BEYONCÉ WASN'T Lip-Syncing: A professional musician goes deep on the inaugural NON-scandal

Since La Beyonce has not yet responded to reports that she lip-synced at Obama's second inauguration on Monday, I thought this very interesting analysis, by a fellow singer Mike Doughty, was fascinating. It will be interesting to see what the real story is. But either way, his observations were so cogent.

I read today that Aretha Franklin laughed when she heard Beyonce lip-synced. Whether she lip-synced or not it's irrelevant as the song we heard performed WAS sung by Beyonce and no one else. The only question I have is if she lip-synced, why did she have the beautiful, dramatic moment when she tore out the earpiece?

Since we as yet don't know for sure I thought this editorial column to be very interesting, indeed. This was published on Slate: http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/culturebox/2013/01/beyonce_lip_syncing_at_the_inauguration_musician_mike_doughty_says_she_was.html

Kudos also to Kelly Clarkson who gave a magnificent performance at the inauguration. Did she or did she lip-sync?

POSCRIPT: Although Slate Magazine and Wall Street Journal are insisting Beyonce did NOT cheat, CNN is insisting that she did. I guess we'll have to wait for confirmation from Beyonce herself (see today's 1/24/2013 article in the Huffington Post.)

ONE TODAY by Richard Blanco...today's HEROIC poet at Obama's Inaugaration

This beautiful man, who also happens to be Cuban and gay, made one of the most beautiful presentations of his poem, in my experience, in my lifetime (except for perhaps Maya Angelou, who presented I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings at President Obama's first inauguration ceremony in 2009).

Watch a recording of Mr. Blanco's speech at ABC's website at the link below this paragraph (And study his beautiful poem). He delivered a remarkable performance, equal only to the amazing singers that also performed today.

'One Today': Richard Blanco Poem Read at Barack Obama Inauguration - ABC News

The poem that Mr. Blanco delivered was so utterly perfect. It was like listening to a symphony...or a beautiful performance of a choir. It was so simple. It was so accessible. It was so of "our time" and it was utterly miraculous that this beautiful human, Mr. Blanco, was chosen for this privilege and at the same time our 44th President addressed in his second inauguration speech his support for gay rights. None of this happened by accident. But thank God it finally happened...even the President's reference in his speech to "Stonewall" in the same category as "Selma" and other milestones in civil rights in this country.

Today was remarkable in so very many ways for me. First, the only black US president took an oath of office for a second term, and despite the most uncivil, barbaric and openly racist attacks. But he also addressed, in this second inauguration speech, gay and lesbian rights. His predecessor, "Shrub" and his party, have for decades shown their hatred for gays. But not only did Obama address this in his speech but he chose a remarkable person to deliver a poem for this ceremony, that was utterly for it's time.

My goal with this blog is to talk about things of beauty. Today was a day of beauty.

I salute President Obama and I salute Mr. Blanco for his beautiful poem.

“One sun rose on us today, kindled over our shores, peeking over the Smokies, greeting the faces of the Great Lakes, spreading a simple truth across the Great Plains, then charging across the Rockies,” Blanco began Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/01/21/3193855/an-inauguration-with-a-cuban-touch.html#storylink=cpy

I also thought the three singers at the inauguration were amazing. James Taylor, a singer that I grew up with, delivered a lovely, understated delivery of 'America The Beautiful.'

Kelly Clarkson blew everyone away with her soulful 'My Country Tis of Thee' and then Beyonce knocked it out of the ball park with the National Anthem. I've tried to embed videos of these performances. They aren't available at this point, except to share on facebook or twitter, two forums that I detest. Will try to update this when I have videos to share. Meanwhile, don't miss these performances.

ARGO with Ben Affleck: one of this year's best films

I went to see Argo this week. It is at this point the best film I've seen this year, however, I have yet to have see some of the other front-runner, like Lincoln or Les Miserables.

This film is not the type of film I usually go to or enjoy, because these films can be very intense and nerve-wracking. I don't mind sadness, I don't mind dark or esoteric films. I want to be transported out of my own dreary existence when I watch a movie.But being nervous isn't my idea of an alternative state. Thus, I typically shun testosterone films.

But Argo is just so damned good, in every way that I have to rave about it (good script, good directing, good performances, good casting, fascinating and riveting story) because it transcended my usual dislike for "thrillers". I hate to even use that term because it really is so much more than the typical thriller. So much more and so much better.
If you didn't already know it, the movie was produced by (along with George Clooney), directed by, and stars Ben Affleck. It is a complete virtosity of multi-tasking and talent.

The movie also includes an all-star cast including: John Goodman, Tate Donovan, Victor Garber, Chris Messina, Bryan Cranston and the most ubiquitous actor of the year, Alan Arkin.

The movie is loosely based on the true story about six staff members who escape the US Embassy in Tehran in 1979 when the compound was stormed by Iranians and the 54 staff members were taken and held hostage for 444 days. These lucky staff members who escaped capture were working in the embassy's visa applications offices which opened directly onto a street. They were able to escape easily, unlike the hostages who were in more remote locations on the embassy compound. They find refuge at the Canadian Ambassador to Iran's private residence.

Ben Affleck portrays Tony Mendes the CIA agent who was assigned to devise and execute the harrowing responsibility of rescuing the six staff member from the Canadian Ambassador's residence and then getting them out of the country. This story is so extraordinary.

Affleck delivers a performance that is as masterful and nuanced, similar to George Clooney's performance in last year's The Descendants. Affleck certainly deserves an Oscar nomination for Best Actor and Best Director and the film will most assuredly be nominated for Best Picture, at the very least (although I suspect Affleck will be nominated only for Best Director). It currently has four Golden Globe nominations (Best Picture - Drama, Best Director, and Best Supporting Actor for Arkin).

This is such an entertaining and intelligent film. Don't miss it. I also should say that another of my favorite movies this year, surprisingly, was Skyfall. Two non-chick flick favorites in one year for me....that's unprecedented.

Oh, and "Argo Fuck Yourself" (see the film...it's utterly charming in this movie the use of my favorite work "fuck").  Best line of the decade!

As an aside, I should mention how fantastically good-looking Affleck is in this film. He has a shirtless scene which displays what is one of the best hairy chests in Hollywood (and under seen), in my opinion. He is simply magnificent looking in this movie, especially his full, dark beard. He is complete eye-candy every moment he is on screen, despite that his character smokes (which true for the time--I did the same thing in the late 70s). Sorry for gushing. But he deserves it.

Affleck in his younger days. Age has definitely been kind to him.

Watch the trailer below