Sex and the City is one of my all time favorite television shows.
I think one of the reasons I like it so much is that it is really a SEXY show.
There always seem to be an undercurrent of sexual tension going on even when the actors are not even talking sexy.
There have been many shows in a progressive way since the early seventies that have dialog and scenes that portray a much more realistic reflection of the times. Sex and the city though seems to go a step further.
Even though the show is “old” now, it is easy to appreciate the groundbreaking aspects of its presentation.
Of course having New York City as the location, lends itself to a myriad of complex sexual and relationship issues as well as being able to portray those complexities in one of the most modern, up to date cities in the world.
I own some signed Sex and the City posters from the show and I treasure them highly.
I just heard that Guillermo del Toro will be directing the new 2 part epic fantasy “The Hobbit.”
That is very exciting to me because I loved his other fantasy film, “Pan’s Labyrinth “. After seeing it in the movies I was eager to rent the DVD when it came out, because I had a feeling that the extras would be superb.
I wasn’t disappointed. His directors dialog was voiced over the film and the insights into the making of the film were great. Things like using “images of three” throughout the film to make it related to fairy tales was one that certainly escaped me until he mentioned it. Then I could remember many shots that were constructed that way.
Another interesting implementation in the film was his use of color. Everything that took place “underground” or in fantasy were of a certain hue, while all the above ground shots had a completely different look.
There were many more symbolic considerations that were fascinating to learn about, such as the fascist in the film, being so concerned with everything being in precise order. Guillermo had him “enclosed” in many scenes and even has a oversized clock working in the background.
I am looking forward to seeing how he will handle the Hobbit story and have no doubt he will create a magnificent film.
March 13, 2007
Angelina Jolie is my all time favorite actress. She is an A-List actress and is undoubtedly one of the most popular actress’s in the United States. I have been able to collect a good number of autographed posters of Angelina which graces the walls of my home theater and I never tire of looking at her.
Although I found the movie The Good Sheppard to be a little slow, of course I loved Angelina Jolie in it. I also thought that Matt Damon was very good. The most recent movie that Angelina starred in was A Mighty Heart and she was simply superb. One of my favorites is the movie where she met Brad Pitt on the set, which of course is Mr. And Mrs. Smith. One of the most fun roles that I loved her in was Lara Croft in Tomb Raider.
She won an academy award for her role in Girl, Interrupted and she blew everyone’s mind by giving her brother a big smoochy kiss right on the lips, right on stage. That may be a little weird, but I love how she is so uninhibited and doesn’t seem to care what people think.
That brings me to my favorite aspect of Angelina Jolie and that is her amazing work as a humanitarian across the globe.
She was even asked to be a goodwill ambassador for the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, a post that she graciously accepted. Brad Pitt is right beside her in all of this and together; they represent the most altruistic, giving, influential activists in Hollywood. No other celebrity comes close to helping the underprivileged around the world then these two. Add to that, they are the best- looking couple in the world. They are stunningly beautiful and have a magnificent family to which they are adding to soon as Angelina is pregnant again. I am so happy for them.
I could go on and on about my admiration for Angelina Jolie and the fantastic Hollywood Memorabilia she creates. I think of my purchases as something I want to have around me as opposed to thinking strictly in terms of collecting and adding value to that collection. I may be a bit of a different type of collector, but hey, that’s me!
I had the opportunity of visiting the warehouse that stores some of the most beautiful inventory I have ever laid my eyes on.
Of course I am biased about the stuff; I’m talking about a vast collection of signed and framed (or in some cases, just signed posters and photos waiting to be custom framed according to the customer’s preferences) Hollywood + Television memorabilia.
I have surfed the internet quite extensively and have seen pictures of some of my favorite movie memorabilia, but seeing the pieces in person, well, I would compare it to seeing something with one eye closed then seeing it with both eyes open. The colors jump out at you and in person you can “feel” the moment when that piece of memorabilia came into existence. I was standing in front of a beautifully framed signed poster of “American Gangster” and my mind started racing through the movie images like a flip book. I relived the movie right there and then.
After taking in more and more visually stunning Hollywood Memorabilia, I was then shown some historic and (to me) breathtaking collectibles.
One that stood out for me was a fantastic piece, a framed photo of the Beatles first television appearance in the U.S. on the Ed Sullivan Show. I wanted that piece so badly, and visualized it hanging on my wall in my media room, with friends coming over and my modestly, and matter-of-factly, responding to their excitement about the piece, saying “oh yeah, I just picked that one up the other day”, “forgot to mention it”.
