At the End of the Matinee by Keiichiro Hirano, translated by Juliet Winters Carpenter is an extraordinary love story. Classical guitarist Satoshi Makino has toured the world and after one particular concert in Tokyo, he lays eyes on journalist Yoko Komine. Their bond is instantaneous. They begin a conversation that would go on for years through phone calls and emails. Even when they had spells of silence, they would always pick up where they left off. Makino is drawn to her refinement and intellect and she is drawn to his sensitivity and tenderness he displays through his music. But both of them are unfamiliar with love to see it blooming and lack the confidence to make the first move. Like the notes on the page and the duet of instruments in a symphony, they seem to be drawn together in a melody only they can hear. Will their love endure or will fate keep them apart?
At the End of the Matinee is a lovely, thought-provoking love story. I enjoyed the poetic and lyrical love story that Makino and Yoko engage in. It had the highs and lows and sweeping movements of a great symphony. It is a slow read as the author’s words describe the beautiful dance that these two seem to be a part of. The two meet late in their lives when their lives are centered around their careers and thoughts of love seem like a distant, foolhardy dream. But love can spring up at any moment. At the End of the Matinee is not a traditional romance that I am most familiar with but I enjoyed the connection Makino and Yoko have and the honesty and openness they have with each other. They discuss many serious topics such as war, PTSD and the lonely side of music. It is a beautiful story. I recommend At the End of the Matinee.
At the End of the Matinee is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook.
Ofra Haza was an international Israeli singer whose voice
dazzled audiences for decades. Her music would be known as World pop, ethnic
electronics synthpop as well as a mixture of traditional and commercial styles
of her Yemeni heritage. She became known as the Madonna of the East. I was
first introduced to her in the 1998 film The Prince of Egypt as the
singing voice for Jochebed, Moses’ mother. I was reintroduced to her recently
as I did a study on Jochebed and discovered her other music. Sadly, she died in
2000. Today would have been her 63rd birthday. I would like to
introduce everyone to Ofra Haza. She may be done but she left behind such a
beautiful success story and amazing music for us to remember her.
Born Bat-Sheva Ofra Haza on November 19, 1957 in Hatikva,
Tel Aviv, Israel. She was the youngest of nine children to Yefet and Shoshana
Haza, Mizrahi Jewish parents who had immigrated from Yemen. At the age of 12, Ofra
joined a local theater troupe, and manager Bezalel Aloni noticed her singing
talent and featured her in many of his productions. Aloni would become her
mentor and manager as her singing career progressed. At 19, she would be Israel’s
foremost popstar. After her first album, Al Ahavot Shelanu (About Our
Loves) was released in 1980, it produced a string of radio hits. She would be named
Female Vocalist of the Year by Kol Israel Radio for four years straight,
1980-1983. In 1983, she released Shirey Moledet, her renditions of Israeli
folk songs which went platinum and produced two volumes in 1985 and 1987. She
was so popular that she was asked by Michael Jackson to do a joint
international concert tour in 1990, which she turned down (Shahar). In 1997,
she married Doron Ashkenazi.
Her career would include many collaborations and
performances. She would provide vocals for Sarah Brightman’s Harem (2003)
on the song, “Mysterious Days.” She did duets with Paul Anka, Cliff Richards,
and Iggy Pop (Shahar). She sang on various movie soundtracks including Colors
(1998), Dick Tracy (1990), Queen Margot (1994) and The Prince
of Egypt (1998). The animators for The Prince of Egypt were so moved
by her beauty that they used her image for Jochebed. She would also sing “Deliver
Us” in each language the movie was translated in, 18 in all. Ofra would also do
a series of covers from Carol King and James Taylor’s “You’ve Got a Friend,” to
Madonna’s “Open Your Heart.” One of my favorite covers by Ofra is Led Zeppelin’s
“Kashmir.” She did two versions. One was upbeat and sounds similar to Zeppelin’s
version and a second version which is slow and very haunting (which is my
favorite of the two versions).
Ofra Haza died on February 23, 2000 at the age of 42 from
AIDS related pneumonia. Her death was controversial in Israel despite her HIV positive
status was generally known. Many people would blame her husband, Doron, for
giving her HIV. However, she got HIV from a blood transfusion in a Turkish hospital
following treatment from a miscarriage (Paphides, 2010). When her death ws
announced, Israeli radio played her music nonstop while then-Prime Minister
Ehud Barak praised her as a cultural emissary and an Israeli success story. He
would say that she “emerged from the Hatikavh slums to reach the peak of Israeli
culture. She has left a mark on us all” A park in the Hatikva Quarter was renamed
in her honor. Her death from AIDS related causes added another layer of
mourning for her fans and the people of Israel as “She was a beautiful crystal ball
that suddenly shattered without anyone knowing it was cracked” (Shalev, 2020).
In conclusion, Ofra Haza was a rare beauty and talent who
left an undeniable mark in Israel and on me. She is a success story that one
can rise above their beginnings and leave their mark on the world they leave
behind. It saddens me that I didn’t know her and her music during her lifetime.
However, I love that I can enjoy the music she left behind. One of my favorite
songs is Yershalayim Shel Zahav (“Jerusalem in Gold”) which she sang at
the officially ceremony marking Israel’s 50th anniversary. I have
posted the link to her performance above. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
Today is National Day of Encouragement. A day dedicated to
uplifting people around us and making a positive impact. First created by the
Encouragement Foundation at Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas. It was
launched in an effort to create a habit of encouragement. Mayor Belinda LaForce
of Searcy made the first proclamation on August 22, 2007 as a Day of Encouragement.
Then Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe proclaimed September 12, 2007 as a State Day
of Encouragement. Later President George W. Bush made September 12 the official
National Day of Encouragement. Offering encouragement is free and can mean the
world to someone who needs it. Reassuring words to anyone, even strangers, may
make a difference in their lives.
