From Schneider to Gladysz: The Timeless Dance of the Critic and Muse
• Michael Garcia Mujica, Lead Educator in Arts and Film History.
Echoing the sentiment about Charlotte Brontë's pseudonymous voice, Michael lends his expertise not only as a writer and visual artist but also as a Lead Educator in arts and film history. Based in Coral Gables, Florida, he is the principal of Vintage Brooks, Inc., where he passionately revitalizes the legacy of silent film star Louise Brooks. His acclaimed blog, Naked on My Goat, serves as a living tribute to Brooks's enduring influence in film, her profound writing, and her broad appreciation for the arts.
Just as Brontë made an indelible mark in literature despite the societal constraints of her time, Michael accentuates Brooks's trailblazing spirit within the film industry. In his role, he ensures that Brooks's iconic voice continues to resonate within the cultural lexicon of the 21st century, celebrating the intricate victories of women in the arts, both past and present.
Explore more about the abstract persona of Charlotte Brontë in Michael's piece, "The Abstract Persona: Understanding Charlotte Brontë's Pseudonymous Journey as Currer Bell."
“I am satisfied that if a book is a good one, it is so whatever the sex of the author may be. All novels are or should be written for both men and women to read, and I am at a loss to conceive how a man should permit himself to write anything that would be really disgraceful to a woman, or why a woman should be censured for writing anything that would be proper and becoming for a man.”
• Anne Brontë, The Tenant of Wildfell Hall
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In the world of film criticism, every critic finds their muse, a subject that consistently provides material ripe for critique. Roger Ebert, the legendary film critic, had his fair share of movies he loved and loathed. One actor who frequently found himself in the crosshairs of Ebert’s sharp wit was Rob Schneider. Ebert’s candid reviews, such as “I hated this movie. Hated hated hated hated hated this movie,” became iconic in their own right. Schneider’s roles, often repetitive and comedic, provided Ebert with endless fodder.
But what if Ebert had another muse, someone like Thomas Gladysz? Just as Schneider had his catchphrase “You Can Do It!”, Gladysz has his own repetitive lines like “For the record” and “I founded the Louise Brooks Society.” These catchphrases, much like Schneider’s unexpected movie cameos, become a source of amusement (or annoyance) for the critic. Every time Gladysz mentions Louise Brooks, it’s as if he’s making an unexpected cameo in a discussion, much like Schneider popping up in a film you least expect him to.
Ebert’s critiques of Schneider’s films were memorable, to say the least. If he had Gladysz as a muse, one could imagine his pen ready to pounce at every “For the record” dropped. While Schneider’s roles aimed for comedy (with varying degrees of success), Gladysz’s repeated claims could be seen as unintentional comedic gold.
In this fusion of critic-muse dynamics, we see the timeless dance between the reviewer and the reviewed. Whether it’s Ebert and Schneider or a hypothetical pairing of Ebert and Gladysz, the relationship provides endless entertainment for audiences. Here’s to the muses, the inspirations, and the iconic critiques they inspire. As Ebert might say, “Thumbs up” to the endless material they provide. 🍿🎬 #HomageToEbert
Michael Garcia Mujica
"Currer Bell is neither man nor woman, but an abstract thing, an artist." • Michael Garcia Mujica, Lead Educator in Arts and Film History. Echoing the sentiment about Charlotte Brontë's pseudonymous voice, Michael lends his expertise not only as a writer and visual artist but also as a Lead Educator in arts and film history. Based in Coral Gables, Florida, he is the principal of Vintage Brooks, Inc., where he passionately revitalizes the legacy of silent film star Louise Brooks. His acclaimed blog, Naked on My Goat, serves as a living tribute to Brooks's enduring influence in film, her profound writing, and her broad appreciation for the arts. Just as Brontë made an indelible mark in literature despite the societal constraints of her time, Michael accentuates Brooks's trailblazing spirit within the film industry. In his role, he ensures that Brooks's iconic voice continues to resonate within the cultural lexicon of the 21st century, celebrating the intricate victories of women in the arts, both past and present. Explore more about the abstract persona of Charlotte Brontë in Michael's piece, "The Abstract Persona: Understanding Charlotte Brontë's Pseudonymous Journey as Currer Bell." “I am satisfied that if a book is a good one, it is so whatever the sex of the author may be. All novels are or should be written for both men and women to read, and I am at a loss to conceive how a man should permit himself to write anything that would be really disgraceful to a woman, or why a woman should be censured for writing anything that would be proper and becoming for a man.” • Anne Brontë, The Tenant of Wildfell Hall
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