Monday, April 04, 2011

The Gift of Music

Have you given the gift of music to a young child in your family or circle of friends yet? Kids can appreciate music more than you think. I remember very clearly getting my very own record single (45 rpm record - dating myself here) when I was four and it made me very happy. I then received a kiddy piano when I was five. I firmly believe these early gifts are the reason why I am an avid fan music and why it makes me SO incredibly happy.

Curious to know which record I received? Boogie Oogie Oogie, by A Taste of Honey. Granted Disco has not been esteemed as great music in history but this is probably why most of my favored songs on constant iPod rotation are dance songs. My love of music and genres thankfully expanded since then but I hold a very fond memory for this particular song because of the fact that is was my very own.


Who gives records today? I know that is probably what you are thinking. Honestly, I don't purchase CDs as often as I use to either unless I really want the cover art or there is a great sale. The principle is the same though spend the time with a child and enjoy music together.


When one of my nephew was three/four he would visit me and I remember playing songs and dancing/jumping on the bed with him a bit as well. Hey 'm an auntie I can break the rules a bit! He is now nine and he also remembers screaming Kelly Clarkson's "Since You've Been Gone" at the top of his lungs. Probably not the best song either, don't judge me. Note he also likes some Rolling Stones courtesy of my wide varied collection. I can only hope he also expands his taste across genres. His little brother who is four now actually favors "Hit The Road Jack" by Ray Charles and "Fireflies" by Owl City, so I think we'll be OK.


- My two cents for today.

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Golden Globe Film Winner Predictions

My prediction for tonight's Golden Globe Awards film categories. I listed who I think should win and who I think will win. I don't watch as much TV as I do movies so I only made selections for cinema categories. (Winner predictions in bold)
(Actual Winners in RED)

Best Motion Picture (Drama) - difficult to choose
Incorrect pick :(
Black Swan
The Fighter
Inception
The King's Speech
The Social Network

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama - should and will win
Correct pick :)
Halle Berry – Frankie and Alice
Nicole Kidman – Rabbit Hole
Jennifer Lawrence – Winter's Bone
Natalie Portman – Black Swan
Michelle Williams – Blue Valentine

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama - should win
Incorrect pick :(
Jesse Eisenberg – The Social Network
Colin Firth – The King's Speech
James Franco – 127 Hours
Ryan Gosling – Blue Valentine
Mark Wahlberg – The Fighter

Best Motion Picture (Comedy or Musical) - will win, Alice is close
Correct pick :)
Alice in Wonderland
Burlesque
The Kids Are All Right
Red
The Tourist

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Comedy Or Musical - Should win
Incorrect pick :(
Annette Bening – The Kids Are All Right
Anne Hathaway – Love & Other Drugs
Angelina Jolie – The Tourist
Julianne Moore – The Kids Are All Right
Emma Stone – Easy A

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy Or Musical - Should win
Incorrect pick :(
Johnny Depp – Alice in Wonderland
Johnny Depp – The Tourist
Paul Giamatti – Barney's Version
Jake Gyllenhaal – Love & Other Drugs
Kevin Spacey – Casino Jack

Best Performance by an Actress In A Supporting Role in a Motion Picture - Should and will win
Incorrect pick :(
Amy Adams – The Fighter
Helena Bonham Carter – The King's Speech
Mila Kunis – Black Swan
Melissa Leo – The Fighter
Jacki Weaver – Animal Kingdom

Best Performance by an Actor In A Supporting Role in a Motion Picture - Should and will win
Correct pick :)
Christian Bale – The Fighter
Michael Douglas – Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps
Andrew Garfield – The Social Network
Jeremy Renner – The Town
Geoffrey Rush – The King's Speech

Best Animated Feature Film - Should and will win
Incorrect pick :(
Despicable Me
How to Train Your Dragon
The Illusionist
Tangled
Toy Story 3

Best Director - Motion Picture - Should win
Incorrect pick :(
Darren Aronofsky – Black Swan
David Fincher – The Social Network
Tom Hooper – The King's Speech
Christopher Nolan – Inception
David O. Russell – The Fighter

Best Screenplay - Motion Picture - Difficult choice should win
Correct pick :)
Simon Beaufoy, Danny Boyle - 127 Hours
Christopher Nolan - Inception
Stuart Blumberg, Lisa Cholodenko - The Kids Are All Right
David Seidler - The King's Speech
Aaron Sorkin - The Social Network