Every so often I’ve updated the list of films that I have already seen with brief reviews.  Call it the complete-ist in me, but when I’m done with reviewing each of the films in the book, I’d like to have reviewed every single film in the book.

Anyhow, here’s another batch for you to read.

Enjoy!

Shichinin No Samurai AKA Seven Samurai (1954)

The Seven Samurai is the first movie that I had the pleasure of seeing from the master director Akira Kurosawa, and it is also one of his most praised works. Without a wasted frame, the story takes place over the course of almost 3 hours. Kurosawa, as he does in each of his movies, explores more than just the action and injustice featured in the plot. He is a humanist first and foremost, training his lens on the interpersonal relationships of the characters, tracking growth across this epic. As good as this film is, I would have to say that Kurosawa has numerous films that are even better, check out Stray Dog, Rashomon, Yojimbo, Sanjuro, and my personal favorite High and Low.

The Ladykillers (1955)

Existing as a special combination of dark humor, and slapstick farce, The Ladykillers is exceptionally funny and unsettling. Alec Guinness stars as the leader of a group of criminals staying at the home of a hardy, vivacious older lady under the guise of being musicians. The plan is simple, rob a bank, and utilizing the trusting nature of the kindly old lady, and the remoteness of her home to their advantage, get away with it. Easily my favorite of Alec Guinness’ films (thanks in part to the Star Wars prequels that is), The Ladykillers features a solid cast of great actors, including a very young Peter Sellers.

Bob Le Flambeur AKA Bob the Gambler (1955)

My introduction to the fantastic Jean-Pierre Melville, I was captivated immediately by the cool as ice gangster come gambler Bob. This film is filled with signature Melville-isms. Glorious post war street scenes in Paris. Trench-coats. Honor among thieves. And who could forget the caper. To talk too much about this film is to give too much away, and to do that is to ruin it for those who haven’t seen it. Other classics by Melville: Le Cercle Rouge, Le Samourai, and the recently released in the U.S. Army of Shadows. All are fantastic, and deserve to be in this book! Incidentally, Bob le Flambeur was recently re-made into The Good Thief starring Nick Nolte and directed by Neil Jordan, and while I’m not generally a fan of re-makes, I really, really liked this film. Not quite as good as the original, but it was one of my favorite films of 2002.

Kiss Me Deadly (1955)

The ultimate in hardboiled private eye crime stories, Kiss Me Deadly is a full on assault on decency. Kiss Me Deadly proudly presents itself as a grimy PI story, littered with bodies and intrigue. If you even have a passing interest in film noir, this should be your first stop. Violent, misogynist, brutish, and glorious, Kiss Me Deadly begs to be watched and dares you to look away. I myself, loved it!

The Ten Commandments (1956)

Apparently based on a book, The Ten Commandments is an epic in every sense of the word. Colored in bright explosive candy hues, and featuring huge sets, as well as a cast that number in the thousands, The Ten Commandments is more spectacle than great movie. Certainly not a waste of time, but not my first choice when choosing something light to throw in.

Det Sjunde Inseglet AKA The Seventh Seal (1957)

A classic, and well-loved film by Swedish auteur Ingmar Bergman, The Seventh Seal stars an extremely young Max von Sydow as a knight who faces Death at a game of chess to decide his fate. This film is filled with themes that find their way into each of Bergman’s works, ranging from courage in the face of death, religion, and humanity. The Seventh Seal still holds up to this day, with luminous black and white photography that, thanks to Criterion’s Blu-ray edition, has never looked better.

Note: Don’t be fooled by the similarly themed, but much worse, “Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey”

Kumonosu Jo AKA Throne of Blood (1957)

Kurosawa’s retelling of Macbeth set in feudal Japan. Shakespeare has never looked better as it does in the stark black and white, twisting shadows and swirling mists as seen through Kurosawa’s camera. Toshiro Mifune doesn’t disappoint in the lead role, but the real stand out is Isuzu Yamada in the as Mifune’s opportunistic, poisonous wife. The plotting and scheming starts right from the get go, all the way up till the frenzied end of the film.

Touch of Evil (1958)

One of the many trouble spots on Orson Welles’ resume due to studio interference, and financing issues, still Touch of Evil remains as possibly the best B-Movie ever made. Iconic (and sometimes hilarious) performances by Janet Leigh, Charlton Heston (as a Mexican) and Welles himself as the crooked cop willing to do almost anything to ensure justice prevails (just so long as it’s his justice). The movie is almost as famous for its long tracking shot opening as it is for any of the performances, featuring a nearly 4 minute shot done in one take which travels around cars, actors, and buildings. The film The Player, payed homage to it by mentioning it a few times during a similarly complex shot in that film.

Vertigo (1958)

Flopping on its initial release, Vertigo didn’t gain the acclaim it deserved until much later after it was released on video. Vertigo visits themes present in each of Hitchcock’s other works, including the obsession with blondes, innocence tainted with corruption, and the schlub who get in over his head. Jimmy Stewart plays the schlub, Kim Novak plays the blonde, and gloriously technicolored San Francisco plays the innocence and the corruption. Vertigo has a twisty convoluted story with elements of surrealism, an interesting watch.

