The Beaches of Agnes (New DVD Review)

The Beaches of Agnès (Agnès Varda, 2009) - The opening lines of this beautiful, intelligent and heartfelt autobiographical documentary, spoken by the director Agnès Varda, are "I am playing the role of a little old lady, pleasantly plump and talkative, telling her life story." We then see Agnès and several of her crew set up mirrors on the beach, thereby showing us the process of making the film we are watching within the film we are watching, and further shows us reality reflected (in the mirrors) inside of a film which is attempting to reflect reality. In other words, this is a film that knows it's a film.

It is not cynical about the manipulative power of filmmaking, but rather joyously experimental, trying desperately to push the limits of the medium to their breaking points. The periodic, self-reflexive reminders that this is indeed a film and not reality serve a purpose that expands the power of the story to a degree impossible for films that deal in straight fiction (even most documentaries collude to present a fictional, i.e. constructed, version of reality). This is a delicate trick, as self-reflexivity in films tends to make the viewer care less about the story. Here, in contrast, it's as if Agnès is screaming at the top of her metaphorical lungs: "I Want To Tell You The Truth But I Can't So This Is The Best I Can Do!"

The narrative follows a generally chronological approach to documenting the life story of Agnès Varda, who began her career as a photographer, and soon transitioned to filmmaking. The French New Wave became the Next Big Thing in the late 1950's and suddenly artistically curious yet modestly ambitious filmmakers such as herself were given the opportunity to direct feature-length films with guaranteed funding and distribution. Her first film was Cléo from 5 to 7 and its success garnered her instant international reputation. What follows is a bit of a personal history lesson, and we are impressed by her inventiveness, her instinct for inclusiveness in her art, and her great love of humanity.

As we move through the timeline, we break from strict chronological order, and Varda connects themes that she explored at different points in her life. The editing is poetic and brilliant. It follows the internal logic of thought rather than the guidelines of strict narrative structure. Its playfulness is exhilarating, and at no point does it lag or overstate its points. As she says, "It's like a puzzle. You put the pieces here and there, until it comes together. But there's a hole in the center." That hole is a result of the fact that still, despite her approach of pushing the limits of film, it is still a constructed flight of fancy, and is not Real in the capital-R sense of the word.

The reason this film is so great isn't just its formal mastery and intellectual playfulness, but rather its powerful emotional undercurrent to which we can all relate. I will again let Agnès speak for herself. As she looks at many of the subjects of her early photography, she remarks: "Mostly what I see is, they're dead. I cry for them from my heart. Naturally, I think of Jacques. Every tear, every flower, every rose and every begonia, is a flower for Jacques." The memory of her late husband Jacques Demy, another French New Wave filmmaker and the love of her life, who died tragically of AIDS in 1990, gives her autobiography an emotional weight that is undeniably moving, as her expression of her loss is so poetically articulated.

The "hole" she mentioned earlier isn't just a deconstructive allusion, as it undoubtedly refers to the hole left by Jacques's absence from her life. The film is really about the power of the recorded image to capture people and freeze them in a time and place. To go back and re-watch these images from her life is to honor the people whose memory will live on through the celluloid. Agnès remarks at the end, with wisdom as well as sadness, "It only happened yesterday, but it's already the past."

Maxwell Anderson is an avid film watcher and blogger. He is also a freelance assistant video editor in New York City. You can contact him through his blog Ecstatic Text: http://ecstatictext.blogspot.com

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The Biggest Secret For Getting on American Idol

So you've always been an huge fan of American Idol and would die to get a chance to sing in front of Simon. You'd love to be on TV and have a group of your closest friends throw you an American Idol party so they can be supportive as you all watch it together.

If your goal is just to get on the show for the first round and you don't care about progressing further, there's a little trick that will greatly increase your chances of being picked. No, it's not what you wear or the sad sob story you tell the American Idol staff about how hard it was to get there. It's not even the song you pick.

But first, a little background. For each city that holds auditions, there are approximately 10,000 people who come out. They wait on line for hours just for the chance to sing for 15 seconds in front of the staff. That's if they're lucky. Thousands of people are turned away without even getting the chance to sing.

So if you're lucky enough to make it in the door and you get a chance to sing, you have to make an impression that's good enough to get you chosen. There's no accompanying music, just your voice. Then a few minutes later, you are either picked or you aren't. If you are chosen, you go on to audition in front of Simon and the judges on TV. And on it goes.

Let's say you sing pretty well. You may have belonged to an a cappella group in high school or college. You may have been the lead singer in a band. You may get pretty good applause at open mic night at the local coffee house. But guess what. So do the other 9,999 people waiting on line with you.

Do you have any concept of how many 10,000 is? It's an enormous number. 10,000 people that all sounds very similar means you ain't gonna get picked no matter how great the open mic night applause was. Unless there is something to set you apart.

One thing that will do the trick is if you are really good. I mean really, really good. Jaw dropping, Carrie Underwood good. With that much talent, it's a pretty good bet that you'll progress beyond the pre-screening stage.

