Sunday, December 20, 2009

௫ BAYWATCH

Baywatch is an American television series about the Los Angeles County Lifeguards who patrol the beaches of Los Angeles County, California starring David Hasselhoff. The show ran from 1989 to 1999 (and 1999-2001 as Baywatch Hawaii). According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Baywatch is the most watched TV show in the world of all time, with over 1.1 billion viewers. Guess the men cannot resist to feast their eyes of those bikini clad beauties and lifeguards and the ladies on the hunks.



Baywatch premiered on NBC in 1989, but was cancelled after only one season despite high ratings because the studio, GTG, went out of business. Hasselhoff was given the title of Executive Producer to incent him to come back to the show. The series was hugely successful, especially internationally. The show led to a spin-off: Baywatch Nights, and a reunion movie, Baywatch: Hawaiian Wedding. [wikipedia]

Friday, December 4, 2009

௫ ALADDIN

Aladdin is a 1992 American animated adventure film produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and released by Walt Disney Pictures. The 31st animated feature in the Walt Disney Animated Classics series, the film was directed by John Musker and Ron Clements, and is based on the Arab folktale of Aladdin and the magic lamp from One Thousand and One Nights.




Lyrics | Aladdin lyrics - A Whole New World (Aladdin Theme Song) lyrics

According to Wikipedia, Aladdin received many award nominations, mostly for its music. It won two Academy Awards, Best Music, Original Score and Best Music, Original Song for "A Whole New World" and receiving nominations for Best Song ("Friend Like Me"), Best Sound Editing, and Best Sound. At the Golden Globes, Aladdin won Best Original Song ("A Whole New World") and Best Original Score, as well as a Special Achievement Award for Robin Williams, with a nomination for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy. Other awards included the Annie Award for Best Animated Feature, a MTV Movie Award for Best Comedic Performance to Robin Williams, Saturn Awards for Best Fantasy Film, Performance by a Younger Actor to Scott Weinger and Supporting Actor to Robin Williams, the Best Animated Feature by the Los Angeles Film Critics Association, and four Grammy Awards, Best Soundtrack Album, and Song of the Year, Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal and Best Song Written for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media for "A Whole New World."
"A Whole New World" is the featured pop single from the soundtrack to the 1992 Disney film Aladdin. It was composed by Alan Menken with lyrics by Tim Rice. The song is a ballad between the primary characters Aladdin and Jasmine about the new world they're going to discover together. The original version was sung by Brad Kane and Lea Salonga. A single version of the song was later released that year and was performed by Peabo Bryson and Regina Belle. The version heard during the narrative of the film was performed by Brad Kane and Lea Salonga, the singing voices for Aladdin and Princess Jasmine, respectively. They also performed the song in their characters at the 65th Academy Awards.

Sunday, November 29, 2009

മ THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI

The Bridge on the River Kwai is a 1957 British World War II film by David Lean based on the novel The Bridge over the River Kwai by French writer Pierre Boulle. The film is a work of fiction but borrows the construction of the Burma Railway in 1942–43 for its historical setting. It stars Alec Guinness, Sessue Hayakawa, Jack Hawkins, and William Holden. Music by Malcolm Arnold. [wikipedia]

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

മ THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN

The Magnificent Seven is a 1960 American western film directed by John Sturges about a group of hired gunmen protecting a Mexican village from bandits. Wowie!... one of the greatest (if not THE greatest) Westerns of all time... Can't get any better with a cast like McQueen, Brynner, Coburn, Vaughn, Bronson... all my fave super stars. Eli Wallach often the bad guy in most Westerns played chief of bandits. Music composed by Elmer Bernstein (April 4, 1922 - August 18, 2004). He is the recipient of Western Heritage Awards for The Magnificent Seven (1960) and The Hallelujah Trail (1965).


Cempaka Orchestra performing Magnificent Seven for Cempaka Damansara Commencements 2007, Cempaka Schools. Conductor: Mr Isaac Chia


Any difference compared to this original?

Thursday, November 12, 2009

മ THE INCREDIBLE HULK

Those who watched the movies or TV series in the 70s would never forget the most famous tagline "Don't make me angry, you would'nt like me when I'm angry" starred by Bill Bixby for the role of Dr David Banner. In addition the very same Incredible Hulk himself, acted by Lou Ferrigno who was forever chased by Jack McGee was played by Jack Colvin.  Music conducted and composed by Joe Harnell.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

മ MIAMI VICE

Miami Vice is an American television series produced by Michael Mann for NBC. The show became noted for its heavy integration of music and visual effects to tell a story. The series starred Don Johnson and Phillip Michael Thomas as two Metro-Dade Police Department detectives working undercover in Miami. It ran for five seasons on NBC from 1984–1989.



