Messages

256

Films and TV shows about the Romanovs and Imperial Russia / Re: Anastasia Cartoon circa 1995

« on: September 14, 2004, 06:40:34 PM »

It amazes me how people (including me) can get so off track. From what I understand from the first post, this was to be a discussion about the music.

At www.filmtracks.com there are 3561 votes that give the score 5 stars. 989 give it 4, 748 give it 3, 307 give it 2, and 342 give it just 1 star. And that's just at one film music site. I tried to check www.moviemusic.com but unfortunately I couldn't find any way to see votes. But believe me there are plenty of other sites out there for film scores.

(written on moviemusic.com by "SBD)

Six thumbs up!!
This is one of David Newman's all-time best scores. He was robbed at the Oscars, and anyone who cares about fine film music would be quick to agree. I recently got the complete score on CD-r, and that hath made all the difference.

257

Films and TV shows about the Romanovs and Imperial Russia / Re: Anastasia Cartoon circa 1995

« on: September 06, 2004, 05:06:31 PM »

LOL so you see what I mean Lanie? LOL

You could say that this movie should not have been made PERIOD, but then not as many of us would be here, would we?

I first fell in love with the Romanovs because of a documentary when I was 8, but it wasn't till 7-8 years later that I was reminded of them because of this movie.

This movie wouldn't have been as effectful without its music. And I don't mean its songs. If it had an absolutely atrocious score, I would have regretted buying it and turned it off immediately. For me, it's all about the score. That's why I fell in love with The Ten Commandments LOL which is ALSO big time inaccurate and dramatized. The songs, most of them were simply Okay, but the three that stood out in my mind are Once Upon A December, the reprise of the song Learn To Do It (stupid stupid title IMHO lol), and the opening "A Rumor In S.t Petersburg." The rest were simply... eh, in my opinion.

Perhaps that is why it did not win Best Original Musical/Comedy Score, because they include the songs with that. Hm, at least I think so. I'll have to ask Christian Clemmenson (owner of www.filmtracks.com).

I remember watching this in my humanities class (which was taught by our French teacher) and my friend Jason said Hey, this is a fairy tale and it's set in France! (we were working on fairy tales at the time) and I said AND it's based on a true story! Everyone looked at me like I was nuts, and I said It is! and I had photos of her with me, I showed them but no one cared LOL. They liked the movie though.

Our school stunk big time. There was a girl who graduated in the top ten of our class, as I believe, and she did not know what a VERB was. I wouldn't be surprised if she still doesn't. Not to mention, in a fill-in-the-blank part of our English mid-term (in which we covered Le Morte d'Arthur, which my teacher pronounced wrong all the time and Julius Caesar by Shakespeare) she put "Lancelot" fell in love with "CALPURNIA." Everyone laughed when that answer was revealed naturally.

I digress LOL sorry.

I watched this with my niece and since she was old enough I told her the true story. At first she didn't believe me but when I showed photos then she was fascinated. Now of course she is more concerned with Eminem.

However I did manage to get a little girl, my mom's friend's granddaughter, interested by watching that movie. However, since she was 3 or 4, I did not DARE tell her what really happened! I simply said, You know, this girl was real. And I showed her photos, but did not say what really happened to her. At that age, you just can't.

258

Films and TV shows about the Romanovs and Imperial Russia / Re: Anastasia Cartoon circa 1995

« on: September 06, 2004, 03:27:24 PM »

I am not certain what I should say, if anything, here. Thanks to the forum admin for posting that article.

Lisa, you remind me of someone I know online by the name of Rosie. She is... well, the best I can do to describe her is "artistically challenged." I'm not sure how to best explain that to you without totally digressing from this topic, so I will not do that. If you or anyone else wants to know the meaning of this, let me know and I will explain.

I'm not as young as most people here, but I admit to having a weakness for Grimm's Fairy Tales, mind you the original ones, you know, like in the original Cinderella the stepsisters had their toe and heel cut off to fit in the shoe, and their eyes were pecked out at the end by birds (the tales were collected primarily for adults anyway). Does that make me... less mature? LOL I'm certain you weren't talking about me when you made the assumption that a lot of people here are young. I mean, granted, I am young, but not THAT young and not that immature as to let things like this movie cloud my judgement.

