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
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Happy Birthday Brian!
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?
*********************************************************
Call him Palmcoast, Frank Palmcoast. Our legendary reviewer tackles a legendary film hero and his latest screen adventure: Quantum of Solace.
*********************************************************
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:
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Bedbugs LV
Bedbugs LV
Click here for an explanation of how Bedbugs is created.
Click here for last week's Bedbugs.
I abandon an office triumphantly. I set goals
that get met. I lose 20 pounds the detention
centers are full and I want to make sure I
don't go there. I do it all of my own choice;
strap a new face on, pretend that's a fresh
start. I focus, not follow. Your skin is rusting.
Your soul, if it exists, needs polish. I'm
not the man to fix it but music from when
we were 12 is stuck in my head. It is NOT
the habits that lead to being a drone.
TV dinners and throwing up your hands, choices,
too many choices between two puppets and some
others who stand no chance. Tell yourself
you're free. Who knows, plans you'll
never act on could kick in. She'd better
not be there. I need to draw a doorway and
get out...
Next week's seven phrases/groups of words:
-I promise we'll survive
-cut your palm intentionally
-sadly too young for us
-story coming from the next room
-faking an accent of honesty
-what the clock says doesn't matter
-rejuvinated, none too soon
-Adam B.
Wednesday, November 5, 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
Wednesdays..or every few Wednesdays.
Feel free to "continue the story"
or start your own.
Today's Entry:
Supported the war.
Enlisted.
Mind's changed.
-Adam
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
GWAR in America's Bad Kids' Election Day Special!
The most politically relevant band of the modern era
dishes its two cents on our future leaders as
America's Bad Kids goes behind the scenes of
GWAR's new tour(with the BBF's Adam Barnick
on co-camera duties)!
Monday, November 3, 2008
Bedbugs LIV
Bedbugs LIV
Click here for an explanation of how Bedbugs is created.
Click here for last week's Bedbugs.
Everything felt normal, hat trick, 3 years of
safety balanced with creative risk, someone is breathing
into the speaker instead of stepping behind too large
a space between your ears should be filled, no comment..
I'm my own emotional surgeon, trying to balance
keep my ears ringing; who is playing not realizing
who owns it could be a fatal mistake. Hang from
the rafters like the rest of them. Read a fucking book.
Escape. Broken before it got to me,
snapping back to coherency a pleasant way to
understand. One's brains are out of shape, not since
high school.
Next week's seven phrases/groups of words:
-the detention centers are full
-strap a new face on
-your skin is rusting
-music from when we were 12
-choices, too many choices
-plans you'll never act on
-draw a doorway and get out
-Adam
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