Blog Post: Filmmaker Stanley Kubrick (1928 - 1999)

The great film director Stanley Kubrick would have been 98 years of age today. I remember getting the news when he died. A friend paged me while I was enjoying a pub-drawn beer with friends.

The movie memories flew!

They all started with what I think is perhaps the greatest film ever made....

2001: A Space Odyssey

I first saw that one a few years after it was released. My family was visiting London (UK) in the summer of 1970, and the flick was still playing in 70mm at the MGM. My dad was planning to take me to see it but something came up and it never happened. I would have to wait a year: the presentation, while in 35mm, was excellent. CFB Borden's "Terra" theatre was a good house, one featuring a full wide screen; not one squeezed to an almost perfect square by an encroaching proscenium. 2001 remains my most profound movie-going experience. It stayed with me for weeks.

My favourite Kubrick films:

A Clockwork Orange

Paths of Glory

Dr. Strangelove

Full Metal Jacket

Barry Lyndon

The Shining

,,, they're hardly listed in order. How can I list an exact order? It's Stanley Kubrick I'm talking about.

Postscript: While I am working on a project here at home today, I will make time for Stanley Kubrick and his consistently-stellar flicks. By the way, director Christopher Nolan has great taste.

Sunday Fun: To Answer a Movie-Going Question

On Wednesday, March 25th, I asked a question, one I promised to eventually answer... even late... four months late. Here's the original text of Question: What Movie Did I See? (The answer will be posted in the 'comments' section later today.)

After taking in a movie matinee at Toronto's "Bloor Cinema" (now the "Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema") one beautifully sunny day in April of 2000, I called my brother:

"I just saw the best f*cking movie ever made!"

"What did you see?"

Yes, what did I see?

A clue, although it would function more as trivia since it wouldn't mean a lot to the reader: I first saw it when I was a kid living in (West) Germany. The screening took place at CFB Baden-Soellingen's "Astra" theatre, a few years after the flick in question was first released. My Grade-3 schoolmates and I enjoyed our day at the movies. (From a seat behind me: "He won't shoot him.") Little did I know my rating would fly sky-high years later, and involve a modicum of essential profanity.

Quote: Stanley Kubrick on the Just Do It

"Perhaps it sounds ridiculous, but the best thing that young filmmakers should do is to get hold of a camera and some film and make a movie of any kind at all."

He said that in the 1960s. Given today's imagining technology and its accessibility, don't waste your time going to film school. Take that potential debt and roll it into making films.

Quote: Albert Einstein on Opposing Force

"Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds."

... this is being exemplified today.

Quote: Stanley Kubrick on That Dynamic

"The great nations have always acted like gangsters, and the small nations like prostitutes."

But times are changing....

Toronto News: Billy Bishop to Stick With Props

From the Toronto Star — Friday, July 24, 2026

With the news breaking yesterday that the federal government has ruled against the latest effort to expand Billy Bishop Airport, and especially its airstrip, so that jets airliners can ply their trade, I remembered a piece I wrote in August of 2013. At that time there was a big push in some quarters to jet-up Billy Bishop Airport.

Yes, the Toronto Sun... I know. Enjoy!

Toronto Sun columnist Simon Kent is against those who are against expansion of Billy Bishop Airport. He conveniently forgets to mention (he probably doesn't even know) that an airport, by its very nature, has a huge 'footprint'.

Aircraft noise and smell (fuel) are issues, but there are others...

Kent states, "Opponents are warming up and already expressing doubts over the modest proposal by Porter Airlines to add 168 metres to either end of the tarmac."

No. First of all, that measurement, for those who have a hard time with metric distances, is an over 500 foot increase in the airstrip's length. Anyway, the lengthening invites larger aircraft — jets — which will up the overall capacity for the airport (which, of course, is the whole idea; hello, Porter Airlines). I'm not against this on the surface but the major problem is that Billy Bishop Airport lacks multiple access points; roads which are essential for the amount of traffic that a larger facility demands. Anyone who lives in Toronto and is familiar with the current mainland-island connection knows that the intersection of Bathurst and Front Streets is "impossible", never mind what will happen, not might happen, with airport expansion. Believe me, it wouldn't beeping stop: Service and transport vehicles, fuel tanker trucks, personal cars; the commotion, constant commotion, would be immense.

"That airport near Canary Wharf was officially opened on Nov. 5, 1987, after heated debate and handled just four airlines going to just Brussels, Paris and Plymouth. Today it is a spectacular success and home to 10 airlines, serving 43 destinations and carrying as many as 10 million passengers annually."

