Category: Pop Culture Page 52 of 74

Any trends or popular fads may be described, whether it would be something like the hula hoop or the pet rock or simply new slang.

One-on-One with Liv Ullmann, Star of Ingmar Bergman’s Films

By Connie Wilson

On October 14, 2014

In Interviews, Movies, Pop Culture

One day after her film adaptation of the 1888 Strindberg play “Miss Julie” opened the 50^th Chicago Film Festival, actress Liv Ullmann was kind enough to speak with me one-on-one about the film, her future projects, and life, in general. We met at the Park Hyatt Hotel in Chicago and the beautiful Norwegian actress, muse to Ingmar Bergmann in so many of his films, was warm and welcoming.

Ullmann had much praise for her “Miss Julie” dream cast (Jessica Chastain, Colin Farrell and Samantha Morton) saying, of Jessica Chastain, “She is both cool and cold. She’s a young woman grappling with non-existence. I just think she’s a genius. It’s very much the way I act.” She added, “I think the actors’ movie is the actors’ movie” and praised the trio universally. Liv remarked on Miss Julie’s feeling of not belonging, indicating that she thought Ms. Chastain was remarkable as the female lead.

The director was no less effusive in her praise of male lead Colin Farrell, saying, “No one else could do the movie as he did it.” Although selected partially because of his handsome good looks, Ullmann remarked that, during filming, Farrell awoke one night and wrote a poem as though he were John the valet, writing to Miss Julie. “I tried to find a way to use it in the film,” said Ullmann, “but ultimately we could not fit it in.”

Ullmann said, of Farrell’s selection as the male lead, “I saw a lot of Colin’s movies and I could see that he is also a theater actor. For me, I like to work with theater actors because I like to make films that are film theater.”

I mentioned Farrell’s appearances in both “Tigerland” and “In Bruges,” both early films of his, and also repeated the quote that Al Pacino once called Farrell “the greatest actor of his generation.” Liv Ullmann said, “He was fantastic in “In Bruges.’ What first sold me on him for ‘Miss Julie” was what he said during a phone conversation. It floored me. I thought, ‘This is a soul mate.’ He’s an incredible actor and he’s going to bring what I think no one really will expect from him to television’s ‘True Detective,’ (with Vince Vaughan) because he has dimensions which you seldom see in a film actor. He shows you the good and, at the same time, he shows you the bad.”

I had brought along a Chicago Tribune clipping about an Atlantic Monthly article quoting Mayor Emanuel’s older brother, a noted oncologist and bio-ethicist, saying that 75 was the optimal life span. After that, suggested the Mayor’s older brother, you were not viewed the same way and might even be seen as pathetic.

Upon entering the room, I gave the article to Ms. Ullmann and said, “The Mayor of Chicago’s older brother says we all should die at 75.” This was a bit of a simplification, but the thought was definitely there in Ezekial Emanuel’s words. [Ezekial Emanuel is an oncologist and bio-ethicist at the University of Pennsylvania and has been singled out by his brother, the Mayor, as “the smartest one” of the three brothers].

Unfortunately, Liv Ullmann thought I had used the word “diet.” When she realized that the word was actually “die” she seemed as upset by Ezekial Emanuel’s remarks as I was. She is also deeply concerned about the class system and the unequal distribution of wealth that is occurring, world-wide, saying, “I believe more in its (the class system’s) existence now than ever!” She was praised for her humanitarian works from the stage on Premiere night by Colin Farrell.

New projects? “I will be doing an adaptation of ‘Private Confessions.’ Ingmar (Bergman) gave it to me years ago saying, “I don’t believe in God, but you do.” The National Theater in Norway will adapt it for the stage.” Ullmann said, “It is about connecting. How damaging is it to lie to one another? How damaging is it to be truthful?”

“After Dark” Film Festival Series Offers “The ABC’s of Death, Part 2”

By Connie Wilson

On October 13, 2014

In Movies, Pop Culture, Reviews

“The ABC’s of Death,” Part 2, screened as part of the After Dark series at the 50th Chicago Film Festival on October 12th. The film is composed of 26 short films about death, assigned alphabetically and shot by 26 directors from around the world.
With titles like “B is for Badger” (one of my personal favorites featuring Julian Barratt as both Director and Star) and “F is for Falling,” done by the outstanding duo of Israel’s Aharon Keshales and Navot Papushado (“Rabies”), the vignettes were often humorous and sometimes revolting.
“B is for Badger,” which Julian Barratt directed, falls into the category of humorous. Barratt not only directed the short film, but plays the lead part of Peter Toller, a pompous television talking head who has taken his crew to a remote rural area near a large nuclear power plant to make the point that the power plant has driven the badgers away.

Only it hasn’t.

The (unseen) vicious badgers are not only alive and well, but apparently very large and aggressive, as Toller/Barratt finds out firsthand, till he utters the director’s command, “Cut!”
Titles of the films, alphabetically, were:
“A is for Amateur”
“B Is for Badger” (**)
“C is for Capital Punishment” (*)
“D Is for Deloused”
“E Is for Equilibrium” (*)
“F Is for Falling” (**)
“G Is for Granddad”
“H Is for Headgames” (*)
“I Is for Invincible”
“J Is for Jesus:
“K Is for Knell” (*)
“L is for Legacy”
“M Is for Masticate”
“N Is for Nexus” (*)
“O Is for Ochlocracy” (Mob Rule)
“P-P-P-P Is for Scary”
“Q Is for Questionnaire” (*)
“R Is for Roulette”
“S Is for Split” (**)
“T Is for Torture Porn”
“U Is for Utopia” (*)
“V Is for Vacation” (*)
“W Is for Wish”
“X Is for Xylophone”
“Y Is for Youth”
“Z Is for Zygote” (*)
Of the 26, I’d say that roughly half, starred or double-starred above, were absorbing, interesting and fulfilled the assignment in style. The less said about most of the other titles, the better.
I don’t want to give away the plots of any of the short films completely but I did notice a disturbing trend. Just as comedians have to have a target for their humor [and, in this age of political correctness, that target has become harder and harder to find without offending some group or cause], horror needs a Whipping Boy or Girl target, as well.