Encouragement is the action of giving someone support,
confidence, or hope. Encouragement lifts someone up when they are down. It may
motivate them to keep going, to keep their eye on their goals and dreams. When
we’ve failed, words of encouragement can remind us to keep going. Albert
Einstein said, “In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity.” Encouragement
in the midst of failure can help lead someone to the success they strive for.
Charles Swindoll said, “Life is 10 perfect what happens to me and 90 percent
how I react to it.” Encouragement is a part of that 90 percent, helping someone
react positively or strive to overcome the 10 percent we cannot control. One of
my favorite quotes from The Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien is from the
first book, The Fellowship of the Ring, when Gandalf encourages Frodo to
move on. He says, “All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is
given us.” Encouragement can help us do the best we can with the life we have
been given, to strive to make it and the world a better place.
The right message may create the spark needed to help change
someone’s outlook or perspective. Friedrich Nietzsche wrote, “He who has a why
to live can bear almost any how.” Many people find a why in faith and belief in
a higher power. For me, my higher power is my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Philippians 4:13 says “I can do all things through him who gives me strength.”
As I have looked back on my life, the good times, the bad times, happy days,
the sad days, I found encouragement in my faith. I also found music to be a
great encouragement. One of my favorite songs to listen to when I need
encouragement is “Fight Song” by Rachel Platten. The ultimate anthem to move
on, to rise up from being knocked down. Another favorite is “I Will Survive” by
Gloria Gaynor. Even though the song is about recovering from a bad break up,
the message of survival speaks to many situations. Particularly these lyrics:
“I will survive/Oh, as long as I know how to love, I know I'll stay
alive/I've got all my life to live/And I've got all my love to give and I'll
survive.”
Here are a few simple ways for offer encouragement. First,
tell someone “great job.” Noticing a job well done can improve someone’s day,
to encourage them to keep up the good work in the future and helps them feel
appreciated for their efforts. For example, managers to employers, teachers to
students and parents to children, anyone can appreciate and needs a “great job”
now and then. Second, give high fives or fist bumps. In addition to “great job”
encouragement, a high five or fist bump further boost someone’s confidence and
joy. Third, call, email, text someone you haven’t contacted in a while. A
simple “How are you? I’m thinking of you,” can mean the world to someone who
may be suffering in silence and need the encouragement to open up and reach out
for help. This is especially important as September is also National Suicide
Prevention Month and letting people know they are not alone is immensely
helpful and encouraging. Lastly, simply smile more. There is a saying that
states “Life is like a mirror, smile at it and it smiles back at you.” Smiling
releases endorphins, which act like a pain reliever and helps reduce stress.
In conclusion, the goal of the National Day of Encouragement
is help us develop the habit of recognizing the talents and efforts of others,
so they continue to nurture and develop them. Encouragement can help our
relationships at work, at home and in our communities. It doesn’t take much,
simple acts of “great job,” a call or text, and even a smile with bring
brightness to a dark world. Today and every day, send someone encouragement
with a “great job,” a high five, a “I’m thinking of you” text, or if you can’t
seem to find the right words, music is a great way to encourage others. You
never know who needs to hear the words right now.
The Possibility of America: How the Gospel Can Mend Our
God-Blessed, God-forsaken Land by David Dark is an examination of American
culture, democracy and its spirituality. America had brought this great
experiment in to the world and extended the argument that human beings owe one
another the basics of respect and decency. Mr. Dark examines American
patriotism as well as being honest about the darkness that is in American
history. Any relationship cannot be at its best when its lying to itself about
itself. Americans need to acknowledge its dark history as well as its flaws.
Using examples from American movies, music, literature, television and its
political figures, David Dark shows that America is on the right track with
areas of improvement. He also uses these areas to show that God and Christian
values, and even its faults, have been a part of the American fabric from the
beginning. He advocates for the Beloved Community, an idea postulated by the
late Martin Luther King Jr, in which a society is based on justice, equal
opportunity, and love of one’s fellow man.
The Possibility of America is a difficult read as Mr.
Dark goes into great depth and analysis in order to support his argument. He
likes to use heavy vocabulary with sentences that seem to drag on. He often
gets too bogged down in summarizing a book, movie or music before making his
point. However, his points were eye-openers and I made notes in order to back
and examine his examples on my own. It is a book that I will revisit again
after I have made my own examination of his examples. It is a fairly short
book, only 188 pages, but it is jampacked with information and insights. I
recommend The Possibility of America for its honest look at America,
it’s history, it’s culture and its spirituality.
A guilty pleasure is defined as something that one enjoys
despite knowing that he or she might be ridiculed for their enjoyment.
Sometimes it is something that people might think someone shouldn’t like it
because its 1) so bad it isn’t worth it or 2) someone is “too old” for it or
it’s considered for children. In the words of British actor Tom Hiddleston, “What’s
my guilty pleasure? The thing is I never feel guilty for my pleasures.” I don’t
like calling a few of my pleasures guilty ones because I don’t feel guilty
enjoying them. However, the following TV shows, music, movies, and books would
probably fall into this category in which I have chosen three.
TV shows can be the most popular within the guilty pleasure
category. First, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, and it’s spin off,
The Equestria Girls. I started watching this program with my, then 3-year-old,
daughter, and now I enjoy watching it as much as she does, sometimes more. It’s
fun and engaging with life lessons about embracing our differences as the spice
of life and being friends. It is currently in its ninth and final season.
