The Whole Wide World

Is It The End of the World?

noreply@blogger.com (DMC) — Thu, 19 Apr 2018 17:51:00 +0000

What have we done to deserve Trump? Is there a more immoral,insensitive, despicable human being? What is wrong with the collective public that keeps him in office? How can any human being support him- I mean what are his redeemable characteristics. Can't all sentient humans see that he is totally unfit to run a business, much less the country. Please Mr. Mueller, hurry up and present your findings.

LIST

noreply@blogger.com (DMC) — Sun, 26 Jun 2016 15:33:00 +0000

I am "literally" going to list the new series (completely) on cable TV that I've discovered this year: 1)Preacher 2)Animal Kingdom 3)Feed The Beast 4)Outcast Not all are great - But I'm giving them all a chance.

What's The Opposite of "Golden Age"? - The Current State of Cinema

noreply@blogger.com (DMC) — Sat, 24 Oct 2015 18:02:00 +0000

I've re-visited my blog on several occasions over the course of a few weeks; just to see if it still existed and to post something/anything for the current year. I didn't want to have an eighteen month interval between posts as I had between early 2013 and late 2014 - realizing this only matters to me - the "whole wide world" isn't that interested in this blog. Having said that, after playing around with layout, adding a few gadgets, and sticking in pictures instead of words, I took a look at my subtitle - it dawned on me that I haven't said much about movies - a subject that was once very near and dear to my heart. I had replaced that with lots of musing on television programs. You see, television (imo), has entered into a Golden Age, but film has not. Boy, have they demonstrated a dearth of creativity in films these days. I realize they call it a business and are primarily interested in "the bottom line", but does everything have to be about a superhero/comic book series, or taken from books aimed at young adults? The answer is (and thank goodness, there are always exceptions to the rule) YES, because they are aimed at the almighty 18-49 demographic. I've taken my time but I'm ready to name the few movies I've actually gone to see in the theatre this year. I hate to type, so it won't be in this entry, but I'll tell you about the movies I've watched on DVD, at home, another time. I went with a friend to see a movie at a place called the Cinema Cafe, in about February of this year. They show movies that have been out for a while, so we went to see "Divergent". We had read the book and were interested in seeing if the book lived up to the promise. It didn't. Next, I saw "Kingsman - The Secret Service", just because I love Samuel L. Jackson. That film was actually quite entertaining. O.K. - summer comes, so I've got to see some of the blockbusters, right? I went with a group to see "Jurassic World" - again, for purposes of pure entertainment, it was great. Then I saw, "Straight Outta Compton", a movie I had so much built up anticipation for, it was bound to disappoint. It wasn't horrible, just not what I expected. Saw the "Fantastic Four" remake that had stirred up so much controversy. The group I saw it with, (myself included) thought it was just fine. Fast forward to the Fall - the last two movies I saw were dramatically different, in both quality and intended audience. The first "Black Mass" was surprisingly good; the second, "Maze Runner - The Scorch Trials", just so-so. So, I've spoken about some movies and may do a few other posts on good ones I've seen at home. ALSO - I need some entries on music.....definitely another time.

noreply@blogger.com (DMC) — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 06:12:00 +0000

2015/01/10

noreply@blogger.com (DMC) — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 04:13:00 +0000

New Photos For Blog

50 Ways to Use Coconut Oil

noreply@blogger.com (DMC) — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 15:40:00 +0000

50 Ways to Use Coconut Oil

WOW - Time to Play Catch Up

noreply@blogger.com (DMC) — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 15:06:00 +0000

I knew it had been a while since I last posted - who knew it was almost 18 months. I can partially blame this on the fact that I was without internet access for quite some time ( at least in my own home). It was also disheartening to discover no one commented on my blogs - I guess we all think we are the next "Arianna Huffington." But no matter - I decided it was time to play catch up, and better late than never. So much has happened since I last informed the world that I had "discovered" Homeland. Some of my favorite performers have passed away (Dennis Farina, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, and Robin Williams, to name a few.) On a more personal note, I lost my baby sister, unexpectedly and much too soon. Her daughter, my niece, will be graduating from college in December of this year - her Mom would have been so proud. Right around the time of my last post I lost a part-time job which I hated (the job, not losing it) and decided to stop working for good. Although we should never say never, I'm going to try to make it on my retirement earnings; I feel I've earned the rest. Television and films continue to disappoint - there are only a few worthy of note like Sons of Anarchy, Broadchurch, and most recently, The Knick.
But one of my favorite musicians, Daryl Hall, was finally inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame! Rock on Daryl!

