The Schleicher Spin

** A Note to Readers **  This post was originally meant to only address Hillary Clinton’s speech, but the past four days have become a wild roller coaster ride and the most exciting political clusterf*** I have ever witnessed in my lifetime.  As you will see below, this post has been constantly altered and added on to over the 72 hours following Clinton’s night in the spotlight, which now seems so long ago.  I apologize for the sometimes clunky wording, over-zealous reactions, and use of three consecutive prepositions!  Will Obama’s cry of “Eight is Enough” become the new catch phrase?  Will Palin’s “TrooperGate” become the new “Whitewater” and sink McCain’s ship?  Only time will tell. 

History is ours for the taking!!!!!!!!

CAPTION:  How high are they putting that glass ceiling?

** 8/26/08 **

I’ve tried to avoid politics on this blog of late in an attempt to remain unbiased, but it’s hard when one is so inspired, and when it is so important to bring about that change we want to see.  So let me put a disclaimer out: this post will be heavily biased, but if you feel like me, I hope you decide to agree.

This Tuesday, 8/26/08, on the second night of the 2008 Democratic National Convention at about a quarter to eleven EST, Hillary Clinton said, “No Way, No How, No McCain.”  With a Republican administration so ungodly unpopular and inept, any Democrat should win handily.  But egos and bitter un-fulfillment of dreams once thought predestined have created an unnecessary riff in the Democratic Party.  Still, our common goals of energy independence, universal health care, and a refocus on the middle class instead of the elite few in order to revitalize the economy should unite those who don’t wish to have four more years of Republican mismanagement.

Brilliantly appealing to her supporters and cathartically linking the struggles for women’s rights with the movement for civil rights, this Senator from New York reminded us of one African-American woman from New York who orchestrated the Underground Railroad when not so long ago women were second-class citizens and African-Americans were slaves.  This is Harriet Tubman’s America.  Now, Hillary, a woman who convinced over 18 million Americans to put a crack in that glass ceiling, beseeches us to vote in the first African-American man as the next President of these United States.  This is Hillary Clinton’s America where anything is possible–where we don’t stop thinking about tomorrow.  And she reminded us all that this, too, is Barrack Obama’s America, where one glass ceiling or another is destined to be shattered in November as long as we remember, “No Way, No How, No McCain.”

She gave Democrats the perfect sound bite, and she reminded us how we are all united in our common struggles.  It made me proud to have voted for Hillary in the primaries.  It makes me even prouder to vote for Obama in the national election.  It was her finest hour. 

We have to keep going.  We can’t throw this all away over a few hurt feelings.  Our hopes and dreams are the same.

And in November, in our actions at the polls, let it be our generation’s finest hour.

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“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.” –Harriet Tubman.

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** UPDATE: 8/28/08 **

For those who missed Obama’s fiery, impassioned, and awesome acceptance speech where he attacked McCain head-on in a diplomatic and well argued fashion, it was one for the ages.  Some described it as a symphony by noting the way it moved and swelled and weaved in every possible theme that has been discussed in past speeches and spoke to every American who has been waiting for a candidate who would lay it on the table in simple, eloquent terms that would define a message and a dream shared by millions.  For me it was cunning, well disciplined, perfectly pitched, specific, honest, epic and historic yet accessible.  Obama displayed a fierce optimism.  Not a single word was wasted.  Not a single rock left unturned.  

But as Obama so clearly pointed out:  It’s not about him.  It’s about us.  This was our speech.  Our time is now.  Our date is November 4, 2008. 

Then it will be your time to do your job, Mr. Obama, and deliver on your promises.  Let’s hope this wasn’t merely political subterfuge.

To view Obama’s speech, or any of the other speeches from the convention, check out www.cnn.com.

