tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54243487145427303962024-03-17T23:03:31.534-07:00Gregory Blair: Adventures in HollywoodAn actor, writer, director and producer just doing my thing, hoping a few people get some pleasure out of it.Gregory Blairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03113739997762691070noreply@blogger.comBlogger128125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5424348714542730396.post-84666136616443289202024-02-05T07:11:00.000-08:002024-02-05T15:26:26.956-08:00<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Well, it's been absurdly long since I posted anything. Partly due to a lack of inspiration to write here...and partly due to personal struggles.<br /><br />I'm still not sure I'm going to keep this blog up, but for now I thought I'd let you know I'm finally working on a new film of my own--a drama called THE MYSTERY OF EMMA THORN.<br /><br />With film on the brain, I've been catching up on the 2023 film I wanted to see, but missed in their debut months. I'm still watching, but here's a list of what I've seen so far and my short takes on them.<br /><br />Read whatever interests you. And remember: these are just my opinions; you're welcome to hold entirely different ones. It's art. It's always somewhat subjective. That's part of the magic of it: our experience of it is a blend of the film and our own history, personality, mood, taste and more. <br /><br />So, understanding that, here are my thoughts...</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span>In
alphabetical order:</span><span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>AMERICAN FICTION (A-)<br /></b>In a world of “fake news”,
writer/director Cord Jefferson’s feature debut “American Fiction” is a near
perfect comedy/drama about smalltime Black novelist (a brilliant Jeffrey
Wright) who, using a pen name, hits the big time writing the very sort of
racial pandering novel he hates and the snowballing charade that results. At
once a witty satire of the media’s marketing of Black voices and a picture of
one artist’s crisis with personal integrity, the film proves alternately
poignant and hilarious. The acting is perfection across the board (standouts
include those playing the writer’s struggling family, especially Sterling
K. Brown as his messy, newly-out brother) and the savvy score buoys
the proceedings deliciously. The first act is a hair too long, but that’s a small
quibble in a film that so effectively skewers the publishing world, Hollywood,
the perpetuation of stereotypes, and the public’s love of trashy
confessionals—even if they’re a complete fiction. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="font-family: georgia;"><br />ASTEROID CITY (A-)<br /></b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Wes Anderson’s latest mix of
comedic whimsy and topical depth will delight his fans and, hopefully, gain him
a few more. A story within a story of a playwright struggling to make sense of
his own creation: a play in which a parade of quirky characters grapple with
plans gone awry: car trouble, death—even an alien encounter—all proving that
life is a series of derailments and uncertainties. It’s colorful,
laugh-out-loud funny, and every detail and performance is honed to Anderson
perfection. And, for once, the fact that it’s so meticulously staged (as most
of Anderson’s films are) perfectly suits the proceedings, most of which are—in
fact—a filmed representation of a theater piece. There’s a lovely, recurring
bit where two characters engage through their separate domicile windows: each,
in a way, in their own proscenium. Even the “real life” of the playwright is
staged or on stage more often than not. One could argue there’s a wink to
Shakespeare perhaps, wherein all the world’s a stage. It certainly is in Asteroid
City.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="font-family: georgia;"><br />BARBIE (A-)<br /></b><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Barbie” wins marks for its extensively researched, dream-logic satire
of the effects (good and bad) the Barbie brand has had on girls (and women)
throughout its impressive past. The play world of Barbie is exquisitely
realized in production design, costumes, props and usage. The shower without
water and the rock-hard ocean waves are just two of the pitch-perfect touches.
Margot Robbie as “Stereotypical Barbie” and Ryan Gosling as (an equally
stereotypical) Ken both go full out to breath goofy, lovable life into their
roles. As Barbie’s personality (and body) morph with real-world concerns, she
must journey to find out the cause. So, into the real world she goes--with Ken
tagging along. There they both learn hard lessons before returning to decide
how to live from now on with what they’ve learned. What makes “Barbie” work is
its well-crafted blend of children’s fairy tale and adult social
commentary—both provoking many laugh-out-loud moments. Running well past the
two-hour mark, it does wear a little long in the plastic tooth; still, with its
eye-popping visuals, its bounty of comedy and its unending originality, it’s no
wonder “Barbie” stands on pointed feet as a bona fide hit.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="font-family: georgia;"><br />EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE (A-)<br /></b><span style="font-family: georgia;">A hilarious,
frenzied and even heartfelt sci-fi/action/adventure about a weary Chinese
American woman whose life gets sucked into alternate universes. Michelle Yeoh
and Ke Huy Quan as her husband are flawless as the guides (of a sort) who we
follow into the spiraling kaleidoscope that shifts not only worlds, but our
heroine’s perspectives on (and value for) her original existence. It’s
endlessly inventive in ideas and form, both coming at you with mind-blowing and
eye-popping force. The lengthy runtime and the fact that the plot(s) don’t
clearly all perfectly fit into a single package are forgivable sins, but they
do make the film wear a bit by the third act (and umpteenth universe).
Nonetheless, the funhouse ride is well worth taking.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><br />INDIANA JONES AND THE DIAL OF DESTINY (B+)</b> <br />A welcome finale to the summer action glory
film franchise, Harrison Ford goes on one last artifact search with
(thankfully) a non-romantic female cohort, the marvelous Phoebe Waller-Bridge
as his trouble-making goddaughter. The plot is a little clumsy at times (the
time-travel element is a wonky as most time-travel tales are) and the run time
is a bit long (including t</span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">he protracted, nostalgic opening),</span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> but the film is packed with everything a fan could want:
exciting chases, Nazi fighting, killer eels (the sea’s version of Indy’s hated
snakes) and we get nice cameos and callbacks to films gone by along the way.
All in all, it’s a fine farewell to a beloved actor in a beloved role.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="font-family: georgia;"><br />KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON (B)<br /></b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Scorsese knows his strengths. “Killers of the
Flower Moon”, like all his period pieces, brings a bygone era (in this case,
1920’s Osage County, Oklahoma) to vivid life in rich detail. The visuals are
glorious and the aim for authenticity is palpable. The acting, led by a bravura
Leonardo DiCaprio performance, is top notch. The murders of the area’s
Indigenous people of the time is a worthy tale, though its themes of collusion,
exploitation and violence feel tired—especially for Scorsese. But the biggest flaw
lies in the indulgent runtime which flounders unevenly: the killers and their
plans are revealed so early, it fosters little suspense, making the proceedings lag; alternatively, the FBI’s emergence arrives so late that it and the
ensuing trial feel rushed, which is saying something for a 3 ½ hour film. The
denouement is especially indulgent; though its point about the
commercialization of tragedy is fair, the satirical whimsiness feels
inappropriate and pretentious. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="font-family: georgia;"><br />LEAVE THE WORLD ALONE (B-)<br /></b><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Leave the World Alone” wins out solely due
its actors adeptly giving us complex characters that hold us—even when the
world around them seems to be falling apart. Yes, it’s about a half hour too
long and (whether by intent or fault) it doesn’t explain or develop all the
elements it throws at the viewer, but it’s a rare and welcome case of character
over plot in this particular genre. Julia Roberts shines as the self-admitted
misanthrope whose ice slowly melts just as Ethan Hawke, her sensitive husband,
proves heartless as fear rules his actions when confronted by an unknown woman
in need of help. It’s this kind of character dynamic ambivalence that makes
“Leave the World Alone” as engaging as it is—much more so than the crashing
boats and planes that imperil everyone. The lack of things tied up neatly will
be off-putting for many, no doubt; I usually abhor it in film, myself. But in a
story where all the answers won’t be discovered by the characters when we leave
them, it seems apropos.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><br />MAY DECEMBER (B)<br /></b>Todd Haynes’ latest will likely be a love-or-hate it affair, but
Julianne Moore and Charles Melton are stellar and very human as the emotionally
odd couple with a tabloid past upon whom descends a sociopathic actress, eager
to play Moore’s character in a biopic. Natalie Portman is in rare form as the
subtextually moustache-twirling actress who woos and wangles her way into the
couple, their family, friends, and past coworkers. Haynes’ understands the
melodramatic made-for-TV subject matter and pokes fun at it, often with the
help of composer Marcelo Zarvos. Even so, he balances that with the
gut-wrenching honesty of the invaded couple’s emotional landscape. But balance
has its downside: while the ongoing ambivalence intrigues, it also allows the
film to lack a strong point of view which makes the overall effect less than
fully satisfying. But Haynes does seem to make movies to be discussed; in that,
he has certainly succeeded.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="font-family: georgia;"><br />OPPENHEIMER (B+)</b><span style="font-family: georgia;"> <br />Cillian Murphy makes a fine anchor as the titular character, leading a
host of other great performances, including an excellent Matt Damon. But the
film belongs to Robert Downey Jr. who steals the show; even outshining
Christopher Nolan’s writing and directing which are smart as ever, but
occasionally lack focus and depth, but add to the bloated three-hour runtime.
Cases in point are the mostly unnecessary (if well-played) roles of
Oppenheimer’s tragic lover, who is little more than sultry and sad, and his wife,
who does little more than whine and vent. They are lengthy distractions from
the tale of Oppenheimer’s building the team that builds the bomb and the man
who orchestrates his fall from grace. There are also some metaphoric images
that are eerily similar to those Nicholas Roeg used about the bomb’s
destruction in “Insignificance” nearly 50 year earlier. But Jennifer Lame’s
sometimes mad editing skills and Ludwig Göransson’s thrilling score fill much
of the proceedings with effective tension and Nolan, as usual, offers many
spectacular sights along the way. <br /><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="font-family: georgia;">POOR THINGS (B-)</b><span style="font-family: georgia;"> <br />“Poor Things” is a surreal reimagining of the Frankenstein ethos, though
its bloated runtime stalls at times with its ambling, episodic plot and various
excesses. The cast, led by a fearless Emma Stone as the creation Bella Baxter,
is superlative and the production design of the quasi-steampunk world is
exquisite; so is Jerskin Fendrix’s effectively bizarre score and Holly
Waddington’s eye-popping costume parade. Yorgos Lanthimos’s
attention-seeking, hyper-stylized direction feels appropriate for once, but its
overused fisheye and peephole lens effects grow tiresome. And the script,
despite many fine, funny moments, drags on—spending a little too much time on
each leg of the journey and pushing the litmus test of prurience along the way.
(Despite part of the tale being a woman’s realization of her physical self,
many sex scenes feel gratuitous and go on ad nauseum.) Even when the tale has
come full circle, we’re thrust into yet another virtually tangential (and
predictable) plot string. A tighter script would have kept the story moving as
quickly as Bella’s growing mind; instead, it lumbers at times, more like
Bella’s slow-witted replacement. Still, the good outweighs the bad,
overall.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="font-family: georgia;"><br />RUSTIN (A-)</b><span style="font-family: georgia;"> <br />Based on the true story of Baynard Rustin, who helped Martin Luther
King Jr. and others organize the 1963 March on Washington, “Rustin” is a wholly
engaging piece of entertainment. Colman Domingo
gives a tour de force performance as the complicated, but determined, titular
character who fights racism, homophobia and more in order to make a difference
improving racial equality, human rights and democracy. But the whole cast
shines—including a stellar Chris Rock as one of Rustin’s key antagonists.
