haines his way

02/23/2003:
"MARCHING TOWARD MARCH"

Well, dear readers, it’s already the final week of February. I find this hard to believe, frankly or even davidly. I know February is a short month but this is ridiculous. Soon we will be marching to the tune of March. Where else on all the Internet can you find such information?
Last night I had quite a feast of movie watching. First, I watched a bit of the Japanese anime entitled Spirited Away, but I decided to stop because the English dubbing is quite awful – I will wait until the DVD which will hopefully have the original Japanese track included. Then I watched a documentary entitled Bowling for Columbine. I don’t know why, really, but I was dreading watching it and, in fact, have turned down the opportunity to see it several times. I like Michael Moore, although sometimes I think he’s a bit disingenuous. Well, it’s a wonderful film, and its rather astonishing two-hour length really does fly by. I am glad a film finally has the nerve to come out and say what I’ve been feeling and saying quite vocally, especially in the last few weeks – we are a nation being taught to live in fear by the media. When perfectly sane people are going out and hording water and food and buying duct tape you know there is something wrong. When cities have cops with assault weapons in the streets, when people are afraid to get on the subway because of unspecified threats (first announced by the government and then pounced on and played for high drama by the media), well, where does it stop? In any case, kudos to Mr. Moore and his crew for his wise film.
I then watched a motion picture entitled The Hours, another film I was dreading. I thought it was going to be one of those dreary Brit things that go on and on, those films no one remembers five years after they come out or, if they do remember them and see them again, can no longer remember what it was about them that they liked. Well, I enjoyed The Hours. I didn’t love it, but I liked it quite a bit. It told its story in an interesting way, was competently directed, well-written, and really well performed by its stellar cast. Both Meryl Streep and Julianne Moore have given two count them two excellent performances this year. And I must tell you that for the first fifteen minutes of the film I didn’t know it was Nicole Kidman – I actually think she’s cuter with the fake nose. She is an actress I don’t always like, but here her acting slip never shows and she’s very good indeed. The score by Philip Glass is fine, but what you’d expect from his palette of musical colors. Funnily, I kept watching that kid who played Julianne Moore’s son and thinking, “Why is he acting like that – what a strange bird” – then, of course, we find out and that took me totally by surprise, I must say. All in all, a fine evening of film.
What am I, Ebert and Roeper all of a sudden? Quick, let’s all click on the Unseemly Button below, shall we, before I review my toenails.

Isn’t it funny how sometimes a song will embed itself in your head and you just can’t stop singing it over and over again? It’s even funnier when you haven’t heard the song in ages – I mean, hearing it again hasn’t been the catalyst for it being embedded in your head, it just plants itself there for no reason whatsoever, like a canker sore. This happened to me recently when, for no reason at all, I started singing the title song to Love With The Proper Stranger. Now, I haven’t heard the song in years, I haven’t seen the movie in years, I didn’t see the title written anywhere to jog my memory. I’ve always loved the title tune, but let’s face it, it wasn’t a huge hit or anything, although Jack Jones did okay with it. The music is by Elmer Bernstein and I can’t remember who did the lyric, but it’s a fairly strained bit of business. But I’ve been singing it constantly for the last three days. Isn’t that funny in sort of a strange and unexplained way?
I promised a report on Monica Mancini’s new CD of film songs, and you shall have it tomorrow. Meanwhile, Donald has a brand spanking new radio show up today, Brent Barrett’s interview is up, in case you haven’t read it yet, and the joint is jumpin’. Soon we will be the most popular site on all the Internet. Isn’t that exciting? Isn’t that just too too?
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must type up all the notes I’ve been taking, I must do a spot of organization, and then I must catch up on some CD listening. Don’t forget, tomorrow is our Unseemly Live Chat – we sincerely hope many of you will be there – and tell your friends, tell your neighbors, tell the man in the street and the woman in the window – this is where it’s happening, baby, this is where it’s at, this is the coolest, the ginchiest, the most rad site on all the Internet. Today’s topic of discussion: It’s free-for-all day, the day in which you can discuss anything your collective hearts desire. You can start by telling me if you liked Bowling for Columbine and The Hours – how’s that for a kickstart? Post away, my pretties, let’s not have the Sunday doldrums around these parts.

