Saturday, December 02, 2006
Sunday, November 05, 2006
“I've always been considered an asshole for about as long as I can remember. That's just my style”. - Gene Hackman as Royal Tenenbaum
I have just seen The Royal Tenenbaums twice on the trot - The credits had hardly started rolling before I pressed restart!
The Royal Tenenbaums is highly intelligent and a comedy. A comedy though, with a dark and serious side to it – a tragi-comedy. Further it is a film peppered with fabulous one-liners, hilarious situations and attractive aesthetics.
The cast is fantastic; consisting of a selection of geniuses playing geniuses. Must be one of the most talent-dense films ever made! The big star is of course Gene Hackman, as he gets to do what he does best, namely playing the likeable ass-hole. Angelica Huston is so convincing in her role, I am sure she must be just like that in real life, i.e. intelligent, calm and humbly protective. Luke Wilson and Gwyneth Paltrow add true beauty to the set while portraying, in my mind, the two most interesting characters of the Tenenbaum family. Other cast members include Ben Stiller, Bill Murray, Owen Wilson and Danny Glover.
To top it all not only the actors but also the music of the film is very cleverly selected. Tracks include:
These Days - Nico
The Fairest Of The Seasons - Nico
Me And Julio Down By The Schoolyard - Paul Simon
Wigwam - Bob Dylan
Look At Me - John Lennon
Lullabye - Emitt Rhodes
Police And Thieves - The Clash
Judy Is A Punk – Ramones
Needle In The Hay - Elliott Smith
Fly - Nick Drake
Stephanie Says - The Velvet Underground
A small selection of quotes to portray the genius of the script:
Royal [after he faked a terminal illness, took residence in the house under false pretenses, tried to instigate a fight with his estranged wife's fiancé, generally lied to his family and was then found out] I know I'm going to be the bad guy here.
Raleigh: [after reading a private investigator's research on Margot background, which includes being adopted, a previous marriage, several one-night stands with other men, and a lesbian affair] So, she smokes.
Eli: [immediately after wrecking his car] Where's my shoe?
Royal: I've always been considered an asshole for about as long as I can remember. That's just my style. But I'd really feel blue if I didn't think you were going to forgive me.
Henry Sherman: I don't think you're an asshole, Royal. I just think you're kind of a son of a bitch.
Royal: Well, I really appreciate that.
Eli: Why would a reviewer make the point of saying someone's *not* a genius? Do you especially think I'm *not* a genius? You didn't even have to think about it, did you?
I am sure it wont be long until my third viewing!
Now, look at this and try and tell me this is this not the grandad you always wanted!?
Royal Tenenbaum, Esq.
The Royal Tenenbaums is highly intelligent and a comedy. A comedy though, with a dark and serious side to it – a tragi-comedy. Further it is a film peppered with fabulous one-liners, hilarious situations and attractive aesthetics.
The cast is fantastic; consisting of a selection of geniuses playing geniuses. Must be one of the most talent-dense films ever made! The big star is of course Gene Hackman, as he gets to do what he does best, namely playing the likeable ass-hole. Angelica Huston is so convincing in her role, I am sure she must be just like that in real life, i.e. intelligent, calm and humbly protective. Luke Wilson and Gwyneth Paltrow add true beauty to the set while portraying, in my mind, the two most interesting characters of the Tenenbaum family. Other cast members include Ben Stiller, Bill Murray, Owen Wilson and Danny Glover.
To top it all not only the actors but also the music of the film is very cleverly selected. Tracks include:
These Days - Nico
The Fairest Of The Seasons - Nico
Me And Julio Down By The Schoolyard - Paul Simon
Wigwam - Bob Dylan
Look At Me - John Lennon
Lullabye - Emitt Rhodes
Police And Thieves - The Clash
Judy Is A Punk – Ramones
Needle In The Hay - Elliott Smith
Fly - Nick Drake
Stephanie Says - The Velvet Underground
A small selection of quotes to portray the genius of the script:
Royal [after he faked a terminal illness, took residence in the house under false pretenses, tried to instigate a fight with his estranged wife's fiancé, generally lied to his family and was then found out] I know I'm going to be the bad guy here.
Raleigh: [after reading a private investigator's research on Margot background, which includes being adopted, a previous marriage, several one-night stands with other men, and a lesbian affair] So, she smokes.
Eli: [immediately after wrecking his car] Where's my shoe?
Royal: I've always been considered an asshole for about as long as I can remember. That's just my style. But I'd really feel blue if I didn't think you were going to forgive me.
Henry Sherman: I don't think you're an asshole, Royal. I just think you're kind of a son of a bitch.
Royal: Well, I really appreciate that.
Eli: Why would a reviewer make the point of saying someone's *not* a genius? Do you especially think I'm *not* a genius? You didn't even have to think about it, did you?
