THE LAST PICTURE SHOW!

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In Memory of William Hebert, a dear friend of mine who was killed last Monday in Texas.

My thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Melissa and their children.

I learned of this tragedy late Thursday afternoon.

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"Friday Movie Suggestion Night" resumes from my temporary home base in the Mid-West. For newcomers, I have been on an intense business trip to 9 cities over 18-days and so posting from the road was not always ideal. After I returned home and rested up, I completely overhauled the remaining list of films for 2005 and I must say, I am very proud of what I have in store. This movie is a "Must-See" for anyone. THE LAST PICTURE SHOW was Directed by then 31-year old newcomer Peter Bogdanovich and was widely viewed as a racy movie for it's time, given the skinny-dipping swimming pool scene with Cybill Shepherd.

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The Plot: In tiny Anarene, Texas nothing changes. It is 1950 and the U.S. is between World War Two and the Korean Conflict. Sonny and Duane are best friends passing through that awkward period of life between boyhood and manhood. The two cope with this phase by focusing on the local movie house, basketball, and---Girls. Jacey (Shepherd) is Duane's steady, wanted by every boy in school, and she knows it. She comes from a rich Daddy and a loose Mom. While never spoken, it's rather obvious that whoever wins Jacey's heart will enjoy life on "Easy Street".

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But the town of Anarene is dying a quiet death. People are migrating to the big cities to make their livings and raise their kids. The boys in town are bewildered and torn between a future "somewhere out there" beyond the borders of town where uncertainty lies, or remaining in a run-down town with a sad pool hall and a deteriorating movie house -- the legacy of their friend and mentor, "Sam the Lion".

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As is often the case, high school graduation approaches and the next phase of their lives deal some hard lessons in love, loneliness, and jealousy. Patrons stop attending the second-run features at the movie house and the time comes for the "last picture show". With the closure of the movie house, the boys feel that a stage of their lives is closing too. They stand uneasy and frightened on the threshold of their futures.

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The movie was adapted from the novel by Larry McMurtry. The well-documented romance between Shepherd and Bogdanovich began during the filming and the movie was among one of the most talked about stories throughout 1971. Peter Bogdanovich was formerly a stage actor and film writer/critic who had previously directed only two other smaller feature films, the low-budget Targets (1967) with Boris Karloff cast as a horror-movie star, and the frankly terrible Voyage to the Planet of Prehistoric Women (1968) with Mamie Van Doren.

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This was Bogdanovich's first major film, and the first mainstream Hollywood feature film shot in Black & White since the early 60s, with Cinematography by Robert Surtees. The film was the director's tribute and homage to the classic films of legendary directors Howard Hawks (Red River (1948)), John Ford (The Grapes of Wrath (1940)), and Orson Welles himself (Citizen Kane (1941). Old-time western film star Ben Johnson, who had starred in many classic films of the genre, including Ford's She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949), Shane (1953), and The Wild Bunch (1969), played the role of an old-time cowboy in the film. Here's a cool fact: Orson Welles suggested to Bogdanovich that he should film the movie in Black & White (Bogdanovich later authored a book on his mentor, Welles' after his death in 1985). In fact, the film's theme is similar to Welles' The Magnificent Ambersons (1942) - about the passing of an earlier way of life due to the advent of the automobile at the turn of the century.

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This film was shot on location over an eleven-week period in Archer City, Texas (McMurtry's home town) with rich character study using a non-star cast depicting the mediocre lives of two generations of aimless townspeople with frustrated, and shallow lives (middle-aged adults and naive adolescent teenagers) who cling to the dying and barren town, and try to find solace and escape from boredom in lost dreams, drinking, temporary (and manipulative) sexual encounters where everyone knows everything about everyone else. Starring: Jeff Bridges (a likeable, high-school athlete and senior); Timothy Bottoms (a quiet, serious friend); Sam Bottoms ( a mute friend); Cybill Shepherd (as the teenaged "hottie"); Ben Johnson (as an ex-cowboy); Ellen Burstyn (as a once-beautiful, lonely, alcoholic, philandering rich wife---Whew!); and Cloris Leachman (as a ruthlessly neglected, middle-aged homosexual coach's wife).