Replies: 46 Unseemly Comments

First post!
So... Bruce - unless I am mistaken, Our very own Susan Egan provided either a voice or s singing voice for Spirited away..
More later...
Posted by Craig @ 02/23/2003 09:19 AM PST

BK - Just curious... I assume you watched the films you mentioned on DVD or VHS, but they haven't been released in these formats yet. Are you an Academy voter who gets advance copies so you can decide what to vote for? If not, does Los Angeles still have Channel Z which used to show many nominated films since so many voters subscribed to that channel.
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 02/23/2003 09:29 AM PST

No, never joined the Academy. There's a little store near me that gets this stuff (I guess an Academy member goes there and trades in or sells what he/she gets). So, yes, they're either DVD or tape screeners.
Posted by bk @ 02/23/2003 09:46 AM PST

Yes.. I checked and Susan Egan is the english version's "Lin"
Posted by Craig @ 02/23/2003 09:49 AM PST

Oh, I may as well get this out of my system:
I could fall in love
With the proper stranger...
If I heard the bells and
the banjos ring
If two certain eyes with the
look of danger
Smiled a welcome
Warm as spring...
If the tom toms in my heart
Sounded out a warning
"Don't let her, don't let her
walk through the door
This is the one you've been
Waiting for"
Oh, yes, I'd know
However wild it seemed
You know I'd know
And I'd whisper
Come take my hand proper stranger
Don't go through life as
a stranger
For I'm a poor proper stranger
too.
Posted by bk @ 02/23/2003 09:52 AM PST

Johnny Mercer.
Posted by William F. Orr @ 02/23/2003 10:49 AM PST

Haven't seen Columbine OR The Hours....
I just watched IFC and saw THEY SHOOT MOVIES DON'T THEY... I checked the website and I guess this is one of those mockumentaries...but it seems quite real at times and was even shocking....with some surreal moments.
Of course, this may have been discussed before I got here late last year....but what is this thing? Not this thing called love...this Tom Paulson story? Huh>
Posted by Jrand52 @ 02/23/2003 11:02 AM PST

On Friday, a friend of mine asked me if I would want to see a movie today. I said "sure." We decided to go to "Bowling for Columbine" that the Olympia Film Festival is showing this week. What a coincidence!
One song that has been going through my head these last several days is Ruthie Henshall's "After the Rain," from her CD called "Pilgrim." There are no theatre songs, unless you want to consider "Hushabye Mountain" from CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG as a theatre song. I think it's a great CD, very different style from what most theatre performers would (traditionally) choose. That one song just grabbed me and won't let go. Since I really like it, I don't mind.
Posted by George @ 02/23/2003 11:08 AM PST

Well, I haven't seen either of those flicks yet, so I cannot help but remain reticent.
If I'm not the only fan of Latin music and/or jazz, I would like to state that I have been listening to Ry Cooder's new album, MAMBO SINUENDO, and highly recommend it. There's a gorgeous cover of "Secret Love" on it as well, so, it's not completely off-topic.
Posted by td @ 02/23/2003 11:26 AM PST

Oh, boy, oh boy, oh boy!!
i'm quite jiggy with what you
say about BOWLING FOR
COLUMBINE, Bk! Oh yes, i'm
jiggy!
Now, honestly, do you think
that a film that a film that was
awarded Best Documentary at
the 2002 Cannes Film
Festival, and, JUST LAST
NIGHT, got the Best Foreign
Film César Award...... would
be a dork?????
The Old Europe can't be that
wrong all the time.....
... and I invite everyone to read
Michael Moore's book: Stupid
White Men!
Posted by François @ 02/23/2003 11:28 AM PST

Sorry,
I'm so jiggy... that i keep
repeating myself, repeating
myself, repeating myself......
Posted by François @ 02/23/2003 11:30 AM PST

BK...could it be that you are subconsciously aching for a walk on the wild side...toying with the idea of making ado with a proper (or improper) stranger????
Or....do songs like this pop into your head and then find their way onto your CDs????
Maybe it's one of those songs you felt could "be" something if properly orchestrated/sung and now is its time in your life.
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 02/23/2003 11:56 AM PST

The new Broadway Radio Show is up and running for your listening pleasure! It's alot of fun and I hope you all enjoy it. Sorry, it's up so early, but I'm prepping to leave for NYC in the morning for the 2nd reading of the musical I co-wrote (and I was excited to hear that Erin Dilly has joined our cast!) on Tuesday.
Next week's radio show will either go up late Sunday evening or early Monday morning, since I will be returning from NYC that afternoon.
I am seeing lots of shows on this trip including Vincent In Brixton, Tea At Five, Life With Albertine, Take Me Out and the very first preview of Urban Cowboy.
Have a great week everyone!
Posted by Donald Feltham @ 02/23/2003 12:03 PM PST

