Report Card---"Moonlight"

"Moonlight" is a movie that I admired tremendously.
Extremely well crafted, and well acted.
The only problem is that I didn't enjoy it.
It didn't touch any part of my life.
It's all about the black experience and homosexuality, all handled very sensitively, but not enough
to make me give a shit.
So I just kept waiting for it to be over.

On to the scoring:   

Is it interesting?

Here and there.
B+.

Compelling even?

To blacks, probably.  Not to me.
B.

Is it controversial?

Very
A.

Is it a story worth telling?

Yes. 
A.

Is it good storytelling?

Yes.
A.

Is it well written?

Very.
A.

Is it well cast? Well played?

Very well.  That black guy from "House of Cards" is nominated for Best Actor.  He deserves it.
He may even deserve to win.
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 know.
B-.

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

It takes place over two generations and it takes its time letting us know this.
C.

Is it too long? Too short?

A tad long.
B-.

Is it believable? Do you care about the characters?

Yes, and yes.
B+.

Is it predictable? Does it surprise you?

Never predictable.
A.

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

Not really.
C.

Is it funny?

Not really.
C.

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

Nope.
D.

Is it impressive?

Very. 
A.

Overall grade: B.

With all the high grades, you'd think I'd like it more.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

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

Mary.

The main reason I don't write here every day is that unless I can bring something unique to the conversation, I leave it to others to be repetitive.
You don't need me to tell you how great the "Chuckles the Clown" episode of the Mary Tyler Moore Show" was, or how seeing Mary in those Capri Pants on the Dick Van Dyke Show first stirred my loins.
I have my own contributions to make.
I loved and admired Mary Tyler Moore as much as anybody else, but I had two up close-up encounters with her.
And it was neither of our finest moments. 
The first was a day that Jay Sandrich, who directed quite a few episodes of "the Odd Couple", and many, many episodes of the "Mary Tyler Moore Show, asked me if I'd like to come and visit their set.
They were shooting that week.
I wouldn't have missed that opportunity for the world.
It was a Wednesday afternoon, just after lunchtime, I got onto the set, and there everybody was.
I guess I figured Jay would at least introduce me to Mary.
He didn't introduce me to anybody.
Mary was seated at the long writers table, reading the paper.
And I was this stranger who was peering over her shoulder, probably making her more than uncomfortable.  There was no reason to blame her.
I'm sure I seemed like an interloper, someone who didn't belong there.
And that was that.
I loitered for about fifteen minutes, then secure in the knowledge that Jay was never going to introduce me to her, I skulked away, back to my car, feeling like I had intruded.

Our second and last encounter took place at the Lyceum Theatre, a Broadway house, in 2010.
Valerie Harper was appearing in previews in a very good play called "Looped" in which she portrayed Tallulah Bankhead brilliantly.
I had good seats in the orchestra
About ten minutes before curtain on this Wednesday Matinee, a commotion began stirring in the house.
It was Mary Tyler Moore being led down the aisle by her husband.
I was seated two rows behind her.
Everybody was thinking "gee, isn't it nice that one old friend is out there supporting another.
And I was thinking "My  God! This woman is blind!  Or at least very close to it.  The diabetes has
really taken it's toll."  That's the way it looked to me.
And she was really there to just listen to the play, which was still pretty courageous.
Shortly after this, Valerie Harper revealed that she ad cancer,
The kind that you die from.
She's still here.  I guess some sort of major remission has taken place.
Mary and Valerie appeared together after that on an episode of "Hot In Cleveland" where it was quite apparent that Mary, if not totally blind, could just barely see.
This was certainly not the way I wanted to remember her.
R.I.P.  Mary,

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

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---"Arrival"

"Arrival" is certainly a high quality alien movie.
If you like alien movies, you'll like "Arrival".
The problem with alien movies is that to be fair, you have to compare them to the best of them all:
"Close Encounters of the Third Kind".
It's not that good.
The major difference is that "Arrival" has no sense of humor.
"Close Encounters" does.
And a much better cast.
But "Arrival" is certainly a very fine movie.

On to the scoring:   

Is it interesting?

Consistently.
A.

Compelling even?

Often
A.

Is it controversial?

Not particularly.
B.

Is it a story worth telling?

If you like your alien movies this should be right up your alley.
A.

Is it good storytelling?

Very.
A.

Is it well written?

It's much more visual than verbal.
B.

Is it well cast? Well played?

It's Amy Adams again.  She's fine.  Otherwise, nothing exceptional.
A-.

Well shot?

Breathtaking, but still not "Close Encounters".
A..

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

He's no Spielberg.
B-.

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

Immediately.
A.

