Archive for the ‘FiLM’ Category

CHER: THE ULTiMATE HOT MAMA / “A COWBOYS WORK iS NEVER DONE” (1972) “Until you’re ready to look foolish, you’ll never have the possibility of being great.”

Published by cctadmin on July 20th, 2012


Today I salute one of the worlds BiGGEST SUPERSTARS – the one and only CHER – she who has brought a great deal of glimmer & shine to our universe.  It’s been a long time coming, as this stunning creature first captured my eyes and ears when I was but a little whipper-snapper.  There is nothing I can say that won’t make me sound like the gayest of all gays when it comes to how I feel about CHER but I will never back down, nor will I ever be ashamed; she is a woman who, across the arc of her career went from docile singing Kewpie to self-assured hot mama.  Her physical beauty was odd – and arguably she is one of the most exotic creatures to be photographed.  Of course we all know CHER spent the 60′s married to an ambitious, nerdy songwriter-producer SONNY BONO – who was a seasoned music-biz pro.  When they wed in 1964, she was 18, he was 29 – but together they figured out a formula for big time success, packaged in old-fashioned martial togetherness in proto-hippie garb.  They dressed outlandishly – he in buckskin boots and fur vests, she in navel-flaunting bell bottoms and giant false eyelashes… SONNY & CHER would eventually end in divorce and although I loved this era of CHER it was by far the 1970′s that gave us the best of her.  This was the era of BOB MACKiE gowns, Gypsies, Tramps & Theives and of course, Half Breed & Dark Lady – all of which showcased CHER in very new and alluring ways for the times.    To my stifled imagination growing up she was the perfect living ‘character’ to occupy a special place in my make-believe land of possibilities.

CHER’S determination led her to several other lives in the 70′s and 80′s:  a TV show, DAViD GEFFEN, GENE SiMMONS, serious acting, scandalous ACADEMY AWARDS appearances, a youthful bagel man, infomercials…but whenever she made a fool of herself it was on her own terms – and she has never been afraid to stand out.

On our way home from camping we inevitably ended up with some CHER on the iPod – and I couldn’t help but re-appreciate this particular tune of hers called A COWBOYS WORK iS NEVER DONE, which I encourage you to check out for yourself!  This BONO-penned song was from SONNY & CHER’S album ‘All I Ever Need Is You‘ and peaked at #8 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in 1972.  Classic stuff if you ask me.  Play it loud.  Play it PROUD!

Enjoy this track below, along with some classic CHER images that show her in her glory!!!

 

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CC MUSiC LOG/JOURNAL : CC WRAPS UP RECODRiNG SESSiON W/ TORRiD PRODUCTiONS / “TO MY LOVE”

Published by cctadmin on July 20th, 2012

Not surprisingly, I keep busy creatively speaking – and who can really blame me given the army of incredibly diverse and interesting people out there one has to ‘play’ with.  Over the past couple of years I have been insanely blessed to have a friend in DANNiEL OiCKLE, founding artist/producer of TORRiD PRODUCTiONS, and photographer, visual artist, poet, musician and performance artist extraordinaire!

To be a part of TORRiD has been a huge enjoyment to say the least, and I have DANNiEL to thank for that.  As a result this inclusion has opened up a lot of doors for me to meet and work with many interesting folks on a variety of things.  Now that the time has come for me to pack up and ship out to Manitoba for a spell, it is also time for me to wrap things up with regards to the projects I’ve been working on with DANNiEL, and this is really bitter sweet.  I can never be guaranteed to meet someone as gracious, helpful and ambitious as DANNiEL again in my life; and I can’t help but be proud to associate with this rare bird, for which I appreciate his feathers!   DANNiEL represents to me a like-minded friend – with no shortage of differences, but a whole lot of similarities….  These weekly meetings at TORRiD PRODUCTiONS Headquarters have offered a home away from home  and as a little side note I have to thank his partner YVES for the meals and hospitality (and a few much appreciated lectures on life, love and liberty for good measure!) when I leave there I do so with a full stomach, a broader mind, and a dizzy head from the drinks!

