Sergei Galperin: Composer

Gig at the Sonotheque // Chicago

2008-08-08T16:59:00.001-07:00

Notes on a Scandal

2008-05-17T07:55:00.000-07:00

Notes on a Scandal

A friend of mine once pointed out that Philip Glass's music is nothing but abundance of arpeggios poured over two repeating harmony changes. Indeed. You notice it once, you can't help but keep noticing later: "The Illusionist", the "Notes on a Scandal" are all stuffed with arpeggios from beginning to end. Seems like a winning formula :)

The film is mildly disturbing and forgettable. Cate Blanchett is magnificent.

"...take a look at my new toy / It'll blow your head in two, oh boy..."

2008-05-17T07:44:00.000-07:00

Title: The Police, Truth Hits Everybody

Gogol Bordello

2008-02-23T10:26:00.000-08:00

I think I didn't use to give them enough credit. I listened closely to some of the songs and concluded that GB definitely have the "wow" factor. Actually: not concluded but surrendered. After all they are like a 1000 Volts generator, you can't fight it (listen to "Not A Crime"). Still wouldn't call anybody of them a "composer" and for some of them even a "musician" would be a stretch, but when it comes to drunken racket we Russians meet no match and take no prisoners :)

Death of Mr. Lazarescu

2008-02-08T16:35:00.000-08:00

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Rent/buy/download this movie now (please?). This is one of the films that are able to remind you what kind of the art form the cinema is, and what it is capable of. Going through mediocre (highly marketed) movies we tend to forget how gripping, strong and totally believable it can be. What starts out as a satirical, somewhat dark comedy grows into the most involving drama right before your eyes and does no give you much time to notice.
Vivid reminder of the realities of life in Eastern Europe, perhaps resonating with my memories of the Soviet Union :). But after all, the film does not leave you depressed -- rather agitated. Overall it's a statement about human indifference. 5+ stars (a masterpiece).

Good Shepherd

2007-12-21T13:24:00.000-08:00

Overstated, not too convincing. What point is Robert DeNiro making really -- that CIA is ruled by a secret society and that it is bad to murder people? (no way!). 2 1/2 stars.

Jesus Camp

2007-09-24T10:44:00.000-07:00

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A great, thought-provoking documentary. Most of us think we are dealing with religious fanaticism somewhere far away, for instance in the Middle East. Well, take a look at what is happening next door...

Death at a Funeral

2007-09-04T20:54:00.000-07:00

Very good comedy. It wasn't first choice on my list, but we were with friends and ended up watching it. It's very well made, hilarious, and not even "dark" for a dark comedy. Thumbs up.

random pic

2007-08-30T18:29:00.001-07:00

This is Paris (of course), 2005

better late then never...

2007-08-29T19:25:00.000-07:00

Rather late review on the commonly known classic, so I'll make it brief: Kubrik's "Dr. Strangelove" is absolutely brilliant. Despite the black and white photography (or thanks to it?) at times it looks rather modern.