Miami Vice is noted for its innovative use of music, particularly countless pop and rock hits of the 1980s and the distinctive, synthesized instrumental music of Jan Hammer. The collaboration resulted in memorable instrumental pieces, including the show's title theme, which climbed to the top of the U.S. Billboard charts in November 1985, the first television show theme to do so since Peter Gunn; No television theme nor instrumental track have ascended to the top of the Billboard singles chart since. The Miami Vice original soundtrack, featuring Jan Hammer's #1 hit theme song and Glenn Frey's "You Belong to the City" (a #2 hit), stayed on the top of the U. S. album chart for 11 weeks in 1985, making it the most successful TV soundtrack at the time. The Miami Vice Theme was so popular that is also garnered two Grammy awards in 1986. "Crockett's Theme", another recurring tune from the show, became a #1 hit in several European countries in 1987. [wikipedia]

Sunday, October 25, 2009

ø THE VIRGINIAN

The Virginian is a western-themed television series which aired on NBC from 1962 to 1971 for a total of 249 episodes based on the Owen Wister novel. Played by James Drury as The Virginian whose real name was never revealed in the nine seasons of the series. Other key characters included Trampas (played by Doug McClure who was the most popular)[oh my fave] and Steve Hill (played by Gary Clarke). The theme song was titled "Lonesome Tree" and was written by Percy Faith and conducted by Revue musical director, Stanley Wilson. It is a kinda sad we do not have that much opportunity now to watch Westerns  like we used to. Where are all the script writers and directors? Or maybe where are the audiences who would rather prefer hi-tech & graphics  more than cowboys and Indians?

Thursday, October 22, 2009

ø THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E.

The Man from U.N.C.L.E. is an American television series that was broadcast on NBC from September 22, 1964, to January 15, 1968. It follows the exploits of two secret agents, played by Robert Vaughn and David McCallum, who work for a fictitious secret international law-enforcement agency called U.N.C.L.E. (the United Network Command for Law and Enforcement). Theme music composer was Jerry Goldsmith.



Since 2003 McCallum has been playing Dr. Donald 'Ducky' Mallard in the TV series NCIS. In a Season 2 episode when Agent Jethro Gibbs is asked, "What did Ducky look like when he was younger?," Gibbs responds, "Illya Kuryakin".

Monday, October 19, 2009

ø CHARLIE'S ANGELS

Charlie's Angels is a television series about three women who work for a private investigation agency, and is one of the first shows to showcase women in roles traditionally reserved for men. The series was broadcast in the USA on the ABC Television Network from 1976 to 1981 and was one of the most successful series of the 1970s. Charlie's Angels was created by Ivan Goff and Ben Roberts and produced by Aaron Spelling and Leonard Goldberg.



Three women, the Angels (originally Kate Jackson, Farrah Fawcett-Majors, and Jaclyn Smith), graduated from the Los Angeles police academy only to be assigned such duties as handling switchboards and directing traffic. They quit and were hired to work for the Charles Townsend Agency as private investigators. Their boss, Charlie (voiced by John Forsythe), is never seen full face — in some episodes the viewer gets to see the back of his head and his arms, talking through a phone while surrounded by beautiful women — assigning cases to the Angels and his liaison, Bosley (played by David Doyle), via a speaker phone.  [wikipedia]


Tribute to Farrah Fawcett R.I.P

Saturday, October 17, 2009

ø FORREST GUMP

Forrest Gump is a 1994 American comedy-drama film directed by Robert Zemeckis based on Winston Groom's 1986 novel. The cast consists of Tom Hanks, Robin Wright Penn, and Gary Sinise. It's a story of a borderline mental retarded little boy named Forrest Gump who went through life unselfishly meeting historical figures, influencing popular culture and how he became a millionaire.
One famous memorable quotation by Forrest Gump: My momma always said, "Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get." 



The film garnered multiple awards and nominations, including Academy Awards, Golden Globe Awards, People's Choice Awards, and Young Artist Awards, among others. Music by Alan Silvestri.

1994 Academy Awards (Oscars)
Won - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role — Tom Hanks
Won - Best Director — Robert Zemeckis
Won - Best Film Editing — Arthur Schmidt
Won - Best Picture — Wendy Finerman, Steve Starkey, Steve Tisch
Won - Best Visual Effects — Ken Ralston, George Murphy, Stephen Rosenbaum, Allen Hall
Won - Best Adapted Screenplay — Eric Roth



The world will never seem same once you've seen it through the eyes of... Forrest Gump.

Sunday, October 11, 2009

ø Dr ZHIVAGO

Doctor Zhivago is a 1965 film directed by David Lean based on a novel by Boris Pasternak relating to events happened during World War 1. The cast involves KGB General Yevgraf Zhivago (Alec Guinness), poet and doctor Yuri Zhivago (Omar Sharif), and his mistress Larissa ("Lara") Antipova (Julie Christie). Music score "Lara's Theme" by Maurice Jarre which became one of the most popular in cinematic history.

Friday, October 9, 2009

ø THE BRADY BUNCH

The Brady Bunch is an American television sitcom. Too many may not clearly remember all of them or remember seeing any of them. But the 'Bunch' is not common so should have left at least some impression in the grey matter. Music composed by Sherwood Schwartz.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

ø HANG 'EM HIGH

Hang 'Em High is a 1968 Western film directed by Ted Post starring Clint Eastwood. It is the story of an innocent man, Jed Cooper (Eastwood), who survives a lynching by nine men, and becomes a US Marshal to see that justice is done. Music by Dominic Frontiere. [wikipedia]



Thursday, October 1, 2009

ø THE LONGEST DAY

The Longest Day which was the most expensive U$10million black-and-white war film was rolled out in 1962 based on a history book regarding "D-Day", the invasion of Normandy on 6 June 1944 during World War II, written by Cornelius Ryan, titled The Longest Day. A huge cast of star actors were featured together with the military consultants and advisors who were actual war veterans involved in 'D-Day' were also portrayed in the film. Music was composed by French composer and conductor Maurice Jarre (1924-2009).