It used to be that comics could make fun of ethnic groups (now “out”), sexual preferences (verboten), and so on, to the point that sometimes it felt as though the only group left that was “fair game” were midgets (aka, “little people”)—until they, too, weren’t. (Remember the midget-throwing scene in “The Wolf of Wall Street?”).
It seems that old people are the new target of horror. There is even one film entitled simply “Granddad” and in the short film representing the letter “I,” the three-man cast sets fire to their own grandmother. One Japanese film is entitled “Youth.” Sumechi Umezawa definitely does not represent the venerable Japanese tradition of honoring one’s parents. Its young star is a decidedly hostile teen-ager. “X Is for Xylophone” makes you worry about ever leaving your child in the care of her grandmother. So four (of 26)—or roughly 15%— are decidedly anti-elder.
Many of the films have tried hard to combine humor with horror, with varying degrees of success. (“B Is for Badger” by Julian Barratt is one that succeeded; many did not. “P-P-P-P Is for Scary” was not scary, but was like watching a bad Three Stooges short, without the fun of watching Curly, Moe and Larry.
Mention should be made of the excellent opening credits designed by Wolfgang Moetzel, which started the ongoing trend of either head-smashing or beheading. With so much actual beheading going on in the real world (not to mention smashing of same on “The Walking Dead”), I did not yearn to see beheadings onscreen. (There’s enough of that on the 6 o’clock news or on YouTube.)
So, for me, roughly 50% of these 26 short films were entertaining and palatable and I’ve marked them with asterisks. It would be hard to pick an overall favorite as I did enjoy the new short film by Aharon Keshales (“Rabies”), whom I interviewed at last year’s festival, but I also enjoyed the excellent “Split,” which used a split-screen technique to portray a husband speaking with his wife long-distance on the phone while an intruder breaks into the house and terrorizes her and their baby. Juan Martinez Moreno directed and Gary Reumer did a good job portraying the concerned husband trying to summon help for his wife while far away at the time of the attack.

Colin Farrell, Liv Ullmann and Kathleen Turner at 50th Chicago Film Festival

By Connie Wilson

On October 10, 2014

In Movies, Pop Culture

Chicago Celebrates 50 Years of Oldest Competitive Film Festival in North America at Premiere on Thursday, 10/9/2014
CHICAGO, IL (October 10, 2014) – Opening Night of the 50th Chicago International Film Festival was a golden celebration. Veteran actress Liv Ullmann, actor Colin Farrell, Festival Jury Member Kathleen Turner and “The Fugitive” director Andrew Davis joined Festival Founder and Artistic Director Michael Kutza on the red carpet for the U.S. Premiere of Ullmann’s latest film “Miss Julie” on Thursday, October 9 at the Harris Theater.

Academy Award®-nominated and Golden Globe®-winning actress Kathleen Turner; acclaimed filmmaker and New German Cinema pioneer Margarethe von Trotta; Turkish director Ferzan Ozpetek (whose latest film, “Fasten Your Seatbelts,” is an Official selection at this year’s Festival); award-winning Israeli cinematographer Giora Bejach; and Iranian editor and director Parviz Shahbazi. And then came the moment the media and the public were waiting for: Liv Ullmann and Colin Farrell, together on the red carpet with Michael Kutza.

Once inside the theater, the audience was treated to video greetings from past Festival honorees and friends, including Davis; producer, writer and director Robert Zemeckis (“Forrest Gump”); and director Martin Scorsese, whose first film, “I Call First,” premiered at the 1967 Chicago International Film Festival. In his video message, Scorsese acknowledged the encouragement he received from both the Festival and a young film critic at the time named Roger Ebert.

Michael Kutza took the stage, acting as Master of Ceremonies, and introduced a video that illustrated the year-round work done by Cinema/Chicago, the presenting organization of the Chicago International Film Festival. After remarks from Chairman of the Governing Board Jeanne Randall Malkin, Representative Ken Dunkin, 5th District of the State of Illinois, and President and CEO of Columbia College Chicago, Dr. Kwang-Wu Kim, the lights went down and the audience was treated to a personal video message from Chicago Mayor Rahm Emmanuel. Emmanuel acknowledged the role the Chicago International Film Festival has played in the City’s history.

Kathleen Turner (“Body Heat”), head of the jury at the 50th Annual Chicago Film Festival.

The Festival then presented American Airlines with the Gold Hugo for Leadership in the Arts, in recognition of American Airlines’ continued support of the arts and the Film Festival. Judi Gorman, Regional Manager, Sales Promotion & Community Relations, Central Division Sales for American Airlines, accepted the award on behalf of its worldwide employees and commented that both American’s and the Festival’s missions are aligned to “promote cultural diversity and raise the profile of Chicago as a city that does work.”

After formally introducing the members of the International Feature Competition jury, the Festival went on to honor some dear friends who are no longer with us in a video remembrance. Among the “Absent Friends:” director and writer Patrice Chéreau; writer, director and Chicagoan Harold Ramis; director and festival honoree Richard Attenborough; and silent screen comedienne and the Festival’s “Godmother” Colleen Moore, among others. But the largest round of applause was reserved for the final image on the video presentation: film critics and supporters of the Festival, Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert.

