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The Los Angeles County Museum of Art is having a FREE night just for college students on Thursday, April 5, starting at 8 pm. You should go. Where is LACMA? At 5905 Wilshire Blvd., near the corner of Fairfax. Please note that, for this night, parking is FREE after 7. If you're driving up from Long Beach, you can avoid freeway traffic by taking the La Cienega exit off the 405, then turning right onto Fairfax. Here's LACMA's website spiel:
A free evening just for college students! Bring your friends and explore the special exhibitions In Wonderland: The Surrealist Adventures of Women Artists in Mexico and the United States and California Design 1930–1969: Living in a Modern Way. See a special viewing of Chris Burden's Metropolis II in action.
Performance
Analog Among Nations (Mostly) Iteration 4 The Women by Renée Petropoulos. Inspired by the lives of the artists in the In Wonderland exhibition, this improvised and participatory performance is a poetic sound work composed of spoken word, recorded national anthems, and other material impressions.
Share your ideas in a gallery discussion, create art, or enjoy a free reception in your honor. LACMA is open to the public until 8 pm—so feel free to stop by and check out the rest of the museum before the reception.
Resnick Pavilion | Free, no reservations | College ID required | Admission is free for LA County Residents after 5 pm | Parking is free in LACMA lots after 7 pm.
14 Mayıs 2012 Pazartesi
In Wonderland: The Surrealist Adventures of Women Artists in Mexico and the United States
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Here's part of what Reed Johnson wrote in last Sunday's L.A. Times:
"Almost everyone falls down a rabbit hole sometime in life. A trapdoor opens under your career, your relationships, your beliefs, and headlong you go, like Alice, into the void.
For a few of the 50 female surrealist painters and sculptors represented in LACMA's exhibition "In Wonderland," that descent was a terrifying tumble into mental depression, physical danger, even suicidal despair.
But for others it was a subterranean passage to creative fulfillment, erotic liberation and self-discovery, themes that artists such as Frida Kahlo, Leonora Carrington, Lee Miller, Kay Sage, Dorothea Tanning and Remedios Varo visited time and again in their works.
It's an inspirational theme that the show's organizers, Ilene Susan Fort, a LACMA curator of American art, and Tere Arcq, former chief curator at the Museo de Arte Moderno in Mexico City, think will resonate with many women, and more than a few men. After all, it did with them.
'This show has changed my life and my feelings about my life, my friendships and family, more than any other show I've ever done,' Fort said of the exhibition, on view at LACMA's Resnick Pavilion through May 6. 'And I think it's because these women make you think and explore inside yourself.'"
Now that should make you want to see the exhibit!
Johnson's article is worth reading in its entirety: http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-ca-wonderland-20120325,0,969390.story
Just in case you're not familar with Surrealism, a cultural movement that reached the height of its popularity in the 1930s, here's a brief definition:
"surrealism: A literary and artistic movement whose proponents sought to express the irrational, the unconscious (especially as manifested in dreams), and the creative products of their imagination."--The Bedford Glossary of Critical and Literary Terms
When most people think of Surrealist painting, they tend to think of works by men, such as those by Salvador Dali, Rene Magritte, Joan Miro, or Max Ernst. But this current show at LACMA is something different: a look at the contributions of women in both the U.S. and Mexico. It's definitely worth seeing.
Here's LACMA's blurb:
"North America represented a place free from European traditions for women Surrealists from the United States and Mexico, and European émigrés. While their male counterparts usually cast women as objects for their delectation, female Surrealists delved into their own subconscious and dreams, creating extraordinary visual images. Their art was primarily about identity: portraits, double portraits, self-referential images, and masquerades that demonstrate their trials and pleasures. The exhibition includes works in a variety of media dating from 1931 to 1968, and some later examples that demonstrate Surrealism's influence on the feminist movement. Iconic figures such as Louise Bourgeois, Leonora Carrington, Frida Kahlo, Lee Miller, Kay Sage, Dorothea Tanning, and Remedios Varo are represented, along with lesser known or newly discovered practitioners." http://www.lacma.org/art/exhibition/in-wonderland
(Film is briefly--and awkwardly--referenced at the exhibit's entryway. If you crane your neck and block everyone's way, you can get a taste of Maya Deren's 14-minute masterpiece Meshes of the Afternoon (1943)--a movie you should see away from distractions.)
Here's part of what Reed Johnson wrote in last Sunday's L.A. Times:
"Almost everyone falls down a rabbit hole sometime in life. A trapdoor opens under your career, your relationships, your beliefs, and headlong you go, like Alice, into the void.
For a few of the 50 female surrealist painters and sculptors represented in LACMA's exhibition "In Wonderland," that descent was a terrifying tumble into mental depression, physical danger, even suicidal despair.
But for others it was a subterranean passage to creative fulfillment, erotic liberation and self-discovery, themes that artists such as Frida Kahlo, Leonora Carrington, Lee Miller, Kay Sage, Dorothea Tanning and Remedios Varo visited time and again in their works.
It's an inspirational theme that the show's organizers, Ilene Susan Fort, a LACMA curator of American art, and Tere Arcq, former chief curator at the Museo de Arte Moderno in Mexico City, think will resonate with many women, and more than a few men. After all, it did with them.
'This show has changed my life and my feelings about my life, my friendships and family, more than any other show I've ever done,' Fort said of the exhibition, on view at LACMA's Resnick Pavilion through May 6. 'And I think it's because these women make you think and explore inside yourself.'"
Now that should make you want to see the exhibit!
Johnson's article is worth reading in its entirety: http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-ca-wonderland-20120325,0,969390.story
Just in case you're not familar with Surrealism, a cultural movement that reached the height of its popularity in the 1930s, here's a brief definition:
"surrealism: A literary and artistic movement whose proponents sought to express the irrational, the unconscious (especially as manifested in dreams), and the creative products of their imagination."--The Bedford Glossary of Critical and Literary Terms
When most people think of Surrealist painting, they tend to think of works by men, such as those by Salvador Dali, Rene Magritte, Joan Miro, or Max Ernst. But this current show at LACMA is something different: a look at the contributions of women in both the U.S. and Mexico. It's definitely worth seeing.
 |
| Frida Kahlo, Self Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird, 1940 |
"North America represented a place free from European traditions for women Surrealists from the United States and Mexico, and European émigrés. While their male counterparts usually cast women as objects for their delectation, female Surrealists delved into their own subconscious and dreams, creating extraordinary visual images. Their art was primarily about identity: portraits, double portraits, self-referential images, and masquerades that demonstrate their trials and pleasures. The exhibition includes works in a variety of media dating from 1931 to 1968, and some later examples that demonstrate Surrealism's influence on the feminist movement. Iconic figures such as Louise Bourgeois, Leonora Carrington, Frida Kahlo, Lee Miller, Kay Sage, Dorothea Tanning, and Remedios Varo are represented, along with lesser known or newly discovered practitioners." http://www.lacma.org/art/exhibition/in-wonderland
(Film is briefly--and awkwardly--referenced at the exhibit's entryway. If you crane your neck and block everyone's way, you can get a taste of Maya Deren's 14-minute masterpiece Meshes of the Afternoon (1943)--a movie you should see away from distractions.)
20 FREE Art Exhibits on Saturday, March 31
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Here's the PR blurb: "Pacific Standard Time is an unprecedented collaboration of cultural institutions across Southern California coming together to celebrate the birth of the L.A. art scene. Beginning October 2011, over 60 cultural institutions will make their contributions to this region-wide initiative encompassing every major L.A. art movement from 1945 to 1980."
Now, the various PST shows are ending, and so they've decided to make March 31 a free day. The venues are all over the L.A. area, so there's bound to be something not that far from you.
More info: http://www.pacificstandardtime.org/
Here's the PR blurb: "Pacific Standard Time is an unprecedented collaboration of cultural institutions across Southern California coming together to celebrate the birth of the L.A. art scene. Beginning October 2011, over 60 cultural institutions will make their contributions to this region-wide initiative encompassing every major L.A. art movement from 1945 to 1980."
Now, the various PST shows are ending, and so they've decided to make March 31 a free day. The venues are all over the L.A. area, so there's bound to be something not that far from you.
More info: http://www.pacificstandardtime.org/
Staying Au Courant: Tiny Furniture
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"Staying Au Courant" will be my category for new (and newish) works that might be worth your while--but might not. Their inclusion doesn't mean I'm recommending them, but it does mean that they could have some significance within the culture. Love it or hate it.
