#Hollywood on the Tiber

[mudwerks]

(via Marlon Brando fury at ‘feeling like a freak’ among revelations in new book of Hollywood secrets | Books | The Guardian)

[bitter69uk]

“Not surprisingly, Mickey played Hercules, well-oiled and wearing what seemed to be a very short skating skirt adorned with leather suspenders. Unlike any other male in the movie, Mickey is tanned and greased and so muscle-bound that he can’t walk with his arms at his sides but looks like some kind of great, jerky mechanical bear. The plot, very sketchily, has Mickey’s first wife murdered. He sets out to seek revenge, meets a black-haired tribal queen and falls in love in nine minutes. The black-haired queen is played by Jayne, wearing a black wig and a padded bra. It was some kind of gravitational miracle that she didn’t fall over with all that frontage on her. At any rate, she and Hercules have to overcome a lot of obstacles to their love, including the murderous impulses of the red-haired Amazon queen who captures Hercules. Jayne plays the Amazon queen in a different wig but the same bra. The movie is dubbed in a variety of accents so that Mickey delivers Shakespearean English, Jayne West Coast American and the others sound indigenous to locales between Los Angeles and London … Jayne’s dual roles were an object lesson in male fantasy. She gets to play the demanding, emasculating woman men fear and the demure, passive woman they want.”

/ From Jayne Mansfield and the American Fifties by Martha Saxton, 1975 /

Released in Italian cinemas 63 years ago today (19 August 1960): “sword-and-sandals” peplum film The Loves of Hercules (aka Hercules vs the Hydra) starring fabulous fame-crazed husband and wife duo Mickey Hargitay and Jayne Mansfield, made in Cinemascope at the height of the “Hollywood on the Tiber” era. In the UK at least, this movie is seemingly impossible to see. Over the years some scratchy, faded versions have surfaced on YouTube – but always dubbed exclusively in Italian! Where oh where is the 4K restoration English language director’s cut Blu-ray?

[apis-vergilii]

Ok so October is nearly over and my self imposed reading list was way too ambitious for a burnt-out pseudo intellectual with multiple bullshit jobs who hasn’t seriously used her “school brain” in a decade, but I DID finish this one off my list. (I also read a few trashy novels and a bit of Maurizio Bettini, doomscrolled the news, and played Pentiment three times.) It’s in Italian, but I’m posting about it in English because I’m tired and this is the internet. Hey Einaudi editore, pay me to translate it and everyone goes home happy.

Anyway, I - mostly liked it? Appreciated it? Am glad for its existence? It’s basically a prose retelling of the Aeneid, fairly short and very accessible, which is something we don’t really have many examples of. (Contrast that with the Odyssey - I remember reading about ten different kids’ and YA retellings of it back in the day.) It’s a good introduction to the story, especially for someone who hasn’t read the poem, doesn’t remember it from school or (hi) didn’t get to go to a school where they cared to teach Latin literature.

The author emphasizes that Aeneas is a refugee, that war is hell, that all this suffering and bloodshed is a tragedy - and that he and the Trojans are “foreign invaders” on the shores of Latium. He doesn’t make the slightest excuse for him regarding what he did to Dido, but also doesn’t step in as the author to moralize about it: he just focuses his lens on Dido and gives her dignity and agency, and lets her speak for herself. Similarly, he describes Turnus and Lavinia’s early courtship in a very sweet and charming way, and gives the spotlight later to Amata as she expresses her abject horror at the way Latinus has simply bartered Lavinia away to some random foreigner. He writes with a light touch, a spare style, telling the story simply and letting it speak for itself. Often this works well, other times I wish he sank his teeth in a bit more.

He almost completely removes the gods and their machinations and bickering from the plot. That’s a deliberate artistic choice to focus on the human element of the story, which I respect. It forces us to see pius Aeneas as more man than demigod, which is probably necessary for the modern mind and a useful perspective on the story, a corrective even. But I’m not sure I *like* it.

When I bought this book I expected it to be more of a critical essay on the idea of Aeneas-as-foreign-refugee and its implications for Virgil’s intentions with the poem and its reception from Augustan times until today. It is not that. I like what it is, I think?

But sometimes it left me feeling unsatisfied - so much of the Aeneid is lost when you translate it, either from Latin to another language or from poetry to prose. And this is me talking - I can *barely* read Latin right now, I’ve only had a few little tastes of the real Aeneid and have read several translations, and have still fallen head over heels in love with it - I can’t imagine the impact it will have on me when I can completely read it in the original. I might never recover, and I’ll just turn into some sort of ecstatic mystic madwoman, wandering the banks of the Tiber for centuries, accosting passersby to harangue them about no, but actually listen to the SOUND of this line!

Anyway. Good book, enjoyed it, glad it exists, appreciate its focus on the human element, good place to re-boot my rusty brain, makes me want to study and read more. EXCEPT:

One unforgivable thing.

He changes the bloody ending.

We don’t see Aeneas murder Turnus. We don’t get that shocking, abrupt, “Virgil throws down his pen in disgust and walks away” ending. The author doesn’t even do one of his inline professorial digressions about it that he has previously used to great effect.

Instead he does this cheesy Hollywood zoom-out and pan-over, describing concentric circles of Latins and Trojans and Rutulians and Etruscans who have all stopped fighting to watch the duel between Aeneas and Turnus. Ok, fine, cool visual. But then Aeneas doesn’t kill him “on-screen.” He raises his sword in the air and yells “Now we are one people!” which is just……not in the text.

I liked this book. I appreciated this book. It has moments of real beauty, interesting digressions on Roman rituals and pre-Roman Italy, and the removal of the “divine” element from the story adds enough back to our modern perspective that it’s worth it, even if I might not have done the same thing - the author is also a famous and successful classicist and I’m some schmuck on the internet, so whaddya gonna do. But the ending feels like a huge cop-out and left a weird taste in my mouth.

Now back to Caecelius in his horto so maybe I can read the real thing someday before I fucking die.

