Welcome to a New Month, and to The ❝October Birthdayz❞ Blogathon 🍁 2018! 🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃
October, is the tenth month of the Year, signifying the Orangey month of autumn in the Northern hemisphere, the orangish shades of maple leaves, associated with fall, and of course, the month of Halloween (with it’s Jack-o’-lanterns, carved out of orange pumpkins). Though Halloween’s roots originate in Christianity, All Hallows’ Eve, today (pretty much like Christmas), it’s more of a fun filled (non-religious) holiday, especially in the Northern American continent.
The month of October, also happens to be the birth month, of my sister, who actually lives in ‘Modern Day’ Halloween country – The United States of America (a.k.a. TrumpLand) itself. She’s been living there, residing in Princeton, New Jersey, USA, since May 2015. So, dedicating this Blogathon to my baby sister; who’ll complete the 38th year of her life, this month; I decided to host, The, very first, ❝October Birthdayz❞ Blogathon! So in a sense, this Blogathon, is my gift to Sachinta’s upcoming 38th Birthday. Happy Birthday Sis!
So, my fellow bloggers/blog-pals/movie maniacs/film fanatics/cinema enthusiasts/bookish bums, you are all welcome. The Blogathon shall start on the 20th of October (my sister’s birthday) and end on 22nd of October. BUT, there are no hard and fast rules, as to when you can post. You can post, any day within the month, of October, effective immediately. So, even if you end up being fashionably late, do not fret, I shall do a special post for latecomers, on 31st October (Halloween night).
Though there are no hard and fast rules, on what or when you can post (it does have to be within this month), this Blogathon is to do with Movies, Movies and Movies. So below are some terms and conditions, on how to post, on any birthday associated with the Month of October. You are welcome to post, one or more, write-ups; as many as you like.
Some Simple Rules:
- You are allowed to write about any famous or notorious personality, born in the month of October. But the write-up has to do with films (either Big Screen cinematic marvels or Small Screen movies made for television). So if you want to write about a non-film personality, the blog-post should be about a bio-pic based on his/her life, or a movie based on a true incident, where this particular ‘October born’ person played a pivotal part in (in which case, it has to be a charter-sketch of this famed person).
[E.g. Mahatma Gandhi, Eleanor Roosevelt & Bonnie Parker, were born in the Month of October] - If you want to work on an author/playwright/poet, again it should either be a film based on their lives, or (in this case) a film adaptation of one of their works. BUT, it has to be a good movie (doesn’t matter how faithful the movie is to it’s source material). No judgemental and unoriginal clichés of “Books are better than Movies”, please. A good movie has to stand on it’s own merit, whether it’s based on a book or not. You are welcome to do an interesting compare and contrast (in which case both the book and movie ought to be critically acclaimed, or at least you should love both, the book as a book, and the movie as a movie)
[E.g. Virgil, John Keats, Oscar Wilde & Joan Harrison, were born in the Month of October] - If you are writing on a movie starring an actor/actress, then it ought to be more of a character analysis, played by the ‘October born’ star. If there are more than one person born in October, appearing in the same movie, the review can be about the movie, but please focus more on the characters played by the ‘October born’ stars.
- If it’s a film of an ‘October born’ director, then a movie review is more than enough, yet attributing to his unique directing techniques, as to how well the director crafted it.
- If you want to speak about a cinematographer/music composer/playback singer/costume designer/set designer (in other words, a non-actor/actress or director, attached to the movie), please highlight this ‘October born’ person’s contribution, besides the film critique.
[E.g. Costume Designer, Edith Head, and Music Composer, S.D. Burman, were born in the Month of October] - You are welcome to write about the personal life of an ‘October born’ film personality, instead of a movie they worked on, if you wish. Again, it ought to be a non-judgemental, non-sarcastic, sympathetic look at a person’s life and career. Exceptions are allowed, if the particular person was highly notorious (like a Nazi spy or a serial killer or something, who was/is a famous film personality).
- If your, or your own Blog’s, birthday falls in the Month of October, you are welcome to include a bit about yourself/your Blog, within a film context.
