While New York is famous for its pizza, bagels, and skyscrapers, it is also notable for its accent. Of course there is no “standard” accent that defines such a diverse city, but there is a distinctive linguistic element that you hear in those old mob movies or Newsies (yeah, I know that is a weak example). It enchants and intrigues both visitors and native residents alike and has come to signify so many aspects of our city. It represents the classic underdog struggle that is bound to be present in any newcomer’s journey. It stands for a tough, no-nonsense attitude needed to claw to the top of the food chain. It also evokes nostalgia of a New York that was gritty, dirty yet, also charismatic in its own way. If These Knishes Could Talk breaks down the iconic New York accent to unearth what it truly means to be a New Yorker. This entertaining hour-long documentary features interviews, anecdotes, and insight from Big Apple residents from all walks of life.
It is not difficult to pick out a New Yorker in a crowd of people. You will hear him. Not only will he be loud, like obnoxiously loud, he will talk a certain way. His speech will have a twang to it, as distinguishable badge of honor that he is an old-timer. Every other word will be a profanity probably the f-bomb and he will be talking at a bazillion words per minute. Oh and did I mention you will never be able to fit a word in?
While New York is famous for its pizza, bagels, and skyscrapers, it is also notable for its accent. Of course there is no “standard” accent that defines such a diverse city, but there is a distinctive linguistic element that you hear in those old mob movies or Newsies (yeah, I know that is a weak example). It enchants and intrigues both visitors and native residents alike and has come to signify so many aspects of our city. It represents the classic underdog struggle that is bound to be present in any newcomer’s journey. It stands for a tough, no-nonsense attitude needed to claw to the top of the food chain. It also evokes nostalgia of a New York that was gritty, dirty yet, also charismatic in its own way. If These Knishes Could Talk breaks down the iconic New York accent to unearth what it truly means to be a New Yorker. This entertaining hour-long documentary features interviews, anecdotes, and insight from Big Apple residents from all walks of life.
0 Comments
No franchise has had a more profound effect on how we view New York City than Sex and the City, a romantic sitcom series that follows the stories and lives of four women finding love in the Big Apple. So powerful of an effect that even I am familiar with its premise and connection to the city, despite never watching the show or feature films. Before these women came to iconize modern New York with their idealistic and unattainable lifestyles, they were everyday people just trying to follow their dreams.
During my freshman year, I suffered severely from homesickness. Moving from the big city to the countryside was a huge culture shock and really made me appreciate home a lot more. Even though I tried my best to acclimate to the new environment and immerse myself in the unique opportunities of Williamstown, I still gravitated to anything New York centric. During the chilly winter months when it was too snowy and cold to be outside, I found comfort in movies and TV shows on Amazon Prime, which I accidentally purchased after signing up for Amazon Student. One particular show I discovered was Smash, a musical drama that follows the production and development of a fictional Broadway show. There are quite a few reasons why I was drawn to this show. The obvious one is the focus on musical theater and Broadway. After watching tons of Broadway.com backstage 10 minute vlogs, I was thrilled to get a full 60 minute episode documenting the process of creating a Broadway show, even one that was fake. The series also had a cast made up of plenty of big theater names. Furthermore, at the time, Glee was probably the only other musical television series that was running and the pulled-thin storyline was getting a bit too much like one of a soap-opera for my tastes. Smash had a much heartier and believable plot and provided classy music covers performed in more honest situations, rather than huge unrealistic song and dance numbers on the streets of New York. New York City is arguably one of the best-dressed urban metropolises in the country. Those who flock to its glamorous quarters often bring their own unique taste to conventional ideals of beauty. Capturing through images the raw style of the streets can be a challenge, especially when it comes to piecing together trends amongst the sea of outfits. Bill Cunningham, renowned photographer for the New York Times, is best known for his innovative work defining the fashion landscape of the city through photographs of street style. Bill Cunningham New York is not only a commemorative documentary dedicated to the work of this brilliant New York artist, but also a reflective essay on Cunningham’s attitude, charisma, and work ethic which truly represent the age-old and beloved values of this remarkable city. It is without a doubt that Cunningham is a quintessential New Yorker and the epitome of the artist’s dream. Despite humble beginnings as a milliner, he rose up to become one of the lead photographers at one of the biggest newspapers in the world. His work is now admired, respected, and honored by New Yorkers and fashionistas alike. What sets Cunningham apart from others who have accomplished much is his humble lifestyle that is fueled not by money or fame, but by his passion for his craft. He is presented as a nostalgic old-timer living in a tiny studio apartment at Carnegie Hall with few personal belongings apart from his pictures. He rides his bike around the city to obtain his shots for the day and does not let weather hinder his work. Dressed in a cheap plastic poncho mended together with strips of electrical tape, Cunningham is quite the sight. Yet, with such frugality and practicality, it is impossible for one to not admire Cunningham’s simple lifestyle. Just as a general note, I’ve decided to start a new section of my blog dedicated to movies where the city either serves as a backdrop to the plot or functions as the leading character. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- As a dynamic overture commences and the credits fade in at the beginning of the film, you know right away that you are in for a classic, Hollywood musical. Immediately, the audience is transported back in time to an indefinable time period (possible anywhere between the 1920s and 40s) and onto the bustling streets of New York City. A ring of petty gamblers and thieves appears on the screen and places bets and exchanges pickpocketed gizmos in a Rube Goldberg style chain of events. The opening shot to Guys and Dolls, the 1955 film adaption of the stage musical of the same name, is lively and fully captures the timeless energy and personalities of the city. Unfortunately, the quick-pace intro is only a misleading representation of the rest of the film, which drags with bland numbers and flat singing. Guys and Dolls, based on two short stories by Damon Runyon, originally began as a Tony Award winning musical on the Great White Way and has then been revived three separate times. I have personally never seen the full show on stage, but the word on the street, is that it is a fabulous piece of classic musical comedy. The film attracted me mainly because it featured many big name stars of old Hollywood including Frank Sinatra, Vivian Blaine, Marlon Brando, and Jean Simmons. With so many talented individuals in a film, I had high expectations. While I thoroughly enjoyed the music, the comedy, and gazing at the young Marlon Brando, I was slightly disappointed by the quality of the musical, which seemed lacking compared to other film adaptations of its time. |
About this BlogA collection of random musings from the mind of a native New Yorker. Be sure to find everything from personal narratives, reviews, lists, and rants. SubscribeCategories
All
Archives
January 2022
Recent Posts |