Excellent as well are the production values and the ambitious script that
provides context and comedy to frame the central, dramatic proceedings. And
bonus points for keeping it under two hours.<br /><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p><b style="font-family: georgia;">SALTBURN (B-)</b><span style="font-family: georgia;"> <br />“Saltburn” manages some savage, on-point black humor in fits and starts,
but ultimately proves a predictable rehash of material that’s been done before
(and better), without relying on sophomoric shock factor. The boy of humbler
means visiting the world of the ultra-rich is as old as it gets; that he’s a
manipulative psychopath isn’t even new. The film does boast some terrific
acting—all the more impressive, since so many characters are nearly flatliners.
Successful as well are the production value and cinematography, creating a
bounty of breathtaking imagery: several shots not only look gorgeous, but
provide manifestations of visual metaphors; notable examples include a shot of
Oliver in a virtual black void, surrounded by an excess of platters of food,
and another where he is caught in creepy colored lights with literal horns on
his head. Alas, these metaphors are mere decoration in a plot that treads very
little new water but for contrived scenes serving only to shock; the result
renders “Saltburn” a bit of a well-dressed cheap trick. Even the aspect ratio
proves more gimmick than depth.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><br />THE HOLDOVERS (A-) <br /></b>Alexander Payne’s bittersweet comedic nod to the classic American cinema of the 1970s is about as perfect as a film can get. Paul Giamatti, Dominic Sessa and Da’Vine Joy Randolph are solid gold as, respectively, an unlikeable teacher and student and the head cook who are forced to spend the winter break at their deserted New England academy. True to form, little by little, misadventures, revealed secrets and hard truths of their various lives make them all realize how human one another is…and how they are more in common than they ever knew as aching, imperfect people. It’s a bravura celebration of how we must never judge others, for we can never know their story…until they share it with us. It gets a little long in the second half, but it’s a small flaw in such an otherwise well-crafted, heartfelt film.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">So, there you go. Till next time, keep patronizing the arts in whatever way you choose. It's vital to a richer and more rewarding life. Even more so in a time where divisive views are becoming more and more dangerous all around. <br /><br />Stay safe. Seek out goodness. Keep loving.</span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p></p>Gregory Blairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03113739997762691070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5424348714542730396.post-57879927486897186962023-02-20T09:41:00.000-08:002023-02-20T09:41:01.369-08:00<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg550apkzixyU9dmvC2EIEQ1aB0uyoUy1SeE-4WZohQjZB9PYCBCxBOBwVu6oT5hH3qbQ5kgUPxok9O1BPMrF-KolY6Eslq__C6E0-iN6tgD3qIZI2_lNfJ3lO6eQCjDTlvbcmEK2xhOYVU8DE7RxQYHGugl3NwwGuRBrNKRWn99BkhTkgmDNha2ZecSg/s1428/_Roy-RobbyAwardforFB2%20copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="516" data-original-width="1428" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg550apkzixyU9dmvC2EIEQ1aB0uyoUy1SeE-4WZohQjZB9PYCBCxBOBwVu6oT5hH3qbQ5kgUPxok9O1BPMrF-KolY6Eslq__C6E0-iN6tgD3qIZI2_lNfJ3lO6eQCjDTlvbcmEK2xhOYVU8DE7RxQYHGugl3NwwGuRBrNKRWn99BkhTkgmDNha2ZecSg/w640-h232/_Roy-RobbyAwardforFB2%20copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span> </span><span> </span>I</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">t was near the end of the night on February 5<sup>th</sup>
at the 36</span><sup><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">th</span></sup><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"> annual Robby Awards
when it happened. The awards recognize achievements in theater for the year
just passed and the awards show included celebrity performances of songs
by the late Stephen Sondheim. The penultimate award was for “Best Actor
in a Drama”. Three of us from <i>Angels in America</i> had been nominated along
with acting giants Bryan Cranston, John Rubinstein and Harry Groener. Being
included in a list of names alongside those luminaries was an incredible
honor and enough for me to live happily the rest of my days.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span> </span><span> </span>Angels in America</span></i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"> had been nominated for a total of ten awards and, at this
late in the evening, we had won none. Not surprising, considering the amount
and caliber of talent that we were up against, but I think we had all secretly
hoped for at least one win. Thus, at this late hour, it looked like a bust. I
think we all were stunned—no one more than I—when Rob Stevens announced the
winner of the "Best Actor in a Drama" award and we heard my name. I
stumbled to the stage and improvised the best expression of gratitude my reeling
brain could compose.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span> </span><span> </span>I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: any
win of this nature is a testament to more than the person whose name ends up on
the trophy or plaque: the entire cast and crew of a production work as a team
to make each element the best it can be, so everyone’s success is inextricably
linked. And this is true even more so in smaller scale productions—every person
adds something to the mix. My performance as Roy Cohn was the result of Tony
Kushner’s script, Mikey Mulhearn's direction, the support of my brilliant cast
whose talent inspired and propelled my own; every person involved shares in
whatever success any one us may achieve. And this award is no different; it truly
is for everyone who made this production of <i>Angels in America </i>the unique
theatrical experience that it was.<br />
<br />
<span> </span><span> </span>I am so grateful for the opportunity to have played this character. To have
been a part of this monumental piece of theater. And, yes, to have been
recognized for it. </span><br /></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">“You'll
find, my friend, that what you love will take you places you never dreamed
you'd go.”</span></i></span><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">―</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Merriweather;"> </span><span class="authorortitle"><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Lato, sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Tony Kushner, </span></span></b></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Merriweather;"></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span id="quote_book_link_72003" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: Lato, sans-serif;">Angels in America</span></b></span></span></span></span><o:p></o:p></p>Gregory Blairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03113739997762691070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5424348714542730396.post-44169601117423855822023-01-05T09:24:00.001-08:002023-01-07T07:07:20.796-08:00Angels, Gifts and Joy<p><span style="color: white;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_g1HJBtCVTVR3aBy6orrZ57HziW4S80GiesP97bZUYeSk7heyFdYra81lxgkZ6k_b9pab9kH8XEPyBVjQ8upF4Wi8f34JjyhpHevq1Bd2u8KyJdV4K93aZ6jJD6ETsPJgajEyqIyhjcV5Bm3HcEzolpeJkgtpaeidgTUbC1JntzXbQcGzY7N0FFNs5A/s6445/_Roy-Phone%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2190" data-original-width="6445" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_g1HJBtCVTVR3aBy6orrZ57HziW4S80GiesP97bZUYeSk7heyFdYra81lxgkZ6k_b9pab9kH8XEPyBVjQ8upF4Wi8f34JjyhpHevq1Bd2u8KyJdV4K93aZ6jJD6ETsPJgajEyqIyhjcV5Bm3HcEzolpeJkgtpaeidgTUbC1JntzXbQcGzY7N0FFNs5A/w640-h218/_Roy-Phone%20copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="color: white;"> </span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Well,
it’s been a while…and my apologies. But here’s to 2023 being a great year for
everyone. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Now…If
you want to know what I got up to since last May’s post, I have a full run-down
of the year here: </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><a href="http://www.2writers.com/Gregory_2022Review.htm"><span style="color: #ffa400;">http://www.2writers.com/Gregory_2022Review.htm</span></a></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lots
of great things happened, but the most recent have truly been exceptional for me.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">I
received two nominations for “Best Actor” for my role as Roy Cohn in “Angels In
America”. These are exceptionally meaningful, since I had not been on stage for
several years and the play (and the role) are monumental in scope.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">The play (actually two plays) span about 7 ½ hours
and the role of Roy goes from the height of his power to his tragic and
horrific death.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Being
cast and getting to play the role was a gift. Getting to do it surrounded by a dedicated and talented cast was a gift as well. So were the glowing reviews we received.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">And
then I was nominated for first a Broadway World Award and then a Robby Award.
Both awards are huge in the theater world for Los Angeles.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">And I am honored to be considered alongside
such luminaries as Bryan Cranston, John Rubenstein and Harry Groener. Again:
what a gift!</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">I
feel very blessed. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">I will cherish a</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">ll the gifts this production has bestowed upon me for the rest of my days.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">With
gratitude to all who have allowed me such joy.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">May
we all find more joy in the days to come.</span></span></p>Gregory Blairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03113739997762691070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5424348714542730396.post-83234792043894260522022-05-02T09:55:00.008-07:002022-05-03T15:41:46.744-07:00Angels in the Wings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgIdfI9aesg0WNMq-Sh3UW_ZotfCv754yRQNic8uzWpquNIujPpvZM-LgjG19HLZcK4O1w-PlHB3NZbqQcMihkWomh654rzLKku5Os2wvRJrYoh8a9GpzQ7GazKZEiM7YF3oMbFL8J1ONEuafzH6XauFuQg-AmFn6DfIhv1H9y2iF0LX2aml48jsc8kw/s3562/_Collage-smaller.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3464" data-original-width="3562" height="389" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgIdfI9aesg0WNMq-Sh3UW_ZotfCv754yRQNic8uzWpquNIujPpvZM-LgjG19HLZcK4O1w-PlHB3NZbqQcMihkWomh654rzLKku5Os2wvRJrYoh8a9GpzQ7GazKZEiM7YF3oMbFL8J1ONEuafzH6XauFuQg-AmFn6DfIhv1H9y2iF0LX2aml48jsc8kw/w400-h389/_Collage-smaller.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /><span style="font-size: large;">“Angels in America” is a monumental piece of theater. No one
who sees it, ever forgets it. And no one involved in it, leaves it behind without a
broken heart.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">So, with our final performances anon, I write this
farewell to the people who have shared this journey of the “great
work” with me, to commemorate forever the impact they have
had on me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">To Mikey Mulhearn, </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">our fearless leader</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">—</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">and equally fearless
Prior Walter: the passion and prowess you so openly shared on stage and off has
been and remains inspirational.</span><span style="font-family: georgia; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">The love you have for the transformative magic of theater is palpable and touches
everyone you meet. It has touched me and changed me in profound, wonderful
ways.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">To Emma Maltby</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">—</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">our defiant, lunatic Harper (and my
blathering, slurping Martin): your vibrance and artistic acuity have made
working with you a treat. We may not have shared much stage time, but I’ve
treasured every minute and have enjoyed our time together all these months. Seeds
have been planted.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">To Nathan Frizzell</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">—</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">our ever-verbose Luis: your intrinsic
charm has created a Luis that, though self-sabotaging and dogmatic, proves utterly
endearing and sympathetic—a feat no other actor in the role (that I’ve seen)
has ever accomplished as you have managed. What a gift. My yarmulka’ s off to you.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">To Michael Matts</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">—</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">our wise and witty Belize, the sly Mr.