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The R-rated film reflected social and sexual mores (with full frontal nudity and explicit sexual situations) and was nominated for 8 Academy Awards (c) (including 4 for its ensemble cast), and was awarded 2 Oscars (c) for: Ben Johnson ("Best Supporting Actor") and Cloris Leachman ("Best Supporting Actress"). The other six nominations included: Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor (Jeff Bridges), Best Supporting Actress (Ellen Burstyn), Best Director, (Peter Bogdanovich), Best Cinematography (Robert Surtees known for his work on The Bad and the Beautiful (1952)), and Best Adapted Screenplay (Larry McMurtry and Peter Bogdanovich).

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The film's sequel Texasville (1990), also by Bogdanovich, featured Jeff Bridges and Cybill Shepherd (and others in the principal cast) reprising their original roles. On a final note, one of my acting coaches, Gary Chasson, worked with Bogdanovich as an Assistant on this film.

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From this point forward, FMSN signals an emphasis on high grade quality films. We're going to "the next level". So, grab the popcorn and enjoy this unforgettable "coming of age" film.

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Listening to: David M. Bailey: "Coffee with the Angels"

REGROUPING!

Want to start off your day with a beautiful piece of art? Okay, stop by Lee's site at Caribbean Colors: http://Caribbean-colors.blogspot.com and catch her Oriental Watercolor pieces. They are spectacular!

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My body is still decompressing from 18 days on the road and an average of 9 meetings a day. I still managed to squeeze in some fun and photography. The lost Jump Drive turned out to be in a Fed Ex Kinko's drawer and I had it shipped "Priority Overnight". Now I'm only missing one of 4 Kodak disposable camera's. As I'm fond of saying: "Go ahead and laugh. I can't hear you in Ohio anyway" (and even if I could, I'd be laughing along with you). As fate would have it, that particular camera contained my most important memories: photos with Al Topping, my friend Mary Ann, another friend named Mary, Bud & Cathy Buckley, numerous shots at CNN in Atlanta, The Pan Am AWARE store (inside The Pan Am Flight Academy on 36th St/Doral on the outskirts of Miami International), the blank-looking building that was once the headquarters of Eastern Airlines next door where I landed my first BIG magazine interview with my friend of 10 years, the late Marty Shugrue, shots of beautiful sunsets and the strip of beaches near my hotel in Deerfield, Florida; there was Epcot Center in Orlando...then Poof! The camera It went missing. But I'm undeterred.

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Funny that I mentioned Marty. We were seated in Colonel Frank Borman's old office on the 9th Floor of what was once referred to as "Building 16" (it even had it's own Zip Code). Marty was both the Operating and later Liquidating Trustee of Eastern Airlines. I had my Panasonic cassette tape recorder and a stack of blank tapes on a large circular table and my photographer who was assigned to me was in the corner snapping photos when Marty received a call. The Creditor's Committee was about to have a teleconference with him and we needed to vacate his office for about 40 minutes when I realized that I had misplaced my keys! Always a "cool head in a hot spot" Marty said calmly, "Just go back and methodically backtrack". I've never forgotten this or anything I'd learned from Marty over 10 years. Even now, I have taped to my wall 5 places where I've backtracked and realized that I missed one hotel gift shop where I bought bottled water and a USA Today newspaper. So, "through hook or crook", it will turn up.

