Monthly Archives: January 2014

Divas

Posted on January 7, 2014 by Fabrizio del Wrongo

Fabrizio del Wrongo writes: Bessie Smith appeared in only this one movie; it has an all-black cast and runs 16 minutes. Whatever one might say about the limitations of the story line, derived from the W.C. Handy song by the … Continue reading →

Posted in Books Publishing and Writing, Movies, Music, Performers | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“The Magic Flute” (2006)

Posted on January 7, 2014 by Eddie Pensier

 Eddie Pensier writes: Kenneth Branagh’s film of Mozart’s opera is the first filmed directly for the screen (Ingmar Bergman’s classic version was initially made for Swedish TV). Branagh made several decisions as a filmmaker that would drastically affect the outcome … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies, Music | Tagged , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

“Don’t You (Forget About Me)” Five Ways

Posted on January 7, 2014 by Eddie Pensier

Eddie Pensier writes: Those of us who grew up in the 1980s probably have fond memories of this song, and the movie it came from: John Hughes’ The Breakfast Club. The original 1985 recording, by Scottish New-Wave band Simple Minds, … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies, Music, Performers | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Architecture Du Jour

Posted on January 6, 2014 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: The Semperoper, Dresden, Germany Click on the image to enlarge.

Posted in Architecture, Music | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Art Du Jour

Posted on January 6, 2014 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: Caravaggio, The Seven Works of Mercy, 1607 Click on the image to enlarge.

Posted in Art | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

Notes on “That’s My Man”

Posted on January 6, 2014 by Fabrizio del Wrongo

Fabrizio del Wrongo writes: This late Frank Borzage picture is about a compulsive gambler (Don Ameche) whose mojo is all bound up with the fate of a thoroughbred that he raises from a colt. Borzage and screenwriters Steve Fisher and Bradley … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Movies | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Three 21st Century Songs About War

Posted on January 5, 2014 by Glynn Marshes

Glynn Marshes writes: That is to say, post 9-11. These are no Country Joe McDonald call-to-action polemics. On the contrary, here we have reflectiveness; meditations on the reasons for and cost of war; personal narrative. All come from the indie … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, Politics and Economics | 7 Comments

Yo!

Posted on January 5, 2014 by Paleo Retiree

Paleo Retiree writes: Fun keeping track of body language, both in real life and in the media. Gestures and postures really do change over time. Think, for instance, of all the ways people have of interacting with their smartphones. We … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal reflections, Photography, Trends, Women men and fashion | Tagged , , , | 10 Comments

NOT The Beatles

Posted on January 5, 2014 by Fenster

Fenster writes: The Knickerbockers’ Lies doesn’t sound all too much like the Beatles to my current day ears, but when it came out in 1965 it had most people fooled. http://youtu.be/1n03a7cLf0M

Posted in Music, Performers | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Objects Of Beauty

Posted on January 5, 2014 by Eddie Pensier

Eddie Pensier writes: Ball gown by Charles Frederick Worth, c.1900 Art Deco bookcase, c.1919 Dueling pistols belonging to Catherine the Great of Russia, 1786 Vase with peaches, China, 18th century Hermès leather baseball and mitt, 2011

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