Lies and the Man: you prove every performance that you can say volumes with a
single phrase or look—that every moment on stage can be full of entrancing,
nuanced life. Thank you for getting me into this; you are my own, personal angel!</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">To Sarah Flemming</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">—</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">our Hannah (and my dry Henry and wry Ethel
Rosenberg): what a joy to get to work with such an endlessly devoted, diligent
actress. Watching you dive into each role and blossom into them has been a beautiful experience. You can sing to me anytime!</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: white;">
To <span style="text-decoration: none;">Jahel Corbán
Caldera</span>—</span>our fierce Angel, our charming Emily and Sister Ella, and our crazy
Homeless Person: the innate talent and honed craft you have brought to your
multiple roles has been a thrill to watch; you make each character thoroughly
on-point and memorable. We have been blessed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span>To Dane Larsen—my baby Joe (and my Prior 1 compatriot):
sharing the stage with you has been my honor and my pleasure: you are as
talented as you are warm and generous. I could not imagine anyone else I’d
rather call my son. Or my friend.</span><span> </span><span>You
are forever “familia, now.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">And to our incredible crew, who worked and continue to work tirelessly in ways that leave me in awe: you are the necessary and welcome wind that sends this ship sailing every night and I thank you.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span>And finally, to our audiences: I shall be ever grateful for your taking this journey with us. You are the <i>raison d'</i></span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><i>ê</i></span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><i>tre</i> for it all.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">I shall miss you all, terribly. But the ache will forever be outshone by the love I bear for all of you.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">I think playwright Tony Kushner sums it up best:</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>“You are all fabulous creatures, each and every one.”</i></span><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>~Gregory</b></i><br /></span><br /></span></p>Gregory Blairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03113739997762691070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5424348714542730396.post-28626405520399805582022-03-29T07:48:00.002-07:002022-03-29T19:11:21.221-07:00What Makes a Winner<p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw7Nh5glC3X81bZVaVYzrNFzXWpxe8r7K6H-BblsVHzGXzv_oAYdCNMhDsc0GLaa3reg9ICs4WBKhToP6DRRENDJPpRSMXWdVrJl-aDtLJplvWQ99GDMyQbt1wgm3Ia0AIa4d33Us8FKCpDvrc59ntmdn-IsP5LS5yOQANGXfrRiudijrc69-UocFrTg/s750/image.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="422" data-original-width="750" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw7Nh5glC3X81bZVaVYzrNFzXWpxe8r7K6H-BblsVHzGXzv_oAYdCNMhDsc0GLaa3reg9ICs4WBKhToP6DRRENDJPpRSMXWdVrJl-aDtLJplvWQ99GDMyQbt1wgm3Ia0AIa4d33Us8FKCpDvrc59ntmdn-IsP5LS5yOQANGXfrRiudijrc69-UocFrTg/w400-h225/image.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">History was made at the Oscars this year, but it’s probably not why you think. </span></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Forget Will Smith for a moment and take note of these pioneering achievements:</span></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">--Troy Kotsur became the first deaf actor ever to win “Best Supporting Actor”.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">--Ariana DeBose became the first openly queer woman of color to win “Best Supporting Actress”.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">--Jane Campion became the third woman in the history of the Oscars to win “Best Director”.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">--“Best Picture” and “Best Adapted Screenplay”, also normally dominated by men, were both won by a woman, Sian Heder.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">We must not allow these milestones to be overshadowed by one privileged man committing (and getting away with) battery on live television. While that event and all its factors and ramifications must be discussed for us to learn from, let us remember that far more good happened on that stage Sunday night. You have only to look at the list above to see that.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">But I would leave you with one more. </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">One that I think is a far better thing to share, remember and cherish as a lesson about who we should be and how we should treat others: the moment of grace, respect and care when Lady Gaga helped a struggling Liza Minnelli get through her guest appearance, offering a comforting “I got it”. </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">If Will Smith showed us who we can be when we let anger and poor judgement guide our actions, Lady Gaga showed us who we can be when we allow love and kindness to guide us.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: georgia;">That is the lesson of the night: </span><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: georgia;">be like Lady Gaga. Act with love. </span><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: georgia;">Gentle, mindful love. </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Do that and you become a winner.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">And so do we all.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p>Gregory Blairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03113739997762691070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5424348714542730396.post-62592294118860313792021-12-20T13:39:00.003-08:002021-12-25T08:03:01.052-08:00Things To Look Forward To<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br />Another December comes to an end and we all begin to wonder what the new year will bring. I think all of us are hoping for more joy than grief; more love
than hate; more cooperation than contention.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I can’t foretell the future, but I can promise you a few
good things that are coming your way. I’ve been involved in several projects that
should be making their debuts next year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And you will be able to see them all...<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">~</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">First and foremost (because it will have no shelf life) is my appearance--live on stage--as Roy Cohn in ANGELS IN AMERICA. It’s a jaw-dropping play and dream role and you won’t want to miss it. Arriving April/May for a </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><u>very </u></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">limited engagement.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgGGQIjWqrg5SY3A9hcUcs1RjO1tParGCg9Ji3ko4rzRClwU2H9eeLo2NQ95dLIvX_Jj8mdNLXrusp7LI3j24ZySfsfb01yWeUA-Phmd85gXgokSSMVpAZNAonyy5AWU6p0bQzFk4ZyS5gbO1reTIc2PBW_KiWutTRfX5Y5sf3WhiFDwaOE0RfI4MujrQ=s696" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="493" data-original-width="696" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgGGQIjWqrg5SY3A9hcUcs1RjO1tParGCg9Ji3ko4rzRClwU2H9eeLo2NQ95dLIvX_Jj8mdNLXrusp7LI3j24ZySfsfb01yWeUA-Phmd85gXgokSSMVpAZNAonyy5AWU6p0bQzFk4ZyS5gbO1reTIc2PBW_KiWutTRfX5Y5sf3WhiFDwaOE0RfI4MujrQ=w400-h284" title=""Angels in America"...live on stage!" width="400" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #ffa400;">"Angels in America"...live on stage!</span></i><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Next, you should be able to see me as the unexpectedly psychotic biker Simon in Heroic Age Studio’s brutal new horror feature “TRICK AND TREATS”, which also features Gary Busey and the voice of Malcolm McDowell. It’s perhaps the darkest, scariest film I’ve ever done. You’ve been warned.</span></span></div></span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhzW8hUYQxOh9zKs7Hl8KQ2nrlZmnOlg_EGk2nCM3nnlHR-QXS9LrWgRGCH0OKBxq7suioAEc6gpqMT9aaUmXhrsG7zeAsHM_qISyjiCJs5fhER-bm5tU2xmb8UEHMc5Vv_nl4L67fE5yRpr-YJAeRroszEo0frD4IPAhC_g7sUItySzs08nESLJxdSTA=s1144" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="895" data-original-width="1144" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhzW8hUYQxOh9zKs7Hl8KQ2nrlZmnOlg_EGk2nCM3nnlHR-QXS9LrWgRGCH0OKBxq7suioAEc6gpqMT9aaUmXhrsG7zeAsHM_qISyjiCJs5fhER-bm5tU2xmb8UEHMc5Vv_nl4L67fE5yRpr-YJAeRroszEo0frD4IPAhC_g7sUItySzs08nESLJxdSTA=w400-h313" width="400" /></a><br /><span style="color: #ffa400; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i>Gregory in "Trick and Treats"</i></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Then there’s the feature film 16 BITS from the mind of writer/director Aaron Mento (“UGLY SWEATER PARTY”). I only have a small role, but it’s a hoot…as is the entire crazy, genre-bending film. If you’ve seen Aaron’s work, you know you’re in for a wild ride.<br /></span><br style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;" /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0PqhqpAPIuV5fhVEPTsQvAJdNecLUYu0Y6Zt2fTKaPCSmANdPHLS5f-VyMCARpZQUtWhJEJoweyduTpgA8kXtM97z1EGNBdI11RTRjzoR413pSjnOkW3pMnRyjlP1jUS76gusLumxKX9d7O0azn5LyMc3ajR3KI6Hx49UXmv0SWc5J2_ecSNEsH00RA=s464" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="306" data-original-width="464" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0PqhqpAPIuV5fhVEPTsQvAJdNecLUYu0Y6Zt2fTKaPCSmANdPHLS5f-VyMCARpZQUtWhJEJoweyduTpgA8kXtM97z1EGNBdI11RTRjzoR413pSjnOkW3pMnRyjlP1jUS76gusLumxKX9d7O0azn5LyMc3ajR3KI6Hx49UXmv0SWc5J2_ecSNEsH00RA=w400-h264" width="400" /></a><br /><span style="color: #ffa400; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i>Gregory and Kevin Caliber in "16 Bits"</i></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">FAVORITE SON is a short thriller with an LGBTQ quotient that director Dustin Clingan (PHOTGRAPHIC MEMORY</span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">) hopes to complete in time for Outfest. I helped write it and also play one of the pivotal roles in the story’s web of deceit.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjNPygfVKDXovwDVfirN5WiqVOne5i-ZEYMI1QFfWXarcMXxQ70VfVoRrKMdS2z_PtTQrD0w1VOn2Kwvc3aX_6LWCQoLsp0cuGKGUaJTr0Yr1Sl1hyc8QbenTs5rYkdsemHBE1-QEkXGwyQQWKVuvwgh8ovTn-6cz6E-an5M-byaQadICdoMZZkGDtt6Q=s874" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="478" data-original-width="874" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjNPygfVKDXovwDVfirN5WiqVOne5i-ZEYMI1QFfWXarcMXxQ70VfVoRrKMdS2z_PtTQrD0w1VOn2Kwvc3aX_6LWCQoLsp0cuGKGUaJTr0Yr1Sl1hyc8QbenTs5rYkdsemHBE1-QEkXGwyQQWKVuvwgh8ovTn-6cz6E-an5M-byaQadICdoMZZkGDtt6Q=w400-h219" width="400" /></a><br /><span style="color: #ffa400; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i>Tag line for "Favorite Son"</i></span></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I also play a role in Mikey Mulhearn's short comedy ENVELOPE which will most likely be released next year as well. I play a hilariously histrionic hairdresser.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiBoXjyUikyaGAk-mHeV-dGl0xUznA5_8ymEJ9rtShW6Zm63xhUwx6X7t1ceCXJaHx9ftSFNzGDbXM572sLHDgfDb1m0gsj6aLqh0E62OdU33oHUWWZ2oMxMZeb1rUXeRZyG3odPANoOBnKKSOlIPcdTPeVc6PlAKHEH6XvMdJpBWsc7B8e_D5yFBuJzA=s2005" style="font-size: x-large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1161" data-original-width="2005" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiBoXjyUikyaGAk-mHeV-dGl0xUznA5_8ymEJ9rtShW6Zm63xhUwx6X7t1ceCXJaHx9ftSFNzGDbXM572sLHDgfDb1m0gsj6aLqh0E62OdU33oHUWWZ2oMxMZeb1rUXeRZyG3odPANoOBnKKSOlIPcdTPeVc6PlAKHEH6XvMdJpBWsc7B8e_D5yFBuJzA=w400-h231" width="400" /></a><br /><i><span style="color: #ffa400; font-size: x-large;">The cast of "Envelope"</span><br /><br /></i></span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">And, last but not least, the 10-year anniversary cut of DEADLY REVISIONS (including cast interviews) will likely appear toward the end of the year. I’m especially thrilled with the new cut and think it’s going to be something you'll want to add to your collection.</span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhl4iDksCrLi24QTc0t5VLHj90RO1Tp121BZ0qt8iRhbwRkrIrBKEnq3NnAElBiw_ddbCKIdSsV79SHHSERDvUvcLo-x7ZxZ7QTRLcv2T2gsPJXZtZsiQWdheCqEE4ftyXz_qbJUKm_iTVpJvCQH9bWR1MnKRnxi_nrhEp4unbm0OA2LgYuw1yZp7QFBA=s2725" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1890" data-original-width="2725" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhl4iDksCrLi24QTc0t5VLHj90RO1Tp121BZ0qt8iRhbwRkrIrBKEnq3NnAElBiw_ddbCKIdSsV79SHHSERDvUvcLo-x7ZxZ7QTRLcv2T2gsPJXZtZsiQWdheCqEE4ftyXz_qbJUKm_iTVpJvCQH9bWR1MnKRnxi_nrhEp4unbm0OA2LgYuw1yZp7QFBA=w400-h278" width="400" /></a><br /><span style="color: #ffa400; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>"Deadly Revisions"</i></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br />
So there you go. Things to look forward to in 2022.<br />
<br />
Till, then, all the best and Happy New Year!<br /><br /><i><span style="color: #ff00fe;">~Gregory</span></i></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i><span style="color: #ff00fe;"><br /></span></i></span></p>Gregory Blairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03113739997762691070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5424348714542730396.post-25521060023354222522021-11-28T19:14:00.002-08:002021-11-28T21:55:33.721-08:00To Help Us Survive<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcQzGVjSPA9H4L6kFatl-XRLvX7lYJnTYFzaFfF4fE5pVdCxP4A-X18mqn5J8qgKseMtTYFqk6gsbfp2TLhf6JjZ6cMiQ9bmB_ar_ciD2gQZJM-sx6wCBgcGcBIYUtvySkTh52snSg0wOV/s1500/71IawD3weaL._SL1500_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1347" data-original-width="1500" height="359" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcQzGVjSPA9H4L6kFatl-XRLvX7lYJnTYFzaFfF4fE5pVdCxP4A-X18mqn5J8qgKseMtTYFqk6gsbfp2TLhf6JjZ6cMiQ9bmB_ar_ciD2gQZJM-sx6wCBgcGcBIYUtvySkTh52snSg0wOV/w400-h359/71IawD3weaL._SL1500_.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I feel a great sense of loss at the departure of Stephen
