The lights started to dim as people of all ages filled the audience seats.  There was a lot of chatter and rustle going on when the curtains rose up, almost as if the audience was reluctant for the show to start because they were expecting a boring performance by the Happy Puppetry Company. As soon as the curtains rose, the audience sat back in their seats and prepared for the worst. After all, like a loud member of the audience pointed out, “Who in the world would name themselves the Happy Puppetry Company?” The program that was handed out in the beginning of the show stated that the Happy Puppetry Company is directed by leading Taiwanese puppeteers: Mrs. Szu-mei, Ko Chiang, Chai-Tsai ho, and Shih-hung. Travelling around the world, they have arrived today at New York Chinese School in order to perform a Chinese traditional story of “Wu-Song, The Tiger Hero.” Although, the story of “Wu-Song, The Tiger Hero” was bland and predictable, the intricate puppet house, skilled puppet movements and vibrant music overshadowed any flaws that might have been present in the plot line. Continue reading →

Across the maze of Manhattan, through catacombs where hulking steel monsters transport people from place to place, down canyons grated with iron and concrete side to side. Past cafés and posh eateries where men and women dressed in fine fashionable elegance come to socialize and solicit business transactions. Into the very heart of our city itself —there lies a garden. Adorned with two vast pools with majestic streams of flowing waters easing into them, the garden stands as a memorial, an act of remembrance. Some call it heaven, others hell, but its true name out of virtue of its function is the National September 11 Memorial & Museum. Continue reading →

In the 1994 movie “Forrest Gump,” director Robert Zemeckis uses the same creativity, with which he brilliantly directed “Cast Away,” to indulge the viewer in a attention-grabbing 142 minute narrative. In this movie, Tom Hanks plays the main role of Forrest Gump, who is a man with a low IQ. Not only is the character of Forrest well written for, but also Tom Hanks’ acting is outstanding and very much believable. This movie is an excellent depiction of life as a soldier in the Vietnam War, as well as of life as a disadvantaged man who learns to achieve great accomplishments with his heart and his dedication. The movie, as a whole, has some very inspirational and valuable lessons that everyone should learn for living a good life. Continue reading →

Illustrator and animator Bastien Dubois presents us with a bright welcoming experience with his Madagascar. All of the animations, done by hand, reflect the vivid life of the Malagasy, encountered by Dubois during his travels. The majority of this short is sensory. Watercolors and pastels in motion capture ranges of feeling and emotion, from the detailed faces of the people of Madagascar to the crude outlined figure drawings of the singing and dancing crowds. Nothing lacks in essence as it all comes back to the short’s central focus of the spirit being central and of great significance to the people of Madagascar. The drawings look unforced and everyday which provide a sense of familiarity and allow the watcher to easily relate to the experience. At the same time, they are not carelessly thrown together without thought. The form of animation used by Dubois contrasts greatly with the increasingly modern forms of animation with shiny, smooth forms and exact sharp edges. His more natural technique of sketching and painting the landscapes, structures and figures he met throughout his trip reflects the simplicity of life in Madagascar in contrast with more developed western countries. The clean imagery and rhythmic song that serve as the base for this short film created a true sense of authenticity that immediately draws the watchers attention. Continue reading →

"Imagine", 2007. Oil on canvas

Contemporary Surrealist and Absurdist artist Michael Cheval managed to turn the interior of New York’s famously stuffy Waldorf Astoria Hotel into a bizarrely decadent escape. The expansive hall leading into the hotel’s Grand Ballroom was filled with promotional and ornamental works from various artists and companies during this fall’s Couture Fashion Week, but Cheval’s was certainly the most intriguing. There was something haunting yet welcoming about his art; the viewer was left in awe at the artist’s skilled and meticulous approach and felt drawn into the vortex of complex ambiguity.

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The beginning of clockwork orange is quite startling you are face to face with Alex DeLarge his blue eyes are piercing that with the combination of fake eyelashes and a sinister smile truly gives  a person the chills. Ironically enough the viewer grows to like Alex, his narrations brings about a comforting atmosphere to cinematic experience. Alex loves to commit acts of violence including rape and murder, yet his role in society and to his family is a teenage boy who is believed to be innocent. Alex spends his days with his group of friends, which he has named his droods. They run a muck in the futuristic streets of Britain. The time frame that Alex lives in is far different from ours, it is hinted that there is no sense of laws and structure in this society is very chaotic. Street gangs such as Alex’s roam the streets causing chaos in one scene Alex and his friending beat up a homeless man just for the fun of it. In fact all of Alex’s moves seemed to be done just for the fun of it. A very graphic scene in the movie is when Alex rapes the wife of Mr. Alexander, a writer. Alex and his gang enter the house through a false cry of help, Alex cuts open the dress of the woman and violently rapes her while he sings the song “Singing in the Rain.” The scene shows how demented Alex is and how comfortable he is doing violent acts. Continue reading →

