Weblog 135
September 07, 2008~ 12:00am
I spent a very enjoyable evening watching a 2006 movie on DVD. It was The Illusionist, starring Edward Norton as an 18th Century prestidigitator, with Jessica Biel as a Viennese duchess (and love-of-his-life), and Paul Gianatti, who plays a bowler-hatted police inspector in the pocket of a corrupt crown prince who's determined to be betrothed to Biel for political reasons.
The cinematography is lush-- with everything draped in red. Mahogany browns abound in each piece of heavily-carved and clawed furniture, as does the glitter of golden accoutrements by candlelight-- and the outdoor scenes bathed in the sun-soaked landscape are vivid enough to have come from the palette of Van Gogh or Manet. It's a movie that's a true treat for the eyes. The sets, with thick curtains of reds and russets, lend an atmosphere of quiet claustrophobic focus. As the viewer becomes aware of the haunting Philip Glass score constantly running in the background, its repetitions and nervous urgency create sharp contrast, to hint at much going on beneath the opulent, rich surface of things.
I also saw (and loved) 'The Prestige'- the other movie released in '06 that told the story of magicians in the same time period- and I love each film for different reasons. 'The Prestige' was- at core- the lifelong contest between two competitive and extraordinary men. That's where the movie's tension comes from-- but throw in David Bowie as Tesla, and yes-- you have an unconventional, surprising film with terrific drama.
"The Illusionist" is first and foremost, a love story, with a hook at the end that will knock your socks off. It progresses simply, as thought adapted from a short story, but one worthy of O'Henry's pen. It has atmosphere-- a great score, good acting-- and as the saying goes, "What's not to like?"
Norton looks better as a dark-haired, mustached and bearded fellow than he ever has as a blonde- however, the real acting is done by Paul Giamatti. Every time I see this guy, he amazes me. For such a common-looking fella', someone you'd pass on the street without noticiing, when onscreen, his terrifically expressive eyes and facial quirks are as arresting as possible: he's an undeniable presence when on-camera, and that's the mark of a truly accomplished actor. His perfectly-rendered accent and the changing timbre of his voice had me straining to hear every word: it takes a lot to give Norton a run for his money, but this guy does it. Last of all-- Jessica Biel is lovely-- and I think that's the way her particular role was fashioned: not a lot of stretch, but then the part she played was simply to serve as damsel, and in that capacity she is visually perfect- dewy, soft-looking, and vulnerable.
This movie is another to put on your list if you haven't seen it. Especially if you-- like me-- are captivated by 18th Century ambience. I get lost in these kinds of films, and hate to see them end- but never before they give off their special magic and I'm blinking my eyes in disbelief when they are through, quite unaccustomed to my current surroundings- and feeling quite homesick.
September 08, 2008~ 8:10pm
And just because it makes me feel so damn good, may I introduce.....
my friend, 'PROCEED'. LOL!!!
He's the fat cat with all the answers! Whenever you're feeling uncertain, scared, pressed, just imagine you have this little fella' sitting right there beside you.... maybe on a throne... and in a voice that sounds a bit like Sir John Gielgud- who will say- to everything imaginable-
...."Proceeeeeed". LOL!!
There you go. All you'll ever need to know about confidence, right there.
If you think this is silly, just wait till the next time you're called out on something, and instead of sweaty palms, this smug little bastard pops right into your head, and you can't help but smile a very superior and relaxed smile.
He's the shit! All you'll ever need. :)
September 12, 2008~ 5:00am
Well.....it's happened again. After a little over 2 years, my free image host went down at midnight, night before last and now it's up, but all my images are GONE. LOL!! Over a thousand. Little by little, I'm going to have to re-upload all of 'em.
So if you're browsing any of my pages anywhere on the net, and you see a lot of 'file not found' smeared all over the place, do know that it's temporary. All the MAD MAD MAD MAD images are gone right now, but will be coming back. I uploaded over a hundred last night for the most current stuff, and I figure it's gonna take a little over a week to complete this new, unanticipated project.
My theory is correct though.....
Paying for a site is no guarantee of anything. I'm sure all the folks who fork over cash each month had the same thing happen to them, and if I'm dismayed, they must be apoplectic. (That's happened to me too. Twice.) I vowed it was the last time it'd ever occur. The last guy just disappeared, without a trace- and left the fella he'd sold the site to, holding the bag...all those paying customers... all their images simply 'vanished'.
So, be patient if you happen to be looking for anything in particular. It's on my little machine, awaiting reunion with its brothers. LOL! Have a good weekend all.
