, which further confuse the matter.
So what is Scale? It has actually been around for a number of years and is nothing new, but when mastered can lead to success in almost any area of your life. When I started out as an artist, I would often sends my resume to producers one at a time. Even when I was looking for freelance directing gigs I would search the job boards looking for the right opportunity and then submit my resume.
Well, let me tell you that the best and brightest in this industry NEVER use that approach! In short, Scale is any technique that multiplies your efforts with one move. See, most people starting out in this business focus on those things which take up 90% of their time and produce less than 10% of the desired result. And that estimate is being quite liberal. For example; is it best to search the film job boards and respond to 50 postings OR post your resume, reel, headshot or etc on 5 key boards and get seen by hundreds of agents and producers at once? Obviously the latter makes more sense. That is Scale.
Now, on another level, Scale can be referred to as viral marketing, butterfly marketing, affiliate programs and joint ventures. The reason why many people in this industry give up so soon is because they see so little results. And the reason why they see so little results is because they get caught up in managing small parts instead of increasing Scale. Pinpoint any technique that can increase your efforts without demanding a lot of time on your part and you have a winner! Such efforts can be: well-connected agents, postings on top sites, good social networks, and viral marketing. Any one of these can get you exposed to hundreds of people at a time!
Not too long ago, I was approached by a guy who wanted me to join his multilevel marketing business. I went to one of his meetings, which sadly consisted of me and another person. After the meeting he asked me if I wanted to join. I said well that depends on your plan. I told him up front that he was involved in a nickel and dime operation. I simply wasn't interested in doing presentations to one or two people at a time. It was not good Scale. However, if he had a plan and the right connections that entailed approaching churches, organizations, and unions I would be down. Of course, he had no such plan or contacts which is why I never joined. Get the point?
So, if you are looking to be a success in this industry, stop focusing on task management i.e, handling small details that yield small results. Instead, increase Scale by targeting those techniques that quickly and exponentially increase your efforts and subsequent exposure. That is how you make it and that is how you WILL succeed!
Now, I have greatly simplified Scale for you in this e-mail. There are many more complex components to it. For example, without a proper understanding of width vs. depth you could achieve the opposite affect. What I am saying is that it is important for you to understand the principle of Scale right now and NOT the actual techniques involved. It is a very popular trend and there are many companies, books and software programs that you can get that deal with it. A great resource for techniques on Scale is: http://www.kamiticartssystem.com
Once you understand Scale at its core you can apply it to almost any area of your life. So important and life changing is this subject that I hope to do an entire program on it one day as it relates to us in the entertainment industry. Until then, start looking at your current situation and find ways that eliminate the small individual tasks and focus on ones that greatly increase the impact of your efforts.
Now, going back to that filmmaker who called me for advice – he understood the importance of leveraging existing talent to accomplish the task he needed. Why spend more time on something when he could increase his efforts to complete the film against an aggressive deadline by hiring someone to help him. That's the beauty of Scale. Makes sense right?
Later…
I can't believe it. I just pulled an all-nighter. Yup, I spent all night working on my next lecture. What really tripped me out was that about 3:00 a.m. I got a call from this college student whom I met last week.
He was up all night too, editing his film. Well, turns out he is facing a deadline and he wanted to know whether he should create the credits himself or hire someone to do it. Since he still had a lot to do with sound mixing and all, I told him to just outsource the credits. He politely thanked me and was about to hang up when I stopped him. I said, rather emphatically, "And if you ever call me at three in the morning again I am going to kick your butt! Have a goodnight".
This brings me to what I want to talk with you about. I want to share a powerful secret to success with you; one that has eluded many people. In fact, once I let you in on this secret it is going to change your life. I know because when I discovered it and started applying this secret everything for me changed.
Let me ask you this: Have you ever seen people make it in this business with absolutely no talent? But somehow or another they made all the right moves and got fame and fortune. All the while others who work hard and are honest never seem to make it.
Well, that was me not too long ago. I was always a hard worker but success seemed to escape me. Unfortunately, I was focusing on the wrong things. Those right moves that others who were less talented making were what I called… ready for this big secret now? SCALE. Scale, or scalability, is a very simple concept that most people go their entire lives never understanding. Part of the reason is that it has been called by many other names, which further confuse the matter.
So what is Scale? It has actually been around for a number of years and is nothing new, but when mastered can lead to success in almost any area of your life. When I started out as an artist, I would often sends my resume to producers one at a time. Even when I was looking for freelance directing gigs I would search the job boards looking for the right opportunity and then submit my resume.
Well, let me tell you that the best and brightest in this industry NEVER use that approach! In short, Scale is any technique that multiplies your efforts with one move. See, most people starting out in this business focus on those things which take up 90% of their time and produce less than 10% of the desired result. And that estimate is being quite liberal. For example; is it best to search the film job boards and respond to 50 postings OR post your resume, reel, headshot or etc on 5 key boards and get seen by hundreds of agents and producers at once? Obviously the latter makes more sense. That is Scale.
Now, on another level, Scale can be referred to as viral marketing, butterfly marketing, affiliate programs and joint ventures. The reason why many people in this industry give up so soon is because they see so little results. And the reason why they see so little results is because they get caught up in managing small parts instead of increasing Scale. Pinpoint any technique that can increase your efforts without demanding a lot of time on your part and you have a winner! Such efforts can be: well-connected agents, postings on top sites, good social networks, and viral marketing. Any one of these can get you exposed to hundreds of people at a time!
Not too long ago, I was approached by a guy who wanted me to join his multilevel marketing business. I went to one of his meetings, which sadly consisted of me and another person. After the meeting he asked me if I wanted to join. I said well that depends on your plan. I told him up front that he was involved in a nickel and dime operation. I simply wasn't interested in doing presentations to one or two people at a time. It was not good Scale. However, if he had a plan and the right connections that entailed approaching churches, organizations, and unions I would be down. Of course, he had no such plan or contacts which is why I never joined. Get the point?
So, if you are looking to be a success in this industry, stop focusing on task management i.e, handling small details that yield small results. Instead, increase Scale by targeting those techniques that quickly and exponentially increase your efforts and subsequent exposure. That is how you make it and that is how you WILL succeed!
Now, I have greatly simplified Scale for you in this e-mail. There are many more complex components to it. For example, without a proper understanding of width vs. depth you could achieve the opposite affect. What I am saying is that it is important for you to understand the principle of Scale right now and NOT the actual techniques involved. It is a very popular trend and there are many companies, books and software programs that you can get that deal with it. A great resource for techniques on Scale is: http://www.kamiticartssystem.com
Once you understand Scale at its core you can apply it to almost any area of your life. So important and life changing is this subject that I hope to do an entire program on it one day as it relates to us in the entertainment industry. Until then, start looking at your current situation and find ways that eliminate the small individual tasks and focus on ones that greatly increase the impact of your efforts.
Now, going back to that filmmaker who called me for advice – he understood the importance of leveraging existing talent to accomplish the task he needed. Why spend more time on something when he could increase his efforts to complete the film against an aggressive deadline by hiring someone to help him. That's the beauty of Scale. Makes sense right?
Later…
"A Man for All Seasons" Demonstrates What Integrity Should Be in the Middle Ages and Now
by: Ed Bagley
A Man for All Seasons ' 4 Stars (Excellent)
A Man for All Seasons poses the question: What would a man sacrifice for his principles?
When King Henry VIII (Robert Shaw) seeks approval to divorce his aging wife Catherine of Aragon who could not bear him a son, and marry his mistress Anne Boleyn, the Pope and the Roman Catholic Church stand in his way.
Henry VIII's new Chancellor of England and Cardinal--Sir Thomas More (Paul Scofield)—stands in his way as well. Henry VIII wants Sir Thomas More's blessing in his action but does not get it as Sir Thomas More, a good Catholic and Cardinal, will not go along with such heresy.
More resigns as chancellor, seeking to live out his life as a private citizen, but Henry VIII will settle for nothing less than More's public approval of his headstrong course. Sir Thomas refuses to either endorse or denounce the King's action, and remains a man of principle.
Great effort is made to convince More to change his stance on Henry VIII's action. One of More's rivals, Thomas Cromwell (Leo McKern); another religious, Cardinal Wolsey (Orson Welles); and The Duke of Norfolk (Nigel Davenport) all take their turns at More.
One example is when More testifies before an inquiry committee and Norfolk attempts to persuade him to sign an oath of allegiance:
Norfolk: "Look, I'm not a scholar, and frankly I don't know whether the marriage was lawful or not—but Thomas, look at these names! You know these men! Can't you do as I did and come along with us for fellowship?"
More: "And when we stand before God, and you are sent to Heaven for doing according to your conscience, and I am sent to hell for not doing according to mine, will you come along with me—for fellowship?"
There are several lines by More that merit mention but there is not enough space to do so. Here is one of the best: "I think that when statesmen forsake their own private conscience for the sake of their public duties, they lead their country by a short route to chaos."
Sir Thomas More was a very smart and savvy—as well as principled—man.
Henry VIII gets every person of any consequence in England to sign his oath (the Act of Supremacy), endorsing his action, except Sir Thomas who will not sign, and remains silent as to the reason why he will not sign.
Cromwell is an English statesman and the chief minister to King Henry VIII. It is Cromwell who presides over King Henry's divorce from Catherine of Aragon in 1533 and Henry's subsequent break with the Roman Catholic Church.
When More proves himself to be loyal to King Henry VIII by not speaking out against him and also shows himself to be a loyal subject by not inciting rebellion, Cromwell appears to prosecute Sir Thomas out of personal spite.
In the end, Sir Thomas is the only person in England who will die for his principles, and commit himself to God for judgment. He is betrayed by an ambitious, lower level appointed attorney general, Richard (John Hurt), whose outright lie condemns Sir Thomas to be beheaded.
Sir Thomas More loses his head (no pun intended) but most importantly, not his soul. Sir Thomas is later canonized as Saint Thomas More by the Roman Catholic Church.
Henry VIII subsequently dies of syphilis, and the evil Thomas Cromwell who orchestrates Sir Thomas More's tragic demise is himself judged a traitor to England 5 years later and is also beheaded.
The riff subsequently leads to England's split from the Roman Catholic Church and the creation of the Anglican Church, the Church of England.
A Man for All Seasons does not deviate from the truth of Sir Thomas More's stance, and as such provides a role model for acting with right thinking and right motives, even at the cost of one's life.
What makes A Man for All Seasons even more impressive is that the plot for the movie is based on the true story of Sir Thomas More. Sir Thomas More was a scholar and statesman who became the leading humanist of the Renaissance Era.
A Man for All Seasons is a story about everything that is right in England and life (Sir Thomas More's integrity to his principles) and everything that is wrong in England and life (greed, avarice, lust, lying, cheating, stealing, the corruption of power, and the corruption of religious leaders).
A Man for All Seasons was writer Robert Bolt's greatest success, first as a play and then as the screenplay for its 1966 movie release following a successful Broadway run. Bolt's 16th Century period piece has exacting details of the era.
A Man for All Seasons would win 6 Oscars at the 1967 Academy Awards: Best Picture (Fred Zinnemann), Best Director (Fred Zinnemann), Best Writing (Robert Bolt), Best Actor (Paul Scofield), Best Cinematography (Ted Moore) and Best Costume Design (Elizabeth Haffenden and Joan Bridge).
The film also received Oscar nominations for Best Supporting Actor (Robert Shaw) and Best Supporting Actress (Wendy Hiller as Sir Thomas More's wife Alice).
In addition the movie garnered another 27 wins and 5 nominations, including Golden Globe wins for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay and Best Actor and a nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
Interestingly, Charlton Heston lobbied heavily for the role of Sir Thomas More, but was not seriously considered. Richard Burton was offered the part and turned it down.
The producers originally wanted Laurence Olivier as Thomas More and Alec Guinness as Wosley, but Director Fred Zinnemann insisted on Paul Scofield and Orson Welles in the roles. The rest is history. Zinnemann obviously knew how to direct a great film and a huge box office success.
Copyright © 2007 Ed Bagley
A Man for All Seasons ' 4 Stars (Excellent)
A Man for All Seasons poses the question: What would a man sacrifice for his principles?
When King Henry VIII (Robert Shaw) seeks approval to divorce his aging wife Catherine of Aragon who could not bear him a son, and marry his mistress Anne Boleyn, the Pope and the Roman Catholic Church stand in his way.
Henry VIII's new Chancellor of England and Cardinal--Sir Thomas More (Paul Scofield)—stands in his way as well. Henry VIII wants Sir Thomas More's blessing in his action but does not get it as Sir Thomas More, a good Catholic and Cardinal, will not go along with such heresy.
More resigns as chancellor, seeking to live out his life as a private citizen, but Henry VIII will settle for nothing less than More's public approval of his headstrong course. Sir Thomas refuses to either endorse or denounce the King's action, and remains a man of principle.
Great effort is made to convince More to change his stance on Henry VIII's action. One of More's rivals, Thomas Cromwell (Leo McKern); another religious, Cardinal Wolsey (Orson Welles); and The Duke of Norfolk (Nigel Davenport) all take their turns at More.
One example is when More testifies before an inquiry committee and Norfolk attempts to persuade him to sign an oath of allegiance:
Norfolk: "Look, I'm not a scholar, and frankly I don't know whether the marriage was lawful or not—but Thomas, look at these names! You know these men! Can't you do as I did and come along with us for fellowship?"
More: "And when we stand before God, and you are sent to Heaven for doing according to your conscience, and I am sent to hell for not doing according to mine, will you come along with me—for fellowship?"
There are several lines by More that merit mention but there is not enough space to do so. Here is one of the best: "I think that when statesmen forsake their own private conscience for the sake of their public duties, they lead their country by a short route to chaos."
Sir Thomas More was a very smart and savvy—as well as principled—man.
Henry VIII gets every person of any consequence in England to sign his oath (the Act of Supremacy), endorsing his action, except Sir Thomas who will not sign, and remains silent as to the reason why he will not sign.
Cromwell is an English statesman and the chief minister to King Henry VIII. It is Cromwell who presides over King Henry's divorce from Catherine of Aragon in 1533 and Henry's subsequent break with the Roman Catholic Church.
When More proves himself to be loyal to King Henry VIII by not speaking out against him and also shows himself to be a loyal subject by not inciting rebellion, Cromwell appears to prosecute Sir Thomas out of personal spite.
In the end, Sir Thomas is the only person in England who will die for his principles, and commit himself to God for judgment. He is betrayed by an ambitious, lower level appointed attorney general, Richard (John Hurt), whose outright lie condemns Sir Thomas to be beheaded.
Sir Thomas More loses his head (no pun intended) but most importantly, not his soul. Sir Thomas is later canonized as Saint Thomas More by the Roman Catholic Church.
Henry VIII subsequently dies of syphilis, and the evil Thomas Cromwell who orchestrates Sir Thomas More's tragic demise is himself judged a traitor to England 5 years later and is also beheaded.
The riff subsequently leads to England's split from the Roman Catholic Church and the creation of the Anglican Church, the Church of England.
A Man for All Seasons does not deviate from the truth of Sir Thomas More's stance, and as such provides a role model for acting with right thinking and right motives, even at the cost of one's life.
What makes A Man for All Seasons even more impressive is that the plot for the movie is based on the true story of Sir Thomas More. Sir Thomas More was a scholar and statesman who became the leading humanist of the Renaissance Era.
A Man for All Seasons is a story about everything that is right in England and life (Sir Thomas More's integrity to his principles) and everything that is wrong in England and life (greed, avarice, lust, lying, cheating, stealing, the corruption of power, and the corruption of religious leaders).
A Man for All Seasons was writer Robert Bolt's greatest success, first as a play and then as the screenplay for its 1966 movie release following a successful Broadway run. Bolt's 16th Century period piece has exacting details of the era.
A Man for All Seasons would win 6 Oscars at the 1967 Academy Awards: Best Picture (Fred Zinnemann), Best Director (Fred Zinnemann), Best Writing (Robert Bolt), Best Actor (Paul Scofield), Best Cinematography (Ted Moore) and Best Costume Design (Elizabeth Haffenden and Joan Bridge).
The film also received Oscar nominations for Best Supporting Actor (Robert Shaw) and Best Supporting Actress (Wendy Hiller as Sir Thomas More's wife Alice).
In addition the movie garnered another 27 wins and 5 nominations, including Golden Globe wins for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay and Best Actor and a nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
Interestingly, Charlton Heston lobbied heavily for the role of Sir Thomas More, but was not seriously considered. Richard Burton was offered the part and turned it down.
