by Jonathan Burrello

For those of you out there that have been searching or waiting for a great film adaptation of Alexandre Dumas’ spectacular adventure novel, The Three Musketeers, I submit you look no further than director Richard Lester’s (“A Hard Day’s Night,” “A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to the Forum,” and “Superman II”) respectful yet rowdy treatment of this classic tale starring Michael York (“Romeo and Juliet”), Oliver Reed (“The Devils”), Christopher Lee (“Dracula”), Faye Dunaway (“Network”), Raquel Welch (“One Million Years B. C.”), Frank Finlay (“The Pianist”), Richard Chamberlain (“King Solomon’s Mines”), Geraldine Chaplin (“Doctor Zhivago”), Charlton Heston (“Planet of the Apes”), Roy Kinnear (“Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory”), Spike Milligan (“Life of Brian”) and more!

As a big fan of the book I was delighted when I was introduced to Richard Lester’s “The Three Musketeers” (1973) and “The Four Musketeers” (1974) several years ago. The film divides the story up into two movies in order to fit in the whole expansive story (“Harry Potter” and “The Hobbit” are getting the same treatment so it’s not so ludicrous). Both films really work together (and independently for that matter). “The Three Musketeers” and “The Four Musketeers” follow Dumas’ storyline extremely closely, but remain somehow unique and different. The marvelous cast and rambunctious script almost seems to be taking cues from Vaudeville or Monty Python at times with its quick, sharp-tongued wit and sly slapstick.

The first leg of the series, “The Three Musketeers” (1973), follows the adventures of young D’Artagnan (York), the head-strong country bumpkin who makes friends with Musketeers Athos (Reed), Aramis (Chamberlain), and Porthos (Finlay), falls in love with the lovely Constance de Bonacieux (Welch), and makes powerful enemies in Rochefort (Lee), Cardinal Richelieu (Heston), and the seductive Lady de Winter (Dunaway). Constance, a servant of Anna of Austria (Chaplin)—bride of the oblivious French King Louis XIII (Jean-Pierre Cassel)—requests D’Artagnan to retrieve Anna’s jewels from her lover, the English Duke of Buckingham (Simon Ward), in order to prevent Richelieu from unveiling the scandal to the King. Richelieu sends Lady de Winter to apprehend the jewels to shame the Queen. The whole first film revolves around this one task, but it is so jam-packed with fantastic costumes, hilarious dialogue, daring chases, and spectacular sword-fights that the whole 1600s European political intrigue has to try and keep up with the anarchic exuberance of the rest of the movie. When I say this I mean it as a good thing. This film is the ultimate period adventure show.

The second film, “The Four Musketeers” (1974), although just as rowdy and fun as the first, gets a little more serious and darker. The plot gets more serious too. War has hit France. Constance has been kidnapped by Rochefort. Cardinal Richelieu, in an effort to usurp the efforts of D’Artagnan (now a Musketeer), sends the evil Lady de Winter to entice him and assassinate the Duke of Buckingham (but soon her true colors and dark past with Athos are revealed and she will have to use all of her cunning to save her own skin). Lady de Winter then wants to kill D’Artagnan and Constance. The stakes are higher, the plot thickens, and the political intrigue is more intriguing. Blackmail and battle are just two of the many dishes this sumptuous sequel dishes up. The sword-fights are no less impressive and have even more pathos. Emotions run high and the suspense keeps building until the explosive sword-clanging finale, making this a satisfying conclusion to one of the best adventure stories. (There is a third film, “The Return of the Musketeers,” that Lester directed in 1989 with most of the original cast based loosely on Dumas’ Musketeer sequel, Twenty Years After, although not bad is not essential viewing).

As a big fan of action, adventure, and humor these two films are pretty irresistible to me and I strongly recommend you see them for yourself. If you like ornate costumes, swashbuckling adventure and irreverent slapstick, watching great actors having fun, and wonderful characters come to life with energy and life then look no further than “The Three Musketeers” (1973) and “The Four Musketeers” (1974). There is much to love about the story already, and seeing it done right with an extra dose of bawdy humor is just the icing on the cake. Rent them today and watch the ultimate swashbuckling adventure.

Hi,

     Jason Bourne movie series (The Bourne Identity, The Bourne Supremacy and The Bourne Ultimatum) is one of the popular movie series. When you talk about Jason Bourne, how can you forget Matt Damon (and my favorite one)? Matt Damon acted (and fitted) perfectly as Jason character. He did amazing acting in all 3 movies and has signed-up with Paul Greengrass for fourth part. 

     Why suddenly Jason Bourne? Right? Hmmm.. Yesterday I was watching The Bourne Ultimatum on HBO (If you missed or still not watch, then watch it. They broadcasting all 3 movies in repetitive manner) and search on Google (I have internet on my hand and so Google is best option to know anything…right?) and I found lots of interesting things about Jason Bourne Character.

   All Bourne movies are loosely based (or you can say inspired) on Bourne Series Novel. Robert Ludlum was creator of Jason Bourne, A Fictional Character. The character has been in 8 Bourne series novel. However first 3 novels are written by Robert Ludlum and later 5 novels are written by Eric Van Lustbader (with permission from the estate of Robert Ludlum).

