The Art of Meaning Something, The Mean Something of an Art

[ink_ling]

Last night, I was blown away by Todd Solondz's Palindromes. I won't say much about the plot or devices of the movie, but there's a certain devilish and intelligent fingering of -- playing with -- the stuff of moralities here. Solondz seems to be taking the risk of showing that ethical arguments, made simply of words, are subject -- like poetry

Comments

[nathangphd]

Yay! I'm going to see Transamerica tomorrow. I'm glad it's finally made it here. And if it weren't for the fact that "Desperate Housewives" is on tomorrow night, I might be tempted to go out to see Capote at the Ridgeway.

[ink_ling]

You must see Capote!

I actually ended up seeing Transamerica last night with Beth. There was some tension for me as to whether some of the situations of being a trans-woman were just being used for comedic value, via drag queen movies. All in all, though, it was a really good movie, lots of comic points. :)

[kdotdammit]

Thanks for the thoughtful writing on film. I was just searching language poetry and came up with you and recognized your icon from bitterlawngnome. I need more friends who write about film and poetry and art because that's what I love, so if you don't mind, I'm gonna add you.

Palindromes made my Top Ten list last year. I find it infinitely interesting to think about. I really wanted to see Tropical Malady but it never came to the screen in Tucson. Looks like I'll need to rent the DVD. Have you seen any of his earlier films?

Oh yeah, I'm going to Transamerica this week too. I write something on every movie I go to which was about 78 last year.

Cheers!

[ink_ling]

Yaaaay! Glad to have another movie friend! I'm obsessed!

Do you belong to Netflix? That's where I got Tropical Malady. I haevn't yet seen any of the director's earlier films, but I would like to.

Do you like language/experimental poetries?

Thanks for adding me! And I'm returning the favor! :) Nice to be on the way to becoming aquainted.

[kdotdammit]

Here's the thing . . . I watch almost all the movies I see at the actual movie theater. I've become such a purist. Plus being a working mom, by the time I can actually sit down and watch a movie at home (e.g. after 10 p.m.), I just fall asleep. Occasionally when I really want to see something that I missed in the theater, I'll rent the DVD. I will definitely rent Tropical Malady.

I LOVE poetry -- all kinds (except for BAD poetry -- ha ha ha). I read it all the time. And I write some if too. I studied with Michael Palmer at UC Berkeley. That was AWESOME for a language poetry/poetics/theory understanding of poetry. But I read all kinds of poetry. I love the modernists too -- Wallace Stevens, HD, Eliot. I could go on forever. I look forward to reading your various stuff.

PS: I'm seeing Transamerica on Wednesday.

[ink_ling]

I can understand the difficulties of being a working mom and watching these movies. I see a lot in the theater, too, though, since I am almost rabid for the theater experience on a regular basis. I almost relish my hungover afternoons on the couch with the dvd remote as much, though, now. :) Just differently.

What was it like studying with Michael Palmer? I used to be a big fan of his poetry in the mid-90s but my interest in a lot of language poets have narrowed a lot. I actually enjoy Susan Howe the most, although I understand that she is being distanced from the language poets in literary historical maneuvering.

I used to write much more poetry but I've almost trickled down to none lately since I've grown a little frustrated with the academic/populist bent of production and reception right now. So, I've been dabbling with the essay as a form, with many frustrations.

Looking forward to reading any more of your stuff as well! :)