December 26, 2004
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PEOPLE WHO KNOCK ME OUT
Paul Newman and Jack Nicholson
Okay, I’m just too pooped from Christmas to offer up something very deep this morning, but here are two film greats who have given me, and most of us, so much wonderful entertainment over the years that I’d like to say thanks. The films are three each of my own personal favorites above. Newman and Nicholson have similar wild, sexy screen personas, but off screen seem to be very different personalities – Nicholson carrying on with women and the Lakers and showing up at the Oscars regularly; Newman married for years to his wife, Joanne Woodward, living a quiet life out of the spotlight. What they have in common is a life devoted to their art, a real filmography of gifted acting roles, and a great generosity in giving back to their communities through charity work. They are both only 5’9″ – Newman is now 79 and Nicholson 67 – and these two giants are still going strong. It works for me and thank you for the memories.
Deep Thought: “Just because swans mate for life, I don’t think it’s that big of a deal. First of all, if you’re a swan, you’re probably not going to find a swan that looks that much better than the one you’ve got so why not mate for life.”
Today I am grateful for: House plants
Guess the Movie: “From my mother I inherited a love of language and an appreciation of nature. She could turn a walk around the island into a voyage of purest discovery. As a child, I thought she was the most extraordinary woman on earth. I wasn’t the first son to be wrong about his mother.” Answer: The Prince of Tides, 1991.
Winner: thenarrator.
10 Ways to Be a Better Person
#8. Never stop learning. True wisdom comes from knowledge and knowledge will only increase if you keep your mind open to new ideas and suggestions.
End of Day: 8:40 pm
+ = Thank god the chaos part of Christmas is over.
- = It’s always so fast and then you have withdrawals.
Comments (7)
Favorites of mine as well. “Prince of Tides,” of course I’d rather you say “guess the book” because while I did like the book, I hated that movie. Despite the book’s flaws (Conroy always needs to go over the top, I like his first two best: The River is Wide and The Lords of Discipline, they seem most clearly built), the story of how the 20th Century assaults individuality was a moving one. The movie not only abandons the plot and theme, but eliminates the title character, all to make Barbra Streisand’s character more important. Streisand has made worse movies (including Yentle, the worst movie ever made), but few have done so much damage to a book as Prince of Tides.
Sorry, my Post-Christmas rant.
and #8 might be the most important one of all. It helps drive all the others.
You got it and I understand the rant. My guess is that particular quote is from the book because it’s narrated in the movie. Hope you had a great Christmas and get to keep your son a bit longer.
great person to admire…
You can sure pick ‘em. When I think of baby blue eyes, I think of Newman, not Sinatra. The Road to Perdition with Tom Hanks, he had a great, albeit, small role. And, who can do evil or warped better than Jack? I saw the first Batman movie not long ago, and was reminded that no one could have done the Joker as well.
You are a gal after my own heart. I love both these actors…..
I am still in my jammies. I’ve been sitting by the fire enjoying the last of the tree, reading all day.
Deep thought: Hey that’s aviarist! We Swans do not all look alike! I tell ya, that’s just fowl