Hodgepodge

 I have a few relatively unrelated things to write about, and the word that popped into my head was “hodgepodge.” Is that an old-fashioned word? I will have to ask our grandchildren if they have heard it.

Hodgepodge or hotchpotch describes a confused or disorderly mass or collection of things; a "mess" or a "jumble". 

I have never heard the term “hotchpotch,” and I do not believe that what I have to discuss is either confused or disorderly or a mess, but it is a jumble. So, I’ll stick with that.

Before I delve into my discussion of a film we had long ago seen but watched again recently, I looked up the definition of “classic film.” Back in 2008, Jim Emerson wrote in a piece called “What makes a movie a "classic"? on RogerEbert.com

What's your definition of "classic"? Record-breaking? Precedent-setting? Influential? Enduring? How soon can such a status be determined? (Films have to be at least 25 years old to qualify for the National Film Registry; acts don't become eligible for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame until 25 years after the release of their first record.) Are their films from the 1990s and 2000s that you would already consider worthy of classic status? Have at it.

Having said that, we watched what is assuredly considered a classic film at this point, having been released thirty-seven years ago, “Amadeus.” We loved it then and we loved it now, but I never really believed that it was entirely historically accurate, and a fair amount has been written on that topic. See, for example 

https://handelandhaydn.org/amadeus-fact-fiction/

Despite the significant poetic license used in telling the story, the acting, the music, and the costumes make it a magical experience. In fact, the film was nominated for 11 and won 8 academy awards:

Category	Nominated
Best Picture	Saul Zaentz	Won
Best Director	Miloš Forman	Won
Best Actor in a Leading Role	F. Murray Abraham	Won
	Tom Hulce	Nominated
Best Adapted Screenplay	Peter Shaffer	Won
Best Cinematography	Miroslav Ondříček	Nominated
Best Art Direction	Patrizia von Brandenstein Karel Černý	Won
Best Costume Design	Theodor Pištěk	Won
Best Makeup	Dick Smith and Paul LeBlanc	Won
Best Film Editing	Nena Danevic and Michael Chandler	Nominated
Best Sound	Mark Berger, Todd Boekelheide Tom Scott & Christopher Newman	Won

Mozart died at the far too young age of 35. The enormous body of work he produced would have been impressive for a person who lived twice as long, and continues to provide joy and inspiration 230 years after his passing. 

A very different sort of music is the classic song written by Don McLean, “American Pie.” A friend posted this wonderful new version he recently did with an a cappella group called Home Free.

A cappella American Pie

Another friend posted the following:

Which would you choose? It was fairly easy for me: chocolate, music, and Netflix. I might have chosen books but reading remains a challenge, which I suppose explains why I write so much about movies but never about books. 

In reading this over as I prepared to post it, I realize that I called it “hodgepodge” but, in fact, all three pieces involve music. So I guess that was a misnomer, but it was still fun so I’ll leave it in.

We have another winter wonderland here in the northeast. It is just as well that everyone has to stay home to watch the Super Bowl later today.

Stay safe and warm and healthy!

Love,                                                                   

Rebecca