We are the World 25

25 Years ago, Quincy Jones, Lionel Richie, and the late great Michael Jackson composed an emotional, heartwarming song entitled "We Are The World."
With their tremendously collaborative influence in the music industry, this powerhouse music trio brought together the biggest names in music into one studio, where they recorded this incredibly uplifting song. The profits of the recording went to help victims of starvation and povery in Africa. The recording included, among others, the likes of: Billy Joel, Tina Turner, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, Diana Ross, Huey Lewis, Janet and Michael Jackson, Steve Perry, Daryl Hall and John Oates, Kenny Loggins, Lionel Richie, Cindy Lauper, Kenny Rogers, Willie Nelson, Dionne Warwick, and Smokey Robinson. Here is the original recording, 25 years ago:



A few weeks ago, the world emotionally trembled after hearing of the terrible disaster in the physical trembles of Haiti's earthquake. Jones and Richie felt that it was only appropriate to once again bring together the greatest singers of our time to record a new, modern version of their classic song. This time the proceeds would go towards the Haiti Relief Fund. This year's artists included among others: Justin Bieber, Jennifer Hudson, Adam Levine of Maroon 5 fame, Fergie, Barbara Streisand, Celine Dion, Will.I.Am, Snoop Dogg, Jamie Foxx, LL Cool J, Nicole Sherzinger of the Pussycat Dolls, Pink!, the incomparable and legendary Tony Bennet, Kanye West, Akon, Usher, Wyclef Jean (a Haiti native himself), Randy Jackson, Josh Groban, Jennifer Nettles, Mary J. Blige, Enrique Iglesias, Iyaz, Toni Braxton, Busta Rhymes, Katherine McPhee, Harry Connick Jr., Jordin Sparks, Rob Thomas, Jason Mraz, T-Pain, Carlos Santana, the Jonas Brothers, and Miley Cyrus:



Now, here are my comments:
There is no doubt that the original was better in terms of star power. In my eyes, te original had the top tier of music's best in it's time. This years arguably, included the mid-card to upper mid-card talent in the world today. Where is Justin Timberlake, Taylor Swift, Dave Matthews, Shakira, Jay-Z, or Beyonce? I don't know, maybe I'm wrong about that, but I think that in comparison the star power was far greater in the original. Bob Dylan!!! Bruce!!! Ray Charles!!! Paul Simon!!! Michael Jackson!!! It doesn't get any bigger than that! I do have to say that I liked the remix, and I even liked the rap part of the song as it gave space for the members of the rap genre to show off what their best at. It was nice to see that all of these stars sang so emotionally for such a great cause. The obvious predicatable part of this year's recording was the inclusion of Michael Jackson's original recording. Was this necessary? I don't think so. This wasn't just a re-recording of a great song. It was a tribute to Haiti. This was not the time to have a Michael Jackson tribute. We've seen enough of those. Wyclef Jean's solos, while extremely annoying, were still appropriate due to his strong ties to Haiti.

Oscar Nominations are in!!!

Well, the day is finally here! I made sure to get up early enough to daven at a earlier minyan so that I could catch the Live announcements of the Oscar Nominations at 8:30 this morning. Let's go through each category and discuss:

Best Picture

Nominees: "The Hurt Locker," "Up in the Air," "Up," "District 9," "An Education," "Precious," "Inglorious Basterds," "A Serious Man," "The Blind Side," "Avatar."

I've only seen 7 out of 10 of these pictures, but will hopefully watch "A Serious Man," "District 9," and "An Education," by the week's end. However, I don't think it will change my mind. I have always said that The Hurt Locker was the greatest film of the year. The only real competition I see is Avatar. But regarding Avatar, when you get past the cool effects and creatures, the story itself leaves alot to be desired. The Hurt Locker is a thrilling, intense, captivating window into the lives and jobs of a Bomb Squad in Iraq. It was incredible. See it. The big surprise in this category was the inclusion of The Blind Side. The movie was good, but was not better than any other "feel good movie" like Remember the Titans, or The Great Debaters. Altough enjoyable, it was the same movie you've seen 100 times before. I also felt that Basterds didnt live up to the greatness of past Tarantino films, although Christoph Waltz's performance saved the movie, but more on the later. Precious was an acting powerhouse, but won't beat out Avatar or Locker. Let me just say a few words about this new 10 nominee business. It is ridiculous. It completely devalues the nomination. Sure it's amazing that UP has become the second ever animated movie to be nominated for Best Picture, but it would have been alot more impressive had it been nominated in a 5 nominee category, much like Beauty and the Beast managed to do in 1992. Please Academy, switch back to the old.

Final Prediction: I wouldn't be surprised if The Hurt Locker pulled out a big win on the big night.

Best Actor

Nominees: Jeff Bridges, "Crazy Heart," George Clooney, "Up in the Air," Jeremy Renner, "The Hurt Locker," Colin Firth, "A Single Man," Morgan Freeman, "Invictus."

See, this is why a 5 nominee category is amazing. Even with only 5 spots, Renner managed to pull a surprising, but incredible nomination. A virtual uknown, Renner should be super proud to be included in a categoruy that included huge names like "Clooney," and "Freeman." I am super excited for Renner. He put on a great performance. I've only otherwise seen Clooney and Freeman's performance. I hate George Clooney. I think he has no range. He is the same in every movie he is in. I think Freeman was awful in Invictus, and his terrible accent in the movie really made me upset. I haven't seen Crazy Heart, but it just looks like last year's "The Wrestler," with a guitarist in place of the wrestler. It doesn't look special, but I can't honestly say until I see it.

Final Prediction: Bridges has won every major award, so I expect him to take it, but I am crossing my fingers for an upset by Renner.

Stay tuned for my opinions on the other categories...