Is it too long? Too short?

Just right.
A.

Is it believable? Do you care about the characters?

It's totally involving.
A+.

Is it predictable? Does it surprise you?

I was never ahead of it.
A.

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

Only "a pretty good flick".
A-.

Is it funny?

Asked and answered.
F.

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

If I was in an expansive mood.
A.

Is it impressive?

Very.  Particularly technically.
A.

Overall grade: A..

It certainly deserves it's 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---"Lion"

I did not enjoy "Lion".
I'm generally not partial to anything Bollywood, going all the way back to "Slumdog Millionaire"..
"Lion" spends its first half smack in the middle of Bollywood.
The second half takes place in Tasmania, where we first see Nicole Kidman.
Things pick up at that point.  At least it's not Bollywood.
It's then, half-way through the movie that we learn that the first half takes place in 1987.
Why they kept us waiting all that time to learn this is anybody's guess.
In the interim the child who is the leading actor grows up to be Dev Patel, and it's twenty years later..

On to the scoring:   

Is it interesting?

Once they get to Tasmania.  It's too long to wait.
C.

Compelling even?

Not to me.
D..

Is it controversial?

No.
It's not about controversy..

Is it a story worth telling?

To some I suppose.
B.

Is it good storytelling?

It takes forever to get started.
C.

Is it well written?

I really couldn't tell.
B.

Is it well cast? Well played?

Nicole Kidman is the saving grace.
B+.

Well shot?

Tasmania looked good.  India didn't.
B.

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

I have no way of knowing.
C.

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

W-a-a-a-y too long.
F.

Is it too long? Too short?

W-a-a-a-y too long.
D-.

Is it believable? Do you care about the characters?

Somewhat, and somewhat.
B-.

Is it predictable? Does it surprise you?

I just didn't care enough.
D.

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

I would have preferred sleepimg.
C-.

Is it funny?

Not at all.
F.

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

Not any bucks.
F.

Is it impressive?

I'll give them ambitious.
B.

Overall grade: C-.

Spoiler alert:  There is no Lion in this film.  At the end we are informed that Lion was the actual translation of the lead character's name.  It's not worth hanging around for.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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---"Cafe Society"

This is the morning of Inauguration Day, which I intend to completely boycott and ignore.
Which no one needs care about or judge me on, it's just to explain why I'm writing a movie review at this moment.  I'm just trying to keep myself occupied.
"Cafe Society" is your typical Woody Allen movie of late.
He makes 'em , I go see 'em, and I'm usually disappointed.
There have been some really good ones since "Radio Days", "Anything Else", and "Blue Jasmine".
But many have been letdowns.
Nothing terrible, just less than the an incredibly high standard he once set for himself.
"Café Society" is just not all that funny and there is no other element to replace it.

On to the scoring:   

Is it interesting?

Mildly.
B-..

Compelling even?

Never.
C-.

Is it controversial?

Not at all.
C.

Is it a story worth telling?

I feel like I've been there before.
C.

Is it good storytelling?

Not bad.
B.

Is it well written?

The man still knows how to write.
A.

Is it well cast? Well played?

Jesse Eisenberg is doing the part that Woody knows he's now too old to play himself.
He pales in comparison.
C.

Well shot?

Extremely.  It takes place in the 1930s with exquisite attention to detail.
A+.

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

Always.  Particularly his  great use of music.
A+.

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

Immediately.
A.

Is it too long? Too short?

No problem.
A.

Is it believable? Do you care about the characters?

Somewhat, and somewhat.
B-.

Is it predictable? Does it surprise you?

Nothing surprised me much here.
C.

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

Not at all.
C.

Is it funny?

Here and there.  Mostly there.
C.

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

No, even though I would have
C..

Is it impressive?

With a better script, it would have been.
B-.

Overall grade: B-.

Woody, don't just keep makin' em just to make 'em.  Wait until you're sure you have a good 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@comcast.net
And now, we've got my reading of my "Laverne and Shirley Movie" screenplay on YouTube.

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

Report Card---"Hidden Figures"

"Hidden Figures" is a great, great movie on so many levels.
Its closest comp is "Apollo 13".
But "Apollo 13"was merely one-dimensional in comparison.
"Apollo 13" was simply about a space flight that has gone wrong and has to be rescued.
And going in, we all know that it will be.  So it's very predictable.
"Hidden Figures" is about something no one ever knew anything about.
Three young black female genius mathematicians  were responsible for figuring out how to get
John Glenn into orbital flight. Without help.
In 1962.
When Florida was essentially still as segregated as Selma Alabama.
And these women  had to deal with that on a daily basis.
Now we all know that he succeeded, but none of us knew this horrible back story of the indignities these women had to suffer.
It is a tribute to brilliance.
And there is as much tension as "Apollo 13".
This is just much better story telling.

