Roxy

© Joselito Briones

I finally got to see "The Da Vinci Code", courtesy of the only theater in the vicinity that shows films in their original language, "Roxy" (most films shown here are, obviously, dubbed in German).

Frankly, I don't see what the hoopla is all about. Unless you're a religious fanatic, you'd see quite easily that this is just a slightly above average hollywood movie (above average because of the polish with which the movie was made). Okay, Tom Hanks is obviously miscast (sigh of relief when he walked away at the end of the movie, instead of locking arms with and kissing Audrey Tautou), but that is balanced enough by Ian McKellen's eager performance. And yes, another waste of Jean Reno's talent, but then again, he seems to be very willing of late in wasting such talent, so nothing new in this one.

In the end, the movie is exactly what the book was about. I'd guess that the people who had a problem with the movie were the same ones who had a problem with the book to begin with. In which case that's another matter altogether. The subject matter has been exhausted that adding anymore will only add to confusion, or feed the propagandists' work (yes, both sides).

XXX

Doll Hospital

CD cover of "Doll Hospital"

Warning! This is a blatant promotion. For one of your better neighbors, of course. Heather Eatman. Remember her? She's the bestest! She's got her band's CD out already, also called "Doll Hospital".

Jane and I heard the band perform the numbers in the CD in the East Village, in New York, late last year. They're all excellent!. The best tracks are "My Ex-Wife" and "Bluebird Ballroom" (these tracks can be downloaded for free from their website). They're like twisted swing tunes with an edge, and fun! Great lyrics. Cabaret-ish and Burlesque-ish and all that. And yeah, check out her other releases too!

There. I think I've done my duty as a big fan.


XXX

P.S.

Send my regards when you see her.

XXX

Spice Store (This is a test)

© Joselito Briones

I was looking at Erwin Olaf's works yesterday, and, as is usual when I see something I like, I try to see if I can do it myself. (Remember when I did a sorta kinda Pierre et Gille somewhatta?)

This time I deliberated on how to achieve his signature desaturated colors, digitally. It's his colors, after all, that he is most famous for.

The photo on top is the finished product. I guess it wouldn't be worth showing anyway if I thought I didn't succeed in emulating his colors. It's not exactly perfect yet, but I think I've got the principle.

© Joselito Briones

I guess I'll just have to make it a little bit less reddish, and still a bit less saturated. Oh well.

The photo below is the original. The photo was taken using my Canon powershot digital camera. Boring picture. It's a spice shop, close to the center of city, in the pedestrian zone.

Next step: How do I achieve the same effect using film and traditional darkroom printing? I have an idea, of course, but whether or not I'll have enough interest to actually test that idea remains to be seen.

XXX


P.S.
I started storing some of my blog photos in Flickr. Here's the link.

XXX