Sunday, May 02, 2010

Art for Art's sake

As an undergraduate student at the University of Michigan in early 1970, I took a number of film classes, including a cinematography course taught by George Manupelli:
"Manupelli's movies are overlooked treasures in the history of experimental film and the burgeoning independent feature film movement of the late '60s and early '70s."
What I remember most from Manupelli's course was the introduction and perspective to film that Manupelli gave in the first lecture.  "What are you doing here and what to you hope to achieve my taking my course in film?"  The answer given by Manupelli has stayed with me all of these years: We are here for art; we create art, experience art and study art, for art's sake.

Since that moment I have always looked at film as art, from my own crude attempts at Super 8mm cinematography back in the days, to my last night's pay-per-view viewing of Crazy Heart, starring Jeff Bridges, for which he received an Oscar for Best Performance.

Accordingly and for something completely different, a first for AllAllan, a movie trailer.  But more then a trailer, here is a beautiful song from which the movie was titled.  Probably the best movie I've seen in a decade, one that includes the best performance by an actor that maybe I've ever seen.  Or maybe its just me, with the theme, mood and characterization of Bad Blake, a confluence of spirit and emotion that resonates a bit too close to home.

In other words, an artful post for another melancholy Sunday.
.....and this ain't no place for the weary kind
this ain't no place to lose your mind
this ain't no place to fall behind
pick up your crazy heart and give it one more try


5 comments:

onegoal said...

Agree with you 100%. Best actor finally recognized and very poignent movie. Maggie Glynynhall's perfomance was also superb.

Anonymous said...

Allan, I just love your Sunday posts!

Anonymous said...

Allan, I just love your Sunday posts. Bravo!

Marko said...

Allan, excellent movie; one of my favorites of the year. I am also so grateful to learn about investing from you and your trend-following model. I appreciate it all.

Now, what's going on with your Wings? Remember, my Sharks are known to implode during the playoffs. This series is far from over.

Respectfully,
Mark

A said...

Re: Wings

The Sharks enjoyed a 10-4 edge in power-play chances, which came out to a 12:54 to 4:38 edge in power-play time.

Pavelski's tying goal came on a 5-on-3 chance 4:40 into the third period.

"I am not going to comment on the calls," captain Nick Lidstrom said. "We'll let Babs comment on that."

Babcock also took the high road.

"You aren't going to win many games being short-handed 10 times," he said. "For a team that was (second) least penalized team in the league during the regular season, these last two games we haven't looked after our sticks or the penalties.

"There's no sense questioning anything. We're in charge and we have to look after it. We can't be going to the box 10 times."

Todd Bertuzzi, who was cited on two questionable calls -- a goalie interference call where Evgeni Nabokov clearly dove and a phantom holding call in the third period -- started to talk about the officiating but stopped himself.

"I need to calm down a bit first," he said, excusing himself from the media.

The Wings took 10 minutes of penalties in the final 17 minutes of the game.

"We are up 3-2 and we started the third period real well," Babcock said. "But then we go to the box in a continual parade. Our players felt frustrated but there's no sense in feeling frustrated. You can't go to the box, it's that simple."

The Wings players gave the referees Kevin Pollock and Brad Watson a pretty good verbal assault on their way off the ice.


From The Detroit News: http://www.detnews.com/article/20100502/SPORTS0103/5020333/1128/sports0103/Sharks-4--Wings-3--Penalties-box-in-Wings#ixzz0ms6gEWZT