Christopher Walken

Acting Appreciation

I once dreamt Christopher Walken and I were walking along a path and talking. I don’t recall what we were talking about but walking with him was what I remember most. We were strolling through an empty park that turned to endless hallway and then light. I remember waking up and actually thinking in my half-awake state Christopher Walken is God.

Christopher Walken is one of my favorite actors, and since today is his birthday, I wanted to share what I have learned about his impressive acting career.

Christopher Walken was born on March 31, 1943 in Astoria, Queens, New York City. Before taking on dramatic roles, Walken was trained as a dancer in music theater.

His first feature film debut was in The Anderson Tapes (1971), and his first starring role was in The Happiness Cage (1972). In 1977, he played Annie Hall’s homicidal brother in Woody Allen’s Annie Hall.

His performance in the 1978 film The Deer Hunter, won Walken an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.

In the 80s, he starred in iconic films such as The Dogs of War (1981), The Dead Zone (1983), A View to a Kill (1985), and Biloxi Blues (1988).

Some other films he starred in include: True Romance (1993); Pulp Fiction (1994); The Prophecy (1995); Suicide Kings (1997); Catch Me if You Can (2002); The Wedding Crashers (2005); Man of the Year (2006); The Maiden Heist (2009); and Stand Up Guys (2012).

He has appeared in several theatrical plays and musicals such as Kid Champion (1975); The Seagull (1981); James Joyce’s The Dead (2000); and A Behanding in Spokane (2010).

He’s noted for hosting Saturday Night Live seven times, and is recognized for the spoof of Blue Öyster Cult's “(Don’t Fear) the Reaper” recording session where the producer, played by Walken, asks for “more cowbell.” And in 2001, Walken helped choreograph and danced in Fatboy Slim’s “Weapon of Choice.” The music video, directed by Spike Jonze, features Walken dancing around the Marriott Hotel in Los Angeles.

via Movie Juice

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_Walken
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2b0o80VP4cbfPE_v8LQEOA

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990)

Film Appreciation

Released on March 30, 1990, the live action film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, introduced four mutated vigilante turtles--Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael--and Master Splinter, an over-sized rat.

The live action film, which was directed by Steven Barron, is based on the comic book characters created by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird. It also starred Judith Hoag, Elias Koteas, and Corey Feldman as the voice for Donatello.

via Movieclips Trailer Vault

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teenage_Mutant_Ninja_Turtles_(1990_film)

Dance: Sheppard - Somethings missing

Choreography: Amir Nizamov

via Amir Nizamov

Cosplay... Is An Art: Katsucon 2017

via Joy Vision Studio

Alan Silvestri - "Back to the Future"

Music Appreciation

American composer and conductor Alan Anthony Silvestri is best known for composing the music to Back to the Future, The Avengers, and others.

Composer: Alan Silvestri
ORF Radio-Symphony Orchestra Vienna


via cinemusiquefan

Edward Weston

Photography Appreciation

Edward Weston is considered as "one of the most innovative and influential American photographer" on the 20th century. His landscapes, still lifes, nudes and portraits have captivated many and have received numerous recognition.

Born in Highland Park, Illinois on March 24, 1886, Weston began taking pictures with a Kodak Bull's-Eye #2, a simple box camera, which his father gave him on his 16th birthday. He then purchased a 5x7 inch view camera and began taking pictures of Chicago parks.

At age 20, his photograph was first published in Camera and Darkroom magazine. A few years later, he opened his own business called "The Little Studio" in Tropico, California.

In 1937, Weston was the first photographer to receive a Guggenheim Fellowship, a grant that is awarded to those "who have demonstrated exceptional capacity for productive scholarship or exceptional creative ability in the arts."

He was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1947 and passed away January 1, 1958.

You can see more of his wonderful photography HERE.

Portrait of Tina Modotti in Mexico (1923)

 via last-picture-show

Diego Rivera, Mexico (1924) via parkek

Sources:

http://edward-weston.com/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Weston
http://www.fotogpedia.com/edward-weston.htm
https://www.kimweston.com/news/blog/edward-weston-photographs
http://www.openshuttergallery.com/artists/westons/westons.html

Above the Rim

Film Appreciation

Released on March 23, 1994, Above the Rim featured an all-star cast that included Leon Robinson, Tupac Shakur, Marlon Wayans, Duane Martin, and the late-and-great Bernie Mac. The film was directed by Jeff Pollack, who is best remembered for co-creating NBC's TV series Fresh Prince of Bel Aire. 

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Above_the_Rim
http://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Above-the-Rim#tab=summary