Jason Bourne Series Novels (Click on Image to know more about Novel)

Robert Ludlum novels
- The Bourne Identity(1980) - Robert Ludlum	The Bourne Supremacy(1986) - Robert Ludlum
The Bourne Ultimatum (1990) - Robert Ludlum

Eric Van Lustbader novels
The Bourne Legacy (2004) - Eric Van Lustbader	The Bourne Betrayal (2007) - Eric Van Lustbader
The Bourne Sanction (2008) - Eric Van Lustbader	The Bourne Deception (2009) - Eric Van Lustbader
UpComing Novel -The Bourne Objective

The Bourne Identity (2002)	The Bourne Supremacy (2004)
The Bourne Ultimatum (2007)

Extra Details

- Before Matt Damon’s Borne Series, The Bourn Identity (A television film) was produced in 1988 with Richard Chamberlain as Jason.

- Robert Ludlum’s The Bourne Conspiracy is video game based on Bourne Series novel.

!!! Rock On !!!

181 cyclist start and only 150 finish

Dick Evans Memorial Road Race    (112 miles around Oahu) from Sunday

 181 starters, 150 finishers 

Winner was Mike Zagorski (Oahu) in a time of 5:10:22

  Big Island Finishers.

 Kevin Murar (Kona) 8th 5 hours 11 minutes 12 seconds

Steve Lundblad 14th 5:14:07

Former Big Island resident Dan Miller 27th (also crashed during the race)

Richard Chamberlain 57th

Neil Erickson 85th (flat tire)

Ryan Mason 92nd (flat tire)

Gerry Hollins 118th (flat tire)

Leonard Bisel DNF (crash and unable to continue)

“It was a tough day for Big Island cyclists with numerous flats and crashes.  Worst off was Leonard Bisel who crashed hard.  He suffered from some road rash and bruises, but his bike is  need of some serious repair,” Steve Lundblad said.

“You will find, young man, that the future looks rosiest through the bottom of a glass.”

PS1: Há duas versões para a obra de Alexandre Dumas. A primeira, feita em 1973, foi dividida em duas partes e traz Oliver Reed, Richard Chamberlain, Frank Finlay e Michael York como Athos, Aramis, Porthos e D’Artagnan, respectivamente.

Conta, ainda, com Raquel Welch, Christopher Lee, Faye Dunaway e Charlton Heston - este último como o Cardeal Richelieu.

PS2: O segundo filme foi lançado vinte anos depois e tem no elenco Kiefer Sutherland, Charlie Sheen, Oliver Platt e um jovem Chris O’Donnel.

Acho que essa foi a primeira e única vez que o Charlie Sheen interpretou um personagem sério e sisudo.

Iesisem cu fetele la un suc, si din vorba in vorba am ajuns sa povestim ce citim cu Onix, eu citeam atunci Panza de paianjen, ea Pasarea Spin. Pentru ca imi aduceam aminte de copilarie cand mama se uita la serial la Tv, si stiind ca am cartea in biblioteca, am asteptat cu drag sa ma apuc de ea. Laude din toate directiile, pentru ca am citit cartea si pe drum (week-endurile asta dansand pe ici pe colo) cine auzea de Pasarea Spin zicea de bine. Mai adaug acum dupa incheierea cartii laude si din partea mea pentru ca mi-a placut mult de tot. In plus in timp ce citeam si mai aruncam cate o privire pe geam, am intors cartea si am remarcat ce scria pe spate: “…traducerea celui mai cunoscut bestseller din lume dupa <<Pe aripile vantului>> o cate carte care a devenit legenda: <<Pasarea Spin>>”. Deci fiind la inaltimea romanului “Pe aripile vantului” se cuibareste si mai mult in sufletul meu.

Legenda care deschide cartea mi s-a parut si mai interesanta, tragica dar frumoasa: “Exista o legenda despre o pasare care canta o singura data in viata, mai dulce decat orice alta vietate de pe fata pamantului. Din momentul in care-si paraseste cuibul, cauta un copac cu spini, si nu-si gaseste odihna pana nu il afla. Aoi, cantand printre ramurile salbatice, ea se arunca singura in spinul cel mai lung si ascutit.

Si in extazul mortii, ea se inalta deasupra propriei agonii, scotand un tril mai dulce decat al privighetorii sau al ciocarliei. Un cantec al carui pret suprem este insasi existenta. Intreaga lume inmarmureste ascultandu-l si Dumnezeu in paradisul sau zambeste. Pentru ca ceea ce e mai bun in viat noastra se obtine numai cu pretul unei dureri existentiale…ori cel putin asa spune legenda.”

Cu asa un inceput, normal ca am vrut  sa citesc cu gandul sa aflu pasarea spin… personajul din spatele acestei legende.

Captivata de povestea impletita, si observand ca da asemanarea este evidenta. Drogheda- Tara, razboiul prin care trec, dorinta de la inceput de a scapa de saracie, numai ca finalul …este altul. Din ce am vazut pe internet, ar fi si o continuare al acestor doua volume, voi cauta.  Filmul deja l-am gasit si urmeaza sa ma uit cu Nonuca.

Pasarea Spin reuneste 3 generatii, este povestea familiei Cleary, care paraseste Noua Zeelanda pentru a locui la o mare ferma de oi din Australia, aici se vor tese si impleti bucuriile si tragediile, impreuna cu minciunile si teroarea unui tinut ravasit de valuri de seceta, foc si inundatii.

