Well, dear readers, our stumble-through was, as always, a lot of fun. The singers come together and perform for each other and it’s a really great part of our Kritzerland process. The show order worked very well – this show is two songs less than any other show we’ve done, but several of the songs are REALLY long so it all comes out in the wash. We had more fumfering of lyrics than I think we’ve had in any show thus far – all due to the fact that the two fellows have the wordiest and most complicated songs ever. I asked both to really work to be completely ready – we’ll ascertain that at the sound check and if they absolutely need to have lyrics on the piano I’ll let them, although it’s just a bad idea because if they’re there they will be glued to them – that’s what always happens. We’ll see how it all goes. I have to say that this is probably the funniest show we’ve done – big laughs throughout, and the ballads are all over the place – simple, elegant, hugely dramatic – a very eclectic bunch of songs done beautifully by our cast.
Prior to that, I was up early, I did a four-mile jog for the first time in several months, then did errands and whatnot, picked up one small package, and then came home and did work on the computer until it was time for rehearsal. After rehearsal, I gave Melody her birthday present – a small pink make-up carryall case filled with fourteen bottles of OPI and Essie nail polish – she’s obsessed with nail polish, and these two brands are the most popular with young kids. I got here fourteen bottles for her fourteenth birthday, along with some really great smelling lotion and soap. She went bonkers for it all, so I guess I did good. And she was very happy with the colors I chose. Then we moseyed on over to Dan Tana’s for the birthday dinner.
I think I hadn’t been there for five or six years – the last time was with the Geissmans. We were there early, so there were only a handful of folks in attendance. I’d raved about the spaghetti carbonara so much that Melody, her dad, and I all ordered it – funnily, it used to not be on the menu – you had to ask the chef to do it, but now it’s part of the menu. Melody’s mom and I also ordered Caesar salads. These are REAL Caesar salads, not that toy stuff they do at most restaurants. It’s made at the table and it is simply the best Caesar I’ve ever eaten. Melody took a bite and she couldn’t believe how great it was, but she was saving herself for the carbonara. Melody’s mom ordered Chicken Marsala. The carbonara was, as always, spectacular. I don’t know why I was remembering a heavy cream sauce, but there was almost no cream at all – more butter actually, but nothing terribly heavy. That said, after half of it I was ready to burst, but that, of course, didn’t stop me and I finished every bite. Melody managed to eat half hers, and took the rest home. Melody’s dad finished his, and her mom really liked her dish. For dessert, I had the chocolate mousse cheesecake and Melody had the tiramisu. All in all, a perfectly perfect meal.
We then went to the Nuart movie theater, where I dropped off the Nudie Musical print – we’ll make the decision whether to run it or the Blu and Ray next week. Then we came back here and they went home and I sat on my couch like so much fish.
Last night, I watched one Wallander film, the tenth in series two. I’d read something somewhere where a fan of the show was very unhappy with the last few episodes, but I never take that stuff seriously. But the tenth film, The Ghost, was one of the worst things I’ve ever seen and if this is where this show has devolved to for the last three films that will be a crying shame. The first series of thirteen were dark and moody and brilliant. The second series felt different but I still found the stories compelling and the films really well done, with great performances from all. And then, last night, the show hit a wall and I blame it completely on the producers and director – I have to check, but it seems that with this film the producers may have changed and certainly this was this director’s first film in the series. I knew we were in deep trouble from frame one because gone was the steady pace, the elegant camerawork, the playing out of scenes, replaced by an idiot at the helm, an idiot who is obviously enamored of American crap direction – you know the kind – jerky cam, out-of-focus, no shot lasting over three seconds, and the color completely turned yellow. This film takes place during a heat wave so the brilliant “director” turns everything yellow and blasts out the whites, making everything indistinct and hazy, as if that somehow signifies hot. It signifies a stupid director is what it signifies. I think the film was probably decently written, but you’d never know it because you’re so nauseous from the camerawork you’re not even paying attention to who’s doing what to whom. I couldn’t wait for it to end, frankly. And suddenly we have an “action” show – not the slow-paced, thoughtful, character-driven films prior to this. If I’d seen day one of dailies this director would have been fired so fast it wouldn’t even be funny. This isn’t Wallander, this is some horrid rip-off of bad American TV and moviemaking. And the acting is so over the top from everyone, including the regulars – it just shows you how something can go to hell thanks to a fool behind the camera. Lots of ACTING and YELLING and BRAYING and CRYING and DRAMA – none of the other films have been like that – none of them. That’s what’s been so wonderful. After this pathetic excuse for a Wallander film was over, I began the next film just to get the bad taste out of my mouth – but I didn’t, because the first shot was jerky cam, washed out yellow color, blown out whites and yes, the same idiot director. I looked him up on the imdb, and happily it is the last film he directed for the series, so maybe the final two shows will get back on track. If not, they should have ended with film number nine. No wonder Krister Henricksson wanted out and didn’t want to do any more. If this is the direction the producers were taking the show, well, shame on them. I’m keeping an open mind for the final two, because I already know I will hate the one I just started, due to the talentless hack who is the director.
Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below because I must get a good night’s beauty sleep so I can be alert and ready for our Kritzerland show.
Today, I shall do another jog, I shall relax, I shall do a little work on the liner notes for the next Kritzerland release, and then it’s sound check and then it’s the show. We are really light for this show, but I’m hoping that goes up today and that we have people just show up.
Tomorrow, it’s Dr. Chew – I think this visit will be just taking impressions for the two caps I’m getting, since I have no cavities. Or maybe he’ll file down the two cracked teeth – I can’t remember how it all goes. Tuesday I’ll be having a meal with Alet Taylor, and then I have to finish liner notes and get the new packaging on its way to approval, I’ll have to approve the new master, I have meetings and meals, and then the New York Singer arrives and we begin serious work on her act. She’ll be here for three or four days, so that will take up a lot of my time.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, do a jog, relax, work on liner notes, do a sound check, do a show, and then relax. Today’s topic of discussion: It’s free-for-all day, the day in which you get to ask me or any dear reader any old question you like and we get to give any old answer we like. So, let’s have loads of lovely questions and loads of lovely answers and loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland, belly filled with yummilicious carbonara.