Happy New Year!
Saw two great, related films recently. The Magnificent Seven (1965) and The Seven Samurai (1954). Yes, we are ever on top of the HOTTEST developments and trends in pop culture. I highly recommend both and seeing them back to back. Reason: The Magnificent Seven was based on the Seven Samurai. Both could be called Action films but they are much more than that. Marty, there are enough gun battles and bloody Samurai battles in both to qualify as worthy material. These are not chick flicks.
Neither of these films appear very often (or ever) on cable or Network. Great film will never sell well to the masses. Consequently, these are not available in the Supermarket machines, saw these through Netflix.
The Magnificent Seven (description from Netflix)
Fed20up with being brutalized and impoverished because of outlaw raids led by a merciless brigand (Eli Wallach), the besieged citizens of a small Mexican town hire seven American gunslingers to stave off the marauders once and for all. Badass Yul Brynner heads the band of mercenaries, which includes Hollywood luminaries Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson, James Coburn and Robert Vaughn. Elmer Bernstein penned the film's unforgettable score.
In the special features there is great background how the major film's producers bought the US rights to a Japanese Film: The Seven Samurai. Yul Brynner was so moved by the Akira Kurosawa film, he wanted to make an English Language version and based it on the old West instead of 16th century Japan. Fans of Shogun will recognize Toshiro Mifune in an early role with Kurosawa.
The Seven Samurai (description from Netflix) NOTE: It is THREE AND A HALF HOURS LONG WITH SUBT ITLES
Akira Kurosawa's heroic tale of honor and duty begins with master samurai Kambei (Takashi Shimura) posing as a monk to save a kidnapped child. Impressed by his bravery, a group of farmers begs him to defend their village from encroaching bandits. Kambei agrees and assembles a group of six other samurai, and together they build a militia with the villagers while the bandits loom nearby. Soon the raids begin, culminating in a bloody battle.
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Speaking of Chick Flicks, revisited Chocolat over Christmas. Also superb and yes, it could be considered a chick flick. Only one major fire, Marty, avoid this one.
Chocolat (description from Netflix)
An iconoclastic single mother (Oscar-nominee Juliette Binoche) and her young daughter move to a village in France and open a chocolate shop -- that's open Sundays -- across the street from a church. At first, Binoche's rich, sensuous desserts scandalize the town, but soon the villagers welcome the newcomers with open arms. Judi Dench, Lena Olin and Johnny Depp co-star in this 2000 Best Picture nominee.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Sunday, September 14, 2008
SI Dining / Music - Mike Oldfield
WEBSITES: What is that tune?
www.whatsthatcalled.com/
Ever need to find out what the addictive tune was in that TV commercial? Go to the site above and find out so you can make an intelligent visit to iTunes.
MUSIC
CLASSICAL
Mike Oldfield
Music of the Spheres
Being a Mike Oldfield addict since Tubular Bells, this is a major work composed in the Classical tradition. I have been OBSESSED by this all summer despite seeing LIQUID TENSION EXPERIMENT at BB Kings.
I couldn’t help thinking of the “grandeur” of this uplifting piece in two parts and 14 movements. It reminded me in some ways of Holst’s “The “Planets.” Almost an astronomical theme I thought upon listening to it. Dang it if I wasn’t dead on. I went to his website for some background after hearing it three times. I am currently plowing through "The Elegant Universe" by Brian Green and Pythagorus had suggested the title "Music of the Spheres" in times of the ancient Greeks. Hey, no kiddin?
See Oldfield’s comments below. Frankly this has become a very addictive CD, one I find hard to put down for long. It will never get airplay in the US and he will never be featured on a Late Nite Comedy show as a special guest. I consider this one of the greatest pieces of classical music I have heard.
Hayley Westenra is the Soprano that will remind you of Charlotte Church. Absolutely gorgeous, pure voice. He uses a full orchestra with string, horn and woodwind sections. Clearly evident are the Oldfield touches with acoustic Guitar, Piano and Glockenspiel.
Some comments from his website:
Musica Universalis is the ancient theory that every celestial body, the sun, the moon and the stars has an inner music. This is a harmonic and mathematical concept derived from the movements of the planets in the solar system. The music created is inaudible to the human ear.
0A Music of the Spheres is my interpretation of this theory. Every planet and every star; even the whole universe has music within it that no-one can hear, this is what it would sound like if it was set free. This is Music of the Spheres.”
For sample clips go to: http://www.mikeoldfield.com/
Hear an entire segment on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AS70GnuNdn8
FOOD - Staten Island
Sapporo Sushi Staten Island
Among the best food on SI. And now for something completely different. What a great local place. Inventive, and pleasant with GREAT FOOD AND get this: SERVICE. Almost impossible to get in this boro of mediocrity. Ping is the genial host that surveys everything. He is a real Captain that watches all the tables and sushi bar like a hawk. He takes real pride in the running of this bustling place in a strip mall. There is ample staff that also pay close attention. A real find for casual dining on Staten Island. This is your terrific weekly “neighborhood place.”
They always have blackboard specials that are worth is but the real secret are their inventive rolls. Cindy Roll with lobster is one suggestion.
ZEST
A newcomer and a winner. Four longs blocks from Hylan Blvd in Clinton near Bailey Seton Hospital is a unique place. Other than Carol’s Cuisine, this may be the only place that serves foir gras on the Island. They even know how to pronounce it. It has just past the one year mark, a milestone that the late Port of Marseilles could not survive for long.
ZEST looks like it is on a track for survival. Sorry that Sweet Basil has gone under. It has the Sweet Basil enthusiasm at their beginning. Dishes like Spring Rolls stuffed with Crab and Shrimp do not remotely resemble the insipid offering of the place around the corner using cheap ingredients. This is packed with shellfish and different dipping sauces. Sauteed calamari with horseradish and polenta, was a nice original here.
