My radio show is from 7-10p.m. EST.
Tonight I've got the new Peter Principle CD "Idyllatry", the new Eric Random compilation on LTM and the new Jay-Jay Johanson single RUSH ...
be sure to listen in.
www.wzbc.org
Friday, September 30, 2005
OTC playlist from last week
7:06PM
Luke Haines “Oliver Twist” from The Oliver Twist Manifesto
Coti “P. Circolare” from Lido/Lato CD ALBUM (Poeta Negra www.poetanegra.com 2004)
Eric Random “Dow Chemical Co.” from Subliminal 1980-1982
Karl Biscuit “La Morte” from Secret Love CD ALBUM (Crammed Discs www.crammed.be 1984)
David Kristian “sound absorber” from music from the mermaid room CD ALBUM (Wikkid www.wikkidrecords.com 2003)
Steven Brown “The Lorelei / Overture” from Decade
Howard Shore “Crash” from Cannes Film Festival 50th Anniversary Album CD
Eric Random “6.55” from Subliminal 1980-1982
Mark Van Hoen “you and me inside” from playing with time CD ALBUM (Apollo 1998)
Peter Principle “The Cloisters” from Idyllatry CD ALBUM (LTM www.ltmpub.freeserve.co.uk/ltmhome.html 2005)
Encre “Hassan” from Flux CD ALBUM (Clapping Music 2004)
Anorak “Ambyam” from Starving But Happier! CD COMP (2003)
The Durutti Column “lips that would kiss madeleine” from Lips That Would Kiss Madeleine (form prayers to broken stone) (Factory Benelux)
Jacques Derrida “Destruction and Necessity” from The Night Watch COMP
Wim Mertens “Maximizing the Audience” CD ALBUM (Les Disques Du Crepuscule 1984)
Howard Shore “Welcome to Annexia” from naked lunch CD ALBUM
Opto “5.10 a.m.” from 2nd CD ALBUM (hobby industries www.hobbyind.com 2004)
Mitchell Akiyama “Mort Aux Vaches” CD SINGLE (Staalplaat www.staalplaat.com 2005)
David Sylvian and Ryuichi Sakamoto “WORLD CITIZEN - i won't be disappointed (Long Version)” from WORLD CITIZEN - i won't be disappointed CD SINGLE
Tuxedomoon “The Laboratory (parts 1 & 2)” from The Ghost Sonata
Deadly Weapons “King Cobra” from Deadly Weapons LP ALBUM (NATO)
Francoiz Breut “la chanson d'Helene” from vingt a trente mille jours CD ALBUM (Virgin France 2001)
Susumu Yokota “l close the door upon myself” from Symbol CD ALBUM (Leaf posteverything.com/leaf 2005
Ian McCulloch “September Song” 10-INCH SINGLE (Korova 1984)
Desormais “Broken Images and Packets of Light” from Iambrokenandremadeiambroken... CD ALBUM (intr_version www.intr-version.com 2003)
Piano Magic “Artists' Rifles” CD ALBUM
Peter Principle “Emotions” from Idyllatry CD ALBUM
Eric Random “Regret and Despair” from Subliminal 1980-1982
Young Marble Giants “Final Day” from Colossal Youth (Les Disques Du Crepuscule)
Luke Haines “Oliver Twist” from The Oliver Twist Manifesto
Coti “P. Circolare” from Lido/Lato CD ALBUM (Poeta Negra www.poetanegra.com 2004)
Eric Random “Dow Chemical Co.” from Subliminal 1980-1982
Karl Biscuit “La Morte” from Secret Love CD ALBUM (Crammed Discs www.crammed.be 1984)
David Kristian “sound absorber” from music from the mermaid room CD ALBUM (Wikkid www.wikkidrecords.com 2003)
Steven Brown “The Lorelei / Overture” from Decade
Howard Shore “Crash” from Cannes Film Festival 50th Anniversary Album CD
Eric Random “6.55” from Subliminal 1980-1982
Mark Van Hoen “you and me inside” from playing with time CD ALBUM (Apollo 1998)
Peter Principle “The Cloisters” from Idyllatry CD ALBUM (LTM www.ltmpub.freeserve.co.uk/ltmhome.html 2005)
Encre “Hassan” from Flux CD ALBUM (Clapping Music 2004)
Anorak “Ambyam” from Starving But Happier! CD COMP (2003)
The Durutti Column “lips that would kiss madeleine” from Lips That Would Kiss Madeleine (form prayers to broken stone) (Factory Benelux)
Jacques Derrida “Destruction and Necessity” from The Night Watch COMP
Wim Mertens “Maximizing the Audience” CD ALBUM (Les Disques Du Crepuscule 1984)
Howard Shore “Welcome to Annexia” from naked lunch CD ALBUM
Opto “5.10 a.m.” from 2nd CD ALBUM (hobby industries www.hobbyind.com 2004)
Mitchell Akiyama “Mort Aux Vaches” CD SINGLE (Staalplaat www.staalplaat.com 2005)
David Sylvian and Ryuichi Sakamoto “WORLD CITIZEN - i won't be disappointed (Long Version)” from WORLD CITIZEN - i won't be disappointed CD SINGLE
Tuxedomoon “The Laboratory (parts 1 & 2)” from The Ghost Sonata
Deadly Weapons “King Cobra” from Deadly Weapons LP ALBUM (NATO)
Francoiz Breut “la chanson d'Helene” from vingt a trente mille jours CD ALBUM (Virgin France 2001)
Susumu Yokota “l close the door upon myself” from Symbol CD ALBUM (Leaf posteverything.com/leaf 2005
Ian McCulloch “September Song” 10-INCH SINGLE (Korova 1984)
Desormais “Broken Images and Packets of Light” from Iambrokenandremadeiambroken... CD ALBUM (intr_version www.intr-version.com 2003)
Piano Magic “Artists' Rifles” CD ALBUM
Peter Principle “Emotions” from Idyllatry CD ALBUM
Eric Random “Regret and Despair” from Subliminal 1980-1982
Young Marble Giants “Final Day” from Colossal Youth (Les Disques Du Crepuscule)
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
the Baltimore City Paper Comics Contest
The entries are up for this year's Baltimore City Paper Comics contest, click the heading and check out all the new comics!