The producers originally wanted Laurence Olivier as Thomas More and Alec Guinness as Wosley, but Director Fred Zinnemann insisted on Paul Scofield and Orson Welles in the roles. The rest is history. Zinnemann obviously knew how to direct a great film and a huge box office success.
Copyright © 2007 Ed Bagley
Digital Video Expo West, Barbados Film Market, Web Video Summit 2007, Jingle Mingle, Actors' Fund of America Benefit, 12th Annual Satellite Awards, No
by: Paul Mitchell
In Beverly Hills on December 4, TelevisionWeek's Annual Syndication Roundtable features top executives from the syndication marketplace in an important panel discussion on the state of the business. Special guests are Dr. Phil McGraw and his son, Jay, executive producers of "The Doctors". Digital Video Expo West and DV Film Fest runs from December 4-6 in Los Angeles, and offers a line-up of educational forums, including Apple and Avid certification training, sessions covering digital video technology from A to Z, and specialized tracks featuring industry hot topics. Venture Summit West is a two-day gathering that highlights the significant economic, political and technology trends impacting the global growth investor, all happening in Half Moon Bay. The Summit gets underway with a Pre-Event Party in The Observatory on December 5. The Barbados Film Market - Film Finance Conference is organized by the Barbados International Film Festival (BIFF), with goals to set and maintain the lead as a major showcase for the exhibition of Latin America, Caribbean and Worldwide independent cinema.
The Department of Media Studies and Film of the New School in New York presents the 11th annual graduate student showcase this December 7. "Mixed Messages", an evening of student works selected by a panel of jurors, and emphasizing the Media Studies program's commitment to theory and practice encompassing all types of media. Reception follows. Boyle Heights Latina Independent Film Extravaganza is a Los Angeles event from December 7-9, featuring the creative work of Latina film directors from all across the country showing their creative work in front and behind the lens. Web Video Summit 2007 happening in New York, December 10-11, brings together the new pioneers of an expanding industry, discussing and demonstrating what you need to know about producing Internet video. David Poltrack of CBS Television and Garrick Utley of The Levin Institute preside over "FutureThink: The Media & Entertainment Industry 2008 and Beyond," taking place in New York on December 11. Women In Film and Television hold their Sixth Annual Jingle Mingle, with holiday networking and fun for Central Florida's media and entertainment professionals, December 12 in Maitland.
The Actors' Fund of America presents a December 13 gala benefit auction in New York, "Defining Elegance," showcasing glamorous evening gowns designed by award-winning costume designers using Brunschwig & Fis fabrics, all to benefit The Actors Fund. The International Press Academy puts on their annual event, the 12th Annual Satellite Awards, December 16 in Beverly Hills, and Academy Award winning actress Kathy Bates will be recognized for her 35-year career in entertainment with the Mary Pickford Award. Aspen Film Academy Award Screenings offers a sneak peek at some of the films everyone will be talking about come the Academy Awards® when it runs December 21 through January 2 in Aspen. At a New Year's Eve Holiday Bash in Port St. Lucie, aside from traditional holiday party festivities of champagne, hors'dourves, and party hats, there will be an announcement of filmmakers chosen to be a part of the Treasure Coast International Film Festival opening February 1-3 in 2008. Florida ART Film Fest is now accepting submissions for approaching film festival. Contact them for more info on submissions: floridaartfilmfest AT yahoo.com.
The above events are only a sampling of what is listed. Most of the reported events above have a submission process for indie and/or performing artists to take part in. Complete details are on the "Media, Entertainment and Performing Arts Industry News and Events" page. Video and podcast versions of this news summary are also available at most popular video sites around the Web like MySpace, YouTube, Bit Torrent, as well as on The Actor's Checklist video blog is a great place to get your iPhone, ipod or Apple TV download from. This month on video you will see trailers and video clips of Lando Van Herzog: Music and Muscle... The Voice and The Violin, making his return appearance to our video report with the Cologne Cathedral Boys' Choir; World Wide Cinema and Vince Bosco present new French film and Cannes candidate "LYA" featuring music from new comers to the Electro scene, Starshiphustlers; Chris Mitchell's DVD bound comedy "Life's A Joke," the story of a man who's not getting any... jokes, or the other thing; the music video by Michael Sweet, and the film trailer for holiday release "Noëlle" about a business minded Catholic priest who arrives in a tiny fishing village the week before Christmas to shut down a dying parish, opening December 7 at a movie theater near you. The Actor's Checklist now lets you check the latest musical artists song releases on Apple's iTunes, updated on an hourly basis, at: http://www.actorschecklist.com/resources/itunes.php.
In Beverly Hills on December 4, TelevisionWeek's Annual Syndication Roundtable features top executives from the syndication marketplace in an important panel discussion on the state of the business. Special guests are Dr. Phil McGraw and his son, Jay, executive producers of "The Doctors". Digital Video Expo West and DV Film Fest runs from December 4-6 in Los Angeles, and offers a line-up of educational forums, including Apple and Avid certification training, sessions covering digital video technology from A to Z, and specialized tracks featuring industry hot topics. Venture Summit West is a two-day gathering that highlights the significant economic, political and technology trends impacting the global growth investor, all happening in Half Moon Bay. The Summit gets underway with a Pre-Event Party in The Observatory on December 5. The Barbados Film Market - Film Finance Conference is organized by the Barbados International Film Festival (BIFF), with goals to set and maintain the lead as a major showcase for the exhibition of Latin America, Caribbean and Worldwide independent cinema.
The Department of Media Studies and Film of the New School in New York presents the 11th annual graduate student showcase this December 7. "Mixed Messages", an evening of student works selected by a panel of jurors, and emphasizing the Media Studies program's commitment to theory and practice encompassing all types of media. Reception follows. Boyle Heights Latina Independent Film Extravaganza is a Los Angeles event from December 7-9, featuring the creative work of Latina film directors from all across the country showing their creative work in front and behind the lens. Web Video Summit 2007 happening in New York, December 10-11, brings together the new pioneers of an expanding industry, discussing and demonstrating what you need to know about producing Internet video. David Poltrack of CBS Television and Garrick Utley of The Levin Institute preside over "FutureThink: The Media & Entertainment Industry 2008 and Beyond," taking place in New York on December 11. Women In Film and Television hold their Sixth Annual Jingle Mingle, with holiday networking and fun for Central Florida's media and entertainment professionals, December 12 in Maitland.
The Actors' Fund of America presents a December 13 gala benefit auction in New York, "Defining Elegance," showcasing glamorous evening gowns designed by award-winning costume designers using Brunschwig & Fis fabrics, all to benefit The Actors Fund. The International Press Academy puts on their annual event, the 12th Annual Satellite Awards, December 16 in Beverly Hills, and Academy Award winning actress Kathy Bates will be recognized for her 35-year career in entertainment with the Mary Pickford Award. Aspen Film Academy Award Screenings offers a sneak peek at some of the films everyone will be talking about come the Academy Awards® when it runs December 21 through January 2 in Aspen. At a New Year's Eve Holiday Bash in Port St. Lucie, aside from traditional holiday party festivities of champagne, hors'dourves, and party hats, there will be an announcement of filmmakers chosen to be a part of the Treasure Coast International Film Festival opening February 1-3 in 2008. Florida ART Film Fest is now accepting submissions for approaching film festival. Contact them for more info on submissions: floridaartfilmfest AT yahoo.com.
The above events are only a sampling of what is listed. Most of the reported events above have a submission process for indie and/or performing artists to take part in. Complete details are on the "Media, Entertainment and Performing Arts Industry News and Events" page. Video and podcast versions of this news summary are also available at most popular video sites around the Web like MySpace, YouTube, Bit Torrent, as well as on The Actor's Checklist video blog is a great place to get your iPhone, ipod or Apple TV download from. This month on video you will see trailers and video clips of Lando Van Herzog: Music and Muscle... The Voice and The Violin, making his return appearance to our video report with the Cologne Cathedral Boys' Choir; World Wide Cinema and Vince Bosco present new French film and Cannes candidate "LYA" featuring music from new comers to the Electro scene, Starshiphustlers; Chris Mitchell's DVD bound comedy "Life's A Joke," the story of a man who's not getting any... jokes, or the other thing; the music video by Michael Sweet, and the film trailer for holiday release "Noëlle" about a business minded Catholic priest who arrives in a tiny fishing village the week before Christmas to shut down a dying parish, opening December 7 at a movie theater near you. The Actor's Checklist now lets you check the latest musical artists song releases on Apple's iTunes, updated on an hourly basis, at: http://www.actorschecklist.com/resources/itunes.php.
"Lost in Translation" Makes the Meaning of Life Sound Elusive
by: Ed Bagley
Lost in Translation ' 2 Stars (Average)
"Lost in Translation" was written and directed by Sofia Coppola and won enough awards to fill a grocery cart.
The independent film earned Sofia Coppola an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay and also had 2003 Oscar nominations for Best Picture (won by "The Lord of the Rings, the Return of the King", bad timing for Sofia), Best Director (won by Peter Jackson for Lord of the Rings) and Bill Murray as Best Actor (won by Sean Penn in "Mystic River").
Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow in "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl" lost the same nomination as Murray. I would have voted for Johnny Depp as Best Actor rather than Sean Penn.
Sofia Coppola's creation also won Golden Globe awards for Best Picture, Best Screenplay and Best Actor (Bill Murray), and earned nominations for Best Director and Best Actress (Scarlett Johansson).
The Oscar win was among 70 wins and 58 more nominations. To say Sofia Coppola's creation was lauded by the critics would be a huge understatement.
Seeing this film, I would not have guessed it would have won so many awards.
Sofia Coppola wrote the lead role specifically for Bill Murray, and later said that if Murray turned it down, she would have scrapped the project.
She was nothing if not persistent in recruiting Murray for the role. In 1999, Murray apparently replaced his talent agency with a voice mailbox and an 800 number he gives out sparingly.
Coppola reportedly left hundreds of messages before Murray finally called back to discuss her offer to cast him as the star. Coppola apparently knows something about selecting actors who win awards.
Lost in Translation follows Bob Harris (Bill Murray), a fading American film actor with a humdrum marriage, who is in Tokyo to do a Japanese whiskey commercial. He meets Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson), a recently college graduate in philosophy and the bored wife of a photographer doing a shoot in Tokyo.
They develop an unlikely friendship when the language barrier, Japanese culture and their own discontent surfaces. When it is time for them to resume their normal lives, leaving becomes difficult.
I give Sofia Coppola a lot of credit for not writing into the script a sexual relationship between the two. In Hollywood this would be like taking the financier's money and not worshipping at his or her feet.
Coppola had it her way because this independent film cost only $4 million to make, was filmed in 27 days and grossed $44.5 million at last count.
The opening of the film has a lingering shot of Scarlett Johansson (as Charlotte) lying in bed sideways in her panties. Johansson was apparently reluctant to film the shot until Sofia Coppola modeled the panties herself.
Thankfully, this opening was not a precursor to the film, which sought to explore a more important issue: the meaning of life. As two unhappy individuals in their roles, both Murray and Johansson struggle to find real meaning in their current circumstances.
What happens in their exploration is really nothing special. As a viewer I was waiting to see where their relationship was going because they came to no conclusions together, or on their own.
Therein is why I gave this film an average rating rather than a good or excellent rating. I wanted real substance in this film that I could relate to in my everyday life, and I was left wanting.
How odd is it that Bob and Charlotte never introduce themselves to each other despite spending days together contemplating their mutual miserable situations? This makes no sense to me whatsoever, and does not ring true in real life.
Despite winning an Oscar for her original screenplay, Sofia Coppola does not give the substance I expect. Hollywood pours out awards for her effort, and to me it only reflects why Hollywood is called Tinseltown, all show, confusion and stress without real substance.
Ultimately, both characters are seeking meaning in their lives.
One viewer wrote this about the film, "Overall the film is just perfect. The acting, the direction, the soundtrack, plot, themes, humor, visuals . . . what's not to like?"
What's not to like is this: People who seek true love seldom find it. People who seek the perfect mate never find the perfect mate. People who seek to find the true meaning of life seldom find it.
The reason is simple: you do not bring meaning to your life by seeking meaning in your life, you bring meaning to your life by giving meaning to your life. Life does not come to you, you come to life, or you become an unhappy, dissatisfied person.
When we blame others we give up our ability to change.
Lost in Translation has some great scenes of Tokyo, but like pictures in a photo album, they only reflect the meaning you bring to them.
Copyright © 2007 Ed Bagley
Lost in Translation ' 2 Stars (Average)
"Lost in Translation" was written and directed by Sofia Coppola and won enough awards to fill a grocery cart.
The independent film earned Sofia Coppola an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay and also had 2003 Oscar nominations for Best Picture (won by "The Lord of the Rings, the Return of the King", bad timing for Sofia), Best Director (won by Peter Jackson for Lord of the Rings) and Bill Murray as Best Actor (won by Sean Penn in "Mystic River").
Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow in "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl" lost the same nomination as Murray. I would have voted for Johnny Depp as Best Actor rather than Sean Penn.
Sofia Coppola's creation also won Golden Globe awards for Best Picture, Best Screenplay and Best Actor (Bill Murray), and earned nominations for Best Director and Best Actress (Scarlett Johansson).
The Oscar win was among 70 wins and 58 more nominations. To say Sofia Coppola's creation was lauded by the critics would be a huge understatement.
Seeing this film, I would not have guessed it would have won so many awards.
Sofia Coppola wrote the lead role specifically for Bill Murray, and later said that if Murray turned it down, she would have scrapped the project.
She was nothing if not persistent in recruiting Murray for the role. In 1999, Murray apparently replaced his talent agency with a voice mailbox and an 800 number he gives out sparingly.
Coppola reportedly left hundreds of messages before Murray finally called back to discuss her offer to cast him as the star. Coppola apparently knows something about selecting actors who win awards.
Lost in Translation follows Bob Harris (Bill Murray), a fading American film actor with a humdrum marriage, who is in Tokyo to do a Japanese whiskey commercial. He meets Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson), a recently college graduate in philosophy and the bored wife of a photographer doing a shoot in Tokyo.
They develop an unlikely friendship when the language barrier, Japanese culture and their own discontent surfaces. When it is time for them to resume their normal lives, leaving becomes difficult.
I give Sofia Coppola a lot of credit for not writing into the script a sexual relationship between the two. In Hollywood this would be like taking the financier's money and not worshipping at his or her feet.
Coppola had it her way because this independent film cost only $4 million to make, was filmed in 27 days and grossed $44.5 million at last count.
The opening of the film has a lingering shot of Scarlett Johansson (as Charlotte) lying in bed sideways in her panties. Johansson was apparently reluctant to film the shot until Sofia Coppola modeled the panties herself.
Thankfully, this opening was not a precursor to the film, which sought to explore a more important issue: the meaning of life. As two unhappy individuals in their roles, both Murray and Johansson struggle to find real meaning in their current circumstances.
What happens in their exploration is really nothing special. As a viewer I was waiting to see where their relationship was going because they came to no conclusions together, or on their own.
Therein is why I gave this film an average rating rather than a good or excellent rating. I wanted real substance in this film that I could relate to in my everyday life, and I was left wanting.
How odd is it that Bob and Charlotte never introduce themselves to each other despite spending days together contemplating their mutual miserable situations? This makes no sense to me whatsoever, and does not ring true in real life.
Despite winning an Oscar for her original screenplay, Sofia Coppola does not give the substance I expect. Hollywood pours out awards for her effort, and to me it only reflects why Hollywood is called Tinseltown, all show, confusion and stress without real substance.
Ultimately, both characters are seeking meaning in their lives.
One viewer wrote this about the film, "Overall the film is just perfect. The acting, the direction, the soundtrack, plot, themes, humor, visuals . . . what's not to like?"
What's not to like is this: People who seek true love seldom find it. People who seek the perfect mate never find the perfect mate. People who seek to find the true meaning of life seldom find it.
The reason is simple: you do not bring meaning to your life by seeking meaning in your life, you bring meaning to your life by giving meaning to your life. Life does not come to you, you come to life, or you become an unhappy, dissatisfied person.
When we blame others we give up our ability to change.
Lost in Translation has some great scenes of Tokyo, but like pictures in a photo album, they only reflect the meaning you bring to them.
Copyright © 2007 Ed Bagley
The DJ is more important than you think
by: Michael McCarthy
You're engaged, congratulations! Now what? If you're like most brides you're probably overwhelmed with all the planning that goes into creating a fairy-tale reception. Did you know that finding the perfect DJ is one of the biggest responsibilities you have? THAT'S RIGHT! "One of the biggest responsibilities". Let me prove it to you. Ask yourself what would you love to hear as your guests are leaving? Could it be...?