Mai importanta de atat este povestea trista a lui Meggie, care se indragosteste de un barbat cu care nu se va putea casatori niciodata, si povestea acestui barbat ale carui ambitii il poarta dincolo de statutul de simplu preot de parohie spre cercurile cele mai inalte ale Vaticanului.

Singura supravietuitoare a celor trei generatii, Justine o stralucita actrita londoneza, descopera viata si dragostea in alta emisfera, departe de locurile unde isi are radacinile. (Avon Books)

Astept cu nerabdare sa vad filmul, asa cum asteptam cu nerbdare si sfarsitul, aceasta avand un suspans prelungit. Actorii sunt pe coperta cartii, dar eu mi-o imaginam pe Meggie mai frumoasa, actrita la prima vedere mi s-a parut uratica, de fapt nu este, m-am gandit mai bine de cand am vazut prima data poza cu ea si pana acum, inainte totusi de a vedea si filmul (Rachel Ward)

Va invit la lectura…asa cum o fac de fiecare data!

Si ca acest blog, si cartea sa va fie si mai dragi va pun sa ascultati pe fundal, melodia de pe genericul filmului. — Pasarea Spin

I’m not sure when my parents sat me down to have “the talk” with me — you know, the one where we discuss the origin of my name. (Why, where did you think I was going with that?!) Throughout my childhood, I can easily recall my mom talking about a mini-series she adored in the early ’80s — “The Thorn Birds,” starring Richard Chamberlain and Rachel Ward. The story of Meggie, the daughter of a sheep herder in Australia, and her great love affair with the handsome and ambitious Father Ralph de Bricassart, this epic saga first aired on ABC in March of 1983, two years before my birth.

I was a little late joining the party, but Alyce from At Home With Books recently discussed one of her favorite reads from the past — Maureen McCullough’s The Thorn Birds, the novel upon which the mini-series was based. The summer I turned sixteen, my mom gave me an inscribed hardcover copy of the book and told me I was finally old enough to read and understand the story. As it deals with some pret-ty controversial themes — seducing a priest and prompting him to break his convenant with God is generally, um, frowned upon – I wasn’t really sure what I was in for. But I spent the month and a half between my birthday and the first day of school steadily making my way through the tome, which measures out to almost 700 pages. I was as enchanted with it as my mother was, reveling in the heartbreak, indecision and deep turmoil almost all of McCullough’s doomed characters seemed to face.

Meggie and Father Ralph in "The Thorn Birds" (1983)

Not long after finishing the novel, Mom and I sat down to watch the mini-series — available then as a set of VHS tapes. We didn’t make it through all of them, I know, but I watched enough to smile fondly as my mom pointed out that when I was born with a full head of dark hair and grew older with dark curls, I actually bore a resemblance to my famous literary (and cinematic) namesake. My name, it seems, was fated.

For all of these reasons, Meghann — or “Meggie” — has always had a special place in my own life story. I know other Megans and Megs who also got their monikers from mothers who loved the television show or novel, and I love that we all share that connection! One of these days I’m definitely going to finish watching the series, which I’m happy to say is now out on DVD. Heartbreak, romance and turmoil join the twenty-first century!

Let’s just hope the name isn’t a self-fulfilling prophecy — I certainly wouldn’t want to be responsible for anyone breaking their covenant with God and leaving the priesthood. Though my tresses and brooding, mischevious looks have been known to inspire serenades! (Just, you know. Once or twice.)

Esta miniserie de televisión les debe ser familiar a muchos de ustedes: se estrenó en 1983, se titula originalmente «The Thorn Birds», pero en España se tradujo como «El pájaro espino» y en Latinoamérica como «El pájaro canta hasta morir». La historia que une a la familia Cleary con el padre Ralph de Bricassart, fue protagonizada por los inolvidables Rachel Ward y Richard Chamberlain. El libro en el que se basó la miniserie fue un best seller a cargo de la pluma de la escritora australiana Colleen McCullough.

Si usted quiere leer una excelente pieza sobre las ambiciones que se esconden detrás de los más altos círculos de la Iglesia Católica, esta obra es la indicada. He visto la miniserie en televisión unas tres veces y no me canso de admirar los bellísimos paisajes en los que fue recreada y las caracterizaciones de todos los personajes. Muy acertado todo. Pero me interesa hablar del libro, origen mismo de la serie.

La base de «El pájaro espino» es la trama familiar de los Cleary y el foco está puesto sobre Megan, la única hija de esta familia que administra y vive en una hacienda de producción lanar, propiedad de la millonaria tía de Megan, Mary. Lo interesante se produce cuando arriba el padre Ralph de Bricassart, un sacerdote de hermoso aspecto físico y de ambiciosa contextura moral que atrae las miradas y los pensamientos de todas sus feligresas, en especial de la tía millonaria. Pero él, hombre llamado a la vocación por Dios, también está llamado a la confusión: no hay rosas sin espinas.

Desde su llegada a «Drogheda», Megan (llamada cariñosamente Meggie), de sólo seis años, le inspiró todo el afecto y compasión que se podían suscitar en él, pero lo interesante de este libro — y admirable de la capacidad de su escritora — es la forma en que van quedando bien dibujadas las condiciones del amor que establece Dios, según el catolicismo, para sus creyentes. Y esa evolución que se fue dando en la relación, no exenta de tormentos, entre Meggie y el padre Ralph, obviamente no era lo que esperaba el Todopoderoso de sus hijos.

