Little Miss Sunshine (2006)

Oscar Nominations:

• Best picture
• Best original screenplay,
• Best supporting actress (Abigail Breslin)
• Best supporting actor (Alan Arkin)

I finally got around to seeing Little Miss Sunshine. Before it came to theaters I heard some of the buzz. Steve Carell’s success on the The Daily Show parlayed into the success of 40 Year-Old Virgin and then he’s showing up in this little indie film…I was intrigued, but I have to admit, this is the kind of film I’ll skip when it is in the theaters. On the big screen I prefer big movies. I feel like I’m getting my money’s worth.

Little Miss Sunshine celebrates the hope and enthusiasm of youth.

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang(2005)

This film slipped by me. It’s surprising, actually, that no one had mentioned it before now. My sister-in-law rented this movie for my wife and I on a recent visit.

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is a murder mystery that uses the old victim of circumstance routine to get things rolling. A motif I like. Lots of nouveau noir banter between Val Kilmer’s character and Robert Downey Jr.’s character that is enjoyable. Get it!

El Topo (1968), 2/10, Cleveland Cinematheque

I wasn’t sure what to think as I was leaving the theater after this movie. It was freezing cold, and my friend Kevin and I shot the shit with a friend of his for a few minutes before the cold got to be unbearable. Now, having a couple of days for the movie to sink in, I can say for sure that I liked this movie a lot.

One way to begin describing this movie is that it’s a Sergio Leone style spaghetti Western seen through the eyes of Salvador Dali. The open desert of the “Wild West” is the setting for the film, perfect for the expansive imagination of director and star of the film, Alejandro Jodorowsky. I dug around the Internet for a bit and discovered Jodorowsky also has a lucrative career as a writer of comic books, mostly in French. Some have been translated into English.

For some, this movie with it’s excessive gore (though often laughable), surreal elements and mystical themes is inaccessible. If, however, you dig this kind of stuff, you will wish Jodorowsky was doing more.

This film and others will be released on DVD in May of 2007. Get a look here and it will become your quest to see these films or there is no hope for you.

Bier Markt

Had a lovely time yesterday at the Bier Markt. The Bier Markt is Cleveland’s Belgian bar – lots of tasty beers on tap and in bottle for quaffing. And yesterday was one of those special day where they were handing out free Stella Artois from 6-8 p.m. (there was a gallery opening there). Also had some food, not so impressive though. I’ve been to other openings that had killer spreads (like pan seared tuna, sushi, noodles, gabba goul, you name it…). This place is close to where I work so I can hop over there in 5 min from the office. And you can smoke in the bathrooms when the temperature is in the single digits…

Lost

Not sure why I’m writing this post. Of course, I missed Lost. I’m happy it’s back on, blah, blah…

Anton Newcombe, Grog Shop, 2/3/2007

The Anton Newcombe show was great. Just what I’d expected. Anton engaged the crowd throughout the show, responding to the hecklers, threatening to kick ass and playing some great songs. Onstage, were Anton, his girlfriend whose name I don’t know and another guitar player, again, unknown. They were good. A little tambourine, a little poetry reading…Anton went off on the war in Iraq…stopped and restarted songs. He didn’t look or seem high, though I reckon he could have been.

I shouldn’t forget to mention he hopped on stage during a song by The Volta Sound and accompanied the flutist with a little tin-flute action. More of a stunt than anything really amazing.

Another fun aspect of the show was seeing all of the Anton worshippers and haters. Most of the haters were girls, the worshippers young 20-something dudes wearing funny hats. I guess that was kind of the theme for that night…funny hats. It was a cold mother fuckin’ night for one. Anton was wearing a sherpa cap, the thing with the little puff ball on top and the hanging ear flaps with the long dangles…I can’t remember the names of these fucking hats…and a girl standing in front of me as I was waiting to get in was in full Dr. Zhivago Siberian Hussy gear, big furry white papal hat, ankle length double-breasted high collared woolen coat matching white cashmere gloves, high heeled jack boots…it was really splendid. Of course, I saw her later without the coat and she was wearing jeans and a T-shirt or something like that…I guess I expected some kind of Russian gypsy outfit under there.

I hope to see The Apples in Stereo next Saturday, and intend to drink much less…

Trouble in Paradise (1932)

Trouble in Paradise (1932)…you can’t ask for much more in a movie. I heard about this fiilm from watching the interview with Samson Raphaelson on Criterion’s DVD release of Heaven Can Wait (1943). Both films were the result of collaboration between screenwriter Raphaelson and director Ernst Lubitsch, my new favorite team of writers/directors. I had to put in a special request to Ohio Link to get the film since Cuyahoga County Library System didn’t have it. I’m glad I did.

Trouble in Paradise is a love story and perhaps a repudiation of high society. Herbert Marshall plays Gaston Monescue, a debonnair playboy grifter of the first order. He falls in love with Lily (Miriam Hopkins) also a small time crook and the two combine forces. Their prey becomes Mariette Colet (Kay Francis), heiress to the Colet perfume fortune. The way Gaston gains the confidence of Mariette is brilliant. In short order, he becomes her personal secretary, taking control of her finances and charming her with wit and sophistication. Marshall’s performance is perfect; playing a conman playing a business savvy dandy. One of these days you and I will be dead, so I’m going to cut this short. Get this movie and watch it…adios!