The Nook Color

I received my Nook Color in the mail today and I have been unable to put it down! The Nook Color is the first full color E-Reader. It's actually much more than I expected and well worth the money ($250). The screen resolution is unlike anything I've ever seen before and really does make it easier to read for long periods of time. It has wi-fi capability so you can actually use it to go online and check you email or facebook or whatever.

It's very similar to the iPhone and iPad in a lot of ways, except it's the size of a paperback book and much easier to organize (in my opinion). I was on the fence about digital readers for a long time because I love books so much, and even though I'm sure I'll still be buying actual books, I'm really glad I decided to get this! The prices of the Nook Books are great too! I got all fifteen original L. Frank Baum for 99 cents! I also bought a magazine. Now, reading a magazine on this thing is probably one of the best features because there are several ways you can go about it. My favorite is the "article view" option, which allows you to just read the article without all the pictures and interruptions in between. I normally HATE touch screen devices, but this is EXTREMELY responsive and quick! When I look up a web site it's up in a moment!

You can also put files on there from your computer like word documents, music, and pictures.

If you're in the market for a digital reader, I would absolutely recommend this! Barnes & Noble did a grade A job with this device and I know I'll get a lot of use out of it!

"It's not the loss of innocence that counts. It's the innocence itself"

I recently spent some time over my friend, Andrew’s house with him and his family and on one particular day (when the power went out and I had absolutely nothing to do), I decided to sit down and write Andrew a letter. This is a habit of mine. He must have a drawer full of cards, letters, and poems by now. I’m a sappy sentimental, what can I say?

At any rate, when I started, I had no idea what I wanted to write about or what I wanted to say. As I began to write though, it came to me. Part of the reason (I believe) that our friendship has endured is that neither one of us has ever truly let go of the child within us both. We all have it. Now weather we chose to acknowledge or pay attention to it, is another story.

I find this to be an extremely important part of survival in this world that we live in. With the pressures, the money, the illness, the every day mundane tasks we’re forced to do, it’s so easy to forget about that time when almost nothing mattered; when your biggest problem was what kind of ice cream you wanted from Mr. Softie. In recent years, I’ve come to embrace that child. That kid who danced in front of a mirror for hours with a cheap fedora singing “Get Happy” is still here and he gives me hope and encouragement every day. He had a dream and it’s up to me to follow through with it.

We as humans need dreams, we need fantasy, we need things that make us happy. Though we can never return to that time of monsters under the bed, Santa Clause, and Tooth Fairies, we have the memory of it. The memory of that time when absolutely anything was possible if you believed. Kids have it all figured out. It’s we, as adults who over think and complicate things.

In reference to Judy Garland, I once heard someone say, “It was not the loss of innocence that counted. It was the innocence itself.” How true that is. Don’t let the pressures of your life force you to forget that there was a happy time and mind set and that there still can be.

We’re still those same kids with the same hearts and minds and hopes and dreams. We owe it to them to give them what they dreamed of. They’re always with us and the sooner we embrace them and love them, the sooner we can embrace and love ourselves.

I’ve seen parents live through their children yet still be completely unable to relate to them emotionally. I don’t understand this. I feel like our childhood shapes who we are and who we become. How could you completely forget what it felt like to be a kid and how dare you think of yourself as to “grown up” or “mature” to sympathize with them?

I think it’s time we all sat down, took a long, hard look at ourselves, tear down that brick wall we’ve managed to build over all these years and just let ourselves be. Remember the child, remember the innocence, remember the excitement, the possibilities. Keep in mind the Lands Of Oz and the Neverlands that got us through. It was like that once and it can be again. Just have the blind faith of a child. Stop allowing yourself to become so cynical and put some trust in humanity and in yourself. Sometimes that’s all it takes.

Depression

Before I begin my rant here, I just want to let everyone know that I most certainly DO NOT see Judy as the poster-girl for depression. I just love that picture and I've seen that face many times on many depressed people (including myself) so I thought it would be a good example.

Depression. So many things come to mind when we here that word. We live in a society where nearly everyone's answer to "How are you?" is "Tired" or "Depressed". Even though, medical science has made extraordinary advances in the treatment of depression and similar emotional and psychological disorders and diseases...yes, DISEASES, many people are still scrutinized and judged for their way of dealing with them. And, as usual, by people who have no idea what they're talking about.

Depression is a disease just like diabetes or alcoholism (which is also controversial, but trust me, it is a genetic disease). Most of the research I've done for this article has been by myself. I've read a bit, but I've been doing that for years. My goal right now is to share my own personal experiences and opinions on the subject.

I've suffered from mild to severe depression for a great many years. Many members of my family also suffer from it, indicating it's heredity. Finally, after years of absolute inner torment, and trying everything I could think of to "snap out of it", I decided to give antidepressant medication a try. And it saved my life!

Now, it wasn't without trial and error. I tried Zoloft (which helps my mother a great deal), cymbalta, Prozac, Wellbutrin, and a few others before I discovered Pristiq, which is one of the newer names on the market and part of the new generation of antidepressants. This was at a time when I had hit what I'd call rock bottom. I didn't get out of bed for three months. When I first started my regime of 50 mg a day, It was slow acting, but after about three weeks, I had the courage to get up and face the world again.

Many things cause depression and there are many kinds of depression. Hereditary, post-pardom, seasonal, environmental...and there are many different ways to treat it. Drugs are not always the answer.

With me, the best way I could describe it is that it was like living in the eye of a storm, never knowing what was going to happen next. I'd be fine one minute and then the next minute I'd be crying. One minute I'm happy, the next, I'm enraged. And all the time with this crippling anxiety that sometimes became so severe I was sure I was having a heart-attack. It's then that you start acting out and then it's not about you anymore it's about the poor people around you who have to deal with it as well. Therapy or at least someone who understands is essential to the healing of depression because if you've never been through it, you simply don't understand. And watching from the outside just makes the person in question look like a crazy attention seeker, which is absolutely ridiculous. No one would chose this.

