Review: Maggie's Plan (FILM)

Director: Rebecca Miller

Starring: Greta Gerwig, Ethan Hawke and Julianne Moore

I'm becoming a big fan of Greta Gerwig, and after stalking her imdb page, I came across this film: Maggie's Plan. Essentially, the film centres around Maggie and her desire for a child (but not necessarily the father that would come along with it.) We are presented with a character who is very organised and seems to get what she wants as she is very good at planning. The trailer for this film, I think, is fantastic, as it somehow conceals a major part of the plot line but still gives you a good taste of what it is about.

This film is funny, nicely shot, plays attention to little details (for example, you may notice mentions to Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', which is in this case are very fitting) and is a good example of how life can't' really be planned. It's a fun love story set with New York City as a backdrop. I do recommend this film, trust me, the 1 hour and a half will fly by. A great little film.

Magazine Choices of the Month!

A new exciting feature that will probably never show its face again! Just thought I'd mention two magazines that I happened to pick up this month. (Both out now, this June.)

Which magazine? Art Monthly.
What was the price? £5 UK (and 7 Euros and $8 in all those other places.)
Why did you buy it? Because funnily enough, after my Glasgow visit and finding out all about the amazing Pilvi Takala, there happened to be an interview with her in this magazine. This was the major attraction. Then on the back they very helpfully list all that's inside. Other articles about the unreliable narrator, a Midlands round-up and 'Should I Stay or Should I Go?' By Henry Lydiate sealed the deal.
How was it actually? I'm only half way through reading this magazine but so far I have very much enjoyed it. Definitely enjoyed the interview with my new art crush Takala, was nice to hear more about her practice from her own voice. Also enjoyed the article about the unreliable narrator and how the article concluded. So I am looking forward to continuing this on my train journeys.

Which magazine? Oh Comely.
What was the price? £5 UK
Why did you buy it? I used to be subscribed to this magazine, but I stopped because of university and I was finding that I wasn't having enough time (or making enough time) to sit down and properly enjoy the magazine - this isn't a quick flick through. It deserves a proper sit down, cup of tea and slice of cake type of treatment. I picked up this particular issue because of its theme (Oh Comely always have a great theme that ties through the magazine) and this month is was adventure. And I need a little adventure in my life, and this seems to be the perfect fix for that.
How was it actually? Again, horribly behind on reading it, but I can testify on previous issues that this one will be just as great. The layout is beautiful and the content even better. Definitely a magazine worth checking out if you want something a little different. This is up next for my eyes to devour once making it through my Art Monthly.

Review: Tale of Tales (FILM)

Director: Matteo Garrone

Starring: Salma Hayek, Vincent Cassel and Toby Jones (to name but a few.)

This film is a visual feast for the eyes. It follows three Italian fairytales, that are specifically geared towards adults. (Do not take children to see this. ) I really enjoyed the three individual tales, they each offered something different. Being aimed towards adults really meant that they didn't hold back on anything, and I feel like this attitude really added to the atmosphere and type of world they were trying to create.

I won't ruin too much - the trailer linked above gives you a very good idea of what you'll be in for, for the 2 hours and 13 minutes that this film lasts. (Although I will tell you this: my favourite story is the one about the two old sisters and the sex-pest king.)

I only had one slight negative about the film - that it was slightly too long in parts, and too short in others. But I do feel like they could have tried to make the stories told slightly tighter, but only just.

Tale of Tales really is a great opportunity to get lost in another world for a couple of hours. The film feels like a passion project, rather than created with the end goal to make money, and that works completely in its favour. The film is visually stunning, has stories (although fantastical) that we can all relate to and really explores, at its core, when the magic and beasts are swept aside, what it means to be human.

There are definitely certain films that you have to see on the big screen and this is one of them. For me, it's a definitely go see.

Magic Pianos

Nottingham Contemporary. Simon Starling. Free. Closes 26th June 2016. Reason to go? This piano. This automatic, self-playing, beautiful piano. Name of music played? Red, Green, Blue, Loom Music (2015 - 16). Go and see it. Go.

