Haines His Way
Archives => Archive 3 => Topic started by: bk on July 17, 2005, 12:05:54 AM
-
Well, you've read the notes, you haven't mocked either the notes or me, and now it is time for you to post until the mock cows come home. To it, I say.
-
And the word of the day is: BELLICOSE!
-
Wedding went well. Lots of time with family, and now to bed as I have to head back to Brown County at 6 am tomorrow. :P
-
Such WUSSBURGERING on a Saturday night. Saturday night's are supposed to be late nights, with merriment and mirth and laughter and legs and there is no one in the jernt because, apparently, everyone is OLD and a fuddy-duddy.
BELLICOSE, baby, BELLICOSE!
-
After much discussion and Internet searching, we're going to remove the question from the trivia contest regarding the cast member who married a legend. When I did my initial checking the site I checked had a misspelling for the legend's spouse. So, even though the cast member's name is close, it's not the correct person. So, simply answer all the other questions and you, too, can win. That is if you're not WUSSBURGERING.
-
Favourite Disaster Film: "Poseidon Adventure".
From my point of view as a fan of most of the Mr Conway's novels., "The Prince Of Tides" was a disaster. I wonder what part Mr Conway had in his shared screenplay or was it really Ms Streisand doing the rewriting.
-
Good morning, all! I wish I'd been around to jump into the critical fray last night, but I thought DRSWW pretty much covered review questions I might have posed; I loved the film JAWS and was I glad that I'd read the potboiler novel first to appreciate the choices the filmmakers made in altering storylines and rethinking several of the characters. In the case of THE FIRM, I read the novel after seeing the film and I kept thinking during the reading, was this in the film I saw? I preferred the film's rewrite as well. I loathe the Greer Garson film of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE primarily because it lacks, as does the musical FIRST IMPRESSIONS, the tone of Miss Austen's literary style, mistaking coyness for wit.
My goddaughter is the most rabid Harry Potter fan I know; she's reread all of the books each time a new film comes out, and she disliked the film of HARRY POTTER & THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN because she felt too much of the novel was omitted (she'll loathe the next and longer GOBLET OF FIRE!). But, DRRonPulliam, what's this about no fantasy in school curriculum? What are the ILIAD, ODYSSEY, Shakespeare's TEMPEST, MACBETH, and MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, the Lewis Carroll ALICE books, Washington Irving's RIP VAN WINKLE and SLEEPY HOLLOW, A CHRISTMAS CAROL, and a lot of classics I love but fantasies? Has school curriculum changed so much in the past 50 years that I was a student? I never was really in touch. And I have a lot of adult friends reading the Harry Potter books. In London the books are printed with two different covers: one for young readers and one for adults.
DRCillaliz, I'm embarassed I forgot TUSCALOOSA's CALLING ME . . . I saw it around 1976, and it was a lot of fun; it has a couple of really wonderful New York songs.
Biggest disaster films: A CHORUS LINE, YENTL
Favorite disaster films: POSEIDON ADVENTURE (and any other Shelly Winters swimming film, but I can't think of any now), AIRPLANE
-
Good morning, thought I'd check in before I head off to the lake. It's supposed to be in the upper 90s here again today, so it will be nice to be by the water for a day.
TOD - Favorite disaster films - I have to say I really liked the original Airport. Maybe in part because it was filmed in Minneapolis, the airport I used to fly out of the most.
Better get going. I'm thinking of fried chicken and the longer I sit here the longer I'll have to wait to get it!!!!
-
Nice photo, DR CILLALIZ! It's a beautiful view.
-
My favorite disaster films;
I, too, like Poseidon Adventure.
The Towering Inferno
Cassandra Crossing
Jaws
Airport
and
Airplane! ;D
-
DR Elmore, here the Harry Potter books have 2 cover choices as well. I thought the "kids" version was much nicer, so that was the one my sister bought.
Feel better DR TCB! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
-
I've always liked THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE. It seemed at the time handsomely produced, well acted, and suspenseful from the beginning of the problems to the end.
Poor Irwin Allen's last couple of disaster epics, however, were horrendous despite their all-star casts. THE SWARM was hilarious rather than terrifying and WHEN TIME RAN OUT made it seem like time would NEVER run out, so slow moving and dull were its story and pacing.
-
Good healing vibes to TCB!!!
My Harry Potter book came on time yesterday. Some special edition that I ordered a long time ago. It's packaged beautifully. It "lives" in a lovely cover thing - I don't know how to explain it - the actual picture of the cover is on this cover thing (which is like a hard shell thing) and then the book slides out of it and the actual cover of the book doesn't have a picture on it, just the textured green/blue dust jacket. I'm sure I've totally confused all of you. It's the special edition from Amazon... check it out.
I don't know whether or not to start reading it as I sort of started The Davinci Code when I got back from Paris because of the "Louvre" tie-in. If the DP starts reading his copy of HP, I may just read along with him so we can at least have something to talk about!!!
-
The last of the AIRPORT movies, AIRPORT '79: THE CONCORDE, was desperately bad. Remember the moment when George Kennedy opens a window in the cockpit WHILE IN FLIGHT and sticks his hand out of it in order to fire a gun at an enemy? How embarrassing that anyone would write anything so absurd.
-
I understand they're remaking THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE now. Other than the obvuious answer that they can, I really wonder why they thought we needed another version of it?
-
I've been E, and I daresay I've been T, but now I am "B" for "back" and "CU" for "caught up."
Friday I celebrated a bit much with friends as tomorrow I'll be beginning the new gig. Yesterday, I went and met TPunk who was sunning herself in Central Park while reading her new H. Potter book. Then we met up with new New Yorker Jose and a fellow named Elmore. A frenzy of feasting and friendly faces.
Now I want Cillaliz's pan-friend chicken, and I will accept it via mail.
-
Good Morning!
...Nothing like letting the various sounds of The City lull you to sleep. -And I actually did sleep pretty well. However, I'm hoping that Nick - the guy I'm subletting from - does end up bringing over his bed - his nicer bed - today or tomorrow. The futon that was left in the room leaves a lot to be desired.