Sondheim. His mastery of the musical theater medium may arguably be unparalleled
in our age. Certainly the breadth of his works is incomparable. And not just
the volume, but the diversity. From murderous barbers to marriage foibles, from
the death of vaudeville to the birth of East/West relations, from the aspirations
of artists to the rancor of society’s disenchanted, Sondheim’s works have gone places
no other composer/lyricist has gone.</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Yet, within these esoteric subjects and intellectual
musings, he has created some of the most beautiful music of our time. “Send in
the Clowns”, “No One is Alone”, “Not While I’m Around” and so on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Songs singers love to sing. To record. To
share.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">My first memory of hearing Sondheim was a television special
called “Musical Comedy Tonight". Carol Burnett sang “The Ladies Who Lunch” which
fascinated me; Bernadette Peters and Richard Chamberlain did “Barcelona”; and
Sandy Duncan banged out “Another Hundred People”—a song that thrilled me like nothing
ever before. Then I saw the original Broadway production of “Sweeney Todd” and I
was obsessed. I never knew a score could be so complex. Then, by sheer chance, I got the original Broadway cast recording of “Merrily We Roll Along”. It was
that album that cemented my love for this master of the art. The way the score
itself worked backwards—like the actual plot—gave me unending lessons in
composition and the mechanics of musicals. Not to mention songs that give me
chills forever more. “Our Time”, “Not a Day Goes By”, “Franklin Shepard Inc.”. And
that original ending. That gut-punch, ugly-cry ending.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Then it was “Follies”, “Anyone Can Whistle”, “Pacific
Overtures” and on and on. Each show having moments of such magic; treasures
that make my life all the richer for having heard them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll never forget watching ”Sunday” from “Sunday
in the Park With George” on the Tony Awards. I had no idea what the show was
about. But I heard it was by Sondheim, so I figured it had to be worthy. And by
the time the number ended and the painting was complete, I was shaking. Jaw
dropped. Unable to move. Had I really just witnessed a theatrical
representation of the creation of a famous painting? How did anyone even conjure up that idea? And to manifest it in such a visually clear way in synch with
such a beautiful, stirring song?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">That is the genius of Sondheim. With full props to his
manifold collaborators, surely. Because theater is a collaborative art; “no one acts alone”. But to have a score that can stand so perfectly and solidly
on its own is a marvelous, magical thing. And to create a lifetime of them and provide
the world with “so much stuff to sing” is one of the greatest gifts I can imagine.<br /><br />
There’s a moment in Lin-Manuel Miranda’s recent film version of “tick, tick...BOOM!" where the main character, in the middle of a musical homage to “Sunday”, faces
Bernadette Peters and puts his hands over his heart as if he cannot keep it inside
for the love and respect he bears for her. It’s a callback to her gesture in the
show being honored, sure. But it’s a perfect visual representation of the
emotions I bear for Sondheim and the gift he gave to me.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">“Look at all the things you gave to me”.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">To all of us.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Farewell, “Old Friend”. You never knew me. But you have been
some of the best “company” I have had. You helped "make me alive". And I will
sing and celebrate your songs as long as I have breath within me. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Till the days go by. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4l5f_nZSX3Ws_Mkq0JWqXLpCOh2RAmai3aV2SkdJAk_mllrkOrqjI6KSWMf7I7XGEPH36y4pWTa_pboD3F6lvTSeOZVWOls5nrhPWvFGdnV6v8ni3gvYTZ8-Rty5hL0gtMA8Ec3whx2n/s1500/817ebQMGvjL._SL1500_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4l5f_nZSX3Ws_Mkq0JWqXLpCOh2RAmai3aV2SkdJAk_mllrkOrqjI6KSWMf7I7XGEPH36y4pWTa_pboD3F6lvTSeOZVWOls5nrhPWvFGdnV6v8ni3gvYTZ8-Rty5hL0gtMA8Ec3whx2n/s320/817ebQMGvjL._SL1500_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>Gregory Blairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03113739997762691070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5424348714542730396.post-47329695223019279322021-11-08T07:37:00.001-08:002021-11-08T07:37:23.113-08:00The Importance of Appreciating the Moment<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large;">Don’t worry: I’m not gonna get all “mystic guru” or anything. There has been a glut of folks yammering on about “being in the moment” in western culture as we slowly realize the value of each moment for what it’s worth. It’s a good thing to be aware of, but not a good thing to over-analyze or spend too much time thinking about; it pretty much invalidates the whole concept of noticing and accepting a moment if you’re engaged in picking it apart.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large;">But here’s something I have learned…or re-learned as I was struck by two things. The first was my lack of offering a blog post for so long. That prompted me to wonder what I had been so busy doing that I neglected this aspect of my creative content output. The second was, as is my November/December routine, going through the year to see what I had accomplished to layout in my annual review I share on the “History” pages of my website. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large;">Here’s what I discovered.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large;">I had some very busy periods…and some periods where it seemed I was not as “productive”. But notice those quotation marks. I think it’s important to recognize that you can be very productive without having a physical result to show for it. This is what vacations and other forms of time off, rest and relaxation and so on are all about: it’s productive for your body and mind to take time to recharge. To review. To ponder. To sift through or let go of things. And I think we’re realizing that more and more. Life is not all about achieving external things; it’s about achieving internal things as well.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large;">So, what I came to realize was that I had problem…and maybe you have it, too. I felt a great sense of satisfaction and worth when I was busy and active achieving external goals but felt significantly less of that when I was “having” time off. Notice those quotation marks, again. What I wanted to say was “enjoying”. But I wasn’t exactly enjoying the time when I wasn’t working. I felt antsy. Guilty. Wondered about my worth to others. And the double-edged sword was: when I was crazy busy, I often pined for some time off…and when I had the time, I pined for work.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">So, here’s the point of all of this. I think it’s important to learn to enjoy and embrace the moment you are in, regardless of whether it’s filled with externally “productive” activity or not. If we can learn to appreciate who and where we are—in each moment—we will live much happier, peaceful lives inside. And I think, how we feel inside translates to the outside world through our mood, our attitude, and our behavior: the more peace and joy we have inside, the more peace and joy slips out and is shared with others. And, as we move into the season that touts being all about peace and joy, that seems like a good thing to remember and to try to manifest.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large;">So, appreciate the moment: whether it’s busy or not, challenging or not, you’ll never have the chance to embrace it again. Breath it in.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Now, let’s all sing Kumbya.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDJYtEHjGugYS1TtL-Ry908ShRm_FM5-TYoIjFW_BVAiwyTdyD1NG0JB7pBfAHS4drw5VREMBEDkomht4Pu8DhapRFUmlGO7qBwxPMXRH9OJbIByBomX3B_bdEBESxsECQ7UaHd4Y_ONRb/s2048/FlowerPower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1033" data-original-width="2048" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDJYtEHjGugYS1TtL-Ry908ShRm_FM5-TYoIjFW_BVAiwyTdyD1NG0JB7pBfAHS4drw5VREMBEDkomht4Pu8DhapRFUmlGO7qBwxPMXRH9OJbIByBomX3B_bdEBESxsECQ7UaHd4Y_ONRb/w400-h201/FlowerPower.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p>Gregory Blairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03113739997762691070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5424348714542730396.post-63864303671356950932021-07-19T20:29:00.007-07:002021-07-22T08:10:05.288-07:00Sharing my Tools<p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2APd59YKh7fVwpv94dr6qb_TVOqChL4V1pJEpWF5qj3iSoa3uQ9Wx6BbIZq73hoGN00khSdlAg5-c-JwZVr8VqrkhhqoHq6mxb-D1qDKii4-fv0Rfj9pt4_zDUcIVFZETrKXUlW0e1UPz/s1440/Tools-Not-Rules.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="695" data-original-width="1440" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2APd59YKh7fVwpv94dr6qb_TVOqChL4V1pJEpWF5qj3iSoa3uQ9Wx6BbIZq73hoGN00khSdlAg5-c-JwZVr8VqrkhhqoHq6mxb-D1qDKii4-fv0Rfj9pt4_zDUcIVFZETrKXUlW0e1UPz/w400-h193/Tools-Not-Rules.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 16pt;"><br />A colleague of mine, filmmaker Jason Horton, asked if I’d
be interested in creating a series of videos about some aspect of filmmaking
that he could host on his YouTube channel. I was honored and said “Yes!” before
realizing I might not have anything new to say.</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">But maybe the way I said it would
resonate with someone. Or maybe I’d reach people who hadn’t heard some of these
ideas before. In other words, if I did some good for anyone, it would be worth it.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">So I did.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I decided to focus on writing—specifically
screenwriting, since I do consulting for folks on that front. I thought I’d
share some basic tools to help people make their writing a little better—even after
a single video.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">So, if you’d like to take a
look, feel free. Some of the tips and tools are specific to screenwriting, but
many of them are usable for all writing--including email, blogs and other
prose.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The series is called ”Tools,
Not Rules” and can be found on Jason Horton’s YouTube channel—which is full of
great content for filmmakers.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">The introduction is here: </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><a href="https://youtu.be/RrbPYihHZ4s?fbclid=IwAR2WZ8GWkLyerMYpNoONcj4rluKap2WRMVyZRmSg04ISA_OjY3JR_wqa3-c" target="_blank"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: black; border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;"><span style="color: #ffa400; font-size: medium;">https://youtu.be/RrbPYihHZ4s</span></span></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: 21.3333px;">Enjoy. And feel free to leave a comment!</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: 21.3333px;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: 21.3333px;">And for tons of other great filmmaking stuff, visit Jason's YouTube channel: </span><span style="color: #ffa400; font-size: medium;">https://www.youtube.com/user/jhorton2003</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #ffa400; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><span style="font-size: 21.3333px;">Oh...and if you're interested in my screenplay consulting, check out </span><span style="color: #ffa400; font-size: medium;">http://www.2writers.com/Gregory_ScriptConsulting.htm<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: 21.3333px;"><br /></span></span></p>Gregory Blairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03113739997762691070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5424348714542730396.post-72803308844678863812021-05-25T11:39:00.002-07:002021-05-25T11:40:37.301-07:00Keep Pushing<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSZFhi1gD2akBMsDkgiUlUp7JlAW0R2gYS7pRQTM_ofME9Pcs7s2G6sZUYZ1K63NO3h41uQyWrZL6pbqEvfnTOHCoYnG4XmmukC8S8h4QC5rhF6IJ3q9alJ8dMJ1ReTYPvIuhhthK5y1at/s2048/Comparison2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1285" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSZFhi1gD2akBMsDkgiUlUp7JlAW0R2gYS7pRQTM_ofME9Pcs7s2G6sZUYZ1K63NO3h41uQyWrZL6pbqEvfnTOHCoYnG4XmmukC8S8h4QC5rhF6IJ3q9alJ8dMJ1ReTYPvIuhhthK5y1at/s320/Comparison2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Long ago, Today, <br /></span></b><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">trying to fit in being myself</span></b></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">When I started to try to get film roles, no one wanted me. I didn’t fit any brand. I wasn't tall enough, pretty enough, bulky enough. Back then there just wasn’t
a cornucopia of roles for off-beat, quirky 20-somethings. So, I did background work.
