ACTOR-DIRECTOR-WRITER PAUL MAZURSKY PASSES AWAY
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THE GLORIOUS CORNER
Story By: G. H. HARDING
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| London Grammar |
BEST OF/SO FAR --- Believe it or not we’ve hit the half-way mark of 2014; hard to fathom for sure, but here are the Hotpoint's up till now. In no particular order, the winners are:
1. London Grammar’s If You Wait album; The British trip-hop trio formed by Hannah Reid, Dan Rothman and Dominic 'Dot' Major, were the latest Brit-concoction released here and their album is an amazing piece of work. Stunningly atmospheric and full of electronic nuances, it is a must have addition. “Hey Now,” Shyer” and “Flickers” are some the best music this year. In Of Monsters And Men territory. Brilliant.
2. James Blakes’ Overgrown album: Believe it or not, Elton John last December picked this album as the album of the year; and, he was right. With the beautiful song “Retrograde” –having seemingly become known as that haunting theme from HBO’s The Leftovers- his first album is just an audio powerhouse. Just when you think this is something that Eno might have done … he appears on a song written by him and Blake, “Digital Lion.” We also loved “I Am Sold” and “Our Love Comes Back.”
3. Annapurna: Real life couple Megan Mullally and Nick Offerman starred in this brilliant play by Sharr White; about a couple re-uniting for the first time in years for several life-changing reasons. They were both stunningly good. Offferman in particular; who knew he was this good? Exceptional play.
4. Broadway’s Donnie Kehr: Journeyman-actor Kehr, who’s been in everything from The Who’s Tommy to Jersey Boys and Billy Elliot on Broadway, he nabbed a role in director Clint Eastwood’s movie version of Jersey Boys (as loan-shark Norm Waxman) and came close to stealing the movie in a few well-placed scenes. Kehr also fronts the charity-concern Rockers On Broadway (along with Cori Gardner) and is currently in talks for joining a TV show. A new face to the silver screen and terrific talent.
5. The Normal Heart: We can’t say enough about this grounding breaking HBO production from Glee’s Ryan Murphy. Larry Kramer’s play from Day 1 spoke volumes about the AIDS outbreak and the government’s continual refusal to properly address it. Mark Ruffalo and Matt Bomer’s performances are Emmy-worthy for sure and stand-alone breathtaking. One of the best things I’ve ever seen on TV.
6. Coldplay, Ghost Stories: Forgetting for a moment that this is Chris Martin's goodbye to Gwyneth Paltrow, even if that was all but impossible in the media build-up to this album's release. Still, these creators of anaemic pop scaled things back a bit, and created a minimal atmosphere worthy of their former collaborator Eno in a very minor-key effort that snuck its way into the marrow, just like a love affair, and refused to let go. Another brilliant effort from one of the best bands ever. This is the album to listen too in headphones. “Sky Full Of Stars” and “Midnight” reverberate brilliantly.
7. Paul Simon and Sting On Stage Together at the MSG: Two legends, no waiting, the whole more than the sum of its admittedly impressive parts. Both bands stayed onstage for most of the concert, creating more, not less. We love Sting, but Simon’s songs, both music and lyrics, were epic. An amazing show; maybe one of the best we’ve ever seen.
8. Once: I know I was late in the game to see this one on Broadway; but, the play was just awesome. From the Mumford & Sons-like songs to the brilliant book. Once is a musical stage adaptation based on the 2006 film of the same name. The book was written by Enda Walsh, retaining many of the original songs written by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, including the Academy Award-winning "Falling Slowly.” We adored it.
9. Mad Men: I know they’re winding the show down next year, but the 8-ep run this year was stupendous. Matthew Weiner may love the sound of his own voice a bit too much, but oh, what a voice it is. Jon Hamm is stunningly good. We'll miss this show … and, cannot wait for the closing episodes next year!
Honorable mentions-- Bruce Springsteen’s High Hopes; The Black Key’s Turn Blue; Johnny Deep in Transcendence; Tom Hardy in Locke; and, Jon Favreau’s Chef.
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| Paul Mazursky |
MAZURSKYY PASSES --- The actor, director and writer, Paul Mazursky, who worked on many famous films, both writing and directing, including Harry And Tonto; Down and Out in Beverly Hills; Moon Over Parador; An Unmarried Woman; and, Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice, which was nominated for four Oscars. passed away earlier this week, according to family spokesperson Nancy Willen from pulmonary cardiac arrest.
In an interview with the Chicago Times he once said: “I seem to have a natural bent toward humor and I seem to make people laugh, but I think there is in me a duality. I like to make people cry also, or at least make people be aware of things. I like to deal with relationships. The perfect picture for me does all that.”
Mazursky acted in a huge number of films from 1953 onwards, including those written and directed by him, and also appeared in TV shows such as Frasier, Thirtysomething, The Sopranos and Curb Your Enthusiasm.
In the 1960’s he was a developer on The Monkees TV series. In 2013 he received a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame.
He is survived by his wife Betsy and their daughter Jill, as well as four grandchildren and a great-grandchild.
Mazursky was one of the Hollywood’s golden boys, along with Robert Altman, Hal Ashby, Sidney Lumet, Marty Ritt, And Sydney Pollack …. Now, all gone.
We loved Parador and watched it the other night, with Richard Dreyfuss. Unbelievably funny and poignant. Mazursky will be missed. A true master.
CLOSING NOTES --- How about Joyce DeWitt, from There's Company fame, joining Micky Dolenz in The Ivoryton Playhouse production of Mike Reiss' Comedy Is Hard in September. DeWitt is hoping to be at Dolenz's B. B. King's show in NYC on July 30 ...
Have you seen the trailers for Luc Besson's Lucy movie, starring Scarlett Johansson, Analeigh Tipton and Morgan Freeman? It looks like a Matrix-like movie from the French filmmaker. Can't wait for this one ...
Rockers On Broadway coming soon. Micky Dolenz is being honored. Get all the info HERE.
Celeb-writer Mark Bego seen dining at Chris Gilman's Yerba Buena Perry in the West Village ...
Jennifer Love-Hewitt joining CBS' Criminal Minds; as Jeanne Tripplehorn departs the series ...
Have a safe holiday ... Back Monday!
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