#billie fletcher icons | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

aion-rsa · 3 years

Text

5 underrated Richard Donner movies you need to see

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Richard Donner will forever be remembered as the filmmaker who created the blueprint for the modern superhero blockbuster with 1978’s Superman starring Christopher Reeve.

Yet that doesn’t tell even half the story of the Bronx-born filmmaker’s brilliant filmography.

Donner was in his late 40s by the time Superman came along, having made a name for himself in Hollywood two years earlier, with 1976’s suitably terrifying The Omen.

Prior to that, he was a budding director making the transition from the small screen to the world of cinema. Donner worked on everything from Gilligan’s Island to The Twilight Zone. Even then, it was clear he was destined for bigger things though, as anyone who saw “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet”, the iconic episode of The Twilight Zone he directed, starring William Shatner, can attest.

While a disagreement with producers ultimately saw him walk away from Superman II, the 1980s saw Donner establish himself as an incredibly versatile big budget director capable of handling everything from the epic family adventure fun of The Goonies to the balancing act of action and comedy found within the buddy cop antics of Lethal Weapon.

It was a skillset that drew admiration from the very best in the movie industry, including Steven Spielberg who was among the first to pay tribute to Donner after learning he had passed away, aged 91.

“Dick had such a powerful command of his movies, and was so gifted across so many genres,” Spielberg, who worked with Donner on The Goonies, said.

“Being in his circle was akin to hanging out with your favourite coach, smartest professor, fiercest motivator, most endearing friend, staunchest ally, and – of course – the greatest Goonie of all.”

Donner may not have had the same impact in the 1990s and early 2000s but he still enjoyed major success with the Lethal Weapon franchise and as a producer with movies like Free Willy and X-Men.

More importantly, the other films he made during that period and in the years between some of his biggest hits remain well worth revisiting or seeking out for the first time – starting with these five.

Ladyhawke

Coming hot on the heels of The Goonies and two years prior to Lethal Weapon, Ladyhawke represented another major departure for Donner. A dark medieval fantasy, it centred on Rutger Hauer’s mysterious Captain Etienne Navarre and his female companion Lady Isabeau (Michelle Pfeiffer), a pair of star-crossed lovers on the run from a vengeful bishop who has placed a demonic curse on their heads. While Navarre transforms into a wolf by night, Isabeau exists as a Hawk by day. Teaming up with petty thief Philippe Gaston (Matthew Broderick) they embark on a quest to overthrow the evil bishop and break the spell.

Something of a passion project, Donner had attempted to get Ladyhawke off the ground several times before finally getting the green light from Warner Bros and 20th Century Fox in the mid ’80s. The film then suffered another setback when Kurt Russell, originally cast as Navarre, dropped out during rehearsals.

That ultimately proved a blessing in disguise with Hauer going on to deliver arguably his best performance since Blade Runner. Not everything about Ladyhawke works – Broderick’s character feels a little too close to Ferris Bueller while the runtime could be trimmed down – but it remains a beautifully realised fantasy epic, full of memorable action set pieces, stunning cinematography and a spellbinding turn from Pfeiffer.

A box office bomb upon release, Ladyhawke has stood the test of time too, garnering a cult following as an authentic and fresh take on the sword and sorcery formula.

Maverick

Maverick is the film Will Smith must have hoped Wild Wild West would be; a funny, clever action comedy based on a classic TV show. Coming in an era when most westerns were deadly serious, Donner’s film also felt like a breath of fresh air and benefited hugely from a masterful William Goldman script that was both witty and unpredictable.

The latest in a series of films featuring Donner’s muse-of-sorts, Mel Gibson, this time out Mel plays Bret Maverick, a brilliant card player and equally impressive con artist trying to collect enough money to earn a seat at a high-stakes poker game. Along the way he is forced to contend with a fellow scammer in the form of Jodie Foster’s Annabelle Bransford as well as lawman Marshal Zane Cooper, played by James Garner, who starred in the original TV series.

While the glut of cameos from country music stars and the likes of Danny Glover can be a little distracting, there’s something wonderfully charming about Maverick with Gibson, Foster and Garner all on top form and boasting an undeniable chemistry that helps keep things entertaining.

The climactic poker game which sees Maverick face off against Alfred Molina’s psychopathic Angel is also expertly handled by Donner, who cranks up the tension as Maverick reveals his final, decisive, hand with a slow-motion toss of the final card towards the camera. A critical and financial success, Maverick has been largely lost in the shuffle since its release but should be sought out.

Conspiracy Theory

There’s something strangely prescient about Conspiracy Theory given the current predilection for such thinking on the internet at large. One of Donner’s most inventive and intelligent outings alongside Gibson, this time out Mel plays Jerry Fletcher, a New York City cab driver with a penchant for paranoid conspiracy theories.

Jerry’s life takes a turn for the strange when he finds himself being targeted by a set of shady government goons led by Patrick Stewart’s Dr Jonas. He quickly realises one of the conspiracies he has been promoting in his weekly newsletter (this was the ‘90s) is based more in reality than he thought. The question is: which one?

An engrossing thriller featuring Donner’s trademark dashes of witty humour, Conspiracy Theory is bolstered significantly by the presence of the ever-reliable Julia Roberts as a government lawyer with a soft spot for Jerry. Despite a lengthy run time, Donner also keeps the action moving along at an engaging pace while Gibson’s performance is just the right side of manic to keep you rooting for him.

A first foray into the kind of deep state conspiracy thrillers that were commonplace in Hollywood at the time, the film also boasts some genuinely striking moments, not least the sequence where Jerry undergoes “psychotic testing” at the hands of Dr Jonas, which wouldn’t have looked out of place in A Clockwork Orange.

Though it was a hit with audiences, Conspiracy Theory earned mixed reviews but appears increasingly worthy of reappraisal.

Timeline

Some movies are big, dumb but lots of fun. Timeline sits firmly in that category despite what many naysayers would have you believe. It’s a brash, simplistic sci-fi flick to rival the likes of The Core and Geostorm and thoroughly entertaining to boot.

The fact that it features Gerard Butler, as well as the late, great, Paul Walker only adds to that sentiment.

Walker plays Chris Johnston who, along with Butler’s Andre Marek and a team of fellow archaeologists travel back in time through a wormhole to 14th century France to rescue their professor, Dr Edward Johnston (Billy Connolly), who just happens to be Walker’s character’s dad too.

Based on a book by Michael Crichton, Donner had been in the running to direct Jurassic Park a decade earlier and jumped at the chance to adapt Timeline for the big screen. While filming went off without a hitch, Donner repeatedly clashed with Paramount Pictures in post-production and was forced to re-cut the film three times in a development that saw the release date pushed by nearly a year. The resulting edit did not sit well with Crichton either, who disliked it so intensely he stopped licensing his work for a few years after.

Whether Donner’s original cut would have earned better reviews or Crichton’s approval remains to be seen but what remains of Timeline is still a well shot, enjoyable sci-fi yarn with some neat medieval action flourishes.

16 Blocks

Donner’s final film also ranks among his most unappreciated. On the surface, 16 Blocks sounds like the perfect fodder for a game of buddy cop movie bingo.

It stars Bruce Willis as Jack Mosley, a worn-out NYPD Detective with a drinking problem tasked with transporting Mos Def’s trial witness Eddie Bunker to court. Problems arise when some of Jack’s fellow officers arrive to kill Eddie and prevent him from testifying. Eager for redemption, Jack decides to take the would-be assassins on and get Eddie to court on time.

A formulaic enough premise, 16 Blocks is emboldened by the fact it plays out in real-time with Eddie required at the courthouse by no later than 10am. In this sense, Donner found himself in new territory with an action thriller that thrives on a unique sense of urgency.

While the filmmaker is no stranger to the action formula, this setup sees him imbue events with a renewed sense of chaos, as Jack and Eddie fight their way through armed adversaries, busy crowds and bustling traffic, all against a cacophony of shouts, car horns and gun blasts.

