THE 503 - "THE SNACKS ON SNACKS"

Episode 8!

Rooftops, Industrial train yards, Pranks, Zoo Bombers, Late night fire pits, and more as the summer continues...

MOS DEF HAS GOOD TASTE IN CINEMA

I was browsing a record store the other day when I noticed rapper Mos Def has a new album out called "The Ecstatic".

The album cover is a photograph from one of my favorite films, Charles Burnett's "Killer of Sheep".

Still tragically unknown/forgotten to many, Burnett's 1977 neo-realist masterpiece IS what comes to mind when I think of true American independent cinema.

"Killer of Sheep" is a collection of vignettes depicting the lives of a working class African-American family in the Watts district of Los Angeles. It a gorgeous example of black and white 16MM cinematography and a lesson in unconventional yet simple storytelling.

Despite winning a critic's award at the Berlin Film Festival, the film never saw an actual public release because rights to the soundtrack could not be afforded. For 30 years, the 16MM prints collected dust in obscurity, over time earning a reputation with critics and film scholars as a lost classic.

Finally in 2007, 30 years after completion, the film saw a limited theatrical release, and suddenly "Killer of Sheep" was introduced to a new generation of viewers. When it opened at the IFC Theater in New York, I went to see it over the weekend, and by the time I returned to class on Monday, all my friends had seen it independently as well. We talked all class long about the film, and how lucky we all felt to have the opportunity to finally see it.

KEENAN BLOGS

My brother Keenan finally has a blog.

Check it out!

keenanjay.blogspot.com

OPENING CEREMONY x PENDLETON F/09

On the 100th anniversary of the company's founding, Pendleton celebrates their status as an American icon with their first collaboration ever. Based on Pendleton's classic wool shirting and Native American inspired jaquards, Opening Ceremony designed a collection of the brands most classic styles, including the motocross shirt and the full mini skirt.

Pendleton meets Opening Ceremony will be seen in Opening Ceremony, as well as stores worldwide, starting August 2009.

Interest in Pacific Northwest culture and lifestyle has never been higher, and this dream collaboration feels a bit like the apex. To borrow praise from the most recent issue of Spread magazine, no other boutique and few labels in the last 5 years have had the impact on New York fashion as Opening Ceremony. Pendleton has been a staple of functional, utilitarian Oregon dress since the 1920's I believe- embraced today by workmen looking for durable clothing as well as the young and style-conscious.

This is great. Can't wait for this.

https://www.openingceremony.us/entry.asp?pid=118

JEANNE DIELMAN CRITERION

YEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.criterion.com/films/302

METRIC - WONDER BALLROOM

On June 5th 2009 I saw Metric at the Wonder Ballroom here in Portland. It was fucking amazing. Here are some videos of that night, not taken by me.


Gold, Guns, Girls


Gimme Sympathy


Help I'm Alive


Satellite Mind

ALEX KATZ