February 1, 2015
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Movie night: A Most Violent Year

Screen Shot 2015-02-01 at 8.15.43 AMWe went out to see A Most Violent Year last night, directed by J.C. Chandor with Oscar Isaac and Jessica Chastain. I think this one was just released around here, but it apparently is a 2014 film. The fact that this excellent film failed to score any Oscar nods says more about awards institutions that about this movie.

The film is set in 1981, a violent year in NYC. It’s about a couple who are in the fuel oil business, attempting to buy a significant property which will help their business grow. The backdrop is that the business is corrupt and there are various levels of corruption among the competitors. Somebody is highjacking our protagonists’ oil trucks and there is significant pressure on them to arm the drivers. Meanwhile the District Attorney is set to indict on 14 charges. They are guilty, but feel they are following standard industry practices. The female lead is the daughter of a crime boss, but the male lead wants wants to avoid being a gangster.

This film is about a tainted American dream. The character of Abel prides himself on his ideals but operates in a world in which ideals are almost always compromised. In fact he is willing to compromise his own ideals as well – faced with limited options.

I loved the drab colours and the ordinariness of the industrial scenes. Action sequences are filmed without music and with a generous dose of real-life awkwardness. I also loved the tension between the Abel and Anna characters – a compelling sexual tension complicated by Abel’s idealism and Anna’s pragmatism.

Excellent film. Go see this one!

January 30, 2015
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Fly Around my Pretty Little Miss

That was Born Old — Paul Gartner on banjo, Doug Van Gundy on fiddle

Fly Around my Pretty Little Miss is also known as Western Country or Susananna Gal. It’s one of my favourite Old Time tunes no matter what you call it. Here are some different takes on the same tune…

Here’s me trying to play it (about a year ago). It’s funny watching this now because I play the same tune differently now, faster and more freely, but here it is…

Finally here’s a version by the Whiskey Bent Valley Boys. I might have shared this one before. These guys do a really nice job on this one….

 

January 30, 2015
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Do Not Touch

IMG_2961This was on the wall beside an installation at the Art Gallery of Hamilton. I’m sure it was there because the installation, by Kim Adams, Bruegel-Bosch Bus, just begged to be touched. When I saw the sign though, the first thing I thought of was Lawrence Weiner, the American Conceptual artist. Because I made this connection, I laughed aloud in the gallery. This is not meant as a slight to the installation, which was marvellous. It was like a fantasy train set, with all the modelling detail you might expect, all incorporated into a VW bus. It was very compelling and imaginative. I wonder if Kim Adams made the Lawrence Weiner connection too.

On the subject of touching works of art, I recall once, many years ago, touching an Anthony Caro sculpture at the Albright-Knox Gallery in Buffalo. It was made of tons of metal. You couldn’t damage that puppy with a sledge. I guess the concern was that oil from skin would alter the patina. If I were a sculptor I think I’d want people to touch my work. In any case, a guard came bounding up to me. Sir, you can’t touch that. If you do it again, you will be ejected. Oh my. I promised to be more careful after that.

Filed under: Art
January 30, 2015
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Toronto Tops

In the news today, the Economist has named Toronto and Montreal the top two places to live on the planet. Safety, livability (whatever that means) and cost were key factors considered. I’ve lived in and around Toronto all my life and I haven’t considered living anywhere else. I think we have a great city in many respects, but I’m a little surprised at the designation because it’s getting to be an expensive place to live; public transit hasn’t kept pace with the city while driving and parking in the city has become increasingly difficult; and we have a climate that can be inhospitable for a significant chunk of the year.

On the plus side, we enjoy a wealth of cultural resources, better safety than many cities of comparable size, loads of great places to dine out, a Great Lake, and wonderfully diverse neighbourhoods.

For my friends here in Toronto – are you surprised the Economist thinks we’re tops? And for those of you who live elsewhere, where do you live, and how do you think your city stacks up against Hogtown?