Steven Soderbergh’s latest film “Contagion” portrays a grim horror story unlike most, one that fortunately for the film but unfortunately for humanity, is not too far fetched. This movie’s monster isn’t an axe–wielding murderer or a flesh–eating zombie, but rather a virus; an infinitesimal microbe, which claims more victims in the picture’s 106 minutes than every other killer in the history of horror movies combined. “Contagion” goes exactly where it needs to go and beyond, touching base with it’s audience on a number of levels while managing to evoke emotions from fear to compassion to everything in between in it’s short running time. Continue reading →

The Mediaeval Period. The very first associations with the words are backwardness, lack of cultural advancement, the “Dark Ages”. We’ve learned about the illiteracy, rigid social hierarchy, and limited scope of thought. So what would a museum highlighting the Mediaeval Period have to offer? The Cloisters of the Metropolitan Museum of Art blows our notions clear out and replaces all with true awe. Architecture, paintings, cultural items, gardens, sculptures: the Cloisters Museum in Fort Tryon Park offers an engaging and uniquely gorgeous take on Mediaeval Art. Continue reading →

The Lincoln Lawyer, directed by Brad Furman, is a courtroom thriller starring Matthew McConaughey as a defense attorney. The film, although it is no masterpiece, is  still surprisingly refreshing and satisfying. The character development, difficulties that  Mick Haller faces with his conscience, and the ultimate lesson delivered about life are what make this movie stand out. Continue reading →

Movies that explore the relationship between both man and animal certainly probe ones thoughts. What would happen to the human race is animals once thought to be inferior, acquire immense intelligence and surpass us both intellectually and physically? The film “Rise of the Planet of the Apes”, was particularly thrilling and invigorating, and was made as a prequel to the 1960’s-70’s fan-favorite “Planet of the Apes”. The film was met with positive reviews, and for good reason. The script wasn’t short of humor nor did it lack enticing action sequences. The New York Times called it “an amusingly cheerful film about the end of humanity that’s PETA and critic approved.” Continue reading →

The International Center of Photography, located at 1133 Avenue of the Americas at 43^rd Street, displays a myriad of galleries, ranging from historical to modern. I visited this photography center over the weekend and was amazed by the great variety of artists and pictures it has on display.  This museum is ideal for those that wish to explore a variety of photos, with a broad range of styles and tastes. I explored two of the museum’s current galleries, ‘Remembering 9/11’ and ‘Bazaar, A Decade of Style’.  Although both galleries were interesting to explore, ‘Remembering 9/11’ is one that evokes incomparable emotion and remembrance of the tragedy. Continue reading →

As a New Yorker, you have probably been there at least couple of times. The museum is interactive (and actually art in itself), and there are always seem to be the same exhibitions, but they are not, they just can’t be. The museum is mostly free, and many different events are held there everyday. But I will review only one of these. Continue reading →

Review of “Phantom of the Opera”

            The Broadway play, “Phantom of the Opera”, is widely known as the longest running musical in Broadway history. Written by Andrew Lloyd Webber, this musical is meant to evoke deep, melancholy emotions and allow the audience to always admire inner beauty rather than only the exterior. The storyline of this musical is undoubtedly an amazing one. However, the plot is not what makes this show stand out. The musicality and lyrics of the songs in “Phantom of the Opera” is what truly creates an atmosphere that is unparalleled and an experience that is incomparable. Continue reading →

“The Lion King” is a story about a young lion cub named Simba that runs away from his home after the death of his father Mufasa. The movie then depicts the cub’s journey into adulthood and his eventual accepting of his royal destiny. Throughout the movie “The Lion King” the theme of circle of life is ever-present. Continue reading →

It’s no surprise that the show garnering the most praise this fall is How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.  With an all-star cast, a magical score, and hilarious script, this play has become the talk of Broadway. Continue reading →

A Review of “Assassin in Love,” a Film

            The idea of an assassin try to turn his back on his chosen profession is a theme as old as the genre itself. In this case, the film title combined with the purposefully shoddily looking poster sums up the plot quite succinctly and informs the audience what a quirky little romp it’s going to be. Leading a wonderfully eccentric British cast, Damian Lewis plays Milo— a contract killer suffering a rather premature midlife crisis and begins questioning the validity of a career that has defined his entire lifestyle. Continue reading →

Forty-two years after publication, Vonnegut’s words retain their full wonder and provide a poignant commentary on the role of war and its outcomes. It may seem jumpy at times but this is just a result of the cyclical nature of the narrative. No loose end goes untied. His writing can be simple and clean or it can chock full of non-sequiturs and meandering pages. This has the ability to easily irritate an audience but if the faith is strong the redemption is there.  Slaughterhouse 5 is like a Picasso. It’s unconventional, in your face, and rough around the edges. It is also packed with meaning and life; an eternal piece of literature on the whole of war. If you didn’t like the book it’s probably because Vonnegut shoved ideas in your brain you now wish he hadn’t. Continue reading →