Well, dear readers, I thought it might be fun to reveal the title of Sandy Bainum’s new album. Yes, you heard it here, dear readers, I thought it might be fun to reveal the title of Sandy Bainum’s new album. The title is: It Might Be Fun. That is the name of the first track on the CD and we all just like the feel of it. And we finally got a first look at what designer Doug Haverty has been up to in terms of cover design – we saw eighteen different mock-ups, at least seven of which were really great. I think Sandy and I both immediately gravitated to the two with the big close-ups of her, which are striking and beautiful and I’m sure that one of those will be the front cover. But there will be a completely different cover on the booklet inside and also the back of the booklet and those will be one of the others we all liked. It’s always a thrill to see these things fresh rather than piecemeal as they’re being worked on.
We saw the covers at a lunch meeting, which was about many things and which was ever so much fun. We supped at Hugo’s and I, of course, had my beloved pasta papa. Prior to that meeting I’d actually managed to get nine hours of blessed sleep.
After the meeting, I picked up one package, then did some banking, then came home. I had e-mails to answer, telephonic calls to return, and then I continued writing the commentary, getting a third of the way through. After that, I finally sat on my couch like so much fish.
Last night, I watched a motion picture on Blu and Ray entitled Duel, a Steven Spielberg TV movie that was also released overseas in theaters. It is that version, which is about eighteen minutes longer than the TV version that is presented here. Because that version was shown in theaters, and because Spielberg and his cameraman framed the film knowing it would be shown two ways, the 1.85 aspect ratio works just fine. It would have been nice, however, to include the original TV version in the TV ratio – first of all, I like that version better – I’ve always found the added scenes feel like unnecessary padding and it robs the film of its forward momentum and its lean and mean quality as a seventy-two minute TV movie. It’s quite a good little TV movie from the Golden Age of TV movies. Spielberg had directed feature-length episodes of a couple of TV series prior to Duel, but this was his first standalone movie. Dennis Weaver is just terrific, the truck is great, and Billy Goldenberg’s Herrmannesque score works perfectly. The story and script by Richard Matheson is mostly great, with just a few silly moments. Of course, the kids of today won’t understand the film at all because there were no cell phones – had there been, this movie would be over in ten minutes. The transfer is superb and much more accurate and better than the DVD release. This is part of a Spielberg box set that also includes premiere releases (on Blu-ray) of The Sugarland Express, both cuts of 1941 and Always – the rest of the set has been previously released on Blu-ray. If you’re a fan of Duel, this comes highly recommended by the likes of me.
I did check out the first fifteen minutes of the theatrical cut of 1941, which looks great. The theatrical cut of the film is insufferable enough, but the long version is absolute torture, at least for me. I do like some of the effects, though.
After that, I listened to the one little part of one track where I asked for a db boost (just on the intro of the song) and that was perfect, so it’s gone off to the pressing plant. I had a few more telephonic conversations and that was that.
Today, I have another lunch meeting during which I shall eat lunch and meet, not necessarily in that order. After that, I’ll hopefully pick up some packages, then I’ll finish writing the commentary, after which I shall relax.
Tomorrow I have lots to do and then I’m having dinner with a friend and we’ll probably watch a movie if it’s not too too late. I also have to pick up stuff for our launch party next Monday – eating utensils, cups, that kind of thing. Saturday night I think I’m seeing Spamalot at a dinner theater where I’ll be having dinner and seeing Spamalot. Not sure what’s happening on Sunday.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, have a lunch meeting, hopefully pick up packages, write 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, after which I’m thinking it might be fun to have a wonderful day and evening.