Ahora bien, no todo es amor a Dios para el padre Ralph. Su fe viene acompañada de ese deseo de ascender en la escala social del Vaticano. Un simple sacerdote no es ni siquiera tenido en cuenta por los más poderosos cardenales que rodean con amor al sucesor de San Pedro. Australia, por lo demás, es un lugar bastante alejado de la mirada vaticana. ¿Qué necesita un hombre de Dios que vive en un rincón alejado del mundo para llamar la atención de los santos hombres de Roma? La respuesta es sencilla: dinero. Y la tía de Meggie, Mary Carson, tiene muchísimo dinero y dos testamentos, uno que beneficia a su hermano, padre de Meggie y lógico merecedor de su fortuna, y uno que beneficia a la Iglesia Católica, representada en su hijo, el padre Ralph de Bricassart. El día en que la tía Mary Carson muere, el padre Ralph ha rechazado besarla en los labios y comenzar así una relación de amantes. La mejor venganza de ella será enfrentarlo a sus ambiciones y sus sentimientos por Meggie y obligarlo a decidir. Un buen ambicioso sabe siempre qué debe ir primero, sobre todo si ese ambicioso es parte de una de las Instituciones de la tierra que más seres de su clase alberga: la Iglesia Católica.

Esta historia no sólo está muy bien contada, animando al lector a pasar las páginas y buscar un desenlace para la trama, la autora apostó por crear personajes de carácter, con debilidades que no están ocultas, aunque ellos echen mano del recurso de la hipocresía. Mientras los años pasan y los hijos de Meggie  (uno de ellos hijo del padre Ralph) llegan y crecen, las debilidades se van haciendo más notorias y el peso del arrepentimiento y la ambición se va volviendo insoportable para Ralph, quien cumple su sueño de ser cardenal. Aún así, el amor que pudo albergar en su alma egoísta, la poca concentración que su mente pudo tener mientras rezaba, y su cuerpo comprometido con el celibato, no fueron exclusividad del exigente Todopoderoso católico, contra el que siempre se rebeló Meggie.

Pocos libros logran combinar personajes tan interesantes, sin descuidar las descripciones geográficas, que se convierten en bellas estampas de una Australia tranquila, en donde es difícil vivir y soñar. Y pocos libros logran dar cuenta de la ambición que se agazapa bajo las faldas cardenalicias que se bambolean en la gran capital del mundo Católico.

Primera Imagen superior izquierda: Escena de “The Thorn Birds”: Richard Chamberlain y Rachel Ward.

Segunda Imagen derecha: La escritora australiana Colleen McCullough

Sunt celebri, sunt frumosi, sunt bogati…ar fi putut avea aproape orice femeie si-ar fi dorit, insa ei au preferat barbatii. Ii cunoastem din filme, i-am auzit si admirat cantand, citim despre ei si despre cariera lor prin ziare si reviste insa nu prea avem cum sa stim ce anume a stat la baza deciziei lor.

Orientarea sexuala nu este o optiune se pare, specialistii sunt de parere ca te nasti cu genele acelea care iti “dicteaza” afinitatea pentru un sex sau altul.

Iata cativa dintre cei care au avut curajul sa declare ca sunt homosexuali fara sa se teama de respingerea celor din jur.

Ceea ce ii diferentiaza insa pe acestia de altii, este tocmai diplomatia cu care si-au recunoscut si sustinut public orientarea sexuala, intr-o societate care condamna orice deviatie de la un set de norme majoritar acceptate.

In lumea modei…….

Tom Ford

S-a convins iubeste barbatii in primii 20 de ani din viata, cand, student la scoala de design din New York, frecventa un club renumit pentru clientela sa homosexuala.
Acest detaliu picand al vietii sale personale nu i-a afectat insa sub nici o forma realizarea profesionala.
Dupa o lunga colaborare cu celebrele case de moda Gucci si Yves Saint Laurent, care l-au ajutat sa se lanseze in aceasta industrie controversata, Tom Ford si-a lansat propriul brand. Creatiile sale sunt in continuare apreciate si pline de succes.

Jean-Paul Gaultier

Un alt nume sonor in lumea modei este Jean-Paul Gaultier. Creatiile sale (haine si parfumuri) nu au incetat sa impresioneze, inca de la prima colectie (lansata in 1976 sub tutela lui Pierre Cardin). Orientarea sexuala si-a pus, intr-o oarecare masura, amprenta asupra creatiilor, insa nu cat sa le distruga. Nu o data, criticii au tinut sa sublinieze prezenta anumitor elemente “gay” in hainele sale, insa acest lucru nu le-a impiedicat pe divele de la Hollywood sa imbrace pe Covorul Rosu tinute special create, marca JPG. Un mare succes l-a avut si sutienul-con cu acre Madonna a facut senzatie in turneul din 2006.

Domenico Dolce & Stefano Gabbana (sau D&G, pe scurt)

Cei doi s-au cunoscut in anul 1980, cand ambii lucrau ca asistenti intr-un atelier in Milano. Doi ani mai tarziu, porneau afecera care avea sa le aduca notorietate. Prima lor colectie a fost lansata in 1989 si a avut un real succes.
In afara de colaborarea profesionala, intre cei doi s-a infiripat si o relatie amoroasa, care a durat mai bine de 20 de ani. La inceputul anului 2005 cuplul s-a destramat, cei doi alegand sa mearga pe cai diferite, insa brandul D&G a continuat sa domine lumea modei.
Pe fondul discutiilor aprinse din Italia pe tema acordarii dreptului de adoptie cuplurilor de acelasi sex, Stefano Gabbana declara ca este total impotriva acestui lucru. Mai mult el a povestit pentru o publicatie americana cum i-a propus unei prietene sa fie mama surogat pentru copilul lui.

