The Studio

Starting with next year’s Academy Awards, there will be 10 pictures nominated for best picture, as opposed to the usual 5.  People think this will allow for more comedies, independents, and quirkier films to make the cut.  What do you think? Read more.

I wrote a little while ago about Grooveshark, an excellent music search and discovery website.   Since then the good people at Grooveshark have released a plugin (added capabilities) for our blogging software.

This plugin allows us to link to songs being discussed.  For example, I have been listening to Leonard Cohen’s The Partisan because of the election demonstrations taking place in Iran.

I am also listening to A Little Less Conversation by Elvis remixed by JXL. Why? Because the song is awesome, no other reason is needed.

In the future you may notice links to songs on the Grooveshark website.  Click on them and tell us if you like the music or not. To listen to the songs click on the Listen to Playlist button.

Three major DVD releases this week for your viewing pleasure. Clive Owen and Naomi Watts thrill in the political drama The International (featuring a stellar shoot-out in New York’s Guggenheim Museum), Clint Eastwood lays down the law in his old-codger-exacts-street-justice hit Gran Torino, and a pair of football stars sneak into cheerleading camp in the teen comedy Fired Up!.

All titles can be reserved by clicking the links below. As always, here are the trailers:

The International

Gran Torino (also on Blu-ray)

Fired Up!

Chicago’s own Queen of the Blues passed away yesterday at the age of 80. In her nearly 50-year career, Koko Taylor received more Blues Music Awards than any other artist. She had performed with nearly all of the blues legends – including Howlin’ Wolf, Buddy Guy, B.B. King, and Muddy Waters, and was inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame in 1997. She will be missed for her powerful voice and contributions to blues music everywhere.

Here’s a clip of Taylor singing her signature song “Wang Dang Doodle” from 1967, with Little Walter backing her up.

You can revisit Koko’s music legacy through her albums, a number of which are available at the Library.