Earlier this week, one of my favorite filmmakers, John Hughes, passed away in New York while visiting family.

Not only did he write and direct Ferris Bueller's Day Off, easily one of my favorite films ever, but also Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club and wrote and produced Pretty And Pink.

His films represent some of the most memorable American Cinema of the 80's.

It's truly sad to see him go, but his influence will live on.

Here's a great clip I found on YouTube looking back at some of Hughes' great work throughout the years:

Labels: death, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, film, John Hughes

A friend just called to tell me that Heath Ledger was dead, and I thought it was a sick joke, but it was on the front page of CNN.com and now in the New York Times.

As many of you knew, I used to live just blocks from his Boerum Hill house while he and Michelle were still together. Though I only met him a few times, he was always so polite and sincere. I remember seeing him and Michelle pushing Matilda around in a stroller all the time. The fact that he has a young child makes this all more tragic.

My deepest condolences to his family and everyone who knew him.

Heath Ledger was an amazing talent, and this is a tremendous loss.

Read the New York Times article here.

Labels: Boerum Hill, dead, death, Heath Ledger