I was born a Venetian on 18 October 1775, the day of Saint Luke of the Gospel, and by God's grace I shal die an Italian, whenever that Providence that so mysteriously governs the world deems it right.
Saturday, September 20, 2014
First Lines: Ippolito Nievo - Confessions of an Italian
I was born a Venetian on 18 October 1775, the day of Saint Luke of the Gospel, and by God's grace I shal die an Italian, whenever that Providence that so mysteriously governs the world deems it right.
Rarely Heard: Laura Veirs - Galaxies
Laura Veirs is an American singer-songwriter who writes wonderfully catchy songs that really should be much more popular than they are. She "sings personal songs of romantic intoxication, everyday vignettes, and occasional social commentary that are often heavy on introspection and intense character scrutiny." (allmusic.com) So far she has released 9 albums, one is a great collection of children's songs, traditional and self composed.
The Godfather (1972)
The aging patriarch of an organized crime dynasty transfers control of his clandestine empire to his reluctant son.
A flawless epic with mastery to be found in all parts, a true cinema classic.
I watch the Godfather trilogy at least once a year; nothing to add to my previous comment.
Halliwel****: "A brilliantly-made film with all the fascination of a snake pit: a warm-hearted family saga except that the members are thieves and murderers. Cutting would help, but the duller conversational sections do heighten the cunningly judged moments of suspense and violence."
Maltin****: "The 1970s' answer to GONE WITH THE WIND, from Mario Puzo's novel...Pulp fiction raised to the highest level; a film of epic proportions, masterfully done, and set to Nino Rota's memorable music. Absolutely irresistable."
Friday, September 19, 2014
New Stuff: Containerhead
Great local band from here in Regensburg skillfully playing post rock in a similar vein as Tortoise or Godspeed! The Back Emporer.
One Week (2008)
A young man who his told that he is fatally idecieds to take a motorcycle trip from Toronto to Tofino, British Columbia to find meaning in his life.
Although produced with good taste, professionalism and some irony, the story is at all times quite obvious and not so original.
Rarely Heard: The Twilight Sad - That Summer, At Home I Had Become The Invisible Boy
The Twilight Sad are a Scottish band from Glasgow who so far have released three full-length albums and several EPs. Their wonderful sound is marked by the singer's strong Scottish accent and heavy shoegazing wall of sound with blazing guitar - and accordion! They're ceratinly a band I'd love to see live some day (they're rumored to be ear-splitting loud). That Summer, At Home I Had Become The Invisible Boy is the very first song they composed and my favourite!
First Lines: Pier Paolo Pasolini - A Violent Life
As always after eating Thomas, Lello, Zucabbo and the other kids who lived in the small village of huts on the Via di Pietralata arrived at school at least half an hour early.
Thursday, September 18, 2014
También la lluvia (2010)
As a director and his crew shoot a controversial film about Christopher
Columbus in Cochabamba, Bolivia, local people rise up against plans to
privatize the water supply.
Engaging political drama, well staged with a good cast,but a little bit pushy delivering its message.
Matrimonio all'italiana (1964)
A successfull businessman begins an affair with a 17 years old prostitute.
Comedy melodrama with an oddly complex narrative structure is entertaining especially due to Sopia Loren's energetic performance.
Maltin***: "Spicy..."
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
Rarely Heard: The Shaggs - Philosophy of the World
OK, I only recently purchased the CD, but it has been on my want list for a decade or so. I'm also uncertain, if they are really that rarely heard - this clip has more than 600,000 views! The Shaggs are 3 sisters, managed by their father and forced them to play, who self-released only one album in 1969. It didn't sell well, but somehow got some attention and garnered a little cult. Some consider them the worst band of all times, but others think quite differently, Frank Zapp called them the "3rd best band of all time" and "better than the Beatles". Indeed, their music is not simply bad, but has an otherworldy, askew quality to it which elsewehere could be considered avantgarde. In any case the Shaggs are one of the first true outsider bands. And here's a great story on the Shaggs from the New Yorker:
http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1999/09/27/meet-the-shaggs?utm_source=tny&utm_campaign=generalsocial&utm_medium=tumblr&mbid=social_tumblr
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
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