Second, Catfish (2012-present) is a MTV show based on the 2010
documentary of the same name. The show follows hosts, Nev Schulman and Max
Joseph, as they help individuals confront others who catfished them. Catfishing
is when a person creates a fake personal profile on social media sites, usually
using fake pictures and false biographical information. The intention for the
catfisher is usually to trick an unsuspecting person into falling love or have
some form of online relationship with no physical contact. I usually don’t
watch a lot of reality tv, but this show captured my attention and I couldn’t
help but watch. I was always interested in how people were fooled, what tipped
them off that something wasn’t right and how they end up confronting the
individual in real life. Viewers can usually learn what not to do when it comes
to online contact and signs to be weary of. Third, I love the TLC reality
shows, Say Yes to the Dress and Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta.
The drama surrounding weddings is inevitable and its fun to see who causes
what. And they usually have a tear-jerking, heart tugging, survival against all
odds stories too.
When most people think of guilty pleasures, I think they
think of music. Sometimes we like music we probably feel we should not be
listening to or even like because it is beyond our age demographic or it isn’t
our usual genres. However, a great song is still a great song. First, I love
listening to Miley Cyrus’ Wrecking Ball (2013). Disturbing video aside,
the song is quite catchy and relates to a relationship falling apart. Even
though the song specifically references a romantic relationship, I think that the
deterioration of some friendships can relate to the song. Two lyrics stand out
to me, “Don’t you even say I just walked away” and “I never meant to start a
war.” Second, Eminem’s Lose Yourself from the 2002 movie, 8 Mile.
The song won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2003 and it’s the
first (and possibly only) rap song to do so. While I’m not a big rap fan, and
I’ve read online that some people don’t even consider this song rap, I enjoy
the rhythms of the song. As well as its message of never giving up, never
letting an opportunity to follow your dream pass by. Third, Wake Me Up
Before you Go Go by Wham! Was a hit in 1984. Although I was only 4 years
old when the song was released, it is one of my favorite 80s songs. I will
always crank it up and sing along when it comes on the radio, which is quite
often considering the stations I listen to in the car. I never get tired of
hearing it.
Movies are often a common guilty pleasure too. Movies
usually so bad that most people wouldn’t give it another thought. First, I love
the Fantastic Four (2005) and Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver
Surfer (2007). I love Chris Evans as Johnny Storm. He was funny, sarcastic
and the banter between Johnny and Ben Grimm (played by Michael Chiklis) is
great. While the movies themselves are campy and overall poorly done, I have a
special place in my heart for Rise of the Silver Surfer as it was the
movie my husband and I saw on our first date. Second, Never Been Kissed (1999)
is one of my favorite Drew Barrymore movies. I could relate to her character,
Josie, although I wasn’t as socially awkward as she was, I can relate to being
smart and not really a part of the popular crowd. And I didn’t receive my first
kiss until I was in my late 20s (and it was special that I wouldn’t want it any
other way. I love the song, The Beach Boys’ 1964 Don’t Worry Baby, which
plays as Josie receives her first kiss on the baseball diamond. Third, Nacho
Libre (2006) is a corny comedy which my husband introduced me too when we
were dating. Jack Black plays Ignacio aka Nacho, a man who was orphaned as a
boy and becomes a monk at the orphanage. He gets the idea to wrestle as a
masked luchador in order to buy better food and other provisions for the orphans.
It is a fun nonsense movie to watch for pure entertainment. It has mild rude
humor with wrestling action/violence but there is no excessive cussing, if
there is cussing at all.
Normally books are not a guilty pleasure for me. However,
there is one series that is so outside of the usual books I read that its fun
to call it a guilty pleasure and a little forbidden. It is the Highland Series
by Karen Marie Moning. It is a series of 8 books, although I have only read 7
of them. I stopped reading the series after the 7th book when I felt
the quality of the author’s writing had fallen. The books are a mixture of
modern, historical, and mythological. It figures time travel, magic, dangerous
fairies and, of course, erotic love scenes. The characters are typical for
romance novels. The handsome hunky hero and the sassy heroine who resists the
hero’s advances until she can’t anymore. The Scottish Highlands has become a
very popular setting for romance novels. Some authors use the setting well and
others use it because it’s popular. Ms. Moning using the Highlands mystic and
the Celtic culture and imagery to her advantage and does it well. This series
remains one of my favorites. Books that I can keep up for a fast read to kill
time or just to get a fix of the fantastical.
In conclusion, I enjoy all the TV shows, music, movies and
books without any real guilty. They are a fun way to sit back and be
entertained. Honestly, we shouldn’t feel guilty for the things we enjoy. I
don’t like watching TV shows or movies or listen to music or read a book
similar because it’s popular. Sometimes the hidden gems are in the ones that
most people would reject. We never too old to enjoy children’s tv or movies. If
we are entertained by TV shows, movies, music and even books, who’s to say we
must feel guilty? What are some your “guilty pleasures”?
Captain Marvel opened on March 8, 2019 and it was met
with mixed reviews. Some loved it, some hated it and others didn’t know quite
what to think. Many fans claimed the movie was filled with a feminist agenda. Directed
by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, the pair also wrote the screenplay along with
Geneva Robertson-Dworet. It stars Brie Larson as Carol Danvers/Vers/Captain
Marvel, Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, and Jude Law as Yon-Rogg. Many fans
were upset that the filmmakers changed the origin story of Captain Marvel and
the related characters. I was unfamiliar with the comic character going into
the film, so I was curious to see if I would see the same things. I saw the
film recently and there were things I did like and things I didn’t like.
The film opens with Vers waking up from a disturbing dream
with flashes of a life she doesn’t recognize. She is a member of the Kree
Starforce and Yon-Rogg (played by Jude Law) is her commander and mentor. The
Kree and the Skrulls, a race of shapeshifters, have been embattled in a long
war and during a mission, Vers is captured by the Skrulls. Talos (played by Ben
Mendelsohn) and taps her mind in order find information. This action causes her
to see more images she is unfamiliar with and she eventually escapes their shackles.
