THANKSGIVING 2025

What now? These are strange days. Time to pull out the ole Kipling and read "If you can keep your head when all about you, Are losing theirs..."

The nuttier things get, the more I realize how lucky we are to be alive, at this time in human evolution.

With all of the noise, it is hard to hear.

Against all of the clutter, it is hard to see.

We must fight like heck to focus on the details, the simple fabric of our lives.

Serenity is found in the details, with the eye of an artist.

When you go to ground, the focus intensifies our most basic survival.

Finding safety allows us to pause. Look at all that we have. It surrounds us.

Awe, appreciation and Happy Thanksgiving.

Art Report Today .com

WHEN HOLLYWOOD CALLS

I've got a hot scoop on RETNA and Justin Bower, but first we must applaud Paramount's Second Season Debut of the hit show "Landman."

Once again, Justin Bower's massive painting "Blue Boy" anchors the Texas oil man's melodrama with moral authority.

Hollywood called Bower and placed his epic painting in the swank living room of Texas oil heiress Demi Moore. This series is another fantastic creation by Taylor Sheridan, the IP cash machine. Billy Bob Thornton steals the entire show with little effort.

In pre-production for the first season, the director saw Bower's painting in a Dallas design showroom. He found the eyes were compelling and judgmental, like the symbolic billboard for optometrist Doctor T. J. Eckleburg in "The Great Gatsby." Bower's painting became a static character, the ever watchful eyes over a tale of sin, greed, oil, family issues and more sin.

Bower is no stranger to Hollywood. His bondsman great-grandpappy posted bail for Robert Mitchum in the actor's infamous reefer bust in 1949. Grandpappy then shared a few drinks with the movie star over the next week or so, hazy comfort during the howling international media scandal.

As always, you heard it here first. More exciting than Ali Larter in a bathing suit, I can't wait to see this new concoction. Justin Bower and RETNA are collaborating on a series of very large canvases.

Bower's anarchy married with RETNA's mantra? Wow. That collab will fly in a million fine directions, like a blowout oil well gusher.

Art Report Today .com

NEVER KILL BILL

Of course, I will be there. Quentin Tarantino is releasing his two 'Kill Bill' classic films into one, 281 minute extravaganza. As God originally intended.

Here is one grand excuse. To get off your comfy sofa and relocate to the communal humanity of your neighborhood movie theater. Support the Cinema experience.

New to us, something like this combo cut has been toyed with and screened over the years, at Tarantino's New Beverly Theater in LA. The 'Kill Bill' phenomenon is a bright neon light in the pantheon of cinema history.

I know each part of the film very well, as I had studied it for those highlights that attract attention and distinguish the film. I had skin in the game. I had the best day job in the LA fine arts, creating marketing and promotional programs for studio films. It paid well and took very little of my valuable time.

Essentially, the objective is to attract the media to cover a film's release. The media crowd is generally underpaid and poisonously jaded; they are hard to impress. This is where I excelled.

'Kill Bill' was a prized opportunity. I think it was a DVD release for 'Kill Bill II.' T'was all about the presentation, an experience.

The film writer for a glossy news platform would receive a shipping package, inside of which was a glossy black gift box tied with a yellow ribbon, matching the color of Uma's track suit. On the lower right corner was a discreet 'Kill Bill' title treatment. (Title treatment is the term for the officially-approved, designed text logo.) Upon opening the luxury box, blood red tissue paper wrapped a large soft-shaped object. Removing a sticker, one would discover our propaganda, a full color printed card, atop an elegant Chinese coat.

The black silk fabric was subtly textured. Golden yellow piping followed the mandarin cut collar, down to the hem. Pankou knotted fabric buttons were stacked down the front. On the left chest was a beautifully embroidered Japanese symbol topping the 'Kill Bill' title treatment. Big hit.

Unfortunately, my greatest detail was denied. I wanted there to be a stick of incense hidden in the package, which would have added the seductive sense of smell to transport the film critic, far away from their beige cubicle, into the exotic IP of 'Kill Bill.'

Yes, I have a great fondness for 'Kill Bill.' And Uma. Daryl Hannah. And Michael Madsen, may he rest in peace. So many great moments. It is a great work of art.

We're rooting for ya Quentin. I'm gonna honor your work with the full theatrical experience. With salty popcorn, sweet soda and annoying folks whispering into their cell phones.

Just like old times.

Art Report Today .com