Ode to Salvador Dali (excerpt, translated)

by Federico Garcia Lorca

...I sing your restless longing for the statue,
your fear of the feelings that await you in the street.
I sing the small sea siren who sings to you,
riding her bicycle of corals and conches.

But above all I sing a common thought
that joins us in the dark and golden hours.
The light that blinds our eyes is not art.
Rather it is love, friendship, crossed swords...

Dream Cast Thursday! Gilda

This week's Dream Cast Thursday is Gilda. The original film came out in 1946 and was written by Jo Eisinger and directed by Charles Vidor.

The first character that I recast was Gilda. She was originally played by Rita Hayworth. For my adaptation, I recast Rachel Weisz.

The second character that I recast was Johnny Farrell. He was originally played by Glenn Ford. For my adaptation, I cast Robert Downey Jr.

The last character that I recast was Ballin Mundson. He was originally played by George Macready. For my adaptation, I cast David Strathairn.

So what do you all think? Have you seen the original? Who would be in your adaptation?

Night of Sleepless Love (translated)

by Federico Garcia Lorca

We two, the night ahead, the full moon looming:
I began to weep while you laughted.
Your scorn became a god, and my complaints
were little doves and moments in a chain.

We two, the night ahead, crystal of pain,
and you wept over deep and distant things.
My sorrow was a clump of agony
resting on your fragile heart of sand.

The dawn drew us together on the bed.
Our mouths were waiting near the frozen spout
of blood that spilled forth in an endless flow.

The sun came through the shuttered balcony
and the coral of life opened its branch,
and settled here upon my shrouded heart.

Little Ashes

I recently saw Little Ashes. The film came out two years ago and focuses on the early relationship between Federico Garcia Lorca and Salvador Dali. The performances by Javier Beltran, Robert Pattinson, and Marina Gatell were all pretty good, but something simply did not ring true for me.

I thought that this film was interesting, but is definitely not a must-see. That said, I would recommend this film to any one who is a fan of or is interested in Federico Garcia Lorca, Salvador Dali, or Luis Bunuel.

S. Darko

I recently saw S. Darko. The film came out last year and is the sequel to Donnie Darko (2001). The film takes place seven years later and follows Sam Darko. She is continuing to deal with the death of her brother and has fallen into her own world of darkness and dreams. Sam struggles as she looks for meaning in the people around her. After a horrific accident, Sam and her friend Corey becomes the part of a chain that involves a war veteran named Iraq Jack, a missing child named Billy, and a hole in the universe. Things can only be set right with a sacrifice.

I really enjoyed watching this film. The style really matched the original, and this film managed to allude to the original without repeating itself too
much. The acting was nothing special, though I was also really glad to see that the same actress that originally played Samantha Darko (Daveigh Chase) was cast. Chase was supported by an ensemble cast that includes James Lafferty, Ed Westwick, John Hawkes, Jackson Rathbone, Elizabeth Berkley, and Matthew Davis.

This film isn't really a must-see, but I would recommend it (especially to those who enjoyed the original film)!

Speak

I recently saw an original Showtime film called Speak. It came out in 2004 and tells the story of a young girl. She has all of the normal worries of any girl going to high school for the first time, but also has a secret that is affecting her life more profoundly than any one could imagine.

I really enjoyed this film. Though viewers may not share Melina's secret, they are definitely able to identify with her in other ways. Kirsten Stewart gave one of the truest performances that I have ever seen from her. Though her story is compelling, this film would not be nearly as interesting were it not for all of the sympathetic and three-dimensional minor characters. The film has a wonderful ensemble cast that includes Elizabeth Perkins, D.B. Sweeney, and Steve Zahn.

I would definitely recommend this film. It is really a must-see!

Dream Cast Thursday! Suddenly Last Summer

This week's Dream Cast Thursday is Suddenly Last Summer. The original film came out in 1959 as is an adaptation of the Tennessee Williams play by the same name that was published a year before. A television adaptation came out in 1993. A stage adaptation of the original play came out more recently. I looked at all of these when making my casting decisions.

The first character that I recast was Catherine Holly. She has been played by Elizabeth Taylor, Natasha Richardson, and Carla Gugino. For my adaptation, I cast Natalie Dormer.

The second character that I recast was Violet Venable. She has been played by Katherine Hepburn, Maggie Smith, and Blythe Danner. For my adaptation, I caste Annette Bening.

