Report Card----"The Martian"

"The Martian" is a first cousin once removed to the movie "Gravity".
You know. The one with Sandra Bullock and George Clooney in outer space.
This one has Matt Damon in the Sandra Bullock part.
And it's just as unbelievable.
I mean, how can you do a movie about major space exploration without some major movie star's life being in jeopardy?
I ask you.
Because, after all, all astronauts are major movie stars.

On to the scoring:

Is it interesting?

Occasionally.
B-.

Compelling even?

Never.
F.

Is it controversial?

Not at all.
F.

Is it a story worth telling?

It is pure fiction.
F.

Is it good storytelling?

It is as predictable as "Gravity", which is to say "Very".
F.

Is it well written?

The dialogue is okay.
B.

Is it well cast? Well played?

Damon's pretty good. But really no great shakes.
B+.

Well shot?

If that's what Mars looks like, it's gorgeous. That's probably the edge it has over "Gravity".
A.

Did the director put such a personal stamp on it so that no one else could have made it?

No one else has ever attempted to film Mars, except maybe Melies, if that was Mars, and it was better than that, Still, I have no clue.
?

How long does it take to establish the film's locale?

Immediately. Mars and Houston, in that order.
A+.

Is it too long? Too short?

Way too long. They could have cut about twenty minutes. Just about any twenty minutes.
F.

Is it believable? Do you care about the characters?

I really didn't go along for the ride. Although Damon was rather engaging.
C+.

Is it predictable? Does it surprise you?

It was never not predictable. That was the main problem.
F.

Do you think about it after you've seen it?

Just about how formulaic it all was.
F.

Is it funny?

Here and there.
B.

Would it have been worth the thirteen bucks it would have cost to see it in the movies?

The special effects were awesome, if that's the kind of thing that matters to you. It doesn't to me.
C-.

Is it impressive?

Visually, perhaps. That's all.
C.

Overall grade: C-.

The only positive thing I can say about it is it was not as bad as "Gravity" and Matt Damon is a lot easier to take than Sandra Bullock.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My books ,"Show Runner" and it's sequel, "Show Runner Two", can be found at the Amazon Kindle Store.
Along with the newer ones, "The Man Is Dead", and "Report Cards".
They are all compilations of blog entries that have since been removed from the blog.
So this is the only way you can find them.
You can search by typing in my name, Cindy Williams, Laverne and Shirley, The Odd Couple, or Happy Days.
Check them out.
You don't need a Kindle machine to download them.
Just get the free app from Kindle, and they can be downloaded to an IPhone, IPad, or Blackberry.
The paperbacks, "Mark Rothman's Essays" and my new novel, "I'm Not Garbo" are not
e-books. But they are available for people without Kindle.
I have many readings and signings lined up for those, and the thing about Kindle is you can't sign one. If you'd like one of the paperbacks, personally autographed, contact me at macchus999@aol.com.

And now, we've got my reading of my "Laverne and Shirley Movie" screenplay on YouTube.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Report Card----"Joy"

"Joy" is a most entertaining, wonderful story. It's about Joy, the inventor of the self squeezing mop that we all now have.
And how against all odds, she was able to retain the patents for them.
Jennifer Lawrence is wonderful in it as Joy.

On to the scoring:

Is it interesting?

Extremely.
A+.

Compelling even?

Often.
A+.

Is it controversial?

It is a triumph of perseverance.
A.

Is it a story worth telling?

Absolutely.
A+.

Is it good storytelling?

Extremely.
A+.

Is it well written?

Very.
A+.

Is it well cast? Well played?

De Niro has a big part, and is great. Isabella Rossellini was a great idea. I'm starting to get what all the shouting is all about with Bradley Cooper. And I long ago predicted that Melissa Rivers future lie in hawking her mother's jewelry on TV and portraying her mother whenever the gig came up. Both came up in "Joy". She did not embarrass herself.
A+.

Well shot?

Very.
A.

Did the director put such a personal stamp on it so that no one else could have made it?

Yes.
A.

How long does it take to establish the film's locale?

Immediately. Boston. Mostly in the nineties. Mostly by the cars. They weren't as good as the cars of the fifties, but you can't have everything.
A.

Is it too long? Too short?

Not any problem.
A.

Is it believable? Do you care about the characters?

It's a true story, although I understand that they only took out the boring parts. You love the characters.
A+.

Is it predictable? Does it surprise you?

I never knew where it was going and I was completely sucked in.
A+.

Do you think about it after you've seen it?

Just about how much I liked it.
A+.

Is it funny?

Very. Particularly De Niro, who is a complete hoot.

Would it have been worth the thirteen bucks it would have cost to see it in the movies?

Ohhh...why not.
A+.

Is it impressive?

Totally.
A+.

Overall grade: A+.

The winners keep comin'.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My books ,"Show Runner" and it's sequel, "Show Runner Two", can be found at the Amazon Kindle Store.
Along with the newer ones, "The Man Is Dead", and "Report Cards".
They are all compilations of blog entries that have since been removed from the blog.
So this is the only way you can find them.
You can search by typing in my name, Cindy Williams, Laverne and Shirley, The Odd Couple, or Happy Days.
Check them out.
You don't need a Kindle machine to download them.
Just get the free app from Kindle, and they can be downloaded to an IPhone, IPad, or Blackberry.
The paperbacks, "Mark Rothman's Essays" and my new novel, "I'm Not Garbo" are not
e-books. But they are available for people without Kindle.
I have many readings and signings lined up for those, and the thing about Kindle is you can't sign one. If you'd like one of the paperbacks, personally autographed, contact me at macchus999@aol.com.

And now, we've got my reading of my "Laverne and Shirley Movie" screenplay on YouTube.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Report Card----"Carol"

"Carol" is an extraordinarily well-made movie that is utterly absorbing, with an incredibly nuanced performance by Cate Blanchette.
We see the beginnings of a lesbian love story between Cate and Rooney Mara in the early 1950s.
This is complicated by a child custody battle in Cate's upcoming divorce.

On to the scoring:

Is it interesting?

Fascinating.
A+.

Compelling even?

One of THE most compelling films I have seen in a long time.
A+.

Is it controversial?

Stories about lesbian relationships in the 1950s are by nature controversial.
A.

Is it a story worth telling?

Absolutely.
A+.

Is it good storytelling?

Extremely.
A+.

Is it well written?

The dialogue is quite excellent.
A+.

Is it well cast? Well played?

Cate may be replacing Streep as the best we have.
A+.

Well shot?

Exquisitely. And, of course, I love the cars.
A+.

Did the director put such a personal stamp on it so that no one else could have made it?

It seems so.
A.

How long does it take to establish the film's locale?

Immediately. Manhattan.
A.

Is it too long? Too short?

You're so into it that you don't even notice.
A+

Is it believable? Do you care about the characters?

Utterly, and utterly.
A+.

Is it predictable? Does it surprise you?

You never feel like you're ahead of it.
A.

Do you think about it after you've seen it?

Just about how good it all is.
A+.

Is it funny?

On occasion, for a pretty substantive film.
A.

Would it have been worth the thirteen bucks it would have cost to see it in the movies?

If that was the only way to see it, absolutely.
A+.

Is it impressive?

Totally.
A+.

Overall grade: A+.

Another in a spate of truly great films.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My books ,"Show Runner" and it's sequel, "Show Runner Two", can be found at the Amazon Kindle Store.
Along with the newer ones, "The Man Is Dead", and "Report Cards".
They are all compilations of blog entries that have since been removed from the blog.
So this is the only way you can find them.
You can search by typing in my name, Cindy Williams, Laverne and Shirley, The Odd Couple, or Happy Days.
Check them out.
You don't need a Kindle machine to download them.
Just get the free app from Kindle, and they can be downloaded to an IPhone, IPad, or Blackberry.
The paperbacks, "Mark Rothman's Essays" and my new novel, "I'm Not Garbo" are not
e-books. But they are available for people without Kindle.
I have many readings and signings lined up for those, and the thing about Kindle is you can't sign one. If you'd like one of the paperbacks, personally autographed, contact me at macchus999@aol.com.

And now, we've got my reading of my "Laverne and Shirley Movie" screenplay on YouTube.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Report Card----"Brooklyn"

"Brooklyn" is a movie that you really want to fall in love with.
And for the first two thirds of it, I was in love with it.
Then, the story took a shallow, meaningless turn, and never recovered from it.
It takes place in the early 1950s.
It is about a young Irish girl who has the opportunity to move to America, specifically Brooklyn, where a better job awaits her.
She leaves behind a mother and a sister who she adores.
Will she make the adjustment?
Soon enough she has an Italian boyfriend and is head over heels in love with him.
For reasons I won't divulge she returns to Ireland for a "short visit".
Will she return?

On to the scoring:

Is it interesting?

It's never not interesting.
A.

Compelling even?

Not quite.
B.

Is it controversial?

No.
B-.

Is it a story worth telling?

There really isn't enough of a legitimate conflict.
Perhaps it could be fixed.
B-.

Is it good storytelling?

Until about the 1 hour and ten minute mark.
C.

Is it well written?

The dialogue is quite engaging.
A.

Is it well cast? Well played?

Extremely.
A+.

Well shot?

Extremely. I love the cars.
A+.

Did the director put such a personal stamp on it so that no one else could have made it?

It is very atmospheric. But I suppose anyone could have done it as well.
B-.

How long does it take to establish the film's locale?

Immediately. First Ireland, then Brooklyn.
A.

Is it too long? Too short?

Length was not the problem. I just thought the ending was arrived at totally artificially.
B.

Is it believable? Do you care about the characters?

Until the two-thirds mark.
C.

Is it predictable? Does it surprise you?

That's the problem. Once you see where it's going, it's totally predictable.
D.

Do you think about it after you've seen it?

