Thursday, June 19, 2025

Songs about Leigh Anne...

In November 1990, my best friend died.  A few weeks later,  I had a life-changing experience.  I won't share the details, but for nine years, between, January 1991 and January 2000, I was crippled by it.  During the first year, at the most crippled point, there was one point when I felt I heard, the voice of a higher power, telling me, "What do you have to give?". It was the only point of clarity in the nine months.  Things improved a little, but not totally and for years I felt the scar.  The crippling period only ended on New years eve, December 31,1999 when in some small way I resolved to let go of my pain. 







Indigo Girls -Ghost. It was all in letters...



Dougie MacLean

 
 Nick Drake -Northern Sky


But in the end, I was just a stranger.  

I was a  million miles away.   Destined to remain...  


Tuesday, June 17, 2025

Kelly Mc Gillis and Kathleen Turner. Problems for Aging actresses

 I have not been totally paying attention file: Kelly McGillis and Kathleen Turner.


The release of the long-awaited sequel to Top Gun, got me thinking again about Kelly McGillis who played the love interest to Tom Cruise in the original movie. Apparently, there was no consideration to having her return in the sequel. Kelly said the reason, was “I’m old and I’m fat and I look age-appropriate for what my age is, and that is not what that whole scene is about," The producers of the movie said they just wanted to focus on the male characters. Anyway, the point of this post is that in my mind I keep conflating Kelly McGillis and Kathleen Turner. Both are successful 80's actresses known for the looks and talent, who have " aged appropriately", and have actually talked about it. Actresses in Hollywood movies often face problems getting roles after they hit a certain age-and they have to decide whether or not to just walk away (which many do), get plastic surgery, or soldier on as they are. Some walk away for a while and come back. Very few actresses continue on with same level of success. It happens to men, as well but not as much. The reality is that most people age in ways that changes their looks. But Hollywood is much quicker to stop offering good roles to middle aged women.