Smashbomb

"In the recent documentary Gerhard Richter Painting, the painter speaks at length about being a young artist emerging in post–World War II Germany. He says that he always considered painting to be nothing more than a trade that one dedicates oneself to day after day. Working is, above all, very respectable. Perhaps this attitude can be attributed to the fact that postwar Germans were faced with the arduous (but perhaps liberating) task of writing a new history for themselves—trying to come to terms with the past while simultaneously looking toward the future and the endless possibilities therein. With such daunting business at hand, a workhorse spirit would be a must for all German artists. Fassbinder most definitely had that spirit, leaving behind forty feature-length films and playing countless other roles over the course of his short career. Lola alludes to some of these particular pressures and concerns. Lola herself is a woman with a troubled past pressing forward with her life. It is a great, classic story, and a lot can be read into it. But on a purely aesthetic level, Lola is a sumptuous visual journey. So many textures and colors . . . if Zéro de conduite is a Dadaist masterpiece and The Scarlet Empress is expressionism on film, Lola is pure Technicolor pop art, and one of the best late Fassbinder films. Coincidentally, Rainer Werner Fassbinder died the day before I was born."

Source

Kudos

Bong Mines Entertainment (15 KP) rated IT IS AS IF by Jake Troth in Music

Sep 2, 2019

Jake Troth is an LA-based multi-platinum singer-songwriter and producer from Davidson, North Carolina. Not too long ago, he released a music video for his “Alive & Well” single.

“‘Alive & Well’ was written over the course of 5 years. It was initiated at the lowest point of my life and then completed years later during the best moments of my life. I wrote the verses based on the feeling the film “Harold and Maude” gave me; Melodrama and Macabre mixed with a little tongue-in-cheek bravery.” – Jake Troth

‘Alive & Well’ arrives on the heels of Jake Troth’s debut single, entitled, “Open Door”.

The honest tune finds Troth struggling with his inner self as he transitions from his lowest points to some of his best moments.

‘Alive and Well’ will be featured on Troth’s upcoming debut album, entitled, “IT IS AS IF”.

“‘IT IS AS IF’ reveals a sweet and succinct new approach towards songcraft, anchored by remarkably refined melodies and deft lyrical observations.”

The 10-track project was written over the course of two solitary weeks in a Woodstock, New York cabin.

Apart from being a musical artist, Jake Troth has a flair for art. He hand-painted all the single artworks and the LP cover himself.

So far, he has collaborated with artists such as Lizzo, Kehlani, Sia, Big Boi, and many more. Also, his “Sunday Smile” single has amassed over 10M streams online.

Kudos

Lenard (726 KP) rated The Farewell (2019) in Movies

Aug 19, 2019

The Farewell (2019)

2019 | Comedy, Drama

8.9

(7 Ratings)

Movie Rating

In the West, families celebrate each other in death. If someone is dying, the news is shared and every one comes together to tragically revere their family member. In the West, they celebrate their family member in life. They do not let someone know that they are dying instead bringing a sense of joy by coming together. This culture clash between the New World ideas and Old World ideas populate Lulu Wang's new film "The Farewell." The family matriach has stage 4 cancer, but rather than tell her that she is dying, the two brothers and their families stage a wedding. One son emigrated to America and raised a liberal arts educated daughter who struggles to make ends meet. One son went to Japan and raised his son. Left behind, the sister and a niece took care of their mother. It is revealed how much the sister has sacrificed for this matriach, but she is happy to give her sister the joy to live. Is it wrong to tell a lie if it makes a person's life better? Which idea of death do you follow? Awkwafina gives a surprising performance as Billi, the Asian-American artist who loves her grandmother and struggles to understand how this lie is good. Shuzhen Zhao plays Nai Nai, the family matriach, with spirit and style, the kind of performance Oscar would notice if they gave notice to Asian performances.