Tag Archives: Art and Film

The Bourne Legacy opens August 3, 2012

Bourne Legacy

Years ago when I was in high school and college I read the Bourne Trilogy by Robert Ludlum and I loved the books. Despite my squeamish nature that shies away from violence, I love the suspense and story lines of a good espionage novel.

It looks like Hollywood is not ready to say good bye to this series which has raked in hundreds of millions of dollars and in August a new Bourne movie called The Bourne Legacy will open in theaters.

The strange part of this story line is that Jason Bourne will not be in the movie – well at least not the “Jason Bourne”. Apparently we learn that Operation Treadstone had other, maybe many “Jason Bournes”.  I loved the books and I thought Matt Damon played the lead character superbly, but this one has me wondering if it is worth seeing.  Check out the Bourne Legacy trailer and decide for yourself. 

Is Sandra Bullock coming to Boston

BostonAccording to Variety Sandra Bullock may be back in Boston filming a new movie with Melissa McCarthy. Back in 2008, Bullock filmed the movie The Proposal with co-star, Ryan Reynolds, on the North Shore.

In this new movie, Bullock would play a high strung FBI agent. Hmm… sounds like Ms. Congeniality all over again. The article didn’t mention when filming might begin.

James Bond: Skyfall

Daniel Craig returns as James Bond 007 in Skyfall.  In the forthcoming film, Bond’s loyalty to M played by Dame Judi Dench is tested as her past comes back to haunt her.  When MI6 comes under attack, Bond must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost.

Boston area museums announce HUGE gifts

Saundra LaneIt has been a great week for two Boston area museums.  On Monday, May 21st The Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) announced that one of the museum’s trustees, Saundra Lane, would bequeath 6,000 photographs, including works from Charles Sheeler, Edward Weston, and Ansel Adams in addition to 100 works on paper and 25 paintings.

The  donation is estimated to be in excess of $100,000,000

Lane’s generous donation is one of the “largest and most significant gifts in it’s history” according to the press release.  The gift significantly increases the number of objects in the MFA’s photography collection from 9,000 to 15,000.

Peabody Essex MuseumIris Apfel, the 90 year old fashion icon best known for her signature owl eye glasses and chunky jewelry will give more than 600 pieces of clothing and accessories to the Peabody Essex Museum (P.E.M.) in Salem, MA.  Why is this New Yorker looking to the P.E.M. and not the MOMA which premiered her exhibition Rare Bird in 2005? Apparently that tour which also stopped at the P.E.M. impressed her so much that she decided this is where she’d like her collection to reside. In addition to her donation, her husband will also bequeath an undisclosed sum to help build the museum’s new fashion gallery.

Fashionistas take note 

The P.E.M. is best known for their maritime art collection.  Apfel’s collection which also include articles from world famous designers including Karl Lagerfeld, Christian Dior, and Alexander McQueen will be included in the museum’s new fashion gallery and is expected to hopefully spur other fashion donations for the museum.

SoWa Market and Art Walk today

SoWa Art WalkStarting today, the SoWa Market returns.  This year the market which runs from 10am – 4pm each Sunday, will include more than 60 local farmers and specialty food vendors, 100+ local artists and designers, more than a dozen food trucks and the SoWa Vintage market.

SoWa Open Market will run through the end of October and can be located at 460 Harrison Avenue.  There is more information about the SoWa open market online at, www.sowaopenmarket.com.

BosGuyCoinciding with the return of the SoWa Market is the SoWa Art Walk. The Art work allows people to meet and view artwork in participating South End galleries as well as private artist studios.

Participating studio buildings are located at: Thayer Street – 49 Waltham Street – 450, 460, 486, and 524 Harrison Avenue – 35, 49 and 59 Wareham Street and Laconia Lofts.

More information about participating artists and galleries is available online at, www.sowaartwalk.com.

lineposters.com

BosGuy

Line Posters is an interesting collaboration between a graphic designer and an engineer.  The designs are described as “modern graphic interpretations of popular city transit systems.”   Are you new to a city, missing your home or want something to remind you of a favorite destination? Check out their designs. I thought the concept and execution was pretty cool.

www.lineposters.com

Alvin Ailey

Tonight I’ve been invited by a friend to attend the Alvin Ailey dance theater performance in Boston.  Sadly, my friend confused her dates 😦 and Alvin Ailey is coming to Boston next week when she is in Vegas.  Let’s see if I can nab some tickets to see this amazing dance troupe.

Ailey’s dance troupe comes to Boston each year to perform classics like Revelations and Sinner Man as well as newer dances all of which are beautifully choreographed and breathtaking to watch.  Over the years I’ve enjoyed watching these performances and consider myself lucky to get such great tickets. If you’ve never been you can try to get tickets online here.

