Art & Fim and everything in between:
KAWS
You probably know this guy, but I thought i would throw his name in for a sweet reminder.
Brian Donnelly (b. 1974) is a New York–based artist best known by the moniker KAWS, which he has used since the 1990s for both his work as a graffiti and in branding his fiercely entrepreneurial ventures into clothing and product design
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His signature cartoon skull and XX eyes were seen by hundreds of thousands in a hugely influential “interventionist” series when, in 1996, he began altering light-box ads on Manhattan streets.
He reputedly received a skeleton key from a fellow artist, allowing him easy access to phone booth and bus shelter advertising displays throughout the city.
Always on the produce for something fresh and unique so be informed or fall behind.
Synecdoche New York
I can always find the time to sit down and watch the great Philip Seymour Hoffman. Yet again playing an overly dramatic film and pulling off his roll to the most professional degree. Synedoche New York is a beautifully written and directed (Charlie Kaufman) tragicomedy which portrays a life of a man creating his master piece theatre in a real life size New York set. He is determined to use the big studio’s money to create an artistic piece of brutal realism and honesty, something into which he can pour his whole self. A powerful movie filled with humor and drama which makes you think about choices and how they resonate throughout our lives. Nonetheless a great watch whether you laugh or cry.
[Sih-NECK-doh-kee]
noun A figure of speech in which a part is used for the whole (ashand for sailor), the whole for a part (as the law for police officer), the specific for the general (as cutthroat for assassin), the general for the specific (as thief for pickpocket), or the material for the thing made from it (as steel for sword).
And in case you need reminding Charlie Kaufman wrote “Being John Malkovich”, “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” and “Adaptation”.
Amores Perros
One of my all time favourite movies due to the brilliance of art direction by Mexican film director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu. A master piece construit from three compelling stories which all reflect human and life values and how they may live dark or even hideous lives.
Amores Perros also translated as Loves a Bitch in marketing terms, deeply evolves around a horrific car accident which connects three stories; each character dealing with loss, regret, and life’s harsh realities, all in the name of love.
With such a fierce and unpredictable story, it delivers a film of high energy and a dark wit, yet it is capable of profound reflection and tragic irony. An enthralling and brutal masterpiece which conveys realism and complexity through gritty and harsh cinematic scenes.
If you liked Traffic, and your a fan of Crash then I believe you will take pleasure in watching this.
NZ cinema
I would have to post a couple New Zealand films, because there’s good chance that you have never watched them and I believe you could be in for a little treat.
Once were Warriors is a story of a urban Maori family which portrays the reality of domestic violence. The film shows the cultural changes between traditional beliefs, and the present changes inside a Maori household.
Jake the muss (Temuera Morrison), is undoubtedly the centre of most of the action in the film, who is unemployed and spends most of the day getting drunk at the local bar with his friends. At the local pub “The Red Fox” (which is about a cool 45 minute drive outside of Auckland) he spends most of his time is in his element, buying drinks, singing songs and savagely beating any other patron who he considers to have stepped out of line (hence his nickname of ‘The Muss’). While he thinks of himself as an easy going type of guy, who enjoys a cold beer and a good laugh, he turns viciously violent when he becomes drunk. This is highlighted when his wife dares to ‘get lippy’ at one of his parties and he savagely attacks her in front of their friends. None the less, there is a real story of a family with strong personalities with a lot of drama and emotion.
Bad Taste is an early Peter Jackson flick, with a tiny budget and a B grade acting team. For all of you who don’t know, Peter Jackson (Lord of the Rings Trilogy & King Kong) is a New Zealand born director from Pukerua Bay, a coastal town just outside the capital.
This is definitely not comparable with his major productions, but is a good spin off for a “splatstick” horror comedy. Its about Aliens from outer space, invading a fictional town with plans to harvest humans for their intergalatic fast food franchise. There is plenty of Oooze and gory special effects, so if that’s what your in to, than check it out !
