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Let’s do it again!

8 Jun


Still on a kick to see scenes of Atlanta caught on film a couple of decades ago, I watched Let’s Do It Again, one of Sidney Poitier and Bill Cosby’s three blaxploitation/caper films of the mid-70s directed by Poitier. Released in 1975 (Maynard’s first year as mayor), Let’s Do It Again was set in Atlanta and New Orleans, so I didn’t really pay attention during the majority of the action set in the latter city, but the plot isn’t too complicated – Clyde (Poitier) and Billy (Cosby) want to get the money to pay for a new building for their secret society, so they hypnotize a shrimpy boxer into thinking he is really good and they bet on him, but then the bad guys figure out the scam! I can say that it is a cute movie with fantastic ’70s clothing, a star-studded cast, inventive character names (Bubbletop, Fish ‘n’ Chips), a Curtis Mayfield/Staple Singers soundtrack, and Bill Cosby’s body hair.

The first 15 minutes or so are set in Atlanta. Halfway through and six months later, the story returns to Atlanta but only very briefly (right before they go back to New Orleans to “do it again”).

Let’s find out about Clyde and Billy! Clyde is a milk man for old Atlanta Dairies.
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Industrial design, y’all!

3 Jun

Oh, I meant to post this earlier this week and then, you know – three day weekend and all – time just slipped away.

Do you know what an “industrial designer” is? Are they just people who design factories? No…and yes. I still don’t really understand what industrial design is, even after guest speaking in an actual industrial design class.

Well, does this poster explain it for you?

Of course not! You know how these “artistic types” can be. So obtuse.

Here’s what I know: Tomorrow, Saturday, June 5, Atlanta’s hottest ID darlings People of Resource (these guys) are hosting YALL & US [sic] – a bunch of designers are showing stuff in the People of Resource studio in the Telephone Factory lofts, in conjunction with Modern Atlanta. Get a sneak peak at some of the product designs here, or just go on Saturday!

Also – free Blenheim and bourbon, Pimm’s cups, and PBR, and a chance to spot some of the cool new styles of eyewear. Isn’t that all you really wanted to know?

7:30 – 11:30 p.m.
828 Ralph McGill Boulevard, N.E.

Unseen Underground

18 Apr

Unseen Underground was my favorite of the Atlanta Preservation Center’s Phoenix Flies tours I attended last month. Local architect Jeff Morrison leads the 2-1/2-hour, 3-mile trek under and around the city’s viaducts and he’s offering it again this Saturday at 1 PM:

Is Underground Atlanta really underground?  Are there still trains beneath the streets of Atlanta?  How did Atlanta come to be where it is?  This unique walking tour explores the history of Atlanta through the forgotten spaces beneath the viaducts that span the railroads in the heart of downtown.  We will follow the development of the city around the railroad junction, exploring the sites of Terminal and Union Stations and the few historical elements that remain.  We will discuss the importance of the Zero Milepost, but unfortunately at this time it cannot be accessed.

I know, it will also be the Inman Park Festival, but maybe you’d rather wander around a totally desolate part of town rather than a packed family-friendly neighborhood event. Maybe you’d rather relive the opening scene of Sharky’s Machine than see a convertible full of pugs and crazy ladies cruise slowly through tree-lined streets.

I don’t want to post Jeff’s email address here so contact me if you want the info on this or future tours (he offers them a few times a year).

St. Patrick’s Day, again??

17 Mar

It would be so easy to write another throwaway St. Patrick’s Day post about Thomas Wheatley. TOO EASY. BEEN THERE, DONE THAT. Instead, we will talk about the most famous Irish person to ever emerge from Atlanta (really, Jonesboro): Scarlett O’Hara.
Okay, so she wasn’t a “real” person. And this isn’t a “real” photograph of her, but just a Madame Alexander doll. But you know what is real? This video Stevie Nicks did, the forgotten, original “Stand Back” music video, inspired by Gone With the Wind! (more…)

We got scooped

5 Mar

The ever-helpful Thomas Wheatley mentioned the 1992 sci-fi action film Freejack in the comments of one of the countless things I’ve written about Dowtown, but I didn’t notice until someone stole the clip for post fodder at Atlanta Metblogs. Fair enough! But I’m still using Thomas’ tip since I was just talking about Sharky’s Machine not so long ago.

Freejack, starring Emilio Estevez, Rene Russo, Anthony Hopkins, and Mick Jagger, is supposed to take place in the Bronx and Manhattan in 2009, but they shot this particular scene in Downtown Atlanta in the very early 1990s. The Civic Center MARTA station and the old Atlanta Constitution building have cameos.


