"Ma Rainey's Black Bottom"

 

The best film of the year was just released on Netflix -- "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom." Written by theatrical poet August Wilson, the movie portrays real-life blues singer Ma Rainey. Ma, called "Mother of the Blues," was one of the first to record blues music, influencing a generation of singers. 

What makes the film special are Wilson's writing which crackles with emotion and the leads' acting performances. Viola Davis does a convincing job as Ma and my favorite actor, Chadwick Boseman, is terrific as ambitious trumpeter Levee. Chadwick, who tragically died of cancer after making the film, has a string of incredible movies; "Get on Up" is the best. His work in this film is beyond Oscar-worthy: it'll be a crime if he doesn't win the award. There are scenes here that blow you away.

Do yourself a favor and see this. And "y'all just leave Levee alone about the white man."

Spinach

Lately I've been eating a lot of spinach. A LOT. German supermarket LIDL sells it incredibly cheap and their large tub (enough for 4+ meals) costs practically nothing. I've been exploring new ways to eat spinach (raw, cooked, thrown in other dishes) and love its health benefits.

Some of you youngsters may not be familiar with existential philosopher Popeye the Sailor Man. Popeye famously asserts "I yam what I yam and that's all what I yam." 

Wise words. Spinach makes us strong.

The Holidays

Last night New York (and most of the Midwest) got a major snowstorm. Over a foot of snow fell, cancelling school and keeping us indoors.

The snow instantly put me in a holiday spirit. Are you there yet?

Holiday Decorating

I started my Christmas decorating today with an homage to 2020. 

What are you doing to decorate this year? Show us pictures, please!

Experiments

I carry cameras with me at all times because you never know when an arresting image will appear.

These shots are experiments; ideas being tried out. Do any work for you?

Huntington, NY

I wandered around my hometown last week looking for interesting visual images. I found these two.

It's surprising how sharp the pictures are, given they were taken with a 1957 Kodak Brownie Starflex camera that cost $10 new. Its cheap plastic lens is aided by the high resolution of 127-roll film (ISO 100).

To me, creating images this way feels like magic. What do you think?

Combining Interests

 I got a new shirt!