Now that I read your last post, I simply say this. You are extremely knowledgable in the history field, and I am extremely knowledgable in the art field. You're first and foremost a historian, and so of course I understand how you feel when you see inaccurate movies like Brraveheart and such. I am first and foremost an artist. I paint pictures with words and try to get the readers to see and feel what is happening, in their minds and in their hearts. Sometimes events in history are romanticized, even if it is something more recent than we would like it to be. Take Princess Di for example.

I don't doubt that the family was horrified with this movie, in fact I'm reminded of a line from the 1956 version of the movie that I can really tell how the Romanov family must have felt when this movie came out.

"You are making vulgar and sentimental use of an episode which is for me a great personal sorrow."

Michelle I believe mentioned Anne Frank. Well, let's go a bit further back, to someone more romanticized and shrouded in mystery than her OR the Romanovs:

King Arthur.

Most historians agree he existed, right? Of course history became the legend/myth that it is now. So it's hard to seperate the myth from the real person. The movie that is out now attempts to delve into it, however it is grossly inaccurate. What historical drama is? My history teacher in high school says the most historically accurate film he's ever seen was Elizabeth, but even that has flaws.

And what about William Wallace in Braveheart? LOLOLOL to have the Battle of Stirling Bridge... without a bridge? Ridiculous. But the heroism is there.

Bottom line, if historical drama were always completely accurate, wouldn't they be more termed as documentaries? Ghosts of the Abyss wasn't as popular as Titanic, was it?

As for the song being "worthy," why don't YOU try playing two melodies at once plus a bass line with the background melody having key changes in every measure. It's the hardest piece I've ever known. I've been practicing it since 2000 and I still can't get it.

My Heart Will Go On is easy though, and very haunting. That song truly speaks of ocean waves (without the words) if you listen closely enough. But I digress again! Slap me LOL why did I even mention that one?

259

Tsarevich Alexei Nicholaievich / Qoutes From Aleksey?

« on: September 01, 2004, 11:26:14 AM »

I'm seeking really great quotes (exact quotes preferable please) of the Tsesarevich for my various signatures haha. Could anyone be so kind as to direct me to some?

260

Films and TV shows about the Romanovs and Imperial Russia / Re: Anastasia Cartoon circa 1995

« on: August 31, 2004, 02:51:12 PM »

Oh, of course, the Rasputin character was ridiculous, but everything else was good as a story level.

It's like the Paris character in Troy.

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Films and TV shows about the Romanovs and Imperial Russia / Re: Anastasia Cartoon circa 1995

« on: August 31, 2004, 02:34:03 PM »

Marketing is not the same as awarding LOL. I'm certain that if the Academy were pressured to not give the Oscar to it, they would have picked someone far more WORTHY than Anne Dudley. Think of who was nominated here! JAMES NEWTON HOWARD, DANNY ELFMAN, HANS ZIMMER (even HE would have been a more worthy choice). James is SO overdue for an Oscar. Check out his score for The Village, it is undoubtedly his best.

Anastasia is not directly based on history! That is what makes it different from Nicholas and Alexandra and Anastasia: The Mystery of Anna and other such Romanov films. This is based on another Fox movie made in 1956 which was based on a French play by Marcel Maurette (sorry if that is spelled wrong), they remade the Yul Brynner classic for children. Honestly though I don't know how accurate either are to the play because I have never read it. I've never found it. But the 1956 sounds accurate, because of the play on words of a "play."

Ironically enough, Anastasia in 1956 was scored by the legendary Alfred Newman, who has two sons who are also composers: Thomas Newman (Road To Perdition, Finding Nemo),  and David Newman. David Newman is the man who scored the animated cartoon.

Honestly, if this influences people to check out what really happened what harm is there in it?

I guess I'm a bit more understanding and accepting of this because I am a writer who knows about the film industry. Not from firsthand experience, mind you, but still.

Things are more than meets the eye. The best example of this is The Village. Many people don't get it. Why? Perhaps because they were expecting something absolutely terrifying and just went to see it to get scared. But Night's purpose was not to terrify, it was to make a point.

Such is the same with Anastasia, it was not made like Nicholas and Alexandra, whose purpose was to educate, it was made to get kids to use their imaginations, to imagine what life might have been like as a Russian "princess" and THEN when they're old enough if they're interested enough then they can do whatever research they want.

Ack, I'm writing a scene, gettign so sidetracked, I will explain more later if you like!

