Well, dear readers, we’re off and running. Yes, you heard it here, dear readers, we’re off and running. It’s going to be non-stop merriment and mirth and laughter and legs from now on until the opening of The Brain, and hopefully for a long time thereafter. There’s lots of work to be done, and I’m sure some of it will be arduous, but by gum and by golly and buy bonds we’re going to make the best of it, and anyone who says we aren’t is a stick in the mud. Well, at least we know the non-stop part is right. For example, yesterday was supposed to be a complete day of rest and yet it was not a complete day of rest because I found I had to deal with quite a few Brain matters. So, even with the best of intentions, I only had a half-day of rest, but that half-day was gloriously glorious, for I sat around like so much fish, lazing about like a gazelle in a feather boa. I must say, a gazelle does look rather foppish in a feather boa, which is why I, BK, never wear a feather boa, unless I’m going out for a gay and marvelous night on the town. Of course, at this time I have no clew as to what the HELL I’m going on about. In any case, I dealt with the business stuff as swiftly as possible, and then I took a drive and then I came home and sat on my couch like so much fish.
Yesterday, I did manage to watch two count them two motion pictures on DVD. The first motion picture on DVD was entitled The Reckless Moment, a film of Max Ophuls. I’ve been on a Max Ophuls tear recently (you’ll remember my raves for Letter From An Unknown Woman a few weeks ago) – he was a brilliant director and one for whom my admiration grows with each new film I see. From what I can tell, The Reckless Moment (the last of the films he made in America) is generally thought of as an excellent but somehow lesser film than his others. Of course, only twits would think that – you know, those disciples of Andrew Sarris and other idiotic auteurists who think they know what the HELL they’re talking about – those pedantic critics whose florid meanderings make me want to vomit on the ground. My goodness, have I gotten carried away? I do believe I have. In any case, The Reckless Moment is hardly lesser Ophuls – in fact, it is Ophuls at his best, an absolutely fantastic film in every way. What a joy to discover a film I had never seen, especially when said film exceeds any expectations I might have had. Mr. Ophuls’ direction is fluid and beautiful and unlike anyone else. I just become mesmerized with his camera moves and the way in which he shoots a scene. The photography is quite wonderful, with deep shadows and gorgeous contrast. The performances by the leading players are also marvelous – Miss Joan Bennett (never better), and Mr. James Mason (what an actor he was). Miss Bennett plays the mother of a seventeen-year-old who is involved with a much older man, and a sleazeball at that. There is murder and blackmail, but the film goes to very interesting places and not of it is hackneyed or clichéd. I sat glued to the screen (no mean feat) for every one of the film’s crisp eighty minutes. I have no idea if any of these Ophuls films will come out in region 1, but for those with multi-region players, if you love movies you will love these films. The transfer was beautifully beautiful. I then watched the second motion picture on DVD, which was entitled Cars, the latest feature film from Pixar. I have really loved most of Pixar’s films (the only one I actually didn’t love was A Bug’s Story or whatever it was called). They seemingly could do no wrong, while Disney’s conventional animation department seemingly could do no right. I’d heard mixed reports about Cars, so I wasn’t even looking forward to seeing it. Well, it’s not an instant classic like the Toy Story films, or Monsters, Inc. or Finding Nemo (I didn’t think The Incredibles was a classic, even though I enjoyed it a lot), but about three-quarters of it is lovely and very entertaining. The film is simply too long (with credits, close to two hours). Even though it starts with a lot of action, it just takes forever to set up its premise – also, one is getting used to the Pixar routine by now, and they need to switch things up a bit, because Cars is really predictable – enjoyable, but predictable. That said, what works works well, and from about the forty minute mark I had a good time. And, as we’ve come to expect, the animation is superb and breathtaking. The voice work is top-notch, and Randy Newman’s musical score is delightful. I wish there were a few less songs (not Randy’s – his one song contribution is terrific) – well, I just wish the film were twenty minutes shorter. The transfer is reference quality, as is the sound.
What am I, Ebert and Roeper all of a sudden? Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below because otherwise I may start telling you the story of The Randy Vicar and The Necco Wafer.
Today, we’re having another casting session for the kids show, and then I’ll have to beat a hasty retreat to LACC for rehearsal. We have a lot to do today – I intend to run the show, plus work on specific scenes, plus run the tap number a bunch of times. It will be nice from now on, as we have our musical director with us every rehearsal, so we don’t have to work with the CD anymore (the tempos are not wonderful on the CD).
As I think I mentioned, they’ve asked me to be a guest in the TA105 class this Thursday – sort of a BK career retrospective and a Q&A. I’m looking forward to doing it, and our very own Mr. Nick Redman will be moderating. They’ve opened it up to anyone who’d like to attend, so if you know anyone in LA who’d like to come, just drop me an e-mail and I’ll send them the information. It’s from two to three, but might stretch a bit longer.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, jog, cast, rehearse, and, at some point, eat something. Today’s topic of discussion: As I have discovered Mr. Ophuls quite late, what are your favorite films that you’ve discovered quite late – ones that you knew nothing about but that immediately entered your pantheon of greats? And what music have you discovered quite late that you knew nothing about but that immediately entered your pantheon of greats? Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, because, after all, we’re off and running.