Pretty exciting title, isn't it? Read on and find out.....
We tried to watch a Detroit Symphony Live broadcast tonight, but there was a problem with the sound, so we just abandoned it. Thus, I have time in my busy schedule to blog. What have I been doing? Just the usual. Reading, writing, blogging on other blogs of mine, practicing piano, watching movies, and watching lectures in two different courses on Wondrium. I have watched 7 episodes of the SF literature course, and 2 of the Archaeology of North America course. That course will focus on the two main prehistoric civilizations, namely the Mississippian Mound Builders, and the Southwest Cultures. Both of those are right up our alley, and so far the introductory lectures have been top notch. There are now about a dozen courses in our watch list! It's like going back to university again as an undergraduate, but in a really comfortable chair, with a beer fridge near by.
We had a fun visit by Jenn G last Monday. Much dark ale was quaffed, good food was munched, and the conversation was nonstop. Jenn has an opportunity in early May to go to Paris for a month, looking after a friend's apartment who will be away. She is hoping she can swing it! What a great treat for her if she can pull it off!
Now on to Prague! Deb has a film in the Prague International Film Awards! They had 1,600 entries, with 200 accepted as official selections. Not too shabby. Only wish we were going. Once There Was A Girl has already won awards. It just keeps going. And her newest film is nearly in the can, too. I have seen a finished version, but it still needs a tweak or two before being uploaded. It should be another winner as soon as it begins entering the festival circuit.
In my own travel news, I am all set for my first visit to Detroit in over two years. if all things go as planned, I will visit this coming Tuesday for the day. Deb is not eligible to visit if she wishes to continue visiting her mom in LTC three times a week. She would have to abstain from visiting for 14 days if she crossed the border, even for a few hours. A very silly rule. She could travel a thousand miles away within Ontario with no problem, but cannot cross the Detroit River. What a joke.
I am having my children's novel translated into French, for possible publication in France. I am having a few people read the first chapters in English and French for comments. Everything seems fine, though difficulties arise with certain expressions. I will soon have a chat with my translator regarding this.
In movie news, there have been several viewings, though little of major interest. We just watched a Robert Wise movie from 1959, starring Harry Belafonte, Robert Ryan, Ed Begley, Shelley Winters, and even Gloria Grahame! Quite a cast. It is a taut movie from the heist family sub genre of Noir features, with some amazing b & w photography. Begley heads up a team of three to pull a bank job in a small city. Ryan plays a racist crackpot. Belafonte is great in his role, and even sings a number and plays xylophone. The plot goes off the rail at the end, but until then it's a pretty decent little film.
Before that came the 3rd Lone Wolf and Cub feature, called Baby Cart To Hades. This film holds the world's record for the number of men killed by a single samurai warrior in one battle. Itto Ogami literally fights an entire army, and kills them all. Take that, Sylvester Stallone!
Before that came two family dramas, one from 1941 and the other from 1991. How Green Was My Valley is so dated today, despite its hard hitting attacks on two-faced chapel goers and average town people. The action takes place in a Welsh coal mining town, and we follow the exploits of the only decent family in the entire town, it seems. Maureen O'Hara is gorgeous, and Roddy McDowall is quite good as the child. Watching the movie in 2022, it's impossible to believe that this film beat out Citizen Kane for best picture Oscar that year. Even back then, I'm certain that eyeballs were rolling when the announcement was made. Guess which of the two is still a great film, one of the best ever made.
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Rambling Rose gives Laura Dern her chance to shine. She plays a young woman hired as a housekeeper to a family with three kids. More or less a comedy drama, the film also stars Robert Duvall and Dianne Ladd. Some nice moments, but not enough to recommend the film.
Before that came a Truffaut imitation of a Hitchcock film, called Mississippi Mermaid. Starring Deneuve and Belmondo, the film misses nearly every chance to be believable and enjoyable. In films where we don't care about the main characters (Belmondo's character is so stupid that one can't even pity him, and Deneuve's is so shallow one can't have any respect for her, either), that film is a lost cause. It's a dumb story. It's not trashy, just filled with ridiculous decisions and escapades. It's the kind of film that gave European movies a bad image in the US. Very sloppy movie making.
If the Detroit trip actually happens, I'll be back with a full report!
Mapman Mike
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