Out of Focus

No time for anything. I’ve been meaning to put up a post all week about the event I’m working on (which starts tomorrow) and haven’t even had time to do that. I didn’t even have time to do a weekly preview, but I did anyway. I was doing it until 5 AM today before realizing that typing sentences like, how many editors do you know by name — and learning about their craft is, buying them dinner.” Right — makes no sense. I know. At least I’m happy to know that I type real words when I’m falling asleep while typing instead of just random gibberish.

Anyway, there is a new “Weekly Movie Guide” up over at Gothamist written by yours truly. The pick of the litter? Obviously the new Billy Wilder series at MMI during which they plan to show every single movie the greatest director in history (yeah, I said it!) made, starting this weekend withhis first directorial effort The Bad Seed, his first American turn in the director’s chair The Major and the Minor, and his all-time great film noir Double Indemnity.

Just like last week, please feel free to pass along suggestions or thoughts about the movie guide at Gothamist. I’d love to hear/read some feedback about whether it’s useful, too long, too short, etc.

I don’t have a lot of time as I’m on my way out to Newport, RI for a wedding this weekend. Don’t you love weddings planned on holiday weekends? I sure as hell do. You know, people often say they schedule their weddings on a holiday weekend in order to be considerate of their guests, particularly the ones who have to travel. You know, because they have an extra day off and they don’t have to miss work. Of course, I’ve always been of the mind that if you care enough about the person getting married, you won’t mind taking a day off work if necessary to be there. Meanwhile, holiday weekends are the most annoying, crowded and expensive on which to travel, and personally I’d like to have my own say over how I use that free time off from work (uhm, when I’m regularly working). But you know, it’s the soon-to-be-married couple being considerate to their guests. Whatever. The fact is that my friends are important enough to me that I will give up my holiday weekend to be at their wedding. That’s tougher than taking a day off of work in my mind.

But I digress because I am not here to criticize the several holiday weekend weddings I’ve had to go to over the past few years — and in fact, I almost had two this weekend: my now ex-girlfriend and I were going to have to attend a Saturday night wedding in Albany and then drive either late-night or early the next morning to make this 11:30 AM wedding in Newport. Obviously, Albany is her friend.

And I digress again. It’s something I do. But really, this whole post is supposed to be about TCM and just a quick notice to you all about one of the most important programmed series they’ve ever aired, namely a nine-film tribute to the genius of British filmmaker Michael Powell in celebration of what would have been his 100th birthday on Sept. 30. TCM will screen Powell’s films every Sunday night through the month, starting this weekend with two of his earlier films, The Edge of the World and The Thief of Baghdad as well as his 1978 follow-up to the former, Return to the Edge of the World.

Powell, who died 15 years ago, is one of the most important, yet often overlooked, filmmakers in history. The rest of the month includes other notable Powell classics, but the most interesting night that nobody should miss would have to be on Sunday Sept. 25 when they’ll show the absolutely brilliant The Red Shoes (of which I have written on more than one occasion — it’s one of my all-time favorites) paired with his spooky, psychologically disturbing yet utterly compelling Peeping Tom, which was so resoundly despised in England upon its release that it basically destroyed his career. The film is a fascinating character study, though, and Powell’s mastery of cinematic techniques truly brings the audience right into the mind of the main character who is, in case you haven’t guessed, a bit of a peeping tom.

There’s a ton of great stuff on TCM this month, actually, and I’ll try to preview some of it — such as 21 Greta Garbo movies including a brand-new TCM Original documentary about the woman who was one of early cinema’s greatest stars, if not the top of them all. But that doesn’t start until way off on Tuesday. For now, focus on Powell — he’s Sundays, and he’s worth it.

I’ve pretty much stayed away from getting into any discussions about Hurrican Katrina and its aftermath for a few reasons: First, I don’t really think I have anything to add to the debate because you know, there really isn’t, or at least shouldn’t be, any debate. What has happened there is unimaginable, and all of us watching on TV, no matter how shocked and appalled we are still see these images through the filter of our televisions which tempers the shock no matter how in touch we think we are. How could this happen to a major American city? How could so many people be surviving (“living” really isn’t an appropriate word) in these conditions? And I can’t even imagine what I would be feeling knowing that my home and my life had been destroyed, but unlike a fire or some other catastrophic damage to my house or apartment, I can’t even return to my city, my larger home because there’s no place to live or work or anything. The response of our government has been appalling and shocking, and yet even more shocking is the inability of some people to do anything but try to spin whatever actions and mistakes have been made into not such a big deal.

But whatever. You don’t need to hear me say that because there are other people around the interwideworldnetweb doing it much better than I. (For example, this email to Andrew Sullivan.)

I don’t have any friends in the region, but I know some people who know some people, and my uncle, a broadcast journalist, is there now covering the events. The emails I’ve received are striking, and I thought I’d share them with whoever is interested. After the jump are both of them: first the one from a friend, which is actually in turn from a friend of his, and then one from my uncle. They’re both long reads, but they’re also both worth reading.

