Two Films by John Schlesinger

Each month, in addition to adding many films to its domain, the Criterion Channel also deletes several.  We are sent a list about a week before this happens, which isn't really very helpful.  But we did get to watch two b & w films starring Julie Christie, both directed by John Schlesinger .  My choice was Darling, from 1965, a film about a young woman who can't seem to find her groove.  This film was nominated for and won many awards in its day, thus proving that a many films are very much of their time.  Today, the "darling" comes across as a very shallow woman, one to whom success has come too easily.  I cannot see how anyone in an audience could have sympathy for her character, which is empty and flaccid.  Christie plays the role well, but it is a role that brings forth nothing from the viewer.  Just go away somewhere and cry, and leave us out of it.

 A well acted film, but it does not hold up well to the times. 

The second film, Deb's choice, was Billy Liar, from 1963.  Julie Christie has a much smaller role.  Even so, it is a pivotal one, and she was nominated for Best Actress, BAFTA.  Thanks to her we finally get to see who and what Billy really is--a nobody, going nowhere very quickly.  Imagine someone as beautiful and energetic and adventurous as the character played by Christie offering Billy a chance to escape his hell hole of a life in Yorkshire and come to London with her.  And refusing.  It makes for a frustrating movie experience, since we have invested time in watching this Billy character, and he simply self destructs at the end.  Not sure what the overall message was to British youth at the time, but hopefully some of them saw this pitiful character and tried to do better than he did.  As an aside, it is interesting to note that Michael Moorcock's Jerry Cornelius character emerges in published form in 1965, tow years after this movie.  I much prefer the Jerry character, and wish several movies had been made of him.  One last note--Tom Courtenay is absolutely brilliant in the role of Billy.

This film is just finishing its run on Criterion Channel.  

It is now film festival weekend.  I have chosen #s 6, 7, and 8 from the Zatoichi movie series.  More later, along with some notes on February books read.

And now the weather.   We are just coming out of two of the coldest days of this winter, encouraged by howling winds on Thursday, and just windy on Friday.  Our new door is amazing--no leakage at all despite a straight westerly.  We also got about 2" of snow on Wednesday, just before the cold sank in.  We were expecting 3" to 6", but we are not going to complain.  Temps go just above freezing tomorrow, and then we sail into the 40s, permanently, at last.  I've no doubt that February will come out colder than January, which is pretty strange.  And tomorrow being a leap day, I will try and write a short blog.  I don not know anyone born on the 29th of February, but I do know someone who was born on the 28th.  Does that count for anything?

The California trip is still on.  We leave late afternoon Tuesday, and will return late afternoon the following Tuesday.  It will be our 2nd visit to the Pacific Ocean, and I am looking forward to meeting up with it again.  Two art museums, a model railway museum, and some mountain hiking and some ocean side hiking are in order, as well as several excursions into the downtown areas.

And now for today's art appreciation moment.  I had never heard of this artist before, and this is the only work the museum has by him, a gift of a generous donor 70 years ago (John S. Newberry).  It reminds me of something out of Tolkien's world.  The visual rhythm created is quite stunning.  I'm hoping this is on exhibit during the current "Dutch and Flemish Prints and Drawings", from the museum's holdings.

Edge of the Woods, ca 1780/89, Jacobus Van Liender (1731-1797).  Chalk and ink.

16" x 13".  Collection Detroit Institute of Arts. 

Mapman Mike

Late February Ramble

Of course I'll ramble about movies, art, and music.  But there might even be a few surprises, so read on.  My film choice for last week was called Law of the Border, a film from 1966 Turkey that was presumed lost.  The restoration came from the only remaining print, and that was missing a reel and in terrible shape.  After a military coup, all prints were thought destroyed.  It is a strange film, taking place on the border (Iran?).  A poor village survives by smuggling, and the film reminds me of a Mexican western.  There is a lot of gunfire and shoot outs, though the setting is 1960s Turkey.  The border is now fenced and bobby trapped with land mines, and so the missions become more and more dangerous.  This is an eye-opening look into desperate poverty.  The government wants to open a school and hopefully save some of the next generation, but the smugglers fear that the teacher will get wind of what is happening and report them.  Lots of action, but also lots of realism and starkness.  They try farming, but the land is poor, and the competing smugglers run a herd of sheep over the plantings, destroying the crop.  Not a heart warming tale, but it is essential viewing.  The lead actor is totally amazing, and steals every scene he is in.

