Monday, January 23, 2012

Silence is Golden

Image of "The Artist" - The Weinstein Company/Warner Bros.



QUIET ON THE SET!

Ever since talkies began in late-1920’s, we had been aggressively striving in developing the best euphonic audio presentation including state of the art surround sound systems plus high-fidelity sound mixing formats. Overstuffed on technology, who knew we’re subconsciously starving for a silent film? With huge gravitas, Michel Hazanavicius takes whopping leaps backwards into the nostalgic period when the idea of synchronized recorded sound was considered absurd. In this charming tale, about the rise of spoken dialog along with A Star Is Born type plot, Hazanavicius peacefully paints a motion picture displaying actions that speak louder than words. Masterful cinematography and syuzhet narrative allowed The Artist to arrive with big noise here in America.
The opening credit sequence presents a playful illustration of Michel Foucault’s theory, Panoptican, towards the Classical Hollywood Narrative structure. Enveloping our mental state with open arms, the movie begins by provoking disequilibrium. As we sit in a movie theatre, we immediately become engaged of the “central” tower: the movie screen. We, as a viewing audience, see what we think is the beginning of The Artist, however to much to our surprise, the establishing shot comes from a scene in A Russian Affair. “I will not talk!”, stubbornly declares a swashbuckling gentleman. Our journey embarks into a film within a film layout; the intro of our movie forces us to watch an audience watching a film. This is also known as “voyeurism”.  The ideology in viewing habits is instantly discombobulated. As A Russian Affair came to a histrionic end, I found myself leaning forward with anticipation as the audience onscreen took a moment to react. With lighthearted deceitfulness, my ears were given a peppy soundtrack rather than audio feedback of the audiences’ uproarious applause. Off with a witty pun, the main actor of the film, both The Artist and A Russian Affair, is found waiting behind the screen along with a sign announcing, “Please Be Silent”. This certainly sets the mood of what is to be expected in this film. It’s funny, distressing, clever, yet more importantly, a fulfilling tour of pure entertainment.  
On more than one occasion, the cinematic forth wall is smashed. It becomes disorientating in figuring out what moments are suppose to be reality, dream or a film. It’s absurdism at its purest form. For example, George communicates with himself in various appearances – his shadow and a miniature scale of himself. You have to question what is real in life. In order to find clarification, one must see within to find one’s self. With that said, mirrors and windows play a vital role throughout the movie. It not only represents one’s one personal reflections, but also déjà vu of the former society. The Artist is so much more than just toe-tapping musical numbers or heartwarming chemistry between George and Peppy. The Artist reminds us that we can take what once was considered old and use it as an advantage in order to reinvent ourselves.
Part of the movie’s charm is the use of old Hollywood cliques. Cinematography wise, it uses the outdated boxy aspect ratio of 4:3, Panchromatic film stock and intertitle cards. This is united with bygone mise-en-scene such as: Art Deco set designs, surrealism fashion, and melodramatic performances. By referencing iconic moments in former films, we cannot help gain the feeling of adoration. For example, the use of “legs dialog” that was made popular in many American romantic-comedy musicals. Case in point, a jolly tap dance test between George and Peppy. Dance sequences like this hark back to rhythmic banter between Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.  According to Hazanavicius, “dance in a way is like a love scene, they’re flirting”. Other memorable moments to look for are: a certain scene emulating Citizen Kane’s famous mealtime montage in addition to the use of scores from Vertigo, Pennies From Heaven and After the Thin Man. Hazanavicius employs such iconic expressions to remind us that we must respect the past in order to invent the future.
To me, what ultimately makes this film charming are the actors’ performances and their physical presentation. Jean Dujardin, as George Valentin, inhabits various characteristics seen in most popular actors from both the Silent and Golden Era. Case in point, he has a gentle smile like Gene Kelly with light-footed swagger like Fred Astaire. His onscreen persona has melodramatic flare in the vain of Douglas Fairbanks. He is lovable as Charlie Chaplin while subtle like Buster Keaton, but debonair comparable to Valentino and a broad built resembling to Vincent Price. He is a true man’s man that women can fall deeply in love with. Valentin was the perfect silent film actor. Once the silent film era came to an end, his career too came to a crashing halt. This was the same unfortunate tale that happened to many silent film actors, specifically those with heavy accents. I.e. Buster Keaton, Mary Pickford, John Gilbert, Clara Bow, etc. George’s failures is forecast in his latest flop, Tears of Love. As we watch his character dramatically swallowed under quicksand, the same catastrophe happens to his sinking career. To be called an artist, one must ride a rollercoaster of pride, pleasure, and pain and back. George does just so in a matter of an 1hr 40mins.
Though the film is set in the past, the moral of the tale is embracing the future. The Artist is the perfect film to understand what makes you happy. If anything, when life gets you down, just dance. I guarantee that at the end you will be left speechless.

