I watched the Stanley Kubrick's film "Barry Lyndon" today. Netflix says "This gorgeously painted, slow-moving portrait of a young Irishman" which is a pretty good way of explaining it. It is a beautiful film to look at but you have to really spend time looking for subtext to really enjoy it.
It actually seems very close to elements of "2001:A Space Odyssey" in speed and visual stimulation.
One review put it interestingly. They said that it was a film that made the characters seem alien unlike many period films in which the characters have contemporary sensibilities.
I have to say, it felt a little like watching molasses run at times. But it was the end that surprised me. A sort of alienation, as though watching the family of the astronaut at the end of 2001:A Space Odyssey. And a revealing that all the work has been for...(I won't reveal it)...(yes I will)...for nothing.
I would recommend it unless you are a real film buff looking for a stoically faced Ryan O'Neal to pretend there is subtext to the look: I would call it a "blank canvas" look that the audience gets to paint on. A strength...maybe...maybe not.
It is available on Netflix instant, so you don't have to really pay for it.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Just try to imagine it
“This photo was taken by photographer Jack Bradley and depicts the exact moment this boy, Harold Whittles, hears for the very first time ever. The doctor treating him has just placed an earpiece in his left ear. Date unknown. “Can you even imagine what this must be like. I bet it's a lot like popsicles...I do love popsicles.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Education and Distraction
It appears a new quarter has begun...students, I promise I knew that so don't look at my teaching this week. Your syllabi are the epitome of high-quality-third-quarter-university- literature (They may be anthologizing these soon).
If anyone needs any distractions I suggest dog-longboarding. It really gets going at times (beware of dog paws). I just about ate it off a curb and just started running like a maniac so I wouldn't take a bite of the sidewalk. I looked awesome.
A small note before you begin dog-longboarding though; don't feed your dog any new foods, staying behind him won't be worth the experience.
CLICK THIS AND YOU WILL BE ENTERTAINED FOR HOURS:
http://www.stumbleupon.com/
If anyone needs any distractions I suggest dog-longboarding. It really gets going at times (beware of dog paws). I just about ate it off a curb and just started running like a maniac so I wouldn't take a bite of the sidewalk. I looked awesome.
A small note before you begin dog-longboarding though; don't feed your dog any new foods, staying behind him won't be worth the experience.
CLICK THIS AND YOU WILL BE ENTERTAINED FOR HOURS:
http://www.stumbleupon.com/
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