 Law of the Border, 1966, Turkey.  Now showing on Criterion.

Part of Martin Scorsese's World Cinema Project.

 A still from the film. 

Deb's film choice was Marked Woman, starring Bette Davis and Humphrey Bogart, from 1937.  Five prostitutes stand up to an untouchable gangster to bring charges of murder and mayhem against him.  This is a hard hitting flic, not a soap opera.  And it is highly ironic that we finished watching it on the day that Harvey Weinstein was found guilty on two of five charges brought against him, including 3rd degree rape (and I don't even want to know what that charge stands for).  The battle will go on, and it began a lot earlier than 1937.

 Now showing on Criterion. 

 Eventually, five women stand up for what is right.

Bogart as the prosecutor, puts away the bad guys. 

In weather news, we are getting more Spring-like days than Winter ones.  However, we are still getting winter ones, about 3 out of 7.  More snow and cold are on the way, after a mild weekend.  There were 5 incredibly clear nights in a row, something that boggles my mind.  I was able to get out for the final two with my telescope.  The first two nights were way too cold, far below my threshold of enjoyment while standing around in an open field.  The third night was a howling wind storm.  There was still wind on my two nights out, but I did get some observing done.  I'm still working on my notes.

In music listening news, we have now listened to 92 Haydn Symphonies, as well as works up to Op 92 for Brahms and Britten.  It's quite a ride, with a new Haydn work coming up later tonight.  And I have been practicing my newest piano pieces for three weeks now.  The first month is very frustrating, but things should improve a lot over March.

Today's artwork is brought to you by German Romanticism, a style of painting that I really love.  Sadly, Detroit has virtually no major work in this area, despite the vast and famous collection of German Expressionist art.

The Waterfall, Karl Blechen.  German, 1798-1840.  Oil on canvas.

Unframed, 15" x 11".  Undated work.  Detroit Institute of Arts.

The location is not specified, but it is not difficult to think of The Final Problem, where Holmes encounters Moriarty.  It's worth it to Google some of his other pictures, especially something like Mountain Canyon In Winter.  Great stuff!!

While we still hope to jet off to San Diego next week, we are keeping a close watch on the latest Corona virus developments.   Other than the fact that this might be the end of humanity, and the economy is tanking too, along with our RSPs it just might be a good idea to go ahead with the journey and see one more Bruegel painting before we expire.  We have cancellation insurance that be used at will, but I really want to make this trip.  

Mapman Mike

  

The Black Lizard

The Black Lizard is an interesting title for a movie that is a little hard to describe.  It's a Japanese film from 1962, sort of in the vein of lower budget spy films from that era and beyond.  A somewhat strange looking female arch criminal wishes to kidnap the daughter of a rich Japanese business man (played hilariously by the actor), and to steal his most precious diamond.  The first time she is thwarted by Japan's best private detective.  The second time she is more successful.  The detective and the female crook fall in love, but it is unfullfilled.  That is the basic plot.  The film is more like an avante garde stage play sometimes, with lighting changing rapidly, and the cast breaking out in song and dance at times.  It really is a unique film, and a lot of fun to watch.  Reading on-line about the film later, Deb found out that the part of Black Lizard, the female nemesis, is played by Japan's leading female impersonator, adding even more bizareness to the mix.  Recommended.

 Black Lizard, Japanese, 1962.  Showing on Criterion Channel.  

Deb's choice was a 1937 Japanese period drama, mostly about a ronin and his wife living in a poverty-stricken street that seems to have its share of action.  Humanity and Paper Balloons gives an interesting slice of life of the down and out, and were it not for the very depressing ending, I would have rated this film much higher.  The film begins with a hanging, and ends with a double suicide, but in between there are some fine characterizations and interesting plot turns.  It all could have been done on a stage as a play, and perhaps it was.  The downtrodden are stepped upon, or even worse, ignored, by the richer and more powerful members of society is an age-old tale, not restricted to any set culture or time period.  Some fine acting, and certainly worth watching.