On to the scoring:   

Is it interesting?

Fascinating
A+.

Compelling even?

Totally
A+.

Is it controversial?

Extremely, considering how shabbily these women were treated.
A+.

Is it a story worth telling?

Of course.
A+.

Is it good storytelling?

First rate.
A+.

Is it well written?

Extremely.
A+.

Is it well cast? Well played?

It's got Kevin Costner as the boss, who was totally unaware of these women's problems, but steps right up to fix it when he is made aware..  He is a great presence.  It has Jim Parsons doing a great turn as the adversary, as he keeps watching these women stealing his thunder.  And it has Octavia Spencer, who has as much right to bake a shit pie and bring it in for Parsons as she did in "The Help".
The cast is uniformly top-notch.
A+.

Well shot?

Extremely.
A+.

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

I couldn't tell, but it didn't matter.
A.

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

Immediately.
A.

Is it too long? Too short?

It never dragged.
A.

Is it believable? Do you care about the characters?

Extremely and totally.
A+.

Is it predictable? Does it surprise you?

You knew how it was going to end, and that didn't hurt it one bit.
A.

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

Only that it was exceptional
A.

Is it funny?

When it needs to be.
A.

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

I'd have sprung for the dough on this one.
A+.

Is it impressive?

About as impressive as you can get.
A+.

Overall grade: A+.

It's a two horse race now for me, between this and "Manchester By The Sea"
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 Dick Gautier Story.

I told this story quite a while ago on this blog.
Long ago enough that it's not even on the blog any more.
Hearing of Dick Gautier's death, I thought it bore repeating.
I was Exec-Producing a show called "She's The Sheriff" starring Suzanne Somers.
It was, as it sounds,  about a lady Sheriff.
It took place in the Lake Tahoe area.
I was part of the package before she was.
They made her jump through hoops to get this part.
They made her audition.
After they signed her we had our first sit-down.
I was passionate that the only way this show could work to my satisfaction was if Suzanne played the Sheriff intelligently.
And I just knew she was itching to play it like Lucy.
I knew that this would give the show absolutely no chance at integrity, and that she was, in fact, not Lucy.
Through gritted teeth, she agreed to my terms.
We shot five episodes which Suzanne played with admirable restraint  and intelligence, very
un-Lucy-like, and they were very well received by the live audience.
That weekend, the staff was all invited to Las Vegas, where Suzanne was headlining at the Desert Inn. 
Opening for her were the Smothers Brothers.
They were great.
They should have been headlining.
I was already asking myself "What's wrong with this picture?"
Then Suzanne came on, and kind of cocked around on stage, really having no reason being up there.
I made it a point to notice how the rest of the audience was reacting to Suzanne.
It was tepid at best.
That night, Suzanne and her husband invited me to come to their house on the outskirts of Vegas the next day for lunch.
It turned out to be an afternoon of lunch and pummeling.
They worked me over for three hours, trying to get me to agree to make her character more like Lucy.
All those good reasons we had to not do that went out the window because we had five episodes in the can.
At that point, if I didn't listen,  I became expendable.  She couldn't be replaced. I could.
I didn't want to be replaced.
So I agreed to give it a shot.  I thought that maybe there was a way to minimize the damage.
I thought "I Love Lucy" was great---about a third of the time.
I thought it was okay--about a third of the time.
I thought it was downright annoying ---about a third of the time.
I thought it was okay when they did shows about Lucy trying to get into show business.
I thought it was downright annoying when it involved scheming so Ricky and Fred would buy the new dresses, or hats, or whatever it was they were scheming for.
I thought  it was great when Lucy was a victim of circumstance, like when she got locked in the freezer, or got the trophy stuck on her head and had to get on the subway with it on.
Or when they were all stuck in a motel room in Ohio,  with the train going right outside the window every five minutes, causing their beds to travel across the room every five minutes.
This allowed Lucy to play at the top of her intelligence.
So that's what I aspired for with Suzanne.  Turn her into a victim of circumstance.
So I contrived a story about an FBI agent on his first field assignment, who decided, as a practical
joke to put Suzanne and her troops through their paces with a phony assignment.
I wasn't sure it would work, but it was the best I could come up with.
We put together an at best a decent script.
I was hoping that Suzanne would see all its weaknesses, but she embraced it.
Okay, so now we had to cast the part of the FBI man.
The head of casting at Lorimar did not trust my casting ability.
For not any good reason, as I had never let her down.
It was either just casting out of my head, or choosing from the usual substandard dance-card that she would provide me with.
The politically wise thing to do was to cast one of her fair-haired boys.
I had resisted this option until now.
But as I had just as much rooting interest in this episode failing as succeeding, I cast one of the fair-haired boys.  And he wasn't very good.
On Tuesday of a show that was being shot on Friday, this actor dropped out.
I then decided to take matters into my own hands.
I decided to attempt to succeed, and suffer whatever Lucy consequences might ensue.
I got out my copy of the Academy Players directory, Characters and Comedians section, which consists of, in alphabetical order, all the actors available for work, all making funny faces on their 8X10's.
Anybody who uses these books knows that you have a leg up by having a last name that begins early in the alphabet.
Casting people, myself included, are not all that ambitious.
I got all the way to the G's.
I spotted Dick Gautier's picture.  I had worked with him on "Happy Days" and he was brilliant.
I bellowed to one of the other producers "Get me Dick Gautier!!!"
He was there the next morning, and did the run-through late that afternoon.
And he was, once again, brilliant.
And I told him so right afterwards.
And he said "If I'm so brilliant, why did you wait until yesterday to bring me in here??
I didn't want to admit that so much of it was political, and how powerless a position Suzanne had put me in.
We shot the show on Friday, and even with Dick's great performance, the show got the tepid response it deserved.
And Lucy went back out to pasture.  



