G.R.i.D. (Get Rich in Dallas)

I had mixed expectations on Lady Sings the Blues for many reasons. I was curious about Diana Ross’ movie debut, especially since she was nominated for an Academy Award. Was she going to be the diva actress or could she really pull of Billie Holiday? Man, does she ever! As an amateur movie critic but avid movie lover, I would dare say this is one of the greatest performances of all times. She was absolutely incredible and intense and true to the character. And I think what I really liked is that she didn’t try to sound like her which lent more authenticity to the character as a real person (which of course, she was).

I also wasn’t sure if the movie would be good because 70s movies quality is hit or miss. While it may be the greatest era of filmmaking, the look or the grain of the film sometimes stays. But this movie felt timeless. I don’t think any film has ever so drastically exceeded my expectations. It’s been a long time for that to happen.

Today, we have so many musician biopics like Ray, Walk the Line, What’s Love Got to do With It and even an upcoming Janis Joplin movie, but I wonder if those movies looked to this one for inspiration or how to tell the story because it feels so much like the above mentioned. It reminded me so much of Ray with his dark side but also the passion of Walk the Line and any comparison to the Tina Turner pic is inevitable. Just made me wonder.

I highly recommend this film! And here’s Big Stuff by Ms. Holiday herself.

I’ve decided (at least until I am sick of it) that Reese’s Puffs is the best cereal treat ever. Notice I said treat. While I could eat cereal for all my meals, this would definitely be a dessert. At first it doesn’t sound like a good idea but once you get a taste, it’s irresistible. Go get it now!

In short, I find I can’t stand Quick’s Up All Night columnist, Lesley Tellez. For a couple of reasons.

First and foremost, it’s seething jealousy. I would like a column at my paper since I am the Clubs Editor. Just seems to make sense. But it’s not just my ego at stake (which is priority). As the alt-weekly, we probably should have some nightlife in review since so many clubs and venues place ads with us as well as readers looking to us for listings. Pllus, I don’t know what it is at Belo, or the DMN, but they (being Mr. Dallas and Ms. Tellez) are stuck on pretensious outings a la Seven, Trece and any other clone out there. These two have no idea about the city nightlife other than where to get a good mango-tini.

Second, Ms. Tellez’s writing kills me (not to mention her mocking perky picture with big earrings). Am I a great writer? I’ll never say that and I won’t know if you think that but let’s just sample her work.

About Fuse - We sidled up to the inside bar – rain tends to give our hair a dreadful frizz – and ordered an apple sake sangria, one of several fun items listed on the drink menu. Awww…dreadful frizz…what to do?

About Walrus - (First the headline) West End gets cool again. Yyyyyeah. (Second) (Owner John) Reardon plans to add an elevated VIP area and a DJ booth. That should make the place seem more bar-like. I’m just saying here that I hope that last part was supposed to be a quote. “Bar-like”?? Brilliant.

About Seven - We spied one 30s-ish woman peel off her black jacket (revealing a black tube top) and dance sexily with her man. Then they fell on the couch in an embrace. I’m just trying to figure out what this piece of information is supposed to give me.

You get the picture.

So now I will woo our new music editor in hopes that my fame and glory is just around the corner. Or at the very least, convince her and maybe my editor that Dallas nightlife is at risk here and we’ve got to save it!