 Humanity and Paper Balloons, 1937.  Japanese film showing on Criterion Channel. 

In local news, Deb seems to be recovering nicely from her third and final laser surgery.  One by one she is getting her physical problems resolved.  Her R.A. continues to be in chemical remission. 

I am playing a PC game called "Return to Mysterious Island," the very same island that Jules Verne wrote about (the game is the return to the island).  It's an inventory based game, where the player has to combine inventory items (dozens and dozens of them) in order to make progress in the game.  It's fun but pretty difficult, and I think I may have messed up and have to start over.  I hope not, as I detest games that do such things to a player.  But I appear to have misused an item, and now need it for something else, which is no longer possible.  We shall see.

 My latest adventure game on PC.  I'm running it on XP, but in Windows 2000 compatibility mode.  It's working perfectly!

Winter continues its retreat.  Brigid has been put away for another year.  She successfully diverted two snowstorms while she was out, and while we did have our coldest temps of the season, they only lasted 48 hours.  Tonight we are supposed to get 2" of snow followed by rain, but it now looks as if we will only get rain.  A warmup is on the way, after one more minor cold spell midweek.  Sunday was beautiful, with a high of 42 F and sunshine.

And now, back to some landscape art, from the collection of the Detroit Institute of Arts. 

 Italian Village On A River, B. Breenbergh, Dutch 1598-1657. 

Pen and brush and dark brown ink and brown wash over graphite on white laid paper.

13" x 20".  Detroit Institute of Arts. 

Click for a larger image.

Detail of left side.

Detail of center.

Closer detail of center. 

I wish I could spend days in the graphics department, just looking for landscape drawings and prints.  It's been a long time since a good landscape graphic arts exhibit has been mounted.  Of course the Breugel one we saw in Vienna in 2017 at the Albertina Museum, takes the cake.  Followed the next year by the Breugel painting exhibit.  What an artist's life it's been!

Mapman Mike

 

Winter's Grip

It's been a mild Winter, with very little snow, but Winter is hanging around.  We were supposed to get two measurable snowfalls this week, the first one predicted to be 3"-6", and the second was to be 3"-5".  Total snowfall for the week was about 1".  Not complaining, but that's pretty bad forecasting.  February will turn out to be colder than January, unless something drastic happens near the end of the month.  But here we are, halfway through it, and winter will continue to bite (though not very hard) for a while longer.  Tonight, tomorrow, and Friday night will see the temperature plunge to its coldest of the season, as we get our first blast of real Arctic air.  But it will all be gone by Saturday.  The really good news is that the Great Lakes largely remain unfrozen, meaning that we might have a warm Spring.  And some of that very high water stands a better chance of evaporating, without the ice to block it.  Our creek still runs backwards, away from the Detroit River, on windy days.

Deb's movie choice was another epic Wuxia film (Chinese martial arts) directed by King Hu.  We last saw a King Hu film a few months ago, called Dragon Inn.  This one is called A Touch Of Zen, and comes from 1971.  It is three hours long, and has about two hours of extras to watch with it.  It is almost the same story as Dragon Inn, and stars many of the same actors.  The setting this time is an overgrown, abandoned fort, and much later, a bamboo forest.  Filmed mostly in Taiwan, the scenery is totally incredible!  King Hu raised the lowly martial arts movie to great artistic heights, and the photography and locations are lifted from and inspired by old landscape scroll paintings.  Set in the Ming Dynasty, there are about three stories going on here.  This was a very watchable film, but eventually let us down by the usual thing; namely a bad guy who never practices his martial arts, never even walks anywhere but gets carried about in a sedan chair, and still manages to be better than the well-trained and very well practiced good guys and girl.  This is a flaw in many Chinese Wuxia movies, which pretty much spoils things after a while, and is totally different than Westerm movie bad guys, who usually have underlings to do the actual dirty work.  The movie is about an hour too long, and goes off in a strange tangent after it should have ended.  Still, it is well worth seeing for the scenery, camera work, mood, settings, and a very beautiful and deadly leading lady.

