On Thanksgiving Day, I realized that it’s been exactly five years since Elizabeth Scalia invited me to write a weekly movie piece for Patheos. Yep, that’s right. Five years. But wait. It gets crazier…. It’s been three years since she so kindly allowed me to make this blog space my own. Three. YEARS. Wow. It really doesn’t feel like it’s been that long, but time flies when you’re having fun. Speaking of time, it is. Time, that is. Time to take stock; to... Read more
Here are the mellifluous guys from Cantus weighing in with my general sentiments for the season. Enjoy your Thanksgiving week(end)! ‘Tis the gift to be simple, ’tis the gift to be free ‘Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be, And when we find ourselves in the place just right, ‘Twill be in the valley of love and delight. When true simplicity is gained, To bow and to bend we shan’t be ashamed, To turn, turn will be our delight,... Read more
An onomatopoeia is a word that sounds like the thing it’s describing, right? But what do you call an entire musical piece that does the same thing? Well, I call it “What Power Art Thou Who From Below.” And it comes from Henry Purcell’s opera, “King Arthur: The British Worthy.” What power art thou, who from below Hast made me rise unwillingly and slow From beds of everlasting snow? See’st thou not how stiff and wondrous old, Far unfit to bear... Read more
And now for something not-animated and not-cute. In other words, something entirely different. Something sci-fi and and darkly atmospheric and pretty scary. Great “proof-of-concept” work, even though I’m not sure that’s what its creator intended. (Something about the look and mood really reminded me of the “Exploring an Unknown and Dangerous Space Ship” scene from Alien. Also, the accompanying website had this wonderful little tidbit, buried humbly away from prying eyes: “This short film is completely done by me, through such... Read more
And suddenly, I feel old. Today’s recommendation is made in honor of seeing an aging Harrison Ford on every single page of the InterWebs for the past week. But the fact that he’s so clearly aging is not what’s making me feel old. No, that comes from the fact that Air Force One, currently streaming on AMAZON PRIME INSTANT and for rent from NUMEROUS OTHERS($), was made almost twenty years ago. But I saw it in theaters when it came out, and I don’t feel... Read more
Every now and again, I forget what an amazing resource The Internet Archive actually is. Which is a good thing, actually, because I’d never get anything done, otherwise. The most recent case in point? A 110-clip playlist of The NBC University Theater’s productions. An old-timey radio series from the mid-40’s, it was part of The NBC University of the Air program, whereby college students could actually get credit by listening. I’m pretty sure that last part no longer applies (thought maybe it should), but it’s great stuff... Read more
Fun Susanka Fact o’ the Day: I have (and have always had) an inordinate soft spot for mashups and homages, especially when it comes to movies and music. I love the little “Ah-HAH!” moment that comes from recognizing something you’ve seen somewhere else; the little thrill of being “on the inside,” a knowing part of the Intellegentia. I’m not at all sure this is a good thing, to be honest. But it’s a true thing. And it’s also helpful in explaining a... Read more
Today’s short crossed my path this past weekend courtesy of a Facebook friend to whom I am now immensely grateful. I’d never seen it before. Never even heard of it, in fact. Which is flat-out inexcusable, given how much I love its creator (Michaël Dudok De Wit, whose Father and Daughter is 100% — maybe even 110% — guaranteed to make you tear up) and its musical backbone (“La Folia,” used by pretty much every composer ever). It’s funny, fun to... Read more
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No Commentary Necessary — Théo Sanson, Walking On Air
I get a touch of vertigo from time to time, usually when I get close to the edge of something tall. Or if I see someone else getting close to the edge of something tall. So…I almost passed out watching this. (Full-screen and HD are a MUST!) GOSH! That’s Théo Sanson, who calls himself a “professional slackliner.” At first, I thought that sounded sort of silly (or maybe just a bit over the top). But after watching this, I’m going to... Read more