Taking Woodstock
Here is one more added onto the last post. Enjoy, and watch “Important Things…” as well.
Archive for March, 2009
26
Mar
09
one more.
Recently, I had the opportunity to sit in on a small artists luncheon, followed by a larger question and answer session, with author Don Miller, and musician/producer/director Steve Taylor held at Mars Hill Graduate School in Seattle.
Miller and Taylor were in town to spread the news that they have undertaken and completed the unenviable task of turning Miller’s well-loved memoir, Blue Like Jazz, into a screenplay. For those who feel like this is an impossible task, you are half right. The screenplay does not follow the loose and winding plot line of the book, which often lacks chronology. Don and Steve instead created fictionalized versions of the characters in the book, and then created a story which remains true to the “enlightenment arc” of the memoir. Their desire seems to be honoring the trajectory and spirit of the original text, without following each story and moment in a line by line translation of the book. It seems more than a little interesting to me that their adaptation of a book called Blue Like Jazz entails them elaborating and improvising on an existing core structure, or ‘chord structure’ if you will.
As far as the luncheon was concerned, it consisted of a small group of young painters, writers, photographers, musicians, storytellers and screen writers. It was about an hour’s worth of conversation about art, process, light, darkness, and authenticity.
For the rest of the post, head over to our intern blog over at The Other Journal: otherwords
18
Mar
09
way behind the curve.
Just a few days ago I read a wonderful essay that Andrew Sullivan wrote some time ago for Time. I was about three years late in reading it, but better late than never.
Much of it feels like Sullivan was articulating things that I feel or sense on the tip of my tongue, or brain, or whatever, but haven’t been able to organize into a coherent essay yet.
05
Mar
09
trailer park thursday. 3.5.09
Trailer Park Thursday is finally back, and now that we are getting a bit deeper into ’09 some promising trailers are finally arriving. I really enjoy this week’s trailers, I could have included even more but time didn’t allow it.
Enjoy!
Public Enemies
Who’s Involved?:
Writers: Ronan Bennett & Ann Biderman
Director: Michael Mann
Cast: Johnny Depp, Christian Bale, Billy Crudup, Marion Cotillard
What is it?: Based on the true story of the Feds going to war against John Dillinger and his colleagues.
Why I’m Interested: Based on the information I’ve already given you above, I’d have to find a damn good reason not to see it.
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(500) Days of Summer
Who’s Involved?:
Director: Marc Webb
Writer: Scott Neustadter, Michael H. Weber
Cast: Zooey Deschanel, Joseph Gordon-Levitt
What is it?: Boy meets girl, boy falls in love with girl against girl’s clear warnings, girl does exactly what she promised and dumps boy. We’ve all been there, maybe even on both sides (changing the sexes where necessary), at least I know I have.
Why I’m Interested: I was interested in this one as soon as the teaser trailer went up. Now that the full trailer is up my interest has grown significantly. I’m really looking forward to this one.
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Terminator Salvation
Writers: See here
Director: McG
Cast: Christian Bale, Bryce Dallas Howard, Anton Yelchin, Sam Worthington, Moon Bloodgood, Common, Helena Bonham Carter
What is it?: The newest of the Terminator films, also an attempt to reboot the franchise.
Why I’m Interested: I’ve never been much of a Terminator fan, but this looks pretty freaking good.
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Funny People
Director: Judd Apatow
Cast: Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen, Leslie Mann, Eric Bana, Jonah Hill, Jason Schwartzman
What is it?: The latest Judd Apatow creation.
Why I’m Interested: I’ve been hearing about this one for a long time, I’ve seen it referred to as year’s most anticipated comedy on more than once occasion. After seeing the trailer, I tend to agree. It looks like Judd and the gang have dialed it down a notch, but without losing the heart that characterizes Apatow’s previous writing/directing efforts. Hopefully we’ll get Punch-Drunk Love Adam Sandler, and not the You Don’t Mess with the Zohan version.
The real clip of the week is below, but as a bonus because I’ve been away for a full month I am also including another clip first. Emily showed it to me after she saw it on Dooce.com. It’s only 20 seconds long. Watch it. No, seriously, watch it.
The real clip of the week is in reference to news I heard yesterday. Apparently, the men of Spinal Tap (a.k.a The Folksmen) are going on tour for real, “Unwigged and Unplugged.” The clip is them playing a medley comprised of the music of both bands. Looks like the closest they are coming to here is Portland, which, if I could ever get tickets, would be just another great excuse to visit that wonderful city to the south.
