henry fool (1997) - hal hartley

I really enjoyed Henry Fool, and l am going to check out more of Hal Hartley's films when the chance arises (especially the sequel, Fay Grim).  l am all for deadpan acting, with some clever, interesting and philosophical dialogue,  and there was plenty of that in this film. The Henry of the title drifts into town and meets Simon Grim, an awkward and socially inept refuse man, who he then persuades to write the 'Great American Novel'. Grim (and especially his family) are unsure at first, but he eventually starts, and it is met with mixed reactions. Some think it (and he) is brilliant, some think it is badly written and pornographic (and a bad influence on 'the kids'). The charismatic and intelligent Henry persuades him to stick to it, and the novel is eventually published to great success. While this is going on, Henry has his own writings (The confessions) rejected, and he goes into a downward spiral, which includes admitting to being a paedophile, having sex with Grim's mother, and then marrying Grim's sister. There's more to the movie than that, and it including the longest and noisiest bowel movement l have seen (apart from myself), which was pretty funny. Slightly too long, but worth the effort (the film and the bowel movement).


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before and after airbrushing

This is why you always have to be on your guard. Although the girl is attractive, the airbrushed photograph just makes her flawless.
I think l'll have to start doctoring some of our family ones (especially the night out ones).

toodle pip 

the super moon in march and in germany

I was thinking about the Super Moon (or, if you prefer, a Perigee-Syzygy) that happened in March, and was reminded that when l was younger, and living in Bielefeld, Germany, myself and some friends decided to camp out for the night (tent wise - not going to gay bars). At about 6am (at a guess), some of us went for a walk as we couldn't sleep. We were strolling and chatting along a wide path between some trees, when a large object appeared in the sky in front of us, with a yellowy/reddish colour. I realise now that it must have been a Super Moon, but for many years l thought l may have imagined it, as l have never seen the moon so large again. This would have been in about 1971. So, to conclude. I am not mad, l just have a crap memory (and it sure did look impressive).
By the way, that was also the same walk where l thought l saw a ghost (of my grandmother amongst some trees), but that l do think l imagined. I was probably just seeing shapes in the trees, as l was young, and would have been pretty tired. Or maybe l am mad.

toodle pi

some great recent (ish) classic art

 Francis Bacon

Grant Wood

Piet Mondrian

Rene Magritte

Roy Lichtenstein

Banksy

Now l know what l like about art, and here are some recent (kind of) classic paintings that pass the test in my eyes. I dug them out from the recesses of my computer when l was looking for the Francis Bacon one, as it reminds me of 'The Scream' from the earlier post (about it's sale). I think the Bacon one is even scarier, but that's probably just me.

we need to talk about kevin (2011) - lynne ramsey

Tilda Swinton plays the frustrated mother of Kevin, who struggles with his lack of attachment, violence and mind games. She has trouble convincing her husband how bad it is, as he tends to see the (supposedly) good side of him, with dire consequences for the whole family and local community. We Need To Talk About Kevin is different from the book in some ways, but has been done in a way that  was interesting, but does not deviate from the books lurking menace. Swinton and the two older Kevin's are all superbly acted, but the pot smoking posh boy that is Ezra Miller should take most of the credit, as his brooding presence dominates the later parts of the film. Great stuff (but not exactly cheerful!).

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the aurora borealis above canada

A recent shot of the Aurora Borealis over Canada, taken by NASA's  Marshall Space Flight Center. It must be great to see it from up above the Earth.

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the moving gifs return! - by dain fagerholm

I have (at long last), remembered about the earlier posting of the GIF drawings, and have located the artist's name. They are by Dain Fagerholm, of which, more can be found at his site.

toodle pip.

bumping into people on a night out

These are the sort of characters l should have been hanging around with, the great, good and legendary Bob Dylan and Muhammad Ali, although it looks like the photo is from about 1974, so l may have been a bit young (even for an old git like me).


Instead of which, l get the likes of these. Not that l have any idea who they are, but they are representative of the lower class of drunkards l tolerate when l am out and about, drowning my sorrows after the footie.
I'll have to get myself a new local.

toodle pip

photos from china - good, bad and strange

Photographs from China, good, bad and strange, taken from The Atlantic.
A place l would certainly  like to visit (China, not the Atlantic).

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lemming (2005) - dominik moll

Lemming was a bit of a strange film, French and subtitled (no problem), but a bit slow and probably a bit too long. It certainly kept you guessing as to what the next turn of events would be, that's for sure. Starting off with the boss and his wife coming to tea, but then featuring a suicide, murder, sex, car crashes, hallucinations and ghostly possession. And that's without mentioning the Lemming/Lemmings. It would have been excellent if it was shorter and a bit faster paced (especially at the start), but it was still pretty interesting and certainly different (albeit with some throwbacks to Hitchcock). A pleasant surprise, as l didn't have any preconceptions or knowledge of the movie beforehand, so that was a result l was pleased with (unlike the football!).

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the sale of the scream painting

The 1893 painting

The 1893 pastel

The 1895 pastel

The 1910 painting

The 1895 pastel of 'The Scream' by Edvard Munch has just been sold at Sotheby's for nearly $120 million. It's certainly an iconic painting, but l hate to think how much it would have sold for if there was only one of them, instead of the four. I also think it's a shame when items like this disappear into private collections, where the public don't get to see them. Saying that, if l was loaded, l'd buy all sorts of stuff and stash it away, well out of the way of Joe Public. Methinks it's just other rich people owning them that l don't like. Gits.
Anyway, l prefer the 1893 painting at the top.

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heaven knows mr allison (1957) - john huston

An easy going and laid back performance is produced by both Deborah Kerr and Robert Mitchum, who star in 'Heaven Knows Mr Allison' as the nurse and marine stranded on a desert island during World War Two, and trying to avoid the Japanese that come ashore. Comparisons are made between his role as a marine, and hers as a nun, and they (obviously)  fall for each other, but there is no great big sloppy and unbelievable ending, which is an improvement on many films. A pleasant and relaxing way to pass the time, and it would have looked great in the cinema years ago (in CinemaScope!).

toodle pip

talk about stating the bleeding obvious..

Gareth Williams, the MI6 code breaker who's body was found naked in a sports bag, which was padlocked (from the outside) and found in his bath, was 'on the balance of probabilities, unlawfully killed'.
I will repeat some of the earlier information.
He was in a sports bag, which was padlocked from the outside.
I think that is the crucial bit of evidence. Forget the naked bit, the MI6 bit, and the bath bit. I think there is a lot more of a chance than 'on the balance of probabilities' he was unlawfully killed.
Idiots.

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pissed off after the football

Drowning my sorrows after the derby match. It's not the answer, but it helps a bit.
Sadly, l can now envisage a time when United don't win the league for another 20 odd years, unless there is a dramatic twist at the end of the season (which l very much doubt).
Pah, Bah and humbug.

Even the weather is miserable


toodle bloody pip