I'm watching a fantastic doc on HBO about Breslin and Pete Hamill. Made me remember when I'd take the train into NY for work, and I''d read them both religiously.

These are two stories about the death of JFK Breslin wrote, that are perhaps, two of the finest pieces of American writing ever.

Frank Robinson, legendary baseball player and coach, 83

RIP

A Triple Crown winner, a first-ballot HOFer, the only player to win the MVP in both leagues, and the first ever African-American manager at a time when some baseball executives thought that Blacks didn't have the "faculties" to manage a baseball team.

Yeah he was great and despite all of those accomplishments he was somewhat overshadowed in that era by guys like Mays, Aaron, Mantle etc. He was better than Milt Pappas for sure

IMHO, the most underrated player in MLB history. RIP

Nooooooooo

Albert Finney, 82.

One of my favorite actors.

Crap.

Finney was one of my favs too. I remember seeing him in Shoot the Moon in the early 80s, didn't really know at the time he was a big deal, really made a huge impression on me. Really good movie btw, I should rewatch that in fact. Diane Keaton plays his wife, marriage goes under etc.

God, Shoot the Moon is so devastating. That ending.

one of the most unfortunate things about Albert Finney is he'll forever be known as a '5 Time Oscar Nominee'.
the man should have won at least one.

not saying this is the one, but i cry every time i watch this movie and it seems very appropriate right now.

My favorite Albert Finney role is from a movie in which he didn't receive a nomination: Miller's Crossing. And speaking of something being very apropos right now, how about the song Danny Boy from that movie.

and, of course:

Not the greatest tribute in history. I've never seen Wings of Desire - should probably see that.

Bruno Ganz was always interesting....rip

American Friend is a one not to miss. He will always be the "best Hitler."

and of course, Wings of Desire is spectacular.

Loved Downfall. And Wings of Desire definitely has a spot among my all time favorites.

His portrayal of Hitler was an acting masterpiece. RIP Herr Ganz

One of my favorite pictures...Wim Wenders plays many games with the actors including Ganz and Hopper, and most particularly the actor playing the artist forging his own work. This actor was a screenwriter banned by HUAC who wrote screenplays under an assumed name.
I’ve always thought a fine essay could be written comparing two great movies so disparate (Ripley’s Game) yet made from the same Highsmith novel.
And in American Friend Ganz as artisan delicately applying the gold leaf, Hopper after a ten year absence from movies sprawled on a pool table taking Polaroids of himself muttering “IDK who I am”
And the spoof of Hitchcock’s Strangers on a Train...and I haven’t seen the American Friend in 25 years...my brain is overheating

RIP Peter Tork of Monkees fame. He was the goofy one. If you are too young for the Monkees they were quite the phenomenon.

I used to watch the show. Hey Hey We're The Monkees....

Noooooo my favorite Monkee.

Rather sad...….




The Monkees were great - for a few years their albums even outsold The Beatles; that lackluster band of puffed up British Fame.

Sad news. All of The Monkees were terrific.

RIP Stanley Donen:

what the hell? I thought he was dead 30 years ago