Curio: Viewing The Master

Alexa here. I just can't let the week go by without posting something about my biggest film boner since Black Swan, PT Anderson's The Master.  I know this is bandwagon time, but my excitement knows no bounds here. I can't wait to see Joaquin Phoenix back in prime form; I will always forgive his sidestep into indulgence because, the talent!  And another film paired with Johnny Greenwood's haunting tones? Yes please!  I missed Chicago's only 70mm showing (grrr), but will be first in line on Friday.  To force you to revel in anticipation with me, I present a few fan posters (with the exception of Wes Anderson, no one brings out the fan art quite like PT), and some fabulous photographs taken from the set by photographer Jack Erling.

Poster by Duane Valentino.

One more fan poster and evocative photos from the set after the jump

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Curio: Leslye's Film Life

Alexa here. There's nothing I love more than reading a fan memoir, or more adequately put, a life story as told through beloved music or film.  Some of Pauline Kael's reviews read that way to me. I also enjoyed Nick Hornby's Songbook.  Right now I'm reading The Film That Changed My Life, which compiles some amazing interviews with directors about that favorite, pivotal film that changed things. I was similarly moved reading Leslye's great post, which reminded me of how films have shaped me, and also how my life shaped my viewing of certain films. Being at my most depressed helped add to my love of The Big Lebowski, as it finally lifted me from the funk. And seeing Rosemary's Baby during puberty, when I felt my body was betraying me, was a most visceral experience. 

Since mine is an arts column, I thought in honor of Leslye's coming-of-age tales I'd post some visual homages to her film signposts. (And if you're wondering why The Philadelphia Story is missing, it's because someone needs to get on designing a good indie poster for that one, stat!)

Rushmore lithograph by Cameron Thorne.

Love and Death by Richard Noble and Rita Sales Luís.

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Curio: Cinema Notes

Alexa here. Since Nathaniel showed off his Ruby Sparks swag and Glenn showed off his Ruby Sparks notes, I felt the need to weigh in on my recent search for the perfect movie journal. My absolute favorites were produced by Smythson of Bond Street.  I find them ideal for my reviewing purposes: leather bound, with a simple title ("Film Notes"), with all the relevant fill-in-the-blanks on the movie's production and your viewing on one page (which I normally completed before the film) and ample space for scribbles during the viewing on the facing page.  I bought as many as I could find once I found out Smythson was no longer making them, grrr.

One of my Smythsons, with some notes made during a viewing of I've Loved You So Long.As I fill up my remaining volumes I've been on a search for a replacement model, with no luck.  The closest I've some are these that Moleskine is offering as a part of its "Passions" series, but alas they have too many bells and whistles for my liking, and not enough scribble space.

I'm still on the lookout. In the meantime I've found some fun examples that give me inspiration to perhaps decorate my own moleskine next. Click for some fun handmade notebooks inspired by John Waters, Grease, Black Swan, and The Princess Bride...

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Curio: Painterly Posters by Aaron Wells

Alexa here. I always enjoy a film poster that is actually painted; the eye tires of seeing only minimal vector graphics. So I love these posters I found on etsy created by freelance illustrator and painter Aaron Wells...

I think his choice of films lends itself to the painterly treatment in different ways, both through caricature and use of imagination. 

Or maybe I just like his taste. You can buy prints at his shop, and all are priced under $20! After the jump a two Darren Aronofsky gems and and The Fifth Element...

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Curio: Glinda the Good Witch

Alexa here.  Today is Billie Burke's birthday.  Billie was a Broadway star, a Ziegfeld girl (literally: she was married to Florenz Ziegfeld, Jr. until his death), and a silent movie actress who made a successful move to the talkies.  But she is most remembered for her embodiment of Glinda the Good Witch in The Wizard of Oz. I was thrilled at the casting of Michelle Williams as the prequel version of the sorceress; of anyone out there I think she would project the same angelic charm Billie did. (That trailer was great, but where was Glinda's bubble? She'd better have a bubble.)

Here are some artsy creations to celebrate Billie's canonic version of Glinda.

Diorama of Dorothy and Glinda in Munchkinland, by Natasha Burns.

Typographical illustration of Glinda's words by ChattyNora.

cookies & dolls & artwork oh my... after the jump

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