Music: ♫ Amy Winehouse: Her Signature Song: “Back to Black”

I grew up during the 60s and the 70s. Amy Winehouse recreated that throwback vibe. It’s a pity she departed so soon.  Amy Winehouse passed away in July 2011. But her music endures.

• “Back to Black” is the signature song by Amy Winehouse that she left for us to remember her by. 

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“Back to Black”

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Enter Amy Winehouse. 14 September 1983
  Exit Amy Winehouse. 23 July 2011 

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Music is my weakness. So many songs have left an imprint on my life, and as life passes, those songs still move me. No doubt, it’s that way with everyone. But in my generation, so many talented souls departed this life way too early than they should have — like Janis Joplin (1943–1970), Jim Morrison (James Douglas “Jim” Morrison, 1943–1971), etc.

I grew up during the 60s and the 70s, and I always tell my kids that the music of my generation was the best! That’s why the artists and musicians of their generation “sample” it. But every now and then, there are singers from my kids' generation that hearken back to that old-school sound I remember.

Amy Winehouse recreated that throwback vibe.

It’s a pity she departed so soon.

You would think the artists in later generations might learn from the tragic stories of others and not repeat history. But they don’t learn, and they do repeat the tragic history.

Yet when another bright one finally gets to shine their light, and no sooner than they are in the spotlight, their candle is blown out.

I was just starting to enjoy her raspy, soulful sounds when it was announced that she was gone.

Glad she did a duet with Tony Bennett to leave as part of her legacy.

Video link: Tony Bennett, Amy Winehouse — Body and Soul (from Duets II: The Great Performances)

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CAREER HIGHLIGHT:  Amy Winehouse had been singing for several years before she became a global sensation. She started performing as a teenager and was a featured vocalist with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra in 2000, when she was around 17. By 2002, she had signed with Simon Fuller's 19 Management and was recording songs. Her debut album, "Frank", was released in 2003 and received critical acclaim, but it was her second album, "Back to Black" (2006), that catapulted her to international fame. So, she had been actively singing and developing her career for about six years before she truly broke into the mainstream.

REFERENCE:  Wallenfeldt, J. (2009, September 11). Amy Winehouse. Encyclopedia Britannica.  

Tribute to South Korean Actor Ahn Sung-ki (1952 – 2026)

"Veteran actor Ahn Sung-ki died on Monday, six days after being hospitalized in critical condition on Dec. 30, 2025. He was aged 74."  (SOURCE: koreajoongangdaily)

Career Highlights of Ahn Sung-ki

Ahn Sung-ki’s career stands as one of the longest and most influential in South Korean cinema. Beginning as a child actor in 1957, he appeared in films from the age of five and eventually built a career spanning nearly seven decades, a rarity in global film history. His longevity was not accidental; Ahn viewed acting as a lifelong journey shared with his audience. Reflecting on this philosophy, he once said that he hoped to “grow old together with the audience,” remaining active on set as his hair turned gray and his face bore the marks of time (Ahn, qtd. in Lee).

After stepping away from acting during his school years, Ahn made a powerful return in the late 1970s. His adult-career breakthrough came with Good, Windy Days (1980), which earned him the Grand Bell Award for Best New Actor and established him as a serious dramatic performer. Over the following decades, he became known for his exceptional range, portraying characters such as a Buddhist monk (Mandala), a wandering drifter (Whale Hunting), a traumatized Vietnam War veteran (White Badge), and a morally conflicted police officer (Two Cops). Rather than pursuing glamour, Ahn consistently chose roles grounded in realism and emotional restraint.

This deliberate approach to acting also shaped the types of roles he avoided. Ahn openly acknowledged his discomfort with romantic performances, explaining that he struggled to express affection on screen and felt “clumsy” performing love scenes, ultimately concluding that avoiding such roles was “the right choice” for him (Ahn, qtd. in Associated Press). This honesty contributed to his public image as an actor of sincerity rather than spectacle.

By the 1990s and 2000s, Ahn had become widely regarded as “The Nation’s Actor,” a title reflecting both public admiration and cultural trust. Rather than viewing the label as a burden, he described it as a moral guide, noting that it encouraged him to live and work in a way worthy of the name (Ahn, qtd. in Associated Press). His career achievements supported this reputation: he won a record five Grand Bell Awards for Best Actor, starred in landmark films such as Silmido—the first Korean film to surpass ten million admissions—and remained active well into his seventies.

