“The most terrifying fact about the universe is not that it is hostile but that it is indifferent; but if we can come to terms with this indifference and accept the challenges of life within the boundaries of death — however mutable man may be able to make them — our existence as a species can have genuine meaning and fulfillment. However vast the darkness, we must supply our own light.”
—
Stanley Kubrick | Died March 7, 1999 (via thingsdeadpeoplesaid)
Seems fitting given today is Oscar day, and Mr. Kubrick never won one for Best Picture. That should tell you all you need to know about the relative merits of the Academy Awards.
To inaugurate my new “Favorite Places” series I’ve chosen to highlight one of my favorite places in one of my favorite countries in the world. The Vigeland Sculpture Park is located in the heart of Frogner Park, itself in the heart of Oslo, Norway.
The sculpture garden features the work of Gustav Vigeland—and a lot of it. The biggest attraction is the spiraling “Monolith,” a large phallus of intertwined bodies shooting toward Heaven, which has both a spiritual and sexual quality. The most popular statue, however, may be the “Screaming Baby.” It takes a little work finding it, but it’s worth the effort.
I guess since I’m going to document the Academy Awards live - join me, won’t you? - I should probably note which movie I’m rooting for to take home the top prize.
Allow me to address this with a caveat: I don’t care which film wins the Academy Award for Best Picture—not in the slightest. Rarely does the honored film align with what I consider to be the “best” film of the year. Some times the winning film is one I actually find to be rather terrible (see: Crash). More often than not my preferred movie isn’t even nominated in the first place. I for example believe the Pixar film The Incredibles to be maybe the finest film of the previous decade but because it’s a cartoon, ostensibly a superhero movie and, perhaps most tellingly, a great deal of fun, its greatness is under-appreciated or disregarded entirely. But that’s another story. Like I said, I don’t much care.
Still, I hope Inglorious Basterds takes it.
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