Saturday, March 27, 2021

New Stuff: The New Yorker


 

(art: Liniers)

Who's That Girl?


 

(ph: Garry Winogrand)

Photographer: Wim Wenders


 
Bio:

Michelle Gutknecht


 

Wadjda (2012)


 

An enterprising Saudi girl signs on for her school's Koran recitation competition as a way to raise the remaining funds she needs in order to buy the green bicycle that has captured her interest. 

A simple story, beautifully told with realism and good eye for details, gives light to the everyday inequalities of life in Saudi Arabia and manages to do so without harshness, but with an uplifting spirit.

Maltin***: "Engaging story, told with directness and humor, which quietly conveys many truths about societal norms in the Arab world. Young Mohammed, making her screen debut, is a charming and completely believable heroine." 


 

Ola Kedrzynska


 

ph: Michal Polak

Today's Cat


 

Daul Kim



A day in the life, May 28


 

A day in the life, May 28, posters for art exhibitions

Liu Li Jun


 

Thursday, March 25, 2021

First Lines: Kai Ashante Wilson - The Sorcerer of the Wildeeps


 

The merchants and burdened camels went on ahead into the station at Mother of Waters.

Sasha Kichigina


 

ph: Roman Varlamov

The Big Lebowski (1998)


 

Jeff "The Dude" Lebowski, mistaken for a millionaire of the same name, seeks restitution for his ruined rug and enlists his bowling buddies to help get it.

Easy-going (like its titular character), serendipitous drama, full of black humor and numerous memorable sequences and with a colorful ensemble of eccentric characters is thoroughly entertaining; an instant cult classic.

Halliwell**: "A meandering thriller that provides a great deal of incidental pleasures on a journey to nowhere in particular."

Maltin**1/2: "One big shaggy-dog joke, courtesy of the Coen brothers...Mostly an excuse for off-the-wall character vignettes, some of which are amusing, some of which are just...strange. Minor Coen concoction with a most agreeable cast. Turturro is a standout as Jesus the bowler, but Bridges' Dave the Dude has become a pop culture icon." 


 


Alexis Sundman


 

Today's Cat


 

Wednesday, March 24, 2021

Meghan Roche


 

A day in the life, May 27

 


 

A day in the life, May 27, Ostdeutsche Galerie, Regensburg

Yuan Bo Chao


 

New Stuff: Armand Hammer



 

Mengyao Xi


 

Ride With the Devil (1999)



 

During the American Civil War, two friends join the Bushwhackers, a militant group loyal to the Confederacy. 

Excellently and beautifully directed Western with an excellent cast takes its time to analyze the causes and effects of war, but somehow fails to make a lasting impact due to a lack of focus on its agenda. 

Halliwell**: "Dour, beautifully photographed semi-western, a harsh drama of idealism corrupted and redeemed; it ably shows the futility of war, as both sides commit atrocities and betrayals, but might have benefitted from a maturer point of view than that of its youthful participants."

Maltin**1/2: "Interesting subject matter is diffused by overlong, sometimes unfocused treatment, though the time and place are well drawn. Pop singer Jewel makes an impressive acting debut." 


 

Rebecca Leigh Longendyke



Tuesday, March 23, 2021

New Stuff: Frank Zappa


 

Eva Klimkova


 

ph: Memet Erol

Man on the Moon (1999)


 

The life and career of legendary comedian of Andy Kaufman.

A great director and Jim Carrey do their best to explain this strange comedian's appeal,  but alas, Andy Kaufman's humor never sparks a laugh, and he appears to have been a rather disagreeable fellow.

Halliwell*: "An intriguing story of an unusual an uncomfortable talent, with a good performance from Carrey; those who were never exposed to Kaufman's comedy are likely to need more convincing that he is worth this elaborate treatment."

Maltin**: "Carrey perfectly embodies his subject, but it's impossible to get inside Kaufman's head and understand what made him so very, very strange, on-stage and off...if indeed it's worth the effort."


 

Sunday, March 21, 2021

Art: Joan Brown


 
Bio:

Alex Sandor

 


The Duel (2016)


 

A Texas Ranger investigates a series of unexplained deaths in a town called Helena. 

Dark, brooding, at times hallucinatory tale has good production value and some moments, but it's plot development is slow and indecisive, even irritating; no problem for Woody Harrelson doing his thing. 


 

Marcelina Sowa



Today's Cat



Sara Witt


 

A day in the life, May 26


 

A day in the life, May 26, fountain

Blanca Padilla


 

New Stuff: The New Yorker


 

(art: Tom Gauld)