The last character that I recast was Dr. Cukrowicz. He has been played by Montgomery Clift, Rob Lowe, and Gale Harold. For my adaptation, I cast David Conrad.

So what do you all think? Who would be in your adaptations?

I am Dina

I recently saw a film called I am Dina. The film came out about eight years ago and tells the story of a girl named Dina as she grown up in Norway during the 1860s. The film begins with a strange and horrific accident that causes the death of Dina's mother. As she grows up, she begins speaking to her mothers ghost and develops a strange fascination with death. This fascination and Dina's own wildness makes and breaks many relationships in her life.

This film was very unique and fascinating. It was really refreshing to see this type of period piece, when so many out there tend to be on the romantic and sappy side. It was not only the story that made this film great. The performances draw the viewer in and create a truly fascinating piece. The cast included Maria Bonnevie as Dina, Gerard Depardieu as a family friend and love interest of Dina, Hans Matheson as her only true friend, Mads Mikkelsen as her enemy, and Christopher Eccleston as another love interest.

I would definitely recommend this film. It is definitely a must-see!

Good Dick

I recently saw an indie film called Good Dick. It came out two years ago and explores a complex relationship between an extremely introverted girl that stays in her apartment all day and watches pornography and a young man that works in the video store that she frequents.

I originally began watching this film because I was kind of bored, and because it was available on hulu. That said, I absolutely loved it. It was extremely powerful, but also extremely subtle.

The film was written and directed by Marianna Palka. She also played the leading character. Far too often, films fail in some way when someone chooses to write, direct, and star in a film. In this instance, this was not the case. I really enjoyed the film. I also truly enjoyed Palka's performance. It was not until afterward that I found out that she wrote and directed the film as well.

Jason Ritter also gave an extremely powerful performance as the leading male. He managed to be aggressive, vulnerable, and awkward all at the same time.

I would definitely recommend this film. It is definitely a must-see!

Daisy Kenyon

I recently saw Daisy Kenyon and was extremely disappointed. The film originally came out in 1947. At first it looked as though it would be a classic noir film with a strong Joan Crawford as a central character. She must choose between the married Dan and the sweet Peter.

Honestly, this film just barely held my interest. No one had any onscreen chemistry, and rather than being a strong female character, Crawford spend most of the film making bad choices and then whining about them. She goes back and forth between men, and rather than presenting the "I don't belong to any man" message shown on the poster, the film basically states that she needs a man to be happy and will settle for just about anyone. Dana Andrews and Henry Fonda were extremely uninteresting as the men that she must choose between.

This film is definitely not a must-see.

The Chatterley Affair

I recently saw the Chatterley Affair and really enjoyed it. The film came out in 2006 on the BBC. It deals with the trial in 1960 in which the publisher of D.H. Lawrence's "Lady Chatterley's Lover" was brought to court under England's Obscene Publications Act. More specifically, it deals with the affair of two married jury members.

This film was really interesting to watch. The plot that was separate from the actual trial was extremely interesting. The trial itself was also very interesting. Many literary figures and English scholars were brought in to discuss the book. David Tennant gave an especially interesting cameo performance as Professor Richard Hoggart. The two main jury members were played by Louise Delamere and Rafe Spall. There performances seemed very simple, but always genuine.

I would definitely recommend this film. It is definitely a must-see!

Dream Cast Thursday! What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?

This week's Dream Cast Thursday is What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? . The original film came out in 1962. I looked at that cast as well as a stage cast when I made my casting decisions.

The first character that I recast was Blanche Hudson. She was originally played by Joan Crawford. In the stage production, she was played by Vanessa Redgrave. For my adaptation, I cast Sigourney Weaver.

The other character that I recast was Baby Jane Hudson. She was originally played by Bette Davis in the film and Lynn Redgrave on stage. For my adaptation, I cast Susan Sarandon.

So what do you all think? Have you seen the original? Who would be in your adaptation?

A Passionate Woman

I recently saw a film based on the true story of a British housewife. The film comes in two parts and is called A Passionate Woman. Part one takes place in the 50s and part two takes place in the present and each is from Betty's point of view. She is content, but is not particularly happy in her marriage. As a young woman, she has a brief affair with her Polish neighbor. Now, as her son is about to get married, it seems as though all of her secrets will come crashing down on her.