Oh.. and a fan... There's an A/C window down here on "my" floor, but since we're all trying not to have outrageous bills from Con Edison... We had it on last night, but turned it off before going to bed. Of course, this morning, it's gray, muggy and sticky. -But that's what New York City is supposed to be like in the summer.
My friend, Curt, may end up driving me up to NYC this Tuesday. He just wants to come up to the City for the day. So, if that does end up happening, I'll be able to bring up a couple more things than just my clothes (in my luggage).
In any case...
-
Now I want Cillaliz's pan-friend chicken, and I will accept it via mail.
Note to self: Bring up cast iron pan.
:)
-
...And there really is nothing like fried chicken, fried in a cast iron pan. "Simple" fried chicken - just dusted with seasoned flour - maybe soaked in milk for a few - but no cornmeal, no crushed cornflakes, no potato chip crumbs. Just basically good chicken with a simple crust/coating.
-
Well... I think I'm still heading out for brunch... or not. I made a stop at Whole Foods last night to pick up some bottled water, juice and some "goodies" - and I may just have some of the "goodies" for my breakfast, and then just venture out on foot for a bit before heading back down to Fairfax around 5:00.
-Oh, and I think I shall be taking the GW Bridge for a change of pace.
-
Poor Irwin Allen's last couple of disaster epics, however, were horrendous despite their all-star casts. THE SWARM was hilarious rather than terrifying and WHEN TIME RAN OUT made it seem like time would NEVER run out, so slow moving and dull were its story and pacing.
I agree with you about these two films, but one must add BEYOND THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE as well!
And don't forget about his epics for TV
Flood!
Fire!
Hanging by a Thread (all 190 minutes of it)
The Night the Bridge Fell Down (3 hours minus commercials and so bad it was on the shelf for 4 years
And don't forget that When Time Ran Out was so bad that they renamed it for TV as Earth's Final Fury and on home video as The Day The World Ended (Which I believe was supposed to be its original title.)
-
As for disaster films... Yes, "The Poseidon Adventure".
As for "disaster" films... "Ishtar".
;)
And as for the remake of "The Poseidon Adventure" - Well, I for one am looking forward to the hip-hop re-mix version of "There's Got To Be A Morning After".
;)
-
Classic LineFrom the Swarm:
Richard Widmark as General Slater: Huston burning! Will they blame me or the bees?
And the credit they were forced to put on by lobbyists:
The African killer bee should not be confused with the hard-working,
industrious American honey bee, which provides us with honey and pollinates
our flowers.
-
...And I'm outta here...
Laters...
-
Classic Line from Airport 79: The Concorde
Isabelle: You pilots are such... men.
Capt. Joe Patroni: Well, they don't call it a "cockpit" for nothing.
At least in the "extended version" Charo's role has been edited out.
-
Airport
San Francisco
The Poseidon Adventure
The Submergance of Japan (before it became the Americanized Tidal Wave)
Earthquake
The Rains Came
The Hidenburg
Hurricane (1937 version)
Meteor
When Worlds Collide
The Cassandra Crossing was fun in a cheesy sort of way.
And I was an extra in the Montreal made all star American extravaganza City On Fire
-
"Disaster Movies"
The Exorcist II: The Herretic will also be the 1st and the "best".
Heaven's Gate (What were they thinking!!! There was a good 90 Minute film in there instead of the 228 minute version I saw. They could have dropped the first hour (The Prologue) or so that took place Harvard.
It destroyed United Artist which was sold to MGM and its "director" didn't work for another 5 years and has never done a succesful since then.
BTW his original cut was 5 1/2 hours long!
-
DR Elmore3003: I do believe you know the difference between such fodder as the Harry Potter books and the true classics like "The Iliad."
If not, so be it. ;)
In a thousand years, perhaps Harry Potter will have stood the test of time.
For now, gimme a break. ;D
-
...And there really is nothing like fried chicken, fried in a cast iron pan. "Simple" fried chicken - just dusted with seasoned flour - maybe soaked in milk for a few - but no cornmeal, no crushed cornflakes, no potato chip crumbs. Just basically good chicken with a simple crust/coating.
Oh, DR JoseSPiano...down in my neck of the woods (South Carolina), we soak the chicken in buttermilk. My mom uses Bisquick rather than flour. (And we remove all the skin and fat from the chicken, too).
As a cousin once exclaimed to me, "Yo momma can FRY some chicken!"
It's mighty tasty.
-
I understand they're remaking THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE now. Other than the obvuious answer that they can, I really wonder why they thought we needed another version of it?
Because it made a ton of money back in 1972, and because Hollywood is bereft of originality.
-
DR Elmore3003: I do believe you know the difference between such fodder as the Harry Potter books and the true classics like "The Iliad."
If not, so be it. ;)
In a thousand years, perhaps Harry Potter will have stood the test of time.
For now, gimme a break. ;D
I don't believe the Potter books are "fodder," although I think there's quite a lot of it in the publishing world. And this site, starting with myself. ;D
Dickens, Washington Irving and Shakespeare haven't been around a thousand years, and before the Renaissance and the translation of the Iliad, it was Greek to a lot of readers. I'm sure many in the 19th Century would have called Dickens, even Dumas and others, "fodder" for his serials, which aren't so far from the Harry Potter series in their intentions, and for their inability to stand in a class to Fielding and Richardson. It's all a matter of taste, and if in another 150 years Harry Potter and the Oz books are still being read, I wouldn't be at all surprised.
-
Disaster films I'm fond of:
The Towering Inferno
Twister
Deep Impact
Airport
The War of the Worlds (the George Pal version)
The War of the Worlds (the Stephen Spielberg version)
Krakatoa, East of Java (a pretty neat film, despite its geographically inaccurate title).
The Day After Tomorrow (totally impressive special effects)
Independence Day (just BEcause it's entertaining and the effects are awesome).
-
It has nothing to do with breaks, don't be so superior.