First up: Lena Dunham's Tiny Furniture.
Dunham made this film in 2009, at the age of 23. She wrote it, directed it, and she plays the lead role (her mother, photographer Laurie Simmons, plays her character's mother, and her sister plays her character's sister). It premiered at the SXSW festival in Austin in 2010, where it won an award for Best Narrative Feature, and it went on to win Best First Screenplay at the Independent Spirit Awards. Here's the trailer:
If the trailer appeals, I think you'll enjoy the movie. If not, not. It's an accurate encapsulation. On the IMDB message board for the film, you'll find a post entitled "Natalie Portman's favorite film of 2010," as well as one entitled "Could be the worst movie I've ever seen." Personally, I enjoyed it, though it's very much a New York Indie (or more specifically a Tribeca Indie--it was shot in her mother's loft/art studio) about an immature, neurotic twenty-something with a sense of entitlement. Much of the humor and emotion springs from witnessing Dunham's character behave in sometimes cringe-inducing fashion. And anyone who has ever been (or is) a twenty-something will, unfortunately, find at least something to relate to.
Did I mention Dunham made this at age 23? I'll mention it again. And I'll add that it was shot entirely with this:
This is the Canon EOS 7D, which currently goes for $1,500, not including lenses. It's a digital still camera that also shoots HD video. Shooting movies and TV shows with such DSLRs (Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras is becoming more and more common. It's very economical, and, as you can see in the trailer, the results are pretty impressive. Ever considered making a movie?
No? Consider this: After Tiny Furniture gained attention, Dunham was signed by Judd Apatow (writer/director of The 40-Year-Old Virgin and Knocked Up, producer of Bridesmaids) to create a series for HBO. And she did. It's called Girls (starring herself) and premieres April 15.
First up: Lena Dunham's Tiny Furniture.
Dunham made this film in 2009, at the age of 23. She wrote it, directed it, and she plays the lead role (her mother, photographer Laurie Simmons, plays her character's mother, and her sister plays her character's sister). It premiered at the SXSW festival in Austin in 2010, where it won an award for Best Narrative Feature, and it went on to win Best First Screenplay at the Independent Spirit Awards. Here's the trailer:
If the trailer appeals, I think you'll enjoy the movie. If not, not. It's an accurate encapsulation. On the IMDB message board for the film, you'll find a post entitled "Natalie Portman's favorite film of 2010," as well as one entitled "Could be the worst movie I've ever seen." Personally, I enjoyed it, though it's very much a New York Indie (or more specifically a Tribeca Indie--it was shot in her mother's loft/art studio) about an immature, neurotic twenty-something with a sense of entitlement. Much of the humor and emotion springs from witnessing Dunham's character behave in sometimes cringe-inducing fashion. And anyone who has ever been (or is) a twenty-something will, unfortunately, find at least something to relate to.
Did I mention Dunham made this at age 23? I'll mention it again. And I'll add that it was shot entirely with this:
This is the Canon EOS 7D, which currently goes for $1,500, not including lenses. It's a digital still camera that also shoots HD video. Shooting movies and TV shows with such DSLRs (Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras is becoming more and more common. It's very economical, and, as you can see in the trailer, the results are pretty impressive. Ever considered making a movie?
No? Consider this: After Tiny Furniture gained attention, Dunham was signed by Judd Apatow (writer/director of The 40-Year-Old Virgin and Knocked Up, producer of Bridesmaids) to create a series for HBO. And she did. It's called Girls (starring herself) and premieres April 15.
FREE Brewery ArtWalk March 31 and April 1
To contact us Click HERE
This is always an interesting experience. You get to see lots of current art, as well as the studios (and sometimes living spaces) of the artists. The blurb:
"The Brewery ArtWalk is a twice annual open studio weekend at the world's largest art complex. With over 100 participating resident artists, you will have the opportunity to see new works, discover new favorites, speak with the artists and purchase artwork directly from the artists at studio prices.
The ArtWalk takes place in the Spring and Fall, 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
Admission is free and so is parking. Come and support LA’s finest artists, take home some great works and dine at the on-site restaurant."
The Brewery is at 2100 N. Main St in L.A., near where the 5 crosses the 10.
Here's their website: http://breweryartwalk.com/
"The Brewery ArtWalk is a twice annual open studio weekend at the world's largest art complex. With over 100 participating resident artists, you will have the opportunity to see new works, discover new favorites, speak with the artists and purchase artwork directly from the artists at studio prices.
The ArtWalk takes place in the Spring and Fall, 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
Admission is free and so is parking. Come and support LA’s finest artists, take home some great works and dine at the on-site restaurant."
The Brewery is at 2100 N. Main St in L.A., near where the 5 crosses the 10.
Here's their website: http://breweryartwalk.com/
FREE Campus Screening and Q & A, Thurs. April 5 at 7pm: Urbanized, the Third Documentary in Gary Hustwit's Design Trilogy
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This Design Department-sponsored event isn't getting much attention, but it's a pretty big deal for Design Junkies. Gary Hustwit made two excellent documentaries before this new one, each about different aspects of Design. First, there was Helvetica, a look at the 20th century's most celebrated font. Next was Objectified, which focuses on Industrial Design and the objects we all use every day (like iPods and OXO potato peelers). Both films can be Watched Instantly on Netflix.
Here's what the Urbanized website has to say:
"Urbanized is a feature-length documentary about the design of cities, which looks at the issues and strategies behind urban design and features some of the world’s foremost architects, planners, policymakers, builders, and thinkers. Over half the world’s population now lives in an urban area, and 75% will call a city home by 2050. But while some cities are experiencing explosive growth, others are shrinking. The challenges of balancing housing, mobility, public space, civic engagement, economic development, and environmental policy are fast becoming universal concerns. Yet much of the dialogue on these issues is disconnected from the public domain.
Who is allowed to shape our cities, and how do they do it? Unlike many other fields of design, cities aren’t created by any one specialist or expert. There are many contributors to urban change, including ordinary citizens who can have a great impact improving the cities in which they live. By exploring a diverse range of urban design projects around the world, Urbanized frames a global discussion on the future of cities."
The film will be shown at 7pm in the University Theater, and the event is expected to last until 9:30. Gary Hustwit will answer questions following the screening. The event is free, but they are suggesting that you reserve by going HERE .
Want a taste?
By the way, Hustwit raised some of the money for this project using Kickstarter , the "world's largest funding platform for creative projects." That means it's something you should know about.
Here's what the Urbanized website has to say:
"Urbanized is a feature-length documentary about the design of cities, which looks at the issues and strategies behind urban design and features some of the world’s foremost architects, planners, policymakers, builders, and thinkers. Over half the world’s population now lives in an urban area, and 75% will call a city home by 2050. But while some cities are experiencing explosive growth, others are shrinking. The challenges of balancing housing, mobility, public space, civic engagement, economic development, and environmental policy are fast becoming universal concerns. Yet much of the dialogue on these issues is disconnected from the public domain.
Who is allowed to shape our cities, and how do they do it? Unlike many other fields of design, cities aren’t created by any one specialist or expert. There are many contributors to urban change, including ordinary citizens who can have a great impact improving the cities in which they live. By exploring a diverse range of urban design projects around the world, Urbanized frames a global discussion on the future of cities."
The film will be shown at 7pm in the University Theater, and the event is expected to last until 9:30. Gary Hustwit will answer questions following the screening. The event is free, but they are suggesting that you reserve by going HERE .
Want a taste?
By the way, Hustwit raised some of the money for this project using Kickstarter , the "world's largest funding platform for creative projects." That means it's something you should know about.
Some Recommendations from YOU
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I've received a number of interesting recommendations from present and past students, so I thought I'd incorporate all of them into one post. If you contact me with a recommendation, please let me know whether I should use your name or allow you to remain anonymous.
[And I would add that there's lots of good food in Little Tokyo. My favorite is Daikokuya for cheap and porky ramen. Check out their YELP reviews.]
A number of sites have been forced to remove the poem for copyright reasons, so I will provide a link that has the poem, at least for now: http://www.best-poems.net/adrienne_rich/from_an_atlas_of_the_difficult_world.html
In the film, Picasso creates a series of drawings and paintings, revealing a process in which nothing is sacred. He's never afraid to completely obliterate the earlier versions of his work as he revises.
