Fincher
On the advice of my friend Max Lawton I have been revisiting the films of David Fincher. When I first viewed these films, I did not like them. I found Fight Club to be too belligerent and Seven to be over-the-top and Gothically dark. The Game, as I remembered it, played too much with reality too much and facility and not enough truth. The filmmaking is obviously very skillful, but the morality is heavy-handed. And Zodiac , though it had great set pieces and some nice performances, was long, choppy and lost the continuity it needed to make a cohesive whole. I still haven’t seen Benjamin Button. I think perhaps there is a sense of humor behind Fight Club that I didn’t understand the first time through. But if it is intended as humor then it is almost obliterated by the testosterone and the brutality of many of the images. The idea of men going into parking lots and basements and beating each other senseless, learning to love each other through this violent intimacy, is a wonderfully over the top and humorous comment on the Robert Bly “Iron John” movement of the 1990s. The absolutely necessary feminist movement that brought women out of their closets and kitchens and encouraged them to form significant relationships with each other and to demand a share in our economy and social organization naturally precluded men, who felt left behind and out of the dialogue. The power – or more accurately, the presumption of power – that men wielded for centuries was felt to be slipping away, and they flailed about in what will be, hopefully, the last death throes of white male supremacy, we waged a few stupidly motivated wars, like Grenada and the two Iraq wars, the embrace of greed as a goddess, and some bizarrely adolescent behavior as witnessed in the White House over the past eight years. If Fincher and Chuck Palahniuk, the man who wrote the novel Fight Club, are commenting on this situation, then I don’t think they have gained enough distance to see it clearly – certainly not Fincher, anyway. A big part of him is still down in the basement whimpering in the corner, with blood on his lip, fantasizing about the next time he comes up against that bad man who beat him up. Or maybe it was a woman he had to negotiate with. When Fight Club really does become comedic is near the end when the anarchy that Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt) preaches becomes an organization of men without lives or roots running around making explosives in the semi-abandoned house that they call home. It reminds me of the cockroaches in an old episode of “Fairly Odd Parents,” the Saturday morning cartoon, where the cockroaches set about to attain “world domination” and are nearly successful. I know Cosmo, Wanda, Jimmy and the cockroaches are funny but I am not sure if it is intended as comedy with Fincher. When I say that Fincher’s style […]
Apr 8th, 2009 by Mark Metcalf
Accents on the Interstate, Lipstick on a Pig
If accent lighting on the interstate isn't the perfect definition of lipstick on a pig, I don't know what is. That said I'm not opposed to it. In fact, I think dressing the Marquette Interchange for the prom was a positive step forward. There is, however, only one thing I wish would have happened differently.
Apr 8th, 2009 by Jeramey Jannene
Episode #4 – Jonathan West and Mistaken Identity
Jonathan West and Mistaken Identity - This week on the ThirdCoast Cast, Mark Metcalf speaks with Jonathan West, the new managing director of the Sunset Playhouse on the changes currently underway at Sunset, and Nick Schurk gets an unexpected and confused call from a surprisingly devoted listener. Enjoy
Apr 8th, 2009 by ThirdCoast Podcast
RadioMilwaukee names new Executive Director
Milwaukee, Wisconsin (April 8, 2009) – Mary Louise Mussoline, the Milwaukee Art Museum’s former senior director of development, has been named executive director of non-commercial 88Nine RadioMilwaukee. Mussoline, a longtime Milwaukee resident, has served for many years as a top executive and consultant to numerous area non-profits, working in areas of management, training and fundraising. Her selection followed a multiple-month search and extensive interviewing process for the open position, said Eric Resch, board chair of Radio For Milwaukee, which operates the station. “Mary Louise brings a wealth of experience in management and fund development,” Resch said. “Her strong background, talent and working relationships within Milwaukee’s