Holland Taylor is Brilliant as Governor Ann Richards in the play she wrote.
by Rachel Sokol
In the midst of Broadway blockbusters such as Book of Mormon and Wicked, is a gem of a play simply titled ANN; which is based on the life and politics of Dorothy Ann Willis Richards (1933-2006), the 45th Governor of Texas who was defeated for re-election in 1994 by former President George W. Bush. This honest—and hilarious—one-woman show is the brainchild of Emmy-award winning actress Holland Taylor, who portrays Texas’ most controversial—and sassy—Governor.
Holland Taylor on Stage as Ann Richards
Richards was a powerful figure in the Lone Star state, however, would New Yorkers really be interested in a play about her? “Absolutely,” says Taylor via phone from New York, where she was doing press for ANN, which premiered at Lincoln Center.
“The play is generational. Plus, she was an empowering figure,” says Taylor, who diligently wrote and crafted the play, which had successful runs in Texas and Chicago before making its Broadway debut.
I’m often asked to play rich, educated women, which requires writers to understand what a rich, educated woman may be like. I’ve been in some situations where they get what it’s like, and others where they say ‘Let’s just get Holland Taylor to play this’.” I don’t care what that person is politically, it doesn’t matter to me.”
Inocente Izucar’s dream of becoming an artist is alive and flourishing today, and the documentary in her name, produced by Fine Films, recently won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Film.
But under the vibrant and whimsically painted face is the painful story of a girl and her journey through a deeply unsettled childhood. Inocente Izucar’s story brings to light the dynamics of poverty and the impact of circumstances faced by many of the 1.8 million undocumented immigrant children.
Inocente Izucar at the Oscars (second from Left)
Izucar was brought to the US as a young child by her parents who entered the country without legal documents. Her father was deported shortly after their arrival, for domestic abuse. With no legal status, Izucar’s mother couldn’t work, and with no income the family soon found themselves homeless and destitute. In the 9 years that followed, Izucar and her three younger siblings moved from shelter to shelter more than 30 times.
Despite the unstable conditions she relentlessly held on to a dream: To be an artist. Art allowed her a brief escape from the severe realities of being a homeless child. A Distinctive Style recently had the honor of interviewing Inocente to learn about her journey from homeless to Hollywood.
A revealing look at Ann Richards, the Legendary Governor of Texas Through the Eyes of Holland Taylor
This season, a true original comes to Broadway. ANN is an intimate, no holds-barred portrait of Ann Richards, the legendary Governor of Texas. This inspiring and hilarious new play brings us face to face with a complex, colorful and captivating character bigger than the state from which she hailed. Written and performed by Emmy Award winner Holland Taylor (“Two and a Half Men”), ANN takes a revealing look at the impassioned woman who enriched the lives of her followers, friends and family.
ANN began as a project and quest for Taylor to understand what it was about this housewife, mother, grandmother, leader and iconic patriot that affected so many people so deeply. Writing the play became a four year journey for Taylor, crisscrossing the country, interviewing people who knew the Governor, watching countless hours of video coverage, and pouring over reams of Richards’ personal and public papers at the University of Texas. In the end, her greatest resources were the family, friends, staff and colleagues of the Governor who allowed Holland to know Ann Richards as they knew her.
Holland Taylor as Ann Richards
A LETTER FROM HOLLAND TAYLOR
There is no way to convey my love and appreciation for the hundred or so friends, associates, and members of Ann Richards’ family who helped me understand her in a way that would have been utterly impossible without them.
I was compelled to write this play…the notion to do a play, and the idea for how to write it—its shape and style—came all in a rush, and left me wide-eyed with surprise. And in I plunged. During the darkest hours of trying to shape a mountain of material, in a daydream I would see Ann in the fifth row, beaming happily and elbowing our mutual old friend, Liz Smith. Four years of work later, I have made a journey I could never have imagined. But I went in whole hog, and stayed in—working hard and doing the best I could—which gave me a hint of how I’ll bet Ann Richards felt every single day.
I hope Ann would like this. People loved to please her…one of her children said to please her was to get hit with a million suns. So, of course, now I want to please her, too.
Texans have welcomed me in my endeavor, which I find incredibly generous (Yankee that I am), and I will always be grateful for their affection and fun and open hearts.
As this is a piece of writing based on research, I should say something about the text itself. I had intended by now to annotate it, to say who told the story something was based on, what chunk was cobbled from this, what sliver was taken from that, and what important parts were stitched up out of whole cloth (but based on sure and certain knowledge of her). But, of course, the tide sweeps me along, and I haven’t done that yet. (I never did master footnotes in school.)
Most of the play is based on stories told to me in significant detail, including some dialogue, by the players themselves.
The office scenes in the play have been created based on many, many anecdotes—though the ending, for obvious reasons, is pure imagination —about someone I do think of now as a friend I love and know pretty well.
Academy Award-nominated actress Cicely Tyson is back on Broadway
The Academy Award-nominated actress Cicely Tyson will return to Broadway for the first time in 30 years to star in a revival of Horton Foote’s 1953 drama “The Trip to Bountiful,” directed by Michael Wilson.
Cicley Tyson, 78, will play Carrie Watts, an elderly woman who dreams of returning to her hometown of Bountiful, Tex., before she dies. First produced as a teleplay on NBC in 1953, starring Lillian Gish as Carrie Watts, “The Trip to Bountiful” had its Broadway premiere later that year with the same cast. Mr. Foote adapted the play into a 1985 film starring Geraldine Page, who won an Academy Award. In 2005 Lois Smith starred in an acclaimed Off-Broadway revival at the Signature Theater. Mr. Foote, a winner of the Pulitzer Prize and two Academy Awards, died in 2009.