"WOW that was the most fun I've ever had at a wedding, your reception was absolutely beautiful, every detail was perfect!" If that's what you want to hear, then finding the best DJ is the most important job you'll have when planning your reception. This is because the DJ has one of the biggest roles in creating your perfect day. You need to place a lot of TRUST and CONFIDENCE in this person. Why, you ask? Well consider this; you're probably going to spend thousands of dollars on a reception site, catering, flowers and a photographer to name a few expenses. While all these components are important, what do you think most people remember about your reception? Here are the most common top 3 answers:
1. the Fun
2. the Food
3. the Location
Keeping this in mind, let me ask you this; if the location is breath-taking and the food is "to die for", could a bad performance by your DJ sour the whole day? Conversely, if the location poses logistic problems and the food is just o.k. could a spectacular, fun-filled, jammed packed dance floor make up for those problems?
If you answered yes to both questions you now understand how important the DJ is. The reality is, you spend so much time and money to create the perfect reception it seems ashamed to ruin it by choosing the wrong DJ. So what's a nervous bride to do? Get the best DJ now!
I know that if you're reading this your in the process of gathering information. Booking your entertainment should be a top priority. Doesn't it make sense that the best DJs book early? (as early as 12-18 months in advance) This means you need to find someone now. The less time you have, the more you need my help.
I'm a retired DJ of 25 years and my goal is to help you understand the DJs role by revealing a DJ secret that most people in the business don't want you to know.
DJ Secret #1: The majority of brides' think the DJ's role is to make a couple of announcements and play good music. This is because that's all they see. While these are very important to the success of your reception they only represent one-third of the DJs responsibilities. The other two-thirds of the DJs role happens behind the scenes. Helping you plan and managing the flow of the day's events is just as important as playing the right music. Consider this; the function manager's role is to make sure the food is hot and on time. That's their job. When the food service is finished they're gone. But the DJ is there from the beginning to the end. The timing of the food is only one of a number of factors the DJ needs to consider. A keen awareness of every aspect of your reception is the key to maintaining a flow that results in a packed dance floor the rest of the night. You might be asking yourself "how does a DJ prepare for all these factors?"
The best DJs begin their preparations far in advance. Over the course of several conversations with the couple, the DJ should have a good feel for what they are looking for. The final details will be carefully choreographed at the planning meeting with bride a week or so before the reception. Here is where the bride discusses her vision of the perfect reception (order of events, music, announcements, etc...) It is the DJs responsibility to work with the bride in developing a time-line for all the special moments. Together the bride and the DJ should have a clear understanding of exactly when these moments will take place. If the DJ did his job correctly the bride should leave this meeting 100% confident that the DJ will make her vision a reality.
Carrying out your vision the day of your reception takes a team effort.
The best DJs contact the bride's wedding vendors before the reception to go over the agenda. This is where any conflict with food service or photography issues should be discussed. By doing this the DJ can avoid any obstacles that could cause the reception to get off schedule. You can bet a wedding team that understands and agrees on the bride's vision will work more smoothly behind the scenes to make it happen.
What does this mean to you? You should be looking for a DJ who can reassure you they represent your needs behind the scenes; that they are working for you. I can tell you this; there will always be wrinkles at the reception that the vendors must work out. But a wedding team (led by the DJ) that is on the same page will handle it without you ever finding out.
You're engaged, congratulations! Now what? If you're like most brides you're probably overwhelmed with all the planning that goes into creating a fairy-tale reception. Did you know that finding the perfect DJ is one of the biggest responsibilities you have? THAT'S RIGHT! "One of the biggest responsibilities". Let me prove it to you. Ask yourself what would you love to hear as your guests are leaving? Could it be...?
"WOW that was the most fun I've ever had at a wedding, your reception was absolutely beautiful, every detail was perfect!" If that's what you want to hear, then finding the best DJ is the most important job you'll have when planning your reception. This is because the DJ has one of the biggest roles in creating your perfect day. You need to place a lot of TRUST and CONFIDENCE in this person. Why, you ask? Well consider this; you're probably going to spend thousands of dollars on a reception site, catering, flowers and a photographer to name a few expenses. While all these components are important, what do you think most people remember about your reception? Here are the most common top 3 answers:
1. the Fun
2. the Food
3. the Location
Keeping this in mind, let me ask you this; if the location is breath-taking and the food is "to die for", could a bad performance by your DJ sour the whole day? Conversely, if the location poses logistic problems and the food is just o.k. could a spectacular, fun-filled, jammed packed dance floor make up for those problems?
If you answered yes to both questions you now understand how important the DJ is. The reality is, you spend so much time and money to create the perfect reception it seems ashamed to ruin it by choosing the wrong DJ. So what's a nervous bride to do? Get the best DJ now!
I know that if you're reading this your in the process of gathering information. Booking your entertainment should be a top priority. Doesn't it make sense that the best DJs book early? (as early as 12-18 months in advance) This means you need to find someone now. The less time you have, the more you need my help.
I'm a retired DJ of 25 years and my goal is to help you understand the DJs role by revealing a DJ secret that most people in the business don't want you to know.
DJ Secret #1: The majority of brides' think the DJ's role is to make a couple of announcements and play good music. This is because that's all they see. While these are very important to the success of your reception they only represent one-third of the DJs responsibilities. The other two-thirds of the DJs role happens behind the scenes. Helping you plan and managing the flow of the day's events is just as important as playing the right music. Consider this; the function manager's role is to make sure the food is hot and on time. That's their job. When the food service is finished they're gone. But the DJ is there from the beginning to the end. The timing of the food is only one of a number of factors the DJ needs to consider. A keen awareness of every aspect of your reception is the key to maintaining a flow that results in a packed dance floor the rest of the night. You might be asking yourself "how does a DJ prepare for all these factors?"
The best DJs begin their preparations far in advance. Over the course of several conversations with the couple, the DJ should have a good feel for what they are looking for. The final details will be carefully choreographed at the planning meeting with bride a week or so before the reception. Here is where the bride discusses her vision of the perfect reception (order of events, music, announcements, etc...) It is the DJs responsibility to work with the bride in developing a time-line for all the special moments. Together the bride and the DJ should have a clear understanding of exactly when these moments will take place. If the DJ did his job correctly the bride should leave this meeting 100% confident that the DJ will make her vision a reality.
Carrying out your vision the day of your reception takes a team effort.
The best DJs contact the bride's wedding vendors before the reception to go over the agenda. This is where any conflict with food service or photography issues should be discussed. By doing this the DJ can avoid any obstacles that could cause the reception to get off schedule. You can bet a wedding team that understands and agrees on the bride's vision will work more smoothly behind the scenes to make it happen.
What does this mean to you? You should be looking for a DJ who can reassure you they represent your needs behind the scenes; that they are working for you. I can tell you this; there will always be wrinkles at the reception that the vendors must work out. But a wedding team (led by the DJ) that is on the same page will handle it without you ever finding out.
Music Downloading Legality
by: Soli Katir
There are websites out there that are 100% legal for you to download music at. When cell phones first came out all you could do is dial a number and make the call, but now you can access the Internet, take pictures, and download music and video. After you have downloaded the music from a music download site, you can listen to the songs on your computer, burn a music CD or put the songs on an MP3 player or iPod.
While the code does take a while to master (so you may need to practice before you actually make an original piece of music), the feature has encouraged many Motorola users and aficionados to create available music sheets for quick download. That basically means that you should only use your own cd’s or a licensed ZUNE site to download music to your Zune Player. With download speeds of up to 8 megabytes per second from Comcast, you’ll be able to enjoy online video, digital music downloads, and digital photographs all with an ease that’s impossible with slower Internet connections.
Although the Internet is filled with free music download-offering websites, it is important to separate the good websites from the rest in order to obtain the best results. You may choose to download music from these sites but do at your peril. (Printed sheet music is produced as single sheets, folded sheets, pamphlets, paperback or hardback volumes) It is becoming more popular to download sheet music after purchase.
Sony W810i supports AAC and mp3 music file formats, which make it easy to download your favorite numbers. And remember, PSP Blender gives you all the software needed and detailed instructions showing exactly how to download music to PSP with ease. And, you can even find a good selection of free legal music download programs that give you 100% free legal music.
The industry of downloading music illegally is now noticing that in order to get better quality with less guilt then legal download is the best way to go. To download music to Zune is pretty similar to the iPod.
There are websites out there that are 100% legal for you to download music at. When cell phones first came out all you could do is dial a number and make the call, but now you can access the Internet, take pictures, and download music and video. After you have downloaded the music from a music download site, you can listen to the songs on your computer, burn a music CD or put the songs on an MP3 player or iPod.
While the code does take a while to master (so you may need to practice before you actually make an original piece of music), the feature has encouraged many Motorola users and aficionados to create available music sheets for quick download. That basically means that you should only use your own cd’s or a licensed ZUNE site to download music to your Zune Player. With download speeds of up to 8 megabytes per second from Comcast, you’ll be able to enjoy online video, digital music downloads, and digital photographs all with an ease that’s impossible with slower Internet connections.
Although the Internet is filled with free music download-offering websites, it is important to separate the good websites from the rest in order to obtain the best results. You may choose to download music from these sites but do at your peril. (Printed sheet music is produced as single sheets, folded sheets, pamphlets, paperback or hardback volumes) It is becoming more popular to download sheet music after purchase.
Sony W810i supports AAC and mp3 music file formats, which make it easy to download your favorite numbers. And remember, PSP Blender gives you all the software needed and detailed instructions showing exactly how to download music to PSP with ease. And, you can even find a good selection of free legal music download programs that give you 100% free legal music.
The industry of downloading music illegally is now noticing that in order to get better quality with less guilt then legal download is the best way to go. To download music to Zune is pretty similar to the iPod.
Music Web Sites
by: Soli Katir
Let us examine these requirements for a successful music download. You can also download music tracks of your choice and save on your phone. Apple also brands iPod in conjunction with iTunes, its music web site where iPod users can purchase and download songs for less than $1 a piece.
But where do we stand in the eyes of the law, if we decide to download music. You could download your favorite videos and music tracks from the internet and play them on your phone. Most latest models have features beyond sending text messages and making voice calls—including Internet browsing, music (MP3) playback, personal organizers, e-mail, built-in cameras and camcorders, ringtones, games, radio, Push-to-Talk (PTT), infrared and Bluetooth connectivity, call registers, ability to watch streaming video or download video for later viewing, and serving as a wireless modem for a PC.
Any artist can have an online presence, promote their music to an audience of millions, and let consumers download their music to their hearts content. These music download sites include, believe it or not, Napster, with over 500,000 digital music downloads, eMusic, where you can get 50 free music downloads just for starters, Musicmatch, who has a great membership package, Realrhapsody, which offers a very nice two-week free trial, and one of my favorites and their “Always Low Prices” is the Wal-Mart music download. With microSD support of up to 2GB, users can download more music tracks, video clips and images.
You could listen to your favorite music tracks; you could also download the songs of your choice to your handset and drive away your blues. Download your favorite soundtracks and enjoy listening music tracks wherever you go. Moreover, you can download music, photos and Java games to make the maximum use of your leisure time.
Well here is a quick guide for beginners, on how to convert your current music files into PSP format audio files: Step One --- Download The Software First of all, you need to download software onto your PSP that allows you to convert MP3 files into PSP MP4 format.
Let us examine these requirements for a successful music download. You can also download music tracks of your choice and save on your phone. Apple also brands iPod in conjunction with iTunes, its music web site where iPod users can purchase and download songs for less than $1 a piece.
But where do we stand in the eyes of the law, if we decide to download music. You could download your favorite videos and music tracks from the internet and play them on your phone. Most latest models have features beyond sending text messages and making voice calls—including Internet browsing, music (MP3) playback, personal organizers, e-mail, built-in cameras and camcorders, ringtones, games, radio, Push-to-Talk (PTT), infrared and Bluetooth connectivity, call registers, ability to watch streaming video or download video for later viewing, and serving as a wireless modem for a PC.
Any artist can have an online presence, promote their music to an audience of millions, and let consumers download their music to their hearts content. These music download sites include, believe it or not, Napster, with over 500,000 digital music downloads, eMusic, where you can get 50 free music downloads just for starters, Musicmatch, who has a great membership package, Realrhapsody, which offers a very nice two-week free trial, and one of my favorites and their “Always Low Prices” is the Wal-Mart music download. With microSD support of up to 2GB, users can download more music tracks, video clips and images.
You could listen to your favorite music tracks; you could also download the songs of your choice to your handset and drive away your blues. Download your favorite soundtracks and enjoy listening music tracks wherever you go. Moreover, you can download music, photos and Java games to make the maximum use of your leisure time.
Well here is a quick guide for beginners, on how to convert your current music files into PSP format audio files: Step One --- Download The Software First of all, you need to download software onto your PSP that allows you to convert MP3 files into PSP MP4 format.
The Jobs Of Celebrities Before They Were Famous
by: Gail Kenny
Anyone who is becoming disillusioned with their online job search and has found themselves looking enviously onto the effortless lives of celebrities can take comfort in the fact that they haven’t always had it this easy. Even the most glamorous celebs have crumpled discarded CVs that they’d rather we never see. Fortunately, the internet has made it rather easy to research celebrities’ embarrassing occupations before they were famous…
Without further ado, here’s a list of 10 celebrities’ jobs from before they were famous:
Sir Bob Geldof – Pea Canner
The outspoken former frontman of the Boomtown Rats and face of the ‘Make Poverty History’ movement took on all kinds of dead-end jobs before finding his calling in music. He worked as a road navvy, a hot dog vendor, a slaughterman and finally an exciting career in pea canning before getting a job as a music journalist in Canada.
Sylvester Stallone – Porn Star
Stallone’s tough reputation may have begun in one of his first pre-celebrity jobs – a lion cage cleaner! Years later, after dropping out of Miami University, Stallone pursued his acting dreams, but the ‘Rocky’ star had a long way to go before he was famous and his place in Hollywood history – one of his first films was called ‘Party at Kitty and Stud’s’, which is exactly as high brow as it sounds. This silver screen ‘classic’ was a hardcore pornographic film, which has since been repackaged on the back of Stallone’s success as a softcore release entitled ‘Italian Stallion’ – a reference to Rocky Balboa’s nickname.
Rod Stewart – The Grave Digger
After trying out for a football career with Scottish giants Celtic and London minnows Brentford, a young Rod Stewart decided the glamorous career of a footballer wasn’t for him and opted for the not-so-glamorous career as a grave digger. He wasn’t there for too long though, before pursuing a career in music. The Maggie May songwriter took up street singing, travelling around Europe… indeed he was actually deported from Spain for vagrancy for his art!
Madonna – Dunkin’ Donuts Worker
Madonna is now one of the best selling female music artists of all time, but somehow this will have seemed an unlikely scenario for her 20 year old self upon arriving in New York with just $35 to her name. Over the course of these tough months before she became famous, the ‘Like a Prayer’ singer made ends meet by taking on a range of low paying jobs including a stint serving customers at ‘Dunkin’ Donuts’. An exhibitionist even in those days, she also took on some nude modelling work to supplement the limited fast-food income before finding her celebrity job calling…
Michael Dell – Dishwasher
At the age of 12 the founder of Dell computers, Michael Dell was washing dishes in a Chinese restaurant for $2.30 an hour. With Dell Inc. now worth over $16 billion, I would hope that the CEO is allowing himself a better salary than he earned at the restaurant.
Helen Mirren – Amusement Park Promoter
Long before she was famous and had won her oscar, SAG Awards, BAFTAs, Golden Globes and Emmy Awards, Dame Helen Mirren had the slightly less glamourous role of attracting punters to use the rides at an amusement park in Southend on Sea. It’s unclear whether she won as many accolades in this period of her life…
Paul Daniels - Accountant
The magician and entertainer Paul Daniels was in the army, serving in Hong Kong during his national service. On his return he began training as an accountant in the civil service before leaving to run a small mobile grocery business owned by his parents. While performing magic in the evenings, the door to show business was eventually opened to him.
Jack Nicholson – Mailroom Worker
The veteran actor and star of classics like A Few Good Men, The Shining and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest was reportedly discovered working in MGM’s mailroom. Before that, the three times Oscar winner had worked in a toy store and as a lifeguard.
