Frozen

I finally made the time to watch Frozen on Bluray. My animated collection is quite large, but there are many Disney films that have been added in recent years. I am planning to have my own animated festival some time next year.

I didn't have any real expectations for Frozen. I just new it was popular and I usually use my Disney rewards to buy movies for my younger cousins, but they are getting older now and I love film so much that my collection continues to grow. I have slacked back on purchases since I am watching my pennies closely. Every now and then I might treat myself.

Frozen is based on the Hans Christian Anderson fairy tale, The Snow Queen. I believe a live action version was made of the story as well. As much as I don't care for remakes, I am more likely to accept a remake in animated form.

Although Disney films are never dark, it does come close with this one. Of course with the musical numbers and vivid colors, you don't notice as much how heavy the film is.

It's about being different. It's about learning to love and having self control. We are all capable of learning, but we have to do it at our own pace.

Animation has come a long way as most are now done using computer programs. It's still a time consuming process, but it is so much more realistic. I love all of the characters in this film, even the villains.

It's a great film to see even if you don't have any little ones to share the experience with.

Thanks for stopping by; do come again and keep an open mind.

Horror Movie Month

October is the time that's set aside for horror films. I try to watch films I've not seen in a while.

So far I've watched Scream, Scream 2, Scream 3 which stars Neve Campbell, David Arquette and Courtney Cox.
Terror Train, stars Jamie Lee Curtis and Ben Johnson, The film introduced us to D.D. Winters who would become Vanity.
 Hell Night, stars Linda Blair and Peter Barton and Vincent Van Patten,
Scream Blacula Scream,which stars Pam Grier, William Marshall, Lynn Moody and Beyonce's new step dad Richard Lawson.
John Carpenter's The Thing stars Kurt Russell and Keith David.
Hollow Man stars Kevin Bacon, Josh Brolin and Elizabeth Shue.
The Jacket stars Adrien Brody, Jennifer Jason Leigh and Kriskertofferson.

They are all interesting films in their own way.

Thanks for stopping by for this brief post. More to come once I watch all 31 films I have set aside.

The Cement Garden

There are many films that I don’t watch often. It has a lot to do with my mood and the subject matter. I usually watch foreign films on Sundays, when I don’t have anything else to do. That way I can focus on reading the subtitles.

There are other films like The Cement Garden, it’s a foreign film that is in English. I like being surprised as the story unfolds. I remembered the synopsis and it was still just as entertaining, but there was something else that I realized.

Madonna has a song called, (What It Feels Like For A Girl) I never paid attention that the opening stanza of the song was from the film The Cement Garden which of course Madonna gives credit to. All artists are inspired by certain things. It can be a movie, a painting, a person…

The film is based upon the book The Comfort of Strangers by Ian McEwan. It was written and directed by Andrew Birkin. The film stars Andrew Robertson, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Alice Coulthard, Ned Birkin, Sinead Cusack and Hannz Zischler.
The film surrounds a family in a moral wasteland when the father suddenly dies and then the mother takes ill and dies, the children have to grow up, but its not that easy for Jack who turns 16 before his mother’s death.

I don’t like giving away key elements of a film, but it has to do with a boy becoming a man and the awkward time in his life as his sexual desires are poured out onto his sister who takes on the role of mother.

This is one of those films that is truly a work of art. Great visuals and a must see for film lovers.

Thanks for stopping by; do keep an open mind and come back again.

Pam Grier Month

May is set aside to watch Pam Grier movies, as the actress has a birthday toward the end of the month. I started this many years ago as there were enough films in my collection to watch one every day. This year I've been very busy with work and other things that I've not made the time to watch a movie every night. Thursday I watch Coffy which remains one of my all time favorite Pam Grier films. Despite the 70's pimp fashions, everything else still holds up. Same issues, but we don't have women running around as vigilantes.

Last night I decided to watch Jackie Brown. The film was written and directed by Quentin Tarantino who wrote the script because he was also fascinated by Pam Grier. I don't know when he first saw Pam Grier in a film, but I was 12.

Jackie Brown is a long film so I don't watch it every year like most of the other films. I wasn't all that crazy about it the first time I saw it. Perhaps it was the big deal that Mr. Tarantino was resurrecting Miss Grier's career, but as far as I was concerned she had never really stopped working. She was doing guest appearances and had a show on cable. Besides, I had my movie collection, every article and pictures I could find. Luckily having access to industry memorabilia I didn't have to spend a lot of money.

There was something different about watching the film last night. I enjoyed it more. It had been about 10 years since I had watched it so that may have had something to do with it. I've always liked the way Tarantino wrote. His dialogue is so real. Some people do talk fast and over each other and then there are those who are just quiet. We see all of these things in Jackie Brown.

Of course in every film there are some things that don't mesh together. In Coffy we never know the characters first name. And her last name is Coffin and so she is nick named Coffy.

In Jackie Brown her hair in one scene is one way and when the camera angle changes so does the hair. It's still a fun film, but not as much blood as we've come to expect from Tarantino.
The music from the film pays homage to some of Pam Grier's older films.
A lot of the music is a part of the soundtrack to my life. The Delfonics and The Brothers Johnson.

