Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Same Instrument, Different Sound

Below are my three favorite trumpeters; Louis Armstrong, Herp Alpert and Harry James.

via Forty Two Times


via Fotki


via flickr

They all all very talented, and they each have their very own sound. Can you tell the difference? (I wanted to do the same song for all of them so you could really hear the difference, but Herb isn't in the same era as Harry and Louis. So here are some great videos of each of them.)








What do you think? I love being able to tell an artist or band by the way they play their instrument. It makes me feel like I really know them.

Monday, November 26, 2012

Sammy Davis Jr. - Holy Talent

via coolmag

We all know I love the Rat Pack - specifically Frank, Dean and Sammy. I've already done several posts on Frank and Dean (and I'm sure there will be more), but I've been neglecting Sammy. So here you go! My favorite Sammy songs. The man is talented.


via arts-wallpaper










via sammydavis-jr

What do you think? "What Kind of Fool am I" is my favorite. It's too good!

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Thanks for stopping by fellas!

via martin/sinatra tumblr

These two showed up in my dreams last night. It was pretty magical. They seemed to really like me. Especially Dean. That's all I can really remember. They were just like they are when they are being filmed - hilarious and charming (although I realize this isn't really the case based on books I've read, but hey, it's my dream).



That's pretty much how it felt. Delightful. I wish it was a marshmallow world here in Wapello!

via film maker iq

Sweet dreams!

PS- Perhaps Sammy will show up tonight!

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Lincoln (2012)

via inside movies



I saw this movie last night and enjoyed it very much. I was really well done. It's two and a half hours long, but it didn't feel like it at all.

via iconocast
via national turk

Daniel Day Lewis did a beautiful job portraying this mild mannered and humorous man, who can really make a point if need be.


via ny times

via film review online

I read a review (I wish I could remember where) that didn't like the way the movie focused on Lincoln politically and personally. It said that the family problems were distracting. I completely disagree. I think that by balancing the plot to show both the political and personal aspects of Lincoln's life we are able to identify with him. The movie was very good at showing Lincoln as a human, he is not put up on some pedestal. He is shown as a man trying to do what is right, whatever the cost.

via beyond hollywood

The movie was also very beautifully shot. The color tones in the movie were mostly browns and blues. It really gives you the right feeling.

via movie line
via imdb
Also Tommy Lee Jones was awesome. He was definitely my favorite character.

via beyond hollywood
via aceshowbiz
via aceshowbiz

via ctv news

via black film

This movie was surprisingly humorous and witty. I really enjoyed it! You should go check it out and let me know what you think!


Has anyone else already seen it?

PS I think a biography on Abraham Lincoln is in order.

Friday, November 16, 2012

To Kill a Mockingbird 50th Anniversary Screening


book cover via Crime Always Pays and movie poster via Doctor Macro


I could not be happier. To Kill a Mockingbird is my very favorite book and one of my favorite films as well. I swear you could open that book to any page and learn something. The movie is just as inspiring and educating.

Watching it on in a theater was perfect. And as always Harper Lee's story tugged at my heart strings, bringing tears several times.

Gregory Peck (Atticus), Mary Badham (Scout) and Robert Duvall (Boo) are my favorite actors in the film. Their performances are too real, they don't seem like actors at all.

Again, it was wonderful! I really don't know what else to say except "go read it!" and "go watch it!" Really you should.

And so I leave you with some lovely photos:

via Doctor Macro

via Doctor Macro

via Doctor Macro

via Doctor Macro

via Doctor Macro

via ew

via Film at the Paramount

via Parallax View

via UMBC
via My Life in Film

via Movie Clips

Thursday, November 15, 2012

"But it's okay to hate Hitler?"

I have been reading To Kill a Mockingbird this week because I am going to see the movie tonight with some friends. I've seen the movie dozens of times and read the book more. I am really excited for this viewing because my friends have just finished reading the book for the first time. They've never seen the movie. We found out last week that today is the 50th anniversary of the film, so TCM is hosting viewing in theaters around the country. I am so excited that their first viewing of the movie will be in a theater! You can find out more information here.


As I was reading the book last night something struck me as extremely relevant. Here it is:



What do you think? Relevant?

PS If you are able to go see To Kill a Mockingbird tonight you definitely should! Take your teens and pre-teens. There are important things being taught in the film and the book.

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

It was a good Nalgene....

So today I opened the freezer to pull out my Nalgene (that I've had for at least 10 years) and this is what I found:





Now before you say I filled it too full of water, let me tell you that you are wrong. There was an inch of clearance from the ice to top of the bottle.

In my Googling I found out that Nalgene will replace the bottle and also that I might get a t-shirt that says "I broke my Nalgene." Let's be honest, I want them to replace my bottle, but I really want the t-shirt.

So I sent Nalgene customer service an email to ask if such things happened. They ignored my t-shirt reference (rude), but did say that they would replace my bottle if I'd just send them a low resolution photo of my bottle with the logo clearly visible. I just sent that email. Can't wait to see what comes in the mail!

PS Thank you