by Bob Martin | Dec 22, 2009 | Art, Culture, Movies, Museums
Fellini is seen as a puppeteer, a sort of Jim Henson, who demanded complete control
Federico Fellini
over his actors and anything else that had to do with his movies was truly an artist with a canvas that was in motion. What I take away from watching his movies was his honesty. Although movies like “8 &1/2” and “Juliet of the Spirits” are filled with dream or mystical sequences, it is impossible to escape Fellini’s truthfulness.
Fellini contributed to an unnamed movement that had us all thinking about film differently. He stoked up our imagination a bit.
An exhibit at the Jeu de Paume “Fellini, la Grande Parade” ends January 17th 2010 and for those of us who celebrate the coming of the New Year in Paris, seeing this exhibit might be a great way to bring in the year.
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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 Bob Martin | Dec 15, 2009 | Actors, Art, Creativity, Live Performance, Movies, Theater, Writers
This quote, attributed to Tennessee Williams is said differently in the 2008 film Transsiberian (“Kill off my demons and My angels might die too”) can be said about all of us. The heroine Jessie, played by Emily Mortimer who’s beauty is hidden by the innocent gangling lumber of her walk and a face that says there should be freckles here and a cow nearby. For all its plainess, the visuals are spectacular, there is a sense of nowhere and dread in this thriller. If you have ever traveled somewhere not knowing the customs or language you will revisit your fears of that time in watching this movies. Good fun.
Cate Blanchette in Streetcar Named Desire
Keeping in touch with Tennessee Williams and quoting him through Blanche DuBois “I don’t want realism. I want magic!” Yes, yes, magic. I try to give that to people. I do misrepresent things. I don’t tell truths. I tell what ought to be truth.” Magic is where the Poetry is. The truth is never as much fun. Cate Blanchett who is starring in Liv Ullmann‘s “Streetcar Named Desire” is a magical actor and perfect fit for what I hear is a transformational point of view for this Tennessee Williams play.
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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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by Bob Martin | Nov 30, 2009 | Art, Galleries, Movies, Museums
When living in New York, it was a short walk to visit a number of Museums. The Guggenheim was one of my favorites. Just take the elevator to the top and start viewing.
Yesterday, wanting to watch something other then football, we came across the movie “The International” which has
Blue Mountain - Vasily Kandinsky
as one of its main action scenes a gun battle that starts at the top of The Guggenheim, goes on forever, and destroys a good portion of what I love about this museum. Even though its all make believe, I found it a little insensitive, mean and experienced pain every time a painting or a wall was riddled with holes.
The Guggenheim is still standing, in good shape and a perfect place to visit. There is currently an exhibit of over 150 works of art by Vasily Kandinsky, that take you chronologically through his Artistic transformation. The exhibit ends January 13, 2010
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by Sandy | Nov 21, 2009 | Arts, Entertainment and Music, Blogroll, dvd, Film, Movies
17 DVDs/13 films, along with an illustrated coffee-table book, has been as a celebration of this actors work.
Some of the films included in the box set:
The Long, Hot Summer (1958
From the Terrace (1960)
Exodus (1960)
The Hustler (1961)
Hombre (1967)
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)
Quintet (1979)
The Verdict (1982
Unfortunately, some of my favorites, The Sting, The Hustler, Road to Perdition, Hud, are not included in this tribute – but they are available on separate DVDs.
Paul Newman passed away in September, 2008 at age 83. A good actor and humanitarian, he had a long, full and varied life. He entertained us and he contributed to us.
“Paul Newman: The Tribute Collection”