Sentiments aside we had work to do:  DANNiEL is about to release a book of poetry called ‘My Heart Has Teeth’ for which I was able to serve as editor.   This book has been a long time coming, and is not a first for DANNiEL – who has published before and I’m certain will continue.  Although it was a joy to partake in the editing process with DANNiEL, I am saddened by the fact that I can not attend his book release party at La Petite Mort, on August 18th.  I do encourage anyone in the Ottawa area to check out the book launch, and for more information on ‘My Heart Has Teeth‘ and the launch please check http://www.lapetitemortgallery.com or scroll down to bottom of this entry.  Thank you DANNiEL for including me in this process – and I was glad to assist you in any way!  Best of luck with this book launch!

Also – recently we wrapped up a video shoot for CARiNG & HATE, off his album THE CORRUPTiON of FLESH (Torrid Pructions, 2012), which many of you might recall I have been involved with over the past couple of years as well.  Although we have all agreed to hang up our fur shorts and horns in effort to  explore other things – I have to reiterate again what fun it was to explore a more sensual side of myself; parading around in little clothing, consisting of horns and fuck-me boots… as a singer/songwriter I express in a particular way – certainly less physically than what was required of me on THE CORRUPTiON of FLESH – but it allowed me to perform, stretch my comfort zone and above all – enjoy the freedom of expression.  DANNiEL OiCKLE all but created this fantasy world, for better or for worse – and I for one was and remain proud of him and the resulting music, performances and visual art that have been the off-spring of his brain child.

So you can expect CARiNG & HATE to come out sometime in the fall or winter – and this project involved a lot of very talented people; including photographers DAN ZiEMKiEWiCZ, BONNiE FiNDLAY, the people at MERCURY LOUNGE and of course, myself, DANNiEL and fellow fawn OLEXANDRA PRUCHNiCKY.  Looking forward to seeing the final product of such labors!

Finally – we used last night to get me in the studio to lay down some vocals on a tune for DANNiEL’S next album, which has no release date at this time, although not surprisingly he is constantly toiling away and working on developing it.  TO MY LOVE is a OiCKLE original, and a song that he wrote when he was just 17 years old.  We included it in his production of THE CORRUPTiON of FLESH, performing it hundreds of times between all the rehearsals for shows and the performances themselves and so it was important to record while I’m still here.  Take a look at the photos below – as he and I went to work on laying things down.  Again – thank you DANNiEL for bringing me in on this track – I’ll tuck all my TORRiD memories away and pull them out from time to time in appreciation of all the wonderful things that have come from this time.

All in all it has been a great chapter – my involvement with DANNiEL and TORRiD PRODUCTiONS; and although I will remain a part of this fantastic crock-pot of people – it is still difficult to let that go entirely… how often in life can you come across such opportunity to explore??

 

 

August 18

Book Release Party & Performance August 18th, 8-11 pm
La Petite Mort Gallery
306 Cumberland Street

This isn’t your grandmother’s poetry! Danniel D.D. Oickle, author of “Dancing in Silence” (#4 Canada, 2011- iTunes Book Charts) is back with his second book, “My Heart Has Teeth.” On Saturday August 18th, from 8-11pm, Danniel would love you to join him for a celebratory book release party and performance reading at La Petite Mort Gallery, [306 Cumberland St., Ottawa, ON, K1N7H9, (613)860-1555]. The evening will include an exhibit and one-time sale of the illustrations from the book and a performance reading by Danniel Oickle and special guests: Olexandra Pruchnicky, Jesse Reynolds, Eric Trottier, Dan Francoeur, and Sarah Oickle. And of course, nothing makes verse sound better than a few drinks, so there will be a cash bar.

While maintaining his perspective in the new book, Oickle has matured in his themes and tonality. Ranging from tightly structured to free verse, he seamlessly flows from poem to poem, choosing the perfect structure to compliment the theme of the piece. Included in this collection are the audience favorites: “I’m Ever So Slightly Crazy,” “Love’s True Nature,” and “The Corruption of Flesh,” which one reviewer described as “emotional bloodletting” (2B Magazine). Oickle concludes the book with “The Fall,” a narrative opus in structured, free verse, and prose that serves as a masterful allegory for the end of days. Reminiscent of the prophetic works of the late Sir William Blake, Oickle weaves a tapestry of imagery, iconography, mythology, religion, sexuality, and symbolism throughout the book and corresponding artwork, often combining the two to create an even deeper layer of meaning.