Jerry Seinfeld – Lightbulb Retailer
Before he became famous as a comedian and sitcom star, Jerry sold lightbulbs over the phone. After no doubt being on the end of several aggressive customers, Jerry made fun of his former career on his hit sitcom by telling a cold-caller that it was a bad time and asking if he could call them back later when they’re at home trying to relax.
Brad Pitt – Man in a Chicken Suit
Now regarded as one of the most desirable men on the planet, you’d be hard pushed to see that in Brad Pitt when he handed out flyers outside El Pollo Loco Restaurant in Los Angeles dressed in a chicken suit! Even the role of refrigerator delivery man, although a step up, is a far cry from his current status! As the most embarrassing celebrity job in the list, we can’t imagine Brad looks back fondly on his occupations before he was famous!
So, aside from a slight feeling of smugness, what have we gained from seeing what these celebrities’ occupations before they were famous? Not much, but it’s clear that celebrities come from all walks of life and you never know when you might be spotted. Hopefully that’ll give you the impetus to return to your online job search with renewed vigour, afterall sir Bob Geldof wasn’t stuck canning peas forever!
Anyone who is becoming disillusioned with their online job search and has found themselves looking enviously onto the effortless lives of celebrities can take comfort in the fact that they haven’t always had it this easy. Even the most glamorous celebs have crumpled discarded CVs that they’d rather we never see. Fortunately, the internet has made it rather easy to research celebrities’ embarrassing occupations before they were famous…
Without further ado, here’s a list of 10 celebrities’ jobs from before they were famous:
Sir Bob Geldof – Pea Canner
The outspoken former frontman of the Boomtown Rats and face of the ‘Make Poverty History’ movement took on all kinds of dead-end jobs before finding his calling in music. He worked as a road navvy, a hot dog vendor, a slaughterman and finally an exciting career in pea canning before getting a job as a music journalist in Canada.
Sylvester Stallone – Porn Star
Stallone’s tough reputation may have begun in one of his first pre-celebrity jobs – a lion cage cleaner! Years later, after dropping out of Miami University, Stallone pursued his acting dreams, but the ‘Rocky’ star had a long way to go before he was famous and his place in Hollywood history – one of his first films was called ‘Party at Kitty and Stud’s’, which is exactly as high brow as it sounds. This silver screen ‘classic’ was a hardcore pornographic film, which has since been repackaged on the back of Stallone’s success as a softcore release entitled ‘Italian Stallion’ – a reference to Rocky Balboa’s nickname.
Rod Stewart – The Grave Digger
After trying out for a football career with Scottish giants Celtic and London minnows Brentford, a young Rod Stewart decided the glamorous career of a footballer wasn’t for him and opted for the not-so-glamorous career as a grave digger. He wasn’t there for too long though, before pursuing a career in music. The Maggie May songwriter took up street singing, travelling around Europe… indeed he was actually deported from Spain for vagrancy for his art!
Madonna – Dunkin’ Donuts Worker
Madonna is now one of the best selling female music artists of all time, but somehow this will have seemed an unlikely scenario for her 20 year old self upon arriving in New York with just $35 to her name. Over the course of these tough months before she became famous, the ‘Like a Prayer’ singer made ends meet by taking on a range of low paying jobs including a stint serving customers at ‘Dunkin’ Donuts’. An exhibitionist even in those days, she also took on some nude modelling work to supplement the limited fast-food income before finding her celebrity job calling…
Michael Dell – Dishwasher
At the age of 12 the founder of Dell computers, Michael Dell was washing dishes in a Chinese restaurant for $2.30 an hour. With Dell Inc. now worth over $16 billion, I would hope that the CEO is allowing himself a better salary than he earned at the restaurant.
Helen Mirren – Amusement Park Promoter
Long before she was famous and had won her oscar, SAG Awards, BAFTAs, Golden Globes and Emmy Awards, Dame Helen Mirren had the slightly less glamourous role of attracting punters to use the rides at an amusement park in Southend on Sea. It’s unclear whether she won as many accolades in this period of her life…
Paul Daniels - Accountant
The magician and entertainer Paul Daniels was in the army, serving in Hong Kong during his national service. On his return he began training as an accountant in the civil service before leaving to run a small mobile grocery business owned by his parents. While performing magic in the evenings, the door to show business was eventually opened to him.
Jack Nicholson – Mailroom Worker
The veteran actor and star of classics like A Few Good Men, The Shining and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest was reportedly discovered working in MGM’s mailroom. Before that, the three times Oscar winner had worked in a toy store and as a lifeguard.
Jerry Seinfeld – Lightbulb Retailer
Before he became famous as a comedian and sitcom star, Jerry sold lightbulbs over the phone. After no doubt being on the end of several aggressive customers, Jerry made fun of his former career on his hit sitcom by telling a cold-caller that it was a bad time and asking if he could call them back later when they’re at home trying to relax.
Brad Pitt – Man in a Chicken Suit
Now regarded as one of the most desirable men on the planet, you’d be hard pushed to see that in Brad Pitt when he handed out flyers outside El Pollo Loco Restaurant in Los Angeles dressed in a chicken suit! Even the role of refrigerator delivery man, although a step up, is a far cry from his current status! As the most embarrassing celebrity job in the list, we can’t imagine Brad looks back fondly on his occupations before he was famous!
So, aside from a slight feeling of smugness, what have we gained from seeing what these celebrities’ occupations before they were famous? Not much, but it’s clear that celebrities come from all walks of life and you never know when you might be spotted. Hopefully that’ll give you the impetus to return to your online job search with renewed vigour, afterall sir Bob Geldof wasn’t stuck canning peas forever!
Aishwarya Rai And The Lotus Flower: Symbols Of India
by: Wesley Berry, AAF
Aishwarya Rai is one of the latest beauties to come out of India. She burst into the spotlight twelve years ago when she competed in the 1994 Miss World pageant as a representative of India. After winning the pageant, she went on to become a very successful model and actress who has been dubbed "The Queen of Bollywood." But, Rai isn't the only beauty to come out of India; the gorgeous and exotic lotus flower is an ancient flower so revered in India that it was named their national flower.
The lotus flower has been given a sacred place in Indian culture. It plays a huge role in the art and mythology there and has done so for centuries. In Indian society, the lotus represents divinity, fertility, wealth, knowledge, and enlightenment. Perhaps the reverence of the flower stems from the fact that is an unquestionable beauty despite the fact that it grows out of murky waters and mud. Because of its ability to grow in the water, the lotus is often referred to as the water lily.
Though they have an exotic look, lotuses are actually fairly simple to grow. However, first time lotus gardeners should be aware that the lotus is a very invasive plant that can take over your entire water garden if not tended to carefully. Also, you'll notice that lotus plants may not bloom during their first year-don't be discouraged, the plants will almost surely blossom in the second year. As you watch your lotus plants grow and blossom, watch for yellowing foliage and faded blooms; you'll want to remove them to allow other leaves and blossoms to grow healthy and strong.
Lotuses come in a variety of types that include small plants with one-inch blossoms and larger ones with blossoms as big as your face. Lotus colors include red, yellow, white, peach, violet, and cream.
The lotus plant loves the heat-the hotter the better! In fact, the hotter it is at night, the bigger the flowers will be. During the winter you'll need to make certain the lotus tuber doesn't freeze or it will die. If you're growing them in your garden pond, the pond will need to be at least three feet deep so that it doesn't freeze solid, which will jeopardize the tubers. If you're growing them in pots, bring the pots inside for the winter.
With proper care, your lotus flowers will grow to exotic and fragrant flowers worthy of their status in India. They're exquisite beauty will rival that of fellow Indian Aishwarya Rai.
Aishwarya Rai is one of the latest beauties to come out of India. She burst into the spotlight twelve years ago when she competed in the 1994 Miss World pageant as a representative of India. After winning the pageant, she went on to become a very successful model and actress who has been dubbed "The Queen of Bollywood." But, Rai isn't the only beauty to come out of India; the gorgeous and exotic lotus flower is an ancient flower so revered in India that it was named their national flower.
The lotus flower has been given a sacred place in Indian culture. It plays a huge role in the art and mythology there and has done so for centuries. In Indian society, the lotus represents divinity, fertility, wealth, knowledge, and enlightenment. Perhaps the reverence of the flower stems from the fact that is an unquestionable beauty despite the fact that it grows out of murky waters and mud. Because of its ability to grow in the water, the lotus is often referred to as the water lily.
Though they have an exotic look, lotuses are actually fairly simple to grow. However, first time lotus gardeners should be aware that the lotus is a very invasive plant that can take over your entire water garden if not tended to carefully. Also, you'll notice that lotus plants may not bloom during their first year-don't be discouraged, the plants will almost surely blossom in the second year. As you watch your lotus plants grow and blossom, watch for yellowing foliage and faded blooms; you'll want to remove them to allow other leaves and blossoms to grow healthy and strong.
Lotuses come in a variety of types that include small plants with one-inch blossoms and larger ones with blossoms as big as your face. Lotus colors include red, yellow, white, peach, violet, and cream.
The lotus plant loves the heat-the hotter the better! In fact, the hotter it is at night, the bigger the flowers will be. During the winter you'll need to make certain the lotus tuber doesn't freeze or it will die. If you're growing them in your garden pond, the pond will need to be at least three feet deep so that it doesn't freeze solid, which will jeopardize the tubers. If you're growing them in pots, bring the pots inside for the winter.
With proper care, your lotus flowers will grow to exotic and fragrant flowers worthy of their status in India. They're exquisite beauty will rival that of fellow Indian Aishwarya Rai.
A Wedding Competition Worthy Of American Idol Status
by: Wesley Berry, AAF
Past American Idol contestants Clay Aiken, Taylor Hicks, and Kelly Clarkson may have stood up to the pressures of the American Idol competition, but could they handle the stress of the Designer Wedding Challenge.
Wedding professionals from around the United States are gearing up to compete in the Designer Wedding Challenge, a competition inspired by the popular reality television competitions. The contest is set to take place on September 29 and 30, 2006 in Rogers, Arkansas. According to event coordinator Shante Crockett, included in the competition will be at least fifteen florists who will compete in three contests:
* Floral Design Competition: In this contest, florists will pit themselves against one another to design gorgeous bouquets, boutonnieres, and table centerpieces. The task is to create pieces that are functional, beautiful, and unique.
* Tablescape Competition: Contestants here will design elegant table settings including flatware, table linens, and, of course, the centerpiece. The table themes can vary, but all of them should be beautiful and exemplify the chosen theme.
* Interior Design Competition: Using a $20,000 budget, each contestant must design a dream interior setting. This competition is expected to be the biggest contest in the two-day event.
The events will be judged by celebrity event planner Preston Bailey. Awards will be given for first, second, and third place. While there are individual cash prizes as high as $2,500, it's the prestige of being involved that will likely garner the biggest rewards. Glende Wise, owner of the Bamboo Orchid in Poteau, Oklahoma and contest participant, says, "It's especially important for me because my business is new to the area, and I am trying to break into the market."
Other competitions in the event are the Chair Design Competition, Gown Design Competition, Jewelry Ensemble Competition, Cake Design Competition, Photography Competition, and Videography Competition.
2,000 people are expected to attend the Designer Wedding Challenge at a ticket price of $20 each, not including seminars. Attendees who wish to take part in the many seminars that will be available will pay a ticket price of $150 each.
The event is sure to be a real crowd pleaser with all the excitement and suspense of any reality competition currently aired on television. So, if the music of American Idol isn't your bag and you're more of a Martha Stewart fan than a Clay Aiken fan, consider attending the Designer Wedding Challenge.
Past American Idol contestants Clay Aiken, Taylor Hicks, and Kelly Clarkson may have stood up to the pressures of the American Idol competition, but could they handle the stress of the Designer Wedding Challenge.
Wedding professionals from around the United States are gearing up to compete in the Designer Wedding Challenge, a competition inspired by the popular reality television competitions. The contest is set to take place on September 29 and 30, 2006 in Rogers, Arkansas. According to event coordinator Shante Crockett, included in the competition will be at least fifteen florists who will compete in three contests:
* Floral Design Competition: In this contest, florists will pit themselves against one another to design gorgeous bouquets, boutonnieres, and table centerpieces. The task is to create pieces that are functional, beautiful, and unique.
* Tablescape Competition: Contestants here will design elegant table settings including flatware, table linens, and, of course, the centerpiece. The table themes can vary, but all of them should be beautiful and exemplify the chosen theme.
* Interior Design Competition: Using a $20,000 budget, each contestant must design a dream interior setting. This competition is expected to be the biggest contest in the two-day event.
The events will be judged by celebrity event planner Preston Bailey. Awards will be given for first, second, and third place. While there are individual cash prizes as high as $2,500, it's the prestige of being involved that will likely garner the biggest rewards. Glende Wise, owner of the Bamboo Orchid in Poteau, Oklahoma and contest participant, says, "It's especially important for me because my business is new to the area, and I am trying to break into the market."
Other competitions in the event are the Chair Design Competition, Gown Design Competition, Jewelry Ensemble Competition, Cake Design Competition, Photography Competition, and Videography Competition.
2,000 people are expected to attend the Designer Wedding Challenge at a ticket price of $20 each, not including seminars. Attendees who wish to take part in the many seminars that will be available will pay a ticket price of $150 each.
The event is sure to be a real crowd pleaser with all the excitement and suspense of any reality competition currently aired on television. So, if the music of American Idol isn't your bag and you're more of a Martha Stewart fan than a Clay Aiken fan, consider attending the Designer Wedding Challenge.
A Fall Wedding For Jennifer Anniston And Vince Vaughn?
by: Wesley Berry, AAF
After more than a year of neither publicly affirming nor denying their romantic relationship, Jennifer Anniston and Vince Vaughn are finally engaged. On June 27th Vaughn proposed to Anniston miles above the earth in a plane flight home from their nine-day vacation in Mexico. Although we florists recommend a proposal complete with a beautiful bouquet of roses, happily the outcome was a good one for Vaughn, even without roses-Anniston said yes. The question now is whether or not the couple will draw out their engagement without details leaking to the press, or will they move quickly and throw a fall wedding?
Summer is still the most common season for weddings, but the number of fall and winter weddings is on the rise. As reported by the Society of American Florists, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, June is still the most common month for weddings, followed by July, August, and September. However, October is running very closely behind September as a popular wedding month. September's statistics show 8.9 weddings per 1000 people while October is at a very close 8.5 weddings.
If Vaughn and Anniston should decide to get married in the fall, they'll have lots of gorgeous flowers and floral accessories to choose from. The fall color palate includes rich reds, robust oranges, warm golds, and deep burgundies, wines, and hunter greens. Such gorgeous colors are the perfect compliment to the colorful show nature puts on in the fall. Flowers and accents that are often used in fall weddings are orange gerberas, hydrangeas in rust or burgundy, apricot-colored lilies, vines, and hypericum berries.
Of course, traditional roses are also an excellent option, but those within the fall color palate are preferable for an autumn wedding. Some good fall-colored rose choices include:
* Leonidas: A dark, bi-colored chocolaty brown rose. * Black Magic: The darkest of the burgundy roses. * Terra Cotta: The rich orange color of a flowerpot. * Hocus Pocus: Small burgundy roses with playful yellow spots. * Star 2000: A dark coral-orange rose. * Red Berlin: A bright, tomato red rose. * Konfetti: A yellow rose with a reddish-orange tint on the edges. * Sari: A rose with a golden-orange color. * Mambo: A bright tangerine colored rose.
Regardless of the season Jennifer Anniston and Vince Vaughn choose to be married in, there's no doubt that with the help of a professional and skilled florist, their wedding flowers will be as beautiful as the bride.
After more than a year of neither publicly affirming nor denying their romantic relationship, Jennifer Anniston and Vince Vaughn are finally engaged. On June 27th Vaughn proposed to Anniston miles above the earth in a plane flight home from their nine-day vacation in Mexico. Although we florists recommend a proposal complete with a beautiful bouquet of roses, happily the outcome was a good one for Vaughn, even without roses-Anniston said yes. The question now is whether or not the couple will draw out their engagement without details leaking to the press, or will they move quickly and throw a fall wedding?
Summer is still the most common season for weddings, but the number of fall and winter weddings is on the rise. As reported by the Society of American Florists, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, June is still the most common month for weddings, followed by July, August, and September. However, October is running very closely behind September as a popular wedding month. September's statistics show 8.9 weddings per 1000 people while October is at a very close 8.5 weddings.
