Sunday, February 24, 2008

Le Mozart des Pickpockets

Tonight I'm watching the Oscars. I was fascinated to hear that a movie called "Le Mozart des ickpockets" had been nominated. I take it to mean that here Mozart's name is being used to signify genius and a child prodigy. Here's what the web says about it: I saw this movie at a special showing by a local film society of all the Oscar nominated Live Action Shorts about a week or so before the Oscars were announced. It's also currently available to watch online at Atom Films. However, I think it has a very small chance to win this year's Oscar because two other films, AT NIGHT and TANGHI ARGENTINI are better films. Now this ISN'T to say THE MOZART OF PICKPOCKETS is bad or didn't deserve the nomination--it is an exceptional and charming little comedy.The film starts with a group of pickpockets working the streets of Paris. Eventually, 3 of the 5 are caught--leaving the two dumbest crooks alone. At the same time, a mute little boy just appears from no where and follows the crooks home. Not knowing what to do, they decide to keep him.The film has so many cute twists and the ending is wonderful. However, I don't want to say more because it might spoil the suspense. Watch this one--it's a nice little film.

Friday, February 01, 2008

Court Recruits Mozart to deter trouble

Well, I'm sure that you know that Mozarts 252nd birthday was last Sunday and I hope you celebrated appropriately! Mozart's music is possibly the most popular classical music in the world, but did you know it is also being used to deter crime?? A reported for the Sacramento Bee, Christina Jewett, wrote recently that several locations in Sacramenta are blasting a Mozart violin concerto through loudspeakers when they see cars in their parking lots with people just sitting there, loitering and possibly "looking for trouble." Store managers say that when they crank up the classical music, the hoodlums quickly leave! What do YOU think of that kind of strategy?