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Saturday, October 14, 2017

The Writer's Life 10/14 - Teamwork

Jim Broadbent and Charlotte Rampling are great actors. Any film in which they team is worth seeing. Such is the case with The Sense of an Ending (2017), the type of movie made only independently in the States, a quiet slice of life. I watched it last night courtesy of Netflix. Broadbent plays a divorced, technically retired owner of a shop that sells only used Leica cameras. One day he receives a letter informing him that he has inherited the diary of his former best friend, who committed suicide while they were college students. It was bequeathed by the mother of the girl he lost to that friend. That woman is in possession of it and refuses to relinquish it. Emily Mortimer, another great Brit talent, plays the deceased mom. The story moves back and forth in time. There is a subplot about a lesbian daughter having a baby on her own. Whether one considers that just another politically correct teaching moment or poignant dramatic addition will depend on the individual. I know it happens in real life, but I'm always skeptical of it in the arts. I read underlying motive into it. Anyway, the rest of the narrative is infinitely more interesting, the characters genuine, the dialogue intelligent, the actions plausible. 2600+ users at IMDb have rated The Sense of an Ending, forging to a consensus of 6.3 on a scale of ten. Its appeal is limited to folks who prefer subtlety, serious work that explores the mystery of life, that does not move very far from the every day. Nick Payne adapted the screenplay from the novel by Julian Barnes. It was directed by Ritesh Batra, who was born in Mumbai, India, his second stint at the helm of a full length feature.   

There were two shocking upsets last night in college football. Defending national champs Clemson lost at Syracuse, 24-27. Its chance of repeating appear slim, as its starting QB, who played on a gimpy ankle, was injured. Washington lost at Cal, which is surprising only in that it was a complete drubbing 3-37, as the boys from Berkeley have pulled surprises before. The Tigers and Cougars are now 6-1, the Orangemen and Golden Bears both 4-3. It was Syracuse's most significant victory in many years. At the moment it appears no team is even close to being in Alabama's class.

My thanks to the young Latina who purchased the entire Twilight series, the only sale of the day. A lot of folks passed on the Russian translations of Danielle Steel. It was frustrating. There was a light moment when an Asian woman who spoke no English forced a shopping bag into my hands. I caved, accepting it, and thanked her. Inside were a Minicci handbag and a black winter coat. I wonder if the woman thought I'd need the latter this winter. I left the bag in the lobby of our co-op. A similar one lists for $12.99 at Ebay. I'll put the coat in a charity bin tomorrow. I hope the items make the recipients happy.
Vic's Sixth novel: http://tinyurl.com/zpuhucj 
Vic's Short Works: http://tinyurl.com/jy55pzc
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Friday, October 13, 2017

The Writer's Life 10/13 - Obsession with a Classic


NY Post film critic Sara Stewart devotes a full page article, words and pictures, to a new documentary by Alexandre Philippe: 78/52, based on the shower scene in Psycho (1960), which starred Janet Leigh and Tony Perkins. The numbers in the title refer to pieces of film used and cuts done. The scene is only three minutes. Philippe estimates he's viewed it thousands of times. I believe it. There's a lot there. Most people know that Bosco was used for the blood. There are other interesting aspects. The director says it was the first time a belly button was seen in a Hollywood movie. I have no evidence to the contrary, but I'd be surprised if that were true. There were so many comedies, such as the Hope-Crosby Road pictures, set in exotic locales that it seems an umbilicus had to have made an appearance in one. Philippe notes the unprecedented killing off of the star only 40 minutes into the movie, which runs 109. That, indeed, was shocking way back then. It still doesn't occur very often. The only example I can think of off the top of my head is The Place Beyond the Pines (2012), in which the lead role changed three times in that long (2:20) flick. I'd guess I've seen the shower seen at least 20 times through the years. In fact, I have it on videotape among a slew of clips I recorded from televised movies during the '80's and '90's. I went well beyond the three minutes, beginning just before Norman peers through the peephole at Marion and ending after the disposal of the body as the car is swallowed by the swamp. If I recall correctly, it spans about 20 minutes, without dialogue. It is absolutely riveting. I understand why a cinephile would become obsessed with it. The documentary runs 91 minutes and features commentary from admirers and people who were involved in the picture, including Marli Renfro, who was the body double in the scene. She was an original Playboy bunny and appeared on the cover of the magazine in September 1960. Here's that and another:




From Yahoo Sports, edited by yours truly: Were the bogus African-American Studies courses at the center of the scandal at the University of North Carolina strictly an accreditation issue, given that they were available to all students and not just athletes? Or does the disproportionate number of men’s basketball and football players enrolled in those classes show that athletic department personnel provided extra benefits by steering academically at-risk athletes to courses where they would receive passing grades doing no work? Today the NCAA, after a four-year investigation, ruled it could not conclude the school violated academic standards, and did not levy any significant penalties against the Tar Heels. Is anyone surprised? Major college athletics are a joke.