Here are just a few of the things that just piss me off about people's narrowed views of depression. The thing that probably makes me the most mad is the drug thing. People who call antidepressants "Happy Pills". My father for example, is under the impression that you pop one of these pills and get high. Far from it! They take weeks and months to work and even then, you don't feel any sort of extra pleasurable effects. You feel normal. The whole point is to align the chemicals that become unbalanced in your brain naturally that cause depression.

I've heard so many absurd things... "You want to be this way", "You have no will power", "You're weak", "Just snap out of it", blah, blah, blah. It's not that simple when it's all out of your control. If it was in your control it wouldn't be happening to you.

My point is this, if you or someone you know suffers from any type of depression, don't turn a deaf ear to them and don't allow yourself to feel guilty for feelings and behavior that you have no control over. Help is out there. Even though it may seem like it, you're not alone. So, please, be honest, recognize the problem and do something about it. Otherwise, this disease will take hold of you and rule your life. You can be stronger than it. Sometimes all it takes is a little faith in yourself.

Tyler Clementi

Ellen's Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Br7nbQSIyhg

Article:
http://abcnews.go.com/US/victim-secret-dorm-sex-tape-commits-suicide/story?id=11758716

A few days ago, I was sitting out on the porch with Andrew having a cup of coffee and relaxing. His mother, Robin came home with red eyes. She had been crying. She told us that she couldn't wait all day to get home and see us and call her son, Matt because she had read about Tyler Clementi's suicide. Tyler was an 18 year old college student who committed suicide as a result of a rather despicable case of cyber bullying. I'm pretty sure everyone knows the story by now, so I'm not going to rehash it. I posted the ABC News article and video above this entry.

It's rare that I comment on stories like this. It's not that I don't feel compassion for these kinds of things, I'm just not usually inclined to openly share my opinions. However, this hit really close to home. I know a lot of Rudgers students and I also know a lot of victims of bullying and teasing and ignorance. Well, to be honest, I've been one myself. After seeing how upset Robin was about this, it really made me think. First off, that is exactly the reaction that all parents should have when hearing things like this. She's a textbook example of a good parent and I look up to her. The more I hear and read about this, the more it just makes me sick to my stomach. I have to let it out somehow.

There is no one in the world who has the right to pass judgement on another person for any reason, especially about something they can't change about themselves. And no one has the right to use the word "shame". Anyone who says to a child or even an adult, "You should be ashamed of yourself" needs to realize the harm they can be doing. This kid was 18 and felt he had no choice but to end his life because of some meaningless, senseless, act of spite, hatred, and I'll bet anything, a healthy dose of insecurity and self-loathing on their part.

This kind of hatred and intolerance starts very early. I've seen it happen. I've always loved the Rodgers & Hammerstein song, "Carefully Taught" because it's true. Children watch you so closely. They're like sponges that soak everything up. It's every parents responsibility to be there for their kids, to support and love them unconditionally. It's also our duty as humans to be there for one another and really think to yourself, "How would I feel if someone did this to me?". And if the answer isn't a good one, DON'T DO IT! I've grown up around intolerance, negativity, and all the rest of it. I was lucky enough to find a strong sense of myself and to find people who would be there to help and support and love me. Not everyone is so lucky.

What else has to happen before we all step up and do something? Before people realize that hating another person for any reason is just a complete waste of energy and makes no sense? I just think we all need to stop being so apathetic and silent and pay more attention to the people around us. If you see someone who looks a little down, would it kill you to ask them what's wrong? It's so important to let the people you care about know how you feel about them. You never know when that knowledge might come in handy. I think we're often too shy or embarrassed to share those feelings. Why? I don't see what harm can come from letting someone know you care and that they're not alone. People thinking they have nowhere to turn is what leads to things like this.

Another thing that needs to stop is the ridiculous and completely out of hand spreading of lies and gossip about people. I've always been amazed by the projection of self-loathing onto others. It's incredible to think how many people feel better about themselves when they hear something negative about another person. It's a little sick when you think about it. If you need another person's downfall to feel good about yourself, then you have a serious problem that has nothing to do with them. There's no reason for anyone not feel comfortable in their own skin and others shouldn't give them a reason. The reasons don't really exist and they're dangerous weapons that can destroy you.

In the final analysis, I suppose the whole point of my writing this was just to put my two cents in and express how I feel about this. But also to say that the world needs to realize how much we all need each other. We inhabit this tiny planet together and to survive, it will have to be together or not at all. No matter what they are or what they do, people are people with feelings and hearts and minds. Everyone needs to remember that and not let one thing about another person define your opinion and drive you to do things to hurt or harm them. These kids who are teased and tormented aren't just pictures in your mind. They're human beings just like you, and they're entitled to the same respect that all humans are.

You've got to be taught
To hate and fear
You've got to be taught
From year to Year
It's got to be drummed
in your dear little ear
You've got to be carefully taught

You've got to be taught
To be Afraid
Of people whose eyes
are oddly made
And people whose skin
Is a different shade
You've got to be carefully taught

You've got to be taught
Before it's too late
Before you are 6 or 7 or 8
To hate all the people
your relatives hate
You've got to be carefully taught

Liza's Confessions...

Liza's new album, "Confessions" is unlike anything she's every done before. In fact, it's unlike anything anyone's ever done before and here's why:

Anyone who knows anything about Judy or the Rat Pack or old hollywood social life knows about all those wonderful parties they would give and how at every party, inevitably, someone (often Judy herself) would go over to the piano and sing a song or tell some jokes and entertain. That's what this album is based on. Those nights that Liza observed as a little girl and later took part in. It comes through so clearly and if you close your eyes, you swear, your sitting next to Lauren Bacall with a cocktail in your hand listening to a fellow performer entertain you. It's incredibly personal and intimate. And best of all, every song is just Liza and Billy Stritch at the piano. No orchestra. Just pure and organic and simple.