The Oscar winner CUBA GOODING JR., and the Tony nominees Vanessa Williams and Condola Rashad will join Cicely Tyson in “The Trip To Bountiful.”
Mr. Gooding, who won the best supporting actor Oscar for “Jerry Maguire,” will play Ludie, Carrie’s son, who thinks she’s too frail to travel. Ms. Williams (“Into the Woods”) will play his bossy wife, who thinks the trip is too expensive; Ms. Rashad (a Tony nominee for “Stick Fly” last year) will play a young woman whom Carrie befriends on the bus.
VANESSA WILLIAMS has appeared on Broadway in Into the Woods (Tony nomination), Kiss of the Spider-Woman (Theatre World Award), and Sondheim on Sondheim, and Off-Broadway in St. Louis Woman in the City Center’s acclaimedEncores! Series. As a recording artist, she has been nominated for 11 Grammy awards.
Searching for Sugar Man Wins Best Documentary at the 85th Annual Academy Awards
Searching for Sugar Man was honored with more than 30 awards in the last year, won the big one Sunday when it was named best documentary at the 85th annual Academy Awards.
A fascinating documentary about the quest for a vanished ’70s rock legend. Back in 1968, two record producers discovered a charismatic, soulful Mexican-American singer-songwriter named Rodriguez in a Detroit bar.
Convinced they’d found the Chicano Bob Dylan, they signed him up and put out a critically acclaimed album, ‘Cold Fact,’ which promptly flopped. Rodriguez disappeared, and it was even rumoured that he’s committed suicide. A few years later, on a different continent, a bootleg copy of ‘Cold Fact’ became the soundtrack to a revolution.
Rodriquez (Searching for Sugar Man)
In Apartheid South Africa, Rodriguez’s anti-establishment lyrics had struck a chord with a generation of disaffected Afrikaners. The album eventually went Platinum. But what really happened to Rodriguez? In the mid-’90s, South African fans Craig Bartholemew and Stephen ‘Sugar’ Segerman embarked on a quest to find out. Filmmaker Malik Bendjelloul charts a journey that proved stranger – and more exhilarating – than anyone anticipated.
“Rodriguez wanted to stay home in Detroit” and watch the Oscars on TV, producer Simon Chinn said backstage. “He genuinely doesn’t want to take credit; he regards it as Malik’s film.”
“Searching for Sugar Man” is the first music-oriented film to win the documentary award since 1986′s “Artie Shaw: Time is All You’ve Got.” “From Mao to Mozart: Isaac Stern in China,” “Woodstock” and “Arthur Rubenstein – The Love of Life” are the other music films that have won the documentary Oscar.
Daniel Day-Lewis won “best actor” for his authentic performance as President Abraham Lincoln in Steven Spielberg’s historical drama.
The recognition for his performance in Lincoln capped off a night in which Adele won the Oscar for best original song along with other British successes in costume, make-up and animation.
Daniel Day-Lewis wins Best Actor
Daniel Day-Lewis, 55, spent a year preparing for “Lincoln,” while staying in character during the production. His widely-expected Oscar win further cements his status as the most admired actor currently working.
When asked if there’s anyone he’d like to portray next, Daniel Day-Lewis said, “I can’t think of anyone right now because I need to have to lie down for a couple of years. No, I can’t think of any. I really can’t, no. It’s really hard to imagine doing anything after this.”
“I really don’t know how any of this happened, I do know that I have received so much more than my fair share of good fortune in my life,” Day-Lewis said while accepting his award at the Academy Awards from Meryl Streep.
He concluded his speech by simply stating, “For my mother, thank you so much!”
Daniel Day-Lewis has plenty of practice: Sunday’s win was Day-Lewis’ record third in this category. The Method actor previously won for “My Left Foot” and “There Will Be Blood.”
I really don’t know how any of this happened, I do know that I have received so much more than my fair share of good fortune in my life. ~Daniel Day-Lewis
When he won Best Actor, Drama at this year’s Golden Globes, Day-Lewis started off with some jokes before displaying his trademark humility. “If I had this on a time-share basis, I’d share this with my wonderful, gifted colleagues, I might just hope to keep this for one day a year and I’d be happy with that,” he said. “But I’ll take care of this. My fellow nominees, boys and girls, such beautiful performances this year. I’m very proud to be one amongst you.”
Oscar buzz is in the air! In A Distinctive Style magazine, readers will find interviews with this year’s most watched Academy Award Nominees, all vying for a coveted gold Oscar statue.
A Distinctive Style magazine starts with the amiable Hollywood heartthrob, actor, and philanthropist, Brad Pitt who is featured in an exclusive interview about his creative pursuits, and life with Angelina Jolie and their six children. Read his interview on page 42 (CLICK TO SEE INTERVIEW)
Click to see Video
Honest Abe Lincoln leads the nominations with 12 accolades, including a Best Actor Nomination forDaniel Day-Lewis, who portrays the 16th President of the United States. This is Lewis’s fifth academy award nomination; he previously won Best Actor Oscars for his leading roles in the films My Left Foot and “There Will Be Blood.” Read more about Day-Lewis—who recently won the 2013 Golden Globe for his role as President Lincoln— on page 58. (CLICK TO SEE INTERVIEW)
Check out our chat with Oscar nominee Bradley Cooper, up for Best Actor for his leading role in Silver Lining Playbook, in which he plays a former high school teacher battling mental health issues.This is Cooper’s first academy award nomination; his interview is on page 36. (CLICK TO SEE INTERVIEW)
Tony-award winning actor Hugh Jackman won the 2013 Golden Globe award for his portrayal as accused convict turned heroic mayor Jean Veljean in the musical-movie adaptation of the “Les Misérables.” He’s nominated for an Academy Award for the same role. An interview with the multi-talented Jackman can be found on page 52. (CLICK TO SEE INTERVIEW)
Anne Hathaway also received a Golden Globe award for her portrayal of Fantine in the “Les Misérables.” Proving she is more than just a pretty face, the actress can add “singer” to her resume now. The spunky brunette, who remains close to her childhood friends despite her success, once co-hosted the 83rd annual Academy Awards and wed actor/designer Adam Shulman last year in Big Sur. Hathaway’s interview in this issue can be found on page 62. (CLICK TO SEE INTERVIEW)
A Distinctive Style continues to bring readers informative, interactive videos, and this issue is no exception. The documentary “Chasing Ice,” featured on page 26, (CLICK TO SEE INTERVIEW) explores the rapidly melting ice caps that affect our precious planet.
