Monsters, Inc. — Now in 3D
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 8:36 pm
Pixar’s “Monsters, Inc.” returns to theaters this week in 3D.
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Behind the Scenes — Comedy Writers
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 8:00 am
The new issue of Vanity Fair is all about comedy, with guest editor Judd Apatow presiding. I especially enjoyed the interview with the deliriously nutty and all-around nice guy Martin Short and the conversation with comedy legends Mike Nichols and Elaine May, who still make each other laugh. They recall their brief, brilliant career as a comedy team before both went on to direct films. Here is her wonderful tribute to him at his American Film Institute award ceremony:
Vanity Fair also has an oral history of the cult classic television series “Freaks and Geeks.” It was a flop at the time but many associated with it has gone on to superstardom, including James Franco, Seth Rogan, Jason Segal, Apatow, and series creator Paul Feig, who directed “Bridesmaids.”
The Splitsider website has another tribute to a failed television show created by people who went on to find success on other shows, Nell Scovell’s “Inside the Greatest Writer’s Room You Never Heard Of.” Scovell’s first job in television was writing for a sort of pre-“Daily Show” program called “The Wilton North Report.” It lasted just 21 episodes, but the people she worked with included Conan O’Brien and the writer of the first “Toy Story” film. Scovell herself went on to write an episode of “The Simpsons,” created the “Sabrina, the Teenage Witch” series, and now co-produces the sci-fi hit, “Warehouse 13.”
Happy Birthday, Beethoven!
Posted on December 16, 2012 at 3:52 pm
Happy birthday to Ludwig van Beethoven, born on this day in 1770.
Movies about one of the greatest artists in history:
And Immortal Beloved
Though still in bed, my thoughts go out to you, my Immortal Beloved, now and then joyfully, then sadly, waiting to learn whether or not fate will hear us – I can live only wholly with you or not at all – Yes, I am resolved to wander so long away from you until I can fly to your arms and say that I am really at home with you, and can send my soul enwrapped in you into the land of spirits – Yes, unhappily it must be so – You will be the more contained since you know my fidelity to you. No one else can ever possess my heart – never – never – Oh God, why must one be parted from one whom one so loves. And yet my life in V is now a wretched life – Your love makes me at once the happiest and the unhappiest of men – At my age I nedd a steady, quiet life – can that be so in our connection? My angel, I have just been told that the mailcoach goes every day – therefore I must close at once so that you may receive the letter at once – Be calm, only by a clam consideration of our existence can we achieve our purpose to live together – Be calm – love me – today – yesterday – what tearful longings for you – you – you – my life – my all – farewell. Oh continue to love me – never misjudge the most faithful heart of your beloved.
ever thine
ever mine
ever ours
The final scene:
A Book on Every Bed: Amy Dickinson’s Proposal for Every Child
Posted on December 16, 2012 at 12:56 pm
It is a pleasure to once again endorse “Ask Amy‘s” program to encourage parents to share the love of reading by putting a book on every child’s bed so that the first thing they see when they wake up is a wonderful story. The holidays may be filled with things that beep and flash and connect to the internet, but it is a good time to remind children of the power of words. Some of my favorites:
The Secret Garden
The Phantom Tollbooth A boy goes on a journey to a mysterious land where two battling kings have lost touch with rhyme and reason.
Press Here Touch the yellow spot and you will find that imagination can transform even better then technology.
Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch A lonely man gets a mysterious letter with the message in the title. It changes the way he sees the world — and the way the world sees him.
Z Is for Moose This hilarious adventure through the alphabet has a surprisingly tender finale.
The Sugar Plum Fairy: A Christmas Tradition
Posted on December 16, 2012 at 8:00 am
“The Nutcracker Suite” is a Christmas tradition. There have been a couple of movie versions, but none as good as this exquisite moment with Natalya Arkhipova as the Sugar Plum Fairy from the 1989 Bolshoi version: