Orble - HollyWood

HollyWood

follow this blog

2 daily readers

rank of 4394

E-mail Subscription

Receive an e-mail notification of new posts on this site:

Re. OSCAR PREDICTIONS last post

February 23rd 2009 05:13

Well it ain't EASY!

Pass the choc top(s).......

Vote

Add Comments

[ Link ]

Posted By: Helen Houghton - Category: No Category

Email this Post to a Friend

OSCAR PREDICTIONS- I’d better, given my blog name.

February 23rd 2009 01:13

Yeah, I’ll give it a shot!
Bearing in mind that I haven’t seen ALL of these movies, these predictions are based on knowledge and instincts regarding the movie, and the politics of voting.
BEST PICTURE: SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE (SEEN)
BEST DIRECTION: DANNY BOYLE- SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE (SEEN)
Wanna say Mickey Rourke for the redemption vote but I’m gonna go out on a limb and saaaaaaaayy --
BEST ACTOR: FRANK LLANGELLA -FROST/NIXON
BEST ACTRESS: MELISSA LEO- FROZEN RIVER
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: HEATH LEDGER (Would like Josh Brolin to win but can’t see that happening)) (SEEN)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: VIOLA DAVIS – Doubt (SEEN)
Hey maybe there’ll be some tied wins!
Then I’d include Penelope Cruz, Richard Jenkins, Amy Adams, Meryl Streep (ALL SEEN). I HAVE to leave Kate Winslet out (UNSEEN) as that’s too easy given the thrashing she’s given the other awards!

If your favourites don't win, take two choc tops and a bag of crisps and go to bed.

Vote

Comments (1)

Add Comments

[ Link ]

Posted By: Helen Houghton - Category: No Category

Email this Post to a Friend

Ray Davies:Other People’s Lives, Part 2

February 17th 2009 09:02

22 days ago...wow... now where was I?
If we’re gonna talk about history the best segue from this CD is probably Next Door Neighbour. It has the sound and humour of a Kinks classic circa. 1966. That’s right, The Kinks. There, it’s done. Moving right along, NDN could be any of us looking back, then looking along our current streetscape at the individual inhabitants and seeing our own dramas and tribulations reflected in their lives.
The truth resonates oh-so-loudly in All She Wrote. It shoots barbs at the letter writer, but the letter itself takes shots at the songwriter. There’s pain but experience of the nature of break-ups. I even applaud the reference to that ‘big Australian barmaid’ (who once threw you out of the pub) and I choose to think that it is used with great affection, as I do with all RD's Australian references, some since discovered on earlier works.
I was really surprised actually; to find that Creatures of Little Faith, is sung by a sleazeball.....er.....the song’s character is a sleazeball. I thought it was quite an accurate depiction of suspicion and jealousy by a woman in a relationship but that the partner wasn’t necessarily GUILTY! But the liner notes have made me look closer. In any case, I love the lines “You’re always suspicious, I’m terrified I’ve made a mistake”. Thanks for articulating that moment for the masses. I could discuss this one further with the writer. Oh hell! This one?
Re. Run Away from Time- I completely understand the writer’s own comments. Reminds me of something I’ve heard before, like, “Runaway” even. But ‘time’ being the protagonist, and the sense of urgency to out-run the ultimate avenger, secures its own right to be. And there’s a lovely sense of umm... I’m desperate, I’m running, I’m laughing I’m crying, you’re not gonna catch me, least not without a fight and I’ll run and run and ru-u-u-u-n! The Tourist was my least favourite track in the beginning. I see in the notes why it differs. In retrospect it felt out of context to me. It was written in New Orleans, amazing that it’s culturally different but I’m warming to it and with this one the music is pulling me in. The music builds and gets stronger, ‘money, money’.
And I’ve accidentally been analysing Over My Head again so I may as well pass it on. Funny, a lot more strongly felt now. Wait till you hear the voice- like a guy with a massive headache who has to whisper! Oh God-just let this pain go away! Let me sleep so I don’t have to think about it! It’s that bad I don’t even have the energy to get angry. Finally, just let it all go, and let me observe it in my own time. Maybe I’ll learn something.
Perfect.
I can’t review this without mentioning (is there) Life after Breakfast. This is so quintessentially the English ‘working man’. Or 'not' working man. As soon as it starts it instantly reminds me of three things- no, four! 1. It reminds me that the tea kettle, is responsible for everything Britain ever achieved! That tea is required every ten minutes and how do their bladders do it? In short- tea fixes everything! 2. It reminds me of my younger brother, with whom I always use to say “Go’ a new mo’or Jimmy?” even though that’s not his name, we laughed at all things London and the forerunners to Max (The Stand Up Comic) and I can see him loving this track for it’s ability to laugh at itself and for the question itself! 3. The Life of Brian- same sensibility, same 'oh joy, another day'! Always look on the ...oh never mind. 4. I forget. But I think it might have been to give myself a kick up the backside.
I haven't spoken much about the instrumentation, but it's only because I'm not technically able to discuss at length. But I know quality. Brilliant guitar. Musical expression. Excellence in production. I recognise craftsmanship.
Enough already. That should do for Other People’s Lives. I gotta leave something out so you can make some discoveries. However, I’ll be at the Working Man’s Cafe if you need me...

Put the ke'tle on mate?