Meanwhile, donate if you can. The easiest and best way is just to go to The American Red Cross.

Continue reading “TWO CENTS (AND NOT MUCH MORE) ON THE GULF COAST”

Not only did I manage to write a weekend/weekly preview this week, I got it done early. (And by early I mean 4:30 AM.) However, you can’t read it here. Why you ask? Because it’s up over at Gothamist. I’ve written their weekly “Movie Guide” this week, and I may or may/not continue to do so. I’d love feedback from anyone who regularly reads my site or Gothamist. Do you want less information? Do you want more? (Impossible!) Do you think it should be organized a different way? I think a day-by-day might be good/better, but it’s hard with these kinds of things sometimes just because there isn’t always a regular flow of programming.

Anyway, feel free to post in the comments or email me, and meanwhile go out to catch The Constant Gardener, a film that will certainly be making my year-end “Best Of …” list. I’ll be writing more about that shortly. For reals, y’all.

Final Fringe Festival post is up over at Gothamist. Mallory reviews two last shows — Manatee and Ratface — and also talks a little about the winners. (Here’s a link to the full list.)

I have to admit that I’m shocked at an Outstanding Play mention for Go-Go Kitty, Go! which was fun and all but nothing spectacular. I was happy to see both The Miss Education of Jenna Bush and Jesus in Montana received kudos for Outstanding Solo Show. Even though I found it somewhat trite, predictable and incredibly sitcomy, I’m not surprised at all that Fluffy Bunnies in a Field of Daises received an Outstanding Ensemble notice. The acting was stronger than the writing, and this show is a simple audience pleaser.

We don’t know what shows, if any, are likely to get extensions into commercial runs. SILENCE! The Musical seems like the most likely what with the combination of hype, generally positive (if not enthusiastic) critical reception, a sold out run and audiences that seemed to love it. Personally, I’m hoping that Movie Geek finds its way to another stage as I really wanted to see it, and Mallory said it was great.

After all the awards talk comes a little rant of my own (shocker) regarding the organizational aspects of the festival. While I am quite encouraged by the selection of shows from which I was able to choose this year, I’m still surprised that nine years in some common sense elements of organizing a festival like this are missing. The Present Company does an impressive job with a festival staff that is primarily donating their time, but experience should be educational, and although the venues this year were generally much improved, plenty of other things weren’t.

I can say, however, that while previous years attending the Fringe would leave me with a mild feeling of dread about subjecting myself to the experience the following year, ultimately overcome by a simple love of theatre and desire to see the three “I”s — interesting, imaginative and innovative — that isn’t the case this time around. The 2005 New York International Fringe Festival was a pleasant experience overall. Here’s hoping they really go all out for their 10th birthday next August.

I can already tell, not a lot of time this week. It’s sad too because I just spent the last couple hours working on a big to-do list of things I’m sure I won’t get done and I had something like 10 different specific post ideas I want to write, but I’m not sure when I’ll get to them.

In the mean time, in a small attempt to add something new, even if it’s old, to this site … it’s the end of TCM’s magnificent month of August, a/k/a “Summer Under the Stars.” This month became dangerous for me on two occasions: First, there was that night when I just couldn’t turn off Fred & Ginger; and then this weekend it happened again as I found myself spellbound by Spencer Tracy, especially Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, which I don’t think I had seen in roughly a decade. But see, that’s one of these other posts I hope to get to.

Meanwhile, after days little romp with Constance Bennett, there are only two days and two stars left: the lovely and talented Scottish actress Deborah Kerr on Tuesday and the legendary Humphrey Bogart on Wednesday. The month started with Bogie’s longtime love and leading lady Lauren Bacall, so it only makes sense that he closes it out.

My original capsules for both of these days are after the jump. The only thing that makes the end of this wonderfully programmed month worthwhile is that September looks just as good. Michael Powell anyone? If you’re pissed that there’s no Black Narcissus on Deborah Kerr-day, don’t fret too much. You can catch it on Sept. 18. But then, that’s yet another one of those other posts.

Continue reading “TCM WATCH: KERR AND BOGART END THINGS WITH A BANG”

TCM’s brilliant month of programming continues with what, for my money, is the best weekdn of the entire month. One really can’t ask for more than a Spencer Tracy Saturday paired with a William Holden Sunday. Several of each stars best performances are included in the daily lineup, and anyone who has read this blog more than twice knows that Sunset Blvd. and Network are required viewing any time they’re on (unless you already watch your own personal DVDs regularly like I do), and while you’re spending Sunday with Bill, you may as well see his other Billy Wilder-directed triumph, the great 1954 romantic comedy Sabrina. (Obviously the original one with Audrey Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart. Not the abysmal remake. Greg Kinnear. Feh!) In fact, it’s too bad they’re not showing a third Holden-Wilder collaboration: Stalag 17, a great WWII P.O.W. satire which set the stage for future films like Catch-22 and MASH, not to mention the obvious influence it had on ’60s television hit Hogan’s Heroes.