I'm still trying to figure out how to fix it. And it's too late.
C-.

Is it funny?

It's often quite charmingly funny.
A.

Would it have been worth the thirteen bucks it would have cost to see it in the movies?

'Fraid not.
C-.

Is it impressive?

On some levels.
B.

Overall grade: B-.

Obviously, I'm leaving out the spoiler alert.
If you want it, send me an e-mail and I'll send it to you.
My e-mail address is below.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My books ,"Show Runner" and it's sequel, "Show Runner Two", can be found at the Amazon Kindle Store.
Along with the newer ones, "The Man Is Dead", and "Report Cards".
They are all compilations of blog entries that have since been removed from the blog.
So this is the only way you can find them.
You can search by typing in my name, Cindy Williams, Laverne and Shirley, The Odd Couple, or Happy Days.
Check them out.
You don't need a Kindle machine to download them.
Just get the free app from Kindle, and they can be downloaded to an IPhone, IPad, or Blackberry.
The paperbacks, "Mark Rothman's Essays" and my new novel, "I'm Not Garbo" are not
e-books. But they are available for people without Kindle.
I have many readings and signings lined up for those, and the thing about Kindle is you can't sign one. If you'd like one of the paperbacks, personally autographed, contact me at macchus999@aol.com.

And now, we've got my reading of my "Laverne and Shirley Movie" screenplay on YouTube.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Report Card----"By The Sea"

Well, the last five movies I saw and did Report Cards on have been so good that I was starting to think that I was never going to have to see a bad movie again.
Then, I saw "By The Sea".
So much for that theory.
This movie is so dreadfully wretched that I am astounded that anyone would give them the money to make it, even though it had Brad Pitt and Angelia Jolie.
It was "written" and "directed" by Ms. Jolie.
I use quotes because it doesn't seem to be written or directed by anyone.

On to the scoring:

Is it interesting?

One of THE most boring movies I have ever seen.
F.

Compelling even?

The concept isn't even amusing to think about.
F.

Is it controversial?

Only in the sense that it got made.
F.

Is it a story worth telling?

There WAS no story.
F.

Is it good storytelling?

There WAS no story.
F.

Is it well written?

There was no writing. To quote Truman Capote, there was only typing.
F.

Is it well cast? Well played?

If it was anyone else, it wouldn't have been made, so no.
F.

Well shot?

It was very scenic, but so is a travelogue.
A.

Did the director put such a personal stamp on it so that no one else could have made it?

I think you can only do that with something of quality.
F.

How long does it take to establish the film's locale?

Immediately. But vaguely. It's a seaside resort in the Mediterranean. But we're never told when it takes place.
There is an old television set, but it's Europe. Pitt plays a writer with writer's block. And he has a typewriter.
Not a computer. Their car is a foreign sports car of indeterminate age. After I saw it, I went to IMDB. They said it took place in the 70s.
C.

Is it too long? Too short?

It was interminable. And I sensed that it would be in the first minute. My shit detector was in overdrive.
F.

Is it believable? Do you care about the characters?

No, and no.
F.

Is it predictable? Does it surprise you?

Only that it would end at some point. With about fifteen minutes left, it hinted at being about something.
Too little, too late.
F.

Do you think about it after you've seen it?

As soon as I'm done writing this I'm going to attempt to blot it out of my memory.
F.

Is it funny?

Maybe unintentionally, here and there.
F.

Would it have been worth the thirteen bucks it would have cost to see it in the movies?

They don't have enough money in the world to get me to sit through it again.
F.

Is it impressive?

Not ever.
F.

Overall grade: F.

A total vanity production, from top to bottom.
Avoid it like the plague.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My books ,"Show Runner" and it's sequel, "Show Runner Two", can be found at the Amazon Kindle Store.
Along with the newer ones, "The Man Is Dead", and "Report Cards".
They are all compilations of blog entries that have since been removed from the blog.
So this is the only way you can find them.
You can search by typing in my name, Cindy Williams, Laverne and Shirley, The Odd Couple, or Happy Days.
Check them out.
You don't need a Kindle machine to download them.
Just get the free app from Kindle, and they can be downloaded to an IPhone, IPad, or Blackberry.
The paperbacks, "Mark Rothman's Essays" and my new novel, "I'm Not Garbo" are not
e-books. But they are available for people without Kindle.
I have many readings and signings lined up for those, and the thing about Kindle is you can't sign one. If you'd like one of the paperbacks, personally autographed, contact me at macchus999@aol.com.

And now, we've got my reading of my "Laverne and Shirley Movie" screenplay on YouTube.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Report Card---"Trumbo"

I think it would be almost impossible to make a bad movie about the life of the legendary screenwriter Dalton Trumbo.
"Trumbo" certainly does not disappoint.
I've seen Trumbo being interviewed many times, and Bryan Cranston nails him.
He is perfect.

On to the scoring:

Is it interesting?

Extremely. It tells you everything worth knowing about the blacklist. I thought I knew everything.
Turns out I didn't.
A+.

Compelling even?

Always.
A+.

Is it controversial?

Probably the most controversial story of the 20th century. .
A+.

Is it a story worth telling?

Of course.
A+.

Is it good storytelling?

Great storytelling on every level.
A+.

Is it well written?

First rate.
A+.

Is it well cast? Well played?

Yes on all counts. Except one. There is an actor in it who plays Edward G. Robinson, who was a "Friendly" witness, something I wasn't aware of. And there's another actor, Roger Bart, who plays a studio executive. He looks just like the actor who plays Edward G. Robinson. It's another case of "Is that him or the other one?" Those of you who know me know how much I hate that.
C+.

Well shot?

Very.
A.

Did the director put such a personal stamp on it so that no one else could have made it?

Not that I could see.
C.

How long does it take to establish the film's locale?

Immediately.
A.

Is it too long? Too short?

Perfect.
A+.

Is it believable? Do you care about the characters?

Totally, and totally.
A+.

Is it predictable? Does it surprise you?

I pretty much knew the story. It did not deter my enjoyment of the film.
A.

Do you think about it after you've seen it?

Often.
A+.

Is it funny?

Quite.
A.

Would it have been worth the thirteen bucks it would have cost to see it in the movies?

If you like to spend money on movies....
A.

Is it impressive?

Overwhelmingly.
A+

Overall grade: A+.

Yet another truly great movie.
Mainly due to Cranston.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My books ,"Show Runner" and it's sequel, "Show Runner Two", can be found at the Amazon Kindle Store.
Along with the newer ones, "The Man Is Dead", and "Report Cards".
They are all compilations of blog entries that have since been removed from the blog.
So this is the only way you can find them.
You can search by typing in my name, Cindy Williams, Laverne and Shirley, The Odd Couple, or Happy Days.
Check them out.
You don't need a Kindle machine to download them.
Just get the free app from Kindle, and they can be downloaded to an IPhone, IPad, or Blackberry.
The paperbacks, "Mark Rothman's Essays" and my new novel, "I'm Not Garbo" are not
e-books. But they are available for people without Kindle.
I have many readings and signings lined up for those, and the thing about Kindle is you can't sign one. If you'd like one of the paperbacks, personally autographed, contact me at macchus999@aol.com.

And now, we've got my reading of my "Laverne and Shirley Movie" screenplay on YouTube.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Report Card----"Truth"

"Truth" is Robert Redford as Dan Rather.
It's about his firing at CBS for reporting on George W. Bush's poor attendance record when he was in the National Guard, dodging the draft. They had him dead to rights but key witnesses were forced to recant after pressure was put on by the Bush family. This was right before Bush's re-election.
It's a great story, and the movie should have been made right after the election, when it might have done some good.

On to the scoring:

Is it interesting?

Extremely. And I knew nothing about it.
A+.

Compelling even?

Quite.
A+.

Is it controversial?

It cost Rather his job. It shouldn't have.
A.

Is it a story worth telling?

Absolutely.
A+.

Is it good storytelling?

Totally great storytelling. It's a great story.
A+.

Is it well written?

First rate.
A+.

Is it well cast? Well played?

Yes on all counts. Redford totally captures Rather.
A+.

Well shot?

Very.
A.

Did the director put such a personal stamp on it so that no one else could have made it?

Not that I could see.
C.

How long does it take to establish the film's locale?

It's never an issue.
A.

Is it too long? Too short?

Perfect.
A+.

Is it believable? Do you care about the characters?

Totally.
A+.

Is it predictable? Does it surprise you?

I knew he was fired. Everything else was surprising and distressing.
A+.

Do you think about it after you've seen it?

Often. Mainly about how Al Gore should have been President. Twice.
A+.

Is it funny?

Sometimes very funny.
A.

Would it have been worth the thirteen bucks it would have cost to see it in the movies?

If you like to spend money on movies....
A.

Is it impressive?

Overwhelmingly.
A+

Overall grade: A+.

This is another truly great movie.
It's starting to become an embarrassment of riches.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My books ,"Show Runner" and it's sequel, "Show Runner Two", can be found at the Amazon Kindle Store.
Along with the newer ones, "The Man Is Dead", and "Report Cards".
They are all compilations of blog entries that have since been removed from the blog.
So this is the only way you can find them.
You can search by typing in my name, Cindy Williams, Laverne and Shirley, The Odd Couple, or Happy Days.
Check them out.
You don't need a Kindle machine to download them.
Just get the free app from Kindle, and they can be downloaded to an IPhone, IPad, or Blackberry.
The paperbacks, "Mark Rothman's Essays" and my new novel, "I'm Not Garbo" are not
e-books. But they are available for people without Kindle.
I have many readings and signings lined up for those, and the thing about Kindle is you can't sign one. If you'd like one of the paperbacks, personally autographed, contact me at macchus999@aol.com.

And now, we've got my reading of my "Laverne and Shirley Movie" screenplay on YouTube.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------


A+.