Ullmann then joined Kutza on stage to present the U.S. premiere of her film “Miss Julie.,” based on the Strindberg play. Calling Kutza her “absolute favorite Festival director,” Ullmann declared films a “most important medium”—one that makes theaters a “magic place” where people can see “real life.” She described Farrell as a “genuine actor,” one who gave the best performance of his career for her film. Farrell returned the compliment by describing Ullmann as “the most incredibly deeply feeling” person he’s met and one whose work on behalf of the disenfranchised will long be remembered.

The morning after the premiere of “Miss Julie” I met with Liv Ullmann one-on-one to talk about the film. The review will be postponed, by request, until the film is released, as it is currently seeking distributorship in the U.S.

Jason V Brock’s New Book: Disorders of Magnitude – A Survey of Dark Fantasy

By Connie Wilson

On October 3, 2014

In Books, Pop Culture, Reviews, Television

Disorders of Magnitude: A Survey of Dark Fantasy (Studies in Supernatural Literature) by Jason V. Brock (Jul 17, 2014)

Disorders of Magnitude: A Survey of Dark Fantasy, by Jason V Brock, Rowan & Littlefield, ISBN 9781500699536 (No price marked)
When Jason V Brock sent Disorders of Magnitude to me for review, I was very excited, thinking I would have the pleasure of reading more of Jason’s always-excellent fiction.
Disorders of Magnitude arrived and I discovered that it was subtitled “A Survey of Dark Fantasy” and was a nonfiction history of horror, science fiction and supernatural literature, art, film and graphic novel artists.
The book is a narrowly focused crash course on horror writers, science fiction writers and supernatural fiction writers, artists and filmmakers. It is selective, rather than inclusive, as any one of those categories could well fill many volumes. Brock’s History of Horror is strongest when he is interviewing icons of today or of the recent past.

My favorite chapters, in chronological order, were:
1. Chapter 7: Ray Bradbury: The Boy Who Never Grew Up
2. Chapter 10: Harlan Ellison: L’Enfant Terrible (Sort of)
3. Chapter 13: George Clayton Johnson: A Touch of Strange
4. Chapter 15: Roger Corman: Socially Conscious Auteur
5. Chapter 20: An End, A Middle, A Beginning: Richard Matheson and his Impact
6. Chapter 24: King of the Dead: Filmmaker George A. Romero on Politics, Film and the Future
7. Chapter 28: The Doctor Is In: F. Paul Wilson
8. Chapter 38: Fangoria and Chris Alexander: Cinephilia, Music, and All the Rest of It
9. The Inner World of William F. Nolan
10. William F. Nolan and Ray Bradbury: Reflections

For me, the book couldn’t have come at a better time. I am poised to review many horror films at the 50th Annual Chicago Film Festival, the oldest film festival in North America.

I was familiar with most of the living legends limned in the book and with others long gone, but the book is truly a crash course in more obscure artists who have, perhaps, been glossed over by previous histories. I enjoyed learning about these talents who have not been as widely profiled.
But it is fair to say that mentioning Stephen King only in passing and glossing over Heinlein, Frederik Pohl, Peter Straub and others will draw criticism. In defense of those he has chosen to include, writers like Charles Beaumont of “the Group” and historian Forrest “Forrie” Ackerman—they deserve this long-in-coming attention. The insights into television and film pioneers of horror like Rod Sterling, Dan Curtis and George Romero are equally welcome and overdue.

And after all, Brock’s opening line is: “This book is an eclectic overview, and highly subjective. Be warned.”
Some of these writers or artists I knew little about prior to reading this book. Included in that number are Kris Kukri, John Shirley, Darren Davis, Al Feldstein and Demetrios Parkas. H.R. Geiger I knew only because of the “Alien” movie monsters. It was interesting to learn of Demetrios Parkas’ and LuAnne Raymond’s experiences in Australia. (Depressing, but interesting). I could definitely relate, as the duo has been pilloried for bogus reasons and Brock, by shining a light on this, might help ameliorate their unjust persecution. At least, I hope so.
I enjoyed learning more about Chris Alexander (“Fangoria” magazine), who has been kind to my own writing, as well as F. Paul Wilson, whom I encounter frequently at writers’ gatherings. (I always offer to help Paul with his autographing duties, given our shared surname, since he is so busy and I am not, but, to date, he has faithfully autographed entire grocery bags of books for avid fans, risking a very bad case of writer’s cramp or carpal tunnel syndrome, which, as a medical doctor, one would think he would want to avoid. But, no! Paul autographs every single one himself, running the risk of future impairment; I want to testify to that and give him full credit for his efforts on behalf of his fans.)
The book also focuses on comic book artists (graphic artists), so the opening warning about being highly subjective and eclectic is justified. [Horror films, alone, would merit several books].
But, as I learned when writing It Came from the Seventies: From The Godfather to Apocalypse Now, you have to draw the line somewhere. Jason has wisely drawn the lines around the subjects he has met and/or those to whom he has direct access. Those are the chapters that shine.
This “once over lightly” treatment also benefits from the insertion of many vintage photographs of “the Group,” some from the personal files of Jason’s mentor, William F. Nolan, a well-deserved Living Legend in Dark Fantasy.
There are timelines inserted throughout the collection, which help the reader fix various artists in a specific time in history. I appreciated this attempt to bring order out of chaos. An English major with no minor at the University of Iowa (who ended up with PhD concentration in literature because I had no minor) it was always a struggle to place “The Age of Dryden and Pope,” for example, into the appropriate linear time frame with other periods.
My only reservation about the timelines as a wonderful idea occurred on page 152 when “First Internet service provider launches: 1989” appears. I was writing a book, long distance, from Illinois, using the Internet to connect with Emerson City, New Jersey, and Nevada City, California, (headquarters of Performance Learning Systems, Inc.), in 1985, four years before that date. I used a Wang PC and I remember having to go through multiple steps to transmit the code from my computer, making sure that the teeth in my modem were adjusted exactly “in synch” with the teeth of the modem on the receiving end. As the messages came through resembling Egyptian hieroglyphics, there were multiple steps to transform the hieroglyphs on my screen into English letters and words. I primarily networked with the Education Department at One Dupont Circle in Washington, D.C.
Perhaps Jason is referencing the first readily available commercial service, but I am living proof that the Internet was available (and being used) at least 4 years before 1989. I still have the computer neuroses to prove it.
Some of the impressions I got from a complete reading of Disorders of Magnitude were as follows:
1. The author is not a big fan of Stephen King.
2. The author is a big fan of all the writers who formed “the Group,” including Ray Bradbury, Charles Beaumont, William F. Nolan and George Clayton Johnson.
3. George Clayton Johnson does not seem the most ambitious or industrious author included in this collection. In talking about (perhaps) writing a post Logan’s Run novel (his co-author, William F. Nolan has written more than one), Johnson says: “But then I would have to name a deadline for finishing it, and I don’t want to accept that. So, I’d rather just continue to noodle around with it, because I don’t need the money.” He adds, “Then, I look at the end of the year and say, ‘Jesus, George, this year you only made $3,000!”