Mark Jacobs

Numele lui Mark Jacobs a inceput sa rasune in lumea modei inca din 1986, cand, impreuna cu Robert Duffy a lansat brandul Jacobs Duffy Designs. Ascensiunea sa a culminat insa in anul 1997, cand era numit director al departamentului de creatie in cadrul casei de moda franceze Louis Vuitton (pozitie pe care inca o mai detine).
Anul acesta, Jacobs a fost pe locul 15 in topul celor mai puternici 50 de homosexuali din America, intocmit de revista Out (o revista de moda, dedicata minoritatii gay).
In prezent Jacobs este logodit cu partenerul sau, Lorenzo Martone, si planuiesc sa-si oficializeze relatia.

In muzica…..
Elton John

Elton John, pe numele sau adevarat Sir Reginald Kenneth Dwight a fost printre primii care a imbratisat legile parteneriatului civil. Pe 21 decembrie 2005, el si-a oficializat relatia cu partenerul sau, regizorul David Furnish, printr-un parteneriat civil.
Cantaretul a tinut sa precizeze in urma acestui eveniment ca nu s-a casatorit, casatoria intre persoanele de acelasi sex fiind,la acel moment, inca interzisa in Anglia.

Moby (sau Richard Melville Hall, dupa numele sau real)

Moby este cunoscut printre fanii muzicii electronice, in special. El a declarat in diverse interviuri ca, inainte de a-si face debutul in lumea muzicii electronice, pe la inceputul anilor ‘90, muzica lui era usor orientata catre stilul disco si era intampinata cu reticenta de catre public. Motivul: stilul dance era adesea asociat minoritatilor gay, de culoare sau latino. In ceea ce priveste orientarea sexuala a lui Moby, declaratiile sale au nascut adevarate controverse. “Nu sunt nici homosexual, nici heterosexual, sunt mai de graba bisexual” declara Moby.
Mai mult, nu o data, Moby a aclamat in public cultura gay, el declarand ca barbatii homosexuali sunt “superiori” celor hetero.

Michael Stipe

John Michael Stipe, solistul formatiei R.E.M., recunostea, in 2001, intr-un interviu pentru Time Magazine ca intr-adevar este homosexual, punand astfel capat speculatiilor care se tot faceau pe seama orientarii sale sexuale; dupa ce facuse mai multe declaratii in care admitea ca a avut relatii atat cu femei, cat si cu barbati.
Declaratia lui Stipe nu a afectat cu nimic succesul trupei, fanii continuand sa aplaude melodii precum: :losing my religion” “Everybody Hurts” “The One I Love” “Bad day” si multe, multe altele.

Christian Chavez

Pe José Christián Chávez Garza fanii il cunosc foarte bine din formatia Rbd (Rebelde). In plina ascensiune a trupei, in anul 2007, starul mexican recunostea public ca este gay, dupa ce presa publica mai multe fotografii in care el aparea impreuna cu un alt barbat, la ceea ce parea a fi o cununie a celor doi. La momentul respectiv, cantaretul declara ca i-a fost teama sa faca public acest aspect al vietii sale de teama sa nu fie respins se societate si criticat de familie.
In septembrie 2007, Chavez era acuzat ca si-ar fi batut sotul, pe BJ Murphy. Artistul a infirmat aceste zvonuri, si le-a pus pe seama intentie unora de a-i ruina cariera.

George Michael

Cantaretul si-a tinut multa vreme ascunsa orientarea sexuala, in spatele unor relatii “de fatada” cu Brooke Shields sau Melissa Megginson, de teama sa nu o afecteze pe mama sa.
In 1991 l-a intalnit pe Anselmo Feleppa, cel care avea sa-i devina partener pentru urmatorii doi ani, pana in 1993, cand a decedat.
In 2008, cand autoritatile din California au legalizat, dupa 8 ani de discutii, casatoriile intre persoanele de acelasi sex, George Michael nu a putut sa nu aclame aceasta decizie “fantastica”.

Ricky Martin

Ricky Martin a avut intotdeauna mare grija cu declaratiile, el nu a confirmat dar nici nu a infirmat zvonurile referitoare la orientarea sa sexuala, dar nici faptul ca nu aparea in public cu vreo potentiala iubita nu era prea de folos. In unul din interviurile sale, Martin afirma ca inima lui ar putea apartine “ori unui barbat, ori unei femei”.
O dezvaluire soc a venit insa din partea unui amic al cantaretului, care l-a dat de gol, in acest sens.
In vara lui 2008, o mama surogat i-a nascut lui Ricky Martin doi gemeni, pe care artistul i-a botezat Valentino si Matteo.

Boy George

In interviurile care i-au fost luate, Boy George dadea mereau raspunsiri variate in legatura cu orientarea sa sexuala.
Pentru cativa ani buni, Boy George a format, in secret, un cuplu cu Jon Moss, tobosarul formatiei Culture Club, din care facea si el parte. Mai tarziu, dependenta de droguri a artistului a fost pusa pe seama despartirii de Moss.
In anii ‘90, cand trupa s-a reunit pentru o scurta perioada de timp, Jon Moss a discutat deschis despre relatia pe care el a avut-o cu Boy George, desi la momentul respectiv era insurat si avea cu sotia sa trei copii.