A prior winner was The Perry Bible Fellowship by Nicholas Gurewitch.
A prior winner was The Perry Bible Fellowship by Nicholas Gurewitch.
Renoir / Renoir at La Cinémathèque française
Monday, September 26, 2005
Crammed Discs Blog
For up to the minute information about one of the best Belgian independent labels out there. Check here for info about the Congotronics series, Konono No. 1, Bebel Gilberto, Cibelle, DJ Dolores, Celso Fonesca, and more.
As well as older artists like: Honeymoon Killers, Tuxedomoon, Aksak Maboul, Ben Lew, Sonoko, Hector Zazou and so many others.
As well as older artists like: Honeymoon Killers, Tuxedomoon, Aksak Maboul, Ben Lew, Sonoko, Hector Zazou and so many others.
Cronenberg, Morentsen, Bello, Harris, Hurt...A History of Violence
Briefly: David Cronenberg's latest film "A History of Violence" is one of the best pieces of filmmaking I've seen in a while. It works well on so many levels as it deals with a social problem. The film itself is lean, there is no excess fat, everthing included is necessary to the story. Questions less of identity and more about social justice, and by extension commerce come into play. Also of note, the film was shot entirely in Canada. It is primarily set in a small town in Indiana, but it could be any middle class small town, not precisely in the U.S.A. either. Having said that, it still seems that the film is critiqing certain American ideals. Also of note is the violent inserts, during the cafe scene a man's jaw is shot off, this is to indicate the consequences of that violence, not to revel in it. The only antecedent to something of this type I can immediately think of is photographs of soliders in military hospitals during World War I (yes, its that graphic). The other point that a number of reviewers have made are the two sex scenes, one very gentle and the other quite rough, contrasting two sides of the same characters. The entire cast was very strong and the pacing just right for a film that addresses some tough social issues.
The team behind this film have been doing a number of press interviews, one with the director was recently printed in the Boston Globe, Maria Bello in the Montreal Mirror, and Viggo Morentsen was recently on Charlie Rose giving an excellent diagnosis of the current state of affairs in the U.S.A.
The team behind this film have been doing a number of press interviews, one with the director was recently printed in the Boston Globe, Maria Bello in the Montreal Mirror, and Viggo Morentsen was recently on Charlie Rose giving an excellent diagnosis of the current state of affairs in the U.S.A.
Friday, September 23, 2005
OkCupid! Politics Test results
You are a Social Liberal (71% permissive) and an... Economic Liberal (10% permissive) You are best described as a: Link: The Politics Test on Ok Cupid |
Last week's playlist
Playlist from last week: September 16, 2005
7:06PM
Hans Edler “langt bort” from Elektron Kukeso CD ALBUM (boy wonder 2004)
Coldcut “Peter in Space” from Warp Back to Earth 66/99 (Bungalow 1998)
Desormais “Broken Images and Packets of Light” from Iambrokenandremadeiambroken... CD ALBUM (intr_version www.intr-version.com 2003)
Arthur Russell “This is How”
Zazou/Bikaye “Bingawe” from Guilty! (Crammed Discs www.crammed.be)
David Sylvian and Ryuichi Sakamoto “Bamboo Houses” from Various: I Like It CD
Tuxedomoon “In a manner of speaking” from Holy Wars CD
De Portables “Valentine” from Rosegarden CD ALBUM ((kr-aa-k)3 www.kraak.net 2001)
Mark Tranmer “scoop of ice cream moon”
KG “S.P.E.C.T.R.E. 2 (musique pour mangas erotiques)” from Gooom Tracks Vol. 2
The Associates “Message Oblique Speech” from Fourth Drawer Down
David Coulter “Shinju (Pot Etude #3)” from INterVENTION CD
John Cale “Paris 1919” from Fragments of A Rainy Season (Hannibal 1992)
Penguin Cafe Orchestra “the sound of someone you love who's going away and it doesn't matter” from music from the penguin cafe CD ALBUM
Dream Makers “Helen's Song” from From Brussels with Love CD
Pascal Comelade & Richard Pinhas “here come the warm jets”
Calexico “Sequoia” from Aerocalexico CD
The Wake “uniform” from Assembly CD
AER “As You Wander Round” from Touch 00 CD
Herman Dune & Julie Doiron “Have you seen the moon?” from Performance #1 CD
Yann Tiersen “Secret Place” from Les Retrouvailles CD
Coti “Beben G.” from Lido/Lato CD
Martial Canterel “ascent” from confusing outsides LP
The Durutti Column “Jaqueline” from LC
Thomas Brinkmann “Olga A1” from Touch 00 CD
Locust “Folie” from Morning Light CD ALBUM (R&S Records 1997)
Kohn “bruce willis is my hero; he keeps on saving the world” from Bruce Willis
Goldfrapp “Number 1” from Supernature CD
Ryuichi Sakamoto “Bathroom (Love is the Devil)” from US CD
Colin Newman “Better Later Than Never” from It Seems
Mark Stewart “Liberty City” from Kiss The Future CD
Konono No. 1 “Kule Kule” from congotronics CD
YeEmebetatchen Selamta “about the futility of life” from ethiopiques 11
