Report Card---"The Big Sick"

"The Big Sick" is a classic romantic comedy in the best sense.
Kumail Nanjani is a real Pakistani stand-up comic who works in Chicago.
His parents, of course, never wanted him to leave Pakistan, much less become a stand-up
comic.  They too live in Chicago.
One night,  Kumail is heckled from the audience by a cute young American girl,  Emily
Kumail is simultaneously offended and flattered.
We, of course, see where this is headed.
This is complicated by the fact that Pakistanis are still under the thumb of their parents as far as
pre-arranged marriages are concerned.  There are many scenes where an endless parade of
Pakistani girls are brought around over dinner at Kumail's house for his approval.
He approves of none of them, much to the dismay of Kumail's mother.
It's right out of "Fiddler on the Roof".
And Kumail has kept his relationship with his American girlfriend a secret for as long as he can.
This is complicated by the Emily's contracting a mysterious illness, hence the title, "The Big Sick".

On to the scoring:   

Is it interesting?

Very.
A.

Compelling even?

Not quite.  It is carried by its charm.
B+.

Is it a story worth telling?

Very much so, and it doesn't hurt that it's true.
A.

Is it good storytelling?

Very
A.

Is it well written?

Very.  And it's written by Kumail, and the real Emily.
A.

Is it well cast? Well played?

Yes.  They got a fictional Emily, Zoe Kazan, who is adorable.  And there are wonderful turns by
Ray Romano and Holly Hunter as Emily's parents.
A+.

Well shot?

Extremely
A+.

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

Somewhat.
A.

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

Immediately.  Chicago, the present.
A+.

Is it too long? Too short?

Perfect.
A+.

Is it believable? Do you care about the characters?.

Yes, and totally.
A+.

Is it predictable?

Very, but it doesn't matter.
B.

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

Only about how much fun it was.
A.

Is it funny?

Often.  And it displays the way actual stand-up is done, much better than that Showtime series
"I'm Dying Up  Here" does.
A.

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

I could have waited for cable.
C.

Is it impressive?

Somewhat
B.

Overall grade: B+.

It's quite enjoyable.  The whole is better than the sum of its 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.

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

Report Card---"Obit".

"Obit" is a very well-crafted, very informative, extremely interesting, very involving documentary
about the Obituary Department at the New York Times.
I told you we were not done with death.
But there's nothing depressing about "Obit". like that last movie I reported on.
It's more about a celebration of lives rather than how long people lived.
It concentrates on a handful of lives who most of us didn't know, but were worth full length
New York Times obituaries.
Case in point: William P. Wilson, the guy responsible for Richard Nixon's make-up in that now infamous first 1960 debate with John F. Kennedy, which probably cost Nixon the election.
His widow had a story to tell, and told it fascinatingly.

On to the scoring:   

Is it interesting?

Constantly
A+

Compelling even?

Kind of.  The 4 or 5 staff obituary writers at the Times are all great storytellers.
And have wonderful stories to tell.
A+.

Is it a story worth telling?

Certainly.
A+

Is it good storytelling?

Great storytelling.
A+

Is it well written?

It doesn't seem written and here, that's not a bad thing.
A.

Is it well cast? Well played?

I wanted to know all of these staff members better.
A+.

Well shot?

Extremely
A+.

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

Somewhat.
A.

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

Immediately.  The New York Times offices, and some location shooting.
A+.

Is it too long? Too short?

It runs an hour and forty minutes.  Could have gone on a lot longer, and I'd have been fine with it.
A+.

Is it believable? Do you care about the characters?.

Yes, and totally.
A+.

Is it predictable?

They take you through the entire process of editorial choices that are made to determine who gets a full obituary, and more important, how many words each entry is worthy of.  I was aware of none of this.
A+.

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

I will probably get a full obit, and it makes me curious as to how many words will be devoted to me.
Unless things change drastically, the lead is "Mark Rothman, best known as the co-creator of "Laverne & Shirley".  I guess there are worse things, but I had higher hopes.
A.

Is it funny?

Often.
A.

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

It's on Amazon Prime.  Otherwise, easily.
A.

Is it impressive?

Totally
A+.

Overall grade: A+.

Everyone should see this.  Whether you are obituary-worthy or not.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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---"If You're Not in the Obit, Eat Breakfast".

This was a movie I really wanted to like.
But it just hit too close to home on too many levels.
It's a very upbeat documentary about people who are in very good shape living into their nineties.
It's hosted by Carl Reiner, and features Mel Brooks, Norman Lear, and Mr. and Mrs. Dick Van Dyke.
I just turned 70, and due to my health problems, as much as I'd like to join the nonagenarians, my chances of doing so are way below average.  I'll address this as we go along.  And I don't feel nearly as upbeat about this subject  as they do.

On to the scoring:   

Is it interesting?

It has its moments  Mostly musical ones. Tony Bennett singing.  Dick Van Dyke and his wife singing and dancing to "Young at Heart", in the Capitol Building using Sinatra's original mikes.
B+.

