Harry Potter

Energy, Liveliness, and the spirit of the teens contaminated Leicester Square. The eager young ladies and gents waited for the moment when their Harry, Ron, or Hermione would stroll in their direction on the red carpet. Everyone tends to have a favorite. Posters were plastered around the Odeon Theater for the premiere of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix with anxious fans screaming as each car arrived. The pouring rain and bitter weather didn’t stop anyone from the excitement including myself. Not being to up to date with J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series doesn’t mean one should miss out on wizards, spells, and magic. Sadly, my name was not on the “special” list so I was unable to be apart of the VIP crowd but I did get to see some star studded atmosphere from afar.

A screen was set up on one side of the theater for those who couldn’t or wouldn’t fight thru the crowd of people on the opposite end. Though really hostility wasn’t a factor as everyone was there for one thing and one thing only, to be apart of the Potter extravaganza. Television cameras and their correspondents were lined up in one section for their chance to bombard with questions. I was surprised to not see anyone dressed up. Back home, at a Harry Potter premiere it was unheard of to not go to the extremes. Even at a Star Wars premiere you’d see Anakin’s.

Walking around London I knew the Harry Potter Film would have to be a tremendous event. I searched Google because accurate information was imperative. Hope everyone enjoyed the show and shower on a Tuesday in London town.

Wizard of Oz

The Wizard of Oz will always remain an all time classic. When little, each and every one of us sat down to watch as Victor Fleming introduces to us a tale of a Kansas girl whose dream is to find happiness “somewhere over the rainbow.” I admit, it had been awhile since I had seen the Scarecrow, Lion, and Tin Man along with the Wicked Witch. This time I noticed certain props I had never observed before. When Dorothy and her three unfortunate misfits went to retrieve the witch’s broom, I had never realized the scarecrow caring a gun before as well as the lion’s string being so noticeable.
If I were to give psychological approach to Fleming’s Wizard of Oz, in my opinion, Dorothy would be a main character I would psychoanalyze. Dorothy first companion, scarecrow, seemed to have a strong kinship as he was with her from beginning to end. The way I see is, the scarecrow was in a sense a father figure to Dorothy as if you watch closely you will see he stood by her and was protective throughout the film. When Dorothy became hungry he took a beating of apples so she could eat, when she grew tired of walking towards emerald city he asked for her hand to carry her, and when Dorothy was trapped in the witch’s castle he was responsible for developing the plan to sneak in and rescue her. From my observation, the scarecrow would have been nearest and dearest to Dorothy’s heart.

Jude Law

You know it’s funny, the movie Le Samourai was not awful yet it does not strike me as a film most would rush to buy tickets for either. I‘m not to familiar with Jean- Pierre Melville’s work but let me tell you someone who is, Jude Law. How can one handsome, good looking, beautiful, and gorgeous man draw the attention of many to a 1967 Film? He shows up to introduce the film that’s how! Everyone was sitting in their chairs anxiously waiting for Jude to grace us with his presence. I must admit I was beginning to think it would just be my luck and Jude Law would be no where in sight. I thought, without a doubt, the lights would go down and he would appear on screen saying “Le Samourai is one of my all time favorite films. Enjoy!” Luckily, this was not the case. When Mr. Law entered the theater, you could see the excitement of the audience which consisted of mainly females. Now I can’t really explain or give any details as to what his mini interview entailed but I can tell you the audience stared at him in awe.
Once Jude introduced the film, he walked down the aisle towards the enter and exit doors. Flashes of light went off like fireworks and the audience eyes stayed with him. At one point I left to the restroom and noticed at least eleven seats that were empty when the seats began completely filled. I guess its fact, having a celebrity introduce a film draws spectators.

Dali & Film

On June 13, I attended the Dali and Film exhibition at Tate Modern. Again, I am not too familiar in critiquing artistic paintings, but I must say I personally was not impressed with Salvador Dali’s work. In my opinion, Dali wanted to be shocking when it came to his work. His paintings were sort of hard to interpret and seemed a bit busy with to much going on all at once. My visual rendering of Dali’s art seemed to be almost like a dream. I read that a range of of his work was done during a period of psychological issues which may explain why some of his art may seem like a dream. When people dream, occasionally, our dreams tend to have no meaning with questionable surroundings. Surrealism indeed was Dali’s aspiration.
In the picture Freud’s Perverse Poly Morph (1939), a child is eating a dead rat. I can not fathom as to why a picture that is revolting is seen as art. I couldn’t help but wonder what type of happy thoughts Dali had. I was, on the other hand, quite impressed with the lobster phone. The lobster phone was funky and fun which I would refer to as creatively artistic. Shirley Temple, the youngest sacred Monster of Contemporary Cinema (1939), was another painting which Dali wanted to trick his audience since Shirley was one of Hollywood’s stars. The picture consisted of Shirley Temple’s head rested on a body of a gargoyle with a bat sitting upon her head surrounded by beach sand and skeleton bones.
Some may not be fans of Salvador Dali’s efforts but he did catch the eye of both Hitchcock and Walt Disney with his imagination as well as vibrancy in Destino and Fantasia.