- Duplicates are allowed, but I would prefer, there were none, as there is a vast array of people born within the 31 days of October.
- You are welcome to write about recently released movies and film personalities of the 21st century, as well; BUT I’d prefer if you were write about a movie/celebrity from the past centuries. There are so many forgotten gems of the past; from Roundhay Garden Scene (1888) (the oldest surviving moving picture – private family footage) to the Lumière Brothers 10 short films released in 1895 (the very first ‘Big Screen’ cinematic releases) to more contemporary greats from post war 40’s to the 1990’s; that need more exposure, and should to be spoken of.
- Once you have decided, please mention what you shall work on, as a comment below; and once you’ve blogged about a film related subject matter, for this Blogathon, kindly post the link, as a comment below.
Kindly share my post, and invite other bloggers, to join in. And, last but not least, please help yourself to one or more, out of the 10, banners below, I specially made for the Blogathon.
Thank you and Enjoy
Nuwan Sen of No Nonsense with Nuwan Sen
Blogathon Banners
This is the second time I am hosting a Blogathon. The very first Blogathon (and the only one till now) I hosted, was back in September 2014 (See my Blog posts – The Essential 60’s Blogathon, The Essential 60’s Blogathon : Dr Strangelove, or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964) and The Essential 60’s Blogathon finalé from September/October 2014). But it wasn’t much of a success, as only four Bloggers (including me) took part in it. This year I hope it shall be more of a success, as I have a bigger blogging community now. Of course, even though am happily hosting this Blogathon, I shan’t take part it myself.
One of the main reasons, I shan’t work on a post for this Blogathon, is, ’cause am very sick (physically, mentally and otherwise). Since, I’ve been working on these banners, and a few more pictures/collages, within the last six days, to host this Blogathon, this month, I am forcing myself to somehow get this post done today, with a heavy sinus filled head, as the forces of Lankan nature are acting against me getting anything done. Am feeling quite exhausted, parched, dehydrated, with tired eyes, a cold and heaty throat and chest, as we speak; and writing this in a sort of a daze. I was down with the flu, when this year started, and am just as sick, as this beautiful month starts. I wonder whether am having an allergic reaction to the new diabetic meds I’ve been on for the last two weeks. I need to speak to my endocrinologist.
Anyway, I hope you shall all take part in this, my fellow Blog-pals and lovers of everything cinematic. I shall do three special posts (including your links of the posts you do) between 20th & 22nd October 2018, and a fourth n’ final one, for latecomers, on the 31st of October, 2018.
Also check out my twitter handle (https://twitter.com/Nuwansenfilmsen) I plan to post an ❝October Birthdayz❞ special, on twitter, each day of of this month, as well.
Thank you in advance for your participation
Nuwan Sen’s Film Sense 🧡
No Nonsense with Nuwan Sen 
Sign me up! I’d like to do a mini bio of Hollywood director Leo McCarey (The Awful Truth), although I won’t be posting until Oct 30, if that’s OK…? Thanks for organizing this, and happy birthday to your sister!
Lovely!! Thanks Ruth, you are the 1st person to join the Blogathon!! 🙂
Are previously written posts (that not used for blogathon) allowed? If so can I use my post on Ryan Reynolds in Deadpool as Deadpool
You can Gill, but why not do something new. There is a lot to choose from and no real hurry. 🙂
Committed to quite a few blogathons this month so will stick to Deadpool. Perfect character study. But also my Blog been on the go for 3 years (eek) in October too.
Ha! Ha!! OK!! 😀
Thanks – too many blogathons, too little time.. just started job so even less time!
Since you being so helpful, just spotted your Dorian Gray (1970) banner, if he was born in October could add my recent review on him too! Added it as a post for my Cinema Shame posts though ….
on Oscar Wilde? Great!!
Just send me the links, once you are done. I’ll post them on the 20th of October (Day 1) of the Blogathon!!
Its on the film based on Wilde story not sure if its suitable, can you check it out..? https://weegiemidget.wordpress.com/2018/06/19/dorian-gray-nsfw/
Someone seems to be lusting over dear Helmut Berger. It’s more than a wee bit of a crush 😉 Ha!! Ha!!