Born at the dawn of the 80s, into the glitz and glamour of the time, Danniel has travelled extensively as the child of a Canadian military officer, from his birthplace on the prairies of Alberta to the sun-struck beaches of Cyprus. Receiving critical acclaim for his albums, “Poison Apples & Other Delicacies” and “The Corruption of Flesh,” Danniel has combined disciplines and methods of poetic presentation to become known as an “electro-poet” (Étre Magazine) intent on bringing poetry out of the mothballs and into the light of a new generation.

Reviews

“Oickle has created a piece where sexuality and religion collide to electric effect.”
- Luna Allison, Xtra! (Mar 15, 2012)
“Une nouvelle génération d’artistes.”
- Bruno Julien , RG Magazine (Sep 21, 2011)
“Oickle does not appear as if he is about to slow down.”
- Katherine Ellis, Bohemia Magazine (Aug 5, 2011)
“[A person] whose perfectionism is so accepting, whose exhibitionism manages to be humble, that their words make and heal scars at the same time”…”a half-man half-animal poet.”
- Jordan Arseneault, 2B Magazine (Dec 16, 2011)

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I LOVE SHELLEY DUVALL

Published by cctadmin on July 11th, 2012

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CC GOES MAD W/ MUTAGENiC STUDiOS DUO TiMOTHY BACON & PAUL GREEN, JULY 8 / 2012

Published by cctadmin on July 9th, 2012

MUTAGENiCS STUDiOS is an Ottawa-based creative team that produces dark and twisted art.  They are comprised of  Owner TiMOTHY BACON, and Partner/Photographer PAUL GREEN, who for the last three decades have worked in broadcast media, interactive media, advertising and branded entertainment as writers and creative directors. They have had numerous screenplays & original television series optioned, and in 2006  formed MUTAGENiC STUDiOS to “explore photography and develop their own art styles that would allow us to go beyond the written word, create unique imagery and push the boundaries of our storytelling.” Their photographic artwork has appeared in the Montreal Mirror, Guerilla Magazine, Rue Morgue Magazine, just to name a few.

Recently this amazing duo launched another exciting project called Babylon Smith: An Illustrated Novel.   To get a sense of the story-telling these imaginative two do, picture if you will, a character by the name of Babylon Smith, a freelance Regulator working the mean streets of the mega-city, struggling to make ends meet.   It’s the stuff of comic book fans dream of and without a doubt you can tell TiMOTHY and PAUL are true fans of this art form.  In every photo I happened to see gracing the walls of M-STUDiOS I could see the dedication in every shot, in every character they dreamed up.

With all of this said – I graciously and very excitedly accepted M-STUDiOS invitation to partake in another project currently on the go, a series of short stories/graphic novels.  This kind of thing really excited me because although I could never claim to be a DiE-HARD COMiC NERD in the truest sense of the title I did grow up very into comics, and the escapism involved in that particular sci-fi sphere.  What appealed to me about comics when I was young was the opportunity to use your imagination to be taken away to another time and place, and it just so happens these guys know how to create these worlds and characters with respect for the genre.  Hence why I had no trouble considering this as a worthwhile project.  I’ll take any opportunity I can to escape my own reality – especially in the hands of TiMOTHY and PAUL.  They gave me a story line and a character to embody – and I took this direction and ran with it.

That said – here are a few photos from this morning when we united at their headquarters, although for any further information on who I play or what this particular story is about, I’m afraid you are gonna have to wait.  Come on, you know you love a little mystery now right?  What I can say is that its gonna come out looking pretty dark, gritty and in short, pretty darn slick if you ask me.

I’ll keep you posted on any developments but in the meantime check out their website for more:

http://mutagenicinteractive.blogspot.ca/?zx=d7d0886bcf06641c

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MY NEW ADDiCTiON: TRUE BLOOD & RYAN KWANTEN : HE ‘DOESN’T iNTEND TO BE A SEX SYMBOL’. SURE THiNG!

