what?
a fart?
a funny laughter?
a joke?
someone tripping?
irene's laugh?
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Monday, January 18, 2010
Sad Song
Play me a sad song because
That’s what I want to hear.
I want you to make me cry.
I want to remember the places that we left,
Lost to the mists of time.
I know that you’ll go soon.
You’ll find out so take me with you always.
On buses that move through the night
We sleep on and on.
We got off at Memphis, black-top heat will make us thirsty.
We’ll never get sick anymore.
by AU REVOIR SIMONE
That’s what I want to hear.
I want you to make me cry.
I want to remember the places that we left,
Lost to the mists of time.
I know that you’ll go soon.
You’ll find out so take me with you always.
On buses that move through the night
We sleep on and on.
We got off at Memphis, black-top heat will make us thirsty.
We’ll never get sick anymore.
by AU REVOIR SIMONE
Sunday, January 17, 2010
"Paper-Heart" by Nicholas Jasenovec
This "documentary" begins with Charlene Yi, a comedian/actress who interviews people on the street, asking them about love. Why? She claims she doesn't believe in it!
The story then travels through the U.S. interviewing people who have some curious stories to tell, in which Charlene does a simple "puppetry" with the story.
At a party, she meets Michael Cera (the actor in "Juno") and he tells the director he is interested in her.
The story changes a little its focus and now follows Charlene's and Michael's love story, which in the end is broken.
My ratings: (***).
I can say that a few parts were very funny (like the first interviews)... But I simply do not believe in Charlene. And I think the whole "Michael Cera" thing was set-up.
The documentary does have a flow... It's smooth to watch... But i felt at times it was a little "too much" or "forced".
The story then travels through the U.S. interviewing people who have some curious stories to tell, in which Charlene does a simple "puppetry" with the story.
At a party, she meets Michael Cera (the actor in "Juno") and he tells the director he is interested in her.
The story changes a little its focus and now follows Charlene's and Michael's love story, which in the end is broken.
My ratings: (***).
I can say that a few parts were very funny (like the first interviews)... But I simply do not believe in Charlene. And I think the whole "Michael Cera" thing was set-up.
The documentary does have a flow... It's smooth to watch... But i felt at times it was a little "too much" or "forced".
Monday, January 11, 2010
"Barry Lyndon" by Stanley Kubrick
(1975) (** my rate)
Story about a man who is denied love, so he goes on a trip and fights in the army. He only wants to go back when he is better known in society, and because of that, marries Miss Lyndon, one of the richest women there. With her he has a son, and that's when all he conquered, starts getting lost...
The film is visually intriguing, I can't deny. But it's sooo long, when you think it's going to end, it has an entire new story to be told. The main character, Redmond Barry, just didn't connect to me. Plus, I'm not a very big fan of epics, so it was just many beautiful pictures combined, with a good soundtrack.
Apparently the entire film was only lit with candles and the sunlight. This is the magic of this movie. I rated it ** because it's def not my kind of film but the images are to be applauded. It won 4 academy awards, and one of them was for costume. It was simply amazing!
I really liked the character of the oldest son of his wife (when grown up). Character played by Leon Vitali. If the film's main character was him, It might have been a better movie. ;)
Has anyone seen this? What are your thoughts?
Story about a man who is denied love, so he goes on a trip and fights in the army. He only wants to go back when he is better known in society, and because of that, marries Miss Lyndon, one of the richest women there. With her he has a son, and that's when all he conquered, starts getting lost...
The film is visually intriguing, I can't deny. But it's sooo long, when you think it's going to end, it has an entire new story to be told. The main character, Redmond Barry, just didn't connect to me. Plus, I'm not a very big fan of epics, so it was just many beautiful pictures combined, with a good soundtrack.
Apparently the entire film was only lit with candles and the sunlight. This is the magic of this movie. I rated it ** because it's def not my kind of film but the images are to be applauded. It won 4 academy awards, and one of them was for costume. It was simply amazing!