Sorry to intrude upon your specialty!
-
Note to self: Bring up cast iron pan.
:)
Note to Jose: Use it primarily for cooking. Although it can make for a nifty defensive weapon, if you've been working out and can swing it properly.
-
Sorry to intrude upon your specialty!
That was good, it's nice to know the wit is still sharp. And I deliberately changed the post. Even if you are acting superior.
-
"Disaster Movies"
The Exorcist II: The Herretic will also be the 1st and the "best"....
Oh, deary deary dear! I remember E2 all too well. I was working at the Alex Theater at the time (then in it's death throes before being shut down and then restored to it's current glory), and that was our "big" film. About a week or so into the run, the studio gave us a new edit of the film, cutting it way back and making it even more nonsensical than it had been originally. It was truly a disaster film, in every sense of the word.
-
I have nothing against Harry Potter books.
I don't believe anyone should be chided or insulted for not having read them because they'd rather see the films first.
I think your point of view is a bit superior, too, but if criticizing me makes you happy, who am I to deny you.
-
In reply to what the esteemed BK wrote in today's notes:
In the day of The High and the Mighty, did they even know how to build a metal detector? Other than the sort that was used by scavengers on the beach, of course.
-
The Towering Inferno caused a tiff between my mother and myself. While in college, I'd seen the film just a few days earlier, before returning home for Christmas. I'd enjoyed myself, and thought it well done and well written, given the sort of film that it was. It was certainly superior to the books on which it had been based (yes, two separate books, both summer trash).
Well, Mom listened to my verbal review of the film. I thought she was listening, that is. Later, at a Christmas party hosted by former neighbors of ours, I overheard her telling her friends that I had thought the film wasn't very good at all.
It's one of the few times I ever contradicted her in public, restating my positive review. She was not pleased with me, and probably would have sent me to my room if we hadn't been too far from home for me to walk. :-\
Interestingly, she never misquoted me again...that I know of.
-
We're getting a run of thunder here in Rehoboth. Der B is, coincidentally, watching a show on mediums and seances. He's appreciating the additional soundtrack.
Oh, and his idea of a disaster film is George Lucas' THX 1138.
-
Just finished reading the latest Harry Potter a few hours ago. I'm sad that I'm through, less than 24 hours after I bought it- and I was trying to make it last! I will refrain from making any comments until others here have had the chance to read it.
I haven't quite finished catching up on the last few days of posts but I saw that there have been some comments on the movies and wanted to add my two cents to the mix. I am a fan of all the movies and while of course I feel it's best to see them after having read the books, I think they are fine to stand alone even if you haven't read the books. One and two are great, the casting is fabulous and I appreciate the fact that they very closely follow the plot of the books. However I feel they miss capturing some of the magical and compelling quality that keep you turning the pages of the book. Movie three follows the plot more loosely, and puts things out of order- however I feel that it goes the farthest toward capturing the spirit of the book. It's my favorite of the three- my only complaint is that they could have used about 5-10 more minutes in the Shrieking Shack for explanations. This is where it was most helpful to have read the book. I spent about fifteen minutes after the movie answering all of Rodzinski's questions about what the heck had just happened.
-
I'm up, I'm up. Just had a one-hour catch up conversation with Miss Juliana A. Hansen, who sends her love. She's in St. Louis doing Footloose.
I never understand why sniping is necessary on this site. This ain't eBay, baby, so there's no reason for it. Everyone feels what they feel - as you know, we try very hard to keep this site friendly and cheerful, and while little tiffs are natural now and then, they just make this site something it isn't. That said, I do like the use of smileys to denote tone.
Good disaster movie choices. I believe there are not one but two Poseidon Adventure remakes being filmed right now - one for TV, and one for the big screen by Wolfgang Peterson. There was some weird thing with split rights.
-
Is James Barrie's Peter Pan taught in any school curriculums? Or is it just a part of some drama department's repetoire?
-
I have nothing against Harry Potter books.
I don't believe anyone should be chided or insulted for not having read them because they'd rather see the films first.
I think your point of view is a bit superior, too, but if criticizing me makes you happy, who am I to deny you.
Your comments about the books being fodder would imply a low opinion of them, but I don't recall chiding anyone who'd rather see the flms than read the books.
I deliberately altered my original post because I had realized that I was most certainly acting superior, didn't want to offend you, and went back to change it. While I was doing that, you posted your comment about me. It was funny, and I deserved it.
-
It was fifty years ago today that Disneyland opened in Anaheim.
[move=left,scroll,6,transparent,100%] :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D[/move]
-
Good disaster movie choices. I believe there are not one but two Poseidon Adventure remakes being filmed right now - one for TV, and one for the big screen by Wolfgang Peterson. There was some weird thing with split rights.
Something tells me Peterson won't be returning to Gallico (http://www.paulgallico.info/)'s original book for inspiration; it's not written in his style. If there is a television remake, I hope they at least read Gallico's tome; there was some interesting stuff there that didn't make it into the first film (such as a second group of survivors being rescued from the other end of the ship, whose tale remained untold).
-
(such as a second group of survivors being rescued from the other end of the ship, whose tale remained untold).
DRSWW, thank you for confirming my memories of the book. I had read it when it was first published, and I now have next to no memories of either film or novel. I had even forgotten it was by Paul Gallico!
-
I haven't read any Harry Potter books, and probably won't. And it is a loss to no one.
THE HIGH AND THE MIGHTY is on that commercial-filled station AMC tonight, and I will probably watch it (as horrible as it will be to see that way) - just because I too loved the movie when I was a kid - and I don't get advance copies of DVD's as do important big CD producer-singer-movie director-writer types. Although of course, I am glad they do so we can read about them before buying them (OR NOT!).
Break a leg on the run-thru for Mr Kevin and MR BK....and healing legs to DR TCB.
Lovely photo DRCILLALIZ.
Why am I hungry for chicken? Why do I want to go to NYC? Why is Tuscaloosa calling me?
And of course that is where elephant ivory hunters go because the....
