Tag Archives: Movies

No Weimar Reason

Posted on by Standard

As the year changes and we face new challenges that try our beliefs and norms I can’t help but look back in history. I do this a lot. Maybe it’s because I am a relic or maybe it is because I read a lot of nonfiction. it could even be all the history classes I had.

Anyway, as I pondered this more, I realized how much time I’ve been spending reading about and soaking up the popular culture of the early 20th century Germany. I am referring to the crushing economic hardship of the time but more of the ambitious artistic and cultural stuff coming out then.

I had no real idea how much I had deep dived into Weimar Republic films and art until my friend mentioned this to me at the Hi-Pointe Theatre. For those who don’t know the era refers to the period from 1919 to 1933 when German was bustling with artistic expression. The Bauhaus, Expressionism, and booming film and theater scenes marked the era. Much like 1920s America, Germany at that time was roaring. However, it all came crashing down with the Great Depression and the rise of the Nazis.

This adventure started for me with The Man Who Laughs. I was browsing the library catalog of movies and remembered that The Joker from Batman was loosely based on Conrad Veidt’s appearance in the film.

Released in 1928, the film is filled with alienation and urban uneasiness. Just like 1920’s The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, the film featured surreal sets and relied jeavily on atmosphere to set the tone. Veidt is the doomed Gwynplaine who has a permanent grin carved into his face at a young age by a Comprachico surgeon. Needless to say his life sucks. I had not seen it before so I checked it out.

The Man Who Laughs is a lot of things. It is a film about overcoming isolation, class and overcoming societal ridicule. Veidt is stunning the film. Released in 1928, It was based on the 1869 novel of the same by Victor Hugo.

Like other films of this time coming out of Weimar Germany, The Man Who Laughs has left a mark over century later. The movie’s legacy is its striking visual style, impact on horror films and comic book genres.

About a week later the Hi-Pointe featured a new print of Metropolis with a live score from the Silent Night. It was fantastic. The band’s score was not only atmospheric and sweepingly orchestral but alos klangly and metallic.

While this 1927 film remains incomplete, scholars have been able to piece a large chunk together with narrative cards. The missing footage was barely noticeable and was not a detractor in enjoying it.

Fritz Lang’s film remains a feast. His work at UFA helped usher in a golden age of cinemas for the German studio. Metropolis takes place in a futuristic dystopian city where the working class lives in grim conditions beneath the city, while the elite enjoy a lavish life above. It explores themes of class division, industrialization, and the relationship between workers and machines. Fritz Lang’s masterpiece also focuses on the rise of technology and its potential use for good and evil.

The St. Louis International Film Festival screened Nosferatu With Radiohead: A Silents Synced Film which matched up the German Expressionist film with Radiohead’s Kid A and Amnesiac as the movie’s score.

It was pretty jarring to see these two things put together. it didn’t make much sense, but hey, why the Hell not? There were times when the songs worked and a few times when the linking up didn’t work. But there were also times when it did, and those times were magnificent. Overall, it was an enjoyable experience. Although, I prefer the version I saw ages ago it with the Alloy Orchestra.

The idea came from a theater owner in Austin, Texas who has since mashed up other silent films with modern alternative albums.

Moving on into the real world…

I saw The Brutalist. It’s a very good film that could have been about 20 minutes shorter. The first half definitely dominates as the latter part of the movie drags a bit. The cinematography is outstanding. This film was basically architecture porn.

A Complete Unknown was pretty fantastic. I know everyone is a buzz about Chalamet as Dylan, but for me, Edward Norton turn as Pete Seeger made the film.

The entire ensemble was great. There’s not a loose bolt in the batch. Every performance is really good. This is also one of those rare times when the people playing musicians in the film actually perform the songs in a realistic manner.

What I mean is this – the actors play musicians as well as they act – this means you aren’t left feeling that the acting was good but the music sucked.

I thought the movie was also nicely paced as well. It begins in 1961 with Dylan coming to New York. This is a nice jumping off point since it helps frame the film in the audience’s mind without getting bogged down with useless montages or biographical prefaces.

I saw the 4k restoration of The Seven Samurai. It was fantastic. In case you missed it – it is coming to the Alamo Brewhouse on January 10th, 12th and 15th.

The movie still holds up. The sound is also fantastic. They really did a great job on this.

Next up on my 4K restoration lineup is Le Samourai. I got the Criterion blu-ray of this (yes I sill like physical media-so shoot me). This is a fantastic film and the restored print is gorgeous.

This 1967 French crime thriller, directed by Jean-Pierre Melville, stars Alain Delon (who passed away this year) as a solitary hitman in Paris who is hired to kill a man. But, but things go sideways after the crime is committed.

I love how sleek and minimalist the movie is. I also love its themes of isolation play into a modern riff on the Samurai code. This is must see French noir.

The latest season of The Great British Bake Off (aka The Great British Baking Show) has ended. Although there is no way I could actually make any of this stuff I do enjoy the show. It’s kind of relaxing. This season had a really solid core of bakers that were likable. There was a doofus American guy who quit but that’s another story.

