From the NYT: Barry Levinson
Missy | April 29, 2002
From the NYT: Barry Levinson deconstructs Elia Kazan’s On the Waterfront. (Thanks to Thomas).
A feature from the Sunday
Missy | April 29, 2002
A feature from the Sunday Arts section of the Post on Iranian Cinema.
Last night I watched another one of my new DVDs: Days of Heaven. Terrence Malick’s movies are so much more than their gorgeous cinematography (as if that wasn’t enchanting enough). It is his meticulous framing of shots; his use of landscapes to describe the world through imagery (as if to make the point that the world is much bigger than the individuals in it, or to convey conflict rather than relying on dialogue); but it’s also his refusal to sentimentalize his characters; and his common use of voice-over narration of wisdom by otherwise naive characters. Even though I’ve seen it twice before, I’ll soon be rewatching The Thin Red Line, which is one of the most poetic and dense movies I’ve ever seen. And a friend recommended a Malick-influenced film that I recall hearing good things about last year: George Washington, the debut film by 27 year old David Gordon Green.
Last night I saw The
Missy | April 28, 2002
Last night I saw The Faint. The last time they were here (assuming they actually played that night) was September 12, and I couldn’t bring myself to see a show that night. So I was pretty excited that they came back around. And I must say, I boogied, along with about 95% of the crowd. At the end, the band claimed it was one of the most fun shows they’ve played. You go, Washingtonians, and you dance. (DC, like many cities, I imagine, has a problem getting its show-goers to dance. Not that I’m necessarily one to bust a move, either. Ordinarily I’m more of a head-bobber). And what started as a solo outing for myself, took an unexpected turn when I ran into my ex and some of his friends. And thankfully, it wasn’t one of those awkward-first-encounters-since-the-breakup. It was nice. In fact, we hope to have dinner sometime soon.
Today I am tired, and a tad bit hungover, and my voice is in sorry shape. And I have our first orchestra rehearsal today. The day is already too long.
There’s nothing like a 2-hour
Missy | April 27, 2002
There’s nothing like a 2-hour dance workshop to make one feel totally inept. Being in Into the Woods means I haven’t been going to dance class, and as such, my muscle memory and ability to remember choreography have gone to shit. And dance of any kind is so much harder than it looks. It’s why I admire Britney Spears (though I must emphasize it’s the only thing I admire about her) as much as the cast of Fosse. To remember that much choreography AND get it right stylistically is extremely difficult. I’m so ready for my show to open so I can get back into dancing.
Yesterday I took the day off work (what didn’t get done can always wait until Monday) because, quite simply, I was tired. I started to watch the extras on my new Rushmore Criterion DVD as well as rewatching In the Mood for Love (in addition to most of its extras). It’s good to know that upon my second viewing, the latter is still my favorite movie from last year. But boy, does it mess me up. That ending scene at Angkor Wat, in addition to being absolutely gorgeous, is one of the saddest finales (for me at least, and I’m not joking when I say I’m tearing up thinking about it) that I can recall. I love the way this movie is shot: tight hallways, focus on midsections. Very sensual and yet repressed. And, I found out something I never knew: Wong Kar Wai doesn’t use a script. I assume that just stems from his personality, but what trust he must place in his actors! If you haven’t seen the film, rent it.
A full professor of English
Missy | April 24, 2002
A full professor of English defends Buffy. (Thanks to Henry.)
I had the night off
Missy | April 24, 2002
I had the night off from rehearsal last night, so I went to dance class, though already I’m shirking my duties as a new member of Cinemasters. See, the DC Filmfest is going on, and I would’ve liked to have seen Code Unknown. It is still possible that I will be able to catch Millenium Mambo, since it’s showing within walking distance from where I’m doing a dance workshop (which ends an hour prior) on Saturday.
Could I be any busier?
The worlds of politics and
Missy | April 23, 2002
The worlds of politics and culture intermingle for the second time today: Andrew Sullivan is appearing in the Washington Shakespeare Company’s production of Much Ado About Nothing at the Clark Street Playhouse in Arlington. More in today’s Post (scroll down).
Here is piece on Melissa Barak. She is 22, and a member of the corps of NYCB. Oh, and she’s only been commissioned to choreograph for them as well.
The littlest, most unexpected things
Missy | April 23, 2002
The littlest, most unexpected things can make your week. On Saturday, I arrived early to my rehearsal, and found a lone cellist playing what I was certain was Anton
Further evidence that Condi rules.
Missy | April 23, 2002
More film stuff. I’m curious
Missy | April 22, 2002
More film stuff. I’m curious when/if the French film L’Emploi du temps (Time Out) will be playing in DC. Jonathan Rosenbaum rates it as a masterpiece.
I can’t seem to shut up today.
The Paul’s Boutique Sampling and
Missy | April 22, 2002
The Paul’s Boutique Sampling and Reference Page (via slatch).
Currently my favorite blog: tha
Missy | April 22, 2002
Currently my favorite blog: tha weisblogg
Some SciAm stuff: –In January,
Missy | April 22, 2002
Some SciAm stuff:
–In January, Scientific American wrote a scathing critique of Bj
Last night on TCM I
Missy | April 22, 2002
Last night on TCM I watched my favorite musical and one of the greatest film adaptations of a stage show ever: West Side Story. I’ve seen it a million times, even performed in one production of it back in the day, but I’m still alarmed by the energy and coolness of Leonard Bernstein’s music and the emotionally charged yet effortless (looking) choreography of Jerome Robbins.
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Listening
Unmap
Volcano Choir
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Reading
A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again
David Foster Wallace
