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Eine Frau in Berlin in Baltimore

It was a dark and stormy night, few days, period, er uh, end of a war.

Actually, it was all of the above. And, much more.

Cinema Sundays at the Charles continues its 46th series on October 18th, with the Baltimore Premiere of A Woman in Berlin (Eine Frau in Berlin). Directed and written by Max Faerberboeck. Starring Nina Hoss, Yevgeni Sidikhin, Irm Hermann, Rudiger Vogler, Ulrike Krumbiegel.

From the actual diary of a very real woman, this story was written by her.

It was written in the basement of her bombed out building during the initial invasion of Germany - and then Berlin - by the Red Army in the last months of WWII. This movie details the way German women survived the multiple and constant rapes by the Red Army officers who felt they deserved a much deeper victory.

Anonyma, the author, uses a single soldier to her advantage and essentially treats him as her lover not her rapist. The survival techniques used by the Berliners of that time round out Anon's tale. The diary should be read by every person, man or woman, who understands freedom. The movie should be seen by the same audience.

 

My congratulations and thanks to the Charles Theatre for bringing this film to Baltimore for the first time.

From the Charles: Cinema Sundays continues its intense, searing, take no prisoners pace this week with A Woman in Berlin. Based upon an anonymous account of postwar Berlin, it soon becomes obvious to all that the savagery of war ends long after the fighting has ceased.

Our speaker this week is my favorite German in the whole world Eva Mengelkoch from Towson University. It’s a pleasure to welcome her back to Cinema Sundays.

And we say, Yea!

Theatre Mecca: Baltimore. Now You Know.

And, on October 22nd you can learn more about the history of legitimate theatre, vaudeville, and the early film houses in Baltimore. Think of theatre names like the Broadway, Globe, Colony, Mayfair, Stanley, Vogue, Ritz, Embassy, the Apex, the Argonne, and the Astor. They were all part of Baltimore's theatrical heritage.

Many folks don't know that Baltimore has been a theatre hub since before the Civil War when one of the first Shakespearian theatres in the United States opened here.

From Baltimore Heritage:

From Vaudeville theatres to movie palaces, the city's nearly 150 theatres spanned a wide range of sizes, architectural styles, and audiences.

Many are -- sadly -- no longer standing. Some have been renovated and privately reused or re-purposed, and, a few are still operating as theatres.

On October 22nd at the Baltimore School for the Arts, Mr. Wally Coberg will discuss and share Baltimore's place in theatre history, the city's historic theatres, and their history and their future.

Coberg is an award-winning designer and filmaker by trade. He's an avid Baltimore theatre researcher by inclination.

This very special event is part of Free Fall Baltimore and as such there is no charge and is open to the public. RSVP 410-332-9992 or hopkins@baltimoreheritage.org -- I suggest making your reservations soon.

7PM, 712 Cathedral Street. Baltimore School for the Arts. (Enter the doors on Cathedral Street, nearest Madison.)

Screen Actors Guild - Message for Members in VA, DC, MD and other states

Remember Rule One

Important Information to Clarify the Status of the Unions’ Agency Franchises and Union Members’ Obligations.

Because of the inherent complexities of agency relations today, SAG and AFTRA (the “Unions”) have received numerous requests from members in both the Virginia Beach and Washington, D.C. areas to clarify the status of the Unions’ agency franchises, and Union members’ obligations there under.  

Pursuant to SAG and AFTRA Agency Regulations, Union members who choose to secure the services of an agent are, generally, required to choose from a list of franchised representatives [i.e. those that are bound by the Unions’ Agency Regulations, SAG’s Rule 16(g) and AFTRA’s Rule 12-C, respectively]. However, in some areas of the country, such as Virginia, SAG and AFTRA do not have a brick and mortar presence. In such limited circumstances, we are aware that some Union members may sometimes secure representation from agents that are not franchised, with the understanding that they have voluntarily chosen to enter into those arrangements at their own risk. In the latter scenario, SAG and AFTRA nonetheless strongly encourage members who are desirous of having Union protections to seek out franchised agents in the next nearest area where SAG and AFTRA do have a physical presence (such as Washington, D.C., for example). The Unions can only protect you when you are represented by franchised agents. 