During her escape, she crash lands on Earth. Soon after, she encounters Agent
Fury (long before he is director of SHIELD) and they eventually team up to
discover who she really is and what the Kree and the Skrulls are after on
Earth. Vers finally learns who she really is and what happened that lead her to
be on Hala, the Kree capital. She learns she has been lied to and who the true
villain is in this story. The final battle ensues as she embraces her true
identity. Before leaving Earth, Carol gives Fury a pager, designed to call her
in an emergency.
There was a lot I did like about the film. First, the
opening scroll, which usually features the various MCU characters, was used as
a tribute to Stan Lee, who had passed away before the film’s release. That was
cool and emotional to see. Second, I like the character of Carol Danvers. She’s
the girl who got back up when everyone else told her to quit. A powerful
message for everyone who has ever been told they can’t or shouldn’t do something
or be something. And I liked Brie Larson as Carol. Many reviewers complained
about her robotic acting; but it makes sense in the context of the story. She
had been molded by the Kree for six years with no memory, she was vulnerable to
what they told her. Yon-Rogg tells her during a fight training scene, “There’s
nothing more dangerous to a war than emotion. Humor is a distraction. Anger
only serves the enemy” (since when is humor an emotion, but I digress). By the
end of the film, she does lighten up a bit, laughs and smiles.Third, I enjoyed the explanation on how Nick
Fury lost his eye. Many people thought it was weak, but it makes sense. In Captain
America: The Winter Soldier (2014), Nick tells Steve Rogers “Last time I
trusted someone, I lost an eye.” We learn in this film, that it was Goose, a
Flerken disguised as a cat. In a previous scene, after Goose had devoured a few
enemies, Fury picks up Goose and says, “I’m trusting you not to eat me.” So,
Fury wasn’t lying when he said he trusted someone who eventually took his eye.
Now for what I didn’t like. First, the soundtrack. It was
underwhelming. Yes, they were hit songs from the 90s, with one or two
exceptions. Majority of the songs were great like Heart’s Crazy on You
and TLC’s Waterfalls, but others were annoying obvious like No Doubt’s Just
a Girl. While they were great songs, they just did not feel like they
belonged or had the same impact that both Guardians of the Galaxy
soundtracks did. It was almost like they just randomly decided to play a song
here or there, apart from Just a Girl. However, the musical score by Pinar
Toprak was good and I enjoyed it as I watched. Second, the de-aging was off. I
got used to Fury’s younger face, but Coulson’s was kind of creepy and hard to
watch. Luckily, he wasn’t in much of the film. Third, the overall feel of the
film was fragmented. It had great buddy moments between Carol and Fury and
between Carol and her friend, Maria (played by Lashana Lynch). It had
entertaining fight scenes and humorous moments. But it didn’t feel cohesive.
In conclusion, overall, I enjoyed this film. It wasn’t as
bad as I was led to believe. However, it wasn’t a great that was claimed by
others. It’s not my favorite MCU film, but I will watch it again. The film
vaguely connects to the other films; but you do not need to see this film in
order to watch Avengers: Endgame (2019). I also did not see the
so-called “feminist agenda” that many reviewers have claimed. There was
certainly a message of empowerment but not just for girls. I can see how anyone
can be empowered by this story. It has the message that we all need to work
together as a team, just as Captain Marvel and Nick Fury needed each other to
win the day. I recommend Captain Marvel.
This past weekend, my husband and I took our daughter to see
the new movie, Coco. Knowing only the
basics about the film and not reading any reviews about it, I went into the
film with high expectations, it is Disney Pixar after all. What I didn’t expect
was to be blown away. Normally, for a review, I discuss what I liked, what I
didn’t like and what the critics had to say. But for this film, I liked
everything. There was nothing I didn’t like and I don’t care what the critics
had to say. So I will discuss the different aspects of the film that I loved.
First, the story itself. Based on the Mexican festival of
Dia de la Muertos, it is a story about family, remembering those who has
passed, and forgiveness. The movie begins with 12 year old Miguel (voiced by
Anthony Gonzalez) telling the story of his Mama Imelda Rivera (played by Alanna
Ubach), the family matriarch. She was the wife of musician who left her and
their daughter to pursue his career and never returned. Angry, she banned all
forms of music in the family. Miguel desires desperately to be a musician, he
steals the guitar from the tomb of the village’s superstar, Ernesto de la Cruz
(voiced by Benjamin Bratt). When he does so, he has placed a curse on the
family and he is transported to the Land of the Dead. He must now find a way to
lift the curse so he can return home. He is helped along the way by Hector
(voiced by Gael Garcia Bernal) who is desperate to get to the Land of the
Living before the end of Dia de la Muertos. The story has everything: laughs,
tender moments and very sad moments. I cried at the end. So be warned, there will
be tears!
Second, the music. The movie is filled with wonderful music.
It features the wide range of Mexican music. From mariachi to salsa and bolero.
From flamenco to pop and Mexican son (folk music and dance). The music was
heartfelt and entertaining. After the film, I immediately went out and bought
the soundtrack. The main song is “Remember Me” which helps carry the theme of
the film. However, my favorite songs were “Un Poco Loco” (written by Germaine
Franco and Adrian Molina and performed by Anthony Gonzalez and Gael Garcia
Bernal) and La Llorona (a traditional folk song performed by Alanna Ubach). “Un
Poco Loco” is a fun and upbeat song about how the singer’s love drives him a
little crazy. “La Llorona” is a soulful and beautiful song about a weeping
woman and love. The instrumental pieces are beautiful too. I love music in film
especially when it is used probably to enhance the mood and the events of the
particular scenes. The music in Coco
did that and more. It carried so much emotional that you were crying just by
the strumming of the guitar.
Third, the imagery of the film is absolutely breathtaking.