Leslie Garcia
"Suggestion: For thosewho enjoy a night of live jazz and good ambiance ... Blue Whale in Little Tokyois a great night out! Check it out ...http://bluewhalemusic.com/ ... I've been to many of the shows, and it's mind blowing how great these youngmusicians play! (It may be 21 and over -- you may want to check ... they have abar.) It's a well kept secret, but I am willing to share in the name ofsolidarity inspired by your blog."[And I would add that there's lots of good food in Little Tokyo. My favorite is Daikokuya for cheap and porky ramen. Check out their YELP reviews.]
Manny Diaz
Manny sent me a link to his favorite poem: "From an Atlas of the Difficult World" by Adrienne Rich. What Manny didn't know was that Adrienne Rich had passed away two days earlier and that, as I read her obituary, I knew I wanted to post one of her poems but didn't know which to choose. Manny's suggestion arrived a couple hours later.A number of sites have been forced to remove the poem for copyright reasons, so I will provide a link that has the poem, at least for now: http://www.best-poems.net/adrienne_rich/from_an_atlas_of_the_difficult_world.html
Alfredo Del Castillo
Alfredo sent a link to a series of "Light Drawings" done by Pablo Picasso in 1949. They reminded me of the fascinating 1956 documentary The Mystery of Picasso, made by Henri-Georges Clouzot, director of the classic thrillers Diabolique (1955) and The Wages of Fear (1953). Here's the trailer:In the film, Picasso creates a series of drawings and paintings, revealing a process in which nothing is sacred. He's never afraid to completely obliterate the earlier versions of his work as he revises.
Cheryl Arellano
"I do have a suggestion that I think will begreat for students to attend, if they can afford it and they'd get to meet alot of amazing people in the business and the films showcased are old classicHollywood films ... the event is the Turner Classic Movies Film Festival,it's held between April 12th - April 15th. To reiterate, it's pretty pricey, afestival pass for all 4 days ranges for $300 to $500 dollars but I would go forthe individual ticket, which although considered standby, I've always been ableto get into a screening. And although, it doesn't guarantee that you get toattend the reception after the screening or the panel before the film, you canstill manage to meet in the screenings pretty influential and distinguishedpeople. I've gone before and with an individual pass have been able to view thescreenings of many films and meet and discuss with people like: Carl Reiner,Mel Brooks, Thelma Schoonmaker, and Jon Voight; I don't mean to name drop, Ipromise. The individual tickets run from about $20 to $30 and the filmmakers,writers, producers, etc. usually attend the screenings which is great.The screenings are held in numerous theaters such as Egyptian Theatre, GraumanChinese Theatre, Aero Theatre,etc. " Their website: http://www.tcm.com/festival/Cecilia Lemus
Cecilia reminds us that there is "a cheap theater in Long Beach" that does "more than just Shakespeare": The Long Beach Shakespeare CompanyAnd finally, Jonas Peji,
who recommends that I use Tumblr instead of blogspot, which is "so 2011."Ten New Movies on DVD
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Eight movies of interest and two in my queue--all out (or nearly so) on DVD:
Beginners--A charming romance/comedy/drama with a sense of style. Director Mike Mills (he made the Indie Thumbsucker) is also a graphic designer and has both a great WEBSITE about all his work and a BLOG about making and showing Beginners. The film stars Ewan McGregor as Oliver, the beauteous Melanie Laurent (Shoshanna in Inglorious Basterds), and Christopher Plummer--who deserved his Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his incarnation of Oliver's newly out-of-the-closet father. All this and one of the best dogs in a movie.
Higher Ground--Actress Vera Farmiga (Up in the Air) makes her directorial debut and plays the lead role: a woman in a strict religious community who struggles with her faith. It's refreshing to see women's lives portrayed by women artists.
Drive--Ryan Gosling in an ultra-violent (and 80's-style) sometimes-pretentious allegory that has moments of real moviemaking excitement. I'd watch it again just for the opening ten minutes. Though I might close my eyes a lot after that.
Martha Marcy May Marlene--A very non-mainstream Indie about a young woman living in a religious cult. The breakout role for Olsen Twin sister Elizabeth Olsen, and another creepy rural guy role for John Hawkes--Teardrop in Winter's Bone. Not for those who demand a standard Hollywood narrative.
Young Adult--Charlize Theron is great in this overlooked offering from the Juno team: director Jason Reitman and screenwriter Diablo Cody. Funny and sad.
The Skin I Live In--Like many of Spanish director Pedro Almodovar's movies, this one is not for the easily offended. It's a garish and lurid melodrama about a mad scientist and the beautiful woman he holds captive. Almodovar doesn't expect you to take it all seriously. But it's pretty serious underneath the surface. Notice I avoided skin-related puns.
Melancholia--A real European Art Film (notice the capital letters) from Dogme director Lars von Trier. Lots of lush and moody visuals, and a very convincing performance by Kirsten Dunst. As the title suggests, the film seeks to capture an emotional state in which it can seem as though the world is ending.
The Descendants--I was rooting for this movie and for George Clooney on Oscar night. I would gladly watch anything made by Alexander Payne (writer/director of Sideways, About Schmidt, Election, and the less-seen Citizen Ruth). A movie with laughs that's deeply moving--and relatable to anyone who has experienced loss.
And two still to be seen:
A Dangerous Method--David Cronenberg's take on Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung. Cronenberg is best known for dark, psychological works, such as Videodrome, The Fly, Dead Ringers, Crash (1996), and A History of Violence--an imposing collection of work.
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy--I'm looking forward to seeing Gary Oldman play George Smiley in this adaptation of John LeCarre's Cold War thriller. It's directed by Tomas Alfredson who made the Swedish vampire movie Let the Right One In. Available from Netflix on April 17.
Beginners--A charming romance/comedy/drama with a sense of style. Director Mike Mills (he made the Indie Thumbsucker) is also a graphic designer and has both a great WEBSITE about all his work and a BLOG about making and showing Beginners. The film stars Ewan McGregor as Oliver, the beauteous Melanie Laurent (Shoshanna in Inglorious Basterds), and Christopher Plummer--who deserved his Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his incarnation of Oliver's newly out-of-the-closet father. All this and one of the best dogs in a movie.
Higher Ground--Actress Vera Farmiga (Up in the Air) makes her directorial debut and plays the lead role: a woman in a strict religious community who struggles with her faith. It's refreshing to see women's lives portrayed by women artists.
Drive--Ryan Gosling in an ultra-violent (and 80's-style) sometimes-pretentious allegory that has moments of real moviemaking excitement. I'd watch it again just for the opening ten minutes. Though I might close my eyes a lot after that.
Martha Marcy May Marlene--A very non-mainstream Indie about a young woman living in a religious cult. The breakout role for Olsen Twin sister Elizabeth Olsen, and another creepy rural guy role for John Hawkes--Teardrop in Winter's Bone. Not for those who demand a standard Hollywood narrative.
Young Adult--Charlize Theron is great in this overlooked offering from the Juno team: director Jason Reitman and screenwriter Diablo Cody. Funny and sad.
The Skin I Live In--Like many of Spanish director Pedro Almodovar's movies, this one is not for the easily offended. It's a garish and lurid melodrama about a mad scientist and the beautiful woman he holds captive. Almodovar doesn't expect you to take it all seriously. But it's pretty serious underneath the surface. Notice I avoided skin-related puns.
Melancholia--A real European Art Film (notice the capital letters) from Dogme director Lars von Trier. Lots of lush and moody visuals, and a very convincing performance by Kirsten Dunst. As the title suggests, the film seeks to capture an emotional state in which it can seem as though the world is ending.
The Descendants--I was rooting for this movie and for George Clooney on Oscar night. I would gladly watch anything made by Alexander Payne (writer/director of Sideways, About Schmidt, Election, and the less-seen Citizen Ruth). A movie with laughs that's deeply moving--and relatable to anyone who has experienced loss.
And two still to be seen:
A Dangerous Method--David Cronenberg's take on Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung. Cronenberg is best known for dark, psychological works, such as Videodrome, The Fly, Dead Ringers, Crash (1996), and A History of Violence--an imposing collection of work.
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy--I'm looking forward to seeing Gary Oldman play George Smiley in this adaptation of John LeCarre's Cold War thriller. It's directed by Tomas Alfredson who made the Swedish vampire movie Let the Right One In. Available from Netflix on April 17.