My thanks to the kind folks who bought books, videos and music on this cool day. Two people commented on President Trump's executive order on health care. Dave, a chef in a Manhattan hotel who is covered through his union, approves. An online book-seller, whose name I don't know, disapproves, despite the fact that he is in the midst of a dispute regarding his ACA plan and its high premium, and his belief that Obamacare has been a disaster.
Vic's Sixth novel: http://tinyurl.com/zpuhucj 
Vic's Short Works: http://tinyurl.com/jy55pzc
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Thursday, October 12, 2017

The Writer's Life 10/12 - Free to Choose

I've been eagerly awaiting this move since I heard of it a couple of weeks ago. President Trump has signed an executive order that will allow small businesses and individuals to form associations to sponsor coverage that can be marketed across state lines. The new policies also do not have to provide the 10 “essential health benefits” covered under ObamaCare, including maternity care, emergency room visits, mental health treatment and others. Members would be paying only for the coverage they choose. It will likely attract the most healthy individuals, those who need the least care, particularly the young, many of whom have chosen to pay the abominable ACA fines rather than be coerced into expensive coverage they don't need at this stage of their lives. The hope is the move will incite free market competition that will eventually lower costs for every American, not just those in enrolled in the new plans. Do I know that it will? Of course not, but at least the idea errs on the side of freedom. No doubt it will incite a firestorm from the usual swamp suspects, many of whom receive massive donations from insurance companies. Don't back down, Mr. President.

I had another visit from Mountain Man today. He has an interesting take on the Weinstein scandal. He believes the brother initiated it in order to save the company, which would have faced massive lawsuits with Harvey as its head. Given how easy it is to sue anyone these days, I doubt the ouster will prevent the suits. Will it minimize the damage, however, and allow the company to survive and eventually thrive again?

Happy Birthday, Mark, 69, retired postal worker and Vietnam veteran. His age hasn't stopped him from trying to find a companion. He's been communicating online with an Air Force officer who has been assigned to Australia, where she's living in a tent in the jungle. She hates it.

My thanks to the burly gentleman who bought Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance by Barack Obama, Invisible by James Patterson and David Ellis, The Scorpio Illusion by Robert Ludlum, and The Lazarus Vendetta by Robert Ludlum and Patrick Larkin. The biggest surprise of the day was the lack of action on the Danielle Steel translations into Russian.
Vic's Sixth novel: http://tinyurl.com/zpuhucj 
Vic's Short Works: http://tinyurl.com/jy55pzc
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Wednesday, October 11, 2017

The Writer's Life 10/11 - Savior of the World



The painting above was done by a master approximately 500 years ago. The title is Salvator Mundi (Savior of the World). If it reminds one of the Mona Lisa, it is because it is by Leonardo da Vinci. It was once owned by England's Charles I, then went missing. It is believed that it was painted over in 1900. Despite this, it sold at a 1958 Sotheby's auction for $60. In 2005 it was brought to an expert. It was restored, the paint covering it removed. It was then verified as an original, one of only 20 of da Vinci's paintings known to exist. In November it will be auctioned by Christie's and may fetch as much as $100 million. Maybe it will inspire another best seller from Dan Brown. (Facts from an article in the NY Post and the Christie's web site.

As the Harvey Weinstein scandal gets uglier, I wonder what finally incited the all-out attack after decades of abuse, of others looking away at his behavior. As far back as 2004 the NY Times was ready to publish an article of his sins, but backed off. Who did he piss off or betray to have suddenly become the target of such intense vitriol? I don't feel sorry for him, but I am curious. Why now? Is it simply a matter of an inevitable tipping point having been reached?