If you have made the decision to seek out non-franchised agents in areas such as Virginia, the Unions urge you to proceed with extreme caution before entering into any contractual relationship with an entity that may be operating under divided loyalties. For instance, a production company in a position to hire you that also bills itself as a “talent agency” wishing to represent you, should be thoroughly vetted before you sign on the dotted line. Union members are strongly encouraged to fully investigate companies that sell themselves as so-called “one stop shops” to ensure that there are no inherent conflicts of interest in their business models which could ultimately damage an actor’s long term career development/goals/earning capacity. e.g. if a producer you have worked for suddenly announces that it can also “represent” you as a talent agent, ask yourselves, “is this an irreconcilable conflict of interest? Is the production company more interested in keeping the costs of production down, or negotiating the highest possible wages and working conditions for my services as an actor?”  

Other warning signals that should be closely heeded include, but are not limited to:

•    Entities claiming to be “talent agencies” that seek to charge you upwards of 15% commission;

•    Entities claiming to be “talent agencies” that encourage you to abandon your Union status in order to try to secure “non-Union” work;

•    Entities claiming to be “talent agencies” that try to tether you to automatically renewing contracts;

•    Entities claiming to be “talent agencies” that purport to own any of your work product or property as an artist in perpetuity;

•    Entities claiming to be “talent agencies” that seek to have you indemnify them for the  cost of doing business or litigation;

•    Entities claiming to be “talent agencies” who attempt to get you to agree to non-compete clauses in their contracts, essentially prohibiting you from auditioning for other employers with which they have a pre-existing relationship.

Remember: Simply signing with some entity for the sake of securing an “agent” may, if not done cautiously in conjunction with your Union office/branch and with your long term business interests in mind, cause you and your career possibly irreparable and irreversible damage. In most instances, it is just not worth the risk.

Should you have any agency-related questions, or are unclear about the status of entities with which you are seeking to work, please do not hesitate to contact SAG’s National Agency Departments at: (in LA) (323) 549-6729, AFTRA’s National Agency Department (in NY) at 212-532-0800, or the SAG/AFTRA Local Branch office (in Washington, D.C.) at (301) 657-2560. We can also be reached by email at zino.macaluso@sag.org, mcapuano@aftra.com and, locally, at jlove@aftra.com. Thank you.

And, to Screen Actors Guild & AFTRA, your members thank you!

Plaid Can Be Cool. And, Forever.

Especially when Plaid and Forever are in the title of one of the most popular and longest-running Off-Broadway musicals of all time.

For one night only -- July 9th 2009 -- you can see the 20th Anniversary performance at a theatre near you.

From Broadway.Com:

Forever Plaid is an affectionate musical homage to the close-harmony ‘guy groups' that reached the height of their popularity during the 1950s. This quartet of high-school chums, and their earnest dreams of recording an album, ended in death, when their '54 Mercury collided with a bus filled with Catholic schoolgirls on their way to see the Beatles' American debut on The Ed Sullivan Show. The girls were fine. The play begins with the Plaids returning from the afterlife for one final chance at musical glory.

From me:

Forever Plaid is wonderful, tuneful, smart, fun, and thought-provoking.

It will be broadcast live from Los Angeles in a red-carpet format, to select movie theatres nationwide. Members of the original cast are in this presentation.

Tickets are available for the performance at several theatres around Baltimore. Check out the website for this presentation. Even if you can't get to the big screen on the 9th, you should check out the trailers. It's fun stuff. And the website is really top-shelf.

Baltimore / Washington Screen Actors Guild Members

An important reminder. Your vote on SAG's tentative TV/Theatrical contract is important. And, your ballot must be received by the tabulators by 5PM (PDT) on June 9th 2009.

My Referendum Packet arrived today.

The packets contain four pieces: 1. A Summary Document and Voting Instructions Booklet, 2. A green coded Ballot, 3. A green secret Ballot envelope, and 4. A green, postage-paid, Business Reply envelope.