Now showing on Criterion Channel.

 

Speaking of China, let's have a look at a landscape on a Meissen teapot, from the collection of the DIA.  One cannot get a more authentic Chinese experience that drinking tea, and gazing at the image painted on this pot.

Teapot, 1723 or 24.  Porcelain, enamel, gold; silver-gilt mounts.  Meissen Porcelain Factory, Germany.  Decorator was Johann Gregor Horoldt, 1696-1775.  Collection Detroit Institute of Arts.  Love that spout! 

 Detail of above, showing a Westerner in center, with a wig, enjoying the scenery one fine day.

Landscape painting is everywhere in the museum!   

The new piano program practice schedule has been in full swing for just over a week now.  The pieces are technically easier than the last batch, and will come up quickly.  I will likely add a few more pieces when time permits, likely after I can play the current set reasonably well.  So far there are 7 pieces, but they all all pretty short.  At least two more will be added.

I am currently reading a book by P. G. Wodehouse, one of his Blanding Castle entries.  Tears are falling down my face as I laugh my way through it.  Fun stuff to read, and a nice break from my Equinox project.

Mapman Mike

Medical Week

Deb had her third and final laser surgery today, and goes back in two months to follow up.  She reports being more comfortable after the first two events, and is hoping that the third one is the last.  Wednesday she had her blood work, and next Monday she goes for her biologic infusion.  This past Monday I had my 2nd and final Shingrix vaccination.  The arm is still red and swollen, but improving day by day.

February, at least the first half, is turning out to be more winter-like than January.  About 2" of fresh snow fell, with more falling in places near us, and even more coming to us on Sunday.  Nothing major, but enough to keep reflecting the sun's warmth back up into the sky, keeping us pretty cold.  We are still pretty much at winter average, which means it is a lot better than the past several years.  Last year especially, February was a living and ultra cold hell.  It could still turn downright nasty this year, but the closer we get to March the less chance of this occurring.  Usually by this time we are far behind on our monthly gas payments, meaning we have used more than we have paid.  This evens out during the warmer months.  Monthly payments are fixed this year at $97.  However, we are still ahead of the game, meaning that the payments will be cut way back at the next quarter.  It hasn't cost us much to heat the house this winter, so far.

Now that snow is back for a short time, thoughts may freely turn to---Brazil!  The Detroit Institute of Arts has a Dutch landscape collection worthy of an entire blog unto itself (they also have a wonderful collection of Dutch still lifes, genre, and portraits).  Frans Post (ca. 1612-1680) went to Brazil in 1637, where he remained for seven years.  Numerous paintings resulted from his experiences there, including this panoramic view done well after his return home.

 View of the Jesuit Church at Olinda, Brazil, 1665.  Oil on canvas, 22" x 32", unframed.

Collection Detroit Institute of Arts.

 Detail of the church.

 Detail of left side of church.  Love that arch shielding the large window.

 Detail of left foreground, including the artist's signature, and a well-
camouflaged iguana.

 Detail of central middle and background.

 Detail of right foreground.  Note the large snake eating a rabbit.

 Further detail of right foreground. 

There--I feel warmer already.  In movie news, I selected three short films this week, and one of medium length.  All were documentary types, though vastly different.  The longest one was called A Letter From Siberia, a French film from 1957.  Though extremely dated, it's fascinating to see material from the time that Siberia was just starting to be tamed.  A lot of angles are covered, and more than a touch of humour enlivens the proceedings, which are highlighted by some truly amazing photography.  I had heard of this amazing film, but had never seen it before.

 Now showing on Criterion.  

Next up was a ten minute short called The Beaning, from 2017.  Based on an actual incident in baseball history where a pitcher threw a beanball and killed the batter, the director turns the event into a horror movie, detailing the diabolical events that led up to the killing.  A totally weird movie, but pretty fascinating to watch.  It's hard to tell how one is supposed to react to the film, as the event itself is a real tragedy.  No doubt there would be viewers who totally believe this is what really happened.  Perhaps that is what inspired the film maker.  The film would make a good article and review for The Fortean Times magazine.

