Monday, December 31, 2007

Picture a day in 2008




Happy almost New Year!




My resolution is to take a picture a day to practice photography. Here's one of an SF neighborhood. Enjoy!








The film M by Fritz Lang

The last DVD I watched was M by Fritz Lang.

This film is a black and white film with dialogue in German, but English subtitles.
What I liked about it was that I was watching a noir type film. The scenes were artistically filmed and the whole film had a Hitchcock-like air about it. Also, there were funny bits in it, although it is supposed to be a crime thriller.

The plot revolves around a serial child murderer named Hans Beckert. He is portrayed by Peter Lorre, a man with wild eyes that open so wide that you can see all of the pupil and the whites all around. The police are scouring the town and conducting extensive raids in search of the murderer. The increased police raids disturb the underworld. They too are against the serial murderer, whom they believe is spoiling their reputation as honorable theives and crooks. As a result, they have decided to take the matter in their own hands and use their network of beggars to help find the murderer.

Ultimately the beggars network successfully identifies the murderer by his characteristic whistle. His coat is "branded" with the letter 'M' for murderer, so that they don't lose sight of him. The underworld wants to bring him to justice and try Hans, but eventually the police come on the scene and interrupt the proceedings. The last scene in the film is in a courtroom with the camera focusing on a weeping mother in mourning, who says that everyone should all pay closer attention to their children.

Bottom line: This film is a good way to pass approx. 1.5 hours.

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Life of Bwian

I watched the film "Life of Brian" recently because a British co-worker said that this movie was a classic. It was really funny if you like absurd comedy, which I do. It's the story of how a normal guy named Brian is mistaken as a wise man or messiah.

One of my favorite scenes was during a "Children's matinee" in a Colosseum-like setting. They threw a scrawny slave into the ring and had a burly gladiator type person fight him. The slave began to run around in circles with with huge gladiator lumbering after him. After a while of running in circles, the gladiator collapses from a heart attack while the slave ends up winning triumphantly because he was physically fitter.

Then another memorable moment is at the end when some people being crucified start singing "Always look on the bright side of life" and whistling cheerily.

Also, the lisping of Pontius Pilate was also hilarious. This is a must see!

Monday, December 17, 2007

Renaissance

So, I've decided to rev this blog up and make more regular postings, hence the fitting title - Renaissance.

Stay tuned...

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