When you receive your packet -- and, if you're still unsure how to vote -- head to the District and learn more. May 28th 2009, 12:30PM. Details & Links.

Baltimore / Washington SAG Members: Heads Up

If you're undecided on the proposed SAG TV/Theatrical Agreement, here's a local meeting you must attend.

Washington, DC - Thursday, May 28th at 12:30P. City Club of Washington, 555 13th Street, NW, Washington 20004. No guests allowed. Parents or guardians of performers under 18 very welcome. SAG union card paid thru April 2009 required for admission.

YOUR SCREEN ACTORS GUILD
NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

RECOMMENDS A YES VOTE ON THE
TV/THEATRICAL AGREEMENT

Details of the tenative agreement are posted here.

I'll be at the meeting in DC and then I will be voting YES. Will you?

(National TV/Theatrical Contracts Hotline (323) 549-6665)

Mark Steiner, Guest Speaker at Charles Theatre's Screening of Beaufort

 

It was just announced today. Mark Steiner will offer his pithy and profound comments tomorrow at Baltimore's Charles Theatre as our venerable showplace continues Cinema Sundays for its 44th Series.

This presentation looks to be stellar. Beaufort is a strong Israeli war film. Beaufort is a multi-award nominated film; it won many. The movie is not without its detractors, however.

From Wikipedia: The casting has raised serious public criticism in Israel, especially from families of slain soldiers and war veterans, given the fact that some of the actors did not serve in the Israeli army (Army service is compulsory in Israel, although some people are exempt).

 

Oshri Cohen stars in the film, which tells the true story of the last unit of soldiers on the legendary Beaufort outpost. His participation in this movie has raised public criticism as he did not serve in the Israeli army. Apparently other actors didn't either.

I'm interested in the film and the politics, but I can't comment. I'm not Israeli and have never lived in a country where military service is mandatory... well there WAS that United States Draft issue of mine the late 1960s. Perhaps I'll write about that another time.

Let's see what our friend Mark Steiner has to say. See you at the Charles Theatre. Let the fireworks fly. Let the sparks fall where they may.

And to Mark... we're glad you're back on the airwaves. You've been greatly missed.

Baltimore's Charles Theatre - A Pavarotti Tribute

Two showings only. Saturday, January at Noon and Wednesday, February 4th at 6PM.

Staring Placido Domingo, Sting, Angela Gheorghiu, Andrea Bocelli, Cynthia Lawrence and Sherrill Mines, Flutist Andrea Griminelli Jovanotti and Laura Pausini, thirteen year old violin sensation Aleem Kandour and the Italian rock star Zucchero, the Charles Theatre is presenting Salute Petra.

 

Salute Petra is a beautiful charity tribute concert honoring the late Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti.
The event was presented on October 12th 2008, Pavarotti's birthday, in front of an exclusive invited audience of royalty, classical and popular music stars at the world heritage site Petra, Jordan.

Our Charles Theatre notes: The Prague Philharmonic Orchestra accompanies all the stars and the entire presentation. The performance is set against a breathtaking natural amphitheater. It is one of the musical performances of the decade.

I agree.

[Note from me to the Charles Theatre: Hire someone to proofread your copy before you send out releases. While I'm a huge fan of most everything you do and promote... well, you have the idea...]

Midnight Will Arrive at Noon in Baltimore

When will such a thing happen? Why and how come? Details from the Maryland Science Center:

 

"Does the ball drop after your bedtime?

"Not this year! Join the Maryland Science Center in its New Year's Eve celebration at Noon–Midnight Noon.

"Get here early and make your own party hat and noisemaker, get your face painted, and get ready to party down to the sound of popular kids band Milkshake as they kick off our celebration at 11:30 and help us announce the New Year at Noon.

"Following the concert, join the Blue Sky Puppet Theater in the MSC Theater as they embark on an adventure with Ralph the Jester to find laughter for King NAFFETMHL–the king who never found anything funny.

"The entire Science Center will be open and ready to ring in the New Year!

"All activites are free with paid admission: adults $14.50, youth (3-12) $10.00, children under 3 are free. Tickets can be purchased upon arrival. For questions, please call 410-545-5960."

