Beltmann

Huh. I tracked it down many years ago because all I ever heard were good things. I thought it was okay.

Here in Milwaukee, we have a different idea of what a true "stretch of futility" actually looks like.

Not much time lately, but today I managed to see a handful of '30s short films by George Marshall, all in a series of broad slapstick comedies starring Zasu Pitts and Thelma Todd. I also watched several mid-period shorts by Jan Svankmajer. The best of the bunch was probably Food, a very funny bit of surrealism that features two men in a restaurant being ignored by their waiter. Eventually they start nibbling at the table flowers, and soon they are devouring everything in sight, gulping down shoes, chairs, utensils, and even flesh. I read it as a metaphor for mankind's capacity for ravenou

I agree with everything above, and will add that an artist's turn inward may indeed be a response to what's happening externally, which therefore can be interpreted as a political act.

Yeah, "House of Cards" is the one I can't stop listening to. It's terrific.

When people complain about the evils of religion, what they're really complaining about is man's inevitable corruption of faith. It's tempting to say that, in the aggregate, organized religion (a man-made creation) probably has done more harm than good--what with all the war, bigotry, intolerance, and repression--but it's impossible to truly quantify. It's probably safer to say, though, that individualized, personal spirituality has added immeasurable good to the world. Those two distinct sides of faith should not be confused.

I like it when rock bands don't bother with what other people think they are "supposed" to do.

Those activities will disrupt the industries that currently stabilize our economy--and honestly, I don't care if we annihilate the planet, as long as I can wear cheap Nikes while it happens.

I'll admit that I love Field of Dreams. Yes, it's totally hokey--but in the best possible sense.

That's a classic--I think you'll like it a lot. Just finished: No great shakes, but quite amusing.

Speaking of Murnau, the Criterion forum was recently talking about the possible discovery of a lost Murnau film. It's a pretty good read.

I kid you not, I know at least two college-educated people who believe Stephen Colbert is a real pundit--and they think he's the best thing since, well, Ann Coulter. What does it say about "real" commentators (and their followers) when a cartoonish parody is indistinguishable from the real thing?

Speaking of "all-time favorites," I was just revisiting Stan Brakhage's The Dante Quartet (1987). It's my favorite film of his--it's as pure and beautiful and evocative a vision of Hell as I've seen. Over the years, I have probably seen this ethereal, scary, breathtaking masterpiece 30 times, but I never tire of it. I wish I could have it on perpetual loop in my living room as if it were installation art. And I think "Spiders" would make a perfect musical accompaniment!

Instead of melodrama, Murnau composed a sensuous, moral fable of bright settings and emotional extremes. It's about compromised dreams, but also how joy is a state of mind. Too bad his career was cut short...

I stand corrected.

That's one of my all-time favorite films, period. Top 20.

An actress best known for her tabloid exploits plays an actress best known for her tabloid exploits. But it's not just a stunt--Sienna Miller runs circles around Steve Buscemi in this movie. She might be the real deal.

) ) ) ) ) VIBES ( ( ( ( ( Many years ago, I lost my grandfather three weeks before my wedding. That was tough, especially since we were close--he was my best baseball buddy. Lots of vibeage from southeast WI, El Kev.

I loved the album... didn't know about this EP. Thanks for the heads-up! EDIT: Just downloaded the EP via eMusic... first track sounds good.

English, West Bend East. Typing during conferences? Man, I never get a break during conferences... it's four solid hours of conversation, and I usually end up staying late to meet with those at the end of the line. But I don't really mind--the nonstop meeting makes the time go by fast. (And I confess that I enjoy seeing the parents; there's usually a lot of laughing involved.)