Silly me. I always thought that “writers write because they HAVE to.” (Someone famous said that long before me, but I do not have the name to accompany the quote, so insert your own attribution.)
Brock has a real appreciation for those who have gone before—pioneers like Richard Matheson, Roger Corman, William F. Nolan, Ray Bradbury, et. al.
For me, as I prepare to review some debut horror, sci fi and supernatural films at the oldest film festival in North America in Chicago, with films with titles like “The ABC’s of Death;” “The Babadook” (a sensation at Sun Dance); ‘”Creep;” “The Editor” (a horror comedy from Canada which I cannot recommend); “Goal of the Dead” (zombies); “It Follows;” “Seven Little Killers;” “The Well” (a tense, gritty post-apocalyptic thriller), and Oliver Stone’s Director’s Cut of “Natural Born Killers” (scripted by Quentin Tarantino), complete with the opportunity to interview Oliver Stone in person, this book was helpful. (*The reviews of the films mentioned will appear on Andy Andrews’ “True Review” site, on www.WeeklyWilson.com and on Wikinuts.com beginning October 9th).
I read this book to gain an overview of the Masters of the horror, science fiction and supernatural fiction genres. I enjoyed it. While the adjective “comprehensive” doesn’t apply, (since the field is so large), the adjectives interesting, entertaining and informative certainly do.

Chicago Film Festival Preliminaries

By Connie Wilson

On September 30, 2014

In Books, Movies, Pop Culture

AMC Theater, Chicago, 50th Annual Chicago Film Festival.

I’m in Chicago, getting ready to cover the Chicago Film Festival.

Today—a beautiful 80+ degree day, and probably the last of our Indian summer lovely weather—I took advantage of the great weather to dine outside on Wabash at a Mexican restaurant (Zapatista’s) and to view a Press Only screening of “Force Majeure,” which is rumored to be a front-runner for Oscar contention for Best Foreign Film this year.

The film was set in a ski lodge (and made by Norway, Sweden, Denmark and France). Suprisingly, most of the movie was in English, with fewer subtitles than anticipated. Since most young people in Sweden are brought up to speak both Swedish and English, perhaps I shouldn’t have been surprised.

Watching all the skiing scenes in deep snow made me sad to think that our lovely warm Chicago weather has deserted us (temperatures dropped 20 to 30 degrees as evening came on tonight, Monday, September 29th.) Since we were just in Las Vegas where it was 90 to 100 degrees (Fahrenheit) (and, before that, in New Orleans, where it was similarly warm, but much more humid)), watching this tribute to winter was less-than-thrilling, if you prefer beaches and warm weather (as I do).

With October just one day away and November lurking in the wings (to be followed by December), I’m already feeling the chill. Can’t take another winter like last year. Going to have to get out of Dodge. Planning on doing that after the holidays, but first, must market the NEW “Christmas Cats” book, which is speeding its way toward me as I write this. I’ll be doing signings WITH the costumed cat at three bookstores in the Quad Cities and, in all likelihood, will be at Razzleberries in LeClaire during their winter festivities, at Freddy Fritters’ Dog Bakery during the Village of East Davenport Christmas Walk, and at the Four Seasons store in Geneseo during their big Christmas parade. Dates to be announced as I find them out (although I do know that I’ll be in South Park Mall on Dec. 6th at Book World.)

AMC Theater, Chicago, 50th Annual Chicago Film Festival.

Last year, the Christmas Cats Chase(d) Christmas Rats. This year, The Christmas Cats Encounter Bats. First-rate artwork from Gary McCluskey helps drive home the message that all life has value and should be respected. And, of course, going all the way back to the first book, illustrated by local East Moline artist Andy Weinert, we’re talking about The Christmas Cats in Silly Hats. The cats are always going to be wearing silly hats; it’s their fashion statement. And they’re always going to be helping other animals in need. (Next year, frogs or deer, I’m thinking). This year’s book will also include access to FREE coloring book pages on the dedicated website (www.TheXmasCats.com) and mazes and other fun stuff, with young readers invited to send in their ideas, also. Stay tuned for further developments.

But, back to the film festival.

