by nate bloom
Honoring a legend
Each year, the Kennedy Center honors five Americans for lifetime achievement in the arts. The ceremony is held in early December and it is televised later in the month (9 p.m. Dec. 26 on CBS) Among the 2007 honorees is classical pianist/conductor Leon Fleisher, 79.
Fleisher, who was born in San Francisco, was one of the most acclaimed classical pianists in the world when a rare neurological disorder deprived him of the use of his right hand in 1965. After that he turned his attention to conducting and teaching. He’s been a beloved teacher and mentor to new generations of great classical pianists.
Leading composers, including Lukas Foss, wrote left-handed pieces for Fleisher to play. About 10 years ago, a Botox-based treatment gave Fleisher some use of his right hand and he has done a few concerts using both hands. His life was the subject of Nathaniel Kahn’s short documentary “Two Hands,” which was nominated for an Oscar in 2007.
What were they thinking?
JDate, the big Jewish dating service, polled their members on their favorite famous Jewish person of 2007 and this year’s winner is Larry David, 60. He was cited for bringing Jewish humor into his TV show, “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” David told JDate he would accept the honor on “the condition that I don’t have to go out on a date.” Maybe Larry is “date-shy” after his wife, Laurie David, left him this year for the family gardener.
I like Larry, but he is such a curmudgeon — who would pick him as their favorite out of all the famous Jews out there? Is there some secret “Davidic” cult buying up JDate memberships?
Taste is a tricky thing. Singer Barry Manilow isn’t my favorite, but a lot of people like him. He’ll be the musical guest on the NBC special “Brian Boitano Skating Spectacular,” featuring a lot of famous ice skaters. (Saturday, Dec. 22 at 4 p.m.)
Christmas Day movie, anyone?
Opening Friday, Dec. 21 are five movies with Jewish connections.
“National Treasure: Book of Secrets” is a sequel to “National Treasure,” a 2004 conspiracy/action flick that was a big hit. Nicolas Cage and Justin Bartha, 29, co-starred in the original and are back for the sequel.
“Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story” was directed and co-written by Jake Kasdan, 31, the son of famous director Lawrence Kasdan (“The Big Chill”). It’s a fictional comedic satire of recent musical biopics. Dewey Cox (John C. Reilly) is supposed to be a famous singer whose career began in the 1950s. He has been around “everyone,” including the Beatles. (Paul Rudd and Jason Schwartzman have small roles as, respectively, John Lennon and Ringo Starr.)
Hilary Swank stars in “P.S. I Love You” as a nice woman married to a wonderful man. Just before his death, he records 10 messages to his wife. Each one is delivered, over several months, in a surprising way and each one sends her off on a new adventure. Gina Gershon and Lisa Kudrow play Swank’s best friends.
“Charlie Wilson’s War” is directed by Oscar-winner Mike Nichols. It’s based on the real-life story of Charlie Wilson, a Congressman who funneled money to the Islamic rebels who were fighting the Soviets in Afghanistan in 1979. Wilson recruits assistants in odd places — including Israelis who modify Soviet weapons to maintain the illusion of American neutrality. The huge cast includes the pretty Shiri Appleby (“Roswell”).
“Sweeney Todd,” the Broadway musical hit by Stephen Sondheim, finally comes to the big screen. Sacha Baron Cohen (“Borat”) has a supporting role in this tale about “the demon barber of Fleet Street.” Johnny Depp stars.
Columnist Nate Bloom , an Oaklander, can be reached at middleoftheroad1@aol.com.
CopyrightJ, the Jewish news weekly of Northern California