|
The Cannes Film FesÂtiÂval just wrapped up in France, and it turned out to be a very good one, the best in recent memÂoÂry.
In this interÂview, John PowÂers, NPR’s film critÂic-at-large, gives a good, spirÂitÂed debrief (iTunes — Stream) on a fesÂtiÂval that feaÂtured, among othÂer things, sevÂerÂal highÂly-acclaimed AmerÂiÂcan films, includÂing ones by the Coen BrothÂers (No CounÂtry for Old Men), Gus Van Sant (ParaÂnoid Park), and Michael Moore (Sicko). Also, PowÂers touchÂes on the RomanÂian film that took top honÂors at the fesÂtiÂval (4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days) as well as Quentin TaranÂtiÂno’s splenÂdid disÂapÂpointÂment (Death Proof). You can find the full list of 2007 prize winÂners here. For an anothÂer point of view, you can check out the New York Times podÂcast from Cannes (iTunes — mp3). Here you get A.O. ScotÂt’s and Manohla DarÂgis’ final thoughts on the fesÂtiÂval, plus their othÂer podÂcasts from the RivÂiera. And while you’re at it, you can review a colÂlecÂtion of their print covÂerÂage. LastÂly, here’s a French perÂspecÂtive on the fesÂtiÂval that comes from Europe 1. (Yes, it is in French.) RelatÂed TopÂic: Check out our colÂlecÂtion of 100 Top CulÂture Blogs, which includes many film blogs, and |
I’ve always felt that pirates underÂstood the good things in life. Fresh air. Rum. InterÂestÂing hats. It turns out we had more in comÂmon politÂiÂcalÂly than I would have givÂen them credÂit for. AccordÂing to ColÂin Woodard, author of The RepubÂlic of Pirates, the “GoldÂen Age” of Caribbean piraÂcy wasÂn’t too shabÂby. SeaÂmen and capÂtains received almost equal shares of booty (that is, a ratio of 2 — 1 instead of 14 — 1) and capÂtains could be deposed at almost any time. NPR Books did a great interÂview with Woodard two weeks ago (site — iTunes — feed).
All of this means that you should go see the new Pirates of the Caribbean movie when it opens today, no matÂter how terÂriÂble it is. If Jack SparÂrow doesÂn’t inspire civic virtue, at least he encourÂages eyeÂlinÂer sales. Besides, how many amuseÂment park rides can you think of that have demonÂstratÂed such draÂmatÂic depth?
The othÂer reaÂson to go see the movie is that Talk Like A Pirate Day is litÂerÂalÂly months away. How long can you hold that “AAAARRRRRHH”?
|
|
The 60th Cannes Film FesÂtiÂval is in full swing. It’s all film for ten plus days. But last night, music – or realÂly U2 – took cenÂter stage. Before the midÂnight screenÂing of their new rockÂuÂmenÂtary, U23D, the Irish band played a two song set (VerÂtiÂgo and Where the Streets Have No Name) on the red carÂpet. It was short and sweet. You can watch it below. Cheers. Tell a Friend About Open CulÂture - More PodÂcasts: Arts & CulÂture — Audio Books — ForÂeign LanÂguage Lessons — News & InforÂmaÂtion — SciÂence — TechÂnolÂoÂgy — UniÂverÂsiÂty (GenÂerÂal) — UniÂverÂsiÂty (B‑School) — PodÂcast Primer |
|
|
Below, you’ll find a list of 25 fine cinema/film blogs, all for the cinÂeÂma buff. This list figÂures into a largÂer colÂlecÂtion of CulÂture Blogs that we’re putting togethÂer over time. It’s a work in progress, so watch it grow. If you feel that we’re missÂing some extraÂorÂdiÂnary blogs, please feel free to **@******re.com/”>email us and let us know.
|
See Our Arts & CulÂture PodÂcasts — Tell a Friend About Open CulÂture - SubÂscribe to Our Feed
|
|
SpiÂderÂman 3 came to movie theÂaters yesÂterÂday, makÂing May 4 the sinÂgle biggest-grossÂing day in box office hisÂtoÂry. You can read interÂviews with Sam RaiÂmi, Tobey Maguire and most of the othÂer prinÂciÂpal “names” in the movie here. Don’t forÂget to read the spoilÂers and immerse yourÂself in the lore at the sequel’s extenÂsive Wikipedia page. But if the lines are long, what else can you do to spend some time with AmerÂiÂca’s favorite arachÂnid hero? ForÂtuÂnateÂly, today is Free ComÂic Book Day. ThouÂsands of speÂcialÂty store are handÂing out four-colÂor fun to anyÂone who walks in the door. Look up parÂticÂiÂpatÂing stores near you here. Salon has a great guide for comÂic newÂbies lookÂing to get in on the action. If you’re more into audio, check out this free music from the SpiÂderÂman 3 soundÂtrack. Or you can buy the new game (which has gotÂten at least one good review) on just about any game platÂform you might own, from the PlayStaÂtion 3 to the NinÂtenÂdo DS. And if all else fails, at least you can watch the trailÂer at home (watch all of them here): |
Here’s a tip courÂtesy of The UnofÂfiÂcial Apple Weblog.
Apple TV just hit the marÂket, as we menÂtioned last week. And while the prodÂuct has a lot of promise, the immeÂdiÂate downÂside is that there’s a dearth of conÂtent ready for you to watch. But here’s a promisÂing option: HunÂgryFlix lets you downÂload indeÂpenÂdent films that are specifÂiÂcalÂly forÂmatÂted for Apple TV. You probÂaÂbly won’t recÂogÂnize too many of the titles — they are indeÂpenÂdent films after all — but the price for the downÂloads is cerÂtainÂly right. For more video podÂcasts, click here.
CasiÂno Royale, which gave the James Bond franÂchise a good shot in the arm, is being released this week on
DVD, and so why not menÂtion a new James Bond podÂcast.
CinÂeÂmatÂiÂcal has issued its first BondÂcast that’s filled with news, rumors, specÂuÂlaÂtions, stoÂries and genÂerÂal minuÂtiÂae about all things Bond. They”ll have a new episode every two weeks, and, readÂer be warned, the hosts are fairÂly over the top in their idolÂizaÂtion of Bond. And you may need to be as revÂerÂenÂtial to enjoy the ride.