Some people love background work; I find it tedious and unfulfilling.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I finally got a few
meaty roles in a few independent projects and, after years of that, landed an agent.
Through him I got a nice recurring role on TV One’s “Love That Girl”—a perfect
fit for my off-beat, quirky look and style. We all thought this was the
beginning of a new trajectory in television. But, what we both learned,
eventually, was that off-beat, quirky roles remained far rarer than the hunky, handsome
heroes and winsome pretty boys that make up the bulk of male roles in film. The competition for the few crumbs was fierce and the roles often went to "known" names.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">That’s changed a bit
in the last decade or so with the explosion of new entertainment platforms
creating a much wider variety of material—often aimed at niche markets. Sure, hunky handsome heroes and winsome pretty boys remain at the top of the food chain,
but there are a lot more opportunities for those of us outside that domain of pedestrian
pulchritude: those of us who fit in with Steve Buscemi more than Tom Cruise.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">I’ve been
fortunate enough to find directors, producers and audiences for my unique
brand. But it took years—decades, in fact—and I’ve still got more to do. The point of all this to remind any of you pursuing this career</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: xx-large;">—</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">or any career in entertainment or the arts</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">—that this is a long game and there are many ups and downs. So my advice would be to tell you to</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> enjoy whatever you can, wherever you are and (as the title of this
entry spoils) keep pushing forward.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Best of luck on
your journey!</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>Gregory Blairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03113739997762691070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5424348714542730396.post-57517620231419963302021-04-12T19:43:00.002-07:002021-04-13T14:42:18.148-07:00The Story of How Things Work<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I wrote a biopic script over twenty years ago. It got optioned once, but never produced. So, it sat on the proverbial shelf collecting proverbial dust for decades. </span></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Then, I was in a production of the musical “Working” a decade or so later. Theater is such an act of love and investment; I always make friends that last a lifetime when I do it. In this case, I met Jacquelyn Levy. We did another musical together nearly a decade later.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Then, just last year, she hooked me up with a novelist who wanted to do a joint screenplay and novel deal about a famous musical group. I sent him a copy of my thirty-year-old script as a biopic sample. He dug it and so I started the new script. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">A few months later it was done, and he started pitching it. A producer contacted me to get a copy and find out more. I told her the story you’re reading right now. She asked me to send her the new script as well as my thirty-year-old script.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">A few weeks later, she called and said she wanted to produce the script that had been collecting proverbial dust for decades.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In short, it took time, friends, networking, patience, and the script finding the right person for this story to have its long-overdue happy ending. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">“Behind the Smile: The Story of Hattie McDaniel” is slated to go into production this June.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The moral of the story is: things have a way of working that you may never be able to force or foresee. So, make your art and let what happens happen.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO5l1b92kWDxB1SIE3QsLmioXVDnHTp-BIU5emOQyOS3arTyh8oCX-wWpIdPZ2-nUfKkusq-8RWkn8T9XCye3MmsWQLpp67SdtgtnXAdCc_J5f43sINAto2e_9ZdPy1t5_4AzACUnA6grg/s652/BehindTheSmile2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="412" data-original-width="652" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO5l1b92kWDxB1SIE3QsLmioXVDnHTp-BIU5emOQyOS3arTyh8oCX-wWpIdPZ2-nUfKkusq-8RWkn8T9XCye3MmsWQLpp67SdtgtnXAdCc_J5f43sINAto2e_9ZdPy1t5_4AzACUnA6grg/w400-h253/BehindTheSmile2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><p></p>Gregory Blairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03113739997762691070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5424348714542730396.post-50082634184480707242020-12-28T12:13:00.001-08:002020-12-28T12:13:27.219-08:00Goodbye 2020<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1-lq9OhgoFSwQEhJEk00ZyUROe3VyIo0dWWdrpOp7f7nPhCxh-jWxvQVyHo1VuNoVb-DT_JcoIPNJVtTgodx-RMgdxaeS6c3WYxMM7qUXqVSJx32cekkKJdIoDG5F9Jq1Cfg0UhzMVomF/s684/ForYearEndBlog2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="484" data-original-width="684" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1-lq9OhgoFSwQEhJEk00ZyUROe3VyIo0dWWdrpOp7f7nPhCxh-jWxvQVyHo1VuNoVb-DT_JcoIPNJVtTgodx-RMgdxaeS6c3WYxMM7qUXqVSJx32cekkKJdIoDG5F9Jq1Cfg0UhzMVomF/w400-h283/ForYearEndBlog2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div>A challenging year, fraught with drama, unrest and loss. But as</span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> each year ends, I aim to look back on the good things that
happened with gratitude. I hope you do the same. </span></span></span><div><span style="color: white; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="background-color: black; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: white;">Thus, a career-related recap of good things that happened in my 2020 is here:</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="color: #ffa400;"> </span></span></span><span style="background-color: black; color: #ffa400; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.2writers.com/Gregory_2020Review.htm" style="color: #ffa400;" target="_blank">Gregory's 2020 Review</a>.</span><span style="background-color: black; color: #ffa400; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">You <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">may read about yourself or a project you’re connected with or
interested in. And maybe there’s a surprise or two; something you missed along
the way. I certainly don't blog about it all!<br /><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In any event, I thank you for reading and being a part of my journey on this little planet. Best wishes to you all for a spectacular
New Year!<br /><br /></span></span></p><span style="background-color: black; font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #ff00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>~Gregory</i></b></span></span><div><span style="color: #ff00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOOUC77KkV_aF28bweES-tcMSaZSKkKq1dR9SRp7jGl4EwMSwUcB5JKJtrtDXm1e2pM37g0QSOWIiOxM3OHVwf2J2c4rcW-InythM2J80WSUwKEaAMDENOzM6YAxtCv7XBy0Vhyphenhyphen9tMH1wZ/s691/ForYearEndBlog.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="484" data-original-width="691" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOOUC77KkV_aF28bweES-tcMSaZSKkKq1dR9SRp7jGl4EwMSwUcB5JKJtrtDXm1e2pM37g0QSOWIiOxM3OHVwf2J2c4rcW-InythM2J80WSUwKEaAMDENOzM6YAxtCv7XBy0Vhyphenhyphen9tMH1wZ/w400-h280/ForYearEndBlog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><i><br /></i></b></span><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #ff00fe; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><i><br /></i></b></span></span></div></div></div>Gregory Blairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03113739997762691070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5424348714542730396.post-38497183150209095002020-12-01T07:54:00.002-08:002020-12-01T08:15:26.657-08:00The Art of Sharing the Gift of Art <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqQ0ZD6-eu5_F6VFSKLEUSIGMGcate7J5PoygE6WAPLz_bAqNZ8okjndefvZsaAWEEo1MhGaLZX5hA_W6Lima0wWqvq02bXF1IPgnOuzZxr0biYeGwgMxSf8Jo02oJYK-nPaHsecTy3SoX/s2048/_gbcartoon_heart_Sharing.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1619" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqQ0ZD6-eu5_F6VFSKLEUSIGMGcate7J5PoygE6WAPLz_bAqNZ8okjndefvZsaAWEEo1MhGaLZX5hA_W6Lima0wWqvq02bXF1IPgnOuzZxr0biYeGwgMxSf8Jo02oJYK-nPaHsecTy3SoX/w316-h400/_gbcartoon_heart_Sharing.jpg" width="316" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I normally take this time to say something about being kind, being a better person...or aiming to do that in the new year. If you’ve missed my year-end posts from previous years about that and need some inspiration, see <a href="http://gregoryblair.blogspot.com/2018/12/new-year-new-habits-new-you_22.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #01ffff;">here</span></a> and<span style="color: #01ffff;"> <span style="color: #01ffff;"><a href="http://gregoryblair.blogspot.com/2017/11/this-year-its-personal.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #01ffff;">here</span></a> </span></span>and <a href="http://gregoryblair.blogspot.com/2016/11/greater-gifts.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #01ffff;">here</span></a>.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">This year, I’d like to do another round of sharing the gift of art. So below, you’ll find a list of artists and their various offerings for you to enjoy, discover and/or gift. Filmmakers, musicians, writers, and more. These are good people, so please watch and/or partake in their work. It will help keep you entertained while stuck at home.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">And, if you want to support me and my work, go to <a href="https://www.2writers.com/Gregory_Store.htm" target="_blank"><span style="color: #01ffff;">Gregory's Store</span></a> and/or <a href="https://www.patreon.com/gregoryblair" target="_blank"><span style="color: #01ffff;">Gregory's Patreon</span></a>.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Other than that, let me simply wish you a very happy and safe holiday season.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Thank you for being here. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Stay safe. Stay kind.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: xx-large;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">~Gregory</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Artists (in no particular order)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #ffa400; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><u><b>Film/Entertainers </b></u></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Chris Moore<br />“A Stranger Among Us” (a horror film) <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B08K2P5T57" target="_blank"><span style="color: #01ffff;">https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B08K2P5T57</span></a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Mikeal Burgin<br />“The Caregivers” (a screenplay) <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheCaregiversMovie/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #01ffff;">https://www.facebook.com/TheCaregiversMovie/</span></a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Edward Martin III<br />Media creator<br /><a href="https://www.hellbendermedia.com/"><span style="color: #01ffff;">https://www.hellbendermedia.com/</span></a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Itai Guberman<br />Filmmaker <a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2760127/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #01ffff;">https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2760127/</span></a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Mark Schaefer<br />“Hell Childress, Episode 7” (TV Series)<br /><a href="https://youtu.be/PEFuogBXYBY" target="_blank"><span style="color: #01ffff;">https://youtu.be/PEFuogBXYBY</span></a></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Paul Stephen Edwards<br />"The Great American Horror Road Trip"<br /></span></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">(H</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">orror filmmaking docuseries)<br /></span></span><a href="https://youtu.be/snitFLL-6SY" style="font-family: georgia;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #01ffff; font-size: x-large;">https://youtu.be/snitFLL-6SY</span></a></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Dawn Fields<br />“Yesterday’s Moon” (a romance film’s journey) <a href="http://www.YesterdaysMoon.com" target="_blank"><span style="color: #01ffff;">www.YesterdaysMoon.com</span></a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Kevin Quezada and Hannah Koi Prado<br />Entertainment Film Producers<br /><a href="http://HKP-Entertainment.com" target="_blank"><span style="color: #01ffff;">HKP-Entertainment.com</span></a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Jenn Nangle<br />"Malvolia: The Queen of Screams" TV Series<br /></span><a href="http://www.YouTube.com/malvoliathequeenofscreams" style="font-family: georgia;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #01ffff; font-size: x-large;">www.YouTube.com/malvoliathequeenofscreams</span></a></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Judd Angel<br />Actor (demo reel)<br /><a href="https://youtu.be/qVmRWyDF4m0" target="_blank"><span style="color: #01ffff;">https://youtu.be/qVmRWyDF4m0</span></a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Colton Baumgartner<br />Entertainer (Amazon page)<br /><a href="https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Colton+Baumgartner" target="_blank"><span style="color: #01ffff;">https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Colton+Baumgartner</span></a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #ffa400; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><u><b>Music/Video</b></u></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Roy Padro<br />Music creator<br /><a href="https://allmylinks.com/flava1radio" target="_blank"><span style="color: #01ffff;">https://allmylinks.com/flava1radio</span></a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Anthony Honore<br />"Get Up!" (Music video)<br /><a href="https://youtu.be/NWdhVc7EzBM" target="_blank"><span style="color: #01ffff;">https://youtu.be/NWdhVc7EzBM</span></a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #ffa400; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><u><b>Books/Other Media</b></u></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Brian Fitzpatrick<br />Writer<br /><a href="http://www.brianfitzpatrickbooks.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #01ffff;">http://www.brianfitzpatrickbooks.com/</span></a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Daryl Hajek<br />“Blood Blossom” (a suspense drama novel) <a href="https://amzn.to/397VgUa" target="_blank"><span style="color: #01ffff;">https://amzn.to/397VgUa</span></a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Mindy Dougherty<br />An entrepreneurial idea & inspirational books <a href="www.feedmycity.net " target="_blank"><span style="color: #01ffff;">www.feedmycity.net </span></a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Edison F Cortez<br />Fashion Designer, Costume Designer & Artist <a href="https://www.instagram.com/edisonsatelier/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #01ffff;">https://www.instagram.com/edisonsatelier/</span></a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Dónaco Smyth<br />“Animal Watch” (card game)<br /><a href="http://www.animalwatchgame.com" target="_blank"><span style="color: #01ffff;">www.animalwatchgame.com</span></a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Tim Gross<br />“Tales from the Gross Side” short horror tales<br /><a href="https://rb.gy/p6q3nx" target="_blank"><span style="color: #01ffff;">https://rb.gy/p6q3nx</span></a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Addison Rose Peacock<br />“Heart Games” (podcast) <span style="color: #01ffff;"><a href="https://twitter.com/HeartGamesPod" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/HeartGamesPod</a></span></span></p><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><div><br /></div>Gregory Blairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03113739997762691070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5424348714542730396.post-44538054473452286522020-11-07T09:31:00.013-08:002020-11-12T21:02:39.146-08:00From “Us vs. Them” to “We, Together”<div style="text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif;">America
