1) FILM / TELEVISION
PHANTOM THREAD - (PAUL THOMAS ANDERSON, Netflix)
PLOT - “Renowned dressmaker Reynolds Woodcock and his sister Cyril are at the center of British fashion in 1950s London -- dressing royalty, movie stars, heiresses, socialites and debutantes. Women come and go in Woodcock's life, providing the confirmed bachelor with inspiration and companionship. His carefully tailored existence soon gets disrupted by Alma, a young and strong-willed woman who becomes his muse and lover.” - the Google machine
I have been rewatching Phantom Thread in chunks, almost as a scene by scene case study for myself, and I constantly find myself mesmerized by the artistic execution of this film. Phantom Thread was originally released in 2017, with the most notable news of it being Daniel Day-Lewis’s final film performance; although I’m praying that’s not the case, and I have a very deep and raw gut feeling that he will, at some point, be back in front of the lens.
I have heard many folks say that this movie bored them. That’s fine. I get it. It ain’t the Marvel universe, baby. That is not what this kind of film represents. What it does represent is patience, craftsmanship, and a love for character. You cannot take your eyes off of Daniel Day-Lewis. Every choice he makes in this story is so damn specific. It is an absolute master class in acting. From the way he holds a cup, or dresses himself, to the inner dialogue he has going on inside of his own head, contemplating how the next words out of his mouth will either be a net gain for himself, or a disastrous chess move he will need to make up for in his next three moves. This shines the brightest with his main scene partner in the story, Alma, played by Vicky Krieps, who is also sensational in her performance. It is so subtle, as she turns the crank slowly, over and over, to get what her character desires. And of course Lesley Manville holds this performative triangle together like the world’s strongest glue. A performance straight down the line, arrow sharp.
Then there is Paul Thomas Anderson. I already spoke a bit about him a few weeks back in regards to Licorice Pizza. There is no secret that Anderson is one of my favorite filmmakers of all time. He literally threads this film together like the fine fabrics that Woodcock and his team sew, with a desire for utterly unattainable perfection. Anderson composes a story of living inside an artist’s head, one that Day-Lewis engrosses himself in, to give the audience a perspective on the yearnings, struggles, the ego, and mental battles that can go on while seeking out their life’s work, while balancing life’s relationships.
I sound like a critic or reviewer when I write like this, and I hate that. I don’t want to be a critic. But when I am passionate about a film, or filmmaker, or acting performances, this side does come out of me. Hopefully in a way that simply shows my admiration for the work, and the artistic accomplishment that was achieved.
Here is the trailer for Phantom Thread:
2) MUSIC / PODCASTS
WILEY FROM ATLANTA - (Rapper, Singer-Songwriter)
“Wiley from Atlanta is an independent rapper, singer and songwriter based in Georgia. Coming from Atlanta’s East Side, known for acts like 6lack, Future, and Gucci Mane, Wiley’s distinctive delivery and attention to lyricism represent a new style from the city best known for trap and r&b. Perhaps best personified by his debut album “Blue Don’t Make Me Cry”, Wiley’s music blends rock, soul, r&b, folk and hip hop to defy genre and create a lane that is all his own. Inspired by an eclectic range of artists from OutKast and Radiohead to Young Thug and Tom Waits, Wiley is a rapper at heart with the voice of a soul singer.” - Wiley From Atlanta’s website
Spotify Playlist:
Here is a live performance from his hit song Pink Skies:
And a more recent look at a more chill vibey style with Contact High and Run My Mouth:
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3) ART
YAYOI KUSAMA: GREAT ART EXPLAINED - (Youtube)
I featured Yayoi Kusama last year in a weekly 5 Cool Things, but the Great Art Explained Youtube channel strikes again. They just made a video featuring the great artist this past week. It is a more in depth look into Kusama’s life, and the inspiration for her mesmerizing work.
4) BOOKS / WRITING
ON THE ROAD by JACK KEROUAC - (American Novelist)
“Jean-Louis Lebris de Kérouac, known as Jack Kerouac, was an American novelist and poet who, alongside William S. Burroughs and Allen Ginsberg, was a pioneer of the Beat Generation.” -Wikipedia
On The Road will always hold a special place for me as a writer. I was a wayfarer midwestern kid in his twenties, living out his dream in California, and it was the first time I had ever read Kerouac, and it was ultimately the first time that I recognized that there are no rules in writing. I am not speaking on the topic of grammar, however, but a freedom in creativity. It opened up so much for me. I understand some may find Kerouac’s writing to be difficult to read, to take in. But for me, a pure explosion of the system of writing had occurred. I will always cherish that creative shift.
“What is that feeling when you're driving away from people and they recede on the plain till you see their specks dispersing? - it's the too-huge world vaulting us, and it's good-bye. But we lean forward to the next crazy venture beneath the skies.” -Excerpt from On The Road
5) PHOTOGRAPHY / CINEMATOGRAPHY
ROGER DEAKINS - (English Cinematographer)
*I am once again adapting things. As a filmmaker myself, and a lover of cinema, film, movies, whichever version of the word you prefer, I am fondly studying the art of cinematography. It is simply a moving version of photography, and I would like to showcase that going forward in this category. Recognizing some of the amazing cinematographers that have worked, and the iconic images that they conjure up for the silver screen, should make for a very fun addition to 5 Cool Things.
Roger Deakins is a household name in the film world. However, if you do not know the name, I can almost guarantee you that you have seen his work. He is considered one of the greatest to ever do it. And these images, and a great video on Deakins will showcase why he is an absolute master in his field.
Here is a look into Deakins’ work by Youtuber James Hayes:
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