ph: Ellen von Unwerth
Saturday, January 12, 2013
First Lines: Rudyard Kipling - Jungle Book
(ph: Giorgio Iorio)
It was seven o'clock of a very warm evening in the Seeonee hills when Father Wolf woke up from his day's rest, scratched himself, yawned, and spread out his paws one after the other to get rid of the sleeping feeling in their tips.
Friday, January 11, 2013
The Green Hornet (2011)
Following the death of his father, Britt Reid, heir to his father's large company, teams up with his late dad's assistant Kato to become a masked crime fighting team.
Although occasionally witty this is a barely average action-packed super-hero comic adaptation and quite disappointing compared to the director's far more imaginative (and innovative) work.
Maltin *1/2: "Inane, nearly incoherent, attention-deficit mash-up of a superhero movie and a comedy. Written by Rogen and Evan Goldberg, who abandon all logic for the love of a cool car and plenty of explosions."
Thursday, January 10, 2013
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First Lines: Henryk Sienkiewicz - Quo Vadis
Petronius woke only about midday, and as usual greatly wearied.
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
The Trap (1966)
A fur trapper takes a mute girl as his unwilling wife to live with him in his remote cabin in the woods.
Stirring marital drama with two strong lead performances and beautifully shot in the original Canadian locations.
Halliwell (no stars): "Primitive open air melodrama with good action sequences; well made but hardly endearing."
Maltin ***: "Vivid 1890s tale, well photographed by Robert Krasker."
Tightrope (1984)
A detective is put on the case of a serial killer who starts choosing victims who are acquaintances of the detective.
Superior psychological crime thriller with a (literally) dark tale to tell.
Halliwell (no stars): "Boring, dimly lit and generally unappealing low life thriller."
Maltin **1/2: "Intriguing Eastwood vehicle undone by sleaziness - and darkness."
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
New York
ph: Berenice Abbott
Wm. Goldberg’s clothing store. 771 Broadway, New York City, circa 1930s.
First Lines: Frédéric Mistral - Mirèio
I sing the love of a Provencal maid;
How through the wheat-fields of La Crau she strayed,
Following the fate that drew her to the sea.
Monday, January 7, 2013
New Stuff: Edge of the Universe
Fascinating new book about the most recent (and surprising!) scientific findings in cosmology.
Brocéliande (2003)
At a university specializing in Celtic history, a string of murders has struck the campus.
Silly monster movie complete with an unimaginative plot, risible dialogue and a ridiculous monster.
New Stuff: Joni Mitchell
Although this album was on the german Rocklexikon's list of 100 essential rock albums list, I always kind of ignored it and got Joni Mitchell's other works first...till now.