Is this part of the MSC's approach to creating a new generation of smarter, more inquisitive, goal oriented Baltimore children? Ones that will tend to be better students and finer more productive adults? You can bet your boots that it is.

Our 170,000 square-foot Maryland Science Center has been creating better kids (and better parents) since they opened their doors. Read their history here. If you're not tempted to click on the link, read this from the MSC History Statement...

"The Maryland Academy of Sciences is Maryland's oldest scientific institution and one of the oldest such institutions in the entire nation.

"At its inception in 1797, the Academy was an amateur scientific society—members met to discuss papers on astronomy, botany, zoology, and other subjects then known as the "natural sciences." Rembrandt and Raphael Peale, sons of painter and scientist Charles Wilson Peale, were among the distinguished early members..."

Think again about clicking that history link.

If You're Free Tomorrow - A Gleefully Casual Soiree

6:30 - 9:30P. Friday, October 10.

Cocktails, finger food, a buffet.

Steuben Glass, a magnificent quilt collection, silent films in a state-of-the-art home theatre.

25-foot ceilings, wooded wilderness, endless windows.

Grace Hartigan artworks, a planetarium ceiling, artists Anne Stone & Christy Bergland. All in a Guggenheimesque private residence near Baltimore's city line.

 

Is that a Friday evening not to be missed, or what? It's part of the Creative Alliance at the Patterson's 2008 Soirees & Festivals (Art to Dine For) calendar. Details and tickets.

Summer in Baltimore & Natty Boh Memories

When I first moved to Baltimore in 1988, I was introduced to Natty Boh by way of picking crabs in the dog days of summer. I wasn't a big fan of beer then - I'm even less of a beer fan now. But somehow, the National Bohemian brand sparked my interest and hooked me forever. It was icy cold, crisp, fizzy, pale, and seemed just right to cool the bite of Old Bay. Now Jacob and I live 26 floors above Baltimore 21201 and we see old MR. BOH winking at us every night. Enough said, enjoy! And, have a cold one.

Men of Honor at Baltimore's City Center Park Tomorrow - August 20th

I'd normally write, "Yippee, another Movie Night!" However, this film seems to be an iffy addition to the City Center's 2008 Summer line-up. It seems a tad divisive. But, then again, I just came back from jury duty. I may be way too sensitive. It happens.

Amazon Reviewer, Jeff Shannon says, "Men of Honor presents a great role model for younger viewers, yet it's rated R due to abundant use of the F word. With appropriate discretion, parents should allow their preteen and teenage children to see this rousing if altogether conventional biopic inspired by the life of Carl Brashear. Played with gravity and gumption by Cuba Gooding Jr., Brashear was the first African American to become a master diver in the U.S. Navy, despite the lingering effects of segregation, opposition from Navy brass, and the amputation of his left leg following a tragic on-duty accident. Robert De Niro adds marquee value and salty bluster as Billy Sunday, the drunken, redneck (and fictionalized) Master Chief who watches, with gradual admiration, as Brashear attains his ultimate goal through sheer force of will.

"This is all quite uplifting on its surface, but in attempting to hit the requisite highlights of an inspiring biography, director George Tillman Jr. (Soul Food) reduces Brashear's achievement to a succession of clichés, forcing Gooding and De Niro to battle sentiment with their noteworthy performances. As Sunday's neglected wife, Charlize Theron is completely extraneous; Hal Holbrook's diving-school commander is a ranting caricature; and newcomer Aunjanue Ellis barely registers as Brashear's wife (in part because their obligatory romance is handled with an utter lack of finesse). There's no question that Brashear's efforts are heroic and worthy of recognition, so Men of Honor serves its basic purpose. Still, one can't help but wonder if Brashear's story would be even more impressive with a more authentic treatment."

The New York Times gives a qualified Thumbs-up. Other reviews are on the low end of the scale.

According to the Downtown Partnership the event is, as always: Free. It Starts at 9 PM, Food and Beverages available for purchase. I can tell you that the screen is giant, the color & contrast is super, the sound is loud, and folks seem to have a great time.