Ultimately, Ahn Sung-ki’s legacy lies not only in awards or box office success, but in his quiet commitment to growth, humility, and endurance. His belief that acting should evolve alongside life itself remains a defining principle of his career and a lasting influence on Korean cinema.

Quotes to Remember:

On being called “The Nation’s Actor.”

“I felt I should do something that could match that title. But I think that has eventually guided me in a good direction” (“South Korea’s ‘Nation’s Actor’ Ahn Sung-ki Dies at 74.”
AP News, 5 Jan. 2026, www.apnews.com/article/7b0c31f3d2ff56e21efcfe4d405a6e34.)

On aging with his audience

“I dream of being an actor who remains on set even after turning seventy… I want to grow old together with the audience” (Lee, Ji-won. “Veteran Actor Ahn Sung-ki Remembered for a Lifetime of Cinema.” Asia Economic Daily, 5 Jan. 2026, www.asiae.co.kr/en/article/2026010510064984984).

REFERENCES:

“Ahn Sung-ki.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahn_Sung-ki.

Associated Press. “South Korea’s ‘Nation’s Actor’ Ahn Sung-ki Dies at 74.” AP News,
https://apnews.com/article/7b0c31f3d2ff56e21efcfe4d405a6e34.

Choi, Min-sik. “Remembering Ahn Sung-ki: Five Defining Films of Korea’s Greatest Actor.” South China Morning Post,
https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-drama/k-movies/article/3338768/ahn-sung-kis-5-best-movies-remembering-iconic-korean-film-actor-who-died-aged-74.

Kang, Hyun-kyung. “South Korea’s ‘Nation’s Actor’ Ahn Sung-ki Dies Aged 74.” South China Morning Post,
https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3338710/south-korean-nations-actor-ahn-sung-ki-dies-74.

Lee, Min-hee. “Ahn Sung-ki, One of South Korea’s Most Beloved Actors, Dies.” The Independent,
https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/ahn-sung-ki-death-south-korea-b2894615.html.

The Korea Society. “A Korean Actor on the World Stage: Ahn Sung-ki.” The Korea Society,
https://www.koreasociety.org/arts-culture/film/541-a-korean-actor-on-the-world-stage-ahn-sung-ki. 

 Previously published

My Pick for a Classic Warren Beatty Film: "Splendor in the Grass" (1961)

Thought the Clutter is an entertainment blog that published a List of 28 Warren Beatty Movies, Ranked Best to Worst.  I have never been a huge fan of Warren Beatty.  There is no denying he was tall, dark, and handsome.  But frankly, I really admired his sister; the enormously talented actress Shirley MacLane.  However, giving credit where credit is due:

"Warren Beatty is an American actor and filmmaker who is the second person to be nominated for 'Academy Awards' for acting in, directing, writing, and producing the same film – which he achieved twice for the fantasy-comedy film 'Heaven Can Wait' (1978) and for the historical epic 'Reds' (1981). Of his total 14 'Oscar' nominations, he won the award for 'Best Director' for 'Reds' (1981)."

Posterazzi Splendor In The Grass Warren Beatty 1961 Photo Poster Print, (16 x 20)

That quote/fact was lifted from the TTC article list mentioned above.  Kudos to Mr. Beatty for his achievements.  Even so ... his movies never made it to my 'Oh I'm dying to watch or re-watch this list!"  However, if I were going to pick a classic film starring Warren Beatty, it would have to be “Splendor in the Grass” (1961).   Yes, the fact that Natalie Wood was the leading lady had a lot to do with it.

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Five Facts About This 1961 Classic:

🎬 Warren Beatty’s Big Break
This film marked Warren Beatty’s acting debut, launching him into Hollywood stardom. His performance as Bud Stamper was so compelling that it set the tone for a long and successful career.

🛁 A Censored Bathtub Scene
Director Elia Kazan originally filmed a scene where Natalie Wood’s character runs nude down a hallway after a heated argument. However, both the Hollywood censors and the Catholic Legion of Decency objected, leading Kazan to cut the scene entirely.

🌊 Not Filmed in Kansas
Although the story is set in Kansas, a severe drought forced the production to relocate filming to New York state, including the waterfall scenes shot in High Falls, in the Catskills.

💋 Hollywood’s First French Kiss
Believe it or not, Splendor in the Grass is credited with depicting the first French kiss in a Hollywood film, pushing boundaries for its time.

📖 Poetic Origins
The film’s title comes from William Wordsworth’s poem “Ode: Intimations of Immortality”. The line “Though nothing can bring back the hour of splendour in the grass…” beautifully reflects the film’s themes of lost innocence and emotional resilience.

