The Three Amigos Jodie Foster, Robert DeNiro & Martin Scorsese
Here we are at another Monday and I have to wonder "You Talkin' To Me?" - Robert DeNiro's immortal line from the classic Taxi Driver is a vibe at present. No I'm not feeling homicidal or anything like that! Heck, I'm not even in a bad mood. I'm simply feeling nostalgic for the art of filmmaking, which is pretty non-existent these days.
Thus I surfed the web and found what I think is an awesome behind the scenes photo of Jodie Foster, Robert DeNiro and Director Martin Scorsese engaging in some on set levity. Well Foster and DeNiro seem to be at least, Scorsese is being himself, meaning you really can't get a read on what's happening with him in this moment.
Taxi Driver is one of those films I saw when I was in my twenties and need to re-watch now, as I am sure it will be even better and resonate even more with me, now that I am a man of worldly experience and such.
In fact it will be part of this week's agenda to do just that as it is on Netflix. I knew that subscription had to be good for something Damn It!!!
Happy 4th Of July people! Today is the day we celebrate our independence and freedom. With that in mind of course I thought of Sandra Bernhard wearing an American Flag with star pasties and a striped g-string gyrating to Prince's Little Red Corvette for the film finale of her brilliant one woman show Without You I'm Nothing...naturally. What's that? You haven't seen it? Never fear it will be posted at the end of this commentary for your viewing pleasure. In this moment on this Independence Day 2016 nothing says freedom of expression to me more, than the balls to the wall Ms. Bernhard. Not only is she a brilliant performer she is also a gifted actress, Martin Scorsese's The King Of Comedy is brilliant and so is she in it. It's 2016 people be like Sandra and challenge yourself and the world around you. Push the envelope as the saying goes and most of all enjoy life on your own terms. Now that's independence!
Taxi Driver Turns 40!
l-r Cybill Shepherd, Martin Scorsese, Robert De Niro, Jodie Foster and Harvey Keitel
"You talkin' to me? You talkin' to me? You talkin' to me? Then who the hell else are you talking... you talking to me? Well I'm the only one here. Who the fuck do you think you're talking to? Oh yeah? OK." Not being a film critic I don't want to attempt to break down why Taxi Driver is the classic film it is. Suffice it to say it has endured because of it's excellence. Being a film buff, I knew of it's reputation and was glad for home video technology which is how I was able to see it initially and have seen it many times since. The quote above is the most known from it. Directed by the legendary Martin Scorsese Taxi Driver recently celebrated it's 40th Anniversary at the Tribeca Film Festival where the famed filmmaker and his cast consisting of Jodie Foster, Robert De Niro, Cybill Shepherd and Harvey Keitel reunited and posed for the above photograph. This image is everything and recalls a time in cinema history that was golden. Have a Super Sunday peeps! "You Talkin' To Me?"Taxi Driver on IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0075314/?ref_=nv_sr_1
Margaret Cho is on the loose! Where shall we begin? Season five of "Drop Dead Diva" on Lifetime seems like a good starting point, follow that up with new tour dates for her acclaimed comedy show "Mother".
Not to mention her three women fresh out of jail YouTube series "In Transition" and she's baaaaaack co-hosting "The View" Thursday July 25th and Friday July 26th, hoping to take over one of the vacant seats.
There are so many other things I could say, instead of reading my shopping list let's let Margaret tell us herself.
MS: "Drop Dead Diva" is back! Did you think that would happen since Lifetime initially cancelled it?
MC: You never really know with TV. You never know how things are going to go, that's the nature of it. What's really great is the fans really love "Drop Dead Diva" and they wanted to see more.
MS: It's a cute show, I've seen it a couple of times. It puts a smile on your face when you're in a bad mood.
MC: I like that.
MS: Sandra Bernhard is a guest this season.
MC: She's amazing, I'm such a fan of hers. We talked about what a sexist Jerry Lewis is when it comes to women in comedy, it's disturbing. I was talking to her about how amazing she was in "The King of Comedy".
MS: Oh she's so good in that!
MC: Sooooo good! It's legendary, a great movie! I think it's Martin Scorsese at his best. With Sandra as a mad stalker...she is so hilarious and so sexy.
MS: She scared the Hell out of me in that!