Ostensibly a chase movie on foot rather than four wheels, the action traverses 16 blocks in 118 minutes and rarely lets up for a second with Donner proving a dab hand at balancing the action with the engaging back-and-forth between Willis and Def who are both understated yet effective throughout.

cnx.cmd.push(function() { cnx({ playerId: "106e33c0-3911-473c-b599-b1426db57530", }).render("0270c398a82f44f49c23c16122516796"); });

Throw in the ever-watchable David Morse as the leader of the shady cops baying for Eddie’s blood and you have arguably one of the most underrated action thrillers of the early 2000s

The post 5 underrated Richard Donner movies you need to see appeared first on Den of Geek.

from Den of Geek https://ift.tt/3AA61tK

#aion-rsa #Den of Geek

2 notes · View notes

dailynicholasgalitzine · 3 years

Photo

If anything is going to get you in the Christmas spirit, it’s English actor Nicholas Galitzine’s latest look. In his newest starring role, the 26-year-old wears a dashing Feng Chen Wang red suit, with any echoes of Old Saint Nick negated by the slick fit and even slicker hairdo.

He wore the tailoring to join an all-star cast including model and British Vogue cover star Adut Akech, The Morning Show actor Bel Powley and designer Michael Halpern in a new tongue-in-cheek film for Mercedes-Benz. The stars appear as contestants in a retro take on a gameshow hosted by Adut, Supermodel Fashion Statement, in the hope of winning a Mercedes G-Class. Nicholas plays a heightened version of himself in the “OTT” production, which was “super fun” to film, he told Miss Vogue over the phone.

“The red suit really just kind of popped along with the other extremely bold outfits we wore as a cast,” he said. “I’m very much an easy person, and I love to work with people who have bold eccentric vision. As a performer, I love to facilitate that in whatever way.”

Nicholas’s performing career wasn’t part of any grand plan – he says he was more at home on the rugby pitch than the stage while at school. But a trip to the Edinburgh Fringe saw him return to South West London with a flurry of agents eager to have him on their books. “I was always a pretty shy kid. At that point in my life, [being in a play] felt like a big step that I needed to take, but I wasn’t expecting anything to come of it,” he said. “There, this idea was presented to me of potentially becoming an actor, which was kind of crazy. I left school unsure of what I wanted to do in life. It was kind of by fate that it came at this perfect moment, and I haven’t really looked back since. I don’t think anyone who I went to school with would have necessarily have been like, ‘Oh, he’s going to be an actor one day.’ I am just as surprised as anyone else.”

Seven years have since passed, and Nicholas has had roles in Netflix’s Chambers and as a closeted teen in the Irish film Handsome Devil, and played Timmy Andrews in The Craft: Legacy, released earlier this year. But it’s his role as Prince Charming in the forthcoming live action retelling of Cinderella – due for release early in 2021 – that is sure to catapult him fully into the spotlight.

For Prince Charming, Nicholas drew on his own personality and experience to bring a modern, more human element to the role. “I definitely had a sort of rebellious period as a kid and was alway getting into trouble and was very mischievous,” he chuckled down the phone. “Yet I’ve always aspired to be the quintessential gentleman. This version of Prince Charming is very much a fusion of both those things. He’s not your typical clean-cut, linear fairytale prince, there’s definitely an edge to him and there are things about him that make him more human than your typical fairytale prince.”

The release of Cinderella couldn’t be more timely, he hopes. After the last 12 months, a happily ever after might be just what everyone needs. “People will be drawn in by the familiarity of it, but then ultimately surprised by our interpretation of it, which is kind of the best of both worlds,” Nicholas said. “I think you always feel a certain level of nervousness when you’re taking on a character that is so well known and so iconic. I felt very comfortable in the fact that we were making something bold and new, and with the team that was assembled around me, I was just so supported going through the process.”

Fans of the original Disney classic will be pleased to hear that this Cinderella is packed with musical numbers. “I just had such an incredible amount of fun doing it, being in a movie musical is one of the greatest creative gifts you can possibly imagine,” said the actor. “It was definitely intimidating in the beginning, but as soon as we finished I was so sad it was over.” Of his co-star, Camila Cabello, who plays the titular role, Nicholas said: “I can tell you for a fact that I have never felt as untalented as when I had to sing alongside her and the other incredible singers, like Idina Menzel (Cinderella’s evil stepmother), and Billy Porter (who plays a genderless Fairy Godmother). I just feel so blessed to be on these tracks with these incredible singers, and regardless of what happens in life, no one can take that away from me now.”

The Cinderella soundtrack won’t be the only album Nicholas appears on next year. “I’m going to be releasing some of my own music in the new year, which is super exciting because I’ve never really had time to pursue that, as acting has taken precedence,” he said. “My goal is to continue working with passionate, driven, artists who are willing to think out of the box, and to keep challenging myself as an artist and a creative.”

Fashion is something else that Nicholas is keen to get his teeth into. Having donned “Cuban heels and super-tight trousers” to play Prince Charming, he’s been picking up style notes from set. “I think you have to step outside of your aesthetic comfort zone when you’re creating characters, because for me, a lot of characterisation happens in costume building,” he explained. “I’ve been very lucky to play a plethora of different characters, and have had to experiment with a lot of styles that aren’t typically what I wear and have been influenced through that.”

He said he admires the wardrobe of Harry Styles, who famously takes a fluid approach to getting dressed. “Something that I’ve definitely taken on when I think of my style icons – people like Harry Styles and the way he’s managed to bring a femininity to his masculinity – is that that’s definitely the way that we’re moving as men going into 2021.” Nicholas name drops young designers Daniel W. Fletcher and Harris Reed as creatives he would like to work with in the near future, and adds that he’s long admired the work of Kim Jones and yearns to own a Tom Ford Suit.

Though classically handsome, Nicholas admits that he hasn’t always felt accepted by the fashion and film worlds. As a broad-shouldered former rugby player, Nicholas said some fashion brands simply don’t cater to his shape, but added that things are changing. “I still have thick thighs, but the male aesthetic is very much tailored to the Timothée Chalamets and the Charlie Plummers of this world,” he said. “I think that we’re moving back into this space of normalising different body types, for both men and women. I think there has been a beauty standard in fashion and the movie industry, but all the shapes are great shapes as far as I’m concerned. If people don’t want my thick thighs then that’s just that’s their fault.”

BY NAOMI PIKE (16 DECEMBER 2020) BRITISH VOGUE

#nicholas galitzine #vogue #artists on tumblr #british vogue #nick galitzine #actor

9 notes · View notes

leloup303 · 3 years

Text

Movie Reviews No One is Asking For - Billie Holiday vs. United States

Billie Holiday is a fascinating figure to study in film as she’s an iconic singer (and, I should note, my favorite singer) with the way she could perform a song with such incredible feeling and timing. Andra Day captures her voice and singing style as well as a bit of her personality in this film and shines as the best part of the performance. The film does not do Holiday’s personality or life justice and focuses itself more on Strange Fruit and the War on Drugs with Holiday and Anslinger (the head of the FBI) cast in this struggle over the protest song. The truth would make for a more fascinating film than the fictionalized version here and the film goes out of its way to make what was a more complex and interesting story more one-dimensional. This part baffled me considering just how interesting Holiday was as a figure. The best parts of this movie is hearing the songs of Billie Holiday sing her classic works and Andra Day’s performance of her practicing and one wishes that the film could have been longer and given Day more material to bring to life. The weakest points of the film was its disjointed narrative and its concocted romance between Day and Jimmy Fletcher as well as its general blurring of what should be a more compelling story about protest, the war on drugs, and the human nature of our flawed messengers.

Aesthetics - B+

Something Different - B

Fun - C+

Overall Grade - B

1 note · View note

blackkudos · 4 years

Text

Dexter Gordon

Dexter Gordon (February 27, 1923 – April 25, 1990) was an American jazz tenor saxophonist. He was one of the first players of the instrument in the bebop idiom of musicians such as Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, and Bud Powell. Gordon's height was 6 feet 6 inches (198 cm), so he was also known as "Long Tall Dexter" and "Sophisticated Giant". His studio and performance career spanned over 40 years.

Gordon's sound was commonly characterized as being "large" and spacious and he had a tendency to play behind the beat. He was known for humorously inserting musical quotes into his solos, with sources as diverse as popular tunes like "Happy Birthday" to the operas of Wagner. This is not unusual in common-practice jazz improvisation, but Gordon did it frequently enough to make it a hallmark of his style. One of his major influences was Lester Young. Gordon, in turn, was an early influence on John Coltrane and Sonny Rollins. Rollins and Coltrane then influenced Gordon's playing as he explored hard bop and modal playing during the 1960s.

