Tag: Frank Sinatra (Page 2 of 3)

American Idol: final four time

May 6, 2010 /

Well folks, we’ve reached the Final Four of “American Idol,” and we’re now just a few weeks away from finding out who this year’s champ will be. Are you all bored with the season and the fact that the talent is way watered down than in previous years? Apparently the ratings have dropped a bit too, as people miss Paula Abdul’s unpredictability and Adam Lambert’s screams.

Last night, the results show was excruciating. And if it weren’t for our DVR, I’d have pulled out what hair I have left on my head. Really, FOX? Did that show HAVE to be an hour long? There was enough banter between Ryan Seacrest and the judges to last an entire season.

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American Idol, External TV, Reality TV, TV

American Idol: Now THAT’s a mentor

May 5, 2010 /

On “American Idol,” we are really getting down to the wire, with five contestants remaining and the countdown to the grand finale later this month. So they broke out the big guns last night, with mentor Harry Connick, Jr. on hand to mentor the Idols and to even accompany them on piano, a first on the show. Dude even arranged the songs for each singer, and gave them exceptional advice…something you absolutely couldn’t say for most of the mentors this season. The theme was the king of crooners, Frank Sinatra, and his two daughters were on hand to commemorate….in fact, they presented Simon Cowell with a monogrammed handkerchief because they knew he was a big fan. Very cool.

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American Idol, External TV, Reality TV, TV

American Idol: no screaming here

April 29, 2010 /

It’s getting down to the wire on “American Idol,” to the point where it gets to be a bit unpredictable who might be sent home. I admitted yesterday that I had no idea who would be getting cut last night, and I was mildly surprised by the outcome. However, I did think this person was the worst of Tuesday night.

The show began with the first of many performances, as country superstars Rascal Flatts performed their new single, “Unstoppable.” I’ve never really understood why this band is so huge, and that was confirmed again last night….I don’t get the appeal. The song was pretty bad, too. But okay.

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American Idol, External TV, Reality TV, TV

“My Funny Valentine” is for everyone (updated)

February 14, 2010 /

I don’t think there’s any doubt that Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart’s standard is clearly among the very best pure love songs ever written. Below are two movie performances of “My Funny Valentine” from people we don’t ordinarily think of as musical performers.

From the 1957 film version of “Pal Joey,” below Kim Novak (“Vertigo“) mesmerizes Frank Sinatra as a worried Rita Hayworth steps in.

Those vocals were actually supplied by singer Trudy Erwin. Matt Damon, however, supplies his own voice for a very not-bad version from 1999’s terrific “The Talented Mr. Ripley.”

The Damon/Guy Barker Quartet version of the Rodgers & Hart masterpiece is somewhat inspired by Chet Baker’s classic recording of the tune, which you can hear here.

UPDATE: Roger Ebert takes a slightly similar tack. Great minds think alike, or something.

Actors, Actresses, External Entertainment, External Movies, Movie Dramas, Movies

“Mel Brooks Begins”

December 28, 2009 /

You can see Mel Brooks collecting his Kennedy Center Honor from the president on television Tuesday night, but only right here on the Internet can you see the first ever film by one of the funniest men in movie history.

In this 1963 Oscar winning animated short subject, a cantankerous old Jewish man (voiced by Brooks, of course) watches an abstract/experimental short in the style of Canada’s Norman McLaren. It’s called, “The Critic.”

Brooks wrote this, of course, but the actual director and producer who handled the animation was Ernest Pintoff. Nevertheless, I think we can agree that it’s really Mel’s movie.

Just for fun, just a few years later, Mel shows off his mimicry skills to chat-show host Dick Cavett and then-celebrity critic Rex Reed. This clip gets gradually funnier as it goes, and the Frank Sinatra bit is kind of a gas.

External Entertainment, External Movies, Humor, Movie Comedies, Movies, TV

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