haines his way

02/04/2003:
"THE BIG SLEEP"

Well, dear readers, Molly went home last night, and I must say she was happy as a clam to see her owner. We did have a blast, however, and I will be baby-sitting for her quite often. Today I shall be lunching with my casting director and we will seriously begin the process of trying to figure out exactly who will be in our little film and what they will be doing. Mostly, I know who I want to use, but for certain things we will have to have casting sessions, but those will be in Los Angeles. I may then drive out to see Mr. Mark Bakalor, he of the bitch-slap, and we shall discuss various and sundried things about which I will hopefully be able to talk soon. Is that English? Is what I just wrote English? I don’t know, but it’s so poetic I think I’ll let it stand, which is preferable to letting ‘it’ sit. I hate when ‘it’ sits, ‘it’ should only stand and that’s all there is to ‘it’. What the hell am I talking about?
Last night, I watched the motion picture entitled The Pianist, a film of Mr. Roman Polanski, who, in my opinion (IMO, in Internet lingo), has made some of the finest motion pictures ever. They include, Rosemary’s Baby, Chinatown and Repulsion. After Mr. Polanski’s ‘troubles’ and exile, he has continued to make motion pictures but I haven’t really loved any of them. I liked Frantic all right, and I thought The Ninth Gate had problems but at least directorially was a return to form. Well, The Pianist is no mere return to form – like Dolly, Mr. Polanski is back where he belongs. It’s a wonderfully directed movie – whether one responds or not is another story, but Mr. Polanski’s direction is the best of the year (out of the few movies I’ve seen). These films about Nazi horror are never easy to watch, and frankly I was told this was so brutal that it was almost unwatchable. So, I was prepared to turn it off if it got to be too much. But I must say, that while some of it isn’t easy to watch, Mr. Polanski does not go over the top. I found Schindler’s List almost impossible to watch, for example. That does not mean there aren’t harrowing images in the film, there are, make no mistake about it. There are also images in the film as fine as any Mr. Polanski has given us (one of them will go down as one of the greats, I think – where the hero of the film climbs over a wall, the camera rising as he does so to reveal a long street of total bombed destruction). Unfortunately for The Pianist, the distributor is Focus Films rather than Miramax. So, I don’t know what kind of chance the film has. The Oscars, sadly, have become about which distributor can spend the most money getting the most goodies into the hands of Academy members. It’s totally shameless and should be stopped, but unfortunately, it won’t be. Therefore, it is difficult to sometimes combat the relentless machine known as Miramax – however, if there is any justice, Mr. Polanski will be nominated for an Academy Award (he has received a DGA nomination) – he should win it, too, although I doubt he will. The other certain nomination should go to the film’s leading man, Adrien Brody, an actor I’ve never seen before. It’s a great performance, which I’m sure will somehow be overlooked – certainly he should be nominated – and he, like Mr. Polanski, should win as well. Not everyone will like this film, but I give it my strongest recommendation.
I then began watching an older film called Once Upon a Time – I’m sorry, it’s actually billed as Alexander Hall’s Once Upon a Time. Now, I don’t mind Alfred Hitchcock or John Ford or Howard Hawks having that sort of credit, but Alexander Hall? Never heard of him. The film stars Cary Grant and Janet Blair and is about a down-on-his-luck theatrical producer who discovers a dancing caterpillar. Yes, Virginia, a dancing caterpillar. This film would fall under the heading ‘whimsical’ and I found its first thirty minutes totally insufferable. I’ve never seen Cary Grant be anything less than wonderful, but he’s really bad in this. It’s not his fault really, and maybe it gets better, but I had to shut it off for the time being because I was about to hurl a plate at my television.
I then began to watch a motion picture entitled About Schmidt. I do hope it gets better, because I found its opening twenty minutes annoying. I love Jack Nicholson as much as the next fellow, and I’ve heard about how restrained he is in this film, so maybe I’ll start responding to something at some point. Certainly I haven’t thus far, especially the non-pace of director Alexander Payne.
What am I, Ebert and Roeper all of a sudden? Why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below before I talk about another movie.