The song choices are flawless. The album is an interesting mix of standards, some popular, some not. Every one has a life of it's own. My favorites are the title song, "Confession", which I really want to do myself, She does a rendition of "I Hadn't Anyone 'Till You", which Judy recorded in 1960 on the album, "That's Entertainment!", which was also a jazzy album (much like this one). She sings "All The Way", no doubt as a nod to "Uncle Frank" Sinatra, a great version of "I Got Lost In His Arms", and she kicks ass in "You Fascinate Me So", but I have to say my favorite song on the album is "On Such A Night As This". Not only is it a beautiful lyric, but she nods to Judy and even more subtlety, Vincente, which makes it just that much more personal and meaningful, at least for me.

I'll be honest, I love Liza and everything she does, I support one hundred and fifty percent, but I didn't know what to expect from this album. Just when you think she doesn't have anything left in that sequined bag of tricks, she hits you with a new one and wows you! And that's exactly what happened here! Also, I really need to comment on her voice. It's like she turned back time. I first saw Liza as a kid in 1996 with my Aunt Linda and my Aunt Nancy in Atlantic City. It was right after her triumph at Radio City and that's the image and the voice of Liza that I always carry in my head with me. I'll never forget seeing and hearing her for the first time live. She sounds EXACTLY as she did back then and I feel like a kid again listening to this album. It's my favorite recording to date of Liza's. Personally and professionally, this is another huge triumph for my little girl and I'm overjoyed to have it to put on and hear whenever I want!

<3

Confession
You Fascinate Me So
All the Way *
I Hadn't Anyone 'Til You
This Heart of Mine *
I Got Lost in His Arms
Remind Me *
Close Your Eyes
He's a Tramp
I Must Have That Man
On Such a Night As This *
Moments Like This
If I Had You
At Last

The Body Shop: Vitamin C Facial Radiance Capsules

Anyone who knows me can tell you that I LOVE The Body Shop! They have a great selection of all-natural skin care products that very few other brands can touch! They're also very affordable! I'm a big fan of their vitamin E line, which is for all skin types, but works really well for dry and sensitive skin.

Vitamin C does Fabulous things for the complexion! These little capsules are amazing (and very cool). The little pods the serum is in helps protect the ingredients and keep them fresh. They're loaded with vitamin C and each jar comes with 28 capsules (it's a 28 day night treatment) and each one has just enough in it to cover your whole face. It spreads really well! I've used these a few times and they always give my skin a noticeably rested and healthy looking glow! The Vitamin C line is one of Andrew's favorites too. He loves the way it feels on your skin. He's a huge tea tree user. I can't use that stuff, so maybe I'll have him review it ;)... at any rate, these are fun, affordable, and they really work wonders for your skin! Give them a try!

From the Website:

Best if you want to: Smooth and revive skin's appearance to enhance your natural glow.

Best for: Dull skin

How it works:
Antioxidant vitamin C encourages collagen production, improves elasticity and protects against damaging environmental aggressors.
Community Trade Brazil nut oil moisturizes and softens skin.

Eat, Pray, Love!

Last Friday,Andrew took me to the movies to see "Eat,Pray,Love". We were both really excited to see it since we're both adamant eaters and Julia Roberts fans. I have sort of a history with "Eat, Pray, Love"... I bought it a few years ago when Oprah told me to and it's been sitting on my bookshelf ever since. I just keep forgetting about it. Anyway, even though the critics panned it, I was very excited to see the movie. I never agree with what critics write anyway...they're too....critical.

The movie was absolutely outstanding in my opinion! The Italy scenes were so well done that it made you not only want to go there, but made you feel as though you WERE there! Everything looked so delicious on screen...even after the two of us had just scarfed down somme chicken sandwiches from Wendy's ;). Julia, of course, did a wonderful job and it was just a really entertaining and rather inspiring movie. It seemed particularly relevant to my current situation as well. Maybe that's why it appealed to me so much. She just gets up one day and goes. I've done that and I don't regret it. It's the only way to really experience life, especially when you feel as though you're trapped and there's no way out.

Seeing this movie with Andrew was almost imperative. I can't imagine having enjoyed it as much with anyone else. It's a very "Vince & Andrew" movie... we tend to look at films like this the same way and like the same things...so we enjoyed this much like we enjoyed "Julie & Julia" and "A Single Man" (my two favorite films of 2009)! So, I would really recommend seeing this despite what the critics say. I haven't read the book, so I can't attest to how closely linked they are. But it's not the book. It's the movie. It's meant to ENTERTAIN! And that's just what it does! So, eat up! :)

Comfort In Your Own Skin...

Aside from an encyclopedic knowledge of Judy Garland, classic movies, and music, I'm known for my obsession with skin care. I've been experimenting for years to find the perfect regimen and I don't think I'll ever stop.

Even though I've always been concerned about the health of my skin and it's appearance, it really kicked into full gear after a round of Accutane (an acne medication) that dried my skin out for life. Even though it has permanent damaging side effects, not only on your skin, but on your stomach, heart, mind, etc... I'm glad I did it because it got rid of my acne. However, it's painful just to exist with the skin I'm left with. But you'd never know it! Why? GOOD SKIN CARE PRODUCTS!

Even though I'm always trying new things and have my favorite staple products, over the last month or so, I've been embarking on a sort of research quest, trying to find some new products to try to return myself to human form...or something close to it.

Now, since there are SO many things to discuss and SO many products to talk about, I'm going to leave you tonight with one of my newest and greatest discoveries:

KORRES 3 in 1 Milk Proteins Cleansing Emulsion is a cleanser, toner, and eye makeup remover. It's extremely gentle on your skin and what I love about it (aside from the fact that it does everything it says it does) is that you don't need water to use it! Even though, I always splash ice cold water on my face to close my pores, I realize some people can't stand that (especially in the winter). So, this is my new standard cleanser, recommended to me by my Sephora girl, Lindsey, who you'll be hearing a lot about in these skin care and makeup posts! It sells at Sephora for $21 and it's a pretty decent size!

