Report Card----"Bridge Of Spies"

I was pleasantly surprised by "Bridge of Spies".
I was about thirteen when this story actually happened.
And I was just that much more than a fetus that I actually remembered much of what was reported about it at the time.
But there was far more to it than that, and far more at stake.
I didn't even know that the Tom Hanks character existed, and how pivotal he was to its success.

On to the scoring:

Is it interesting?

Far more than I expected it to be.
A.

Compelling even?

On occasion.
A.

Is it controversial?

Not so much any more. It was then.
B.

Is it a story worth telling?

Absolutely.
A+.

Is it good storytelling?

It is great storytelling.
A+.

Is it well written?

Extremely
A+.

Is it well cast? Well played?

Hanks is his usual great. I've seen Mark Rylance on Broadway, in a play called La Bete, and he gave one of the funniest performances I have ever seen.
He is one of those Alec Guinness actors who gets totally immersed in his characters and can do anything.
A+.

Well shot?

Extremely.
A+.

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

Spielberg always does.
A+.

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

Immediately.
A+.

Is it too long? Too short?

Never a problem.
A.

Is it believable? Do you care about the characters?

Both. Tremendously.
A+.

Is it predictable? Does it surprise you?

Unless you're quite young, you know exactly where it's going. But it's all in the getting there.
A.

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

Mainly about how much I didn't know.
A.

Is it funny?

When it wants to be.
A.

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

I could have waited until HBO.
C.

Is it impressive?

Extremely.
A+.

Overall grade: A.

The less you know about this story going in, the more you get out of 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@comcast.net

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

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

Okay, So Who's Worse, Governor Snyder Or Cosby?

It's a no-brainer.
At worst, Cosby raped around eighty women.
They all survived.
Certainly not without trauma, but with their health.
He's admitted to at least drugging some women, albeit ostensibly by their own consent.
But we all know better.
Even so, we're talking eighty relatively healthy women.
Governor Snyder was a total scumbag when he replaced legitimately elected officials in Michigan with his own appointed "city managers".
In predominantly poor, black areas.
And there is no doubt in my mind that he knew well in advance of the magnitude of the water problem in Flint, Michigan.
And was willing to tell their citizens that there was nothing wrong with the drinking water.
"Drink all you want! It won't hurt you!"
Major health damage will be done in Flint.
We can't even fathom the extent of it.
Ten people have already been killed because of this.
It might end up killing many, many children.
And adults.
There is most-likely irreversible brain damage on it's way.
Snyder is totally responsible for this.
The buck stops with him.
Nobody else.
He doesn't even seem to understand why he's being blamed.
Sure, he doesn't.
This was not his "Katrina" as Snyder put it.
Katrina was a natural disaster.
Flint is a disaster created by Snyder.
Just to save money.
Not even a lot of money.
So he could further justify the tax breaks he gave to the rich guys who elected him.
He was told there were problems from the beginning, and just turned a blind eye to it.
And, as of this writing, nothing of substance has been done to fix the problem.
This is of course, inexcusable.
And don't give me "lack of intent".
Yes, Cosby had darker intentions, and no, Snyder didn't deliberately want to inflict damage on an entire city.
He was merely disinterested about it.
How much better is that?
At best, you can say he is a bottom-feeder, a political hack.
At worst he should be regarded as a mass murderer as the death toll mounts.
Along the lines of Adolf Eichmann, the difference being that if believed, Eichmann was only carrying out orders.
Snyder essentially gave the orders.
He must resign, be prosecuted, and throw himself on the mercy of the court, who should show him none.
Why isn't this THE biggest story of our time?
Of ANY time?

Give me Cosby any day.

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

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@comcast.net

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

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

Abe Vigoda

Two things about Abe Vigoda:

I lost an actor who I wanted for the lead in a pilot we were going to shoot in the seventies.
He gave a great audition and we wanted him badly.
But the series "Fish" had sold and the actor in question was offered the third lead in "Fish".
The actor was torn.
He knew that our pilot script was better than what they were doing and what he would be doing with "Fish".
But "Fish was a guaranteed thirteen on the air.
We were just a pilot that might or might not sell.
For him, it was a virtual no-brainer.
You don't turn down a guaranteed thirteen on the air.
And he didn't. And we lost him.
They ended up shooting thirty-five episodes.
Our series also sold, and we ended up shooting twenty-seven.
In retrospect, I'm sure he felt he made the wrong choice.
I know we thought so.
And the ghost of this other actor lingered over our set during the entire run.