Mon Oncle AKA My Uncle (1958)

My favorite of Jacques Tati’s Monsieur Hulot films, Mon Oncle was also the first of them that I had seen. Tati, playing Hulot, is a master of visual comedy, and not in the same way as the Three Stooges, or even Buster Keaton. Tati is an artist whose work is appreciated the longer you watch. The plot of the movie is not so much important to the film as it is simply a guide to get our characters into interesting situations so we can watch them get out. If you liked this film, check out other films featuring the bumbling Mr. Hulot, including Trafic, Playtime, and Les Vacances de Monsieur Hulot.

Les Quatre Cents Coups AKA The 400 Blows (1959)

My personal favorite of the French new wave movement was this small-scale film, personal piece from Francois Truffaut. Featuring the director’s alter ego, Antoine Doinel, The 400 Blows is the first in a series of movies, each about a different stage of life and the challenges that go along with them. The period from childhood to young adult is covered heart-breakingly here, following Antoine through the rough waters of his home life and his interaction with the outside world. Later chapters deal with finding love, getting married, having children, and growing old, but Les Quatres Cent Coups remains the directors most personal and his best.

North by Northwest (1959)

One of Hitchcock’s best, North by Northwest features Cary Grant, suave as ever, being mistaken for a government agent by a group of foreign spies. Just like in Hitchcock’s most famous works (of which this is one), the witty one-liners, suspense, and drama are heaped on generously. I can’t help but feel sad that a similarly themed, but better film featuring Cary Grant was left off this 1001 list. Charade, also featuring Audrey Hepburn, James Coburn, and Walter Matthau, is one of my favorite movies ever! Check out both Charade AND North by Northwest as a double feature! You won’t be sorry.

Some Like it Hot (1959)

Now this is an example of a classic, well-loved film, with actors that I really love (Jack Lemmon I’m looking at you), a premise that is more than suitable, yet the finished product never really caught me. It’s sort of like Hitchcock’s To Catch a Thief. I never really saw what all the hype was about. That being said, I didn’t hate it either. It never made fun of me when I had braces, or turned me down for a date, my affections and this film have just always been mutually exclusive. Perhaps it deserves another watch…then again maybe I should just watch The Last Boyscout again.

A Bout De Souffle AKA Breathless (1959)

Jean-Luc Godard is nothing if not a sacred cow of French cinema, and while I have loved some of his other films (Le Mepris, Bande A Part, and Masculin Femenine), Breathless or A Bout De Souffle never really did it for me. I can still rationalize why it was so revolutionary (use of jump cuts, editing, non-actors, and subscription to the aesthetic of the French new wave style), and see it’s importance, but I prefer other examples of New Wave cinema. If you are interested in seeing a Godard film, try Masculin Feminine, it is just as revolutionary and a bit more accessible.

Psycho (1960)

A prime example of Hitchcock in his prime. Psycho was so good, and so affecting that some of its actors were type cast just on the strength of this one film (Anthony Perkins, and Janet Leigh), so much so that without a little research it’s hard to think of what other films either of them has been in. Psycho may not be as visually shocking and gory as horror films of today, but it still manages to hold up over time and be just as unsettling as it was back in its day. Hitchcock has always excelled at making the comfortable un-comfortable (motels, birds, tea, dreams, the list goes on…), and the subtle touches in this film work perfectly. Consider for a moment that Perkin’s Bates is an amateur taxidermist of birds, and then that Janet Leigh’s name is Marion Crane a type of bird, or the fact before the crime Marion is wearing a white bra and a white purse, while after it she is wearing a black bra and purse. His attention to detail, and knack for foreshadowing is demonstrated in full force in Psycho and remains one of his best films. Despite all the uproar over the Gus Van Sant remake, I thought it actually did some justice to the original film and if nothing else brought it a little more deserved attention.

Note: This film also has the distinction of being the first American film to ever show a toilet flushing on-screen.

Peeping Tom (1960)

Released the same year as Psycho, and dealing with similar subject matter, Peeping Tom wasn’t received with the same acclaim and attention that the former was. On the contrary, Peeping Tom was seen as subversive, perverted, and generally too shocking. The story revolves more around the killer than the victim in this one, whereas Psycho is presented more from the victim’s point of view. Either way, Peeping Tom is a fine film, one worth watching, however it is so similar to Psycho that I’m not sure it needs to be on the list of 1001 films.

The Apartment (1960)

As far as light-hearted, touching movies about someone recovering from a bout of depression, this one is my favorite. Billy Wilder directs Shirley MacLaine and Jack Lemmon in a sweet touching comedy without losing any of his trademark cynicism or the pointedness of his dialogue. The Apartment is another chance for me to champion the somewhat maligned talents of Mr. Fred MacMurray as Lemmon’s boss. MacMurray plays a fantastic creep who really defines the term “heel”.