Gordon was known for his genial and humorous stage presence. He was an advocate of playing to communicate with the audience. One of his idiosyncratic rituals was to recite lyrics from each ballad before playing it.

A photograph by Herman Leonard of Gordon taking a smoke break at the Royal Roost in 1948 is one of the iconic images in jazz photography. Cigarettes were a recurring theme on covers of Gordon's albums.

Gordon was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance in the Bertrand Tavernier film Round Midnight (Warner Bros, 1986), and he won a Grammy for Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Soloist, for the soundtrack album The Other Side of Round Midnight (Blue Note Records, 1986). He also had a cameo role in the 1990 film Awakenings. In 2019, Gordon's album Go (Blue Note, 1962) was selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the National Recording Registry for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".

Life and career

Early life

Dexter Keith Gordon was born on February 27, 1923 in Los Angeles, California. His father, Dr. Frank Gordon, was one of the first African American doctors in Los Angeles who arrived in 1918 after graduating from Howard Medical School in Washington, D.C. Among his patients were Duke Ellington and Lionel Hampton. Dexter's mother, Gwendolyn Baker, was the daughter of Captain Edward Baker, one of the five African American Medal of Honor recipients in the Spanish–American War. Gordon played clarinet from the age of 13, before switching to saxophone (initially alto, then tenor) at 15. While still at school, he played in bands with such contemporaries as Chico Hamilton and Buddy Collette.

Between December 1940 and 1943, Gordon was a member of Lionel Hampton's band, playing in a saxophone section alongside Illinois Jacquet and Marshal Royal. During 1944 he was featured in the Fletcher Henderson band, followed by the Louis Armstrong band, before joining Billy Eckstine. The 1942–44 musicians' strike curtailed the recording of the Hampton, Henderson, and Armstrong bands; however, they were recorded on V-Discs produced by the Army for broadcast and distribution among overseas troops. In 1943 he was featured, alongside Harry "Sweets" Edison, in recordings under Nat Cole for a small label not affected by the strike.

Bebop era recordings

By late 1944, Gordon was resident in New York, a regular at bebop jam sessions, and a featured soloist in the Billy Eckstine big band (If That's The Way You Feel, I Want To Talk About You, Blowin' the Blues Away, Opus X, I'll Wait And Pray, The Real Thing Happened To Me, Lonesome Lover Blues, I Love the Rhythm in a Riff). During early 1945 he was featured on recordings by Dizzy Gillespie (Blue 'n' Boogie, Groovin' High) and Sir Charles Thompson (Takin' Off, If I Had You, 20th Century Blues, The Street Beat). In late 1945 he was recording under his own name for the Savoy label. His Savoy recordings during 1945-46 included Blow Mr. Dexter, Dexter's Deck, Dexter's Minor Mad, Long Tall Dexter, Dexter Rides Again, I Can't Escape From You, and Dexter Digs In. He returned to Los Angeles in late 1946 and in 1947 was leading sessions for Ross Russell's Dial label (Mischievous Lady, Lullaby in Rhythm, The Chase, Iridescence, It's the Talk of the Town, Bikini, A Ghost of a Chance, Sweet and Lovely). After his return to Los Angeles, he became known for his saxophone duels with fellow tenorman Wardell Gray, which were a popular concert attraction documented in recordings made between 1947 and 1952 (The Hunt, Move, The Chase, The Steeplechase). The Hunt gained literary fame from its mention in Jack Kerouac's On The Road, which also contains descriptions of wild tenormen jamming in Los Angeles. Cherokee, Byas a Drink, and Disorder at the Border are other live recordings of the Gray/Gordon duo from the same concert as The Hunt. In December 1947, Gordon recorded again with the Savoy label (Settin' the Pace, So Easy, Dexter's Riff, Dextrose, Dexter's Mood, Index, Dextivity, Wee Dot, Lion Roars). Through the mid-to-late 1940s he continued to work as a sideman on sessions led by Russell Jacquet, Benny Carter, Ben Webster, Ralph Burns, Jimmy Rushing, Helen Humes, Gerry Mulligan, Wynonie Harris, Leo Parker, and Tadd Dameron.

The 1950s

During the 1950s, Gordon's recorded output and live appearances declined as heroin addiction and legal troubles took their toll. Gordon made a concert appearance with Wardell Gray in February 1952 (The Chase, The Steeplechase, Take the A Train, Robbins Nest, Stardust) and appeared as a sideman in a session led by Gray in June 1952 (The Rubiyat, Jungle Jungle Jump, Citizen's Bop, My Kinda Love). After an incarceration at Chino Prison during 1953-55, he recorded the albums Daddy Plays the Horn and Dexter Blows Hot and Cool in 1955 and played as a sideman on the Stan Levey album, This Time the Drum's on Me. The latter part of the decade saw him in and out of prison until his final release from Folsom Prison in 1959. He was one of the initial sax players for the Onzy Matthews big band in 1959, along with Curtis Amy. Gordon continued to champion Matthews' band after he left Los Angeles for New York, but left for Europe before getting a chance to record with that band. He recorded The Resurgence of Dexter Gordon in 1960. His recordings from the mid-1950s onward document a meander into a smooth West Coast style that lacked the impact of his bebop era recordings or his subsequent Blue Note recordings.

The decade saw Gordon's first entry into the world of drama. He appeared as a member (uncredited) of Art Hazzard's band in the 1950 film Young Man with a Horn. He appeared in an uncredited and overdubbed role as a member of a prison band in the movie Unchained, filmed inside Chino. Gordon was a saxophonist performing Freddie Redd's music for the Los Angeles production of Jack Gelber's play The Connection in 1960, replacing Jackie McLean. He contributed two compositions, Ernie's Tune and I Want More to the score and later recorded them for his album Dexter Calling.

New York renaissance

Gordon signed to Blue Note Records in 1961. He initially commuted from Los Angeles to New York to record, but took up residence when he regained the cabaret card that allowed him to perform where alcohol was served. The Jazz Gallery hosted his first New York performance in twelve years. The Blue Note association was to produce a steady flow of albums for several years, some of which gained iconic status. His New York renaissance was marked by Doin' Allright, Dexter Calling..., Go!, and A Swingin' Affair. The first two were recorded over three days in May 1961 with Freddie Hubbard, Horace Parlan, Kenny Drew, Paul Chambers, George Tucker, Al Harewood, and Philly Joe Jones. The last two were recorded in August 1962, with a rhythm section that featured Blue Note regulars Sonny Clark, Butch Warren and Billy Higgins. Of the two Go! was an expressed favorite. The albums showed his assimilation of the hard bop and modal styles that had developed during his years on the west coast, and the influence of John Coltrane and Sonny Rollins, whom he had influenced before. The stay in New York turned out to be short lived, as Gordon got offers for engagements in England, then Europe, that resulted in a fourteen-year stay. Soon after recording A Swingin' Affair, he was gone.

Years in Europe

Over the next 14 years in Europe, living mainly in Paris and Copenhagen, Gordon played regularly with fellow expatriates or visiting players, such as Bud Powell, Ben Webster, Freddie Hubbard, Bobby Hutcherson, Kenny Drew, Horace Parlan and Billy Higgins. Blue Note's German-born Francis Wolff supervised Gordon's later sessions for the label on his visits to Europe. The pairing of Gordon with Drew turned out to be one of the classic matchups between a horn player and a pianist, much like Miles Davis with Red Garland or John Coltrane with McCoy Tyner.

From this period come Our Man in Paris, One Flight Up, Gettin' Around, and Clubhouse. Our Man in Paris was a Blue Note session recorded in Paris in 1963 with backup consisting of pianist Powell, drummer Kenny Clarke, and French bassist Pierre Michelot. One Flight Up, recorded in Paris in 1964 with trumpeter Donald Byrd, pianist Kenny Drew, drummer Art Taylor, and Danish bassist Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, features an extended solo by Gordon on the track "Tanya".

Gordon also visited the US occasionally for further recording dates. Gettin' Around was recorded for Blue Note during a visit in May 1965, as was the album Clubhouse which remained unreleased until 1979.

Gordon found Europe in the 1960s a much easier place to live, saying that he experienced less racism and greater respect for jazz musicians. He also stated that on his visits to the US in the late 1960s and early 1970s, he found the political and social strife disturbing. While in Copenhagen, Gordon and Drew's trio appeared onscreen in Ole Ege's theatrically released hardcore pornographic film Pornografi (1971), for which they composed and performed the score.

