Art Reviews

  Whiplash: The story: This film exploits one of society's most prevalent obsessions, greatness, success, and dream, in a way very few movies achieve.  Thus, thanks to its popular topic, everybody can relate to it in one way or another, especially people living in a capitalist society where success is constantly used to define individuals .  I would like to point out one specific aspect of the movie that for me defines what makes a good film: its ability to immerse its audience in a different world .   Whiplash will give you adrenaline rushes like no other film.  Another aspect of the film I particularly admired was the work done on character development and the storyline in general, Whiplash is not a blockbuster with a lot of special effects or shooting locations. Therefore, everything the film relies on is the story it tells . In that case, Whiplash explores a conflictual situation in a very organic and brilliant way . In addition to that, Every singl...

 The dreamers Mise en scene:  The apartment is portrayed as cluttered , with the dim light of lamps and candles , art pieces decorations , and all sorts of visual stimuli reinforcing the claustrophobic, nostalgic mood of the insouciant escapades of the dreamers" and giving the apartment a dreamlike quality.  Bertolucci's voyeuristic style reminds me of Guadagnino's work. He captures and translates an honest, nostalgic appreciation of natural human vitality , intimacy , and sensuality through his graceful visual technique, giving his frames the poise and vibrancy of paintings by "Ingres" or "Caravaggio"( Scott ).  This movie particularly spoke to me on a personal level because it resonates with most of my interests ( Paris , the 60s , New Wave directors are revolutionizing film , young protesters take on the government , focus on cinema , culture , idealism , and art ).  Although harshly categorized as pornographic by Hollywood, this movie d...

   Virgin Suicides: Inspired by the novel by Jeffrey Eugenides, a film critic said: " It is not important how the Lisbon sisters looked. What is important is how the teenage boys in the neighborhood thought they looked. "  This captures perfectly what the movie portrays: The materialization and even obsession of a particular girl.  The narration of the story by a male voiceover speaking through "we" conveys this idea,  The story seems often focused on the girl , but the boys share equal   attention .  The important aspect of this story is that it is trying to show adolescence and even more entering the adult world . This teenage world is depicted through for example the gruesome parents, the depiction of their teenage years being no better or worse than most teenage years.  In the film review I read, the author said: "The lack of any explanation is the whole point: For those left behind, they are preserved forever in the perfection they ...

  Claude Monet, Impression, Sunrise:  This painting... What I truly like about this painting is that it doesn't have a meaning .  Of course, all artworks have meanings but this one does not have a particular meaning.  Most of Monet's works are focused on capturing the light as well as the color , and once again, that's what we have here.  The breaking sunshine and its undulating reflections are the main points of emphasis in the Impression, Sunrise artwork. In his symphony of blues and oranges, Monet attempted to portray the sunrise in all its fleeting beauty . It is praised as one of the best Impressionist paintings because the dreamy , foggy countryside perfectly captures the style as a whole. Regarding the meaning, we know Monet was deeply involved in the revival of the French spirit and patriotism , and many of the paintings he produced at the time reflect his zeal . His Impression, Sunrise particularly places a heavy emphasis on France...

  O.M.G I will ne-ver talk enough about this movie.  "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" demonstrates that memories are just not files that may be erased. They are more than just thoughts in the mind because they shape the essence of the self. People require both the good and the bad in order to learn and grow . " Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind " changed my life the first time I saw it.  This almost never happens to me, and I presume I understand why I enjoyed it the first and only time it did. It's among those rare films that I'd rather watch alone than with a group.  It seeks something personal , such as troubling memories deeply buried within our subconscious. It's a film that demands the presence of thoughts we dismiss when we're surrounded by people, things we only consider when we're alone, buried in eternal thoughts.  " Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind " is a work of art that is both therapeutic and libera...

  This is a painting done by Leonardo Da Vinci of course!  I think everybody knows it, even people that are not into Art.  The funny thing is that there is so much infatuation in this ridiculously tiny painting that everybody queues to get to it at the Louvre .  But people are often shocked or surprised at how small it is.  Her deep stare pursues you around the room, and her expression captivates many. After hundreds of years of perceiving her visitors, the Mona Lisa has maintained unwavering eye contact with all who allow themselves to be absorbed by her mocking smile .  There is no special meaning behind this painting. One theory from viewers was that the " slight smile " of the Mona Lisa was provoked by entertainers, she was caught in laughter but had to hold it for the painter.   My personal theory is that the slight smile is representative of the modesty women were supposed to show at this time. This painting is worth millions of euros...

 The Creation of Adam .  It was painted by Michelangelo, who painted the whole ceiling of the Sistine chapel. And the part that everyone knows is this one, entitled " The Creation of Adam ". Like The Fallen Angel , there's also a part of this painting that everybody knows more than the rest of it.  The most direct meaning in Michelangelo’s Creation of Adam is the moment when God created human life , as described in the Book of Genesis in the  Christian Bible : “Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.  Michelangelo chose to illustrate this moment with complete clarity, painting God reaching out and touching Adam’s finger with his, to create the first great spark of life . An anatomical reference has been made regarding Michelangelo's Creation of Adam , adding to the artwork's possible deeper significance . Many people believe that the form God and the angels generate resembles a womb and placenta , implying that Adam was born rather th...

