Film Review # 4

Some Like It Hot is an American romantic screwball comedy film, made in 1958 and released in 1959, which was directed by Billy Wilder and starred Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon and George Raft.
The supporting cast includes Joe E. Brown, Pat O'Brien, Joan Shawlee and Nehemiah Persoff.
The film is a remake by Wilder and I. A. L. Diamond of a 1935 French movie, Fanfare d'Amour, from a story by Robert Thoeren and Michael Logan, which was also remade in 1951 by German director Kurt Hoffmann as Fanfaren der Liebe. However, the plots of the French and German films did not include the gangster motif, which is an integral part of the drama in Some Like It Hot. Wilder's working titles for his film were Fanfares of Love and Not Tonight, Josephine before he decided on Some Like It Hot as its release title.

Plot

It is February 1929 in the city of Chicago. Two friends who are struggling jazz musicians, Joe (Tony Curtis), a saxophone player, irresponsible gambler and ladies' man, and Jerry (Jack Lemmon), a sensible double-bass player, accidentally witness the Saint Valentine's Day massacre. When the gangsters, led by "Spats" Colombo (George Raft), spot them, the two have to run for their lives.
Penniless, freezing cold, and in a rush to get out of town, the two musicians take a job in a women's band headed to Miami. Disguised as women and calling themselves Josephine and Daphne, they board a train with Sweet Sue and her Society Syncopators, an all-girl band and their male manager, Bienstock. Before they board the train, Joe and Jerry have already noticed Sugar Kane (Marilyn Monroe), the band's vocalist and ukulele player, marveling over how she walks "like Jell-O on springs," as they struggle along in their high heels not at all sure they will be able to pass as women. As they board the train, however, Daphne (Jack Lemmon) experiences the kind of sexual harassment common to women when Bienstock feels her up.
Both Joe and Jerry become enamored of Sugar and compete for her affection while maintaining their disguises. Sugar confides that she has sworn off male saxophone players, who have stolen her heart in the past and left her with "the fuzzy end of the lollipop." She has now set her sights on finding a sweet, bespectacled millionaire in Florida. During the forbidden drinking and partying on the train with all the women in the band, Josephine and Daphne become intimate friends with Sugar, and continually have to struggle to remember that they are girls and cannot make a pass at her.
Once in Miami, Joe woos Sugar by assuming a second disguise as a millionaire named Junior, the heir to Shell Oil, while mimicking Cary Grant's voice and feigning disinterest in Sugar. An actual millionaire, an aging mama's boy, the much-married Osgood Fielding III (Joe E. Brown), tries repeatedly to pick up Daphne, who repeatedly rebuffs him. One night Osgood invites Daphne for a champagne supper on his yacht. Joe convinces Daphne to keep Osgood occupied onshore, so that Junior can take Sugar to Osgood's yacht, passing it off as his. Once on the yacht, Junior uses metaphors to explain to Sugar that unfortunately, due to psychological trauma, he is impotent and frigid, but that he would certainly marry anyone who could change that. Sugar tries desperately to arouse some sexual response in Junior, and begins to succeed. Meanwhile, Daphne and Osgood dance the tango till dawn.
When Joe and Jerry get back to the hotel, Jerry happily explains that Osgood has proposed marriage to Daphne and that he, as Daphne, has accepted, anticipating an instant divorce and huge cash settlement when his ruse is revealed. Joe finally convinces Jerry that he can't actually marry Osgood. The two men realize they must quit the band and leave the hotel. Sadly, Joe then breaks Sugar's heart by telling her that he, Junior, has to marry a woman of his father's choosing and move to Venezuela.
Many mobsters arrive at the hotel for a conference honoring the Friends of Italian Opera. Spats and his gang from Chicago eventually recognize Joe and Jerry as the witnesses to the Valentine's Day murders. After several humorous but potentially lethal chases, Joe and Jerry end up witnessing additional mob killings, this time of Spats and his crew. Once again Joe and Jerry have to run for their lives. Joe, dressed as Josephine, sees Sugar onstage singing sadly that she will never love again. He kisses her before he leaves, and Sugar suddenly understands that Joe is both Josephine and Junior.
Sugar runs from the stage at the end of her performance and is able to jump into the launch from Osgood's yacht just as it is leaving the dock with Joe, Jerry and Osgood in it. Joe tells Sugar that he is not good enough for her, that she would be getting the "fuzzy end of the lollipop" yet again, but Sugar wants him anyway. Jerry, for his part, comes up with a list of objections for why he and Osgood cannot get married, ranging from a smoking habit to infertility. Osgood dismisses them all; he loves Daphne and is determined to go through with the marriage. Exasperated, Jerry removes his wig and shouts, "I'm a man!" Osgood simply responds, "Well, nobody's perfect."

