Attended some of the press screenings at the New York Film Festival. I haven’t been in a couple of years, for various reasons, and it’s been so sad for me. I loved getting up in the morning and heading to Walter Reade, surrounded by colleagues, to watch these gorgeous films. Or, not so gorgeous. Whatever. It doesn’t matter. Films by Claire Denis, Radu Jude, Hong Sang-soo. It was glorious. I sat with Keith, I sat with Glenn – whom I haven’t seen in a couple of years. I loved catching up. Gossiping. Of course. Keith and I sat outside at the Lincoln Center plaza, having lunch, one eye on the clock.
The biggest day, of course, was getting a copy of my book in the mail. Still under wraps until publication (Oct. 28). Happy and proud. It’s been a long tough journey.
Frankie lies in my dad’s chair and warms his feet in the sun.
Frankie, in presidential profile (or what used to be a presidential profile, it pains me to say). The two watercolors behind him are by my mother, both based on photos I took – one of Alexander Hamilton’s statue in Weehawken, with lower Manhattan (pre-freedom tower) across the river. (the photo’s at the bottom of this post.) Granted, Hamilton wasn’t President, but he had an impressive profile. I used to live right around the corner from there, as old-timers know. I probably wrote more about Alexander Hamilton than I wrote about Cary Grant. And this was PRE-Lin Manuel Miranda. I was ahead of the game. Glad you all caught up. The bottom watercolor is based on a picture I took at dawn of Court Square Park in Memphis. Because it was 2013 and I was wandering around before the dawn through Memphis. Not smart. I met a pimp. I wrote about that. I love my dawn photos of Memphis. I didn’t even know these watercolors existed until early 2024. I was visiting Mum and she pulled them off a shelf, like “Oh here, look at these.” They were just loose pieces of paper. I am so happy to have them.
Petty. Meaningless. But honest, and therefore satisfying.
David came over and helped me hang these things, because I just couldn’t get it done. He brought his level and measuring tape – he has an algebraic brain. My place has not felt the same without Elvis and John and Gena in prominent positions. (And check out my new television.) The picture of John and Gena was taken by Sam Shaw, and I ripped it out of an Interview magazine interview with Gena Rowlands back in 1993 or 1994. I was in Chicago, at any rate. I ripped it out – you can still see the rip – and went to Xerox and had a copy made. It’s sepia-toned at this point, it’s been on my wall ever since then, but I will never EVER get rid of it. (I wrote a long post about this particular photo – and the ripped-out picture – back when I got my first gig for Criterion, writing on Gena for the release of Love Streams.)
I drove up to Boston so I could see One Battle After Another in VistaVision. I think only three theatres in the country are showing the film in VistaVision. The theatre was packed. It was a blast. Loved the film.
When the boat returns to the side yard, you know it’s fall.
My mother and I walked the sea wall on a perfect day. The water was green and blue, the tide was low(ish), it was windy, but not too much, the sun was warm. We saw a precariously placed rock on the rocks below us.
We gathered at a little Italian restaurant in North Providence to celebrate Steven’s birthday. My brother and I went together. Old old friends. Since we were teenagers. Very warm atmosphere, and a happy event. It’s been a rough rough year for all of us. Serious illnesses, life changes, caretaker duties, nonstop. And the year’s not over yet.