My Latest and Greatest Rings! :)

As I mentioned in my last post, Liza Minnelli has just launched her line on HSN. She designed this marvelous dome ring that I simply had to have! So, around the same time I saw the ring, Andrew came to spend a few days with me and I showed it to him. He also found it to be fabulous! The next day, he went into work at American Eagle. In the meantime, i was having a terrible day! It was just one of those one thing after another days where nothing went right.

Anyway, when he got home, he gave me a hug and out of his pocket, he pulled a gorgeous gold dome ring, similar to Liza's that he brought me from A.E.! It made my entire day and I wear it all the time! It's big, dramatic, and screams my name! Andrew instinctively knows these things. That's why he's my best friend. I wear it all the time and get lots of compliments on it! And since the original one was a bit small, I wear it on my pinky and a few days later, he gave me one for my ring finger! So, I now have two of them gracing my jewelry box and I love them! Thank you, My Little Love! <3

I did eventually get the Liza ring as a gift from my Aunt Linda as a late birthday present. It really is a sight to behold! The picture doesn't really do it justice. You have to see it sparkle in person to really appreciate it! the way the stones are placed and clustered really makes it something unique and versatile! It goes with everything! And it's very comfortable to wear! Great job, Liza!

Liza's New Photo Shoot!

Liza May has been all over the place lately! She never stops moving and she's been really successful with one triumph after another starting with her 3rd Tony win for "Liza's At The Palace" last year, which I was lucky enough to see with my best friend, Andrew! It was a life-altering experience and I'd give anything to relive it! Her cameo in "Sex & The City 2" was also a huge hit and absolutely fabulous, not to mention hilarious! She has a new line of clothing and jewelry, "The Liza Collection" on HSN. I actually bought a wonderful dome ring that she designed. These are some recent studio portraits that were just released, probably for promotions for her album, "Confessions", which is coming out in September. So Lovely...

Jennifer Aniston as Barbra Streisand in Harper's Bazaar this month...

Jennifer Aniston recently posed in a photo shoot for Harper's Bazzar as Barbra. I think the pictures are absolutely gorgeous! Especially the one recreating my favorite scene from "Funny Lady" where she hits the overhead light after singing "How Lucky Can You Get?". Even Barbra liked the photos! Here's what she had to say....

"I was very flattered that Jennifer Aniston chose to interpret my style with the photos in Harper's Bazaar. She's a delightful person, and I think she did a wonderful job. If only she had a bump on her nose."

"The September Issue"

I first saw "The September Issue" when it was released in theatres last year. It's a documentary about Anna Wintour and the making of the September issue of Vogue, which is the kick-off to the fashion year. Nearly everybody has an opinion about Anna. She's been called a "Snow Queen", "Dragon lady", "Sadist"... the list goes on. She was also the basis for the character of Miranda Priestly in "The Devil Wears Prada" which was written by one of Anna's former assistants. I found none of the stigmas attached to her to be true. Is she warm and friendly? No. However, she does her job, she does it better than anyone before or since and she does it while under constant scrutiny and ridicule from jealous people who have no idea what they're talking about. I have a tremendous amount of respect for this woman. She has what I consider to be probably the most difficult job in the world and she's arguably the most powerful woman in the world. To be a woman in that position opens you up to a lifetime of problems. The way she keeps going on and looking ahead is very inspirational and incredibly brave. You get a real sense of the hard work that goes into turning out a single issue and how many jobs and people are at steak during the process. It is a business not just a silly hobby to pass time. Fashion effects all of our lives weather we admit it or not and Anna calls all the shots.

While the documentary is supposed to focus more on Anna, it actually focuses just as much on Grace Coddington who's been there exactly as long as Anna has. Grace has a fascinating story to tell and she's also very strong and extremely creative. If you liked "The Devil Wears Prada", if you're interested in fashion, business, or honestly if you want to be entertained, you should check this out. I can't imagine anyone seeing this movie and not having a much deeper appreciation for the fashion industry and all the hard work that goes into it.

"The Wizard Of Oz" 70th Anniversary Hi-Def Edition

Every few years (and most certainly for every anniversary) there seems to be a new improved version of "The Wizard Of Oz" available. I, personally, own every release since the late 70's. However, I must say that this latest Blu-Ray/DVD release puts everything we've seen before it to shame. The detail you see in this version is incredible! They've scanned it in 8K resolution and I'm sure it looks even better than it did in 1939. The sound is superb and it really is like watching it for the first time.

The real treasure of this latest box set, of course are the extras (all of which I have listed below). It has all the extras on the previous 2005 release plus a lot more. The crown jewel for me, though in this whole thing, is the inclusion of the 1992 Television movie, "The Dreamer Of Oz" starring John Ritter as L. Frank Baum. When i was a kid, I used to watch it literally every day. I never found out what happened to my video tape of it and searched for it for years. It's a wonderful movie and a great look at the man who I consider to be the most important author of the 20th century. He single-handedly defined it. "The Wizard of Oz" is actually a part of our language. There's no minimizing it's impact on American culture. Even if you own an old copy, pick this one up on blu-ray or dvd. You won't be disappointed! It's available in several single and double disc packages, but for the die-hard Oz fan, this is the one you should take home!

Special Features:

Disc 1 includes:

