RIP LUCIEN FREUD 1922–2011
http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2011/jul/21/lucien-lucian-freud-obituary
Better Off This Way |
Out and About in LA |
http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2011/jul/21/lucien-lucian-freud-obituary
Taken at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Taken at Mann Chinese 6 Theaters
I knew when I saw the preview to this film that it was going to be a special one (for me). A "nostalgic" Woody Allen love story set in Paris today and the 1920's with Cotillard and McAdams. Yes.
Owen Wilson was a revelation. Too often Allen has cast actors (very talented ones) to play "him," and they can't pull it off (see Branagh, Ejifor). In those cases Allen's diction and cadence shine through and you can't lose yourself in the protaganists journey because you're too caught up hearing Woody. Wilson has just the right balance of confidence (or lack of) mixed with self-deprecating shtick in each line delivered that makes the character really stand apart from anything Woody has created for a long time. Wilson is great - totally carried the movie. I loved his wardrobe, always the travelling American ensemble of wrinkled khakis, oxfords and bulky sport coats. I guess that's what Woody always wears, but Wilson disappeared into those as well. Friends of mine have said it was a little flat and said nothing new. Ok, fine. I loved it. Paris is amazing, all the exteriors in the present day are tastefully chosen to reveal an old but new look to the Paris we see all the time. The sets and costumes of 20's Paris are fantastic. All those actors are relatively unknown and it is when Allen casts "known actors" (Bates and Brody) that it's a little off. All the ensemble members walk that fine line of comedy and drama and don't take themselves or their performances too seriously. Cotillard can't give a bad performance, its just not possible, and it was really amazing to see her wear the period clothes and make the accessories of the times fit into her character movement flawlessly.
I love this little film. Looks pretty great right? Probably shot on some "prosumer" HD camera that anyone can buy these days at Best Buy. I love it.
"While on our way home from photographing Formula Drift Palm Beach, Larry Chen and I found ourselves stranded over night in Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) as our flights home were canceled. The following is a brief summary of the events that took place that night." "TANDEM OF DIE" DVD Coming Soon by Joe Ayala & Justin Shreeve. Check out our other videos at vimeo.com/tod
Couldn't put this one down. The stories of 60's/70's NYC at the Chelsea were riveting. Such a real and honest account of two people that knew they were artists and were willing do devote 100% to nurturing that. There was nothing else that mattered, besides each other. And that tale of artist/muse working both ways was what added another layer of meaning to the story and obviously to their lives as friends (that word doesn't seem to give enough credit to their bond). I really appreciated this because it read like a novel, but removed all the fluffy "story-telling" that a "novel" brings along and was kept real, honest and descriptive. There were some really "art-y" lines and while one could say it was pretentious, from the mind of and pen of Patti Smith you really can't say that. I bought everything. She (and Mapplethorpe) are/were the REAL DEAL. I bought this book for my sister, not sure if she's going to like it, but this is something worth passing along for sure.
I picked this one up before "Just Kids." I now wish this was told by Hemingway's first wife as if she was Patti Smith. Or... you know what I mean. I guess I wish this was a piece of non-fiction. I wanted to get into the nitty-gritty of the cafes and parties and boho life of artists during Paris' Luminous Years. Instead we got a "fluff piece" where we knew what was going to happen the whole time, not a lot of action and a lot of character sketches. Felt a little clumsy with the italicized Hemingway "point of view" section which felt tacked on as if her editor suggested it after the first draft - that device should have been used more or more effectively. I'm afraid I can't recommend this to my sister (my gauge of books these days).
Lanford Wilson's "Burn This" holds an important place for me from the standpoint of an actor and as a theater goer. I found this play in college through an acting class and was excited to see that John Malkovich originated the role (in LA as a matter of fact, 1987) and then performed the UK premiere in 1990 with Juliet Stevenson at the Hampstead Theatre.
A few years after seeing it worked in class with Jim Malcolm I chose a monologue from the play for my RADA audition - wrapping my mouth around the fucks and imagery of trees - giving a burst of Chicago energy to the uptight Brits behind the long table. But that's another story. In 2002 I went to the Signature Theater in NYC and saw Ed Norton, Catherine Keener, Dallas Roberts and Ty Burrell do a revival. Sadly I don't remember a lot of that production beyond feeling that Norton didn't quite rise to the challenge and walking away a little confused.
In summary the play's characters face inner turmoil. "Anna literally doesn’t know how to move — on stage or in her own life — as herself. Like the pinned butterflies she encounters visiting Robbie’s oblivious family, she’s struggling to break free and fly. Burton fears losing mainstream success to write something authentic, or examining his deeper sexual impulses. Larry gave up on dance to become an ad man, and Pale married early and disastrously and now numbs himself with long hours of restaurant work and substance abuse." (from LA Times)
Tonight's production at The Mark Taper Forum resonated with me in a lot more meaningful way. I think because I'm at a point in my own life where I could relate more to the characters and their inner conflicts. They are all at a turning point and are having to face their fears, some of the decisions they've already made, and the vague regrets and yearning for the past all the while not quite clearly looking ahead into the future. When I was 25 freshly arrived in NYC I still had no idea what was going on and still fantasizing about a lot of things (like thinking I could make it as a stage actor in NYC). There is still hope for these characters - they can still go left or right, but they have bags to carry, they still have their passions burning enough to carry them to recognition and "success," but something doesn't feel right. They are at a point where they can still take that risk, make the jump, and follow their calling. I can very much relate.
I was riveted tonight by Adam Rothenberg's performance. One of those gutsy portrayals where he could get away with anything (like wrapping himself dreamily in the stage's curtain and make it seem totally true to character). Michael Shannon meets Dominic West.
Read Wilson's Obit in The Guardian here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2011/mar/25/lanford-wilson-obituary
Lanford Eugene Wilson, playwright, born 13 April 1937; died 24 March 2011
