Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 5/10 - Seamen

I’ve always enjoyed movies about survival, man against the elements, an arduous trek, long odds. On the other hand, I’ve never liked one-man shows, maybe because I spend so much time alone or because they remind me of sitting in school listening to a teacher. Anyway, All Is Lost (2013) combines these elements in a solid film. Robert Redford, looking his age, late 70’s, stars. The story begins with a voice-over that speaks vaguely of the character’s regrets. There is hardly any dialogue thereafter. The man awakens in the cabin of his yacht to find it taking on water. Is there an element of existentialism at play? I don’t think so. It was interesting to read the interpretive contributors’ comments at IMDb. One raised a fascinating religious point regarding the film’s final scene. I’m surprised no one suggested the character was in Purgatory. Anyway, the visuals and the effects are first rate. Redford is outstanding. This was J.C. Chandor’s third stint at the helm. He also wrote the screenplay, which I imagine did not take long. The hard part was the filming. Chandor also wrote and directed Margin Call (2011), which may be the best, fairest film ever about Wall Street. The 208 users who rated All Is Lost forge to a consensus of 6.9 of ten, which is about right, maybe a lit low. My dad was a fisherman during summer and went out daily on his little boat. When a bad storm occurred, my mom would burn palm leaves on the stove, an offering to God for my dad's protection. I loved the aroma. I bet dad would have loved this flick.

There are times when I wish I could start over again on the guitar. Although I’ve been playing on and off since 1975, I don’t really understand music, although I’ve learned tons of chords. Part of that may be simply not having the heart of a true musician, which drives one to put in hours a day on an instrument. If I were starting now, I might opt for a Gtar. I ran across an ad for it yesterday. The fret board lights up, guiding the user. Unfortunately, it must be used in conjunction with an Iphone and the cost is $399, phone not included. Here’s a pic of the black body. It also comes in white, which I prefer:

Learn more here: http://gtar.fm/


My thanks to Big Ralph and Bad News Billy, who continue to be generous to the floating book shop, and to the gentleman who purchased the compilation of American lit. I will not be blogging manana, as I will be taking my sister and two nieces to a Mother's Day celebration at my youngest niece's home in Jersey. Happy Mother's Day to moms everywhere. You are the foundation of civilization, despite what feminists think.
Vic's 4th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic's Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic's Horror Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3
Vic's Rom-Com Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/kny5llp
Vic’s Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx