Many websites try to push what's "cool." What's cool can be someone's idea of something obscure or something that has been shared a million times already. Sometimes, they can take a tone of "Listen: this is what you should look at." This is especially the case for a lot of sites about film. Sometimes, they can be snooty and cater basically to themselves. /Film (Slash-Film) is not one of those sites, even though they have a section of their website devoted to "Cool Stuff."
/Film is a blog that features the latest news on movies, ranging from the obscure to the "biggest movie event of the year" type films. It began with stories about celebrities and typical movie news, but as the site's fan-base grew it focused more on genre films and almost anything related to film. Originally /Film had about twenty writers which it whittled down to seven, and it has benefitted from these decisions. Today, Senior Editor Peter Sciretta has had his reviews quoted in various television spots for films, and the weekly /Film podcast has drawn guest reviewers such as Kevin Smith and Brick director Rian Johnson.
The layout is nothing spectacular. There is the generic news feed, but it can be split into Casting, Comic Books, Sci-Fi, and Horror among others. Then there are reviews, trailers, and soon there will be a calender filled with upcoming releases. What probably draws many cinephiles to /Film is the "Cool Stuff," where writers post t-shirts, memorabilia, pictures, the things that a casual reader might brush over. This is where the site draws in its readers. Rather than be full of themselves and present something as a
What the site lacks in presentation, it makes up in its writing. Like most blogs, it has a very laid-back feel to it. What's special about /Film is how care free it is. Where most people try to cater to one specific type of moviegoer, /Film truly follows its slogan: "Blogging the reel world." Want to know what's going on with the NC-17 rated Michael Fassbinder movie, or do you just want an update on The Dark Knight Rises? Chances are you'll find it on here. In addition to the simplicity of the website, it is also interesting to check out because of the passion the writers have for the subject. Many of them are aspiring filmmakers who will pass on work of other young artists.
It's easy to forget that 20 years ago, news didn't travel at the speed it does now, let alone film news. Back then, you might hear about a movie, but you wouldn't be able to see it until maybe years down the road. The guys at /Film know this, and it shows. The writers seem like they were the kids who grew up reading movie magazines, always anticipating something new and exciting. With this website, the writers create an easily accessible arena where film fans of all ages can keep up to date.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Burn Notice - "Pilot"
When the USA Network's Burn Notice was entering its fourth season, Saturday Night Live aired a skit about a game show called "What Is Burn Notice?" The show was the eighth highest rated cable show, had been on for four years, and yet no one could say what it was about. One contestant on the fictional game show answers "Is it like NCIS?", but after asked for further explanation he replies "I don't know."
While the skit may have been playing on the fact that so many people don't know about this highly rated television show, it also examines how so many shows are carbon copies of the same three shows. Often times it's hard to distinguish what show you are watching. CBS basically has three versions of CSI airing every other night, as NBC does with Law & Order. This may be a golden age of television, but there are still a number of clunkers hanging around.
Upon first glance, Burn Notice may look like it could air right after NCIS. But judging from the pilot, this is not one of those kinds of shows. To answer everyone's questions, Burn Notice revolves around Michael Westen (played by Jeffery Donovan), a spy who has been "burned" by his agency. A burn notice means that life as you know it has been taken away: his bank accounts are frozen and all of his previous contacts won't explain the burn notice. Receiving his notice while on a mission in Nigeria, he ends up in Miami, where he grew up. Luckily, he has the help of friends Sam (the always great Bruce Campbell) and his ex-girlfriend Fiona, a former IRA affiliate. When Westen isn't trying to figure out who put the burn notice on him, he makes money by helping out people who can't go to the police with their problems. But finding out the source of the burn notice or making money aren't the most of Westen's problems. As he returns to Miami, he must confront his hypochondriac mother (unaware of his profession) who makes him drive her to the doctor's.
One of the most enjoyable aspects of the show is its playfulness. Westen is not the typical secret agent man. Jeffery Donovan's sarcastic spy is smart but also has a sense of humor. He's smart as well, having many rules for his work; he doesn't like to steal cars, but if he has to he'll have it back by five if it's a weekday. He also doesn't get into high speed car chases, saying they only draw more attention to you, making one wonder why James Bond never got into more trouble than he actually did. The chemistry between him and Fiona plays well, showing promise to develop even further. The standout among the cast has to be Bruce Campbell, even if he only has a small amount of screen time. Having been given cult horror roles in the Evil Dead movies or cameos in the Spiderman series, it's nice to see him on a show where he can act and not simply replay Three Stooges gags (as great as he may be at it).
Burn Notice also plays around with juxtaposition. Westen is a fish out of water; having never worried about money or getting around the world, he is now stuck in Miami with only a mattress to his name and living next door to a drug dealer. He is surrounded by young people who are puzzled when he asks them for the nearest pay-phone. The hard boiled narration stands out in the colorful heat while Westen describes how to make a recording device using parts from two cell phones. The fact that all of this plays out over the Christmas season, associated with winter and snow, adds to the fish out of water scenario.
Burn Notice may move a little fast at times, but it is highly entertaining. It stands out from the typical special agent procedural, offering a look into the life that goes on underneath the spy. It's comparable to the question of "What would life be like for Tom Cruise after Mission Impossible if he had to go home to his overbearing mother?" Do yourself a favor, watch Burn Notice and find out for yourself what it is.
While the skit may have been playing on the fact that so many people don't know about this highly rated television show, it also examines how so many shows are carbon copies of the same three shows. Often times it's hard to distinguish what show you are watching. CBS basically has three versions of CSI airing every other night, as NBC does with Law & Order. This may be a golden age of television, but there are still a number of clunkers hanging around.
