Maybe it's the oboe...
February 4, 2007
I watched a bit of the film Cinema Paradiso tonight, in between the halftime show of the Superbowl (more on this later) and the first episode of The Three-Day Novel reality show on Book Television, which the Raving poets (moi on keyboards) had a small part in. Cinema Paradiso is even better today that it was in 1989 when it was released. This film is timeless, brilliant, heart-breaking, beautiful. A love story. Mothers and sons. Young men and young women. People and movies. Father figures and boys. And Philippe Noiret is stunning as mentor to Toto. And Jacques Perrin is perfect—neither under or over-playing his role as the grown Toto.
I’m not big lists. But if I was forced to list my three top movies of all time, this one, along with Witness (with Harrison Ford) would be two and three. Not sure on number one. Perhaps a Charlie Chaplin film… Tonight, my attention torn, I caught fragments of Cinema Paradiso and still, riveted to the final scene in which Toto, now grown up, watches a spliced together testament of love, a subtle, and moving end to a great, great movie—and there I am with tears in my eyes, and not able to look away!!!
Music. Maybe it’s just the oboe. The oboe with the orchestra behind. The high strings. And movement to a French horn? I don’t know.
Regarding the Superbowl halftime, I thought Prince was excellent. Thoroughly entertaining. Brave to perform in the rain. As far as I could see, he was actually live—although, how they played in the rain without being electrocuted is a mystery. Loved Purple Rain, and loved the Hendrix. One hundred times better than the Rolling Stones of last year's so called Superbowl. A show that was possibly the most pathetic, overrated performance ever. Now if only the NFL was interesting. Though, inclement weather made the game slightly more interesting, I still only watched less than five minutes.
There's another chance to watch the Three-Day Novel Contest Reality show this coming Tuesday, on Access. I know there's only one other guy in the entire city who actually has Book Television in their cable package--He writes me cryptic letters every couple months. I never write back. The show is very well done and I'm looking forward to watching the contestants unravel in the coming weeks.
7 Comments
1. Mike had this to say: Feb 05, 2007 ~ 10:52 ~ #
I’ve never seen Cinema Paradiso, but been meaning to. It so hard to name fave movies, the list always changes. My top 3, as of right now:
1. Big Lebowski
2. Usual Suspects
3. Empire of the Sun
This changes every three minutes.
2. Thomas had this to say: Feb 05, 2007 ~ 11:48 ~ #
I know, my three are constantly changing. I love the Big Lebowski (still trying to figure out what the hell t’s about but I still love it) and Usual Suspects is a great, great yarn!!! Empire of the Sun, doesn’t stand out for me but I will re-visit.
I’m thinking Chaplin’s Modern Times…would be the one…
3. Anita had this to say: Feb 06, 2007 ~ 11:27 ~ #
Hello Thomas!
I’d love to have Book TV, but don’t. Sigh. I will watch here through words from your fingertips.
Top three movies…they change for me as well, but at or near the top most of the time:
1. Pandaemonium
2. Arsenic and Old Lace
3. Moulin Rouge
p.s. I love oboe…even more now than when I played it in high school.
4. Rosemary had this to say: Feb 06, 2007 ~ 11:29 ~ #
1. Almost Famous
2. LOTR the entire trilogy
3. Memoirs of a Geisha
Had to add my favorite three.
5. mary had this to say: Feb 06, 2007 ~ 13:08 ~ #
top three at this moment on a slightly snowy Tuesday afternoon:
1. The Big Lebowski (even though it has already been done on this list)
2. The Straight Story
3. Elephant Shoes
6. Thomas had this to say: Feb 06, 2007 ~ 18:14 ~ #
I love “the Straight Story”...heart-breaking and beautiful. And the Lord of the Rings movies were so well done!!! “Arsenic and Old Lace” is a brilliant pick! Hilarious and unforgettable. Cary Grant is so strung out and hyper….
7. Rosemary had this to say: Feb 12, 2007 ~ 11:20 ~ #
If I had a fourth choice it would be “The Gods Must be Crazy”
it’s just hillarious!