Check this site out. With each vocabulary word you get right, a non-profit organization donates 20 grains of rice to the UN World Food Program. See how well you can do.
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
A Good Vocabulary Equals Food
Check this site out. With each vocabulary word you get right, a non-profit organization donates 20 grains of rice to the UN World Food Program. See how well you can do.
Monday, April 07, 2008
Favorite Musical Moments In Film
In a recent conversation with a friend, we both emphasized interest in musicals. To prove her love for the genre, she began singing her favorite songs and reciting her favorite scenes. I got to hear a little Oklahoma, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and West Side Story. And she got to hear a mixture of songs she's never heard of before and from the way I sing, probably never wants to again.
There's definitely something magical about the classic musicals. I remember watching The Fiddler on the Roof as a kid and realizing it's okay to break out into song at any given time. And throughout my life I have. But being a fan of the unconventional I tend to favor movies of the same nature. I like, in the film world, being taken to realms and places I don't plan on or expect to travel to; and while there I hope to be enlightened.
Certain scenes and moments define films. What would Reservoir Dogs be like without the famous ear scene? Would Joe Pesci's character in Goodfellas come across the same without the "funny, how?" scene? What about Back to the Future without George McFly's knock-out punch, or Empire Strikes Back without "Luke I am your father." Movies that stand the test of time and imprint themselves into the minds of viewers from every generation do so because of the collective end product. Each scene carries weight and the definitive scenes sum up the feel and mood of the entire picture. In Musicals, the songs do this. Not just the songs alone, but the way the film interprets and portrays the music. If a musical is a campy wonderland creep-fest like Rocky Horror Picture Show, then the music, especially the definitive piece better sum up and showcase what the film is all about.
The following clips do this for some of my favorite musicals. These are the scenes and the music that sets the pace of the picture. In no particular order:
Time Warp from Rocky Horror Picture Show
Many might consider this film a classic. It's certainly classic in terms of cult films and midnight movies. When I first saw this film it turned me on to a whole different type of musical and helped me understand how limits hurt genres and how they need to be tested and broken. The sexual undertones combined with the gothic, Halloween-like atmosphere created a mood unparallel to anything seen before. This is the closest thing to mainstream camp (if there is such a thing) in the world of film.
Wild, Wild Life from True Stories
In my book, David Byrne can do no wrong. I only wish his former band mates felt the same way, so the Talking Heads could finally reunite. His style is odd, flamboyant and loud. Although an impressive musician, Byrne is as impressive as an artist and never seen quite as matter-of-factly than in True Stories. This scene, drenched in 80's fashion brings a town of music loving misfits together for karaoke night. There is something absurdly realistic in the way each character consumes the role as front-man and channels their inner David Bryne to convey the song's message. Not to mention, the playful manner the audience reacts to each interpretation. This is one odd universe I don't want to leave.
Listen to Jesus Jimmy from Reefer Madness: The Musical
In the 30's and 40's the government made short films targeting families in an effort to curtail youth from the "evils" in the world. Sounds harmless, right? Well, the tactics used weren't always on par with the truth. They seemingly went by the creed 'what the public doesn't really know, won't hurt them.' In fact now days, some of these films have been compared to the Nazi propaganda films of the same era. In films like these Religion always plays a big role. What God says is final, right? Or is it, what the government thinks God would say, is final. So confusing.
In 1936 Reefer Madness was born. A film designed to detail the dangers of pot and warn the youth of the consequences. But, unlike the film's message, not every pot smoker turns into a homicidal psychopath. Reefer Madness: The Musical proudly parodys the original with campy bravado. This farcical depiction, showered with satire and irony unveils the motive behind these old propaganda films: the more ignorant the nation = more power and control in the government. And if the government could control information and the media (still currently trying) then they could have ultimate control.
The following clip from the film shows us how ignorant the government perceived youth to be during the time. As an example of pre-pot youth, bubblyness and cheerfulness substitutes logic and realistic expectations. And to illustrate that with such a catchy tune is an extra plus:
Falling Slowly from Once
Once is a beautiful film. It by no means is a conventional musical. The music sort of sneaks its way into the story, but ironically without it there wouldn't be one. I recently watched Augest Rush at my wife's request and really enjoyed it. Once plays on the same wavelength; music transcends reason, and, as a symbol of harmony, it brings souls in the same octave range (again, symbolically) closer together.