If Vaughn and Anniston should decide to get married in the fall, they'll have lots of gorgeous flowers and floral accessories to choose from. The fall color palate includes rich reds, robust oranges, warm golds, and deep burgundies, wines, and hunter greens. Such gorgeous colors are the perfect compliment to the colorful show nature puts on in the fall. Flowers and accents that are often used in fall weddings are orange gerberas, hydrangeas in rust or burgundy, apricot-colored lilies, vines, and hypericum berries.
Of course, traditional roses are also an excellent option, but those within the fall color palate are preferable for an autumn wedding. Some good fall-colored rose choices include:
* Leonidas: A dark, bi-colored chocolaty brown rose. * Black Magic: The darkest of the burgundy roses. * Terra Cotta: The rich orange color of a flowerpot. * Hocus Pocus: Small burgundy roses with playful yellow spots. * Star 2000: A dark coral-orange rose. * Red Berlin: A bright, tomato red rose. * Konfetti: A yellow rose with a reddish-orange tint on the edges. * Sari: A rose with a golden-orange color. * Mambo: A bright tangerine colored rose.
Regardless of the season Jennifer Anniston and Vince Vaughn choose to be married in, there's no doubt that with the help of a professional and skilled florist, their wedding flowers will be as beautiful as the bride.
Music Fundamentals - Intervals
by: Nigel Rowles
Intervals are the fundamental building blocks of music allowing us to read and write music, and most importantly, to help us construct chords and harmonies. However words like major, minor, augmented, diminished, enharmonic and compound leave many people a bit confused, hopefully this article will throw some light on the subject.
The ‘distance’ between two notes is known as an interval. This is the difference in pitch between two notes. The size or amount of distance is measured numerically.
If we consider the C scale there are 8 notes; C D E F G A B C numbered from 1 through to 8. As an example the interval from C to G is a 5th as G is 5 notes above C. The interval from C to F is a 4th as F is 4 notes above C.
All intervals are measured from the first note of the scale. These intervals are given a name as well as a numeric value and in order of progression they are: C-D is a major 2nd, C-E is a major 3rd, C-F is a perfect 4th, C-G is a perfect 5th, C-A major 6th, C-B major 7 and finally C-C is a perfect octave.
The intervals that are perfect are so called because they have a certain purity about them that comes from the overtones and upper-partials that are contained within them (these will be explained in another article)
Intervals can be raised or lowered by a half-step/semitone. If a major interval is chromatically reduced by a half-step it becomes a minor interval e.g. C-E is a major 3rd, if it is lowered by a half-step (from C-Eb) the interval becomes a minor 3rd.
If a perfect interval is chromatically reduced by a half-step it becomes a diminished interval i.e. a perfect 4th lowered by a half-step becomes a diminished 4th.
If major or perfect intervals are raised by a half-step then they become an augmented interval i.e. a perfect 5th would become an augmented 5th.
Compound intervals are those that extend into the 2nd octave. C to D (in the next octave) is called either a major 9th or a compound major 2nd. C to F (next octave) is a perfect 11th or a compound perfect 4th.
Enharmonic intervals are those that differ in name but not pitch, for example C-G# is an augmented 5th and C-Ab is a minor 6th.
When intervals are inverted they reverse the relative position of the notes. C-G (perfect 5th) becomes G-C which is a perfect 4th, a 3rd would become a 6th. Perfect intervals when inverted remain perfect e.g. C-G being a perfect 5th would become a perfect 4th when inverted, a major becomes minor, minor becomes major, diminished becomes augmented and augmented becomes diminished.
These rules apply to all scales.
Intervals are the fundamental building blocks of music allowing us to read and write music, and most importantly, to help us construct chords and harmonies. However words like major, minor, augmented, diminished, enharmonic and compound leave many people a bit confused, hopefully this article will throw some light on the subject.
The ‘distance’ between two notes is known as an interval. This is the difference in pitch between two notes. The size or amount of distance is measured numerically.
If we consider the C scale there are 8 notes; C D E F G A B C numbered from 1 through to 8. As an example the interval from C to G is a 5th as G is 5 notes above C. The interval from C to F is a 4th as F is 4 notes above C.
All intervals are measured from the first note of the scale. These intervals are given a name as well as a numeric value and in order of progression they are: C-D is a major 2nd, C-E is a major 3rd, C-F is a perfect 4th, C-G is a perfect 5th, C-A major 6th, C-B major 7 and finally C-C is a perfect octave.
The intervals that are perfect are so called because they have a certain purity about them that comes from the overtones and upper-partials that are contained within them (these will be explained in another article)
Intervals can be raised or lowered by a half-step/semitone. If a major interval is chromatically reduced by a half-step it becomes a minor interval e.g. C-E is a major 3rd, if it is lowered by a half-step (from C-Eb) the interval becomes a minor 3rd.
If a perfect interval is chromatically reduced by a half-step it becomes a diminished interval i.e. a perfect 4th lowered by a half-step becomes a diminished 4th.
If major or perfect intervals are raised by a half-step then they become an augmented interval i.e. a perfect 5th would become an augmented 5th.
Compound intervals are those that extend into the 2nd octave. C to D (in the next octave) is called either a major 9th or a compound major 2nd. C to F (next octave) is a perfect 11th or a compound perfect 4th.
Enharmonic intervals are those that differ in name but not pitch, for example C-G# is an augmented 5th and C-Ab is a minor 6th.
When intervals are inverted they reverse the relative position of the notes. C-G (perfect 5th) becomes G-C which is a perfect 4th, a 3rd would become a 6th. Perfect intervals when inverted remain perfect e.g. C-G being a perfect 5th would become a perfect 4th when inverted, a major becomes minor, minor becomes major, diminished becomes augmented and augmented becomes diminished.
These rules apply to all scales.
Angelina Jolie Receives Sunflowers From A Rock Star
by: Wesley Berry, AAF
What do rock stars buy for their mega-movie star friends after the birth of a child? Well, rocker Gwen Stefani recently answered that question when she and her husband, Gavin Rossdale, brought an enormous bouquet of sunflowers to actress Angelina Jolie after the birth of her daughter with her boyfriend, actor Brad Pitt.
Sunflowers are aptly named since their enormous golden blooms closely resemble the sun. They also, quite literally, follow the sun; their blossoms turn to follow the sun as the day goes on.
Sunflowers come in several varieties, such as:
* Autumn Mix: These are the giant plants that grow over six feet tall. They come in yellow and rust colors with blooms five or six inches wide.
* Teddy Bear: This variety is a smaller type that has a full, fuzzy bloom. It grows to around 18 inches tall.
* Italian White: These sunflowers aren't the typical sunny, golden color; they're a creamy whitish color. The plants grow to a height of approximately four feet and produce small blooms.
* Large Varieties: These varieties include the huge 20-inch blooms of the Russian Giants and the ten to fifteen foot tall plants of the Kong Sunflower.
Sunflowers are an ancient flower, used by Native Americans as a medicinal flower and food source since as early as 2300 B.C. They provided early Americans with medicines to treat warts, snakebites, and sunstroke. They also provided oils used on the hair and were ground up to create face paints. Foods made from sunflowers included seeds roasted and ground to meal for baking, seed balls much like today's peanut butter, and roasted hulls steeped in water to produce a hot beverage.
Today sunflowers are a very popular garden flower loved for their big, beautiful blooms as well as the ease with which they're grown. They should be planted in full sun after the threat of frost has subsided for your area. If you're starting them from seeds, plant the seeds about one inch deep and six inches apart. If you're planting seedlings, plant them about eighteen inches apart (twelve inches for the smaller varieties). Give them a good dose of water after they're planted and keep seeds damp until the plants pop through the ground. You may need to stake the plants as they grow to provide support and keep them from bending or breaking in the wind.
Even if you choose not to grow your own sunflowers, you can still enjoy them or given them to friends to enjoy just by visiting your local florist who is sure to have these gorgeous flowers on hand. So, go ahead, send some flowers to the movie star in your life-or just to your best friend or mom-she'll appreciate them as much as Angelina Jolie did hers.
What do rock stars buy for their mega-movie star friends after the birth of a child? Well, rocker Gwen Stefani recently answered that question when she and her husband, Gavin Rossdale, brought an enormous bouquet of sunflowers to actress Angelina Jolie after the birth of her daughter with her boyfriend, actor Brad Pitt.
Sunflowers are aptly named since their enormous golden blooms closely resemble the sun. They also, quite literally, follow the sun; their blossoms turn to follow the sun as the day goes on.
Sunflowers come in several varieties, such as:
* Autumn Mix: These are the giant plants that grow over six feet tall. They come in yellow and rust colors with blooms five or six inches wide.
* Teddy Bear: This variety is a smaller type that has a full, fuzzy bloom. It grows to around 18 inches tall.
* Italian White: These sunflowers aren't the typical sunny, golden color; they're a creamy whitish color. The plants grow to a height of approximately four feet and produce small blooms.
* Large Varieties: These varieties include the huge 20-inch blooms of the Russian Giants and the ten to fifteen foot tall plants of the Kong Sunflower.
Sunflowers are an ancient flower, used by Native Americans as a medicinal flower and food source since as early as 2300 B.C. They provided early Americans with medicines to treat warts, snakebites, and sunstroke. They also provided oils used on the hair and were ground up to create face paints. Foods made from sunflowers included seeds roasted and ground to meal for baking, seed balls much like today's peanut butter, and roasted hulls steeped in water to produce a hot beverage.
Today sunflowers are a very popular garden flower loved for their big, beautiful blooms as well as the ease with which they're grown. They should be planted in full sun after the threat of frost has subsided for your area. If you're starting them from seeds, plant the seeds about one inch deep and six inches apart. If you're planting seedlings, plant them about eighteen inches apart (twelve inches for the smaller varieties). Give them a good dose of water after they're planted and keep seeds damp until the plants pop through the ground. You may need to stake the plants as they grow to provide support and keep them from bending or breaking in the wind.
Even if you choose not to grow your own sunflowers, you can still enjoy them or given them to friends to enjoy just by visiting your local florist who is sure to have these gorgeous flowers on hand. So, go ahead, send some flowers to the movie star in your life-or just to your best friend or mom-she'll appreciate them as much as Angelina Jolie did hers.
What Movie May Have Helped Shape The Energy Policy Of This Nation
by: Andrew Conway
The Three Mile Island accident was the most
significant in the history of the American
commercial nuclear power generating industry.
Living in Pennsylvania at the time of the
accident, I remember it as if it was yesterday.
It began on Wednesday,the 28TH of March 1979.It
took local, state and federal officals five days
to decide what to do with the residents of local
communities.
But on March 16th of that same year,just 12 days
before this incident at Three Mile Island in
Pennsylvania, a new movie "The China Syndrome"
had benn realised.
The China Syndrome is a thriller film which tells
the story of a reporter and cameraman who discover
safety coverups at a nuclear power plant. It stars
Jane Fonda, Jack Lemmon, Michael Douglas, Scott
Brady, James Hampton, Peter Donat, Richard Herd,
and Wilford Brimley.
Basically the storyline of this movie is about a
reporter who finds what appears to be a cover-up
of safety hazards at a nuclear power plant.
TV news reporter Kimberly Wells (Fonda) and her
cameraman Richard Adams (Douglas) visit the
Ventana nuclear power plant outside Los Angeles as
part of a series of news reports on energy
production. While viewing the control room from an
observation room, the plant goes through a reactor
SCRAM. Shift supervisor Jack Godell (Lemmon)
notices what he believes to be an unusual
vibration during the SCRAM. Checking their gauges,
the control room staff finds that water levels in
the reactor core have risen to high levels; they
begin opening relief valves in an effort to
prevent too much water from damaging the plant.
Eventually Godell takes matter into his own hands
and ends up dead after being shot by members of
the local swat team after he took over the control
room.
The implication that the company's security
people are willing to kill to silence a
whistleblower echoes allegations made about the
death of Karen Silkwood, who died in a 1974
automobile accident while on her way to meet with
a reporter to disclose nuclear power safety
violations.
In the film, a physicist says that the China
Syndrome would render "an area the size of
Pennsylvania" permanently uninhabitable. It
resulted, however, in no deaths or injuries to
plant workers or members of the nearby community.
However, following the event, the number of
reactors under construction declined every year
from 1980 to 1998. The TMI accident, along with
the release of this movie, had a psychological
effect on the nation. Before the accident, 70
percent of the general public approved of nuclear
power. After it, support for nuclear power across
the country fell to about 50 percent, where it
remained for decades.
The Three Mile Island accident was the most
significant in the history of the American
commercial nuclear power generating industry.
Living in Pennsylvania at the time of the
accident, I remember it as if it was yesterday.
It began on Wednesday,the 28TH of March 1979.It
took local, state and federal officals five days
to decide what to do with the residents of local
communities.
But on March 16th of that same year,just 12 days
before this incident at Three Mile Island in
Pennsylvania, a new movie "The China Syndrome"
had benn realised.
The China Syndrome is a thriller film which tells
the story of a reporter and cameraman who discover
safety coverups at a nuclear power plant. It stars
Jane Fonda, Jack Lemmon, Michael Douglas, Scott
Brady, James Hampton, Peter Donat, Richard Herd,
and Wilford Brimley.
Basically the storyline of this movie is about a
reporter who finds what appears to be a cover-up
of safety hazards at a nuclear power plant.
TV news reporter Kimberly Wells (Fonda) and her
cameraman Richard Adams (Douglas) visit the
Ventana nuclear power plant outside Los Angeles as
part of a series of news reports on energy
production. While viewing the control room from an
observation room, the plant goes through a reactor
SCRAM. Shift supervisor Jack Godell (Lemmon)
notices what he believes to be an unusual
vibration during the SCRAM. Checking their gauges,
the control room staff finds that water levels in
the reactor core have risen to high levels; they
begin opening relief valves in an effort to
prevent too much water from damaging the plant.
Eventually Godell takes matter into his own hands
and ends up dead after being shot by members of
the local swat team after he took over the control
room.
The implication that the company's security
people are willing to kill to silence a
whistleblower echoes allegations made about the
death of Karen Silkwood, who died in a 1974
automobile accident while on her way to meet with
a reporter to disclose nuclear power safety
violations.
In the film, a physicist says that the China
Syndrome would render "an area the size of
Pennsylvania" permanently uninhabitable. It
resulted, however, in no deaths or injuries to
plant workers or members of the nearby community.
However, following the event, the number of
reactors under construction declined every year
from 1980 to 1998. The TMI accident, along with
the release of this movie, had a psychological
effect on the nation. Before the accident, 70
percent of the general public approved of nuclear
power. After it, support for nuclear power across
the country fell to about 50 percent, where it
remained for decades.
Flags Of Our Father Movie Review
by: Andrew Conway
DreamWorks, Warner Bros. and Paramount present a film directed by Clint Eastwood and written by William Broyles Jr. and Paul Haggis, based on the book by James Bradley with Ron Powers.It's the life stories of the six men who raised the flag at the battle of Iwo Jima which was a turning point of World War Two.
The film opens with interlocking scenes from past and present, showing the battle underway and being remembered, with voice-overs from survivors. All the major themes are being introduced, although we will discover that only later. Then, after a tense prelude at sea, it focuses on the initial American landing, which was just too quiet; no Japanese fire was encountered and the troops advanced inland easily.Suddenly the troops were being ambushed by concealed enemy positions. There were over 2,000 dead on the first day and the majority of them were Americans.
There were five Marines and one Navy Corpsman photographed raising the U.S. flag on Mt. Suribachi by Joe Rosenthal on February 23, 1945. "Flags of Our Fathers" is the story of three of the six surviving servicemen, John "Doc" Bradley (Ryan Phillippe), Pvt. Rene Gagnon (Jesse Bradford), and Pvt. Ira Hayes (Adam Beach), who fought in the battle to take Iwo Jima. It was one of the most bloody battles of the war and the picture became one pf the most famous pictures of the entire war and it took another month to take this island. Three of the marines were killed in action and the other three serviceman were taken out of the battle and flown home. These men were used to help sell war bonds. It also shows the effect that the memories of war would have on these veterans for the rest of their lives.
Most Americans thought that the flag raising tool place at the end of the battle when in fact the picture was taken on the fifth day of a 35 day battle. Iwo Jima was one of the most strategic islands of the whole war. It was an airbase for the Japanese and it was also a radio station that served an an advanced warning station whenever American bombers from the south were approaching. The Americans needed this base so that they could use it as a staging area for their bombers whenever they could afford to invade the Japanese mainland. It was actually the first battle of World War Two that took place on Japanese soil.
With no chance for victory the Japanese just wanted to inflict the most amount of casualties that they could.They were well dug in with a system of interlocking tunnels and their big gun positions were shielded by steel doors that swung shut after every firing.