The actors and acting are really brilliant, especially Marilyn Monroe. She is so refined, exquisite and beautiful that the viewer just can't take his eyes off of her.

To crown it all, I'd like to say that I really like this film, It's one of my faviurite movies. It's so sincere and funny that it makes me watch it again and again.

Idividual reading # 6.

After having married the Tahitian girl Ata, Mr. Strickland moved to another part of the iseland. They lived happily and Ata gave birth to a boy. However, later the artist  got leprosy. While ill, Strickland was painting his masterpiece. Before his death Charles asked Ata to burn the house, where was his best painting , down.
Having come home after visiting Tahiti, the narrator met Mrs. Strickland's and told her the unknown part of her husband's life.

Individual reading #5.

The artist and the narrator hadn't heard about the artist for many years.Charles Strickland had already died and his pictures were very famous among conoisseurs. The narrator travelled to Tahiti to gether some more information about the artist.. There he met people who remembered Charles Strickland. The narrator got to know that Strickland lived in Marseilles hardli making both ends meet. A bit later, the artist was hired on board a ship and sailed to Tahiti. He stayed at the hotel of Tiare. He adored that place and spent all his time drawing.

Individual reading #4.

Stroeve didn't meet the narrator for a long time. After the narrator playingchess with Mr. Strickland, Dirk  asked him waht had happened. Later the narrator find out that Blanch Stroeve and Strickland had quarreled. Thus, Charles abandoned Blanch and she poisoned herself. Then was sent  to the hospital, however, she wasn't going to recover. During her time in the hospital she didn't want to see Stroeve, though he used to come every day. Then Blanch died.Dirk Stroeve didn't realize the whole situation and he was at a loss. He came to the appartment where Blanch and Strickland lived together for a few months. Then he gave a portrait of his wife, which he found there, to Charles, however Strickland refused to take it. After that Dirk Stroeve bagan a new life in a new country.

Music. Rendering #4

The headline of the article is Drummer's fear of flying disrupts Blink-182 Oz tour. It was published on  http://www.bbc.co.uk on Fabruary 18, 2013 by  Steve Holden. The article deals with Blink - 182's problems with a concert in Australia.

Firstly, the author notes that Blink-182's Travis Barker has announced he's skipping the band's tour in Australia due to his fear of flying. The drummer says he's still suffering from the effects of a plane crash in 2008 which killed four people. Barker was one of two survivors when a private plane burst into flames during an aborted take-off.

Secondly,  Steve Holden points out that in a statement, all three members of Blink-182 said that the band knew the chances of Travis overcoming his fear of flying, which was magnified after the horrible plane crash in 2008, would be a challenge, but we wanted to play for our fans in Australia nonetheless.

Thirdly, the author underlines that Barker will be replaced on the tour by Brooks Wackerman from Bad Religion and Tenacious D.

To crown it all,  Steve Holden tells the reader that Mark Hoppus had spoken about how the band juggle their international tour commitments with Barker's fear of planes.

To my mind, it's not a tregedy that the drummer can't take part in this concert, though some fans can be disappointed. Life is much more important.

Music. Rendering #3.

The headline of the article is Beatles' Abbey Road cover in Calcutta traffic campaign'. It was published on  http://www.bbc.co.uk on Fabruary 19, 2013. The article deals with an unusual traffic campaign.

Firstly, the author notes that police in the eastern Indian city of Calcutta are using the picture on the cover of the iconic Beatles album Abbey Road in a campaign to enforce road safety. The picture shows the band members walking in single file on a zebra crossing in north London's Abbey Road. The slogan for the campaign reads: "If they can, why can't you?"

Secondly, the author points out that The Beatles were photographed on Abbey Road in Ian Macmillan's famous cover shot for the 1969 album. The crossing is outside the Abbey Road studios, where the band recorded much of their music. Calcutta's traffic police has put up 40 hoardings carrying the Beatles image as part of a campaign to persuade people to use pedestrian crossings

Thirdly, the author quotes opinions of different people.

To crown it all, the author tells the reader that the original Abbey Road zebra crossing, where the photograph was taken, was moved several metres for traffic management reasons more than 30 years ago, and no original features remain.

To my mind, this is a very good idea, because many people admire "The Beatles" and there is a chnace that they will follow their example.