The late yesterday posts: Allan and William. You are not alone with the CD "sneaking". It has happened here in a big way for years! "Dress Circle" took much of more funds too - and the Oz dollar exchange rate did not help! The internet has indeed been a blessing and I collect our mail from our country post office. If it were to be delivered the number of parcels would be very much evident.
To early to know if Kate will make it to DVD I guess. Once again we will miss out down under. I think of all the TV broadcasts, "Annie" is the only one that has been aired here. Had hoped that someone would pick up the rights for "Contact" and a few others but have had to rely on friends with friends with friends.At least most Video players are multi format. Just remembered - we did get Oklahoma but I still have not watched much of it. It was such a disappointment.
"Bowling For Columbine" has had a remarkable run at cinemas here. Very successful but I guess I will wait for the DVD as it is only shown at the "art house" type cinemas in inner city areas and not the suburban cinema compexes.
Posted by Tom Guest @ 02/23/2003 12:36 PM PST

I just happened to watch "Love with the Proper Stranger" a few days ago. Are you psychic?!
A few things interested me about it.
[1] What casting person believed Natalie Wood and Herschel Bernardi as brother and sister?
[2] Which came first, the title song's lyric, or the plot detail involving the words "bells and banjos"? Did the script say something like, "Insert a song playing on the radio that uses the words 'bells and banjos' *here*"? And THEN they hired Johnny Mercer?
[3] What other movie title songs has Elmer Bernstein written?
Posted by Sigerson Holmes @ 02/23/2003 12:55 PM PST

Y'know, given the number of movies that people seem to watch around here, I often wonder if some of the H/K's *ever* leave the house! Of course, having said that...I just watched a couple of DVDs this weekend, and enjoyed them both quite a bit. The first was "About a Boy", starring Hugh Grant. Now, I can understand why some people might not like Hugh Grant, but I've always found him amusing, and he is absolutely ideally cast in this film. In fact, I enjoyed the entire film immensely.
The second DVD I watched was "Igby Goes Down", and though it was absolutely different from the first movie, I also enjoyed it immensely. Kieran Culkin seems to be the first member of his family who can actually act.
I didn't mention it at the time, but earlier this week I saw "My Big Fat Greek Wedding", and while it had its modest charms, I can't for the life of me imagine what all the fuss has been about. Cute movie, but not especially distinctive.
What am I , Bruce Kimmel, all of a sudden?
Posted by Dave @ 02/23/2003 02:10 PM PST

I had a very funny incident with an Academy screener copy of "Usual Suspects" a few years ago. I was watching with my sister, and after the movie was over, I explained that it was an Academy screener and that's why the caption "For your consideration" kept appearing. She paused for a moment, then said, "I thought it was telling me about clues."
Posted by JMK @ 02/23/2003 02:29 PM PST

Comments about toenails cannot ever be included in a review proper. They must only appear in the footnotes.
Posted by S. Woody White @ 02/23/2003 02:54 PM PST

Sweet Smell of Success on TCM right now. 8-D
Are there any other subscribers of Scarlet Street around (in addition to TD). Have you gotten your latest issue yet?
Posted by Jrand52 @ 02/23/2003 03:01 PM PST

NEWSFLASH! Hairspray won the Grammy for Best Show Album
Posted by Craig @ 02/23/2003 03:21 PM PST

Tom of Oz---
Per a list of upcoming CDs and DVDs that is linked from Broadwaystars.Com, the PBS version of BB in KMK will be out on DVD in May.
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 02/23/2003 04:01 PM PST

Quotes from Michael Moore's
acceptance speech, Cesar
winner for Best Foreign Film,
saturday Feb. 22.
"Being an American here in
Paris, at this time, I want to say
a few words about the French
and the Americans.
I know I'm gonna get crucified
in the press in America, but I'll
say this, anyways.....
speaking on behalf of millions
and millions of Americans, I
would like to thank the country
of France for inventing the
cinema, French bread, French
wine, French fries, French
kissing...
for the Statue of Liberty...
for your help in our
revolutionary war...
without the French we wouldn't
have won our war of
independence, and we'd all be
speaking British now.....
thank you for the courage to
stand up and say NO to war.
One of the best definitions of
an ally, or a friend, is that a
friend will tell you when you're
wrong....
... thank you for showing us the
way..."
Thank YOU, Mr Moore!
Posted by François @ 02/23/2003 04:50 PM PST