• BD-Live is included on this release which requires the user to be on a “Profile 2.0” internet capable Blu-ray Disc Player. This allows you to access Warner‘s BD-Live portal where you can have community screenings with friends, create your own “My WB Commentary” track and even download content such as trailers for upcoming Warner films. Sadly at time of writing this, no title (movie) specific content was available.
• Audio Commentary by Historian John Fricke with Barbara Freed-Saltzman, Margaret Hamilton, Ray Bolger, Jack Haley, John Lahr, Jane Lahr, Hamilton Meserve, Dona Massin, William Tuttle, Buddy Ebsen, Mervyn LeRoy and Jerry Maren
• Options Music and Effects Only Audio allows you to listen to just the music and sound effects section of the mix This just like the Mono mix is presented in Dolby Digital 1.0 @192kbps sound quality.
• “Jukebox” (70:04) features the audio to all of the songs from the film selectable from a menu with their titles and even some stuff is unreleased like voice tests, rehearsals and such. This is a very nice feature, especially for those who love the musical aspect of the film. These are presented in Dolby Digital 1.0 @96kbps audio quality.
• “Leo Is on the Air Radio Promo” (12:26) is presented in Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo @192kbps sound quality.
• “Good News of 1939 Radio Show” (71:02) is presented in Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo @192kbps sound quality.
• “12/25/1950 Lux Radio Theater Broadcast” (60:49) is presented in Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo @192kbps sound quality.
• “Dolby 5.1 Sing-Along Feature” allows you to sing along with all the songs from the film such as “Somewhere Over the Rainbow“.
• “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: The Making of a Movie Classic” (50:49)
• “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Storybook: Read by Angela Lansbury” (10:27) This has Lansbury from “Murder She Wrote” fame reading which is definitely a cool feature to see included and that homage is paid to the original book itself which varies slightly from the motion picture.
• “Prettier Than Ever: The Restoration of Oz” (11:27) takes a look at mainly the video restoration done in 4K but it also takes a look at the new 5.1 Dolby TrueHD and Digital mixes made from the original mono source material, plus the original musical and sound effects tracks. This proves to be very informative and I’m glad to see this was included.
• “We Haven’t Really Met Properly… Supporting Cast Profile Gallery” (21:23) takes a look at the other folks in the film aside from the star Judy Garland.
• “Memories of Oz” (27:39) originally aired on TCM (Turner Classic Movies) channel.
• “The Art of Imagination: A Tribute to Oz” (29:45)
• “Because of the Wonder Thing It Does: The Legacy of Oz” (25:05)
• “Harold Arlen’s Home Movies” (4:40) come from the composer of the film’s music.
• “Outtakes and Deleted Scenes” include:
“If I Only Had a Brain” (4:37)
“If I Only Had a Heart” (1:36)
“Triumphal Return to Emerald City” (1:54)
“Over the Rainbow” (2:08)
“The Jitterbug” (4:05)
• “It’s a Twister! It’s a Twister! The Tornado Tests” (8:17)
• “Cavalcade of the Academy Awards Excerpt” (2:14)
• “Another Romance of Celluloid: Electrical Power” (10:31)
• “Stills Gallery” is very, very thorough and sure to leave fans pleased.
• “Theatrical Trailer Gallery” includes the following:
“1939 What Is Oz? Teaser” (0:32)
“1940 Loews Cairo Theater Trailer” (1:59)
“1949 Reissue Trailer” (2:50)
“1949 Grownup Reissue Trailer” (2:22)
“1970 Children’s Matinee Reissue Trailer” (1:35)
“1998 Warner Bros. Reissue Trailer” (2:05)
• “Off to See The Wizard Excerpts” (3:57)
• “Texas Contest Winners” (1:26) in autumn of 1938 they made this little short film about lucky contest winners.

Disc 2 (a BD-25) features:

• “Victor Fleming: Master Craftsman” (34:08) is very informative and definitely worth the watch if you enjoyedFleming‘s other 1939 classic “Gone With the Wind” and/or didn’t know much about his other works and career.
• “L. Frank Baum: The Man Behind the Curtain” (27:45) takes a look at the author of the original book “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” from which the film is based on.
• “Hollywood Celebrates It’s Biggest Little Stars!” (10:23)
• “1990 The Dreamer of Oz” (92:48) is a documentary about L. Frank Baum. It’s not in very good video quality but if you’re interested in the man behind the story — it’s worth a watch. In fact, the late, great John Ritter plays him in the documentary.
• “1910 The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” (13:18) is a silent film.
• “1933 The Wizard of Oz” (8:13) is a cartoon short in Technicolor done by animator Ted Eshbaugh based on the first ‘Oz‘ book.
• “1914 His Majesty, The Scarecrow of Oz” (59:07) is a silent film written and directed by the author L. Frank Baumhimself.
• “1914 The Magic Cloak of Oz” (43:15) is yet another silent film.
• “1914 The Patchwork Girl of Oz” (50:43) yet again, another silent film.
• “1925 The Wizard of Oz” (71:53) is yet another silent film.

Disc 3 (a DVD) contains:

• “MGM: When the Lion Roars” 6-hour documentary on a double-sided DVD in Standard Definition video.

Disc 4 (a DVD-ROM) contains:

• Digital Copy of the film is included which is compatible with both iTunes and Windows Media — Mac & PC as well as portable devices. As with all digital copies, this will only last 1 year after release date, meaning it will expire on September 29th, 2010.

"The Making Of The Wizard Of Oz" By: Aljean Harmetz

As most of you know, I'm a "Wizard Of Oz" fanatic! There's very little I don't know and I've been studying and collecting my entire life. I read this when I was about ten and recently re-read it around the time of the movie's 70th Anniversary. It's a really marvelous look not only at the movie itself and what went into making it, but the time period and the way the studio system worked in the late 30's. It's a great Hollywood history lesson!

The author covers every single aspect of film making. The initial script ideas are particularly interesting, for instance, early on in production, The Wicked Witch Of The West had a son who she wanted to place on the throne of Oz. The chapter on special effects is a great learning experience as well. It's amazing how much imagination it took to accomplish those things back when they didn't know they couldn't do it, so they did! Everything was manual. No computer generated special effects.

There are some priceless interviews with the cast members and crew who worked on the film and a Preface about the auctioning of the Ruby Slippers and other MGM artifacts as well as a brief biography of L. Frank Baum.

All in all, this is one of the most well-researched accounts of the making of a movie I've ever read and I'd strongly recommend giving it a gander!

Judy & Liza Live At The London Palladium

This concert as well as the recording has quite a history. It all started in 1964 when Judy finished a tour of Australia and nearly died in Hong Kong. She made her way to London with then husband, Mark Harron and planned a return engagement at the London Palladium. Judy loved London and the Palladium was a very special theatre. It was where, in 1951, after being fired from MGM, she made her comeback on the concert stage for the first time. This kick-started a whole new career and led her to the Palace Theatre in New York, where she made history.