Founded in 2007 by Dallas resident Denise Marie, A Distinctive Style—a magazine with heart—is a pioneer in the digital online experience, Their stimulating presentation using hd videos, breathtaking imagery and arousing music, is designed to appeal to the senses, while featuring diverse and prominent topics, in a fresh new way.
Katherine Heigl is helping to save the lives of animals in desperate need
The Jason Debus Heigl Foundation (JDHF) was founded by Nancy and Katherine Heigl to increase awareness of inhumane animal treatment and support efforts for rescue, medical care, training and placement needs in the Greater Los Angeles area. The Heigl’s passion for animals inspired them to form an organization dedicated to animal welfare that would also be a lasting legacy to the compassion, kindness and memory of a beloved son and brother.
Katherine Heigl snuggling with her dog Piper
In 1986, Jason was killed in a car accident. He was fifteen years old. Throughout his brief lifetime Jason loved all animals, especially dogs and cats and monkeys. He lived his life extending compassion and kindness to all creatures great and small.
The mission of The Jason Debus Heigl Foundation is to eliminate the needless suffering inflicted on animals by human cruelty, indifference, and ignorance.
In pursuit of this mission The Jason Debus Heigl Foundation funds a number of programs including an internal rescue group, The Heigl Hounds Of Hope, that focuses its rescue efforts on medium to large dogs from high kill shelters. Support is also provided to non-profit animal rescue / advocacy groups via the Heigl Foundation’s Networking Program, designed to encourage organizations to save more shelter animals in Southern California by helping to offset some of the enormous financial costs associated with animal rescue care. Funding is also given for free spay / neuter procedures for qualified caretakers, for compassion education programs, and to assist with the transport of dogs from overcrowded shelters in Los Angeles to communities where the demand for dogs is high but the supply is low.
To find out more information about the work of the Heigl Foundation and to discover how you can help, volunteer or contribute, please visit the Jason Debus Heigl Foundation web site.
The biggest selling artist of 2011 (over 5 million albums and 45 million singles sold worldwide) is back with his new album. BRUNO MARS recently unveiled the video for the album’s first single “Locked Out Of Heaven.”
Unorthodox Jukebox is the follow-up to his platinum certified breakthrough debut album Doo-Wops & Hooligans and was recently released in the UK.
As the title suggests, Unorthodox Jukebox once again sees Mars melding a multitude of music approaches to create his own distinctive sound. The album was executive produced by The Smeezingtons, the hit-making production team comprised of Mars, Philip Lawrence and Ari Levine. An additional array of top producers also joined in the creation of Unorthodox Jukebox, including such award-winning studio superstars as Jeff Bhasker (Kayne West, Jay Z), Mark Ronson (Amy Winehouse, Black Lips) and Diplo (M.I.A, Usher).
Bruno Mars Unorthodox Jukebox
Bruno Mars is a 13-time Grammy Award nominee who has sold over 45 million singles worldwide and has over 1 billion views on YouTube.
In October 2012, Mars premiered the first single, “Locked Out of Heaven,” from his highly-anticipated sophomore album Unorthodox Jukebox. On October 20th, Mars made his comeback to national television when he joined the elite club of hosts and performers for Saturday Night Live alongside the likes of Mick Jagger, Justin Timberlake and Elton John. Mars not only showcased his comedic talent to the millions watching, but also debuted the first live performance of “Locked Out of Heaven” and premiered a brand new song, “Young Girls,” from the historic stage in New York City.
Bruno Mars Unorthodox Jukebox
Following SNL, Mars has a rigorous schedule lined up to promote Unorthodox Jukebox both stateside and abroad, including recently performing on the X Factor in the UK.
ABOUT: Born Peter Gene Hernández, Bruno Mars is an American singer-songwriter and record producer. Raised in Honolulu Hawaii, by a family of musicians, Mars began making music at a young age and performed in various musical venues in his hometown throughout his childhood. He graduated from high school and then moved to Los Angeles, California to pursue a musical career.
Non-profit One Mind for Research (1mind4research.org) is dedicated to improving research, diagnostics, treatments, and cures for brain disease, mental illness, and brain injury with the goal of reducing the social and economic burdens on our society significantly within ten years. We need your help to launch our initial major research project, the Post-Traumatic Stress-Traumatic Brain Injury Knowledge Integration Network, and our first year of media advocacy to reduce the stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness and brain injury.
One Mind for Research is an independent, non-profit organization that is committed to curing diseases of the brain and eliminating the stigma and discrimination they cause. Through collaboration with partners in science, advocacy and corporations, One Mind for Research is working to advance a 10-year plan to cure the diseases of the brain by creating change in the way scientists, health care professionals, NGO and government partners think about and conduct scientific and translational research, and by advancing mental health related public policy.
