Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween

Choose your activity for Tonight from the list below:

Trick-or-Treating
Visiting Haunted attractions
Costume Parties
Carving Pumpkins
Telling scary stories
Watching Horror Movies
Get Drunk
Stand still in front of your closet deciding what to do/ what to wear and after put up a pajama!

I'll have my Skyfall experience tonight!!! I'll enjoy for sure ;)  

Lucasfilm acquisition: George Lucas to explain the Disney Choice

Lucasfilm acquisition: George Lucas to explain the Disney Choice

For The Walt Disney Company is an Honour... 

Lucas melting Star Wars with Mickey Mouse

"I had to find a good solid home for the Company...and the first place I thought was Disney..." "I'm confident that Disney will take good care of the Company..." said George Lucas.

Starting with those simple words, Lucas has explained why he decided to find in the Disney World a new home for his visionary business: "I've been a big fan of Disney for all of my life... but I realized at some point I needed to retire..."

Robert Iger CEO of The Walt Disney Company signing the contract with George Lucas

The transaction value is $4.05 billion... 

Disney acquisition will never destroy Lucasfilm's identity, explained Robert A. Iger, chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company: “George Lucas is a true visionary and an innovative epic storyteller... Lucasfilm reflects the extraordinary passion, vision, and storytelling of its founder, George Lucas...” 

”Disney will also acquire the substantial portfolio of cutting-edge entertainment technologies that have kept audiences enthralled for many years.  Lucasfilm, headquartered in San Francisco, operates under the names Lucasfilm Ltd., LucasArts, Industrial Light & Magic, and Skywalker Sound, and the present intent is for Lucasfilm employees to remain in their current locations,” Disney said in a statement. (Source: CBSNews.com)

Disney will continue the Epic Star Wars Saga with Episode VII in theaters in 2015, so if George Lucas himself has considered Disney as one of the greatest and solid new shelter for his creations we are sure they'll make a great job!

New projects will include also television projects, consumers products, games and new theme park attractions!!!

Lucas is not going anyway as he said:"... I wanna go on doing other things, things in philanthropy, and doing more experimental kind of films..." 

Adding Lucasfilm to Disney’s portfolio of world class brands significantly enhances the company’s ability to serve consumers with a broad variety of the world’s highest-quality content and to create additional long-term value for our shareholders. (Source: ABCNews.com)

Disney to acquire Lucasfilm

Disney to acquire Lucasfilm

Check out the video
https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/blog/disney-acquire-lucasfilm

"Bob Iger just announced that The Walt Disney Company is acquiring Lucasfilm – the global entertainment company founded by George Lucas and the home of the legendary Star Wars franchise. In addition to getting the rights to one of the greatest family franchises and epic stories of all time, Disney is also acquiring all of Lucasfilm’s operating businesses – including Industrial Light and Magic and Skywalker Sound." (Disney Company-Press Release)

What would you do if you had 2000 $ to spend?

What would you do if you had 2000 $ to spend?

Well... I dunno what u'll do but for sure I know what I will do...

My choice is not banal /bəˈnɑːl, -ˈnal/ (adjective: so lacking in originality as to be obvious and boring - http://oxforddictionaries.com), even if you find words like FLIGHT, NEW YORK, DREAM, MUSIC, CONCERT, USA... and a man!!!

You'll also find words like... passion, childhood, movies, Academy Awards, Jaws...

well Jaws?!?! who the hell can have a dream concerning Jaws? Well me...

Now let me tell you a story... 

I was born in 1983, that year one of my favourite movies stars, Shirley MacLaine was making a movie that allowed her to win her first statuette... the movie was "Terms of Endearment", starring also the amazing Jack Nicholson... The man I'm dreaming about was probably seated at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Los Angeles close to Shirley MacLaine... but I didn't know because I was sleeping or drinking milk...

I grew up with Jaws, E.T., Indiana Jones (I was mad about Indy), Home Alone, The Witches of Eastwick, Star Wars, Born on the fourth of July, Jaws and Jurassic Park... but I can continue...  until today.

After a while my parent and I went to Universal Studios, L.A. for me was a dream... and I enjoyed E.T, Jurassic Park and Jaws attractions... 

I do have to admit that I discoverd lately that the music I was crazy about, that music that worked like a Madeleine for Proust, worked also for me... and every time I listened to HIS music there was something that started to move in my stomach... 

The Man I'm talking about, my $ 2000 dream, was born in 1932... and his name is JOHN WILLIAMS. 

Williams received 47 Academy Award nominations and he is the second most nominated person after Walt Disney. Williams has won 5 Academy Awards (Fiddler on the Roof, Jaws, Star Wars, E.T. and Shindler's List), 4 Golden Globe Awards, 7 BAFTA Awards, and 21 Grammy Awards.

