by Pete Holly
#5-"The First Songs"-Laura Nyro
Laura Nyro's voice is one of the most haunting and soulful instruments
to ever appear in the World of Pop/Rock Music.Her vocal Strength and Delicacy
far surpass all the other more well known female singer-songwriter's of her day.
For one thing-Laura-who was white-sounds much more like a black woman
and her songs reflect that spitit as well.Obviously,Laura spent some tough Ghetto
Times before she became the most successful female singer-songwriter of her day.
Her songs-made into huge hits by other artists who recorded them include-
"Wedding Bell Blue's"-"Stoney End"-"And When I Die"-"Stoned Soul Picnic"-
"Sweet Blindness" and "Eli's Coming".
But it's Laura's original versions of these songs and others where her true magic is
Most Apparent.The Recordings are all made live in the studio with a top-notch band
and Back-up singers with Laura leading them on lead Vocals and Piano.They are the
most beautiful songs of Love,Pain, and Mercy ever written and recorded.
*******
7-stars
out of 5
Written by Pete Holly-2010-Copyright-All Rights Reserved
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Saturday, March 27, 2010
The Greatist Albums of the 20th Century
#4.-"Tim Moore"-Tim Moore
In the mid-70's*,Tim Moore,Who had just won the European Song Contest-Released
a perfect pop/rock album on a tiny label called "a small record company".The
album included the song "Second Avenue" which became a huge hit for Art
Garfunkel.Thou "Second Avenue" was and is one of the most perfectly composed
and emoitionally moving songs in the entire history of pop/rock music;the album
was overflowing with some of the best pop/rock music ever written and/or
performed .In fact Moore's version of "Second Avenue" was and still is far
superior to Garfunkels.
Any good pop and/or rock singer or group could have covered any song
on Moore's album and had a huge hit,that's how superior Moore's work was
to other singer-songwriters of that time.But for some unknown reason,the few songs
that were covered by other artists never achieved the kind of success as "Second Avenue"
I completely lost track of Moore after that but apparently he did record several more albums.
But they must not have gotten' much of a push from the record label{s} because after
"'Second Avenue" and the "Tim Moore" album proper he never had that kind of success again.
I heard a few years back that the "Tim Moore" album had been mastered to digital and
released on Cd after being out of print for decades.I see that it's available on amazon.com-along with his other albums that didn't fare so well.I'm glad to see it in print
again.
Moore was and is more than just a talented singer-songwriter-He's one of the
best ever and with only one perfect album to prove it( but let's face it there are very few perfect albums}.That's a pretty amazing
accomplishment that has no equal that i'm aware of."Tim Moore" is one of the most astounding
albums in the entire pop/rock cannon.It's a bit sad that Moore never did make the kind of magic
again that he did on first solo album-but even having one perfect album to your credit is
an extremely rare occurance in the world of pop music.So we just have to greatful for
this one that Moore made.Check it out-It's a real knockout !
******-6 Stars out of five
Written by Pete Holly-2010-Copyright-All Rights Reserved
In the mid-70's*,Tim Moore,Who had just won the European Song Contest-Released
a perfect pop/rock album on a tiny label called "a small record company".The
album included the song "Second Avenue" which became a huge hit for Art
Garfunkel.Thou "Second Avenue" was and is one of the most perfectly composed
and emoitionally moving songs in the entire history of pop/rock music;the album
was overflowing with some of the best pop/rock music ever written and/or
performed .In fact Moore's version of "Second Avenue" was and still is far
superior to Garfunkels.
Any good pop and/or rock singer or group could have covered any song
on Moore's album and had a huge hit,that's how superior Moore's work was
to other singer-songwriters of that time.But for some unknown reason,the few songs
that were covered by other artists never achieved the kind of success as "Second Avenue"
I completely lost track of Moore after that but apparently he did record several more albums.
But they must not have gotten' much of a push from the record label{s} because after
"'Second Avenue" and the "Tim Moore" album proper he never had that kind of success again.
I heard a few years back that the "Tim Moore" album had been mastered to digital and
released on Cd after being out of print for decades.I see that it's available on amazon.com-along with his other albums that didn't fare so well.I'm glad to see it in print
again.
Moore was and is more than just a talented singer-songwriter-He's one of the
best ever and with only one perfect album to prove it( but let's face it there are very few perfect albums}.That's a pretty amazing
accomplishment that has no equal that i'm aware of."Tim Moore" is one of the most astounding
albums in the entire pop/rock cannon.It's a bit sad that Moore never did make the kind of magic
again that he did on first solo album-but even having one perfect album to your credit is
an extremely rare occurance in the world of pop music.So we just have to greatful for
this one that Moore made.Check it out-It's a real knockout !
