Word: witnessing
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Dates: during 1990-1999
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...want to read this book to decide once and for all whether Truman Capote liked Bob better than Andy. Others should be warned: the only thing worse than reading about the Velvet Underground's evenings at clubs is to have been there. Drugs and drink were in large supply; wit and conversation were...
What is at times disappointing is Lee's script. At some points, Lee's writing shines. Particularly noteworthy are the exchanges which go on between the band members backstage, in practice, and at parties. There, Lee's wit comes through in humorous and insightful glimpses into the machoism of contemporary Black males. Lee's scripting of the female characters is considerably weaker. Their personalitites are a bit flat, if not stereotypical, and their dialogue, far from natural and convincing, consists of contrived speeches which Lee lazily uses to move the plot along...
...film's use of Hollywood cliches and Lee's self proclaimed radicalism, is what gives Mo' Better Blues the self-indugent hypocritical air I spoke of eariler. Yet despite the uneveness of the script, solid performances (especially Washington's), lush visuals, a sensuous music score and Lee's subtle wit, easily elavate Mo' Better Blues into the class of strong, if not great, films. Lee's standards are very hard to live up to, even by the controversial filmmaker himself...
...like everyone, has a personality, if not strong personal opinions, and a rich inner life, which he was able to keep to himself until last Monday. Friends describe him as a combination of the intellectual, scholarly, never married Justice Benjamin Cardozo and a tightfisted solitary cleric. In looks and wit, he resembles comedian Pat Paulsen; in his 5 o'clock shadow, Richard Nixon. He favors well-worn suits (black robes are said to add color to his wardrobe), cheap cars (a 1987 Volkswagen), non-power lunches (cottage cheese and an apple) and classical music. His main indulgence...
...surprisingly deadpan humor that doubles as comic relief in the movie's otherwise heavy atmosphere. Discounting as evidence a facetious admittal of the crime--Sabich's "Yeah, you're right"--Lyttle says, "If Mr. Sabich had come from my part of town, he'd have said, 'Yo mama.'" The wit, which is omnipresent with constant references to Della Guardia as "Mr. Dee Lay Guardia," add complexity to his character of an otherwise tough-nosed "Judge Motherfucker," as one ex-con who previously bribed him describes...