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| Ron Hansen, 2012. By Travis Simpkins |
Ron Hansen talks about his novel, "A Wild Surge of Guilty Passion"
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| A Wild Surge of Guilty Passion. By Ron Hansen |
Sunday, May 27, 2012
CLOSE UP: Ron Hansen
"Play It Again, Sam" (1972): Classic Woody Allen
Although Woody Allen wrote and starred in "Play It Again, Sam" (1972), he did not direct it. That job was given to Herbert Ross. It was an early stage in Allen's filmmaking career and his best known efforts at that time were slapstick in nature, so he was not fully trusted with complete artistic control. Nevertheless, the film stands out as the first in a series of Allen films in a similar vein... in which he is a hopeless romantic failure. It is the first pairing of Woody Allen and Diane Keaton, who formed a long lasting creative partnership. It also resonates as Woody Allen's remarkably beautiful homage to one of the greatest films ever made... Casablanca.
Woody Allen stars as Allen Felix, a writer for a film magazine, whose wife has just left him. Depressed, bewildered and befuddled, he is need of a new companion. Strangely enough, his most vocal wing man is the ghost of Humphrey Bogart, who gives him tips on how to score with the ladies.
His married friends, Dick and Linda, also try to help by setting him up on a series of dates... all of which end in hilarious disaster.
Through their friendship, Allen realizes that his true affections rest with Linda, his best friend's wife. More confusion occurs when it is discovered that Linda has feelings for him as well.
How can he reconcile his feelings and do what is best for all involved?
scene from "Play It Again, Sam"
Saturday, May 26, 2012
CLOSE UP: Niki Luparelli
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| Niki Luparelli, 2010. By Travis Simpkins |
Niki Luparelli- "Dream a Little Dream of Me"
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| Lainey Schulbaum, Travis Simpkins, and Niki Luparelli- 2007 |
For more info, visit: http://www.nikiluparelli.com/
Fury (1936): Fritz Lang's First American Film
In the mid 1930s, Fritz Lang, Germany's most celebrated film director, bravely refused Adolf Hitler's request that he become the head of movies for the Third Reich. Lang fled to America and wound up in Hollywood, hired by MGM. His first American film was Fury (1936), starring Spencer Tracy and Sylvia Sidney, touching on the issue of mob violence. It still holds up well today, but benefits greatly from repeated viewings.
Joe and Kate are in love, but lack the financial stability they deem necessary for marriage. So Kate moves away for a better job, while Joe stays behind to work and save money so that they can wed upon their reunion. When that day comes, Joe drives out to meet Kate but is stopped by the police and is accused of a crime he didn't commit (kidnapping). He maintains his innocence through the questioning...
Meanwhile, Kate is concerned that Joe has not arrived...
While he is being held, the angry townspeople form a mob, hell-bent on instant justice...
They set fire to the jail and everyone assumes Joe is killed in the fiery explosion...
Joe survives, however, and escapes unnoticed. As a result of the horrific behavior of the mob, Joe is determined to get revenge on those responsible for his "death." He wants them to suffer as he suffered. Twenty-two people in the mob are put on trial for Joe's murder (it was later discovered he was an innocent man), while Joe awaits their inevitable executions. It's up to Kate to talk some sense into him before it goes too far...
a scene from "Fury"
Friday, May 25, 2012
CLOSE UP: Arlo Guthrie
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| Arlo Guthrie, 2011. By Travis Simpkins |
Arlo Guthrie- "Darkest Hour"
For more info, visit: http://www.arlo.net/
Thursday, May 24, 2012
New Portrait Illustration: Tom Lewis (1940-2008) Artist/Activist
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| Tom Lewis (1940-2008), 2012. By Travis Simpkins |
The first time I was set to meet Tom Lewis was at the unveiling of a mixed-media mural he had made for the Community Health Center, but he was not there. Like so many times before, Tom had been arrested, quickly convicted and was serving a prison sentence. The second time I was supposed to meet him, once again, he was behind bars. His countless acts of Civil Disobedience, for which he thoroughly believed in and sacrificed his freedom for, led to his numerous incarcerations both years before and years after I finally met him in 2000. When I did get to know Tom quite well, he was my Printmaking Professor at Anna Maria College, and later, my co-worker at the Worcester Art Museum. In contrast to the notion of an angry protester, Tom was, perhaps, the nicest, most caring, generous and humble man I have ever known. Even when he told me about his upcoming protests, he would speak very nonchalantly, "I'm planning to get about three months for this..." Tom was an amazing human being (that always placed others before himself) and a tremendously talented artist. The protests often overshadowed his role as an artist, but in my eyes, he remains one of the best. I feel honored to have known him, and he is dearly missed.
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| Cops and Peace Demonstrators. By Tom Lewis |
Democracy Now remembers Tom Lewis
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| Tom Lewis and others burning draft records- Catonsville, Maryland- 1968 |
Tom Lewis talks about his Art and the Catonsville Nine
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| EZEKIEL, 1996. By Tom Lewis |
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| Tom Lewis (1940-2008) |
For more info, visit: http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/04/06/8120
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
CLOSE UP: Richie Havens
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| Richie Havens, 2012. By Travis Simpkins |
Richie Havens- Just Like a Woman (from the Bob Dylan tribute concert)
For more info, visit: http://www.richiehavens.com/official_site/home.html
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Prints are Available for Purchase
By popular demand, 12x16 signed prints of some of my illustrations are available for purchase. The print(s) will be rolled in mailing tubes and you can pay securely with a credit/debit card via Paypal. They can be had for the low price of $15.00 each (plus shipping). Just click on the "Add to Cart" button under your selection on the side column here ----------->>>---------------------------------------------------------------------------------->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
For the time being, only these illustrations have been made into prints. More to follow. I am open to requests as well.