7:06PM
Hans Edler “langt bort” from Elektron Kukeso CD ALBUM (boy wonder 2004)
Coldcut “Peter in Space” from Warp Back to Earth 66/99 (Bungalow 1998)
Desormais “Broken Images and Packets of Light” from Iambrokenandremadeiambroken... CD ALBUM (intr_version www.intr-version.com 2003)
Arthur Russell “This is How”
Zazou/Bikaye “Bingawe” from Guilty! (Crammed Discs www.crammed.be)
David Sylvian and Ryuichi Sakamoto “Bamboo Houses” from Various: I Like It CD
Tuxedomoon “In a manner of speaking” from Holy Wars CD
De Portables “Valentine” from Rosegarden CD ALBUM ((kr-aa-k)3 www.kraak.net 2001)
Mark Tranmer “scoop of ice cream moon”
KG “S.P.E.C.T.R.E. 2 (musique pour mangas erotiques)” from Gooom Tracks Vol. 2
The Associates “Message Oblique Speech” from Fourth Drawer Down
David Coulter “Shinju (Pot Etude #3)” from INterVENTION CD
John Cale “Paris 1919” from Fragments of A Rainy Season (Hannibal 1992)
Penguin Cafe Orchestra “the sound of someone you love who's going away and it doesn't matter” from music from the penguin cafe CD ALBUM
Dream Makers “Helen's Song” from From Brussels with Love CD
Pascal Comelade & Richard Pinhas “here come the warm jets”
Calexico “Sequoia” from Aerocalexico CD
The Wake “uniform” from Assembly CD
AER “As You Wander Round” from Touch 00 CD
Herman Dune & Julie Doiron “Have you seen the moon?” from Performance #1 CD
Yann Tiersen “Secret Place” from Les Retrouvailles CD
Coti “Beben G.” from Lido/Lato CD
Martial Canterel “ascent” from confusing outsides LP
The Durutti Column “Jaqueline” from LC
Thomas Brinkmann “Olga A1” from Touch 00 CD
Locust “Folie” from Morning Light CD ALBUM (R&S Records 1997)
Kohn “bruce willis is my hero; he keeps on saving the world” from Bruce Willis
Goldfrapp “Number 1” from Supernature CD
Ryuichi Sakamoto “Bathroom (Love is the Devil)” from US CD
Colin Newman “Better Later Than Never” from It Seems
Mark Stewart “Liberty City” from Kiss The Future CD
Konono No. 1 “Kule Kule” from congotronics CD
YeEmebetatchen Selamta “about the futility of life” from ethiopiques 11
Thursday, September 22, 2005
Brazil - TONIGHT at the Brattle 8pm
This evening my most favorite film of all time is playing at the Brattle Theatre in Harvard Square. The theme music for my radio show comes from this film. I love the references to Orson Welles' "The Trial" and Eisenstein's 'Odessa Steps' sequence. Again, this film is-- while ostensibly a critique of life under Regan and Thatcher and the bureaucratic nightmare (and having social commentary, science fiction, romance, adventure, drama, comedy, and a Christmas film)-- staggeringly prescient in so many ways. The scene in the restaurant, for instance, when Sam's mother's friend, asks him "Why don't you do something about these Terrorists?" and Sam Lowry repiles: "Its my lunch hour. Besides, Its not my department."
This screening is brought to us in conjunction with the Huntington Theater's performance of Tom Stoppard's "The Real Thing".
**********************************
Thursday, September 22
Special Engagements
The Huntington Theatre Company and the Brattle Film Foundation Present
Brazil at 8:00
(1985) dir Terry Gilliam w/Jonathan Pryce, Kim Greist, Robert De Niro, Katherine Helmond, Ian Holm, Michael Palin [142 min]
This screening is brought to us in conjunction with the Huntington Theater's performance of Tom Stoppard's "The Real Thing".
**********************************
Thursday, September 22
Special Engagements
The Huntington Theatre Company and the Brattle Film Foundation Present
Brazil at 8:00
(1985) dir Terry Gilliam w/Jonathan Pryce, Kim Greist, Robert De Niro, Katherine Helmond, Ian Holm, Michael Palin [142 min]
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Greg Pak work at Inkwell Auctions for aid to Hurricane Katrina Victims
Reposting from a Greg Pak e-mail:
"Marvel Comics editor-in-chief Joe Quesada and a slew of other comics professionals including Robot Stories director Greg Pak are auctioning of art and comics at InkWellRelief.com as a fundraiser for the Red Cross to assist Hurricane Katrina victims. Please consider bidding -- all net proceeds will go to the Red Cross.
Link indicated above.
"Marvel Comics editor-in-chief Joe Quesada and a slew of other comics professionals including Robot Stories director Greg Pak are auctioning of art and comics at InkWellRelief.com as a fundraiser for the Red Cross to assist Hurricane Katrina victims. Please consider bidding -- all net proceeds will go to the Red Cross.
Link indicated above.
Monday, September 19, 2005
Joann Sfar discusses the Rabbi's Cat - TONIGHT
Pantheon Books again leads the way in breaking contemporary comic book artists into the mainstream. Joann Sfar's book tour finds its way to Cambridge tonight. This should be fun!
The copy reads:
JOANN SFAR discusses The Rabbi’s Cat
Harvard Book Store is pleased to announce that on Monday, September 19th Joann Sfar will discuss his new graphic novel The Rabbi’s Cat.
