ACROSS THE POND

If you're in Londontown, go see this exhibit at the Kemistry Gallery: February 17th-March 17, 2011.

via: @eyemagazine

GET PERSONAL: HASKELL WEXLER

via: Flixter

Not many people (in the world, let alone the film industry) can boast a UC Berkely degree, a tour in WWII as a marine, and a near 6 decade career. Haskell Wexler has had an almost super-human life. The International Cinematographer’s Guild named him one of the 10 most influential cinematographers of all-time. In 1993 he won a lifetime achievement award from the American Society of Cinematographers. In 1996 he was awarded a star on the Hollywood walk of fame; the first cinematographer in 35 years to receive this honor. His breadth of work includes 2 Academy Award wins (5 nominations) for Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf (1966) and Bound of Glory (1976).  Wexler was one of the first cinematographers to use a Stedicam; to stabilize the operator’s movement of the camera over uneven terrain, or at high speeds. In addition to his work with the camera, Wexler is also an avid documentarian, directing films that highlight his political points of view. On February 6^th he celebrated his 86^th birthday (a fellow Aquarian). Credits include: Something's Gonna Live (documentary) (2009), In the Name of Democracy: America's Conscience, a Soldier's Sacrifice, (documentary) (2008),

The Man on Lincoln's Nose (documentary) (2000), Good Kurds, Bad Kurds: No Friends But the Mountains (documentary) (2000), Mexico (documentary short)

The Secret of Roan Inish (1992), Other People's Money (1989), Blaze (1989),  

Bound for Glory (director of photography) (1976,) Underground (documentary) (1975), One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (director of photography) (1974),  The Thomas Crown Affair (director of photography) (1967) In the Heat of the Night (director of photography) (1966), Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1965), The Loved One (1965), The Best Man (1963), Hoodlum Priest (1961).

Very L.A.:

My mother and uncle went to a progressive high school in Los Angeles where Haskell Wexler’s son was also enrolled. On a student trip to Death Valley, the kids were stunned and amazed when, in 100 degree weather, ice-cream (literally) fell from the sky. Haskell Wexler had chartered a helicopter to drop ice-cream over their campsite in little parachutes. He fast became the most popular parent around.

Last year, I went with my family to a friend’s birthday party. Attending the party was none other than Haskell Wexler. My uncle’s eyes widened. He marched right up to him and, straight-faced, thanked him for the ice-cream. Wexler said it made his night. It made my uncle’s night, too.

Funny, how life is. 

GENDER BENDERS

These women wear the pants:

Joan Crawford (via: anneyhall)

Katharine Hepburn (via: doctormacro)

Katharine Hepburn

Dianne Keaton in Annie Hall (1977)

Dianne Keaton in Annie Hall (1977)

Marlene Dietrich in Morocco (1930) (via: filmnoirphotos)

Marlene Dietrich in Morocco (1930) via: filmnoirphotos

FRANKLY, MY DEAR, I DON'T GIVE A DAMN

No matter how much you scream at the screen, they’re not going to end up together. 

via: Nevver

The following films defied traditional Hollywood story-lines; instead of tying everything in a perfect bow, the endings are decidedly more difficult. 

Gone With The Wind (1939) 

via: sweetwatermansion

via: kirstylogan

 Casablanca (1942)

via: sheilaomalley

via: filmandbookclub

 Roman Holiday (1953)

via: everythingjustso

via: modishblog

 500 Days of Summer (2009)

via: drinkcafeconleche

 Shakespeare in Love (1998)

via: nansaawebs

GET PERSONAL: HARRY HORNER

A film’s mise-en-scene is comprised of many elements, but production design and artistic direction are pivotal elements in keeping with both thematic continuity and historical accuracy. Production designers function as both architect and engineer: erecting sets that accurately portray the film’s context, while keeping with the director’s vision. Born into a movie family, Harry Horner was destined to enter the business. Having worked as both production designer and art director, Horner was recognized for his meticulous attention to detail and his prodigious ability to recreate any historical period with total accuracy. His near 5 decade career garnered two Oscar nominations, both of which he won. Horner also worked as a director and producer. Credits include: The Jazz Singer  (1979), Moment by Moment (1978),  The Driver (1977), The Black Bird  (1972),  They Shoot Horses, Don't They? (1964), The Luck of Ginger Coffey (1961), The Hustler (1959), Tarzan and the Slave Girl (1949),  The Heiress (1947),  A Double Life (1943),  Stage Door Canteen (1943).

 

COUNTDOWN TO OSCAR

In celebration of Oscar month, TCM (Turner Classic Movies) will be showing 31 days of Academy Award-winning films. Check this out for a schedule.

GET PERSONAL: DANNY ELFMAN

A film’s score is equally important as any visual component of a film. Without the score, the ominous shark approaching in Jaws would have been an innocent swim. The shower scene in Psycho would have occurred without suspense. Music tells the audience how to feel. It creeps into our subconscious and affects us—one way or another—influencing the way we watch. One of many great film composers is Danny Elfman. A California native and founder of the band Oingo Boingo, Elfman has created some of the most recognizable scores in film and television (most notably, theme songs for The Simpsons and Batman). He collaborated most of his career with Tim Burton, creating the quirky, whimsical sounds that perfectly compliment Burton’s style. Elfman himself voiced the iconic Jack Skellington in Burton’s A Nightmare Before Christmas. Elfman has been honored with 4 Academy Awards, one Grammy award, and the Richard Kirk Award in 2002. His credits include: Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985), Beetle Juice (1988), Midnight Run (1988), Batman (1989), Edward Scissorhands (1990), The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993), Mission: Impossible (1996), Good Will Hunting (1997), Planet of the Apes (2001), Spider-Man (2002), Chicago (2002),  Desperate Housewives (TV series) (2007), Milk (2008), Alice in Wonderland (2010).