Last week, I got asked to play with the Golden State Pops Orchestra for their next concert. If it weren’t for the actual concert hall we sat in, I’d believe that I had been transported to a soundstage recording an orchestral tracking session for film/television!

Film composer/conductor Stu Philips (Battlestar Galactica, Knight Rider) conducted last week’s rehearsal in a downright old-timing New York attitude, experience-ridden, industry-worn way that reminded me of the great Leonard Bernstein’s down-to-business rehearsing/recording of West Side Story.

I miss it. The fast pace of rehearsal. The pressure, to play perfectly the second time the ensemble sight reads some tougher-than-classical film music. The professionalism of showing up and expecting to be on your game, in the moment, and never missing a beat (literally). The preparation that had been done before I got to my seat: bowings marked out by the principal player already, everyone in their seats, everyone stops playing as soon as the baton stops beating. Not a second to waste or a rhythm to miss.

Also conducting us is Jason Livesay, a wonderful APU alumnus, violinist, composer, conductor. Yep, he orchestrated the end titles for the new film, Astro Boy, which we will be performing. It stars the boy from August Rush, FYI. Simply gorgeous themes; pretty epic and inspiring. And here it is--for your enjoyment!

Astro Boy (John Ottman, composer; Jason Livesay, orchestrator)

It seems we have moved into and era of film making that is highly practiced on remakes, recreations, sequels, and prequels.  For most of these, I am filled with frustration and disappointment at these second tries and uncreative recreations of older more original works, but I must also give credit for those who have successfully reinterpreted and refashioned classic works into something new, something great and something their own.   The remake of a previously great plot, idea or film can be a risky venture for filmmakers and I want to discuss a few successful and respectable triumphs in such ventures.

 The first is the reason for my writing this article at this particular time.  I recently saw Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds, which is a loose recreation of The Dirty Dozen, and loved it.   Rather than being a complete remake it’s a fresh and uniquely beautiful blend of classic influences, and in doing so Tarantino created a new style of war film.

The first scene of the second chapter (early in the film) is a clear callout to the original Dirty Dozen while Tarantino’s love for Sergio Leone’s spaghetti westerns (especially The Good, the Bad and the Ugly) also clearly has its influence.   The spaghetti western influence was most prominent in the peculiar use of the score and the introduction of the characters.

Another recent and successful remake is 3:10 to Yuma, a remake of the famous western of the same name starring Glenn Ford.  The reasons I feel this is a successful remake are quite different from those of Inglourious Basterds. 

What impressed me most on this remake is the  successful capture of the classic western feel achieved by the remake.  Its creators decided to remain true to the classic genre and stayed honest.  Watching the new film felt very much like watching a good old western.  This strict return to the classic themes and genre stands quite unique among other modern films and is refreshing to young and modern audiences.

Possibly one of the greatest remakes ever achieved would have to You’ve Got Mail, the 1998 remake of Jimmy Stewart’s 1940 The Shop Around the Corner.   The transition from a letter writing to an Internet and e-mail writing culture provided the perfect chance to retell and old story in a completely new light and setting.  The finished product is a charming and witty tale filled with literary reminders of simpler times.  Plus, it’s Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan.

I must also mention the new Gone in Sixty Seconds.  This is a great action flick in a time of too few good car movies.  It also helps that it is the remake of a film originally med entirely by stunt drivers.  The original is fun thrill ride for car guys but offers little less as half the film is 45 minutes of some of the greatest driving and chase put in a film (and that’s just one of the car chases).  The remake offers most of that driving excitement with the addition of a plot and some acting.  (Although, the new one may have the better car the original has the better car chase.)

Also, as an honorable mention, I should mention Ocean’s Eleven.  Consider it mentioned.

When I first heard of the economic troubles some of the major American automotive companies were having my first fear was the possibility of an America without those companies and their cars, each so vital to the American culture.  Now, following the filing of bankruptcy of GM those fears are being realized. 

