Two Films about Stephen Hawking for You to Watch Online

Click here if you can't see the video below.

I watched it several days ago and loved it. At first I thought it would be too painful to watch and I clicked it off the first time. Then I decided to try again and I'm so glad I did. 

This is his own personal story told in his own words. The thing I liked best was the personal photos and movies from the time he was born. It covered his life at Cambridge and his marriage and family life with Jane Wilde and their children.

Watch it full screen on your computer or mobile device. This movie is 1 hour 28 minutes long. Stephen Hawking was diagnosed with ALS when he was 20 years old and he's been living with the threat of an imminent death for the past 52 years. His will to live is unbelievable as you will soon see if you decide to watch. This is real life. No actors. This is his story and this movie is very current, filmed in 2013 when he was 71 years old. He still goes to work every day as a Professor at Cambridge in a position once held by Isaac Newton.

The movie that is either out now or about to be released The Theory of Everything starring Eddie Redmayne is based on a book that was written by Stephen Hawking's first wife. It was published in 2008 and is out of print. This is a hardcover book to look for at garage sales, book sales, and estate sales. Hardcover first editions are selling for around $1,000.00 -- see listing on Amazon. It's also available as an e-book.

The BBC made a movie about Stephen in 2004 starring Benedict Cumberbatch. I watched it too AFTER watching the one above. I suggest you watch them in that order too. The BBC film fills in all the gaps about his education at Cambridge preceding his marriage to Jane. It's fabulous as you can well imagine. Benedict Cumberbatch never disappoints!

This film is offered on YouTube in 6 parts. As each episode ends, you will be prompted to start the next one. It was very seamless. I know you can do it.

Let me know if you watch either or both movies. You know I wouldn't recommend anything I didn't enjoy myself.

H A P P Y   N E W   Y E A R !
xo

MR. TURNER preview - Video posted by the Tate.

Join director Mike Leigh and actor Timothy Spall for a behind-the-scenes look at how they brought Turner to life for the big screen. In this short video, they focus on how they recreated the great British painter’s Queen Street Gallery.

I spent all of last evening watching numerous videos about this period film. I want to have all the background possible before I see the movie. Timothy Spall, the actor who portrays J. M. W. Turner, took painting lessons for two years in preparation for the role. 

If you can't see the video above, click here. Watch full screen for the best viewing experience.

View another article posted by The Royal Academy - when the link opens, scroll down for a fabulous 14 minute video and discover how the makers of 'Mr. Turner' recreated scenes at the Royal Academy's Summer Exhibition in this fascinating behind-the-scenes featurette.

I hope you too will now be as excited as I am about this upcoming movie that is getting rave reviews. Your art lesson for the day is over now. xo

Bunny Mellon's NYC Townhouse

The 11,100-square-foot, 14-room townhouse at 125 East 70th Street, built in 1965 by banking heir Paul Mellon and his wife, horticulturist Bunny Mellon, is under contract with an asking price of $46 million. Sotheby's is the listing agent. The contents were in the recent auction of Bunny Mellon's personal belongings. I recognize some of the interior pieces from the auction catalog here. There are many more photos of this lovely townhouse here showing more of her exquisite town and country taste. I'm not a jewelry person but for those of you who are, see her auction of jewels and objects of vertu here.

E. B. White writing in his boat shed

E.B. White writing in his boat shed overlooking Allen Cove, Maine photographed by Jill Krementz via

There's a lesson to be learned from this photograph. So many of us think we have to have a stage set kind of place in which to work. This isn't necessarily true, is it? Not that this isn't a special place but it doesn't look very comfortable. E.B.White's mind was probably churning with so many things he wanted to put down on paper and he could probably work anywhere. Jill Krementz's childhood home is near my cottage. xo

A Glimpse into Jackie's Fifth Ave Apartment

Jackie lived in the same apartment in NYC on Fifth Avenue for more than 30 years. The apartment overlooked central park and was a lesson in restraint, style and comfort. via Mark D. Sikes

The Antiques Collection of Professor Sir Albert Richardson, P.R.A. with Video

The great eccentric architect Sir Albert Richardson filled his house with treasures. I have been fascinated by the story I posted a couple of days ago with a photo of a hallway full of antiques untouched since 1964.

Richardson’s passion for 18th-century artifacts became all-consuming. Now (September 2013) his grandson is reluctantly selling the collection (Christopher Simon Sykes/World of Interiors/Condé Nast) Be sure to read the article that goes with the above photo. You won't be able to see the other photos in the slideshow unless you subscribe to The London Sunday Times. You can read the article however HERE.

I also found the press release from Christie's in London with a video tour of Avenue House, Richardson's residence. It's amazing. The contents of Avenue House in Ampthill – the collection assembled by Sir Albert Richardson (1880–1964), architect, historian, writer, artist, teacher and sometime President of the Royal Academy – is now being sold by Christie’s in London.
“My house is my yardstick!” Richardson declared. “It is my measuring scale by which I contemplate the past and assess the future.”