******-6 Stars out of five
Written by Pete Holly-2010-Copyright-All Rights Reserved
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Poetry
by Pete Holly
Tell me sir,to what you walk,when all your day is done-
Do secret spies,come roaming round,and try your hat on some-
could it be,someone i know,but has forgotten me-
Tell me sir,off do you dream,and let her come back to me-
I wish it were that way-sometimes,that a gentleman forget-
and so the one i used to know-Remember how we met-
so standing on the corner,as the midnight bell did toll-
i could spy,your glittering eye,and once more we could stroll
You found the thing,lost in your purse,twas ten times great as gold
and it put you in a funny mood-we laughed and said "I'm Sold"
Were you mine or was me yours-how quickly we forget-
But don't think of that other man and prefer me not to quit
It all seems such a silly game-but that's how fun be had,
If i should take advantage of your funny mood please tell me you'd be Glad-
and not be woken' up tommorrow an' wonder where you'd been-
but feel as if the sky had opened-and let both of us in-
Tell me sir,to what you walk,when all your day is done-
Do secret spies,come roaming round,and try your hat on some-
could it be,someone i know,but has forgotten me-
Tell me sir,off do you dream,and let her come back to me-
I wish it were that way-sometimes,that a gentleman forget-
and so the one i used to know-Remember how we met-
so standing on the corner,as the midnight bell did toll-
i could spy,your glittering eye,and once more we could stroll
You found the thing,lost in your purse,twas ten times great as gold
and it put you in a funny mood-we laughed and said "I'm Sold"
Were you mine or was me yours-how quickly we forget-
But don't think of that other man and prefer me not to quit
It all seems such a silly game-but that's how fun be had,
If i should take advantage of your funny mood please tell me you'd be Glad-
and not be woken' up tommorrow an' wonder where you'd been-
but feel as if the sky had opened-and let both of us in-
Monday, March 22, 2010
The Greatist Films of All-Time
I thought that since i've been very lucky at being able
to see a very wide variety of films and to see a Great
Number of films i would try to narrow down a list of
of the Ten very Best.
-Here They Are-
1."La Dolce Vita"-Directed by Fredrico Fellini
Directer Fellini made this Black and White film over 50 years ago and
guess what it's about.A Tabloid news paper writer in Rome carousing
with high society,Movie Stars,and the rest of the paparazi.Was Fellini
Way ahead of his time-yes- is he a genuis at the art of making Film-each
Frame of a Fellini film is like a painting by one of the great masters of art.
Hundreds of them all put into one film-It's a Masterpiece.
2."Fitzcaraldo"-directed by Werner Herzog
Werner Herzog spent 8 years filming this sprawling masterpiece,deep in
the Amazon Rainforest.Over 100 people died in order for this film to be made.
It's an astonishing film on every concievable level.It has to be seen to
be believed.
3."Cititzen Kane"-directed by Orsen Welles
Orsen Welles was chidhood prodigy.As a young boy in england his ability's
as a consumate actor were allready apparent.Recognized by Directors and
casting agents he had hundreds of stage credits to his name before he
even turned 18.By the time Welles arrived in NYC his reputation as a
genuis was allready firmly established.Thus he was givin' his own
Radio show where he proceded to read "The War of the World's" as if it
were coming sraight off the wire.Welles completely fooled the entire
nation-by the time people realized it was all just good fun-Welles
status as an actor was raised even higher.By the time directed
"Citizen Kane" he had allready conquered the world.But with "Kane"
Welles took it to a whole new level ,of which no film had ever
accomplished up untill that time or since."Kane" is the greatist,Best filmed
{thanks to Greg Tolland} and best directed film ever made ever made in
America.Welles also did a perfect job of Playing Kane himself
as the lead actor of the Film .If you look up
the word genuis in the dictionary you'll find Orsen Welles.
4."The Seventh Seal"- Directed by Ingmar Bergman
Knights returning from the Crusades were allready weary when
they began to see evidence of The Black Plauge in every city,Hamlet
and village they passed thru.Young girls were burned at he stake
on the charge that they were Witch's and were somehow Responsible
for the Plauge.As the troops traveled on,A stranger visits this odd Band
of gypsies.He reavels ,that he is the grim reaper and challenges one of
Knight's to a game of chess.The reaper wins of course-and
the knight is badley distressed by this-but there is nothing
he can do.Finally they arrive at the the Knights home where he has
been recieved with open arms by his wife and his servents,
just after he tell's thens the story-they are all seen walking off,
Following the Reaper with his scyth on a nearby mountain.The
only people who survive are a young couple who are expecting
a baby soon.Poetic Justice-you might say.
