How to resolve AdBlock issue? Arts & Life
Each line in “Visitors” is a gift for meditation that is accessible. In the end we arrive at the conclusion that Joan Naviyuk Kane is seeking to articulate in symbolic language an understanding of the fleeting nature of our brief “visit” to the earth as humans.
The comic tragedy is that we are here for a while, and yet we are here forever when we pass on our rituals of survival to the next generation.
There is, though, a warning at the end of the poem. Often, she says, there are forces — small in spirit in the face of the grand generosity of an open door — that seek to bar our entry. We grow weary, and must be wary of such forces.
Visitors
By Joan Naviyuk Kane
Every door stands an open door:
our human settlements all temporary.
We share together the incidental shore
and teach the young to tend the lamp's wick,
weary of anyone small enough to bar our entry.
American Life in Poetry does not accept unsolicited manuscripts. It is made possible by The Poetry Foundation, publisher of Poetry magazine. It is also supported by the Department of English at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Poem copyright ©2021 by Joan Naviyuk Kane, “Visitors” from Dark Traffic (University of Pittsburgh Press, 2021.) Poem reprinted by permission of the author and the publisher. Introduction copyright ©2022 by The Poetry Foundation. The introduction’s author, Kwame Dawes, is George W. Holmes Professor of English and Glenna Luschei Editor of Prairie Schooner at the University of Nebraska.
- Details
- Written by: Kwame Dawes
TCM CLASSIC FILM FESTIVAL PREVIEW
Participating in a film festival in a virtual setting is hardly more exciting than sitting at home watching the latest fare from Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, or maybe Hulu and a bunch of other streaming services.
The TCM Classic Film Festival started in Hollywood in 2010, and everything was in place for April 2020 when, of course I don’t need to tell you, a nasty virus shut down all that is fun and entertaining.
TCM decided to move ahead two years ago with what was called the “Special Home Edition,” which as you can deduce meant you could watch on your flat screen TV but miss the excitement of Dolby Sound or an IMAX screen.
Don’t get me wrong, I was all for watching Alfred Hitchcock’s “North by Northwest” (a personal favorite), Humphrey Bogart in “Casablanca,” and the classic comedy “Some Like It Hot,” but these films are easily accessible.
Now the long wait is over. Plans can be made for a trip to Los Angeles to hang out at the famous Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, the central gathering point for the TCM Classic Film Festival.
After a painful absence, movie buffs from around the globe can congregate over four packed days and nights to savor cinema delights. This year’s theme of “All Together Now: Back to the Big Screen” could not be more appropriate.
The fun begins on Thursday, April 21, and concludes on Sunday, and in-between there will be more great movies, appearances by legendary stars and filmmakers, presentations and panel discussions, and special events than one’s dance card could possibly hold.
TCM always seem to have a fondness for celebrating anniversaries, and the upcoming occasion of Judy Garland’s 100th birthday means that 1939’s “The Wizard of Oz” will be showcased so we may enjoy the musical tale of a young Kansas girl being whisked away to a magical land.
A notable milestone, which seems hard to believe, is that the beloved family sci-film “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” celebrates its 40th anniversary as the kick off to the 13th annual TCM festival.
The official host of the festival and TCM primetime anchor Ben Mankiewicz was 15 years old when “E.T.” came out and he observes how the film continues to speak to both children and adults claiming that it is “the most influential family film since ‘The Wizard of Oz.’”
What’s not to love about the story of young boy Elliot who befriends an alien accidentally left behind on Earth? As Elliott attempts to help his new friend to phone home to be rescued, the two must elude scientists and government agents.
Adding to the fun of opening night will be the presence of Academy Award-winning director Steven Spielberg, along with producers Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall, presumably to provide color commentary on the making of “E.T.”
The fortieth anniversary of director Barry Levinson’s “Diner,” the story of high school friends converging on a Baltimore eatery to discuss their problems, allows us to see the early careers of Kevin Bacon, Paul Reiser, Ellen Barkin, Tim Daly, Steve Guttenberg and Mickey Rourke.
The 40 years later theme continues with director Amy Heckerling’s landmark high school comedy “Fast Times at Ridgemont High,” set in the San Fernando Valley, that featured a cast of up-and-comers.
Sean Penn stole the film as perpetually stoned surfer dude Jeff Spicoli, a relentless antagonist to Ray Walston’s Mr. Hand, who came to the conclusion that everyone one was on dope. Phoebe Cates shows up in a bikini that is memorable, for reasons many guys remember well.
Each year, the festival pays tribute to a select group of individuals whose work in Hollywood has left a lasting impact on film, this year choosing to honor a pair of Oscar-nominated actors.
Throughout his prolific career, Bruce Dern earned critical praise and his first Academy Award nomination for his performance in 1978’s “Going Home” and another nomination for his role in 2013’s “Nebraska,” both of which will be screened.
Having worked with iconic directors and stars of classic Hollywood, Piper Laurie, still going strong at age 90, made a name for herself in 1952’s “Has Anybody Seen My Gal?” and her Academy Award nomination turn in “The Hustler,” both of which will be screened.
