A Birthday Poem

My birthday today was filled with surprises! Thanks to my family and friends who made this particular birthday quite memorable.

A special thanks to film critic and author Richard Jack Smith for the poem below.  

The Best of Us: A Birthday Poem

Looking for an Ice Road Trucker?
Sign up Betty Jo Tucker.
She's the critic who tells it straight
Where other opinions emerge too late.

A love of musicals she has.
Of Shirley Temple, Busby Berkeley and jazz.
From her I have learned a lot
About the movies and things to spot.

She has a mastery of the poetic phrase
Her observations simply amaze.
An original voice
Because that's her choice.

That poem means a lot to me because Richard and I both include film poems in some of our movie reviews. In fact, Richard’s latest book is titled A Poet Among Critics,  and here’s what I wrote about that terrific book:

Richard Jack Smith writes poems with ease

about movies designed to please.

Plus even some he thinks fall flat

and keep him from tipping his hat.

A fine poet among critics,

rhymes and images he does mix.

His reviews earn two thumbs up

and a poetry Loving Cup!

***

Poetry Award for Cinema Stanzas

I am very excited and surprised that my latest book received recognition in the 2016 Royal Dragonfly Book Awards contest. My thanks to the judges as well as to Phil Hall for his splendid Foreword, to Denise Cassino for her creative images, and to Ronald Hull for his inviting cover blurb. Below is the press release from Linda F. Radke, president of the Dragonfly Book Awards program.

        CHANDLER, AZ (November, 2016) – The judges of the 2016 Royal Dragonfly Book Awards contest, which recognizes excellence in all genres of literature have spoken, and Cinema Stanzas: Rhyming About Movies by Betty Jo Tucker with Foreword by Phil Hall and images by Denise Cassino, won Second Place in the Poetry category. 

"Winning any place in the Royal Dragonfly Contest is a huge honor because in order to maintain the integrity of the Dragonfly Book Awards, a minimum score is required before a First or Second Place or Honorable Mention will be awarded to the entrant – even if it is the sole entry in a category,” explains Linda F. Radke, president of the Dragonfly Book Awards program. “Competition is steep, too, because there is no publication date limit as long as the book is still in print.”

              Cinema Stanzas: Rhyming About Movies is a collection of the author’s poems incorporated into her  reviews of 70 motion pictures representing various genres. This unique Kindle E-book retails for $3.99 and can be purchased at Amazon.com.

              For a complete list of winners including all first and second place and honorable mention recipients, visit www.DragonflyBookAwards.com and click on “Winners.”

              The next Royal Dragonfly Book Awards contest is already underway. Final deadline for submissions is October 1, 2017. The final deadline for the Purple Dragonfly Book Awards Contest, which recognizes outstanding literature in children’s books, is May 1, 2017. For complete rules and submission forms for either contest, visit www.FiveStarBookAwards.com and click on the contest of choice.

              To learn more about the Dragonfly Book Awards, visit www.DragonflyBookAwards.com, email info@storymonsters.com or call 480-940-8182.

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A Poet Among Critics

Richard Jack Smith writes poems with ease

about movies designed to please.

Plus even some he thinks fall flat

and keep him from tipping his hat.

A fine poet among critics,

rhymes and images he does mix.

His reviews earn two thumbs up

and a poetry Loving Cup!

Here’s a tip of my hat to Richard Jack Smith for his amazing new book, A Poet Among Critics. However, in the interest of full disclosure, I have to mention that the poetry bug also bit me – and is forcing me to use poetry in film reviews too. But Richard’s book includes so many more poems than mine! And films of almost every genre are represented.

Because my favorite genre is “Musicals,” I’m delighted to see movies like Top Hat and Burlesque included. Next to musicals, I enjoy thrillers. Happily, the book also contains Richard’s unique poetic take on films like Nick of Time, Phone Booth and Psycho. Other genres are not neglected.  Sci-fi flicks, horror movies, Disney offerings, comedies, dramas, popular franchises and classics like Citizen Kane, King Kong and The General also receive careful attention.

Richard’s use of lush language helps make his poems come to life. Such remarkable visions he creates! For example, below are the last few lines of his perceptive, artistic Top Hat film poem.

Ginger Rogers, what a beauty!

Her moves creating ecstasy.

Black shapes upon room tone grey.

Suits and dresses so elegant, they say.

A cigarette held just so

before dancing on tip-toe.

A woman’s cheeky eyes

that love defies.

Leading to a romantic beat

and the audience cheering on their feet.

Those well-chosen words conjure up the 1935 Ginger and Fred Astaire musical romp, for sure. And A Poet Among Critics overflows with that kind of poetry magic. Well done, Richard!

NOTE: Richard Jack Smith writes film and soundtrack reviews for ReelTalk Movie Reviews. He is the author of two other books, Magical Movie Moments and Incidental Gold. For more information about A Poet Among Critics, please e-mail Richard at alton_333@hotmail.com. 

Cinema Stanzas Update

Cinema Stanzas: Rhyming About Movies was released as a Kindle E-book a little over two months ago, and I want to thank the people who have already read it and commented about it. The book showcases film poems I have incorporated into my reviews of various movies ranging from big blockbusters like Star Wars: The Force Awakens, The Martian and The Revenant to small independent films such as The Lives of Hamilton Fish, In the Dark and With Child. Genres represented in Cinema Stanzas include: drama, comedy, horror, mystery, musicals, thrillers, romance, sci-fi and action. Some rhymes in this book are a bit harsh, but no poets were harmed physically during its creation. This collection is meant to be a fun resource for fans of both movies and poetry.  

I am surprised and happy about the warm reception given to Cinema Stanzas so far. Below are a few examples of the feedback I have received.       

The beautifully written poems are short and sweet and fit each movie like a glove.  Film critic Betty Jo Tucker has a natural knack for writing them that is reminiscent of Charles Osgood – delightful, sometimes quite funny and consistently on point with the film, its characters and plot. --- Author Ronald W. Hull

In the world of cinema, it’s considered an honor to have your movie rhymed by “the movie addict.” This is a fun read and a great addition to any film lover’s  collection. --- Publicist Gail Parenteau

Betty Jo Tucker’s poem captures the spirit of our “Ovation” film in some magical way.  --- Filmmaker Henry Jaglom

I found Cinema Stanzas funny, witty and charming as well as informative. It made me want to catch up on my movie watching. --- Comedian Nancy Lombardo

Betty Jo Tucker’s reviews and poems remind me of the finest things that cinema can be. Alongside her Confessions of a Movie Addict, Cinema Stanzas has become my bible for informative and entertaining reflections about mankind’s greatest art. --- Film Critic Richard Jack Smith

Cinema Stanzas is excellent from the cover to the last page! --- Artist Judy Joy Jones

Betty Jo Tucker has a flair for light comic poetry in the style of Ogden Nash. This distinctive touch enhances her reviews, providing a delightful way to consider film. --- Author Phil Hall

Cinema Stanzas: Rhyming About Movies, published by BestSellerServices, is available on Amazon.com in the Kindle Store for $3.99.     

For more information, go to my personal website at www.bettyjotucker.com.