Spring Weather

 Spring weather has once again struck here at the Homestead, and on a weekend!  We had a snowfall just a few days ago, but now it's near 80 F.  But more seasonal weather returns Monday.  Still, more yard work must be done today, and in a day or two the lawn tractor will be fired up, have its oil changed, and be pressed into action.  The car had an oil change on Thursday, and I had a busy run around day.  First to the bank to deposit a cheque, then to the pharmacy to get some prescriptions, then to the auto shop to get an oil change on the Golf.  Right across the street from the auto shop is a forested rails to trails path, so off I went on a solo walking adventure.  It was sunny and very warm.  The birds were having a major field day.  I ended up sitting on  bench for quite a while, watching and listening to a steady cacophony of birdsong.  Absolutely nothing was stirring in the woods in the way of flowers, except for a few dandelions.  We are still weeks away from the wildflower show.

As of Thursday afternoon, the woods were still in early Spring mode.  The birds, however, were something else.  What a racket! 

What film do you watch every week (answer coming up later)?  We have seen three decent films of late.  The first one was Lola, from director Fassbinder and from 1981.  One of his last films, it is filmed in lovingly lavish and garish colours.  It is a comedy of manners that deals with a supposedly upright middle aged man who is the new building commissioner for a mid size German city.  He is trying to weed out crooked dealings.  It also deals with Lola, a prostitute and singer at the city's main sinful nightclub.  She meets the director and pretends to be a lady of some quality.  He soon falls in love with her, before discovering her true persona.  But he is soon revealed to be a morally ambivalent person (something Lola is not), and by the end of the film nearly everyone has gotten what they wanted.  Not too many of Fassbinder's films are "fun" to watch, but this one is.  The lighting is a work of art.

Now showing on Criterion.

 

An example of the bizarre but eye-catching lighting from Lola. 

 

Next up was a neat little Noir sleeper film from 1949, directed by Richard Fleischer.  A counterfeit ring is broken up by US secret service agents in this intelligent and unique little film starring Lloyd Bridges, who is sprung from prison in a plot by the government to lead them to the criminals.  Lloyd plays along, then shows his true colours by trying to get in on the scheme again now that he is on the run.  He hopes to get to Mexico with his girlfriend with enough money to live there.  The finale chase and shootout is in the main LA trolley repair and maintenance shop, making for a unique ending.  Recommended.

Showing on Criterion until April 30th. 

 

Next up was the restored 1932 masterpiece Vampyr, directed by Carl Dreyer.  We chose the English text version (Criterion also has the German one), and sat spellbound for over an hour as this strange and unmatched horror chiller played on our big screen TV.  We weren't five minutes into the film when we both thought of the Brothers Quay and their weird and wonderful films.  Sure enough, when Deb checked it out afterwards, the Brothers claimed to be have influenced by this film more than any other single thing in their lives.  They jokingly claim to watch it once a week.  It helps to explain the Brothers Quay a little bit, but it doesn't help to explain Dreyer.  He had just made his iconic Joan of Arc film,then made this one.  Really?  Is that even possible?  Anyway, it is a masterpiece of horror film making, with nothing to compare to many of its scenes, including the very famous one from inside the coffin looking upwards.  We will likely watch it again soon.  The special effects are awesome, especially the ones involving shadows.  Don't miss the restored version!

A still from Vampyr, showing in 2 restored versions on Criterion.

Now showing on Criterion in a restored version. 

 

Turning lastly to art from the DIA, I was attracted by this image of ships in New York harbour by a French artist.  That is one beautiful ship!

 

New York Harbor, 19th C.  Jules Lessore, 1849-1892.  Watercolour, 42" x 39".

 

Detail of above. 

 

My late Uncle Jimmy was building a model ship similar to this one.  I used to stare at it in awe as it progressed (very, very slowly).  I don't think it ever got finished.  Speaking of ships, the spotting has been very good lately, with many of the regulars passing by once again.  I keep a specific eye on five ships, 2 from the Great Lakes and three salties.  I will devote a blog to them soon. 

I just received a message from my brother that my dad now has Covid.  More later.....

Mapman Mike