New York Shitty Pay Phones Du Jour: Special East Williamsburg Edition

grahamave

REPENT

Taken May 1, 2013.

Now Coming To The Silver Screen: Joe “373 Scam Avenue” Loiacono

URnotalone

That’s right folks: a mere six months have passed since this fellow was charged with a litany of downright nasty criminal acts and now two brave documentarians have not only decided his is a story worth telling but the Kickstarter community concurred! Follows is Ashley and Arielle’s “pitch”. I have bold-faced my favorite passages and added commentary as I have seen fit. Enjoy!

Set in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, Joe’s trinket shop symbolizes a fusion of two worlds: where traditional American-Italian ideals meet a new wave of hipsters. (Ed. Note: I am going to go out on a limb here and say if the “Italian Community” thereabouts learned that this fellow apparently represents them they would not happy.) U R Not Alone depicts the evolution of an unlikely friendship between this controversial man and two young women and continues with their dilemma once he is arrested. As they delve deeper into investigating Joe’s crimes and past, they bring audiences on their moral roller coaster ride – questioning the intrinsic societal predicaments he stands for. (Ed. Note: Here’s a “powerful moral dilemma”; you glorifying someone who repeatedly stole security deposits from people, attempted to assault his neighbor with a chainsaw (and as such was hit with a restraining order which he immediately violated) and has an extensive record of domestic violence and sexual assault.*) At a time when cultural and moral values are being re-assessed, Joe’s compelling character demands all who engage with him to challenge what is good, who is bad, what fits in, and what does not. How are those who do not quite fit the mold treated, and is it just?

A LITTLE MORE: In the fall of 2011 we met Joe: an overweight, generally shirtless man – adorned with eclectic jewelry, a fake guitar, and a very large mouth. U R Not Alone follows one man’s struggle with the law and society at large. His story has continuously challenged us with provocative questions and powerful moral dilemmas that will surely stir audiences and confront them in the same right. The film not only has the potential to demonstrate ambiguities, injustices, and manipulations of the American law system, but also highlights and challenges the roles of documentary filmmakers, their subjects, and the responsibility they have to one another as people.

Over the last year, we have followed this man on his path to self-destruction through alcohol, drugs, and false hopes. As we became better acquainted with Joe, we saw a side of him that nobody else seemed to. We watched as an entire neighborhood dismissed, and put away a man that they simply did not understand. (Ed. Note: “not understand” = objecting to being chased down the street with a chainsaw.)

The film depicts the evolution of an unlikely friendship between this controversial character and two young girls trying to capture his story, and continues with our dilemma once he is arrested. How much do we trust this man, and how far do we go for him? What do we see in Joe that the rest of the world does not? Are we being conned?

At a time when cultural and moral values are being re-assessed, Joe’s compelling character demands all who engage with him to challenge what is good, who is bad, what fits in, and what does not. How are those who do not quite fit the mold treated, and is it just?

Follows are a few of yours truly favorite “teasers.” What I found particularly interesting is how this documentary seems to be more about its makers than its “subject”. I love a steaming cup of narcissism in the morning!

Ride to Rikers from Ashley Benzwie on Vimeo.

Kiss the Girl – U R Not Alone from Ashley Benzwie on Vimeo.

casedetails

Any and all interested in learning more about this sterling endeavor can do so by clicking here. WARNING/CAVEAT: Some eye and/or mind bleach might be required afterward— so do not say I did not warn you!

*Special thanks goes out to one of Joe’s neighbors and 373 Scam Avenue for the “moral focus” here.

Southside Photos Du Jour: SOS

SOS

lifpreserver

Taken April 25, 2013.

Urban Artifact, Part II: Seven Days & Counting…

sevendays

Yup…

From The New York Shitty Inbox, Part II: Bomb Scare At Enterprise High School?

Per an anonymous tipster:

There’s a bomb scare happening near Bushwick and Grand.

Yikes! If anyone has the 411 on what is going on, pelase share via comments or email at: missheather (at) thatgreenpointblog (dot) come. Your identity will remain anonymous if you so desire. Thanks!

UPDATE: Here’s the 411 per DNA.info. Long story made very short and sweet, it would appear someone called the police regarding an abandoned suitcase on the premises.

Greenpoint Feral Fashion Watch: Special 4/20 Edition

April 20, 2013 ·
Filed under: 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Urban Artifact, WTF 

riteaid

pantssockspantiesandmaxipad

spoiledangel

allofit

Looks like someone had a little too much fun Friday night. Or something. In any case, if anyone reading this lost her (presumed) pants (socks, shoes, undies and maxi pad) in Greenpoint last night, they’re waiting for you in front of the Rite Aid at 783 Manhattan Avenue. As you can plainly see:they have yet to find a taker.

Greenpoint Photo Du Jour: Manhattan Avenue

April 18, 2013 ·
Filed under: 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, WTF 

mildlyterrifying

Huh?

(Taken April 18, 2013.)

The Word On The Street, Part IV: North 8 Street

April 16, 2013 ·
Filed under: 11211, The Word On The Street, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn, WTF 

cakefarts

Those of you who are not “in the know”, happen to be curious and are NOT AT WORK can learn about “Cake Farts” by either Googling the web site with same said moniker (don’t say I didn’t warn you) or by reading the general description to be found here. Better yet spare yourself the trouble (and need for eye and/or mind bleach afterward) and watch the following video instead:

Urban Artifact: Special “Just Say No” Edition

lorimerstreet

junkietree

New York Shitty analysis:

Glass Half Full: You know spring has in fact arrived when the hypodermic trees start to bloom.
Glass Half Empty: You we have a serious substance abuse problem hereabouts when even the trees need a fix.

secondview

Those of you who wish to marvel at this wonder of nature (perhaps the Audubon Society should be consulted regarding this hitherto undiscovered species of flora?) can do so by heading to Lorimer and Bayard Street. Walk northward on Lorimer Street. It’s the ninth tree on the western side. WARNING/CAVEAT to curiosity seekers/our municipal authorities: this item appears to be used.

Urban Artifact, Part I: Manhattan Avenue

April 15, 2013 ·
Filed under: 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Urban Artifact, WTF 

basketoffun

3

Yours truly has spied a number of things placed in bicycle “baskets” over the years. For better or worse they have been pressed into service as ad hoc trash receptacles whose contents are usually coffee cups, cigarette packs, liquor bottles and newspaper. But a golf club “cozy”? Well, this is a new one. Here it is for posterity Garden Spotters!

  • NYS Flickr Pool

    The One CrewSnowy SeagullsWalking the Dog in the Snow
  • Ads