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Yesterday was taken up with me crunching numbers from my travel and later, visiting my Aunt to deliver souvenirs (that's always fun--giving gifts and watching excited faces aglow with wonder). Today was less hectic. I sold an extra SKB hardshell guitar case and had the oil changed again, and the tires on the car rotated. Despite the fact I've never watched "The Sopranos", I'm in the market for an Office Shredder. I did manage to reassemble a list of tremendous movies for "Friday Movie Suggestion Night". Of course I can't say anything until Thursday's of each week. But I can tell you that Blog buddy David M. Bailey's CD's arrived in the mail and I have them in the car to listen to this week. Lastly, I have started catching up with each of you on your BLOGS. I have missed all of you and since my body is still craving sleep, I'll sign out here. See you tomorrow!

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Listening to: Beethoven: Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67/ Egmont Overture, Op. 84; Seizi Ozawa-Boston Symphony Orchestra.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CAMP BOGGY CREEK!

Scroll down the right margin of my Blogsite and you'll see a category I created (with a smile) called COOL STUFF. Basically, this is a handful of carefully researched Non-Profit organizations I have chosen to support because they fit my heart well. Actor Paul Newman is one of my all time favorite people. His "Hole in the Wall Gang Camp" I support each year in memory of my young Niece who was lost in 1991. While I was on the road for 18 days to 9 cities, I came across a photo of Paul with retired Army General H. Norman Schwarzkopf, co-founders of "Camp Boggy Creek" located in Eustis, Florida. Last Saturday, both men showed up at Universal Studios, Florida to mark the 10th Anniversary with volunteers and donors alike. I was sorry I missed attending. The camp takes in seriously ill children and allows them to do most everything healthy kids get to do like swim, fish, and a favorite for me--riding horses--while receiving medical treatment.

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Modeled after "The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp" that Paul founded in 1988 in rural Connecticut, "Camp Boggy Creek" kids between the ages of 7 and 16 get to stay in one of 16 very cool cabins on this 223 acre lake for a week! The General and Paul had a message that the camp may be short of 70 volunteers this summer. So I decided to BLOG about it briefly.

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The positions they need filled range from life guard, to camp counselor--as well as physician services. "We can always use more money. We can always use volunteers", said Paul. Children fighting Cancer have a hard time trying to "fit in" with healthy children. But the buck stops here! Referring to kids who stay at the camp, Paul observed, "The transformation is apparent. It's visible after the first day...and we haven't lost a single camper to alligators", he joked. General Schwarzkopf, who retired to Florida also chimed in. "It was astonishing to see children with terrifying illnesses...in the swimming pool...and they're being treated like a normal kid", he said. "It's not cheap, but it's worth every nickel". So, if you happen to live in the area and want to at least investigate to see if volunteering your time and talents and love is "in the cards" for you this upcoming summer, call Toll Free" 1-866-462-6449, or tell ya what. You can visit www.boggycreek.org !

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I'd like to sign off with a photo slide show that has some fun photos of an upcoming Harley Davidson Biker Ride to benefit the camp coming up later this October.

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Just Click on ://www.rideforchildren.com/gallery.html and enjoy. It's a GREAT way to start your day!

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Before I sign off, I'd like to thank Doug Miles, Host of "Suncoast Magazine" at 1220 AM Talk Radio in Sarasota for having me on the air yesterday morning as his Guest for about 15 minutes. I put in a "plug" for Bud Buckley in nearby Venice for the audience to go hear him play! That was great fun and the guys at the station are First-Class. The Pan Am Historical Foundation was mentioned in Miami and Al Topping caught my broadcast on the Internet and said he had a blast listening. After driving nearly 5,000 miles in 18 days, I'm slowly getting caught up on my rest and plan to start visiting all of you tomorrow. Thank you for your supportive e-mails and have a terrific day!

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Listening to: "Rockin' Horse", "Niagra" and "I Give In" by: Sara Evans.