If I get a chance I'll try to watch another of Miss Grier's films that are in the collection.

Birdman (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)

( A computer generated image I did earlier this year to test out the program)

The film BIrdman stars Michael Keaton, Zach Galifinakis, Edward Norton, Naomi Watts, Emma Stone, Amy Ryan and Andrea Risburrough.

The first time I watched the film I didn't give it my undivided attention, so there were some things that I missed.

The film is about the theatre world. An actor returns to the stage after doing a super hero film that seemed to have made him a bigger star. He wants to leave that character behind and resurrect his film career. We delve into his psyche as a character from a film franchise tries to take over.

There are many great lines in the film, one of my favorite lines from the film, " Popular is the slutty little cousin of prestige."

The soundtrack to this film is quite unique as is the cinematography. It's presented like a stage play. There is the sound of drumming off and on which turns out to be a street performer. It was a bit annoying at times. The film takes us behind the scenes of the people in the theatre world. Costume fittings, dressing rooms, roof tops and their personal lives. The intermingling and of the people who foster or breakdown their egos.

When the lines between reality and imagination combine, you have birdman. Actors who play characters with mental issues are usually always contenders for an Oscar nomination.

The film is written, directed and produced by Alejandro G. Insrritu. Emmanuel Lubezki was the director of photography, which was very creative.

Thanks for stopping by; keep an open  mind and do come back again.

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My take on the Oscars 2016

(Edith Head was one of the top Hollywood costume designers. I just wanted to have a picture from film here. The sketch was for Sweet Charity.)

The 88 Academy Awards took place last night- Let’s start from the beginning… So, your husband didn’t get an Oscar nomination and you make a split decision to cause some friction. It’s time to boycott.
Of course the point could be valid, but you have to look at all of the films being made. Just because a film makes a lot of money at the box office doesn’t mean its good enough to be nominated.

If you know me, you know movies have always been a big part of my life. There are a lot of great movies that never see the light of day. Having been a part of several film festivals I’ve gotten to see some of them. Now with the Internet films pop up from time to time that didn’t get theatrical releases. It's a good thing and I aplaude the film makers no matter what it is, especially when its done right.

I used to dream of winning an Oscar. Although that dream hasn’t faded, I probably won’t win it for acting.

As I had written in another entry, I didn’t feel it was right to boycott the Oscars. There was a black man hosting and a black man was producing the show. I’m sure there are many black people that feel the way I do, but it’s not easy going against the grain. People have to learn to think for themselves.

No one who is getting paid would walk away from a paying gig. It’s always the people who aren’t capable of doing what is required that want to tell you to step back.
Kerry Washington spoke so eloquently, making a statement as why she chose to attend the Oscars. Some people make a bigger statement then they come to the table. The important thing to understand about the Oscars is that it’s political. There is campaigning involved and if you’re not willing to do the work… It’s a process.

I couldn’t believe Charlotte Rampling had never been nominated for an Oscar. I saw a few black faces, including Common who won for the song Glory from the film Selma. I’m still trying to catch up on the films from last year. Hollywood is a world of make believe and though some progress has been made, like everything else it takes time.

Lou Gossett, Jr. who I’ve always admired, also spoke well on the red carpet. Kevin Hart came to support Chris Rock and he was a presenter wearing a Dolce and Gabbana tux. Quincy Jones was in attendance, John Legend and his wife.

I made a note on Facebook that Straight Outta Compton was the only film I had seen, but I had also seen Ex Machina which I really enjoyed. So SOC was the only film I saw in the theater last year.

My Top best dressed - Lady Gaga, Brie Larson, Charlize Theron. AliciaVakander, Jennifer Garner, Sophia Vagara and I’m not sure who designed Kerry Washington’s dress, but it reminded me of the alien from the film The 5th Element.

In case you didn’t watch the Oscars and haven’t had a chance to search the Internet, The Oscar went too Spotlight for best screenplay. The Big Short won for best adaptation.
Whenever I see Sam Smith I think of Boy George. He had an interesting acceptance speech.
I had hoped that Jennifer Jason Leigh would get best supporting actress, it went to Alicia Vikander, it was her first nomination for The Danish Girl.

Best costume, hair and makeup, film editing- Margaret Sixel, sound editing and sound mixing went to Mad Max Fury Road which I must add to my collection. I didn’t see the film because I thought it was a remake.
Cinematography went to The Revenant Emmanuel Lubrezki.
Visual Effects went to Ex Machina

The Oscars were very long, but I miss those days when there were these great musical numbers and someone hosted that made you laugh constantly. The Weekend performed ‘Worth It‘ from the film 50 Shades of Grey which was nominated for best song. Lady Gaga performed a powerful song from the film Spotlight. Sam Smith was quite entertaining with his song from the James Bond film, Spectre. I think Sam may be the first male to ever sing a bond song. I’ll have to look it up.

Chris Rock’s opening was not what I expected, but he spoke the truth. For a lot of people it was, do I laugh or what? There were jabs at Will Smith and at Jada, after all she started it all.