He switched from Blue Note to Prestige Records (1965–73) but stayed very much in the hard-bop idiom, making classic bop albums like The Tower of Power! and More Power! (1969) with James Moody, Barry Harris, Buster Williams, and Albert "Tootie" Heath; The Panther! (1970) with Tommy Flanagan, Larry Ridley, and Alan Dawson; The Jumpin' Blues(1970) with Wynton Kelly, Sam Jones, and Roy Brooks; The Chase! (1970) with Gene Ammons, Jodie Christian, John Young, Cleveland Eaton, Rufus Reid, Wilbur Campbell, Steve McCall, and Vi Redd; and Tangerine (1972) with Thad Jones, Freddie Hubbard, and Hank Jones. Some of the Prestige albums were recorded during visits back to North America while he was still living in Europe; others were made in Europe, including live sets from the Montreux Jazz Festival.

In addition to the recordings Gordon did under his major label contracts, live recordings by European labels and live video from his European period are available. The Danish label SteepleChase released live dates from his mid-1960s tenure at the Montmartre Jazzhus. The video was released under the Jazz Icons series.

Less well known than the Blue Note albums, but of similar quality, are the albums he recorded during the 1970s for SteepleChase (Something Different, Bouncin' With Dex, Biting the Apple, The Apartment, Stable Mable, The Shadow of Your Smile and others). They again feature American sidemen, but also such Europeans as Spanish pianist Tete Montoliu and Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen.

Homecoming

Gordon finally returned to the United States for good in 1976. He appeared with Woody Shaw, Ronnie Mathews, Stafford James, and Louis Hayes, for a gig at the Village Vanguard in New York that was dubbed his "homecoming." It was recorded and released by Columbia Records under that title. He noted: "There was so much love and elation; sometimes it was a little eerie at the Vanguard. After the last set they'd turn on the lights and nobody would move." In addition to the Homecoming album, a series of live albums was released by Blue Note from his stands at Keystone Corner in San Francisco during 1978 and 1979. They featured Gordon, George Cables, Rufus Reid, and Eddie Gladden. He recorded the studio albums Sophisticated Giant with an eleven piece big band in 1977 and Manhattan Symphonie with the Live at Keystone Corner crew in 1978. The sensation of Gordon's return, renewed promotion of the classic jazz catalogs of the Savoy and Blue Note record labels, and the continued efforts of Art Blakey through 1970s and early 1980s, have been credited with reviving interest in swinging, melodic, acoustically-based classic jazz sounds after the Fusion jazz era that saw an emphasis on electronic sounds and contemporary pop influences.

Musician Emeritus

In 1978 and 1980, Gordon was the DownBeat Musician of the Year and in 1980 he was inducted into the Jazz Hall of Fame. The US Government honored him with a Congressional Commendation, a Dexter Gordon Day in Washington DC, and a National Endowment for the Arts award for Lifetime Achievement. In 1986, he was named a member and officer of the French Order of Arts and Letters by the Ministry of Culture in France.

During the 1980s, Gordon was weakened by emphysema. He remained a popular attraction at concerts and festivals, although his live appearances and recording dates would soon become infrequent.

Gordon's most memorable works from the decade were not in music but in film. He starred in the 1986 movie Round Midnight as "Dale Turner", an expatriate jazz musician in Paris during the late 1950s based loosely on Lester Young and Bud Powell. That portrayal earned him a nomination for an Academy Award for Best Actor. In addition, he had a non-speaking role in the 1990 film Awakenings, which was posthumously released. Before that last film was released he made a guest appearance on the Michael Mann series Crime Story.

Soundtrack performances from Round Midnight were released as the albums Round Midnight and The Other Side of Round Midnight, featuring original music by Herbie Hancock as well as playing by Gordon. The latter was the last recording released under Gordon's name. He was a sideman on Tony Bennett's 1987 album, Berlin.

Death and postmortem

Gordon died of kidney failure and cancer of the larynx in Philadelphia, on April 25, 1990, at the age of 67.

On June 25, 2019, The New York Times Magazine listed Dexter Gordon among hundreds of artists whose material was reportedly destroyed in the 2008 Universal fire.

Family

Gordon's maternal grandfather was Captain Edward L. Baker, who received the Medal of Honor during the Spanish–American War, while serving with the 10th Cavalry Regiment (also known as the Buffalo Soldiers).

Gordon's father, Dr. Frank Gordon, M.D., was one of the first prominent African-American physicians and a graduate of Howard University.

Dexter Gordon had a total of six children, from the oldest to the youngest: Robin Gordon (Los Angeles), California, James Canales (Los Angeles), Deidre (Dee Dee) Gordon (Los Angeles), Mikael Gordon-Solfors (Stockholm), Morten Gordon (Copenhagen) and Benjamin Dexter Gordon (Copenhagen), and seven grandchildren, Raina Moore Trider (Brooklyn), Jared Johnson (Los Angeles), and Matthew Johnson (Los Angeles), Maya Canales (San Francisco) and Jared Canales (San Francisco), Dexter Gordon Bogs (Copenhagen), Dexter Minou Flipper Gordon-Marberger (Stockholm).

When he lived in Denmark, Gordon became friends with the family of the future Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich, and subsequently became Lars's godfather.

Gordon was also survived by his widow Maxine Gordon and her son Woody Louis Armstrong Shaw III.

Instruments and mouthpieces

The earliest photographs of Gordon as a player show him with a Conn 30M "Connqueror" and an Otto Link mouthpiece. In a 1962 interview with the British journalist Les Tomkins, he did not refer to the specific model of mouthpiece but stated that it was made for him personally. He stated that it was stolen around 1952. The famous smoke break photo from 1948 shows him with a Conn 10M and a Dukoff mouthpiece, which he played until 1965. In the Tomkins interview he referred to his mouthpiece as a medium-chambered piece with a #5* (.080" under the Dukoff system) tip opening. He bought a Selmer Mark VI from Ben Webster after his 10M went missing in transit. In a Down Beat magazine interview from 1977, he referred to his current mouthpiece as an Otto Link with a #8 (.110" under the Otto Link system) tip opening.

#02/27 #04/25

9 notes · View notes

tasksweekly · 4 years

Photo

[TASK 178: GRENADA]

There’s a masterlist below compiled of over 230+ Grenadian faceclaims categorised by gender with their occupation and ethnicity denoted if there was a reliable source. If you want an extra challenge use random.org to pick a random number! Of course everything listed below are just suggestions and you can pick whichever faceclaim or whichever project you desire.

Any questions can be sent here and all tutorials have been linked below the cut for ease of access! REMEMBER to tag your resources with #TASKSWEEKLY and we will reblog them onto the main! This task can be tagged with whatever you want but if you want us to see it please be sure that our tag is the first five tags, @ mention us or send us a messaging linking us to your post!

THE TASK - scroll down for FC’s!

STEP 1: Decide on a FC you wish to create resources for! You can always do more than one but who are you starting with? There are links to masterlists you can use in order to find them and if you want help, just send us a message and we can pick one for you at random!

STEP 2: Pick what you want to create! You can obviously do more than one thing, but what do you want to start off with? Screencaps, RP icons, GIF packs, masterlists, PNG’s, fancasts, alternative FC’s - LITERALLY anything you desire!

STEP 3: Look back on tasks that we have created previously for tutorials on the thing you are creating unless you have whatever it is you are doing mastered - then of course feel free to just get on and do it. :)

STEP 4: Upload and tag with #TASKSWEEKLY! If you didn’t use your own screencaps/images make sure to credit where you got them from as we will not reblog packs which do not credit caps or original gifs from the original maker.

THINGS YOU CAN MAKE FOR THIS TASK - examples are linked!

Stumped for ideas? Maybe make a masterlist or graphic of your favourite faceclaims. A masterlist of names. Plot ideas or screencaps from a music video preformed by an artist. Masterlist of quotes and lyrics that can be used for starters, thread titles or tags. Guides on culture and customs.

Screencaps

RP icons [of all sizes]

Gif Pack [maybe gif icons if you wish]

PNG packs

Manips

Dash Icons

Character Aesthetics

PSD’s

XCF’s

Graphic Templates - can be chara header, promo, border or background PSD’s!

FC Masterlists - underused, with resources, without resources!

FC Help - could be related, family templates, alternatives.