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| Quiet Desperation #4, 2011. By Travis Simpkins |
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| Quiet Desperation #3, 2011. By Travis Simpkins |
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| Sophia Cacciola and Michael J. Epstein, 2011. By Travis Simpkins |
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| Golden Bloom, 2011. By Travis Simpkins |
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| Arlo Guthrie, 2011. By Travis Simpkins |
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| Dan Burke, 2011. By Travis Simpkins |
Monday, May 21, 2012
New Portrait Illustration: Roger Salloom (Musician/Songwriter)
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| Roger Salloom, 2012. By Travis Simpkins |
The phrase, "America's Best Unknown Songwriter", which is often used to describe him, fits Roger Salloom well. I first became acquainted with his music after reading an article in the Worcester Telegram & Gazette a few years back, promoting a show he was doing in town. Since then, I have become a great admirer of Roger's work. He is an amazing, witty, friendly guy with an inspiring story (starting out in the 1960's, then returning to music after a 20 year hiatus). His albums are musical gems that run seamlessly from the first track to the last. Roger writes engaging songs that bring about a direct musician/listener communication that is seldom accomplished with such beautiful simplicity and elegance. His life and work were documented in the recent film, So Glad I Made It: The Saga of Roger Salloom. America's Best Unknown Songwriter.
I have immense respect for Roger as a person and as an artist. I'm glad this portrait met with his approval.
Roger Salloom- "In the Snow"
Roger Salloom- "La Te Da"
Roger Salloom Live
Salloom, Sinclair & the Mother Bear circa 1968
Trailer for the Documentary: So Glad I Made It: The Saga of Roger Salloom. America's Best Unknown Songwriter
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Niagara (1953): Classic Marilyn Monroe
Made when she was just a fledgling star (which many consider her best period), Niagara (1953) captures all of Marilyn Monroe's voluptuous beauty in stunning Technicolor. Containing some elements of Film Noir and Hitchcockian subject matter and style, the film is both thrilling and intriguing. And, of course, Niagara Falls provides a wonderful natural setting for the events to play out.
A young couple honeymooning in Niagara have the misfortune of crossing paths with Mr. and Mrs. Loomis (Joseph Cotten and Marilyn Monroe). Mr. Loomis seems to have some mental and emotional problems, and Mrs. Loomis is discontent in her marriage...
The young couple soon discovers that Mrs. Loomis is having an affair with a younger guy, but dismiss it as none of their business...
It is understandable, as everyone is enchanted by Mrs. Loomis' ravishing beauty...
The affair turns to conspiracy, however, when she convinces her lover to murder her husband. The plan backfires... Now Mr. and Mrs. Loomis have bigger problems than mere marital discord...
Niagara- movie trailer
Saturday, May 19, 2012
The Prestige (2006): Magic in Modern Cinema
The Prestige (2006) was released around the same time as The Illusionist, also a film about magicians. As a result, the two films sort of cancelled each other out in audiences collective memories. Of the two, The Prestige is probably the better film, based on the surprise ending and it's stellar cast... Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman, Scarlett Johanssen, Michael Caine and David Bowie.
Two feuding magicians (Bale and Jackman) are not only competing for the most impressive trick, their rivalry has brought about a desire for revenge and sabotage on both sides.
With the help of his advisor (Caine) and his lovely assistant (Scarlett Johanssen), Jackman tries his best to one-up his competitor...
However, the grudge gets serious when Bale comes up with a new amazing transporting man trick. Jackman, convinced it is real, finds himself journeying to the laboratory of Nicola Tesla (David Bowie) to have a machine built that will make him vanish and reappear...
Tesla's experiments in electricity are astounding enough to believe anything is possible...
Tesla builds the machine, but the consequences are more than any of them bargained for...
The Prestige- movie trailer
Friday, May 18, 2012
CLOSE UP: Sarah Heggan
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| Sarah Heggan, 2012. By Travis Simpkins |
Sarah Heggan- Stand-up comedy
Quiet Desperation Act 2- Episode 4 featuring Sarah Heggan
For more info, visit: http://www.sarahheggan.com/
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Strangers on a Train (1951): Classic Alfred Hitchcock
One of Hitchcock's better works, Strangers on a Train (1951) is perhaps best known now as the inspiration for the film, Throw Mama From the Train, starring Billy Crystal and Danny Devito. Full of suspense, with typical Hitchcock style and a nail-biting climax, Strangers on a Train is inventive and memorable.
Farley Granger and Robert Walker play two strangers who meet on a train. Each one of them has a person in their life that is causing them strife. Farley's wife is extorting him, and Walker's father doesn't appreciate him. In a sick twist, Walker throws out the idea that they swap murders, each man kills the other's nemesis. That way there is no connection, no motive.
Granger dismisses this as idle, hypothetical crazy talk. His world is put in turmoil, however, when Walker does in fact murder his wife for him.
Now Walker expects Granger to fulfill his end by killing the father. He refuses and Walker stalks him...
threatening to derail his future life and happiness by framing him...
An unforgettable climax ensues...
Strangers on a Train- movie trailer
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