Spartacus (1960)

Containing almost none of the trademark elements that make up a Stanley Kubrick movie as we know it (Kubrick apparently dis-owned the film before it’s release), Spartacus remains an interesting movie that isn’t great. It is, however, another example of a film that enabled an up and coming filmmaker to gain his voice, and define himself later on in his career. If only for that reason, Spartacus is a great film, but luckily for the studio, it has some other things going for it. Kirk Douglas plays the title role of Spartacus, and despite all the lavish set production, and concentration on spectacle, brings some heart to the slave who defied Rome.

Jules Et Jim AKA Jules and Jim (1962)

One of director, Francois Truffaut’s most well thought of films, Jules and Jim may be the Lost In Translation, or Juno of its time. Viewed from a certain angle, the plot is a completely moving and emotional story that you believe, so much so, that you can see yourself and those around you in the roles that these characters embody. Viewed from another perspective, it can seem a little precious or purposefully manipulative. Depending on what is happening in your life (I’m mostly thinking about whether or not you are in a relationship, and if you are happy), this movie can preach the glory of love and the pain of rejection. On the flipside, if you have shaken free the angsty, teenager-esque feelings everyone has had in their youth, you may feel like you’re being talked down to.

Cleo De 5 A 7 AKA Cleo from 5 to 7

Taking place, as the title suggests, from 5 to 7, we get a slice of the life of Cleo played out before us. Sometimes we, along with Cleo herself, are a voyeurs into the lives of people around her, and other times we are focused on her as she roams around Paris. By and large Cleo lives a carefree, spoiled life, yet we still sympathize with her when times are hard, and cheer for her when they are good. This is a small film in a lot of ways, but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t impacting and beautiful.

Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

I have to admit.  I didn’t like Lawrence of Arabia that much.  Perhaps I was too young to appreciate the aesthetic beauty of Lean’s desert panorama camerawork, or just maybe it was the epic length that decided it for me.  One way or another, I didn’t appreciate it as much as everyone else seems to think I should. 

The Manchurian Candidate (1962)

Overly reliant on gimmicks and quick editing techniques, The Manchurian Candidate doesn’t flesh out the story nearly…wait, no that was the terrible re-make that came out in 2004.  The original 1962 version, is just as taught, and well executed today as it was at its release.  While the story between the two versions remained virtually the same, the consistent building of tension and anxiety, combined with the pitch perfect acting of Lawrence Harvey, Frank Sinatra (yes…Frank Sinatra), and the devilish turn of Angela Lansbury as the Queen of Hearts, makes for a fantastic film.

Lolita (1962)

It took me forever to finally see Lolita.  I have known the basic story (older man, younger girl) but had just never gotten around to seeing it.  And while I’ve been told that the book is much better, I thought the film was pretty good.  Not great, mind you, but definitely solid.  The shocking and controversial nature of the relationship was toned down a bit for the screen, and maybe as a result doesn’t seem all that shocking in today’s day and age.  Memorable turns by Peter Sellers, and Shelley Winters, not to mention it’s an early film of Stanley Kubrick.

The Birds (1963)

Despite being one of Hitchcock’s most popular, I actually think that The Birds is one of his most over-rated.  I think I owe it to myself to give this one another look someday, but right now I feel that it was too heavily based on the gimmick that had to rely on special effects.  Though it is not necessarily the fault of the movie, but the special effects seemed particularly dated and old fashioned.  Worth a watch, but not my favorite by a long shot.

8 1/2 (1963)

Federico Fellini is, by most accounts, a master of cinema.  One, that I have always had a little trouble getting fired up over.  It’s not that I don’t like his films once I’ve seen them, the problem comes in when it comes to motivating myself to see them.  I couldn’t tell you why, but his films consistently get pushed off when they come up on my Netflix Queue or when I see the one or two I have on my shelf.  I shouldn’t feel this way, considering I really loved the moving poetry, and soul baring passion in 8 1/2, yet it still happens.  One very definite reason to watch this film is the man-crushable Marcello Mastroianni, swaggering through as the alter-ego of Fellini himself.  Dealing with all the reservations with women, making movies, childhood, and the future that the director very famously dealt with himself, Mastroianni embodies a certain cool, yet believable character that begs to be watched.  Combined with imagery that leaves the audience wanting more, 8 1/2 is a fantastic film.

Well, that’s it for this time.  Thanks for reading!

View Galya’s book here. -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  View Tati’s book here.

View Ingrid’s book here. -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  View Veronika’s book here.

View Kelly’s book here. -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  View Kinki’s website here.