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** UPDATE: 8/29/08 **

Speaking of political subterfuge, McCain went out on a limb in an attempt to prove his maverick status and win over disillusioned Hillary Clinton supporters by picking unknown Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin as his running mate.  I don’t know enough about her to make any definitive judgments, but this reeks of pandering, and at age 44 and operating from America’s last great wilderness, she seems to be just the type of inexperienced, young, reckless novice McCain has accused Obama of being.  Two things are for sure, I don’t agree with her campaign to drill more in the Alaskan wildlife preserve or her anti-choice agenda, and I don’t think many former Clinton-ites will either.

The following post is the most interesting (and informative) I have found on Palin yet, and is especially noteworthy as it comes from an actual Alaskan.  Wow!  They do blog up yonder!  Read it if you really want the inside scoop on Palin and how Alaska feels about her and the infamous TrooperGate:

http://mudflats.wordpress.com/2008/08/29/what-is-mccain-thinking-one-alaskans-perspective/

And let’s be honest, doesn’t she look just a little bit too much like a permanently deranged Tina Fey?

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Check out my erratic coverage of Election 2008 to see how much the tides (and my opinion) have changed over the past two years:

From February 2008:

http://davethenovelist.wordpress.com/2008/02/05/super-tuesday-results/

From September 2007:

http://davethenovelist.wordpress.com/2007/09/03/falling-into-the-presidential-primaries/

From March 2007:

http://davethenovelist.wordpress.com/2007/03/14/a-wild-primary-season-barack-a-shot-of-tequila-rudy-in-drag-law-order-and-oprah/

From January 2007:

http://davethenovelist.wordpress.com/2007/01/01/run-your-own-race/

Written by David H. Schleicher

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Feel free to share your thoughts on any of the above in the comment form below.

CAPTION:  Good Food?  Si.  Good Wine?  Si.  Rebecca Hall and Scarlett Johansson?  Si, si.

“I’m famous for my intolerance.”, 21 August 2008

Author: David H. Schleicher from New Jersey, USA

Vicky (a neurotic and sexy Rebecca Hall) and Cristina (a neurotic and gorgeous Scarlett Johansson) are two American tourists in Spain examining their differing views on love in Woody Allen’s breezy and alluring Vicky Cristina Barcelona.  Amidst a tempestuous summer in Barcelona, the ladies are both seduced by a free-thinking painter (a perfect Javier Bardem) whose own life is complicated by his still passionate relationship with his ex-wife (a devastating Penelope Cruz, who has never looked more beautiful).

Much like the change from New York City to London invigorated Allen in Match Point, this vacation to Spain has revived some of the director’s more artistic aspirations. The scenery is postcard perfect but drenched in that same dizzying lushness that made Allen’s view of NYC so intoxicating in Manhattan. The churches, the homes, the art museums, the countryside, the intimate city streets and touristy details make you feel like you are visiting Barcelona along with Allen and his cast.

There’s also sharpness to the trademark Woody dialog that has been missing for quite some time. Like all of Allen films, this one is endlessly talky, but there’s some great subversion when certain lines that seem like throw-aways actually pack a punch when given a second thought. When Bardem first attempts to talk Johansson’s character into bed, he says something clichéd about her being hard to please. Quick witted, Johansson replies, “I’m famous for my intolerance.” She says it casually, but it packs a bite as it’s the complete antithesis of her character’s outward desire to be someone who rallies against cultural norms, and she presents herself as someone who is easy-going and tolerant of all.

Allen also displays a keen sense of pacing when he creates tension in his build up to Cruz’s appearance after her character is endlessly talked about but never seen until about half way through the film. When Cruz finally arrives, her moody whirling dervish of a performance is the perfect spice to liven up the soupy proceedings. Her seething, fiery line readings combined with looks that could kill make her the front-runner for Best Supporting Actress at the Oscars.

The baseline archetypal characters are essentially clichéd, but the way in which Allen handles all of their interpersonal relationships is fairly sophisticated and entertaining even when it grows absurd. There is of course that kiss between Scarlett and Penelope but also some moments of Lynchian-lite when Allen photographs the brunette Hall and blonde Johansson similarly to make them seem like they are two sides of the same woman. There’s even more weirdness when die-hard Woody fans realize that in some perverse way Scarlett Johansson’s character is the “Woody” part–as in any film he does not star, there is always one character who represents the part he would’ve played had he been in it. However, film buffs will enjoy some of the nice touches like when Hall and another go to see Hitchcock’s Shadow of a Doubt (one of my all time favorite films) or the repetitive use of a Spanish guitar in the soundtrack whenever Bardem and Hall get together. But then there’s the mostly unnecessary voice-over narration that fills in expository gaps and shows Allen can still be a lazy tactician.

