Six Word Theater
Click here for the most recent entry.
Inspired by the challenge Hemingway undertook to tell a story
in six words("For Sale: baby shoes. Never worn."), I attempt
to polish my skills by telling a six-word story or phrase on
select Wednesdays/holidays.
Feel free to "continue the story"or start your own.
Tonight's Entry for New Year's Eve:
Old wounds close.
New perspectives...open(?)
-AB
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
MMVIII: Adam Barnick
MMVIII: Peter Rinaldi
"The difference between a healthy person and one who is mentally ill is the fact that the healthy one has all the mental illnesses, and the mentally ill person has only one"
-Robert Musil
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Bedbugs LXII
Bedbugs LXII
Click here for an explanation of how Bedbugs is created.
Click here for last week's Bedbugs.
Sighing at me isn't going to change anything. You'll move on
and I'll regret how things turned out for years and life
will drag. Knowing about metal jacks left out to step on
didn't make me smart enough to protect myself. Back to
fantasies that will hopefully grow in strength and protect
the deluded out there waiting on the edge of the water
for the city to come back.
Wheels spun on the ice and left marks that won't even
melt out the best of men's hearts and minds and facts
are just what enough agreed to, to not sound silly.
The best plans are pushed off until someone else picks
up the thought and has the balls to run with it.
Praying that she will find someone next year and
the victim mantra will stop. She needs to find
that phonograph and turn over its plate. Missing the music
from nine years ago, I hope I can find it again.
Sleeping by yourself has gotten quite old.
Completely take a trip to where it's hidden.
next week's seven phrases/groups of words:
-metal taste in both our mouths
-not many syllables
-what's inside the body
-leave me the answer when you go
-skin looks blemised in this lighting
-I know who started it
-tell her its name before you leave
-Adam
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Doubt by Frank Palmcoast
When he's not watching, with beads of sweat, his fellow, legally blind, senior citizens parallel park, Frank Palmcoast is catching seven dollar movies at the local multiplex from sunny Pompano Beach, Florida. He's retired, he's angry at the world, he can't spell to save his life, and he hates Hollywood almost as much as Hillary Clinton, but that will not stop our irreverent, dementia fightin', AARP card carrying everyman from giving us a fresh take on all things Hollyweird. Besides, how can he pass up that marvelous senior citizen discount?
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There is no better reviewer for this subject matter than the BBF's esteemed film aficionado Frank Palmcoast. Frank had spent many a day in his youth alone in a rectory with a priest as an alter boy back in the Bronx. Let us now get his take on the Meryl Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman flick - Doubt.
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There's little doubt about Doubt. Doubt is full of certainty.Originally being from the Bronx and having attended parochial schools I applaud the realism. This film is a mesmerizing story and well worth the journey.Doubt will make you wonder.Hoffman for me was the best priest since Bing. This is undoubtedly a superb cast delivering a wonderful performance.Hoffman, Streep and Amy Adams are terrific and Viloa Davis performance is nothing less than breath taking.Amazingly, I just saw Streep in Mama Mia singing dancing and acting and now this fine performance as a nun. The nuns costumes looked more Pennsylvania Amish than Catholic. I was indeed impressed with their skillful art of truly acting and that this art is very much alive in this age of mediocre acting and special effects. See this movie and you will have no doubt about it's quality!
**************************************************
There's little doubt about Doubt. Doubt is full of certainty.Originally being from the Bronx and having attended parochial schools I applaud the realism. This film is a mesmerizing story and well worth the journey.Doubt will make you wonder.Hoffman for me was the best priest since Bing. This is undoubtedly a superb cast delivering a wonderful performance.Hoffman, Streep and Amy Adams are terrific and Viloa Davis performance is nothing less than breath taking.Amazingly, I just saw Streep in Mama Mia singing dancing and acting and now this fine performance as a nun. The nuns costumes looked more Pennsylvania Amish than Catholic. I was indeed impressed with their skillful art of truly acting and that this art is very much alive in this age of mediocre acting and special effects. See this movie and you will have no doubt about it's quality!
Friday, December 26, 2008
The Day The Earth Stood Still by Frank Palmcoast
*********************************************************
Don't F**K UP Keanu Reeves! You don't mess with a CLASSIC! Our most distinguished reviewer remembers very clearly the 1951 seminal motion picture directed by Robert Wise. Let's see what Frank has to say about this remake ....