This is basically no different than how people drive on West Peachtree now.

According to Thomas, this is the only scene filmed in Downtown Atlanta, but there are probably plenty of scenes like this:

Previously: Vintage violence

Planet Shark

3 Mar

I just have to say, I haven’t been to the Aquarium in a long time, mainly because I didn’t think my daughter was old enough to appreciate it, and because the crowds get to be a little much for me.  But free blogger day passes?  Yes, please.  In all honesty though, I would have paid to see the Planet Shark exhibit.  It was absolutely awesome.  It’s really dark and there’s spooky music playing and friendly guides who come and chat with you about some of the items on display.  The progression of the exhibit is pretty perfect, starting with the usual skeletons, teeth, and interactive computer displays.  My two year old really liked looking at the shark poop.  Then it transitions to the spooky portion, which includes long hallway/tunnel that is completely wallpapered in articles about shark attacks, and they play audio from interviews with shark attack victims.  It’s pretty intense.  It turns factual again, featuring all types of life-sized “shark suits,” before ending with a plea for help on behalf of the sharks.  With my 2 year old in tow, I kind of had to skip some of the sections, since I didn’t want to scar her for life, but my husband was enthralled.  I’m pretty sure if you were a ten year old boy, you would want to move in.  What I wasn’t expecting was the emotional reaction that came up for me in the end of the exhibit.  Maybe it was the case of snacks made of various shark parts, or the shark replicas tangled up in fish nets, but I admit it, I cried a little for those sharks.  And I wasn’t even PMSing.  I could go on, but I won’t.  Instead, I’ll present you lovely readers first with a coupon for the exhibit, and then with some of the promotional media they passed on to me.  Enjoy!

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Vintage violence

28 Feb

Friday night we watched Sharky’s Machine. This is 100% a Burt Reynolds vanity vehicle – directed by and starring Burt, he has maybe three spoken lines and spends most of the movie smoking silently in a hotel room on stakeout watching a high-class prostitute.

So why would we even bother to watch this poorly-edited, poorly-acted cop film? Because it was shot primarily in Downtown in the late ’70s. There are some cool scenes of Five Points, Kenny’s Alley, Trinity Avenue, the Westin, Peachtree Center, and the old viaducts. The only time the story leaves Downtown is an outside shot of Callanwolde Fine Arts Center, which in the film is a heroin binge den/prostitution ring hub. Everyone speaks with cliched NYPD accents even though the film is set in Georgia. (Well, everyone except for Ralph, a tranny prostitute.) But I would rather be confused by Brooklyn accents in the APD’s vice squad than hear terrible forced, fake Southern accents, so we let that inconsistency go.

Here are the first ten minutes of Sharky’s Machine to get you hooked. Recognize anything? (It’s easier to spot familiar buildings and sights when watching on non-pixelated DVD.)

Warning: Swear words and violence! Someone gets murdered on a MARTA bus.

There are also cameos from Atlanta’s star newscasters of that era: Monica (Kaufman) Pearson, Wes Sarginson, Dave Michaels, and Forrest Sawyer.

We watched it at the invitation of “Kaneharvest,” noted Downtown expert and inventor of the parking deck tour. If you don’t know the C&S building from a hole in the ground then be sure you screen this film with someone who does, otherwise it won’t be fun.

(According to some sources, Mark Wahlberg is remaking Sharky’s Machine. It supposedly won’t be set in Atlanta so who cares?)

Previously: Fact, fiction, and mystery

History in the making

26 Feb

I was looking over the Atlanta Preservation Center’s Phoenix Flies sched for March 6-22, making my wish list. Don’t be fooled upon first glance! It looks like a lot of stuff but it’s really just 27 tours of the Wren’s Nest WHICH THEY OFFER EVERY DAY ANYWAY. Just sayin’!

But you guys, is the Oakland Cemetery tour about fraternal organizations going to be as exciting as the 2000 feature film The Skulls, starring Joshua Jackson and Paul Walker? That’s all I want to know.

Sweatin’ in ATL

17 Dec

First:

Second:
Was anyone else disappointed when initially you thought this was going to be a music video about the virtues of public transit but then you realized it might be about sex? But then you were un-disappointed when it turned out to be about going to Mary’s? But then you were kind of blown away when Mary’s interior looked like EuroSimCity/praise and worship portion of a megachurch conference?
Anyway, this is your Christmas miracle, a new song about Atlanta’s nightlife to replace “Tardy for the Party” in your jambox!! YAY!