APPRECIATION: GORDON PARKS 1912-2005

While I was on my 18 day road-trip in the South and Southeast, 20th Century Renaissance man Gordon Parks, passed away at the age of 93. Dana Reeve's tragic death was reported along worldwide newswires on March 8th, and because of her youth, and her circumstances with husband Christopher, her death overshadowed Gordon's passing. So, I wanted to Honor this photojournalist, fashion photographer, poet, composer, novelist, painter and filmmaker who brought forward the 1971 film "Shaft" starring Richard Roundtree. The unforgettable theme song in that film by Isaac Hayes won an Academy Award (c). Mr. Parks became the first African-American to direct a film for a major studio in 1969. "The Learning Tree" is a drama based on his 1963 autobiographical novel about growing up in Kansas in the 1920's. His music, his writing and his films--even costuming will be remembered. But what inspired me was a 1998 interview he did as a Guest on PBS' NewsHour, where he said: "My life to me is like sort of a disjointed dream. ...It was a constant effort, a constant feeling that I must not fail, and I still have that. ...There's another horizon out there, one more horizon that you have to make for yourself and let other people discover it".

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What became his best known photograph was that of Ella Watson, a cleaning lady in Washington, D.C. Reflecting on that pivotal moment in his life and career, Parks said, "That was my first day in Washington, D.C. in 1942. I had experienced a kind of bigotry and discrimination here that I never expected to experience. And I photographed her after everyone had left the building.

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"At first, I asked her about her life, what it was like, and (it was) so disastrous that I felt that I must photograph this woman in a way that would make me feel or make the public feel about Washington, D.C. was in 1942.

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"So I put her before the American flag with a broom in one hand and a mop in another. And I said, 'American Gothic'--that's how I felt at the moment. I didn't care about what anybody else felt. That's what I felt about America and Ella Watson's position inside America".

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Philip Brookman, curator of photography at the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. said, "He was an inspiration for many generations of people and not only artists. As someone who grew up in an environment of poverty and racism, he made it his mission to end that and he used art as a weapon to do it".

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I would encourage anyone to go online and check out the volume of work Mr. Parks achieved in his long life. It reminded me of the character of "Alfredo" in a movie I featured last year on "Friday Movie Suggestion Night" , "Cinema Paradiso", where the blind and aging Alfredo tells Toto, his beloved friend. "Life is not like the movies, Toto. Life is very hard". Despite many obstacles, Gordon Parks lived his life to the fullest.

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Have a great week!

THE FABULOUS BAKER BOYS!

Pure Delight! And what a cast in THE FABULOUS BAKER BOYS! for our Friday Movie Suggestion Night offering this week. If you are just plain fed up with the lack of imagination and passion the Hollywood grist mill churns out, you will love this movie. Basically, brothers Jack and Frank Baker (Jeff & Beau Bridges) are cocktail lounge piano players who have played exhaustive gigs in every hotel and bar imaginable for years. When the work becomes sour and for Jack--downright painful regarding his unfulfilled ambitions--the brothers decide to spice things up by adding what else? A little charm and sex appeal in the form of chain-smoking siren and hard bitten realist in Susie Diamond (Michelle Pfeiffer), a beautiful songstress. As is often the case in bands--small or large, emotions run high and low as Jack begins to fall in love with Suzie. The sibling rivalry between sex addict Jack and happily-married Frank is funny. I should mention that Meg Tilly is not to be missed in a small role that cracked me up!

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Michelle Pfeiffer will drive the men in the Blogosphere crazy sliding across the piano top in a slinky red dress. Viewers who don't know this next fact will be surprised: Pfeiffer can sing! I've never heard a better cocktail lounge version of "Making Whoopie" in my life! Her smoldering sexuality radiates and forces the defensive Jack, trapped in his own frustrating hell of lost opportunities and meaninglessness to confront his inability to open up his heart and become emotionally vulnerable to Pfeiffer. This dynamic creates a strain on brother Frank, as Suzie's unexpected audition and hiring brings forth an unexpected outcome.