Published by cctadmin on April 23rd, 2012

Just recently I became hooked on the HBO series TRUE BLOOD – although having come off the heels of another vampire series (BUFFY THE VAMPiRE SLAYER – I had to re-watch it!), TRUE BLOOD is about as different as any vampire series I’ve ever seen.  Within the first 5 minutes of season one I new I wasn’t in Sunnydale anymore.  TRUE BLOOD serves as an alternate universe to BUFFY.  And thank goodness – I enjoy both!

TRUE BLOOD has many interesting characters and plot-lines, including telepathic waitress/fang-banger Sookie Stackhouse (ANNA PAQUiN) and her alternative romance with vamp Bill Compton (STEPHAN MOYER) -  but for today I salute RYAN KWANTEN, TRUE BLOOD’S not-too-bright, self-involved Jason Stackhouse, who is vigilant in defending and protecting his sister Sookie.  I’ve only just finished season one but I’m hooked and I find that KWANTEN’S character is easy to both love and hate – as are several of the characters living in this fictional town.  He’s all over the place – is he a good guy, or a bad guy?

It’s difficult not to appreciate KWANTEN’S physique at the same time, as TRUE BLOOD has no shame in parading all sorts of characters around in various stages of undress – but I did appreciate his humility when asked how he feels about his sex symbol status in a recent magazine. “It’s hard to fully accept the title with complete and utter humility,” KWANTEN said. “It’s obviously not my goal to have this title, but if someone wants to give it, hey I’m all for it, you know.”  Awww – how sweet and humble hey?  Hey guys, if we all did yoga for 7-8 years we too could achieve this body!  Where’s my yoga mat?

I know I’m a little behind on this series but now that I’ve started, I’m really looking forward to season 2 already – so many unanswered questions!  What’s to come?  In the meantime, check out these selected pics of KWANTEN, clearly as shy about posing for pictures as he is with parading around on TRUE BLOOD – just remember his intent!

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MUSiC LOG/JOURNAL : OLD FRiENDS & SAiLOR SONG/GiVE iT UP

Published by cctadmin on April 19th, 2012

What’s that saying – In every young gay boy’s life an unrequited love for his straight friend must fall?

I had a bit of a crush on my friend in high school. He was also one of the few guys I knew in high school who treated me less like a freak and more like a friend.  Nowadays he is based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and leads the hypno-folk band TWiN, and let me reccommend them if are not familiar.  DAViD is a singer/songwriter with a knack for writing as well as singing very poetic songs that are inspired by the stories of his own zany life.  Well, I say zany but from my perspective I’ve always found him a unique man with sensitivity, although he is no angel either.  All in all – I know him to be nothing short of humble and human.  This is only my opinion – I’m not one of his ex-girlfriends and trust me I’m close to a few of them too!  All of these dynamics of his character come through in his songwritng and he tells great stories – sung or told. His band TWiN works with many different artists to create intimate, beautiful performances, recordings, and powerful song creating a “regional soundtrack” everywhere they go.  TWiN are also the founders of the RiVER ARMADA concert series.

After a little bit of pasta and lot of reminiscing – he pulled out his guitar and together we worked on a song that I’ve personally been trying to develop a cover of for some time now.  SAiLOR SONG is a CLAUDE MARQUiS penned PEPTiDES original – and after taking the opportunity to  cover it in my own style, I determined I first needed to find someone who could not only appreciate the song the way I do but who could also take on the challenge of re-working the guitar, as I was getting nowhere with my guitar- fast.  The original recording is on a ukulele I believe and for a guy with a lot to learn on the guitar alone I really didn’t know where to start.  Luckily  DAViD and I had been in contact leading up to his Ottawa trip and he graciously took on the task with me – and by the time he was over we were able to ease our way into doing it together.

I really have to thank DAVE for this time together.  The results of our work on SAiLOR SONG are promising, what’s more it was fun to play with him.  Next step will be to lay down proper recordings, which at first sounded impossible, what with him residing in Winnipeg  – but thanks to the advancement of technology, the collaboration is not affected & I’m looking forward to doing what we can.  I’ll keep you all posted on any development.

