They’re CHICKENS, you dolt. Apart from you, they’re the most stupid creatures on this planet. They don’t plot, they don’t scheme, and they are NOT organized. Today’s suggestion is a bit of an oddity for a cantankerous cinematic curmudgeon like me. One of those rare homage films that I actually enjoy as much as — maybe even a teeny-tiny bit more — than the original(s) to which it is paying such loving homage. Chicken Run, the Great Escape-themed gem from stop-motion... Read more
From Mammut Alpine: July 14th 2015 is the 150th anniversary of the first ascent of the Matterhorn. The mountain, which is probably the most photographed in the world, was in the headlines again. In preparation for the anniversary celebrations, Swiss mountaineering specialist Mammut, together with the Zermatt mountain guides traced the route over the Hörnligrat ridge in a chain of lights, paying homage to the first ascent of the roped party with Edward Whymper. The accompanying video’s impressive (technically and visually),... Read more
It is a pity I can’t receive my own letters. If they produce as much wholehearted approval at their destination as they do at their source, they should indeed be able to keep my memory alive and healthy. — Flannery O’Connor What a great quote. Yes, as a die-hard and dyed-in-the-wool O’Connorite, I suppose it’s only fair to admit that I’m pre-disposed to enjoy this sort of thing. But it’s just so quintessentially O’Connor: smart, sarcastically self-deprecating, and with a hard core of truth... Read more
A couple of days ago, my dad sent me the following video. Apparently, he’s gently encouraging me to lose my mind. …more rapidly than I’m already losing it, that is. Seriously, these sorts of things drive me crazy. Things that I don’t understand bother me not at all. Things that I understand on an intellectual level that still produce an uncontrolled response in me when I see them? Those are the insanity-inducing ones. I especially like the switch from 3 to 4.... Read more
When I first saw this short film on Mike Heist — a guy who makes a living by bending neon tubes; a master of the bending arts, you might say — I was immediately reminded of Marcus Daly’s The Coffinmaker. (I’m not quite sure why, though I think it might have something to do with the quietness and the precision of their work. And with the fact that they’re creating something we use all the time/see all around us, yet know very... Read more
I’m not going tell you much about today’s recommendation — Susanne Bier’s After the Wedding (Efter brylluppet) — because I think it’s better to watch this one pretty cold. In fact, I’m really only allowing the trailer because it’s not particularly accurate. (Or at least it doesn’t really spoil things. It’s mostly just setting up the story/giving you the premise.) All I really want to say is that it’s wrenching and demanding. And really difficult to watch. And brutally, achingly honest and... Read more
A fascinating and intriguing project, both for the creative forces involved — I love Docter’s work — and because the topic is such an unusual one to see in this medium. (By unusual for this medium, I mean “it’s hard to imagine this as a movie. But if you’re going to make a movie about this kind of abstractish thing, animation seems like the way to go, for sure.” And that’s one of the things I love so much about... Read more
Thanks to Jim Benton for this sharp little insight into my life. It’s one that cuts uncomfortably close to the quick, most days; one that applies more readily and regularly than I’d care to admit. (“Means,” I keep reminding myself. “Not end. Just a means, not an end.“) Read more
Today, I’m going to do something brave. Or, perhaps, something foolish. I’m going to tell everyone what my favorite animated Disney film is. Even though past instances of this bravery (or is it foolishness?) have produced any and/or all of the following responses: stunned disbelief; righteous anger; awkward silence; unmitigated guffaws; derision; pity; thinly-veiled outrage; or the worst response of all, nothing. Still, I forge ahead. Because even though I might never find anyone who loves this film as much as I do, my brave (foolish?) willingness... Read more
Today, this is me: OK, fine. I’m perhaps not quite that cute. Nor as fluffy. But I’m doing just about as good a job of measuring today’s obstacles. (That’s why they call it Hump Day, right? Because it’s the one you trip over?) Just keep workin’, I say. …Oh, and listen to a long-form YouTube video of Georg Friedrich Händel’s organ concerti. That’ll help, as well. (Seriously. When doesn’t it?) Read more
Summa This, Summa That
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