HOMELAND

noreply@blogger.com (DMC) — Sat, 02 Feb 2013 17:15:00 +0000

Thought it was time for a few words on my new favorite show. I no longer subscribe to any cable service, and even when I did, I didn't have Showtime. I was o.k. with this; there was a period when this service had little I wanted to see.Then I saw in the media that a new original series, Homeland, was going to premiere. I thought I would like it; it concerned the war on terror and starred two of my favorite actors, Mandy Patinkin and Damian Lewis.
What I did when it became available, was purchase the DVD set of Season One. And like all great books, films, and series, it grabbed and held my attention immediately. There is excitement, pathos, romance, intrigue and many other adjectives throughout all twelve episodes. I'm sure you know about the Awards the show has won - and each one is well deserved. The performances of Claire Danes and Damian Lewis, in particular, are nothing less than amazing.

If you haven't seen this program, do so; it is well worth it. I've been watching Season 1 over and over - and cannot wait for the release on DVD of Season 2.

WE DID IT!!!

noreply@blogger.com (DMC) — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 22:39:00 +0000

U know what I mean........

OBAMA FOR AMERICA

noreply@blogger.com (DMC) — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 16:19:00 +0000

Well folks, in less than 30 days, we will be faced with making a decision that will affect most of us for the next four years. The November General Election in which the incumbent Barack Obama, or his opponent, Mitch Romney will be chosen to lead this nation for the next four years,will be held on November 6. If you've not already done so, please register by October 15. You can do this online @ www.sbe.yourstate.gov. And be aware, your documents, including your voter registration card, will be scrutinized with much zeal and enthusiasm. There are so many Americans who do not wish to see Barack Obama as President for another day, much less another four years. Their feelings, unfortunately, have very little to do with the man's remarkable abilities, or his policies - but simply because of the melanin content of his skin. I, for one, am afraid (very afraid) of who will be running this country after the election - but hope springs eternal.

.....a man should be judged, not by the color of his skin, but the content of his character...

To Kill a Mockingbird (Redux)

noreply@blogger.com (DMC) — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 16:15:00 +0000

My sister and I were talking on Saturday about the sad state of the movie industry. For people like us (the "boomer" generation) - Hollywood seems to only turn out trash. They've remade great films that should never have been released (remember "Sabrina" anyone) and can't seem to come up with any new ideas at all. Then we began discussing "To Kill a Mockingbird", a great movie, that she had both seen recently and, read the book. We said - this is a story that could use a fresh retelling. We realized, however, there is a dearth of talent among the current group of actors these days. We tried to recast the movie, from the professionals we deemed most worthy. We thought Daniel Day-Lewis might make a good Atticus Finch and maybe Edward Norton or Ralph Fiennes could become Boo Radley. The sad thing is, we could not think of anyone worthy of the other roles. If you happen to read this - and have some suggestions, feel free to add them to "Comments".

"...it is okay to shoot a bluebird, but it is a sin to kill a mockingbird...

J2 - "Face your demons" (continued)

noreply@blogger.com (DMC) — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 21:12:00 +0000

Didn't think it was fair to show Jared Padelecki and his bride, without showing Jensen Ackles with his.

NOTE: Will be adding an article about Misha Collins (who plays the angel "Castiel" on the series) after I've read, and learn more about him.

"face your demons........"

noreply@blogger.com (DMC) — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 17:14:00 +0000

Yes - When I'm home during the week and I turn on the tube @ approximately 10 am - I see the last few seconds of Charmed - then hear what have become words that are music to my ears - "Face your Demons, SUPERNATURAL starts now.