My goodness, I almost wrote the whole of the notes already and now this section here will seem puny by comparison. By the way (BTW, in Internet lingo), Mr. Mark Bakalor has put up a handy-dandy link to the brand spanking new cover to Kritzerland. It’s located in the handy-dandy links to new sections section of our home page – just click there, find the Kritzerland icon and click again – then click on the book for a full-sized image. Isn’t that exciting? Isn’t that just too too?
I forgot to mention that I slept very very very (that is three verys – perhaps I need to vary the very) well last night. I had quite a big sleep last night. Molly had been sleeping in my room and shall we say she does a lot of licking during the night. I was constantly being awakened by the sound of licking and Molly is not a quiet licker, she licks with élan. Additionally, as I’ve already pointed out, Molly likes to relieve herself of her gas problems whilst sleeping and the aroma was quite heady at times and that would wake me too.
We only had two High Winners in our Unseemly Trivia Contest. The question was:
A hit comedy. Later turned into an Academy Award-winning film. The play was directed by someone who was about to become a movie star. The play featured one actor who would go on to appear in a classic 70s film – that same actor would have a very short-lived television series on which yours truly guest-starred – said series was created by someone who is today a major motion picture director.
Name the hit comedy. Name the one (or more) category it won its Oscar for. Name the director who was about to become a movie star. Name the actor and his classic 70s film, and (don’t hate me) name his short-lived television series. Bonus point if you can name the series’ creator who is now a major motion picture director.
And the answers:
Lovers and Other Strangers (there seems to be some controversy as to whether it was a hit, with its short run, but I believe it's perceived as a hit).
Best Song (For All We Know)
Charles Grodin
Richard Castellano - The Godfather
The Super
Bonus - Rob Reiner
Bonus Bonus - I guest-starred on an episode of the show.
Our High Winners were JMK and SteveG. Our electronic hat has chosen JMK as our Highest Winner, so if he'll send his handy-dandy address we'll get him off a sparkling prize posthaste.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must drive great distances to have meetings and whatnot, but I shall be back and I shall be checking in on your excellent posts. Today’s topic of discussion: Favorite films of the 80s. In retrospect, the eighties, while not the greatest decade for film (by a long shot), did produce some marvelous films, just not the spectacular number of marvelous films that other decades did. I’ll start – ET, Poltergeist, Back to the Future, Once Upon a Time in America, My Life as a Dog, Ran, The King of Comedy, Body Heat, Tootsie, Broadway Danny Rose, Stardust Memories – I’ll look forward to your choices because my mind is drawing a blank. But might I add a couple of more to yesterday’s 70s list – Marathon Man and the delightful Heaven Can Wait with Mr. Warren Beatty. Your turn.

Replies: 59 Unseemly Comments

(cough) I love how Mr. Mark Bakalor gets credit for FINALLY putting up the rogue gallery and now the kritzerland cover and sob sob sob... I didn't even get a mention for putting the cover together. I must go wallow is self pity and then return later to post my fave 80s movies...
Posted by Craig @ 02/04/2003 09:23 AM PST

And what about the trivia contest?
Posted by steveg @ 02/04/2003 09:26 AM PST

I think I remember the 1980's...hmmmmmmmm....did I see a movie in that decade? I will try to remember.
Alexander Hall directed Miss Frances Farmer in a lively newspaper movie called 'Exclusive' and I think he directed Lucy and Desi in the less than wonderful 'Forever, Darling.'
I thought 'About Schmidt' lived up to its title telling us all about Schmidt. I thought Dermot Mulrooney was very good as well.
Posted by Jrand52 @ 02/04/2003 09:29 AM PST

For some reason, I couldn't get the Trivia Question answered this week...hmmmmmmm...it was a very good one! Congratulations to anyone who got it!
Poor Craig. It's sad to be left out of the Playbill on opening night, isn't it?
Posted by Jrand52 @ 02/04/2003 09:31 AM PST

Pardon me if this has been discussed before, but I just noticed that there's a brand spanking new picture of Mr. Donald Feltham on the Hijinks Presents the Haines His Way Broadway Radio Show Starring Mr. Donald Feltham page.
Does anyone else think the new picture makes Mr. Donald Feltham look like a cold-blooded murderer?
I know he can smile, I've seen it... The question is, why didn't he?
Posted by dlevy @ 02/04/2003 09:33 AM PST

