The Cannibal Bonbon

Hillarious!

The Gypsy Gentleman Episode 4

The Gypsy Gentleman - Episode 04: San Diego y Tijuana from Marcus Kuhn on Vimeo.

The Gypsy Gentleman Episode 3

The Gypsy Gentleman - Episode 03: San Francisco from Marcus Kuhn on Vimeo.

 

This is a great documentary on tattooing in my old home town. I find it very unfortunate, however that they kept the comment by Jason Kundell's about bj's. It is such bad stereotypical tattoo artist behavior to talk like that especially in the town that created "gentleman tattooers". Tattoo artists that did a lot to be respected as real artists and not trash talkers that in my opinion pull our business into the gutter and perpetuate a bad attitude about tattooing. The rest of the film is great, it must have been hard for Marcus to choose from all of the great talent in San Francisco.

The Gypsy Gentleman Episode 2

The Gypsy Gentleman - Episode 02: Austin, Texas from Marcus Kuhn on Vimeo.

Hugo Cabret

Another magic moment on the first of January was going to see the new Scorcese film, Hugo Cabret. I was delighted to discover they had made a film from this graphic novel that I enjoyed so much. I found the book, written by Brian Selznick while searching for George Melies DVDs on Amazon. The story is based on a lot of real events and people from the era I adore in Paris "La Belle Epoque". The old Gare d'Orleans which is now the Musée d'Orsey. The huge clock that is still there. The train accident where a train crashed through the walls and landed outside the building. The sad destiny of George Melies, an artistic genius who lost everything and ended selling toys out of a stand at said station. All weaved together to tell a fictional story about romantic but demoded, abandoned marvels.

That was probably the best day of 2012 (already!) and now that I survived last thursday which will probably go down as the worst day of 2012, I think I can look forward to a mild rest of the year!

Please go see the film, it is really swell!

 

The Ross Sisters- Contortionists

Our friend Lily, a very cool chick sent us this video. The Ross Sisters sings a little like the Andrew Sisters, are very cute and can do contortion!

George Melies at Pere Lachaise

When Melissa was here I made it a point to look for my favorite cinematographer at the famous cemetery Pere Lachaise. I only recently heard that he was buried there.

 

 

 
He was the first artist in film making. He started out as a magician and bought out the magic theatre of Robert Houdin. He made a designed every part of his films and created the first special effects using his knowledge of trompe l'oeil as a magician. Sadly when the machines and factories of Hollywood picked up speed he was run over and ended bankrupt. No one appreciated his gift to cinema until just shortly before his death. His movie studio has been destroyed and he himself burnt all his films out of desperation. His last job was selling tin toys out of a kiosk at the Gare d'Orleans, which is now the Musée D'Orsay.

Some of his films still exist and there is a DVD box set available. They are pure magic.

 

 

Dan Santoro- Part 3

Tattoo Age Dan Santoro Part 1

Harpy Surrealist Film

Thanks Nora for sending a link to this clip on youtube!