Friday, September 25, 2009

ങ THE MUNSTERS

 The Munsters is a 1960s American television sitcom depicting the home life of a family of monsters. The show was a satire of both traditional monster movies and popular family entertainment of the era, such as Leave It to Beaver. It ran concurrently with the The Addams Family. Although the Addamses were well-to-do, the Munsters were a more blue-collar family. The Munsters also had higher Nielsen ratings than The Addams Family.


The original Victorian home of the Munster family was at 1313 Mockingbird Lane in the fictional Mockingbird Heights. The town's location is not specified in the series, but in later incarnations is described as a small town outside of Los Angeles, California. In reality, the exterior shots were filmed on the Universal Studios backlot. The house was built in 1946 for the movie So Goes My Love. [wikipedia]



As a kid would not missed The Munsters especially love watching Herman, acted by the late Fred Gwynne (1926-1993). A tribute to F Gwynne, have long forgotten his real look as a person without the monster makeup. Always fascinated by the screw (not sure what its called) across his neck, flat head and huge body frame. People are strange as most kids would be scared of ghosts or monsters on the contrary Herman is so cool and adorable we all loved him. Guess it takes a bigger monster like me to love another munster like Herman. lol..

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

ങ STAR TREK: The Next Generation

Star Trek: The Next Generation (often abbreviated to TNG) is a science fiction television series created by Gene Roddenberry as part of the Star Trek franchise. Set in the 24th century, about 70 years after the original Star Trek, the program features a new crew and a new starship Enterprise. It premiered the week of September 28, 1987 to 27 million viewers with the two-hour pilot "Encounter at Farpoint". With 178 episodes spread over seven seasons, it ran longer than any other Star Trek series, ending with the finale "All Good Things..." the week of May 23, 1994.



The series was broadcast in first-run syndication, with dates and times varying among individual television stations. The show gained a considerable following during its run and, like its predecessor, remains popular in syndicated reruns. It was the first of several series (the others being Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Star Trek: Voyager, and Star Trek: Enterprise) that kept new Star Trek episodes airing until 2005. Star Trek: The Next Generation won 18 Emmy Awards and, in its seventh season, became the first syndicated television show to be nominated for the Emmy for Best Dramatic Series. It was nominated for three Hugo Awards and won two. The first-season episode "The Big Goodbye" also won the Peabody Award for excellence in television programming. The series formed the basis of the seventh through to the tenth Star Trek films. [wikipedia]
Of course can never forget the original cast of Star Trek in the 60's, the favourite pointed ears of  Mr Spock acted by Leonard Nimoy and Capt Kirk acted by William Shatner.  

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

ങ KOJAK

Kojak is an American television series starring Telly Savalas as the eponymous, bald New York City Police Department Detective Lieutenant Theo Kojak. It aired from October 24, 1973 to March 18, 1978 on CBS.  Kojak's Greek heritage, shared by actor Savalas, was prominently featured in the series. The series is set in New York City's Thirteenth Precinct. It revolves around the efforts of the incorruptible Lt. Theo Kojak (Telly Savalas), a tough, bald New York City policeman who was fond of lollipops and for using the catchphrase, "Who loves ya, baby?" Lt. Kojak displayed a dark, cynical wit and a tendency to bend the rules in order to bring a criminal to justice.



In the early episodes of the series, Kojak smoked heavily; in order to reflect the anti-smoking sentiment gaining momentum on American TV, the writers decided that Kojak had quit smoking. He began sucking on lollipops as a substitute, which became a trademark of the character (although Kojak is frequently seen smoking a cigarillo when he winds up a case by interrogation of the main suspect(s)).

The somewhat more well-known first Kojak theme, in two distinct arrangements is the work of Billy Goldenberg, who scored the early episodes. John Cacavas composed the second main title theme used throughout the show's 5th and final season. [wikipedia]

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

ങ GHOST ~ RIP Patrick Swayze

Ghost is a 1990 romantic drama film starring Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore, Tony Goldwyn and Whoopi Goldberg, written by Bruce Joel Rubin and directed by Jerry Zucker. It was nominated for multiple Academy Awards, including Best Picture, winning for Best Original Screenplay, as well as Best Supporting Actress for Whoopi Goldberg. It has also inspired a musical stage version which will open in the West End in 2010.



Maurice Jarre (13 September 1924 – 28 March 2009) was a French composer and conductor. Although he composed several concert works, he is best known for his film scores for motion pictures, particularly those directed by David Lean: Lawrence of Arabia (1962), Doctor Zhivago (1965), and A Passage to India (1984). All three of these scores won Academy Awards. Other notable scores of his include The Message (1976), Dead Poets Society (1989) and Ghost (1990). Jarre was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. [wikipedia]

Patrick Wayne Swayze (Aug 18 1952 - Sep 14 2009) the hunky actor who danced his way into viewers' hearts with "Dirty Dancing" and then brought tears and broke them with "Ghost," died on Monday after a 20 months battle with pancreatic cancer. Swayze passed away peacefully at age 57 with family at his side. A three-time Golden Globe nominee, Swayze became a star with his performance as the misunderstood bad-boy Johnny Castle in "Dirty Dancing."

Friday, September 11, 2009

ങ E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is a 1982 American science fiction film co-produced and directed by Steven Spielberg, written by Melissa Mathison and starring Henry Thomas, Robert MacNaughton, Drew Barrymore, and Dee Wallace. It tells the story of Elliott (played by Thomas), a lonely boy who befriends a friendly extraterrestrial, dubbed "E.T.", who is stranded on Earth. Elliott and his siblings help the extraterrestrial return home while attempting to keep it hidden from their mother and the government.



