– I have been loving my friend Dennis’ dispatches from the TCM Classic Movie festival. I want to go to that one someday, maybe next year. Please read this post, about seeing Deliverance (and all the main players were there). Dennis is such a good writer.
– A really interesting piece by Glenn Kenny, about the recent brou-haha surrounding the Palme d’Or winner at Cannes, Blue is the Warmest Color. Kenny hasn’t seen the film, but he’s talking about the controversy among critics.
— I love this Mother’s Day Elvis piece by my pal, Troy, over at the great Mystery Train. It starts: “I am a second-generation Elvis fan.”
— After a long hiatus, Hyperbole and a Half is back, with the second part of her Depression series. I can say, without too much exaggeration, that that is one of the best pieces about Depression I’ve ever read. That is what it is like. If you suffer, and someone doesn’t “get it”, just send them that link. And here is part 1.
— I absolutely love Messy Nessy Chic’s Historical Sass series. I just fall into those pictures!
— “The mantis shrimp is the harbinger of blood-soaked rainbows.”
— Manhattan Thoughts on a Hot Evening: The Self-Styled Siren showing why she is one of the best writers (and thinkers) out there.
— My dear friend Alex just graduated from grad school and I could not be more proud of her. Please read this recent extraordinary essay called “Seeing Reba”. She always makes me cry.
— My great friend Cara Ellison just moved to England. One of the first things she did upon disembarking from the plane was to attend the Sylvia Plath’s Ariel performance, with different actresses reading through the posthumously published Ariel. The event was hosted by Frieda Hughes, Sylvia Plath’s daughter with Ted Hughes. Here is Cara’s wonderful post about it.
— I have been having a lot of fun reading all of the great tributes out there to the great Jean Stapleton, who just passed away at the age of 90. My God, what a talent. I very much enjoyed this LA Times appreciation of her. I will never forget seeing the episode “Edith’s 50th Birthday” when I was a kid. It was overwhelming. A man attempted to rape Edith Bunker, in her own home. I have seen the episode since, and it is still overwhelming. The acting is so good that it has to represent some kind of high watermark for television sit-coms. I’m still blown away by it.
Sheila, I really hope you make it to the TCM Festival next year. It was my first year, and I had the most wonderful experience, my sister and I seemed to be at the right place at the right time for much of the festival, an example- I was on my way to the restroom at the Roosevelt, when Jon Voight walked by me-I just happened upon the short interview Robert Osborne did with the men from Deliverance. Wonderful to see these actors and of course, John Boorman-and I must say, Ned Beatty was absolutely charming to the fans that talked to him afterwards. His wife is also very, very nice!!
We got the most expensive pass, and it was worth every penny not to have to wait in lines, we went from one venue to another with very little time in between. We met so many nice people, it was wonderful talking to all the classic film fans-just so much fun.
Yes, I really want to go! I loved Dennis’ words about Ned Beatty! I wish I had been there – but yes, maybe next year.
Glad you had fun – sounds like a good one!
I never saw that before – wow
Isn’t it just – beyond words? The acting! She is off the charts. But everyone is there.
xoxo