Todd Jacobucci

The Beatles are one of my favorite bands.    Probably one of the most popular bands of all time.  Totally innovative.  A driving force in the 1960s.  Something I find interesting about The Beatles is how well their music has aged.    Lets take a look at some of their work.  Hard to believe, but it’s now over 50 years old…. Great harmonies in this one..... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfBEqiEhCgM More fantastic harmonies..... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hL0tnrl2L_U Hard rock from The Beatles... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cK5G8fPmWeA And psychedelia....... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1Jm5epJr10 A personal fave released in 1965..... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHsN9d4FTVI A great band indeed!

I won't say the ending of a movie will make it or break it.   Some really good films have had mediocre endings.  "Jaws",  "Good Will Hunting", "Raging Bull", "Taxi Driver",  "The Aviator" as examples.   These endings didn't ruin the film - they just didn't add to it.  They weren't memorable.  On the other hand, some movies have had really memorable endings.   Endings that stick with you.  The question today is which one was the best?   Let's take a look: Here are some of my favorite endings of movies 1. "Excision"  2012 - It's a stunning ending -it shocks you 2. "Million Dollar Baby" 2004 - This one is a bit of a twist,  but it's great 3. "Doubt" 2008  - Meryl Streep sums up the whole film in this ending 4. "The Shawshank Redemption" 1994 - A beautiful ending 5. "Whiplash"  2014 -  A knowing look between two foes ends this one 6. "The Usual ...

I was having a conversation on You Tube.  The individual I was talking to insisted that there were not enough great solo Beatle songs.    He didn't believe that even the best of the solo Beatles could compete with a Beatle album.    Well, I disagree.  I'm going to put an album together (6 songs per side) of what I believe to be the best of solo Beatles.  I think it competes.  You be the judge.... Side 1 1. "Band on the Run" 2.  "Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth" 3.  "#9 Dream" 4.  "Photograph" 5.  "Mind Games" 6.  "Goodnight Tonight" Side 2 1. "My Sweet Lord" 2.  "Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey" 3.  "Gimme Some Truth" 4.  "Woman" 5.  "Blow Away" 6.  "Live and Let Die" And there you have it.  Does it compete with a regular Beatle album?  I think it does.....

I'm  a big fan of Annie Clark and St. Vincent.  Here are some videos by her I  think are great: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAdARF4rGcQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVAxUMuhz98 And the live versions...... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1d9DsEP_BF4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZOWhSlcrbI

It would be very interesting to be a casting director.    I think it's an underrated position in terms of if a film works or fails.   Some people have a knack for it.  For instance, Clint Eastwood.  When he got involved in the production of "Million Dollar Baby", the casting choices were Morgan Freeman for Frankie and Sandra Bullock for Maggie.  Eastwood ended up taking the role of Frankie, gave Freeman the supporting role of Scrap, and literally on his own, decided to go with Hilary Swank as Maggie.   History proved Eastwood's selections couldn't have been better.   It's hard to imagine anyone else playing those parts.  On occasion, casting decisions are changed - but it is quite possible that either scenario would have worked.   A good example is the film "Doubt".  Frances McDormand was lined up for Sister Aloysius.  Natalie Portman was in negotiations to play Sister James.   Everything changed when t...

I have been thinking of something to write about today.  This topic popped into my head early this morning.  As the day has wore on I have gone from thinking it's an insane topic to thinking it's an interesting topic.   I'm sure everyone has heard songs they hate.  You know what I mean - the type of song that makes you cringe.  Makes your skin crawl.   Makes you feel like you're in the company of someone you can't stand, lol.  But seriously though - there are some songs that do make me feel that way.   I've been rolling it around in my head for a couple of hours and several have come to mind.  I'm using songs that I believe are relatively well known.  So, let's get started: 1. "You Can Call Me Al" - Paul Simon This was a big departure for Paul Simon.  A new kind of music for him.  In fact, it was critically acclaimed.  Personally I couldn't stand it thirty years ago and I still hate it today. 2. "Total Eclipse o...

This is an interesting topic to discuss.  There are many people, cultures and religions that place a very high emphasis on dreams.   Some people believe dreams can forecast the future.  Others believe a dream represents something you desperately want.  Then of course there is a school of thought that believes a dream is a reminder of something awful that you did in your life that you can't face while awake.  My feeling is that the dream is in the eye of the dreamer.  I don't believe there is any consistency to dreams.  A dream may mean one thing for one individual, and it could mean something entirely different to another individual.  I would imagine just about every human being has at some point had a dream in their life.  I certainly have.   I've had thousands as I'm sure many other people have.  The question is, did you ever have a dream that had some kind of special meaning?   For me it happened only once.  Of the...