I’m sure everyone’s seen those green screen challenges on YouTube, but I especially love this one with John McCain on drums. Actually, it’s the great Dennis Chambers who’s actually doing all the work. McCain is just talking!

Of course, if John McCain really played drums (or piano) he’d definitely have my vote. :o)

On another note:

Dhrumil posted a link on Twitter about actress Gwyneth Paltrow and how she dealt with her father’s death from cancer, and dealing with her own health. I admire Gwyneth’s devotion to Ashtanga Yoga and interests in healthy living. She was featured in the GOOP October Newsletter.

I had read somewhere that in Asia, the concept of going to the doctor when you were already sick was akin to digging a well when you were already thirsty. This struck a chord with me. Over the years I have had my share of medical issues, as we all do. Recently I have found three doctors (one in London, one in New York and one in Los Angeles) who have helped me tremendously. Heeding their advice has helped me out of some very sticky health problems (pneumonia, anemia, stress, etc.). —Gwyneth Paltrow

Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything. —George Bernard Shaw

Please give this one a listen, as I think this is one of the most beautiful, haunting melodies you will ever hear. This is the main theme from Steven Spielberg’s Oscar-winning movie, “Schindler’s List“, performed for piano and orchestra (and featuring some very lush, beautiful strings).

“Schindler’s List” is based on the true story of Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who saved the lives of 1,200 Jews by giving them work in an enamelware factory, and thus, rescuing them from impending death in Nazi concentration camps. The movie was filmed in black & white, in a documentary style that gave the movie a very harsh, realistic tone.

At the end of the film (which was filmed in color), the remaining Jewish survivors from Schindler’s List (along with the actors who portrayed them in the movie), are seen visiting Schindler’s grave to pay their respects to the man who saved their lives long ago.

I found the film heart-wrenching and very painful to watch, as the depiction of the treatment of Jews by the sadistic Nazi soldiers was so realistically done, it was quite disturbing. But, understandably it was a very important film, in terms of documenting the story and getting the message across that there was a very dark time in human history that, hopefully, no one should have to witness ever again.

I haven’t forgotten the events of 9/11. I doubt anyone will. I personally have been thinking about 9/11 in the back of my mind, just how tragic and devastating it was to all of us. The documentary of The Falling Man covers the search for the identity of the unforgettable image of a man falling to his death, captured in almost zen-like pose, yet in reality tumbling uncontrollably.

Stills From ‘Once Upon A Time in the West’

I have the DVD by Sergio Leone… in my humble opinion, an artistic masterpiece that captures the landscape of the Wild West. But Ennio Morricone’s music is simply some of the most hauntingly beautiful one will ever hear… and it’s currently in my favorites playlist.

I was recently entranced by a foreign film called, “Caramel”… the story of four lebanese women working in a beauty salon in Beirut, though a story that’s been done before, it seems to feel new and refreshing because of the culture and setting.

Lebanon is one of those countries I’m not too familiar with. I once performed at a Lebanese wedding reception and the people were wonderful. They wanted some Lebanese music which we never played before, but I am familiar with basic Middle Eastern percussion patterns. We started something akin to a “jam session” and the crowd loved it and just told us to keep playing while everyone on the dance floor gyrated like there was no tomorrow… and I think we played this one thing for the next 45 minutes or so. It was pretty incredible.

Anyway, “Caramel” refers to the caramel mixture that is used for waxing, or removing hair, in Lebanese culture. It is symbolic of the bittersweetness of life, and love… the caramel is sweet but used as a waxing product is painful, thus the bittersweetness of the lives of the four Lebanese women, as they struggle between the modern world and their culture and traditions.

The Movie Trailer on YouTube

This is a wonderful movie and I highly recommend it. It’s the first movie I’ve seen coming from Lebanon, and it was recognized at the Cannes Film Festival, but was sadly ignored at the Oscars. Nadine Labaki, the film’s main actor, director and co-writer is wonderful in this movie.

An Interview with actor/director/writer Nadine Labaki

This is a wonderful homemade video documentary of the Barstow Family’s dream trip to Disneyland in 1956, won by entering a nationwide Scotch Tape contest. Ah, the good ‘ol days! Reminds me of my childhood, watching homemade movies with the family’s 8mm film projector!

[ Link courtesy of BoingBoing.net ]