I'm not really the kind of person that the entertainment industry appreciates. I never watch programs like the Grammy Awards or the American Music Awards. I never, never, recognize any of the music or so-called "artists" up for any awards. And, on the rare occasions when I have watched these shows in the past, I didn't like what I heard or saw. Wherever those radio stations that play the "music" are located on the dial, they never are found in my home. I'm guessing that most people over 20-something might agree with me. Certainly, 30-something.
I have more interest in the Golden Globe Awards and the Oscars, but not nearly enough to sit down and endure the ceremonies. It's so much easier to check online the following morning. And, just like a lot of the music awards, I don't recognize most of the movies that are on the program. Who chooses those films? . . . and why?
Anyway, one of the movies I saw this year was Coco. And, I have to say, it was a delightful story that included so much Mexican culture that I so thoroughly enjoyed last year when I was in the Yucatan muraling. The colors, the detail with the paper cut-outs, the music, the story . . . it was magical. So, I was pleased when I learned that "Remember Me" by Miguel won the Oscar for best song.
But, I've changed my mind.
One of my favorite movies is probably one you've never seen. The Holiday is always one of my holiday favorites. So far, it's safe to say, I can never see it too many times. At one point in the movie, Jude Law's character confesses that he's a weeper. He doesn't just sniffle or cry. When emotions take over, he weeps, uncontrolled. And later on in the story, he proved he wasn't lying.
If you struggle through Hallmark movies - or even their commercials - and watch This is US with your remote control in one hand and your tissues in the other, you are my kind of people. I know what you're going through. And, there is nothing you or I can do about it, is there? Now, I know I am months behind most of the world, but I never saw The Greatest Showman (yet) and it wasn't until after the Oscar ceremony that I first heard "This Is Me".
It is why I changed my mind.
This inspiring anthem, by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, is for anyone who has ever felt they didn't belong. And, isn't that most of us? Sometimes those around us can be so cruel and other times we can be our own worst critic. Nobody gets through life without bruises and scars. We all want and need to be loved.
If you think about it, not too many people were high school cheerleaders or varsity football stars. Most of us were not members eating at the "in" table in the school cafeteria. Unfortunately, we know there are bullies with sharp, cutting words. And, I must say, that is a phenomenon that I don't understand. I survived high school just fine, but I was a targeted nerd in middle school. But, that was ages ago. These days, the problem is so very magnified by social media. I'm not sure why the Internet lets people think they are free to say whatever is on their mind without a filter. My mama raised me better.
Too tall. Too short. Curly hair. Straight hair. Red hair (always my favorite). Too dark. Too light. Too skinny. Not skinny at all. Wrong accent. Different religion. Freckles. Too smart. Class nerd. Class clown. Struggling student. Daydreamer. Like the wrong person. Republican. Democrat. Absolutely no coordination. Wrong side of the tracks. Braces. No braces. Glasses. Wrong haircut. Acne. Unique fashion statement. No fashion statement. I think most of us, at some time in our lives, did not fit in for some reason. None of us are strangers to the dark. We all come with broken parts. But, those pieces make us who we are. It took me a long time to realize that the people who love us do not care one bit about the things we think are so wrong about ourselves. They just love us, even with our scars and bruises. And, that is worth repeating. They just love us.
I don't know much about Keala Settle, who sings "This Is Me", but I'm going to guess she was not a cheerleader, not a part of the "in" crowd. When she sings, "I've learned to be ashamed of all my scars. Run away, they say no one'll love you as you are", you know she's singing her story. And, I've never seen anyone inhabit a song like this in my life. She is a force of nature. Now, you could watch the official video performed by all the unique characters that the circus had to offer - and it is good - but I recommend you watch the live performance as she and the cast tried to persuade their backers to approve the project. You can tell, it is the story of everyone singing. They all have had their problems, scars and bruises. They just came through the experience with really good pipes and the ability to pour their hearts out into a song. It is their testimony. They are joyful. They are glorious.
This is not just my opinion. I just learned there are people on YouTube who make reaction videos to music performances. Who knew? Not me. These people come in all sizes, ages and colors with their own accents, scars and bruises. There were also tears. My personal favorite comment from one young girl in Sweden claimed, "I even ugly-crying!" as she watched the video.
In an interview, Keala said she didn't want to sing the song. In her mind, it should have been a group effort. She preferred to hide behind the music stand and away from the spotlight. However, the director, Michael Gracey, knew it had to be sung by the bearded lady. And even though she started out hidden behind the music stand, eventually she stepped out of the shadows and into the "center ring". She belted out the song; her hair flowed; and then she took off her glasses and got serious. You have to believe her when she sings:
...............Look out 'cause here I come (look out 'cause here I come).
...............And I'm marching on to the beat I drum.
...............I'm not scared to be seen.
...............I make no apologies, this is me!