Being my madeleine, I would like to see him conducting his orchestra...

I'm sure John Williams’ concert will be one of the best live shows I could see in my entire life... he's a legend... and I'm really mad about him... I'm sure my stomach will go crazy... 

so... the question was: What would you do if you had 2000 $ to spend? 

I would buy a flight from Milan to New York  March  16, 2013

I would sleep at the Waldorf Astoria

I would have my bagle NY style 

...and finally on March 18, 2013 I would buy a dress... a simple long dress...

ready to see John... and let my butterflies fly away...

 

John Williams conducting, and with his Academy Award in 1977 for Star Wars

Mr. Broccoli's Irving Thalberg Acceptance speech

Mr. Broccoli's Irving Thalberg Acceptance speech

                        1981 Cubby Broccoli receiving the Irving Thalberg Award from Roger Moore

Click below to see the video of Cubby's acceptance speech: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-Z2-d_zDZQ

 A Man, a producer, a pioneer... Cubby Broccoli

Filming Dr. No 1962

In 1950 he moved to London and after a while with Producer Harry Saltzman, he started  one of the luckiest, long lasting and successful collaboration in the production of James Bond Movies.

They created the EON Production (Everything or Nothing Production), and in 1962 Harry and Cubby produced the first Bond movie, Dr. No, starring Sean Connery (despite the fact that Ian Fleming was not convinced about the unknown Sean Connery playing that role).

Cubby's involvement in the Bond series continued until his death in 1996 in Beverly Hills. His daughter Barbara and his stepson Michael G. Wilson, have since produced the James Bond films and the success will continue... 

 Daniel Craig in Skyfall

Source: blockbuster.co.uk

'Skyfall' has scored the second best ever opening weekend at the UK box office.
The 23rd James Bond movie - starring Daniel Craig as the suave spy - took an impressive £20.1 million from Friday (26.10.12) to Sunday (29.10.12), becoming the biggest ever 007 opening weekend.
Sony executive Rory Bruer said of the takings: ''This picture has such an incredible DNA and to be so loved by critics and audiences alike will push it be one of the biggest, if not biggest, Bond pics.''
Producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli added: ''We are absolutely overwhelmed with the reaction to 'Skyfall' this weekend. It is particularly thrilling as the UK is home to James Bond and it being the 50th anniversary year.'' 

 Cubby Broccoli, Sean Connery, Ian Fleming and Harry Saltzman

Cubby's star @ Hollywood Walk of Fame 6910 Hollywood Blvd.

 

 Cubby, Harry and actor Roger Moore

 Enjoy this video: 

"Albert R. Broccoli- Bond and Beyond: Opening Night"

http://www.bfi.org.uk/live/video/10

"Albert R “Cubby” Broccoli, the legendary James Bond producer. The man behind the most iconic film series of all times has inspired every generation with his dazzling work." (Source: bfi.org.uk)

HURRICANE SANDY: Film star Bounty sinks in Hurricane Sandy

HURRICANE SANDY

Film star Bounty sinks in Hurricane Sandy; one crew member dead, captain missing

 

 Marlon Brando in "Mutiny of the Bounty"

A file photo taken on July 30, 2003 shows the "HMS Bounty" sailing past the Chicago skyline as the city of Chicago hosts the largest "Tall Ship" festival ever in the Great Lakes. (AFP Photo/Jeff Haynes)

 Mutiny on the Bounty

"Mutiny on the Bounty" starring Marlon Brando  has been one of the greatest movies of the 60's. The movie received seven academy Awars nominations and three for the Gloden Globes in 1963.

1963 was the year of Award winning "To kill a mockingbird" and "Lawrence of Arabia", so "Mutiny on the Bounty" did not get any Award, but we cannot forget the Cinematography of Robert L. Surtees (The Sting, Ben Hur, The Graduate), or the set decoration of Joseph McMillan Johnson (Gone with the Wind, The Wizard of Oz). The cast was amazing, apart from Brando, Academy Award and Golden Globe winner for "On the Waterfront", we had Richard Harris (The Count of Monte Cristo, the future Albus Dumbledore in Harry Potter), Hugh Griffith (Ben-Hur), Trevor Howard(Gandhi) and Tarita Teriipia (the future third wife of Marlon Brando and Golden Globe nominated actress for "Mutiny on the Bounty"). The replica of the original Bounty was built for the movie in 1962.

