Movie Tagline: NONE
Band of Outsiders, or Bande à part, is a French New Wave film starring iconic actress and Godard muse Anna Karina as Odile, a language student who gets pulled into a robbery plot by two men, Franz and Arthur. It doesn't have much as far as plot goes, but what makes this and most other New Wave films stand out is not plot but style. Godard's characters are just so cool. It doesn't matter what they are doing, they make it look good. That's one of the reasons why Band of Outsiders is one of Jean-Luc Godard's most accessible films, and why many have even called it his best. This claim of being the best Godard film is what makes it such a good movie to pair with Apotheosis, a French Saison from the Urban Chestnut Brewing Company. The word "apotheosis" is defined as the highest point in the development of something. It is a culmination, and as such it perfectly describes how many feel about Band of Outsiders. It is the perfect example of French New Wave Cinema. From the race through the Louvre, to the "Madison dance" scene, to a minute of silence where even the soundtrack drops out, the movie exhibits such an effortless style that it is absolutely irresistible. Apotheosis is a somewhat atypical beer coming from Urban Chestnut. They split their beers into two main categories: Reverence Series and Revolution Series. Reverence for Old World styles and Revolution for modern craft styles. Apotheosis is a Reverence beer, naturally, but whereas most Reverence beers are German-style beers (Zwickel, Schnickelfritz, Schlossturm, Oachkatzlschwoaf), this one is a French-style beer. Highly carbonated, with a pleasantly fruity, spicy aroma and taste, this saison boasts a nice dry finish to tempt you into another drink. Apotheosis, I think it is safe to say, is not the best example of a saison out there. It is very tasty, but there are other, better ones to try. The same could very easily be said about Band of Outsiders. It may be the favorite of many people, but there are other Godard movies to check out as well. Don't limit yourself to just one. The fun lies in trying lots of different saisons, in watching a handful of French New Wave films, and seeing which ones speak to you personally.
0 Comments
Movie Tagline: Nothing is Real
Yellow Submarine is a touchstone of psychedelic art. It features fantastic, surreal stories. It has bright, contrasting colors with kaleidoscopic fractal patterns and collages. Objects morph, patterns swirl, and repetition abounds. Psychedelic art in and of itself is informed by the notion that altered states of consciousness produced by psychedelic drugs are a source of artistic inspiration. This was embraced by the 60s counterculture movement, and psychedelic art is now synonymous with the 60s. Leading proponents of psychedelic art were San Francisco artists like Rick Griffin, Stanley Mouse, and Wes Wilson, who all made concert posters in this style. But Yellow Submarine takes psychedelic art to a whole other level. It is the magnum opus of psychedelia. German illustrator Heinz Edelmann is responsible for the art direction and character design, and the movie's tone bears a striking resemblance to the work of Friedrich Schröder Sonnenstern. But all of this makes the movie sound so much more serious than it is (I think it's all the German names). Yellow Submarine is an absolute delight to watch. The colors pop, there are goofy puns throughout, and it is full of whimsy and love. The tagline is "Nothing is Real", but it could very well have been "All You Need is Love", because that's the message here, and it's not very subtle about that message. Whether you're a small child who has no concept of The Beatles, or a college kid looking for something to watch while doing a little mind-expansion, or a former hippie taking a trip down memory lane, this movie will command your full, rapt attention. Forget logic, or plot, or character development; that's not why you watch this movie. You watch it to experience pure, silly delight; a feeling this movie delivers in spades. Another delight is New Belgium's Citradelic Tangerine IPA, a fruity, tropical flavor sensation that is sure to be a hit in its own right. If psychedelics are all about mind expansion, then Citradelic is for flavor expansion. Big, citrus aroma, with just enough bitter hops to hold it all together, this bright, refreshing IPA is made for springtime. All you need is love, sure, but a few Citradelics couldn't hurt. |
AboutThis is the page where the pairings live. They are over there, to the left of what you are currently reading. I don't know how you missed them. Archives
August 2016
Categories
All
|