‘Arts’ Archives
Campfire of North Woods
By OWEN SAARINEN The campfire knowsthe rotten log,the bending stick, themeal maker’s hands ona pile of dew-droppedkindling. Like a fussybaby, she won’t eat. He nimblycrafts the cabin, then the teepee,then the ring is cleared,and finally, the touchis made from birchbark tosultry wood that startsto hiss. In momentary joy,the tender allows his creationto sputter freely, coaxingair into the concentratedflame and ember. Both know the game, and hemust spoon feed the driestbrush or the agreementwill not hold. The fire tocrackle to life; the pot toboil on a stable grate of wood;the flames to lick high; to besatisfied, satisfied, yes Cooking on the fire is beans andrice and water for tea.Nothing better than black night andwarmed cheeks and knees.The spoon clinks and another stick is fed.Cleaned pot, ashesstomped, now it’s time for bed.
Between the Temples
from the series Movie Corner... 4.5/5 Stars Comedy/Drama/ RomanceSony Pictures Classics By HOWARD MCQUITTER II Howard McQuitter II A quadragenarian cantor at a synagogue is burdened with sadness and even suicidal tendencies after his wife’s death. (Her cause of death is revealed later in the film.) His name is Ben Gottlieb (Jason Schwartzman) and he lives in the basement of his mother’s (Caroline Aaron) house along with her partner Judith (Dolly De Leon). Both his mother Meira Gottlieb and Judith are hoping Ben moves out of their house soon. Ben ‘s depression is not only from his wife’s death but he has lost his singing voice.What happens next for Ben is serendipitous when he meets Carla Kessler (Carol Kane) at a bar. A patron has just punched Ben for his abrasive behavior. She lends a hand to Ben which in turn spawns a friendship. She’s much older than him which doesn’t seem to matter to him. Carla realizes she’s seeing a man in deep grief and in a crisis [...]