Music. Rendering #2

The headline of the article is Morrissey LA concert to be '100% vegetarian'. It was published on  http://www.bbc.co.uk on Fabruary 19, 2013. The article deals with an unusual vegetarian show.

Firstly, the author notes that It will mark the first time stalls within and around the venue are not selling any meat products.The singer and animal activist said that he doesn't look upon it as a victory for me, but a victory for the animals.

Secondly, the author points out that the venue and promoter Goldenvoice will also donate a portion of the ticket sales to the UK-branch of charity Peta. The decision came after the former Smiths singer urged the venue to close down their McDonald's outlets and to banish the sale of "flesh as food".

Thirdly, the author underlines that The 53-year-old star recently postponed a string of concerts due to a bleeding ulcer. He resumes his US tour on 26 February with a performance on Live with Jimmy Kimmel.

To crown it all, the author tells the reader that it is not the first time Morrissey has asked venues hosting his gigs to take meat off the menu. The animal rights activist walked off stage at the Coachella festival in California in 2009 after saying he could smell "burning flesh".

It's quite an interesting idea. I think if people can do any good things using thier opportunities, there is nothing bad in it. Moreover, the singer fight against animals' death.

Music. Rendering #1.

The headline of the article is Beatles 'mentor' Tony Sheridan dies .It was published on  http://www.bbc.co.uk  on Fabruary 19, 2013. The article deals with the death of Tony Sheridan.

Firstly, the author notes that during their early days as the Silver Beatles in Hamburg in the 1960s, they performed as Sheridan's backing band. Described as a catalyst in the Beatles' rise to fame, they played on Sheridan's recording of My Bonnie.

Secondly, the author points out that after being spotted by producer Bert Kaempfert, it was their first studio session for Polydor as The Beat Brothers in June 1961. Later that year, teenage fan Raymond Jones requested the song in Brian Epstein's record store. Epstein promised to order it and later became the Beatles' manager, whom many still regard as the "fifth Beatle".

Thirdly, the author underlines that returning to Germany in 1961, the young Beatles and Sheridan continued their collaboration and - at Kaempfert's instigation - recorded seven tracks.This year marks the 50th anniversary of The Beatles' debut album Please, Please Me.A 1962 show at the Star Club in Hamburg, where the Liverpool band played many of their early shows, was a watershed performance - featuring Starr on drums - and helped catapult the Beatles to fame. According to reports in the German media, Sheridan died on Saturday 16 February following a long illness.

To crown it all, the author tells the reader that in the early 1960s, the singer-songwriter toured with rock 'n roll pioneers Gene Vincent and Eddie Cochran. He had German Top 10 singles Let's Slop and Skinny Minnie and with the Fab Four's early commercial success, My Bonnie charted in both Britain and the US.
During his later years, Sheridan lived with his third wife, Anna Sievers, in a farm house in the north of Germany. She died of cancer in 2011.

Though the mood of this article is quite sad, people should read it. We should remember such people, who make so much for the development of good music.

Film Review #3. Ed Wood (1994)

The mostly true story of the legendary director of awful movies and his strange group of friends and actors.

Ed Wood is a 1994 American comedy-drama biopic directed and produced by Tim Burton, and starring Johnny Depp as cult filmmaker Ed Wood. The film concerns the period in Wood's life when he made his best-known films as well as his relationship with actor Bela Lugosi, played by Martin Landau. Sarah Jessica Parker, Patricia Arquette, Jeffrey Jones, Lisa Marie, and Bill Murray are among the supporting cast.

Director: Tim Burton
Writers: Rudolph Grey (book), Scott Alexander, 1 more credit »
Stars: Johnny Depp, Martin Landau, Sarah Jessica Parker