Stephen Gately

Pe Stephen Patrick David Gately ni-l amintim din formatia Boyzone. In anul 1999, ziarul The Sun titra: “Boyzone Stephen: I’m gay and I’m in love” (Boyzone Stephen: Sunt gay si sunt indragostit) poveste pe care cantaretul a decis sa o faca publica dupa ce un fost membru al formatiei il amenintase ca-l va da de gol. In 2002, dupa o relatie de peste patru ani cu Eloy de Jong (membru al trupei Caught in the Act), Gately il cunoaste pe omul de afaceri Andrew Cowles, care i-a fost prezentat de cuplul Elton John – David Furnish. Un an mai tarziu, Gately si Cowles si-au oficializat relatia, printr-un parteneriat civil incheiat la Londra.
Mamagerul trupei Boyzone, Louis Walsh, a declarat ca nu a stiut de orientarea sexuala a lui Gately atunci cand l-a selectat pentru a face parte din formatie, pentru ca altfel s-ar fi gandit de doua ori inainte de a-l alege “nu era cool atunci sa ai un homosexual in trupa” a declarat Walsh, in noiembrie 2008 pentru Irish Independent.

Darren Hayes

Darren Stanley Hayes a debutat in 1996 ca solist al trupei-duo Savage Garden, a carei prim album Savage Garden (1997) a avut un succes resunator. Piesele “I Want You”, “To the Moon and Back”,”Truly Madly Deeply” i-au propulsat pe cei doi in varful clasamentelor vremii.
Speculatii referitoare la orientarea sa sexuala au tot fost facute de-a lungul carierei, insa artistul a recunoscut public ca este homosexual abia in anul 2000. Sase ani mai tarziu, in 2006 semna un parteneriat civil, prin care isi oficializa relatia cu partenerul sau Richard Cullen.

In cinema…..
Richard Chamberlain

Pe George Richard Chamberlain l-am vazut in filme precum The Four Musketeers (Cei patru muschetari-1974), Shogun (1980), The Thorn Birds (Pasarea Spin – 1983)Strength and Honor (2007), I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry (Va declar sot si… sotie? – 2007) dar si multe alte seriale tv.
Tot in anul 2007 a avut o aparitie episodica in serialul de televiziune Desperate Housewives (Neveste disperate), interpretandu-l pe Glen Wingfield tatal vitreg al lui Lynette Scavo. Pesonajul era de asemenea homosexual.

Rupert Everett

Rupert James Hector Everett este unul dintre putinii actori care au avut un succes rasunator in cinematografie chiar si dupa ce si-au recunoscut public orientarea sexuala. La inceputul anilor ‘80 Everett se lansa in actorie interpretand roulul unui student homosexual in productia lui Marek Kanievska, Another Country (Alta tara – 1984).
De-a lungul carierei, Everett a jucat diverse roluri de homosexuali: l-am putut urmari in My Best Friend’s Wedding (1997) fiind prietenul gay al lui Julianne Potter (Julia Roberts) sau in The Next Best Thing (2000) fiind cel mai bun prieten gay al lui Abbie Reynolds (interpretata de Madonna).
De asemenea, Everett a colaborat cu Madoona si pentru coloana sonora a filmului.

Lance Bass

James Lance Bass a devenit cunoscut cu formatia ‘N Sync. Mai tarziu s-a consacrat ca actor cu rolul din comedia romantica On The Line (Cinci baieti dupa o fata – 2001).
Bass a recunocut public ca este homosexual intr-un material ce aparea in revista People, in 26 iulie 2006. Asta dupa ce in presa se facusera mai multe speculatii cu privire la orientarea sa sexuala, in urma unor poze pe care paparazii i le-au facut in diverse cluburi si baruri frecventate de homosexuali.”Nu mi-e rusine-asta e un lucru pe care vreau sa-l spun. Nu cred ca este gresit, nu sunt devastat ca cred prin asta, ma simt chiar eliberat si sunt mai fericit decat am fost in toata viata mea. Sunt fericit” a declarat atunci Bass.
Reactia publicului a fost una extrem de pozitiva. Tinerii care au crescut cu muzica ‘N Sync s-au grabit sa-l sustina.

Whereabouts: Philadelphia, PA

Word: subterfuge [suhb-ter-fyooj] n. an artifice or expedient used to evade a rule, escape a consequence, hide something, etc.

Birthday: René Descartes (1596), Johann Sebastian Bach (1685), Joseph Haydn (1732), César Chávez (1927), William Daniels(1927), Gordie Howe (1928), Liz Claiborne (1929), Richard Chamberlain (1934), Shirley Jones (1934), Barney Frank (1940), Christopher Walken (1943), Gabe Kaplan (1945), Al Gore (1948), Rhea Perlman (1948), Ed Marinaro (1950), Angus Young (1955), Ewan McGregor (1971), Josh Saviano (1976)

Occurrence: 1918 – Daylight Saving Time is first used. I’ve heard all the reasons why DST is a good idea. None of them appeal to me. It’s just a hassle. Except when I’m at a bar when we’re turning the clocks back. Then, I mean hey, one more hour of drinking. When is that ever a bad thing?