Is it a story worth telling?

Absolutely.
A+.

Is it good storytelling?

Great storytelling. It's a great story.
A+.

Is it well written?

Nobody writes better dialogue than Aaron Sorkin. And his fingerprints are all over this one.
A+.

Is it well cast? Well played?

Yes on all counts.
A+.

Well shot?

Very.
A.

Did the director put such a personal stamp on it so that no one else could have made it?

It's Sorkin's movie
B.

How long does it take to establish the film's locale?

It's never an issue.
A.

Is it too long? Too short?

At 2 hours, it just zips by.
A+.

Is it believable? Do you care about the characters?

Totally.
A+.

Is it predictable? Does it surprise you?

It was all news to me.
A+.

Do you think about it after you've seen it?

Often.
A+.

Is it funny?

When it's called for.
A.

Would it have been worth the thirteen bucks it would have cost to see it in the movies?

If you're so inclined.
A.

Is it impressive?

Overwhelmingly.
A+

Overall grade: A+.

This is a truly great movie.

Happy Thanksgiving!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My books ,"Show Runner" and it's sequel, "Show Runner Two", can be found at the Amazon Kindle Store.
Along with the newer ones, "The Man Is Dead", and "Report Cards".
They are all compilations of blog entries that have since been removed from the blog.
So this is the only way you can find them.
You can search by typing in my name, Cindy Williams, Laverne and Shirley, The Odd Couple, or Happy Days.
Check them out.
You don't need a Kindle machine to download them.
Just get the free app from Kindle, and they can be downloaded to an IPhone, IPad, or Blackberry.
The paperbacks, "Mark Rothman's Essays" and my new novel, "I'm Not Garbo" are not
e-books. But they are available for people without Kindle.
I have many readings and signings lined up for those, and the thing about Kindle is you can't sign one. If you'd like one of the paperbacks, personally autographed, contact me at macchus999@aol.com.

And now, we've got my reading of my "Laverne and Shirley Movie" screenplay on YouTube.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Report Card-----"Steve Jobs".

I was truly surprised by how little I knew about Steve Jobs before I saw this movie.
Afterwards, I checked out Wikipedia to get a sense of how accurate it was.
Turns out, it was pretty accurate.
This is a fascinating story about a complete megalomaniac.

On to the scoring:

Is it interesting?

I'll use the word again. Fascinating.
A+.

Compelling even?

Most of the time.
A+.

Is it controversial?

He seems to have been a lot of different things to a lot of people. Some give him very little credit for his contributions to
Apple's success. Some give him a lot. It's difficult to tell where the truth lies. This adds to the overall interest.
A+.

Is it a story worth telling?

Absolutely.
A+.

Is it good storytelling?

Great storytelling. It's a great story.
A+.

Is it well written?

Nobody writes better dialogue than Aaron Sorkin. And his fingerprints are all over this one.
A+.

Is it well cast? Well played?

Yes on all counts.
A+.

Well shot?

Very.
A.

Did the director put such a personal stamp on it so that no one else could have made it?

It's Sorkin's movie
B.

How long does it take to establish the film's locale?

It's never an issue.
A.

Is it too long? Too short?

At 2 hours, it just zips by.
A+.

Is it believable? Do you care about the characters?

Totally.
A+.

Is it predictable? Does it surprise you?

It was all news to me.
A+.

Do you think about it after you've seen it?

Often.
A+.

Is it funny?

When it's called for.
A.

Would it have been worth the thirteen bucks it would have cost to see it in the movies?

If you're so inclined.
A.

Is it impressive?

Overwhelmingly.
A+

Overall grade: A+.

This is a truly great movie.

Happy Thanksgiving!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My books ,"Show Runner" and it's sequel, "Show Runner Two", can be found at the Amazon Kindle Store.
Along with the newer ones, "The Man Is Dead", and "Report Cards".
They are all compilations of blog entries that have since been removed from the blog.
So this is the only way you can find them.
You can search by typing in my name, Cindy Williams, Laverne and Shirley, The Odd Couple, or Happy Days.
Check them out.
You don't need a Kindle machine to download them.
Just get the free app from Kindle, and they can be downloaded to an IPhone, IPad, or Blackberry.
The paperbacks, "Mark Rothman's Essays" and my new novel, "I'm Not Garbo" are not
e-books. But they are available for people without Kindle.
I have many readings and signings lined up for those, and the thing about Kindle is you can't sign one. If you'd like one of the paperbacks, personally autographed, contact me at macchus999@aol.com.

And now, we've got my reading of my "Laverne and Shirley Movie" screenplay on YouTube.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Report Card-----"Black Mass"

"Black Mass" is Johnny Depp as the notorious criminal-turned-FBI informant Whitey Bulger.
I was vaguely aware of his case.
"Black Mass" lays it out completely.
I don't know why it's called "Black Mass"
It's a particularly off-putting, inappropriate title, and wouldn't lend itself to my wanting to see it.
That being said, there are lots of good things to say about it.

On to the scoring:

Is it interesting?

Pretty consistently.
A.

Compelling even?

Occasionally.
A.

Is it controversial?

Nobody really disputes what happened.
B.

Is it a story worth telling?

Absolutely. And it's true.
A.

Is it good storytelling?

Very violent, and gory. Much like his life.
A.

Is it well written?

Very.
A.

Is it well cast? Well played?

Yes on all counts.
A.

Well shot?

Very.
A.

Did the director put such a personal stamp on it so that no one else could have made it?

I don't think so.
C.

How long does it take to establish the film's locale?

It's immediately and quite colorfully established immediately as South Boston in the mid seventies and then the mid eighties.
Great looking cars.
I miss them.
A+.

Is it too long? Too short?

Perfect.
A.

Is it believable? Do you care about the characters?

Yes, and yes.
A.

Is it predictable? Does it surprise you?

I had no recollection of what happened to Bulger. I was somewhat surprised when that information was revealed.
A+.

Do you think about it after you've seen it?

Not really, but it doesn't matter.
B.

Is it funny?

When it wants to be, which is often enough.
B.

Would it have been worth the thirteen bucks it would have cost to see it in the movies?

Probably not.
C.

Is it impressive?

Fairly impressive.
B.

Overall grade: B+.

When it shows up on HBO, I'd keep an eye out for it.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My books ,"Show Runner" and it's sequel, "Show Runner Two", can be found at the Amazon Kindle Store.
Along with the newer ones, "The Man Is Dead", and "Report Cards".
They are all compilations of blog entries that have since been removed from the blog.
So this is the only way you can find them.
You can search by typing in my name, Cindy Williams, Laverne and Shirley, The Odd Couple, or Happy Days.
Check them out.
You don't need a Kindle machine to download them.
Just get the free app from Kindle, and they can be downloaded to an IPhone, IPad, or Blackberry.
The paperbacks, "Mark Rothman's Essays" and my new novel, "I'm Not Garbo" are not
e-books. But they are available for people without Kindle.
I have many readings and signings lined up for those, and the thing about Kindle is you can't sign one. If you'd like one of the paperbacks, personally autographed, contact me at macchus999@aol.com.

And now, we've got my reading of my "Laverne and Shirley Movie" screenplay on YouTube.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

THE Eaton Magoon Jr.

So I'm watching a rerun of the old "To Tell The Truth" series, because there is just so much Paris news that I can stomach.
It's from about 1961.
Don Ameche is one of the panelists.
Bud Collyer is promoting and plugging Ameche's new Broadway musical, "Thirteen Daughters".
Now, I have prided myself in knowing everything there is to know about every Broadway musical, and who appeared in them.
I had never heard of "Thirteen Daughters".
I knew about "Silk Stockings" the Cole Porter show he starred in, and "Goldilocks" which had Elaine Strich and a wonderful Leroy Anderson score. And "Henry, Sweet Henry" which was an adaptation of "The World Of Henry Orient", with a nice score by Bob Merrill.
They all had Ameche.
But "Thirteen Daughters"? I was drawing a blank.
But the Internet didn't let me down.
I did a search. I learned that it took place in Hawaii in the late 1800's, and had book, music, and lyrics by one Eaton Magoon, Jr.
It also contains a song called "Puka,Puka Pants". Apparently not a highlight, at least according to Walter Kerr, who reviewed it.
This all begs the question "How do you raise the money for a piece of drivel like this?" How do you get Don Ameche to star in it?"
But somehow the money was raised and Don Ameche was roped into it, and spent the evenings speaking in pidgin English, with his eyebrows taped down.
It ran 28 performances before they had to fumigate the theatre.
This led me to check out Eaton Magoon Jr.'s other credits if he in fact had any.
One other credit: In the early 1970's, Magoon resurfaced by providing the book, music, and lyrics for another musical about Hawaii in the 1800s.
It was called "Heathen!"
This one didn't have no Don Ameche.
It didn't have anybody that I had heard of.
This begs the question "Did he have the nerve to go back to any of the original investors of "Thirteen Daughters" for another
go-round?
"Heathen" folded after opening night, unanimously slammed by the critics.
How the hell did he raise the money for this one?
This one baffled me.
So, in desperation, I called the only expert on Hawaii that I know. my sister Leslie.
She has spent half her life living in Hawaii.
I held out very little hope that she could help me, but I took a shot.
She never heard of Eaton Magoon Jr.
But after a minute or two she recalled the name Magoon as someone who was a member of her health club.
She did a search, and learned that the Magoons were one of the wealthiest families in the Hawaiian islands.
Old man Magoon could have easily sprung for whatever it cost to mount a Broadway musical in 1961, or 1972.
So there you have it.
They were both total vanity productions.
And I consider my knowledge broadened.