Newspapers report GM is soon to be government owned, and will be reduced to just four companies (Chevy, Cadillac, Buick and GMC).  Also, dealerships all across the nation will not have their franchise agreements renewed for the next year affecting towns all across the U.S. 

Again one of my first fears concerning GM’s troubles has been realized. The Hatfield Buick dealership of my hometown Redlands, CA will not have its agreement renewed after 100 years of selling cars. It joined Buick in 1913 after Hatfield had been selling cars since 1909.  It’s the oldest Buick dealer in the U.S., probably the world.

1913 Buick

Currently owned by the original Hatfield’s grandson, the dealership is trying to petition to GM for the renewal of the contract and the continued life of an important center to the city’s heritage and culture. If this fight is lost it will not only mean the loss of a place to buy a car and the cars themselves, but the city of Redlands (with its people) will lose a piece of itself.

 For more information visit these links and savehatfieldbuick.com (to show your support).

ABC7 News

Redlands Daily Facts

This post is in response to and in praise of Blaze Danielle’s post at http://blazedanielle.wordpress.com.

Here is my list of favorite black and white movies.  It is also meant to provide great films of introduction for those who don’t watch, are indifferent of, or don’t like black and white movies.  Try a few of these.  If you have seen them please comment; if not, watch them then comment.  The top ten counts down to my favorite.

Angels with Dirty Faces (1938)

 This is the gangster movie that made James Cagney.  It’s the story of a couple of friends, one grows up to be a priest and the other a gangster.  The ending is intense.

All About Eve (1950)

 This is a hilariously wity comedy starring the great Bette Davis.

Bringing Up Baby (1938)

Alfred Hitchcock's Strangers on a Train (1951)

Key Largo (1948)

The Big Sleep (1946)

Another great Bogart and BaCall.  This one is based on a classic Raymond Chandler LA noir novel.  If you haven’t seen a Bogart and BaCall try this one.  I will warn you the plot gets fairly twisted; but a lot of people like that.

The Philadelphia Story (1940)

A comedy of manners starring Katarine Hepburn, Cary Grant and Jimmy Stewart.  That’s enough for me.

Casablanca (1942)

This is just plain classic.  It’s so well made and acted in every area.  It has a great cast (even the smallest characters) including Peter Lorre, a favorite of mine.  I only wish he had more screen time.

It's a Wonderful Life (1946)

Love it.  It’s Jimmy Stewart!  See my earlier posts.

Charlie Chaplin's City Lights (1931)

This silent is hilarious and touching and spectacularly smooth flowing.  Chaplin was the master.  Also, the final scene is easily one of the best scenes ever fillmed.  Again, see my earlier posts (See These Movies, An Eloquent Silence). 

HT: Gizmodo

This, for Hector. And his answer? “Always.”

Apparently, scientists have never seen any Sci-Fi movie…ever.

Receiving my latest edition of the American String Teachers Association newsletter, a headline read that a cabinet-level post for Arts and Humanities was gaining momentum. It pointed to an article in the Washington Post about the urge for this minister of culture and the potential for it with the ushering of a new president.

If there’s a theme I keep seeing, it’s simply put by Alex Ross’ blog (http://www.therestisnoise.com):

…art and politics have never mixed well on American soil. Anyone who favors a “Secretary of Culture” ought to read up on the political firestorm that consumed the WPA arts projects in the late 1930s. But symbolic gestures — recitals at the White House, attendance at concerts, and so forth — can send a strong signal.

Seeing some parallels? Economy of the ’30s. Economy of the… ’00s (I guess?) We know how well music and the arts did in the former, how will it do today?

I am hopeful of an administration that will support the arts, and advancing culture boosts good society (you’ve played Civilization 3 on PC, right?), all bolstered by the wonderful sight of John Williams’ piece for the inauguration, Air and Simple Gifts ushering in the new administration. The diversity (yikes, the D-word) of the performers was a good statement. This feels like a hopeful beginning to a more watchful eye for this side of culture.