But most of the applicants don't have that much talent. So what else can you do? It's simple. Sing bad.

Ever watch the show and think, "Well I sing better than that guy!" Anyone who has watched American Idol knows that not all the singers are good. After all, the show doesn't exist to find talent. The show exists to get ratings. And a sad but true fact is that we love to see someone make a fool of themselves almost as much as we love to see someone light up the stage.

Do you really think the crew in charge of pre-screening can't hear the difference between good singers and bad? Of course they can. But they intentionally pick people who sing off-key for the comedy value. If the show only had dynamite talent, it would not be as entertaining as if it also had a few clunkers.

Remember Janet McNamara from the first episode of Season 9? She's the one who said Simon on the video game always loved her, while the real Simon asked if the window opens so he could make an escape. Do you really think she had delusions that she sang well?

Of course not. She had always wanted to be on the show but knew she didn't have much of a voice. So she intentionally played it up like she was serious about it so that she would get picked to audition. And it worked.

You have a better chance of making it on stage if you sing badly than if you sing well. And the more bizarre you act, the better. But just don't make it obvious that's what you're doing. Try to act as if you really think you're good.

And if you make it through the pre-screening by being horrible, there's nothing that says you can't try to sing well when you actually get in front of Simon and the judges.

Lauren Mortner has a new website http://www.counter-depthrefrigerator.net with counter depth refrigerator appliances and information.

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The Shield DVDs Complete Series For Sale

The Shield DVDs offer a nonstop, crazy thrill ride all the way from the beginning of the show to its dramatic and memorable end. The Shield on DVD is a fantastic purchase, and a must have for anybody who was a fan of the show.

For people who never got started watching, it's of course a great way to get started and see all of the action from the start. One thing is for certain, the Shield complete series is an amazing and dramatic endeavor that will not disappoint anybody.

The Shield boxset of course follows the antihero police officer, detective Vic Mackey. Vic Mackey and the crew he leads, called the Strike Team, take a hard nosed approach to cleaning up the streets. They cross and break a lot of lines, they do things their own way, they take kindly to criticisms or objections from anybody and they certainly get their hands dirty.

The question is, do the ends justify the means, or can they ever? In the very first episode of the Shield on DVD, we get a dramatic and shocking look into the steps that Mackey is willing to take in order to protect himself, his family, livelihood and his team. From that very first episode all the way to the end of the Shield complete series, those actions will continually be the focus, always coming back into prominence and always leading to consequences.

Each season deals with different characters and stories. The Strike Team deals with new bosses and associates, new dealers and thugs on the streets, and their own misadventures with their illicit actions, go big or go home style and more. But the overarching theme of the show remains the same with all of The Shield DVDs. It's about what these guys do and think they can or should get away with. What's justified and what isn't, what's acceptable in the name of justice? How dirty can you get before you stop being a sketchy cop and you're just a criminal?

The best part of the Shield DVDs and complete series is that it's a nonstop action show. There is almost literally never a dull moment or a break in the action and drama. Every episode comes at you hard, and you'll want to watch them back-to-back-to-back because they are so entertaining. It's one of the many reasons why The Shield boxset is something you have to buy.

The Shield complete series is without a doubt one of the more compelling and action filled television shows of all time. If you're looking for unending entertainment, twists, shocks and fascinating stories and characters, then you have to buy the Shield DVDs and boxset of the complete series today!

There's no question about it, if you're a fan of great television and entertainment, The Shield complete series is a fantastic buy. You can find it at DVDsonSale.net for an amazingly cheap price. If you want to pace yourself or you already own some of the show, then find all of the The Shield seasons DVDs as well, all for rock-bottom prices.

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The Wire DVD Set With the Complete Series For Sale

One of the hottest selling television shows on the market right now is The Wire DVD set. The Wire complete series wrapped up several years ago after five seasons, and while it has always had great acclaim in some circles it managed to go under the radar in many others. If you were one of the many people who missed out, or you simply want to take home the Wire on DVD to watch it all again, now is your chance.

The show was created by Baltimore native David Simon, and it's filmed on location in the tough and gritty neighborhoods and ghettos of the notoriously crime and murder ridden Maryland city. While some television shows overlook hard issues, offer limited perspectives or spruce things up to make them more friendly for viewing, The Wire thrives by being as true to life as possible. It's gritty, it's tough and it's smart, but it's also immensely entertaining and worthwhile.

Unlike many other cop or crime shows, with The Wire complete series you get a view of the city and the true state and condition of things from all sides. You see it from the perspective of the cops and the drug dealers, and the people that fall in between those nice and neat boundaries. You learn about the politics behind the scene, the interactions of elected officials, criminals and their associates, the newspapers, the educational system and much more. When you purchase the Wire on DVD you definitely are getting something that will make you think.