----------------------------------------------------------------

My books ,"Show Runner" and it's sequel, "Show Runner Two", can be found at the Amazon Kindle Store.
Along with the newer ones, "The Man Is Dead", and "Report Cards".
They are all compilations of blog entries that have since been removed from the blog.
So this is the only way you can find them.
You can search by typing in my name, Cindy Williams, Laverne and Shirley, The Odd Couple, or Happy Days.
Check them out.
You don't need a Kindle machine to download them.
Just get the free app from Kindle, and they can be downloaded to an IPhone, IPad, or Blackberry.
The paperbacks, "Mark Rothman's Essays" and my new novel, "I'm Not Garbo" are not
e-books. But they are available for people without Kindle.
I have many readings and signings lined up for those, and the thing about Kindle is you can't sign one. If you'd like one of the paperbacks, personally autographed, contact me at macchus999@aol.com.

And now, we've got my reading of my "Laverne and Shirley Movie" screenplay on YouTube.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Report Card----"99 Homes"

"99 Homes" is a totally absorbing, tragic story about the recently burst housing bubble---the victims and the victimizers.
It's a very literate film, totally geared for adults.

On to the scoring:

Is it interesting?

Constantly.
A+.

Compelling even?

Constantly.
A+.

Is it controversial?

Extremely.
A+

Is it a story worth telling?

Absolutely.
A+.

Is it good storytelling?

It is a model of good storytelling.
A+.

Is it well written?

Very.
A.

Is it well cast? Well played?

It's got Laura Dern, having an adult son, and a young grandson. I don't like to think of Laura Dern in those terms.
but she was very good.
B.

Well shot?

Very.
A..

Did the director put such a personal stamp on it so that no one else could have made it?

I don't think so. All that's needed is to follow the script.
C.

How long does it take to establish the film's locale?

It's established early on as Orlando Florida.
A.

Is it too long? Too short?

Perfect.
A.

Is it believable? Do you care about the characters?

Yes, and yes.
A.

Is it predictable? Does it surprise you?

Slightly predictable, but it surprises in its execution..
B.

Do you think about it after you've seen it?

Yes. It's subject matter is mesmerizing, and I learned a great deal about it.
A+

Is it funny?

Occasionally, in a deadpan way.
A.


Would it have been worth the thirteen bucks it would have cost to see it in the movies?

If you're so inclined.
A.

Is it impressive?

One of the most impressive.
A+.

Overall grade: A+.

There should be more like this one.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My books ,"Show Runner" and it's sequel, "Show Runner Two", can be found at the Amazon Kindle Store.
Along with the newer ones, "The Man Is Dead", and "Report Cards".
They are all compilations of blog entries that have since been removed from the blog.
So this is the only way you can find them.
You can search by typing in my name, Cindy Williams, Laverne and Shirley, The Odd Couple, or Happy Days.
Check them out.
You don't need a Kindle machine to download them.
Just get the free app from Kindle, and they can be downloaded to an IPhone, IPad, or Blackberry.
The paperbacks, "Mark Rothman's Essays" and my new novel, "I'm Not Garbo" are not
e-books. But they are available for people without Kindle.
I have many readings and signings lined up for those, and the thing about Kindle is you can't sign one. If you'd like one of the paperbacks, personally autographed, contact me at macchus999@aol.com.

And now, we've got my reading of my "Laverne and Shirley Movie" screenplay on YouTube.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Report Card----"Trainwreck"

I had much higher hopes for this one.
I love Amy Schumer's TV show.
I think Bill Hader is extremely talented.
And the first five minutes, a flashback of 23 years where Colin Quinn, as Amy's and her sister's father, explains to them why he's divorcing their mother.
It is manic, and easily the funniest thing in the movie.
So it peaked in the first five minutes.
And went steadily downhill from there.
Not much of a spoiler alert, but Quinn's character dies half way through.
His scenes were the only things I had to look forward to.
It reminded me of "City Slickers".
When Jack Palance died the movie died.
But "City Slickers" at least had the good taste to be hilarious for the first 45 minutes.
"Trainwreck" was only funny when Colin Quinn was on the screen.
So when Quinn's character died, the movie died.
I've been reading Judd Apatow's book of interviews with comedians, which turns out to be as much about Judd Apatow as the comedians he's interviewing.
There is a running thread about how he is less than happy about his film output.
He doesn't seem to enjoy his movies.
All I can do is agree.

On to the scoring:

Is it interesting?

Intermittently.
C.

Compelling even?

Never. Not even in Quinn's scenes.
C-

Is it controversial?

Not at all.
D.

Is it a story worth telling?

There's nothing new here.
C-.

Is it good storytelling?

It is unnecessarily dark and painful.
D.

Is it well written?

It's a complete contrivance.
F.

Is it well cast? Well played?

They have Quinn, and Norman Lloyd. The rest are all people I like to see, but are totally wasted.
B.

Well shot?

Not particularly.
C.

Did the director put such a personal stamp on it so that no one else could have made it?

Amy Schumer wrote it, and is capable of so much better. Maybe Apatow is a bad influence on her.
C-.

How long does it take to establish the film's locale?

It's New York, and it's early enough.
A.

Is it too long? Too short?

Way too long,
C-.

Is it believable? Do you care about the characters?

No, and no.
F.

Is it predictable? Does it surprise you?

Totally predictable, and absolutely no surprises.
D-.

Do you think about it after you've seen it?

Only about my disappointment with it.
D.

Is it funny?

Only Quinn. That's not enough.
C.

Would it have been worth the thirteen bucks it would have cost to see it in the movies?

No thank you.
F.

Is it impressive?

No.
F.

Overall grade: C-.

This movie was marketed fraudulently. They were selling a non-stop laff-riot.
What you got was a depressing downer that violated it's own reality.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My books ,"Show Runner" and it's sequel, "Show Runner Two", can be found at the Amazon Kindle Store.
Along with the newer ones, "The Man Is Dead", and "Report Cards".
They are all compilations of blog entries that have since been removed from the blog.
So this is the only way you can find them.
You can search by typing in my name, Cindy Williams, Laverne and Shirley, The Odd Couple, or Happy Days.
Check them out.
You don't need a Kindle machine to download them.
Just get the free app from Kindle, and they can be downloaded to an IPhone, IPad, or Blackberry.
The paperbacks, "Mark Rothman's Essays" and my new novel, "I'm Not Garbo" are not
e-books. But they are available for people without Kindle.
I have many readings and signings lined up for those, and the thing about Kindle is you can't sign one. If you'd like one of the paperbacks, personally autographed, contact me at macchus999@aol.com.

And now, we've got my reading of my "Laverne and Shirley Movie" screenplay on YouTube.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My books ,"Show Runner" and it's sequel, "Show Runner Two", can be found at the Amazon Kindle Store.
Along with the newer ones, "The Man Is Dead", and "Report Cards".
They are all compilations of blog entries that have since been removed from the blog.
So this is the only way you can find them.
You can search by typing in my name, Cindy Williams, Laverne and Shirley, The Odd Couple, or Happy Days.
Check them out.
You don't need a Kindle machine to download them.
Just get the free app from Kindle, and they can be downloaded to an IPhone, IPad, or Blackberry.
The paperbacks, "Mark Rothman's Essays" and my new novel, "I'm Not Garbo" are not
e-books. But they are available for people without Kindle.
I have many readings and signings lined up for those, and the thing about Kindle is you can't sign one. If you'd like one of the paperbacks, personally autographed, contact me at macchus999@aol.com.

And now, we've got my reading of my "Laverne and Shirley Movie" screenplay on YouTube.

" The Squeaky Wheel...."

Al Molinaro died yesterday.
He was a lovely man.
I did two series with him.
He could always be counted on to get his laughs.
Mainly on the strength of his extremely funny face.
It used to drive Tony Randall crazy how effortlessly Al could get laughs.
Penny Marshall used to refer to Al as a shtick-tician.
He worked shtick like nobody's business.
Al had virtually no formal training.
He made an entire living with his face.
At one of the wrap parties, Garry Marshall said "there are graduates of Yale Drama School working as boxboys at
Ralph's supermarket, and Al Molinaro gets work."
I waited until his passing before telling this next story:
About five years into the run of "Happy Days" Al grew discontented that there were no stories being developed about his character.
He was an adult on a show about teenagers. As if anyone cared about stories about Al's character.
This was a man who should have been counting his blessings that he had a steady gig on an enormously successful show.
But it apparently wasn't enough.
Undaunted, he publicly pitched a story about the unrequited love of his life, Rosa Coletti.
He was totally indulged (not by me, I was merely an observer at that point.) and a script was shortly developed where Rosa Coletti appeared on stage, and in his life, but just once.
I didn't believe a word of it.
But it didn't hurt the show.
Nothing could. It was done purely just to mollify him.
But it was a tribute to the concept of the squeaky wheel getting the grease.
If Al hadn't brought it up so brazenly, we never would have seen Rosa Coletti.
As if this made any difference to Al Molinaro's career.
I guess you do anything at your disposal to call more attention to yourself, but all that Al will be remembered for is how funny he was.
Maybe I'm telling tales out of school, but Al was not above engaging in that particular underbelly of show business.
I never would have had the nerve to attempt something like that.
This was the only chink I ever saw in his other-wise spotless armor.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My books ,"Show Runner" and it's sequel, "Show Runner Two", can be found at the Amazon Kindle Store.
Along with the newer ones, "The Man Is Dead", and "Report Cards".
They are all compilations of blog entries that have since been removed from the blog.
So this is the only way you can find them.
You can search by typing in my name, Cindy Williams, Laverne and Shirley, The Odd Couple, or Happy Days.
Check them out.
You don't need a Kindle machine to download them.
Just get the free app from Kindle, and they can be downloaded to an IPhone, IPad, or Blackberry.
The paperbacks, "Mark Rothman's Essays" and my new novel, "I'm Not Garbo" are not
e-books. But they are available for people without Kindle.
I have many readings and signings lined up for those, and the thing about Kindle is you can't sign one. If you'd like one of the paperbacks, personally autographed, contact me at macchus999@aol.com.