Politics or not, Arts Secretary or not…

What do you see for the distant future?

I kind of miss being in Azusa.  It’s been great to be in Oregon, family and friends will be dearly missed.  But I am anxious to get back.

I re-watched the Star Wars saga over Christmas break.  It was awesome.  I introduced it to my younger brother and he loves it.  It was so fun to see him get into like I used to as a kid.

In 2 months, I’m going to be an uncle.  Holy crap.  I’m getting older.

In 4 months, I’m graduating.  Holy crap.  I’m getting older.

In 6 months, my parents are moving to San Diego.  It will be weird to “go home” to a house I’ve never been to, and not have a room to come home to.  I’m sort of on my own now, but not really, but come graduation, I’m on my own. Holy crap I’m getting old.

Check out Jen Stark’s paper artwork.  It’s incredible.

I’ve pretty much decided that I’ll probably go to APU for grad school. It’s not ideal, but it’s free. That’s a tough price to beat.

It’ll be weird next year…working. Like a day job. I’m not really looking forward to it.

The Periodic Table of Awesoments. ‘Nuff said.

When I was a kid, Christmas used to have a magic to it. I used to go to bed early on Christmas Eve, wake up at 6:30 and try to get my parents up so that we could open presents. And it was the best thing in the world. Since entering college, Christmas has lost its magic completely. Am I the only one this has happened to?

I hate speling errors. And unnecessary apostrophe’s. (And parentheses that never close.

I miss people in Azusa. Particularly playing music with them.

Saturday Night Live has been cranking out some great skits lately. Andy Samberg, Fred Armisen, Kristin Wiig, and Bill Hader crack me up the most.

I’m putting stuff together for my Senior Recital. I’ve got a lot of work ahead of me.

Everyone and their Mother is getting married. I can name 7 couples that are my age that either just got married or are engaged. It’s ridiculous. That makes me feel old.

I like facebook. A lot. Don’t get me wrong. I just don’t like non-college age people on it. Like my relatives.

If you’ve made it this far, I applaud you. I would’ve given up at the second sentence. Here’s a present.

No, I don’t think this post could have been any more random.

Happy New Year!)

(I had to.)

Most, if not all, of what we enjoy during the Christmas season comes from older and ancient generations. The holiday, after all, is the celebration of a glorious event that first occurred over two thousand years ago. Its best and most characteristically Christmas practices have a lengthy history dating back many generations. Think of caroling, it is a basic and strictly Christmas tradition. It’s an old tradition, so much so that many dress in period clothing to carol. We are indebted to the culture of past celebrators of Christmas for this joyous and festive practice that so many continue to enjoy today. I say we are indebted because I cannot see the modern generation creating and enjoying the tradition of caroling if we had not inherited it. It is the product of a vastly different culture.

I am not sure today’s generation would move on their own to write and compose Christmas carols, banding together to walk in the chill air from house to house singing their songs to each of their neighbors. If the this generation were to start such a tradition it would be vastly different, probably consisting of overly secular pop and rock songs to be sung at concerts through microphones and speakers.

What I love about Christmas is the way such a large portion of the population embraces the old. For this season peoples’ favorites in film and music become more classic. People suddenly desire to watch black-and-white, they want to hear Sinatra, Crosby and Nat King Cole.

In this modern times nostalgia we create blends of present and past. We each have our own visions for the perfect Christmas home and it generally blends classic decorations and traditions with modern convinces and trends. Homes are decorated in lights as they have been for generations but new technologies make them more ornate and glamorous. Indoors rooms once lit by electricity and bulbs are now lit by candle flame. DVDs with video of crackling fireplaces matched with Christmas carols enter homes to be played and viewed on the television. Why go through such lengths to put a fire in the living room? Because this is Christmas and that’s the way it was in the old days.