the alley Newspaper | News & Views of Phillips Since 1976

Movie Corner: A Haunting in Venice

Written by the alley on 01 November 2023

3.5/5 Stars

20th Century Studios 2023

Mystery/Drama/Thriller

By HOWARD MCQUITTER II

a photo of the author — Howard McQuitter II

First, Haris Zambarloukos’ cinematography of Venice is stunning. Second, Kenneth Branagh as detective Hercule Poirot in Agatha Christie fashion, I think passes the test here. He has taken Christie’s characters in previous work such as the remakes of Murder on the Orient Express and Death on the Nile.

Venice seems to draw one in from almost any point. It has ancient villas, grand cathedrals and narrow streets. It also has the sense of romance, intrigue and danger, (at least in the movies). A couple of films that may reflect these sensations are Eva (1962), directed by the late Joseph Losey, a drama/romance; and Don’t Look Now (1973), directed by the late Nicolas Roeg, a drama/horror/mystery.

The year is 1947, the winds of World War II in the minds of the people. Detective Hercule Poirot has recently retired and moved to Venice. In one of the early scenes, Hercule Poirot (Kenneth Branagh) is sitting with a friend, mystery writer Ariadne Oliver (Tina Fey), somewhere in Venice. She asks him to attend a seance, but he’s skeptical believing seances to be nonsense. To please his friend, he goes along with attending the event.… Read the rest “Movie Corner: A Haunting in Venice”

What’s the Future of Phillips Gateway Cultural Mosaic Art?

Written by the alley on 01 November 2023

Made By Rafala Green and Hundreds of Youth Artists 30 Years Ago at Franklin and Chicago

Section of Throne Plaza. Photo: City of Minneapolis

The viability of the Phillips Gateway Plaza, at the NE corner of Peavey Park, is now under review by the City of Minneapolis, which is responsible for its maintenance and upkeep.

If you have thoughts about the Plaza or public art in general, please fill out the city’s survey to help determine its future.

If you have questions related to this survey or project please contact Sarah Linnes-Robinson, Contractor, MPLS Art in Public Places, at sarah.linnesrobinson@minneapolismn.gov. Scan the QR code to go to the survey.

The alley newspaper, June, 2023 featured an interview with Edric Knight, a community member involved in the construction of the Phillips Gateway Touchstone Plaza. In that interview, he reminisced about its history in the community and the artist behind it, Rafala Green.