Hurricane Sandy

The HMS Bounty, a 180-foot sailboat, is shown submerged in the Atlantic Ocean during Hurricane Sandy approximately 90 miles southeast of Hatteras, North Carolina in this U.S. Coast Guard handout picture taken October 29, 2012. (Source: RT.COM)

"The ship Bounty – has sunk off the North Carolina coast in Hurricane Sandy. One crew member is dead and the captain is missing after the ship failed to survive the storm. ­As the ship’s engines failed, the crew put on survival suits before abandoning the vessel as it went down in the immense waves" (Source: AP reported).

"A replica of the H.M.S. Bounty, a tall ship built for the 1962 movie “Mutiny on the Bounty” starring Marlon Brando and used in the recent “Pirates of the Caribbean” series, sank off the North Carolina coast. The Coast Guard said the 180-foot three-masted ship went down near the Outer Banks after being battered by 18-foot-high seas and thrashed by 40-m.p.h. winds. The body of one crew member, Claudene Christian, 42, was recovered. Another crew member remained missing." (Source: The New York Times - By JAMES BARRON and J. DAVID GOODMAN Published: October 30, 2012) 

Click here for more live infos about Hurricane Sandy: http://www.nytimes.com/

we pray for all Hurricane Sandy victims and their families...

stay tuned...  

Moneypenny... same name different story

Moneypenny... same name different story

 Lois Maxwell with Sean Connery 

 Lois Maxwell with Roger Moore

Lois Maxwell with George Lazenby

Satrting her career as M's secretary, Miss Moneypenny' character appeared since 1962's "Dr.No" and has been present for 40 years, till 2002 with her last appearance in "Die another Day" starring Pierce Brosnan.
The most famous Moneypenny is actress Lois Maxwell who sat in Moneypenny’s chair in 14 Bond films from 1962 to 1985. Not only "Penny" was the confidential clerk and private secretary to M, but she has always had a secret attraction and a special affinity with James Bond. Ian Fleminghimself approved her casting, confiding to her after filming wrapped on Dr.No: “I envisioned a tall, elegant woman with the most kissable lips in theworld. You are her!” (Source: cinemaretro.com)
Caroline Bliss and Samantha Bond played Penny respectively during Timothy Dalton years (1987/1989), and Pierce Brosnan years (1995/2002).

 

Caroline Bliss and Timothy Dalton

Samantha Bond and Pierce Brosnan

As we know the role of Miss Moneypenny was not cast in the following Bond films, Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace but Penny is coming back... and her character is completely new! No more "Mind the Desk" for Miss Moneypenny!!! In Skyfall, actress Naomie Harris "plays a field agent operating under the name Eve, who later turns out to be Moneypenny. She teams up with Daniel Craig’s 007, which allows Naomie to show off her action skills — as well as her sultry side." (Source: The Sun, Oct. 21, 2012)

 Moneypenny actress Naomie Harris in action (Skyfall 2012)

That how Penny turned into a perfect Bond Girl!
Stay Tuned... Uncle Oscar 

Q or the nicest character of the James Bond Series

Q or the nicest character of the James Bond Series

The pre-Craig era 

 Pierce Brosnan and Desmond Llewelyn as Q

For sure the new generation of James Bond followers with Daniel Craig as Agent Double-o-Seven, cannot remember Q, but if you jump into past James Bond's movies, you cannot forget that funny character.
Peter Burton was the first actor of the Eon Production era playing Q in Dr. No 1962, but the most remarkable actor playing that role in seventeen movie from 1963 to 1999 was Desmond Llewelyn. He worked with five different actors, and except "Live and let die" 1973, he played his role in every Eon Prduction's Bond movie. Starting from "From Russia with Love" the second 007 movie with Sean Connery, he ended his career with Pierce Brosnan's third movie "The World is not enough" in 1999. In 2002 actor John Cleese substituted Desmond Llewelyn who died in December 1999. Desmond Llewelyn remains the actor who played the same role in Bond series for the longest period of time.

Q famous quotes:  "pay attention, 007" "I never joke about my work, 007"

Craig era and Skyfall

                                                  Daniel Craig and Ben Whishaw as Q

Daniel Craig has never had the Q character helping him in the past two movies "Casino Royale" and "Quantum of Solace", but now in the new movie Skyfall he's gonna deserve it. Not only Q is coming back after 10 years, but Ben Whishaw (born 1980) is going to be the youngest Q ever. Since technology has changed a lot we need young and fresh mind... up to date with technology! We just hope he doesn't lose his Britishness... we'll see

