I’ve been pulling for Michael Mann since the early days ala Manhunter, with the creepy Francis Dollarhyde and early “rock video” use of bad trip anthem “Ina gadda da vida”. What is it about his style that just doesn’t take off, esp. these days?
The cast is stellar, as is the soundtrack. The strongest kick is the period setting, recreating the 30’s world of polished hardwoods, marble, wool and steel of the tommy gun. And indeed there are many great shootouts, the tommy gun intensifying the violence. But Christian Bale’s southern accent is hokey and somehow all the elements brought together here just don’t get their Gestalt on. Worth seeing, but no need for the big screen.

I’ve had a chance to run some antiques up and and back from Rhinebeck, NY, took my buddy Wes along in the Penske truck. We spent the first night in Harrisonburg, VA, dinner and some drinks in a Mexican place near the hotel. Next day had to do some rental logistics (and lose a little time) in Harrison, PA then up past Wilkes-Bare and Scranton, over to NY and up the Hudson River Valley. Our load safely delivered and swapped out just before dark and a rainstorm, we headed south a bit to Hyde Park, saw the CIA campus which a long lost friend attended, found a hotel near the Hyde Park Steakhouse and brewery, took the brewery tour and sampled some product.

Now past the time constraint, we were free for what I considered the fun part: taking some state highways on the way back. We took PA 209 from Port Jervis and followed the Delaware river down. A large black bear ran across the road just in front of us and into a corn field, no doubt on to do some fishing in the Delaware. Unfortunately I had no time for a photo, but thankfully it wasn’t a close call: 16′ Penske vs. Bear = mess for all. We had lunch in Nazareth, PA enjoying the small town Real America. Lots of bikers in PA.

Tonight we’re crashing in Staunton, VA where there is the abandoned DeJarnette hospital just off 81 and across from the Microtel. The desk lady assured me the cops snatch up infiltrators regularly and enforce jail time, so I only took some pics from across the road. Here’s some more from Flickr of those who’ve made it in. The classic “haunted” TB/mental hospital…maybe next time. Plus, Staunton has 2 indie movie theatres. Tomorrow some more exploration in VA and back to ATL. I love roadtrips, esp. of the semi-aimless variety!

I’m not a visual artist, but have gotten interested in graffiti in recent years. Watching this docInfamy just now, I realized there is something for the voyeur too. And I’m not talking about the thousands of lame pieces you’re gonna see day in day out, but something really weird in a cool place, (for me I guess seeing Botch in the abandoned prison in ATL), then seeing other works by the artist. Touching a bit of the obsession. But for all of the lame ego tricking that goes on with the game, there is genuine curiosity in the mix sometimes.

Like it wouldn’t really change anything to meet the people doing these things, but it would be cool anyway.