I really liked the character of the oldest son of his wife (when grown up). Character played by Leon Vitali. If the film's main character was him, It might have been a better movie. ;)
Has anyone seen this? What are your thoughts?
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Walker Evans
Walker Evans, was born Nov. 03, 1903 (a scorpio - tells me a lot about him, indeed!). He was best known for his Documentary Photography during the Great Depression (1930's). He said that his goal as a photographer was to make pictures that are "literate, authoritative, transcendent".
He took Photography in 1928 when he went to Cuba for an assignment in which Carlton Beals was writing a book, and needed someone to Photograph the revolt of the dictator Gerardo Machado. This book was called: "The Crime of Cuba". Apparently, he met Hemmingway while still in Cuba.
In 1936, him and James Agee were sent to Alabama to portrait families, workers, villages (during the Great Depression).
He also did a famous series on the Subway. It is interesting because you can notice how he was photographing in a way that his target (the people) wouldn't notice. Most of the pictures come from a low angle and people look as if there mind is somewhere else.
My favorite part of the exhibition, in MASP (Museu de Arte de Sao Paulo), Brazil, was the Polaroids section. I am in love with Polaroids and I have a collection myself. His attention to detail, is inspiring and I can't wait to go home (NY) and photograph more with my polaroid. His Polaroid was the SX-70.
His photographs are very interesting, especially for being taken in the 1930's. It is amazing to see how Alabama was, the barber shops, groceries, everything full of signs in which you can compare prices of back then to now, the way they thought of the world and etc. All is there, on his pictures!
The exhibition in MASP goes until tomorrow, Monday, January 10th, so whoever is in SP and is interested should go! He also sometimes has exhibition at the MoMA.
Some of his work which I loved:
Saturday, January 09, 2010
Stanley Kubrick: A Life in Pictures
Directed by: Jan Harian
Narrated by: Tom Cruise
Stanley Kubrick was never a good student in school... he would often ask his fellow colleagues to copy their homework. After some days of letting little Kubrick copy their homework, one of them asked: "Stanley, why aren't you ever doing your homework?" He simply answered: "I'm just not interested!"
His father was a photographer, and since he was young, he was introduced to the dark room and started taking his own pictures.
The 1st one that he was famous for, he sold it for a lot of money and after that started working for "LOOK" magazine when he was about 16 years old. The picture was taken right after President Roosevelt's death:
Narrated by: Tom Cruise
Stanley Kubrick was never a good student in school... he would often ask his fellow colleagues to copy their homework. After some days of letting little Kubrick copy their homework, one of them asked: "Stanley, why aren't you ever doing your homework?" He simply answered: "I'm just not interested!"
His father was a photographer, and since he was young, he was introduced to the dark room and started taking his own pictures.
The 1st one that he was famous for, he sold it for a lot of money and after that started working for "LOOK" magazine when he was about 16 years old. The picture was taken right after President Roosevelt's death:
Kubrick was a Leo, born July 26th of 1929 in NY. Many said he was a perfeccionist, creative, and sometimes cruel with his actors. He was married 3 times, and the love of his life was Christiane Kubrick, a beautiful actress and painter he met on one of his movies. He remained with her until his death, and with her had 3 girls.
Kubrick once said: "I don't know what I want, but I do know what I don't want." And this was his style when shooting... He would shoot scenes again and again until it was perfect.. The way he had never imagined.
He died after 2 years filming "Eyes Wide Shut" with Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman. His first movie with no bad criticism. He died of a heart-attack in England.
This documentary is very curious. I learned so many things about Kubrick that I had no idea and that fascinated me. The story behind each movie, the story behind a man in which many of his works are considered to be the best of all time!
There are testemonies on him from many famous people as: Woody Allen, Steven Spielberg, Sydney Pollack, Martin Scorsese, Jack Nicholson and many others.