REFERENCES:

• 39 Facts about the movie Splendor in the Grass - Facts.net
• Facts about "Splendor in the Grass" : Classic Movie Hub (CMH)

Warren Beatty | Biography, Movies, Sister, Wife, & Facts | Britannica ~ https://t.co/xGejmb6Toa
*Img: #WarrenBeatty & #NatalieWood in a promotional photograph for Splendor in the Grass (1961), directed by Elia Kazan. © 1961 Warner Brothers, Inc. #classicmovies #Entertainment pic.twitter.com/iajOol40BC

— Treathyl Fox (aka cmoneyspinner) ~ #Freelancer (@cmoneyspinner) May 5, 2022

In Memory Of: Chadwick Boseman (1976–2020)

Today is August 29, 2020, and I was not expecting this shocking news.  A brilliant talent has departed this life far too soon. Chadwick Boseman (1976–2020). He chose his acting roles carefully. No doubt he will be remembered for being the first black superhero portrayed in American films. He was Black Panther.

Other roles he played he chose likely because they were people he admired and praised: 

• Thurgood Marshall (first African-American Supreme Court justice), 
• James Brown (known as the hardest working man in show business and the godfather of soul), and 
• Jackie Robinson (first African American to play in Major League Baseball).  

Mr. Boseman suffered quietly for 4 years but in the end, lost his life to colon cancer. "Deaths from colorectal cancer. In the United States, colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men and in women, and the second most common cause of cancer deaths when men and women are combined. It's expected to cause about 53,200 deaths during 2020." (Source: Colorectal Cancer Statistics | How Common Is Colorectal Cancer?)  

As expected tributes to this young man are pouring in via Twitter.

Chadwick Boseman quote worth remembering:  "press on with pride and press on with purpose.”

pic.twitter.com/aZ2JzDf5ai

— Chadwick Boseman (@chadwickboseman) August 29, 2020

During his commencement speech at our beloved Howard, my friend Chadwick Boseman said, "press on with pride and press on with purpose.”

In his name, let’s keep fighting. pic.twitter.com/HU8Q6yQaJ4

— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) August 29, 2020

Hollywood Screen Legends and Icons: Elizabeth Taylor (February 27, 1932 ~ March 23, 2011)

In America, the word “icon” is often applied to a person or thing regarded as a representative symbol of society and culture and worthy of honor or great respect. Many celebrities or movie stars are often described as icons. If you were judging them based solely on their public persona, you would approve of them as “representative symbols”. If you were to include details about their private lives as reported, they might not be considered “iconic”.

Not On My List

Any list I make ignores the private lives of the celebrities. Have you ever made your own list of iconic female celebrities? Madonna, Beyoncé, and Lady Gaga might be on your list. Not on my list. I’m old school. Many of the glamorous movie stars from back in my day (“my day” meaning the 50s, 60s, and 70s) are no longer with us. A few years ago, at one of my blogs, I published my unofficial top ten list of female celebrities that in my humble opinion were “iconic”. My Top 10 List of Iconic Female Celebrities

If you review my list (referenced above) you will note that my favorite movie star, Elizabeth Taylor, is not on my list. That's because I think she is iconic; legendary, and deserves her own spotlight.  So I published a separate blog post.

Call her “Elizabeth” or “Liz”. For those who wish to treat her as if she is almost royalty, call her Dame Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor, DBE. (DBE = Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire). She is American, but she was born in England so the Brits love her too! Queen Elizabeth officially acknowledged her as a “Lady”.

Beauty / Elegance / Grace / Style / Commanding Presence - is communicated both verbally and nonverbally, she was amazing, Elizabeth Taylor. Beautiful eyes in picture 1. Pic. 3 where I first saw her as Velvet Brown in National Velvet 1944. Pic. 4 Liz as a young girl in London. pic.twitter.com/XdYf5vEDJM

— TV and Film Stars (@TVandFilmStars) January 13, 2019

My Favorite Elizabeth Taylor Films

Numerous documentaries have been aired on television or via the Internet about Ms. Taylor’s life and film career and I have watched too many of them to count. In discussing her significant films, one of the documentaries failed to mention ALL of my favorite Taylor movies. I have 3 favorite films and 2 out of the 3 movies on my faves list were not even mentioned. No matter. I’ll mention them now.

Below are the three motion pictures which starred Elizabeth Taylor that made a lasting impression on me, along with the memorable quotes. They are classic or vintage movies now, and they are worthy of being included in America’s cinematic history and legacy.

