On Happy Feet

Of course I adore Happy Feet, the story of an Emperor Penguin named Mumble who is born with a natural ability to tap dance though without the ability to sing. The conflict begins on Mumble's first day of penguin school as every Emperor Penguin must discover their "heart song" to find a soul mate. As Mumble struggles to be himself among the penguin flock and societal norms,he bravely retains his individuality.

Australian Filmmaker George Miller (Mad Max and Babe) delivers a cinematically stunning film and an outstanding cast in Elijah Wood, Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman, Brittany Murphy, and the ever brilliant Robin Williams.


I loved Happy Feet though as the film weaves its way through multiple storylines, it loses its way in bringing them all together---nevertheless, Happy Feet enjoyably features Nicole Kidman as Mumble's Mom, Norma Jean, sounding delightfully as breathless as Marilyn Monroe, Williams lending his voice in two hilarious roles, penguin production numbers set to music by Prince, The Beach Boys, Stevie Wonder, Queen and Paul Anka, and a global call for human aliens to leave the ecosystem alone.

You will definitely leave the theatre feeling happy!

Two clips below: Mumble with Gloria and the other new baby penguins learning about their "Heart Song" on the first day of penguin school and an introduction to Ramon (Robin Williams):

On Robert Altman

"To me, I've just made one long film."



Thankfully, he gave us some of the most brilliant filmmaking in history.

On Black and Blue

Another legend of rhythm and blues, Ruth Brown, passed away yesterday. I remember seeing a Saturday matinee of Black and Blue on Broadway some years ago. Ruth Brown, in a Tony award-winning performance, starred side-by-side with Linda Hopkins and Carrie Smith to deliver the lead singing roles. Tap dancing legends like Jimmy Slyde and Bunny Briggs danced to the music of Duke Ellington and Fats Waller, (Savion Glover's understudy danced his role that day), and a number of well-known jazz musicians played in the orchestra.

Black and Blue celebrated the period between WWI and WWII when Paris opened its arms and heart to black dance and music.

Ruth Brown often appeared in San Francisco, though I never saw her perform again, I do remember the fabulous Black and Blue . Ruth Brown, independent spirit and crusader for musician rights.


Photo Credit: Jack Vartoogian/FrontRow Photos

On I Have A Dream

Martin Luther King, Great Dreamer

"We cannot walk alone.

And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead.

We cannot turn back.

And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today!

I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of "interposition" and "nullification" -- one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.

I have a dream today!

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; "and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together."


Excerpts from I Have A Dream Speech, Martin Luther King, August 28, 1963, Lincoln Memorial, Washington, DC

On Ugly Betty

Betty Suarez, Great Dreamer.



Photo Credits: ABC Television

On Pursuit of Happyness

Dreams, hope, love, and triumph of the human spirit lifted Chris Gardner to provide a better life for his son. Based on Gardner's own story in San Francisco, The Pursuit of Happyness should be required viewing (and reading) for the haves,have nots, and anyone who thinks "they can't"---Tough breaks, lucky breaks, dreams do come true. Gardner recently appeared on The Josh Kornbluth Show here, one of the most inspiring and best interviews on the show to date, by the way.


P.S. Due in theatres Dec. 15th from Sony Pictures, expect an Oscar nod for Will Smith

On Enrico's Cafe

A lot of dreams were realized over the years at Enrico's Cafe on Broadway. Now another legendary character of international renown has closed it's doors due to lease problems and a steady economic decline. Buoyed by North Beach's Beat generation, Enrico's Cafe became a hallmark location for jazz and cocktails after opening in 1958. Tax problems plagued founder Enrico Balducci and Enrico's ultimately went out of business. Revived in the late 1990's by a group of investors, Enrico's and North Beach locations in general, have seen a steady decline in people coming there to dine, listen to music, and hang out. I remember my first time to North Beach and Enrico's back in the 1970's. At that time, Carol Doda's image still towered over the corner of Columbus and Broadway atop The Condor's sign, although the Purple Onion no longer hosted great acts like the Smothers Brothers, I remember walking by the Purple Onion, it may have been called by another name. Thankfully, Tosca's and Specks Bar both remain.