The battle resulted in 29 Medals of Honor winners, but at what a terrible price. The marines lost one third of their of their whole WWII combat deaths during this battle and almost all of the 22,000 Japanese died, some by their own hands.The film depicts what the true motive was in bringing the three remaining servicemen home. The Government was in dire straits because they had run out of lenders for the war effort and their funds were drying up rather quickly. The Rosenthal picture that was taken on Iwo Jima sparked the public opinion of the war effort and the money that those men raised turned the financial tide.
Of the three servicemen who returned home to a hero's welcome only one,Doc, seemed to have a happy life and ended up being a successful undertaker. Gagnon ended up with a lot of dead end jobs and ended up being bitter for the rest of his life. And Haynes returned to his old reservation where he would end up literally drinking himself to death.
The film made the top ten list of the National Board of Review. Eastwood also earned a Golden Globe nomination for Directing. The film was nominated for two Academy Awards - for Best Sound and Sound Editing. I thought that it was a story that had to be told and Eastwood did a good job of putting this story on film. It seems to me that the older he gets, the better he gets.
DreamWorks, Warner Bros. and Paramount present a film directed by Clint Eastwood and written by William Broyles Jr. and Paul Haggis, based on the book by James Bradley with Ron Powers.It's the life stories of the six men who raised the flag at the battle of Iwo Jima which was a turning point of World War Two.
The film opens with interlocking scenes from past and present, showing the battle underway and being remembered, with voice-overs from survivors. All the major themes are being introduced, although we will discover that only later. Then, after a tense prelude at sea, it focuses on the initial American landing, which was just too quiet; no Japanese fire was encountered and the troops advanced inland easily.Suddenly the troops were being ambushed by concealed enemy positions. There were over 2,000 dead on the first day and the majority of them were Americans.
There were five Marines and one Navy Corpsman photographed raising the U.S. flag on Mt. Suribachi by Joe Rosenthal on February 23, 1945. "Flags of Our Fathers" is the story of three of the six surviving servicemen, John "Doc" Bradley (Ryan Phillippe), Pvt. Rene Gagnon (Jesse Bradford), and Pvt. Ira Hayes (Adam Beach), who fought in the battle to take Iwo Jima. It was one of the most bloody battles of the war and the picture became one pf the most famous pictures of the entire war and it took another month to take this island. Three of the marines were killed in action and the other three serviceman were taken out of the battle and flown home. These men were used to help sell war bonds. It also shows the effect that the memories of war would have on these veterans for the rest of their lives.
Most Americans thought that the flag raising tool place at the end of the battle when in fact the picture was taken on the fifth day of a 35 day battle. Iwo Jima was one of the most strategic islands of the whole war. It was an airbase for the Japanese and it was also a radio station that served an an advanced warning station whenever American bombers from the south were approaching. The Americans needed this base so that they could use it as a staging area for their bombers whenever they could afford to invade the Japanese mainland. It was actually the first battle of World War Two that took place on Japanese soil.
With no chance for victory the Japanese just wanted to inflict the most amount of casualties that they could.They were well dug in with a system of interlocking tunnels and their big gun positions were shielded by steel doors that swung shut after every firing.
The battle resulted in 29 Medals of Honor winners, but at what a terrible price. The marines lost one third of their of their whole WWII combat deaths during this battle and almost all of the 22,000 Japanese died, some by their own hands.The film depicts what the true motive was in bringing the three remaining servicemen home. The Government was in dire straits because they had run out of lenders for the war effort and their funds were drying up rather quickly. The Rosenthal picture that was taken on Iwo Jima sparked the public opinion of the war effort and the money that those men raised turned the financial tide.
Of the three servicemen who returned home to a hero's welcome only one,Doc, seemed to have a happy life and ended up being a successful undertaker. Gagnon ended up with a lot of dead end jobs and ended up being bitter for the rest of his life. And Haynes returned to his old reservation where he would end up literally drinking himself to death.
The film made the top ten list of the National Board of Review. Eastwood also earned a Golden Globe nomination for Directing. The film was nominated for two Academy Awards - for Best Sound and Sound Editing. I thought that it was a story that had to be told and Eastwood did a good job of putting this story on film. It seems to me that the older he gets, the better he gets.
The Guns of Navarone
by: Andrew Conway
The guns of Navarone was a 1961 movie about a British commando team that is sent on an almost impossible mission of destroying a massive German gun emplacement after crossing occupied Greek territory. This film was directed by J. Lee Thompson and had some of the biggest stares of the day in it. This movie was based on a well known 1957 novel about World War Two by Scottish writer Ail-stair MacLean.The sweeping landscape photography and several cultural touches truly captured the beauty and flavor of Greece and its proud people. Even today, the people of Greece, hold this film in high praise.
It starred Gregory Peck, David Niven and Anthony Quinn. The plot tells of an Allied commando team sent to destroy a seemingly impregnable German fortress that threatens Allied naval ships in the Aegean Sea, and prevents 2,000 isolated British troops from being rescued.
The film opens with an aerial view of the Greek Islands, and a narrator setting the scene The year is 1943, and 2000 British soldiers are holed up on the island of Kheros in the Aegean near Turkey. Rescue by the Royal Navy is impossible because of massive guns on the nearby island of Navarone. Time is short, because the Germans are expected to launch an assault on the British forces, to draw Turkey into the war on the Axis' side. Using air strikes in trying to dislodge these guns prove fruitless, so a team of commandos has been assembled to try and go in and destroy these monster emplacements. Lead by Major Roy Franklin (Anthony Quayle), they are Capt. Keith Mallory (Gregory Peck), Andrea Stavros (Anthony Quinn), a Colonel in the defeated Greek army, Corporal Miller (David Niven), an explosives expert, Greek-American street tough Spyros Pappadimos (James Darren) and "Butcher" Brown (Stanley Baker), an engineer and expert knife fighter.
They sail across the Aegean Sea disguised as Greek fisherman. After blowing up a German patrol boat Malloy confides in Miller that Stavros blames Miller for the death of his wife and children and intends to kill him after the war. After the ship that they are on capsizes during a violent storm Franklin is badly injured and later the injuries lead to gangrene after they had to climb a steep cliff. One of the central points of this film is to carry Franklin to safety despite the apparent problem that Franklin's injuries will slow them down. Malloy lies to Franklin about the mission. Soon afterwords they are attacked by German soldiers and Andrea is left behind with his snippier rifleto help in their escape. They then end up meeting with the local resistance fighters, Spyros's sister Mania [Irene Papas] and her friend Anna [Gia Scala].
But throughout the next couple of days their mission is always delayed by the onslaught of German soldiers who always seem to know where they are at. They are finally captured and escape, but it was necessary to leave Franklin behind so that he could get medical attention. They then discover that their explosives, that they had saved from the ship wreak, had been sabotaged. Miller figures out that Anna is the saboteur and Marie shoots her as a price that she has to pay for being disloyal. It's a touching scene that almost leaves you feeling sorry for Anna because of the reason that she betrayed them.
The final scenes have the team spilitting up to achieve their objective. All of them escape to a waiting boat except for Pappadimos and Brown who had given their lives creating a distraction.The guns and fortifications are destroyed in a spectacular explosion.Stavros, who has fallen in love with Maria, decides to return to Navarone with her and shakes hands with Mallory, seemingly having given up his plan to kill him.
The fans of Gregory Peck were not disappointed when this film was released. There is plenty of action and the ways that the characters, as diverse as they were, seemed to fit together made this one of the most enjoyable war films that were ever produced. Even most of the Germans portrayed were more realistic of everyday human being instead of the usual sub human beast that are often seen in other movies.
The guns of Navarone was a 1961 movie about a British commando team that is sent on an almost impossible mission of destroying a massive German gun emplacement after crossing occupied Greek territory. This film was directed by J. Lee Thompson and had some of the biggest stares of the day in it. This movie was based on a well known 1957 novel about World War Two by Scottish writer Ail-stair MacLean.The sweeping landscape photography and several cultural touches truly captured the beauty and flavor of Greece and its proud people. Even today, the people of Greece, hold this film in high praise.
It starred Gregory Peck, David Niven and Anthony Quinn. The plot tells of an Allied commando team sent to destroy a seemingly impregnable German fortress that threatens Allied naval ships in the Aegean Sea, and prevents 2,000 isolated British troops from being rescued.
The film opens with an aerial view of the Greek Islands, and a narrator setting the scene The year is 1943, and 2000 British soldiers are holed up on the island of Kheros in the Aegean near Turkey. Rescue by the Royal Navy is impossible because of massive guns on the nearby island of Navarone. Time is short, because the Germans are expected to launch an assault on the British forces, to draw Turkey into the war on the Axis' side. Using air strikes in trying to dislodge these guns prove fruitless, so a team of commandos has been assembled to try and go in and destroy these monster emplacements. Lead by Major Roy Franklin (Anthony Quayle), they are Capt. Keith Mallory (Gregory Peck), Andrea Stavros (Anthony Quinn), a Colonel in the defeated Greek army, Corporal Miller (David Niven), an explosives expert, Greek-American street tough Spyros Pappadimos (James Darren) and "Butcher" Brown (Stanley Baker), an engineer and expert knife fighter.
They sail across the Aegean Sea disguised as Greek fisherman. After blowing up a German patrol boat Malloy confides in Miller that Stavros blames Miller for the death of his wife and children and intends to kill him after the war. After the ship that they are on capsizes during a violent storm Franklin is badly injured and later the injuries lead to gangrene after they had to climb a steep cliff. One of the central points of this film is to carry Franklin to safety despite the apparent problem that Franklin's injuries will slow them down. Malloy lies to Franklin about the mission. Soon afterwords they are attacked by German soldiers and Andrea is left behind with his snippier rifleto help in their escape. They then end up meeting with the local resistance fighters, Spyros's sister Mania [Irene Papas] and her friend Anna [Gia Scala].
But throughout the next couple of days their mission is always delayed by the onslaught of German soldiers who always seem to know where they are at. They are finally captured and escape, but it was necessary to leave Franklin behind so that he could get medical attention. They then discover that their explosives, that they had saved from the ship wreak, had been sabotaged. Miller figures out that Anna is the saboteur and Marie shoots her as a price that she has to pay for being disloyal. It's a touching scene that almost leaves you feeling sorry for Anna because of the reason that she betrayed them.
The final scenes have the team spilitting up to achieve their objective. All of them escape to a waiting boat except for Pappadimos and Brown who had given their lives creating a distraction.The guns and fortifications are destroyed in a spectacular explosion.Stavros, who has fallen in love with Maria, decides to return to Navarone with her and shakes hands with Mallory, seemingly having given up his plan to kill him.
The fans of Gregory Peck were not disappointed when this film was released. There is plenty of action and the ways that the characters, as diverse as they were, seemed to fit together made this one of the most enjoyable war films that were ever produced. Even most of the Germans portrayed were more realistic of everyday human being instead of the usual sub human beast that are often seen in other movies.
No Country for Old Men Movie Review
by: Andrew Conway
Miramax Films presents a film written and directed by Ethan Coen and Joel Coen. It is a critically acclaimed 2007 film adaptation of the novel of the same name by Cormac McCarthy. The film features Tommy Lee Jones, Josh Brolin, and Javier Bardem.
If you like the kind of film that surprises you and takes away your breath at the same time,this is it. It tells the story of a drug deal gone very wrong and the ensuing cat-and-mouse drama as three men crisscross each others paths in the desert landscape of 1980 West Texas. Violence and mayhem ensue after a hunter stumbles upon some dead bodies, a stash of heroin and more than $2 million in cash near the Rio Grande.
The local sheriff, Ed Tom Bell (Tommy Lee Jones), tells of the changing times as the region becomes increasingly violent. The key character of Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem) and his weapon of choice — cattle gun — are introduced as he escapes police custody and steals a car by using the cattle gun to kill the car's driver. But at the same time a hunter hunting pronghorn come across a collection of corpses and one Mexican near death which was the result of a drug deal gone bad. The hunter Llewwlyn Moss [Josh Brolin] also finds two million dollars in a suitcase and decides that he will keep the money and leave the Mexican to die, but has a change of heart and returns with some water for the man.
But this good deed sets off a cat and mouse game in which the hunter and the hunted switch roles as a gang of Mexicans,Chigurh,Moss and Bell chase each other and the two million dollars across the Texas and Mexican landscape. But unbeknown to Moss, Chigurh who was hired to retrieve the money has a transponder hidden in it. And Chigurh, who is a professional hit man, will kill anyone who gets in his way.
In the meantime Moss, not knowing anything about the transponder, sends his wife Carla Jean [Kelly MacDonald] out of town and jumps from motel to motel trying to elude not only Chigurh but also the Mexicans. While all of this is happening, Bell main concern is to try and protect Moss after he finds him. Chigurh is closing in on Moss because of the tracking device.
Chigurh ends up killing some of the Mexicans and a rival hit-man named Carson Wells who is played by Woody Harrelson. Moss arranges a meeting with Carla Jean in El Pasco to give her the money and tries to get her out of danger. All of the action now takes place at the motel when all of the main characters converge there, but not at the same time. Moss is killed by the Mexicans in a bloody shootout. Sheriff Bell shows up and enters a room to discover that the vent covers have been removed and knows that the money had been removed and then leaves, not knowing that Chigurh is hiding in that same motel.
Bell finally gets the opportunity to visit his uncle Ellis [Barry Corbin] and informs him that he is going to retire because he is getting leery of the changing times, but Ellis accuses him of just being vain. Some time later Chiguth confronts the widowed Carla Jean and offers her the same "coin flip"opportunity that he had offered the gas station owner, Carla Jean refuses and in the next scene it shows Chigurh examining the soles of his boots, as if to indicate that he had committed another murder. He ends up in a car accident but he manages to elude the police and escapes again.
At the very end of this story Bell is reflecting on the many choices he had in his life. He tells his wife[Tess Harper] about the two dreams that he has had while heis experiencing an uneasy retirement at home.
Highly praised by critics, the film received several Golden Globe Award nominations. Roger Ebert called it "as good a film as the Coen brothers... have ever made and gave it a four star review and it appeared on many of critics top 10 list of 2007.It took Best Picture at 2008 Critics’ Choice Awards.
Miramax Films presents a film written and directed by Ethan Coen and Joel Coen. It is a critically acclaimed 2007 film adaptation of the novel of the same name by Cormac McCarthy. The film features Tommy Lee Jones, Josh Brolin, and Javier Bardem.
If you like the kind of film that surprises you and takes away your breath at the same time,this is it. It tells the story of a drug deal gone very wrong and the ensuing cat-and-mouse drama as three men crisscross each others paths in the desert landscape of 1980 West Texas. Violence and mayhem ensue after a hunter stumbles upon some dead bodies, a stash of heroin and more than $2 million in cash near the Rio Grande.
The local sheriff, Ed Tom Bell (Tommy Lee Jones), tells of the changing times as the region becomes increasingly violent. The key character of Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem) and his weapon of choice — cattle gun — are introduced as he escapes police custody and steals a car by using the cattle gun to kill the car's driver. But at the same time a hunter hunting pronghorn come across a collection of corpses and one Mexican near death which was the result of a drug deal gone bad. The hunter Llewwlyn Moss [Josh Brolin] also finds two million dollars in a suitcase and decides that he will keep the money and leave the Mexican to die, but has a change of heart and returns with some water for the man.
But this good deed sets off a cat and mouse game in which the hunter and the hunted switch roles as a gang of Mexicans,Chigurh,Moss and Bell chase each other and the two million dollars across the Texas and Mexican landscape. But unbeknown to Moss, Chigurh who was hired to retrieve the money has a transponder hidden in it. And Chigurh, who is a professional hit man, will kill anyone who gets in his way.
In the meantime Moss, not knowing anything about the transponder, sends his wife Carla Jean [Kelly MacDonald] out of town and jumps from motel to motel trying to elude not only Chigurh but also the Mexicans. While all of this is happening, Bell main concern is to try and protect Moss after he finds him. Chigurh is closing in on Moss because of the tracking device.
Chigurh ends up killing some of the Mexicans and a rival hit-man named Carson Wells who is played by Woody Harrelson. Moss arranges a meeting with Carla Jean in El Pasco to give her the money and tries to get her out of danger. All of the action now takes place at the motel when all of the main characters converge there, but not at the same time. Moss is killed by the Mexicans in a bloody shootout. Sheriff Bell shows up and enters a room to discover that the vent covers have been removed and knows that the money had been removed and then leaves, not knowing that Chigurh is hiding in that same motel.
