Monday, March 2, 2009

Southern Comfort

Sorry for the wait -- all the snow here has separated me from computer (just kidding). With a good 10 inches (for you so metrically inclined that 25.4 cms) with more coming a little later today I was enjoying The Snowy Day (shout out Ezra Jack Keats).

But all this snow bring the call for a little Southern Exposure.

It looks like Austin is getting his Southern Gothic on and getting into the vibe of Southern Gothic Productions. How, by lifting literature, or at least that is what Hillarie is claiming from this transcript of a chat she and Nick had with everyone.

HB: Um… oh, god… who do I just, love? I mean, I was gonna say, [holds up another book] Truman Capote’s stuff really, really hits me. My favorite book of his was The Grass Harp and I had a copy of it but I’m pretty sure Mr. Austin Nichols has it right now.
NG: What a surprise…
HB: What a surprise! Theivin’ Nichols.

What else would a lit major steal but books.

Now Mr. Nichols, you admit to lying, drinking, mooning, flirting, howling and now there's talk of stealing. No doubt you're a gambling and doing other things that would make southern ladies roll in their graves or would they, you just might not seem them grin more than wag their finger. Cause your grin could charm the panties off a granny.

Southern Gothic builds on the traditions of the larger Gothic genre, typically including supernatural elements, mental disease, and the grotesque. Much Southern Gothic literature, however, eschews the supernatural and deals instead with disturbed personalities. It's is known for its flawed, damaged and delusional characters, such as the heroines of Tennessee Williams' plays. Instead of perpetuating romanticized stereotypes of the Antebellum South, it brings the stock characters of melodrama and Gothic novels to a Southern context in order to make a point about Southern mores.

Southern Gothic literature often deals with the plight of those who are ostracized or oppressed by traditional Southern culture - blacks, women, and gays, for example. Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird deals with a clearly innocent black man who is convicted of rape and murdered simply because of his race. Tennessee William's A Streetcar Named Desire reinvents the Southern belle as a pretentious, mentally unstable woman, and his Cat on a Hot Tin Roof portrays the favorite son of a Southern dynasty as a repressed homosexual whose alcoholism threatens his marriage. William Faulkner's frequently anthologized "A Rose for Emily" brings the recurrent Gothic theme of unrequited love leading to madness to a Southern town in which the disapproving residents narrate in a single voice. Other notable writers in the Southern Gothic tradition include Flannery O'Connor, Carson McCullers, Eudora Welty, and of course Truman Capote.

A modern example of Southern Gothic is Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. It has all the elements of a true Southern Gothic novel in a true life story that took place in what people see as in the genteel southern city of Savannah. The story of outsider who's made it into Savannah society accused of murdering his younger, and to many an opportunist, lover. And it brings out all kinds of characters that weave there way like Spanish Moss hanging from the tree in Savannah. But what it appears and what really it is true of Savannah. And that's Southern Gothic. The hanging Spanish moss everywhere and get to know you conversation starting with "whatdaya drink?" instead of "what do you do?" helps add to it.

I can see what the draw is to Austin and other actors, because the life of an actor is about appearing not as their reality, celebrating the eccentricities, and what actor doesn't want to play a part of a flaw character.


Talking about appearances ---Austin is making a few in some great pictures over at Spooky's. Check out the newest picture of him on the set of OTH. And check out her beautiful artistic interpretation.

32 comments:

destiny said...

I like the idea of Austin "stealing" books.

Hmmm,I don't know anything about Brian Austin Green, but if those things are true about him then that could be one reason he's Jake's type. Then there's the middle name, of course, and in the pictures of him on imdb it looks like he has the same kind of looks as Austin.

Anonymous said...

Julia Roberts slept with nearly all of her male co-stars (and probably a few of the females, since she is no stranger to lesbian affairs).

Ted is implying that Reese and Joaquin had an affair.

What I heard was that she broke his heart - shattered it, completely.

Anonymous said...

What I heard was that she broke his heart - shattered it, completely.

LOL! BS made up by WTL/"Reese and Joaquin are meant to be" fangirls.

Anonymous said...

