Comment Archives: stories: Arts and Culture: Country Life
Re: “Tomorrow: The Incredible Shrinking Man at The Belcourt”
"a matchbook Robinson Caruso."
Man, there's a phrase I wish I'd written. Thanks, Tony!
Re: “Tomorrow: The Incredible Shrinking Man at The Belcourt”
It took a lot of guts for CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON director Jack Arnold to keep the book's ending, instead of transplanting a rescue and "last minute miracle cure." I really enjoyed the film. It was also very much a matchbook Robinson Caruso.
Re: “Flipping Channels: Revolution Will Be Televised After All”
I <3 Justified.
No mention of the return of Doctor Who this Sat or Game of Thrones this Sun?
Re: “One More Chance to See Spirited Away and Studio Ghibli Classics at Belcourt”
As a fan of Studio Ghibli, I recommend you check out Oblivion Island!
http://www.shopmanga.co.uk/title.php?Ref=1…
Re: “Tomorrow: The Incredible Shrinking Man at The Belcourt”
I only recently caught up with the original novel, Matheson's "The Shrinking Man" (less shrieking title), and it's also remarkable..
Re: “What To Wear To a Spring Breakers Screening, Feat. Opening Ceremony and NYLON”
Another SPRING BREAKERS collab, in sneaker form: http://comatosemag.com/2013/03/supra-x-har…
Re: “What You Missed: The Rock-afire Explosion's Reunion Tour”
They have a Billy Bob's Wonderland that operates in Barboursville, WV. The band is in rough shape but it is still working.
Re: “Deep Focus: 92 in the Shade, Thomas McGuane, and the Titan Warren Oates”
Pretty much everything McGuane touched in ’70s film (excluding THE SPORTING CLUB, which he didn't adapt) got instant mainstream rejection and an immediate cult following. The most underrated of the bunch may be THE MISSOURI BREAKS, if only because it was so hated when released. No movie could've met the greatest-movie-ever-MADE!!! expectations raised by its cast-screenwriter-director team, but watching the movie today without that anticipation, McGuane's twangy absurdist dialogue and quizzical plot turns come as an invigorating surprise.
Found a copy of THE BUSHWHACKED PIANO at McKay's and need to stick with it—McGuane's high style (in every sense) takes some perseverance. Kind of reminds me so far of how Mark Leyner is the funniest thing you've ever read for 10 pages.
Re: “One More Chance to See Spirited Away and Studio Ghibli Classics at Belcourt”
Personally, I don't think you missed much by not catching Ocean Waves. I found it to be kinda cheeseball and the TV production values threw me for a loop. Plus, all of the characters ranged from a little unpleasant to totally irritating, but I guess that's just the reality of teenagers.
Only Yesterday was the jam though. Castle in the Sky and Porco Rosso were my favorites from last year that I hadn't already seen.
Re: “One More Chance to See Spirited Away and Studio Ghibli Classics at Belcourt”
I've never seen NAUSICAA and that's the one I'm most excited about this time around. I love all of the early Saturday cartoon programming at Belcourt in general. Such a fun tradition as Saturday mornings on TV aren't what they used to be. Plus, it's a great way to turn 8 year old cartoon buffs into 18 year old cinephiles.
Re: “Project Runway Recap: 'Take It All Off!'”
Laura, sorry you had to take over for one of the lamest PRs ever! This could have been fun if Heidi had been charitable and given the teams enough time to get a grip on things most of them have never encountered before (men's tailoring, tear-aways) . These kind of rank episodes waste everyones time, and I'm sorry to see it was Amanda who had to go on this one. Heidi had the nerve to act like she was dissapointed, and that this was the worst turnout ever, but would that be because the network doesn't have money for two days of work on these kind of projects? Sad for the viewer, and sad for the designers who don't need their time wasted. Have fewer designers if you cannot afford to spend enough time on the projects.
The jacket that Layana made was unbelievably bad. She is usually great, but she will be one of the finalists because she is very good, she is pretty, and she provides drama that the show feeds on. How was it ok for her to get help from Stanley (on the other team)? Because she's here to stay. At least Michele did something different. I'll even give her credit for trying to have a better idea than just 'plain suits'. Daniel's trench needed a belt, but was a great idea.