Really enjoyed your review.
I love the swinging 60’s and 70’s fashion, myself. It had a global impact (check out my post on ASHA BHOSLE, from last month), it’s also an ode to the styles of 70’s, as much as the influence of Bollywood music of that time.
I like Helmut Berger too, he was superb in the Visconti films, The Damned (1969) and Ludwig (1973). I liked his small, but significant role, seducing Elizabeth Taylor, in Ash Wednesday (1973), too. He also starred in The Godfather Part III (1990), but I don’t recall seeing him in that. Am yet to see this psychedelic version of Dorian Gray (1970). From your write-up I gather the story is stuck in the 60’s, even though the characters age. Quite a lot of Bollywood movies, back then use to do that as well, like Mera Naam Joker (1970), Haré Rama Haré Krishna (1971) and Kabhie Kabhie (1976).
Gill, I was wondering since it’s your Blog’s 3rd Birthday this month, if you can find some time, why not do a quick special post for your Blogiversary, as part of my Blogathon. And you can include links to your past posts on it, like Dorian Gray and Deadpool, on it.
Just a thought. 🙂
Will definitely be adding a wee separate post for my blogs birthday so could add this to these posts for your blogathon (and tag you in it.. this making it three posts for your blogathon. My blog’s birthday falls on the 22nd October so you could add a post a day .to your blogathon!.
Lovely!! THNX!! 🙂
Will send you all the updated links and that birthday one nearer the time.
PS Helmut is lovely and yes its a much more than a wee bit of a crush…. only spotted him in Dynasty. Love to do a blogathon on him later next year if you want to be a co-host?? (Booked up with a few joint and solo ones til July and two more on other dates after that)
Great Gill, I’d love that.
Let my health improve, and once I am done with October, I’ll join in to co-host a Blogathon for Helmut Berger. He’ll be 75, in May next year.
Sorry to hear you not feeling well, hope things get better for you soon. Got a blogathon with someone planned for around then, but could ask them if they happy to change the date as his birthday then lets talk Mr Berger when you feel better!
Ah! No! That’s OK, we don’t have to do it in May. We can set it for later month. Just let me know, when you decide to introduce it (hopefully next year, itself, too tired of doing any post at the moment), I shall love to co-host.
Cool, lets go for later in the year when we both up to it… no rush.
Cheers!!
No problem!
I’m thinking of something on Walter Matthau, who would have been 98 today. I’ll let you know when the post goes live.
Brilliant!! Yes, Walter Matthau, was born yesterday, in 1920.
Maybe you could do a mash-up, like you did with The Apartment (1960), replacing Pfeiffer and/or Ryan as his female co-star/s.
Charade (1963) and Cactus Flower (1969), come to mind.
I’ve rambled around Walter Matthau and Cactus Flower over at my place. You’ll have to have a look and see if you think it’s suitable for the blogathon.
P.S. I hope your feeling better today.
No my post wasn’t worthy, I’ve deleted it.
What?? Why Paul, I didn’t even get a chance to see it. Am sure it wasn’t that bad.
None the less, relax, and slowly (if you can, no pressure), work on another post. No hurry. You still have close to a month, to work on it. 26 days more!!
Either way, whatever you decide, thanks for trying.
You are a lovely Blog-pal
Take Care
Nuwan
My name is Tiffany Brannan of the Pure Entertainment Preservation Society (http://www.pureentertainmentpreservationsociety.wordpress.com). I would love to participate! I want to write about Joseph Breen, the head of the Production Code Administration, who was born on October 14, 1888. My website writes about him a lot, since he was the enforcer of the Motion Picture Production Code, which we promote, research, and praise. We are hosting a blogathon in honor of his birthday, but I am going to write a separate article for your blogathon. I will particularly make it about the fact that he, who worked on more films than anyone else in cinematic history, was born on the day that the oldest existing film, the Roundhay Garden Scene, was filmed.
