Where have I been? Loyal readers should be able to tell when a massive streak of clear, moonless nights has swept our county. Not much got done this past week except observing with the 12" reflector, and writing up notes next day. I did manage some piano practice, too, and a bit of reading, and there are films to report. But mostly it's been a rare November spell of mild, sunny weather. My coldest night temp was 32 F, something I can easily handle with my winter clothing gear. The first clear night was last Sunday. I was greeted by not one, but two detours due to bridge construction. So my 50 minute driving time became 60 minutes each way, all week. Sigh. Then, after less than two hours of gleeful observing, it clouded over, despite forecasts to the contrary. I guess Nature doesn't listen to the forecasts. But Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday were great nights. Mercifully I had Thursday off due to clouds, but it was clear again Friday, so out I went. It's also clear tonight, but I have surrendered. Besides, the moon is getting quite high now. And it's windy and cold. And I'm burned out. But it's a happy burned out.
Last weekend we watched Wes Anderson's Asteroid City. It's showing on Prime! It is a colourful and entertaining film, and good for one viewing. His sense of style is so unique, and his use of colour is always bizarre but attractive. His characters, however, are never deep or interesting enough for me, though there is some improvement this time. Let's just say that he never probes very deeply into the human soul. But he can be very entertaining, and this film is entertaining. Probably the best alien visitation ever filmed.
Deb's leaving choice for last weekend is called One Mile From Heaven, from 1937. A light skinned black woman raises a white child, but by the age of five she is called out and has to go to court to prove the child is hers. A wrenching drama where seeking out the truth will hurt one side but help the other side. This is a very strange film, and is based on a 1925 novel. While obviously dated (who would ever question anyone these days raising a child of a different race), it is amazing that a film was even devoted to this topic. Bill Robinson is great as a police constable, and does a number of tap dances.
My main film choice this week was a documentary starring Bill Maher, and he goes behind the scenes to tackle the world's fascination and dutiful devotion to religion. Religulous is from 2008, and is as much comedy as it is investigative reporting. Though focused mostly on Christianity, he tries to get at the reason people take things completely on faith rather than reason and logic. Pretty much unforgettable, especially the leader of the Church of Cannabis. Highly recommended, and showing on Prime. Not terribly deep, but loads of fun.
We hit the jackpot with my leaving choice. Europa is from 1991, directed by Lars von Trier before he went completely off the deep end. An American man goes to Germany just after the war in 1945 to get a job. His uncle, a sleeping car conductor, gets him a job doing the same. He unwittingly comes under the evil influence of the Werewolves, a German resistance group hitting back at those who are collaborating with the Americans, who are currently everywhere in the ruined country. While the story is interesting in the traditional sense, it is the director's stylish look that really attracts viewers. Going between b & w, colour, and some of each, unusual camera angles, his sense of time passing, the sets and lighting, and his brilliant use of rear projection, all take us into a world which we have never before experienced. The third of his "Europa"trilogy, we are currently watching the first one. Highly recommended. This is von Trier at his best.
Mapman Mike
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