Greatish Performances #43
#43 — Jean Arthur as Bonnie Lee in Only Angels Have Wings (Howard Hawks. 1939) By most accounts, Jean Arthur was miserable making Only Angels Have Wings. One of many aces director Frank Capra had in his usual deck, Arthur … Continue reading Greatish Performances #43
The Art of the Sell — John Waters “No Smoking” PSA
These posts celebrate the movie trailers, movie posters, commercials, print ads, and other promotional material that stand as their own works of art. Back in the nineteen-eighties, movie theaters had to work a little harder to remind patrons that they … Continue reading The Art of the Sell — John Waters “No Smoking” PSA
College Countdown: CMJ Top 1000, 1979 – 1989 — #704 to #701
704. Phil Manzanera, K-Scope (1978) Phil Manzanera was a busy fellow in the late nineteen-seventies. Undoubtedly most famous as the lead guitarist for Roxy Music, Manzanera was dabbling in all sorts of other projects. Tops among them was the band … Continue reading College Countdown: CMJ Top 1000, 1979 – 1989 — #704 to #701
Outside Reading — I Want a Little Sugar in My Cup edition
An Oral History of Vincent D’Onofrio’s Perfect Men in Black ‘Sugar Water’ Scene by Rachel Handler Look, it’s probably a stretch to call this article an oral history, since it’s really comprised of nothing more than two interviews — with … Continue reading Outside Reading — I Want a Little Sugar in My Cup edition
This Week’s Model — Bob Mould, “I Don’t Mind”
Bob Mould writes about the impact of the Buzzcocks in his memoir, See a Little Light: The Trail of Rage and Memory. As a college sophomore, Mould saw the Buzzcocks opening for Gang of Four. Enamored by what was before him, Mould intently studied the guitar work of frontman Pete Shelley. The scrutiny was obvious enough that Shelley supplemented Mould’s studies by shouting out chord changes as he made them. Elsewhere in the book, Mould recounts meeting Steve Garvey, bassist for the Buzzcocks, enthusing about the long-past show that shaped him. “I was again reminded that I’m simply part of the … Continue reading This Week’s Model — Bob Mould, “I Don’t Mind”
The New Releases Shelf — Dedicated
I’ve spent the last few days knocked to the canvas by a cruel summer ailment. Maybe it’s a summer cold or a bout with the flu. Maybe it’s something yet worse that I, a stubborn fool, should have already gone … Continue reading The New Releases Shelf — Dedicated
Now Playing — Rolling Thunder Revue: A Bob Dylan Story by Martin Scorsese
Martin Scorsese’s side career as a documentary filmmaker has largely been a verification of all the stuff anyone would suspect he adores, from the Rolling Stones to erudite New York institutions. A director with nothing truly left to prove, but … Continue reading Now Playing — Rolling Thunder Revue: A Bob Dylan Story by Martin Scorsese
Laughing Matters — Strange Planet, by Nathan W. Pyle
Sometimes comedy illuminates hard truths with a pointed urgency that other means can’t quite achieve. Sometimes comedy is just funny. This series of posts is mostly about the former instances, but the latter is valuable, too. I’ve tried to think … Continue reading Laughing Matters — Strange Planet, by Nathan W. Pyle
Playing Catch-Up — Pather Panchali; Pocketful of Miracles; Free Solo
Pather Panchali (Satyajit Ray, 1955). The debut feature from Bengali director Satyajit Ray is a marvel of deep empathy and refined visual storytelling. Based on a novel by Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay, Pather Panchali focuses on the struggles of a rural family … Continue reading Playing Catch-Up — Pather Panchali; Pocketful of Miracles; Free Solo
College Countdown: CMJ Top 1000, 1979 – 1989 — #708 to #705
708. The Special AKA, In the Studio (1984) Using the most straightforward explanation, In the Studio is the third album from the Specials. The fact that the band is billed as the Special AKA tells a significant story. This wasn’t … Continue reading College Countdown: CMJ Top 1000, 1979 – 1989 — #708 to #705
Coffee for Two 