AFI's #35

Annie Hall

(1977)

Choosing my movies based on availability and whatever the hell I feel like, I am kicking off the list with Woody Allen's Annie Hall.

Within the first few minutes of the movie, I had the feeling that I wasn't going to enjoy the movie very much. I think it had to do with the fact that it started with an introductory monologue by Woody Allen--and quite frankly there is something about his person that I find disturbing to watch. But once the movie really got started with its wonderful 4th-wall-breaking asides, long unabridged shots, and quirky meandering story telling, I found myself drawn into it much more.

The main characters are awkward, cynical, distraught, and confused--and they feel far more real because of it. For a movie that is mostly comprised of long scenes of dialogue, there is plenty of variety to keep interested.

It's also pretty neat to see actors when they were much younger. Including the likes of Jeff Golblum, Christopher Walken, and I guess Sigourney Weaver (though I seemed to missed her entirely when I watched the movie).

("What's my mantra?)

All in all I liked it. And I can see why many people regard it as their favorite Woody Allen movie. I dunno if I could pass a judgment like that--he has so many freakin' movies and I have seen so few of them. But of the ones I have seen, I can say this is one my favorites. Vicky Cristina Barcelona may have something to say about it, but I'm pretty sure it's just my hots for Penelope Cruz talking....

(Aren't Al Hirschfeld caricatures wonderful? I sure think so)

American Film Institute's Top 100

I have decided to up my movie education. And I could read some books on cinema, watch documentaries on directors, or listen to podcasts on Hollywood...

...or....

Just watch a bunch of freakin' movies! I am starting with this list:

AFI's top 100
(the updated 2007 list)

The plan is to watch every movie on that list--and I guess I could write about them as I do. I have seen several on this list already, but I guess I could watch them again (even though I know don't like a few of them).

It's too bad it doesn't have foreign films, but I figured this was a good place to start.

Whatev. I have the rest of my life for movie watching.

Soooo....

...I doodled this one like I did the last for a friend. He asked me too, but now that I think of it, it may have been just a set up for the rest of his comment--where he insults me. The moral of the story is: I'll find any excuse not to work on my portfolio.

And that my tablet needs proper calibration.

No Work and No Play

(Cali in his natural habitat--notice he is posturing for snoo snoo)

I have been drawing and painting for a several hours today and NOTHING I have done is any good. Ugh. Just one of those days....

Lately, I have just been out of it. I think I am in one of those funks. The kind that life just likes to slip you into when you weren't noticing.

And Cali no like. Cali want it stop. Or Cali smash!

Vive La France

I feel like I have art attention deficit disorder, A.A.D.D., if you will (but you wont and you shouldn't because it sounds stupid!). Anyways, I can't seem to stay focused on any one project! I did this for fun, but half way through it I thought it would look waaaay cooler if I vectored it. So, I'll probably re-do it in illustrator.

Then the vector version I have in mind may also look cool on a t-shirt.

Anyways, this was from a sketch I did while I was in France.

The sketch was inspired by a very cliche lookin' french girl when I was out 'n about in Paris. The writing was my attempt at journaling while on the trip.

....But then I realized how lame journaling is so I stopped a few days later.

The Opposite of What I Wanted

About a week ago I sat down to attempt to work on a gift for a friend--it is supposed to be a set of 3 nude females. The plan was to make them artsy and expressive, but instead I got this very rough tonal studay... (ugh!)

But not too bad for not having a model in front of me (although I did have to refer back to my anatomy books several times). In any event, I can use this as a reference for when I attempt the drawing again. As for the other two figures....

I have NO idea what I am going to do! Or where I am going with this set. I have an idea in my head but can't seem to get it down. Guess we'll have to see how this project evolves.

I miss life drawing classes....