Titanic (1997): A Look at the Film on the 100th Anniversary of the Maritime Tragedy

     One hundred years ago today, on it's maiden voyage, the RMS Titanic struck an iceberg and sank... taking the lives of over 1,500 people. As a topic of interest, the overanalyzing and sensationalism surrounding those events have become morbid cliches, often overshadowing the human aspects of those lost in one of the worst disasters in maritime history. Nevertheless, the public's fascination with April 15, 1912 always creates pause and remembrance. That said, I thought it would suit to take a look at one of the better efforts to depict the tragedy (which will be re-released soon in 3D), James Cameron's 1997 film, Titanic.

     Yet another voyage into the depths of the sea to excavate the wreckage of Titanic is underway, this time to recover a priceless diamond believed to be on board. 

     Among those objects retrieved is a drawing of a nude, reclining woman. Rose, an elderly woman, sees the news coverage and alerts the crew that she is the woman depicted in the sketch. 

     So, the story begins as Rose recalls her experience on the maiden voyage of the Titanic. 

     A love story develops as she recalls meeting Jack Dawson, a transient artist... 

     She describes their mutual attraction and the obstacles and objections their romance faced, both social status-wise and personal. And she describes the execution of the drawing she had posed for... 

     The background story becomes less important as the Captain ignores iceberg warnings... 

     and the Titanic strikes an iceberg and begins to sink... 

     An already inadequate supply of lifeboats are launched without full capacity, leaving thousands to fight for their lives as the ship continues to founder... 

     Jack and Rose, left behind in the sinking ship, must find a route to safety... 

     before the ship makes it's slow descent to the sea floor and is lost...

Titanic- movie trailer

A Night To Remember (1958): The Unsinkable Titanic (100 Years Later)

     April 14, 1912, one hundred years ago, was the last time the Titanic saw daylight. On this important anniversary, there is sure to be many events, television programs, book readings and documentary screenings... all testifying to the lasting interest in the ill-fated ship. If any lesson can be learned from that tragedy a century ago, it is that nothing is certain, anything is possible. No ship is unsinkable. At least that is what the characters in A Night To Remember (1958) take away from it. This film is unique on the list of Titanic films in that it doesn't have a tedious subplot running through it. If it has a main character, it is the 2nd captain, whose experiences on the ship sandwich the bulk of the story. Historical inaccuracies are unavoidable here, particularly when the ship sinks in one piece. The wreckage was not discovered until 30 years after the film was made, so some aspects had to be imagined. As the events are well known, a summary isn't necessary, so here are some stills which relay the events better than words....

A Night To Remember- movie trailer

CLOSE UP: David Massengill

David Massengill, 2011. By Travis Simpkins

David Massengill- My Name Joe

David Massengill and Travis Simpkins

For more info, visit: http://www.davidmassengill.com/

Ron Hansen: Profiles from the Illustrations

Ron Hansen, 2012. By Travis Simpkins

     Ron Hansen was born in Omaha, Nebraska in 1947. He attended Creighton University and Stanford University, and currently is an Arts and Humanities Professor at Santa Clara University. He has published nine novels, a collection of short stories and a book of essays.

     Talented in multiple fields of writing, he has mastered fiction (Atticus, Isn't It Romantic) and religious themed works (Mariette in Ecstasy, Exiles), but his true love in writing seems to be in the field in which he remains unrivaled... historical fiction. Particularly interested in the Old West, Hansen's first two novels featured outlaw stories with historical characters and imagined dialogue, which added a human aspect that truly brought the fatal events to life. The first, Desperadoes (1979) told the tale of the Dalton Gang. 

     His second, and most acclaimed novel, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford  (1983) told the tale of the who's, whys and hows of the outlaw's murder. It has since been turned into a feature film starring Brad Pitt and Casey Affleck.

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford- movie trailer

     Hitler's Niece (1999) speaks of the love affair the dictator had with his own niece, and her mysterious death. 

     His most recent novel, A Wild Surge of Guilty Passion (2011) details the true crime, trial and execution of Ruth Snyder and her lover, Judd Gray in 1920s New York, in which the couple murdered Snyder's husband for insurance money.

Ron, talking about his new novel, A Wild Surge of Guilty Passion

Ron Hansen Reading at Cornell University

Purchase books by Ron Hansen on amazon.com here

CLOSE UP: Bigg Nez

Bigg Nez, 2012. By Travis Simpkins

Bigg Nez performing stand-up at The Comedy Studio

For more info, visit: http://therealbiggnez.webs.com/

Currently Accepting Portrait Commissions...