Written Guides.

and whatever else you can think of / make!

MASTERLIST!

Viktor Lazlo (1960) Grenadian / Martiniquan - singer.

Juliet Roberts (1962) Afro-Grenadian - singer-songwriter.

Sommore (1966) Grenadian, Trinidadian, Vincentian, Barbadian - comedian and actress.

Nia Long (1970) Grenadian, Trinidadian, Vincentian, Barbadian - actress.

Aisha Hinds (1975) Grenadian, African-American - actress.

Jemeni / Joanne Gairy (1976) Afro-Grenadian - actress, singer, radio host, and writer.

Destra Garcia (1978) Trinidadian [Afro-Grenadian] - singer.

Estelle / Estelle Fanta Swaray (1980) Afro-Grenadian / Senegalese - singer.

Fay-Ann Lyons (1980) Trinidadian [Afro-Grenadian] - soca recording artist and songwriter.

Ms. Dynamite / Niomi McLean-Daley (1981) Afro-Grenadian, Afro-Jamaican, Afro-Barbadian / Irish, Scottish, English, German - singer-songwriter, rapper, and producer.

Amanda Seales (1981) Afro-Grenadian - comedian, actress, DJ, recording artist, VJ and author.

Shystie / Chanel Cali (1983) Afro-Grenadian / Afro-Barbadian - actress and rapper-songwriter.

Kendra Westwood (1984) Afro-Grenadian / Afro-Jamaican - actress.

Sydelle Noel (1985) Afro-Grenadian - actress.

Tanisha Thomas (1985) Afro-Grenadian - reality television personality.

Nina Toussaint-White (1985) Afro-Grenadian / English - actress.

Annaliese Dayes (1986) Afro-Grenadian, Afro-Saint Lucian, Afro-Barbadian, Afro-Vincentian / Afro-Jamaican - model, television personality, and presenter.

Vivian Burkhardt (1986) Afro-Grenadian / German - model and Miss Grenada 2007.

Sonika / Sonika Keturah Jermina Mckie (1988) Afro-Grenadian - singer.

Rhonda J. Lowe (1987) Afro-Grenadian - actress.

Sichelle / Sichelle Mcmeo Aksum (1988) Afro-Grenadian / Norwegian - singer.

Jourdan Dunn (1990) 7/8 Afro-Grenadian, 1/16 Afro-Jamaican, 1/16 Syrian - model.

Tammy Baldeo (1990) Afro-Grenadian - singer.

Naomi Ackie (1992) Afro-Grenadian - actress.

Kaia Kater (1993) Afro-Grenadian / Unknown - singer-songwriter, guitar, piano and banjo player.

Yvette Noel-Schure (?) Afro-Grenadian - instagrammer.

Riann Steele (?) Afro-Grenadian - actress.

Tamara Ivey (?) Afro-Grenadian - host.

Aria Mary Francis (?) Afro-Grenadian - model.

Sharlene Whyte (?) Afro-Grenadian - actress.

Leonie Haynes-Moses (?) Afro-Grenadian / Afro-Barbadian, Afro-Jamaican - actress.

Eveina Lindsay (?) Afro-Grenadian - model.

Lorna Gee / Lorna Gayle (?) Afro-Grenadian - actress and singer.

Marina (?) Afro-Grenadian - model (instagram: guadagnoli).

Ziipporvh (?) Afro-Grenadian - instagrammer.

Adanna Dill (?) Afro-Grenadian - blogger.

Kered Clement (?) Afro-Grenadian - blogger.

Janel Sealy Smith (?) Afro-Grenadian, Afro-Trinidadian - hair stylist and instagrammer.

Samantha Francis Charles (?) Afro-Grenadian - model and Miss Grenada 2016 (instagram: awesambeauty).

Sophie Gabrielle (?) Afro-Grenadian - model (instagram: sophie.gabrielle_).

Ms BitterSweet (?) Afro-Grenadian, Afro-Jamaican, Afro-Ghanian - model and poet (instagram: shespeaksbittersweet).

Natalie Evans (?) Grenadian - actress.

Thamara $ongbird St.Bernard (?) Afro-Grenadian - singer.

Tamantha-Chole (?) Afro-Grenadian - singer and model.

Valene Nedd (?) Afro-Grenadian - singer.

Nashanda Charles (?) Afro-Grenadian - singer.

Laura Lisa (?) Afro-Grenadian - singer.

F - Athletes:

Joan Alexander-Serrano (1961) Afro-Grenadian - cricketer.

Debbie-Ann Lewis (1969) Afro-Grenadian - cricketer.

Neisha Bernard-Thomas (1981) Afro-Grenadian - middle-distance runner.

Hazel-Ann Regis (1981) Afro-Grenadian - sprinter.

Kishara George (1983) Afro-Grenadian - sprinter.

Sherry Fletcher (1986) Afro-Grenadian - sprinter.

Afy Fletcher (1987) Afro-Grenadian - cricketer.

Phylicia George (1987) Afro-Grenadian - track and field athlete and a bobsledder.

Perri Shakes-Drayton (1988) Afro-Grenadian - sprinter and hurdler.

Janelle Redhead (1989) Afro-Grenadian - sprinter.

Akeira Peters (1993) Afro-Grenadian - cricketer.

Candesha Scott (1997) Afro-Grenadian - javelin thrower.

Meleni Rodney (1998) Afro-Grenadian - sprinter.

Yazmeen Jamieson (1998) Afro-Grenadian / Afro-Jamaican - footballer.

Amanda Crawford (1999) Afro-Grenadian - sprinter.

Halle Hazzard (1999) Afro-Grenadian - sprinter.

Kenisha Pascal (?) Afro-Grenadian - middle and long distance runner.

Janice Francis (?) Afro-Grenadian - karateka.

Allister Bain (1935) Afro-Grenadian - actor and playwright.

Mighty Sparrow / Slinger Francisco (1935) Afro-Grenadian - singer.

Alex Pascall (1937) Afro-Grenadian - musician, radio host, composer, and educator.

George Harris (1949) Afro-Grenadian, Afro-Barbadian - actor.

Billy Ocean (1950) Afro-Grenadian, Afro-Trinidadian - singer.

Richardo Keens-Douglas (1953) Afro-Grenadian - actor and storyteller.

Superblue / Austin Lyons (1956) Trinidadian [Afro-Grenadian] - calypsonian, soca musician, and lyricist.

Eamonn Walker (1962) Afro-Grenadian / Afro-Trinidadian - actor.

Ajamu (1963) Afro-Grenadian - singer.

Andy Abraham (1964) Afro-Grenadian - singer-songwriter.

Charles Andrew Payne (1966) Afro-Grenadian - actor, comedian, motivational speaker, and writer.

Kwame Kwei-Armah (1967) Afro-Grenadian [including Ghanaian] - actor, singer, radio host, and playwright.

Mark Monero (1968) Afro-Grenadian - actor and musician.

Finley Jeffrey (1969) Afro-Grenadian - singer.

Steve McQueen (1969) Afro-Grenadian, Afro-Trinidadian - director, producer, screenwriter, and video artist.

DJ Spoony / Johnathan Joseph (1970) Afro-Grenadian, Ghanaian - DJ, radio host, and producer.

Tallpree / Wilt Cambridge(1973) Afro-Grenadian - singer.

Machel Montano (1974) Trinidadian [Afro-Grenadian] - soca singer, actor, record producer and songwriter.

Noel Clarke (1975) Afro-Grenadian, Afro-Trinidadian, Afro-Vincentian, Akan Ghanian - actor.

Solitair / Sheldon Pitt (1975) Afro-Grenadian - rapper.

Hugh Maynard (1975) Afro-Grenadian - actor and singer.

Wyatt Cenac (1976) Afro-Grenadian, French / African-American - comedian, actor, producer, and writer.

Casey Benjamin (1978) Afro-Grenadian - saxophonist, vocoderist, keyboardist, producer and songwriter.

Craig David (1981) Afro-Grenadian / Polish Jewish, English - singer and rapper.

Brandon Jay McLaren (1981) Afro-Grenadian, Afro-Trinidadian - actor.

Akala / Kingslee James McLean Daley (1983) Afro-Grenadian, Afro-Jamaican, Afro-Barbadian / Irish, Scottish, English, German - rapper and poet.

Otis / Kelvin Celestine (1983) Afro-Grenadian - singer.