The film was nominated for nine Oscars at the 55th Academy Awards, including Best Picture.  It won four Academy Awards—Best Original Music Score, Sound, Sound Effects Editing and Visual Effects. At the Golden Globes, the film won Best Picture in the Drama category and Best Score; it was also nominated for Best Director, Best Screenplay and Best New Male Star for Henry Thomas. The Los Angeles Film Critics Association awarded the film Best Picture, Best Director and a "New Generation Award" for Melissa Mathison. The film won Saturn Awards for Best Science Fiction Film, Best Writing, Best Special Effects, Best Music and Best Poster Art, while Henry Thomas, Robert McNaughton, and Drew Barrymore won Young Artist Awards. In addition to his Golden Globe and Saturn, composer John Williams won a Grammy and a BAFTA for the score. E.T. was also honored abroad: the film won the Best Foreign Language Film award at the Blue Ribbon in Japan, Cinema Writers Circle Awards in Spain, César Awards in France, and David di Donatello in Italy.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

ങ GHOSTBUSTERS

Ghostbusters (titled on-screen as Ghost Busters) is a 1984 science-fiction comedy film written by co-stars Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis about three eccentric New York City parapsychologists-turned-ghost exterminators. The film was released in the United States on June 8, 1984 and like several films of the era, teamed Aykroyd and/or Ramis with headliner Bill Murray. It was produced and directed by Ivan Reitman, who also directed Stripes, and stars Murray, Aykroyd, Ramis, Rick Moranis, Sigourney Weaver, Annie Potts, and Ernie Hudson. With inflation adjustments, the film's original release grossed over $500 million US dollars counting sales in just the U.S., making it domestically one of the highest-grossing films of 1984 and also domestically the 31st highest-grossing film.



The American Film Institute ranked Ghostbusters 28th in its "AFI's 100 Years... 100 Laughs" list of movie comedies. The film score was composed by Elmer Bernstein, notable for its use of ondes martenot (a staple of Bernstein's 1980s work) and also the Yamaha DX-7 synthesizer. Orchestrators contributing to the film were Peter Bernstein, David Spear and Patrick Russ.
The hit theme song, "Ghostbusters", written and performed by Ray Parker, Jr. sparked the catchphrases "Who you gonna call? Ghostbusters!" and "I ain't afraid of no ghost(s)". The song was a huge hit, staying #1 for three weeks on Billboard's Hot 100 chart and #1 for two weeks on the Black Singles chart. The song earned Parker an Academy Award nomination for "Best Original Song". [wikipedia]

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

ങ THE SIMPSONS

The Simpsons is an American animated television sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series is a satirical parody of a middle class American lifestyle epitomized by its eponymous family, which consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie. The show is set in the fictional city of Springfield, and lampoons American culture, society and television, and many aspects of the human condition.



The Simpsons has won dozens of awards since it debuted as a series, including 24 Primetime Emmy Awards, 26 Annie Awards and a Peabody Award. In a 1998 issue celebrating the 20th century's greatest achievements in arts and entertainment, Time magazine named The Simpsons the century's best television series. On January 14, 2000, the Simpsons were awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. [wikipedia]

Sunday, September 6, 2009

ങ SHOGUN

Shōgun is an American television miniseries based on the namesake novel by James Clavell. As with the novel, the title is often shown as Shōgun in order to conform to Hepburn romanization. The miniseries was broadcast over five nights, between September 15 and September 19, 1980 on NBC in the United States. To date, it is the only USA-based TV show/miniseries to be filmed entirely on location in Japan. Even the studio shots were done in Japanese studios.



The story is based on the adventures of English navigator William Adams. The series follows Pilot John Blackthorne's experiences in Japan in the early 1600s. After his ship is wrecked along the coast of Japan, Blackthorne must juggle his identity as an Englishman associated with other Europeans, namely Portuguese traders and Jesuit priests, and the Japanese culture into which he is thrust. The miniseries, with narration by Orson Welles, starred Richard Chamberlain as John Blackthorne (Anjin-san), Toshiro Mifune as Lord Toranaga, Yoko Shimada as Lady Toda Buntaro a.k.a. Mariko, John Rhys-Davies in one of his first major roles as Portuguese Pilot Vasco Rodrigues and Michael Hordern as Friar Domingo. Music by Maurice Jarre. [wikipedia]

Friday, September 4, 2009

ങ BEWITCHED

Bewitched is an American situation comedy originally broadcast for eight seasons on ABC from 1964 to 1972, starring Elizabeth Montgomery, Dick York (1964–1969), Dick Sargent (1969–1972), Agnes Moorehead and David White. It is about a witch who marries a mortal and tries to lead the life of a typical suburban housewife. Bewitched continues to be seen throughout the world in syndication and on DVD and was the longest running supernatural themed sitcom of the 1960s–1970s era. [wikipedia]

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

ങ A FISTFUL OF DOLLARS

A Fistful of Dollars (Italian: Per un pugno di dollari) is a 1964 western film directed by Sergio Leone and starring Clint Eastwood alongside Gian Maria Volontè, Marianne Koch, Wolfgang Lukschy, José Calvo and Joseph Egger. Released in Italy in 1964 then in the United States in 1967, it initiated the popularity of the Spaghetti Western film genre. A Fistful of Dollars was shot in Spain, mostly near Hoyo de Manzanares close to Madrid, but also (like its two sequels) in the Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park in Almería province.