Hitchcock's Rear Window in Just Under Three Minutes
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Jeff Desom, a young filmmaker originally from Luxembourg, has created a brilliant two minute and fifty eight second time lapse of Alfred Hitchcock's masterpiece Rear Window. I think it's worth a look. I just wish he'd used more Hitchcockian music.
A higher definition version is available on Desom's Vimeo page . He also has some of his other films posted there. I especially liked a moody music video called Morgenrot.
And HERE is an interview he gave, in which he explains the genesis of the project, as well as how he did it.
Now do YOU have a link to an interesting short film?
A higher definition version is available on Desom's Vimeo page . He also has some of his other films posted there. I especially liked a moody music video called Morgenrot.
And HERE is an interview he gave, in which he explains the genesis of the project, as well as how he did it.
Now do YOU have a link to an interesting short film?
FREE L.A. Times Festival of Books at USC on April 21 & 22--Brewery
To contact us Click HERE
The annual Los Angeles Times Festival of Books won't really involve a brewery, but I found that posts containing the words "FREE" and "Brewery" in the title get the most page views.
Their WEBSITE . Their FAQs:
[Me again. Even though the many panel discussions and interviews with writers are FREE, you really should get FREE tickets in advance through the website, so you won't be disappointed. Here's what the website says:]
PANEL TICKETSwill be available to the general public at 9 am on April 15, with a $1.00 service fee applied to each panel ticket reserved.
A limited amount of tickets for each panel, while supplies last, are also distributed on site at the Festival of Books ticketing booth on the day of the panel – booth #463.
[My tip: Don't expect there to be tickets for many panels at their booth. Two years ago, I couldn't get into anything.]
Their WEBSITE . Their FAQs:
What is the Festival of Books?
The Los Angeles Times Festival of Books began in 1996 with a simple goal: to bring together the people who create books with the people who love to read them. The festival was an immediate success and has become the largest and most prestigious book festival in the country, attracting more than 140,000 book lovers each year.Where is it?
On the USC campus.Who attends the Festival?
People of all ages from across Southern California and even other parts of the country. The festival is a free public event, and includes exciting author events, storytelling, cooking demonstrations and poetry readings. The Festival of Books also includes nearly 300 exhibitor booths representing booksellers, publishers, literacy and cultural organizations.Who exhibits?
Booksellers, publishers, literacy and cultural organizations sell and promote books and book-related merchandise and distribute related information. Many of the independent booksellers participating in the festival represent the diverse ethnic and cultural communities of Los Angeles and sell books of different languages and genres.[Me again. Even though the many panel discussions and interviews with writers are FREE, you really should get FREE tickets in advance through the website, so you won't be disappointed. Here's what the website says:]
PANEL TICKETSwill be available to the general public at 9 am on April 15, with a $1.00 service fee applied to each panel ticket reserved.
A limited amount of tickets for each panel, while supplies last, are also distributed on site at the Festival of Books ticketing booth on the day of the panel – booth #463.
[My tip: Don't expect there to be tickets for many panels at their booth. Two years ago, I couldn't get into anything.]
"10 Favorite Poems" from Prof. George Hart
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Our first Guest Recommender is Professor George Hart.
According to CSULB's English Department website, Dr. Hart "received his BA from Kent State University and his PhD from Stanford University; he teaches 19th- and 20th-century American literature, with a specialization in 20th-century American poetry and poetics. His current research focuses on how poets write about nature from a sacramental or skeptical point of view. How, in other words, poets celebrate value in nature through language, or, conversely, how they see language as constructing, or disrupting, that value. The poets he writes about include Robinson Jeffers, William Carlos Williams, Kenneth Rexroth, William Everson, Lorine Niedecker, Larry Eigner, and Denise Levertov, among others. His other research interests include ecocriticism, postmodernist poetics, and the Beats. He is the editor of Jeffers Studies, which is sponsored by CSULB and the Robinson Jeffers Association, and a co-editor of Literature and the Environment."
"'Favorite' in thatthese are poems I return to for wisdom, pleasure, inspiration, and the rightwords in the right order."
Each highlighted title works as a link to that poem, either in print or in a recording.
John Keats, "To Autumn"
Walt Whitman, "Out of the Cradle Endlessly Rocking"
Robert Frost, "Directive"
Robinson Jeffers, "Night"
Allen Ginsberg, "Sunflower Sutra"
Emily Dickinson, "My Life Had Stood a Loaded Gun"
William Wordsworth, "Ode" ("Intimations of Immortality")
Langston Hughes, "The Weary Blues"
Robert Duncan, "Often I am Permitted to Return to a Meadow"
William Carlos Williams, "To Elsie"
According to CSULB's English Department website, Dr. Hart "received his BA from Kent State University and his PhD from Stanford University; he teaches 19th- and 20th-century American literature, with a specialization in 20th-century American poetry and poetics. His current research focuses on how poets write about nature from a sacramental or skeptical point of view. How, in other words, poets celebrate value in nature through language, or, conversely, how they see language as constructing, or disrupting, that value. The poets he writes about include Robinson Jeffers, William Carlos Williams, Kenneth Rexroth, William Everson, Lorine Niedecker, Larry Eigner, and Denise Levertov, among others. His other research interests include ecocriticism, postmodernist poetics, and the Beats. He is the editor of Jeffers Studies, which is sponsored by CSULB and the Robinson Jeffers Association, and a co-editor of Literature and the Environment."
10 Favorite Poems
"'Favorite' in thatthese are poems I return to for wisdom, pleasure, inspiration, and the rightwords in the right order."
Each highlighted title works as a link to that poem, either in print or in a recording.
John Keats, "To Autumn"
Walt Whitman, "Out of the Cradle Endlessly Rocking"
Robert Frost, "Directive"
Robinson Jeffers, "Night"
Allen Ginsberg, "Sunflower Sutra"
Emily Dickinson, "My Life Had Stood a Loaded Gun"
William Wordsworth, "Ode" ("Intimations of Immortality")
Langston Hughes, "The Weary Blues"
Robert Duncan, "Often I am Permitted to Return to a Meadow"
William Carlos Williams, "To Elsie"
50 Places to Eat for $5 or Less in Southern California
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On April 9, the Los Angeles Times carried a feature with the above title. HERE is a link. The restaurants/trucks/dives are spread out over the basin, from the San Fernando Valley to the San Gabriel Valley to Downey to Westminster. They only list one place in Long Beach. Here it is:
It's Phnom Penh Noodle Restaurant at 1644 Cherry Ave. Here's what Jason La at the Times had to say:
"On the outside, Phnom Penh looks like a house. On the inside, it looks like your Asian mom's kitchen. In short, this isn't a typical restaurant. The Spartan menu consists of noodle soups (beef and meatball, seafood, Phnom Penh and beef stew), rice porridge soups (chicken, pork and fish) and stir-fried noodles. If you want to sample soups, buy a child-size serving ($3.50). Their regular serving ($5) is enough for a meal." And HERE is a link to their YELP page (4 stars!).
Open 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Closed Monday.
Please let the rest of us know if you have been to any of the places in the article, especially if you liked them. Also, please feel free to recommend other low low cost places to eat nearby. Here's a place I like:
I found out about El Taco Loco numero tres a few years ago when various food celebrities were asked to name their favorite taco places in the L.A. area. Of course, most of the recommendations were in East L.A. But one of the foodies was L.A. Times food editor Russ Parsons, who happens to live near me on Long Beach's westside. He sang the praises of El Taco Loco's many tacos, such as my favorite Al Pastor, as well as more exotic fare (at least exotic to me) like Tripa, Lengua, Cabeza--even Sesos. They also make fresh juices, and there's always a lady behind the counter making fresh tortillas. I don't recommend going after dark (when it can be a little scary) or on Sunday, when the after-church crowds fill the place. Just be sure to know your numeros en Espanol, so you'll know when your order is being called for pick-up.
It's at 1465 Magnolia Ave in Long Beach (between PCH and Anaheim). HERE is a link to their YELP page (4 stars!).
It's Phnom Penh Noodle Restaurant at 1644 Cherry Ave. Here's what Jason La at the Times had to say:
"On the outside, Phnom Penh looks like a house. On the inside, it looks like your Asian mom's kitchen. In short, this isn't a typical restaurant. The Spartan menu consists of noodle soups (beef and meatball, seafood, Phnom Penh and beef stew), rice porridge soups (chicken, pork and fish) and stir-fried noodles. If you want to sample soups, buy a child-size serving ($3.50). Their regular serving ($5) is enough for a meal." And HERE is a link to their YELP page (4 stars!).