non-profit and business communities will help RadioMilwaukee realize its vision for creating a better city through the power of music and our collective voice.” Resch said Mussoline will work closely with her senior management team, Station Manager Vicki Mann and Program + Content Director Sam Van Hallgren, to increase the station’s impact within the area and grow community support. Mussoline said she has been an avid listener of RadioMilwaukee since the station’s current format went into effect two years ago. She said she looked forward to helping the station grow into an even more important community asset. “In a short time, RadioMilwaukee has established itself as a powerful force to bring people together in celebration of music, local arts and community building,” Mussoline said. “By tapping into more of the Milwaukee area’s many resources, I hope to help build an even stronger foundation for our future growth and success.” As the Milwaukee Art Museum’s campaign consultant and then senior director of development from 2005 until earlier this month, Mussoline oversaw the museum’s completion of its capital campaign, membership efforts, annual campaign, major gifts, planned giving and special program fundraising. The most recent campaign raised $4.9 million in annual gifts, including $3 million from major donors and an additional $2.3 million in grants and sponsorships. Annual campaign contributions increased by 30% under Mussoline’s team. Prior to her work at the Milwaukee Art Museum, Mussoline served as the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design’s vice president for institutional advancement from September 2002 until December 2004; The Brico Fund, Inc.’s executive director from 1998 to 2002; and a Jane Bradley Pettit Foundation program officer from 1998 to 2001. Since 1987, Mussoline also has owned a consulting practice, MLM Associates, which has provided training and select consulting to a variety of organizations. Groups MLM has worked with include the YWCA of Greater Milwaukee, Neighborhood House, Prevent Blindness Wisconsin, Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Highland Community School, Tirimbina Rainforest Center, Children’s Service Society, YWCA of the USA, Women’s Fund of Greater Milwaukee. 88Nine RadioMilwaukee (88.9 FM and www.radiomilwaukee.org) broadcasts and webcasts a unique mix of rock, urban and local music, while promoting and celebrating involvement in the Milwaukee community. The station has won “best of” awards from the Shepherd-Express weekly newspaper, the Wisconsin Area Music Industry and Milwaukee Magazine.
Apr 8th, 2009 by Amy Elliott
Around town with Bones – 4/8
I can’t figure out why any artist in their right mind would complain “there’s nothing new” in Milwaukee. Balls! I just saw two great Peter Barrickman paintings at Green Gallery, plus at GGWest, the most minimalist piece of art I’ve ever seen: a slender slice of wood painted white and propped in a corner of GGW’s third floor space, which also houses Club Nutz, the world’s smallest stand-up comedy club. You know, when I talk to John Riepenhoff I feel a real burst of hope for the arts. The people around him are smart and young and energetic. What a tonic. It isn’t that I don’t respect artists who are mature (or old like me), but there comes a time when bi-focals have to give way to firm flesh and sharp eyes and keen ideas. Riepenhoff must be like Dean Jensen was in the olden days, and his adventurous mind reminds me much of Jensen, who is, by the way, a big fan of John and company. Deb Brehmer is down-on-her-knees sorting through piles of drawings from various Wisconsin-based artists. My eyes like Paul Caster’s stuff, but you can decide from seven participants when the show (Tender is the Line) opens in the Portrait Gallery (Floor 5) on Gallery Night & Day (April 17-18). Her expanded space now includes TWO galleries, the latter to be known as “Gallery B,” with walls being painted blood red as I write. Down the hall, also on floor five, Catherine Davidson has established a new little office with walls of eggplant hue. Her larger venue is on floor two. Jilan Glynn is curating a GN&D exhibit at Soups On. Does anyone remember Jane Brite, co-founder of Walker’s Point Center for the Arts? Allegedly, she’s the new “art consultant” for the Charles Allis/Villa Terrace Museums. They’ve ground through quite a number of staffers in the last few years, and seem to be very zipped-lipped