The colors of the Land of the Dead are stunning. Marigold flowers, known as
cempasúchil, are central to the festival and they are everywhere in this film.
Marigolds are among my favorite flowers and the animators captured the flower’s
brilliant orange color and the delicacy of its petals. Brilliant colors bring
the Land of the Dead to life and are very vibrant and reminiscent of the colors
have seen in Mexican art. The details in the animations bring you into a world
and you sit in wonder at it all. The amazing talent and hard work it took to
bring this story to life shows in every detail. I also loved the image of the
Mexican family portrayed in this film. With my experiences with Mexican
families, I laughed at the antics of Abuelita, Miguel’s grandmother as she
enforces the no music rule in the family. There’s a scene where she offers
Miguel foods and he politely denies, the look she gives him reminds me of many
Mexican grandmothers I’ve known and love.
In conclusion, Coco
is the best Disney Pixar film so far. It is definitely among my favorite films.
It has everything. A great story, great music and great imagery which comes
together and transports you into another world and leave you with a great
lesson about love, family and forgiveness. I highly, highly recommend seeing Coco in theaters. You will not regret
it!
Music is a language we all speak. It doesn’t matter what
language the lyrics are in, the melodies and harmonies speak to each of us in a
universal language. Music is also a big part of any culture and the Hispanic
culture is no different. In fact, I’d say music is extremely important. Have
you ever been to a Latino home for a party when the radio wasn’t playing? I
haven’t. In fact, most Hispanics and Latinos won’t considered it a party until
there is music they can dance to. So when I asked my Facebook friends for their
advice about who in music has been influential in Hispanic and Latin
communities, the response was strong. It was hard to pick just three but I feel
I have chosen three performers whose music has a lasting impression on his audience.
First, Vicente Fernández was born February 17, 1940 in
Huentitán el Alto, Guadalajara Jalisco, Mexico. He is called El Rey de la
Musica Ranchera (The King of Ranchera Music). Ranchera music is a genre of
traditional Mexican music which dates back prior to the Mexican Revolution and
become closely associated with the mariachi groups which evolved from Jalisco,
Mexico. Fernández spent his early years on his father’s ranch. At 8, he began
playing the guitar and singing ranchera music. He begab to sing in contests at
local festivals and won many times. By 1960, he devoted himself full time to
music. His big break came in the spring of 1966 when Javier Solis, the El Rey
del Bolero Ranchero died and Discos CBS offered Fernández a recording contract.
He would have a long and successful career until he retired from live
performing on April 16, 2016. Even though he retired from performing, he
continues to record and publish music. While he was usually accompanied live by
a mariachi group, he is not considered a mariachi musician because he does not
play an instrument live. His greatest hit was Volver, Volver (1972). It is a song about going back to a love her
left behind. Fernández sings the song with such emotion you can hear the tears
in the narrator’s voice. I listened to this song twice. Once without the
English translation and once with the translation, the emotion is so raw in the
song, you can’t help getting choked up. I read several comments online which
describe family functions and a drunk dad or uncle will eventually play this
song and sing along. One commenter said “We all have that one dad or tio that
plays this and cries.” While another commenter said “Is this like the universal
sad song for Hispanic families? Every single woman in my family cries when this
plays.” Volver, Volver reminds me of
many country and rock songs where a man realizes he was wrong to leave and is
coming home…if she’ll let him. Vicente Fernández is currently 77 years old.
When he does pass away, I know the response from his fans and the music world
will be resounding.
Second, Juan Gabriel was born Alberto Aguilera Valadez on
January 7, 1950. He was a beloved Mexican singer and songwriter. Nicknamed
Juanga and El Divo de Juárez, he was known for his flamboyant style, breaking barriers
within Mexican music. He is considered one of the best and most prolific
Mexican composers and singers of all time. A true pop icon. At 13, he composed
his first. In the 1960s, he would perform at various bars around Juárez,
Mexico. While trying to achieve a recording contract, he was wrongfully accused
of robbery. He spent a year and a hald in prison until he was released due to
the lack of evidence. He chose his stage name Juan Gabriel in honor of Juan
Contreras, his mentor, and his father, Gabriel. He released his first studio
album in 1971 with his first of many hits, No Tengo Dinero. He had successful
hit after another. He became a world renowned singer performing in a wide
variety of styles from mariachi to pop to disco. His lyrics often spoke of
heartbreak and romantic relationships. Although he never married, he had 6
children. Four of them with Laura Salas whom he describes as “the best friend I
ever had.” When his sudden death of a heart attack was announced on August 28,
2016, the shock rippled through his fans. Even though I wasn’t familiar with
his work, I remember the impact the news of his death had. One of his most
well-known songs is Querida, a song
about a lost love and begging her to come back. The song sounds like a very 80s
pop love song but it is one that still sounds good and resonates decades later.
Another song is Amor Eterno, a song
he wrote for his mother after her death. It was first recorded and made famous
by Spanish singer Rocio Durcal. It has become a standard song at funerals for
those who refuse to say goodbye. He would call the song a prayer of love and a
mediation on love. It is a song about the grief and life after a loved one has
passed. Both songs and many others are a testament to the versatility of this
man’s amazing talent.