Anyway, when she planned this particular concert, she asked Liza if she would share the bill with her. Liza (perhaps wisely) said no. But Judy was not one to take no for an answer, so she called the press and announced that Liza would be appearing with her. The concert was sold out within hours and another show was added. Liza was trapped. Capitol Records recorded the concert and released it on a VERY abridged 2 record set in 1964. It would be Judy's last professional live recording.

There are many opinions out there about this concert and many excuses as to why it's been cut down so many times. Some claim that Judy was not in her best form. This may be true to some extent, but she's far from her worst. She sings her heart out in every single number and being the terrific showman she was, never ceased to entertain and receive a roaring ovation from her devoted English fans. The most recent release was about two years in the making. A few years ago D&G records announced that they were releasing the entire concert uncut with some bonus rehearsal tracks! Naturally, all us fans were overjoyed. Unfortunately though, the release was cancelled. Luckily, D&G sent out some promotional copies of the album, so it can be heard if you can track down a copy. It was then picked up by another label and once again edited down to show Judy in the "best possible light". I, personally, think this entire concept is absolutely ridiculous. Judy was great that night for one thing, and for another, you need to take into consideration what she'd been through prior to this. She endured severe damage to her vocal cords while doctors in Hong Kong were doing everything they could to save her life and also, any Judy fan would want to hear the entire thing no matter what shape she was in. Judy could read the telephone book and have most of us in tears.

However, the quality of the latest release is unmatched by anything previously released. It's crystal clear and a joy to listen to! It's a real treat to hear Judy and Liza together before Liza was "Liza". You can see the beginnings of the legend that was to come and hear her voice starting to mature and develop. People today (and sadly the powers that be) seem to forget what a triumph this concert was! The audience loved it, it broke records, the record was a best seller, and over the years, it has endured. Luckily, we also have some video footage of the concert available on VHS & DVD that originally aired on British television back in '64. Hopefully one day, we'll have the complete concert publicly released, but in the meantime, this is absolutely worth getting! There's more material here than we've ever heard before and as I said, the quality is superb! I'm very glad to have this record of that wonderful night in such great shape.

"Tip It!" By Maggie Griffin

Who doesn't love Kathy Griffin's mother, Maggie Griffin? She's 90 years old and quite the pistol! Her new book, "Tip It" is an absolute joy to read! In it, she discusses all kinds of topics and shares her opinions on things like cursing, television, movies, technology, politics, and of course, how much she hates her daughter, Kathy's potty mouth. The book is filled with lots of fun family stories and the chapter about her late husband, Johnny is the sweetest thing I've ever read. Maggie grew up in the big band era and she talks about how music has changed (mostly for the worst) and she also tells a lot of interesting WWII stories and gives you a very clear picture of what life was like back then. She's had a pretty fascinating life. Being a huge movie fan, she often "stalked" celebrities and she writes about many of her adventures. My favorite moment was when in 1937 she managed to get on the MGM lot and saw Judy on her way to a set! What I would give to have been there! Throughout the book, Kathy gives a running commentary of wise cracks that are, as one would expect, hilarious! Especially when she gets on her mother for her love of Bill O'Reilly and the Kardashians! Another highlight of the book are her little How to guides. The one I identify the most with is of course, "I Can Live Out Of My Purse". I'm with you, Mag! She also has a chapter entitled "My Gays". Her views on homosexuality are both eye opening and hilarious!

It's a very quick read (I read it in two days) because you can't put it down! You get a real sense that Maggie is sitting in the room with you, Tippin' it and telling you a story. I especially enjoyed the final chapter "Life is a Box of Wine". Of course, Maggie is famous for her love of boxed wine (much like my best friend, Andrew, who, I regret to say, is not a 90 year old woman so he has no excuse). She explains why boxed wine is so practical and wonderful. "It has a spigot and won't spill!". So all in all, an absolutely fabulous, well-written, funny, heartfelt book that will have you double over with laughter and even thinking a little. So, curl up in your Maglet with a glass of Frenzia and Tip it with Maggie! :)

"Missing"

I’ve lost my sense of humor.
It fell into a well
That’s full of dark self-pity
as far as I can tell.

I’m glared at by the children,
I’m yelled at by the boss.
And every little word I say,
Makes everybody cross.

I’d run away and not come back
If it would do some good.
But nobody would notice,
So I don’t think I should.

I miss my sense of humor,
And if by chance you see
It peeking ’round the corner,
Please send it back to me.

(Julie Andrews)

"A Star Is Born" Blu-Ray Book

"A Star Is Born" is perhaps Judy Garland's most well-known movie next to "The Wizard Of Oz". It was her comeback to motion pictures after a four year absence. In the meantime, she had been touring Europe and the U.S. doing one-woman vaudeville shows and concerts. "A Star Is Born" had all the makings of a smash hit. Judy Garland & James Mason in the leads, George Cuckor directing, Harold Arlen and Ira Gershwin writing the score, and an A-List crew. The film was the most expensive film to that date (1954) and opened to rave reviews. It's original running time was just over 3 hours. Theatre owners complained about the length because they wanted more showings per day, so Jack Warner, the head of Warner Bros. ordered the movie drastically shortened. Approximately 37 minutes were cut from the movie without the supervision of anyone involved in it, including Cuckor. The film was ruthlessly hacked into and as a result, though it was still a success, fell far short of expectations due to the fact that the public was aware of the cuts made. This, most people believe is the reason Judy (who was a shoe-in) lost the oscar that year to Grace Kelly for "The Country Girl".

In 1983, a search began to find the missing footage from "A Star Is Born" in order to reconstruct it to it's original length. The man mostly responsible for this was the late film historian, Ronald Haver. The complete soundtrack still existed in the warner vaults, but unfortunately not all of the lost footage survived. However, the film was reconstructed using various elements found all over the world along with a few stills to accompany those scenes that are no longer known to exist.

