Silence is dull

Silence is dull

Subj:I'm glad

you enjoyed "The Birdcage"!



From: diane03760@vancouver.ca
To: barclay1720@aol.com
Date: Tue, Jan 3, 2012 7:04 pm.

Hi Kato Akira Kaato,
Such a great name!

How's it going?
...glad you enjoyed "The Birdcage".


 


■"Birdcage"

(December 30, 2011)

Like you, the first time I saw it, I almost laughed myself to death.
It was SO funny and it's so West-End Vancouver, don't you think?
How hilarious!

I couldn't access your response to the movie, but I'm sure it was fun as well.
The guys who make these movies must be geniuses, I'm sure.
My boyfriend and I are going to see "The Artist" tomorrow.



A critic says, it should have us tap-dancing out of the theatre.
All the reviews I've seen are positive, but I'm still not convinced a movie with NO dialogue can be that great.
Time will tell, as they say.

...hope you're doing well, staying out trouble, and meeting lots of wonderful, sensual and mysterious women!



Love, Diane ~

 

Subj:Daine, do you remeber

the life in Yukon?



From: barclay1720@aol.com
To: diane03760@vancouver.ca
Date: Wed., Jan 4, 2012 4:52 PM

Hello, Diane,

Have you ever heard of this name---Chris McCandless?

The young man threw away his real name and his background, then called himself Alexander Supertramp, and walked into the wilderness.
Unfortunately, he was found dead in August, 1992.
This incident made a sensational news at the time.
Now, you might recall it.

Well, I read the book "Into the Wild" about the above incident and viewed the DVD with the same title.
Since it has something to do with you and me,
I've just written a story. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha...

Please click the following link:



■"Roly-poly in the wild"

(January 4, 2012)

I hope you'll enjoy reading it.

Your truly wild Taliesin,
Kato



:) with love

 

Subj:Wow! What an interesting

story line!



From: diane03760@vancouver.ca
To: barclay1720@aol.com
Date: Thu, Jan 5, 2012 7:20 pm.

Hi Kato,

Very inspiring .. thanks!
I do vaguely recall this story, and the trailer was fascinating.
I must reserve the DVD one day soon.



I just love Sean Penn as an actor and can only imagine that he's equally professional as a director.
What an interesting story line!

Tales of adventure and freedom are always interesting.
He's just like you, Kato, a world traveller.

How are you doing?
...hope you're getting lots of exercise and socialization as well as your computer work ... although this time of year does encourage more indoor activities, I know.
Have you seen much of that mysterious lady lately?

Gotta run,



Love, Diane ~

Kato, have you seen much of that mysterious lady lately?



Yes, I have.

So, you told her, she didn't have to sit at the online computer in order to see her DVD, didn't you?

No, I didn't.

Why not?

'Cause she yawned several times and then started nodding as soon as she inserted her DVD into the drive. 　I didn't want to disturb her peaceful sleep.

Don't tell me such a fib, Kato.

I'm not joking, not even jesting.

Are you saying, she sank into a doze whenever she viewed her DVD?

That's right. 　I always wonder what she is doing with her DVD, which seems to poroduce a pleasant lullaby. 　With a pair of earpieces over her head she always nods comfortably while listening to her favorite lullaby DVD.

Well...probably, she slipped into a romantic dream.

Anyway, how did you like "The Artist"?

The Artist



The Artist is a 2011 French romance film directed by Michel Hazanavicius, starring Jean Dujardin and Bérénice Bejo.
The story takes place in Hollywood between 1927 and 1932 and focuses on a declining male film star and a rising actress, as silent cinema grows out of fashion and is replaced by the talkies.
Much of the film itself is silent; it is shot in black-and-white, and has received wide praise from critics and many accolades.
Dujardin won the Best Actor Award at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival, where the film premiered.
The film has six Golden Globe nominations, the most of 2011.

Plot

Swashbuckling silent film star George Valentin (Jean Dujardin) attends the premiere of his latest film A Russian Affair.
Outside the theater, Valentin is posing for pictures for the paparazzi when a woman, Peppy Miller (Bérénice Bejo), admiring Valentin while lost in a sea of adoring fans, drops her purse.
She bends down to get it, but is accidentally pushed into Valentin.
She ends up photographed, and the next day, she is on the front page of Variety with the headline "Who's That Girl?".

Later, Miller auditions as a dancer and is spotted by Valentin.
He insists she have a bit in his new film, despite objections from the studio boss, Al Zimmer (John Goodman).
Peppy slowly rises in the industry, her roles growing larger and larger.



Two years later, Zimmer announces the end of production of silent films, but Valentin insists that sound is just a fad.
When Zimmer unloads all his silent stars, George decides to produce and direct his own silent film, financing it himself.
It opens on the same day as Miller's new sound film, and Valentin is ruined.
His wife, Doris (Penelope Ann Miller), kicks him out, and he moves into an apartment with his valet, Clifton (James Cromwell).
Miller goes on to become a major Hollywood star.

