At the Lost-and-Found

• 2010-01-01

  

  2010.

  For auld lang syne, my dear,
  for auld lang syne,
  we’ll take a cup of kindness yet,
  for auld lang syne.
  And surely you’ll buy your pint cup!
  and surely I’ll buy mine!
  And we’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet,
  for auld lang syne.

• 2009-12-07

  The Cinema.

  Oh the joy of the cinema! There is nothing like being in a movie theater, people sitting around you, everyone engaged in the experience of catharsis together. This weekend I was able to catch two movies that I had my eye on for quite some time.

  The first was Fantastic Mr. Fox. And it really was fantastic. Wes Anderson never dissapoints. I must say I was a little unsure as to how his directorial style would translate to the world of animation—but what he produced is seamless, truly beautiful, truly spectatcular, art. I especially enjoyed Jason Schwartzman’s portrayal of Ash… which was splendid in its pathetic hubris. Overall, brilliant.

  

  Secondly, I saw Up in the Air, which was enjoyable but not Jason Reitman’s best (who I happened to weirdly see at the showing of FMF the night before). Up in the Air is clearly defined in its style and script, but seems to wax poetic on the philosophical virtues and vices of loneliness. The theme is pretty obvious within the first 5 minutes, and after one hour and forty-nine minutes, it all seems just a little trite. However, the acting throughout the film was consistent and engaging, making the experience absolutely worth it. I left the movie happy I had seen it. Not floored, but certainly entertained.

  

• 2009-12-05

  Sometimes actors can forget that theater and film are ultimately play. The cast of UNCERTAINTY, however, have fantastic memories.

  hitrecordjoe:

  I’ve never seen so many people on a set ALL join in with spontaneous revelry in the middle of a work day.  And I’ve been on a lot of sets.  This is the spirit that made UNCERTAINTY the movie it is.  I do recommend it.

  BTW, It did really great it’s opening weekend in NY, it’s gonna expand to more cities now, and I’m pretty sure you can still watch it On Demand, however that works.

  uncertaintyfilm:

  La Bamba

  Some down time on set.  Joe picked up a guitar that was being used as a prop and an impromptu sing-along ensued.  One of the actors in the cast of Uncertainty shot this clip with a phone.

  Source: uncertaintyfilm

• 2009-11-22

  SNL

  Just got around to watching Joseph Gordon Levitt on Saturday Night Live (from 11/21/09) - so much lovely all around. He’s really an actor’s actor… absolutely fearless… commits… makes every decision life or death. I tip my hat to you sir! Also, Dave Matthews playing Ozzy Osbourne, meta-commenting on Dave Matthews… brilliant.

• 2009-11-16

  I had the privilege of hearing this performed by the Spizzwinks(?) 2009-2010. It was absolutely breathtaking. The chapel went completely silent. It was one of those moments where you feel like a part of the art being made. Beautiful.

• →

  The End.

  Sunday night marked the end of my last fall production at Marymount, An Italian Straw Hat. It was such a beautiful experience and I know that I will never forget the sense of love that developed between the cast, the crew, the wedding party, and the baroness’ guests, the army, and the civilians, the horse and the hat. With poppies. I am so grateful for everyone that was involved in the show and everyone that came to support us. There is something so fulfilling about giving the gift of a story, taking empty space and creating a world. I am lucky that I have the opportunity to play pretend with some of the most loving and giving people I know in the safest place I know. I am lucky to be able to spend time with these silly-serious-opposites-of-people (Thank You Tom Stoppard). But, “everything good thing must finally have an end.”

  

• 2009-11-08

  Blue Valentine.

  
  
  One of the things I promised myself I would do this year is sing at my high school’s “jazz cafe.” I have a horrible fear of singing and I am pretty much convinced that I have the worst voice ever (which is probably somewhat true). BUT, in order to get over my fear, I am thinking of performing this song. I think it’s a perfect song. Literally, it’s perfect.

• →

  Genius.

  
  
  A dear friend showed me this last night, and honestly, it might be one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen. If you’re not familiar with Muse, let me just say that things are not as they appear.

• 2009-11-07

  Winter Mix 1 2009-2010

  First batch of music I will most likely be listening to while doing homework in the library or reading at home:

  Alone In Kyoto - Air
  Winter I Allegro Non Molto - Vivaldi        
  Satellite Heart - Anya Marina 
  Clair de Lune - Debussy          
  it’s allright - bang gang
  My Funny Valentine - Chet Baker
  Don’t Panic - Coldplay
  Red Right Ankle - The Decemberists          
  The Lottery - Emily Haines & The Soft Skeleton
  Deer Stop - Goldfrapp
  Signed I Wish You Well - Helios        
  Darcy’s Letter - Jean-Yves Thibaudet
  Everything’ll Be Alright (Will’s Lullaby) - Joshua Radin
  The Tourist - Radiohead  
  Jolene - Ray Lamontagne
  Summer 78 - Yann Tiersen
  Corpus Christi Carol -  Jeff Buckley
  
  

• →

  Inaugural Post! Emily Wells!

  Here you will find video, art, music, text - an amalgam of the arts - available for your viewing pleasure. First up, Emily Wells… I had the pleasure of seeing her open for Joshua Radin at the Music Box in Los Angeles. She is truly a force to be reckoned with. I hope we hear lots more from her in the future. Normally, she plays with mini-orchestras, but on rare occassion she will play solo, literally mixing her music and recording it as she plays. Absolutely brilliant. Click on the post title to check her out.