People vs. Paper
By any consideration, Miles Davis was a jerk. Andrew Dansby writes “to those that had the misfortune of sidling up to Davis in a social setting, he would unleash a furious flurry of profanity that could cut the thickest of skin.” On the other hand, he was also a prolific talent, the prolific talent of jazz. Do our creative heroes have to be good people for us to like them? Unfortunately, I don’t have a good answer. In fact, this is something I have grappled with for years….
Books and Lyrics
For the longest time, I thought that Aerosmith’s “Dream On” was about single women: Single women, live for today, maybe tomorrow the good Lord will take you away. The lyrics actually go “Sing with me, sing it for the year, sing for the laughter and sing for the tear,” which really does not make much more sense when you think about it. According to the Internet, I’m not the only one who thinks like this. But does it really matter what we hear versus what…
Letting Your Characters Speak
There’s a wonderful line from Roger Ebert’s review of Ordinary People, written all the way back in 1980. If you haven’t seen it, the film centers around a boy, Conrad (Timothy Hutton), who must deal not only with the death of his older brother but his cold, loveless mom (Mary Tyler Moore). Oh, and he recently attempted suicide. Here’s the quote: “The sessions of psychiatric therapy are supposed to contain the moments of the film’s most visible insights, I suppose. But even more effective, for…
On First Drafts
Fleetwood Mac released a “super deluxe” version of their blockbuster 1977 album Rumours this month. When I first heard this on WXPN, I thought, yeah, another cash grab. But then the deejay played some of the outtakes included on the disc. I had heard “Songbird” before, but never like this. The goofy production was stripped. Christine McVie’s voice didn’t feel put on and massaged. Most importantly, it didn’t feel like the treacle on Rumours; this “Songbird” was a beautiful folk song. It made me think…
The Right Words
There is a brilliant article in the New York Times about last words that I think everyone should read. Writer Bruce Feiler discusses some of the strategies people use to say goodbye before “checking out.” Interestingly, Gene Siskel never spoke to partner Roger Ebert about his death; they never even really exchanged farewells. Feiler writes that this is acceptable; everyone treats death differently. There is no right way to say those last things. There are no right words. This article got me thinking about…
Approachability
The other day in the midst of studying I wrote “approachable” in my notebook and drifted back into my new life of physics equations. Despite the all-consuming science courses, I have been thinking about that word a lot lately and what it means to writers. I think my favorite books and movies are the kind that inspire me to write my own. I return from Faulkner’s Mississippi and I think, Wouldn’t it be great to rewrite Yoknapatawpha County but this time make it Montgomery? Of…
A Leaf
It’s fall, and despite Sandy, there are still a few leaves left on the trees here. I have been thinking a lot about the changing leaves, perhaps because it has been a long time since I’ve been in Philadelphia this time of year, perhaps because I could use a study break. Either way, it’s enough of a show to make me stop and stare at the oaks on campus walking to class or back to my apartment across the street. It feels like there is…
Final Cut Pro
It’s the day of the premiere. I spent last night fixing the final edits with Danny and Tony, my co-directors on our film workshop’s final project. I was certain that the film was finished. All we had to do was copy the cut to a DVD for the professor. I knew Danny and Tony could take of it, so instead of sitting with them in the edit bay, I go to class. Big mistake. As I watched the film that night with everyone else I…
Say More with Less
I watched The Red Violin for the first time last week. There is so much going on in this centuries long story of a violin and its many lovers, it is hard to pinpoint what I really liked about this movie. The cinematography was picture perfect and you can’t get better than John Corigliano’s score (and Joshua Bell’s soloing), but as often happens in movies I like, there are one or two aspects I focused on. The violin somehow makes it from England to Shanghai….
On Foreshadowing
Note: This article contains spoilers for both True Grit (the new one) and Casablanca. If you have not seen either of these films, please exercise caution while reading this. “One must not put a loaded rifle on the stage if no one is thinking of firing it.” -Chekhov I watched True Grit last week for the first time. This was perhaps the best decision I have made in a while. It’s nice to watch a truly good film for those moments of casual inspiration, and…
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