5."Chinatown"-Directed by Roman Polaski
Chinatown takes place in Los Angeles,but every city in the west
,even Boise,has similar story of Power and Corruption-Because in the West,
the most valuble commodity is water.So anyone in a western city who has
enough money and power will try to get control of the water and use any
and all means to get it.So the story in Chinatown has it's equivalants in
Cities like Las Vegas,Denver,Phoenix,Boise,Reno,Spokane,San Diego and
San Fransisco-just to name a few.
The most noticable thing in "Chinatown" is how differant Polanski's
techniques of Filming are from the average American Director.Every shot
in "Chinatown" is custom made by Polanski.,who has a gigantic bag of tricks
and techniques in his director's Bag-most of them totally unique to unto
himself.When private detective Jake Giddes,the film's main charactor,played
by Jack Nicholson first pay's a visit to his client,Evelyn Mulray's Mansion,
in the Hollywood Hill's-Polanski places the camera right behind Nicholson's
back as he walks thru the backyard while he's waiting to see Miss's Mulray,
played by Faye Dunaway.
At the time of the scenes filming Nicholson objected to this set up by Pol-
lanski.He thought the camera should be in front of him like it would be in
a regular american movie-to best show the lead actors face.But when you see
the film you understand why Polanski filmed the scene the way he did.
With the Camera just behind Nicholson-peering over his shoulder,the
audience feels like they are right there in the backyard just behind Nicholson.
It's an ingenous device of Polaski's that makes the audience feel like they are
not watching the film but like they are in it ! This is just one example of the
way Roman use's the camera in way's that draw the audience into being
part of the movie and not just watching it.
"Chinatown" is the Greatist American Movie ever made,even if it took a
Polish Director to achieve that Greatness.
6."Burdon of Dreams"-
Directed byLes Blank
This documentry of Werner Herzog's 8 year struggle
to finish the film "Fitzcaralado" is as long as the movie that is it's subject.
It's also equally as Great and Fasinating as the movie "Fitzcaraldo" itself.
In one scene where the film crew and about 1000 Amazonian indians are
waiting for a replacement part for the tractor Herzog ended up having to
use to get the giant Steamship they used in the film pulled up from one
tributary of the Amazon up and over the top of a large mountain and
then lowering it down the big moutain into another tributary{Herzog
tried to do this just using wench's,pully's and the 1000 indians but the ship
kept falling back down the mountain}so eventually at the highest point he
was able to get the ship up the moutain just using just the indians and
the wench's and pully's,and the ship still got stuck just below the top of
the mountain-Herzog gave in and used the tractor to get the Ship the last
few hundred yards up and over the top of the very large moutain and then
while lowering the ship down the other side of the mountain about half way
down the cable snapped and the ship went carening down the mountain
and crashed into the river below,nearly capsizing the ship and damaging
it severly.Luckily Herzog had the camera's rolling so he got the footage
of the ship slipping loose from the cable and crashing into the river.It's
worth seeing this movie and "Fitzcaraldo" just to see this amazing scene.
It took alot of time to repair the boat once they were able to capture it
and anchor it down.It was during this part of the film that everyone working
on the movie became very discouraged and you see Herzog being interviewed
while they wait weeks for the tractor part to arrive{this is also when 6 of
the deaths happened when the first plane carrying the part crashed in the
Jungle killing everyone aboard}so while waiting for the second plane to arrive
Herzog is at his wits end.This is when he was interviewed.He talk's about how
ugly and dead the jungle seems to him and how unbearable it is-but then
add's "But,i Love it".Then the documentry film crew ask's him what he
thinks he will do when the film is finally finished."I think i'm going directly
to an insane asylum" he say's only half-joking.
#7.-"Aguirre,Wrath of God"
Directed by Werner Herzog
This is the tale of Spanish Conquistador Pissaro's ill-fated Journey to find El-Dorado
and the souce of the Amazon River.Every spanish soldier and slave in his regime dies a
horrible death on the attempted Quest except for Aguirre-who becomes the first white
man to travel the full lenth of the Amazon River and live to tell about it.
When he finally makes it back to Spain he is pardoned for abandoning Pissaro and his
other fellow soldiers when the court realizes that it would have been impossible to turn
back and try to save them on such a river.Aguirre marries a young South American
Indian girl who was the only other surviver of the expedition.They are givin' a fantastic
Mansion in the Hills of Spain to live in-complete with every luxery known to man at the
time-1500-1600.
Eventually Aguirre gets restless and decides to return to South America with his
Bride.He makes it across the Atlantic O.K. but when he reach's the Delta of the Amazon
there are so many tributaries that he and his wife become hoplessly lost amidst the
delta.All of the ships sailors have either abandoned Aguirre-thinking him mad or they
have been killed by hostile indians.When Aguirre himself finally dies only his wife lives
to tell the tale.She makes it to Columbia where she catches a ship bound for Spain.