The lesson that is so difficult for most of us to learn was summed up by P.T. Barnum, the Greatest Showman, played by Hugh Jackman. He claimed, "No one ever made a difference by being like everyone else." When you finally learn this lesson, when you finally understand it deep in your heart, it is glorious.
I have more interest in the Golden Globe Awards and the Oscars, but not nearly enough to sit down and endure the ceremonies. It's so much easier to check online the following morning. And, just like a lot of the music awards, I don't recognize most of the movies that are on the program. Who chooses those films? . . . and why?
Anyway, one of the movies I saw this year was Coco. And, I have to say, it was a delightful story that included so much Mexican culture that I so thoroughly enjoyed last year when I was in the Yucatan muraling. The colors, the detail with the paper cut-outs, the music, the story . . . it was magical. So, I was pleased when I learned that "Remember Me" by Miguel won the Oscar for best song.
But, I've changed my mind.
One of my favorite movies is probably one you've never seen. The Holiday is always one of my holiday favorites. So far, it's safe to say, I can never see it too many times. At one point in the movie, Jude Law's character confesses that he's a weeper. He doesn't just sniffle or cry. When emotions take over, he weeps, uncontrolled. And later on in the story, he proved he wasn't lying.
If you struggle through Hallmark movies - or even their commercials - and watch This is US with your remote control in one hand and your tissues in the other, you are my kind of people. I know what you're going through. And, there is nothing you or I can do about it, is there? Now, I know I am months behind most of the world, but I never saw The Greatest Showman (yet) and it wasn't until after the Oscar ceremony that I first heard "This Is Me".
It is why I changed my mind.
This inspiring anthem, by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, is for anyone who has ever felt they didn't belong. And, isn't that most of us? Sometimes those around us can be so cruel and other times we can be our own worst critic. Nobody gets through life without bruises and scars. We all want and need to be loved.
If you think about it, not too many people were high school cheerleaders or varsity football stars. Most of us were not members eating at the "in" table in the school cafeteria. Unfortunately, we know there are bullies with sharp, cutting words. And, I must say, that is a phenomenon that I don't understand. I survived high school just fine, but I was a targeted nerd in middle school. But, that was ages ago. These days, the problem is so very magnified by social media. I'm not sure why the Internet lets people think they are free to say whatever is on their mind without a filter. My mama raised me better.
Too tall. Too short. Curly hair. Straight hair. Red hair (always my favorite). Too dark. Too light. Too skinny. Not skinny at all. Wrong accent. Different religion. Freckles. Too smart. Class nerd. Class clown. Struggling student. Daydreamer. Like the wrong person. Republican. Democrat. Absolutely no coordination. Wrong side of the tracks. Braces. No braces. Glasses. Wrong haircut. Acne. Unique fashion statement. No fashion statement. I think most of us, at some time in our lives, did not fit in for some reason. None of us are strangers to the dark. We all come with broken parts. But, those pieces make us who we are. It took me a long time to realize that the people who love us do not care one bit about the things we think are so wrong about ourselves. They just love us, even with our scars and bruises. And, that is worth repeating. They just love us.
I don't know much about Keala Settle, who sings "This Is Me", but I'm going to guess she was not a cheerleader, not a part of the "in" crowd. When she sings, "I've learned to be ashamed of all my scars. Run away, they say no one'll love you as you are", you know she's singing her story. And, I've never seen anyone inhabit a song like this in my life. She is a force of nature. Now, you could watch the official video performed by all the unique characters that the circus had to offer - and it is good - but I recommend you watch the live performance as she and the cast tried to persuade their backers to approve the project. You can tell, it is the story of everyone singing. They all have had their problems, scars and bruises. They just came through the experience with really good pipes and the ability to pour their hearts out into a song. It is their testimony. They are joyful. They are glorious.
This is not just my opinion. I just learned there are people on YouTube who make reaction videos to music performances. Who knew? Not me. These people come in all sizes, ages and colors with their own accents, scars and bruises. There were also tears. My personal favorite comment from one young girl in Sweden claimed, "I even ugly-crying!" as she watched the video.
In an interview, Keala said she didn't want to sing the song. In her mind, it should have been a group effort. She preferred to hide behind the music stand and away from the spotlight. However, the director, Michael Gracey, knew it had to be sung by the bearded lady. And even though she started out hidden behind the music stand, eventually she stepped out of the shadows and into the "center ring". She belted out the song; her hair flowed; and then she took off her glasses and got serious. You have to believe her when she sings:
...............Look out 'cause here I come (look out 'cause here I come).
...............And I'm marching on to the beat I drum.
...............I'm not scared to be seen.
...............I make no apologies, this is me!
The lesson that is so difficult for most of us to learn was summed up by P.T. Barnum, the Greatest Showman, played by Hugh Jackman. He claimed, "No one ever made a difference by being like everyone else." When you finally learn this lesson, when you finally understand it deep in your heart, it is glorious.