Woody Allen has always been an acquired taste, even more so in his latter years when he sometimes forgets how to provoke, but his fans should be delighted with this latest European flavored effort. In the end, you’ll feel like Javier Bardem is the luckiest man in the world, Penelope Cruz is operating at the echelon of her appeal, and Rebecca Hall and Scarlett Johansson, well, they’ll always have Barcelona.

Originally Published on the Internet Movie Database:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0497465/usercomments-37

CAPTION:  Yup, he actually did it…and lived to tell the tale.

The Best Laid Plans of Crazy Frenchmen…, 10 August 2008

Author: David H. Schleicher from New Jersey, USA

…sometimes work as director James Marsh and subject Philippe Petit prove in the sublime and inspiring documentary, Man on Wire. Here we see Petit and his cohorts recklessly plan and execute the most daring stunt in the history of the world. In August of 1974, Petit walked a tightrope between the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in NYC.

As part of Hollywood’s increased awareness of the possibilities of counter-programming, summertime has become a haven for documentaries. Thanks to Michael Moore and Al Gore, most of the blockbuster documentaries over the past few years have been in the form of political propaganda. By simply wanting to tell the story of one man’s amazing act, Man on Wire breezes into this summer like a breath of fresh air. The act depicted is singularly focused, but the logistics behind perpetrating the act are fascinatingly complex, and the aftermath of the successful completion of the act is breathtaking.

Director Marsh wisely avoids the typical trappings of documentaries by filming the story like a fictional narrative, jumping back and forth in time, shifting points of view, and creating palpable tension leading up to the death defying act of Petit walking across the wire. The film relies heavily on reenactments, and Marsh stages them like mini expressionistic student films full of stunning cinematography and wonderfully antiquated in-camera effects. The careful juxtaposition and blending of archival footage, still photography, reenactments, and interviews is a master-class in the school of film editing. Also adding to the film is the quietly tense music score composed of pieces from Michael Nyman and Erik Satie among others.

For those who never saw the Twin Towers of the WTC in person, the film shows beautiful archival footage of their construction. For those still haunted by their fall, the film offers a bit of catharsis as we get to watch them reconstructed piece by piece on film and lifted again on high through Petit’s potently mad dream. The film is as much a love letter to New York City as it is a testament to the power of one person’s vision. The film allows us to see how Petit did it, but it also gives a glimpse of the greater “why?” For beauty, for the thrill…for the sad knowledge that no one in the history of the world will ever be able to do it again.

Originally Published on the Internet Movie Database:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1155592/usercomments-12

Now Playing in Beijing:  TRIUMPH OF THE PAGEANT

On the eighth hour of the eighth day of the eighth month in 2008 (Beijing time), the Communist run economic powerhouse and 1.5 billion people strong Chinese Machine finally had their coming out party.

The first images are streaming in from the Opening Ceremonies of the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics.  Famed filmmaker Zhang Yimou (who has been responsible for Hero, House of Flying Daggers, and Curse of the Golden Flower) staged the epic event with all the grand pageantry of his signature films.

The images are dreadfully beautiful and sumptuous, though the particular slide show linked below also features a hilarious shot of our President Dubya and the wife Laura with horrified looks on their faces as they are shown to their seats.  Could they be afraid of a little propaganda?  I highly recommend clicking the link and flipping through all the photographs to get the full effect of the power of what has been staged:

http://www.nbcolympics.com/destinationbeijing/photos/galleryid=183709.html?GT1=39003

I’ve been trying to avoid political commentary on this blog lately, but these amazing images couldn’t go unnoticed.  Why does it all remind me of Leni Reifenstahl, Triumph of the Will, and the 1936 Berlin Summer Olympics?