And now, we've got my reading of my "Laverne and Shirley Movie" screenplay on YouTube.

Report Card-----"Straight Outta Compton"

This is a movie that makes me feel really old and out of it.
It's essentially a bio-pic about Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, and assorted other rappers.
I didn't know whether they portrayed themselves, or whether they were actors.
At the end, I learned that they were actors.
They lost me right off the top for a while.
The early scenes began in 1986, and the characters were wearing baseball caps that had the Major League Baseball logo on them,
which was not available like that to the general public in 1986.
So authenticity was compromised right off the bat.
This was not a movie designed for me.

On to the scoring:

Is it interesting?

Here and there
B.

Compelling even?

On rare occasions. They did not lead boring lives.
B-.

Is it controversial?

Their lives were controversial
A.

Is it a story worth telling?

Yes. But not to me.
B.

Is it good storytelling?

It's a 2 and a half hour movie, and there is about a half hour worth of interesting.
C.

Is it well written?

It sounds authentic, but I really have no way of knowing.
B.

Is it well cast? Well played?

It has that problem that too many movies have. Many of the actors look too much like each other.
And it's not just a race thing.
Paul Giamatti was outstanding, and not just because he's white.
There were a couple of other white actors who made no impression.
B.

Well shot?

Too much was shot in the dark. That didn't help me differentiate.
C.

Did the director put such a personal stamp on it so that no one else could have made it?

Not to me.
C-.

How long does it take to establish the film's locale?

It's established immediately in the title.
A+.

Is it too long? Too short?

Way too long, unless you're a fan of rap. And maybe even then.
C-.

Is it believable? Do you care about the characters?

Yes, and yes.
A.

Is it predictable? Does it surprise you?

I knew nothing going in, so everything was a surprise.
A.

Do you think about it after you've seen it?

Not really.
C.

Is it funny?

Not ever.
F.

Would it have been worth the thirteen bucks it would have cost to see it in the movies?

Not mine.
F.

Is it impressive?

Yes.
B+

Overall grade: B-.

You're attitude about rap will determine your enjoyment.


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My books ,"Show Runner" and it's sequel, "Show Runner Two", can be found at the Amazon Kindle Store.
Along with the newer ones, "The Man Is Dead", and "Report Cards".
They are all compilations of blog entries that have since been removed from the blog.
So this is the only way you can find them.
You can search by typing in my name, Cindy Williams, Laverne and Shirley, The Odd Couple, or Happy Days.
Check them out.
You don't need a Kindle machine to download them.
Just get the free app from Kindle, and they can be downloaded to an IPhone, IPad, or Blackberry.
The paperbacks, "Mark Rothman's Essays" and my new novel, "I'm Not Garbo" are not
e-books. But they are available for people without Kindle.
I have many readings and signings lined up for those, and the thing about Kindle is you can't sign one. If you'd like one of the paperbacks, personally autographed, contact me at macchus999@aol.com.

And now, we've got my reading of my "Laverne and Shirley Movie" screenplay on YouTube.

Muuch-kiss!

Just heard that Marty Ingels died of a massive stroke.
I don't like to hear about anyone dying of a massive stroke.
People aware of him know about how nuts he was.
You can go anywhere to read about that.
So what can I add to the conversation?
Well, in the early 60's, he appeared on Les Crane's local New York phone-in TV show.
He told a story about his mother when he was a kid, growing up with his brother in Brooklyn in a six-floor apartment building.
Apparently, she was one of the worst cooks who ever lived.
All of this resonated with me.
Except for the fact that I had a sister rather than a brother, and lived in the Bronx, my story is identical.
He described how, every Thursday Night, his mother served up fried liver, a dish that requires special care to prepare well.
It apparently did not live up to that standard.
Marty and his brother ended up chewing the liver but not being able to swallow it and invariably, when their mother wasn't looking, tossed the chewed liver out the window, into the backyard down below, near the clotheslines.
Eventually they got caught as mounds of chewed liver began accumulating down below.
And housewives had to step around it while trying to hang their laundry.
My mother made very good fried liver.
There were other items that we needed to throw out of the window.
The other main plaint that Marty described was how his mother insisted that she make them warm milk before they went to sleep.
They had no problem with drinking warm milk, save for the fact that a skin quickly developed on the top of the glass, which Marty and his brother called "muuch-kiss".
They would be revolted at the sight of "muuch-kiss" and always complained bitterly about it.
As they spotted it they would cry out "Muuch-kiss!"
I wasn't exposed to that kind of muuch-kiss, rather a much more positive form of it.
My-T-Fine chocolate pudding was a staple in our house.
It too, when made properly, developed a skin on top.
That's part of what made it great.
Once we heard Marty's "muuch-kiss" story, my sister and I, to this day, refer to the skin on My-T-Fine chocolate pudding as
"muuch-kiss". My wife has picked up the gauntlet, and uses the term as well. My-T-Fine is an East Coast product. I didn't even know if it still existed.
I did a search, and it does exist, and can be ordered on Amazon.
If you've never tried it, I suggest you get some.
It's the best.
Jello pudding is just one more thing that Bill Cosby misguided the public about.

I had the opportunity to meet Marty Ingels in Laughlin Nevada.
He was accompanying his wife, Shirley Jones, who was appearing at Laughlin's Harrah's hotel.
He was leaving an elevator, and I immediately cried out "Muuch-kiss!"
He certainly remembered, and was pleased that somebody else did.
We were able to chat, and he immediately addressed the major elephant in the room: What on earth did Shirley see in him?
He said "Shirley has always been attracted to funny people. If Jan Murray had asked her to marry him, she would have said 'yes'.
Reading Shirley's book subsequently, it revealed a fairly kinky side to her, which could have also accounted for her marrying
Marty Ingels.
It's a shame that his lack of sanity led to a rather aborted comedy career, because he was a genuinely funny man.
And in my house, he certainly added to the language.


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My books ,"Show Runner" and it's sequel, "Show Runner Two", can be found at the Amazon Kindle Store.
Along with the newer ones, "The Man Is Dead", and "Report Cards".
They are all compilations of blog entries that have since been removed from the blog.
So this is the only way you can find them.
You can search by typing in my name, Cindy Williams, Laverne and Shirley, The Odd Couple, or Happy Days.
Check them out.
You don't need a Kindle machine to download them.
Just get the free app from Kindle, and they can be downloaded to an IPhone, IPad, or Blackberry.
The paperbacks, "Mark Rothman's Essays" and my new novel, "I'm Not Garbo" are not
e-books. But they are available for people without Kindle.
I have many readings and signings lined up for those, and the thing about Kindle is you can't sign one. If you'd like one of the paperbacks, personally autographed, contact me at macchus999@aol.com.

And now, we've got my reading of my "Laverne and Shirley Movie" screenplay on YouTube.

Telling You The Truth.

I haven't received any more DVDs from the West Coast yet to do any more Report Cards, so in the interim I'm going to attempt to regale you with a very timely story.
It's one in which I am at the same time tangentially and intrinsically involved.
I get this cable channel here called Buzzr.
It's all old game shows.
Some really old.
Like black-and-white old.
The original "What's My Line?" "To Tell The Truth" and I've Got A Secret".
I loved and love those shows and Tivo them regularly.
In the 90's, the Game Show Network used to do the same thing.
And I saw all of them.
But so much time has passed that I don't remember any individual episode.

Allow me to digress here.
I have a friend, Barry, who has a friend who had claimed that in 1961, he and his parents all appeared on "To Tell The Truth" in one episode, each as liars in each of the three games. The friend was about ten years old at the time.
This seemed to be the kind of stunt casting that "To Tell The Truth" never indulged in.
He was met with at least mock skepticism by his friends.
This was roughly akin to my claiming that I played Rusty B Company on "Rin-Tin-Tin"
But I knew I was lying, and nobody believed me either.
However, he was obsessive about it to the point that his friends started to believe him.
He had conducted a fruitless 35 year old search to track down this episode, all the more difficult because it aired live.
Barry had told me about this quest some time in the 80s and it stuck with me.
Then, in the 90s, when the Game Show Network was airing "To Tell The Truth", I saw what I thought was this episode.
I called Barry and asked "Was this family named "Elder"?
It was.
I mailed Barry the VHS tape. That was what we were dealing with then.
On young Elder's birthday, they threw him a party at his home.
No mention of the tape.
Barry without warning, popped this tape into young Elder's VCR.
Young Elder was now in his early fifties.
The show started, Young Elder saw his father, long since passed away, on the show.
He immediately broke down into uncontrollable tears.
In the second game, he saw his mother, also long since gone.
He was mush.
Then he saw himself in the third game.
After regaining his composure, he asked how the tape was found.
My name was then bandied about.
Young Elder was then the City Manager of Worthington, Ohio. A suburb of Columbus.
I was offered the key to the city, which was worthless because it didn't open anything.
But if I ever wanted a slave, he volunteered to be mine.
I didn't really want a slave, but I appreciated the gesture.
I apparently not only made his day, I made his life.
The reason this is timely now is that just yesterday, Buzzr reran that episode of "To Tell The Truth", and reminded me of how much I contributed to somebody's happiness.
I don't get to do that too often.


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My books ,"Show Runner" and it's sequel, "Show Runner Two", can be found at the Amazon Kindle Store.
Along with the newer ones, "The Man Is Dead", and "Report Cards".
They are all compilations of blog entries that have since been removed from the blog.
So this is the only way you can find them.
You can search by typing in my name, Cindy Williams, Laverne and Shirley, The Odd Couple, or Happy Days.
Check them out.
You don't need a Kindle machine to download them.
Just get the free app from Kindle, and they can be downloaded to an IPhone, IPad, or Blackberry.
The paperbacks, "Mark Rothman's Essays" and my new novel, "I'm Not Garbo" are not
e-books. But they are available for people without Kindle.
I have many readings and signings lined up for those, and the thing about Kindle is you can't sign one. If you'd like one of the paperbacks, personally autographed, contact me at macchus999@aol.com.