The film's music was written by Ennio Morricone, credited as Dan Savio. Morricone recalled Leone requesting him to write "Dimitri Tiomkin music" for the film. The trumpet theme is similar to Tiomkin's El Degüello theme from Rio Bravo (1959) (that was called Un dollaro d'onore in Italy) while the opening title whistling music recalls Tiomkin's use of whistling in his Gunfight at the O.K. Corral (1957). "Some of the music was written before the film, which is unusual. Leone's films were made like that because he wanted the music to be an important part of it, and he often kept the scenes longer simply because he didn't want the music to end. That's why the films are so slow - because of the music." [wikipedia]

Monday, August 31, 2009

൯ FANTASY ISLAND

Fantasy Island is the title of two separate but related American fantasy television series, both originally airing on the ABC television network. Before it became a long-running original television show, Fantasy Island was introduced to viewers in 1977 through two highly-rated made-for-television films in which Mr. Roarke and Tattoo played relatively minor roles. Airing from 1978 to 1984, the original series starred Ricardo Montalban as Mr. Roarke, the enigmatic overseer of a mysterious island somewhere in the Pacific Ocean, where people from all walks of life could come and live out their fantasies, albeit for a price.



Roarke was known for his white suit and cultured demeanor, and was initially accompanied by an energetic sidekick, Tattoo, played by Hervé Villechaize. Tattoo would run up the main bell tower to ring the bell and shout "The plane! The plane!" to announce the arrival of a new set of guests at the beginning of each episode. This line, shown at the beginning of the show's credits, became an unlikely catchphrase because of Villechaize's spirited delivery and French accent (he actually pronounced it, "Ze plane! Ze plane!").

Villechaize proved a difficult actor on Fantasy Island where he continually propositioned women and quarrelled with the producers. He was eventually fired after demanding that his pay be on par with that of co-star Ricardo Montalbán. The show's popularity waned after this move, and it was soon cancelled.



Tribute to Hervé Jean-Pierre Villechaize (April 23, 1943 - September 4, 1993) was a French actor who achieved worldwide recognition for his role as Tattoo, in the television series Fantasy Island (1978 - 1984). His big break was getting cast in The Man with the Golden Gun in 1974 playing the evil henchman Nick Nack, by which time he had become so poor he was living out of his car in Los Angeles. Prior to being signed up by Bond producer Albert R. Broccoli, he made ends meet by working as a rat catcher's assistant near his South Central home. But from what his co-actor Christopher Lee saw, The Man with the Golden Gun filming was possibly the happiest time of Hervé's life, Lee likening it to honey in the sandwich between an insecure past and an uncertain future.
In addition to being an actor, Villechaize became an active member of a movement in 1970s-1980s California to deal with child abuse and neglect, often going to crime scenes himself to help comfort abuse victims. Villechaize's former co-workers recalled that despite his stature, he would often confront and chastise spousal and child abusers when he arrived at crime scenes. In the early morning hours of September 4, 1993, Hervé shot himself at his home. He left a suicide note saying he was despondent over longtime health problems. RIP Herve. [wikipedia]

Saturday, August 29, 2009

൯ THE LITTLE MERMAID

The Little Mermaid is a 1989 American animated feature produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and based on the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale of the same name. Distributed by Walt Disney Pictures, the film was originally released to theaters on November 17, 1989 and is the twenty-eighth film in the Walt Disney Animated Classics series. During its initial release, The Little Mermaid grossed over $84 million in the United States and an additional $99 million internationally. The film is given credit for breathing life back into the animated feature film genre after a string of critical or commercial failures that dated back to the early 1980s. It also marked the start of the era known as the Disney Renaissance.



Ariel, a sixteen-year-old mermaid princess, is dissatisfied with life under the sea and curious about the human world. With her best fish friend Flounder, Ariel collects human artifacts and goes to the surface of the ocean to visit Scuttle the seagull, who offers very inaccurate and comical knowledge of human culture. Ignoring the warnings of her father (King Triton) and court musician (Sebastian the crab) that contact between merpeople and humans is forbidden, Ariel still longs to be part of the human world; to this end she has filled a secret grotto with all the human artifacts she has found. ("Part of Your World") While Sebastian, who was assigned to watch over Ariel and be sure she does not visit the surface again tries to convince her that its better to live under the sea than in the human world ("Under the Sea"). The Little Mermaid was considered by some as "the film that brought Broadway into cartoons". Alan Menken wrote the Academy Award winning score, and collaborated with Howard Ashman in the songs.



1991 - Voted the Best Song Written Specifically for a Motion Picture or for Television: Alan Menken (composer) Howard Ashman (lyricist) for "Under the Sea". The Little Mermaid was considered by some as "the film that brought Broadway into cartoons". Alan Menken wrote the Academy Award winning score, and collaborated with Howard Ashman in the songs. [wikipedia]

The seaweed is always greener, in somebody else's lake
You dream about going up there, but that is a big mistake
Just look at the world around you, right here on the ocean floor
Such wonderful things surround you, what more is you lookin' for?

