My parents, shortly after they married...in 1953

My parents, shortly after they married...in 1953
Frances Mary Turri and Herbert Pompeii Pilato, in 1953, shortly after they married.

Saturday, October 30, 2010

Meeting the Heston Family at the World Premiere of the Cecil B. Demille's newly-restored 1956 cinema classic "The Ten Commandments"

A few weeks ago, I was privledged enough to attend the world premiere, special screening of Paramount's newly-restored and quite beautiful edition of Cecil B. Demille's 1956 feature film classic, The Ten Commandments, which just so happens to be my favorite movie of all time.

The screening took place at the Hollywood's (also newly-and-beautifully restored) Egyptian Theatre (where Demille's original 1923 edition of The Ten Commandments debuted). And those also in attendance included Lydia and Fraser Heston, the widow and son of the film's iconic star, Charlton Heston (who passed away in 2008).

The Ten Commandments is my favorite film for several reasons, though with specific regard to dialogue, cinematography, acting and, of course, the direction and over-all vision from Mr. DeMille. Either way, all of it, was and remains top-notch, timeless - and pure.

But to have actually sat in the theatre with Heston's wife and son (the latter of whom actually appeared in the film - as Baby Moses), was simply grand; an experience that lasted somewhat more significantly for a short-time after the movie finished playing.

After it was over, I and a few friends waited for the theatre to empty.

In doing so, the timing was just right, as we became some of the last to exit the theatre - just in time to run into Mr. Heston's son and wife as they were walking to their limo.

I approached Mr. Heston - and told him how, not only is the movie my favorite, but I also had the opportunity to chat with him about my favorite SCENE in the movie:

Shortly after Heston's Moses is cast from Egypt, and when he is nursed back to health by his future wife Sephora (portrayed by Yvonne DeCarlo), and all her beautiful sisters - in the land of Midian.

Here, Moses is no longer the Prince of Egypt and he's not yet The Deliverer. As I relayed to Fraser Heston, "He's just a guy. Just a regular guy." And it's one of the sweetest moments in the film.

Mr. Heston was complimentary and appreciative of my words and insight. And he was very personal and kind (wanting to know my name, etc.).

In all, to be there at the world premiere of the reissue of my favorite film....and to sit in the same theatre with the Heston family....and later to have been able to actually chat about the film - and my favorite scene -to Fraser Heston (while his Mom waited in the car, no less)...well....it was just plain awesome.

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See the trailer via the link below:
http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi1106968857/

Friday, October 29, 2010

The Return of Simple Pleasures via ABC News and Author Leslie Blume

Author Leslie Blume appeared on ABC's Good Morning, America to talk about her awesome new book, LET'S BRING BACK, which suggests its important for each of us to return to the "simpler pleasures."

Please see the video link below for more.


http://news.yahoo.com/video/entertainment-15749636/the-return-of-simple-pleasures-22704485

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Brian Wilson's "Love and Mercy" - It's What We All Need

Lyrics to

LOVE AND MERCY

by Brian Wilson

(followed by a link to the video)

I was sittin' in a crummy movie
With my hands on my chin
all the violence that occurs
Seems like we never win

Love and mercy that's what you need tonight
Love and mercy to you and your friends tonight

I was lying in my room
And the news came on TV
A lotta people out there hurtin'
And it really scares me

Love and mercy that's what you need tonight
Love and mercy to you and your friends tonight

I was standing in a bar
And watching all the people there
Oh the loneliness in this world
Well it's just not fair

Love and mercy that's what we need tonight
Love and mercy to you and your friends tonight

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vN98_tRLkEQ