At The Age Of 71, I Finally Got To See "2001: A Space Odyssey" On The Screen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                         First of all, darlings, there is no other way to see it.  Second, how the hell do I write about this film?  If I thought covering "The Wizard Of Oz" was a challenge, this is an even bigger one.  I haven't the background for the scientific aspects explored in this film.  Fortunately, my movie friend Chris was on hand to give me an idea--that it is about how intelligence came to mankind.

                                            That was good enough for me to go on, but what I decided was to look at it as though watching a foreign film--as a series of beautiful, patterned images set to simply gorgeous music, including "The Blue Danube," by Johann Strauss and my favorite, "Thus Spoke Zarathustra," which is repeated several times,

                                                One could get drunk on the imagery in this film; it is so intoxicating.  Not to mention two attractive astronauts played by Keir Dullea and Gary Lockwood.  The latter played Alan Tuttle, known as "Toots," in Natalie Wood's 1961 triumph "Splendor In The Grass."  They are on a mission to Jupiter with a computer named HAL--but are they really?  Because after witnessing "The Dawn Of Man," one of the best sequences in the film, for imagery, cinematography and art direction, the narrative takes a turn when Dullea is alone on the ship with a deranged HAL.  This, in the second half, is followed by a cacophony of multi-colored, but beautiful imagery, suggesting one is on an LSD trip.  I loved it, but this segment could have been cut a little.  But then, who am I to say this about Stanley Kubrick, who, though not a director I consciously follow, cannot be ignored for having supplied us with this masterpiece??????????????

                                                 Kubrick was nominated for Best Director but did not win.  I would be shocked if this did not pick up some technical awards; it was clearly the most advanced film of the day. And still seems that way. Being released by MGM was a big deal for the film, which was initially shown in CINERAMA.  How I wish there was one CINERAMA theater in each major city so that we could see this and other films the way they were intended.

                                                   Of course, watching it today there are some references--"Forbidden Panet," "Invaders From Mars," and "The Wizard Of Oz" were some I spotted.  Not to mention "Close Encounters Of The Third Kind."  Others may find more.

                                                       Yes, good things come to those who wait, and I was so glad for the opportunity to see this iconic film.

                                                        But I am telling you, darlings, the truth is still out there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                   

Can You Believe It, Girls????????????????? A One-Night Stand At The Algonquin????????????????????????????

                            Darlings, I thought I was done with one-nighters after my early youth.

                           But yesterday David got the idea for us to go into the city and spend the night at The Algonquin.  All because we were seeing a 5:45 PM screening of "2001: A Space Odyssey," with our friend, Chris.  Who is the one I go to when I need to talk about movies, because what I do not know, he certainly does.

                              I was dead set against the one-nighter.  But I have to say it worked out just fine.  I even forgot it was a Sunday night, I thought we were in Manhattan on a Saturday night!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                             Unfortunately, a new Hamlet has not yet been chosen.  Our room was lovely, though there was a problem with a flickering light above the shower.  It was remedied.

                                The service was lovely, the breakfast luscious, as was our late dinner, which all three of us enjoyed.  Next week we are staying over because of a birthday event this coming Sunday, and I am told we are getting a suite!!!!!!!!!!!  Darlings, I cannot wait to tell you.

                                   Who thought that, at this age, a one-night stand could be so much fun???????????

I Had A Playdate With Bova!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                 A block away from David and I, on the corner of Ridge Boulevard and 76th Street, lives a retired surgeon.  His daughter, Bethany, often comes to visit on weekends, and when she does, she brings her lovable German Shepherd dog, Bova.  I just love Bova.  He is so strong, proud and handsome. He is also very lovable, and he and I have become good friends.

'                                  Yesterday, David got a crazy idea, which I will post about next.  Had it not been for the idea, I would have not seen Bova, if we had stayed at home.  But when we passed the house enroute to the subway, there was Bova, and he came running over, bringing his ball, meaning he wanted to play catch with me.

                                      His owner, Bethany, was there, and we had a nice chat with her, while I threw the ball back and forth for Bova to catch.  This picture is not Bova himself but looks exactly like him. He is four years old and has so much energy.

                                         After hearing of the passing of Dexter last week, it was a surprise and a pleasure to have so much fun with Bova.  I look forward to seeing him again.

                                          Love to you, Bova!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A Must For Anyone Inerested In Exploring The Work Of Daivd Lynch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

                                       Like Dorothy Gale, David Lynch was a Midwesterner and wanted something more out of life than there.  He shares that in common with many people, me included, but this film, "David Lynch--The Art Life" shows not only how Lynch artistically evolved, but the sacrifice and loneliness creators must face in their passion for the work they do.

                                          Much footage shows Lynch at work, slapping paint onto paint, or creating the kinds of bizarre images his movies would show, and sticking them on to various projects.  Lynch's skill for building began with his father, who would build unusual contraptions.  They had a fascination to them, suggesting to me that David inherited his talent from his father.

                                          Lynch's talent was honed at the Pennsylvania Academy Of Fine Arts, which he attended for a limited time, and where his developing imagery led to a life in Philadelphia, the gritty side, resulting in short films, and culminating in his first major work, "Eraserhead," with Jack Nance in 1977, the year I graduated from college.