Again, he loses. London City Airport has efficient road access and is more than a little distance away from the city-centre, so his comparison is inauthentic.

Either Simon Kent does not know what he's talking about, or it's the usual Toronto Sun propaganda; and you're an "idiot" if you are against airport expansion. Didn't you know? Well, I'm safe because I would like to hear the various assessments and, based on my already-in-place great interest in civil aviation, I will make my own decision. But, for now, it does not look good.

"If Toronto is to keep growing and keep connected to the wider world, a second airport is essential."

Oh, really? I did not know that. And it's somewhat surprising that Simon Kent knows....

Turbulence lies ahead in Billy Bishop Airport debate

... I find it comical that the Toronto Sun's photo editor chose a picture which obviously was taken on a smog day. That gets a grand "lol".

*  *  *

Postscript: "If Toronto is to keep growing and keep connected to the wider world, a second airport is essential."  As it turns out, Toronto has been growing just fine... in spite of that idiotic comment.

Quote: Jules Verne on Cats

"I believe cats to be spirits come to earth. A cat, I am sure, could walk on a cloud without coming through."

Then slide down sunshine.

Obituary: Jerry Goldsmith — The Toronto Sun, 7/23/04

Early this morning I was reminded that the late great film composer Jerry Goldsmith died twenty-two years ago today. It seems like ten years ago.

The news of his passing had been given to me through a telephone call from my brother one sunny morning: "Hey, man. Goldsmith died."

This fan since high school was saddened by the news. He was an artist who I greatly admired, and consider him to be the greatest craftsman to have practiced the art of film scoring.

What impresses some of us most about the stellar scorer is his body of work. Take a step back and look at the variety of scoring. From horse operas to space operas, with small and intimate films in between: Wild Rovers to Star Trek - The Motion Picture, with A Patch of Blue, a Papillon, some Gremlins, and The Mummy. From television: signature themes for Dr. Kildare, The Man From U.N.C.L.E., Room 222, Barnaby Jones, Police Story, and The Waltons.

My brother and I met Goldsmith at Toronto's Roy Thomson Hall in November of 1990. He had three concert dates where he played a sampling of his movie and television material. While I chatted with some people in the lobby after the concert I overheard an older gentleman telling another regular concertgoer — they were dressed like season ticket-holders — his feelings:

"I was very impressed . . . it must take an incredible mind . . . that's a lot of music."

"Mister Goldsmith, I finally get to meet you. I've been a fan for twelve years." I remember the slight smile on his face. Oh yes, another nutty fan. (I was one of many nutters in that lineup.)

I was uncharacteristically a little nervous. Big name, small name, I don't care. But. I'm thinking: "This is the guy who wrote Ave Satani !"

Freakin' genius!

Quote: Maya Angelou on Those Tales from the Crypt

“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.”

... which is why I never shut the f**k up!

Quote: Roseanne on John Waters

"There's such a genius lurking in there amongst all those bushes of madness."

I agree! The lady's a poet!

Quote: Me on Saturdays

"Saturday is the only true weekend day."

Picturing: Royal Bank Plaza from the Scotiabank Arena

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Memories: Special Apollo & Soyuz Launches of 1975

This morning I saw an 'on this date' post noting it was fifty-one years ago today that a certain event took place: a forward-thinking upward motion of cold war détente. Too many years ago I was there in front of the Zenith colour television tube as the anticipation was building, and had been building for some time, for a special orbital rendezvous: the "Apollo-Soyuz Test Project" would fire into being with two rocket launches, one of each from the USA and the USSR.

Perhaps the single most exciting "blast off" for me on July 15, 1975, was that of Soyuz 19, the Soviet side of the project. The Soyuz launch vehicle and spacecraft were somewhat mysterious entities to those of us in the west — civilians in the west. Photographs had been released by the Soviets, some officially and others unofficially, so we knew what the machine looked like at launch — it looked super cool, that's what it looked — but there were no motion picture images and nothing substantial in the way of data and specifications.

(Like the Vostok and Voskhod rockets the Soyuz was an outgrowth of the brilliant R-7A Semyorka, itself an upgrade of the earlier R-7 Semyorka.)

This then space cadet looked forward to seeing the Saturn 1B rocket lift the Apollo space vehicle, but, again, the big draw for me, and many others, no doubt, was getting to witness the launch of the Soviet machine. As I sat all giddy, the Zenith danced its chromatic scales. There was an anticipatory tension, an almost drum roll, as we waited for the scheduled launch time. When the final countdown rolled, we scrutinized every piece of visual data — there was no audio of the launch. That great Soyuz Roar would not be heard by me for many more years.