-
If AMC is showing The High and the Mighty pan-and-scan, do NOT watch it - it would be a travesty.
I woke up quite nauseous this morning, but am feeling fine right about now.
-
Don't mock me.
-
And now - Dino at the piano.
-
I think I shall now read the story of The Randy Vicar and the Hornpipe.
-
Favorite disaster films:
Titanic - 1953
Airport
When Worlds Collide
Beginning of the End (an ecological disaster!)
Disastrous films:
Illusions with Heather Locklear
Airport '75 & "The Concorde"
My favorite made--for-TV disaster film is SMASH-UP ON INTERSTATE 5!
A really great multi car wreck that was shown at the beginning - and then we flashed back to all the occupants earlier in the day - and then at the end we saw the crash again and learned the fates of the characters! And what a tv star line up:
Buddy Ebsen
Vera Miles
Harriet Nelson
Robert Conrad
David Groh
Tommy Lee Jones
Sue Lyon
Terry Moore
Donna Mills
George O'Hanlon
David Nelson
Music by Bill Conti
Directed by John Moxey
Filmed at La Crescenta (Hi, Frances!) on I-210.
-
BUT it is better than NOTHING! Couldn't I just watch it until it hurts, and then stop?
-
I do believe I saw a Dino LP at a thrift shop in San Jose, fyi.
-
I do believe I saw a Dino LP at a thrift shop in San Jose, fyi.
There would be NO mistaking one! 8)
-
Off to auditions. Not sure which part I want, but I will take any in MY THREE ANGELS! A very funny and charming show.
-
I have never been much of a fan of disaster movies. I'm sure I saw THE HIGH & THE MIGHTY on TV once but remember little about it. I've always loved the haunting Tiomkin theme whistled by the great Muzzy Marcellano.
I hated the Poseidon Adventure ever since I saw it in the theatre and heard the first ridiculous opening speech out of Gene Hackman's mouth. Most like Towering Inferno, The Swarm, Earthquake, Meteor I've only seen in bits and pieces on TV.
I suppose my favourites would be things like SAN FRANCISCO and HURRICANE from long ago Or after-the-disaster stories like FIVE CAME BACK and ABANDON SHIP and LIFEBOAT. NIGHT TO REMEMBER is pretty good. but my fav is probably AIRPLANE.
The most disastrous disaster movie for me is the god-awful, bloated, fatuous, flatulent, inervating, nauseating wretched piece of flotsam, Cameron's TITANIC. King of the World, my ass!
By the by, BK, great rant this morning about most of today's kids being unable to appreciate anything beyond their own generation and the necessity to view things in historical context.
Actually, when I was teaching a couple of weeks ago in Kentucky, I had a day where I showed them clips from old black and white movies. The kids in the class gave me reason to hope, as they were quite intrigued when I showed them bits from things like THIEF OF BAGHDAD, PENNY SERENADE, BEAU GESTE (I was doing "openings" one day). They particularly kept asking to see the rest of BEAU GESTE.
-
Cilaliz your parents have a beautiful back yard. Thanks for sharing.
TCB good hip vibes!!
-
But tell us, CP, what you really think of Titanic!
;D :o ;D :o ;D
-
Hi Charles. Friday night we spent a wonderful evening at Janet's current home. We are very excited the work has begun on her new home and soon we will see her more often. Watching the progress is fun.
-
DR Pogue, I'm sure you spent most of your Beau Geste day discussing how Frances Farmer was supposed to play the Susan Hayward role. ;)
I think we should combine several recent threads and have cast iron skillet duels between selected members of HHW. The rest of us can critique their techniques and each others' critiques. :P
-
As long as we're
dissing discussing remakes, why oh why is Peter Jackson remaking King Kong? Wasn't the original, with Jessica Lange, already perfect?
::)
-
Don't ask me why cast iron skillet duels reminded me of this, but anyhoo: one of the many items of WWII booty my dad brought back was this really elegant (and extremely heavy) sword from Morocco which my sister assumed control of before I was even born. She named it Excalibur. Anyway, one night (like in the middle of the night), our doorbell malfunctioned and started buzzing non-stop and my sister, thinking there was a burglar, got up and dragged Excalibur out to the front door to see what was going on. The punchline was, the damned thing was so heavy that by the time she got to the front door, she was completely winded and unable to do anything but stand there gasping for breath. Luckily there was no burglar; had there been, he could have knocked her over with a feather. ;D
-
And why she thought a burglar would be leaning on the doorbell is a question best left to the ages.
-
Yesterday, I left home at 7am, drove 2 hours to Columbus, sat through a 6 hour meeting, and drove 2 hours home (in terrible thunderstorms). I was totally wiped out and just now finished reading yesterday's and today's posts.
DR TCB - I'm so glad the package got to you safely, but I'm so sorry to hear about your hip problems.
I have read none of the Harry Potter books with my eyes, but have read all of them with my ears. Jim Dale does a wonderful job on the audio books. For the 12 CD copies of the latest on order for my library, there are 103 reserves and I'm number 50.
-
Today's TOD - Independence Day
Yesterday's TOD - DR Elmore's Rodgers and Hart revue, for which I was his director's assistant.
-
As long as we're dissing discussing remakes, why oh why is Peter Jackson remaking King Kong? Wasn't the original, with Jessica Lange, already perfect?
::)
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Too true!
-
Jose, LOL, never have the sounds of any city LULLED me to sleep. They have unfortunately kept us awake all night.
-
JMK-funny sister story.
-
DR Pogue, I'm sure you spent most of your Beau Geste day discussing how Frances Farmer was supposed to play the Susan Hayward role. ;)
I think we should combine several recent threads and have cast iron skillet duels between selected members of HHW. The rest of us can critique their techniques and each others' critiques. :P
Hey, if I'm going to be critiqued, I want it from someone I either respect or think is smarter than I. I've gotten too many half-assed reviews in my life. Several are on amazon.com, in fact. And once in SHOW MUSIC.
-
As long as we're dissing discussing remakes, why oh why is Peter Jackson remaking King Kong? Wasn't the original, with Jessica Lange, already perfect?
