As I thought about how best to commemorate this our twentieth issue, I came to the unfortunate realization that my piece would have to incorporate the number twenty. Even more discouraging was that by necessity (aka a shoddy showing of ideas from the old brainbox), "twenty" was going to have to present itself in some … Continue reading 20 “Foreign” Films to Die For (Preferably After Viewing)
The Artist (It Do Matter if You’re Black and White)
The Jazz Singer premiered on October 6, 1927 at the Warner Brothers flagship theater in New York City. By this time, the cultural palette of the American and European bourgeoisie had become rather accustomed to film as a form of entertainment. Though silent film with live orchestral accompaniment was the mainstay of the industry, recorded … Continue reading The Artist (It Do Matter if You’re Black and White)
Melancholia and the End of the World
Two years ago at Cannes, Lars Von Trier premiered his film Antichrist. Despite loving most things Von Trier, I couldn't bring myself to watch the film due to its plethora of tortuous (quite literally) and sexual depictions that made even Cannes critics cringe. I'm no philistine, but the impression I got from reading dozens of … Continue reading Melancholia and the End of the World
Best of 2011
Since any idiot can compile a traditional "Best of 2011" list (see below), I've decided to take the road less traveled and recount a few occasions over the last year that were of personal import to me. In a year that featured, amongst other things, the completion of a masters in community something or other … Continue reading Best of 2011
Silence is Golden with Buster Keaton
It was only in the 1920s that "talkies" became the popular film currency, eclipsing more than two decades of silent film. Prior to "talkies," cinema was an entirely visual experience, and a monochrome one at that. And I had no idea how pure film could be - and how cluttered the modern cinema-going experience actually … Continue reading Silence is Golden with Buster Keaton
Of Gods and Men
Near our house is a wonderful little establishment called the Herzliya Cinematheque. Its two cinemas fit snugly into the nook of a building in the city center of Herzliya, and as of August 2008, it has been serving rather generous portions of arthouse, foreign, and independent fare. A few of my most memorable experiences include … Continue reading Of Gods and Men
Writing Is Prayer 