To be heard

If you don’t learn to write your own life story,

someone else will write it for you.

As I mentioned previously, April is National Poetry Month so when I happened to see To be heard on PBS I was glued to my television.  This documentary tracks three teenagers from the South Bronx as they tell their stories of friendship, love and struggle, and show how a radical poetry class inspires them to change.  The documentary also shows how language and in particular poetry brings people together.

Check out the trailer To Be Heard

Independent Film Festival of Boston

Last week the Independent Film Festival of Boston announced their 2012 line up.  This festival, now entering its 10th year, shows films one might not get a chance to see anywhere else.  The festival includes a selection of American movies made outside the Hollywood studio system, as well as International films, with a mix of narrative features and documentaries, short films, including animation and experimental genres.

Are you a movie buff? You may want to check out this year’s line up. Check out the festivals website, www.iffboston.org.

Not the next diet fad: The Hunger Games

As I get older it becomes increasingly obvious how much pop culture passes me by. I don’t say this with any regret, but more as a matter of fact.  I was never one to watch E television or subscribe to People magazine, but  I was always plugged in somehow.

When I started hearing about The Hunger Games about a month ago, I was surprised by how much buzz it generated. To give you an idea of how out of touch I am, I Initially thought it was a cruel new dieting fad.  Fast forward to this week and its hard not to hear this movie being mentioned.

As time passes, this movie series like those that came before it will become nostalgic topics for this generation to reminisce about over a drink with friends.  But for me, it will always give me a chuckle as I think back to wondering if The Hunger Games was a cruel diet fad.

Spartacus sizzles

Last year I was mildly addicted to Spartacus: Blood and Sand and developed a bit of a crush on the Welsh actor who played the lead, Andy Whitfield.   Sadly, Whitfield lost his battle with cancer in September, and after he passed, I stopped watching the series.  Maybe I should start watching again.  The writers have clearly increased the homo eroticism in this season’s Spartacus: Vengeance.

Check out this passionate kiss between Agron and Nasir.

2012 Boston Arts Festival: Call to artists

The “ähts festival” as it is referred to here in Boston has issued a call to interested visual and craft artists who would like to participate in this annual  festival that takes place at Christopher Columbus Park each September.  Only 65 applicants will be selected to participate in this event which is free to the public.

Applications must be submitted by Friday, April 6

Boston area artists will be provided preference.  Applications and support materials must be submitted by April 6, 2012 for consideration.  If you are a local visual or craft artist and would like to learn more about this event, print and read The Boston arts festival.

Boston Ballet: Play with Fire

Tonight we are off to the ballet to see Play with Fire, which according to the Boston Ballet website is described as a trio of contemporary works.

The Sharp Side of Dark features a large-scale architectural set and a haunting lighting design; Bella Figura is tangibly sensual in its adoration and reverence towards the human body; and Rooster is by a British choreographer and set to classic Rolling Stones songs.

If you haven’t been to the ballet in awhile, why don’t you consider getting tickets? You may be surprised by how much you enjoy yourself. Play with Fire concludes on March 11th and will be followed by Don Quixote from April 26 – May 6 and the final performance for the 2012 Spring Season will be Fancy Free from May 10 – May 20.  More information about the performances and ticket prices are available here.

Sergio and Oscar

I don’t see many movies so I don’t get too excited about this award show. However, a few years ago Sergio was able to hold an Oscar that had been awarded to his employer.  I love the picture of him and figure if I was ever to share this, tonight would be the appropriate night.

So should you find yourself at an Oscar’s party or just curled up on your couch cringing at the dresses and ramblings of actors trying to  speak without a script – I’d like to wish you a pleasant evening to what I hope was a fun and relaxing weekend for you.

Clare Danes comes to Boston (actually Cambridge)

Tomorrow afternoon, Clare Danes will receive the prestigious pudding pot and be named the 2012 Hasty Pudding Theatricals Woman of the year.  Those outside of the Boston area and not in theater may not be aware of this award which each year draws famous actors to Cambridge where they are teased (all in good fun) about bad roles then paraded down through Harvard Square.

Hasty Pudding Theatricals have presented their unique brand of student-written theater every year since 1844, the only exceptions being for World Wars I and II. This long running theater group of Harvard University has a distinguished list of male and female actors who have received the prestigious pudding pot.

Past female actors who have received this award include: 2011 – Julianne Moore,  2010 – Anne Hathaway, 2009 – Rene Zellweger, 2008 – Charlize Theron, 2007 Scarlett Johansson and many more. You can see the full list here.