Another Spesh-and-Wicked-Have Outdone-Themselves-Post post. So interesting! Hope you're are enjoying your snow day. :)

Anonymous said...

Your snow day sounds a lot like ours, Spesh :)

Great post - Southern Gothic(k) one of my favourite literary and movie genres.

Nicole T said...

loved the blog!
i'm glad you are promoting Southern Gothic Productions! I can't wait to see Austin in Pedestrian, I know he will be awesome.
I am glad my SGP transcript came of use to you as well =]

love always,
Nicole T

prairiegirl said...

London, you getting some snow, too? Alot of ours is melting fast right now, woohooo! Great walk nonetheless today, just fantastic. Then as I was slowing down, nearing the end, a fisherman stopped me. heavy sigh, that means I have to turn off my IPod and stop. Never a good thing to just stop like that after getting the heartrate up, remember that if you're ever inclined to stop a jogger/walker to chat. But anyways, he was intrigued by my walking stick and we proceeded to have this, like, 15 min. conversation about the walking stick, diabetes, and vegetables. Oh nooooo! I forgot the new vegetable he told me about. And I was going to google it. koberry? kohlbal? ko-something. Sort of in the cabbage family or tubular shaped or something. Oh brother, I can't believe I forgot it. But, it was about 1 1/2 hrs ago. And something about a book on diabetes by Richard Bernstein that he said is very good.

The people one runs into at my park.

Destiny, Brian Austin Green was in Beverly Hills 90210. I used to watch that for a little while.

And I used to loooooove Southern Comfort. I liked it straight or just in Coke. Haven't had it for ages now.

london tb said...

Kohl rabi, PG?

No, our snow was a little while ago, but was just as deep (pretty unusual here).

Special K said...

My best memory of Savannah. We went to Bonaventure cemetery to take pictures. (They have moved the Bird Girl, because people kept trying to take pieces of it). The cemetery is on the edge of town, and it gets a little sketchy getting there. And they close the gates at sunset. So we were racing down there. It was overcast and all the trees in there were covered in Spanish Moss. And there were statuary everywhere. So off we went down to the back of the cemetery.

I was taking black and whites, and the murky sky was getting darker as the day was ending. I didn't know if I could get anything or not and it was pretty deserted and kind of spooky.

Then these two older ladies in their 60's pull up next to our car and get out. They pull out a thermos and glasses, and couple of chairs. They said if we had some glasses we could join them them for Bloody Marys. They said it was cocktail hour.

I wasn't sure who was further around the bend the two grandmas having cocktails in the cemetery or me talking to the statues as I took their picture going yes, fabulous, love it.

At that is my Southern Gothic moment.

Anonymous said...

I've been away in Patagonia (great place but rainy and the food's abit dodgy) for the past month have only just caught up with the Reeking and Toothing that's recently happened. Looking over February's reeking activity, what surprises me is how little Reeking has actually been taking place. What is it, two / three reekes in the past month. (okay the VF party was fairly major but was ameliorated by Reese looking such a fright in that awful dress)

The main thing that really strikes me is how Austin just improves and improves on further aquaintance. All this southern gothic stuff is fab, I love the idea of him helping to set out the drinks tables and also shouting from roof tops. He really does sound like a fantastic guy. Whoever he's with (hopefully Jake) is a very lucky person indeed.

Anonymous said...

Sorry, can I just apologise in advance that having just said there's been very little Reeking in the last month we will probably now be bombarded with a pregancy / engagement / shotgun gun wedding on a yatch on the Nile triptych within the next few days.

Anonymous said...

I of course mean on a yacht, who knows what a yatch is, hopefully some strange sort of hatch that Reese might disappear down never to return.

prairiegirl said...

Lol, Meg, you killed me. "a fright". And your idea on the yacht, yeah, I liked that. Your comments cracked me up. You're right; there hasn't been much Reeking lately.
Goodness, girl, I had to google Patagonia and saw where it is the southern most point of South America. That's incredible. Can I ask where you live? How far did you have to travel to get to Patagonia? Did you see any penguins or volcanos? I see where those are two items in Patagonia. Or glaciers? Does it really have glaciers? Sorry for all my questions. But South America is such a huge country.