Anyway, I gotta say, I'm writing a novel whose main character is based on Evgeni Plushenko. I'm not idiotic enough to use his name, but I have a lot of things happen that are very similar to events in Evgeni's life. However, I also have plenty that are not things that happened (example, my character wins the 2002 Olympics LOL). Any skating fan would say Ok that's based on Plushenko, but OMG THIS DIDN'T HAPPEN! WHY IS SHE DOING THIS?! I'm not sure how I'd react to that sort of thing... It's not my intention to insult Plushenko, or honor him, or be true to him, or anything. It's simply a story inspired by him.

Hm, thinking about this makes me wonder if I should go ahead with this novel or not. Skatign fans can be brutal LOL.

But I digress again and am getting distracted from my scene LOL. I'm off!

262

Films and TV shows about the Romanovs and Imperial Russia / Re: Anastasia Cartoon circa 1995

« on: August 31, 2004, 10:11:52 AM »

Once Upon A December should have been the song nominated from the film for the Oscar, but the marketers instead chose Journey To The Past, while everyone agrees that OUAD is VASTLY superior. It would have given My Heart Will Go On a run for its money.

The whole score of the movie is incredible. It's a shame only 18 minutes of it is on the CD.

Everyone in the film score community agrees that Anastasia was totally robbed of the Oscar for Best Musical/Comedy Score.

Combining Musical/Comedy and Dramatic score categories is the worst mistake in Academy history. For those who disagree, YOU CAN'T PUT THE LITTLE MERMAID IN THE SAME CATEGORY AS TITANIC!!!!!

(this being said I would like to send my deepest sorrows for our dear departed JERRY GOLDSMITH, DAVID RAKSIN, and ELMER BERNSTEIN. We shall miss you!!!!!!!!!)

The movie is a fairy tale, inspired by a play based on real events, so you can't go too much into how inaccurate it is. Especially consider the TARGET AUDIENCE. You can't watch this with a 5 year old kid and say You know, these people were real, but in reality, they were all SHOT and STABBED to death, poor kid would have nightmares for months.

263

Films and TV shows about the Romanovs and Imperial Russia / Re: Odd Places To Find Romanovs - TV Series - Comedy Shows - Movies

« on: August 29, 2004, 11:23:30 AM »

The Free Skate is worth 50%, and the short program is worth 30%, and the qualifying round takes up the leftover 20%.

Wish 1998 had had the most artistic skater win, like in the pairs in 2002.

264

Films and TV shows about the Romanovs and Imperial Russia / Re: Odd Places To Find Romanovs - TV Series - Comedy Shows - Movies

« on: August 22, 2004, 03:49:31 PM »

LOL she finished second in the short program to Michelle Kwan. However, yes, it did contribute to her winning, because if you are in the top three after the short, in the long program (aka freeskate) you "control your own destiny" so says Terry Gannon (commentator).

265

Tsarevich Alexei Nicholaievich / Re: Commemoration of Anniversary of Birth

« on: August 12, 2004, 05:35:01 PM »

http://www.varian.net/dreamweavn/neverending/impossible.html

That's not mine, I just found it. It really personifies Aleksey beautifully I think.

266

Servants, Friends and Retainers / Re: Dr Wladimir Derevenko and his son Kolya (Nikolai)

« on: August 12, 2004, 04:06:08 PM »

What happened to the doctor's son Kolya, Aleksey's playmate? I know he died soon after Aleksey, any idea how old he was, how he died?

267

Tsarevich Alexei Nicholaievich / Re: Commemoration of Anniversary of Birth

« on: August 12, 2004, 02:02:15 PM »

thanks Here are some more.

God on high, hear my prayer.
In my need you have always been there.
He is young, he's afraid.
Let him rest, Heaven blessed.
Bring him home.
Bring him home.
Bring him home.

He's like the son I might have known
if God had granted me a son.
The summers die, one by one.
How soon they fly on and on.
And I am old and will be gone...

Bring him peace, bring him joy.
He is young. He is only a boy.
You can take. You can give.
Let him be. Let him live.
If I die, let me die.
Let him live.
Bring him home.
Bring him home.
Bring him home.