About Brain Disease
Brain diseases are the number 1 cause of adult disability globally, afflicting, in some form, 1 out of every 3 people. For example, among the psychiatric diseases (i.e. mental illnesses), major depressive disorder leads in prevalence, disabling about 5% of the population to some degree in any given year. Among veterans returning stateside from service in Iraq, 300,000 are estimated to have TBI and/or PTS, adding to the total estimate of 1.5 million Americans living with these diseases. Beyond the emotional pain endured by these individuals and their families, the total lifetime treatment cost for these individuals calculates to about $3.3 trillion. This and the cost of dementia care for our nations’ growing elder population ($400 billion annually now, to triple by 2050) will soon prove beyond the ability of the U.S. economy to sustain—unless neuroscience starts an emergency pace, right now. At a time of decreasing government research funding and pharmaceutical industry’s widespread withdrawal from psychiatric drug R&D, this cause needs public support now to develop the preventions and cures that will protect the brain health of people worldwide.
Bradley Cooper was recently nominated for “Best Actor” in “Silver Linings Playbook,” opposite Jennifer Lawrence and Robert De Niro, who were also nominated for “Best Actress” and “Best Supporting Actor.” In his recent interview with A Distinctive Style, Cooper talks about the stigma against mental illness.
Q: What was it like working with Jennifer Lawrence, you’ve done it twice now?
Bradley Cooper: Yeah, back to back. Very lucky, I feel like I latched onto a secret before everybody knew about it. She’s incredible. She’s just an incredible actress and such a professional. It’s easy. I would do every movie with her.
Q: How did you prepare for a role like this in Silver Linings?
Bradley Cooper in “Silver Linings Playbook”
Bradley Cooper: The guy you play obviously has some mental issues. Did you visit a hospital? There wasn’t much time, but David (O. Russell) sent me some material and a bunch of videos. I went online and I remember there was one thing; I saw a documentary of a guy who had recorded his own depression and mental illness for years. And I remember thinking that I could relate to it, the way it was written. It’s set in Philadelphia, and the relationship with the father and the mother, I know that world. So you make connections.
Q: Do you think love is the answer to cure illnesses?
Bradley Cooper: This guy meets a girl and then all is fine? Well I don’t think he’s cured. I don’t think the message is that he’s cured, I mean as life goes on, he’s made improvements. Did you get the feeling that he was cured?
Q: No, but he looked different in the end.
Bradley Cooper: Clearly. You see a guy who’s gotten his shit together, for sure. He doesn’t believe an illusion like he does at the beginning of the movie.
A long-awaited study by the EPA has confirmed that the Pebble Mine — along with its estimated 10 billion tons of mining waste — would spell disaster for Alaska’s Bristol Bay, its legendary salmon runs, its pristine environment and its Native communities.
Now we must prevail on the President to take the next crucial step: To direct his EPA to use its authority to stop the mine once and for all.
I’ll be working arm in arm with NRDC this month to bring our “Stop Pebble” message directly to Capitol Hill and the White House through a major media campaign.
Then make your voice heard. Tell President Obama to save Bristol Bay and secure a lasting environmental legacy by stopping the Pebble Mine.
Since 2010, you and I have fought alongside NRDC to block this disastrous project — a colossal open-pit copper-and-gold mine that global mining giants want to gouge out of the spectacular untamed wilderness above Bristol Bay.
But now a decisive battle in Washington is at hand — and we need to mobilize again.
Please send a message to President Obama today. He needs to hear loud and clear from the American people — both those in Bristol Bay and millions more across the country.
The mining companies have already spent more than $100 million on this ill-begotten scheme. They’re not about to give up without a monumental fight.
If we are going to counter their lobbying juggernaut, we need each and every NRDC activist to get our message to the White House.
I’m sure you share my conviction that we must not allow one of America’s last and greatest wild places to be plundered for copper and gold.
Please help by taking a minute to watch my video. Then, join me in calling on President Obama to do the right thing for Bristol Bay, its wildlife and its people by directing EPA to stop the Pebble Mine. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Robert Redford
Trustee
Natural Resources Defense Council
Newlywed Anne Hathaway Dishes on her Recent Wedding, Motherhood and Career
From the awkward young woman in “The Princess Diaries,” to the college graduate searching for a job at a fashion magazine in “The Devil Wears Prada,” to the seemingly evil (yet actually noble) cat-woman in “The Dark Knight Rises,” actress Anne Hathaway has flourished on the big screen. Also named one of the world’s “50 most beautiful people” in 2006, it wouldn’t come as a surprise that this combination of talent and beauty has made it big.
In her most recent venture, Anne Hathaway takes on the challenging role of “Fantine” in “Les Misérables.” “The first time I really remember connecting with Les Mis was when I went to see my mother perform the role of Fantine. After that I wanted to be involved in the film because my mother had been,” Hathaway shared. The group of actors really bonded during the filming of Les Mis, especially at Russell Crowe’s famous Friday night sing-a-longs. “He would have us over, make everyone a steak and then make fun of me for being vegan,” she chuckled. “But he did make me a very nice carrot salad.”
Acting can be challenging, especially when you go from one role to another. However, finding the similarities between Fantine and cat-woman enabled Hathaway to use the transition to her advantage. “They are both warriors. They are both incredibly strong and all the physical training I did to play Selena Kyle translated into the current role and made me stronger mentally. I became more disciplined and a much harder worker,” she admitted, adding, “I needed all of that to play Fantine.”
Having to cut their hair for the role may have been a point of contention for some actresses, but not Hathaway. “There was a time when my hair was about an inch long – it was this kind of sweet Mia Farrow thing that I really liked.” Just watch the movie and you’ll know what she’s talking about!
“I don’t know if I ever knew that playing Lincoln was the right choice.”
No stranger to tackling difficult material, Daniel Day-Lewis, 55, plays America’s most revered president, Abraham Lincoln.
The award-winning actor, often described as a recluse, doesn’t talk about his personal life, but graciously granted this interview to talk about his transformation into the 16th President of the United States.
ADS: What did you see as your greatest challenge in bringing this iconic character to life?
