Bits & Pieces – the “Ark” of Culture Edition
“Arrival”
film by Denis Villeneuve. Intelligent
female linguist meets ugly but advanced aliens, who transmit the secret of all
bogus science fiction – ‘linear time does not exist.’ Back to the future, Marty!
“Fences”
film by Denzel Washington.
Force-of-nature black garbage man gives his wife and children pain. No
wonder Denzel cringed at the Academy awards when he lost.
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| South Korea's Idea of a cultural "Arc" |
“Citizen”
a play at the Frank
Theater. Micro-aggressions fail to link to
macro-aggressions. Poetic methods in vain.
“Anna
in the Tropics,” a play at the Jungle Theater. Cuban cigar rollers listen to ‘Anna Karenina’
and unfortunately reflect its melodrama. A thin tale, oddly praised.
“Vikings,”
series on History Channel. A little bit
of paganism goes a long way. Get on the
long-ships with Ragnar Lothbrok!
“Black
Sails” series on Starz. Rebellion in
the Bahamas
against British rule prior to the American Revolution led by pirates and
escaped slaves. Real and literary
pirates abound.
“Purge,“
book by Sofi Oksanen. An Estonian woman
survives Stalinist rape and capitalist pimps over 50 years. Slow going, especially for her.
“Independent
People,” book by Halldor Laxness. A
harrowing socialistic tale of rural Icelanders braving poverty, the elements
and the ‘spirits.’ Shades of O.E.
Rolvaag and Knut Hamsun and the Scandinavian immigrants of Minnesota.
“MBongwana
Star,” at the Cedar. Kinshasa street
musicians rock out, then high-life their Afro-pop. Wheelchairs no problem.
“Blue
Oyster Cult and Mark Farner of Grand Funk” at the Medina. Retro ethereal metal and heavy Flint
Michigan make a geezer
return. Fear the Reaper!
Red Frog / March 16, 2017
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