Well, dear readers, can you dig it? What am I, Shaft all of a sudden? The fact of the matter is I watched Shaft last night on Blu and Ray and, of course, was saying, “Can you dig it?” all night long to anyone who would listen. Since I was home by myself that would have been me. But I did go to Gelson’s to get some refried beans in a can and I did say it to the checkout person, who smiled at me in that way that says why don’t you check yourself into a mental institution? Can you dig it? Can you dig that I went to Gelson’s for a can of refried beans? Why would anyone go to Gelson’s for a can of refried beans? In my case, I wanted to have only three hundred calories on top of the 750 calories I’d had earlier, so low-fat refried beans, the entire damn can, is only three hundred calories. There is, you see, a method to the madness as well as a madness to the method.
But before any of that, I’d gotten up at nine. The helper came by to pick up invoices, and then I answered e-mails and did some work on the computer, after which I went and had a sandwich and no fries or onion rings. Then I picked up no packages and an important envelope. I came home, walked to the bank, made a deposit, got some cash for the New York trip, and then came home again. I had some telephonic calls to make, then I had to listen to an upcoming Kritzerland project. Somehow the day just seemed to disappear and the next thing I knew it was evening, so I sat on my couch like so much fish.
As mentioned, last night I watched a motion picture on Blu and Ray entitled Shaft. It was quite a radical little film back in its day – very low budget and a humungous hit, which spawned two sequels and ultimately (what else is new) a remake. Watching Shaft is like taking a time machine back to an era and a place that no longer exists – 1971 and a city called New York that does not resemble the city that is now called New York one iota. In the title sequence we get wonderful shots of what was then called 42nd Street, with its dirt and grit and scum and its rows of movie marquees. You get wonderful shots of Broadway and Times Square in the days when there were three or four movie theaters on every single block. Today, not ONE of them exists. That is pretty astonishing when you think about it – every single movie theater on Broadway, gone. I don’t think anybody in their wildest imaginings would have ever thought that could happen. And it happened with such swiftness that it seemed like one day they were there and the next day they weren’t. Today, Times Square is like a Japanese Disneyland. Shaft is an odd film – it just sort of meanders along, scene after scene, until you get the finale, which happens very quickly. But it spawned a whole genre of film and was very influential. It’s not very well directed (Gordon Parks) but somehow it all just works – everything is shot on location, which helps. And one cannot give the Isaac Hayes score enough credit – it really gives the film its, pardon the expression, soul. The title song is incredible and gets the film off to a great start. Even if you’re not a fan, it’s worth it for the views of the city that used to be New York. And I’m happy to say that the transfer is absolutely great, perfectly replicating the low-budget grainy look of the film. It’s an exemplary transfer and the movie has never looked better.
After that, I rustled up the can of refried beans (adding some onions, taco sauce, and a little low-cal, low-fat, shredded cheddar cheese) – it was very filling and yet very calorie friendly and of course it made me completely nauseous. Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below because I really must get a good night’s beauty sleep. Can you dig it?
Today, I have no plans other than hopefully picking up some packages, doing a jog of some sort, eating something calorie friendly, packing, and relaxing. It’s never too soon to send your most excellent vibes and xylophones for a safe, secure, and on time flight to the city that never sleeps, so send ’em along. I’ll write the notes early and get to bed by ten.
Tomorrow, I’ll be up at 4:45 and then will be whisked to the Bank of Bur airport, after which I will be winging my way to the city that never sleeps. Once there, I’ll be supping with dear readers FJL, ChasSmith, and Ben, along with a couple of friends. Monday we’ll be in the studio bright and early and we work all the way till 8:00 in the evening. If any of our East Coast denizens would like to see what it’s like in the recording studio, or how I work, drop me an e-mail and we’ll see about arranging a time for you to visit. I always like an open studio.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, do a jog, hopefully pick up some packages, eat, pack, and relax. Today’s topic of discussion: What are your favorite movies that depict New York during its sleazy years – say the mid-1960s to the late 1980s? Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland – can you dig it?