It’s good to be back. I hope everyone had a lovely Thanksgiving Holiday. Now, back to the show…
1) FILM/TELEVISION
THE VISIT - (Written and Directed by Morrie Tan)
Doing something a little different this time. Exposure of short films can be extremely difficult, and I want to help spread the word that, yes!, they do indeed exist for consumption.
The Visit is a puppet animation tale of a daughter’s longing for a connection with her father.
PLOT - “A young girl visits her father in prison.
The glass in-between would never separate them anyways.”
Vimeo’s Staff Picks are a great way to find some fascinating pieces of storytelling and filmmaking, generally in short form. I was thoroughly impressed by this 9-minute film, which left me thinking about what I had just witnessed (the type of storytelling I enjoy most). And the texture and style of puppetry animation left me oddly comforted. There is a lot to dissect for the viewer, and much to ponder for themselves. Here is The Visit:
2) MUSIC
JEREMIAH FRAITES - (Piano Piano)
You may not know him by name, but there is a good chance you’ve seen him, sitting at his piano wearing a pinch-front fedora, or jamming on stage with several other instruments with his band The Lumineers. Jeremiah Fraites is a major part of The Lumineers success. He brings melodies to the table that are purely infectious.
During the pandemic of 2020, Fraites decided to compile, and record a selection of piano pieces at his home in Denver, Colorado. Piano Piano marks his debut solo album. There was no doubt Fraites could pull off an album simply made of piano notes (there are no vocals on this album) after hearing what he previously created for The Lumineers in the songs “Patience” and “April”.
I have had the absolute pleasure of seeing The Lumineers in concert twice, and watching Fraites perform was surely a treat. Here is a video for the song “Maggie” off of Piano Piano:
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3) ART
DAVID CHOE - (American Artist)
I actually first came to know David Choe through his personality, instead of his art, which theoretically is much of the same. He is a one-man wrecking crew of emotionality, and raw uninhibited creativity. Choe’s accolades range from artist to writer to television and podcast host. He is perhaps most well-known for being the young artist who chose to be paid in Facebook stock rather than cash while painting murals for the company’s offices during it’s business infancy. A small decision that landed him around $200 million dollars at the time Facebook went public in 2012.
There is so much to David Choe, that it cannot possibly be consumed in one sitting. I’m even having a hard time figuring out what to write about him. He currently has a television show on FX/Hulu titled The Choe Show, which I have yet to dig into, but am looking forward to doing so. You can listen to him on various podcasts like “The Joe Rogan Experience”.
I highly recommend getting a feel for David on his website (there is SO MUCH) to parse through:
Here is the trailer for The Choe Show:
4) BOOKS/WRITING
FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS - (Hunter S. Thompson)
It’s one of those books that if you have yet to read it, then get on it, and even if you have read it, keep it close for a revisit. Fear and Loathing In Las Vegas was my first foray into Hunter S. Thompson’s mind. It was a wild ride.
PLOT - “The basic synopsis revolves around journalist Raoul Duke (Hunter S. Thompson) and his attorney, Dr. Gonzo (Oscar Zeta Acosta), as they arrive in Las Vegas in 1971 to report on the Mint 400 motorcycle race for an unnamed magazine. However, this job is repeatedly obstructed by their constant use of a variety of recreational drugs, including LSD, ether, cocaine, alcohol, mescaline, adrenochrome, and cannabis. This leads to a series of bizarre hallucinogenic experiences, during which they destroy hotel rooms, wreck cars, and have visions of anthropomorphic desert animals, all the while ruminating on the decline of both the "American Dream" and the '60s counterculture in a city of greed.” -*Wikipedia
The language of Thompson leaps off of the page, and practically gives you a contact high. It is honestly one of those books where the prose turns on all of your literal, physical senses. It’s a trip (I know I know, on the nose there ;)
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5) PHOTOGRAPHY
MATTHIAS HAKER - (German Photographer)
I just recently came across Matthias Haker’s photography. His ability to capture large spaces and the quiet abandoned stillness of forgotten buildings really struck me. His photos are rich in color, and feeling. A lovely combination to get lost in.
Website : http://matthiashaker.de/
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/matthias_haker/
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Enjoyed ''The Visit.'' Have always appreciated good short films and animations...the power of simplicity.My best friend filmed and did shorts...and,his son is now a terrific animator and teaches animation at the University of Texas/Austin...so,I'm hooked.Have been familiar with Hunter Thompson for decades.There's only one Hunter! I like Matthias' large space photography.And,Jeremiah's evocative piano takes me back to many other amazing,simplistic pianists.One you might enjoy is Tim Story...especially his CD ''Shadowplay.While he adds electronic music,he began(..like Jeremiah) with the profound basics.Story's music remains simple at heart...but,is an emotional-evocative punch you can't help but get lost in.If you don't feel deeply when listening to his work...you are under-the-earth.Thanks for the 5...