I started watching Fallout with no knowledge of the video game. But it was fine becuase the show has it’s own legs.

It’s not for the squeamish, but the style of it and retro ’50s kitsch it incorporates into the narrative is pretty impressive. It is every bit worth the hype.

Since people have been bugging me. Here’s my top 20 records of this year! I put them in alphabetical order.

1. Arab Strap– I’m Totally Fine With It Don’t Give a Fuck Anymore (Rock Action)

2. The Cure-Songs Of A Lost World (Fiction/Capitol)

3. Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds-Wild God (PIAS)

4. Erotic Secrets of Pompeii-Mondo Meleficum (Deaf Ending Collective)

5. Fontaines D.C.-Romance (XL Recordings)

6. Beth Gibbons-Lives Outgrown (Domino)

7. Kim Gordon-The Collective (Matador)

8. Hamish Hawk-A Firmer Hand (So Recordings)

9. Humdrum-Every Weather (Slumberland)

10. IDLES-Tangk (Partisan)

11. The Jesus And Mary Chain-Glasgow Eyes (Fuzzclub)

12. Khruangbin-A La Sala (Dead Oceans)

13. Pet Shop Boys-Nonetheless (Parlophone)

14. Jessica Pratt-Here In The Pitch (Mexican Summer)

15. The Reds, Pinks And Purples-Unwishing Well (Slumberland)

16. Ride-Interplay (Wichitaa)

17. SPRINTS-Letter To Self (City Slang)

18. The The-Ensoulment (EARmusic)

19. Yard Act-Where’s My Utopia? (Island)

20. Yea-Ming And The Rumours-I Can’t Have it All (Dandy Boy)

That new Cure album is fantastic!

Just a reminder that you can hear all these records and more on Juxtaposition on KDHX, The Free Design on The Face Radio and Antics on Louder Than War Radio.

Some Great Concerts I Saw This Year

Khruangbin (The Factory)

Black Pumas (Music at the Intersection)

Chaka Khan (Music at the Intersection)

Esperanza Spaulding (Music at the Intersection)

ABC (The Factory)

Iris Dement (City Winery)

Alvvays (The Pageant)

Squirrel Nut Zippers (City Winery)

Washed Out (Delmar Hall)

Franz Ferdinand (The Pageant)

Slowdive (The Pageant)

Buena Vista Social Orchestra (The Pageant)

Ladytron (Variety Playhouse Atlanta)

Jesus And Mary Chain (The Stifel)

The Cure (London – streaming)

Thievery Corporation (The Pageant)

The Talking Heads 77 reissue is pretty fantastic. The extra tracks are wonderful and the sound is amazing. There is also a full concert of included that sounds excellent.

I also really like the liner notes they included. The demos are also a nice inclusion as well.

The Federal Art Project exhibition at the St. Louis Art Museum is pretty great. It is there there through April.

I wish they would put the Modigliani back on display. It’s been touring for other exhibitions but it should be home by now.

One of my goals for this year was to read more each day. it has been terrific, especially late at night when I want to unwind. I am moving away from nonfiction since the world has gone bonkers and I cannot really handle more books on war, politics and totalitariani

Appliance News

There is not much going on in this department. However, there have been intermittent
issues with the pilot light on the stove. I’ve had to relight it several times over the last week or so.

I also have an air fryer. I look forward to doing some fun things with it in the coming weeks.

Home Improvement News

I got a nifty bankers lamp so now I can read in bed! There is also a new lamp in the living room since the old one was literally falling apart. I also threw out some crappy chairs that were literally on their last legs.

Every Damn Place I Like is Closing

The Fortune Teller, Frank And Helen’s, The London Tea Room, Pi Pizza and a lot of other great places closed this year. This is a reminder to support local businesses.

Is It Really Almost 2025?

As 2024 comes to a close I am still keeping my resolution to not deal with assclowns and stupid people. I am carrying a whole lot of angst about a lot of things into the new year but I have built a community of friends who I will focus on and I’ll do my best to make the world a better place.

I want to read more and get caught up on the hundreds of streaming tv shows that are out there. I also want to be optimistic but it’s hard when terrible people do terrible things each day.

I also need to get back out into the world and travel more. I have not t been to Chicago In ages.

There are loads of movies I need to see as well.

I am hoping that 2025 isn’t as dreadful as my foreboding intuition tells me it will be. I hope I am wrong.

The Sound & the Blurry

Posted on by Standard

So, somehow at a time when nothing has been going on, I have been too busy to actually update this thing. Everything has been a big blur.

Days move into days and are suddenly weekends. A few minutes online suddenly becomes hours and going out has turned into a big pain in the ass. The worst part is that I still feel there is not enough time to get things done and it is kind of a bummer.

Despite being furloughed and having only my PT job, I have been insanely busy. for starters I had three freelance projects to work on. The latter was a beast with a client that gave me a two word outline and orders to ‘go.’ Don’t get me wrong the income has been sorely needed.

