arts and entertainment

“On Your Feet” takes Broadway in a different direction where the story is as important or more important ( my side) then the music and dance. Gloria Estefan’s difficult struggle with her family provides a unique perspective on what we consider to be a success and how it is truly achieved.  It is best that I leave the details out but let’s just say her Gloria Estefan’s relationship with her mother was far from perfect but her relationship with Estefan is something you read in fairy tales. There is also a fascinating look into the music industry and how one can achieve success when many doors are closed.  The music, dance and sets were good but unless you’re a big Gloria Estefan/Miami Sound Machine fan this part of the show will not bring down your house.

*** 1/4  Stars (add a 1/2 star if you love Gloria Estefan/Miami Sound Machine fan.

I believe it’s refreshing as the light coming through a clouded sky to listen to Stacey Dash’s remarks concerning the Oscar’s and diversity.  Where politicians and those who live in the political correct world will be clouded on the exclusion of African American’s in this years Oscars  Stacy Dash gives us a different light when bringing up the exclusion of Caucasians on the BET Network today.  The truth is just like Martin Luther King said  I look forward to a day when a person is not judged by the color of their skin, race or religion but talent within instead. The truth is the Oscar’s already has  too much politics  in it already where too many nominations are based on who you know and who likes you.  By some focusing and protesting on the lack of skin color in this years Oscars I’m afraid that talent will be even less of a factor in next year’s Oscars nomination but instead be based on quota’s and this will be too the detriment of the artist and the industry as a whole.

I tried to watch the Democratic Debate with thoughts in my head of  “common ground” but when the questions were meant to indoctrinate the viewers I decided that I could find more common ground on my pillow.  At one point the question could be categorized as a speech on Global Warming rather then any real question.   The truth is there were some points that made sense to me, especially when Bernie Sanders spoke about how big the banks are  and that they should be broken up but they were too few to mention.  Hillary Clinton, Bernie  Sander and Martin oh something …(why was he on the stage at 2 % in the polls) also gave some good examples of how on occasion they worked across the aisle.  Yet the final straw came when Andre Mitchell mentioned in a question how  U.S hostages were realized from Iran but somehow forgot to mention the 7 convicted Iranian’s released from American jail as an obvious bargain chip.  When reporters decide it’s best to tell the news rather then report it, it’s time for me to switch the channel or get some sleep, the later worked this time.

Two new shows “Shades of Blue” on NBC and “Colony” on the USA Network focus on the issue of betrayal.  Where the main character is betrayed by their loving partner, the one that they trust.  It’s interesting in a time when the public has such distrust in basic institutions government, press etc that these shows would pander to such paranoid fears. Yet the truth is betrayal is intriguing and keeps the viewer glued to the set wondering when the betrayal will be revealed.  The suspense builds to that climatic moment and what will occur next.   Betrayal might appear to be old concept back to the days of Shakespeare but it continued to breathe alive in the arts because it’s impact has such a punch.

I only watched the first episodes

SHADES OF BLUE- Starts out a bit slow but when Ray Liotta gets his character rolling the excitement begins. ***1/2

COLONY- Any T.V show starring Josh Holloway  has got my eyes glued to the set  especially after being a “Lost” fanatic. Then realizing that the Executive Producer of Lost is involved in this production will have me probably on this colony until it’s finally liberated.  Great exciting beginning!

[youtube_sc url=”https://youtu.be/7IsAspXWQX4″]

It really catches your attention and doesn’t let you go!

Too some this is creepy to others this is living it up. When an older man pursues a younger woman. I guess it depends on your perspective, when you were born, or even what medicine you’re taking that help determine this view.  To each it’s own but if it was your daughter then maybe the own wouldn’t work. Not to be sexist because in today’s world their are plenty of “Cougars” out there as well.  So here’s to the Hugh Hefner’s and the late Tony Randall who have learned to live it up… but not with my daughter.

RIP David Bowie a man who created music that captured many aspects of our life’s.  Music is the great equalizer where people from all backgrounds can become a success by their talent and not necessarily what they look like or believe. David Bowie showed this is the case. May his musical talents give the angels a tune that keeps them “Dancing in the Street”

Most of the mistakes that occurred during the process of making my film happened when I let go or held on to tight. It’s best to have hands on a project overseeing the talent without putting your hands in the pot and actually stirring. For when you try to control everything it leaves no room for others to play the roles they need to perform and destroys creativity. Yet if you leave it to “the experts” they will continue to find another artistic way to spend your monies and/or time.  Post Production only finalized when I decided to put my hands over the mix.  The distribution process on the other hand has not met it’s potential because those rights were sold to someone else. The truth is even I had my hands dirty it still could have resulted in the same outcome or worse but at least I would still hold onto that flower instead of let it drift away.