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Academy Award Nominations: 3, including Best Actress for Michelle Pfeiffer & Best Cinematography & Editing. Golden Globe WINS include Best Actress & Nomination for Best Original Score. Steve Klove is the Screenwriter and Director. What we have here is three people who are confronting a mid-life crisis, where the best of life and ambitions may or may not be behind them. Watch and see!

Enjoy All!

PLEASE REMEMBER JIM TODAY!

Denny Shane (at My Not So Normal Life) recently asked the question, "Where have all the bloggers gone?" Well, 100,000 new Blog sites are being set up daily in America, and many of you are new to my site. Three times in the past year, I have Blogged about a phenomenal man named Jim West.

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Jim's wife Liz passed away last week and I was informed over breakfast with Mary Ann Sprinkle, my dear friend who is the fund raising director with The National Parkinson Foundation in Miami. Jim has PD and my own father died from the disease. Mary Ann met with Jim and Liz last winter in Connecticut where Jim has his recording studios. He's been in the music business as a bass player, singer, arranger and film maker for 8 decades. Mary Ann--God Bless her--had to decide on the way to Deerfield, Florida (where my hotel was) if she should break the news to me. Since I networked she and Jim together, not only to forge a new friendship, but to explore how the two might "Make things happen" with regard to events and projects to raise awareness of this devastating disease that Michael J. Fox, Former Attorney General Janet Reno, and Muhammad Ali all struggle with, she decided she had to tell me. I've never had my heart broken in a restaurant at breakfast before--but I was grateful for Mary Ann's love in trusting me and informing me then and here--tears or no tears. My friend Liz was gone. She had fought a valiant battle with Cancer and I loved her dearly. Mary Ann and Liz bonded as friends as both are avid lovers of horses.

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Whether you are a musician, a singer, whether you love music or just love people who really give back to others, Jim is alone now in his townhome and there is an "after shock" that is just tremendous. If you have time today and want to read something inspiring, go over and click on Jim West's site here on my Blog and read "A Life in Music". Afterwards, if you feel so inclined, come back here and leave any message for Jim that you would like. And whatever you do, kiss the one you love today like it's your last and enjoy life to the fullest. This is one extraordinary man who has helped millions and your kind words could help him tremendously. Feel free to pass this on!

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I am in Orlando today and we are getting up to 90 degree's. So, I must run. I've already covered 3,000 miles. I did find a copy of Colonel Frank Borman's out of print Biography "Countdown" and picked up two Cyndi Lauper CD's from a used CD shop: "Shine" and "Hat Full of Stars" (I've seen these tours so it was fun). Also grabbed many gifts for my 10 week old Niece and 3 year old nephew. Plus gifst for friends and family that filled one suitcase alone! I'll post the CD's I have in my car for the trip back later just for fun!

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Thanks to all of you for leaving a comment to Jim: No obligation. Just read his story and see if the spirit moves your heart. You guys ROCK!

PATCH ADAMS

To belabor the obvious, last week was filled with heartbreak and a legacy from Dana Reeve --so resolute that no matter what life dealt she and her husband, Chrisptopher, the mission of their foundation, The Christopher Reeve Foundation would "Go Forward". As a guy her age, I found it difficult to be reminded of what all of us witnessed. In a short period of time, a beautiful young lady with such wonderful personal qualities and convictions of generosity and compassion was stricken and then--gone. I considered not even mentioning a "Friday Movie Suggestion Night". As you know, I remain on the road with a mix of business and getting to meet some Blog-Buds and have shuttled from one Library and Fed Ex Kinkos to another, unable to get a movie poster uploaded. Going ahead with te movie was, after a lot of soul searching a good decision.

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If I had stuck to my traditional European upbringing (which is filled with mourning when someone passes away) I just felt that wouldn't be in keeping whatsoever with what The Reeves--Dana and Christopher seemed to be about. Death is a reality of life. So too, is celebrating and defying the more traditional path many sadly assume of giving in and giving up: two things Chris and Dana never did.

