Sunday, December 13, 2009
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Bright Star : A stitch in time for now and then.
Jane Campion and her team do an amazing job inviting us, the audience, into a realm not long ago lived . Watching this film in the intimate theater at Cinema Village we immediately enter the private moments of a timeless family's courtship with the sensitive soul John Keats.
The film Bright Star, takes us back to a time before diamonds and pre-nups, cellphones and texting. Fannie and John have a pure love in real time.
The joy of watching this tight knit family nurture their relationships through the arts of respect and proper boundaries brings hope to civilization as we know it. It appears that this courtship is mutually enriching for everyone.
The gorgeous canvas of cinematography and acting is harvest for storytelling. Imagine a calm Christmas dinner , the family fireplace close by, and simple entertainment; Keats reciting a poem upon request of the hostess, then her young boy playing the violin.
My favorite scenes were the subtle freeze frames : Toots walking in the foreground while Fanny and John steal kisses.
This sunshine moment is juxtaposed with a more serious tone which is the sufferings of love and what love can endure. Time and distance, sensing lovers' presence and absense. When they are together their instincts become alive again , apart they suffer the pangs of distance. Abbie Cornish goes to the core of this character and gives a timpanic ending to this film . It is refreshing to see new faces on the screen. The classic Wuthering Heights will have a friend on its shelf. But don't wait for the dvd , this must be seen on "the big screen."
The film Bright Star, takes us back to a time before diamonds and pre-nups, cellphones and texting. Fannie and John have a pure love in real time.
The joy of watching this tight knit family nurture their relationships through the arts of respect and proper boundaries brings hope to civilization as we know it. It appears that this courtship is mutually enriching for everyone.
The gorgeous canvas of cinematography and acting is harvest for storytelling. Imagine a calm Christmas dinner , the family fireplace close by, and simple entertainment; Keats reciting a poem upon request of the hostess, then her young boy playing the violin.
My favorite scenes were the subtle freeze frames : Toots walking in the foreground while Fanny and John steal kisses.
This sunshine moment is juxtaposed with a more serious tone which is the sufferings of love and what love can endure. Time and distance, sensing lovers' presence and absense. When they are together their instincts become alive again , apart they suffer the pangs of distance. Abbie Cornish goes to the core of this character and gives a timpanic ending to this film . It is refreshing to see new faces on the screen. The classic Wuthering Heights will have a friend on its shelf. But don't wait for the dvd , this must be seen on "the big screen."
Friday, December 4, 2009
I silently coached myself to stay calm and not get overly excited while seated during the questions and answer here at Barnes and Noble.
Well, forget that! It's Twyla Tharp for heaven's sake! The goddess, an American Icon, in the ranks with Joni, Ella, Nina, Martha Graham, Oprah, Meryl, Margaret Mead, Dorothy Day, Ruth Gordon, Dorothy Fields, Thelma Shoonmaker, Ida B. Wells.
Twyla blessed this decade with a celebration of the transformative Billy Joel in her masterpiece "Movin' Out," which played at the Richard Rogers Theater. I coined her and her dancers, "The Olympics of Dance." I mean, no show has ever touched the standard and bar that was set from that show. If anyone knows of any contenders please let me know! When I saw the show (with one of my favorite theater goers), magic was about. First off, someone cancelled their first row seats at the box office, so we got up close and personal with that amazing cast! When I left the theater, I suspected that no show will ever touch that.
Billy Joel has a place in my artistic time line. Summer of 1986 the people I worked for had a cassette of, "The Bridge," in their Honda Accord with sunroof. I would listen to that while I drove to SUNY Purchase to take my jazz dance classes. The woman I worked for back then has since passed away. I took a shine to, "Code of Silence," and "You May Be Right," from another album. I now have these songs in my repertoire...
Twyla fielded many questions. I would rather perform on a stage, sing a song, a monologue, a scene from a play or a film, recite a poem than have to publicly ask a single question to someone I admire so much. I mean , if we flash back to my apartment 6:30 pm, I was looking around for art work to give to her. I thought I could bring the photo of me and my friend Leda posing as Nadia Comenici, as we played in my basement, which was one of my dance studios/ slumber party, turn-table hang outs, but I didn't bring it. Instead, I took a picture with my camera phone of a whale bone blue, violet Alaskan Sky with the shadow of a Goddess arms in triumphant pose super imposed on it in hopes to share with her. But I forgot about the nature photo, as I was so far from her sitting in the audience and in one moment, I furiously raised my arm because in such a crowded room there was some wiggle room to chicken out, but hand held high, she got to me. Hence we had a vocal encounter from across the room: she at the podium and me near the door. She in Texas and me in Maine.
She gave me great, concise advice. While walking home, I fantacized about how she pushes her talent to the limits and what it would be like to be directed by her. I wanted to ask her to work with me on a monologue I am writing. I can dream, right? I am very inspired in spite of the surge of nerves from this event. I am grateful to have "met" Twyla and appreciate the example she sets of consistency and accomplishment.