By the way, I would like to invite you to join “The Second Annual Great Breening Blogathon.” This blogathon, which will be taking place on October 12-17, is a celebration of the Code, its Era, and its enforcer, Joseph I. Breen. We are using this blogathon to honor Joseph Breen on his 130th birthday, which would have been on October 14. However, we are extending the blogathon to October 17 to celebrate the second anniversary of PEPS, which was founded on October 17, 2016. You can participate by breening a film that is not from the Breen Era (1934-1954) or by analyzing a Code films. You can also discuss an aspect of the Code, its influence on Hollywood, or Mr. Breen itself. You can find out more and join here: https://pureentertainmentpreservationsociety.wordpress.com/2018/09/27/announcing-the-second-annual-great-breening-blogathon/.
I hope that you’ll be able to join! We could really use your talents.
Yours Hopefully,
Tiffany Brannan
I have always been intrigued by the way cinema thrived during the Hays Code, despite all the problems they faced. It’s especially interesting to see, how directors had to work around the Code, to tell their stories within the limits of censorship, of the period. Today directors get away with such crap, with brain dead tasteless movies.
Glad to have you on board Tiffany Brannan.
I shall check out your Blogathon, too. Am still quite ill, but once I feel better, I shall check it out.
Thanks a ton! 🙂
That’s wonderful! I hope you feel better soon. I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours Hopefully,
Tiffany Brannan
Thank you.
You’re welcome. By the way, I would like to invite you to join a blogathon which my sister, Rebekah, is hosting in November. On November 9-11, PEPS is hosting the Claude Rains Blogathon in honor of this marvelous actor’s 129th birthday on November 10. You can read the announcements and sign up here: https://pureentertainmentpreservationsociety.wordpress.com/2018/10/02/five-minutes-everybody-the-curtains-going-up-on-the-claude-rains-blogathon/. We hope you can join. We could really use your talent!
Yours Hopefully,
Tiffany Brannan
Thanks Tiffany,
I shall check it out.
Cheers
Nuwan Sen
I’ll do something Oscar Wilde related. Ever since reading The Picture of Dorian Grey and Teleny, he’s become one of my favorite authors. Perhaps a review of The Canterville Ghost.
Perfect!! Thanks for joining in.
The Picture of Dorian Grey happens to be one of my favourite novels ever.
Mine too!
P.S. Pls let me know which film or television adaptation of The Canterville Ghost, you’d like to work on. There have been quite a few versions, between 1944 and 2016!!
I will check them out and let you know, by all means.
Lovely!! You are welcome to do a compare & contrast, with more than one version (if you happen to like more than one version, that is).
Thought about it. I might just stick to one movie, tho… Bought an Oscar Wilde book for the occasion 🙂
Thanks for the invite. I was planning to do something for Catherine Deneuve birthday on my blog which will fit with your blogathon too, but I was planning to do a review of “Repulsion” not a character analysis.
Repulsion (1965) is a near brilliant movie by Roman Polanski. AND it’s mainly thanks to Catherine Deneuve. She carries the entire film on her shoulders.
The movie is about a woman’s decent into a deep depression and slowly into madness. So basically, a film review of Repulsion, is a natural psychoanalysis of Catherine Deneuve’s character. Thus, in turn a character analysis.
Please don’t be repulsed by my rules. 😉
I shall happily accept your post, anyway you write it. No harm in bending the rules a little!! 🙂
Thanks, and count me in then! You are right, of course, it is impossible to review “Repulsion” without commenting at length on the character study.
Thank you!!
Glad to have you on board.
OK. I’m in! I’ll do mine on Paul Hogan/Crocodile Dundee
Great!! Go Oz!!!
I’m sorry to hear you’ve been sick. I hope you feel better soon. I’ve just been released from hospital today. I was admitted Tuesday last week after suffering from serious headaches yet again. On top of that, I’ve got a current medical issue that has been getting me down. I’m seeing the doctor on Tuesday, so I hope something can be done about it. Anyway, with all that said, I would like to write about Angela Lansbury for this blogathon. I met her twice back in 2013 after seeing her live show, and I figured that its about time that I write a tribute to her on my blog. Thanks in advance.