Later, Valentin fires Clifton and sells off all his effects.
Desperate and drunk, Valentin starts a fire in his home.
His dog gets help and he awakes in a bed in Miller's house.
Clifton is now working for Miller.
Miller insists that Valentin co-stars in her next film, or she will quit Zimmer's studio.
After Valentin learns that Miller had purchased all of his auctioned effects, he has a nervous breakdown and returns to his burnt-out apartment.
Miller arrives, panicked, as Valentin is attempting suicide.
Peppy and George reconcile, and remembering that he is a superb dancer, she convinces Zimmer to let them make a musical together, and the picture ends with the implication that Valentin will return to fame again.

In the final shot, the sound finally comes in as the film starts rolling.
Afterwards, Zimmer calls 'Cut! Perfect. Beautiful. Could you give me one more?'.
Valentin, in his first audible line, replies in a clearly French accent, "With pleasure", revealing the reason he refused to speak on camera.



Production

Director Michel Hazanavicius had been fantasizing about making a silent film for many years, both because many filmmakers he admires emerged in the silent era, and because of the image-driven nature of the format.
According to Hazanavicius his wish to make a silent film was at first not taken seriously, but after the financial success of his spy-film pastiches OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies and OSS 117: Lost in Rio, producers started to express interest.
The forming of the film's narrative started with Hazanavicius' desire to work again with actors Jean Dujardin and Bérénice Bejo, Hazanivicius's wife, who had starred in the OSS 117 films.
Hazanavicius chose the form of the melodrama, mostly because he thought many of the films from the silent era which have aged best are melodramas.
He did extensive research about 1920s Hollywood, and studied silent films to find the right techniques to make the story comprehensible without having to use too many intertitles.
The screenplay took four months to write.

The film was produced by La Petite Reine and ARP Sélection for 13.47 million euro, including co-production support from Studio 37 and France 3 Cinéma, and pre-sales investment from Canal+ and CinéCinéma.
Both the cast and crew were mixed French and American.

Filming took place during seven weeks on location in Los Angeles.
Throughout the shoot Hazanavicius played music from classic Hollywood films while the actors performed.

Only one song (sung, with lyrics) is used in the soundtrack, "Pennies from Heaven," sung by Rose "Chi-Chi" Murphy (uncredited).

---

SOURCE: "The Artist (film)"
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

As you know, I read quite a few reviews, which were mostly positive, but I wasn't convinced. 　A movie with NO dialogue cannot be that great.



So, you were disappointed, weren't you?

No, not quite... Actually, I liked the movie because the performances of both Jean Dujardin and Bérénice Bejo were elegant and delightful, but I must say that, halfway through, the movie became quite slow with no dialogues. 　I almost dropped into a dead sleep like the mysterious lady at Joe Fortes Library.

I agree with you, Diane.

Kato, did you see the movie?

Oh, no, but I saw the trailer. 　Besides, I also read quite a few reviews. 　As you told, most of the reviews are favorable, but some say that making a silent film at present isn't a serious endeavour. 　I got the same gut feeling as you had, Diane, when I read your mail.

A movie with NO dialogue cannot be that great.

That's right. 　We're living in the days of talkies so that our minds always create so many dialogues in the brain even if we see a silent movie. 　Therefore, as you told, the silent movie becomes quite slow with no dialogues. 　Whenever I see a silent movie, I stop viewing within the first ten minutes 'cause I cannot stand the sugguishness anymore. 　My mind feels the movie so dull that my brain goes to sleep.

Silent movies are so dull, aren't they?

You're telling me, Diane. 　But there are two exceptions?

Oh...? 　What is it?

Ben-Hur of 1925.

Ben-Hur of 1925







This silent movie was made with almost 4 million dollars at the time---the most expensive silent film ever made, and became a mega spectacle with 120,000 extras. 　The film of the chariot-race scene became 60 kilometer long so that it was shortened to 229 meter by edit. 　I borrowed the DVD from Joe Fortes Library and enjoyed it immensely. 　Diane, you're gonna love it.



What makes you think so?

Well..., unlike Ben-hur 0f 1959, the silent version is like a Christmas movie.

Ben-Hur of 1959







Tell me about it.



The birth of Christ was filmed in the silent version, and three wise men watched the sparkling star fall from the sky. 　You can see Mother of God as well. 　So, you'll be able to show it to the kids in your church the next X'mas.

Is that all?

Oh, no...the current prints of the 1925 version are from the Turner-supervised restoration, which includes the color tints and Technicolor sections, set to resemble the original theatrical release. There is an addition of a newly recorded stereo orchestral soundtrack by Carl Davis with the London Philharmonic Orchestra that was originally recorded for a Thames Television screening of the movie.

Where can I find it?