National Velvet 1944, her 1st starring role. Perfect in every way! Her faith and determination in a horse to win the race in a big way. She even cut off her hair. A Life's lesson film. pic.twitter.com/hivunUjv3g

— serendipitouspr (@serendipitouspr) April 23, 2020

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National Velvet (1944)
This was the story of a young girl who believed in her dream. She loved her horse named “Pi” and she believed that she and Pi could compete in a horse race for professionals. She was an unqualified jockey with no experience or training, and Pi had not been tested. It didn’t matter. She knew in her heart that they could and would win!


“ … by knowing the Pi can win and telling him so!”

“Oh mother! Were we the best that we could be?”

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Giant (1956)

This movie is a love story. A girl from the east married an oil millionaire from Texas. She had to make adjustments to her new lifestyle and married life had its difficulties. She loved her husband and he loved her back like vinegar on greens.

Elizabeth Taylor in Giant (1956) ♡ pic.twitter.com/BWiGL5EWyM

— 𝒜𝓏𝓊𝓁. (@tenlovesongs_) April 27, 2020

“Well, we Texans like a little bit of vinegar in our greens. It gives them flavor.” {NOTE: This is what Jordan Benedict (played by Rock Hudson) said to his wife, Leslie Benedict (Elizabeth Taylor’s character). It’s the line etched in my memory.}

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Cleopatra (1963)

The title is the name of the famous Egyptian queen who loved two powerful men, the Roman emperor Julius Caesar and a Roman politician and general, Mark Antony. These romantic liaisons were for love and for lust. She desired power. The rest of her story is history.

12 June 1963. Cleopatra, starring Elizabeth Taylor in the title role, premiered in New York City. pic.twitter.com/UolQGHAxRZ

— Professor Frank McDonough (@FXMC1957) June 12, 2016

“How DARE you and the rest of your barbarians set fire to my library? Play conqueror all you want, Mighty Caesar! Rape, murder, pillage thousands, even millions of human beings! But neither you nor any other barbarian has the right to destroy one human thought!”

♦ In Memory Of: Elizabeth Taylor (1932 -2011)

Is Elizabeth Taylor on your list of favorite actresses and do you have a favorite Liz Taylor film?

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(Original Source: RationalMind.club)

♦ How to watch and stream Elizabeth Taylor movies

If You Liked This, You Might Also Like:

Hollywood Legends: Iconic Female Celebrities: Marilyn Monroe (1926 - 1962)

Celebrities: In Memory of Doris Day (1922 - 2019)

Do You Remember Grace Kelly? (1929 - 1982)

Celebrities We All Admire: Do You Heart Bruce Lee?

I heart libraries. One time I checked out a book from the library about the incomparable Bruce Lee. That was when I realized that several people in my house heart Bruce Lee. That book got passed around. My sons loved that book! Had to pry it loose from their fingers so I could return it to the public library. Must admit. It was a great book! But then, everything about Bruce Lee is spectacularly awesome!! Don’t you agree?

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Image credit: BruceLee – The Evolution of a Master Art Legend by Advance Martial Arts, on Flickr

* * * In Memory Of Asian-American Legend ~ Bruce Lee (Nov 27, 1940 – July 20, 1973)

In Memory Of: Music Icon and Legend: American Entertainer: Tony Bennett (1926 - 2023)

My tribute to the iconic and legendary Tony Bennett.  From Frank Sinatra and Sean Martin to Amy Winehouse and Lady Gaga?  Yes!  Speaking of the man who left his heart in San Francisco but made his way into the hearts of generations of Americans beginning in 1949.  Now that's hip! \

In Memory Of:  Anthony Dominick Benedetto aka Tony Bennett (August 3, 1926 - July 21, 2023)

People who know him would describe him as a genuinely warm, humble, and kind-hearted human being.  He was not just an entertainer but a civil rights activist who lent his celebrity status to support the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s.

• Tony Bennett, masterful stylist of American musical standards, dies at 96 | AP News

 

The late Frank Sinatra or Old Blue Eyes as we liked to call him is considered an American Master, a standard, for all other American entertainers to measure up to. But one of his contemporaries is equally worthy of praise: Tony Bennett, a crooner like no other.

Anthony Dominick Benedetto (1926 - ) is an American singer; also an actor, artist, and activist. 

He is a humble yet great Italian-American, born in Astoria, Queens, New York who marched with Martin Luther King Jr. and has been a tireless fighter for equal rights. Sinatra and Bennett had mutual respect and admiration for one another. Sinatra once said: “For my money, Tony Bennett is the best singer in the business. He excites me when I watch him. He moves me.” Bennett complimented Sinatra by founding a high school in his hometown that offers diplomas in fine art, dance, vocal and instrumental music, drama, and film. Whereas he could have named the school after himself, instead the institution is named Frank Sinatra School of Arts.