has spoken. Starting next year, Trump will no longer be our president. Joe
Biden beat him by over five million votes. <i>Five million votes</i>. That’s a
monumental statement our country has proclaimed for the world to hear. And
history has been made: Biden won more votes than any presidential candidate
prior. We’ve voted in the first Black female vice president. And more people
voted than ever before. All of that is monumental. The people have spoken
and spoken loudly.</span><span style="color: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: white; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Trump can cry “fraud” all he wants; false narratives and finger-pointing have been two of his more fascistic tactics all along. But it’s pure irony: he’s been the fraud since Day One and enough of America has, thankfully, gotten wise to the fact. Most of the civilized world is sighing with relief that we’ve managed to kick him out of office. So is most of America, as evidenced by Biden not only winning both the popular vote and the electoral college, but by earning more votes than anyone in the history of our country. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: white; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: white;">There’s no denying Trump has been the most divisive, dismissive, disrespectful, bullying, belittling, bragging, obstreperous, recalcitrant president of our lifetimes. History will rightfully brand him as one of the great stains on the legacy of American presidents: casually lying, scoffing at science, failing at diplomacy and—literally and figuratively—recklessly endangering the nation from the COVID 19 virus to willfully emboldening bigots to murderous action. Even in the final hours of the election, he once again proved his true nature: falsely claiming victories that weren’t true; spreading lies about wide-spread election fraud with little to no supporting evidence, knee-jerk suing multiple states he feared he’d lost and prematurely demanding either recounts or ends to counting, and so on; the desperate acts of a drowning despot.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: white; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: white;">Those of you voted him out: I thank you for putting decency over all the unacceptable behaviors listed above. You have restored my faith in the goodness of America. You have shown that the majority of Americans agree that Trump’s egregious words and actions are unacceptable for anyone—especially a president; that bad behavior must never be rewarded; that bigotry in all forms—from racism to sexism to homophobia and more—must be called out </span><u style="color: white;">without hesitation</u><span style="color: white;"> and eradicated without yielding. I celebrate you. I honor you. I am with you.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: white; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: white;">To those of you who supported Trump: I love you no</span> <span style="color: white;">less</span> <span style="color: white;">(love is unconditional), I care for you no less (caring is the mark of a civilized society), but I do respect you just a little less because your support of Trump means you approve and enable all his ugly words and actions and all the ugly words and actions he’s incited in our streets. That is something I simply cannot honor. However, I’m confident most of you can and will earn that respect again. The opportunities are bountiful and I look forward to the day when we can work together, side by side, to make this country the best it can be: one that shuns harmful behavior and beliefs; that honors transparency, inclusivity and diversity; that values kindness, decency…and liberty and justice for all. I hope it's any day, now.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="color: white; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: white; font-size: x-large;">So, here's to a brighter future. It’s in our grasp. There is still much to do, but we can certainly do it faster and better, </span><span style="color: white; font-size: x-large;">together.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: white; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: white; font-size: xx-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWzXvEbNdvarXySjwDCMIHLkkwRV6f-JvDjlAk_DZrZskxwAzJlxQnkfIcsgEVL2gE2Kw5CdOwLcclg0CiWKVtUbom8O5L7OPY4owL6ln9Y7rAyUwrQYihv6azam2Rw2xfUquupdF0i_J3/s1453/suissa-love-america-1453x858.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="858" data-original-width="1453" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWzXvEbNdvarXySjwDCMIHLkkwRV6f-JvDjlAk_DZrZskxwAzJlxQnkfIcsgEVL2gE2Kw5CdOwLcclg0CiWKVtUbom8O5L7OPY4owL6ln9Y7rAyUwrQYihv6azam2Rw2xfUquupdF0i_J3/w400-h237/suissa-love-america-1453x858.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></span></span></div>Gregory Blairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03113739997762691070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5424348714542730396.post-85810019801398684042020-10-23T08:48:00.000-07:002020-10-23T08:48:15.771-07:00<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I almost never talk politics, but this is a historic time and I think a few words are appropriate. So, here are my thoughts on the Presidential race and, specifically, the latest debate--especially for anyone who is still undecided.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Trump successfully appeared calmer and less orange, but he still talked over the moderator, slung mud instead of answering questions, lied often (all the fact checkers agree) and boasted laughable statements like “I'm the least racist president. I'm the least racist person in this room." His regular attempts at restraint allowed him to make a far better impression than last time, but his content was all the same game of finger-pointing and falsehoods, egregious claims and egomaniacal boasts. Ironically, his most true statement, in more ways than one, may have been “I know more about wind than you do.” Indeed.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Biden wavered between relaxed and confident to floundering and stammering to fired-up and strong. He called out Trump on some of his more outlandish claims and fired back a fair amount of return digs. But he also choked and misspoke a few times (such as referring to the “Proud Boys” as “Poor Boys”). But Biden’s heartfelt, genuine answers about the country’s race problem and the border children without parents demonstrated the difference between a candidate who brags about how he understand and cares “better than anyone” and a candidate who actually does seem to care. If that weren’t enough, his closing remarks blew Trump’s out of existence and came with a mic drop which is good enough to repeat, here: <br /><br /><br /><i>"What is on the ballot, here, is the character of this country. Decency. Honor. Respect. Treating people with dignity. Making sure that everyone has an even chance. And I'm going to make sure you get that. You haven't been getting that the last four years."</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Biden makes it clear he understands that, in the final analysis, this isn’t about right and left. It’s about right and wrong. Are you (we) going to reward a man who regularly and shamelessly lies, belittles, boasts, mudslings, denies fault and recklessly endangers or do we want to be represented (and have our country) represented by a man who listens to the experts, learns from his mistakes and sincerely wants to help us become a wiser, kinder and more unified country? There is only one acceptable choice. <br /><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">So...to you as yet undecided few. I beg you: don't be an enabler of Trump's crimes; it's a stain of guilt and shame that will live with you for the rest of your life. That's why so many who voted for him the first time--Republicans and Democrats alike--are staunchly against him; they, like Biden, recognize their mistakes, recognize villainy, and aim to do better. And we deserve so much better.<br /><br />Vote decency. Vote Biden.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-top: 4.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></p>Gregory Blairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03113739997762691070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5424348714542730396.post-69312367642872711072020-09-15T21:52:00.003-07:002020-09-17T06:14:59.686-07:00All The Write Stuff<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: left;">Writing is tough. Choosing the right subject, the right words,
the right rhythm. So much more than simply dragging a pen across paper. Or typing
on a keyboard. But, if writing is tough, for writers, <i>not</i> writing is
tougher. Especially when we <i>want</i>
to be writing. Well, I’m here to tell you scribes out there to relax and take
heart: that part of writing actually is <i>not</i> writing.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: left;">Let me explain.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: left;">Just the other day, I sat at my desk, script open to the last scene
I had written. And I stared at the screen. I reviewed what I’d done so far. I
stared at the screen. I perused my notes of what was to come next. I stared at
the screen. I tweaked some of the notes. I stared at the screen. I made
coffee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stared at the screen. I walked
the dog. I stared at the screen. I had lunch. I stared at the screen. And so
on.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: left;">By the end of the day, I had written not a single new word in the
script. I used to get quite despondent about that. But time has taught me that
such days are part of the process. Our brains often need time to sift through
ideas—not just consciously, but unconsciously. I think doing other things
energizes and refreshes us, clears away cobwebs, and lets ideas percolate and
gel on their own accord.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: left;">The next day, I banged out ten pages with (relative) ease. I have
no doubt that was a result of my efforts at the computer <i>and</i> my time
away from it the previous day. That seemingly unproductive time was, in fact, very
productive; it just didn’t manifest itself on the page until the following day.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: left;">Thus,
I say to all my fellow wordsmiths, don’t despair the next time you’re sitting
at your desk, unable to put words on the page.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You don’t suck. You’re not suffering from writer’s block. Your brain is
busy processing input in ways that will make a scene seem to magically pop out
of your head in the very near future. And that’s gonna feel so good!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: left;">So, in the meantime, enjoy your coffee. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Walk the dog. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Love your life.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></span></span><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIQR7aajnFAjzbyZTvBEZpxEnuJ38jwBR8eXz5EBJHSY7wIbvKMaY_A3Py-kQ2m10XPRShdwPdxCrmnLPc2UA54XUKL4LZ8otA9tNiIs06-DEQH5P2SJDgAKSoQ4_vJu5nrlMIbtcNJ8XZ/s700/writer.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIQR7aajnFAjzbyZTvBEZpxEnuJ38jwBR8eXz5EBJHSY7wIbvKMaY_A3Py-kQ2m10XPRShdwPdxCrmnLPc2UA54XUKL4LZ8otA9tNiIs06-DEQH5P2SJDgAKSoQ4_vJu5nrlMIbtcNJ8XZ/s700/writer.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="700" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIQR7aajnFAjzbyZTvBEZpxEnuJ38jwBR8eXz5EBJHSY7wIbvKMaY_A3Py-kQ2m10XPRShdwPdxCrmnLPc2UA54XUKL4LZ8otA9tNiIs06-DEQH5P2SJDgAKSoQ4_vJu5nrlMIbtcNJ8XZ/w400-h240/writer.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"></p><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span><p></p>Gregory Blairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03113739997762691070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5424348714542730396.post-48828496889185631612020-07-02T06:46:00.000-07:002020-07-02T06:46:24.437-07:002020: Midpoint Musings<br />