Watch the VIDEO of the collections in his home HERE.

We could have been fast friends. He was definitely a kindred spirit. Enjoy reading about this wonderful man. Read one more article HERE and the sadness that was felt when his treasures left Avenue House. Sorry about so many links but I can't get enough. Enjoy. xo

Lauren Bacall 1924-2014 RIP

CLASSIC HOLLYWOOD--the first paragraph of the Vanity Fair Article March 2011

To Have and Have Not

She’s one of the last of Hollywood’s golden-age stars, the girl who stole Humphrey Bogart’s heart at age 19 and has been grappling with their dual legend ever since. Now 86, Lauren Bacall looks back on a lucky, if often difficult, life as she gives it straight to Matt Tyrnauer, talking about the effect of Bogie’s fame on her and their kids; her very brief engagement to Frank Sinatra; her stormy second union, to Jason Robards; and why she hates the Oscar she received, in 2009.

Lauren Bacall with Sophie, her papillon, in her apartment at the Dakota, in New York City. She was 86 in this photo and doesn't she look great? She died yesterday, about a month shy of her 90th birthday. Vanity Fair Magazine did a feature about her in March 2011 - read it here. The article is six pages long and it's delicious -- enjoy.

For Sale: Renée Zellweger’s Old House in Connecticut

Click here for slideshow from Architectural Digest.

The clapboard exterior of Renée Zellweger’s 18th century Connecticut retreat.

The primarily white kitchen has butcher-block countertops. I wouldn't want this half-wall looking into the formal dining room. I wouldn't want to look at the hanging pot rack in the kitchen from the dining room. 

The Quinebaug River runs through the property.

Murray-arity versus Benedict Sherlock

I'm ignoring the elephant in the room (the coming snow storm) in favor of Benedict, Murray, and The Count.

This is so adorable. What a cute way to introduce PBS Kids to Sherlock Holmes. Click here if you can't see the video above. Benedict Cumberbatch, as himself, is quite comfortable with two of the Muppets, isn't he? Now I love him even more.

Martin Luther King Quotes + Music Video

Click Here to Play this Inspiring Video

Created by @hrcultureclub on Instagram

The Wit of Winston Churchill

He had such a way with words, didn't he? I love this. via

Edward Hopper's Art Ledgers

A page from one of Edward Hopper’s art ledgers, a record his wife kept of paintings he made. (He’d sketch the finished painting, she’d write the notes.) This is such a good idea. It could be applied to many things, such as the books you've just read. via

Astronaut Chris Hadfield sings - Space Oddity

A revised version of David Bowie's Space Oddity, recorded by Commander Chris Hadfield on board the International Space Station. Click here if you can't see the video below. He has got to be the coolest astronaut ever.

I was listening to Chris being interviewed on NPR today promoting his new book, "An Astronaut's View of Life on Earth". I have only heard clips of his now famous performance of the David Bowie classic - Space Oddity. Over 19 million people have viewed it so far and now we have too.

Watch the original 1969 video by David Bowie below.

David Tennant reads Shakespeare's Sonnets

Shakespeare's Sonnets from Touch Press on Vimeo.

I could listen to his Scottish accent all day long. This is a Promo for Shakespeare's Sonnets. I wonder if all 154 sonnets will be available when this project is ready for iPad publication?

Letter: Cary Grant to Audrey Hepburn

How very lovely. via

Do More: Amelia Earhart

This is so true!! via

"The more one does the more one can do." 

Amelia Earhart

Pablo Picasso Quote

Inspiration does exist, but it must find you working. Pablo Picasso via

Endeavour Returns to PBS Tonight

I'm so excited that ENDEAVOUR is returning as a July series on PBS beginning tonight. The pilot premiered in 2012 and is still available to watch online here. If you can spare an hour/+22 minutes before tonight, you should watch it and fall in love with the young Inspector MORSE on his first days on the job in 1960s OXFORD. I promise you will love it too. Check your local listings for tonight's time and channel in your area. It's on at 9pm here at the cottage. Can't wait!!!!!!!! I watched the pilot again last night and I'm so glad I did. Let me know if you watch. You're welcome.

Inside and Outside: An Oceanfront Deck

I love the feeling of being inside and outside at the same time so I would choose to sit on the covered porch. The sun lovers can bake on the open deck. photo by pieter esterohn via architectural digest. Have a great weekend. Summer is finally here.

Princess Elizabeth in Buckingham Palace 1945 by Cecil Beaton

Princess Elizabeth by Cecil Beaton, Gelatin silver print, Buckingham Palace, March 1945, Museum no. E.1361-2010 National Portrait Gallery. via She was born in April 21, 1926 so she was almost 19 in this loveliest of portraits. She's still beautiful at age 87 too. Long live the Queen.