I liked the first part of this film a lot more than the second part. None of the performances in the second part of the film seemed particularly compelling or true, and nothing much really happened at all. Billie Piper was amazing as Betty in the first party of the film, but in only 90 minutes, was not really able to delve as deeply into the character as I would have like. That said, I think that I am particularly critical of the film, because I liked it so much.

This film is definitely a must-see, and I would definitely recommend it!

A Different Loyalty

I recently saw A Different Loyalty. The film is based on the true story of Kim Philby. He was a high-ranking member of British Intelligence. Unbeknown to his wife, Eleanor Brewer, he was a spy for the Soviet Union.

In the actual film, Rupert Everett plays Leo Cauffield. He meets Sally Tyler (Sharon Stone) while in Beirut. Both have been married before, but are also both truly happy for the first time with each other. After a brief period, the film goes back and forth in time and shows the destruction the occurs after Leo is exposed as a traitor.

I did not expect much prior to seeing this film, and I wasn't really disappointed or surprised. The film worked to pass the time, but is definitely not a must-see.

Another Life

I recently saw Another Life. The film is set in Edwardian London. It follows Edith Thompson over a period of several years. She is in love with Percy. After marriage, everything changes. Percy wants her to be everything that a traditional and subservient wife should be. Edith is a dreamer and wishes for more. She soon meets Frederick. Everything ends with a murder trial.

There was not a lot to this film, but it is definitely worth checking out. It is currently available at hulu. It is the kind of film that ends exactly where it starts. None of the plot points were hugely unexpected. I was probably most surprised with Ioan Gruffudd. He gave a performance that I definitely did not expect. This character was unlike any other that he has ever played.

This film is not really a must-see, but I would still recommend it.

Wilderness

by Carl Sandburg

There is a wolf in me...fangs pointed for tearing gashes...a red tongue for raw meat...
and the hot lapping of blood-I keep this wolf because the wilderness gave it to me and the
wilderness will not let it go.

There is a fox in me...a silver-gray fox...I sniff and guess...I pick things out of the wind
and air...I nose in the dark night and take sleepers and eat them and hide the feathers...I
circle and loop and double-cross.

There is a hog in me...a snout and a belly...a machinery for eating and grunting...a
machinery for sleeping satisfied in the sun-I got this too from the wilderness and the
wilderness will not let it go.

There is a fish in me...I know I came from saltblue water-gates...I scurried with shoals of
herring...I blew waterspouts with porpoises...before land was...before the water went
down...before Noah...before the first chapter of Genesis.

There is a baboon in me...clambering-clawed...dog-faced...yawping in a galoot's hunger
...hairy under the armpits...here are the hawk-eyed hankering men...here are the blond
and blue-eyed women...here they hide curled asleep waiting...ready to snarl and kill...
ready to sing and give milk...waiting-I keep the baboon because the wilderness says so.

There is an eagle in me and a mockingbird...and the eagle flies among the Rocky Mountains
of my dreams and fights among the Sierra crags of what I want...and the mockingbird
warbles in the early forenoon before the dew is gone, warbles in the underbrush of my
Chattanoogas of hope, gushes over the blue Ozark foothills of my wishes-And I got the
eagle and the mockingbird from the wilderness.

O, I got a zoo, I got a menagerie, inside my ribs, under my bony head, under my red-valve
heart-and I got something else: it is a man-child heart, a woman-child heart: it is a father and
mother and lover: it came from God-Knows-Where: it is going to God-Knows-Where-For I
am the keeper of the zoo: I say yes and no: I sing and kill and work: I am a pal of the world: I
came from the wilderness.

Dream Cast Thursday! Tretya meshchanskaya

This week's Dream Cast Thursday is Tretya meshchanskaya or Bed and Sofa. The original film first came out in Russia in 1927. The film involves a husband and wife named Kolia and Liuda. Kolia's old friend, Volodia, is unable to find lodgings. He stays with them. At first life is wonderful, but soon things become more complicated.

The first character that I recast was Liudmilla. She was originally played by Lyudmila Semyonova. For my adaptation, I cast Eva Green.

The second character that I recast was Nikolai. He was originally played by Nikolai Batalov. For my adaptation, I cast Marton Csokas.

The last character that I recast was Volodia. He was originally played by Vladimir Fogel. For my adaptation, I cast Paul Bettany.

This film is very hard to find, but there is a fairly decent dvd version with English subtitles. I definitely recommend that you all try to see it and come up with your own dream casts.