Open 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Closed Monday.
Please let the rest of us know if you have been to any of the places in the article, especially if you liked them. Also, please feel free to recommend other low low cost places to eat nearby. Here's a place I like:
I found out about El Taco Loco numero tres a few years ago when various food celebrities were asked to name their favorite taco places in the L.A. area. Of course, most of the recommendations were in East L.A. But one of the foodies was L.A. Times food editor Russ Parsons, who happens to live near me on Long Beach's westside. He sang the praises of El Taco Loco's many tacos, such as my favorite Al Pastor, as well as more exotic fare (at least exotic to me) like Tripa, Lengua, Cabeza--even Sesos. They also make fresh juices, and there's always a lady behind the counter making fresh tortillas. I don't recommend going after dark (when it can be a little scary) or on Sunday, when the after-church crowds fill the place. Just be sure to know your numeros en Espanol, so you'll know when your order is being called for pick-up.
It's at 1465 Magnolia Ave in Long Beach (between PCH and Anaheim). HERE is a link to their YELP page (4 stars!).
"Two of My Favorite Authors" by Prof. Carol Zitzer-Comfort
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Our second Guest Recommender is Professor Carol Zitzer Comfort.
The CSULB English Department website says that Dr. Zitzer-Comfort "received her BA from CSU Fullerton, her MA from Cal Poly Pomona and her PhD from Claremont Graduate University. Her areas of interest include: Reading and Composition, Cognitive Development, American Indian Literature, Disability Studies and English Education. She has published several articles and a book chapter on Williams syndrome, authored a textbook for basic writing courses, co-edited an anthology of American Indian Women’s writings and presented at several national and international conferences. Carol serves on the Advisory Board for the SALK Institute Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience, on the Board of Directors of the Williams Syndrome Association and on several CSULB department, college and university committees. Before coming to CSULB in 2005, Dr. Zitzer-Comfort taught and directed a Student Support Services program at Cal Poly Pomona for ten years."
Here's what she has to say:
As an undergraduate English major, I wasintroduced to the fiction of Louise Erdrich. It was love at first read.
It allstarted with Love Medicine, which wasassigned reading for an American Indian Literature course. If you have been inone of my classes, you know that I know way too much about Erdrich. I can neverdecide which of her novels I like best: LoveMedicine or Tracks. I find hermost recent novel Shadow Tag incrediblyhaunting and beautiful. I read it straight through and immediately beganreading it again. Her novels aren’t easyreading, but they are worth the effort. In addition to being a prolific novelist,Erdrich is also an accomplished poet. For more information about her, one ofher poems, a short story, and excerpts from interviews, click HERE .
Another favorite author of mine is Toni Morrison,who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1993.
I’ve been reading andteaching Beloved since the 1990s.Each time I read it, I find a new way to read parts of it, which is what makesit so powerful. It is a novel that demands much from its readers. OtherMorrison novels that I particularly enjoy are Song of Solomon, Sula, and TheBluest Eye.
The CSULB English Department website says that Dr. Zitzer-Comfort "received her BA from CSU Fullerton, her MA from Cal Poly Pomona and her PhD from Claremont Graduate University. Her areas of interest include: Reading and Composition, Cognitive Development, American Indian Literature, Disability Studies and English Education. She has published several articles and a book chapter on Williams syndrome, authored a textbook for basic writing courses, co-edited an anthology of American Indian Women’s writings and presented at several national and international conferences. Carol serves on the Advisory Board for the SALK Institute Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience, on the Board of Directors of the Williams Syndrome Association and on several CSULB department, college and university committees. Before coming to CSULB in 2005, Dr. Zitzer-Comfort taught and directed a Student Support Services program at Cal Poly Pomona for ten years."
Here's what she has to say:
As an undergraduate English major, I wasintroduced to the fiction of Louise Erdrich. It was love at first read.
It allstarted with Love Medicine, which wasassigned reading for an American Indian Literature course. If you have been inone of my classes, you know that I know way too much about Erdrich. I can neverdecide which of her novels I like best: LoveMedicine or Tracks. I find hermost recent novel Shadow Tag incrediblyhaunting and beautiful. I read it straight through and immediately beganreading it again. Her novels aren’t easyreading, but they are worth the effort. In addition to being a prolific novelist,Erdrich is also an accomplished poet. For more information about her, one ofher poems, a short story, and excerpts from interviews, click HERE .
Another favorite author of mine is Toni Morrison,who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1993.
I’ve been reading andteaching Beloved since the 1990s.Each time I read it, I find a new way to read parts of it, which is what makesit so powerful. It is a novel that demands much from its readers. OtherMorrison novels that I particularly enjoy are Song of Solomon, Sula, and TheBluest Eye.
Richard Diebenkorn: The Ocean Park Series thru May 27 at OCMA
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In his Boston Globe review of the current Diebenkorn show at Newport Beach's Orange County Museum of Art, art critic Sebastian Smee wrote the following:
"A great and stately unfolding occurs in the 'Ocean Park' paintings of Richard Diebenkorn, among which can be counted some of the most beautiful works of art created in America, or anywhere else, since the Second World War.
To stand before these austere but drenchingly beautiful canvases is as close as art gets to the feeling of taking refuge on a cold day under a warm shower. The larger paintings, in particular, impose a physical, almost drug-dragged restraint against removing oneself from their ambit."
You will never get another chance to see so many works from this series together. It ends May 27!
Richard Diebenkorn Ocean Park #140
Here's the OCMA blurb:
Richard Diebenkorn: The Ocean Park Series is the first major museum exhibition to explore the artist’s most celebrated series created from 1967 to 1988. Recognized as a leading West Coast Abstract Expressionist in the 1950s, Diebenkorn turned his attention to figurative painting in 1955 and achieved equal success in this alternate style. In 1967 he returned to abstraction, and during the next twenty years would forge one of the most compelling and masterful bodies of work of the 20th century: the Ocean Park series. Featuring approximately 80 works—including paintings, prints, drawings, and collages—this exhibition captures Diebenkorn’s practice of working simultaneously in diverse media and provides audiences with the first opportunity to explore the complexity of Diebenkorn’s artistic and aesthetic concerns in this seminal body of work.
Richard Diebenkorn Ocean Park # 96 at OCMA
HERE is a link to the museum's website. It's in Newport Beach, near Fashion Island. And the second Sunday of every month is FREE!
"A great and stately unfolding occurs in the 'Ocean Park' paintings of Richard Diebenkorn, among which can be counted some of the most beautiful works of art created in America, or anywhere else, since the Second World War.
To stand before these austere but drenchingly beautiful canvases is as close as art gets to the feeling of taking refuge on a cold day under a warm shower. The larger paintings, in particular, impose a physical, almost drug-dragged restraint against removing oneself from their ambit."
You will never get another chance to see so many works from this series together. It ends May 27!
Richard Diebenkorn Ocean Park #140Here's the OCMA blurb:
Richard Diebenkorn: The Ocean Park Series is the first major museum exhibition to explore the artist’s most celebrated series created from 1967 to 1988. Recognized as a leading West Coast Abstract Expressionist in the 1950s, Diebenkorn turned his attention to figurative painting in 1955 and achieved equal success in this alternate style. In 1967 he returned to abstraction, and during the next twenty years would forge one of the most compelling and masterful bodies of work of the 20th century: the Ocean Park series. Featuring approximately 80 works—including paintings, prints, drawings, and collages—this exhibition captures Diebenkorn’s practice of working simultaneously in diverse media and provides audiences with the first opportunity to explore the complexity of Diebenkorn’s artistic and aesthetic concerns in this seminal body of work.
Richard Diebenkorn Ocean Park # 96 at OCMAHERE is a link to the museum's website. It's in Newport Beach, near Fashion Island. And the second Sunday of every month is FREE!
Gourmet Food Trucks and FREE Artwalk Thursday Night in San Pedro
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Gail Werner, Bird Dreams V, 2012, encausticat Gallery Neuartig
The monthly 1st Thursday ArtWalk will take place Thursday night, May 3, from 6:00 to 9:00. You can see lots of art, for FREE, at a variety of galleries and in artists' studios. A number of local bars, cafes, and restaurants will have live music. And there will be at least SIXTEEN food trucks, including The Grilled Cheese Truck, OG Tempura, Asian Cravings, Let's Roll It (sushi), Shrimp Pimp, Palazzolo's Truck (gelato), Waffles de Liege, and Auntie's Fry Bread.