When she finally reach's the spanish court and tells them of Aguirre and his crews
terrible fate-the court has mercy on her and lets her return to the mansion that was
givin' to Aguirre and her-where she lives out the rest of her day's-Mourning her lovers
Death.
This movie reveals the Amazon River and Jungle as it was over 40 years ago and is
the most visually stunning Film ever made.
8."The Elephant Man"-Directed by David Lynch
The Elephant Man is a flawless and incredibly moving film-that is more than
enough proof of David Lynch's Genuis when it come to Film Making.John Hurts performance is mind-boogling and so is Anthony Hopkins.The staging of the film is so realistic
that the viewer completly forgets the present and believes He/She is actually back at the turn
of the 20th Century in London.That's how detailed,well directed,and perfectly acted this film is.
It's truelly a landmark in American filmmaking.The sounds of the early industrial age with thier
giant steam engines and noisey factory's churning away day and night you barely notice when
you first see the film.But upon viewing the film for about 100th time it suddenly hit me that
Those strange,loud and constant sounds of the industrial age are a huge part of what make's
the film so convincing that you feel as if you are actually back in the world of the turn of the 20th
Century London.This is the most effective use of sound ever used in an American Film.
It's at the ending of "The Elephant Man" that Samual Barber's "Adagio for Strings" was
first used in a film.Now many people consider it to be the Greatist piece of Music ever composed and i would concur with that opinion.
9."Apocalyse Now"-
Directed by Fransis Ford Coppela
The first major film released about the Vietnam war-the film is actually
based on Joeseph Conrad's Novel "Heart of Darkness".Somehow placing Conrad's novel
within' the setting of the Vietnam War Worked surprisingly well.The Film was a labor
of love for Coppala,with his film career on the line and also for actor Martin Sheen who
suffered a heart attack during the making of the film and allmost died.When Marlon
Brando finally arrived on the set he was horribly overwwieght and hadn't even read
the script so he had no idea how he was going to play the part.But Coppala needed Brando's
Box Office Power so he improvised.He shot Brando at night and in dark shadows and keeped
the Camera mostly on Brando's face.With his head shaved Brando was believable as a
Military leader gone mad.He mumbled strange thoughts and idea's and he looked and acted
insane just like the charactor he was playing.The ending of the film had not been written
so that to was improvised.The result was a film of Mind Blowing Proportions.
Many of the lines from the film have become part of pop culture allthough they are
completely taken' out of context and thier meaning completely mis-understood.
When Robert Duvall say's "Charlie don't Surf" he isn't talking about Charles Manson-
But he's reffering to the fact that the Vietcong don't indulge in the sport of surfing.After
Sheen's charactor stops at the last official U.S. Military Outpost before the river they
are traveling up enters into Cambodia-He look's everywhere for the Brigade's Commander-
as bombs and explosions explode all around him-"Ain't you him" one soldier replies.As
Sheens charactor said earlier in the film "The Bullshit Pilled up So Fast in Vietnam-You
needed wings to stay above it".Finally Sheen relizes that the Army Unit Stationed at the Bridge
has no leader.He return to the boat with some supplies and say's "There's no CO{Commanding
Officer}here.
#10."12 Monkeys"
Directed by Terry Gilliam
"12 Monkeys" is one the very few newer,more modern Films, that
is as intense and well Directed as the other nine movies on this list.By Far the
Best Science fiction movie ever made-it's plot is so realistic-that the movie just
Blows Your Entire Mind from start to finish .
The french avante-garde photography/story book that the film was based
on,thou it's very differant from the movie,is also the exactly the same as the movie
in many ways.Bruce Willis and Madaline Stowe give the performances of thier live's
and Brad Pitt's supporting role is the best piece of acting he's ever done.
Director Gilliam gives the film an incredible-allmost psychadelic look-it's
surreal and yet totally believable.
Warning:This Film contains ideas and concepts that are not suitable for
Children-so leave them at home or send them to thier rooms or out to
play before pressing the Play Button.
All Movie Reviews written by Pete Holly-2010-Copyright-All Rights Reseved
to see a very wide variety of films and to see a Great
Number of films i would try to narrow down a list of
of the Ten very Best.
-Here They Are-
1."La Dolce Vita"-Directed by Fredrico Fellini
Directer Fellini made this Black and White film over 50 years ago and
guess what it's about.A Tabloid news paper writer in Rome carousing
with high society,Movie Stars,and the rest of the paparazi.Was Fellini
Way ahead of his time-yes- is he a genuis at the art of making Film-each
Frame of a Fellini film is like a painting by one of the great masters of art.
