SVS: “Sense and Sensibility”

Last updated on: January 11, 2015 at 4:26 pm By Joseph Susanka

“From the Oscar-winning director* of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and The Hulk and the whiny, ridiculously over-entitled rich gal from Titanic, and the frigid (darn, should have saved that one for Titanic), neurotic, desperately-blocked writer from Stranger Than Fiction and the Uber-Villainous Gruber from Die Hard and that one genius-jerk from “House” comes a heart-warming tale of self-sacrificing, unrequited love and patient, edifying sisterly dedication. And rain. And fountains.” I’m speaking, of course, in a booming voice-over voice. And of Sense and Sensibility, which is currently available from NETFLIX... Read more

C.P.E. and the Transverse Flute

Last updated on: March 17, 2017 at 3:05 pm By Joseph Susanka

Today’s shaping up to be a data-mining/data-compiling/mail-merging kind’o’day. In other words, an “I Must Listen To Music Or I Shall Run Mad” sort of day. Luckily, there’s an Internet for that. Here. This should get your toes a-tappin’: That, as you doubtless instantly recognized, is the great-(if overshadowed just a touch by his dad)-C.P.E. Bach’s G Major Concerto “a flauto traverso obligato…” Or, in English, his Concerto for Transverse Flute. In G Major. And it’s great stuff. I should be able... Read more

Frane Selak: The Luckiest of Unlucky Men

Last updated on: March 17, 2017 at 3:05 pm By Joseph Susanka

NOTE: “As of this date, none of Selak’s claims have been independently verified.” But as my father always says, why let facts get in the way of a good story? For some reason, I keep thinking about is the opening of Magnolia. Except Sydney Barringer would have been the Unluckiest of Lucky Men, right? (Also, I really, really like Ricky Jay. That is all.) Well, almost all. Because I can’t let Selak go without mentioning this little curiosity, which is just icing... Read more

“Collecting My Thoughts,” by Grant Snider

Last updated on: March 17, 2017 at 3:05 pm By Joseph Susanka

Perhaps it’s because I just polished off a much-needed long weekend, or perhaps it’s because I took last Friday off in addition to the previously-scheduled long weekend. Or maybe it’s something else entirely. But whatever the cause, I’ve had a tough time gathering my thoughts today. (Yes, this is not rare. Yes, today’s much worse.) Relatedly, I recently stumbled across this absolute gem from Grant Snider of Incidental Comics, called “Collecting My Thoughts.” Just click on through and check out all... Read more

SSF: “Fathoms”

Last updated on: January 14, 2015 at 5:24 pm By Joseph Susanka

Today’s entry is a bit longer than the usual “Summa” (over 20 minutes), quite a bit more melancholic (truth be told, it’s pretty much a downer), and feels quite a bit less kid-friendly than the shorts I usually post. It’s certainly unsettling at times, and even scary. …and you know I hate scary. But I loved it enough to overcome my built-in resistance. Because there’s hope in it, as well. Somehow. Hope destined never to be realized, perhaps. But its presence... Read more

SVS: “Serenity”

Last updated on: January 11, 2015 at 4:12 pm By Joseph Susanka

OK, I admit it. This week’s suggestion is maybe a teeny-tiny, wee bit clickbait-y. A smidgen of “Let’s See If I Can Tap Into the Insane Power of the Browncoats,” yes. But I’m not sorry. Because it’s also a really fun flick, and today’s Friday. And for those among us interested in the cinematically historical, it’s probably also the film that convinced the twin-headed, behemothian monster of Marvel and Disney to let an essentially untested, wiseacring television writer try his hand at directing... Read more

Church and Culture and Me

Last updated on: January 9, 2015 at 12:37 pm By Joseph Susanka

Remember that time when I said that Deal Hudson was going to let me be on his “Church and Culture” radio program? I was telling the truth. Really. See? (By which I mean: “Hear?”) [audio:http://old.avemariaradio.net/archive2/2014/04/cac_20140426_1.mp3] Yes, we talked about movies. Of course. It’s what I do. Attribution(s): Old-timey radio courtesy of Shutterstock. Read more

In Honor of All Those Celebrating Academic Achievements

Last updated on: March 17, 2017 at 3:05 pm By Joseph Susanka

A thematically-appropriate (and highly celebratory) musical selection for those looking back on a recent (or forward to an impending) graduation: That’s Johannes Brahms‘ “Academic Festival Overture.” Enjoy! The particular version I’m featuring here (led by Sir Georg Solti) nosed out a Klemperer setting (which I find too slow), a Bernstein one (which I find too insane), a Muti version (which sounds like it’s being played through cotton balls), and a Davis attempt (which features too much unexpected singing). Among others. (Also, the Beardless Brahms fascinated... Read more

“The Power of a Smile”

Last updated on: March 17, 2017 at 3:05 pm By Joseph Susanka

One of the more intriguing photographic features on the National Geographic website is something called “Your Shot,” described thusly by the NG folks: Our mission is to tell stories collaboratively through big, bold photography and expert curation. …Contribute your best photos and captions to an assignment, and our editors will handpick their favorites. The result? A published story created from your pictures and our editor commentary. I could sift through the Your Shot blog and archives for ages, I’m pretty sure. But let’s... Read more

SSF: “Moving On”

Last updated on: January 14, 2015 at 5:21 pm By Joseph Susanka

“Time always unwinding, all these dead lines in my mind.” This week’s entry, a mesmerizing shot that appeared in my feedreader on Friday: The short’s director is Ainslie Henderson, and the band is named James. But I’ll be honest: The words didn’t even register the first couple of times I watched, so fascinated was I by the imagery. (Eventually, I noticed the music. And liked it well enough. And since it provided this film’s raison d’etre, I’m happy it exists. But it’s a... Read more