Monthly Archives: October 2019

Notes on “At Eternity’s Gate”

Posted on October 30, 2019 by Fabrizio del Wrongo

Fabrizio del Wrongo writes: It’s inevitable that Julian Schnabel’s movie about Van Gogh, “At Eternity’s Gate,” will be compared to Altman’s “Vincent and Theo.” Both pictures attempt to capture the ecstatically enervated aspects of Van Gogh’s art; they’re expressionistic takes … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Movies | Tagged At Eternity's Gate, Film, Julian Schnabel, movies, painting, vincent van gogh, Willem Dafoe | 1 Comment

Notes on “C.H.U.D.”

Posted on October 27, 2019 by Fabrizio del Wrongo

Fabrizio del Wrongo writes: It stands for cannibalistic humanoid underground dwellers. Released in 1984, “C.H.U.D.” is a late-in-cycle New-York-in-the-’70s movie that in some ways reminds me of Tim Burton’s “Batman,” itself an end-of-cycle New-York-in-the-’70s movie. Certain scenes, like the opening, … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Tagged C.H.U.D., Douglas Cheek, Film, horror, movies, New York City, Parnell Hall | 5 Comments

Notes on “Atlantic City”

Posted on October 24, 2019 by Fabrizio del Wrongo

Fabrizio del Wrongo writes: Like “Nashville,” the 1980 “Atlantic City” is an essayistic treatment of a city. But it’s not brash and satirical like “Nasvhille”; it’s glancing and melancholy-romantic — a loser’s lament. It’s to director Louis Malle’s and writer … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies, Performers | Tagged Atlantic City, Burt Lancaster, Film, John Guare, Louis Malle, movies, New Jersey, susan sarandon | 2 Comments

On Porto and the Harvard Decision: Comments on my Last Two Posts, in Eight Parts

Posted on October 2, 2019 by Fenster

Fenster writes: 1. Porto I should add relative to my upcoming trip that I am a big fan of Portuguese and Basque cooking, and that the culinary aspect of the trip holds great appeal. The Basques in particular have a … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Notes on “Redoubtable”

Posted on October 1, 2019 by Fabrizio del Wrongo

Fabrizio del Wrongo writes: “Redoubtable” is a demystification of Jean-Luc Godard and a dramatization of his turn to radical politics. Director Michel Hazanavicius lacks the ferocity and lightning wit of the artist he’s spoofing, but his somewhat plodding covers of … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged Film, France, Jean-Luc Godard, Louis Garrel, Michel Hazanavicius, movies, Stacy Martin | Leave a comment

Justice for John Harvard

Posted on October 1, 2019 by Fenster

Fenster writes: The United States District Court has held in favor of Harvard University in the case dealing with allegations of discrimination against Asian-American students. The Chronicle story reporting the case is here. The text of the decision is here.

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

My Trip to Porto

Posted on October 1, 2019 by Fenster

Fenster writes: I am about to leave for a trip to Portugal and Northern Spain. I had been especially looking forward to visiting Porto. I had heard a lot about the great architecture to be found and must have blithely … Continue reading →