***
(Return To Weekly Archives)
I spent a very enjoyable evening watching a 2006 movie on DVD. It was The Illusionist, starring Edward Norton as an 18th Century prestidigitator, with Jessica Biel as a Viennese duchess (and love-of-his-life), and Paul Gianatti, who plays a bowler-hatted police inspector in the pocket of a corrupt crown prince who's determined to be betrothed to Biel for political reasons.
The cinematography is lush-- with everything draped in red. Mahogany browns abound in each piece of heavily-carved and clawed furniture, as does the glitter of golden accoutrements by candlelight-- and the outdoor scenes bathed in the sun-soaked landscape are vivid enough to have come from the palette of Van Gogh or Manet. It's a movie that's a true treat for the eyes. The sets, with thick curtains of reds and russets, lend an atmosphere of quiet claustrophobic focus. As the viewer becomes aware of the haunting Philip Glass score constantly running in the background, its repetitions and nervous urgency create sharp contrast, to hint at much going on beneath the opulent, rich surface of things.
I also saw (and loved) 'The Prestige'- the other movie released in '06 that told the story of magicians in the same time period- and I love each film for different reasons. 'The Prestige' was- at core- the lifelong contest between two competitive and extraordinary men. That's where the movie's tension comes from-- but throw in David Bowie as Tesla, and yes-- you have an unconventional, surprising film with terrific drama.
"The Illusionist" is first and foremost, a love story, with a hook at the end that will knock your socks off. It progresses simply, as thought adapted from a short story, but one worthy of O'Henry's pen. It has atmosphere-- a great score, good acting-- and as the saying goes, "What's not to like?"
Norton looks better as a dark-haired, mustached and bearded fellow than he ever has as a blonde- however, the real acting is done by Paul Giamatti. Every time I see this guy, he amazes me. For such a common-looking fella', someone you'd pass on the street without noticiing, when onscreen, his terrifically expressive eyes and facial quirks are as arresting as possible: he's an undeniable presence when on-camera, and that's the mark of a truly accomplished actor. His perfectly-rendered accent and the changing timbre of his voice had me straining to hear every word: it takes a lot to give Norton a run for his money, but this guy does it. Last of all-- Jessica Biel is lovely-- and I think that's the way her particular role was fashioned: not a lot of stretch, but then the part she played was simply to serve as damsel, and in that capacity she is visually perfect- dewy, soft-looking, and vulnerable.
This movie is another to put on your list if you haven't seen it. Especially if you-- like me-- are captivated by 18th Century ambience. I get lost in these kinds of films, and hate to see them end- but never before they give off their special magic and I'm blinking my eyes in disbelief when they are through, quite unaccustomed to my current surroundings- and feeling quite homesick.
September 08, 2008~ 8:10pm
And just because it makes me feel so damn good, may I introduce.....
my friend, 'PROCEED'. LOL!!!
He's the fat cat with all the answers! Whenever you're feeling uncertain, scared, pressed, just imagine you have this little fella' sitting right there beside you.... maybe on a throne... and in a voice that sounds a bit like Sir John Gielgud- who will say- to everything imaginable-
There you go. All you'll ever need to know about confidence, right there.
If you think this is silly, just wait till the next time you're called out on something, and instead of sweaty palms, this smug little bastard pops right into your head, and you can't help but smile a very superior and relaxed smile.
September 12, 2008~ 5:00am
Well.....it's happened again. After a little over 2 years, my free image host went down at midnight, night before last and now it's up, but all my images are GONE. LOL!! Over a thousand. Little by little, I'm going to have to re-upload all of 'em.
So if you're browsing any of my pages anywhere on the net, and you see a lot of 'file not found' smeared all over the place, do know that it's temporary. All the MAD MAD MAD MAD images are gone right now, but will be coming back. I uploaded over a hundred last night for the most current stuff, and I figure it's gonna take a little over a week to complete this new, unanticipated project.
My theory is correct though.....
Paying for a site is no guarantee of anything. I'm sure all the folks who fork over cash each month had the same thing happen to them, and if I'm dismayed, they must be apoplectic. (That's happened to me too. Twice.) I vowed it was the last time it'd ever occur. The last guy just disappeared, without a trace- and left the fella he'd sold the site to, holding the bag...all those paying customers... all their images simply 'vanished'.
So, be patient if you happen to be looking for anything in particular. It's on my little machine, awaiting reunion with its brothers. LOL! Have a good weekend all.
(Return To Weekly Archives)
...
. or pay a visit to my Audio site to hear things
I've written- 
Some are just 'jotters', thoughts as they fly- going
nowhere but where they are. If you stop and read a few~ or post a
few~ thanks for
the perusal. Last of all, if you've a hankering for rants and raging,
try making a stop at my other blog- 
