Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Sunday, April 21, 2013

Tom at home - #112/365

Tom at home - #112/365 by PJMixer
Tom at home - #112/365, a photo by PJMixer on Flickr.
Via Flickr:
I had spotted Tom's shop the week before and made a point of stopping by to take some exterior shots of his interesting looking Ironman shop. As I was taking a few shots, Tom popped out, said hi and opened his front door. I took that as an invitation and walked in to find myself in his combined shop and home. We chatted a while about my stranger project and he told me a funny story about an incident in Greece taking a photo of a policeman on a motercycle. Someone out there may recognize Tom as part of the Junk Raiders reality TV show cast. Out of the shot is a cozy cat on his couch and a German Shepherd that appeared friendly but suspected doubled as a guard dog. I think his home shows what a true character Tom is. TV star, wrought iron blacksmith and a true friendly stranger. So happy I stopped by and very pleased with the photos.
Tom
Ironman

Tom at home - #112/365

Tom at home - #112/365 by PJMixer
Tom at home - #112/365, a photo by PJMixer on Flickr.
Via Flickr:
I had spotted Tom's shop the week before and made a point of stopping by to take some exterior shots of his interesting looking Ironman shop. As I was taking a few shots, Tom popped out, said hi and opened his front door. I took that as an invitation and walked in to find myself in his combined shop and home. We chatted a while about my stranger project and he told me a funny story about an incident in Greece taking a photo of a policeman on a motercycle. Someone out there may recognize Tom as part of the Junk Raiders reality TV show cast. Out of the shot is a cozy cat on his couch and a German Shepherd that appeared friendly but suspected doubled as a guard dog. I think his home shows what a true character Tom is. TV star, wrought iron blacksmith and a true friendly stranger. So happy I stopped by and very pleased with the photos.

Tom
Ironman

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Movie Reviews - February to early April 2013



Deliverance
Deliverance (1972)
 
One of a kind - I don't think I've ever seen a film like it. Voigt was the standout. I think what made it intense and scary was how real it seemed. Disturbing and unsettling on many fronts. Canoeing down the rapids had a great authenticity about it. Banjo scene was superb. Rock climbing and the subsequent showdown was gripping. Scene in the woods was terrifying.
Another Earth
Another Earth (2011)
 
I made the mistake of asking the video store guy (yes, there are a few of this dying breed left in the city) - I won't tell you what he said, but it tainted my opening thoughts about the movie. But I was delighted to discover a precious gem of a movie. Sci-fi enabled thought provoking master plot with dramatic and emotional parallel plot. For such a low budget I was really impressed by the production and cinematography. Superb acting all around and massive kudos for Brit Marling, co-writer, co-producer and actor. Can't say much more, but I loved it, beautiful moments, delicate script and big idea framework.
Side Effects
Side Effects (2013)
 
Difficult to say much about the plot without being a spoiler. Edgy and intense with top notch performances. Not what I was expecting but it over delivered. Sold.
The Big Picture
 
Quirky and very dated, but quite fun. Off beat humour that is perhaps not that far from the craziness of the real Hollywood. But nice splashes of sentimentality.
Cloud Atlas
Cloud Atlas (2012)
 
Grand and adventurous moviemaking and storytelling. Almost didn't work, but it contained enough mystery, interesting characters and performances to make me stay with it to the end. Very violent and not as good as I expected. I'd read that it was an ambitious adaptation of a massive book - and it looked it to me. Some tempting plot elements that appealed to my views of interconnectiveness, but is was too jumbled and disjointed for me.
The Sessions
The Sessions (2012)
 
Great storytelling of an unusual kind. Warm, rich, real-world characters superbly acted by old favourites and new faces to pay more attention to. Mark's story reminds us of the essence of love. A beautiful film.
Upside Down
Upside Down (2013)
 
Bizarre sci-fi premise intros some very interesting possibilities. Love story chemistry works well (especially since I'm not a Dunst fan) and the premise gives us some structure to work through. Supporting role from Spall adds some warmth and depth. Solid FX makes the giddy world almost believable, and fantasy-heavy shots take us back into the surreal world. Found it in the Canadian section onboard an Air Canada flight.
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
 
Quite different to what I expected - the adversity had to come from somewhere I suppose. Superb complex characters delivered by top notch British actors. The joy of chaos. Sad and heartbreaking layers mixed with lots of genuine happiness and big smiles. "Everything will be alright in the end.' So if it's not alright, it is not yet the end".
Arbitrage
Arbitrage (2012)
 
Oh what a tangled web we weave. Gotta love a cop like Roth - asking all the right questions. Hows he getting out of this ? He's not. How's he going to make it right ? Gripping, sparking tragedy, but an unbalanced sense of itself a bit maybe I'm not seeing it clearly - maybe he's the villain, we know who the victims are, but who's the protagonist ? Nice one... Strong ending.

The white corvette waits for her driver - #107/365

Sunday, April 07, 2013

Saturday, April 06, 2013

Wednesday, April 03, 2013

My temporary office for 30 mins: Charlotte, NC - #94/365

Via Flickr:
After I took the shot a TSA security person sat next to me to enjoy some quiet time while having his lunch - super nice ex NYPD officer, but not a fan of his new North Carolina home - nothing like NYC ! Thought of asking for a stranger photo but guessed it wouldn't be allowed.