Dang.. not a lot of posting going on. I think it's time for a posting rally.. don't you?
Lurkers - come out, come out, wherever you are and post post post (post 3 times!) lol
Posted by Craig @ 02/23/2003 06:51 PM PST

Dang.. not a lot of posting going on. I think it's time for a posting rally.. don't you?
Lurkers - come out, come out, wherever you are and post post post (post 3 times!) lol
Posted by Craig @ 02/23/2003 06:51 PM PST

Wow.. now I have to post 3 times in a row. I hate when my finger double clicks on the mouse button when I am posting..
Posted by Craig @ 02/23/2003 06:53 PM PST

Craig,
I'm back from tarnation....and it
seems that.....everybody was
there!
Really!
I won't give names but.....
Posted by François @ 02/23/2003 07:35 PM PST

Craig,
You were right; Susan Egan
supplies the voice for the Lin
character in Spirited Away,
while Suzanne Pleshette
voices the Twin Witches --
hope she got paid twice!! --
and David Ogden Stiers is the
voice for the Boiler Room Man.
SPIRITED AWAY is a strange
and marvellous animated
feature, distributed by the
Disney Company which
doesn't seem to know how to
produce such beguiling stuff
anymore....
Posted by François @ 02/23/2003 07:49 PM PST

I just read a pseudo-rumor about an upcoming DreamWorks animated movie. Seem as though they might (or are) going to do an animated feature of SINBAD!!!
Posted by Craig @ 02/23/2003 07:53 PM PST

Oops....Just realized you had
ALREADY given the answer to
you own question...
Sorry!
I guess I was trying to beef up
the number of posts for today's
count......
It's quite lonely in here tonight
here!
Anybody "home"? home,
home, home???-- darn echo,
echo, echo!!!
Posted by François @ 02/23/2003 07:55 PM PST

And it's more than a rumor - it's listed on IMDB with a pretty impressive vocal castlist already
http://us.imdb.com/Title?0165982
Posted by Craig @ 02/23/2003 07:56 PM PST

.... and, of course, in Sinbad,
there is SIN and there is BAD!
Posted by François @ 02/23/2003 07:58 PM PST

Wow.. and even better.. there are stills of two scenes!
and a website
http://sinbad-themovie.com/
Posted by Craig @ 02/23/2003 07:58 PM PST

Release Date: June 27, 2003
Studio: DreamWorks Pictures
Director: Tim Johnson, Patrick
Gilmore
Screenwriter: John Logan
Starring: Brad Pitt, Catherine
Zeta-Jones, Michelle Pfeiffer,
Christine Baranski, Joseph
Fiennes
Genre: Animation
MPAA Rating: Not available
Official Website:
Sinbad-themovie.com
Review: Not available
DVD/VHS: Not available
Movie Poster: Not available
Production Stills: View images
Plot Summary: Pitt is the voice
of Sinbad, the most daring and
notorious rogue ever to sail
the seven seas. Zeta-Jones
voices the beautiful Marina,
who joins Sinbad on his
greatest adventure. Together,
they must battle Eris (Pfeiffer),
the powerful goddess of
Chaos, to save the fabled
Book of Peace and the life of
Sinbad’s best friend—and
most dangerous
rival—Proteus (Fiennes).
Posted by Sinbad @ 02/23/2003 08:04 PM PST

Wow.. I thought the movie was about the african-american comic who had a really bad tv sitcom in the 90s. My Bad(sin)
kidding.. I really am looking forward to seeing this. I wonder who is doing the score
Posted by Craig @ 02/23/2003 08:09 PM PST

Thanks for the good news re KMK. Also the (hopefully)good news about Badsin. (is there a redundancy there or are some sins better than others?)I just hope "Sinbad" takes us back to humour, light and life. Some of the mores recent efforts make you wonder who let them get past the storyboard or whatever.
Thank you Craig & Francois for keeping up the posts.
It is appreciated. We can't all always be near a computer.
Posted by Tom from Oz @ 02/23/2003 08:44 PM PST

