Currently watching: Little Fish
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Fine Art House with Sergey Smirnov
He passed away at the age of 53 on 8 November 2006. A guy that I met while performing in the Kirov Ballet introduced me to Sergey's work. I'm so glad he did.
Tenderness
Mirage
Masquerade
Homage to Chagall
Currently watching: Les Biches
Harriet Harris
http://www.playbill.com/news/article/109106.html
I met Harriet Harris when she did a Shakespeare "workshop" for my Oral Interpretation of Shakespeare class a couple years back. Her boyfriend was/is (I don't follow her love-life) a student in the MFA program. She was magnifcent. She read Queen Margaret's speech that starts off: "Brave warriors, Clifford and Northumberland,..." And along with her boyfriend, performed the balcony scene. *sigh* I was taken by her. She had this youthful joy mixed in with a world-weariness, a knowing of the world, if you will.
I saw her, again, in another "workshop" setting while attending my first KC/ACTF. This time she was being interviewed by her boyfriend (who was the same grad student=). She shared stories of playing Ophelia to Kevin Kline's Hamlet; of loving being part of the Acting Company; her own wisdom that she has gained as a professional actress.
If you haven't seen THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER with Nathan Lane, see it. She co-stars in it along with Jean Smart. It's delightful and she really socks it to Nathan's character of Sheridan Whiteside when he tries to prevent her from falling in love and getting married to the local newspaper editor. Lovely!
Oh! It's on DVD, so there is NO excuse for you not to watch it!
That's all.
Carry on...
Currently watching: Les Biches
Monday, June 25, 2007
Poetry-Time Cafe with Anna Akhmatova
We don't know how to say good-bye---
We keep wandering arm in arm.
Twilight has begun to fall,
You are pensive and I keep still.
Let's go into a church---we will watch
A funeral, christenings, a marriage service,
Without looking at each other, we will leave...
What's wrong with us?
Or let's sit on the trampled snow
Of the graveyard, sighing lightly,
And with your walking stick you'll outline palaces
Where we will be together always.
1917
I think if they ever made a film of Anna's life that Meryl Streep should play her.
Currently listening to: Duet
We keep wandering arm in arm.
Twilight has begun to fall,
You are pensive and I keep still.
Let's go into a church---we will watch
A funeral, christenings, a marriage service,
Without looking at each other, we will leave...
What's wrong with us?
Or let's sit on the trampled snow
Of the graveyard, sighing lightly,
And with your walking stick you'll outline palaces
Where we will be together always.
1917
I think if they ever made a film of Anna's life that Meryl Streep should play her.
Currently listening to: Duet
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Friday, June 22, 2007
Jeff Galipeaux Interview of Jeanne Moreau for Salon.com
Alright...I found this article under my bed. It was one that I had printed out from Salon.com while researching about Jeanne Moreau a couple of years back:
Unavailable for years, Joseph Losey's "Eva" is a famously butchered film. Originally 155 minutes long, it was chopped down to 103 minutes by the producers. The Kino DVD contains a bonus Swedish cut of the film that runs 112 minutes, but the odds of a full version ever reemerging seem dim. And that's a shame, considering "Eva" contains Moreau's riskiest performance. Eva Olivier, as portrayed by Moreau, is probably the best depiction of a case of borderline personality disorder ever put on film. I once watched the movie with a psychiatrist, who was amazed at the intuitive accuracy of Moreau's performance. (I was told Eva would have been diagnosed "a functional schizoid" at the time the film was made.)
"You're fantastic in that film," I said to Moreau when I interviewed her, "even though it doesn't quite hold together as a movie."
"There are scenes missing," she said.
"I've heard that."
"Joe Losey was not able to do his editing."
"The Hakim brothers?" I asked, referring to the film's producers.
"I had to fight with them. I ran after one with a knife," Moreau told me.
"Really?"
"I wanted to open him up."
"I've heard they were really hard to work with."
"He closed a door just in time. Otherwise I would have skinned him," Moreau said as she smiled and lit a cigarette.
Oh, that Jeanne Moreau! Telling her story of chasing one of the brothers with a knife and then, of course, lighting a cigarette. Watch out!
I have now redeemed the film (if only to myself, perhaps--but I won't be seeing it again any time soon...)!
http://archive.salon.com/people/bc/2001/12/06/moreau/index.html
Unavailable for years, Joseph Losey's "Eva" is a famously butchered film. Originally 155 minutes long, it was chopped down to 103 minutes by the producers. The Kino DVD contains a bonus Swedish cut of the film that runs 112 minutes, but the odds of a full version ever reemerging seem dim. And that's a shame, considering "Eva" contains Moreau's riskiest performance. Eva Olivier, as portrayed by Moreau, is probably the best depiction of a case of borderline personality disorder ever put on film. I once watched the movie with a psychiatrist, who was amazed at the intuitive accuracy of Moreau's performance. (I was told Eva would have been diagnosed "a functional schizoid" at the time the film was made.)
