Séraphine (2008)

Directed by Martin Provost

Starring Yolande Moreau and Ulrich Tukur

Runtime 125min. - Unrated

In French with English subtitles

4 Stars (out of 4)

Available on Netflix Instant or Vudu

I have a really hard time watching films about painters. It's not that I don't like art, it's just that I'm talentless in that arena. I wish I could draw a straight line but I simply cannot. I've tried. I bought brushes and paints and paper and watched Bob Ross more than any grown man should. When the magic of Bob Ross failed I realized I was completely hopeless.

My lack of talent creates another issue as well. It keeps me from sympathizing with the characters. It's harder to understand their struggles. I'm also frequently perplexed by what separates bad art from good art. I understand that a lot of that boils down to taste, but when everyone else is oohing and aahing I'm frequently shaking my head in frustration.

What I've Been Up To

I haven't been posting much lately. There's been an outpouring from my fans wondering why. Every day my inbox is full of adoring readers longing for fresh movie reviews enriched by my unique insight and wit.

Okay, none of that is true. Not one damn person has inquired about my meager output. Oh well.

I have managed to stay busy though, just not so much with movies. I've been watching plenty of them, dozens since my last review even. Writing about them? Nah, haven't been doing that. I hope to get back to it real soon though.

What I have been writing are stories, an occasional poem, and book reviews.

Jessica from Cinemadaptation and VirtualMargin has been nice enough to let me invade her book blog. In January I reviewed the formidable Cormac McCarthy classic "Blood Meridian". More recently I reviewed an autobiographical piece by a local writer/editor called "Burning The Furniture".

"Burning The Furniture" is by Dan Smith, editor of Valley Business FRONT Magazine. A magazine which, as of April 2013, will feature my print debut. It will be a short review of a new Sci-Fi Western novel called "Six-Gun Tarot" by R.S. Belcher, another local writer. Don't take that lightly though, "Six-Gun Tarot" is publish through Tor, a powerhouse in the world of sci-fi.

While the review may be minimal compared to the work I've done on this blog, a printed 150-word review means a lot more than a 2000-word review on a blog. At least it does when looking for freelance work. Hell, I'm going to frame the damn thing.

So don't fear loyal readers. I've not gone anywhere. Hopefully I'll have more good news to report in the future. I've gotten some nice feedback on the Ben Affleck "interview" and I plan to offer some more satire in the future.

Until next time,
Dusty