Ingmar Bergman
This is the best eulogy I've read and a perfect epitaph: "Above his brilliance as a theatre and film director is Bergman's writing." Thanks.
Phillip Goldsmith
read Arthur Meiselman's article
This is the best eulogy I've read and a perfect epitaph: "Above his brilliance as a theatre and film director is Bergman's writing." Thanks.
Phillip Goldsmith
read Arthur Meiselman's article
This should have been titled "Fakes, Forgeries and The American Way". It's a very funny and sad article except for the slander of my hero, Howdy Doody.
Burnett
read Arthur Meiselman's article
And you can add these:
The "virtual" French in France who don't speak French
The "virtual" English in England who don't speak English
The Americans in Iraq who don't speak Iraqi
The Iraqis in America who don't speak Iraqi
The Japanese in Japan who don't speak
and, My Sister's "virtual" boyfriend
T. Rutten
...........Who was it who said that the U.S. dollar was the best example of Faux Art? I think I did.
Reverend Bones
...........I was surprised to hear that anyone was still painting pictures anymore. How faux is that?
Mave
...........The "virtual" breasts, lips, hips, asses and soon penises of everyone over 12 yrs.
T.
...........Seek and ye shall find in the revealed word of God.
Mark W.
...........I don't understand some of your references but they must be real because I understand the rest. Now you've given me a lot to think about and that's the worst "madness" of all.
Michele
...........Bravo! Tour de force! So what are you going to do for an encore rename the planets? Start with Uranus and work up.
Everlast
...........I don't understand your putdown of Bill Gates and his mother. They do wonderful work. That is the history of rich people in the USA.
Barbara Seligman
...........You should ask this--will the real Leonardo DiCaprio,George Clooney and Angelina Jolie's lips please stand up!
T.
read Arthur Meiselman's article
You're such a brave guy! As a "recovering addict" I just want to say it has been a lonnnnggg time and I miss my "tobacco-lover" soooo much! The hell with it all, I'm lighting up again. And I believe you--with the terrorist invasion of Bushism the dark clouds are gathering, and I am collecting as many packs and cartons as I can and cleaning up the bomb shelter that my Poppa built in the '50s. There I will retreat and hide in a cloud of enlightened smoke until the second coming--or will it be the third. George Orwell was right!
Linda N.
read Arthur Meiselman's article
It was an inspiring observation. The electronic screen is intruding in all human activities; that of performing arts, friendships, relationships especially family relations. The more we are conscious of this intrusion of technology, the better this globe for inhabitancy. Thanks for the article. I could read at this corner of the world, thanks to the devil of technology!!
Harikumar Padmanabhakurup
And we've been sitting on the "never" spike for the past eight years, haven't we! Get the bidets ready for November, there's a lot to clean.
a not-so innocent Manhattanite
read Arthur Meiselman's article
I wonder if also that there were some who didn't want to have this indictment of the prison system at that time. I know that there have been a number of movies that were hard-hitting on the subject but I wonder if yours was just too hard. It sounds like the play-story is just too overwhelming and as you say too unrelieved. I hope we get to see it some day.
rjs
read Arthur Meiselman's article
Arthur Meiselman carefully elicits the dilemnas a playwright goes through when he or she tries to get beyond the tried and true, or the acceptable "experimental play". How the playwright "sees" the world of his or her creation is essential to the truth and power of a work on stage. I also agree that dramaturgs, literary managers and the rest of the mess are calibrating, to some extent, what goes on in the regional theatre. Operation MFA is in full swing. As to whether these arbiters of what works have enough life experience under their belt is another story altogether. Being inside a theatre in an office all day long is frequently gratuitous to head on, knuckle down and do it experience. A pox on these mouse traps!
Ned Bobkoff
read Arthur Meiselman's article
Is this about sex? Or is this your take on religion in the 21st century? It's certainly not about cooking, is it?
Nina (needs to know)
read Arthur Meiselman's article
To answer your questions - Cooking is about sex, and cooking and sex are about religion and religion is about cooking and as a great religious leader said once: "All life is a paté. Come up and see me some time."
Arthur Meiselman
read Arthur Meiselman's article
A touching, embracing reminder of what, in the long run, counts: a sense of shared humanity and a shot of wisdom earned.
Ned Bobkoff
Talk about sexism and racism. I don't understand where you're coming from or what this writing is all about other than a slap against our heritage. What does "reality" and "naturalism" in the arts have to do with this election? Sarah is going to surprise everybody with her charm and good looks, and then she is the picture of the typical God-fearing, motherly woman. She is exactly what is needed to make our hopes and our people strong. And you are wrong about Mrs. Clinton. She is too dumpy and too much like her corrupt husband to ever be elected. The best thing that could ever happen to her is a Jerry Bruckheimer action movie about her life. By the way, Fareed Zakaria is a foreigner and a Muslim so that should tell you something about what he has to say.