::)
;D IMHO the preview for the new movie looks very good.
-
;D IMHO the preview for the new movie looks very good.
I agree! Any word on when the original is coming out on DVD?
-
The original Kong will be on DVD later this year.
Pogue, you'll be thrilled to know there's a huge special edition of Titanic on its way.
-
Hey, if I'm going to be critiqued, I want it from someone I either respect or think is smarter than I.
So, reading between the lines, I assume you mean I should be critiquing your cast iron skillet duel. ;D
-
So, reading between the lines, I assume you mean I should be critiquing your cast iron skillet duel. ;D
I doubt there's anyone better qualified! ;D
-
JMK, didn't know that about Frances and Beau Geste. Of course, not sure why she would have wanted the role. A rather thankless part, all told.
-
Wouldn't Francis as Beau Geste been a little, well, odd? I suppose they could have rewritten it as Belle Geste, but it wouldn't have the same je ne sais quoi, would it?
;D
-
I agree! Any word on when the original is coming out on DVD?
The new movie will be out Dec. 14th. You may not care but it is what I originally thought you asked and looked it up, so I'm now sharing, interested or not. Obviously I didn't finish reading your question. ;D
-
Sandra are you enjoying your book? Hmm, if you have returned I should ask if you enjoyed the book. I suspect like TPunk you have finished reading it.
-
Yes, I enjoyed it very much so. I finished it last night. I didn't want to say anything about it in case somebody felt like arguing with me.
-
;D
-
Don't mock me.
My pal Brad Bennett just stopped by to pick up his order for Aron's Records. I don't know if they shorted my order, but it sure seems like I'm almost out of After the Ball CDs - I'm down to a little under 150 copies. I'd initially upped the order, so I'm not sure why that should be. I'll have to check tomorrow. I know we've shipped at least four hundred, maybe a bit more, so that should leave at least three hundred discs. Hmmm.
-
Did you count the order when it arrived?
-
It's been a hellish hot day here, and, of course, my friend Jeff wanted to do some more moving. During his move back to town, I gave my living room over to him as a storage facility because he simply couldn't afford to rent another storage facility since he'd been paying rental for that pod since last fall.
Since we (and another friend on another day) had cleaned out the pod last week, the time came today to start loading up some of the stuff he had stored here. We loaded his car and mine, stopped off at a Chinese buffet for lunch (more about that later), and then got the things unloaded and into his new place.
Then, I hooked up his TV to his VCR and DVD player since he had forgotten which cables went where. He had tried to do it, and got no picture at all since he had video cables going into audio jacks, etc. Funny, but now all is working properly.
-
Since my favorite Chinese buffet closed several months ago, I have only had Chinese food once, and I have missed it. (There just aren't any good places near my home any more).
Today, Jeff and I returned to a buffet we used to go to every Sunday. It's closer to where he's living now, so it was on the way back to his house.
Anyway, the food was delicious. They had some kind of (lightly) spicy grilled chicken dish that was about the best thing I've had in a long, long time, and I'm afraid I greatly overate. Since this place is so near to Jeff now, I can see we'll be having some Sunday lunches there for the foreseeable future.
-
When I got home from lunch and unloading things at Jeff's, I watched the 1955 KISMET which I DVRed this morning. I needed no more than two or three minutes to see that the picture was sharper than the laserdisc (if a bit darker with somewhat drab Eastmancolor), so I put in a DVD-R and burned myself a copy.
The sound design was the same as the laserdisc's: the stereo had been repurposed into a lush Dolby Surround track, and it sounded marvelous.
Too bad Vincente Minnelli lost interest in the project shortly after starting it (prepping for LUST FOR LIFE), because the pace is pretty laggard and the shooting of the numbers seems decidedly by the book.
-
DR TPunk, you can start talking about the new HARRY POTTER now if you'd like if you just be sure to post "spoiler warnings" before you start talking about it. Then, those of us who haven't read it yet but plan to eventually won't have any secrets ruined.
Just speaking from past experience. I've blabbed before about things without posting spoiler warnings and felt terrible guilt afterwards.
-
I had forgotten about "Ishtar". (Which was worth forgetting).
-
No, I didn't pick the order up. I'm sure we've been shorted.
I shall now be on my way to Kevin's dress rehearsal, after which, I shall return.
-
When EARTHQUAKE and THE TOWERING INFERNO were released fairly close together, I was SO impressed with INFERNO and found EARTHQUAKE (apart from the wonderful Sensurround rumbling effects) pretty embarrassing as drama.
Looking at INFERNO when the DVD came out, I saw that it really wasn't that much better written or performed than EARTHQUAKE. Two studios co-produced INFERNO, so it had that little something extra somehow as a production, maybe more polish in its production. I suspect it cost more to mount it (well, it had bigger stars, too).
-
Off now to watch the last MONK episode on Disc 3. And I have a couple of 30 minute shows on the DVR I need to watch and clear off, too.
-
JMK, didn't know that about Frances and Beau Geste. Of course, not sure why she would have wanted the role. A rather thankless part, all told.
Which is why she didn't take it. This was right after Golden Boy, and she had already done the potboiler Ride a Crooked Mile in a vain attempt to promote her husband's career. She evidently actually got to the costume test stage of Beau Geste before she got out of it and headed back east for what was supposed to be a Group Theater production of Three Sisters (it never materialized).
-
I got a free ticket to see the film version of Bewitched when I bought the DVDs for Season One of tv version. Just got back from seeing it. The film was worth ever cent I paid to go see it
-
Wouldn't Francis as Beau Geste been a little, well, odd? I suppose they could have rewritten it as Belle Geste, but it wouldn't have the same je ne sais quoi, would it?
;D
You've obviously never seen Frances "in action." :o
-
Just finished cooking (and eating with my family) a summer dinner of fried chicken and corn on the cob. My version of fried chicken does NOT involve the use of my cast iron skillet ;)
-
Just finished cooking (and eating with my family) a summer dinner of fried chicken and corn on the cob. My version of fried chicken does NOT involve the use of my cast iron skillet ;)
Did it at least involve a chicken?