Re: “Project Runway: Week Seven”
Worn out with the team challenge concept. Daniel and Richard should have gone home not only for being a ball hog with the gold tape, but for the dated mess of a loser dress they turned out. The work that went into Amanda and Michele's as well as Stanley and Layana's dresses had me thinking tie. Both dresses were just fabulous!
I was preturbed that PR would not let you see the entire list of the high school kids' scores online. Who came in second or last? Glad to see Zac telling Nina that girls do wear long dresses (he knows since he sells them) and hey Nina did you go to the prom?
Re: “Project Runway: Week Six”
Stanley had the major advantage here with model-granny. Great look, no brainer. But I'm always bothered by the challenges that hope to please someone (a real person), then their taste is up for judgement by the likes of Heidi, who can say some cruel things. Patricia should have really gone home here with that fabric wrapping ensemble. And, oh the bashing she took behind the scenes from her team. I totally agree Abby, less drama, more design!
My heart went out to Amanda trying to help her client. Gutwrenching! I'm with you too that I could not understand the applause for Richard's dress. You can't tell me Heidi would really be dying to wear that with boots or wear that with leggings - yeah sure. Benjamin's client asked for that look, got it, and was thrilled with it; why does he go home because the judges decide he should have talked her into something else? PR please quit using real people! This is always painful!!
Re: “Project Runway: Week Five”
There was no question who should have won this challenge - Amanda's fringe dress was amazing!! SO flattering, and hit it from all sides, unlike Richard's look (which always does something different in the back for some reason).
I'm with you on the Dance Moms - all the adults involved should be locked up.
Re: “One More Chance to See Spirited Away and Studio Ghibli Classics at Belcourt”
Saw CASTLE IN THE SKY Saturday night and felt the way I did watching RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK at a sneak preview a month before it came out. That's the first animated film I think I've ever seen where I thought someone could copy it shot for shot in live action and come away with a masterpiece. Except it wouldn't have the beauty of Miyazaki's artwork, which adds a dimension of lightness that keeps the intense, masterfully assembled battle scenes from getting oppressive.
NAUSICAA is the one I hope to see most in this series. The ones I'm sorriest I missed last year: OCEAN WAVES and ONLY YESTERDAY, which, of course, are the hardest ones to see.
Re: “Vince & Amy, Renée Fleming to the Rescue in Cash-Strapped Nashville Symphony's 2013-14 Season”
I think people have an idea who Mahler is, the wrong idea: one of those gray marble heads who composed musical spinach for squirming students. What the population has no idea about is how thunderous and exciting Mahler is when performed by an orchestra with the necessary chops. Mahler at full force makes Swedish death-metal acts tremble.
My fear is that the NSO's adventurous programming — something being watched with envy and hope by orchestras all over the country — is going to get blamed for the financial bind, when the excitement I hear from patrons is all about hearing something new. Everything the NSO has performed by Charles Ives has been unforgettable. The recent John Adams performance dwarfed every rock concert I saw last year for sonic shock and awe.
If the Titans were playing as well as the NSO these days, they'd have Super Bowl rings on their pinkies. If it's bragging rights you want, embrace the NSO as Nashville's team.
Re: “Vince & Amy, Renée Fleming to the Rescue in Cash-Strapped Nashville Symphony's 2013-14 Season”
tl;dr: Nashville is a city with a world-class symphony and a population that has no idea who Mahler is.
Re: “Fun Gems on VHS Promo Features Speeding Car, Cute Union Baby”
This is outstanding.
Re: “Quilt Inspiration Board”
the University of Nebraska has a textile lab, and have hundreds of quilts in storage, from antique to the unusual. Worth the trip to see for any quilt lover. All the quilts are stored under strict guidelines, humidity controlled, rolled(no creases!), wrapped in acid=free paper, etc. etc!
Re: “James Franco Gets the Real Story Behind Letterman's Harmony Korine Ban”
Ah, a Streep peep purse curse. Of course.