DAVE also shared an original of his – GiVE iT UP – and with his permission I was even lucky enough to record it in effort to share this good time.  I missed the first part of it – but I think you’ll enjoy the jist.  Check out the youtube vid below.

Part of what brings DAVE here is that he/TWiN are performing at UMi CAFE (7:00pm) – a release party for their SHARiNG SECRETS WiTH STRANGERS EP.  There will also be an underground screening of The Los Angeles River Music Armada Documentary as well as performers iNGRiD GATiN and DEViN JOHNSTON.  Come check it out.

For more information on DAViD/TWIN:
http://twintwa.bandcamp.com/
http://www.sonicbids.com/2/EPK/?epk_id=29338

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BARBRA STREiSAND / “I WON’T BE NUTS FOR YOU!!!!”

Published by cctadmin on April 14th, 2012

Just watched this MARTiN RiTT directed film again last night and as always – love me some STREiSAND.  Go figure, I find myself using this exact quote in my own personal life!  Here’s to you Babs, a stellar actress and one of the last remaining true HOLLYWOOD iCONS.

Check out this scene from 1987′s ‘NUTS’, also staring RiCHARD DREYFUSS, KARL MALDEN, MAUREEN STAPLETON and LESLiE NiELSON.

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QUESTiON : WHAT SONG LYRiCS iNSPiRE YOU? / SERENDiPiTY & THE POWER OF LYRiC iN MUSiC : A CC CONFESSiONAL

Published by cctadmin on April 1st, 2012

The other day I was in conversation with a friend,  specifically sharing song lyrics that iNSPiRE us in some way.  The conversation had started out light enough – did we love the new MADONNA song GiRL GONE WiLD or … not so much?  Our views on MADONNA aside the conversation steered away from her and more towards the direction of citing lyrics that  have left an impression or were/remain significant on some level (often in a healing or comforting way).  Music can hold all kinds of meaning to people, and to each of us a song will stand out for whatever reason we a drawn to – rhythm, voice, what have you – in this instance we were referring to the meaning of a good lyric.  Song writing can be a powerful art/tool.

Let me share a personal story.  The year was 1992, so this was 20 years ago now.  I was 13 years old and struggling very much at school, from a social perspective.  You know the story:  delicate gay boy conflicted by life  in a small mining community up north of what seemed nowhere.  I was a decent student, certainly not at the top of the class but I did well enough.  Not involved in sports, I  didn’t have the confidence to participate in real interests like band, choir or drama classes.  Incredibly shy and insecure as well as unabashedly gay – there was no hiding what came natural to me, making me susceptible to being on the receiving end of enough ridicule.  Those were and are arguably still the times but that was my reality, along with many others everywhere around the world, although I would only grow to  really grasp this in future years.

Bullying was a regular part of life, as was music.  I could spend the day at school, invisible or ostracized, yet I could always rely on coming home to where it felt safe.  This was usually in my room, listening to music, writing, playing and singing.  I was not sharing these difficulties with adults around me – for this is what fear and shame can do to a young and developing mind.  I did however turn to music. I found that lyrics were as important to me as any beautiful melody;   my natural affinity was to gravitate towards music that lent itself to story-telling, confessions – and I had no shortage of music to listen to; NEiL YOUNG, JONi, JAMES TAYLOR  and of course, MiSS DOLLY PARTON.  I could always find peace or calm with music.  At the very least, sweet escape.