 Now showing on Criterion.  Also can be found on the internet.  

Lastly were two short films byMichelangelo Antonioni.  Gente de Po is from 1947, a lyrical look at industry and relaxation along the Po River in Italy.  N. U. is about the streetsweepers and garbage men of Italy's cities, and is from 1948.  This is quite a depressing film, no doubt showing how desperate people were to work after the war.  We are still watching films related to L'Atalante as well, including a documentary on Jean Vigo that is longer than the movie.  Criterion Channel is an amazing place in which to dwell!

Tomorrow is the monthly Full Moon celebration.  There will be the usual wood fire, music, some gaming, and a moon cake.  And Deb seems inspired to create a wonderful pasta dinner.  So drop by if you get a chance.

Mapman Mike

Today

Some of the things that happened today: a plane crashed in Istanbul--3 dead so far. Trump was acquitted--brings to mind a recent quote by John Oliver--"This is the week where we find out if it's illegal to break the law." Kirk Douglas died, at 103.  60 years ago today La Dolce Vita premiered.  And a bunch of other stuff, like more corona virus, less rain forest, and more good people killed.  As for good news, a new vegan bakery was announced in Detroit's near suburb, Ferndale.

We are amidst our 2nd snow storm of the winter, and 3rd of the season.  We have been snow free for most of December/January and early February, but are catching it good tonight.  Tomorrow is a designated shovelling day.

 Winter weather arrives in our area this evening. 

I began my newest piano pieces today, though not everything is firm yet.  Two Scarlatti sonatas, a very early Haydn sonata, which sounds a lot like Scarlatti, two Chopin Mazurkas, and some pieces by Edward MacDowell.  I am back to being a beginner again, for at least a month.  March practice will be interrupted by our trip to San Diego, and then it will be back at it.

In movie news, my choice this week was L'Atalante, a French oldie from 1934, directed by Jean Vigo.  I had seen it back around 1991, when it was first restored.  Further restoration makes it essential viewing once more.  I love the film, if for no other reason that I would love to live on a boat, travelling up and down a big river and canals.  Similarly, I would love to live on a train, having my private rail car towed across North America.  And Europe.  The movie is unfussy, romantic at heart, and is lifted to nearly surreal heights by some fabulous photography, and the character developed by Michel Simon, whom I really love in this role.  As per usual with Criterion, there were a ton of extras to accompany the film, lasting longer than the film.

 The Italian poster for the film. 

Two Weeks In Another Town was Deb's pick, a 1962 Hollywood emotional extravaganza starring Kirk Douglas (who is pretty good), Edward G. Robinson, Cyd Charisse, and George Hamilton playing a young movie actor heart throb (miscast).  Directed by Vincent Minnelli, 15 minutes were cut from the picture without his okay.  Kirk Douglas later said that the film was emasculated as a result.  Some of it is obviously inspired by Fellini's La Dolce Vita (lots of coincidences today--Kirk Douglas dying, and La Dolce Vita having its 60th birthday), including an orgy scene that was cut out.  Some of the film is quite good, but too much of it is way over the top.  I don't think Minnelli liked women very much, either, at least past a certain age.  Hollywood cinema once again displays the fact that it does not know the meaning of subtlety.

 Arrivederci Mr. Douglas.  Thank you for many wonderful appearances

in some unforgettable films, including Lust for Life, and The Vikings!   

It took two full days and nights, but I am over the worst of my Shingrix vaccination.  Fever, chills, aches and pains, and an arm that felt as if punched by Joe Louis.  But it was back to piano today, and likely a whole lot of shovelling on Thursday.

Mapman Mike

San Diego Plans

We've booked a trip to San Diego for a week in early March, hoping to visit some art museums and do some light hiking in the foothills.  I had wanted to do some desert hiking in New Mexico, but because of the full moon (we always travel on or near a full moon, so as not to interfere with my astronomy observing program), and the limited time remaining to get physically prepared, we postponed that trip until October.  The highlight in San Diego will be seeing a new (for us) painting by Pieter Bruegel, one of only four in North America.  After that, only the one in the Met in NYC remains to see in person, and we'll get there in 2021.  Of course we are still missing a few (not many) in Europe.  Maybe someday, though no plans at present to cross the pond again.