 I simply COULD NOT make a blog and not talk about this movie... This movie... It was so good and at the same time so bad... I think the acting is chef's kiss but the plot... I used to love the plot when I watched it for the first time but after the fifth time, it wasn't as good as I thought. Especially because there are some things that could have been avoided.  About the plot... Love , social inequality , and self-sacrifice are prominent themes in Titanic, all entwined in a tragic event that resonated with many people on its own. The plot revolves around a love triangle involving two active members of high society and a young man of low social standing.  I think the most interesting character is Rose;  reminiscent of classic literary works, is a daring and somewhat gutsy young woman who feels bound by her elevated social status. Her fancying for a low-class artist, Jack, energizes her and allows her to defy her family and fiancé. Both men are polar opposites...

Nike (Winged Victory) of Samothrace: It is a sculpture.  Standing at the top of a staircase in the Musée du Louvre in Paris, the  Nike of Samothrace  looks down over her admiring crowds. One of the most revered artworks of  Hellenistic  Greek art, the  Nike  has been on display in the Louvre since 1866 . The statue was brought to France by Charles Champoiseau, who found it in pieces during excavations on the island of Samothrace in 1863 .                                        This picture is mine !!! The Winged Victory of Samothrace is a  one-of-a-rare Greek sculpture whose original location is clear .  I t was built as a god sacrifice for a sanctuary on the Greek island of Samothrace. It was created not only to honor the goddess Victory but also to memorialize a naval battle. It is exposed at the Louvre and I think it is beautiful. I saw...

  The fallen angel.   This is a painting done by Alexandre Cabanel !! I put two pictures because you often see the focus on the fallen angel's face while the whole painting exists but is less known.  First, this painting is a religious painting considering that it represents the fallen angel, aka Satan or Lucifer .  Religious and historical paintings usually included saints , angels , and heroic figures as subject matter but this painting was amongst one of the first Academic paintings to portray the Devil. Cabanel's painting of Lucifer was inspired by John Milton's poem Paradise Lost . This poem is an epic one that focuses on Biblical narratives about Adam and Eve and their "insubordination," alongside Satan's "rebellion" against God. I personally think this painting is absolutely beautiful even though it was judged not "normal" and even taboo at this epoch.  The Fallen Angel  by Alexandre Cabanel depicts the moment the Devil ...

Wuthering Heights.  To recap the book, I'll say the plot in a few words!  The main conflict of Wuthering Heights revolves around Heathcliff's infatuation for Catherine Earnshaw and the obstacles created by their opposing social classes . Catherine grew up alongside Heathcliff , and she adores him. Nevertheless, she cannot bear the thought of marrying him. Although Heathcliff was raised alongside the Earnshaw children and is adored by both old Mr. Earnshaw and Catherine , he will never be considered a member of the Wuthering Heights family. Because Heathcliff is unable to be with Catherine , his desire for her becomes a twisted quest for status and power , as well as the punishment of anyone who has stood in his way. The action begins when Heathcliff is adopted as a young child by old Mr. Earnshaw . He soon develops a dual identity as a member of the family and an outsider . I truly liked this book a lot. The plot is good and we remain confused many times...

Oooh. This book !!! I could talk about it for weeks, months, and years if needed.  I read it so many times... Lolita was written by Vladimir Nabokov, a Russian and American novelist.  The plot is not the greatest of all time . It is problematic and controversial . A middle-aged man obsessed with a 12-year-old, that is in fact his step-daughter, is not a plot you would want to read every day... The writing behind Lolita is reminiscent of a love letter turned novel . Nabokov's writing takes on a beautiful, lyrical story that oozes romanticism . Lolita conveys the feeling of an infatuation that is so full of passion and longing that the reader can't help but be emotionally moved and recall their own past infatuations , how when one is so captivated by another, everything and anything becomes beautiful.  Although I mentioned that Lolita is a love letter turned into a novel, it is not a love story . Lolita deals with an abusive relationship, but it's not pervasive...

  This picture is mine !! I went to the Louvre last weekend and took this picture. I think it is crazy how you can find things that were made hundreds or even thousands of years ago. I always found it crazy, but it was even crazier when I arrived at the room where "La Joconde" (aka Mona Lisa) was exposed. The crowd of people !! It was seriously crazy.  But let's talk about this statue. This statue is called "La venus de Milo" . It was found in pieces on   Melos  ( an Aegean island) in  April  1820 and was then presented to  Louis XVIII  (who donated it to the Louvre in 1821).   Though it was rebuilt to a standing position, the statue's arms were never discovered. The statue clearly exemplifies the Hellenistic sculptural tradition.   Hellenistic movement: It became more naturalistic and evocative; there is an eagerness to depict extremes of emotion. But apart from anatomical realism, the Hellenistic artist strives to represent sub...