[Roger Slater]

Originally Posted by James Brancheau

I would hope that he's highly regarded. I'm certainly a big fan. What I meant by "a bit underrated" is that, in my experience, I just never hear his name come up when it comes to great actors/performances. He's just so natural I guess is the word that first comes to mind. I know of that movie, Roger, but I admit I haven't seen it yet. I'll punch it in to my movie machine and see if it comes up. (A friend directed me to this wonderful website- have been able to access nearly every movie I've searched for. Nearly in that Oppenheimer has been a no go so far. But I did get Asteroid City...)

You're in for a treat. I think it's Billy Wilder's best. And it's Shirley MacLean at her most beautiful. Oh, and Fred Macmurray is great as the evil boss.

[James Brancheau]

Yes, Roger, my movie machine gets it, though I haven't had the time to watch it (but will soon). Thank you.

Added: I don't think I've ever watched a movie starring Shirley MacLaine before Terms of Endearment. Isn't that terrible? But she was fantastic in that. The very first scene of that movie is one of my favorite moments of all time. (I could of course be forgetting some things- I'm generally pretty good from the late 60s onwards. Before that, I'm terrible.)

Always loved Sinead. She's a big chunk of the soundtrack to my college years. Such power and grace that stopped me still. Her voice always shattered me. And talk about gender bias. Male artists with significant talent and mental issues are not only more respected for that in most (or all) cases, but even romanticized. Yes, ripping up the pope was unpopular at the time, but it has aged well (it aged well 10 years later). I have the feeling, though, that she's being resurrected more than the average rock god's passing. Tremendous loss, before and after her death.

[Orwn Acra]

O'Connor on SNL is its own great performance.

"I feel that having a No. 1 record derailed my career, and my tearing the photo put me back on the right track."

[James Brancheau]

I remember when that happened, Walter, and the prevailing thought was grandstanding. Wasn't so much that she was going after the pope. It might have ruined her career. That she felt well with herself from there going forward, probably not. But that also probably had little to do with that particular moment. She was correct, however you look at it.

What bothers me most about Sinead's work are the arrangements. So horribly 80s. Just crippled by the corny riff, etc. Mandinka, and most especially I Want Your Hands On Me- just a stunning song without the bullshit. She needed a more visionary producer.

[Jim Moonan]

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I don't know why no one has commented on a #30 post I made of Jonathan Groff's performance of "You'll Be Back".

Is it that no one watched it? Is it that you did but found it uninspiring? Is it that people sometimes find musical theatre to be little more than watered down knockoff opera?

I wish I could find a version without commentary interspersed. It just doesn't seem to exist unfortunately.

But really. How can you watch/listen to this acting performance and not be impressed by his virtuoso performance?

Tell me why. I don't understand!

Here's another analysis of it that is, in spots, off the mark and at times a bit irritating, but it does touch on all the various facets of the performance. For me it is the benchmark for what I was thinking of when I asked for great performances.

Btw, this is a part of a medley of cameo appearances by King George in the play. Each one adroitly presents the "other side" in a most hyperbolic way. Brilliant lyric writing by Lin Manuel Miranda.


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[Jim Moonan]

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Watch how he casually, easily outdoes the King.
https://youtu.be/tDWfOSKccLM
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[Roger Slater]

I'm not sure this is a "great performance," but it's fun. Molly Tuttle and her band put on silly costumes as they cover "White Rabbit" with a series of truly brilliant instrumental solos.

[Jim Moonan]

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Originally Posted by Roger Slater

I'm not sure this is a "great performance," but it's fun. Molly Tuttle and her band put on silly costumes as they cover "White Rabbit" with a series of truly brilliant instrumental solos.

This is fantastic, thanks!

It immediately brought to mind Tom Petty's "Don'tCome Around Here No More"

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I've been meaning to pose a question here: Are great performances ubiquitous or are they rare? Isn't nature chockfull of great performances?

[Jim Moonan]

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I implore you not to turn away from this video of a 60 day time-lapse of a bird. Make sure the sound is on. I found it on Lex Fridman's instagram page. A great performance if ever there was one.
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[Jim Moonan]

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Great cover of "Blown' In the Wind"

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