George Kerman
Talk about sexism and racism? Right! Follow me, Mr. Kerman right down the hole and you'll find Mr. Meiselman right there at the tea party throwing ping-pong balls at the Mad Hatter who looks amazingly like George W. Bush. Guess who the Queen of Hearts looks like? And while you're at it, why don't you read his article again,. You seemed to have missed the point. By the way of your by the way, Fareed Zakaria is a highly respected American journalist and guess who he looks like?
Alice's White Rabbit
One of these days, I hope the mainstream media is honest enough to at least give a nod to the hypocrisy of criticizing Sarah Palin for her lack of qualifications to be veep while simultaneously failing to point out that Obama is similarly -- if not more -- lacking in experience for the position he seeks. At least the buck has stopped with Palin. At least she has made executive decisions and had to answer to a constituency. Not Obama. And wasn't Pres. Clinton also Governor of a very small state?
Jake Meyers
In response to Jake Meyers comment: "One of these days, I hope the mainstream media is honest enough to at least give a nod to the hypocrisy of criticizing Sarah Palin for her lack of qualifications to be veep while simultaneously failing to point out that Obama is similarly -- if not more -- lacking in experience for the position he seeks. At least the buck has stopped with Palin. At least she has made executive decisions and had to answer to a constituency. Not Obama. And wasn't Pres. Clinton also Governor of a very small state?"
I agree on the lack of experience comment only in that technically not one candidate that ever runs for president is truly qualified for the job. The role is complex, convoluted and can only be fully understood with on-the-job-training. But I will take Obama's "lack of experience" over Palin's lack of experience and her cutesy, folksy, beauty contestant, soccer-mom, small-town, "you betcha" act any day of the week! (How many male world leaders or CEOs on this planet have ever had to strut on a stage in a bathing suit for "college money"?) The Republicans who threw sexist rhetoric at Hillary Clinton for months and are now pushing for Palin must be secretly laughing inside and behind their country club closed doors (with their Democratic golf buddies). Now they have the opportunity to put up a woman, who is a walking caricature of herself, use her for political gain, and confirm the misogynistic tendencies that people (both men and women) already have and effectively set back feminism in this country. And of course fight the thing they fear the most... a man of color having the same power and opportunity that they've kept for themselves for years.
Lia Beachy
Mr. Kerman,
Why do the God-fearing folk seem to have less tolerance, love and peace in their hearts than anyone else? Kind of goes against the teachings of Jesus Christ (who was a good Jewish boy and probably loved fried matzo) doesn't it? I certainly don't need either the conservative media or the liberal media to tell me what I think of Sarah Palin. Your voice of misogyny and bigotry is just one of the many sad misguided plebs in the United States (and the world) which prove to me that Palin is the last person on earth I'd trust to water my houseplants let alone help McCain run, I mean, ruin the country even more.
Lia Beachy
atheist, feminist, humanist
P.S. Fareed Zakaria is more intelligent than you, more famous than you and makes more money than you. I bet that gets your panties in a bunch!
Sara Palin is a cheer leader and that's it. Compare Biden's use of his experience in the Senate, in the debate, or Obama's thinkng outloud, while he deals with the issues, and you have the distance, and difference, between A and Z. Palin like her mentor, John McCain, is trapped in a One Note Charley routine. There is no doubt that she has an outgoing and exuberant quality. And there is no reason to fault her on that. But she's in a different stadium than the one she thinks she is cheerleading in. McCain's choice of Palin as his Vice Presidential candidate reflects his poor judgement.
Ned Bobkoff
Perhaps, though, he owns more or less than he knows: a "Picasso" from the agile hand of Elmyr de Hory? Unrecognized fake chef d'oeuvres of Picasso, Matisse, Cézanne, Renoir etc. still populate the museums and living rooms of the world. The greatest faker of the last century did not copy, he created the masterpieces. And he did so very fast. Have a look (again) at the amusing film-essay by Orson Welles, "F for Fake", meet the master painter and see him at work. You will also meet his Ibiza neighbor, the equally brilliant literary faker Clifford Irving, who not only wrote the invented autobiography of Howard Hugues ("Hoax") but also a biography of his friend and inspiration, Elmyr de Hory. And if you rent the additional DVD from Netflix you will learn that the fake Picassos have become a collectors' item in their own right. What is more thrilling these days: a Picasso on your wall or an Elmyr de Hory that even Picasso himself could not tell apart?
