And the Oscar Race Is On...

Movie biggies have finally caught on. Grown-ups want to go to the movies in the summer, too. August unleashes a few contenders long before the pre-Oscar dust settles. On top of the list: Woody Allen's much ballyhooed Blue Jasmine. And it does live up to the hype.

A tragic comedy with Allen hitting all the right notes is a essentially a fictional portrait of Ruth Madoff as a middle aged wealthy ex-wife of a real estate crook nabbed gone mad. Cate Blanchett is already on the Best Actress short list. But there are star turns here, too, from Sally Hawkins as her lower-rent, more centered sister, Bobby Cannavale as the sis's bombastic boyfriend and who knew Andrew Dice Clay could actually conjure pathos? Alec Baldwin, a now a perennial Allen player, offers the least nuanced role as the crooked ( and, natch, wife cheating) honcho.

Blue is Jasmine's free-fall,. and Blanchett does it with such frenetic and captivating power, it is truly a tour de force of a mental breakdown.

Drive safe. Play nice. Dream big.

Pass the pop corn. And stay tuned @abwrites
aba

Everyone Has a Story

The fab cartoon based on the fab Four's quirky classic tune "Paperback Writer," reminds me that we all tell ourselves the stories of our lives. Twists and turns, color, comedy, tragedy there all in the living , the telling, the sharing.

As The Amy Beth Arkawy Show continues to grow we'll continue to reach out to an eclectic array of storytellers. From authors to filmmakers, social crusaders to comedians, theatre folks to musicians, come aboard and share your story, your inspiration and influences.

I invite you to reveal a part of your life with a growing audience of literate, engaged, creative people eager to learn and grow from your experiences.

Reach out via the website or @abwrites. We are currently booking for the fall and beyond.

Drive safe. Play nice. Dream big.

Stay tuned.

Cheers and onward,

aba

Happy Birthday. America

As imperfect as our little American experiment may be, it is still the best place to dream big. Contentious political and social divides are all part of our national growing pains. So as we celebrate another all American birthday bash, let's cherish the red, white and blue that paints the different shades of the American dream.

Drive safe. Play nice. Dream big.

And go easy on the fireworks. And hot dogs!

Stay tuned @abwrites

aba

Wrestling The Elephant In The National Living Room

Race is the elephant in our national living room. People like to ignore it or tiptoe around it, but it's still there. Always has been . Always will.

We've been talking about the racially charged George Zimmerman murder trial on my radio show.
And last Friday, before Food Network dropped the Queen of Southern Mean Cuisine's career in the deep fryer where it belongs, I predicted her demise. But here's one of the most insightful posts I've read on the subject by my social media pal, Leslie Parsley : "Oh, darkies, how my heart grows weary"

Drive safe. Play nice. Dream big.

Stay tuned @abwrites

aba

Beyond Soprano: James Gandolfini, R.I.P.

He will forever be immortalized as Tony Soprano, one of television's most complicated and iconic characters. But James Gandolfini was more than that. He was a consummate actor's actor, a pro who started out in the theatre, cherished the ensemble and never ever expected to be a star.

His vulnerability, his kindness off the stage and screen are remembered by his colleagues. And those qualities, too, seeped into all his work, even in his portrayal of the dysfunctional mob boss.

For those of us who missed him on stage, that opportunity is sadly gone. And there are, of course, all the roles he might have played. But still, there are some fine performances--beyond Tony Soprano--to savor. He has fine supporting turns in In The Loop, The Taking of Pelham 1-2-3, Zero Dark Thirty, Get Shorty and The Mexican And stands out in Cinema Verite as the the creator of Reality TV, and is magnificent as a grieving father in the moving indie, Welcome to the Rileys. Do yourself a favor: take the time to watch this gem on DVD.

And embrace your your life and nurture your talents while you can.

Drive safe. Play nice. Dream big.

Stay tuned @abwrites

aba

Indie Film

I had a wonderful conversation with John Alan Simon and Elizabeth Karr, the director and producer of the brave, new indie RADIO FREE ALBEMOUTH. If you're a fan of sci-fi master Phillip K. Dick and/or indie film, you can join their 'creative conspiracy' to distribute their acclaimed adaptation. The Kickstarter campaign runs until July 2.

Drive safe. Play nice. Dream big.

And reach out to the show @abwrites

aba

Radio Return

My myriad adventures: writing books, coaching, teaching and all the promotion they entail has forced me to neglect my beloved Radio Graffiti blog.

I will try to use this outlet to promote my new Internet radio show. For those who have found me on the 'airwaves' again, I am grateful and delighted to be back in my natural habitat. Radio has always been a passion and being behind the mic is a good fit. Just like riding a bicycle

The show weaves together a mosaic of notable and emerging voices in the arts, pop culture, personal growth and justice,. The focus is storytelling, and  the  inspiration and influences that fuel a creative life. We mix in cultural commentary, too,. Yeah, I can't help myself. And some of the most popular shows have been those dealing with true crime.

I've already featured an impressive array of guests including authors  Tania Grossinger, Eliot Tibor, Jessica Handler and Bill Deane; true crime experts Dr. Daniela Schreier and David Diamond; filmmakers Lora Lee Ecobelli and John Alan Simon; theatre pros Mike Selkirk and Mary Catherine Wilson; and pop culture gurus Chris Lucas and Kristen Burtt.

I always ask for listener input: so if you have a compelling story to tell, feel free to query me. the easiest way is through my website . We're always looking for authors, filmmakers, theatre folks, musicians, social commentators, etc. We also have Coffee Klatch editions, where we feature our free flow pop culture convo. So if you're a loquacious free thinker who likes to dish TV, movies, hot topics in the news, be in touch and we'll talk.

It's been great to hear from so many 'old' fans. Your kind words of encouragement. mean so much.

Please join us: The Amy Beth Arkawy Show  live Fridays @ 1 PM ( EST) and Mondays  at Noon (EST). Or anytime on demand. that's the beauty of the Internet podcasts. you can listen anytime. The only drawback: we don't get as many calls as I'd like. As my hearty radio irregulars know: I love interacting live on the radio with listeners. So if you get a chance, please call in and join the conversation.

We've just begun. Again. So stay tuned!

Drive safe. Play nice. Dream big.

aba