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So, last Tuesday came the warm news that actor/comedian/genius Robin Williams and his wife would welcome the Reeve's son Will, 13, into their family. What to do with this little BLOGsite of mine? I felt a suggestion of "Superman" or "Somewhere in Time" would be somehow inappropriate given sense of mourning it would bring. I felt that a more appropriate way to go was to think of something in keeping with Dana and Chrsitopher's spirit with a movie that Robin Williams made that was based on a true-life story. So, for however few or many that follow my program, I decided to go with the movie PATCH ADAMS for this week's "Friday Movie Suggestion Night".

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Hunter "Patch" Adams is the true life story of a physician in training who was criticized in his official medical school record for "excessive happiness". How funny is that? I later learned that a faculty advisor once told him, "If you want to be a clown, join the circus." Tough choice! Patch did, in fact, want to be both a clown and a physician!! In real life, he had been institutionalized as a teenager for depression and this led to his inspiration to become a doctor at a mental institute who chose to celebrate the triumph of spirit, individualism and the unending pursuit of idealism.

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Robin Williams said, "Patch is a strange anomaly, just incredible. He wears massively bright floral shirts and a tie that occasionally makes noise. He's an outrageous person but a passionate and dedicated doctor. He never wanted to be part of the system, he had to create a new system." Director Tom Shadyac explains, "Patch is a healer who tries to find out what makes you tick. What do you like? What excites you? What is your passion? Fulfilling his patients' fantasies increased their endorphin levels and their desire to recover." The real-life doctor attended the Medical College of Virginia in the late 60s and early 70s. After graduation, he formed The Gesundheit Institute, dedicated to a more connected, personalized approach to medicine. Having initially resisted public attention, he began receiving a flurry of media coverage about his unorthodox clinic in the mid-80s and eventually wrote a book about his work in 1993.

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In the book, Adams explains his humor-driven prescriptions and why he's willing to dress like a gorilla, fill a room full of balloons or tub full of noodles to elicit a smile, a spiritual connection or simple moment of pleasure from a patient. Can you imagine this type of healing from an Emergency Room visit or a surgery today? So, using unconventional methods and wacky surprises to ease patient's anxiety and enhance their healing, Patch helped pioneer the then-startling idea that doctors should treat people, not just disease. Compassion, involvement and empathy.

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This is a "feel-good film" that celebrates life without avoiding it's losses. I felt that I picked the right film and tenor for this week [and I hope you feel the same after you watch it]. I have to close with a funny, short story many of you have read.

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When Robin Williams made one of his many visits to Christopher Reeve in the hospital, there was a vacuum device that was used to evaculate Chris' lung and esophageal tube congestion. Williams wanted to make Reeve laugh, so he took the vacuum, turned it on and began using a foreign accent as if he were a Maid on steroids and stood on the bed "vacuuming" the drapes and bedsheets, babbling maniacally before Christopher had him accosted. This is the spirit of life!

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We have today. Remember...somewhere, someone today is thinking fondly about you. You may have inspired anything from a smile, a crush or great admiration to a warmed heart that has decided to give Trusting another try due to your act of kindness! Never loose sight of how important you are to many. Most of us simply don't realize it until it is too late. Chris and Dana Reeve "became the difference that made the difference". The best way to honor them is to consider their example!

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I'm still traveling. But I wish each of you a great weekend!

DANA REEVE AND A WISH!