If any of you can remember the movie STRAiGHT TALK (which came out in 1992 and there is NO shame if you do remember!) you must recall the song at the opening credits of the film, you know where SHiRLEY KENYON (DOLLY) ditches her small town life for CHiCAGO in search of her big dreams.  The song that opens STRAiGHT TALK is called LiGHT OF A CLEAR BLUE MORNING.  Here are some lyrics:

Its been a long dark night
And Ive been a waitin for the morning
Its been a long hard fight
But I see a brand new day a dawning
I’ve been looking for the sunshine
Cause I aint seen it in so long
But everythings gonna work out just fine
Everythings gonna be all right
That’s been all wrong

Cause I can see the light of a clear blue morning
I can see the light of a brand new day
I can see the light of a clear blue morning
And everythings gonna be all right
Its gonna be okay

When I picture my 13 year old self watching this film & enjoying it for the escapism it provided – these lyrics did not register.  I knew little of hope – I didn’t know what it meant to SEE THE LiGHT OF A CLEAR BLUE MORNiNG, much less what it meant to feel like EVERYTHiNGS GONNA BE ALL RiGHT.  This was not my state of mind at the time; I was in a perpetual state of fear and anxiety, hopeless  and holding all said fears inside due to the intense  apprehension of judgment.  Like so many stories of gay boys and girls, or just any youth struggling with depression and isolation the only thing on my mind was escaping the pain – the iMMEDiATE pain of which I could not see my way out of.

At 13 years of age I attempted suicide as the summer of 1992 wrapped up and it became time to re-enter school for grade 8.  The fear of the unknown and the anticipation that life was always going to be surrounded in this kind of energy and treatment became too much, and no song or lyric could reach me or help me escape that reality.  I have no shame in telling this story, in fact I know that having come out on the winning end of it all (unlike so many unfortunate stories) it gave me the keys to my freedom and it eventually liberated me.  The details of the story are less important but what is important is that I received that help, and although it took those serious actions from me, adults in my life (including family and the school board) had no choice to to hear this cry for help from a youth in severe crisis.  Fortunately I did receive support and slowly but surely began my healing path.  Of course I will always remain grateful for those who rallied around this former self – to help build a stronger foundation.

To bring it back to music and the power of lyric, many years later I found myself randomly listening to LiGHT of a CLEAR BLUE MORNING somehow, and just like that <CLiCK> – something about the familiarity of the song in context to that former place and time went on like a light switch and I realized the essence of the song;  EVEN WHEN THE SKY IS GREY AND FULL OF CLOUDS – THE SUN IS BEHIND THOSE CLOUDS – JUST WAITING TO COME OUT made more sense to me than ever before.  Though the memories had long since been buried of that time and place, like the Universe sort of nudging me along my path I found myself finding a certain resolve and appreciation for the pasts effect on my being in the present.  To me this defines finding meaning in lyric – hence the healing power of art.

The power of these specific lyrics hit me and I found it serendipitous back then and even today.   It was impossible for that 13year old boy to see what treasures life could behold – and although life as an adult has its own pressures and challenges, one always has to hold on to that hope for a better tomorrow.  Typing the words I know they look and sound cliche but that’s just the real way it is.  The message was there for me although it did take me some time to make a connection.

Today this is why I find myself curious and interested in hearing from other people.  Is there a song or a lyric out there that holds for you great power and meaning?  If so - TELL ME YOUR STORY!! – share it in any way you can, as you can rest assured that the meaning it holds for you has the capacity to impact another person as well, and for the better.  I’d love to hear what you have to say!

 

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‘If you could live your life all over again, would you change anything?’ – TiME TRAVEL & THE NOSTALGiA of PEGGY SUE GOT MARRiED (1986)

Published by cctadmin on January 22nd, 2012

PEGGY SUE GOT MARRiED is a 1986 American comedy-drama film directed by FRANCiS FORD COPPOLA.  Starring KATHLEEN TURNER as a woman on the verge of divorce she finds herself transported back to the days of her senior year in high school, 1960.  I would have first seen this film around the late 90’s when I worked in Winnipeg at a Blockbuster Video in Osbourne Village.  Although fairly light-weight, and even full of flaws – I enjoyed a couple of things in particular about the film, primarily that it posed the question: If you could live your life all over again, would you change anything?

I’m not so certain I would go back in time per se, as I’m not sure what that would accomplish for me.  Certainly I have a few major regrets (but they are more confined to my adulthood, not my youth), yet PEGGY SUE GOT MARRiED touched me on a couple of other levels which I was again reminded of last night when I sat down to watch it again after so long.