I managed to play through my entire program three different times for different (small) audiences.  Though none of the performances were terrible, (a few sore spots were, though), I did improve each time I played.  Time now to choose new pieces, and hopefully get started on them this week.

It's medical week here at the Homestead.  Today I went for the 2nd part of my shingles vaccination.  Except for the after effects, which should begin any time now, I am all done with that!  I can expect about 24 hours of being very achy, like having a mild to moderate flu.  I've got books piled up beside the bed, including new music to look through.  I have currently begun reading the 4-vol. Hawkmoon series by Michael Moorcock, which also includes another related trilogy following the first series.  So far I am enjoying Book 1, The Jewel in the Skull.

And speaking of books, here is a very brief report on my January reading.  I read ten books last month, nine of which are part of my Avon/Equinox authors project.  I began with Spinrad, another epic, this one called The Druid King.  Spinrad did the screenplay for a very bad European film, and then wrote this novel afterwards, since the script had been butchered so badly.  Though it was by no means a bad book, mostly based on the writings of Julius Caesar, having so recently read Harry Harrison's vastly superior Stonehenge: Where Atlantis Died, I gave the Spinrad 3 *s out of 4.

I read book 2 of Christopher's Tripods series, where the main character actually enters the city of the Tripods.  So far, it is an enjoyable series, and I am looking forward to part 3 later this month.   I also read book 2 of Piers Anthony's incomparable Tarot series, certainly, along with his Cluster series, which is related, one of the best reads I have ever enjoyed.  A wonderful mix of religion and fantasy, coupled with Anthony's incredible mind, which I can only compare to that of Frank Herbert.

Harry Harrison' Star Smashers of the Galaxy Rangers is an hilarious spoof of SF pulp writing, and much of it made me laugh out loud.  Harrison is a very funny man, and always makes a nice change when I come across another of his best.  I read the 3rd book in Kenneth Bulmer's Keys series.  The Key to Venudine was pretty decent, after the let down of the 2nd book.  Still, the first book has been the best of the bunch.  I think there are 6 or 7 books in the set, all published as Ace Doubles, with a different author on the back.

Century of the Manikin by E. C. Tubb had an interesting and fun premise, as a woman from the 1970s is awakened from cryogenic sleep after 100 years.  Though I don't think the author made the best use of the premise, the book does bring up all sorts of interesting questions and possibilities, and would have made a decent series, even for TV.

Jack Williamson's early stuff is hot or cold.  I enjoyed Dragon's Island, a truly bizarre tale of a developing human super race trying to outlive the hatred and fear shown to them by normal folk.  No punches are pulled as women and children are slaughtered (off camera, so to speak), and we sense the desperation and fear they have as they try to escape their pursuers.  There are some questionable science ethics displayed in the story, which is essentially a man's adventure magazine type of story, but there is a very good female lead character, at least.

Mission To Guemo is another incredible story by S. B. Hough, alias Rex Gordon.  This one sounded dull, as a man tries to infiltrate a Nazi camp in post war South America.  But it is actually quite a fantastic bit of storytelling, and one of his earliest published works.  Anything by this author is worth reading.  Like Iain Banks, he writes equally well in fiction and science fiction.  I finished the month with Hal Clement's last full novel, though I still have some early pulp stuff of his to read.  Fossil is not one of his best, and would make a poor introduction to the author's fine writing.  Set in a universe developed by Isaac Asimov, it tells of 6 or 7 different alien cultures doing archaeological work on a planet inhabited by intelligent but non space faring beings. 

The only book by a different author I read was on the back of the Bulmer Venudine story.  Mercenary From Tomorrow by Mack Reynolds is a harrowing look at war in the future, when corporations literally fight one another by hiring private armies to fight for them.  Weird but engrossing, as most of the book is spent developing the main character, and watching him act in different situations that arise.  Not a lot of action, but good writing.

I'll be back in a day or two, when my Shingrix vaccination has run its course, with movie news, and a new work of art to display from the collection of the DIA.  Check back on Wednesday!

Mapman Mike