I am sure it wont be long until my third viewing!
Now, look at this and try and tell me this is this not the grandad you always wanted!?
Royal Tenenbaum, Esq.
Thursday, November 02, 2006
She’s Got Her Book!
I am so excited! Being the incurable optimist, I never stopped hoping though, and this morning there was a letter all the way from North America saying:
“OH! And here's a nice bit of news for you! The book you're trying to remember is by John Fowles; it's The Magus. And his other book is The Collector. (It was Michael Caine in the role, too, not Niven or Guinness.) How's that for a nice coincidence? I'm a movie buff and a voracious reader ... both helped me out on this one!”
That was from Brett! Thank you!
I have been to the library today. Unfortunately they did not have the original version of The Magus, only the Swedish translation Illusionisten. I have ordered the original version though, and it is on its way. I also borrowed some other books by Fowles, namely the one mentioned above, The Collector, but also Mantissa and The Tree.
The book The Magus is supposed to have been popularized by a 1960s interest in psychoanalysis and mystical philosophy It has also been recently featured in the Modern Library list of Best 20th-Century Novels. A statement that should make one or two of yous want to read the book, I would hope…
Curiosa would be, Woody Allen concerning the film saying that, if he could live his life all over again, he'd do "everything exactly the same – with the exception of watching The Magus”. This might be an indication on the film being bad, (considering it is staring Michael Caine and Anthony Quinn I doubt if it is that bad) but it might also be an indication on the book being extremely good …
The Collector was filmatised in 1965 starring, among others, Terence Stamp and Samantha Eggar.
Seems one has a bit of very entertaining reading and film watching ahead.
“OH! And here's a nice bit of news for you! The book you're trying to remember is by John Fowles; it's The Magus. And his other book is The Collector. (It was Michael Caine in the role, too, not Niven or Guinness.) How's that for a nice coincidence? I'm a movie buff and a voracious reader ... both helped me out on this one!”
That was from Brett! Thank you!
I have been to the library today. Unfortunately they did not have the original version of The Magus, only the Swedish translation Illusionisten. I have ordered the original version though, and it is on its way. I also borrowed some other books by Fowles, namely the one mentioned above, The Collector, but also Mantissa and The Tree.
The book The Magus is supposed to have been popularized by a 1960s interest in psychoanalysis and mystical philosophy It has also been recently featured in the Modern Library list of Best 20th-Century Novels. A statement that should make one or two of yous want to read the book, I would hope…
Curiosa would be, Woody Allen concerning the film saying that, if he could live his life all over again, he'd do "everything exactly the same – with the exception of watching The Magus”. This might be an indication on the film being bad, (considering it is staring Michael Caine and Anthony Quinn I doubt if it is that bad) but it might also be an indication on the book being extremely good …
The Collector was filmatised in 1965 starring, among others, Terence Stamp and Samantha Eggar.
Seems one has a bit of very entertaining reading and film watching ahead.
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
I’ll Be Waiting in Abeyance
I read this book ages ago (really ages ago) and I then thought it very special. Thing is, I have been trying to get hold of it ever since, but to no avail. I obviously do not remember the name of neither book nor author, as it then would not have been a problem finding it. I hardly even know the story anymore, as it goes. Anyway, in writing this entry I was hoping someone might be able to recognise the little I know of the book, and so help me find it ...
I think the story of the book starts of somewhere in Western Europe, to end up on this Greek island. A young man befriends an older man, and is invited to come to Greece with him to stay at the latter’s villa. The whole story evolves around the older man playing pranks on the younger man. Not just little pranks, but seriously orchestrated pranks; where he creates settings to suddenly, repeatedly and viciously crush them. It all ends up with the younger man becoming more and more paranoid, as he never knows whom to trust. There are other people involved in the pranks too, and they often make the younger man think they are on his side to later deceive him. The story’s current setting is always so believable, and often desirable as well for that matter, that the younger man always falls for it, There seems no way he can resist, as every new setting seems like a solution to solve each predicament he finds himself in. The thing is I remember myself as a reader being fooled throughout the book in the same way as the young man; thinking at every new setting: this is real, now everything is ok.
I have a slight memory of the book having been filmatised, and then with either David Niven or Alec Guiness as the older man. I have not, even through vigorous research, managed to find the book through these two actors though
I also seem to remember there was this other book by the same author, a book consisting of two parts. The first part describing the love and worship this certain man has for a young woman living across the road from him; a real love story. Now, the second part of the book presents a very different setting as it is told from the young woman’s point of view, where she lives in total fear of this same man and his obsession with her. As in the first book I mentioned, also here a trick is paid on the reader as one finds oneself taking someone’s part, to then be disillusioned.
In both books obsession, trust/mistrust and paranoia are central.