Third, Carlos Santana was born July 20, 1947 in Autlán de
Navarro, Jalisco, Mexico. He learned to play the violin at the age of 5 and the
guitar at the age of 8 under the tutelage of his father, a mariachi musician. The
family moved around for years before eventually settling in the Mission
District of San Francisco, California. He graduated in 1965 from Mission High
School and was accepted at both California State University, Northridge and
Humboldt State but chose not to attend college. He was influenced by artist of
the 1950s, Ritchie Valens, B.B. King, John Lee Hooker with musical influences
of jazz, folk, and rock and roll. He became known for Latin infused rock, jazz,
blues, salsa and African rhythms. He began his career with the Santana Blues
Band, which was later shortened to Santana, and quickly gained popularity in
the club circuit of San Francisco. A memorable performance at Woodstock in 1969
would lead to a recording contract with Columbia Records. He is most known for
covers of Oye Como Va (written and
original recorded by Tito Puente in 1963) and Black Magic Woman (written by Pete Green and originally recorded by
Fleetwood Mac in 1968). Santana would see records sales sag in the 1980s as the
tastes in music were changing. He would see a resurgence in popularity in 1999
with the release of his corroboration album, Supernatural. This album is how I was truly introduced to Santana
with the song Smooth with Rob Thomas
of Matchbox Twenty. Seventeen years away from the charts, Supernatural would help him achieve hits and numerous Grammy
awards. In 2002, he’d released another corroboration album, Shaman, which didn’t have the same
success as Supernatural. However it
would produce 2 radio friendly hits including The Game of Love with Michelle Branch. He continues to create music
and release albums experimenting with sounds and styles. Santana has been cited
as an influence by Prince and Kirk Hammett of Metallica. I think he will
continue to influence many future guitar musicians as he experiments and
expands his style.
In conclusion, Santana once said “There’s a melody in
everything. And once you find the melody, then you can connect immediately with
the heart.” The music of these men are perfect examples of melodies which
connect with the heart. It doesn’t matter what language it is in, the melody
drives the emotion that words will often fail to convey. There are so many more
examples of amazing music which transcends language and culture. Listening to
the story told in these songs reminds me that no matter what culture we are
form, we all experience love, hurt, grief and joy. You may not understand the
words but you can hear the emotions in these songs and the musical notes pull
at your heart in a language we all can understand.
When Disney announced a live action version of the 1991
animated hit, Beauty and the Beast, I
was excited. I was even more excited to see Emma Watson as Belle.
Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to see it in theaters. Now that the move is on
Blu-ray and DVD, I eagerly checked it out. The movie was beautifully done. It
is not a word for word, scene for scene remake. It is a stunning homage to the
beloved animated film while being its own film. The cast and the music were
amazing. Alan Menken returns with new wonderful music. The film wasn’t without
its critics though.
First, the cast fit their characters. The entire cast was
wonderful. They made the characters their own without trying to copy or imitate
the original cast which they shouldn’t try to do in the first place. Emma
Watson had Belle’s spunk and uniqueness which helped her stand out in her tiny
village. Dan Stevens as the Beast had his ferociousness as well as his vulnerability.
I enjoyed Dan Stevens’ Beast much more than Robby Benson’s Beast. I’m not
really sure how to explain the difference, maybe it was Stevens’ growl or maybe
his British accent added a flair that Benson’s voice could not. Ewan McGregor
as the playful Lumiere was great and Ian McKellen was perfect as the uptight
Cogsworth. Emma Thompson had Mrs. Potts’ motherly gentleness and Luke Evans had
Gaston’s vainness and cockiness. The movie even expands on Gaston’s cruelness
and his desire to do anything to get what he wants and thinks he deserves.
The music was wonderful as usual. There were three new
songs. “How does a moment last forever” which is sung by Maurice (played by
Kevin Kline) and later by Belle. The Beast has his own song, “Evermore.”
Lastly, “Days in the Sun,” a song the cast sings about life as humans before
the curse. It’s much better than the animated song “Human Again” which was kept
out of the original theatrical version and added to the special edition DVD
release. My favorite lyric was from
“Days in the Sun.” Belle sings it as she watches the staff hope and dream of
being human again. She sings “How in the midst of all this sorrow/Can so much
hope and love endure.” The Beast’s song is a powerful ballad as he releases
Belle from her captivity. He’s resolved to the fact that he loves Belle enough
to let her go, knowing it would mean being a beast forever. He laments that she
will remain in his heart forever. It’s a powerful moment in the movie.
No movie is without its critics especially a Disney classic
as beloved as Beauty and the Beast. One
major criticism is that the movie relied too much on the animated version. My
answer to this is: yes, it’s a live action version of the animated film.
However, if it was its own version of the classical tale, people who be
groaning and moaning about the missing elements of the original film. The movie
is so cherished by fans that no matter what some would have found fault with whatever
version they decided to make. Another criticism came from the controversy of
LeFou having a gay moment in the film. The way some people talked, you would
have thought it was very explicit. In the words of someone who saw the film in
the theaters, ‘blink and you will miss.” That is truly the case, if you weren’t
looking for it, you would have missed it. It is tiny, only seconds long, and
isn’t what I would call a gay moment.
I loved this movie. I’m just sorry that I wasn’t able to see
it in theaters. The cast was amazing. The music was outstanding. The new songs
fit and will move you. The DVD will sit proudly next to its predecessor on my
shelf. It is everything I wanted to see in a live action film of my favorite
Disney film and much more. I highly recommend you check out this version of Beauty and the Beast, if you haven’t
already done so.
Trolls was
produced by DreamWorks Animation and voiced by an all-star cast. The Trolls are
small creatures who love hugging, dancing, and having a good time. They lived
safely hidden from the Bergens for 20 years until their village is discovered. Some
of the Trolls are captured and taken to Bergentown as a meal for the miserable
Bergens, who believe their happiness comes from eating a Troll. The main
character, Poppy (voiced by Anna Kendrick), the positive and upbeat princess of
the Trolls, who sets off to rescue her friends. She is joined by Branch (voiced
by Justin Timberlake), a paranoid survivalist Troll. They meet Bridget (voiced
by Zooey Deschanel), a kind hearted Bergen and scullery maid in King Gristle’s
castle. They form a friendship which will change their lives forever. Poppy and
the Trolls are able to teach the Bergens that true happiness comes from within.
