Well, dear readers, I must write these here notes in a hurry for I am a man on a mission. I’m in a critical (and I do mean critical) section of the book and I must write like the wind and keep my concentration keen (neek, spelled backwards). Yes, you heard it here, dear readers, I am a man on a mission and I must get through this critical section of the book. What I’d like to know is can there be a mission on a man? Speaking of a man on a mission, it is once again raining in Los Angeles, California, USA. I believe it is raining because roof repairs were supposed to start tomorrow. So, roof repairs will start whenever this stupid rain abates. Thankfully, the two leaky spots have complete temporary protection so rain away, baby, it’s no skin off my back. It’s no skin off my front, for that or any other matter. It’s not even any skin off my side. Yesterday, I had quite a busy day, what with starting the critical section of the book, then going over the hill and doing several errands, then meeting the Pogues for supper. As I posted last night, we supped at our usual hangout, Schwab’s. However, it will not be our hangout any longer, and for the reasons see last night’s post. I had several interesting phone conversations as well. I’m starting to get excited about the signing/reading at The Drama Bookshop. And we may just have a real surprise or two in store for those who attend. Stay tuned. Hey, aren’t I a man on a mission? Let us move directly to the next paragraph, which is, after all, what a man on a mission would do.
Last night I watched a most peculiar motion picture on DVD entitled Comedie de l’Innocence, un film de Raoul Ruiz, starring Miss Isabelle Hupert. I’m not quite certain what to make of the film. Certainly it has an intriguing plot hook when one fine day a nine-year-old birthday boy announces to his mother (Huppert) that he wants to go home to his “real” mother. Since she is his real mother this confuses her, but she plays along with it as the boy knows the address where his “real” mother lives. From there, things become completely enigmatic and completely strange. One doesn’t, in fact, know what one is watching or what the meaning is. And yet, the film is mesmerizingly directed and scored and you can’t take your eyes off the screen. The ending sort of has an explanation, but one doesn’t know if one should believe it, and one is left with many unanswered questions. I’d love for other dear readers to see the film and to discuss it. It’s a very intriguing piece of work, which is either not-very-good or really good, depending on your tolerance for the obscure. They tried to sell this film in the same vein as The Sixth Sense and The Others – it has nothing whatsoever to do with either of those films and contains no twist like those films. I watched a region 2 DVD, but it’s coming out here shortly, under the title Comedy of Innoncence. Comedie, in the way it’s used in the French title, means more like “playing a part” rather than “comedy”. A comedy this film isn’t. Surreal, disturbing, and enigmatic it is.
What am I, Ebert and Roeper all of a sudden? Why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below, which is, after all, what a man on a mission would do.
Have I mentioned that I’m a man on a mission? I’m quite looking forward to the ripoff memorabilia show this weekend at the Beverly Garland Hotel. There is quite a list of celebrities who’ll be there, including my old pal, Miss Joanie Sommers. I’ll also be interested to see what dealers show up. I will, of course, have a full report for you, complete with photographs.
I picked up a ton of sheet music from our old friend Rick Starr at Hollywood Sheet Music. I’ve played through some of it, but haven’t made any firm choices yet for the last seven tracks. Well, I have made one firm choice, but not from this stack of music. I will only tell you that Mr. Haines will be recording the world premiere of a new Craig Carnelia song and it’s a beaut.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must write like the wind, I must do only a few errands, I must pick up some packages (including the new Comedy Collection box set from Warners), and I must religiously stay on my diet. Yes, Virginia, I must religiously stay on my diet – for example, I might put on a Yarmulke to religiously stay on my diet. Today’s topic of discussion: What are your favorite religious films – those films, both epic and small, that have taught you something, touched you, or made you howl with derisive laughter. Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we? We shall.