And now, we've got my reading of my "Laverne and Shirley Movie" screenplay on YouTube.

Report Card---"Grandma"

"Grandma" is essentially a chick-flick, directed and written by a man.
This is rather unusual.
That being said, it is a pretty entertaining, interesting film.
It stars Lily Tomlin, who actually plays a lesbian in this one.
It's mostly about her grand-daughter showing up at her doorstep, pregnant, needing an abortion.
Them dealing with it is the thrust of the film.

On to the scoring:

Is it interesting?

Pretty much.
A.

Compelling even?

Not really.
C-.

Is it controversial?

Abortion is always controversial.
A.

Is it a story worth telling?

Yes.
A.

Is it good storytelling?

Fairly good. There is an issue about raising enough money for the abortion. As if there aren't any free clinics.
B-.

Is it well written?

The dialogue is excellent.
A+.

Is it well cast? Well played?

Very.
A.

Well shot?

Nothing special.
C.

Did the director put such a personal stamp on it so that no one else could have made it?

Not in the least.
C-.

How long does it take to establish the film's locale?

They never do. It looks like L.A. what with palm trees and smog, but it's never alluded to.
It seems like a story that belongs in the Bay Area, but it doesn't have that feel.
D.

Is it too long? Too short?

It moves briskly.
A+.

Is it believable? Do you care about the characters?

Yes, and yes.
A.

Is it predictable? Does it surprise you?

Not really an issue.
No grade.

Do you think about it after you've seen it?

Not really.
C.

Is it funny?

Occasionally. When it wants to be.
A.

Would it have been worth the thirteen bucks it would have cost to see it in the movies?

No. Very little is.
F.

Is it impressive?

Yes. Rather.
B+

Overall grade: B.

When it's on cable, it's worth your time.


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My books ,"Show Runner" and it's sequel, "Show Runner Two", can be found at the Amazon Kindle Store.
Along with the newer ones, "The Man Is Dead", and "Report Cards".
They are all compilations of blog entries that have since been removed from the blog.
So this is the only way you can find them.
You can search by typing in my name, Cindy Williams, Laverne and Shirley, The Odd Couple, or Happy Days.
Check them out.
You don't need a Kindle machine to download them.
Just get the free app from Kindle, and they can be downloaded to an IPhone, IPad, or Blackberry.
The paperbacks, "Mark Rothman's Essays" and my new novel, "I'm Not Garbo" are not
e-books. But they are available for people without Kindle.
I have many readings and signings lined up for those, and the thing about Kindle is you can't sign one. If you'd like one of the paperbacks, personally autographed, contact me at macchus999@aol.com.

And now, we've got my reading of my "Laverne and Shirley Movie" screenplay on YouTube.

Fall Is Officially Here.

I just received the first DVD screener from the West Coast, which, as many of you veterans of this blog realize, is the beginning of "Report Card" season. It will extend until just about the time the major awards are given out.
For the uninitiated, "Report Cards" are my version of movie reviews, written from the point of view of someone who hates to read movie reviews.
This is because most movie reviews reveal way more about a movie than I want to know.
Like for instance, the plot.
I will never reveal the plot of a movie in my Report Cards.
I will tell you as little as I feel you need to know about a movie and still give you enough of a sense of whether or not you should want to see it.
The screeners that I receive are sent to me because I am eligible to vote for various awards.
And I watch the movie. On my 60 inch flat screen.
They are promotional tools for the studios.
These are the films that they consider to be award-worthy.
I see just about every movie that opens this fall and winter that fall into that category.
It's been my experience that about half of them are.
With each Report Card, I pose a series of questions that I ask myself, and attempt to answer them, hopefully adding some humor along the way.
It's the same questions for every movie, generally from the point of view of a screenwriter.
There are many examples of Report Cards from last year's films on the blog for you to check out the nature of the questions.
Each category is graded.
From A+ descending all the way to F.
And finally there is an overall rating.
If you read my Report Cards and then see the movie, and agree with me often enough, then I am providing a valuable service for you.
If you predominantly disagree with me, it's probably a waste of your time.
But you'll probably be entertained anyway.
I am adding a couple of new questions this year:
Did the director put such a personal stamp on it so that no one else could have made it? (Hint: the more the better.)
and
How long does it take to establish the film's locale? (Hint: the sooner the better. You don't want to sit there and keep asking yourself "Where are they?")
So the next post will be this season's first Report Card.
Welcome back to movie land!

----------------------------------------------------
My books, "Show Runner" and it's sequel, "Show Runner Two", can be found at the Amazon Kindle Store.
Along with the newer ones, "The Man Is Dead", and "Report Cards".
They are all compilations of blog entries that have been removed from the blog.
So this is the only way you can find them.
You can search by typing in my name, Cindy Williams, Laverne and Shirley, The Odd Couple, or Happy Days.
Check them out.
You don't need a Kindle machine to download it.
They can be downloaded on IPhone, IPad, or Blackberry.
The paperbacks, "Mark Rothman's Essays" and my new novel, "I'm Not Garbo" are not e-books.
I have many readings and signings lined up for those, and the thing about Kindle is that you can't sign one.
But they are available for people without Kindle.
If you'd like one of the paperbacks, personally autographed, contact me at macchus999@aol.com
And now, we've got my reading of my "Laverne and Shirley Movie" screenplay on YouTube.

*****

Nobody Is Ever Safe.

It's been my experience when doing pilots for the networks that, no matter how powerful you may think you are, it turns out to be nothing when a network is nervous.
Nobody was as powerful as we were when we got our development deal right after "Laverne and Shirley" became a huge hit.
The head of programming for CBS invited us for lunch at the CBS private dining room, the food was great, and they essentially asked us who we wanted to star in our first pilot after we did "The Ted Knight Show".
We almost unhesitatingly responded "Rita Moreno" based on past experience.
And they said, practically in unison "We love her!"
I think we could have said "Doodles Weaver" and they'd have said "We love him!"
But we didn't test that theory.
Thus we put together a pilot for Rita Moreno, one that I'm very proud of.
We knew the limitations of our power.
It first reared its ugly head when we did a pilot with Ted Knight.
That was their idea, but we thought it was a good one.
And we ended up doing six episodes that ended up on their schedule in 1978.
During the first rehearsal for the network, we had an actor signed as a regular to play Ted's brother.
His name was Mickey Deems.
I had seen Mickey Deems many times, and always loved his work.
CBS gave us their approval, and I thought it was a no-brainer.
Whenever I've cast anyone, I've always thought it was a no-brainer.
I had never recast anyone because I felt that I'd made a mistake.
So, at the first public rehearsal, Mickey Deems essentially stepped on his dick.
I chalked it up to nerves, knowing how solid he was when the chips were down.
The network immediately wanted him replaced.
I considered this an affront, but I didn't think it was worth going to the mat for Mickey Deems.
So further auditions were held, and another actor, Normann Burton, was selected.
Everything he did was over the top, and I actively disliked his work.
CBS loved him.
Primarily because he wasn't Mickey Deems.
Both actors are dead now, so I don't have any qualms talking about them.
And nobody at CBS is still there, so I have no problem trashing them.

Then, we did the Rita Moreno pilot, and we needed to cast someone to play Rita's younger sister.
We decided to cast an actress who we had used on "Busting Loose" in a small part and she really scored.
Again, a no-brainer.
At the first public rehearsal, she less than pleased CBS.
They wanted us to cut her part down.
Hell, at least they didn't make us fire her.
And we were about eight minutes too long.
Much of the eight minutes came out of her part, which she did fine.
But there was an insurrection among much of the supporting cast.
They thought that this was something we wanted to do.
And we were met with scowls and scorn for the rest of the week.
They had no comprehension of how little power we actually had.
Rita, a major veteran of pilots, had no problem with what we had to do.
She was and is a total pro.
Not many credits since for the actress in question.
It's a shame.
She deserved better.
And she probably still blames me.

----------------------------------------------------
My books, "Show Runner" and it's sequel, "Show Runner Two", can be found at the Amazon Kindle Store.
Along with the newer ones, "The Man Is Dead", and "Report Cards".
They are all compilations of blog entries that have been removed from the blog.
So this is the only way you can find them.
You can search by typing in my name, Cindy Williams, Laverne and Shirley, The Odd Couple, or Happy Days.
Check them out.
You don't need a Kindle machine to download it.
They can be downloaded on IPhone, IPad, or Blackberry.
The paperbacks, "Mark Rothman's Essays" and my new novel, "I'm Not Garbo" are not e-books.
I have many readings and signings lined up for those, and the thing about Kindle is that you can't sign one.
But they are available for people without Kindle.
If you'd like one of the paperbacks, personally autographed, contact me at macchus999@aol.com
And now, we've got my reading of my "Laverne and Shirley Movie" screenplay on YouTube.

*****

Some Thoughts About The Emmys.

You know, I remember when the Emmy Awards was this pretty huge event.
It sure isn't that anymore.
At least for me.
I remember when I knew most if not all of the nominees.
I remember when I knew most if not all the shows that were nominated.
Not no more.
Not no how.
And I binge-watch a lot of shows.
But when I do know the shows, and the nominees, I usually still have a rooting interest as to who should win.
But I'm much more concerned about who shouldn't win.
Like for instance, "Veep".
I watched it the first season, and was amazed at how snarky it was.
How there was nobody that I cared about.
So I gave up.
But they kept winning Emmy Awards, so I guess they figured that they were on to something.
That this keeps winning, and Louis C.K. has never won anything is reason enough not to watch.
That Julia Louis-Dreyfuss keeps winning when Amy Schumer is on the ballot is a travesty.