Anyway, Randolph Scott today with Tracy tomorrow, Holden Sunday and Constance Bennett on Monday. My original capsules from the now long-ago post after the jump:

Continue reading “TCM WATCH: SCOTT, TRACY, HOLDEN, BENNETT — THE BEST WEEKEND YET”

I have no idea what happened, but somehow a post announcing a bit more Fringe coverage at Gothamist just completely disappeared, and I definitely don’t have time to rewrite what I’m sure you know must have been Pulitzer or Peabody-quality writing. I mean it was a brilliant post, I tell you. Probably the best I’ve ever written, yet it’s gone, completely. So you’ll just have to take my word for it.

Meanwhile, the Fringe Festival is going into its last weekend, and between trying to hit the ground running with this four-week job I’m on and covering Fringe shows, and the bachelor party which wrecked me, and being utterly out of it and sick on Wednesday, I’m just getting nothing else done. That’s right: I’m failing myself again with the film preview, and it’s sad because there’s so much to talk about this week. I don’t know — maybe I’ll do it tomorrow or something after getting some Ted Leo refreshment at the seaport today. As it is, I tried to get to three more Fringe shows yesterday, but the first one I saw was so horrible (ahhh … nostalgia for the Fringe of yesteryear) that when I arrived at the last minute at the second one and it was already “sold out,” I decided I didn’t have it in me to try to get in (which I probably could have done) and just went home where I promptly crashed after watching Big Brother (yeah, it actually kind of rocks this summer — people really hate each other), then wrote the Gothamist post, and then forced myself to bed rather than watching The Divorcee like I really wanted.

But I digress, and today especially, I don’t have time for digressions. Reviews for the very funny The Last Two Minutes of the Complete Works of Henrik Ibsen and the utterly horrible The Magnificent Hour are right here along with some other notable shows also playing this weekend. I’m hoping to get to at least three more shows this weekend, but I also have to really focus and start my (ugh) new apartment hunt. More on that another time.

Oh yeah and movies? (Sigh) Hopefully I’ll have more time and handle my schedule better come September. See all of you who think I’m a cynical pessimist (oh yes, I know you’re out there), I’m full of hope! It’s never realistic, and it rarely comes to fruition, but full of hope nonetheless.

Not much time today, but I just wanted to remind everyone that TCM’s “Summer Under the Stars” continues this week with days dedicated to four fantastic talents. Be sure to check the Turner Classic Movies website for specific schedule information. After the jump, reprints of my original capsules on Basil Rathbone, Sophia Loren, Norma Shearer and Randolph Scott. Loren has always been everything a movie star should be — stunningly gorgeous and talented, natch — and if you can only catch one movie this week, be sure to watch Loren in Vittorio De Sica’s Two Women late Wednesday night (technically Thursday morning) at 2:15 AM eastern.

Continue reading “TCM WATCH: DON’T MISS RATHBONE, LOREN, SHEARER AND SCOTT”

So there was this bachelor party this weekend of a good friend tha basically involved riding on a “party bus” for over three hours to Hancock, NY, hanging out at a bar there (it has meaning to the future groom) until after 2 AM, and then getting back on the bus for the somehow shorter ride back to Manhattan. I got home at about 5:45 AM Sunday morning, slept until 1:30, and while I have absolutely no idea why, I was an absolute useless wreck the rest of the day. (OK, so I know exactly why. Use your imagination. HEY! Not that much imagination.) The bachelor party was actually relatively tame and involved more roasting of the future groom than anything truly debaucherous. It was fascinating that once we got to this bar, the entertainment began as a few drunk guys got into a huge brawl outside with one guy who easily weighed close to 300 pounds totally pummeling this other wasted guy who was at best half his weight. (The little guy had the genius tactic of talking smack by saying, “Oh no. You could kick my ass. You could absolutely kill me. But you’re still a pussy!”)

So I didn’t get much of anything done after about 5:30 PM on Saturday, and now I’m ridiculously behind with basically everything in my life. Yet there’s another week of Fringe, and I had the relative pleasure of seeing two more shows Friday night, for which reviews are up on Gothamist now. So go check-out what I thought of SILENCE! The Musical (a parody of The Silence of the Lambs) and Tarot Reading: Love, Sex and Mommy (a one-woman show written and performed by my new crush Kimberlee Auerbach. Dammit, she’s taken!).

My co-Gothamist theatre writer Mallory has four reviews of her own posted as well including one “Don’t Miss” selection, Movie Geek. She also recommends Treaty 321! and The Last Silver Zephyer, but suggests you stay away from .dependent study.

Meanwhile, as much as I’m hoping to keep up with my recent slightly-higher-than-normal quantity of posting (yes, I know, the quantity has gone up but that says nothing for the quality!), the next two weeks might prove a bit more erratic. We’ll just have to see. I’d really love to get to a movie or two (or eight!) this week, but I’m not counting on it.