Category Archives: Europe

Amélie the spy

Posted on March 23, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

In my humble opinion no film in the last 50 years has done more for Paris tourism than Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s charming Le fabuleux destin d’Amélie Poulain. Best know in the U.S. as simply Amélie, the 2001 movie stars Audrey Tautou … Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, Film | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Monday, Monday, can’t trust that day

Posted on March 20, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

Film studio “Animācijas Brigāde” is a stop motion puppet animation film studio, producing puppet films and commercials. Working in classic stop motion technique, the Riga-based studio was founded in 1966 by a puppet film and theater director Arnolds Burovs and since … Continue reading →

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“Mourir auprès de toi”

Posted on March 18, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

Directed by the inimitable Spike Jonze the short film “Mourir auprès de toi” (“To Die by Your Side”), which takes its title from one of the emotionally wrenching Smiths’ song, is a love story for booklovers, set in Paris’ beloved … Continue reading →

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‘Don’t be a tourist – be an Explorist’

Posted on March 15, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

The folks from Denmark’s tourism marketing group Visit Denmark have cleverly brought major artworks such as the Mona Lisa, Girl With the Pearl Earring, Van Gogh’s self-portrait, and the Statue of Liberty to life using AI to encourage travelers to … Continue reading →

Posted in Animation, apps, Art, Europe, Film, Museums, Tourism | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Fat-Headed Censors

Posted on March 14, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

You would have to have been living under a basket to avoid the recent brouhaha over the re-editing of classic books by so-called sensitivity readers and editors. Here in the Colonies we’ve been through this with the books of Dr. … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Books, Europe, Freedom of Speech, Libraries, USA, Writing | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

The art of travel

Posted on March 13, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

I recently discovered the marvelous travel poster art created by Polish artist Stefan Norblin (1892-1952). Trained as a painter, Norblin had a diverse career as a portrait painter, muralist, costume designer, illustrator, and interior decorator. When the Germans invaded in … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Europe, Public Transport, Tourism, Travel Writing | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Piracy Rules

Posted on March 3, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

I was today years old when I discovered that the Dread Pirate Roberts of Princess Bride book and movie fame was an actual person. Not only was Welsh pirate Bartholomew Roberts (1682-1722) a famous swashbuckler, he was the most successful … Continue reading →

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Ukraine and Banksy share a message

Posted on March 2, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

I’m a big fan of the elusive British street artist known as Banksy. His ability to provide artistic social commentary with humor and incisiveness is unrivaled. Now the Ukrainian postal service has released a stamp featuring artwork by Banksy to mark … Continue reading →

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Almost as good as being there

Posted on February 28, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

The modern poster dates back to the late 19th century when the printing industry perfected color lithography. This advance in printing allowed the whole new art form of color posters to flourish. Advertising agencies were quick to exploit the new … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Europe, Public Transport, Tourism, Travel Writing | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

everything at heaven’s gate is broken up into its component parts

Posted on February 25, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

“A Society of Scoundrels” by Franz Kafka Translated by Michael Hofmann There was once a society of scoundrels, or rather not scoundrels per se, just ordinary, average people. They always stuck together. When one of them had perpetrated some rascally … Continue reading →

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