I just left my first ever session of my Career Exploration class, taught by a 350-pound psycho-therapist who told us he hates cockroaches, wants to move to Dublin, and has been arrested whilst protesting various and sundried political whatnot. There are also several interesting students in the class, including a middle-aged hippie who's been out of work for 20 years, and a couple of rock band musicians.
Posted by Sandra @ 02/04/2003 09:34 AM PST

Yes, yes, the trivia contest - I'll add it to the notes momentarily.
Do you know what I just saw? I saw a track list for the upcoming release of The Sherman Brothers Album, an album I conceived and put together, did the arrangements for, recorded, but did not mix or comp vocals for. Well, guess what, dear readers - there is a track missing - oh, yes, there is a track missing. And do you know what that track is? It's a Busker Alley song entitled Tin Whistle Tune. And do you know who the singer on that track was? Why our very own Guy Haines, that's who. Can you imagine such a thing? I have informed Mr. Haines of this and I cannot repeat his comment here. So, not only do I not receive producer or arranger credit on an album that I recorded, my very close personal friend, Mr. Guy Haines, gets axed from the album. What shall we think of such things?
Posted by bk @ 02/04/2003 09:35 AM PST

Okay, scroll up, the trivia contest question is now in the notes.
Posted by bk @ 02/04/2003 09:47 AM PST

I second--strongly--BK's recommendation of THE PIANIST. It's a remarkable film. What most struck me about the film, directorially, is that everything that happens--EVERYTHING--is through the pianist's eyes. When people leave his world--for whatever reason--they leave the film and we never hear of them again unless he does. A most interesting touch. And one of the last images (BK: the "why the coat" exchange) is shattering in its simplicity and eloquence.
Posted by Pam @ 02/04/2003 09:50 AM PST

To those of you who don't like Donald's new picture: It looks just like him!
So a Guy Haines track is missing... I guess that means he won't be a guest in their chat room.
80's films... Ethel Merman in "Airplane" was very funny and I liked "Ordinary People". And while it wasn't as good as its 70's predecessors I still enjoyed "That's Dancin'".
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 02/04/2003 10:02 AM PST

I just read Ken Mandelbaum's review on Broadway.Com of BB signs AJL. What the hell does he mean "The arrangements and orchestrations sometimes disappoint"? And does he think the CD produced itself? He does like BB and the selection of songs, and aside from my two complaints it is a very good review. But why did a critic who usually reviews CDs a couple of weeks before their release date wait two months to review this?
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 02/04/2003 10:11 AM PST

Dear Reader Sandra,
What a fascinating class this must be. And that is certainly a great title for a movie, "psycho-therapist". But you have to change the punctuation a little: "Psycho: The Rapist".
Posted by William F. Orr @ 02/04/2003 10:19 AM PST

I forget - are we considering 1980 to be the first year of the '80's, or the last year of the '70's? Oh, heck, I'll include it anyway:
Kramer vs Kramer
All That Jazz
Apocolypse Now
Breaking Away
Ordinary People
Raging Bull
Chariots of Fire
On Golden Pond
Raiders of the Lost Ark
The Verdict
The Big Chill
Amadeus
A Soldier's Story
The Colour Purple
Rain Man
Dangerous Liaisons
Driving Miss Daisy
Field of Dreams
In keeping with my point from yesterday, I confined my list to Oscar nominees that I have seen. There were some nominees that I have seen, but consider mediocre films (E.T. , Tootsie, Working Girl) and there are plenty of nominees that I have not seen, but are fairly widely acknowledged to be great films.
Having grown up in the 1980's, I have fond memories of some of the John Hughes 'teen angst' / 'coming of age' films, like "The Breakfast Club", or certain adventure films, such as "Blade Runner".
Before the TV series and the (ulp) musical, there was a good movie called "Fame".
Or how about a couple of 'feel good' sports movies: "The Natural" and "The Karate Kid".
I know that a lot of us on this board have recently expressed our enjoyment of the original "Back to the Future" movie, even if the sequels were flawed.
And of course, everyone needs to be able to quote at least three lines, and sing one song, from Monty Python's "Meaning of Life". It's the law.
There are plenty of others that I might list, but I'm more curious to see some of your lists.
Posted by Dave @ 02/04/2003 10:38 AM PST