So Long, Baltimore Sun. Your Light Is Barely a Flicker. What a Paper You Were.

If you've read this blog even once, you know that we love all things Balimore. And this blog is intended to support our favorite city. Baltimore is home, that's why we moved back here in the winter of 2006.

When Jacob and I lived 3,000 miles away we subscribed to the daily print version of the Baltimore Sun. It was an expensive subscription back then. The paper was big, fat and rich with local content. It was well and cleverly written by local reporters. It spoke to Baltimore residents (and former residents living far away) in an insightful, historical, yet progressive way. The paper reached out and spoke to its readers.

Our once great Baltimore daily paper which was known the world over by the tag-line, Light for All, looks to me like it's doomed.

Just in this afternoon from the Baltimore Business Journal...

"The Baltimore Sun will eliminate its weekday Maryland section as part of a redesign that the newspaper will debut Aug. 24." Read the full BBJ story here. I won't even attempt to pull more info. Read the story and weep.

Check back. I'll post more on this sorry issue shortly. Examiner anyone?

Me, a Secret Service Agent? No, But I Played One on TV

A couple of weeks ago I was reading my favorite Baltimore Blog: Dining @ Large written by the Baltimore Sun's Food Critic, Elizabeth Large. I noticed that one of the chores she had on her calendar for the 4th of July holiday this year was to clean her closets.

While we don't go to the Inner Harbor for the 4th Fireworks either (hot, steamy, crowded, tourists, truly crazed waiters, and such...) I thought closet cleaning in the Dog Days of Summer might be a bit over the top.

Jacob and I were, however, tossing around going back to Artscape with a couple of friends this year until all of the weather forecasts read pretty much the same: hot, steamy and maybe a code red heat-day. For the most part, we stayed in and I discovered a closet that needed some serious attention. (A note to EL: Thanks for plugging that closet cleaning chore into my subconscious.)

In my troubled office closet I found a Baltimore video from exactly 20 years ago that parallels today on several levels... FYI, I'm the Secret Service guy in the sunglasses to the left of the principle actor in this commercial. 

Like 2008, 1988 was a Presidential Election year. Cars were deeply discounted in 1988 because few folks were buying American. Less than a year earlier the NYSE dropped like a rock on Black Monday. Oil prices were headed for a huge spike. And, spike they did. In less than a year the United States would be in a Gulf War. In 1988 George H W Bush was elected President. It was an Olympic Sports year. Before he left office, President Reagan increased the budget for the war on drugs. (Yep, that also worked really well.)

When this spot was taped in Baltimore on June 15th 1988, it was as hot and humid as our 2008 July has been.

Of course, there were differences also: I just can't think of any right now.   

Juno Ya Wanna be on the Pier this Summer!

It's going to be a super summer in Baltimore if the Fells Point Development Corporation has anything to do with it. And, they do. And, in a big way.

Grab your favorite deck chair and head over to the South Broadway Pier for some fun summertime flicks.

The movie for July 9th is JUNO. [Thanks Corey for the correction!] Be there and enjoy. A whole lot of folks say that the soundtrack, the music, is more important than the actual film. Just in case you've been in a cave for the past couple of years or so...

Here's a video of the Moldy Peaches on ABC TV's the View.

Moldy Peaches call themselves Anti-Folk. I don't see it that way: Remember the two Guthries, Ella Jenkins, Mickey Bones and Cisco Houston? Moldy Peachs fit in with the very, very best of folk.

Go see. Tell me if I'm wrong. And, check out the full schedule of Films on the Pier.

While you're at it visit the Fells Point Development Corp's website. Sign up for their newsletter - it's all good.

Bee Movie and Martinis - Now, THAT'S BeeMore

The COMING SOON signs are being taken down in Harbor East today. Landmark Theatres' newest project opens tomorrow. 7 screens, leather stadium seating, gourmet concessions, and - YES - a premium bar. What's not to love? Oh, I almost forgot to mention digital sound and digital projection.

Could anyone think of a better theatre company to open in Baltimore's hottest new area? I can't.