when it comes to press releases announcing who’s new and who’s not. I’m really saddened that no one has ventured forth with a guess as to who “Pierre Renee” is. His photographs are hanging in the Riverfront Pizza Bat & Grill on Erie St. I guess no one cares but Mr. Renee, hey? Okay, Stella will sweeten the Pierre pot and buy a veggie pizza for the FIRST person who posts the correct answer in the comment section. All the stupefying silly-ness over whether or not alderpersons like the public sculpture proposed for Wisconsin Avenue. It’s sort of a low blow to make comments about Bob Donavan’s missing teeth though. Or is it tooth? It should be even more stupefying when “concerned” artists mass in order to voice their ego-driven agendas about the project’s ix-nayers. Real artists will be home making art, but Pegi Taylor will likely be out and about milling around. Stella says later gator. There’s way more coming …
Apr 8th, 2009 by Stella Cretek
Tales from the Dugout
Pink Banana Theatre Co. opened its annual show comprised completely of original one-acts on Friday, March 27. Staying true to its mission of encouraging new artists, Pink Banana used locally grown writers, actors and directors. With few mis-steps, Pink Banana once again showed itself to be a hot bed of young Milwaukee talent. Using a video screen as a back drop served two-fold: first, as a way of introducing the writers, actors and directors of each one-act and also as a set piece to suggest location. In Along for the Ride, a video of the retreating road through a back window added scenic depth and clarity to what could have just been actors in chairs on stage. Muffin’s Man was certainly the best received by the audience. Written by Patrik Beck and directed by Michael Cotey, it’s the perfect storm of wit and absurdity. Three men wait outside a coffee shop on an ordinary morning and at least one of them is not what he seems. Rob Maass, Daniel Koester and Travis A. Knight form a perfect triad for this brief yet action packed comedy. The last scene before the intermission proved to be a bit off kilter. Written and directed by Stephanie AB Wiedenhoeft, A Squirrels Nest aimed to examine the lives of five women. While obvious that the point was to highlight the internal and external conflicts that unite women, it was generic and used too many blanket statements to be truly insightful. Subject to Change, written by Alison Niles and directed by Joe Foti, lived up to its title by showcasing the rapid adjustments women in the armed forces must make. Unrequited Hate, written by Russ Bickerstaff and directed by Fjosh Redbeard, was an intriguing look into the relationship between co-workers. Complemented by actors Nick Firer and Adrian F. Feliciano, this fast-paced spoof was another audience favorite. Rounding out the show was The Interpreters, written by Artistic Director Rose Wasielewski and directed by Patrik Beck. A couple seeking marriage counseling receives help and answers in a pair of frank and outspoken interpreters who voice the true meanings of their words. For complete schedules and ticket information for all of Milwaukee’s theaters, visit Footlights online.
Apr 7th, 2009 by Russ Bickerstaff
Milwaukee Rep Announces Latest Pay-What-You-Can Performances
If you’re looking for an affordable way to see some great live theater, Milwaukee Repertory Theater offers Pay What You Can for select performances, you literally pay what you can afford for the ticket. (A minimum donation of $5.00 is suggested.) Tickets go on sale at 5:30 on the day of the Pay What You Can Performance. There is a limit of 10 tickets per person for the Quadracci Powerhouse performances and 4 tickets per person for the Stiemke Theater performances. Pay What You Can Performances for I JUST STOPPED BY TO SEE THE MAN are Wednesday, April 8th and Thursday, April 9th. Dates for THE CHERRY ORCHARD are Tuesday, April 14th and Wednesday, April 15th. I JUST STOPPED BY TO SEE THE MAN will be playing in The Rep’s Stiemke Theater, and THE CHERRY ORCHARD is in The Rep’s Quadracci Powerhouse Theater. All Pay What You Can Performances begin at 7:30. Both theaters are located at 108 E. Wells Street. For more information, please call The Rep’s Ticket Office at 414-224-9490. Enjoy!
Apr 7th, 2009 by Jon Anne Willow
How Not to Run a Public Hearing
We often hear about the lack of "transparency" or that "the process wasn't followed," and it is actually my belief that often enough this isn't true.
