arts and entertainment

As I watched Frank Dillane’s potrayal of Nick Clark in “The Fear of Walking Dead” I felt as if I was watching the birth of a new Johnny Depp. For the richness Mr. Dillane gave to this character was something I haven’t seen in character development in years.  It was almost as if he was playing two or three characters in one.  It is rare when an actor can make the audience feel the differences that a person goes through as “life” experiences hit them from different angles but Mr. Dillane did just that and this was with zombies and drug use.  As a show I will keep watching if only to see how they develop this character and to meet a few new zombies…. from a distance.

As I watched a fictional account of apocalypse through “Fear The Walking Dead” and replayed various aspects in my mind all night long, a book that showed a true life apocalypse came to mind.  Although in this version the world didn’t truly come to an end if it wasn’t for a few brave men and woman it probably would. We all know something of those that fought on the firing line but how about those were under the evil control?

For at that time a true evil with power had risen and was taking over countries with sudden swiftness unmatched in world history and killing the innocent as if it was the devil itself. Yet some people in the center of such evil were able to find a bit of humanity.  “The Last Jews Of Berlin” showcases a few of those brave souls who were willing to risk it all to save an innocent life or two. While many were too afraid to act or even looked the other way these individuals couldn’t. What possessed them to act in such benevolent way when evil was enveloping their very existence?

Today if such evil exists whether through man made disasters or  natural disaster who would stand up to such evil and who would do only what they could to survive for themselves and family?  How can we insure that there are more that care for others then just themselves when the going truly gets rough? There is only one I know that is to hold on to the faith and values when times are good so that they don’t disappear when times are rough.   For although “Fear the Walking Dead” is fictional it’s lessons of survival for good must endure long past the commercial break.

I think I’ve learned more from watching movies then several college classes combined and I graduated in the top of my class. The latest movie I’ve seen “People, Places, & Things” is a perfect example of an education that stays in my mind.  I probably would have never taken a class in cartoonist but as I watched “People, Places & Things” I was educated in the finer aspects in this art form.  I understand that sometimes the education we receive from movies is not necessarily the education we need. A clear example of this is shown in “Zombieland” where I learned the rules on surviving a zombie apocalypse but having this education can’t hurt except the zombies.  Seriously though, movies teach us more then we know whether it’s poetry through “The Dead Poet Society” or Ballet through the “Black Swan” and it’s an education that keeps giving as long as we keep going to the right movies.  What the educators might ignore is the impact of these type of education lessons that can stay with us a lifetime and as such and to our higher thinking.

She lived her live for 78 years and was fomented in our minds for one role “Batgirl”.  I guess it is the life of a character actor/actress where their role truly becomes their life even way after that character doesn’t appear on television or the movies.  Whether it be George Reeves who lived and finally died with that role in his head or Yvonne Craig who built other legacies there is no escaping what the world has made for you.  Yvone Craig may you RIP for your inspiring role as Batgirl and the many other roles you played in your life that the world fails to recognize.

I always wondered why the President seemed so out of touch with reality maybe if he  spent some more time listening to the American people then his music he would see the real world in front of him.  Be that as it may his selection in music is quite eclectic and deep and I believe that the role he is playing in life does not allow him to explore his artistic side. If is wrong that his artistic talents are bottled up in such a bland “White House” instead he should leave right away and become the DJ this country needs instead…. Right Away! Well at least I tried.

PRESIDENT OBAMA’S MUSIC SELECTION.

DAYTIME

Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” – The Temptations

“Live It Up” – The Isley Brothers

“Memories Live” – Talib Kweli & Hi Tek

“Tombstone Blues” – Bob Dylan

“So Much Trouble in the World – Bob Marley & The Wailers

“Paradise” – Coldplay

“Tengo Un Trato” (Remix) – Mala Rodriguez

“Wang Dang Doodle” – Howlin’ Wolf

“Another Star” – Stevie Wonder

“Hot Fun in the Summertime” – Sly & The Family Stone

“Boozophilia” – Low Cut Connie

“Wherever Is Your Heart”  – Brandi Carlile

“Good Day” – Nappy Roots

“Green Light” – John Legend

“Gimme Shelter” – The Rolling Stones

“Rock Steady” – Aretha Franklin

“Down Down the Deep River” – Okkervil River

“Pusher Love Girl” – Justin Timberlake

“Shake It Out” – Florence + The Machine

“La Salsa La Traigo Yo” – Sonora Carruseles

Evening Playlist: spoti.fi/whitehousenight

“My Favorite Things” – John Coltrane

“Superpower” (feat. Frank Ocean) – Beyoncé

“Moondance” – Van Morrison

“Is Your Love Big Enough?” – Lianne La Havas

“How Can You Mend a Broken Heart” – Al Green

“Red & White & Blue & Gold” – Aoife O’Donovan

“Nothing Even Matters” – Lauryn Hill and D’Angelo

“The Best Is Yet to Come” – Frank Sinatra

“You Don’t Know Me” – Ray Charles

“I Found My Everything” – Mary J Blige

“Help Me” – Joni Mitchell

“I’ve Got Dreams to Remember” – Otis Redding

“Suzanne” – Leonard Cohen

“Feeling Good” – Nina Simone

“Stubborn Love” – The Lumineers

“Until” – Cassandra Wilson

“UMI Says” – Mos Def

“The Very Thought of You” – Billie Holiday

“Flamenco Sketches” – Miles Davis

“Woo” – Erykah Badu

“DRUNK T.V”  is the only show where someone’s true character can be seen. When someone has had a bit too much to drink their inhibitions are let go and that can lead to some truly interesting interviews and fun, which is what “DRUNK T.V” is all about. Of course they’ll be contests and singing competitions but what will truly come through is an honesty not seen on other television shows.  When you had too much of the bull turn to “DRUNK T.V.“ for the simple truth and fun you won’t see anywhere else.

FURTHER NOTE- We will have our own Presidential Debates.

Valerie Bertinelli is still hot while cooking on her new Food Network show how could she not be.  I mean spending hours behind the hot lights and steaming vegetables can make a person melt like butter.   Will have to see if what she cooks up looks as good as she still does.

[youtube_sc url=”https://youtu.be/gzWd71frxhY”]

The trailer isn’t grabbing me but the reviews on “Rotten Tomatoes” might pull me in. Will you see it?

I’m 75/25 sure that I’m willing to step my foot back into the film-making business within the next 2 years but not sure which project to work on. Each one of my c. 17 or so scripts has the own positives and negatives that I’m debating with that if I do proceed I think it’s time for a Film Campaign.  A Film Campaign will allow the participants to not only decide which script is worthy but be involved in the process along the way even to the point of Inauguration day/Film Premiere.  When a political campaign ends so do the promises but with a film campaign when it’s over you end with a piece of art that can stay in your heart and soul for a lifetime.   WHERE DO YOU STAND?