-
DR Jane's recipe for Fried Chicken probably just has the iron skillet.
-
I shall be visiting DR OzDerek in a few hours time. I shall pass on sundried greetings. He is at home today (which is not a good sign!) and is supposed to be crossing the sea to Tasmania tomorrow.
-
Did it at least involve a chicken?
Yes, quite an odd chicken, at that, because I fried 6 breasts and 8 thighs!
-
DR Tomovoz, please give my best to DR OzDerek.
-
Dang it, every time people start talking about fried chicken around here I get a big time craving! :D
-
DR Jane's recipe for Fried Chicken probably just has the iron skillet.
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
-
I shall be visiting DR OzDerek in a few hours time. I shall pass on sundried greetings. He is at home today (which is not a good sign!) and is supposed to be crossing the sea to Tasmania tomorrow.
DRTomovoz, take him our positive vibes and good wishes!
-
Yes, quite an odd chicken, at that, because I fried 6 breasts and 8 thighs!
A thalidomide chicken? Remember the toxic lobster on THE NANNY?
-
Dang it, every time people start talking about fried chicken around here I get a big time craving! :D
Get thee to a Kentucky Fried Chicken!
When I was in grad school I lived on High Street in Oxford, OH, over a place called Chick-a-lick. which my theatre friends called f*$%-a-duck. The fowl was foul but the ice cream was from heaven. All three of my rooms smelled like chicken grease. When I started working at Barnes & Noble in 1998, I was talking to the manager who hired me one night and it turned out we went to Miami University. At one point she mentioned her apartment and I asked her where it was. Over a fried chicken place on High Street!
-
My illusions have been shattered. Turns out the Gingham Inn now uses electric skillets instead of cast iron....woe is me!!!!!
But it still tastes great. Just salt pepper and flour then fried in oil or some sort of shortening. It was SOOO good.
I did find out the secret. They use fresh chickens that have never been frozen. I was able to bring a few pieces home, so I'm having it again for dinner.
Thanks all for the comments on the photo. The lake was nice today. Overcast (I hate the blazing sun) and the water was just the right temperature. Had a nice dip in the lake and then headed back home just before it started raining and thundering.
It was a nice day.
-
It's still thundering, think I'll get off line for awhile.
-
When I lived in London in 1973 I lived above a Chinese "take away" shop in Highbury. I don't eat chinese food at all these days. For those who know London, it was right near Arsenal Football ground. My first three months of that year I lived in East Hampstead - worlds apart!
-
I've just packed the OzDerek vibes into the car. I hope to be back on line before the new notes. Have a good evening everyone.
-
DR Jane's recipe for Fried Chicken probably just has the iron skillet.
;D Not even that anymore. Awhile back we gave away our iron skillet. The thing weighed a ton so I never used it.
-
Continued good vibes for OzDerek.
-
This afternoon we saw a very “interesting” movie, 3-IRON. Has anyone seen this yet?
Following the movie we stopped in our local bookstore and saw photos from the Harry Potter midnight madness. There were even witches amongst the 300 customers ;D. Not a single Harry Potter book was on the shelf. There were still reserved books in the back room which had not been collected. There was also one book a customer had cancelled just prior to our walking in the store. Now unexpectedly I have my own copy. :D
Keith will wait for the movie.
-
I got a free ticket to see the film version of Bewitched when I bought the DVDs for Season One of tv version. Just got back from seeing it. The film was worth ever cent I paid to go see it
I'm encouraged you didn't say they should have paid you to watch the movie. Maybe we will watch the DVD, for a few minutes at least.
-
There was also one book a customer had cancelled just prior to our walking in the store. Now unexpectedly I have my own copy. :D
Jane, I'd say you were in the right place at the right time - happy reading!
-
Thanks Ginny. At the moment I'm browsing the Harry Potter links my niece sent me and refreshing my memory.
-
We spent several hours this afternoon house hunting "just in case." We are amazed by the crap (technical term) out there being offered for upwards of $700K. On the other hand, we saw a truly stunning home at the top of Council Crest (the highest place in Portland) that had been on the market for over a year, which has had its price reduced from $1,300,000 to $895K. The realtor literally followed me from room to room telling me how many times the price had been reduced and how "motivated" (read: desperate ;) ) the sellers were. So now Betsy and I are deciding if we should lowball them just to see if they'd accept. It's a really incredible house with one of the greatest views I've ever experienced in Portland--everything north (past St. Helens) and east (past Hood).
There is another house I went through I love, for a "mere" $635K, but it's quite close to 26W and there's that constant ambient traffic noise. This house, however, has an olympic sized pool in the backyard.
And we don't actually know if we're going to sell this house anyway, so I guess it's all premature. ::)
-
The other funny thing that happened today was every realtor at the open houses telling us how fast everything was moving and if we were interested, we'd better make an offer. Then we'd ask how long that particular house had been on the market. Each and every one had been on the market for months, if not over a year, and had had its price reduced several times. Methinks the bubble may have started to burst.
-
JMK the original asking prices of the homes may have been too high for the market, even for a high market. Our neighbor’s home is going up for sale this week and their asking price will be higher than the, very reputable, realtors suggested asking price.
Have fun looking at homes even if you don’t move.
-
I'm back, and to prove it, I'm here. Today's dress rehearsal went very well, I thought. I insisted on doing this in front of people, because I knew Kevin needed one show before the actual performance where he could be nervous and forget certain moves and things, which all happened and now it is out of his system, which is great. I had very few notes afterwards, mostly about technical stuff within songs - builds, not doing too much "acting", stuff like that, and just correcting the few things where he'd done the wrong blocking (in thanking me today, he affectionately called me the Nazi Stager, which is completely true). His costume changes in act two were too long, so we'll be working on that at the theater tomorrow. But, little things aside, he did really well, got lots of laughs, sang his little heart out and the whole thing moved right along. It will get smoother as he gets comfortable playing to audiences. I'll let Pogue tell you more about it.