De ceva vreme vroiam să scriu despre aşa ceva şi azi m-am decis să o fac! Nu sunt mamă însă sper să fiu cândva, să am o relaţie stabilă, să simt cum acel copil creşte în mine, să fie o parte din mine, rodul iubirii mele şi a celui cu care îmi voi petrece restul vieţii.Abia atunci voi fi împlinită cu totul. Normal că am avut vise şi mi-am imaginat cum va fi viitorul meu alături de persoana pe care o iubeam, îmi imaginam cum ar fi prima clipă în care ar strânge în braţe pruncul abia născut, cum îl va ocroti, cum îl va ajuta să crească(chiar dacă asta s-ar fi întâmplat peste mult timp). Acele vise au rămas însă el..a plecat şi în locul său va apărea cândva altcineva. Deşi, chiar dacă nu sunt eu cea care îi va oferi acel copil mă înveseleşte să mi-l imaginez ca fiind tată.
De ce taţii şi copiii? Mi se pare (pe lângă a strânge în braţe copilul pentru prima oară şi să îl vadă crescând etc) că pentru o mamă una dintre cele mai mari bucurii este să îşi vadă soţul ţinând în braţe copilul, să îl vadă petrecând timpul cu acesta, să îi vadă împreună jucându-se, râzând. Un model pentru mine este sora mea şi familia ei. David este copilul pe care şi l-a dorit de când se ştie iar Cătălin e cel mai bun soţ pentru ea. Mă bucur eu să îl văd pe Cătălin jucându-se cu David, învăţându-l lucruri şi nu pot decât să îmi imaginez ce bucurie este pentru sora mea să fie mamă.


De fiecare dată când merg pe stradă şi văd un tată care se plimbă cu cel mic îmi amintesc de nepoţelul meu şi mă înveselesc.

Câte dintre noi nu ne-am imaginat iubitul ca fiind tată?
Sunt bucuroasă şi îmi creşte inima când văd un tată ţinându-şi în braţe copilul.

Zilele astea vorbeam cu nişte prietene din Iaşi şi am realizat că lumea pe acolo este cam pesimistă. Eu încerc să rezist, nu îmi pierd zâmbetul de pe buze pentru că nu aş mai fi eu dacă l-aş pierde! Deşi îmi sâcâi colegele cu „mi-e dor de Iaşi!M-am săturat..” mai rezist .Mi-e un dor nebun de Iaşi. Pe zi ce trece se schimbă lucrurile însă mă voi obişnui cu ele:).

Va urma

Cet après-midi, après une ultime répétition d’un oral pour la semaine prochaine, nous nous sommes laissés tenter par une petite ballade dans des galeries marchandes.. Et là… C’est le drame ! Une nuée de consommateurs devant le nouveau TATI de Valenciennes (pourquoi les gens attendent-ils dehors pour rentrer dans un magasin aussi banal?) Mystère… Un attroupement dans les galeries… La folie Noël a déjà envahi les boutiques, les coffrets cadeaux par-ci, les emballages par là… Pfou… à de vous dégouter d’aller dans les magasins…

A voir tout ça, ce monde, ces CB qui flambent, ces billets qui se sortent, ces chèques qui se remplissent, la crise aurait-elle quitté notre beau pays ? Je pense que oui… chassé par les rennes du père-noël..
MANQUE DE BOL, les rennes ont apporté la grippe A H1N1, Arf… !

Il va falloir rester chez soi et faire ces cadeaux de noël plus tard ou par internet… Vraiment dommage

Bonne soirée,

Zbak

Following that article

I stumbled upon this article from Forgotten Silver, which shows this great German poster.

A new DVD edition will display the 1953 and 1978 versions of Les vacances… and among the bonuses, the Cinémathèque française exhibition will be shown.

Les films de mon Oncle did a great job on the remastering of Playtime, and the book on the making of the movie gave a deep insight into the mind and intentions of the Tati.

DRAGA PISICEL, TE ROG FI CUMINTEL,

Dragul meu te inteleg ca esti tanar si ca esti REBEL. Dar te rog eu sa incerci sa fii cumintel. Stii ca mamica ta a fost distrusa cat ai plecat tu minge pufoasa si iubareata? Eu stiam ca te vei intoarce caci esti special conceput ca sa te iubim si sa te ingrijim NOI. Imi place de tine si am auzit ca Alex, prietenul Corinei, iti spune ‘RESPECT’ de fiecare data cand trece pe la voi. Esti tare, sa stii asta. Cica iti spune asa ca ai ocazia sa vezi 2 fete frumoase in fiecare dimineata si in fiecare noapte si cica iti mai spune asa ca si esti o atractie pentru fete. Sa stii ca el te-ar scoate prin cluburi sa agatati fete – daca te ia cu el du-te, doar sa te aduca in siguranta acasa, pentru asta te rog pe tine sa fii responsabil caci el are masina si sa-ti pui centura de siguranta daca mergeti in club si mai mult sa nu ii zgarii tapiteria masinii lui; iar daca mergeti in club sa agatati tot ce puteti, doar sa nu exagerezi cu bautura [fetelor nu le place asta].
Draga Juanito, sincer eu ma amuz cand aud ca sari in patul pufos al Corinei dimineata de tot sau noapte tarziu. E drept ca o trezesti, dar ma amuza acest aspect. Insa pe Corina nu o amuza si militeaza sa fii ‘sechestrat’ in baie. [Daca mi-ai face mie una ca asta, sincer nu as mai fi amuzat ci ti-as da un picior sa sari din pat jos.] Eu o inteleg perfect pe Corina; dar si tu mai micutule esti figura, nu sari la dragostea mea-n pat ci tocmai la Corina. Treaba este ca mamicutei tale i se rupe imina sa te tot inchida-n baie si o face sa fie trista si stii foarte bine ca ei ii sta bine cu zambetul pe buze; deci trebuie sa facem cumva sa lucram la acest aspect important. Eu voi incerca sa te iau la mine aici in Franta – iti va placea, te asigur – si sper ca vom reusi asta.
Intre timp te rog ceva foarte frumos. Te rog sa mergi la mamicuta ta minunata in brate si sa torci cum stii tu mai bine, sa te joci cu ea – fara gherute – si sa o iubesti tare de tot si neconditionat. Sa o pupi des si sa-i transmiti toata dragostea mea. Spune-i de fiecare data cand te vede ca EU O IUBESC SI CA DIN INIMA TE-AM DARUIT EI. SPUNE-I CA E CEA MAI MINUNATA FETITA DIN LUME SI CA MA GANDESC TOT TIMPUL LA EA SI LA VOI.
Mamicuta ta are mult de lucru in perioada asta si este destul de intens concentrata, deci foloseste-ti farmecele Juanito si fa-o sa zambeasca.
In rest sa ai grija de tine, nu-ti zic sa papi tot caci am auzit ca asta o faci la perfectie si mai mult si dormi muuuuuult. [Bine-ar fi daca s-ar molipsi putin mamicuta ta de la aceste 2 caracteristici ale tale, in special partea cu somnul.]
Mi-ar placea sa ‘vizitezi’ o pisicutza, caci cred ca este momentul pentru tine, oricum dupa aceea o sa te ducem la dl doctor sa te castram ca sa nu faci nebunii prin casa. [Dar tu nu stii despre treburile acestea inca si nu stii ce vorbesc eu aici, dar este spre binele tau, deci e ok.]
Iti doresc numai bine si multe nebunii care sa aduca zambetul pe buze celor care te vad in orice zi [incearca sa elimini nebuniile care ii deranjeaza pe cei din jurul tau].