I would imagine that critics review the CDs and DVDs in advance of their release when they are sent advance copies. If not, they review them when they get to them. It would certainly not surprise me that *some* labels haven't got their act together enough to bother sending advance copies to the critics.
I thought the review was very complimentary, and I would have to concur with just about everything Mandelbaum said - including his comments about the arrangements and orchestrations.
Posted by Dave @ 02/04/2003 10:42 AM PST

I repeat - there will be no new Federation Steps allowed in the Pan Pacific Dance Championships!
Posted by Barry Fife @ 02/04/2003 10:53 AM PST

I need to voice an opinion here, and it bugs me that I feel the need to do it, but if I can't do it here, where can I do it?
I don't think that there is anyone here that isn't familiar with a CD produced by BK and I don't think that it goes without saying that all of BK's CD's are unique in their arrangements, especially on the CD's that feature a vocalist, not necessarily as cast album. Anyhow, I've always applauded BK in letting the arrangers/orchestrators come up with a new sound/arrangements for songs that have been orchestrated by their original orchestrators that we, as listeners, are used to hearing. Therefore, not using the original arrangements. On more than one occasion, friends have told me that they either dislike that sort of thing, or they like it very much, it's all an opinion.
My point here is this, everyone has an opinion, and we are all entitled to it, but when we make an opinion on someone else's opinion, that's not cool and doesn't sit well with a lot of people.
Posted by Matthew @ 02/04/2003 10:53 AM PST

Matthew wrote:
"My point here is this, everyone has an opinion, and we are all entitled to it, but when we make an opinion on someone else's opinion, that's not cool and doesn't sit well with a lot of people."
I'm sorry, Matthew. I don't understand. Could you explain?
Posted by Dave @ 02/04/2003 10:59 AM PST

Interesting list, Dave - half of those films wouldn't make any list for me, and that, you see, is what makes horse racing. I think Tootsie and ET are both near-masterpieces of filmmaking - you consider them mediocre.
However, from your list I would keep The Verdict, Blade Runner and All That Jazz.
While I had very little to do with the arrangements on Brent's album, I think Chris Denny did a GREAT GREAT job on them, and the orchestrations, in my opinion, are top-notch in making those arrangements come alive. That is my opinion, of course.
Posted by bk @ 02/04/2003 11:09 AM PST

My favorite CD arrangement is having them stand on end and alphabetical by artist.
Posted by Jrand52 @ 02/04/2003 11:12 AM PST

Yep, you're right, Bruce. If we all shared the same opinions, it would be a very boring world - and this would be a very boring site. ;-)
Personally, I feel that Speilberg should be henceforth forbidden to make films whose titles contain only numbers (1941) or initials (E.T., A.I.). Much as respect much of his work, those three movies made me want to peel my skin off.
Note that Mandelbaum's comments was not the arrangements/orchestrations were *bad*, only that they were "disappointing". I would take that as a compliment that BK's other recordings have set a high standard that is difficult to meet. That is how I read it, and I agreed.
Posted by Dave @ 02/04/2003 11:17 AM PST

To Mr. Fife:
Is the Pango Pango allowed?
Posted by Scott Hastings @ 02/04/2003 11:36 AM PST

Absolutely not, Mr Hastings. And your mother and father are very aware of this.
One pango and you are OUT!
Posted by Barry Fife @ 02/04/2003 11:43 AM PST

Tina Sparkle has broken her leg in automobile accident, and I need a new partner.
Posted by Ken Railings @ 02/04/2003 11:49 AM PST

I'm only in the beginners' class but I'll dance with you.
Posted by Fran @ 02/04/2003 11:55 AM PST

I ain't *even* jumping into the fray. No, I will merely keep my mouth shut, save to mention my
Fave '80s flicks:
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Raising Arizona
Poltergeist
Victor/Victoria
Arthur
Tootsie
Hannah and Her Sisters
Desperately Seeking Susan
Sixteen Candles
Ferris Bueller's Day Off
Star Trek II
Hoosiers (just 'cause I'm in it, and I got to meet Gene Gene the Hackman Machine. Sad to say, the film itself is no great shakes.)
Posted by Lulu @ 02/04/2003 11:56 AM PST

well, the new photo does look like me these days and I don't usually smile in publicity shots since I hate my smile and I really hate having my picture taken....I did send Mr Bakalor several different photos to choose from and I left the final decision up to him (just be thankful he didn't pick the artistic nude of me taken by the very same photographer!)
I will be conducting a phone interview with Mr Tom Michael tomorrow morning for this coming weekend's new Broadway Radio Show...for those of you unfamiliar with Mr Michael, he is a cabaret singer based in Chicago and he has two delightful CDs out, "Sailing On" and "Written in the Stars" -- he has a very nice tenor voice and his song selections are terrific; so, tune in on Sunday to give it a listen!
Posted by Donald Feltham @ 02/04/2003 11:57 AM PST