Produced by one of France’s most celebrated young comic artists, The Rabbi’s Cat tells the wholly unique story of a rabbi, his daughter, and their talking cat, who is a philosopher brimming with scathing humor and surprising tenderness. Rich with the colors and textures, of Algeria’s Jewish community, The Rabbi’s Cat brings a lost world vibrantly to life—a time and place where Jews and Arabs coexisted—and peoples it with endearing characters, and one unforgettable cat.
Tonight at 6:30pm
The copy reads:
JOANN SFAR discusses The Rabbi’s Cat
Harvard Book Store is pleased to announce that on Monday, September 19th Joann Sfar will discuss his new graphic novel The Rabbi’s Cat.
Produced by one of France’s most celebrated young comic artists, The Rabbi’s Cat tells the wholly unique story of a rabbi, his daughter, and their talking cat, who is a philosopher brimming with scathing humor and surprising tenderness. Rich with the colors and textures, of Algeria’s Jewish community, The Rabbi’s Cat brings a lost world vibrantly to life—a time and place where Jews and Arabs coexisted—and peoples it with endearing characters, and one unforgettable cat.
Tonight at 6:30pm
Thursday, September 15, 2005
Hitchens v Galloway - the report from our man in Brooklyn
Tom Gilmore reports on the debate between Christopher Hitchens and George Galloway.
"I was sitting front row in the balcony and had a pretty good bird's
eye view of what they called 'The Grapple in the Apple.'
It was very lively, as I think everyone expected it would be. The
crowd seemed very evenly split in who they supported and, as things
like this go, nobody was there to have their mind changed. Rather,
they were there to see their side supported by the most colorful and
passionate mouth-piece for their views. Strong points from both men
were always greeted with a chorus of cheers and boos. I even thought
some of the crowd was moving close to blows at certain points. I think
New York has quite a few Hitchen types - pro-war liberals, or socially
liberal conservatives, whichever works for you, because they're
ultimately the same - more seem to reside here than I expected. Unless
of course they were all in attendance last night.
Galloway's jabs were more immediate -- and let's face it, who didn't
go for the jabs? -- and he seemed like the more seasoned debater. Even
Oona King, whom Galloway defeated in the last election, conceded that
Galloway won the debate in terms of oratory skills. Galloway accused
Hitchens of doing the impossible -- turning from a butterfly into
slug, and this was probably the best of the night.
Hitchens' on the other hand seems to work better on paper - and his
style of attack was occasionally lost in front of the audience.
Galloway seemed more comfortable and much smoother, whereas Hitchens
was sweating madly before the thing even started and his hands were
visibly shaking. At first I thought he must be nervous but then he's
always speaking in front of people so, no, it couldn't be nerves, it
had to be the drink. He kept trying to steady one hand with the other,
but then they'd both start shaking. Galloway's style was direct and
aggressive and you could understand everything he said despite the
thick Scottish accent. Hitchens on the other hand mumbled and his
pitch varied and you sometimes had to strain to follow his point. I've
seen him do the same thing on television - it's almost like he's
making a point he thinks should be obvious to everyone thus the
cocksure delivery.
Galloway said you shouldn't be surprised by 9/11 or 7/7 when you
consider the US's murderous history in the Middle East. Hitchens told
him he'd picked the wrong city and the wrong month to make that point,
to which he received a mighty round of boos.
I think Hitchens' biggest error was in continually returning to what I
think is an obscure point and it seemed largely lost on the crowd --
Galloway's supposed involvement in the Oil for Food scandal. Not many
people have followed the small details nor are they intimately aware
of Galloway's alleged connections. But Hitchens thought if he could he
paint Galloway as friendly w/ dictators it would follow that he could
easily discredit the rest of his argument. Hitchens' supporters take
it as an article of faith that Galloway is guilty as charged by
Hitchens (although Hitchens is the only one who has charged him) and
the net is already buzzing with people mimicking Hitchens' accusations
-- Galloway is "the piggy eyes of fascism" says Hitchens; yes, he is,
say his supporters with their arms in the air. Yet the Bush
administration, Hitchens' heros of the moment, are known to be close
with Uzbekistan's dictator Karimov and I have yet to hear Hitchens
address this, to name but one example. What he accusses Galloway of
he'll excuse in Bush and the neo-cons.
Towards the end Galloway hinted at physically assaulting Hitchens, to
which Hitchens welcomed the threat. Galloway called him a popinjay
once again, to which Hitchens said, That is true, I am a popinjay
according to the original Websters definition of the word. The insult
was funnier the first time, and Hitchens' retort was less funny still.
For one of the last questions, Amy Goodman asked Hitchens if he found
himself treated with more kindness by the media now that he'd become
pro-war. He flat-out refused to answer the question -- he even said he
thought it was a dumb question and he didn't want to answer it --
presumably because it makes him uncomfortable. Look at him though --
he's on every single network all the time, and this surely wasn't
happening before his conversion. He's become a celebrity from his
pro-war stance and he's enjoying the attention.
At one point Galloway seemed so bored by Hitchens that he started to
shine his shoes. Similarly, Hitchens took a cigarette and lighter out
and acted like he couldn't wait for Galloway to shut-up so he could go
outside and smoke. It's this small detail that almost encapsulates the
night; it was a show as much as anything. But behind this is of course
a very serious issue -- the most serious on the table at the moment,
which is the one thing both sides will agree on. The striking
difference between the sides, I think, is this: The pro-war people
have won, they're still winning, and they'll continue to win for as
long as we can tell. Does anyone really think the troops are coming
home anytime soon? So why are they so defensive? A handful of people
are loudly making the case against the war right now and the pro-war
crowd, in reaction, acts like they've been backed up against the wall.
I suspect they're so defensive because they know, as everyone does,
that things are going horribly in Iraq. And they also know that public
support for the war is in decline. It comes down to this - the pro-war
crowd doesn't have to spend their time doing anything other than
attacking anyone who speaks against the war. No, their work has been
done for them by the 2 most powerful nations.