London! That may be it. Kohlrabi, a low, snicker stout cultivar of cabbage. Cultivar must mean like family member of. I had it in my head as I left the park, but after several errands & stuff, by the time I got back home, I forgot it. Thanks, London! Have you ever had it? It looks kind of weird. What a cool name, too. Sounds like a person's name.

Special K said...

PG its been a long time since I had one, but my MomMom would have them and we would eat it raw sliced up.

prairiegirl said...

Did you put salt on it? He said something about putting a little salt & pepper on it. Maybe after cooking it, I'm not sure. kohlrabi. "I'll have some of your kohlrabi, please."
" Excuse me, do you carry kohlrabi? I haven't had any in so long and I'm just craaaaving it."
"Francine, what're you bringing on Thanksgiving? I'm bringing the mashed potatoes." "Oh, I thought I'd bring some kohlrabi." "Oh great idea. I haven't had kohlrabi in a long time."


lol

I'll have to find some and have a little bit just in case I ever see that guy again. I wonder if he caught any fish today under those ice chips in the lake.

Special K said...

I find it interesting that both Jake and Austin are drawn to Southern Gothic authors.

destiny said...

That sounds like a cool trip Meg, and to be gone for a whole month to boot. Last time I had that much time off at once was between school and starting a job.

I read something tonight that seems truly revolutionary to me. Somehow we ended up with a copy of the March Ladies Home Journal with Ellen D. on the cover. Other than a short mention of Prop. 8 and the effect it will have on her marriage, I could have been reading a profile of any straight woman and her hubby. They talked about how she knew Portia a long time before they were both finally not with someone and able to go out, and how they knew pretty early they were right for each other. And Portia joined her for a few minutes during the interview, and the writer talked about how they looked at each other like Obama and Michelle or (forgot other example), and how everyone would wish for a spouse like that.

I don't think they used the word gay (except maybe in context of Prop. 8), no coming out stories, what it's like to be gay, etc.....

And all this in a very middle of the road, aimed at middle America magazine.

prairiegirl said...

I think that's great, Destiny. Ladies Home Journal. And why not. How far we've come, though. Really.

Hey, m, have you read Dreaming by Cathalin? It's complete and I'm only about to begin with Ch. 8 and I have no idea for sure where it's headed, but it is pretty good. And she's one of the halves of fifty & fifty. I have a feeling this Dreaming could be right up your alley. ;)

Anonymous said...

Prairie Girl, yes I read Dreaming, though at the moment I don't remember anything about it. I've read so many but once I start a chapter I go oh yeah, I read this one. I usually recognize the author though, and do try to read all of their work if I liked any of their stories. I found I had read Big Boots of Pain before but am rereading it.

New pics on IHJ. Someone called it. Not much Reeke in Feb so PR got on the horn and said show up together. Jake leaving her in the dust as usual. Looks they told Reese to stop making the prune face.

Anonymous said...

Has anyone else noticed that Austin blogs, Chris blogs, Papa G blogs. Lance Armstrong, Rufus, Naomi too. So many people who have been or are around Jake. He has to be internet savvy, despite his PR being from the dark ages.

Special K said...

Why does it look like Jake has the same jeans jacket and t shirt that he wore to the Dr.'s office. Hmmmmmm

It's like writing the rent check on the 1st but not giving it to the landlord till the 5th.

Anonymous said...

Of course Jake is internet savvy. Was there any doubt about that? All my friends and relatives are (except for the older ones) They all blog in some form or the other.
Certainly Jake is aware of his fan blogs. I mean he really doesn't have much to do now does he? So, is it a stretch to say he doesn't read the blogs about himself?

Anonymous said...

Why doesn't Jake take his hand out of his pocket? Is he scared the Chin will grab it?!

I guess Tom's "Coffee Machine" is still being delivered!

destiny said...

Now look that you've done Meg. :-D

I guess they got nervous about the jeans.

Anonymous said...

Hand in pocket and toothpick in mouth. Self preservation.

