Kim Peek passed away recently on 12/19/2009 at the age of 58. He was known as the real rain man, the savant made famous by Dustin Hoffman in the Oscar winning RAIN MAN motion picture. Here’s an excellent documentary about Kim Peek. It’s so moving just how dedicated his dad has been, even into his 80s he’s taken great care of his son. Amazing story, for both of them.
The Real Rain Man
I can’t believe it’s been 25 years since the Band Aid project released “Do They Know It’s Christmas”! It involved many of the most popular American and British music artists of the time. The song was written by Bob Geldof (from BoomTown Rats) & Midge Ure (from Ultravox) with all proceeds going to feed Ethiopia children. It was a massive success and eventually lead to the global Live Aid concert in the summer of 1985.
Here’s the video. See how many artists you can identify and which ones are still performing.
Here’s an interview with Midge Ure and Bob Geldof plus the original demo!
Here’s Do They Know it’s Christmas II from 1989 some 5 years after the original
DO THEY KNOW IT’S CHRISTMAS
It’s Christmastime
There’s no need to be afraid
At Christmastime, we let in light and we banish shade
And in our world of plenty we can spread a smile of joy
Throw your arms around the world at Christmastime
But say a prayer
Pray for the other ones
At Christmastime it’s hard, but when you’re having fun
There’s a world outside your window
And it’s a world of dread and fear
Where the only water flowing is the bitter sting of tears
And the Christmas bells that ring there are the clanging
chimes of doom
Well tonight thank God it’s them instead of you
And there won’t be snow in Africa this Christmastime
The greatest gift they’ll get this year is life
(Oooh) Where nothing ever grows
No rain nor rivers flow
Do they know it’s Christmastime at all?
(Here’s to you) raise a glass for everyone
(Here’s to them) underneath that burning sun
Do they know it’s Christmastime at all?
Feed the world
Feed the world
Feed the world
Let them know it’s Christmastime again
Feed the world
Let them know it’s Christmastime again
repeat then fade
(Bob Geldof & Midge Ure)
I’ve always been a big Jim Croce fan and one of my favorite songs he did was “I Got a Name” which isn’t as well known or played as often as his other classics “Time in a Bottle” or even “Operator”. I really like the feel of the song and the message.
Favorite parts
And I carry it with me like my daddy did
But I’m livin’ the dream that he kept hid
Movin’ me down the highway
Rollin’ me down the highway
Movin’ ahead so life won’t pass me by
Here’s a live performance of the song
Like the pine trees linin’ the windin’ road
I’ve got a name, I’ve got a name
Like the singin’ bird and the croakin’ toad
I’ve got a name, I’ve got a name
And I carry it with me like my daddy did
But I’m livin’ the dream that he kept hid
Movin’ me down the highway
Rollin’ me down the highway
Movin’ ahead so life won’t pass me by
Like the north wind whistlin’ down the sky
I’ve got a song, I’ve got a song
Like the whippoorwill and the baby’s cry
I’ve got a song, I’ve got a song
And I carry it with me and I sing it loud
If it gets me nowhere, I’ll go there proud
Movin’ me down the highway
Rollin’ me down the highway
Movin’ ahead so life won’t pass me by
And I’m gonna go there free
Like the fool I am and I’ll always be
I’ve got a dream, I’ve got a dream
They can change their minds but they can’t change me
I’ve got a dream, I’ve got a dream
Oh, I know I could share it if you want me to
If you’re going my way, I’ll go with you
Movin’ me down the highway
Rollin’ me down the highway
Movin’ ahead so life won’t pass me by
Here’s another post about my favorite movie of 2009 “500 Days of Summer”. This time, I’m highlighting the beautiful song called “US” by the incredible Regina Spektor whom I’ve loved for years. This song is such a perfect way to begin the movie as they show home movies of the two leads as kids growing up in their own separate lives.
Here’s the song as recorded as well as a live version.
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Regina Spektor – Us |  |
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Here’s the official music video
Live US
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Regina Spektor – Us | |
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"Us"
They made a statue of us
And it put it on a mountain top
Now tourists come and stare at us
Blow bubbles with their gum
Take photographs have fun, have fun
They’ll name a city after us
And later say it’s all our fault
Then they’ll give us a talking to
Then they’ll give us a talking to
Because they’ve got years of experience
We’re living in a den of thieves
Rummaging for answers in the pages
We’re living in a den of thieves
And it’s contagious
And it’s contagious
And it’s contagious
And it’s contagious
We wear our scarves just like a noose
But not ’cause we want eternal sleep
And though our parts are slightly used
New ones are slave labor you can keep
We’re living in a den of thieves
Rummaging for answers in the pages
We’re living in a den of thieves
And it’s contagious
And it’s contagious
And it’s contagious
And it’s contagious
They made a statue of us
They made a statue of us
The tourists come and stare at us
The sculptor’s marble sends regards
They made a
statue of us
They made a statue of us
Our noses have begun to rust
We’re living in a den of thieves
Rummaging for answers in the pages
Were living in a den of thieves
And it’s contagious
And it’s contagious
And it’s contagious
And it’s contagious
And it’s contagious
And it’s contagious
And it’s contagious
And it’s contagious
I loved 500 Days of Summer and its wonderful soundtrack, especially “Sweet Disposition”. It’s a perfect selection for this unique and thoroughly enjoyable story. Here’s the song along with scenes from the film followed by a live version and the poignant lyrics.
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The Temper Trap – Sweet Disposition | |
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Here’s the Temper Trap Live
sweet disposition
never too soon
oh reckless abandon
like no one’s
watching you
a moment, a love
a dream aloud
a kiss, a cry
our rights, our wrongs
a moment, a love
a dream aloud
a moment, a love
a dream aloud
chorus:
so stay there
cause i’ll be comin over
and while our bloods still young
it’s so young
it runs
and we won’t stop til it’s over
won’t stop to surrender
songs
of desperation
I
played them for you
a moment, a love
a dream aloud
a kiss, a cry
our rights, our wrongs
a moment, a love
a dream, aloud
a moment, a love
a dream aloud
First, I must be upfront and confess my deep fanboy status for Zooey Deschanel, so that will always skew my review of anything she does. There, I said it. However, I will try to be honest enough to admit when something she’s done isn’t that great (for example, The Happening). Well, regardless of all that, I have to say that I absolutely loved the movie 500 Days of Summer starring Zooey and Joseph Gordon-Levitt who was fantastic! I was afraid that it would not live up to all the expectations I had for it but incredibly it far surpassed them! I think 500 days is like a modern day Annie Hall.
It’s an unconventional movie which doesn’t show the relationship in linear fashion like most would from day 1 through 500 but instead jumps around just like our memory does. It’s a refreshing approach to a movie that truly works well. It reminded me somewhat of the uniqueness of another favorite of mine, “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”. This is an original movie that isn’t predictable and one of the best I’ve seen in a long time. Even Roger Ebert gave it his highest rating.
Here’s the trailer just to refresh your memory.
The other wonderful aspect of this story is the music! We all know that music adds or takes away a lot from the enjoyment of a movie but this one goes further and almost makes music another character in the movie itself! Each song was perfect for the scene it accompanied. Even the songs we barely hear play a big part in the story such as the one from The Smiths that Tom is listening to on an elevator that Summer comments on. My Favorite songs are “Sweet Disposition” by the Temper Trap and “US” by the fabulous Regina Spektor! Even old songs become fresh and new in this amazing movie, such as “You Make My Dreams” by Hall & Oates, “Bookends” by Simon & Garfunkel and “Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want by the Smiths (three of my all-time favorite songs).
Speaking of “You Make My Dreams”, here’s the hilarious and delightful dance sequence the morning after Tom’s date with Summer! Who hasn’t felt like this before?
Here’s an interesting interview with Joseph Gordon Levitt and then Zooey
Here’s a fun short the two stars did with the director that has nothing to do with the movie. Still, it’s so enjoyable.
I’ve always loved Ben Stiller, not just from his popular movies but going way back to the early 1990s with his little TV show called “The Ben Stiller Show” that started on MTV (1990-1991) then spun off to FOX (1992-1993). I could tell even then that this guy was going to be massively successful. His show was like a mix of Mad TV, SNL and In Living Color. It has a zany and irreverent edge to it which made it stand out from the pack. It also had some outstanding talent with young Andy Dick, Bob Odenkirk and the fabulous Janeane Garofalo.
Ironically, the show won the Emmy Award in 1993 for best writing for a variety show the year after it was cancelled. They were just ahead of their time. So glad to see that they all went on to achieve major success in their own vehicles. Ben and Janeane co-starred in the popular movie “Reality Bites” soon after the show ended.
Here are some clips. This one is one of my favorites…. as Bono and U2 promote Lucky Clovers!
I love the part when Bono sings “O N E B O W L….” lol
This one spoofs Metalica. I think Garofalo does a hilarious impersonation of the MTV VJ Duff.
Eddie Munster as Robert DeNiro in Cape Munster! (CLASSIC!)
DieHard 12: Die Hungry!
Yakov’s Last Stand!
Counting with the boss!
LOOKER is a funny slam against another then FOX show called Booker that starred the great thespian Richard Grieco.
Here’s the writing staff including Ben Stiller the morning after winning the Emmy. Why’s Olivia Newton-John there?
Donny Hathaway was one of the best singer-songwriters of all-time, period. I love his music and still feel sad about the fact that he died so tragically young at the age of 34. Fortunately, he was prolific in his decade of recording so we a decent catalog of his amazing work (though not as large as it could/should have been!).
Donny was a groundbreaking performer because he introduced many R&B elements that we take for granted today such as singing riffs and incorporating such a wide vocal range with high notes. Yes, I love Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye but Donny Hathaway doesn’t get as much credit or attention as he deserves, thanks to his untimely death I’m sure. The same can be said about Otis Redding who left this Earth far too early.
Here’s a wonderful hour long special from the TV series UNSUNG that covers Donny’s life and times. He was a beautiful soul with a golden voice and a true musical genius. Just watch all of the legends who talk about him in this excellent piece.
Here’s a collection of top 10 lists for different sports from the last 10 years
I will continue to add more lists as I come across them
Please share some in the comments
Best hockey games of the decade
Most Significant hockey goals of the decade
Best Golf shots of the decade (Men)
Best Golf shots of the decade (Ladies)