Standpoint: I like police officers. I know lots of people who don’t. Most have had a bad experience with a cop. Some just like thumbing their nose at authority. (Rock on, rebel.) But being a police officer can’t be easy. I can understand why they might sometimes be rude. First, people generally lie to them. Hardly anyone tells the exact truth. At least not right off the bat. Cops always have to ask a million questions to get to the bottom of anything. That’s gotta be frustrating. Second, imagine if – every conversation that you had in a day – you had to worry about someone either lunging at you or sprinting away and diving over some fence. I’d find it hard to remain forever-courteous in that situation. So I get it. I appreciate everything that law enforcement does for our society. But what Dallas Police Officer Robert Powell did to Ryan and Tamisha Moats was borderline criminal. Guy definitely shouldn’t be a cop. Or even a junkyard security guard. Moats, however, handled the situation like a gentleman and continues to do so. The saddest part about the whole incident is that, if Moats wasn’t an NFL running back, we would’ve never even known it occurred.

Quotation: A careful driver is one who honks his horn when he goes through a red light. – Henry Morgan

Soupçon: The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms prohibits the use of the word “refreshing” in describing any alcoholic beverage. I thought old Zima ads might’ve used the word but I can’t find any official use of the word “refreshing.”

Tune: Carly Simon’s “You’re So Vain” has always confused me. If she’s singing, “You’re so vain/You probably think this song is about you,” then wouldn’t the song at least be partially “about” whoever the hell she thinks is “so vain?” I think so. Furthermore, Simon has never confirmed who she’s referring to. Popular speculation names several suspects: Mick Jagger, Cat Stevens, Warren Beatty, Kris Kristofferson and James Taylor. Apparently, back then, if you played the guitar or happened to be Warren Beatty, you had a pretty good shot of dating Ms. Simon.

Link: Calvin and Hobbes Wonderland – Everything you could possibly need about the awesome comic strip by Bill Watterson.

Gallimaufry: It’s no secret that I like President Obama. But funny is funny. Check out Barack Obama’s Teleprompter’s Blog…Ever wished for super powers? Sure you have. Let Cracked explain why you don’t want them…Using TweetDeck for Twitter is my new vice. I highly recommend it.

Spamalot, the Broadway Musical

Tonight marks the second time I’ve been privileged enough to witness a live performance of the Broadway musical “Spamalot”. The first on actual, honest-to-Betsy Broadway in December at the Schubert theater (if I recall the theatre correctly), the second, tonight, was a local showing by the Broadway Theatre League.

Tonight also marks the second time, I’ve been able to hear the phenomenal Merle Dandridge reprise her role as “The Lady of the Lake”. Ms. Dandridge is by far the most talented vocal performer I’ve been — dare I sound redundant? — privileged to see on the stage and I strongly feel that her talent brought the whole show home for me as the single best Broadway musical I’ve ever seen.

After not reading the program, only to realize she had transitioned to the traveling cast (since Spamalot closed on Broadway January 16th, 2009), I began to wonder who amongst the cast of performers had also made the leap. Sadly, according to the program I don’t think anyone else did, though I was convinced that some from Broadway had twins.

Also amazing was the leading role of “Arthur, King of the Britains” as portrayed by non other than the legendary actor Richard Chamberlain himself. Oy vey. For all you young kids out there, Richard Chamberlain is best known for roles in Shogun, The Towering Inferno, and more recently on the big screen, as the city councilman in “I now pronounce you Chuck and Larry”. I still find myself very impressed with his work and more importantly, I am amazed to find that an actor of his caliber is doing 8 shows a week and — judging by the look on his face — loving every minute of it..

Seriously, if you’ve ever been a Monty Python fan, ever liked “the Holy Grail”. If you even know who Monty Python is, or just love kick ass Broadway musicals, you OWE it to yourself to go see this while you still can (I believe this is the last year). I myself intend to see it a third and fourth time if I can get decent tickets.

http://www.montypythonsspamalot.com/

Once again I’ve discovered something of interest on the History Channel’s web site.

Fifty years ago today, a plane crash in Iowa might have gone unnoticed were it not for the fame of the passengers who died. Ritchie Valens, Buddy Holly, and the “Big Bopper” J.P. Richardson were on their way to a concert in Minnesota.

Although it wasn’t widely acclaimed as such, many of us believed that the theme from Dr. Kildaire, “Three Stars will Shine Tonight” was a tribute to those three rock and roll stars. That song was released just three years after the plane crash. (Hopefully, the people in that video brought back a few memories for some of my readers. I enjoyed recognizing the likes of Marcus Welby, MD.)

I’m sure I’d heard the story before, but the History Channel’s web site refreshed my memory. The plane was chartered by Buddy Holly for himself and his band, the Crickets, after their tour bus broke down. Evidently, the other two singers were on the same bus and began bargaining with the Crickets to get seats on the plane.

The Big Bopper was suffering from the flu and managed to get one of the Crickets to feel sorry for him. Richie Valens managed to convince another band member to flip a coin for the seat. It’s rather ironic that the guy who lost the coin toss didn’t lose his life.

By the way, the Cricket who gave up his seat to the Big Bopper was none other than Waylon Jennings.

In 1959 I was a mere lad of fifteen, which means I was heavily into rock and roll. My radio was usually tuned to KQV in Pittsburgh and I often listened to those three recording artists. As I recall, my brother had bought a few 45 rpm records of Buddy Holly and the Crickets – “That’ll be the Day” and “Peggy Sue” were two of our favorites.