Hundreds of them all put into one film-It's a Masterpiece.
2."Fitzcaraldo"-directed by Werner Herzog
Werner Herzog spent 8 years filming this sprawling masterpiece,deep in
the Amazon Rainforest.Over 100 people died in order for this film to be made.
It's an astonishing film on every concievable level.It has to be seen to
be believed.
3."Cititzen Kane"-directed by Orsen Welles
Orsen Welles was chidhood prodigy.As a young boy in england his ability's
as a consumate actor were allready apparent.Recognized by Directors and
casting agents he had hundreds of stage credits to his name before he
even turned 18.By the time Welles arrived in NYC his reputation as a
genuis was allready firmly established.Thus he was givin' his own
Radio show where he proceded to read "The War of the World's" as if it
were coming sraight off the wire.Welles completely fooled the entire
nation-by the time people realized it was all just good fun-Welles
status as an actor was raised even higher.By the time directed
"Citizen Kane" he had allready conquered the world.But with "Kane"
Welles took it to a whole new level ,of which no film had ever
accomplished up untill that time or since."Kane" is the greatist,Best filmed
{thanks to Greg Tolland} and best directed film ever made ever made in
America.Welles also did a perfect job of Playing Kane himself
as the lead actor of the Film .If you look up
the word genuis in the dictionary you'll find Orsen Welles.
4."The Seventh Seal"- Directed by Ingmar Bergman
Knights returning from the Crusades were allready weary when
they began to see evidence of The Black Plauge in every city,Hamlet
and village they passed thru.Young girls were burned at he stake
on the charge that they were Witch's and were somehow Responsible
for the Plauge.As the troops traveled on,A stranger visits this odd Band
of gypsies.He reavels ,that he is the grim reaper and challenges one of
Knight's to a game of chess.The reaper wins of course-and
the knight is badley distressed by this-but there is nothing
he can do.Finally they arrive at the the Knights home where he has
been recieved with open arms by his wife and his servents,
just after he tell's thens the story-they are all seen walking off,
Following the Reaper with his scyth on a nearby mountain.The
only people who survive are a young couple who are expecting
a baby soon.Poetic Justice-you might say.
5."Chinatown"-Directed by Roman Polaski
Chinatown takes place in Los Angeles,but every city in the west
,even Boise,has similar story of Power and Corruption-Because in the West,
the most valuble commodity is water.So anyone in a western city who has
enough money and power will try to get control of the water and use any
and all means to get it.So the story in Chinatown has it's equivalants in
Cities like Las Vegas,Denver,Phoenix,Boise,Reno,Spokane,San Diego and
San Fransisco-just to name a few.
The most noticable thing in "Chinatown" is how differant Polanski's
techniques of Filming are from the average American Director.Every shot
in "Chinatown" is custom made by Polanski.,who has a gigantic bag of tricks
and techniques in his director's Bag-most of them totally unique to unto
himself.When private detective Jake Giddes,the film's main charactor,played
by Jack Nicholson first pay's a visit to his client,Evelyn Mulray's Mansion,
in the Hollywood Hill's-Polanski places the camera right behind Nicholson's
back as he walks thru the backyard while he's waiting to see Miss's Mulray,
played by Faye Dunaway.
At the time of the scenes filming Nicholson objected to this set up by Pol-
lanski.He thought the camera should be in front of him like it would be in
a regular american movie-to best show the lead actors face.But when you see
the film you understand why Polanski filmed the scene the way he did.
With the Camera just behind Nicholson-peering over his shoulder,the
audience feels like they are right there in the backyard just behind Nicholson.
It's an ingenous device of Polaski's that makes the audience feel like they are
not watching the film but like they are in it ! This is just one example of the
way Roman use's the camera in way's that draw the audience into being
part of the movie and not just watching it.
"Chinatown" is the Greatist American Movie ever made,even if it took a
Polish Director to achieve that Greatness.
6."Burdon of Dreams"-
Directed byLes Blank
This documentry of Werner Herzog's 8 year struggle
to finish the film "Fitzcaralado" is as long as the movie that is it's subject.
It's also equally as Great and Fasinating as the movie "Fitzcaraldo" itself.
In one scene where the film crew and about 1000 Amazonian indians are
waiting for a replacement part for the tractor Herzog ended up having to
use to get the giant Steamship they used in the film pulled up from one
tributary of the Amazon up and over the top of a large mountain and
then lowering it down the big moutain into another tributary{Herzog
tried to do this just using wench's,pully's and the 1000 indians but the ship
kept falling back down the mountain}so eventually at the highest point he
was able to get the ship up the moutain just using just the indians and
the wench's and pully's,and the ship still got stuck just below the top of
the mountain-Herzog gave in and used the tractor to get the Ship the last
few hundred yards up and over the top of the very large moutain and then
while lowering the ship down the other side of the mountain about half way
down the cable snapped and the ship went carening down the mountain
and crashed into the river below,nearly capsizing the ship and damaging
it severly.Luckily Herzog had the camera's rolling so he got the footage
of the ship slipping loose from the cable and crashing into the river.It's
worth seeing this movie and "Fitzcaraldo" just to see this amazing scene.
