A Great Day in Harlem (1994) 92/100 - I learned more about jazz history in just one hour of this documentary, than in all 19 hours of Ken Burns' bloated and pontificating film on the same subject. The director, Jean Bach, who just passed away the other day at the ripe old age of 94, was a jazz fanatic and celebrated historian of this truly American art form. This was her first film, which documents one of the most famous photographs in history, the gathering of 57 of Jazz music's most famous performers for a group photo on the streets of Harlem in 1958. Thelonius Monk, Lester Young, Count Basie, Mary Lou Williams and Dizzy Gillespie are but a few of the genre's heavyweights who took part in the photo shoot. But it's the attention paid to the lesser known musicians in the photo, that makes this documentary so interesting. Inter cut with segments from old television appearances, these jazz practitioners of long ago, show why they were considered the heart and soul of the African American community from the thirties to the latter fifties. I had never heard of some of these performers, but Bach seems to have found old kinescopes of celebrated performances, which just blew me away with these artist's technical expertise. If you're interested in jazz music, then I recommend you seek this short documentary out. It only lasts a little under an hour, but you'll be rewarded with a plethora of background on the New York Jazz scene over sixty years ago.
What the color coding means...
Teal = Masterpiece Dark Green = Classic or someday will be Lime Green = A good, entertaining film Orange = Average Red = Cinemuck Brown = The color of crap, which this film is
Natalie Portman ... Evey Hugo Weaving ... V Stephen Rea ... Inspector Finch Stephen Fry ... Deitrich John Hurt ... Adam Sutler Tim Pigott-Smith ... Creedy Rupert Graves ... Dominic
Synopsis: England has become a totalitarian society. The world lies in ruins but "England prevails". The High Chancellor -with the help of his Fingermen - rules with absolute power. Anyone who opposes him gets incarcerated and/or killed. But then there's V. V is more than a man. V is an idea and you can't kill an idea.
My Opinion: For me this will always be 1984 Part II. I always enjoyed the special irony that John Hurt played the protagonist in the original movie has become the antagonist in this one. I also love V's blunt honesty. Actually I love everything about the character and Hugo Weaving's portrayal of him. E-V was great, too. Stephen Fry became a relevant name to me when he read the British Harry Potter audio books and this was the first time I ever saw him. I didn't even know he was an actor until that time. Since then I have watched a lot of Youtube videos with him (and Hugh Laurie),
And for those of you who had difficulties to understand V's elaborate style of speaking, here's a translation.
Remember, remember the fifth of November Gunpowder, treason and plot. I see no reason why the gunpowder treason Should ever be forgot.
Joey Joey Tribbiani leaves New York for a chance at show biz fame in Hollywood - and a reunion with his left-coast sister and nephew. Take off on a new life - and new laughs with Matt LeBlanc, the 2005 People's Choice Award Winner as Favorite Male Television Star, and another great TV comedy ensemble cast! This Deluxe 4-Disc Set of the Complete Season One features all 24 hilarious episodes. For grand, goofy fun, Joey's your guy.
Pilot Hooray for Hollywood! Things are golden in the Golden State until Joey's series is cancelled, the show he turned down is a smash, and Michael decides to leave home and move in with his cool uncle.
My Thoughts: This Friends spin-off... while not nearly as good as Friends... is still pretty enjoyable. I thought the idea of Joey moving off to California to be an actor was a good idea for a spin-off... and I like how he has his nephew (a total opposite compared to him) living with him this time. But unfortunately this show just didn't have the magic that Friends had. Even though it is a series I still found to be worth watching.
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May 19, 2024, 11:37:25 AM