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

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----"Fences"

"Fences" is based on August Wilson's play.
 Denzel Washington starred in the play in 2010, and reprises his role here.
The play resembles "A Raisin In The Sun".
There's nothing wrong with that.
Denzel is the muscle here.  He also directed it.
He plays a blue collar garbage-man in Pittsburgh in the fifties.
Viola Davis plays his wife.
The play is very good, and it translates to a very good movie.

On to the scoring:   

Is it interesting?

Extremely
A.

Compelling even?

Sometimes.
A.

Is it controversial?

Not really.
C.

Is it a story worth telling?

It's familiar turf.
B.

Is it good storytelling?

Very.
A.

Is it well written?

Extremely.
A+.

Is it well cast? Well played?

If you like Denzel, and Viola,  you'll certainly like them in this.
A+.

Well shot?

It was a slightly expanded play.  And it looks it.
But they didn't hurt themselves.
A.

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

He made no mistakes, but that's not saying much..
B.

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

Immediately.
A.

Is it too long? Too short?

Just about right.
A.

Is it believable? Do you care about the characters?

Extremely and totally.
A+.

Is it predictable? Does it surprise you?

I was never ahead of it.
A.

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

Only that I just saw a really good movie.
A.

Is it funny?

When it needs to be.
A.

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

I could have easily waited for cable.
B-.

Is it impressive?

Very
A.

Overall grade: A.

This is very good work, if not earth-shaking.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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---"La La Land"

What's good about "La La Land"---It's very imaginative, it's musically exquisite, it's extremely well acted and directed.
What's bad about "La La Land"---It's just not all that interesting.
This is the same man responsible for "Whiplash", a much better movie that never stops being interesting.

On to the scoring:   

Is it interesting?

Only stylistically.
C

Compelling even?

Naaah.
C-.

Is it controversial?

Not really.
C.

Is it a story worth telling?

It's been told many times.
C.

Is it good storytelling?

Very.
A.

Is it well written?

Okay.
B.

Is it well cast? Well played?

Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone are first rate.  And he found a part for J.K. Simmons.
Always a good idea.
A+.

Well shot?

Stunningly.  The style is what all the shouting is about.
A+.

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

Absolutely.  He's probably the only one who could have sold it.
A+.

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

Immediately.
A.

Is it too long? Too short?

Just about right.
A.

Is it believable? Do you care about the characters?

Extremely and totally.
A+.

Is it predictable? Does it surprise you?

Never predictable, always surprising, except that you know that boy meets girl, boy loses girl, and boy gets girl.
B.

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

Yes.  About how visually sumptuous it is.
A+.

Is it funny?

Often
A.

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

About five.
B-.

Is it impressive?

Undeniably.
A.

Overall grade: A-.

I certainly liked it far more than I disliked it.  But I don't think it deserves awards.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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---Silence"

"Silence" is a two hour, and forty five minute snooze-fest.
I watched it last night, and fell asleep at the thirty minute mark.
I woke up, and it was over.
I went back, and after my long nap, I tried it again.
And I watched the whole thing.
It was Martin Scorsese, so based on past history, I felt I owed him the courtesy.
I mean, he directed "Raging Bull" and "Hugo", two of my favorite movies.
So I plodded ahead.
"Silence" is about religious suppression in Japan in the 1600s.
Two hours and forty five minutes.
This time I forced myself to stay awake.
There was a lot of gore, a lot of torture, no interest, no humor.