Who won? Like I said, I think Galloway relishes the public debate and
seemed more at home. But Hitchens' supporters will obviously tell you
Hitchens won. They're both characters - clown-like at times - but I
also think both are dead serious about their positions, and about each
other. I don't think Galloway is the perfect spokesman for the
anti-war movement, but right about now he's the making the case
against war louder than just about anyone else. And I'll take his
position over the respectable but cautious anti-war Democrats who say,
"Well, maybe we should start bringing the troops home around October
2006," a date we know from experience will soon be January 07 and on."
Thanks again to Tom Gilmore for the report.
"I was sitting front row in the balcony and had a pretty good bird's
eye view of what they called 'The Grapple in the Apple.'
It was very lively, as I think everyone expected it would be. The
crowd seemed very evenly split in who they supported and, as things
like this go, nobody was there to have their mind changed. Rather,
they were there to see their side supported by the most colorful and
passionate mouth-piece for their views. Strong points from both men
were always greeted with a chorus of cheers and boos. I even thought
some of the crowd was moving close to blows at certain points. I think
New York has quite a few Hitchen types - pro-war liberals, or socially
liberal conservatives, whichever works for you, because they're
ultimately the same - more seem to reside here than I expected. Unless
of course they were all in attendance last night.
Galloway's jabs were more immediate -- and let's face it, who didn't
go for the jabs? -- and he seemed like the more seasoned debater. Even
Oona King, whom Galloway defeated in the last election, conceded that
Galloway won the debate in terms of oratory skills. Galloway accused
Hitchens of doing the impossible -- turning from a butterfly into
slug, and this was probably the best of the night.
Hitchens' on the other hand seems to work better on paper - and his
style of attack was occasionally lost in front of the audience.
Galloway seemed more comfortable and much smoother, whereas Hitchens
was sweating madly before the thing even started and his hands were
visibly shaking. At first I thought he must be nervous but then he's
always speaking in front of people so, no, it couldn't be nerves, it
had to be the drink. He kept trying to steady one hand with the other,
but then they'd both start shaking. Galloway's style was direct and
aggressive and you could understand everything he said despite the
thick Scottish accent. Hitchens on the other hand mumbled and his
pitch varied and you sometimes had to strain to follow his point. I've
seen him do the same thing on television - it's almost like he's
making a point he thinks should be obvious to everyone thus the
cocksure delivery.
Galloway said you shouldn't be surprised by 9/11 or 7/7 when you
consider the US's murderous history in the Middle East. Hitchens told
him he'd picked the wrong city and the wrong month to make that point,
to which he received a mighty round of boos.
I think Hitchens' biggest error was in continually returning to what I
think is an obscure point and it seemed largely lost on the crowd --
Galloway's supposed involvement in the Oil for Food scandal. Not many
people have followed the small details nor are they intimately aware
of Galloway's alleged connections. But Hitchens thought if he could he
paint Galloway as friendly w/ dictators it would follow that he could
easily discredit the rest of his argument. Hitchens' supporters take
it as an article of faith that Galloway is guilty as charged by
Hitchens (although Hitchens is the only one who has charged him) and
the net is already buzzing with people mimicking Hitchens' accusations
-- Galloway is "the piggy eyes of fascism" says Hitchens; yes, he is,
say his supporters with their arms in the air. Yet the Bush
administration, Hitchens' heros of the moment, are known to be close
with Uzbekistan's dictator Karimov and I have yet to hear Hitchens
address this, to name but one example. What he accusses Galloway of
he'll excuse in Bush and the neo-cons.
Towards the end Galloway hinted at physically assaulting Hitchens, to
which Hitchens welcomed the threat. Galloway called him a popinjay
once again, to which Hitchens said, That is true, I am a popinjay
according to the original Websters definition of the word. The insult
was funnier the first time, and Hitchens' retort was less funny still.
For one of the last questions, Amy Goodman asked Hitchens if he found
himself treated with more kindness by the media now that he'd become
pro-war. He flat-out refused to answer the question -- he even said he
thought it was a dumb question and he didn't want to answer it --
presumably because it makes him uncomfortable. Look at him though --
he's on every single network all the time, and this surely wasn't
happening before his conversion. He's become a celebrity from his
pro-war stance and he's enjoying the attention.
At one point Galloway seemed so bored by Hitchens that he started to
shine his shoes. Similarly, Hitchens took a cigarette and lighter out
and acted like he couldn't wait for Galloway to shut-up so he could go
outside and smoke. It's this small detail that almost encapsulates the
night; it was a show as much as anything. But behind this is of course
a very serious issue -- the most serious on the table at the moment,
which is the one thing both sides will agree on. The striking
difference between the sides, I think, is this: The pro-war people
have won, they're still winning, and they'll continue to win for as
long as we can tell. Does anyone really think the troops are coming
home anytime soon? So why are they so defensive? A handful of people
are loudly making the case against the war right now and the pro-war
crowd, in reaction, acts like they've been backed up against the wall.
I suspect they're so defensive because they know, as everyone does,
that things are going horribly in Iraq. And they also know that public
support for the war is in decline. It comes down to this - the pro-war
crowd doesn't have to spend their time doing anything other than
attacking anyone who speaks against the war. No, their work has been
done for them by the 2 most powerful nations.
Who won? Like I said, I think Galloway relishes the public debate and
seemed more at home. But Hitchens' supporters will obviously tell you
Hitchens won. They're both characters - clown-like at times - but I
also think both are dead serious about their positions, and about each
other. I don't think Galloway is the perfect spokesman for the
anti-war movement, but right about now he's the making the case
against war louder than just about anyone else. And I'll take his
position over the respectable but cautious anti-war Democrats who say,
"Well, maybe we should start bringing the troops home around October
2006," a date we know from experience will soon be January 07 and on."