Compelling even?

Hardly.  If I hear Mel Brooks tell his "Jews singing 'Dancing in the Dark' and people like Norman Lear acting like they've never heard him tell it before, I'll throw up.  It was funny the first fifty times at the most.
C-.
.
Is it a story worth telling?

Very much so.  But it's just too damn optimistic.  Most of us won't get there.
B.

Is it good storytelling?

Yes.
B+

Is it well written?

Can't fault the writing.
B+.

Is it well cast? Well played?

Good interviews, they got the right people.
A.

Well shot?

Yes.
B+.

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 and time period?

Very early.  L.A. The present.
A.

Is it too long? Too short?

Perfect.
A+.

Is it believable? Do you care about the characters?.

Yes, and totally.
A+.

Is it predictable?

Only in the sense that they're all gonna die soon.
B-.

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

I try not to.  There's a lot in here about not dwelling on the past.  1 sometimes think I live to dwell on the past.  And hold on to my petty regrets.  And those who I blame for them.  Often, it is my reason to get out of bed in the morning.  It's one of my few pleasures.  Don't take that away from me.  My plays and screenplays and novel should require far more attention than they get.  But that's pretty much out of my hands.  Yet,  I blame an entire industry for that.  And I don't have the family genes for longevity either.  My mother died at 61, my father died at 74.
C.

Is it funny?

Often.
A.

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

It's already sitting on HBO On Demand.
A.

Is it impressive?

Here and there.
B-.

Overall grade: B-.

A lot of people will like this a lot more than I did.  My next blog entry will also be about death.
But it will be a lot more uplifting.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected)

The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected) is a very thoughtful, intellectual, very sensitive study
about an artist coming to terms with his own worth, and impact, and legacy.
It's also, very much about Jews, as the title might imply.
There is wonderful conflict between Dustin Hoffman's two sons,  Adam Sandler and Ben Stiller.
And between Hoffman's main rival and stalking horse, Judd Hirsch.
It's all very compelling.  And very human.

On to the scoring:   

Is it interesting?

Quite.
A.

Compelling even?

Often
A.

Is it a story worth telling?

Very much so.
A.

Is it good storytelling?

Excellent
A.

Is it well written?

Very much so.
A.

Is it well cast? Well played?

Adam Sandler is very restrained, in a good way.  Ben Stiller, in a meatier part is terrific.
Judd Hirsch and Dustin Hoffman are both first rate.
A+.

Well shot?

Very.
A.

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

I don't think so.  But it is very well directed..
A..

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

Very early.  New York, The present.
A.

Is it too long? Too short?

Perfect.
A+.

Is it believable? Do you care about the characters?.

Yes, and totally.
A+.

Is it predictable?

Not at all
A+.

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

Often.  It's a subject I relate to, totally.
A+.

Is it funny?

Often
A.

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

It's already sitting on Netflix.

Is it impressive?

Extremely.
A.

Overall grade: A.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.

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

Rothman's Guide To Fine Dining. Part Four.

This will be the last chapter of the current series.
Okay, first, heroes.
I can eat Subways Tuna Hero.
But it's certainly not as good as Costo's chicken salad, it's closest equivalent.
oThere's Jersey Mike's.  I can't eat any of that.  The tuna hero is watery.
Panera Bread: lousy sandwiches, lousy soups.
As for fried chicken, I could never stand Kentucky Fried Chicken.
It all tastes mass-produced.  The mashed potatoes taste like the old instant mashed potatoes we all grew up with and survived.
Chic-fil-et's--the worst kind of poison.  I don't know what it is, but it sure doesn't taste like chicken.
If I'm actually in the mood for fried chicken, Popeye's gets my vote.  I find it to be very tasty.
And the biscuits are great.
I also rather like Red Lobster, although I think it's overpriced.
The clam chowder is to die for, as are the biscuits.
I've never been to an Olive Garden, but its reputation precedes it.
I haven't found any good pizza in Chicago.
I can't stand the deep dish variety.  They'll serve you the flat kind, but you know their hearts just aren't in it.
Any local pizzeria in New York City is more than acceptable.
You can buy them by the slice, and there has to be some degree of floppage.
You don't want it stiff.
And there's a great chain of pizza places in Detroit called Buddy's.
Plenty of floppage there.
I'm there often and always indulge.
Little Caesar's, Papa John's, and Pizza Hut? Not even worth discussing.
Domino's: lowest form of acceptable pizza.
Finally, Diners.  Friendly's is a cut above Denny's, which is a cut above nothing.
In New Jersey, Connecticut and suburban New York, there are some wonderful diners.
Of course. proceed to buffets at your own risk.
I offer this as merely a guide, and you certainly free to disagree.
I'm closing the books on this one.

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

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

Rothman's Guide To Fine Dining, Part Three.

