by Sandy | Jul 30, 2024 | Art, Artist, Blogroll, dvd, TV
(Originally posted 3/5/12)
A PBS program that I enjoyed is now on DVD – “Simon Schama’s – Power of Art”. Relaxed and informative, it even includes some personal tidbits about one of my favorite artists. Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio was gloriously talented, but he was also a youthful offender – violent and incorrigible. Not a cute “Denis the Menace” type, (he murdered a rival) but, as Schama labels him – a thug. I was shocked! Does his anger and madness show in his art? Maybe.
Considered part of the early Italian Baroque style of painting, his work, perhaps as a way of seeking redemption, focused on biblical themes – but, if you look at the faces, you will notice that these are no cherubs or saints, his paintings are inhabited by the people that he found in the local taverns with all their blemishes and wrinkles. I’ve found his work to be vibrant and alive regardless of its theme – whether card players or John the Baptist – full of energy, often full of violence, always very up close and in your face.
Schama narrates the hour and takes a gossipy, anecdotal look at the short life of Michelangelo Caravaggio, (1571 – 1610), and includes some re enactments to give background as to why/how certain paintings were created – like “Calling of Saint Matthew” and his “David with the Head of Goliath”.
BTW – Caravaggio was like Alfred Hitchcock, who always had a walk on or walkthrough in his movies and TV shows – the artist liked to paint himself in the middle of his scenes – with a table of card sharks, with a group of musicians and most notably, he serves himself up as the “Head of Goliath”.
The PBS series included the same 8 artists that are highlighted in Mr. Schama’s book of the same name, “Power of Art”: Caravaggio, Rembrandt, David, Turner, Van Gogh, Picasso, Rothko and Bernini.
(Image: David with the Head of Goliath, c. 1609. Oil on panel)
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by Sandy | Mar 22, 2012 | Arts, Entertainment and Music, Blogroll, TV
I love the AMC series, “Mad Men”. Its 5th season returns to TV this Sunday evening, March 25, 2012 in a 2 hour episode. This great show has been gone for 17 months, I have no doubt that I, and other hard core fans, will pick it up just like it was yesterday. “Mad Men” has developed such a cult following that there will be watching parties around the country with the obligatory water cooler catch up on Monday morning. 
The mid 20th century attitudes, clothing and behavior (3 martini lunches, smoking everywhere, personal secretaries that give benefits and “politically incorrect” remarks) are highlighted in the intrigues and escapades of the men and women of a Madison Avenue advertising agency. There is a great cast led by Jon Hamm and January Jones, the show includes super work by John Slattery, Christina Hendricks, Robert Morse, and Elizabeth Moss. Everyone is just so present and “there”. Good actors, but also a good writers, led by the show’s creator, Matthew Weiner.
The “good old days” weren’t that good for everyone, but, watching “Mad Men” work its way thru the 60’s reminds me of all the options – good and bad- that are available to us now and I realize that “multiple choice” can make the present so much more challenging than the past with its stereotypes. The old days weren’t that terrific, (although I really liked wearing “summer” gloves to work) but, those times were simpler and perhaps that simplicity, with its mask of family values, is really what the nostalgia is all about.
I love this show. The characters have dimensions and layers, the main man, Korean War vet Don Draper, is a philanderer with skills, has tons of secrets and can change personalities at the drop of his fedora. Who will he be next? Will he be radicalized by the 60’s revolution and grow his hair long or will he try to hold on to the traditional, rarified atmosphere of staid Madison Avenue?
“Mad Men” – can’t wait!
by Sandy | Jan 19, 2012 | Blogroll, Cable, dvd, TV
“Luther” is the main character in a fascinating TV series of the same name portrayed by the lovely Idris Elba. This excellent BBC crime drama follows detective John Luther as he figures out who did what to whom and maybe why. Evidently, I am not alone in my feelings about this show because the intense and talented Mr. Elba won a Golden Globe, (lead actor in a drama series) this past weekend. To celebrate, BBC America (BBCA) has stopped the presses and reprogrammed its schedule so that the TV show’s multitude of fans will be treated to a “Luther” marathon on Sunday January, 22, 2012. Yay! The “Luther” feast begins at 11AM EST. See ya there 😆 
There have only been 2 seasons – 6 episodes in #1 and 4 episodes in #2. (Both are available on DVD.)
by Bob Martin | Sep 11, 2010 | Actors, Art, Cable, Showtime, TV
Laura Linney - The Big C
The Big C, Mondays on Showtime with the “C” meaning cancer, is humorous look at life when faced with our on reality. This series so far has clicked on on cylinders, cast, writing, and production. There is not the pity focus nor is there bucket list gaiety. Some times the things you miss out on are some of the simplest we can imagine.
Obviously the show is not about Cancer, it is deeper then that. It is about the appreciation for what we can still do, regardless of the time. It’s fun.
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by Bob Martin | Jul 30, 2010 | Arts, Entertainment and Music, TV
Ellen DeGeneres
I know I may have been out of touch (actually I am certain that I am) with the rest of the world. I’ve never watched American Idol or had any interest in the shows winners, mainly because I thought the show was about the judges (like the Judge Judy) and who could be the most mean spirited. The talent, or lack of talent, is really “straight man” for the judge’s routines. I know the show served a purpose for it’s viewers, some one to cheer for or to hate. A mix of pro wrestling, Glee, Judge Judy and Gladiators with the audience giving thumbs up or down. People seem to get a rush from watching programs like this even if they not real.
Reality TV is not Real Life
I was surprised when Ellen DeGeneres decided to be a judge on the show. I am now relieved that she is leaving ‘American Idol’. ( I am certain that she is happy that I’m relieved) I don’t think she could fake meanness.
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by Bob Martin | Mar 25, 2010 | TV
Robert Culp "I Spy"
The title of this post is not misplaced. It is an acknowledgment of Robert Culp, who passed away recently. “Those were the days” when seeing a African American Actor on TV triggered a call to all your neighbors to make sure they were watching the same program you were.
“I Spy”, which Robert Culp starred in was I believe the first “buddy cop” duet with a black actor (Bill Cosby) and set the ground work for Mel Gibson and Danny Glover, Eddie Murphy and Nick Nolte or more recently Tracy Morgan and Bruce Willis in their films. I almost forgot Miami Vice, which was must see TV in its day. The leading characters’ names on I Spy, Kelly Robinson (Culp) and Alexander Scott (Cosby), should also be acknowledged as they addressed the sensitivity of that time and contributed to the acceptance of this team “homeland protectors”. Alexander was smart! you might want to say articulate 😕
The smartest man in the room at the time had to be Sheldon Leonard, who got this TV show aired.
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