I loved the message of the film is that happiness comes from
within. It is not something you put inside your body as the Bergens thought. It
is deep inside you. You only need to turn it on. It’s been engrained in our
culture that you must search for happiness. It’s stated in the Declaration of
Independence: “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” However, happiness
isn’t a destination, it’s a part of the journey. I think it’s a great message
that we can find happiness in the here and now instead of in a future event or
achievement.
I also loved the music. There were a lot of covers of popular rock
and folk songs. From True Colors
(1986) to The Sounds of Silence
(1964) to Clint Eastwood (2001), the
cover songs are fun additions to the humor and action of the story. As well as
do the two original songs Can’t Stop the
Feeling (written by Justin Timberlake, Max Martin and Shellback, performed
by the cast) and Get Back Up Again
(written by Beri Pasek and Justin Paul, performed by Anna Kendrick).
My one complaint is the gross humor that filmmakers seem to
think must be in a children’s movie. One character, Guy Diamond (voiced by The
Big Bang Theory’s Kunal Nayyar) farts glitter. Another character, Cooper
(voiced by Ron Funches) poops cupcakes when he’s scared. When I saw it for the
first time, I thought seriously?!? Was that necessary? Even my daughter, who
loves Poppy and the movie, says eww, gross!
I must admit when the movie was first released in theaters,
I resisted taking my daughter to see it because I wasn’t really sure it was
going to be appropriate. I didn’t read any of the reviews but I was certain
that someone just took a toy and made another unnecessary movie. So we waited for
the DVD. After the first viewing, myself, my daughter and my husband loved it.
I decided to write a review for it and search online for what other viewers
thought of Trolls. Many of the
reviews I read either loved it or hated it. Those who hated it, I think, went
into the movie determined to hate it. One reviewer says it promotes
cannibalism. Cannibalism? Really? If it was cannibalism, it would be Troll
eating Troll or Bergen eating Bergen. And by the way, no actual eating is in
the movie, it’s just talked about. Other reviews didn’t like the cover songs.
One reviewer that the use of The Sounds
of Silence was inappropriate. However, when you see the movie, the song
fits the scene.
While no movie is perfect and will not appeal to everyone’s
tastes, I recommend Trolls. It is a
fun adventure movie with great music and a great message. The music will have
you dancing and singing along. As for the criticisms of the movie, while
DreamWorks often doesn’t compare to Pixar, the studio still puts our great
movies. How to Train Your Dragon movies,
Despicable Me, and the first two Shrek movies. Trolls 2 was recently announced. It is set to release in 2020. If you are concerned about
the appropriateness of the movie for children, I recommend viewing it for
yourself first and then decide.
Art. A diverse range of visual, auditory or performing
artifacts which express the artist’s imaginative or technical skill. Art is
intended to express a message of beauty, power or elicit an emotional response.
The oldest form of art is visual: sculptures and paintings. Art definitely is
“in the eye of the beholder” which will speak, or not, differently to each
person. One person may see a work of art as obscene or preserve while another
will be emotionally moved. I’ve never really been interested in art before so I
challenged myself to study a few pieces to find my pieces. As I studied the
famous works by Van Gogh, Monet, Manet, Da Vinci, and the thousands of other
worthy artists and works, I didn’t feel moved as I thought I should be. As I
lay in bed thinking about art, I realized that the only art form that really
moved me has been music.
One of my favorite composers is Beethoven, especially Symphony No. 5 in C minor. The Fifth
Symphony contains the ionic 4 notes which are probably the most recognized in
music. “Ta-ta-ta-taa” the short, short, short, long notes are said to represent
Fate knocking on the door. Another one my favorite Beethoven compositions is Fur Elise. The song was published in
1867, 40 years after Beethoven’s death and was found among his papers.
According to the original manuscript the song was dated as April 27, 1810. The
identity of “Elise” has been lost to time and remains a mystery, although there
are many theories as to her identity, which I won’t discuss now. I love this
song for its flowing melody which leads to a dramatic flourish and back again.
It is as if the composer was in conflict. While researching the history on this
song, I found an interesting “coincidence” in the first three notes. German
organ scholar Johannes Quack noted that Elise is spelled out in notes E-L-I-E♭-E.
E♭is pronounced as “S” in German. I love the Beethoven loved this
women, whoever she was, so much that not is her name in the title but her name
is repeated throughout the song itself. It once again shows Beethoven’s genius.
I also
love the melodies and lyrics of two modern musicals: the Phantom of the Opera and Les
Miserables. The music of The Phantom
of the Opera was written by British composer, Andrew Lloyd Webber and
lyrics by Charles Hart. It is hard to pinpoint my favorite song in this
musical. I love them all. If I had to pick, I’d pick “The Music of the Night.” It
is a very sensual song. Les Miserables
is another great musical with music by Claude-Michel Schonberg and the English
lyrics by Herbert Kretzner. One of my favorite songs is “On my Own,” which is
sung by the character, Eponine. The song expresses her unrequited love for
Marius and how she dreams of him by her side. I deeply identity with this song
as I spent my night of my younger days dreaming of the future and my future
love. I especially enjoy the climax of the song as Eponine realizes that her
dreams isn’t reality: “And I know it’s only in my mind.” One of the most
emotional songs is “Empty Chairs at Empty Tables” sung by Marius. My favorite
performer of this song is Michael Ball whose performance adds to the emotional
impact of a survival’s guilt of why he lived and his friends did not: “There is
a grief that can’t be spoken. There’s a pain goes on and on.” The unending
questions and pain of surviving.