The rocket lifted; it was beautiful....

The video clip above is very 'archival'. No doubt it's been dubbed-down a few times over the years. The original 2-inch 'Quad' tape it is not. That flicker/roll you see at the shot-cuts looks to be a 'time base correction' issue: it may be due to uncorrected duplication, one lacking a TBC (Time Base Corrector), or it may have been in the original live transmission, which is my guess as I've seen other sources displaying the same malady — it was a satellite feed, to boot.

Postscript: the mission's astronauts were Thomas P. Stafford, Vance D. Brand, and Deke Slayton; the cosmonauts, Alexei Leonov and Valery Kubasov.

Picturing: Gifts from a Lovely Brazilian Lady

Ana, who hails from "The Big City" in Brazil, gifted me with two appreciated items a couple of years ago. They've been sitting front, center, and proper, on my computer desk since then. I never asked them to pose before twenty minutes ago.

The name Ana used for that bird of origami, I cannot remember, but she said it's the same thing... origami. The memento on the right is a Lembrança de Brasília (Brasília Souvenir).

Ana's a sweet and kind lady.

Picturing: from Toronto's Beautiful "Annex" Streets

On Madison Avenue, looking north from Bernard Avenue, here in Toronto's beautiful "Annex" neighbourhood. On my way to the Gleam & Sip to get a late morning coffee....

Quote: "Archie Bunker" Just Like a Conservative

"No bum that can't speak poifect English oughta stay in this country—oughta be de-exported the hell oughta here!"

The internet has revealed just how many "Archie Bunkers" are out there.

Picturing: On a Music Video Shoot Near Lake Erie

Producer/Director Barry Silverthorn and me.

Barry looks through the Arriflex ST while I hold a light meter.

Me lining up a shot, Jorge Parra with reflector, and crewmember.

* * *

Special thanks to Barry Silverthorn for contacting me and for supplying the above photos, which were taken during a music video shoot near Lake Erie. Beautiful countryside!

Oh, June, 1990. We were so young. I had recently returned from a few weeks in England, and upon my return, found out that my name had been offered to Barry after he asked Jorge: "Do you know anyone who can shoot film and make it look good?" I was flattered. Jorge and I had attended film school together. By the way, two months later we all worked together on another music video: that one was for the Toronto-based ska band, "One". I should mention that Barry is a super-nice and easygoing guy, and he was very easy to work with.

Picturing: Criterion Blu-ray of Desperate Living

A couple of days ago I remembered that Criterion's release of John Waters' 1977 flick Desperate Living has hit the shelves. A quick trip today to Toronto's great Bay Street Video was not exactly an errand of desperation, but one of... satiation. I love John Waters' early films. The man is an original. With each of his pictures, while there are similarities in theme and character-types, one never knows what's on one's plate. Desperate Living is one of my favourite "Waters".

Soon!

Picturing: Church of the Redeemer Sculpture

On my walk back home from an errand today here in the great city of Toronto, I noticed a beautiful bronze sculpture outside the Church of the Redeemer. I did some research minutes ago: it's titled When I Was Sick, by acclaimed Canadian sculptor Timothy Schmalz.

I'm an atheist, and a former art student, don't get me going about "Early Christian Art", but I absolutely love bronze sculptures and appreciate those of a beautiful place of worship.

Apparently it was unveiled in September of 2023. I must have the habit of walking on the south side of Bloor Street when crossing the Avenue Road / University Avenue intersection.

How could I have not noticed When I Was Sick till an hour ago?

Postscript: years ago I was a fairly regular concertgoer at that lovely church. I would bump into an old college teacher there. It was at the Church of the Redeemer that I attended a performance of a pretty magnificent piece for solo violin composed by Srul Glick, superbly performed by a young woman who was a York University student. I've since forgotten the name of the piece and the violinist, unfortunately. Glick was in attendance. The year would have been 1987 or 1988. I was young. There's nothing stopping me from again being a 'regular'.

Blog Post: Toronto Welcomes More-Bearable Temps

A couple of hours ago I popped out to grab a coffee. Ahh, my skin could breathe again....

That extreme heat and humidity made for an uncomfortable week.

In Toronto right now it's 22 Celsius (72 Fahrenheit), with a projected high today of 24 (75).

Much better.