RESPECT DE LA TATAL TAU,
USU

‘hmchrr hmpfr… Hulot. HULOT.’

‘Allo, Londres?’

‘Mr Hulot, I’m going. I had such a good time. Good bye!’

Jacques Tati, despite belonging to the few French directors who achieved worldwide recognition (Mon oncle was awarded the Oscar for the 1958 best foreign movie) is surprisingly neglected by the French nowadays. Seldom are his movies shown on TV (except for Arte), despite their obvious entertaining and aesthetic qualities. The Cinémathèque française showed a marvellous exhibition of his work in spring-summer 2009.

Les vacances de M. Hulot contains lots of small elements and events, which accumulated, end in a great movie. Monsieur Hulot makes his first appearance; his mere presence fills the scenes with chaos and comedy.

Tati, as usual, doesn’t use close shots, and Mr Hulot, despite being the leading character, doesn’t sound louder than the other characters in the background when he speaks. Basically, Tati does not highlight specific parts of the frames or sounds; on the contrary, he gives the audience the freedom to choose which details they will pay attention to.

The recurring marshmallow

Les vacances sont finies

Meillä oli viime viikonloppuna vieraita. Täti ja Tito ja Anitra ja R-setä oli meillä vieraisilla. Ja me pidettiin korutyöpaja. Mä aattelin vähä muotiplokata siis myös mun korupisneksistä. 

Mamma teki mulle kahet helmet. 

Nää on mun nuorekkaat ja rendikkäät pilehelmet.

Ja nää on mun hillitymmät, juhlavammat helmet.

R-setä teki Anitralle kans ikiomat helmet. Ne on kans sellaset pilettäjähelmet, ku niissä on hirmeen paljo eri värejä. 

Mamma on niin surmee kuvaaja, et se ei saanu Anitran helmistä parempaa kuvaa. Ens kerralla mun pitää vissiin ite hoitaa noi kuvaushommelitki.

Titolla oliki jo ennestään ikiomat helmet, mut Täti teki sille viel toisenlaiset helmet. Mut tiättekö että Titon iskä elikkäs W-setä on jotenkin outo, ku se ei kuulemma kehtaa kävellä Titon kans sillon ku Titolla on helmet! Outo se W-setä tossa suhteessa. Tosi outo.

Tällaset helmet Tito sai.

Täti teki kans Justiinalle helmet, mut sitä ei saa viel kertoo Justiinalle, ku se ei oo saanu niitä vielä. 

Helmien tekeminen oli ihan kivaa. Varsinki sillon ku joku oli köppänäppi ja levitti helmiä lattialle. Mä olin heti kärppänä paikalla ja sieppasin niitä suuhuni. Kerran kävi itse asiassa niinki, että ku tuli sellanen helmihärdelli, ni Anitraki innostu ja sit se hyökkäs pöydän alle ja meni istuun. Ni arvakkaa mihin se istu? No mamman ompelukoneen polkimelle. Ja sit se kone rupes ihan kummitusmaisesti hurruttaan yksinänsä siellä pöydän nurkassa, vaiks kukaan ei ollu ees lähellä. Se oli aika vekkulia!

Me peuhattiin aikaslailla Anitran kans. Tito katteli vaan loivaliikkeisempänä siinä vieressä. 