*********************************************************
The Title of this movie should have been: The Day I Sat Still or The Day I Saw A Crap Movie or The Day The Earth Took My Money. To begin with I'm really tired of this broken family BS. The world may be coming to an end and some brat spoiled kid requires a good smack in the puss. Unfortunately the story died but the earth lived. The main alien meets another alien who has been on earth for 70 years and in 5 minutes he decides to rid earth of all humans. This remake really misses the elegance and intelligence of the earlier version and it just uses special effects and action to replace much needed dialog as in the original 1951 classic. This remake is just an action movie. If you saw the trailer of this movie you've already saw the best parts and don't spend your money at the movies. This so called remake is no more that two episodes of the Twilight Zone put together for the big screen at Dunkin Donuts. To tell you the truth all that was missing was Al Gore to come out and preach to us to eliminate all human life to save the planet.If you want to see a movie that destroys the original or if your an Al Gore whacko, this movie is for you. If this movie were bad, it would be better!
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Start Talking: Matt Kaplan
Every episode will have a different person sit in front of the camera as I announce their character name and a brief description of them as if they were a guest on my program via satellite, except the person has absolutely no idea who they are playing or what I am going to ask until the words come out of my mouth. At which point they have to, simply, Start Talking.
Guest: Matt Kaplan
Watch other Episodes of Start Talking:
Timmy Cassese
Jonathan Roumie
Melissa King
Jeremy Frost
Matthew Schwartzer
-Peter Rinaldi
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Bedbugs LXI
Bedbugs LXI
Click here for an explanation of how Bedbugs is created.
Click here for last week's Bedbugs.
Someone needs to tell me where life will take me so I can
plan it all according to plan and it will never ever go wrong
like in the stories carried through to its illegal end while
the masses outside decided to remain buried in their
snowdrifts she's hiding her smile but I'm sure everyone
else gets to see it while waste my time again, I bet.
It always interrupts the flow of what you hoped for your
life and dream and family just answer it! Making time
while arriving at 4pm. Who are we waiting for? It doesn't
matter as long as you approve. Unconditionally.
Downstairs could be any number of people lined up to
be victims..not of an attack, just 'victims' in general.
Stream of senses and knowing the outcome will still
bring the end in sight, hopefully. Mastering an attack
on your goals keeps the sound of the record away..read
it to the end.
Next week's seven phrases/groups of words:
-metal jacks left out to step on
-wheels spun on the ice
-the best plans are pushed off
-she will find someone next year
-missing the music from nine years ago
-sleeping by yourself
-take a trip to where it's hidden
-Adam
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
BUY NOW!!!!!
WOULD SOMEONE PLEASE EXPLAIN?
The Best of DURAN DURAN'S "ASK KATY"
Millions of fans with hundreds of thousands of questions and only one person with the answer.
Katy Krassner (my lovely wife!) has just come out with a book detailing the work she has done with Duran Duran and the portion of www.duranduran.com which she hosts called "Ask Katy." She has worked very closely with the band, Simon even gave the toast at our wedding. Katy is not only the premier expert on all things "Duranie" - but all things 80s too! The book is loaded with questions fans across the globe have sent to her and which the band have answered. Fans have asked everything from the obvious (where does the band name come from?) to the purely outrageous (would someone consider donating their sperm?) - and that wasn't a joke! If you want to know these answers and so much more, buy yourself a copy here.
Having been in the biz for nearly 30 years, having sold nearly 80 millions records, and having helped usher in MTV with their artsy music videos, there are lots of interesting tidbits to be found in the book.
What do the band members have to say about the book?
Keyboardist Nick Rhodes:
Bassist John Taylor:
Drummer Roger Taylor:
Vocalist Simon Le Bon:
SIN-E-FILE (Sullivan's Travels)[part 2]
"I have the sin of the Cinephile" - Jean Luc Godard
Sullivan's Travels went over very well with the folks at the Dinner and a Movie program last week. Most of them hadn't seen it. Those that had, were very excited to see it again. "Oh that's a great one!" one woman said, "It's autobiographical" she added.When I got there, the group was in the middle of dinner. There was about 60 people. As I sat down and nonchalantly scanned the crowd, I quickly realized that this was not a predominately elderly crowd. Maybe it had started as such, maybe it is geared toward the elderly, but the people that were gathered there on this night were for the most part homeless. It wasn't until later, as I was preparing my introduction, that I realized the crazy irony of the film I had chosen for this crowd to view tonight. I think I might've panicked a little.