Andy Samberg is easily the worst host the event has ever had.
I've never witnessed him to have even a shred of talent.
And he can't do anything with a straight face.
When they did the "In Memoriam" segment, someone had the good taste to not have him introduce it.

Viola Davis accepted her award as if she was the first black actress to win an Emmy.
And that she represented all black actresses.
She's not, and she doesn't.
If she had lost to a white actress would she have booed?
I had the impression from her speech that she would.
I never saw "Game of Thrones' and still have no desire to.
And we all knew that Peter Dinklage was going to win as Best Supporting Actor in a Drama.
I love "Better Call Saul", but in what universe is that a drama?
Jonathan Banks, a regular on" Saul" is the best thing on it, and who reminds me of a friend of mine named Marv so much that we always call him Marv when he appears on the screen, who was nominated in the same category as Dinklage, knew he didn't have a chance.
When he lost, the camera cut to him and he had an expression on his face that read "Why did I even leave the house?
The only thing it did make me want to see was "Olive Kitteridge", because I love Frances McDormand and Richard Jenkins.
I wouldn't have even known that it existed otherwise.

It did have some nice moments.
Jon Hamm's acceptance speech after losing all those other times was quite ingratiating.
And Tracy Morgan, who I was never much of a fan of, was wonderful with everything he said.
If anything else on the show last night had that impact, it might have reclaimed event status.

----------------------------------------------------
My books, "Show Runner" and it's sequel, "Show Runner Two", can be found at the Amazon Kindle Store.
Along with the newer ones, "The Man Is Dead", and "Report Cards".
They are all compilations of blog entries that have been removed from the blog.
So this is the only way you can find them.
You can search by typing in my name, Cindy Williams, Laverne and Shirley, The Odd Couple, or Happy Days.
Check them out.
You don't need a Kindle machine to download it.
They can be downloaded on IPhone, IPad, or Blackberry.
The paperbacks, "Mark Rothman's Essays" and my new novel, "I'm Not Garbo" are not e-books.
I have many readings and signings lined up for those, and the thing about Kindle is that you can't sign one.
But they are available for people without Kindle.
If you'd like one of the paperbacks, personally autographed, contact me at macchus999@aol.com
And now, we've got my reading of my "Laverne and Shirley Movie" screenplay on YouTube.

*****

Some Things Are Better When You Binge.

Some TV shows actually improve when you binge-watch them.
One of my cable channels is called "Decades".
Every weekend, they offer up one old series that you can binge-watch.
One episode after another.
All weekend.
This past weekend, they aired episodes of "The Abbott and Costello Show".
I watched them all day Saturday.
On Sunday, I went to the Bears game, so I did not stick with it.
There were two seasons of "Abbott and Costello".
1952 (39 episodes) and 1953(39 episodes).
The '52 season was hilarious.
The '53 season was abysmal.
The '52 season had a live audience, vaudeville, burlesquish feeling to it.
The '53 season had a one-camera much slower-paced feel, as if it was shot underwater.
When I watched on Saturday, it was all shows from the '52 season.
I had never binge-watched it before.
It was addictive.
It was funny in a way I'd never experienced it being before.
Every element was perfect.
From the opening credit music to the two of them entering in front of a stage curtain, it felt like "Okay folks, sit back and we are just going to simply entertain your asses off".
And they invariably did.
They had great peripheral characters.
Their landlord, Sidney Fields, played by a bald man named Sidney Fields, often got "Story By" credit.
This meant most-likely that he took old burlesque sketches and committed them to paper.
He was a hilarious foil.
He also doubled, tripled, and quadrupled as Mr. Fields' brother, Professor Melonhead, Doctor Melonhead, Lawyer Melonhead,
Melonheads of all varieties.
All of them wearing ludicrous toupees, designed to fool nobody.
That was the beauty of burlesque.
You were never bound by any pretense of reality.
It was pure sketch.
There was Joe Besser, playing an eleven year old named Stinky, complete with Little Lord Fauntleroy costume.
Joe Besser was easily in his forties at the time.
And you bought into it.
Because it was worth it. He was that funny.
There was my personal favorite, Mr. Botchacaloupe, played by a wonderful actor named Joe Kirk, whom I had never seen in anything else before or since.
Mr. Botchacaloupe was the all purpose Italian stereotype. He sounded like Chico Marx. Only hipper.
He always owned a store.
And it was a different kind of store each time.
If Bud and Lou had to go to a record store, it was Mr. Botchacaloupe's record store.
This occurred when, in order to impress his girlfriend, Hilary Brooke, a tall statuesque woman, way out of Costello's league, that he could play the piano, Abbott had the brilliant idea that they'd get a record, and Abbott would be planted behind Hilary's piano, and on cue he'd put on the record and Lou would mime playing as if playing to the record.
What could possibly go wrong?
So Botchacaloupe suggests a record:
Botchacaloupe: How about this-a-one? Jinjadanelle daneeva du gan, moutza ganda glitza dian, moutza gan dida gwanda da bell,
moutza ganda de la Jinjadanelle.
Costello: What does that mean?
Botchacaloupe: "Ophelia".
Costello: I don't know. What else have you got?
Botchacaloupe: How 'bout this-a-one. It's called "Amole"
Costello: What does that mean?
Botchacaloupe: It means "When I went down south to Alabammy to see my mammy, I go through the back door, she goes through the front door, we miss each other for 'tree weeks.
Upon the rejection of "Amole", Botchacaloupe smashes the record on Costello's head.
Botchacaloupe lost his temper easily.
Another time Botchacaloupe owned a bakery. It was Costello's birthday and nobody cared, so he went to Botchacaloupe's bakery so Botchacaloupe could bake him a birthday cake, Costello had very specific needs for this cake, after a half-hour Botchacaloupe brings out this gorgeous, enormous birthday cake.
Costello is impressed but is disappointed that there are no marshmallows baked in the cake.
Botchacaloupe: You want marshamaloons? Why you no tell-a-me you wanna marshamaloons?
After two more passes, Costello is totally pleased with the result.
Botchacaloupe: Okay, where do you want me to send it?
Costello: I don't want you to send it anywhere. Just bring me some coffee. I'll eat it right here.
Botchacaloupe has had enough, and pushes Costello's face into the top of the cake.
Like I said, Botchacaloupe lost his temper easily.

Abbott was also a bit of a psychotic.
They would go into a restaurant.
Abbott: Now we've only got enough for one of us. So when the waitress asks you what you want, you don't want anything.
No matter what she says, you don't want a thing.
Costello: I don't want nothin'.
Abbott: Now you've got it.
The waitress approaches.
Waitress: What can I get for you boys?
Abbott: I'll have a Tuna Fish sandwich and a cup of coffee.
Costello: And what about you, handsome?
Costello: I don't want anything.
Abbott immediately turns on him.
Abbott: What do you mean, you don't want anything? You're in a restaurant. A place of business. You can't just come in here and not order anything. Order something!
Costello: I don't want anything.
Abbott: Order something small.
Costello: I'll have a small steak.
At this point, Abbott slaps Costello hard in the face.
They did variations on this constantly.
And when you watch this show in binge form, the more often he does it, the funnier it is.
That first season was played at a breakneck pace.
Unmatched on that level by any other show.
I can't recommend this experience highly enough.

----------------------------------------------------
My books, "Show Runner" and it's sequel, "Show Runner Two", can be found at the Amazon Kindle Store.
Along with the newer ones, "The Man Is Dead", and "Report Cards".
They are all compilations of blog entries that have been removed from the blog.
So this is the only way you can find them.
You can search by typing in my name, Cindy Williams, Laverne and Shirley, The Odd Couple, or Happy Days.
Check them out.
You don't need a Kindle machine to download it.
They can be downloaded on IPhone, IPad, or Blackberry.
The paperbacks, "Mark Rothman's Essays" and my new novel, "I'm Not Garbo" are not e-books.
I have many readings and signings lined up for those, and the thing about Kindle is that you can't sign one.
But they are available for people without Kindle.
If you'd like one of the paperbacks, personally autographed, contact me at macchus999@aol.com
And now, we've got my reading of my "Laverne and Shirley Movie" screenplay on YouTube.

*****

Directors As Hacks.

There is this wonderful documentary that can be found on Netflix.
It's called "Casting By"
It examines the extraordinary influence that casting directors have had on major films.
Most of the major directors have given enormous credit to their casting directors.
The irony is that there is no award given at the Oscars for casting directors.
They'll give them for editors, sound editors, other technical achievements, that fill up the overwhelming amount of time taken up at the Oscar ceremonies---but nothing for casting directors whose contribution is far more significant than those who receive those technical awards.
"Casting By" is a virtual love letter to Marion Dougherty generally regarded as the queen of casting.
Ignored throughout awards time because of the existing rules.
She found Jon Voight for "Midnight Cowboy", Dustin Hoffman for "The Graduate" and countless other creative major contributions to casting of major movies.
There was a major push to provide Ms. Dougherty with an honorary Oscar.
People like Robert Redford and Al Pacino wrote letters on her behalf to the head of the Directors' Guild whose attitude was that casting is merely an extension of the director's vision. The casting director deserved no credit whatsoever.
The head of the Director's Guild was this appropriately named asshole-----Taylor Hackford.
In this documentary, you get to see and hear just exactly how big an asshole he is.
Hackford's best known film was "An Officer and a Gentleman"
I never saw it, as usual, frightened away by the leading lady, Debra Winger, whom to my knowledge has never given a decent performance.
So I'm sure this movie contained not a moment of humor.
Checking his IMDB, I don't see any creative casting choices that he ever made.
There are two kinds of directors, excluding writer-directors, whom I consider to be visionaries. They are executing their own vision from their own pages.
Otherwise, there are only a handful of visionaries: Spielberg, Scorcese, George Lucas, and Francis Ford Coppola, who also writes.
Everyone else who directs movies are functionaries.
And are interchangeable.
They become directors for reasons other than how brilliant they are.
That's Taylor Hackford.
He has no writing credits to speak of.
He feels wa-a-a-ay too good about himself.
And he denied Marion Doughterty's honorary Oscar.
She died in 2011, Oscarless.
I've worked with Ms. Dougherty's disciples, and they are invaluable and wonderful.
Always providing me with wonderful choices.
And I'm pretty sure that I have a much greater knowledge of the talent pool than Hackford to begin with.
More respect should have been paid, and more awards should have been given out.
If Hackford didn't think his casting people deserved awards he has every right to tell them not to submit their names.
But he has no right to impose his ridiculous views on the rest of the industry.