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">There's a far worse pandemic than COVID19. But fortunately, there's a cure...</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNOTwJPqDfSWrwdmt-9M53iHXfgAAU6yLIVvw1cW9MKCBY1KvbBR7DU4JIwXZ2EtMN_DBTgstcdLElSrdbjoz9bCAXl-yh94RoB6XnAtL7pxwslmZAwZcdDxnlR6nQZRuChY5M07ZrQrMG/s1600/2020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="381" data-original-width="736" height="103" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNOTwJPqDfSWrwdmt-9M53iHXfgAAU6yLIVvw1cW9MKCBY1KvbBR7DU4JIwXZ2EtMN_DBTgstcdLElSrdbjoz9bCAXl-yh94RoB6XnAtL7pxwslmZAwZcdDxnlR6nQZRuChY5M07ZrQrMG/s200/2020.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">We're only half way through the year and it's already clear that, looking back, 2020 </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">will be </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">remembered </span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">as the year it all came out; when all the systemic evils of our lives were thrust into the zeitgeist. The economic and judicial iniquities, the racism and
bigotry, the </span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">oligarchy-run news outlets; the perfect storm of the COVID19 pandemic and social media brought all these monsters out, screaming too loud to
be quelled and swept quietly aside this time. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="background-color: black;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Sure, </span></span></span><span style="background-color: black; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: large;">those issu</span><span style="background-color: black; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: large;">es were a part of the U.S. before and we had protests and vigils i</span><span style="background-color: black; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: large;">n the past and had some champions to fight to end some of the atrocities. But for every Harvey Milk there was a Harvey Weinstein; for eve</span><span style="background-color: black; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: large;">ry Martin Luther King Jr. there was a Roy Cohn; ma<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">ny of the villains working behind closed doors or out of the public eye. </span>But this time, no one could hide from the </span><span style="background-color: black; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: large;">spotlight that shone on the systems that were failing us or those who were responsible: from the smallest town’s </span><span style="background-color: black; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: large; line-height: 25.68px;">malcontent </span><span style="background-color: black; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: large;">ranting on YouTube that they were free to shun masks, black, gay and/or transgender Americans and anything else they chose, to the country’s president lying on national television about the border wall, the COVID19 pandemic and his own political prowess—punctuated by inflammatory, finger-pointing tweet storms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was all out there for everyone to see: inarguable, infuriating, and utterly irreversible from the analogues of history.</span></div>
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<span style="background: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Everyone who looked at all that without filters saw it for
what it was; evidence that there was a pernicious pandemic—and not the latest coronavirus,
which was temporary—but a pandemic of a contagion causing a lack of
empathy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And lack of empathy is the root
of all bigotry, all greed, all injustice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Because with empathy, we cannot heartlessly harm another living creature
without feeling harmed ourselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
whether that amounts to killing an animal for food, fashion or sport or denying
a human being justice and equal rights, it is a crime against nature and it is
what destroys our world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With empathy
for the planet and all its inhabitants, you cannot condone pollution just to
line your pockets; you cannot hate someone
because of who they are by birth—whether it’s immediately evident like skin color
or realized later in life like orientation; you cannot create religions,
governments or laws that harm people with dogma or decree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But we do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And we are damned forever to live in a world of iniquity and hatred
unless we change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unless we end the
pandemic of prejudice, greed and the abuse of power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: black;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Fortunately, a cure for this pestilent malfeasance</span></span><b style="cursor: pointer; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px;"><i> </i></b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">exists. And the cure—as old as the world itself—is love. Because love
breeds empathy.</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">And empathy breeds
kindness and respect.</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">And kindness and
respect are what will guide us to make the changes necessary to build a better humanity.</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> A</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> better world.</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> A</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> future in which we can—not only survive—but
thrive.</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Together.</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">In harmony.</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">But it is up to us demand those changes in ourselves and our
systems.</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br />There is work to be done and we
cannot afford to wait or to be afraid to begin. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">With a brave spirit and a kind heart, we can
all do our part, however small.</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br />And do
it, we must.</span></span></div>
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Gregory Blairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03113739997762691070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5424348714542730396.post-27397279449409127512020-05-26T11:11:00.003-07:002020-05-27T19:33:23.444-07:00Creating...No Matter What<br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;">As the world navigates how to best return to public activity, we can still take refuge in the indoor joys that our creative world has opened up in response to the current pandemic.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;">As I noted in my last post, t</span><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;">hanks to the internet, art is flooding our world in manifold ways. Opera houses, theaters, and individual artists of all sorts are sharing works, new and old, to help each other connect with our culture and creativity. It's heartwarming to see how we have opened up new ways to share our lives and our dreams.<br /><br />I have enjoyed many an offering and, have for the last month, been creating one of my own: a sci-fi short film that I hope to have completed next month. Made entirely in quarantine, with fellow actors performing and filming their parts, a fellow writer brainstorming ideas via computer and a lot of hours using what post-production programs I have at my disposal. I hope you enjoy it, once it is ready.<br /><br />Here are some sneak peeks to whet your appetite.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;"><br />Till next month, s</span><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;">tay strong. Stay safe.</span></div>
Gregory Blairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03113739997762691070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5424348714542730396.post-53556810463131016412020-03-28T09:23:00.001-07:002020-04-07T14:01:57.492-07:00Resilience<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;">As we are all in the throes of the first pandemic of most of our lifetimes, what I am most moved by is the response from the good people of the world: those who have paid attention to the scientific experts and are doing their utmost to keep us safe and sane in a time of quarantine and isolation. Not just the heroic people in the medical field, fighting the disease firsthand, but those on the front lines of society’s essential machinery: those who risk their lives to make sure food and supplies are delivered. And, even more astonishing, my fellow artists who are sharing work in new (and often free) ways to fill our lives with much-needed diversions and delights, with messages of hope, with laughter, with music, with song.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;">Thanks to the internet, art is flooding our world in manifold ways. Opera houses are sharing recordings of their works, writers are releasing free copies of their books, museums are offering free virtual tours, performers are doing free virtual concerts—many of these linked to fundraisers to help various groups affected by layoffs, closures, and so on. There are so many people finding ways to help each other connect and find a little solace in this dark time. Clearly, the virus cannot touch our creativity, our resilience, our ability to touch one another—even in times of isolation.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;">Perhaps that is the purpose and power of art: to remind us how interconnected and interdependent we truly are.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;">Stay strong. Stay safe.</span><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;">My two films are free on Amazon Prime:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black; font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: white;">GARDEN PARTY MASSACRE (Horror/Comedy) </span><br /><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KLQRNFV"><span style="color: orange;">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KLQRNFV</span></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black; font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: white;">DEADLY REVISIONS (Mystery/Horror)</span><br /><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016DJB226/"><span style="color: orange;">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016DJB226/</span></a></span></span><br />
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />Gregory Blairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03113739997762691070noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5424348714542730396.post-84131404992381866692020-02-12T07:23:00.000-08:002020-02-12T07:23:10.674-08:00Oscar Winner<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I'm not writing anything this time. Joaquin Phoenix has said all that needs to be said in his Oscar acceptance speech. Emphasis on "acceptance".
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRFfC6g_eLHPfFuf20eJTg7IH_Dhxj2P45idnhagoM5Innfz3kjy_-rKUV0chBmmGil2lyH1TYEYIiBe_glXFyyj-BjUGzyeUq1DQzHB6IHAPZHQeUCMPO5K-veO_e1aEdqpVgtC97ORcS/s1600/85070132_10158148076763824_8592094943370018816_n.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRFfC6g_eLHPfFuf20eJTg7IH_Dhxj2P45idnhagoM5Innfz3kjy_-rKUV0chBmmGil2lyH1TYEYIiBe_glXFyyj-BjUGzyeUq1DQzHB6IHAPZHQeUCMPO5K-veO_e1aEdqpVgtC97ORcS/s400/85070132_10158148076763824_8592094943370018816_n.png" width="400" /></a></div>
Gregory Blairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03113739997762691070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5424348714542730396.post-62769976002396823962020-01-14T12:47:00.000-08:002020-01-14T13:03:58.034-08:002019 Movies To Cheer<div style="background-color: black; black-space: normal; color: #1c1e21; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 6px 0px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: white; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18.0pt;">Awards season is
here. There were many memorable films full of incredible talent on both
sides of the camera. Some got Oscar nods, some didn't--but that doesn't
change the quality of the work.</span><span style="color: white; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: white; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18.0pt;">I haven't seen all the
2019 films that have been lauded, but a few of the standouts for me were as
follows: </span><span style="color: white; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: white; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18.0pt;">JOJO RABBIT: A surreal,
utterly original tale--expertly told; as wickedly funny as is it sobering and
thoughtful. It’s everything a movie should be. </span><span style="color: white; font-family: "segoe ui emoji" , sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt;">⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️</span><span style="color: white; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: white; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18.0pt;">
BOMBSHELL: This hip and thrilling expose of the women behind the takedown of
Fox News’ Roger Ailes is a masterpiece of filmmaking: the acting, writing, directing,
editing, costumes, makeup—every element calibrated to perfection. </span><span style="color: white; font-family: "segoe ui emoji" , sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt;">⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️</span><span style="color: white; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="color: white; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18.0pt;"><br /></span>
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<span style="color: white; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18.0pt;">
PARASITE: A stunning piece of cinema in many ways, what begins as a delicious
tale of bad manners loses credibility with each plot twist and jarring shift in
tone before coming to its splashy climax and preposterous denouement. Still,
it’s a fresh, engaging journey. </span><span style="color: white; font-family: "segoe ui emoji" , sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt;">⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️</span><span style="color: white; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18.0pt;">1/2</span><span style="color: white; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18.0pt;"><br /></span>
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<span style="color: white; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18.0pt;">
JOKER: A dark meditation on society’s failure to care for the mentally ill,
boosted by spectacular cinematography and Joaquin Phoenix’s superb performance.
