Aesthetic Updates
Jan. 10th, 2024 10:01 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
tcpipEvery so often one must delve into the realm of aesthetic consumption, in its myriad of forms, as a form of active regeneration of the mind. Goodness knows I've had to deal with this of late as I progress through the necessary readings and writings for my master's research project on the developing Pacific island climate impacts, adaption, and funding. But that progress can wait until the next entry, for the following discusses some acts of enjoyment for its own sake over the past week, including visiting Brendan E., and watching the film "Equilibrium", going out to the old Deco Palace Balwyn with Alison B., to watch the recent film "Maestro", and having Louise F, Allan K, Alison B over for a long dinner with cocktails and the sort of conversation that could be expected (Louise used to run the former Victorian Gothic for about 20 years, so that side of aesthetics was certainly a subject of discussion).
As for the films in question, the dystopian SF action film Equilibrium (2002) came with some rather old tropes, some wooden acting, and hilarious "gun kata". To its credit, however, I thought some of the cinematography was well executed, and there was some sense of character development. As an example that couldn't have greater contrast, the biographical drama "Maestro" (2023) is based around American composer, conductor, and music teacher Leonard Bernstein and his actress wife Felicia Montealegre, with Bradley Cooper covering the roles of director, co-writer, co-producer, and playing the lead character. It deals more with his not-so-private life rather than his public fame, and it must be said Cooper's performance as Bernstein is pretty impressive. Nevertheless, it must be said that household dramas are not exactly my preferred genre, and when the subjects are excessively wealthy, I begin to lose even more sympathy.
I have also started the year with a little delve into my old hobby, roleplaying games. Not only have I started a new "Call of Cthulhu" campaign for the year, and two reviews ("RuneQuest Empires" and "RuneQuest Empires (2nd edition)") have been published on rpg.net. Despite this, I am adamant that this is not so much a return to the sort of involvement I've had in the past with the hobby, but rather a temporary dalliance. As mentioned at the start of this post, my brain has felt the need for this sort of distraction from some rather challenging and detailed work that I am engaging in. But even these things I take with some seriousness and earnest engagement. Perhaps as it should be; projects are processes as well as goal-states.
As for the films in question, the dystopian SF action film Equilibrium (2002) came with some rather old tropes, some wooden acting, and hilarious "gun kata". To its credit, however, I thought some of the cinematography was well executed, and there was some sense of character development. As an example that couldn't have greater contrast, the biographical drama "Maestro" (2023) is based around American composer, conductor, and music teacher Leonard Bernstein and his actress wife Felicia Montealegre, with Bradley Cooper covering the roles of director, co-writer, co-producer, and playing the lead character. It deals more with his not-so-private life rather than his public fame, and it must be said Cooper's performance as Bernstein is pretty impressive. Nevertheless, it must be said that household dramas are not exactly my preferred genre, and when the subjects are excessively wealthy, I begin to lose even more sympathy.
I have also started the year with a little delve into my old hobby, roleplaying games. Not only have I started a new "Call of Cthulhu" campaign for the year, and two reviews ("RuneQuest Empires" and "RuneQuest Empires (2nd edition)") have been published on rpg.net. Despite this, I am adamant that this is not so much a return to the sort of involvement I've had in the past with the hobby, but rather a temporary dalliance. As mentioned at the start of this post, my brain has felt the need for this sort of distraction from some rather challenging and detailed work that I am engaging in. But even these things I take with some seriousness and earnest engagement. Perhaps as it should be; projects are processes as well as goal-states.