For more info, check out the 1st Thursday website HERE . And if you miss it, there's always next month. FREE parking.
Gail Werner, Bird Dreams V, 2012, encausticat Gallery NeuartigThe monthly 1st Thursday ArtWalk will take place Thursday night, May 3, from 6:00 to 9:00. You can see lots of art, for FREE, at a variety of galleries and in artists' studios. A number of local bars, cafes, and restaurants will have live music. And there will be at least SIXTEEN food trucks, including The Grilled Cheese Truck, OG Tempura, Asian Cravings, Let's Roll It (sushi), Shrimp Pimp, Palazzolo's Truck (gelato), Waffles de Liege, and Auntie's Fry Bread.
For more info, check out the 1st Thursday website HERE . And if you miss it, there's always next month. FREE parking.
Students' Favorite Movies, Spring 2012
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A couple of weeks ago, I asked 318I students to write down three of their favorite movies on the back of that week's quiz. Some wrote down three, some more, some less. I was surprised that there was so little overlap of choices. There were a total of 160 votes, and 132 different movies were chosen. Here they are:
5 VotesThe Dark Knight
3 Votes each
2 Votes each
1 Vote each
5 VotesThe Dark Knight
3 Votes each
2 Votes each
1 Vote each
Meet Ross, a Navajo Horse
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This is Ross.
He's the star of Melissa Henry's award-winning short film Horse You See, in which he tells us about himself in the Navajo language and even sings a song. Here it is:
In an interview, Melissa Henry was asked what she wanted viewers to take away from the film.
Melissa: I would just like them to be happy that they watched it, that it brings some sort of joy or happiness to their day, even if it's just for a little while. But for the more "serious" answer I'd like people to see that a film in the Navajo language can reach out to all audiences regardless of who they are or where they grew up. If anything it would be great that they become so curious that they use the movie to learn some Navajo words and phrases.
Melissa and her producer (and husband), Alfredo Perez, were asked what advice they could give to aspiring filmmakers. Here's what they said:
Alfredo: Melissa grew up in the Navajo reservation with limited access to TV, so she and her brothers had to make their own fun and exercise their imaginations playing in nature and with animals around them. So my advice I guess is for people to try to tell their own stories and not so much copy other things they've seen. Postmodernism has its limits, eventually you run out of movies to quote and pay homage to, and your audience is exhausted and hungry for new and different things. So just go with your own idea and make your own movie. It can be hard to come up with new things if you grew up surrounded by media, but it's always possible to offer a fresh approach. Then other people can quote you instead.
Melissa: Do something that's fun, do something that's going to be worth the time you'll be putting into the movie. Also, when you get too much advice from other people it can really cloud what you are aiming for, so you need to find people who really know you and you really trust. Find a good producer, someone who believes in what you're doing and who will fight for your vision.
Melissa and Alfredo started Albuquerque's Red Ant Films in 2003 "to create original films in the Navajo language." HERE is a link to their website.
He's the star of Melissa Henry's award-winning short film Horse You See, in which he tells us about himself in the Navajo language and even sings a song. Here it is:
In an interview, Melissa Henry was asked what she wanted viewers to take away from the film.
Melissa: I would just like them to be happy that they watched it, that it brings some sort of joy or happiness to their day, even if it's just for a little while. But for the more "serious" answer I'd like people to see that a film in the Navajo language can reach out to all audiences regardless of who they are or where they grew up. If anything it would be great that they become so curious that they use the movie to learn some Navajo words and phrases.
Melissa and her producer (and husband), Alfredo Perez, were asked what advice they could give to aspiring filmmakers. Here's what they said:
Alfredo: Melissa grew up in the Navajo reservation with limited access to TV, so she and her brothers had to make their own fun and exercise their imaginations playing in nature and with animals around them. So my advice I guess is for people to try to tell their own stories and not so much copy other things they've seen. Postmodernism has its limits, eventually you run out of movies to quote and pay homage to, and your audience is exhausted and hungry for new and different things. So just go with your own idea and make your own movie. It can be hard to come up with new things if you grew up surrounded by media, but it's always possible to offer a fresh approach. Then other people can quote you instead.
Melissa: Do something that's fun, do something that's going to be worth the time you'll be putting into the movie. Also, when you get too much advice from other people it can really cloud what you are aiming for, so you need to find people who really know you and you really trust. Find a good producer, someone who believes in what you're doing and who will fight for your vision.
Melissa and Alfredo started Albuquerque's Red Ant Films in 2003 "to create original films in the Navajo language." HERE is a link to their website.
War Horse (2011) DVD Movie
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From legendary director Steven Spielberg comes the epic adventure War Horse, a tale of incredible loyalty, hope, and tenacity. Based on the Tony Award-winning Broadway play, and set against the sweeping canvas of World War I, this deeply heartfelt story begins with the remarkable friendship between a horse named Joey and his young trainer Albert. When they’re forced apart by war, we follow Joey’s extraordinary journey as he changes and inspires the lives of everyone he meets. Filled with spectacularly rich visuals — and complete with never-before-seen bonus features — War Horse is a “Genuine movie masterpiece,” (Rex Reed, The New York Observer) and one of the most powerful and moving stories of friendship ever told.
The sheer physical beauty of the horse and the magnificent landscape of rural Devon, England, makes the first section of War Horse a feast for the eyes, as stalwart young lad Albert (Jeremy Irvine, in his film debut) struggles to channel the high-strung energy of newly bought horse Joey into plowing a rocky field. A destructive rainstorm forces Albert's father (Peter Mullan, Boy A) to sell Joey to an army captain (Tom Hiddleston, Thor) who takes the horse into the battlefields of World War I. From there, turns of fortune lead Joey into the hands of a German private, a French girl and her grandfather, and then into the cratered no man's land between the warring armies. War Horse is jarringly uneven. Some moments are over-the-top while others are elegantly understated; the tone ranges from the broad comedy of a mid-1970s Disney live-action flick to the raw majesty of a John Ford western. The episodic storytelling doesn't help--the characters don't have time to fully establish themselves in the audience's hearts, despite some excellent performances. The greatest weakness is that director Steven Spielberg doesn't connect us to Joey himself; though it's impossible not to have moments of empathy with the trials of this beautiful animal, at other times the horse is no more than a narrative device, carrying us from one micro-story to another. Still, some episodes are unquestionably compelling (a sequence in which a British and a German soldier collaborate to rescue Joey is particularly good) and, though stylistically all over the place, War Horse is never less than visually stunning. --Bret Fetzer
The sheer physical beauty of the horse and the magnificent landscape of rural Devon, England, makes the first section of War Horse a feast for the eyes, as stalwart young lad Albert (Jeremy Irvine, in his film debut) struggles to channel the high-strung energy of newly bought horse Joey into plowing a rocky field. A destructive rainstorm forces Albert's father (Peter Mullan, Boy A) to sell Joey to an army captain (Tom Hiddleston, Thor) who takes the horse into the battlefields of World War I. From there, turns of fortune lead Joey into the hands of a German private, a French girl and her grandfather, and then into the cratered no man's land between the warring armies. War Horse is jarringly uneven. Some moments are over-the-top while others are elegantly understated; the tone ranges from the broad comedy of a mid-1970s Disney live-action flick to the raw majesty of a John Ford western. The episodic storytelling doesn't help--the characters don't have time to fully establish themselves in the audience's hearts, despite some excellent performances. The greatest weakness is that director Steven Spielberg doesn't connect us to Joey himself; though it's impossible not to have moments of empathy with the trials of this beautiful animal, at other times the horse is no more than a narrative device, carrying us from one micro-story to another. Still, some episodes are unquestionably compelling (a sequence in which a British and a German soldier collaborate to rescue Joey is particularly good) and, though stylistically all over the place, War Horse is never less than visually stunning. --Bret Fetzer
Product Details
- Actors: Jeremy Irvine, Emily Watson, David Thewlis, Benedict Cumberbatch, Tom Hiddleston
- Directors: Steven Spielberg
- Writers: Lee Hall, Michael Morpurgo, Richard Curtis
- Producers: Adam Somner, Frank Marshall, Kathleen Kennedy, Revel Guest
- Format: AC-3, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
- Language: English
- Subtitles: English, French, Spanish
- Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only.)