Someday…
American Gangster legend Frank Lucas’s daughter is working with Nicky Barnes daughter (rival back in the day) to help children of incarcerated parents through a non profit organization called yellow brick roads (yellowbrickroads.org )
They had a fundraiser on February 1, 2008 in ATL, GA to raise funds for the children. Here is a quote from Francine Lucas regarding HollywoodMemorabilia. “I looked on your sight because I know your company history and the authenticity of your products. I am contacting you in the effforts of donating a piece of memorabilia from the movie American Gangster to be auctioned off the night of the event?” All proceeds from the auction go to the organization.
Denzel Washington is one of my favorite actors. I love Spike Lee movies and I thought that “Jungle Fever” was one of his best. Of course, with Spike Lee for me there are many movies he has made that are in my top 20 all timers. But Jungle Fever had a certain kind of tension going on, a feeling of opposition that was presented gently though you felt that at any moment could explode into violence both, physically and emotionally. And it does.
When I recently saw Denzel in American Gangster though, he seemed to have evolved in many ways as an actor. He usually has a tremendous amount of confidence in the roles he plays, but in American Gangster he exuded so much confidence, so much leadership, that he was more compelling than any movie I had seen him in before. Of course the director, Martin Scorsese is so amazing in telling a story and in his ability to get the best performances from his actors, that I knew this movie was going to be an instant classic.
American Gangster was an incredibly well done film. Of course it is almost redundant to say that every film Martin Scorsese does is well crafted and visually exciting, but this one affected me very strongly. Maybe it is because I grew up in New York and although I had never heard of Frank Lucas, I did know about the fact that dope was being smuggled in from Vietnam. I had also heard that it was brought in, sewn into dead soldiers bodies, but thought that was most likely an urban legend.
All the acting in the movie was superb and the realism that the actors brought to the screen, and the editing pace, created a great masterpiece of cinema.
I was fortunate to catch an amazing show on Charlie Rose, the day before I saw the film. On the show was the real Frank Lucas, Ridley Scott (director), Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe, the real detective that Russell played, and two writers who were instrumental in getting the story told and the film made. I think You Tube has some clips from that show. For me it was an historical event.
Three Stooges Memorabilia
American vaudeville and comedy act of the 20th century, Three Stooges is best known for their short subject films and they are known by their first names: Moe, Larry and Curly. They started in the year 1925 as part of a raucous vaudeville act which was called Ted Healy and His Stooges.
It was in the year 1930 when Ted Healy and His Stooges appeared in their first Hollywood feature film entitled “Soup to Nuts” which was released by Fox Studios. I remember as a kid watching the stooges every day when I would come home from school. It was a zany show with totally exaggerated violence and response to the violence as well.
Moe was said to be the heart and soul of the troupe and he acts as their main creative force and manager. “Curly” though was the most imitated as he had a wild array of frantic and frenetic moves in his bag of acting tricks. He would spin around wildly on the floor like a bottle put into motion that seemed out of control. His high pitched voice and Brooklyn accent lent itself to comedy like no other comedic actor since then. Then there was Larry whose hair was like the innersprings of a broken mattress, and who tried to take things seroiusly but always ended up being humiliated and hit by Moe, the leader. Of course they always got in trouble and as you could imagine, they could only be as successful as their leader, who was, well, one third of the three stooges.
Pamela Anderson Memorabilia
Born on July 1, 1967, the Canadian-American Pamela Anderson has been a celebrity that started and continued making marks everywhere in the entertainment industry ever since she started her modeling career way back in 1989. Since then she has been sought after by fans for more than just a signed photo or two for Pamela Anderson memorabilia. As a matter of fact at one point a few years ago her web site received more hits than any other.
More than just an actress, the celebrity is recognized as a sex symbol, a very glamorous model, a popular television personality and a producer. Pamela Anderson has appeared, starred and guested in many movies such as “Scary Movie”, “Scooby Doo” the television series “Baywatch” and “VIP”
Despite her very popular lifestyle and equally public personal life, Pamela Anderson has headed and supported various charity institutions. I also have respect for her because she is an activist, campaigning against hunting seals. She also became a spokesperson for the American Liver Foundation and supported the SOS motorcycle fundraiser as Grand Marshall.
In stark contrast to other famous movie and music stars, who seem to not be able to see beyond their own self-centered behavior, Pamela Anderson is a shining star and a good example of utilizing fame to bring awareness to important social issues.
Ever since seeing Al Pacino in an early movie entitled “Panic in Needle Park” he has been my favorite actor. Of course to see him go on and become a superstar in films like the Godfather series was almost expected. In terms of one of the most intense performances by him, Scarface would be my choice.
Al Pacino has acted in dozens of top quality movies throughout the years.
Carlito’s Way, Two for the Money, Angels in America, and Heat are all excellently crafted movies that would not have received the recognition they have if not for the superb acting of Al Pacino.