Topic: THE APPROACHING CLOCK (Read 45167 times)

Matt H. · « **Reply #270 on:** July 26, 2007, 01:29:03 PM »

I spent the afternoon with MGM's THE PIRATE.

Yes, my MGM musical DVD box did indeed arrive today (with large numbers of other sets) Argh!

First, the good news: THE PIRATE looks lush with nicely saturated color and no grain: a very smooth and viewable image (if maybe a notch too dark for my taste; I think the laserdisc still has the right look for me). I only noticed one or two little blips in the image (a quick tear or bit of debris; I didn't run it backward to see what it actually was that flashed by, but it was very brief.)

But DR JMK was right about the audio: very problematic. The fidelity is limited in the mono mix offered here, but what's most annoying are occasional pops and snaps all throughout the movie. I even heard some flutter fairly early on which should be unthinkable in a movie of this repute. What on earth are those clicks?

Matt H. · « **Reply #271 on:** July 26, 2007, 01:32:37 PM »

Next, I listened to the John Fricke commentary. Very interesting and fair minded as always. Unlike Dr. Drew Casper who drooled over Lana Turner's every move in THE PRODIGAL, Fricke can praise Garland's work while also being completely objective about her.

He did make a mistake or two: e.g. saying "True Love" won the Oscar as Best Song when EVERYBODY knows "Que Sera Sera" won that year.

Matt H. · « **Reply #272 on:** July 26, 2007, 01:34:37 PM »

Next, I watched the 18 minute featurette on the making of the movie. Lots of familiar faces in the interview but also Gene Kelly's widow who I'm not sure I had ever seen in one of these documentaries before. Liza, DR Ron Pulliam's favorite Richard Barrios, Miles Krueger, and Fricke all gave their opinions of the film.

Matt H. · « **Reply #273 on:** July 26, 2007, 01:37:43 PM »

Finally, my favorite song in the movie "Mack the Black" was presented remixed in stereo surround. Since the fidelity is so narrow in the feature, I was really looking forward to seeing the number in full rich stereo.

Well, it's stereo surround all right but whoever was manning the controls turned down the VOCAL track in the center, and it sounds like Judy is singing in the distance while the MGM Orchestra is right in your living room. Stupid, stupid, stupid (a PLAN NINE and BRAIN reference).

So, overall, THE PIRATE DVD is a somewhat frustrating experience. If I get a chance over the next few days, I may put the laserdisc back in again and watch that version which I remember as being brighter, with clear sound minus pops and cracks.

Matt H. · « **Reply #274 on:** July 26, 2007, 01:38:14 PM »

Tonight I'll start on THE MUPPET SHOW - Season 2 which was among the sets which arrived today.

Ron Pulliam · « **Reply #275 on:** July 26, 2007, 01:44:33 PM »

Quote from: singdaw on July 26, 2007, 01:14:21 PM

Oh, that's nice, DR Ron Pulliam. I hope you invited your delightful work colleagues along as well.

Not.

Two of my delightful work colleagues were with me.

Ron Pulliam · « **Reply #276 on:** July 26, 2007, 01:45:14 PM »

Quote from: François on July 26, 2007, 12:40:48 PM

Yes, I have.It's quite touching (Julie Christie plays... Julie Christie ) but some narrative manierisms irritated me. AND why does it always concern wealthy people and never ordinary gents like you and I?

Face it...we're boring...gents or not.

Ron Pulliam · « **Reply #277 on:** July 26, 2007, 02:03:39 PM »

Richard Barrios -- UGH!

Does he "own" anything he says about "The Pirate" or is everything passed off as someone else's thoughts?

Matt H. · « **Reply #278 on:** July 26, 2007, 02:06:38 PM »

Quote from: Ron Pulliam on July 26, 2007, 02:03:39 PM

Richard Barrios -- UGH!

Does he "own" anything he says about "The Pirate" or is everything passed off as someone else's thoughts?

They are his opinions, but there is nothing revelatory about them./

Matt H. · « **Reply #279 on:** July 26, 2007, 02:21:31 PM »

All alone in the room at the present time!

Matt H. · « **Reply #280 on:** July 26, 2007, 02:22:38 PM »

I'm going to head down now. I must clean the bedroom areas, and then I want to finish a Harry Potter chapter I had started before my ride for lunch picked me up.

Then, I'll be starting Season 2 of THE MUPPET SHOW.

WBBL.

FJL · « **Reply #281 on:** July 26, 2007, 02:23:59 PM »

I'm here, but have nothing to say.

Ron Pulliam · « **Reply #282 on:** July 26, 2007, 02:28:17 PM »

Quote from: Matt H. on July 26, 2007, 02:06:38 PM

They are his opinions, but there is nothing revelatory about them./

Who the heck is hiring him? And why?

Ron Pulliam · « **Reply #283 on:** July 26, 2007, 02:28:51 PM »

Quote from: FJL on July 26, 2007, 02:23:59 PM

I'm here, but have nothing to say.

.....what's your point?

Ron Pulliam · « **Reply #284 on:** July 26, 2007, 02:33:27 PM »

In today's mail:

"The Hill" from an Amazon marketplace vendor (ordered Monday!)

Received yesterday: "Stargate SG-1: Season 10", "Silent Running", and "Operation Crossbow."

Still awaiting:

A marketplace DVD of "Hairspray" ordered July 2 (!!).

A Krups 1 1/2 qt. ice cream machine.

