“From time to time I like to comment on current actors, and their miens. Mr. Rhys Meyers would have been a great silent era star as he has mastered the art of pause; in fact, his acting is pregnant with them, to excellent effect. And, he always does more with less, which is to say he engages, meshes, both with his characters, internally, and externally, with his audiences. No matter his nationality, he can play any role he desires, and his ear is keen to language. Possessing great poise and a sense of personal destiny, these attributes join to make him quite intriguing to the public. Bonne continuation, Monsieur! Je vous salue!” ~ Rudolph Valentino
Archives for 2013
Mirrors
November 27, 2013 By
“Mirrors are magical devices, not only for glancing or protracted viewing but also as ‘glamour-enhancers’ ~ meaning a quick look, unfocused, is all we need sometimes to adjust that which has gone askew. We can use mirrors, therefore, to right ourselves ~ as tools or more specifically as linkages between our personalities and souls because a mirror is one place where we can see both, simultaneously.
What does a mirror show of a thousand years ago? How it was and when; therefore, it’s an apparatus for expanding consciousness, a gateway to other dimensions.
In terms of what might be useful, it would be good to strategically place a few mirrors in your home or living space ~ a must actually, as they are also transmitters, able to be used to amplify energy. When possible, create the endless reflection of mirror facing mirror, if nothing more than to remind you of you, the many yous that are part and parcel of ‘the you’ you now perceive yourself to be. Mirror = ‘Specchio.’ I do like my language, that native one, for this word: specch-i-o, looking at yourself under a glass, like a specimen, as that is also what a mirror allows us to do. They are magnifiers too, and that is why they lend grace to any environment. Janice pointed out (making reference to my first book, “Letters from Janice”) that ballrooms are often awash in mirrors. Rightfully so, as that’s where we can lose ourselves, cut loose from our personalities ‘du jour,’ even escape to other realms while still clothed in a body. Interesting, don’t you think? So, you can imagine with mirrors, use them as a means for mind expansion and time travel.
Visualize yourselves in other garb; see yourselves in other guises in terms of your features and sex. Squint and then look – mirrors are a wonderful tool for self appreciation and assessment, in other words, for soul-gazing.” ~ Rudolph Valentino
Poetry
October 5, 2013 By
Rudolph Valentino penned a book of “Other World” inspired poetry, entitled “Day Dreams,” in 1923. Here he comments on his on-going love affair with that genre.
“You ask about poetry and why I am partial to it. The answer is simple. Poems tell stories in concise and picturesque ways, often with a witty turn of words. As far as the poems in “Valentino Speaks” are concerned, that, at least, was the intent!
There are certain rhythms in my poems which can be both felt and heard. Thusly encoded, they are talismans, dedicated to life itself. All have been inscribed with a personal wish of love to those who wish to read them.
Poems may also be thought of as paintings on a page. The words are shadings and colorings whose purpose it is to give shape to thought. Each starts out as a blank slate, a tabula rasa to be used by the poet to display his or her creativity with language. The forms are many, from Alexandrine to free verse, more often than not involving the juxtaposition of sound and some sort of play on words. These, however, are merely devices. The single most important aspect of any piece of poetry is that it has the potential of touching us emotionally, on the most basic of levels.
Poems strike chords in our psyches as do the chimes of a clock or the sounds of an operatic aria. In other words, they promote visceral reactions. There are harmonic chords afoot in all of life’s circumstances. The gift that poetry offers is to make them more audible.
What is every poet’s dream? To shed light on thoughts so that they may truly be seen.” ~ Rudolph Valentino
Celebrity
September 5, 2013 By
“Celebrities are individuals who are celebrated by others, fêted, as the French might say, for one reason or another. As such, they are examples of ways to be, in many instances exemplars or reflections of contemporary morality. They come to us from all walks of life, running the gamut from world leaders, entertainers and sports figures to so-called average people. Whether or not someone actually becomes a celebrity, however, is determined for the most part by those who have a say in the matter rather than by the individual himself.
Celebrity status is usually achieved through a combination of deeds done and images projected. And, there is also often another element present: role. Each can play out in any number of ways. My celebrity, for example, came as the result of a series of starring roles in films. However, it was the media’s interpretation of them that really put me in the spotlight. Some say that I was one of the first media darlings. Not so. There were many before me, going back to the time of the Pharaohs. I certainly had no leg up on the matter!
Though celebrity as we now know it is essentially personality-driven, it is also often reflective of who we are internally. Viggo Mortensen, a contemporary actor, is an excellent example of this, a man whose inner self is very much present in all he does. He is, however, an exception. Unfortunately, many celebrities tend to be weighed down by their personalities. Indeed, in some instances it’s almost as though they are walking around carrying suitcases full of bricks!
In the world of celebrity, personality is often seen as being more substantive than soul. Of course, just the opposite is true. There will be a demystification of the cult of personality in years hence when people realize the true beauty of soul and thereby become more conscious of the fact that everyone deserves to be celebrated, no matter how they have chosen to lead their lives. In the meantime, it is imperative that celebrities err on the side of inspiration and promote only that which is life-enhancing. They, like all of us, have a duty to perform: to act responsibly.” ~ Rudolph Valentino
Tom Hardy
June 24, 2013 By
“A brute of a man, or so it seems, to the audiences he plies. But, by Jove, he is a sweetheart, really his primary attribute. Someone of few words when engaging with the public yet he will not be quiet in the company of friends, true friends. There, a torrent of words spills forth, like drops in a swift-moving stream. Mr. Hardy will continue to develop his skills, become an even more renowned actor than he is currently perceived. In so doing, he personifies some of the mystique that was more rampant in my day which, along with his ability to enthrall, will only continue to increase his appeal to moviegoers. Here’s to a long and illustrious career!” ~ Rudolph Valentino