Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeere's Johnny!

Naw, not Carson, Depp.

Yea, I know... Another woman going on about the magnificent Johnny Depp, but he is more than just another McDreamy starlet. There is so much knowledge, experience and culture behind that face... that if you continue to watch him long enough, soon the person behind the face is what will lead you on.

When I was first introduced to Mr. Depp's talent was when he played Edward Scissorhands. Quite honestly, his face scared me! (I was only a kid, and Burton has that flair for the macabre) But as I continued to watch, I was swept away with the magick of Depp, Winona and Burton and the other cast of characters. In later movies, what I noticed is that I like to watch him move. His movements are fluid and catlike. He is graceful and deliberate. He speaks with his entire being and projects a quiet strength which is visceral.

I didn't follow his career or life immediately. In fact, although I've seemed to enjoy most if not all of the characters he's portrayed over the years, I never really dove into his own personal character till recently. I'm not even sure why. Maybe mommyhead bordom? The internet? All I know is that the more I read about JD, the more interviews with him that I saw and the more of his movies I watched and re watched, the more I learned and the more I got turned on to other incredibly talented people, their lives and their art.

My curiosity and interest in many arenas was either reignited or expanded entirely. My interest in history was renewed with The Libertine. The performances in that movie were stellar by the way. I learned about Cuban poet/author, Reinaldo Arenas in Before Night Falls. Johnny Depp plays 2 roles in this one. which are polar opposites. One, is a sinister army officer/warden and the other, a flashy cross dresser, all boas, platinum wig and overdone lips. Beautiful! The male lead, Javier Bardem is fantastic also. Fear and Loathing reminded of all the beat authors that I need to read more of: Bukowski, Kerouak, Hunter Thompson, etc... Don't even get me started on Dead Man and the whole Jarmusch revisited jag! There is also some cool photographer that was part of a Depp/Jarmusch thread. I can't remember his name, but I wrote it someplace. He's dead now, but was a ground breaker in his time. I will find his name. I will.

Then there is The Ed Wood stuff, the Buster Keaton stuff, bla bla bla....T here is so much I've learned by watching his films that it would take forever to put it all down. Just suffice to say that I trust him implicitly as an artist. If he is in a film, I watch. I know it will be worth watching. Even if the overall project doesn't hit the mark, his performance will. And that's good enough for me.

I've learned about new music (well, new to me that is) One of the many cool bands I've been turned onto by my JD research is a gypsy band called Taraf de Haidouks. They are just unbelievable! Check em out and put on that hippie skirt and some dancin' shoes... or better yet, no shoes at all!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnNCidccbG8

Then there is his wife, Vanessa Paradis. I never would have discovered her on my own either. She has a really original sounding voice which I've grown to love. Her music, videos and film projects all have the same ethereal quality of timeless magick. She is an outstanding performer in all of those forms and I believe even writes her own music. She exudes confidence, but not like the kind you see here in the states. It's not like she's trying to get attention or prove anything necessarily. She just believes in what and who she is and it shows.

Yep, I continue to learn a lot by studying ole Mr. Depp, and not much of it has to do with his prettiness. But he is pretty, isn't he? Aren't they?

8 comments:

Ms. Moon said...

You're talking about my boyfriend. So be careful. I may be old, but I'm pretty strong.

Petit fleur said...

Hey!

I'm so honored that you are visiting! Thanks. yea, he's the greatest. Also, that gypsy link was not working right. Had to fix it, so if you're interested, try again. It works now.

I'm mad at the Google Blogger today. I have to spend more time learning about it rather than cussing at it!

Zengoof said...

PF,
This is a nicely done, ah...what? is it a tribute? No, not a tribute. But whatever the hell it is, it's not gushing or starey-eyed or any of those other things you might have been afraid of being when you set out to tackle The Depputy. And yes, he is pretty.

Petit fleur said...

Awe shucks! Thanks Mr. Goof. I like your new hair cut. Who IS your stylist???? xoxo

Lady Lemon said...

Hey there, PF. I followed you over here from Ms Moon's blog. I hope that's ok with you!

I totally agree that JD is one beautiful man as well as an amazingly talented actor. It's almost not fair, really, to the rest of us regular humans.

I first saw him on 21 Jump Street, about a million years ago. I was one smitten kitten.

Have you ever seen What's Eating Gilbert Grape? It has Juliet Lewis in it, who I also adore.

Anonymous said...
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Petit fleur said...
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Petit fleur said...

Hey Lady L,

I'm so glad you popped in. Happy to have visitors! I am fairly undisciplined, so I don't post as much as I'd like.

Yea, I've seen Gilbert. I loved it. I was so sad for all of them, especially momma. She was such a tragic figure... I guess the whole family was really. Juliet Lewis is a powerhouse too. And she usually plays such quirky or dark and twisted characters. You know if she's in something, that at the very least, she's going to give a good performance!

Thanks again for stopping. Please come back anytime.
PF