Apart from everything you mean? (laughs) I think really the most obvious thing was trying to approach a man’s life that has been mythologized to such an extent that in a way you can’t get close enough to being able to properly represent it. I just wasn’t sure that I would be able to do that. Beyond that, I felt that probably I shouldn’t do it (laughs) and somebody else would do that instead.
Q: Obviously when you are creating a character out of a real human being with a tremendous amount of biographical data but also in this case, historical, political information as well, what did you learn about Mr. Lincoln that you did not know previously? What were you surprised by?
Well that was easy for me because I knew nothing about him, so I had everything to learn and apart from a few images, a statue, a cartoon, a few lines from the first inaugural, a few from the Gettysburg Address, that would be my entire knowledge of that man’s life. I think probably the most delicious surprise for me was the humor. To begin to discover that was an important aspect of his character. Q: Would it be fair to say that it was tactical humor? At times it could be, but not necessarily I don’t think, no. I don’t think it was really, I think it was tactical in the political sense, and I think at times it was undoubtedly used in a conscious sense for some purpose to make some point. It’s not about what you are asking but there are accounts of people who came to ask him a question, which to them was of great importance, and found themselves in his presence, got a handshake, a story, and were out of the room before they even realized (laughs) and that’s good politics. (laughs) But no, I think it was innately part of him, I think there was a very joyful element to him actually, yes.
Matt Damon and John Krasinski co-wrote and co-star in the eco-drama about the controversial drilling practice known as fracking.
Promised Land is a new contemporary drama directed by Gus Van Sant (Good Will Hunting, Milk). Matt Damon plays Steve Butler, an ace corporate salesman who is sent along with his partner, Sue Thomason (Frances McDormand), to close a key rural town in his company’s expansion plans. With the town having been hit hard by the economic decline of recent years, the two outsiders see the local citizens as likely to accept their company’s offer, for drilling rights to their properties, as much-needed relief.
What seems like an easy job for the duo becomes complicated by the objection of a respected schoolteacher (Hal Holbrook) with support from a grassroots campaign led by another man (John Krasinski), as well as the interest of a local woman (Rosemarie DeWitt). Promised Land explores America at the crossroads where big business and the strength of small-town community converge.
Fracking has become a major issue for celebrity activists; Sean Lennon and his mother, Yoko Ono, recently formed a coalition of stars to fight against the practice’s spread to New York State. Damon, for his part, has become an activist for clean water access, co-founding the charity Water.org.
Brad Pitt Balances Marriage, a Large Family and a New Film
The nuptials between Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie serve as the ultimate realization of Pitt’s lifelong dream of fathering a large family – even if shuttling six children between homes in London, Los Angeles, New York, and southern France can, at times, resemble a covert military operation. Pitt, however, has no qualms about logistics. He lives for his kids.
A Distinctive Style Magazine Cover with Brad Pitt
When asked what life as a movie star father was like, he responded, “I still have to get up at 6 a.m. and make breakfast for six kids. I don’t see my daily life as being that remarkable, except for the fact that I’ve struck the lottery when it comes to my work and the opportunities it’s given me.” “Being a parent of several children is exhausting – no matter what,” Pitt continued. “I’m lucky that Angie has so much energy and [she] never gets down or complains.The only time I’ve ever seen her really tired was after the twins were born. That proved very demanding and made it difficult for her to spend as much time with the other children as she did before. But now that the twins are older, it’s becoming a lot easier for all of us. I mean, when you have a big family, you learn to develop good logistical training and then it’s just like a machine that keeps moving forward,” he laughed.
“I carry on a running conversation with myself about how I’m raising our children, the kind of education I’m giving them and how they seem to be evolving. I want to help them grow up to be independent and aware individuals. The kids are a huge part of my world and I love being an active and engaged father and family man,” Pitt stated.
Larry Hagman, who emerged in the 1960s as the slightly befuddled astronaut in “I Dream of Jeannie,” then became a major star in the 1980s primetime soap “Dallas,” playing evil oil baron J.R. Ewing, has died. He was 81.
Hagman’s cause of death was due to complications related to his battle with cancer according to his family.
Linda Gray, who played Hagman’s on-screen wife on “Dallas” was at the actor’s bedside when he died.
He truly loved portraying this globally recognized character, and he leaves a legacy of entertainment, generosity and grace.
“He brought joy to everyone he knew. He was creative, generous, funny, loving and talented, and I will miss him enormously. He was an original and lived life to the fullest,” Gray said in a statement released through her publicist.
Warner Bros.”Dallas” executive producers Cynthia Cidre and Michael M. Robin, and the show’s cast and crew released the following statement today: “Larry Hagman was a giant, a larger-than-life personality whose iconic performance as J.R. Ewing will endure as one of the most indelible in entertainment history. He truly loved portraying this globally recognized character, and he leaves a legacy of entertainment, generosity and grace. Everyone at Warner Bros. and in the “Dallas” family is deeply saddened by Larry’s passing, and our thoughts are with his family and dear friends during this difficult time.”
Hagman inherited the acting gene from his mother, Broadway musical legend Mary Martin. He’d had roles in television programs 20 years prior to “Dallas,” including “I Dream of Jeannie” from 1965-70.
“Dallas,” which debuted in 1978 on CBS and had an astonishing 13-year run, centered on the Ewings, a family of Texas oil barons who had money, cattle, and more scandals and power struggles than the Kardashians.
The original strategy behind “Dallas” was to focus on the newly-married Bobby and Pam Ewing. But Hagman made his role more than the producers had intended, and he quickly became the focus of the program.
When TNT revived the program earlier this year, he was the undisputed power villain.
“All of us at TNT are deeply saddened at the news of Larry Hagman’s passing. He was a wonderful human being and an extremely gifted actor,” TNT officials said in a statement. “We will be forever thankful that a whole new generation of people got to know and appreciate Larry through his performance as J.R. Ewing. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this very difficult time.