Plot

In 1952, Ed Wood (Johnny Depp) is struggling to join the film industry. Upon hearing of an announcement in Variety magazine that producer George Weiss (Mike Starr) is trying to purchase Christine Jorgensen's life story, Ed is inspired to meet Weiss in person. Weiss explains that Variety's announcement was a news leak, and it is impossible to purchase Jorgensen's rights. The producer decides to 'fictionalize' the film titled I Changed My Sex!, and "do it without the shemale". One day, Ed meets his longtime idol Béla Lugosi (Martin Landau), after spotting him trying out a casket. Ed drives Béla home and the two become friends. Later, Ed decides to star Béla in the film and convinces Weiss that he is perfect to direct I Changed My Sex! because he is a transvestite.
Ed and Weiss argue over the film's title: Weiss has already had the poster printed, which Ed changes to Glen or Glenda. After filming, the movie is released to critical and commercial failure. Because of this, Ed is unsuccessful in getting a job at Warner Bros., but Ed's girlfriend, Dolores Fuller (Sarah Jessica Parker), tells him that he should try financing his next film independently. Ed is unsuccessful in finding money for Bride of the Atom, but is introduced to the psychic The Amazing Criswell (Jeffery Jones).
At a bar, Ed meets Loretta King (Juliet Landau), who he thinks has enough money to fund Bride of the Atom and ends up casting her as the lead instead of Dolores as originally planned. Filming begins, but is halted. Ed convinces meat packing industry tycoon Don McCoy (Rance Howard) to take over funding the film, who agrees as long as the film stars his son Tony as the leading man and the film ends with an explosion. The filming of Bride of the Atom finishes, with the title being changed to Bride of the Monster, but Dolores breaks up with Ed after the wrap party, because of his circle of friends and transvestism. Also, Béla, who is revealed to be highly depressed and a morphine addict, attempts to conduct a double suicide with Ed, but is talked out of it. Béla checks himself into rehab, and Ed meets Kathy O'Hara (Patricia Arquette), who is visiting her father at the same hospital. Ed takes her on a date and reveals to her his transvestism, which she accepts.
Ed begins to shoot a film with Béla outside his home. When Ed and company attend the premiere for Bride of the Monster, an angry mob chases them out of the theater. Sometime later, Béla passes away, leaving Ed without a star. Ed convinces a church leader named Reynolds that funding Ed's script for Grave Robbers from Outer Space would result in a box office success, and generate enough money for Reynolds' dream project (the Twelve Apostles films). Dr. Tom Mason (Ned Bellamy), Kathy's chiropractor, is chosen to be Béla's stand-in for resembling Lugosi (with half his face covered). However, Ed and the Baptists begin having conflicts over the title and content of the script which they want to have changed to Plan 9 from Outer Space along with Ed's B movie directing style, his casting decisions and his transvestism. This causes a distressed Ed to leave the set and immediately take a taxi to the nearest bar, where he encounters his idol Orson Welles (Vincent D'Onofrio). Welles tells Ed that "visions are worth fighting for", and filming for Plan 9 finishes with Ed taking action against his producers. The film ends with the premiere of Plan 9, and Ed and Kathy taking off to Las Vegas, Nevada to get married.

Awards

Ed Wood was nominated for three Golden Globes: Best Musical or Comedy, Johnny Depp for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy and Martin Landau for Best Supporting Actor. Landau won in his category. Landau and Rick Baker won Academy Awards for their work on the film. Landau also won Best Supporting Actor at the first Screen Actors Guild Awards. Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski were nominated for Best Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen by the Writers Guild of America, which was a surprise as few predicted that it would be considered.The film was also nominated for the prestigious Grand Prix of the Belgian Syndicate of Cinema Critics.

Cinema. Rendering #4.

The headline of the article is Almost Like Being in Vegas ‘Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away’ in 3-D which was published on  http://movies.nytimes.com  by A. O. Scott on December 20, 2012. The article deals with an unusual film dedicated to the famous circus.

Firstly, the author notes that for him this film will always be associated with the movie “Knocked Up,” in which the characters played by Seth Rogen and Paul Rudd take in a performance of “Mystère” under the influence of hallucinogenic mushrooms. If such a trip is not to your taste, or if a trip to Las Vegas is not on your calendar, you might opt for the relatively inexpensive, mildly mind-blowing “Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away,” a new 3-D movie directed by Andrew Adamson.

Secondly, A. O. Scott  points out that Mr. Adamson, whose previous credits include the first two “Shrek” and the first two “Chronicles of Narnia” movies, threads together a greatest-hits anthology of sequences from seven Cirque du Soleil productions. A big-eyed young woman (Erica Linz) catches the eye of an aerialist (Igor Zaripov) and, after he falls into a sand pit, pursues him through a series of enchanted, sometimes sinister landscapes.

Finally, the author makes a conclusion that while the bodies of the performers do amazing things, the hectic editing and frequent use of slow motion distract from their physical artistry rather than enhance it. The 3-D, on the other hand, gives some sense of the scale of a Cirque du Soleil performance, and even if the film is no substitute for the real thing, it is at least an effective advertisement.

To crown it all, I'd like to underline that this film is really amazing, though it's not easy to fully understand it. Nevertheless, it's definitely worth watching.