Doriano Carta

One of my favorite movies of all-time is “Somewhere in Time” starring Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour. It was written by one of my favorite writers, Richard Matheson and based on his book “Bid Time Return”. He’s mostly known for his work on Rod Serling’s “Twilight Zone” series. His most well known episode being “Nightmare at 20,000 feet”. He also wrote the book “What Dreams May Come” which also became a movie. “I Am Legend” is another classic that he penned which became three different movies.

As for this amazingly romantic story, Richard Matheson got the inspiration when he had a dream about meeting the actress Maude Adams after seeing a photograph of her long after she had passed away.

Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour give powerful performances that make this incredible fantasy tale some how believable despite it’s totally impossible premise. The magic of the willing suspension of disbelief is in full effect in this movie. Jane was perfect as the beautiful Elise McKenna. I was just as captivated by her as Richard was in the movie.

While the movie was never a box office success, it has enjoyed an ever-growing fan club through the years thanks to late night TV broadcasts and video rentals. There’s even an official fan club called INSITE for the movie where fans can communicate with other fans and even meet them at the real Grand Hotel located at Mackinac Island, Michigan. 

Here’s the haunting music based on a theme of Paganini

Here’s the trailer

Here’s SOMEWHERE IN TIME in its entirety in seven parts

It’s a beautiful summer day in Atlanta as the kids swim with their cousins Diona and Collin.

These are wonderful memories they’ll have forever. So will I.

We lost Farrah Fawcett (62) and Michael Jackson (50) today. They were two massive icons from my youth. We all knew Farrah was battling cancer so it wasn’t as much as a shock as Michael’s sudden passing.

I was kid when I fell for the golden girl Farrah on Charlie’s Angels. So did the whole world. I had the poster that sold millions and watched her career after the TV series. She made some good TV movies and received critical acclaim but sadly her pinnacle of popularity was on Charlie’s Angels.

Here’s the pilot episode of where it all started

Michael Jackson as we all know hit it big very young with his family the Jackson Five. My first memory of MJ was his song BEN from the movie WILLARD which was about a strange young man who befriended a killer rat. It was a family favorite, long story so please don’t ask why.

Michael went on to have an incredible solo career becoming known as the king of pop but he also ran into a great deal of controversy with many scandals involving children. He was never convicted of any of the major charges but the cloud of suspicion always remained and sadly forever will.

Here’s a good one for Michael which he sang for Ryan White who died too soon. So did you, Michael.

Here’s another favorite of mine. The Man in the Mirror

“Creator” (1985) starring Vincent Spano, Peter O’Toole, Virginia Madsen and Mariel Hemingway is a delightful romantic comedy that had a most interesting premise. It centered around a mad scientist (O’Toole) who tries to re-create his late wife via cloning. Yes, it was way ahead of its time.

Yes, it was a crazy idea because he was already in his 50s so even if he were successful in his wild experiment, he’s be in his 70s by the time she hit 20. Still, it allowed the movie to bring up some interesting points of discussion about love and closure.

The storyline between Boris (Spano) and Barbara Spenser (Madsen) was another important element to the charm of this movie. Without giving away too much, what happens between them at the end of the movie was surprising and enlightening.

Mariel Hemingway plays a nymphomaniac that falls for the whacky scientist and steals the show with some hilarious over the top scenes. She delivers some of the movies funniest lines.

Here’s the full movie “CREATOR” in 11 parts.

I really liked “Little Darlings” starring Kirsty McNichol and Tatum O’Neal and a young Matt Dillon (15?). It’s a fun coming of age tale centered around a serious subject matter, virginity. Basically, it’s about a rich girl and poor girl who make a bet to see who could lose their virginity first while at camp. It sounds like a horrible idea for a plot but it’s handled very well with a wonderful message at the end.

Here are some clips from the movie (4 of them including the opening 7 minutes)

Despite all personal flaws, Frank Lloyd Wright was an amazing architect and fascinating person. I love his unique, original works that took architecture to the next level. He was an artist with a most original pallet.

By far, my favorite design was his signature creation, “Falling Water”. Here’s a brief tour of this incredible masterpiece

I find Ayn Rand so fascinating! Her philosophies and writing have captivated countless people and will continue to do so forever. Here’s an intriguing interview of Ayn Rand by Mike Wallace (from 60 minutes fame) some 50 years ago in 1959!

She and her writing are timeless.

Here’s Ayn with Tom Snyder almost 20 years later

Here’s the classic “I Can See Clearly Now” by Johnny Nash. The original video of him singing this on the streets of Washington DC is no longer on Youtube or anywhere else for some reason. This video is from the Mightnight Special from 1973.

It’s hard to not feel good after hearing this song. It always makes me feel better and more inspired whenever things appear bleak or it’s one of those days where everything’s going wrong.

Here’s the wonderful version by Jimmy Cliff whom I love along with some scenes from the delightful movie “Cool Runnings”

I can see clearly now, the rain is gone,
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It’s gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day.
I think I can make it now, the pain is gone
All of the bad feelings have disappeared
Here is the rainbow I’ve been prayin?for
It’s gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day.
Look all around, there’s nothin?but blue skies
Look straight ahead, nothin?but blue skies
I can see clearly now, the rain is gone,
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It’s gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day.

I love this music used in an old Prego spaghetti sauce commercial. The mp3 was on their website for a long time but sadly not anymore. The music was composed by  David Horowitz and the violin solo was done by Regis Landiorio.

It’s so Italian and makes me feel so at home. I can smell my mom’s pot of sauce bubbling on the stove now. I gotta make a call now. Ciao!

I get this one confused with the beautiful music from Cinema Paradiso by Ennio Morricone