Renate Stendhal
I'll take Mr. Bettencourt's anger over Mr. Meiselman's doom. At worst, anger can remain positive and can be worked with, doom is just unforgiving gloom. It is an apparent difference in persepective. Both excellent writers, Bettencourt stands apace and surveys the scene, whilst Meiselman steps into the scene and calls forth. Though he writes prose as if it were poetry, he literally scares the "hell" out of me.
Anee S. Waterson
read Michael Bettencourt's article
read Arthur Meiselman's article
Well Maestro. you've caught me again. To say you have a wry sense of humour is an egregious understatement. I didn't particularly like "Children of Men." It was too monochromatic for my taste, painted in one color-what you call "doom." Between "babbling" and "doom," I tried to find a wee bit of hope. But before futility, there you go, slipping it in when I'm not looking like a drop of lime in a dry, dry, dry martini, clever, selfish writer that you are.
Hizonner
As you know, the 20th anniversary edition of Andrea's Intercourse was recently published. It's still a vital and devastating work. So thank you for "revisiting" Andrea's legacy and reminding us of the poetical-political side of her writing in First Love. The memory of her and the on-going impact of her life's work is triumphant.
Letty Becker Adler
I always loved his music. Latin jazz as good as there ever was and the article caught that thing that made Manfredo's music so rich--that classical ride underneath. It's so sad that he passed when he did, but such a joy that his music is still alive and real. I hope somebody will do a commemorative album and pick the high points of his career. Maybe there's some film available. He was a joy to listen to and a joy to watch.
Bobby Friedkin
If it were up to you, I would be barred from acting at all because I don't even meet half of your requirements. But my success as an actor is not based on your damn elite requirements-it is based on what my audience wants, sees and appreciates. I suppose you will become "she, who's name may not be spoken" and create an "artsy" theatre art-form instead of the wonderful open entertainment that it is. I'm glad that will never happen.
Pier Harrington
No, "she" would not tolerate that. After all, "she" is "she"! What "she" might grant me is to be the Commissioner of LCD (lowest common denominator) and in that exalted position I would gladly grant you a license to be wonderful, open and entertaining (along with everyone else and their mothers).
Arthur Meiselman
For awhile there I was feeling really good that there was a champion of the "fading, dog-eared, much-read book" you could carry around, but the imaginary ending is really scary - all those giant pages flying around!
Ellen Miles
Reading Arthur Meiselman's column on the Terror of the Fading Book, with its tactile apprehensions fixed the issues squarely home. Having recently finished a book "1491" that brilliantly and thoroughly laid out the contributions of the indigenous people's of the Americas, particularly South America, in agriculture, landscaping and the infinite wisdom of protect the land, Meiselman's comments rang true. The experience of reading over time, flipping the pages back and forth, is not only tactile comprehension, but a private lasting pleasure. Highly personal and absorbing. Arthur put his finger on the page.
Ned Bobkoff
Perhaps some day Cimino will release his director's cut with the full 5:25 version and then we might see a real film with his vision. I'm glad you are not a major film critic or the industry's "movie czar". I tremble at the thought of you ever reviewing a film of mine. So tell me, what is the great celluloid hope for films in the future?
Louis Laird
Pixar!
AM
Somehow I get the strong impression that Mr. Meiselman doesn't like James Cameron and likes "Avatar" even less. Cameron is truly an "Animating Life Giver" and "Avatar" is a g*d-like creation that is creating g*d-like billions of dollars. Isn't that a miracle?
Perry Silverstein
No, it's not a miracle, it's a wonder, a brilliantly merchandised video game. I don't dislike James Cameron. How could I? He's going to bring God on to the stage of my next production. It's called: "Time Out for Ginger" and it all takes place in an IPhone.
Mr. Meiselman
Who said "the simpler a work of art becomes, the more beautiful it is"? I'm glad someone still recognizes cinema at its purest and simplest. Thank you for that.
Aaron Klein
You won't be impressed for long, I promise, when you put on those glasses. The effect is no big deal; less impressive than the I-Max next door -- at least in Avatar. The effect is that one gets used to it so fast it's hardly worth losing ink over it. The weirdness of foreground distortion reminds you every now and then, oh yes, this is 3-D, isn't it? Clumsy. Like filming a puppet stage and getting hit by the flat cardboard bushes at the stage edge. Bob Wilson on the theater stage used it (sparingly!) to much better effect than Cameron did. Anyway: Very enjoyable article on Oscar contenders and acting. I wonder if you would find Polanski's new Ghostwriter more adult (in the European way) and find some acting in it, too? I did.
Renate Stendhal
What a beautiful piece of prose this is. Or is it poetry? Or a song? How mysterious. One doesn't know whether it is a clip from a longer work or a lead-in to another one. Whatever it is, it evokes music in its words, emotional music. It's simply beautiful.