Origin of Love from Hedwig and the Angry Inch
This is one of my favorite films of all time and by far my favorite scene. Love is hope. Many feel they will never find it. For those, the idea of a soul mate is reassuring. People who feel that they are damaged and unable to be loved find solace in the hope that there is one person out there who will love them just the way they are. Hedwig, the singer of this scene, truly believes what she is singing and everyone who hears her sing it knows it.
There's definitely something magical about the classic musicals. I remember watching The Fiddler on the Roof as a kid and realizing it's okay to break out into song at any given time. And throughout my life I have. But being a fan of the unconventional I tend to favor movies of the same nature. I like, in the film world, being taken to realms and places I don't plan on or expect to travel to; and while there I hope to be enlightened.
Certain scenes and moments define films. What would Reservoir Dogs be like without the famous ear scene? Would Joe Pesci's character in Goodfellas come across the same without the "funny, how?" scene? What about Back to the Future without George McFly's knock-out punch, or Empire Strikes Back without "Luke I am your father." Movies that stand the test of time and imprint themselves into the minds of viewers from every generation do so because of the collective end product. Each scene carries weight and the definitive scenes sum up the feel and mood of the entire picture. In Musicals, the songs do this. Not just the songs alone, but the way the film interprets and portrays the music. If a musical is a campy wonderland creep-fest like Rocky Horror Picture Show, then the music, especially the definitive piece better sum up and showcase what the film is all about.
The following clips do this for some of my favorite musicals. These are the scenes and the music that sets the pace of the picture. In no particular order:
Time Warp from Rocky Horror Picture Show
Many might consider this film a classic. It's certainly classic in terms of cult films and midnight movies. When I first saw this film it turned me on to a whole different type of musical and helped me understand how limits hurt genres and how they need to be tested and broken. The sexual undertones combined with the gothic, Halloween-like atmosphere created a mood unparallel to anything seen before. This is the closest thing to mainstream camp (if there is such a thing) in the world of film.
Wild, Wild Life from True Stories
In my book, David Byrne can do no wrong. I only wish his former band mates felt the same way, so the Talking Heads could finally reunite. His style is odd, flamboyant and loud. Although an impressive musician, Byrne is as impressive as an artist and never seen quite as matter-of-factly than in True Stories. This scene, drenched in 80's fashion brings a town of music loving misfits together for karaoke night. There is something absurdly realistic in the way each character consumes the role as front-man and channels their inner David Bryne to convey the song's message. Not to mention, the playful manner the audience reacts to each interpretation. This is one odd universe I don't want to leave.
Listen to Jesus Jimmy from Reefer Madness: The Musical
In the 30's and 40's the government made short films targeting families in an effort to curtail youth from the "evils" in the world. Sounds harmless, right? Well, the tactics used weren't always on par with the truth. They seemingly went by the creed 'what the public doesn't really know, won't hurt them.' In fact now days, some of these films have been compared to the Nazi propaganda films of the same era. In films like these Religion always plays a big role. What God says is final, right? Or is it, what the government thinks God would say, is final. So confusing.
In 1936 Reefer Madness was born. A film designed to detail the dangers of pot and warn the youth of the consequences. But, unlike the film's message, not every pot smoker turns into a homicidal psychopath. Reefer Madness: The Musical proudly parodys the original with campy bravado. This farcical depiction, showered with satire and irony unveils the motive behind these old propaganda films: the more ignorant the nation = more power and control in the government. And if the government could control information and the media (still currently trying) then they could have ultimate control.
The following clip from the film shows us how ignorant the government perceived youth to be during the time. As an example of pre-pot youth, bubblyness and cheerfulness substitutes logic and realistic expectations. And to illustrate that with such a catchy tune is an extra plus:
Falling Slowly from Once
Once is a beautiful film. It by no means is a conventional musical. The music sort of sneaks its way into the story, but ironically without it there wouldn't be one. I recently watched Augest Rush at my wife's request and really enjoyed it. Once plays on the same wavelength; music transcends reason, and, as a symbol of harmony, it brings souls in the same octave range (again, symbolically) closer together.
Origin of Love from Hedwig and the Angry Inch
This is one of my favorite films of all time and by far my favorite scene. Love is hope. Many feel they will never find it. For those, the idea of a soul mate is reassuring. People who feel that they are damaged and unable to be loved find solace in the hope that there is one person out there who will love them just the way they are. Hedwig, the singer of this scene, truly believes what she is singing and everyone who hears her sing it knows it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