Sullivan's Travels is about a Hollywood director who decides to dress like a "hobo" and venture out into the world to find out what hard times are all about, in order to make a "message picture" about human suffering. Is this gonna hit too close to home? I worried.
A strange mixture of anxiety and wonderment ran through me as I recalled a scene from the movie that soon would be on the screen. It's the climax of the movie, really. Sullivan is taken, along with his fellow down-and-out prisoners, to a makeshift movie screening where, as a Disney cartoon is shown for the people, Sullivan realizes, watching them enjoying the comedy, that laughter is the important thing; "sometimes it's all they got". Well, in a little while, I surmised, I was going to be watching a group of down-and-out folks at a makeshift movie screening, enjoy themselves watching a group of down-and-out people at a makeshift movie screening enjoying themselves.
Whatever I was worried about, went away as they laughed in all the right places and I never felt a tense feeling at all from anyone. There was even some audible appreciation. One woman yelled, after the line What's wrong with Capra?, "Yeah, what's wrong with Capra!!!???" And another one banged the tabletop quickly a few times as a sign of appreciation if a line was particularly funny or a sentiment was seconded. Even when Joel McCrea first appeared in his silly hobo duds, it was treated like nothing but the heartfelt comedy it was. Oh course, this movie is more than that, and I know they felt it. But they felt it just like I felt it when I first saw this film. Not from some "close to home" place that I anticipated. It taught me a great deal about how close we are together. Maybe this is why this film came to me instantly when asked to make a selection for this program. I felt lucky to be there. And immensely happy that this film can be enjoyed by all of us, no matter what we've been through. Thank you Mr. Sturges, wherever you are.
-Peter Rinaldi
Monday, December 15, 2008
The Boxpress Music Time Show with Brian Hughes
Show# 16: Celebrating Frank Sinatra's 93rd Birthday: "Suicidal Sinatra - Part II"
Brian helps celebrate Frank Sinatra's birthday by concentrating on the singer's bipolar musical nature: Sinatra always considered himself a manic depressive, so why not concentrate on the extreme lows and exuberant highs of Ol' Blue Eyes? In the first two parts of this four part series, Brian will concentrate on the "saloon" or sad songs of Frank's repertoire. In the final two parts - the high flying, fast paced, world-on-a-string swing numbers.
If you think you might want to listen to some more of my podcasts - please click below:
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Bedbugs LX
Bedbugs LX
Click here for an explanation of how Bedbugs is created.
Click here for last week's Bedbugs.
Daring anyone to go in that room is suicide, you
can get there too without even trying the door
but why would you want to? Do the hell
out of the footwork and see who comes
back with good news and who comes back
to haunt you. I've never seen metal this texture!
The failure is oxidizing it. Easier than you think,
she said. Is anyone paying attention? Master
of which level they're on. I can hear it
breathing in the walls, floors creaked and walls
groaned which further added to the group apathy.
She's waiting for you, all you have to do is show up
and bring true emotion to the table. In the end,
you will thank me. Profusely. I pull your strings but
if you ask I'll say you have none. Who's downstairs?
Time off to leave your mind, knowing miss you more than
I let on..
Next week's seven phrases/groups of words:
-carried through to its illegal end
-she's hiding her smile
-waste my time again
-just answer it
-arriving at 4pm
-end in sight, hopefully
-read it to the end
-Adam
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
SIN-E-FILE (Sullivan's Travels)
"I have the sin of the Cinephile" - Jean Luc Godard
Every Thursday night on the fifth floor of Rutgers Church on west 73rd street, a bunch of nice people make a meal for a large number of elderly folks and then a film is digitally projected for their entertainment. It’s free and it’s aptly called Dinner and a Movie.
A delightful man, and veteran character actor of the stage and screen, Roger Franklin, selects the films and introduces them. I work at Rutgers, that’s how I know about it. I’ve been meaning to get over there to check it out , but honestly, I’ve often thought it would be nice to be able to one day take over this gig, at least for a little while, if only to have a weekly attentive audience at my whim. I’d cut attendance in half, probably, with my selections. I’m sure, after a while, knowing what I would make them watch, not even the appeal of a free meal would bring them back.