Review: Doug Fishbone's Leisure Land Golf (EXHIBITION)

On until 19th June at the New Art Exchange in Nottingham, let me introduce you to Doug Fishbone's Leisure Land Golf! Costs £2 for an adult, or £1.50 for a concession. 

This art exhibition proves to be the perfect 'viewing' for people who might find more traditional gallery experiences boring.

As the name suggest, you play a round of mini golf. Each hole having been designed by an artist with a concept behind it. Near each hole there is an interpretation panel to explain the thought process behind each piece. I think that this art mini golf is a great idea and a great way to engage people. It's also a really fun, playful way to explore darker subject matter. (Than you'd expect for mini golf in any case.)

I think there are certain designed holes that will resonate more with certain people. I just want to quickly mention the hole that the course finishes with. (It's the righthand image.) This final hole is Ellie Harrison's 'Life Raft'. It is 'a scale map of the UK floating in the adjacent canal - [it] offers a safe haven to immigrant golf balls that can make the treacherous crossing.' Essentially, you have one chance on this hole. From your platform that represents mainland Europe (and more specifically Calais) you are asked to hit your ball into in the United Kingdom. Anywhere within the boundary, on the first go. And it is so much harder than it looks. I didn't make it the first time (but landed in Scotland the second.) It's such a great method to make you re-evaluate your own thinking, and add a new perspective. You are literally made to look from the other side. We become the outside looking in, and the chances of safely making that journey become a serious unlikelihood. It really makes you appreciate the difficulty and hardships that people face to make it to our country. And how we easily take that for granted. (I know this seems to be a lot to take away from a game of mini golf, but that's the brilliance about this course.)

Definitely, definitely, if you are in Nottingham, or around, definitely go and see it! If not, I think it may be touring the UK (I think it has been a few places already) but I could be making all this up. Also, keep an eye out on the New Art Exchange, they seem to do some interesting things. 

Review: In the Age of Giorgione (EXHIBITION)

Just a quickie here. In the Age of Giorgione at the Royal Academy. On until 5th June. It is what you'd expect from what I'll bluntly call an 'old painting exhibition'. To put it bluntly again, I wouldn't have paid for it (I have a membership card, normally costs £10 without donation) but it was enjoyable. (But perhaps because it was fun adding stories to sassily painted faces and fancy bouffant hairstyles.)

Not sure I'd recommend (but mainly because of my personal tastes) but if some serious art history is your thing then you'll enjoy this. If not, maybe give it a miss.

If I could, I'd dance instead of walk.

A quick mention of something I definitely should have typed about before: the International Dance Festival Birmingham! It finishes tomorrow so there still might be something you can catch a look at. The city has been taken over by dance. 

I had the fortune of seeing 'In a Landscape'. Here is the brief summary as written on the festival's website:

Featuring Shun Ito, Kei Miyata & Ex Easter Island Head.

Inspired by the writings of Japanese poet Kenji Miyazawa, In a Landscape blends the spiritual and the scientific in a pulsating and atmospheric production which allows audiences to wonder at the invisible rules of nature and the universe.  An unmissable treat for fans of electronic music, art, Japanese Zen and genre defying performance. 

This extraordinary kinetic landscape will be created in the Municipal Bank, directed and choreographed by Kei Miyata (also performing in the piece), in collaboration with Shun Ito and EEIH, and an ensemble of local people.

I'm not normally a person who would go and see dance. But this was something I really enjoyed. The best way for me to describe it is slow. It was very slow but in the best possible way. It was very rhythmic and meditative. Reminded me that sometimes it's best to take your time. This performance was a beautiful example of a successful collaboration. The artist, the dancers and the musicians.

This was a great example of the types of performances programmed during the International Dance Festival. So if you didn't catch anything this year, definitely keep your eye out for when the next one springs up in Birmingham.