Spotlight on a Classic

Here's a little movie trivia before you begin watching an amazing classic.

The first on-screen depiction of a vampire was captured in Nosferatu. The story is based on Bram Stoker's Dracula. But the director, F.W. Murnau, couldn't secure the rights to the book. So, he changed the film's title and made some adjustments to the script. Still, many similarities between the movie and book remained and, as a result, its film company shut down after the movie's completion in an attempt to avoid a copyright infringement suit. Years later, the movie Shadow of a Vampire paid homage to the stunning black and white - another great vampire flick starring William Defoe and John Malkovich.

Enjoy the film! It also features a brief introduction:

Brain Candy

If you want to read something funny, quirky and sexy, try Candy Girl by Diablo Cody. The author is not only an expert wordsmith (she won an Oscar for her screenplay for the movie Juno) but also worked as a kick ass stripper. My kind of girl! I enjoy women who are not afraid to display their intelligence as well as their sensuality. Check her out on David Letterman:

Please Donate to my Noble and Worthy Cause

In light of the turbulent economic times, I ask you to open your hearts and your pocket books and help purchase me this $400 dollar art print:

Now, I know what you're thinking, "What nerve! People around the country are losing their jobs, struggling to pay mortgages, our public schools are underfunded and you're asking me to give you money?"

But consider this: during the day as I prance around as one sheep in a crowd of many, I also work as a web editor for a site that targets bankers. And though my company has laid off as many people as J.P. Morgan Chase, Citibank and Bank of America combined, I have somehow remained. But for how long?

So I humbly ask you to help me purchase this beautiful art print by James Jean because I want to know what it feels like to needlessly spend and waste money. I also want to know what the banks felt when they issued lines of credit and loans to people with credit scores of 100. I want to know, even just for a brief moment, if these grand failures in judgment and even greater leaps of greediness were worth the current credit crunch and job losses.

Please send donation offers to localmotion.mia@gmail.com. I accept Paypal, money orders and cashiers checks. I even accept cash mailed to my home address. Hell, I'll accept used DVDs in good condition that I can sell on eBay. I'll also accept issues of Wired magazine. And um, any food products I can store for months at a time and fancy pens and pencils. And, if you're especially sympathetic to my cause, a Caribbean vacation would be just fine!

Miami Spice Time!

Miami Spice is back. Some of the finest (err, most expensive) restaurants in Miami, Miami Beach and South Miami are offering three course lunches for just $24.00 or three course dinners at $36.00. The offer runs until February 12th.

First timers, here are some tips: go to the Miami Spice Web site and look for the list of participating restaurants. This is important because some restaurants only offer the three course dinner or do not offer the specials during the weekend. Also, be aware that each restaurant has a specific Miami Spice menu that is separate from their normal menu. Miami Spice menus typically offer between one to three appetizer choices, two to three main dishes and one to three dessert options. Some restaurants even post their Miami Spice menu online. So, doing a little Web research is worth your time.

Art Walk this Saturday

Every second Saturday of the month, the art galleries in the Wynwood and Design District open their doors from 7 until 10pm offering us, Miami folk, a peek into their collections. Though I can't guarantee you will always like, understand or respect what you see, the experience of gallery hopping is fun, free and usually involves free wine or beer.

Some nights are better than others. On those off nights, making fun of the pretentiousness of the art world with a group of friends makes it a worthwhile venture. A lot of the so-called high brow art is often nothing more than a quotidian mirror of banality; an illusion of beauty, at best. But, when you see something good, it's damn good. Exceptional art is a reminder that, though as a species we are capable of the most horrible brutality, violence, cruelty and cowardliness, we are also capable of provoking beauty, mystery, tenderness, intelligence, sensitivity and compassion.

Here are a couple of photos taken from past Art Walks:

Shakespeare in the Park for Free

In South Florida, we are lucky to be enjoying easy breezy weather while the rest of the country is shoveling inches upon inches of snow. So, between January 9th through the 25th, don't miss the opportunity to see Shakespeare's Macbeth in the open air. These plays will be performed at three different parks around Miami and Miami Beach for free. So, at least one location should be close to you. Don't forget your blankets and picnic baskets!

Here is the schedule:

Week 1- Miami Beach
January 9, 10, 11 at 7pm
Flamingo Park
999 11th St.
Miami Beach, Fl 33139

Week 2- Coconut Grove
January 15, 16, 17 & 18 at 7:30pm
Peacock Park
2820 Macfarlane Rd.
Miami, Fl 33133

Week 3 - Miami Gardens
January 22, 23, 24 & 25 at 7:30pm
Florida Memorial University
15800 N. W. 42 Ave.
Miami Gardens, Fl 33054

For more info, go here.