I always thought that Abe Vigoda worked much better in small doses, like on "Barney Miller".
I don't think they ever gave him more than one line to say at a time.
And he always scored.
Same thing with Jack Soo.
I watched 'Fish" once.
They gave him a far bigger load to carry.
He really couldn't.

My other memory of Abe Vigoda, which for the life of me, I can't fathom why I remember it, was that at around 1969, when I was making the rounds in
New York, trying to get work as an actor, I would get the trade papers every week.
Show Business and Backstage.
And in both of them, during one week, there was an ad taken out announcing that actor Abe Vigoda had changed his name to "Gabe Vigoda".
I'm not kidding.
I had heard of Abe Vigoda at the time.
He was a working, or at least semi-working actor.
This was before "The Godfather" and "Barney Miller".
This flirtation with "Gabe" couldn't have lasted more than a few months.
Did he really think it was going to change his life?
Who the hell knows?

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

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@comcast.net

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

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

.

"Report Card----"Room"

"Room" is a totally compelling movie about a woman who has been imprisoned by her husband in a 10x10 room, along with her very young son.
When the boy is five they successfully escape, the boy encounters the real world for the first time. It is a wondrous experience for him, as you would expect it would be.

On to the scoring:

Is it interesting?

Fascinating.
A+.

Compelling even?

Totally.
A+.

Is it controversial?

On all levels.
A+.

Is it a story worth telling?

Absolutely.
A+.

Is it good storytelling?

It is great storytelling.
A+.

Is it well written?

Extremely
A+.

Is it well cast? Well played?

Brie Larson, as the mother, is tremendous.
A+.

Well shot?

Fine.
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 and time period?

It doesn't clearly, but it really doesn't matter.
A.

Is it too long? Too short?

Just right.
A.

Is it believable? Do you care about the characters?

Both. A lot.
A+.

Is it predictable? Does it surprise you?

Never predictable.
A.

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

It is quite haunting.
A.

Is it funny?

When it wants to be.
A.

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

Very much.
A+.

Is it impressive?

Stunningly.
A+.

Overall grade: A+.

You get the feeling I liked this picture.

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

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@comcast.net

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

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

Report Card---"The Revenant'

"The Revenant" is a large movie.
Everything about it is large.
It has a huge canvas.
It takes place in the freezing cold wilderness near Yellowstone Park, somewhere in the distant past.
We're never quite told when.
It involves Leonardo DiCaprio as a fur trapper.
Under the circumstances, this is not a safe job.
Bears are attacking him, Indians are attacking him, his own men are attacking him.
The whole movie cries out "Stay in your house. Get a desk job."
He isn't having any.

On to the scoring:

Is it interesting?

On occasion. Not nearly enough.
C.

Compelling even?

Almost never.
D.

Is it controversial?

Some interesting moral issues are brought up.
A.

Is it a story worth telling?

I suppose.
B.

Is it good storytelling?

There is about a half hour's worth of storytelling stretched over two-and-a-half hours. The last half hour picks up a little, but it's still by the numbers.
F.

Is it well written?

There doesn't seem to be a lot of writing.
C.

Is it well cast? Well played?

Thomas Hardy, whom I will write about when I talk about "Legend" was terrific. DiCaprio, except for maybe five lines, grunted his way through the movie.
B-.

Well shot?

Fine.
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 and time period?

It took way too long.
D.

Is it too long? Too short?

It is way, way, way too long.
F.

Is it believable? Do you care about the characters?

Yes but I really think these characters get what they deserve from making poor career choices.
C+.

Is it predictable? Does it surprise you?

I knew exactly where it was going after about forty minutes into it.
D.

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

Only about how it cost me about three hours of my life.
F.

Is it funny?

Not to me.
F.

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

Oh, God, no!
F.

Is it impressive?

Only visually.
B+.

Overall grade: C-.

You shouldn't get a nomination for grunting, or for being this movie.

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

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@comcast.net

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

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

Report Card---"The Big Short"

"The Big Short" has a great premise.
A few guys have figured out that the housing bubble was about to happen in the mid 2000s and the economy is about to collapse.
Nobody takes them seriously.
So they decide to bet against the economy.
If it tanks, they win.
If it doesn't, everybody else wins, and they lose.
We like these guys, and as an audience find ourselves in the strange position of rooting for them, against our own interests.

On to the scoring:

Is it interesting?

Totally.
A+.

