Bad News Billy stopped by the floating bookshop today. The poor soul has been through divorce, bypass, free-loading daughters, fraud and now a car accident. He was kind enough to buy two baseball related items: the VHS version of Eight Men Out, John Sayle's wonderful depiction of the 1919 Black Sox scandal, and slugging Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt's Clearing the Bases. Coincidentally, both were donated by actor-singer Johnny Feets, who visited today, walking to Bay Parkway from his new residence about three-quarters of a mile away. He and a friend, Rachel, participated in one of those events that is unique to the city. For a week or so, 88 pianos have been set up in the five boroughs, for anyone to play. John and Rachel went to 14th Street and 9th Avenue in Manhattan, where they did a standard popularized by Judy Garland - Just in Time, music by Jule Stein, lyrics by Adolph Comden and Betty Green, and got a round of applause from an old-timer. Rachel finds plenty of work playing in bars and on cruises. She once took Feets along as a guest on a two-week cruise. He gained five pounds chowing down on the free Creme Brulee and such. Thanks, Bill and Feets.
Last night I watched The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest (2009), the final part of the trilogy based on Stieg Laarsen's wildly popular novels. While not as riveting as the first two installments, it was still good. The entire plot of the arc was detailed, and not in a heavy handed way. I am just totally fascinated with Lisbeth Salander, the heroine, so expertly played by Noomi Rapace. The film also offered an interesting glimpse into a trial in Sweden, which I don't believe I'd ever seen before. And the country looks so clean, despite the ugly aspects of the story, as if it is scrubbed regularly, so unlike the dreary landscapes of the great Ingmar Bergman's work. Although Lisbeth, in full punk regalia, triumphs in the end, it is a Pyrrhic victory, a tragedy. This beautiful, highly intelligent young woman is so damaged it is doubtful she will ever be able to maintain a relationship or find more than fleeting happiness.
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