One of the most shocking for me was Shelley Duval's: Talking about her experience in the film "The Shining". Kubrick was very cruel to her and often made her think twice about the movie. She said she doesn't regret the experience but would never do it again.
I rated it ****. If you are a fan of Kubrick's work, starting from "Paths of Glory" when he was completely unknown to "Eyes Wide Shut", you should def. see it.
I close my statement with some quotes of Mr. Kubrick.
"A film is - or should be - more like music than like fiction. It should be a progression of moods and feelings. The theme, what's behind the emotion, the meaning, all that comes later."
"A filmmaker has almost the same freedom as a novelist has when he buys himself some paper."
"Any time you take a chance you better be sure the rewards are worth the risk because they can put you away just as fast for a ten dollar heist as they can for a million dollar job."
"I never learned anything at all in school and didn't read a book for pleasure until I was 19 years old."
"If it can be written, or thought, it can be filmed."
"If you can talk brilliantly about a problem, it can create the consoling illusion that it has been mastered."
"It's a mistake to confuse pity with love."
"A filmmaker has almost the same freedom as a novelist has when he buys himself some paper."
"Any time you take a chance you better be sure the rewards are worth the risk because they can put you away just as fast for a ten dollar heist as they can for a million dollar job."
"I never learned anything at all in school and didn't read a book for pleasure until I was 19 years old."
"If it can be written, or thought, it can be filmed."
"If you can talk brilliantly about a problem, it can create the consoling illusion that it has been mastered."
"It's a mistake to confuse pity with love."
Friday, January 08, 2010
Antoinette Fleur
Some months ago, I was researching artists online, and somehow, I came to Antoinette Fleur. I don't know much about her.. She is French, and an amazing artist with a unique style. I decided to write her a message, just to let her know how I was in love with her work. She then asked me if she could draw something based on a picture she liked of me... How could I ever say "No"?
Here is some of my favorite work of hers, which was very hard to choose, because I love them all.
Don't forget to visit her website and check out her colorful and glamourous drawings!!!
http://www.antoinettefleur.fr
The last one is one she made of my picture! And I have no words.. but.. Merci Antoinette! Merci pour tout! I wish you all the luck, and a lot of success because you deserve it!
Here is some of my favorite work of hers, which was very hard to choose, because I love them all.
Don't forget to visit her website and check out her colorful and glamourous drawings!!!
http://www.antoinettefleur.fr
The last one is one she made of my picture! And I have no words.. but.. Merci Antoinette! Merci pour tout! I wish you all the luck, and a lot of success because you deserve it!
:)
Thursday, January 07, 2010
"21 Grams" by Alejandro Gonzalez Iñarritu (2003)
Yesterday night I watched this film for the 3rd time... (Not counting once when I was so tired I fell asleep)... It is amazing.. I would love to read the script because the editing is phenomenal.
I love the way they tell the story, by mixing the order of events.
Of course, it is not a "positive" movie, but its does talk about HOPE, LIFE, DESTINY, how the world goes around and how one simple event can change our lives forever. I am yet to see the behind the scenes.. And I'll come back to discuss it.
The ending is the best part for me.. I don't think films should end happily, after all, that's not real life.. And a film is an imitation of it.
I love the way they tell the story, by mixing the order of events.
Of course, it is not a "positive" movie, but its does talk about HOPE, LIFE, DESTINY, how the world goes around and how one simple event can change our lives forever. I am yet to see the behind the scenes.. And I'll come back to discuss it.
The ending is the best part for me.. I don't think films should end happily, after all, that's not real life.. And a film is an imitation of it.
Wednesday, January 06, 2010
"A Nos Amours" by Maurice Pialat (1983)
Simply Beautiful! (*****)
It starts completely different than what the mood becomes towards the middle and end of the film. A 16- year- old girl on the verge of her sexuality, with a dysfunctional family, finds in men her happiness. Suzanne, a lover of Bonnard and Boris Vian, skips classes and has encounters with men after breaking up with her real love, Luc. Her father, getting ill, leaves home for another woman. Her mother, falling apart, can't stand the way she is dealing with life. Suzanne's older brother, Robert, becomes the "head" of the family, and throughout the movie, it shows quite an affection between the siblings.