Above: In 1936 Berlin modeled their stage after ancient Roman coliseums.

Below:  The modernism of Beijing’s center stage for the games in 2008 shows how times have changed.

The Opening Ceremonies will be televised tonight on NBC.

To keep track of the overall Medal Standings as the Olympics progress, click below:

http://results.beijing2008.cn/WRM/ENG/INF/GL/95A/GL0000000.shtml

Written by David H. Schleicher

UPDATE FOR READERS:

Click here for a post on Andrew Wyeth’s passing on Januaury 15, 2009.

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Over the years I’ve seen some great exhibits at the Philadelphia Museum of Art including the Renoir Landscapes and the recent one featuring Frida Kahlo.  However, the one that will always stay with me most is the amazing Andrew Wyeth Memory & Magic exhibit.  His art highly influenced some of the imagery I tried to create in The Thief Maker and continues to captivate me. 

This summer I finally ventured out to the Brandywine River Museum in Chadds Ford, PA, which houses much of Andrew’s art as well as other painters and works from his father, N. C. Wyeth and son, Jamie Wyeth.  About an hour from my neck of the woods in South Jersey and about forty minutes from Center City Philadelphia, the museum is a picturesque three-story masterpiece that cozily wraps around a lazy stretch of the Brandywine River (where kayakers can be seen gently passing by) and is situated in quaint pastures just off of Route 1.  Part of the museum’s appeal beyond the beautiful setting is the level of intimacy it allows visitors to achieve with the works of the Wyeth Family, and in some cases, with actual members of the family.  Guided tours by shuttle-bus take you to the N. C. Wyeth House and Studio, and to be able to see the family quarters and the working space of three generations of world-renowned artists is a unique experience few other museums can claim.

But what really sets the museum apart is the guided tour of Andrew’s and Jamie’s galleries on the third floor by Andrew’s granddaughter and Jamie’s niece, Victoria Wyeth.  When she’s not helping patients at a nearby psych ward, she’s at the museum engaging visitors.  Young, energetic, and witty, Victoria is clearly in love with her family’s accomplishments (who can blame her) and simply can’t stop talking about it.  She seems to pick pieces at random depending on what she fancies for the day or hour or based on questions she eagerly takes from the group.  The level of detail and story she is able to provide from first-hand experience on the inspiration behind a particular piece is as entertaining as it is astounding.  When we came upon a painting of Jamie’s depicting a pumpkin carved out from the inside in a large brooding patch, Victoria encouraged the children to come up front and playfully said to them, “Now you’ve all had nightmares, right?” and proceeded to tell the story of the nightmare her uncle had that lead him to his artistic creation.

The museum features layers of generations, each inspiring the next.  In one gallery you can see the works of famed illustrator Howard Pyle who taught and heavily influenced N. C. Wyeth, who went on to classically illustrate a famous edition of Treasure Island.  You can then view N. C. ’s portrait of little Andy with a fire-truck, and then see how Andy grew up to become the celebrated Andrew Wyeth.  Then Victoria will explain how her grandfather, Andrew, currently in his nineties, just painted a new gallery edition a few months ago depicting a neighbor on a motorcycle stopped at an intersection.

And that’s the beauty of the Wyeths.  The painted what they knew, and loved where they lived, be it on the rocky coasts of New England or their homesteads in the Brandywine River Valley where N. C. eventually settled.  They didn’t travel the world for their inspiration or study art in Paris.  They looked at their neighbors, the countryside, their family, and their landscapes and they created art through the generations that will last for all time.

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For more on the museum:

http://www.brandywinemuseum.org/

For more on how Andrew Wyeth influenced my writing:

http://davethenovelist.wordpress.com/2007/02/12/places-in-the-heart/

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Below are some photos I captured around the museum and also at the Brandywine Battlefield Park which is just down the way from the museum on the other side of Route 1.

Written and photographed by David H. Schleicher.