The end of Covid restrictions, that is. Things slowly begin to reopen again on Friday, a Phase 1 of 3. Out door patios will reopen, for one thing. I'm still not sure about getting a haircut, but I hope that comes up soon. As of today I am considered fully vaccinated, it being 14 days since my 2nd shot. Deb's turn comes up on Friday.
In Homestead Nature news, we have had some interesting avian visitors lately, besides the usual hordes of free loaders. A great blue heron came by to dine. He caught a tiny vole that was snitching bird seed and gobbled him down. That was a new one for us! And yesterday we were visited by a vocal Baltimore Oriole, demanding that I refill the sunflower seed holder.
This heron came onto our lawn to hunt for voles. It caught one, too, and devoured it. 
A Baltimore oriole sits on our window ledge.
Our two small rose bushes are now bursting with red roses. We have more roses on them right now that we have had altogether over the past 20 years. It's been that kind of Spring around here; everything seems to have contributed to a perfect growing season. Photos of those later.
In movie news, here's the latest. Les Saignantes was my choice for leaving Criterion June 30th. From 2005, this experimental film from Cameroon defies description. It stars two very beautiful and talented actresses who attempt to use an ancient traditional power to gain advantage over the men who rule everyone's lives. As much a statement on the corrupt political scene in Cameroon at the time as it is a wild adventure into the unknown and bizarre, this is definitely a film that will capture the viewer's attention. Filmed in beautiful colour, and featuring camera techniques that visually enhance the action, be prepared for some laugh out loud moments, as well as several MTV ones. The way the lead women move they are obviously good dancers, and possibly fashion models. Definitely worth a look.
Scene from Les Saignantes.
And now, on to Deb's two choices from last weekend. Her first film, chosen from the main list, was Topsy Turvy, from 1995 and directed by Mike Leigh. Gilbert and Sullivan are at the height of their fame, but are beginning to repeat themselves in their musical offerings. Along comes a Japanese exhibition to London, and Gilbert is dragged along to see it by his wife. And then along comes The Mikado, one of their biggest hits. The newest hit musical is so over the top that even today it can be enjoyed on a certain level. Cultural appropriation? Racism? What's that? No doubt a younger audience would shrink at watching the film, or run out of the theatre screaming. But a few of us old timers can still get a chuckle or two out of the outrageousness of it all. Great acting and singing, and the costumes are simply stunning. The scene with Andy Serkis and the three actual Japanese ladies is totally hilarious. And the scene with Sullivan rehearsing his orchestra is also too funny. Recommended.
Scene from The Mikado, from Topsy-Turvy.
Her going away June 30th film choice was a Blake Edwards noir from 1962 called Experiment in Terror. Using audience manipulation at every turn, this predictable but enjoyable film stars Lee Remick as a bank teller who is forced to do the bidding of a murderous, psychopathic bank robber. She happens to live in Twin Peaks, San Francisco. Working with her is Glenn Ford, as FBI agent Ripley. Ross Martin plays the heavy breathing (asthmatic) criminal. Lee's kid sister is played by Stephanie Powers. Emulating Hitchcock whenever possible, the film is great viewing for single females alone in their apartment (just kidding).
Turning to art, one of the finest art books we ever had was called The Grand Eccentrics, a hardcover book that featured works by some wonderful and bizarre artists. Several of the paintings represented in the book were from Detroit, including the following painting by Dewing. Detroit has six incredible works by this American artist. One of them used to be in a bank downtown, now in the museum collection. The Recitation is one of my favourite works in the museum. With its hazy, filtered appearance, greenish/gray colour scheme, three oddly placed chairs and two characters, it seems to inhabit a fantasy world somewhere beyond time, and beyond strife. Zimiamvia, perhaps. It is a gentle and very personal world I love to visit when in the American wing of the DIA.
Mapman Mike
No comments:
Post a Comment