Restaurant Recommendation: Shady Lady Saloon

As you passage through the double doors, shielded by two burly guards, be prepared to be magically transported into an age before prohibition laws and the birth of Jazz. If you’re tired of the same ol’ mug of beer and inferior rated spirits, come to Shady Lady for memorable, artfully crafted cocktails. Every recipe honors the classics while using nothing, but high-quality ingredients. As you sit in one of their red velvet booths, you’ll notice that the atmosphere is lively yet comforting. The streamline interior is accented with dark, rich mahogany, a U-shaped bar and chandelier lighting that is sure to set the mood for a secret rendezvous. For these current bitter cold evenings, I recommend sipping on an affectionate Hot Toddy. This libation is smooth, cozy and will give your soul a hardy hug. As for victuals, they have all kinds of dishes that will make any tummy happy. I personally recommend trying their ham and cheddar hush puppies, duck confit tots or house cured salmon lox to go along with your fancy mixed beverage. Any combination you choose to trek on is a victory. Yum’s the word! Fortunate for us, Shady Lady isn’t an underground speakeasy. You can find this friendly saloon located on 14th & R Street in Downtown Sacramento.

Sunday, January 15, 2012

"Excellent!", I cried. "Elementary", said he.

Image of "Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows" - Warner Brothers Studios