Fran - you've got a lot of nerve. I am a champion and you are a beginner! However, I will walk you home.
Posted by Scott Hastings @ 02/04/2003 12:06 PM PST

With all due respect, Mr. Donald Feltham, you do not look like a serial killer these days, no matter what anyone says.
So if the artistic nude (is that a fancy phrase for dirty, degenerate pornography?) isn't going on the radio page, will that be the picture featured in the rogue's gallery? Or do we need to search Yahoo Groups for the "Nude Bearded Queeny Internet Radio Show Hosts" group to locate the picture?
Posted by dlevy @ 02/04/2003 12:06 PM PST

No pornography please - my pornograph is broken.
Posted by Jrand52 @ 02/04/2003 12:08 PM PST

1980s
A Private Function
My Left Foot
Manon De Source
Jean De Florette
Little Shop Of Horrors
The Shining
Ragtime
Daniel
Aliens
Cinema Paradiso
My Beautiful Laundrette
Chariots of Fire
The Milagro Beanfield War
Kiss Of The Spider Woman
A Fish Called Wanda
The Big Chill
Dangerous Liaisons
Reds
The Dresser
Victor/Victoria
The Princess Bride
Local Hero
Parenthood
Cocoon
A Room With A View
Dead Poet’s Society
Hope And Glory
Bagdad Café
The Lonely Passion Of Judith Hearne
Posted by Tom Guest @ 02/04/2003 12:16 PM PST

Oops, how could I have forgotten Victor/Victoria, The Dead Zone (Cronenberg's masterpiece), Raising Arizona, Arthur, The Shining and Cinema Paradiso? Shame on me, shame, or, as Ingmar Bergman would say, Skammen.
Just got off the phone with the LA Times, doing an interview re Benjamin Kritzer. I'll link to it as soon as it comes out. The man was very nice indeed and asked good questions.
Posted by bk @ 02/04/2003 12:20 PM PST

I just realized I forgot my all-time super-duperest fave '80s film-trilogy-that-isn't-really-a-trilogy: Time Bandits, Brazil, and The Adventures of Baron Munchausen.
And I am also kicking myself over my earlier exclusion of The Shining, A Room With a View, and Time After Time (I know it came out in '79, but others have listed Apocalypse Now and Aliens in the '80s category, so it's all right!)
Posted by Lulu @ 02/04/2003 01:32 PM PST

Oops...just realized "Aliens" was the sequel and it came out in the mid-80s...I was thinking of Alien, which came out in '79. Appy logies!
Posted by Lulu @ 02/04/2003 01:33 PM PST

Does this mean I must withdraw Time After Time?
Posted by Lulu @ 02/04/2003 01:34 PM PST

How could I have forgotten Pee-Wee's Big Adventure???
Posted by Lulu @ 02/04/2003 01:39 PM PST

Has anybody mentioned "Body Heat" yet?
or "Diner"?
or one of the best Christmas movies ever: "A Christmas Story"?
and we couldn't overlook a minor Disney masterpiece: "The Little Mermaid".
Posted by Dave @ 02/04/2003 01:43 PM PST

Gahhhh...Dave! Why did you have to post that? A Christmas Story, of COURSE! How could I have forgotten...?!?
We can never do this favorite movies decade-by-decade thing again...I am simply not emotionally mature enough to handle it.
Posted by Lulu @ 02/04/2003 01:46 PM PST

I mentioned Body Heat in my original list within the notes. I really like the film a lot.
Posted by bk @ 02/04/2003 01:52 PM PST

Ooops. So you did, Bruce.
I have to give honourable mention to one of my favourite Woody Allen films, "Zelig". Dont' ask me why, I just really like this one.
Posted by Dave @ 02/04/2003 02:00 PM PST

