Lars von Trier: Antichrist

Although TLF has always looked forward to Lars von Trier’s films, we have to admit that when we read that his latest Antichrist had provoked extreme reactions (booing, gasping, laughter, light applause, et al.) from its audience at the Cannes Film Fest screening last May we underlined this as one of our top priorities for Fall. Granted, he’s not a “repeat offender” (never could bring ourselves to watch the incredible Dogville a second time). The cherry and whipped cream on top is that Antichrist pairs our favorite gamine Charlotte Gainsbourg with Willem Dafoe, whose understated off-screen persona helps to fuel the suspension of our disbelief when it concerns the intensity of his roles. 

The uncut version of Antichrist is scheduled to release in NYC on October 23.

Mad About the Men: My Old Kentucky Home

Spoiler Alert. Season 3, Episode 3:

Supposedly Stephen Foster's original title for “My Old Kentucky Home” was “Poor Uncle Tom, Good Night!” Need we comment on ol’ Roger serenading his young wife in blackface? Others say the song’s inspired by Foster’s visit to the opulent mansion of his bluegrass state cousins. Opulent garden parties don’t stray far from spectacle either, and last night’s episode was all about the new separating from (or clinging to) the old- that is, old guard. Roger shows off his wealth and rank with a lavish garden party dripping with yore, while Paul (who also tries to prove his worth with his throwback to Hello, My Baby), Peggy and Smitty- left to grind their noses at the office- instead focus on their own devices. As always Don observes the spectacle for what it is- the Old's denial to its demise- as he attempts to exit during Roger’s Al Jolson moment of horror. When Betty, dressed in updated old lace, insists on staying he escapes to the bar for some “old-fashioneds” (touché). Meanwhile Harry and his wife are uncomfortably caught between the disparity of old power and young up-and-comers struggling to gain a foothold. They’re forced to step off the “dance floor” to make room for Pete and his wife, who flaunt their desperate desire for approval. Their approach- to translate the old with their rehearsed-to-perfection Charleston, exaggerated to the point of camp. Will Pete never disappoint?!

At last, how satisfying to hear Don speaking his mind to Roger: “No one thinks you’re happy; they think you’re foolish.”

Meanwhile, Betty clues in she’s an objet du desir (even in her most pregnant state) to men in power no less. What she’s capable of, we shall soon watch…

Ah, multi-talented Joan. Young meets Old again as Joan plays hostess to her fiancee’s colleagues and wives. She runs her home as efficiently as the office, solving problems while carrying a big stick. His older boss’ wife looks longingly at Joan or at what once was, projecting her own regrets while blissfully reminiscing about “the olden days” as Joan’s pressured to provide an obsolete form of parlor entertainment.

Youth and age meet again in the Grandpa Gene and Sally story. They’ve an understanding and God knows poor Sally needs some. No-nonsense Carla, reminding us she’s not another Viola, stands up to Grandpa in one of her infrequent appearances as witness to the Drapers’ crumbling reality. While everyone tiptoes around, her voice is fearlessly direct.

If last week showed us Peggy’s sexual awakening this week shows her spiritual rebirth. When trying to prove to the guys there’s more beneath that surface, and it’s not square-shaped, something turns on inside her. She floats proverbially (“I am so high.”), inches above the carpet, on which Paul lies and reflects on the uncertainty of life amid the recent events (“I’m thinking of Cuba”), while she looks straight ahead and expresses the brink of her potential. She exits the “smoke-cloud” and into lucidity. Just as she’s at the threshold her new secretary Olive acts the judging old biddy, having only come into the office to support her like some bizarre guardian angel of morality (oh Father Gill, you have many evangelists doing your work, don’t you?). Olive implores her on her future (“I know what goes on in there.”). But Peggy, as if possessed by Don, looks her squarely in the eye and articulates the tangibility of her power before moving past. She knows who she is and where she’s going- practically surpassing Don’s own self-worth (or is it self-prophesy?) in her moment of clarity.

Side note: what’s up with the Tom Cruise look-alike?

LINE OF THE WEEK: “You can come here and be happy and you get to choose your guests.” Roger to Don.
NEXT WEEK: ???
Usually construed by E. Nolan, but this week substituted with humble analysis by Val.

Photo by Carin Baer

Sam Cooke

Today our speakers runneth over with Sam Cooke. The Great Pretender, You Send Me... We love his style and how it reminds us of those subtleties which we covet from the late 50's: slim tailoring paired with long-sleeved wool polos. The controversy surrounding his untimely death at the age of 33 only adds to the mystique, as we're left with just a mere handful of images and televised recordings. He started off as a gospel singer, sang the blues, and wasn't afraid to show his love of all music by covering Gershwin or Blowin' In the Wind. His dad encouraged him to "make people happy by singing," and so he did.