Well, as luck would have it, it’s Christmas time, and Roger Franklin looks like Santa, so he’s been hired as the bearded one at South Street Seaport and therefore unable to perform his duties on Thursday nights. Rutgers must’ve heard me dreaming, because they’ve asked me to fill in for him and pick the films and host the event for the month of December. I was thrilled, but, unfortunately, other obligations prevent me from doing all four weeks. I will be doing it this Thursday, however. They provided me with a list of Roger’s selections for the past 2 years and what he plans to show over the next year. A film popped in my mind instantly and I excitedly scanned the list, hoping not to find it. I didn’t. Sullivan’s Travels by Preston Sturges. Why that one? I don’t even own it. I think I’ve only seen it once, twice tops. I don’t know. But I didn’t even think again. It had to be that one.
Maybe because it’s an elderly crowd and the film’s from 1941; maybe it’ll bring back memories. But that’s not really it. It’s because it’s one of the great comedies, by one of the most influential and important writer/directors in the American comedy genre. It’s ultimately about movies and the joy we get from them and it's brilliantly written and fun and terribly moving in the end. But most importantly it’s smart. These people need to only see smart movies. There’s enough of them that are entertaining. This program can go another ten years and we won’t run out of smart, non-insulting entertainment. I realize the selections should be easy to swallow. I would probably think twice about showing them L’avventura , but maybe after a while, they’d be ready for Tokyo Story. (or is that too depressing for the old folks?) I am glad it’s only one night, I guess. I could get obsessive about this.
I’ll let you know how it goes.
-Peter Rinaldi
Monday, December 8, 2008
The Boxpress Music Time Show with Brian Hughes
Show# 15: Celebrating Frank Sinatra's 93rd Birthday: "Suicidal Sinatra - Part I"
Brian helps celebrate Frank Sinatra's birthday by concentrating on the singer's bipolar musical nature: Sinatra always considered himself a manic depressive, so why not concentrate on the extreme lows and exuberant highs of Ol' Blue Eyes? In the first two parts of this four part series, Brian will concentrate on the "saloon" or sad songs of Frank's repertoire. In the final two parts - the high flying, fast paced, world-on-a-string swing numbers.
If you think you might want to listen to some more of my podcasts - please click below:
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Bedbugs LIX
Bedbugs LIX
Click here for an explanation of how Bedbugs is created.
Click here for last week's Bedbugs.
Despite the excitement the past lingers and bubbles
and boils, peaking above the surface just long enough
to sting. Knowing I can't remember the two ways she smiles
won't shut the music off. Only self-guided will, unfiltered.
The Knowledge Base. Ideas that change the world are
useless at the bottom of an unread book or an unspoken
tongue. Animated next to me is simply a creative essence
with a deadline. Fuck that, I'm leaving. Will find a new world
to start over in. Because drive two hours for fun was actually a
nice way to spend the day. That smile made it all worth it don't
respond to the office insult we used to be there for each other
and made sure the night ended on an up note. Now the easiest
way to fall asleep is to count the days since you called for
a reason other than "I need something." The call back to reality
was a strong one and I accepted the charges like an imbecile.
When Winter warms and goals thaw I'll start anew and
rekindle something before I try to forget.
I know I won't, but it's on the goal sheet.
Miles of ambition, nothing changed again.
Next week's seven phrases/groups of words:
-you can get there too
-do the hell out of the footwork
-easier than you think, she said
-master of which level they're on
-floors creaked and walls groaned
-time off to leave your mind
-miss you more than I let on
-Adam Barnick
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Underground, Above and Beyond: The Casually Edited True Life Subway Adventures of Hershey Browne
“Hello Coney Island bound travelers,” said the blind Italian accordion player as he entered the Manhattan bound F train. “Here’s a beach favorite.”
I recognized Under the Boardwalk within a few notes. The Drifter’s song was a staple at my home, and on the road, as a kid. He played and sang it quite well. He looked like he could have been the Italian and fifth Beatle on the cover of Abbey Road. I was very much into his act and prepared to cough up somewhere between fifty cents and a dollar, depending on where and how he took the bridge. And then it happened.
“Come on now help me out,” he asked the subway riders. From a few people back, I helped him out.
“Under the boardwalk…”
He turned his head my way but sang “out of the sun.”
I go again: “Under the Boardwalk.”
“Ok ok, stop. You, come here, singer.”
He was still playing the accordion at this point but it couldn’t have felt more silent. I felt sick but walked over to him. He’s still playing the accordion music to Under the Boardwalk. Everyone that ever existed is staring at me.