Honourable?
Favourite?
No wonder you think I'm British. ;-)
Posted by Dave @ 02/04/2003 02:00 PM PST

Hi there y'all!
I've been errant and truant with my favorites lists and other things. Busy, busy. Too busy. Click on my name for the latest Cabaret West Calendar.
Catch up with you later.
Posted by Donna - Cabaret West @ 02/04/2003 02:20 PM PST

well, Mr Levy, I very well could be a serial killer for all you know....and how does one know what a serial killer looks like?....maybe we should have Mr Bakalor rotate all the different photos of me that he has and we can let the listeners choose which one they like (excluding the tasteful, non-pornographic photo, of course).....
by the way, Mr Levy, when are you joining me for another radio show....I do believe we were planning a "Covers Part Three" show.....let's get going!
Posted by Donald Feltham @ 02/04/2003 02:22 PM PST

Dave - I don't know the point I am trying to make anymore. I read posts here on HHW and I get rather annoyed with people who must comment on everyone else's opinions on things. Especially when they share different opinions. I will share a quote from an old neighbor friend of mine that seems to sum it all up. "Thank God, God made us different or else we'd all be after the same man." - You can all change the gender to fit you, of course. I'm going to lurk now. :)
Posted by Matthew @ 02/04/2003 02:40 PM PST

Well, Donald, as we learned from the Addams Family movie, serial killers look just like everyone else.
And I will be joining you for another show, just as soon as I get a functioning CD burner. Unless we come up with another topic that doesn't test the limits of your collection.
Posted by dlevy @ 02/04/2003 03:07 PM PST

I loved all the movies that were already listed. But I also have a couple of quirky ones that I enjoyed -- The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai and Being There with Peter Sellers.
Posted by Angela @ 02/04/2003 03:16 PM PST

How could I have possibly forgotten my guilty pleasure? Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure, dude.
We were watching a show on the Discovery Channel last night about the search for Ghengis Khan's tomb, and wouldn't you know they showed a clip of Bill and Ted and "the most excellent Mr. Kahn".
Posted by William F. Orr @ 02/04/2003 03:18 PM PST

E.T.
Evil Under the Sun
Victor/Victoria
Radio Days
Best Friends
Garbo Talks (this might be 70's, I'm not sure)
Christmas Story
Poltergeist
I'll think of more. Since the 80's were just a few years ago, you'd think more films would come to mind.
Posted by Kerry @ 02/04/2003 03:33 PM PST

My favorite movie from the 80s is Big Top Pee Wee. It's a masterpiece. And Snowball the Clown is a genius.
William F. Orr, Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure was filmed in and around Phoenix. The high school scenes were done at my high school. And I used to slide down that water slide Napoleon slides down all the time when I was just a sprig of a twig of a tad of a lass. I once slid down it 28 consecutive times and almost puked.
Posted by Sandra @ 02/04/2003 03:51 PM PST

I agree that Guy Haines should be (more than) disappointed with his song being snipped from the Sherman Brothers album. But I'm not sure he would have wanted to be on an album that the releasing label holds in so low esteem. They're still listing the price as $0.00. (They also aren't saying which February they will be releasing the disc.)
Posted by S. Woody White @ 02/04/2003 05:44 PM PST

There are a few that I forgot from the 70's:
M*A*S*H
Annie Hall
Love and Death ("Wheat!")
Life of Brian
The Holy Grail
And the 80's
Dangerous Liaisons (This is one of the few movies which I will defend unstintingly. Those actors! That screenplay! That chemistry! and, yes, those costumes!)
My Beautiful Landrette (Proof that erotic and explicit are NOT the same thing.)
The Grifters (Am I the first one to mention this movie? Shocking. How can you go wrong with Anjelica Huston and John Cusack?)
The previous three movies lead me to the conclusion that Stephen Frears is one of the most talented and versatile directors around.
A Soldier's Story
Other movies
Guilty pleasures:
The Pincess Bride
The Breakfast Club
Say Anything
Tootsie
Posted by Hapgood @ 02/04/2003 07:30 PM PST

A lull. Did everyone go out to paint the town?
Posted by bk @ 02/04/2003 09:15 PM PST