[orbispro02]

Video Production Company in Italy

In today’s digital age, video production has become an essential tool for businesses, artists, and individuals alike. Whether it's for marketing, storytelling, or entertainment, videos are a powerful medium that can engage and captivate audiences like no other. But why should you consider Italy for your next video production project? Let’s dive into the world of video production in Italy and discover what makes it a top choice for filmmakers and producers.

Overview of Video Production in Italy

Historical Background

Italy has a rich history in the world of film and video production. From the golden age of Cinecittà in Rome, often referred to as the "Hollywood on the Tiber," to the influential Italian neorealism movement, Italy has been at the forefront of cinematic innovation. This historical legacy continues to influence and inspire modern video production in the country. Video Production Company in Italy

Current Trends

Today, Italy remains a vibrant hub for video production. The industry has evolved to incorporate the latest technological advancements, with a growing emphasis on high-quality digital content. There’s a blend of traditional cinematic techniques and modern digital artistry, making Italy a unique environment for creative endeavors.

Types of Video Production Services

Corporate Videos

Corporate videos are essential for companies looking to enhance their brand image, communicate with their audience, or train employees. Italian production companies excel in creating polished and professional corporate videos that align with business goals.

Commercials

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Music Videos

Italy’s picturesque locations and artistic heritage make it a favorite spot for shooting music videos. Many international artists choose Italy for its stunning backdrops and high-quality production services.

Documentaries

Italian production companies are renowned for their documentary filmmaking. With access to rich historical sites, diverse cultures, and compelling stories, Italy offers an unparalleled environment for documentary production.

Event Coverage

Whether it's a fashion show in Milan or a film festival in Venice, Italy is a prime location for high-profile events. Professional event coverage ensures that these moments are captured and shared with the world.

Top Video Production Companies in Italy

Lux Vide

Lux Vide is a leading production company known for its high-quality television series and films. They have a reputation for storytelling excellence and a portfolio that includes internationally acclaimed projects.

Indiana Production

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Cattleya

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Gabriele Muccino

Famous director Gabriele Muccino has his production company, which specializes in creating visually stunning and emotionally compelling films and commercials.

Wildside

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Key Locations for Filming in Italy

Rome

Rome offers a blend of ancient history and modern vibrancy. Its iconic landmarks like the Colosseum and the Vatican make it a favorite for historical and contemporary productions.

Milan

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Venice

With its canals and historic buildings, Venice is an enchanting location that adds a unique charm to any video production.

Florence

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The Amalfi Coast

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Scenic Beauty

Italy’s diverse landscapes—from rolling hills and vineyards to ancient cities and coastal vistas—offer endless possibilities for filmmakers.

Rich Culture and History

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Skilled Workforce

Italy boasts a highly skilled workforce, including talented directors, cinematographers, and crew members who bring expertise and creativity to every project.

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Pre-production

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Post-production

Post-production includes editing, sound design, and special effects. Italian post-production services are known for their precision and artistic quality, ensuring the final product is polished and professional.

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Assessing Portfolio and Experience

Reviewing a company’s portfolio and past work is crucial. It provides insight into their style, quality, and expertise.

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While quality is paramount, it’s important to find a company that offers services within your budget without compromising on the final output.

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Advanced Equipment

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Special Effects

Special effects and CGI are increasingly used in video production to create visually stunning and engaging content.

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Legal and Regulatory Issues

Navigating permits, copyrights, and other legal aspects can be challenging but is crucial for a smooth production process.

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Coordinating locations, equipment, and personnel can be complex, especially for large-scale productions.

Budget Constraints

Balancing quality and budget is a common challenge. It requires careful planning and resource management.

Benefits of Hiring a Professional Video Production Company

Quality Assurance

Professional companies guarantee a high standard of quality, ensuring that the final product meets or exceeds expectations.

Time Efficiency

Experienced production teams work efficiently, saving time and ensuring deadlines are met.

Professional Expertise

Professional video production companies bring expertise and creativity to every project, resulting in a more polished and effective final product.

Success Stories of Video Productions in Italy

Famous Films and Series

Italy has been the backdrop for many famous films and series, such as “The Godfather” and “The Talented Mr. Ripley,” showcasing its cinematic appeal.

Successful Commercial Campaigns

Many international brands have successfully filmed commercials in Italy, benefiting from its stunning locations and professional production services.

Tips for a Successful Video Production

Planning Ahead

Thorough planning helps in anticipating challenges and ensuring a smooth production process.

Effective Communication

Clear communication among all team members ensures that everyone is on the same page, leading to a more cohesive production.

Flexibility and Adaptability

Being flexible and adaptable to changes can help overcome unexpected challenges and improve the overall outcome of the project.

Future of Video Production in Italy

Emerging Trends

The future of video production in Italy includes trends like virtual reality, augmented reality, and interactive videos, which are set to revolutionize the industry.

Impact of Technology

Advancements in technology will continue to enhance the quality and creativity of video productions, making Italy a top choice for innovative projects.

Italy’s rich history, stunning locations, and professional expertise make it an ideal destination for video production. Whether you're looking to produce a corporate video, a commercial, or a documentary, Italy offers a unique blend of tradition and modernity that can bring your vision to life. By choosing the right production company and leveraging Italy's diverse resources, you can create compelling and high-quality videos that resonate with your audience.

Contacts:

Email: info@orbispro.it Phone: +39 02 8295 02 02 Address: Bastioni di Porta Nuova 21, Milan, 20121, Italy Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/orbispro.eu https://www.instagram.com/orbispro/ https://www.youtube.com/c/ORBIS_pro Visit Here: https://orbispro.it/en

[allthemusic]

Week ending: 22 July 1954

Well, we've gone from Petula Clark's first hit to Frank Sinatra's - yet another legendary figure. And a bit like Petula's first hit, this isn't Frank's best known song. It's not completely unknown; I think I'd heard it before. But there are definitely more iconic hits. I think it's from a film?

Three Coins in the Fountain - Frank Sinatra (peaked at No. 1)

Man, this is slow, with a plodding guitar backing that really doesn't help. It's definitely from a film score, with all the lush instrumentation that that entails, but all of it just very slow and soupy.

As far as I can gather, it's about throwing coins into a fountain in Rome to make a wish, except Frank's one of three lovers whose metaphorical hats have been thrown into the ring? Let's see...

Ooh, this song won an Oscar for best original song! I guess it's a quite technically proficient song, and Frank's performance is as smooth and gentle as you expect a Sinatra performance to be, so I can kind of see the appeal, if you ignore just how slow it is.

It comes from a film called (surprise, surprise) Three Coins in the Fountain that is indeed about people holidaying in Rome and throwing coins into the Trevi Fountain to win over their respective loves. It's based on a 1952 novel, and it's apparently quite melodramatic? It looks like it focusses primarily on some female American characters who work (how modern!) as secretaries abroad and their various entanglements with local Italian men. Frank Sinatra wasn't in the film, and wasn't actually credited for his song, which seems a bit sketchy to me.

It's described as part of the "Hollywood on the Tiber" period, apparently, which was a spell of time in the 1950s and 1960s where Hollywood studios were looking to Italy as a place to set and film various blockbusters. It seems like it was mostly done for financial reasons, plus they could make use of Mussolini's planned Cinecittà complex.

It makes me wonder if this could be one reason for the Italian craze we've been seeing for the past year or so of the charts, with Italian artists and Italian-themed songs making the top fairly regularly. Or perhaps Italy's cultural cachet was what was driving Hollywood to move out there? I'm sure people have written in more depth about this, honestly.

All this is considerably more interesting than the song itself, which is just Frank wishing that his love would pick him and not any of the other two men who are interested. There's a slightly melancholy to some lines, and as I've said, Frank's performance is lovely, he really sells the "just one wish will be granted" line with an appropriate level of almost-regret. Except he doesn't regret it, he just wants to beg fate (the fountain? God?) to "make it mine!" which leads into a suitably dramatic ending.

There's a touch of the Big Old Ending to it, but again, as some recent artists have been doing, there's a degree of restraint. A lot of the volume and drama at the end comes from the instrumentation, as we get an orchestral outro that ends the song pretty gently.

Not a terrible song, but not my favourite thing ever. Uninspiring, you might even say - but it's a start for Frank, who I already know will return multiple times, with various songs that I already know that I like. So I'm pretty well-disposed towards him.

Favourite song of the really-very-Roman bunch: Three Coins in the Fountain

[onewordshy]

In one of the film's scenes, Amytis, while fleeing from Hannibal and his soldiers, rides a horse over the edges of a cliff on the Tiber River. [Esther] Williams refused to do the scene, and when the studio refused to cut it, the director called in a platform diver that Williams knew, Al Lewin. The stunt took place one time; the studio got its shot, and Lewin broke his back. (x)

Hollywood really did just do anything back in the day, huh?

[notesonfilm1]

A note on 'Two Weeks in Another Town'

A note on ‘Two Weeks in Another Town’

[dawiebe]

Weekly Digest: November 6, 2021

Weekly Digest: November 6, 2021

I love my team. They’ve helped me brainstorm of a lot of great ideas for you over the course of the last few months. And so, what I’ll be sharing with you today is just such an idea fully implemented in the real world. As you may know, we launched our premium online academy for musicians, Elite Players: All Access Pass a few months ago. This includes access to a members forum (and personalized…

[bluastro-yellow]

It's incredible that Cinecittà World, a theme park based on the largest movie studio in Europe where many iconic movies were made, the "Hollywood on the Tiber", fucking sucks

[da5vi]

The Lizzie McGuire Movie: o Roman Holiday da Disney

Em 1952, Audrey Hepburn encantava os cinemas em seu primeiro papel principal: o filme A Princesa e o Plebeu, estrelado também por Gregory Peck. Ela já tinha uma carreira no teatro e havia participado de dois filmes em papéis menores, mas foi nesse grande clássico que Audrey não só teve a oportunidade de brilhar, como também de encantar o público americano. Não obstante, recebeu o Oscar de melhor atriz por sua performance.

A Princesa e o Plebeu é um dos filmes que marcam a era Hollywood on the Tiber, período em que o cinema americano investiu em histórias rodadas em Roma após o sucesso do longa Quo Vadis, estrelado por Deborah Kerr. Sua relevância cultural é tamanha, que em 1999 foi selecionado para preservação e arquivamento pela Biblioteca do Congresso dos Estados Unidos.

Chegamos em 2003. As gravações da série Disney Channel Lizzie McGuire já haviam terminado (o episódio final, no entanto, foi exibido apenas em 14 de Fevereiro de 2004) e Hilary Duff estava iniciando sua carreira musical com o disco Metamorphosis, produzido e distribuido por uma gravadora também pertencente à Disney.

A personagem de Terry Minsky é ocasionalmente creditada como parte importante do crescimento do canal do rato entre o público infanto-juvenil. Lizzie era uma jovem comum, e as situações retratadas na série - desde a compra do primeiro sutiã às brigas com seu irmão mais novo, Matt - ajudaram a cementar essa relação.

Com uma franquia já consolidada, uma artista musical em ascenção e tendo em vista a estrondosa arrecadação do filme Crossroads, que catapultou (ainda mais) a carreira de Britney Spears, produzir Lizzie McGuire: Um Sonho Popstar era uma receita que tinha de tudo para dar certo.

Tanto em Lizzie quanto em A Princesa e o Plebeu, as protagonistas vivem aventuras em Roma. Aqui, analiso as semelhanças e diferenças entre os longas e dou um parecer sobre a repercussão da empreitada da Disney.

01. O Plot, a cidade e os homens

A Fontana di Trevi, um lugar visto em ambos os filmes.

Não é só as aventuras em Roma que conectam ambos. Os protagonistas masculinos dos dois longas tem a intenção de utilizar o relacionamento estabelecido para explorar a mulher de alguma forma -- em Roman Holiday, o Joe Bradley quer usar a Ann para um grande furo jornalístico e, em Lizzie McGuire, o Paolo quer usá-la para enterrar a carreira de sua ex-parceira em uma premiação musical.

Além disso, esses homens utilizam o cenário da cidade para encantar as moças -- embora sigam um intinerário diferente (Paolo busca lugares que despertem a paixão em Lizzie; Joe opta por lugares que possam render momentos "humanos" de uma princesa).

02. A Vespa

Uma das cenas mais lembradas de A Princesa e o Plebeu é, sem dúvida, o passeio de Vespa pelas ruas de Roma. Inclusive, o filme despertou interesse do público pelo veículo: mais de cem mil Vespas foram vendidas após seu lançamento e, uma década depois, a Vespinha já havia aparecido em mais de sessenta outras produções.

Não é a toa que Lizzie McGuire dedica uma sequência ao som de Volare a um passeio na tal motocicleta (uma versão estendida da cena foi incluída no material bônus do DVD).

03. A Makeover

Embora não apresentem um antes e depois tão "chocante" quanto outros filmes que seguem mais a fundo esse gênero (pense em Miss Simpatia e O Diário da Princesa), ambas as protagonistas passam por um processo de makeover durante os filmes: Ann resolve adotar um corte de cabelo mais curto e moderno (chocando até o cabeleleiro); Lizzie precisava parecer menos como uma garota comum americana e mais como uma pop star.

No filme da Disney, há uma montagem que se tornou padrão em filmes de Makeover -- no entanto, é importante notar que a sequência parece mais como uma paródia/alívio cômico que parte importante da narrativa.

04. Registros de imagens não-consensuais

Ambas as protagonistas sofrem invasão de privacidade protagonizada por dois homens em papéis coadjuvantes: em Roman Holiday, o fotógrafo amigo de Joe registra em fotos todos os momentos da princesa em Roma para vender a tablóides e jornais; já em Lizzie, seu irmão Matt é frequentemente pego registrando em vídeo momentos embaraçosos da irmã para humilhá-la na televisão. Ambos utilizam uma câmera escondida em objetos comuns.

05. O Romance não-consumado

Ao final das histórias, o relacionamento entre os dois protagonistas não vai para a frente e suas mulheres retornam para suas vidas comuns, fora de Roma. No entanto, é importante ressaltar que em Lizzie McGuire há todo um contexto de triângulo amoroso não existente em Roman Holiday, que visa dar aos fãs da série o momento que eles tanto aguardavam: o primeiro beijo de Lizzie e David Gordo.

06. Impacto na auto-estima

Anne era uma princesa enfadada e que não aguentava mais a pressão imposta por seu trabalho, mas também não se via com autonomia suficiente para tomar as rédeas do negócio. Após seu dia em Roma, no entanto, tudo muda. Já Lizzie era uma garota insegura e atrapalhada, e foi assumir a vida dupla como Isabella que lhe ajudou a encontrar segurança para viver um sonho popstar.

Conclusão: by all means, Rome!

Embora exista todas essas semelhanças, a proposta de lançar a carreira musical de Hilary faz com que o desenvolvimento do filme gire em torno da ascenção momentânea de Lizzie ao mundo das pop stars. A criação da doppelganger é essencial aqui, pois Lizzie McGuire nunca foi uma série voltada para a música, e isso garante um retorno à normalidade da personagem após o encerramento dos eventos do filme.

Por se aproveitar da imagem cementada por A Princesa e o Plebeu de que Roma é, de fato, uma cidade onde você pode viver aventuras únicas, inesquecíveis e completamente fora da rotina, Lizzie McGuire conseguiu:

a) dar aos fãs da série o tão esperado final romântico;

b) fazer uma história que atendesse suas necessidades mercadol��gicas sem ferir o legado da série (note que Terry Minsky não participou da produção do longa -- e aposto que ela o odeia profundamente);

c) catapultar a carreira musical de Duff: a trilha sonora sozinha vendeu mais de 2 milhões de cópias. Já o disco Metamorphosis (que contém uma das músicas utilizadas no filme) se tornou o oitavo disco mais vendido de 2003, também com mais de 2 milhões de cópias vendidas;

d) se tornar um sucesso comercial independente da série (e também por causa dela), arrecadando 55 milhões de dólares na bilheteria.

Além disso, Lizzie McGuire é um filme que traz mulheres em papéis de diferente prestígio social (há a mãe, a instrutora marrenta, a jovem descolada e até policiais!) e ainda encerra uma rivalidade feminina estabelecida pela série (Lizzie vs Kate Sanders) -- o que o torna socialmente relevante, especialmente para os dias de hoje.

Embora não seja visto como um queridinho da crítica, como o filme de Hepburn, The Lizzie McGuire Movie é um marco importante da memória afetiva de todos que cresceram com o Disney Channel nos anos 2000 e é uma homenagem válida e divertida a Roman Holiday.

[tilbageidanmark]

Movies I watched this week - 46

There’s no Happy End in Michael Haneke’s ‘Happy End’: 12-year old actrice belge Fantine Harduin poisons her mom, herself and helps her senile grandpère Jean-Louis Trintignant to drown. Her wealthy aunt Isabelle Huppert  breaks the thumb of her reckless son when he invites a bunch of Moroccan refugees to an exclusive family gathering. And her estranged father is a sado-masochist who cheats on his second wife too. It’s dark and melancholy and magnificent. 9/10

✴️      

Long Strange Trip, a cool & fair rock doc 4 hour long, about who the Grateful Dead were, what they did and how much their “Ethos, Man!” mattered.

I’m so sorry I only went to 5-6 Dead concerts, when I had the chance!

Most enjoyable film of the week, in a week full of them!

✴️      

Travelling Salesman, a very unusual intellectual thriller about 4 mathematicians who were secretly tasked by the NSA to solve the ‘P versus NP problem’, and now have to deliver and sign off their project. Not that I know what they are talking about, but apparently it’s a major unsolved problem in computer science.

Basically it was 5 people locked in a room, a-la-’12 Angry Men’, and it sounded nearly right most of the time. Different!

✴️      

2 Films about Nazi Germany:

✳️✳️✳️ Tomorrow belongs to me, the masterful introduction of broader meaning into Bob Fosse’s Cabaret: “The song marks the first time that the narrative moves away from the hedonism of the nightclub, and establishes the rise of the Nazi Party as the main theme of the story". (Photo Above).

The Joel Grey’s musical portions and the rise of fascism were superb, but the story of milquetoast gay ex-pat Michael York watered down the message considerably. 4/10.

(No wonder Ester, my ex, loved the Sally Bowles character...)

✳️✳️✳️ Hitler's Hollywood, AKA “German Cinema in the Age of Propaganda: 1933-45”, narrated by Udo Kier.

Between 1933-1945 circa 1000 entertainment films were produced by Nazi Germany. This fascinating historical retrospective examines, with hundreds of film clips, how Joseph Goebbels sought to use cinema as a means of mass indoctrination and control.

My most interesting film find of the week! 9/10

✴️     

It took me 3 attempts to get into Paolo Sorrentino’ Felliniesque The Great Beauty. The disaffected Jep Gambardella is a 65 year old, well-connected socialite & journalist who learns that his first and greatest love, whom he hasn’t seen for 40 years, has died. But after grotesque and spectacular La Dolce Vita adventures, he ends up walking melancholic and empty along the banks of the Tiber. Absolutely beautiful!

(Also, at 1:45, he goes into a massive installation of an artist, whose father took a photo of him every day since he was born...)

✴️      

2 terrific Jazz bios:

✳️✳️✳️ Music in the key of Oscar - A wonderful 1995 docu about (mostly) the reunion that Oscar Peterson had with Ray Brown and Herb Ellis after 20 years hiatus, as well as highlights from his career. Too good!

Prompt by this gem: Oscar Peterson teaches Dick Cavett what other piano players' styles are like.

✳️✳️✳️ Bird, Clint Eastwood’s biography of Charlie Parker. It’s nearly 3 hours long and straight-forward, but the music is too good not to be good. Eastwood himself was a fairly good (?) jazz musician and composer.

His wife Chan didn’t get enough credit for her saintliness. Both Forest Whitaker and Diane Verona were excellent in it. 8+/10.

✴️      

King Richard, a new, idealized biographical drama about Richard Williams, the father who "had a plan" for Venus & Serena, and his relentless push for their greatness. Inspirational & feel-good, yet 100% positive: The single real-life ambivalence came in one surprising line, when the mom mentioned his other children. In reality he had 15 children with at least 4 women. 7/10

✴️      

"Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in." - Out of The Past, a classic Film Noir starring (regular pot-smoker) Robert Mitchum, Kirk Douglas and the beautiful Rhonda Fleming. Sharp dialogue, cunning femme fatale and lots of smoking. 7/10.

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In her name is based on the real live case of Kalinka Bamberski case. Daniel Auteuil is a father, whose daughter is murdered by her German step-father. For 30 years he stubbornly pursued bringing charges against the doctor, until final conviction. It’s a hard to watch film. Also, as it covers 30 years, it jumps a lot and shows only highlights from the case.

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After seeing Joe Swanberg’s mumblecore bore ‘Build The Wall’ a few months ago, I swore not to bother with the rest of his films, but because I’m smitten with adorable eye-candy Anna Kendrick, I gave Happy Christmas a try.

I’m glad I did. Kendrick plays a happy-going, irresponsible, pot-smoking younger sister who comes to stay with her brother and his wife and his cute 2 year old son in their Chicago home. A very simple story, honestly told. 7/10.

✴️      

Game Night, a fun entertainment about Jason Bateman and Rachel McAdams, a competitive gamer couple and a role-playing murder mystery party.

5/10

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2 About Catholic priests struggling with their faith: 

✳️✳️✳️ Duval and De Nero are brothers in True Confessions. Duval is a homicide detective on a case similar to The Black Dahlia, and De Nero is a monsignor in the Los Angeles archdiocese of 1948. I loved it years ago, and I still do: Reminiscent of ‘Chinatown’, and one of the best of 1980′s slow dramas.

I was knocked out today by the first scenes, which were shot on the desert roads outside Adelanto, my old stomping grounds! 7/10.

✳️✳️✳️ Under the sun of Satan, Maurice Pialat’s dense religious parable. Gérard Depardieu is a tormented, self-flagellating rural priest in the early 1900′s whose faith is tested by doubts. It didn’t speak to me.

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Salvador Dalí & Walt Disney’s collaborated effort from 1945, Destino, which was completed & released in 2003. A 7 minutes surrealistic abstraction on Dalí planes.

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The beating heart of Spielberg’s America, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Close Encounter Part 2. Thankfully, most of the film is about the kids, and Peter Coyote doesn’t show up until the last 30 minutes.

First watch in 40 years, prompt by another tearjerker, 9 year old Henry Thomas audition for the role of Elliott.

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Produced by Mel Brooks, directed by young David Lynch, and with a touching scene of Anne Bancroft reciting Romeo & Juliet with the deformed Elephant Man. Sentimental period drama without the later Lynch twisted style.

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The Whistlers, a stylized artsy Romanian crime story that starts on a Canary Island, and ends at Singapore Changi Airport. But in between it was dull and uninspiring.

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Have a Good Trip: Adventures in Psychedelics, a Netflix docu about LSD, targeted mostly to newbies. I re-watched it after my LSD trip this weekend, but it was too celebrity-loaded, “comedic” and flat.

✴️      

"Alt-na-Shellach"! Hitchcock’s silly mistaken identity “thriller” The39 Steps. The detail I liked most about it was the late supper that Robert Donat cooked for Annabella Smith. He asked her if she’s hungry, and then he pulled a whole haddock out of the fridge, laid it on a pan and added some water to it to cook. Than He sliced a thick slap of white bread...

✴️      

Edgar Wright’s latest Last Night In Soho, and his first from a young women prospective - Not what i expected, and nothing I cared for too much. A bit like Polanski's Repulsion. With Terence Stamp & Rita Tushingham. 3/10

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Throw-back to the art project:

Cabaret Adora.

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(My complete movie list is here)

[justforbooks]

Edwin Eugene Aldrin Jr., commonly known as Buzz Aldrin, was born on January 20, 1930. He is an American former astronaut, engineer and fighter pilot. Aldrin made three spacewalks as pilot of the 1966 Gemini 12 mission, and as the lunar module pilot on the 1969 Apollo 11 mission, he and mission commander Neil Armstrong were the first two humans to land on the Moon.