“What is this singing you do?”
“You know this is kind of silly, inviting people to sing and then giving me shit about it in front of the whole F train. Which by the way is Manhattan bound.”
“Yes, I realize that after the first stop.”
“And that’s it?”
“Yeah, what else do you want me to say? You can’t sing and when you talk, you whine. “
At this point, everyone was staring at me with dropped jaws and muffled “oh snaps.” I thought about bowing and trying to make it look like I was part of the act but the crowd did not really seem Three’s Company enough. Then I thought about punching the accordion player. But instead I announced, “He’s right. Ladies and Gentleman, he’s right. Now if you don’t mind, I’ll be exiting at the next stop and taking the day off. Feel free to join me.” And then I smiled at a cute girl. She shook her head “no” because it was easier than shaking her head “you’re a loser.”
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Happy Birthday Brian!
We here at the BBF would like to congratulate you
on another birthday, one that we more or less forgot
like we did with Pete and you did with mine..
The circle is now complete.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
-Adam
Friday, November 28, 2008
SIN-E-FILE (Ophuls)
"I have the sin of the Cinephile" - Jean Luc Godard
No one mentioned the name Max Ophuls in the four years that I was in film school in the mid 90’s. I didn’t hear the name until I was told that my thesis film would be playing at the Max Ophuls Film Festival in Germany in 1998. I didn’t bother to look into the man who this festival (one of the largest in Germany) was named after. I don’t know why I didn’t. I guess I figured that if I hadn’t heard of him, then he wasn’t important.
It took a special experience for me to get the desire to look into his work. The sister of the late Max Ophuls, an intelligent cinephile and well respected fixture of the festival, who was well into her eighties but showing no signs of it save some wrinkes, was nice enough to go on and on about how much she enjoyed my film. But she wasn't just polite, she actually discovered things that I never thought anyone would discover in the film; things that I only dreamt the audience would be perceptive enough to see. In essence, I was talking to "my audience", the one I made the film for. She finished by saying "It reminds me of my brother's films." I felt proud, moved, inspired. But I had no idea what she meant.
I still don't. I have been slowly discovering the man and his films ever since. For a while, there was next to nothing on DVD in this country. I found one of his best know films, The Earrings Of Madame De, on VHS. I was kind of amazed at how the camera never stopped moving, the structure of the storytelling was so engaging and tight, the acting was impressively natural and sincere; in short, nothing like my little film.
BAM, last year, had a mini retrospective. I got excited and checked out a few more of his late films. Was extremely impressed with his last film, Lola Montes. Saw it again when it was screened as part of the New York Film Festival this year. This is a film that totally incorporates both the old style of European filmmaking and the modern poetic realism that flourished soon thereafter. It has been sadly misunderstood for the most part, and never really treated as the masterpiece it is.
Criterion released his other last 3 films, La Ronde, Le Plasir and The Earrings of Madame De, in typically superb editions this year with very informative commentaries and other great extras.
These films are all made by a true master of the medium. You can feel that you are in good hands as you are experiencing the work. It’s hard to figure out why he is not more widely considered a director worthy of the stature of, say, Renoir or Welles. I am thankful that I was introduced to him in such a unique way. Not to put my film down, but, I don't think it would remind anyone of Max Ophuls' films. Whether she meant it or not, in my search for meaning from this nice moment in my life, I found a great artist. I recommend him to you.
-Peter Rinaldi
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Bedbugs LVIII
Bedbugs LVIII
Click here for an explanation of how Bedbugs is created.
Click here for last week's Bedbugs.
Night becomes day and how the victim starts
with the slander again because it's the only way
she can fight back but nobody was
challenging her in the first place. Sweet but damaged
and won't take any responsibility gets locked behind
a door I won't even search for the key for knowing that
when I come back she's got the answer but won't use it.
Don't tell anyone gathered downstairs that the solution
is actually in the room with them. Make me wait for inspiration.
Didn't I bring it with me? Three red tops blur into successive
form and try to make new meanings as the focusing in
one's eyes comes back. Can't there pleasant trying times ahead
is what the papers say but they're just random words,
occasionally prodded. Knowing your time was up yesterday
frees you of any fear of failure or anxious deadlines. Just be
and do the work and think and know and try to love, just try it.
Most of the time it works, don't tell him what to do. Even if he's
in denial, you know to manage, just be.