----------------------------------------------------
My books, "Show Runner" and it's sequel, "Show Runner Two", can be found at the Amazon Kindle Store.
Along with the newer ones, "The Man Is Dead", and "Report Cards".
They are all compilations of blog entries that have been removed from the blog.
So this is the only way you can find them.
You can search by typing in my name, Cindy Williams, Laverne and Shirley, The Odd Couple, or Happy Days.
Check them out.
You don't need a Kindle machine to download it.
They can be downloaded on IPhone, IPad, or Blackberry.
The paperbacks, "Mark Rothman's Essays" and my new novel, "I'm Not Garbo" are not e-books.
I have many readings and signings lined up for those, and the thing about Kindle is that you can't sign one.
But they are available for people without Kindle.
If you'd like one of the paperbacks, personally autographed, contact me at macchus999@aol.com
And now, we've got my reading of my "Laverne and Shirley Movie" screenplay on YouTube.

*****

Okay, You Want Curmudgeon, I'll Give You Curmudgeon.

I've gotten quite a few comments on the blog where my curmudgeonly attitude is appreciated.
This one's for you.
I recently heard a female comic on TV, (I think it was Sarah Silverman, but don't quote me.) tell a story about her mother and how funny she was.
She would do things like go to a restaurant, and if the service was slow, or the butter was too hard, would take out her cell phone, call the restaurant she was in and ask to speak to the manager to get her problem solved.
I thought that this was hilarious, and had every notion to apply this idea to my own arsenal if the opportunity ever presented itself.
It didn't take long.
You didn't think it would, did you?
Given a good reason, I'm usually rude to waiters.
I'll cut waitresses a little more slack, but they're usually nicer to begin with.
Call me sexist. I don't care.
My wife and I went to a very upscale pricey steakhouse in my neighborhood last Saturday night.
We had never been there before.
My wife is always on her best behavior, which is exemplary.
She does not respond well to my excursions into rudeness.
But, to her credit, she puts up with me.
The waiter comes over to take our order.
Kind of a smartass.
I ask for the house salad with blue cheese dressing.
It came with the entrée.
I don't usually order two salads. But I also wanted a Caesar Salad.
He asks me if I want blue cheese crumbles on top of the house salad..
I ask "Is there an extra charge for the crumbles?"
He replies "Yes. There is."
I see my opening.
I ask, "So if I didn't ask, you wouldn't have told me? No crumbles."
I love the crumbles.
But I felt that it was more important to admonish him for his poor communication skills.
He took the rest of the order, and left.
I never saw him again.
He was replaced by a much nicer waiter.
I'm sure that the first one told the kitchen "I don't want to serve that asshole"
The rest of our order consisted of a bowl of Lobster Bisque, a Caesar Salad that we were going to split, a New York Steak for me, and scallops for my wife.
I'd asked if I could have anchovies with the Caesar Salad.
I was told they didn't have any, but that there was anchovy paste already in the salad.
This begs the question "so how do they make the anchovy paste? There must be anchovies somewhere."
I had brought a small tin of King Oscar Brand anchovies from home.
This is what one does if you're me.
They bring out the Lobster Bisque.
It is way too tomatoey.
I let it go.
Then, they bring out the entrees and the Caesar Salad simultaneously.
The waiter, after I complained said "I thought the Caesar Salad was just for your wife."
I had specifically told him that we were going to split it. We needed two plates.
Her scallops were considered a side dish.
I applied the anchovies to the Caesar Salad. It was the only thing that prevented it from being a complete abomination.
But I didn't complain about how any of the food was prepared.
Restaurants make things the way they make things.
Then, I attempted to try my steak.
I had been given a steak-knife.
I couldn't cut through it. And it was already cold from trying to down the Caesar Salad first.
I noticed the man at the next table. He had also ordered a steak, and seemed to be having trouble cutting through it.
I asked him if he was having trouble cutting his steak.
Indeed, he was.
My moment had arrived.
I got out my cellphone and called the restaurant. I asked to speak to the manager.
After a few seconds, he got on the phone.
I said "I'm all the way in the back. I'm the guy with the cane. And thanks for seating me here. I needed the extra walking. (There
were plenty of closer places I could have been seated.) Please come to my table."
Shortly, the man showed up. He asked "What seems to be the problem?"
I replied "Where do I begin? Well, first and foremost this steak-knife is too dull to cut this steak. Do you see that guy over there? His steak-knife is too dull to cut his steak"
He replied "Oh, is that all? I'll bring you a sharper one."
I said, you might want to bring him a sharper one too.
He immediately returned with another knife for me. And for my new friend at the next table.
It cut through the steak like butter.
I looked at my friend at the next table.
He gave me the high sign.
I said to the manager "Let me get this straight. The only way you get a sharp knife in this steakhouse is by making a scene like this to get one? Everybody else gets those dull ones unless they ask?"
He replied, well we just got these new ones in...."
It sounded pretty lame to me.
Then I went through the entire litany of what was wrong with the meal.
He said "I'm sorry sir. Is there anything I can do to make it up to you? Can I offer you a free dessert?"
I said "I don't want any free dessert. All I want from you is an admission that you wouldn't want to be treated the way you treated me.'
He made that admission willingly, probably pleased that he didn't have to spring for the spring for the free dessert.
How's that for curmudgeon?

----------------------------------------------------
My books, "Show Runner" and it's sequel, "Show Runner Two", can be found at the Amazon Kindle Store.
Along with the newer ones, "The Man Is Dead", and "Report Cards".
They are all compilations of blog entries that have been removed from the blog.
So this is the only way you can find them.
You can search by typing in my name, Cindy Williams, Laverne and Shirley, The Odd Couple, or Happy Days.
Check them out.
You don't need a Kindle machine to download it.
They can be downloaded on IPhone, IPad, or Blackberry.
The paperbacks, "Mark Rothman's Essays" and my new novel, "I'm Not Garbo" are not e-books.
I have many readings and signings lined up for those, and the thing about Kindle is that you can't sign one.
But they are available for people without Kindle.
If you'd like one of the paperbacks, personally autographed, contact me at macchus999@aol.com
And now, we've got my reading of my "Laverne and Shirley Movie" screenplay on YouTube.

*****

The Ultimate "If It Bleeds, it Leads".

Yes, it's very sad that two young people, a reporter and a cameraman, were cut down in the prime of life.
I suppose it's even sadder that it happened on live TV.
But really, how much sadder?
It's certainly a lot more interesting, particularly since the video is so graphic.
Although, for the most part, they don't show you the actual shooting.
They stop just short of the trigger being pulled.
But it was shown on AOL, which means that it's pretty easy for it to go viral.
They've since pulled the graphic version, but it's still easily accessible if you want to go to the trouble.
On AOL, you got to see the young girl staring into the camera, much like a deer staring into the headlights.
It's frightening.
So congratulations to those networks that at least showed that much restraint.
But let's face it.
The shooter choreographed this whole thing.
He got exactly what he wanted out of this.
His dying wish, so to speak.
He got the whole world to pay attention to this.
At least for a 24 hour news cycle.
And networks have been eager to accommodate him.
Social media only makes things worse.
But this would have happened if social media didn't even exist.
People are murdered every day.
And they go largely unnoticed.
People no worse or less important than these folks in Virginia.
But for them, there are no outpourings of grief by politicians about them.
This whole thing reminds me of the Challenger disaster in 1986.
The entire country got to witness all those Astronauts get blown up.
But if the Shuttle had gotten far enough out of camera range, without everybody's family in attendance, it wouldn't have had the kind of impact that it did.
Other Astronauts were blown up in space on other Shuttles, but they aren't remembered because we didn't see it happen.
I generally abhor Local News, because the watchword on every broadcast is "If it bleeds, it leads".
Chicago is terrible for this.
Local news is unwatchable.
They always lead with a murder.
And there's a new one every day.
There's a numbing effect to it all.
So when one becomes a national story, it only compounds the felony.
There's no getting away from it.
The only positive outcome that can happen from this is if there is a considerable beefing up of gun control.
And class, what do we think the chances are of that happening?

----------------------------------------------------
My books, "Show Runner" and it's sequel, "Show Runner Two", can be found at the Amazon Kindle Store.
Along with the newer ones, "The Man Is Dead", and "Report Cards".
They are all compilations of blog entries that have been removed from the blog.
So this is the only way you can find them.
You can search by typing in my name, Cindy Williams, Laverne and Shirley, The Odd Couple, or Happy Days.
Check them out.
You don't need a Kindle machine to download it.
They can be downloaded on IPhone, IPad, or Blackberry.
The paperbacks, "Mark Rothman's Essays" and my new novel, "I'm Not Garbo" are not e-books.
I have many readings and signings lined up for those, and the thing about Kindle is that you can't sign one.
But they are available for people without Kindle.
If you'd like one of the paperbacks, personally autographed, contact me at macchus999@aol.com
And now, we've got my reading of my "Laverne and Shirley Movie" screenplay on YouTube.

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