Well, dear readers, it is late and I must write these here notes in a hurry because I have to get a good night’s beauty sleep as I have a very busy day today. I just put myself to sleep with that sentence. That sentence had not an iota of flair or pizzazz or even oomph. But, sometimes you just have to start these here notes because otherwise I would just sit, staring at the white page in front of me for hours and then where would we be? So, let’s just end this horribly boring paragraph, shall we?
Yesterday was a fine little day, all things considered. For the second day in a row, I was up at six, seven, eight and then nine-thirty. I was awakened at nine-thirty by the ringing of the doorbell. I got up and it was one of those location managers telling me they’d be shooting nearby next week. I told him he was the third person in three days to let me know that various shoots were taking place. I told him I didn’t give a flying Wallenda but that if I saw ANY cars parked in front of my house that I would raise a ruckus. He said he was only the messenger and just needed my signature – I told him goodbye and that I wasn’t interested in signing anything.
Then I answered e-mails and did work on the computer, got a call that my framed book cover art was ready for pick up seven days ahead of schedule, then the helper came by briefly, and then I got ready to go. I first went to the framers and picked up the cover painting – the frame we chose is perfection and it looks fantastic. Grant will be coming over on Friday to find the perfect place to hang it. Then I went to Mo’s in the Bank of Bur and met friends Marshall Harvey and Henry Stanny. Marshall is holding up well and planning a nice memorial celebration of his late wife, Annie. We all had fun – I tried the Mo’s chili, which was good but not as good as the Jerry’s Deli chili. Go know.
After that, I picked up one package containing season one of House of Cards. Naturally it’s not really an “original” American series, but based on a UK series. I’m finding that most of the stuff people are raving about these days are based on Danish or Swedish or UK series. I guess that’s easier than actually coming up with an original idea, but everyone has told me that House of Cards is really good, and since I like Kevin Spacey I thought I’d take a chance. When I’ll get around to it is a whole other story. Once home, I checked out the packaging for our next release and got it on its merry way for approval. I did more work on the computer, had some telephonic calls, and then sat on my couch like so much fish.
Last night, I watched a motion picture on Blu and Ray entitled Frozen, which was a big ol’ hit for Disney. I was told that it was a real throwback to the Alan Menken/Howard Ashman days, and yes, it does aspire to do that. But the problem is, these songwriters are not Alan Menken and Howard Ashman. The songs, for me at least, were never more than serviceable, not even the best of them. Part of the problem, again for me at least, are the lyrics, which are filled with platitudes or statements, but that never really do what theater songs should do – illuminate plot and character in a natural way. These lyrics hit you over the head rather strongly. I didn’t think the tunes were anything special, but they were certainly okay. I enjoyed watching it – it doesn’t overstay its welcome, but I found it a little relentless with its never-ending dramatic score (there is literally not more than three seconds that go by without music – let me tell you, sometimes silence is golden and much more effective, but the Disney machine is petrified of silence), and I found its lack of a villain was problematic. The real villain of the piece doesn’t really appear until eighty minutes in – and that’s a problem. The film wants to appeal to the Wicked crowd – there’s no question about it – it’s designed for tweens – certainly others, adults and younger kids can enjoy it, but it was definitely designed for the tween Wicked market. So, we get a lot of female empowerment – we’ve been getting that in mostly every animated film these days, whether Tangled or Brave or whatever – and one-word titles seem to be all the rage, too, don’t they? The film does stand a couple of conventions on their head and that’s always fun, but in the end, it’s all a bit predictable. The voices are fine, and the film is beautifully designed and animated, although, that said, I am truly tired of this form of animation and would love a real old-fashioned animated film in the classic Disney style. That won’t happen until it happens and then suddenly it will be all the rage again. The transfer and sound are state of the art.
I then watched another motion picture on Blu and Ray entitled Gravity. Put the two movies together and we have Frozen Gravity. I’d seen Gravity on a DGA screener and enjoyed it but didn’t think it was the most brilliant thing ever, which I’d been told repeatedly it was. I’m also told that it’s amazing in IMAX and 3-D and I’m sure it’s an impressive experience, but that doesn’t really change the dramatics of the film. The Blu-ray is spectacular looking, and that does help. It’s a beautiful film to look at, and it sounds great, too. I liked it better the second time around and Sandra Bullock is excellent. It does move along and is just the right running time at under ninety minutes, and the effects are amazing. The Oscar-winning score works well in the film. One admirable thing about the direction and editing is the long takes without cuts – it’s refreshing as can be, even in the most intense action scenes we’re allowed to actually see things unfold without rapid fire cutting, we know the geography and that always makes action scenes work better.
After the two films, I did some more work on the computer, relaxed, took a hot shower and that was that.
Today, I’ll be up by nine or so, and we’ll be shipping out O. Henry’s Full House and Jeepers Creepers. Then I have a noon meeting at LACC to finalize the student part of our Li’l Abner cast – there’s another production that’s happening before us and I’m hoping we don’t really have to share cast members – if we do, it will make things a bit difficult the first two weeks – certainly we can’t share any leads, but smaller roles or ensemble we may have to, because we’re having a really large cast. After the meeting, I come right back home to have a work session with Sandy and Lanny. Since we’re in new project mode, we’ll just be talking and eating, which is the way I like to start new projects. So, we’ll go over to Jerry’s and have a bite. Then when we’re through, my stage manager for Abner is coming over, and we’ll assign as many of the student roles as we can so she can get the cast list posted tomorrow.
Tomorrow, there are some possible things happening, although I can’t remember what they might be. Grant will come by at some point, but there are a couple of other things, too. This weekend I’m trying to see a friend’s play, but I also have to choose songs and finish casting the Kritzerland show and get our new release ready to announce.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, have a meeting, have a work session, hopefully pick up packages, have a meeting and relax. Today’s topic of discussion: What are your favorite space travel movies – you know, movies about outer space. Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland after which I shall greet the day with an upbeat attitude and frozen gravity.