"The Godfather" saga (Part 1 & 2) is not only a grand cinematic achievement to be studied by film students for generations to come, it is also a rare collection of great performances by "method gods" such as Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, Robert De Nero, Robert Duvall, and John Cazale, whose screen presence will forever be admired by actors everywhere.
Maria Callas was born in New York City in 1923 to Greek parents. The uniqueness of her angelic voice and her unmatched artistry of interpreting operatic music are the reasons why she was an opera superstar. Ms. Callas passed away in 1977. The soundtrack is "Suicidio!" from "La Gioconda" by Amilcare Ponchielli.
The soundtrack is "Intermezzo (Interlude) from Cavalleria Rusticana". "Cavalleria Rusticana" (Rustic Chivalry) is an opera written by Pietro Mascagni (1863 - 1945). If the music sounds familiar, it's because it has been used in "Raging Bull" and "The Godfather Part III".
Born in Southern California, Jessica Alba is famous for "Sin City" and "Fantastic Four" movie series.
(NOTE: the original soundtrack was rejected by Universal Music Group, thus the new soundtrack.)
Part of the fun of watching "Easy Rider" is to see a young (aged 31 in 1968 when the film was made) Jack Nicholson giving his trademark performances, for which he received his very first Oscar nomination in the Best Supporting Actor category. Mr. Nicholson's 12 Oscar nominations and 3 wins comprise a formidable record.
Catherine Deneuve is a stunning French actress/model/singer who has lived a fascinating life, having been romantically involved with Marcello Mastroianni, Roger Vadim, and François Truffaut. Ms. Deneuve got a career boost in 1965 by playing a virgin (yeah, imagine that) in Roman Polanski's brilliant psychological thriller titled "Repulsion", a clip from which is featured in this video.
It's heartbreaking to read Billie Holiday's biography, yet we're blessed that her immense talent was preserved in the recordings during her short life.
The soundtrack is "Spanish Dance" from "Swan Lake" by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893). Trivia: Tchaikovsky was commissioned to compose music for this ballet and was paid 800 Russian rubles for it.
Matisse (1869 - 1954) used colors like nobody else. Modern commercial art is heavily influenced by the way he constructed his paintings with seemingly simple, yet entirely brilliant, strokes. The soundtrack is "Lyric Waltz" by Dmitri Shostakovich (1906 - 1975).
Latin music legend Tito Puente was the composer of "Oye Como Va", which Carlos Santana, the son of a Mexican mariachi violinist, recorded with his band in 1970.
Update: some viewers have offered their versions of the translation in the "comment" section. I appreciate the input, and I'm sure they are all correct.
If there is a testosterone level contest in Hollywood, Sean Connery will win it hands down. The macho Scotsman is best known for his definitive portrayal of James Bond, the suave international spy.
(NOTE: the original soundtrack was rejected by Universal Music Group, thus the new soundtrack.)
Claudia Cardinale is immortalized in Federico Fellini's classic film, "8 1/2". Her entrance in that movie is one of the most memorable moments in the history of cinema. At the height of her career, Ms. Cardinale, born in Tunisia to Italian parents, was an international superstar; her pictures frequently graced the covers of magazines everywhere.
![Love the One You\](http://img.youtube.com/vi/_5IVuN1N6-Y/2.jpg "Love the One You\")
![\"Oye Como Va\" Translation](http://img.youtube.com/vi/reaNVtCgQqs/2.jpg "\\"Oye Como Va\\" Translation")
