Well, dear readers, I just want to say this about that: If ET came out today it would be a flop. People would deride it. Hipsters would stay away and leave one-star reviews on the imdb, adults would say the title was bad and they didn’t know what it was about, they’d say it’s for little kids, it’s a stupid puppet. I am not wrong about this. Movie audiences only love superhero movies written and directed by morons, they love loud, big, fast for their low attention spans, they love sequels, they LOVE reboots of reboots – it is a cynical time – there are the Oscar bait movies and there are the hoped for blockbusters – that’s it, no in between anymore. It’s never about the art, it’s about the deal, the opening, IMAX, Dolby Atmos. Why am I ranting, you ask? Because last night I watched a new Blu and Ray of a wonderful motion picture that was probably the biggest money loser of 2016 despite it making a worldwide gross of 170 million dollars. It did a paltry 55-million in the United States. When the armchair experts and Monday morning quarterbacks pontificate about the failure of this film, always derisively and snarkily, they blame it on everything I’ve just said – the title, the marketing – they can’t blame it on anything else because, you know, they actually haven’t seen the damn movie and even if they had it moved at its own pace, had some whimsy, a real movie score, didn’t have a superhero, wasn’t that loud, blah, blah, blah. To read the “reviews” on the imdb (yes, there are good ones, too) is a lesson in what’s wrong with movies and moviegoers today. As you all know, I haven’t really loved anything I’ve seen this year – there are things I’ve liked, things I’ve enjoyed, and certainly things I’ve loathed, but nothing I would say I loved. But I’d have to say I pretty much loved this movie. So, sit down – this movie was called The BFG. Yep, sorry, I loved it.
Mark Rylance should win an Oscar for his performance – he out-acts everyone else that I’ve seen this year. Yes, it’s a motion capture performance, but he makes you believe it and he’s just wonderful. The lead girl is also wonderful – many have complained about her and to them I say phut. Her name is Ruby Barnhill (it’s been a great year for young people’s performances). Penelope Wilton does a lovely turn as the Queen of England. The film is directed by a real director, Steven Spielberg. The film has a terrific screenplay (her last) by Melissa Mathison, you know, the lady who wrote ET. The film has an actual musical score by an actual composer, John Williams. It’s not pad, it’s not sound design, no, it actually underscores the story and the characters and while I wouldn’t say it’s in the very top tier of his scores, it’s pretty great. I laughed, I was moved, and it certainly never bored me or overstay its welcome as many other films have, including La La Land. But you know what – twenty years from now when people look at Captain America and think, “Gee, how did I ever sit still for that utter piece of crap,” The BFG will be enchanting people. And some of the people it will be enchanting are the very people who can’t stand it now. Thus it has been, thus it will always be. The film looks fantastic, the effects are great, but it’s the characters and story that make it work (the story of course is courtesy of Roald Dahl). That’s the way I feel, I’ve said it and I’m glad, and, as Mammy Yokum says, “I has spoken.” Highly recommended by the likes of me and yes I know some will be resistant to it and some will indeed not like it. But at least see it before not liking it – that’s always a good idea.
Now before we go one minute more may I just announce the final Kritzerland release for 2016? It’s the debut album for the lovelier than lovely Kay Cole, the diminutive and beautiful spirit who created the role of Maggie in A Chorus Line. You all know that glorious voice and now you get to hear it again, singing an array of wonderful songs – including mine own Simply (she insisted – I wouldn’t have thought to even bring it up), What I Did for Love (a song her character was originally going to sing until it went the other way), In My Life, One Boy/You Are for Loving (from Bye Bye Birdie and Best Foot Forward – both of which she appeared in), That’s the Way I’ve Always Heard It Should Be, Can’t Help Lovin’ That Man of Mine, and other great songs. The album is essentially a duet album – just Kay and the brilliant John Boswell on piano. I don’t normally enjoy those kinds of albums, but this was designed this way from the get-go – as a duet, just a great voice and a great pianist. Now, the first 100 people who order will get a signed copy at no extra charge, so you’ll want to order right away. If you’re an Indiegogo contributor to Kritzerland, you have to opt-in for this title. Here is the cover and you know where to go to place your order.
Yesterday was a little better and a little less stupid than the day before. I was awakened by three robo calls in a row, got up, did the usual morning stuff, and then did the Costco run. After that I immediately went and had a meal – a pastrami sandwich with cole slaw and 1000-Island dressing and no fries or onion rings. Then I came home, did some work on the computer, then went and picked up some packages, and also did some banking. Once I got back home, I checked out the entire package for Kay’s CD, and approved it, so off it goes to the printers. I also approved the master, so off it goes to the pressing plant. Then I sat on my couch like so much fish and listened to the SACD of the RCA Living Stereo of Cesar Franck’s Symphony in D minor – amazing sound. Then I watched The BFG and was captivated throughout, laughing out loud several times.
After that, I listened to some more Roberto Gerhard music – very interesting tonally and I kind of like it more than some other more modern-sounding composers of that era – it’s rather like movie music.
Today, we’ll announce the album at eight, then I’ll choose more songs, eat, hopefully pick up some packages, and then I have a visitor coming in the afternoon and I’m hoping that won’t last more than an hour. Then I’ll watch something.
Tomorrow there’s a few things happening and then I’m supping with an old friend. Friday something is going on but I know not what, and Saturday is our Christmas Eve Do, which I’m very much looking forward to.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, announce our new release, hopefully print out a LOT of orders, eat, hopefully pick up packages, have a visit/meeting, and then 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, happy to have made a BFD out of the BFG.