Sandman (1983) Afro-Grenadian - singer.

Ghetts / Justin Clarke (1984) Afro-Grenadian / Afro-Jamaican - rapper.

Mr. Killa (1984) Afro-Grenadian - singer-songwriter.

Hollice Mapp / Mr.Killa (1984) Afro-Grenadian - rapper.

Never Yet Contested / Joshua Solomon Jeremiah Jordan (1987) Afro-Grenadian, Guyanese - rapper.

Kevin Olusola (1988) Afro-Grenadian / Nigerian - musician, beatboxer, cellist, rapper, record producer, singer, and songwriter.

Marcus Collins (1988) Afro-Grenadian - singer-songwriter.

DJ Puffy / Andre Parris (1991) Afro-Grenadian / Afro-Barbadian - DJ.

Akheim Allen (1992) Afro-Grenadian - rapper.

Joivan Wade (1993) Afro-Grenadian - actor.

Sparkie B (1994) Afro-Grenadian - singer.

Jabari Manwa (1995) Afro-Grenadian - rapper and producer.

Kirk Knight (1995) Afro-Grenadian, Afro-Antiguan - record producer, rapper and member of Pro Era.

Dane Baptiste (?) Afro-Grenadian - actor, comedian, and writer.

GAIKA / Gaika Tavares (?) Afro-Grenadian / Afro-Jamaican - rapper-songwriter and singer.

Roland Gilbert (?) Afro-Grenadian - DJ and photographer (instagram: rcgmediavision).

King Kayak (?) Afro-Grenadian - dancer (instagram: imkingkayak).

Happy Boy (?) Afro-Grenadian - singer (instagram: happyboy_the_artiste).

Tedi (?) Afro-Grenadian / Afro-Jamaican - singer (instagram: tedismoove).

Antwan (?) Afro-Grenadian - model (instagram: kingtwan5).

Vemedy (?) Afro-Grenadian, Afro-Guyanese - singer (instagram: vemedymusic).

Dollarman (?) Afro-Grenadian - singer and musician.

Mike Shaft (?) Afro-Grenadian - radio host.

David Emmanuel (?) Afro-Grenadian - musician.

Jeverson Ramirez (?) Afro-Grenadian - singer.

Boyzie (?) Afro-Grenadian - singer.

Lavaman / Marcus James (?) Afro-Grenadian - singer.

Brother B (?) Afro-Grenadian - singer.

Kellon Ogiste (?) Afro-Grenadian - singer.

Kelson Ogiste (?) Afro-Grenadian - singer.

Shortpree / Finber Andrews (?) Afro-Grenadian - singer.

Smokey / Arthur Stephen (?) Afro-Grenadian - musician.

Beast / Raymond Matthew (?) Afro-Grenadian - singer.

Inspector / Elimus Gillbert (?) Afro-Grenadian - singer.

Berbice (?) Afro-Grenadian - singer.

Donnell Best (?) Afro-Grenadian - singer.

Josh Berkeley (?) Afro-Grenadian - singer.

Coxilus Naptaly (?) Afro-Grenadian - singer.

African Teller (?) Afro-Grenadian - singer.

A#keem (?) Afro-Grenadian - singer.

Mr. Grenada / Corkit / Alwyn Christopher Harriman (?) Afro-Grenadian - singer.

M - Athletes:

Bruce Man-Son-Hing (1964) Grenadian [Chinese] - tennis player.

Mark Felix (1966) Afro-Grenadian - strongman competitor.

Otis Roberts (1968) Afro-Grenadian - footballer.

Junior Murray (1968) Afro-Grenadian - cricketer.

Rawl Lewis (1974) Afro-Grenadian - cricketer.

Desmond Noel (1974) Afro-Grenadian - footballer.

Anthony Modeste (1975) Afro-Grenadian - footballer.

Ricky Charles (1975) Afro-Grenadian - footballer.

Patrick Modeste (1976) Afro-Grenadian - footballer.

Alleyne Francique (1976) Afro-Grenadian - sprinter.

Etan Thomas (1978) Afro-Grenadian - basketball player.

Gareth Raynor (1978) Afro-Grenadian - footballer.

Randy Lewis (1978) Afro-Grenadian - triple jumper.

Shalrie Joseph (1978) Afro-Grenadian - footballer.

Jason Roberts (1978) Afro-Grenadian - footballer.

Tony Bedeau (1979) Afro-Grenadian - footballer.

Dwane Lee (1979) Afro-Grenadian - footballer.

Delroy Facey (1980) Afro-Grenadian - footballer.

Cassim Langaigne (1980) Afro-Grenadian - footballer.

Alvin Bubb (1980) Afro-Grenadian - footballer.

Camilus Alexander (1981) Afro-Grenadian - cricketer.

Byron Bubb (1981) Afro-Grenadian - footballer.

Leon Johnson (1981) Afro-Grenadian - footballer.

Andre Winner (1981) Afro-Grenadian / British - mixed martial artist.

Craig Rocastle (1981) Afro-Grenadian - footballer.

Shaun Wright-Phillips (1981) Afro-Grenadian, Afro-Trinidadian / Afro-Jamaican - footballer.

Devon Smith (1981) Afro-Grenadian - cricketer.

Ashley Sestanovich (1981) Afro-Grenadian / Croatian - footballer.

Jason James (1982) Afro-Grenadian - footballer.

Kithson Bain (1982) Afro-Grenadian - footballer.

Rolande Moses (1983) Afro-Grenadian - boxer and weightlifter.

Alleyne Lett (1983) Afro-Grenadian - decathlete.

Jermaine Beckford (1983) Afro-Grenadian / Afro-Jamaican - footballer.

Akim Williams (1984) Afro-Grenadian - bodybuilder.

Lewis Hamilton (1985) Afro-Grenadian / English, distant Jersey and Guernsey Channel Islander - race car driver.

Bradley Wright-Phillips (1985) Afro-Grenadian, Afro-Trinidadian / Afro-Jamaican - footballer.

Ryan Atkins (1985) Afro-Grenadian - rugby player.

Kennedy Hinkson (1986) Afro-Grenadian - footballer.

Marcus Julien (1986) Afro-Grenadian - footballer.

James DeGale (1986) Afro-Grenadian / English - boxer.

Cameron Jerome (1986) Afro-Grenadian - footballer.

Nelon Pascal (1987) Afro-Grenadian - cricketer.

Darius Charles (1987) Afro-Grenadian - footballer.

Andre Fletcher (1987) Afro-Grenadian - cricketer.

Kwasi Paul (1987) Afro-Grenadian - footballer.

Tyrone Sterling (1987) Afro-Grenadian - footballer.

Jaime Peters (1987) Afro-Grenadian - footballer.

Ricky Modeste (1988) Afro-Grenadian - footballer.

Kurt Felix (1988) Afro-Grenadian - javelin thrower.

Jermaine McGlashan (1988) Afro-Grenadian - footballer.

Bradley Bubb (1988) Afro-Grenadian - footballer.

Jermaine McGillvary (1988) Afro-Grenadian - rugby player.

Anthony Straker (1988) Afro-Grenadian - footballer.

Leroy Cudjoe (1988) Afro-Grenadian / English - footballer.

Rondell Bartholomew (1990) Afro-Grenadian - sprinter.

Esau Simpson (1990) Afro-Grenadian - swimmer.

Davier Walcott (1990) Afro-Grenadian - footballer.

Jason Belfon (1990) Afro-Grenadian - footballer.

Elliott Charles (1990) Afro-Grenadian - footballer.

Omar Beckles (1991) Afro-Grenadian - footballer.

Jonathan Joseph (1991) Carriacouan Grenadian - rugby player.

Antonio German (1991) Afro-Grenadian - footballer.

Nathaniel Clyne (1991) Afro-Grenadian - footballer.

Rimmel Daniel (1991) Afro-Grenadian - footballer.

Kellon Alexis (1992) Afro-Grenadian - thrower.

Bralon Taplin (1992) Afro-Grenadian - sprinter.

Nicolas Hamilton (1992) Afro-Grenadian / English, distant Jersey and Guernsey Channel Islander - race car driver.

Oliver Norburn (1992) 1/4 Afro-Grenadian, 3/4 English - footballer.

Kirani James (1992) Afro-Grenadian - sprinter.

Reuben Noble-Lazarus (1993) Afro-Grenadian - footballer.

