Review 1. (art)

Vincent and Theo.

Cast: Tim Roth, Paul Rhys, Adrian Brine, Yves Dangerfield and others
Director: Robert Altman

Synopsis.
The film tells about a mad life of a great artist Vincent van Gogh and his brother Theodore who supported him secrificing his own private life, work, health and even reputation...Their relationship is something more than a simple brotherly love. Dragging out a miserable existence, Vincent slowly goes mad and doesn't cease to shock Theo with his crazy acts up to his death. Vincent's death becomes a hard blow to Theo and after great artist's decease his the same great brother also departs his life...

Review.
"Vincent and Theo" is a very specific film. It can refer to the category of "another movie" which is not for a general public. But admirers of Van Gogh's works will probably relish this movie because it contains a lot of scenes with drawing process of his famous pictures. The film is built up very specifically. An intricate plot, a constant anxious background music, a lot of silent scenes and the direction of the film in whole create an atmosphere of  madness and even insanity. At first sight the film seemes absurd and difficult, but that's the main trick of the movie! It was created to show a reality of the great artist's life. And his reality is following:

Vincent loses his faith in God. But he manages to find a substitution for it. This is art. Art becomes everithing for him: his religion, his God, his life.Moreover, (if we consider his attitude to art deeper) it becomes even more important than his family. Actually family relationship became the main impact to his current condition. Vincent loses his faith in his family that doesn't approve of his wish to be a painter. He wants his brother Theo to help him to sell his paintings, but seeing his misunderstanding, his censure, Vincent shrinkes into himself deeper and deeper. The feeling of needlessness makes Vincent shelter a prostitute, who also leaves him eventually. The feeling of loneliness and the great power of art gradually bring him to madness.

It would be wrong to assume that this film touches upon only Vincent van Gogh's life. Actually the plot is built up on two story lines. And the second one is a life story of Theo, Vincent's brother. The role of Theo is not secondary. This is another reality and another insanity. Theo is also mad like Vincent, but the reason of his madness is Vincent himself. Just as a painting was a sacred object for Vincent, Vincent was a sacred object for Theo. Theo is a keeper of art gallery, but his affairs go badly. Moreover, being seriously ill, Theo can't put in order his private life. And the only good thing in his problem life is Vincent. But unfortunatelly the later also begins to  let him down. Suicidal attemps of his brother exhaust Theo and drive him to despair. Theodore has to balance between two extremes: The first one is the insanity of his brother which implies a prodigious love and fear for his life; and the second one is his own happy life to which he sought so long, with his wife and a future child.

But we can see, Vincent remains the most important person in Theo's life. When Theo tries to explain his wife who eats heartily and doesn't suspect about her husband's pain, that Vincent is in medhouse, we can see  how it's difficult for him: he doesn't eat, he tries to find a substitution for a word "medhouse", his lips shiver and then we see his tears...And when Vincent died, Theo finaly "was broken". His life became senseless. At the end of the movie we can see him dirty, naked and delirious in a medhouse. And a logical end of this strange but touching story becomes a scene that depicts two grey gravestones with two brothers' names: Vincent van Gogh and Theodore van Gogh.

Speaking about cast, I think it's brilliant. Tim Roth is a very talented actor. And his role of Vinvent van Gogh makes us sure of it again. I think Tim Roth manage to convey such a strange and mad inner world of this artist that  is reflected in his paintings. But perhaps the most outstanding role was the role of Theodore. Paul Rhys played perfectly. All tragedy, all pain and all despair are conveyed so vividly, so realistically and so professionally that it seems Paul Rhys realy became a mad person for this role.

So the movie "Vincent and Theo" is worth to watch if you want to experience another level of human relationships. So impulsive and so explosive brotherly love at the level of insanity exposes the TRUE love that is far from that word "love" which we used to use for denotation of "attachment", "sympathy" or something like that.