Time to keep working and show some proof. Big Apple, you just got sweeter. What I would give to be in a studio with Twyla for one hour. This is my sentiment right now.
Okay, how about a series of hours?
Well, forget that! It's Twyla Tharp for heaven's sake! The goddess, an American Icon, in the ranks with Joni, Ella, Nina, Martha Graham, Oprah, Meryl, Margaret Mead, Dorothy Day, Ruth Gordon, Dorothy Fields, Thelma Shoonmaker, Ida B. Wells.
Twyla blessed this decade with a celebration of the transformative Billy Joel in her masterpiece "Movin' Out," which played at the Richard Rogers Theater. I coined her and her dancers, "The Olympics of Dance." I mean, no show has ever touched the standard and bar that was set from that show. If anyone knows of any contenders please let me know! When I saw the show (with one of my favorite theater goers), magic was about. First off, someone cancelled their first row seats at the box office, so we got up close and personal with that amazing cast! When I left the theater, I suspected that no show will ever touch that.
Billy Joel has a place in my artistic time line. Summer of 1986 the people I worked for had a cassette of, "The Bridge," in their Honda Accord with sunroof. I would listen to that while I drove to SUNY Purchase to take my jazz dance classes. The woman I worked for back then has since passed away. I took a shine to, "Code of Silence," and "You May Be Right," from another album. I now have these songs in my repertoire...
Twyla fielded many questions. I would rather perform on a stage, sing a song, a monologue, a scene from a play or a film, recite a poem than have to publicly ask a single question to someone I admire so much. I mean , if we flash back to my apartment 6:30 pm, I was looking around for art work to give to her. I thought I could bring the photo of me and my friend Leda posing as Nadia Comenici, as we played in my basement, which was one of my dance studios/ slumber party, turn-table hang outs, but I didn't bring it. Instead, I took a picture with my camera phone of a whale bone blue, violet Alaskan Sky with the shadow of a Goddess arms in triumphant pose super imposed on it in hopes to share with her. But I forgot about the nature photo, as I was so far from her sitting in the audience and in one moment, I furiously raised my arm because in such a crowded room there was some wiggle room to chicken out, but hand held high, she got to me. Hence we had a vocal encounter from across the room: she at the podium and me near the door. She in Texas and me in Maine.
She gave me great, concise advice. While walking home, I fantacized about how she pushes her talent to the limits and what it would be like to be directed by her. I wanted to ask her to work with me on a monologue I am writing. I can dream, right? I am very inspired in spite of the surge of nerves from this event. I am grateful to have "met" Twyla and appreciate the example she sets of consistency and accomplishment.
Time to keep working and show some proof. Big Apple, you just got sweeter. What I would give to be in a studio with Twyla for one hour. This is my sentiment right now.
Okay, how about a series of hours?
Aspiring Lights
note to self : must subscribe to Time Out New York. I must also keep dreaming, for there may be chance for another meeting with "the goddess," while I get my cardio on.Yesterday and close to midnight, I wrote the following. I must say, I was definately living off some very excited fumes...
Alberta Spruce got a new pot for its roots today, while taking it's place on the wonderful window seat on the North sill.
While glancing through my Assistant's copy of Time Out New York over Thanksgiving weekend, I spied: Twyla Tharp signs her new book, The Collaborative Habit, December 2nd, Barnes and Noble, 66th St Lincoln Center, 7:30 pm. I made note of the possibility of going.
Today after giving two massages at my health club shift, I had a seemless transition into the evening; a sense of ease. Could this really be? No rushing? What a novelty! I figured I would get there early, bring my journal and The Creative Habit which Asta, an edgy playwright, had gifted me in 2007. Time to get that signed too!
Today after giving two massages at my health club shift, I had a seemless transition into the evening; a sense of ease. Could this really be? No rushing? What a novelty! I figured I would get there early, bring my journal and The Creative Habit which Asta, an edgy playwright, had gifted me in 2007. Time to get that signed too!
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
It is nice to know that if you need
something real or raw in the sunny land of California along Sunset Blvd., you can swing into a place called Elderberries. I received a divine welcome with these bowls of strawberries from a most delightfully energetic woman .
Highly recommended is ordering the made-fresh on the spot, chilled, date almond milk. When you return from your traipsing around the base of the Hollywood Hills, take a hot lavender "sunset" bath (my assistant 'Tay Tay' draws the best!) and you might wake up at "sunrise" relaxed and refreshed!!! Cheers to a healthy holiday season.
Highly recommended is ordering the made-fresh on the spot, chilled, date almond milk. When you return from your traipsing around the base of the Hollywood Hills, take a hot lavender "sunset" bath (my assistant 'Tay Tay' draws the best!) and you might wake up at "sunrise" relaxed and refreshed!!! Cheers to a healthy holiday season.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Make Love, Shoot Film
Inspired.
There is an upcoming film festival happening at Fordham Law School this month. I was informed by a reliable source...
I shot this photo at dusk, on my way to biscolatte. What fabulous coffee and maple syrup pumpkin muffins!
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