It's hard to believe that it's been six months since the passing of Whitney Houston, (which I wrote about here), but thankfully, before her untimely passing, she was able to finish her last project, Sparkle.  The original 1976 film, which starred Irene Cara, Lonette McKee and Philip Michael Tomas, had been one of her favorites while growing up in New Jersey and a project that she had been wanting to have remade for more than a decade. With more than one interruption, (the singer Aaliyah was slated to play the title role before she was killed in a plane crash in the Bahamas in 2001), this Friday, will finally see her pet-project make it to the big screen.

Sparkle is the story of three sisters, being raised by a single mother, Emma (played by Whitney), who, because of their vocal talents go on to form a very successful girl-group, in the style of 1960's Motown. With a cast headed by Whitney, former American Idol alum, Jordin Sparks, actor Derek Luke and comedian Mike Epps, it should be a remake worth watching. Viewing the trailer, the only disappointment I've noticed, may be the remake of the song, "Something He Can Feel" which Aretha Franklin sang like no other for the original soundtrack and which was later remade by 90's girl-group, En Vogue. I'm also really looking forward to hearing Whitney sing the inspirational song, "His Eye Is On The Sparrow." It'll be good to see her do what she did best, one more time.        (All images by Alicia Gbur)

The Original Movie Poster...

What better way to watch a movie this summer than alfresco; watching movie stars under the night’s stars. My friend, Kenar, invited me to go with her last night to see the 1972 film Chinatown (which starred Faye Dunaway and Jack Nicholson) at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Yep, a cemetery! I’d heard of movie nights here, but couldn't wrap my head around the idea of sitting amongst the dearly departed to see a movie. Well, it was definitely worth it. We popped some popcorn, dusted off her lawn chairs and off we went. Were I not afraid of possibly seeing a spirit, I would have been tempted to bring along some spirits. (pun NOT intended!) FYI... Hollywood Forever will show their last screening of the summer on September 22nd of... wait for it... The Exorcist!

Some other hot spots to see a movie outdoors is the American at Brand in Glendale and The W Hotel in Westwood, to name a few. My favorite outdoor film festival, though, is the one starting on July 5th, at One Colorado in Old Towne Pasadena. This year they'll have everything from High Noon and The Miracle Worker to Poltergeist and Whatever Happened To Baby Jane? with Joan Crawford and Bette Davis. If you've never experienced a movie like this, it definitely offers a new spin on the classic, but jaded, date-night at your local cinema; guaranteed to win you brownie points. Just remember to bring a jacket and something to sit on.

I had never heard of Chris Guillebeau until a few days ago when I came across a little blurb in Vroman’s newsletter. I’m glad I did. Last night, the Pasadena bookstore (my favorite) hosted a reading/signing of his book, The $100 Startup, and boy did followers of Chris show up in support. This was one of the few times when they allowed an author to speak outside in the courtyard; a nice departure from the stuffy, indoor book signings. Which, ironically, is kind of what the book is all about – bucking tradition and breaking away from the norm. He spoke of following your entrepreneurial dreams, often for as a little as $100. (Hence, the book’s title) Unlike so many “How To” books, though, which succinctly tell you that Joe Public had an idea and overnight made a million dollars, Chris interviewed several people who’ve either gone from jobs that they hated or from which they’d recently been laid- off/fired and tells of their ideas from inception to reality with all of the victories, headaches and pitfalls involved; the good, bad and the ugly. I’ve only leafed through a few pages, but Chris was so inspirational last night that I’ve been inspired to finally get into gear and get going on a couple of my own ideas. As my aunt Martha says, “Nothing ventured, nothing gained.” 

Too often, individuals who are married to very successful spouses tend to fade into the background; rarely forging their own path. Married to Ralph Lauren for over forty years, Ricky Lauren is no such lady. Apart from taking on the greatest task ever, motherhood (raising two sons, David & Andrew and daughter, Dylan) she has also found the time to write several books along the way.

Her latest tome, The Hamptons: Food, Family, and History, chronicles  the family's bucolic lifestyle, from the early 1970's to present, at their seaside vacation home. It offers favorite family recipes, as well as, warm anecdotes and photos; a beautiful gift for Mother's Day. There's a great article by by Anamaria Wilson, with photos by Mark Seliger, in this month's issue of Harper's Bazaar. I especially like the first photo, shown below with the chandelier. How sophisticated would it be to have that in your backyard; each outdoor meal more romantic than the last.        

Check out this interview with her son, David, that I found on Polo.com. 

While Teena Marie  (which I wrote about here) was my all-time favorite singer, Whitney Houston was definitely a close second along with Aretha Franklin (her aunt), Gladys Knight and Natalie Cole. But Whitney was something special. I fell in love with her and her voice from the moment I heard her belt out “You Give Good Love.” When I heard that she passed away yesterday at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, only hours before the Grammy Awards, I can honestly say that I was devastated. She and Teena left us far too early.

I has recently started working at my first adult job at a bank in a rather exclusive enclave of Southern California. Sadly, we only had Muzak being piped in, but thankfully, my manager allowed me to bring in a little tape recorder where we played that song more times than I care to admit. A few short years later Kevin Costner and his then wife Cindy had become customers. Around the time that he had begun filming The Bodyguard, it was my birthday and he had come into the bank and while helping him he asked what I wanted for my big day. Well, instead of saying a small part in his film (and, most importantly, a chance to meet Whitney), I thought this would have been in poor taste, so I chickened out and instead said a date with his Australian au pair, Lisa; which, by the way, was also true. Well, as you can imagine neither ever happened. The au pair wound up quitting and the movie finally wrapped. Talk about missed opportunities.

Trust me, if I had a chance to do it all over again, I would have risked propriety and would have asked for the smallest of roles. So, while I never had the chance to meet Whitney, I like many, still feel that I knew her. She will be more than missed.                              (All Photos via Google.)

R.I.P.: August 9, 1963 - February 11, 2012