It took alot of time to repair the boat once they were able to capture it
and anchor it down.It was during this part of the film that everyone working
on the movie became very discouraged and you see Herzog being interviewed
while they wait weeks for the tractor part to arrive{this is also when 6 of
the deaths happened when the first plane carrying the part crashed in the
Jungle killing everyone aboard}so while waiting for the second plane to arrive
Herzog is at his wits end.This is when he was interviewed.He talk's about how
ugly and dead the jungle seems to him and how unbearable it is-but then
add's "But,i Love it".Then the documentry film crew ask's him what he
thinks he will do when the film is finally finished."I think i'm going directly
to an insane asylum" he say's only half-joking.
#7.-"Aguirre,Wrath of God"
Directed by Werner Herzog
This is the tale of Spanish Conquistador Pissaro's ill-fated Journey to find El-Dorado
and the souce of the Amazon River.Every spanish soldier and slave in his regime dies a
horrible death on the attempted Quest except for Aguirre-who becomes the first white
man to travel the full lenth of the Amazon River and live to tell about it.
When he finally makes it back to Spain he is pardoned for abandoning Pissaro and his
other fellow soldiers when the court realizes that it would have been impossible to turn
back and try to save them on such a river.Aguirre marries a young South American
Indian girl who was the only other surviver of the expedition.They are givin' a fantastic
Mansion in the Hills of Spain to live in-complete with every luxery known to man at the
time-1500-1600.
Eventually Aguirre gets restless and decides to return to South America with his
Bride.He makes it across the Atlantic O.K. but when he reach's the Delta of the Amazon
there are so many tributaries that he and his wife become hoplessly lost amidst the
delta.All of the ships sailors have either abandoned Aguirre-thinking him mad or they
have been killed by hostile indians.When Aguirre himself finally dies only his wife lives
to tell the tale.She makes it to Columbia where she catches a ship bound for Spain.
When she finally reach's the spanish court and tells them of Aguirre and his crews
terrible fate-the court has mercy on her and lets her return to the mansion that was
givin' to Aguirre and her-where she lives out the rest of her day's-Mourning her lovers
Death.
This movie reveals the Amazon River and Jungle as it was over 40 years ago and is
the most visually stunning Film ever made.
8."The Elephant Man"-Directed by David Lynch
The Elephant Man is a flawless and incredibly moving film-that is more than
enough proof of David Lynch's Genuis when it come to Film Making.John Hurts performance is mind-boogling and so is Anthony Hopkins.The staging of the film is so realistic
that the viewer completly forgets the present and believes He/She is actually back at the turn
of the 20th Century in London.That's how detailed,well directed,and perfectly acted this film is.
It's truelly a landmark in American filmmaking.The sounds of the early industrial age with thier
giant steam engines and noisey factory's churning away day and night you barely notice when
you first see the film.But upon viewing the film for about 100th time it suddenly hit me that
Those strange,loud and constant sounds of the industrial age are a huge part of what make's
the film so convincing that you feel as if you are actually back in the world of the turn of the 20th
Century London.This is the most effective use of sound ever used in an American Film.
It's at the ending of "The Elephant Man" that Samual Barber's "Adagio for Strings" was
first used in a film.Now many people consider it to be the Greatist piece of Music ever composed and i would concur with that opinion.
9."Apocalyse Now"-
Directed by Fransis Ford Coppela
The first major film released about the Vietnam war-the film is actually
based on Joeseph Conrad's Novel "Heart of Darkness".Somehow placing Conrad's novel
within' the setting of the Vietnam War Worked surprisingly well.The Film was a labor
of love for Coppala,with his film career on the line and also for actor Martin Sheen who
suffered a heart attack during the making of the film and allmost died.When Marlon
Brando finally arrived on the set he was horribly overwwieght and hadn't even read
the script so he had no idea how he was going to play the part.But Coppala needed Brando's
Box Office Power so he improvised.He shot Brando at night and in dark shadows and keeped
the Camera mostly on Brando's face.With his head shaved Brando was believable as a
Military leader gone mad.He mumbled strange thoughts and idea's and he looked and acted
insane just like the charactor he was playing.The ending of the film had not been written
so that to was improvised.The result was a film of Mind Blowing Proportions.