Judy is in top form in this film. In it, she sings one of her most iconic numbers, acknowledged to be one of the greatest ever filmed, "The Man That Got Away". It's also (not the first time) but the legend-defining time when she sang "Swanee" during the famous "Born In A Trunk" medley. It's quite simply a perfect movie with a stellar cast, wonderful songs, amazing cinematography, and a testament to the talent of the people who worked so hard on it and to the Hollywood of that era during the end of the big one-man studios and the star system. It also remains the quintessential Hollywood backstory. It was filmed previously in 1937 and again in 1976 with Barbra Streisand. There's some buzz going on now that they're planning to film it yet again, which should be interesting because each version, while they have the same concept, manage to keep the story fresh and interesting.

Now, the Blu-Ray. What's so great about it? Well, for starters it comes with a wonderful book of behind the scenes information along with some gorgeous pictures of Judy and promotional material of the time which is a good start if you're at all interested in the making of this film or old Hollywood in general. "A Star Is Born" was the first one strip technicolor picture to be made. Previously, Technicolor was a three strip process involving three strips of solid color film that were then run simultaneously through a projector. This being a new process, they had their share of problems restoring it to what it looked like (and in some cases even better than it looked in 1954). I believe it took two years to complete the 8k resolution restoration, which is the highest available resolution we have today. The detail is amazing! Especially when you consider the shape some of the source material was in. People just didn't take any steps to preserve these films back then.

The Extra features on the second disc are also little treasures. Recording sessions, Rehearsals, Alternate Takes, Tv Spots and specials, Premiere footage... I'll list them the end this entry. But o wrap up, if you love good movies, old movies, musicals, Judy Garland, or if you're just interested in a fascination piece of American film history, I would strongly recommend purchasing this blu-ray. It's worth every penny and was well worth the year and a half I waited for it to be released!

A Star is Born (1954) 2-Disc Deluxe Special Edition Blu-ray Book Enhanced Content:
Introduction: Run time 3:01
The Man That Got Away - Pink Dress: Run time 5:11 - Additional Take
The Man that Got Away - Brown Dress #1: Run time 4:49 - Additional Take
The Man that Got Away - Brown Dress #2: Run time 4:24 - Additional Take
The Man that Got Away - Brown Dress #3: Run time 4:00 - Additional Take
The Man That Got Away - Brown Dress #4: Run time 4:00 - Additional Take
Here's What I'm here For - Alternate Take: Run time 2:36 - Additional Take
Lose That Long Face - Alternate Take: Run time 4:55 - Additional Take
Trinidad Coconut Oil Shampoo - Alternate Take: Run time 1:24 - Additional Take
When My Sugar Walks Down the Street - Outtake: Run time 0:58 - Additional Take
Suicide Scene - Alternate Take: Run time 2:15 - Additional Take
Film Effects Reel: Run time 0:54
A Report by Jack L. Warner: Run time 6:24 - Vintage Featurette
Huge Premiere Hails 'A Star is Born' Newsreel Montage: Run time 7:49 - Vintage Featurette
'A Star is Born' Premiere in Cinemascope: Run time 2:05
Pantages Premiere TV Special: Run time 29:30 - Vintage Featurette
A Star is Bored (1956 WB Cartoon): Run time 7:00 - New Featurette
A Star is Born (1937): Run time 2:46 - Trailer
A Star is Born (1954): Run time 3:52 - Trailer
A Star is Born (1976): Run time 3:46 - Trailer
Audio Vault - Oliver on the Phone with the Director Discussing Norman - Outtakes: Run time 2:00 - Audio Only
Audio Vault - Norman and Esther on the Roof of the Hotel Lancaster - Outtakes: Run time 2:00 - Audio Only
Audio Vault - 12/28/1942 Lux Radio Theater Broadcast with Judy Garland and Walter Pidgeon) Run time 60:00 - Audio Only
Audio Vault - Judy Garland Radio Interview: Run time 4:00 - Audio Only
Audio Vault - Born in a Trunk: Run time 9:05 - Audio Only
Audio Vault - Someone At Last - Rehearsal: Run time 10:34 - Audio Only
Audio Vault - Someone At Last: Run time 7:16 - Audio Only
Audio Vault - My Melancholy Baby: Run time 7:06 - Audio Only
Audio Vault - Black Bottom: Run time 1:48 - Audio Only
Audio Vault - Swanee: Run time 4:57 - Audio Only

Barbra at the Village Vanguard

Barbra, Barbra, Barbra... Now, I'm not sure if my review of this will be considered unbiased because, as anyone who knows me will tell you, I worship this woman. However, I can tell you why this particular show is very special and unlike anything we've seen from Babs before.

First off, everything Barbra does, she knocks out of the park. Whenever she performs anywhere, it's a sell-out. The Village Vanguard is a little jazz club in the Village that's been around since the 30's. A club Barbra actually sang in when she was first starting out on the nightclub circuit. She hasn't sung in a club since the 60's. The audience consisted of about 135 people crammed into the tiny club. Among them were Nicole Kidman, Sarah Jessica Parker, Donna Karen, Bill & Hillary Clinton, Marilyn and Allan Bergman, and a bunch of other celebrities and contest winners who were lucky enough to win tickets to be there. I, though I tried in vein, failed to win any of the contests. Anyway, you've never seen Barbra in such an intimate setting. She completely lets loose and just chats and sings and it feels like you're seeing a whole other side to her, which is quite something since she's been around for almost 50 years.

Every song choice is flawless. My favorite is one of the old songs that she used to sing when she was in her late teens called "Nobody's Heart Belongs To Me". I've always loved that song. She also sings a few songs she hasn't done since the 60's like "Bewitched" and "My Funny Valentine". The program consists mostly of songs from her new album, "Love is The Answer", including my favorite, "In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning".

Seeing Barbra so laid-back and uninhibited has made me only love her more. That incredible talent, that dry sense of humor, and those character defining gestures are all there, only on a much more personal level. If you love Barbra as I do, if you love jazz, or if you simply like to hear good music, go out and get this on dvd or blu-ray! We don't have many legends left so it's a good thing the few that we do have keep on singing!

