Comments on: I Am Love (I Am Cinema) and good things we eat and drink

By: Claudio Piccinini

Claudio Piccinini — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 20:41:26 +0000

Hmm… In 1935 they did not use “fonts” for signs or exposed writings. Luckily. :-)

However, I have never seen Neon used in a shop sign, except in the Caffè Cagliari and Bialetti logos which are lettered in a pretty similar style. Da Milano produced something quite unique. He was a painter and a teacher as well. I have a watercolor from him in a 1948 book.

By: Do Bianchi

Do Bianchi — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 13:21:06 +0000

@Claudio thanks for the heads up! Corrected. :-)

Am I nuts to think that Neon and/or a font inspired by it are used in the captions?

Maybe I got the font wrong (although I don’t think so) but the concept is the same: the same font used for shops and other businesses pervaded the city of Milan during fascism.

By: Claudio Piccinini

Claudio Piccinini — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 16:15:49 +0000

Hi Jeremy, could you tell me where the typeface Neon was supposedly used in the movie?
You wrote “in the credits and captions” but in the trailers I see other typefaces (even in credits).
Plus, it’s Giulio, not Giacomo… ;-)

By: Do Bianchi

Do Bianchi — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 22:15:34 +0000

wow, thank you so much, everyone, for the wonderful comments and insights. I’m so glad that you enjoyed this post (and Tracie P’s cooking as much as I did!).

We really liked the movie…

@Gary yes, my mother made stuffed cabbage, too. She defrosts some every time I go home.

Seriously, the feedback means a great deal to me and I’m so glad to be part of this community of bloggers! :-)

and as Tracie P says above, ya’ll are always welcome for dinner Chez Parzenella (seriously!).

By: Susannah

Susannah — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 21:24:33 +0000

Tracie’s food looks fabulous as always. I’ve actually heard a lot of mixed things about the movie. I’m not convinced either way. Alienation in Milan and in Italian cinema is certainly one current that runs through many of the wonderful movies made lo these last 40 years. I’m not inspired by Tilda Swinton though I heard that some of the scenes are actually quite enticing. It seemed quite Milanese not in the best sense of the word and as you know I am a fan of that Lombard city. Chefs and communication sort of reached its high point with that last scene in Big Night which I am sure you are familiar with when Tony Shalub makes his brother an Omelet. That speaks to me.

By: tracie p

tracie p — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 18:16:28 +0000

yes, that was one sassy savoy cabbage. we locked eyes in the produce aisle, with her verdant charm and vivacious leaves, the likes of which i had never seen at the grocery store. it was unexpected, but i had to take her home.

By: Gary "Iron" Chevsky

Gary "Iron" Chevsky — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 14:46:31 +0000

That first picture, of the stuffed cabbage – that’s totally a Russian (or Jewish?) dish (or so I grew up being told), called “goloobtsi” – my family always made it exactly like you described, except I’ve never seen stuffed cabbage look so bright and green – must be a special cabbage. And we add a touch of sour cream on top.

By: tracie p

tracie p — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 14:02:06 +0000

great post 2B…i love cinema italiano with you!

as for the food–very simple stuff, anyone wanna come over for dinner?

By: David and Steven

David and Steven — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 22:13:22 +0000

Loved the film…..thinking about it in a whole new light after reading your post.

Regards, David and Steven

By: Simona

Simona — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 20:31:17 +0000

A very interesting review, Jeremy. I have not seen the movie, but I’ll be on alert now to catch it. Complimenti a Tracie!