I've stopped trusting the "date" pictures are posted. It was odd that he changed clothes that day. Did not make any sense. He does need a cover for his true whereabouts.

Priaire Girl, Cathalin wrote In Country. One of my favorites. Short, maybe 10 pages, but powerful. I do like her work.

prairiegirl said...

Hey m! Yes, I was reading into her archive and saw a mention of In Country and it had a good review. Sounds like a one shot or something? I'm definitely going to check it out. I had time to dig into Discussion and didn't realize that was a way to see recommendations on stories. I'm approaching that time to when someone asked about Del Mar Painting and will try my hand at inquiring like you suggested. One can only hope!

Hmmmm, new Reeke, eh? Yeah, seems like a funny coincidence. Too much nervousness created over the jeans, like Destiny said. Not only that, but a few comments about not hardly having any Reeke for awhile. Can't have that, can we.

Don't ask me why I'm up. Body clock!

prairiegirl said...

Hmmmm, gee, couldn't they have taken just a few more? I couldn't quite get the gist of what they were doing. lol

Same little white paint or something else splatter on the leg, Special. CA must have cold mornings, hence the socks & flip flops look. snicker. socks & flip flops, just like my little nephew does because he doesn't like the idea of bare feet against them. Note the way the pastry bag is carried throughout the entire walk. Reese, knock it off, lol. The guy is looking 7-8 yrs younger than you now, not just 4.

Maybe Jake gets easily cold. The key to staying warm is tied to the head, thus hood up.
I wonder if that other one of him with the solo coffee was done on another day? I can't imagine drinking 2 of those big coffees in one day.

Okay, back to bed, just because I can.

destiny said...

I know it's a fashion no-no, but I am not a big fan of shoes, and will wear sandals with socks on those in-between weather days, say, when its in the 40s and 50s.

Noticed that too PG about how man pictures there are, quite a contrast to the previous two sets of Jake alone. Just another sign that the photo opps are arranged--they take their time for the pap.

Special K said...

Noticed that too PG about how man pictures there are, quite a contrast to the previous two sets of Jake alone. Just another sign that the photo opps are arranged--they take their time for the pap.

Actually I think something more like Anyone Noticed said. That there few pictures and closely framed picture because Jake with someone and someone who is back in LA.

And the sweatshirts-its been in the 70's and 80's in LA.

Anonymous said...

Well we knew we were due a Reeke moment didn't we, I don't know why they bother really. I'm pretty sure that away from the cameras both Jake and Reese are having extremely interesting lives, but all these coffee runs just make it all look so boring. It's hard to think that two people could make being film stars look like a dull life choice but somehow these two are really beginning to achieve that aren't they. I think I'll take relative affluence and obscurity over wealth but having to spend most of my time in LA car parks drinking excessive amounts of coffee.

It also looks like to me that these pics were taken on the same day as the previous ones, as it looks like Jake's got exactly the same clothes on except the rather snazzy sandals.

destiny said...

That too Special. The other times he was caught out with someone else, so he rushed to the car, the other photos got lost for a fee, etc.

prairiegirl said...

fashion no no, I'm not so sure about that, but it just cracks me up. socks with sandals. Hopefully, they're birkenstocks, Destiny? I think I've worn sandals w/no socks in as low as 40+ degrees with clamdiggers but only if the temps are to rise that day. Hey, at least Jake isn't wearing black socks. That'd be a killer.

Ah, the hood up is kind of cute in this one. I give them both a B+. It'd be a higher score except for the socks/sandals combo and Reese holding the sack continuously in front of her belly.

I just saw a picture online of a cover of Woman's Day from over in Australia and down at the bottom is a picture of Reese from that stomach bloat day where she's scrunching up her face. A mini headline something about "Reese's baby bump?" I don't think it's like the Woman's Day over here in the States, tho. It looked more like the cover of a tabloid.

Meg, you are funny. I'm pretty sure that away from the cameras both Jake and Reese are having extremely interesting lives, but all these coffee runs just make it all look so boring.
How about an Atticus walk? Where is Atticus lately, anyway? Dec. 26 we saw him, right? In the back of the SUV? Atticus not getting too much memory card time, I'm afraid.