Next week's seven phrases/groups of words:
-can't remember the two ways she smiles
-animated next to me
-drive two hours for fun
-we used to be there for each other
-call back
-rekindle something before I
-nothing changed again
-Adam
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Six Word Theater
Six Word Theater
Click here for the most recent entry.
Inspired by the challenge Hemingway undertook to tell a story
in six words("For Sale: baby shoes. Never worn."), I attempt
to polish my skills by telling a six-word story or phrase on
select Wednesdays.
Feel free to "continue the story"or start your own.
Today's Entry:
That light at tunnel's end? TRAIN!!
-AB
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
SIN-E-FILE (Bottle Rocket)
"I have the sin of the cinephile" - Jean Luc Godard
Whenever anyone asks me to recommend a comedy, I always say Bottle Rocket, not just because it is really funny, but because I think it is delightfully and refreshingly good natured. It is so rare to see a comedy that is about friends caring for each other, not just in the last moments of the third act, but all the way through. You really like these guys. Whenever anyone is made a fool, it is never for very long. For a comedy, this is something to be admired.
Seeing it again now (in the new Criterion release), I was expecting the Wilson brothers to show signs that it was their first film. But they didn’t. In fact, the particular style of humor on display here (extremely subtle, character based, grounded in reality) is very popular today but rarely performed this well, with this much adherence to character and circumstantial truth. This is what makes it so successful as a comedy.
Two unsung heroes that help make this happen are Robert Musgrave as Bob, and the third Wilson brother, Andrew, as Future Man. A great comedy needs a strong supporting cast. This is always true. How Anderson got everyone to perform on the same comic tonal level, on his first film, is remarkable.
Favorite moment: “Kumar, what were you doing in the freezer?!” It makes me laugh every time. Don’t know why. Maybe it’s the cut. This occurs a number of times in the film – something happens that is ambiguous, or actually confusing, and then it is cleared up after a cut. It is used to full comic effect here.
So glad this one got the Criterion treatment. Fans have been waiting for it. If you haven’t seen it, do yourself a favor. It’s become a favorite of mine.
-Peter Rinaldi
Saturday, November 22, 2008
The Boxpress NEW Music Time Show
This week Brian plays a cavalcade of new music from a variety of artists.
Flobots "Handlebars" music video
Duffy performing "Distant Dreamer" at Glastonbury
Antony and the Johnsons video for "Another World"
TV on the Radio video for "Golden Age"
If you think you might want to listen to some more of my podcasts - please click below:
Show#11: "ELVIS"
Dems Da Brakes (Season 2: Episode 1)
Minimalist situation comedy/radio play.
Episode 10: "Cold H.A.N.D.S, Warm Zaanpt"
Starring:
Samantha: Melissa King
George: Peter Rinaldi
Setting:
Midtown, OOffatha (formerly Manhattan)
Year:
2029
Friday, November 21, 2008
SIN-E-FILE (Cassavetes and Ventura)
"I have the sin of the Cinephile" - Jean Luc Godard
Michael Ventura has written the ultimate book on the working life of John Cassavetes. I literally had to pace myself reading it. I wanted to savor it. I felt like I was on the set. It’s called Cassavetes Directs: John Cassavetes and the making of Love Streams. I am perplexed why no one is talking about this book. It’s been sitting around for 25 years waiting to get published. Now we have it. It’s a goldmine. What’s up with the film world?
It is an actual day by day, almost shot for shot, account of the making of what I think is Cassavetes best film. And it is filled with so many inspiration, hilarious and entertaining moments that, if you are a Cassavetes fan, you will jump up and down with excitement. And if you are not, you will want to look into his work immediately.
I contacted Mr. Ventura and requested an interview. He agreed, so I’d like to have something in the way of an article or an expanded review with an accompanied interview soon.
Ventura made a documentary on the making of Love Streams as well; I’m Almost Not Crazy. That’s been around for a while, the trouble is it’s hard to find. It’s at Kim’s video (who knows how much longer, Kim’s is moving or closing, I don’t know which. It’s confusing) on VHS. Just watched it the other day for the first time. Ventura’s book is so engaging that, when I was reading a description of a certain moment from the set, I’d have a detailed image in my mind of how the “scene” played out and I’d get so envious that I couldn’t be there to see it myself. Well I didn’t realize that some of these moments he describes so beautifully in the book were actually captured on film for the documentary. As I was watching them, (I never had this feeling before) I felt like my dreams were being brought to life. Like I was actually seeing something that I thought could never be seen because I wasn’t there. But here they were, these moments that I thought would only exist in my imagination. These were moments that maybe other readers wouldn’t have the same reaction to, but true fans of Cassavetes might really be in awe over them. And for all the other amazing, crazy and inspiring moments that the camera didn’t capture, Michael Ventura, with his way with words, gives us the gift of being able to place us right there, on the set.