Payton Hazzard (1993) Afro-Grenadian - sprinter.

Tarik Phillip (1993) Afro-Grenadian / English - basketball player.

Aaron Pierre (1993) Afro-Grenadian - footballer.

Lindon Victor (1993) Afro-Grenadian - decathlete.

Myles Hippolyte (1994) Afro-Grenadian, Afro-Saint Lucian, English - footballer.

Preston McSween (1995) Afro-Grenadian - cricketer.

Jamal Charles (1995) Afro-Grenadian - rugby player.

Alexander McQueen (1995) Afro-Grenadian - footballer.

Shavon John-Brown (1995) Afro-Grenadian - footballer.

Ethan Francois-Ravalier (1996) Afro-Grenadian - footballer.

A. J. Paterson (1996) Afro-Grenadian - footballer.

Anderson Peters (1997) Afro-Grenadian - decathlete.

Hamza Choudhury (1997) Afro-Grenadian / Sylheti Bangladeshi - footballer.

Corey Ollivierre (1997) Afro-Grenadian - swimmer.

Saydrel Lewis (1997) Afro-Grenadian - footballer.

Roland Cato (1997) Afro-Grenadian - cricketer.

Kairo Mitchell (1997) Afro-Grenadian - footballer.

Oreoluwa Cherebin (1997) Afro-Grenadian - swimmer.

Josh Boateng (1997) Afro-Grenadian - discus and shot put.

Shandon Baptiste (1998) Afro-Grenadian - footballer.

Ro-Shaun Williams (1998) Afro-Grenadian / English - footballer.

Emmanuel Stewart (1999) Afro-Grenadian - cricketer.

Ricky German (1999) Afro-Grenadian - footballer.

Kraig Noel-McLeod (1999) Afro-Grenadian - footballer.

Bernard Wilson (?) Afro-Grenadian - boxer.

Marcus Douglas (?) Afro-Grenadian - footballer.

Danny Facey (?) Afro-Grenadian - footballer.

Problematic:

Dave Chappelle (1973) African-American [including Ivorian], ¼ Afro-Grenadian - stand-up comedian, actor, writer, and producer - Transphobic and victim-blaming statements.

Ronda Rousey (1987) English, 1/4 Trinidadian and Grenadian [including African, Spanish, and English], 1/16th Polish, as well as German, Scottish, distant Dutch - professional wrestler, actress, author - Transphobic statements.

#grenadian fc #poc fc #rph #fc list #underused fc #task: 178 #task: grenada

8 notes · View notes

good-ol-lisa · 5 years

Text

Reasons to watch/listen to American Idiot the Musical

By Tumblr User good-ol-lisa

1. John Gallagher Jr. This beautiful man leads the cast as Johnny, a high school-dropout who feels lost in life. If that’s not reason enough to go and watch a bootleg right now then I don’t know what is (except I’ve got like 15 more reasons I’m literally listing below).

2. The Music. Okay, so we all know that the score is made up of songs from Green Day’s albums ‘American Idiot’ and ‘21st Century Breakdown,’ but what if this time they had different orchestrations!!!! And even backing vocals!!!!!! The music is still the same old Green Day that we know and love but with extra harmonies and sometimes girls sing it!!!! *Brian Cox voice* Wow, amazing!!!

3. The Plotline. Put your hand up if you didn’t know what a ‘Jesus of Suburbia’ or ‘St. Jimmy’ was. Yeah, me too. The show gives all of these lines and songs context. The show’s director, Michael Mayer, completely understood Green Day’s approach when it came to writing the album and transfers the plot of the album onto stage beautifully. Speaking of which:

4. Michael Mayer. Are you a fan of shows like Spring Awakening? Hedwig and the Angry Inch? Even You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown or Thoroughly Modern Millie? That was him. Theatre icon Michael Mayer is renowned in this community for his incredible way of bringing a concept to life, American Idiot being one of the finest examples of this. Not to mention he also co-wrote the book with Billie Joe Armstrong himself.

5. Billie Joe Armstrong himself. Did you know that Billie Joe Armstrong played the role of St. Jimmy on Broadway for 78 performances? And there are a heck of a lot of bootlegs starring him in the role. If you, like most Green Day fans, would devour anything with Billie in it, whether it be a live concert or that NRDC advert he did with Adrienne, you simply cannot miss his performance as the reckless, wild St. Jimmy

6. The Characters. Have you dealt with depression, unwanted pregnancy, war, nihilism or lost love? Then there’s definitely a character for you relate to. Even if you have never experienced anything like this there’s a part of you in every character - American Idiot is a celebration of human life and emotion and it’s bound to touch you.

7. The Rest Of The Cast. I’ve already sung my praise for John Gallagher Jr. (and will continue to do so until the day I die), but the rest of the cast is also pretty spectacular? Michael Esper who plays Will is known not just for his electrifying work on Broadway in the punk-rock musical he is best known for, but also all sorts of stage work from Shakespeare to Gideon Fletcher in the Sting musical, ‘The Last Ship,’ on Broadway. Stark Sands who plays Tunny is also no stranger to stage, he originated the lead role of Charlie Price in ‘Kinky Boots’ on Broadway and is also set to star alongside co-star John Gallagher Jr. (my personal favourite cast member) in the Avett Brothers Musical ‘Swept Away’ (directed by Michael Mayer) at the Berkeley Rep next year. And as for Rebecca Naomi Jones. Oklahoma! Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Rent. Caroline, or Change. She even appeared alongside Billie Joe Armstrong in the 2016 film ‘Ordinary World.’

Listen, this is a theatre masterpiece that has been underrated for too long. WATCH AMERICAN IDIOT.

Bootlegs are all over YouTube but the best one is in three parts on a channel called RH vids.

9 notes · View notes

that-shamrock-vibe · 5 years

Text

Movie Review: Rocketman (Spoilers)

Spoiler Warning: Even though it’s almost a month since the movie’s release, I have only just seen the movie. However, if you still haven’t seen the movie and want to go in fresh (without knowing Elton John’s history) then don’t read on until you have.

General Reaction:

Well this was an interesting biopic, I may even say revolutionary if not for the fact that I saw Bohemian Rhapsody last year which this movie is definitely going to be compared to both stylistically and in terms of its two focal characters who were in their time contemporaries.

Now stylistically, they are similar because of the fact Dexter Fletcher directed both movies, with Bohemian Rhapsody being his original brainchild but then being called back to take over from Bryan Singer after his behind the scenes drama came to light. But you definitely felt Fletcher’s directorial styling here from the scenes shot to the way the scenes were shot.

Also when you consider both Elton and Freddie had very similar stories, from the rock and roll lifestyle to the substance abuse and homosexual influences, the two are definite icons despite Mercury not wanting to be known as one.

There is also a great missed opportunity, considering everyone is trying to do a cinematic universe these days, in having a biopic cinematic universe combining Rocketman and Bohemian Rhapsody by at least even having Rami Malek appear in this movie as Freddie Mercury or having John Reid being at least portrayed by the same or a similar actor. As contemporary as Aidan Gillen and Richard Madden are, Madden is at least Scottish as Reid is, whereas Gillen is Irish and therefore played the character as Irish in Bohemian Rhapsody. Also Madden played the character a lot more psychotically than Gillen played him despite Madden being a younger version of Gillen’s portrayal.

The only problem this movie has, aside from the comparisons to Bohemian Rhapsody, is the fact that the movie doesn’t seem to take as many risks as Bohemian Rhapsody took. While the substance abuse and homosexuality were both explored in both movies, for the most part of Rocketman it did seem as if Elton’s hardcore downward spiralling was simply a retread on all the rock and roll downward spiralling that has come before, from Freddie in Bohemian Rhapsody to Bradley Cooper in A Star Is Born.

That’s not a criticism to take away from the brilliant movie that Rocketman is. From the great injection of Elton John’s back-catalogue, to the production of the performances that Bohemian Rhapsody missed by the way, I mean yes it depicted the stage performances that Queen put on but with Rocketman it really let you into the mindset of Elton John and, particularly with a couple of songs, almost felt like an Elton John music video.

I also feel there is going to be another overlook in terms of acting because of the high certificate rating the movie has which blocks out the younger age demographic. With an R-Rating in the U.S. and a 15 rating here in the U.K, younger generations who may not be as educated to Elton John as those born in the noughties and above.