The leading man from “Force Majeure” will be in town for interviews soon. The examination of a marriage under stress had a script that I could relate to. (The wife: “It’s so weird that you won’t admit what happened.” The husband: “I want us to share the same view. I want to put it all behind us.”) The temperature flashed on the screen (for the ski lodge) was – 22 degrees, Celsius. (This converts to -7.6 degrees Fahrenheit). The movie’s themes aside, the mere act of watching people skiing in deep, cold snow reminded me of why I have never had any desire to ski. Water ski, yes. Snow ski? Uh…no thank you.

The performances from leading lady Lisa Loven Kongslo as Ebba and Johanne Kuhnke of Sweden as Tomas were outstanding, as were those of their two children.

So, stay tuned for adventures from the 50th Anniversary of the Film Festival that is the oldest film festival in North America. It doesn’t officially kick off until October 9th.

2014 “I Heart Radio” Show in Las Vegas on Sept. 19, 2014

By Connie Wilson

On September 20, 2014

In Music, Pop Culture, travel

Taylor Swift sings “Shake It Off.”

Chris Martin of “Coldplay.”

Taylor Swift at the I Heart Radio Show in Las Vegas.

“Bastille.”

Alecia Keys.

“Motley Crue.”

Ed Sheeran.

“Coldplay” at the end of their set.

MGM Grand Arena.

Nicki Minaj and Arianna Grande.

Chris Martin of “Coldplay.”

Alecia Keys.

I Heart Radio Show, 2014.

Taylor Swift and dancers, Las Vegas, 9/19/2014.

“Coldplay” performing at IHeartRadio Show 2014 in Vegas on 9/19.

The I Heart Radio show in Las Vegas on September 19 (Friday) was a star-studded affair, the fourth such gathering of the most popular artists performing today. Lorde, for instance, (whom I did not get to hear) was scheduled to perform, as was “One Direction.” For months, the airwaves have described the show as “sold out.”

I attended the very first I Heart Radio show in Vegas, and soon learned that my version of “sold out” and the radio station’s idea of “sold out” are two different things. There were plenty of empty seats at that first concert, as the venue at the MGM Grand is a huge arena not unlike our local civic center and seemingly as large, inside, as the United Center in Chicago.

Therefore, when I knew we were going to be in Vegas for other reasons, I asked the concierge at Mandalay Bay to see if she could secure a ticket and—guess what? “They just released some more seats.” Nevermind that the seats were high up in the nosebleed section: for $150 I got to hear/see Taylor Swift, Coldplay, Ariana Grande, Motley Crue, Usher, Alesia Keys and some local D.J. named Steve Aoki. I learned that other younger performers, many of them rap artists like “Lil’ Wayne” were performing in a field opposite the Luxor the next day (Saturday), outside. Therefore, I opted for the six-hour concert taking place inside and, aside from nearly falling down the stairs two times (I was about 8 rows from the top) when the concrete stairs gave way to less sturdy ones, it was a great show. Certainly it was far more topical and current than acts like Donnie and Marie, who were performing elsewhere in town.

I took my trusty 16 zoom camera and captured some shots which I will share with you here, and I attempted to upload video footage, although my first attempts to mount it here have been a bust. We’re back in the Midwest now, but the 50th Chicago Film Festival commences soon, so stay tuned for more interesting posts, as I have the ability to see documentaries from around the world and feature length films, as well. Additionally, Oliver Stone, Liv Ullman, Michael Moore and Kathleen Turner are just a few of the big names expected to grace the Festival this anniversary year.

Quad City Symphony Pops Concert in LeClaire Park on September 6, 2014

By Connie Wilson

On September 8, 2014

In Local, Music, Of Local (Quad Cities') Interest, Pop Culture

Saturday, September 6th, the Quad City Symphony Orchestra, now celebrating its 100th anniversary, staged its annual Pops Concert with Michael Cavanaugh. Cavanaugh sang and played the songs of Billy Joel in the play “Movin’Out,”(which I saw in Chicago on my birthday some years back). Cavanaugh was also very good at involving the audience and joked about the train that inevitably came chugging through the area during the concert.

Centennial Bridge in the distance, near sundown, on September 6, 2014, Saturday.

This time out, the advertisements suggested that Cavanaugh would be singing the songs of Elton John, but Elton John was just one small part of his repertoire this cool, fall-ish evening.

We held off on buying tickets to the event because it rained buckets just the day before. (I know; I was caught in it as I entered the Jewel Food Store on Kennedy). When it became apparent that the evening was going to be dry and relatively warm (temperatures dropped to the high fifties at one point, but, for most of the evening, it was comfortable) we decided to drive over and give it a shot—-somewhat late.
Because we were late, the $40 ($20 per adult) price tag seemed a tad high. We first stopped at the Front Street Brewery and, eventually, wound our way over to the grounds. By this time, the concert was well underway and we were outside the fence, somewhere near the entrance to the Rhythm City Casino. Did we want to shell out $40 for the remainder of the concert, or would we be happy simply listening to the tunes, like all the boats pictured on this page?
We set up our lawn chairs near what appeared to be permanent rest rooms (which were inconveniently locked). For the rest of the concert night, we would advise various concertgoers that the doors were locked. It was somewhat amusing to watch both men and women attempt to enter, only to be stymied by the locked building (which does bring up the question, WHY would the city lock this building on the night of a concert that supposedly drew a crowd of 10,000 ?)

Impromptu football field immediately in front of the lawn in front of the band shell.