A true legend who is greatly missed, Paul Newman was the star of “The Hustler” as pool shark “Fast Eddie” Felson opposite Piper Laurie as his alcoholic girlfriend. Jackie Gleason superbly played Newman’s nemesis, legendary “Minnesota Fats.”
Another Newman film on offer will be 1973’s “The Sting,” in which he teamed up with Robert Redford, as they played two con artists in Depression-era Chicago who set to avenge a friend’s murder by a big-time racketeer.
For movie buffs, there’s nothing like attending the TCM festival. Striking up a conversation with strangers to talk film comes easily. In some respects, the experience is like Comic-Con, except hardly anyone is wearing a costume.
Tim Riley writes film and television reviews for Lake County News.
Participating in a film festival in a virtual setting is hardly more exciting than sitting at home watching the latest fare from Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, or maybe Hulu and a bunch of other streaming services.
The TCM Classic Film Festival started in Hollywood in 2010, and everything was in place for April 2020 when, of course I don’t need to tell you, a nasty virus shut down all that is fun and entertaining.
TCM decided to move ahead two years ago with what was called the “Special Home Edition,” which as you can deduce meant you could watch on your flat screen TV but miss the excitement of Dolby Sound or an IMAX screen.
Don’t get me wrong, I was all for watching Alfred Hitchcock’s “North by Northwest” (a personal favorite), Humphrey Bogart in “Casablanca,” and the classic comedy “Some Like It Hot,” but these films are easily accessible.
Now the long wait is over. Plans can be made for a trip to Los Angeles to hang out at the famous Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, the central gathering point for the TCM Classic Film Festival.
After a painful absence, movie buffs from around the globe can congregate over four packed days and nights to savor cinema delights. This year’s theme of “All Together Now: Back to the Big Screen” could not be more appropriate.
The fun begins on Thursday, April 21, and concludes on Sunday, and in-between there will be more great movies, appearances by legendary stars and filmmakers, presentations and panel discussions, and special events than one’s dance card could possibly hold.
TCM always seem to have a fondness for celebrating anniversaries, and the upcoming occasion of Judy Garland’s 100th birthday means that 1939’s “The Wizard of Oz” will be showcased so we may enjoy the musical tale of a young Kansas girl being whisked away to a magical land.
A notable milestone, which seems hard to believe, is that the beloved family sci-film “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” celebrates its 40th anniversary as the kick off to the 13th annual TCM festival.
The official host of the festival and TCM primetime anchor Ben Mankiewicz was 15 years old when “E.T.” came out and he observes how the film continues to speak to both children and adults claiming that it is “the most influential family film since ‘The Wizard of Oz.’”
What’s not to love about the story of young boy Elliot who befriends an alien accidentally left behind on Earth? As Elliott attempts to help his new friend to phone home to be rescued, the two must elude scientists and government agents.
Adding to the fun of opening night will be the presence of Academy Award-winning director Steven Spielberg, along with producers Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall, presumably to provide color commentary on the making of “E.T.”
The fortieth anniversary of director Barry Levinson’s “Diner,” the story of high school friends converging on a Baltimore eatery to discuss their problems, allows us to see the early careers of Kevin Bacon, Paul Reiser, Ellen Barkin, Tim Daly, Steve Guttenberg and Mickey Rourke.
The 40 years later theme continues with director Amy Heckerling’s landmark high school comedy “Fast Times at Ridgemont High,” set in the San Fernando Valley, that featured a cast of up-and-comers.
Sean Penn stole the film as perpetually stoned surfer dude Jeff Spicoli, a relentless antagonist to Ray Walston’s Mr. Hand, who came to the conclusion that everyone one was on dope. Phoebe Cates shows up in a bikini that is memorable, for reasons many guys remember well.
Each year, the festival pays tribute to a select group of individuals whose work in Hollywood has left a lasting impact on film, this year choosing to honor a pair of Oscar-nominated actors.
Throughout his prolific career, Bruce Dern earned critical praise and his first Academy Award nomination for his performance in 1978’s “Going Home” and another nomination for his role in 2013’s “Nebraska,” both of which will be screened.
Having worked with iconic directors and stars of classic Hollywood, Piper Laurie, still going strong at age 90, made a name for herself in 1952’s “Has Anybody Seen My Gal?” and her Academy Award nomination turn in “The Hustler,” both of which will be screened.
A true legend who is greatly missed, Paul Newman was the star of “The Hustler” as pool shark “Fast Eddie” Felson opposite Piper Laurie as his alcoholic girlfriend. Jackie Gleason superbly played Newman’s nemesis, legendary “Minnesota Fats.”
Another Newman film on offer will be 1973’s “The Sting,” in which he teamed up with Robert Redford, as they played two con artists in Depression-era Chicago who set to avenge a friend’s murder by a big-time racketeer.
For movie buffs, there’s nothing like attending the TCM festival. Striking up a conversation with strangers to talk film comes easily. In some respects, the experience is like Comic-Con, except hardly anyone is wearing a costume.
Tim Riley writes film and television reviews for Lake County News.
- Details
- Written by: Tim Riley