Born in Glen Ridge, New Jersey, Aldrin graduated third in the class of 1951 from the United States Military Academy at West Point, with a degree in mechanical engineering. He was commissioned into the United States Air Force, and served as a jet fighter pilot during the Korean War. He flew 66 combat missions and shot down two MiG-15 aircraft.

After earning a Sc.D. degree in astronautics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Aldrin was selected as a member of NASA's Astronaut Group 3, making him the first astronaut with a doctoral degree. His doctoral thesis was Line-of-Sight Guidance Techniques for Manned Orbital Rendezvous, earning him the nickname "Dr. Rendezvous" from fellow astronauts. His first space flight was in 1966 on Gemini 12 during which he spent over five hours on extravehicular activity. Three years later, Aldrin set foot on the Moon at 03:15:16 on July 21, 1969 (UTC), nineteen minutes after Armstrong first touched the surface, while command module pilot Michael Collins remained in lunar orbit. A Presbyterian elder, Aldrin became the first person to hold a religious ceremony on the Moon when he privately took communion.

Upon leaving NASA in 1971, Aldrin became Commandant of the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School. He retired from the Air Force in 1972, after 21 years of service. His autobiographies Return to Earth (1973), and Magnificent Desolation (2009), recount his struggles with clinical depression and alcoholism in the years after leaving NASA. He continued to advocate for space exploration, particularly a human mission to Mars, and developed the Aldrin cycler, a special spacecraft trajectory that makes travel to Mars more efficient in regard to time and propellant. He has been accorded numerous honors, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1969.

Bibliography

Aldrin, Edwin E. Jr. 1970. "Footsteps on the Moon". Edison Electric Institute Bulletin. Vol. 38, No. 7, pp. 266–272.

Armstrong, Neil; Michael Collins; Edwin E. Aldrin; Gene Farmer; and Dora Jane Hamblin. 1970. First on the Moon: A Voyage with Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins, Edwin E. Aldrin Jr. Boston: Little, Brown.

Aldrin, Buzz and Wayne Warga. 1973. Return to Earth. New York: Random House.

Aldrin, Buzz and Malcolm McConnell. 1989. Men from Earth. New York: Bantam Books.

Aldrin, Buzz and John Barnes. 1996. Encounter with Tiber. London: Hodder & Stoughton.

Aldrin, Buzz and John Barnes. 2000. The Return. New York: Forge.

Aldrin, Buzz and Wendell Minor. 2005. Reaching for the Moon. New York: Harper Collins Publishers.

Aldrin, Buzz and Ken Abraham. 2009. Magnificent Desolation: The Long Journey Home from the Moon. New York: Harmony Books.

Aldrin, Buzz and Wendell Minor. 2009. Look to the Stars. Camberwell, Vic.: Puffin Books.

Aldrin, Buzz and Leonard David. 2013. Mission to Mars: My Vision for Space Exploration. Washington, D.C.: National Geographic Books.

Aldrin, Buzz and Marianne Dyson. 2015. Welcome to Mars: Making a Home on the Red Planet. Washington, D.C.: National Geographic Children's Books.

Aldrin, Buzz and Ken Abraham. 2016. No Dream Is Too High: Life Lessons From a Man Who Walked on the Moon. Washington, D.C.: National Geographic Books.

Aldrin was awarded the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) in 1969 for his role as lunar module pilot on Apollo 11. He was awarded an oak leaf cluster in 1972 in lieu of a second DSM for his role in both the Korean War and in the space program, and the Legion of Merit for his role in the Gemini and Apollo programs. During a 1966 ceremony marking the end of the Gemini program, Aldrin was awarded the NASA Exceptional Service Medal by President Johnson at LBJ Ranch. He was awarded the NASA Distinguished Service Medal in 1970 for the Apollo 11 mission. Aldrin was one of ten Gemini astronauts inducted into the International Space Hall of Fame in 1982. He was also inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame in 1993, the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 2000, and the New Jersey Hall of Fame in 2008.

The Toy Story character Buzz Lightyear was named in honor of Buzz Aldrin.

In 1999, while celebrating the 30th anniversary of the lunar landing, Vice-President Al Gore, who was also the vice-chancellor of the Smithsonian Institution's Board of Regents, presented the Apollo 11 crew with the Smithsonian Institution's Langley Gold Medal for aviation. After the ceremony, the crew went to the White House and presented President Bill Clinton with an encased Moon rock. The Apollo 11 crew was awarded the New Frontier Congressional Gold Medal in the Capitol Rotunda in 2011. During the ceremony, NASA administrator Charles Bolden said, "Those of us who have had the privilege to fly in space followed the trail they forged."

The Apollo 11 crew were awarded the Collier Trophy in 1969. The National Aeronautic Association president awarded a duplicate trophy to Collins and Aldrin at a ceremony. The crew was awarded the 1969 General Thomas D. White USAF Space Trophy. The National Space Club named the crew the winners of the 1970 Dr. Robert H. Goddard Memorial Trophy, awarded annually for the greatest achievement in spaceflight. They received the international Harmon Trophy for aviators in 1970, conferred to them by Vice-President Spiro Agnew in 1971. Agnew also presented them the Hubbard Medal of the National Geographic Society in 1970. He told them, "You've won a place alongside Christopher Columbus in American history". In 1970, the Apollo 11 team were co-winners of the Iven C. Kincheloe award from the Society of Experimental Test Pilots along with Darryl Greenamyer who broke the world speed record for piston engine airplanes. For contributions to the television industry, they were honored with round plaques on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

In 2001, President George W. Bush appointed Aldrin to the Commission on the Future of the United States Aerospace Industry. Aldrin received the 2003 Humanitarian Award from Variety, the Children's Charity, which, according to the organization, "is given to an individual who has shown unusual understanding, empathy, and devotion to mankind." In 2006, the Space Foundation awarded him its highest honor, the General James E. Hill Lifetime Space Achievement Award.