Bell finally gets the opportunity to visit his uncle Ellis [Barry Corbin] and informs him that he is going to retire because he is getting leery of the changing times, but Ellis accuses him of just being vain. Some time later Chiguth confronts the widowed Carla Jean and offers her the same "coin flip"opportunity that he had offered the gas station owner, Carla Jean refuses and in the next scene it shows Chigurh examining the soles of his boots, as if to indicate that he had committed another murder. He ends up in a car accident but he manages to elude the police and escapes again.
At the very end of this story Bell is reflecting on the many choices he had in his life. He tells his wife[Tess Harper] about the two dreams that he has had while heis experiencing an uneasy retirement at home.
Highly praised by critics, the film received several Golden Globe Award nominations. Roger Ebert called it "as good a film as the Coen brothers... have ever made and gave it a four star review and it appeared on many of critics top 10 list of 2007.It took Best Picture at 2008 Critics’ Choice Awards.
The Ultimate Love Story
by: Andrew Conway
Away From Her is an English-Canadian film which debuted at the 2006 Toronto International Film Festival and also played in the Premier category at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival. The feature-length directorial debut of English-Canadian actress Sarah Polley, the film is based on Alice Munro's short story "The Bear Came Over the Mountain."
It was executive produced by Atom Egoyan and distributed by Lionsgate Films.The cast also includes Olympia Dukakis, Michael Murphy, Wendy Crewson, Alberta Watson, and Kristen Thomson.
The film stars Gordon Pinsent and Julie Christie as a couple whose marriage is tested when Christie's character begins to suffer from Alzheimer's and moves into a nursing home, where she transfers her affections,after loosing all memory or her husband, to another man,Aubrey, a wheel chair-bound mute who also is a patient at the nursing home.
This film starts out as we are observing Fiona [Julie Christie] and her retired husband Grant [Gorden Pinsent] have just returned home from a cross country skiing vacation andthey are doing one of the many necessary everyday tasks of washing dishes. Grant hands hiswife a frying pan and Fiona puts it away, right into the freezer. She is slowly slipping away into the beginning stages of Alzheimer's disease.After she gets lost near her own home she makes the decision that she will check herself into an institution.
To Grant's dismay Fiona is not allowed any visitors for the first 30 days. Unbearable as it is, Grant drops her off at the institution and then he returns 30 days later. At first everything seems to be okay with her until he discovers that his wife actually doesn't recognizes him.
This film is a generous and a deceptively simple portrait brought to life. During thefirst few months of her confinement she keeps on slipping further and further away, andyou can see that distant look in her eyes. Then one day when Grant is visiting her henotices that she is wearing a garish sweater, something that he knew she would neverwear. At that point, Grant knows that his wife is gone forever. Not physically but still gone.
This was Sarah Polley first directorial debut and she did a amazing job with sucha delicate subject matter. And I say Bravo to the cast and crew for turning in sucha superb performance. This film was a true ode to the realities of true love.
The film received vastly favorable reviews from critics and earned Julie Christie the 2007 Critics Choice Award as well and a best actress nomination for the 65th Golden Globe awards. This was in so many ways a true love story.
Away From Her is an English-Canadian film which debuted at the 2006 Toronto International Film Festival and also played in the Premier category at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival. The feature-length directorial debut of English-Canadian actress Sarah Polley, the film is based on Alice Munro's short story "The Bear Came Over the Mountain."
It was executive produced by Atom Egoyan and distributed by Lionsgate Films.The cast also includes Olympia Dukakis, Michael Murphy, Wendy Crewson, Alberta Watson, and Kristen Thomson.
The film stars Gordon Pinsent and Julie Christie as a couple whose marriage is tested when Christie's character begins to suffer from Alzheimer's and moves into a nursing home, where she transfers her affections,after loosing all memory or her husband, to another man,Aubrey, a wheel chair-bound mute who also is a patient at the nursing home.
This film starts out as we are observing Fiona [Julie Christie] and her retired husband Grant [Gorden Pinsent] have just returned home from a cross country skiing vacation andthey are doing one of the many necessary everyday tasks of washing dishes. Grant hands hiswife a frying pan and Fiona puts it away, right into the freezer. She is slowly slipping away into the beginning stages of Alzheimer's disease.After she gets lost near her own home she makes the decision that she will check herself into an institution.
To Grant's dismay Fiona is not allowed any visitors for the first 30 days. Unbearable as it is, Grant drops her off at the institution and then he returns 30 days later. At first everything seems to be okay with her until he discovers that his wife actually doesn't recognizes him.
This film is a generous and a deceptively simple portrait brought to life. During thefirst few months of her confinement she keeps on slipping further and further away, andyou can see that distant look in her eyes. Then one day when Grant is visiting her henotices that she is wearing a garish sweater, something that he knew she would neverwear. At that point, Grant knows that his wife is gone forever. Not physically but still gone.
This was Sarah Polley first directorial debut and she did a amazing job with sucha delicate subject matter. And I say Bravo to the cast and crew for turning in sucha superb performance. This film was a true ode to the realities of true love.
The film received vastly favorable reviews from critics and earned Julie Christie the 2007 Critics Choice Award as well and a best actress nomination for the 65th Golden Globe awards. This was in so many ways a true love story.
Katherine Heigl: Most Desirable Woman of 2008
by: Debi Javier
Katherine Heigl plays a girl who's always the bridesmaid and never the bride in her new movie, 27 dresses. But off the silver screen, the actress is not only a blushing newlywed, she also seems to have captured the hearts of American men.
On Thursday, the lifestyle Web site Askmen.com named Katherine Heigl the year's most desirable woman. The site — which boasts seven million readers a month — said it polls users annually for a list of 99 women who best embody the qualities of an ideal girlfriend or wife, as judged by intelligence, humor, charisma and ambition.
"This year's list really goes to show who our users relate with and find beautiful, charming and personable," Editor-in-Chief James Bassil says.
It's been an amazing year for Heigl, 29. She received acclaim for her role in last year's runaway hit Knocked Up and won a Best Supporting Actress Emmy for her work on the television series hit Grey's Anatomy. Heigl's personal life has also played out like a fairy tale. Her wedding earlier this month to musician Josh Kelly — featured exclusively on the pages of OK! — was set in a...
Read more... http://itsthebuzz.blogspot.com/2008/02/katherine-heigl-most-desirable-woman-of.html
Katherine Heigl plays a girl who's always the bridesmaid and never the bride in her new movie, 27 dresses. But off the silver screen, the actress is not only a blushing newlywed, she also seems to have captured the hearts of American men.
On Thursday, the lifestyle Web site Askmen.com named Katherine Heigl the year's most desirable woman. The site — which boasts seven million readers a month — said it polls users annually for a list of 99 women who best embody the qualities of an ideal girlfriend or wife, as judged by intelligence, humor, charisma and ambition.
"This year's list really goes to show who our users relate with and find beautiful, charming and personable," Editor-in-Chief James Bassil says.
It's been an amazing year for Heigl, 29. She received acclaim for her role in last year's runaway hit Knocked Up and won a Best Supporting Actress Emmy for her work on the television series hit Grey's Anatomy. Heigl's personal life has also played out like a fairy tale. Her wedding earlier this month to musician Josh Kelly — featured exclusively on the pages of OK! — was set in a...
Read more... http://itsthebuzz.blogspot.com/2008/02/katherine-heigl-most-desirable-woman-of.html
A different corner
by: Suki Cheema
You are cheated on in a relationship but you try to convince yourself it's all ok. However something in the back of ones mind keeps repeating the truth.Everyone knows, nobody shows and the hurt still grows:
I don't know what to think sometimes
Coming home is such a painful drive
Door opens, you greet picture perfect fine
but I see another none too shy
Telling me with a smile that shines
same old guests are again coming tonight
Guess it's a sign of the times
when you can play before haunted eyes
What good is violence to me now
what good is silence to me now
What good is turning a different corner today
when I saw what I saw yesterday
Can't turn back the clock anyhow
what good are you to me now?
Doorbell strikes to hit right on time
Last to know I want to die
I'm getting tired of reading signs
Getting tired just like his wife
What good is silence to me now
what good is violence to me now
What good is turning a different corner today
when I caught what I caught yesterday
Can't turn back the clock anyhow
what good are you to me now?
I can't and I don't
I don't and I won't
I won't and I shan't
I shan't because i can't believe you anymore
What good is violence to me now
what good is silence to me now
What good is turning a different corner today
when I saw what I saw yesterday
Can't turn back the clock anyhow
what good are you to me now?
You are cheated on in a relationship but you try to convince yourself it's all ok. However something in the back of ones mind keeps repeating the truth.Everyone knows, nobody shows and the hurt still grows:
I don't know what to think sometimes
Coming home is such a painful drive
Door opens, you greet picture perfect fine
but I see another none too shy
Telling me with a smile that shines
same old guests are again coming tonight
Guess it's a sign of the times
when you can play before haunted eyes
What good is violence to me now
what good is silence to me now
What good is turning a different corner today
when I saw what I saw yesterday
Can't turn back the clock anyhow
what good are you to me now?
Doorbell strikes to hit right on time
Last to know I want to die
I'm getting tired of reading signs
Getting tired just like his wife
What good is silence to me now
what good is violence to me now
What good is turning a different corner today
when I caught what I caught yesterday
Can't turn back the clock anyhow
what good are you to me now?
I can't and I don't
I don't and I won't
I won't and I shan't
I shan't because i can't believe you anymore
What good is violence to me now
what good is silence to me now
What good is turning a different corner today
when I saw what I saw yesterday
Can't turn back the clock anyhow
what good are you to me now?
You Belong To Me
by: Suki Cheema
This dark composition is about an individual convincing himself that another human being whom he has never met, is his ideal soul mate. The more he goes into the ritual, the thread of conviction gets stronger and his urges to go further using whatever means become more acceptable:
You belong to me
You belong to me
In time you will see
You belong to me
Your apartment window seems so small
Sometimes I can hardly see at all
Your 7AM yoga keeps you fine
Your subway latte is finished just in time
You belong to me
You belong to me
In time you will see
You belong to me
Your office window won't let me in
Why are my calls diverted to him
Your boss is positioning says my hunch
whatever he won't bug your tomorrows walk to lunch
You belong to me
We were meant to be
You belong to me
it's written in destiny
your rat race is history
Were gonna be so happy
In time you will see
You belong to me
As you awake I wipe away your blood
these chains of love are for our trust
Sunrise will chase away your sunset tears
when we reach the land beyond our fears
You belong to me
We were meant to be
You belong to me
it's written in destiny
your rat race is history
Were gonna be so happy
In time you will see
You belong to me
You belong to me
We were meant to be
You belong to me
it's written in destiny
your rat race is history
Were gonna be so happy
In time you will see
You belong to me
This dark composition is about an individual convincing himself that another human being whom he has never met, is his ideal soul mate. The more he goes into the ritual, the thread of conviction gets stronger and his urges to go further using whatever means become more acceptable:
You belong to me
You belong to me
In time you will see
You belong to me
Your apartment window seems so small
Sometimes I can hardly see at all
Your 7AM yoga keeps you fine
Your subway latte is finished just in time
You belong to me
You belong to me
In time you will see
You belong to me
Your office window won't let me in
Why are my calls diverted to him
Your boss is positioning says my hunch
whatever he won't bug your tomorrows walk to lunch
You belong to me
We were meant to be
You belong to me
it's written in destiny
your rat race is history
Were gonna be so happy
In time you will see
You belong to me
As you awake I wipe away your blood
these chains of love are for our trust
Sunrise will chase away your sunset tears
when we reach the land beyond our fears
You belong to me
We were meant to be
You belong to me
it's written in destiny
your rat race is history
Were gonna be so happy
In time you will see
You belong to me
You belong to me
We were meant to be
You belong to me
it's written in destiny
your rat race is history
Were gonna be so happy
In time you will see
You belong to me
Let Any Kingdom Come
by: Suki Cheema
You take and treat the one you love the way you know you shouldn't and then you watch her go out with someone who is treating her the way you should have. The guilt keeps making you bleed and more so the lost chance of being with someone you truly love:
Let any kind of Kingdom come
for teasing tomorrow will not hide
me from what I have done
from your tears now sharing my eyes
I shouldn't have said
I shouldn't have did
you shouldn't have dared
can you ever forgive?
and now you...
watch me watch you go out with him
watch me watch you go out with him
watch me watch you go out with him
watch me watch you go out with him
your new lover is a bum
and you looking serious just terrifies
for is this reality who turns
to tell you what I've always denied
I should have said
I should have did
I should have dared
can you ever forgive
and now you...
watch me watch you go out with him
watch me watch you go out with him
watch me watch you go out with him
watch me watch you go out with him
are you really smiling
are you really trying
does his being really illuminate your soul
my turn for crying
my turn for sighing
these aching red hands can't let go
You take and treat the one you love the way you know you shouldn't and then you watch her go out with someone who is treating her the way you should have. The guilt keeps making you bleed and more so the lost chance of being with someone you truly love:
Let any kind of Kingdom come
for teasing tomorrow will not hide
me from what I have done
from your tears now sharing my eyes
I shouldn't have said
I shouldn't have did
you shouldn't have dared
can you ever forgive?
and now you...
watch me watch you go out with him
watch me watch you go out with him
watch me watch you go out with him
watch me watch you go out with him
your new lover is a bum
and you looking serious just terrifies
for is this reality who turns
to tell you what I've always denied
I should have said
I should have did
I should have dared
can you ever forgive
and now you...
watch me watch you go out with him
watch me watch you go out with him
watch me watch you go out with him
watch me watch you go out with him
are you really smiling
are you really trying
does his being really illuminate your soul
my turn for crying
my turn for sighing
these aching red hands can't let go
Bye Bye Baby
by: Suki Cheema
Gave my heart and you took it to your best friend for a whirl
got it back all scarred with lies by your caring sisterhood whose so evil
bye bye baby
baby bye bye
bye bye baby
baby bye bye
Take a trip down memory and make sure its a memory not fantasy lane
have the last word for haven't I answered every captured whisper again and again
its so easy to accuse
its so harder to proof
in your world of in-securities
kept alive by someone's jealousy
your just another manipulated fool
bye bye baby
baby bye bye
you wont see me cry babe
you won't see me cry
There again may be for once
I'm telling a lie
Have you ever wondered if she's ever had a touch of what you've had
was she around the corner when your heartbreak scenes came back from the past
it's my time to accuse
just look back for proof
in your world of in-securities
kept alive by someone's jealousy
your just another manipulated fool
bye bye baby
baby bye bye
you wont see me cry babe
you won't see me cry
There again may be for once
I'm telling a lie
bye bye baby
baby bye bye
love of my life it's too late
bye bye baby
baby bye bye
got to admit for once I've failed
bye bye baby
baby bye bye
from her painting everything as fate
bye bye baby
baby bye bye
from you seeing your her tail
bye bye baby
baby bye bye
you wont see me cry babe
you won't see me cry
There again may be for once
I'm telling a lie
bye bye baby
baby bye bye
you wont see me cry babe
you won't see me cry
There again may be for once
I'm telling a lie
you manipulated fool....
Gave my heart and you took it to your best friend for a whirl
got it back all scarred with lies by your caring sisterhood whose so evil
bye bye baby
baby bye bye
bye bye baby
baby bye bye
Take a trip down memory and make sure its a memory not fantasy lane
have the last word for haven't I answered every captured whisper again and again
its so easy to accuse
its so harder to proof
in your world of in-securities
kept alive by someone's jealousy
your just another manipulated fool
bye bye baby
baby bye bye
you wont see me cry babe
you won't see me cry
There again may be for once
I'm telling a lie
Have you ever wondered if she's ever had a touch of what you've had
was she around the corner when your heartbreak scenes came back from the past
it's my time to accuse
just look back for proof
in your world of in-securities
kept alive by someone's jealousy
your just another manipulated fool
bye bye baby
baby bye bye
you wont see me cry babe
you won't see me cry
There again may be for once
I'm telling a lie
bye bye baby
baby bye bye
love of my life it's too late
bye bye baby
baby bye bye
got to admit for once I've failed
bye bye baby
baby bye bye
from her painting everything as fate
bye bye baby
baby bye bye
from you seeing your her tail
bye bye baby
baby bye bye
you wont see me cry babe
you won't see me cry
There again may be for once
I'm telling a lie
bye bye baby
baby bye bye
you wont see me cry babe
you won't see me cry
There again may be for once
I'm telling a lie
you manipulated fool....
