Celebrities on my "A" List

Liam Neeson. Heartbreak and Hard Work

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Kueffler) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 14:10:00 +0000

Liam Neeson

Liam Neeson lost his wife, Natasha Richardson, to a skiing accident in 2004. He has tried to move on, but still feels the loss, and it often hits him in the middle of the night, like a blow to the gut.

Neeson has had one of the most incredible careers that any actor could wish for, and a lot of his best work has been in big films. Of course that is just my opinion. I also enjoyed his roles in lesser films, like 2009's Chloe, which featured numerous sex scenes with a young Amanda Seyfried, all of which turned out to be in the imagination of Julianne Moore, who played his wife. I guess that is a spoiler, but the film is three years old.

Neeson starred in Schindler's List (1993), which really put him in the public eye with a best actor Oscar nomination. But look at his other starring roles: Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999); Batman Begins (2005); Taken (2008). He played Robert Roy MacGregor in Rob Roy (1995), and Michael Collins in Michael Collins (1996). I have really enjoyed all of his film performances. He has thrown himself into his work since his wife's death, while also raising their two sons. He has several movies to be released in 2012 including The Gray, Wrath of the Titans, and Battleship. He is also filming a Batman sequel, The Dark Knight Rises, as well as a sequel to 2008's Taken, for now simply known as Taken II.

Heidi Klum Halloween Costume 2011. A Winner Again.

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Kueffler) — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 15:03:00 +0000

One of the most "fashion forward" creative people in the World, Heidi Klum again takes the honors for her Halloween costume at the Tao Las Vegas party October 31, 2011.

Emma Stone now on my "A" list

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Kueffler) — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 17:14:00 +0000

Emma Stone

This wonderful actress has had a huge impact on movie audiences in just the past two years. Her appearance in Easy A (2010) was a spectacular hit, and I also enjoy watching her in Paper Man (2009). She appeared in Superbad (2007) but I don't remember her role. Now she is in The Help (2011) and Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011). Watch for her in The Amazing Spider-Man (2012) and Movie 43 (2012). She also stars in The Gangster Squad (2013).

Best photo of Emma Stone - EVER!

Like many other major stars, Emma has joined the Animation World and will voice the role of "Eep" in the animated comedy The Croods (2013), which also stars Nicolas Cage, Ryan Reynolds and Catherine Keener.

In the future she will be one of those stars who draws an audience to a second rate film just because she is in it.

I think she deserves all the accolades and attention she receives. She really has "Star Power."

Christopher Walken. More COWBELL!

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Kueffler) — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 16:57:00 +0000

Never considered to be a "pretty boy," his distinctive face makes him instantly recognizable to all film fans. Even people who are not movie buffs and people who do not immediately know his name, RECOGNIZE him. "Oh, yeah, THAT guy." Born March 31st, 1943. Happy Birthday.

It is, I think, difficult to separate the importance of a man or woman's physical appearance from their successes in the film and television industries, but Christopher Walken is SO distinctive in appearance and VOICE, that he is destined to be a Lifetime Achievement Award winner at some point in his life.

He is, by the way, EXTREMELY talented as well. On stage he has performed in many Shakespearean plays. I can't say if he is "typecast" or not, but for the most part he plays villains, somewhat...creepy villains. Who knows where he may next appear? Look where he has already been:

Saturday Night Live Host (seven times so far) with his own "Best of Christopher Walken" SNL dvd

Movies: Annie Hall, The Deer Hunter (Oscar for Best Supporting Actor), Catch Me If You Can, The Prophesy, The Dead Zone, The Dogs of War, A View to a Kill, King of New York, The Wedding Crashers, Pulp Fiction and many, many more. I counted 98 films in the internet database.

And how amazing is it that Christopher Walken is known as the guy who can yell, "More Cowbell!" and instantly get a laugh, no matter where he says it. He is such fun to watch.

Warren Buffet Still a Voice to be Heard

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Kueffler) — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 20:35:00 +0000

Warren Buffett

One of the problems men (and women) encounter as they age is the perception that nobody cares what they have to say any more.

Warren Buffet doesn't have that problem. As one of the richest men in the World, his opinion about things financial and economic is closely listened to, and will be until his last breath, when he will probably utter some profound saying that will go into the history books.

Not only has he been a success, he is also intelligent and witty. The Warren Buffet Facebook page contains several observations that we could all learn from.

One example: "If you have been playing poker for half an hour and you still don't know who the patsy is, you're the patsy...." Here is another example that I like: "Price is what you pay. Value is what you get...."

Now 80-years-old (born in 1930), he is worth billions of dollars and plans to give most of it away, a substantial portion of that philanthropy will go to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, as being the best vehicle for distribution of large sums of wealth to the most worthy causes and having the greatest benefit.

