Life, Itself by Roger Ebert

Before I read this book, I wasn’t informed in any considerable way as to Ebert’s past. I figured that he had a boring life that nonetheless was full to the brim with observations and anecdotes about movies, actors, and the business. Imagine my surprise when I learned in instance after instance about the tumult in the man’s life. We’ve got anecdotes about everything from school, Catholicism, racism, family, cars, sex, Robert Mitchum, alcoholism, television, death, his own brushes with death, the Chicago newspaper scene, Steak ‘N Shake, bars, books, women, and travel. I had no idea in the least that he’d been around the block so many times. As Ebert makes clear, he misses some of it, but a good deal of it is seen with the pain that only a hard won wisdom seems to make tolerable. “Bitter” or “lonely” are the last words I’d use to describe Ebert. Still, many regrets are registered, but all in a tone of gratitude and good humor. This aspect of the book fascinated me greatly. The animating force seems to be his curiosity about the world and his joy at being part of it. Perhaps this is natural for a man who almost died on a few occasions, but what impressed me was the humility related in these stories. I almost wish it could have been longer as the range of his anecdotes and opinions rarely grew stale. While it was somewhat disappointing that the book wasn’t filled entirely with info about the movies – the sections on Russ Meyer, Martin Scorsese, and Werner Herzog were excellent though to my mind too brief – he has many great stories about being a newspaper and television critic. Anyone interested in Chicago newspapers should read this book at once as Ebert makes this lost era glow with nostalgia even though he never romanticizes it. (His well-timed digs at Rupert Murdoch are priceless.) I loved the discussion of his library as the man’s passion for books and reading is so familiar to the many of us who share it that it soon becomes likely that an entire book on the subject by Ebert would be a gift from heaven. His late chapter on religion is one of the most moving anecdotal treatments of the subject that I’ve ever read that I wonder at how many of the present world’s so-called experts in theology and philosophy could be so boring and tone deaf. In addition to his humble curiosity about the world, his joy around others – whether it was family, Chicago newspapermen, friends at film festivals, or characters in books – emerges as the strongest testament to the man’s love of life. He captures the sights and rhythms of life with lovely detail and a paucity of affectation. He also gives equal time to his triumphs like having his television show for so long and getting to interview the likes of Robert Mitchum and John Wayne – he never brags about that Pulitzer, though – as well as his failures such as the medical history of radiation in his late life being a very painful example. I wouldn’t call this one of the greatest memoirs ever, but it’s still a very strong achievement for what would seem to be a very ordinary life.

Roger Ebert

He was, in short, the very best kind of middlebrow, an earnest enthusiast who took his work seriously. - Terry Teachout

I came late to Ebert's writing. In high school, I read his essay on swearing in movies - Bogie saying "fuck" after losing Ingrid - but that was it. The popular dismissal was a major factor as well. (His opinions of David Lynch's movies didn't help, either.) I was too busy reading John Simon, taking his recommendations, and watching other art films. Then reading more on film and its creators. I even bought a copy of The Great Movies and Awake In The Dark. I wasn't drawn to the man until Twitter, however. His interest in politics intrigued me then encouraged me. Here was a dimension to the man that I hadn't known existed. I read his reviews more and more. Then I read his memoir Life, Itself and it changed me. I was very impressed by his humility and curiosity. A new respect grew in me. I read his reviews for fun more often as I enjoyed his style and outlook. His evaluations were quite different to every other review that I consulted. It became a pleasure to take part in what he offered to the world. He's offered so much. Now his work awaits the rest of us too slow to sit beside him. He waited - now we can only say thank you.

