Category: mystery

Gauguin

In February 2015 Gauguin’s Nafea Faa Ipoipo, (When Will You Marry?) sold for a record $300m making it the most expensive painting to go to sale.* Since then only Leonardo’s Salvator Mundi has broken that record for approximately $450m reinforcing Gauguin as an unquestioned historical master. Even if these values seem obscenely inflated it begs the question, what is behind the Gauguin phenomena and is it driven purely by aesthetic value? Continue reading Gauguin

The Talented Mr. Ripley

Its been nearly twenty years since the release of The Talented Mr. Ripley. I haven’t seen a screening in over ten and so it was a nice surprise to pick up a $3 copy at a charity store and an excuse for a night in.
Some of these films date over time but this one stands the test. From Patricia Highsmith’s novel of 1955, the 1999 film is directed by Anthony Minghella (The English Patient) and has a stellar cast with Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jude Law and Cate Blanchett. It’s hard to believe the film isn’t better recognized for this reason alone. It did garner five Academy Award nominations in 1999. Continue reading The Talented Mr. Ripley