Many of the lines from the film have become part of pop culture allthough they are
completely taken' out of context and thier meaning completely mis-understood.
When Robert Duvall say's "Charlie don't Surf" he isn't talking about Charles Manson-
But he's reffering to the fact that the Vietcong don't indulge in the sport of surfing.After
Sheen's charactor stops at the last official U.S. Military Outpost before the river they
are traveling up enters into Cambodia-He look's everywhere for the Brigade's Commander-
as bombs and explosions explode all around him-"Ain't you him" one soldier replies.As
Sheens charactor said earlier in the film "The Bullshit Pilled up So Fast in Vietnam-You
needed wings to stay above it".Finally Sheen relizes that the Army Unit Stationed at the Bridge
has no leader.He return to the boat with some supplies and say's "There's no CO{Commanding
Officer}here.
#10."12 Monkeys"
Directed by Terry Gilliam
"12 Monkeys" is one the very few newer,more modern Films, that
is as intense and well Directed as the other nine movies on this list.By Far the
Best Science fiction movie ever made-it's plot is so realistic-that the movie just
Blows Your Entire Mind from start to finish .
The french avante-garde photography/story book that the film was based
on,thou it's very differant from the movie,is also the exactly the same as the movie
in many ways.Bruce Willis and Madaline Stowe give the performances of thier live's
and Brad Pitt's supporting role is the best piece of acting he's ever done.
Director Gilliam gives the film an incredible-allmost psychadelic look-it's
surreal and yet totally believable.
Warning:This Film contains ideas and concepts that are not suitable for
Children-so leave them at home or send them to thier rooms or out to
play before pressing the Play Button.
All Movie Reviews written by Pete Holly-2010-Copyright-All Rights Reseved
Saturday, March 20, 2010
The Greatist Recordings of All-time
#61-"Not to Touch the Earth"-The Doors
With lyrics' that read-"The Presidents heads in the back of the Car"
"The engine runs on glue and tar"
"Were Going East,To Meet the Czar"
Jim Morrison proved Time and time again that his lyrics/Poetry were an
art unto themselves and this particular one is fantastically outrageous-
and yet at the same time right on the money.
People still believe that the 1960's were a time of peace and love,
when in fact it was the most violent decade in modern history.
Jim got it Right.
With lyrics' that read-"The Presidents heads in the back of the Car"
"The engine runs on glue and tar"
"Were Going East,To Meet the Czar"
Jim Morrison proved Time and time again that his lyrics/Poetry were an
art unto themselves and this particular one is fantastically outrageous-
and yet at the same time right on the money.
People still believe that the 1960's were a time of peace and love,
when in fact it was the most violent decade in modern history.
Jim got it Right.
Friday, March 12, 2010
The Greatist Albums of the 20th Century
3."The Beatles For Sale"-The Beatles
Between "The Beatle's" first two albums,"Please,Please Me" and "Meet the Beatles"in
the U.S.A. and "With the Beatles" in the U.K., which both catch the Beatles composing and recording mostly in the style known as Merseybeat and the Soundtrack Albums to "A Hard Day's Night" and "Help" came 1964's "Beatle's for Sale",the "The Beatles" least talked about album.With 5 of "The Beatles" best cover song recordings,plus "No Reply" and "Eight Days Week"- the two best known Beatle's penned songs on the album-"Beatles for Sale" is by far the most underated and least listened to Beatle album.Perhaps that's why it's the funist Beatle album to listen too."No Reply";the lead-off track-is one of the Beatle's greatist recordings and
one of John Lennon's best lead Vocal Performances.Lennon also does a great take of Chuck Berry's "Rock 'n Roll Music".The medley -"Kansas City/Hey,Hey,Hey,Hey" sung by McCartney
is one of the Beatle's hardist rocking recordings."Eight Day's a Week","Every Little Thing" and
"What You're Doing" are all indicaters of The Beatles future sound wnich emerged on"Rubber Soul" and "Revolver".Two of Carl Perkin's songs-which in the Beatles live shows were allway's
sung by George* show up on the album as well-with Ringo singing the Lead Vocal on "Honey
Don't" while George keeps his Lead Vocal Position on "Everybody's Trying to be My Baby".
*On at least one setlist from The Beatles day's performing in Hamburg-George is designated
as The Lead Vocalist on the largest number of songs ! Since he was the youngest member of
the band he apparently became the workhorse ,Vocally,of the band.