A Clash of Kings by George R. R. Martin

The central story of this book held my attention: the attack on King’s Landing by Stannis and the city’s defense by Tyrion. The actual events of this attack are less interesting – anyone who’s seen the episode ‘Blackwater’ from season two of Game of Thrones gets more for seeing it than I did from reading it – than the strife in the camps of Stannis and Tyrion. After all, Tyrion takes off from Cersei who utterly resents his involvement in any of this planning. In any case, Tyrion’s plans of defense and conduct during battle were the most interesting parts of this book. Stannis faces some challenges as well. First, he has to win the assault on King’s Landing and, second, he has to bring others to heel as they resist the plans of his advisor, Melisandre of Asshai. Demonstrating this resistance are two men loyal to Stannis: Maester Cressen and Ser Davos. Both of whom in loyalty to Stannis try to kill Melisandre. They fail, of course. (I won’t reveal who fails most spectacularly, though.) Davos tries to be the conscience that Stannis seems to have forgotten. He speaks many times throughout the book so he stands close in loyalty to Stannis and makes his thoughts known to his king. Making a prominent appearance early in the book, Maester Cressen is especially interesting to me. He gets short shrift in season two, but here in the book he appears for some time as he voices major resistance to Melisandre. Cressen has served Stannis for a very long time and here he reflects on his loyalty towards and love for Stannis. It’s quite moving as well as saddening once it becomes clear that the old ways as represented by Cressen have been replaced by Melisandre. An old advisor has been taken out to pasture and his love for his king now forgotten. It’s to the author’s credit and talent that a small character like Cressen is given such history and texture. All of it shows the stakes of the struggle in Stannis’ court. Also of interest to me as it was omitted from season two is how Stannis feels about his brother Robert. Now that Robert is dead, Stannis sees that the throne is his. He reflects on his anger and bitterness over the ingratitude and betrayal by Robert. While I’d love to learn more of what’s going through Melisandre’s mind, what we have here in Cressen, Davos, and Stannis is very, very good. The book is focused on the politics of alliance, loyalty, and betrayal in equal measure while not sacrificing it to double crosses and anger just for the sake of a plot. This is a world rich in resentment and intrigue. Add to it all the growing character arcs of Jon Snow at the Wall and Daenerys Targaryen in Qarth – both of whom are getting used to power and intrigue – and you have a growing story quickly maturing. As ever, Arya and Dany are very interesting women fighting to gain the control that their lives deny them and that deep resentment keeps alive in them. Sansa and Cersei are contrasting figures in the arena of court politics, but no less compelling. For all of her plots toward Tyrion and indulgence of Joffrey, she’s a woman central to the story and always moves the plot forward. A step forward from A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings adds to the continuing plot and gives us many deeper characters who raise the stakes of the story in their own unique ways.

The Best of 2012

Grimes, Visions

The Mountain Goats, Transcendental Youth

Dum Dum Girls, End of Daze

Solange, True

Marissa Nadler, The Sister

Allo Darlin’, Europe

Tu Fawning, Monument

Sharon Van Etten, Tramp

Alcest, Les voyages de l’ame

Mission of Burma, Unsound

Is love ever too little or too late?

Another woman with early fame and a difficult later life is Bettie Page. I'm rather fascinated by her enduring legacy although her life was downhill after all of that famous photo work. I wonder how she felt about her past and whether there were too many regrets about what she did or didn't want to do. Do we becomes stars as we create this persona of ourselves? Or does it become real once others have seen it and fallen in love with it? That might be the tragedy of love: we wait until others see it in us.

The vital spark of Louise Brooks

There is an intensity to Louise Brooks that I respect. Her ability to be fascinates me. She radiates vitality. To watch her energy and movement in Pandora's Box is to witness a new form of creation. Frankly, I'm amazed at how cinematography could make one woman look so enthralling. It is the mercurial possession of her acting that is so inspiring. She personifies Lulu with such energy that it almost seems to overwhelm the film. I'm not sure how more people remain unaware of this film. Unlike the inward isolation and threatened withdrawal of a Garbo and the decadent stillness and hearty irony of a Dietrich, Brooks commands by moving her body. No words; just actions. Amazing. I recommend Pandora's Box to one and all so they can witness this most unique woman.

Nightmusic Oblivion

What is offered as a promise in "Oblivion" ('See you on a dark night') is realized in "Nightmusic" ('Tonight's the night'). I'm not sure why this should be so exciting, but part of it is how both songs highlight the dark romanticism in Grimes' music. I want to believe that somewhere in the dark of the forest, there is music like this playing.