Travis Simpkins

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Smash & Grab: The Story of the Pink Panthers (2013)

Smash & Grab: The Story of the Pink Panthers

by Travis Simpkins

Directed by Havana Marking, Smash & Grab: The Story of the Pink Panthers (2013) gives a unique and up close look at the organized ring of diamond thieves that have ravaged Europe and stolen more than $500,000,000 worth of merchandise since 1999. Emerging out of the former Yugoslavia, this network of ethnic Serbs (known as the Pink Panthers) is responsible for some of the more audacious robberies in modern history… with locales ranging from Switzerland to Dubai and as far away as Japan. The narrative focuses on the different ways in which the thieves are perceived, with some views bordering on "Robin Hood" admiration. The film uses real CCTV footage of Pink Panther heists to illustrate the extreme nature, precision and swiftness of the crimes. The video footage is jaw dropping at times. They enter jewelry stores either by ruse or by more severe force including smashing automobiles through the front door… sometimes they're more stealthy and enter at night by cutting a hole in the wall of an adjoining business. Also included are interviews with various law enforcement personnel, Interpol, crime experts and faux vignettes derived from material given by real-life members of the criminal organization.

The Pink Panthers

"Smash & Grab"- movie trailer

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

The Thieves (2012): South Korean Heist Film

The Thieves

by Travis Simpkins

Directed by Choi Dong-hoon, The Thieves (2012) is the summation of all that is good in a heist film. Although not well known in the United States, The Thieves scored well in Asian markets and is now one of the highest grossing South Korean films ever made. The complicated story starts with an art heist con, and then follows a group of Korean thieves as they team up with a Chinese crew to steal a valuable diamond from a highly guarded casino. The well-written script and close attention to detail, combined with plot twists and fast paced action provide a solid mixture all around. Art theft, safe cracking, high risk free-falls, daring chases, double-crossing and shootouts abound. The whole cast is superb, including Kim Yoon-seok, Lee Jung-jae, Kim Hye-soo and Jeon Ji-hyun (Gianna Jun).

Gianna Jun: The Thieves

: The Thieves

Gianna Jun: The Thieves

: The Thieves

Gianna Jun: The Thieves

: The Thieves

Gianna Jun: The Thieves

: The Thieves

Gianna Jun: The Thieves

: The Thieves

Gianna Jun: The Thieves

"The Thieves"- movie trailer

Monday, December 15, 2014

Research: Worcester Art Museum "Then and Now" by Travis Simpkins. Update #30

-In the first photo, from about 1960, it is apparent that the large recessed arch between the third and fourth floors was designed with a specific intent… that being to display a mural replica of one of the famous Byzantine "Hagia Sophia" mosaics. On the sides of the staircase are two elevators: a small passenger elevator on the left, and a large freight elevator on the right. Wide doorways allow for a open flow of exhibition space from east to west across the landing. Today, the "Hagia Sophia" mural is still there, but is walled-up behind the blank archway. The old passenger elevator was retired (with utility closets on each level now), and the old freight elevator was renovated to suit dual purposes.
-The second "Then and Now" composition shows the third floor landing and Jeppson Gallery, both pre and post Idea Lab. In the 2010 photo, Thomas Crawford's "Boy Playing Marbles" can be seen at center. The sculpture was not in this vulnerable position very long before being relocated back to the American Galleries below. Also, through the door in the same photo, Winslow Homer's "The Gale" can be seen hanging as the centerpiece of the Jeppson Gallery. A long-popular painting amongst visitors, hopefully the Homer will be amongst those pieces to be installed in the renovated Rose Gallery next month.

-The sketch depicts Thomas Crawford's Neoclassical "Boy Playing Marbles" (1853), currently residing in Gallery 332.

-Recently, WAM Conservator Phil Klausmeyer and I have been trading stories about the past uses and appearances of the Museum's 4th floor. One such incarnation involved a commissioned mural, representing a mosaic of the "Virgin and Child flanked by Justinian I and Constantine I" from Hagia Sophia in Istanbul (Constantinople). Here is a comparison (with the real deal on the right), giving some vague indication of likeness, which was supposed to have been a very faithful representation.