Well, dear readers, I have breaking news for you: it’s July fourth or as some wags call it, the fourth of July. Independence Day, as the song in The Brain from Planet X goes. A day wherein people do things like barbecue wieners and chicken bits and burger bits, and then view fireworks wherever they view such things. Of course, we all know that there are thousands of people who purchase illegal fireworks and set them off at all hours, annoying everyone, and scaring the living daylights out of animals. These people should be put on the barbecue because these people cause havoc, accidents, and fires. That is why I celebrate this holiday here at haineshisway.com. That is why I do not leave the home environment, save for perhaps picking up food, depending on exactly what food is decided upon. So, please, dear readers, whatever you do, stay safe and regale us all with tales of your burger bits and chicken bits and wieners. Meanwhile, lest anyone forget, we are havin’ an Indiegogo campaign and we could use some fireworks there, let me tell you. In fact, I was concerned that yesterday would be the first day of the campaign with no action and no contributions, but thankfully, in the evening hours, one person came in and saved us from that ignoble thing called no action. And even as I was typing that ignoble sentence, another person came in and grabbed a perky perk – not enough to change our percentage, but enough to keep moving ever forward. I do know that some of you dear readers like the sheet music from shows perks, so in case you missed it, check out the vocal selections perk, a wonderful five-item perk at a very perky price – includes the rare The Gay Life, Working, Purlie, Anyone Can Whistle, and the Sherman Brothers’ songs from Charlotte’s Web. Here, as always, is the handy-dandy link.
As you know, I’ve been trying to slog my way through this Chris Pratt vigilante justice eight-hour ordeal called The Terminal List, which I’ve retitled The Terminal Show. So, instead, on Saturday evening after posting these here notes, I went down another road, namely the film entitled John Wick, which I’d heard about but not seen. I knew nothing of the character or plot or style. Well, this is how you do one of these kinds of films. It had visual flair, brilliantly choreographed action scenes, and best of all, it was very droll, with dry humor and tongue firmly in cheek. Keanu Reeves is a lot of fun as the title character. The plot is very simple and basic – a former I guess you’d call him a hit man had been out of that game for a few years because he’d met a wonderful woman. She’s died of some disease and he’s sad. But after her death, a delivery person delivers an adorable dog she’s given him to transfer his love to. He runs into some thugs at a gas station, and they give him a hard time about wanting his car. Ultimately, they come to his house, kill the dog, and steal the car. That’s it. They later come to regret it, as does everyone the thugs work for, including the boss father of one of them. Very enjoyable, an hour-and-forty-five minutes and done. It’s cartoony, really, but that’s a good thing. Now, that film was made for 30-million bucks, which is hard to believe, I must say. It grossed eight-six million worldwide, not exactly an earth-shattering gross and, in fact, barely a break-even when you factor in publicity. But still, it got a sequel, which I watched last evening, John Wick, Chapter Two.
Here, we’re firmly in comic book land, but it’s so wild and over-the-top and the production design is spectacular and very witty (in this modern film, everyone has a rotary phone and computers are very old and low-tech). The fight sequences are more frequent, which is not necessarily a good thing, but they’re even better choreographed. Above all, it’s still droll, still fun, and has a terrific company of players, including a very funny Laurence Fishburne. This one’s fifteen minutes longer but doesn’t really feel it. The budget was ten million more than the first film, but still a bargain. Astonishingly, the second film doubled the worldwide gross of the first film. And now, I’m in the middle of Chapter Three and it’s even MORE in comic book land, with even wilder choreography for the fight scenes. Still droll, still amazing production design, and this one has Halle Berry and Mr. Fishburne returns as well. Ian McShane is also in all the films and he’s excellent. This one’s ten minutes longer than the second one, but it’s moving along at a snappy pace, although the action scenes are becoming repetitive at this point, an hour in. I’ll finish it after posting these here notes.
Yesterday was certainly a day of some sort. I got ten hours of needed sleep, arising at two in the afternoon. I answered e-mails, then made my meal – bagels, cream cheese, and lox – two sandwiches – very good they were, too. Then I had a long and good telephonic conversation. After that, I watched the sequel to John Wick. Then I had another bagel, this one toasted, with cream cheese, and then the remainder of the See’s candies I’d bought on Saturday – just a few nuts and chews as well as chews and nuts, dark chocolate, of course. I placed a little market delivery order on DoorDash, using a forty percent off coupon. Even though online Pavilions charges too much for things, with the discount, all fees and tip is covered and you save the tax you’d pay at the store and a couple of bucks in the bargain. In the case of my little order, I saved fifteen bucks overall. And I have plenty of Diet Coke now and I needed butter, so I have that, too.
Then I watched the first hour of the third John Wick movie and that was pretty much it.
Today, I’ll be up when I’m up, I’ll not do much of anything other than relax and watch stuff, although I will do a little work on some liner notes and jotting some ideas for subsequent episodes of the web series. I’ll eat at some point, and then then continue watching and relaxing and cheerleading and hoping we get some fireworks, Indiegogo-wise.
Tomorrow, it’s back to major league cheerleading for the entire week so that as we enter our final week of the campaign, we really reach our goal and then cover our fees and then go to infinity and beyond so we can do some great CD releases and continue doing great Kritzerland shows.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, be up when I’m up, not do much of anything, do a little work on liner notes and jotting down of ideas for web series episodes, eat, and then continue watching and relaxing and, of course, celebrating the fourth of July, Independence Day, right here at haineshisway.com. Today’s topic of discussion: What are your favorite comic book-type movies, whether based on actual comic books or that just have that feel? Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland, as we celebrate safely and soundly.