 If you are interested in commissioning me to do a portrait, send me a message with a general idea of what you'd like to have done (with a reference photo attached*) at email: travisliam@aol.com

    I will be able to estimate a price based on the info and photo provided

(simple, single subjects are very affordable, starting as low as $50, prices increase relative to quantity and complexity).

* it is integral that the photos be clear, with decent lighting (no bright flash)

Hank Williams III, 2012. By Travis Simpkins

Quiet Desperation #8, 2012. By Travis Simpkins

John McCauley, 2011. By Travis Simpkins

Tom Rush, 2012. By Travis Simpkins

Golden Bloom, 2011. By Travis Simpkins

New Portrait Illustration: Elizabeth Ziman (Elizabeth & the Catapult)

Elizabeth Ziman, 2012. By Travis Simpkins

     I met Elizabeth Ziman about five or six years ago. As the front woman and creative force of Elizabeth & the Catapult, she is impressive to say the least. With a beautiful, soaring voice and huge ambition that belie her small stature, her songs convey a full plethora of emotions that give an honest look into who she truly is. Elizabeth & the Catapult is easily one of the best live acts I've ever seen. Her musicianship is amazing and her songwriting is impeccable. Quite simply, she is a fun, cute, cool gal with loads of talent.

Elizabeth & the Catapult- "Race You"

Elizabeth Ziman, 2012. By Travis Simpkins

Elizabeth & the Catapult- "Mama's Boy"

Elizabeth Ziman, 2012. By Travis Simpkins

Elizabeth & the Catapult- "Taller Children"

Interview with Elizabeth & the Catapult

Elizabeth Ziman, 2012. By Travis Simpkins

For more info, visit: http://www.elizabethandthecatapult.com/

Harold and Maude (1971): Classic Cult Films

      Although it received lackluster reception upon it's release, Harold and Maude (1971) has since come to be cited as one of the greatest love films ever made... all the more surprising considering the unorthodox pairing of an 18 year old male and an 80 year old female. The film invites the viewer to to enjoy life, and the company we choose, despite outward appearances. It also has, in my opinion, one of the greatest soundtracks ever recorded, composed by Cat Stevens.

     Harold is a morose loner... 

     With no friends, no girlfriend and a mother who dictates his existence, he feels impelled to lash out in the form of theatrical fake suicides, designed to horrify his mother... 

     One of Harold's sole enjoyments is in attending the funerals of people he doesn't know. At one such service, he meets Maude, an 80 year old woman who shares that particular interest... 

     Harold and Maude become instant friends... 

     She teaches him interesting new tricks and vices, and shows him the value of enjoying life before it's too late... 

     Meanwhile, Harold's mother does not approve of his new relationship, and is determined to find Harold a mate more his own age. Harold's reaction is priceless... 

     Harold and Maude have become soul mates, but how long can it possibly last?

Harold and Maude- with Cat Stevens' "If You Want To Sing Out, Sing Out"

Dick Tracy (1990): Classic Films from Comic Strips

     Any shortcomings Dick Tracy (1990) might have in terms of storyline are more than made up for with style. With it's use of bright primary colors, the film is, if nothing else, visually stunning and at some points, beautiful. Snagging an Oscar for the startling transformations brought about through the creative use of make-up, the film truly brings the original cartoon characters to life on the screen. The all-star cast helps as well (Al Pacino, Warren Beatty, Dustin Hoffman, Mandy Patinkin, Paul Sorvino, Dick Van Dyke, Madonna...)

     Dick Tracy is up to his usual routine. Battling bad guys and always perpetually hesitating on popping the question to Tess, he is in a constant dilemma. 

     Faint glimpses of a normal life appear and seem plausible when he and Tess half-adopt a guttersnipe kid.

      Tess and the kid take a back seat however, when Big Boy Caprice (Al Pacino) eliminates his competition and decides to take the helm of organized crime in the City. Dick Tracy, the consummate Cop, needs to stop him. 

     Tracy must not only take on Big Boy's henchmen... 

     But added tension comes from the advances of Breathless Mahoney (Madonna, in a surprisingly good performance) 

     She is night club performer who seems smitten with him, and has knowledge that Dick Tracy believes will put Big Boy behind bars... 

     The usual shoot-outs and frame-ups occur as Dick Tracy builds his case and does his damnedest to bring the bad guys down...

Dick Tracy- movie trailer