Weekend Docket

We've been obsessing over Grizzly Bear ever since we heard the song The Knife off their 2006 LP Yellow House. If you have yet to fall under their spell, test the waters for yourself this Sunday afternoon at the Williamsburg waterfront and pool party. Oh, how we've missed you infamous dodgeball regulars from ye olde McCarren pool days- you inspired us to cut off our faded denim into shorts and wear the soles out of our Sperrys...

East River Park between North Eighth and North Ninth Streets. Show is Free, gates open at 2pm.

Before the summer was out we had to take half a day and head over to Rockaway Beach just to watch the surfers then grab a bite to eat at Rockaway Taco. It's a little laid-back haven, serving up tacos from fish to carne asada to [veggie-approved] tofu. For maybe half a second we felt like we were in Bonny Doon.

They grow their own vegetables up top.

Weekend afternoons are also best spent over good conversation and a cool drink, especially when it's served up in a sweaty copper mug. Our favorite drink this summer: the Penny Drop at the Standard Grill, which usually comes with candied ginger pieces if you're lucky.

The Standard Grill, under the High Line, corner of Washington and West 13th Streets.

Dominick Dunne 1925-2009

He started writing at age 50, sobering up in the Oregon wilderness after a career of producing such features as Ash Wednesday and Panic in Needle Park. After several best-selling novels he went on to join Vanity Fair as a contributing writer in 1984 then special correspondent in 1993, which is how The Landless Farmer was first introduced to him, through his shockingly lurid accounts of high society's inner domain. As exemplified by his journalistic pen he was a strong advocate of victims' rights, having reported on the murder of his own daughter Dominique in his debut VF article. He died in his home in Manhattan on August 26 after battling cancer, and is survived by his two sons, Griffin and Alex, and granddaughter Hannah. His last novel, Too Much Money, publishes this December.

On location in Italy with Elizabeth Taylor during the filming of Ash Wednesday, 1973. (Photo by Gianni Bozzacchi)

In a taxi in London on his way to the inquest of the death of Princess Diana, 2008. (Photo by Jason Bell)

Marfa, Texas: Population 2,121

The American West continues to be a largely desolate frontier. A visit will yield seemingly uncharted territory dotted with dying - and honest-to-goodness "ghost" - towns. It is rustic. It is challenging. It is made for mavericks (and vice versa).
Historically, artists have been drawn to the remote majesty of the landscape. One town peopled by aesthetically aware hipsters is Marfa, Texas.
"Giant" (1956), starring Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson, and James Dean, put Marfa on the map for outsiders. Shortly thereafter a legend was printed, supposedly dating back to the 1800s, about the "Marfa lights": mysterious chromatic illuminations observed in the night sky. In the past three years, two Oscar winning films have utilized the location -- Paul Thomas Anderson's "There Will Be Blood" and the Coen Brothers' "No Country For Old Men."
Today, the Marfa Ballroom boasts art, music, and film on the cutting edge of offerings that one might find in Williamsburg or Greenpoint. The Thunderbird Hotel provides lodging for discerning travelers. The Chinati Foundation is a magnet for aficionados from all locales, exhibiting Donald Judd's installation pieces in interior and exterior galleries conceived for specific presentation. The Prada storefront on the road from El Paso is a sore-thumb beacon of highbrow commerce in the stark wilds of the West Texas desert.
Like a William Eggleston photograph come to life, Marfa is something to see. Check it out before too many Brooklynites flock and settle. Dispatched by L. Jaeger (Above photo: Drew Tewksbury)

Art by Donald Judd © Judd Foundation 2007 licensed by VAGA, NY,NY.

"A locally run hotel since 1959, Bob Harris of Lake/Flato Architects reinvigorated the Thunderbird’s classic ‘50s horseshoe shape and interior courtyard for its 2005 reopening." Thunderbird © 2009 All Rights Reserved.

Mad About the Men: Weekly Review

Today we pull the trigger on a weekly review of one of the most compelling, provocative (not to mention stylish) shows currently capturing our undivided attention every Sunday night. Sharing in our weekly habit is E. Nolan, whose careful examinations on the Mad Men series we'll begin posting shortly.
Disclaimer: the postings contain spoilers so if you're savoring these episodes for a later date or still haven't embarked on Season 1 let alone 3, then you may want to skip and return tomorrow.

Photo by Frank Ockenfels 3