Am really sorry to hear what you are going through. I hope you shall recover soon. I have a severe headache myself. But am mostly down with the flu. On top of that am on diabetic meds, and I felt it might be allergic reaction to those meds. I tried to contact my Endocrinologist, but couldn’t get through to her. So instead asked my GP (who won’t be in till next Monday, the 8th of October), but now I know it’s just the flu. But even my diabetic meds, the one I take in the morning on an empty stomach, makes me really weak, dizzy and lethargic. The one I take in the night (which I started less than 3 weeks ago), adds to my weakness, and gives me a severe headache, heartburn, I sweat a lot and my eyes feel sunken and tired. So exhausted, am always heavy headed. It’s definitely done a number on my sinusitis (even my nostrils hurt). Added to which I am being tapered off my antidepressants (which I never should have been on, in the 1st place). Have been on them for close to five years. So, I’ve been fighting off withdrawal symptoms as well. Last to last weekend, I got a major anxiety attack, I couldn’t breathe (when I got sick in December 2013, pre-christmas, what I went through most probably were major anxiety attacks. I was hospitalized twice, in two different hospitals. They did all kinds of tests starting off for dengue – a menace in this country, so along with gastritis meds, I started anti-depressants at the time. I blogged about my illness, without mentioning anti-depressants, in January 2014. A rare personal Blog-post). Then last weekend, I got very sick, the flu hit me (I was down with the flu, added to stress, when this year began, and now am sick again as this lovely month started). Anyway, on the plus side, today morning, after breakfast, I took the last one (the last capsule for stress and depression, my last anti-depressant). I am not suppose to (and I do not want to ever) take those (or any other form of) anti-depressants, again. Luckily I came across a good psychologist (an elderly Dutch gentleman married to a Sri Lankan) towards the end of June 2018, who told me there are no chemical imbalances in brain, and there is nothing wrong with me, I am going through stress because I am too patient (have been for way to long), in an extremist narrow minded country that shall never improve (after all there was an unnecessary 30 year war with so much bloodshed, due their extremist attitudes). It’s not just politics, but ordinary people here are just as bad; selfish, heartless, idiotic, very pretentious, inhumane, cruel and conniving. It was the Dutch Psychologist, who told me I shouldn’t be on anti-depressants, and he recommended me to a GP, and asked the GP help tapper off my meds.
Anyway, besides feeling sick, I wanted to host this Blogathon, and as the famous saying, with regard to the world of entertainment, goes, “The Show must go on“. Ha! Ha!! So, come what may, am hosting this Blogathon, and tweeting October Birthdays, everyday, for October. At the same time, I won’t work on any other posts, this month.
Wow!! I think you opened up an avenue for me to pour all my troubles.
Sorry Crystal!! I hope, both you and I will be fine, soon.
Take Care
P.S. I love Angela Lansbury. It must have been lovely meeting her. What a lovely personality, with such great screen presence.
Really looking forward to seeing your tribute to the great Dame.
Hi there, my blogathon post celebrating my 3rd anniversary wont be ready in time for the blogathon so can I add my tribute to Roger Moore instead..? Can still give you a shout out when I complete the birthday one…
That’s Great Gill!! No problem.
More the Merrier 😀
Thanks – you may regret saying that! but 3 posts definitely enough…
No Worries!! I shall accept any posts you send.
No Pressure, and am truly grateful you are contributing to this Blogathon.
Thank you
As noted on Twitter, I’d love to participate in your blogathon for October birthdays! Here’s a post I just put up, celebrating a star of TV and screen from my childhood, Tanya Roberts. If this satisfies the requirements of the blogathon, please let me know, and then I’ll update the post to include a link to your site, along with one of the banners.
Sorry, forgot to include the link to my post!
http://wordsseemoutofplace.blogspot.com/2018/10/my-misspent-youth-tanya-roberts.html
THNX Michael, this is perfect for my Blogathon!! I just left a message on your Blog as well. 🙂
Hi, Nuwan. This looks like a great blogathon! I’d like to write about Hugh Jackman in Van Helsing, please, since it’s close to Halloween. So sorry to see that you’re sick, too–that’s so rough. Prayers!
