Friday Fun : 1939 - Via col vento !!

"The golden globes are fun, the oscars are business", dixit Warren Beatty. And we agree with Warren, cinema should be fun. In the old days, cinema was at the center of every town and a social gathering par excellence. These days we watch movies at home, comfortably cocooning, away from all the pressure of the outside world. And I am personally no exception to this because I hate visiting mega anonymous gatherings in mega complexes on the outskirts of town. It's really a shame because life could be so simple with its simple pleasure ; Just witness the magic between Toto and Alfredo and above all, watch the magic they perform :

All gone with the wind and this weekend it's back to big business and the Oscars. Our Belgian hopes are set on "Rundskop - Bullhead" but a reality check tells us that the price for best foreign language movie will go to "A separation". A film with some delicate subjects on the Iranian society and Hollywood never being afraid to make a political statement. But we have some reasons for celebration nevertheless : After several years of absence, good old Billy Chrystal will host the show again. Some of his memorable quotes during the show in 2004 :

"It was 13 years ago when I first hosted the Academy Awards, and things sure have changed since then : George Bush was President, the economy was tanking, and we had just finished a war with Iraq. Yeah, things really have changed"

"It's now official : there is no one left to thank in New Zealand. And if anyone is interested, all of the hobbits' wardrobe is now for sale at the Devito's House" (Lord of the Rings oscar sweep)

"I voted for "Seabiscuit", the most realistic horse costume I have ever seen !"

So we would like to finish with an ode to the heroes of the white screen. And what better way to do so than in the company of Ray Davies. "Everybody's a dreamer and everybody's a star, and everybody's in movies, doesn't matter who you are ; there are stars in every city, in every house and in every street, but if you walk down Hollywood boulevard, the names are written in concrete"

Cheers and one for the road