Compelling even?

Often
A+.

Is it controversial?

Very.
A+.

Is it a story worth telling?

Absolutely.
A+.

Is it good storytelling?

Excellent. It got a little technical. I think I would have enjoyed it a little more if I had more of a business background. My wife does, and she enjoyed it even more.
I was a little confused, but I think it was my bad.
A.

Is it well written?

The dialogue is excellent.
A.

Is it well cast? Well played?

Great cast. Great performances.
A+.

Well shot?

Fine.
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 was a lot of places, and it never mattered
A.

Is it too long? Too short?

Length is not a problem.
A.

Is it believable? Do you care about the characters?

Totally and totally.
A+.

Is it predictable? Does it surprise you?

I was not ahead of it.
A.

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

It certainly is thought-provoking.
A+.

Is it funny?

Quite often.
A+.

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

Yes.
A+.

Is it impressive?

On all levels.
A+.

Overall grade: A.

Certainly deserves its nomination.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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@comcast.net

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

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

Report Card----"Spotlight"

"Spotlight" is essentially "All The President's Men" with the villain being the Catholic Church and the priests who have molested little boys.
As opposed to Nixon, who molested the country.
It's a little more complicated, as we suspect that one of the reporters is complicit in the cover-up.

On to the scoring:

Is it interesting?

Pretty consistently.
A.

Compelling even?

Occasionally.
A.

Is it controversial?

By nature.
A.

Is it a story worth telling?

Absolutely.
A+.

Is it good storytelling?

I think it tipped it's hand a little early, but it was still very good storytelling.
A+.

Is it well written?

The dialogue is excellent.
A.

Is it well cast? Well played?

Uniformly.
A+.

Well shot?

Fine.
A.

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

Not at all.
C-.

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

Instantly. Boston.
A.

Is it too long? Too short?

Length is not a problem.
A.

Is it believable? Do you care about the characters?

Totally and totally.
A+.

Is it predictable? Does it surprise you?

I think I figured it out before they wanted me to.
C.

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

Not a lot.
C.

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?

Not really.
F.

Is it impressive?

Quite.
A.

Overall grade: A.

This is a very good movie. The whole is better than it's parts.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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@comcast.net

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

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

My Pat Harrington Jr. Story.

I'd never met Pat Harrington Jr. until maybe three years ago.
But in the late eighties I had a couple of very ugly phone conversations with him.
I was living in Columbus Ohio at the time, and I had recently written a play.
A friend of mine there, the local mover and shaker in Columbus, read the play, loved it, and wanted to produce it, either there, or use Columbus as a launching pad to get it to New York.
He apparently knew everybody with money in Columbus and tried to put together a reading with celebrities, and a party for potential investors that these celebrities would attend and glad-hand with the potential investors.
He asked if I could get Penny Marshall. They'd give her a first class plane ticket, put her up in a first class hotel, and feed her.
I said I'd ask.
She was in New York.
I flew to New York, script in hand.
She was staying in Lorne Michaels' Central Park West Apartment by herself.
Pretty impressive digs.
During our meeting, the phone continued to ring.
Part of her deal was that she'd have to answer Lorne Michael's phone.
At one point, she actually had to put Neil Simon on hold to talk to Paul Simon.
Then put Paul on hold to talk to Neil.
I was sitting there hoping that Carly Simon would call for the Trifecta.
No such luck.
She liked the play well enough to agree to get on the plane to Columbus, implying that this would be doing me a major favor.
I expected nothing less, and reported back my success at landing Penny.
Now, it was a matter of nailing down a male lead.
I don't remember who first came up with the name, but someone mentioned Pat Harrington Jr.
I thought it was a good idea.
I called his agent who gave me his number.
I called Pat, explained the situation to him and his first question was "How much am I getting paid?"
I was given no budget to pay anyone and told him that.
He said "Then why should I do it?"
I said that "well, Penny Marshall is doing it"
He said "Can you guarantee me that if I do it that if there is a production I will be given the part?"
I started doing my version of "homina-homina-homina".
"Are you guaranteeing this to Penny?"
It never occurred to me that Penny would even consider actually doing a production of the play.
So I say "It hasn't even come up".
He says "Well it's come up with me."
I wasn't going to lie to him.
If it was totally up to me I'd guarantee it. I knew he'd be right for it, and respected his talent that much.
But what if he came and did the reading, and stunk out the joint?
And the potential investors vetoed him?
So I said "I would like to, but I can't guarantee anything. But it's just one night out of your life, and you'll be treated well, but it is an audition.
You should want to do it because the play and the part is that good."
He was willing to look at the script, and was not impressed enough to get on the plane.
He wanted to get paid.
Ever since, I wasn't able to look at Pat Harrington Jr. on TV without getting a bellyache.
I couldn't watch "One Day at a Time" again, so it did have its upside.
We didn't attempt to replace him because shortly after, of course, as is her wont, Penny bailed on us and the event never happened.
Cut to: three years ago.
I was in L.A.
My friend Mark Evanier invited me to attend a meeting of Yarmy's Army, a social club made up of older comedians, many of whom I had hired at some point.
Pat Harrington Jr. was there. He was a founding member of Yarmy's Army. I knew he'd probably be there, and it made me anxious.
Mark Evanier introduced me to everyone.
One of the most effusive greetings I got was from Pat Harrington Jr.
Of course, I thought he had held a grudge against me all those years.
Of course, he never even remembered my name. And I hadn't met him until that night.
What on earth was I thinking?

