Happy Halloween 2020

Sean Connery (1930 - 2020)

Like many folk I awoke this morning to the news that veteran actor Sean Connery passed away earlier today. Much is made in this sad news about the proud Scotsman being the first actor to play James Bond in feature films. It's a role for which he'll always be remembered, no matter the many and varied roles he played until he retired from acting a few years ago. While not my favourite "Bond", that prestigious title goes to George Lazenby, Connery is remembered by many as the 007. "Bond, James Bond."

The actor first made an impression on me when I was eleven or twelve years of age. I was watching a black & white film on television, and my mother said: "That's Sean Connery. He's Welsh [sic]."

Minutes ago I did some research. It did not take long as I had remembered two vital research clues: a reporter; the Second World War.

The flick: Another Time, Another Place (1958).

One film I noted as not being mentioned in Sean Connery's obituaries: Zardoz (1974, director John Boorman).

As for my favourite....I'd have to think about that one. The Great Train Robbery (1978) is a fun one; there's The Untouchables (1987). Okay: Goldfinger (1964).

Book: Practical Dreamers (Hoolboom)

Practical Dreamers

- Conversations With Movie Artists -

Written and Edited by

Mike Hoolboom

Coach House Books, Toronto, 2008

Jennifer Smith on Taking a Risk

The only chance that we have of achieving our dreams is to take a risk, and most people who are consumed with negative self talk do not find the risk to be worth it.

It's all too common.

Book: Inside the Pleasure Dome (Hoolboom)

Inside the Pleasure Dome

- Fringe Film in Canada -

Written and Edited by Mike Hoolboom

Coach House Books, Toronto, 1997

Dale Carnegie on Taking Chances

Take a chance! All life is a chance. The man who goes farthest is generally the one who is willing to do and dare.

Here's to willpower....

Book: Midnight Mavericks (Gregorits)

Midnight Mavericks

- Reports from the Underground -

Written by

Gene Gregorits

FAB Press, 2007

The Silent Series'

Minutes ago I saw a headline: "L.A. Dodgers Win World Series."

I had no idea the World Series was in process. Has Major League Baseball shrunk to golf ball size? "Next on Sports" is something I don't hear, so that would put me at a deficit for knowing what sports events are playing right now, but I've not overheard people talking about the series, nor have friends brought up the subject.

Now that I think about it, the NHL's Stanley Cup was won and I knew nothing about it till days later. And I have no idea who won the prize.

By the way, I was a "carded" baseball umpire. I knew that rulebook (National League Rules) like the back of my hand; though a few players and coaches would have begged to differ: "Hey, Umpy! Pull your hands out of your pockets!"

Toronto's Greg's Ice Cream Is No More

On the weekend I strolled past the Bloor Street Side of the Jewish Community Centre and noticed something: Greg's Ice Cream was gone.

At first I thought I was just not being too observant, given that I walk often in that area. Later I did some online research. Greg's shuttered last month. The store opened in 1981 at another location: the north side of Bloor Street, between Bedford and Avenue Roads. The closures are permanent.

I stepped into neither store location (including the now-gone one down in the Distillery District), as I very rarely eat ice cream, but it's still sad to see a venerable Toronto brand close shop.

"Taxi Driver!"

Movie-lovers love to quote their favourite lines. ("You talkin' to me?")

There are the usual suspects. Say the famous line and some people will know its source.

I have my own faves. Just a samplin'....

"You get what you pay for, Franz."
- The Doctor (John Considine), Doctor Death: Seeker of Souls (1973)

"He's dying."
- Barrot, the camp warden (William Smithers), Papillon (1973)

"Good afternoon, my ass."
- The farmer (John Baskcomb), Battle of Britain (1969)

"I think you know what the problem is just as well as I do."
- HAL 9000 (Douglas Rain, voice), 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

"I'm a lawyer from Denver, Colorado."
- Lt. Harry Brubaker (William Holden), The Bridges at Toko-Ri (1954)


Any recent movies? I'll work on it....

___

First Posted as "You Talkin' To Me?" on December 29, 2019.

A Forever Question: E-question

“Since before your sun burned hot in space and before your race was born, I have awaited a question."

Sir. When one is in E-Space, can one access e-mail?

Book: Underground (Hoolboom)

Underground

- The Untold Story of The Funnel Film Collective -

Written by

Mike Hoolboom

Canadian Film Institute, 2016

Picturing: Pooled Water Details

Friend Visiting Me When We Were Young(er)

The Mercury Spikes

Toronto is going to hit 23 degrees Celsius today. Perhaps I should do something picnic-like in my local park instead of staying inside working.

It's a spike. We're off to 8 or 9 Celsius over the next few days. Much more reasonable....seasonable.

Why Do I Like Cats?

The very odd person asks me that now and again. Yes, why am I a "cat lover"? It's a good question, and one I can answer readily.

Well, besides the strikingly obvious qualities of a cat, like the quirky and unique from-cat-to-cat personalities, it's that look the average feline carries: "All systems normal."

It Was One Year Ago Today

Justin Trudeau and his Liberal Party of Canada swept back into power (stayed put) a year ago today. He was counted out; not supposed to win given the mighty scandals he and his cronies faced since taking power back in October of 2015.

This time around it was a "minority" government, not the "majority" of five years ago. I had predicted that the Liberals would again win the top office, but, remembering Pierre Trudeau's squeaking-in of 1972, my feeling was son Justin would pull off something similar. His win was most convincing.

And the Conservatives -- with no real leader -- are bitter to this day. They can't seem to do anything right....not even score on an "open net".

The NDP (New Democratic Party) was just a no-show.

Maxime Bernier, and his LOL "People's Party of Canada", was, as a German might say: "Núll."

Mr Trudeau will face a confidence vote in the House of Commons today. If passed, we Canadians could be forced back to the polls very soon....

Picturing: A Dandelion Field from May (Past)

A Forever Question: Warp Factor Nine

“Since before your sun burned hot in space and before your race was born, I have awaited a question."

Sir. Why is the concept of time travel dismissed as impossible when we travel forward in time most efficiently?

Tottenham's Special Luck Ran Out

I was about to write a piece about Tottenham Hotsput F.C. and their special luck whenever I sit down to watch them play a match.

Tottenham was up by a score of 3 to nil as I started to sketch out the blog post idea. Then: Two quick goals from West Ham within the last ten minutes of regulation time. Then, at about three minutes of stoppage time, seconds after the play-by-play announcer said "this should be about it", goal number three. (As I noodled on the keyboard, certain football players noodled in the goal.) The game was officially over; the West Ham squad went nuts.

By the way, what a beautiful game-tying goal: just inside the goal net's top right-hand corner. And I thought only ice hockey could be that exciting.