Under the sea Under the sea
Nobody beat us fry us and eat us
In fricassee, We what the land folks loves to cook
Under the sea we off the hook, we got no troubles
Life is the bubbles, under the sea
Under the sea, since life is sweet here
We got the beat here.. Naturally
Even the sturgeon an' the ray. They get the urge 'n' start to play
We got the spirit. You got to hear it..Under the sea

The newt play the flute, the carp play the harp
The plaice play the bass, and they soundin' sharp
The bass play the brass, the chub play the tub
The fluke is the duke of soul (Yeah), the ray he can play
The lings on the strings, the trout rockin' out
The blackfish she sings, the smelt and the sprat
They know where it's at, an' oh that blowfish blow

Under the sea, Under the sea
When the sardine, begin the beguine
It's music to me, what do they got? A lot of sand
We got a hot crustacean band.
Each little clam here know how to jam here
Under the sea, each little slug here
Cuttin' a rug here. Under the sea
Each little snail here, know how to wail here
That's why it's hotter, under the water
Ya we in luck here, down in the muck here
Under the sea.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

൯ I DREAM OF JEANNIE

I Dream of Jeannie is a 1960s American sitcom with a fantasy premise. The show starred Barbara Eden as a 2000-year-old female genie, and Larry Hagman as an astronaut who becomes her master, with whom she falls in love and eventually marries. Produced by Screen Gems, the show originally aired from September 1965 to May 1970 with new episodes, and through September 1970 with season repeats, on NBC. The show ran for five seasons and produced 139 episodes. The first season consisted of 30 episodes filmed in black and white (decades later colorized for some broadcasts and a DVD release). The other 109 episodes were filmed in color. The show has continued to air in reruns ever since, currently airing in the United States on WGN America.



Recently, Cocoa Beach, Florida, has been embracing the fame it garnered from Jeannie. A street near the Lori Wilson Park in Cocoa Beach is named "I Dream of Jeannie Lane." On September 15, 2005, they held the "We Dream of Jeannie" Festival, including a Jeannie lookalike contest. There were plans for one in 2004, but it was interrupted by Hurricane Frances and Hurricane Jeanne. They did, however, hold the Jeannie lookalike contest in 2004, with Bill Daily attending.

The first season theme music was an instrumental jazz waltz written by Richard Wess; eventually, Sidney Sheldon became dissatisfied with Wess' theme and musical score. From the second season on, it was replaced by a new theme entitled "Jeannie", composed by Hugo Montenegro with lyrics by Buddy Kaye. Episode 20 and 25 used a re-recorded ending of "Jeannie" for the closing credits with new, longer drum breaks and a different closing riff. The lyrics were never used in the show. [wikipedia]


Larry Hagman is so sweet and adorable as the astronaut Capt John Nelson as compared to the evil and unscrupulous JR Ewing in Dallas, these two characters are like heaven and earth poles apart.

Sunday, August 23, 2009

൯ WKRP IN CINCINNATI

WKRP in Cincinnati (1978–1982) is an American situation comedy that featured the misadventures of the staff of a struggling fictional radio station in Cincinnati, Ohio. The show was created by Hugh Wilson and was based upon his experiences working in advertising as a client of a classic album-oriented rock radio station. The ensemble cast consisted of Gary Sandy, Howard Hesseman, Gordon Jump, Loni Anderson, Tim Reid, Jan Smithers, Richard Sanders and Frank Bonner.

The opening theme, called "WKRP In Cincinnati Main Theme", was composed by Tom Wells, with lyrics by series creator Hugh Wilson, and performed by Steve Carlisle. [wikipedia]
Baby, if you've ever wondered,
Wondered whatever became of me,
I'm living on the air in Cincinnati,
Cincinnati, WKRP.

Got kind of tired packing and unpacking,
Town to town and up and down the dial
Maybe you and me were never meant to be,
Just baby think of me once in awhile.

I'm at WKRP in Cincinnati..

Friday, August 21, 2009

൯ KNIGHT RIDER

Knight Rider is an American television series that originally ran from September 26, 1982, to August 8, 1986. The series was broadcast on NBC and starred David Hasselhoff as Michael Knight, a high-tech modern-day knight fighting crime. Michael Knight drove a sentient talking car with artificial intelligence. Conceived and produced by Glen A. Larson, the show was an instant hit. "I wanted to do The Lone Ranger with a car", Larson said in The Last Great Ride. "Kind of a sci-fi thing, with the soul of a western."



A number of performers have released and remixed the main Knight Rider theme (which was written by series producer Glen A. Larson and Stu Phillips ). When Stu Phillips left the series after composing 13 episodes, Don Peake became the music composer and did the remaining 71 episodes during the rest of the series. The change of the style between the composers can be felt in the middle of the first season, from Hearts of Stone onward. The style of the music composed by Phillips was more symphonic, Peake's was more electronic and rock. [wikipedia]

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

൯ INDIANA JONES

Dr. Henry Walton "Indiana" Jones, Jr. is afictional adventurer, soldier, professor of archaeology, and the main protagonist of the Indiana Jones franchise. George Lucas created the character in homage to the action heroes of 1930s film serials. The character first appeared in the 1981 film Raiders of the Lost Ark, to be followed by Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom in 1984, The Last Crusade in 1989, The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles from 1992 to1996, and Kingdom of the Crystal Skull in 2008. Alongside the more widely known films and television programs, novels, comics, video games, and other media also feature the character. Jones is also featured in the theme park attraction Indiana Jones Adventure, which exists in similar forms at Disneyland and Tokyo Disney Sea.