As we approached, we heard a Paul McCartney tune (“Live and Let Die”) and, as time went on and we enjoyed the new Ferris Wheel that has been erected near John O’Donnell Stadium (which, I realize, has a newer name now), we heard all sorts of melodies that were not Elton John tunes. I recorded one (“Goodbye Yellow Brick Road”) which the soloist said was his favorite tune. The “Riff Raff” piece contained refrains from songs such as “I Love Rock and Roll” and “Eye of the Tiger,” so, no Elton John there, either. And the crowd request was a Billy Joel song, which seems apropos.
After the concert seemingly concluded, my husband was intent on getting out ahead of the traffic, so we missed (a) the 1812 Overture, a tradition (b) the cannons being fired over the Mississippi and (c) the fireworks that accompanied this finale. By that time, we were back in the patio section of the Front Street Brewery, listening to the cannons and enjoying crab cakes.
I had not been to this concert since the year they advertised a Motown program. The group that year wasn’t very good and an elderly woman with a walker fell on the uneven sidewalks right next to us inside the park. We ended up dialing 911 and helping her, so I don’t remember much about the concert experience, except that the singers were off-key. (I heard the Beatles one later was good, however.)
One bit of good news: Yo Yo Ma is coming to town to play with the Symphony. I saw him with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and he was wonderful.

New Orleans Labor Day Decadence Weekend, 2014

By Connie Wilson

On August 31, 2014

In Pop Culture, travel

NOLA, Saturday, August 30, 2014: It’s just a couple of days past the nine-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina and we are in New Orleans. The Big Easy. Nawlins. NOLA.
Originally, I was to be on some small panel for Heather Graham’s Writers for New Orleans Benefit , which I have attended before. It was a marvelous time, with costumes, karaoke singing, scavenger hunts and many writing-related conferences and speakers. Such luminaries as Jonathan Maberry and David Morrell (as well as Heather) were in attendance. It was near Christmas. The decorations in the French Quarter were spendiforous.
This year would be different. Since it was not going to be near Christmas, the spouse would accompany me. We would experience Hotel Monteleone together. It would be fun, and we would be typical tourists over the long Labor Day weekend.
Well, it is fun, and it is the long Labor Day Weekend, but the Writers for New Orleans was moved to December 19-21st and my books are now at Bent Pages Bookstore in Houma, Louisiana, which , I learned, is at least an hour out of town.
We have been assiduously applying ourselves to doing “tourist-y” things in the French Quarter, along with a hearty band of about 8 folks who did not cancel out, but journeyed on down. The offenders include 3 from Las Vegas, two from Florida, and some nearby locals.

Yesterday, during a lovely lunch of barbecued shrimp at Mr. B’s, right across the street, we sat next to a plastic surgeon from Shreveport (who owns a place here) and his buddy, who had come down for the Saints pre-season game. He said he had been in practice for 44 years, after internships in Chicago and at the Mayo Clinic. His buddy’s wife has been his anaesthetist for 35 years.
Of Chinese extraction, he shared the information that, back when he attempted to vote in the early 1950’s, there was no space to fill in “yellow” as a race designation. He was given a choice between “white” or “Negroid” and, he was told, “Only the whites vote, and they vote in the Democratic primary.” The Republicans had no primary, as, said his friend, the blame for the Civil War lay heavily on the part represented by an elephant.
So, this highly-educated physician, the first of his family to be born in this country, voted as a white Democrat. It was his only choice. His remarks were of interest to me, since I find politics a fascinating spectator sport during presidential runs.
The good doctor lost his wife four years ago and was highly complimentary of the beauty of the city of Chicago. As he owns at least two houses, now, he sounded me out about my digs in Chicago, and I gave him the name of my building there. Wonder if he’ll inquire further?

Today (Sunday, 8/31) the Decadence Parade came through the French Quarter. My favorites were the Richard Simmons Rampage.

2014 Emmy Predictions Two Days Before the Aug. 25 NBC Program

By Connie Wilson

On August 23, 2014

In Editorial, Pop Culture, Television

2014 Emmy Awards on NBC on Aug. 25th: Predictions from the Peanut Gallery

As a dedicated television viewer (or, in this case, viewers) who once was assigned to write synopses of various network shows, I am offering up these predictions for the Seth Meyers hosted Emmy Awards that will be taking place on Monday, August 25th on NBC.
Without further ado, here are our thoughts on the nominees, with our pick(s) boldfaced:
• Drama Series: Breaking Bad, Downton Abbey, Game of Thrones, House of Cards, Mad Men, True Detective. Both my spouse and I believe that the Emmies will honor Breaking Bad, because it is now off the air and was one of the best series ever on the air. The only other comment we have on this category is that we think it was a mistake to put “True Detective” in as a drama series, rather than a mini-series, if that was a possibility.

8/25: Nailed it.
• Actor in a Drama: Bryan Cranston in “Breaking Bad;” Jeff Daniels in “The Newsroom;” Jon Hamm in “Mad Men;” Woody Harrelson in “True Detective;” Matthew McConaughey in “True Detective;” Kevin Spacey in “House of Cards.” It is undeniable that McConaughey and Harrelson were wonderful in “True Detective,” but this is “it” for “Breaking Bad,” which is now off the air, and there is the Hollywood factor that sometimes denies deserving Hollywood actors who appear on Broadway at the Tony Awards. For those reasons, we picked Bryan Cranston. There was a fairly heated discussion about Jon Hamm’s worthiness, since he has never won. My spouse gave the Cubs argument for Hamm: “Next year is his year.”

