'Heart Of A Dog' A Review

Heart Of A Dog is an experimental documentary by artist Laurie Anderson. The film centers on Anderson's late dog Lolabelle with spoken word meditations starting with the death of her pet branching out into Anderson's own childhood, 9/11 and the surveillance state, the Tibetan view of the after life, and various abstract montages.

The manipulated archive footage, stills, animation, and reenactments pair eerily with Anderson's breathy narration creating a contemplative, ethereal, and surprisingly funny tone. The film is more like a dream than anything resembling a narrative, gliding from topic to topic with long abstract transitions.

Visually the film is rich and saturated, more focused on the colors and images as a whole than what is in them be it people, animals, or structures. Much of the film is only partially in focus enhancing its dreamlike quality. The music pairs beautifully with the images and the narration producing something that is possibly better defined as a multi-media art piece rather than a movie.

Emotional, cryptic, and thought-provoking if a bit devoid of structure to its periodic disadvantage.

See It.

Graffiti 185

"Always say 'no pun intended' to draw attention to the intended pun." -Teju Cole

"From there to here, and here to there, funny things are everywhere." -Dr. Seuss

"A pun is the lowest form of humor, unless you thought of it yourself." -Doug Larson

"Only the pun remains. The pun, beloved of Shakespeare, children and tabloid headline-writers, is normally eschewed in the modern, sophisticated circles in which I move." -Arthur Smith

A Fortuitous Meeting 2

Most of the day I was feeling slightly melancholic. For no particular reason I could discern, maybe the holiday aftermath, maybe simple fatigue. Whatever the cause I found myself lethargic and unable to dispel my gloom.

Nicole and I went to the movies, an activity which typically brightens my mood, and when the lights went down two people slunk in and sat in front of us. After a brief moment of frustration at having my view partially obstructed I recognized them. They were our friends Mike and Meg. It was such a pleasant and unexpected encounter, the movie was pretty out there so it was fun to watch them react and grab their shoulders at various points in consternation.

After the movie we went out to dinner, an impromptu double date. We talked, joked, ate, nothing spectacular just a really nice opportunity to spend some time together and gab. Over the course of the evening my mood lightened and eventually my blues dissipated completely.

Now I don't think our random encounter was divinely orchestrated but I do know that Mike and Meg came along when I needed to be shaken out of my apathy. Sometimes all it takes is getting out of the house and the universe does the rest. Although it is quite a small thing, two couples meeting unplanned at a movie, it felt like more than mere happenstance.

Discontent

Sadness would be easier to take
if it had sharper teeth
if it tore and pierced
instead of its slow
and plodding creep
like the abandoned
armchair
in your parents'
unfinished basement
quietly disintegrating
eaten but moths
and mold
unbeknownst to you
until you plop down
in its wetness
ill prepared, then resentful.

Friendsgiving

I have to work tomorrow so instead of heading back to Rockford Nicole and I stayed in Chicago for the holiday. This was the first time I haven't spent Thanksgiving with my family and although I missed them it was really nice spending the holiday with friends. Meaghan and Laura hosted a get together of about 18 improvisors, the company was great and the spread was assorted and delicious. While there were some half-hearted thanks given during dinner the conversation was predominately taken up with bits. So in order to reflect and stay grateful- a list.

I'm thankful for the temperate season,
for money in the bank and food in the fridge,
for movie theaters, book stores, and bodegas,
inspiration and the opportunity to give it form,
friendship in all its rejuvenating incarnations,
the unwavering loyalty of family,
and for the love and support of a great woman.

'Legend' A Review

Legend is a crime drama about the Kray twins in 1960's London. Reggie and Donald Kray(Tom Hardy) are the crime bosses of the East End as the film progresses, with the help of the American mafia, they gain control of the entire city of London. Reggie woos and marries local girl Frances(Emily Browning who also narrates) and attempts to keep his psychotic brother in check.

The plot is predictable and has the lackadaisical pacing of a pedestrian biopic. The film uses exhausted gangster troupes used to better effect in predecessors Scarface and Goodfellas but Hardy's dual performances elevates the conventional content beyond the formulaic. He soars as the unfettered Donald and grounds as the charming Reggie. Although the cast sports some significant talent the others are unable to shake the constraints of the script.

The soundtrack seems to be all period appropriate which inhibits its pacing, the trailer contained more contemporary and fevered scoring which was much more effective, pairing well with the violence in the film and Hardy's performances. The film itself relies solely on the momentum of Hardy to carry it along.

Unremarkable save for Hardy's magnetic performances.

Rent It.

One Down, Three To Go

After the Chicago comedian exodus of last year a lot of the people that remained were forced to assess where they were and where they wanted to go. I didn't and don't have any desire to move to one of the coasts to try and make it, but I realized I wanted to take my shot, take the next step forward and to me that meant grad school.

The past month and a half I've been getting together various items for applications to poetry MFA programs. It's been an intensive process- selecting poems, revisions, writing statements of purpose, securing letters of recommendation and transcripts. It's an odd experience, trying to represent yourself in an honest and succinct way in an effort to be accepted.

The application process lends itself to second-guessing and doubt, I've found that trying to anticipate and cultivate the image of a good applicant is tempting but ultimately useless. I don't know what these various institutions are really looking for and the truth is just as likely to get me in as something fabricated.

Today I submitted my first of four applications. Even if nothing comes of it it feels good to have set the goal and to follow through on it. Sometimes taking the action is more important than the result.