We all loved to sing along when the Big Bopper began his hit with, “Hello Baby!” And we loved to dance when Ritchie Valens crooned, “Oh, Donna.” So it was a big blow when we lost all three.

While the theme from Dr. Kildaire was only a quasi-tribute to the teen idols, Don McLean’s song, “American Pie” was immediately seen as a open tribute. I tried to find a video with McLean singing the song as we remember it, I had no luck. I’m still not sure why certain recording artists feel the need to try to ‘improve’ upon the original, but, in my opinion, McLean should’ve left well enough alone. In any case, here is what I found.

I never specifically stated why Richard Chamberlain should be connected with February 3rd. But that’s O.K. I never mentioned that the Pittsburgh Steelers won another Super Bowl either.

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Since I first wrote this post I remembered another song that was definitely a tribute to the three teen idols. Here it is…

“(They Long to Be) Close to You” é uma música que foi composta por Burt Bacharach e Hal David. Foi interpretada por Richard Chamberlain em 1963.Apenas em 1970 , os The Carpenters, conseguiram através da sua versão ,colocar esta música em 1º lugar no Billboard Hot 100 durante 4 semanas seguidas.

Considero uma das minhas músicas preferidas , principalmente a versão do Mario Biondi .Não pode faltar no vosso Ipod pois não??

The Carpenters

Mario Biondi

Cidia e Dan

Tra i tanti – e bellissimi- regali di Natale che mi ha fatto Andre, c’è stato il cofanetto della serie TV Shogun. Cinque dvd da due ore ciascuno di sapore Giapponese e un po’ retrò. Chi non avesse idea di cosa parla la serie può già intuire qualcosa dal titolo: è una storia che parla di Giappone medievale, di samurai e di bushido. L’unica cosa che mi aveva trattenuto dal comperare personalmente la serie era stato il protagonista: Richard Chamberlain, lo stesso de Uccelli di rovo. Lo so, ero troppo piccola per avere visto Uccelli di rovo quando uscì in televisione, il problema è che mia madre mi ha diffusamente raccontato il contenuto nel corso degli anni e devo dire che non mi attira per niente. Mi sono fatta l’idea che sia stato uno sceneggiato per donne dagli istinti repressi e frustrati…

Uccelli di Rovo

Beh, a parte questa doverosa digressione, Shogun è una gran bella storia. Tratta dal romanzo di James Clavell che decise di ricavane una mini serie TV, con la regia di Jerry London, dopo il successo che negli anni ‘70 aveva ottenuto Radici,  la prima mini serie TV in assoluto. La vita di James Clavell è stata costellata di terribili avventure e sorprende moltissimo che, alla fine di queste, abbia scritto un romanzo pro Giappone.

Shogun, cofanetto DVD

Shogun è meraviglioso e, devo dire, Richard Chamberlain si fa perdonare di essere stato Padre Ralph. Ambientato totalmente nel Giappone del XVII secolo, con costumi, scenografie e attori straordinari tra cui Toshiro Mifune, Shogun rappresenta la vita e la cultura giapponese senza compromessi e senza spiegazioni ridondanti. La parte geniale di tutta l’opera risiede nel fatto che le battute recitate dagli attori giapponesi (in giapponese, è ovvio) non siano state sottotitolate o ridoppiate proprio per immedesimarsi ed empatizzaare col protagonista, totalmente digiuno di Giapponese e cultura Nipponica.

Elly

I couldn’t resist devoting this movie post to the first period drama that I recall watching, The Slipper and the Rose. I would have been about 10 years old, taped it on BETA and watched it over and over again.  I always loved fairy tales and to this day, I still adore this movie and never tire of watching it.

Hence, this is where my love for period drama began…

The Slipper and the Rose is a well acted, humorous, musical story of Cinderella, with a twist and a  hint of fantasy and magic. It’s a well known cast of actors – Prince Edward, is played by Richard Chamberlain, Cinderella by the lovely Gemma Craven, Edith Evans as the Dowager Queen, and the Fairy Godmother is played by Annette Crosby. If you are a fan of Kiera Knightley, you will like Gemma Craven  – she is a ‘cute’ version of her. The music is masterfully worked in to reminisce with previous musical scores of particular sentiment.

The Prince wishes to marry for love, not duty and sets forth to have a “Bride Finding Ball”, inviting all the noble women of the land. The songs tell part of the story and the dancing is just “Utterly Splendid”. The costumes are sparkly, lush and beautiful, it it obvious there was a fairly decent budget for the movie.

Cousin Montague, the Dowager Queen and the King are a giggle. The Prince meets and falls in love with Cinderella, and sets out to find her after she disappears from the ball. With only a glass slipper, the Prince allows every woman in the land to try the slipper for a perfect fit (Envy, Envy, Envy – I wish I owned a pair, they are gorgeous!). Cinderella is found, however, she is not of noble birth and the marriage is unable to take place. Events take place that defies the constraints of royal obligation and of course … they live happily ever after.

Starring: Richard Chamberlain, Gemma Craven, Annette Crosbie, Edith Evans, Michael Hordern, Kenneth More.

I am probably biased to this movie, but I do rate it highly and it’s suitable for all the family. Here is a link to download and watch the movie – should you have trouble getting a copy.

I Rate it: ♥♥♥♥♥