There is also a great differentiation from the two biopics as Rocketman attempts at least to tell Elton’s story through flashbacks, with the movie starting with Elton’s admission to rehab and explaining his life to the group and the story starting to play out in that way, before being dropped around 1/3 into the movie to focus on the typical biopic formula.

I do think this movie is screaming for a sequel of Elton John in his later years, because this movie spends its entirety spewing the message of Elton never being truly loved yet doesn’t delve into the fact that Elton’s life came up roses and he got married and had kids. Instead the movie ends with him just coming out of rehab and while it was a positive note it wasn’t quite the uplifting ending that Bohemian Rhapsody had for Freddie.

Cast:

Speaking of the cast, Taron Egerton is at times the spitting image of Sir Elton, while at the same time giving very 90s Jim Carrey vibes in the best way possible. I really enjoy Taron as an actor, I feel he is very undervalued particularly with his work in movies such as Kingsman and Eddie the Eagle and now with this I hope he gets similar recognition as Rami Malek did for Freddie because he really deserves it for this.

Kit Connor and Matthew Illesle also do great jobs as the teen and child Reggie respectively, with Illesle apparently being the spitting image of the real-life Elton as they compared movie and real-life images in the end-credits of the movie.

Jamie Bell and Richard Madden are equally as great as each other. I am thrilled to still see Bell acting from being a child star in Billy Elliot. But with Richard Madden it is the first time I have actually hated a character of his which obviously is the point of John Reid here but you don’t expect to hate Robb Stark or Prince Charming.

Bryce Dallas Howard is almost unrecognisable in this movie unless you were to focus on her features. But she does a great job as Elton’s very distant mother with some real drama coming from an actress I didn’t feel had it in her.

Gemma Jones, Sharon D. Clarke and Tate Donovan are also standouts in the movie as Elton’s mother, AA counsellor and Troubadour nightclub owner respectively.

There’s also a great cameo from Leigh Francis aka Keith Lemon as a shoe salesman who sells Elton his winged sneakers, it was very fun to see him in this.

Songs:

Alright so, because I am not as big an Elton fan as I am a Freddie fan, there is only a handful of Elton songs I know. Fortunately, all of them are used in this movie as well as some songs I have never heard.

My favourite unheard song was “I Want Love”, possibly because of the poignancy or circumstances around the song, but it really got to me. My other favourtie songs were “Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting)” and “I’m Still Standing” but almost all of the songs had me toe-tapping from time to time.

Recommendation:

If you are a fan of Elton John then this is a great movie for you. If you love a movie that ties in fantastical and grounded elements then this is the movie for you. If you simply want a somewhat feel good movie combined with a dramatic story then this is also the movie for you.

Basically if you want to see a movie but don’t know what to see then go and see this movie.

Overall I rate this movie an 8.5/10, I would have loved to have seen the grittier side of Elton’s life being more gritty or unique to the story but other than that I really don’t have any complaints. It’s a charming story with some memorable scenes and great music.

So that’s my review of Rocketman, what did you guys think? Post your comments and check out more Movie Reviews and other comments.

#rocketman #bohemian rhapsody #elton john #freddie mercury #bernie sanders #john reid #taron egerton #jamie bell #richard madden #bryce dallas howard #gemma jones #sharon d. clarke

10 notes · View notes

vivypotter · 5 years

Text

Nickname(s): Vivy, Viv... I don’t really have a nickname.

Zodiac sign: Taurus. Not that I believe in astrology in any way.

Height: Five foot four -_- I am continually called short although I'm actually average height!

Hogwarts house: Ravenclaw! Caw caw motherfuckers.

Last thing I googled: 'marie kondo episodes ranked’. I wanted to see if anyone else agreed with me as I have been on a binge and there’s nothing I love more than placing some things higher than other things.

Favourite musician(s): Er... I’ve been very into Jade Bird recently? Billie Eilish, too. Sam Fender. Olafur Arnalds. Sigrid! Dua Lipa. First Aid Kit. dodie. half.alive. Hayley Kiyoke. girl in red. CHVRCHES. The Civil Wars. (Mostly gay icons ngl).

Song(s) stuck in my head:

‘Needy’ by Ariana Grande

‘It’s A Shame’ by First Aid Kit

‘Monster’ by dodie

'Johnny Johnny’ by Danny Gonzalez

‘I Say No’ by Carrie Hope Fletcher (West End Heathers Album)

Following now: I mostly follow fandom stuff, like other Tomarry authors. Also some Harry Potter meme blogs, art blogs, cute cat photos. A lot of meme pages actually ngl.

Followers: I have many a lovely follower but I don’t entirely know what this question is asking. I suppose I’ll use it as an opportunity to invite you to message me if you want to have a chat ever :) my mesages and asks are always open - although I am really bad at replying so if I don’t, I promise it’s not because I hate you, it’s because I’m the worst.

Do I get asks: I do indeed! If you’ve sent me one and I haven’t answered it, I really apologise. It either got lost or I was rubbish at replying. That said, if you send me one I will desperately try to answer it as soon as possible. (Anyone remember that time someone started a religion in my asks? 0.0)

Amount of sleep I get: I’m so bad at going to sleep at night. Not because I can’t, but because I’m a night owl. So anywhere from 6 to 5 (maybe 4 on occassion) hours on week days, and then like 10 or 11 hours on the weekend. It’s not healthy.

Lucky number: I don’t really have one, but I love the number 9.

What I’m wearing: My nightclothes, which is usually an oversized t-shirt and knickers, but this evening I’m treating myself to a nightie which I got years ago and no longer fits me! Sexy.

Dream job: Director. I love theatre and bossing people around - seems perfect. (Jokes, I know theatre is all about collaboration.)

Dream trip: Eh, I’m not really a fan of holidays? So probs a trip to London to watch some good theatre. But I am going to New York this summer and I am v excited. And Italy! So those are like my top two favourite places. (And Budapest, but that’s my first trip abroad with my friends so idk how much of the place we’ll actually see.)

Favourite food: Pizza! Or tuna paninis from Costa. Very specific, I know.

Instruments: My voice. Lol. I’m in a choir and I take voice lessons and do musical theatre. I did a bit of recorder when I was young, as does every British school child, but I couldn’t be bothered to practise. I really wish I’d learned the piano though.

Languages: I am disgustingly monolingual and I am so awed by people on tumblr who regularly communicate in their third or second language. I took two years of Russian so I can read the Cyrillic alphabet but I am beyond rusty, and I took three years of French, but again, very rusty.

Favourite songs:

‘Mr Brightside’ by The Killers. It’s an absolute killer at any party.

‘idontwannabeyouanymore’ by Billie Eilish. Makes me cry every time.

‘Feel It Still’ by Portugal. The Man.

‘Christine’ by Christine and the Queens

‘South London Forever’ - Florence and the Machine

‘Hospital’ by Jesca Hoop

‘Walk with the Devil’ by Karliene

‘Be The One’ by Dua Lipa

So many more, literally so many. This isn’t even including my loves from musical theatre.

Random fact: So this is not so much a fact as it is a story. I was in hospital last Friday cause I was having respiratory problems. I was having trouble breathing in bed and my mum called the NHS helpline. Suddenly there were paramedics at our door, telling me I had to rush to A and E because I might have a pulmonary embolism. I had blood tests and waited for the results until 3am, only to be told that I had a indicator of blood clots in the tests and I’d have to come into hospital for chest scans the next day. Which was when I was supposed to go on holiday. So me and my mum missed our train to France because I was sit in a waiting room for a chest xray and scan all day, which turned out to indicate that I didn’t have a blood clot at all and I probably just had a virus. So we booked a plane that evening and I was in the Alps the next evening. Bit of a hectic evening.

Aesthetic: Eh I don’t have much aesthetic. Clothing-wise, I’m a fan of tighter or shorter tops (t-shirt crop tops, etc) and loose, wide legged trousers. My friend described me as always slightly too dressed-up for the situation xD In general, I like grand, sweeping architecture; I love old cathedrals. There are some gorgeous ones in France. Elaborate, beautiful stonework.

I tag (by the way, please don’t repeat this if you’ve already done it, and please don’t feel obligated to do it either just because you’ve been tagged)

@itslemonsoda @cybrid @childotkw @k-s-morgan I can’t be bothered to find more people I know, but if you read this, consider yourself tagged! <3

17 notes · View notes