-----------------------
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 by her , 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 signed by me, contact me at macchus999@comcast.net

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

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

My Review of This Year's Kennedy Center Honors.

There was a request for this in the comment section.
So, okay, here goes.
First, they were all good choices.
And it would have been unfortunate if any of them were to die before they were awarded this.
Show wise, I think the batting order was right on.
Open lively with Rita Moreno, with dancers performing "America".
She should have gotten this award years ago.
Certainly before Chita Rivera, her closest comp.
Chita won it nine years ago.
I'm sure Rita has been stewing ever since.
She is far more famous, at least outside of New York City.
What took so long?

Same thing with George Lucas.
He invented everything that Spielberg "appropriated" in his films.
As they showed the montage of Lucas's films, I was surprised how many of them I thought were directed by Spielberg.
Maybe the nominating committee thought so too.

Seiji Ozawa---They needed someone classical. He was as good an idea as anyone.

Cicely Tyson---Great body of work, still working at 90. Great idea.

Carole King---The highlight of the evening. They showed highlights from "Beautiful", her Broadway show.
Just the kind of show I had no desire to see, until I saw those highlights.
I think it's playing in Chicago at the moment, and I think I want to see it, although I'm pretty sure this version doesn't have
James Taylor singing "Up On The Roof".
And this gave the audience the best opportunity to do a sing-along since they honored Neil Diamond and he was serenaded by the audience with
"Sweet Caroline", ending with Caroline Kennedy leading the serenading.
They then did the most anti-climactic thing I've ever seen by closing the show with a very subdued tribute to Yo-Yo Ma.
Somebody was asleep at the switch.

That's what I've got.

-----------------------
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 signed by me, contact me at macchus999@comcast.net

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

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

My new e-mail address

macchus999@comcast.net

-----------------------
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 signed by me, contact me at macchus999@comcast.net

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

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Report Card----"The Hateful Eight"

Of Quentin Tarantino movies, I hated "Kill Bill" 1 and 2.
I've loved all the others.
Including "The Hateful Eight".
It's got everything there is to love about Tarantino movies.
Great storytelling, great dialogue, great violence, great directorial flourishes, great casting and performances.
He doesn't miss a trick in this one.
It's a western starring Samuel L. Jackson.
Pretty tough to miss with that start.

On to the scoring:

Is it interesting?

Relentlessly.
A+.

Compelling even?

Often.
A+.

Is it controversial?

It's a ripping yarn. That's all it needs to be.
No grade.

Is it a story worth telling?

Any yarn that's ripping is worth telling.
A+.

Is it good storytelling?

It is uniquely Tarantino in it's approach to storytelling. Reminiscent of "Pulp Fiction" in its non-linearity.
A+.

Is it well written?

The dialogue is great.
A+.

Is it well cast? Well played?

All wonderful.
A+.

Well shot?

Incredibly.
A+.

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

Does he ever.
A+.

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

Early enough.
A.

Is it too long? Too short?

It's almost three hours and just zips by.
A+.

Is it believable? Do you care about the characters?

Totally and totally.
A+.

Is it predictable? Does it surprise you?

Lots of surprises.
A+.

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

Just about how fun it all was.
A+.

Is it funny?

Extremely.
A+.

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

Sure.
A+.

Is it impressive?

In every way.
A+.

Overall grade: A+.

I think I've run out of compliments.
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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@comcast.net

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

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