On to the scoring:   

Is it interesting?

Every now and then.  That's not enough.
C-.

Compelling even?

Not to me.
C-.

Is it controversial?

If you care about such things, I suppose.
B. 

Is it a story worth telling?

Marty thought so.
A.

Is it good storytelling?

You could cut out a good hour, and it would only be improved.
C.

Is it well written?

Not as far as I can tell.
C.

Is it well cast? Well played?

The lead actors seemed too young, or were Japanese.
I guess you had to have the Japanese actors.
I wasn't impressed.
C.

Well shot?

Exquisitely shot gory images.
A.

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

His fingerprints were all over it.
A.

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

Immediately. 
A.

Is it too long? Too short?

Asked and answered.
D+.

Is it believable? Do you care about the characters?

Extremely and sometimes.
B.

Is it predictable? Does it surprise you?

Not particularly, But I'd completely lost interest.  I staggered over the finish line.
C.

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

I know what to do if I'm experiencing insomnia.
A.

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 my dough.
F.

Is it impressive?

I could see that others might think so.
B.

Overall grade: C.

Not my cup of saki.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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----"Concussion"

"Concussion" is a compelling true story about the NFL's thus far successful attempt to hide what they know about long term injuries to all of the players.
This is a story with good guys and bad guys.
The rooting interests are clear
It's all about money.
The NFL has made minor concessions in dealing with the problem, but it's way short of what's needed.

On to the scoring:   

Is it interesting?

Riveting.  This was becoming common knowledge before the picture came out.
This added to my enlightenment
A+.

Compelling even?

Consistently.
A+.

Is it controversial?

Totally
A.

Is it a story worth telling?

Absolutely
A+.

Is it good storytelling?

Excellent
A+.

Is it well written?

Extremely
A+.

Is it well cast? Well played?

Yes, on all levels.  Will Smith  was fine, if you can't get Denzel.
Albert Brooks does a fine turn as coroner Dr. Cyril Wecht, whom I remember as one of the JFK assassination conspiracy advocates.  Wecht was bald, and much is made about that here.
This makes me wonder if Brooks has lost his hair, or if it was shaved off just for this part.
Alec  Baldwin is also one of the good guys.  He's some good actor.
A+.

Well shot?

No problem.
A.

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

The writer was the director, so I'm always inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt.
A.

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

Immediately.  Not an issue.
A.

Is it too long? Too short?

Never an issue.
A+.

Is it believable? Do you care about the characters?

Extremely and constantly.
A+.

Is it predictable? Does it surprise you?

Not particularly, although it probably should have been.
A.

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

Whenever I watch football, which is a lot.
A+.

Is it funny?

There is some dark humor.
A.

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

It played in the movies so briefly, I wouldn't have had time to determine.
A.

Is it impressive?

Very.  And very sad, too.
A+.

Overall grade: A.

When it appears on cable, you should definitely check.it out.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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----"Nocturnal Animals"

"Nocturnal Animals" is an absolutely absorbing, first-rate thriller.
It is a great examination of the writing process, and a great love story.
It stars Amy Adams and Jake Gyllenhaall.
They are wonderful.
And what do you know?  There is a substantial part for Michael Shannon, and he walks off with the
picture.
As I've already indicated, Michael Shannon is in every movie this year.
I'm beginning to understand why.
What I can't figure out is how he finds the time to be this ubiquitous.
But he is quite a find.

On to the scoring:   

Is it interesting?

Fascinating.  It plays with time and imagination quite effectively.
A+.

Compelling even?

Consistently.
A+.

Is it controversial?

Doesn't need to be.
A.

Is it a story worth telling?

Absolutely
A+.

Is it good storytelling?

Masterful.
A+.

Is it well written?

The novel within the movie has the conceit of referring to itself as being great.
And it lives up to the conceit.
A+.

Is it well cast? Well played?

Up and down the line.
A+.

Well shot?

Spectacularly
A+.

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

The writer was the director, so I'm always inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt.
A.

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

Time is played with deliberately.  Just go along for the ride.
A+.

Is it too long? Too short?

Never an issue.
A+.

Is it believable? Do you care about the characters?

You cared where the filmmaker wanted you to care.
A.

Is it predictable? Does it surprise you?

I was constantly on the edge of my seat.
A+.

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

It's quite haunting.
A+.

Is it funny?

It's not really about being funny.
No Grade.

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

If anything is, this is.
A.

Is it impressive?

Nothing but.
A+.

Overall grade: A+.

So far, the best film I've seen this year.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

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