1961-2005

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Out of the unimaginable heartbreak of last week comes the hopeful news now that that Dana and Chris' son, Will, is going to be cared for by the Reeve's best friend, actor Robin Williams. The Reeve's desire to "Go Forward" with Christopher Reeve Foundation for Paralysis Research continues here:

http://www.christopherreeve.org

TODAY IS AL TOPPING DAY ! (NEW POST)

Today is "Al Topping Day" on my Website and BLOGSITE! Pictured Above: This is my latest story on Page 46 of the April 2006 issue of Airways magazine. It is an interview with a true American Hero who is as down to earth as the day is long. His name is Al Topping. Many of you are new readers to this BLOGSITE, and I have written extensively about the feat that Al performed as Station Manager with Pan American World Airways in Saigon, Vietnam in 1975. When Al realized that Saigon was about to fall to the Communist military forces, he sent his wife home to the safety of the United States and soon after, moved his "office" to a trailer located at Tan Son Nhut Airport. What followed were weeks of monitoring radio and television reports, talking to cab drivers and villagers, and quite literally plotting the positions of towns as they fell. As the country was coming apart at the seams, Al lived through the crash of a US Air Force Lockheed C-5A Galaxy carrying orphans to the United States as part of "Operation Babylift" ordered by then President Gerald Ford. This occurred on April 4, 1975. A rear door pressurization system failed and the door blew out damaging hydraulic units and otherwise rendering the plane uncontrollable. The very next day, two chartered Pan American Boeing 747's and additional 707's were flown in to rescue the survivors and many civilians. Al was part of these missions to board the infants and adults safely. When the FAA ordered all commercial flights stopped, President Ford designated a special "Charter" flight on a Pan Am 747 that would literally be the "Last Flight Out" for Pan Am personnel and their families. So today, throughout thousands of bookstores in the United States (and worldwide next week) we honor Al Topping-a Great American-- for saving so many lives!

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Below: Here is a photo of Al in his Pan Am office with a poster on the wall featuring the real life made for TV movie "Last Flight Out". Al was portrayed by celebrated actor James Earl Jones. Also pictured is late Richard Crenna who portrayed Pan Am pilot Captain Dan Hood, and the late Haign S. Ngor, M.D. who portrayed Al's Saigon assistant Nguyen Van Luc.
After Vietnam, Al Topping served Pan Am as an Airport Technical Operations Advisor and remained with the carrier in Miami, serving his last days as Vice President of Corporate Communications in 1991. Al saved 426 American and South Vietnamese lives on April 25, 1975. Saigon fell just 6 days later.

Above: Here is a photograph from the movie just as the evacuation is about to ensue. The late Richard Crenna is at Left (his last role was as "Jarred" with actress Tyne Daly on TV's "Judging Amy") and James Earl Jones who portrayed Al Topping. To order a copy of the DVD of "Last Flight Out" contact MIAMI AWARE: the Pan Am Memorabilia Shop here in the US at (305) 871-1028 Monday through Friday (Eastern Time) from 11 AM - 3 PM.

ALSO: PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THE DVD, "LAST FLIGHT OUT" MAY BE OBTAINED FROM PAAVN.ORG. THIS CHARITY IS LISTED AT THE RIGHT HAND COLUMN OF MY BLOGSITE UNDER THE HEADING: "COOL STUFF".

OUT OF TOWN FOR THE WEEK !

Monday I will be on a plane to visit cities on the East Coast to explore relocation. I will be out of pocket at least 8 days, so I wanted to go ahead and announce this week's "Friday Movie Suggestion Night" quite a bit early--not "Standard Procedure"--but it's been important and fun for me and I hope many of you as well.