Pialat deals with sensuality beautifully! Suzanne has dimples which always is referrable to a child, but in a woman's body. In many scenes she is seen naked, never completely. She knows about her own sensuality, and uses it to pursue her men.
Suzanne is not looking for love. But as the beginning of the film inputs, people urge for it.
Many of the scenes in this movie were completely improvised. The Father (who is the director), many times plays around with his actors. For him, what is important is not the continuity of shots, but the intensity one can have when acting. Apparently, he removed many scenes because he fell in love with the beauty of Sandrine Bonnaire ("Suzanne") and how she has a PRESENCE that is contagious.
Sandrine was not going to be in the movie, they (director, screenwriter and casting director probably) weren't sure of how she looked physically, after all, it was not what they were looking for. But, Sandrine took her sister to audition, and they asked her to audition as well.
The film ends suddenly, leaving a clue of what happened, and letting the imagination flow (like in many "weird" cuts throughout the movie). Also, this film was very criticized for not having an exact plot line, but this was a decision in post-production.
I could spend another 10 paragraphs or so, writing about specific scenes and moments in the movie. But I really don't want to ruin for whom hasn't seen it. Keep an eye on the seen where the father talks about the dimples, and the one where in the family gathering, he appears.
For me, Pialat is a genius, and I'm hating myself for not having seen any of his pieces until now. He wanted to talk about teenage years (inspired bu the screenwriter's life), friends, sex and family. Absolutely inspiring, stunning and sexy!
P.S. I just noticed Netflix's description for this film and I hated it!!! It has nothing to do with the story! I'm upset at it!
It starts completely different than what the mood becomes towards the middle and end of the film. A 16- year- old girl on the verge of her sexuality, with a dysfunctional family, finds in men her happiness. Suzanne, a lover of Bonnard and Boris Vian, skips classes and has encounters with men after breaking up with her real love, Luc. Her father, getting ill, leaves home for another woman. Her mother, falling apart, can't stand the way she is dealing with life. Suzanne's older brother, Robert, becomes the "head" of the family, and throughout the movie, it shows quite an affection between the siblings.
Pialat deals with sensuality beautifully! Suzanne has dimples which always is referrable to a child, but in a woman's body. In many scenes she is seen naked, never completely. She knows about her own sensuality, and uses it to pursue her men.
Suzanne is not looking for love. But as the beginning of the film inputs, people urge for it.
Many of the scenes in this movie were completely improvised. The Father (who is the director), many times plays around with his actors. For him, what is important is not the continuity of shots, but the intensity one can have when acting. Apparently, he removed many scenes because he fell in love with the beauty of Sandrine Bonnaire ("Suzanne") and how she has a PRESENCE that is contagious.
Sandrine was not going to be in the movie, they (director, screenwriter and casting director probably) weren't sure of how she looked physically, after all, it was not what they were looking for. But, Sandrine took her sister to audition, and they asked her to audition as well.
The film ends suddenly, leaving a clue of what happened, and letting the imagination flow (like in many "weird" cuts throughout the movie). Also, this film was very criticized for not having an exact plot line, but this was a decision in post-production.
I could spend another 10 paragraphs or so, writing about specific scenes and moments in the movie. But I really don't want to ruin for whom hasn't seen it. Keep an eye on the seen where the father talks about the dimples, and the one where in the family gathering, he appears.
For me, Pialat is a genius, and I'm hating myself for not having seen any of his pieces until now. He wanted to talk about teenage years (inspired bu the screenwriter's life), friends, sex and family. Absolutely inspiring, stunning and sexy!
P.S. I just noticed Netflix's description for this film and I hated it!!! It has nothing to do with the story! I'm upset at it!
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