Even
though a lot of today’s modern music doesn’t have the same emotional impact as
the music I mentioned above; but there are some great songs that do. There are
still great songwriters who are able to dig deep into their soul and expose an
emotions. “Broken” by Lifehouse is such a song. The song was written in 2008 by
lead singer, Jason Wade, after visiting a friend who needed a kidney
transplant. I see the song as my relationship with Jesus. From the beginning to
end, the lyrics are filled with the life struggles which can crush me and I’m
still holding on to the promises of Christ. The chorus is very moving: “I’m
falling apart/I’m barely breathing/With a broken heart that’s still beating/In
the pain, there is healing/In your name, I find meaning/So I’m holdin’ on…I’m
barely holdin’ on to you.” There are many comments online which would disagree
with my interpretation. As this song can be interpreted in many different ways
depending on the listener, which is why I love music so much. For me, this is
how the song speaks to me and there’s nothing wrong with that.
I love
how art can speak to different people. I love how a painting can bring out so many
emotions in someone. Or for me, music. It amazes me that the artist can hear
the notes or melody in his head and create a beautiful piece of music which can
be enjoyed for decades. I wonder if Beethoven wondered if his music would last.
I wonder what the composers would think to hear that their music is still being
enjoyed and discussed centuries after they wrote it. Have you ever look at a
painting, a sculpture or photograph and been emotionally moved? Have you ever
heard a piece of music which lifted your soul? I hope you have because it is an
amazing experience. Music can help us remember feelings and certain times in our
lives when the music represented something great or helped us through a
difficult situation. Music is a great way to experience our emotions, to
release emotions and this is why music is my favorite art form.
Music. It’s the story of our lives. It defines our youth. It
helps express feelings and words in a way that many of us cannot. We play it at
all times: parties, weddings, funerals and even in stores as we shop. We play
it loud and sing along in our cars. The music that people listen to is close to
their hearts and they will defend anyone who trashes their music. I love music.
I love most all genres. I grew up listening to my parents’ rock music of the
1960s and 1970s. As an early adolescent, I was a big fan of New Kids on the
Block. By my teen years, I was listening to country music of the 1980s and
1990s. I found that people listen to music for many reasons. My top three are:
pump up adrenaline for a work out, soothes the soul and help release anger and
stress.
When I need to be energized and pumped up to either exercise
or clean house, I play hard pounding rock music that will get my heart pumping.
My husband’s favorite pump up songs are “Alive and Kickin’” by Simple Minds
(1985) and “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor (1982). Eye of the Tiger is
everyone’s go to work out or fight song. The intro alone gets one pumped and
ready to go. One of my favorite pump up songs is “Lose Yourself” by Eminem
(2003). This is the ultimate “do or die,” “you won’t know until you try” song.
I play this song when I feel doubt and listening to the words and the pounding
beat helps adrenaline run and I feel I can do anything and I’m motivated to put
my plan into action, even if that plan is simply to clean house and do other
chores. It’s a motivating song.
Music is also great to help soothe the soul. Music to cry
to. Music to mediate to. Whatever it may be. Music that can ease the sadness
that can overwhelms us. When I lost my second daughter in October 2013, I began
searching for songs to help ease the pain that surrounded me. I found
Daughtry’s “Gone Too Soon” (2011). While the entire song speaks to the grief
that a parent feel when losing a child too soon, one particular line always
soothes me because I feel that it was speaking directly to me. The line is “I’m
always asking why this crazy world had to lose/Such a ray of light we never
knew.” “Ray of light” is what speaks to me the most because my daughter’s name
is Ziva Rae. Ziva is Hebrew or bright or radiant and Rae meaning light. It’s a
song very dear to my heart.
Music can also help release anger when it builds up so much
that you feel you need to do something. Instead of hitting something or
someone, I put on hard pounding angry music. Listening to the music helps me
calm down enough to think clearly. A song that is often mentioned when you just
want to scream is “You Oughta Know” by Alanis Morissette (1995). For me,
“Welcome to my life” by Simple Plan (2004) is a great song when you’re angry
and feel out place in the world. When I listen to this song, it reminds me that
everyone has moments when they feel like they don’t fit in and when the world
is just unfair. Another song I like to play is “Some kind of monster” by
Metallica (2004). The first two minutes of the song are pure guitar riffs and
long riffs intermingled in the whole song. It’s a great song to release anger
to.
In conclusion, music reaches every aspect of our lives. It
gets us pumped up for a workout, it can soothe the soul and it can help release
anger and stress. Whatever your motivation for the music you chose to listen
to, I remind everyone of one thing: do not make fun of someone else’s taste in
music. Music speaks to us in a way that it will not for someone else. What you
may hear in a song and enjoy the lyrics, someone else might not. Does that mean
the music is a better or worse than something else no. Just like beauty is in
the eye of the holder, music is in the ear of the listener. Music is a large
part of our lives, our culture and our history. Enjoy!
Give Your Song a Voice
by Kristin E. Schmidt and illustrated by Debra Rae Hare is a book about a young
girl’s dream to give the music in her dream a voice. The story is told as a
simple poem. The rhythms are simple and yet flow beautifully like listening to
the lyrics of a song. A young girl has a dream and in her dream, she sees music
as she wakes up, she realizes that she can’t let the beautiful music disappear.
She then goes on a journey to find friends to play this beautiful music.
On her journey, she meets up with a trombone playing hippo,
a drums banging chimpanzee, a gator playing the flute, an emu plucking the
strings of a cello, a zebra playing the clarinet and a bull blowing the sax.
Together, they form a band and put on a concert for the girl’s family and
friends. After the concert, she realizes that everyone has something special in
them. The little girl gathers her friends and gives them the message of the
story: “A song has a no voice until you chose to share it.”
This book was sent to my daughter by my aunt who is friends with the author. I was excited to read it and my daughter loved listening to it. After reading it, I had to post a review about it. I loved this book. I love that it is in prose. I love
poetry. The imagery is beautiful and the illustrations really bring the
characters to life. I would recommend this book to all children. It has a great
message and fun characters.
Give Your Song a Voice
is available on Amazon.com for $12.99