- Number of discs: 1
- Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
- Studio: Touchstone / Disney
- DVD Release Date: April 3, 2012
- Run Time: 146 minutes
Game of Thrones: The Complete First Season (2012)
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Game of Thrones: The Complete First Season, Summers span decades. Winters can last a lifetime. And the struggle for the Iron Throne has begun. It will stretch from the south, where heat breeds plots, lusts and intrigues; to the vast and savage eastern lands; and all the way to the frozen north, where an 800-foot wall of ice protects the kingdom from the dark forces that lie beyond. Kings and queens, knights and renegades, liars, lords, and honest men, all will play the Game of Thrones.
Fantasy has been a tricky genre for television--the scope required to bring the sweep and imagination to life is usually better suited for the big screen. But Game of Thrones neatly sidesteps the issue by virtue of the quality of the production at every level. Though the series is steeped in fantastic elements, from direwolves to dragons, series creators David Benioff (who wrote Troy and The Kite Runner, among others) and author D.B. Weiss (Lucky Wander Boy) have rooted the drama in the emotional landscape of its characters, which brings the end result closer to Benioff's humorous description of the show as "The Sopranos in Middle-Earth." Intricate plotting and direction with an eye for realism by a host of HBO veterans, including Tim Van Patten, Alan Taylor, and Daniel Minahan, underscores that notion, as does its stellar cast, which includes Mark Addy as Headey's husband, King Robert, Iain Glen as the faithful knight Ser Jorah Mormont, and Aiden Gillen (The Wire) as Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish. However, the proceedings are handily won by Peter Dinklage's Emmy-nominated turn as the cunning Tyrion, whose intellect is constantly disregarded due to his size. Of course, viewers can also tune in to simply enjoy the more visceral elements of Game of Thrones, which features quite a bit of medieval-style carnage, as well as an at-times unnecessary level of nudity, which feels like a network decision based on the amount of flesh on display in their other successful shows. Regardless, Game of Thrones is an entirely addictive experience for both fantasy and drama fans alike throughout its debut 10 episodes, all of which are featured on this multi-disc set. --Paul Gaita
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Game of Thrones, the first book in author George R.R. Martin's sprawling fantasy saga A Song of Fire and Ice, serves as the basis for this brawny, lusty series about courtly intrigue and civil war in a sprawling fantasy kingdom. TV and fantasy veteran Sean Bean (The Lord of the Rings, Sharpe's Rifles) leads the massive cast as the warrior-noble Eddard Stark, who reluctantly assumes the role as the Hand of the King after the mysterious death of his predecessor. The King, Robert Baratheon, has leadership of the lands of Westeros, a mythical country plagued by severe, decade-long shifts in weather. His rule is challenged by the exiled Prince Viserys Targaryen (Harry Lloyd), who trades his own sister (Emilia Clarke) for the allegiance of the Dothraki, a savage nomadic tribe led by Khal Drogo (Jason Momoa of the 2011 Conan the Barbarian). A shocking secret kept hidden by Queen Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey, 300) leads to an upset in the balance of power and, ultimately, a challenge to the House of Stark to bring control to the bloodshed that threatens to overtake Westeros.Fantasy has been a tricky genre for television--the scope required to bring the sweep and imagination to life is usually better suited for the big screen. But Game of Thrones neatly sidesteps the issue by virtue of the quality of the production at every level. Though the series is steeped in fantastic elements, from direwolves to dragons, series creators David Benioff (who wrote Troy and The Kite Runner, among others) and author D.B. Weiss (Lucky Wander Boy) have rooted the drama in the emotional landscape of its characters, which brings the end result closer to Benioff's humorous description of the show as "The Sopranos in Middle-Earth." Intricate plotting and direction with an eye for realism by a host of HBO veterans, including Tim Van Patten, Alan Taylor, and Daniel Minahan, underscores that notion, as does its stellar cast, which includes Mark Addy as Headey's husband, King Robert, Iain Glen as the faithful knight Ser Jorah Mormont, and Aiden Gillen (The Wire) as Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish. However, the proceedings are handily won by Peter Dinklage's Emmy-nominated turn as the cunning Tyrion, whose intellect is constantly disregarded due to his size. Of course, viewers can also tune in to simply enjoy the more visceral elements of Game of Thrones, which features quite a bit of medieval-style carnage, as well as an at-times unnecessary level of nudity, which feels like a network decision based on the amount of flesh on display in their other successful shows. Regardless, Game of Thrones is an entirely addictive experience for both fantasy and drama fans alike throughout its debut 10 episodes, all of which are featured on this multi-disc set. --Paul Gaita
Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol (2011) DVD Movie
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No plan. No backup. No choice. Agent Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his elite team (Jeremy Renner, The Avengers and Simon Pegg, Star Trek) go underground after a bombing of the Kremlin implicates the IMF as international terrorists. While trying to clear the agency's name, the team uncovers a plot to start a nuclear war. Now, to save the world, they must use every high-tech trick in the book. The mission has never been more real, more dangerous, or more impossible.
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
The second half of the first decade of the 21st century has been kind of tough for Tom Cruise. That's tough in a way over and above the hardship of living the legacy of one of history's top movie stars--a job more demanding than any mere mortal could imagine. But after two fruitful collaborations with Steven Spielberg (Minority Report and War of the Worlds), his stature took a beating from the one-two hits of those wacky PR gaffes and that string of relative box-office disappointments (Lions for Lambs, Valkyrie, Knight and Day), which seemed to start with the third installment of his Mission: Impossible franchise in 2006. It's hard to say with a straight face that taking in only $398 million worldwide is a disappointment, but it was a low for the series, which some later saw as a prelude to his potentially dimming stardom. But on the cusp of turning 50, it looks like Tom Cruise has put the licking behind him and entered a new phase of self-conception with an upcoming array of roles, starting with a more maturely controlled version of superspy Ethan Hunt in the sleek and supercharged Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol. The things Cruise has done right in M: I part four include toning down his youthful, arrogant preening and letting his castmates share more of the spotlight (Jeremy Renner, Paula Patton, and Simon Pegg all have some terrifically shiny moments). He also lets the unique creative vision of director Brad Bird shine through in a first live-action outing for the acclaimed helmer of Iron Giant, The Incredibles, and Ratatouille. Still looking much younger than his years (that hair! those pecs! those abs!), Cruise is playing more age-appropriately, letting a little wisdom and grace seep into his charisma so the wattage of his mere presence smolders a little deeper. It's a nice nod to a graying generation that says you can get older and still be cool. All that is not to say he doesn't play up his action-star chops to the max. In a mostly inconsequential narrative arc that has something to do with purloined nuclear launch codes, an important metal briefcase, satellite uplinks, and global annihilation that leaps from Moscow to Dubai to Mumbai, Cruise is as dangerously nimble as he has ever been. He dangles one-handed from the tallest building in the world, bounds off ledges, springs out of speeding vehicles, tumbles and careens up and down the levels of an automated parking garage, and generally sprints and jumps his way across the movie with only a scratch or bruise to show for it. Also on the outlandish upside is a happily stereotypical villain straight out of Connery-era Bond and as many bleeding-edge gadgets as the art department techno-geeks could dream up. A running gag is that many of these electronic fantasy tools fail at just the wrong moment, which is part of a larger wink acknowledging how utterly preposterous yet ingeniously conceived this behemoth of a movie really is. The gadgetry is not limited just to the miraculous props. Ghost Protocol employs CGI fakery of the highest order from the sub-industry of effects contractors that ratchet up the standard of computing power and software design, one-upping each successive action-adventure extravaganza. The loving detail that goes into blowing up the Kremlin or rendering a photo-realistic sandstorm erupting across the enhanced skyline of an Oz-like desert city is nothing short of miraculous. What's more astonishing is that Tom Cruise closes the deal with a selling power that's as new and improved as the laminates on his multi-million-dollar teeth. --Ted FryBeauty and the Beast DVD Movie
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This "tale as old as time" follows the adventures of Belle, a bright young woman who finds herself imprisoned in the castle of a mysterious beast. With the assistance of the castle's enchanted staff, a delightful and tender romance develops between these two unlikely friends and Belle soon learns the most important lesson of all — that true beauty comes from within.