"You're fantastic in that film," I said to Moreau when I interviewed her, "even though it doesn't quite hold together as a movie."
"There are scenes missing," she said.
"I've heard that."
"Joe Losey was not able to do his editing."
"The Hakim brothers?" I asked, referring to the film's producers.
"I had to fight with them. I ran after one with a knife," Moreau told me.
"Really?"
"I wanted to open him up."
"I've heard they were really hard to work with."
"He closed a door just in time. Otherwise I would have skinned him," Moreau said as she smiled and lit a cigarette.
Oh, that Jeanne Moreau! Telling her story of chasing one of the brothers with a knife and then, of course, lighting a cigarette. Watch out!
I have now redeemed the film (if only to myself, perhaps--but I won't be seeing it again any time soon...)!
http://archive.salon.com/people/bc/2001/12/06/moreau/index.html
"Eva"
I just finished watching this movie directed by Joseph Losey titled, "Eva." The reason I got it was because of Jeanne Moreau who happens to be one of my favorite actresses.
I really really REALLY did not like the movie.
I thought she did a fine job. It was just rubbing me the wrong way. It was an excruciating hour and 58 minutes to go through, take a few minutes off because I really enjoyed the Italian actress, Virna Lisi. I don't think I've ever seen her in a film before.
But, like the actress in, "The Assasination of Trotsky," (which was also a Losey film) Valentina Cortese, I was taken with Virna.
I will say that the last few moments of the movie were a bit exciting for me. Virna's character, Francesca, commits suicide. Jeanne's character, Eva, continuously slaps the man that is obsessed with her with a riding whip...
The movie was flat for me. The music was getting on my nerves and music in a movie has NEVER done that to me. Not that I can remember, at least...
Currently listening to: In Retrospect
I really really REALLY did not like the movie.
I thought she did a fine job. It was just rubbing me the wrong way. It was an excruciating hour and 58 minutes to go through, take a few minutes off because I really enjoyed the Italian actress, Virna Lisi. I don't think I've ever seen her in a film before.
But, like the actress in, "The Assasination of Trotsky," (which was also a Losey film) Valentina Cortese, I was taken with Virna.
I will say that the last few moments of the movie were a bit exciting for me. Virna's character, Francesca, commits suicide. Jeanne's character, Eva, continuously slaps the man that is obsessed with her with a riding whip...
The movie was flat for me. The music was getting on my nerves and music in a movie has NEVER done that to me. Not that I can remember, at least...
Currently listening to: In Retrospect
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Monday, June 18, 2007
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Best Supporting Actress Oscar (1974)...
...went to Ingrid Bergman for, "Murder on the Orient Express." She thought that the award should go to Valentina Cortese for, "La Nuit américaine." Ingrid apologized in her speech because she truly believed Valentina should have been awarded for her work. She concluded with, "Please forgive me, Valentina. I didn't mean to."
I've only seen Valentina in one film, "The Assasination of Trotsky." It stars Alain Delon and Richard Burton, with Romy Schneider. I was very taken with Valentina.
"I've gone from saint to whore and back to saint again, all in one lifetime." (Oh, that Ingrid!)
Currently watching: The Assassination of Trotsky
I've only seen Valentina in one film, "The Assasination of Trotsky." It stars Alain Delon and Richard Burton, with Romy Schneider. I was very taken with Valentina.
"I've gone from saint to whore and back to saint again, all in one lifetime." (Oh, that Ingrid!)
Currently watching: The Assassination of Trotsky
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
"It is the cause, it is the cause, my soul!"
I know how OTHELLO ends. But, EVERY time I read it or see it, I have this massive, uncontrollable well of tears that surges out because I Hate what happens to Desdemona. And then the realization that comes to Othello...! (Among other things that happen in the play=)
Oh, the injustice. The betrayal.
That's why you call it: Tragedy.
Currently watching: Le Trio Infernal
Oh, the injustice. The betrayal.
That's why you call it: Tragedy.
Currently watching: Le Trio Infernal
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
A Bit of Wisdom from My Mama
"God's not going to give you problems that you can't survive."
"I'd rather be crazy than a cheat and a liar!"
"The next dog we get, I'm not going to spoil her. Her toys will be from the 99cents store."
"I'm jealous of myself. Envious. I admire that I'm still here. So, no more thinking about killing myself. I have and love God and my children, and they have and love me."