Tom-
Did you ever see my post thanking you for TSG? it was quite awhile ago..
if not.. Thanks.. love it!
Posted by Craig @ 02/23/2003 08:53 PM PST

OK, I'm posting. I don't know what the hell I'm talking aobut, but I'm posting.
Posted by Kerry @ 02/23/2003 09:06 PM PST

Glad you are appreciating a secret from down under Craig.
Posted by Tom from Oz @ 02/23/2003 09:30 PM PST

Given the billions of dollars worth of oil contracts France has invested in Iraq, the French protestations of only wanting peace sound...well, I dislike the word disingenuous appearing twice in one day, but it's the only word that fits. Michael Moore is fully welcome to stay in France, as far as I am concerned.
Posted by S. Woody White @ 02/23/2003 09:32 PM PST

Cheap shot, cheap shot!
It's not a question of "wanting
peace"; it's a question of not
wanting mass people to be
killed for NOTHING.
And, BTW, protestations are
not only French on this issue,
right?
Posted by François @ 02/23/2003 09:59 PM PST

Oh, I thought I had posted this morning when I checked in, but I guess not...
Fun day - I ended playing both Mamma Mia! shows today. At the intermission of the matinee, the conductor asked if I would be available to play tonight, and I was, so I played. And then I play all this week too. And I've already designated the extra funds from tonight's show for some CDs and DVDs!
Richmond audiences are very funny, funny-strange. Mamma Mia has this fully staged curtain call and three song encore sequence. The cast is up on stage dancing, singing and clapping, and, hopefully, the audience will be on their feet dancing, singing and clapping along. Well, not here in Richmond. They are just too polite. They all sit back down and listen... ugh! Kind of funny actually. And then there are those pockets of people who are standing up and having a good time - while the people sitting behind them are trying to look around them. We'll see how this week goes.
Oh, and Donald, if you happen to read this post before heading off to NYC, please pass on my greetings and love to Erin Dilly. What a wonderful actress, singer and person to work with.
Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 02/23/2003 11:18 PM PST

The weapons have already been used...in Iraq.
And while there have been protests against war in places other than France, polls are showing more support than dissadence.
Posted by S. Woody White @ 02/24/2003 12:48 AM PST

I'm not in favor of the US "preemptively" striking Iraq.
That said, I didn't like Michael Moore's speech. I support his right to say it, but I wish he would not have. To me, it's like the difference between arguing with your spouse because you disagree, or going out and telling everyone you know what a big dumb jerk your spouse is. In this scenario, the entire U.S. is the wife, and Moore is the husband going hither, thither, and yon telling everyone how his dumb wife "just doesn't understand him." Ick.
Meryl Streep even had to get in some shots at the U.S. in her speech (albeit, having nothing to do with Iraq). She said she was glad that the French knew enough to honor women "of a certain age" because her own country certainly doesn't. What the hell?!? The last time I checked, "The Hours" is an American production, and Streep is the most-honored actress (in terms of award nominations) in the history of American film.
Maybe I'm missing something. I don't recall any foreign filmmakers who received American film awards ascending the dais and then using the opportunity to trash their own country. I'm sure if someone remembers such an incident, they'll correct me. Sorry, but regardless of the sentiments expressed and whether or not I am idealogically in agreement, I think this method is just tacky, tacky, tacky. It's not like Moore doesn't have a platform or an opportunity to criticize the U.S. when he's here. He has much more of a voice than most people do.
Posted by Lulu @ 02/24/2003 02:36 AM PST

The local anime club in my alma mater (Brooklyn College) has agreed to one way for watching anime: Subtitled rather than dubbed. Since the club shows Japanese animated TV shows most of the time, subtitled videos are usually the only option.
Otherwise, have fun with the Miyazaki movies.
Posted by Kit Lo @ 02/24/2003 06:16 AM PST

I am with Lulu on this one. There is a time and a place for everything. When one is being honoured with an award, it is appropriate to be grateful and humble. One shouldn't use the platform as a forum for one's political beliefs, regardless of their stripe. Certainly someone like Mr. Moore has had no shortage of media (film, television, print) to convey his beliefs.
What is next? Will he come streaking across the stage, screaming "Free Tibet!!"?
Posted by Dave @ 02/24/2003 07:59 AM PST

Has anyone seen the movie THEY SHOOT MOVIES DON'T THEY? I don't know what to think about it. Even after visiting the website for it.
Posted by Jrand52 @ 02/24/2003 08:15 AM PST

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