Afterwards, the Pogues and I went for a nice meal.
-
The block where I live is now under consideration for buying by three different development companies. The occupants of the five houses have put our lowball and dream figures down on paper to see what three different development companies are willing to offer. Bids were due this weekend, so I guess when everyone gets back in town, we'll sit down and see what's being offered.
I have no GREAT desire to move, but if I was offered somewhere between the figures I named, I certainly would be moving and thus looking for a new place.
-
Finally got around to this week's RENO 911! which had some pretty good sight gags.
-
SIX FEET UNDER and QUEER AS FOLK had some very surprising developments tonight. QUEER AS FOLK has only three more episodes to go before it's over, and I'm already missing it.
-
Once QUEER AS FOLK ends, then I'll start going back and reliving the show through the DVD sets. I'm not sure when this fifth season DVD set is going to be released, but I can't believe Showtime would wait as long as they have for the other boxes (always timed to coincide with the new season premiere week).
-
This week should be quieter on the whole so I should be able to get more DVDs watched than I was able to this past week. Looking forward to that.
-
That's some chicken!
-
Very warm here. Auditions were okay - but one never CAN tell.
Tomorrow I start PIPPIN choreography with the fabulous MAGIC TO DO - which aptly describes what I will have to accomplish. The director liked the set I designed and helped build - unit style - and of course his boyfriend the costume designer DIDN'T......and he still keeps telling me what the dances have to look like. I am discouraged, but I will press on.
Costume changes in a one-man show - how does one pass the time? Music, jokes from the piano player, drinking? Interesting. Remember Judy always had a screen onstage and kept talking and throwing clothes around while she changed.
-
DR JMK, I'm going to Portland for a meeting from Aug 3-7. It would be fun to meet you.
-
AMC showed THE HIGH AND THE MIGHTY in letterbox and stereo this evening, so I taped it and cut out all the commercials. Good movie, good music, dulled and familiar only because it has been COPIED so many times.
-
DR JRand, when does your production of PIPPIN open?
-
Tonight we had a dust storm:
-
Good to hear AMC isn't totally clueless about letterboxing movies, though I wouldn't know not having watched the channel in quite a long time now. Thanks for the info.
-
Very warm and humid. I'LL BE BACK BEFORE MIDNIGHT sold at 82% - but had an 86% attendance rate....oh well.
-
They are filming a new NBC show "Three Wishes" in Le Mars, a town just north of here. It's known as The Ice Cream Capitol of the World. Anyway, it's been a huge buzz for a small town. Several hundred people lined up the other night to make their wishes and they are picking 3 people in town and "making their wishes come true" I can only imagine what some of the wishes were!
Amy Grant is hosting it and gives a free concert when they are done filming. Big doings for the middle of nowhere!
-
DR JRand, when does your production of PIPPIN open?
August 11.
I will start a photo album soon and provide a link for any interested parties. :D
It's a pretty good cast - although everyone will be dressed like a Cagelle - and hopefully tomorrow will go well. ;D
Yes, I was pleased that AMC presented H/M that way.
I like KISMET - mostly the MUSICAL numbers, but I am horrified by Sebastian Cabot's hat - the top of which is so tall it is hardly EVER included in the CinemaScope shot - and which makes him duck when he walks through several doors. He does it well, though. :P
-
Ah DRCILLALIZ - Three Wishes is also the title of a Patrick Swayze film that I enjoy VERY much!
-
Ricky Ricardo always told Lucy to "stop mucking me."
-
Cillaliz, check your email.
JR, Pippin was the first show I ever saw on Broadway. I will never, ever forget Magic to Do. A truly spectacular opening number.
-
Looking at INFERNO when the DVD came out, I saw that it really wasn't that much better written or performed than EARTHQUAKE. Two studios co-produced INFERNO, so it had that little something extra somehow as a production, maybe more polish in its production. I suspect it cost more to mount it (well, it had bigger stars, too).
The two studios were involved because they each had bought one of the novels the final film was based upon. Rather than put two conflicting projects out at the same time, the studios agreed to pool their efforts.
-
JMK - got it, you should have an email in return.
JR - I love Pippin. I played Berthe and a player in our production in college. It was such fun.
-
Thanks for the info, DR JRand. I will put that date on the calendar for sending good wishes at the appropriate time.
-
Heading off to bed now after a long day. Hope everyone has a lovely rest of the evening. Good night.
-
Ah DRCILLALIZ - Three Wishes is also the title of a Patrick Swayze film that I enjoy VERY much!
DR JRand, I'm sure it was much better than a reality show will be....
-
Good Evening!
I'm back in Fairfax for the next 36 hours or so...
It took me almost six hours to get back from NYC - it's usually a four hour trip. UGH! There were a few fender-benders, no major accidents, but there were just a lot of people on the road today. And then whenever the thunderstorms and torrential rains started... UGH! However, it was nice to see everyone slowing down in the bad weather. However, by the sixth... seventh downpour, even that got old. But I made it back safe and sound.
...And my car is just eight miles short of the 216,000 miles mark!
-
PIPPIN promises to be memorable for MANY reasons. I hope my choreography is one of them.
Too bad I don't have many real dancers - Indiana, you know.
CILLALIZ - I think JUST NO TIME AT ALL is the song of the show - our Berthe should be able to bring down the house with it.....even dressed as Dolly Parton - yes, yes.....I told you we were in trouble. And with the players dressed at that point in sequined bib overalls, I really have no choice but to do a hoedown.
-
THREE WISHES with Patrick Swayze and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio is a surprisingly touching and well written film - nice music as well. If you are ever looking for a film for a quiet evening that won't challenge you, but might touch you a bit - about lost parents and sad children and dogs - that has a touch of fantasy in it...check it out. Should be readily available at the local DVD store or Netflix.
-
And the NJ traffic cops could have given their ticket writing hand quite the workout this afternoon, if they had caught all the stupid drivers using the "official cars only" entrances between the divided section of the NJ Turnpike. Lots of close calls there too. And little did they know that even though they had "escaped" the slow side of the Pike, that just a few hundred feet later, the other side would slow up too.
