Waking up

I've been encouraged to wake this little blog from its slumbers ....

Although we only had a 2-month hiatus, maybe it's time to get back into things.... (let's see how we go ...)

For this evening, here are some pictures of black cat auditions from Hollywood in 1961:

Poor kitties!
I guess at least they got to meet Vincent Price and Peter Lorre ...

(thanks to our trusted friends at Retronaut)

The Artist

I really want to see this movie ... have you seen it?



Is it as fabulous as the trailer suggests?

Blue Grassy Knoll and Keaton - a perfect match

On Friday I wasn't feeling well but I was glad that G convinced me to get out of the house. We went to see the Blue Grassy Knoll accompanying three Buster Keaton films and it was simply splendid! So much fun!

Keaton was an absolute genius, and seeing his films on the big screen, with live music, sound effects, and audience cheers (for the good guy) and boos (for the baddies) is a wonderful experience.

If you're in Melbourne and a fan of vintage cinema I heartily recommend you catch the BGK's next performance in August, where they'll be introducing new work as they accompany Keaton's classic, 'The General'. I think they'll also present a screening of the first Chinese feature-length silent film. Intriguing!

Hunger

I'm known for my interest in 'difficult' cinema, often favouring films that explore bleak, political, or sad personal, themes. This isn't to say that I don't enjoy the odd witty comedy or lavish celebration of beauty, but for some reason I more frequently watch films that are disquieting rather than comforting.

Today I saw 'Hunger ', the directorial debut of Irish artist Steve McQueen, starring Michael Fassbender as IRA hero Bobby Sands. My head is still reeling several hours later. This was one of the most compelling and harrowing films I've seen in a long time, and at one stage I didn't think I'd be able to continue watching. I'm glad I did though because it's a brilliant piece of cinema, demonstrating the exceptional talents of the director and actors alike.

When it screened at Cannes, some audience members walked out, while others gave it a standing ovation. I think David and Margaret sum it up well - the film is quite extraordinary.


It's not easy to recommend 'Hunger' as some people might find it too gruelling. However, if you're drawn to powerful cinema experiences, definitely check it out (and let me know what you think!).

Click here to read a review from the UK Telegraph.

Persepolis

This afternoon we went to see the French/Iranian movie Persepolis, by Marjane Satrapi and Vincent Parannaud. Based on Satrapi's graphic novel of the same name, it is deeply moving, sad, funny, quirky and beautifully animated - definitely one of my absolute favourites for this year.


I heard that Iggy Pop and Sean Penn were both cast for the English version, but I would definitely recommend the original French movie (for which Catherine Deneuve voices one of the main characters). Click here to view the trailer.



Post script: When I saw the movie I didn't realised it was traditionally animated (i.e.: by hand, rather than by computer). Now I'm doubly impressed!

Click here, here, here, and here for a peep at the animation process.