Rendering 3 (art)

The article "Now Hear This: Works by Chinese Sound Artists" was published by two reporters James C. and MvKinley Jr. on the website of The New York Times on March 1, 2013. This artical reports about an exhibition of sound-art installations by Chinese artists organized by Colgate University in the United States.

Bringing readers up to date on the case, the reporters give a brief explanation of sound artists. These are persons who use noise, live performances by musicians, recorded ambient sounds, spoken words, audio-visual tapes and other aural elements to create art installations that either have no visual elements or forge a connection between images and sounds. Speaking of this modern art, it's neccessary to note that it has become a popular genre in China in recent years.

It was revealed that more than 30 Chinese sound artists will display their works in the Colgate exhibition "Revolution Per Minute" from March 26 to April 26. Among them the authors distinguish Samson Young who uses for his artworks the performers’ brain waves to control a sound-making device as a homage to the sound art pioneer Alvin Lucier and his brain-wave pieces, and “Liquid Border,” which uses ambient noises from fences along the border between Hong Kong and mainland China; as well as provocative art piece by Xu Cheng who uses recordings of people engaging in telephone sex and arranging casual trysts on a chat line.  

Giving appraisal of the coming exhibition, an assistant professor of art Wenhua Shi says that these sound artworks reflect the landscape and soundscape of China.

In conclusion the authors accentuate that lots of art pieces of the Chinese Sound exhibition touch upon sensitive political and social issues, though none have been banned in China.

It's hard to predict the future, but as for me, the Colgate exhibition of Chinese Sound Artists will create a great furore in the world of art. It's certainly of big interest for the development of modern art. 

Pleasure reading. Sister Carrie by Theodore Dreiser. (Chapters 7-10)

After taking money from Drouet, Carrie lost her head. She wanted to spend them on beautiful clothes and elegant things at once. But when she came back to earth she realized it was impossible, because she would have to explain her sister where she got this money.  That's why Carrie took a decision to return the money to Drouet.

Ultimately Drouet took Carrie under his wing. He persuaded her to leave her sister's house and rent a separate dwelling at his expense. He helped her to dress up in order to appear in society. Drouet wanted to care for Carrie. But Carrie understood: this cannot go on for ever. She must to find a job and support herself  on her own. But Drouet's courtings and beautiful Chicago's life she had so dreamed of made her forget about this problem.

Drouet introduced Carrie to his friend Hurtswood who also impressed the young girl very much.

Meanwhile, Carrie's sister Meeber was very anxious about sister's leaving. She didn't know where she went and it made Meeber suffer from nightsmares. 

Rendering 2. (Art)

The article "Local council hopes to block Banksy sale in America" by unknown reporter that was published on the Telegraph's website on Febraury 20, 2013 discusses the situation concerning the fate of a local mural. This is a piece of street art, which depicts a young boy hunched over a sewing machine making Union Jack bunting.

Speaking about this mural, it is necessary to explain that it was painted on the side of a Poundland shop, in the north of London, just before the Diamond Jubilee, and disappeared from there in order to be fetched up to £451,900 at Fine Art Auctions in Miami, Florida, on Saturday. But as it was revealed Haringey Council intends to bring back the artwork as it is a symbol of local pride. It is also neccessary to note that the Heringey councillors had to call on the Art Council to intervene in this affair. It is hard to predict the course of events, but there is every reason to believe that the Haringey council will keep its end up to return the Banksy mural into place where it belongs.

Giving appriasal of the situation, the author claimes that the Blanksy work possesses not only local but national significance of the art work. He notes that the Banksy created a huge amount of excitement when it first appeared, and residents were understandably shocked and angry that it has been removed for private sale. Moreover it was revealed that less than a year before this mural was painted, an area was rocked by riots, and for many in the community the painting has become a real symbol of local pride.

In the conclusion the reporter gives no assumptions concerning the mural's fate, but as for me, I can guess that it will be difficult for Haringey to gain a success in this affair. Unfortunatelly today art is also can be sold.