(A million thanks to commenter “b4ce1″ for this.)

Husky, hairy, and homosexual

3 Jul

main_rightThese three days are not just a long weekend devoted blowing off fingers in celebration of our nation’s independence from an oppressive empire; it’s ATLANTA BEAR FEST! Don’t worry, it’s nothing to be frightened of, according to this recent article in the AJC:

Bears are on the move in north Georgia. A number of bear-related incidents have been reported in the past few weeks and months, including two on Thursday.
…
“We have a healthy, growing, really thriving bear population in Georgia and north Georgia in particular,” Hammond said. “We’re seeing bears in places where we haven’t seen them in some time.”
…
Some simple precautions Hammond suggests individuals take include never feeding a bear, respecting bear cubs and minimizing the amount of garbage, pet food and bird food kept outside.

Did you get that? RESPECT THE CUBS.

(I know, I know – it’s difficult not to be redundant when we’re over on Twitter and here.)

Previously: Community calendar

The most mystical 4th of July of all time

30 Jun

pasaquanlh11) Go to Pasaquan in Buena Vista, Georgia. What’s a Pasaquan, you ask? Let me tell you about a little blog known as “Pecanne Log” where a blogger talked about it once.

2) Get back to Atlanta in time to attend Sacred Geometry Atlanta’s Occult Origins of America Block Party. You can dress up like extras in the History Channel’s Aliens, Illuminati, and Our Founding Fathers special, or just draw golden spirals on your Peachtree Road Race t-shirt.

Reclaim_Flyer_small

This looks cosmic! And proceeds benefit WonderRoot.

Speaking of hidden secrets, I read Terminal Station with great interest to see that the old Masonic lodge on Moreland is up for redevelopment. (Photo here.) It has always been a dream of mine to buy that lodge, the Castle by Woodruff Arts Center, or the Kriegshaber House, also known as the decaying mansion further up on Moreland by DeKalb Avenue. You know, this one: (more…)

Revamping the Clermont Lounge

24 Jun

clermont design contest

Our very own Gomorrah has recently joined the ranks of Top Design and HDTV shows everywhere. The Clermont Lounge’s design contest, which began yesterday, is now in full swing and will continue through the deadline of July 22nd. So, any of you with artistic inklings of any sort (“designers, architects, students, creative geniuses, butlers, bell boys, photographers, tourists, bartenders, dancers and engineers” requested specifically) get to crackin’! Grand Prize for the redesign of the lobby and guest rooms in the hotel wins a weekend stay at the Clermont (Let’s hope this is post-redesign, otherwise plan on bringing your hazmat suit), a whopping $1,000 (Good), and a year supply of Whynatte (Is this the purple drank of latte’s?). Second place get’s a not quite as awesome prize of a tall boy and a lap dance. So far, I am a big fan of Creative Loafing’s design suggestion of emulating the infamous Chelsea Hotel.

Prêt-à-drama

21 May

6a00e54f05e1bb883400e5549112808834-800wi
The documentary Valentino: The Last Emperor is playing a limited engagement in Atlanta starting tomorrow at Tara. I have it on good authority (the film’s website) that director and Vanity Fair special correspondent Matt Tyrnauer will be holding Q&A sessions after Friday’s 7:15 p.m. screening as well as following all the Saturday shows. You can see the trailer here.

Miss Darrow will probably be in attendance at all showings with a million questions about what it’s like to travel with Valentino’s half-dozen pugs.

Additionally, Anvil! The Story of Anvil, also a documentary, opens tomorrow at Midtown Art Cinema. I had the opportunity to see it last weekend and it is so good – hilarious and human and sad and redeeming. To top off how endearing the film is, Lips and Robb from the band Anvil will actually be there opening night!

According to the theater: Steve “Lips” Kudlow and Robb Reiner of the band ANVIL will be at the Midtown on Friday, 5/22 for a Q&A following the 7:55pm showing. They will perform following the 10:05pm show. Anyone who has purchased a ticket for the 10:05 show will be allowed to remain for the performance. Do not miss this! These guys are incredible! Then go thrash at the Highlander afterward.

Ding Dong- Where the hell is Tom Selleck in all this?

15 May

TomSelleck2While everyone has been carrying on about Ashton Kutcher is  “ding dong dicking” everyone, I have not been able to stop wondering where Tom Selleck has been in all of this. While Ashton has been busy showing off how many Twitter friends he has, Tom Selleck has been hovering in the background with aging heartthrobs all over Atlanta.

