While channel surfing last night I again landed at This-TV, 111 on Cablevision in NYC. It was running a film I’d never heard of, WiseGirls (2002). I didn’t expect to stick with it, as I’ve had my fill of gangster fare. What hooked me was the focus on the three women waiting tables in the Italian restaurant patronized by Mafiosi. Mira Sorvino brought her usual excellence to the lead. The other two actresses were familiar. One looked exactly like Mariah Carey. She was so good in the role I assumed it had to be a look-alike. After all, critics savaged her performance in her one starring role, Glitter (2001). I was so pleased when the end credits rolled and showed it was indeed the legendary diva. To my surprise, she has eleven acting credits listed at IMDb. Contributors were divided on her performance in the work in question, some saying she should stick to singing. I thought she was excellent, demonstrating the confidence one would expect from so successful an artist. I was unable to place the face of the third actress, Melora Walters, although I was certain I’d seen her before. She was in the memorable Seinfeld Hamptons episode, playing George’s date, who goes topless while he is running an errand and then leaves early, probably because she has learned of his shrinkage. WiseGirls was directed by David Anspaugh, who has an impressive resume, having been at the helm of episodes of Hill Street Blues and St. Elsewhere, and Hoosiers (1987) and Rudy (1993). The screenplay was written by John Meadows. It is by no means a great film, but it is eminently watchable. It is rated 5.9 of ten at IMDb. I'd say 2.75 of five.
The NY Knicks are courting Phil Jackson in the hopes he will lead them back to the basketball promised land. He was a member of the 1973 team that won the NBA championship and is the head coach with the most overall titles, guiding the Bulls and Lakers to a total of eleven. The trick will be to bring in a tandem of hall of famers such as Michael Jordan-Scottie Pippen or Shaquille O’Neal-Kobe Bryant. Carmelo Anthony is a great scorer, but doesn’t seem to have the magic the other four possessed. Maybe it would be brought out by the right partner, say a Lebron James, who might consider the Knicks if Jackson were the boss.
The floating book shop was visited by an angel today. Lauren, a dance instructor of Asian descent, wowed me with her positive presence. She picked up Close to the Edge and, spotting two local addresses as she thumbed through it, bought it. She asked me how old I thought she was. From her manner, I was sure she wasn't a teenager, so I said 20, and she put up a hand for a high five. She was so cheerful I'm afraid she won't like Edge, which is not a happy book. About an hour later, a young woman in the company of her mom and little sister approached, and asked me to recommend a novel for someone her age. I nailed it again - 16. I handed her a Maeve Binchy romance and she bit. Thanks, ladies, and also to whomever purchased Killing on Kindle.
Vic's 4th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic's Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic's Horror Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3
Vic's Rom-Com Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/kny5llp
Vic’s Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
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