I hate the getting ready to go out followed by the coming in from going out. it takes so long and is such an annoying process. But this is the new normal.

So, when I have gone out it has been brief. I have been to Whisk on Cherokee a few times to pick up the amazing scones and popsicles they have been making. The strawberry hibiscus one is incredible. I want to support local business and they have never steered me astray.

It has been weird to see Cherokee street deserted and without any signs of life. Surreal actually. The Loop has bene mostly quiet. When I take my walks it is on a vacant lot or around the block a few times. It has been interesting to notice the amount of idiots outside who are not social distancing.

It has been amazing to see how many people just don’t care. I mean it is not that hard to keep away from other people. I think the hardest thing is remaining composed in the presence of the stupid who just don’t get it or have no desire to not be selfish.

This also goes for people shopping. Get what you need and get out people. don’t dawdle or linger or be annoying. This is not the time to browse or wander aimlessly.

In appliance news…..The tv remote crapped out. I had an older model that worked but I ordered a new one. It got here pretty fast, which surprised me. The food processor decided to call it a day so there is now a nifty new a Cuisinart (purchased with Target gift cards) in its stead.

I have been taking some online classes. The ones I have taken with the MoMA have been very interesting. It is nice to explore learning right now.

There is one on the history of photography that I have enjoyed. The MoMA has a Dorothea Lange exhibition right now that is virtual but will be going live again when they reopen.

I also want to see the Basquiat show that is in Boston. it looks amazing!

It looks amazing. They are still doing some interesting stuff with it, even though it has technically closed.

I saw Little Richard play at Chuck Berry’s 70th birthday party at The Pageant in October of 2001. From the time he walked on stage to the end of is set he was utterly mesmerizing.

His hips were obviously in bad shape but the voice was immaculate. It was one of those voices that made the hair on the back of your neck stand up. Seeing him live underscored that he was the consummate showman.

He had so many amazing records. I know he has a slew of great singles, but I really am partial to Rip It Up. It is raw and tough and amazing.

Seeing him live it was easy to understand why his impact on both Bowie and Prince was so profound. I know people talk about Elvis a lot as the King of rock and everything, but really, the crown should go to Little Richard. He was a revolutionary.

I was also bummed to hear about the passing of Florian Schneider of Kraftwerk. I love Kraftwerk.

He was responsible for some really influential music and his legacy is also pretty profound. I was looking forward to seeing Kraftwerk at The Pageant this summer but I think that is not happening.

In a related note Orchestral Maneuvers in the Dark (OMD) streamed an archived concert from their last tour.

Billed as “Live From Your Sofa” it was a really good show and a welcome relief from the tedium of the world.

I also watched some recorded concert sets from Dinosaur Jr. and Warpaint that were really amazing.

The Magnetic Fields have a new album of super short songs. They are quirky and odd and lovely all at once.

But don’t let the brevity fool you. Quickies is a terrific set of tunes. I have really enjoyed hearing their short little bursts of pop awesomeness.

The new X album Alphabetland is the best record of the year.

It is a burst of much needed punk rock attitude. I ti s a 30 minute bombast of adrenaline. I interviewed John Doe last week and he was really cool and nice and genuine.

One of the ways I am escaping right now is by sitting on my porch. There are so many birds out and it is nice to hear them. I am also taking walks which has been nice, except when there are idiots.

I still think it is too soon to reopen.

I have been watching The Last Dance on ESPN. While I am not the biggest basketball fan I appreciated Michael Jordan as a player. Having said that, my interest has been from more of a documentary film perspective. As a documentary it does everything it is supposed to do. The best thing is you do not need to be a fan of the NBA to enjoy it.

Sadly, Michael Jordan is the big jerk I suspected he was. I know being that famous would have a profound affect on someone, but he acted like an entitled baby a lot and was kind of a bully. Still, the 10 part series is compelling TV.

I am glad Dead To Me is back. It is such delicious fun.

The character dynamics are really interesting and has a great blend of hilarity, sadness and humor. Like most good dramas its main characters make poor decisions all the time.

I am curious to see where this goes moving forward.

On the other side of life, I cannot recommend Schitt’s Creek enough. It is hilarious and shows that sitcoms can be funny in the right hands. Especially if those making it are fearless and connected to the human psyche.

It is pretty inexplicable but I have been watch the late night reruns of Cannon and Barnaby Jones. I want to start by saying that Cannon needs to trim his sideburns. Those things have a life of their own. I love how Frank Cannon doesn’t take any crap and is kind of a curmudgeon. He also rocked that old school car phone.

As for Barnaby Jones there is something soothing about watching Buddy Ebsen do his thing. He is very sneaky and devious but in a very understated way. He also was catching people who have made some poor decisions.

I love how Quinn Martin Productions had a deal with Cadillac and LTD to use big cars. Every show had big cars in it.

Well that is a fade out for this one. In future days I will endeavor to do this more and not get behind.

Stay inside, be safe and get of my damn lawn!