Meiän leijjonankesytysleikki näyttää välillä aika hurjalta!

Mut kyl mäki osaan olla pelottavasti kita auki!

Mut oikeestihan me ollaan hyviä kameleita.

Oli tosi hauska ilta. Loppuillasta Anitra tosin vähä väsähti. Se meni mun soffalle nukkuun. Aika hyvin se mahtuki siihen. 

Hih. Aika iso koira ja aika pieni soffa.

Helmee meininkii!

I-am desenat pe tati si pe mami. Eu cred că seamănă. Pe tati l-am desenat de două ori, de-aia l-am lăsat să pun si la el pe blog un desen.

Prima e mami.

Ăsta e tati. Nu stiu de ce a iesit înclinat.

A comemoração dos quatro anos de atividades da boate The Week, no Centro do Rio, agitou a noite de sexta-feira (30). A funkeira Tatiana Gomes, Índia, participante do No Limite e Fred Ciarla, o ex- namorado de Priscila Pires, estiveram na festa, que varou a madrugada.

L-am ajutat pe tati sa faca acest dovleac.  Ce parere aveti?  A iesit bine?

Anormal keyifsiz bir günden nasıl kaçacağımı düşünürken draftta kalmış bir yazıya takıldım. Dünya öyle birşey ki diyelim bu yöredeki konumunuzdan hiç memnun değilsiniz. İlişkilerinizden, işinizden, toplumdaki yerinizden. Kalkıp başka bir yöreye gidiyorsunuz ve artık buradaki tüm o konum burada kalıyor. Orada sadece ayrı mekan, ayrı gelenekler, yani gördükleriniz değil, aynı zamanda size bakınca görülenler de farklı.

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Hatırlayıp yazması bile çarpıntı verici.

Kubbelere meraklıyım. Anladığım kadarıyla mimari tarihinin en önemli iki kubbesi Pantheon ve Ayasofya. Onlardan sonra da Floransa katedralinin kubbesi geliyor, Vatikan’daki San Marco katedrali ile beraber. Hatta yapıldığı zaman dünyanın en büyük kubbesi ünvanını Pantheon’dan almış, 500 yıl kadar da öyle kalmış. Hala da en büyük ‘örülmüş’ kubbe imiş.

Tepesine tırmanın, fresklere yakından bakın diyordu yıllar önce sokakta bulduğum rehber kitap fasikülü. Çıkmak için davrandım Cuma günü. Elimi cebime atmayı bile kabullenmiştim (en nefret ettiğim şeylerdendir, müzeler için para vermek. Bilgiye erişim için para vermek gibi birşey bu ve kütüphanelerin paralı olması gibi gelir bana. Hepsi Wash.’daki müzeler gibi beleş olsun isterim) ki bir afiş gördüm girişte. Pt.leri rehberli tur yapıyorlarmış kubbede. İyi, onu bekleyeyim dedim. Daha pahalı olsa da çok farkediyor bir rehber. Birinden dinleyince kendi başıma gezdiğimde pek birşey anlamamış olduğumu farkediyorum.

3′te İngilizce, 4:30′ta İtalyanca. Yemek, tren filan, 4:30′a anca yetiştim. Önce katedralin çevresini, sonra vaftizhanenin önünü dolandım, kimse yoktu. Sonra afişe buluşma yeri için tekrar bakıp koştur koştur katedral müzesi girişine geldim ama kimse yoktu. Oysa ben büyük bir grup, şöyle en az 20-30 kişi filan bekliyordum. Gişedeki kadına sordum, sanırım bir tek sizsiniz dedi. Haber verdiler bir görevliye. Bunun çok özel bir gezi olduğunu, terasların çok nadiren açıldığını söylediler güvenlik görevlisiyle birlikte.

Bir başka görevli gelip beni aldı, bir kız yapıyormuş turu ve henüz başlamış. Sadece iki çocuklu bir Alman aile var, bir de ben katıldım. Sonra kimselere açılmayan kapılar bize açılmaya başlandı. Bunlar da sizle mi diye soruyordu görevliler kıza, sonra çekiliyorlardı, birçok yerde de onun anahtarlığındaki koca koca anahtarlar açıyordu kapıları. Dışarıda kubbeye tırmanmak için uzun bir sıra varken biz küçük bir grup olarak her yere girip çıkıyorduk. Kız İngilizce anlatıyordu, Alman adam çocuklarına çeviriyordu.

İçeriyi gezdikten sonra dehliz gibi bir tünelin içinde bir kat çıktık. Odacıklar, eski işkence aletleri ve sonra dışarı çıktık. Katedralin terası. Yükseklik benim için fazlaydı ama neyse ki geniş bir yerde duruyorduk. Ama bunu demek için erken davranmışım. Rehber kız dışarıdan kubbeyi anlattıktan sonra katedralin çevresini dolaşan terası turlamaya başladık. Geçtiğimiz bir köşenin darlığını hafızama ve tüm bilinçaltıma kazıdım.