The first hour of the floating book shop turned into a political forum of old-timers. Mountain Man delivered his usual screed against everyone in office. We were soon joined by Political Man, who tried to turn the conversation into a partisan attack on President Trump, which MM wouldn't allow, driving PM away. Soon Alan joined us. Although he is non-partisan, he made some vicious comments about Trump, blaming him entirely for things not getting done. He and MM believe that there is no fixing America, that it is doomed. I'm not as pessimistic as they, but I am worried what needs to be done to revive the economy will stall, and that the window of opportunity for meaningful change will slam shut permanently. Fortunately Mike, pushing his shopping cart, arrived. He is apolitical, a breath of fresh air. The three quizzed each other on tenants they hadn't seen in a while, and commented on the high rate of turnover in the three apartment buildings on the street, which are owned by Lefrak, which charges $1800 a month for a one-bedroom. Fortunately, all three enjoy rent stabilization rates. They have lived in their apartments more than 40 years. It got awful quiet when they departed. My thanks to the young couple, my only customers of the session, who purchased three books in Russian, two of them translations of Danielle Steel novels.
Vic's Sixth novel: http://tinyurl.com/zpuhucj 
Vic's Short Works: http://tinyurl.com/jy55pzc
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Tuesday, October 10, 2017

The Writer's Life 10/10 - A Quarter Each

I've completed the first of what I hope will be only three phases before I submit my next novel to Create Space for self-publishing. This morning I added two segments. There are a few thoughts among the notes I'd taken since March that still have to be inserted somewhere in the narrative. That won't be hard. I will now let the file sit until November 1st. Here's one of the reminisces I added today. The two characters are riding in a car during the conversation:
“Oh – I almost forgot. Sal Barrato came into the bar last night.”
Tony reflected a moment. “His father was a police captain?”
“Right. He’s divorced and just started seeing a girl who lives nearby.”
“What’s he doin’?”
“Sanitation.”
Tony smirked. “Figures.”
“I was dying to bring up the incident in the lot, but I didn’t have the nerve.”
Again Tony pondered. “I don’t remember.”
Freddie twisted in his seat. “Come on! He never lived it down. We were all hangin’ out in that lot we used to call the Rocky Mountains. He was a little younger than us. He must’ve been twelve at the time. He had a little box of stick matches with him. It was hot as hell. The stalks were taller than we were and dry as tinder. The knucklehead set fire to one and pretty soon the whole lot was up in flames. I almost crapped my drawers.”
Tony’s eyes brightened. “Yeah? Now I know I wasn’t there. I would’ve remembered that.”
“He turned white as a ghost and begged us to help him put it out. We balked and he started crying. He looked at us and pleaded: ‘I’ll give yous a quarter each. My father’s gonna lose his job.” Freddie stamped his foot for emphasis the way Sal had so long ago. “We were laughin’ our asses off.”
Tony smiled broadly. “So what happened?”
“The fire burned itself out. I hadn’t seen him since I left for college. His family moved while I was away.”

Football coach Gary Anderson left Wisconsin despite a very respectable 20-7 record, irked that its tight academic standards hampered recruiting. He took the head job at Oregon St. and failed miserably, the team going 7-23. He was fired yesterday. In an unprecedented move, he waived the remaining $12 million of the salary due him. It's a noble gesture, but also points how highly (overly?) compensated major college coaches are.

RIP Jimmy Beaumont, 76, of the Skyliners, the beautiful lead voice of Since I Don't Have You, recorded in 1959, a great listen to this day. Surprisingly, given its popularity, it rose only to #11 on the pop chart. I'm sure it's sold millions through the decades, especially in digital downloads. I hope the group's members received royalties. The music industry was notorious for stiffing artists during the early days of rock n roll.

Spasibo to the three elderly folks, two gentleman and a lady, who bought four books in Russian between them, and to the middle age guy who purchased E. L. Doctorow's Ragtime, which he'd read in Russian while living in the old country. My thanks also to the woman who donated ten Danielle Steel novels in Russian.
Vic's Sixth novel: http://tinyurl.com/zpuhucj 
Vic's Short Works: http://tinyurl.com/jy55pzc

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Monday, October 9, 2017

The Writer's Life 10/9 - Picture This

Lasst night Movies!, channel 113 on Cablevision in NYC, showed another winner in its Sunday Night Noir series - The Lineup (1958). I was surprised to learn it was spun off from a popular TV series of the same name, which ran from 1954-'59, 193 episodes. Warner Anderson and Marshall Reed reprised their roles as cops. Emile Meyer stood in for Tom Tully, who was unavailable for the shoot. The criminals were played by Eli Wallach, Robert Keith and Richard Jaeckel. The most surprising aspect was the violence and acute sense of menace, although the bloodletting was minimal. The film was directed by Don Siegel, two years after he did Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956) and 15 years before Dirty Harry (1971). The prolific Stirling Silliphant wrote the screenplay. Here's a shot of the outlaw trio up to no good:



It seems the NFL term "Any Given Sunday" applies to all teams except the Giants and Browns.

