Saturday, January 8, 2011
First Lines: Edith Wharton - Ethan Frome
I had the story, bit by bit, from various people, and, as generally happens in such cases, each time it was a different story.
New Stuff: Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee
Since I'm currently reading the book I wanted to see this acclaimed TV adaptation.
New Stuff: Breece D'J Pancake
I only recently heard about this author, who is died much too young and published only 6 stories in his lifetime, but is widely acclaimed as a writer.
Friday, January 7, 2011
William S. Burroughs: The Cat Inside
Wimpy shows me flashes of my son, Billy, and my poor father. Ten o'clock in the house at Price Road. I go down to the pantry for milk and cookies, hoping my father won't be there. Frustration makes me surly and petulant. "Gay" was not a household word in those days.
He is there. "Hello Bill."
The pathetic appeal and the hurt in his eyes.
"Hello."
Nothing but cold hate. If only...Too late. Over from Cobble Stone Gardens.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
First Lines: Paul Auster - Sunset Park
For almost a year now, he has been taking photographs of abandonded things.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
New Stuff: Deerhunter
So far I hadn't heard of this noise rock band, but it was on several Best of 2010 lists.
The Searchers (1956)
As a Civil War veteran spends years searching for a young niece captured by Indians, his motivation becomes increasingly questionable.
A Western masterpiece with a complex human drama set within a simple story.
Dances with Wolves (1990)
A lieutenant, exiled to a remote western Civil War outpost, befriends wolves and Indians, making him an intolerable aberration in the military.
Epic Western saga honestly concerned in showing the Native Americans in a new perspective, but offered in a self-congratulatory tone.
Maverick (1994)
Bret Maverick, needing money for a poker tournament, faces various comic mishaps and challenges, including a charming woman thief.
Good-humored western farce with the stars visibly enjoying themselves.
Monday, January 3, 2011
New Stuff: Melt Banana
A Japanese noise band which I had not yet known about, on German TV they were compared with the Boredoms.
The Movies I Watched in December
An American Werewolf in London (1981) 7
Buddenbrooks (2008) 5
Drean Wife (1953) 5
Go Tell the Spartans (1978) 6
Kiss the Girls (1997) 6
Bay of Angels (1963) 6
La passante du Sans-Souci (1982) 6
Legend (1985) 5
Once upon a Time in America (1984) 8
Romy (2009) (TV) 6
Severance (2006) 5
The Dead Will Tell (2004) (TV)
The Silence of the Lambs (1991) 9
The Walker (2007) 6
The Whole Nine Yards (2000) 6
Buddenbrooks (2008) 5
Drean Wife (1953) 5
Go Tell the Spartans (1978) 6
Kiss the Girls (1997) 6
Bay of Angels (1963) 6
La passante du Sans-Souci (1982) 6
Legend (1985) 5
Once upon a Time in America (1984) 8
Romy (2009) (TV) 6
Severance (2006) 5
The Dead Will Tell (2004) (TV)
The Silence of the Lambs (1991) 9
The Walker (2007) 6
The Whole Nine Yards (2000) 6