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Showing posts with label Art and Culture. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Art and Culture. Show all posts

Sunday, August 18, 2013

My Top Ten Competition Movies

I have realized that I absolutely love competition movies. Some of these movies scenes have been playing in my brain for a long time because I watched over and over as a child. Some of them are new to me and am thankful for the recommendations to watch them. Here is my list of top ten competition movies. Do you have a favorite?

1. Breakin (1984)
Chaka Khan Dance Scene Montage

2. Karate Kid (1984)
"Best Around" Fight Scene Montage

3. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun (1985)

4. American Anthem (1986)
American Anthem Trailer

5. Troop Beverly Hills (1989)
Cookie Time!

6. Cutting Edge (1992)
Final Routine Scene

7. The Mighty Ducks (1992)
The Mighty Ducks Trailer

8. Best In Show (2000)
Favorite Parker Posey Scene

9. Hunger Games (2011)
Katniss on Fire Scene - Tributes Entrance

10. Pitch Perfect (2012)
Final Bellas Performance


See more from VHI 15 Greatest Competition Movies of All Time!
VH1 List



Monday, July 15, 2013

10 Reasons I Hate Working In Theatre

1. I wrote plays secretly while I was supposed to be taking notes in science and math in high school. I might have made a good doctor.

2. Random settings, witty dialogue, absurd characters, and plot twists spinning through my head make it hard to fall asleep peacefully.

3. Working in theatre requires collaboration of many people to reach a final product, which keeps ones ego in check daily. Sometimes I am not in the mood for an ego-check.

4. Long rehearsals can make for poor eating habits and way too much caffeine consumption. It's bad for the heart.

5. You have constant epiphanies about life because in theatre you are always dealing with the human condition. Just when you have it all figured out, another question is raised.

6. Someone will always love your work. Someone will always hate your work. And, someone will always be there to tell you how it can be better. It's living under a microscope.

7. Theatre can be comparable to childbirth at times. No meds available.

8. If the production is really good, you'll most likely cry and ruin your makeup. Then, oops, your soul is exposed.

9. It takes self-marketability. I'm not sure one can be taught that without trial and error. No one enjoys the the later of the two.

10. At some point, your work in the process will come to an end, then it takes on a life of its own. And, you'll miss it like you would miss a child leaving home.

Friday, July 5, 2013

Five Favorite Fridas

For Frida Kahlo 
July 6, 1907 - July 13, 1954

To the artist who died on my birthday...Happy Birthday to the late Frida Kahlo. She's my fave!






The images speak for themselves. No need for explanation. However, her story is remarkable and her art is timeless. One of the best birthday presents I have ever received was last year from a best friend, which was an author signed children's book about Frida. There are links below about the book and other good information if one wants to find out more about this artist. 


Frida by Jonah Winter 


Real Footage of Frida Kahlo via You Tube. Good Stuff. 

LINKS





Friday, June 7, 2013

Biopic Friday: Top Five

If you know anything about me, you know that I devour biopics. I love them so much that I have sub-categories for my favorites. So, for Friday, I am listing my top five favorite artist/writer biopics. Watching these films affected me greatly, as they are about my most favorite artists and writers. I have included a You Tube of trailers. Also you can click on title for IMDB for trailers and information.

1. Frida

Portrays the artistic and private life of artist Frida Kahlo (released 2002). Selma Hayek plays Frida Kahlo and is amazing.



2. Pollock

Portrays the artistic and private life of artist Jackson Pollock. (Released 2000). Ed Harris and Marsha Gay Hardin (Lee Krasner) were amazing in this.


3. The Hours

This is somewhat of a stretch for a bio pic, but I still include.  (Released 2002). This film examines the life of three women, in different times, one being Virginia Woolf. It is adapted from a novel by the same name and I think is very much like a love letter to Virginia Woolf. Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman, Julianne Moore, and Claire Danes are all amazing in this film.


4. Basquiat

This portrays the private and artistic life of artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. (Released 1996). This film will break your heart and make you love and appreciate this artist. And David Bowie plays Andy Warhol.



5. Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle



This little gem is about the life and times of Dorothy Parker. I had a bit of trouble with Jennifer Jason Leigh as Mrs. Parker, but I settled into it and think she does a fabulous job at her portrayal. And, who doesn't adore Dorothy Parker?

I have many more. But, these are my top five and I believe worth watching. Several of these are beautiful tragedies. Alas, I am most likely more affected by the story of the artist's life than their work. I think the two go hand-in-hand. It makes me appreciate their art so much more.