RIP legendary NFL QB Y. A. Tittle, 90. He looked a lot older than his age in his playing days, but that belied his ability, particularly in the latter part of his career. He once threw seven TD passes in a game, a feat not equaled even in this pass-happy era where almost all the rules have been designed to aid the offense. In his long NFL run, he passed for 212 scores and threw 221 interceptions, a ratio that would have a QB relegated to the bench these days, although he probably would have feasted in today's game. His record as a starter was 78-50-5. He was All-Pro seven times. He led the league in TD passes three times. He came to the Giants from the 49ers in 1961 and guided them to three straight championship games, losing twice to the Packers and once to the Bears. Here is one of the most iconic sports photographs ever taken, shot by Morris Berman of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in 1964, Tittle's last season, when the team won only one game. The hit left him a bloody mess.



Here's a picture, taken by Patti Sapone of NJ.com, from yesterday's 10th Annual Zombie Walk in Asbury Park:


The floating book shop was rained out today.
Vic's Sixth novel: http://tinyurl.com/zpuhucj 
Vic's Short Works: http://tinyurl.com/jy55pzc
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Sunday, October 8, 2017

The Writer's Life 10/8 - Steps Beyond

On Friday Iowa St. announced that its starting quarterback had taken a leave of absence to address “personal medical concerns.” On Saturday the Cyclones were a near four-touchdown underdog at Oklahoma. It would have been understandable if the team had folded after falling behind by 14 in the second quarter, and trailing by eleven at the half. It rallied big. Backup QB Kyle Kempt, making his first start, threw for 343 yards and three touchdowns, leading the season's most shocking upset, 38-31. He wasn't the only star of the game. Joel Lanning, who began the 2016 season as the team's starting QB, is now its starting middle linebacker. During the game, he played LB, QB and on special teams. He was 2-of-3 passing for 25 yards and had nine carries for 35 yards. He also had eight tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery. The victory breaks an 18-game win streak the mighty Sooners had against the Cyclones. Kudos... Also on the college gridiron, my alma mater, Western Michigan, won 71-68 in a record tying seven overtimes at Buffalo. After going 13-1 last year, the Broncos are a respectable 4-2 in 2017... And Columbia is 5-0! Isn't that one of the signs that the end times are near? 

Last night Decades, channel 112 on Cablevision in NYC, ran a marathon of One Step Beyond, an anthology of the paranormal that ran from 1959-'61, 96 episodes, all directed by series host John Newland. I watched two that first aired in '59: The Aerialist, which starred Mike Connors as an Italian-American trapeze artist, and The Burning Girl, which starred Luana Anders as a fire-starter. They were solid. The show had a great tag: "What you are about to see is a matter of human record. Explain it: we cannot. Disprove it: we cannot. We simply invite you to explore with us the amazing world of the Unknown..." Newland was prolific. In 1947-'48, he acted in nine films. He then switched to TV. He has 38 titles listed under his name at IMDb as an actor, but it was as a director that he made his mark. Although "only" 61 titles appear under his name in that category, he did multiple stints at the helm of popular shows. For instance, 24 of Peyton Place, 23 of The Loretta Young Show and 21 of Dr. Kildare. He created The Man Who Never Was, a cold war espionage series that ran only 18 episodes in '67-'68. He passed away in 2000 at 82. Here is the distinguished and accomplished auteur:



It looked like light rain would put the kibosh on the floating book shop today, but luck was with me. When I drove home the most favorable parking spaces were filled. I worked for a while on my next novel, took a nap, then went out to see what was what. One of the two prime spots was available. And since it wasn't raining, I decided to open for business, knowing the wares would be protected by the scaffold if it started pouring. My thanks to the mom and two adolescent daughters, three blonds, who purchased one of Rachel Renée Russell's Dork series, and to the middle age couple who bought a book in Russian and one in Ukrainian. It only amounted to a few bucks, but it got me out of the apartment for a couple of hours.
Vic's Sixth novel: http://tinyurl.com/zpuhucj 
Vic's Short Works: http://tinyurl.com/jy55pzc
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