Movies are an escape. Now is a good time for a little film diversion, dontcha think? And there are plenty more where these come from.
Words, The (2012) – This mildly interesting tale of plagiarism gone horribly wrong is unnecessarily multi-layered. (2) – 11/20/16
Stranger Than Fiction (2006) – Will Ferrell shines in this quiet gem exploring the weird cosmic connection between an everyman and neurotic novelist. (4) – 11/20/16
Age of Adaline, The (2015) – Harmless fluff about (more…)
Home is where you feel at home and are treated well. – Dalai Lama
Bruce Springsteen came home to New Jersey last night. Again. And 55,000 people who he has never met welcomed him. Again.
These days whenever Springsteen and his mighty E Street Band bring their ageless touring carnival to the great Garden State we embrace them with a fervor that is part love, part pride, part ritual, and all possessiveness. Across all the decades, albums, tours and concerts, and after all the triumphs, tragedies and changes, we still flock to the altar because (more…)
Before the mid-20th century decorative art was the exception, reserved for those looking to exalt wealth and status. Back then walking through a well-appointed manor was like strolling through an eclectic gallery accompanied by a guide with the social awareness of a melon and the subtlety of a gorilla.
I was just minding my own business…
“I shot this big fella during a safari on the Serengeti two summers ago,” the host bragged while pointing at (more…)
Street in Venice (detail) – John Singer Sargent
Museums do interesting things to me. My back inevitably hurts after a while. Blame the slow, aimless meandering. I also experience the same discomfort in malls, the museums of (more…)
cellist in the park
street performer
Trask Avenue 
artist at work
Posted: September 4, 2020 in Arts, Observations and CommentaryTags: art, baseball, life, pitching, Tom Seaver
Most of us never see artists at work. Most of us never want to see artists at work. The process of visualizing, creating, refining, and polishing is the best left in the shadows. The multiple iterations required to arrive at a completed piece are neither appealing or interesting to most of us. The mental and emotional gyrations which spun and swirled in Van Gogh’s head and hand as he accelerated towards The Starry Night or Café Terrace at Night may fascinate, but they hardly make good viewing. Bach’s endless tinkering with notes and sounds while he composed the Brandenburg Concertos may appeal to the musicologist, but the rest of us are satisfied listening to the music. Nobody wants to see Meryl Streep stand in front of a mirror practicing gestures, accents, and tone while preparing for a role. The image of Anne Coates viewing reels of film in a cramped editing room, then manipulating them in search of the proper pacing for Lawrence of Arabia, is best left to film students. We just want to see the movie. The effort behind (more…)