It can be found at Joe Fortes Library. 　You'll find the DVD complete with the Technicolor segments---the four-disc collector's edition of the 1959 version starring Charlton Heston.

I can hardly wait to see the silent version. 　By the way, what is the other exception?

A good and timely question, Diane! 　It is called "Double suicide of Sonezaki."

Wow! 　What a deadly and shocking title! 　I don't think I've ever heard of that.

It's a Japanese film made in 1978.

Double Suicide of Sonezaki

(Opening Scene)







This isn't a silent movie, is it?



No, it isn't. 　The silent version is actually a Japanese puppet show.

Japanese puppet show

文楽人形浄瑠璃

曽根崎心中　(下之巻)

お初徳兵衛道行







What is so fascinating about this puppet show?



You see, puppets don't talk, but their movements are elegant, subtle, and delicate. Those puppeteers are recognized as "human-treasure" in Japan. 　Manipulated and controlled by those experts, the movements of those puppets are actually more sophisticated than human actors.

Yes, I can tell.

Can you?

But "Double suicide" is againt my religion.

I know...I know...I don't mean that you should accept double suicide. 　I just wanna tell you that Michel Hazanavicius, the director of "The Artist," might as well perform the drama as a French puppet show.

【Himiko's Monologue】



Wow! ... I'm glad Renge didn't commit suicide.
As you know, you don't have to feel lonely because everybody is born alone and dies alone.

The thing is, how to meet a better half.
Unfortunately, I haven't met my better half so far, although I met so many unromantic morons.

Come to think of it, I've never met my "Romeo"---a decent man in my life.
How come I'm always a loner?
I wish I could meet a nice gentleman at the library in my town as Diane met Kato.
Well, they say, there is a way where there is a will.

I hope Kato will write another interesting article.
So please come back to see me.

Have a nice day!
Bye bye ...

If you've got some time,

Please read one of the following artciles:




■"Hello Diane!"

■"I wish you were there!"

■"Jane Eyre"



■"Jane Eyre Again"

■"Jane Eyre in Vancouver"

■"Jane Eyre Special"

■"Love & Death of Cleopatra"

■"Nice Story"



■"Scrumdiddlyumptious"

■"Spiritual Work or What?"

■"What a coincidence!"



■"Wind and Water"

■"Yoga and Happiness"

■"You're in a good shape"



■"Hellelujah!"

■"Ecclesiophobia"

■"Uncorruptible"

■"Net Travel & Jane"



■"Net Love"

■"Complicated Love"

■"Electra Complex"

■"Net Début"

■"Inner World"



■"Madame Riviera and Burger"

■"Roly-poly in the North"

■"Amazing Grace"

■"Diane in Paris"

■"Diane in Montmartre"



■"Diane Well Read"

■"Wantirna South"

■"Maiden's Prayer"

■"Bandwidth"

■"Squaw House and Melbourne Hotel"



■"Tulips and Diane"

■"Diane in Bustle Skirt"

■"Diane and Beauty"

■"Lady Chatterley and Beauty"

■"Victoria Prudery"



■"Diane Chatterley"

■"From Canada to Japan"

■"From Gyoda to Vancouver"

■"Film Festival"

■"Madame Taliesin"

■"Happy Days"

■"Vancouver Again"

■"Swansea"



■"Midnight in Vancouver"

■"Madame Lindbergh"

■"Dead Poets Society"

■"Letters to Diane"

■"Taliesin Studio"



■"Wright and Japan"

■"Taliesin Banzai"

■"Memrory Lane to Sendai"

■"Aunt Sleepie"

■"Titanic @ Sendai"

■"Birdcage"

■"Roly-poly in the wild"






Hi, I'm June Adames.

The film "The Artist" premiered on 15 May in competition at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival.

It was initially announced as an out-of-competition entry, but was moved to the competition a week before the festival opened.

The Weinstein Company bought the distribution rights for the United States, United Kingdom and Australia.

The film was released in the United States on 25 November 2011.

Ninety-seven percent of critics have given the film a positive review based on 133 reviews, with an average score of 8.7/10, making the film a "Certified Fresh" on the website's rating system.

Mark Adams of Screen Daily called the film "a real pleasure" propelled elegantly forward by delightful performances from Jean Dujardin and Bérénice Bejo.

He added however: "The film does feel a little sluggish towards the end of the first third as the music is a little repetitive and the intertitles are infrequent, but Hazanavicius manages to give the film a real sense of charm and warmth."

Well...if you've got some time, why don't you see the movie and judge it yourself?



ところで、愛とロマンに満ちた

レンゲさんのお話をまとめて

『レンゲ物語』を作りました。

もし、レンゲさんの記事をまとめて読みたいならば、

次のリンクをクリックしてくださいね。

■『愛とロマンのレンゲ物語』



■『軽井沢タリアセン夫人 - 小百合物語』

とにかく、今日も一日楽しく愉快に

ネットサーフィンしましょうね。

じゃあね。