tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post8623294344810762659..comments2024-03-29T01:17:04.775-04:00Comments on Jungle Red Writers: Somewhere Over the RainbowJungle Red Writershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646429819267618412noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-17873494349445692972009-02-16T13:01:00.000-05:002009-02-16T13:01:00.000-05:00I loved Mama Mia--It was ridiculous and silly and ...I loved Mama Mia--It was ridiculous and silly and it was a blast to see it with my daughter, who loves ABBA.<BR/><BR/>I, too, love those joyful films of the 1930s. Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney, the Thin Man films with Dick Powell and Myrna Loy. The Wizard of Oz, itself. Shirley Temple. So many....<BR/><BR/>But I've always had the feeling that many of the films produced in that period had a forced jollity to them, that the studio system produced them specifically to give people an escape.<BR/><BR/>So much of the art produced during the 1930s reflected the harsh realities of the extended world--the photographs of Dorothea Lange, the writings of Steinbeck, Hemingway, Pearl S. Buck. I think we need both: reflection and escape.<BR/><BR/>Um, this doesn't mean I'm comparing CSI to Hemingway! Today's media violence--fact and fiction--is mind-numbingly over-the-top.<BR/><BR/>Personally, I'm a total wimp. I even hid my eyes during this week's episode of Psych!Laura Benedicthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08474185786017084327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-78021911640334912792009-02-15T23:31:00.000-05:002009-02-15T23:31:00.000-05:00PBS just ran a series on big production musicals. ...PBS just ran a series on big production musicals. They claim there were 550 produced during the WWII years. They didn't specify dates though. Quite an amazing number.<BR/><BR/>When the news becomes so dire, then dark stuff is less appealing. I mean who needs dark fiction - the reality is unsettling enough.<BR/><BR/>I had seen the musical Mama Mia live in Detroit a few years back and then saw it on the programming guide on my plane ride back from Istanbul. So, I took the plunge and enjoyed it thoroughly.<BR/><BR/>I read an interview with Meryl Streep after that was hilarious. She said she loved embarassing her kids!!<BR/><BR/>Actually, I was quite amazed by her singing and dancing. For a dramatic actress I thought she did a great job.<BR/><BR/>Her acting with Clint Eastwood in the "Bridges of Madison County" was astounding. So, to see her take on something like this was great. <BR/><BR/>I loved the upbeat tone of the whole production. The story line was a little shaky her and there - but that's what amazed me - I still loved it!!<BR/><BR/>Hank - I agree totally with you in terms of dark stuff. It's a free will zone - You can put your attention ANYWHERE you want. Why would I want to focus it on something dark?????<BR/><BR/>In fact, I would argue that it is essential to shift away from these things.<BR/><BR/>Jan - The success of Abba always amazed me... The Dancing Queen??? Remember that lyrics Blog?? Still - there is an aliveness there that I found fun!<BR/><BR/>Yeah, much is changing and we need to keep our heads and spirits clear to set the postive directions we chose to go in. Musicals will definitely assist in that.<BR/><BR/>MTVMike Vecchiohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00016079615702702269noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-20512831677034705522009-02-14T00:22:00.000-05:002009-02-14T00:22:00.000-05:00WINNERS!Of Dana Stabenow's Whisper to the BloodCho...WINNERS!<BR/>Of Dana Stabenow's <BR/>Whisper to the Blood<BR/><BR/>Chosen by the very scientific 'names from a hat' method:<BR/><BR/>Terri Thayer<BR/>Carla Buckley<BR/>Rebecca<BR/>Chester Campbell<BR/><BR/>Juat email me via my website--<BR/><BR/>http://www.hankphillippiryan.com<BR/><BR/>and your book will be on the way! <BR/><BR/>Congratulations!Hank Phillippi Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420701704169428286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-58232271979238788652009-02-13T18:24:00.000-05:002009-02-13T18:24:00.000-05:00The absolute WORST scariest ever, in my opinon, is...The absolute WORST scariest ever, in my opinon, is the movie The Vanishing. The real one, directed by Paul Verhoeven.<BR/><BR/>It's so disturbing, and so scary, and so chilling, I honestly wish I hadn't seen it. <BR/><BR/>WINNERS of Dana Stabenow's book coming later tonight!<BR/><BR/>And hey--there's still someone who hasn't claimed her Jordan Dane book. If you won, let me know! <BR/>Next week, we're picking replacement winners. And won't that be a bummer?Hank Phillippi Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420701704169428286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-54278496158531760812009-02-13T17:05:00.000-05:002009-02-13T17:05:00.000-05:00The absolute best show to fall asleep to is PBS's ...The absolute best show to fall asleep to is PBS's The American Experience. Something about the rhythms and soothing narration...