(music: Alain Boubil
Lyrics: Claude-Michel Schoenberg)

Lay down
Your sweet and weary head
Night is falling
You’ve come to journey's end
Sleep now
And dream of the ones who came before
They are calling
From across the distant shore

Why do you weep?
What are these tears upon your face?
Soon you will see
All of your fears will pass away
Safe in my arms
You're only sleeping

What can you see
On the horizon?
Why do the white gulls call?
Across the sea
A pale moon rises
The ships have come to carry you home

And all will turn
To silver glass
A light on the water
All souls pass

Hope fades
Into the world of night
Through shadows falling
Out of memory and time
Don't say: «We have come now to the end»
White shores are calling
You and I will meet again

And you'll be here in my arms
Just sleeping

What can you see
On the horizon?
Why do the white gulls call?
Across the sea
A pale moon rises
The ships have come to carry you home

And all will turn
To silver glass
A light on the water
Grey ships pass
Into the West

(music/lyrics: Howard Shore, Fran Walsh, Annie Lennox)

Dream by night - Wish by day
Love  begins this way.
Loving starts when open hearts touch, and stay.
Sleep for nowDreaming's how
Lover's lives are planned.
Future songs  and flying dreams,
Hand, in hand.
Love it seems made flying dreams
So hearts, could soar.
Heaven sent
These wings were meant to prove, once more.
That love is the key....
Love is the key.
You and I touch the sky the eagle and the dove.
Nightingales we keep our sails filled with love.
And love it seems made flying dreams,
To bring you home to me....
Love it seems made flying dreams
So hearts, could soar.
Heaven sent
These wings were meant to prove, once more.
That love is the key....
Love is the key.
You and I touch the sky the eagle and the dove.
Nightingales we keep our sails filled with love.
Ever strong our future song, to sing it must be free.
Ev'ry part is from the heart, and love is still the key.
And love it seems made flying dreams
To bring you home to me....

(music: Jerry Goldsmith
Lyrics: Paul William)

That song reminds me of Aleksey and really his whole blessed family.

(slightly off topic, God Rest Jerry Goldsmith, Oscar-winning composer, 1929-2004)

Let me fall
Let me climb
There's a moment when fear
And dreams must collide

Someone I am
Is waiting for courage
The one I want
The one I will become
Will catch me

So let me fall
If I must fall
I won't heed your warnings
I won't hear them

Let me fall
If I fall
Though the phoenix may
Or may not rise

I will dance so freely
Holding on to no one
You can hold me only
If you too will fall
Away from all these
Useless fears and chains

Someone I am
Is waiting for my courage
The one I want
The one I will become
Will catch me

So let me fall
If I must fall
I won't heed your warnings
I won't hear

Let me fall
If I fall
There's no reason
To miss this one chance
This perfect moment
Just let me fall

(sung by Josh Groban, from Cirque Du Soleil's Quidam, you probably recognize it from my signature.)

268

Tsarevich Alexei Nicholaievich / Re: Commemoration of Anniversary of Birth

« on: August 12, 2004, 09:50:43 AM »

I wanted to add this.

Someday
When we are wiser
When the world's older
When we have learned
I pray
Someday we may yet live
To live and let live
Someday
Life will be fairer
Need will be rarer
Greed will not pay
God speed
This bright millenium
On its way
Let it come
Someday

Someday
Our fight will be won then
We'll stand in the sun then
That bright afternoon
Till then
On days when the sun is gone
We'll hang on
And we'll wish upon the moon

There are some days dark and bitter
Seems we haven't got a prayer
But a prayer for something better
Is the one thing we all share

Someday
When we are wiser
When the world's older
When we have learned
I pray
Someday we may yet live
To live and let live
Someday
Life will be fairer
Need will be rarer
Greed wil not pay
God speed
This bright millenium
On its way
Let it come
We'll wish upon the moon
One day
Someday
Soon.

One day
Someday
Soon.

(Music: Alan Menken
Lyrics: Stephen Schwartz)

269

Tsarevich Alexei Nicholaievich / Re: Commemoration of Anniversary of Birth

« on: August 12, 2004, 08:49:03 AM »

We all need a little Sunshine in our lives, and you are ours. Happy happy birthday, sweet Alyosha. I can see you having a huge banquet with your family and new friends in the Kingdom of God, looking down on us all with a great big smile. Already I can hear your laughter and the cheers of your guests.

God bless you dear, but I know you've already been blessed. Shine your radiance upon us so that we may all aspire to be as good and kind and compassionate as you. We miss you but know that you are in the best place of all, the Kingdom of God.

270

The Final Chapter / Re: Alexis reaction...

« on: August 08, 2004, 07:56:25 AM »

Bookworm,
I've never seen this diary entry, would you mind posting it, or sending it to me somehow?

I would love to see it.

thanks,
angie

p.s. I will be posting stuff for Aleksey's birthday, hehe.