Thanks again to Tom Gilmore for the report.
Robert Wise passed away - age 91
I first learned about the scope and diversity of his work while reading about his early days at RKO, where he directed and edited some films Val Lewton produced. An excellent book about this period is: "Fearing the Dark" The Val Lewton Career
by Edmund G. Bansak Foreword by Robert Wise
ISBN 0-7864-1709-9
53 photographs, bibliography, index
581pp. softcover 2003 [1995]
more information about this book is at:
http://www.mcfarlandpub.com/book-2.php?isbn=0-7864-1709-9
from the Guardian Unlimited:
Robert Wise, Hollywood legend, dies at 91
Xan Brooks
Thursday September 15, 2005
Guardian Unlimited
Robert Wise, director of The Sound of Music, died yesterday at the age of 91. The four-time Oscar-winner was reported to have suffered heart failure and passed away at the UCLA Medical Centre in Los Angeles.
Wise's Hollywood career spanned seven decades. The youngest son of an Indiana meatpacker, Wise came to Hollywood as a teenager and took a job as a message boy at RKO studios. In the 1930s he worked as a sound effects editor on the Fred Astaire-Ginger Rogers musicals Top Hat and The Gay Divorcee. In 1941 he edited Orson Welles's landmark Citizen Kane and collaborated with Welles again on the 1942 drama The Magnificent Ambersons.
Wise made his directing debut with the cult 1943 horror film Curse of the Cat People and worked in various genres throughout his career. However, he remains most closely associated with the musical. He won an Oscar for co-directing West Side Story alongside Jerome Robbins and picked up another for his 1965 blockbuster The Sound of Music.
His last major film was 1979's Star Trek: The Motion Picture, after which he slipped into semi-retirement. He was presented with a lifetime achievement award by the American Film Institute in 1998, and directed a TV-movie, A Storm in Summer, in 2000.
Guardian Unlimited © Guardian Newspapers Limited 2005
http://film.guardian.co.uk/print/0,3858,5286192-3156,00.html
by Edmund G. Bansak Foreword by Robert Wise
ISBN 0-7864-1709-9
53 photographs, bibliography, index
581pp. softcover 2003 [1995]
more information about this book is at:
http://www.mcfarlandpub.com/book-2.php?isbn=0-7864-1709-9
from the Guardian Unlimited:
Robert Wise, Hollywood legend, dies at 91
Xan Brooks
Thursday September 15, 2005
Guardian Unlimited
Robert Wise, director of The Sound of Music, died yesterday at the age of 91. The four-time Oscar-winner was reported to have suffered heart failure and passed away at the UCLA Medical Centre in Los Angeles.
Wise's Hollywood career spanned seven decades. The youngest son of an Indiana meatpacker, Wise came to Hollywood as a teenager and took a job as a message boy at RKO studios. In the 1930s he worked as a sound effects editor on the Fred Astaire-Ginger Rogers musicals Top Hat and The Gay Divorcee. In 1941 he edited Orson Welles's landmark Citizen Kane and collaborated with Welles again on the 1942 drama The Magnificent Ambersons.
Wise made his directing debut with the cult 1943 horror film Curse of the Cat People and worked in various genres throughout his career. However, he remains most closely associated with the musical. He won an Oscar for co-directing West Side Story alongside Jerome Robbins and picked up another for his 1965 blockbuster The Sound of Music.
His last major film was 1979's Star Trek: The Motion Picture, after which he slipped into semi-retirement. He was presented with a lifetime achievement award by the American Film Institute in 1998, and directed a TV-movie, A Storm in Summer, in 2000.
Guardian Unlimited © Guardian Newspapers Limited 2005
http://film.guardian.co.uk/print/0,3858,5286192-3156,00.html
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
broadcast 27 - Katrina's Wake
Yes, that's me in the role of the Conspiracy Theorist in the most recent broadcast of the Theory of Everything. (link can be found to the right of the screen) The unfortunate thing is most of what I say really has already been said by various websites on the internet.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
Friday, September 09, 2005
plans for le weekend
Still recovering from a busy week. It looks like the coming weekend won't be a picnic either. I hope to check out the Harvard yard sale tomorrow and possibly catch a film later in the day. Sunday night is my friend Vin's birthday, which may entail a visit to River Gods for various festivities. This week's edition of the Montreal Mirror has Brazilian Actor/Musician Seu Jorge on the cover, I believe he is due to play a the Museum of Fine Arts here in Boston soon. Also, Nouvelle Vague are on tour. It may be a good idea to catch them this time round because the will perform a number of covers to be on a forthcoming release (Blondie, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, New Order and Bauhaus and the Smiths). It would appear that Bossa Nova covers are definately in style. I also want to check out the Degas exhibit at the Sackler museum. That reminds me, the Harvard Film Archive's new calendar starts tonight. They'll be doing a retrospective of Louis Malle's work for most of this month. I'll put together a 'highlights' of the schedule shortly. Also of note: the lastest issue of the New Left Review has a book review by Jonathan Rosenbaum of a new compilation of French Film Critic Serge Daney's work. I must get a hold of that shortly.
I'll be on the air tonight playing mostly older material. The new Goldfrapp "Supernature" disc is already out in Europe to stellar reviews. Hopefully the disc will be released here shortly.
Bonne chance!
I'll be on the air tonight playing mostly older material. The new Goldfrapp "Supernature" disc is already out in Europe to stellar reviews. Hopefully the disc will be released here shortly.
