MESSAGE
| DATE | 2017-03-02 |
| FROM | Rick Moen
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| SUBJECT | Subject: [Hangout-NYLXS] For your consideration: Two more films
|
I've already recommended 'Duplicity' (quoted below). But all of the
discussion about art and about art authentication has reminded me of a
couple of other films relevant to those themes:
1. Tim's Vermeer.
This is a 2013 documentary directed and produced (respectively) by
magicians Teller and Penn Jillette, about an obsessive and ultimately
successful projects by one of their amazing friends. Tim Jenison,
well-to-do inventor of the Amiga Video Toaster and LightWave 3D,
believed he'd figured out how 17th Century Dutch painter Johannes
Vermeer produced his stunningly realistic painting effects even in an
era without photography, and decided to prove the point by painting a
replica of one of Vermeer's classics, The Music Lesson, using nothing
but 17th C. techniques and materials, using a brilliantly simple optics
tool he figured Vermeer used. This is truly fascinating stuff, geeky on
a very satisfying level. Jenison raised the question, to what extent
was Vermeer an artist and to what extent was he a technology-user?
The implications are profound.
Look up the Wikipedia page and the Rotten Tomatoes review page (89% on
the Tomatometer, by the way). You'll find that the movie reviewers were
utterly intrigued, whereas the art historians were offended.
I've just watched this in a gorgeous BluRay rendition. It's a winner.
2. Exit Through the Gift Shop.
Another documentary (2010) by legendary British street artist Banksy,
telling the story of French artist-on-the-make Thierry Guetta in Los
Angeles, who is obsessed with street art. Many amusing misadventures
follow, culminating somehow in a train-wreck of an art show that somehow
becomes a roaring success.
Is Guetta a real, genuine artist? Is the entire film a hoax? Is it a
prankumentary? Does it really matter? Either way, it's funny as hell.
Also, didn't I mention that the 1999 remake movie of The Thomas Crown
Affair, which is all about art, art forgery, and art theft, will rock
your world? See it!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Thomas_Crown_Affair_(1999_film)
----- Forwarded message from Rick Moen -----
Date: Mon, 20 Feb 2017 02:09:45 -0800
From: Rick Moen
To: hangout-at-nylxs.com
Subject: Duplicity (2009 film)
Organization: If you lived here, you'd be $HOME already.
If you enjoyed The Usual Suspects, and if you're considering
watching the 1999 Thomas Crown Affair remake (Russo, Brosnan, Leary),
then probably you like smart, twisty, funny caper films. I have another
one for you, equally golden. Like the other films mentioned, it has a
puzzle plot. If you like puzzle plots, this may be for you.
Duplicity is a 2009 romantic crime comedy film written and directed by
Tony Gilroy, and starring Clive Owen and Julia Roberts. The plot follows
two corporate spies with a romantic history who [RM: snip spoilers].
The film was released on March 20, 2009.
(Wikipedia page.)
65% on the Tomatometer, which I don't think even remotely does it
justice.
https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/duplicity_2009/
And: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXC_-UU2QOs
----- End forwarded message -----
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