by Sandy | Dec 19, 2009 | Actors, Arts, Entertainment and Music, Blogroll, Directors, Film, Movies
Don’t let the title fool you. This is not a Z list reality TV show.
“Dirty Pretty Things”, 2004 DVD, is a movie that explores how “invisibles” get over/get by in a hostile environment. Illegal immigrants often perform work that nobody else wants to do, but are not really seen. Jobs are done without creating attention or much notice being paid – which works well for those who live in a foreign country without “papers”.
Directed by Stephen Frears, the film, with the help of a great cast- Chiwetel Ejiofor, Audrey Tautou, and Sofie Okendo – tells a story of men and women so desperate to find a better life far away from their home, that poverty and humiliation is endured day after day. Everyone has at least 2 jobs if they’re lucky and manage without sleep. Their situations are precarious and they can be easily exploited. But, this is not a PBS documentary.
This film has humor, charm and suspense. The 2 likable lead characters, a Nigerian Taxi driver and a Turkish hotel maid, cleverly interrupt a black market scheme to harvest body parts for profit. I found myself rooting for them to get over/get by – so that all their trials and tribulations were worth it.
“Dirty Pretty Things” – I enjoyed the movie!
by Sandy | Dec 14, 2009 | Arts, Entertainment and Music, Blogroll, music
Legendary Jazz club the Village Vanguard will celebrate its 75th anniversary in 2010. Such jazz greats as John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Bill Evans, Charles Mingus, Thelonius Monk, and Cannonball Adderly, just to name a few, all played at the Vanguard and more than 100 Jazz albums were recorded here.
Opened in February1935 as a bar, the 7th Avenue basement club has presented all types of entertainment from pop singers to beat poetry to folk music and then in 1957 it changed to an only Jazz format which has been its claim to fame. People still come from around the world to the Vanguard to listen to the music.
Village Vanguard
178 Seventh Ave South, NYC, N.Y.
by Sandy | Dec 11, 2009 | Artist Awards, Arts, Entertainment and Music, Blogroll, Events, Exhibits, Museums
Starting on November 21, the Art Institute of Chicago presents “Heart and Soul: Art from Coretta Scott King Award Books”.
“The hearts and souls of musicians and poets, great feats of bravery and risk, and spiritual uplift are some of the memorable messages portrayed in this collection of picture books. Heart and Soul features original illustrations by artists who have won the Coretta Scott King Award or Honor Award, presented annually to recognize the contributions of African American illustrators and authors whose stories promote an understanding and appreciation of the culture of all peoples and their contributions to the American dream.”
“Heart and Soul” until April 18, 2010
The Art Institute of Chicago
111 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois
Image: “Rosa”, Bryan Collier – 2005 (Book illustration)
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by Sandy | Dec 10, 2009 | Arts, Entertainment and Music, Blogroll, Exhibits, Photograhy
“Hearst 8×10 Photography Biennial” is an international competition created by Hearst Magazines to identify and promote new and emerging photographers.
The entries will be accepted starting on January 4, 2010. Eight winners will be chosen on March 1, 2010 and the photographers work will be included in an exhibit scheduled for January 2011.
“Hearst 8×10 Photography Biennial”
(btw: I noticed that all the pages on the Hearst site are currently featuring the 2009 winners. Hopefully all will be up to date by January 2010.)
by Sandy | Dec 10, 2009 | Art, Artist, Arts, Entertainment and Music, Blogroll, Drawing, Exhibits, Galleries
Bay area artist, Arthur Okamura, 1932 – 2009, did screen printing, painting and drawing. His first exhibition was with Braunstein/Quay Gallery in 1981, showing works from his travels to Indonesia. “A tireless and gifted artist, Okamura had recently completed a body of Zen influenced paintings and drawings. This exhibition will include early as well as new paintings and other works.”
“Arthur Okamura | Now, Then and Beyond” until December 24, 2009
Braunstein/Quay Gallery
430 Clementina, San Francisco, CA
(Images: “Dove Sound”, 2007 and “Somewhere In A Stream”, 2007 – both acrylic on canvas)
by Sandy | Dec 8, 2009 | Actors, Arts, Entertainment and Music, Blogroll, dvd, Film, Movies
Directed by Sam Mendes, “Road to Perdition”, 2002, is based on the novel “Perdition” by Max Allan Collins. This excellent movie takes place in violent, 1930’s Chicago– “man on the run” story turns into a father & son bonding adventure- full of anger, blood, and revenge, but also humor and sweetness. There is the discovery that a son can be the mirror of his father, but still choose a different life path.
The actors are terrific, especially Tom Hanks as the father who mastered the art of being a “hitman” at an early age and Tyler Hoechlin as his son. Paul Newman is wonderful as the organized crime boss, outward paternal goodness covering a ruthless core. The beautiful Jude Law has an ugly and deadly role as a crime scene photographer with a sideline. Daniel Craig, before he became “007”, is easy to hate as the weasel that starts all the mess in motion.
A beautiful looking film, the cinematographer was Conrad Hall, full of shadows and weather- scenes shot in rain and snow, and then changes to beach and sun as the drama itself starts to clear.
“Road to Perdition” – outstanding!
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