At this point, I thought it would be fair to point out that I don't hate everything.
There are many fine Oriental and Sushi restaurants.
The problem might be that you cannot imagine tasting sushi, much less enjoying it.
If it's not the purely take-out variety it's probably pretty good.
I suggest that you at least try it.
There are probably half a dozen really good sushi places within shouting distance of me
As for Chinese, you are best off seeking out local establishments.
I found a great Chinese restaurant, as good as anything I ever had when I lived in New York, and I used to go to Chinatown.
By the way, stay away from Panda Express at all costs.
Sushi rules apply here.
I am rather partial to Japanese Benihana places, although I don't enjoy the communal dining aspect..
As for Mexican, there are several really good ones.
In Chicago, there is a chain called Taco El Norte.
As much take-out as order- in.  And on weekends they have Mariachi Bands.
The food is really good, but it's still not what you'd call "Fine Dining".
What I would call fine dining Mexican in is a Chicago chain called Uncle Julios.
Very upscale, but not expensive, great Chips and Salsa, They do tableside Guac with all the flourishes, and is worth the extra few bucks.  My favorite is the Lobster Fajitas which are only available on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
This is the real deal.  They make you feel special when you eat there.
That's what fine dining should be about.
Uncle Julios is also available in other states, regionally.  2 in Florida,  2 in Atlanta 2 in Maryland,
one in Tennessee, and 8 in Texas.  And there are eight in Illinois.
If you're anywhere near there, it's worth checking it out.
Check the Website.
I don't have stock in the place.  I just love it.
It's not Chipotle or Quiznos.  That's the usual crap.
And don't get me started on Taco Bell
The three most nauseating commercials currently on TV.
Their naked egg breakfast taco, and their naked chicken chips, and worst of all, their Crispy Chicken Questellida.  It's as appealing as watching sausage being made.
Can only be viewed and only if you must, on an empty stomach.
We'll go back to trashing even more, next time.

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

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

Rothman's Guide To Fine Dining, Part Two.

Today, we will concentrate on the "faux"  steakhouses, which offer up cheap grades of meat, and try to convince you that you are getting value for your money .
I give you Ponderosa, Outback, Bennigans, and all of those low- hanging lamp restaurants, beginning with Applebee's, and all of its copycats, including Red Robin, and
T.G. I. Fridays.
I've always considered them places to go to in order to try to pick up women.
It's been so long since I've tried, that I might be mistaken.
I know one thing, the food is not worth what they charge for it.
The other end of that spectrum is Hooters, where the men go to hit on the help.
I don't know if Steak n' Shake is real steak, but I'm certain that the shakes are solid ice, rendering them undrinkable.
Dairy Queen has a pretty good shake
If you want a really good steak, save up and go to Ruth's Chris or Mortons.
There's a place here called Sullivan's.  It too is on that level.
Otherwise, I can't help you.
Next time, Mexican, Fried Chicken, and Heroes.
With pizza bringing up the rear.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.

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

Rothman's Guide To Fine Dining. Part One..

Many years ago, the legendary comedy writer Harry Crane wrote a routine for Alan King.
I've seen it many times.
It went something like "If you're driving in your car, and you see a restaurant with a huge sign outside
that reads 'Come one, come all.  Fun for the entire family.'  Don't stop.  Don't even slow down.
You don't want to eat at this place."
Then, King would launch into what was wrong with these restaurants.
And it was usually everything.
Has anything changed since then? 
Quite a bit, actually.
There are far more of them, of far more infinite varieties.
And there is far more advertising on TV for all of them.
And the common thread is that any of these places have any quality, much less nutritional value.
Let me begin to take you on the grand tour of "You don't want to eat at this place."
I'll try to do it by category, with an occasional skirmish into "this won't kill you".
This will all be somewhat subjective, but there must at least be some common ground.
Beginning with the grand-daddy of them all: McDonald's.
They actually attempt to make the food appear presentable.  Don't be fooled.
When I was younger, I actually experienced purchasing a Big Mac and after consuming it, noticed that the smell of the "meat", or whatever that was, stayed on my hands after repeated thorough washings.  I then was only capable of knocking down an occasional Egg McMuffin, but the smell on my hands still haunts me.  It also ruined me for their Filet-o-Fish sandwich.
Their big selling point now is that this is the "gateway for America's Youth to get into college by providing their workers with their first opportunities to get work.
You eat it.
Burger King.  Ate there once.  Hated it just as much.
Wendy's.  Something very suspicious about a burger that isn't even round.  And still doesn't taste like meat.
In-n-Out Burger- almost tastes like meat.  Pretty good chocolate shakes.
White Castle: makes no bones about what it is.  Cheap.  You "buy 'em by the sack".
If that's a selling point for you, then that's what you want.  It's not what I want.
Five Guys:  Definitively a cut above the ones I've already mentioned, but still junk.
Never tried Arby's or Hardee's.  You're on your own with those.
There's a limit to how much I trust James Earl Jones.
I consider Chili's a real restaurant and have nothing bad to say about it.
Except that it's not fine dining.
We've only covered the burgers, and I'm too nauseous to continue right now.
We'll pick this up in a couple of days'
We're a long ways from home.


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.

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