Search Results for: blog oscar 1991

Oscar (1991)

In the movie “Oscar,” Angelo “Snaps” Provolone (Sylvester Stallone) is a New York City mobster, much along the lines of Al Capone. He has built his business to the point that he can afford a lovely home, nice clothing, and the respect/fear of all the other gangsters in town, but his father is on his deathbed, begging Snaps to go straight. Snaps doesn’t want to, but you can hardly deny a dying man his final wish. Snaps gives himself a few weeks to tie up loose ends, and sets a date on which he is going to turn honest by … Continue reading →

Oscar: Whatever Happened To…

It has to be one of the biggest if not THE biggest night of your life as an actor – the night you win an Academy Award. You are a media darling – at least temporarily. Unfortunately, Hollywood has the memory of a gnat, so fame is often fleeting. Here are some Oscar winners that you may or may not have heard from lately: Roberto Benigni Who can forget Roberto crazily leaping into his seat when he won his Oscar in 1998? But, who remembers what he has done since? His follow up to Life is Beautiful, 2002’s Pinocchio, which … Continue reading →

Newbery Medal Winners: 1991-2000

1991 brought on the start of the grunge music scene, as well as Oscars for Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster for “The Silence of the Lambs.” EuroDisney opened in Paris in 1992, bringing the fun of a Disney park to Europe. And lucky for those of us with Families.com, the first blogs were created in 1997. 1991 Medal Winner: “Maniac Magee” by Jerry Spinelli Honor Book “The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle” by Avi 1992 Medal Winner: “Shiloh” by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor Honor Books “Nothing But The Truth: a Documentary Novel” by Avi “The Wright Brothers: How They Invented the … Continue reading →

Oscar Loves Disabilities

For those of you who are faced with mental challenges, developmental delays, disorders, or physical limitations, either because you parent a special child or face your own life struggles, Hollywood pays tribute to you. Regularly. In fact, it is interesting to note that if you look closely at Oscar-winning movies over nearly the past two decades, a great majority of “Best Picture” winners or nominees contain a theme or character with some kind of disability. 1988 : Rain Man – The Story of an Autistic Savant and his brother, who must learn to co-exist. 1989: My Left Foot was the … Continue reading →

Native American Celebrities Who Weren’t

I did a blog recently in Green Living about litter and mentioned Iron Eyes Cody. He was the Native American featured in a famous anti-litter commercial of the ‘60s. Or was he? (This work is in the public domain because it was published in the United States between 1923 and 1963 and although there may or may not have been a copyright notice, the copyright was not renewed.) As it turns out, old Iron Eyes heritage was questionable. Although his career was built on playing Native American roles and he supported Native American causes off camera, some believe Cody was … Continue reading →

Director John Hughes Dies at 59

Director/writer John Hughes never won an Oscar. In fact, he never came close – he was never nominated for an Oscar. Or, a Golden Globe for that matter. Or much of anything. The only award I could find on the Internet Movie Database was the ShoWest Producer of the Year award in 1991. But, throw out some quotes like “Bueller? Bueller? Bueller?” or “No more yanky my wanky” and most people between the ages of 50 and 30 can tell you what movies those quotes came from and chances are they will spew out more quotes from John Hughes movies. … Continue reading →

Sarah Jessica Parker Adds and Michael Douglas Returns

Perhaps the tabloids have it wrong this time. After reading repeatedly that the 12 year marriage of Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick is on the rocks, there is some good news today. Through their reps, the couple announced that they are expecting! The statement read, “Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick are happily anticipating the birth of their twin daughters later this summer with the generous help of a surrogate. The entire family is overjoyed.” Parker had dated Robert Downey Jr. from 1984 until 1991. After that, she dated John Kennedy Jr. for several months. Broderick was engaged to … Continue reading →

Natasha Richardson Critically Injured and Oprah’s New Puppy Dies

Tony-winning actress Natasha Richardson is fighting for her life in a Canadian hospital this morning following a skiing accident that left her with serious head injuries. According to reports, the 45-year-old movie star is in critical condition and remains hospitalized in Montreal. Richardson’s actor husband Liam Neeson reportedly left the set of a movie he was filming in Toronto and rushed to his wife’s side when he heard about her accident at Mont Tremblant winter resort. Richardson is the daughter of Oscar-winning actress Vanessa Redgrave and producer Tony Richardson, who died in 1991. Her maternal grandparents were the famed British … Continue reading →

Morgan Freeman in Serious Condition after Car Wreck

My best friend always forwards me interesting “breaking news” emails from Memphis. He just forwarded me one that said actor Morgan Freeman has been involved in a serious car wreck in north Mississippi. According to reports, Freeman and a female passenger were driving eastbound on Mississippi Highway in Tallahatchie County when his 1997 Nissan Maxima went off the road. Apparently, Freeman overcorrected to bring the car back on the road and flipped the Maxima several times. The emergency crews who showed up at the accident site had to use the jaws of life to retrieve Freeman and his passenger. Mississippi … Continue reading →

Untamed Heart (1993)

I liked it—I liked it not. I liked it—I liked it not. “Untamed Heart” was one of those movies that left me confused. I really liked the parts I liked, and really hated the parts I hated. I guess I should elaborate, huh? Marisa Tomei stars as Caroline, a waitress in a seedy diner. Her best friend is Cindy (Rosie Perez) and together they try to figure out life—Caroline’s is a mess. She’s dumped by guy after guy, she’s trying to finish beauty school and can’t seem to manage that, and she wonders if she’s just doomed to failure. One … Continue reading →