Il_Paolo

Iside, I have the CD. I really like it: can you authorize me? My favorite is "Benvenuti tra i rifiuti," but lately I've been into "Hotel Plaza" as well. I listen to them on my iPod when I take the dog for a walk.

...no, but the intrinsic rationality of the world leads me to suspect that you studied in the same city where Alinovi taught and where Gloria Guida grew up! It's sad for me now too, but I have always believed that having a beautiful youth is the passport to an old age filled with regrets. So perhaps, at this point, Lilli Carati is better off, as she should forget her '80s. We remember them very well for her anyway. ST, Il_Paolo

@Lavalin, in fact this review arises - also - as an implicit response to yours on "Romanzo popolare" and the arduous emancipation of Vincenzina: in the sense that in the '70s - but even today, just read the newspapers - the price of emancipation, both cultural and sexual, was paid by women, often for completely random reasons (I don’t know if you’ve ever looked into the "Alinovi case," which relates to my reflections on Pazienza and Haring, but from what I know of you, I imagine you have). Then there’s the need to reflect on the value of avant-gardes, even cultural and social ones, which often risk being destructive, not to mention the hint you make at the contemporary instrumentalization of women (and here I wonder if Carfagna or Prestigiacomo are ministers for proven competencies or precisely because - appealing - women). These discussions would take us far away, standing firm on the fact that the film prompts us to reflect on another, fundamental question: better the dark and carnal Carati, or the feigned innocent ethereal Guida?!? @laRock + Emanuele: thanks for stopping by here too!

Very... perhaps starting from "Cuori neri" by Luca Telese I could think about it. I'm not exactly a big fan of Caputo, precisely because he's similar to the environment described in the book, but never say never, time is what it is, that is, as my beloved Gozzano says, "the voice is little/and the favored art immense". Decadently Yours, Il_Paolo

Excuse me, but does the review of "Avere vent'anni" in the film section disgust you? Materially Yours, Il_Paolo

Dear all, thank you for your beautiful words (which do exaggerate the warmth and empathy), they are for me an encouragement to move forward for you, but above all with you on this journey. Let's say that - if there are any merits - I share them 45% with Fred, whose texts and music were the main inspiration for writing this review, and the remaining 45% with you: who knows why since you started to award the little writings of Il_Paolo, they have magically improved (in my opinion: it's always the reader who gives meaning to the writing). The remaining 5% I owe to the person who - in flesh and blood - translates my thoughts, as I am an immaterial entity that also resides within each of you (therefore, Lavalin, it is obvious that Il_Paolo disappears the moment you no longer believe in it ;). And being immaterial, there are no posters of mine. However, I collectively dedicate to you a beautiful poem by H.M. Enzensberger that, in part, mitigates the melancholy of Bongusto (you can hang this wherever you like...): "Here and there it happens/that someone shouts and calls for help/immediately another jumps into the water/absolutely free/In the dense densest of capitalism/from around the corner come shining/the firemen who extinguish, or in the hat/of the beggar something suddenly shines/Morning streets are crowded/with individuals who, without drawing knives/go back and forth calmly/to buy milk and radishes/As in the most total peace/It’s quite a sight." It’s called "Canzoncina ottimistica," published in Italy by Einaudi. SV, Il_Paolo

In fact, over the weekend I saw the person who conducts the mail segment on TG5 and I was taken aback (along with something else) because the journalist in question is supposedly the wife of a left-wing leader. Nonetheless, it saddens me that E. Scalfari (who inspires my reviews) is publishing a book for Einaudi, which belongs to the same majority shareholder as Mondadori, which in turn is owned by the majority shareholder of Mediaset. In other words, the more my Master’s book sells, the more the sworn enemy of the Master himself profits?!? It’s pointless to get upset with Carfy, whose statements spark a debate that we could only dream of during the less charming times of Laura Balbo!

Iride, I could agree with everything you say, except for the critiques of my beloved football team (someone as mainstream as I am can only be a Juventus supporter). Regarding Carfy: from a topless showgirl to a minister without portfolio, there must be some continuity in contemporary Italy.

I remember that in December '91 - for my school's Christmas concert - the local school band played "Smells..." I thought it was a nice song, but I didn't see why I should distract myself from listening to Deep Purple, considering its derivative nature (prophetic, I would say!). A terrible concert, by the way, because my classmate Katia kept pestering me, extolling Venditti and other neoromantic Italian pop, with obvious ulterior motives. Could it be that my "mission" stems from there?!?

Alright Psycho, ours are somewhat rough conversations. Cutting-edge, your cousin! ST, Il_Paolo