Announcing My Film Project!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

                          As this cataract thing looms, darlings, and I get older, while I have seen many movies--more than some in their lifetimes--and have sat through multiple viewings of film I cherish, after seeing celebrities visit The Criterion Closet, I thought it time to create one of my own.  So many important movies I have NEVER seen.

                         But it won't be easy.  Because I am listing different categories and some films may be on more than one list.  I can tell you one film that well; most of you on here will know what that film is.

                           I have two definitive categories.  Gay Films and Art Films.  Not everyone's choice will be on here; in fact, if readers would like to share their picks you are welcome to comment.

                            I am also pondering two other categories--New York Films and Hitchcock.

                            And I am limiting the list to ten, because, well, this could go on forever.

                            This will take some time because I have to acquire certain films, watch them, and then write about them.   I would like to do it in sequence, but since some of the films are already in my collection, I may have to do it as I go along and then list everything in the last post.

                              Let me know what you think of this, girls, and any suggestions you may have.  

                              I may write about those suggestions separately.

                                

                          

Welcome To July, Darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                         The seventh month is almost always the most exciting, as it is the peak of the summer.  And this year proves to be more exciting than the rest.

                                           First, there is the 250th Anniversary of the United States.  Hey, I remember the Bicentennial back in 1976.  At that time, I never thought about 250; it was in a vast, faraway time.  And yet here we are.

                                             I have so much reading and writing to do I can barely think straight.  And I have something to share with you all, which may impact my July.

                                               Late last November, I got a letter from my current eye doctor, saying he would be giving up his practice in Manhattan, and operating out of his hometown in Teaneck, NJ.  He offered me that option, but face it, girls, Bay Ridge to Teaneck by public transit would take a whole day!  Instead, though originally scheduled for February of this year, he offered me the option of a visit in December.  I chose that, because it would give me one last visit with him, and that went fine.

                                                   This meant six months later, in June, I would have to find a new eye doctor.  So, I went to my PCP, who always gives great referrals, and he gave me one, connected to NYU Langone, which I am a part of, as a patient.   Well, I went, and all I will say is it reminded me of what my dear reader, Mistress Maddie, said to me about Tory Burch--"Run for the hills!"  Cold, opinionated and giving me mixed messages--do I need cataract surgery? do I not? --till my mind was exploding, and I wanted to get out of there instantly, because I did not feel at all comfortable with this woman.

                                                           Here is the kicker.  Last weekend, we stayed at The Algonquin, which I will get to chronicling, and we saw our friends, Dan and Norma.  I recounted my experience to Norma, and she said she had a similar experience with an eye doctor.  When she got home, she emailed us.  It turned out her doctor was the same as mine.  We are on the same page when it comes to medical treatment, so, if this wasn't a sign to avoid this woman, I don't know what is.

                                                             Needless to say, after Norma's confirmation, I am not going back to this woman!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                                   I see my PCP on July 7, and I will tell him this, and ask for another referral.  Should that not work out, I will go to David's eye doctor, here in Bay Ridge.

                                                                     Did you ever see "The Twilight Zone" episode, "Time Enough At Last?"  Burgess Meredith plays a bank clerk who is an omnivorous reader.  He survives a nuclear explosion by hiding in the bank vault, so he can read.  He emerges into a world where he has every book at his disposal and time to read them.  He begins, but at some point, his glasses fall off, and break.  He cannot read without them, and now he is trapped in a world where he cannot read.

                                                                           This story represents my greatest fear about cataract surgery.  For all that this woman seemed to say I needed it, I can honestly say in the last several years my vision has been as good as back in grade school.  I read without my glasses, and I wear glasses for distance--movies and shows and such.  I have no overt symptoms.  My father did not have it till he was in his eighties.

                                                                   I am afraid the cataract surgery will render me like Burgess Meredith, which would traumatize me if I could never read again.  And don't try to tell me about audio books; much of the stuff I read is not on there, and the experience just is not the same.

                                                                        So yes, girls, July is an exciting but fraught filled month.  Added to that on the 22nd I am having a colonoscopy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                                          Anyone out there who has or knows about cataract surgery, please feel free to comment.

                                                                            The eyes are the windows of the soul.  But I do not want the shades lowered on my windows!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                                      

Girls, Can You Believe It? It Is The End Of June, And We Are Halfway Through 2026!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                             I am more amazed, darlings, that we have reached the first half of the year.  The time has gone so fast!

                                              June was Pride Month, and we celebrated Pride by seeing three shows this month--"The Rocky Horror Show," which I have posted, and, most recently, "Hadestown," and "Ragtime," which I will just say now is going to get a rave from me for the first time having seen two previous productions, which failed to impress me.

                                                 Will wonders never cease, girls!

