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.

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