Neyse, az sonra içeri girdik tekrar. Turun bir kısmını içeriden yaptıktan sonra yine çıktık, dar geçitleri görünce yine mi dedim. Şöyle oluyordu, kız ve Alman aile patır patır yürüyor, ben abarık derecede geriden peşlerinden gidiyorum, o da kendimi zorlaya zorlaya. Elimde foto. makinası var, kitapçıklar var, bir de dışarı çıkıp içeri girdikçe kafamda ve gözümde yerleri sürekli değişen güneş gözlüğü ve numaralı gözlük var. Yani ellerim dolu, tutunamıyorum. Üstelik hava rüzgarlı. Senaryoyu yazdım o anda. Elimden foto. makinası veya kitapçık veya bir gözlük düşecek ve ben onun peşinden hamle yapınca 100 metreden yeri boylıycam. Sonraki gün manşetlerde “Katedralin terasından bir Türk turist uçtu”, “Katedralden 200 yıl sonra düşen ilk kişi (bir öncekini halk cadılık suçlamasıyla atmıştı)”, “Terasların turistlere açılması doğru mu?” yazacak.

Ama bildiğiniz gibi (yani henüz gerçekle bağınızı kopartmadıysanız) öyle olmadı. Geniş bir kısımda fotoğraflar çektirdik. Alman adam benim fotoğrafımı çekmeden önce istersen seni bu nice lady ile çekeyim dedi. Rehber kız Allah için güzeldi. Ki ben İtalyanları çok güzel bulanlardan değilim. Anlayışlı çıkmıştı yani Alman abi. Ama kız istemedi. Olsundu.

Sonra bizi içeride bıraktı kız. Kubbeye tırmanmak için 9564 basamak daha vardı ve o sabahleyin çıkmıştı. Ben de çıkmış oldum ki ömrümün güzel bir dönemi gelirsem zamanımı böyle harcamayayım. Kubbenin tepesi daha yüksek olsa da kesinlikle teraslar kadar heyecan verici değildi. Kalabalık ve fazlasıyla geniş.

(Kubbenin iç tarafı sanırım mahşer gününü anlatıyor ama fazlasıyla karışık ve fazla sanatçı karışmış zaten).

[Bu arada bu kubbe meselesinin en ilginç tarafı yüzyıllar içindeki bilgi kaybı. Bu katedrali Ayasofya'dan 8-9, Pantheon'dan 15 yy. sonra inşa etmelerine rağmen bu kadar büyük bir kubbeyi nasıl yapacaklarını bilmiyorlarmış -çünkü Karanlık Çağ ile beraber öyle bilgiler kaybolmuş. Brunelleschi de bu kubbeyi biraz deneysel ortaya çıkarmış. Örneğin, üstteki fotoğrafa bakarsanız küresel değil, sekizgen. Ve dış kubbe ile içeriden görünen kubbe duvarı farklı, arada bir katman daha var.]

Algumas coisas que eu queria. Mas nada tipo ser milionária ou casar com com o Caleb Followill.

Câmera fotográfica da Olympus: não sei o nome, o preço ou se é boa, eu só sei que ela é linda e eu tenho uma foto dela salva no pc.

Lápis e canetas: eu amo desenhar, mas eu não sou muito boa. Mas mesmo assim eu amo, então eu preciso de lápis e caneta.

Esmaltes: eu posso tá morrendo, se eu entro em uma farmácia é a primeira coisa que eu vejo. Pintar a unha é uma terapia pra mim.

Um Mac: não precisava ser um fodão, novinho. Só um Mac, pra me deixar feliz.

Supernatural: eu assisto um episódio aqui, outro ali, mas o que queria mesmo era assistir todas as temporadas. Mas são muitas  eu sou preguiçosa, beijos.

Gossip Girl: quando até um menino (que até onde eu saiba não é gay) te diz que um cara é perfeito, ele deve ser muito, mas muito foda. Beijo pro Chuck Bass.

Ir pra Euro ano que vem: eu disse que não ia ter nada absurdo, mas é isso é realmente possível. Mais possível que o show do Coldplay pelo menos, então eu to contando.

Me dar um banho de loja: porque poucas coisas me fazem mais feliz do que chegar em casa cheia de sacolas e saber que tudo é pra mim.

Uma bicicleta e um par de patins: minha bicicleta é muito grande pra mim e eu realmente quero aprender a patinar.

Parar de ser arrogante: eu realmente acho que algumas pessoas simplesmente não merecem me conhecer. E as que me conheceram e não continuam do meu lado não merecem minha amizade. E por aí vai, eu sou muito pé no saco.

Me livrar da minha consciência: se eu não tivesse uma, eu mentia pra minha mãe pra ir no show do Coldplay, pegaria meu melhor amigo e não me sentiria mal por isso. E não ligaria pro fato de eu não ligar pros sentimentos de tanta gente.

Só pra dizer, eu não sou tão superficial quanto eu pareço. De verdade. É que as coisas importantes que alguém poderia querer, tipo amor, saúde, pessoas que se importam comigo e até talento pra alguma coisa eu já tenho. Então só sobram as fúteis pra eu querer.