<BR/>works every time.Jan Broganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11323983086318138814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-80165975976469762622009-02-13T15:34:00.000-05:002009-02-13T15:34:00.000-05:00Ah, yes, hold the images that get stuck in the hea...Ah, yes, hold the images that get stuck in the head. The eels in the horse's head in The Tin Drum...surprisingly, even more disturbing in the book than in the movie.<BR/><BR/>But what scares me is that I also don't so much want to watch news programs with bad news, or nature programs about endangered beasts and their habitats. I hope I'm not turning into an ostrich who only wants to hear pleasant truths.<BR/><BR/>YES, Singing in the Rain<BR/>And add to that Funny Face and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Some Like It Hot, Tootsie, Annie Hall, The Princess Bride. Excellent sleeping pills all.Hallie Ephronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04759439029582054503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-17273674283333957882009-02-13T10:11:00.000-05:002009-02-13T10:11:00.000-05:00Hey Caryn:I'm with you. And ridiculously? When the...Hey Caryn:<BR/><BR/>I'm with you. And ridiculously? When there are gory or violent scenes, I now close my eyes and plug my ears.<BR/>I never used to.<BR/><BR/>I love 24. I love Prison Break. Thrillers and mysteries, bring em on.<BR/><BR/>But now I have some feeling that I just don't want violent images to get imbedded in my brain.<BR/><BR/>Think about it--how we feel when we see Mamma Mia, for example. We walk out smiling and singing. And full of positive vibes. (or whatever they're called these days.)<BR/><BR/>So why wouldn't the dark side of the same thing happen when we watch something negative?Hank Phillippi Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420701704169428286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-40900935516584204982009-02-13T09:31:00.000-05:002009-02-13T09:31:00.000-05:00Just last night while we were watching CSI, I turn...Just last night while we were watching CSI, I turned to my husband and said, "this is just too much, I'm done." I took my book and went upstairs to read.I guess when all of the news all of the time is grim, I can't face gritty TV too. Also, because there are smany of those type shows on, they seem to try to outdo each other. <BR/>Musicals? We try to go as often as possible to The Muny, an ourdoor summer theater here that does old musicals, and to The Fox for the travelling shows. The last couple of years though due to the economy and job uncertainty, we haven't.<BR/>Mama Mia?<BR/>I was an ABBA fan when ABBA was still singing and so I love Mama Mia the musical, the movie, the whole thing. I bought the DVD of the movie, put it on and turn it up to do housework, exercise whatever. I think the nonsinging actors singing and the nondancing actors dancing added to the charm.<BR/>Caryncarynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06761365713102858135noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-20153306280553546292009-02-12T20:36:00.000-05:002009-02-12T20:36:00.000-05:00Me, too,I really love those old silly happy-ending...Me, too,<BR/>I really love those old silly happy-ending musicals of the 40s and 50s. I especially love Singing in the Rain and Gigi. I've been wary of Mama Mia because I just can't stand Abba. But I'm usually game for anything upbeat -- even silly teenager movies.Jan Broganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11323983086318138814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-5315698984774267392009-02-12T12:40:00.000-05:002009-02-12T12:40:00.000-05:00Ho-kay. Since I go to sleep every night watching T...Ho-kay. Since I go to sleep every night watching TruTV, I guess I truly am as warped as I think I am. I guess because I've "been there, done that," the shows are mindless white noise so my brain turns them off and I sleep. Then again, my husband and I were eating spaghetti the other night in the den, watching BONES. There was an autopsy going on at the time. We glanced at each other and burst out laughing, the irony (and hilarity) striking us simultaneously.<BR/><BR/>I think crime shows are so popular for the reasons stated--people want to believe there is some justice in the world; that the bad guys get theirs and the good guys win. I remember watching westerns when growing up and the good guys always wore white hats. That's not always the case now. Look how wildly popular 24 is.<BR/><BR/>In movies, I'm looking for heroes (of both sexes). I want to see DEFIANCE, for instance, though the subject is dark and sad. I also want fantasy. And comedy. I want to escape and know that the good guys win and the bad guys get theirs; that people can live and love and life goes on.<BR/><BR/>I'll have to catch MAMA MIA one of these days. Just to say I've seen it. I'd rather pull a DVD out of my collection and catch SINGING IN THE RAIN, or LORD OF THE DANCE. SOUTH PACIFIC, anyone?Silver Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17835128642056217571noreply@blogger.com