                                                 This month, after a period of 53 days, I completed the Larry McMurtry "Lonesome Dove Tetralogy."  It is so far my most enthralling read of the year.  I was also surprisingly impressed with Ocean Vuong's second novel, "The Emperor Of Gladness," not having been impressed with his earlier first novel, "On Earth, We Are Briefly Gorgeous."

                                                    Because of my dedication to this, I have not read as many books total for this time period. I should be at least on 50, but I so far have only read 32 books.  Poor me!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                     After over 50 years, and I will write more on this, I finally got to see the 1968 musical film of "Oliver!," which has undeservedly been forgotten over the years.  I will have more on that in coming posts.  Also, we saw Steven Spielberg's film, "Disclosure Day."  Sci fi mavens will love it; for the rest of us, stick with 'Close Encounters.'

                                                       Yes, a lot happened in June.  Including some stuff I will reveal in tomorrow's--next month--post!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                          Hope everyone had a Happy Pride and join me for the second half of the year.

                                                            See you next month, girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gay Pride Horror??????????? Look No Further Than Studio 54!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                         Let's start with it was where LIZA got strung out on drugs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                         But, really, girls, if you want a theatrical event for Gay Pride Sunday, or even the days before, look no further than Sam Pinkleton's wonderful and fun production of "The Rocky Horror Show."

                                          Of course, Juliette Lewis was out, which was no surprise for me, especially as I have always wanted to play Magenta.   Anania did a superb job.  As did Rachel Dratch as The Narrator, though I wish she could have worked a bit of Debbie Downer into her performance Would you also believe the two Brads were out ill, so an unknown was plucked from the company and put through rehearsal paces so he could do the role.  Which necessitated delaying the show's start by an hour.  As it turned out the actor was wonderful, and had we not known anything, one could not tell he was winging it.  He did Brad superbly.

                                            Stephanie Hsu is a charming and vocally strong Janet.  But it is Luke Evans as Dr. Frank N. Furter, who steals the show.  He is hot, so is his costume, he has strong vocals, and I would not be surprised if on some nights panties are thrown at him on the stage.  Is this now a new Broadway trend?  Sex up the male lead so you can throw panties?  I am all for it, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                Everyone on stage looks like they are having fun, especially we and the actors doing the "Time Warp" together.  And the call outs are hilarious.  But I never realized until now what strong vocal voices this show demands.  It is not just about being cutesy, it is about maintaining resonance and projection in a score that pushes the voice beyond conventional Broadway standards. 

                                                 Speaking of resonance, readers this show is alive with color and technology.  dots did an excellent job with the Set Design, David I. Reynosa scores with the costumes, and Ani Taj's choreography fits the piece superbly.  I am not sure who created the special effects, but credit is deserved there too.

                                                   Gay Pride Sunday's performance will be especially up. but I suspect any show the audience catches will lift them right out of their seats.

                                                     Horror has never been this much fun, darlings!!!!!!!!!  See it soon!

                                                        

                                           

Gojira Wishes Everyone A Happy Gay Pride!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                           Darlings, it would not be Gay Pride without our lovable, humanitarian reptile friend Gojira sending his best wishes to all.

                             Gojira wishes everyone on here a happy and healthy gay pride!

                              He is so sweet and helpful to all, especially during this time.  He knows how it feels to sometimes be on the outside of things, so he is a big supporter of the LGBQT community.  The biggest, in fact!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                               Thank you, Gojira for your support this month and all year!

                                Happy Gay Pride to you, too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Speaking Of Old Commercials, How About Games????????? Remember "Mouse Trap?????????????????????"

                                                                                      

                             Looking back at this game--and who did not have it? --one can see through the interaction it requires the foreshadowing of video games.  But who could have known back then.

                            "Mouse Trap" was Ideal's greatest hit.  Its success led to the creation of "Crazy Clock," but I fount that one difficult to work. After "Crazy Clock," they ceased these kinds of games.

                             This game was fun to construct, and fun to see the results.  Playing it, alone or with others, I must have enacted the trap numerous times, just to enjoy seeing the mouse get caught..

                                Where is the fun today?  Color, creativity, and interaction of a very different kind have all vanished with time.

                                    Let's bring it back, darlings!  Before we all turn into stooges!

WHO DARES TO BETRAY THE OUEEN??????????????????????????????

                                     This Pride Week, hons, and let me tell you NO ONE betrays the Queen!

                                      That is because the Wicked Queen in Disney's 1937 "Snow White" could arguably be labeled the screen's first gold standard bitch!  And this week, the bitches are in town by the droves.  See what kind of mischief they can get into!  And who they can get into it with!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                         I just love Pride Week, girls, because it ups the inner bitch in all of us!!!!!!!!!  Such delicious fun!  If you need help, screen either 1939's "The Women," or 1967's "Valley Of The Dolls!"  After that, you are all set.

                                         You will be queen of your domain, like me!  And no one will DARE betray you!

                                           Just try it, hons!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!