Bonne chance!
Thursday, September 08, 2005
George Galloway, MP US TOUR - starting in Boston!
Stand Up and Be Counted: No to War and Occupation
The George Galloway US Tour
September 13-24: Boston, New York, Toronto, Madison, Chicago,
Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C.
All the details are here:
http://www.mrgallowaygoestowashington.com/
BOSTON: September 13, Faneuil Hall, 6:30pm
Tickets available at Ticketmaster for $10
http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/event/EventListings?orgId=10553
Ticketmaster by Phone - 1-866-468-7619 ask for the George Galloway,
MP Tour
Seating is limited to first 900!
on Tuesday Galloway heads to New York City for a debate with Christopher Hitchens.
My friend Tom Gilmore will be there to cover the scene.
George Galloway is Respect party Member of Parliament for Bethnal
Green and Bow in East London. He recently electrified the United
States with his appearance at a Senate Permanent Subcommittee on
Investigations hearing on May 17, when he turned the proceedings into
a condemnation of the war in Iraq. CNN's Wolf Blitzer described
Galloway's speech in the Senate as "a blistering attack on US
senators rarely heard" in Washington.
Galloway's new book is Mr. Galloway Goes to Washington (The New
Press) and will be published and timed for national release in
bookstores in conjunction with the tour.
National Tour sponsored by: The New Press, International Socialist
Review, Center for Economic Research and Social Change, the National
Council of Arab Americans
Boston Co-Sponsors: Traprock Peace Center
The George Galloway US Tour
September 13-24: Boston, New York, Toronto, Madison, Chicago,
Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C.
All the details are here:
http://www.mrgallowaygoestowashington.com/
BOSTON: September 13, Faneuil Hall, 6:30pm
Tickets available at Ticketmaster for $10
http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/event/EventListings?orgId=10553
Ticketmaster by Phone - 1-866-468-7619 ask for the George Galloway,
MP Tour
Seating is limited to first 900!
on Tuesday Galloway heads to New York City for a debate with Christopher Hitchens.
My friend Tom Gilmore will be there to cover the scene.
George Galloway is Respect party Member of Parliament for Bethnal
Green and Bow in East London. He recently electrified the United
States with his appearance at a Senate Permanent Subcommittee on
Investigations hearing on May 17, when he turned the proceedings into
a condemnation of the war in Iraq. CNN's Wolf Blitzer described
Galloway's speech in the Senate as "a blistering attack on US
senators rarely heard" in Washington.
Galloway's new book is Mr. Galloway Goes to Washington (The New
Press) and will be published and timed for national release in
bookstores in conjunction with the tour.
National Tour sponsored by: The New Press, International Socialist
Review, Center for Economic Research and Social Change, the National
Council of Arab Americans
Boston Co-Sponsors: Traprock Peace Center
THE BEAST (LA BETE) coming to Coolidge Corner
An upcoming midnight screening at the Coolidge Corner Theatre in Brookline, Massachusetts is The Beast (La Bete) directed by Walerian Borowczyk.
I first saw this film at the Harvard Film Archive a few years ago. Having seen a brief clip on UK television regarding Jarvis Cocker of the band Pulp, describing this as the first Erotic film he'd ever seen in a proper seedy cinema. Jarvis recalls how it was the first time he'd seen a woman's breasts in motion, 'reacting to gravity'. This film is definately a cut above a lot of what's out there, despite its dubious history. It is also one of the funniest films I've ever seen.
Saturday, September 17, 2005.
Check:
http://coolidge.org
from the distributor, cult epics, website:
http://www.cultepics.com/ce_erotica04.html
"Once upon a time in the 18th century a beast lived in the woods of an aristocratic estate. And this beast, possessed of a giant phallus and an insatiable lust, set upon the beautiful young lady of the house. Two centuries later, the tale of the beast would return in the dreams of an American heiress contracted to carry the male descendant of the same crumbling aristocratic family and their secret.
Controversial rework of The Beauty And The Beast, which was forbidden for 25 years."
I first saw this film at the Harvard Film Archive a few years ago. Having seen a brief clip on UK television regarding Jarvis Cocker of the band Pulp, describing this as the first Erotic film he'd ever seen in a proper seedy cinema. Jarvis recalls how it was the first time he'd seen a woman's breasts in motion, 'reacting to gravity'. This film is definately a cut above a lot of what's out there, despite its dubious history. It is also one of the funniest films I've ever seen.
Saturday, September 17, 2005.
Check:
http://coolidge.org
from the distributor, cult epics, website:
http://www.cultepics.com/ce_erotica04.html
"Once upon a time in the 18th century a beast lived in the woods of an aristocratic estate. And this beast, possessed of a giant phallus and an insatiable lust, set upon the beautiful young lady of the house. Two centuries later, the tale of the beast would return in the dreams of an American heiress contracted to carry the male descendant of the same crumbling aristocratic family and their secret.
Controversial rework of The Beauty And The Beast, which was forbidden for 25 years."