The book also does an even greater service for John Cassavetes. It puts to bed any theories that say he haphazardly put his films together; that they have no structure, no cohesiveness; that he doesn’t direct the pictures. Ventura’s title says it. Cassavetes directs. And it is fascinating to see how he does it.
-Peter Rinaldi
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Bedbugs LVII
Bedbugs LVII
Click here for an explanation of how Bedbugs is created.
Click here for last week's Bedbugs.
Masterful taxation on one's mind in no particular order
demands that you think for yourself or get out. Managing
want for nothing, stay for only you choose whether it's
the best thing for you and yours deciding for youself,
through yourself, and that's the only way you
can live with yourself, sleep at night without.. Fake wings
in the dumpster out back; must have been a celebration.
I have a costume on all day at work. Someone
collapsed upstairs and nobdy's bothering to check
it out. Should I? I don't. Keeping it within the parameter
I love this type of weather even if it signifies decay, though
a beautiful kind; for two hours I sit in front of an empty
easel, a white blank pad, a waiting microphone. If I'd only
say something on it or through it or painted on it, things
would flow. But I wait. That's the best
the team came up with? Find a way to shock me.
Next week's seven phrases/groups of words:
-the victim starts with the slander again
-she's got the answer but won't use it
-make me wait
-pleasant trying times
-your time was up yesterday
-don't tell him what to do
-just be
-Adam Barnick
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
QUANTUM OF SOLACE by Frank Palmcoast
When he's not watching, with beads of sweat, his fellow, legally blind, senior citizens parallel park, Frank Palmcoast is catching seven dollar movies at the local multiplex from sunny Pompano Beach, Florida. He's retired, he's angry at the world, he can't spell to save his life, and he hates Hollywood almost as much as Hillary Clinton, but that will not stop our irreverent, dementia fightin', AARP card carrying everyman from giving us a fresh take on all things Hollyweird. Besides, how can he pass up that marvelous senior citizen discount?
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Call him Palmcoast, Frank Palmcoast. Our legendary reviewer tackles a legendary film hero and his latest screen adventure: Quantum of Solace.
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A better title for this feeble Bond attempt would have been "Quantum Of Chaos" or perhaps "Lester the Ape takes On The Bad Guys". This new Bond has done so far in it's opening $30 million more than it's predecessor--FRIGHTENING! The opening sound track really sucked.My 007 traditionally won the day via charm, wit and of course cool gadgets and occasionally a fight but in this Bond wins mainly with violence. For this reviewer this was no more than an action movie with little dialog and a terrible plot. This plot obviously conceived in Starbucks, wants us to believe the villains want to control all the water supply in of all places Bolivia and charge of all people the Bolivians, absorbent amounts of Pesos for their water supply--are you kidding me or what.! Now with Obama becoming our President, how far in the future before Bond will be played by a black man and I ponder how future movie goers will deal with that reality. When producers of Bond were looking for a Bond replacement, my vote was for Danny Divito to assume the role but who listens to me!This new Bond is more like an action hero rather than the smooth, cool spy that we learned to love and enjoy.The casting director who chose Mathieu Malric to play the lead villain looked more like a constipated frog.Noticeably missing were the beautiful woman with the CUTE names. Daniel Craig appeared as a ruthless thug and acted like an ape. I pray that Craig will undoubtedly evolve into a more traditional and more drawn out Bond with some badly needed dialog and more so called, British wit! Your money would be better spent contributing to Ron Paul's presidential campaign!
Monday, November 17, 2008
SIN-E-FILE (Godard and Rossillini)
Here, in this new, regularly updated column, I will post the current goings-on, curiosities and obsessions in my cinematic universe. - Peter Rinaldi
“I love the cinema. Rossellini no longer loves it, he is detached from it, he loves life. Compared to Rossellini, I have the sin of the cinephile." - Jean Luc Godard, 1962
Roberto Rossellini is an interesting figure in world cinema. I hadn’t seen many of his films when I picked up a book called “My Method”, which included a number of interviews and writings from the “Father of Neo-realism”. I was so intrigued by what I read that I nearly busted a blood vessel when I found out that MOMA was going to have a Rossellini retrospective (this was in 2006). Most of his films are so hard to find, and the ones that are available are in such rough shape. It seemed like a great opportunity to dive into his work.