977 Bay Street, Staten Island 718-390-8477 Street Parking
www.whatsthatcalled.com/
Ever need to find out what the addictive tune was in that TV commercial? Go to the site above and find out so you can make an intelligent visit to iTunes.
MUSIC
CLASSICAL
Mike Oldfield
Music of the Spheres
Being a Mike Oldfield addict since Tubular Bells, this is a major work composed in the Classical tradition. I have been OBSESSED by this all summer despite seeing LIQUID TENSION EXPERIMENT at BB Kings.
I couldn’t help thinking of the “grandeur” of this uplifting piece in two parts and 14 movements. It reminded me in some ways of Holst’s “The “Planets.” Almost an astronomical theme I thought upon listening to it. Dang it if I wasn’t dead on. I went to his website for some background after hearing it three times. I am currently plowing through "The Elegant Universe" by Brian Green and Pythagorus had suggested the title "Music of the Spheres" in times of the ancient Greeks. Hey, no kiddin?
See Oldfield’s comments below. Frankly this has become a very addictive CD, one I find hard to put down for long. It will never get airplay in the US and he will never be featured on a Late Nite Comedy show as a special guest. I consider this one of the greatest pieces of classical music I have heard.
Hayley Westenra is the Soprano that will remind you of Charlotte Church. Absolutely gorgeous, pure voice. He uses a full orchestra with string, horn and woodwind sections. Clearly evident are the Oldfield touches with acoustic Guitar, Piano and Glockenspiel.
Some comments from his website:
Musica Universalis is the ancient theory that every celestial body, the sun, the moon and the stars has an inner music. This is a harmonic and mathematical concept derived from the movements of the planets in the solar system. The music created is inaudible to the human ear.
0A Music of the Spheres is my interpretation of this theory. Every planet and every star; even the whole universe has music within it that no-one can hear, this is what it would sound like if it was set free. This is Music of the Spheres.”
For sample clips go to: http://www.mikeoldfield.com/
Hear an entire segment on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AS70GnuNdn8
FOOD - Staten Island
Sapporo Sushi Staten Island
Among the best food on SI. And now for something completely different. What a great local place. Inventive, and pleasant with GREAT FOOD AND get this: SERVICE. Almost impossible to get in this boro of mediocrity. Ping is the genial host that surveys everything. He is a real Captain that watches all the tables and sushi bar like a hawk. He takes real pride in the running of this bustling place in a strip mall. There is ample staff that also pay close attention. A real find for casual dining on Staten Island. This is your terrific weekly “neighborhood place.”
They always have blackboard specials that are worth is but the real secret are their inventive rolls. Cindy Roll with lobster is one suggestion.
ZEST
A newcomer and a winner. Four longs blocks from Hylan Blvd in Clinton near Bailey Seton Hospital is a unique place. Other than Carol’s Cuisine, this may be the only place that serves foir gras on the Island. They even know how to pronounce it. It has just past the one year mark, a milestone that the late Port of Marseilles could not survive for long.
ZEST looks like it is on a track for survival. Sorry that Sweet Basil has gone under. It has the Sweet Basil enthusiasm at their beginning. Dishes like Spring Rolls stuffed with Crab and Shrimp do not remotely resemble the insipid offering of the place around the corner using cheap ingredients. This is packed with shellfish and different dipping sauces. Sauteed calamari with horseradish and polenta, was a nice original here.
977 Bay Street, Staten Island 718-390-8477 Street Parking
Thursday, June 26, 2008
LIQUID TENSION EXPERIMENT AT BB KINGS
Last Monday night at BB Kings in Times Square, Liquid Tension Experiment (LTE) had their 10th year reunion tour. They feature 3/5ths of Dream Theater and Tony Levin of King Crimson fame. This is among the finest Instrumental Progressive Rock out there. No airplay or course, just word of mouth promotion for some of the finest composers and players on the planet. They only put out two CDs but both were major successes in the genera. One of few places to hear them aside from iTunes is MORROW, the French Progressive Rock Internet station. They only played 5 shows across the country as this is a sometime "supergroup." Hopefully there will be a DVD of the show coming out and perhaps an LTE3.
Progressive Rock generally features schooled musicians that break the boundaries of 4/4 generic garage band rock. Timing changes and varied instruments and arrangements are the rule. Accordian sounds, and Spanish Guitar are among the instruments that snuck in Monday night between the usual progressive rock instrument lineup. Bassman Tony Levin of course gave the Chapman Stick a workout.
Aside from playing their fan's favorites, they had a surprise tour de force rendition of GEORGE GERSHWIN'S BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY. It was actually thrilling to hear their arrangement.
Hiroshi found these video clips on YouTube:
Universal Mind: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGSxZNoao10
When the Water Breaks: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKX1SeTUjIs
Kindred Spirits: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56HY36_eYg0
Rhapsody in Blue: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OST87A3OzTU
Enjoy
JA
Progressive Rock generally features schooled musicians that break the boundaries of 4/4 generic garage band rock. Timing changes and varied instruments and arrangements are the rule. Accordian sounds, and Spanish Guitar are among the instruments that snuck in Monday night between the usual progressive rock instrument lineup. Bassman Tony Levin of course gave the Chapman Stick a workout.
Aside from playing their fan's favorites, they had a surprise tour de force rendition of GEORGE GERSHWIN'S BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY. It was actually thrilling to hear their arrangement.
Hiroshi found these video clips on YouTube:
Universal Mind: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGSxZNoao10
When the Water Breaks: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKX1SeTUjIs
Kindred Spirits: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56HY36_eYg0
Rhapsody in Blue: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OST87A3OzTU
Enjoy
JA
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