;)
-
In a life of many such happenings - I think Frances' greatest beau geste was her last flight from Seattle in 1954 and setting up housekeeping under her married name in Eureka, California.
AND while his faults were legion - I still think we owe a debt to Lee Mikesell who found her and brought her back into the public eye....she might slowly drunk herself to death as an assistant in a photography shop, and never been heard from again.
-
Kevin's show was lots of fun. He has a lovely, strong voice and there were plenty of great show tunes. And, of course, BK's assured directorial hand was evident in the shaping of the show, the between-songs patter, and in the song selection itself. I couldn't detect many glitches other than the stuff BK mentioned and probably not everything he caught. But I did see the "Staging Nazi" writing his notes and he didn't have all that many on his pad. Hope the very appreciative audience gave Kevin a feeling for his show tomorrow and got him through any bouts of nerves or last minutes adjustments. We, in the audience, had a swell time.
And we Pogues at a swell time at din-din, catching up with BK and trading adventures of our travels with his adventures here at home.
-
...And while walking around midtown this afternoon, I happened to run into (recent Tony nominee) Erin Dilly on her way her matinee of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. It was nice seeing her again - even if it was just for a moment or two. Hopefully,we'll be able to get together now that I'm "up in the City".
:)
-
DRJOSE a sheriff passed me with lights blazing to pull over a speeding Mustang that had passed me a moment earlier on US 40 about 5 pm today. I wish more of that would happen!
-
Time for a shower.
-
As I bet Jose can attest, BK is also a tempo Nazi. ;D
-
Oh, yes, I am most particular about tempi.
-
As I bet Jose can attest, BK is also a tempo Nazi. ;D
:-X
-
Favorite Disaster Film: THE TOWERING INFERNO
Most Disasterous Film: TITANIC (1997)
Post Script 1
I read both books that THE TOWERING INFERNO was based on (The Tower, The Glass Inferno), and I enjoyed them both.
Post Script 2
If you are not a hardcore fan of Mr. Cameron's TITANIC, you might enjoy this site.
http://www.angryalien.com/0604/titanicbunnies.html
-
I have to confess I really liked Titanic. What fascinated me was all the detail in the background that was historically accurate. I read a lot of books about the Titanic and when I'd watch the movie again, little bits of reality were everywhere, they just weren't the main focus of the plot and often not explained at all. On the other hand, the love story was, well a sappy love story.
-
OH!
And I meant to pass on another Thank You to the Ford Motor Company! I did not have to fill up my gas tank until I reached Delaware - on the way back! According to my calculations, my 1993 Ford Escort Wagon was averaging 38.41 miles per gallon! -And with gas prices being what they are right now, that's truly something to be thankful for.
-
I have beautiful signed first editions of both The Tower and The Glass Inferno. I keep them together.
-
And interestingly, in the G section of my first editions sit The Poseidon Adventure right next to The High and the Mighty - Gallico and Gann. Funny that.
-
Whew! Finally made my way through Saturday and today's posts! I am now winded!
Had a fun time with Mark and James, and Terry and his new beau Scott at the Hot July Nights in the Park (up in Vancouver, Washington) featuring KC and the Sunshine Band! Of course the majority of the crowd were in there lat 30s through early 50s, but there were a few youngsters...and KC pointed out that his group was the N'Sync of the oldsters in the audience...and whatsmore "in 30 years Justin Timberlake will look just lik this!" he told the kids as he wiped the sweat of his forehead and pointed out the extra pounds! LOL! It was fun!
And today I went with James and Mark to Sauvie Island where were lounged in the 90+ degree weather and took several dips in the water...it was quite crowded, and very relaxing!
Oh, and by the way...Vancouver drivers are scary...during the drive from Terry's house to the concert we were almost twice almost plowed into by cars who went straight through red lights, just barely missing my car as we were going through two different intersections!
-
Favorite disaster movies are:
DANTE'S INFERO (1935) Not only do you get the massive and complete collapse of a grand amusement park ride which takes you on a trip through Hell, but you also get the passenger ship that catches fire!
HURRICANE (the 1930 film)
And like DR JRand54, I remember fondly the film SMASH-UP ON I-5 which I watched as a kid mainly because Harriet and David Nelson were in the cast!
My friend Mark remembers seeing that movie on TV back then also, and we often make fun of it!
-
DR Rodzinski, best of good fortune at your first day on the job tomorrow...they are lucky to have you as an employee!!
And TCB, I hope you and your hip are doing well tonight! Don't be tumbling around so much!
-
I must go to bed now
-
MBarnum, I started The Mansion of the Ghost Cat, and was amazed to recognize the opening right away - then I realized I have the DVD from Japan (because of an article in Video Watchdog) - I've had it since the beginning of the year!
-
No posts in an hour and no one in the jernt.
Well, I think I'll eat some worms.
-
I'm here. I have been most errant and truant (and even truant and errant) this whole weekend. I haven't been exceedingly busy, just busy outside of my house, so I haven't had any (literally) time to check it and ketchup (or catch up). I went in to work both yesterday AND today because for the last two weeks, a co-worker of mine, Madeline (who has basically the same job that I do) was on vacation. And our boss (also named George) left early on Friday to go on vacation until a week from Tuesday! The big problem is that this Wednesday is the day that all of the invoicing has to be done...and it's not all done! Madeline has been gone and now George (my boss) will be gone, but I can't do it alone! (a Chicago reference ;)) So I went in to work to invoice invoices.
Now, I will go back to yesterday's notes and catch up (with lots of ketchup).
Topic of the Day:
"The Towering Inferno" (I haven't seen the whole movie, but I've enjoyed what I have seen...and I loved the "monologue" that a girl used in the movie "Fame"), "Airport" (I loved Helen Hayes in this), "The Poseidon Adventure," and I actually liked "Titanic" with (as my niece used to call him) Dogboy. ;)