Fun (and Prizes) with Film Polls

The British film magazine, Total Film released the results of its recent Top 100 Movies of all time poll. Such an undertaking is bound to get some film buffs up in arms but it is also an opportunity to revisit, think about, and discuss some of your past favorites. So let's have some fun with this!!

Here is the link to the magazine's list:

www.totalfilm.com

Check it out and feel free to post your comments or put together a Top 10 list of your own. A list of 10 is a bit more manageable than 100 for our purposes - but don't get hung up on the number - I'll accept Top 8 lists and Top 12 lists as well. There will be a prize for any LB library patron that posts.

If you have never posted - send me an e-mail at lblibrary@yahoo.com include the word "blog" or "Michael" in your subject line.
You will receive an invitation to join the lblibraryav blog.
Follow the directions and you'll be bloggin within a few minutes.

Just to get the ball rolling - here are 10 of my faves:

1. The Godfather (I, although II is right there with it)
2. Some like it Hot
3. Apocolypse Now
4. Annie Hall
5. Psycho
6. Magnificent Seven
7. Star Wars
8. Bridge on the River Kwaii
9. West Side Story
10.Manhattan

Fall Music Lineup

A recent issue of Rolling Stone (Oct.20,2005 issue 985 page 20) previews some of this fall's new musical releases. Here are some highlights:

Trey Anastasio - Shine - You never know what to expect from the former Phish frontman, but you generally wind up liking it!(Nov. 1)

Santana - All That I Am - Lots of guests come out to play with Carlos including: American Idol runner-up, Bo Bice, Steven Tyler, Sean Paul, Mary J. Blige, and Los Lonely Boys.(Nov. 1)

Neil Diamond - 12 Songs - Returns to his "roots" in this Rick Rubin produced venture.(Nov. 8)

Pharrell - In My Mind - Guest spots from Gwen Stefani, Jay-Z, and Slim Thug on this album split between Hip-Hop and smooth R&B. (Nov 15)

Madonna - Confessions on a Dance Floor - The "Material Girl" never fails to dazzle. (Nov. 15)

Jamie Foxx - Unpredictable - Appearances by Kanye West and Pharrell. (Nov. 22)

Notorious B.I.G. - The Notorious B.I.G. Duets This posthumous recording features a duet with Bob Marley. (Nov. 29)

Shakira - Oral Fixation - She continues to "shake things up." (Nov.29)


For a complete list check out the Rolling Stone website:
http://www.rollingstone.com

Random Stuff

If you did not get a chance to watch No Direction Home on PBS last week - don't despair - The DVD has been released and we should have it on our shelves in a few weeks. The soundtrack has also been released and should be available next week. This film, directed by Martin Scorsese, chronicles the early years of Bob Dylan's career. Featuring never seen before performance footage and interviews with Dylan and others, Scorsese captures not only Dylan's emergence as a musical icon, but of a country on the verge of major changes. Part 1 focuses on Dylan's musical influences and of the passing of the torch from the "beat" generation to the "hippie" movement. Part 2 shows how Dylan stays true to his own vision, despite enormous pressure from the press and his fans.
No one makes concert movies like Scorsese. The Last Waltz and his more recent PBS Special on the Blues are prime examples. No Direction Home offers even more. Don't miss it.

I just heard the soundtrack to the recently released movie, Everything is Illuminated. It is very different, to say the least. Along with lovely traditional Russian Gypsy melodies come some hard rockin gypsy punk rock tunes from the groups: Gogol Bordello, Csokolom, Leningrad, and Tin Hat Trio. I can't wait to see the movie!
Check out some of these groups - you probably won't understand a word - but you won't stop moving. We own the latest CD from Gogol Bordello and I will be looking for releases from the other groups.

I also listened to Back Against the Wall.
Billy Sherwood produced this replication of Pink Floyd's The Wall, that features many talented musicians paying homage to Pink Floyd. Among the players are former Yes members, Steve Howe and Rick Wakeman; Keith Emerson of ELP; Steve Morse,guitarist extraordinaire from The Dixie Dregs, Deep Purple, and Kansas; Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull; and Tony Levin, bassist from King Crimson.
Why bother replicate this classic when the original still packs quite a wallop?- you might ask. I suspect that that this one is purely for the musicians - an opportunity to play songs from one of rock's masterpieces in the spirit of the original. This is an exercise in craftsmanship rather than originality. Having not listened to Pink Floyd in quite a while, I found this album very enjoyable. Why bother comparing them?- I might ask. Sit back and enjoy!!