Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

  Nearly 30 years after its release, “Philadelphia” is still one of the most powerful films I've ever seen. Tom Hanks plays Andy, the high-powered lawyer who gets fired because he has AIDS, although the law firm's partners deny that, and claim he was fired because of poor performance and almost loosing a big client. His character doesn't go through a lot of emotional or mental changes, but the physical transformation from a fairly healthy-looking man to a man literally on his death bed is remarkable. Denzel Washington's character, Joe, changes the most, going from someone who was scared after learning he shook the hand of someone (Andy) who had AIDS, and being disgusted by gay men, to developing an affection and respect for Andy. Andy hires Joe, an “ambulance chaser,” to represent him in a lawsuit against the law firm when every other lawyer he contacted turned him down. The supporting cast is phenomenal. Among them, Jason Robards as a law firm partner, Joan...

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(CNN) The nominations for the 94th Academy Awards were announced Tuesday and included films in a wide range of genres. "The Power of the Dog" led among nominated films with 12 nods. The drama's director, Jane Campion, made history by becoming the first woman to be nominated more than once for best director. (Her previous nod was for "The Piano.")  Read the full story here: https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/08/entertainment/oscar-nominations-list-2022/index.html

Cheryl T. Cohen Greene, who was portrayed in the movie "The Sessions" by Helen Hunt, talks about her memoir, "an intimate life: sex, love and my journey as a surrogate partner." She talks about how and why she decided to become a surrogate partner, the reaction of her family to her career choice, and many other issues. She also discusses how it felt to have Oscar winner Helen Hunt play her in the movie. Greene will, by the way, be at the Academy Awards Sunday to root for Hunt, who is nominated for an Oscar. Listen here . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The last movie Johnny Depp and our buddy Lew Temple were in together was the Academy Award-winning "Rango." Now they're working on "The Lone Ranger." Lew sent us this picture from the set in Monument Valley, Utah. He says the landscape on the Navajo reservation is amazing, and adds that this is the same place where John Ford shot "Stagecoach." Johnny Depp plays "Tonto." Armie Hammer, probably best known for playing the Winklevoss twins in "The Social Network," plays The Lone Ranger. The movie is due out next year. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Emmy- and Tony-winning actor Peter Falk, best-known for his role as Lt. Columbo on the TV show "Columbo," has passed away. He was 83. Falk had been suffering from Alzheimer's since at least 2007. He died Thursday in his Beverly Hills home. Falk won five Emmy Awards, four for Columbo, and was also nominated for two Oscars. For more go to CNN.com .

HBO’s “Gasland” has been nominated for an Academy Award. The film about natural gas drilling is among five nominees for best documentary feature. Director Josh Fox brought the movie to Bradford in June 2010. He said he made the movie to raise awareness about the negative impacts of gas drilling. http://1490newsblog.blogspot.com/search?q=gasland