Stay Tuned

Evolution of Bond Girls

Evolution of Bond Girls 

 Ursula Andress as Honey Ryder, Dr. No 1962

We start from 1962 with the very first Bond Girl, Ursula Andress, performing Honey Ryder in Dr. No, but you cannot forget Pussy Galore in Goldfinger, 1964, or Domino Derval in Thunderball, Miss Octopussy or Electra King, Jinx or Vesper Lynd... choose your Bond Girl...'njoy

 

Bond on the Hollywood Blvd... yes or not

Bond on the Hollywood Blvd... yes or not 

Eon Production with "Cubby" Broccoli

From 1962 for 50 years the Eon Production, a film production company started by Albert "Cubby" Broccoli, produced 23 James Bond Movies with 6 different Actors, from Sean Connery to Daniel Craig, but we cannot forget George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton and Pierce Brosnan. Of those six actors, Pierce Brosnan and Roger Moore are the only actors to have received stars on the Walk of Fame on Hollywood Boulevard. Sir Sean Connery does not have his own star, but... WE ARE WAITING!!! 

                                             Roger Moore

                                            Pierce Brosnan

Moore's star sits in front of 7007 Hollywood Blvd, and Pierce Brosnan's is in 7083 Hollywood Blvd.

Sir Sean Connery has his own Footprints at Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. 

                                        Sir Sean Connery

   Sir Sean Connery Footprints at Chinese Theatre Hollywood

Non-Eon films The very first James

David Niven adapted the role of James Bond into a parody, and he played 007 in the original Casino Royale in 1967. He has two stars, the one for Motion Picture in the south side of the 6300 block of Hollywood Boulevard, and the other for Television on the west side of the 1600 block of Vine Street. 

The very first James

 Mr. Berry Nelson, not only was the first actor playing Agent 007 in a movie in Casino Royale, he is also one of the two non-English actors playing the role of James Bond. He has his star for Television achievement at 6259 Hollywood Blvd. 

James on the Radio Outsiders

In 1956, Bob Holness provided the voice for James Bond in a South African radio adaption of the Ian Fleming novel Moonraker. (Source: 007james.com)

Outsiders

Christopher Cazenove played James Bond in Omnibus: The British Hero, a documentary and literary review style show on the BBC. He acted out several scenes from Ian Fleming's novels, Goldfinger, where James Bond is nearly killed with a chainsaw (as opposed to the laser in the film Goldfinger). (Source: 007james.com)

 Stay tuned for more on 007... 

Goldfinger, golden statuette...

Goldfinger, golden statuette...

 

                                           Shirley Eaton, the Golden Girl 

 

It's April 5, 1965, the location is the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, the host of the ceremony is the amazing Bob Hope and James Bond is going to receive his first Nomination and Oscar. Introduced by the astonishing beauty of Angie Dickinson (Rio Bravo, Ocean's 11, Dressed to Kill) Goldfinger is taking back his gold stuff... 

  Norman Wanstall with his wife Jan receiving his Award for Sound Effects for Goldfinger 1964
  

Enjoy the video of Norman Wanstall acceptance speech

click here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8R67Tqvk0KI

Mr.Wanstall remembers that night, From Double-O-Seven Magazine Interview:

"When my wife and I arrived in LA we never thought for a moment that I’d return with an award, but when we discovered there were only two nominees in my category we realised that I might indeed have to mount the stage! [The other nominee was Robert Bratton for The Lively Set]. From the very start we were treated with tremendous respect and on the evening of the event we were seated in a prime position as all nominees are placed near the front. To be seated in an auditorium on such a night was an unforgettable experience with every famous Hollywood face visible wherever one looked. Bob Hope was the master of ceremonies and got the proceedings off to a humorous start and it wasn’t long before the gorgeous Angie Dickinson appeared on stage to announce the Sound Effects nominees. When my name was called out the orchestra immediately opened up with the Goldfinger theme and I felt dizzy with pride as I mounted the stage and received the statuette from Angie. ('Could this really be happening?' I thought to myself?) When I looked out at the audience I found the glare of the lighting was so bright that one couldn’t easily make out individual faces, so any feeling of nerves remarkably receded. My short speech was received with rapturous applause and I walked off arm-in-arm with Angie to meet the press. When I finally returned to my seat my wife was dreamy-eyed as, apart from the fact that her husband had just won an Oscar, she had just seen the one-and-only Judy Garland singing live! The whole event was totally surreal but obviously an event that will stay in my memory forever. The ceremony was followed immediately afterwards by a lavish ball where one could eat, drink and dance with the stars. Charlton Heston came across for a chat and kindly signed my programme. My wife and I had to smile at the fact that if one nudged someone on the dance floor the chances were it would at least turn out to be Gregory Peck!" 
"...Without doubt, From Russia with Love is my favourite Bond movie but I cannot deny that Casino Royale has taken the series into a new era. Daniel Craig will never replace Sean but, with the films taking on a new image, I believe he was perfect casting. I thought the film was masterfully directed by Martin Campbell and no other Bond film can match its production values. If I were to see Russia and Casino tomorrow back to back for the first time it’s difficult to predict which I would prefer, but my instinct tells me it would be Casino Royale."

