The art of Howard Finster: a sometimes beautiful thing
Howard Finster Exhibit | Krannert Art Museum
Howard Finster might just be the most American artist of the twentieth century (the reader should feel free to contest this in the comments below since your assigned correspondent has a startlingly limited background in Americana). To gloss terms, American is here being used as an amalgam of nationalism, consumerism, religious zeal, prodigious factory-like output, genuine esteem for both Hollywood and the banjo, healthy doses of paranoia and absurdity, and an undying earnest showmanship. His work is crude, but polished and incredibly colorful. Perhaps it is ultimatley the product of a sincere effort in what might not be the most capable of hands, though it is visually stunning nevertheless.
| To begin anew… again…
I'm sure there are many different reasons why each of us started watching LOST. Some started watching from the beginning in 2004. For others, like me and my wife, we have our own "I started watching in Season X and then spent the next few weeks watching episodes until 4 a.m. to catch up" story.
There is a certain recipe to the best LOST episodes and they often involve a heartwarming scene like the beach reunion from last night's "Dr. Linus" — it's a scene that satisfies the inner desire of "that's how I was hoping it would be." In addition, those sun drenched warm fuzzy scenes are often followed by a dark tease or puzzle of something to come. In Season's past, many of these cliffhangers involved the ubiquitous Ben Linus; last night, after Ben cleared his conscience for the first time in four long seasons, it was his nemesis Charles Widmore who provided the tease. All in all, it was an episode that reminded me why I've spent six years with a show about a few people on an island.
As is often the case, I entered the Krannert Center's Colwell Playhouse knowing next to nothing about what I was about to see. If I'd read more about this particular play, I'd probably not have attended. Christopher Durang's "A History of the American Film" is a parody of the classic 1930s–1940s musicals and films that the WWII Generation enjoyed. Good Girl Loretta falls in love with Jimmy the Gangster, and through their adventures we're treated to an historical account of …
Downtown Urbana offers representation to artists wanting to put their art on display. New artists toying with the idea of making jewelry, painting or sculpting can be featured next to seasoned veterans of photography with only a small annual fee to help pay the rent.
"Everything that I know, I know only because I love." This quote is emblazoned on the screen at the opening of the film and is just one of the simple tenets of the Tolstoyan Movement pioneered by the famed novelist, Leo Tolstoy. Leo Tolstoy (here played by Christopher Plummer) was best known for his career as a novelist, having penned such classes as Anna Karenina and War and Peace. However in his later years he was devoted to a philosophy …
When Gillian told me we were going to the Art to see The Last Waltz last Friday night, I assumed I was in for a boring evening of dance-related arthouse cinema. I was soon pleasantly surprised to learn that The Last Waltz is a concert film of The Band's last live performance, directed by Martin Scorsese (Scorsese also makes several entertaining appearances in the film). Van Morrison (bloated edition, right) and a who's-who of '70s folk rock make cameo appearances. …
Angie Estes Carr Reading Series | Wednesday | 4:30 | Illini Union Bookstore Author's Corner | Free If you've never read anything Angie Estes has written, stop reading this nonsense and click here, right now. Back already? Well then go back and read it again, making sure this time to notice the subtle in-mixing of planned and unplanned speech, of narrative interjection and song driven reflection — read it again so you can see how the poet is both entranced …
Armed with a printing press, Alabama artist Amos Paul Kennedy Jr prints words and symbols on paper both for profit and for personal expression. His posters roll language and color into a visually engaging four-cornered (and sometimes four-lettered) package, and have made their way all over the country in the twenty-some years he's been printing. Mr. Kennedy Jr. is in town as part of the University of Illinois Artist Residency program, and will be showcasing some of his work at …
Speed-the-Plow Friday, 26th and Saturday, 27th | 8:00 p.m. | Gregory Hall | $5 at the door Like most of his work, David Mamet's 1988 play Speed-the-Plow tackles most of the major literary themes unique to the past thirty years of novel writing (hell, probably the past 300 years for the matter): personal greed, idealism, love, sex, aesthetics, etc. In this short saga, Mamet uses the entertainment industry as a trope, explicating the way that these very themes have configured …
WHAT HAPPENED "You don't have what it takes," a drunk Christian Shephard told promising young doctor Jack in Season 1. Trying and failing to teach his son a lesson about being a hero was one of many tough father/son scenes we've witnessed over the past five seasons. In Season 6 – Episode 5, "Lighthouse", 2004-Jack tries hard to a better father than his father was to him. 2007-Jack treks through the forest to the island Lighthouse on a mission for …
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I had a great time reading around your post as I read it extensively. Gold Coins
Zeleni, I had the exact same theory only with the mysterious Man in Black/Smokie granting the wishes. MIB promised Sayid he could have anything in the world he wanted, which turned out to be Nadia. Although he does not necessarily “have” her, she has not died yet…
Zelini, I really like this - I’ll try to follow the theory more closely. As they reveal more about Kate (possibly next week), it might give us more perspective. I agree with your observation about Ben and I think Michael Emerson has done an excellent job conveying his lesser stature.