Apr 6th, 2009 by Dave Reid
Weekly Bookmarks – Monday, 06. April 2009
County Grounds: A mockery of the democratic process The politics of public art – JSOnline MilwaukeeWorld: MCTS: BYK-RAKS HERE BY JULY WisDOT pressured to pay for county work After plea from Barrett, panel blocks funds for suburban projects – JSOnline Milwaukee Talkie: A school choice paradox (or two) Virchow Krause looking downtown – The Business Journal of Milwaukee: Milwaukee bucks national housing trends – JSOnline Milwaukee’s economy needs commuter rail – BizTimes OnMilwaukee.com Milwaukee Buzz: A designers Zweig thoughts and call to action New arena could be in cards Marquette goes it alone on building project Artsy Schmartsy: Can we save Janet Zweig’s art? We need to try. Marquette Interchange gets “accent lighting” – JSOnline Plale and Richards announce the $240 Million for UWM clears another hurdle : The Bay View Compass Sick leave law would trump bargaining Vouchers and Howard Fuller – Murphy’s Law – Milwaukee Magazine Staybridge Suites construction may resume this month – BizTimes CARW says county should transfer Park East land to city – BizTimes Cardinal Stritch drops plans to buy Wisconsin Energy Corp. land in St. Francis – BizTimes Walker says he never said never about matching stimulus funds – BizTimes Janet Zweig’s public art project in trouble – JSOnline Why Milwaukee is ready for Zweig’s public art – JSOnline Realtors: City Hall should take over Park East land – JSOnline Turmoil continues in squabble over Milwaukee County’s stimulus dollars – BizTimes Federal agency backs bigger bonds Milwaukee County in running for stimulus money We need a regional transit authority now – BizTimes Group seeks stimulus funds for KRM commuter train – BizTimes RTA ought to defer to our voters – JSOnline Marquette Interchange gets ‘accent lighting’ – JSOnline Dialogue needed on arena issue – JSOnline Milwaukee’s economy needs commuter rail – BizTimes Pharmacy school looks at Mequon, not Pabst site – JSOnline City Hall restoration wins downtown award – JSOnline Virchow Krause looking downtown – The Business Journal of Milwaukee: Potential impact of intermodal station identified – Sacramento Business Journal: ‘Johnny V’ faces foreclosure suit – JSOnline Staybridge Suites construction may resume this month – BizTimes The Bradley Center has a problem – JSOnline Dan Cody – “Left on the Lake” » Southeastern Wisconsin Business Leaders Advocate for KRM & Mass Transit in Editorial Milwaukee council majority backs TIF money for streets – JSOnline Realtors: City Hall should take over Park East land – JSOnline
Apr 6th, 2009 by Dave Reid
Upcoming Events for the Week of April 6th, 2009
April 6, 2009 Community & Economic Development April 6, 2009 9:00 am The Community and Economic Development Committee hears matters relating to community development, block grants, job development, business improvement districts, city public relations, industrial land banks and revenue bonds, emerging business enterprises, recreation, cultural arts and the library system.The Community and Economic Development Committee meetings start at 9:00 pa.m. and are held in the Room 301-B, […] April 7, 2009 SARUP Lecture Series: Least-cost Paths to Energy Independence at a University Campus April 7, 2009 12:00 pm to 1:20 pm Speaker: Lee DeBaillie – Energy Center of WisconsinSARUP is the acronym for School of Architecture & Urban Planning lecture Series are Free and Open to the Public. All presentations will take place at the UWM School of Architecture and Urban Planning (SARUP) from 12:00 – 1:20 pm in Room 345. SARUP is located […] April 8, 2009 Zoning, Neighborhoods & Development April 8, 2009 9:00 am The Zoning, Neighborhoods and Development Committee reviews issues relating to city development, zoning, historic preservation, incremental tax financing, building codes and housing projects.The Zoning, Neighborhoods and Development Committee meetings start at 9:00 a.m. and are held in the Room 301-B, City Hall, unless otherwise noted. […]
Apr 5th, 2009 by Dave Reid
Zoning, Neighborhoods & Development
The Zoning, Neighborhoods and Development Committee reviews issues relating to city development, zoning, historic preservation, incremental tax financing, building codes and housing projects. The Zoning, Neighborhoods and Development Committee meetings start at 9:00 a.m. and are held in the Room 301-B, City Hall, unless otherwise noted. Agenda
Apr 5th, 2009 by Dave Reid
Community & Economic Development
The Community and Economic Development Committee hears matters relating to community development, block grants, job development, business improvement districts, city public relations, industrial land banks and revenue bonds, emerging business enterprises, recreation, cultural arts and the library system. The Community and Economic Development Committee meetings start at 9:00 pa.m. and are held in the Room 301-B, City Hall, unless otherwise noted. Agenda
Apr 5th, 2009 by Dave Reid