                                           I saw "Eraserhead" in the early eighties, and while the camerawork and imagery impressed me, because of the on-camera murder of the mutant baby, I could never bring myself to see it again.  It was with "Blue Velvet," not covered here, that Lynch and I clicked.

                                           Lynch's life happened to be a genius who took off.  Not all do, and the chronicling of Lynch's early years shows the solitude and uncertainty of the life of any artist.

                                              This 2022 documentary is a must for all David Lynch fans.

                                                It may even begin to have one viewing life in images instead of absolutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Girls, Tonight "Svengoolie" Serves Up A Healthy Dose Of Sadism And Torture, With 1935's "The Raven!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                                   We have seen it before, and this is a good one!  Though Universal was really pushing the boundaries of the censors with Lugosi torturing Karloff in a torture chamber of his own making.

                                      Lugosi plays a Poe obsessed mad doctor--and yes, a raven figures in the story--who invents a torture chamber and makes a deformed Boris Karloff his lackey in exchange promising to restore his deformed face.

                                        This is one to watch, darlings.  Is there a storm?  Do strangers show up and unleash the secrets of this chamber?  I am not sure, but I am sure enough to tune in, recalling this as one of "Svengoolie's better offerings.  I mean, torture, madness and sadism!!!!!!!!!!!  What more could one want?

                                           Those never having seen it should not miss it.  Baby Gojira and everyone here are excited for a second viewing, especially after last week's disappointing showing of "Man Made Monster."

                                              I look forward to all of us tonight watching "The Raven!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                                             And try to spot all the Poe references!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                              See you at 8PM tonight, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                              

 

As The Line In "Blue Velvet" Goes, "It Is A Strange World!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                            This 2022 documentary, which I unfortunately missed in the theater, is dear to my heart, and makes me think David Lynch and I would have gotten on fine.  Because we both share one thing in common--our all-time favorite movie is "The Wizard Of Oz."

                             It did not make me a filmmaker, but it made me the person I am today.  The takeaway from the film is that anyone can say anything about anything.  There are strange interpretations throughout this film, from the symbolism of curtains, which I get, to the connection between "The Wizard Of Oz," Stanley Kubrick's 1957 "Paths Of Glory," "The Shining," and Francis Ford Coppola's "Apocalypse Now."  I have seen both "The Shining" and "Apocalypse Now," and never in my viewing, for a second, did I give any thought to their association with "The Wizard Of Oz."  It just was not there.

                               The film is divided into six parts--"Wind," narrated by Amy Nicholson, "Membranes," narrated by Rodney Ascher, "Kindred," narrated by John Waters, "Multitudes," narrated by Karyn Kusama, "Judy," narrated by Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead, and "Dig" is narrated by David Lowery.

                                  This is a must for 'Oz' fans, and I know there are lots out there.  I learned that the choral vocals heard in the opening credits, and when Dorothy steps out of the house In Munchkinland, the tones are different--the first whirling and intense, like the cyclone that will transport Dorothy and Toto, while the Munchkinland vocals are more comforting and soothing These sounds are meant to represent wind.  Th urban myth of someone being murdered on the Yellow Brick Road is explored, but it is just a bird flapping its wings.

                                      And don't forget--the first name of Isabella Rossellini's character in "Blue Velvet" is Dorothy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                   Of course, the most fascinating insights come from David Lynch himself., a born and bred mid-Westerner.  He talks about dreams, alternate realities, and how do we know which world we are in.  I had a dream once of being in the Village in the Sixties and going to a nightclub to see Shelley Plimpton perform--a dream I did not want to end-- and then later on, I found myself in some nameless place, or even in front of the Waverly, when it really was the Waverly--and near Waverly Place--singing "Frank Mills."  When I awakened, I wanted so much to return to that dream world, but there is much to occupy me in this. I will say that when I first saw "The Wizard Of Oz," in 1959, I thought Dorothy should have stayed in Oz!  I would have, then!

                                    Lynch makes us question our identities--do we live in the real world of Dorothy, or the brilliantly technicolored world of Oz?  Maybe both, because identities split and merge, as Lynch proves in his 2001 "Mulholland Drive," which I hope to explore on here.  Hons, I was fused between reality and fantasy from the moment I first saw "The Wizard Of Oz. " Which may account for my being something of an eternal child!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                    This documentary makes you think and there is much to learn.  Sadly, it reminds us that Lynch is gone, having passed last year.  Someone needs to carry on his legacy.

                                      Could that person be me?????????????

Girls, The Fall Is Coming, And So Is The Return Of The 1950's Coffee Klatch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                           Even if your home is not retro decorated like the 1950s, with the weather cooling off, and more activities taking place inside, it is time to bring back the 1950s Coffee Klatch.

                             The hostess provides the coffee, along with some cakes and dainties.  Those who desire may bring something of their own making or purchase.

                               For the next several hours, one wears their Fifties finery, gossips frantically with their girls, and, like the song says, "meow about the ups and downs of all their friends."

                                Girls, I cannot wait for the first Coffee Klatch or the season.

                                 And look at the hats in that photograph.  I need a decent millenary right away.

                                Off to Madame Paulette's, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!