Animated short went to Bear, the story was by Gabriel Osorio and Pato Escala. Inside and Out won best Animated feature, Pete Docter and James Rivera. It’s a film I’ll have to see.
I loved the line in his acceptance speech where he said, “Make stuff, draw, write, it’ll make a difference.”

The Oscar for supporting actor went to Mark Rylance in Bridge of Spies. Documentary short winner A Girl in the River- The Price of Forgiveness (Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy)
Documentary feature went to Amy ( About the late singer Amy Winehouse) I want to see the film Whatever happened to Nina Simone.

I’m surprised Spike Lee would join the boycott since he won an honoree Oscar as did Debbie Reynolds and Gena Rowlands.

The memoriam allows me to see who passed away. Some people we don’t see and we think they have already passed away. I didn’t know Wes Craven had passed away. Christopher Lee, Jerry Weintraub, Jerry L. White, Robert Loggia, Maureen O’Hara, Omar Sharif, Dean Jones, Alan Rickman, Cinematographer - Haskell Wexler, Alex Rocco, Holly Woodland, David Bowie and Leonard Nimoy. I’ll have to watch Lawrence of Arabia, Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence and Madly, Truly, Deeply to honor Omar Sharif, David Bowie and Alan Rickman and some horror film that Wes Craven has done.

Live action short went to Stutter, Foreign language film from Hungary, went to Laszlo Nemes for Son of Saul. Pharrel Williams and Quincy Jones were presenters for original score which went to Ennio Marricone for The Hateful 8.

Common and John Legend who won Oscars for their song Glory from the film Selma were presenters for original song Writings on the Wall which went to Jimmy Napes and Sam Smith from the film Spectre.

The award for best director went to Alejandro G. Inarritu for The Revenant.
The best Actress award went to Brie Larson for the film Room.
The best Actor award went to Leonardo DiCaprio for The Revenant.
I am really happy that he won the award. It’s long over due. He also had a great speech.
The best picture award went to the film Spotlight.

There are a few films I’ll hope to add to my collection.

Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind and do come back again.


The rating system - (d) it’s okay, if you like the stars (D) worth a look, especially if you are a fan of the stars (DD) Great cinematography and costumes (DDD) good script, cinematography, (DDDD) Not to be missed (DDDDD) I highly recommend this film


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The first time, Cleopatra

I don't know why I have never seen Cleopatra before. Perhaps it's because it never came on before.

I do know there are many films I didn't have an interest in watching. I now wish to add it to my collection for several reasons.

One, is because of the cast. I had no idea that Roddy McDowell and Martin Landau were in the film.

There was a lot of controversy surrounding the film. It was very risque for the time. There is lots of sexual innuendo. Because I don't have cable I'm watching it with commercial interruption. I'll have to see if there is a restored version on DVD or Blu ray.

It would be great if I could find a copy with extras. I would like to also have a wide screen version. It's one of those epic films. Every now and then I find some of those old movies I used to watch with my grandmother. There are movies I'm still being introduced to. I try to only add movies to my collection that I will want to watch over and over. Some for their artistic value and other's for inspiration.
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It's black history month

(This painting was from an exhibit at the Blanton Museum in Austin, Texas, on Caribbean artists.)

I really don't feel we need to have a month to celebrate black history. Everyday there is a black person making history in some form. They may not realize the impact they are making at the time, but they'll see it in time.

Here are a list of 29 films I will be watching this month. Of course there are many black films that I have in my collection, but I watch them at other times during the year so that is the reason they are not a part of this list.

Create your own list and watch the films that are relevant to you.

I was trying to put the films in order to tell a story, but what I watch will be based on my mood. Some of the films are not easy to watch so I have to be in the right frame of mind.

Amistad, Lincoln, Glory, Miss Jane Pittman, The Color Purple, The Long Walk Home, Selma, The Soul of the Game, Josephine Baker, Lady Sings the Blues, Introducing Dorothy Dandridge, Malcolm X, The Great Debators, Rosewood, Ray, Mahogany, Men of Honor, Remember the Titans, Island in the Sun, The Defiant Ones, Something The Lord Has Made, The Mack, Brother to Brother, Boomerang, Dead Presidents, Get on the Bus, School Daze, and Ali.

Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind and check out my other blogs.

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Oscar Boycott

I don't know if boycotting is always the answer. I know there have been incidents in history where it has made a difference.

My issue with certain boycotts is that it affects someone who is trying to make a living. I remember when there was a boycott against She'll Oil in the 80's. There were young black people working there. Not purchasing gas would have possibly put their jobs in jeopardy. I will probably watch the Oscars since Chris Rock will be hosting. The programs that I watch depend who is on the show. There will be a lot more controversy about the Oscars. It'll be interesting to see who shows up and uses the platform to make a statement. I'm sure Chris Rock will have a good time with it all. He could be the only one. Not all blacks get to have that experience. I only saw one film in the movie theater and that was Straight Outta Compton. It was a very good film, but I can't say if it deserves an Oscar nomination. Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind and come back again. Follow me on Twitter or Facebook Dlonzo Oznold.