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com essential video
The film that officially signaled Disney's animation renaissance (following The Little Mermaid) and the only animated feature to receive a Best Picture Oscar nomination, Beauty and the Beast remains the yardstick by which all other animated films should be measured. It relates the story of Belle, a bookworm with a dotty inventor for a father; when he inadvertently offends the Beast (a prince whose heart is too hard to love anyone besides himself), Belle boldly takes her father's place, imprisoned in the Beast's gloomy mansion. Naturally, Belle teaches the Beast to love. What makes this such a dazzler, besides the amazingly accomplished animation and the winning coterie of supporting characters (the Beast's mansion is overrun by quipping, dancing household items) is the array of beautiful and hilarious songs by composer Alan Menken and the late, lamented lyricist Howard Ashman. (The title song won the 1991 Best Song Oscar, and Menken's score scored a trophy as well.) The downright funniest song is "Gaston," a lout's paean to himself (including the immortal line, "I use antlers in all of my de-co-ra-ting"). "Be Our Guest" is transformed into an inspired Busby Berkeley homage. Since Ashman's passing, animated musicals haven't quite reached the same exhilarating level of wit, sophistication, and pure joy. --David Kronke --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.Cinderella (Three-Disc Diamond Edition: Blu-ray/DVD + Digital Copy)
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This Platinum DVD release means that all of Disney's animated movies have been put on DVD at some point in the last few years. While the Platinum series isn't quite as nice for adult fans as they used to be, this is still a release that fans of the movie will want to pick up.
In an effort to revive his sagging animation department, Walt Disney turned once again to a fairy tale. This time around, he chose one of the best known and oldest of them all, Cinderella.
The tale is familiar. A beautiful girl is abused by her stepmother and stepsisters and forced to work as their slave. When a ball is given for all the eligible maidens in the kingdom, Cinderella dreams of going too, only to have her hopes dashed at the last minute. With a gift of magic, she is able to go, but only until the stroke of midnight.
The story is so well known, if fact, that any story about an underdog coming from behind and winning is called a Cinderella story. Disney's job here was to make the story entertaining for 75 minutes. The solution here was creating the animals. Mice Jaq and Gus and their constant struggle against the evil cat Lucifer is funny and tying this sub-plot to the ultimate outcome is brilliant. The other standout character is the stepmother who is frighteningly evil with no super powers.
As with any Disney movie, this one also has great songs. Arguably the best known is "Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo." Right behind it is "A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes." My favorite, however, is the often overlooked love song "So This is Love."
While not the best release in the Platinum series, it still stacks up well. The movie has been restored, and it looks great to me. I'm not a nitpicker, but I can't find any problems with the full frame picture, the original aspect ratio. There is an enhanced 5.1 home theater mix, which doesn't seem quite as impressive as some other releases. It seems more like the sound coming equally from all speakers. Of course, given the age of the film, there probably isn't much more they could do. For purists, there is an original soundtrack on the disc as well.
The extras in this set seem to be split between content for kids and adults, with the kids winning. Disc one includes a new version of "A Dream is a Wish" with the stars of several Disney Channel series. It also has several "Cinderella stories" in sports moments, a weird feature to me. Disc two includes several features about living like a princess.
Also on disc two are the bonus features adult fans of this movie will want to watch. There are two "deleted scenes," which are really abandoned songs with the storyboards created for them. In edition there are more abandoned songs with no storyboards on here. It's pretty interesting watching how various ideas went from one form to another before finally making it into the movie. Other extras include a thirty-eight minute documentary about the creation of the show, including achieved interviews with the animators behind the show. We are also treated to an overview of how the movie progressed over the years it was in development, a tribute to the "Nine Old Men," Disney's "Laugh-O-Gram" version of the story from 1922, and radio promotion from the time. I was thrilled to see trailers from the movie's multiple releases here. Unfortunately, there is no commentary in sight.
In an effort to revive his sagging animation department, Walt Disney turned once again to a fairy tale. This time around, he chose one of the best known and oldest of them all, Cinderella.
The tale is familiar. A beautiful girl is abused by her stepmother and stepsisters and forced to work as their slave. When a ball is given for all the eligible maidens in the kingdom, Cinderella dreams of going too, only to have her hopes dashed at the last minute. With a gift of magic, she is able to go, but only until the stroke of midnight.
The story is so well known, if fact, that any story about an underdog coming from behind and winning is called a Cinderella story. Disney's job here was to make the story entertaining for 75 minutes. The solution here was creating the animals. Mice Jaq and Gus and their constant struggle against the evil cat Lucifer is funny and tying this sub-plot to the ultimate outcome is brilliant. The other standout character is the stepmother who is frighteningly evil with no super powers.
As with any Disney movie, this one also has great songs. Arguably the best known is "Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo." Right behind it is "A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes." My favorite, however, is the often overlooked love song "So This is Love."
While not the best release in the Platinum series, it still stacks up well. The movie has been restored, and it looks great to me. I'm not a nitpicker, but I can't find any problems with the full frame picture, the original aspect ratio. There is an enhanced 5.1 home theater mix, which doesn't seem quite as impressive as some other releases. It seems more like the sound coming equally from all speakers. Of course, given the age of the film, there probably isn't much more they could do. For purists, there is an original soundtrack on the disc as well.
The extras in this set seem to be split between content for kids and adults, with the kids winning. Disc one includes a new version of "A Dream is a Wish" with the stars of several Disney Channel series. It also has several "Cinderella stories" in sports moments, a weird feature to me. Disc two includes several features about living like a princess.
Also on disc two are the bonus features adult fans of this movie will want to watch. There are two "deleted scenes," which are really abandoned songs with the storyboards created for them. In edition there are more abandoned songs with no storyboards on here. It's pretty interesting watching how various ideas went from one form to another before finally making it into the movie. Other extras include a thirty-eight minute documentary about the creation of the show, including achieved interviews with the animators behind the show. We are also treated to an overview of how the movie progressed over the years it was in development, a tribute to the "Nine Old Men," Disney's "Laugh-O-Gram" version of the story from 1922, and radio promotion from the time. I was thrilled to see trailers from the movie's multiple releases here. Unfortunately, there is no commentary in sight.
The Lake House DVD
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The Lake House was premiered on the 16th of June 2006. It was a romantic drama film written by David Auburn, directed by Alejandro Agresti and starred by Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves. It follows the love of two person who found that they were meant for each other but lived 2 years apart. Is it possible? Will they be together? Read more about The Lake House.
The Cast:
Sandra Bullock as Dr. Kate Forster
Keanu Reeves as Alex Wyler
Shohreh Aghdashloo as Dr. Anna Klyczynski
Christopher Plummer as Simon J. Wyler
Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Henry Wyler
Willeke van Ammelrooy as Mrs. Forster
Dylan Walsh as Morgan Price
Lynn Collins as Mona
The Lake House
“How do you hold on to someone you've never met?”The Lake House was premiered on the 16th of June 2006. It was a romantic drama film written by David Auburn, directed by Alejandro Agresti and starred by Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves. It follows the love of two person who found that they were meant for each other but lived 2 years apart. Is it possible? Will they be together? Read more about The Lake House.
The Cast:
Sandra Bullock as Dr. Kate Forster
Keanu Reeves as Alex Wyler
Shohreh Aghdashloo as Dr. Anna Klyczynski
Christopher Plummer as Simon J. Wyler
Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Henry Wyler
Willeke van Ammelrooy as Mrs. Forster
Dylan Walsh as Morgan Price
Lynn Collins as Mona
40 Days and 40 Nights DVD
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40 Days and 40 Nights
“No touching. No Kissing. No Nibbling. No Foreplay. No Fooling Around. No Self-gradification.”
40 Days and 40 Nights was debuted on the 1st of March on the year 2002. The movie was written by Rob Perez and directed by Michael Lehmann. It was starred by Josh Hartnett as Matt Sullivan, a man who makes a vow as the Lent is about to start. A vow that his other friends told him that he can't do as it was in the nature of men. The vow will be NO SEX for 40 Days and 40 Nights. It wouldn't be easy as people around him made a pool in regards to it and everyone will do everything for him to break the vow and so they win the pot money. Do you think he can do it?No one knows. For a man like him, with a very good sex drive until such problem occur. What will he do for him to complete the 40 Days and 40 Nights of his vow. Read more about 40 Days and 40 Nights...
The Cast:
Josh Hartnett as Matt Sullivan
Shannyn Sossamon as Erica Sutton
Paulo Costanzo as Ryan
Adam Trese as John Sullivan
Vinessa Shaw as Nicole
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