I'm talking about the recurring cycle of repeats of Seasons 1 - 6, shown on TNT; not the new Season 7, which at this point is a little confusing to me. I've been aware of this show since it began in 2005 (I believe). I thought I might watch it - but after a few viewings, decided it wasn't for me. My feelings at the time can be attributed to a few things: 1) I had seen Jared Padalecki (see picture) in The Gilmore Girls and he was entrenched in my brain as Dean, the boyfriend of Alexis Bledel. 2) The actor playing his brother on Supernatural (Jensen Ackles) seemed like a major-league "smarty-pants" with looks that were too good to be true. 3) The entire premise of the series ( two brothers searching for and killing demons in the world ) seemed contrived and far-fetched. So how did I become a fan? Well, fast-forward to mid-2011; the show is still in syndication on TNT and is shown at the same time. I have to admit that on occasion, when home from work and channel surfing during the morning due to problems with insomnia, I would stop and watch a bit of an episode of SPN - and sometimes I found myself intrigued.
The the unfortunate occurred - I was laid off from work, and had more time on my hands than ever before. Sure, a good portion of my day was devoted to the job-search, but I found myself tuning in, more and more often to Supernatural. It took a while to follow the stories chronologically, but thanks to the continual looping of seasons by TNT - I finally got things straight. To my great surprise, I started to find the stories credible, exciting, and immensely entertaining. Like "The X-Files", a show I loved and which shares some of its writers with SPN - the show has a "mythology" element, but doesn't take itself too seriously. It will, from time to time, have "tongue-in-cheek" episodes, just as they did in the X-Files, and like the earlier show, they are usually very amusing. As to the leading actors on Supernatural - a) Jared has grown, both physically, and in honing his craft, and I all but forget about his days on The Gilmore Girls as I watch him, and b) Jensen is actually the more "down-to-earth of the two stars and often has me laughing at his actions or dialogue. And after all, he can't help it if he's gorgeous.

Well, I've said enough, except that if you've never seen Supernatural - you owe it to yourself to at least begin watching it's Seventh season - shown on the CW, Fridays, at 9pm EST. Hopefully it will capture your imagination, as it's done mine and you'll be compelled to learn the whole story by watching the re-runs.

New Faces on the Boardwalk

noreply@blogger.com (DMC) — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 20:18:00 +0000

The face to your left is not actually new - it is Michael Kenneth Williams (one of an astounding 4 actors named Michael in the series), who reprises his role of "Chalky White" on Boardwalk Empire this season. I start with him for two reasons - a) he is more prominently featured this season, if the first three episodes are any indication, and b) as always, Mr. Williams delivers an electrifying performance. Only HBO, imo, would introduce and provide substantial screen time to a person of color - so, Bravo again.

Another actor, worthy of recognition, and apparently one we'll be seeing more of, is Jack Huston, portraying the disfigured WW I vet, Richard Harrow. Mr. Huston is part of the Huston acting dynasty, which includes his great-grandfather, Walter Huston, grandfather, John Huston, uncle, Danny Huston, and aunt, Anjelica Huston. From the moment he was introduced last year, his character left an indelible mark on the collective conscience of viewers. Here's hoping his character continues to develop - I suspect he will. I'm also hoping the actor playing Owen Sleater will receive ample air time. I am mightily impressed with his story arc, so far. All in all, it looks like another great year for Boardwalk Empire.

Summer Entertainment

noreply@blogger.com (DMC) — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 15:54:00 +0000

Just a few thoughts on the summer that will end on 9/21; or rather on the entertainment provided by the media. I haven't gone to see a movie outside of my home in forever - and there was nothing released from May-August 2011 to entice me toward reversing that trend.

And television continues in it's downward spiral. I was disappointed in shows that were once favorites ( e.g. - Leverage and Burn Notice),unimpressed by new shows (e.g - Franklin and Bash and Suits), and was reduced to pinning all my hopes on True Blood and Breaking Bad. Now that True Blood has ended I can say Season 4 was not that great - although a few of the episodes were entertaining.

I'm liking recent developments on Breaking Bad - will reserve final judgement for the end of the season.

.

A Picture...........

noreply@blogger.com (DMC) — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 14:34:00 +0000

is worth a thousand words.

A Few Thoughts - S4*Ep5

noreply@blogger.com (DMC) — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 20:10:00 +0000

I know when I've enjoyed an episode - I watch it again immediately (ain't the DVR grand ) - It was nice to see Sookie succumb to Eric's charms - although, I prefer him with his memories intact. It's a shame she can't appreciate him the way he really is. I, considered this a better episode than last week's - there was very little that was annoying, and a lot that was revealing and enjoyable. But the scenes from next week have me worried - I hope Bill is being totally objective in his treatment of Eric. And the witch storyline is becoming interesting, finally.

Other interesting pieces: the "exorcism" scene - Mrs. Reverend Lettie Mae was a hoot, and that song was just terrible enough to be hilarious. I like that the Mickens brothers found a reason to bond at last - and isn't it good to know that gators love marshmallows. And a love triangle with "doom" written all over it - Jason, Hoyt, and Jessica. For one thing, Jason may very well turn into a werecat, and vampires don't really get along with shifters of any sort.

