Well, dear readers, I have finally finished the never-ending ten-part limited series entitled The Offer, about the making of The Godfather. Yes, ten HOURS of this thing, which is at least five hours to many. I could probably write ten hours of stuff about what I just watched, so let’s just say that while there are a few things that are entertaining, the majority of it is risible, ridiculous, and wretched (the two Rs and a W that sounds like a third R). This is mostly from the point of view of the film’s producer, who also served as executive producer of this behemoth. Let’s get the obvious stuff out of the way first: No one said “on set” in 1972. No one. They said “on THE set.” “On set” is something that began in the 1990s, I think. But in this show, set in the early 1970s, it’s always “on set.” No, they did not have DJs at wrap parties in 1972. No, Little Fauss and Big Halsy never played at the El Rey on Wilshire Boulevard. Ever. (And why is there a one-sheet for It’s a Wonderful Life in the display windows as if it were the upcoming attraction?) No, directors didn’t sit a half-mile away from the camera with headphones on in the year 1972. They stood or sat NEXT to the camera. A 176-page script does not look like an 80-page script. A 446-page book does not look like a 300-page book. All of these things are easily fixable, but no one cared in this cheesefest. The best thing in the series is Matthew Goode as Robert Evans. He looks nothing like Evans but boy does he have the voice down and he is clearly having a great time. Miles Teller is okay as producer Al Ruddy. And Burn Gorman has amusing moments as Charlie Bludhorn. Colin Hanks is fine and sounds just like his father. Juno Temple was weird and too cutesy for me and the writing for her character, especially the 2022 female empowerment statements is horrible. In fact, most of the writing is horrible. The directing isn’t much better than the writing, and so much of it is repetitious, drawn out, and silly that it really never has a chance. Add to that, the dreadful performances by the actors playing Brando and Pacino, well, you get the idea. No, The Godfather didn’t have a single editor, as pictured here. There’s more but why go on? Ten HOURS.
Yesterday was certainly a day, I think we can all agree on that. I had a very rough night, didn’t get to be until six or so, and got up at two, although I was up several times between six and eleven. Before I go on, I’m trying to cool the home environment down and I’ve turned on the air, but the air doesn’t feel cold at all, it feels warm. I hope the thing isn’t fizzling because I won’t be able to get anyone here until tomorrow, most likely. Maybe it will get cool soon. It was working fine last night but I’ve had it on for ten minutes and it’s just not cold like it usually is. Where was I? Oh yes, yesterday. Once up, I answered e-mails, had several telephonic conversations, had a wonderful meal from Maria’s Kitchen – pappardelle with sausage in a kind of pink sauce, I think – and then I finished the ten-episode series, which I’d begun the night before.
Since I’d only eaten the pasta, I had a pie craving and so I got a slice of cherry pie and that hit the spot and then the spot hit it back. That was about it, actually.
Today, I’ll be up by noon at the latest, I’ll do whatever needs doing, we’re once again fully cast for the Kritzerland show, then I have a phone meeting and we’ll see how that goes – hopefully it will be short and non-dramatic – then someone is coming by to pick up some CDs. I’ll choose some songs and gather sheet music, I’ll call the mail place to see if the important envelope arrived (due yesterday, but I didn’t check), if it has I’ll retrieve it, I’ll eat, and then I can watch, listen, and relax.
Tomorrow, I’ll be choosing songs, getting sheet music, preparing two new releases, booking more folks for the web series, and stuff like that.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, be up by noon at the latest, do whatever needs doing, choose songs, have a phone meeting, hopefully pick up an important envelope, eat, then watch, listen, and relax. Today’s topic of discussion: It’s free-for-all day, the day in which you dear readers get to make with the topics and we all get to post about them. So, let’s have loads of lovely topics and loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland, warning you that The Offer is an offer you CAN refuse.