Well, dear readers, I am just about proofed out, and yet I have more proofing to do. Yes, you heard it here, dear readers, I, BK, have more proofing to do and yet I am just about proofed out. The proof of my just about being proofed out is in the pudding. Did you know the proof was in the pudding? It’s in the chocolate pudding, as a matter of fact, so those who were looking for the proof in the vanilla, butterscotch, or tapioca puddings are out of luck, proof-in-the-pudding-wise. My eyes are red and tired from all the proofing. I am hoping that by mid-week all the proofing will be done because, frankly, I am just about proofed out. Speaking of proofed out, yesterday was proof positive that I was just about proofed out. I woke up in the morning and immediately had to proof story number five, after which I immediately went to Mr. Grant Geissman’s home environment. We entered the final two stories into our formatted book. Then we entered all the corrections from the first five stories, which I’d been proofing all weekend. Then we printed the whole thing out once again, and today I will proof the final two stories, and then re-proof the first five to make sure we caught everything. After doing all that, I came home, jogged, then shaved and showered. Then Mr. Nick Redman arrived and we supped at Hugo’s and then toddled off to see a show at the Hudson. I’d been asked to see this show by one of its performers who’d been at one of our cabaret shows this summer. He seemed interested in me perhaps considering booking the show next year, or at least that was my impression. So, imagine my little surprise when we arrived at the theater and were not comped. I don’t mind paying and am very supportive in that regard, but when someone is interested in you helping them or seeing their show, then I do believe it’s customary to comp them in. But, what do I know? The performers were just fine, and the audience of close friends, fans, and family, hooted and hollered at every move, every facial expression, every schtick. While some of it was entertaining, I found the conceit of the show to be very one note and I tired of it after a while. Certainly it isn’t the sort of show I’d book for the cabaret series, just because it doesn’t fit in with what I feel our series is. After the show, we had some pie at Du-Par’s and bemoaned the sorry state of the world in which we live.
Last night, I did manage to watch one motion picture on DVD, because it was short and sweet – This Island Earth, the new Universal DVD. I know the film is considered a classic of sorts, but it’s never been my favorite. I certainly like it, but, for me, other Universal sci-fi films were better. The transfer is sharper than the old Image DVD, but it’s not world-class or anything. Most egregiously, it’s full frame when it clearly should be widescreen 1:85. In fact, in the film’s Variety review it clearly states it was shown 2.1 in theaters originally. There is no excuse for a full frame transfer of this film as there would have been few theaters left that could have shown it in that ratio at the time of its release. There is too much headroom in every shot and it just destroys the compositions. Oh, well – perhaps if HD-DVD catches on, they’ll finally get it right.
I’ve spoken often of my admiration for the French thriller L’Appartement. It’s finally been released in the US, which is great news. Unfortunately, it’s been released by Lion’s Gate, which is terrible news. The transfer is decent but not much more, but worse, the subtitling is like its for the hard of hearing, with translations of the song that plays over the main titles – the song is in English – why do we need subtitles with little musical notes. Basically, it’s a disaster and Lion’s Gate should be flogged mercilessly like Judge Turpin. You know, it’s fine to have subtitles for the hard of hearing IN ADDITION to regular subtitles for those of us who don’t need subtitles to tell us that children are playing or which character is speaking. This film deserves better, that’s all I can say – I won’t be getting rid of my French region 2 DVD (correctly subtitled). Even with the awful subs, I still would recommend a rental, because the film is really good.
Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below whilst I gird my loins for more proofing.
Today, for example, I must proof. After I proof, I must proof some more. I think I also have to have a lunch meeting at some point, and I may have other things to do that I’m not remembering. I also have to lock someone in to play this Thursday’s auditions, and I have to figure out which sides people will be reading. In other words, a completely full day.
Remember, you still have until midnight tonight to submit your answers to this week’s trivia contest. Also, if you missed any of the notes or posts this weekend (and many of you did), do catch up or, at the very least, do ketchup.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, jog, proof, proof, meet, proof, pick sides, proof, and then, to top it off, proof. Today’s topic of discussion: What was the first piece of music you heard that made you fall in love with music and want to seek out other music? Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I proof, proof, proof (that is three proofs).