Well it's not easy to dive into Rossellini. He's difficult. Not difficult like Godard's work is difficult, but in a totally different, possibly opposite, way. You see, as a cinephile, I have always found it easy to love Godard. In fact, I know plenty of cinephiles that don’t enjoy Godard, but I don’t know anyone who enjoys Godard that is not a cinephile. His life is film, and even though his work functions on many complex political and Brechtian levels, it's influences are, predominately, other films . Perhaps he is the first real film junkie to turn into a filmmaker.
Rossellini's films are rough, badly acted (for the most part) and are shot seemingly (perhaps deceptively) without a driving artistic force. He, according to Godard’s biographer Richard Brody, “was hostile to any veneration of the cinema as a means of artistic expression.” It is so interesting that Godard felt both a pull toward this way of making films and a rejection to it. When asked who his “masters” are, Godard said he had none, “or perhaps just one, because of his will to independence: Rossellini.” And yet, he called his short film Le Nouveau Monde, almost proudly, “anti-Rossellini”.
When I read Godard’s quote about the “sin of the cinephile”, I had a realization. Maybe I wasn’t as intrigued as I though I’d be with the films of Rossellini because I too was riddled with the sin of the cinephile. I think I need to literally SEE a deliberateness in a filmmakers cinematic style to actually begin to appreciate that filmmaker. This isn’t in the work of Rossellini, he rejected such things. It is this “deliberateness” that is at the heart of the auteur theory , which is where my cinephilia is likely rooted.
But the young French cinephiles from Cashier Du Cinema adored, and found influence in, the work of Rossellini. Why? Maybe because the lack of deliberateness of style in Rossellini, his literally rejection of cinema as art, actually manifests as a style, as HIS art. But is it art if it’s not trying to be? These are the questions that create such an interest in Rossellini for me, and send me continually back to study his films. Like any great master, as you grow, your appreciation of his work grows with you.
“The sin of cinephilia” likely means something different for me than it did for Godard. But nevertheless I find truth in it. Rossellini is sinless because he has no cinephilia. I think Godard envied that. I relate to that envy. Because I choose “film” over “life”, my films will constantly suffer. They will never be pure like Rossellini’s. But I won’t want them to, because, just like a proper sinner, I am not in a hurry to get saved. Yet there is a constant guilt that I live with, and a feeling deep down inside that maybe the way to true art is away from it, and that I must start loving life and stop loving cinema. It is then that MY cinema will evolve.
Till then, I will confess my sins here, in this column, at The Boutros Boutros Follies.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Bedbugs LVI
Bedbugs LVI
Click here for an explanation of how Bedbugs is created.
Click here for last week's Bedbugs.
All of us woke up at the same time but when
the blinds opened, the room stayed at the same level
of muffled light. She screamed. I promise we'll survive a
minor mental heart attack but she wasn't having any of it.
Cut your palm intentionally and you still won't wake up. That's
someone else's heartbeat, I promise you. We run downstairs
and it's dark yet I can see everything..the sky's pitch black
and ruined costumes are in the trash. Sadly too young for us,
that ambition. Running a mile to the water, the city is covered
in a cloud..not a storm or something violent, but that muffled
ether that clouded the song that used to repeat in my head..
what is going on? Better averages of knowing story coming
from the next room is what I think up next. Makes no sense.
Are we being affected? Few folks scatter and I run back to the
apartment knowing faking an accent of honesty. Tell me what the
clock says doesn't matter. The weird high pitched noise, like
when your eardrums blow out, is increasing. Back to bed. Hide.
Force sleep till it comes. Maybe rejuvinated, none too soon.
Next week's seven phrases/groups of words:
-want for nothing
-fake wings in the dumpster out back
-someone collapsed upstairs
-I love this type of weather
-for two hours
-that's the best the team came up with
-shock me.
-Adam Barnick
Friday, November 7, 2008
The Boxpress Music Time Show with Brian Hughes
Show #14: BOB DYLAN - PART 2
"Series of Dreams"
"Ring Them Bells" LIVE :
If you think you might want to listen to some more of my podcasts - please click below:
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