The Marksman (2021) is Liam Neeson’s latest action film. I thought he said was not going to make these kind of films anymore. If this is his coda on action films, it’s a sour note. Neeson is the new Clint Eastwood, the craggy, soft-talking, hero from left field. This field has been plowed to a … More More Liam Neeson
Born to be a character actor, Ned Beatty carved out a remarkable career in television and film. Early in his career, Beatty played character types: cops, rural sheriffs, hardscrabble characters and obnoxious rascals. Just because he played a “type”, based in part on his husky appearance, one might think he would play a generic version … More Remembering Ned Beatty
Four-letter words have a bad reputation. Not all of them are vulgar or offensive, or have a negative connotation. For example, life is a four-letter word. However, work is also a four-letter word, so I might have to rethink that last statement. Here’s an interesting exercise, pick 20 four-letter words that help describe yourself. They … More 4 Letter Words
The former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives is a funny guy. From humble beginnings he becomes second in the line of succession to the Presidency. Hard as nails in outward persona, he is prone to shed tears. He looks like he could model men’s wear for Wall Street bankers, yet he retains the … More John Boehner
Back in the old days, music was recorded in an actual recording studio on analog tape machines. In the early days of the Beatles, engineers wore white lab coats and neckties. Experimentation was frowned upon and only certain approved personnel could touch the knobs. There was no school to learn the process of sound or … More Recording Engineers
Just a lonesome spud A diamond or a dud Staring blankly without a face Still a member of the potato race Attach those big ears and nose Instantly the confidence grows A super big head on a tiny bod Only to people does it look odd And now there is no more mister Change some … More Assembly Required
This is part two of my blog series on Rickie Lee Jones. She has released 17 albums, but I am only going to talk about a few. She dabbles in a variety of styles from pop to American songbook to covers of pop songs to pop-jazz. There is an earthiness in her playing, preferring acoustic … More Rickie Lee Jones: Her Music
Recently, I watched an interview of Kenny Loggins on YouTube about what he has been doing during the pandemic. One comment got me thinking. “No one is sitting around calling for a Kenny Loggins album,” he said. There was a time that the world was waiting for Loggins to produce new music. His solo career … More Kenny Loggins
Reaching from horizon to horizon The night spreads its celestial wings Embracing all in elegant moonlight The roar of the shimmering water sings Above and below, astounding wonders A moonlit sky of untouchable treasures The pounding surf hypnotically beckons Lifeforces of incalculable pleasures On a boat only tethered to nature A blood moon illuminates the … More Lost in the Night
A movie title from a million years ago, 1968 to be exact. The plot was about people who are infected with a virus transmitted by a toucan become nice and positive to each other. A pandemic of pleasantness. Obviously, a fantasy comedy. We all want to feel good, even those who use misery as their … More What’s So Bad About Feeling Good?
