Der Student von Prag I was looking forward to because I’d read it was a modern adaptation of Marlowe’s Dr. Faustus. If that’s the case, then so is Crossroads about Robert Johnson. Really, if there’s only one significant figure in history who sold his soul to the devil, then Christians should assume they’ve pretty muchContinue reading “film: Wegener: Der Student von Prag (1913)”
Author Archives: stephen
food: sea urchin
I generally find cities frightening. London was fine because it seemed to me rather a large village, but Boston? Every time I go to Boston I get a headache, and very tired, and I need to go home and get to bed early. New York? Terrifying. Manny and I went there last month to seeContinue reading “food: sea urchin”
film: Carol Reed: The Third Man (1949)
Walking out the door each day and ten steps later reaching the doorway through which Graham Greene passed daily for years filled me with some sort of awe. I also had to walk out of the theatre during End of the Affair because it made me so miserable, I left and cried. As much asContinue reading “film: Carol Reed: The Third Man (1949)”
film: Mankiewicz: Guys and Dolls (1955)
2 may 07 I’ve began to wonder if the Good old films are as witty as they are because the people who made them built themselves up from roles in the production of silent films, from writing the stories to the intertitles, perhaps even the unheard dialogue, these are people who understand an element ofContinue reading “film: Mankiewicz: Guys and Dolls (1955)”
exhibit: Franklin Institute: King Tut
The King Tut exhibit in Philly was, of course, glorious. Because the objects on display were so stunning, the sorts of things we’ve all seen in photographs since birth, the museum fought hard to turn itself into place of melodramatic mystery, and if not for the hoards of visitors, it would have felt exciting, allContinue reading “exhibit: Franklin Institute: King Tut”
film: Griffith – The Birth of a Nation (1915)
I could never figure out how a film could possibly turn the KKK into heroes–I could never imagine that someone really could make a film so sympathetic to the South. Knowing that this film is greatly responsible for the KKK’s second rise (or so I’ve read), I do wonder how much of it has influencedContinue reading “film: Griffith – The Birth of a Nation (1915)”
film: (Chaplin) – Tillie’s Punctured Romance
I don’t care if it is the first feature-length comedy ever, because it still sucks–which, I mean to say, is that it contains everything I never liked about American comedies. The majority of its humor is from slapstick violence, some of it’s from alcohol, and a lot is because Tillie’s a real beast. I supposeContinue reading “film: (Chaplin) – Tillie’s Punctured Romance”
film: Walters – Please Don’t Eat the Daisies (1960)
I suppose it’s rare that one can watch a lengthy portion of a film and miss every shred of context. Something that has angered me for years: the general perception of the ending to the musical Pippin. Wikipedia sums it up: “Pippin realizes that he has given up his extraordinary purpose for the simplest andContinue reading “film: Walters – Please Don’t Eat the Daisies (1960)”
film: Feuillade: Fantômas – À l’ombre de la guillotine (1913)
Reminds me of sitting in that fucking theater, twice a week, through the lengthy art films, trying not to sleep, sometimes sleeping, eating candy, eating candy, eating candy…this one was “murder” to sit through. Hahahahah. No, the last fifteen minutes got me to perk up slightly, and say “ah hah! brilliant, Fantomas!” and then worryContinue reading “film: Feuillade: Fantômas – À l’ombre de la guillotine (1913)”
art: Impressionism
ever since maya and i began working on our project i’ve been trying desperately to make sense of art. i have a very difficult time giving a proper opinion on works of art, because my sense of beauty is somewhat skewed. when it comes to music all i care about is whether or not theContinue reading “art: Impressionism”
arts & fetters 