Arty Farty

Art Reception Photos

nobody@vox.com(ArtyFarty) — Tue, 06 May 2008 12:42:59 -0700

I wasn't able to get to the Attack of the B Movie show in San Francisco, but Josh from Creep Machine has put up some photos from the reception here.

You can also still purchase many works through the new Creep Machine Store here.

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My Friends, They Be On TV

nobody@vox.com(ArtyFarty) — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 14:27:43 -0700

My friend Mike Enright is one of the curators for the Philadelphia Film Fest. Besides his animation work, he is a kick ass painter. Here's an interview with him and Michael Lerman. I don't know how they watch so many films in the selection process and not go blind after a while!

My pal Shannon Okey was interviewed on the show "Applause" which will be airing a few more times on the Northeast Ohio PBS stations. Or you can just watch the interview here about 12:20 minutes in. Ah, Boiler Room, that movie cracked me up. Maybe I would have enjoyed it more if I had seen Wall Street first.

Oh yes, I'm a part-timer now at www.StitchCleveland.com, so come on by and say hi! I'll be helping with some web stuff along with putting my touch on some new products. Yay! Here's one of my favorite things in the store right now...

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Control (cheer up Emo kid)

nobody@vox.com(ArtyFarty) — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 10:42:37 -0800

So I went and saw the Anton Corbijn movie "Control" based off the book, written by Joy Division singer Ian Curtis' widow. Everyone I know who read the book kinda was "meh" about it; I just went because I like Anton Corbijn, I had nothing else to do, it was my friend's birthday, and I had never been to the art school campus theater here in Cleveburgh.

It was very well filmed, despite the subject matter it had quite a few laughs in it, and I give the casting people credit for being able to find actors that look enough like the real people. Other than that...I found myself getting bored, a lot. The most interesting things are the riots at shows and the band manager Rob (he's quite a character in 24 Hour Party People as well). I know the movie was supposed to be centered on Ian Curtis' private life; what a nutty jerk he could be to his wife and daughter and why he probably killed himself. But I really, wanted to see more band related stuff. I guess his wife wasn't around for most of that.

Control, The Movie - Official Trailer

I'm actually more interested to hear what his daughter thinks of all of this. She was born the same year as me, and it must be odd having a movie and books written about a parent you hardly knew. That there's a whole cult following and maybe you are expected to have some insight and be a certain way; must be strange having your dad be the godfather of goth! And yes throughout the movie my friends and I were making jokes about the birth of emo.

I guess the only thing that irritated me was the theater itself. I had never been to this particular art house theater -- it reminded me of why I don't go to both music gigs or regular theaters anymore. My god, as hubby said, "this is the hipster retirement home". I never knew so many people in Cleveland wore berets. The smug was outstanding, the seats uncomfortable, it smelled, and it just overall annoyed me. I thought I'd go out and try to be social, but wow, I much prefer sitting at home to watch movies. One of these days I'd like to get a big 'ole home theater built in my home -- that is the only way to go.

My verdict: a pretty good movie despite the many 'blah' moments. What I really would like to see is a film about Guns 'n' Roses -- now that would be entertainment!

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The Wraith

nobody@vox.com(ArtyFarty) — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 09:44:10 -0700

I got on another kick recently where I rented a bunch of movies from the era where HBO just ran the same 8 bad teen films over and over again. You know, Alien from L.A., Lucas, Teen Witch, Solarbabies and so forth? Not to mention they ran the two Unico movies constantly for a while too.

Well one of those movies was The Wraith, starring Charlie Sheen. I forgot how short it is, almost like a made for TV movie but still kind of funny and good. So I make my husband watch it and he LOVES it. Like a child he keeps asking me technical and theoretical questions, trying to figure out if these people are supposed to be in high school and gets bent out of shape about certain plot holes. Mostly we are disturbed by the hair-do Nick Cassavettes is sporting.

The next day after watching it he did really good in a competitive road race. He thinks The Wraith possessed him and that helped him win. So we watched it again. The movie is only and hour and 20 minutes long, so no big deal. I just thought it was really funny.

Here's the trailor...

The Wraith

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Ancient Movies

nobody@vox.com(ArtyFarty) — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 14:43:56 -0800

I remember when I was 20 or so, a younger guy from my college says, "Have you seen, like, every ancient movie ever made before 1965?" Well, I haven't of course. But it is scary that I recognize and know the names of actors from before 1945 all too often. I even know who else they've co-starred with, what directors, who they hated, who they slept with and any possible scandals as well. Maybe I should have been a guide at the Max Factor Hollywood Museum afterall? Anyways, here some "Ancient" movies I dig, and maybe you will too.

She runs a car company, yells a lot at board meetings, sleeps with all her hot male employees and has a kick ass pad to boot. This movie is worth it alone for the art deco set design. As for the message that women should act like women and be soft and cuddly and not in any sort of power position that would make her husband feel inferior? Eh.

Warren William likes to play bad guy workaholics who do business any way they can. In this he plays a very driven Department Store manager; I've noticed men who have seen this movie just love his character. It is also very interesting to see how department stores used to operate, and all the jobs that no longer exist. Of course there's drama and suicide too. At one point Warren even gets Loretta Young drunk on champaigne and bangs her while she's unconcious. Again, worth it for the costumes and sets.

Are there any Warren William movies during this period where he didn't play a ruthless business man gone bad, who enjoys getting young girls drunk on champagine and banging them while they are unconcious? Well, I suppose "Imitation of Life", but that's gotta be some strong champaigne indeed! Anyways, here is a lovely pre-code film with all sorts of drama and suicide...again.

How can you look at this picture and NOT want to see it!? And mind you, Joan Crawford and Norma Shearer really did hate eachother that much -- they aren't acting! This movie is "all about men". There are no men in the movie actually, but you get enough catty one-liners and ridiculous costumes that they would look out of place. Joan Crawford and her bath tub are a hoot, and the movie actually goes into color for one segment: the fashion show. Again, I'm not too crazy about former playwright/congresswoman/ambassador Clare Boothe Luce and her message in all of this. Keep the husband at any cost, even if he is a lying, cheating, deserting son of a bitch.

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