Sacred

I grew up always attending Catholic school. We were always taught scriptures or old and new testaments of the Bible. I think I may just ask for a refund because what I saw today at the British Library was rather stimulating. The exhibit focused on three religions which were Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. What surprised me the most was how these three as well as other religions all share the same history, beliefs, and culture in one way or another. What was for the most part shocking, was the laid out Bibles and texts of the various religions. Many people define themselves with religion, it’s a shame our faiths cause some to shun one another.
I was taken aback how Judaism, Islamic, and Christians worship. Whether it’s in a synagogue, church, or chapel, we all somewhat pray in similar ceremonies. When it comes to Marriage, each get married in their place of worship except for Muslims, They have arranged marriages and the females get dowries. Death, I found to be kind of humorous as the Judaism religion buries on the same day, Islamic wash, wrap , then bury the body as soon as possible, and the Christians take a week or so as they need to make arrangements. Lets not forget the golden rule we were taught as children. Christians were told “do onto others as you would want them to do onto you”, Hindu’s say “hurt not another or cause them pain”, and “not one is a believer until you love your neighbor” which is Buddha’s golden rule. At the end of the day we all have the same values and SACRED traditions.

Sketch

The gallery Sketch, which also turns into a restaurant, café, and art museum, was quite intriguing. Walking in felt like walking into a new world. I got excited when I saw hop scotch on the floor. Couldn’t help it I had to go for it so I did all six squares. Continuing down the hallway of artsy figures, I came to a room of all white. The Blessing by artist Claire Hooper struck me as a bit odd in the beginning. The twelve screen room with different video channels and diverse footage on each screen caused me to be awestruck. When you sit down, one would have to switch seats about four times as you will catch a different piece of footage.
A man walking into an art gallery who brakes into a seizure laid the foundation for me to think this is all somewhat bizarre. Another screen shows various ethnic people with their eyes closed. They went into zen mode and a state of peace. Space figures began to float along with an upbeat sound which reminded me of Star Wars to be honest. A man holding a prism which many feel could symbolize religion yet hit me as a sign to take a look closer. In the finale, a man and women are sitting on and in the exact room of the gallery. Both opened their eyes. Again I took this footage a sense of zen and meditation of course this is my take on it. One of the great things about art I’ve learned is that you don’t have to be right or wrong about your judgment. Its how you chose to perceive and take it all in.

The Lost Weekend

Billy Wilder’s film, The Lost weekend, is not only a film that I could and will watch again but a film that hit close to home. Don Birnam character, took me back in time when an immediate member of my family suffered from alcoholism. As I watched I could only think how lucky Don is to have the love and backing of family and friends. Don battled being an alcoholic for several years. The scene when Don’s in the bar having a flashback to the night he met Helen, his Love, I couldn’t help but realize how heartbreaking addiction can be as it is most hurtful on ones self than on others that surround you. In the film, when he hid his alcoholism from Helen, I could see Don wanting to change but he was weak and let it get the best of him. From personal experience it may take some time but with support and patience, it may turn out to be the best cure.
Don’s character that’s battling writers block turns to booze. One turns to an addictive substance to fight the pain. Honestly I’m not quite sure as how this can happen mainly because I like to always be in control of myself. When Don stated drinking was a vicious circle, he couldn’t have been more accurate. Don went from bad to worse. The film explained in sequence how he rummaged to find funds, went to a nearby bar, and drank to the point of guilt as he hid from Helen and his brother. It seems to me that in the beginning Don was lost but in the end he found himself one again.

ROCK- N-ROLL !!

Ever wonder what girls do with their boyfriends? Well if you went to the Rock –N-Roll Cinema show you would! You might even find out what makes men EXCITED…animation style. I enjoyed our day out in Bricklane. Some might have got the feeling like they were going to get mugged but I have yet to feel that way around London, though, don’t worry I haven’t put my guard down yet. I had never been to a short film festival ever. My best friends a film major but have never been able to accompany her to any shows. A lot of what they showed seemed to be American short films loaded with humor. I enjoyed La Vie D’Un Chien which tells the tale of a scientist whom forms a formula that will turn humans into a dog. I’m not saying it’s wrong to fall in love with another female dog cause who am I to judge but its gotta be weird….Hilarious though. Great fun!!

La Dolce Vita

From what I’ve learned so far about Frederico Fellini, His films tended to state a message or meaning in every scene he delivers in his films.La dolce vita represented what some might depict in their own way or through their own eyes as”the sweet life”. Marcello (a man whom fancies lots of women and does not believes in monogamy) seemed to me in some ways lost yet envious. Lost because he couldn’t write yet it was his occupation and envious because he admired the life of his mentor whom had wealth, family, happiness. Though I must say I have some…. no strike that various questions when it comes to this film such as, why the same paparazzi guys shared information with Marcello?, why were the people gathering for the Madonna Tree and if they worshiped it so much why did they knock it over?, why he rode the drunk female?, and What was he importance of them walking to the beach only to find what they referred to as a monster being pulled out of the water and the waitress mouthing words to Marcello.
Not quite sure what I feel about Fellini, as I am new to his film work, but I’m open to the idea of viewing more. Hopefully I begin to catch on to his symbolism and hidden connotations