*The Oscar Nominations recently came out, and of course, there were some magnificent films that were unjustly neglected by the voters. For instance “Moonlight Kingdom” and “ Holy Motors” were much more inventive than all of the best picture nominees I saw.
But a film that should be of great interest to poets at least received a best supporting actress nomination. I am talking about “ The Sessions “a poignant and emotionally volatile film about a poet/journalist who was paralyzed with polio. He wrote his poems and articles by using his mouth to tap the keys on his pc. The film’s main character was based on Mark O’Brien, who died in 1999,
Unaspiringly the man also was a virgin and he took steps to rectify the problem. He visited a sex therapist (played by Helen Hunt of all people) and she tries not to get overinvolved emotionally Of course, he writes a poem about her called “Love Poem to No One in Particular. I know that plot description may not sound especially impressive but the storyline is beautifully developed
It’s not quite as monumental as last year’s “Poetry” film from China, but twill serve. I will probably post my top ten film list here soon.
*The liberal comedian Stephanie Miller made poetry related comment on her hilarious talk show. She joked that a new poet laureate was so handsome that he would make E.E Cummings write in all capitals.
*The 2013 Pushcart nominees and several names were on the list that should be familiar to anyone who has been following Chicago poetry scene.
Beatriz Badikan-Gartler was nominated for the poem "Packing for the Future" . She is Chicago based poet, artist and educator. She is the author of "Mapmaker: New and Selected Poems" and "Alewa is a Woman." Her web page is at http://www.bbgartler.com/about-beatriz.html
Donna Pecore was nominated for her poem "Transitory Mash Up" She is a member of the Albany Park Journal of Ordinary Thought workgroup, and her work has appeared in "Best of Chicago Poetry," "Best of Chicago's Open Mic, Volume II," and "North Central College Review,”
Both of the mentioned poems will appear in the anthology," Journal of Modern Poetry ." The 100-page, book is the fourteenth installment in the Poetry Cram series, published by ChicagoPoetry.com Press. .
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