8/25: Nailed it.
• Actress in a Drama: Lizzy Caplan in “Masters of Sex;” Claire Danes in “Homeland;” Michelle Dockery in “Downton Abbey;” Julianna Margulies in “The Good Wife;” Kerry Washington in “Scandal;” Robin Wright in “House of Cards.” We had a very divided ballot on this one. And, no, we did not discuss our choices before making them. I think Lizzy Caplan deserves this and, as a close runner-up, I would vote for Julianna Margulies. My husband voted for Robin Wright in “House of Cards.” For my tastes, Robin Wright (formerly Penn) doesn’t have a big enough part in most episodes of “House of Cards,” which influenced my vote for Ms. Caplan and/or Margulies.

8/25: I give myself a point, as I knew Julianna Margulies had a great chance, but my heart went with the newer show “Masters of Sex.” So, I’m taking credit.
• Supporting Actor, Drama: Aaron Paul in “Breaking Bad;” Jim Carter in “Downton Abbey;’ Peter Dinklage in “Game of Thrones;” Josh Charles in “The Good Wife;” Mandy Patinkin in “Homeland;” Jon Voight in “Ray Donovan.” We had a split vote in this category, also. I selected Josh Charles because he was written out of “The Good Wife” in dramatic fashion, so we will not have the opportunity to honor him for this role in the future. I also was influenced with footage of a very young Josh in “Dead Poet’s Society” standing on the desk for Robin Williams (RIP). [My husband voted for Aaron Paul in “Breaking Bad” for the same reason we selected Bryan Cranston and agreed on “Breaking Bad” for Best Drama.]

8/25: Taking a point for my husband’s prescience in selecting Aaron Paul in “Breaking Bad.” Reminding myself that it was the “smart” vote. Taking a point here.
• Supporting Actress, Drama: Anna Gunn in “Breaking Bad;” Maggie Smith in Downton Abbey;” Lena Headey in “Game of Thrones;” Christine Baranski in “The Good Wife;” Christina Hendricks in “Mad Men;” Joanne Froggatt in “Downtown Abbey.” My husband voted for Anna Gunn in “Breaking Bad” and has the distinction of winning the Traveling Trophy for Oscar predicting both of the last 2 years—just to alert you to his proficiency at this. I realize that the Oscars are not the Emmys or the Tonys, but I selected Christine Baranski because the necklaces she wears on the show deserve an award. Check them out some time. As a woman of a certain age, those clunky, chunky necklaces draw attention to her face, and I wonder where she gets them? May I also say that I’d rather have root canal than have to watch ALL of “Downton Abbey” again, which I did do. Loved the clothes. Period.

8/25: I have to give credit to my husband for his prescience, again, voting for Anna Gunn. We, as a team, will take the point. This is why he owns the Oscar Trophy. Smart voting!
• Comedy Series: “The Big Bang Theory;” “Louie;” “Modern Family;” “Orange Is the New Black;” “Silicon Valley;” “Veep.” First of all, “Silicon Valley” has no shot. All the buzz is with “Orange is the New Black.” We agreed that we both enjoy “Modern Family” enough to vote for it—again. I have to admit that I enjoy “Veep” a great deal and am watching an episode (streamed) right now. (The writing is great!) I also have no beef with either “The Big Bang Theory” or “Louie” but we agreed on “Modern Family.”

8/25: Nailed it.
• Actor in a Comedy: Jim Parsons in “The Big Bang Theory;” Ricky Gervais in “Derek;” Matt LeBlanc in “Episodes;” Don Cheadle in “House of Lies;” Louis C.K. in “Louie;” William H. Macy in “Shameless.” Jim Parsons is wonderful in “The Big Bang Theory,” so much so that I based a character on him in one of the volumes of “Ghostly Tales of Route 66,” but he has won. Ricky Gervais, Matt LeBlanc and Don Cheadle have virtually no shot. We love William H. Macy in “Shameless” (or anything else he does) and we agreed on this without any prior consultation.

8/25: Jim Parsons won. My husband and I voted with our hearts and not our heads for William H. Macy. No points.
• Actress in a Comedy: Lena Dunham in “Girls;” Edie Falco in “Nurse Jackie;” Julia Louis-Dreyfus in “Veep;” Melissa McCarthy in “Mike & Molly;” Amy Poehler in “Parks and Recreation;” Taylor Schilling in “Orange is the New Black.” We agreed on this without any consultation, although we both agreed that both “Orange is the New Black,” Melissa McCarthy and Lena Dunham have had a certain amount of buzz. Nevertheless, we pick Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who is the beneficiary of wonderful writing.

8/25: Nailed it.
• Supporting Actor, Comedy: Andre Braugher in “Brooklyn Nine-Nine;”Adam Driver in “Girls;” Jesse Tyler Ferguson in “Modern Family;” Ty Burrell in “Modern Family;” Fred Armisen in “Portlandia;” Tony Hale in “Veep.” We agree on Ty Burrell. Yes, we (also) like Jesse Tyler Ferguson, and yes we like Tony Hale in “Veep,” but Ty Burrell is great in “Modern Family.” Fred Armisen in “Portlandia”? Please. And, while I’m on the subject, could Seth Meyer get a GOOD band, like The Roots. The band and theme song he has now is embarrassing.

8/25: Nailed it.
• Supporting Actress, Comedy: Mayim Bialik in “The Big Bang Theory;” Julie Bowen in “Modern Family;” Allison Janney in “Mom;” Kate Mulgrew in “Orange is the New Black;” Kate McKinnon in “Saturday Night Live;” Anna Chlumsky in “Veep.”

8/25: Did not figure Allison Janney in “Mom.” I don’t think we have ever seen “Mom.” I did enjoy Allison Janney on her guest spot in the James Brown bio-pic “Get On Up.”
• Miniseries: “American Horror Story: Coven;” “Bonnie & Clyde;” “Fargo;” “Luther;” “Treme;” “The White Queen.” This isn’t even a contest. “Fargo” is brilliant.