Louis Laird
I first encountered Di Wu during a re-broadcast of the 2009 Van Cliiburn piano competitiion. It was mostly about the medalists, but I really was caught up with DiWu's performannces, such as they were shown. I purchased the Prize winning DVD offered through PBS and have since been able to hear her play live. I greatly admire her talent and have been reading all about her and listening to her music ccurtesy of the internet. May she have a long and continually sucessful career. Her playing is just spectacular. No wonder the critics rave. I've loved music all my life and I thank God for this new source of joyous listening. Go Di!
Sarah Kendall
Great review. Such a refreshing critic's look. So glad somebody got over their own hangups and gave this wonderful film the praise it deserves. Did you notice the shots behind the credits? Ferzan used a lot of things he didn't use in the film. It's almost like a short-story version.
Mark B.
This movie is about so many things and I do agree with you it is a strong comment about the art of filmmaking. Ferzan Ozpetek deserves every honor he receives. How beautiful for him to receive the honor in Bangkok.
Alicia Martolli
I also wanted to thank you for the story on the [Italian] film festival in Bangkok. Even with its commercial side it is a valuable idea. I hope they do this everywhere and other national film industries follow them and do the same thing. It can only help in this troubled world of ours.
Alicia Martolli
I saw most of the offerings. They were good, and I agree with the reviewer and the previous poster that Moviemov is important and valuable. Yet I cannot resist commenting that the management needs to spend more time, more effort and more expense in making this event more important and more valuable to the one community that will guarantee their success--the press.
Devin Polik
There's nothing wrong with English, except that it is really not designed for an international role. I'd like to see wider use of Esperanto for unambiguous communication between people of different mother tongues. Am I asking too much?
Bill Chapman
Congratulations and good luck. You can't even get actors to respect other actors by showing up on time, so I don't know how you can expect audiences to be any better. Being late isn't just being rude, it's the sign of a small mind running backwards.
Laird
Add to your list, Paul Muni in Inherit the Wind. Muni was a prime example of a major acting talent who was nurtured and developed by what is historically the oldest, most productive acting training "method" -- working in rehearsal and on stage with successful actors and directors. He had no formal training, never took a class nor set foot in a studio. He learned from anyone who would talk to him, show him, work with him. Beginning as a child-actor in New York's Yiddish Theatre, Muni went on to become a "star" on Broadway and in Hollywood. He earned many awards including an Oscar. He was admired for his self-developed discipline and detailed character preparation and a strong influence on many other actors including Marlon Brando, who had one of his earliest stage experiences with Muni. For a "star", Muni was incredibly introverted and shy. He rarely gave an interview and was reputed to have never seen his performances on the screen for fear that he would lose his internal acting p.o.v. Inherit the Wind was a culminating performance in Muni's theatrical career. After the play's successful launch in 1955, Muni was forced out because of a cancerous tumor in his eye. Melvyn Douglas replaced him. Muni's eye was removed and the cancer stopped, and later in 1955, he returned to the Broadway hit. That night, when he first appeared on stage, the audience rose in unison as if rehearsed in a chorus of applause and cheering. Muni stopped at his entrance, looked at the audience, turned away, and delivered his first line. It was a stunning moment. Never to be forgotten, since I had the good fortune to be in the audience on that night.
Arthur Meiselman
Arthur's story of the great Paul Muni reminded me of an important omission -- the Marx Brothers. They honed their skills out on the vaudeville circuit and then wowed audiences in "I'll Say She Is," The Cocoanuts," and "Animal Crackers." Evidently to see them live was far funnier than seeing them on the screen. And more than that, they took ethnic humor out of the tenement and into the mainstream that led to, among other folks, Woody Allen's films.
Nathan Thomas
You're optimistic, Arthur, way too optimistic. You strike a chord with the media and it plays a song that no one hears.
Laird
What a good expansion of the magazine. Jon Rendell's photography is beautiful both technically and in its composition. He captures the spirit of my favorite city. And Arthur's little trio is a teasing provocation to say the least. And the "writings" are worth the price. Thanks for all of that.
Laird
It's almost as if O'Neill wrote this play last year. His indictment of the military-industrial complex and corporate politics is scathing and so very timely. It would make a blockbuster movie today. I also agree with the writer's opening indictments of our "dumb" presidents but I love Bob Dylan. He is the great poet of the 20th century.
Maria Einhorn (truthsayer)
Great cover page. It's great to see the Nagel women again in all their chilling glory and those eyes. I don't think the iphone flickr crowd really knows how much he's influenced what they see and do. RIP Patrick, you're still with us.
Bill Rasterbaum
This page contains an archive of all entries posted to Scene4 Magazine | letters to the editor in the Meiselman category. They are listed from oldest to newest.
Marcott is the previous category.
Moore is the next category.
Many more can be found on the main index page or by looking through the archives.