To start, when PEGGY SUE arrives back in 1960 she is confused by this new/old world, but fascinated to get to live high school all over again and say the things she always wanted to say (telling off rude girls; making out with a boy she always crushed on; informing her algebra teacher she’ll never in fact have any use for it).  She also uses the opportunity to repair an estranged relationship with her younger sister Nancy (played by a very young SOFiA COPPOLA – although this part of the plot line is fairly wasted and not developed).  However, there is a scene for me which still really moves me, for its very subtle but effective in pulling me into this strange world.

The scene, found within the first part of the movie, finds PEGGY SUE being dropped off at her family home by her friends. This is soon after she awakens in this new/old world.  She is disoriented when her mother (obviously 20 years younger than when she last saw her in 1986) greets her at the door and sends her up to her room to rest.  Already setting the stage for PEGGY SUE to discover that she is in fact back in time, she makes her way upstairs to her former high-school bedroom – and this is a moment for me that works especially well within the context of the movie.  Can you imagine being back in your old room?  My room is long gone – no longer full of posters and the books I used to pore over – it’s now a lovely guest room.  In this scene, a beautiful theme starts playing, and we watch as an overwhelmed PEGGY SUE looks around the room– her sanctuary as a teen.  It’s very nostalgic and effective the way this 3 minute scene plays out – I know myself I was moved at the idea that I could step back in time –  to an untouched room with records, posters and stuffed animals long gone. I would be happy to go there – it suits my sentimental heart.

Nostalgia is a major theme here – and I suppose that’s why this scene worked so well for me.  There is something strange and comforting to me, about the idea that I could go back in time JUST to sit in my old room and rummage through things of my past that are long, long gone.  Of course, PEGGY SUE is just as overwhelmed in emotion at the sight of her old possessions, like her diary, record collection.  As a scene it’s touching – and simple.

 

There is another scene in which PEGGY SUE, who by then in the movie is getting more accustomed to the fact that she is back in 1960 – receives a phone call from her Grandma (who would have long since passed in the other world) sending PEGGY SUE  running upstairs in tears.  “What is it?….” her mother comes rushing to ask her, “She called to see how you are…”

“I dreamed that Grandma died.” says PEGGY SUE.  Again, this little scene affected me because I could easily identify with her.  My grandparents, who both passed away a couple of years ago, were and remain very close to my heart, and I wouldn’t know what to do if I was back in time and found myself on the phone with Grandma again.  What would I say?  How much would I feel?  I would give up a lot of things to hear my Grandma’s comforting voice on the phone – yet the reality here and now is that I will never get that opportunity.  And so the scene itself is very touching to me – however small it is.

As a whole – I mentioned this film is certainly not without flaw.  I have barely mentioned the full plot line, and I will not get into the various other characters.  I enjoyed it – yet admit that it is these two moments that sum up what PEGGY SUE GOT MARRiED is more about for me..  It might beg you to question whether you would change your life if you could live it all over again – but I appreciated it more for sifting up a few golden memories like the feeling of my old room or the comforting sound of my Grandmas’ voice on the phone.  All in all, I would recommend it – and in the meantime, check out the youtube video below for a scene.

 

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A Few words from THE CORRUPTiON of FLESH’S DANNiEL OiCKLE & the Official Release of his new video BLOODY BAG / 2012

Published by cctadmin on January 21st, 2012
I had a chance to re-connect with my Ottawa musical buddy DANNiEL OiCKLE  after the busy holiday season – and many of you will remember I’ve had the opportunity to work with him on THE CORRUPTiON of FLESH, his very own musical production.  The founding artist/producer of TORRiD PRODUCTiONS; he is also a photographer, visual artist, poet, musician and performance artist – and most recently has produced a video to coincide with the release of his single BLOODY BAG.
In the spirit of sharing, I not only present to you the official music video for BLOODY BAG – but also a few words from DANNiEL OiCKLE himself as I was really curious to know more about the man behind BLOODY BAG.  Art certainly speaks for itself but no one can speak to BLOODY BAG’S deep meaning better than the artist himself -
Enjoy the video and be sure to keep your eyes open for more from MR. OiCKLE – as he continues to shine with THE CORRUPTiON of FLESH.
CC

 

