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Wednesday: “American Idol” and more…

Emma7 Comments
TCM movie I saw today: Great Expectations (1946)
A young Alec Guiness (left) as Herbert Pocket, Pip's roommate
A young Alec Guiness (left) as Pip's roommate

This is a GREAT classic film based on Dickens’ novel!  The grown-up Pip is played by John Mills (one of the UK’s most respected actors; father of actress Hayley Mills).  Alec Guiness is Pip’s bubbly, helpful roomie Herbert Pocket.  He’s fun to watch!   

 

A VERY young Jean Simmons plays Young Estella
A VERY young Jean Simmons plays Young Estella

The young Estella is the (unusually) pretty Jean Simmons; she was later in Spartacus, Guys and Dolls, etc.  And yes, she always had that posh speaking voice!

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0038574/

 

Some thoughts on American Idol

Adam Lambert
Adam Lambert

The best performances tonight were (in my order): Adam, Allison, Matt, Danny, and Anoop.  Adam (a stage actor who recently appeared in Wicked) showed that he has range; he looked SO different (but still original).  His song was GREAT!  Matt was very confidant onstage, and his song went smoothly. 

Anoop Desai
Anoop Desai
Anoop was good (as I expected), BUT could have been better.  Maybe it was song choice?  Maybe he needs to show more confidence or style?  Hmmm…  He looked even better than last wk (my mom said he looks great).
  
Danny Gokey
Danny Gokey

Danny showed that he has personality and energy; his performance was VERY fun!  I felt bad for Lil b/c she didn’t have a great performance.  Allison improved a LOT from last time; she is very natural (like Anoop) tonight.  Very good group of young people w/ humble, nice personalities (I feel).   

 

 

 

Tuesday (Prez’s news conf day)

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Pics of the day:
 
Big lunch- didn't want to eat breakfast today
Big lunch- didn't want to eat breakfast today

 

 

Sunny and moderate day today
Sunny and moderate day today

 

 

Interesting-looking tree by the apt bldg
Interesting-looking tree by the apt bldg

 

 

A desktop wallpap of the "BSG" actor
A desktop wallpap of the "BSG" actor

 

 

Another desktop design- where hunky meets cute as a button!
Where hunky meets cute as a button!

What’s up this Monday?

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Sarita Choudhury: Back on TV!
Sarita Choudhury is back on TV!
Sarita on NBC's "Kings"

You can see NYC-based actress Sarita Choudhury (half Brit/half Indian) on NBC’s new drama Kings.  I watched the 2 hr. pilot (on IMDB) and thought it was pretty good!  It stars veteran Scottish actor Ian McShane (King Silas Benjamin) and blonde, fresh-faced Aussie newcomer Christopher Egan (David Shepherd).  Don’t be shocked- the 25 y.o. Egan has VERY similar looks of fellow Aussie Health Ledger. 

 

Christopher Egan on "Kings"
Christopher Egan on "Kings"

He also reminded people of Matt Damon and Leonardo DiCaprio.  TV needs MORE fresh new talent like this, not merely posers!

 

There are interesting supporting characters in Kings.  The creator based his show on the story on King David in the Bible.  It’s set in an alternate reality where America has a monarchy.   Sarita plays the (secret) love of King Silas’s life; they have a young son together.  (I saw Sarita close-up after a play reading in spring of ’08- she is GORGEOUS!)  

 

More about Sarita: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0002004/

More about Kings: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1137462/

 

Outside my window/balcony:

 

7:30PM today- weather much colder than SUN!
7:30PM today- weather much colder than SUN!

 

Hotties (from Battlestar Galactica):

 

Yes, he was on "Bridget Jones" movies, too!
Yes, Gaius was in "Bridget Jones" movies!

Maybe not EVERYONE thinks of James Callis as a traditional hottie, but he really throws himself into his roles!  He can be funny (like in Bridget Jones) or take on a range of emotions (like on BSG).   

Brits are the best IMHO!
Brits are the best IMHO!

 

Tahmoh Penikett (Helo)
Tahmoh Penikett (Helo)
This actor is from the Canadian Yukon- WOW!  See, hotties can be found EVERYWHERE! 
Candian Alessandro Juliani (Gaeta)
Canadian Alessandro Juliani (Gaeta)

At first I thought he could be desi (South Asian) b/c of his looks!  Maybe Pakistani?  Actually, his mom is Chinese and his dad is Canadian. 

 

Movies I watched recently:

 

A lesser known noir film w/ great acting!
A lesser known noir film w/ great acting!

 

Monty Clift shines in this pic- so does Liz.
Monty Clift shines in this pic- so does Liz.

