by Jillian Butler, Ampersandology
A splendid documentary detailing the not-quite love affair between famed New York Ballet ballerina Suzanne Farrell and her choreographer, "Mr. B"(George Balanchine), and her life and career as one of the most famous dancers in the world. The narrative combines archival footage with candid interviews, and quite frankly, is the bomb. Although I can't help but wonder if the producers of Mad Men were making a statement when they named one of Don's girlfriends after her...
Three privileged New Yorkers hit thirty and find themselves nowhere in particular, and this intelligent, rapt novel details their adventures of self-discovery (which, most often, resembles something closer to self-delusion). Messud's writing is sharp and satirical towards her characters, all the product of a self-aware, overindulged generation, but keeps their struggles (or lack thereof) deeply sympathetic. If you have friends who are artists, OR WORSE, have secretly BEEN ONE all this time, you will recognize at least one character on these pages. Beware the perils of vaulted expectations and artistic entitlement, I always say. To myself. As a warning. But also as a crutch.
You might recognize this haunting track from the trailer for The Social Network, or, as it's aptly nicknamed in my circle, "the Facebook movie". But I know it as only one of the many wonders produced by Scala & Kolacny Brothers, a Belgian girls' choir which covers mostly modern songs in classic choral arrangements (featuring U2! The Divinyls! Motherflippin' THE CURE!). This particular offering, a version of Radiohead's "Creep", single-handedly transforms the Aaron Sorkin-penned film about the development of a webpage most often used for updating friends on the status of your ham sandwich into a tragic, Orwellian opera for twenty-somethings:
Not to miss: their version of Nirvana's "">Smells Like Teen Spirit" and Depeche Mode's (!) "">Dream On." DEPECHE MODE, you guys. That's all I needed out of life. I can finally retire and live out my days on a family farm in rural Ohio.
Or.
Not do that. Yep. One of those two options, for sure.
WATCHING...
READING...
The Emperor's Children, by Claire Messud (2006)
Three privileged New Yorkers hit thirty and find themselves nowhere in particular, and this intelligent, rapt novel details their adventures of self-discovery (which, most often, resembles something closer to self-delusion). Messud's writing is sharp and satirical towards her characters, all the product of a self-aware, overindulged generation, but keeps their struggles (or lack thereof) deeply sympathetic. If you have friends who are artists, OR WORSE, have secretly BEEN ONE all this time, you will recognize at least one character on these pages. Beware the perils of vaulted expectations and artistic entitlement, I always say. To myself. As a warning. But also as a crutch.
LISTENING...
Dream On, Scala And Kolacny Brothers (2004)
You might recognize this haunting track from the trailer for The Social Network, or, as it's aptly nicknamed in my circle, "the Facebook movie". But I know it as only one of the many wonders produced by Scala & Kolacny Brothers, a Belgian girls' choir which covers mostly modern songs in classic choral arrangements (featuring U2! The Divinyls! Motherflippin' THE CURE!). This particular offering, a version of Radiohead's "Creep", single-handedly transforms the Aaron Sorkin-penned film about the development of a webpage most often used for updating friends on the status of your ham sandwich into a tragic, Orwellian opera for twenty-somethings:
Not to miss: their version of Nirvana's "">Smells Like Teen Spirit" and Depeche Mode's (!) "">Dream On." DEPECHE MODE, you guys. That's all I needed out of life. I can finally retire and live out my days on a family farm in rural Ohio.
Or.
Not do that. Yep. One of those two options, for sure.
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