A really beautiful, moving film. So glad I finally got to see this + impeccable DVD transfer from Criterion (naturally). 11:31 PM >>> 0 comments

Minotaur by Benjamin Tammuz is one of those weird novels that circles back on itself, like a snake biting it‘s own tail. Originally published in Hebrew in 1980, it sets itself up as a spy novel, but it’s really an examination of love and obsession, music, culture and history. The tone (at least in this English translation) is detached, clear, modest, calm and engaging (Kundera comes to mind a bit - a more grounded Kundera). It’s not a particular long book, but it’s packed with story and absolutely captured my interest from beginning to end - despite splitting up its plot through several different characters and decades. Okay, for me this is one of those rare books that I would probably have to call perfect.

After a quick check, it doesn't appear that any other of Tammuz's novels are in print. That's disappointing. 9:59 PM >>> 1 comments

I don't know where this is from, but WOW...

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Recent listening of the hip-hop variety...



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Occasionally - one of those moods... 3:26 PM >>> 0 comments

I really enjoyed Anne Wiazemsky’s recent autobiographical novel, Jeune Fille, which tells the story of the summer she spent starring in Robert Bresson’s masterpiece from 1996, Au hasard Balthazar. Part portrait of Bresson at work and the people working around and with him, part the story of an 18 year old girl’s first summer out on her own, figuring out who she is and how she relates to others - it’s all captivating. These are the kind of focused life stories it’s always interesting to read - providing a perspective impossible to get in any other way. The language is clear, light and at times, quite funny - it really made me almost feel like I was there, back in those days - in the midst of weird, wonderful things being created - by chance, by hard work, and by a singular vision. One hopes a book about her work with Godard (briefly mentioned visiting the set) is shortly forthcoming. I certainly do feel like I’ve learned a lot about Bresson from reading this book and am definitely looking forward to revisiting Au hasard Balthazar shortly (and trying to see the few of his films I‘ve yet to get around to). 5:17 PM >>> 0 comments

What's weird about this movie is that despite having neither heroes or villains (exactly), it still manages to find a way to be overwhelmingly depressing. I thought it was much better than the similarly structured Salvatore Guliano, but probably not the kind of movie one would want to see more than once. Though definitely a movie with something complex to say. The Criterion disc is packaged with tons of extras (two or three times longer than the not exactly brief movie!) that probably provide a lot more context and offer a lot more to the debate - but I'm not sure I'll ever have the time to dig in. Not sure if I can stand it. Perhaps what's most depressing is how relevant this film from 1966 still is today. 1:22 PM >>> 2 comments

I know it's still early, but I'm starting to get the feeling the Pocket Symphony has a good chance of being the new album I listen to the most this year.

"Left bank, I´m waiting for someone / someone to be my friend / Outside, traffic´s running slowly / I hear it from my window / Without you, I´m getting lost." 9:39 AM >>> 0 comments