The cops that the series follows from beginning to end are after the big criminals, using long term surveillance tactics and trying to stay a step ahead of the smart and sometimes better equipped criminal organizations they are following. The criminals are always dealing with power struggles between themselves, as are the politicians and the police officers as well.

The Wire complete series DVD boxed set is truly a unique show and it's something that's absolutely worth your time and energy. From beginning to end it's not skewed and it doesn't try to be anything besides what it is. It's a real life look into what life is like in the inner workings of a poor American city. You'll see it from all sides and nothing is blocked from view or tweaked from truth when you watch The Wire DVD set.

The Wire complete series spans an entire five seasons and offers 60 full length, hour long episodes. When you buy The Wire on DVD you'll also receive lots of bonus features, commentaries from the directors, producers, actors and more, and even some short bonus prequels to the series. All told it's a great value and for fans of the show and fans of great TV in general, it's a can't miss.

If you've never seen the Wire complete series then now is the time to get started, and if you have seen it all from beginning to end then why not take it home and start it all from the beginning? The Wire DVD set is that good, and you'll certainly get your money's worth. One of the most compelling and intelligent shows of our time, The Wire on DVD is something you have to have.

At DVDsonSale.net you can buy The Wire DVD set at an amazing, cheap price. If you're a longtime fan of the show and already have your collection started, or you just want to buy one season at a time, you can also find a complete collection of all of The Wire season DVDs to purchase. One of the best crime or cop television shows of all time, The Wire is a must watch and a must have in your collection.

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Lofts in the Movies

Lofts have come a long way from the days when they housed struggling artists in abandoned industrial buildings. Indeed, Hollywood has helped fuel the fascination for lofts by showcasing their high ceilings, open spaces and expansive windows. For certain directors, loft spaces have been instrumental to the plot.

The sweeping lofts in the horror flick, "The Ring," contribute to the movie's dark mood and building sense of dread. Christian Bale, who plays a serial killer in "American Psycho," uses his gleaming, all white loft as the backdrop for his relentless murdering of prostitutes. His pristine fridge is perfect for storing severed heads. Viggo Mortensen, an artist and Gwyneth Paltrow's lover in "A Perfect Murder," plots poor Gwyneth's demise amongst his paint-splattered walls. And, continuing on the theme that only psychos and crazy people inhabit lofts, Glenn Close in "Fatal Attraction," certainly rates a mention. Close stalks Michael Douglas after a dramatic rendez-vous in her Tribeca apartment.

Given that it's Hollywood, it's not uncommon for starving artists or characters otherwise down on their luck, to live in fabulous apartments. In Adrian Lyne's "Unfaithful," Diane Lane stumbles on the art-filled digs of the sexy Olivier Martinez, a French bookseller, living in New York City. Enormous and filled with objets d'art, the loft is seemingly out of reach of Martinez' modest salary. In a fit of passion, Richard Gere later murders Martinez in his sumptuous flat -- perhaps punishing him for not only trysting with his wife but having the hubris to live in such a big apartment. Jennifer Beals in " Flash Dance," dances out her frustrations in what looks to be an abandoned industrial warehouse. A welder by day, Beals makes the most of the loft's wide open spaces to refine her dance moves.

On the lighter side, "Hansel," Ben Stiller's male supermodel in "Zoolander," occupies a toy-filled loft, complete with skate-boarding ramp. Adam Sandler in "Big Daddy," loafs around in a cushy apartment, living off the proceeds of a lawsuit, before he becomes an accidental and committed father. And, even though Harry and Sally ("When Harry Met Sally") are supposedly in their late 20s, Harry somehow is able to afford a million-dollar plus pad. In a pivotal scene, Sally helps Harry unroll rugs in his new apartment, flanked by huge semi-circle windows.

Hollywood's attraction to lofts may have originated with the renegade nature of early lofts. When manufacturers moved out of large cast-iron buildings in New York's SoHo district in the 1950s and 1960s, struggling artists moved in. At the time, the typical loft had 10-foot to 15-foot ceilings, thick plaster or brick walls, few or no interior doors and walls, cast-iron columns, and factory-size windows. The large spaces, exposed brick and light-filled areas,were perfect for artists pursuing their trade while enjoying city life. Unfortunately, living in lofts was against the law until 1975 because most city districts were zoned for either all-commercial or all-residential use. But for many, the legal barriers only heightened lofts' appeal.

As lofts continue to figure prominently in Hollywood blockbusters, viewers will continue to seek the perfect light-filled space.

Mark Washburn is a real estate agent serving the urban Washington, DC condo market. Mark and his team can assist clients in their search for a condo, loft or town home in neighborhoods throughout the District including Adams Morgan, Capitol Hill, Columbia Heights, Dupont Circle, Foggy Bottom, Georgetown, Logan Circle, Mount Vernon Triangle, Penn Quarter, Shaw, U Street Corridor and the West End.

Lofts have become very popular in Washington, DC and can be found in most neighborhoods. Mark and his team specialize in Washington, DC Lofts and can lend their expertise to help focus a search for a DC loft.

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