Upon first glance, Burn Notice may look like it could air right after NCIS. But judging from the pilot, this is not one of those kinds of shows. To answer everyone's questions, Burn Notice revolves around Michael Westen (played by Jeffery Donovan), a spy who has been "burned" by his agency. A burn notice means that life as you know it has been taken away: his bank accounts are frozen and all of his previous contacts won't explain the burn notice. Receiving his notice while on a mission in Nigeria, he ends up in Miami, where he grew up. Luckily, he has the help of friends Sam (the always great Bruce Campbell) and his ex-girlfriend Fiona, a former IRA affiliate. When Westen isn't trying to figure out who put the burn notice on him, he makes money by helping out people who can't go to the police with their problems. But finding out the source of the burn notice or making money aren't the most of Westen's problems. As he returns to Miami, he must confront his hypochondriac mother (unaware of his profession) who makes him drive her to the doctor's.
One of the most enjoyable aspects of the show is its playfulness. Westen is not the typical secret agent man. Jeffery Donovan's sarcastic spy is smart but also has a sense of humor. He's smart as well, having many rules for his work; he doesn't like to steal cars, but if he has to he'll have it back by five if it's a weekday. He also doesn't get into high speed car chases, saying they only draw more attention to you, making one wonder why James Bond never got into more trouble than he actually did. The chemistry between him and Fiona plays well, showing promise to develop even further. The standout among the cast has to be Bruce Campbell, even if he only has a small amount of screen time. Having been given cult horror roles in the Evil Dead movies or cameos in the Spiderman series, it's nice to see him on a show where he can act and not simply replay Three Stooges gags (as great as he may be at it).
Burn Notice also plays around with juxtaposition. Westen is a fish out of water; having never worried about money or getting around the world, he is now stuck in Miami with only a mattress to his name and living next door to a drug dealer. He is surrounded by young people who are puzzled when he asks them for the nearest pay-phone. The hard boiled narration stands out in the colorful heat while Westen describes how to make a recording device using parts from two cell phones. The fact that all of this plays out over the Christmas season, associated with winter and snow, adds to the fish out of water scenario.
Burn Notice may move a little fast at times, but it is highly entertaining. It stands out from the typical special agent procedural, offering a look into the life that goes on underneath the spy. It's comparable to the question of "What would life be like for Tom Cruise after Mission Impossible if he had to go home to his overbearing mother?" Do yourself a favor, watch Burn Notice and find out for yourself what it is.
Monday, November 7, 2011
The Aqua
Chicago is home to many classic skyscrapers. The Aon Center at 200 E. Randolph was once the tallest building in Chicago. Utilizing the tubular structure popularized during the mid to late 20th century, it is hard to think of the city’s skyline without it. With that said, it is also one of the city’s most banal skyscrapers. Around the corner though, is one of the most interesting structures of recent memory. The Aqua building at 225 N. Columbus Dr. is quickly becoming a Chicago staple. Constructed in 2010, it resembles modernisme structures of Spain while remaining exciting and original.
The Aqua broke ground in 2007 after being designed by Jeanne Gang with her team at Studio Gang Architects. Gang, who also designed Columbia College’s Media Production Center, was named a 2011 MacArthur Fellow for designing the Aqua. In addition to being a beauty to look at, it is also LEED certified.
Gang’s building is most interesting to look at during the afternoon. When the sun shines down the wavy balconies, one can see a collage of beautiful shadows. If you stare up at it from the ground, you won’t move until the sun settles behind the horizon. Every hour offers a new look to the building; it’s more like a hologram than it is a residence. Obviously the building’s name comes from its aquatic appearance, but the shape has less to do with a body of water and more with its surroundings. The wave-like balconies were built to create better vantage points for the many landmarks in the area, making it easier to view Millenium Park as well as the Willis Tower.
The Aqua has more resemblance with many modernisme buildings in Barcelona than it does with any buildings this side of the Atlantic. If Gaudi decided to add a few stories to Casa Batllo it might look a little like Gang’s work. The Aqua is one of the most artistic skyscrapers around. It’s almost as if Mies van der Rohe designed the building but decided to place the floors in every direction possible. The symmetry of the Chicago School has been traded for a more playful Art Nouveau look here, making it stand out much more in a city known for its architecture.
After the Chicago Fire, the city became known for its use of steel framing, building some of the first modern skyscrapers. In the 1970’s, the tube based structure of the Willis Tower and John Hancock was introduced by Fazlur Khan, again changing the direction of the city’s look. With Gang’s latest addition to the skyline, Chicago sees a new future in its architecture. Whereas previous styles included flat surfaces and lots of clean edges, this “new school” is free flowing. Buildings no longer seem to be made with the Jenga formula by stacking the pieces in a box and flipping it over to construct a tower. Further examples of this are a stones throw away from the Aqua. The Pritzker Pavilion in Millenium Park is another recent design that is very eye-catching. Resembling a torn up piece of tin foil, it looks nothing like any other bandshell.
The Aqua’s design is so successful because of its lack of fear. It seems that many today worry about trying not to stand out or make too much of a statement. This is true even in the construction of many homes around the city. Many look the same, sometimes seeing the same house 4 times in a single block. Is it a matter of cost? Or have people become so accustomed to one style?
Like the Millenium Park, the Aqua is a symbol of the cities future. In the midst of political trials, a budget crisis, and failing sports teams, it reminds Chicagoans of what makes the city great: its individuality. Many cities have memorable skylines, whether it’s New York City or Los Angeles. But Chicago stands out for its bold face. It may be small, but its few buildings stand out more than anything else in the world. The Aqua is one of those structures.
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