SVS: “Hoosiers”

Last updated on: January 30, 2015 at 11:15 am By Joseph Susanka

For some (let’s say “inexplicable,” which is significantly gentler than the first “i” word I thought to put there) reason, whenever the rich cinematic world of the Cliché-Riddled Inspirational Sports Movie (C-RISM) is mentioned in my presence, the first film that comes to mind is Hoosiers. Every single time. Without exception. Coincidentally (or not), Hoosiers is currently available from either AMAZON PRIME or HULU PLUS, and rentable through AMAZON INSTANT($) and YOUTUBE($). High school basketball is king in small-town Indiana, and the 1954 Hickory Huskers are all hope and... Read more

Magical Murmurations

Last updated on: January 29, 2015 at 11:52 am By Joseph Susanka

These fantastical phenomena are pretty much my favorite things ever. 1.An act or instance of murmuring 2. A flock of starlings (The following video, which inspired today’s outburst, comes with a 1080p HD option. Take it. And full-screen would surely not be amiss. Volume? That’s up to you. I’m not a huge fan of the music, but YMMV.) This particularly mesmerizing murmuration clip comes from Alpaca Media’s Art Director and Cameraman, Roald Van Stijn, the creative mind behind Pyropix, the YouTube account hosting... Read more

I Have No Idea What’s Going On In This Picture. But I’m All For It!

Last updated on: January 28, 2015 at 1:54 pm By Joseph Susanka

This is James. James the Fifth. And he’s looked pretty much like this — off-and-on, but-mostly-on — for a couple of days now. And I’m going to allow it. In fact, to be honest, I’m actually encouraging it. Just a little. First off, because I have glasses, so a fellow framerer in the house is fun. Makes me feel like less of a nerd; a little less. Second, because Sarah and I are always amused when people wear glasses without corrective... Read more

My Favorite Mozart

Last updated on: January 27, 2015 at 3:35 pm By Joseph Susanka

Mozart was born 259 years ago today. It was a Tuesday (apparently). And it created waves in the musical world that are being felt to this day. Also, I don’t have a “favorite Mozart.” That’s pretty much an impossible task. What I do have, though, is something I’ve been streaming at work today in honor of his birthday. (It’s on the short list of “My Favorite Mozarts.” Or at least it would be, if I had one. But I don’t, because... Read more

SSF: “Helium Harvey”

Last updated on: January 26, 2015 at 12:22 pm By Joseph Susanka

I might be posting today’s Summa Short Film (SSF) almost entirely because I know that Cormac (Son #6) will think it’s hilarious. Might be, I said. Might not be, though. So don’t judge me. Also, I realize this description’s a trifle literal, but stick with it. You won’t be sorry. Helium Harvey is a curious boy exploring his backyard. After breathing in helium to change his voice, he turns into a balloon and goes on an airborne adventure around the world. Love the... Read more

SVS: “Get Low”

Last updated on: January 23, 2015 at 9:51 am By Joseph Susanka

“I guess for every one like me, there’s one like you, son. I about forgot that.” I recently had the opportunity to gather with a few cinepheliac friends for a re-watch of one of my favorite films from 2009: the Aaron Schneider-helmed, Robert Duvall-showcasing Get Low, which is currently streaming on both NETFLIX INSTANT and YOUTUBE($). And is also available from AMAZON INSTANT VIDEO($$$), though purchasing is the only option there. (Hence the multiple dollar signs.) Robert Duvall stars as irascible backwoods loner Felix Bush,... Read more

A Day of Lamentation and Bitter Weeping

Last updated on: January 22, 2015 at 10:40 am By Joseph Susanka

Every Life is a Gift. #marchforlife — Pope Francis (@Pontifex) January 22, 2015 In all the Dioceses of the United States of America, January 22 (or January 23, when January 22 falls on a Sunday) shall be observed as a particular day of prayer for the full restoration of the legal guarantee of the right to life and of penance for violations to the dignity of the human person committed through acts of abortion. — USCCB Thus says the Lord: A voice... Read more

Max Zorn: Using the Familiar in Astonishing Ways

Last updated on: January 20, 2015 at 4:35 pm By Joseph Susanka

“I wanted to use street lamps as an urban gallery and I wanted to use the darkness as the setting around my artwork.” That quote (and image) come from one Max Zorn. Max is an artist; a street artist from Amsterdam, in fact. And his medium is brown packing tape. The material I use is brown packing tape, which I stick on layers of thin acrylic glass sheets. The more layers of tape I add, the darker the shades on the artwork... Read more

SSF: “My Mum is an Airplane”

Last updated on: January 19, 2015 at 3:50 pm By Joseph Susanka

Well, isn’t this just as charming as all get-out? A young boy imagines his mother to be an airplane who travels to exotic lands. Attribution(s): All artwork, publicity images, and stills are the property of Yulia Aronova, who made this work available via a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0) license. Read more

Ol’ Man Willow’s Got a Brand New Coat

Last updated on: January 15, 2015 at 6:24 pm By Joseph Susanka

So, it didn’t exactly snow last night. But I’m not sure it rimed, either. Or hoarfrosted, because there wasn’t much in the way of ice. It was more like feathering. But whatever it did, it was gorgeous. Attribution(s): Me. Read more