Aldrin received honorary degrees from six colleges and universities, and was named as the Chancellor of the International Space University in 2015. He was a member of the National Space Society's Board of Governors, and has served as the organization's chairman. In 2016, his hometown middle school in Montclair, New Jersey, was renamed Buzz Aldrin Middle School. The Aldrin crater on the Moon near the Apollo 11 landing site and Asteroid 6470 Aldrin are named in his honor.

In 2019, Buzz was awarded the Starmus Festival's Stephen Hawking Medal for Science Communication for Lifetime Achievement.

* Photo Above: Aldrin walks on the surface of the Moon during Apollo 11. Photograph by Neil Armstrong, who can be seen reflected in Aldrin's visor.

Daily inspiration. Discover more photos at http://justforbooks.tumblr.com

[italiandisheslover332]

Jacob Kenedy's Favourite Italian Recipes

Point Out La Dolce Vita, Fellini's masterpiece, and also even today the title conjures a substantial fond memories for a duration whose ghosts still load the streets of Rome. The film was partially influenced by my grandparents, previous Hollywood star Ginny (still quite active) and [New York gallerist] John" especially by the parties they tossed at their apartment in Rome. There, in the primo piano of Palazzo Caetani, the stunning elite, the literati, the artists, glitterati and artists and actors and singers made and also lived as well as taken a breath la dolce vita to the background of a Rome very various from today's. Fellini asked Ginny to look like Steiner's partner, yet she decreased" rather Steiner's residence is a facsimile of her old apartment. My grandma's porcelain figurine lamps light the scene of Steiner's event, her good friends load it (consisting of Iris Tree), as well as Ginny's naive paints embellish the wall surfaces in the movie. The doll-like picture behind Marcello's head, among hers, is of my young mum, Haidee, and Steiner's children stand in the doorway of the celebration room as my mama utilized to. Unlike Ginny's often surreal structures my mum's job is visceral and active. Her paints embellish my dining establishment Bocca di Lupo and also specify my new endeavor, Vico, outdoors as well as in. She filled me with her love from the day I was birthed, and she loaded me with food while she was at it. I matured in love with her, crazy with Italy, and also crazy with la dolce vita" the time as well as place that bore her. I feel comfortable when I land on Italian dirt, though I have actually never ever lived there and also have no Italian blood in my capillaries. I appreciate" wish for" Latin social simplicity, when I myself am as well shy to say hello there to individuals even in my very own restaurant. Therefore I take every chance to see, to ensure that I can at the very least pretend to live "the pleasant life", the land where no person is a stranger. On one browse through, Mum as well as I pick up a day in Rome en route to Sperlonga, the seaside town where John bought a level to escape Ginny's parties, and which we still maintain. We see her old residence, by Largo Argentina, ever before overwhelmed by feral cats, as well as discover the doorman's half-deaf, partner and also half-blind, set in the lodge, healing clothing. She screams with pleasure when she identifies Mama. A couple of minutes on as well as we are in the darkness of the Pantheon's dome, at Caff" Sant Eustachio, a little roastery where the coffee is poisonous substance nectar as well as the baristas so intoxicated with high levels of caffeine their skin has a spooky eco-friendly shade. It's just a number of speeds even more to Tre Scalini on Piazza Navona, which Domitian built to flood for his boat video games. There we scoff notorious tartufo (Italian rocky roadway gelato pieces) perched on Bernini's water fountain. Onwards to Campo de' Fiori, we acquire pieces of pizza al taglio and head in the direction of the ghetto, passing by Filetti di Baccal" where rotund matrons must be frying slim strips of salt cod and we're conserved! It's shut. From the destroyed arches of the Coliseum we cross the river to Trastevere, and also choose we are as well full to eat dinner at da Enzo. We go by to release our booking, which anyway they have actually lost. It scents so excellent we recant, and also spend time for a table. Later, we stroll along the Tiber for a grattachecca" cut ice, an icy relic of Emperor Nero's penchant for snow brought down from the mountains and also sweetened with fruit syrups, ours spiked with vodka, to reduce us right into the night. Never for a moment have we stopped walking, talking or eating. By doing this of eating" proper, rarefied and also tasty snacks consumed on the unguis" is typical of Italy. The young gather agreeably in the piazza, and everyone takes a night passeggiata, mingling and also talking and also revealing off. Eating gelati, crespelle (crepes), bombe (donuts), arancini, pizze, panini, polpette. This is road food here" not because it is cooked in the street necessarily, by a pedlar or from a van, yet because it is eaten there. And also there, in the acts of eating and talking as well as conference and strolling, is the heart of that Mediterranean social fluidness we are so jealous of in England.

[sarahcusniriuc0]

Connect

F5.6 1/500

The Connect building in our innovative campus facilitates a “one stop shop” approach to student administration, co-locating academic management with student services. In this exercise, I discovered valuable insight into what photographers' call “Exposure”.

Personally, I believe that the building has an unusual and unique appearance. From the architectural structure to the large, misshapen and bright stained glass, the Connect building is portrayed as an open and friendly environment. It could possibly even resemble a place of comfort in some sense, as everything is transparent, and like a greenhouse, everything inside is warm and flourishes. No problem remains unsolved.

Through this exercise, I have learnt about the ‘reciprocal nature between Shutter Speed and Aperture and how they affect exposure.’ I found it very interesting how different combinations of the two will give the photographer different or the same result in exposure. For example, I took this photo at F5.6 and shutter speed at 1/125. That is because it was a bright sunny day, and I didn’t want the photos to be over-exposed. If I was to bump up the aperture by +1 Stop, then my photo could have been under-exposed.

Panca Colorata

F5.6 1/80

The campus is speckled with radiant benches. Looking at them coated with fresh water drops gave me a refreshing feeling, almost as if I could feel the cold water against my palm, as I would swipe the water away. I appreciate the addition of colour because it reminds me of my childhood. I remember studying on these boring, brown benches that made studying more miserable than it had to be. I think that with a splash of lively paint, inspiration ca also be splashed in the lives of students studying on these benches. I used a longer shutter speed to achieve a brighter result.

