(no subject)

The Tyee recently wrote an article about Dominic Ali, who wrote a book about how the media targets kids . The book is pretty cool. It's a comic style book aimed at children, which helps them understand how corporations control the media and how the media is controlled by advertising. It had a lot of information in it that even I didn't know. The book isn't preachy; it just helps give children a better understanding in a fun way. Dominic came into the store a while ago to sign his book and that's when I had a good look at it.

Oscar project- The Greatest show on Earth

The latest addition to the Oscar Project is The Greatest Show on Earth , which won Best picture in 1952. This picture, which was directed by Cecil Demille, pays homage to the Barnum and Bailey circus. It's a long movie, with many shots that are simply circus performances. However, I really liked this movie, because I felt it gave an interesting dramatization into what circus life might be like both behind and in front of the curtain. It's also an homage to a bizarre era and art form.

There are a lot of good things about this movie. Numerous real life circus performers and animals are involved. There are huge circus production numbers, and many strange shots of suburban families eating things like caramel corn and cotton candy in the circus stands. Apparently Bing Crosby is one of the people in the stands, but I didn't spot his cameo.

This movie furthered Charlton Heston's career. It was only his second film, but he gave a decent performance as circus boss, Brad Braden. Betty Hutton is a high flying trapeze artist who performed all her own stunts in this movie. Gloria Grahame is great as a tough talking lady who spends a lot of the film riding an elephant or being carried around in its trunk. Jimmy Stewart is enjoyable as a clown with a mysterious past. His character keeps his make-up on for the whole movie. Research revealed he wanted this small part because he'd always wanted to play a clown.

I have to agree with the reviewer on Amazon who says that this movie is like a bologna sandwich. You know it's sort of packaged and perhaps not exceptional, but once you start it, you get hooked, enjoy it and want to devour it all.

(no subject)

Do you ever see a picture and get a tingly feeling of attraction?