  

"Of Mice and Men" (1992)
"Of Mice and Men" (1992)

This is an engaging, sad, and VERY well-acted film starring John Malkovich and Gary Sinese (who also directed and co-produced!)  It deals w/ issues of friendship, mental disability, loneliness, and home.  This pic is based on John Steinbeck’s book Of Mice and Men; it’s set in Salinas, California during the Depression. The main actors ALL hit the right notes, and do it effortlessly- no over-acting here!

Sunday on the blog (random stuff)

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What I bought today:
 
There is new packaging for many B&BW items.
There is new packaging for many B&BW items.
3 oz. body sprays: Warm Vanilla Sugar, Sweet Pea, & Enchanted Orchid
Lip Balm: Lemon (from C.O. Bigelow)  
Yup- only $2.99 each!
Yeah, only $2.99 ea at Borders!

Cookbooks are always FUN to look at, right?  Sometimes I even try a recipe!

 

Pictures of the day:
 
 
March 22 around 7:30PM (Alexandria, VA)
March 22 around 7:30PM (Alexandria, VA)

 

 
My (latest) workout DVD set- "Turbo Jam"
My (latest) workout DVD set- "Turbo Jam"

 

Actor Jamie Bamber ("Battlestar Galactica")
Actor Jamie Bamber ("Battlestar Galactica")
I have only watched a FEW eps of BSG (after my friend Sadia told me about the story- thanks!), but already think it’s AWESOME!!!   
Very casual (and cute)!
Very casual (and cute)!
Jamie’s dad is American and his mom is North Irish; he grew up in England.  Jamie is not ONLY a hottie- he went to Cambridge Univ.  Though Apollo on BSG speaks w/ an American accent, Jamie would’ve preferred NOT to speak like that.  He colored his hair black to look more like Edward James Olmos (his BSG dad) when the show began. 
 
More blonde & young in "Horatio Hornblower"
More blonde & young in "Horatio Hornblower"
Jamie is close friends w/ Welsh actor (and fellow hottie!) Ioan Gruffudd who played the title character in the UK TV series Horatio Hornblower.  Jamie’s 3 little girls are all blonde (like him).  There’s an adorable pic of his fam on the net!  You may also have seen him in Daniel Deronda starring Hugh Dancy; he played a young artist w/ quirky facial hair.

jamie-bamber_casual1

Now that “BSG” is finished, Jamie can be seem in the UK version of Law & Order.  He plays a detective superintendant (DS) on the show. 

 

More about Jamie:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamie_Bamber

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0051397/

http://www.jamiebamber.co.uk/

2009 US Figureskating Championships: Ice Dance

Emma1 Comment

Hey all!

Any figureskating (FS), esp. ice dancing, fans out there in cyberspace?  Pairs and Ice Dance have always been by fave divisions of the sport of FS.  After a few years of not paying much attn, I’ve decided to check back in w/ the world of FS. 

 

My most fave team in ice dance: Marina Anissina & Gwendal Peizerat (A&P) of FRA.  I followed their career for several years, discussed them w/ many online fans, and even made a little web site dedicated to them.  They were very dramatic, creative, and connected very well w/ audiences.  The choreography and lifts they did were awesome! 

 

As I watched the best of the American ice dancers, I saw that one couple in particular has been influenced by A&P- Meryl Davis and Charlie White.  They’ve been a team since 1997, and are ranked #1 in the US.  They both attend the Univ of Michigan, too.  Wow!  Davis and White had good speed and some very cool moves.  They won gold at Nationals this past wk.   (BTW, Belbin & Agosto, one of our best teams, was not in the competition.  I’m not sure why, but hope it’s nothing too serious.)

 

Meryl Davis & Charlie White

dw_lift1

 

Charlie’s long-ish blonde curls and wide smile immediately reminded me of Gwendal!  This team is coached by Igor Shpilband and Marina Zueva.

 

 

dw_lift3

 

Shades of A&P here…  Charlie is a very strong/powerful skater (he used to compete in Singles), and Meryl is very fluid/light in her movements.

 

 

Madison Hubbell & Keiffer Hubbell

This team was very light, fluid, and elegant over the ice.  They reminded me of the great Russian dance teams of the past.

 

hh1

 

They are brother and sister, so (of course!) are also very well-matched. 

 

hh2

 

The Hubbells also train in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and are coached by Russians.  (Hey, to beat them, you sometimes have to join them!) 

 

Related Links:

 

http://www.ice-dance.com/davis-white/

 

http://hubbells.ice-dance.com/

 

 

Thanks for visiting my site,

EMMA.