Filming for their Five Killers movie has been going on all over Atlanta in various office buildings for weeks now but still there is no sign of Magnum outside of reruns on A&E. Has anyone seen him?

Oh look, we have good taste for once

15 May

Picture 4Y’all, Modern Atlanta, y’all! I think Modern Atlanta is doing some of the coolest stuff in town, along with Pecha Kucha and Brunks on Dikes.

TODAY is the kick-off party for their annual week of design-y type events (this year’s theme: “Design is Human”). This weekend is the home tour, which everyone should attend because it will teach you that neighborhoods should not implement design guidelines because modern architecture is awesome and NIMBYs have no place telling people they can’t build beautiful eco-friendly homes. You can gaze in envy at some of the homes on the MA Flickr page. There’s still time to rush to Octane and buy tickets ($25 for students!) that will get you into the party and the home tour. I understand there is some sort of “interactive exhibit” at the kick-off party that I suspect will be sexual in nature, so you don’t want to miss that.

There are other events that are free, so study the lineup and try to at least send yourself on the PoMo tour.

Graffiti hike with Dosa Kim this Saturday

9 Apr


Designer Dosa Kim will be guiding a tour of Atlanta’s graffiti art on Saturday morning. The urban hike starts at 10 AM at Park Grounds in Reynoldstown.  If he takes you where I’m guessing he’ll take you, you better wear your close-toed sneakers. (via Urban Hiking Atlanta)

March: What your neighbors are watching

31 Mar

March 2009
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If anyone picks Paul Blart, you are banned forever

24 Mar

I’m not sure if this is supposed to be open to everyone, but whatever, now it is: you can vote for what you think Georgia Tech’s summer film series Flicks on 5th should screen! We hope Pecanne Log readers are as classy as we like to think they are and all write in Brideshead Revisited.

The scheduled dates for Flicks on 5th are June 10, 17, 24, July 8, 15, and 22. Now that Screen on the Green is at Centennial Olympic Park possibly forever, Flicks on 5th is your only Midtown option for outdoor summer films.

rudoycursi3378665789_b639ecc402But first, it’s almost Atlanta Film Festival time! This year they are featuring some incredible films from Mexico; the closing night is Rudo y Cursi (a marvelous quién es quien of Mexican cinema). As usual, I am desperate to make it to all of the AFF films and events but will be lucky if I make it to one movie.

But first, the cult-celluloid-inspired We Are Going To Eat You opens at Mint Gallery Saturday, April 4. The show is curated by Turner Classic Movies’ Eric Weber and Millie De Chirico. Oooh, this looks so good. There are over 20 artists involved (see Jon Walters’ flyer on the right).

But first, Whitespace Gallery hosts At Loose Ends, three evenings of underground film curated by Brad Lapin. Friday nights are free screenings of documentaries that follow the art and lives of unconventional filmmakers Guy Maddin (April 3), Jack Smith (March 27), Nick Zedd, and Richard Kern (April 27).

Teenage pizza party all over again!

19 Mar

partyflyerMy favorite pizza place in Atlanta, Cameli’s, is turning 13 and hosting a big birthday blow-out on Saturday. For $8, you get “free” pizza, Atlas Sound, Abby Go Go, and Facehugger. I don’t know how beer factors into that cover, except that it will be there.

The party is downstairs from Cameli’s, meaning Underground Murder Kroger will definintely be more hopping than Underground Atlanta.

Atlanta welcomes Joaquin Phoenix!

27 Feb

Pecanne Log’s trusted source sites have confirmed that tonight Joaquin Phoenix in all of his post-break down glory will be at Lenny’s tonight. This is no sham. A Myspace bulletin from Lenny’s Bar revealed that the secret guest performer for this evenings Fuggin Awesome One Year Anniversary Party is indeed none other than post-breakdown Phoenix.

joaquin

Straight from the horse’s mouth (well, Lenny’s bulletin):

“PLEASE NO PHOTOGRAPHY DURING Joaquin Phoenixx SET!
THIS IS NOT A JOKE! WE COULD NOT TELL PEOPLE TILL TODAY! ( YOU CAN REPOST IF YOU LIKE!!)
Joaquin Phoenixx will be bring his REAL RAP GAME!
GET READY ATL!!!!!!!!!!”

If he can live up to the rap performance he has been promising since leaving the film stage, this night is going to be one you tell the grandkids about. I find it hard to believe that anyone has better plans than this.

UPDATE: The party poopers at Paste say it’s a hoax. Whatever, people, keep the dream alive!

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