And all the jazz
Posted by Matthew @ 02/04/2003 09:40 PM PST

I'm here...I'm here!! The Phantom of the Opera! No, I haven't been cast in the show, but I just felt like posting it.
Today has been a LONG one. I did find out something that excites me quite a bit--I will be working a dress rehearsal for LES TROYENS on Friday, which will earn me nearly $350. I just found out tonight, so I have to tell the MTI people that I can't be there on Friday. I hope they don't hate me.
I'm sorry I haven't been able to post much lately. I'm working my @$$ off and I don't have any time (or access) to post during the day...or even in the evening. I think all the work has worn me out and I need some rest. I think that's part of what brought on my anxiety attack yesterday. I'm still feeling a bit bleh, but not as bad as yesterday. Getting some sleep would be a plus.
Dave: Check your email.
BK: Don't forget to tell your casting director that you've found the person to play Alice and Emily's personal assistant...unless, of course, you want me to sing, which I'll be glad to do. ;-) Haha!
Alright...enough talking about going to bed. I'm actually going to do it now. Goodnight, everyone!
Posted by Jason @ 02/04/2003 10:27 PM PST

Favorite 80's movies: (All of which I think have alreadt been mentioned...)
-On Golden Pond (actually saw this twice in the movie theater - the first time I head the phrase, "Suck face.")
-Tootsie
-The Breakfast Club
-The Princess Bride
-Cinema Paradiso (so glad the full-length DVD will be coming out soon)
-Ordinary People (I remember watching this in Social Studies class in high school)
-Apocalypse Now (I know this came out in 1979, but I didn't see it until the 80's... I watched this in high school too - with a nun in the room(!!))
-Amadeus (Where is Tom Hulce nowadays?)
-Raiders of the Lost Ark
-Poltergeist (I remember figuring out the "second ending" of the film since all the clips that were being shown at the time were from the last part of the movie... I remember sitting in the theatre thinking, "Hey, I haven't seen that scene where she's going up the wall...")
-Valmont - a.k.a. The other Dangerous Liaisons. I remember reading at the time how Milos Forman personally carried his reels of film on the airplane to his editor in order to make sure his movie came out first - but he was beat by Stephen Frears. However, I liked this version better. Annette Bening and Colin Firth play wonderfully off each other, and Meg Tilly turns in a surprisingly sympathetic performance. And it was nice to see Henry Thomas in a more adult role.
-The Color Purple
-Back to the Future
-E.T.
-and many more I can't think of right now...
Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 02/04/2003 11:57 PM PST

I'm here...better late than never...
A Fish Called Wanda
Victor/Victoria
Tuff Turf
Moonstruck
American Gigolo
The Hunger
Come Back To The 5& Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean
Arthur
Thief Of Hearts
Scarface
Sea Of Love
When Harry Met Sally
The Verdict
Clue
Eddie And The Cruisers
Private Benjamin
Tootsie
The Dresser
A Chorus Line
Crimes Of The Heart
Wall Street
Posted by KT @ 02/04/2003 11:59 PM PST

PS:
Little Shop Of Horrors
Nuts
Sweet Dreams, all...
Posted by KT @ 02/05/2003 12:15 AM PST

Here are some of my favorite movies of the 1980s:
Amadeus
Bagdad Café
Brazil
Chariots of Fire
A Christmas Story
Cocoon
The Dark Crystal
E.T., The Extraterrestrial
Fame
The Little Mermaid
Little Shop Of Horrors (the original ending was better
-- at least I have it on the original DVD release!!)
Moonstruck
The Princess Bride
Raiders of the Lost Ark
A Room With a View
Tender Mercies
Time Bandits
Tootsie
Tron
Twice Upon a Time (animated, produced by George Lucas)
Victor/Victoria
Who Framed Roger Rabbit
Xanadu
Yentl
Posted by George @ 02/05/2003 12:18 AM PST

How could I neglect one of my top 5 for the 80's:
Sex, Lies And Videotape (1989)
Posted by KT @ 02/05/2003 12:19 AM PST

Well, everyone has named MOST of my favorites, so I will just add a few:
FRANCES and SWEET DREAMS (who knew that Frances Farmer & Patsy Cline were twin sisters)
SOPHIE'S CHOICE (Meryl, Kevin, and Peter)
XANADU (I like the music, especially 'I Take the Fall' and 'Suspended In Time')
Posted by Jrand52 @ 02/05/2003 02:24 AM PST

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