Jones is most famously played by Harrison Ford; he has also been portrayed by River Phoenix (as the young Jones in The Last Crusade), and in the television series The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles by Corey Carrier, Sean Patrick Flanery, and George Hall. Doug Lee has supplied Jones's voice to two Lucas Arts video games, Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis and Indiana Jones and the Infernal Machine, while David Esch supplied his voice to Indiana Jones and the Emperor's Tomb. Another great piece of music by John Williams and it is titled: The Raiders March. [wikipedia]

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

൯ HIGH CHAPARRAL

The High Chaparral is a Western-themed television series which aired on NBC from 1967 to 1971. The show was created by David Dortort, who had previously created the hit Bonanza for the network. The theme song was also written and conducted by Bonanza scorer David Rose.



The show starred Leif Erickson as "Big" John Cannon, a rancher who lived in the Arizona Territory in the 1870s. He ran the ranch with his brother Buck (Cameron Mitchell) and son Billy Blue (Mark Slade). Billy Blue's mother Annalee (Joan Caulfield) was killed in the first episode by an Indian arrow through the window, and to ensure his future, John Cannon courted and later married Victoria (Linda Cristal), the daughter of the powerful Don Sebastián Montoya. His marriage to Victoria Montoya brought her brother Manolito (Henry Darrow) into the picture, and he also came to live with the family. Cameron Mitchell was offered the part of Buck following an airline flight to Tucson where he had sat next to the series originator and his wife. [wikipedia]

Monday, August 17, 2009

൯ THE PARTRIDGE FAMILY

The Partridge Family is an American television sitcom about a widowed mother and her five children who embarked on a music career. The family lived in San Pueblo, a small fictional town in Northern California. The series was originally broadcast on ABC from 1970 to 1974.



In the pilot episode, a group of musical siblings convinces their mother to help them out by singing with them as they record a pop song in their garage. Through the efforts of the 10-year-old son Danny, they find a manager who helps make the song a Top-40 hit. After some more convincing, Mom finally agrees that the family can go on tour. They acquire an old school bus, paint it and depart to Las Vegas for their first live gig at Caesars Palace. [wikipedia]
Love to watch the ending of the show where there is a sign at the back of the bus which says "Careful Nervous Mother Driving".

Sunday, August 16, 2009

൯ SCOOBY-DOO

Scooby-Doo is a 2002 live-action film based on the hit Hanna-Barbera cartoon show, Scooby-Doo. The film was directed by Raja Gosnell and written by James Gunn and Craig Titley. It was produced by Charles Roven and Richard Suckle for Warner Bros. Pictures and starred Matthew Lillard as Shaggy, Sarah Michelle Gellar as Daphne, Freddie Prinze, Jr. as Fred, Linda Cardellini as Velma, and Neil Fanning as the voice of Scooby-Doo (who was created on screen using computer-generated imagery), Scott Innes as Scrappy Doo and Rowan Atkinson as Emile Mondavarious. Pamela Anderson made an uncredited appearance at the beginning of the movie. The film is rated PG for some scary action, some rude humor, and language.
Reggae artist Shaggy and rock group MXPX perform different versions of the classic theme song. Shaggy got his stage name from the show/film's character. [wikipedia]



Scooby Dooby Doo, where are you?
We've got some work to do now
Scooby Dooby Doo, where are you?
We need some help from you now

Come on Scooby Doo, I see you
Pretending you got a sliver
But you're not fooling me, 'cause I can see
The way you shake and shiver

You know we got a mystery to solve
So Scooby Dooby ready for your act
Don't hold back!

And Scooby Doo if you come through
You're gonna have yourself a Scooby snack!
That's a fact!

Scooby Dooby Doo, here are you
You're ready and you're willing
If we can count on you, Scooby Doo
I know we'll catch that villain!

Thursday, August 13, 2009

൯ BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

Beauty and the Beast is a 1991 American animated feature produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation. It premiered at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood on November 13, 1991 and is the thirtieth film in the Walt Disney Animated Classic series. The film is based on the fairy tale of the same name about a beautiful woman kept in a castle by a horrific monster. It is the only full-length animated feature film to ever be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture. Heightening the level of performance in the era known as the Disney Renaissance (1989–1999, beginning with The Little Mermaid and ending with Tarzan), many animated films following its release have been influenced by its blending of traditional animation and computer generated imagery.



Tale as old as time, True as it can be
Barely even friends, Then somebody bends
Unexpectedly

Just a little change, Small to say the least
Both a little scared, Neither one prepared
Beauty and the Beast

Ever just the same, Ever a surprise
Ever as before, Ever just as sure
As the sun will rise
Tale as old as time, Tune as old as song
Bittersweet and strange, Finding you can change
Learning you were wrong

Certain as the sun, Rising in the east
Tale as old as time, Song as old as rhyme
Beauty and the beast
Tale as old as time,Song as old as rhyme
Beauty and the beast, Beauty and the beast

Beauty and the Beast ranked at #7 on the American Film Institute's list of best animated films, #22 on the Institutes's list of best musicals, and #34 on its list of the best romantic American movies. On the list of the greatest songs from American movies, Beauty and the Beast ranked #62. The film was adapted into a Broadway musical of the same name, which ran from 1994 to 2007. The original score and songs were composed by Alan Menken with lyrics written by Howard Ashman. The album won the Academy Award for Best Original Score, the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Score and the Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Composition Written for a Motion Picture or for Television. [wikipedia]

Whoa! My cutie little lovely daughter sang this song at age 8 or 9 then while in her shower, it goes like this..."da.. da.. da.. and then loudly - beauty and the beast da..da..da.. repeat". Guess her song is simply just four words..Nikki this song is specially for you.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

൯ FOR A FEW DOLLARS MORE

For a Few Dollars More (Italian: Per qualche dollaro in più) is a 1965 spaghetti western film directed by Sergio Leone and starring Clint Eastwood, Lee Van Cleef and Gian Maria Volontè. German actor Klaus Kinski also plays a supporting role as a secondary villain. The film was released in the United States in 1967 and is the second part of what is commonly known as the "Man with No Name" trilogy.



