Well, dear readers, I finally met the owner of the house I’ve been leasing for eight years now – he and his business manager. Both are very nice. We walked the house – I was given major compliments about how pristine I’ve kept the interior – the owner said it looked better than when he lived here. And they saw the work that has needed to be done for the past couple of years and now it will finally get done. It will probably take a few weeks to get rolling, but I’m confident it will all be taken care of within the month. A carpenter will be contacting me (someone my cousins recommended) and he’ll walk the house, note the problems, and then give them an estimate. Once they sign off on that, then the work can begin. It will involve replacing some windows and wood that’s got horrible dry rot – it involves about five windows in all. But some dry rot on some wood in the yard. Trees will be cut back and trimmed, gutters will be cleaned, and the new window treatments will be painted. The actual gate will be replaced, too. It’s really not all that much, and it really has been at least a decade since any work has been done here, so it’s time.
The rest of the day was fairly uneventful. We did ship a LOT of CDs, so all that got done. I had a taco salad with chicken for lunch, and that was quite tasty. I picked up two count them two packages. I did some work on the computer, had some telephonic conversations, and then sat on my couch like so much fish.
Last night, I watched a motion picture on Blu and Ray entitled The Intouchables. I’d heard about it and had been told I would like it very much. But I didn’t like it very much, I, in fact, loved it very much and certainly it was one of the best films I’ve seen in the last few years. It is a French film from France starring the wonderful French actor from France, Francois Cluzet (I’m a huge fan of his, ever since I saw his debut film, Round Midnight) and Omar Sy. The film is based on a true story about a paraplegic and his caregiver. I shan’t say much about the film other than it is human, funny, touching, and ultimately tear-inducing. It is beautifully acted by every single cast member. I am not alone in thinking this. In fact, prior to its playing the United States, it was already the second biggest moneymaker in French film history, and internationally it had already made over three-hundred million dollars. I believe the latter fact had a little something to do with the critical reaction here in our country. This film has gotten raves all over the world. But here? Our oh-so-smart and noxious “critics,” who are some of the most ignorant, ill-informed, terrible writers who ever lived, well, a good many of them made sure the film didn’t do more than acceptable business here. The critic from Variety, whose review has somehow mysteriously disappeared from the Variety website and everywhere else on the Internet, wrote a scathing review, calling the film racist, because one of the characters is black and is the caregiver to a rich, white person of great wealth. Really? That “critic” is probably one of the reasons Variety had to finally give up the ghost. His review was reprehensible in every way and the filmmakers took him to task for it. He should have been run out of town on a rail and he should never EVER be allowed to review a film again. But he wasn’t the only one who took that tack. Others read his review and picked up on that racist theme – I promise when you see the film you will be as nauseated as I with how repellent their reviews are. Not all of them – some understood exactly what the film was and is and loved it. It makes no bones about what it is. Some called the story cliché. Really? Then life is a cliché, because it’s a true story. The critics in this country, whether movie or theater or ballet or opera, have disgraced themselves. They fall all over tripe and rag on films that should be praised to the skies for their heart and humanity. I truly hope Variety fired that idiot. I cannot recommend this film highly enough – no, it’s not the most brilliant film ever made, but when a film can make me laugh out loud, make me tear up, make me happy for the human condition, well, I have to give high marks to that film. Buy it, rent it, and enjoy it for what it is. It’s very special. The transfer and sound are perfect.
I then watched the first few minutes of a motion picture on Blu and Ray entitled Things to Come. I had this restoration on DVD but had never gotten around to watching it. Then I bought a Blu-ray of it from the U.S., paired with the movie She. I tried to watch that, but it looked like a dupe of a dupe of a 16mm dupe – and they called it “restored.” The Netwerk Blu-ray is indeed restored and it looks great. This film has been in the public domain for decades and I’ve never seen anything even resembling a watchable copy. So, I’m really looking forward to finally seeing this film as it deserves to be seen. Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below because I must get a good night’s beauty sleep.
Today, I shall be choosing and assigning songs – we’re still lacking one male cast member and hopefully we can solve that today as well. I have errands and whatnot to do, I may do a Costco run, I’ll eat, I’ll hopefully pick up some packages, and I’ll relax.
Tomorrow I have a lunch, and then I have meetings and meals and seeing a show on Saturday night. Not sure what’s happening on Sunday. Then I have to figure out the dates for my little three-day trip to Washington and book that flight. And I have to prep our new release announcement, which I hope to do on Monday – two CDs – one soundtrack, one cast album. It’s a particularly exciting release.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, choose and assign songs and hopefully find our final cast member – we also have to figure out a guest star – we asked Cathy Rigby, who would have done it gladly but her tour isn’t finished until the end of April. But we’ll definitely use her now that we know she’s willing to do it. I will do errands and whatnot, maybe do a Costco run, eat, hopefully pick up some packages, and relax. Today’s topic of discussion: It’s Ask BK 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, where I shall continue to lambast the nitwits who pass themselves off as critics.