Am stat 3 zile la Pitesti cat tati si mami au fost plecati cu treaba la Arad. Evidenta ca m-am distrat de minune cu Eliza si Alex.

In weekend am fost la mall-ul din Baneasa. Joaca de 3 ore. Inclusiv fotbal de masa si castigat dinozaur la macaraua mecanica by mamai & tati

Maine avem in program tot mall. La KIDS ON THE MOON.

Iar miercuri facem muraturi la gradinita.

Activitate, nu gluma!

Sapato Antonella tamanho 37.

Preço: R$ 40 + envio

Eu sei que vocês vão dizer que eu sou extravagante. Mas desde que meu sapato cor de rosa da Sollas se foi, carcomido pelo tempo, tinha obsessão por um novo. E me deparei com esse outro dia. “Ah, essa fitinha colorida dá um charme”, pensei. Mas na hora de sair de casa… Nosso santo não bateu. Vou dizer uma coisa: novinho. Nunca passou da porta do meu quarto. Com uma calça jeans e uma camisetinha branca, acho que dá pé. Mas em você, amiga leitora, que eu estou aqui praticando o desapego.

Gostou? Quer? Tem dúvidas? Mande um e-mail para saiudoarmario@gmail.com

Vestido Ave Maria tamanho P.

Preço: R$ 80 + envio

Finalmente faço minha estreia no Saiu do Armário! Para começar, esse vestido liiiindo da Ave Maria. Foi assim: comprei num bazar da marca mineira aqui no Rio de teimosia. Sim, porque naquela época ele já não, como dizer, sustentava muito meu decote 42, sabe? Mas tem bolinhas, tem cor de rosa, tinha que ser meu. Usei nem meia dúzia de vezes e percebi que, né, amigos da Rede Globo, estava na hora de praticar o desapego (ainda mais depois de usar no mesmo dia que a chefe, reflita, estava mais do que na hora de aposentar o dito cujo). Colorido, uma graça, todo forradinho, em perfeito estado – acho essa rendinha rosa um charme. Como tenho pouco mais de metro e meio, em mim ficava abaixo do joelho.  Mas na sortuda que vestir P e for alta pode ficar um pouco mais curtinho. Lindo. Adeus, vestido, seja feliz. Como sou ótima repórter enquanto fotógrafa e editora de imagens, se alguém precisar de um close, um plano americano, um 3×4 do vestido para ver de pertinho o quanto ele é lindo (percebam o amor) podemos providenciar.

Gostou? Quer? Tem dúvidas? Mande um e-mail para saiudoarmario@gmail.com

La exact 14 ore după mami, în acelaşi an, dar în zile diferite s-a născut tati. Aşa că dacă ieri au sărbătorit ziua de naştere a mamei azi este rândul lui tati. La mulţi ani tati!

It`s so good to be home. Imi place sa fiu acasa, m-am saturat sa stau singura. Este atat de bine sa fiu cu tati si cu happy in aceeasi casa. Deocamdata … inca ma acomodez, dar imi revin curand, si incep sa scriu si eu ceva … ca pana acum numai prostii am scris. BTW … Scuze blondule ca am uitat te pup :*

I’m enjoying my week long sabbatical. Catching up on movies. Playing some video games for the first time in a while. Reading a novel and some screenplays. And while I was browsing around Amazon today I came across a movie that I wanted to talk a bit about.

The movie is Play Time, by French director/writer/producer Jacques Tati. I was introduced to this film in one of my video production classes while I was a freshman at the Savannah College of Art and Design. For those who don’t know Jacques Tati, he is a pretty significant director from the mid 50s through the 60s, and did mostly quasi comedic films that were really just a study in every day life and the types of situations the modern world puts us into.

In Play Time, Tati plays the character Monsieur Hulot (who also appears in several of his other films), and we follow him, and a group of American tourists, through an ultra modern version of Paris. It’s so modern that you don’t see any of what Paris is actually known for (historical buildings, limitless culture, food, the arts). Instead you’re treated to modern high rise buildings, sterile office environments, furniture without character, long hallways that seem to lead off to the horizon… a world where a person is just a number.

The film isn’t as bleak as I make it out to be. It’s really quite enjoyable. I don’t know that I can compare it to anything else I’ve ever seen (save for other Tati films), so I’ve decided to include a YouTube clip of one of my favorite scenes from the film so you can get a better idea of what I’m talking about:

This is the type of movie you need to watch a few times to catch everything going on. The whole world that’s presented was actually a giant set that was created for the film. It was also one of the first movies to be shot in 70mm, which only added to the already expense film, and eventually lead to the bankruptcy of Tati.

I’ve linked to the Wikipedia entry on Play Time here. The image they use is from the scene I posted above.

For some more reading on Jacques Tati you can check out his Wikipedia entry here.

I ordered Play Time from Amazon on Blu-Ray for about ten bucks, which is a great deal. This is really a movie where the visuals mean more than anything else in the film, so I was very excited to see it was offered on Blu-Ray.

You can also catch Play Time on Turner Classic Movies from time to time. I remember watching it about eight months ago or so. Unfortunately, it wasn’t letter boxed.

Until next time, keep writing!
-Steve