Written by Pete Holly-Copyright-2010-All Rights Reserved
Between "The Beatle's" first two albums,"Please,Please Me" and "Meet the Beatles"in
the U.S.A. and "With the Beatles" in the U.K., which both catch the Beatles composing and recording mostly in the style known as Merseybeat and the Soundtrack Albums to "A Hard Day's Night" and "Help" came 1964's "Beatle's for Sale",the "The Beatles" least talked about album.With 5 of "The Beatles" best cover song recordings,plus "No Reply" and "Eight Days Week"- the two best known Beatle's penned songs on the album-"Beatles for Sale" is by far the most underated and least listened to Beatle album.Perhaps that's why it's the funist Beatle album to listen too."No Reply";the lead-off track-is one of the Beatle's greatist recordings and
one of John Lennon's best lead Vocal Performances.Lennon also does a great take of Chuck Berry's "Rock 'n Roll Music".The medley -"Kansas City/Hey,Hey,Hey,Hey" sung by McCartney
is one of the Beatle's hardist rocking recordings."Eight Day's a Week","Every Little Thing" and
"What You're Doing" are all indicaters of The Beatles future sound wnich emerged on"Rubber Soul" and "Revolver".Two of Carl Perkin's songs-which in the Beatles live shows were allway's
sung by George* show up on the album as well-with Ringo singing the Lead Vocal on "Honey
Don't" while George keeps his Lead Vocal Position on "Everybody's Trying to be My Baby".
*On at least one setlist from The Beatles day's performing in Hamburg-George is designated
as The Lead Vocalist on the largest number of songs ! Since he was the youngest member of
the band he apparently became the workhorse ,Vocally,of the band.
Written by Pete Holly-Copyright-2010-All Rights Reserved
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
The Greatist Recordings of All-Time
#60-"Symphony No. 6 Op.104"-Jean Sibelius
Departing this earthly realm the same year i entered it-1957-Jean Sibelius is a thouroughly
modern composer who held steadfastly to the "Symphonic Form" long after most of his contempor-
aries left it for Schonberg's 12 note system of composition,or "Les Six of Paris" who were pushing
the boundries of classical music form;with "Tone Poems" and other neo-classical devices.Igor
Stravinsky is a good example.
While Sibelius's 7 Symphonies do include traits of tone poem composition-they also clearly
show evidence of the influence of "Contrapuntal Sonorities" of the early masters of the Symphonic
form;yet they are assembled and presented in a unique modern style that only Sibelius was able
to master.Though many considered the Finnish Composer's music old-fashioned-in the early 20th century.Now-his music is seen in a totally differant light.Various modern composers have
all had words of great praise for Sibelius in modern times.The english composer George Benjamin called one of Sibelius's compositions "unprecented in it's approach".French composer
Pascal Dusapin regarded Sibelius as "This Gigantic Master" and German composer Detlev Glanert said Sibelius "is undoubtably one of the Giants of Music".
By uniting the best of the older musical orders with the best of the new-Sibelius was
able to become a popular composer in own lifetime and he has also become a figure of great
admiration for the modern composers of today.This is the Great Achievment of a man who
was not a follower but a leader.He has earned a large and permanent place in the world of
Classical Music.Just listen to "Symphony No.6" and you'll know why.
referance notes:Sibelius-The Complete Symphonies and Tone Poems-album notes-
Edward Clark-2001
Written by Pete Holly-2010-Copyright-All Rights Reserved
Departing this earthly realm the same year i entered it-1957-Jean Sibelius is a thouroughly
modern composer who held steadfastly to the "Symphonic Form" long after most of his contempor-
aries left it for Schonberg's 12 note system of composition,or "Les Six of Paris" who were pushing
the boundries of classical music form;with "Tone Poems" and other neo-classical devices.Igor
Stravinsky is a good example.
While Sibelius's 7 Symphonies do include traits of tone poem composition-they also clearly
show evidence of the influence of "Contrapuntal Sonorities" of the early masters of the Symphonic
form;yet they are assembled and presented in a unique modern style that only Sibelius was able
to master.Though many considered the Finnish Composer's music old-fashioned-in the early 20th century.Now-his music is seen in a totally differant light.Various modern composers have
all had words of great praise for Sibelius in modern times.The english composer George Benjamin called one of Sibelius's compositions "unprecented in it's approach".French composer
Pascal Dusapin regarded Sibelius as "This Gigantic Master" and German composer Detlev Glanert said Sibelius "is undoubtably one of the Giants of Music".
By uniting the best of the older musical orders with the best of the new-Sibelius was
able to become a popular composer in own lifetime and he has also become a figure of great
admiration for the modern composers of today.This is the Great Achievment of a man who
was not a follower but a leader.He has earned a large and permanent place in the world of
Classical Music.Just listen to "Symphony No.6" and you'll know why.
referance notes:Sibelius-The Complete Symphonies and Tone Poems-album notes-
Edward Clark-2001
Written by Pete Holly-2010-Copyright-All Rights Reserved
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