American actor, director and producer, Larry Hagman, best known for his role as “J.R. Ewing” in the TV series “Dallas,” at a Red Carpet Event for the opening of the new “Dallas” series. Photo by YONY KIM for A Distinctive Style Magazine.
But though he may be best known as a villain, Hagman used his fame to try to give back.
In addition to actively supporting charities like the National Kidney Foundation and, in what might seem an irony, efforts to develop solar power, Hagman just last month announced the formation The Larry Hagman Foundation, to fund education programs promoting the fine arts and creative learning opportunities for economically disadvantaged children in Dallas.
American actor, director and producer, Larry Hagman, best known for his role as “J.R. Ewing” in the TV series “Dallas,” at the Red Carpet Premier for the opening of the new “Dallas” series. Photo by YONY KIM, for A Distinctive Style Magazine
Hagman began his acting career in the late 1950s, but it wasn’t until “I Dream of Jeannie” premiered in 1965 that he found himself a star. He played Anthony Nelson, an astronaut who during a mission finds an unusual bottle, and when he opens it, out pops a genie named Jeannie — Barbara Eden.
Through the series’ five-year run, Jeannie found new ways to make Hagman’s life difficult, as she tried to serve her “master.”
Though Hagman continued to work regularly after “I Dream of Jeannie” ended in 1970, it wasn’t until “Dallas” hit the air in 1978, that he again struck a chord with audiences.
The show was originally only supposed to be a five-episode miniseries, but the show caught on so quickly, that it was extended and eventually became a series that would become the highest rated TV show of all time.
Unlike many TV stars, who find themselves playing variations on the same character over and over, the Hagman viewers saw in J.R. Ewing was worlds away from Major Nelson.
While the astronaut was always at wits end, trying to keep Jeannie a secret and trying to prove to the base psychiatrist that he was sane, Ewing was a man who seemed completely in control of his world, wheeling and dealing, backstabbing and cheating on his wife.
Scarlett Johansson lends her voice to documentary “Chasing Ice”
Original end title song “Before My Time” is up for an Oscar for “Best Original Music” was written and produced by J. RALPH. Performed by Scarlett Johansson & Joshua for the Sundance award winning documentary “Chasing Ice” opened November 9th 2012. Directed by Jeff Orlowski.
Chasing Ice is the story of one man’s mission to change the tide of history by gathering undeniable evidence of our changing planet. Within months of that first trip to Iceland, the photographer conceived the boldest expedition of his life: The Extreme Ice Survey. With a band of young adventurers in tow, Balog began deploying revolutionary time-lapse cameras across the brutal Arctic to capture a multi-year record of the world’s changing glaciers.
As the debate polarizes America and the intensity of natural disasters ramps up globally, Balog finds himself at the end of his tether. Battling untested technology in subzero conditions, he comes face to face with his own mortality. It takes years for Balog to see the fruits of his labor. His hauntingly beautiful videos compress years into seconds and capture ancient mountains of ice in motion as they disappear at a breathtaking rate. Chasing Ice depicts a photographer trying to deliver evidence and hope to our carbon-powered planet.
Ⓒ Ⓟ 2012 Rumor Mill Records
SOUNDTRACK AVAILABLE NOW ON ITUNES
See the Film Chasing Ice and Bring the Reality of Climate Change to Light (VIDEO) http://bit.ly/QOYIq8
Getting Close with Glenn at the Modern School of Film
By Rachel Sokol (From the Fall 2012 Edition of A Distinctive Style Magazine)
To some, legendary actress Glenn Close is best known for her role in the 1987 thriller, Fatal Attraction. But as her eclectic theatre-to-film-to-television career track record has proven, the Oscar and Tony-nominated actress is more–much more–than the lovestruck woman she played in that classic film.
Glenn Close as Albert Nobbs
Close, dressed casually in jeans and a loose-fitting black top, recently sat down for a Q&A in Manhattan with Robert Milazzo, founder of The Modern School of Film, to discuss her role in the film Albert Nobbs. Earlier this year, Close was nominated for an Academy Award for her role as Albert, but lost to her dear friend Meryl Streep.
The heart-wrenching movie didn’t break box-office records, and Close admits “reviews were mixed.” Regardless, Close is proud of her work in Albert Nobbs, which she described as “a labor of love.”
The audience watched Albert Nobbs before Close answered questions, first talking about Damages, a show about a sharp-tongued litigator named Patty Hewes that recently wrapped its successful run on FX Networks. (Close joked to the audience, “I always asked the writers, ‘What is my backstory? Why am I so mean?’”)
“At this point in my career, I don’t want to be spending time with people who aren’t inspiring, with scripts that don’t present challenges,” said Close, about what attracted her to the role of Patty Hewes. Although that simple statement may seem closed-off, Close answered it honestly, while remaining humble and personable.
Page Eight: a political thriller about a long-serving M15 officer who quits his job to investigate a mystery file, which threatens its stability. Directed by David Hare, this drama stars Bill Nighy, Rachel Weisz and Ralph Fiennes. Of course, let’s not forget about its composer: Paul Englishby.
Paul Englishby
Paul Englishby scored the 2009 Academy Award-nominated drama, An Education, this project marks his first high profile feature project. He received his first Emmy in the Outstanding Main Title Theme Music category for his theme in this thriller, winning a Creative Art Emmy Award. This Award is considered the television equivalent to the Academy Awards for film, the Grammy Awards for music or the Tony Award for theatre.
His interest in music began at a young age. “When I was about 11, I wrote a piece dangerously close to the slow movement of a Beethoven symphony (without any of the genius) that I was listening over and over to. I wrote pieces for musical friends, the school band, choir, whoever I could get to play it,” he explains, “At 13 I joined the Lancashire county Big Band, which started a love of jazz, and I would do arrangements for them, something I continue to do for my own Big Band.”