Ennio Morricone composed the film's soundtrack as he did for A Fistful of Dollars. In the United States, Hugo Montenegro released a cover version as did Leroy Holmes who released a cover version of the soundtrack album with the original American poster art. [wikipedia]

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

൯ LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE

Little House on the Prairie is an American one-hour dramatic television program starring Michael Landon as Charles Ingalls, a farmer who cares very much about his family. It aired on the NBC network from September 11, 1974, to May 10, 1982 bumping the long-running Adam-12 series to Tuesday nights. During the 1982-83 television season, with the departure of Michael Landon, the series was broadcast with the new title (spin off) Little House: A New Beginning. A three-hour compilation special called The Little House Years was aired in 1979. (The series itself was preceded by a two-hour pilot movie that first aired on March 30, 1974).



Michael Landon directed the largest number of episodes (87); producer William F. Claxton handled the majority of the remaining shows (68). Co-star Victor French helmed 19 episodes. Maury Dexter, directed only a handful. The series theme song was titled The Little House and was written and conducted by David Rose. [wikipedia]


Love to watch Michael (Charles Ingalls) who set a very good example as a great person, husband, friend, and father who truly takes good care of the family and inculcate virtue in the young against the vast contrast of the mean Mrs Oleson. We rarely have this sort of "values" series nowadays and hoping and wishing some producers and directors to film more of this kind.

Sunday, August 9, 2009

൯ HART TO HART

Hart to Hart is an American television series starring Robert Wagner and Stefanie Powers. The series was created by writer Sidney Sheldon and produced by Aaron Spelling and Leonard Goldberg. It ran from 1979 to 1984 on the ABC Television Network.



Jonathan Hart (Robert Wagner) was a self-made millionaire and the CEO of Hart Industries, a globalconglomerate. His wife Jennifer (Stefanie Powers) was a beautiful freelance journalist. Living the jetset lifestyle, the glamorous couple spent their free time as amateur detectives and in every episode they found themselves involved in cases of smuggling, theft, international espionage and, most commonly, murder. At their opulent Californian home, they were assisted by Max (Lionel Stander), their loyal, gravelly-voiced butler, cook, and chauffeur who also helped out in their "cases". The Hart's pet dog was "Freeway", named so because he was a stray they had rescued when he was found wandering on the freeway. [wikipedia]

Saturday, August 8, 2009

൯ COLORS OF THE WIND

"Colors of the Wind" by composer Alan Menken and lyricist Stephen Schwartz was the 1994 Oscar-winner for Best Original Song from the Disney animated feature film Pocahontas. It also won the Golden Globe in the same category as well as the Grammy Award for Best Song Written for a Movie. The song poetically presents the Native American viewpoint that the earth is a living entity where humankind is connected to everything in nature.

The song was performed within the movie's narrative by Judy Kuhn as the singing voice of Pocahontas. Singer/actress Vanessa Williams recorded a version for the end credits which was successfully released as a single and became one of Williams' biggest hits in 1995, earning a Gold single for sales of 500,000 copies, and reaching #4 on the U.S. charts.



In the song, Pocahontas attempts to explain to John Smith about the wonders of the earth and nature including the spirit within all living things, encouraging him not to think of them as things he can conquer or own, but rather as beings to respect and live with in harmony. She also urges him to accept humans who are different in appearance and culture and to learn from them.

The first line of the chorus tells of the wolf crying to the blue corn moon with the second line varying with the verse context. The second time the chorus is sung in the single version, the second line becomes "Or let the eagle tell you where he's been" from the original "Or asked the grinning bobcat why he grinned," likely because of the addition of a third chorus to the song that uses the original's second chorus "For whether we are white or copper-skinned." The third line tells of singing with the voices of the mountains, as the fourth line concludes with the title imagery of painting with the colors of the wind.

You think you own whatever land you land on
The Earth is just a dead thing you can claim
But I know every rock and tree and creature
Has a life, has a spirit, has a name

You think the only people who are people
Are the people who look and think like you
But if you walk the footsteps of a stranger
You'll learn things you never knew you never knew

Have you ever heard the wolf cry to the blue corn moon?
Or asked the grinning bobcat why he grinned?
Can you sing with all the voices of the mountains?
Can you paint with all the colors of the wind?
Can you paint with all the colors of the wind?
Come run the hidden pine trails of the forest
Come taste the sunsweet berries of the Earth
Come roll in all the riches all around you
And for once, never wonder what they're worth

The rainstorm and the river are my brothers
The heron and the otter are my friends
And we are all connected to each other
In a circle, in a hoop that never ends

Have you ever heard the wolf cry to the blue corn moon?
Or let the eagle tell you where he's been?
Can you sing with all the voices of the mountains?
Can you paint with all the colors of the wind?
Can you paint with all the colors of the wind?
How high will the sycamore grow?
If you cut it down, then you'll never know
And you'll never hear the wolf cry to the blue corn moon

For whether we are white or copper skinned
We need to sing with all the voices of the mountains
We need to paint with all the colors of the wind

You can own the Earth and still
All you'll own is Earth until
You can paint with all the colors of the wind