Bloody Bag -
Everyone has experienced a moment in life when they have been emotionally wounded, left bleeding to death by unrequited love or abandonment. I have experienced my own losses of lovers, family, and friends, and once they are gone there is an emptiness left behind. The place they used to hold in your heart is left raw and torn.  It takes years of work to heal those wounds, only to have a new one form when loss re-enters your life.  When I sat down to write “Bloody Bag,” I was writing a poem. I wanted to express the concept of a broken heart in unrelated terms. I was hoping to hold the attention of the reader till the end, giving clues as to the meaning, but only announcing it in the final line. People refer to hearts as “holding” or “full of” love, as if they were some sort of bag or case. I was inspired to use this metaphor and write the poem from the perspective of someone trying to repair a bag that is constantly full of holes and leaking. Since the term “bloody” is also English slang for “damn” (or worse), the term could have a double entendre in the poem. So, the poem grew into the story of a boy repairing a “damn” bag that keeps leaking, only for the reader to discover that the bag was truly his heart, torn, broken and bleeding before him.
The poem first became a song one morning over coffee. I was looking for a final song for my album “Poison Apples & Other Delicacies” and had been working on a few ideas when I started to hum this tune. I had the poem scribbled in my Moleskine, so I opened it and tried the words as lyrics.  It fit beautifully into the melody. It had become a song. So, in order not to lose what I had just done, I recorded it immediately…barely out of bed and still nursing my coffee at 6 am.  The baseline of the vocal take was laid down and I reverse-wrote the music.  I wanted a vintage recording feel to the song.  Something reminiscent of the 30s and 40s, with a pseudo-big band backing.  So I recorded the piano (low register only), violin and double bass to sound live and raw, to compliment and enhance the vocals and lyrics.  When I was finished, I thought that to me it sounded like an experimental jazz piece from the 40s had jumped into bed with Bjork and Kate Bush. It was something new. Something raw.  Something vulnerable. Something I hadn’t heard before.
Then it came time to film the video. I had just finished releasing the Film Noir styled video for “Moment of Fate” and was looking for the next project. I wanted something a little more avant-guarde, and “Bloody Bag” just jumped up and said: “I’m ready for the next incarnation!” I agreed and sad down with my little one to see how he wanted to be expressed in video. He kept guiding me towards this little world he lived in, full of myth and magic.  Half reality and half fantasy. I have always adored the book “Alice in Wonderland” ever since I read a first-edition copy that my uncle had in his vast old library. Looking at the etchings and drawings and paintings in reference to the material, was inspiring, but it was the character of the “Queen of Hearts” that stood out and told me she was the proper choice. So, I set out to channel her into something like the “Queen/King of the Bloody Bag.” I wanted to keep it subtle, as the material was already dangerously bordering on ostentatious and I didn’t wish to fall overboard but to maintain the same energy. I designed a simple image, the heart on the chest (like the old Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls), the heart on the lips like the art in the book, the chalky skin, and the red hair. I wanted to whitewash the image so the red would shine through more powerfully. Then it was about performance.  I wanted a wooden marionette atmosphere to my performance, attained through simple movement and editing.  I also wanted to maintain the image crop I have become popular for with my self-portraits (low-chest and up). Everything was set, the performance was captured, the image transferred, the editing complete, but it needed something. The “Queen of Hearts” was, in theory, a playing card and what do playing cards have? Symbols.  Since I am a symbolist artist by nature, I thought I would employ those techniques to the video and give a complimentary message. I was tempted to be literal and have hearts (but decided to relegate that to the finale where I used vector art to show the birth of a new heart) and instead use words, the building blocks of the song itself. I struggled with the choice of words as the word “heart” seemed too literal, but something kept coming back to me. This song is about trying to fix something that is broken, a broken heart. That was it…I was “broken.”  The word was so simple and represented the message for the piece. Next I chose the method of delivery for the word, and thought if I were a playing card, my symbols would be written on my face. So I projected the image of the word across the image of the video, creating two flat surfaces.  Essentially making my performance, two-dimensional like a card. I had become the “King of Broken Hearts” and “Bloody Bag” was finally finished.
Danniel Oickle

 

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