Now holding the position of Associate Arts for the Royal Shakespeare Company, Englishby describes the benefits of the job. “You have a small say in company policy and some benefits like opening night tickets, as well as being listed alongside some incredible and legendary actors, directors and designers, but there is no compulsion to do a certain number of shows a year,” he states, “I have a wonderful time there and write for an average of two shows a year, which works perfectly with my other commitments.”
But this doesn’t stop him from finding inspiration. “I’m so lucky to have written for movies, theatre, concert hall, dance works, big band… all manner of situations. I absolutely love mixing things up like that, and always facing a fresh challenge,” Englishby elaborates.
Won’t Back Down — If you can’t beat the system, change it!
This drama is directed by Daniel Barnz and stars Maggie Gyllenhaal, Viola Davis and Holly Hunter. It’s about two determined mothers, a bartender (Gyllenhaal) and a teacher (Davis), look to transform their children’s failing inner city school. Facing a powerful and entrenched bureaucracy and corruption from the teacher’s union president (Hunter) and the school’s principal (Nunn), they risk everything to make a difference in the education and future of their children.
www.facebook.com/WontBackDown
The film is loosely based on the events surrounding the use of the parent trigger law in Sunland-Tujunga, Los Angeles, California in 2010, where several groups of parents attempted to take over several failing public schools. The Parent Trigger law, which was passed in California and other states in 2010, allowed parents to enforce administrative overhaul and overrule administrators in under-performing public schools if petitioned. If successful, petitions allow parents to direct changes such as dismissal of staff and potential conversion of a school to a charter school.
Walden Media, a film studio which released a 2010 documentary film Waiting for Superman with Paramount Pictures and Participant Media about the American Educational System, produced the film. American actresses Maggie Gyllenhall and Viola Davis were among the first to be cast with Academy award-winning actress Holly Hunter being cast later on.
The film has received mixed to negative reviews from critics, as Won’t Back Down currently holds a 32% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 77 reviews. Variety called the film a “heavy-handed inspirational drama” that “grossly oversimplifies the issue at hand.” The site continued, “Barnz’s disingenuous pot-stirrer plays to audiences’ emotions rather than their intelligence, offering meaty roles for Maggie Gyllenhaal as a determined single mom, and Viola Davis as the good egg among a rotten batch of teachers, while reducing everyone else to cardboard characterizations. Absent high-profile champions, femme-centric pic could suffer from low attendance.” Michael Medved liked the film, giving it three and a half stars (out of four) and calling it “…one of the better films of 2012.”
Michelle Rhee former Chancellor of the Washington, DC school system said of the movie, ““They had done a remarkable job capturing some of the difficult tensions within the reform movement.” Critics have contended that the film is an ideological vehicle of conservative activist Philip Anschutz and that the film is slanted to promote the parent trigger movement. Alexander Zaitchik, writing for Salon.com, described the movie as a “propaganda flick” which attacks teachers’ unions. He argues that Walden Media are “linked at the highest levels to the real-world adult alliance of corporate and far-right ideological interest groups that constitutes the so-called education reform movement, more accurately described as the education privatization movement.”
We must put the needs of students first. After all, it’s their needs that matter most — Bill Cosby
I’ve seen the statistics on where American students rank in the world. I’ve heard the stories of children being sent off to schools that are nothing more than dropout factories, and our youth end up back out on the street uneducated and unprepared for life.
I refuse to sit back and watch this happen.
www.studentsfirst.org
That’s why I’m joining the board of StudentsFirst and will be working alongside you and StudentsFirst members across the nation to put children’s needs first.
I’ve long been an advocate for public schools and educational programs that have focused on the developmental needs of children. In fact, in 1976 I earned a doctorate in education — and my passion for education didn’t end when I received my diploma. I’ve been arguing that we need to make a greater commitment to education ever since. The people involved in educating our kids need to provide all students with the great education they deserve.
I once said— and it is often quoted — that I don’t know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody. We must be singular in our focus right now. We must put the needs of students first. After all, it’s their needs that matter most. When every child in America is getting a world-class education, we will know success. We’ve all got to get involved and make it happen.
Thank you for being an integral part of this organization and thanks for having me.
Sincerely,
Bill Cosby
Fall into Season with Vivid Photography in A Distinctive Style
The Fall Edition of A Distinctive Style magazine showcases high definition phototography of fall scenes from around the world, to get you into the spirit of the season.
In the cover story, 12-year-old professional soprano, Jackie Evancho, reveals her passion for music, and the great opportunities it has brought her. Expanding her sphere from singing to now movies, everyone can now really see her on the “silver screen!” But even with all the drama of the professional world, she doesn’t forget to keep it real, whether through interactions with her siblings or working for animal protection.
Trees are the Lungs of the World (See story by clicking this photo)
Fight for a cause, any cause that you feel passionate about
Join Bill Cosby’s “StudentsFirst” cause and fight to keep students out of dropout factories, or dive into Konstantin’s “Blue Trees project” and prevent the rapid deforestation of the planet from continuing. Read a heartfelt message from Leonardo DiCaprio and join IFAW to save the elephants, or simply enjoy nature through the blog “house of joyful noise.”
Find an inspiring story of nature’s struggle through “PINES,” Alison Sudol’s story, or look at a very human story about Surinder Kaur’s struggle to avoid the future she didn’t want in “Matchmaker, Matchmaker, Make me a Match.” A Distinctive Style also provides you with more stories on self-esteem, self-acceptance, and whether a successful career and a happy family life are necessarily mutually exclusive.
Health and Wellness
It’s important to look out for your body: more important than anything else. The fall issue features Howard Straus, grandson of Max Gerson, who provides vital information on the cancer, and the do’s and do not’s in order to have a healthy body.