Monday, September 05, 2005
Articles about Hurricane Katrina
The best I've read so far:
We are on our own
by Darryl Pinckney
http://www.guardian.co.uk/katrina/story/0,16441,1561997,00.html
the latest:
Team Bush's Bad Day in Wyoming
by Peter Preston
http://www.guardian.co.uk/katrina/story/0,16441,1562733,00.html
Left to sink or swim
by Gary Younge
http://www.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,3604,1562649,00.html
The Guardian Unimited's Special Report on Hurricane Katrina:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/katrina/0,16441,1560620,00.html
And a prescient word from Mike Davis:
from September 24, 2004
Poor, Black and Left Behind
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0924-02.htm
We are on our own
by Darryl Pinckney
http://www.guardian.co.uk/katrina/story/0,16441,1561997,00.html
the latest:
Team Bush's Bad Day in Wyoming
by Peter Preston
http://www.guardian.co.uk/katrina/story/0,16441,1562733,00.html
Left to sink or swim
by Gary Younge
http://www.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,3604,1562649,00.html
The Guardian Unimited's Special Report on Hurricane Katrina:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/katrina/0,16441,1560620,00.html
And a prescient word from Mike Davis:
from September 24, 2004
Poor, Black and Left Behind
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0924-02.htm
Friday, September 02, 2005
Hurricane Katrina & The Arts
here is a repost from the ArtsJournal:
Hurricane Katrina & The Arts
Some Ways You Can Help
I am writing from Swine Palace, the professional theatre company affiliated with the Louisiana State University Department of Theatre in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. I am hoping you can pass on to your readers information regarding an arts-related unified disaster relief effort. As the reports from New Orleans continue to come in, it is clear that South Louisiana faces a dire situation as a result of Hurricane Katrina. Here in Baton Rouge, we are expecting our population to double in the next few days as more evacuees and displaced citizens are relocated here.
Currently, Swine Palace is working on a number of ways to service the many evacuees in Baton Rouge and further participate in the disaster relief efforts. As such, we would like to appeal to our fellow arts organizations across the country to participate in what we are calling the Arts United for Hurricane Relief program. We are asking that organizations consider ways to solicit hurricane relief donations. Some of the ways that they might participate is by placing a donation jar in the their lobby, including an insert or ad in the program, including a link on their website or possibly donating the proceeds of a special performance. There are a variety of funds to which the proceeds can be donated including the American Red Cross (www.redcross.org), The Hurricane Katrina Displaced Residents Fund or the Hurricane Katrina New Orleans Recovery Fund both of the Baton Rouge Area Foundation (www.braf.org) or the Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund of the LSU Foundation. We are certainly not asking that any organization jeopardize their own funding efforts, but any assistance would be greatly appreciated. We are currently setting-up a link on our website (www.swinepalace.org) which will provide additional information, links and downloads as well as a list of all the organizations that participate. In the meantime, organizations who would like to participate can contact me at 225-578-9274 or ksosno1@lsu.edu
Thank you for your assistance.
Kristin Sosnowsky
Managing Director
Swine Palace Productions
Reilly Theatre
Tower Dr. - LSU
Baton Rouge, LA 70803
---------------
Also of note, at Mass MoCA all the proceeds from the Sept. 4th concert will go to Hurricane Relief.
Sun September 4 7:30pm
Dance Party
New Orleans R & B
Walter "Wolfman" Washington
Mixing up funk, soul, and blues with the classic Big Easy R&B sound, Walter "Wolfman" Washington storms into town to raise the roof and lower inhibitions at a dance party not to be missed.
"A mess of straight-up soul music the way they used to do it. Sweaty funk grooves, a busy brass section huffing and puffing, late-night love songs, and heartfelt vocals that follow no script because the Wolfman is just feeling it too much." -Boston Phoenix
Courtyard C or Hunter Center $14 in advance/$17 day of show
check:
www.massmoca.org
Hurricane Katrina & The Arts
Some Ways You Can Help
I am writing from Swine Palace, the professional theatre company affiliated with the Louisiana State University Department of Theatre in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. I am hoping you can pass on to your readers information regarding an arts-related unified disaster relief effort. As the reports from New Orleans continue to come in, it is clear that South Louisiana faces a dire situation as a result of Hurricane Katrina. Here in Baton Rouge, we are expecting our population to double in the next few days as more evacuees and displaced citizens are relocated here.
Currently, Swine Palace is working on a number of ways to service the many evacuees in Baton Rouge and further participate in the disaster relief efforts. As such, we would like to appeal to our fellow arts organizations across the country to participate in what we are calling the Arts United for Hurricane Relief program. We are asking that organizations consider ways to solicit hurricane relief donations. Some of the ways that they might participate is by placing a donation jar in the their lobby, including an insert or ad in the program, including a link on their website or possibly donating the proceeds of a special performance. There are a variety of funds to which the proceeds can be donated including the American Red Cross (www.redcross.org), The Hurricane Katrina Displaced Residents Fund or the Hurricane Katrina New Orleans Recovery Fund both of the Baton Rouge Area Foundation (www.braf.org) or the Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund of the LSU Foundation. We are certainly not asking that any organization jeopardize their own funding efforts, but any assistance would be greatly appreciated. We are currently setting-up a link on our website (www.swinepalace.org) which will provide additional information, links and downloads as well as a list of all the organizations that participate. In the meantime, organizations who would like to participate can contact me at 225-578-9274 or ksosno1@lsu.edu
Thank you for your assistance.
Kristin Sosnowsky
Managing Director
Swine Palace Productions
Reilly Theatre
Tower Dr. - LSU
Baton Rouge, LA 70803
---------------
Also of note, at Mass MoCA all the proceeds from the Sept. 4th concert will go to Hurricane Relief.
Sun September 4 7:30pm
Dance Party
New Orleans R & B
Walter "Wolfman" Washington
Mixing up funk, soul, and blues with the classic Big Easy R&B sound, Walter "Wolfman" Washington storms into town to raise the roof and lower inhibitions at a dance party not to be missed.
"A mess of straight-up soul music the way they used to do it. Sweaty funk grooves, a busy brass section huffing and puffing, late-night love songs, and heartfelt vocals that follow no script because the Wolfman is just feeling it too much." -Boston Phoenix
Courtyard C or Hunter Center $14 in advance/$17 day of show
check:
www.massmoca.org
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