But Season 4 is certainly looking better than the first few episodes may have lead you to believe.

True Blood - Season 4

noreply@blogger.com (DMC) — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 16:50:00 +0000

The new season promises to be lots of fun - and for those of us who love "the Viking", i.e. Eric Northman, we will be rewarded with insights into his past - which will impact his present behavior.

T.I. - No Mercy

noreply@blogger.com (DMC) — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 22:52:00 +0000

I've been neglecting my music lately - what with suffering "True Blood Withdrawal"; keeping up with the shenanigans in Westeros (i.e.,watching Game of Thrones); and trying to pretend I cared, "Who Killed Rosie Larsen". I'll be writing more later, but right now I want to give props to T.I. -( is he still in prison?) and the No Mercy CD.

I want to spotlight the track - That's All She Wrote - featuring Eminem. I love Em's rhymes and his contributions to this cut spotlight those skills; e.g., "...... if you was bleach and I was hair, I wouldn't dye for ya....." . Get it - yeah, it's sick.

Thats all she wrote.

A Picture...........

noreply@blogger.com (DMC) — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 22:41:00 +0000

is worth a thousand words.

Why Sookie Should Choose "The Viking".

noreply@blogger.com (DMC) — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 20:30:00 +0000

We learned in Season 3 of True Blood that, while Eric Northman was somewhat of a brat while human, his entire family didn't deserve to be wiped out by King Russell. Further, it was disclosed that Eric's father was a Viking king, and that Eric was heir to the throne. Alas - it was not meant to be; fortunately for us,however, because in his quest for revenge against Russell and his band of werewolves, he is "turned" by Godric, and eventually moves to Shreveport, Louisiana. There he will meet Bill Compton and the lovely Sookie Stackhouse. Do you believe, as I do, that it was"love at first sight" for Eric, i.e., even before he learned of her extraordinary powers, that he was gaga for Sookie?And Bill is no
match for Eric. Bill may possess courtly, old school manners, and a "pleasant enough" appearance - BUT,he is not 6'4'', with lovely blond hair, green eyes to die for, and all of the characteristics of a natural born leader (or almost Viking king - take your pick). Eric is single-minded in his pursuits; remember, it took 1,000 years, but he finally saw Russell burn. And for the most part, what you see with Eric is what you get. He doesn't play games - he's very upfront. I wonder if the actor playing Eric possesses these same characteristics. Until recently, there hasn't been a lot written about him, and I haven't seen him interviewed. I will say that I've always admired his real life father, the actor, Stellan Skarsgard, and I know he comes from a large family, which usually means he has learned to "work and play well with others". I plan to find out more about him - and I am looking forward to watching how his pursuit of Sookie will play out in Season 4 of True Blood.

Let's Play Catch-Up

noreply@blogger.com (DMC) — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 20:51:00 +0000

It's been exactly two months since my last post, and so much has happened to me during that period. Not all of it was positive - but I won't dwell on the bad news here. There were also numerous things which brought me excitement and joy,e.g. - I "discovered" Boardwalk Empire. I watched the episodes that were re-broadcast on HBO in March and April. Being a history buff - the series was able, in equal parts, to fascinate and entertain - while teaching me a few things simultaneously.

Then, I became interested again (I had stopped watching after Season 1) in True Blood. HBO was instrumental in sparking my interest; by first re- broadcasting Season Two; followed pretty quickly by Season 3. It was a tough 2-3 weeks - waiting for the premiere of Season 4 - as is the case with all true fans - TB withdrawal is a bitch. As I write this, however, it is only two days away from 6/26 - so I guess I'll live.

There were other new programs on Cable, some o.k., like The Killing, and some that have entered the lofty heights of classic. The best of the new shows was Game of Thrones - if for some reason you didn't watch - it only lasted 10 episodes, so watching or re-watching should be easy. I can assure you, this program does not disappoint. Because the saga will not continue until Spring 2012 - I have purchased the books upon which the series is based - A Song of Ice and Fire, divided thus far into four chapters (or separate novels), with a new one about to be released.

Its a shame we have to wait so long between seasons of some of these programs - but we are usually well rewarded for our patience.