"It's so overt, it's covert."
Guy Richtie willingly returns back for another whirlwind round to waltz with the English literary classic, Detective Sherlock Holmes. Once again, the story follows the guideline - “crippled war veteran teams with eccentric drug addict, become inseparable friends and together fight against evil in the British Isles”.1 You know, the same old typical Hollywood story. This modern take of Sherlock is not like your grandfather’s version of the character. No more of the sophisticated, high-brow, stiff-upper-lipped Sherlock whom best portrayed by the likes of Basil Rathbone and Peter Cushing. With Robert Downey Jr. wearing the metaphorical deerstalker cap, Sherlock has become a sexy, pompous, spoiled playboy who rejoices his barefaced masculinity, but more importantly, is a Jack-of-all-trades in self-defense. Almost like another celebrated English superhero, James Bond. This version of the man is more how Watson describes his partner, rather than Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s mature illustration. His physical attributes, though, are Guy Richtie’s own cinematic liberties. Surrounded by lustrous and voluminous costumes that mark the Late Victorian society, Downey’s rendering of the protagonist is more of a modern, “Steampunk”, 21st century man with his 5 o’clock shadow and bohemian outfits. Yes, Guy Richtie has visually sexualized Holmes with moments like fist-fighting sans shirt or donning a skin tight body suit as a disguise, however he stills keeps his witty traits of cunningly using chemistry, forensics and elaborate analytical skills to solve a problem. Walking into Richtie’s adaptation doesn’t need high expectations of being an intellectual picture, but more of a fun, Blockbuster adventure to openly voyage on for a few hours.
The entertaining part of the film for me was having my own opportunity to play Detective. While Sherlock is playing a cerebral chess game against Professor Moriart, it is best to keep one step ahead in order to crack Sherlock’s outrageous strategies. You never know what is up Sherlock's sleeves ... or under his hat, in pockets and gloves too. Other moments that make Sherlock Holmes: A Games of Shadows a thrill ride goes to the gut-punching editing. For example, the Matrix-like slow motion FX during pain inflicting brawls and exploding warfare. With the use of blue filters plus slick camera movement for cinematography, it reminds us viewers how bleak and assailant it was in England circa late-1800's. In order to survive, you must stay on your wits and toes.
You can’t have action without a dash of comedy. Some of the best “bromance”, to use modern slag, are moments that involve outlandish situations between Doctor Watson (Jude Law) and Holmes. I.e. Train attack scene plus Sherlock's disguises - Peter Sellers inspired. In this sequel, it should be noted that Watson is no longer Holmes’ subservient “Igor”. Don't fret for he’s still very much Holmes valuable sidekick, to the point of being a bickering old married couple, nevertheless, he has his own estimations that matter just as much as Holmes'. Watson is very much Holmes better half therefore Holmes cannot properly function without him. This is amplified by the fact that Watson finally marries his fiance thus leading Holmes to drastic behavioral habits such as drinking embalming fluid. Women or no women in their personal lives, these two are two peas in a zany pod.
To conclude this review bluntly, without panache or flare, I’d say go see Sherlock Holmes: A Game Of Shadows when you want to escape from any madness in your life. It’s silly, upbeat, sly, action packed, mysterious and unusual. I could rant about how women are treated unfairly throughout the film and are punished for having their own strong characteristics, but I’ll keep it light and say that Noomi Rapace as Madame Sizma Heron is someone to keep an eye on. If anything, enjoy Sherlock’s flamboyantly shameless brother, Mycraft Holmes, and his gaudy personality. A certain scene is certainly a nod towards Austin Powers. In the end, I would investigate that this film will lead to a good time had by all.

Restaurant Recommendation: Fox and Goose Public House

Though they do serve traditional British fare such as fish and chips, pasty and Cornish beef hash for lunch and dinner, however my favorite grub to nosh at Fox and Goose is their breakfast. There is nothing like the comforts of a full plate, gluttonously displaying treats such as: eggs, bangers, English country potatoes and your choice of an English muffin, crumpet or scone smothered in Welsh rarebit cheese sauce. An Englishman would joyfully declare, "it’s bloody good!" A few months ago, dining on Fox and Goose's morning nourishment substance, was my first experience with a scrumptious crumpet smeared with the sweet Devonshire cream, also known as clotted cream. It may clot arteries, but I am willing to take such delicious fatality. This ace pub, located on 1001 R Street in Sacramento, offers various live musical performances as well as a wild Pub Quiz on Tuesday evenings. One day, I would love to go back, sit back with a pint of Guinness and inspect attending patrons. I'd like to think that Sherlock Holmes with approve Fox and Goose's kookiness and buoyant lifestyle. Pip-pip!




1. http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2011/dec/18/sherlock-holmes-game-shadows-review

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Welcome, Bienvenue, Gesundheit



So, you've found my wee little blog about my two favorite passions: Cinema and Cuisines! Now you're probably wondering who I am! Allow myself .... to introduce myself:
My name is Stefanie and I am a recent college graduate who studied Digital Film Production as well as Graphic Design. In my spare time, I love to research various recipes and make a brave attempt to whip up thus food item. Yes, I count snacking as a favorite pastime. With that said, this blog will be a documentation of the two. With each film I have reviewed, I will punctuate it with a dish recommendation and/or a hidden restaurant gem that shares a common ground with thus film. Sit back, relax and join along with me at the table in savoring delicious motion pictures morsals found in the cinematic timeline.  Bon appetite! Now that you know a bit about me, I'd love to have the chance to, as Deborah Kerr would belt with a vibrato plow, "getting to know you, getting to know all about you".