Now then! Anyone recognise either of those books? I’ll be waiting and hoping ...
I think the story of the book starts of somewhere in Western Europe, to end up on this Greek island. A young man befriends an older man, and is invited to come to Greece with him to stay at the latter’s villa. The whole story evolves around the older man playing pranks on the younger man. Not just little pranks, but seriously orchestrated pranks; where he creates settings to suddenly, repeatedly and viciously crush them. It all ends up with the younger man becoming more and more paranoid, as he never knows whom to trust. There are other people involved in the pranks too, and they often make the younger man think they are on his side to later deceive him. The story’s current setting is always so believable, and often desirable as well for that matter, that the younger man always falls for it, There seems no way he can resist, as every new setting seems like a solution to solve each predicament he finds himself in. The thing is I remember myself as a reader being fooled throughout the book in the same way as the young man; thinking at every new setting: this is real, now everything is ok.
I have a slight memory of the book having been filmatised, and then with either David Niven or Alec Guiness as the older man. I have not, even through vigorous research, managed to find the book through these two actors though
I also seem to remember there was this other book by the same author, a book consisting of two parts. The first part describing the love and worship this certain man has for a young woman living across the road from him; a real love story. Now, the second part of the book presents a very different setting as it is told from the young woman’s point of view, where she lives in total fear of this same man and his obsession with her. As in the first book I mentioned, also here a trick is paid on the reader as one finds oneself taking someone’s part, to then be disillusioned.
In both books obsession, trust/mistrust and paranoia are central.
Now then! Anyone recognise either of those books? I’ll be waiting and hoping ...
Saturday, October 14, 2006
Love Will Tear us Apart in Many and Different Ways
I have just had a fabulous time listening to a load of cover versions of the greatest of songs namely Joy Division’s ”Love Will Tear Us Apart”.
This is what I’ve heard:
Paul Young - Typical Paul Young-sound i.e. very predictable and in this case very boring.
The Cure - He’s never done it for me Robert Smith he hasn’t; and now neither. I do not really get the idea of why The Cure should do a version of the song in the first place; I mean, they've got plenty of their own.
Nouvelle Vague - Joy Division bossa nova style. Refreshinglu mad! And of course very original...
Fall Out Boy - Terrible! Almost blasphemous!
Joze Gonzalez - Nice in it’s simplicity
Nick Cave - Perfect voice for this tune he has. Lovely musical arrangements
Unbroken - YAY!! Love it!! They have made the song their own, and one easily forgets it's a cover.
The King - Irish postman turned Elvis impersonator! Now, this guy is really interesting. He does Elvis impersonations on the pretext of "what songs would Elvis perform today?” On his album Gravelands he does covers solely of songs by dead people. His version of No Woman No Cry is not to be missed btw.
Swans - Michael Gira has the perfect baritone voice for this.
Squarepusher - Hmmm ... as nice as electronic jazz ca get I suppose...
Eläkeläisethttp - This is crazy but not very enjoyable. The tune is arranged as a humppa (trad. finnish polka-like dance). Apparently these guys are always intoxicated while playing and performing. Don’t blame them...
Kaycee - Well, there is always the trance/techno version isn’t there...
I think am beginning to be able to live with the idea that I will never be able to hear Johnny Cash do his version of the song...
This is what I’ve heard:
Paul Young - Typical Paul Young-sound i.e. very predictable and in this case very boring.
The Cure - He’s never done it for me Robert Smith he hasn’t; and now neither. I do not really get the idea of why The Cure should do a version of the song in the first place; I mean, they've got plenty of their own.
Nouvelle Vague - Joy Division bossa nova style. Refreshinglu mad! And of course very original...
Fall Out Boy - Terrible! Almost blasphemous!
Joze Gonzalez - Nice in it’s simplicity
Nick Cave - Perfect voice for this tune he has. Lovely musical arrangements
Unbroken - YAY!! Love it!! They have made the song their own, and one easily forgets it's a cover.
The King - Irish postman turned Elvis impersonator! Now, this guy is really interesting. He does Elvis impersonations on the pretext of "what songs would Elvis perform today?” On his album Gravelands he does covers solely of songs by dead people. His version of No Woman No Cry is not to be missed btw.
Swans - Michael Gira has the perfect baritone voice for this.
Squarepusher - Hmmm ... as nice as electronic jazz ca get I suppose...
Eläkeläisethttp - This is crazy but not very enjoyable. The tune is arranged as a humppa (trad. finnish polka-like dance). Apparently these guys are always intoxicated while playing and performing. Don’t blame them...
Kaycee - Well, there is always the trance/techno version isn’t there...
I think am beginning to be able to live with the idea that I will never be able to hear Johnny Cash do his version of the song...
Sunday, October 01, 2006
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