The Killing - Episode Three

noreply@blogger.com (DMC) — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 17:53:00 +0000

A new original series debuted on AMC - The Killing, and is based on a Danish television program. The first two episodes aired on April 3. A lot happened in those first two hours, and the series seemed rushed. But by the third episode - El Diablo - the paced slowed, and we begin to understand some of the complexities involved in the plot. It is not only the story of a murdered teen, but tells of what happens, when a significant event occurs in a small town.

Det. Linden, the lead detective on the murder case, is fully invested in solving this crime. She and Det. Holder, the man who will replace her, discover valuable clues in this episode, which in turn, helps them to create a suspect list. From the evidence found in the "cage", a fenced off area in the high school's basement, they have their first witness, and potential suspect. They go off to question him and in his room find pornographic material. He surprises Linden, tries to attack her, and finally escapes through his second story window and falls, seriously injuring himself. At the hospital, they show him pictures from the high school's yearbook, and he identifies Kris Echols, as the student Rosie was with in the cage.
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a257/DCform2/After%20the%20Power%203/The%20Killing/Ep%201x1/thekilling-1x1-bjm1.jpg

There is further intrigue within the campaign of City Councilman Richmond - but right now, these matters seem like a distraction. We also witness the extreme grief, and disruption to the household of the Larsons. I didn't realize there were ten episodes in this series - I hope the intrigue and suspense only continues to build.

Along The Boardwalk

noreply@blogger.com (DMC) — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 06:19:00 +0000

In times past, if the phrase, Atlantic City was mentioned, I would think of two things: the song by Bruce Springsteen, or the geographical location. I can now add the HBO drama, Boardwalk Empire, to those thoughts. I missed the episodes when they originally aired; I had only a passing interest in what I thought would be a "Sopranos-like" series, featuring one actor I admired, Steve Buscemi (never a huge fan of The Sopranos).

Cable is expensive here, and based on those feelings, adding HBO seemed an unnecessary extravagance. Then came the awards season and Empire racked up a slew of wins. I also remembered it was a period piece, and I'm a lover of history. So I "bit the bullet", subscribed to HBO, and began watching the episodes when HBO began their re-airing. I am now hooked.

I compare all series now to The Wire, and the first season of Boardwalk Empire, imo, does not reach those lofty heights. But it's a watcher - although, surprisingly, Buscemi is not the reason I keep coming back. This series might have been better if another actor had been chosen to play Enoch "Nucky" Thompson, because this character is integral to the story, and Buscemi is not a "leading man" - I could see him playing Nucky's brother, the Sheriff of Atlantic City, Eli Thompson. Just off the top of my head, I could see a Jon Hamm or Andrew Lincoln (from The Walking Dead), in the lead role. But, it's the story, and all the other characters in this drama that keep me coming back. Some are historical; Al Capone and Charles "Lucky" Luciano; others have been added for dramatic effect. More on that later.

A bit of history - Nucky Thompson is based upon the real "lord of Atlantic City....", Enoch Johnson. During Prohibition, Johnson was involved in rum-running, numbers rackets, and other illicit enterprises. He was also a bigshot in southern New Jersey Republican politics, and served during this period, as both Sheriff, then Atlantic County treasurer. He is the central character in the book, Boardwalk Empire, on which the series is based.

Now to the other characters mentioned above. They are what keep me interested in this program, and why I'm glad there will be (at least), a second season. I love watching Michael Pitt, as Nucky's protege, Jimmy Darmody. He is quietly charming, menacing, good-looking, and tragic; all at the same time. In another subtle performance, is Kelly MacDonald, as Margaret Schroeder, Nucky's main "squeeze". Both of these characters develop before our eyes, episode after episode. I also enjoyed the performance of Michael K. Williams (from The Wire), as a partner in crime to Nucky, Chalky White. Kudos to HBO for including a strong African-American role in this drama; albeit a criminal one.

I hope others who watch the program, provide their feedback about the show, particularly their favorite characters/performances; or that those who have not seen it, are now intrigued.

At any rate, that's it for now.

The Whole Wide World

noreply@blogger.com (DMC) — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 22:38:00 +0000

The Whole Wide World is a 1996 American film depicting the relationship between pulp fiction writer Robert E. Howard (Vincent D'Onofrio) and schoolteacher Novalyne Price Ellis (Renée Zellweger).

The film was adapted by Michael Scott Myers from Ellis's memoirs, One Who Walked Alone and Day of the Stranger: Further Memories of Robert E. Howard. The film was directed by Dan Ireland. Original music was provided by Harry Gregson-Williams and his mentor Hans Zimmer. This was their first collaboration together as mentor and protegé.