Angie Harmon and Me

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Kueffler) — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 11:00:00 +0000

Angela Michelle Harmon was born Aug 10, 1972. She doesn't look anywhere near that age, do you think?

Angie showed up in my dreams the other morning, just before the alarm went off. Here was the scene:

My step-son and I were sitting in a coffee shop and we noticed Angie Harmon sitting at a nearby table. We made eye contact and both smiled. (My God, but she is gorgeous.) In a few minutes she rose to leave, but walked over to my table, said, "There is a new bar, near my house, called "Chocolate Rob's. That's where I hang out. Chocolate Robs. Walking distance from my house," she said, and, with her hand, (left) she gave my hair a little tousle. Then she walked away.

"MY GOD," said my step-son, "she is SO coming on to you! She practically invited you to Colorado!"

Then (remember this is a DREAM), I said, "I wonder if she wants to go all the way to Texas?"

I know that does not make a bit of sense, but it made my day. What a great dream. She is just a stunningly beautiful woman. Greek, Irish, Scottish, and Cherokee. What a dark, sultry combination.

Angie's TV series roles
Law and Order (1998-2001)
Women's Murder Club (2007)
Rizzoli and Isles (DVD available of the Complete First Season 2010)

William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy. Forever Connected

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Kueffler) — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 16:55:00 +0000

William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy turn 80 years old (in real life) during March 2011. These two are forever connected in my mind, from the Original series of Star Trek, which ran from 1966 to 1969. It was more popular in syndication than it was when originally aired. There have been five "spinoff" television series from the original Star Trek. I think that is a record. There have also been eleven "Star Trek" movies. These two guys are legends. They are imprinted in television history forever.

Here then, is a Link to the The Star Trek Store on Amazon

And William Shatner just won't retire! He is just as spunky as an 80-year-old as I remember him from the early days.

Ryan Seacrest and Simon Cowell

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Kueffler) — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 06:45:00 +0000

Ryan Seacrest and Simon Cowell have become household names over the past few years, primarily due to their success on American Idol. Their friendly bantering became something of a side story on every show.

Both of them are extremely personable on the air, and they have been rewarded handsomely. Both are worth millions of dollars now. Seacrest continues to dominate the E Network, hosting and producing shows. He seems to be everywhere, perhaps burning the candle at both ends while his popularity is at an all time high. Cowell, meanwhile, has begun his latest entertainment venture, the X Factor, which also features amateur entertainers looking for their big break.

Older Masters of Their Craft

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Kueffler) — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 16:39:00 +0000

Barbara Walters and Morgan Freeman

One can't deny that Barbara Walters has done it all. She has been a fixture on American television for so many years that anyone under thirty can't recall a time when she wasn't on the television. She hosted the Today Show and 20/20 (for 25 years), and anchored the ABC Evening News. Even at her current age, (born in 1929) she continues to host a successful daytime program, The View.

Morgan Freeman was perhaps the first Black American film star to portray the "gentleman" actor, or show the wise, fatherly nature of a mature, calm man. His many roles have endeared us to his characters as well as his own persona. I loved him in Driving Miss Daisy and The Shawshank Redemption. Additionally, his voice narrations have added authority and credibility to many a documentary effort. He has portrayed God (Bruce Almighty and Evan Almighty), and Nelson Mandela (Invictus). Hard to top that.

Two Good Guys That I Appreciate

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Kueffler) — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 16:11:00 +0000

Many years ago I met Dustin Hoffman in a breakfast buffet line at the Biltmore Hotel in Monticito, California. We discussed the relative merits of eating the frog legs for breakfast. I did. He didn't. He is a nice, regular guy. The kind of guy I could hang out with. Ha Ha. That's funny, you know.

Dustin Hoffman and Harrison Ford

Harrison Ford is a superstar who just doesn't put a lot of stock in all the celebrity buzz. He flies his own airplane and has used it for charitable purposes and emergency rescue. I always think of him as playing the "good guy" in all his films, but that has not always been the case. He can do a good villain too.

Social Consciousness from Two Generations

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Kueffler) — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 22:32:00 +0000

Angelina Jolie, a UN traveler

Hayden Panettiere, a youthful leader

Two Styles-Two Watchable Women-Taylor Swift and Pink

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Kueffler) — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 18:11:00 +0000

Alecia Beth Moore (PINK!)

Taylor Swift from Speak Now

Although their musical stylings are completely different, both of these stars are very watchable. Both of them have tremendous opportunities awaiting them in the future. Neither are boring. They are beautiful.

Talented Female Singers with Intelligence and Class

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Kueffler) — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 17:29:00 +0000

Alicia Keys and Beyonce Knowes have kept themselves at the top of the charts and in the public eye with their intelligence as well as their talent.