In “Verified success,” Mazzucco Massimo tells of a cure for cancer! Watch the veil draw back from the truth of the effectiveness of sodium bicarbonate and why no one has said anything for so long. Say “No” to vaccines and learn the truth about their origins, or get the nitty-gritty details about how “Monsanto betrays humanity and destroys life.” Get a more personal perspective of breast cancer from Stacy Shelton and her wish to find a cure for this disease that no longer just affects older women.
Acceptance
Learn how to accept, how to overcome, and most importantly, how to be the kind of person you want to be. Follow Mikaela Jones’ story in “Shine your Light” to learn about acceptance, even in the worst of situations, or dive into NFL star Ellis Lankster’s battle to overcome stuttering. Learn about psychopaths and in “Psychopaths, Joe Brewer and you,” and figure out not only how to identify their behavior but also to keep your loved ones safe.
Culture
See Video on Prop 37 By clicking this photo
With so many different views and stories on the varying aspects of life, simply sit down and pick a story to really dig into. Get an up-close perspective on what the life of award-winning composer, Paul Englishby, is like, or develop a whole new perspective on art and pottery with Loren Lukens.
Take a whole another view on eco-friendly fashion through reading about Lara Miller’s, Nester Pineda’s, and Tara St. James’ designs, or simply browse through the pictures and see what fashionable piece of clothing you like.
Glenn Close: legendary actress, probably best known for her role in Fatal Attraction. But what about Albert Nobbs? Take a peek into the perspective of Close and discover the behind-the-film struggle and inspiration.
Inspiration
A Distinctive Style’s Fall issue also features an exclusive interview with Tony Volpentest, dubbed the “Fastest Man in the World” and “Olympic Athlete of the Year.” Even though Volpentest was born with no arms and no legs, his motivation, his life and his thoughts on the future are inspirational.
As much as we say that life goes on, we mustn’t forget to remember those who work to protect us. Remember the firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice for everyone: for you and me. Honor them by reading their stories.
End of the World
And on a final ominous note: Will the end of the world come soon? Find by reading “Visiting the Kings at the End of the World.”
Jackie Evancho, Glenn Close, Bill Cosby, Paul Englishby among others can be found in the Fall 2012 edition of A Distinctive Style
When you open the Fall 2012 issue of A Distinctive Style you will be greeted by a beautiful cover featuring child singing sensation Jackie Evancho, then you will notice the music of Emmy Award Winner Paul Englishby.
In our cover story with Jackie Evancho you’ll hear how she has handled the media storm since coming on the scene as a contestant on the fifth season of America’s Got Talent. She talks about her acting debut in a Robert Redford film to release in 2013 and tells us how she picked the songs for her newly released album “Songs From the Silver Screen.” You will see highlights from the CD by clicking a link on her page.
Other stories you’ll enjoy in this edition include:
A personal look at 2012 Emmy winner Paul Englishby focusing on his love of music and the success he has had with film and television musical scores.
A preview on “Stories of Change,” a partnership between the Skoll Foundation and the Sundance Film Festival to promote documentary films that promote global awareness and stimulate change.
An interview with legendary film actress Glenn Close as she sits down with Robert Milazzo at The Modern School of Film.
An inspirational profile of Tony Volpentest, a four-time Paralympic Gold Medalist and 2012 Olympic Hall of Fame nominee.
An examination of the fascination with the Mayan calendar and its prediction that the world will end on December 21, 2012.
A look into the “Gerson Therapy,” a natural cure for cancer.
A letter from Bill Cosby on “Why we must put our Children First.”
A review of Lizzie Velasquez’ insightful new book “Be Beautiful, Be You” which relates the power of finding inner beauty.
Of course all of the stories feature the innovative aspects that A Distinctive Style is known for. They are expertly written, have vivid photography and are enhanced with audio and video clips to give you a complete interactive experience.
Flipping through the pages of the Fall issue is like losing yourself in a virtual visual world. For the readers of this magazine, this is truly a magnificent treat for the senses and a perfect way to celebrate the publication’s fifth anniversary.
Those who haven’t seen this issue yet should certainly take a look now by visiting www.adistinctivestyle.com. You will be hooked on the experience!
Our Digital Media Magazine is Celebrating 5 Years and 20 Issues!
This month marks the 20th Anniversary issue of A Distinctive Style (ADS) magazine. We are proud what we’ve accomplished over the past five years and wish to thank our readers, followers and supporters and those created the innovative tool which has allowed A Distinctive Style magazine a platform to showcase our stories.
ADS began as a medium to highlight environmental issues, but merged beautifully into a gallery for artists, a stage for musicians, a platform for celebrities who do more than entertain us, and a lesson in tenacity through the many stories we’ve covered.
Five Year Anniversary
Fran Drescher (a.k.a “the Nanny”) was featured in two ADS issues as she educated us about the early warning signs of cancer…pay attention to your body: Stage 1 is the cure!
Actress and singer Olivia Newton-John shared her story of cancer during a candid interview, reminding us all of how we have an inner strength that can pull us through anything.
Actress Diane Keaton brought us her new book “Then Again,” a leveling story of the “all American” family and how our own family stories are not so different from hers.
And when “Dallas” finally made its way back to network television we were elated to have the opportunity to cover the Red Carper affair, and interview some of the cast.
We are each teachers in our own way. We wish each of you experience greatness so you can teach/help others. Looking back on the ADS journey it seems that a deeper lesson was there for us… a lesson intending on reminding us of the possibilities we each hold within us. No matter what life gives you, there are lessons in the highs and lows. What emerges is a bigger, better, stronger YOU!
We hope ADS has given you an inspiring look at the world and how YOU are an integral part of the future. Thank you for allowing us to be part of your life.
