Θάλαττα! Θάλαττα!

[sovay]

I have now seen the definitive screen version of Xenophon's Anabasis: the original theatrical cut of The Warriors (1979) was screening at the Harvard Film Archive tonight. I know it's only loosely based, but about thirty seconds into the midnight summit when I realized I could distinguish Cyrus' gang by their Persian robes, I started grinning and didn't stop until the sun came up over the sea at Coney Island. I am very glad that Orson Welles was not cast as the narrator, because Lynne Thigpen's DJ is all the epic tradition the film needs. I am also glad we saw a 35mm print, because derspatchel has explained to me how the director reshot the opening of the film to match his original vision of a live-action graphic novel and I cannot imagine it's more atmospheric than the Wonder Wheel drawing itself in neon against the dark, the lit-up windows of the Q train rattling by in the night. It's an amazing evocation of a fantasy world in an entirely recognizable city. I am told we need to see Streets of Fire (1984) next and then I can wander around trying to figure out what just happened to my brain.

This weekend was also marked by eating two meals in a row at M3—newly opened, just outside of Davis Square—but that is because they are the kind of restaurant about which you grab strangers by the lapels and proselytize, which is pretty much what I'm doing now. We tried them for dinner last night, when Rob essayed the beer can hen and I fulfilled some kind of primal need for shrimp and grits and we realized we were equally unable to keep from quoting The Muppet Movie (1979) when our frog legs with harissa arrived. I would have said that their signature dessert of deep-fried fluffernutter resembles a sandwich much less than it does some over-the-top version of French toast, but then Rob ordered the cinnamon bran French toast at brunch this afternoon and it was very clearly its own variety of over-the-top, so I'll just add that I had the pulled pork shoulder hash and the duck apple sausage and some of Rob's chicken and biscuits with buttermilk gravy and I feel it is only by the grace of the ghost of Apicius that I did not blow some kind of umami fuse. It may be worth noting that I haven't actually eaten again today. We split a ginger beer during the movie. There was licorice mint tea when we got home. When I can think about food again, though, I want to go back.

It did not make me happy to hear about Jerry Nelson or Neil Armstrong. Count von Count was one of the formative figures of my childhood and I do not like that a generation that went into space is dying out without a new one to take its place. I am glad that Armstrong saw Curiosity land on Mars, though. And I love Bradbury Landing. It is the sort of reference that a few weeks ago would have been thrown into a science fiction story as a small act of homage. Now, it's geography.

(Nothing had better happen to Dave Goelz any time soon, is all I'm saying.)

Comments

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

Oh man, just reading about the food you ate is making me want to plan a special trip to Davis Square (though: why couldn't it be Porter Square. I love the Porter Square T stop).

Also, I am so glad to have a friend who can distinguish Cyrus's gang by their robes. I'm carrying around the vicarious shine.

[nineweaving.livejournal.com]

Now I want your book on food and drink as well...

That movie sounds amazing. Persian robes?

Nine

[kdsorceress.livejournal.com]

Now I am interested in this Anabasis business.

I have an especially soft spot for the warriors because, when I was sixteen, a group that does movies outside in the location they were shot did Warriors, on Coney Island, and proceeded it with a scavenger hunt throughout the city where each team got to dress up as one of the gangs. Running through NYC wearing all black when the weather's well over 100 degreesF? Not fun. Still one of the best things I have ever done.

~Sor

[cucumberseed.livejournal.com]

Now I am hungry, sad and WARRIORS COME OUT AND PLAY!

Because you mentioned New York, of which I dreamt last night

[three-magpies.livejournal.com]

A Coney Island of the Mind - Lawrence Ferlinghetti

The pennycandystore beyond the El
is where I first
fell in love
with unreality
Jellybeans glowed in the semi-gloom
of that september afternoon
A cat upon the counter moved among
the licorice sticks
and tootsie rolls
and Oh Boy Gum

Outside the leaves were falling as they died

A wind had blown away the sun

A girl ran in
Her hair was rainy
Her breasts were breathless in the little room

Outside the leaves were falling
and they cried
Too soon! too soon!

[mrbelm.livejournal.com]

Spare yourself the atonal agony that is Streets of Fire.

[vr-trakowski.livejournal.com]

It is the sort of reference that a few weeks ago would have been thrown into a science fiction story as a small act of homage. Now, it's geography.

Areography, surely? ;P

May I quote you?

[ap-aelfwine.livejournal.com]

I'm glad for the movie and the meals. I'd heard of The Warriors, but had no idea that there were references made in dress to ancient Persia.

Good on the ghost of Apicius for his grace bestowed upon you!

I'm sorry for the shared losses of such significant figures.

(Nothing had better happen to Dave Goelz any time soon, is all I'm saying.)

Agreed.

[ashlyme.livejournal.com]

I've never seen this film, but it sounds familiar: have you talked about it before? It sounds amazing, anyway.

Wonder Wheel?
Sorry, mind if I ask you about this?

Okay, I need to get hold of liquorice mint tea.

[ladymondegreen.livejournal.com]

(Nothing had better happen to Dave Goelz any time soon, is all I'm saying.)

Or Frank Oz.

Sorry to have missed you this weekend. Did my texts ever come in?