Vote

Add Comments

[ Link ]

Posted By: Helen Houghton - Category: No Category

Email this Post to a Friend

Ray Davies: Other People's Lives (2006) ....(part 1)

January 26th 2009 01:44

[SIZE=3]Since the day I bought the “Other People’s Lives” cd a couple of months ago, I’ve been on a quest to unearth more of Ray Davies work. Much good music is available, but this is great music. My belief is that that comes together when the song encompasses the meaning in every way; in the lyrics, the melody, the quality of the instrumentation, the voice and the emotion and expression in the voice. I just cut & pasted ‘the lyrics’ to the front of the list in the last sentence, so it seems for me, that this is the vital element. The man is a writer. If he had no musical ear or could not play an instrument, we would still have a writer. The first 3 pages of the cd inner cover booklet, are written by Ray detailing the origins and workings of each song. He is at great pains to advise, as the title suggests, that these songs are largely about other people’s lives. That may be, but if you are there Ray, even as observer, are they not part of your life too? Debatable? Apparently! The title track however is related to media exploitation, for example, ‘Eat it up, take a bite, Feed the reader’s appetite, they’ll swallow anything you write, As long as it’s in black and white’. It’s acidic and pointed and so blatantly true and the need to look is like a pit we can’t climb out of and the pit is getting bigger! We’re all reading this, obviously ignoring the fact that we are reading this on Orble! After the Fall has a slow, first-step-just-taken-toward- recovering feeling, of accepting the inevitable pain before the good stuff is allowed. That’s That (Stand Up Comic) is a sarcastic barb at the ‘new’ English comedian who is often vulgar and talentless but gets laughs by rote, and moreover, have we, society, become so yob-mobbish and banal? Is the Stand Up Comic just a reflection of us and if so, Jesus let’s turn it around!
You know what?! I’m enjoying writing this so much, that I’m gonna leave off here and make this Part 1, and write again another day. There is sooo much to say and I haven’t even touched his early history, a fact he would love, and I’m liking that because anyone who doesn’t know of him can start here. I knew some history before buying this cd, but am now working my way back, scattered, giving me a unique perspective on this intelligent, funny man who bridges all making us question and feel the human condition.

Vote

Add Comments

[ Link ]

Posted By: Helen Houghton - Category: No Category

Email this Post to a Friend

I'VE LOVED YOU SO LONG(115 mins actually!)

January 23rd 2009 22:56

If you’re after an intense cinema experience, then choose the above. While it is slow paced it is not unnaturally so, and grips and intrigues the viewer. From the start we realise that this character, Juliette (Kristen Scott Thomas), has been in prison and upon release is warmly welcomed by her younger sister, Lea (Elsa Zylberstein). It is achingly obvious that she has completely shut down any access to emotion and the tension slowly mounts throughout the movie as we grasp at tiny details and glimpses of her past, her sister’s past, the sister’s friends and as a wonderful counterpoint, the life of her probation officer. I can only imagine Scott Thomas’ joy, upon reading the script. It is a leading role and a vehicle for her to use her wonderful huge, hooded eyes to great effect, particularly in the beginning because the script is most sparse here. We see her lack of joy, her disinterest in grooming, her pain unaccessed. The role of younger sister was also beautifully cast with Lea (Zylberstein) deftly pining for her big sister’s affection and attempting to ‘make it all better’. So that you don’t think the movie is a complete tragi-fest, I will say that, as in life, sometimes all the crap and pain is a necessary catharsis. Directed by Philippe Claudel I should mention that the movie is French with subtitles.

Vote

Add Comments

[ Link ]

Posted By: Helen Houghton - Category: No Category

Email this Post to a Friend

DOUBTful review

January 19th 2009 03:11

I couldn’t wait to see this one. Just look at the cast for starters- Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams and in a small but telling part, Viola Davis. First conceived as a play by John Patrick Shanley- obviously a Greek Orthodox background - it is as tightly expressed as possible in its writing, direction and performances. Meryl plays Sister Aloysius, the Head Honcho, the Grand Poobah, the Big Banana of nun-dom at a Bronx Catholic School in 1964. It is one year after John F. Kennedy’s assassination, a fact used to shape one of the sermons of the new forward-thinking Father Flynn. His ‘progressive’ ways however, are barely tolerated by Sister Aloysius, whose bullshit antennae are vacillating wildly and from the start we are made aware that she is not to be messed with. The viewer is completely taken on a quest for discovery, or more aptly, disclosure, of the truth. The questions surround Father Flynn and his relationship with a particular student, who happens to be black. The scene between Sister Dontlooksidewaysatme, and the student’s mother, is unique and powerful and I won’t elaborate so as not to spoil the effect. Viola Davis may have only been on the screen for ten minutes, but I’m sure it has made her future career in film a certainty. Amy Adams is perfectly cast, all shining innocence. It is a long time, and a significant sign of a successful movie, since I sat in a cinema experiencing complete quiet throughout the entire session with not ONE, repeat, not ONE rustle of a chip bag. It both satisfies, yet leaves you with questions.

Vote

Comments (1)

Add Comments

[ Link ]

Posted By: Helen Houghton - Category: No Category

Email this Post to a Friend

February 2009

3 Posts

January 2009

3 Posts

Older Posts

6 Posts dating from January 2009