8/25: Nailed it.
• Movie: “Killing Kennedy;” “Muhammad Ali’s Greatest Fight;” “Sherlock: His Last Vow;” “The Normal Heart;” “The Trip to Bountiful.” “The Normal Heart,” of course.

8/25: Nailed it.
• Actor in a Miniseries or Movie: Chiwetel Ejiofor in “Dancing on the Edge;” Martin Freeman in “Fargo;” Billy Bob Thornton in “Fargo;” Idris Elba in “Luther.” No contest: Billy Bob Thornton. (with props to Martin Freeman in the same series.)

8/25: I’m taking a point here for my “props” to Martin Freeman-–although I will, perhaps, be told that it was really for “Sherlock”, not “Fargo.”
• Actress in a Miniseries or Movie: Jessica Lange in “American Horror Story: Coven;” Sarah Paulson in “American Horror Story: Coven;” Helena Bonham Carter in “Burton and Taylor;” Minnie Driver in “Return to Zero;” Kristen Wiig in “The Spoils of Babylon;” Cicely Tyson in “The Trip to Bountiful.”

8/25: Nailed it.
• Supporting Actor, Miniseries or Movie: Colin Hanks in “Fargo;” Jim Parsons in “The Normal Heart;” Joe Mantello in ‘The Normal Heart;” Alfred Molina in “The Normal Heart;” Matt Bomer in “The Normal Heart;” Martin Freeman in “Sherlock: His Last Vow.” It is entirely possible that Jim Parsons will win for this category, rather than “The Big Bang Theory,” but I’m voting for Hanks. I also like that I appear to be his Mom in the picture taken at the premiere of his film “The Great Buck Howard.” (I seem to have been the only one in the room who had ever seen Kreskin’s act AND had dinner with him, so he wanted to speak to me, as he had never met the man nor seen his act.)

8/25: Okay. THIS was the one where Martin Freeman triumphed. He is truly talented and, if you haven’t seen him in “Fargo,” check it out.
• Supporting Actress, Miniseries or Movie: Frances Conroy in ‘American Horror Story: Coven;” Kathy Bates in “American Horror Story: Coven;” Angela Bassett in “American Horror Story: Coven;” Allison Tolman in “Fargo;” Ellen Burstyn in “Flowers in the Attic;” Julia Roberts in “The Normal Heart.” We have a split decision here, with the other front-runner being Julia Roberts in “The Normal Heart.”

8/25: This one was a surprise: Kathy Bates in “American Horror Story: Coven.” Did not see that coming. No points. I voted for Allison Tolman because she had to show a range of emotion(s) in her groundbreaking debut and, also, because she isn’t model-pretty as most female leads on TV are. Looking forward to watching Allison next season on “Fargo.”
• Reality Competition Program: “The Amazing Race;” “So You Think You Can Dance;” “Dancing with the Stars;” “Top Chef;” “Project Runway;” “The Voice.” I’m sick of “The Amazing Race.” Adam Whatever Your Name was (3 name guy who writes and I almost said Adam Clayton Powell): this series blows most of the time. So there. “Dancing with the Stars” is so cheesy that I can’t even believe that a good friend watches it religiously. I actually can barely stand any reality TV, but, of these nominees, the least icky is “The Voice.”

8/25. No points. No score. Note my last line (“I can barely stand any reality TV”). I’m sick of “The Amazing Race” but I don’t really like watching any of these shows, so I don’t feel bad about our lack of perception in the category.
• Variety Series: “The Colbert Report;” “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart;” “Jimmy Kimmel Live;” “Real Time with Bill Maher;” “Saturday Night Live;” “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.”

8/25: Interesting that Jimmy Fallon, our (incorrect) choice went onstage and did the accepting for “The Colbert Report.” I like “The Colbert Report” a lot and it is going off the air after 9 seasons, so no harm, no foul.

I should mention that there were other categories mentioned on the awards show that did not show up on our ballot that was printed in “Entertainment Weekly.” Of those above, we got +12 right. There are 18 categories listed above (there were more on the actual program. That means we got 2/3 (or 66 and 2/3%) right in our first joint outing as predictors of television wins at the Emmys.

New Review in for THE COLOR OF EVIL series

By Connie Wilson

On August 12, 2014

In Books, Of Local (Quad Cities') Interest, Pop Culture, Reviews

Some time ago, I was asked to send in THE COLOR OF EVIL series for review by the Midwest Book Review.

Today, the review arrived in the mail, noting that it would appear in the August, 2014, issue of the “Small Press Bookwatch.” It has also been posted with the Cengage Learning interactive CD-ROM series “Book Review Index”, published four times yearly for academic, corporate and public library systems. It will also be archived on Midwest Book Review’s website for the next 5 years (www.midwestbookreview.com).

Here is the review: “The first of a paranormal thriller trilogy intended for young adult readers, THE COLOR OF EVIL documents author Connie Corcoran Wilson as an imaginative and skilled novelist with a total mastery of her genre. A solid entertainment from beginning to end, THE COLOR OF EVIL is highly recommended for personal reading lists and community library collections. It should be noted that THE COLOR OF EVIL is also available in a Kindle edition. Also very strongly recommended are the two other titles in this outstanding trilogy: RED IS FOR RAGE and KHAKI=KILLER.”

At Book World inside Southpark Mall the third book in what has become an ongoing series (rather than just a trilogy) was offered for sale by the author with the opportunity to receive an autographed copy on Saturday, August 9th, 2014. All 3 books are available on Amazon (@ Connie Corcoran Wilson).

Next up is Connie’s trip to Writers for New Orleans from August 28-31, a benefit for the city wracked by Hurricane Katrina.

Coming Next: