To thine own SELF be true

I stubbled across this wonderful youtube video by performers Jeffery Self and Cole Escola last year and have become hooked ever since.  They call themselves the VGL (Very Good Looking) Boys!

The two have really wonderful chemistry.

Here is one where Cole appears as Bernadette Peters.



In this one a Cole-less Jeffery shares his thoughts on the SEX IN THE CITY movie with his 3 year old niece.

Check out all their videos here.  There is also a great video interview here.

Jeffery has a WONDERFUL blog as well.

www.jefferyself.blogspot.com

I love his videos, but I feel he is also an extremely talented writer.  I find his writing very David Sedaris-esque!  It is witty and funny, but also poignant and touching.  Subjects include his family, life in New York, his cabaret acts, and growing up doing community theatre.

Here is one of my favorite posts of his...

"Another Wig Story"

(Jeffery solo pic copyright Christian Coulson www.arsonistphotography.com)

Never enough Duffy Stuff

Here are 2 really cool covers by Duffy. 

The first is on an awesome new cover album called WAR CHILD - HEROES volume 1.  It's a charity album with proceeds going to help children around the world affected by war.  

15 rock icons pick a younger artist to cover one of their favorite songs.  Cool concept.  Sir Paul McCartney picked Duffy to cover LIVE AND LET DIE.  The album also has covers by Lily Allen (covering The Clash), Rufus Wainwright (Brian Wilson), Franz Ferdinand (Blondie), and many more!

I first heard the soul song CRY TO ME on the Dirty Dancing soundtrack.  Actually it was on the "More Dirty Dancing - Additional Music from the Film" soundtrack.  My sister and I each got one of the soundtracks on cassette for Christmas 1987.  She received the original, but I really wanted the additional music because it contained the pivital song KELLERMAN'S ANTHEM ...which I would perform in my bedroom!   It did also have some great 60's soul tunes, such as this classic by Solomon Burke.  The song was actually used during the climactic scene where Baby is far from being "put in the corner."  During this scene she starts to do the "horizontal tango" with shirtless dance instructor Johnny Castle.  

Here is Duffy's live take on CRY TO ME! 

You're Gonna Love Him...

By far the most entertaining idol performance so far this year...

...the vocal stylings of Mr. Normund Gentle (Nick Mitchell!) 

(Sorry for the annoying arrow in the video.  This was the best quality video I found of the performance)

I love the use of the set and the shout out to Doogie Howser (Neil Patrick Harris was in the audience.)  I also love the build up to the last note and then... BAM.... a simple short "me."

... but most of all I love the look on his Dad's face the first time the camera shows him. (It happens here at the 0:58 mark)

Yes, Nick is not the best singer on the show, and did not make it into the final 12 tonight.  I was very entertained by his performance, and was hoping for at least a couple more power ballad diva moments. 

Check out his website www.normundy.com

Barbara Walters gets some lovin'

Barbara Walters had a real good time on her latest Oscar Special...

I am a huge fan of a series of YouTube videos by actors Jeffery Self and Cole Escola (known as the VGL Boys.) Here is an episode where they go to a Barbara Walters book signing.  



Their videos are wonderful. More on them in a couple of days!

ACCEPTANCE Speech

I was so happy that DUSTIN LANCE BLACK won the Original Screenplay Oscar for MILK.  Also very happy for Sean Penn's win.  Both gave wonderful speeches.

Dustin's acceptance speech indeed was one of "acceptance."  He was extremely moving. 

By addressing gay and lesbian youth and telling them that God loves them, I believe he is a true inspiration and hero to SO many watching Sunday night. Just as he stated Harvey saved his life many years ago,  he is carrying on Milk's message and spirit.

Here is a video of him in the press room after.  Once again, eloquent words.

Bravo! 

Here is a link to a wonderful NPR interview with Mr. Black from last fall.

There is also a fantastic book about Harvey's life and about the making of the film.  I just ordered my copy!  It is available in hardcover and paperback.

DUSTIN LANCE BLACK'S moving Oscar Acceptance Speech - Transcript

Oh my God. This was, um. This was not an easy film to make. First off, I have to thank Cleve Jones and Anne Kronenberg and all the real-life people who shared their stories with me. And, um, Gus Van Sant, Sean Penn, Emile Hirsch, Josh Brolin, James Franco, and our entire cast, my producers, Dan Jinks and Bruce Cohen, everyone at Groundswell and Focus, for taking on the challenge of telling this life-saving story. When I was 13 years old, my beautiful mother and my father moved me from a conservative Mormon home in San Antonio, Texas to California and I heard the story of Harvey Milk. And it gave me hope. It gave me the hope to live my life, it gave me the hope to one day live my life openly as who I am and that maybe even I could fall in love and one day get married.

(He chokes up, audience begins to applaud.)

I want to thank my mom who has always loved me for who I am, even when there was pressure not to. But most of all, if Harvey had not been taken from us 30 years ago, I think he’d want me to say to all of the gay and lesbian kids out there tonight who have been told that they are less than by their churches or by the government or by their families that you are beautiful, wonderful creatures of value and that no matter what anyone tells you, God does love you and that very soon, I promise you, you will have equal rights, federally, across this great nation of ours. (Wild applause from the audience.) Thank you, thank you, and thank you God for giving us Harvey Milk.

I'd like to thank the Academy....

...for putting on a GREAT show last night.

The whole show was classic glamour Hollywood.  This was evident from the beautiful crystal curtain to the charismatic host.  

There was also a very charming opening number (go Anne Hathaway!!!) 

On this video, the musical number starts at 1:45.

Hugh did a wonderful job.  I thought Laurence Marks and Bill Condon (the producers) put together a fantastic show.   

I absolutely loved the way they presented the acting nominees with 5 past winners each paying tribute to the nominees this year.  Very touching.

Also loved the way they presented the categories such as set design or makeup with the flatscreen tv's... very theatrical.  It made the whole night interesting to watch.

I even liked the MUSICALS ARE BACK medley.  It got a little random when they put in bits of HSM and MAMMA MIA at the end.  Although this medley wasn't as smooth as the opening number, it still had some nice moments.

I was very happy with all the winners especially DUSTIN LANCE BLACK for his Original Screenplay MILK.  

His powerful acceptance speech was the best moment of the night.  Much more about him in the next post.

Here is a brief list of upcoming DVD/BLU-RAY releases of last night's winners.  These, of course, are subject to change. 

March 10

MILK

RACHEL GETTING MARRIED

April 7

DOUBT

April 21

FROST/NIXON

Already out

FROZEN RIVER

CHANGELING

THE VISITOR

No release date YET... (will probably be announced soon)

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON

THE READER

THE WRESTLER

You can find a full list of last night's winners here.

We got SPIRIT yes we do...

The Independent Spirit Awards were yesterday.  THE WRESTLER was the big winner of the night.  After seeing clips of the other nominees, I really want to see WENDY AND LUCY!!!

Each year they do a song parody of the Best Feature nominees.

Here is Rainn Wilson in an ode to THE WRESTLER...

Here are all the parodies of the night.  This isn't the clearest video, but you get the idea.

AND... the ACADEMY AWARDS are just hours away.

The past couple of days I've caught up on most of the films....

VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA - Penelope Cruz was amazing!

CHANGELING

FROZEN RIVER

and REVOLUTIONARY ROAD

They all were really good.

You can also find the short film nominees available on itunes.  I just watched TOYLAND and THIS WAY UP.

ENJOY the broadcast tonight.

These are not my predictions, but who I hope wins...

ACTOR, LEADING - Sean Penn MILK or Richard Jenkins THE VISTOR (also thought Leonardo really should have been nominated for REVOLUTIONARY ROAD) I'm over the praise for Mickey Rourke.  Yes, he was good in the film... but I liked the performances of Sean and Richard a lot more.

ACTOR, SUPPORTING - Heath Ledger THE DARK NIGHT will and should get it (thought Josh Brolin was really good too and loved the performances of James Franco and Emile Hirsch MILK and Brad Pitt BURN AFTER READING)

ACTRESS, LEADING - I'm torn between Kate Winslet and Anne Hathaway.  

Kate was really good in THE READER (and REVOLUTIONARY ROAD) and really deserves it for a great body of work the past few years.  However, I thought Anne was astounding in RACHEL GETTING MARRIED.  

I have many friends that did not like this movie or thought it was ok, but I LOVED it.  I thought Bill Irwin, Debra Winger, and the wonderful Rosemarie DeWitt should have received supporting nods, as well as the music (which is really an important element in the movie.) Finally, I really liked Sally Hawkins as leading actress in HAPPY-GO-LUCKY. 

ACTRESS, SUPPORTING - I thought Viola Davis gave an amazing raw performance in DOUBT, but I'm rooting for Penelope Cruz in VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA.

BEST PICTURE/DIRECTION - SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE is going to get both of these and it certainly deserves it.  It was a WONDERFUL film.  I am rooting that the equally extraordinary MILK takes home one of the prizes.  I also thought WALL-E should have been nominated for picture.

The nominee I'm really rooting for is Dustin Lance Black for Best Screenplay - MILK.  

Read about him HERE.

You can find a downloadable ballot here.

HUGH raise me up!

One day left....

Here's hopin' Hugh Jackman puts on a good show.  Very excited that Laurence Mark and Bill Condon (CHICAGO screenplay and DREAMGIRLS direction) are producing which means.... PRODUCTION NUMBERS!

There are some exciting major changes this year.

Gilmore Girl

UK artist Thea Gilmore released a cool covers album in 2004 called LOFT MUSIC.

My favorite song from the cd is a cover of Van Morrison's CRAZY LOVE.  

I also like BAD MOON RISING and BROTHER CAN YOU SPARE A DIME.

I'm a little bit country... I'm a little bit BROADWAY!

(Love her!)

(Love him!)

Do you lie awake at night praying that country music stars and broadway stars will someday join as one and make beautiful music together?

Well if so.... this is for you! 

Here is an audio recording of stage/screen actor Patrick Wilson and country superstar/American Idol winner singing SUDDENLY SEYMORE from a 2005 benefit concert "Broadway Meets Country."

Perhaps you will let me indulge you with another wonderful cover from each of them?

Here's a beautiful very informal rendition of IF I LOVED YOU from Carousel.

Carrie underwood sang a very touching cover of the Pretenders' I'LL STAND BY YOU for the first "Idol Gives Back" concert.

...there were never such devoted sisters!

We went to a wonderful concert last night!  Jazz vocal sensations THE PUPPINI SISTERS were performing at the House of Blues in Orlando.

HUGE HUGE fan!  They are an Andrew Sisters-esque singing trio from the UK.  I love their lovely renditions of old favorites (BOOGIE WOOGIE BUGLE BOY, IN THE MOOD etc)  The group formed after being inspired by the movie THE TRIPLETS OF BELLEVILLE.

Here's JEEPERS CREEPERS and JAVA JIVE...

They are a wonderful throwback to the singing trios of the 40's.  The thing that I love about them though is that they do covers of modern rock and pop sings in the same Andrew Sisters vibe.  I actually feel that if the sisters Andrew or McGuire were alive today, these are the types of albums they would be making.

Here's a bit of their take on Blondie's HEART OF GLASS!

Also love love love their cover of Beyonce's CRAZY IN LOVE.  Here's the audio.

The concert last night was really amazing.  The harmonies were spot on and the chemistry between the very funny sistas was marvelous!!

We saw the show with some wonderful friends.  When you see a really good act you want to share the experience with others, and a good time was had by all.

Check out their 2 albums.  To start out I would recommend their debut BETCHA BOTTOM DOLLAR.

Their second album, THE RISE AND FALL OF RUBY WOO,  is really good too and has more original work.

They also appeared on the KIT KITTREDGE - AN AMERICAN GIRL soundtrack and have a couple of Christmas tracks.

...must download Puppini tracks are CRAZY IN LOVE and HEART OF GLASS.  (I WILL SURVIVE is pretty great too.

Puppini sisters... "You're once... twice... three times a (swell) lady!

Glutton for Sutton

I absolutely love Broadway sweetheart SUTTON FOSTER.  She is currently appearing in SHREK the musical.  I had the great pleasure of seeing her in THE DROWSY CHAPERONE and YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN.  In both shows she absolutely stopped the show.

Here are some show clips of her...

...in THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE

...and THE DROWSY CHAPERONE.

YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN...

Today she released her debut solo cd WISH.  It is a wonderful eclectic mix of jazz standards, pop covers, and Broadway tunes.

At first listen, my favorites include I'M BEGINNING TO SEE THE LIGHT, THE LATE LATE SHOW, UP ON THE ROOF, AIR CONDITIONER, the John Denver tune SUNSHINE ON MY SHOULDERS, and FLIGHT.  Also there is a wonderful version of WARM ALL OVER from THE MOST HAPPY FELLA (my favorite track!)

Here is a great video about the making of the video.  

Diamonds are a girl's best friend...

LIBERACE and CAROL CHANNING...  2 performers that could never be accused of "needing just a bit more stage presence."

Here is a very amusing sketch from last weekend's SNL that paid a little homage to both of them. 

Here is Carol on Sesame Street.

Here she is having a little "girl/pig-talk."

Here's a man who's no stranger to diamonds...

This video intro to a Liberace concert cracks me up!

I really think there needs to be a Carol Channing and/or Liberace resurgance. Remix album anyone??  There may be a possible Liberace biopic in the works starring Michael Douglas directed by Steven Soderbergh.

Never ADELE moment

... actually, it's a perfect time for an ADELE moment!

UK soul singer ADELE won best new artist last week at the Grammy's (also Best Female Pop Performance.)  I was rooting for her or Duffy!  Really love both of these single name soulful ladies.

Check out the wonderful video for her single CHASING PAVEMENTS here.

Also here's a cover of the Bob Dylan tune TO MAKE YOU FEEL MY LOVE (which everyone has covered from Garth Brooks to Billy Joel.)  I really like Adele's rendition.

Check out her cd called "19."