Mistakes Were Made…
We all make mistakes. And then we vow to the gods above to never stray so far away from good judgement. Well, that happened to me recently when I sat down and watched Sausage Party (2016). Yes, I’d read the scathing reviews, but I’d convinced myself that I had nothing better to do. Deliming my toilet would have been a better use of my precious time than watching this flaming pile of school bus tires. The hint of a bad movie is when a film’s character is an “evil, ruthless, megalomaniacal feminine hygiene product” (and an outdated one at that) named Douche.
Gawd-awful computer-animation at its R-rated worst.
I cleansed my palette with Rope (1948) by Alfred Hitchcock. A smart, psychologically twisted film that if/when critiqued by modern eyes, may meet disapproval of a murder plot conceived by two men who may be in a romantic relationship (oh, yeah, they’re a couple. But in real life, both actors were gay, but not a couple.) Since I don’t equate homosexuality with violence, I focused on the pace of the film, portrayed as happening in real time with segments woven together (film in the camera only ran for so long.) Unlike other thrillers, this film leisurely walks you through the murder, the rationale behind it, the mistakes that expose the cracks in the deception, and then the murderers’ comeuppance. I found the movie brilliant, trusting me to judge the deed based on a draconian view of superiority and not on moral deviancy.
Oh, yes, yes, yes….the Jazz (or whatever you’d like to call it.)
My night out to see pianist Fred Hersch and bassist esperanza spalding last night (see last blog post) was a good time. The mostly full house seemed to enjoy spalding’s vocalizations (others who sat in grave silence might have felt duped – she did not perform on her bass) and were appreciative of Hersch’s understated accompaniment.
If you missed Situation Fluxus last week with my guest guitarist Matt Greenwood, you may listen to it here at Jazz/Fluxus (this week my guest is trumpeter Tony Kadleck.) Also here at the site, my segment for yesterday’s KPFA Black History Special 2023: Past Light, Clear Sight titled Conscious Music. For those who flat-out will not acknowledge February being designated as Black History Month, I go along mostly. But when this opportunity came up, as it did last year, to produce a segment for BHM, I didn’t hesitate because it was my opportunity to be heard and given thanks and praise; at the same time, elevating the profile of this music and an artist, vocalist Jean Carne, who has contributed to our awareness of our Black consciousness.
Hey, can someone tell me who’s in the Super Bowl next weekend? Have they already picked who’s playing????......