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This film brings back an actor who was in the very first "Friday Movie Suggestion Night" last September (in "The Verdict"), one of the finest Actors that has ever lived: Paul Newman with a superb cast in NOBODY'S FOOL. It's actually good that I selected this during the cold weather season because now everyone has an excuse to grab a pillow, the cat, dog, or better yet--your "better half" and curl up before the fireplace. This movie sadly marked the very last film of Jessica Tandy and is lovingly dedicated to her. The Plot: Director Robert Benton brings to life a man named Sully Sullivan (Newman) who tries to bring some adventure and meaning to an otherwise 'neer do well' life in a small boring town. Bruce Willis plays Carl Roebuck, Sully's boss who shamelessly exploits him at every turn. But Sully gets to flirt with Toby (Melanie Griffith) Carl's neglected wife and the two men take getting even with each other to hysterical limits. While battling an insurance company for a bad knee and approaching retirement, Sully's estranged son (played by Dylan Walsh) moves his family (Catherine Dent and Alexander Goodwin) back to town, Sully has to face what he's been avoiding for years--taking responsibility. Jessica Tandy plays the charming and lovely Miss Beryl Peoples--Sully's teacher from Grade School and the two have a daily routine that tickles the heart. Interestingly, Phillip Bosco, whom we just saw as the high school principal in "Children of a Lesser God" plays the Court Judge and Phillip Seymour Hoffman weighs in as a police officer. Sully's own harsh and abusive childhood has hardened him. But all of this is about to change. Many people, including myself feel Newman was cheated out of an Oscar (c) for this film (Nominated as Best Actor in a Leading Role, 1995). Director Benton was also nominated for Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium.

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This film will not only find a place in your heart this week; it will prove why through the decades--literally--Paul Newman is an Actor of all generations. This is a good time for all of us to Honor Paul at age 80.

CHILDREN OF A LESSER GOD

Time to announce the choice for this week's "Friday Movie Suggestion Night" and I think you will really love it. CHILDREN OF A LESSER GOD stars Marlee Matlin as "Sarah" and William Hurt as "James Leeds"--a dedicated teacher of deaf high school students. The reasons for choosing this film are many. First, the film is filmed in the scenic Northeast during the Fall, Winter and Summer seasons. It is a beautiful and emotional story of Love involving "Sarah", a graduate of the school whose haunted past renders her brilliance to an empty existence as the mute school janitor. Leeds is intrigued by her and sees something more than merely a beautiful young woman who scrubs floors and cleans toilets at the school but doesn't speak. As the secrets to Sarah's past gradually unfold, the film becomes increasingly interesting. James and Sarah later fall in love, but the battle between Sarah and her inner demons prevents the relationship from developing fully and therein lies the tension within the characters that keeps the audience anxiously "on the edge of their seats". Make no doubt about it. This film is more than a love story; it's a story about Hope.

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The world of the spoken word and the sign language is brilliantly delivered. The character of Leeds speaks what they are saying and this avoids the traditional subtitles we have become accustomed to with foreign films.

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This film was shot in 1986 and earned Marlee Matlin the Academy Award (c) as Best Actress in addition to being the youngest person to win the Oscar for Best Actress category (at age 21). Interestingly, Marlee Matlin did play the stage role of "Lydia" earlier, one of Leed's students, before being cast in the leading role of "Sarah" in the film. This was a highly difficult role because Matlin expressed herself non-verbally. Her body language and emotions were perfectly aligned in every scene. Few others have accomplished this in such magnitude. Only one other actress has won an Oscar for playing a non-speaking lead role (Holly Hunter, "The Piano", 1993). William Hurt performs his role as "James" with extreme dedication and focus. Jame's struggle between love and reaching out are expressed beautifully in every scene.

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Hurt was Nominated as Best Actor; Piper Laurie was nominated as Best Supporting Actress; Burt Sugarman and Patrick J. Palmer were nominated for Best Picture and Mark Medoff and Hesper Anderson were nominated for Best Screenplay. Following Matlin's Academy Award, box office demand for this film shot up an astounding 164% nationwide. I have yet to come across a bad review of this movie!

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The Music used throughout the film was another reason for my selection. Here are two quotes I uncovered about the soundtrack. "Whenever I need to escape the world and find a special place, I play this music". And, "When I heard this soundtrack during the movie I was swept away with its beauty, expressiveness and oddly, its intimacy".

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Lastly, with all of the overwhelming insanity that threatened to drown us in despair from the news in the Media these past two weeks, I felt it was time to present a movie of HOPE and PERSPECTIVE. I sincerely hope you'll love this film as much as I do. Perhaps that's why I own a copy!

Enjoy!