Lovely!! Am not really a fan of the movie, Van Helsing (2004), but that doesn’t matter. I suppose you’ll be doing more of a character analysis of Hugh Jackman as Van Helsing, than a review of the movie?? Either way it’s fine, glad to have you on board.
Yes, am still ill, and the sickly weather along with the extremist people here (who totally stress me out, they sure know how to test my patience) don’t help. But I’ll be fine, I won’t let my unfortunate roots drag me down beneath the mud with them, nor would my physical ailments stop me from hosting this Blogathon. 🙂
Welcome Aboard!!
Well, I haven’t seen it since my husband and I watched it in the theater, so I don’t remember hardly any of it. Might be both analysis and review. We’ll see what happens, lol. And that’s good to see! “This too shall pass.” Thanks for inviting me to join! 🙂
You are very welcome Rebecca!!
Glad you could join! 🙂
Hey, can I nab Fallen Angel? Linda Darnell was born in October and I think she was absolutely fantastic during the film. Thanks again!
Linda Darnell was a wonderful actress. Sad, she was only 41 when she passed away. Loved her graceful performance in Blood and Sand (1941).
Yes please, am glad you could join. Do introduce Fallen Angel (1945) to me, a movie am yet to see! 🙂
Hi there, and a big Happy Birthday to your sister – here’s the first of my reviews for Oscar Wilde’s birthday, (October the 16th) my review on Dorian Gray (1970)… from Gill at Realweegiemidget Reviews, https://weegiemidget.wordpress.com/2018/06/19/dorian-gray-nsfw/
THNX Gill!!
No problem! Deadpool will be with you after I update it for Day 2, hope your sister had a good birthday.
I just chatted with her a li’l while ago, she mentioned she went and watched a movie called Smallfoot, I hadn’t heard of it it till now.
Not heard of it myself – sounds good fun.
Yeah, I googled it out. It’s an animated movie that was released end of last month, in the United States.
We wont get it for yonks if its a kids film. they dub them over here into Finnish.
Ha!! It most probably might come here, not sure, but I wouldn’t watch it on the Big Screen. But, if I do come across it on CableTV (HBO channels) or online, I’ll give it a try.
Am generally into more critically acclaimed films, or films that have scope of being good cinema that might not be that great because of certain flaws in the production (be it Art House or commercial), including cartoons. My favourite animated film, from recent times, is, Sylvain Chomet’s Les Triplettes de Belleville (2003) a.k.a. The Triplets of Belleville (I wouldn’t exactly call it a children’s film though). It deals with issues like kidnapping and being forced into human slavery, mafia, gambling, et al – set during the Tour de France. Pretty dark, and brilliantly well made.
When it comes to kids animated films, I do also like some Pixar films, like the Toy Story films (1995 – 2010) WALL·E (2008),which is my favourite Pixar, Ratatouille (2007) & Up (2009). Up was the 1st Pixar film I watched (after staying away from then for ages), and the only Pixar I watched on the Big Screen (and that too in 3D) so far.
Is it ok to put up Thursday morning? Can you email me the banner?
No Problem Alex, Thursday is fine, I’ll be doing a special Blogpost for latecomers. And as for the banner, you are welcome to select any from above, which you like the most.
Since you are working on John Lennon, I feel the closest banner would be the one featuring Japanese actress, Nobuko Otowa. As John Lennon was married to Yoko Ono (from Japan as well), and there are quite a few pictures of Lennon in a kimono, himself! Ha! But it’s up to you, choose the one/ones you like most.
Hey! I’m real sorry I couldn’t participate. I’ve been so busy with university, I didn’t have the time to get around to it. Hope you forgive me!
Cheers!
All Forgiven!! 🙂
It’s OK, I know how busy we can get, and thus not be able to a blogpost in general, let alone take part in a Blogathon.
At the same time, if you have some time now, you are still welcome to submit a small quick post on Linda Darnell. It could be just a pictorial tribute, her quotes or your top 10 favourite films she starred in.
Up to you!! 🙂
Cheers