What if the sideways alternatives are where Jacob actually grants them their wishes, but in ways they didn’t quite expect? The elimination of one regret. Sayid gets to be with Nadia - although through his brother. Maybe he ends up with her at the expense of his…
I understood this totally differently than the other people that posted…this is what I got from it: - the more background you have going in, the more of the allusions you will understand when watching - afterwards, you can do a little research to fill in the…
Jason — I know you are busy with your own thang too, but, whenever you are ready: http://www.smilepolitely.com/contribute/ Word.
Fair enough. This is my second attempt at writing for Smile Politely, and I agree that my playful review did not go over well, or at all like I intended it to. Thank you, Jason, for your advice. I’ll definitely take it to heart.
Tracy, I think there are two halves to this. Even if you are not familiar with the “history of the American film,“ you are always a few Google strokes away from digging up the basics on iconic films and actors that would have registered a big “A-HA!“…
J, I promise I meant no disrespect. The last thing on my mind was disrespecting anyone. I was at a disadvantage because I was reviewing a play whose subject matter I know very little about. And I was trying to be funny. I enjoyed the…
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Can we please refrain from ever EVER comparing running a marathon to childbirth? Especially when the comparison is made by someone without a vagina? Kthx.
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I think we are in. But being blown out again by OSU might give the selection comittee doubts. I dunno anymore.
Mark: You raise some interesting points. I’m impressed by anyone who runs a marathon, no matter their finishing time. It’s the commitment people show to accomplishing a goal they set for themselves that impresses me most. A sign I saw at the Illinois Marathon last year along…
To get back to the show, if that’s allowed, we saw it last night. I know a lot about the films of the 30s and 40s and appreciated what Durang was trying to do, though some was pretty obvious and the ending was forced. A literal kitchen…
Every band in CU - I realize this is just a cheeky comment, but I wanted to respond anyway. I think this column is more about the scene and the support system than the bands themselves. The last thing I would ever want is for someone to…
Interesting article, John. I second your comments Doug. I’d really like to see the two of you do a Siskel & Ebert-style review of albums. Can SP make this happen? And if Noiseboy could reappear to DJ one day at Mike & Molly’s…
@Ty I think this article from last year is what you’re looking for: http://www.smilepolitely.com/food/talking_breakfast_at_the_market/ Enjoy!
Thank you SP editors for removing a not-so-nice word from Pope’s comment. I was just going to comment on it myself, wondering if we need an article titled “Down with the F-word”. John, very interesting read. Huzzah for well-written local music opinion.
Ok folks, now that its obvious the wonder bread, gas station eggs, and pasteurized processed cheese food can be marked up sufficiently enough to open two restaurants during a recession and in the same five year span, ya think we can be a little demanding? I’m all…
Everyband in CU - shutup (REMOVED BY SP EDITORS) at least this writer is speaking for himself, at least he has a real opinion you spineless capslock drunk fuck. sorry, anyways… what’s good, what’s bad. what’s rock, what’s indie. what’s real what’s not. In 2010, never has…
WE’RE SORRY JOHN WE’LL TRY HARDER
There went the neighborhood.
Now all you need is large Marge and the picture is complete! Congratulations Tony. I can’t wait. -Manna
I had a great time reading around your post as I read it extensively. Gold Coins
I had a great time reading around your post as I read it extensively. Gold
If you’re bored than you’re boring…damn I must be boring too!
...Papa Bear was applauding.
Zeleni, I had the exact same theory only with the mysterious Man in Black/Smokie granting the wishes. MIB promised Sayid he could have anything in the world he wanted, which turned out to be Nadia. Although he does not necessarily “have” her, she has not died yet…
I like Kaiyo A LOT, but at Sushi Kame (next to the art theatre) you can get an absolute shitload of good sushi, plus miso, and a bit of noodles in a vineagar cucumber salad for $21, and you know it was made just for you. I…
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To get back to the show, if that’s allowed, we saw it last night. I know a lot about the films of the 30s and 40s and appreciated what Durang was trying to do, though some was pretty obvious and the ending was forced. A literal kitchen…