Landmark has only been around since 1974 and started out with just one screen: the historic  Nuart Theatre in Los Angeles. Landmark is still extremely small by exhibitor standards: 59 theatres in 23 markets.

However, whatever Landmark does it does exceedingly well. They not only open state-of-the-art movie venues, they also restore historic theatres across the country and fill them with the finest technology available. I've seen their work at the wonderful Inwood Theatre in Dallas, the Embarcadero in San Francisco and the Sunshine in New York City.

I'm guessing - just guessing, mind you - that one of the reasons all of their projects come together so perfectly, and so technologically aggressive, is due to one of Landmark's owners: Mark Cuban. If you don't know about him you really should check out the bio of a 49 year-old guy that began working in Dallas as a bartender and is now a Multi-Billionaire. (Yep... that's Billion with a B.)

 

Cuban (above) also owns the Dallas Mavericks. I'm betting that he would have some sage advice for our Orioles management. Let's hope someone asks him.

And, no I'm not comparing apples and oranges. I'm comparing bad management with good.

Free Movie Tonight - Charles Plaza

Living in Downtown Baltimore is a wonderful thing. Last Friday we were invited to a dinner party and we walked to it. Just four blocks. And after our fair share of great company and conversation, awesome food, and several exceptional wines we walked home. The air was cool and had that clean and earthy smell that reminded us that the true Baltimore autumn is just around the corner.

Today an email arrived from the Downtown Partnership. There's a free movie, Night at the Museum, tonight at Charles Center Plaza.

It's family fare, fun and fanciful. The cast includes Ben Stiller, Dick Van Dyke, Mickey Rooney, Robin Williams, Paul Rudd, and Anne Meara. Oh yes, and Brad Garrett as the voice of the Easter Island head. What's not to like?

Bring a chair or blanket, grab some food at EATS - our local food court - and enjoy what looks to be a balmy and beautiful autumn evening.

It all begins a 8PM.

Rolling Roadshow: A John Waters Marathon

Tomorrow evening the Alamo Drafthouse Rolling Roadshow arrives in Baltimore with three feature films: the original Hairspray at 8:30 followed by Polyester and Desperate Living. Oh, what a night! (Rolling Roadshow brings movies to locations where the films take place: Escape from Alcatraz on Alcatraz Island, A Christmas Story in Columbus, Ohio, they had a floating screening of JAWS... yup, and they hosted Poseidon Adventure on the Queen Mary.)

Metromix notes that Polyester and Desperate Living are Water's most "filhy films". And that's OK because the good folks with the Rolling Roadshow will be giving away free John Waters Barf Bags.

But wait, there's more... early arrivers will receive Limited Edition Odorama Cards for the Polyester screening. Just like the old days, yes?

So you can bring a little something to the fun, I'm posting the lyrics to Good Morning Baltimore. Practice, practice, practice... and sing along.

Sexy Aliens, Kids and a Jet-powered Turtle

Normally when I think of going to a city library to watch a movie it conjures up memories of seeing a bad print of an obscure art film in a stuffy room on a screen to small to see the subtitles.

Well, in Baltimore things are changing on that front. And, nowhere more profoundly that at the Enoch Pratt Free Library - 400 N Cathedral Street. Here's an early Head's Up. Mark the date: Saturday, February 24th. 1:30 PM. It's a double feature day in EPFL's Wheeler Auditorium!

How's this match-up for taking the chill out of a cold February afternoon: Attack of the Monsters (Japan, 1969) paired with Evil Brain from Outer Space (Japan, 1958)?

Here's how EPFL describes their feature attraction:

Attack of the Monsters (1969, 82 min.) Sexy female aliens kidnap two boys and are about to eat their brains when Gamera - the jet-propelled, fire-breathing prehistoric flying turtle who is "the friend of all children" - comes to their rescue. Gamera defeats Guiron, a monster with a Ginsu knife nose, while doing gymastics on a parallel bar and returns the kids to Earth, where they pray for "a world without wars or traffic accidents."

I'll meet you at the main entrance. I'll have the popcorn.