Pleasure Reading. Sister Carrie by Theodore Dreiser. (Chapters 1-6)

A 18-year-old Carrie Meeber went from her home Columbia City to Chicago where her older sister Meeber lived. The later agreed to take Carrie in for lodging payment. In a train, being full of contradictory anticipations, the girl met an attractive travelling salesman Charles Drouet who inspired her by his talks about wonderful city of Chicago. But on her arrival to point of destination the young girl faced an inimical city with indifferent and very busy people. Carrie's first trouble became a way of earnings to pay for her residence in her sister's apartment. Looking for a job Carrie spent all day long without result and nearly despaired of success, when finally managed to get a job in a shoe factory.

Meanwhile, Charles Drouet who wanted to visit Carrie but failed because of her refusal, had a rest in his usual way. He could afford expensive restaurants, but he usually gave preference to his friend Hurtswood's bar where all rich and successful people of Chicago rested. Drouet could be well-connected and Hurtswood's bar was a proper place for good acquaintances.

After several weeks of hard work at the machine, Carrie fell ill because she didn't have enough money to buy   warm clothes. As a result, she lost her job. Carrie realized that she has got no chance to stay here and was going to leave Chicago when she met Drouet again. Having knew about her poor situation, Drouet lended her money in order not to offend her. And Carrie felt that they became closer to each other.

Rendering 1. (Art)

   The article «Nearly 400-year-old secret painting in Rembrandt masterpiece revealed» by Megan Gannon was published on the website Foxnews.com on January 28, 2013. This article reports about a hidden portrait revealing in the masterpiece, "Old Man in Military Costume" by Dutch painter Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn.

   It was revealed that researchers had previously probed the painting with conventional methods, but could not see the behind the top coat, largely because Rembrandt used the same chemical composition for the underpainting and the final version. Speaking about studies of Rambrandt's masterpiece, it necessary to point out that today researchers use new and more sophisticated X-ray techniques named «macro X-ray fluorescence» to get to see who is depicted in the secret image. Giving appraisal of this process the author notices that compared to other techniques, the X-ray investigation is currently the best method to look underneath the original painting.

   Speaking of the hidden portrait, it's interesting to note that it was created by museum intern Andrea Sartorius, who used paints with the same chemical composition as those used by the Dutch master. Sartorius painted one portrait on the canvas and then an imitation of "Old Man in Military Costume" on top.  

   In conclusion the author assumes that the results of aforementioned studies will enable connoisseurs to determine the best possible approach to employ in upcoming study of the real Rembrandt painting. As for me I agree with the reporter but I believe that such an interesting case with the hidden portrait like this will become a new step in the investigation of artworks.

Review # 3

"The Pelican Brief"

Cast: 
Julia Roberts, Denzel Washington, John Heard, Sam Shepard, William Atherton, John Lithgow

Director: Alan Pakula.

Synopsis.
A student of department of law Darby Shaw knows about assassination of two Supreme Court Justices and begins the investigations. She finds some materials and documents which she passes to FBI consultant throught her lecturer and lover. After that the later was blasted in his own car. Someone starts in pursuit of Darby... Difficult "backstage" mechanisms of the White House set in motion in order to destroy unmasking materials and people who know too much. As it turned out, this affair has a deep pre-history connected with oil business and corruption.

Review.
“The Pelican Brief” is a very interesting but suspenseful movie.  It has lots of twists that make film rich, excited and tense. The film reveals the quite real and possible situation concernig a government conspiracy. The oil tycoon wants to drill for oil on the marshland which is a major habitat of an endangered species of pelican. He stops at nothing for the sake of his business, even if it requires murders. With a help of government he protects his image and remains unpunished. This film proves us that politics is a ruthless business, that allows people who are involved into it do everything want they want in order to reach their goals. Murders of innocent people and destruction of the environment are just ordinary ways in order to manage their dirty affairs.

I think such movies are neccessary for ordinary audience because they help to think and analyze the present situation of politics and its connection with modern world's environmental issue.