Stay tuned 007...

James Bond ringing at the Academy’s Doorbell…

James Bond ringing at the Academy’s Doorbell…

                                                    The famous Gunbarrel sequence...

It was the 37^th Academy Awards edition, it was the year of My Fair Lady and Mary Poppins, but also Dr. Strangelove, Becket and Zorba the Greek. We have to go back to 1965 to have the very first Academy Awards nomination in a James Bond Movie. Well we have to say that James Bond’s adventure had started only three years before, in 1962 with Dr. No, but it was just with Goldfinger that James started to ring at the Academy’s Doorbell. 

One of the main characteristics of all 007 movies has always been the music… that well known motif, that musical fragment or succession of notes that we’ve learned to love that introduces the action, shooting and murders. Since 1962 many different arrangements of the same theme have been used... and when you hear that you know what’s going on!!! 

Despite the two libel actions against John Barry that actually re-arranged the Theme and gave the birth to that lucky Theme, Monty Norman is recognized as the father of The James Bond Theme.

 The Best Sound Editing Award was established in 1963 and the next year Norman Wanstall won for Goldfinger, becoming the first James Bond Movie winning an Oscar. From that day on, James received a total of nine nominations, winning only in 1965 for Best Visual Effects with John Stears in Thunderball. Sean Connery remained the one and only Mr. Bond having his movies winning Oscars. 

                                                                              Sean Connery in Goldfinger

The other Nominations are:

Diamonds are Forever, 1971, nominated for the Best Sound (Gordon K. McCallum, John W. Mitchell, Al Overton). Diamonds are Forever was the return and last appearance of Sean Connery as James Bond after the non-breakthrough performance of George Lazenby.  

Live and Let Die, 1973, nominated for Best Music, Song (Paul and Linda McCartney for "Live and Let Die"). Live and Let Die the first to star Roger Moore as Agent 007.

The Spy who Loved Me, 1977, nominated for  Best Art Direction - Set Decoration (Ken Adam, Peter Lamont, Hugh Scaife), Best Music, Original Score (Marvin Hamlisch), Best Music, Song (Marvin Hamlisch for music, and Carole Bayer Sager for lyrics for "Nobody Does it Better"). The Spy who Loved Me remains the James Bond Movie with more nominations but no Awards. 

Moonraker, 1979, nominated for Best Effects, Visual Effects (Derek Meddings, Paul Wilson, John Evans). 

For your Eyes Only, 1981, nominated for Best Music, Song (Bill Conti for music, and Mick Leeson and Sheena Easton  for lyrics for "For Your Eyes Only").  Moonraker and For your Eyes Only are the fourth and the fifth movie to star Roger Moore. 

                                                 Roger Moore in The Spy who loved me

Roger Moore is also the actor that played Bond for the longest period (twelve year) and six movies:  Live and Let Die (1973), The Man with the Golden Gun (1974), The Spy Who Loved Me (1977), Moonraker (1979), For Your Eyes Only (1981), Octopussy (1983) and A View to a Kill (1985).

Maybe the 2013 could be the return of Mr. Bond ringing Academy’s Doorbell with Dame Judy Dench or Daniel Craig (don't really believe that), as Producer Barbara Broccoli said: 

 

Daniel Craig in Skyfall 

"This year it might be different. Producers believe Dame Judi Dench's performance as M in Skyfall, the 23rd Bond adventure, is worthy of an Oscar and are campaigning for her to be nominated.
Skyfall is Dench's seventh outing as the formidable MI6 chief but the latest film puts her at the heart of the action for the first time.
The 77-year-old actress is much admired by the academy. She has been nominated for six films and won the best supporting actress Oscar in 1999 for her eight-minute cameo in Shakespeare In Love.
Barbara Broccoli, who took over production of the Bond films from her late father, Albert "Cubby" Broccoli, expressed her frustration about the franchise being overlooked.
"Over the years they have made ground-breaking contributions to cinema. I am surprised that there haven't been acting nominations, if not for Bond then for the support," she said.
Broccoli said she "wouldn't be surprised if Judi were nominated for this one".
A nomination for Daniel Craig as Bond should not be out of the question either, according to Broccoli, who described him as "that extraordinary combination of movie star and great actor". (©The Daily Telegraph | 24 october, 2012 00:12)