MC: I love her when she's scary, that's when she's at her best. She's just fabulous in every way, as a comedian, actress and a musician. She is someone I admire tremendously so it was great to have her as part of our show.
Margaret's YouTube Series "In Transition"
MS: By the way "Mistress Lina" I was on season 2 of "Where The Bears Are" and so were you!
MC: Oh that's great! I haven't seen it yet, what part did you play?
MS: I got some good face time in the Faultline Bar scene.
MC: Oh My God I have to watch it. I'm saving it up to watch it all at once, I hate to watch one episode and not be able to see the next one, I have to see it all at once.
MS: Well I was caught of guard by your role as "Mistress Lina" when you pulled the demure Asian Woman thing and when the Bears fell for it you called them racist. (laughs)
MC: I know, it was fun!
MS: Like, where did that come from?! Sorry I sound like Janis Joplin today, I got the rasps this morning.
MC: That's OK.
MS: So I saw you on "The View" was that fun?
MC: That is the job I want most of all. I am in the running to be a host.
MS: Oh wow, that's awesome!
MC: It's a great thing, it would be so cool, I would love it!
MS: Personally I wished Elisabeth Hasselbeck had been on the day you were I would have liked to see an exchange between the two of you. I don't think she's stupid, I think she doesn't articulate her opinions in a clear manner.
MC: She's great, they're all great for their own different points of view, ideas and jokes. It's a real rock-n-roll sort of thing, they all play their different instruments and I'd really love be a part of that band.
MS: How was doing "In Bed With Joan"?
MC: It was a blast! I love Joan Rivers, and I love going over to her house. It's so exciting, and she is so hysterical. I've know her for a long time, and I respect her and love her so dearly.
MS: Like I told a friend recently when you are 80 you want to be Joan Rivers, she has the stamina of a 20 year old and still has her wits about her.
MC: Totally! She is so cool and has such a strong work ethic. An unbelievable presence, such a cool lady.
MS: Since I know touring is your favorite thing, hit me with when you are doing it some more.
MC: At the end of August I will be playing some gigs in Georgia, Athens & Atlanta - I will also be touring all over Europe.
Tour Dates For Margaret Cho:
2013 Mother Tour dates
Monday, August 19 Athens, GA - The World Famous
Tuesday, August 20 Athens, GA - The World Famous
Thursday, August 22 – Sunday Aug 25 Atlanta, GA - The Laughing Skull
Friday, September 6 Las Vegas, NV - The Mirage
Friday, September 20 Buffalo, NY - Helium Comedy Club
Saturday, September 21 Buffalo, NY - Helium Comedy Club
Friday, September 27 Nashville, TN - Zanies
Saturday, September 28 Nashville, TN - Zanies
Sunday, September 29 Nashville, TN - Zanies
Saturday, October 12 San Francisco, CA - Nob Hill Masonic Center
Friday, October 18 Denver, CO - Paramount Theater
Saturday, October 19 Chicago, IL - Chicago Theater
Sunday, October 20 Milwaukee, WI – Pabst Theatre
Wednesday, October 23 Austin, Texas - Paramount Theater
Thursday, October 24 Dallas, Texas - The Majestic Theatre
Saturday, November 2 Sacramento, CA – Crest Theatre
Wednesday, November 6 Boston, MA - Wilbur Theatre
Saturday, November 9 Washington, DC - Warner Theatre
Friday, November 15 Portland, OR - Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall
Saturday, November 16 Seattle, WA - Moore Theatre
Tuesday, December 3 Phoenix, AZ - Orpheum Theatre
Wednesday, December 4 Tucson, AZ - Rialto Theatre
Thursday, December 5 San Diego, CA - Balboa Theatre
Friday, December 6 Los Angeles, CA - The Wiltern
Monday, December 9 Berlin, Germany - AdmiralsPalast
Thursday, December 12 Cologne, Germany - Gloria Theater
Friday, December 13 Amsterdam, Netherlands - Comedy Theater
Saturday, December 14 Copenhagen, Denmark - Bremen
Sunday, December 15 Oslo, Norway - Latter
Monday, December 16 Zurich, Switzerland - Bernhard- Theater
Wednesday, December 18 Stockholm, Sweden - Sodra Teatern
Thursday, December 19 Helsinki, Finland - Savoy Teatteri