I swear, my Ma is some lady. She is a string of pearls miraculously-and luckily-found in a clam.
(Do not mess with her)
Currently listening to: Life in Cartoon Motion
"I'd rather be crazy than a cheat and a liar!"
"The next dog we get, I'm not going to spoil her. Her toys will be from the 99cents store."
"I'm jealous of myself. Envious. I admire that I'm still here. So, no more thinking about killing myself. I have and love God and my children, and they have and love me."
I swear, my Ma is some lady. She is a string of pearls miraculously-and luckily-found in a clam.
(Do not mess with her)
Currently listening to: Life in Cartoon Motion
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Poetry-Time Cafe wtih Carla Martinez Riedel
THIS SMALL PLACE
You only get to know a little bit of earth:
outline it carefully with the tip of your finger,
the way you skim the skin of a lover under sheets,
feeling their spark travel through your body.
Mark this space with the length of your vision,
the width of seeing where you won't miss a thing.
You'll recognize the ghosts of everyone
you've known, hear voices
tell stories in leaves and stones.
Your body explains the gentle lift of wind in this region.
How you move shatters sunlight
on the ground, and all things fragile fall.
Right here. Now.
***
WAITING
Unwavering in the ethereal embrace of the universe
you comfortably maintain your distance
and wonder how long before
the weight of your senses acquiesce
to the fragile pull of this world.
Given the ambivalence of stars and the journey
each one takes across the darkness,
is there cause to consider coming at all?
Each one of us makes a reason to split apart
from the One Form and drift our own light path
from galaxy to galaxy to earth.
It takes faith to stray, then follow your name
into the shimmer song of leaves.
If you could converse with whomever
your god is, would you be encouraged?
In my dreams I know we have a chance—
I know everything is exactly right.
So, why wouldn't you want to be here?
No matter what, you must stand
in your place among us.
In time you will hold your promise,
because no star burnishes brighter than you.
No birdsong is sweeter than your voice.
Come…come now…we are waiting.
(Thank you to The Andreas for introducing me to this writer)
Currently listening to: Not Going Anywhere
You only get to know a little bit of earth:
outline it carefully with the tip of your finger,
the way you skim the skin of a lover under sheets,
feeling their spark travel through your body.
Mark this space with the length of your vision,
the width of seeing where you won't miss a thing.
You'll recognize the ghosts of everyone
you've known, hear voices
tell stories in leaves and stones.
Your body explains the gentle lift of wind in this region.
How you move shatters sunlight
on the ground, and all things fragile fall.
Right here. Now.
***
WAITING
Unwavering in the ethereal embrace of the universe
you comfortably maintain your distance
and wonder how long before
the weight of your senses acquiesce
to the fragile pull of this world.
Given the ambivalence of stars and the journey
each one takes across the darkness,
is there cause to consider coming at all?
Each one of us makes a reason to split apart
from the One Form and drift our own light path
from galaxy to galaxy to earth.
It takes faith to stray, then follow your name
into the shimmer song of leaves.
If you could converse with whomever
your god is, would you be encouraged?
In my dreams I know we have a chance—
I know everything is exactly right.
So, why wouldn't you want to be here?
No matter what, you must stand
in your place among us.
In time you will hold your promise,
because no star burnishes brighter than you.
No birdsong is sweeter than your voice.
Come…come now…we are waiting.
(Thank you to The Andreas for introducing me to this writer)
Currently listening to: Not Going Anywhere
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
"Georgy Girl"
Two of my favorites: Lynn Redgrave and Charlotte Rampling.
Currently watching: The Night Porter
Monday, June 4, 2007
"Notes on a Scandal"
Yes. Cate and The Dench. Watch out. Get it, mamas. Get it.
Currently listening to: Show Boat: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (1951 Film)
Sunday, June 3, 2007
Saturday, June 2, 2007
HAMLET at South Coast Repertory
See it.
One day, mark my words, I Will Be Ophelia.
Currently watching: Notes on a Scandal
One day, mark my words, I Will Be Ophelia.
Currently watching: Notes on a Scandal
Friday, June 1, 2007
Musical Stylings with Kathryn Grayson
I adore Kathryn Grayson. The first clip is Kathryn singing Mimi's Aria from, LA BOHEME. The second is from the movie, "The Toast of New Orleans," with Mario Lanza. And the last is from, "So This Is Love," a bio-pic on Grace Moore.
My God! She is magnificent.
I want to take lessons from her. She gives master classes these days. She heads the voice and choral studies program at Idaho State University.
Hm...
I love potatoes...
Currently watching: Kiss Me Kate
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