Well, dear readers, how foolish we all were yesterday, and I mean that in the nicest possible way. I, myself, hit at least thirty people in the head with a sausage and I was delirious with merriment and mirth and laughter and legs. I have a lovely announcement to make which I will announce in a bit. But first, I have to make an announcement about tonight’s Unseemly Live Celebrity Chat with Alison Fraser. It’s going to work the same way as our last chat with the lovely Melissa Errico – you will let “Ask Alison” know if you have a question (no need to send “Ask Alison” the actual question). “Ask Alison” will let me know and I’ll call on one person at a time to ask their question. I thought it worked fairly smoothly last time. The chat will last anywhere from a half-hour to forty-five minutes and it begins promptly at 6:00 Pacific Mean Time. However, you must arrive at the chat room ten minutes prior to the chat so we can go over these simple rules one more time and test the room out before Alison arrives. So, I do hope you can all make it tonight because Alison Fraser is a total delight. Think of lots of fun and interesting questions.
My other lovely announcement is that the American Cinematheque at the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood is doing a series of screenings in late May – the musicals of the 70ss and 80s, and they will be showing The First Nudie Musical on their big screen. Isn’t that exciting? Isn’t that just too too? Mark Haggard (the co-director) and I will be speaking afterwards. So, mark your calendars and be there or be round. We have a prime spot, too – Friday, May 28th at 7:30. I hope and trust that some of you Hainsies/Kimlets can be there for this exciting event.
Well, why don’t we all click on the fershluganah Unseemly Button below so I can tell you about the motion picture I watched last evening?
Last night I watched a motion picture entitled Le Samourai, which I picked up on a Region 2 DVD. I’ve heard about this film for years but had never seen it. Apparently it’s inspired quite a few other films and directors, especially Walter Hill and John Woo. It’s directed by Jean Pierre Melville, who was known for his cold, austere gangster films of the 50s and 60s in France. This film was made in 1967 and stars Alain Delon as a contract killer. I was very taken with it and in fact think it’s a brilliant film. The photography is by my favorite French cameraman, Henri Decae, and even though it’s in color, it’s the grayest film you’ll ever see – there’s rain falling throughout and the atmosphere is chilly and cold. While it’s hard to root for a cold-blooded killer, that’s what I found myself doing, because the police, who are on his trail, use such despicable means to try to catch him that you hate them. And, the people who hired him double cross him so you hate them, too. There are extraordinary wordless sequences throughout the film and if you somehow get a chance to see it, I recommend it without reservation.
I’ve also watched the first half of David Lynch’s Lost Highway. At this point I haven’t a clue as to what the hell is going on, but then again, I didn’t in Mulholland Drive either, until past the half-way mark. So, I’ll watch the rest of it and let you know if it ever makes any kind of sense.
Who am I, Ebert and Roeper all of a sudden? Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must make many phone calls, I must write, I must make ready for tonight’s chat. Because we’re doing the chat tonight I’m going to skip Ask BK Day this week, so save up your excellent questions for next week. Today’s topic of discussion: What are your all-time favorite episodes of The Twilight Zone? The Twilight Zone was one of my favorite shows (it figures heavily in Kritzerland) and I love mostly every episode, but I don’t want to give away my favorites because it will spoil the surprise of them in Kritzerland. So, you tell me your favorites – if you don’t remember the actual title, just describe it. Post away, my pretties, and we’ll see you at tonight’s live chat.