"All About All About Eve"

As anyone who knows me will tell you, I have an obsession as well as an extensive knowledge of classic films and classic movie trivia. "All About Eve" is one of my all-time favorites! It's undoubtably one of if not the greatest performances Bette Davis ever gave. It's perhaps only eclipsed by Baby Jane, however, Jane is a completely different sort of character so I'm not sure there's really a comparison. It's a true quality film and an extremely intelligent one.

Sam Staggs' book tells the story in excruciating detail! Everything you could possibly want to know about the original story, "The Wisdom Of Eve", published in Cosmopolitan magazine, to the true story that was based on, to the on-set antics and casting issues. I've rarely read a book as well researched. You get a real sense of the genius behind this picture and how important it really was. I didn't think it was possible, but I actually liked one of my old favorite movies even more after reading so much about it! Staggs has a great conversational and sometimes hilariously bitchy and honest way of presenting the information, making the book not only extremely informative, but great fun to read! I couldn't put it down. If you have any interest at all in the film itself, Bette Davis, Marilyn Monroe, classic films, or moviemaking in general, this is an extremely informative and well presented look at what goes into the making of a classic. He gets into the psyche and motives of people like Bette Davis and director/screenwriter Joeseph Mankiewitz. All in all, a marvelous book! Sam Staggs has also written books on the making of "Sunset Boulevard", "A Streetcar Named Desire", and most recently "Imitation Of Life", all of which I look forward to reading!

John Barrowman

John Barrowman is the new love of my life. He's been around for quite a few years and I've always liked him, but it's only recently that I've discovered how great his body of work really is. He's done countless musical theatere-related shows and concerts and he has quite a following in the U.K. where he lives with his boyfriend, Scott. I've watched a lot of interviews that he's done and I really appreciate his sense of humor and genuine love for what he does. He seems like a really down to earth guy. He has what I consider to be the most beautiful voice of any male singer living today. There's something so soothing and tranquil about it. He also has the ability to belt like a pro! I recently bought his album, "John Barrowman Swings Cole Porter", which has a lot of my old favorites on it. He managed to make them all sound brand new. You might recognize him from his cameo appearance in "De-Lovely". He was also in the show (and dvd) "Putting it Together" with Carol Burnett. He's currently playing a recurring role on "Desperate Housewives". He also just published his second book, "I Am What I Am" which I'm very anxious to read! Anyway, check him out. He's a very versatile performer and I really like how he can go from traditional to modern in a heartbeat. He has one of those voices that doesn't come along very often and he knows how to use it.

"A Single Man"

The Movie:

I went to see this five times. I have never gone to the movies to see a film that many times over. Something about this picture just touches you on a very deep and personal level. Quite simply, it's a perfect movie. Tom Ford (one of my favorite designers) directed it. It's based on Christopher Isherwood's novel of the same name which was written in the 1960's. It takes place in L.A. during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

The movie chronicles one day in the life of one man, George, who lost his partner of fifteen years eight months prior to the beginning of the movie. It follows George to and from school, where he's an English professor, to the bank to run some errands, and every now and then into the past. Nicholas Hoult is Kenny, one of George's students, who is a little confused about his sexuality and who befriends George and makes him see things a little differently. Julianne Moore is Charlie, George's friend from England who's in love with George, but naturally, because he's a homosexual, this love is unrequited.

There are so many things to love about this movie. First off, there's the score, which hooks you from the moment the picture opens. Then there's the amazing use of color. As George's moods change and as the atmosphere changes, the colors change and become more vibrant. It's a really clever technique that only someone who spends all of their time trying to create beauty would think to use. Another great thing about this movie is how real it looks. It's a great period piece about the 60's. Every detail is authentic right down to the little metal Bayer aspirin tin George has on his desk at school. But the thing I love the most about this movie is that, yes, it's about a gay man, however, this is not the main focus of the movie. He just happens to be gay. It's not a "gay movie"... I mean, let's be honest, most "gay movies" suck. No, this is a story about a person. It's done with respect, truth, and class. I really appreciated the way Tom Ford decided to bring the book to the screen and tell the story. He even added some subplots that weren't in the original story, but work well on screen. Hands down, the best movie of 2009.

The Book:

After I saw the movie for the fifth time, naturally, it sent me running out to get the book! The book isn't very long at all. I read it in a day. It's easily one of the best books I've read all year. Christopher Isherwood, who wrote "The Berlin Stories", the basis for "Cabaret", wrote this in 1964. It was clearly way ahead of it's time. It's the most honest portrait of human beings I've ever read. These are real people with real problems and real emotions and imperfections. The characters in this novel are devastatingly human. The homosexuality of the heroin, George, is handled with absolutely no irony or special treatment. It's simply a fact of this man's life. In fact, it's not even something you think about while you're reading, which I think is a great compliment to the author. He managed to pull this off at a time when this was a pretty racy subject matter to write about. This is a great and somewhat underrated work of literature and I would recommend it to anyone who just wants to read something good. It's a prime example of great writing and a wonderful use of language while still being straightforward and sympathetically unsympathetic. Isherwood is clearly one of the great authors of the 20th century. I read the book after I saw the movie, and honestly, I don't think it made a bit of difference. I would recommend checking out both. I personally could not get enough of this story and did not want the book or the movie to end. It's one of those stories you become very involved in. So, read it, watch it, and judge for yourself.

Bonjour!

Hello, Darlings! Welcome to "Fasten Your Seat Belts"! I don't really know why I decided to start a blog. Possibly because I need something to focus on to fill my time...who knows. Anyway, though I may be flattering myself by thinking anyone will give a damn about what I have to say, I think it'll be fun. As I did in my now inactive blog, "Baby Gravy", I'm going to use this to discuss my opinions on...everything... books, movies, music, makeup, pharmaceuticals, and anything else I find myself interested in or feeling strongly about. Hopefully you'll feel compelled to share your opinions as well! So, here I go...