Well, dear readers, here we are on a lovely Monday, and I must write quickly and depart. Oh, yes, I must write quickly and depart for today I start what is going to be an incredibly difficult four weeks at work. I have been handed two full shows (most of the shows are comprised of two twelve-minute bits, but some are full 30 minute one-bit shows) – the one I just completed was a full show as well. In fact, all my pieces have been full shows. I don’t know why I’m so blessed. In any case, I will be viewing tons of tapes this week, then I have to outline both pieces (I’ve already gotten a jump on one of them, thank goodness), and then write them. The trouble is, there still shooting stuff for both segments. It will be hellish, but I shall get through it, by gum and by golly. What will get me through it is knowing I can write these here notes every day, and then read all of your postings – so we must have a plethora of posts – you must post until the cows come home.
If anyone missed any of the wonderously wonderful celebrations going on here this weekend, you owe it to yourself to use the handy-dandy Unseemly Archive Button to catch up. We had a blast here all weekend – it was happening here, it was cool, man, cool, it was the ginchiest and the grooviest.
Last night, I finished Star Wars: Attack of the Clones. No, it is not the greatest motion picture ever made, no it’s not perfect, but I am so tired of these pimple-faced little snots who proliferate on all the film newsgroups who do nothing but bash this film and The Phantom Menace. It’s a measure of the world we live in, frankly, and it bores me to tears. If either of these films had been released within ten years of the trilogy, the audiences would have eaten them up. It’s not that they weren’t hits, mind you, these films did just fine – it’s just the whining and complaining, and about what? These two films are totally in the spirit of the original Star Wars – I’d bet the whiners and complainers find that film quaint. After all, when you think The Matrix and Spiderman are the second coming, then what chance does an old-fashioned space opera have? In any case, even though it’s not perfect, I did enjoy it immensely, and the effects and digital work is so astonishing that I think people just sort of take it for granted because it all looks so real and is so seamless. I liked this one better than The Phantom Menace, although I enjoyed that, too (I know I am in the minority, but I don’t care – I enjoyed it and that’s all there is to it and that includes Mr. Jar Jar Binks – if that character had been in the first three films, he would have been accepted and loved totally. I am convinced of this). Mr. John Williams’ score is one of the best of this series. And, once again, I’m sorry to have to say it, but Mr. George Lucas’ direction is terrific. Fast, fun and, as I said, filled with mind-boggling CGI work.
What am I, Ebert and Roeper all of a sudden? Why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below and find out if the force is with us.
Yes, by gum and by golly, the force is with haineshisway.com and we are better for it. Yesterday, I was contacted by the lady who runs the biggest Partridge Family website, and she asked me to do an interview and I, of course, said I would be more than happy to. I’ll let you know when it takes place and then all Hainsies/Kimlets can go read said interview and we can all say c’mon get happy.
Tonight is our second unseemly live chat and I do hope that all you various and sundried people can join in the merriment and mirth and laughter and legs. Oh, what fun we shall have, telling tales out of school. Oh, yes, we shall tell tales out of school and we shall be the better for it. In any case, if you’d like to take part, please e-mail me your IM handles as soon as you can and I will pass them along to whoever’s setting up the chat (probably our very own Susan Gordon as I don’t know if Michael Shayne is available). If you have not gotten a confirmation from me, please post on the site, because apparently some e-mails to me have gone astray, like the man that got away. Tell your friends, tell your neighbors, tell the man in the street, tell the Randy Vicar, that our live chat is more fun than a barrel of meat.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must go hither and thither and even yon as I wend my way toward Woodland Hills. Today’s topic of discussion: What do you think is the most perfect musical ever written? The perfect blend of book, music and lyrics. I’ve said my choice fairly often – Gypsy. But I’m interested to hear your choices dear readers and the reasons for your choice. Post away, my pretties, and see you tonight at the Unseemly Live Chat, which will begin precisely at 7:30, when I get home.