It was an exciting experience, because with all this new information, I saw my horizon and opportunities in photography be brought up to a new level. Now I would have the possibility to control the feel and look of the resulting image. In one photo I can create a more nostalgic, bright, dream-like photo, and in another I could make it dark, eerie and mysterious.

Paparazzi

F5.6 1/100

Paparazzi were known as “intrusive photo” by the late 1960s. In the 1950s, Via Vaneto in Rome was the hottest place for all movie actors around the world. One Time magazine reporter called it the “The Hollywood on the Tiber”. All the profit ‘Cinecitta’ was making from movies stayed in Italy, so they invested it all in more movies. Tazio Secchiaroli was one of the first freelance photographers to start taking pictures of celebrities, because he realized that scandal pays.

I learnt that stops are the doubling or halving of the amount of light let in when taking a photo. Therefore, if you were to increase the exposure by 1 stop, you are going to capture twice as much light as on the previous shot. The same goes for when you decrease the exposure by one stop. To be more practical, I understood that you must turn the dial on the back of the camera three times to change by one full stop.

Sous le Pot de Fleurs

F8 1/80

I found the white Surfinias’ very sweet. The way light bounces off the feathery petals gives the picture a dreamy look, almost like a scene from a fairytale transition. My mother would garden every spring, and the new influx of vibrant and exotic flowers would decorate our home. I would feel like a character from the Studio Ghibli movies! In this photo I played with different values of aperture and shutter speed to explore how the exposure can be maintained at the same level but with different values.

To maintain the same exposure with different Shutter Speed and Aperture values, you must change both in equal and opposite directions. For example, if I have my manual settings at F8 and my shutter speed at 1/30, I could change the aperture by +1 stop and the shutter speed by –1 stop. That would give me F11 and shutter speed 1/15. Though if there are moving objects in my image, they may come out blurred as the sensor is exposed for longer. In that case, you could change the values the opposite way, aperture by –1 stop and shutter speed by +1 stop. That would give me F5.6 and shutter speed 1/60.

In short, I had a great time with this exercise of exploring the world of exposure. It’s amazing how light and darkness can affect the way we perceive the world, not only what we can visibly see and describe, but also what we feel and understand. They have the power to inspire us to do great things but also have the power to make us question ourselves, our intentions and values in life.

Here are some links that I used as inspirational sources:

Paparazzi – Nerd Writer:

Guide to Full Stops – Tata Rossi:

How colours make you feel – Allison S. Gremillion:

https://99designs.ie/blog/tips/how-color-impacts-emotions-and-behaviors/#:~:text=Strong%2C%20bright%20colors%20and%20neon,stand%20out%20from%20their%20surroundings.

[barbara-stefani]

IO è un cortometraggio sperimentale diretto da Francesco Tribuzio, un dialogo tra Anima e Spirito su passato e rinascita, che esplora le forze trainanti che ci guidano nella vita e scritto al termine di un triennale counselling olistico di Animologia Immaginale.

Francesco Tribuzio si occupa di fisioterapia, voce, teatro e cinema, con studi tra Australia e UK.

Il teaser officiale  è visibile al link VIMEO

IO ha ricevuto nel 2022 i seguenti riconoscimenti:

Milan Arthouse Film Awards - nominee Golden Short Film Festival – official selection FIFF  - official selection RFA  Robinson film Awards International Film Festival - finalist Stanley Film Awards - Best European Director Paris International Short Festival – semi finalist Austin International  Art Festival – semi finalist Hollywood On The Tiber Film Awards  - official selection 8 & Halfilm Award - official selection Cannes Short Film Festival – official selection Nicomediafilmawards - Best Experimental winner The Florida Shorts Spring 2021 - semifinalist Genova International Film Awards -  two awards in the categories “Best Experimental” and “Best original Soundtrack”

Tutti gli aggiornamenti sulla pagina INSTAGRAM   io_official_shortfilm

Eye wide shut, 2022 Hommage à Francesco Tribuzio, Stanley Kubrick locandina del cortometraggio IO, graphic design Andrea Milia originale pittura ad acrilico su carta cm 25x30

[korrektheiten]

Über italienische Reisen

LePenseur:»von LePenseur  ... plaudert der geschätzte Professore vom Silvæ-Blog so wunderbar, daß man direkt Lust bekäme, auf der Stelle hinzufahren — und es dann, bedenkend die eingelegten Fontane-Zitate, lieber doch nicht tut:   Am 28. April 1937 hat Benito Mussolini die Filmstadt Cinecittà eingeweiht. Das Hollywood on the Tiber hat hier schon mit Cinecittà und die Mode einen schönen kulturhistorischen Post. Deshalb lassen wir Cinecittà mal weg. Mussolini auch, obgleich der erstaunlicherweise in der deutschen Literatur belesen war. Bei der deutschen Literatur wollen wir heute einmal bleiben, ich habe zwei Gedichte, die Schriftsteller nach ihrem Besuch der ewigen Stadt geschrieben haben. Wir sind bei dem Thema der deutschen Italiensehnsucht, eine Sehnsucht, die sich immer wandelt. Wandlungen der Italiensehnsucht war der Untertitel des Buches Das Klassische Land des Kunsthistorikers Wilhelm Waetzoldt. Der 1927 schon konstatierte, dass das Italien, von dem die Väter träumten, nicht mehr existiere ...(Hier weiterlesen)  Was mich veranlaßte, den Waetzoldt auf meiner Bibliothek herauszusuchen und aufs Nachtkästchen zu legen. Kurzfristige leichte Genickstarre infolge Lesens im Bett ist immer noch leichter zu ertragen, als Reisestrapazen und die horrenden Preise der italienischen Gastronomie und Hotellerie, mit denen das Gebotene meist nicht im entferntesten Schritt halten kann ... Und ein bislang meiner Aufmerksamkeit entgangenes kleines Fontane-Gedicht (»Welches von beiden«) ist mir bei der Artikel-Lektüre noch quasi als »Lese-Andenken« geblieben — und was will man als aus-gewiesener Fontane-Fan mehr ...?  Lesens- und genießenswert!   http://dlvr.it/SPYpLS «