Seeing Trent Reznor play this simple version of “Hurt,” you realize what a beautiful song it is.
This is the greatest coincidence of all time: Enya and Trent on the same day!!
Yeah, Dennis Hopper may not be the greatest thing since fried pie in the ethics and personality department. But damn. Good eye.
Taj Mahal! He is so awesome.
Finally, the very beautiful Maureen O’Sullivan in a cute little mash-up that includes her as Jane.
(As in, “You, Jane.”)
Love love love Janet Jackson. The opening track from her first grown-up album.
Give it time: This A.O. Scott appreciation does finally get going and give Henry Fonda his props. And if you haven’t seen Grapes of Wrath, find out about it over at Cinema 1001, and then get it in the queue.
Liberace! One need say no more.
The second biggest story from the Munich Olympics was Olga Korbut, who, thank God, gave us something to smile about.
Debra Winger! How adorable is she as Wonder Girl? (Ignore the creepy ending.)
The great populist Studs Terkel here interviews his modern-day counterpart.
His golden voice and unflappable suavity don’t quite explain why the glorious James Mason is pimping Thunderbird, Fred Sanford’s boire du choix. But he is.
A fine intro to the amazing Jasper Johns.
Another superb actor, Joseph Cotten, playing against type to evil perfection in the great Hitchcock movie, Shadow of a Doubt.
I remember Anna Maria Alberghetti and her crazy name (it was a joke in a Mary Tyler Moore episode once, see below) from childhood. Here’s ostensibly why she became famous in the first place. Why, it’s the same aria Susan Alexander sings in Citizen Kane!
Here’s the joke.
Ending with Chazz Palminteri, one of the greatest and most convincing comic screen gangsters, in one of his most noble roles. Spoiler alert if you haven’t seen Bullets Over Broadway, and if you haven’t, well, change that.
Cate Blanchett remains luminous; it’s fun to see her at the very beginning.
I’m not a huge Bobby Darin fan, but I was just talking to a friend about this version of “Beautiful Things” today. It’s from the movie of Dr. Doolittle.
David Byrne’s weirdness makes him him. A favorite song.
Ending with the lovely Sofia Coppola, so pretty, chic, and talented. Can’t wait to see this movie.
There are way too many Stevie Wonder clips to choose from because he is completely awesome. So here’s one of my favorites of his, performed live. I love the way the band’s having a ball right along with him, and SO tight that they can follow the smallest little nuances from him. Go, back-up singers!!
And then, with one of the greatest bass players, Sting (not his bday). Nice medley, esp when it gets back to Higher Ground at the end. And geez, that voice has barely changed over the years. Gorgeous!
Here’s a clip reel of Dennis Rodman, one of the greatest defensive ballers of all time. I think it beats watching him talk about North Korea, but that’s just me.
Stephen Colbert here proves he has some of the largest cajones in all of Christendom.
Ah, the early 80s, when women and puppets sang duets. Bea Arthur’s finally found someone with a deeper voice…maybe.
Arguably Harvey Keitel’s most spectacular screen minutes. And meanwhile, doesn’t Tarantino remind you of Pee-wee Herman playing a cameo in the movie version of his life?
Samantha Morton is so versatile and fine, and I think she was the definitive Mary, Queen of Scotland. I’m so glad they didn’t pretty her up too much.
I’ve never watched Girls and don’t know from Lena Dunham, but here’s a shout out anyway since so many people go bonkers over that thing.
Ending with the fabulous Mary Weiss, the lead singer you’ve heard a million times but probably didn’t know her name.
I had forgotten how good this movie is; it definitely shows off Ving Rhames a lot better than Pulp Fiction.
Emilio Estevez’s blank eyes were so perfect for this movie.
Katherine Hepburn found her perfect match in Cary Grant; they are both beautiful and beautifully funny in this one.
And here’s Burt Bacharach!
A cool intro to artist Frank Stella.
I think everyone wanted Carla Hall to win Top Chef (stuck with Cassie) and then Top Chef Masters (bad luck). But she kinda won bigger, didn’t she? So goofy and adorable.
How I love ANY excuse to celebrate a Brady birthday! In this case, appropriately enough since it’s Mother’s Day, Carole’s! (Don’t miss Greg as The Pinball Wizard, and also, I SWEAR that Peter Brady grew up to be Seth McFarlane.)
Of the many fabulous ways to celebrate Salvador Dali (including visiting the marvelous museum dedicated to him in Montmartre, virtually or in person), his collaboration with Hitchcock on Spellbound is high on my list. The finished product wasn’t what either he or Hitch hoped for, but it’s still pretty awesome.
Natasha Richardson left us all too soon. Making a song one’s own after Liza’s torn it up is pretty tough, but Natasha brings tremendous vulnerability to her stage version, as well as pretty good belting skills of her own. (Despite how amazing Liza is in the movie, let’s face it: Sally Bowles never would have been stuck in the Kit Kat Klub if she could sing like that.)
So many gorgeous songs to celebrate Irving Berlin; here, a lovely version of “Always” from the Ink Spots, who have definitely started a little flame in my heart.
Martha Graham is at the end of her dancing career in this clip, but how wonderful to have a record of her performance. Yes, age compromises her technique, but what a titan. I am grateful to have worked with producer Nathan Kroll on this for Criterion’s initial laserdisc release. (Yes, laserdisc!)
Pam Ferris is a wonderful actress, but we don’t have her on the record much. Truly the best thing in Matilda.
Frances Fisher doesn’t do a lot of appearances, but this is an important one. I didn’t like Titanic, I loved her in it.
