Lost In Translation

Me And Orson Wells

Me And Orson Wells would seem like an unlikely project for Richard Linklater, but in actuality he has made a variety of films over his career-from his breakout success Dazed And Confused to his philosophical animation films Waking LIfe and A Scanner Darkly to mainstream fare like School Of Rock and The Bad News Bears remake.   I could see how he would be attracted to doing a kind of period piece (the film is based on a novel based on the production of Wells' Julius Caesar in modern dress in 1937). It stars heart throb Zac Efron and Claire Danes and a cast of accomplished British actors. It was a compelling film about coming of age and the lost illusions as much as about how like-minded people can come together and make great art.

Thomas Jefferson: Author of America

Christopher Hitchens' short biography of Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson: Author of America is an interesting look at one of the most influential Presidents in history. And, indeed, most of the book concerns his presidency with sections that precede and follow his presidency. Some of them more significant than others including his time as ambassador to France following Benjamin Franklin's term. The French revolution and the French as an ally are significant in the politics of his day. Hitchens surveys other books on Jefferson to make his points about the significance of his westward expansion with the Louisiana Purchase, his attitudes toward slavery, and his relationship with Sally Hemming among other issues. I was intrigued on the section about the Barbary War, in which Jefferson assembles a navy to fight Muslim pirates on the Barbary Coast and declares war against Tripoli. It is a chapter in history that I had overlooked-I should like to read a book on it at some point. I think it is not surprising that Hitchens, author of God Is Not Great, spends some time analyzing Jefferson's Enlightenment rationality in light of his Deist religious beliefs (essentially that God does not take an active role in everyday life and didn' t believe in predestination like many of the people of his day). Overall a good short overview of one of the most significant founding fathers.

Pitari Hashi

In some ways Pitari Hashi is a typical Tonkatsu place, this is a typical dish, ebi fry with cheese katsu (deep fried shrimp with pork cutlet with cheese) set lunch. However, they gave you sesame seeds with　a pestle to grind to mix in with your choice of sweet or spicy sauces. (see below).

Blade Runner (BFI Modern Classics)

I have been enjoying the BFI Modern Classic series-it is very similar to the Continuum series of short book length essays on seminal films instead of albums. The latest edition was on Ridley Scott's Blade Runner by Scott Bukatman, which I think is one of my favorite films. I am drawn to the film by the visual world you escape to when watching the film. It also appeals to my appreciations for gumshoe detective stories and film noir. In fact a lot of the book discusses the look and atmosphere of the film and it's effect rather than the nuts and bolts of the making of the film, although there is some about that as well. But I think the underlying story of the film success it's cult following-once the Director's Cut was released it became a hit. I remember seeing it in 1990 while at college and reading all the press that suggested it was the superior version sans the heavy handed narration and I agree that the ambient noise adds to the overall atmospheree of the city at night. There are discussion as Phillip K. DIck's influence and cyberpunk and perhaps a little too much academic posturing with mentions of people like Barthes, Foucalt, and Zizek. However, overall I think it is a good discussion of the merits and influence of one of the 80s finest films.

Sakae Station, Nagoya

On arrival, Sakae is the main entertianment district on par with Sannomia in Kobe or Kabukicho in Tokyo.

The Nagoya TV Tower at night.

A city park with sculptures in Sakae.

Big business in the modern city.

 

 

Food In Nagoya

Nagoya style ramen is heavy on the miso-the taste is much stronger than Hokkaido style miso ramen.

Furaibo is a local Nagoya izakaya chain that specializes in tebasaki (chicken wings).

There were several varieties: original (kind of sweet with seseame, spicy, and black pepper style).

Just in case you don't know how to eat the wings there are instructions.

The Killer Inside

I've finally read a Jim Thompson book, The Killer Inside. One of my friends has been singing his praises for years and I've enjoyed the film adaptations of The Grifters and After Dark My Sweet. I figured that I ought to read this one before I see the film-Michael Winterbottom has made a film version of this dark and twisted tale of deputy sheriff Lou Ford and psychotic impulses. I have to say I really enjoyed the writing style and portrait of small town Texas life with feme fatales and random acts of violence. I look forward to reading more by Thompson and to seeing the film version of this disturbing novel.

Nagoya

I was in Nagoya for the 2010 Japanese Association of Language Teachers Annual Conference. This is outside of Nagoya station. It is the 4th largest city in Tokyo, and headquarters for Toyota, and I've only passed through it before.

Big city.

Nice contrast in the Nagoya skyline.

From the platform for the shinkansen, a beautiful sunny autumn afternoon.

Ajami

 

Ajami, nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the Oscars in 2009, is an intense and gritty depiction of the violent society of Muslims, Jews,and Christians in Israel's melting pot Jaffa. It reminds me of the best elements of the films Amores Perros and City of God. It is said to have taken seven years to complete. It tells five interlocking stories about the diverse population of Jaffa-all of the religious groups are represented and the stories still manage to surprise the viewer as expectations are undermined by camera angles and lack of knowledge of particular story lines. It is a powerful and entertaining film.

In The iPod: Novemeber 2010

I really enjoyed Nick Lowe's 2007 release At My Age, so it comes as no surprise that I am also found of his 2001 release, The Convincer , which I've just gotten around to listening to. I think the recordings are similar in theme and delivery, however, this one is more mellow somehow. Lots of great tracks like: "Lately I'm A Mess," "She's Got Soul," and "Homewrecker."

Since I recently revisited Pavement's classic 1995 recording Wowee Zowee, it inspired me to reacquire their first album, 1992's Slanted and Enchanted, which was on heavy rotation in my share house back in the post-college days. My favorites among the low-fi tunes are: "Summer Babe," "Trigger Cut/Wounded Kite at:17," "Here," and "Two States."

The only newish album aomong this bunch is Massive Attack's latest Heliogoland released this year with an array of guest singers-not unlike this year's Gorillaz release. MY favorite features former Mazzy Star lead Hope Sandoval on "Paradise Circus." I also like "Babel" with Martina Topely-Bird former Tricky collaborator, and "Saturday Come Slow" featuring Gorillaz's Damon Albarn on vocals.