Posted: February 28th, 2012 | Filed under: Film Reviews Podcast | No Comments »
As I explain in the podcast, it is a requirement of the Film Critics Association that I comment upon, and generally criticize the selection of statuette winners. I do so with impunity.
And to comment upon, and generally criticize the Oscar show itself. Though you may be surprised by the nature of my comments on that aspect of the proceedings.
In keeping with the pre-show Red Carpet nonesense, I will not go Nick Nolte on you — What a putz! — but will now advise what I’m wearing. A classic Allman Brothers Eat A Peach t-shirt. You know the one, with the big peach in the back of a pick up truck. Jogging shorts, because I’m going for a little run after I post this. Plus the pièce de résistance, my “Black Kow The Mature Manure” ballcap.
Listen up, ye cineasts.
Posted: February 27th, 2012 | Filed under: History Warp | No Comments »
It is time to recognize the gaffe that keeps on giving.
President Bush the Elder, doing his very best Dana Carvey imitation, declared on February 27, 1991, after 100 hours of arduous battle, that the Gulf War had been won. Kuwait had been liberated, much to the relief of the oil industry. Saddam Hussein, it was said, had been unequivocally defeated. And, soon enough, some wildcatter from Texas would have all those oil fires capped.
If only it were true. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted: February 22nd, 2012 | Filed under: Film Reviews Podcast | No Comments »
I guess it should come as no surprise that the upper echelon of film directordom would be where we find relevant use of the otherwise inconsequential 3D process.
Martin Scorcese used it to great effect in “Hugo,” my favorite film of last year.
And Wim Wenders, in his documentary, “Cave of Forgotten Dreams,” even more so.
Wenders is at it again in his homage to contemporary dance genius, Pina Bausch. It’s an elegant presentation of some seriously interesting and invigorating dance.
Listen up to hear more about it.
Posted: February 20th, 2012 | Filed under: History Warp | No Comments »
Of all the family stuff each of the Marx Brothers had to go through — satisfying mama, getting a word in edgewise at the dinner table, trying to be funnier than the sibling stealing your mashed potatoes, getting the mic out of Groucho’s hand, trying to play an instrument as good as Harpo, etc — imagine what it was like for poor Karl?
He never got in one of their flicks. Never even had a cute nickname.
All he had was this book he wrote that a guy named Lenin grabbed a hold of in Russia, of all agrarian places, resulting in, you know, the threat to world peace known as communism.
It was on February 21, 1848, that Karl Marx, along with homie Friedrich Engels, published a short book of moderate political impact, “The Communist Manifesto.” Read the rest of this entry »
Posted: February 13th, 2012 | Filed under: History Warp | No Comments »
A website dedicated to the gruesome, but hardly inconsequential number of British royal beheadings in the days of yesteryear lists seven (7) such Tower Green/ Tower of London affairs of note.
Plus a couple dozen more, some related to those mentioned above, at Tower Hill. Which I suppose was a lesser valued venue, where those with less stature than the headliners were taken to meet their maker.
Anyhow, it was on February 13, 1542 that Catherine Howard, the 18 year old wife of King Henry VIII, at the time thrice her age, was shorn of her noggin’. The King, it seems, was more than a bit overweight and generally recognized as being a most disagreeable monarch. Thus, it should come as no surprise that his comely bride slipped off for a tryst with one Thomas Culpepper, a fellow more age appropriate. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted: February 9th, 2012 | Filed under: Film Reviews Podcast | No Comments »
Not the normal folderol today.
But, as usual, our moments together are not totally devoid of inane banter nor some bon mots which may engender a look of bemusement on your face.
There are brief mentions of Sandra Bullock’s tuckpointing and another extraordinary Max Van Sydow performance.
Plus some quick but salient takes on memorable moments from last year’s films.
All in all a worthwhile expenditure of a moment of your time.
Posted: February 6th, 2012 | Filed under: History Warp | No Comments »
You want to see discomfort? You ever been to the ballet, and sitting next to you is a smiling woman, dressed for sophistication, and thoroughly enjoying herself? But next to her is hubby, a guy in an ill-fitting suit, short sleeved dress shirt and pre-knotted tie, looking like — and knowing in his heart — he’d rather be at home in his Barcolounger, brewski in hand, watching “Storage Wars.”
The miserable fellow who hates watching women in tutus and guys with codpieces dance is looking for somebody, other than his significant other, to blame.
Here’s the culprit: Madame Francesque Hutin. Read the rest of this entry »
As I explain in the podcast, it is a requirement of the Film Critics Association that I comment upon, and generally criticize the selection of statuette winners. I do so with impunity.