What Music Industry Options Are Available To You?
by: Ty Cohen
Taking the time to really peruse your options when it comes to the music industry can be a difficult task, but it is necessary if you have intentions of succeeding where so many others have failed. There are several major consultants you will need to keep in mind, preferably before beginning your career, but if you have already started, it can only get easier once you have found the proper qualified help.
Finding a good music consultant can boost your choices of music whether you dance, sing, or act. These companies are available to assist you in your endeavor in finding the best music to suit you and what you are doing. For a complete listing in your surrounding area, try running a search engine online for local music consultants or find them in the phone book. Either way, setting up an interview or meeting with them could help you take the next step toward realizing your dreams.
Having someone around that is practiced and knowledgeable in the music industry can save you immeasurable time, so hiring the services of a qualified music industry consultant would be a wise step in your endeavor to finding your notch in the music industry. They are educated and trained in how to maneuver within the parameters that are involved in the music industry and knowing what they do, they are better able to help boost your career closer toward realizing your dreams.
A music business consultant will aid you in time saving and money saving techniques as well as helping you to learn your way around the business end of the music industry. Their help will be invaluable to you toward finding some of the best business opportunities and maximizing on your potential as well as that of those surrounding you whether they be employees, singers, actors, or musicians. They help those that need it and help to clarify the business in layman terms to assist you in your climb to the top.
Keeping these options in mind when you begin your journey through the music industry could be the determining factor in your career. Whether you are approaching the industry from the business end, or you are a performer yourself, you will need someone to help you find the best ways to maneuver through the difficult times, and applaud you during the best. Hiring outside help could be your best idea toward accomplishing your goals and helping to carry your company or performance to the top.
Taking the time to really peruse your options when it comes to the music industry can be a difficult task, but it is necessary if you have intentions of succeeding where so many others have failed. There are several major consultants you will need to keep in mind, preferably before beginning your career, but if you have already started, it can only get easier once you have found the proper qualified help.
Finding a good music consultant can boost your choices of music whether you dance, sing, or act. These companies are available to assist you in your endeavor in finding the best music to suit you and what you are doing. For a complete listing in your surrounding area, try running a search engine online for local music consultants or find them in the phone book. Either way, setting up an interview or meeting with them could help you take the next step toward realizing your dreams.
Having someone around that is practiced and knowledgeable in the music industry can save you immeasurable time, so hiring the services of a qualified music industry consultant would be a wise step in your endeavor to finding your notch in the music industry. They are educated and trained in how to maneuver within the parameters that are involved in the music industry and knowing what they do, they are better able to help boost your career closer toward realizing your dreams.
A music business consultant will aid you in time saving and money saving techniques as well as helping you to learn your way around the business end of the music industry. Their help will be invaluable to you toward finding some of the best business opportunities and maximizing on your potential as well as that of those surrounding you whether they be employees, singers, actors, or musicians. They help those that need it and help to clarify the business in layman terms to assist you in your climb to the top.
Keeping these options in mind when you begin your journey through the music industry could be the determining factor in your career. Whether you are approaching the industry from the business end, or you are a performer yourself, you will need someone to help you find the best ways to maneuver through the difficult times, and applaud you during the best. Hiring outside help could be your best idea toward accomplishing your goals and helping to carry your company or performance to the top.
Your Music Industry Future
by: Ty Cohen
Are you considering a future in the music industry? Has the lure of the performing arts or music called to you and you are now trying to establish your place there? It can be overwhelming to say the least and without the proper aid or assistance you might find yourself confused, lost, and beginning to falter in your dream. Don't let go or give in, simply look for the help you need and let them help carry you on toward your dreams.
If you are just entering into the music industry and have no idea about who or what you should be contacting, your first move should be to arrange a meeting or interview with a music industry consultant. These people know the industry inside and out, and they are trained on how to manage it while aiding new up and coming actors, musicians, etc. By securing the help of one, you are insuring your place in music and you will be able to begin your move toward the top. By hiring them you are showing that you are willing to learn, and that you are serious about accomplishing your dreams.
Trying to handle the business aspect of the music industry can be demanding and wearing on your nerves. Hiring a music business consultant could save you both time and money, leaving you to focus on your career and your dreams. Your consultant will be ale to achieve order and practicality concerning the business end of your work and they are qualified to keep things running smoothly and in control. Don't place more stress on yourself than is necessary, let them carry the business.
Confused about what music you should perform? A music consultant can give you a fresh perspective on what is popular and what is not, as well as help you find your best performance material. No matter what you are doing, you will need music, be it singing, dancing, or acting and these people will help you find the best music there is.
As with any endeavor, music is no less difficult. There will be highs and lows, happy and sad moments but depending on your determination and your hard work, you may find yourself rising quickly to the top and achieving your goals and dreams. Keep them in your mind, and follow your dreams the practical way -- get help from people that know the industry.
Are you considering a future in the music industry? Has the lure of the performing arts or music called to you and you are now trying to establish your place there? It can be overwhelming to say the least and without the proper aid or assistance you might find yourself confused, lost, and beginning to falter in your dream. Don't let go or give in, simply look for the help you need and let them help carry you on toward your dreams.
If you are just entering into the music industry and have no idea about who or what you should be contacting, your first move should be to arrange a meeting or interview with a music industry consultant. These people know the industry inside and out, and they are trained on how to manage it while aiding new up and coming actors, musicians, etc. By securing the help of one, you are insuring your place in music and you will be able to begin your move toward the top. By hiring them you are showing that you are willing to learn, and that you are serious about accomplishing your dreams.
Trying to handle the business aspect of the music industry can be demanding and wearing on your nerves. Hiring a music business consultant could save you both time and money, leaving you to focus on your career and your dreams. Your consultant will be ale to achieve order and practicality concerning the business end of your work and they are qualified to keep things running smoothly and in control. Don't place more stress on yourself than is necessary, let them carry the business.
Confused about what music you should perform? A music consultant can give you a fresh perspective on what is popular and what is not, as well as help you find your best performance material. No matter what you are doing, you will need music, be it singing, dancing, or acting and these people will help you find the best music there is.
As with any endeavor, music is no less difficult. There will be highs and lows, happy and sad moments but depending on your determination and your hard work, you may find yourself rising quickly to the top and achieving your goals and dreams. Keep them in your mind, and follow your dreams the practical way -- get help from people that know the industry.
Musical Entertainment With Out The Stress
by: Ty Cohen
If you are looking for an easier and less confusing or time consuming way of providing the entertainment for your church, business, or friends these are some ways to find some of the best performers, musicians, or actors. Why spend your valuable time searching for something that a few people are able to give you lists at a moments notice. These are trained individuals that specialize in these particular departments to better assist you and people from both ends of the music industry spectrum. Whether you are searching for the talent to hire, or buy or whether you are the talent looking for a job, these are the people to see:
A music industry consultant can be found in most cities listed under music or business music in the yellow pages. These companies specialize in providing services to you as either a performer or someone searching for a performer. If you are trying to find the next best number one singer, consulting them can get you some of the best musicians or performers either local or long distance. They are able to give you the latest information about the industry and what is new, old, hot, or not worth your time. Saving you time is their main purpose and doing it professionally is their main asset.
Hiring a music business consultant to give you a fresh perspective on your business end of the music industry can end up saving you money in the long run. By making yourself and your company or office aware of the competition, the requirements, and the over all normal procedures of your business, you are preparing for your future success. Hiring a professional to help you achieve order and success is a good idea to implement in your company as well as keeping you updated on what to expect business wise in the future.
A music consultant is the person to see for information on the latest and greatest music, performers, etc. If you are searching for a specific type of music or certain performer, they will assist you in locating what it is you are searching for, and teaching you how to navigate in the music industry without causing yourself a big headache. By hiring a professional to handle your business portions of the music side to your business, you will see excellent results as well as lessen your stress and work load.
Keeping in the loop on the music industry can be difficult and nearly impossible depending on the number of musicians or performers you are attempting to handle. Seeking the aid of these professional individuals can be the determining factor in whether or not you fail or succeed.
If you are looking for an easier and less confusing or time consuming way of providing the entertainment for your church, business, or friends these are some ways to find some of the best performers, musicians, or actors. Why spend your valuable time searching for something that a few people are able to give you lists at a moments notice. These are trained individuals that specialize in these particular departments to better assist you and people from both ends of the music industry spectrum. Whether you are searching for the talent to hire, or buy or whether you are the talent looking for a job, these are the people to see:
A music industry consultant can be found in most cities listed under music or business music in the yellow pages. These companies specialize in providing services to you as either a performer or someone searching for a performer. If you are trying to find the next best number one singer, consulting them can get you some of the best musicians or performers either local or long distance. They are able to give you the latest information about the industry and what is new, old, hot, or not worth your time. Saving you time is their main purpose and doing it professionally is their main asset.
Hiring a music business consultant to give you a fresh perspective on your business end of the music industry can end up saving you money in the long run. By making yourself and your company or office aware of the competition, the requirements, and the over all normal procedures of your business, you are preparing for your future success. Hiring a professional to help you achieve order and success is a good idea to implement in your company as well as keeping you updated on what to expect business wise in the future.
A music consultant is the person to see for information on the latest and greatest music, performers, etc. If you are searching for a specific type of music or certain performer, they will assist you in locating what it is you are searching for, and teaching you how to navigate in the music industry without causing yourself a big headache. By hiring a professional to handle your business portions of the music side to your business, you will see excellent results as well as lessen your stress and work load.
Keeping in the loop on the music industry can be difficult and nearly impossible depending on the number of musicians or performers you are attempting to handle. Seeking the aid of these professional individuals can be the determining factor in whether or not you fail or succeed.
Starting A Musical Career
by: Ty Cohen
Beginning a musical career can be difficult if you do not know how to break into the mainstream industry. Everyone has dreams and yours are no less important, but unless you know the right people to contact or the best businesses to approach, you could be left floundering in one spot, unable to move forward and unable to go back. If you are looking to carry your singing, acting, performing, or unique career forward to the next level, you will need to know what kind of people to consult and where to go.
Depending on what exactly you are searching for you should find an excellent music consultant. There are companies locally that are available to assist you in determining what music would best suit you, or how to best go about presenting your music you have either written or had written for you. Your performance is directly related to your ability and your presentation and if you have someone that is qualified in that aspect, it will help to move your career further ahead in the right direction that much faster.
The ins and outs of the music industry can be extremely overwhelming to the layman and offers no respite to singers and performers alike, regardless of your talent. You need a music industry consultant to help you understand everything you will be involved in and help you keep a fresh perspective on what will be involved in your journey to the top. With their help and assistance you will be able to better understand everything surrounding your endeavors. Although they can only show you the way to a certain limit, their input will be helpful toward setting your goals and accomplishing them.
Looking at things from the other end of the business spectrum, engaging the assistance of a music business consultant is another excellent way of getting a handle on the music industry from a business perspective to better fulfill any goals you are trying to achieve. There are various fronts to the business aspect of music, and knowing the right people can raise your chances of succeeding. The business end of show business can be confusing, but hiring the right consultant can put you in a better place to understand and use the benefits to move up and forward toward the career you desire.
Keep these in mind when you are beginning your music, singing, or acting career. There will be many ups and downs during your journey, why make them any more difficult than necessary?
Beginning a musical career can be difficult if you do not know how to break into the mainstream industry. Everyone has dreams and yours are no less important, but unless you know the right people to contact or the best businesses to approach, you could be left floundering in one spot, unable to move forward and unable to go back. If you are looking to carry your singing, acting, performing, or unique career forward to the next level, you will need to know what kind of people to consult and where to go.
Depending on what exactly you are searching for you should find an excellent music consultant. There are companies locally that are available to assist you in determining what music would best suit you, or how to best go about presenting your music you have either written or had written for you. Your performance is directly related to your ability and your presentation and if you have someone that is qualified in that aspect, it will help to move your career further ahead in the right direction that much faster.
The ins and outs of the music industry can be extremely overwhelming to the layman and offers no respite to singers and performers alike, regardless of your talent. You need a music industry consultant to help you understand everything you will be involved in and help you keep a fresh perspective on what will be involved in your journey to the top. With their help and assistance you will be able to better understand everything surrounding your endeavors. Although they can only show you the way to a certain limit, their input will be helpful toward setting your goals and accomplishing them.
Looking at things from the other end of the business spectrum, engaging the assistance of a music business consultant is another excellent way of getting a handle on the music industry from a business perspective to better fulfill any goals you are trying to achieve. There are various fronts to the business aspect of music, and knowing the right people can raise your chances of succeeding. The business end of show business can be confusing, but hiring the right consultant can put you in a better place to understand and use the benefits to move up and forward toward the career you desire.
Keep these in mind when you are beginning your music, singing, or acting career. There will be many ups and downs during your journey, why make them any more difficult than necessary?
Rock Pop Music
by: Mary Rose
Rock pop music is a style of popular music with an outstanding vocal melody accompanied by guitar, drums, and bass. Many forms of rock music also use keyboard instruments such as organ, piano, mellotron, and synthesizers. Other instruments sometimes employed in rock include harmonica, violin, flute, banjo, melodica, and timpani. Besides, rare stringed instruments such as mandolin and sitar are used. Rock pop music normally has a strong back beat, and often revolves around the guitar, either solid electric, hollow electric, or acoustic.
Rock pop music has its origin in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll and rockabilly, which developed from blues, country music and other influences. The All Music Guide opines that rock and roll in its purest form has three chords, a strong, insistent back beat, and a catchy melody. Initially,rock & roll took from a variety of sources, mainly blues, R&B, and country, but also gospel, traditional pop, jazz, and folk. All of these impact combined in a simple, blues-based song structure that was not only fast and catchy but also foot tapping.
In the late 1960s, rock pop music was combined with folk music ,blues and jazz to create folk rock, blues-rock and jazz-rock fusion respectively.It created psychedelic rock music irrespective of the time. In the 1970s, rock incorporated influences from soul, funk, and latin music. During the 1970s, a number of subgenres of rock, such as soft rock, heavy metal, hard rock, progressive rock, and punk rock was created. Synth-rock, hardcore punk and alternative rock were the sub genres of rock pop music that was developed in the 1980s whereas, rock subgenres in the 1990s included grunge, Britpop, indie rock, and nu metal.
A rock band or rock group is a group of musicians specializing in rock pop music . Most of the rock groups consist of a guitarist, lead singer, bass guitarist, and drummer, forming a quartet. Few groups may skip one or more of these roles and make use of a lead singer who can play an instrument while singing, forming a trio or duo; others include additional musicians such as one or two rhythm guitarists and/or a keyboardist. Seldom, groups also employ stringed instruments such as violins or cellos, or horns like trumpets or trombones.
Rock pop music is a style of popular music with an outstanding vocal melody accompanied by guitar, drums, and bass. Many forms of rock music also use keyboard instruments such as organ, piano, mellotron, and synthesizers. Other instruments sometimes employed in rock include harmonica, violin, flute, banjo, melodica, and timpani. Besides, rare stringed instruments such as mandolin and sitar are used. Rock pop music normally has a strong back beat, and often revolves around the guitar, either solid electric, hollow electric, or acoustic.
Rock pop music has its origin in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll and rockabilly, which developed from blues, country music and other influences. The All Music Guide opines that rock and roll in its purest form has three chords, a strong, insistent back beat, and a catchy melody. Initially,rock & roll took from a variety of sources, mainly blues, R&B, and country, but also gospel, traditional pop, jazz, and folk. All of these impact combined in a simple, blues-based song structure that was not only fast and catchy but also foot tapping.
In the late 1960s, rock pop music was combined with folk music ,blues and jazz to create folk rock, blues-rock and jazz-rock fusion respectively.It created psychedelic rock music irrespective of the time. In the 1970s, rock incorporated influences from soul, funk, and latin music. During the 1970s, a number of subgenres of rock, such as soft rock, heavy metal, hard rock, progressive rock, and punk rock was created. Synth-rock, hardcore punk and alternative rock were the sub genres of rock pop music that was developed in the 1980s whereas, rock subgenres in the 1990s included grunge, Britpop, indie rock, and nu metal.
A rock band or rock group is a group of musicians specializing in rock pop music . Most of the rock groups consist of a guitarist, lead singer, bass guitarist, and drummer, forming a quartet. Few groups may skip one or more of these roles and make use of a lead singer who can play an instrument while singing, forming a trio or duo; others include additional musicians such as one or two rhythm guitarists and/or a keyboardist. Seldom, groups also employ stringed instruments such as violins or cellos, or horns like trumpets or trombones.
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