13 of 1001 Songs: Don Azpiazu and His Havana Casino's El Manisero

El Manisero or The Peanut Vendor is a song that is one of the most popular created by a Cuban musician. There have been many takes on the tune. It makes sense why it has appeal with the Cuban sounds, and the flare of the vocals. It is very rich in movement.

History: This song has been recorded more than a hundred times. It's very popular, especially for Cuban artists to cover. One of the most popular versions still stands to be Don Azpiazu's version though with His Havana Casino band. The version was so popular that it became the first million dollar selling of a Cuban record. The original song has even achieved cultural significance in the United States, and it's about the registry. The line up of the musicians features a huge all star cast.

121 of 1001 Movies: The Blue Angel (1930)

I think The Blue Angel might be one of the saddest movies I've seen. This German movie, directed by Josef Von Sternberg, is from 1930 and is one of the most emotionally riveting movies I've seen that far back. Maybe it's because of the timeless message behind the movie that keeps it appealing, but there was something about it that felt like you could relate to it, and on top of that the acting is quite strong as all of them feel like their characters.

Immanuel Roth is an elderly professor who teaches English at the local college, but his unruly class and loneliness have driven him into being unsettled with his life. When he follows his students to the local nightclub to catch them in the act of being there when they shouldn't he meets Lola Lola, one of the performers. Believing that she loves him, he leaves his profession and begins touring with her, but as his life begins spiraling out of control he reconsiders the choice he has made, but it may be too late to change as well.

16 of 1001 Movies: L'Age D'or (1930)

Summary
This vague outline of a plot from Luis Bunuel follows two lovers who are trying to consummate their love. Their attempts are stopped by their families, the Roman church, and society. Surrealism is strong in this film that was wrote by Salvador Dali. Starring Gaston Modot, and Lya Lys.

My Thoughts
So as someone who does believe in Christ, and is a Christian this movie was highly offensive, and there was no way I could find a reason to like it. The negative was too huge to get past.  I've never been one to enjoy something that employs shock value to land itself on a list like this. This movie was even banned in American for 50 years, before it was allowed to be shown in theaters in 1979.

The story line isn't heavy, but it is present. For the first forty minutes the story plays out interestingly. There is no sign that some bizarre changes are about to arrive in the movie. In the beginning we get some odd bits of scorpions, and information about them, and then the story transitions to men running to the castles. We then see our two leads meet after arriving, and they begin making out right around the crowd of people. That was another problem I had with the movie. There is nothing redeeming about the two leads. They are two people who showcase little control over themselves to the point where they are trying to make love around a crowd of people. They will do anything, and everything to get their way.

At then it becomes really difficult to watch for me though. Anyone who is Christian will be offended. I just don't think there is any getting past that. For many they will probably be outraged over my ability to critique the film for just that, but I couldn't. The images that the director creates are really too offensive, and for me were not comedic at all. There are many scenes where he obviously seeks to hurt anyone who is has a belief in Christianity.

It's true that my perception of L'Age D'or (The Golden Age) was too badly harmed by the ending. I felt the scenery, and jabs were unneeded to make his point about sex, and his perspective on religion. There is a difference between going after the people who have offended you in a belief, and Christ. I couldn't recommend this movie to anyone for two scenes that still stand out to me alone.

Rating 1 of 5.