Overlong and borrowing too much from “The King of Comedy”, it still packs a
powerful punch. </span><span style="color: white; font-family: "segoe ui emoji" , sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt;">⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️</span><span style="color: white; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18.0pt;">ROCKETMAN:
"Rocketman" proves that<span style="background: black;"> a biopic can
be as imaginative as anything else out there.</span> E<span style="background: black;">xcellent writing, directing, cinematography and acting offer s</span>urprises
and delights as we float along with Taron Egon singing his way through Elton
John's life. The jukebox musical has finally grown up...and it's
glorious. </span><span style="color: white; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<span style="background: black; color: white; font-family: "segoe ui emoji" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: white; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; word-spacing: 0px;"></span><span style="color: white; font-family: "segoe ui emoji" , sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; word-spacing: 0px;">⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️</span></span><span style="background: black; color: white; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18.0pt;">1/2</span><span style="color: white; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18.0pt;"></span><br />
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<div style="background: black; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="background: black; color: white; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18.0pt;">AVENGERS:
ENDGAME: Too many recent films run over two hours and can't support their
runtime, but this final chapter of the series is an exception. It's a
crowd-pleasing, eye-popping piece of old fashioned fun with all the bells and
whistles.</span><span style="color: white; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18.0pt;"></span></div>
<span style="background: black; color: white; font-family: "segoe ui emoji" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: white; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; word-spacing: 0px;"></span><span style="color: white; font-family: "segoe ui emoji" , sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; word-spacing: 0px;">⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️</span></span><span style="background: black; color: white; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18.0pt;">1/2</span><span style="color: white; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span><br />
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Gregory Blairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03113739997762691070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5424348714542730396.post-13101803834094271402019-12-21T13:32:00.002-08:002019-12-21T13:34:36.877-08:00Wrapping It Up<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br />I normally take this time to say something about being kind, being a better person...or aiming to do that in the new year. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I did that last year...<br /><br /><a href="http://gregoryblair.blogspot.com/2018/12/new-year-new-habits-new-you_22.html"><span style="color: orange;">http://gregoryblair.blogspot.com/2018/12/new-year-new-habits-new-you_22.html</span></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">and the year before...<br /><span style="color: orange;"><br /><a href="http://gregoryblair.blogspot.com/2017/11/this-year-its-personal.html"><span style="color: orange;">http://gregoryblair.blogspot.com/2017/11/this-year-its-personal.html</span></a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">and the year before...<br /><span style="color: orange;"><br /><a href="http://gregoryblair.blogspot.com/2016/11/greater-gifts.html"><span style="color: orange;">http://gregoryblair.blogspot.com/2016/11/greater-gifts.html</span></a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">If you haven't figured out what's really important in life, go check those posts out.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">After you've done that, if you still find yourself in need of more of me (and there really should be a cream for that), I'm simply going to direct you to my year-end wrap up on my website, so you can see what you missed out hearing about this past year.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">You can find that here: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<a data-ft="{"tn":"-U"}" data-lynx-mode="async" data-lynx-uri="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.2writers.com%2FGregory_2019Review.htm%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR2_OuQiSDsfnul9wQp9uIQqOdSbuERMNuX7yluNPExucRbDR_pOkD2SDT4&h=AT2uxd_idSNBTf8zh-Lg5uyR842IDB_Dkkt307yoSzIzm5-b8aAhr6n2pzF2YAklwku2bVhDNxubZHnQC_abSZkueiiTRKRjBvjt7iTTewH0y-4h7I3kJS2AHFbM6eonOVH_TsZTi15k7_J1RruSfFS0OEvUYY8DQn2g7cII8r6dFw8Ps_lySdVhY3o_0vshUs_SKucWNa8gQDvpgEbTR9yp4XqUVekb5c4ghOsKP96p6FxmD915zH6iYKCbOLv-ILCD8DVtf5FJ4ycg5hhyew2HFQoSZ-oJliTDzW-Vx1koe8UF08xYHjQtld34uX9kE83ddMJdyWsm5te59dNFvpC-8oEU8rrYd9jY0LZfyzDdq2OtEYiSVzn_NKgdV6vn24bgL5wzUns6k-m7QPOkdfTDABB_as3BeLWsW_Ain_BuIzrFr287NWgmjAMCKHjhq7BXT-yQqTBH7MjMLztCnLf8wTOX" href="http://www.2writers.com/Gregory_2019Review.htm?fbclid=IwAR2_OuQiSDsfnul9wQp9uIQqOdSbuERMNuX7yluNPExucRbDR_pOkD2SDT4" rel="noopener nofollow" style="cursor: pointer;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: black; color: orange; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">http://www.2writers.com/Gregory_2019Review.htm</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Other than that, let me simply wish you a very happy holiday season and all the best for the coming year.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Thank you for being here.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: magenta; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>~Gregory</i></span><br />
<br />Gregory Blairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03113739997762691070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5424348714542730396.post-12022166413045884132019-11-11T11:08:00.000-08:002019-11-12T07:01:43.189-08:00The Soul of Wit<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Brevity. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Not a new conceit. But one I think current filmmakers are forgetting, under the misconception that length equals import: an idea that has found its way into the horror genre with a horrible result.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I posted about this on social media and the response was voluminous and almost unanimous: people don’t like long movies when the story does not support the run-time. There are many films that bear rich, dynamic tapestries of story that fill more than two hours: historical epics and musicals are two genres that often do so. Some of my favorite films do. But they are the exceptions to the rule. Most films do not; horror, for my taste, particularly suffers from a longer run-time. I began to wonder why that was and, more to the current trend, why some filmmakers don’t seem to care.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I think to some degree, horror films don’t require as much story: they are often about a single situation, set in a single time with a small group of characters. We don’t need to know much (if anything) about a character’s past, if—as is often the case—it bears no importance to the story. Furthermore, the tension wanes if a film spends too long on a scene that isn’t riddled with terror, mystery or at least some sense of unease. Most longer films have too much time go by where we’re not scared or intrigued; they become horror films trapped in drawn-out dramas.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">This seems to be true for what has become labeled as “elevated horror”—perhaps the most offensive term to come along in a while. Elevated from what? The term is instantly elitist. What makes these films so lofty? Because they are “about something”? Horror films have been “about something” for forever: mindless conformity (1956’s “Invasion of the Body Snatchers”), selling your (baby’s) soul for fame (1968’s “Rosemary’s Baby”), feminism vs. toxic masculinity (1975’s “The Stepford Wives”), homophobia (1985’s “A Nightmare On Elm Street 2”) and so on. Is it because they display exceptional cinematic craft? So did 1922’s “Nosferatu”, 1960’s “Psycho”, 1977’s “Suspiria” and so on. I find the term and the mindset for its need insulting.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">And, yet, here we are: having pretentious horror films over two hours being foisted on us poor plebeians because we are so clearly in desperate need of edjumacation and “Art” with a capital “A”. Puh-lease! Good horror is like good sex: the filmmaker gets in, makes passionate love to us, and then leaves us breathless. These “elevated”, over-long films are just so much masturbation, leaving us cold on the couch and wondering what’s in the fridge.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Make horror sexy again. Make it short and sweet.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">And scare the crap out of us.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitNdnpgWMmtjsOk5u4V57NS2B1MvZabJRV78tMG8zn_0XOZhaH-Zo_XkxOt-E-ZUicnMB9YweH9Yx0Zp_naDq5cVFjCmTw41Yg6IgZrkzHHwLPBX0wtCKYxOAh5YWM92B070LeehoTSQhK/s1600/8025154143_a6845a0b47_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="497" data-original-width="1024" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitNdnpgWMmtjsOk5u4V57NS2B1MvZabJRV78tMG8zn_0XOZhaH-Zo_XkxOt-E-ZUicnMB9YweH9Yx0Zp_naDq5cVFjCmTw41Yg6IgZrkzHHwLPBX0wtCKYxOAh5YWM92B070LeehoTSQhK/s400/8025154143_a6845a0b47_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Gregory Blairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03113739997762691070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5424348714542730396.post-86487331553309580412019-10-23T19:44:00.001-07:002019-10-24T16:36:46.641-07:00Change Is Good<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; line-height: 107%;">Life is change. Or adaptation.
Or evolution.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; line-height: 107%;">Living things, by the very nature of their existence, must
continually be in motion, on some level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Physically, spiritually, emotionally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We all are ever changing. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; line-height: 107%;">It is a thing to embrace, for without it, we are nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Certainly not alive.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; line-height: 107%;">My evolution as an artist has brought me to embrace something
new.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or new to me, I should say.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not new.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And the idea is centuries old.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; line-height: 107%;">It’s Patreon—the web platform that allows artists to gather patrons
to help them achieve their artistic goals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Basically, anyone can participate, exchanging a monthly pledge for
creative content from an artist they want to support.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />It’s that simple.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />That beautiful.</span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large; text-align: center;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; line-height: 107%;">And you can be a part of that beautiful thing with me. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; line-height: 107%;">My Patreon page is: <a href="https://www.patreon.com/gregoryblair"><span style="color: orange;">https://www.patreon.com/gregoryblair</span></a></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVbXGLwRnG1t6WZLI0dz_zCEjjhOwxW3GdqOFpwkh6ni_1pvp-UKPqqNCyvMSvY0iith5bBKRMIGR3VMMvegcyZXoSsC4p_ci8Lti1TjeRsnTmxQw0o5fZLtLk78EBo1XjMEdZ3BqM4pei/s1600/Thumbnail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1136" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVbXGLwRnG1t6WZLI0dz_zCEjjhOwxW3GdqOFpwkh6ni_1pvp-UKPqqNCyvMSvY0iith5bBKRMIGR3VMMvegcyZXoSsC4p_ci8Lti1TjeRsnTmxQw0o5fZLtLk78EBo1XjMEdZ3BqM4pei/s320/Thumbnail.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; line-height: 107%;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;">Check it out.</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;">I explain
more.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; line-height: 107%;">And I’m funny.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; line-height: 107%;">But you knew that! </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">So, let’s work together.</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">For your support, I will provide exclusive content no one can get anywhere
else.</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">Videos I make only for my beloved patrons.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; line-height: 107%;">You know you don’t want to miss that!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; line-height: 107%;">So, what are you waiting for?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; line-height: 107%;">Join me today at: <a href="https://www.patreon.com/gregoryblair"><span style="color: orange;">https://www.patreon.com/gregoryblair</span></a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://www.patreon.com/gregoryblair"><br /></a></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; line-height: 107%;">Change is good!</span></span><br />
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<br />Gregory Blairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03113739997762691070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5424348714542730396.post-46463701996879091392019-09-29T09:33:00.001-07:002019-09-29T09:33:54.457-07:00And The Winner Is…Us<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDw07mKPoGZlw_vlMBeL2AhAQn9tWg2frZ94EBmoH2-pDELJVjktPTIujPtFLXKJxrwqH6P7CFO2nMVc4Bn0NAh9XGbr02CujzFT8stdSwPVBRPlEi1jEmurAfvK7u9il69dNZCf2Zzyds/s1600/2019-Awards-Roland-de-Guzman-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="930" data-original-width="1600" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDw07mKPoGZlw_vlMBeL2AhAQn9tWg2frZ94EBmoH2-pDELJVjktPTIujPtFLXKJxrwqH6P7CFO2nMVc4Bn0NAh9XGbr02CujzFT8stdSwPVBRPlEi1jEmurAfvK7u9il69dNZCf2Zzyds/s400/2019-Awards-Roland-de-Guzman-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Awards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’re
ubiquitous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Especially in the
entertainment industry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And while it may
all seem at times like a clown car of self-congratulatory “I’m the King of the
World” nonsense, I think there’s a greater purpose…a better way to understand
why these things matter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Simply put, film and television are collaborative arts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An actor’s performance is the result of more
than just their own efforts: it’s shaped by the direction, lighting, editing,
the other actors and more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, too, are
all the other disciplines interdependent, working together into a
tapestry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thus, any award for one is always
an award for many. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In that sense, every
award is a shared win.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And sharing is really what the entertainment world is all
about:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>sharing stories, sharing
experiences, sharing slices of humanity to inform, reform or affirm who we are,
where we’ve been and where we may one day go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I think it appropriate, then, to honor our best achievements
in that goal; awards, titles and ceremonies help us to do that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, just as the honorees share their awards with their collaborators, so do we all share in the experiences
that entertainment provides. Thus, we are all winners and we all share in the glorious spoils. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And isn’t that a wonderful thing to share, after all?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Gregory Blairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03113739997762691070noreply@blogger.com0