Bennett began singing at an early but his signature song, "I Left My Heart In San Francisco", was released in 1962. He has won numerous awards and sold millions of records and still continues to perform. Several young artists such as Lady Gaga, and the late Amy Winehouse, were honored to be chosen to collaborate with him on his “Duets” album. You can find several YouTube music videos, but for my listening pleasure, I start with this one wonderful collaboration between Bennett and the late Amy Winehouse. * 

Tony Bennett, Amy Winehouse - Body and Soul (from Duets II: The GreatPerformances)

Tony Bennett on Amazon Music. Stream ad-free or purchase CD's and MP3s

Official Website: tonybennett.com

Harry Belafonte and Tony Bennett Honored at 30th JFA Gala at Apollo Theater https://t.co/FaipfRAhHF via @billboard #icons #legends
Both departed in 2023 at the age of 96.#celebrities #history #memories #priceless pic.twitter.com/TKVyCM1ukI

— Treathyl Fox (aka cmoneyspinner) ~ #Freelancer (@cmoneyspinner) July 21, 2023

Hollywood Screen Legends and Icons: Sophia Loren (September 20, 1934 - )

 I love Sophia Loren and have been watching her movies since I was a little girl. She received the Academy Award for Best Actress in the 1960 film “Two Women”. As a matter of record, this was the first Oscar ever given for a performance in a “foreign-language” film. My memory of her performance in this film is that of a heroic performance, worthy of this kind of recognition. Since I watched so many of her movies, I thought I had seen them all. But “Sunflower” (1970) is one of her movies I did not discover until I was an adult and it is a gem! It’s another war movie and her co-star is Marcello Mastroianni. Those two always made a great onscreen couple. Her performance in this film is also memorable. Did you know that in the Soviet Union, they planted a sunflower for each fallen Italian soldier that the Germans forced to dig their own graves? I learned that watching this movie. Gold Derby published a list of her 15 greatest films, ranked from worst to best. Hey! Even in her “worst” films, her acting was still good! She made all of her leading men look good too! 

Two more movies for your watch list are “Arabesque” (1966), her co-star was Gregory Peck; and “Houseboat” (1958), her co-star was Cary Grant. They are not war movies but rather delightful romantic comedies. Her acting skills are versatile. She could be very serious and dramatic OR lighthearted and funny!

• Sophia Loren Filmography: Classic Movie Hub (CMH)
• Sophia Loren (b. 1934) — Hollywood’s Golden Age

Where to watch and stream Sophia Loren movies

In Memory of: Tina Turner (1939 - 2023) | Queen of Rock'n'Roll

We've lost a legendary soul sista! TINA TURNER (1939 – 2023)

Anna Mae Bullock was born in Nutbush, TN.  She is known and loved by many as Tina Turner.  The first time I saw Tina Turner perform was on the Ed Sullivan Show, on Jan 11, 1970. She was electric!  She became famous for her cover of the Creedence Clearwater Revival classic song “Proud Mary”.  I followed her career from that time forward.

Image credit

I liked most of her songs but I narrowed down her 60-year career and picked these four:

River Deep – Mountain High

On Silent Wings

Simply the Best

One of the Living (from OST for Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome)

She was chosen to sing the theme song for the James Bond film “Golden Eye”. Here's a little trivia about that. Bono wrote that song especially for her to perform.

She sold her music catalog ~ 60 years of music ~ for $50 million.


Whereas Aretha Franklin was called the “Queen of Soul”, Tina Turner was the “Queen of Rock and Roll”.

In her personal life, she did something that made me proud.
~ She's a survivor. SHE WALKED AWAY FROM HER ABUSIVE HUSBAND, IKE TURNER. She left everything behind and walked off with nothing her stage name “Tina Turner”; and with that name, she reinvented herself and become even more successful than when she was Ike.

She performed her last live concert in Austin, Texas USA. I live in this city but sadly I did not get to attend the show.

When I think of Tina Turner, I think:
STRONG WOMAN.
REMARKABLE.
A FIGHTER.
ICONIC.
EXEMPLARY and LEGENDARY.
A BEAST!! (And I mean that in a good way.)

Tina Turner described how she wanted to be remembered in an interview just six weeks before her death | Daily Mail Online

Goodbye my sweet soul sista!

Original source