HD DVDs of "The Mummy" and "The Mummy Returns"

The MGM musicals box (!)

And....my five free HD DVDs from Toshiba...part of the rebate offered when I purchased my HD DVD player...my order of which (i.e. choices from a proscribed list) went in six weeks ago.

DearReaderLaura · « **Reply #285 on:** July 26, 2007, 02:46:10 PM »

In today's mail:
1. a piece of junk mail
2. a piece of junk mail

Around here, we call it job security.

Jeanne · « **Reply #286 on:** July 26, 2007, 02:47:54 PM »

Quote from: DearReaderLaura on July 26, 2007, 09:24:20 AM

I am glad to hear the DR DerBrucer is ok. Many typos have gone uncorrected lately.

LOL. Laura, you are in good form these days.

singdaw · « **Reply #287 on:** July 26, 2007, 03:03:10 PM »

Quote from: Ron Pulliam on July 26, 2007, 02:33:27 PM

Still awaiting:

A marketplace DVD of "Hairspray" ordered July 2 (!!).

A Krups 1 1/2 qt. ice cream machine.

HD DVDs of "The Mummy" and "The Mummy Returns"

The MGM musicals box (!)

Hmm...

Sounds like someone is planning on eating ice cream and watching movies.

Not a bad plan, at all!

Jeanne · « **Reply #288 on:** July 26, 2007, 03:09:35 PM »

Quote from: singdaw on July 26, 2007, 01:25:14 PM

Naughty, Gnarly Knishes Not Negligible Nor Navigable Nightly.

OK, Singdaw, you clever one (not to be confused with other clever H/ks). Can you say that out loud?? Huh?

(I can't without fumbling.)

DearReaderLaura · « **Reply #289 on:** July 26, 2007, 03:13:28 PM »

So, those of you going to NYC for the musicals festival -- Are you all arriving at about the same time, and are you all going to see the shows together? And where are you all staying?

Ron Pulliam · « **Reply #290 on:** July 26, 2007, 03:17:40 PM »

Quote from: DearReaderLaura on July 26, 2007, 03:13:28 PM

So, those of you going to NYC for the musicals festival -- Are you all arriving at about the same time, and are you all going to see the shows together? And where are you all staying?

Possibly with Noel and Joy?

elmore3003 · « **Reply #291 on:** July 26, 2007, 03:21:26 PM »

Quote from: Ron Pulliam on July 26, 2007, 03:17:40 PM

Possibly with Noel and Joy?

That made me laugh. A lot!

Well, I guess all the vibes worked! We move into the new office on Tuesday. Thank God this crisis is over.

And thank you, all, for the vibes and for putting up with me.

DearReaderLaura · « **Reply #292 on:** July 26, 2007, 03:37:42 PM »

Woo Hoo, Elmore!!

Cillaliz · « **Reply #293 on:** July 26, 2007, 03:38:49 PM »

Cool Beans Elmore....Congrats!!

MusicGuy · « **Reply #294 on:** July 26, 2007, 03:40:09 PM »

"Hoo Ray" in big mega decibel shouts, for DEAR ELMORE !!!!!

George · « **Reply #295 on:** July 26, 2007, 03:41:10 PM »

Quote from: Julie on July 26, 2007, 06:10:51 AM

George - Yay! on getting to see Young Frankenstein during the Seattle run. ~~You must~~ Please report back to us ~~immediately~~ when you can with all the details of how you liked the show.

For the NY run that begins in October, they're selling many of the good seats for $450.

I heard about those kinds of prices! That's downright outrageous!! Well, I certainly won't be paying that much.

This'll be the second pre-Broadway show that I've seen. The first was Jekyll & Hyde with Robert Cuccioli and Linda (can't act her way out of a paper bag, but man, can she sing!!) Eder.

I wanted to see Princessess last year (or was it the year before?) with Brent Barrett, the WSMA (that's World's Sexiest Man Alive, in HHW lingo), but I didn't get the chance...nor did I have the money. $:-\$ But this time it's free!!

MusicGuy · « **Reply #296 on:** July 26, 2007, 03:41:59 PM »

I bought plastic "liner sheet" stuff (that goes on the surfaces of kitchen cabinet shelves), and sponges and spray cleaner this afternoon.

My life is just filled with excitement and glamour !

$:-\$

George · « **Reply #297 on:** July 26, 2007, 03:43:14 PM »

Quote from: elmore3003 on July 26, 2007, 03:21:26 PM

Well, I guess all the vibes worked! We move into the new office on Tuesday. Thank God this crisis is over.

Congratulations, Larry!!

George · « **Reply #298 on:** July 26, 2007, 03:44:22 PM »

Quote from: elmore3003 on July 26, 2007, 03:21:26 PM

And thank you, all, for the vibes and for putting up with me.

We wouldn't have it any other way!

Cillaliz · « **Reply #299 on:** July 26, 2007, 03:49:42 PM »

Quote from: MusicGuy on July 26, 2007, 03:41:59 PM

I bought plastic "liner sheet" stuff (that goes on the surfaces of kitchen cabinet shelves), and sponges and spray cleaner this afternoon.

My life is just filled with excitement and glamour !

$:-\$

Oh, but what a great feeling when the shelves are clean and new liner in and you start filling the cupboards....you're making a new home. That IS exciting!

News:

Author Topic: THE APPROACHING CLOCK (Read 45167 times)

FJL

singdaw

Cillaliz

Cillaliz